Sikh with turban taken back in US Army

Campaign by Sikhs in America has resulted in the US Army accepting another Sikh recruit for active duty with his religious identity intact. It will be for the first time in 23 years that Sikhs will serve in the US Army with their turbans and unshorn hair.
Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, and Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, a doctor, were asked by the army to remove their turbans and cut hair before they could be allowed to join active duty earlier this year. The two Sikhs had just completed an army programme that paid for their medical education in return for military service.

Both they refused to remove their turbans and shave their hair, leading to protests and petitions by the community.

After a signature and lobbying campaign launched by Sikh organizations, including the Sikh Coalition, on Vaisakhi day, the US Army first announced in October to accept Captain Kalsi back with his turban.

Now it has also decided to accept Captain Rattan.

The army had banned “conspicuous” religious articles of faith for its members in 1981. However, some Sikhs who had joined before that date were allowed to practice their religious identity.

But the authorities have made only one-time exception for the two Sikh officers, without announcing any change in its overall recruitment policy. It is, however, willing to review its general policy of excluding Sikhs from future service.

“The individual accommodations for Captain Tejdeep Singh and Captain Kamaljeet Singh have significant implications for Sikh employees,” said Sikh Coalition in a statement Friday.

“Ending discrimination in the US Army sends a message to all other employers, both private and public, that discrimination against Sikhs who maintain their articles of faith is not acceptable,” it said.

Thousands of Sikhs had sent petitions to the army to take the two recruits back with their religious identity.

by IANS

Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/sikh-with-turban-taken-back-in-us-army_100288046.html

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No "heritage city" status for Amritsar: Govt

NEW DELHI: A forceful demand for declaring Amritsar a 'heritage city' was rejected in the Lok Sabha, with the government saying there was no legal provision to do so either in India or under the UNESCO rules.

The government on Friday rejected heritage city status to Amritsar on grounds that its population was less than one million, the cut off for classifying a city as “mission”.

Amritsar houses 10.03 lakh people (2001 census), 3000 more than the technical requirement for shifting it from Category B to C, the category which lists 28 cities on the basis of their religious, historical and tourist importance. These cities get greater financial contribution on the patter of 80:20 to develop their infrastructure.

But the government today steered clear of BJP member Navjot Sidhu’s persistent and emotional appeals to not bury the significant issue under the debris of technicalities, and instead spare a thought for the legacy of Amritsar.

Calling the attention of the government to the urgent need to grant “heritage city status” to Amritsar, and classify it as Category C under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Sidhu recounted the pride of place which Harmandar Sahib enjoyed in the world, with top international leaders making time to offer prayers there, including Queen Elizabeth and the Canadian PM.

“The SGPC says two lakh people daily offer prayers at the Golden Temple,” Sidhu said, in the House, most members uniting behind him, including the Congress MPs from Punjab.

“The Prime Minister has twice promised heritage status to Amritsar,” said the Amritsar MP, beseeching the PM to honour his word.

“Can we negate the history of Amritsar, the fact that it houses the temporal seat of Sikh religion, it is a birthplace of Luv and Kush; it is a historical treasure?” Sidhu asked. He rued the fact that while Lahore is a world heritage site, Amritsar is struggling for heritage tag in India.

The opposition, led by Deputy Leader of the BJP Sushma Swaraj, backed Sidhu’s demands. She requested leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee, whose birthday it was, to gift to the nation the heritage status for Amritsar. Pranab was silent but did not appear opposed to the appeals.

Minister of State for Urban Development Sugata Ray, however, made matters queer when he said there was no provision for declaration of a city as a heritage city under the ministry.

“Punjab has a balance of Rs 145 crore under the JNNURM. Amritsar can use these funds to take up projects for development of heritage areas,” he said to agitated BJP members, who said they were asking for recognition, not alms.

The House saw a brief disruption on the matter, especially so when Sidhu referred to an urban reform which empowers national steering group under the JNNURM to delete and add cities to Category C, on the basis of suggestions from states.

with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/21735/38/

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DASAM GRANTH

Totally confused at the Dasam Granth controversy between Prof. Darshan singh ji Khalsa & Akal Takht Sahib, I thought of understanding the Dasam Granth. As a net savy person, it was easy for me to surf the net. Therefore while surfing various sources on net, I reached sikhiwiki and found as below :

Dasam granth consists of Jaap (meditation), Akal ustat (praises of God) , Bachitar natak( autobiography of the Guru) , Chandi charitar I & II (the character of goddess Chandi) , Chandi di var (a ballad to describe goddess Durga), Gian Prabodh (the awakening of knowledge) , Chobis Avtar (24 incarnations of Vishnu) , Brahm avtar (incarnation of Brahma), Rudar avtar (incarnation of Shiv) , Shabad hazare (ten shabads), Swayyae (33 stanzas) , Khalsa mahima (the praises of the Khalsa) , Shastar nam mala ( a list of weapons) , Charitropakhyan / Triya Charitar (the character of women) , Zafarnama (epistle of victory, a letter written to Emperor Aurangzeb), & Hikayats (stories).

Charitropakhyan :

Charitropakhyan also called Triya Charitar,is a long composition of women's tales in verse, which forms over one third of the Dasam Granth, having 404 distinct chapters. A school of opinion, however, exists which asserts that Chritropakhyan and some other compositions included in the Dasam Granth are not by the Guru sahib, but by some of the poets of the Guru sahib’s Court. What is clear is that most of 404 tales give a moral message rather than being intended as a piece of actual history.

The chapters are of wondrous variety, being sensual, romantic, humourous, philosophical, valiant and entertaining. Many stories also deal with the darker side of human nature, such as incest, magic of myth, the mystical nature of legend, homosexuality, adultery, etc. These stories were collected from Punjabi folklore, Indian folklore and classical traditional texts.

They also arise from foreign sources, personal experiences of the Tenth Guru and others miscellaneous sources. Many scandalous stories floating about the society of the time, imaginary stories, urban legends etc., also found their way into Treh Chrittar. In some cases, multiple tales are mishmashed together to produce a wonderful new concoction of stories.

According to Bhai Mani Singh, who in the Bhagat Mala has said, “The Charitar acts as a warning so that the devout do not get trapped in women's intrigues and machinations.’’

In the Dasam Granth a title is given at the end of each tale. Thirty two of a total of 404 Tales are thus labelled "Tales of Intrigue." The remaining 372 Tales are labelled as "The Wiles of Women." However, while most of these are about lustful, deceitful women, there are some 74 tales of the bravery and intelligence of women. In this mixture of tales of various sorts, there are ten "moral stories" of the folly of gambling, drinking, and opium eating.

Claims that the Poets at the Guru's Court wrote sections of the Charitropakhyan :

In the early 1970s, Santokh Singh (a Sikh scholar) from Chandigarh wrote a letter to the Shromani Gurudwara Parbandak Committee (S.G.P.C.) quering the authenticity of the Dasam Granth as being of Guru Gobind Singh ji's hand.

On 3rd August 1973, he received a reply from the S.G.P.C. stating: ‘Chritter Pkhyan which are entered in the Dasam Granth, they are not the work of Guru Gobind Singh ji. They are ancient mythological stories of Hinduism.’(‘Dasam Granth Bareh Chonveh Lekh’ by Principle Harbhajan Singh, P.122-123)

The above reply was sanctioned by the then S.G.P.C. Jathedar (commander) of the Akal Takht, Sadhu Singh Bhaura, Chet Singh (Head Granthi of Golden Temple), Kirpal Singh Granthi and Sohan Singh (Granthi of Golden Temple).

Source : sikhiwiki

with best regards
B S Vohra



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Amarinder flays Punjab government

Hoshiarpur (Pb), Dec 11 (PTI) Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said the SAD-BJP government was trying to polarise Sikh masses in the state to further its own interest.

"Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in aware that he will not come in power in the state again," Amarinder told reporters here.

He alleged that the recent incidents in Ludhiana regarding confrontation between Panthik organisations and followers of Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan Sect head Ashutosh Maharaj was a clear cut indication of Badal's "bad" intentions.

Amarinder said the state government was trying to further crush people of state who were already facing skyrocketing prices of essential commodities by imposing new taxes.

Replying to a question regarding installation of nuclear power plant in the state, he said it should be installed in the deserts of Rajasthan with the association of state government there.

with thanks source : PTI NEWS : http://www.ptinews.com/news/419740_Amarinder-flays-Punjab-government

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Selling a dream: Rocket Singh charges up youth

CHANDIGARH: It is not everyday that Harpreet Singh gets the full glare of stardom for himself and his ilk. But on Friday, as Rocket Singh becomes a must watch film in the weekend itinerary, our very own Harpreet is glowing.

