Manjit Singh G.K.: DSGMC to build international centre for Sikh studies in Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib

Moving model installation on December 12, at Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib

Hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal to head finance committee making expenditure on centre, DSGMC to oversee entire project

New Delhi / 10-12-2015 - The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has decided to set up ‘The international Centre for Sikh Studies’ located in Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib Complex adjacent to Parliament House in New Delhi.The announcement was jointly made in a press conference addressed by President DSGMC Manjit Singh G.K., USA based hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal and General Secretary DSGMC Manjinder Singh Sirsa today.

                The Centre is designed as a state of the art facility for Sikh religious and studies related to Gurbani and will also have state of the art facilities of international standards of digital library, conference facility and a museum space for permanent exhibitions and visiting exhibitors.

 G.K. informed that Sant Singh Chatwal has announced to contribute Rs. 6.5 crore for the centre which would come up in 15 months at total cost of Rs. 15 crore. DSGMC President also announced for making Chatwal as head of Finance Committee to oversee all expenses going into the project and the bank account would be audited by a renowned company. “Recognizing the need to communicate with global population particularly new generations of all religions living worldwide, to convey them the Sikh ethos, traditions and Sikh tenants the centre would adopt modern communication methods”, said G.K.A working model of the auditorium is being installed at Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib on 12 December, 2015 so as to share the project with the visiting sangat. Chatwal would unveil the model G.K. added.

Speaking on the occasion Chatwal said that the details of expenditure would be displayed online and also said that he would also motivate his non Sikh friends to contribute for the project. He added that the foreign tourists would gain maximum from the project.

                

General Secretary Sirsa said, The centre will highlight universality of the Sikh faith with special focus on respect for women, non acceptance of the caste system, importance of nature and environment and the practice of caring and sharing, values enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and handwritten sarups of Sri Guru Granth Sahib would also installed in the centre.

                

Former Rajya Sabha member and Convener of the Sikh Centre Tarlochan Singh informed that the centre would provide all important information about Sikh religion in 30 minutes and informed that such centre would come up in UK and USA. He also informed Bobby Bedi would design the centre and that the script of information though multimedia would be written by former spokesman of ministry of external affairs Navtej Singh Sarna.

               

 On the occasion DSGMC legal advisor Jaswinder Singh Jolly handed over Rs. 51,000 for the project as initial contribution. DSGMC senior vice president Mahinder Pal Singh Chadha, vice president Satpal Singh, senior leader Avtar Singh Hit, Chairman Dharam Parchar committee DSGMC Paramjeet Singh Rana, DSGMC members Kulmohan Singh, Ravinder Singh Khurana, Tanwant Singh, Gurbachan Singh Cheema, Hardev Singh Dhanoa, Capt. Inderpreet Singh, Gurmeet Singh Meeta, Paramjeet Singh Chandok, Gurmeet Singh Lubana and Akali leader Jaswant Singh Bittu were also present. 

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

US Senator asks Carter to end dress policy for Sikhs in army

WASHINGTON: A top US Senator today asked Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to repeal a dress policy in its army which prevents Sikhs from serving in the military with their religious articles intact. 

"Under current Department of Defense (DoD) policy, implemented in 1988, members of the Sikh faith are unable to serve in the military unless they abandon their articles of faith--namely maintaining unshorn hair, beards, and wearing a turban," Senator Tim Kaine wrote in a letter to Carter. 

with thanks : EconomicTimes : LINK : for detailed news. 

Rival groups in Crawley's Sikh community in bitter dispute over temple and holy books

WORSHIPPERS at a Crawley temple were left in tears after a bitter row between members of the town's Sikh community led to one group arriving unannounced to remove holy books to take them to a new temple.

The community has been divided over plans to relocate from the temple in Spencers Road, West Green to a newly renovated building in Ifield Green, Ifield.

Last Wednesday that dispute came to a head when one group arrived at the Siri Guru Singh Sabha in West Green to remove cooking utensils, electrical equipment and the temple's six copies of the Sikh holy text – the Guru Granth Sahib.

They planned to take everything over to the new temple – the newly converted Edwards Sports and Social Club.

with thanks : craeleynews : LINK : for detailed news.

