Canada-based Sikh scholar to start online schools

Phagwara, Nov 11 (PTI) After setting up robotic touch screen technology museums on Sikhism and authoring a unique multimedia encyclopedia on the subject, a Canada-based scholar is now set to launch online schools that provides opportunity for study of the Sikh religion among other subjects. Raghbir Singh Bains, who is in his 70s and a recipient of several awards, including the Order of British Columbia, says he has already obtained registration for these on-line schools in Canada. Claiming it to be the first concept of its kind, Bains says a worldwide faculty of experts in subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Sikh religion would be recruited for providing free services in the online schools. "Retired experts ready to work for free will be taken on board of experts in various countries to answer in twenty four hours any question related to the four subjects," says Bains. "The courses will be put on the site of the school for the benefit of students who want to excel in studies and competitive examinations and other youths," adds Bains. He claimed that the concept would also render invaluable help in preparing youths, especially Punjabis, for premier competetive examinations in India. The scholar says the concept could also be converted into tutorial schools on internet under which nominal fee could be charged from the cyber students.

with thanks : IBNLive : link above.

Migrant labour now powers gurdwara langars

JALANDHAR/PHAGWARA: After industry and agriculture in Punjab, it seems even the institution of community kitchen or langar in gurdwaras - started by the first Sikh master and a symbol of equality among all sections of the society - can't do without migrant labour. The waning interest among Sikhs in the tradition of sewa (volunteer service) is forcing gurdwaras to hire this workforce to run langars on special days like gurpurbs.

Though the community takes great pride in the institution of langar and tradition of sewa, the lack of interest among devotees to perform sewa was amply apparent during the birth anniversary celebrations of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, at Jalandhar.

At several gurdwaras, especially in urban areas, unlike the earlier days when devotees would rush to gurdwaras to pay obeisance and get busy helping in the langar, on Thursday, one could only see hired labour preparing langar or doing other related work.

At Gurdwara Dewan Asthaan, migrants had been hired for preparing chapattis while the local Sikhs were supervising them and distributing langar.

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

Hyderabad, a home Sikhs call their own

HYDERABAD: Right from daybreak on Thursday, the sound of keertans and bhajans reverberated across the Gowliguda Chaman and Sikh Chawni (Kishanbagh) areas of the Old City. A close to 6,000 member strong Sikh community, residing here for decades, woke up to the most sacred of their festivals, the Guru Nanak Jayanti. The celebrations that began from the four gurudwaras, in Afzalgunj, Gowliguda, Charmahal and Uppuguda, dotting this part of town, later travelled to the NTR stadium opposite Indira Park where Sikhs from across the twin cities gathered to chant verses together from the Guru Granth Sahib and sing hymns in praise of the guru. Community lunches, or langars, were also arranged as part of the festivities. 

But such centralised celebration on Guru Nanak Jayanti is a fairly new trend, say old-timers from the Deccani Sikh community that has made asal Hyderabad its home close to two centuries ago. Traditionally, the day was spent among close relatives and friends at the local gurudwara with religious tracks playing in the background. "But as the number of Sikhs in the city swelled considerably, the festival was pulled out of localities and was held at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally. It was later moved to the current venue," said Surender Pal Singh Saluja, president of the 58-year-old Andhra Pradesh Punjabi Sabha. In fact, even today, with several Sikhs from both north and south India relocating here in large numbers every year, their influx into Hyderabad has not ebbed. 




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

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Sikh relics to be auctioned in Britain

New Delhi : Relics and documents from medieval India and the erstwhile Sikh kingdom, including the personal prayer book of former maharaja Duleep Singh, will be auctioned in Britain Nov 17, British auction house Mullocks said Wednesday.

The artefacts include an important 19th century oil on canvas of the Maharaja of Burdwan, British parliamentary papers on India, a 19th century marble statue of Hindu deity Durga and British school paintings of Indian monuments and people, a statement said.

The personal prayer book of Duleep Singh titled, "Sacred Hymns From the German", translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox with an ownership inscription of the Maharaja, signed 'Duleep Singh' is expected to fetch 6,000-8,000 pounds.

The British annexed Punjab under controversial circumstances, forcing the surrender of the famed Koh-i-noor diamond along with other items of Duleep Singh's treasury.

The prayer book is a poignant reminder of how intensely the East India Company had worked to brainwash the young Maharaja to give up his religion, roots and homeland, the statement said.

Important documents from the collection of Sir John Login, Duleep Singh's English tutor and guardian, will also go under the hammer.

These provide a fascinating insight into the early life of the deposed Sikh king.

A "portrait in the European manner of Duleep Singh as a boy" is estimated at 1,500-2,000 pounds, the statement said.

Other priceless relics include an early company school painting of Maharajah Sher Singh (from the collection of Arthur Onslow) expected to fetch 1,500-2,000 pounds, a gold Mohur from the Sikh empire, an antique model of the famous Bhangi Misl Cannon, a book on the Sikh court by Alexis Soltykoff and a fine British painting of an Akali Nihung.

A statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a letter in French by Jean Francois Allard who was the general of the Sikh army and a number of 19th century photographs and illustrations - including a rare glass slide of Kartarpur Gurdwara, the earliest known view of the site commemorating where Guru Nanak breathed his last are also included.

"We are honoured to auction these highly significant pieces, a large number concerning the Sikhs which were brought back by the British after the annexation of Punjab in 1849," Mullocks specialist Richard Westwood Brookes said.

"The British have the utmost respect for the Sikhs - one of the fierce races they had ever encountered - and these relics are a testimony to this," he added.

with thanks : link above.

8,000 Sikhs arrive in Pak for Guru Nanak's birth anniversary

From Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Nov 9 (PTI) About 8,000 Sikh pilgrims from various countries, including India, Afghanistan and Britain, have arrived in Pakistan to join celebrations marking the 543rd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The three-day celebrations began at Nanaka Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh religion, yesterday. Among the 'yatris' or pilgrims are over 3,000 Sikhs from India who travelled across the border in three special trains. The pilgrims will visit Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasanaadal, Dera Sahib and other holy sites. The administration and law enforcement agencies have put in place tight security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents during the celebrations. Additional Secretary (Shrines) Zahid Hussain Bokhari welcomed the Indian Sikhs who crossed over by train at the Wagah border. The government has opened special outlets of money changers and the National Bank of Pakistan at the border to facilitate the pilgrims. Authorities also set up a dispensary, arrangements for food and additional visa counters for speedy clearance of the pilgrims. Sikh leaders Malkar Singh and Jaspal Singh told the media that they were pleased to be in the land of their spiritual leader. They expressed satisfaction at the arrangements made by the Pakistan government for the yatris. They were thankful to the government and people of Pakistan for the hospitality accorded to them. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee member Sardar Sham Singh urged the governments of Pakistan and India to simplify the visa procedures for Sikh pilgrims. The Indian Sikh pilgrims are expected to return by November 17.

with thanks : IBNLive : link above.

NANKANA SAHIB City News : 2,600 Sikhs arrive in Nankana

NANKANA SAHIB: As many as 2,600 Indian Sikh Yatrees Wednesday reached Gurdawara Janamasthan by two special trains to participate in the 542nd birthday anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. 

The railway station echoed with traditional slogans “Jo Bolay So Nehal”, “Wahay Guru Gee Ka Khalas Wahay Guru Gee Ki Fateh”. Nankana DPO Dr Haider Ashraf, Nankana ETPB deputy administration Malik Anwaar and other district officers received them. The health department established a dispensary for the Yatrees. Strict security measures were adopted. The pilgrims started their religious rituals including Matha Taki, Ashan and Akhand Part. Meanwhile, talking to journalists at Gurdawara Janamasthan, Indian Sikh Yatrees group leader and executive member of Sharumani Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee Amritsar Sardar Ram Paal Singh Bhaniwal, deputy leader Sardar Ram Singh and Sangta Singh praised steps taken by the administration to facilitate Yatrees. 


with thanks : link above.

Happy Gurupurab !

With best regards


B S Vohra   


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FAKE Passports ?

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above.