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Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
World Turban Day
with thanks : youtube
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Thousands of Sikhs return to the fold on World Turban Day
Thousands of Sikh men, each with a unique work of art perched on his head, will take to the streets of India today. Their mission: to prove to the world that the turban is not old hat.
Scores of rallies, prayer vigils and tying competitions will mark World Turban Day, an event conceived amid concerns that young Sikhs are abandoning the most conspicuous emblem of their faith — six to eight metres of cloth wrapped around their heads — in favour of close-cropped Western-style hairdos.
“We are inviting Sikhs who have forsaken the turban to return to the fold,” said Jaswinder Singh of the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj (Army of God), a Turban Pride movement. “This day is their chance to reconnect with our gurus.”
Sikh men — and some women — have worn turbans since 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh, the religion’s tenth master, prohibited them from cutting their hair. Every man was given the surname Singh — lion — and was required to wear a steel bangle, long cotton underwear, a sheathed sword and wooden comb.
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With thanks : source : timesonline
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World Sikh Convention: Debar Jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazoor Sahib
Sikh body urges govt for withdrawal of blacklist
NEW DELHI: The World Sikh Convention in New Delhi sought to debar the Jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazoor Sahib from participation in clergy meetings convened to deliberate on panthic matters till they shun the practice of adorning the controversial Dasam Granth parallel to Guru Granth Sahib.
Representatives of several Panthic Bodies from India and 31 representatives from US, Canada, UK, Belgium, Sweden and Pakistan took part in the conference on Sunday.
Representatives of an international Sikh body appealed to the government to do away with the blacklist that debarred some Sikhs from entering the country.
They made the demand in a resolution adopted at the World Sikh Convention that ended with an open session at Rakabganj Gurdwara here on Sunday. The delegates contended that the list had no relevance any longer as the Khalistan agitation was over in Punjab long ago.
“The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara managing committee should take up the issue with the Indian government,” said Kuldeep Singh from New York, adding that the blacklist was also coming in the way of those having similar names getting the Indian visa.
Punjabis in the country must register Punjabi as their mother tongue in the ongoing national census, it said.
Delegates also appealed to Sikhs across the globe to continue to observe all the ceremonies in accordance with the unchanged version of the Nanakshahi calendar and changes that have been introduced now should not be accepted.
The conference formulated a committee to finalise the criteria of appointing the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht as well as the mode of retirement, qualifications, sphere of authority, working conditions.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna said, “We strongly condemn the ban on turbans in France and other Sikh code of conduct in other countries and demand that the Indian government protect the interests of NRI Sikhs and provide them dual citizenship.”
The convention also passed a resolution against the capital punishment awarded to Davinderpal Singh Bhullar in the case relating to the attack on youth Congress leader MS Bhitta and sought its revocation.
With thanks : punjabnewsline
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Monday, April 12, 2010
Sikh pilgrims must have visa for sites they want to visit: Pak
LAHORE: Pakistani authorities have imposed a ban on the travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to places for which they do not possess a visa, as 1,400 devotees arrived here to take part in celebrations marking the Baisakhi festival.
The Home Department of Punjab province banned such travel by issuing an official circular, official sources said on Monday.
The circular was sent to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) which looks after shrines of minority communities and organises pilgrimages to such sites, and to law enforcement agencies. The circular stated it was the duty of authorities "to provide all facilities and protection to the Sikh yatris (pilgrims). But it is important for their (Sikhs') protection to disallow them to visit places for which they are not issued visa by the Pakistan High Commission in India."
Law enforcement agencies and the ETPB were asked by the Home Department to enforce the ban at any cost.
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With thanks : Source : Times of India
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The Home Department of Punjab province banned such travel by issuing an official circular, official sources said on Monday.
The circular was sent to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) which looks after shrines of minority communities and organises pilgrimages to such sites, and to law enforcement agencies. The circular stated it was the duty of authorities "to provide all facilities and protection to the Sikh yatris (pilgrims). But it is important for their (Sikhs') protection to disallow them to visit places for which they are not issued visa by the Pakistan High Commission in India."
