NOW, SIKH FARMERS IN KUTCH CAN SMILE

Gandhinagar : Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who is slated to visit the Rannotsav festival under way in Kutch, is likely to carry back heartening news as the Gujarat government has decided to defreeze the agricultural land of 52 Sikh farmers in the district.

Though a final decision has not been taken since the matter is subjudice in the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court ruled in favour of the farmers and the state government appealed against the verdict in the apex court, the bonafides of these 52 farmers have been verified. In their case, it has been found that they had been given agricultural land by the Gujarat government under the ‘landless labourer ‘category.

Kutch being a barren region, bordering Pakistan with human population less than that of cattle, the Gujarat government had, as a matter of policy, invited ex-servicemen from Punjab and Haryana, largely Sikhs, to settle down here in the aftermath of the 1965 war with Pakistan. Kutch had seen aggressive Pakistani forays as a prelude to the war then and this led to the birth of the Border Security Force (BSF) thereafter.

As a strategic move thereafter, ex-servicemen and farmers from Punjab were encouraged to settle down here. These farmers played no small a role in the greening of Kutch and revolutionized agriculture in the desolate barrenscape that Kutch was then with a few takers for the largely salinity-ingressed areas bordering the Rann. However, with increasing industrialisation as the price of land shot up to dizzying heights, a sense of envy engulfed people leading to complaints and social tension, triggering a chain of events that led the government to ‘freeze’ the land of over 800 farmers who were suspected to have come from other states and bought land for agriculture.

Government rules do not permit purchase of agricultural land by non-agriculturists even if they are of Gujarat origin and the government used the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act 1948 to freeze the land holdings of these farmers whom it suspected to have infringed it.

However, the affected farmers knocked the doors of the High Court which ruled in their favour. The state government then went in to appeal to the Supreme Court where the matter rests for now.

The issue however acquired a political colour in Punjab where the Congress began using it as an issue to attack the SAD government, an ally of the BJP. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had also interceded with Chief Minister Modi who had promised all possible help. A case-by-case review is learnt to be underway and those who have produced relevant records are likely to benefit. There are a large number of agricultural-land owning farmers from Punjab and Haryana in Kutch.

R K MISRA

with thanks : freepressjournal : LINK

Utah Sikhs bring warmth to homeless with blanket donation

SALT LAKE CITY — The Road Home has 200 new blankets for the homeless thanks to an interfaith gesture from members of the Sikh Temple.

On Sunday, the congregation collected enough money to buy 200 blankets for the homeless, and members took the donations to the Road Home Wednesday.

During a short service, Priest Gurmeet Singh read from the holy text that tells Sikhs if they remember God every day, he will take them as his children and their lives with be happier. During their Wednesday worship, they hoped to bring happiness to others.

"We always want to participate in our community, whatever little help we can do for food also and these blankets," said temple trustee Pushpinder Walia. "We thought we should contribute before Christmas."

The Sikhs simply wanted to be part of the community and to let everyone know they are here to help.

"It's too cold, and God has blessed us," Walia said, "and we want to share with other people."

"The winter season can be a dangerous time for a lot of our clients, and unfortunately we see a lot of people struggle through that," said Road Home employee Emily Petersen. "I know this will be a lifesaving support for them. Thank you."

Sikhism is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world with more than 30 million members, the majority of whom live in the Punjab region of India.

Founded in the 15th century as a monotheistic faith, members reject discrimination against race, religion or gender.

Baptized Sikhs do not cut their hair, and the men wear turbans. They do not consume alcohol, tobacco or drugs. They believe strongly in marriage and family life.

At the sanctuary inside the Sikh Temple, men, women and children are asked to remove their shoes and cover their heads. During this particularly sacred time of year for Christians who commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Sikhs say they also wish to mark the birth.

"We respect all religions, and Christ has been a great prophet, and Christmas is a blessing time," said temple trustee Jagdish Gill.

There are nearly 1,000 Sikhs in Utah. Services at the Sikh Temple of Utah on 4897 S. Redwood Road take place 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, including both breakfast and lunch. All are welcome to attend.

with thanks : deseretnews : LINK

Nagar Kirtan in Gurdwara Sangat Sahib ( Sint-Truiden, Belgium )

On the occasion of 545th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak DevJi, Nagar Kirtan led by the Panj Pyaras (the five beloved ones) was taken out in Gurdwara Sangat Sahib (Sint-Truiden,Belgium) on 27th October 2013.The 'Gatka' teams also displayed their swordsmanship through different martial arts and at mock battles using traditional weapons.

Guests of honour were Prof. Bert Broeckaert ( KU Leuven,Belgium), Mrs.Veerle Heeren ( Mayor of Sint-Truiden,Belgium ), Mr. Ward Kennes (Mayor of Kasterlee ,Belgium) /Mrs W. Kennes and Mrs. Raymonde Spiritus (Alderwoman/ Schepen in Sint-Truiden,Belgium )

Another prominent personalities amongst sangat were Pritty Kaur ( who contested (sp.a Social Party) for a Mayor Post in Sint-Truiden, Belgium in 2012 elections ), Sd. Avtar Singh  (who also stood in the same election for CD &V ), Louke Manpreet Kaur Bamps and Theodorus Snellen.They all are engaged with community services;working as a link between authorities and Sikh Community.

  

In memory of Damini !

Nine Sikhs in the Hung Delhi Assembly !

Press cuttings

Press cuttings

Chinese soldiers stunned by Indian 'Gatka" : Hindustan Times

Vote Delhi Vote : It's 4th December :

British Army recognises Sikh's contribution

IANS

London, Nov 23: The historic contribution made by Sikh soldiers who fought for Britain has been honoured by the British Army at an event at the Royal Military Academy in Camberley, Surrey.

Thousands of Sikhs died fighting for the British Indian Army during the two World wars.

Academy curator Anthony Morton said during the days of the British empire, Sikh soldiers were highly regarded by British officers for their martial prowess.

"Today is really about commemorating the Sikh contribution to the armed forces both today and in the past," BBC quoted Lt.Col. John Kendall, who organised the event at the Indian War Memorial room at the academy, as saying.

Author Jay Singh Sohal believes contribution of Sikhs in the British Army is largely unrecognised, which is why events like this are important.

"British Sikhs, third generation, fourth generation can take inspiration from the fact that their forebears fought for Great Britain," he said

with thanks : IANS : LINK

President greets nation on Guru Tegh Bahadur martyrdom day

IANS

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday greeted the nation, especially the Sikh community, on the 332nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur on November 24.

This year it marks the 332nd anniversary of the guru's sacrifice for religious freedom.

"Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day is an occasion for every citizen of India to remember the guru's supreme sacrifice and strive to be worthy of his great legacy," Mukherjee said in a statement.

"On this day, let us re-dedicate ourselves to national unity, communal harmony and all-round progress of our motherland. Let hatred and violence find no place in our minds," he said.

"May the life and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the humanism that he stood for guide us on our path at all times," he said.

with thanks : IANS : LINK