Karanjee Singh Gaba Afghan Sikh: From Refugee to Film Making to Modelling

                              Karanjee Singh Gaba

I had my first show in 2016 at London Fashion Week. When my dad arrived at the location at Somerset House, and saw me playing the tabla with models around me, he felt proud.

I was representing not just the Asian culture, not just Sikhism but my heritage too. I am humbled and proud to be an Afghan Sikh and to have a platform where I can elevate my culture and religion.

My parents are from Afghanistan. Like many people, the war forced us out of our country and we moved to the UK in 2007 when I was eight-years-old. It was all very different to what I was used to do. It was like I was living in two worlds and had no idea how I would adjust. I had to learn a new language, a new way of living, new cultures but I knew it was for the best.

My time at primary school was probably the worst and best experience because it took me a while to settle. Language was a barrier but I was relieved when I learned everyone liked me or were fascinated by me because they had never met a Sikh before.

I started my career as a filmmaker with Pritpal Singh. He is known for making the film 'Mission Afghanistan'. In 2012, when I was only fourteen-years-old he took me to the Langar seva at the London Olympics. He saw something in me and trusted me with a camera, which he handed me to film.

                          'Refugee Crisis' in Belgium

That’s when my passion for film-making began and I made a film about the 'Refugee Crisis' in Belgium, which was featured on Sikh Channel. Since then, I have been working on projects and have independently made my own films including 'Hindko' and 'Journey to Pakistan'. My aim to attain a university degree in Film has been to visually portray subjects and issues which have never been explored. I want to educate and inform people about under-served and underrepresented communities in the UK.

In addition to studying, I do modelling to represent Sikhism. My intention as an Afghan Sikh is to bring light and raise awareness to the issues Sikhs are facing, after all, they’re one of the most persecuted minorities in Afghanistan. I also want to inform the world about our faith and our heritage.

I have been widely appreciated as a one of the first Afghan Sikh models. One of my first campaigns was for an international brand Ader Error. I was the first Sikh model they hired and published in countries like South Korea which really fascinated their audience.

The fashion industry is really starting to celebrate the fact that I’m a Sikh and I regularly get scouted for high profile shoots (GQ India, Vogue Runway, Milk Magazine, Man About Town, Schön, etc.)

With the modeling industry come challenges and requirements. I was once asked to shave my beard for a shoot, which I refused. I wanted to reflect my true identity and my appearance is crucial in showing that. The director of the shoot was really blown-away by my decision and the fact that I stood up for who I was. To my surprise, he decided to have me in the catwalk. For me fashion is all about diversity and my aim to reinvent Sikhism through modeling.

https://www.sikhnet.com/news/afghan-sikh-refugee-film-making-modelling

https://www.facebook.com/KaranGGunz

supamodelmanagement.com/men/1078-karanjee-gaba

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

बीबी रणजीत कौर :भाई तारु सिंह की शहादत का इतिहास घर घर तक पहुंचाया जायेगा

दिल्ली कमेटी एवं माई भागो ब्रिगेड द्वारा शहीद भाई तारु सिंह की जन्म शताब्दी को समर्पित होकर करवाई गई विचार गोष्ठी

दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबन्धक कमेटी एवं माई भागो ब्रिगेड शिरोमणी अकाली दल स्त्री विंग द्वारा शहीद भाई तारु सिंह जी की जन्म शताब्दी को समर्पित होकर विचार गोश्ठी करवाई गई जिसमंे कथा वाचक भाई बंता सिंह, गुरमत कालेज के चेयरमैन हरिन्दरपाल सिंह, स्त्री अकाली दल दिल्ली प्रदेश की अध्यक्षा बीबी रणजीत कौर, दिल्ली कमेटी धर्म प्रचार के चेयरमैन जतिन्दरपाल सिंह गोल्डी, पंजाबी हैल्पलाईन के मुखी प्रकाश सिंह गिल, प्रोः. हरबंस सिंह, माई भागो ब्रिगेड की संरक्षक गुरचरन कौर, अध्यक्षा मनप्रीत कौर, पूर्वी दिल्ली अध्यक्षा हरमीत कौर सहित अन्य बुद्विजीवियों ने पहुंचकर विचार किये।
बीबी रणजीत कौर ने जानकारी देते हुए बताया कि बीते दिनांे जब उन्होंने माई भागो ब्रिगेड का गठन किया तो उसी समय दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबन्धक कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनजिन्दर सिंह सिरसा एवं महासचिव हरमीत सिंह कालका ने ब्रिगेड की जिम्मेवारी लगाई कि शहीदों के दिन ब्रिगेड द्वारा मनाये जायेंगे।

