Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 16In a move that could kick a storm in the entire Sikh world, the Sikh clergy is likely to give a re-thinking to the widely accepted Nanakshahi calendar even to the extent of its replacement with a new calendar in their bid to put an end to the long-standing dilemma over observance of important Sikh events.
The Nanakshahi calendar is a solar calendar which starts with the birth of the first Sikh Guru Nanak in 1469 and it has been in use in over 90 per cent gurdwaras across the world since 2003, when it was released at the Takht Damdama Sahib on the Baisakhi Day in presence of the then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti and the then SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar. Vedanti and Badungar, had got the first copies of calendar, which, however, was being opposed by a section of orthodox Sikh sects such as, the Sant Samaj and the Damdami Taksal.
The peculiar feature of the calendar was that since it was based on the length of the tropical solar year and not on the basis of the lunar cycle, the dates of important Sikh events did not fluctuate as was the case with the old lunar-based calendar. As of now, all important Sikh days, except for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, were being observed in accordance with the Nanakshahi calendar, which, was even recognised by the Punjab and the Central governments.
The fresh and controversial discussion, it was learnt, would be held in an emergency but, secret meeting of the Sikh clergy to be held at the Akal Takht tomorrow. The meeting would be presided over by the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and other Sikh high priests Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar of the Takht Damdama Sahib, Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar of the Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Iqbal Singh,Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, and Kulwant Singh, the Jathedar of the Takht Hazoor Sahib or one of his representatives were likely to participate in the meeting which, was likely to end up as a stormy affair as some of Jathedars could put up an opposition to the idea of revocation or change of calendar on the grounds that it was already duly recognised world over and by apex Sikh institutes like the Akal Takht and the SGPC.
“We are going to have a discussion on the calendar issue as we want to put an end to the dilemma prevailing in the Sikh world,” was all what was said by one of the Jathedars when contacted about the agenda of the meeting.
The issue assumed importance and could have certain political overtones in view of the forthcoming elections for the president of the SGPC and the elections to general house of the SGPC to be held during next year. A large section of the Sikh community was of the view that the calendar was important as it re-affirmed the Sikh faith’s separate identity from the Hinduism or the Islam.
It would be a big blunder to replace the calendar and the entire Sikh diaspora would be opposing it, said Dr Pritpal Singh, vice-president of the American Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
with thanks : source : http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091017/main5.htm
SikhsIndia
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
Akhand Kirtani Jatha Samagam held in Delhi - view pics
contributed by : Sd. Amandeep singh ji with thanks to : Akhand Keertani Jatha Delhi
More pics in part 2 of this post
SikhsIndia www.sohnijodi.com www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Akhand Kirtani Jatha Samagam held in Delhi - more pics
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Contributed by : Sd. Amandeep singh ji
with thanks to : Akhand Kirtani Jatha Delhi
SikhsIndia
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Gurudwara Data Bandi chor sahib, Gwalior
On the eve of Diwali, please view pics of Gurudwara Data Bandi Chor sahib, Gwalior. During October/November, the worldwide Sikh community celebrates the safe return of the sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind sahib ji from detention from Gwalior Fort in about October 1619. The day coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali. This concurrence has resulted in a similarity of celebrations amongst Sikhs and Hindus.
You can view 5 pics of this Gurudwara, the fort of Gwalior as well the 52 pillars in the link below : http://sohnijodi.com/picgallertdatabandichor.htm
SikhsIndia
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sikh Queens necklace fetches £55,200
The highlight of the sale was an important 19th Century emerald and seed-pearl Necklace from the Lahore Treasury, reputedly worn by the Sikh Maharani Jindan Kaur wife of Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab (1780–1839), which sold for twice its estimate at £55,200. The necklace has six polished emerald beads, one later converted to a pendant, each bead gold-mounted and fringed with seed-pearl drop tassels, fastened with a gold clasp. This exquisite piece comes with a fitted cloth covered case, the inside of which is inscribed: "From the Collection of the Court of Lahore formed by HH The Maharajah Runjeet Singh & lastly worn by Her Highness The Late Maharanee Jeddan Kower".
Bonhams raised a total of £1,150,000 at today’s Islamic and Indian Art New Bond Street sale, which featured an array of important historical pieces.
