Maritime Sikh Society, Canada Elects All Women Office Bearers

The Maritime Sikh Society 10 Parkhill Road Halifax, N S B3P 1R3 902-477-0008

At its annual General Body meeting held on December 20, 2009 Maritime Sikh Society, Halifax, Canada elected all women office bearers to run the Gurdwara for the year 2010.

This is not the first time that a woman- Kanwal Kaur Sidhu,- has been elected President of this Gurdwara. In 1993, when Mrs. Gurdip Kaur Toor was elected President for the first time, all other office bearers were women. In 1994 Mrs. Surjit Kaur Sidhu and in 1998, Mrs. Gurinder Kaur Dhillon were the Presidents.

In fact the year 2009 was all devoted to recognize and promote women's seva to Guru Ghar. When the 2009 executive was elected, we made it a point to take oath of office from a woman..

Only women were honored at the end of this year. Mrs. Kuldip Kaur Chehil, Mrs. Satpal Kaur Sodhi and late Mrs. Gurdip Kaur Toor (represented by her husband) were presented Siropas- robes of honor by a senior and well respected lady, Mrs. Pritam Kaur. It was in recognition of their meritorious service to the Maritime Sikh Society since the society was founded forty years back.

We also gave two awards to young girls for rendering valuable service to the society. Miss Sonia Singh got the 'Bhai Ghanayya', ie, ‘Sevadar of the year’ award while the 'Best Speech in Punjabi' award went to miss Sargam Paul.

We associate women in all activities of the society. Besides preparing Guru Ka Langar, they mostly women, especially Satpal Kayr Sodhi, lead the Sangat in reciting Ardas. Mini ardas before putting Babaji to rest is always done by a woman, Swinder Kaur Clair or Shivinder Kaur Sekhon. On Akhand paths, mostly women take turns in reading the whole of Guru Granth Sahib, especially Nauven Mohulle de Silok. Majority of the devotees who sing shabad are women and young girls. This year on Baisakhi day in April, Amandeep Kaur was the only guest speaker and she did an excellent job in covering the significance of the birth of Khasla in 1699. She read her scholarly paper in chaste Punjabi. Only girls are taking music lessons from renowned musician Pandit Vijay.

Maritime Sikh Society is a progressive society where turbaned and non-turbaned Sikhs work in harmony. Though according to the constitution only Sikhs can become its members, we encourage Hindus who are devotees of Guru Ghar to become members and even invite them to serve on the executive. Guru’s message was universal, let every body get the benefit. From its very beginning there has never been a contest in the election to the new executive; it is always chosen unanimously. The Gurdwara library is pretty up-to-date containing works of both the Sikh and Western authors. We don't have a paid Granthi; all work is done by volunteers.

with thanks : source : www.sikhphilosophy.net

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For Bollywood heroes, it's cool to be a Sikh

NEW DELHI: What's common to actors Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar? All have recently played a Sikh hero in a Bollywood film.

Indeed, there's a profusion of Sikh characters in leading roles: the honest salesman in Rocket Singh, the love-smitten student Veer Singh in Love Aaj Kal (2009), the formidable army officer Balkar Singh in Heroes (2008) and the bumbling villager Happy Singh in Singh is Kinng (2008). Even Jackie Shroff played a gentle farmer Dayal Singh in Sohail Khan's Kisaan (2009).

Over the decade many films have depicted Sikh characters in leading roles. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001), The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) and Jo Bole So Nihaal (2005) are some such films. What's new is that today's Sikh hero has acquired a mellow, romantic shade as evident in films like Love Aaj Kal and Rocket Singh. Social scientist Shiv Vishwanathan points out that young Sikhs in recent films are shown as playing "non-military characters" unlike what was frequently projected in earlier ones. "Today's Sikh protagonist in Hindi film has broken the stereotype," he says.

Director Imtiaz Ali's films, Jab We Met (2007) and Love Aaj Kal, had plenty of Sikh characters. He narrates an interesting story behind his decision to do so. "I come from Jamshedpur and there is a sardar in my close group of friends. Whenever we would think of going to a movie, he would say, "What's the point? It's not as if by watching films I can get into the industry. Sardars don't make it in films." That got me wondering why a sardar can't be a hero?" says Ali on phone from Jamshedpur.

His desire to have Sikhs in leading roles grew stronger after watching Sunny Deol as Major Kuldeep Singh in J P Dutta's Border (1997), and a patriotic Tara Singh in Anil Sharma's Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001). "While Border established that a lead actor can be a Sikh, Gadar went on to shatter any other bias," says Ali. He adds, "I think Sikh heroes is a great trend. Why can't a handsome sardar be a hero? We should move beyond the clichi of chocolate heroes and look around our neighbourhood for real characters."

Agrees writer Jaideep Sahni, who fleshed out Rocket Singh's character and claims to be naturally disinclined towards the 6'2" kind of hunk imagery. "If one has a choice that doesn't go against the story's concept, then as film-makers we owe it to the audience to give them variety," says Sahni.

Sahni also feels the Hindi film industry restricts a filmmaker into a 'language jail'. "We normally can't cast a lead character from a Telugu, Tamil or North-East zone. My desire to break out of this 'jail' inspired Rocket Singh's character," says Sahni.

Film historian Firoze Rangoonwalla has a theory behind the recent rise of the Sikh protagonist. He says that the urban, multiplex films had hitherto alienated the cinema-going middle-class audience of north Indian heartland. "To target them producers have turned their focus on characters who look and speak like them. So we have Yash Chopra and Karan Johar often introducing Punjabi characters. This is a business-oriented action taken to cater to the ethos of that territory," he says.

Nonetheless, the profusion of Sikh heroes is in stark contrast to the Bollywood of 1960s and 1970s when a hero had to be clean-shaven and fair. The Sikh was consigned and confined to character roles. "It was assumed that a turbaned Sikh with a beard didn't have pan-India mass appeal. Also, they were viewed as representatives of a particular community with a distinct style of speaking," says Rangoonwalla citing examples of Dharmendra in Tarachand Barjatya's Jeevan Mrityu (1970) and Prem Nath in Manmohan Desai's Desh Premee (1982). "At best, a sardar played a good friend to the hero or was relegated to being a side character/comedian," he says.

Such a portrayal continued down the decades until Govind Nihalini's Vijeta (1982), where hero Kunal Kapoor played Sikh Air Force pilot Angad. Now the abundance of Sikh characters as regular heroes underlines the growing maturity of Bollywood as well as its audience.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/For-Bollywood-heroes-its-cool-to-be-a-Sikh/articleshow/5376357.cms

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In Harimandir Sahib on April 30, 1877 at 4.30

In Harimandir Sahib on April 30, 1877 at 4.30 in the morning, a strange thing happened. There were about four hundred devotees enjoying spiritual peace of celestial music in Harimandir Sahib when suddenly a flash of lighting was seen which in the form of a big resplendence entered through the door on the mountain-side and exploded exactly like a ball in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and illuminating everything went out, becoming a streak of light through the southern door--though at the time of its exploding there was a dreadful and forceful sound, no harm of any kind occurred to any devotee sitting inside and no harm to the building or anything else in the precinct. All the people described this supernatural scene as the wonderful doing of Sri Guru Ram Das himself" (translation based on one in Strange but True in Sikhism by SS Kohli p.11)

Sikhnet / Maple Leaf

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Sikh matrimonial - latest profiles

Supreet singh, Toronto, Canada

Please view the latest matrimonial profiles on Sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com. Please add your matrimonial profiles for the wider coverage on www.sohnijodi.com.

Gurmat Samagam : Gurdwara sri guru singh sabha, Krishna nagar, Delhi - 51

Harbhajan Singh Matharu




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Young Boy Missing From Union City, CA Since Saturday

Union City, CA: Jagmeet Sidhu, a 25 Year old male, has been missing since December 19th, 2009 from his home town Union City, CA. Jagmeet is 6 feet tall, has medium built and black hair. When last seen, he was wearing a yellow sweat shirt, black pants, a white t-shirt and a black belt. He was last seen driving his blue 1997 Acura Integra in the San Mateo, CA region. The vehicle has been found abandoned on the 92 San Mateo Bridge at an emergency pit stop.

As per the information, Jagmeet was on his way home from a friend’s place and was talking on the phone with another friend when he said that his car did not sound right and he would pull over to check it out and call the friend back. However, no one heard from Jagmeet after that. His cell phone, keys and wallet were found in the car.

UNITED SIKHS, CA Director, Kashmir Singh, was contacted by the family to get the community involved in the matter. While commenting on the current situation, Kashmir Singh stated, “It is a very tough time for the family and we would like to call upon all our fellow community members to help and support in Jagmeet’s search. Nothing can be ruled out at this stage, we hope that the Police is considering all possibilities.

The Union City Police and the National Center for Missing Adults are already working to find Jagmeet. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has not been involved yet. The Department of Justice Community Relations Service and Congressman Stark have been apprised of the case. A joint letter from national South Asian Advocacy Organizations is going to be issued to the Union City Police Department offering complete community support along with a suggestion to involve FBI at the earliest in order to expedite the matters.

