Kartar Singh Lehri who cremated Padma Shri Nimral Singh Ragi : He cremates abandoned Covid victims

kartar Singh Lehri

AMRITSAR: With many people refusing to cremate bodies of persons who died of Covid-19, even if they happen to be deceased loved ones, it is up to the administration to perform their last rites. Under such circumstances, Kartar Singh Lehari, a patwari has volunteered to cremate bodies of people who died of the disease. His first such cremation was spiritual singer Padma Shri Nimral Singh Ragi, who died of coronavirus infection on April 2. Since then, Lehari has cremated 21 bodies of Covid 19 patients.

Lehari told TOI on Sunday that being a patwari, he was asked by his seniors to identify a cremation ground for Ragi’s last rites. However, he recalled the resistance they faced from residents of the area around Verka cremation ground, who feared the spread of coronavirus infection if the body of a person who died of the disease was cremated nearby. “Late in the evening, using lights of vehicles, the ambulance driver, the helper and I wore PPE kits. We took Ragi’s body from the ambulance and prepared a pyre. The pyre was lit by Ragi’s son,” he said.

According to him, there is no higher form of service to humanity than giving a dignified send-off to people rejected by their own. Therefore, he said he approached his seniors to volunteer his services for cremation of persons dying of coronavirus infection in future.

“Till now, I have cremated 21 people who died of Covid-19 and it has now become a mission of my life,” he said, adding that his wife Jaswinder Kaur, a teacher, never objected to him for doing the ‘risky’ job. “I tell my wife whenever I go to cremate a person who died of Covid 19. She offers prayers for me until I come home but I take adequate precautions like removing the clothes and taking a bath before entering my home,” he said.

Due to misinformation and social stigma surrounding the cremation of Covid 19 dead, the next of kin of the deceased often disown their loved ones and refused to even accompany them to the cremation ground.

“But now, in some cases, family members of Covid 19 deceased have started coming forward to at least light the pyres. Earlier, relatives, including wives or children would refuse to come to the cremation ground. Those who did would remain at a distance and record videos on their mobiles,” he said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/he-cremates-abandoned-covid-victims/articleshow/76500455.cms

Harmeet Singh :Pakistani news channel hires first male Sikh news anchor, earns Twitterati’s praise

“Pakistan’s 1st Sikh News Anchor Harmeet Singh only on #PublicNews.” 

A Pakistani news channel is garnering a lot of praise for hiring a male Sikh as its newscaster. This comes after a female Sikh and a transgender were hired by two other TV stations recently. Private news channel Public News has employed Harmeet Singh, who belongs to the Sikh minority community in Pakistan. Taking to Twitter, the official handle of the media house posted a video of Singh, and captioned, “Pakistan’s 1st Sikh News Anchor Harmeet Singh only on #PublicNews.”

 

 “Pakistan’s 1st Sikh News Anchor Harmeet Singh only on #PublicNews.” 

Many took to social media to laud the news channel. While some commented on Pakistan’s move to be more inclusive, others stated that it was ‘nice’ to see a Sikh man on a Pakistani channel. 

Harmeet Singh is a resident of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Chakesar city. His family is based in Pakistan, NDTV rep

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Singh said he had always been inclined towards Pakistani media industry. He had completed his masters in Journalism from Federal Urdu University Karachi.

https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/pakistan-first-sikh-male-news-anchor-5237397/

https://archive.siasat.com/news/pakistan-meet-harmeet-singh-first-sikh-anchor-1375613/

Punjab: Health minister overrules health secretary, puts dismissal of lab technicians in abeyance

“Amritsar is a hotspot. Maximum cases of Covid in Punjab are from that district. These technicians are needed for testing. The state government’s fight against the deadly virus will be hit if we start throwing people out at this juncture,” said  Health Minister Balbeer Singh Sidhu.

A day after Punjab Health Secretary Anurag Aggarwal ordered dismissal/termination of contract of 22 lab attendants posted at District Hospital, Amritsar, citing VIP culture, Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu overruled the health secretary and put the orders in abeyance on Saturday.

Sidhu confirmed toThe Indian Express that the Health Secretary’s orders were “arbitrary”. “How can anyone dismiss 22 lab technicians like this? It is not a joke to take away jobs like this. That too at a time when the state is fighting Covid and there is so much of pressure on the healthcare system."

Sidhu added, “Amritsar is a hotspot. Maximum cases of Covid in Punjab are from that district. These technicians are needed for testing. The state government’s fight against the deadly virus will be hit if we start throwing people out at this juncture. We are rather asking doctors and technicians to volunteer so that we do not have a shortfall.”

