Monday, February 28, 2011

Sikh TV's 21-year old owner found murdered

One of the owners of Sikh TV, Gagandip Singh, 21 has been murdered, with his body found in the boot of a car which had been set alight in what is understood to be revenge for his attempts to seduce a woman. 

The Telegraph reports that neighbours have linked this tragedy to the murder of his father, Charanjit Singh, who died in a contract killing in India two years ago. However, police are still investigating and are not linking the two murders together. 

Gagandip's body was found in a burning car on the edge of Greenwich Park on Saturday morning at 02:00. Gagandip suffered severe head injuries but do not know what caused his death. Post mortem results on his remains proved inconclusive and detectives are awaiting the outcome of further tests. Police have yet to determine whether he was still alive when the car was set on fire. 

with thanks : media247 : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Saturday, February 26, 2011

National Seminar on Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Two days National Seminar on Life,Times and Achievements of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was held in Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College ,University of Delhi,Dev Nagar on 25th & 26th February 2011.It was sponsored by U.G.C. and Punjabi Academy ,Delhi.

Famous Sikh Historian Prof.J S Grewal ( former Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar) inaugurated the Seminar.S.Bhupinder Singh Chadha (Chairman) also graced the occasion with his presence along with many other famous historians & research scholars who presented their well-researched paper.
The credit to organise this rewarding and fruitful seminar goes to Principal- Dr.Man Mohan Kaur










Friday, February 25, 2011

Cop who forgot it all

CHANDIGARH: The SHO whose area witnessed the alleged killings of Sikhs in Rewari district of Haryana in 1984 has now become SP, but has forgotten details of the macabre incident.

Talking to The Times of India over phone from Sularia battalion of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Rohtak district, the then SHO of the Jatusana police station, Ram Kishore said, "He was away to Narnaul when the incident happened on November 2, 1984."

The only other thing he could remember was it was a "big incident." The police officer said the incident had taken place 27 years back and he was even going to retire next month. "Because of such a long duration, I have forgotten details and action in the case," he said.

When asked what has he got to say about the disappearance of the FIR number 91 of November 3 that recorded the carnage of Sikh families in Hondh Chiller, 13km from Rewari, Ram Kishore said, "Mujhe kuchh yaad nahin hai (I don`t remember anything)." 

with thanks: Times of India : link above for detailed news.

Bir Devinder questions silence of minorities minister, NCM, NHRC on Hondh

JALANDHAR: Former deputy speaker of Punjab assembly, Bir Devinder Singh, has questioned the silence of Union minister for minorities, Salman Khurshid, National Commission for Minorities and National Human Rights Commission over the issue of massacre of Sikhs in Hondh Chillar village of Haryana in November 1984.

"When would they wake up to take suo-moto cognizance of the matter,`` he asked, adding, "Minorities in India do not mean only Muslims and Christians. Sikhs also constitute an important minority in India and their concerns should also be addressed with the same swiftness as is done in the case of other minorities."

He added, "I wonder why Khurshid has not cared, so far to take cognizance of the horrendous incident even after a lapse of 26 years. The massacre has come to light and appeared prominently in the print media all over India but despite that, even the National Commission for Minorities has failed to take any significant initiative in the matter." 

with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

27 years later, preliminary probe conducted

REWARI: 27 years after the carnage in which around 32 persons of Sikh families were killed by a mob, the Gurgaon divisional commissioner visited Hondh Chillar for preliminary inquiry into the incident.

The Haryana government had sought preliminary report about the incident from the commissioner two days ago. Divisional commissioner TK Sharma was accompanied by Rewari deputy commissioner Ajit Joshi and other officials from the revenue department on Thursday.

A Sikh body has dug out the horrific details of the massacre recently stating that a mob had completely wiped out a helmet of Sikhs adjoining the Chillar village on November 2, 1984, three days after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

Akal Takht Jathedar, SGPC ask Sonia Gandhi, PM to visit Hondh Chillar

CHANDIGARH: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, who visited Hondh Chillar village in Rewari district — the site of November-1984 Sikhs massacre — on Thursday, declared that the PM Manmohan Singh and AICC President Sonia Gandhi should visit the place, if they had any feelings for the victims of the crime against Sikhs.

The Jathedar was apparently moved by the ruins of the abandoned village and said that it appeared as if the Sikhs were "still living like slaves in a free country`` since the perpetrators of the crime were roaming free even after 26 years of having committed it.

"Till the time, the guilty are not punished, Sikhs would continue to suffer the agony of the massacres,`` he told mediapersons at the site.

In Amritsar, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) urged the Prime Minister to hold a detailed and time-bound investigation into the massacre. The Akal Takht Jathedar has also asked the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) to look for similar incidents in places like Bokaro and Kanpur where Sikhs were targeted in 1984 but not many details could emerge "just like the Hondh village``. 

With thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

Makkar rejects Haryana probe, seeks inquiry

REWARI: SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar rejected Haryana government's action of ordering an inquiry by the divisional commissioner into the reported mass killings of Sikhs in Hond Chillar village of Rewari district in 1984 which was exposed by a Sikh body a few days ago.


Talking to TOI, Makkar who visited the village along with ten surviving members of the families that were allegedly butchered by the mob in an organized attack, demanded a high level probe into the incident. 
 
with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

NSS Unit of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi,Dev Nagar


NSS volunteers of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College students paid visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib along with their College teachers ( Dr.Gurdeep Kaur,Dr.Inderpreet Singh & Dr.Bhupinder Kaur ). They have been actively involved in various efforts for social cause like zero illiteracy zone campaign,Tree- Plantation, Cleanliness Drive, blood donation camps, visit to orphanages and old people.
Today they took initiated in distributing old clothes and other amenities to the rag pickers in Cannaught Place area ( near Hanuman Temple on Baba Kharak Singh Marg).





Letter to God by Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj ! : shabadvichar

Guru Ram Daas had three sons, Prithia, Mahadev, and Baba Arjan Jee. Guru Ram Das's cousin visited him and said, "My son is getting married, will you come and bless the wedding?" Guru Ram Daas couldn't go so he decided to send one of his sons. He asked Prithia, his oldest son. Prithia complained and didn't want to go. Guru Ram Das went to Mahadev and asked him, "Mahadev, will you go to Lahore and represent me at a wedding?" Mahadev only wanted to meditate and had nothing to do with the world. "It's all Maya, I won't know what to say or do, please don't send me." So his father, the Guru had compassion and let him stay. Next, Guru ji went to his youngest son, Baba Arjan Jee and asked him to go in his place. "Yes father, as you wish. I'm lucky to even have you ask. I'll do what you say." said Baba Arjan. Then the Guru told him, "Go to Lahore, bless the wedding. When the wedding is over, share the light of the teachings of Guru Nanak with the people there and take care of the poor. Listen to me son, do not come back until you receive a letter from me." Baba Arjan said, "I'll do just as you say my beloved Guru father. I shall leave right away." So Baba Arjan left for Lahore.

The wedding was full of good food and people. The people were pleased with how Shri Arjan acted and the things he said. Baba Arjan missed Guru Sahib the whole time. So someone told him, "Write a letter to your father and ask him to call you back." So Baba Arjan wrote a short a beautiful letter of poetry telling of his longing to see the Guru: "My mind is thirsty for the sight of you. I am always, always a sacrifice to you beloved saint..." And he sent a Sikh to deliver the letter to the Guru. When Prithia saw the Sikh coming he recognized him and met him at the door. "Have you brought anything from my brother?" he asked. "Yes, I have a letter from Arjan for the Guru." Prithia said, "I'll give it to the Guru, give it to me. My father wants him to stay there longer" When Prithia read the letter he became jealous of how beautiful the poetry was and he hid the letter. The Sikh came back to Baba Arjan and told him, "Prithia says your father wants you to stay longer and he will give the letter you wrote to the Guru."

Shri Arjan Jee knew that Prithia was a liar and so he wrote a second letter: "Your face is beautiful and your words are pleasant. I haven't seen you in such a time, without seeing you I have no peace. I am a sacrifice to you my divine friend..." Shri Arjan told his messenger to deliver it only to the Guru. When the Sikh arrived Prithia met him there. "Give me the letter!" The Sikh tried to protest but Prithia said, "I am the Guru's oldest son, do as I say. The Guru wants him to stay there we will bring him back soon. Go." When Prithia read this second letter he got even more jealous of how beautiful this poetry was. The messenger returned and told Shri Arjan of how Prithia forced him to give up the letter. Shri Arjan couldn't return as there was no letter from his father yet. He was getting sick from missing the Guru. He couldn't sleep and forgot to eat. He felt empty without seeing his father.

He wrote another letter of poetry which was full of devotion: "A second without you is like endless darkness. When can I see you, I can't sleep without seeing your court. I am a sacrifice to you...." At the end of the note he wrote: "#3" so his father would know he wrote two others. "Don't be tricked and only give this personally to my father himself." When the messenger arrived to the Guru's court Prithia was waiting but the messenger hid and waited for Prithia to leave. Then he snuck in and put the letter at the Guru's feet. "Oh, a letter from Arjan, I was wondering when he would request to come back. It's a very beautiful letter but why does it say '#3' on it?" The messenger told Guru Ram Das how Prithia took the other letters. Guru ji called for Prithia and asked him, "Did you take the other two letters?" "No, I didn't.... I don't know, I forgot." The Guru had someone go in to Prithia room and find the letters, which they did. The Guru sent the messenger back to tell Shri Arjan to return.

The Guru announced to everyone, "I tested Prithia and found him to be a liar and a cheat." When Shri Arjan returned he was very happy to see his father finally. The Guru told him, "You have written 3 letters, write a fourth and complete the poem." Then Shri Arjan wrote the final letter: "How fortunate I am to see you dear saint. I have found God in my heart. I want to serve as a slave. I am a sacrifice, a sacrifice..." The poem was so beautiful the Guru hugged him and said, "This poem is so full of longing it has the power of a thousand shabds. It is called Shabd Hazare. The Guruship goes to the most humble,serviceful and devoted. I give it to you. You are now Guru Arjan." Guru Arjan Dev ji now humbly carried the throne of Guru Nanak. He never stopped writting love letters to God and the Guru Granth Sahib is filled with his beautiful poetry.

ਮਾਝ ਮਹਲਾ 5 ਚਉਪਦੇ ਘਰੁ 1 ॥
ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚੈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਤਾਈ ॥
ਬਿਲਪ ਕਰੇ ਚਾਤ੍ਰਿਕ ਕੀ ਨਿਆਈ ॥
ਤ੍ਰਿਖਾ ਨ ਉਤਰੈ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥
ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਸਨ ਸੰਤ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਤੇਰਾ ਮੁਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਜੀਉ ਸਹਜ ਧੁਨਿ ਬਾਣੀ ॥
ਚਿਰੁ ਹੋਆ ਦੇਖੇ ਸਾਰਿੰਗਪਾਣੀ ॥
ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਦੇਸੁ ਜਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਵਸਿਆ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਜਣ ਮੀਤ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥2॥
ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਹਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਸਜਣ ਮੀਤ ਮੁਰਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਇਕ ਘੜੀ ਨ ਮਿਲਤੇ ਤਾ ਕਲਿਜੁਗੁ ਹੋਤਾ ॥
ਹੁਣਿ ਕਦਿ ਮਿਲੀਐ ਪ੍ਰਿਅ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਗਵੰਤਾ ॥
ਮੋਹਿ ਰੈਣਿ ਨ ਵਿਹਾਵੈ ਨੀਦ ਨ ਆਵੈ ਬਿਨੁ ਦੇਖੇ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥3॥
ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਚੇ ਗੁਰ ਦਰਬਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ਭਾਗੁ ਹੋਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਸੰਤੁ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ ॥
ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਘਰ ਮਹਿ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ਸੇਵ ਕਰੀ ਪਲੁ ਚਸਾ ਨ ਵਿਛੁੜਾ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥4॥
ਹਉ ਘੋਲੀ ਜੀਉ ਘੋਲਿ ਘੁਮਾਈ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਾਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੇ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥1॥8॥

First Sikh in US Army talks about his journey

AMRITSAR: The first Sikh in the American army, Tejdeep Singh Rattan, interacted with students of Khalsa College and shared his experiences with them. He told them about the many ups and downs and the hardships he faced in the US, and how he finally emerged victorious. He revealed that he was rejected to be part of the American army on several occasions only because he had refused to give up the symbols of Sikh faith. 

with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia

Sikhs Killed in Rewari in '84 Riots: Hooda Seeks Report

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said a report has been sought from the Gurgaon Divisional Commissioner on the killing of some Sikhs at Hondh-Chillar village in Rewari district during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

"A report on this matter has been sought from the Divisioinal Commissioner," Hooda told reporters here in reply to a question after a state cabinet meeting.

Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had, while speaking at Bathinda on Saturday, said he was "shocked to know the massacre of 70 Sikhs during '84 riots at Hondh village in Rewari district that was suppressed by investigating agencies for 26 long years".

The Badal-headed Shiromani Akali Dal had constituted a seven-member fact-finding committee of SAD on Saturday to get first-hand information on the reported "massacre" of the Sikhs in Rewari district.
 
with thanks : outlookindia : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia