Army will let Sikh officer keep turban, beard on active duty

A decorated veteran Sikh officer is the first to win an approval from the U.S. Army to continue on active duty while maintaining his religiously mandated beard and turban.

The Army issued a decision Thursday (March 31), concluding that to allow beards for medical reasons but ban them for religious reasons is a discriminatory bar to service for Sikh Americans, according to a statement from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, one of the law offices that argued his case.

Capt. Simratpal Singh, a West Point graduate, an Army Ranger, and a veteran who earned a Bronze Star in Afghanistan, “proves to our military that the religiously mandated turban and beard do not hinder the ability to successfully serve,” said Sikh Coalition Legal Director Harsimran Kaur in a statement Friday. “This decision gives hope that our nation’s largest employer is making progress towards ending a policy of religious discrimination.”

Singh, who is assigned to battalion operations staff in Fort Belvoir, Va., said in the statement: “My faith, like many of the soldiers I work with, is an integral part of who I am. I am thankful that I no longer have to make the choice between faith and service to our nation.”

Three other Sikh soldiers are pursuing similar accommodation, according to the Sikh Coalition. The Becket Fund and McDermott Will & Emery filed another federal court lawsuit on Tuesday asking the Army to allow the men to enter basic combat training while still wearing their beards and turbans.

Debra Wada, assistant secretary of the Army, granted Singh’s request and gave notice that the Army will “gather information to develop uniform standards for religious accommodation,” according to the decision.

“Captain Singh’s case is a painful study in the onerous hurdles for observant Sikh Americans who want to serve their country,” said McDermott Will & Emery partner Amandeep Sidhu. “With this historic accommodation, we hope that the U.S. military will finally move past protracted, case-by-case religious accommodations and recognize that the  time for permanent policy change is now.”

with thanks : DesertNews : LINK : for detailed news.

Golden Temple’s Community Kitchen Goes Organic, Grows Its Own Vegetables without Pesticides

The Golden Temple, Amritsar. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Visitors of the Golden Temple in Amritsar are soon to be served healthy, freshly produced organic food at the community kitchen. The management committee has made a landmark decision to adopt organic farming to grow its own grains, fruits and vegetables, free of chemicals.

A new mission undertaken by The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), they also aim to inspire farmers to take up organic farming and cut down on the use of chemical products.

 SGPC now grows its own organic vegetables and fruits on 40 acres at Gurdwara Gurusar Satlani Sahib and Patiala.

In the first phase of its experimental model, carrots, cabbages, spinach, and fenugreek or methi seeds from this farm have been successfully grown. About 10 quintals of organic produce are sent to the gurudwara every one or two days, according to SGPC officials.

The Punjab Agro Industries Corportation Limited (PAIC) was instrumental in helping the SGPC to test its soil and suggest options for organic farming. The experts at PAIC also advise them on how to replace pesticides and the use of organic fertilisers. They’ve suggested the use of neem patta, lassi and cow urine, among others.

The langar, or community kitchen, at the Golden Temple is the world’s largest free kitchen. It is popular for serving food to everyone irrespective of caste, religion or background. The gurudwara’s community kitchen, Guru Ramdas Langar Hall, receives nearly 100,000 people. It serves 200,000 roti made of 7000 kilograms of wheat flour, 1200 kilograms of rice, and 1300 kilograms of daal. The kitchen is manned by 450 dedicated people and many volunteers.

The SGPC is the apex organisation of Sikhs that manages all the gurudwaras in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. After its success at the Golden Temple, the move would be replicated to other gurudwaras in the country.

 Link :http://www.thebetterindia.com/49225/golden-temple-serves-organic-food/

Mobile App on Sikh History & Ideology

 Sikh community is passing through a very turbulent phase. Mostly people are neither aware of proud sikh history, nor are they aware of basicsikh concepts. That's why we find large chunk ofsikh population moving away from sikh way of life. Instead we found ourselves completely engulfed inbrahminical practices.

I always used to think reason behind this. How come Sikhs started following all those rituals which are clearly rejected by Gurbani? One answer that we often hear in our casual group discussions is that, our so called religious leaders, priest class, are least interested in spreading the true message of guru, but are more interested in identifying ways to increase the size of 'golak.' So next question arises - Then why do Sikhs follow these pujaris? The only answer that is left with me is - Sikhs do not invest time in self study. Whereas we were clearly instructed to get in direct touch with 'shabadguru' without any mediator - 'sab sikhan kohukam hai, guru manio granth'.

The decadence in our society can be judged from one simple observation: Sikh people those who have grown old would recall listening to stories onsikh history from their parents in their childhood. The next generation, who is now in adolescent stage, would fondly remember listening to bedtimesaakhis from their grand-parents (dada-dadi or nana-nani), regrettably not from their parents. But the new generation who is now in childhood stage is very unfortunate, as neither their parents nor grand-parents have the knowledge base that they can download to the coming generation. This serious concern always keeps bothering all like-minded well wishers of sikh panth.

But does it take a big effort telling stories to kids from the chapters of sikh history? All one has to do is to purchase good story books from the market, then simply read 1-2 stories for children during bedtime. It's so simple and effortless to spend 15-30min with children daily, and try to answer their innocent questions. But it's a bitter fact that books on sikh history and literature are not easily available in our homes. And even if they are available, they are not read. 

Reason is same - Sikhs do not invest time in self-study. I strongly believe, there's no substitute of self-study. But can we fill the gap to some extent with the help of modern day technology? While pondering on these questions, idea of 'Saakhi' came to existence. Waheguruji blessed me with the effort to prepare a mobile application on sikh history and ideology.

In this mobile app, stories are presented not in written form but as audio files. It contains short audio stories with average length of just 4-6min only. Users can listen 'iksaakhi har roz' along with their children. Each story is ended up with a short message to make the learning relevant in modern day times. Folder of 'Sawaal Jawaab'is also there, containing frequently asked questions onsikh way of life.

Hope this small initiative will be liked and will be useful to promote universal message of Gurbani. I will keep on enriching the content on the basis of feedback received from your side.

Currently 'Saakhi' app can be downloaded from Google Play Store or from sikhsaakhi.com. It will be available shortly for iphone also.

Gurpreet Singh (G.P.)

With Thanks : Sikhs Helping Sikhs

DSGMC Oppose Proposal for Setting up Statue of Bhagat Singh in Delhi Vidhan Sabha Wearing Hat

 Delhi Sikh Gurudwara management committee today rejected the proposal by Aam Admi Party government in Delhi for setting up statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in Delhi Vidhan Sabha wearing a hat. Manjinder Singh Sirsa General Secretary of DSGMC told the media people in conference hall of Gurdwara Shri Rakabganj Sahib that Manjit Singh GK DSGMC President has sent a letter to the Arvind Kejriwal Chief Minister of Delhi for doing changes in the statue.

In the press conference Manjinder Singh Sirsa also announced decision of DSGMC to implement right to information act for transparent functioning of the DSGMC.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that before the elections of DSGMC in 2013 Shiromani Akali Dal in its manifesto declared to implement RTI act. Sirsa announced for formation of a separate cell for RTI. Before 2013 elections Akali leader Kuldeep Singh Bhogal has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court for implantation of RTI in DSGMC, when Paramjit Singh Sarna was President. After decision by High Court in favour of Bhogal, then committee refused to implement RTI act and Sarna challenged the High Court decision in the Supreme Court.   

The case is listed for 28 March 2016 and the lawyers of DSGMC are expected to file an affidavit to withdraw the petition from Supreme Court.

Speaking on statue which is got made by Delhi government wearing hat, Manjinder Singh Sirsa said it shows the anti Sikh mentality of the Delhi government and he challenged that if they failed to make changes in the statue the DSGMC itself would do it. Giving justification of his stand Sirsa said that the in government records and in parliament Bhagat Singh’s photo is with turban.

He demanded Shaheed status for Bhagat Singh and also demanded that the highest award of Bharat Ratna be given to him. Bhagat Singh came in contact with Bhai Randhir Singh of Akhand Kirtani Jatha when he was in jail and after that he decided to become puran Sikh and wear Sikhi bana, said Sirsa. He asked Delhi government to rectify its mistake. Speaking on yellow turban worn by Bhagat Mann AAP MP Sirsa said he do it to show off.

