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Apparently buying more time on the controversy, the Sikh clergy on Wednesday adopted changes in the Nanakshahi calendar but shied away from announcing these. The five high priests referred the draft containing the amendments to the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for a final decision.
The move is unprecedented as the Akal Takht is considered supreme in taking decisions relating to religious issues.
After a marathon meeting, the five Sikh high priests said they has adopted "certain changes". "We are not making any announcements on what are the changes introduced. The same are being sent to the SGPC executive body, which would consider and take a final decision. The announcement would then be made from the Takht," said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Panthic leaders said that the move was aimed at buying more time to allow the dust to settle on the issue. Giani Gurbachan Singh admitted that it was difficult for the clergy too to reach a consensus.
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PHAGWARA: Former Jathedar of Shri Akal Takhat Sahib Prof Darshan Singh reiterated his stand that neither he will appear before Singh Sahiban on January 7,nor will obey any “Tankhaa” religious punishment in the ongoing controversy on “Dasham Granth”.
Talking to newsmen after participating in a reigeous congregation organized by Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sports & Welfare Society at nearby village Palahai on Tuesday evening, he alleged that SAD was playing in the hands of RSS and went on dividing the panth due to their hatred politics.
Former Jathedar alleged that Jathedars of some Takhats including Shri Akal Takhat Sahib, and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee were playing in the hands of the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Badal Family, and Singh Sahibans were holding their meetings and decisions in closed doors rooms while according to sikh religious traditions, all religious issues brought before Shri Akal Takhat should be heard and decide in the presence of Sikh Sangats openly.
Replying a question, Prof Darshan Singh again alleged that some Anti-Panth elements were actively working to divide the Sikh Panth under the cover of reviving the controversy on Dasham Granth, which was untolerable.He said that “Dasham Granth” was not exclusively written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj,while several objectionable literature was added in the Granth.
Prof Darshan Singh said a panel of Intellectuals should be formed to analyse and examine the Dasham Granth. He dared to challenge Akal Takhat Sahib present Jathedar to openly participate a “Debate on the Issue” before electronic media to bring the truth as healthy debate could be useful to reach upto the real situation.
He alleged that politicalisation of Religeon was being done by Badal family which would be most harmful for the Sikh Quam. He strongly advocated present Nanak Shahi Calender and opposed the move of any amendment in it, but alleged that Badal& Co were becoming tool in the hands of RSS and other Hindu Fundamentalists which were unnecessarily intervening in the internal matters of Sikhs.
He alleged that Badal family promoted “Dera Culture” only to strengthen their vote banks without bothering the interests of Sikhs.
When asked about elections of SGPC, Prof Darshan Singh said every Sikh obeying complete Maryada of the Panth should be allowed to participate in SGPC elections.
He however also alleged that Badals had remained fail to bring Anand Karaj act to make the Sikhs able to solemnize their marriages according to Sikh traditions.Former Head Granthi of Takhat Shri Keshgarh Sahib Bhai Ranjodh Singh, Organiser Sat Parkash were also present on the occasion.
with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/22214/38/
Hardeep Singh, an artist in Amritsar, has drafted Gurbani in calligraphy.
He said he undertook the work because he had not seen anybody doing it before.
"It has been almost a year. The response has been great. Calligraphy means beautiful writing. The art originated in England. I have not seen anybody drafting Gurbani in calligraphy that is why I decided to undertake it," said Hardeep Singh.
His father, Surindra Singh, himself a collector of art antiques, is helping him with his new venture.
"We have preserved invaluable pieces of art. Though it is the duty of the government to preserve it. We also have some illustrated materials. If government wants I can give it to them," said Surindra Singh.
Hardeep Singh is a computer teacher by profession, but an artist by heart. He prints the borderline of the page on computer and writes the verses of Gurbani with his hands.
Infatuated by colours since childhood, this young artist has graduated to rewriting the Gurbani of Guru Granth Sahib in calligraphy style, following the century-old fashion of drafting. Meet Hardeep Singh – MCA degree holder and computer teacher by profession but an artist by heart, who creating superbly illustrated Gurbani. Since, he easily relates with colours, thanks to his interest in painting, his work is a class apart when it comes to choosing colour combination for the sheets.
The great grandson of Bhai Gian Singh Naqqash, who has worked on a portion in the sanctum sanctorum just above Har ki Pauri in the Golden Temple, Hardeep is busy preserving the invaluable artwork of his father, grandfather and great grandfather in digital format. He has also set up a website of the family listing its contribution to the field of art.
Colours at work
Detailing his style of work, Hardeep says, “I have been using handmade paper for writing scripts. We design borders on computers and print them on sheets. Later, colours are filled in the borders.” After filling the colours, he writes the text with pencil over which he calligraphs the letters using a special pen.
Hardeep uses acrylic colours.“Of these, for the golden colour, we grind 24-karat gold sheets and make them into powder. The powder is then mixed with gum so that it adheres to the paper,” he says. For writing the text, Hardeep uses indelible ink, which does not fade.
The sheets that have the Gurbani script, have intricately designed borders with serene colour combinations. “I have, so far, used golden, purple, green, brown for borders while black, brown, red and green colours have been used for the text,” Hardeep said.
The artist’s future plans
“I want to write the entire Guru Granth Sahib. Along with that, I also want to draft the Hindi version of Guru Granth Sahib and other slokas of Hindi manu scripts,” Hardeep said.The Guru Granth Sahib will require at least 1,400 sheets, he says.
Admirers all over
Examples of Hardeep’s calligraphed Gurbani are touring worldwide. “Sikh living abroad,who are aware of this practice, have taken some sheets with them,” Hardeep said adding that his sheets have gone to USA, Canada, UK, England and different parts of India.
“We had a professor from Japan visiting us some timeback who taught Punjabi at Japan University. He also took away two sheets for display purpose,”Hardeep said.
Regarding the cost of each sheet, Hardeep smiles, “It’s priceless. We don’t ask for money. It depends on the person who is taking it. What ever he gives, we accept.” For preparing each sheet, Hardeep takes 3-4 days. “It requires a lot of concentration for making borders, filling colours in them and calligraphing the verse. If there is even a single mistake, we have to throw away the entire sheet, ”the artist said. He covers the sheets in plastic or frames it on demand.
Call to SGPC
Hardeep’s family has requested pious Sikhs to keep nicely framed verses of Gurbani in their houses. “Instead of keeping pictures, Gurbani can be framed and displayed at homes. Moreover, bodies like Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committe (SGPC) should encourage calligraphy of Gurbani . They should allow calligraphed birs to be printed.
Sensing the divide over the issue of changes in the Nanakshahi calendar, the Sikh high priests today deferred the decision in the matter till Wednesday.
The Sikh clergy failed to reach any conclusion after the meeting as there was strong opposition from the Takht Damdamma Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, against any change in the calendar.
Other than this, frequent “secret visits” by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee officials Roop Singh and Ram Singh to the jathedars while the meeting was in progress also raised many eyebrows.
The jathedars later announced that they will meet again on Wednesday as there was no consensus on the issue in today’s meeting.
Jathedar Nandgarh also raised a point that the SGPC General House had passed the adoption of the calendar in 2003 and a decision regarding any change can be taken by the House only and not SGPC chief. He also sought detailed discussion between Damdami Taksal head and chief of Sant Samaj Harnam Singh Khalsa and US-based Sikh scholar Pal Singh Purewal, who prepared the calendar.
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One of the spots in Malaysia that has a significant population of Sikhs is Labuan. When I visited the island, I found a book titled "Sikhs in Saban and Labuan - A historical perspective", authored by Surjit Singh Gill.
The book begins with an introduction to Sikhism and Guru Nanak's teachings. And then it details the history of Sikhs in Sabah and Labuan. Sikhs form a minority in the population. The book says Sikhs have made contributions in areas such as defence, law and order and served in the public sector.
According to the book, the first Sikh to set fooot on the island was Bhagat Singh Sandhu who reached Labuan to join the coal company security service as early as 1868. He was only 20-years old. He was paid Rm 5, which was considered a handsome amount in those days. In fact, Bhagat Singh is remembered by a monument along the old Macarther Road.
A significant contributor in the life history of Labuan was Gurbux Singh Sandhu (a Punjab-born man who arrived in Labuan in 1923). He was the founding president of the Indian Association of North Borneo, Labuan, formed in 1936. He served as a honorary Inspector on the Police Force. The book laments the fact that the younger generation of Sikhs are losing touch with their religion and the mores of Sikhism.
Many young Sikhs cannot read or write Punjabi language in which the divine philosphy is written and spoken. The book urges the present generation to "remember their historical past ... and maintain identity in the volatile world order."
When I was in Labuan, I found a Gurdwara in a prestigious area in town. The book says that the gurdwara was built in the year 2000 at a cost of Rm 1.6 million.
I began talking to some Sikhs in Labuan and asked them about life on the island.
Manjit Kaur, working at Rent-a-Car, loves it here.
"It's a peaceful island," she says. "I have lived in Kuala Lumpur ("KL")... but I moved here to bring up my daughters. You get quality time to spend with your children. Half your life is not spent in driving - I can't say the same about KL," she says.
Manjit Kaur introduced me to the Secretary of the Gurdwara, Sital Singh. He describes a typical day in Labuan: "Life begins early. At 7.30 a.m. all shops are open. Between 8 and 8.30 Government, Public Works and Immigration Offices open. The working day continues till 4.30 pm., after which people begin to wind up their day. I personally wind up my business at around 7.30 p.m."
"Labuan has religious institutions of all faiths: there are Masjids, Churches, Chinese Temples, a hindu temple and our very own Gurdwara," he says. But there is complete religious freedom, and each one is free to practice his or her own faith.
Sital Singh wouldn't move anywhere else in the world for anything. "I have visited the U.S. , Canada, India, Singapore and Australia. But nowhere in the world is life as stress-free, quiet and peaceful as it is here."
New York, NY, Your safety is our priority. Passengers flying from International locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place. Since the recent airport high alert on all in-bound flights to the United States, you will find that you are being screened for turbans at the airports and maybe profiled. Additionally due to the busy holiday travel season, both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in.
Passengers travelling internationally could see:
Increased security screening at gates and when they check their bags, as well as additional measures on flights such as stowing carry-ons and personal items before the plane lands.
Expect delays on US-bound flights. Keep in mind this is a holiday season and the busiest time of the year.
US-bound flights have been restricted for one carry-on item.
Sikh passengers have been known to be targets for increased security checks and associated harassments worldwide. Recently, a Sikh passenger was harassed in Poland during a security procedure at the airport without any justified reason.
We are seeing an increased number of cases where Sikhs returning from Pakistan after a visit to the Sikh shrines have to undergo excessive screening, delays and harassment at the US airports on in bound flights. This screening then becomes a pattern under which they get screened/harassed and delayed following on every International flight in bound to the United States of America.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement Saturday that passengers flying to the U.S. from overseas may notice extra security. However, she said "the measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."
UNITED SIKHS is closely monitoring complaints of harassment from Sikh passengers for International in-bound flights and will take the issues on a case by case basis with the TSA and Department of Homeland Security. For this we need your help and request you to report your experience at all International Airports by filling in the form available at: http://unitedsikhs.org/exp-at-americanairports
If you feel that you have been racially profiled, if in the USA, please call us at: 1-888-243-1690 or from outside the USA at 001-646-688-3525. You can write to us at law@unitedsikhs.org
CHANDIGARH: With the system consistently failing to come to the common man?s rescue, it was the judiciary that offered a glimmer of hope. The Punjab and Haryana High Court, often anguished and angry over the sorry state of affairs, came out with some important orders to help improve things.
This year's most important order was given by justice SD Anand of the HC, wherein he had directed the special CBI court, Chandigarh, to conclude Ruchika molestation trial within a month. The young, bright girl was molested by a high profile police officer of Haryana and later committed suicide because of the atrocities committed by the cop on her family members.
In an attempt to bring down cases of death due to road accidents, the high court directed the Punjab government to install speed governors in all transport vehicles running within the state.
Coming down heavily on the prosecution agency of the state, HC also asked Punjab government to pay Rs 1 crore compensation to five innocent persons who were sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment for the murder of a person who had later surfaced to mock the justice-dispensing system. HC also directed the lower court to initiate criminal proceedings against all those responsible for framing innocent persons in the murder case.
Deciding a vital issue related to the Sikh community, the court in its judgment passed in May held that unshorn hair were integral to the Sikh personality and Sikh educational institutions were within their right to specify conditions for grant of admission to students.
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with thanks : source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The Sikh priests will meet at the Akal Takht tomorrow to discuss the controversial issue of the Nanakshahi calendar. The Sikh groups deliberated a course of action today in case the calendar is tampered with and opposed any proposed amendments being sought by the Sant Samaj, headed by Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa.
They threatened to take the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to the Gurdwara Commission for introducing arbitrary changes in the calendar.
The American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) headed by Dr Pritpal Singh, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) headed by Paramjit Singh Sarna, SAD (Panch Pardhani), Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Action Committee, Shiromani Panthic Council (SPC) have been opposing any change in the calendar that has been adopted by the majority of the Sikhs since 2003.
However, SGPC head Avatar Singh Makkar has been holding meetings with various Sikh bodies and jathedars, seeking the changes as per wishes of Khalsa.
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Bringing up a joint front against the Badal government, Panthic organisations have decided to contest the upcoming SGPC polls urging Sikh groups across the world to prevent SAD members from addressing religious gatherings in their areas. The announcements came following a rally held by these radical groups which came together at the Jor Mela on Friday.
Taking a tough stance against the SAD president and Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, members of the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), SAD (Panch Pardhani), Dal Khalsa, Panthic Council and Sikh Students’ Federation joined hands to “cleanse” the SGPC from the corrupt “gang of Badal and his coterie”.
Tempers ran high at the conference at Fatehgarh Sahib, where leaders of Sikh groups fired salvo against Parkash Singh Badal and his son Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal for patronising self-styled godmen and allowing Hindutva forces a free hand in Punjab. “They can do anything for politics,” said KAC Chairman Bhai Mokham Singh.
Blaming the Badal duo for the Ludhiana violence where a Sikh, Darshan Singh Lohara, was killed in police firing on December 5, he urged the Sikhs world over to boycott Akali ministers. The leaders also paid tributes to Lohara and passed a resolution declaring him a “martyr of the faith”.
Another resolution was also passed urging the gurdwara management committees not to allow Akali ministers to speak from gurdwara stages because of their proximity with so-called deras and cults mushrooming in Punjab and other areas.
Opposing the “Badalisation of the SGPC”, speakers lambasted the SAD leadership for ruining Sikh institutions including Akal Takht for political mileage. “Oust Badal from gurdwaras,” they said.
Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, the organiser of today’s conference, blamed SAD for “all the ills plaguing the Sikh institutions”. “We pledge to raise a joint platform with other like-minded groups to defeat Badals in the SGPC elections,” he added.
Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh asked the Sikhs to reject those who have posed threat to the basic fundamentals of Sikh religion for their benefits.
The conference also condemned the state government for slapping false cases against Daljit Singh, chairman of SAD (Panch Pardhani), to malign his image. “The state is playing with fire and if the cases are not withdrawn against him, the state government should be ready to face the music,” said a speaker.
The gathering also asked the Sant Samaj to lodge a written complaint against CM Badal at Akal Takht before December 30 for allowing a function of anti-Sikh cult led by Ashutosh Maharaj in Ludhiana.
with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Sikh-groups-join-hands--to-oust-Badal-from-SGPC-/559268
Our favorite thing about living in Queens is the amazing bounty of cuisines available in the ethnic enclaves of our borough. A few years ago, Jackson Heights was considered the go-to nabe for Indian delights. Floral Park ran a distant second, probably because of its lesser access by public transportation.
There is a third contender, with a distinctly different character. Two different groups of Indian heritage have settled in Richmond Hill. One is Indo-Caribbean, from places like Guyana and Trinidad. When you see “roti” as the star attraction on the menu, the owners probably hail from our hemisphere.
The other dominant group of Indo-Richmond Hillians is the Sikhs. You can recognize devout Sikh men by their turbans. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century that embraces some of the practices and beliefs of both Hinduism and Islam. The state of Punjab, in India, is the heart of Sikh culture, so Punjabi-style Indian cuisine is what you are most likely to find at a Sikh dining establishment.
Novelty is a new Sikh-owned and -run Indian restaurant on 101st Street in Richmond Hill. Although strict Sikhs are often vegetarian, Novelty cooks up some awesome Indian grub, both vegetarian and non. It is no wonder, because we are told that their chef is the brother of the owner of Five Star Punjabi, that Long Island City institution much celebrated by both Indian food aficionados and South Asian cabbies.
Novelty offers most of the Indian dishes we’ve ever heard of, and a few we hadn’t. We started with a super rendition of chili shrimp, an Indian Chinese-style preparation that has caught on over here in a big way. The shrimp, sauteed with peppers and onions in a spicy sauce, were imposing in size and succulent, and the sauce piquant.
We also sampled their kaju roll, something new to us. It was as described, mashed potatoes in a thin crust. To our western palate, it was tasty, but would have worked better with other companion dishes. It comes as a plate of seven, so share an order around if you’re with a group. There are plenty of other tempting appetizers to complement it, like various pakoras (fritters) or chaat papri (crunchy shells, potato and chick peas topped with yogurt and tamarind sauce).
Lamb chops arrived at our table with major sizzle. Although not billed as one of their Tandoor Specials, they were served Tandoori-style on a scorching platter. This rack of lamb was heavily marinated in garlic and herbs in a yogurt-based marinade and then roasted on skewers. The chops, individually decorated with aluminum foil frills, were lean, tender and suffused with great flavors. This elegant entrée, while probably the most expensive item on the menu, is a real bargain at a mere $13.99.
Dairy products are very important to Punjabi cuisine. Ghee (clarified butter) is the fat of choice; yogurt and cream are essential to many sauces; and paneer, the versatile, non-melting homemade Indian cheese, pops up all over the place. Paneer bhurji was a new dish for us. Its central ingredient is paneer that has been grated into shreds and cooked with bell pepper, tomato, garlic and ginger. It is homey but delicious, especially when eaten in the traditional manner of scooping it up with a warm, elastic triangle of naan, the Tandoori bread.
Bits of paneer also made an appearance in vegetable jalfreji, a pleasingly spicy mixed vegetable dish in a tomato sauce. Sarson ka saag, a dish we sampled from the buffet table is a favorite, we are told, among Sikhs. We always thought “saag” meant spinach, but were wrong. In this case, the saag is made from mustard leaves. It has a different flavor (mostly in the aftertaste) than spinach, and is very tasty.
We couldn’t resist trying a beverage that was new to us — jaljeera pani. It was billed on the menu as being spicy. We didn’t find it so — only weirdly refreshing. The main flavoring is cumin (“jeera” in Hindi). This herb is added to Sprite (yes, the American soft drink) along with mango powder and possibly Kala namak (black salt, which adds a hint of sulphurousness). The result is a little sweet, a little herbal and faintly funky.
Desserts here are classically Indian. Choose from sweet Indian puddings like ras malai (milk pudding), kheer (rice pudding) or gajrella (carrot pudding). Or better yet, sidle up to the counter and pick some dense, fudgy homemade Indian sweets like barfi (don’t worry, it’s not what it sounds like) or gulub jamin.
with thanks : source : http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/12/24/queens_village_times/restaurants/queens_village_times_restaurantswuhqrxp12242009.txt
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