Buena Park Sikh leaders call for investigation after temple vandalized

Sikh community leaders in Orange County are urging authorities to investigate a weekend episode of temple vandalism as a possible hate crime, while police have increased patrols near the religious center.

Gang graffiti was found scribbled on the exterior of the Sikh Center in Buena Park on Sunday, while an expletive and the word "ISIS" was scrawled on a community member’s truck, according to the Sikh Coalition.

"We believe that the Gurdwara Singh Sabha was vandalized because it is a Sikh house of worship," the coalition's attorney Gurjot Kaur said in a statement. "We call on local and federal agencies to investigate this vandalism as a hate crime and request increased law enforcement security at the gurdwara immediately.”

with thanks : latimes : LINK : for detailed news.

DSGMC has misused gurdwara funds: Sarna

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 9

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee led by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has mismanaged the committee finance, failed to make a road map for the controversial 400-bedded Guru Harikrishan Hospital (GHH) adjacent to Bala Sahib Gurdwara and increased the committee expenditure, said general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), Harvinder Singh Sarna.

Running the GHH was the main election issue of SAD Badal during 2013 DSGMC elections. The SAD has been in the committee for about three years, but so far no road map has been prepared for the hospital, said Sarna while addressing a conference. 

The SAD Badal had also said that former DSGMC president Paramjit Singh disposed of the proposed Guru Harikrishan Hospital to a private company for Rs 300 crore. Why don't they make public the document of the sale of hospital, he questioned.  

with thanks : Tribune : LINK : for detailed news.

Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib ji : SikhsIndia

'His Name Is Darsh Singh': Pushback Against 'Joke' Goes Viral

Greg Worthington

• The University of Texas at Austin

 ·104 followers

 · December 5 at 9:46pm · Austin, TX, United States ·Edited · 

Let me tell you why this shit isn't funny. I know this guy and his name's not 'Muhammad.' He's not Arab, he's Punjabi. He's not even Muslim, he's a Sikh. His name is Darsh Singh and he's a US citizen, born and bred. That jersey he's wearing in this pic, it currently sits in a Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC because he made US history as the NCAA's first turbaned Sikh American basketball player for Trinity University in my hometown of San Antonio. He was co-captain .........

On Sunday, Worthington took to Facebook to introduce Singh and explain why the "joke" in the photo was not funny. As of Tuesday morning, Worthington's post has received more than 23,000 likes and more than 10,000 shares.

Please read the entire news : with thanks : nbcnews : LINK

Sikh gurdwara vandalised with racist graffiti

A Sikh gurdwara in Wednesfield was vandalised with graffiti at the weekend.

The Wednesfield gurdwara that was vandalised with graffiti. Credit: Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, Wednesfield South has condemned the incident and said:

We the Sikh community are a peaceful community as are the Muslim community across the UK. We are the same Sikh community who contributed towards the Christmas tree near Wednesfield library as well as the St Thomas Church clock.

We're the same Sikh community who answered the call from England to fight in both World Wars.

Whoever did this needs a serious history lesson.

– COUNCILLOR BHUPINDER GAKHAL, WEDNESFIELD SOUTH

with thanks : itv : LINK : for detailed news.

How an outnumbered 6th Sikh Battalion saved Poonch

The 6th Sikh Battalion heroically defended the strategically important town against a numerically superior Pakistani force 44 years ago. One of the bravest battles of the 1971 war was actually fought hundreds of kilometres away from Bangladesh, to protect the town of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. The 6th Sikh Battalion heroically defended the strategically important town against a numerically superior Pakistani force 44 years ago.

Officials said that during the 1971 conflict, the heroic stand of the battalion against a numerically superior enemy saved the politically important town of Poonch. The battle was fought from December 3-6.

As India joined the war on behalf of then East Pakistan on December 3, 1971, Pakistan attacked on the Western front. Pakistani brigades in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) comprising 5 Frontier Force Rifles, 7 POK Battalion and 51 Punjab Regiment were given the task of capturing two piquets as also the helipad in Poonch which were held by the 6 Sikh.

0 The assault began on the evening of December 3 but 6 Sikh, with artillery support, held them off for three days after which there was no major attack. The battalion suffered eight casualties and 33 were wounded. For their action, the battalion won one Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and five Vir Chakras and the battle honour ‘Defence of Poonch 1971.’

with thanks : The Hindu : LINK : for detailed news.

Young Sikh Man Attacks Congress Leader Jagdish Tytler To Avenge His Alleged Role In 1984 Riots

Congress Leader Jagdish Tytler, who is one of the main accused in the 1984 Delhi riots case, was attacked by a 23-year-old Sikh man in the capital today during a wedding function.

ANI

Reports said the incident took place at 11 pm at a farm house in the Mehrauli area, where Tytler had gone to attend the wedding.

“The Congress leader was leaving the wedding ceremony when the incident happened. A youth named Sehaj Umang Singh started abusing Tytler and then tried to throw a glass at him. However, the leader escaped unhurt,” a police official revealed.

Indian Express

Following the attack, the man was caught and handed him over to the police. He was detained, and later let off after a brief interrogation.

"It's ridiculous that in a country like ours somebody who has killed 3000 ppl can roam around free having fun. And if I speak my heart out in public I have to be reprimanded and taken to the police," said the attacker - Sehaj Umang Singh Bhatia.

Tytler is accused of being one of the stalwarts of the 1984 riots which brutally massacred thousands of Sikhs in the aftermath of PM Indira Gandhi's assasination on October 31,1984.

Last week, CBI’s closure report on Tytler in the case was rejected by court which asked the agency for further investigation.

with thanks : indiatimes : LINK : for detailed news.

Surat Singh Khalsa gives up water after his ‘feasting’ video goes viral !

Fumed over the video that has gone viral on social networking sites fasting sikh activist Surat Singh Khalsa has given up water too on Saturday. In the video fasting sikh has been shown taking soup and other eatables. Khalsa said it is forged video that has been posted on social networking sites with intension to thwart his agitation. The video was gone viral on Friday.

He added that he has never taken anything except water since January 16.

In a video message shared on social networking site Surat Singh Khalsa through his supporter said the SAD-BJP government has been trying end his protest and hatching conspiracies to damage his image. In the protest he will not drink water until the release of Sikh prisoners lodged in jails even after completing their sentences.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news.

Tasty, Sugar Free - Natura - Firni !

I am sure all of you have tasted custard, Kheer and many similar things, so many times. Today i will tell you about the Sugar Free Natura - FIRNI. It's a very tasty food and very easy to make. The Ingredients include a Bowl of milk, three spoons of rice, Sugar free natura, Dry fruits and Elaichi powder..

Just soak the rice in water for some time say 15 to 20 minutes and grind it in a mixer for a few minutes to make a paste of it. Take another bowl and put the milk in it for boiling. Once boiled, simply mix the rice paste into it. Put the mix on a low flame for some time and keep on stirring constantly. Add the Sugar Free Natura in it as per your taste and the FIRNI is ready. Spray the Elaichi powder for a sweet smell and taste.

Pour the Firni in the serving bowl. Now add the dry fruits as per your taste and let it cool for some time. Your Firni is now ready for serving. Just taste it and you will find it delicious. It is a healthy product as no sugar is used in it. You can take it in your breakfast or as a dessert after the dinner.If you want to know more about Sugar Free Natura, please log on to : http://sugarfree-india.com/

Navjot Sawhney : A London-Based Sikh Engineer Was denied Entry Into A Club And Labelled A Terrorist in Krakow ,Poland

Navjot Sawhney, a London-based engineer who is currently travelling through Europe.

While stopping over in Poland for the weekend, Sawhney went to a club called Shakers with a few of his friends.

Sawhney told BuzzFeed that while all his friends were allowed to enter the club, he wasn’t. According to him, the bouncer said that since he was wearing a turban, it meant he was a “terrorist”.

“All of my friends with whom I was visiting the club – including my best friend Steve (a white, British student) – were permitted entry,” Sawhney told BuzzFeed. “Only I was turned away. When I asked why, the bouncer told me it was because of my dress code. Steve pointed out that he and I were dressed identically. The bouncer replied that I was wearing a turban, and that meant I was a terrorist.”

After a discussion with the bouncer and an attempt to end the situation, the bouncer punched Sawhney, resulting in his turban falling to the ground.

“I offered to shake his hand, to bring the unpleasantness to an end,” Sawhney said. “That is when he punched me, and knocked my turban off my head.”

