Power struggle at Sikh temple in San Jose

SAN JOSE -- One of the most spectacular views of Silicon Valley is from the nation's largest Sikh temple, whose golden dome and peaceful manicured gardens rise from the hills east of this city's downtown. Gov. Jerry Brown, then-Mayor Chuck Reed, faith leaders and thousands of Sikhs from all over Northern California celebrated its April 2011 grand opening, a statement of the community's growing stature.

But Sikh Gurdwara San Jose is also a house divided, with a nasty power struggle that has pitted its leadership against critics. It has filled the courts with a series of lawsuits involving the temple's steering committtee, prominent elders and a Sikh community newspaper. And it has spilled into the political arena, where a temple leader recently saw his hopes of becoming San Jose's first Sikh city councilman dashed after a campaign in which Sikh protestors called him a villain at candidate forums.

with thanks : mercurynews : LINK : for detailed news report.

Gunfire At Sikh Temple Parking Lot In Renton, Washington

RENTON, Wash. – Reports of gunfire at a Sikh temple sent officers from several agencies to Talbot Road South on Sunday, Captain Ohashi from Kent Fire Department said.

An argument between two members of the Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Washington congregation broke out in the temple’s parking lot, and quickly escalated.

Witnesses told police the two men were yelling at each other, which attracted a small crowd. One man suddenly pulled out a handgun, and it fired into the ground when several bystanders tried to restrain him.

“Nobody should take any weapon inside the temple. That’s very bad,” temple member Harjinder Singh said. “Everybody should come peaceful because kids come there, women come there, elders come there, so peacefully pray and go home.”

with thanks : theindianpanorama : LINK : for detailed news.

Enjoy the best street food at a road side Dhaba !

Parantha is a famous food of Delhi & Punjab and almost everyone of us like to eat Paranthas & that too stuffed with Aloo, Aloo Pyaj as well Egg. Its regularly cooked in our kitchen at our home as a morning breakfast. When out of Delhi, we prefer to eat it, as its time saving.

There are many sources where you can go and have it. ‘Ahuja Number 1’ at Sonipat and ‘Fauji Dhaba’ at Karnal bypass are the most famous ones though many new hotels with Star ratings have come up on this stretch of GT Road such as ‘Haveli’. But today I am writing about the Pranthas of Mool Chand at Delhi itself.

Yeah ! I was quite unknown about this roadside eatery shop. Once I heard about it in one of the newspaper & decided to go there to have its taste.

It was a small Dhaba type on the corner of a road just opposite the mool chand metro station. It was around 6 pm in the evening and I was surprised to find a large number of cars parked here and there & the Paranthas were being served in the car itself.

We parked our car & decided to place the order. Within minutes a young man was standing in front of us, to book the order. We asked for Aloo Parantha as well Aloo pyaj parantha.

Within 5 minutes we had the same in our car with Parantha in a paper plate with chutney, pyaj & green mirch. We asked for Rayta & butter & he brought the same in the split of a second.

Though we are regular eaters of stuffed paranthas & we have tried it at many places, including Five star hotels of Delhi. But the taste of parantha here was a bit different. It was crispy and very tasty.

Soon we finished it and ordered the Egg Parantha. We have tried the same at the ITO also where the shop opens after 10 pm and that too for two hours only for the vendors of newspapers. The egg parantha at Mool Chand looked good & again very crispy & tasty.

As we really enjoyed the Paranthas at Mool Chand, i asked about the history of this Dhaba & how it became so famous. I was told by the person in charge, Vijay, that it was opened in the year 1975 and the owner was  Ram Lal Thakkar.

I was told that they have regular customers from every part of Delhi & many top celebrities also visit the road side Dhaba to have the stuffed parantha. It has become so famous that it has been covered by almost all the newspapers. We were told that if we are there after 8 pm, we have to wait for much longer duration to enjoy the food due to heavy rush there.

We too liked the Road Side food, though it was not that much hygienic as we prefer to eat. But once in a month, we can definitely come here to enjoy it. If you have not yet visited this road side open air Dhaba, for the best street food, plz visit once & have the taste of Delhiites, Desi Food.

Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib : SikhsIndia Pics

Sikh festival comes to life with colourful procession in Doncaster

with thanks : thestar : LINK : for detailed news report.

Festival celebrates Punjabi culture

Kirk Barron/Appeal-Democrat

Bright colors swirled across the stage to the vibrant, up-tempo rhythms of Bhangra music at the 21st annual Punjabi American Festival.

The celebration of Punjabi culture began with Bhangra and Giddha teams from around the North State and closed with international music acts as an estimated 12,000 people attended the event on Sunday at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds.

Headlined by Miss Pooja, one of the best-selling female Bhangra artists in the world, and fast-rising singer Ammy Virk, the festival aims to have something for everybody, said Tej Maan, Chairman of the Punjabi American Heritage Society.

"Everyone has a different reason for being here," Maan said. "Some come for the music, food, shopping or because they know somebody performing."

Another big draw this year is a visit from Brian Murphy, a police officer who was shot 15 times defending a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisc., in 2012. A documentary about the shooting, which left three worshipers dead, was shown at the festival.

Through his interactions with the Sikh community after the shooting, Murphy began raising awareness for a faith many Americans know little about. That message goes hand-in-hand with the purpose of the Punjabi festival, Maan said.

"When we started the festival, we had two purposes in mind," Maan said. "To pass the culture on to the youth and to bridge the gap in the mainstream community."

with thanks : appeal-democrat : LINK : for detailed report

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Pics used with thanks from myntra.com

Sikh breaks religious protocol to help injured child

Wellington: A young Sikh did not hesitate to break religious protocol by removing his turban to help an injured child bleeding profusely after an accident in New Zealand`s largest city of Auckland, media reports said on Saturday.

Harman Singh, 22, did not think twice before removing his turban to help the five-year-old who was hit by a car on way to school, New Zealand Herald reported. 

"I wasn`t thinking about the turban. I was thinking about the accident and I just thought, `He needs something on his head because he`s bleeding.` That`s my job -- to help," the daily quoted him as saying.

with thanks : zee news : LINK : for details

Violence erupts at Wolverhampton Sikh temple meeting

Trouble flared at Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Sedgley Road, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. It happened during the selection of the committee to run the temple.

Witnesses said the vice president had his turban torn off - a grossly disrespectful move - during the fracas and two people were hurt. One needed hospital treatment.

It was said that trouble flared in the prayer room as the names of those chosen to sit on the 25-strong committee were disclosed to a congregation estimated at more than 1000-strong.

Hecklers interrupted proceedings with shouts of protest at the proposed make up of the powerful group, the membership of which is changed every two years.

The disturbance reportedly got worse as it spilled downstairs into the office used by senior officials of the temple. Witnesses said too many people tried to cram into the room and a fight broke out during which a man allegedly drew a knife.

Punches were also reportedly thrown as groups representing rival factions clashed on Sunday afternoon.

with thanks : expressandstar : LINK : for details.

New Army Rule Eliminates A Hurdle To Sikh Service

WASHINGTON DC (TIP): In April 2015, the U.S. Army released new rules that will make it easier for observant Sikhs to request religious accommodations for their articles of faith. The prior procedures forced turbaned and bearded Sikh recruits to violate their religion while asking for a religious exception to serve – a Catch-22. Now observant Sikh recruits can continue to practice their religion while the Army decides whether to accommodate their religious articles of faith. The new process allows observant Sikh recruits to first contract with the U.S. Army and then submit a request for a religious accommodation. While the request is pending, the Sikh recruit will not be sent to training or receive any official U.S. Army assignments. If the religious accommodation request is granted, the Sikh recruit may serve without compromising his/her articles of faith; if it is denied, the Sikh recruit may then request a departure from the Army without penalty in order to avoid violating religious beliefs. It is the Sikh Coalition’s understanding that this rule change only applies to the U.S. army at this time. Despite these changes, the presumptive ban on Sikh articles of faith still remains and accommodation requests are still being decided on a rarely-granted case-by-case basis. In other words, while it is now easier to request a religious accommodation within the U.S. Army, it is still difficult to actually obtain one.

with thanks : TheIndianPanorama : LINK : for details.

Chicago Sikhs Raise $34,000 for National Sikh Campaign

CHICAGO — Last week 200 Sikhs attended the first major fundraising event for the National Sikh Campaign, raising a total of $34,000. The NSC aims to promote national awareness of Sikhism and Sikh identity through the media, said a press release.

At the event, NSC representatives presented their media plan to place specially crafted ads about Sikhs on national and local TV channels and websites. “This will help to educate Americans on the Sikh community and identity of wearing a turban and beard,” explained the organizers.

with thanks : indiawest : LINK : for details

Australian Sikh community outraged over smoking cartoon

Canberra: Sikhs in Australia have expressed outrage after a daily published a cartoon of a Sikh man smoking a cigar, a media report said on Friday. 

"You would never see a person of Sikh faith smoking -- not even a cigarette, let alone a cigar, so it just seems out of context," Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) quoted the executive producer of its Punjabi programme Manpreet K Singh as saying.

"Obviously people who follow the religion feel outraged about it," she added.

The cartoon was published in the Herald Sun on Thursday.

with thanks : Zee News : LINK : for details

SGPC to Sikh boys: Wear turban if you want to be Mr Singh

Wearing a dastaar or a turban has its uses. That distinct Sikh identity, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is telling young Sikhs in schools across the state, will help them stay away from drugs, earn them “respect” in society every time they are addressed as “Mr Singh”, increase their height and keep them away from “infectious diseases” that spread through visits to the hairdresser.

Since December 2014, more than 100 preachers of the Amritsar-headquartered SGPC, the apex representative body of Sikhs that is dominated by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), have visited at least 1,000 schools across the state, “counselling” the patit or “fallen” Sikhs to start following Sikhism’s tenets and stop cutting their hair. As part of an ongoing drive called Sikhi Saroop Mera Asli Roop (Being Sikh is my real identity), SGPC preachers say they have identified 14,000 Sikh youths in Punjab who have cut their hair and who, they believe, need to be counselled against this deviation from faith.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK : for detailed news.

Secure the future of your loved ones with MyLife+

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Sewa of Whitewash of Shri Anandpur Sahib begins on 9th May 2015

To commemorate 350^th years of setting up of the holy city of Shri Anandpur Sahib, the work for its white washing would begin on May 9. The president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK who held a meeting with the religious organisations, representatives of prominent Sikh organisations, Sant Samaj, and prominent Sikh personalities to perform the sewa today announced the decision of beginning of sewa on May 9.

GK reiterated that the DSGMC would once again lead the Sikh organisations in performing the sewa which it did in year 1999 to commemorate tercentenary of the Khalsa panth. Speaking on the occasion, GK said that it is a matter of pride for the Sikh sangat of Delhi to perform sewa on the land of birth of Khalsa and DSGMC and the Sikhs of Delhi would perform the sewa whole heartedly.  

Sant Samaj and the panthic organisations assured all support to the DSGMC to carry out sewa at Shri Anandpur Sahib.

General Secretary of DSGMC Manjinder Singh Sirsa on the occasion announced of taking out a Nagar kirtan from Gurdwara Shri Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi to Shri Anandpur Sahib on June 14. Sirsa said that after stopover during night at Shri Fatehgarh Sahib the Nagar Kirtan would reach Shri Anandpur Sahib on June 15.

Former Jathedar of Shri Akal Takht Jasbir Singh Rode, Baba Lakha Singh represented Baba Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib, Baba Satnam Singh representing Kar Sewa Baba Bachan Singh, Sant harvidner Singh of Goniana mandi, and Bhai  Gurmeet Singh form Namdhari Samparday were also resent in the meeting who assured to take active part in the sewa. Sant Amritpal Singh of Gurdwara Tikana Sahib in Delhi, and Baba Bhuriwalae has also assured support to this endeavour. Former president of DSGMC Avtar Singh Hit, and members Kulmohan Singh, Kulwant Singh Bath and Paramjeet Singh Rana were also present. 

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Sikhs should explain meaning of turban to Americans, says US lawmaker

Sikhs need to explain to Americans the significance of the turban, the most visible sign of their identity, an influential US lawmaker has said, amid reports that a majority of children wearing turbans are bullied in schools.

Congresswoman Judy Chu, founder and vice-chair of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, said despite the fact that Sikhs have been woven into the fabric of American culture for more than a century, there is a need to educate Americans about it, PTI reported.

Chu was speaking at the Capitol Hill this week after receiving a report on Sikhs in America from the National Sikh Campaign (NSC). The report has been prepared by Geoff Garin, head of the Hart Research Associates. The most significant finding here is that most Americans do not know much about the Sikh community, Chu said.

Chu said that though it is disappointing, it can also be a positive because it can be a way to educate people about Sikhs. It's an opportunity to tell your neighbours about why Sikhs wear turbans and have long beards and that these are articles of a loving and peaceful faith.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sikhs-america-turban-congress-lawmaker-judy-chu/1/43

Nepal Relief Team Bringing Medical Assistance to Those Most Vulnerable, Much More Needed...

Kathmandu, Nepal – The people of Nepal are still suffering after an earthquake of 7.8 magnitudes shook the country to its core, killing more than 5,500 people, and leaving thousands without water, shelter and medical aid, especially those living in remote areas who are famished and sick because of the lack of aid.

UNITED SIKHS Nepal Relief Team consisting of Dr. Harmeet Singh, physician in charge of Emergency and Urgent Care at the Moolchand hospital in New Delhi, Dr. Amarjeet Singh, working in Radiology Department at GB Pant Hospital in Srinagar and Dr.Rishab Koirala, from a local teaching hospital of Nepal are on the ground. The team is completed with the presence of another 10 volunteers and medical technicians.

Overview of medical assistance provided by the team within a week -

• First medical camp was set up in Bhimatra in Sindhupal Chowk area almost 120 km from Kathmandu. The team had to walk 10 km on foot to reach this village. Around 80 patients were provided medical aid there.
• Multiple medical camps have been held around the Raviholi area with the team visiting 6 villages and nearly 200 patients have been provided with medical assistance.

Type of injuries our doctors and medical team have been attending to -

• trauma (lacerated wounds, abrasions, infected wounds, fractures)
• shortness of breath
• musculoskeletal pain
• diarrhoea
• acute gastroenteritis
• heath concerns for pregnant women
• fever
• upper respiratory tract infections
• joint pains
• allergies
• oral ulcers
• anxiety disorders

Dr. Harneet Singh said: “I want to contribute to humanity. I love helping people, and since I am a doctor, I know the value of life”. Dr. Amarjeet Singh shares “I’m not just a doctor, but a sevadar. I want to help medically and give the best in terms of medical relief.”

We would like to thank all our supporters who have donated towards the mission from the beginning. Your support has reached hundreds in need of medical assistance already and we are committed to providing medical aid to many more. Our doctors are willing to walk long distances to ensure medical aid reaches all. We hope you will walk with us and continue to donate. If you have not had a chance to donate yet, please click below.

WHAT’S NEEDED? People have lost basic life necessities of food, shelter and clothing.

1. The ground team has assessed need for 600 tents and floor covering. Each tent can house 30-40 people. Total cost is Rs 18,50,000/ USD 29,000/ GBP 19,200.
2. The below list of basic medicines and many more are needed so aid can be provided. Plan is to ship medicine worth Rs 32,00,000/ USD 50,000/ GBP 32,800
3. Cost for 3 tonnes of food is Rs 21,35,000/ USD 33,500/ GBP 22,500
4. Distribution and field transportation cost- Rs 10,00,000/ USD 15,700/ GBP 10,500
5. Volunteer field cost- Rs 3,00,000/ USD 4700/ GBP 3100

ANTACIDS -TAB Pantocid 200 -Rantac 200 -Domperidone 200	MATERIAL -Needle (2,0.3, 0.4,0) 100 -Gloves 200 -Masks 200 -Needle Holders 10 -Scissors 10	PAINKILLER/ ANALGESICS -TAB Dickifenac 200 -Paracetamol 300 -Flexon 300 Combiflame 200
SURGICAL -Gauzes 500 -Bandages 500 -Betadine Liquids 5litre 20 bottles -INJ TT 500 -ORS Sachets 500	ANTIBIOTICS -TAB Amoxycillin 200 -Ciprofloxacin 100 -Ceflxime 100 -SYP Ciprofloxacin 200 -SYP Amoxicillin 200 -SYP Ceflixime 200	OINTMENTS - Diclofenac 100 - Betadine 100 - Neosporin 50

The team has set up a medical relief supplies base camp at the DDA, Community Hall, Gujjar Diary, Gautam Nagar, New Delhi - 49, near the Green Park Metro station. All medical supplies will be transported to Nepal with our volunteers.

Our cargo costs are minimal as our base camp is set up in New Delhi, in close proximity to the disaster area.

Special Thank You

• The Prerna Social Development & Welfare Society who have kindly allowed us to use their complex as our medical base camp.
• Spice Jet for 3 tonnes of charge free cargo and excess baggage fee waiver.
• Datawind for the tablets for field work and communication by the medical team.

Issued By:
Gurvinder Singh
UNITED SIKHS Aid Director
contact@unitedsikhs.org

Baisakhi Mela at Sint-Truiden,Belgium

 





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