His reel life avatar, essayed by Ranbir Kapoor who plays the salesman named Harpreet Singh in the film, echoes the sentiments of a clique of turbaned salesmen. And whether it is in the shrewdness of Rocket Singh, his "natural persuasive charm", or his less than average grades that lead him to being a sales guy, this land of many Rocket Singhs have found a defining moment for their career. And life.

Harpreet, who is a young Sikh into sales, is ecstatic with Rocket Singh. He cracks up, "I swear I can identify with the glib Harpreet, aka Ranbir Kapoor in the film. His stories, dreams, though vain, are so believable for us." What brings greater cheer to these youth in the field is the fact that Ranbir is perhaps the first Sikh in Bollywood who portrays a turbaned character who is suave. "So far, the hero or any character with a turban is the comic element in the plot. He is never depicted as someone with as much panache as the other clean shaven heroes who are macho, fly machines and save the girls from the goons," says Satwinder Singh, a sales person in a pharmaceutical company.

Rattanbir Singh, a salesman with a radio channel can pinpoint the "finer nuances" of Rocket Singh that he also calls his own. "The film shows that Ranbir barely manages to scrape through his graduation with below average marks hence he decides to get into the sales line. Well, that's true in real life too," he laughs.

But the real fondness for Rocket comes from his street smartness, a trait most of our real life Sikhs have been waiting for. Preet Arjun Singh, who works in the marketing division of an IT company, says Ranbir's character is etched very close to real life and depicts the strife that a sales job brings.

"Sikhs were the original sales persons because of their diligence and capability to think innovatively. A maxim in our culture says - if you want to sell something, give it to a Punjabi," adds Jagdish Singh, another salesman.

with thanks SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Selling-a-dream-Rocket-Singh-charges-up-youth/articleshow/5328765.cms

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Don't interfere in Sikh affairs: Majithia

Friday , Dec 11, 2009 at 0112 hrs

Former cabinet minister and MLA from Majithia, Bikram Singh Majithia today reacted strongly against the statement of former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh offering support to Paramjit Singh Sarna of the DSGMC in the forthcoming general elections of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

He said the Congress party, which projects itself as secular, has always inteferred with the religious affairs of the Sikhs.

He said Sarna is a Congress supporter and has no interest in Sikhs or Punjab.

He also blamed the Congress for instigating terrorism in the state during the 1980s.

Majithia said the Sikh community played a pivotal role in the fight for independence but were not rewarded accordingly by the Congress.

Majithia also reacted to a statement by the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal demanding dismissal of a government elected by the people. He demanded Rajinder Kaur Bhattal should apologise for the un-parliamentary behaviour by Congress MLAs in the Vidhan Sabha.

with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Don--t-interfere-in-Sikh-affairs--Majithia/552716

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Punjabi University to revamp Sikh studies

Friday , Dec 11, 2009 at 0354 hrs

PATIALA: To spread the message of universal brotherhood and philosophy of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Punjabi University will draw a roadmap and revitalise its departments relating to the studies of Sikh gurus and scripture, said Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of the two-day national seminar on ‘Guru Granth Sahib: Global Sarokaar’ on Thursday.

“It all the more unfortunate that even people of native areas of Bhagat Kabir are not aware that religious writings of this great saint have been preserved and included in the Guru Granth Sahib and are revered by Sikhs. Similarly, a majority of Muslims are ignorant that the ‘bani’ of their sufi saints like Baba Farid has been given a lofty and respectable place in the Sikh scripture, thus representing an anthology of religious culture,” Singh said.

According to chief coordinator Sarabjinder Singh, as many as 20 papers were presented and debated by eminent scholars at the seminar.

with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/In-Brief/552862

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First Turbaned Sikh Police Officer in Newzealand

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Poster by : Prof. Darshan singh Khalsa

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PRESS RELEASE : Prof. Darshan Singh ji Khalsa

Singh Sahib Professor Darshan Singh Khalsa
Ex-Jathedar, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sri Amritsar

PRESS RELEASE

6 December, 2009

Another Massive Attack on the Principles of Sri Guru Granth Sahib

First, it was the attempt to install a Guru from the Bacchitar Natak, parallel to Guru Granth Sahib, and then came an attempt to create a parallel Harmandar Sahib. And now is the worst of all - an attack on the throne of justice itself: a small office in a nondescript street behind the Nishaan Sahib has been designated as the ‘Office of The Akal Takht‘. This office is in competition to The Akal Takht and now its Jathedar does not recognize an appearance at the Akal Takht as legitimate; only an appearance at [this newly designated office in a back street] is deemed appropriate where people are kept in dark about the decisions made - as has been happening over the past many years.