Another success from the sale was a fine selection of Islamic manuscripts, including a large Qur’an leaf from the ‘Five Suras’ (circa 1350-1420), which fetched an impressive £38,400 (estimated £15,000-20,000).
Elsewhere, an Ottoman silk and metal-thread embroidered calligraphic Band (hizam) from the Holy Ka'ba at Mecca Turkey or Egypt, period of Selim III (AH 1203-1222/ AD 1789-1807) sold for a staggering £84,000, against a pre-sale estimate of £50,000-70,000. Whilst a magnificent Syrian 12th Century Ayyubid curved marble capital set on a round base reached a very substantial £26,400 (estimated £15,000-20,000).
From the exquisite collection of Iznik pottery on offer, a fine large Iznik pottery dish from Turkey, circa 1560-70 sold for over twice its pre-sale estimate at £26,400.
Kristina Sanne, Head of Indian and Islamic Art at Bonhams comments, comments: "We are very pleased with the results achieved today. It clearly demonstrates that Bonhams has a very strong presence in this area of art and that the Indian and Islamic art market is buoyant despite all the talk of recession."
with thanks : source : http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=7671
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Bonhams raised a total of £1,150,000 at today’s Islamic and Indian Art New Bond Street sale, which featured an array of important historical pieces.
Another success from the sale was a fine selection of Islamic manuscripts, including a large Qur’an leaf from the ‘Five Suras’ (circa 1350-1420), which fetched an impressive £38,400 (estimated £15,000-20,000).
Elsewhere, an Ottoman silk and metal-thread embroidered calligraphic Band (hizam) from the Holy Ka'ba at Mecca Turkey or Egypt, period of Selim III (AH 1203-1222/ AD 1789-1807) sold for a staggering £84,000, against a pre-sale estimate of £50,000-70,000. Whilst a magnificent Syrian 12th Century Ayyubid curved marble capital set on a round base reached a very substantial £26,400 (estimated £15,000-20,000).
From the exquisite collection of Iznik pottery on offer, a fine large Iznik pottery dish from Turkey, circa 1560-70 sold for over twice its pre-sale estimate at £26,400.
Kristina Sanne, Head of Indian and Islamic Art at Bonhams comments, comments: "We are very pleased with the results achieved today. It clearly demonstrates that Bonhams has a very strong presence in this area of art and that the Indian and Islamic art market is buoyant despite all the talk of recession."
with thanks : source : http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=7671
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Boy's Sikh dagger in school ban
A Sikh boy has been withdrawn from a north London school after he said he wanted to wear his traditional dagger.
The boy, 14, was told not to carry the 5in (12.7cm) kirpan at the Compton School in Barnet after governors ruled it was a health and safety risk.
Under Sikhism the sheathed scimitar is one of five "articles of faith" that must be carried at all times.
The school governors have said they have tried to find a compromise and a place remains open for the boy.
They proposed he wore a 2in version of the dagger welded into a sheath.
But that was rejected as the family said the miniature dagger was a replica and not a genuine kirpan.
Privately educated
The boy first started carrying the religious artefact two years ago when he was baptised as a Sikh.
However, according to his older brother Ravjeet Singh, at the start of term last month, he was told it was no longer allowed.
"He was greeted by the head teacher at the school and was asked if he was wearing the kirpan" he told the BBC's Asian Network.
"He said yes and then they said, 'we're going to have to turn you away'."
"At the moment we are holding a place open for the student should he feel able to wear a kirpan suitable to bring into school" Statement by the school's governors
Mejindarpal Kaur, director of community group United Sikhs, said: "The Compton School's decision is a blow to religious freedom in Barnet - schools throughout the UK have accommodated Sikh students who wear a kirpan."
The boy's family said he is now being privately educated, having missed five weeks of school.
A statement by the school's governors said: "We have examined potential compromises after looking at how this issue has been dealt with in other schools and elsewhere within the Sikh community and taken legal advice.
"At the moment we are holding a place open for the student should he feel able to wear a kirpan suitable to bring into school."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said it was up to schools to make their own policy on the carrying of the kirpan and that, if challenged, it would be up to the courts to decide.
In Sikhism the kirpan is an instrument of non-violence that should be used to prevent harm from being done to a defenceless person.
with thanks : source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8304088.stm
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
The boy, 14, was told not to carry the 5in (12.7cm) kirpan at the Compton School in Barnet after governors ruled it was a health and safety risk.
