On martyrdom day of first Sikh General, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a great Sikh general who established Sikh rule in large part of Punjab. Born to Rajput parents, his childhood name was Lachhman Das. He was very fond of hunting in early life but an incident changed his entire life and he shunned the worldly pleasures to become a bairagi sadhu.

Once he hunted a pregnant deer. The dying animal gave birth to two kids who died in front of his eyes. Lachhman was shocked to the core of his heart and thus became a sadhu. He became a disciple of many but none could provide him peace  of mind. Later, he inclined to tantric sadhus and acquired some riddhis and siddhis (miracle powers). Thus, he became quite popular among simpletons,near the area around his ashram on the bank of river Godavari.

Though, none benefitted from his powers, he used them to humiliate religious leaders and other saints who ever happened to visit his ashram. Whenever, any such saint visited, he would overturn the cot using his powers.

Guru Gobind Singh after leaving Punjab travelled towards South India along with some Sikhs, visited Lachhman Das’s ashram and sat on his cot in his absence. 

Accepting defeat, Lachhman Das Bairagi fell at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh and sought forgiveness and said, “O, Guru Ji, I am your Banda (Slave). Show me the right path.”

Guru Gobind Singh taught him the basic principles of Sikhsim and baptised him. Lachhman was given the name ‘Banda Singh’. He transformed from a proud bairagi to a humble and brave Sikh of Guru.

Guru sent Banda Singh on a mission to Punjab to punish the guilty and cruel rulers of the time. He was also provided with five brave Sikhs as advisors and necessary weapons.

Banda Singh was soon joined by thousands of Sikhs in his crusade against the wicked rulers. Within a short span of time, Sikhs under Banda Singh’s leadership put an end to life of many tyrant rulers, including Nawab Wazir Khan, the main culprit behind death of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

Banda Singh captured large part of Punjab and established Sikh rule there. He also minted coins in the name of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. In the meantime, Faruksiyar became Delhi’s emperor. Angered by defeat at the hands of Banda Singh and Sikh forces, he sent a large force from Delhi and mobilised from elsewhere in Punjab to defeat and capture Banda Singh.

Sikhs were surrounded by large number of Mughal forces in the fortress of Gurdas Nagal. They fought valiantly under Banda Singh’s command. They fought valiantly but due to depleting ration, they ultimately became too weak to fight with the enemies. 

 

Ultimately, the brave general Banda Singh Bahadur was arrested along with seven hundred Sikh soldiers and brought to Delhi, after eight months. Inside the fortress, Sikhs survived on leaves, trees, and even bark of trees.

In Delhi, they were insulted and paraded in Delhi bazars. Sikhs were offered amnesty by Mughals in lieu of accepting Islam. Not even a single Sikh betrayed the spirit of Sikhism and embraced Islam. They were tortured and killed publicly

After an ordeal of about three months, Baba Banda Singh was killed in one of the most cruel manners mentioned in the history of mankind on June 9,1716. His four year old son Ajai Singh was put to death in front of him. His liver was thrusted into Banda Singh’s mouth.

But Baba remained as tranquil as ever, and even this act failed to break his resolve and determination. Finally, Banda was put to death mercilessely by pincing the flesh from his body, bit by bit, with means of hot pincers. His eyes were pulled out and his feet were chopped off. 

With the martyrdom of Banda, Khalsa leadership was taken up by new warriors like Baba Deep Singh, Nawab Kapur Singh, Chhajja Singh, Bhuma Singh, Hari Singh Dhillon, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Budh Singh, Naudh Singh and Charhat Singh Sukerchakia and others. Within ninety years, Mahraja Ranjit Singh had established Sikh kingdom.

with thanks : Punjab Newsline : LINK for detailed news.

Delhi CM throws open DSGMC inn

Amritsar: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday inaugurated Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas, a serai (inn), constructed by DSGMC in Amritsar. Dikshit, who reached Amritsar on Saturday evening, paid obeisance at Golden Temple. Asked about the ongoing water crisis in Delhi, Dikshit said that it was disappointing that New Delhi was not able to draw water even after paying nearly Rs 650 crore to Haryana. “Haryana is saying that New Delhi did not have any share in the water. It is disappointing,” she added.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 4 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit (R)and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President, Paramjit Singh Sarna (L) pay their respects at the Golden temple in Amritsar on June 23, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas on June 24.

 

Link with thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-rand-delhi-s-image-01YLgZZeFWeXg-140-1.html

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 3 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit pays her respects at the Golden temple in Amritsar on June 23, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas on June 24.

 

Link with thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-pays-her-respe-image-0fYZ9cncGh5RS-140-1.html

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 2 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit (3L), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President, Paramjit Singh Sarna (R), Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Om Parkash Soni (C), and Delhi Education Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely (L), sit as they listen to the speaker during an inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building in Amritsar on June 24, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building and visit the Sikh Golden Temple.

  

Link with Thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-3l-delhi-si-image-08qggbP8kJdZ4-140-1.html

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 1 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit holds a sword presented by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President, Paramjit Singh Sarna (2R) and members of the DSGMC during an inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building in Amritsar on June 24, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building and visit the Sikh Golden Temple.

Link with thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-holds-a-sword-image-04WrbmNaCd74m-140-1.html

18 Sikh saves accident victims

Imphal, June 23 2012: In a miraculous incident today, two persons who were visiting on a Maruti Van have evaded death when their van plunged into a pond outside the Tulihal Airport in front of 18 SIKH location, according to a press release of PRO IGAR (S) .

The two persons were travelling in the van loaded with chicks for a poultry farm in Imphal market when the driver of the van fell asleep due to which the van went off road and fell into the pond.

Immediately, a team of 18 SIKH of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) rushed to the spot and managed to pull out both the passengers.

The van however was stuck deep inside the pond.

A heavy vehicle from 18 SIKH unit and a JCB were used to pull out the vehicle.

The injured victims were administered first aid and immediately evacuated to RIMS hospital for further treatment.

The quick action from 18 SIKH helped in saving lives of the two persons, the release added.

with thanks : E-pao : link

Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas, Amritsar

Harvinder Singh Sarna Exclusive Interview with Janhit News

After Rajya Sabha, Ahluwalia loses Patna Sahib poll

JALANDHAR: After his defeat in Rajya Sabha election from Jharkhand, BJP leader S S Ahluwalia lost his election in Takht Patna Sahib Management Board on Sunday. He lost it to former Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Managing Committee president Harvinder Singh Sarna, who is also general secretary of SAD (Delhi). Ahluwalia had earlier remained president of the board for several years in his Congress days and then after he switched sides to BJP. Even when he was not president he called the shots in the board and his confidants controlled it.

With this loss, he has finally lost the clout in gurudwara management of Patna Sahib, which also happens to be a Takht of the Sikhs. The SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who had reached Patna Sahib for the election and had advocated a consensus, did not cast his vote. Makkar confirmed the development to TOI on phone from Patna Sahib. "I tried for a consensus and had told that if election would be held then I would not be casting the vote," Makkar said. Sources said Ahluwalia had the support of Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal, but Badal's bete noir Sarna got nine votes, while Ahluwalia could muster only four votes. The board had 14 members (Makkar abstained from voting) and it was to elected 15th member.

Now, after three weeks its president and other office bearers would be elected. It is learnt that Makkar preferred to stay away from voting after it was clear to him that majority of the members were siding with Sarna and when he advocated consensus these members said that then consensus should be on Sarna to which Makkar could not agree and said that some other name should be suggested. Sarna had said that he would support election of a local member as the president. Earlier, leaders from Punjab had also been holding the post which had not been going down well with local community leaders.

Former SGPC secretary general Manjit Singh Calcutta said during Operation Bluestar and during subsequent turbulent times for Sikhs, Ahluwalia sided with Congress but now apparently SAD was siding with him due to his political ends, as he was now in BJP. "This election has also confirmed that SAD's influence was confining to Punjab alone and it was losing confidence of Sikhs living in other states," he said, adding "diaspora Sikhs have already rejected the changes affected by SGPC in Nanakshahi calendar". 

