Canada Post unveils stamp to mark 100 years since ship full of Sikhs turned away

OTTAWA - Canada Post has unveiled a new stamp to mark 100 years since a ship full of mostly Sikh passengers was turned way from Canada and sent back to India, where they were jailed or killed.

The Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet on May 23, 1914, carrying 376 British subjects, primarily Sikhs from India's Punjab region, as well as a number of Hindus and Muslims.

The ship was denied permission to dock and only a handful of passengers were allowed to stay in Canada, with the rest remaining on the ship as it was escorted out of Canadian waters two months after its arrival.

When the ship arrived in India, 19 of the passengers were shot and the rest were imprisoned.

The international-rate stamp features an image of the Komagata Maru, with a group of men in Sikh turbans in the background.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered an apology for the Komagata Maru incident in 2008, and the B.C. legislature passed a motion apologizing on behalf of the province the same year.

with thanks : mysask : LINK

Celebrating Eight Sikh Americans We Admire : Huffington Post : Must Read

HuffPost Religion celebrates the Sikh American community and all of its diverse accomplishments. These eight people have made headlines for a wide variety of achievements, from athletic prowess to human rights leadership. Meet the future of America's Sikh community here:

Prabhjot Singh

Prabhjot Singh, a professor at Columbia University, sustained serious injuries after being subjected to a brutal hate crime attack. In a blog about the incident, his friend Simran Jeet Singh said that "Prabhjot has dedicated his life to serving the underserved," as Director of Systems Management at the Earth Institute as well as within his local Harlem community>>>>>>>>>>>>

Valarie Kaur

Valarie Kaur is a longtime advocate, writer, filmmaker, and activist for causes of justice that go far beyond the Sikh community>>>>>>>>>>>>

Waris Ahluwahlia

Waris Ahluwahlia is a talented jewelry designer known for his impeccable sense of style and beautiful creations>>>>>>>>>>>>

Amrit Singh

Amrit Singh is a civil rights lawyer known for being one of the fiercest U.S. critics of the torture and abuse of prisoners under the Bush administration>>>>>>>>>>>>

Vishavjit Singh

Vishavjit Singh drew smiles and laughs when he dressed up as Captain America and roamed the streets of New York. The cartoonist of Sikhtoons.com challenged expectations about superheroes and national entity with his awesome costume>>>>>>>>>>>>

Balpreet Kaur

Balpreet Kaur was named Huffington Post's 'Person Of The Year' In 2012 for her amazing and thoughtful response to a Redditor who posted a picture of her online in order to make fun of her appearance>>>>>>>>>>>>

In 2009, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi became the first Sikh allowed to serve on active duty in the U.S. army with a turban, beard and unshorn hair in more than twenty years. >>>>>>>>>>>>

Darsh Singh

Darsh Singh is the NCAA's first turbaned Sikh American basketball player. He ended his senior year at Trinity University as co-captain of the team>>>>>>>>>>>>

with thanks : HUFFINGTON POST : LINK : for more details. Must read.

TURBAN CHIC !

Sikhs Host 'Turban Day' in New York City : Huffington Post

with thanks : Huffington Post : LINK : for more pics. Must view.

Turban tadka: Bollywood's top five on-screen 'Singhs'

By Divya Dwivedi 

New Delhi, May 4: Once again, Bollywood's 'Khiladi' actor Akshay Kumar is going in for a turbaned look in "Singh Is Bling". In recent years, 'Punjabization' has taken over Bollywood and it seems that playing a "Singh" has become trendy with quite a few actors donning the turban.

Here are the five top actors, who wore the turban with aplomb on big screen:

Akshay Kumar: He first played a Sikh in "Singh Is Kinng" (2008) and the audience loved his character so much so that the film turned into a blockbuster. It still rules the heart of the Singhs in the country. It even touched Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Coming out of parliament after winning a crucial trust vote in 2008, he flashed the V for victory sign and many a TV channel had "Singh is Kinng" playing in the background. The film was appreciated so much that the 46-year-old Akshay was nominated for the best actor award at the 3rd Asian Film Awards for his performance. He will now be seen playing a Sikh again in the film's second instalment, "Singh Is Bling", which is slated to release in July 2015.

Sunny Deol: In recent times, Sunny Deol is the one who has perhaps turned Sikh on the celluloid the maximum number of times - "Border" (1997) "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha" (2001), "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" (2002), "Jo Bole So Nihaal" (2005), and "Yamla Pagla Deewana" (2011). The 57-year-old was appreciated for his work in all of his endeavours.