Law enforcement agencies and the ETPB were asked by the Home Department to enforce the ban at any cost.
FOR DETAILED NEWS, PLEASE CLICK THE HEADLINE ABOVE.
With thanks : Source : Times of India
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Malaysian Sikh writes heaviest and largest Guru Granth Sahib
KUALA LUMPUR: A 73-year-old Malaysian Sikh has completed his fourth handwritten copy of 1,430 page Guru Granth Sahib, which could be the largest and heaviest in the world.
Jaswant Singh Khosa's handwritten fourth copy of the Guru Granth Sahib weighs 84kg and is 91.44cm in length and 66.04cm wide, breaking his previous 'Malaysia Book of Records' for his second copy which weighed 45kg and was 76.2cm long and 48.26cm wide in 2004, a media report said today.
"It is a labour of love. The (latest) book is 182.9cm long when it opens up. I wrote for 14 hours a day. It was worth it," he told The Star newspaper.
It took Khosa 14 months to complete his fourth copy which he donated to a Sikh temple in the United States.
The daily said a gurudwara in Amritsar had replaced its 200-year-old holy book and was currently using khosa's second hand-written copy, which he had also donated.
The third copy, which is the same size as the second, was given to a Sikh temple in Canada in 2007. His first hand-written copy, a smaller version, was donated to a Sikh temple in London in 1998. All four copies were in traditional Gurmukhi calligraphy.
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With thanks : source : Times of India
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Jaswant Singh Khosa's handwritten fourth copy of the Guru Granth Sahib weighs 84kg and is 91.44cm in length and 66.04cm wide, breaking his previous 'Malaysia Book of Records' for his second copy which weighed 45kg and was 76.2cm long and 48.26cm wide in 2004, a media report said today.
"It is a labour of love. The (latest) book is 182.9cm long when it opens up. I wrote for 14 hours a day. It was worth it," he told The Star newspaper.
It took Khosa 14 months to complete his fourth copy which he donated to a Sikh temple in the United States.
The daily said a gurudwara in Amritsar had replaced its 200-year-old holy book and was currently using khosa's second hand-written copy, which he had also donated.
The third copy, which is the same size as the second, was given to a Sikh temple in Canada in 2007. His first hand-written copy, a smaller version, was donated to a Sikh temple in London in 1998. All four copies were in traditional Gurmukhi calligraphy.
FOR DETAILED NEWS, PLZ CLICK THE HEADLINE ABOVE.
With thanks : source : Times of India
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Kirpans out as Canadian Sikh divisions deepen over scripture
IANS
TORONTO: Divisions among Canadian Sikhs over the ongoing controversy about the Dasam Granth reached a flash point with hardliners using kirpans to attack supporters of former Akal Takht head priest Darshan Singh Ragi who suspects the authenticity of the scripture.
After the holy Granth which carries the writings of the first nine Sikhs, the Dasam Granth is another major scripture of the community carrying the writings of the last guru Gobind Singh.
Though only the holy Granth is installed at all gurdwaras because it was declared the eternal guru of the Sikhs by the last guru (Guru Gobind Singh) before his death in 1708, some gurdwaras associated with his birth and death in Patna and Nanded have also installed the Dasam Granth.
However, Sikh scholars, inlcuding Ragi,are against its installation as they suspect the authenticity of the Dasam Granth because of objectionable parts - references to women in derogatory languages, sexual promiscuity and intoxicants - in it.
They say the last Sikh guru could never have written these parts, linking the derogatory parts to conspiracy theories against the community.
But opponents say these scholars are denigrating the Dasam Granth and should be excommunicated from the Sikh religion.
Toronto-based former Akal Takht head priest Ragi was ex-communicated from the Sikh clergy last December for vocing his opposition to the scripture.