Under Sikhism the sheathed scimitar is one of five "articles of faith" that must be carried at all times.
The school governors have said they have tried to find a compromise and a place remains open for the boy.
They proposed he wore a 2in version of the dagger welded into a sheath.
But that was rejected as the family said the miniature dagger was a replica and not a genuine kirpan.
Privately educated
The boy first started carrying the religious artefact two years ago when he was baptised as a Sikh.
However, according to his older brother Ravjeet Singh, at the start of term last month, he was told it was no longer allowed.
"He was greeted by the head teacher at the school and was asked if he was wearing the kirpan" he told the BBC's Asian Network.
"He said yes and then they said, 'we're going to have to turn you away'."
"At the moment we are holding a place open for the student should he feel able to wear a kirpan suitable to bring into school" Statement by the school's governors
Mejindarpal Kaur, director of community group United Sikhs, said: "The Compton School's decision is a blow to religious freedom in Barnet - schools throughout the UK have accommodated Sikh students who wear a kirpan."
The boy's family said he is now being privately educated, having missed five weeks of school.
A statement by the school's governors said: "We have examined potential compromises after looking at how this issue has been dealt with in other schools and elsewhere within the Sikh community and taken legal advice.
"At the moment we are holding a place open for the student should he feel able to wear a kirpan suitable to bring into school."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families said it was up to schools to make their own policy on the carrying of the kirpan and that, if challenged, it would be up to the courts to decide.
In Sikhism the kirpan is an instrument of non-violence that should be used to prevent harm from being done to a defenceless person.
with thanks : source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8304088.stm
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Cyberspace wiz Ash Singh is nominated as Asia's Best Young Entrepreneur
There are those who wait for the world to change. and then there are those who put their strengths into action to revolutionise their lives and the environment around them. Their dreams become their driving force, as they take the world by storm and revise the way we think.
Meet Ashvinder Kundan Singh, better known as Ash Singh. a man with a vision. A relentless entrepreneur. Singh. has broken into cyberspace and firmly left his mark. At Just 27. he spearheads his own digital media company, Interactive SG, that develops and produces digital concepts for Asia's top brands including ESPN, Nickelodeon, Mattel, 7-11, Fitness First, Skype, McDonald's and TV shows like 'The Contender Asia' and 'Biggest Loser Asia'. Interactive SG’s team of 30 employees is anticipating a turnover of 5-7 million dollars this year – a growth rate of 100% from last year.
He was recently nominated as one of Asia's Best Young Entrepreneurs 2009 by Business Week magazine.
Also a proud Sikh by birth, he has changed the face of Sikhs online by creating award-winning websites for the Sikh community and rest of the world.
Born and raised in Toronto. the striving Sardar studied at the Richard Ivey School of Business in Toronto and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. While still a student there. he conceived and launched Social Network Business Systems. a social and business network development company that was acquired after 10 months of inception. Upon his exit, his next startup was At-Life Pte Ltd. which manages in-store plasma screens, kiosk network and Singapore's largest customer loyalty rewards program with almost 500,000 members, for McDonalds.
Currently based in Singapore. he is also a lecturer for several schools including the INSEAD business school and the Singapore Management University. He is managing director of Kundan Holdings (the holdings company of his businesses): the 2009 valuation of the company is $30 MM USD.
Never too big to be a Nani's boy, he Journeys back to India every year to meet his Nani Ji in GK in south Delhi.
His dad's side hails from Mumbai. A turban fanatic, Singh has a varied collection of over 150 turbans in all colours and designs from all over the world. Also an avid basketball fan, he is the co-owner and interactive director of the Singapore Slingers team
He currently has his hands full pursuing an amalgam of exciting projects including the reality TV show 'Biggest Loser' in Asia, 'Star Commentator,' an online search for the next cricket commentator, and is launching a clothing line.
SikhiWiiki.org which he created for SikhNet in 2004 is his leading online venture for the Sikh community. It is the first online 'living encyclopaedia' aiming to preserve Sikh history, culture and life online by allowing anyone in cyberspace to add to it. It is now the biggest web archive of Sikh related information.
He says, having visited or lived in Canada, Africa, UK, Hong Kong and Singapore: "I noticed most Sikhs living outside India have a pretty boring turban life (they wear one to two colours and usually tie the same style turban as their fathers.) I wanted to create this web site to showcase turbans as an art form and try to revive our majestic roots."
Also perturbed by the way today's Sikhs are commonly confused for Muslims, he set out to creatively showcase Sikhs and their turbans. 'I wanted to depict us in a positive way to the general public and also show Sikh youth that wearing a turban is cool and fashionable.' So his site, RateMyTurban.com was the result in 2005. This site allows people to upload their photos sporting their favourite turban looks and then have them rated by the public.
He also created Turbanizer.com. "I realised I had a lot of friends who aren't normal everyday turban wearers so I created Turbanizer.com in 2008 for anyone that has ever wondered what they look like in a turban." They have turbanized over 250,000 people since.
with thanks : source : worldsikhnews through http://www.sikhnet.com/
SikhsIndia
http://www.sohnijodi.com/
http://www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com/
Meet Ashvinder Kundan Singh, better known as Ash Singh. a man with a vision. A relentless entrepreneur. Singh. has broken into cyberspace and firmly left his mark. At Just 27. he spearheads his own digital media company, Interactive SG, that develops and produces digital concepts for Asia's top brands including ESPN, Nickelodeon, Mattel, 7-11, Fitness First, Skype, McDonald's and TV shows like 'The Contender Asia' and 'Biggest Loser Asia'. Interactive SG’s team of 30 employees is anticipating a turnover of 5-7 million dollars this year – a growth rate of 100% from last year.
He was recently nominated as one of Asia's Best Young Entrepreneurs 2009 by Business Week magazine.
Also a proud Sikh by birth, he has changed the face of Sikhs online by creating award-winning websites for the Sikh community and rest of the world.
Born and raised in Toronto. the striving Sardar studied at the Richard Ivey School of Business in Toronto and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. While still a student there. he conceived and launched Social Network Business Systems. a social and business network development company that was acquired after 10 months of inception. Upon his exit, his next startup was At-Life Pte Ltd. which manages in-store plasma screens, kiosk network and Singapore's largest customer loyalty rewards program with almost 500,000 members, for McDonalds.
Currently based in Singapore. he is also a lecturer for several schools including the INSEAD business school and the Singapore Management University. He is managing director of Kundan Holdings (the holdings company of his businesses): the 2009 valuation of the company is $30 MM USD.
Never too big to be a Nani's boy, he Journeys back to India every year to meet his Nani Ji in GK in south Delhi.
His dad's side hails from Mumbai. A turban fanatic, Singh has a varied collection of over 150 turbans in all colours and designs from all over the world. Also an avid basketball fan, he is the co-owner and interactive director of the Singapore Slingers team
He currently has his hands full pursuing an amalgam of exciting projects including the reality TV show 'Biggest Loser' in Asia, 'Star Commentator,' an online search for the next cricket commentator, and is launching a clothing line.
SikhiWiiki.org which he created for SikhNet in 2004 is his leading online venture for the Sikh community. It is the first online 'living encyclopaedia' aiming to preserve Sikh history, culture and life online by allowing anyone in cyberspace to add to it. It is now the biggest web archive of Sikh related information.
He says, having visited or lived in Canada, Africa, UK, Hong Kong and Singapore: "I noticed most Sikhs living outside India have a pretty boring turban life (they wear one to two colours and usually tie the same style turban as their fathers.) I wanted to create this web site to showcase turbans as an art form and try to revive our majestic roots."
Also perturbed by the way today's Sikhs are commonly confused for Muslims, he set out to creatively showcase Sikhs and their turbans. 'I wanted to depict us in a positive way to the general public and also show Sikh youth that wearing a turban is cool and fashionable.' So his site, RateMyTurban.com was the result in 2005. This site allows people to upload their photos sporting their favourite turban looks and then have them rated by the public.
He also created Turbanizer.com. "I realised I had a lot of friends who aren't normal everyday turban wearers so I created Turbanizer.com in 2008 for anyone that has ever wondered what they look like in a turban." They have turbanized over 250,000 people since.
with thanks : source : worldsikhnews through http://www.sikhnet.com/
SikhsIndia
http://www.sohnijodi.com/
http://www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com/
California Governor vetoes AB 504 'kirpan' bill
Washington: A bill to educate law enforcement officers about the religious significance of 'kirpans' has been vetoed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who found it "unnecessary," drawing angry reaction from the Sikh community in the US.
