Harjinder Singh Kukreja : Ludhiana Restaurateur and chocolatier Crafts 40kg Chocolate Ganesha idols

When it comes to celebrating festivals in India, the differences of caste and faith dilute and people come together to create a strong bond of humanity. The same can be witnessed amidst Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations when people cutting across religious lines are showcasing their indulgence in the festivities. One among them is a Sikh restaurateur from Ludhiana city in Punjab whose Chocolate Ganesha is winning hearts.

                

 Harjinder Singh Kukreja has shared a video of chocolate Ganesh idols. The video shows  beautiful Ganesh idols made using nothing but chocolate.

This is our 5th consecutive year of making Chocolate Lord Ganesha. It took us 10 days, 10 chefs & 40 kgs of chocolate for the Chocolate Ganpati to be made. The intention is to inspire people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Eco-friendly ways! 

                           

The intention is to inspire people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Eco-friendly ways. The video shows two stunningly beautiful Ganesh idols made using nothing but chocolate.

He tweeted Even #COVID19 couldn’t stop our Chocolate Ganesha! Despite the pandemic, we continued our tradition for the 5th straight year. We will immerse the Ganpati idol in milk and distribute Chocolate Milk to underprivileged children".

                       

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1044931879?-2821:1035:latest_news#out

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Anannke Foundation Partners With DSGMC For 'Langar on Wheels' Amid COVID-19 Crisis

'Langar on Wheels' trucks carrying cooked meals from Gurdwaras in Delhi.

Anannke Foundation will continue supporting DSGMC programs with 10,000 kg of dry white rice every month and make sure no one goes hungry in the national capital Delhi while it fights the coronavirus pandemic.

In the program 'Langar on Wheels' trucks carrying cooked meals from Gurdwaras in Delhi are parked outside slums, government hospitals, old age homes, shelters, etc. and people queue up to get a free meal for themselves & their families.

'Langar on Wheels' is favourable for people who cannot make it to a Gurdwara or don't have one nearby.

In the fight against the COVID-19, one of the tools is social distancing which is not feasible inside the Gurdwaras hence the food is delivered to people directly while taking necessary precautions, till now DSGMC is been able to feed more than one crore people in Delhi.

"Rich people can stay home, as they have a store well-stocked with food, the vulnerable population that does not have savings to last even for a day are completely dependent upon external help as they are the hardest hit due to the pandemic. This is the need of the hour.

    Dr Malini Saba, Founder & Chairman, Anannke Foundation.

"I am confident this partnership will help people to overcome hunger and humanitarian crisis in this medical emergency," said Dr Malini Saba, Founder & Chairman, Anannke Foundation.

 Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.

"We promise Delhi; no one would sleep empty stomach; this generous support from the group will enhance our initiative towards feeding the needy and helpless in different parts of Delhi. We serve meals to all, regardless of caste, class, religion, gender, social or economic status or political consideration - especially at a time when it is most critical," said Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.

https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/anannke-foundation-partners-with-dsgmc-for-langar-on-wheels-amid-covid-19-crisis20200829121826/

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Corona Warrior : Amritsar Civil Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dies of Covid-19

                               Deceased Dr.Arun Sharma

“We can fought  the battle against Covid-19 only with bravery,”Dr.Arun Sharma had said.

https://www.facebook.com/sarkaridoctor/videos/780041919420233/

The viral video  on above link had shown Dr Sharma attempting to dance while sitting in bed at the hospital’s emergency ward with oxygen support attached.

Dr Arun Sharma, the senior medical officer (SMO) of Amritsar Civil Hospital, who featured in a viral video recently with a positive message on beating Covid-19 bravely, died on Sunday at a private hospital from the disease and underlying comorbidities. The 54-year-old doctor tested positive on August 18.

