Anand Marriage Act likely to get imposed in Pakistan’s Punjab province after lockdown

LAHORE, Punjab—The work to frame rules for registering Sikh marriages under Sikh Anand Karaj Marriages Act in Pakistani Punjab has begun. It has come to fore that a draft of rules has been prepared which might come in effect soon after lifting of lockdown.

Notably, the ‘Punjab Sikhs Anand Karaj Marriages Act 2017’ was unanimously passed in the Pakistani Punjab’s assembly in March-2018 to legally recognize Sikh marriages in Punjab province of Pakistan.

Speaking to media, Parliamentary Secretary Mohinderpal Singh informed that this Bill will require the approval of governor after the rules are framed. “In this concern, we have already held a meeting with the Federal Home Ministry of Pakistan,” he added.  

Sources have revealed that if this Bill comes in effect then the newly wedded Sikh couples can register their marriages by filling a form within 30 days of their marriages.

To get divorced, the husband or wife will have to lodge a complaint with the Chairman of Sikh Anand Marriage Committee. The chairman will then issue a notice to the second party and it will be mandatory for the second party to meet the Arbitration Council within 30 days of receiving notice.

The Arbitration Council will give a chance to the duo parties to sort out their differences and will approve divorce, if the differences are not sorted out.

Meanwhile, it is learned that the Sikhs residing in other states of Pakistan have also become active to get this bill imposed in their states.

It is pertinent to note here that the marriages of Sikhs in Pakistan are currently registered by the authorities of Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib and Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh (Peshawar) but this registration doesn’t hold any legal value.  

According to this bill, a marriage ceremony, or Anand Karaj — which is defined as “the lawful union of a Sikh male and Sikh female” — will be performed in accordance with the religious practices as per Sikh tenets. A “marriage deed”, a legal document authorizing the matrimonial union, will then be issued by a registrar who will be appointed by the Punjab government.

Link:https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/14/anand-marriage-act-likely-to-get-imposed-in-pakistans-punjab-province-after-lockdown/#.XuhQi5ozbIU

People in Amritsar spotted flouting norms during pandemic

Amritsar (Punjab) [India], June 16 : 

Flouting health guidelines to combat COVID-19, not wearing masks while going for a walk in public places will attract a fine of Rs 500 in Amritsar from Tuesday, a police official said.

In the morning today, several people were seen not abiding by the social distancing norms and children were also seen playing without masks.

"It is a violation of the law and there is a fine of Rs 500 for openly walking without a mask. Earlier we were not aware that locals are not following rules," said Amarjeet Singh, a police officer while speaking to ANI.

"On a daily bases, the government is creating awareness amongst the masses that wearing a mask is essential during the pandemic. If some of them will not wear it, then others will also break the rules, said Kajal Sharma, a resident.

In national capital also, a similar rule has been imposed. People found chewing and spitting tobacco in public or not wearing masks will now attract a legal penalty of Rs 500. A repeat offence will amount to doubling the cost of the penalty to Rs 1,000. (ANI)

Link:https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/not-wearing-masks-to-attract-rs-500-fine-in-amritsar20200616093804/

Sikh Warrior Maharaja Ranjit Singh Named Greatest World Leader in BBC Poll

The founder and ruler of the Sikh Empire, Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been voted as the greatest leader in world history by 38 per cent readers of BBC World Histories Magazine. The leader who had defeated Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln during the early 19th century, Singh was nominated by historian Matthew Lockwood, an assistant professor of history at the University of Alabama for establishing “modern empire of toleration”. 

The magazine had asked its readers to vote for the greatest leader from the names that had been nominated by several renowned historians. They had to choose a leader who had “exercised power and had a positive impact on humanity and to explore their achievements and legacy”. It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who topped the poll and was described by Lockwood as a uniting force whose reign “marked a golden age for Punjab and northwest India”.

Ranjit Singh was praised for creating a new tolerant empire."And, at a time of global political tensions, it's telling that Singh's rule is interpreted as representing ideals of tolerance, freedom and cooperation, said Matt Elton, Editor of BBC World History Magazine' of leading historians.

