Sikh New Year celebrations continue all month

Desi Dialogues

As I checked my grocery flyers this week, I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the major supermarkets had wished their customers a Happy Baisakhi Vaisakhi. The Sikh New Year, celebrated on April 13, is the most important festival for the Sikh community, here in Toronto and abroad.

Canadian Punjabis and Sikhs celebrate the New Spring Year, and celebrate the exuberant harvest festival, which takes place in the northern home state of Punjab, India.

Vaisakhi is also more then just a New Year. It's a time to celebrate a historic date - 1699 - when the guiding principles of the Sikh faith were forged. Sikhs also celebrate the birthday of their revered priest, the tenth Sikh, Guru Gobind Singh. The festival is celebrated throughout April and is marked by celebrations, music and prayers within the Sikh world.

An annual ritual in Toronto is the three-hour procession April 25. Beginning at 1 p.m., thousands of Sikhs will congregate at the Better Living Centre near Exhibition Place to take part in a colourful procession. Sikhs in colourful attire will dance and pray while walking around Toronto's downtown. The huge procession will wind its way to Queen's Park where it will end at around 4 p.m.

While mainstream marketers such as supermarkets have understood the importance of Vaisakhi, and have acknowledged the festival, it has also been refreshing to see other service providers customizing their marketing mix to fit the true needs of this huge community.

Bobby Sahni of Rogers Communicaitons says "acknowledging the community" is no longer just sufficient.

"There is a lot of clutter in the market, and we need to break that by customizing our content to fit the needs of the community," he said.

Sahni, for instance, talks of the importance of prayers and the need to listen to them from their temples by the members of the Sikh community.

Due to that important need, says Sahni, Rogers Cable, now beams prayers from the Sikhs' holiest gurudwara (temple) - the Golden Temple - in Amritsar, India.

These prayers are beamed directly into the living rooms of Sikh Canadians here, via a newly launched digital channel, PTC Punjabi (Ch 853). The channel offers the morning and evening prayers from the Indian temple seven days a week.

Sikhs can also listen to the prayers from their local gurudwara in Malton and Mississaugua by accessing the recently launched MH1 (ch 852) on Rogers digital cable.

For Vaisakhi, the company has provided free access to its digital customers, to watch free previews of the Punjabi Package on channels such as ATN Alpha Punjabi (Channel 850) and SSTV (Channel 851). During Vaisakhi viewers can also access free Punjabi content round the clock with Multicultural On Demand (on Channel 800).

As for me, I am glad that I now get some of my South Asian groceries at a mainstream supermarket and don't have to go all the way to a local Indian store to get my favourite Indian Paneer (cottage cheese).

To offer your feedback on this column or suggest future column ideas, contact Rakshande. italia@gmail.com

With thanks : source : insidetoronto.com

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Maharaja Ranjit Singh will remind people of history: Lalli

PTI

"As people tend to forget history, this serial will remind them about the significance, role and sacrifices of those unsung heroes of our country," Lalli told reporters yesterday, while announcing the launch of the serial.

I am sure the serial will be loved by all as it is about Indian history, he said.

Made by actor and MP Raj Babbar, the new show will be telecast on Doordarshan from April 13, every Tuesday at 10 pm.

DD has commissioned the serial and acquired all rights to telecast it, Lalli said, adding, "The serial is based on the life and times of Sikh king Maharaja Ranjit Singh who united Punjab and established a Khalsa Raj. Ranjt Singh had become a legend in his own lifetime and this needs to be shown to the people of today."

Maharaja Ranjit Singh is directed by Chitraath Singh and Sikander Bharti and produced by Nadira and Kuku Babbar. Jagjit Singh has composed the Music.

With thanks : Source : http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100137642&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=television

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Neighbors Shocked by Fatal Shooting at Sikh Temple

BEDFORD, Ohio - Bedford police shot and killed an armed man early Thursday morning.

Authorities say at around 4:30 a.m., two members of the Sikh Temple on Tarbell Avenue flagged down a police officer patrolling the area.

They told him there was someone inside the building with a knife, and there were still two other temple members inside with him.

Officers entered a west side entrance, and confronted 41-year-old Ravinder Nijjar as he came down some steps and around the corner.

Police say Nijjar came toward the officers with a meat cleaver, despite warnings to drop it.

That's when an officer opened fire, striking him.

Nijjar was taken to Bedford Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m.

According to police, Nijjar has a history of mental illness.

Bedford Police Chief Gregory Duber says his department has had prior encounters with the suspect. Nijjar was arrested in November, 2008 for yelling at passing vehicles.

Then, one month later, Nijjar was again arrested, this time for disorderly intoxication, following a fight in his apartment building.

Police say all of the incidents appeared to involve alcohol.

Nijjar's neighbor Jason Keith said, "I knew he had a drinking problem, but I thought he stopped drinking."

According to neighbors, Nijjar was unemployed. Although he had past history with the law, Keith said the whole incident is shocking. "I didn't see this coming. It's kind of scary. He could of lost it closer to home. He might have had a bad morning, somebody else could have walked up on him," said Keith.

with thanks : source : www.fox8.com

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Cash and Trash

Anandpur sahib during Gurpurb

FROM SIKHIWIKI

A close friend of mine, Professor Jap^*1 Singh, a professor at a Ludhiana university, narrated this episode to me about two decades ago. I repeat below what my friend described to me:

Professor: "You know, I contribute regularly for gurdwara (Sikh temple) functions. One year, special Gurpurb celebrations were arranged by the campus residents of the Panjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.

The organisers as usual visited me for my contribution. I usually gave 25 rupees every time they came for collection. They told me, “This will be a special function, we want a bigger contributions from you this time, Professor. Mr. ABC (a clerk) paid 20 rupees.”

I took this as a signal for me to double my contribution. However, keeping my recent promotion and position at the University in mind, I contributed one hundred rupees. The members were very pleased since they expected only 50 rupees.

When the organisers left, my ego overtook me, “Look! I am a great Sikh. This contribution will draw God’s attention and He will give me special rewards for this donation.”

On the day of the special Gurpurb, I regret and am embarrassed to tell you (I know you won’t reveal my name to others) what went into my mind. When I went through the aisle to pay my respect to Guru Granth Sahib, I could not help looking at the Sangat already sitting there.

Drenched in ones ego

Drenched in my ego, I said to myself, “This person would have paid only five rupees; this teacher might have given ten rupees; this worker would not have paid anything, he has come only for langar (free food served at Sikh temples). Look! I paid one hundred rupees. I am really a great devotee. I was feeling very proud and inflated”

This thinking continued in my mind even after the function was over and I had returned to my house. At night I had a dream in which I telephoned God. The dialogue, which I had with His office, was like this:

God's office: "This is God’s office. What can we do for you?"

Professor: "Do you know that I gave one hundred rupees for the Gurpurb? Did you credit this big money to my account? "

Response: "Please wait - let me look". The operator goes through her screen and then say, "No. We received no money from you. "

I was startled; how can they not have received my large amount of cash, I thought.

Professor: "How could you miss this big sum of money? I might be the only devotee to give such a big amount for the Gurpurb."

Response: "Oh! Yes, now I remember. We did receive the cash but threw it in the trash; where it belonged and should have gone in the first place."

I was puzzled and for a moment thought may they have a wrong connection, but the office staff continued..

Response: "You only gave the money to build your ego and not with love for God. There is no place for ego here. So far as your account with us is concerned, it is totally blank."

I was really disappointed to hear that. I could not help crying like a child (in my dream). The office secretary at God's Office became concerned with my weeping. To console me she said, "Let me check with the other secretary, she maintains another kind of account. I am going to connect you with that desk, please continue to hold."

I could not believe my ears when the second secretary told me that I have a huge balance in my favour and that I should never feel any embarrassment or guilt for anything, anywhere. I was so very happy to hear this.

Although I was elated to hear about the huge balance in credit on my account but I was also a little apprehensive and puzzled. I asked her, "When did I deposited that money with you? I heard the secretary speaking to someone and then..

God's office: “A couple of months back in the month of November, you had an argument with your wife. She was proud of your promotion at becoming the head of the faculty, and therefore had purchased new shoes for your son. You didn’t approve of the purchase because you thought that the old shoes were in good shape. When you questioned her she replied that she didn’t want her son to get sick in the cold wearing old worn-out shoes. You were disgusted and upset and left the house for your office.”

