Sikh Pilgrims: Hundreds of yatris arrive in Shakargarh

SIALKOT: 

Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from the USA, India, England, Malaysia, Canada, Australia and Germany visited the Darbar Sahib Guru Nanak in Kartarpur, Shakargarh amid tight security on Wednesday evening.

According to security officials, Darbar Seva-Das in-charge Sardar Gobind Singh told reporters that the visiting Sikh pilgrims participated in celebrations held in connection with the 542nd birth anniversary of Baba Jee Guru Nanak Dev Jee.

“There were hundreds of pilgrims and the event went off without a hitch.

The yatrees performed religious rites and also attended a special prayer ceremony following the event,” he said.

Sardar Gobind Singh told reporters that the yatrees also took “Ashnan” there and distributed sweets among the local people. Some Sikh pilgrims also spoke about their pre-partition memories by visiting their native houses in Zafarwal, Shakargarh and other surrounding areas in the district.

The yatrees also exchanged gifts with the local people and dozens of local residents came to the gurdawara to greet them and wish them well for the remainder of their stay in Pakistan.

with thanks : Tribune PK

Sikh clergy hail Anand Marriage Act

AMRITSAR: The Sikh community has hailed Union law minister Salman Khurshid's statement regarding implementation of the Anand Marriage Act (Sikh's separate marriage Act) in the near future.

Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said, "I appreciate Khurshid's gesture as it is acknowledgment of Sikh's separate identity". He said the law minister should now ensure that the Anand Marriage Act is implemented without delay.

with thanks : times of India : link above.

Gilani proposes plan for establishing university named after Guru Nanak

LAHORE: 

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani discussed the establishment of a university named after Guru Nanak in a bid to empower minority communities in the country.

The idea was discussed in a meeting between the prime minister and pilgrims of the Sikh community in Lahore.

Prominent at the gathering was the topic of the establishment of a university in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak.

Dr Pritpal Singh, Convener of the American Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, expressed his pleasure at the enthusiasm shown by Gilani to set things in motion for the university.

The American Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee is an organisation that looks after Sikh places of worship.

The work on the university is slated to be arranged by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, the organisation that looks after the affairs of minority properties and places of worship in Pakistan.

with thanks : Tribune pak : link above.

Temple Trip

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above.

One Year After Lalita Park Tragedy : Shardhanjali

At 5 pm today we had a prayer meeting just opposite the spot where 71 persons were killed in Lalita Park in the building collapse, an year ago on the same day. Members from our, " East Delhi RWAs Joint Front" as well members of local RWA were present. Ardas was done by the Granthi sahib of Gurdwara Lalita park for the departed souls and than Parshad was distributed.

B S Vohra
President
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front
(A Federation of RWAs of Delhi East)
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.com

Top 5 Sikh Blogs

There are dozens of blogs related to Sikhism and Sikh issues on the internet, but most are not updated. To assist you in your search in finding knowledgeable, insightful and educational Sikhism blogs, we have put this top 5 list together. These blogs have have a variety of focuses, from daily experiences as a practicing Sikh to Gatka, the martial arts of Sikhism. The top 5 Sikhism blogs (in no specific order) are:

1. The Langar Hall

The Langar Hall is a space dedicated to the experiences, reflections, and interests of a diverse group of young individuals tied together by our common and varied identities as Sikhs in the diaspora.

2. Mr Sikh Net

Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa is a Sikh of non-Asian origin and Mr Sikh Net is an online journal that shares his and his families experiences, thoughts, local sangat and how they live as Sikhs.

3. Sikhi Wiki

A web based encyclopedia of the Sikh Way of Life written collaboratively by many of its readers.  Many people are constantly improving SikhiWIKI, by constantly making changes. Although this is more of a wiki than a blog, we thought this should be included in any list regarding Sikhism.

4. SikhsIndia

The SikhsIndia blog is a great resource for news and updates on the worldwide Sikh communities. It also has a great number of photo galleries from various Sikh community events, adding some bright and joyous color.

5.  Spirit of the Sikh

Every Sikh has their story to tell and Spirit of Sikh shares this blogger’s experience in a very poetic and spiritual way. It is a collection of thoughts and reflections as the blogger journey’s on this path with the Guru. In these essays, poems, and random thoughts – the Spirit of Sikh blogger hopes to learn more about them-self, learn more about their Guru, and strengthen the bond between the two.

Other blogs we found insightful and interesting are:
American Turban
Martial Art Gatka


with thanks : Chakra News : link above.


SikhsIndia
www.SikhsIndia.blogspot.com
www.sohnijodi.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.com

Guru Nanak Dev ji's Parkash Purab : SikhsIndia

SikhsIndia
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.sohnijodi.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.com

1,500 Sikhs parade through Whalley Range and Old Trafford for opening of new temple

with thanks to memmedia UK : link above for detailed news .

Sikhs celebrate new Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara temple

Thousands of Sikhs have gathered to celebrate the opening of the community's first new temple in Manchester for 35 years.

An official opening ceremony was held at the £2m Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Whalley Range.

Celebrations are expected to last three days with a huge firework display planned.

Prakash Singh, general secretary of the gurdwara, said it was a great day for the Sikh community.

"It's 35 years since a new temple has opened in Manchester and we are very excited," he said.

Festive treats
With thanks : BBC News : link above for detailed news story.

Sikh celebrations soured by pilgrim rape claim

The occasion of Baba Guru Nanak Dev’s 543rd birth anniversary, for which more than 13,000 pilgrims had gathered at Nankana Sahib, was soured by allegations of a rape of a pilgrim.

The allegations fell on a police constable, who is said to have raped a Hindu woman on the premises of a Gurdwara.

The case was reported on November 8 at the Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, at a distance of one kilometre from Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak’s birthplace. However, the incident was hushed up by local authorities and the police, leaving most pilgrims unaware of the case, sources familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune.

The victim, one of around 10,000 Pakistani Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, had come to Nankana Sahib from Rahimyar Khan. More than 400 police personnel were deployed for the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism.

The constable was reportedly caught red-handed in a room at Gurdwara Tambu Sahib by some Sikh pilgrims who gathered at the Gurdwara for religious rituals, sources said, adding that the pilgrims thrashed the constable and locked him in the room.

The constable was handed over to DPO Dr Haider Ashraf who later sent the accused to a police station, sources added.

A case was registered at the Nankana Sahib police station on the complaint of the victim’s husband. Shahbaz, a clerk at the police station, said the FIR has been sealed while the accused constable has been sent to jail on judicial remand.

“We have taken action against the accused according to directions from higher authorities,” SHO Sajjad Akber said in response to the allegation. Ashraf said all evidence gathered will be sent for a DNA test.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board, however, said there was no rape case and a police officer had walked into the women’s bathroom.

with thanks : Tribune PK : link above

Revealed GOLDEN TEMPLE on Discovery channel Part 5