Sikh Woman Balpreet Kaur Turns Cyber Bullying Incident into Inspiration

After someone snapped a photo of her andposted it on online, Balpreet Kaur was ridiculed for following the tenets of her Sikh faith. But instead of hiding or lashing out, she politely posted a reply—and turned a bullying situation into a inspiring example of tolerance, support, and inspiration. 

Related: Teaching our Kids Tolerance After the Sikh Temple Shootings 

The photo was taken apparently without Kaur's knowledge while she was waiting in line at the Ohio State University Library. In the photo, Kaur's hair is hidden by a large, black turban. She's wearing a T-shirt and yoga pants, glasses, and is looking down at her cell phone; her sparse facial hair is clearly visible. A Reddit user posted it to the "Funny" forum with the quip,"I'm not sure what to conclude from this." 

Comments started pouring in, making fun of her appearance, asking if she was transgendered, and taking her to task for not plucking, waxing, or shaving. 

Related: Lessons from "The World's Ugliest Woman': Stop Staring and Start Learning 

After a friend told her about the thread, Kaur decided to respond to the taunts herself—and take the opportunity to educate people at the same time. 

"Hey, guys. This is Balpreet Kaur, the girl from the picture," she wrote. "I'm not embarrassed or even humiliated by the attention [negative and positive] that this picture is getting, because it's who I am." 

As a baptized Sikh woman, Kaur—who is from Ohio—said that she is forbidden from altering her body, as it is considered a sacred gift from God. 

"The overarching principal is this body is a tool for service," she explained. "We have to maintain and take care of it while cherishing its original form." That means that going to the hospital and taking medicine is fine, because one should be healthy in order to be of service to others. But cutting one's hair or removing one's facial hair is forbidden, even if societal norms dictate otherwise. 

"My hair doesn't stop me from being normal or doing service so its not a hindrance," she said in a later post. "I've been to the doctor regarding this and it's just a side effect of my hormone levels during my teenage years. The hormones have returned to normal, but the hair is still there. That's fine :) I don't regret anything, nor do I view it as an unfortunate thing."

with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK : for detailed news story. 

Centre approves Hemkunt Sahib ropeway project

CHANDIGARH: For convenience of the pilgrims, the Centre government has given its approval for ropeway from Gurdwara Gobind Dham to Hemkunt Sahib. The project will cost around Rs 75 crore and expected to finish in 2014 before the commencement of Hemkunt Sahib yatra in summers.

In the first phase of the project, the ropeway will be operational till Gurdwara Gobind Dham which will be later extended to Gobind Ghat. At present, the pilgrims can also commute from Gobind Ghat to Gobind Dham through chopper services which cost Rs 3,500 per person.

Hemkunt Sahib is one of the most revered places in Sikhism where tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh meditated before his incarnation as the Sikh guru. Every year, the doors of Hemkunt Sahib open for the Sikh pilgrims on June 1 who can visit till October 5.

Later, the Gurdwara is kept closed during the winters as the environmental conditions are not suitable for human visit and survival as the gurdwara is located at an altitude of 4,632.96 metres (15,200.0 ft).

with thanks : Punjab Newsline : LINK

HSGPC goes to polls on Sunday

A faction of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) will hold elections to form its ad hoc religious body in Kurukshetra on Sunday. Leaders elected by Sikh sangat at various Sikh-dominated areas of the state, including Karnal, Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Dabwali, Yamunanagar will gather at Yadav Dharamshala on Sunday to elect its state leadership.

The former SGPC member from Kurukshetra segment, Didar Singh Nalwi, told Hindustan Times on Saturday that a five-member gurdwara election commission headed by Sohinder Singh of Panipat would hold elections in Kurukshetra.

The former registrar of Punjabi University, Patiala, Nalwi said: "We want to have a dedicated team of Sikhs to achieve its constitutionally valid demands, including a separate SGPC, effective implementation of Punjabi as a second language and formation of a minority commission in Haryana to safeguard interests of minority communities."

He said they were preparing a list of Sikhs who support the movement for a separate body and make them join as members.

He said: "Certain elements in our community turned puppets in the hands of Haryana or Punjab government to disuse our movement, but we are determined to revive it by educating the sangat. We know it is a tough task for an independent body like us, but we will continue the process of making members for the cause of the community."

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news.

Sikh Community Celebrates 100 Years in America

Pakistan allows Indian Sikhs to visit four more gurdwaras

1. AMRITSAR: For the first time, Pakistan government will allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit four more historical Sikh gurdwaras. These gurdwaras will be opened in November when Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
   
   Pakistan government allows Indian Sikh devotees to visit only 16 of the 175 gurdwaras. However, the Sikhs of Pakistan and other countries can visit all the gurdwaras.
   
   The four gurdwaras which will be opened include Gurdwara Janamsthan Bebe Nanaki at Dera Chahal in Lahore, Gurdwara Babe Di Ber in Sialkot, Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh and Gurdwara Bhai Biba Singh, both in Peshawar.
   
   Dera Chahal village, about 35 km from Lahore, is the birth place of Guru Nanak Dev's elder sister Bebe Nanaki.
   
   Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatree Jatha president Swaran Singh told TOI that the Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board was restoring these gurdwaras for the last one year. The Board has been managing Sikh and Hindu shrines in Pakistan since the partition in 1947.
   