God's office continued: “When you got out of the house, you saw some poor students going to their primary school. One of them was without shoes. Your heart was moved with sympathy for the boy going to school barefoot. You told the boy to wait there. You went inside, picked up those old shoes and gave them to the boy. The boy put on the shoes, smiled a little and without saying anything walked away to his school. The sympathy for the poor has turned the old shoes into an unlimited amount of cash and you will never be short of anything. Do you remember this?”

She hung up even before I could say, “thank you.”

Dear friend, I know you practice a religious life and that is why I have shared my dream with you. It has given me a great lesson, “Ego turns our cash into trash. Sympathetic feeling for the poor turns trash into cash. This episode I have remembered many times and I felt pressured inside to share it with somebody. I chose you. You give lectures to the youth and talk to the Sangat in the gurdwaras. Maybe you can share this lesson with them, of course, without revealing my identity.”

• 1 Name has been changed to protect identity

Article by Dr. Gurbakhsh Singh at Sikhism.com - Books

Retrieved from "http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Cash_and_Trash"

with thanks to SHABAD VICHAR POST

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Hounslow goes orange for Sikh celebration

A SEA of orange rolled through Hounslow as thousands of Sikhs took to the streets to celebrate Vaisakhi on Sunday (April 4).

Worshippers from the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, in Hanworth Road, Hounslow, and the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha Gurdwara, in Martindale Road, Hounslow, joined the colourful parade.

Second World War veterans mingled with young Sikhs currently serving in the British Army, among the throng, for the 12th annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan (procession) through Hounslow.

The parade was led by a Nagara (large drum) on a pick-up truck, which announced the procession's arrival to the waiting faithful along the route.

Closely following were 10 Nishanchi Singhnians (young ladies carrying khalsa flags), five young men also carrying khalsa flags and the Panj Pyaray (beloved five), all escorting the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book).

About 10,000 people lined the route, according to organisers' estimates, for the event.

Vaisakhi is a traditional harvest festival and marks the beginning of the Sikh new year. It also commemorates the establishment in 1699 of the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, which was effectively the foundation of modern Sikhism.

With thanks : source : hounslowchronicle


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Sikh organizations resolve to participate in World Sikh Conference at Delhi

By Jagmohan Singh
AMRITSAR: Several Sikh bodies including Khalsa Action Committee, the Dal Khalsa, SAD (Panch Pardani), Shiromani Sikh Council, Sikh Youth of Punjab, Sikh students Federation Wednesday resolved to participate in the World Sikh Conference (WSC) scheduled to be held on April 10 and 11 at Delhi.

Addressing a press conference at Dal Khalsa office, leaders of the organizations including H S Dhami, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Narien Singh, Daya Singh Khakar, Manjit Singh Bhoma and Gurpreet Singh Mann said that they would be participating in the convention to deliberate on the issues that had been dogging the Sikhs since long.

Dr Bakshish Singh Sandhu, president of the Dal Khalsa US chapter, who has come to India especially to take part in the convention was also present at the press conference. Dr Sandhu said the issue to make jathedar independent of all kinds of political and administrative pressures and manipulations would be raised during the WSC.

Elaborating about the convention, Kanwar Pal Singh said the criticism by the SGPC Amritsar was uncalled for. He said the aim of the convention was to provide a platform for the entire Sikh Nation to discuss and resolve the issues that concerns the present and future of the community.

They said the first WSC was organized by the SGPC in 1995 and it was resolved to hold the next convention after 5 years. However, SGPC failed to honour its resolve. They pointed out the present leadership of SAD as well as SGPC has abandoned its responsibilities and deviated from Sikh agenda.

They clarified that this being the second WSC would take up issues ranging from codifying the post of Akal Takht jathedar to tampering of the Nanakshahi calendar.

They said the DSGMC was only felicitating the convention otherwise it was a joint venture of various Sikh bodies and individuals representing cross section of the society. They said Sikhs from all over the world would converge at the venue to define their role in the world polity and establish procedures and mechanism to safeguard their separate identity and interests.

They gave a clarion call to Sikh masses to attend the convention with zeal and high spirit and participate in the decision making process. They also asked the SGPC to shun its negative approach and join the WSC as a representative of premier Sikh institution. They said Akal Takht jathedar should accept the invitation of the WSC and should preside over it.

With thanks : PunjabNewsline

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Canadian Sikh woman charged with double murder plot

VANCOUVER: A 45-year-old Sikh woman has been arrested in the city suburb of Delta for plotting the murder of two persons for money.

Amarjit Kaur Lally, who appeared in a court on Wednesday, was charged with hiring hit men to commit the double murder.

Her intended targets were also Indo-Canadians, though police have not released their identity.

Police said they mounted surveillance after getting a tip about the murder plot. The persons to be targeted by her hit men were informed about danger to their lives and given protection. A six-week-long investigation led police to nail the Indo-Canadian woman.

"The intended victims were notified by police with respect to their risk of personal harm and safety, and protection measures were put into place during the course of the investigation," police spokesperson Sharlene Brooks told the local media.

She said, "As a result of this six-week investigation, charges have been secured under Section 464(A) of the Criminal Code.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED BY CLICKING HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : Times of India

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Kamal Nath summoned by US court for alleged role in anti-Sikh riots

NEW YORK: Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath has been summoned by a US federal district court for his alleged role in the 1984 anti sikh riots based on a case filed by a sikh outfit.

In the civil case filed under the Alien Torts Claims Act, the petitioners sought compensatory and punitive damages for several allegations including crimes against humanity, degrading treatment and wrongful killing.

However, Nath, who is incidentally here on a visit, said he was "surprised and appalled" as the case has been filed 25 years after the anti-Sikh riots in India

"I really have no clue about it. I don't have a basis and I don't know the authenticity. I don't know the validity. It was for the first time that I saw it," Nath told PTI when asked to comment on the case.

Nath has been served a notice and has to respond within 21 days failing which the court will give a default judgment on the matter.

The minister said that he would have to study the matter further.

FOR DETAILED NEWS, PLEASE CLICK THE HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : Source : Economic Times

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'84 riots: No action on one FIR

NEW DELHI: It's a development that could have wide ramifications in the ongoing trial of cases pertaining to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

In a major outcome of the work by a Delhi High Court-appointed panel of special prosecutors in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases, one of the prosecutors has come across an FIR registered in 1987 in Nangloi police station whose fate is still unknown.

The victims' association is alleging that the reason for the FIR not being pursued is because former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar figures in it as one of the accused. However, this charge can be established only in court.

Suspecting bungling, special prosecutor B S Joon has filed an application in the court of additional sessions judge V K Goyal seeking to know the status of FIR No 67/87, which was claimed to have been clubbed by Delhi Police with another FIR for a joint trial. The application, however, states that while the trial has already begun in the first FIR, FIR 67/87 has never met its logical conclusion. "From the record, it is not clear whether the accused arrayed in FIR 67/87 was summoned for prosecution or not during the trial of present case...Even witnesses in the FIR have not been summoned for their deposition in the court,'' Joon stated while asking the court to ascertain the status of the FIR.

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With thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/84-riots-No-action-on-one-FIR/articleshow/5768211.cms

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Ex-Sikh judge attacked in Canada

JALANDHAR: The viciousness created here over the excommunication of former Akal Takht Jathedar professor Darshan Singh Ragi has started turning bloody overseas with a former Sikh judge and now a prominent Brampton lawyer in Canada facing attempt on his life just outside a Sikh gurdwara last Friday by some persons who had gathered to protest a programme by him scheduled to be held there.

While the Peel regional police has termed the injuries on Manjit Singh Mangat (53) serious, Sukhwant Singh has been arrested and charged with attempt to murder and aggravated assault. Mangat is still in hospital, reported Brampton Guardian. Apart from the English media, the issue has generated a lot of heat in Punjabi media in Canada.

Current Akal Takht jathedar Gurbachan Singh, who had even given subjective comments against professor Ragi and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, along with some other pro-Dasam Granth leaders, had been giving acrimonious statements urging Sikhs to stop him from speaking on Panthic stages.

FOR DETAILED NEWS, PLEASE CLICK THE HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : Source : Times of India

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PROUD TO BE A SIKH

Sikhs contribute 33% of total income tax,
67% of total charity fund,
45% of Indian Army,
+59000 Gurudwaras serve Langar to approximately 5900000 people everyday;
All this when Sikhs constitute only 1.4% of total INDIAN POPULATION.