TURBAN : A FASHION STAPLE IN 2013

                                        Waris Ahluwalia for Gap 2013
GAP’s new Ad campaign ‘More Love’ presented themselves with a Sikh man ( Mr Waris Ahluwalia who is an actor, model and business entrepreneur ) wearing a black turban who also had a profoundly beautiful long beard.

Mr Pardeep Singh Bahra, introduced a fashion blog "Singh Street Style" that features stylish Sikh men wearing different colours and styles of turbans matching their outfits.As a founder of the blog ,He has not only established and developed the blog gradually, but also provided a chance to Sikh models to represent sikh religion at International level with their entry in the fashion Industry. He had his work featured on MSN ,The Guardian and Vogue

        Pardeep Singh Bahra of "Singh Street Style"

Jatinder Durhailay was also the first Sikh featured on 'Singh Street Style'. He has modelled for various prestigious different projects, such as GQ, Topman, Asos, Levis and recently Louis Vuitton.. He was featured on the front page of the financial times modelling for the new Louis Vuitton campaign.

            Jatinder Durhailay for Louis Vuitton 2013

Many religious aspects are used in fashion to make it seem more acceptable and welcoming for customers to buy.Introducing the Turban in fashion Industry is an outstanding act which further helps value equality. Once again fashion has shown us that being stylish is nothing more than expression.

 Link :http://www.menswearstyle.co.uk/2013/12/18/how-the-turban-became-a-fashion-staple-of-2013/912

TURBAN : A FASHION STAPLE IN 2013

                                        Waris Ahluwalia for Gap 2013
GAP’s new Ad campaign ‘More Love’ presented themselves with a Sikh man ( Mr Waris Ahluwalia who is an actor, model and business entrepreneur ) wearing a black turban who also had a profoundly beautiful long beard.

Mr Pardeep Singh Bahra, introduced a fashion blog "Singh Street Style" that features stylish Sikh men wearing different colours and styles of turbans matching their outfits.As a founder of the blog ,He has not only established and developed the blog gradually, but also provided a chance to Sikh models to represent sikh religion at International level with their entry in the fashion Industry. He had his work featured on MSN ,The Guardian and Vogue

        Pardeep Singh Bahra of "Singh Street Style"

Jatinder Durhailay was also the first Sikh featured on 'Singh Street Style'. He has modelled for various prestigious different projects, such as GQ, Topman, Asos, Levis and recently Louis Vuitton.. He was featured on the front page of the financial times modelling for the new Louis Vuitton campaign.

            Jatinder Durhailay for Louis Vuitton 2013

Many religious aspects are used in fashion to make it seem more acceptable and welcoming for customers to buy.Introducing the Turban in fashion Industry is an outstanding act which further helps value equality. Once again fashion has shown us that being stylish is nothing more than expression.

 Link :http://www.menswearstyle.co.uk/2013/12/18/how-the-turban-became-a-fashion-staple-of-2013/912

Attacker of elderly Sikh sent to mental hospital

IANS

Washington, Dec 19: A US court has ordered that a homeless man, legally incompetent to stand trial for attacking an elderly Sikh man earlier this year, be sent to a psychiatric hospital until he is competent to stand trial.

Judge W. Kent Levis of the Fresno County Superior Court has ordered that Gilbert Garcia Jr., 30, be sent to Atascadero State Hospital in California until he is determined to be legally competent to stand trial, The Fresno Bee reported Wednesday.

Garcia has been charged with attempted murder and elder abuse after he attacked Piara Singh, an 82-year-old Sikh man, with a steel rod outside the Nanaksar Sikh Temple in southwest Fresno in central California May 5 in what the prosecutors have called a hate crime.

Following judge Levis's order, Garcia will be required to take anti-psychotic medication in the state hospital.

According to the court order, Garcia will have to remain in the hospital until he is competent to stand trial, but his stay cannot be more than 15 years.

Normally, inmates spend less than a year in a state hospital before their competency is restored.

Garcia approached Piara Singh on a cycle outside the Sikh temple just after 7 a.m. May 5 and without saying a word started beating the victim on the head with a rod.

Singh was left with broken ribs and head wounds.

Members of the Sikh community had expressed outrage at the act.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

NOW, SIKH FARMERS IN KUTCH CAN SMILE

Gandhinagar : Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who is slated to visit the Rannotsav festival under way in Kutch, is likely to carry back heartening news as the Gujarat government has decided to defreeze the agricultural land of 52 Sikh farmers in the district.

Though a final decision has not been taken since the matter is subjudice in the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court ruled in favour of the farmers and the state government appealed against the verdict in the apex court, the bonafides of these 52 farmers have been verified. In their case, it has been found that they had been given agricultural land by the Gujarat government under the ‘landless labourer ‘category.

Kutch being a barren region, bordering Pakistan with human population less than that of cattle, the Gujarat government had, as a matter of policy, invited ex-servicemen from Punjab and Haryana, largely Sikhs, to settle down here in the aftermath of the 1965 war with Pakistan. Kutch had seen aggressive Pakistani forays as a prelude to the war then and this led to the birth of the Border Security Force (BSF) thereafter.

As a strategic move thereafter, ex-servicemen and farmers from Punjab were encouraged to settle down here. These farmers played no small a role in the greening of Kutch and revolutionized agriculture in the desolate barrenscape that Kutch was then with a few takers for the largely salinity-ingressed areas bordering the Rann. However, with increasing industrialisation as the price of land shot up to dizzying heights, a sense of envy engulfed people leading to complaints and social tension, triggering a chain of events that led the government to ‘freeze’ the land of over 800 farmers who were suspected to have come from other states and bought land for agriculture.

Government rules do not permit purchase of agricultural land by non-agriculturists even if they are of Gujarat origin and the government used the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act 1948 to freeze the land holdings of these farmers whom it suspected to have infringed it.

However, the affected farmers knocked the doors of the High Court which ruled in their favour. The state government then went in to appeal to the Supreme Court where the matter rests for now.

The issue however acquired a political colour in Punjab where the Congress began using it as an issue to attack the SAD government, an ally of the BJP. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had also interceded with Chief Minister Modi who had promised all possible help. A case-by-case review is learnt to be underway and those who have produced relevant records are likely to benefit. There are a large number of agricultural-land owning farmers from Punjab and Haryana in Kutch.

R K MISRA

with thanks : freepressjournal : LINK

Utah Sikhs bring warmth to homeless with blanket donation

SALT LAKE CITY — The Road Home has 200 new blankets for the homeless thanks to an interfaith gesture from members of the Sikh Temple.

On Sunday, the congregation collected enough money to buy 200 blankets for the homeless, and members took the donations to the Road Home Wednesday.

During a short service, Priest Gurmeet Singh read from the holy text that tells Sikhs if they remember God every day, he will take them as his children and their lives with be happier. During their Wednesday worship, they hoped to bring happiness to others.

"We always want to participate in our community, whatever little help we can do for food also and these blankets," said temple trustee Pushpinder Walia. "We thought we should contribute before Christmas."

The Sikhs simply wanted to be part of the community and to let everyone know they are here to help.

"It's too cold, and God has blessed us," Walia said, "and we want to share with other people."

"The winter season can be a dangerous time for a lot of our clients, and unfortunately we see a lot of people struggle through that," said Road Home employee Emily Petersen. "I know this will be a lifesaving support for them. Thank you."

Sikhism is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world with more than 30 million members, the majority of whom live in the Punjab region of India.

Founded in the 15th century as a monotheistic faith, members reject discrimination against race, religion or gender.

Baptized Sikhs do not cut their hair, and the men wear turbans. They do not consume alcohol, tobacco or drugs. They believe strongly in marriage and family life.

At the sanctuary inside the Sikh Temple, men, women and children are asked to remove their shoes and cover their heads. During this particularly sacred time of year for Christians who commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Sikhs say they also wish to mark the birth.

"We respect all religions, and Christ has been a great prophet, and Christmas is a blessing time," said temple trustee Jagdish Gill.

There are nearly 1,000 Sikhs in Utah. Services at the Sikh Temple of Utah on 4897 S. Redwood Road take place 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, including both breakfast and lunch. All are welcome to attend.

with thanks : deseretnews : LINK

Nagar Kirtan in Gurdwara Sangat Sahib ( Sint-Truiden, Belgium )

On the occasion of 545th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak DevJi, Nagar Kirtan led by the Panj Pyaras (the five beloved ones) was taken out in Gurdwara Sangat Sahib (Sint-Truiden,Belgium) on 27th October 2013.The 'Gatka' teams also displayed their swordsmanship through different martial arts and at mock battles using traditional weapons.

Guests of honour were Prof. Bert Broeckaert ( KU Leuven,Belgium), Mrs.Veerle Heeren ( Mayor of Sint-Truiden,Belgium ), Mr. Ward Kennes (Mayor of Kasterlee ,Belgium) /Mrs W. Kennes and Mrs. Raymonde Spiritus (Alderwoman/ Schepen in Sint-Truiden,Belgium )

Another prominent personalities amongst sangat were Pritty Kaur ( who contested (sp.a Social Party) for a Mayor Post in Sint-Truiden, Belgium in 2012 elections ), Sd. Avtar Singh  (who also stood in the same election for CD &V ), Louke Manpreet Kaur Bamps and Theodorus Snellen.They all are engaged with community services;working as a link between authorities and Sikh Community.

  

In memory of Damini !

Nine Sikhs in the Hung Delhi Assembly !

Press cuttings

Press cuttings

Chinese soldiers stunned by Indian 'Gatka" : Hindustan Times

Vote Delhi Vote : It's 4th December :

British Army recognises Sikh's contribution

IANS

London, Nov 23: The historic contribution made by Sikh soldiers who fought for Britain has been honoured by the British Army at an event at the Royal Military Academy in Camberley, Surrey.

Thousands of Sikhs died fighting for the British Indian Army during the two World wars.

Academy curator Anthony Morton said during the days of the British empire, Sikh soldiers were highly regarded by British officers for their martial prowess.

"Today is really about commemorating the Sikh contribution to the armed forces both today and in the past," BBC quoted Lt.Col. John Kendall, who organised the event at the Indian War Memorial room at the academy, as saying.

Author Jay Singh Sohal believes contribution of Sikhs in the British Army is largely unrecognised, which is why events like this are important.

"British Sikhs, third generation, fourth generation can take inspiration from the fact that their forebears fought for Great Britain," he said

with thanks : IANS : LINK

President greets nation on Guru Tegh Bahadur martyrdom day

IANS

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday greeted the nation, especially the Sikh community, on the 332nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur on November 24.

This year it marks the 332nd anniversary of the guru's sacrifice for religious freedom.

"Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day is an occasion for every citizen of India to remember the guru's supreme sacrifice and strive to be worthy of his great legacy," Mukherjee said in a statement.

"On this day, let us re-dedicate ourselves to national unity, communal harmony and all-round progress of our motherland. Let hatred and violence find no place in our minds," he said.

"May the life and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the humanism that he stood for guide us on our path at all times," he said.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

Sikh taxi driver awarded for honesty in Australia

IANS

Sydney, Nov 20: A Sikh taxi driver in Australia, who returned A$110,000 in cash he found on the rear seat of his cab to its owners, has received a Melbourne City Council award for his honesty.

Lakhwinder Singh Dhillon found the money after dropping off a group of people at Crown Casino in Melbourne last month.

The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle presented Singh with a certificate of commendation, the Herald Sun reported Wednesday.

Singh said the seven men and two women, whom he had picked up from Chinatown in his maxi cab, seemed very drunk.

"When I saw all that money, I thought, what is happening, it is something amazing, what should I do," Singh said.

After finding the cash, he drove to a police station but he soon received a call from the owners to return the money at the casino where he left them.

Singh believed they were visitors from China staying at the casino.

"They gave me a A$500 reward. One of them said: 'You're very honest, you're a very good man, you've helped us a lot'," Singh said.

"He is truly an inspirational Melbournian - it was the act of an honest man of integrity," mayor Doyle said.

Singh said he was greatly honoured by the award.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

UK Sikh man sues son over £415 million hotel fortune

London: A prominent British Sikh hotelier is all set for a legal face-off with his 86-year-old father, who plans to sue his businessman son for failing to share with him the family wealth of 415 million pounds. 

Bal Mohinder Singh is suing his eldest son, Jasminder Singh, head of Britain’s successful Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotels group, for abandoning the Sikh tradition of sharing family wealth by excluding him from the business. The case will come up in the High Court in London from Tuesday. 

with thanks : Pune Mirror : LINK

US Sikh with beard gets $50,000 for job denial

IANS

New Jersey, Nov 20: An Indian-American Sikh man, who was denied a job for keeping a beard by a car dealership in New Jersey five years ago, will receive $50,000 as compensation in an out-of-court settlement.

Gurpreet Singh Kherha, a resident of Little Falls, New Jersey, who had applied for a sales position at Tri-County Lexus in February 2008, was told by the hiring manager that although he was well-qualified, he could not be hired because of the dealership's strict "no beard" policy.

Kherha then took his case to the Sikh Coalition, a community organisation, which filed a discrimination claim along with the the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in November 2008, and a lawsuit was filed in New Jersey State Court in February 2010.

The terms of the settlement with the Sikh Coalition and EEOC over alleged hiring malpractices also requires Tri-County Lexus dealership to enter into a two-year remedial programme.

The programme includes revising its written policies and procedures prohibiting employment discrimination and providing ongoing training to all staff on anti-discrimination laws, with a focus on religious discrimination and religious accommodation laws.

The dealership will also be required to ensure that a copy of its revised policies is provided to any applicant who requests a religious accommodation during the hiring or interviewing process.

The EEOC will monitor and ensure the dealership's compliance with the terms of the court-ordered consent decree.

"As this settlement demonstrates, Sikh Americans have a right to live, work, and thrive in the US, just like anyone else," said Gurjot Kaur, staff attorney at the Sikh Coalition.

"We will continue to stand up against employers who fail to understand their legal obligations to provide religious accommodations and keep Sikhs and other religious minorities out of the workplace," she said.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

Dr.Kristina Myrvold : "Young Swedish Sikhs :Translating Sikhism and Negotiating Identities in Northen Europe"

Dr,Kristina Myrvold's lecture on "Young Swedish Sikhs : Translating Sikhism and Negotiating Identities in Northen Europe "was very well received at UC Riverside. As a Swedish scholar of Sikhism she did an excellent job in highlighting the evolution of Sikhism in Northern Europe, particularly how young Sikhs are asserting their identity in a Swedish cultural context.  

( Dr.Kristina Myrvold  with Professor Pashaura Singh ( University of California,Riverside,USA)