बीबी रणजीत कौर ने बताया कि आज की विचार गोष्ठी में यह निर्णय लिया गया कि भाई तारु सिंह जी की जन्म शताब्दी जो कि अक्टूबर माह में आ रही है उसे मनाने के लिए कार्यक्रम रखे जायेंगे। सैमीनार करवाये जायेंगे, उनके जीवन पर बनी फिल्म को दिल्ली के अलग अलग हिस्सों में दिखाने का प्रयास किया जायेगा, शार्ट मूवीज बनाकर उसे सोशल मीडीया दिखाया जायेगा, उनके जीवन पर आधारित बुकलेट छपवाकर दिल्ली के घर घर में पहुंचाई जायेगी ताकि ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोगों को भाई तारु सिंह की शहादत के बारे में पता चल सके।

जतिन्दरपाल सिंह गोल्डी ने बताया कि दिल्ली कमेटी और माई भागो ब्रिगेड द्वारा संयुक्त रुप से कार्य करते हुए बच्चांे को सिख इतिहास की जानकारी मिल सके एक आन लाई प्रतियोगिता करवाई जा रही है जिसका शीर्षक है ‘‘ सिर जाये ते जाये - मेरा सिखी सिदक ना जाये’’ जिसमंे बच्चांे द्वारा भाग लेते हुए सिख शहीदों के जीवन पर कविता, पेन्टिंग, आर्टीकल जो भी बच्चे कर सकें करने को कहा गया है और विजयी बच्चों को पुरस्कृत कर सर्टिफिकेट भी दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबन्धक कमेटी द्वारा दिये जायेंगे। 

उन्होंने कहा दिल्ली कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनजिन्दर सिंह सिरसा, महासचिव हरमीत सिंह कालका की हमेशा यही सोच रही है कि ज्यादा से ज्यादा लोगों को खासकर युवा पीड़ी को सिख इतिहास और शहीदों की जानकारी दी जा सके। उनका मानना है कि इसमें सबसे अधिक योगदान माताओं का है अगर उन्होंने अपने बच्चों को गुरु गोबिन्द सिंह जी के साहिबजादों की शहादत, भाई मतिदास, भाई सतिदास, भाई दयाला जी, भाई तारु सिंह जी, बंदा सिंह बहादुर की शहादत की गाथाएं सुना दीं तो बच्चा कभी भी सिखी से दूर नहीं जा सकता।

News Courtesy,
Mr.Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC

 

DSGMC:Celebration of Teacher's Day at Guru Harikrishan Public School ,Punjabi Bagh

Saravjit Singh Virak ,Chairman of the school along with Principal Jaswinder Kaur Walia 

Teachers were honored while celebrating Teachers' Day at Guru Harikrishna Public School Punjabi Bagh, which is functioning under  Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.

Saravjit Singh Virak ,Chairman of the school and Member,Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee member while giving information said that Teacher's Day is celebrated in the school every year. But this time due to Corona epidemic children are not coming to school but teachers are continuously teaching studnets online. And the teachers whose performance was good and Students of their class passed with higher marks were honored by the school managers. 

The Principal of the school Jaswinder Kaur Walia was also present on this occasion.

Saravjit Singh Virak said that we try our best to provide best education to the Student and they are also given religious education along with other subjects. Students are gaining knowledgeabout Sikh history,Sikh Gurus and the lives of Sikh martyrs.

News Courtesy,
Mr.Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC

 

Battle Honour Day of 2 Sikh Regiment Observed At Ludhiana’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum

 

Battle honour day of the 2 Sikh regiment was observed at the 2 Sikh War Memorial at Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum here on Sunday. (HT Photo)The battle honour day of the 2 Sikh regiment was observed at the 2 Sikh War Memorial at Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum here on 6th September .

