Saturday, October 30, 2010
Diwali with a difference !
Candle Light Vigil at India Gate on Ist November 2010 !
No upkeep for over 30 years, war memorial fights neglect
Paintings gather dust, weapons left to rust at Anglo-Sikh War Memorial in Ferozepur
Layers of dust on old paintings, rusting weapons of historical importance, dirty floors of the rooms housing rare artifacts and an almost crumbling heritage building — this is what greet you at the Anglo-Sikh War Memorial located on the banks of Ferozeshah canal here. It goes without saying that the memorial had ceased to draw visitors.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
A taste of India
Daniel Scott journeys to a Sikh temple in Woolgoolga and unravels some of life's mysteries.
I've always been intrigued, as we've driven past Woolgoolga on journeys north, by the ornate white edifice with domes and minarets crowning a hill above the Pacific Highway. The Guru Nanak Temple, opened in 1970, is the most visible sign of Australia's largest regional Sikh population, a thriving pocket of India in the land of the Big Banana, 20 kilometres north of Coffs Harbour.
As a callow teenager, I learnt to travel in India on an epic 25,000-kilometre journey across the subcontinent. But I never visited the Punjab region, where Sikhism originates, so the religion of turbanned, big-bearded men has remained a mystery to me.
This morning, the second of a two-day family visit to Woolgoolga, I've finally made it to the temple and the mystery is unravelling.
"Sikhism is very close to Buddhism and the Baha'i faith," says a prominent Sikh on Coffs City Council, John Arkan, who is showing a small group around the temple.
"We have no caste system, no priest," he continues, as we remove our shoes and cover our heads with bandannas before entering the temple, "and the guru instilled the idea of equality between men and women."
Founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century and based on his teachings and those of 10 subsequent gurus, Sikhism is the world's fifth-largest organised religion. In Woolgoolga, 300 families worship at the gurdwara (temple) and there are plans to build another nearby.
We make our way upstairs and into a large open room, at the centre of which is a palki, an altar upon which the scriptures are placed each day. It's a welcoming, colourful space but not overelaborate.
We sit cross-legged and Arkan explains more about his faith. "We don't cut our hair because nature created it that way," he says, "so we normally wrap it in a turban together with a wooden comb to keep it clean." The uncut hair (kesh) and comb (kanga) are two of the five "Ks" worn by baptised Sikhs; the others are circular bangles (kara), symbolising God's eternity; a small double-edged sword (kirpan), representing day and night; and undershorts (kachera).
with thanks : smh : link in headline above for detailed story.
SikhsIndia
Friday, October 29, 2010
White House denies rumors about Obama and Sikh temple
with thanks : christiancentury : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Britain's longest serving Asian police officer retires
It's a career that took a fresh faced 17-year-old cadet with Thames Valley Police in 1975 to the country's elite anti-terrorism branch.
Along the way he has protected the royals and senior MPs, and worked on the drugs squad.
Now 52-year-old Detective Constable Harinder Singh Sangha is hanging up his truncheon after 35 years service.
"I have had a fantastic career. There's been a few lows. But lots of highs," he said.
It's rare for anti-terrorist officers to give interviews. But Asian colleagues and the Metropolitan Police Sikh Association (MPSA) encouraged Det Cons Sangha to go public because of his ground-breaking career.
"He has been the first in many things and is a good role model," said Det Sgt Gurpal Virdi of the MPSA.
with thanks : BBC News : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The empty-headed twenty per cent
One aspect of the planning for President Obama’s trip to India is downright depressing — and there’s no weighty issue to blame, just the ignorance of a surprisingly large group of Americans. White House organisers are reportedly considering taking the city of Amritsar off the itinerary. The reason? Amritsar is home to the Sikh Golden Temple, which is more or less a mandatory stop for a head of state visiting the city, but those who enter it are required to cover their heads.
Something like 20 per cent of Americans still falsely believe Obama to be Muslim. Sikhs aren’t Muslims, but Obama’s staffers are worried that any picture of him wearing religious headgear (Golden Temple officials have said baseball caps and the like aren’t acceptable substitutes) would spread like wildfire among the paranoid minority who remain unconvinced of Obama’s faith. It’s a reasonable fear, given the crazed intensity of some of Obama’s critics, but the White House shouldn’t give in to it. If it fits his itinerary, he should go to Amritsar and visit the temple, wearing headgear.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
16 years of Sikhnet !
With best wishes to SIKHNET.
Plz view the link from headline above.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Court paves way for fresh criminal proceedings for Sajjan
In fresh trouble for senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, a Delhi Court on Saturday paved the way for initiation of criminal proceedings against him in another case relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riot.
The court rejected the plea of the Delhi police to club the case involving Kumar with the ongoing trial in another case relating to the carnage.
"There is no order on judicial records with regard to clubbing to FIR no 67/87 (allegedly involving Kumar) with FIR no 418/1991," District Judge S K Sarvaria said.
With thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Sikhs in Malaysia eagerly await Singh's visit
"We, the Sikhs in Malaysia, are so proud that Manmohan Singh has turned India around at such a fast pace and put the country on the path of accelerated development," President of the Malaysia National Sikhs Movement, Darshan Singh Gill, a fifth generation Sikh in Malaysia whose great-great grandfather arrived in the then Malaya in 1880s,said.
Gill, who has been awarded the title 'Tan Sri' by the King of Malaysia, said he had met Manmohan Singh during his visit to Delhi earlier this year when he had presented him with a book on Sikh Community in Malaysia, compiled by him.
with thanks : hindustantimes : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Friday, October 22, 2010
Order deferred in 1984 riots case
SikhsIndia
84-yr-old scripts history, translates Guru Granth Sahib into Urdu
Bhathinda :
Wants to publish his work running into over 14,000 pages, complete with in-depth interpretation of the teachings; SGPC shows interest but says it will take time.
At 84, Davinderpal Singh of Rampura village in this district has accomplished something that research scholars of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, failed to do about three decades ago. Singh has translated the highly revered Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, in Urdu with an in-depth word-to-word interpretation.
Originally written in Gurmukhi script, the translated version of Guru Granth Sahib, running into more than 14,000 pages, is the first of its kind venture. “Translated versions of the Guru Granth Sahib are available in English, Hindi and even Malayalam. I strongly felt that the holy scripture should be also available in Urdu. I had been working on it for about a decade,” says a proud Devinderpal, a retired patwari who is also a Munshi Fazil, an advanced degree in Urdu.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Thursday, October 21, 2010
UK's longest serving NRI Sikh officer to retire this month
Harinder, popularly known as 'Hari' was born in Punjab's Jullundur district and was educated in Slough, Berkshire.
Harinder whose family moved to England in 1961, joined the Thames Valley Police as a police cadet on October 13, 1975 and subsequently joined the regular service.
He was the first Asian to join the Thames Valley Police. In 1982 he joined the CID department.
With thanks : EconomicTimes : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
A Question of Appearances: Obama Will Bypass Sikh Temple on Visit to India
NEW DELHI — The Golden Temple, a sprawling and serene complex of gleaming gold and polished marble that is the spiritual center of the Sikh religion, is one of India's most popular tourist attractions. Revered by Indians of all faiths, it is a cherished emblem of India’s religious diversity. So it was no surprise when the gold-plated marvel was promoted as the likely third stop on President Obama's visit to India, scheduled for early November.
But the United States has ruled out a Golden Temple visit, according to an American official involved in planning. Temple officials said that American advance teams had gone to Amritsar, the holy city that is the site of the temple, to discuss a possible visit. But the plan appears to have foundered on the thorny question of how Mr. Obama would cover his head, as Sikh tradition requires, while visiting the temple.
“To come to golden temple he needs to cover his head,” said Dalmegh Singh, secretary of the committee that runs the temple. “That is our tradition.”
Mr. Obama, a Christian, has struggled to fend off persistent rumors that he is a Muslim, and Sikhs in the United States have often been mistaken for Muslims. Sikhism, which arose in the Punjab region in the 15th century, includes elements of Hinduism and Islam but forms a wholly distinct faith. Since Sept. 11, 2001, Sikhs in the United States have been occasional targets of anti-Muslim discrimination and violence — a Sikh was killed in Arizona a few days after the attack on the World Trade Center by a man who mistook him for a Muslim.
With thanks : nytimes : link in headline above for the detailed news. Pic with thanks to :Raminder Pal Singh/European Pressphoto Agency.
SikhsIndia
'Campaign through Facebook for Obama's visit to Golden Temple'
United Sikhs also urged Obama not to cancel his visit to Golden Temple. "The President's visit to India in November has been marked with heightened jubilation, especially from the Sikh community," it said in a statement.
"Visit the White House's Twitter and Facebook account to let the President know the importance of his potential visit to Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple)," the statement said.
with thanks : economictimes : link in headline for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Will Head Covering Issue Keep Obama From Golden Temple?
A New York Times story out yesterday suggested that President Obama will avoid the Golden Temple while visiting India early next month for a unique reason: Concern that images of Mr. Obama wearing the head covering required by Sikh tradition while visiting would further the erroneous belief that he is Muslim.
Asked about the story today, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs would not directly address its central claim. He said the schedule for the trip was not yet finalized and that decisions about where to go are made in consultation with the host country.
with thanks : CBSnews : link in headline for detailed story.
SikhsIndia
Sikhs appeal to Obama not to ‘cancel’ Golden Temple visit
Sikhs from various walks of life today made an emphatic appeal to US President Barack Obama, asking him not to cancel his planned visit to the Golden Temple on the issue of wearing a ‘headscarf or cap’ on the temple premises. They said though Obama would have to cover his head in accordance with Sikh traditions to visit the gurdwara, they had no objection if he wore a cap or even a hat.
The Indian Express carried a story in today’s edition (October 19, 2010), saying Obama might skip his proposed Golden Temple visit as US officials fear wearing a cap might create the impression among some Americans that he is a Muslim and alienate a section of US Christians. President Obama is a Christian whose late father was a Kenyan Muslim.
The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, had stated that the US President may wear a scarf or a cap that is worn by Muslims but cannot wear a baseball cap or anything that resembles one. Teams from the White House and the US Embassy have visited Amritsar several times over the past three weeks to assess the arrangements for the visit.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
56.3 lakh voters enrolled for SGPC elections
Justice HS Brar, Chief Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections, has said voters could be punished under the provisions of Indian Penal Code (IPC) if they submitted false declaration. He was addressing a press conference here after holding a meeting with deputy commissioners from seven districts of Jalandhar Division.
The returning officers and revising authorities of the constituencies were also present at the meeting held to review the preparation of electoral rolls and to get an update regarding the claims and objections received so far in respect of applications for making votes. The last date of filing objections is October 28.
with thanks : indianexpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Witness identifies Sajjan Kumar in 1984 Sikh riots case
A witness in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case on Tuesday identified former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar as one of the leaders who provoked the killing of innocent Sikhs during the carnage after the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Jagsher Singh told a city court he remembered Kumar asking the mob to kill Sikhs.
"Sajjan Kumar, MP, came in an Ambassador car and asked some people (around 30 to 40) if they had done the work that had been assigned to them. He then said they had not done their work properly. One person told him that they were helpless as the thekedars (contractors) were being saved by Hindus. Thereupon, Kumar said Hindus offering shelter to Sikhs should be killed and their houses burnt," Singh said.
Singh had lost three of his elder brothers in the riots. He is a witness in the case filed by his cousin Jagdish Kaur, whose husband and son were also killed by the mob. Singh said following Kumar's order, the mob looted his Raj Nagar home and set it on fire. "I knew him (Kumar) because our area was backward and there was some sewage problem. He had come to listen to our grievances," Singh added.
with thanks : indiatoday : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A day after Sekhwan locked Gurdwara, Manpreet Badal gets due honour by Sikh priest
The Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib is controlled by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC). Manpreet Badal had came to pay obeisance at Gurdwara where he was presented Siropao by a Granthi.
with thanks : punjabnewsline : link in headline for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Woman, 74, in Canada illegally gets to stay
OTTAWA - A 74-year-old woman from India living in Canada illegally for the last six years has been granted another stay from deportation.
Gyan Kaur came to Canada in 2001 after her husband died. The move allowed Kaur to be closer to her four children, who all live in this country. Two of children are citizens and two are in Canada illegally after their own claims for refugee status were denied.
According to court documents, Kaur claimed refugee status in February 2002 “on the ground that she feared persecution because of her Sikh nationality.”
with thanks : torontosun : link in headline above.
SikhsIndia
Habhajan Mann renowned Sikh singer in hospital
Renowned Punjabi singer and actor Harbhjan Mann has been suffering from dengue and has been hospitalised at S P S Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana.
According to Dr Anupreet Kaur of Apollo Hospital, “Harbhajan Mann was admitted in the hospital on Tuesday as his platelet count was only 14,000.
After treatment in the hospital, he is on way to recovery. I think he will be discharged from hospital in a day or so.
with thanks : emgonline : link in headline above.
SikhsIndia
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sher-e-Punjab rises again
With thanks : times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Thursday, October 14, 2010
How Obama's Date with Amritsar was set up
Sikh Americans are ecstatic that Obama will visit the Golden Temple. Avatar Singh, chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee that is responsible for Sikh places of worship in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh ,will welcome Obama. Other senior leaders, led by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, are also expected to receive the American President and the First Lady.
Sources said that in the few hours the Obamas will be in Amritsar, they will also visit an organic farm. The first lady is very interested in the subject, and has a miniature organic farm on the White House's South Lawn.
"It's really a dream come true moment," said Potomac, Maryland-based dentist Dr Rajwant Singh, chairman, Sikh Council on Religion and Education and executive director, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. "This is absolutely a joyous moment for Sikhs not just in America, but all over the world," added Singh, was in the forefront of urging Obama to visit the Golden Temple. "I have been receiving scores of e-mails and calls from not only all across America but from also people in Punjab and Delhi and everywhere — even from Australia and the Middle East!"
He said it all had begun when "The President mentioned to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the state dinner in November about the Guru Nanak birthday celebrations the White House had hosted. This was such a complete surprise and such a wonderful and great gesture."
It was then, Singh said, "That's when I thought that this could work (urging Obama to visit the Golden Temple). That if I just plug this idea and somehow keep pushing this, it might work. And by god's grace it did."
Singh had started to work on it with Paul Monteiro, White House associate director for public engagement. Monteiro's portfolio includes reaching out to ethnic minorities and he is a regular feature at Sikh American events. He helped organise the Guru Nanak birth anniversary celebration at the White House.
In early July, Singh continued, he had written to the White House that if the President could visit the Golden Temple, it would "be a wonderful gesture since it's a symbol of interfaith understanding." He had pointed out that "the foundation stone of the temple was laid by a Muslim saint and the temple itself was constructed by Hindus and Sikhs and visited by people of all faiths from all over the world. I also mentioned that Punjab shares 370 miles of border with Pakistan and it will be a powerful message by the President to South Asia if he visits the temple."
If Obama visits the temple, Singh had added, "Americans will come to know about Sikhs and what Sikhism is all about. This will hopefully help to remove some of the misunderstanding and misperceptions about Sikhs in America and many of the difficulties Sikhs have faced and continue to face due to everything from racial profiling to mistaken identity and harassment at airports and other security barriers."
Complete story can be viewed with thanks at link in headline above or from : source : http://www.indiaabroad-digital.com/indiaabroad/20101015?pg=9#pg9
Submitted by : Dr. Rajwant Singh - Young sikh Leaders - with President Obama.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
UK Hosts World's First Sikh Awards
With thanks : emgonline : link in headline above for detailed news.
The winners were
Sikh Lifetime Achievement : Mr. Fauja Singh, Fauja Singh holds the 10,000m record (64 mins - Lahore Marathon January 2005), 1/2 Marathon (2 hrs 29 mins and 59 secs) and the Marathon record (5 hrs 40 mins and 1 sec) both at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in September 2004 and September 2003 respectively. 94 year old Fauja Singh was to run 100m, 200m, 400m, the mile and 1500m, and a 3000m continuing on to finish the 5000m. Six races covering eight distances in a time limit of 94 mins. Impossible? – nothing is impossible for the ex-farmer from the Punjab ! Fauja Singh clocked 19.97 for the 100. In the 200m he obliterated the UK M90 age group 200m clocking an amazing 45.13sec. The 400m he covered in 1.49.28sec, to become the first in Briton ever to contest this distance.
Sikhs in Education : Professor Tejinder Singh Virdee, Tejinder is a particle physicist at Imperial College London and at the CERN laboratory in Geneva. He is distinguished for his contributions to experimental particle physics. In particular, starting with a handful of colleagues in 1990, he was responsible for setting up the worldwide CMS experiment collaboration. This is one of the two largest and most complex experiments in science with over 3000 scientists and engineers from about 180 institutes in over 38 countries. Professor Virdee has been a leader of the CMS experiment since the early nineties.
Sikhs and Charities : United Sikhs UK : Volunteers, staff and supporters work behind the scenes for an organisation they feel is theirs. Our volunteers have led 15 humanitarian relief missions in disaster zones; we provide legal services to defend civil and human rights and we run educational and personal development programmes. Our mission is to provide selfless service to the underprivileged and dispossesseo regardless of their religion or belief, ethnicity, nationality or gender. We are now a UN affiliated NGO with offices in 10 countries across the world, including the UK
Sikhs and Seva : DR Manjit Kaur Birdi, Manjit Kaur is a health practitioner and has worked within the community for over 20 yrs. She has been deeply touched by the suffering of fellow human beings and has always set out to help them in which ever way she can. She has presented on various TV & radio stations to raise the profile of health and religious affairs within the Sikh community. Six years ago she travelled out to Kenya to help build clean water supplies with irrigation system for people living in Kenya. In Africa she also travelled to Uganda and set up safe farming areas for families so they could grow and develop their communities. She is now working with local families and hospitals in India treating illnesses, promoting Sikhi and setting up and educational programme for children.
Sikhs in Business : Dr Kartar Singh Lalvani OBE, Dr Kartar Singh Lalvani founded Britain’s fastest growing major nutraceutical company 39 years ago with a portfolio of UK’s No. 1 brand leading supplements, including Pregnacare, Perfectil, Osteocare, Wellman and Wellwoman. Kartar, a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, with a doctorate in medicinal chemistry, has built his business on his patented scientific innovations. The company now sells its products in over 120 countries. In the UK, over £60m worth of products are sold through retail chains, at Boots and nationwide. Dr Lalvani’s group employs over 2000 worldwide with a global turnover of over £200m and further double-digit growth is forecast. Vitabiotics is a private family business and has twice won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Sikh Business Women : Dr Rabinder Kaur Buttar, Dr Rabinder Buttar is a highly successful British entrepreneur and the founder, President and CEO of ClinTec International. Included in Real Business’ List of Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women, Dr Buttar is the recipient of several prestigious business awards, such as Ernst & Young Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 and The Institute of Directors (IOD) Director of the Year for Glasgow & the West of Scotland. ClinTec has a growing presence in the major markets of Europe, India and the Middle East. Dr Buttar has a PhD in Immunology, which she gained in 1988 from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. Dr Buttar received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland for her 20 years contribution to Life Sciences.
Sikh Entrepreneur : Mr Jaswinder Singh Sehmbi, Arriving in London aged 11 and armed with an unstoppable passion and drive, Jaswinder Sehmbi has always been an entrepreneur. From a very young age he learnt he could turn his hand to almost anything and make something from it. Reassembling a bicycle to sell on while at school, using his talent to decorate homes while at college, supporting a family of five in all ways possible and then realising a dream to create a business that has taken him all over the world. And it doesn't stop there. His intuitive way with others and constant strive for learning new things and sharing knowledge has lead him to sponsoring and mentoring young hopefuls, inspiring them to become the creative forces of tomorrow.
Sikhs in Entertainment : MR Jazzy B, Jaswinder Singh Bains, aka Jazzy B was born in Punjab and was raised in Vancouver, Canada, a transatlantic superstar who has introduced a fresh new image to the world of Bhangra music. Since his debut album in 1993, has become one of the most important names in the Punjabi music world. Jazzy B is one the most prominent stars of Punjabi music in the 21st century, having proved his credentials with a string of worldwide smash hit songs.
Sikhs in Media : Dr Gurjeet Kaur Bains, Dr Gurjeet Kaur Bains is Editor in Chief of Britain’s first English/Punjabi publication, The Sikh Times. Amongst her other accomplishments is the role of Non Executive Director of Europe’s largest hospital, she is also Governor of a consortium of colleges in Birmingham. Gurjeet was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Aston University. Gurjeet was the first woman to Chair the Institute of Asian Businesses. She is CEO of Women of Cultures and founder of British Asian Hafta, an initiative that celebrates the success and contributions of the Asian community to Britain. Gurjeet strives to be a positive role model and mentor.
Sikhs in Sports : Satnam Singh Dhillon, Satnam Dhillon has played polo all his life from the first time he could walk to bicycles to horses. His father started playing in his early thrities and Satnam has had the fortune to follow in his fathers footsteps. Satnam is now rated as one of the top four rated english polo players, but Satnam unlike any other player on the same 7 goal handicap he plays as a professional / amature as he his employed full time in the family property firm. Currently he is also the highest rated indian player in the game. Satnam also plays for england and is part of the england squad.
With thanks : emgonline : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Delegation of displaced Sikhs travels to Orakzai
The delegation, which was escorted to Orakzai by officials of the local administration, comprised elders of 58 Sikh families.
with thanks : MSN News : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Denied entry to Chandigarh, Punjab riot victims launch indefinite stir
5 protesters sit on fast-unto-death; hundreds on indefinite dharna.
Hundreds of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims from across Punjab on Tuesday launched an indefinite agitation against the state government on the Mohali-Chandigarh border after they were denied entry to Chandigarh.
As the protesters, under the banner of the Punjab Danga Peerit Welfare Society, led by its president Surjit Singh, marched from Mohali towards Chandigarh, a heavy police force from Chandigarh stopped them from crossing the border around 2 pm. Following this, they squatted on the middle of the road leading from Sector 51-52, Mohali, to Sector 43-44, Chandigarh, closing it for the vehicular traffic.
To protest against the police action, five protesters — Gurpal Kaur (45), state president of society’s women wing, Harbans Kaur (80), chairperson, Pritpal Singh (75), Kultar Singh (75), all from Ludhiana, and Mohan Singh (75) from Gurdaspur — sat on fast-unto-death, hundreds of protesters began indefinite dharna.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Coins of the Sikh Empire
The Sikh Empire had its own currency for the first time under the iconic Sikh general, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. The use of these coins was carried on by subsequent kings of Punjab and reached its epitome under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who laid the foundations of Sikh Empire. Before Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the use of coins was prevalent in Punjab, but these weren’t used as currency, albeit as obeisance to the Sikh Gurus.
Baba Banda Singh Bahadur launched first Sikh coin somewhere between 1708 and 1715 A.D. Names of the first guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji and tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, were inscribed on these coins along with dates when these were minted. Hymns from The Guru Granth Sahib were inscribed on these coins later on. The dates indicated on these coins are as per the traditional Indian calendar, the Bikrami Samvat, which is 57 years ahead of the modern or Roman calendar.
When Maharaja Ranjit Singh organized the Sikh Empire, the first coins that were minted under him were dedicated to the first guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The coins minted under him always bore the inscription of leaf of Banyan, a symbol of his empire. During his rule, the coins were minted at eight locations, Amritsar, Anandgarh, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Jammu and Kashmir. It is said that during his tenure, the Sikh currency was valued even higher than the French one!
with thanks : ukpha : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Marathon runner, 99, honoured at awards ceremony
A 99-year-old marathon runner from east London, a leading scientist and a polo player were among those honoured for their achievements at a Sikh awards ceremony.
Fauja Singh, from Ilford has set various records for his sporting achievements in his age category and once appeared in an adidas advert with David Beckham.
He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award by prominent Sikh Bhai Sahib Ji at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
with thanks : Google News : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
In pictures: Sikh temple opening in Norwich
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sikhism: Awareness Drive at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Dr.Gurdeep kaur
Associate Professor
&
National Service Scheme programme officer,
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,
University of Delhi,
Dev Nagar,New Delhi-110005
INDIA
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Sikhs tell their story with multimedia museum in Mississauga
When Canada’s first Multimedia Sikh Museum opens at Ontario Khalsa Darbar in Mississauga Sunday, it will offer clickable passage into more than 500 years of Sikhism – the world’s fifth largest religion.
“Yes, it is your one-stop window into the past, present and future of the Sikhs,’’ says Surrey, B.C.-based Raghbir Bains, who has spent almost 25 years on the project.
Loaded with 60,000 pages of text and tons of audio, video, animation and graphics, the touch-screen museum is a journey of more than 400 hours.
Mr. Bains, who received the Order of British Columbia in 2005 for his work on cross-cultural understanding, says he believes it is the first digitized museum for any religion – outside of India. It’s similar to the museum at Khadoor Sahib built near the Sikhs’ holiest city of Amritsar a few years ago, says the Sikh scholar.
with thanks : source : theglobeandmail : link in headline for more details.
SikhsIndia
Land belonging to Hindu, Sikh shrines targeted in Pakistan
Another incident of acquisition of land belonging to Hindu and Sikh shrines in Pakistan has come to light, and Pakistan authorities have been approached by minorities to take this issue seriously.
According to the News, a delegation headed by Pakistan Hindu Sikh Social Welfare Council President Jag Mohan Arora approached Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi to apprise him about the illegal occupation of a cemetery ground and demolition of temple in front of Rawalpindi Medical College.
The delegation urged Hashmi to take personal interest and help resolve the problems of the minority community.
Though Hashmi has assured the delegates to resolve the issue, there have been allegations against the Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board that it had illegally sold off land belonging to Sikh shrines to the Pakistani army at absurdly low prices.
with thanks : SIFY : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Punjab Dy CM lays foundation stone of eastablishment of first Sikh Raj memorial
Sikhsindia
Happy Gurupurab
Waheguru ji ka khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh !
Dhan Dhan Satguru Shri Guru Ramdas Sahib ji de
Parkash Purab Di aap sab noo beant beant wadhai hove ji
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.com
www.sheendesigners.blogspot.com
www.moneyvohradesigners.blogspot.com
Friday, October 8, 2010
Riot victims ignore boycott call, attend camp
Over 700 applicants ignored the boycott call given by the Danga Peerat Welfare Association and turned up at the Guru Nanak Bhawan on Thursday to get their documents verified. A camp was organised by Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari to check the documents pertaining to the allotment of flats to the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Pak denies visas to Sikh pilgrims
Pakistan has denied visa to more than 150 Sikh pilgrims who were to take part in the celebrations of Guru Ram Das, the founder of Amritsar, in Lahore on October 9. The delegation was to leave for Lahore on Thursday under the banner of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). “No specific reasons was given for rejecting the application. These men would go to Pakistan on the next gurpurb that is in November,” said SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh. “There have been several occasion when names of pilgrims were deleted arbitrarily,” the SGPC functionary said.
with thanks : indianexpress : link in headline above.
SikhsIndia
Local Sikhs fulfil their temple dream for Norwich
About 10 minutes' drive from the centre of Norwich a group of men and women are putting the finishing touches to what will be Norfolk's first Sikh gurdwara or temple.
Some of them are levelling out the gravel at the side entrance to the flat-roofed shoebox-shaped building. Others are up ladders hammering in nails. From Sunday it will be known as Gurdwara Sri Guru Ramdass Parkash.
"I will be very happy and all my family will be very happy," said 78-year-old Chanan Singh Suwali, President of the new temple.
with thanks : BBC news : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Kiwi-Indian candidate implicated in alleged Auckland city council voting scam
Wellington, Oct 8 (ANI): An Indian origin man, Daljit Singh, who is a Labour candidate running for the Papatoetoe local boards, has been named as one of two men charged over an alleged voting scam in New Zealand.
According to Stuff.co.nz, Labour Party President Andrew Little said "swift disciplinary action" could be taken against Singh, if he was found guilty of the alleged fraud.
"There is no tolerance in our party for conduct that undermines the integrity of the electoral process. If it is established that Mr Singh has acted in this way then he can expect swift disciplinary action, including having his Party membership removed from him," Little added.
with thanks : OneIndia : link in headline above for detailed news. Pic with thanks : stuff.co.nz
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
"CWG 2010 Awareness Drive at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib"
Associate Professor(Dr.) Gurdeep Kaur
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,
University of Delhi,
Dev Nagar.
Delhi,INDIA
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sikh Museum set to open this weekend
The museum, said to be the first of its kind outside India, opens its doors to the public this Sunday, Oct 10, at its Dixie/Derry Roads location.
The brainchild of British Columbia author Dr Raghbir Singh Bains, the museum will house more than 50,000 pages of text in various languages, thousands of pictures, audio, video and animation, as per Surrey-based newspaper The South Asian Link.
According to his online biography, Bains "produced and programmed the Multimedia Sikh Museum in India, the first of its kind in the world, using new technology to make it easily accessible and interactive for all."
The museum in Mississauga will will cover the history and culture of the Sikh religion, Bains earlier told Surrey-based The South Asian Link.
with thanks : southasianfocus : link in headline for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Priyanka & Robert visit Golden Temple, listen to Gurbani for a while
Amritsar : Before President Pratibha Patil paid a visit to the Golden Temple on Wednesday, the Sikh shrine had another set of high-profile visitors. They were Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, daughter of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, her husband Robert Vadra and their children who paid obeisance in the morning.
The family had arrived in the city on Tuesday evening and checked into a hotel after watching the Retreat Ceremony at Wagah-Attari border check post. Their visit was kept a closely guarded secret and they did not speak to the media who surrounded them at the Golden temple complex.Priyanka said it was a personal visit that they had been planning for a long time. The Vadras took a ‘parikarama of the shrine and paid obeisance at the Akal Takht. They also listened to Gurbani for some time inside the Darbar Sahib.
with thanks : expressindia : link in headline above. pic with thanks : DNAINDIASikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Prince Charles leaves behind impressions of his love for Punjab and Sikhs
with thanks : punjabnewsline :gurpreetsinghmehak : link in headline above for detailed news. Pic newsfeed.time with thanks.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Shorn hair among Sikh youth irresponsible: Ex-Jathedar
The local chapter of the Global Sikh Brotherhood (GSB) held a seminar on the issue of “Sikh identity in the present adversities” at a gurdwara in Phase X on Tuesday. Former jathedar of Akal Takht Prof Manjit Singh was the chief guest and founder chief of the GSB Hardeep Singh, who is also local SGPC member, presided over the function.
Discussing the importance of keeping unshorn hair in Sikhism, various speakers termed it in accordance with nature and ethics of the religion. Prof Manjit Singh, in his lecture, said, “The reasons of declining acceptability of keeping unshorn hair among youth is the result of our irresponsible attitude. We, the parents, Sikh religious institutions and academic centres must accept that we are lacking somewhere in performing our duty of creating the awareness and required atmosphere”.
with thanks : IndianExpress : link in headline for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Sikh human chain protects the President
This is the Presidents first visit to the Holy Sikh Shrine; she paid homage to the Holy Sikh Scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib.
The entourage that accompanied the VIP visit included Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, Bathinda MP and Sukhbir Badal's wife Harsimrat Badal and other dignitaries accompanied the president during her maiden visit to the Sikh shrine.
According to Sikh traditions the president was given a 'Siropa' (religious gift blessed by Guru Granth Sahib) by the Granthi (priests)
During the visit the President will plant trees and attend a function that will address the growing concern of female foeticide destruction by Punjabi women.
with thanks : emgonline : link in headline.
SikhsIndia
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
CBI's case against Sajjan suffers setback as witness turns hostile
"Had he taken shelter in my house, then I must have mentioned this fact in my statement because he was known to me," the witness added "voluntarily".
In his cross-examination by CBI, Sharma, 49, testified that he was not making a false statement under pressure from Kumar. "It is incorrect to suggest that I have been pressurised by accused Kumar to resile from my statement.
with thanks : Hindustan Times : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
Monday, October 4, 2010
CWG : Deh shiva bar mohe ehe.....
pics with thanks from : ibnlive, zee news, the hindu, sify .....
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Guru’s abode in the hills
Pages 156. Rs 2,500.
DEVELOPED on land bought from the Rani of Kahlur for Rs 500, by Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib holds a particular reverence in Sikh ethos because of its close association with the last two Sikh Gurus. The ninth Guru spent many years there, both before and after he became Guru, this is from where he set out on his final journey to martyrdom in Delhi, where his head was cremated, and his young son anointed Guru. In these hills, the young Gobind Rai grew up, created the Khalsa, held court that patronised many poets and writers of renown, and also where many historic battles were fought.
The authors have given a succinct overview of the history of the place, and devoted a chapter to the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Various events have been recreated and connected with the relevant gurdwaras built at the sites where these happenings took place.
We have the magnificent Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, where the Guru created Khalsa, and a personal space, Gurdwara Anand Karaj Sahib, where Guru Gobind Rai’s marriage with Mata Jito took place. It was at Anandpur Sahib that Bhai Kanahiya, a devout Sikh, was put up in front of Guru Gobind Singh by other Sikhs who accused him of providing medical help to enemy soldiers after a battle. When asked to explain his conduct, Bhai Kanahiya said he was merely following the Guru’s injunction to help those who needed it and that he saw divinity in every face when he was tending to the wounded. The Guru blessed him and told him to continue with his work.
The betrayal of trust by hill Rajas after Guru Gobind Singh had been promised a safe passage from Anandpur Sahib resulted in the death of his two sons in the battlefield, and the separation of the other two sons and their grandmother, Mata Gujri, from the Guru. They were betrayed by a family retainer and subsequently arrested by the Governor of Sirhind, who offered them a choice of renouncing their religion or converting. They remained steadfast in their belief and were bricked alive.
Hola Mohalla is where festivity, colour and marital spirit come together. It was first celebrated in 1701 by Guru Gobind Singh and we have lovely pictures by Sharad Saxena that show the event as it unfolds, including some of really cute children dressed up in traditional finery. The captions are informative, though one searches in vain for the names of the painters whose works feature in the book.
Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib is a repository of much of Sikh heritage, including weapons of the Gurus and the Hukamnamas, epistles, issued by them. This is where we have the original khanda with which amrit was prepared for the Khalsa and the Nagina which is shaped like a corkscrew, used to pierce the armour of an armoured attack elephant, a gun from Lahore that was presented to Guru Gobind Singh and of special significance is the saif, or the sword of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad. The saif was presented by Emperor Bahadur Shah to Guru Gobind Singh. The authors have provided a glossary, though a bibliography would have added to the value of the volume.
with thanks : tribune : link in headline above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Memorable Day with SHERA in Queen's Baton Relay at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Bir Khalsa Dal (POWER OF KHALSA) On INDIA`S GOT TALENT SHOW
with thanks : YouTube
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com