Northampton Sikh Charities To Feed 700 People a Week After Recieving £800,000 Bank Loan

 Northampton Sikh charities are preparing to 'quadruple' the number of free meals they provide to the homeless.

             The Brand New Gurdwara is Set to Open This Month .

The Sri Guru Singh Sabha Northampton and the Sikh Community Centre and Youth Club (SCCYC) say the relocation of the Gurdwara and community centre to a much larger site in the St James area of the town in August will make a ‘huge difference’ to the community.

The charities, which were recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK – plan to more than quadruple the number of free meals they provide for vulnerable and homeless people to 700 a week.

Amarjit Singh Atwal and Nav Kaul handing out food to the homeless at the Travelodge in Gold Street.

Amarjit Singh Atwal, trustee at the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Northampton, said: “Our local area suffers from high levels of deprivation and the new building will enable us to make a huge difference to people of every faith across the community in a tangible way.

The bank also helped The Siri Guru Singh Sabha secure a five-figure Bounce Back Loan Scheme loan to ensure they could continue to deliver services throughout the pandemic.

Harjinder Singh Kooner, chairman of the Sikh Community Centre and Youth Club, said: “Our work is not just about providing our community with a place of worship. We support local people with their health and wellbeing and help them access vital social services. We reach out to a growing number of vulnerable and homeless people to provide them with hot meals and for others,we’re a place to meet with friends. Our new building will enable us to expand these services significantly."

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/northampton-charities-feed-700-people-week-after-recieving-ps800000-bank-loan-2941059

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi

MLA Jarnail Singh (Rajouri Garden): Statment After Suspension From The AAM AADMI Party

     

After being removed from the membership of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, Jarnail Singh (Rajouri Garden) gave the following statement –

“There has been an online campaign for the conversion of Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar to a Mandir. Few individuals were making these remarks online.

My son has been using my phone for online classes. He came across an online discussion and copy-pasted a reply from that discussion on my Facebook wall accidentally. I soon as I found out, I clarified my stance that I respect all religions. I then deleted that post since I found that post distasteful.

I follow the teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and respect all religions. However, I did find the comments about the Harmandir Sahib distasteful and that is something I cannot accept.

In terms of my removal from the Aami Aadmi Party, I still have not come to know the reason.

I came to know that the party (Aam Aadmi Party) is deliberating upon action against me. I did not take it seriously as I knew they would contact me for clarification. I only came to know that I have been removed from the membership through an online message posted on Facebook.”

The reason for Jarnail Singh’s removal was stated as the usage of demeaning words towards Hindu deities.

“The Aam Aadmi Party is a secular organization and it has no place for anyone who uses derogatory terminology towards any religion. The Sikh community is also in grief over Jarnail Singh’s statement as whoever holds such sentiments towards other religion is against the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Dev Ji,”.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/08/14/statement-by-mla-jarnail-singh-rajouri-garden-after-suspension-from-the-aam-aadmi-party/#.XzZBKMAzbIU

http://sikhsindia.blogspot.com/2020/08/aap-leader-jarnail-singh-suspended-for.html

 

‘Guru Ka Bagh’ (Guru’s Gardens):An Attempt To Robust The Air Quality Around Historic Sikh Shrines

  

      SGPC Inaugurates Guru Ka Bagh At Gurdwara Patshahi Dasvi In Heran

In an attempt to robust the air quality around historic Sikh shrines, the apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee is establishing gardens for several of the historical Gurdwaras that it manages. These gardens will be named as ‘Guru Ka Bagh’ (Guru’s Gardens).

On August 12, the SGPC officials planted saplings at Gurdwara Sri Guru Gobind Singh Patshahi Dasvi situated in Heran village near Raikot.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal and Sikh environmentalist Baba Sewa Singh specially attended this inauguration event.

Interacting with media on this occasion, Longowal said that the SGPC has fixed a target of establishing acre size gardens around every historic Sikh shrine of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Himachal. “We are also going to establish heritage gardens in 40 Sikh shrines. Around 1500 different kinds of plants will be planted in these gardens,” he added.

SGPC is taking help of Khadoor Sahib based Kaar Sewa head Baba Sewa Singh for establishing these gardens in Sikh shrines.

