Plans to include Sikh trainers in NS camps

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 24, 2011): The National Service Training Department is planning to include Sikh trainers in National Service (NS) camps in the future, said department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil today.

The NS service department has also urged volunteers or NGOs identified by the Malaysian Sikh Union to visit all nine NS camps nationwide to get feedback on problems or complaints by Sikh trainees.

Abdul Hadi said the measures in line with the government’s aim to instill unity and patriotism among trainees of various races and culture.

He also said the initiatives will help prevent a similar incident last week where 17-year-old Sikh trainee Basant Singh woke up at the Sungai Bakap camp in Penang to find his hair snipped off.

The cutting or shaving of hair is one of the four taboos in Sikhism.

Abdul Hadi was speaking in a press conference today after meeting the family of Basant and members of the Union of Perak Sikh Organisation (UPSO) in Wangsa Maju.

The family of Basant and UPSO made no comments on the hair-cutting incident as they are waiting for police to complete investigations.

Abdul Hadi said the parents have been informed that Basant is free to switch camps or defer his national service training although he cannot be exempted from NS.

with thanks : thesundaily : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

'No determination on diplomatic immunity for Nath'

The United States has made "no determination" on the question of diplomatic immunity for Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath against the backdrop of the summons issued against him by a US court on a lawsuit alleging his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The State Department here said that US is looking forward to working with Kamal Nath in his new capacity as the Urban Development Minister. 

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

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Anti-Sikh riot nails Kamal Nath; NY court summons

New Delhi, Jan 23: Just after a few days that the Urban Development Ministry has been allotted to him, a major set back for Kamal Nath came on his way.

A New York court summoned Kamal Nath in regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case and Washington also declined to provide diplomatic immunity to the minister.

A media report stated that a civil lawsuit was filed in a New York court in Apr 2010 alleging his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in New Delhi.

However, there is no legal case against Kamal Nath in India in connection with the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

with thanks : oneindia : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Kamal Nath summoned by US court in 1984 Sikh riots case

Washington, Jan 23

 

Indian Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath has been summoned by a New York court for a pre-trial conference Feb 9 for his alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

 

The trial will proceed as the US State Department has declined to intervene in the case due to the seriousness of allegations of human rights violation against Kamal Nath, according to Gurpatwant S. Pannun, legal advisor for Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a US based human rights advocacy group.

After being summoned by the Southern district court of New York Dec 10, 2010, Kamal Nath had sought diplomatic immunity. His request for immunity has now been turned down by the State Department, Pannun said.

In April 2010, SFJ along with two individuals filed a law suit against Kamal Nath under Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) & Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) asking the court to order compensatory and punitive damages against the minister.

According to Pannun: "Alien Tort Claims Act of United State, the law under which trial against Kamal Nath will be held is specifically created to provide remedy and forum to victims of genocide to vindicate their complaints."

with thanks : prokerala : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

INVITATION from AASRA Magazine

INVITATION

Celebrating 5 Years of Aasra Magazine

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2011

TIME: 2:30 PM

COVINGTON LIBRARY

27100 164th Avenue SE
Covington, WA 98042
 

The Sikh community is one of the fastest growing communities in King County. Sikhism's faith-based traditions and teachings are associated with the history, society and culture inspired by their holy book the Guru Granth Sahib. You must have seen Sikh men with turbans and beards; find out the meaning behind this tradition. Learn about the Sikh religion and culture. Their music. Participate in the Poetry Reading. Enjoy refreshments and ask any question you may have in a relaxed atmosphere. Brought to you by Aasra Magazine- Connecting Communities and KCLS. For information please Email aasra@q.com or call 206-550-3154

SLUMDOG SIKHS : Join our Facebook Group

Please join our SikhsIndia Facebook account group : SLUMDOG SIKHS. Come, let's do something for the downtrodden sikhs.

Best Regards

B S Vohra
SikhsIndia
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
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Four follower of Sacha Sauda appear at Akal Takht, returns to Sikh religion

AMRITSAR: Jatehdar Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) Gyani Gurbachan Singh here Wednesday stated that four followers of Dera Saucha Sauda sect  snapped their ties with the dera and returned into Sikh fold as they appeared at Akal Takht with request to pardon them.

The four who entered in Sikh fold were Jaswinder Singh, Harnek Singh, Baljit Singh and Jaswinder Singh. They told the Jathedar that they were misled by the sect of Dera Sacha Sauda and now realized their blunder, said Jatehdar.

Jatehdar said that all the four have made commitment that they would follow the Sikh rituals with letter and spirit and would never look back to Sacha Sauda sect.

Jatehdar said that it would give good message to the society, with this development more and more people would snap ties from Sacha Sauda sect.

 

with thanks : punjabnewsline

Sikhs' bravery in world wars

AMRITSAR: To remember the forgotten Sikh soldiers and make the world aware of their heroic deeds in 'Sikhi Saroop' (complete Sikh appearance), Birmingham-based film-maker Jay Singh Sohal officially released his documentary movie 'Sikhs at War' on the net on Thursday.

The film recalls the forgotten Indian Sikhs who had fought the world wars for the British Empire in the name of king and country they had never seen.

Earlier, the movie was screened in the British Parliament in December.

More than 1,00,000 Sikhs had participated in these wars. Sikhs comprised 20% of the British Indian army in action, despite being only 2% of the Indian population.

with thanks : times of india : link above for detailed news.

sikhsindia

A SIKH VILLAGE IN DISTRESS IN DELHI :

Hope you have viewed the Video uploaded by us a few days ago. We will visit this Sikh Village very soon. We will accompany a few members of DSGMC as well SGPC. Please confirm if you wanna join us, so that the date & timings could be intimated.

With best regards

B S Vohra

SikhsIndia

www.sohnijodi.com

www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

Punjabi University to publish literature on Sikh gurus, martyrs

Punjabi University will publish literature on the lives and contribution of Sikh gurus and martyrs of the 18th century. Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh said this while presiding over a two-day national seminar on “Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: Achievements and Place in History”, organised by the university’s Department of Punjab Historical Studies on Tuesday. 

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

SikhsIndia

Sikh group barred from legislature over kirpans

QUEBEC CITY — Hearings into the accommodation of minority groups were disrupted Tuesday when security agents refused to accommodate four Sikh officials who refused to turn in their ceremonial daggers.

The representatives of the World Sikh Organization of Canada were denied access to the Quebec legislature for a scheduled presentation before a committee examining Bill 94.

The draft legislation sets out rules for accommodating minority groups in government. Much of the attention has centred around a proposed government ban on serving or hiring women who insist on wearing Islamic face coverings. But there has also been tension in the past over the Sikh dagger, known as the kirpan.

A Montreal school board’s decision to ban the kirpan on school grounds made it all the way to the Supreme Court in 2006. The high court ruled unanimously that schools have the right to impose conditions on students wearing the Sikh religious symbol but that a blanket ban on the daggers infringes fundamental religious freedom.

with thanks : torontosun : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia