Indian turban makes it big in German fashion

by Neeraja Ganesh

NEW DELHI, April 2 (Xinhua) -- In a first of its kind, a turbaned Indian American Sikh named Sonny Caberwal who is in India these days, has become the international face of the prestigious German men's magazine GQ.
Turbans, even if worn as symbol of Indian religion Sikhism, is in some nations, including Germany, associated with Osama bin Laden, where Sikhs have been targeted in hate attacks after the September 11 attack.
However, the 30-year-old Sikh has been featured in GQ's style Germany Spring Summer-2009.
He will go down as a "footnote in history for being a stereotype buster," the newspaper the Mail Today noted Thursday.
"It's not about me, but about Sikh identity and about our culture and traditions being shown in a positive light to people around the world," the Mail Today quoted Caberwal as saying in Mumbai.
Caberwal has received hundreds of comments and e-mails from people around the world telling him how proud they were to see their own identity being represented positively.
Caberwal's portfolio was shot in Hamburg, Germany, in January.
Conde Nast, the publishers of CQ discovered Caberwal after he appeared in 25th anniversary ad of leading American fashion house Kenneth Cole in 2008.
The GQ collection was for formal wear but they thought using turbaned Sikh would be cool, Caberwal told Mail Today.
Although he has been lucky in modeling world, Caberwal says there are still some challenges for turbaned model to gain mainstream attention.
On the positive side, he says there is definite place for unique and interesting looks, and in the western world, the turbaned look falls in that category.
Among the Sikhs, the turban is an article of faith that represents honor, self-respect, courage, spirituality, and piety.
The Sikhs wear the turban partly to cover their long, uncut hair. The turban is mostly identified with the Sikh males, although some Sikh women also wear turban. The Sikhs regard the turban as an important part of the unique Sikh identity.
The turban has been an important part of the Sikh culture since the time of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The Sikh warriors, the Khalsa, wear turban, partly to cover their long hair, which is never cut, according to the wish of their last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Editor: Fang Yang
with thanks : http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/02/content_11120758.htm

Sikhs who wear turbans and have unshorn hair

Sikhs who wear turbans and have unshorn hair are regularly decreasing in numbers. The shocking trends can be verified by standing at the gates of any gurudwara worldwide. Please view our slide show presentation : Khalso mero roop hai khaas on the left side of this page. Looking forward for your valued comments on the decreasing numbers.
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shrinking number of young Sikhs who wear turbans and have unshorn hair

The rapidly shrinking number of young Sikhs who wear turbans and have unshorn hair has alarmed many in this religious minority of 20 million. Although there are no formal surveys, community groups say that only 25 percent of Sikhs younger than 30 follow the practice. Many young Sikhs say the daily tedium of combing and tying up their long hair and a desire to assimilate are pushing them to give up the turban, a sacred symbol of a religion founded in the 15th century.
read complete report as & at :
A Ritual Slowly Unravels In India
Alarm Grows as More Sikh Youths Give Up Turbans
By Rama LakshmiWashington Post Foreign Service Sunday, March 29, 2009;
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/28/AR2009032801901.html with THANKS.

Anti-Sikh riots case: CBI files final report

Staff Reporter : हिंदू

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation filed the final report on the probe into a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case involving the former Union Minister, Jagdish Tytler, in a court here on Saturday।
He is now the Congress candidate for North-East Delhi.
The CBI submitted the report in a sealed cover to Metropolitan Magistrate Ram Lal Meena. The court will consider the report on April 2.
The report was filed after the agency examined Jasbir Singh, a California-based witness, whom it earlier declared untraceable. The witness submitted an affidavit against Mr. Tytler before the Nanavati Commission, which went into the riots. Protesters gathered outside the court complex, shouting slogans against Congress leaders, including Mr. Tytler, demanding that the culprits be punished.
The Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the Centre was misusing the CBI to give Mr. Tytler a clean chit.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/29/stories/2009032960731400.htm
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Nishan-e-Sikhi tower - A ray of hope for youth

March 27th, 2009 by Varinder Walia

Khadur Sahib: Keeping in view the falling standards of education in Punjab and loss of life values elsewhere, the Nishan-e-Sikhi Charitable Trust under the patronage of the Baba Sewa Singh Kaar Sewa, Khadoor Sahib, thought out to provide attractive venues to students, teachers, preachers, professionals, sports people and the general public in the walk of life।

The Nishan-e-Sikhi tower under construction is in a four-acre land and is financially supported with donations by Thakral family and Sikh sangat. It will provide a bouquet of religious education, spiritual awareness, cultural understanding, historic information, vocational knowledge, national cohesion and entertainment options.

The exhibits and contents already prepared for museum and other directorates will be interesting and of great educative value in multiple fields to the competitors, researchers and other visitors.

In all, there will be eight directorates in the eight-story tower. A team of professionals is on the job to turn the projects into reality. The directorates will include Multimedia Sikh Museum, Training Institute for IAS, IPS and IFS; Olympic Training Institute For Sports, Bilingual Sikh Preachers Training Institute, Drug Therapist Training Institute, Environment Institute, Digital Library, and Play and Learn Institute for Children. All the directorates will be equipped with latest technology of the world so that youth could compete in the fast moving world.

Encouraged with the successful adventure of building up the future of progeny, it was further planned to erect the multi-storey educational centre with the name “Nishan-e-Sikhi” to prepare and help the youth in the different fields to compete in the fast moving world.

Khadoor Sahib is sanctified town now in district Tarn Taran. It was visited by eight Sikh Gurus. Gurmukhi alphabet was modified here by Guru Angad Dev who opened the first school of Gurmukhi lipi and started a planned campaign against drugs at this place.

To enhance the educational vision, Guru Angad Dev Multimedia Sikh Museum, first of its kind in the world, was set up by Dr Raghbir Singh Bains, social activist of Canada, at Khadur Sahib during the fifth centennial celebrations of the parkash utsav of Guru Angad Dev in 2004. Robotic and touch screen technology was used to educate masses about the Sikh religion, history, culture, philosophy and the Sikh way of life.

The projects scheduled for the Nishan-e-Sikhi tower have been planned very carefully and are expected to provide resources for educationists, learners and professionals to help better plan for the future of education in enhancing the job orientation and life values।

Thanks to : TribuneIndia.com

Sikhs protest prisoner's hair cut

19 Mar 2009, 0345 hrs IST, TNN
AJMER: The members of the Sikh community in Ajmer organized a protest march in the town on Wednesday and demanded the suspension of a jailer of the central jail who allegedly cut the hairs of an undertrail prisoner, Sukhvinder Singh. They warned of a bandh in Ajmer if justice was not done to the prisoner. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the gate of the dargah and marched towards the district headquarters. They were shouting slogans against the jail administration, demanding action against jailer Govind Singh. "This is a shocking incident which has hurt our religious sentiments and we would not allow this," said Guljeet Singh Chabra, a member of the community. "Even if he is a prisoner, he too has the right to practice religion," he added.' The protesters marched towards the collectorate demanding a high-level inquiry into the issue. "The state government should take action against the jail authorities so that such incidents are not repeated," said Narender Singh. "We are not interested in the rules of jail administration but hurting religious feeling is something against Constitution," added Avinash Singh Hura. "If justice is not done, we will call for an Ajmer bandh next week," said Narender Singh. A memorandum was given to the district magistrate demanding suspension of the jailer. Meanwhile, women members called a meeting in Hatibhata Gurdwara and decided that no one shall be allowed to interfere in religious practices. "Keeping hairs is something religious to a Sikh and cutting it is a sin," said Balvinder Kaur of Gurdwara. Meanwhile, deputy inspector general of police, Mukut Behari Purohit, who conducted an inquiry into the incident, submitted his report to the DGP on Wednesday.
With thanks : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Sant Daduwal, over 90 sent in judicial custody

NAVJEEVAN GOPAL Posted: Mar 18, 2009 at 0340 hrs IST

Bathinda: More than 90 Sikh activists, including Sant Samaj leader Baljit Singh Daduwal, who were arrested last night, have been sent in judicial custody till March 24.
The move is aimed at scuttling the proposed Dharam Yudh Morcha from Talwandi Sabo, in which radical Sikh bodies had decided to send 11-member squads of ‘marjeeve’ (persons ready to sacrifice their lives for religion) every Sunday to Salabatpura against dera activities.
First such squad was announced to head towards dera on March 22.
About 32 arrested radicals protested violently in the police vehicle, when they were being taken to Barnala jail, after which they were brought back to Bathinda jail.
Later in the day, Daduwal and eight others were taken by Faridkot police on production warrants in connection with an attempt-to-murder case registered yesterday following the clash between Sikh activists, led by Daduwal, and Faridkot police.
Those arrested by the Bathinda police included Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj chief Baljinder Singh and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha chief Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa.
Meanwhile, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh did not blame Faridkot police and the administration in the Bajakhana incident.
“They (Punjab government) did not interfere in the religious congregation of the Sikhs. The clash occurred when the congregation was over and Sikh activists were returning. It appears to be a personal clash with the police,” Jathedar Nandgarh said, while talking to The Indian Express over phone about the allegations of the state government’s involvement.
He later added that he had spoken to Sant Samaj leaders and jathedars and a meeting would be held shortly to discuss the issue. “We will discuss the reasons that led to the clash, who was responsible and what was the role of the police,” said Nandgarh.
About the proposed Dharam Yudh Morcha taking off from Talwandi Sabo, he said as per Sikh maryada, he was supposed to offer siropas to Panj Pyaras on that day. “The call for the morcha was given by various Sikh bodies and not me,” the Jathedar clarified.

with thanks : www.indianexpress.com

London gurdwara gutted in suspected racist attack

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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.
UK Indian wins racism case against Honda
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)