Khalsa Diwan Society, Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, New Westminster - A report

By : Sukhninder Singh

Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh

On Saturday July 25th, the youth and volunteers from Khalsa Diwan
Society New Westminster, took part in the 150th year celebrations of
the City of New Westminster. As the oldest city in Western Canada and
the first capital of British Columbia, New Westminster has a long and
rich history and the Khalsa Diwan Society New Westminster and the Sikh
community are proud to be part of that history.

This event took part on the front lawn of the New Westminster City
Hall and the Society and volunteers put on a display of historic
pictures named, "Past, Present and Future: A Historic Reflection of
the Sikh Community in New Westminster". These pictures, showed the
history of Sikhs in New Westminster and Canada and included early
pioneers, employment of early Sikhs, Sikh families and Sikh Temples
such as as the Khalsa Diwan Society, which was the first Gurdwara
Sahib, to be established outside of India in 1906.

One of the pictures on display was that of Shaheed Bhai Meva Singh,
from 1915, after he was hanged and this picture was even more relevant
to the event as he was hanged only a few kilometers away in the very
City of New Westminster. Along with his picture, the history and
information on the events that led up to that tragic event in 1915 was
on display.

In addition to past pictures, current events and activities such as
camps, parades, sports and educational programs were on display to
outline the many different programs and services that the Khalsa Diwan
Society New Westminster undertakes, many which are still unique to the
society and not found in other Lower Mainland Gurdwaras.
The last aspect of the display was the future of Sikhs in New
Westminster and future programs and services as well as the new
building extension at Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar in New Westminster and
how the renovation will take the Sikhs forward and help facilitate
even more programs and services.

Overall this display was visited by many at the 150yr celebrations and
due to the success and demand from the local BC Sikh Sangat, the
display is viewable at Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar from July 25th to
August 3rd at 7-9pm and Sundays 11-1pm.

In addition to the display, New Westminster Sikhs, put on a Turban
Tying and Gatka demonstration for the crowds. The Turban Tying was a
extremely successful program, as it always is and attendees such as
New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright, and New Westminster Member of
Parliament Peter Julian had Turbans tied. Brochures and members of the
youth were also on scene to explain the Turban and what it means to
Sikhs and the importance of it.

To end this program, the youth Gatka team from Sukh Sagar and Guru
Nanak Academy, performed a Gatka demonstration, awing the crowds with
their understanding and skill, of this ancient martial art and their
expertise of the many different types of weapons used.

For more information please contact Rajwinder Singh Janda at 604-518-5286

KHALSA DIWAN SOCIETY
GURDWARA SAHIB SUKH SAGAR
347 Wood St., New Westminster, B.C. V3M 5K6
Ph. (604) 638-7380
Fax: (604) 521-4936

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Khalsa Diwan Society, Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, New Westminster - more pics

Khalsa Diwan Society, Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, New Westminster - please view some more pics.

A Separate Justice for Sikhs?

Sikh victims of crime will now be given the option of requesting a Sikh police officer to work on their case. Well, in London at least. The goal of this new service, offered by the Metropolitan Police, is to make use of the “special” knowledge officers have in regards to Punjabi culture to help address issues such as forced marriage and honor crimes. Many police officers believe that crimes have gone unreported and unsolved within the Punjabi Sikh community due to a lack of cultural understanding by police officers from a “white” background.

Read complete news at : http://thelangarhall.com/archives/3951

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Sikh recruit wins payout for humiliation by police trainer

Sikh recruit wins payout for humiliation by police trainer
Tim Stewart
27.07.09

A Sikh police officer is to receive a five-figure compensation payment after she suffered racist and religious humiliation while in training.

Amandeep Kaur Grewal, who is of Indian origin, was singled out for unfair criticism and treatment by trainer Pc Lucinda Rigby because of her race at the Metropolitan Police's training school in Hendon.

When Mrs Grewal complained, Pc Rigby told her other students were laughing at her behind her back.

Mrs Grewal, 38, told how some of her fellow recruits treated her in a "less than friendly fashion".

Reading employment tribunal heard how another trainer had to hold a diversity class to deal with animosity towards Mrs Grewal.

The panel rejected the Met's claim that trainers had considered her skills poor. It found she had been unfairly targeted and said Pc Rigby's remark about colleagues making fun of her "inappropriate" and "hurtful".

It found the Met guilty of race and religious discrimination. Mrs Grewal, of Teddington, now a serving Pc at Kingston police station, is set to be awarded a payout for hurt feelings.

She is married to a police officer and attended the Hendon training college in November 2007. She also told how Pc Rigby singled her out for "excessive supervision" during her officer safety training. She said her application of handcuffs was checked more often than for other students.

The Met claimed this was "mere chance" and that trainers did not think Mrs Grewal was up to scratch. But in its judgment, the tribunal ruled: "If this were truly the case, we would have expected to have seen particular remedial steps put in place. They were not." After Mrs Grewal complained to Met chiefs, she had a meeting with Pc Rigby in March last year. The panel ruled: "Pc Rigby told Mrs Grewal that other students had been laughing at her. This was an inappropriate and potentially undermining comment.

"Pc Rigby acted in this way because she felt defensive about allegations of race and religious discrimination."

Mrs Grewal failed in her claims of racial and religious harassment. Pc Rigby's mistreatment was distressing but not sufficiently serious to amount to harassment, the panel ruled.

Mrs Grewal's solicitor Jag Brar, of law firm Richmond and Barnes, said: "This case was particularly disturbing because it related to allegations of discrimination during police training. No recruit should have to go through the anguish Mrs Grewal suffered."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The Metropolitan Police Service will give full and careful consideration to the decision. Pc Grewal remains a valued member of the force."

with thanks : source : http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23724286-details/Sikh+recruit+wins+payout+for+humiliation+by+police+trainer/article.do

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Armed and ready to protect One: Meet the first Sikh soldiers to guard the Queen

Armed and ready to protect One: Meet the first Sikh soldiers to guard the Queen
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:02 AM on 28th July 2009


These are the first two Sikh soldiers to have the honour of guarding the Queen.

Signaler Simranjit Singh, 26, and Lance Corporal Sarvjit Singh, 28, proudly pose with their guns while on duty in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
Signaler Singh made history as the very first Sikh soldier to wear his turban on Public Duties guarding the monarch and protecting the Crown Jewels. He was soon joined by Lance Corporal Singh.

The proud soldier from Coventry enthusiastically took on the duty for the first time in May this year.
He serves with 21st Signal Regiment based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, while Lance Corporal serves with 3rd Regiment Army Air Corps based at Wattisham, Suffolk.

Turbans, long hair and beards are considered a mandatory religious uniform for all Sikhs.
Keeping uncut hair is required according to the Rehat Maryada, the Sikh instruction for living.

with thanks : Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202639/Meet-Sikh-soldiers-guard-Queen.html

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Enrol Now for UNITED SIKHS Miri Piri Camps in Michigan and London

Enrol Now for UNITED SIKHS Miri Piri Camps in Michigan and London

London, UK and Michigan USA – UNITED SIKHS Miri Piri camps in London and Michigan will be held this month and it is still not too late to enrol. The London camp, which is a day camp this weekend, will be held on 1st and 2nd Aug hosted by the Central London Gurdwara and the Michigan camp will be a week long camp from Aug 16th to 22nd.

Both camps are for the whole family, and are aimed at promoting Gatka (Sikh martial art) and Gurmat (Sikh principles).

“We aim to motivate people of all ages to take up Gatka and we will do follow up weekly training sessions at the Central London Gurdwara to ensure a Gatka akhara could be set up at the Gurdwara, “ said Lakhvinder Singh, one of the London Miri Piri camp organizers.

There is no strict age limit except that any child under seven will have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage parents to attend the camp too where they could learn something within their own group in the camp, whilst their children attend separate sessions with their peers.

You may view a poster of both camps at and also fill the enrolment forms at unitedsikhs.org/camps and scan them to contact@unitedsikhs.org asap.

Jagpreet Singh, a recent graduate in Transportation Designing, from Italy, who will be attending the Michigan camp, said, “UNITED SIKHS is creating a class of the next generation, where people would help-respect-befriend every one they meet. At the camp, we will be brought out of our TV rooms and into the real world enjoying the company of our peers in the surrounds of a retreat.”

Issued by:
Gurjeet Singh
Director
Empowerment and Education
UNITED SIKHS
07709830442
camp@unitedsikhs.org

Har Prabh Ratay Loeina - Shabad keertan

Har Prabh Ratay Loeina - Please view video of Shabad keertan by Gurmat gian missionary college, Ludhiana.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Eternal University at Baru Sahib begins in Himachal

Jul 16th, 2009 | By Sanjeev Awasthi | Category: Himachal, News

Nahan: Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister Himachal today performed foundation stone ceremony of the Eternal University in private sector at Baru Saheb in Rajgarh Sub Division of district Sirmaur today.
Chief Minister said that H.P. was poised to emerge an ‘Education Hub’ with private participation and added that best use would be made of the congenial atmosphere available in the State. He said that renowned educational houses were coming forward to open their institutions of par-excellence in the State. He said that the State Government was extending best of the cooperation to make H.P. a centre of par-excellence learning.
Prof. Dhumal said that that road, education, health, self-employment, self-reliance and self-respect were the objectives with which State Government was functioning. He said that these were the basic essentials for meeting the requirements of the society. He said that State Government was pursuing the goals to achieve the targets in a time-bound manner. He said that 1st University in IT was also set up in private sector in district Solan at Waknaghat which had emerged an important milestone in education. He said that the State had the best educational infrastructure, which was being strengthened to deliver people best of the facilities at their door steps. He added that State was endeavouring to generate employment and self-employment avenues to the educated unemployed youth in the State.
Prof. Dhumal said that ‘No Profit, No Loss’ motive of the University deserves all appreciation and hoped that the upcoming university would be producing good and responsible citizens. He said that revival of the traditional art and culture of the country, especially of the State also deserves appreciation. He said that it may emerge an important milestone in revival of the old art and culture of the State. He hoped that the university would carry on with its value-based education.
Chief Minister lauded contributions of Kalgidhar Trust for development of an impressive educational campus in the interiors of Sirmaur district. He said that it was unique feature of the Trust that students were availing educational facilities from 1st standard to Ph.D level. He said that it would inspire students to work hard and attain greater heights in their career.
Prof. Dhumal said that Rs. 353 crore Pandit Deen Dayal Kisaan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna was aimed at making people self-reliant by helping them diversify their farming and generate income for themselves at their door-steps. He said that 80 percent subsidy was available to the beneficiaries under the scheme while they would be contributing only 20 per cent only. He said that people needed to be educated and made aware of the scheme so that more people were benefitted under the scheme.
Chief Minister said that State had been adjudged leader in implementation of 20-Point Programme in the country which was no less an achievement for the people of the State.
He announced for upgradation of Primary School Tikkari to Middle School, Middle School Bongali to High School respectively. He announced for lift irrigation supply scheme for Lana-Machher, Baru, Sharera and Khakhali. He said that Baru Saheb bypass road would be constructed on priority, besides Lana-Machher road and Rajgarh-Bagthan-Banethi road would also be metalled. He said that Bongali-Lana- Kue road would also be constructed soon. He said that detailed project report of Baru Saheb Mangarh road has been sent to Government of India for approval. He sanctioned one 33 KV Sub-Station at Baru Saheb, by-pass to be constructed to connect Baru Saheb and road metalled besides Rajgarh-Banethi road.
Dr. M.S. Atwal, Vice Chancellor, Eternal University read out the report of the Kalgidhar Trust with special reference to educational activities. He assured Chief Minister of world class educational facilities to the students in the campus.
Ravinder Pal Singh, Trustee of Kalgidhar Trust welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed various activities of the Trust.
Dr. Khem Singh Gill, Vice-President Kalgidhar Trust proposed vote of thanks.

with thanks : source : http://nvonews.com/2009/07/16/eternal-university-at-baru-sahib-begins-in-himachal/

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal

Baru Sahib Day boarding school building inaugurated

Jul 26th, 2009 | By Sanjeev Awasthi | Category: Himachal, News

Nahan: National chairman of minority commission and Member Rajya sabha Sardar Tarlohan Singh today inaugurated day boarding school building of Hindi medium at Baru sahib in Rajgarh sub division being constructed by the Kalgidhar trust. Chairman of minority commission also participated in the SAHAJ PAATH BHOG program at Darbar Sahib. Interacting with members of Kalgidhar trust and Akal academy he said that it was a very difficult task to arrange the international education standards at such place (Baru Sahib).As per as the information the GURUDWARA at baru sahib would have certain unique feature of world level as this would have the sitting capacity of ten thousand devotees. Chairman of the minority commission also met with Sant Baba Iqbal Singh. However Dr Devinder Singh and Khem Singh gill were also present in the inaugural function.

with thanks : source : http://nvonews.com/2009/07/26/baru-sahib-day-boarding-school-building-inaugurated/

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Akal Takht tells Sikhs to go green

Akal Takht tells Sikhs to go green
I P Singh, TNN 27 July 2009, 03:34am IST

Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh gave a religious call to the community on Sunday saying Sikhs should now focus on cleaning the natural water resources rather than spending more money on building up new gurdwaras.

SULTANPUR LODHI: Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal body, has embraced the save-the-environment mantra telling Sikhs across the world it was their ‘‘moral and religious duty’’ to care for the nature.

‘‘Whereever in the world you (Sikhs) may be, your focus should now be on cleaning up of natural water resources rather than building gurdwaras,’’ he said at a function here on the ninth anniversary of cleaning of Kali Bein, a river in Kapurthala district.

Environmentalists said the Jathedar has set a precedent with his call for saving the environment from depletion. Many said the call would prompt devotees to do their bit for the environment.

Some said the appeal from the Jathedar could make other religious leaders to think about contributing to the environment. It could even help save the most important river in the country, the Ganges river, they added.

The Kali Bein, a much polluted river flowing through Sultanpur Lodhi, was cleaned in an initiative by the Akhat Takht Jathedar through community participation.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Environment/The-Good-Earth/Akal-Takht-tells-Sikhs-to-go-green/articleshow/4823856.cms

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal

It’s cool to be Sikh, but cooler if you wear a turban

July 24th, 2009

There maybe an answer to the continuing dilemma for the Sikh community – a lack of men wanting to wear a turban.

Well the answer is simple, make it cool to have a turban, create some positive vibes around this important issue of identity.

Recently we have seen an increase in the amount of Bollywood artists such as Akshay Kumar (right) that have embraced off screen dress in this breath-taking attire.

The turban definitely makes a man look handsome, shows someone you can trust and if I am perfectly honest dare I say it ‘sexy and drop dread gorgeous’ (– I am just hoping my editor does not edit this line!!!)

Recently in Leicester, a project lead by Trolochan Singh Virk there was a turban tying competition – how cool is that

The Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) of Amritsar and humanitarian organisation Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj also organised not only a turban tying initiative but they took it a step further, they held an amazing ‘pageant’ and called it Mr Singh International.

It was a low-key affair but later versions, but there are already plans to roll this our across Punjab and Delhi, with a expectation of participation of Bollywood stars.

The SGPC has declared April 14, the day of harvest festival Vaisakhi, as "International Sikh Turban Day."

“We are dismayed that more and more youths are refusing to grow their beard or wear the turban, which are sacred symbols of the Sikh religion,” said H.S. Hanspal, Sikh representative in the National Commission for Minorities.

According to Hanspal, many young Sikhs say that tying a turban every day, which may take up to 10 minutes, is too awkward for today’s world

Other boys apparently fear becoming the “odd man out’’ and getting taunted by their peers. Many Sikh parents say they have stopped insisting their sons wear the traditional headgear.

Various Gurdwara Prabandhak committees, therefore, are planning to send volunteers to schools to teach boys how to tie the turban and counsel them on the importance of wearing a turban the project be lead by The Miinority Commission

Whilst many would be deeply hurt that the Holy Turban should not be used in such a manner, I feel it is time for action to allow young Sikh men to be towed back to line – they will thank us in the long run.

Dalbeer Singh of the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee has called for a new fashion magazine.

“We need a Sikh fashion magazine to promote uncut hair, the beard and the turban as cool and clean. We should use persons like Manmohan Singh as role models,’’ he told The Telegraph, this I totally agree with.

One of the first people such a magazine may think of featuring is Paramdeep Singh, 23, first runner-up at Mr Singh International 2009. “I want to send a message that a complete Sikh is more handsome than those who trim or cut their hair,” Paramdeep said.

For Sikhs, the turban became a “robe of honour” which was endorsed in 1699, during the time of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, a scholar said.

Sikh turbans are different from other kinds but have their own variations. The commonest is the “peaked turban” Manmohan Singh wears. The length of the cloth varies from 6 to 8 metres, and the most popular colours are white, deep blue and saffron.

Sikh boys start wearing a keski (mini-turban) or patka at a very young age, often switching to the turban around the age of 12.

So remember boy and girls should you choose – its cool to be Sikh and even cooler if you remember Waheguru gave you long hair for a reason, so respect it.

And finally I cannot believe that every day some Sikh battle with nature as they shave their beards and everyday nature wins…………….is there not a lesson to be learned?

by Tinderjit Kaur Lallie,
with thanks : Source: www.emgonline.co.uk

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal