400 India Sikh yatrees reach Punja Sahib

Attock—As many as 400 Indian Sikh Yatrees (pilgrims) have arrived at Gurdwara Siri Punja Sahib Hassanabdal to participate in the 173rd death anniversary of raja Ranjeet Singh. Deputy secretary Shrines Syed Faraz Abbas who is accompanying the yatrees said this while talking to newsman Attock.he said that the Sikh yatrees had started the anniversary of the Ranjeet Singh with the ritual Akhand Paat and will be concluded with the ritual “Bhog” on 26th June.he said that all the visiting Indian Sikh Yates have been provided with boarding, messing, health and better security cover facilities.

Party Leader of Sikh Pilgrims which include Former MLA Indar Itwal Singh, Deputy party leader Sardar Baldev Singh ,Sardar Santok Singh and Sardar Balber Singh while talking to newsman expressed their entire satisfaction over the arrangements made for them by Govt of Paskistan. They specially lauded the efforts of Chairman Pakistan Evacuee Trust Board Asif Hashmi for keeping the gurdwars in better condition by spending million of rupees.

They said the people of Pakistan and specially of Hassanabdal are loving, caring and because of this all the yatrees are feeling like at their own homes. On the other hand Attock police has made elaborate security arrangements to cover the event.

with thanks :  Pak Observer : LINK

On martyrdom day of first Sikh General, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a great Sikh general who established Sikh rule in large part of Punjab. Born to Rajput parents, his childhood name was Lachhman Das. He was very fond of hunting in early life but an incident changed his entire life and he shunned the worldly pleasures to become a bairagi sadhu.

Once he hunted a pregnant deer. The dying animal gave birth to two kids who died in front of his eyes. Lachhman was shocked to the core of his heart and thus became a sadhu. He became a disciple of many but none could provide him peace  of mind. Later, he inclined to tantric sadhus and acquired some riddhis and siddhis (miracle powers). Thus, he became quite popular among simpletons,near the area around his ashram on the bank of river Godavari.

Though, none benefitted from his powers, he used them to humiliate religious leaders and other saints who ever happened to visit his ashram. Whenever, any such saint visited, he would overturn the cot using his powers.

Guru Gobind Singh after leaving Punjab travelled towards South India along with some Sikhs, visited Lachhman Das’s ashram and sat on his cot in his absence. 

Accepting defeat, Lachhman Das Bairagi fell at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh and sought forgiveness and said, “O, Guru Ji, I am your Banda (Slave). Show me the right path.”

Guru Gobind Singh taught him the basic principles of Sikhsim and baptised him. Lachhman was given the name ‘Banda Singh’. He transformed from a proud bairagi to a humble and brave Sikh of Guru.

Guru sent Banda Singh on a mission to Punjab to punish the guilty and cruel rulers of the time. He was also provided with five brave Sikhs as advisors and necessary weapons.

Banda Singh was soon joined by thousands of Sikhs in his crusade against the wicked rulers. Within a short span of time, Sikhs under Banda Singh’s leadership put an end to life of many tyrant rulers, including Nawab Wazir Khan, the main culprit behind death of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

Banda Singh captured large part of Punjab and established Sikh rule there. He also minted coins in the name of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. In the meantime, Faruksiyar became Delhi’s emperor. Angered by defeat at the hands of Banda Singh and Sikh forces, he sent a large force from Delhi and mobilised from elsewhere in Punjab to defeat and capture Banda Singh.

Sikhs were surrounded by large number of Mughal forces in the fortress of Gurdas Nagal. They fought valiantly under Banda Singh’s command. They fought valiantly but due to depleting ration, they ultimately became too weak to fight with the enemies. 

 

Ultimately, the brave general Banda Singh Bahadur was arrested along with seven hundred Sikh soldiers and brought to Delhi, after eight months. Inside the fortress, Sikhs survived on leaves, trees, and even bark of trees.

In Delhi, they were insulted and paraded in Delhi bazars. Sikhs were offered amnesty by Mughals in lieu of accepting Islam. Not even a single Sikh betrayed the spirit of Sikhism and embraced Islam. They were tortured and killed publicly

After an ordeal of about three months, Baba Banda Singh was killed in one of the most cruel manners mentioned in the history of mankind on June 9,1716. His four year old son Ajai Singh was put to death in front of him. His liver was thrusted into Banda Singh’s mouth.

But Baba remained as tranquil as ever, and even this act failed to break his resolve and determination. Finally, Banda was put to death mercilessely by pincing the flesh from his body, bit by bit, with means of hot pincers. His eyes were pulled out and his feet were chopped off. 

With the martyrdom of Banda, Khalsa leadership was taken up by new warriors like Baba Deep Singh, Nawab Kapur Singh, Chhajja Singh, Bhuma Singh, Hari Singh Dhillon, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Budh Singh, Naudh Singh and Charhat Singh Sukerchakia and others. Within ninety years, Mahraja Ranjit Singh had established Sikh kingdom.

with thanks : Punjab Newsline : LINK for detailed news.

Delhi CM throws open DSGMC inn

Amritsar: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday inaugurated Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas, a serai (inn), constructed by DSGMC in Amritsar. Dikshit, who reached Amritsar on Saturday evening, paid obeisance at Golden Temple. Asked about the ongoing water crisis in Delhi, Dikshit said that it was disappointing that New Delhi was not able to draw water even after paying nearly Rs 650 crore to Haryana. “Haryana is saying that New Delhi did not have any share in the water. It is disappointing,” she added.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 4 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit (R)and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President, Paramjit Singh Sarna (L) pay their respects at the Golden temple in Amritsar on June 23, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas on June 24.

 

Link with thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-rand-delhi-s-image-01YLgZZeFWeXg-140-1.html

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 3 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit pays her respects at the Golden temple in Amritsar on June 23, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas on June 24.

 

Link with thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-pays-her-respe-image-0fYZ9cncGh5RS-140-1.html

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 2 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit (3L), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President, Paramjit Singh Sarna (R), Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Om Parkash Soni (C), and Delhi Education Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely (L), sit as they listen to the speaker during an inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building in Amritsar on June 24, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building and visit the Sikh Golden Temple.

  

Link with Thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-3l-delhi-si-image-08qggbP8kJdZ4-140-1.html

Inauguration of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas in Amritsar ( Pic 1 )

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit holds a sword presented by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President, Paramjit Singh Sarna (2R) and members of the DSGMC during an inauguration ceremony of Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building in Amritsar on June 24, 2012. Dikshit visited the city to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas building and visit the Sikh Golden Temple.

Link with thanks : http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/new-delhi-delhi-chief-minister-sheila-dikshit-holds-a-sword-image-04WrbmNaCd74m-140-1.html

18 Sikh saves accident victims

Imphal, June 23 2012: In a miraculous incident today, two persons who were visiting on a Maruti Van have evaded death when their van plunged into a pond outside the Tulihal Airport in front of 18 SIKH location, according to a press release of PRO IGAR (S) .

The two persons were travelling in the van loaded with chicks for a poultry farm in Imphal market when the driver of the van fell asleep due to which the van went off road and fell into the pond.

Immediately, a team of 18 SIKH of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (S) rushed to the spot and managed to pull out both the passengers.

The van however was stuck deep inside the pond.

A heavy vehicle from 18 SIKH unit and a JCB were used to pull out the vehicle.

The injured victims were administered first aid and immediately evacuated to RIMS hospital for further treatment.

The quick action from 18 SIKH helped in saving lives of the two persons, the release added.

with thanks : E-pao : link

Guru Teg Bahadur Niwas, Amritsar

Harvinder Singh Sarna Exclusive Interview with Janhit News

After Rajya Sabha, Ahluwalia loses Patna Sahib poll

JALANDHAR: After his defeat in Rajya Sabha election from Jharkhand, BJP leader S S Ahluwalia lost his election in Takht Patna Sahib Management Board on Sunday. He lost it to former Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Managing Committee president Harvinder Singh Sarna, who is also general secretary of SAD (Delhi). Ahluwalia had earlier remained president of the board for several years in his Congress days and then after he switched sides to BJP. Even when he was not president he called the shots in the board and his confidants controlled it.

With this loss, he has finally lost the clout in gurudwara management of Patna Sahib, which also happens to be a Takht of the Sikhs. The SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who had reached Patna Sahib for the election and had advocated a consensus, did not cast his vote. Makkar confirmed the development to TOI on phone from Patna Sahib. "I tried for a consensus and had told that if election would be held then I would not be casting the vote," Makkar said. Sources said Ahluwalia had the support of Parkash Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal, but Badal's bete noir Sarna got nine votes, while Ahluwalia could muster only four votes. The board had 14 members (Makkar abstained from voting) and it was to elected 15th member.

Now, after three weeks its president and other office bearers would be elected. It is learnt that Makkar preferred to stay away from voting after it was clear to him that majority of the members were siding with Sarna and when he advocated consensus these members said that then consensus should be on Sarna to which Makkar could not agree and said that some other name should be suggested. Sarna had said that he would support election of a local member as the president. Earlier, leaders from Punjab had also been holding the post which had not been going down well with local community leaders.

Former SGPC secretary general Manjit Singh Calcutta said during Operation Bluestar and during subsequent turbulent times for Sikhs, Ahluwalia sided with Congress but now apparently SAD was siding with him due to his political ends, as he was now in BJP. "This election has also confirmed that SAD's influence was confining to Punjab alone and it was losing confidence of Sikhs living in other states," he said, adding "diaspora Sikhs have already rejected the changes affected by SGPC in Nanakshahi calendar". 

 

 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK