Wednesday, March 18, 2009

London gurdwara gutted in suspected racist attack

Press Trust Of India
London, March 18, 2009

One of London's most important gurdwara, housing priceless religious books, has been gutted in a suspected racist attack in Britain, a news report said on Tuesday.
Eye-witnesses on Tuesday said a man, who entered the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat in East London, managed to escape just before flames were first seen.
9-million-pound gurdwara coming up in UK town
A group of women, who had spotted the intruder, tried to put out the raging flames in one of the holiest parts of the gurdwara, which was built at Bow in 1979.
Most of the gurdwara's roof collapsed and worshipers fear all but one of its eight holy books have been destroyed, The Evening Standard newspaper said on Tuesday.
Eye-witnesses described the suspected arsonist as being black or mixed-race. A worshiper said he had noticed racist graffiti on one of the gurdwara's outer walls in the past few weeks.
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A criminal investigation has been launched and police and fire investigators are treating the blaze as suspicious.
The building, which dates back to 1854 was formerly a synagogue and before that a chapel. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that 75 per cent of the building and the roof had been damaged by the fire.
"Police are treating this incident as suspicious," a Metropolitan police spokesman was quoted as saying by the British daily.

with thanks Hindustan times & PTI, London

Thousands of Sikhs throng Ram Rai Gurudwara in Dehradun

Thousands of Sikhs throng Ram Rai Gurudwara in Dehradun
Dehradun, Mar 16 (ANI): Thousands of Sikh devotees are thronging the Ram Rai Gurudwara in Dehradun for the annual ‘Jhanda Mela’ or the flag fair.
The two-day festival takes place after ‘Holi’.
The fair begins with the flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the birthday of Guru Ram Rai. People from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh throng the fair.
"The Sikhs come here from across the country. It is believed that whoever comes here to offer prayers, their wishes are fulfilled. This is the reason why the number of people thronging this shrine is increasing every year," said R.K Juyal, a coordinator at the fair.
The devotees said the shrine holds a special place in their heart for it fulfils all their wishes.
"I had come here way back in 1991. I am lucky that I have got a chance to visit it once again in this life time. I have come here to pray for peace in my family," said Kartar Singh, a devotee.
The shrine named after Ram Rai, the seventh Sikh Guru was established in the 17th century in Dehradun.
With thanks : Ashish Goel (ANI)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Khalsa mero roop hai khaas - a slide show presentation.

Khalsa mero roop hai khaas - a slide show presentation can now be viewed
on www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com as well the sikh portal www.sohnijodi.com.
Best regards
SikhsIndia

World record broken : over 25000 donate blood at Anandpur sahib.

Sikhs have shattered the earlier record of blood donation, any where in the world. Sikhs crossed 20000 & touched 25000 Units, way ahead of the last record of 13000 units in a single day. Thanks to the Akal Takht and SGPC which organised such a massive blood donation camp.
This blood will save the life of thousands of persons. More details will be uploaded soon.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Khalso mero roop hai khas - a beautiful slide show presentation

SikhsIndia has launched a beautiful slide show presentation : KHALSO MERO ROOP HAI KHAS. It has been uploaded on our blog. Just click on the widget and when it opens, just read n click to view next slide of the complete presentation. We will anxiously wait for your valued comments.

Its also being mailed to the sikh database with SikhsIndia with a request to download, view and forward to friends and relatives. If you wanna view the presentation, please mail us a request and we will be more than pleased to forward you a copy.

Best regards
Team
http://www.sohnijodi.com/
http://www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com/
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sikhsindia

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Akal Takht accuses Sidhu of hurting Sikh sentiments

Akal Takht accuses Sidhu of hurting Sikh sentiments
5 Mar 2009, 2202 hrs IST, PTI


AMRITSAR: After spinner Harbhajan Singh, it was the turn of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu to earn the ire of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, which today accused him of taking part in "yagna" and wearing a thread across his body and allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs. The Akal Takht asked BJP MP Sidhu to come out with an apology to it "to pacify the anger of Sikh community before the situation could turn more serious". Akal Takht Jathedar Gyani Gurbachan Singh said numerous complaints were received at Akal Takht against Sidhu alleging he had committed acts which were against the practice of Sikh community and hurting Sikh sentiments. Jathedar said a complaint received by the Akal Takht said Sidhu, along with his party activist district-level BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna, took part in a "havan yagna" held at the residence of Punjab cabinet Minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla. Jathedar alleged 'Divya Joyti Jagran Sansthan' was behind the 'yagna' at Chawla's residence and Akal Takht considered "this organization as anti-Sikh since it had indulged in blasphemous acts for a long time against Sikhs".
with thanks : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Thursday, March 5, 2009

where are we heading for - a wake up call for the Sikh Community


In Punjab the Turban is disappearing fast. Upto 90% of sikh families in Punjab have atleast a couple of members without a turban. Trimming of beards has become a fashion. In all the cities of India and in every part of Punjab, we can find the sikh youth with trimmed beards. Nearly 70% of youth in Punjab are in the grip of Drugs. This menace is blooming amongst the children and in a rapid manner, threatening the life of the youth of the State of Punjab. The sex ratio in Punjab is not improving inspite of best efforts of various organisations. Even the holy city Amritsar has 818 girls for 1000 boys, resulting into polygamy. May i ask from the Sikh leaders, Sikh politicians, Sikh masses that where are we heading for. Isn't it a wake up call for the sikh community. Please give it a serious thought and mail us your most valued comments.


Best Regards


SikhsIndia




Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Sikh Heritage Gallery at Santa Barbara Museum

Sikh Heritage Gallery at Santa Barbara Museum
Tuesday, 03.03.2009, 06:24am (GMT-7)
India Post News ServiceSANTA BARBARA: Over 400 people got together to celebrate the opening of the Sikh Heritage Galleryat the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Bhupinder Kaur emceed the event. It began with Shabad Kirtan by Bhai Sarabjit Singh and his Jatha. Museum Executive Director Karl Hutterer was the first to speak. "When Dr. Paul Michael Taylor, Director of the Smithsonian called asking if we'd like the exhibit, I jumped at the chance," he saidFollowing Hutterer was Sikh Heritage Foundation co-founder Dr. Sohan Singh Chaudhury. Chaudhury emphasized the importance of the exhibition as it aims to clear many misconceptions on Sikhs and Sikh religion. "We are not an off-shoot of Hinduism, or some minor religious cult. We are the world's fifth major religion, and our ethnicity cannot be separated from that religion." Other luminaries that addressed the gathering include S Surinder Singh, Dr Narinder Singh Kapany, Bibi Ji Bai Sahiba Inderjeet Kaur, to mention a few. The program ended with breathtaking Bhangra and Giddha by So Cal students.The gallery was packed with a wide range of items. Ancient swords and other artifacts stood next to modern paintings of and by Sikhs, and vintage pics of Sikh soldiers during the First World War, pictures paintings and models of Sri Harmandir Sahib along with a host of religious and cultural paraphernalia. However, one does feel that it is a little incomplete. There is not a whole lot on contemporary Sikhs e.g. Sikh professionals, entrepreneurs, the role of Sikhs in India's military, Sikh Generals, Admirals and fighter pilots. The gallery could do a little more to demonstrate the Sikh success story in greater detail.The entire event was at no charge to the public. A free show, in effect but the value of the event was priceless. The exhibition will be there till early May.

with thanks : indiapost.com & Mr. JS Bedi

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Sohnijodi a sikh web portal crosses 10,00,000 hits


We are pleased to say THANKS to our most valued visitors, as just with your support, we crossed the milestone of 10,00,000 hits on our sikh web portal http://www.sohnijodi.com/.
Please mail us your most valued comments as well suggestions.
Best Regards
SikhsIndia




Saturday, February 28, 2009

Punjab : Golden Temple, Amritsar, House of God


Punjab: Golden Temple, Amritsar
Wed, Feb 25 09:57 AM
If it takes your breath away during the day, watch out for its reflection in the water at night. A visit to this temple, that's resounding with gurbani, is an amazing experience
You might have read about it several times and seen it in movies as well, but when you reach the spot your reaction will still be of awe. Made of marble and enveloped in a patina of gold, glistening in the sharp sun, a mere glimpse of the Golden Temple is a stunning sight to behold.
For Sikhs there is no place as sacred as this beautiful and serene temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib, meaning House of God. It contains the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest literature for Sikhs, which is always worshipped here.
Rising from amidst the water contained in the tank, which is believed to have been dug by Guru Ram Das, the temple has a spectacular backdrop as well. Inside the compound, there are many other shrines dedicated to Sikh gurus and martyrs. The holy book is read continuously and it is peaceful to just sit there for some time and listen to the chants. The Golden Temple is also an oasis of sharing and spirituality. The langar dishes out mouth-watering vegetarian food for thousands of devotees. Even if you don't have a sweet tooth you will develop one, after tasting the kara prasad that's oozing with ghee. It is said that anyone who comes to the temple, no matter what religion they belong to, is never turned away on an empty stomach. While you are wandering the streets of Amritsar don't forget to taste the famous kulcha chhole and Amritsari fish.
Major attractions: Baisakhi, in April, is the best time to visit the temple. It marks the beginning of a new year for Sikhs. The temple is lit up, and thousands of devotees take a holy dip and offer prayers here
Getting there: Fly to Amritsar from any metro city. From the airport it will take you about one hour to reach the temple. Plenty of trains ply to Amritsar.

Text courtesy: India Today Travel Plus
Thanks to : in.yahoo.com