Gurmat samagam : must visit today if nearby

Elderly Sikh assaulted in Britain dies

An 80-year-old Sikh man, who was assaulted by a teenaged girl in the British city of Coventry in August this year, has died.

Joginder Singh, who was assaulted on Trinity Street in Coventry city centre by Coral Millerchip, 19, around 8.30 p.m. Aug 10, died Nov 3, the police of West Midlands county said in a statement Thursday.

The incident was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) and the footage was widely circulated on social media.

The victim, who suffered a cut nose and swelling, hailed from the Canley neighbourhood of the city.

Millerchip also spat on the victim and verbally abused him.

Millerchip confessed to the crime last month, but following the death of Singh she is likely to face more stringent charges.

"Following the assault, Singh was re-admitted to hospital and was being treated for a diagnosed condition and at this stage it is unclear if that is directly connected with the assault," Matt Markham, an officer in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said in the statement.

Singh was reportedly "fighting for his life" when Millerchip appeared in Coventry Magistrate's Court in August for her first hearing.

Prosecutor Pamela Meinert, during the hearing, said that Singh was in a critical condition in hospital.

However, she added that she was not sure whether his condition had anything to do with the attack.

Singh was discharged from hospital after the attack but was later re-admitted for treatment.

The post-mortem examination report has not yet come and police said further tests were being done to know the actual cause of his death.

"It's really bad news - an extremely sad day for the community," Harjinder Singh Sehmi, the counsel of the deceased, said.

with thanks : Business Standard : LINK

The August news can be read from the LINK

Turbaned Sikhs barred from flying Emirates aircrafts

New Delhi,Nov 4 (TruthDive): Sikhs wearing a turban are not allowed to fly aircrafts of Emirates Airlines. A CNN-IBN report says that it has the email exchange between the Sikh pilot and the airlines.

The Sikh pilot has alleged that Emirates Airlines, after shortlisting him for an interview turned him down only because he wears a turban. As a pilot for almost nine years now, and flying more than 5,500 hours in national and international routes,he was shortlisted for an interview with gulf-based Emirates airlines. He was turned down, because he is a turbaned Sikh.

The pilot got to know from friends that there is a company policy against turbaned Sikhs and at first he laughed saying that such a big company would never do that. In the subsequent mails he sent, it was a shocker for him. He was told he need not come as there is a rule being followed and the company is not making any exceptions.

To clear his doubts, he emailed his photograph to the Emirates. With one week before the final round, he was told that wearing the cap is a mandatory part of the uniform, hence he had been disqualified. If they have any policy against turbaned Sikh pilots, they should mention that turbaned Sikhs should not apply, he points out.

with thanks : TruthDive : LINK : for detailed news.

Thousands from Europe converge at Geneva for 'genocide' petition

GENEVA: The Justice Rally held in front of the UN office in Geneva witnessed mammoth participation of Sikhs from across Europe, and even the US and Canada. Those coming from European countries travelled in specially hired buses and their journey ranged from 5 hours to 20, depending on their place of starting the trip.

Around hundred Sikhs travelled down to the rally site in two buses. As their journey took 12 hours, they brought along their langar (food). Baljit Singh Dhesi, who led the contingent, said they started on Thursday night and claimed that there was great enthusiasm in the people to participate in the rally. Several women also attended in the rally. As there are estimated to be less than 500 Sikhs in Switzerland and very few in Geneva, for the locals it was a novel thing -- to see so many turbaned Sikhs in front of the UN office. "I have seen few rallies of this size here," remarked a journalist of a local newspaper while trying to get to the depth of the issue and purpose of the rally.

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

The 34th annual Sikh Parade : Vid

80,000 people attend Sikh parade

By David Bitton/A-D reporter

Tens of thousands of people descended on Yuba City on Sunday, brightening up Tierra Buena and Butte House roads with their colorful attire, for the 34th annual Nagar Kirtan and Sikh Parade.

Mandeep Bassi-Sandhu, 27, who described herself as a proud Sikh, said she has been coming to the event with her family her entire life.

Arriving 31⁄2 hours early paid off for the Elk Grove resident, who was able to watch the Guru Granth Sahib, or Sikh holy scriptures, go by in the main float while sitting on the rear-bumper of her vehicle.

"Every time I go to India I don't see this much culture," Bassi-Sandhu said. "India is really here in Yuba City."

The Guru Granth Sahib remained covered during the parade, which saw people stacked up 10 people deep in places near the temple on a blustery autumn day.

An estimated 80,000 people attended the parade according to Tejinder Dosanjh, a spokesman for the Sikh Temple.

Dosanjh said he was surprised how many people walked with the float the entire parade route.

Friends Rajinder Kaur, 39, and Dimple Bajwa, 31, both of Sacramento, said the event is a great way to reconnect.

The two hadn't seen each other in about eight months.

Kaur noted that she also enjoys coming to the event to sample the wide variety of free food handed out at numerous locations throughout the parade route.

"This event reminds us of our culture and traditions," Bajwa said. "We celebrate this like you celebrate Christmas. It is our God's birthday."

Before his death in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru, gave Sikhs the Guru Granth Sahib, or Sikh holy scripture.

"The Guru Granth Sahib is our Guru and our teacher," Dosanjh said.

The holy book teaches about peace, human equality and helping the needy, he said.

"It was a great day and a great event," Dosanjh said. "Everybody was blessed with peace and happiness."

CONTACT David Bitton at 749-4796. Find him on Facebook at /ADdbitton or on Twitter at @ADdbitton.

with thanks : appeal democrat : LINK

HAPPY DEEPAWALI

A little flicker of light in endless darkness makes a difference..HAPPY DEEPAWALI wishes to all !

Happy Diwali : Data Bandi Chor Diwas Diyaan Lakh Lakh Wadhaiyaan hovan ji !

Auction of Sikh Empire’s artifacts in Britain

London: An 1805 report, first-hand accounts, a book and and a few paintings throwing light on the life of Maharajah Ranjit Singh, under whom the Sikh empire expanded to its maximum, will go under the hammer at Mullock’s auction house here on Nov 5.

One of the highlights of the auction will be an early edition of the “History of the Sikhs” by Joseph Davy Cunningham which was published in 1853. It is considered the first extensive work on the Sikhs by a European, said a statement here Monday.

Other items on sale will be a first-hand account of the Sikhs by John Malcolm (1813), an 1803 account by the Marquis of Wellesley, portraits of Ranjit Singh and Gulab Singh, a rare 19th century British cast model, a fine engraving of the Nihangs dating to 1844, an early drawing of Ranjit Singh, an illustrated book on the Sikh court of Lahore by a Russian traveller, and the earliest European view of the Golden Temple dating to 1836.

“This is one of earliest accounts of Ranjit Singh, he would have been at the tender age of 25, a young ambitious man who was set to rule a vast empire. He was clearly an obstacle to the British expanding their territory in India,” specialist Richard Westwood-Brookes said of the 1803 account. 

“This sale is very unique as it sheds light on the Sikh empire and religion from the eyes of the British and European explorers of the 19th century,” he added.

with thanks : Mizo News : LINK

Zee TV - Dance India Dance - Season 4 - with Choreographers Feroz Khan & Muddassar Khan : Indiblogger

Dance India Dance - Season 4 : with Indiblogger : What an event. Great fun & enjoyment. The new judges of the Dance India Dance - Season 4, Choreographers Feroz Khan & Mudassar Khan were really friendly. The Indiblogger team really co - operative. It was all fun & enjoyment. Never expected this much from Indiblogger. But Thanks to the entire Indiblogger Team for this fun filled evening.

And than it was the SKIT. So many entries & so many groups. It was our turn & i proved the metal, i proved that i am a true Punjabi. I spoke in my true spirit, in my own Punjabi language to save a girl from eve teasers.

My performance was so strong that everyone started clapping & shouting. My husband sitting in front was also laughing loudly. The judges the Choreographers, both Feroz Khan & Mudassar Khan were clapping. They appreciated me in true Punjabi style. 

Now it was the results time. My heart was beating loudly. And than it was announced that we were the winners. Both the judges again appreciated me and my True Punjabi style. It was joy n fun every where. Great time. Great enjoyment. Never expected this much from Indiblogger.

We ran towards the stage & both the Judges of the great Dance India Dance, Season 4 team joined us. We were given our prizes and than Choreographers Feroz Khan & Mudassar khan taught us various dancing Steps. Never expected that we will learn our first dancing steps from the Judges of the Dance India Dance Season 4 team. And after that everyone present there just DANCED, DANCED & DANCED. I can never forget such a fun filled event. Thanks Dance India Dance - Season 4. Thanks Indiblogger.

Sikh clergy should look hard at itself over sentencing of priest

Ajai Singh, the son of former Akal Takht chief, will now serve 90 days in jail, followed by 18 months probation. He was visiting Canada earlier this year when the incident was first reported to police on February 9.

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