BBC Remembrance - The Sikh Story

with thanks : BBC & YouTube

Sikh ‘Gatka' group performs in Singapore

An Indian group performing Gatka, a weapon-based martial art by Sikhs, enthralled the audience by the art of defence at a religious festival held by the Sikh community here.

‘Bir Khalsa Gatka Group' from Punjab's Taran Taran, which has been promoting the Gatka art which originated in the late 19th century out of sword practice in the British Indian Army, performed during ‘Naam Ras Kirtan Darbar,' a three-day festival concluded on Sunday. “We are responding to the increasing number of calls from the global Sikh community for reviving this Gatka art among Sikhs,” said Manmohan Singh Bhagowal, who leads the 14-men group.

with thanks : The Hindu : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Bengal-born realtor builds bridges for Sikhs to bond

He deals in transport and real estate. And on any week day he could be seen sitting in his office located at his house at Mall Road, Dum Dum conducting his business. But Jagmohan Singh Gill is not a mere businessman. He is rather a crusader out to bridge the gap between Sikhs living in Punjab and those living elsewhere, especiallly the Sikhs of Bihar, particularly those living in Sasaram.

He has also taken upon with himself the mission to spread the message and the lofty ideals of the Sikh Gurus, the message of love, and camaraderie among human beings.

An avid student of Sikh history and culture, Gill, who was both born and brought up in Kolkata, learnt Gurumukhi with his own efforts and studied the history of the religion and its culture. thoroughly.

His article ‘Sikhs living in other states than Punjab’ was read at a seminar held on November 24 and November 25 at the Institure of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh.

with thanks : indian Express : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Luxury train on Sikh pilgrimage across India sold out

Chandigarh, Dec 26 (IANS) A unique pilgrimage of Sikh shrines across India on board the Deccan Odyssey luxury train is all sold out. Never mind if the nine-day journey costs a minimum of Rs.210,000 ($4,665) per person.

Titled 'A spiritual journey to the Guru's abode' on the Deccan Odyssey, all 80 seats for the first trip of the train, which begins from Delhi Wednesday, are taken.

The journey is not only religious in nature. It will have the passengers celebrate New Year's Day at the Golden Temple, the holiest of Sikh shrines, in Amritsar. They will also be taken to historical and tourist destinations in Delhi, Amritsar, Jaipur, Agra and Patna.

'This is an exclusive, once in a lifetime journey. All 80 seats are sold out. We have a mix of passengers from the US, Canada, Germany, France and a few from India also. People on board will begin their new year at the Golden Temple complex,' Sajive Trehan, CEO of The Luxury Holidays, told IANS.

The passengers aboard the first journey of the train to the five Sikh 'Takhts' - temporal seats - will also include a Bulgarian couple who are interested in the Sikh religion.

with thanks : sify : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

'Bringing Sikhs under US security scanner unfair'

Punjab Minister Manoranjan Kalia on Friday condemned the US for bringing the Sikhs of America under the security scanner yet again.

"No Indian, especially Sikh, is involved in terrorist activities in the US," Kalia, the Local Government Industry and Commerce Minister, said here.

"David Coleman Headley, who was involved in 26/11 attack on Mumbai, is an American national. But does this mean we too should bring all Americans under scanner?" he said.

with thanks : indian express : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Aurangabad artist writes holy book on rice grains

"I have written Sukhmani paath (holy chapter of a Sikh religious book) and I have sent it to the Guinness book of World records.

This would also go to the Guinness book of World records as I have got blessings from many people, I have the support of my parents as well. My wish is to take the holy book of Sai Baba to the Guinness book of World records," he said. (ANI)

with thanks : sify : link above for complete news.

sikhsindia

Celebration of Founder's Day

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College ,Dev Nagar,University of Delhi

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College celebrated its Founder's day on 24th December 2010.
To mark this occasion,Kirtan Darbar (Sikh religious musical prayers ) was held.Sangat (congregation) was spell bound with divine Kirtan of Gurpreet Singh ji,(from Shimla).Kirtan performance by Students of Divinity Society of the College, added an extra dimension to the well organised Samagam( programme).
Kirtan Samagam was hugely attended by staff & students of the College.Many Sikh dignitaries & prominent members of DSGMC were also present to grace the occasion .Honourable Inderjeet Singh Monty,(an Executive Member of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee & Chairman of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School,Tilak Nagar)& Dr.Jaswinder Singh(Principal of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College,University of Delhi)were also among them.

Principal Dr.Man Mohan Kaur gave very emotional speech while remembering martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singhji's Sahibzaadey (sons).In magical few words,she put emphasis on Guru Tegh Bahadur's (Ninth Sikh Guru) hymns :Give up your Head,but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect,sacrifice your life,but relinquish not your faith. Her heart throbbing speech was as nice as warming closure of the Founder's Day with serving of Langar(community food)in the college premises.

Gurmat Samagam : Sri Guru Nanak Sewak Jatha

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SikhsIndia
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SGPC to give say to foreign Sikhs : Mulls panel to address Sikh concerns across globe

Even as the SGPC is gearing up for a protest outside the US Embassy in New Delhi tomorrow over the turban frisking issue, it is toying with the idea of setting up an advisory panel comprising Sikh representatives from foreign countries to deal with the problems being faced by the community abroad.

This is being seen as a move to address the concerns of Sikh community across the globe, particularly in view of the prevailing scenario over turban issue in countries like the US and France. Sikhs have a sizable population in various countries, including America, Canada, France, Argentina and New Zealand, where they are confronting various religious and social problems.

These include the issues of Sikh identity and turban issue. In France, the issue of ban on wearing Sikh turban in schools has been troubling the community while Sikh outfits there have failed to convince the lawmakers that the turban is an inseparable part of Sikh identity. A similar situation has now arisen in the US following norms by airport authorities regarding turban frisking of Sikhs.

with thanks : Tribune : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Pak denies refusal of visas to Sikh pilgrims

Islamabad, Dec 21 (PTI) Pakistan today denied reports that 300 Indian Sikh pilgrims born in Pakistan were recently denied visas.

Responding to a calling attention notice in the National Assembly or lower house of parliament, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Khan said he had checked with the Interior Ministry and there were no reports of 300 Sikh pilgrims being denied visas.

A protocol signed by Pakistan and India in 1974 contained the number of people from both countries who could make visits for religious purposes.

with thanks : msn : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia
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People treated as pigs: SC