Ealing road named after British General could be changed to the founder of Sikhism

Havelock Road in Southall could be renamed Guru Nanak Road

Havelock Road in Southall could be renamed Guru Nanak Road in a first step to recognise Ealing’s diverse communities in public spaces, Ealing council leader Julian Bell has said.

The road is named after Sir Henry Havelock, a British Army general who violently put down the First Indian War of Independence in 1857.

This helped lead to the establishment of the British Raj in India and so it's argued the name carries connotations of colonial domination and enslavement.

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh spiritual Gurus.

In a video message to residents, the borough’s chief said a review into public landmarks in Ealing will begin as he welcomed the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s plans to look at how public spaces in London represent the city in the present day.

The move comes as George Floyd protesters in the UK have been calling out controversial statues celebrating slave traders.

In Bristol, protesters pulled down a statue of slave trader and merchant Edward Colston, who donated his wealth to the city upon his death. His legacy still remains in streets and buildings.

Cllr Bell said: “Our diversity is our strength and we need to make sure that our public realm, our statues, our road names, our buildings, reflect our diversity and do not reflect a frozen past where colonialism, racism and the slave trade were present and celebrated.”

A consultation will be launched over changing Havelock Road to Guru Nanak Road, with the process to begin “very shortly”.

The road is home to Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Southall, which is the largest gurdwara outside of India according to its official website.

It was established in the 1950s.

Cllr Bell added: “Havelock Road is where the largest Sikh gurdwara in western Europe is cited and as part of its 550-year celebrations of the birth of Guru Nanak this year, we want to make this name change to Havelock Road to Guru Nanak Road.

“This will symbolise the huge contribution of our Sikh community in Ealing and also diversity as a borough, and also it will represent our unity as a borough too.”

Supporting the move, Ealing housing and planning chief Peter Mason said the decision to rename the road had unanimous support from Southall’s 15 councillors.

Link:https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/ealing-road-named-after-british-18396085

Sikh Gurdwara of Tampa Bay is giving out 400 free vegetarian meals every Sunday

Volunteers at the Sikh Gurdwara of Tampa Bay, where 400 free meals are distributed to the public every Sunday. [Courtesy of Sikh Gurdwara of Tampa Bay]

In the Sikh religion there is an institution called langar, in which the temple feeds the congregation on Sundays.

But when the Sikh Gurdwara temple in Thonotosassa closed because of COVID-19, the tradition that is central to the religion had to be accomplished another way.

So volunteers from the temple began taking food out into the community to demonstrate that the practice was being continued, establishing the Tampa Gurdwara Vulnerable Outreach 2020 initiative.

They started by delivering food from restaurants to healthcare workers and first responders.

Gradually, they went to homeless shelters and realized how many people needed food, as well as personal hygiene items including masks, so they delivered supplies to them as well.

The volunteers partnered with Feeding Tampa Bay and sponsored a day of meals. They fed 350 people that day, with volunteers from the temple including Harpartap Singh, who said it was a wonderful feeling.

That feeling sparked the idea to start cooking at the temple, which Singh said has a pretty decent kitchen, and to start feeding people every Sunday outside of the temple via drive-through.

To spread the word, they made large signs and put them out around the temple.

The first week, they cooked 300 meals, thinking that maybe 20 or 30 people would show up. If no one did, they arranged to give the food to Feeding Tampa Bay. But 250 hungry people came. Singh said they were blown away.

The experience was highly emotional, he said. He recalled a woman who was in tears because she hadn’t been able to feed her two children a proper meal in days. Singh said they told her to come back and they would give her enough food for the week.

Their program caught on quickly via social media, garnering volunteers to come cook and distribute meals. At this point, in the program’s eighth week, they have 55 volunteers. They can’t all work at the same time, so they’re scheduled in shifts.

Social media also helped them get donations for the program, from members of the congregation and beyond.

“We didn’t even have to knock on anybody’s doors, they just started writing checks,” Singh said. In about four weeks, they raised about $38,000.

They take donations through the Tampa Gurdwara (USREF) Vulnerable Outreach 2020 Facebook page, a GoFundMe and a Zelle account. Singh said they’re getting donations from other states and countries.

As the word spread, the amount of meals increased to 400 each week.

“This is part of our religion,” he said. "In the past we have been feeding people who are well fed and well-to-do but now we are feeding people who are really needy.”