Saif Ali Khan: Known for his metrosexual image, Tiger Pataudi's son Saif Ali Khan too wrapped the turban to essay Veer Singh in "Love Aaj Kal"(2009), directed by Imtiaz Ali. The 43-year-old, who played a double role in the romantic comedy, impressed girls across the country with his style statement in the film.

Ranbir Kapoor: Current heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor was seen with turban in "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year" (2009). Rachel Saltz of New York Times called it "a smart, focussed Bollywood movie" and commended the 31-year-old for "turning in a skillfully understated performance".

Ajay Devgn: Ajay Devgan furnished an exquisite performance of his career as freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in "The Legend of Bhagat Singh". For the 2002 release, directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi, he received the National Film Award for best actor. Later, the 45-year-old did a humorous role in "Son of Sardaar" (2012) as Jaswinder Singh.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are targets of violence: Barack Obama

US President Barack Obama has acknowledged that even today a number of people from the South Asian origin — particularly those from Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities — are becoming victims of hate crimes in America.

US President Barack Obama has acknowledged that even today a number of people from the South Asian origin — particularly those from Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities — are becoming victims of hate crimes in America.

"Even today, South Asian Americans, especially those who are Muslim, Hindu and Sikh, are targets of suspicion and violence," Obama said in a presidential proclamation that recognised the contribution of Asian-Americans in the socio-political and economic milieu of the country.

"Like America itself, the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community draws strength from the diversity of its many distinct cultures - each with vibrant histories and unique perspectives to bring to our national life," Obama said.

"Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have helped build, defend and strengthen our Nation - as farm workers and railroad laborers; as entrepreneurs and scientists; as artists, activists, and leaders of government.

They have gone beyond, embodying the soaring aspirations of the American spirit," Obama said.

with thanks : DNA : LINK : for detailed news.

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Sd Devender Singh in Faridabad !

"The Indian Elections of April/May 2014" by H.E. Manjeev Singh Puri in KU Leuven,Belgium

The world’s largest democratic election ever is set to be very exciting ;taking place in India.From April 7 until May 12,India votes to determine the membership of a new parliament.This election is reflective of major shifts in Indian politics and society over the last couple of years.

His Excellency Manjeev Singh Puri,the Indian Ambassador to Belgium and the EU (since January 2014 ),gave a distinguished lecture titled 'The Indian Elections of April/May 2014'in Leuven(KU Leuven,,Belgium) on 25th April,2014.

Link :http://indiahouseleuven.be/

Thousands mark Sikh New Year at Khalsa Day parade Toronto

More than 85,000 Sikhs donned traditional saffron robes and marched through the streets of Toronto for the 29th annual Khalsa Day parade on Sunday.

The event marks the birth of Sikhism and Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, with traditional music, hymns, prayers, and food served from the langar, a communal kitchen.

“It is like a party. It’s also a religious day — culturally also it’s a very important day — so a lot of people come out,” said coordinator Manjit Parmar.

“There will be lots and lots of food and all the food is free.”

with thanks : 680news : LINK : for detailed news story.

SIKH COMMUNITY BRINGS COLOUR TO TORREVIEJA STREETS

The Sikh community brought colour to the streets of Torrevieja at the weekend as they joined to celebrate the community fiesta ' Nagar Kirtan ' with a party and parade attracting hundreds of participants from provinces all over the region.  

The festival is a Sikh custom involving the processional singing of holy hymns throughout a community bringing  the message of God to the doorstep of the community. It is very common for Nagar Kirtans to take place wherever Sikhs live. They take place all over the globe.

The festival once again demonstrated the multi ethnicity of the city, described by city officials as the best antidote to promote healthy living among the melting pot that it constitutes.

The Indian community who follow the Sikh religion celebrate ' Nagar Kirtan ' every year with a colorful parade which tours the town inviting residents to better understand their traditions and their customs.

Sunday’s initiative was organised by the Sikh community of Torrevieja in collaboration with the City and the Association of Immigrants.

It began at the Sikh temple of Torrevieja , located in the industrial estate Casagrande , where several hundred people attended the launch. The parade then moved through the streets of the town to the Paseo Vista Alegre. During the tour, the organizers offered food and drink to spectators and to anyone who wanted to find out more about the procession and the ceremony.


with thanks : theleader : LINK : for detailed news.