First Punjabi teaching schools in Bangladesh

AMRITSAR: Bangladesh will soon have two schools teaching Punjabi language. The schools are being constructed by Sampardai Kar Sewa, Sarhali, a religious organization , that had already set up a Sikh Research Centre (SRC) at Gurdwara Nanakshahi with Dhaka University professor Nirol Kazi as its head.

Ironically Sikh's single largest body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had already conducted surveys of the Gurdwara's of Bangladesh for their development but had not been able to do anything on the ground. On the other hand Sampardai had been carrying out karsewa (voluntary service) since 2004 through Bangladesh Gurdwara Management Board whose patron is Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib Iqbal Singh.

Member of Mata Amar Kaur Memorial Sewa Society Satnam Singh Dhanoa informed that Sampardai would construct two schools that would impart education of Punjabi language beside other subjects to the local students. "Initially the schools will be up to fifth standard but would be upgraded later" said he. He informed that there were more than fifty Muslim students studying at SRC.

with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

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CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF AASRA MAGAZINE

SUBMITTED BY: AASRA MAGAZINE
PHONE: 206-550-3154
EMAIL: AASRA@Q.COM

(Article by: Jennifer Simon Halai and Sarab Singh) For five years we have been publishing Punjabi English Magazine titled "Aasra." Our readership is the adult, professional group of people from Indian origin. However, due to the literary contents, including English Poetry we are achieving our goal of “Connecting Communities.” This is distributed free. We distribute it at the Indian business outlets and other community gathering areas. This magazine is available through King County Library System and WA State Library and others.

Our goal has always been to reach out to the communities. Sikhs have faced “hate crimes.” We feel that the media and literature can “Connect Communities.” We encourage poetry and contributions. We are all facing tough economy times. The only way is to reach out to the communities and work together.

In that spirit Aasra Magazine and King County Library System coordinated “Introduction to the Sikh Community” at the Covington Library. More than 60 people gathered to learn about the Sikh community, one of the fastest growing communities in King County. The program began with a sung welcome blessing and harmonium accompaniment by Sarab Singh, editor of Aasra Magazine. Mr. Sarab Singh then introduced Mr. Jasmit Singh of the Sikh Coalition, an organization formed after September 11, 2001 when Sikhs were increasingly stereotyped and targeted with hate speech and violence. The Sikh Coalition is a nationwide organization that promotes civil and human rights for all people, and serves as the primary source of advocacy and assistance for Sikhs facing discrimination and hate crimes. Mr. Jasmit Singh held the audience’s rapt attention as he shared details about Sikhism and the hundred year history of Sikhs in North America. Following the presentation, a question and answer period offered the audience an opportunity to find out anything additional they wondered about Sikhism and Sikh traditions. The audience was then invited to enjoy refreshments and peruse the photo and related reading displays.

Free copies of Aasra Magazine were provided for attendees. Thanks go out to Carla J. Hopkins, Jennifer Simon Halai, Jo Anderson Cavinta, Jasmit Singh, Sarab Singh as well as to the staff and the Friends of the Covington Library for their support of this important program. Thanks to Mandeep Kaur for making Pakoras and Satinder Kaur Jaggi for bringing Pethe-di-Mithai.

Aasra Magazine will like to thank all the community who have supported us for the past 5 years. We could not have done it for 5 years without your help. While we have reached a milestone we still have a long way to go. With your support and guidance we will be able to live up to the hope that you have trusted in us. We promise to upkeep your trust. Thank you.

Aasra Magazine is published bimonthly and distributed free in the Seattle area through Indian stores and other community gathering areas. Features current events mainly Indian, but have featured others, too, of interest. Also features interviews, yoga, and other articles, and poetry. They have introduced pick up racks points at Kent Post Office, Kent Station and Bellevue Overlake Plaza. It is also available through subscription to cover postage and handling. Aasra Magazine encourages community involvement and poetry and articles. They may also be repeating this program at other Libraries, etc. If anyone want to attend such a program in future you can email aasra@q.com For more information you can contact Sarab Singh at aasra@q.com or 206-550-3154

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College : NSS UNIT

With the inspiration and guidance of Dr.Man Mohan Kaur,Principal ,SGND Khalsa College,Dev Nagar,University of Delhi, National Service Scheme Unit's students along with their programme officer,Dr.Gurdeep Kaur (Associate Professor,Department of Political Science)conducted Rally on 18th April 2011 in Dev Nagar/Karol Bagh area to encourage/aware masses for the noble cause of Blood Donation & Free Medical Check- up camp,which is going to be held in the College premises on 19th April 2011.

