Dastar Issue :Outcome of the Meeting between Consul General of India and Italian Authorities

Mr.S.K.Verma(Consulate General of India in Milan)

The meeting between Mr.S.K.Verma,Honourable Consul General of India in Milan and Italian Authorities was held in a friendly and cooperative environment to find the common ground in respect of the problems being faced by the Sikh passengers at Malpensa Airport.The Italian authorities included those from the Civil Aviation Authority, SEA and Frontier Police.

Representatives of the Indian Sikh community explained the relevance and significance of Dastar to the Italian authorities present there.Mr. S.K.Verma,the Consul General of India,Milan,appreciated the efforts made by the Italian authorities,so far,in reducing the total number of Sikh passengers at Malpensa Airport, put through manual inspection of their Dastars.Earlier,Dastars of all Sikh passengers were subjected to mandatory additional manual inspection.

After continuous dialogue,the Malpensa airport authorities have installed separate enclosures with mirror and curtain for manual inspection of Dastars.The issue of new technology intervention to resolve the problem at hand,too,was discussed.As one of the creative solutions,the Sikh community in northern Italy promised to get in touch with the highest Sikh religious body in India to see if permission for the security personnel at the airport could be obtained for touching and inspecting the Dastars by
hand, without asking the passengers to take them off.

The Italian authorities mentioned that the random selection of passengers,including
those belonging to the Sikh religion will continue.

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
University of Milan
Milan,Italy

Associate Professor
SGND Khalsa College
University of Delhi
Delhi,India

Our CEO : Sd. B S Vohra

with thanks : AAJTAK  & NDTV Channels.

US: Gurdwara locked down after violation of rules

Chicago: A gurdwara here has been locked down by police authorities after it was allegedly found violating several rules related to safety standards.

Gurjot Parkash Sahib gurdwara, located in the suburb of Island Lake, was locked down by police on December 8 because of certain safety violations that had put public safety in jeopardy.

The authorities found that fire exit doors of gurdwara were locked from inside with deadbolt and there were also sleeping rooms in its basement.

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

Central scholarship not reaching minority students

ALANDHAR: Centre has withheld scholarship money for minority students of Punjab belonging to Muslim, Sikh and Christian religions under its scheme after state government failed to submit utilization certificate for Rs 40.59 crore. The amount was given by ministry of minority affairs during last financial year.

The facts came out in a meeting of Planning Commission of India. Senior Supreme Court advocate H S Phoolka, who attended the meeting being a member of the Steering Committee on Empowerment of Minorities, has now written to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal asking him to take immediate steps on the issue as over 2.73 lakh students are being deprived of the scholarship due to negligence of official machinery in Punjab.

with thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.

Sikh US soldier receives combat award

WASHINGTON: Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, the first turbaned US Sikh soldier in last 30 years has received Bronze Star Medal, the fourth-highest combat award for his meritorious services in Afghanistan.

Kalsi, a doctor, received the medal for "exceptionally meritorious service as an emergency medicine physician" while deployed in Afghanistan during the first half of 2011, the Sikh Coalition said in a statement yesterday.

He was the first Sikh to be allowed to go on active duty with a turban, beard and unshorn hair in more than 20 years.

Working for the rights of Sikhs in the US, Sikh Coalition was instrumental in Kalsi joining the US Army after he was refused an entry on religious grounds.

with thanks : Economic Times : link in the head line above for detailed news.

Rare Pictures of Gurdwara Panja Sahib

Heartiest thanks from Sikh Community to Iftikhar Quratulain(who lives in Islamabad,Pakistan)for sharing these wonderful and Unique photos of Gurdwara Panja Sahib.

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
University of Milan
Milan,Italy

Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi
Delhi,India

Consul General of India's Meeting with Italian Authorities on Dastar Issue

Mr.S.K.Verma ,Honourable Consul General of India in Milan,Italy has been invited by the chief of Police for an official meeting along with other leaders of the Sikh Community at Malpensa Airport on 9th December 2011.This Meeting is fixed to discuss Dastar issue which Indian authorities had taken up so many times with the Italian authorities.

Sikh man burnt alive in Mercedes, death trap allegedly laid by student

London:  A young medical student, Mundill Mahil, ordered two men to kill 21-year-old millionaire Gagandeep Singh in London to punish him for trying to rape her a few months earlier. 

That's what the prosecution has argued in a London court.

In February, Ms Mahil allegedly convinced Mr Singh to visit her home with text messages. Two men there - one of who was allegedly infatuated with her - then attacked Mr Singh before bundling him into the boot of his Mercedes and setting it on fire.

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

Rajya Sabha condemns removal of Sikhs' turbans overseas

The Rajya Sabha Wednesday condemned the incidents of forcing Sikhs to remove their turbans in the name of security, particularly in Italy.

Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan joined the members during Zero Hour in condemning the recent incidents where disrespect has been shown to Sikhs' turbans.

The issue was raised by Shiromani Akali Dal member Naresh Gujral, who referred to the latest incident involving Jet Airways commander Ravijodh Singh at Milan airport.

"The entire House joins in condemning this incident and this should be conveyed to the government," Khan said.

Gujral said Sikhs are being publicly humiliated and the community is outraged.

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

Land of the free, home of the beards?

The U.S. Armed Forces are moving in the right direction. According to news reports late last week, the Army will allow Menachem Stern—an orthodox Jewish Rabbi—to attend military chaplaincy training without shaving his religiously-mandated beard. Although significant barriers remain in place for religious minorities wishing to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Army’s acceptance of Rabbi Stern is a positive development.

And it is welcome news to the Sikh community. In April 2009, more than 60 years after President Harry Truman issued an executive order promising equal opportunity “for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin,” Sikh Americans challenged restrictive Army appearance regulations(adopted during the Reagan administration) that effectively prohibited turbaned, bearded Sikhs from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

For Sikhs, this prohibition made no sense in light of the Sikh reputation for martial prowess. Over three centuries ago, in the face of persecution by Mogul and Afghan invaders, the founders of the Sikh religion encouraged their disciples to inculcate the qualities of saints and soldiers (sant-sipahi), including adherence to a code of discipline that requires adherents to wear a visible uniform consisting of a turban and uncut hair. Consistent with Sikh religious teachings, these articles are inseparable constituents of Sikh religious identity, signifying a commitment to upholding freedom, justice, and dignity for all people.

Generation after generation, inspired by their religious faith and martial heritage, Sikhs have served in the U.S. Army since World War I; sacrificed their lives by the thousands for the Allies during both World Wars; produced several Victoria Cross recipients in the British Army, where they can still freely serve with distinction; and accepted the surrender of Pakistani forces on behalf of the Indian Army, which, until recently, was led by a Sikh general.

with thanks : washington post : link in headline above for detailed news report.

Losing the Turban: Indian Sikhs at odds on essentials

excerpts :

It's a trend that has alarmed the leadership of the world's 25-million-strong Sikh community and fueled debate on whether you can still be considered a good Sikh if you cut your hair.

Sikhs discuss the issue of vanishing turbans at a political party meeting in New Delhi.

That debate intensified with the release of a new movie called "I Am Singh," which looks at the hardships of Sikhs in America who were mistaken for terrorists after the September 11, 2001, attacks because of their turbans.

"We live for the turban. We die for the turban," say the lyrics of a song in the movie.

Manjit Singh, the local president of the Sikh nationalist political party Shiromani Akali Dal, says he hopes the movie will help revive Sikh pride.

with thanks : cnn : link in headline above for detailed report with pics.

Comments awaited.

Video: CAIR Seeks Hate Crime Probe of Attack on Sikh in Calif.

with thanks : youtube

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Sikh intellectuals seek criterion for Panth Rattan

AMRITSAR: While jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh is going to bestow title of Panth Rattan Fakhar-e-Quom to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday, there is a demand from Sikh intelligentsia to lay down guidelines for giving such awards.

"There is no tradition of conferring such titles from Akal Takht, nor it is an annual feature and if such titles are to be conferred, Sikh high priests should lay down norms," said Balwant Singh Dhillon, professor at Guru Nanak studies department at Guru Nanak Dev University.

While justifying the title for Badal on the basis of his political services, he said high priests should also acknowledge the work of other Sikhs.

with thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.

Our CEO Sd. B S Vohra on NDTV : लोकपाल पर महाबहस :

Muqabla: देशभर में लोकपाल के कई मसलों पर लगातार बहस छिड़ी हुई है... एक जायजा इस बार के मुकाबला में। Mr B S Vohra asked two questions. Please view the complete video at the link below :

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Sikh man stabbed waiting for plane at Fresno airport

A Sikh man in his mid-50s was stabbed near the security area at Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Sunday evening, Fresno Police said.

The man was waiting in a public area near the Transportation Security Administration terminal around 5:30 p.m. with his translator when the suspect, described as a 26-year-old white man, approached him, Fresno police Lt. Tom Rowe said. The victim thought he had been punched in the upper torso, but was actually stabbed, Rowe said.

The suspect ran from the airport but was arrested by airport police officers on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Rowe said. The victim was treated at the airport for non-life threatening injuries and declined to be taken to a hospital, instead opting to board his flight, Rowe said.

 With thanks : fresnobee : link in headline above for detailed news.


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I Am Singh : A Family’s Irreparable Loss for the Crime of Being Sikh

Once there were two eras, B.C. and A.D., says an aging, grieving Indian woman at the start of “I Am Singh,” sitting in a graveyard near ground zero in Manhattan. Now there is before and after Sept. 11. And with that, this drama commences its impassioned if melodramatic jeremiad against anti-Sikh sentiment in America. More than a plea for tolerance, it is an assertion of pride in Punjab, home to much of India’s Sikh population.

But neither Punjab nor New York is the principal setting. Ranveer Singh (Gulzar Chahal), in India, learns that one of his brothers has been killed, and another is missing, after an attack by skinheads in Los Angeles; his beaten father has been hospitalized. In California, Ranveer consults the police, only to face stonewalling and rebuke.

with thanks : movies.NYTIMES : link in headline above for detailed movie review.

Golden gate of history

The holy city of Amritsar (meaning pond of nectar), derived its name from the sarovar that surrounds the beautiful Golden Temple.

The town, which can undoubtedly be mistaken for a dusty small city by first-time visitors, is amongst the most popular pilgrim centres for Sikhs. Not only does it attract the local Indian travellers but it is certainly a part of the ‘places to visit’ list of foreign tourists also.

The sense of purity that one experiences inside the gurudwara premises is unforgettable. The magnificent Golden Temple and other gurudwaras situated in various corners of this small town gives it an apt name — Guru ki nagari.

This historic city was once known as Ramdaspur after the name of the fourth Sikh Guru who founded the city. In 1947, after the Partition, the state of Punjab was one of the worst hit areas and was divided into parts out of which few went to Pakistan and the rest remained with India making Amritsar a border city.

Amritsar is a mix of old heritage and recently developed township areas. As soon as the name of the city comes into one’s mind, what people are reminded of is the world heritage site of Harminder Sahib. The clean water, the pure surroundings and the beautiful carvings on the top of the main hall are most attractive features of the gurudwara.

with thanks : asianage : link in the headline above for detailed news.

Sikhs being targeted deliberately in Italy-Harsimrat

CHANDIGARH: Member Parliament from Bathinda ,Harsimrat Kaur Badal said on Thursday that Sikhs were being deliberately targeted in the airports of Italy repeatedly and Government of India owes an explanation to the country for its complete failure to safeguard the interests of Sikhs despite various hollow assurances.

Registering a strong protest in a communiqué to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Harsimrat said that she on behalf of entire Sikh community was lodging a protest over intolerable way Sikhs are treated at airports in Italy and other countries of the world. She also moved adjournment motion over recent incident of forcible removal of turban of Commander of Jet Airways at Milan airport thereby hurting the sentiments of Sikh community and government’s utter failure to ensure dignity of Sikhs. 

 

Pointing to the total failure of Congress led UPA government in pressurizing Italy government, she referred to the latest incident that happened with Ravijodh Singh Dhupia, a commander of Jet Airways, who was forced to remove his turban at Milan Airport. She said that it was intolerable and unfortunate that the officials deployed on international airports harass Sikhs again and again by removing their turbans under security check excuses. She said that repeated incidents in the Italy have proved that the Union Government has failed to convey to the Italian Government and other foreign governments not to remove the turbans of Sikhs. She said that to ask a Sikh to remove his turban was in fact an atrocity on him and all over the world Sikhs in one voice have stood up to call this an act of great violence and cruelty on Sikhs.

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

Proud to be Sikh

As the film 'I Am Singh' releases today, some prominent Sikhs speak to DT about how 9/11 changed the world's perception towards them

A turban is the honour and pride of all Sikhs. It is very important for each Sikh and when, because of mistaken identity, they are asked to remove their pagdis, then everyone should unite to fight it. This film is to educate the West about the difference between the Arabs and Sikhs. Innocent people were targetted across the world after 9/11, because of mistaken identity,"- Ajit Pal Singh (former Indian ockey captain and winner of Hockey World Cup, 1975)

Sikhs are treated as the irrelevant minority. "I Am Singh" is a voice that echoes a sentiment of Sikhs across the world, who stand for universal brotherhood. The Sikhs are the survivors. They stand for truth and are martial. "Iss film ko dekhna mere liye mazhab hai, iss film ko support karna mera dharm hai" - Navjot Singh Siddhu (cricket and TV personality) .

with thanks : TIMES OF INDIA : link in headline above for detailed news.

 

Amitabh pleads innocence in 1984 anti-Sikh riots

Amritsar, Dec 1 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has pleaded his innocence in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in various parts of the country in which thousands of Sikhs were massacred, a top Sikh religious leader said.

In a letter to jathedar (chief) Gurcharan Singh of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion, Amitabh stated that he had no role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The letter was delivered to the Akal Takht head by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member from Mumbai, Gurinder Singh Bawa.

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

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After memorials on Sikh history, Punjab to erect one for freedom fighters, martyrs

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday announced that a memorial — to be named Jang-e-Azadi — will be built to showcase the rich contribution of Punjabi freedom fighters and martyrs to the country’s struggle for freedom.

Speaking after inaugurating and dedicating \Wadda Ghallughara Ghallughara Martyrs’ Memorial to the people and Khalsa Panth, Badal announced that the Jang-e-Azadi will be set up in Doaba. “We will spend Rs 300 to Rs 400 crore on the memorial,” he said, adding that the nitty-gritty of the project will be finalised in next cabinet meeting.

Underlining the sacrifices made by Punjabis in the freedom struggle, Badal said that despite constituting a mere two and a half percent of the country’s population, Punjabis had made 80 per cent sacrifices in the freedom struggle. He added that the memorial will showcase how Punjabis fought against the British Rule.

with thanks : Indian Express : link in headline above for detailed news.

Centre ready for certain amendments in Anand Marriage Act: Salman Khurshid

MALERKOTLA: Punjab Congress presidentAmarinder Singh will have his say in making amendments to the century-old Anand Marriage Act, being hotly debated in Sikh circles. 

Amarinder will discuss the modalities of amendments to be made with Union home minister and the report prepared after Amarinder' deliberations with home ministry would be put before the Union cabinet for approval. Revealing this here on Wednesday, Union law and justice and minorities minister Salman Khurshid said Union government is ready to make certain amendments or to frame new act altogether. 

Salman Khurshid on the sidelines of a Congress rally said, "the union law ministry is thinking of making certain amendments to the act wherein the marriages solemnized under Anand Karaj Act could be registered in the deaths and birth act and these will be certified.Or a separate act for registration of marriages could be made incorporating Anand Marriage Act wherein marriages solemnized under Sikh Act could be accommodated and the Nikahnama by Muslims too could be taken up".

with thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.

It’s cool to be a Sikh

It has become fashionable to play a Sardar on screen. Akshay Kumar did it in Singh Is Kinng. 

Ajay Devgn in The Legend of Bhagat Singh. Saif Ali Khan in Love Aaj Kal and Ranbir Kapoor in Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year. And the latest actor to cash in on the trend of playing a Sikh character on screen is debutant Gulzar Chahal, who takes pride playing a Sardar in his very first venture - I Am Singh. 

Says the actor, "I am a Jat Sardar and thus the character's portryal in I Am Singh came very naturally to me. It takes immense guts to play this kind of character that too in your very first film because the turban and the beard make your looks go through a complete transformation. The audience has accepted our main actors in Sardar roles and I hope to make a mark, too." 

with thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.

Pilot told to take off turban at Milan airport

A Sikh senior commander with Jet Airways on Tuesday was asked to take off his turban during security check for his Flight 141 to Delhi from the Milan airport.

The incident happened just six months after the Italian government’s promise against continuation of such a practice.

After an uproar over the humiliation caused to golfer Jeev Milkha Singh’s coach Amritinder Singh, who was made to take off his turban at the same airport in March this year, Italy had announced in June that Sikhs travelling to the country will no longer have to remove their turbans at the airports during security screening.

with thanks : Indian Express : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Rang De Basanti - Video

A net between Italy and Punjab :SEVA Association in Lombardy,Italy

A group of men and women of Punjabi origin living in Italy for several years from both India & Pakistan developed a desire to build some organisation together with two main goals to set:How to hold together this desire without forgetting their roots,without forgetting place where they grew up /and how to build this organisation to work with/for the community with whom they have strong links ?

They realised that it is important for their growing children to know /see contribution of their family elders in the construction of community in which they live. Even though it is impossible to forget where they came from but at the same time it is also worth to make an effort to renew this relationship and open a platform for interfaith dialogue !

To fulfill their dream ,they all joined hands together and constituted a SEVA Association of Punjabi migrants .It provided them a concrete way in opening a dialogue between Italians & Punjabi. They presented a project together with ACRA ( A lay foundation of Milan which works with groups and immigrant organisations active in Lombardy in order to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and in order to develop strong ties between Italy and other countries of origin) and with the FEM ( An organisation which works to promote self-development of communities of developing countries and recognise the full rights of citizenship to its non-Italian clients through activities of cultural mediation).

Aims of SEVA Association in Lombardy :
Realise cultural activities
Offer services to its associates.
Choose and realize -development activities
Aiming at improving life conditions of the poorest in Punjab.

Various Activities of SEVA Association:
Exchange meetings with ACRA's team
Form Constitution of the Cultural Association of Punjabi migrants
Free Italian Language Courses
Free Training courses on administrative management of association activities
Free Training courses on communication and intercultural education to plan and implement activities of local promotion
Involvement of Local Authorities and peoples
Raising awareness through activities and events on the issues of migration
Organise Social Activities to support migrants
Construction of a network between migrants and other bodies to achieve co-development activities in Punjab

With thanks to SEVA Association Team Members :
Swarn Singh(President),Sukhwinder Kaur( Vice-President),Kuldip Singh( Secretary),Munir Choudary( Consultant ),Laura Molinai( Founder ACRA) & Prof.Barbara Bertolani ( University of Molise ).

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
University of Milan
Italy

Associate Professor
University of Delhi
INDIA

Tallest victory tower to bring alive the velour of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

CHANDIGARH: Punjab is all set to perpetuate the memory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur at Chappar Chiri, the famous battle ground-5 km from here from where he defeated the Mughal king of Sirhind Wazir Khan establishing first Sikh Raj in India in 1711. The most fitting tribute, the warrior would get would be by over 20000 decorated ex-servicemen, 300 Lt Generals and Generals, all gallantry award winners of Punjab, who would be led by former army chief Gen. J.J. Singh, first Sikh Army chief of India, who would recall his velour and vow to carry forward his marital traditions.

 

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is all set to dedicate to humanity victory tower, 328 feet high, tallest religious tower in the country, to the humanity on Wednesday. Briefing the media KJS Cheema, Special Principal Secretary to CM said that the height of the victory tower is 328 feet. There are three decks at 20.4 Metre, 35.40 Metre and 66.00 Metre.

On the top of this Victory Tower, there is a dome having the spire of Khanda in stainless steel.  The 8 sides of Victory tower having beautiful arches in increasing order towards the Sikh side depicting (Chardi Kala) “ON THE RISE”. The internal core shell of victory tower rising vertically high up to 82.40 Metres. and the curvilinear side walls sloping upwards with arches on each side.

 

He said that in this structure, a special EPDM membrane has been used which has already been used in many landmark buildings and canals. The reflected image of the tower in the water body can be easily visible during the day light and is approachable for people to get panoramic view of the area. 

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

Sidhu slams PM over Sikh issues

BJP parliamentarian from Amritsar, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday asked Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to do the needful and raise his voice on the issue of banned turbans as Sikhs were becoming victim of mistaken identity across globe.

"Singh, being a Sikh, shouldn't be a weak Prime Minister who couldn't do anything to convince the France Government to lift the ban on Turban," he said.

Sidhu also pointed that is was his duty to "facilitate Sikh community to arrange hassle-free visa for Sikh pilgrims to visit birth place of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib in Lahore in Pakistan".

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

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Sikh memorial in Gurdaspur to be inaugurated today

The C­h­h­o­ta Gh­allugh­ara Martyrs­ Memo­rial is to be opened today at Kah­n­uw­an­ C­h­h­amb in Gurdaspur district.

The C­h­h­o­ta Gh­allugh­ara Martyrs­ Memo­rial at Kah­n­uw­an­ C­h­h­amb in Gurdaspur district  will be i­n­­augurated by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday. It’s been b­ui­l­t i­n­­ the memory of­ over 11,000 S­i­khs­ ki­l­l­ed b­y Mughal­ troops­ at Kahn­­uwan­­ Chhamb ­i­n­­ 1746.

with thanks : DAYANDNIGHTNEWS : link in headline above.

Ulka pind or something else ?

Link of this video : http://youtu.be/xIcNrKiQmLk

Ulka Pind or something else ? ( Pics )

A fire ball smashed the home of Sd Inder pal singh in Chand Mohalla, Gandhi nagar & broke into many small pcs in a split second. All the pce were burning & pouring of water was of no use. After appx. 15 minutes, these pcs cooled automatically. But while burning it damaged the items lying there as well a bike standing outside on the road. All this happened on 27th November, 2011 in the late evening hours. This fire ball may be an ULKA PIND or may be any thing else which is not knows to us.

Virasat E Khalsa - Part 1, 2, 3

with thanks : DAY AND NIGHT NEWS : YOUTUBE

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India Talent Show - Warriors of Goja AMAZING - VIDEO

PLZ DONT VIEW IF YOU HAVE ANY HEART PROBLEM.


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Sikh body distances itself from attacker

MUMBAI

In a bid to pre-empt any communal fallout of attack on union minister Sharad Pawar, Sri Guru Singh Sabha - the central body of the city's Sikh community — condemned the act, dubbing it as “unlawful and fascist”. “The perpetrator of the crime, Harvinder Singh, is a member of our community. However, his act is inhuman and he should be tried under the law of the land,” said S Bahadur Singh, president of the Sabha, at a press conference held in the city on Thursday.

“It is highly unfortunate that the act of one man is threatening the peace and harmony of the community and the country. We strive for peace and request fellow Sikh members to deal with the situation sensitively, keeping in mind the principles laid down by Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh,” said Kulwant Singh, general secretary of the Sabha.

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

PETPB to open Gurdwara Babe Di Ber in Pak

AMRITSAR: The Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board (PETPB) will open Gurdwara Babe de Ber for Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan on religious occasions.

Former president and executive committee member of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Harvinder Singh Sarna said on Thursday that the announcement was made by PETPB's visiting chairman Sayed Asif Hashmi on the occasion of martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur at Gurdwara Sis Ganj, Delhi.

Hashmi also laid foundation stone of one of the buildings being constructed at Gurdwara Sis Ganj. He would be visiting Amritsar to pay obeisance at Golden Temple on November 28 before crossing over to Pakistan on November 29.