Senior adviser to the Punjab chief minister Lt Gen TS Shergill laid the wreath on behalf of Captain Amarinder Singh. Deputy commissioner of police J Elanchezhian, sub-divisional magistrate Amarinder Singh Malhi, officers from the 2 Sikh Regiment and a few select retired officers from the army, navy and air force graced the occasion.

Shergill said while thousands of patriots had sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country, many had sacrificed their lives for the preservation of this freedom. “Today, every army officer and jawan is determined to uphold the country’s independent status.

Asked about the repeated claims laid by Pakistan and China on different parts of India, the Lt Gen said, “All territories claimed by the neighbouring countries belong to India. The Indian army is capable of protecting the borders of the country.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/battle-honour-day-of-2-sikh-regiment-observed-at-ludhiana-s-maharaja-ranjit-singh-war-museum/story

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

S. Mohinder Singh Music Director: Left for Heavenly Abode Today

One of greatest music composers of the golden era S. Mohinder Singh is no more. He breathed his last today early morning on 06 September 2020 and cremated same day in the afternoon in Mumbai.

 

S. Mohinder born on September 8,1925 is a name not known to many music lovers in spite of the fact that he gave melodious music to several Hindi and Punjabi films from as early as 1948 and till as late as early 90’s.

Singh Sarna was born in a small town in Punjab, now a part of Pakistan. His famous songs are “Tera kaam hain jalna parawane “(Mohd. Rafi for the film Paapi) and “Guzara hua zamana aata nahi dobara” (Lata Mangeshkar for the film Shirin Farhad).

S. Mohinder got the Presidential Annual Award for the best music for his musical score for the super hit Punjabi Sikh religion based movie “Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai” in the year 1970.

https://www.facebook.com/sureshsabhani

Haryana Dhaddi Sabha :Dhadi Jathas Unite in Haryana For Revival of Folk Art

         

Taking a step towards the revival of Dhadi Jathas (Bard Groups), a group of Sikhs in Haryana have formed the Haryana Dhaddi Sabha in the memory of 17th Century dhadis (bards) Bhai Abdullah and Bhai Nath Mal, who were employed by Guru Hargobind to recite heroic ballads at Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar.

Lakhwinder Singh Paras of Rajouli village in Ambala district was elected the president of the Sabha, after a meeting at Gurdwara Panjokhra Sahib in Ambala .Paras said the motive of the organisation was to organise and revive the art and support Dhadi Jathas of Haryana and ensure their welfare.

Dhaddis were distinct group performers who emerged in the times of Sikh gurus and they sang ballads of warriors playing instruments like dhadd and sarangi, which are folk instruments related to Punjab. They play an important role in preserving and telling the history related to Sikhism.

Lakhwinder Singh Paras said, “As per my knowledge, this is for the first time ever that dhadi jathas of Haryana have been united under an organisation. The motive is to revive and spread dhadi art in Haryana, Punjab, India, and rest of the world.

The organisation will help and support Dhadis in times of need and any family problems. The body will provide them loans from available funds without any interest which they can return in installments. The body will also help budding Dhadis with content and in all aspects.

There is a plan to open a training centre for teaching dhadi art to the young generation too and we will write to Community organisations and societies for establishing the institution.

” So far,20 Dhadi Jathas of Haryana have associated themselves with the organisation, including 10 from Ambala, four from Panchkula, three from Karnal, and two from Kurukshetra.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/dhadi-jathas-unite-in-haryana-for-revival-of-folk-art/

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

In pandemic Grip For Five Months, Amritsar’s War Memorial Bleeds

The state war heroes’ memorial and museum wears a deserted look in Amritsar 

Akin to other tourist establishments in the state, the coronavirus pandemic has also taken a toll on Punjab State War Heroes’ Memorial and Museum, which has been lying shut since March.

According to a rough estimate, the state-of-the-art memorial has been suffering a loss of around ₹20 lakh per month ever since the lockdown was imposed her

The memorial staff is being paid 4 lakh salary per month, besides monthly electricity bills of 3-7 lakh. Ever since its temporary closure, the memorial has made no money through tickets, which used to be around 10 lakh per month. Moreover, nearly 1 lakh is spent on its monthly maintenance. 

“Though the memorial is closed for the last five months, we have not laid off any of our staff members. We are managing everything with the reserved funds,” said Col (retd) HP Singh, project director of the memorial, which is spread over seven acres of land opposite India Gate on GT Road here. 

