Amritsar's Golden Temple Welcomes Tourists

Going off the beaten track can be intimidating and frustrating. But what if I told you there was a magical place in India with a one-of-a-kind attraction that not only houses you for free, but feeds you for free as well?

Welcome to The Golden Temple.

The Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib in Punjabi, is the holiest temple in the Sikh faith. The Sikhs number some 30 million and are the fifth largest organized religion in the world.

The faith was founded by Guru Nanak Dev and expanded upon by ten more gurus. Sikhs follow the five K's: kes (uncut hair), kangha (small wooden comb), kaṛa (circular steel or iron bracelet), kirpan (sword/dagger), and kacchera (special undergarment).

The Golden Temple offers stunning views at sunrise, sunset, throughout the day, and at night. You really can't go wrong, but each view offers something special.

The easiest way to take in all four views, and the friendliest to a budget traveler's wallet, is to stay on site at the temple. Sikh hospitality is renowned throughout India and their temples reflect this.

The Golden Temple offers Indians very basic, barebones accommodation in the form of a large, shared open space to sleep on with a shared bathroom to use.

There is a special room for foreigners. Though it would be rated 0 stars, if you're on a budget it won't be terribly different from a hostel in India. There are several beds in the main room and five adjoining rooms where a group could set up camp. Lockers are also available to keep your belongings safe, but bring your own lock. There is a shower there with warm water. The public bathrooms are among the cleanest you'll find in India. A donation is appreciated at the end of your stay.

Sikh warriors patrol the temple. You'll notice them right away in their blue uniforms carrying various weapons. They are friendly and if you're lucky they'll even pose for a picture.

As you explore the temple, I beg of you, let this be the only time in India when you accept the unsolicited help of a guide. The Sikhs are aware that they have an image problem. Many young people eager to practice English and teach foreigners about their faith will greet you and offer to take you on a tour of the temple. You'll get great explanations and discover areas not in a guide book. You'll also meet a local person!

Another way to meet local people is to eat at the public kitchen on the temple grounds. The temple, as well as just about all Sikh temples, serves free, warm meals throughout the day. It is standard Punjabi cuisine - chapatis, dhal, and raitha, or Indian flat bread, lentils, and yogurt with fried chick peas. All food put on your plate must be eaten, so if you don't want something or don't want seconds, just put your hand over your plate when the server comes around.

with thanks : HUFFINGTONPOST : LINK : for detailed news & pics

No ban on wearing Sikh turbans in public: France

Ahead of president Francois Hollande's visit to India on February 14 and 15, France has clarified that there is no ban on wearing the Sikh turbans in public. But displaying religious symbols - which include turban and the cross - have been banned in public schools, diplomatic sources said.

The Sikh organisations such as International Sikh Confederation have protested against the ban on turban and wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to take up the issue with the French president. The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) had also taken up the issue with the external affairs ministry.

The diplomatic sources said there were misunderstandings on the issue."There is no ban on wearing turban in public places such as streets. The diktat is that while being on the streets, no one should cover their faces. Turban doesn't fall under this category, the way burkha (veil) is," they explained.

But the sources said France has decided that there shouldn't be any display of religious symbols in public schools. "You cannot wear the cross as well."

"We have this policy in place for sometime now and French people are supportive of it. This is a policy in accordance with our secularism," sources said.On March 15, 2004, the then French President, Jacques Chirac, had brought an amendment to the French code of education that banned wearing clothing or symbols in state schools which "conspicuously exhibit a religious affiliation."

The French president will meet the Indian prime minister on February 14. Both sides are set to deepen their strategic ties, in which military, nuclear, space and counter-terrorism cooperation are vital. The French president will also visit Mumbai on February 15.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

France won’t overturn ban on Sikh turban

NEW DELHI: Days ahead of President Francois Hollande's visit to India; France has indicated that it is not going to overturn the ban on Sikh turban in its public or government schools. Clarifying that the ban on religious symbols in schools is not Sikh specific, diplomatic sources said that Paris is ready to explain its position - that irrespective of religion no student can wear any religious symbol to school — if the Indian side thought it fit to raise the issue with Hollande during his visit to India later this week.

"There is overwhelming support in France for ban on religious symbols in public schools, which prevents Sikh students from wearing turban but this is not specific to them,'' said a source.

"It's the same with the Jews, the Muslims or the Catholics who constitute 75% of France's population. If a Catholic student wants to wear the Cross to school, he has to hide it in his clothes. For a Sikh it is obviously difficult to hide his turban but the law is the same for everybody,'' he added.

According to sources, France had on its own taken up the issue with foreign minister Salman Khurshid when he visited Paris earlier this year, and made the same point before him. "France is open to dialogue over the issue and will encourage groups which have reservations to put forward their point of view so that French authorities can put things in the rights perspective,'' said the source.

The government has repeatedly taken up the issue with French authorities in the past saying that the turban was not just an ``obvious religious symbol'' but also formed the Sikhs' core identity. Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal has again appealed to PM Manmohan Singh to take up the issue with Hollande and explain how the turban is "inextricably'' linked to the Sikhs. 

with thanks : TIMES OF INDIA : LINK : for detailed news.

SGPC to give free education, shelter to Sikh girls in J&K

To promote education among Sikh girls in Jammu and Kashmir, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to offer free education and accommodation to them in the institutions being run by the SGPC. 

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said that a committee would be formed to conduct survey of schools in J&K to enlist Sikh girl students.

During a meeting with the SGPC chief, Kashmir Sikh Sangat chairman. Dhanwat Singh said that the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir was facing a plethora of problems and nothing was being done address them. "J&K Sikhs have religious, social, political and economic issues. Sikhs are being ignored and not being given their due," Dhanwant claimed.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link

NSS FEST 2013 :SGND Khalsa College,University of Delhi

                               

National Service Scheme Unit of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,Dev Nagar,University of Delhi is organising NSS FEST 2013 on 11th February in the College premises.from 10.30 am onwards.

Events : Cultural Perfomances,Gidha -Boliyan,Rajasthani Dance,Nukkad Natak,Debate,Sand Painting,Poster-Making competition

Attraction : Cash Prizes for winners and Certificates for Participants

Punjab approves Rs.250 crore Sikh tourism plan

Chandigarh, Feb 6 — To boost tourism in the state, Punjab's chief minister Wednesday approved a Rs.250 crore plan for Sikh circuit tourism for developing Sikh religious places.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sikh scholars, historians, representatives of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and officials of tourism and local government departments here.

Badal directed the state tourism department to submit a detailed report on the project to the union tourism ministry.

Explaining details of the project prepared by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, Principal Secretary (Tourism) Geetika Kalha said that the project aims at developing the surroundings of prominent Sikh religious places in a holistic manner.

She said all the three Sikh Takhts - the Akal Takht (Amritsar), Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib), and Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) - would be covered under the Sikh circuit tourism for development and beautification.

Other gurdwaras and Sikh historic places at Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, Dera Baba Nanak, Chhapar Chiri and other places would also be developed.

The holiest of the Sikh shrines, Harmandir Sahib - popularly known as the Golden Temple - in Amritsar, 250 km from here, attracts millions of devout and visitors every year.

With thanks : IANS

Sikh family, including two young children, found dead in suspected murder-suicide in Atlanta suburb

Police in Johns Creek, Ga., are still piecing together how Shindiver Grover, his wife Damanjit, and their two sons were killed. Their bodies were found on Monday morning after Damanjit didn't show up for work.

 

Sindiver Grover, 52, Damanjit Kaur-Grover, 47, Gurtej Grover, 5, and Sartaj Grover, 12, were found dead in their Johns Creek, Ga., apartment on Monday in what police said was a murder-suicide. 

A Sikh family found dead in an Atlanta suburb on Monday morning were the victims of an apparent murder-suicide, police say.

The bodies of Shindiver Grover, 52, his wife Damanjit, 47, and their two sons, Sartag, 12 and Gurtej, 5, were found in their first-floor apartment in Johns Creek, Ga., at around 11:30 a.m. Monday, according to local reports.

Police said one of Damanjit's co-workers alerted authorities after she didn't show up for work, local WSBTV reported.

Johns Creek police Chief Ed Densmore described the apartment as a "complicated" crime scene, and they weren't sure how the victims died.
It didn't appear that any shots were fired, Densmore said.


with thanks : nydailynews : LINK : for detailed news & pics.

Sukhbir thanks delhi sikh sangat for their support

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on wednesday profusely thanked the Delhi Sikh Sangat for overwhelmingly ensuring the win of Shiromani Akali Dal in Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee elections and giving them an opportunity to restore the old glory of historic Gurdwara Sahiban.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Badal said that he was overwhelmed with the love and affection shown by voters of Delhi and reiterated his resolve to fulfil every promise made in the manifesto.

Badal said that this election is a reminder to Sarnas that those who would stab Sikh community by hobnobbing with Congress would be severely punished by them.

He said that he had been reiterating that Sarna was acting as a proxy for Congress party by pressurising witnesses of 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases to protect Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar and ensuring their acquittal in different cases.

He said that Sikh voters of Delhi have shown the exit door to Sarnas for his act of treachery and now the next step for SAD was to ensure early conviction of all accused of 1984 Sikh massacre.

Badal said that SAD would continue to fight till every accused of the massacre were given exemplary punishment.

Describing the elections as eye opener for traitors of Sikh Panth, Badal said that Sarnas have not learnt any lesson from history. He said that any person who plays game to undermine the authority and supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib had to bite the dust.

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

DSGMC Poll Results

Ward No	Constituency	Winning Candidate	Party
1	Chandni Chowk	Amarjeet Singh Pinky	SAD(D)
2	Defence Colony	Tarvinder Singh Marwah	Singh Sabha
3	Cannaught Place	Hardev Singh  Dhanoa	SAD(B)
4	Safdarjung	Kuldeep Singh Sahni	SAD(B)
5	Vasant Vihar	Dr Daljit Kaur	SAD(B)
6	Preet Vihar	Darshan Singh	SAD(B)
7	Lajpat Nagar	Jatinder Singh Sahni	SAD(D)
8	Greater Kailash	Manjit Singh G.K.	SAD(B)
9	Kalka Ji	Harmeet Singh Kalka	SAD(B)
10	Malvia Nagar	Gurvinder Pal Singh	SAD(B)
11	Shiv Nagar	Onkar Singh Thapar	SAD(B)
12	Sham Nagar	Satnaam singh Aulakh	SAD(B)
13	Shakur Basti	Gurlaad Singh kahlon	SAD(B)
14	Rajinder Nagar	Paramjit Singh CHandok	SAD(B)
15	Janakpuri	Gurmeet Singh Meeta	SAD(B)
16	Ashok Nagar	Amarjeet Singh Pappu	SAD(B)
17	Tagore Garden	Jeet Singh	SAD(B)
18	Vishnu Garden	Harjinder Singh	SAD(B)
19	Tilak Nagar		SAD(B)
20	Sahib Pur	Chaman Singh	SAD(B)
21	Rajouri Garden	Harpal Singh Kochar	SAD(D)
22	Subash Nagar	Tajinder singh Bhatia	SAD(D)
23	Ramesh Nagar	Tanvant singh	SAD(B)
24	Moti Nagar	Rawel Singh	SAD(B)
25	Punjabi Bagh	Manjinder singh Sirsa	SAD(B)
26	Tri Nagar	Satpal Singh Namdhari	SAD(B)
27	Wazir Pur	Ravinder Singh Khurana	SAD(B)
28	Naveen Shahdara	Kulwant Singh Bath	SAD(B)
29	Geeta Colony	Manmohan singh	SAD(B)
30	Gandhi Nagar	Bhupinder Singh Sabharwal	SAD(D)
31	Vivek Vihar	Balbir Singh	SAD(D)
32	Khureji	Jatinder Pal Singh Narula	SAD(B)
33	Model Town	Gurdev Singh Bhola	SAD(B)
34	Kamla Nagar	Capt Inderpreet Singh	SAD(B)
35	Civil Line	Jasbir Singh Jassi	SAD(B)
36	Pahar Gunj	Prabh Jeet Singh Jeeti	SAD(D)
37	Pitampura	MPS Chadha	SAD(B)
38	Rohini	Samardeep Singh	SAD(B)
39	Shakti Nagar		SAD(B)
40	Karampura	Gurmit Singh Shunty	SAD(B)
41	Tibbia College	Kuldeep Singh Karol Bagh	SAD(B)
42	Hari Nagar	Avtar Singh Hit	SAD(B)
43	Dev Nagar	Paramjit singh Rana	SAD(B)
44	Patel Nagar	Manminder s Ayur	SAD(B)
45	Vikas Puri	Inderjit singh Monty	SAD(B)
46	Dilshad Garden	Ravinder singh Lovely	SAD(B)

Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee polls record low turnout

NEW DELHI: An abysmally low 42.2% turnout on Sunday in the 51-member cash-rich Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections, which had assumed heightened importance after the entire Punjab cabinet shifted base to Delhi during the last three weeks, dimmed the hopes of a clear majority for both the parties - the incumbent Congress-backed Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) and Punjab's Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal).

Only 1.75 lakh Sikhs, out of the 4.16 registered voters, came out to cast their votes, the directorate of gurudwara elections (DGE) said.

The elections brought an end to the high-strung month-long poll campaign to DSGMC, which enjoys control over 10 historical gurudwaras, 30 schools, 15 colleges, six hospitals and 15 dispensaries.

The election is being seen as a primer to the assembly polls in the national capital after the ruling committee president and main candidate Paramjit Sarna was given open backing by the Congress against Punjab CM Parkash Badal-led SAD and BJP combine.



With thanks : Times of India : LINK : for detailed news.

DSGMC elections: 42% polling, counting on Jan 30

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections on Sunday passed off peacefully with 42.2% polling across 46 wards in the national capital. 

There was no untoward incident and no re-polling has been ordered at any booth, a spokesman of the director, gurdwara elections,said. The counting is scheduled for January 30.

"Elections remained peaceful with order maintained by the police," said SAD (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna.

Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said the polling percentage remained low as there were "several bogus votes that we never allowed to be cast this time".

The elections witnessed a straight neck and neck contest between SAD and SAD (Delhi).

Campaigning from both sides had ended at 5pm on Friday. The door-to-door campaigning continued till the polling on Sunday.

Delhi is divided into 46 wards to elect the DSGMC members. In the 51-member house, five members are nominated.

with thanks : HINDUSTAN TIMES : LINK