Sawhney wrote a Facebook post about the incident that has been has gone hugely viral.It also garnered the attention of the Polish embassy in London, which assured Sawhney that it would look into the matter.

A few days after his first post, Sawhney wrote another one in which he thanked all the people that supported him and the Polish embassy. He also attached an apology from the club.

“The support and encouragement I have received since I posted about my experience in Krakow has been truly overwhelming,” Sawhney told BuzzFeed.

“I cannot sufficiently express how grateful I am,” he continued, explaining that it was the support from Polish people and others all around the world that made the difference.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andreborges/this-sikh-guys-facebook-post-about-racism-in-poland-has-gone#.fuAEdDAMp

Kejriwal speaks out against 'Santa-Banta', supports plea to ban jokes on Sikh community

Kejriwal expression of support for the issue comes even as the Aam Aadmi Party is planning to contest elections in Punjab,The Hindu report notes.

"While we are a fun loving community, and love our culture — the bhangra, the language — we DO NOT like it when '12 baje jokes' or 'Santa Banta jokes' are cracked at our expense," the petition says, adding, "It is not about Sikhs not being able to take a joke, it's about hurting our religious sentiments." The petition was filed by RPS Kohli, a businessman from West Delhi.

In article in The Times of India, Kohli has said that bigotry 'should not go unchallenged' and that such humour is a form of physical, psychological and spiritual exploitation of the Sikh community. Kohi recalled an incident in which a group of Sikhs saved a group of drowning boys by tossing their turbans to them and questioned how the saviours would feel if the rescued persons were to say to them, "Sardar, baara baj gaye the kya?"

A petition demanding that such jokes should be pulled down from websites has been filed by senior lawyer Harvinder Chowdhury. In an interview with Debobrat Ghosh of Firstpost, she said, "It's high time that we came out strongly against the wrong portrayal of Sikhs through Santa Banta jokes. Many of the jokes are highly objectionable and have pornographic content."

Chowdhury has claimed that she was ridiculed in a courtroom even on the day that she filed her PIL before the Supreme Court bench.

http://www.firstpost.com/india/kejriwal-speaks-out-against-santa-banta-supports-plea-to-ban-jokes-on-sikh-community-2530142.html

SIKH Jokes are HURTFUL! Do you feel the PINCH? - Famous Punjabi Singer Malkit Singh

                                                       www.change.org

Hi Friends,

I am Malkit Singh, an England-based Punjabi Bhangra Singer. With the grace of Akal Purakh I was the First Punjabi singer to be honoured with an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

The world danced on the tunes of my famous composition, ‘Gur Naal Ishq Mitha’. We are known for our Punjabi Culture, Bhangra moves and rich heritage.

The racist ridicule and Sikhs being portrayed as an object of amusement often hurt my religious sentiments.

Our history holds evident instances where Sikhs have laid their lives to protect the religious freedom. We are firm believers of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’, which means blessings for all and praying for the well-being of all.

We are known as those 12 o’ clock warriors, who fought at midnight to use the darkness to their advantage. The Nation is obliged to Sikhs for their unparalleled sacrifices!

Humour for CASUAL FUN is a healthy habit but stereotyping the entire community as a community of low intellect just for laughs doesn't sound like a great idea.

It’s Time for us to take the responsibility that our Future generations should not bear these jokes. The Supreme Court has to act NOW!

Famous Punjabi Singer Malkeet Singh expresses his Views on #BANSikhJokes

Langar on Flooded Roads in Chennai

Chennai Sikh community today prepared Langar at the Gurudwara Sahib and distributed in Anna Nagar, GN Chetty Road and Manali. Gurdwara Sahib sustained flooding too.

With the help of lorry, they managed to rescue a few people from their houses and send food packets. Food was also distributed by boat.

https://www.facebook.com/SikhChannel840/?pnref=story

Sikh Channel

DSGMC President asked Lt. Governor to Take Strict Action Against those who are Violating Constitutional Provisions, Human and Religious Rights

New Delhi / 3, December 2015 –Taking serious note of allegations of discrimination on religious basis levelled by a Sikh Engineer PS Virk working with Delhi government as assistant engineer in irrigation and flood control department the President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK has written to Lt. Governor of Delhi Najib Jung to take up the matter with stern hand and take action against the errant officer of the same department.