He said it was still unclear that when the memorial would be opened as till now they have not received any instruction from the government.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/in-pandemic-grip-for-five-months-amritsar-s-war-memorial-bleeds/story-e3Fp1HlcV8ylEeJxOeeUnN.html

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

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak :Sikhs to Mark Guru Nanak Dev Anniversary

   

The preparations for the 551st birth anniversary and 481st death anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak, have commenced.

Reportedly, the decision on the participation in the events of Sikh pilgrims from different countries, including India, will be taken in coming weeks.

Indian pilgrims would be invited to participate if the Pak-India border would be opened.

India will also be asked to open the Kartarpur Corridor in September so that Sikh pilgrims can visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and perform rituals on the birth anniversary.

The death anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak will be observed from September 20 to 22. Local Sikh associations will be able to participate.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee(PSGPC) head Sardar Satwant Singh told The Express Tribune that various proposals have been considered for preparations for Baba Guru Nanak's 551st birth anniversary

He said Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board Dr Amir Ahmad had presided over a meeting in this regard, in which he and other Sikh and Hindu leaders and officials of the board participated.

“Now we are going to celebrate Baba Guru Nanak's birthday as coronavirus is now somehow controlled in Pakistan but the danger is not over yet,” he said.

He also stated that the Pak-India border was closed due to coronavirus.

“If the borders are opened in September, then Indian Sikh pilgrims may be invited to attend but the final decision will be made later,” he said.

The sources revealed that PSGPC has demanded from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Indian government to send groups to Pakistan on the 551st birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak this year. 

The PSGPC has also demanded that the Kartarpur Corridor be reopened before Baba Guru Nanak's birth anniversary in November. Pakistan had opened the Kartarpur Corridor on June 29 but India has not yet allowed pilgrims to come to Pakistan, as per reports.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2262721/sikhs-to-mark-guru-nanak-anniversary

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

 

DSGMC: National Scholarship Portal

       

Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi State:Joining of People in Large Numbers From Pandav Nagar Ward No. 46

                         
                       

                         

                 
                           

Pics Courtesy,

Mr.Harmeet Singh Kalka

General Secretary

DSGMC

हरमीत सिंह कालका :पूर्वी दिल्ली में शिरोमणी अकाली दल से जुड़ रहा है यूथ

नई दिल्ली, 5 सितंबरः पूर्वी दिल्ली के अलग अलग इलाकों से बड़ी गिनती में लोग शिरोमणी अकाली दल से जुड़ रहे हैं जिसमें युवा वर्ग की गिनती काफी अधिक है।

शिरोमणी अकाली दल दिल्ली इकाई के अध्यक्ष हरमीत सिंह कालका ने बताया कि पूर्वी दिल्ली में शिरोमणी अकाली दल को काफी मजबूती मिल रही है क्योंकि यहां के अलग अलग क्षेत्रों से लगातार लोग आकर शिरोमणी अकाली दल में शामिल हो रहे हैं जिसमें देखा जाये तो युवा वर्ग की गिनती बहुत अधिक है। उन्होंने बताया कि आज भी समरदीप सिंह सन्नी के प्रयासों से बड़ी गिनती में युवा वर्ग ने आकर पार्टी की सदस्यता ग्रहण की और पार्टी के लिए कार्य करने का आश्वासन दिया। 

सः कालका ने बताया कि बलजिन्दर सिंह को पार्टी ने दिल्ली इकाई में संयुक्त सचिव का पद दिया है और गुरप्रीत सिंह को गुरु हरि कृष्ण पब्लिक स्कूल हरगोबिन्द एन्कलेव मंे वाईस चेयरमैन नियुक्ति किया। इसके साथ ही शामिल होने वाले अन्य सदस्यों को भी पार्टी में अहम जिम्मेवारी आने वाले दिनों में दी जायेगी।

यमुनापार से शामिल होने वाले सभी सदस्यों का पार्टी प्रधान हरमीत सिंह कालका, युवा नेता एवं दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबन्धक कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनजिन्दर सिंह सिरसा के सलाहकार जसप्रीत सिंह विक्की मान, समरदीप सिंह सन्नी ने स्वागत किया।

               

Pics Courtesy,
Mr.Harmeet Singh Kalka
General Secretary
DSGMC