General Secretary of DSGMC asked people of Punjab to beware of Aam Admi Party because Arvind Kejriwal has backstabbed Sikhs by favouring Satluj-Yamuna Canal. Answering a query he said Punjab is capable of stopping 8 MAF water given to Rajasthan.

Mahinder Pal Singh Chadha Senior Vice President of DSGMC, Members Kulmohan Singh, Gurbachan Singh Cheema, Darshan Singh, Manminder Singh Ayur, Kuldeep Singh Sahni, Hardev Singh Dhanoa, Rawail Singh, Bibi Dhiraj Kaur, Captain Inderpreet Singh, legal cell chief Jaswinder Singh Jolly, Gurdwara issues head Indermohan Singh, Harjit Singh Bedi who is chief advisor to General Secretary and Parminder Pal Singh who is spokesman of DGSMC were also present.  

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Delhi Fateh March 2016 : DSGMC

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Seminar on MahaKavii Santokh singh by DSGMC

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

DSGMC form Committee to Give Suggestions for Ban on Jokes

 After the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court to constitute a committee to give suggestions for imposing ban of Jokes showing Sikhs in bad light Manjit Singh G.K. the President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) had constituted a high level committee comprising of five members and the said committee is headed by Justice H.S. Bedi a Retired Judge of the Supreme Court. The directions of Supreme Court few days ago had asked DSGMC to give suggestions in six weeks.

The members of committee are as a follows – Justice Y.M. Iqbal a Retired Judge of the Supreme Court, Pawan Kumar Verma Rajya Sabha Member, M.P. Bejbaruah a Retired IAS officer who worked as Secretary in Government of India, and Dr. Raghubir Singh another retired IAS officer who also worked at the level of Secretary with Government of India.

At the time of constituting high level committee Manjit Singh G.K. appealed to the people specially Sikh Sangat to send their suggestions on a designated email address dsgmc.guidelines@gmail.com  uptill 5 March 2016. Manjit Singh G.K. clarified that DSGMC is opposing Jokes showing Sikhs in bad light because some people with low intellect and by writing and circulating these jokes are making racial attacks on not only Sikhs but all the ethnic groups and communities on whom they are writing Jokes and they are doing it to earn money.

Manjit Singh G.K. also said that the DSGMC is not against any particular person but against those who are showing, writing and circulating Jokes showing Sikhs in poor light. He hopes that the five member high powered committee would give its suggestions with in purview of Indian legal system and also keep religious ethos and marayada in mind.  

Manjit Singh G.K. also said that some people were against the decision of DSGMC to oppose these Jokes but the directions from Hon’ble Supreme Court gave strength to the move and it got more support when the school going children belonging to Sikh families who are feeling victimised due to racial Jokes started approaching DSGMC.

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

HOLA MOHALA SAMAGAM at Gurdwara Damdama Sahib

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

DSGMC welcome scrapping names of 36 Sikhs from black list by Government of India

List be scrapped in totality, all Sikhs in the list must get visa to meet families in India

Sedition accused Kanhaiya Kumar has no right to make comment on tragedies of Sikhs :G.k.

The decision of Government of India to scrap names of 36 Sikhs from the black list and directions of the Delhi High Court a rethinking on Santa Banta movie was welcomed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and Shiromani Akali Dal today.Manjit Singh G.K. the President of DSGMC and President of Shiromani Akali Dal in Delhi while talking to the press in party office censured Kanhaiya Kumar President of Jawahar Lal Nehru University students for commenting that 1984 genocide of Sikhs was anger of uncontrolled mob.

Manjit Singh G.K. said that by removing names of 36 Sikhs from the black list the Government of India has given partial relief to the Sikhs who took political asylum in foreign countries due to political reasons. “Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had been taking the issue politically and DSGMC had fought a legal battle to resolve the issue,” G.K. said to the press. He praised the positive role played by the Government of India before taking up of the case in Supreme Court on 8 April 2016.