Link:https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/06/10/sikh-gurdwara-of-tampa-bay-is-giving-out-400-free-vegetarian-meals-every-sunday/

A Sikh Per­spec­tive and Re­sponse as COVID-19 strikes all across

COVID-19 pan­demic has changed every­thing for every­one. There are those who are serv­ing the need of the hour, and there are those who are serv­ing their own needs, that’s just how things have al­ways been.

Sikhi is both a per­sonal and pub­lic com­mit­ment. Since the time of Guru Nanak Sahib, we have been shar­ing the lan­gars (dis­tri­b­u­tion) of Wis­dom and food. Let’s dou­ble down on both to fight the Coro­n­avirus. Guru Nanak Sahib asked Whys at a per­sonal level, the Guru served with Hows at a pub­lic level.

Chardi Kala -as­cen­dant spir­its, is not a slo­gan…

Chardi Kala (as­cen­dant spir­its) is not a slo­gan, let’s in­voke this dic­tum to fight coun­ter­feits. Do not feed cap­i­tal­ism at its worst right now. Don’t add to per­sonal gains via fake news, god­men reme­dies, price goug­ing, panic shop­ping, and so on.

So­cial dis­tanc­ing as per­sonal re­straint makes the best med­ical sense. Healthy bod­ies must avail to serve in their re­spec­tive ca­pac­i­ties and ca­pa­bil­i­ties.

In­di­vid­u­als: Stay at home, un­less you are an es­sen­tial worker (med­ical, food, lo­gis­tics). Be­come more cen­tred by con­nect­ing with 1Force, by tra­di­tional means or cur­rent mech­a­nisms. You need to de­cide how to con­nect with the 1Force! That means, strength­en­ing your in­tel­lect and your body to share your as­sets. Take pre­cau­tions, re­main calm and in­formed. If will­ing and able, sup­port es­sen­tial work­ers by join­ing them for ser­vice, or fund them.

Gur­d­waras and Sikh or­ga­ni­za­tions: Your pur­pose has al­ways been to be a learn­ing cen­tre and a sanc­tu­ary. Let’s live that! Please do can­cel all typ­i­cal gath­er­ings. But that’s not it. Do re­mind your board and your staff about the 1Ness borne out of 1Force. Of­fer apt ser­vices in-per­son and on­line. On the ground, re­cruit med­ical and lo­gis­tics ex­per­tise. Open ser­vices for the vul­ner­a­ble and the needy: med­ical and food.

In these ex­tra­or­di­nary times, spir­i­tu­al­ity and imag­i­na­tion are vi­tal re­sources for life.

Be­com­ing cre­ative, like the Cre­ator, will sus­tain us through the time of un­cer­tainty.


And af­ter us­ing our mind to re­flect, to serve, and to do­nate, the Sikh col­lec­tive prays for the well-be­ing of the whole hu­man­ity.

Pray as vic­to­ri­ous peo­ple, not as de­feated be­ings!

Link:https://www.theworldsikhnews.com/a-sikh-perspective-and-response-as-covid-19-strikes-all-across/

New Zealand formally thanks Sikhs for their contribution in fight against Covid-19

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—On June 2, New Zealand’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development Megan Woods introduced a resolution in the New Zealand parliament thanking Sikhs because of their incomparable role in the fight against Covid-19. She specially thanked the ‘Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand’ feeding more than 1,00,000 people during this pandemic.



It is learnt that some government bodies have also offered financial aid to the ‘Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand’ but the sewadars have politely refused to accept it, citing that the Guru Nanak Sahib’s langar always run with the support of the sangat.

Beside it, Supreme Sikh Society also received a certificate of appreciation by Counties-Manukau South Police for its voluntary service to the community during the lockdown period and before.

“As a voluntary group, the Supreme Sikh Society has served our community at a crucial and challenging time during the Covid-19 crisis 2020- proactively gifting crucial supplies, especially food for our most vulnerable people and we acknowledge the leadership and volunteers who dedicated their free time to help others,” the certificate read.

It is pertinent to note here that New Zealand has become the first corona free country in the world. There is no active case in New Zealand for the last three weeks.

The office of the Mayor of Auckland in their letter of appreciation thanked SSSNZ for providing meals that helped thousands not just in Auckland but other parts of the country too. In Council’s other efforts to support different sections of the community, SSSNZ was noted as a leading contributor helping the needy.

“I thank you for the enormous contribution that your organisation made,” the letter read.

Link :https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/10/new-zealand-formally-thanks-sikhs-for-their-contribution-in-fight-against-covid-19/#.XuB4c9UzbIU

Around 50,000 devotees paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib on the first day after lifting of restrictionsonsons

With lifting of restrictions on influx into religious shrines after two and half months, around 50,000 devotees thronged to the holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib  on June 8. The rejoiced devotees were observed taking dip in the holy sarovar and offering prayers for the well-being of mankind while paying obeisance inside sanctum sanctorum. 

The Punjab police have also lifted most of the barricades installed around Sri Harmandir Sahib and inside the walled city of Amritsar.

The devotees started thronging to Sri Harmandir Sahib from the early wee hours and the movement remained observable till late evening hours.

On being contacted by Sikh24, SGPC officials informed that all the arrangements were in effect to keep social distancing among devotees. “All the devotees are being subjected to thermal checking and sanitization of their hands before entering into Sri Harmandir Sahib,” informed an SGPC official.

Expressing cheerfulness on having opportunity to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib after such a long period, a devotee turned emotional while narrating how he spent the past days when he couldn’t come to pay obeisance due to restrictions.


Sri Harmandir Sahib’s manager Mukhtar Singh Cheema informed that around 50,000 devotees paid obeisance on June 8. “We have deployed around 100 additional sewadars to ensure social distancing among devotees,” he said while adding that special arrangements were also made to ensure social distancing among devotees partaking langar in world’s largest community kitchen.

The daily collection from Karah Prasad counter amounted to around INR 1,75,000 on June 8.



  
Link :https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/09/around-50000-devotees-paid-obeisance-at-sri-harmandir-sahib-on-the-first-day-after-lifting-of-restrictions/#.XuBxONUzbIU

"Pandemic or Protests – Guru ka Langar is always there." Sikhs feed protestors of 'Black Lives Matter'

Whether it is the Delhi riots, the bushfires in Australia, or even providing food to the elderly during the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the Sikh community always comes forward to lend a helping hand. 

The Sikh community has again come forward to support the protestors who are protesting against racism in the US in light of the recent killing of George Floyd.  

In a post on Facebook by Kalgidhar Trust-Baru Sahib, it was revealed that "Pandemic or Protests – Guru ka Langar is always there."

As we all know that the world is dealing with the deadly COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak. But there are few people who are risking their lives for the betterment of society. Gursikhs are one of those few people. Langar-Seva is one of the basic principles in the Sikhism. And the Sikh community across the globe is doing the same in this need of the hour. 

The Gurdwara Sahib of New York, in Queens Village, has served more than 1,45,000 free meals in the last two months. Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar has daily served more than 100,000 people. In the latest example of selfless service, the Gurdwara Sahib of Queens Village fed a group of protestors who were there for George Floyd killing. 

These Gursikhs are trying their best not to let anyone sleep empty-stomach. 

They are working day and night in fighting for COVID-19 as well as global starvation.

We must feel proud of these noble souls. And we should learn from them how to work for the other selflessly. Share and Support.

Naam Japo, Kirt Karo, Vand Chhako.

Source: New York Times #Sikhi #Selfless_service #Sikh_volunteer." 

Link :https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sikhs-feed-protestors-of-black-lives-matter-guru-ka-langar-always-there-96768

Delhi Sikh Body To Give Insurance Cover For Staff Involved In Relief Work Amid Coronavirus Crisis

As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSGMC has been providing free food to the lockdown-hit homeless people and shelter to health workers in its Gurudwaras.


New Delhi: The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Saturday announced an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for its employees in the forefront of the coronavirus fight in case of death due to the disease.

As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSGMC has been providing free food to the lockdown-hit homeless people and shelter to health workers in its gurudwaras.

It will now provide an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh each to its 2,500 frontline workers who are providing free community meals, and sanitation and transport-related services across the national capital, its president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

Staff members of the DSGMC-managed gurudwaras have been distributing food and relief material in JJ colonies, labour camps, shelter homes, etc., as a result of which there is a risk of them contracting the novel coronavirus, Mr Sirsa said.

The life insurance scheme will include sanitation staff, cooks preparing langar, religious preachers, security staff and other frontline workers tasked with distributing food.

"We salute the efforts of our frontline workers to provide services to mankind at the ground level amid the coronavirus threat," he said.

The DSGMC has been taking care of accommodation and food requirements of around 200 doctors, nurses and other healthcare staffers involved in treating COVID-19 patients.

Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-delhi-sikh-body-to-give-insurance-cover-for-staff-involved-in-relief-work-2226083

Facebook, Instagram Unblock Hashtag #Sikh After It Was ‘Mistakenly Blocked on March 7’

Facebook and Instagram have unblocked the hashtag #sikh and apologised for it. Instagram said the hashtag was “mistakenly blocked” due to a report received in early March. Although the block was in place for nearly three months, Facebook became aware of the issue on Wednesday, after a large number of people outraged on social media for not allowing them to use the #sikh hashtags on its platforms. Instagram notably unblocked the hashtag shortly after receiving user reports. However, Facebook itself took some additional time to unblock.

“We investigated this issue and found that these hashtags were mistakenly blocked on March 7th following a report that was inaccurately reviewed by our teams,” Instagram said in a Twitter thread while giving clarity on the #sikh hashtag blocking.

Interestingly, the company added it became aware of the blocking just on Wednesday following the feedback it received from the community. “Our processes fell down here, and we're sorry,” it continued .

 Several people had raised the issue on social media but it was finally noticed by the Instagram team on June 3.

Link:https://gadgets.ndtv.com/social-networking/news/facebook-instagram-sikh-hashtag-unblock-apologies-issue-2240452

June-1984 Holocaust: Sri Akhand Path Sahib begins at Sri Akal Takht Sahib

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Commemorated to the 36th anniversary of the June-1984 holocaust, Sri Akhand Path Sahib has been begun at supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib today. An Ardas for the martyrs of this holocaust will be held on June 6.

SGPC member Bhai Ram Singh, SGPC’s chief secretary Dr. Roop Singh, Sri Darbar Sahib’s Manager Mukhtiar Singh Cheema, Additional Manager Rajinder Singh Ruby etc. were present on this occasion.

Link :https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/04/june-1984-holocaust-sri-akhand-path-sahib-begins-at-sri-akal-takht-sahib/#.Xt8XAdUzbIU

DSGMC launches 'Langar on Wheels'

NEW DELHI, India—As per an estimate, around 15,000 poverty stricken people are benefiting daily from the ‘langar on wheels’ service launched by the DSGMC on June 1. Notably, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee had launched this service after the government and NGOs stopped providing food to these people living in the slum areas, railway stations, bus stands, rain shelters, pavements etc.


Interacting with media, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the DSGMC was committed to avail free food to every needy person so that no one sleeps empty stomach. “We started this service keeping in view the inaccessibility of Gurdwaras to the poverty-stricken people living remotely from Sikh shrines,” he added.


Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that this service has been started for one month, but will be extended from time-to-time till the economic activities are restored and disadvantaged people are able to sustain themselves.




It is learned that 15 vans depart from Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib daily during the wee hours to serve food to people at various places across Delhi.

In coming days, the DSGMC is also going to station vans with banners highlighting food and water arrangements for needy persons at different places like railway stations and bus stands.

Link:https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/05/dsgmcs-feeds-around-15000-poverty-stricken-people-daily-through-langar-on-wheels-service/#.Xt8Uj9UzbIU

Looters target Sri Harmandir Sahib’s Hazoori Raagi in Amritsar

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The condition of Punjab’s society is becoming worse day by day. The robbers and snatchers have become so daring that they don’t even refrain from targeting the staff working in holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib.  

In a press note shared with Sikh24, SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Bath has informed that Hazoori Raagi Bhai Mahabir Singh was looted by some looters during the morning hours on June 8. “The looters targeted Bhai Mahabeer Singh on 100 Ft. Road when he was going back to his home after serving at Sri Harmandir Sahib,” he said while adding the looters took away his two mobiles, cash, wallet and some other documents.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that an FIR has been registered in B-Division police station in this concern.

SGPC has sought immediate arrest of the looters so that the Sikh sangat could go to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib without any fear.

Link:https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/09/looters-target-sri-harmandir-sahibs-hazoori-raagi-in-amritsar-take-away-his-mobiles-and-wallet/#.Xt8S8NUzbIU