Punjab Gatka Associaiton seeks apology from Colors TV for hurting Sikh sentiments

CHANDIGARH: The Gatka Federation of India (Regd.) (GFI) and Punjab Gatka Association (Regd.) (PGA) have urged the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to take strict action in the ouster of seven year-old Sikh child Manpreet Singh of Tarn Taran from reality show India's Got Talent on Colors TV and debarring him from demonstrating Gatka, an Indian martial art.

In a press release GFI General Secretary H.S Grewal and PGA Joint Secretary Jagmohanjit Singh Wednesday said that Judge Sajid Khan's reaction on the TV show had hurt the sentiments of Sikhs and Gatka sportspersons by terming it violent for his age. They added that Gatka, a traditional martial art, an Indian Art of self defence, was introduced to India around 4 thousand years ago by the Aryans and is the mother of all martial arts. "It is an art by which one becomes extremely graceful and brings dignity, divinity, grace and self defence." Association adds.

with thanks : source : PunjabNewsLine : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Not aware of any threat from Sikh militants to CWG: Sukhbir

Jalandhar, Aug 4 (PTI) Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said he was not aware of any threat from Sikh militants to the Commonwealth Games to be held in the national capital in October. There has been an exchange of inputs between intelligence agencies of Punjab and the Centre on terrorists' activities, but "I am not aware of any threat from Sikh militants to the Commonwealth Games," Sukhbir told reporters here after a private function.

with thanks : source : IBNLIVE : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Reality show judge angers Sikh groups in Punjab

The exit of a seven-year-old participant from the India's Got Talent reality show after judge Sajid Khan commmented that the martial arts dance form he performed was too violent has angererd Sikh groups in Punjab.

'Gatka' , a traditional martial arts dance form of the Nihang sect of the Sikh religion, bodies are objecting to the ouster of Manpreet Singh of Tarn Taran from the reality show that runs on Colours TV and debarred him from demonstrating the routine.

with thanks : source : SIFY : Link in headline above for detailed story.

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Sikhs Leave an Indelible Mark in Smithsonian’s Annual Folklife Festival 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For the first time in 44 years of Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival history Sikh community from greater Washington Metropolitan area participated in various activities over ten day period. The Folklife festival is conducted by the Smithsonian Institution every year and this year it was from June 24th until July 5th. Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, an active Sikh Gurdwara organization based in Rockville, Maryland, led the Sikh participation in the festival. The Sikhs had a large role to play in displaying their heritage, identity, tradition, and culture as part of the presentations on Asian Pacific Americans, one of three major themes chosen for this year in addition to Mexico and Smithsonian Workforce.

The opening night concert featured high energy song and dance in the form of Bhangra and Giddha. It featured over 60 participants.

July 1 saw the Sikh team performing the entire day. It started with an introduction on Fox TV. Different team leaders were selected by GGSF coordinators to showcase the Sikh community’s presence in America.

There was Gurbani Kirtan, turban tying, henna tattoos, trying on Punjabi clothes, and having visitors get their names written in Gurmukhi calligraphy, teaching Gurmukhi language, and of course Punjabi cooking. At the family activities tent several turbaned Sikh youth men and women tirelessly wrapped turbans and helped people try Punjabi clothing.

with thanks : source : India journal : link in headline above for detailed story.

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Two kids drown in holy pond in Punjab

Two children drowned in the holy pond of Gurudwara (Sikh shrine) Kaulsar in this Punjab city, police said Monday.

Sonu, 9, and Sanju, 11, had come to take a dip in the pond with a group of friends Sunday evening.

'Sonu slipped into the sarovar (holy pond) and to save him Sanju also jumped in. Both of them drowned,' Lakhbir Singh, investigating the case, told IANS.

'After a prolonged search operation, police divers have fished out the bodies, which were handed over to the family members,' he said.

with thanks : source : SIFY : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Amritsar: 15kg of RDX, sub machine gun seized

Amritsar: Punjab police on Saturday recovered 15 kg of RDX 3 detonators, a sub-machine gun along with its cartridges following the interrogation of an arrested terrorist of Sikh separatist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

The special operation cell of Punjab police's intelligence wing also recovered one magazine of AK 47 rifle, 100 cartridges of AK 47 and 3 packets fuse wire.

Officials of the cell said the lead about the arms and ammunition was given by BKI terrorist Pal Singh, a French national, who was arrested on July 28, during his interrogation.

with thanks : source : NDTV : link in headline above for the detailed news.

