SAD to oppose any move to capture the Gurudwaras in Haryana : Dr. Cheema

CHANDIGARH: Shromani Akali Dal has taken serious note of the ultimatum issued by a handful of Sikhs of the Haryana to capture the Holy Sikh gurudawaras in the State and described it as most unfortunate, dangerous and aimed at scuttling the ongoing process of the elections to the General House of the SGPC.

In a statement issued from the party head quarter here party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said Friday that Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC would not allow this to happen at any cost. He further said that Haryana Government must realize its constitutional duty and should not allow these mischievous elements to take control of the Sikhs shrines in the state. SGPC is performing its constitutional duty and is maintaining the sikh Shrines as per the wishes as well as mandate given by the previous SGPC elections. If any body has any doubts regarding the popularity of the SGPC, he is welcome to contest the coming SGPC elections, he added.

Describing it as a deep routed conspiracy SAD leader alleged that on one hand Sarna brothers were making futile attempts to get the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections delayed by leveling false and baseless allegations about enrollment of voters and on the other hand those demanding separate SGPC are hell bent on creating trouble to vitiate the peaceful environment of the state. SAD spokesman squarely blamed the congress party for inciting splinter groups to a control of the apex body managing the Sikh Shrines and said that right from the very beginning congress had made many futile attempts to a control of the SGPC but every time the Sikh masses have given a befitting reply.

He said that SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal is fully seized of the matter and a meeting of the senior party leaders is being convened shortly to chalk out the plan to counter the game plan of these mischievous elements.

with thanks : PunjabNewsline

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A 70 Years Old Guru Pyara stuck atop Sri Nishan Sahib, brought down after six-hour operation

Septuagenarian Baba Charanjit Singh had a tough time for nearly six hours when a bid to change the cloth wrapped around the 110-foot high Nishan Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Sarabha Nagar went awry. Singh got stuck midway up around 11 am, and it took a great deal of effort to bring him down safe around 5 pm.

Singh was sent up through a pulley controlled at the ground level, but things went wrong when he reached 70 feet high: the cloth got stuck in the pulley and it stopped moving. Those on the ground made every effort to make Singh feel comfortable despite the scorching heat: water and a cellphone was sent up.

Around 5 pm, the gurdwara authorities could finally bring him down. Once on ground, Singh burst into tears and sent prayers up to God for saving his life.

The gurdwara management, meanwhile, did not spell out the age limit (if any) for persons entrusted with the task of changing the cloth of Nishan Sahib. It is deemed risky for elderly persons. They were also noncommittal about plans to buy rescue equipment and only said such an incident had occurred for the first time and accidents could happen anytime.

“Even though I felt scared for some time, I kept on praying and was sure that God will save me,” Singh said.

One Palwinder Singh had volunteered to bring Baba Charanjit down, citing his expertise in changing the Nishan Sahib cloth at Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, but the administration deemed it to be a risky proposition and turned it down.

Palwinder told Newsline: “Such incidents have occurred in many gurdwaras; but others always go up and rescue the individual. In this gurdwara, it has happened for the first time. The fire brigade had arrived soon after, but they had no equipment to bring Charanjit down. Finally, Assistant Commissioner of Police Raj Kumar contacted private builders in Ludhiana and Khanna, who make highrise buildings.

A team of workers came from Ludhiana along with iron rods and aluminium sheets. They took about two-and-a-half hours to erect a scaffolding and Singh was brought down safely.”

Once on ground, Singh was examined by a team of doctors from CMCH, who declared him to be fit. His daughter, Sukhwinder Kaur, said: “He has been offering this service for almost 15 years now. Such a thing has happened for the first time.”

An ardas was performed once Singh was brought down. SDM Prem Chand, Joint Municipal Commissioner Kuldeep Singh, Municipal Commissioner A K Sinha and many other officers were present on the occasion.

with thanks : indianexpress : taken from : sikhsangat

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Guru Granth Sahib ji de parkash purab diyan aap ji noo vadhaiyaan.

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Emmy Awards 2010: how Archie Panjabi was told not to pursue her dreams

An actress whose Sikh relatives told her not to pursue her dreams because they were too “lowly” has become the only major British success at the 2010 Emmy Awards.

On an otherwise disappointing night for British talent, Archie Panjabi won the best supporting actress award for her role as the straight-talking private detective Kalinda Sharma in the US drama The Good Wife.

The 38-year-old, who made her name in the British hit films East is East and Bend it Like Beckham, appeared elated as she accepted the prestigious US television award.