Gurdwara Babe Di Ber is situated near Aik stream along Sialkot-Pasrur road in Pakistan. First Sikh guru Guru Nanak Dev had visited Sialkot and during his visit he had stayed outside the town under a Ber tree.

The building of gurdwara was constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

with thanks : TOI : link in headline above for detailed news story.

Punjab CM dedicates Virasat-e-Khalsa monument to public

Anandpur Sahib: The Chief Minister of Punjab, Prakash Singh Badal here on Friday dedicated 'Virasat-e-Khalsa’ monument to the public regarded as masterpiece of rich Sikh culture and religious history. A religious ceremony was also performed on the auspicious occasion. Showcasing the rich heritage of Khalsa, its history and culture of Punjab, the complex costing over Rs 350 crore had been mired with various controversies since the foundation stone of the first phase of the complex was laid by Congress to its completion by SAD-BJP regime.

The national president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nitin Gadkari and Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. The Virasat-e-Khalsa gives profound insight regarding the unfolding of the events in the previous three centuries in Punjab leading to the birth to Khalsa. Showcasing the history and culture of Punjab, a monumental museum depicts the evolution of Khalsa Panth, right from Guru Nanak era to Guru Gobind Singh’s Khalsa Raj, the unparalleled sacrifices of Sikhs for unity and integrity of the country. 

As the five head priests of five Takhts and Badal dedicated it to the humanity, religious heads of all religions, representatives of all casts and people from various countries described it a new symbol of humanity depicting universal brotherhood and love.  

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal honoured the people associated with the project with robe of honour and Sukhbir in his address described Virasat-E-Khalsa as 8th wonder of the world that is set to put Sri Anandpur Sahib on global tourist map. Dedicating Virasat-E-Khalsa to the humanity, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh described it as a important day in the history. The Chief Minister said that we should view Virasat-E-Khalsa rising above all religions, all parties, all castes as this monument is dedicated to the humanity denoting the message of ‘Sarbatt Da Bhala’ given to us by the first Guru of Sikhs.





with thanks : Punjab Newsline : link above for detailed News story.

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A Sikh of substance

 Khushwant Singh

I was aware of the existence of Sikh settlements in Woolgoolga in North Australia. They were farmers growing avocados and bananas and were prosperous enough to have aircraft of their own to spray pesticides. They were split into two factions and had two gurdwaras. I spent one evening with them and was charmed to note that after the evening prayers, their ladies served chilled beer to their men folk.

(Left to right) Aboriginal musician Uncle George, Jamel Kaur, Dya Singh and Afghan Muslim tabla player Rameen Nawa at a recital

In the last few decades, Sikh presence has spread to other parts of Australia, most notably to Melbourne. The city’s best-known sardar is Dya Singh, a 60-year-old ragi born in Malaysia, where his father was a granthi-cum-ragi of a gurdwara. Dya Singh started singing with his father when he was only three, and continued doing so for the next 15 years.

With thanks : Tribune : Link above in the headline for the detailed news story. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111119/saturday/above.htm

The Article : Sardars of Australia : via link from : 

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111119/jsp/opinion/story_14753380.jsp  is being REMOVED.

Thanks to Sd. Gurmukh Singh ji from UK.

Union minister Sharad Pawar slapped

New Delhi: A man has slapped agriculture minister Sharad Pawar in the face, apparently to draw attention to rising food prices.

Sharad Pawar was talking to reporters at a political function Thursday when the man attacked him. TV news reports said the man was shouting slogans about rising food prices.

Television footage showed the man brandishing a knife as he was dragged away by security officialsand Pawar's aides. CNN-IBN TV reported that he was detained by police.

Pawar was not seriously hurt.

Such incidents have become increasingly common in India, where ministers and other officials have had shoes thrown at them and their offices ransacked by angry citizens.

The incidents have usually been over political decisions, corruption and real or perceived injustices.

with thanks : yahoo news : link above for detailed news.

Neeh Pathar of new Langar Hall & Yatri niwas at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib

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Neeh pathar at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib

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