The World's First Sikh Supermodel?

The difference a year makes. One year ago, Hoboken-area Sikh entrepreneur Hansdip Bindra made the news as a victim of a bias crime when a fellow bar-goer demanded he remove his turban, and, when he wouldn't, knocked it off for him. Fast forward one year and another Sikh entrepreneur-turned-media darling, Sonny Caberwal, is being hailed for his ability to flaunt yellow, pink and green turbans with panache in campaigns for Kenneth Cole and GQ.

News outlets such as the UK Telegraph are anointing him as "the world's only Sikh professional model." Is he?

I doubt it. The Sikh community is a strong (and apparently fashionable) one, and Sikh models abound within the community if you know where to look.

But if you don't, or prefer not to see them, such as the people behind major fashion runways who specialize in one-color-fits-all fashion shows, then Sonny Caberwal (now signed to modeling agency BOSS) can seem like a wonder.

Let's hope he's not a one-hit wonder.

with thanks : source : http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/blog/2009/04/did-gq-unveil-the-worlds-first.html

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Taliban action against Sikhs not surprising: US

Taliban action against Sikhs not surprising: US

Washington, May 1 (PTI) Terming the Taliban as "ruthless killers," the US today said the action initiated by them against the minority Sikh community in Pakistan's tribal region was not surprising provides all the more reason to rid the region of extremists.
"I've heard reports about that. It doesn't surprise me. I mean, these are ruthless killers, the Taliban," State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters at his daily press briefing when asked about Taliban's demand for "Jizya" from Sikhs in Pakistan's tribal regions forcing them to leave their homes.

"They (the Taliban) will do anything they can to upset Pakistan's and Afghanistan's fragile democracies," he said.

Taking note of the reports, New Delhi today summoned a diplomat of Pakistan High Commission to register its concern over the development.

"As I said, I've heard these reports. They're not surprising. This is why it's important that we, the international community, cooperate in trying to rid this region of these extremists. And the sooner we can accomplish that mission, the better," Wood told reporters. PTI

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/444513B2635A3F8F652575A90063182F?OpenDocument

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Gursikh boys & girls for marriage

Its really difficult now a days to locate a Gursikh boy or girl for marriage. We understand the problems being faced by sikhs overseas. But the fact is that even in India, sikhs are facing the similar problems.

Therefore, we have decided that now onwards we will allow the Gursikh boys & girls to add the matrimonial profile on our sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com absolutely free. Its a fast upcoming sikh web portal with a rising percentage of hits from all over the world. It can be the best source to be used for locating the life partners and that too absolutely free.

Please log on to the sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com and mail the matrimonial profiles with or without pics for uploading. In the service of our sikh community.

Best Regards

SikhsIndia
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India conveys concern to Pak over harassment of Sikhs

India conveys concern to Pak over harassment of Sikhs

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Taking serious note of Sikhs being driven away from their homes by Taliban in Pakistan's northwest region, India today conveyed its concerns to Islamabad over the treatment meted out to the minorities in that country.
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a diplomat of Pakistan High Commission here to register its unhappiness over the development. Indian High Commission in Islamabad also conveyed similar views to Pakistan Foreign Office there.

"On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subjected to 'Jaziya' (taxes) and other such impositions, the government of India has taken up with Pakistan the question of treatment of minorities with the government of Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said here.

Reports from Aurakzai said Taliban had imposed 'Jaziya' (protection tax imposed on non-Muslims under Shariah law) and destroyed houses of 11 Sikh families who failed to pay the huge tax of Rs 50 million each till April 29 when the deadline expired.

Sources said India conveyed its concerns over the treatment meted out to Sikhs by Taliban in Pakistan's troubled Aurakzai tribal region saying it was a "serious matter".

Pakistan government has the responsibility of ensuring safety and security of Sikhs who are a minority community in that country, they said. PTI

with thanks : source : PTI

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Gurbani anywhere

What is Gurbani Anywhere?

GA is a free to use Gurbani application, which has been designed using modern programming techniques to enable fast and efficient methods to search & display Gurbani, on a truly mobile platform.

The Present & future?
Initially we decided to launch GA on Windows Mobile as our target platform, and have now successfully released Version 2.0, which should hopefully keep all you Windows Mobile users happy for a while, especially as it now includes Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaaran.