The decision came as a shock to the organisations, individuals and lawmakers who supported the bill.
The veto was particularly surprising given bipartisan votes in favour of the bill in both houses of legislature, advocacy group Sikh Coalition said in a statement.
The bill was passed unanimously in both Houses, by 77-0 in the Assembly and by 36-0 in the Senate.
"This loss for the Sikh community is a reminder of our serious lack of political clout in this state. After months of hard work and 100 per cent support from our lawmakers, the Sikh voice was still not strong enough to overcome the whim of one man," said Prabhjot Singh, Sikh Coalition Board chairman.
The Bill AB 504 was introduced in February 2009 by Assembly member Warren Furutani to use education to help stem the arrests of Sikhs for carrying kirpans in California.
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the arrests of Sikhs nationwide for carrying kirpans in the absence of an understanding among law enforcers.
Police mistakenly believe them to be in violation of concealed weapons laws, the Sikh Coalition said.
"AB 504 was our first attempt to change this," the statement said.
The decision came as a shock to the organisations, individuals and lawmakers who supported the bill.
The veto was particularly surprising given bipartisan votes in favour of the bill in both houses of legislature, advocacy group Sikh Coalition said in a statement.
The bill was passed unanimously in both Houses, by 77-0 in the Assembly and by 36-0 in the Senate.
"This loss for the Sikh community is a reminder of our serious lack of political clout in this state. After months of hard work and 100 per cent support from our lawmakers, the Sikh voice was still not strong enough to overcome the whim of one man," said Prabhjot Singh, Sikh Coalition Board chairman.
The Bill AB 504 was introduced in February 2009 by Assembly member Warren Furutani to use education to help stem the arrests of Sikhs for carrying kirpans in California.
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the arrests of Sikhs nationwide for carrying kirpans in the absence of an understanding among law enforcers.
Police mistakenly believe them to be in violation of concealed weapons laws, the Sikh Coalition said.
"AB 504 was our first attempt to change this," the statement said.
with thanks : source : http://www.samaylive.com/
SikhsIndia
http://www.sohnijodi.com/
http://www.sohnijodi.com/
Sunday, October 11, 2009
CBI catches up with Sajjan Kumar
Twenty-five years after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the UPA government is set to give permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute former Delhi Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in four cases registered after the G.T. Nanavati Commission report of February 2005.
Sources confirmed that CBI chief Ashwani Kumar had written to the Home Ministry earlier this month to seek sanction to prosecute Sajjan Kumar and others as the agency’s investigations into four cases of rioting in Sultanpuri and Mongolpuri on November 1, 1984 were complete.
The CBI will file a fresh charge-sheet before the trial court once the sanction is granted.”We have asked for sanction for prosecution in all four 1984 riots cases recommended by the Nanavati Commission,” said a senior official.
The Nanavati Commission report had found evidence against Kumar and recommended fresh examination of cases in which he was named and no charge-sheet had been filed.
The Home Ministry asked the CBI to investigate the role of Kumar and fellow Congressman Jagdish Tytler in the anti-Sikh pogrom that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. The CBI filed a closure report in the cases against Tytler on April 2, 2009.
Sajjan Kumar was dropped in favour of his brother Ramesh for the South Delhi seat in the Lok Sabha elections this year.
with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cbi-catches-up-with-sajjan-kumar/527690/
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Sources confirmed that CBI chief Ashwani Kumar had written to the Home Ministry earlier this month to seek sanction to prosecute Sajjan Kumar and others as the agency’s investigations into four cases of rioting in Sultanpuri and Mongolpuri on November 1, 1984 were complete.
The CBI will file a fresh charge-sheet before the trial court once the sanction is granted.”We have asked for sanction for prosecution in all four 1984 riots cases recommended by the Nanavati Commission,” said a senior official.
The Nanavati Commission report had found evidence against Kumar and recommended fresh examination of cases in which he was named and no charge-sheet had been filed.
The Home Ministry asked the CBI to investigate the role of Kumar and fellow Congressman Jagdish Tytler in the anti-Sikh pogrom that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. The CBI filed a closure report in the cases against Tytler on April 2, 2009.
Sajjan Kumar was dropped in favour of his brother Ramesh for the South Delhi seat in the Lok Sabha elections this year.
with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cbi-catches-up-with-sajjan-kumar/527690/
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
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