Link:https://www.news18.com/news/world/sikh-warrior-maharaja-ranjit-singh-named-greatest-world-leader-in-bbc-poll-2527713.html

Akal Takht Felicitated Dr Harpal Singh Selhi for COVID Awareness

Akal Takht Felicitated Dr Harpal Singh Selhi for COVID Awareness

LUDHIANA: Dr Harpal Singh Selhi, head of orthopaedic department at the Dayanand Medical College, has been felicitated by the supreme Sikh body Akal Takht for raising awareness on Covid-19. In a Youtube video made last month, the doctor demonstrated how to wear a face mask without disturbing the beard and turban. “We are thankful to Dr Selhi for introducing the method to Sikh healthcare providers worldwide, so that they can serve humanity while maintaining their faith,” said jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, who felicitated him in Amritsar recently.

 Link: https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-chandigarh/20200615/281685437088799

Sikh Community Gathers At Cesar Chavez Park To Honor Black Lives Matter

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Members of the Sikh community in Sacramento are standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Crowds gathered in Cesar Chavez Park on Sunday to uplift the voices of the black community and honor the movement.

Organizers of the event said they wanted to hear from community members and leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement to learn how they can best get involved.

They said it is the duty of all Sikhs to stand up to injustices.

“Oftentimes we tend to sit in silence and we don’t want to continue this kind of compliance,” one of the organizers said. “And we want to come out and listen to the black community and then take action based on the words that we hear today.”

Sunday’s event was open to anyone and everyone.

In the interest of public health, attendees were also encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Link:https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2020/06/14/sikh-community-gathers-at-cesar-chavez-park-to-honor-black-lives-matter/

40 booked for not allowing former Golden Temple hazuri ragi Padma Shree Awardee Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa's Cremation

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa receiving the Padma Shri Award 2009 from Pratibha Patil, President of India, at the Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 31, 2009.  

More than two months after the death of former Golden Temple hazuri ragi Padma Shri Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa due to Covid-19, Verka police revealed that a first information report (FIR) was registered against 40 people who did not allow his cremation at the village crematorium.

Verka station house officer (SHO) Nishan Singh confirmed that the FIR was registered on April 9 against 40 people on the basis of a complaint sent to Punjab DGP by a Nawanshahr-based social and RTI activist, Parwinder Singh Kitna. They were booked under sections 188, 269, 270 and 186 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of the Disaster Management Act and Epidemic Disease Act.

INQUIRY TO PROBE CAUSE OF DEATH BEGINS

A special investigation team (SIT) was formed to probe the allegations of medical negligence made by the family of Khalsa. The SIT, led by Jalandhar divisional commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri, has started the probe, said Amritsar police commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill on Sunday. Some doctors, cops and Verka residents were also summoned by the SIT. The probing team will also look into the role of managements of two main crematoriums of the city.

Link:https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/40-booked-for-not-allowing-former-golden-temple-hazuri-ragi-s-cremation/story-BaEnSp6jwUw40qzEgxaPCI.html

Watchalong to celebrate life of Sikh prince whose generosity benefitted Norfolk Town : UK

The statue of the last King of Punjab, Maharajah Duleep Singh, at Butten Island in Thetford. 

The life of a Sikh prince who left a lasting legacy in Norfolk and Suffolk is to be the focus of a unique online event.

The grave of Maharajah Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire, is at Elveden Church, near Thetford. 

Thetford’s Ancient House Museum and the Sikh Museum Initiative have joined forces to celebrate the life of Maharajah Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire.

After his kingdom was taken from him by the British in the 1840s, the Maharajah was brought to England where he was befriended by Queen Victoria and later lived at Elevden Hall, near Thetford.

His son, Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, was the founder of Ancient House Museum and, with Thetford having benefitted greatly from their generosity, Prince Charles unveiled a statue of the Maharajah at Butten Island in 1999.

At 2pm on Sunday (June 14), audiences around the world are invited to join a watchalong of the 2017 film ‘The Black Prince’, which explores the troubled life of the Maharajah.

Link: https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/watchalong-maharajah-duleep-singh-thetford-1-6698777

UK gurdwaras set to reopen for individual prayer from Today 14th June 2020

 LONDON: Gurdwara in Britain will start to reopen on Sunday for individual prayer but some are unhappy with the Covid-19 measures that have been put in place. The shrines, however, remain closed for collective worship, study classes and tourism purposes and ‘kirtan’ is still not allowed. Collective worship is not expected to resume until July 4, at the earliest. Jatinder Singh, who sits on the management committee of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, said: “The reopening places of worship taskforce did not properly consult the Sikh community and has organised the reopening more through a Christian prism. The conduct of our programmes cannot be dictated. The conduct of our stage (darbar) cannot be interfered with. It has continued even during battles. It does not get changed. The government should not interfere with it.”

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/uk-gurdwaras-set-to-reopen-for-individual-prayer-from-today/articleshow/76364797.cms

Australia News Heading"'If you want anything done, get the Sikhs': community wins admirers for bushfire and Covid aid"

Group serves up thousands of hot meals to Australians and international students in need

During the pandemic, the United Sikhs and Sikh communities have been vital in organising food relief in some of Victoria’s most economically vulnerable areas. At the Wyndham Park community centre in Melbourne,they have been providing hundreds of hot meals a week. 

“My mantra is if you want anything done you get the Sikhs involved,” says Greg Ferrington, who managers the centre. “They can just put a list up on Facebook and within 24 hours they can turn it around and get what they need, that’s just the ethos in the community.”

Among those the Sikh community has been helping in Australia are international students, who have been widely excluded from government assistance.

Jatinder Singh, a master’s student at Victoria University, lost his job at a restaurant when the lockdown began and, within a few weeks, he and his roommates were struggling to buy food.

“I was still having to pay rent and pay my university fees … We thought we might need to cut out our meals,” he says. “I was thinking like, ‘Man, I’m gonna have just one meal a day.’

“I was thinking maybe I can get some money from family back home but in India it is worse, they have lost their jobs and, with the lockdown, they can’t even get to the bank … I can’t even fly home”.

Jatinder found the United Sikhs through Facebook, filled out their form and the next day two bags of groceries were dropped off at his door. “To be honest I was crying … it’s been really really bad.”

The student is Sikh himself but the vast majority of the students and families they have fed are not.

Though religious-based charities are commonplace, Sekhon says sometimes people worry that the United Sikhs have ulterior motives for helping.

“It has come up and we have been addressing it, but there are no pamphlets or anything that we are handing out that tell people who we are, or anything that could possibly try and convert anyone at all,” Sekhon says. “If people have questions then we will answer them, but that’s all.”

Singh says the organisation is working to become more widely accepted within Australia.

“We want to be part of the mainstream. People do look on us in a different way but we want to just remove those differences. Like, ‘Hey, we look different but we want to be part of the community, we want to help create a better community for the future.’”

While some Bairnsdale locals were tentative at first, Sekhon says by the end of the bushfire crisis his team were part of the community.

“For the first two or three days, it was about building the relationship but then we mingled in together and it was sort of like a family situation,” he says. “By the end we didn’t want to go back, even though we had family waiting for us. It was like a second home for us.

“We still get messages saying thank you and people posting to Facebook to remind others that if they are ever in need that the Sikh community or your local Sikh temple will give you whatever you need, or whatever they possibly can give you.”

The United Sikhs volunteers in Bairnsdale: ‘We want to be part of the mainstream.

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/14/if-you-want-anything-done-get-the-sikhs-community-wins-admirers-for-bushfire-and-covid-aid

SDR. HARMEET SINGH KALKA ANNOUCES THE DELHI STATE UNIT OF SHIROMANI AKALI DAL.

With Thanks :
Media DSGMC

The unaffordable & inadequate health facilities in Delhi may lead to ?

At this rate, we will soon require a Dozen more crematoriums in Delhi as Pvt hospitals are unaffordable & Govt has nothing for the common man on the name of health facilities.