Punjabi edges out Tamil in Haryana

Chandigarh: Last week when Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was honoured at a function in Chandigarh for declaring Punjabi as a second language of the state, official circles were wondering what would happen to the Tamil language, which had so far been enjoying the status of second language in Haryana.

Even as there is practically no presence of Tamilians in the state, Haryana had declared Tamil as its second language in 1969 when Bansi Lal was the chief minister.

Officially Tamil had never enjoyed the status of a second language in this predominantly Hindi-speaking state, but the arrangement somehow carried on willy-nilly for more than 40 years.

Old-timers say the Tamil was declared as the second language just to give a rebuff to Punjab. “Since it was the Punjabi suba agitation that had led to formation of Haryana, Bansi Lal thought, ‘Let any language other than Punjabi be the second language of the state’. Hence, Tamil became the second language even though there might not have be even a single Tamil native family in the state at that point of time”, said a former bureaucrat.

Subsequently, though the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) announced the replacement of Tamil with Punjabi, nothing changed on the ground.

Hooda said here last month that a notification had been issued to accord Punjabi a second language status. Incidentally, the Congress menifesto had promised to take the step. The move might finally result in Tamil language being obliterated from the Haryana government records.

Hooda, keeping an eye on the Sikh vote bank, said his government would endeavour to popularise the language. Earlier, Hooda had announced to carve out a separate Sikh gurdwara management committee for the Sikhs in Haryana.

The Sikh population in Haryana is close to one crore, though the number of Punjabi-speaking population could be much higher.

with thanks : Source : http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_punjabi-edges-out-tamil-in-haryana_1356124

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There is no black list of Sikh militants settled abroad: Centre

Even as politics heats up over the black list of former militants settled abroad, the Centre’s reply to an RTI application says there is no such list. Satnam Singh Dhaliwal, president of an NGO, Universal Human Rights Organisation, had asked for a copy of the list from the Ministry of External Affairs. The application was transferred to the regional passport office by ministry, saying that the subject matter is more closely connected with their functioning. The reply by Deputy Passport Officer Bidhi Chand, dated January 18, denies the existence of any black list. Dhaliwal is mulling an appeal to get more information.

with thanks : Source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/There-is-no-black-list-of-Sikh-militants-settled-abroad--Centre/587379

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Pak PM to lay foundation stone of Sikh University at Nankana Sahib

By Ravinder Singh Robin

New Delhi, March 6: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani will lay the foundation stone of the Baba Guru Nanak International University (BGNIU) next month at Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.

The ceremony is likely to be attended by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s wife Gurusharan Kaur and Punjab’s chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Talking to Asian News International over phone from Lahore about the ceremony of Baba Guru Nanak International University, Azhar Ehsan, an Advocate and the Executive Director of BGNIU’s governing body, said: “The function would be held on April 17 and Mrs. Gursharn Kaur, the wife of Dr. Manmohan Singh and Parkash Singh Badal, chief Minster of Punjab have shown interest to attend the ceremony.”

The university would be constructed in 2,500 acres of land in Nankana Sahib.

More than 15,000 Sikh pilgrims are likely to visit in the month of April to attend the Baisakhi festival’s celebrations in Pakistan.

Dr. Pritpal Singh from United States said that the proposed university would have the best architecture, curricula and research center on Sikh and other religion and culture. He said that AGPC would bear all the expenses on establishing the course related to Gurmat Sangeet facility.

“We will invite scholars from all over the world to join the university. It will be planned University that to be modeled similar to standards set by the great universities of Oxford and Cambridge and students from all over the world will be offered admission to the University.”

It is pertinent to mention that none of the members was taken from India in the governing body of the University, neither from the Shri Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the premier body of the Sikhs or from Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

However, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Parmjit Singh Sarna said: “I am happy that the Pak Prime Minister would be laying the foundation stone ceremony to build the University. It makes no difference to me whether they have not given any representation in the committee to us.”

– ANI

with thanks Source : http://www.morningcity.com/mc/world/south-asia/10077030.htm

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Kidnapped Sikh faces Taliban threat of conversion, says father

TORONTO: Desperate for the safe release of his 32-year-old son Robin Singh from the Pakistani Taliban, Toronto-based Bishan Dass said his son faces threat of conversion.

An IT professional with degrees from the US, Robin Singh was kidnapped by the militants in Peshawar Feb 12 for a ransom of 10 million rupees. A father of three sons, Singh is one of the four Sikhs abducted recently by the Pakistan Taliban from Peshawar for ransom.''

"My wife Shama and I have been broken by this tragic happening. We don't have the money pay, and we don't know what to do. We have slept very little since then,'' 70-year-old Dass said.

A former national vice president of the National Bank of Pakistan, Dass immigrated to Canada in 1999 and lives in the Indian-dominated suburb of Brampton here.

"After kidnapping Robin Singh when he was on his way back home from Peshawar University, the militants called my elder son Rajat Singh to demand the ransom. They are now threatening him (Rajat)," he said.

Dass said his sons have been targeted because they are baptized Sikhs. "I am appealing to the Canadian government to help us ...we are a Sikh family and my baptized sons are under threat. They are under threat to convert," the shaken father said.

Dass, who was sponsored by his another son Sajan Singh (who came to Canada in 1997), was reluctant to involve India in the issue. "India can't do anything. In fact, its mention will only complicate things for us."

For detailed news, plz click headline above. With thanks to source : TIMES OF INDIA

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Bhindranwale T-shirts, Made in China, sold in Punjab

Bhindranwale may seem a long way from Beijing, but trust the great Chinese assembly line to go the distance. The face of the Sikh militancy movement is enjoying a surge in popularity in Punjab, and he is doing so riding on Made in China products — ranging from T-shirts to calendars, bumper stickers to coffee mugs and key chains, some carrying his pictures with the message “I will have to make a comeback”.

Youths in villages and towns of the state can be seen sporting bright yellow T-shirts, emblazoned with huge photos of Bhindranwale carrying an AK-47 rifle. And the paraphernalia is being openly sold in prominent markets in Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar, Ludhiana and even Delhi.

The numbers are surprising. Sukhdev Singh, a shopkeeper in Amritsar, claims to have sold 1.8 lakh calendars with Bhindranwale’s photos, each priced at Rs 20. He claims that the rush is unabated, something which has prompted the Chinese to enter the market.

Plz click the headline above for detailed news, with thanks to source : Indian Express

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Youth found guilty in killing of Sikh businessman

Melbourne, Mar 4 (PTI) A 22-year-old youth has been found guilty by a New Zealand court of murdering a south Auckland- based Sikh businessman in 2008.

Anitelea Chan-Kee, who fired the fatal shot at liquor store owner Navtej Singh during an armed robbery, was found guilty by a jury in the High Court at Auckland.

However, five other accused -- Myron Felise, 22, Tino Felise, 19, Eti Filoa, 25, Walter McCarthy, 19, and Jason Naseri, 21 -- were found not guilty of both murder and manslaughter, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Mefiposeta Chan-Kee, 26, was discharged after being found not guilty of being an accessory after the killing.

Sentencing will be at the High Court on April 23.

The Indian was shot dead during a robbery at his Riverton liquor store in Manurewa East on June 7, 2008.

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/547417_Youth-found-guilty-in-killing-of-Sikh-businessman

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Pak authorities not giving gurdwara control to Sikhs

PTI

Peshawar, Mar 3 (PTI) The Sikh community in this northwestern Pakistani city today complained that the local administration is not giving it control over a gurdwara despite repeated requests to concerned authorities.

Leaders of the Sikh community said they had sought control of the gurdwara in Jogiwara area as the only other prayer hall in the interior of city is often crowded due to an increase in the number of worshippers.

"We are not being given control of the gurdwara in Jogiwara for the past seven years despite the fact that we have submitted many applications to officials in the district administration," Sahib Singh, former member of the district assembly of Peshawar, told PTI.

"We can look after the gurdwara and we can arrange funds for its repair on our own, provided the government gives it to our control," he said.

with thanks : source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/545214_Pak-authorities-not-giving-gurdwara-control-to-Sikhs

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Amitabh feels drawn towards Sikhism

IANS

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, whose mother was a Sikh, says he feels drawn towards the religion and wants to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar with his children Abhishek and Shweta but can't because of time constraints.

Abhishek shoots in the holy city of Amritsar and his sister Shweta joins him to pay homage and prayer at the Harmandir Saheb. I wish I could do the same, but am unable to. Soon however I shall find the time. Or as they say in such situations, when the time comes He will call you...," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

The actor, whose mother, late Teji Bachchan, belonged to a Sikh family, says the Sikh bloods in him 'beckons'.

The Sikh blood in me beckons and I must honour it. It is rather strange, but in the last few months, my attraction and interest towards my Sikh links attain some prominence and I feel drawn towards it," he said.

Amitabh says he wears two lockets of Guru Nanak all the time and even has a photograph of all the Gurus, presented by director Raj Kanwar, that finds space at his place of worship.

I seek blessings from them each morning - Sat Naam Wahe Guru , I recite, as I touch their images and a strange sense of fulfillment and strength consumes me," he added.

with thanks : source : http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14933726

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Real Khanda of Baba Deep Singh ji : Gurdwara Tahla Sahib

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Gurdwara Goindwal sahib & Gurdwara Baoli sahib

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Two kidnapped Sikhs rescued in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani security forces on Monday recovered two of three Sikhs kidnapped for ransom in the country's volatile northwest, a security official said, days after the body of the third Sikh was found.

The three Sikhs were abducted from the Khyber region on the Afghan border in January. The decapitated body of one of them was found last week.

Government forces launched an operation early on Monday and rescued the remaining two Sikhs.

"Some terrorists have also been killed in the fighting," a security official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

Sikhs are a tiny minority in predominantly Muslim Pakistan, but a sizeable community has lived in Khyber and elsewhere in the northwest. Most of them run private businesses.

Khyber has long been a den for criminal syndicates involved in kidnapping, smuggling, drug trafficking and car-jackings. Criminals are also believed to have established links with Islamist militants in recent years.

Three militants were also killed in a shootout with security forces near the North Waziristan region on the Afghan border, while the bodies of five militants were found in the northwestern Swat region on Monday, security officials said.

(Reporting by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Michael Georgy and Paul Tait)

with thanks : source : http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-46557720100301

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