Thousands of Sikhs March In Stockton Parade

STOCKTON, Calif. -- The Sikh parade has attracted more than 20,000 in years past and thousands marched through Stockton Sunday afternoon.

However, the 13th annual parade was held in the shadow of a recent incident in which 2 Sikh men were gunned down in Elk Grove recently.

The FBI has been called in to investigate the shooting as a possible hate crime.

Gurpatwant Pannun of Sikhs for Justice said no men should be killed for their religion, and hopes the parade will show the diversity within the community.

with thanks : kcra : link above.

Greenway MP speaks to 10,000 at Sikh festival in Sydney

FEDERAL MP for Greenway Michelle Rowland spoke at a Sikh festival attended by about 10,000 people in Sydney on Sunday.

The festival of Vaisakhi at Martin Place celebrates a time when people of Sikh faith united and fought off the Mughal Empire.

Ms Rowland and the MP for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek joined the procession with the Sikh community from the Opera House to Martin Place where she delivered the speech on the contribution of the Sikh community in Greenway.

“As the MP of an area rich in culture and united in diversity, I realise the importance multiculturalism plays in our communities,’’ she said.

‘‘ A big part of this multicultural fabric is the Sikh community.

“I see this in the Sikh contribution to a variety of community initiatives, including fundraising, sport, the arts, community support groups and other cultural avenues.

with thanks : blacktownsun : link above for detailed news.

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Australian Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee formed

Sydney, Apr 16(ANI): The Sikhs in Australia have decided to set up a separate Australian Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (ASGPC) on the pattern of American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee. 

The Sikh body was formed after the apex Sikh shrines management body in India, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), failed to address the issues of the community in Australia.

The Sikhs in Canada and Germany have already set up separate Gurdwara management committees to protect the rights of the community. Many other countries are expected to follow the suit. 

Dr. Pritpal Singh, convener of the American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, who is in Australia to mop up support for the cause of the Sikh community, said that 20 leading Sikh Gurdwara Management Committees in Australia decided to form the Australian Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee during a meeting held at Gurdwara Rivesby on Saturday. 

He informed that an ad hoc committee has been set up to finalize the constitution and frame of the new Sikh body. 

The committee will prepare the draft of the constitution within three months for approval by the 20 Gurdwara Managements. 

Mohinder Singh, President of Rivesby Gurdwara, has been appointed President of the ad hoc committee, Parshotam Singh, President of Gurdwara of South Wales, was made Vice-President and Gurbux Singh, from Malbourne Gurdwara, will be the General Secretary. 

Dr. Pritpal Singh said that the Sikhs in foreign countries were unhappy with the present Sikh leadership in India, which is holding control over SGPC. 

He said that Sikhs living abroad had high hopes from the Sikh leaders, but corruption and nepotism in the Sikh body is not serving the purpose of community. 

with thanks : yahoo news : link above for detailed news.

Dr V K Monga, a councillor from Delhi in Gurdwara Richmond Hill, NY

Baisakhi Celebration in Dixie Gurudwara:Toronto,Ontario,Cananda

With Thanks: Sukhpreet Sahni

Nine gurdwaras razed in 1984 not reconstructed, say Sikh organisations

The All India Sikh Students' Federation (AISSF) and the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have claimed to have identified at least nine sites in Delhi where gurdwaras were not reconstructed after they were razed by mobs during the November 1984 anti-Sikh carnage.

“65 burnt alive”

Talking to reporters on Tuesday, SFJ's chief legal counsel Navikiran Singh and AISSF president Karnail Singh Peermohammad said that 26 years after the massacre, they also discovered that at least 65 Sikhs were burnt alive at the Gurdwara Udaseen Taran Ashram in Block 22 of Nagloi colony of Delhi. 

They released a list of 49 persons who were killed there. After playing a documentary film, they provided details about the nine sites where gurdwaras were razed. 

They also pointed out that attempts were made to construct temples at some places, while idols and pictures of Hindu gods put up at others. At one such site, signs of Swastika were also painted. Most sites were now marked by dilapidated boundary walls, debris of burnt bricks and remains of some structures. 

At many places, non-Sikh residents favoured reconstruction of the gurdwaras and restoration of normality.

Mr. Peermohammad chided the mainline Sikh leadership in the various factions of the Akali Dal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and the religious sects that organised Kar Sewa at large shrines for “ignoring” these small gurdwaras, which served the poor sections of the community. 

He said that recently the DSGMC announced its decision to spend Rs. 57 crore on the renovation of the historic shrine Rakab Ganj, which according to him already was full of grandeur.

He said that the Kar Sewa sects were busy putting marble and gold-plated domes on the shrines where the managements were already flush with resources.

Shrines ignored

Mr. Navkiran pointed out that these shrines were also ignored when the Prime Minister's special package was announced in 2006 after the Nanavati Commission came out with the report for rehabilitating the November 1984 victims. 

The Centre, SGPC, DSGMC and the Sikh sangat must be involved in restoring the shrines. 

with thanks : THE HINDU : link above for detailed news,

Baisakhi festival celebrated

Karachi

To mark the birth of the Khalsa order as part of the Baisakhi festival, men and women from the Sikh community gathered at the Sikh Sangat Gurdwara on Thursday night.

Baisakhi is one of the most important religious festivals in Sikhism and is celebrated to mark the genesis of the Khalsa brotherhood. According to traditions, five men sacrificed their lives for the 10th Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind, and were said to be the five Pyaray. Baptized Sikhs follow a strict life by wearing the five emblems of their religion: Kesh (unshorn hair), Kanga (wooden comb), Kara (bracelet), Kacheera (underpants) and Kirpan (dagger).

While the main festivities take place at the Panja Sahib Complex in Hasan Abdal, Punjab, the festival is also celebrated in Karachi with great enthusiasm and devotion.

At the Gurdwara in Ranchore Lines, devotees were seen listening attentively to the Head Granthi who recited verses from the Holy Scripture Guru Granth Sahib. Later, the Granthi made special prayers, Ardaas, and sang hymns Kirtan in honour of the 10th Guru and his followers.

“On this day, we all wear new clothes and come together to the Gurdwara to celebrate. Also, everyone makes an offering to the Guru by presenting one tenth of his earnings,” said middle-aged Bishan Singh

A believer, Rani, wished that she could attend the main festival in Punjab. “Thousands of people, including Yatrees from India, turn up there. I wish I get a chance to visit the place some day.”

Twelve-year-old Annie, who was playing with her friends in the courtyard of the place of worship, said that she had helped the elders to prepare food for Langar which was distributed after the prayers. Dressed in shimmery brown clothes with Mehendi on her palms, she said: “We get Sawab for doing the chores, and hence I peeled onions and tomatoes for the food.”

Biryani and Kheer was served as Langer. A devotee said due to gas shortage in the area, they were able to prepare only two items.

with thanks : thenews.com.pk : link above for detailed news.


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INSPIRATIONAL TALK BY HARVINDER KAUR ( ALEXANDER AITKEN ) - Thursday 14th April at 7.15pm in the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick

Dear All,

 

The Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick have special guest speaker as part of “Learn and Go” event to celebrate Vaisakhi. The daughter of former cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, Harvinder Kaur Khalsa previously known as Alexandra Aitken will be talking about her personal journey into Sikhism.

 

Harvinder now lives her life as fully Baptised Sikh. Harvinder will talk about how her life has been transformed from circle of celebrities and wealthy people to living life based on Sikh principles and values.

 

Harvinder has a radiating presence and has way of communicating in a simple and practical manner which is truly inspiring.

 

All are welcome attend the talk on Thursday 14^th April at 7.15pm in the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick, Tachbrook Park Drive in the Main Prayer Hall.

 

Sorry for the short notice, we had some technical issue with the mail server. Please attend if you are free, either individually or part of organisation

 

Location: Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick – Main Diwan Hall

Address: Tachbrook Park Drive, Warwick,

Date: Thursday 14th April 2011

Time: 7.15pm to 8.15pm

 

 

Regards

 

 

Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick
===============================

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