G.K. made it clear that black list be scrapped in totality and all those Sikhs who have not visited India for more than three decades and have not met their two generations must get visas to visit their homeland and allowed to meet their families. “How can we make a grandson suffer for the helplessness of his grandfather,” G.K. told.

DSGMC president also showed satisfaction on the directions given by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice asking the Information and broadcasting ministry to give rethink over approval to the Santa Banta movie. He told the press that DSGMC would make sure that clearance given to the movie by censor board is rejected.DSGMC President said Sikhs would not allow anybody to depict Sikhs in bad light. He said that the makers of the film are anti Sikhs and DSGMC has already given a complaint to the Delhi police for not allowing the movie be shown in cinema houses.

Speaking on Kanhaiya Kumar Manjit Singh G.K. said that he was born after the genocide and knows nothing about massive tragedy Sikhs suffered and should not talk about it. G.K. said that Kanhaiya is a congress party supporters and was compared by Congress leader Shashi Tharor with  Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Kanhaiya can never be compared with Shaheed Bhagat Singh said G.K. asking him to visit colony of widows in Tilak Vihar for which congress party PM Rajiv Gandhi is responsible.

DSGMC President said that one who is facing sedition charges has no right to make comment on tragedies of Sikhs. He told that Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler, HKL Bhagat and Dharamdas Shashtri all congress leaders were not part of the uncontrolled mob but were directing the mobs to massacre innocent Sikhs.

Mahinder Pal Singh Chadha senior vice president of DSGMC, Amarjeet Singh Pappu Joint Secretary, Avtar Singh Hit senior Akali leader Harmeet Singh Kalka and Jatinder Singh Shanty former MLAs, Kulmohan Singh, Paramjit Singh Rana, Tanwant Singh, Harvinder Singh K.P., Darshan Singh, Chaman Singh, Gurtbachan Singh Cheema, Paramjit Singh Chandok, Hardev Singh Dhanoa and and Jeet Singh all DSGMC Members, Jaswinder Singh Jolly legal Cell Head, Vikram Singh, Punpreet Singh and Parminder Pal Singh spokesman of the committee were also present. 

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Gurdwara near airport helped hundreds after Brussels blasts

Granthi Baljit Singh (extreme left) and others who provided food, clothes and medicines to stranded passengers after the March 22 blasts at Brussels airport. (Prasun Sonwalkar/HT Photo)

Volunteers of a gurdwara swung into action soon after two blasts spread death and panic at Brussels airport on March 22, providing food, clothes, medicines and hope to hundreds of stranded passengers, including many Indians in transit.

The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib in Velvoorde, located less than 10 km from the airport, received calls from London and India soon after news of the blasts spread, and promptly opened its doors and resources to help.

“We contacted local officials and offered to house passengers in the gurdwara and help in any way possible,” Jasvir Singh, the gurdwara prabandhak, told Hindustan Times.

“But the passengers were not allowed outside the airport. So we arranged food, clothes and medicines, particularly for children.”

Baljit Singh, the gurdwara’s granthi, said: “We were contacted through phone and social media. The ‘sangat’ responded promptly. Initially we were not allowed to meet the passengers, but there was pressure from the passengers too, who wanted to meet us.”

More than 30 people were killed and scores injured by three suicide blasts at the airport and a metro station in the Belgian capital. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State.

Following the two blasts at the airport, nearly 250 passengers were stranded, most of them Indians who were in transit to destinations in the US and Canada or bound for India.

There were reports of growing resentment about the lack of help and information among Indian passengers – who did not have access to their belongings in the checked-in luggage – when the gurdwara reached them.

“We were able to help for two days after the blasts, before the passengers were allowed to leave on special flights. Our doors are always open for ‘seva’ for whoever is in need,” Baljit Singh said.

The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib, located in a quiet neighbourhood on Lange Molenstraat, is one of seven in Brussels. Established more than 20 years ago, it is the base for more than 150 families in Velvoorde and neighbouring areas. A gurdwara is also being established in Antwerp.

 Link :http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/gurdwara-near-airport-helped-hundreds-after-brussels-blasts/story-N1lx6MQtHhp2O9Hxrbv3QJ.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fbpost&utm_campaign=world#

Miracle at Harmandar Sahib

with thanks : PTC News