Saturday, September 12, 2020

Annual Examination 2020 Paper "Dharampothi" :Bhai Joga Singh Khalsa Religious School,Peshawar, Pakistan











https://www.facebook.com/bhaijogasinghkhalsadharmicschoolpeshawarpakistan

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

SGPC Asks Indian Government To Reopen Kartarpur Sahib Corridor


The apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has asked the Union government of India to reopen Kartarpur corridor at the earliest so that the Sikh devotees can go for paying obeisance there. Notably, the Indian government had suspended pilgrimage to Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib on March 16 due to coronavirus outbreak.

“The devotees are keen to pay obeisance at the historic Sikh shrine related to Guru Nanak Sahib so the corridor should be reopened at the earliest,” he added.

Longowal said that the Pakistan government has already announced to reopen the corridor for the Indian Sikh devotees so the Indian government should also take an immediate decision in this concern.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/09/11/sgpc-asks-indian-government-to-reopen-kartarpur-sahib-corridor/#.X1xDshAzbIU

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi:Appointed First VC of Baba Guru Nanak University, Nankana Sahab,Pakistan


                                    Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi

Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi, the Vice Chancellor of Government College University Lahore, has been given additional charge of the post of Vice Chancellor, Baba Guru Nanak University, Nankana Sahab.

A notification in this regard was issued by the Punjab Higher Education Department after the approval of Chancellor/Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar.

On October 28, 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the University in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak.

According to the notification, Prof. Asghar Zaidi will hold the additional charge of the post till the appointment of regular Vice Chancellor at the University.

Prof. Zaidi is an eminent social policy analyst and a recent recipient of Tamgha-i-Imtiaz. Talking to media, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said that it was a matter of great pride for him that he would work as the first/founder Vice Chancellor of Baba Guru Nanak University.

 He pledged to work towards the goal of making this new university an international center of excellence for the study of Sikhism and for promotion of Punjabi language. 

Earlier, the Punjab Governor also introduced Prof. Asghar Zaidi to the global community of Sikhs in a video conference. The participants of video conference praised the steps taken by the Governor in promoting harmony among Muslims and Sikhs living in Pakistan. They promised their full support for development and promotion of Baba Guru Nanak University.

https://nation.com.pk/12-Sep-2020/prof-asghar-zaidi-appointed-first-vc-of-baba-guru-nanak-university

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Friday, September 11, 2020

गुरू हरिकृष्ण पब्लिक स्कूल कालका जी की नई टीम ने कार्यभार संभाला



नई दिल्ली, 11 सितंबर: दिल्ली गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी के अधीन चलाये जा रहे गुरु हरिकृष्ण पब्लिक स्कूल कालका जी की नई टीम बनाई गई जिसमें समाजसेवी स. सतनाम सिंह को स्कूल का चेयरमैन और कमलजीत सिंह परदेसी को मैनेजर बनाया गया।

दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा और महासचिव हरमीत सिंह कालका द्वारा स्कूल के प्रबंध को सुचारू ढंग से चलाने के लिए काबिल और बुद्धिजीवी लोगों को स्कूल के प्रबंधकीय बोर्ड में शामिल कर सेवाएं सौंपी जा रही हैं। इसी कड़ी में आज कालका जी स्कूल के प्रबंध की जिम्मेवारी स. सतनाम सिंह को सौंपते हुए उन्हें स्कूल का चेयरमैन और कमलजीत सिंह परदेसी को मैनेजर की सेवा के रूप में चार्ज सौंपा गया।

स. हरमीत सिंह कालका द्वारा स्वंय पहुंच कर नये पदाधिकारियों को सिरोपा देकर स्वागत किया गया और उन्होंने उम्मीद जताई कि स्कूल के प्रिंसिपल और स्टाफ सदस्यों के साथ तालमेल रख कर स्कूल को चढ़दीकला में ले जाने के लिए सहयोग देंगे।

इस मौके पर कालका जी इलाके की गणमान्य शख्सीयतें और अकाली दल वर्कर भी शामिल हुए।


News Courtesy,
Mr.Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC

"Ranjit Nagara":US-Based Sikh Body Starts Restoration of Gurdwara Choa Sahib in Pakistan

Gurdwara Choa Sahib commemorates the site where Guru Nanak  Dev is believed to have created a water spring during one of his (udasis).

Gurdwara Choa Sahib in Jhelum district of Pakistan’s Punjab province will be reopened after restoration.

The Pakistan government reopened the abandoned Gurdwara and the Evacuee Trust Property Board had unveiled a plan to reopen the Gurdwara after restoration.

The restoration work will be complete by August next year

A Sikh organisation based in America has adopted 19th century Gurdwara Choa Sahib in Jhelum district of Pakistan’s Punjab province for its restoration. The organisation — Ranjit Nagara — began the restoration work in August this year.

Built in 1834 under the command of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Gurdwara Choa Sahib was lying closed since the Partition .

The Pakistan government reopened the abandoned Gurdwara and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had unveiled a plan to reopen the Gurdwara after restoration.

Satpreet Singh, director of Ranjit Nagara, said they wrote to the ETPB in December 2019, seeking permission to carry forward the restoration work at the Gurdwara and the approval was given in August this year.

“We have hired experts, including Amrik Singh Pahala who worked in UAE and had restored more than 40 sites. He has a team of 70 engineers and they are voluntarily supporting us. Another Architect Rubab Farha Chisti and her team are also on the preservation job,” said Satpreet Singh, who is a businessman in California.

He said they expect the restoration work to be complete by August next year.


https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/us-based-sikh-body-starts-restoration-of-gurdwara-choa-sahib-in-pakistan/story-PQbhxlrSIqcumm0kNqzqkI.html

https://www.facebook.com/RANJITNAGARAUSA

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

CM Amarinder Singh Announces Rs 5 Lakh Grant to Golgappa Seller Boy

 


CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Friday announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for a young boy from Amritsar whose viral video of selling golgappas on the roadside to earn his livelihood had touched the hearts of thousands of people.

The youngster was seen refusing the offer of money from an individual, and said he wanted only his hard-earned money.In reply to a question, on #AskCaptain Facebook live, Amarinder Singh said that he had also seen the video, which captured the spirit of ‘Punjabiyat’. He agreed with the citizen’s suggestion that the boy should be helped by the state government and immediately announced Rs 5 lakh.

The CM said he will ask Amritsar DC to invest the grant in a fixed deposit and the interest on it will be used for the boy’s education. “I am impressed by the grit of this young boy,” he added.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/impressed-by-golgappa-seller-boy-cm-amarinder-singh-announces-rs-5-lakh-grant/articleshow/78063417.cms

Supreme Sikh Society Serves 1100 kg Ice Cream to Children in Two Schools



Sikhs of New Zealand, under leadership of Supreme Sikh Society, are known for their social activities to help people. 

The Society office bearers are also known for their affection towards children, especially its spokesperson Daljit Singh is famous for his affectionate behavior towards children and is lovingly recognized as “uncle who serves them ice cream” by majority of kids. 

During recently held Free Food Campaign amid COVID - 19, Daljit Singh had especially brought ice cream packs for children. 

Continuing this trend, Supreme Sikh Society virtually made children’s weekend by distributing ice cream boxes to 1100 kids in Takanini Primary School and Manurewa Central School. Each box weighs one kg. 

Principal of Manurewa Central School, Michelle Dibben said they thought that only one ice cream stick will be provided to each kid but it was a pleasant surprise when 600 kg ice cream arrived in the school. 

School’s Executive Officer, Armeena Nagra said it was a gift of changing weather and children were very happy. 

Uttam Chand Sharma worked as volunteer in Takanini School while Jaspreet Singh Rajpura volunteered in Manurewa School.

https://nzpunjabinews.com/english/8149/?fbclid=IwAR1imcrkBwUlabai6E7f4X8kYAw4trCuil2VMAFJeBS8R2n7no8M6OFPSIU

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Takanini Sikh Gurdwara :NZ Supreme Sikh Society Volunteers Step Up to Help during Pandemic


            Essential services - Sikh temple volunteers step up

Each Wednesday and Sunday, the Takanini Sikh Gurdwara sees hundreds of cars driving into its gates to pick up free food bags. 

Volunteers line up, open the boots and load up bottles of milk, bags of fresh veg and fruit and even ice-cream on some days. It's one large, seamless and contactless operation.


What started in Level 4 lockdown in March as an act of charity synonymous with the Sikh faith has carried on and now includes mobilizing members of the wider community.


Behind this mammoth effort are two teams of volunteers from beyond just the Sikh community - from Samoan to Cook Island Maori who join others to form a massive packing line to help fill food bags worth around $20 to $30 each. 


Distributing free food to the needy is fundamental to the Sikh religion. Daljit Singh, spokesperson of the NZ Supreme Sikh Society says this is for everyone - you can't turn anyone away based on their race, beliefs or religion." 


The New Zealand Supreme Sikh Society is made of different Gurdwaras or temples, across the country.  During crisis and times of need, resources are immediately pooled together for humanitarian help across New Zealand or even globally. 


Each food bag comprises food for a family of four for a period of two to three days. Each day of food distribution anything between 1500 and 2200 bags are given out, effectively feeding nearly 10,000 people. 

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/voices/audio/2018762645/essential-services-sikh-temple-volunteers-step-up

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Pakistan Sikh Community Wants Rare Scripture Placed at Gurdwara Dera Sahib,Lahore

         
                  Pakistan Sikhs want Rare Scripture in Gurdwara

The Sikhs want the 300-year-old Guru Granth Sahib to be placed inside the Gurdwara Dera Sahib, a temple situated in the heart of Lahore.


                              Gurdwara Dera Sahib,Lahore

Pakistan’s minority Sikh community want a rare, handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, estimated to be 300 years old and currently on display at a Lahore museum, to be placed at the Gurdwara Dera Sahib, a media report said on Thursday. 

The handwritten copy of the holy book, along with other artifacts, were received by the museum as a donation from various individuals and organisations, according to a museum official. 

“While there is no date on it, the writing and ink shows it is more than three hundred years old,” Aliza Saba Rizvi, a researcher and in charge of the section of Lahore’s museum dedicated to Sikhism quoted .“This is a rare copy of the Guru Granth Sahib,” Rizvi said, adding that a similar copy of the holy scripture is also found at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. 

The Sikhs want the scripture to be placed inside the Gurdwara Dera Sahib, a temple situated in the heart of Lahore which stands at the spot where the fifth guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev, was martyred in 1606, the report said. 

“This ancient copy of Guru Granth Sahib must be kept in a Gurdwara Sahib,” said a senior member of the community.

“It cannot be kept in a closet like any ordinary book. It needs to be placed inside the Gurdwara with the respect it deserves,” said Sardar Bishan Singh, the former head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC).

The community leader said he would place the demand on the agenda during the next meeting of the PSGPC. 

Bishan Singh suggested the Museum should transfer the rare scripture to the Gurdwara or hire a member of the community to take care of the holy book as prescribed by Sikh customs. 

https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/pakistan-sikhs-want-rare-scripture-in-gurdwara/cid/1791642

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Home Minister Amit Shah :Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Blessed that 'Wahe Guru ji' Has Taken 'Seva' From Him.


Home Minister Amit Shah says FCRA registration to Golden temple is pathbreaking move

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Government's decision to allow the Golden Temple in Amritsar to receive foreign funds is a path breaking move and it will once again showcase the outstanding spirit of service of the Sikh community.

Earlier, the Home Ministry on Wednesday approved registration of Sri Harmandir Sahib under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, allowing it to receive foreign funding. Amritsar's Golden temple is also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib.

Taking to Twitter, Shah said, "The decision on FCRA at the Sri Harmandir Sahib is a pathbreaking one which will once again showcase the outstanding spirit of service of our Sikh sisters and brothers."

Shah further went on to say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is blessed that 'Wahe Guru ji' has taken 'Seva' from him.

"Sri Darbar Sahib's divinity gives strength to us. For decades, the Sangat worldwide was unable to serve there. Modi Government's decision to allow FCRA to the Sri Harmandir Sahib deepens the connect of Seva between the Sangat globally and the Sri Darbar Sahib. A blessed moment!" he said. 

It can be seen that the FCRA registration has been given in the name of the 'Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Saheb Sri Darbar Saheb Punjab Association', a body set up in 1925.

Union Food Processing Minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal thanked Shah for granting the FCRA registration to the Golden temple. "Happy to share that MHA has granted approval under FCRA to Sri Harmandir Sahib. This will enable the shrine to receive 'sewa' from all over the world & go a long way in propagating Gurusahab's philosophy of 'sarbat da bhala'. I'm grateful to @AmitShah Ji for making this possible," she tweeted on Wednesday.

https://www.oneindia.com/india/home-minister-amit-shah-says-fcra-registration-to-golden-temple-is-pathbreaking-move-3147351.html


Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Scholarship Scam Issue :Dalit Students Who Have Most To Lose



Youth Akali Dal holds protest against social justice minister in Mohali

As  Scholarship Scam Issue Heats up, It Is Dalit Students Who Have Most To Lose

Owing to politics over the post-matric scholarship, the number of Dalit students who are beneficiaries has reduced from 3.10 lakh in 2015-16 to 1.99 lakh in 2019-2020.

Sadhu Singh Dharamsot

A week ago,Vidhan sabha was heatedly debating the alleged Rs 55 crore post-matric SC scholarship scam and the involvement of social justice minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot,

Prince Singh – a 21-year-old B. Tech (Computer Science) final year student  wondering if he would get his degree, which has been withheld by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

The son of a labourer from Pathankot, he and hundreds of Dalit students who are beneficiaries of the scholarship are being harassed by their colleges and universities to pay the fees. There has been a continuous delay in the release of scholarship funds from the Centre and the state government.

“For the past three years, the university has held back my detailed marks certificate, which is issued after every semester. The university has refused to give it until the pending fee is paid. Now that this scam has been exposed, I have realised that I am bearing the brunt of politics over scholarship,” he said.

