Over thousand gurdwaras celebrate 2nd Sikh Environment Day

Washington, Mar 15 (PTI) Over thousand gurdwaras across the world have celebrated the second annual Sikh Environment Day at the initiative of a Washington-based Sikh organization. March 14th is the day when Har Rai, a famous nature and animal lover, became the seventh Sikh Guru in 1644. "Guru Har Rai's life has inspired so many individuals to lead efforts at the local levels in India and all across the globe to take meaningful actions dedicated to this day," said Rajwant Singh, president of EcoSikh, which started the global environment movement among the Sikhs last year. In the first year, around 450 gurdwaras across the globe had observed the Sikh Environment Day. "Many Gurdwaras are engaging in the local environmental issues in North America in their own localities and many are becoming eco-friendly in their operations. Southhall based largest gurdwara in Europe has organised a major green drive on this day," said Bandana Kaur, New York-based programme director of EcoSikh in North America.

with thanks : IBNLive : LINK for detailed news.

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Happy New Year

MCD poll: SAD (Badal) wants 16 seats

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) that has alliance with the BJP in Delhi as well as Punjab has asked the saffron party for 16 seats out of 272 for contesting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi election to be held on April 15. 

Delhi unit chief of the SAD Badal, Manjit Singh (GK) said, "We are demanding 15-16 seats, but nothing has been finalized so far. Last year, the SAD had contested municipal election from 13 wards - Nangal Rai, East of Kailash, GTB Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Karol Bagh, Punjabi Bagh, Jaitpur, Nilothi, Mangolpuri, Taigore Garden, Tilak Nagar and two seats in the Trans-Yamuna area. Of them, we had won six seats - Nangal Rai, East of Kailash, GTB Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Karol Bagh and Punjabi Bagh." 

Manjit said, "In this election, we want some change as some of the Akali seats have been reserved for women. As we do not have women candidates, these seats will be useless for us."

with thanks : Tribune : Link for detailed news.

Gen Secy SAD ( Delhi ) joins BJP

General secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (DSGPC) Gurmeet Singh Shunty along with hundreds of his followers joined BJP on Tuesday at the BJP Delhi Pradesh headquarters in the presence of Pradesh president Vijender Gupta. 

Shunty alleged that Congress has lost its direction and only BJP can provide direction to the country. 

“The welfare of the people and the development of the country can be achieved only through BJP. Hence we have joined the BJP,” said Shunty.

Gupta said relations between BJP and Sikh community are very old and party will solve the problems of Sikh community when it comes to power. 



with thanks : Deccan Herald : LINK for detailed news.

Gurdwara Chehrata Sahib, Amritsar : SikhsIndia

Why do good people suffer ?

Once there were two friends, one was a Gurmukh and the other was a Manmukh. Their friendship wasdeep but Gurmukh believed in God while Manmukh did not. Gurmukh would wake up early in the morning, take a bath and recite the holy hymns while Manmukh would still be in bed sound asleep.

Once they were traveling through a forest. As they were passing through the forest, Manmukh found a bag of coal. He was very happy because he could sell it and make some money. As they further walked while talking about how lucky Manmukh was to find the bag of coal, Gurmukh screamed with pain. It appeared that a splinter went in Gurmukh’s foot. While Gurmukh was in pain, Manmukh started laughing. Gurmukh was surprised and asked him why was he laughing? Manmukh said, “You have been worshipping God everyday and what you got as a result is a splinter in your foot. I have never worshipped God and I still got a bag full of coal.”

An old wise man happened to be passing by when he heard Manmukh’s comments. The old man had a big ironic smile on his face. Manmukh was astonished when he saw the old man smile. Manmukh asked the old man about the reason for his smile. The old man replied, “You are naïve. You do not worship God. You were destined to find a bag of diamonds today if you have been worshipping God. And Gurmukh, you were destined to die at the moment you got the splinter in your foot. Because you have been worshipping God, the pain of death simply turned into a splinter.”

with thanks : Sd. Inder Preet Singh

Thousands converge at shrine for Hola Mohalla

Tens of thousands of people from across Punjab and other parts of India converged at the Sikh holy shrine of Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib town Thursday to be part of the three-day Hola Mohalla festival which coincides with Holi the Hindu festival of colours. As people offered prayers and were later part of the Hola Mohalla celebrations at the shrine, it was a virtual sea of humanity.

Anandpur Sahib located about 85 km from Chandigarh is the second most important shrine of Sikh religion. It was here in 1699 that the tenth Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh baptised five men and founded the Khalsa Panth which is the modern day Sikh religion.

Elsewhere in Punjab the festival of Holi was celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.

Youngsters and families could be seen applying colours to each other across the state.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : Link  for detailed news.

51 Akhand paths : Part 2nd : SikhsIndia

51 Akhand paths : Part 1 : SikhsIndia

Construction of new Guelph Sikh temple to start this spring

GUELPH — The construction of the new Sikh temple on Clair Road is set to begin as soon as the ground thaws.

“We’re expecting to get the final approval from the city by the end of next week,” said Dr. Ravi Rai, president of the Guelph Sikh Society on Wednesday.

He said the landscaping is set to begin as soon as the frost leaves the soil. After that comes the grading process in preparation for construction of the building.

In 2011, the Sikh Society’s development project faced opposition from the Westminster Woods Residents’ Association when it was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Although it was eventually dropped, the society incurred $10,000 in fees and a four-month construction delay preparing to defend itself against the appeal. As an act of neighbourly reconciliation, the Society decided it would pay the fees without trying to recoup these expenses.

with thanks : Link for detailed news.