Issued by:
Jatinder Singh
Director
646 315 3909, 510 299 7982

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Prof. Darshan singh Khalsa on Chardikala Time TV - part 1

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Prof. Darshan singh Khalsa on Chardikala Time TV - part 2

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Prof. Darshan singh Khalsa on Chardikala Time TV - part 3

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Prof. Darshan singh Khalsa on Chardikala Time TV - part 4

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Royal Award bestowed on highest ranking Sikh policewoman in the West Midlands

The highest ranking West Midlands Sikh policewoman, Shindo Kaur Barquer, has received a prestigious Royal Award.

She has been honoured with the ‘The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal’ which was instituted under the Royal Warrant by King George VI in 1951 and is awarded as a mark of the Sovereign’s appreciation of long and meritorious service rendered by members of the Police Forces of the United Kingdom.

Chief Inspector Barquer has been Head of Resilience in the Operations Headquarters since April 2009; her responsibility includes ensuring West Midlands Police are able to respond effectively to the threats that face the organisation, along with those of the communities of West Midlands.

Under her supervision as Chief Inspector her leadership has enabled her team to establish close engagement with partner agencies

Joining the West Midlands Police Force at the age of 21, she progressively worked her way up the ranks, a journey that has been challenging but rewarding for this British Sikh born in West Bromwich

Chief Inspector Barquer and has remained in the West Midlands, settling with her husband, Vijith Randeniya Chief Fire Officer of West Midlands Fire Service in
Birmingham.

Chief Inspector Barquer spoke to us about her award, she said:

“I feel really proud to receive such recognition for my contribution to policing’

“It was a fabulous awards ceremony; I had the chance to meet with some new recruits- it really took me back in time to 1987 when I joined’

“A career with the police service provides a real opportunity to service; to get involved in local community issues and I’m proud to have served all my service with West Midlands Police” said the proud and deserving award winner Chief Inspector Barquer

Chief Inspector Barquer is an active member of the West Midlands Local Resilience Forum; this includes partnership involvement at every phase ‘planning, preparing and responding’ to any major incidents.

This policewoman is passionate about her success and her future and says “the challenge is to keep making a positive contribution to local policing’.

‘I like to aim high but to remain focused and to believe in myself. My career aspiration is to take command of a local policing unit as the Chief Superintendent and to make a real difference to the local community that my family and I am part of’.

The attestation of new recruits and the presentation of Long Service & Good conduct medals took place at WMP Lord Knights Suite police Sports & Conference Centre on Thursday 10th December 2009

Award ceremony attended by Chief Constable Mr Chris Sims and Bishop Derek Webley Chairman of the Police Authority.

with thanks : source : www.emgonline.co.uk

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Tension in Uttar Pradesh town after desecration at Sikh shrine

Lucknow, Dec 21

Tension gripped Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district Monday as hundreds of Sikhs carried out violent protests over desecration of their holy scripture, police said.

Agitated over the burning of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs went berserk in the Fakarpur area in Bahraich, some 270 km from Lucknow, damaging public property, targeting vehicles and clashing with police.

"Taking into account the violent protests, additional security has been deployed in Fakarpur and its adjoining areas," Police Inspector Brijendra Singh told reporters in Bahraich.

"The situation is tense but under control. We have already arrested three people, who have been charged with burning the holy book. Efforts are on to nab others, who were involved," he added.

According to police, a group of locals of the same village, who were having a land dispute with members of the Sikh community, burnt pages of the holy scripture outside a Sikh shrine Sunday night. The desecration was noticed by community members Monday morning.

As the news of desecration spread, hundred of Sikhs converged at Fakarpur, demanding arrest of those involved in the incident.

with thanks Source : http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a101953.html

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Punjab govt disallows DSGMC probe panel to hold enquiry

Ludhiana, Dec 19 (PTI) The Punjab government today prevented a Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) panel from probing a police firing incident in the town in which a Sikh protester was killed.

The state government did not allow Justice T S Doabia, a retired Jammu and Kashmir High Court judge, appointed by DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna to conduct an enquiry into the December 5 firing incident in which a Sikh protester was killed and 12 others were injured, officials said.

The protesters were marching towards Samrala Chowk to stop the religious congregation of Dera head Ashutosh Mahraj which was in progress there.

SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill told Justice Doabia on his arrival at a Gurudwara in Model Town here that the state government had banned the enquiry proceedings in Ludhiana as tension still prevailed there.

Doabia said he would conduct his enquiry at Delhi itself.

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/431749_Punjab-govt-disallows-DSGMC-probe-panel-to-hold-enquiry

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Sikh youth brutally assaulted in US

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Sikh-youth-brutally-assaulted-in-US/videoshow/5357890.cms

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Sikh youth attacked in Texas

WASHINGTON: A Sikh graduate student, working as a part-time pizza delivery person, was thrown into a swimming pool and brutally assaulted in West Texas, according to the Sikh Coalition, a community advocacy group.

When the young man, whose identity has been withheld for his protection, brought pizzas for delivery into a home, four men took the pizzas and started eating without paying, while hurling racial epithets and threatening him.

"I'm going to **** you up in Iraq, I'm going to **** you up in Afghanistan, I'm going to **** you up over here," they were quoted as saying by the Coalition in a media release. But it did not say when the incident took place.

The four men then grabbed the Sikh student and threw him into a swimming pool. The four attackers surrounded the pool, kicking him in the head and body. Every time he tried to escape, they would stomp or hit at him.

For 20 minutes, he swam for his life trying to escape. He eventually seized an opportunity to flee and barely made it to his car with two men in pursuit, the community group said.

Though the local police were called shortly after the attack, they failed to respond adequately, the community group alleged. The police classified the incident as a misdemeanor, which means that the attackers may not have to serve any jail time, it said.

The local police also did not file the incident as a hate crime, the group said. "It is clear from the attackers' references to 'bin Laden' and 'Go back to Afghanistan' and the fact that they kicked off his turban that this assault targeted not only him as an individual, but his Sikh identity."

However the Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating the matter as a possible federal hate crime after being contacted when the local police department refused to prosecute the attackers for hate crime, the Sikh Coalition said.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/indians-abroad/Sikh-youth-attacked-in-Texas/articleshow/5355014.cms

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Show details of compensation to 1984 Sikh riot victims: HC

LUCKNOW: The high court on Friday summoned the secretary concerned, dealing with the payment of compensation to victims of Sikh riots of 1984, on December 22 with records, inquiry reports and list of persons to whom compensation has been paid. The court also appointed a local government lawyer as amicus curiae to extend assistance to it in the matter.

The order was passed by a division bench of Justice D P Singh and Justice S C Chaurasia on a petition of victim, Amar Singh Virk. The petitioner was aggrieved by the meagre payment of compensation to the member of the family, who had died in riots that had occurred in 1984. It was pointed out before the court that some petitions were filed in supreme court, which had been remanded to the court. A bunch of writ petitions came up for hearing before the court on Friday.

On inquiry, the government counsel failed to submit any reply with regard to amount paid to bereaved family.

Hence, the bench summoned the concerned authority with entire records over the matter.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Show-details-of-compensation-to-1984-Sikh-riot-victims-HC-/articleshow/5353821.cms

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Pakistan’s Minority Minister orders inquiry into Gurdwara land deal

Ravinder Singh Robin

New Delhi, Dec. 18 (ANI): Taking note of the deal of a land belonging to the Sikh Gurdwara in Pakistan, the Pakistan federal minister of minority has ordered an inquiry and directed authorities to submit the report at the earliest.

Saying he has ordered an inquiry in this (Gurudwara land deal) case and whosoever be the guilty would brought to justice, the federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti told ANI over phone that the Government of Pakistan is committed to safeguard the life of all belonging to the monitories living in Pakistan.

Bhatti even said that after the investigation, action would be taken against the culprits and went on to add: “Even if it was found that any high official was involved and proved guilty, he would not be allowed to escape from law.

It is pertinent to mention that reports says that the Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board (PETPB) has reportedly sold around 850 canals worth multi-million rupees on a nominal price, which includes a piece of land of nearly 311 canals belonging to Mota Singh near the posh locality of Defense Colony in Lahore and second piece of land of nearly 500 canals belonging to Samadh Bhai Mann Singh and Gurdwar Deh in Lahore.

Sikhs Diaspora has strongly registered their protest against the sale of Sikh land by PETPB.

Sikh bodies like, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (AGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) already registered their protest to their respective governments and urged them to intervene in to the matter to make sure the safety of the life and belongings of the minority living in Pakistan.

Notably earlier also the PETPB had to withdraw the two deals related to the Sikh Gurdwara after the intervention of the Pakistan court and due to international pressure from Sikh diaspora.

According to the information, there is about 64,000 acres of land in Pakistan, which belongs to various Gurdwaras in Pakistan out of which 16,000 acres belongs to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.

Sources informed that most of the lands of the Gurdwaras were leased out and still under the possession of miscreants.

Sources say that the deal is violation of the Nehru-Layqat pact that says that both the government would not be allowed to sale any religious land belongs to the Hindu, Sikh or Muslims in their respective countries. (ANI)

with thanks : source : http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/pakistans-minority-minister-orders-inquiry-into-gurdwara-land-deal_100291516.html

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Pak sells Gurudwara land to Army

with thanks to : http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/107302/pak-sells-gurudwara-land-to-army-at-throwaway-price.html

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Dodra Sangat Samagam Details

Details of Gurudwara Braham Bunga Trust, Dodra, Mansa, Punjab.
Submitted by : Sd. Surinder singh ji, Planning, Philips Electronics India Limited, Gurgaon.

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