‘Sikhs represent best of Australian values’: Queensland Senator Paul Scarr thanks Sikh community in Parliament for COVID aid

Senator Paul Scarr thanks Brisbane Sikh community for their "selfless service" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acknowledging the “selfless” efforts of the Sikh community, Senator Paul Scarr thanked the members of the Brisbane Sikh Gurudwara for providing free meals and groceries to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Scarr said it is extremely important to recognise and appreciate the efforts of the Sikh community in Queensland and across the country "because reaching out to people in times of need represents the best of Australian values.”

Queensland Senator Paul Scarr helping Sikh volunteers with distribution of COVID aid in Brisbane.

“The Brisbane Sikh Gurudwara has provided approximately 20,000 free cooked meals and 2,000 free grocery hampers to people in need during the coronavirus pandemic. In providing that assistance, members of the gurudwara have volunteered their time continually over the last three months,” the LNP Senator from QLD said in his speech in the Senate last week.

Speaking to SBS Punjabi, Senator Scarr said he was “astonished to the see the boxes of food and generous donations during his recent visit to the temple.

“The Brisbane Sikh Temple should be extremely proud of their work during COVID-19. This is a wonderful group of people who is helping those struggling and in times of need. It was great to witness first-hand the hard work of the Sikh temple and the positive impact they are having in the community," he said.

Senator Paul Scarr with the volunteers at the Brisbane Sikh Gurudwara

In his speech, Senator Scarr said he has made three reflections from his experience of visiting the Sikh temple and volunteering with the members of the community.

“The first is on the dignity and respect with which members of the gurudwara treated every person they assisted. 

“Secondly, I note that the assistance has been provided to Australians and visitors to Australia irrespective of race, religion or nationality. That is a reflection of the Sikh religion, a belief that we as humans are all equal and part of the oneness of humanity.

“Third was the importance for assistance to be given in a selfless way, not looking for anything in return, just wanting to help someone, just wanting to give,” he said.

He also spoke highly about the moral significance of making donations at the Sikh gurudwara and the practice of preparing and serving langar (community kitchen service).

“As at many gurudwaras, the Brisbane Sikh gurudwara has a langar, a community kitchen providing free meals, prepared by volunteers, to all the visitors of the gurudwara, without distinction related to religion, gender, economic status or ethnicity. They all sit on the floor together, representing their common humanity and their equality," said Senator Scarr.

Link:https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/sikhs-represent-best-of-australian-values-queensland-senator-thanks-community-in-parliament-for-covid-aid

'Angels from Heaven': People thank Sikh volunteers helping feed families, international students during COVID

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Sharing a message that Jasbir Singh recently received from an Indian-origin student who called him an 'angel', Mr Singh said while his emotions warmed his heart, "he was just following the teachings of the Sikh Gurus."My religion tells me that all people are same; Jasbir Singh

floor.

"Angels from Heaven"

Hailing them as "Angels from Heaven," people receiving help from volunteers of the Australian Sikh Association and International Students Help Organisation thank them for their selfless service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian Sikh Association has been distributing cooked meals and grocery kits ever since coronavirus started disrupting lives of Australians earlier this year.

Jasbir Singh, a volunteer with the Sydney-based charity group says people who receive help through them have been sending them overwhelming messages of thanks and gratitude.

 "My religion teaches me to be kind and generous towards all without any discrimination and that is exactly what we have been doing through our efforts," he said.

The group which has been joined by volunteers of the International Students Help Organisation also delivers free cooked meals to returning travellers in mandatory hotel quarantine.

"We also deliver food at hotels in Sydney four days a week where people spend 14 days in quarantine after returning from overseas. They call us for vegetarian Indian meals usually," said Mr Singh.

Link:https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/audio/angels-from-heaven-people-thank-sikh-volunteers-helping-feed-families-international-students-during-covid

Sikh-owned Indian restaurant in the Sante Fe City vandalised with hate messages in US' New Mexico; damage worth $1,00,000 caused

The Restaurant walls were full of hatred messages;Tables were overturned,glassware smashed into piles on the floor.

Washington: An Indian restaurant owned by a Sikh in the Sante Fe city in the US state of New Mexico was broken into and vandalised with hate messages scrawled on its walls, according to a media report.

The damage caused to India Palace restaurant is estimated to be worth USD 1,00,000, local Santa Fe Reporter newspaper reported on Tuesday. The vandalisation is being investigated by local police and the FBI, it said.

The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF), a non-profit civil rights organisation, has condemned the incident.

"This kind of hate and violence is unacceptable and swift action must be taken to ensure the safety and security of all Americans," said SALDEF executive director Kiran Kaur Gill.

According to the local daily, tables were overturned, glassware was smashed into piles on the floor, wine racks were emptied, a statue of a goddess was beheaded and computers were stolen.

The vandals also turned over and destroyed food warmers, while the front desk area was gutted, plates smashed and the kitchen rendered completely unusable, it said.

 “I walked into the kitchen, I saw everything and I was like, hold on, what? What is going on here?” owner Baljit Singh told Santa Fe Reporter. “White power,” “Trump 2020,” “go home,” and far worse were spray-painted on walls, doors, counters and any other available surface. “Some phrases contained threats of violence and derogatory racial slurs,” the daily said.

Link: https://www.firstpost.com/india/sikh-owned-indian-restaurant-vandalised-with-hate-messages-in-us-new-mexico-damage-worth-100000-caused-says-police-8519181.html

‘ Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’ : one will be blessed eternally who says that God is the ultimate truth.

 

The Chinese don’t like the Sikhs, their war cry ‘ Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’ ( which means one will be blessed eternally who says that God is the ultimate truth) frightens them , their huge frames with long hair and beard frightens the clean shaven slick looking Chinese. 

On the night of 15th June, as the 16th Bihar troops faced a murderous and treacherous unprovoked Chinese assault , taking heavy casualties, they found critical support from the gunners of the 3 Medium Field Regiment.

The valiant Khalsas launched a barehanded counter-attack with their trademark blood curling war cries about an hour after the Bihar troops had got embroiled in the savage hand-to-hand combat , having to fight with sticks , bare hands, rocks and with weapons snatched from the Chinese.

The Sikhs went straight for the jugular, attacking a ‘senior looking officer ‘ protecting by six Chinese guards.

“They killed all the six guards and dragged  the senior officer by the scruff of his neck in a bloody fight lasting for 30 minutes,” said an eye-witness of the 16th Bihar Regiment. ” They fought like men possessed, smashing Chinese heads with rocks and slashing them with swords snatched from the Chinese.” 

Other Chinese troops in the vicinity fled or stayed away , in sheer fright .  Two Sikh gunners died when struck by swords but one of them strangled a Chinese to death in the squeeze of his massive biceps , all along shouting ‘Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal.” 

The angry , bloodied Sikhs were about to thrash the senior officers when the JCO leading them glanced at the stars on his epaulets and stopped them, imagining he must be colonel.  The JCO was right — this was the Chinese colonel who had planned the treacherous attack  on Colonel B.Santosh Babu, CO, 16th Bihar.

This CO greatly helped fast tracking of GOC level negotiations* held between the two sides on 17/18 Jun, leading to quick exchange of 10 Indians against the lone captured Chinese  Commanding Officer. 

 That the ten Indians including two majors were released without torture and torment might owe itself to the Chinese Colonel being in the custody of Sikh gunners.Down India’s medieval and modern military history , the burly and fearless Sikhs have turned the fate of many a battles with sheer bravery.They ---and their corps commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh — again proved they are peerless warriors on the night of 15th June.

 Link: https://theeasternlink.com/bole-so-nihal-sat-sri-akal/ 

Gurtej Singh ( Bhagat Singh of The Present Time ): 22 years old Martyred Sepoy Galwan valley in Ladakh

22 years old Martyred Sepoy Gurtej Singh

Meet  Martyred Gurtej Singh who was killed during a violent clash near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China at Galwan valley in Ladakh.

 Gurtej was seen carrying 4 Chinese soldiers with his both hands alone & throwing them over the ridge. He lost his balance & fell into ridge, his head was bleeding but he didn’t stop. He killed 12 Chinese soldiers with his bare hands before making supreme sacrifice. He was only 22 years old.

 Martyred Gurtej had joined the Army in 2018 was the youngest among his three brothers and had completed his 12th class in the non-medical stream.

Gurtej Singh cremated with full honours .Gurtej’s father and brothers lit the pyre, a contingent of the army gave a gun salute to the martyr, prior to which bugles sounded the Last Post.

The mortal remains of the Martyr Sepoy Gurtej Singh, 22, were consigned to flames on Friday at his native village Birewala Dogran village in Budhlada sub-division of the district,Mansa.

Finance Minister Punjab Manpreet Singh Badal laid a wreath on the behalf of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government. “I am here to pay homage to Gurtej on the behalf of Punjab Government and Punjab people. I salute all the mothers of Punjab and India, who bravely send a piece of their heart to sacrifice their lives for the country,” said Manpreet Badal, reminding country people that India got freedom by sacrificing their sons.

 Finance minister said that though the loss suffered by the family was immeasurable and could not be compensated with money, the Punjab Government will provide Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia compensation, along with a government job to a next of kin of the deceased to help the family to alleviate some of their sufferings.

A number of people, who poured in from different parts of the district gave a tearful adieu to the Martyred Sepoy Gurtej. Slogans like “Shaheed Gurtej Singh Amar Rahe” “Inquilab Zindabad” reverberated the air as Gurtej’s coffin, draped in tricolour was taken to the cremation ground in the presence of army officials, who paid floral tributes to him.

 

Link: https://www.royalpatiala.in/22-years-old-martyr-sepoy-gurtej-singh-cremated-with-full-honours-father-lit-the-pyre/