 

 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Sikh In Kabul, Afghanistan - FULL DOCUMENTARY FILM 2012

Synopsis: Documentary focuses on the Sikh community of Afghanistan that have dwindled from 80,000 to a mere 1000 as of 2012. The proud Afghan Sikhs have been a part of the culture and heritage of Afghanistan ever since the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Kabul on his return from Baghdad and Mecca to India in the 16th century.

This film has captured the testimonies of the surviving Sikh families of Kabul who live in appalling conditions within their damaged Gurdwaré (Sikh place of worship) where 2 families are confined to a room. Since the American invasion of 2001 numerous wealthy Sikhs fled in haste to Pakistan and Europe, but some unable to flee were stranded and today their dilemma is worse than ever.

Walk on with Náám in your heart and, you'll never walk alone.

Pritpal Singh
ਸਰਦਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਿਤਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ
सरदार पिर्तपाल सिंह

MCD Elections : Janpath : Delhi AajTak : Sd Paramjit Singh Sarna & Sd. B S Vohra

It's a repeat upload.

Shaheedi Purab of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji 16th June 2012

Waheguru

Hand written Guru Granth Sahib ji

1984 anti sikh riots : Congress seeks dismissal of case in US on grounds of delay

New York: The Congress Party has sought dismissal of an anti-Sikh riots case against it in a US court on grounds that the case was filed nearly 25 years after the 1984 riots took place. A US judge in New York will hear the motion on June 27. 

In a motion filed in federal court in New York on May 29, the Congress party has sought dismissal of the claims filed by rights group Sikhs For Justice saying the riots took place in November 1984 and the victims filed their case in March 2011. 

Due to the lapse of 25 years, the statute of limitation had already expired, lawyers for the political party said. 

"Plaintiffs' claims are time-barred because they complain about alleged activities that occurred more than twenty-five years ago; all statutes of limitations have long expired," said attorney Geoffrey Stewart of the law firm Jones Day, which is defending the Congress in the case. 

The party has been accused by the Sikh group of conspiring, aiding, abetting and carrying out attacks on the community in November 1984 following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. 

Judge Robert Sweet, presiding over the matter, said the Congress' motion to dismiss SFJ's complaint or to get a stay would be heard on June 27. 

Meanwhile, SFJ said Congress Member of Parliament Motilal Vora submitted an affidavit in the US Court in support of the motion to dismiss the complaint filed by riot victims. 

Vora's affidavit states that "no summons and complaint from the New York Litigation was delivered to the Indian National Congress Party in accordance with the Hague Service Convention". 

with thanks : IBNLive : LINK for detailed news.

Sikh TSA Agent Kulwinder Singh Wins Religious Rights Case Against Agency

A TSA agent won a $30,000 settlement after he complained to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that he wasn't allowed to display his kara, a wristband that some sikhs wear to remind them of the divine, the Religion News Service reports.

Kulwinder Singh, who works at New York's JFK airport, said a supervisor asked him to cover up or remove the wristband.

“By keeping it concealed, it defeats that purpose,” the attorney who represented Singh to the wire service.

As part of the settlement, the TSA will have to post notices that Sikhs are free to wear the kara if they wish by mid-June.

with thanks : Huffington Post : LINK for detailed news.

US Sikh body gives scholarships to Punjab students

Washington-based Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) has given scholarships totalling about $210,000 to 504 needy students pursuing higher education in 159 institutions in Punjab and other northern Indian states for the 2011-12 academic year.

"This number is up from 412 of thelast year," said Gajinder Singh Ahuja, secretary general of SHDF. "Fifteen scholarship recipients belonged to farmers' families where the farmer had committed suicide to escape the excruciating debt burden." 

There is increased emphasis on female education in our programme, he said, noting 69 percent of the scholarships went to female students and 31 percent to male students. 52 per cent scholarship recipients were from rural areas and 48 percent from urban areas.

SHDF has granted 2,373 scholarships since the programme was initiated in 2001 and 774 students have already graduated and have become professionals, according to SHDF chairman Amar Jit Singh Sodhi.

"It is heartwarming that some of the scholarship recipients have landed in multi-national companies or found top career jobs throughout India and overseas," he said.

Rajwant Singh, SHDF's outreach director, said: "In rupee terms, this year we have distributed more than Rs.1 crore (close to $210,000) as pure scholarship money."

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK for detailed news.

European Journal | Italy: Sikh Cheese Producers

Now 50% DU quota for Sikhs

For the first time four DU colleges are considering reserving 50 per cent of their under-graduate seats for Sikh students.

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, in North Campus, is among the four colleges planning the reservation.

The colleges, all run by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), were declared minority institutions last year by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institution. During this year’s admission season, the colleges will have a separate cut-off for Sikh students.

“We will reserve 50 per cent of the seats for Sikh students. For general category seats, students will be admitted as per university norms. There will be separate cutoffs to admit students to the minority seats. The dates for admissions will be according to the university and the college will remain as close to the university as it has been,” said Dr Jaswinder Singh, principal of SGTB Khalsa College.

The college will continue to provide three per cent reservation for physically handicapped students, both in general and Sikh quota, he said.

The other three colleges awarded the minority status in July last year are Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College and Mata Sundri College.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK for detailed news.

Man chops off Sikh's beard, arrested

Ambala, May 14 (PTI) A man has been arrested for attacking a Sikh youth and allegedly chopping off his beard following a scuffle over ice-cream in the Cantonment area here, police said today. The Sikh youth, Gurjeet Singh, who runs an ice-cream parlour in Palledar Mohalla, in his police complaint alleged that a customer came to his shop last night and asked for a cup of ice cream. The customer, Aman, entered into an argument with Gurjeet over the quantity of the ice cream served and soon it took an ugly turn and he attacked him with a sharp weapon, police said. Gurjeet, who received minor injuries in the attack, alleged that Aman had also cut his beard with the weapon. Police arrested Aman and booked him for deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings. Meanwhile, Haryana SGPC and Akali Dal have condemned the incident.

with thanks : IBNlive : LINK

Foundation stone of Langer hall at Gurdwara Bala Sahib : DSGMC : SikhsIndia

Vaisakhi 2012 celebration & Turban Day in Oslo (Norway)

The Vaisakhi 2012 celebration in Oslo (Norway) was a week full of different activities.It reached its peek on 14th April when hundreds of Sikhs marched through the main street of Oslo, and over 1500 Norwegians wore turbans in all imaginable colours. Sikhs arrived in Norway in the beginning of the 1970´s.Since then,Vaisakhi has been celebrated in Norway and Vaisakhi celebration has gone through several milestones.For instance,when first Gurdwara was established in 1984(Oslo),and the first time Sikhs marched through the main street of Oslo.This year the Nagar Kirtan ended up at Rådhusplassen (Town Hall square, in the middle of central Oslo) where different activities were held and langar was served. One of the main activities is the Norwegian Turban Day.

In 2010 a group of young Norwegian Sikhs felt that even though the Nagar Kirtan is extremely beautiful, the point of walking through central Oslo fade away when we forget to actively invite the Norwegians (non-Sikhs). People not familiar to Sikhism observe a lot of turbans, long beards, kirpans and hear us screaming something they can’t understand. Those who aren´t used to this might find it bit scary. Having this in mind, UngeSikher (Young Sikhs) under Gurudwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji – Oslo, decided to do something, and arranged the first Norwegian Turban Day in 2010.It was a great success.

This year The Norwegian Turban Day was held for the third time.Several tents were put up at the Town Hall square and the guests went through a route consisting of several posts.When they leave the tent they are told to show the turban respect if they want to keep it. In the tent we hang up posters and photos of Sikhs that provide information about Sikhism. Not least,representatives from Young Sikhs are there to break the barriers. The excitement and positive feedback from the guests was enormous. Not only did several thousand people visited, but over 1500 tried and kept their turbans. Over 1500 Norwegians from 2-90 years walked around in the city with colourful turbans! In a time where Sikh turbans are unfamiliar and seen as scary; it is important to invite the rest of the society and make them understand that even though you wear a turban you are not scary.Almost all the big newspapers and TV-channels covered The Turban Day. Aim of the Norwegian Turban Day is to re-launch the turban as a symbol of solidarity, equality and religious freedom. The past years have been characterized of prejudices in the public debate, not least; there is growing tendency of polarizations in the society. With The Turban Day contributes in reducing the gap between Sikhs and the society. Link:http://www.sikhfoundation.org/2012/

Gurmat Camp by DSGMC

Dr.Man Mohan Kaur with Daler Mehndi

Dr.Man Mohan Kaur ( Principal,Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,Dev Nagar,University of Delhi) with Daler Mehndi,King of Bhangra Famous Punjabi singer

Just found this shocking news on net. Donno if true or fake. DSGMC must immediately check it.

चंद रूपयों की खातिर...गुरूद्वारा बैचनें की तैयारी?

Posted on: Saturday 28 April 2012

नई दिल्ली (संवादाता अफज़ल खान)।सीलम पुर विधान सभा अंतर्गत वार्ड संख्या 249 के मरकज़ी चौक जाफराबाद के पास घनी मुस्लिम आबादी के बीच एक मात्र गुरूद्वारा है जिसको कुछ लालची लोग चंद रूपयो के खातिर फ्लैट बना कर बेचनें की तैयारी कर रहै हैं।और चुपके-चुपके गुरूद्वारा के अंदर लेंटर डाल कर फ्लैट बना रहै हैं इस कार्य में पुलिस और एमसीडी के कुछ भ्रस्ट अधिकारी भी उनका साथ दे रहै हैं।गौरतलब है क्षेत्र में प्रोपर्टी (ज़मीन) का रेट आसमान छू रहा है । इंच दर इंच जगह की कीमत बहूत है। जिसके कारण प्रोपर्टी डीलर इस घनी आबादी में एकमात्र बचे गुरूद्वारे को रातो-रात फ्लैट बनाकर बेचना चाहते हैं। उनके इस अपराध में उनका सहयोग इस गुरूद्वारे के कथित संचालक भी कर रहै है। और इसमें बनने वाले फ्लैटो का ब्याना तक लें लिया गया है,सूत्रो से पता चला है, कि इन फ्लैटो को तैयार होनें से पहले ही 30-40 लाख रूपये प्रति फ्लैट के हिसाब से बेच दिया गया है ?और अवैध निर्माण जल्द से जल्द पूरा करके अपने मकसद में कामयाब होना चाहते हैं,आश्चर्य की बात यह है कि इस दुष्कर्म में उनका साथ मौजूदा गुरूद्वारा संचालक  के अलावा ज़मीन दान कर्ता जो कि प्रोपटी डीलर भी है, खुल कर सहयोग कर रहा है,और वह इन फ्लैटो को अपने निजि इस्तेमाल की बात कह कर टाल रहा है, इस क्षेत्र के थाना (जाफराबाद) के अधिकारी भी अपनी आंखे मूंदे हुए है।क्योंकि उन्हें उनका हिस्सा जो मिल गया है ? एक गुप्त सूत्र के अनुसार प्रति लेंटर 20 हज़ार रूपया तय हुआ है,और``चाय-पानी``अलग से?एमसीडी के एक अधिकारी को भी `खुश` करा गया है,क्षेत्र के कई मुस्लिम समाजसेवी व बुद्दिजीवी इस अवैध निर्माण कार्य से नाखुश है, और उनका कहना है,कि गुरूद्वारा रहने से क्षेत्र में सदभाव का संतुलन बरकरार था परन्तु प्रोपर्टी के दलालो ने अपनी गंदी नज़र से इस धार्मिक स्थान को भी नहीं बक्शा है,और धार्मिक स्थान की जगह पर अवैध रिहाईश बनाना गैर मुनासिब है,और वह जल्द ही उस विषय को लेकर क्षेत्र के पुलिस व एमसीडी के आला अधिकारियों से मुलाकात करेंगे।                              

Link : http://crimeindiaonline.com/news.php?news_id=2295

Can Sikh women wear helmets for safety, DSGMC asks Akal Takht

Days after Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit disagreed with her Transport department’s undertaking to the Delhi High Court that it was willing to change rules and make it mandatory for women to wear helmets while riding two-wheelers, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has asked the Akal Takht, the supreme religious and temporal seat of Sikhism, to decide whether Sikh women should be allowed to wear helmets in the interest of safety.

The DSGMC move to step beyond religious compulsions on grounds of safety follows the Transport department’s submission that it was willing to change provisions in the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules that exempted women from wearing helmets. But Dikshit differed, saying the rule making it optional for women pillion riders to wear helmets was formulated in 1999 on requests by a particular community — she didn’t name the Sikhs — and that exemption couldn’t be withdrawn so easily.

Bhajan Singh Walia, Senior Vice President of DSGMC, told Newsline that they have approached the Akal Takht to take a call, given the safety issue involved.

“Essentially, the High Court’s decision is in totality for all men and women in view of safety of people travelling on busy and dangerous Delhi roads. But our religion absolutely prohibits people from wearing any form of a cap, and wearing a helmet (a form of cap) goes against the tenets of our religion,” Walia said.

“Our religious texts have given elaborate details about the way we should preserve our kesh (hair). Our hair can’t be trimmed, cut or even clipped. If at all one has to preserve his/her hair, it has to be done in a proper turban,” he said.

with thanks : INDIAN EXPRESS : LINK for detailed news.

Bala Sahib Hospital

डीडीए ने गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमिटी को नोटिस भेजा

प्रस॥ नई दिल्ली : डीडीए ने गुरु हरकिशन हॉस्पिटल मामले में दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमिटी को कारण बताओ नोटिस भेजा है। नोटिस में कहा गया है कि हॉस्पिटल के लिए जमीन 25 जून 2002 को सौंपी गई थी। जिसके दो साल बाद वहां निर्माण कार्य हो जाना चाहिए था। लेकिन फील्ड स्टाफ की जांच रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक बिल्डिंग अभी भी पूरी नहीं बनी है और उसे बनाने से पहले बिल्ंिडग प्लान का अप्रूवल भी नहीं लिया गया।

इस आधार पर जमीन दी गई थी कि इसे बेचा या ट्रांसफर नहीं किया जा सकता। यहां ओपीडी चलेगी और मुफ्त इलाज किया जाएगा। लेकिन यह नोटिस में आया है कि इस प्लॉट का कमर्शल इस्तेमाल हो रहा है जो शर्त का उल्लंघन है। डीडीए ने कमिटी से 15 दिन में जवाब देने को कहा है। 


with thanks : NBT : link 

Sikhs launch race profiling app for phones

A Sikh rights group in the United States has launched a unique smartphone app that would allow people to register complaints about ‘racial’ airport security screenings.

The Sikh Coalition, which released the Fly Rights app claimed that the 11 US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening complaints probed during the early part of 2011 were woefully unrepresentative of how many fliers were actually being pulled aside on the basis of race, religion or ethnicity.

“I would say that some of our board members have more than 11 complaints in a quarter,” ABC News quoted Sikh Coalition programme director Amardeep Singh, as saying. “With the app, what we are trying to do is say ‘No, there are more people out there that have issues with the screening procedures than you think’,” he said.

with thanks : Hindustan times : LINK

Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh Ji : SikhsIndia

Khanda Baba Deep singh ji : SikhsIndia

The Booming Economy of Punjab

  By Dr Srimal Fernando,  Asia Correspondent

The Indian state of Punjab is one of the most vibrant and dynamic states in the whole of India. Situated in the northwest of the country Punjab is called the “Land of Five Rivers”. This unique piece of land covers an area of 50,362 square kilometers. The state's 27 million inhabitants (Estimates 2011) spread across twenty two districts are well known for its socio-economic achievements. Agriculture continues to be the bedrock of the Punjab economy and earned its reputation as the “Granary of India”.  By South Asian standards, the economy of the state has a diverse and rich resource base. Poverty has been reduced over the past 30 years, and a social safety net put into place. There are a number of popular people and celebrities that have already made their presence felt in different streams and activities. Among them is the incumbent Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, one of the internationally acclaimed personalities from Punjab. Another personality is Shri Prakash Singh Badal who has been the Chief Minister of the state since 2007. His party, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), together with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been, once again, elected to power by winning the 2012 assembly elections in the state. Shri Prakash Singh Badal has been the Chief Minister of Punjab for a record-breaking fifth time. The states major economic resources are its fertile land, the irrigation systems and its well-educated, technically sound population. These factors have contributed to achieve higher levels of productivity and a better competitiveness level in the global economy.

The economy of the state depends heavily on agriculture, industrial exports and tourism .The state is endowed with vast agricultural resources. Being an agricultural state the majority of its workers are engaged in farming and animal husbandry. The state produces most of India's grains than any other state in the country. Wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, fodder are the vital economic indicators of Punjab's agrarian society. The state has two crop seasons “Rabi”, the spring harvest season and the “Kharif” the autumn harvest season. The rice produced in the state is marketed and processed in different types of rice mills. There are about 2,200 grain hullers mostly in rural areas of the state. The Punjab sugarcane industry has undergone a major overhaul during the last five decades. The sugar production too has increased in recent years. Morinda Co-operative sugar mill is one of the largest sugar crushing mills in the state with a daily crushing capacity of 4,000 tones. Animal husbandry has been an essential part of Punjab’s economic life. The dairy industry of the state is part of a long and proud agricultural tradition of the state. Punjab is one of the largest milk producing areas of India with  a capacity of 10 per cent of the country’s total production capability. Moga, is one of the largest milk processing plants in the state with a total production capacity of 435 thousand liters of milk.

Punjab is one of the most industrialized states in India. The state has a large manufacturing sector serving both the local and exports sectors. The large and small scale factories are scatted in all parts of the state.  The majority of the industrial workers are engaged in small scale industries that make up 160,000 units (Estimates 2010). Large and medium business units are four hundred in number (Estimates 2010). The state's diverse industries range from Steel Rolling, scientific instruments, agricultural goods, electrical goods, bicycles, garments, machine tools, textiles, sewing machines to manufacturing of sports goods. Over the past few years the industrial sector employed over a million. The state has positioned itself as a key destination for operations of multinational companies in a variety of industries. In recent years, the state has successfully attracted many big-names and reputed global companies such as Nippon, Hitachi, Fujitsu, Nestle, Glaxo, Smithkline and Motorola. The state economy has witnessed rapid growth in the bicycles manufacturing industry. Today the state of Punjab is the largest bicycles manufacturer in India. Handicrafts and cottage industries of the state have been extremely popular. Punjab has more than 39,000 (Estimates 2010) small cottage industries providing widest avenues for the state’s labours.

Both modern and ancient culture is visible all over the state. Punjab’s natural and historical attractions appeal to many visitors from all parts of the world. Moreover, the fast growing tourism sector is another major pillar in the overall economic field of the state. According to the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) the state has been ranked the fourteenth tourism destination in India from twenty eighth position.The first planned city of India is the state’s capital; Chandigarh. It is a bustling affluent metropolis with glitzy shopping malls, boutiques and colorful markets which houses the intellectual elite as well as the seat of government. It serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana .The pilgrimage to the holiest of Sikh shrines,  the Golden Temple  of Amritsar is regarded as the holiest city of Sikhism. It attracts millions of Sikhs from all over the world. Punjab's educational system and technical training is considered to be the best in India. The state has achieved universal literacy of more than 71 percent. The state's high proportion of tertiary graduates and its performance as a modern technological society with thirteen universities promotes high quality of professional education. Currently the state is ranked seventh in terms of education amongst the states of India. The state has a large potential for hydroelectricity, thermal and renewable energy. The state is constructing  several power plants with the vision of becoming a state with a power surplus by 2013. As one of the fastest growing economies in the country, the state of Punjab has a unique prospect to position itself on a path of continuing sustainable economic prosperity for its entire people.

 

LINK WITH THANKS


source of the article as 
www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za

Private school bans wearing turban in Shimla, Singh Sabha says

By Nagender Ranta

SHIMLA: The 18-year-old Sikh boy studying in a Christian private school in Shimla was banned wearing a turban in the school, said Guru Singh Sabha, Shimla, an apex body of the Sikhs in the capital of the state.

 

“A Sikh boy studying in plus 2 class in St. Edward’s School here in Shimla was denied wearing turban. The Guru Singh Sabha wrote a letter to the Principal in the Month of March when the school reopened  but the school administration did not respond on this sensitive religious matter. Ultimately, we decided to go to the media as it hurts our religious sentiments. We would welcome if school administration allows wearing turban to the senior students. We want the issue to be resolved amicably,” Jaswinder Singh,President , Guru Singh Sabha Shimla,  told Punjab Newsline.

 

The Guru Singh Sabha severely criticized this move of the private school calling it violation of the right to freedom of religion granted under the Indian Constitution.

 

We have given ultimatum to the principal of the school if this practice does not end and wearing turban was not allowed, we would begin a protest in front of the school and need be, can launch a protest movement across the state. The school is purposely hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, he added.

 

“The Sikhs in Shimla feel hurt by this act of violation of the religious right of wearing turban, which is the religious identity of our community. We are a secular democratic country and such an act leads to spread of communalism in the society especially when an educational Institution practices such unconstitutional activity in its campus,” said President of the Guru Singh Sabha, Shimla.        .

 

We have given ultimatum to the principal of the school if this practice does not end and wearing turban was not allowed, we would begin a protest in front of the school and need be, can launch a protest movement across the state. The school is purposely hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, he added.

 

The school administration denies such allegations. The principal of the school said that we have no objection on wearing turban in the school and the matter has already been settled with the parents.

 

with thanks : PunjabNewsLine : LINK for detailed news.

Anand Karj Act

On behalf of Sikh Community,DSGMC President ParamjIt Singh Sarna along with other Sikh dignitaries visited Sonia Gandhi's house to convey thanks for Central Government's approval towards making a separate law to register marriages under the Anand Marriage Act.

Visit to Sri Kalgidhar Sahib Gurdwara : Europe's largest Gurdwara in Cremona,ITALY

With thanks : Gill Family,Cremona,ITALY.

Sikh leaders want Manmohan-led Congress Government at Center to quit

Amritsar, April 24 (ANI): There have been strong reactions in Sikh circles to the final conclusion of arguments in the Delhi Court that was hearing cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had concluded that Congress leader Sajjan Kumar had incited mobs to attacks Sikhs during the riots in New Delhi.

Sikh leaders have called on the Manmohan-led UPA Government at the Centre to quit and take moral responsibility for their leaders secret involvement in the anti-Sikh riots.

Punjab Revenue and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the Congress has no moral right to stay on in power at the Centre.

He said the Sikhs had all along maintained that the Congress leaders had taken the law into their own hands in 1984, and added that the Gandhi family was also responsible for the killing of hundreds of the Sikhs.

Majithia said the Congress and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi acted hand in glove with the killers of Sikhs, and added that Congress leaders and activists incited mobs to act violently and in a retributive manner.

"Our stand had been vindicated that the Congress was responsible for the killing and massacre of the Sikhs in the national capital and other cities of the country in 1984'', said Majithia.

BJP State Executive Member Rajinder Mohan Singh said in a statement that what they had been saying for the years has now come true.

"The CBI has finally admitted that violence against the Sikhs had the backing of Congress leaders,'' he stated, adding it was Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar who incited the mobs against the Sikhs.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's executive member, Rajinder Singh Mehta, said anti-Sikh riot victims were yet to get justice 28 years after the violent event. 

with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK for detailed news.

MARTYRS an exciting new Docu-Feature Film

MARTYRS PROMO/ DURATION : 2 mins HD

As on Youtube