“Besides Covid-19, Dr Arun Sharma was suffering from heart ailments. Also, the virus had attacked his lungs. He was put on ventilator on Saturday but the doctors couldn’t save him despite best efforts. He passed away on 30th August Sunday morning”, said Dr Navdeep Singh, Amritsar civil surgeon

“Saddened to lose one of our hardworking Corona warrior Dr Arun who was SMO in charge Civil Hospital, Amritsar. He passed away this morning of heart attack and was also Covid-19 positive.

It’s sad to lose such a brilliant and committed doctor. Heartfelt condolences to his family,” the CM tweeted.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/amritsar-civil-hospital-senior-medical-officer-dies-of-covid-19/story-8G2ePm00kcx0foFTwZpPgK.html

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

 

Sonny Singh: Pyare Nu ~ Reimagines Sikh Kirtan as well as Sufi music

MITAR PYARE NU First Track on New Solo Album ‘Chardi Kala’

For over a decade, Sonny Singh has brought his fiery trumpet playing and lead vocals to audiences around the world in Red Baraat. An original member of the Brooklyn Bhangra outfit, he’s been able to globally connect with fans and share love and joy through his music.

Sonny Singh is taking the next step now, launching a solo project that re-imagines Sikh kirtan with boundary-defying Punjabi anthems to uplift and ignite. Named ‘Chardi Kala’ for the Sikh concept of revolutionary eternal optimism, the album is being produced by three- time Grammy winner WilDog Abers of Ozomatli, and represents a return to Sonny’s early Punjabi & Sikh roots, as seen now through the lens of his experiences over the course of his life as a touring musician, educator, and activist.

“Musically, this project embodies the many spiritual, political, and aesthetic elements that have shaped me,” Sonny explains. 

Sonny Singh’s live band, which includes harmonium, electric guitar, tabla, and drum set, provides listeners with an experience of both introspective reflection and fervent urgency.

Sonny Singh explains, “Every song has an original vibe to it, eclectic and unique, from a bolero-mariachi Sikh shabad on one track, to a qawwali song with a reggae bass line on another, then a bombastic Ghadar Party tribute in Punjabi and Spanish on yet another.”

It’s the first time anyone has ever done an album setting Sikh devotional songs to this style of music, a feat not lost on Sonny who recalls singing them in his childhood. Pioneering a fresh sound with a timeless message has made this solo project even more meaningful to the veteran musician, who considers his activism and work as a social justice educator part of his spiritual practice as well, upholding the Sikh values of tearing down oppression and fighting for justice.

https://www.sikhnet.com/news/mitar-pyare-nu-reimagines-sikh-kirtan-well-sufi-music

https://www.facebook.com/IAmSonnySingh

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Saka Nankana Shaib Centenary To Be Marked On Large Scale :Pakistan Offers 10,000 Visas To Sikhs For Participation.

After celebrating 550 Parkash Gurpurb of Sikh religion’s founder Guru Nanak Sahib, Pakistan is set to mark the centenary of Saka Nankana Sahib, a golden chapter of Sikh history related to the martyrdom of Sikhs, at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Sahib, where it took place, in February 2021.

The Pakistan government has offered the Sikhs, especially those who live in east Punjab and other states of India, 10,000 visas inviting them to the centenary functions.

Saka Nankana Sahib is the massacre that took place in Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib on 20 February 1921, at that time of British India, in modern-day Pakistan. More than 260 Sikhs were killed, the youngest of them being a little short of eight years, Sardar Darbara Singh, son of Sardar Kehar Singh, by the Mahant and his mercenaries.

The event forms an important part of Sikh history. In political significance, it comes next only to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 1919.

The saga constitutes the core of the Gurdwara Reform Movement started by the Sikhs in the early twentieth century.

Satwant Singh,a spokesperson of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which is the government body constituted to oversee the Hindu and Sikh shrines in Pakistan, told that the country was again keen to host the Sikh sangat on the centenary which would be observed with Sikh zeal to pay tribute to the Sikhs who attained martyrdom while fighting the corrupt Mahants during the British regime.

Pakistan Government has resolved to observe this centenary on a large scale and wants the Sikh sangat to ensure its participation in it with a large number.They have already started the planning for marking the centenary.

Inderjit Singh, another member of the PSGPC, said, “Our efforts of marking this centenary will be successful only if a maximum number of the Sikh devotees visit Nankana Sahib on the historic occasion and becomes its part. We especially appeal to the Indian government to allow the Sikhs to take part in the centenary functions. On our end, we will leave no stone unturned to host the Sikh sangat”.

Notably, the PSGPC is also celebrating Jyoti Jot Gurpurb of Guru Nanak at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, in Pakistan from September 20 to 22 this year. This will be first Jyoti Jot Gurpurb at the Sikh shrine, last resting place of the first Sikh Guru, after the opening of the corridor, visa-free access provided to Sikhs living in India to the shrine which is only four kilometers away from the international border.

The gurdwara body urged the Indian government to allow the Indian devotees to visit Kartarpur Sahib from September 20 to 22.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/08/29/saka-nankana-sahib-centenary-to-be-marked-on-large-scale-pakistan-offers-10000-visas-to-sikhs-for-participation/#.X0slwtwzbIU

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Bibi Gurvinder Kaur Vohra

 

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi.

 

Bala Pritam Dawakhana inaugurated at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi

 

Bala Pritam Dawakhana at Gurudwara Bangla sahib, Delhi

 

Mission Fateh Punjab : Captain Amarinder Singh Flags Off Corona Mobile Testing Clinic and Ambulance

Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh flagging off the corona mobile testing clinic and ambulance in Chandigarh.

MISSION FATEH PUNJAB With capacity to collect more than 1,000 samples a day, the ambulance will focus on testing facilities in far-flung and rural areas

The air-conditioned mobile unit, which has a separate ambulance zone to evacuate critical patients, was launched as part of the Mission Fateh Punjab initiative. An inside view of the mobile corona testing facility. 

Explaining features of the mobile clinic after donating it to Punjab, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, the chairman of Sun Foundation and the international president of World Punjabi Organisation, said that clinic is equipped with contact-less thermal testing and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab test facility.

            
The CM said that the mobile testing bus would cover remote areas and ensure residents have access to testing, needed to identify infected people and break the Covid chain.

At present, the state government has a capacity to conduct 24,000 tests a day and the target is to achieve 30,000 tests by next week.

State health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, principal secretary, health, Hussan Lal and Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, the special principal secretary to the CM, were present at the launch.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/captain-amarinder-singh-flags-off-corona-mobile-testing-clinic-and-ambulance/story-618ddtem8aSoxstbcVOKbP.html

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

Matter of Relocation of Shillong Sikhs

            Meghalaya government’s latest attempt to evict Dalit Sikhs from Harijan Colony located at the heart of state capital Shillong is all set to gain fresh momentum when a sub-committee headed by urban affairs minister Hamletson Dohling will submit its report to the High-Level committee formed by the state government to suggest measures for relocating the Sikh residents of the area.

     

The issue has raised heckles in Punjab with the Congress-led state government sending a delegation to Shillong last year under minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa to take up the matter with Meghalaya authorities. The Punjab government step was preceded by a visit to Shillong by a SGPC team from Amritsar who met Meghalaya Home Minister James Sangma and urged him to stop the attempts being made to “relocate” the Sikh residents of Harijan Colony.

According to Gurjit Singh, chief of Harijan Panchayat Committee and a spokesman of the Dalit Sikhs of Shillong’s Harijan Colony, the land in question was granted to a group of people (ancestors of the current residents) by the then tribal chief of the area more than 150 years back. Disregarding the history of the settlement, the Shillong Municipal Board and other official agencies are now asking for proof of individual ownership of the plots and ramshackle structures used by the Dalit Sikhs as residences.

So far the courts have always upheld the Sikhs’ right over the area.

The ancestors of Dalit Sikhs living in the colony had come primarily from Gurdaspur area of Punjab.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/meghalaya-panel-for-relocation-of-shillong-sikhs-to-submit-report-on-friday-132242?

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi