Prime Minister wraps up Indian visit with chaotic tour of Golden Temple

AMRITSAR, India — Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up a three-day tour of India on Wednesday with a chaotic tour of the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The prime minister's visit to the crowded, sprawling temple attracted dozens of Indian cameramen and photographers, who turned the tight perimeter around Harper into an angry roiling mosh pit. It was a far different scene earlier in the day in New Delhi when Harper toured the world's largest Hindu temple, strolling through magnificent empty boulevards.

The last Canadian prime minister to visit the Golden Temple - site of a violent clash in 1984 that ultimately led to the bombing of an Air India flight out of Vancouver a year later - was Liberal Jean Chretien in 2003.

A total of 329 people died when the jumbo jet went down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland.

Harper arrives back in Canada on Thursday morning.

with thanks : source : http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jeX7ws6HV91DE3HWnpCyW3PIFlmg

SikhsIndia

Trimming problem in Sikh community

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

I'm Dr. Harleen Kaur, based in New Delhi, India. I am a homoeopathic doctor by profession and a proud Amritdhari Sikh by obsession. I wish to see the Sikhs holding fast to the teachings of our Gurus in today's challenging times, so that we can prove that 'Khalsa kade dolda nahi'.

The problem of trimming (both in girls and boys) is a trouble eating us up for last so many years. It is prudent to nip this serious problem sooner than later, as it is totally against Gurmat and one who indulges in trimming is disobeying the very primary rule of being a Sikh, that of 'not tampering with your body, in any which way'. The same even applies to the girls who wax/thread/shave/pluck their body hair.

With ardas for a high-spirited Qaum,

Dr. Harleen Kaur

Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi

Sat Sri Akal,

We are expecting this CD by 25th of November & if we really get it, we will put it on public screening.

Best Regards

SikhsIndia
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Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi : summoned to Akal Takht Sahib

Controversial Sikh preacher Darshan singh is summoned to Akal Takht Sahib

Amritsar, Punjab: Taking serious note of Prof Darshan Singh concocting a story linking Guru Gobind Singh with a prostitute while doing keertan at gurdwara in New York (USA), Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh summoned Ragi Darshan to Akal Takhat on December 5th, 2009. They decided to summon him after a meeting of Five Singh Sahibans on Nov 17, 2009. Jathedar said that this is a serious issue. Documents regarding this have been obtained from USA.

Prof. Darshan Singh’s narration of a concocted story linking Guru Gobind Singh with a prostitute while doing keertan in American Gurdwara is being condemned here and abroad. Gurmat Sidhant Parcharak, Sant Samaj has already appealed to the Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to summon Darshan Singh to Akal Takhat. Darshan Singh claims that this story is in Dasam Granth.

Dr. Jodh Singh, who has translated Dasam Granth in English and Hindi, was contacted for clarification. He says that there is no mention of Guru Gobind Singh Ji in this particular story. He further said that this is just a story and not history. It is wrong to consider a story to be history and then attach it with Guru Sahib. He explained that the Dasam Granth has many stories and every story is not a true tale.
Sikh Historian Dr. Jasbir Singh Sabar says that this incident finds no mention in proven Sikh sources. He said that Bhai Sahib Sirdar Kapoor Singh had mentioned “Kissa Anoop Kaur” in detail in his book “Sachi Sakhi”. He said that Guru Gobind Singh was called by once by a prostitute to her house and she served him well. When Guru Sahib asked her for a blessing, she desired that she should have a son like Guru Sahib. Guru Sahib addressed her and said, “Mother, consider me as your son.” Sabar said that Guru Sahib never went anywhere alone. There were always five Singhs with him. He said that Darshan Singh was misleading the Sikhs.

Famous academic Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon said that this incident is listed in the tales. But the subject incident is not linked to Guru and neither is he mentioned anywhere. He also said that Prof Darshan Singh was misleading Sikhs. He said that Prof has earlier tried to mislead Sikhs on the Nitnem banis also.

http://sikhsangat.org/2009/11/controversial-sikh-preacher-darshan-singh-is-summoned-to-akal-takht-sahib/#comment-1638

SikhsIndia
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Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi - Sikh clergy to listen to CD today - Nov. 16

Controversial Discourse : Sikh clergy to listen to CD today
Varinder Singh : Tribune News Service : Amritsar, November 16

Five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, will listen to a CD containing the alleged blasphemous remarks uttered by the former Akal Takht Jathedar, Prof Darshan Singh, during one of his recent discourses in New York, at a meeting at Akal Takht tomorrow.

The CD was given to the Akal Takht Jathedar by “sangats” of New York in support of their complaints against Darshan Singh during the former’s visit there.
Sources said after listening to the CD, the Sikh high priests would decide whether to summon Darshan Singh at Akal Takht to clarify his position or not.
Damdami Taksal has also lodged a complaint with the high priests against Darshan Singh.

“We will decide upon any action after listening to the recording of a programme of Darshan Singh at our meeting tomorrow. We have received a number of complaints in this regard from New York and other places,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh.
However, Darshan Singh said he was ready to appear before Akal Takht whenever asked to do so and “not before any person in particular”.

“It seems that some sort of action is being contemplated against me under pressure from certain quarters. I am ready to present myself before Akal Takht. I will invite the entire panth to come there and answer all questions asked to me in their presence,” said Darshan Singh.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091117/punjab.htm#10

SikhsIndia
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Sikh Youth Slate wins in Surrey, Canada

Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sikh Temple to go traditional

SURREY: The determined struggle of the youth to restore the tradition of Gurdwara Sahibs to their pristine glory and ensure that Gurdwaras accomplish the purpose for which they are built, in a remarkable show, the Sikh Youth Slate comprising eighteen dedicated, selfless and committed individuals won the Gurdwara elections early today with a decisive margin of 13,400-7,200.

Their mission is clear and focused, “We are a group of progressive-minded Sikhs, consisting of men and women, students, businessmen, entrepreneurs and professionals from fields such as law, finance and software development. We genuinely desire to work towards the betterment of the community, and share a common focus and direction, centered on unity: We are all Sikhs!”

Not to be outdone with rhetoric and whimper, they seem to have done not only their homework well from the electoral point of view but also emphasized the inclusive character of Sikhism. “It is time to stand shoulder-to-shoulder as Sikhs – whether we are amritdhari or non-amritdhari, whether we are kesdhari, or sehajdhari, whether we have been walking the Sikh path for decades or we are just taking our first baby steps” said their campaign.

And for the cynics, who may still be imputing motives to the youth, the Sikh Youth Slate had this to say, “We are prepared and dedicated to create a progressive gurdwara environment, inclusive to all Sikhs. We consider ourselves to be sevadars tasked with the responsibility of changing the gurdwara from being a place of divisive politics, to being a positive place for congregation, open to everyone!

Not stopping at the Sikhs, they have also clarified that they would be working for humanity at large and ensure that the Gurdwara becomes the fulcrum of community outreach services encompassing all Canadians and those in and around Surrey in particular.

With veteran Sikh-baiter Balwant Singh Gill and company accepting defeat, the stage is set for a new president in Bikramjit Singh Sandhar in early January next year. He was at his humblest best when he truly said, “This service is done by the grace of God, for the well-being of humanity. Thank you to all those who supported this campaign, and all those who volunteered countless hours to make this change happen. Now, the real work begins.”

with thanks : source : WSN

SikhsIndia
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Can we promote Sikhi, in the Sikhs atleast ?

We just want to promote Sikhi in the sikh community. Hope, even you are thinking likewise, due to the rising percentage of trimmers, vanishing turbans & maa boli Punjabi.

Please suggest, what we can do, what we should do and what we must do, together, to preserve Sikhi in the Sikh community atleast. Please add your comments, suggestions, ideas, views in the comments box, just at the end of this post.

Best regards

SikhsIndia
Guru Granth Sahib Sewak Jatha

White House and Sikh Community Celebrate the Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, Founder of the Sikh Faith

Washington, DC, USA: The White House and the Sikh community celebrated the 540th Gurpurab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji by holding a celestial musical performance yesterday. The White House Office of Public Engagement organized the event which was attended by Sikh organizations and leaders of the Sikh community from around the country. In her speech, Director of Office of Public Engagement, Christina M. Tchen congratulated the Sikh community on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, and thanked both UNITED SIKHS and SCORE for their assistance in organizing the event. Following performances by religious musicians from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, also known as Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, and Sikh Dharma International, various Sikh leaders spoke about Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, and also about the issues of the Sikh community in America.

Harpreet Singh, Legal Director, UNITED SIKHS spoke at the event, stating, “The Sikh community remembers that Guru Nanak Sahib Ji's teachings emphasized speaking forcefully against social evils and injustices. It is pertinent that Sikhs follow Guru Sahib's teaching and speak out against civil, human and religious rights violations of Sikhs and others. Sikh Americans must be pro-active in advocating for their rights and press the government to address issues of employment discrimination, bullying in schools against Sikh children, hate and bias crimes, and religious and racial profiling at airports and borders. Finally, Sikhs must work together to be able to practice their faith freely and wear all five kakaars (articles of faith), including the kirpan (religious sword), at all times, whether in the military, law enforcement, at school, or at events like this one.” We will be having meetings with high level administration officials regarding the kirpan in the weeks to come.


Harpreet Singh, Legal Director, UNITED SIKHS, congratulating the community on Guru Nanak Sahib Ji's Gurpurab, and reminding them of their duty to advocate for justice


Sikh Community Leaders with Officials from the White House Office of Public Engagement


A diverse group of Sikh organizations and individuals attended the event, including but not limited to: Sikh Dharma International, SCORE, Sikh Coalition, Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah, Sikh Cultural Society NY, and Sikh Youth of America

Ex-City Councilman Richmond, California and Executive Board Member of the California Democratic Party, Harpreet Singh Sandhu also spoke at the event, commenting, “we greatly appreciate the recognition of this important day where millions of Sikhs around the world celebrate the founding of the Sikh faith; it was pleasure to see officials speak so highly of the Sikh community and our identity.”

Commenting on the event, Harbans Singh, a Sikh community leader from New York stated, “We appreciate the White House's outreach to the Sikh Americans and recognition of this important day for the Sikh community.”

Gurdial Singh, President of Gurdwara Ravidass of New York, stated, “President Obama has brought new hope for the equal protection of civil liberties for all Americans, and we are thankful of his support for the Sikh community.”

Again, we would to like to remind the Sikh Community that it is through overcoming our differences and working together that we will be able to overcome challenges to religious identity and our honorable way of life as prescribed by Guru Nanak Sahib Ji.

We thank all Sikh organizations and leaders for participating in this event, and extend our deepest gratitude to the White House for celebrating Guru Nanak Sahib Ji's 540th Gurpurab (birth anniversary); we especially thank Paul Monteiro, Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement, for inviting a diverse group of organizations and individuals to the meeting.

Issued By:
Jaspreet Singh
Staff Attorney
UNITED SIKHS
law-usa@unitedsikhs.org

SikhsIndia
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Ambassador for Peace : Dr. Gurdeep kaur

Our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Gurdeep kaur for getting

the AMBASSADOR OF PEACE award.

SikhsIndia

Vote underway for control of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh temple

By Cheryl Chan, Vancouver Province,
November 16, 2009 12:02 AM

Thousands of Sikhs braved pouring rain and howling winds Sunday night to cast their vote in a pivotal election that will decide the leadership and direction of North America’s second largest Sikh temple.

An hour before polls closed at 8 p.m., voters were still lined up outside Princess Margaret Secondary on 72nd Avenue to elect a new 18-member board of directors for Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh temple on Scott Road.

“You’ve never seen anything like this before. People want change,” said Surinder Hehar who was in line for his voter card with his wife and two young boys.

Surrey RCMP cordoned off a two-block radius around the school to ensure voters weren’t intimidated.

At stake is the future direction of the 32,000-member strong temple, which has been riven by two factions — the moderates and fundamentalists — and a contentious debate over furniture in the temple dining hall that erupted into violence twelve years ago.

The moderates, who have controlled the temple for the last decade, have allowed tables and chairs in the common eating area.

It is led in this election race by businessman Harjinder Singh Cheema.

Its challenger, the Sikh Youth slate led by Bikramjit Singh Sandhar, want traditional mats on the floor, but struck a compromise by saying elderly or disabled members will have the option of eating on tables and chairs.

Despite the call to return to the traditional manner of eating in the temple, the Sikh Youth slate bills itself as a group of progressive-minded Sikhs.

It is running three female candidates and has mounted a more aggressive political-style campaign with a website, YouTube campaign videos, and a Twitter presence.

It also offered supporters free bus rides to the school.

The temple’s last president, moderate Balwant Singh Gill stepped down last month after 11 years at the helm.

Last year’s elections saw an upstart youth group headed by Amardeep Singh win by an almost 6,000-vote margin over the moderates, which ran divided slates.

The results were thrown out by B.C. Supreme Court after allegations of fraud on nomination forms.

Instead of a costly court battle, the rival factions decided to hold a second vote.

The result of the vote is not expected until after midnight.

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

with thanks : source : http://www.canada.com/life/Vote+underway+control+Surrey+Guru+Nanak+Sikh+temple/2226736/story.html

SikhsIndia
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New Ragi jatha : Bibi Gurvinder kaur ji, Delhi wale

New Ragi jatha :

Bibi Gurvinder kaur ji & Bibi Daljeet kaur ji Khalsa, Delhi wale, Can be contacted on Cell number 9268121958.

SikhsIndia

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