As we all know the variety of platforms vary from device to device, and not everyone will own a Windows Mobile device, we are now allocating more time and effort on developing versions for the following platforms:

Google Android
Symbian - This will support the majority of Nokia devices
Apple iphone & itouch

GA Windows Mobile Edition - Version 2.0 Release
Features:

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji
Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran
Baba Nand Lal Ji Kabits - Coming Soon!
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Word Dictionary & Meanings - Coming Soon!
Mahan Kosh - Coming Soon!
Search:

Auto search - automatically searches as you type
Manual search option - for less powerful devices
Multiple search methods
Random shabad option - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji only
Open Ang - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji only
Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji Quicklist - index of paaths
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Quicklist - index of a few paaths
Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran Quicklist - index of vaars
User Interface:

Multiple tabbed view - able to view multiple shabad and ang.
Gurmukhi keyboard
Special functions:

Auto scroll - set auto scroll speed to scrolldown shabad.
Favorites - save your favorite shabads
Customize options
Search settings
Personalize text font, colour and size
Fixes: Keyboard display on devices with higher resolutions such as HTC Touch Pro fixed.

Thanks!
Notice: We are only human, so please forgive any mistakes, bugs or issues. We would greatfully appreciate all feedback to help improve mistakes and software bugs. Thank you!

with thanks : source : gurbanianywhere.com

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Taliban seize houses, shops of Sikhs in Orakzai

Taliban seize houses, shops of Sikhs in Orakzai

HANGU: Taliban on Wednesday forcibly occupied three houses and 10 trade centres belonging to Sikhs in Orakzai Agency for not paying jizia, a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic law. A few days ago, the local Taliban had asked Sikh families living in the agency to pay jizia amounting to Rs 50 million, which was later reduced to Rs 15 million after negotiations. They had set a deadline to pay the amount. Taliban occupied Sikhs houses and business centres in Samma Feroz Khel, Qasim Khel and Chirat areas after the deadline expired. Sources said the Taliban also burnt three trade centres belonging to the Sikh community. Around 15 Sikh families have left their ancestral villages and have taken refuge in Minni Khel area of the agency. staff report.

with thanks : source : http://www.dailytimes.com.pk

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PM no sikh says SGPC chief Makkar - Please mail your valued comments.

"You have read the detailed news PM No Sikh, says SGPC cheif Makkar" in our blog. Now we request you to mail us your most valued comments on this issue for uploading on our blog as well our sikh web portal.

Regards

SikhsIndia
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'Non-Sikh' PM comment has Punjab politics fired up

'Non-Sikh' PM comment has Punjab politics fired up


Chandigarh, April 28: What the Congress could not do in Punjab - making Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's credentials as the first Sikh PM an issue - the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and the ruling Akali Dal have done.

Remarks by SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar at political rallies for the Akali Dal and alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that "Manmohan Singh is not a Sikh as he has done nothing for the community" have given a new direction to politics in the run-up to the two-phase poll on May 7 and 13 for Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha seats.

It has given the Congress a stick to beat the Akalis with and has put the Akali Dal on the defensive.

Makkar, who is best known in Punjab's political and religious circles as a mouthpiece of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal-dominated Akali Dal, heads the SGPC - the mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs that manages Sikh shrines in the state.

As Makkar's remarks turned out to be immensely controversial, the SGPC president changed his stance from "PM is not a Sikh" to "PM is not a true (or good) Sikh".

Ironically, Makkar sat next to the prime minister when Manmohan Singh visited Amritsar's 'Harmandar Sahib' (popularly known as Golden Temple), the holiest of Sikh shrines, just a month ago for a thanksgiving prayer after a successful heart surgery.

Makkar remained seated next to the same "non-Sikh" for a good 30 minutes while the prime minister, with his eyes closed, listened to hymns and prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum.

"What sewa (service) has he done for Sikhi (Sikhism)? We don't want a Sikh PM like this. The list of Manmohan Singh's failures is long. From past experience, we would not like to have any Sikh on the top post as prime minister or president. Even Giani Zail Singh (India's first Sikh president) failed when it came to Sikh issues," Makkar reportedly said.

The outburst from Makkar came during rallies where he said that the prime minister failed to fulfil any of the 20 points raised by the SGPC.

The SGPC chief's remarks against Manmohan Singh's religious beliefs have not only given the Congress a handle to beat the Akalis with but have left the Akali Dal on the defensive.

Chief Minister Badal and Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal have refrained from supporting Makkar.

A calculated Badal senior said: "We don't want a Congress prime minister. It is a non-issue whether the PM is a Sikh or not. Our fight is political and not directed against any person. He (Manmohan Singh) is an honourable person. I have great regard for him."

Badal senior had got continuous prayers organised at the Golden Temple for the speedy recovery of the prime minister when he underwent heart surgery in New Delhi in January.

Sikh leader and SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta termed Makkar's remarks "politically immature".

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira called the outburst a "smear campaign". "He (Makkar) does not have a mind of his own and blindly follows the Akalis. Manmohan Singh's leadership is internationally acclaimed, even by President Barrack Obama," former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said.

IANS

with thanks : http://www.zeenews.com/news527271.html

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Apply Gujarat riot case principle to Sikh riots case: PIL in SC

Apply Gujarat riot case principle to Sikh riots case: PIL in SC
29 Apr 2009, 0138 hrs IST, TNN

NEW DELHI: A day after Supreme Court directed a Special Investigation Team probe into the alleged role of chief minister Narendra Modi in the 2002
post-Godhra communal carnage, a PIL sought to draw a parallel between the Gujarat riots and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots seeking parallel treatment by the judiciary.

The petition filed by advocate M S Butalia said the Supreme Court has handled the Gujarat riot cases with singular motive to bring to book the alleged perpetrators of the mayhem and requested it to take up the hundreds of anti-Sikh riots cases pending in various courts for 25 years without there being any justice to the victims and their families.

The PIL, filed through advocate Harshvir Pratap Singh, was also categoric that pendency of the anti-Sikh riot cases for 25 years made a mockery of the criminal justice system that should equally protect the victims and the right of the accused for a speedy trial.

If the accused are guilty, they should be punished or else they be let off, the PIL said while seeking an independent probe into the anti-Sikh riot cases on the line similar to one being conducted by SIT under ex-CBI director R K Raghavan into the Gujarat riot cases.

Referring to the infamous Best Bakery case and the judgment in it, the PIL petitioner said the SC had laid down several guidelines regarding the trial, which was transferred to Mumbai, to be conducted in a free and fair manner.

Butalia in his petition pleaded that after a free and fair investigation into the anti-Sikh riot cases, the trial should be conducted by public prosecutors appointed in consultation with the families of the victims.

The Supreme Court had on Monday ordered a SIT probe into the alleged role of chief minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, BJP MLAs, VHP leaders including Praveen Togadia, and top police officials and bureaucrats on the basis of a complaint filed by Jakia Nasim Ahesan Jaffri, widow of ex-Congress MP Ehsan Jaffri who was killed by a rampaging mob at Gulbarg Society in 2002.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Apply-Gujarat-riot-case-principle-to-Sikh-riots-case-PIL-in-SC/articleshow/4460532.cms

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Silent vote that may tilt Punjab

Manish Tiwari, Hindustan Time
Bathinda, April 28, 2009

Dera Sacha Sauda extended its support to the Congress in the 2007 Assembly election. The Congress’ showing improved and it won 18 seats with the Dera’s help. The group has again come to haunt the ruling Akali Dal.

True that the Dera has run into trouble since that time. The Dera chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is caught in a controversy and is facing a CBI probe. But, still it still remains a major factor that could influence the poll outcome in the state.

The Dera, a centre for spiritual learning based in Sirsa, has a strong following among the farmers and dalits in the Malwa region of Punjab and parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal.

In 2007, the Akalis lost a majority of seats in the Malwa region, considered as its traditional stronghold. The shocker was due to Dera followers voting en-masse for the Congress. The Akalis haven’t forgotten or forgiven the Dera even as the region prepares for the May 7 ballot.

The Akalis are also a worried lot. Even SAD president and Punjab’s deputy CM Sukhbir Badal (47), who was perceived to be spearheading a campaign against the Dera, likes to avoid questions on the issue. “Please don’t ask me this question…it’s between the Dera and SGPC,” he says.

Akali's worries spring from their running animosity with the Dera, which has been at the receiving end of Sikh bodies after the sect chief allegedly imitated Guru Gobind Singh two years ago. After the controversy, the Dera followers — mostly dalits — were frequently attacked by Sikh groups, and subjected to humiliation and police action.

In Punjab, the followers have been keeping a grudge against the SAD-BJP government, especially Sukhbir Badal who is seen as spearheading a campaign against them.

But the “enraged” followers are unlikely to vote for the ruling party unless the Dera chief himself asks them to do so.

Politicians who are aware of the Dera influence have already started making a beeline at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. Among those who recently paid a visit to the Dera included former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Haryana minister Randeep Surjewala and CM Om Prakash Chautala’s son Abhay Chautala, besides some Lok Sabha candidates such as Congress nominee for Bathinda Raninder Singh, Sangrur Congress pick Vijay Inder Singla.


with thanks : source : www.hindustantimes.com

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Visually challenged Rashpal Kaur's Gatka Performance in Dance India Dance show

with thanks : source : amritsarovar.com & mrsikhnet.com

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