Northeast Sikh Temple Builds Vegetable Garden to Bring Community Together in a Safe COVID-friendly Outdoor Space

The new community garden is a partnership with the neighbouring community of Martindale. It’s an opportunity for people of different backgrounds and cultures to learn about growing vegetables, say organizers.

A new vegetable garden being built at the Dashmesh Culture Centre in Martindale is designed to bring the local community together in a safe COVID-friendly outdoor space this summer.

The garden at the back of the Sikh temple is for people of all backgrounds and cultures, say the centre's leadership, who have worked with the Martindale Community Association on the project.

Amanpreet Singh, left, Kamal Bassi, centre, and Harpal Singh, right, with the Dashmesh Culture Centre stand in front of planters in the centre’s new garden space. It will provide some produce for the Sikh temple’s kitchen, which hands out hot vegetarian meals to those that need it as part of the Sikh tradition of Langar

"We thought it's a good platform for our elders and new generation to get together and learn about the plants," said Amanpreet Singh, president of the Dashmesh Culture Centre.

"Everyone is welcome here, and during COVID-19 we have a place where everyone can be together and still keep their social distance," he said.

The garden is growing everything from herbs to cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, spinach and baby radishes, and is being tended to daily by a crew of Sikh seniors.

The food the garden produces can be used by the local community and in the centre's kitchens, which provides free hot vegetarian meals to anyone in need seven days per week.

"Everyone can take it, can use it and also we'll use it in the kitchen, too, but it's for the whole community," said Singh.

"It was a great opportunity," said Harpal Singh. "It gives us a lot of joy. With COVID there are lots of people sitting at home, and we saw it as an opportunity to teach the community about agriculture and involve people from the local area.

The centre was helped by Ward 5 Coun. George Chahal and the City of Calgary, providing a delivery of compost for the raised beds.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/dashmesh-culture-centre-calgary-sikhs-garden-1.5631900?cmp=rss

Anupam Kher should be kicked out of BJP for using Guru Gobind Singh's words to describe Sambit Patra: Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu

Chandigarh: Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Thursday rebuked actor Anupam Kher for using the “sacred words of Guru Gobind Singh” to describe Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Sambit Patra.

A day after actor Kher tweeted, “Sava lakh se ek bhida du” and tagged Patra, the Congress leader said, “Anupam Kher and his wife (Chandigarh BJP MP Kirron Kher) should be kicked out of the BJP for using Guru Gobind Singh’s words to describe Sambit Patra.”

Kher’s tweet was in response to Patra being trolled on social media. Patra had posted a picture of a three-year-old boy sitting on his grandfather, who was shot dead during an encounter in Sopore on Wednesday with the caption: “Pulitzer lovers?”

Patra was apparently referring to Associated Press (AP) photo journalists Dar Yasin, Mukhtar Khan and Channi Anand, who were honoured with the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for “striking images of life” in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution.’

TAKES ON RSS, SAYING IT’S ‘DILUTING’ SIKH TENETS

Bittu tweeted: “How dare @AnupamPKher use sacred words of Guru Gobind Singh ji to describe the spokesperson of BJP. It spoils the martial image of Sikhs.”

He went a step further and called Kher’s tweet an attempt by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to dilute the “strong tenets of Sikhism”.

He called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “tender an immediate apology and kick out Anupam Kher and his wife from the BJP”.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/punjab-congress-mp-says-bjp-should-kick-out-actor-anupam-kher-for-using-guru-gobind-singh-s-words-to-describe-sambit-patra/story-9rKKvwTMZh5mcUQInel7HN.html
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/anupam-kher-should-be-kicked-out-of-bjp-for-using-guru-gobind-singhs-words-to-describe-sambit-patra-bittu-107553

“Dil Se Sewa: Feeding Millions” :Please Watch the exclusive program on NDTV on July 5th Sunday at 7 PM

Please Watch the exclusive program “Dil Se Sewa: Feeding Millions” on NDTV on July 5th Sunday , 7 PM  

New Delhi Television Limited (NDTV), in collaboration with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has initiated a campaign " DilSeSewa ", as the Sikh community has been at the forefront of relentlessly helping people to tide over the crisis during the coronavirus lockdown. Their 'sewa' during this pandemic is a shining example of their community spirit.  Join the campaign and help them reach out to the poor and vulnerable who need to be fed.

At a time of widespread hunger and a humanitarian crisis, this campaign focuses on the rich living tradition of food sharing as widely practised in “Langars” or community kitchens by the Sikh community.

Please Watch the exclusive program “Dil Se Sewa: Feeding Millions” on NDTV on July 5th Sunday , 7 PM  .The program highlights the collective Sewa done by Sikhs during challenging times of Covid-19 Lockdown which gained recognition all across the world. 

DSGMC thank you all for your valuable contributions and support in making this Langar Sewa world famous!

We humbly request you to continue supporting us in this noble cause with your gracious contribution. https://special.ndtv.com/dil-se-sewa-74/

https://special.ndtv.com/dil-se-sewa-74/

कोरोना संकट के समय ए आई शील्डस की कोटिंग की आवश्यकताः ए.सी.एम.ई इंडिया ने गुरुद्वारा बंगला साहिब में ए आई शील्डस की कोटिंग शुरु की

ए.सी.एम.ई इंडिया ने गुरुद्वारा बंगला साहिब में ए आई शील्डस की कोटिंग शुरु की I यह सेवा मुफ्त की जा रही है।
कोरोना संकट के समय  ए आई शील्डस की कोटिंग की आवश्यकताःहरमीत सिंह कालका

कमेटी के महासचिव स. हरमीत सिंह कालका व डायरैक्टर श्री मनीष कुमार.

इस मौके पर कमेटी के महासचिव स. हरमीत सिंह कालका ने बताया कि ए.सी.एम.ई के प्रतिनिधि आज गुरुद्वारा बंगला साहिब कांपलैक्स में पहुँचे हैं जिनकी निगरानी में कोटिंग शुरु हुई है। उन्हांने बताया कि कंपनी ने दावा किया है कि इस कोटिंग से 6 महीने तक यहां कोरोना वायरस फैलने का खतरा नहीं होगा। उन्होंने कहा कि हमने कंपनी से बिनती की है कि गुरु हरिकृष्ण अस्पताल बंगला साहिब और गुरु गोबिंद सिंह भवन जहां सारा स्टाॅफ बैठ कर काम करता है में भी यह कोटिंग जरूर की जाये।

स. कालका ने कहा कि जो उत्पाद कंपनी ने शुरु किया है कोरोना संकट के मद्देनजर यह समय की जरूरत है। उन्होंने कहा कि इसके तहत एंटी वायरस कोटिंग की जाती है। हम कंपनी से बिनती की है कि कमेटी के सभी गुरुद्वारा साहिबान में यह कोटिंग की जाये। उन्होंने कहा कि अगले पड़ाव में जगर जरूरत पड़ी तो पेमेंट के आधार पर भी यह कोटिंग करवाई जायेगी।

     डायरैक्टर श्री मनीष कुमार,एकमे इंडिया

इस मौके पर कंपनी के डायरैक्टर श्री मनीष कुमार ने बताया कि एकमे इंडिया एक भारतीय कंपनी है जो पिछले 12-13 वर्षों से काम कर रही है और इसका सैनेटाईज़ेशन व हैल्थ मामलों में ज़्यादा योगदान है। उन्होंने बताया कि कंपनी के दो प्लांट सोनीपत व एक रायबरेली में है। हम रेलवे, मैट्रो, हवाई जहाज़, रेलवे स्टेशनों और एयरपोर्ट आदि स्थलों पर सैनेटाईज़ेशन करने व स्वच्छता बनाये रखने के लिए सेवाएं देते हैं।

उन्होंने बताया कि आज के समय में जितने भी कीटाणुनाशक प्रयोग में लाये जा रहे हैं हरेक में किसी ना किसी किस्म कर ज़हर शामिल हैं। इस समय सोडियम हाइपोक्लोराइड का प्रयोग सब से ज़्यादा हो रहा है। यह असरदार तो है पर इसके छिड़काव से धब्बे पड़ जाते हैं जिसके कारण बसें में व रेलिंग पर निशान बन जाते हैं। उन्होंने बताया कि स्प्रे के पांच मिनट के बाद दवाई का असर खत्म हो जाता है जबकि दूसरी तरफ ए.आई. शील्ड तीन स्तरीय है जिसमें सीलीकोन व नाईट्रोजन के पाॅज़िटिव आयल के अलावा अन्य कैमिकल प्रयोग किये जाते हैं और इस कोटिंग का असर 6 महीने तक रहता है इसलिए जहां यह कोटिंग हो वहां 6 महीने तक कोई वायरस पनप नहीं सकता।

इस मौके पर अन्यों के इलावा कमेटी की वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष बीबी रणजीत कौर, कमेटी सदस्य विक्रम सिंह रोहिणी, भुपिंदर सिंह भुल्लर, मीडिया सलाहकार सुदीप सिंह रानी बाग व अन्य गणमान्य शख्सियतें मौजूद रहीं।

News Courtesy:
Mr. Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC

Sukha Singh Chhabra 103-year-old Sikh man from Thane is country’s oldest ICU survivor of Covid-19

    Sukha Singh Chhabra at Kaushalya Medical Foundation Trust Hospital receiving        A Warm Send -Off from the Hospital Upon Recovery 

In a huge relief for his anxious family, a sprightly 103-year old Sikh man has vanquished the coronavirus and returned home to savour the victory. Marvelling at Chhabra’s “miraculous recovery”, the KMFT Trustees decided to waive off the treatment costs for Chhabra

Now ranked as India’s oldest ICU survivor of Covid-19, Sukha Singh Chhabra of Thane was happily discharged from  Kaushalya Medical Foundation Trust  Hospital (KMFT) this week.

    Sukha Singh Chhabra with his Family

His younger brother, 86-year old Tara Singh who was also infected, is awaiting discharge from the hospital in a couple of days.
For nearly a month, Chhabra’s entire family was on tenterhooks although he remained largely unaware of the potentially deadly infection that had afflicted him.

“We downplayed it and requested him to get admitted to a hospital for proper care,” his 39-year grandson Gurdeep K. Chhabra explained. “He agreed without any fuss, so we didn’t see any point in unnecessarily alarming him at his advanced age.”

After his swabs tested positive, he was wheeled into the KMFT Hospital on 2 June. His sons and grandchildren prayed, while his young great-grandchildren waited for him to return home to play with them.

Chhabra’s month-long stay in hospital was mostly lonely and without the hustle-bustle of his large family due to the Covid-19

protocols. Still, the senior Lahore (Pakistan)-born man braved it remarkably well.

    Sukha Singh Chabra With His Family and Hospital Staff

“He was twice in and out of the intensive care unit, required non-invasive ventilation, inotropic supports to maintain his heart and lung functions for moderate Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, along with Covid Pneumonia,”. “He had a very tricky course, going uphill and coming downhill.”.

    Sukha Singh Chhabra with Team of Doctors 

A special team of doctors was assigned to treat Chhabra on the long road to recovery. However, they generously acknowledged that “it was the patient’s own determination to fight out Covid-19 at this advanced age” which was very important.“We as doctors left no stone unturned to keep him and our other patients, to win this

battle,” said a doctor.

After he was accorded a warm send-off with a resounding round of applause, the weary Chhabra returned to the comfort and safety of his home.

“Before lockdown, he was very active as usual. He even visited the Gurdwar, climbed the stairs independently, prayed, took ‘prasad’ at the langar and returned home,” said Gurmukh Singh.

Despite the recovery, Chhabra remains quite weak and will be on an intravenous semi-liquid diet for the next few days at his bungalow.

“We are confident that he will soon bounce back to his active self after he starts savouring his favourite Punjabi vegetarian dishes that he has missed for so many weeks now,” his grandson Gurdeep laughed.

https://www.sikhnet.com/news/103-year-old-sikh-man-thane-country%E2%80%99s-oldest-icu-survivor-covid-19

SGPC Requests Centre to Reopen Kartarpur Corridor

Gobind Singh Longowal, president of the SGPC

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Wednesday 1st July 2020 urged the Central government to open the Indian side of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

This came after Pakistan said it is prepared to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for all Sikh pilgrims from June 29.

"I welcome the opening of the corridor by the Pakistan government. I also request to the government of India to try to open the corridor as soon as possible while following the guidelines of the health department," Gobind Singh Longowal, president of the SGPC told reporters here after participating in a religious function organised at the Akal Takht secretariat to commemorate the foundation day of the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kartarpur Corridor was shut down by the Indian government. Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a 4.7-kilometer-long passage that connects Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in India's Gurdaspur and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur. It was inaugurated last year.

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/sgpc-requests-centre-to-reopen-kartarpur-corridor20200701170859/

Delegation meets jathedar as part of campaign against caste practices among Sikhs

Prevalence of casteism is against the Sikh spirit

The Jathedar held an interaction with the delegation members who asserted that prevalence of casteism is against the Sikh spirit

A delegation of Sikh intellectuals led-by Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Chandigarh, on Wednesday met Akal Takht’s acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and pressed upon him to support the ongoing campaign against the caste practices among Sikhs.

The Jathedar held an interaction with the delegation members who asserted that prevalence of casteism was against the Sikh spirit. Jathedar reportedly gave his consent to join the Dalit March from Jallianwala Bagh to Akal Takht on October 20 this year, marking the centenary of taking of ‘parsad’ by Dalits to Akal Takht. The Jathedar also agreed to preside over a seminar on the subject next month.

The Jathedar reportedly agreed to the delegation’s proposal that the theme of the forthcoming 400-year birth anniversary celebration of Guru Tegh Bahadur should be “rangrete-gur-ke-bete (Dalits, the chosen sons of Gurus)”.