He appealed the Sikh Sangat to plant trees outside their homes while taking inspiration from the path enlightened by Guru Sahib for preserving our environment.

Baba Sewa Singh said that every human should come forward to preserve our natural environment by planting new trees alongside taking care of the existing one.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/08/14/sgpc-inaugurates-guru-ka-bagh-at-gurdwara-patshahi-dasvi-in-heran/#.XzY8KsAzbIU

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur

Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University Of Delhi

Langar on Wheels : Langar Sewa Continues in Different Areas of Delhi By Gurudwara Shri Bangla Sahib

Pics. Courtsey,
Mr.Manjinder Singh Sirsa
President
DSGMC

Septuagenarian Sikh Pulls 10-Tonne Truck To Motivate Youth To Quit Drugs

After two months' practise, a 75-year-old Nihang, an armed Sikh warrior, pulled a 10-tonne truck using a rope tied to his shoulders to convey a message to youth to stay away from drugs and be healthy.

The septuagenarian Satnam Singh said, "When with just two months of practice, I can pull this truck and lift heavy weights with my teeth, then the youth here can do everything. For that, they will have to stay away from drugs."

Satnam Singh got inspired after watching a viral video of a youth getting intoxicated. After watching it, he felt sad and decided to do something that would inspire youth. He started his practice by pulling 110 kg with his teeth. He then started pulling his car with teeth. Now he ties a rope to the truck and his shoulders and pulls it.

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/septuagenarian-pulls-10-tonne-truck-to-motivate-youth-to-quit-drugs20200813203315/

Hours After Punjab Cop Dies of Covid, Visually Impaired Daughter Also Dies of Shock

                        ASI Jaspal Singh and Navpreet Kaur

Amid this Coronavirus Pandemic Outbreak, there is a heart-breaking news coming from Punjab. Hours after 49-year-old Jaspal Singh(who was the ASI in Punjab Police) was cremated after he died due to COVID19, his daughter Navpreet Kaur also passed away at her home. 

Navpreet Kaur was just 24 years old and was visually impaired. She was in a deep shock after his father's sudden death. As told by the family members, she kept calling her father after his sudden demise.

As per the family members, she kept calling for ‘Daddy ji’ every few minutes, collapsed, fell unconscious and died of shock .

“Their bond was something else. as we returned after cremating my father, she got to know that something was amiss as everyone was crying. She started asking where Daddy was and we had no answer. She died soon after,” says Sharandeep Singh (22), who cremated his ASI father on Monday 10^TH August and sister on Tuesday11th August.

Kiranpal Kaur (45), Jaspal’s wife said “ when we returned from my husband’s cremation, she heard cries of everyone. She started questioning ‘Daddy ji kithe ne, Daddy nu bulao‘ (Where’s Daddy, call him). We had no option but to tell her that her Daddy is not going to return. Soon she fell unconscious and couldn’t gather herself again”.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hours-after-cop-dies-of-covid-visually-impaired-daughter-also-passes-away-6550746/

Sikh Girl Who Embraced Islam Leaves Darul Aman To Live With Muslim Husband

                                                   Jagjit Kaur

Pictures of Hassan and his father Zulfiqar Ali sharing sweets and greetings with friends were released on social media.

Jagjit Kaur alias Ayesha Bibi finally went to live with her Muslim husband Muhammad Hassan at his house in Lahore from Darul Aman on Thursday where she had stayed for nearly a year even as her father and brother met Pakistan Punjab’s governor Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar seeking his intervention to bring back Jagjit to the family.

While talking to TOI over phone from Lahore, Muhammad Sultan Sheikh, counsel for Ayesha and her husband Hassan, said that there was an atmosphere of jubilation and sweets were distributed outside Darul Aman for their victory.

Sultan said he had accompanied Hassan and his family members to Darul Aman to pick Ayesha and dropped all of them at Hassan’s house in his car amid heavy security arrangement.

Notably, on August 12, Lahore High Court had ordered to send Ayesha with her husband after she gave a statement in the court that she didn’t want to go to her parents’ house but wanted to live with Hassan.

Daughter of Bhagwan Singh who is granthi of Gurdwara Tambu Sahib, Nankana Sahib, Ayesha had embraced Islam on August 28 last year and married her Muslim boyfriend Hassan the next day. However, following tension between two communities in Nankana Sahib, a local court had ordered to send Jagjit at Darul Aman where she had been staying for nearly a year.

Meanwhile, Amritsar Lok Sabha Member Parliament (MP) Gurjeet Singh Aujla has written a letter to Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan seeking his intervention in the issue. He has ‘warned’ Khan that he will raise the issue at the international level and Prime Minister Narnedra Modi.

“I strongly condemn the oppression and harassment of the Sikh girls in the hands of persons belonging to the majority religion. I, first of all, request you to resolve this issue in a very peaceful, fair, judicious manner or else this matter shall be taken up by me with Indian prime minister and also at international forums to ensure that speedy justice is delivered and no such oppression, harassment, and coercion shall be tolerated at any cost," Aujla said.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sikh-girl-who-embraced-islam-leaves-darul-aman-to-live-with-muslim-husband/articleshow/77529819.cms

Nankana Sahib :Hotel One to Manage, Operate TDCP Motel and Resort At the Most sacred Sikh Pilgrimage

Hashoo Group, owners and operators of the largest hospitality chain of Pakistan signs Agreement with TDCP to manage and operate a motel and resort at Nankana.

 An Agreement was signed between Hotel One (Pvt) Ltd. and Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab.

To provide premium hospitality in Nankana Sahib, home to the most sacred Sikh pilgrimage site being the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Hotel One of Hashoo Group has joined hands with Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab to manage and operate the TDCP Motel and at Resort Nankana Sahib under their brand name.

Speaking on this new undertaking, Hashoo Group Hospitality Division Chief Operating Officer Mr. Haseeb Gardezi, said: “We are pleased to partner with Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab to premium hospitality to Sikh pilgrims and promote to religious tourism in Nankana Sahib.”

He also highlighted that this was the first stride of Hashoo Group’s partnership with TDCP, bringing together decades of vast experience in promoting tourism in Punjab by providing access to quality accommodation, food, and entertainment facilities.

Mr. Haseeb Gardezi further emphasised the importance of boosting religious tourism in the area, which attracts thousands of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan every year from around the world to perform their religious obligations every year.

https://dnanews.com.pk/hotel-one-manage-operate-tdcp-motel-resort-nankana-sahib/

Preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal Elected HSGMC Chief

                                     Baljit Singh Daduwal

Sarbat Khalsa appointed Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Baljit Singh Daduwal has been elected as the president of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) on Thursday 13th August..

The election was held at Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin and Nauvin in Cheeka town of Kaithal district amid tight police security.It was a peaceful event.

According to the information, all eligible 36 members of HSGMC from different parts of state arrived in Cheeka town to exercise their voting right. The contest was primarily between two candidates, Baljit Singh Daduwal of Sirsa and Jasbir Singh Khalsa of Dosarka, Ambala.

While announcing the results, the election presiding officer Barari said, “A total of 36 members of HSGMC voted for president post on Thursday. Out of 36, jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal received 19 votes and Jasbir Singh Khalsa received 17 votes. Accordingly, Daduwal has been elected as president of HSGMC.”

Daduwal said, “Haryana committee came into existence in 2014 and for the last six years, Jhinda Sahib was running it and we had supported him and now we also expect complete support of his group. Our aim is to improve the management of all gurdwaras under HSGMC, propagation of Sikh religion, keertan darbars, and amrit sanchar (initiation of Sikhs) at large scale in all the regions of Haryana. We will also start a campaign against drugs in state. We will organise different competitions like turban tying, gurbani kanth (reciting gurbani from memory) at a large scale.

Daduwal resigns as jathedar at Takht Damdama Sahib.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/preacher-daduwal-elected-hsgmc-chief/articleshow/77535708.cms

मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने जगजीत कौर के मामले पर इमरान खान को लिखा पत्र : अल्पसंख्यकों की रक्षा के लिए सक्रिय भूमिका निभाने की अपील की

नई दिल्ली, 13 अगस्तः दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी के अध्यक्ष मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने पाकिस्तान में श्री ननकाणा साहिब के हैड ग्रंथी की बेटी जगजीत कौर को अदालत द्वारा उसके अगवाकारों के हवाले करने के मामले पर पाकिस्तान के प्रधानमंत्री श्री इमरान खान को पत्र लिख कर अल्पसंख्यकों की रक्षा करने के लिए सक्रिय भूमिका अदा करने की अपील की है।

अपने पत्र में स. सिरसा ने बताया कि जगजीत कौर को एक वर्ष पहले अगवा किया गया था और ज़बरन इस्लाम कबूल करवाया गया था और फिर मोहम्मद हसन से विवाह करवा दिया गयाथा। उन्होंने कहा कि भारत सहित पूरी दुनिया भर में रहने वाले सिखों को पाकिस्तान में रहते सिखों की सुरक्षा के सबंध में कोई आशा बाकी नहीं रह गई है। सिख हमेशा मानवता की सेवा के लिए सदैव आगे रहते हैं और सिखों ने भारत व पाकिस्तान दोनों मुल्कों के बीच शांतिपूर्ण संबंधों को उत्साहित करने के लिए अहम भूमिका अदा की है। पर इस सब के बावजूद हमारी बेटियांे को पाकिस्तान में कट्टरवादी तत्वों का शिकार होना पड़ रहा है और यह तत्व जबरन बेटियों को अगवा कर इस्लमा कबूल करवा कर निकाह करवा रहे हैं।

स. सिरसा ने कहा कि जब जगजीत कौर के परिवार ने उसके अगवा होने की बात बताई थी तब पंजाब के राज्यपाल चैघरी सरगर ने भरोसा दिलाया था और सिखों को शांत करने के लिए एक समझौता भी दोनों में करवाया गया था जिसके मुताबिक जगजीत कौर ने कुछ ही दिनों में अपने परिवार के पास वापिस लौटना था पर परिवार का इंतज़ार जारी रहा और बजाये उनके पास आने के जगजीत कौर को दारूल अमन लाहौर भेज दिया गया क्योंकि उसके कथित पति हसन ने निकाह खत्म करने से मना कर दिया था।

स. सिरसा ने कहा कि पाकिस्तान की अदालत द्वारा कल सुनाया गया फैसला बिल्कुल ही एकतरफ़ा है जिसमें लड़की से उसकी आज़ादी छीन ली गई है व उसके माता-पिता के हवाले करने से इन्कार कर यह कह दिया गया है कि परिवार उसे मार ना दे। उन्होंने कहा कि लड़की को अपने अगवाकार के पास रहने के लिए कहा गया है जो सरासर नाइंसाफी है।

स. सिरसा ने कहा कि दुनिया भर के सिख जगजीत कौर के परिवार की हिमायत में एकत्र हो रहे हैं और जल्दी ही विश्व भर में पाकिस्तान में रहने वाले अल्पसंख्यकों व उनकी बेटियों के हक में मुहिम चलाई जाएगी।

उन्होंने श्री इमरान खान को अपील कर कहा कि वह मानवता के आधार पर कार्रवाई करते हुए अदालत के फैसले को गलत करार दें और लड़की को उसके परिवार को सौंपने के लिए दिशा-निर्देश जारी करें। उनहोंने कहा कि यह एक कदम पाकिस्तान में रहने वाले सिखों का विश्वास उनकी लीडरशिप में मजबूत करेगा और इससे उनकी सुरक्षा भी सुनिश्चित होगी।

News Courtsey,
SUDEEP SINGH
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC

Manjinder Singh Sirsa : Letter to Harsimrat Kaur Badal To Raise Issue Of Rights & Freedom Of Jagjit Kaur With Govt of India

               

Manjinder Singh Sirsa has written a request letter to Harsimrat kaur Badal (Union Minister Food Processing Industries) to raise issue of rights & freedom of Jagjit Kaur with Govt of India to help Jagjit Kaur to get justice and freedom

Sikhs worldwide have to unite to ensure safety of Sikhs in Pakistan & look up to you to take up this issue.

Mr.Manjinder Singh Sirsa
President
DSGMC