   Besdies these four, Indian Sikh pilgrims can visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Gurdwara Janamasthan Guru Ram Das, Gurdwara Singh Singhania, Gurdwara Hargobind Sahib and Gurdwaa Mula Khatri, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Punja Sahib, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, and Gurdwara Rori Sahib.

      with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

FBI to examine hate crimes against Sikhs

Washington: An independent FBI advisory board is being asked to examine whether the current hate crime reporting categories should be expanded to include those against the Sikhs, a top US official announced on Wednesday.

Such a move by the Department of Justice comes in the wake of top US lawmakers and human rights bodies and Sikh organisations writing to the Attorney General in this regard. This week as many as 81 Congressman introduced a resolution to include crimes against Sikhs to be included as hate crimes.

"We will ask the FBI's Advisory Policy Board, an independent federal advisory committee that is authorised to propose changes to the Uniform Crime Reports, to examine whether the current hate crime reporting categories should be expanded to include additional categories of religious hate crimes ? particularly including hate crimes motivated by anti-Sikh bias," Deputy Attorney General James M Cole said. 

with thanks : Zee News : LINK : for detailed news.

SC: Punjab must give flats to ’84 riot victims

New Delhi, September 19

The Supreme Court today observed that it was the responsibility of the nation and the government to provide flats to all those rendered homeless in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

A Bench comprising Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Desai made the remarks while hearing a petition challenging the July 10, 2012 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner and the Police Commissioner to evict unauthorised occupants of flats meant for the riot victims and hand these over to deserving claimants.

Arguing for the petitioners, counsel Jaspal Singh and Satinder Singh Ghulati contended that the high court order was contradictory to a December 13, 2011 judgment of the same court on the issue. In the 2011 verdict relating to the Ludhiana Sikh Migrants Welfare Board, the high court had directed the authorities to first determine the genuine and bonafide victims to whom Red Cards had been issued.

Today, the SC asked the Punjab Government to take “positive steps” on the issue within 10 days and listed the petition, filed by Dharminder Singh and three others, for further hearing on September 28.

The petitioners had “mentioned” their case before the Bench, seeking an early hearing of their petition.

Appearing for Punjab, counsel Kuldeep Singh said the state government would take a decision in one week. At this, the Bench said, “We have taken a decision. You implement it in one week. It is not only your legal responsibility, but you are also morally and ethically responsible in every sense of the word not to evict the riot victims.”

It was a national responsibility to ensure that the victims were rehabilitated, the Bench pointed out. As the Punjab counsel pleaded for more time, the SC granted 10 days time and directed it to report back on the next date of hearing.

The petitioners said they were forced to leave their homes from different parts of the country.


with thanks : TRIBUNE : LINK

www.sohnijodi.com - a sikh matrimonial web portal

DSGMC elections !

The Supreme Court has directed the authorities concerned that election of the DSGMC should be completed before December 31, 2012. 

New Delhi, September 17

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), the Shiromani Aklai Dal (Badal) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi-UK) today welcomed the Supreme Court's directions for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee election that is due to be held after more than one year. 

Delhi unit chief of the SAD Badal, Manjit Singh (GK) said that the Supreme Court today directed the authorities concerned that election of the DSGMC should be completed before December 31, 2012. 

He said as the identity cards were not ready, the court said that photo identity cards issued by the Election Commission could be used for gurdwara election also. If the voters do not have photo identity cards, the other identity cards issued by the government could be used. 

He said that general election for gurdwara committee had been delayed for the last two years. But now it cannot be delayed after the Supreme Court's direction. 

Welcoming the court decision, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi-UK), Jasjit Singh said that it was a historic decision for the Sikh community in Delhi as they were eagerly waiting for the election but those in power were getting it delayed. 

The case in the Supreme Court was filed by him and the Dashmesh Sewa Society, Jasjit said.

President of the DSGMC, who is heading the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), Paramjeet Singh Sarna said that he welcomed this decision. The election would be held within the given time. The community had given him chance to work for it. If the community recognizes his work, it will give him another chance for service, Sarna said.

with thanks Link for detailed news : 
www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120918/delhi.htm#6

DSGMC is public authority, comes under purview of RTI Act: HC

New Delhi: The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is a "public authority" and comes under the purview of the Right to Information Act, the Delhi High Court has held.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also dismissed the DSGMC's appeal against the single judge order which had held it as "public authority".

"Once we read the definition of 'public authority' in Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, obvious conclusion would be that the appellant(DSGMC) is a 'public authority' as it is constituted by the Act of the Parliament. Undeniably, the appellant is a statutory body under the Delhi Sikh Gurudwaras Act. It is constituted under Section 3 of the DSG Act," the bench said.

The bench rejected the Committee counsel K T S Tulsi's argument that though the DSGMC may have been established by a law made by the Parliament but it is not a public authority as it did not receive funds directly or indirectly from government. 

"We, thus, hold that once it is found that an authority or body or institution of self government is established or constituted in any manner prescribed in the RTI Act, then there is no further requirement of such a body to be either owned or controlled or substantially financed by an appropriate government," the bench further said.

On July 22, 2007, the single judge bench of the High Court had held that the Sikh body was a 'public authority' and falls under the ambit of RTI Act . 

PTI

with thanks : Zee News : Link

Video : Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Services Training Institute : DSGMC