She said: "When I started in the business in England, just getting a job was a dream. And to receive an Emmy now is just beyond my wildest dreams.”

Panjabi, whose family emigrated to London from India before she was born, is among only a handful of Sikh performers ever to have won an Emmy.

But she has told how her strict family were less than supportive when she announced her aspiration to become an actress because the profession is considered “lowly” by many traditional Indian communities.

“We did have a few arguments because I wanted to go to drama school,” she said previously.

with thanks : telegraph.co.uk : link in headline above for detailed news.

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New heritage spot offers lighting wonders for CWG visitors

New Delhi, Aug 31 (PTI) Tourists have one more place to visit during the upcoming Commonwealth Games -- the newly constructed Guru Tegh Bahadur Memorial.The soon-to-be inaugurated memorial, a tribute to the ninth Sikh guru Tegh Bahadur and spread out on more than 10 acres on GT road of the Delhi-Haryana border is illuminated with special lighting effects.The Guru's holy teachings has been inscribed on ten rock stands with lighting where colours of the lights change every minute. The main attraction is the tallest central pylon in steel fabrication with changing lights which is visible even from a distance.The base of the monument is shaped like the petals of a flower. The four arch monoliths in the landscaped garden with the preachings of the guru uses coloured lights that are of religious, cultural and historical significance."The very tip of the structure is illuminated in brilliant white light representing the brilliant thinking of the guru. The body of the central structure has a mix of blue and amber while the petals on the base are lit from below creating a warm white glow," says Indraneel Goswami, General Manager, Lighting Application Services Philips, which is creative advisor to the DTTDC.The two layered lighting with a soft wash topped with scallops of light makes the green grass come alive at night and the special soft impact lighting is designed to add to the longevity of the monument, says Goswami.The memorial whose foundation stone was laid by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and been constructed by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation, is scheduled to be inaugurated in September, a month before the Commonwealth Games."The monument is a fitting tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh. It is especially beautiful during the night when it is lit up and I haven't seen any such memorial from Kolkata to the Wagah border," Paramjit Singh, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Managing Committee told PTI.Originally called Tyag Mal the guru was renamed Tegh Bahadur after his gallant displays of sword fighting in the wars against the Mughal forces.He built the city of Anandpur Sahib, and was responsible for saving the Kashmiri Pandits, who were being persecuted by the Mughals. The guru was martyred in Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb.

with thanks : http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/new-heritage-spot-offers-lighting-wonders-for-cwg-visitors/278448.html

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SGPC gives nod to print Guru Granth Sahib in foreign countries

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh has decided to allow printing of the holy Guru Granth Sahib and other Gurmat literature in foreign countries.

He said efforts were on to identify suitable land in the USA and Canada for setting up publishing centres and run them as per the Rehat Maryada (Sikh code of conduct).

The five Sikh high priests had in one of their edicts prohibited printing of the Guru Granth Sahib and other scriptures by any organisation other than the SGPC. Hence, the SGPC sends the Guru Granth Sahib and Gurmat literature to the Sikh Sangat abroad by air and sea.

However, maintaining of Maryada during travel was an arduous task, which is why the SGPC has decided to set up publishing centres overseas.

Avtar Singh also said that earnest efforts would be made to extend support to the Sikh community in the Kashmir valley living in a state of trepidation.

with thanks : Punjabnewsline

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What is Dharam ?

Centuries ago, there was a Gurukul where a number of students used to be taught by an old and experienced teacher. The teacher used to teach them many subjects like Sanskrit, Ganit, and amongst others one subject would be 'Dharam'. After years of teaching, it was time to send them home. So, he finally took a written test of all subjects except the subject 'Dharam'.

After passing, all students were going back to their homes, and wondering all the way, why the teacher did not take a test for the subject 'Dharam'. One of them even said "Guruji always told us that Dharam is the base of a human life and without it a man can not succeed in any form of life. But still, he didn't even care to mention it while we left"

As they were moving, they noticed a lot of cactus thorns lying on the road. The students carefully crossed the hurdle, and proceeded for their homes. One of them stopped by, and started collecting the thorns into his bag. On being prompted by his colleagues, he said "We were fortunate to see these thorns and saved ourselves, but what if somebody doesn't see them and gets hurt. My conscious does not allow me to avoid this potential danger to some passerby. I am not going unless I remove all these thorns, no matter how much time it takes!" On this, the teacher emerged from behind the tree, where he was hiding.