Last week Ragi, who presided over the Akal Takht at the height of militancy in Punjab in the 1980s, was not allowed to perform kirtan at a suburban gurdwara with his opponents taking out their kirpans and injuring one of his prominent supporters. The protesters were opposed to the ostracized former Akal Takht head priest being invited to the gurdwara.
Sikhs are not supposed to do anything with someone excommunicated by the Akal Takht - their spiritual and temporal seat in Amritsar.
The use of kirpans in the gurdwara violence led to calls in some section of the media to revisit the issue of kirpan in Canada where the Sikhs won a major legal victory for it in 2006 to let them wear their religious symbol in classrooms and work places.
With thanks : source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Kirpans-out-as-Canadian-Sikh-divsions-deepen-over-scripture/articleshow/5786604.cms
SikhsIndia
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TORONTO: Divisions among Canadian Sikhs over the ongoing controversy about the Dasam Granth reached a flash point with hardliners using kirpans to attack supporters of former Akal Takht head priest Darshan Singh Ragi who suspects the authenticity of the scripture.
After the holy Granth which carries the writings of the first nine Sikhs, the Dasam Granth is another major scripture of the community carrying the writings of the last guru Gobind Singh.
Though only the holy Granth is installed at all gurdwaras because it was declared the eternal guru of the Sikhs by the last guru (Guru Gobind Singh) before his death in 1708, some gurdwaras associated with his birth and death in Patna and Nanded have also installed the Dasam Granth.
However, Sikh scholars, inlcuding Ragi,are against its installation as they suspect the authenticity of the Dasam Granth because of objectionable parts - references to women in derogatory languages, sexual promiscuity and intoxicants - in it.
They say the last Sikh guru could never have written these parts, linking the derogatory parts to conspiracy theories against the community.
But opponents say these scholars are denigrating the Dasam Granth and should be excommunicated from the Sikh religion.
Toronto-based former Akal Takht head priest Ragi was ex-communicated from the Sikh clergy last December for vocing his opposition to the scripture.
Last week Ragi, who presided over the Akal Takht at the height of militancy in Punjab in the 1980s, was not allowed to perform kirtan at a suburban gurdwara with his opponents taking out their kirpans and injuring one of his prominent supporters. The protesters were opposed to the ostracized former Akal Takht head priest being invited to the gurdwara.
Sikhs are not supposed to do anything with someone excommunicated by the Akal Takht - their spiritual and temporal seat in Amritsar.
The use of kirpans in the gurdwara violence led to calls in some section of the media to revisit the issue of kirpan in Canada where the Sikhs won a major legal victory for it in 2006 to let them wear their religious symbol in classrooms and work places.
With thanks : source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Kirpans-out-as-Canadian-Sikh-divsions-deepen-over-scripture/articleshow/5786604.cms
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.SikhsIndia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Sunday, April 11, 2010
World Sikh Council begins today
New Delhi, April 10, 2010
Declining values and lesser inclination towards religion among the community's youth, demand to reinstate the Nanakshahi Calender, protest against ban on pagdi (Sikh turban) in France and demand of Indian citizenship for those sent away from Afghanistan are few of the important issues that would be taken up during a day-long session of the World Sikh Council on Sunday here.
Around 45,000 Sikhs from all across the world have congregated at Gurudwara Rakabganj for participating at the event, being held in the national capital for the first time.
The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is the organizer for the event.
Delegates have already arrived from United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and France to name a few countries.
“The Sikh religion has been witnessing a down trend for quite some time,” said DSGMC's Harvinder Singh Sarna.
“Our youth are increasingly taking to drugs, values have declined and overall they are not inclined towards the religion. Our biggest worry at tomorrow's open session would be the condition of the youth of the community.”
Apart from the above issues, there would also be a discussion and demand for publishing a list of people “allegedly blacklisted” some 20 years ago.
“The various embassies keep denying people entry to India citing this list. But till date, it has not been published,” Sarna said.
He added that the participants attending the congregation would discuss this and the other issues and come up with resolutions at the end of the session.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/World-Sikh-Council-begins-today/Article1-529777.aspx
B S Vohra
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com for latest sikh news worldwide
Sat Sri Akal,
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You had earlier subscribed SikhsIndia blog. Our records show that so far, you are not getting our regular updates in your mail box as you have not yet verified the confirmation mail.
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Massive Baisakhi Celebrations Culminate in Grand Parade
LOS ANGELES , CA : The 2010 Baisakhi Celebrations at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, April 4, conducted by Sikh groups from all over Southern California concluded on a high note with a magnificent procession. Leading the spectacle was splendidly decorated float carrying Siri Guru Granth Sahib followed by others depicting events relating to the Sikh religion through the centuries after its birth in 1699. The Nagar Keertan ,as the parade is called, was organized by Gurdip Singh Malik and Joginder Singh Sidhu and conducted with the cooperation of all Sikh Temples strewn across the Southland. The cavalcade was accompanied through its approximately two mile route by thousands of chanting Sikhs while those not quite fit for the task chose to remain behind at the Convention Center to welcome the marchers when they returned. Waiting for the tired but happy convoy of floats and marchers was a grand feast to bring down the curtain on the joyous event.
Earlier in the afternoon, after a sumptuous lunch in the langar following the Keertan Darbar, crowds gathered at the front of the Convention Center eagerly awaiting the arrival of Siri Guru Granth Sahib to be placed on the lead float. While they did this they were able to witness a Gatka show of traditional Sikh martial art using several weapons. At the conclusion of every routine the huge crowd circling the spot where the display was in progress broke into spontaneous cheers of appreciation for the performing artistes.
The beating of the drum announced the approach of Siri Guru Granth Sahib which was led to its float carried by temple officials under a colorful ceremonial umbrella. With great reverence, extreme care and devotion it was solemnly placed in a regal manner in its place . Along with the chanting of religious ‘ardaas’ it was then lovingly covered with a sacred wrap. This brought up a big cheer from the hundreds milling around the tastefully bedecked flower filled float. Just prior to the parade hitting the streets, Bhai Raghbir Singh heralded the ‘arambh’ of the journey with a solemn recital of a prayer and the Priest Charanjit Singh took the “Hukum Nama.” The start of the much anticipated procession was announced with a flurry of dhol beats by the drummer placed high in a vehicle guiding the entire convoy on its route . With Sikh soldiers in dramatic traditional costumes bearing swords and ensigns ahead of the float , the procession got on its way to cries of “Satnam Waheguru.” .
Once the lead float was on its way the remaining followed at safe distances at a gentle pace which also gave passers by and visitors to the area an opportunity to get a glimpse of the Sikh culture through the music emerging from the revelers and the colorful slogans , banners and displays which had vivid pictorials of events of historical events. There were also smaller groups in the procession carrying banners of their respective organizations. Slogans appeared on all the floats with religious messages such as “ God is Self Existent , God is without Enemies, There is only 1 God ” etc. .” Some of the units carried pictures of the Golden Temple and martyrs who had given their lives for the Sikh cause. Many carried a full contingent of keertan performers, singing live to the accompaniment of harmoniums and tablas.
The Guru Nanak Children’s Academy , Sikh Center of Orange County float had a ‘go green’ theme with several globes and flowers. Gurdwara Canoga Park’s contained depictions of baptism in Sikh history and the vehicle of the Sikh Gurdwara , Alhambra proclaimed “ God is Self Existent.” Khalsa Care Foundation’s contribution proclaimed the 3 principles of Sikhism, namely, Earning a Livelihood, Meditation on God’s name and to Share and Care. The message on the Sikh Gurdwara Riverside Float implored viewers not to forget the events of 1984 and the one of Gurdwara Sahib of Walnut showed Bhai Kanahiyaji , a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh serving water and giving first aid to friend and foe alike. The Sikh Students Association message emphasized the importance of education as it displayed Guru Nanak’s quote “ When you reflect upon knowledge, then others Gain.” The longest double unit float filled with happy revelers belonged to the Sikh Dharma of Southern California and the Guru Ramdas Ashram . A call for saving the planet made by a contingent on foot , the Sikhs for Clean Environment while another , the Ujjaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation sought to spread love.