Members of the delegation included Gurpreet Singh from Global Sikh Council; Khushhal Singh, general secretary Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha; Prof Manjit Singh, former head of Dr Ambedkar Chair, Panjab University Chandigarh; Jaspal Singh Sidhu, member Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh; Rajwinder Singh Rahi from Baba Jiwan Singh Foundation; Ajalpal Singh Brar, an author; and Prof Jagdish Singh from Naad Prakash.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/delegation-meets-jathedar-as-part-of-campaign-against-caste-practices-among-sikhs/story-fh9xXxOcGVWnk4d23bPsuI.html

SC Refuses to Hear Plea for Interim Bail for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Convict Mahender Yadav Who Tested Positive for COVID-19

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court today Wednesday 1st July 2020 refused to entertain a plea for interim bail of convict and former MLA Mahender Yadav, serving 10 years jail term in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, on the ground that he has been admitted to the ICU after being tested positive for COVID-19.

A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and B R Gavai, in the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, said the interim bail application cannot be entertained as the family has no “grievance” related to Yadav's treatment and moreover, no relatives can visit him in the ICU where he has been treated for the novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

The counsel for Yadav said the convict was above 70 years of age and has tested positive for COVID-19 on June 26 in Mandoli jail where another convict, sharing the barrack with him, has recently died of the deadly disease.

Senior advocate H S Phoolka appeared for the riots' victims and opposed the interim bail plea of Yadav.

The trial court in 2013 had awarded three-year jail term to Yadav. Following the high court verdict, the sentence of Mahender Yadav has been enhanced to 10 years in jail.

 https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jul/01/sc-refuses-to-entertain-bail-plea-of-covid-19-positive-convict-in-1984-anti-sikh-riots-case-2163894.html

Fighting With Corona Pandemic: DSGMC appeals to Donate for Langar Sewa at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

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Akal Takht Jathedar Asks SGPC to Pursue Cases: "The Arrest of Innocent Youngsters in the Name of Khalistan is Condemnable.”

Giani Harpreet Singh shared the history of Miri Piri Diwas, celebrated to commemorate the blessings of the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind Sahib, who took charge wearing two kirpans called Miri and Piri, symbolising worldly (political) and spiritual authority .

Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to pursue the cases of Khalistani operatives arrested by Punjab Police recently.

Addressing the media along with Takht Keshgarh Sahib jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh after a function to celebrate Miri-Piri Diwas, he said: “The arrest of innocent youngsters in the name of Khalistan is condemnable.”

“It has come to our notice that Punjab Police have arrested few youngsters in the name of Khalistan. If any innocent person is arrested or anyone is put behind bars with false charges, this is condemnable and the SGPC should pursue and get the cases probed,” said Giani Harpreet Singh.

Giani Harpreet Singh clarified in Talwandi Sabo later, “Sikhism can’t be defined by the idea of Khalistan alone. Sikhism is the global idea and this idea should bring peace to the world.”

Giani Harpreet Singh shared the history of Miri Piri Diwas, celebrated to commemorate the blessings of the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind Sahib, who took charge wearing two kirpans called Miri and Piri, symbolising worldly (political) and spiritual authority .

Earlier, while addressing devotees at the function at the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, Giani Harpreet Singh shared the history of Miri Piri Diwas, celebrated to commemorate the blessings of the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind Sahib, who took charge wearing two kirpans called Miri and Piri, symbolising worldly (political) and spiritual authority. The two kirpans are tied together with a khanda at the centre, so the combination of both is considered supreme, Where action informed or arising out of the spiritual heart completes one’s purpose and meaning in the world of action.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/akal-takht-jathedar-asks-sgpc-to-pursue-cases-of-khalistani-operatives-held-by-punjab-police/story-gUgVQgBPohb2q4cYVjbn7N.html

Despite Weakening Economy, Pakistan Approves PKR 1 Billion For Construction at Baba Guru Nanak University at Nankan Sahib

Despite day by day weakening economy, the Pakistan government has approved PKR 1 billion for continuing the construction of Baba Guru Nanak University at Nankana Sahib.

On June 27, western Punjab’s CM Usman Buzdar approved ‘Baba Guru Nanak University Budget Bill 2020’ for the second phase of construction at Baba Guru Nanak University, under which PKR 1 billion will be spent for the construction of hostel, administrative block, and classrooms.

A wave of ardency is being observed among the Pakistani Sikhs as soon as the completion of construction work at Baba Guru Nanak University is heading towards completion.  

Baba Guru Nanak University will benefit thousands of students living in villages nearby to Sri Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Jadaanwala, Okada, etc.

It may be recalled here that the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International University (BGNU) was laid in Nankana Sahib on July 12 2019. The Pakistan government is likely to spend more than 2.5 billion rupees to develop a high standard infrastructure over 70 acres land allotted to the University.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/28/despite-weakening-economy-pakistan-approves-1-billion-for-construction-at-baba-guru-nanak-university/#.XvxIFW0zbIU