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Sikh history radiates through light-&-sound show

CHANDIGARH: The glory of Sikh history, which depicted the sacrifices made by warriors during Mughal rule, radiated through a light-and-sound show at Punjab Kala Bhawan on Saturday. The two-and-a-half-hour play, ‘Singh Soorme’, produced and directed by Jarnail Singh Gogi in association with Panj Pani Rang Manch, was composed by Sharanjit Singh and Satpal Singh Joshila.

Gogi said he staged the play to promote Sikh history, espeially among youths. Though the era might be different, the evils prevalent in society have only changed their faces and not characteristics. So, these have to be dealt with in a tougher way even today.

with thanks : source : Times of India : link in headline above for the detailed news.

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Gutkas published by Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana end up as paper bags

Ludhiana, Punjab: The Gutkas of Japji Sahib and Rehraas Sahib, which are revered in Sikh faith, are being disrespected by some people. They are making paper-bags for carrying groceries from paper of these Gutkas.

‘Dainik Jagran’ found hundreds of such paper-bags that had the paath of Japji Sahib printed on them. While it is evident it is printer waste, according to Sikh religion, even this waste paper is cremated with full rites at Goindwal Sahib Gurdwara.

There are many such papers like this in the market, which have Japji sahib and Rehraas Sahib paath printed on them. According to the information received, only those with permission from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib can print Gurbani related material. These paperbags in the market have got ‘Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana’ and ‘New Verma Printing Press, Jalandhar’ imprinted on them. It is evident that gross negligence has been made at some point.

Harbhajan Singh, the Chairman of Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana said he will order an investigation in this matter. Action will be taken against those who are responsible for this mistake.

Upon contact, Harbhajan Singh, the Chairman of Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana said that it is simply not possible as proper care is taken in the process. That, Bani is given full respect is given while printing. But when the paper bags were shown to him, he informed the police and gave assurance of full investigation into the matter.

The head of the Jalandhar unit of Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana Harjit Singh refused to accept that such a thing can happen because according to him great care is taken while printing of Gurbani. However when Harjit Singh was shown the paper bags made out of Gutkas then he not only contacted the police but also assured a full investigation in this matter.

Gurcharan Singh Channi, the leader of Shiromani Akali Dad Jalandhar area said if the reports are true then it is a matter of grave concern indeed. He said he will take this matter to Sri Akal Takhat.

It is worth mentioning again that only Sri Akal Takhat Sahib has the sole rights to print Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Saroops and Gutkas. Keeping in mind the purity and marayada associated with the process, nobody else has been given the permissino to print these Gutkas and Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Despite this, some companies are actively engaged in business of publishing these Granths. This controversy has also arisen in the past because of this.

with thanks : source : sikhsangat.org

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Haie cut fuels Sikh protest

Jammu, July 29 -- Members of the Sikh community blocked roads and Sikh organisations protested on Thursday as a Sikh youth was beaten up and his hair chopped off on Wednesday. Serving a two-day ultimatum to the state government for taking action against the culprits, the organisations demanded special probe into the incident.

Some unidentified persons allegedly beat up and chopped off the hair of a Sikh youth, Mithunpal Singh, a resident of Tral in Pulwama district, about 160 km from here. Deputy inspector General of Police in south Kashmir, Shafaqat Watali, said, "Some youth asked him to raise pro-freedom slogans.

He obliged. But when they asked him to recite kalma (Islamic prayer), he resisted.

With thanks : Yahoo News : link in headline above for detailed story.

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Nihang turns ‘demolition man’ to free Amritsar of encroachments

A superintendent with MC, Tarsem Singh Khalsa says he will make Amritsar look like Singapore, free it from all encroachments, ‘provided there is no political interference’

He does not come across as a government servant at first glance. Dressed like a Nihang Sikh, Tarsem Singh Khalsa hits the roads every day to get the city’s public properties freed of encroachment that dot its every nook and corner, paying no heed to political or any other “pressure”.

A superintendent with the Amritsar Municipal Corporation, Tarsem has earned the name of “demolition man”. Accompanied by a group of four to five employees, two policemen and a huge crane, he would select one colony, public park or some other site every day and embark upon the difficult task of implementing the law to remove illegal structures, stalls, makeshift shrines and concrete hedges.

with thanks : source : indian express : Link in headline above for detailed story

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9 injured in clash over removal of holy book from temple

As many as nine people sustained injuries when a clash took place between the members of Jat Sikh and Ravidasi communities at Manan village and the police intervened. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the new granth of the Ravidasia community, Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas, was removed from the Ravidasi temple around 1 am and sent to Dera Sachkhand Ballan.

The injured were admitted in Jalandhar civil hospital. The police have registered a case of attempt to murder against a mob for attacking Constable Sarabjit Kaur, who has been hospitalised.

with thanks : source : indian express ; link in headline above for more detailed news.

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