The students were surprised to find that the teacher was following them all the way. The teacher said "Yes, I was listening to your conversation, as to why I did not take your test for the subject 'Dharam'. Actually, Dharam is not something to say or listen, it's of no use if you do not practically implement it in your life. I had intentionally spread these thorns in your way, and the one boy proved that he has actually understood the lessons of Dharam. Dharam is indeed to pluck thorns from others way or to sacrifice oneself to make someone's life better. If you do not respect/love other living beings, or try to create hurdles in someone's path, you are far from understanding what 'Dharam' is !"

We are so fortunate that Guru Sahib has always taught us to respect other beings/other faiths. Not just by Hukam, Guru Sahib has lead by example. See the Shaheedi of Guru Arjun Dev ji, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji and the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and various Sikhs from time to time. These are stories of selfless service to the society. That is what Sikhism stands for !

with thanks : Shabad Vichar

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A Sikh Temple Where All May Eat, and Pitch In

AMRITSAR, India — The groaning, clattering machines never stop, transforming 12 tons of whole wheat flour every day into nearly a quarter-million discs of flatbread called roti. These purpose-built contraptions, each 20 feet long, extrude the dough, roll it flat, then send it down a gas-fired conveyor belt, spitting out a never-ending stream of hot, floppy, perfectly round bread.

Soupy lentils, three and a third tons of them, bubble away in vast cauldrons, stirred by bearded, barefoot men wielding wooden spoons the size of canoe paddles. The pungent, savory bite wafting through the air comes from 1,700 pounds of onions and 132 pounds of garlic, sprinkled with 330 pounds of fiery red chilies.

It is lunchtime at what may be the world’s largest free eatery, the langar, or community kitchen at this city’s glimmering Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion. Everything is ready for the big rush. Thousands of volunteers have scrubbed the floors, chopped onions, shelled peas and peeled garlic. At least 40,000 metal plates, bowls and spoons have been washed, stacked and are ready to go.

Anyone can eat for free here, and many, many people do. On a weekday, about 80,000 come. On weekends, almost twice as many people visit. Each visitor gets a wholesome vegetarian meal, served by volunteers who embody India’s religious and ethnic mosaic.

with thanks : nytimes : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Police recover missing Sikh girl of Baramulla from Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug. 29 (ANI): A joint team of Baramulla and Srinagar police has found out a missing Sikh girl of Baramulla from a Srinagar locality.

The girl (name withheld), who had allegedly been kidnapped recently, was traced out by the joint police team on Saturday.

On August 24, a missing report was lodged in police station Baramulla that a Sikh girl was missing.

with thanks : thaindian : link in headline for detailed news.

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1984 riots: Delhi Police shielded Sajjan Kumar, says CBI to Supreme Court

ANI

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday told the Supreme Court that the special anti-riots cell of the Delhi Police had conducted 'sham investigations and farce prosecutions' to apparently shield senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in connection with his role in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which six persons were killed.

The investigating agency an affidavit urged the apex court to vacate the stay it granted on Kumar's trial in August 13 after the former Member of Parliament challenged his prosecution.

The CBI pleaded that the stay 'seriously prejudiced' the prosecution against the Congress leader.

An apex court Bench comprising Justice P Sathasivam and Justice B S Chauhan while taking on record the affidavit - posted to September 7 the final hearing of the CBI's plea to prosecute Kumar for the Delhi Cantonment riots.

The Delhi High Court had on August 20 rejected a plea to stay the trial of Sajjan Kumar in connection with his role in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Kumar has two cases registered against him, one of which, a case involving the death of five persons in the Delhi Cantonment area, has been stayed.

The Delhi High Court had on July 19 dismissed Kumar's petition challenging a trial court's order to frame charges against him in the case.n the order, Justice Vipin Sanghi questioned the motive of the Delhi Police in cancelling the First Information Report against Sajjan Kumar when the CBI was still probing the matter.

Justice Sanghi directed the trial court to hold the proceedings against him expeditiously in the anti-Sikh riots cases.

The trial court had on July 7 framed charges against him in another case in connection with the riot case.

with thanks : news.yahoo.com : link in headline for detailed story.

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Fire destroys Abbotsford Sikh temple

An Abbotsford Sikh temple destroyed by fire early this morning (Thursday) has a history that dates back to the 1940s, when it was a small prairie chapel.

The blaze, which occurred at 31957 Townshipline Road on Matsqui Prairie, has been deemed suspicious by investigators with the Abbotsford Police and Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS).

Area resident Doug Rennie, 82, who still lives on the same dairy farm on which he was born and raised, said he was surprised to see the destruction.

with thanks : bclocalnews : link in headline for detailed news.

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