The architect of all the floats, Joginder Singh Sidhu told India Journal that putting them together took almost 2 months with the assistance of over a hundred willing volunteers. He has been designing them from the time they were first introduced into the celebrations in 1999 with a group of 5 units.
with thanks : source : http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=10562
SikhsIndia
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www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Earlier in the afternoon, after a sumptuous lunch in the langar following the Keertan Darbar, crowds gathered at the front of the Convention Center eagerly awaiting the arrival of Siri Guru Granth Sahib to be placed on the lead float. While they did this they were able to witness a Gatka show of traditional Sikh martial art using several weapons. At the conclusion of every routine the huge crowd circling the spot where the display was in progress broke into spontaneous cheers of appreciation for the performing artistes.
The beating of the drum announced the approach of Siri Guru Granth Sahib which was led to its float carried by temple officials under a colorful ceremonial umbrella. With great reverence, extreme care and devotion it was solemnly placed in a regal manner in its place . Along with the chanting of religious ‘ardaas’ it was then lovingly covered with a sacred wrap. This brought up a big cheer from the hundreds milling around the tastefully bedecked flower filled float. Just prior to the parade hitting the streets, Bhai Raghbir Singh heralded the ‘arambh’ of the journey with a solemn recital of a prayer and the Priest Charanjit Singh took the “Hukum Nama.” The start of the much anticipated procession was announced with a flurry of dhol beats by the drummer placed high in a vehicle guiding the entire convoy on its route . With Sikh soldiers in dramatic traditional costumes bearing swords and ensigns ahead of the float , the procession got on its way to cries of “Satnam Waheguru.” .
Once the lead float was on its way the remaining followed at safe distances at a gentle pace which also gave passers by and visitors to the area an opportunity to get a glimpse of the Sikh culture through the music emerging from the revelers and the colorful slogans , banners and displays which had vivid pictorials of events of historical events. There were also smaller groups in the procession carrying banners of their respective organizations. Slogans appeared on all the floats with religious messages such as “ God is Self Existent , God is without Enemies, There is only 1 God ” etc. .” Some of the units carried pictures of the Golden Temple and martyrs who had given their lives for the Sikh cause. Many carried a full contingent of keertan performers, singing live to the accompaniment of harmoniums and tablas.
The Guru Nanak Children’s Academy , Sikh Center of Orange County float had a ‘go green’ theme with several globes and flowers. Gurdwara Canoga Park’s contained depictions of baptism in Sikh history and the vehicle of the Sikh Gurdwara , Alhambra proclaimed “ God is Self Existent.” Khalsa Care Foundation’s contribution proclaimed the 3 principles of Sikhism, namely, Earning a Livelihood, Meditation on God’s name and to Share and Care. The message on the Sikh Gurdwara Riverside Float implored viewers not to forget the events of 1984 and the one of Gurdwara Sahib of Walnut showed Bhai Kanahiyaji , a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh serving water and giving first aid to friend and foe alike. The Sikh Students Association message emphasized the importance of education as it displayed Guru Nanak’s quote “ When you reflect upon knowledge, then others Gain.” The longest double unit float filled with happy revelers belonged to the Sikh Dharma of Southern California and the Guru Ramdas Ashram . A call for saving the planet made by a contingent on foot , the Sikhs for Clean Environment while another , the Ujjaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation sought to spread love.
The architect of all the floats, Joginder Singh Sidhu told India Journal that putting them together took almost 2 months with the assistance of over a hundred willing volunteers. He has been designing them from the time they were first introduced into the celebrations in 1999 with a group of 5 units.
with thanks : source : http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=10562
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
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