Restoration of Historic well related to 5th Sikh Guru restored in Gurdaspur

A historic eight-cornered well related to fifth Sikh master Guru Arjan Dev has been restored at Gurdwara Patshahi Panjveen at Othian village near Batala town of Gurdaspur district.

The well has been restored with old-fashioned small bricks. Environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh, head of Khadoor Sahib-based Kar Sewa organisation, was assigned the task to restore the structure.

“The SGPC is working to conserve the heritage. Guru Arjan Dev got this well dug on the demand of the community. It has been made operational now,” said Rajinder Singh Mehta, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) that manages the shrine.

“We decided to restore it with the help of the heritage experts. Also, heritage trees will be planted on one acre land of the gurdwara to provide shelter to birds and reduce pollution,” said SGPC chief secretary Roop Singh who was also present on the occasion.

Baba Sewa Singh said his organization has restored many heritage structures at Khadoor Sahib. “These structures inspire the young generation to get connected with their heritage,” he added.

Link:https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/historic-well-related-to-5th-sikh-guru-restored-in-gurdaspur/story-1mTc7fMNDRaFjHdRZJEeYO.html

Bibi Jagir Kaur :बीबी जागीर कौर को पुनः स्त्री अकाली दल की प्रधान बनाने पर सः बादल का आभार प्रकट किया

   

नई दिल्ली 11 जून: शिरोमणी अकाली दल दिल्ली इकाई स्त्री विंग की अध्यक्षा एवं दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबन्धक कमेटी की वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्षा बीबी रणजीत कौर ने सः सुखबीर सिंह बादल को बीबी जागीर कौर को पुनः स्त्री अकाली दल की प्रधान बनाने एवं सः अवतार सिंह हित को 20 सदस्यी कार्यकारिणी में शामिल करने के लिए उनका आभार प्रकट किया।
बीबी रणजीत कौर ने कहा कि बीबी जागीर कौर को संसार भर की स्त्री विंग की महिलाएं पसन्द करती हैं क्यांेंकि वह समय समय पर स्त्रियों की मांगों को उठाकर उनकी समस्याएं हल करवाती हैं। पार्टी के साथ बड़ी गिनती में स्त्रियों को जोड़ने में भी वह कामयाब रही हैं और जो जिम्मेवारी पार्टी ने उन्हें दी उन्होंने उसका बाखूबी निर्वाह किया इसी को देखते हुए पार्टी प्रधान सः सुखबीर सिंह बादल ने एक बार फिर से स्त्री अकाली दल की कमान बीबी जागीर कौर को सौंपी है इसके लिए दिल्ली इकाई की स्त्री अकाली दल की सभी महिलाएं सः सुखबीर सिंह बादल का धन्यवाद करती हैं साथ ही सः अवतार सिंह हित और सः दलजीत सिंह चीमा को कार्यकारिणी मंे शामिल करने के लिए भी सः बादल का आभार प्रकट किया।

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

GNDU to plan architecture of Sultanpur Lodhi’s Pind Babe Nanak Da heritage village

Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar will design the replica of Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi, the village where Guru Nanak was born. (HT PHOTO )

The Punjab government has asked Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, to draw architectural plans for Pind Babe Nanak Da heritage village in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala.

Pind Babe Nanak Da will be the replica of Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi, the village where Guru Nanak was born, which is now in Pakistan.

Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Singh Cheema had raised the matter during a video conference with Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh. The CM was told that Punjab chief secretary Karan Avtar Singh had held a meeting regarding the project with the stakeholders.

Initially, the chief secretary was planning to loop in an international architect. However, the CM asked him to hire local architects: “An international architect will not know as much about Guru Nanak as our people,” the CM had said.

The state government’s group of ministers, which include Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Charanjit Singh Channi and OP Soni, have selected 70 acres of land behind Gurdwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi, as the site for the heritage village. Most of the land falls in Machi Zowa and Taraf Hazi villages. Officials said the land acquisition process was yet to begin.

MUDDY EXTERIOR, HIGH-TECH INTERIOR

A seven-member committee finalised the concept for Pind Babe Nanak Da heritage village. The exterior of the village will be built of mud in a simulacra of a 400-year-old village. The interior, however, will be studded with modern technology, depicting Guru Nanak’s life between 1469 and 1539.

Punjabi University head of Sri Guru Granth Sahib studies professor Sarbjinder Singh, who was a member of the committee, said, “The new village will have 13 ‘pattiyan’ (mohallas) like Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi village had 13 pattiyan. Named after figures of Sikh history, they will meet at the sath (centre or commonplace), where Guru Nanak used to hold dialogue.”

Former MP Tarlochan Singh, a member of the concept committee, said the four phases of Guru Nanak’s life will be showcased.
Link :https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/gndu-to-plan-architecture-of-sultanpur-lodhi-s-pind-babe-nanak-da-heritage-village/story-HTQdOB14c2aEUxNj1hma4J.html

Sikhs Are Delivering Free Food to the Elderly in Self Isolation Amid Coronavirus Outbreak in UK

At a time when the world is grappling against the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, people have been compelled to self-isolate and quarantine themselves to contain the spread of the virus.

While the infectious virus poses a major threat to the immunity system of all age, elderly people are more at risk, as the likelihood of having chronic conditions increases remarkably as you age.

With the COVID-19 spreading across the globe and claiming nearly 8,000 lives, multiple nations have undergone a virtual lockdown.

Amidst such a time of emergency and social distancing, a 'free mobile food support' initiative has begun in Slough, a town in Berkshire, England.

Started by the Sikh community of the town, the service will provide "healthy and nutritious" food essentials to people above the age of 65, and quarantined.

Taking to Twitter, an associate of the community Harjinder Singh Kukreja said, "Are you 65+ plus? In #Coronavirus isolation? Need support to get food? Sikhs in Slough, UK have come up with Mobile Food Support for the elderly & isolated & are Providing FREE HEALTHY & NUTRITIOUS essentials to help them! Pls share!"

Speaking to News18, Harjinder, a close associate with the MP from Slough said, "Sikhs have been at the forefront of philanthropic work throughout the world. The community ongoingly delves into social causes which make a mammoth difference." He further added that this particular initiative is run by the Sikh of Slough, "a vibrant group of people".

Given that youngsters are a low-risk group with regards to the COVID-19, this initiative is run by them at large.

The food is cooked and distributed by them throughout Slough, which has reported 12 confirmed cases.

The entire operation is being funded by the worshippers at the Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara in Slough.

The initiative has been hailed by netizens, who even praised the initiative taken by the Sikh communities across the world in times of severe crisis.

Link:https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/sikhs-are-delivering-free-food-to-the-elderly-in-self-isolation-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-in-uk-2540955.html

Sikh pilgrims to miss Arjan Dev’s death anniversary : Gurdwara Dera Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev,Lahore,Pakistan

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur (Associate Prof.,Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi ) at Dera Sahib Gurdwara,Lahore,Pakistan 

Lahore: 

The coronavirus has upended religious rituals not just in Pakistan, but all over the world.  This year, the Sikh community will quietly mark the death anniversaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Arjan Dev.

According to details available with the Express Tribune, Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, will not be able to take part in the religious ceremonies to mark the important events on the Nanakshahi Calendar this month.

“Due to the Covid-19 virus, the Sikh community will mark the death anniversaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Arjan Dev in the most simple manner,” said Sardar Amir Singh, Secretary-General, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The ceremony to mark the 414th anniversary of the Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom, Singh said, begins on June 14.  Known as the Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Arjun Dev, the day has been commemorating the martyrdom of the fifth Guru and the first Sikh martyr every year since 1606.

Commemorations begin early in the morning with Shabad Kirtan or hymns and the sermons about the life of Guru Arjan Dev, who Sikhs believe, was killed during Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s reign in Lahore.

Pakistan is home to several important Sikh holy sites, including the final resting place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the 19th-century ruler of the Sikh Empire.   His death anniversary is also marked near the end of June.

Under a mutual agreement between India and Pakistan, Sikh pilgrims are allowed to attend these important anniversaries each year.  Last year, more than 400 pilgrims attended a special dedication ceremony in Lahore, which marked the 180th anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death.  A statue of the Sikh ruler was unveiled at the Lahore Fort.

Concerns over safety and the fear of spreading the coronavirus have temporarily resulted in the suspension of the Sikh community’s pilgrimage to one of their holiest sites in Pakistan. In April, citing an uptick in Covid-19 cases, the Indian government closed the visa-free passage, known as the Kartarpur corridor, that allows members of the Sikh community to visit the shrine of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak.

Members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are hopeful that the government will reopen the corridor and allow the community to visit the holy sites.

“We hope that with SOPs, Sikh pilgrims are allowed to visit the holy sites once again,” said Sardar Amir Singh, Secretary-General, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Link:https://tribune.com.pk/story/2240054/1-sikh-pilgrims-miss-arjan-devs-death-anniversary/

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