Have faith in fashion, for sake of religion

Have faith in fashion, for sake of religion
CITHARA PAUL

‘Cool’ turbaned look
New Delhi, June 30: For once, religion has turned to beauty pageants to make a point.

Sikh community leaders, alarmed by young males increasingly rejecting the turban and facial hair, are planning turban-tying contests and fashion shows to convey the message the turbaned look is “cool’’.

The Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) of Amritsar and humanitarian organisation Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj organised a pageant, Mr Singh International, this April. It was a low-key affair but later versions, planned in Punjab and Delhi, could see the participation of Bollywood stars.

The SGPC has declared April 13, the day of harvest festival Baisakhi, as International Sikh Turban Day.

“We are dismayed that more and more youths are refusing to grow their beard or wear the turban, which are sacred symbols of the Sikh religion,” said H.S. Hanspal, Sikh representative in the National Commission for Minorities.

According to Hanspal, many young Sikhs say that tying a turban every day, which may take up to 10 minutes, is too cumbersome for today’s world (although readymade turbans are available).

Other boys apparently fear becoming the “odd man out’’ and getting taunted by their peers. Many Sikh parents say they have stopped insisting their sons wear the traditional headgear.

Various Gurdwara Prabandhak committees, therefore, are planning to send volunteers to schools to teach boys how to tie the turban and carry it well, and to counsel them on the importance of wearing one and on how to stand up to hecklers. The minority commission will facilitate the effort.

The volunteers will have to convince the likes of Delhi student Rocky Singh, 17, who discarded the turban last year.

The headgear is no longer cool and “faith is deeper than a turban’’, the schoolboy said, adding his brother too shaved off his beard last year and his cousins had decided to do the same.

For the likes of Rocky, the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj has developed a software program, Smart Turban, that helps men pick a style that suits them. It has also opened two turban-tying schools in Amritsar with help from the SGPC.

Dalbeer Singh of the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee has called for a new fashion magazine.

“We need a Sikh fashion magazine to promote uncut hair, the beard and the turban as cool and clean. We should use persons like Manmohan Singh as role models,’’ he told The Telegraph.

One of the first people such a magazine may think of featuring is Paramdeep Singh, 23, first runner-up at Mr Singh International 2009. “I want to send a message that a complete Sikh is more handsome than those who trim or cut their hair,” Paramdeep said.

For Sikhs, the turban became a “robe of honour” around 1699, during the time of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, a scholar said.

Sikh turbans are different from other kinds but have their own variations. The commonest is the “peaked turban” Manmohan Singh wears. The length of the cloth varies from 6 to 8 metres, and the most popular colours are white, deep blue and saffron.

Sikh boys start wearing a keski (mini-turban) or patka at a very young age, often switching to the turban around the age of 12.

Religious leaders frown on the many Sikhs in showbiz who eschew the turban, such as singer Mika Singh and actors Kabir Bedi and Jimmy Shergill. There’s leniency, however, for boxers and wrestlers whose sport may be seen as incompatible with a turban or may stipulate the wearing of a helmet.

Still, the leaders say, Sikh sportsmen should wear at least a patka if possible, as former cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi used to do.

The kanga (comb), kara (bracelet), kirpan (sword) and kachehra (a special sort of shorts) are other requirements for a male Sikh, but the turban and Kesh (hair) are often seen as more integral to the tradition.

“Once a Sikh disobeys the tradition, he will become a patit (outcaste) Sikh,’’ Hanspal said.

He would be glad to hear about Anmol Saini, 24, who began “feeling bad” after shaving his beard last year. He is growing it back and has started sporting a turban again.

“Last year, I felt it was no longer fashionable, but now I don’t care. I’m happy the way I am now. Wearing a turban takes courage,’’ Saini said.

with thanks : source : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090701/jsp/frontpage/story_11180902.jsp

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal

Kalgidhar - a nice presentation - must view

Kalgidhar - a very nice presentation - must see - BUT may i request Mr Vikram Sahney with folded hands to please use the word "SINGH" in his name as Kalgidhar presentation without the word "Singh" has no meaning.

with best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Groups Decry Discrimination Against Sikhs in Schools

Groups Decry Discrimination Against Sikhs in Schools
by WNYC News
NEW YORK, NY June 30, 2009 —Some civic and community groups say the city's regulation to stop harassment in public schools, isn't working. A report released today by the Sikh Coalition and other groups says most students see no decrease in discrimination and bullying since Mayor Bloomberg signed the measure last year. The coalition's Sonny Singh says the city has yet to live up to its promises.