Referring to the violations of provisions of article 16 in the Constitution of India for equal rights to all citizens in government jobs, Manjit Singh GK told the Lt. Governor that Virk working was mentally tormented because of he being Sikh by his immediate senior Executive Engineer SK Sharma and is often rebuked for no reason and no fault of Virk and on many occasions also asked to vacate his seat in office for engineers and officers of other religion.

Virk and his father KS Virk who met Manjit Singh GK on 28 November 2015 gave a written complaint alleging that he was asked to give explanations and served show cause notices for no fault of his. The Sikh assistant engineer also alleged that he was mentally tortured to the extent that out of frustration he leaves his job.

DSGMC President asked Lt. Governor to take strict action against those who are violating constitutional provisions, human and religious rights. The complaint given to Manjit Singh GK also apprehended that Virk’s annual confidential report would also be spoiled. The complaint adds that Virk’s senior have tempered the officials records and have shown him absent while he was undergoing training.

He also alleged that the immediate senior of Virk was publicly using abusive language for him, was being repeatedly transferred, even pressurised to leave his job and delaying his promotion.

A copy of letters from Manjit Singh GK was also sent to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Chairman National Minorities Commission and Chairman Minorities Commission, Delhi, and its member Harvinder Singh Sarna.

 

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Birmingham UK: Missing Sikh Banker Who Disappeared After Meal

                               Missing: Inderjit Bhogal (Birmingham, UK)

BIRMINGHAM, UK—Police have issued a picture of a banker who went missing in the city centre.

Officers have been searching canals in the Broad Street area, after Inderjit Bhogal, 41, from Handsworth, went missing after having a meal with colleagues at the Brasshouse pub on Broad Street at around 10.45pm last Friday 27th November 2015.

West Midlands Police said officers were growing increasingly concerned for his safety .

The force said specialist teams had conducted extensive inquiries, including searching the canal network around Brindleyplace.

Mr Bhogal is described as Asian, 6ft tall and slim. He has a moustache and beard and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, jacket and trousers. He was also wearing a black turban.

Police appealed for Mr Bhogal, or anyone who knew of his whereabouts, to call them on 101.

https://www.sikh24.com/2015/12/02/birmingham-uk-missing-sikh-banker-who-disappeared-after-meal/#.Vl8byHYrLIU

Sikh Community To Provide Food For Exeter’s ,UK Homeless

     Chaz Singh & Saranjit Kaur who served Langar earlier this week in the Salvation Army Plymouth

EXETER, UK—Members of the Sikh community will team up with the Midland Langar Seva Society to provide food for the homeless people of Exeter.

The act of hospitality comes as Sikhs across the globe celebrate the birthday of the religion’s founder Guru Nanak.

One of the three pillars of the religion involves helping those in need, and on Sunday members of the Sikh faith will do just that by hosting a community kitchen at Exeter Cathedral. From 5pm.
Chaz Singh, who will be helping out at the event, said:

“As members of the Sikh community we’ll be offering a vegetarian meal to those in the Exeter community that need it most, regardless of religion, gender or social class. One of the 3 pillars of Sikhism is helping those in need and we can all say on behalf of the Sikh community that we are thrilled to be helping out this way to coincide with Guru Nanak’s birth in Exeter”

https://www.sikh24.com/2015/11/30/sikh-community-to-provide-food-for-exeters-homeless/#.Vl8Y1XYrLIV

Hamdard Tv Tributes to Canadian-Sikh MLA Manmeet Singh Bhullar

Manmeet Singh Bhullar Honored at Hockey Game

Manmeet Singh Bhullar Honored at Hockey Game - Video Dailymotion

The Calgary Flames honored Manmeet Singh Bhullar before the start of the Hockey game. The fans payed tribute to their MLA who died while helping a distressed driver along the highway.

Manmeet Singh became the MLA of Calgary-Greenway for the first time in 2008 for the Alberta Assembly.

He has done tremendous work for the Sikh community in Afghanistan and always served his constituency and community. He was an extremely well liked leader. Manmeet Singh was the founder of the Inspire Youth Development Society which helps youngsters at risk.

Manmeet Singh devoted a large part of his time in charity and living and practicing Sikh principles.

http://dailysikhupdates.com/manmeet-singh-bhullar-honored-during-calgary-flames-hockey-game/