The health minister also stated that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had promised jobs to the youth. “And we are throwing people out. That too with a stroke of a pen. This is not done. Nobody even discussed it with me. How can we say that the technicians were not following transfer orders? After all, there is a system. This is a government which is running. Everything is documented and on paper. The technicians cannot go to work at a place if they are not posted there.”

Responding to Aggarwal’s claim that there were only five sanctioned posts in the hospital and there were 27 technicians deployed, Sidhu said, “if there is a surplus, we should make lists. Then we should decide what is to be done. We can take a call later. This is no time to open these fronts when the state is fighting Covid.”

Aggarwal had ordered the dismissal/termination of contract of 22 lab technicians saying they were influential and whenever he ordered their transfer, it was not done. He had called it VIP culture and had also stated that they were too influential that a fair inquiry could not be conducted against them.

In his orders, he had written: ”We have to come out of VIP culture. Since all the surplus lab technicians are very influential, no fair inquiry can be held against them. Therefore under Article 311(2) (b) of Constitution of India, they are dismissed from the service and if some of them are on contract, their contracts are to be terminated with immediate effect.”

Link:https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-health-minister-overrules-health-secretary-puts-dismissal-of-lab-technicians-in-abeyance-6468536/

83 community transmission cases in Amritsar in 5 days

Dist records first 100 community transmission cases in 17 days and took 10 more days to record another 100 cases

The district administration and the health department are on toes as the Covid-19 spread in the community is increasing rapidly in Amritsar, with 83 cases being reported in five days where the patient had no travel history or been in proximity to an infected person from outside the state.

After relaxations in the lockdown were announced on May 19, it took 17 days (till June 5) for the district to record 100 community transmission cases and next 10 days (till June 15) to reach 200-mark of community transmission cases. However, the community transmission cases showed a sudden spike in the last five days as 83 more cases got added to the list.

To date, the district, which has been put in the ‘red-zone’ category, has recorded 752 Covid-19 cases, of which 499 patients have recovered and 31 had succumbed to the disease.

Since May 19, over 445 Covid-19 cases were reported in the district of which 283, approximately 63%, are community transmission cases. Sixty-six such cases surfaced on Thursday, Friday and Saturday alone.

“These community transmission patients were tested in flu corners after they showed symptoms of the disease. Their source of infection could not be traced yet but the administration and health department have made three containment and two micro-containment zones in the district, to further contain the spread of the disease. The cases are being increased rapidly as the lockdown was uplifted and people are community in the market without taking precautionary measures,” said civil surgeon Dr Jugal Kishore.

A health employee takes swab samples of a women at the Civil Hospital in Amritsar on Friday.

 “Also, to control its spread and to find out how much the community has been infected, we are taking over 1,000 swab samples daily from the district, which is being tested at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The recovery rate in Amritsar is high and the active patients will soon get recovered,” he said.

ESI HOSPITAL CLOSED AFTER PHARMACIST TESTS POSITIVE

A day after a pharmacist of ESI Hospital, Amritsar, tested positive for Covid-19 the hospital has been temporarily closed.

“A team of the health department visited the ESI Hospital where a pharmacist was found infected. The swab samples of the entire staff have been taken for testing and disinfectants were sprayed. Till the reports of all the staff members are awaited, the hospital will be closed. The close contacts of the pharmacist have been quarantined,” said Dr Kishore.

Link:https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/83-community-transmission-cases-in-amritsar-in-5-days/story-MkK19yFYr36OMGWvKAsJ2N.html

1984 Anti-Sikh Riots in Kanpur: SIT’s probe stalled in four cases, seeks MHA’s help

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is further investigating the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases of Kanpur and has been given a six-month extension till November this year, has not been able to trace the complainants and the witnesses of four cases.

The anti-Sikh riots in Kanpur that erupted in the wake of the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had left 127 people dead.

In order to jumpstart its probe in the four stalled cases, involving the murder of nine persons, the SIT has requested the UP Information Department to publish details of the four cases in newspapers in Punjab as they suspect that the victims’ families could have moved there.

 “After reading the case details in newspapers, people could come forward to help the SIT in the investigation. Telephone numbers of SIT members would be mentioned along with the details of the case in the newspapers,” said Superintendent of Police and SIT member, Balendu Bhushan.

The SIT has also written a letter to SSP Kanpur to circulate pamphlets and paste posters seeking information from the public about those four cases.

“So far, we have little information and documents of those four cases. For investigation, we need to speak to witnesses of the case,” Bhushan added.

The SIT shortlisted 39 cases of murder and dacoity in which the Kanpur police had earlier filed chargsheet in 11 and closure report in the remaining 28

Link:https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/1984-anti-sikh-riots-in-kanpur-sits-probe-stalled-in-four-cases-seeks-mhas-help-6468054/

On Video Call, Father-Son Salute Each Other In Army Uniform, Win Hearts

The father-son duo, both in Army uniform, salute each other on video call

A photo of a newly commissioned army officer salutes his father on a video call while they are both in uniform is winning hearts on social media. The young Sikh officer is seen outside while his father is indoors, the photograph suggests. It was shared by lawyer and author Navdeep Singh on Twitter and was liked by thousands. Mr Singh says he found it the photo on Facebook.

"A proud newly commissioned officer saluting his equally proud father, both in uniform, on a video call. From my Facebook timeline," Mr Singh tweeted with the photo.

The young officer is seen smiling as he salutes his father, also an army officer. An overdrive of likes and comments followed soon after the photo was shared.

Link:https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-video-call-father-son-salute-each-other-in-army-uniform-win-hearts-2246227

Amritsar Police Distribute Masks To Spread Awareness About COVID-19

Amritsar(Punjab) [India], June 20 (ANI): Police personnel in Amritsar on Saturday distributed face masks, specifically to those flouting government regulations put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Women, children and youth were seen roaming on the Taran Taran road here without masks on, despite the weekend lockdown enforced by the state government.

According to the DSP Harkrishan, the police are attempting to make people more aware about COVID-19 and how to protect themselves and others from the infectious virus.

"I'm glad that the local police are handing out masks and explaining to the public that we should wear masks not only for ourselves but also for the people around us" said Manu, a local resident.

On June 1, the Central Government eased certain restrictions after nearly three months of a nation-wide lockdown. With regard to this, the state is currently observing a weekend lockdown. Only shops selling essential items are allowed to open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Link:https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/amritsar-police-distribute-masks-to-spread-awareness-about-covid-1920200620155338/

Amritsar Police Challans Weekend Lockdown Violators

Amritsar (Punjab), Jun 20(ANI): During Weekend shutdown in Punjab, Amritsar Police distributed masks on the new flyover constructed on the Tarn Taran road.

Irrespective of multiple reminders and awareness drives, people were seen taking walks and were travelling without masks. Police not just informed them to follow preventive measures but also charged them by cutting their invoice. The step was taken to spread awareness for COVID-19 pandemic among people as positive cases continue to spike in Punjab.

 Link:https://www.aninews.in/videos/national/amritsar-police-challans-weekend-lockdown-violators/

A Year On, Bihar Police Still Trailing Congress's Navjot Singh Sidhu

Bihar's Katihar district police had lodged a case against cricketer-turned-politician for violating the Model Code of Conduct during a campaign speech in Lok Sabha polls last year.

Chandigarh: 

A year after a case was filed against Congress MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu in Bihar, the police has not been able to meet him despite repeated visits to Amritsar.

A team of Katihar police arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday and is yet to meet the Congress MLA. Speaking to NDTV, Sub Inspector of Bihar Police Janardhan Ram said he has contacted the local police and visited Mr Sidhu's residence but he was not available. 

"Every time we visit here to get his signature of the bail bond papers, he remains elusive. Even in this visit, we are trying to reach out to him through his personal assistants who have still kept us in waiting," said Mr Ram.

When contacted, city police commissioner Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill said the local police was never contacted by Bihar police. "Inter-state communication happens when the visiting team has to arrest someone. In this case they are just visiting to get signatures on judicial papers, so we are not kept in loop," said Dr Gill.

Meanwhile, Mr Ram, who is planning to stay in the city for another couple of days, confirmed that in every visit they coordinate with the local police and even accompany the local team to Mr Sidhu's residence.

Bihar's Katihar district police had lodged a case against cricketer-turned-politician for violating the Model Code of Conduct during a campaign speech in Lok Sabha polls last year. 

Mr Sidhu had reportedly said, "Do not consider yourself as being in minority. You constitute the majority here. You are about 64 per cent. Do not fall into the trap laid by people like (Asaduddin) Owaisi (chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen). They have been propped up by the BJP. Recognise your strength and vote en block to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/a-year-on-bihar-police-still-trailing-congresss-navjot-singh-sidhu-2249214

Canada PM backs Sikh leader Jagmeet Singh, calls his expulsion for calling out racism disappointing

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP politician Jagmeet Singh

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday criticised political party Bloc Quebecois for not recognising systematic racism in the country., reported Global News. Trudeau also supported Opposition party leader Jagmeet Singh who was temporarily expelled from the House of Commons for calling another MP racist.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP politician Jagmeet Singh

On June 17, a controversy began after Bloc Quebecois’ politician  Alain Therrien refused to sign Singh’s New Democratic Party’s motion recognising systemic racism in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, according to CBC. The motion highlighted that “several indigenous people have died at the hands of the RCMP in recent months....” Following a heated debate, Singh accused Therrien of being racist and was subsequently asked to leave the House for the remainder of the day.

“It is disappointing that the Bloc Quebecois continues to refuse to accept that systemic discrimination, systemic racism exists within our country, in every part of our country and in all our institutions,” Trudeau said during a media briefing on Thursday. “Recognising systemic discrimination is the important first step towards being able to address it.”

Trudeau added that Singh had raised a conversation that was bound to make some people uncomfortable, but asserted that they were still necessary. “[With] regards to Mr Singh, I think it’s important that we recognise that racialised Canadians whose lived reality is discrimination...all too often...are allowed to make people uncomfortable in bringing out these issues,” he said.

Link:https://scroll.in/latest/965093/canada-pm-backs-sikh-leader-jagmeet-singh-calls-his-expulsion-for-calling-out-racism-disappointing

Khalsa Jatha Gurdwarda :How London's oldest Sikh gurdwara has faced the good times and the bad during lockdown

The stunning Khalsa Jatha gurdwarda, and insets, volunteers preparing and transporting meals to members of the community

Faith groups across Kensington and Chelsea have a tradition of joining together to support communities and it’s been no different during lockdown.

They are now making plans for welcoming congregations back - when that is possible.

It’s thought that places of worship could reopen - with careful steps in place in early July.

Europe’s oldest Sikh place of worship the Khalsa Jatha - also known as the Central Gurdwara - on the borders of Kensington is preparing to welcome people back.

 During lockdown the gurdwara put in broadcast-quality cameras  so it could stream prayers which were said five times a day and people joined in by Zoom.

 President Gurpreet Singh Anand said the safety measures will include a one-way system, hand sanitiser and strict observance of the 2m social distancing rule, with everyone wearing a face mask.

 There will be a maximum of 40 worshippers with volunteers on hand to “very kindly, nicely and compassionately” ensure people keep to the safety rules.

Gurpreet Singh Anand carries meals during coronavirus. The gurdwara provided some 550 meals each day to people in need

Mr Anand said: “It’s a time that’s been difficult for us all. We have all lost relatives, we have all seen deaths. It’s human nature to celebrate the good times and the bad.”

Khalsa Jatha gurdwarda were worshippers are now starting to return

And the gurdwara has lost two members of the congregation, an elderly man and another who had returned from overseas.

Because of its 112-year history the gurdwara normally attracts people from as far afield as Reading, Gerrards Cross and Croydon.

And it can attract 400 people at a time, with up to 1,000 attending during the day.

 Mr Anand thinks as lockdown has given people time to reflect on the important things in life and “removed the superficial. We are expecting people to come back not for a social gathering but to meet God.”

Volunteers at the Khalsa Jatha gurdwarda cooking up a storm during lockdown

Volunteers have also helped fund and deliver 550 meals a day to help support the community - with food going to a range of places including the food bank in North Kensington, Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals, Beatrice Place for older adults with mental health needs amongst others.

Just one of the many batches of meals prepared at the gurdwara

Mr.Anand said that the gurdwara has united with other places of worship, just as they did after the Grenfell Tower fire just a mile away.“It’s brought us together collectively to do more. One finger can carry so much weight - ten fingers can carry so much more,” he said.

Holland Park Synagogue. One of the many places of worship that have joined together in an Interfaith Forum 

More than 40 places of worship which belong to the Interfaith Forum are embracing technology so their congregations can stay connected apart and they plan to develop it even more after lockdown.

They include the Holland Park Synagogue where services are currently virtual and WhatsApp was pressed into action to find out who would like cheesecake and challah delivered to help celebrate last month’s Shavuot - or harvest festival - remotely.

 And Mr Anand said: “The Covid and Grenfell responses have shown that there is a resilience  across the community, with all these acts of kindness and responses across the community - it’s a positive act of society.”

Link:https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/how-londons-oldest-sikh-gurdwara-18448366