SINGH: What can I say? We're impatient. But why are impatient? Because we're hearing stories from our youth every day. Because Sikh youth are coming up to me in the gurdwaras and telling me "Someone called me a terrorist today, someone pulled off my turban today."

Marge Feinberg of the Department of Education says the agency followed the regulation's requirements, which include diversity training for staff and an e-mail address for students to report harassment. She says the DOE is currently analyzing this year's data on "bias-related incidents."

with thanks : source : http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/135575

SikhsIndia
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Manmohan and Obama best bet to run world: Indians

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri , Hindustan Times
New Delhi, July 01, 2009

Indians would like to have the world run by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama, going by an academic study of what the world thinks of 20 global leaders. Over 80 per cent of Indians are confident that either of them would “do the right thing in world affairs”.

Singh’s standing has jumped 30 percentage points with his own people since last year. He saw his standing unchanged in the five other Asian countries polled —except China. Chinese distrust for Singh jumped 16 percentage points. Less than a third expressed confidence in him. Stephen Weber of WorldPublicOpinion.org says last year’s Tibetan riots may have had an impact.

His poll victory probably drove the surge in India, he says. “Singh was riding a crest.”

One person who is in a trough is Pakistan’s Asif Ali Zardari who had the worst domestic ratings of any leader with 64 per cent of Pakistanis giving him a thumbs down.

Curiously, says Weber, Indians were among the most generous in rating foreign leaders, with positive ratings well above the global average. “Africans also have this tendency. Some countries are more forgiving...”

Unsurpisingly Obama was the frontrunner among world leaders. On average, 61 per cent of the non-Americans polled expressed confidence in him, roughly a half more than any other world leader.

The two least trusted world leaders are Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Globally, less than a third of people have confidence in their international behaviour. China’s Hu Jintao comes in third with a 32 per cent approval rating.

WorldPublicOpinion.org is collaborative effort of several research centres around the world and managed by the University of Maryland’s program on international policy attitudes. Says Premchand Palety of polling agency Cfore, “A poll like this, with a 1000-person sample in India, should be seen as an indicator rather than a definite measure.”

with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=2898301f-40e6-406f-84e3-a32f74ac750c&Headline=Manmohan+and+Obama+best+bet+to+run+world%3a+Indians

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Want to start a business? Try Ludhiana

HT Correspondent
New Delhi, July 01, 2009

If you want to start a business in India, which city would you choose?

The just-released World Bank report, Doing Business in India 2009, has an answer: Ludhiana. Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar were ranked second and third respectively by the report.

Delhi has been ranked sixth among the 17 cities that have been included in the report, while Kolkata is at the bottom of the table.

Dealing with construction permits, registering property, paying taxes, enforcing contracts, trading across borders and the ease of closing a business were the parametres on the basis of which the report was prepared.

The report added that the cities most conducive to business, where a unit can be started in the shortest possible time (in 30 days), are Mumbai and Noida. In terms of cost, it is least expensive to begin in Patna.

Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Indore, Ranchi, Guwahati, Kolkata and Kochi are some other places where setting up shop is easy.

Speaking at the release of the report, Industry Secretary Ajay Shankar said: “The timing of the report is just right because India is ready to take on any super power.”

The report also states that compared to economies worldwide, cities in India lag when it comes to closing a business and paying taxes.

with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-Business&id=ed359f51-c370-4012-8511-f486e7bb5c70&Headline=Want+to+start+a+business%3f+Try+Ludhiana

sikhsindia
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Sikh guru’s plume back home from Canada

Kuldeep Mann , Hindustan Times
Amritsar, July 01, 2009

A holy plume, believed to be have been worn by the last Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was brought back from an undisclosed place in Canada and placed for public viewing at the Akal Takht here on Tuesday.

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and his predecessor Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti arrived at the Rajasansi International Airport here to receive the guru’s relic from the team of researchers comprising Harpreet Singh Sidhu, an IPS officer, and a Ludhiana-based Sikh, Kamaljit Singh Boparai, who brought it back from Canada.

Describing it as a holy cause being carried out without any vested interest, Sidhu and Boparai started researching to locate the holy plume and

According to Dharam Parchar Committee (DPC) records of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and information pieced together by the two researchers, the plume has been brought back to the country after 160 years.

The plume belonging to Guru Gobind Singh was reported to have been taken to Sirhind by the Mughal Army after the battle of Chamkaur Sahib. From there, the plume was taken to Lahore.

The researchers who brought the plume back from Canada provided no information on how and why it was taken to Canada and who was finally in possession of the relic.

Giani Gurbachan Singh, however, approved the authenticity of the relic, maintaining that its pictures were verified and accorded authentication by a sub-committee constituted by the SGPC in 2007.

The jathedar said the decision for the final display of the relic and its proper preservation would be taken shortly.

with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=3272b667-cdf4-48c8-bee6-8b56ecf50f22&Headline=Sikh+guru%e2%80%99s+plume+back+home+from+Canada

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal

Football now in the heart and soul of British Sikhs

Tue, Jun 30, 2009 1:07:17

Leicester Football Tournament A Great Success.....Khalsa Football Federation

Great Opportunity For Professional Teams’ Scouts To Capture Young Sikh And Asian Football Talent..Manjit Singh Virdee

Singh Sabha Hounslow beat GSA Erith by two goals in the final of the Premier Division to win the Leicester football tournament held at Victoria Park, London Road, Leicester on 27th and 28th June 2009.

As in previous years members of the local teams FC Khalsa and GNG football club organised the annual tournament in which all rules and regulations of the Khalsa Football Federation were implemented.

After Coventry and Hounslow it was the city of Leicester who had the pleasure of hosting the festival of football which was watched by approximately 10,000 people in over which over 100 team participated over the weekend which had just about perfect football playing weather.

Senior games are always played on Saturdays with the Youth games and Semi finals and finals of the adults on Sundays. On Saturday 27th June all eight games in the kicked off at precisely 9.00 a.m.

In a very hard fought and extremely competitive final which was the repeat of the Hounslow tournament GSA Erith were aiming for their third successive Premier Division win this year whereas Singh Sabha Hounslow were attempting to beat the side to whom they had lost to in the final on 14th June.

In the end Singh Sabha Hounslow got their first Premier division final win of 2009. Singh Sabha Slough won the First Division; Shere Punjab Wolverhampton won the Second Division and Letchworth won the Third Division.

The manager of winners of the Premier Division Singh Sabha Hounslow Nilesh Gosai said “ The success of our team is due to our passing and movement when we have the ball. We base our play on keeping possession for as long as possible. We always try to play football by keeping the ball on the ground as long as possible and never try to rush. We train hard three times a week and lot of our success and credit is due to our coach Parminder Garcha”.

The honour of the Player of the tournament went to Jay Raj Jedeja of Singh Sabha Hounslow.

Explaining why he won the Man of the Match Jay pointed out “ The manager has installed confidence before the game. It is easy to play well in this team because the players play the game in the right way and always give 110%. I tried my hardest for the team and enjoyed every minute of the tournament. the team spirit and banter made it even more easy and enjoyable. This was my first full tournament and playing in the final made it extra special and I knew how to put 110% effort. I would like to thank the whole of Singh Sabha Hounslow Football Club for their support and thanks to Khalsa Football Federation for making it an unforgettable experience”.

Those who came to watch or support their teams included Aman Verma, a 21 year old midfielder who played for a number of years for FC Khalsa Leicester and is now signed by Championship side Leicester City, World Footballing Coach Terry Hall who is a former ‘Football in the Community ‘ coach at Leicester City Football Club, two youngsters playing at Leicester City Football Academy, one of the best footballers in Leicester who played as a forward for Sapna {the team everyone wanted to avoid in the tournaments} Shingara Singh Rai ‘Shanny’, and Kiranjit Singh Khatkar ‘Kooner’ who organised an excellent Vaisakhi Football Festival at Pride Park, Derby.

Kulvir Singh of FC Khalsa Leicester said “The Leicester tournament was very successful event with nearly 10,000 people watching it over the two days. It is an annual event for both the adults and youth sections with teams participating from length and breadth of the country. Success of the tournament is measured not only by the teams winning but the actual number of participating teams within both sections”.

The Leicester Football Tournament Co-ordinator Manjit Singh Virdee who loved to put the ball in the back of the net in his playing days commented “This has been the best tournament I have been involved in and it is a great opportunity for professional teams’ scouts to capture young Asian football talent”.

One onlooker who watched was present on both days said that the Leicester Tournament has been a wonderful festival of football, a celebration of Asian football at grassroots level.

YOUTH SECTION

The atmosphere for the Youth Section on Sundays at all the KFF football tournaments is so great, colourful, and family oriented that it really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. In a similar sort of way to the ‘Play-Off ‘ in the professional game Youth teams who do not progress to the semi finals stage have a penalty shoot – out against each other. This is very popular and everyone converges around the goal area to see this and the player who scores or saves to win their team the penalty - shoot is usually found at the bottom of the ground and everyone else from his team on top of him.

In the first tournament held at Coventry – Smethwick Utd, Hounslow Colts and Sporting Khalsa Walsall won the Under 13s, Under 11s and Under 9s respectively. GAD Khalsa Derby, GNP Coventry, FC Khalsa Leicester won the penalty shoot – out for Under 15s, Under 13s and Under 11s.



In the Hounslow Tournament Singh Sabha Birmingham, Smethwick Utd, Hounslow Colts and GNP Coventry were the Under 15s, Under 13s, Under 11s and Under 9s winners respectively. FC Khalsa Leicester won the penalty – shoot out for the Under 15s and Under 13s. Smethwick Sikh Temple won the Under 11s.

The main match for the youth section was the Under 15s final which was a repeat of the Coventry Tournament and GNG Tigers Bedford played really attractive to watch football and were victorious against the local FC Khalsa Leicester team.

GNG Bedworth won all the KFF tournaments and the Bedford tournament in this youth group last year. This year they have been winners at Coventry and Leicester and were Runners Up at Hounslow. Their team manager Jadvinder Singh Nanda pointed out “ The level of football skills at the KFF tournaments in all age groups is good. The Leicester Tournament is well organised and played in good spirit. The success of our team is based on discipline, keeping the game simple, playing skillful football on the ground and enjoying it. If you do not enjoy playing football its not worth turning up”.

World Soccer Coach Terry Singh said “ The will, the passion we can see football will improve through better coaches – right from junior to senior level. yesterday while i was watching the adult games - it was not attractive football. We need to let the players be composed, relaxed and play simple football”.

One of the many Asian ladies who witnessed the youth games was Femina Ebrahim who came with her whole family and whose son plays for FC Khalsa Leicester commented “As a mother I came to watch the tournament for the first time. as well as having a fantastic time with impeccable hospitality it was amazing to see how much talent our children have. We need to continue to nurture their ability and encourage them to flourish. Well done to FC Khalsa of Leicester for the all their
hard work in training”.

On behalf of Leicester City Council Parks Services Jas Singh thanked the organisers for running the event smoothly and was pleased at the large number of young people enjoying themselves with their families.

Smethwick Sikh Temple Youth FC’s Malkit Singh Bahia said “ The football festival brings together the young Sikh community to enjoy themselves through sport and I would like to thank the Leicester Organising Committee for the work that it has put in”.

The General Secretary of Federation of Sikh Organisations Leicestershire Davinder Singh Dhesi said “ The tournament provided the opportunity for young talented footballers to showcase their talents in the presence of Scouts from Leicester City Football Club. The presence of so many families was most pleasing . We can break down barriers that discourage the participation of whole families in various sporting events”.


On behalf of Khalsa Football Federation Pritam Singh Mander, youth Secretary commented “ The Leicester tournament has been very well organised as it is every year. The football tournament has now become a family event with not only players and coaches, but also mums and sisters of the players. The football is played in good spirit by clubs from various communities across England.

Commenting on the two day football festival Kiranjit Singh Khatkar ‘Kooner’ of KFF saids “ The Leicester Tournament has been a huge success. The weather again was beautiful. We thank all the teams players, managers and supporters that have participated in this tournament. Also the KFF would like to thank the Leicester Organisers for making this tournament a success”.

RESULTS


ADULTS SECTION

PREMIER DIVISION
WINNERS ...................... SINGH SABHA HOUNSLOW
RUNNERS UP ................GSA ERITH

FIRST DIVISION
WINNERS.........................SINGH SABHA SLOUGH
RUNNERS UP...................GNG BEDFORD

SECOND DIVISION
WINNERS................SHERE PUNJAB WOLVERHAMPTON
RUNNERS UP..........FC SANDWELL

THIRD DIVISION
WINNERS .................LETCHWORTH
RUNNERS UP...........SMETHWICK UNITED


YOUTH SECTION
UNDER 15s
WINNERS..............GNG TIGERS BEDFORD
RUNNERS UP.......FC KHALSA LEICESTER

UNDER 13s
WINNERS..............GNG LEICESTER
RUNNERS UP........GNP COVENTRY

UNDER 11s
WINNERS...............GNG LEICESTER
RUNNERS UP.........SINGH SABHA HOUNSLOW

UNDER 9s
WINNERS................SPORTING KHALSA WALSALL
RUNNERS UP..........FC KHALSA LEICESTER


with thanks : source : http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=6014

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Aussie teens try to cut Sikh youth's hair

30 Jun 2009, 1144 hrs IST, PTI

MELBOURNE: In yet another racial attack on Indian students in Australia, a 22-year-old Sikh youth was assaulted by a group of six teenagers, who tried to remove his turban and cut the hair.

Resham Singh, a student of hospitality course who came from Punjab six months ago, became the 20th victim within a month when he was attacked on Monday at Dandenong Station here.

Singh, who could not speak English properly, explained in Punjabi that "They first abused me and left and then again came back with more people and also got a pair of scissors along with them. They tried to remove my turban and cut my hair."

"My friends tried to save me," he said, adding "education agent back in India never gave me any information of how hard life will be here."

The attackers were later arrested by the police, Victoria police confirmed the arrest of the two persons but withheld the identity of the victim.

"The youths from Dandenong -- aged 13 and 15 years -- were charged with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury and assault in company," a police spokesperson said.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has declared "zero tolerance" against attacks on students including Indians. Victorian police have also announced an initiative to mount stronger patrolling around train stations to curb any such crime.

"I came to know from my college friends about the job market and other information like safety and security issues when I reached here," Singh commented.

He said though the episode has shaken him he will continue his course and eventually get permanent residency.

Singh pointed out that he took a job of trolley pushing through his friend as he was not getting any job due to his appearance.

"No one was ready to hire me as I have beard and turban," he claimed.

Interestingly, most of the students who have been attacked are either a student of cookery, hospitality or community services courses studying in cut price private college.

These students who live far from family networks of home try to meet costs of expensive living as compared to Indian standards by working late nights and doing odd jobs like cleaning, sweeping, driving cabs or at petrol stations.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sikh-student-becomes-20th-Indian-victim-in-Australia/articleshow/4719298.cms

SikhsIndia
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Reg. : 20% relaxation in cut off to sikh students

Dr. Ravindar Singh Bajaj
Consultant Paediatrician
Delhi.

SS Akal,

I have gone through the blog of Cambride scholarship ,a good thing for the community by the leaders. But I wish to highlight an other dilemma by sikh children which need urgent attention.

Admission in Delhi Univesity.

Perosnnaly I am against any kind of reservation and in favour of giveing moneatry and other support for underpriliged.But the recent policy of St Stephen and Jeus and Mary college to give upto 40% reservation to christian students irrespective of score.

This led to demand by sikh students also and SGGSCC and SGTB colleges gave 3% relaxation in cut off to sikh studnets in admission . But today,s newpaper Hindustan times carried a news regarding the recent resolution of SGTB gioverning body to give 20% relaxation in cut off to sikh students. Delhi University has refused to accept the resolution. Now the sikh students are confused . Is Delhi University Ok with 3 % relaxation and has problem with 20% relaxation? Or it is completely against any relaxation?? even3%,

I request you to get this clarification from all concerned this point immediately as 2nd cut off list is sheduled for tomrorrow. the future of Sikh students is at stake. I request to publish it on your website whatever the reply is

Sincerely

Dr Bajaj

Hem Kunt Sahib Yatra - Photo Gallery

View pics of Hem Kunt sahib yatra on the Sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com
It contains pics of beautiful way as well sarovar & Gurdwara sahib. A pic of Guru ji da Baaj is also there.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
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SGPC teams up with UK varsity for scholarships to Sikh students

Express News Service
Posted: Saturday , Jun 27, 2009 at 0301 hrs IST

Ludhiana:
Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to institute scholarships in collaboration with University of Cambridge (UK) for needy and meritorious Sikh students for research studies leading to M.Phil or Ph.D degrees.

Addressing the press conference, Avtar Singh Makkar, president of SGPC, informed that the SGPC had received a proposal from Department of Human Resources, University of Cambridge (UK) in the month of February, 2009, regarding providing opportunities to students of Indian nationality from the Sikh community, who are of outstanding academic ability, to study at the Cambridge for programmes regarding M.Phil and Ph.d degrees.

For this purpose, Michel O’Sullivan Joseph, Director of Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, arrived yesterday to discuss modalities for creation of scholarships. Cambridge Commonwealth Trust grants about 860 scholarships to commonwealth students, who are meritorious and fullfil the eligibility for admission to Cambridge University, UK.

Makkar said Michel O’Sullivan Joseph visited important institutions of higher education of SGPC yesterday accompanied by Director Education SGPC. Michel O’Sullivan Joseph held a meeting with Makker in which the Director, Education, and principals of the colleges of SGPC and Agya Paul Singh from Ludhiana participated. It was decided in principal to institute scholarships for needy and meritorious Sikh students to study at Cambridge (UK) for their M-Phill and Ph.D degrees.

Makkar said the amount of scholarships will be shared as 50% each between the SGPC and Cambridge Commonwealth Trust. Scholarships will be granted through SGPC-Cambridge University Education Foundation, which will have members from India and abroad.

with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/SGPC-teams-up-with-UK-varsity-for-scholarships-to-Sikh-students/481960

SikhsIndia
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