It has been explained in their press release by the Jathedars that the issue of the attendance of one summoned to The Akal Takht is heard only at the ‘secretariat‘. It is also said that this policy of a closed door hearing was adopted ten years ago and is now their our policy. This is proof of the fact that this policy dates from the past ten years and that Surjeet Singh Barnala's case was heard in open public setting, consistent with earlier policies.

I want to clarify that those who are unfamiliar with our old traditions, they may acquiesce to these closed door hearings and then come to some arrangements with you. But, with the Guru's grace, I had cleared this matter with you that we have only one Akal Takht and I will appear only before that Akal Takht. In their note of 17 November, they asked me to appear before The Akal takht; so on 5 December, I appeared there in the presence of the press and the sangat. But today, they do not recognize The Akal Takht and instead recognize only their closed [back-alley office]. I do not to, and will not recognize any such closed room as The Akal Takht.

I had previously fully clarified my position that reverence for Sri Guru Granth Sahib is a matter of significance to the whole Sikh community. Therefore it should be explored at The Akal Takht in the presence of the Panth, not in any closed room. Today, I am still of the same belief. That is why I appeared today at The Akat Takht and waited for almost an hour, so that the truth could be brought before the community. Some responsible brothers - Dalmegh Singh, Secretary; Jasvinder Singh, Advocate; Giani Kewal Singh; Chairman Tarsem Singh and Paramjeet Singh Sarna, Chairman, Delhi Committee, repeatedly tried to bring the Jathedars to The Akal Takht but the latter lacked the courage to face the truth and did not come; they continued to insist that their [back-alley] office would serve as The Akal Takht. After waiting an hour, I ascended the steps to The Akal Takht and presented my file before the Guru Granth Sahib; I prayed for the ability to reverse the insult that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is subjected to at some gurdwaras. After spending about two hours on the premises of Darbar Sahib, I returned.

Almost an hour and a half later [after I had departed], the Jathedars did turn up at the Akal Takht; hiding their own weakness in lies, they accused me of not coming to The Akal Takht, claiming they had been waiting, even though the sangat and the press witnessed the whole episode. Despite this, they did not hesitate to lie at The Akal Takht and, to please their masters, shamelessly declared me a "tankhaaiyya."

The press statement of those who have labelled me selfish and egotistical clearly confirms that "Professor Darshan Singh did present his statement before the Guru Granth Sahib; we have not yet read it nor will we send for it to be read by us." Let the sangat decide who is full of ego and selfishness. Those who think of themselves as higher that Sri Guru Granth Sahib and cannot even pick up and read the file left in front of the Guru Sahib - how can they render such judgment against me?

People need to wake up, recognize and challenge this new danger - and ensure that these Jathedars, at the behest of their masters, do not set up a competing Akal Takht in a closed room, to compete with the one that was bestowed by Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib.

[A rough translation of the original in Punjabi, to English, by Dr. I.J. Singh]

with thanks sikhchic

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Punjab State Assembly witnesses scuffle between Akali and Congress MLAs

Ludhiana, Dec.8 (ANI): Legislators of ruling Akali Dal and the opposition Congress party got into scuffle with each other in the State assembly of Punjab over the racial violence in Ludhiana city.

It all started when some Congress legislators moved towards Deputy Chief Minister and State’s Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal when he was replying to a Call Attention Motion on the State’s law and order situation.

Authorities were forced to impose curfew in Ludhiana following violent protests by sundry Sikh fora against the holding of a public discourse by a controversial religious cult leader.

In context of these violent incidents, Prakash Singh Badal chief of Punjab was confronted by the opposition legislators belonging to Congress on the floor of the House while the ruling Akali Dal legislators rushed and formed a ring around him.

Consequently, a scuffle ensued between the warring legislators. Later, leader of the opposition and former chief of Punjab Rajinder Kaur Bhattal staged a protest along with her fellow legislators outside the Assembly.

Please read the complete news by clicking the headline above.

with thanks to the source.

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