“I could not even appear for the campus placement because the companies required DMCs. I also lost the chance of appearing for GATE exam, CDS, AFCAT and the University Entry Scheme for B.Tech students to join Army and Navy as Commissioned Officers.”

“Last October, we met additional chief secretary (ACS) Kripa Shankar Saroj in Chandigarh and apprised him about our problems. But the Dalit students have lost so much,” he said.

Kripa Shankar Saroj, the ACS of social justice, empowerment and minorities, is the same bureaucrat who exposed the Rs 55.71 crore scam. The senior IAS officer sent a special report to Punjab chief secretary Vini Mahajan, seeking action.

https://thewire.in/rights/punjab-post-matric-scholarship-scam-dalit-students-lose

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi


 

 

Posters Seeking Sumedh Saini's Whereabouts Come up in Punjab


Ideocracy was at its peak when Dal Khalsa put up posters seeking the whereabouts of ex-DGP Sumedh Saini, and while doing so, they referred to Saini, who is a mass murderer of Sikhs as a Singh. 

Sumedh Saini is absconding in Balwant Singh Multani abduction and murder case and Dal Khalsa has announced a reward for anyone who can provide a tip that leads to his arrest.

On September 9, the activists of Dal Khalsa pasted posters declaring Sumedh Saini as a proclaimed offender of Punjab masses and the territorial law. 

Addressing a press conference, Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema said that anyone playing a key role in arresting or getting Sumedh Saini arrested will be honored with a gold medal. “To maintain law and order in Punjab, it is necessary to bring those cops to justice who committed grave violence of law while being in uniform,” he added.

Party leaders Harcharanjit Singh Dhami and Kanwarpal Singh said that the Punjab police was capable of arresting Sumedh Saini within 24 hours but the Punjab government and police are playing a friendly match with him. 

“Sumedh Saini is favorite of the Indian state and he is being enshrined by some influential personalities as per the Indian government’s directions,” they said while announcing that the posters seeking Sumedh Saini will be pasted all over Punjab. 

In reply to a media query regarding the legitimacy of pasting posters seeking Sumedh Saini in Punjab, Narain Singh said that their move of pasting posters is aimed at creating awareness among Punjab masses and pressurizing the government to arrest Sumedh Saini.

The Dal Khalsa leaders also announced that they won’t refrain from moving to roads if the government doesn’t arrest Sumedh Saini.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/09/10/dal-khalsa-posters-seeking-sumedh-sainis-whereabouts-come-up-in-punjab-but-refer-to-mass-murderer-as-a-singh/#.X1mz8BAzbIU



Pakistan To Launch Religious Tourism Packages For Sikhs and Hindus


 

For the first time Pakistan government is going to introduce religious tourism packages to attract both Sikh and Hindu devotees from across the world to visit Pakistan for offering prayers and performing their religious rituals.



Chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Aamer Ahmad informed that ETPB had proposed to introduce different religious tourism packages to attract Sikhs and Hindus to pay obeisance at their religious places.

“The packages can be for three days or for five days etc. , we are working on the modalities and would soon start registration of tour operators “ he said, adding that pilgrims from across the world including India could avail benefit of religious packages which would be in addition to the current movement of Hindu and Sikh religious groups from India.

He informed that Sayed Zulfiqar Abbas Bhukhari, special assistant to the Prime Minister Imran Khan, hailed the proposal .

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pak-to-launch-religious-tourism-packages-for-sikhs-and-hindus/articleshow/78023905.cms

Deputation of All Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Calls on Advisor to Lt Governor, KK Sharma


A deputation of All Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee today called on Advisor to Lt Governor, KK Sharma and raised several issues related to inclusion of Punjabi as one of the official languages of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

                     Advisor to Lt Governor, KK Sharma

The deputation was led by Sardar Baldev Singh, Chairman All Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee-Kashmir and of Presidents of Gurudwara Prabandak Committees of Kashmir division which included S. Santpal Singh, S. Budha Singh,Dr Tara Singh, Dr Ravi Singh, S. Inderjit Singh and S. Bupinder Singh.

The deputation referred to the recent Parliament Bill 2020 approved by the Union Cabinet, in which Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi and English have been included as the official languages of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjabi language has been excluded which is mother tongue and spoken by majority of Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims living in the UT.

They maintained that language has been given the recognition and guarantee under Article 146, Schedule VI of the J&K Constitution, thus it becomes obligatory on part of the J&K Government to make all the efforts for promotion of Punjabi language in addition to other regional languages.

The Advisor while interacting with the deputationists assured them that the issue raised by them would be looked into and taken up with the concerned.

http://www.journeyline.in/newsdet.aspx?

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi