Monday, July 30, 2012
Badal likely to launch luxury train to five takhts in August
After several hiccups, the Punjab government is finally set to give
Sikh pilgrims a journey to remember. The Punjab Heritage and Tourism
Promotion Board in collaboration with Indian Railway Catering and
Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will be offering a week-long luxury tour of
five of the most sacred shrines for Sikhs.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is expected to launch
the offer next month. Of the five sacred shrines, a special train will
carry pilgrims to three takhts located in Punjab. The other two takhts,
one in Bihar and the other in Maharashtra, will be covered in the same
tour through dedicated flights.
wit thanks : Indian Express : Link : for detailed news.
Friday, July 27, 2012
SC gives SGPC two weeks to reply on Sehajdhari row
SC gives SGPC two weeks to reply on Sehajdhari row
Legal Correspondent
Legal Correspondent
New Delhi, July 26
The Supreme Court today granted two weeks’ time to the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to respond to the contentions of the Sehajdhari Sikh Federation (SSF) that the Sikh temporal body had no right to appeal on the Sehajdharis’ voting rights issue.
A Bench comprising Justices RM Lodha and Anil Dave adjourned the hearing, slated for today, as the SGPC sought time to file its reply.
In its affidavit, the SSF has contended that the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict restoring the Sehajdharis’ voting right had attained finality as the Union Government had decided against challenging the HC judgment.
Further, the SGPC election held on September 18, 2011 had become a nullity as the SC had allowed the conduct of the poll with a clear rider that the election result would be subject to the HC verdict.
Since the HC had quashed the Centre’s October 8, 2003, notification that had taken away the Sehajdharis’ voting rights, it was only proper that a fresh poll was conducted to elect the SGPC, the federation contended.
The SSF pointed out that the SC had refused to allow the newly elected SGPC Board to function and allowed only an ad hoc executive body consisting of members from the previous Board to manage the day-to-day affairs of the SGPC and the institutions run by it.
With no properly elected SGPC in place, no one claiming to be the SGPC could have moved the SC, challenging the HC verdict, SSF said.
Sehajdharis’ argument :
with thanks : TRIBUNE : LINK : for detailed news
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Tobacco consumption to be curbed in Amritsar
Amritsar: Consumption of
tobacco in the holy town of Sikhs may lead to paying of penalty on the
spot with the district administration planning measures to curb the
practice from August 15.
Chewing tobacco and spitting on walls may soon be a thing of the past in Punjab with the state government declaring Amritsar and Rupnagar (Ropar) as 'tobacco-free districts' from August 15, Amritsar-based Chief Parliamentary Secretary Navjot Kaur Sidhu said here on Wednesday.
Chewing tobacco and spitting on walls may soon be a thing of the past in Punjab with the state government declaring Amritsar and Rupnagar (Ropar) as 'tobacco-free districts' from August 15, Amritsar-based Chief Parliamentary Secretary Navjot Kaur Sidhu said here on Wednesday.
There is already a ban on
smoking in public places in the city and Executive Magistrates have been
deputed to nab those violating the order, officials said.
The district administration in the last one week collected a fine of Rs 36,830 from over 240 people who were smoking in public place, they said.
Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) head Gurbachan Singh has already signed a pledge to save Punjab from the menace of tobacco and has written to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandakh Committee (SGPC) directing it to communicate with Punjab Government regarding ban on sale of 'Gutka' in Punjab.
PTI
The district administration in the last one week collected a fine of Rs 36,830 from over 240 people who were smoking in public place, they said.
Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) head Gurbachan Singh has already signed a pledge to save Punjab from the menace of tobacco and has written to Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandakh Committee (SGPC) directing it to communicate with Punjab Government regarding ban on sale of 'Gutka' in Punjab.
PTI
with thanks : ZEE NEWS : LINK : for detailed news.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Fauja Singh, 101, dazzles in Olympic Torch relay
Punjab-born Fauja Singh, who defies age to run marathons, drew the
loudest cheers today as the Olympic Torch was carried by him, Olympic
medal winners and leading individuals through London amidst a welcome
clear sky and sunshine.
Clad in all-white apparel and a matching white turban, the sprightly Singh carried the torch accompanied by hundreds of
admirers, including Sikhs with yellow T-shirts bearing Singh's image,
who hailed him every moment of the distance he travelled.
Singh was born in 1911, and began running at 86 to keep himself occupied.
He has since set several records for people of his age, running six
London marathons, two Canada marathons and the New York marathon.
Clearly a bit of a sensation for his achievements, his participation
in the relay today was described by admirers and onlookers as "a moment
of history".
Singh, who carried the Olympics Torch in Athens eight years ago, now
wants to carry it before the 2016 Olympics too, when he will be 105.
Hundreds of Sikhs organised a 'langar' at 16 points along the torch relay route to celebrate Fauja Singh's efforts.
The torch from Greenwich to Waltham Forest was carried by several
Olympians, including Nadia Comaneci, and Indian-origin individuals who
have excelled in various fields, such as Kaushali Trivedi (23), Natasha
Sinha (15), Priya Rajgor (20) and Dhrashti Shah (16).
The relay's youngest and oldest (Fauja Singh) were among the 143 torch-bearers today.
The youngest was Chester Chambers, 12, who was nominated for
representing his classmates, fundraising and helping to develop an
anti-bullying campaign.
Today was the first day of the Olympics torch's seven-day tour of London in the final countdown to the Games.
Hopes that the constant rains of the last few weeks will give way to
sunshine during the Olympics were realised, as today's relay was held
amidst a clear sky.
with thanks : Hindustan Times : Link : for detailed news
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Bomb Attack Kills Prominent Afghani-Sikh Leader
KABUL – Sardar Pritpal Singh Pal, an Afghan Sikh leader was killed in
a suicide attack last week which claimed the lives of 23 people and
left 60 injured. The news of his death has shocked the Sikh and Hindu
communities in Afghanistan.
A Taliban suicide bomber struck a wedding party of the daughter of
Afghan MP Ahmad Khan Samangani on Saturday, 14th of July, at a Marriage
Hall in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province of Northern
Afghanistan.The MP was among the 23 killed.
Singh, a devout Sikh, a known Social activist, an outspoken community
leader and a political aspirant had fought last general elections to
parliament of Afghanistan.
Singh ran as an Independent candidate from the Kabul province for a
seat in Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga, the 250-seat Lower House of
Parliament, in the 2010 elections.
Before taking part in the elections two years ago Singh was in the
Afghan Army under the rule of Najibullah, 22 years ago. He retired after
a leg and eye injury and went on to become a unani doctor.
Singh had once said, “It was a misconception that all Afghan Sikhs
and Hindus are Punjabis who moved to Afghanistan from India years ago.
In fact, many members of this community consider themselves to be the
original Afghans who never converted to Islam. And this sense of
rootedness only gives their pursuit of governmental representation in
Afghanistan more zeal”.
Singh who ran a Greaco-Arabic medicine shop (Unani Dawakhana)
established by his father who moved from Paktia to Kabul was frustrated
with the current Afghan government and as he entered the electoral field
he said, “I’m running for parliament for the service of all of
Afghanistan.”
“I want to serve people regardless of religion. I’m an Afghan,” said,
the then 46-year-old Pal during an interview with the media. He was a
native of the Pashtun-majority province of Paktia where his parents were
born.
with thanks : thelinkpaper : LINK : for detailed news.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to silence the din of mobile phones
AMRITSAR: The din of ringing cell phones in the Sikh's holiest of holy shrine Golden Temple has made Sikh's apex body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to mull over installing jammers in the Golden Temple complex to prevent the jarring mobile phone ring tones from ringing which disturb the concentration of fellow devotees and the sanctity of religious place.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar told TOI on Wednesday that there had been complaints from devotees about the maddening tunes and beeps of mobile phones which disturbs them and obstructs in performing worship. "We are planning to constitute a committee to submit its suggestions to check the nuisance from the religious place" he said. The suggestions received till now includes depositing mobile phones before entering in the Golden Temple complex and returning them to devotees while leaving or to install the jammers in the whole complex.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar told TOI on Wednesday that there had been complaints from devotees about the maddening tunes and beeps of mobile phones which disturbs them and obstructs in performing worship. "We are planning to constitute a committee to submit its suggestions to check the nuisance from the religious place" he said. The suggestions received till now includes depositing mobile phones before entering in the Golden Temple complex and returning them to devotees while leaving or to install the jammers in the whole complex.
"Depositing and returning of mobile phones is a gigantic task as more than 1 lakh devotees pays obeisance at Golden Temple everyday, the better option appears to be the installation of jammers " he said. He said normally people didn't follow the cell phone etiquettes so they had to think on these lines. He informed that SGPC had already installed jammer between Darshani Deori and the sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple. Other suggestions received by SGPC to check the mobile phone ringing was to issue appeal to all the visiting devotees to turn off their mobile phones or put them on silent or vibration mode before entering in the holy complex.
with thanks : Times of India : LINK : for detailed news.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
No gurdwara without clearance from Akal Takht: Sikh clergy
Mulling the issue of caste-based gurdwaras in Punjab, particularly in
rural areas, the Sikh clergy on Thursday sent out a clear-cut message to
the community that no gurdwara would be constructed anywhere in the
country or even abroad in future without the permission of the Akal
Takht.
"Anyone who wishes to construct a gurdwara must approach the Akal
Takht for prior clearance. No one will be allowed to construct a
gurdwara on his own," Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said
while talking to media after presiding over a meeting of the five Sikh
high priests held in Amritsar on Thursday.
The issue of caste-based gurdwaras was taken up in last Sunday's episode of Aamir Khan's 'Satyamev Jayate'.
Another pre-condition put forth by the Akal Takht was that the piece
of land on which the gurdwara was proposed to be built must be in the
name of Guru Granth Sahib. Only then would the Akal Takht consider any
plea for the construction of the Sikh religious place.
"We will not allow construction of a gurdwara on 'shamlat'
(government) land or on land that is in the name of the village
panchayat or is the property of any trust or committee. The land must be
transferred in the name of Guru Granth Sahib for building a shrine,"
Giani Gurbachan Singh made it clear after deliberating on the issue with
his fellow priests.
"'Manas ki jaat, eko pehchanon' was the message of the Gurus and we all must abide by this," Giani Gurbachan Singh said.
To dissuade construction of Sikh religious places on caste lines,
Giani Gurbachan Singh announced that the Akal Takht would honour
panchayat of village that had just one gurdwara."A certificate of
appreciation will be awarded to that particular panchayat," he added.
with thanks : Hindustan Tines : LINK : for detailed news.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Sikh clergy to meet on July 12 to discuss caste-based gurdwaras
The Sikh clergy is slated to meet in Amritsar on Thursday to take stock
of mushrooming caste-based gurdwaras across Punjab despite an Akal Takht
edict banning holy places of the community on caste lines.
Last Sunday, Bolywood star Aamir Khan's focus on Satyamev Jayate
programme was on untouchability and the caste system prevalent in Indian society.
In the episode, Aamir showed existence of caste-based gurdwaras in
rural areas, with members of so-called lower castes claiming that they
were often prohibited from entering holy places managed by the upper
castes despite clearcut message of the Sikh Gurus that all human beings
are equal.
It is not for the first time that the Sikh clergy would discuss this
issue since the issue has figured in their meetings in the past. In
fact, a couple of years back, an edict was issued from the Akal Takht to
ban Sikh holy places on caste lines.
The edict however did not have the desired effect as gurdwaras on
caste lines continue to be built, particularly in rural Punjab. In fact,
often politicians dole out funds for such places in a bid to woo
voters.
with thanks : Hindustan times : LINK for detailed news.
Sikhs to serve langar to commemorate Olympics in London
While Fauja Singh, the 101-year-old marathon runner, carries the Olympic relay torch in London on July 21, the Sikhs would celebrate the occasion by organising a langar
(community kitchen) along the road for public. They would serve free
Roti Rolls at several key points along the Olympic torch route from
Greenwich to Waltham Forest between 7 am to 8 pm.
Fauja,
the oldest torch bearer at London 2012, would carry the Torch on the
64th day of the Olympic Torch Relay when it reaches Newham. The Olympic
Stadium is also located at Newham.
The langar would be organized by United Sikhs, an organization
dedicated to promoting the Sikh identity and tenets. "We are proud to
share with the public the 500 year old Sikh tradition of serving free
meals," said Parvinder Kaur, who would manage the langar project.
She said the Sikhs from the UK and around the world would be
participating in celebrations. They would show the world how the
community embraced diversity.
"We hope to demonstrate through Langar how the community involves in
selfless service. We will be serving thousands of free vegetarian meals
along the route," she said, adding "It would also showcase how community
food can bring people from all walks of life together."
with thanks : INDIA TODAY : LINK for detailed news.
Brampton Sikh School Vandalized with Hate Graffiti
Brampton, Canada: UNITED SIKHS is concerned about the vandalism of the Khalsa Community School at Maitland Street in Brampton, Ontario. The school wall was sprayed with "KKK" letters and the swastika signs.
Brampton has the largest population of South Asians, consisting of approximately 35% of the total population of the city. UNITED SIKHS condemns this act of hatred and mischief and will resist any such attempt by way of education and bringing awareness into the communities through multifaith activties.
 |  |  |
| Khalsa School Brampton Canada | Wall Vandalized by Miscreants on 9th July | Swastika & Symbols of "KKK" |
UNITED SIKHS community legal advocate, Deepinder Singh, said, "We appeal to the community to remain peaceful and not to react and let the police do their work to assess the incident. Brampton is known to be a very peaceful city and for its friendly multicultural population"
Sukhwinder Singh, Director of UNITED SIKHS, said, "I am in pain to see such growing incidents in Canada. Hatred doesn't cease by hatred. Sikhs have lived in Canada for years and are one of the major contributors to its economy. Sikhs with other communities celebrated Canada Day on 1st July in a grand style. This incident indicates that there is still a strong need for Multifaith interaction between communities and there is a lot of work to do."
UNITED SIKHS extends their support to the staff and students of Khalsa Community School who have handled this situation in a very supportive and calm manner.
We also urge the community to maintain their calm and let the police continue with their investigation.
To speak to a UNITED SIKHS representative directly, please visit http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php to find an office near you.
Ranbir Singh,
Director, UNITED SIKHS
ranbir.singh@unitedsikhs.org | law-canada@unitedsikhs.org
P: 1-905-672-2245
F: 1-810-885-4264
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
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