Wednesday, June 10, 2020

New Zealand formally thanks Sikhs for their contribution in fight against Covid-19

Sikh Volunteers Australia has stepped up in times of crisis, working tirelessly to deliver free meals to those who are struggling.



AUCKLAND, New Zealand—On June 2, New Zealand’s Minister of Housing and Urban Development Megan Woods introduced a resolution in the New Zealand parliament thanking Sikhs because of their incomparable role in the fight against Covid-19. She specially thanked the ‘Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand’ feeding more than 1,00,000 people during this pandemic.

New Zealand Parliament thanks the country's Sikhs for services ...

It is learnt that some government bodies have also offered financial aid to the ‘Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand’ but the sewadars have politely refused to accept it, citing that the Guru Nanak Sahib’s langar always run with the support of the sangat.
Beside it, Supreme Sikh Society also received a certificate of appreciation by Counties-Manukau South Police for its voluntary service to the community during the lockdown period and before.
“As a voluntary group, the Supreme Sikh Society has served our community at a crucial and challenging time during the Covid-19 crisis 2020- proactively gifting crucial supplies, especially food for our most vulnerable people and we acknowledge the leadership and volunteers who dedicated their free time to help others,” the certificate read.

A volunteer group of Sikhs (pictured) have established a coronavirus food delivery service that will provide self-isolated people in Melbourne's south-east with free meals
It is pertinent to note here that New Zealand has become the first corona free country in the world. There is no active case in New Zealand for the last three weeks.
The office of the Mayor of Auckland in their letter of appreciation thanked SSSNZ for providing meals that helped thousands not just in Auckland but other parts of the country too. In Council’s other efforts to support different sections of the community, SSSNZ was noted as a leading contributor helping the needy.
“I thank you for the enormous contribution that your organisation made,” the letter read.

Sikh Volunteers Australia group have made 1000 home-cooked meals which they will deliver for free to people in self-isolation and most in need
Link :https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/10/new-zealand-formally-thanks-sikhs-for-their-contribution-in-fight-against-covid-19/#.XuB4c9UzbIU

Around 50,000 devotees paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib on the first day after lifting of restrictionsonsons



With lifting of restrictions on influx into religious shrines after two and half months, around 50,000 devotees thronged to the holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib  on June 8. The rejoiced devotees were observed taking dip in the holy sarovar and offering prayers for the well-being of mankind while paying obeisance inside sanctum sanctorum. 


The Punjab police have also lifted most of the barricades installed around Sri Harmandir Sahib and inside the walled city of Amritsar.
The devotees started thronging to Sri Harmandir Sahib from the early wee hours and the movement remained observable till late evening hours.
On being contacted by Sikh24, SGPC officials informed that all the arrangements were in effect to keep social distancing among devotees. “All the devotees are being subjected to thermal checking and sanitization of their hands before entering into Sri Harmandir Sahib,” informed an SGPC official.


Expressing cheerfulness on having opportunity to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib after such a long period, a devotee turned emotional while narrating how he spent the past days when he couldn’t come to pay obeisance due to restrictions.


Sri Harmandir Sahib’s manager Mukhtar Singh Cheema informed that around 50,000 devotees paid obeisance on June 8. “We have deployed around 100 additional sewadars to ensure social distancing among devotees,” he said while adding that special arrangements were also made to ensure social distancing among devotees partaking langar in world’s largest community kitchen.

The daily collection from Karah Prasad counter amounted to around INR 1,75,000 on June 8.



  
Link :https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/09/around-50000-devotees-paid-obeisance-at-sri-harmandir-sahib-on-the-first-day-after-lifting-of-restrictions/#.XuBxONUzbIU

"Pandemic or Protests – Guru ka Langar is always there." Sikhs feed protestors of 'Black Lives Matter'


Whether it is the Delhi riots, the bushfires in Australia, or even providing food to the elderly during the deadly coronavirus pandemic, the Sikh community always comes forward to lend a helping hand. 

The Sikh community has again come forward to support the protestors who are protesting against racism in the US in light of the recent killing of George Floyd.  


In a post on Facebook by Kalgidhar Trust-Baru Sahib, it was revealed that "Pandemic or Protests – Guru ka Langar is always there."
As we all know that the world is dealing with the deadly COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak. But there are few people who are risking their lives for the betterment of society. Gursikhs are one of those few people. Langar-Seva is one of the basic principles in the Sikhism. And the Sikh community across the globe is doing the same in this need of the hour. 
The Gurdwara Sahib of New York, in Queens Village, has served more than 1,45,000 free meals in the last two months. Gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar has daily served more than 100,000 people. In the latest example of selfless service, the Gurdwara Sahib of Queens Village fed a group of protestors who were there for George Floyd killing. 
These Gursikhs are trying their best not to let anyone sleep empty-stomach. 
They are working day and night in fighting for COVID-19 as well as global starvation.

We must feel proud of these noble souls. And we should learn from them how to work for the other selflessly. Share and Support.
Naam Japo, Kirt Karo, Vand Chhako.
Source: New York Times #Sikhi #Selfless_service #Sikh_volunteer." 




Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Delhi Sikh Body To Give Insurance Cover For Staff Involved In Relief Work Amid Coronavirus Crisis

As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSGMC has been providing free food to the lockdown-hit homeless people and shelter to health workers in its Gurudwaras.
Delhi Sikh Body To Give Insurance Cover For Staff Involved In Relief Work Amid Coronavirus Crisis

New Delhi: The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Saturday announced an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh for its employees in the forefront of the coronavirus fight in case of death due to the disease.
As the country battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSGMC has been providing free food to the lockdown-hit homeless people and shelter to health workers in its gurudwaras.
It will now provide an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh each to its 2,500 frontline workers who are providing free community meals, and sanitation and transport-related services across the national capital, its president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

Staff members of the DSGMC-managed gurudwaras have been distributing food and relief material in JJ colonies, labour camps, shelter homes, etc., as a result of which there is a risk of them contracting the novel coronavirus, Mr Sirsa said.

The life insurance scheme will include sanitation staff, cooks preparing langar, religious preachers, security staff and other frontline workers tasked with distributing food.

"We salute the efforts of our frontline workers to provide services to mankind at the ground level amid the coronavirus threat," he said.

The DSGMC has been taking care of accommodation and food requirements of around 200 doctors, nurses and other healthcare staffers involved in treating COVID-19 patients.


Facebook, Instagram Unblock Hashtag #Sikh After It Was ‘Mistakenly Blocked on March 7’


Facebook and Instagram have unblocked the hashtag #sikh and apologised for it. Instagram said the hashtag was “mistakenly blocked” due to a report received in early March. Although the block was in place for nearly three months, Facebook became aware of the issue on Wednesday, after a large number of people outraged on social media for not allowing them to use the #sikh hashtags on its platforms. Instagram notably unblocked the hashtag shortly after receiving user reports. However, Facebook itself took some additional time to unblock.

“We investigated this issue and found that these hashtags were mistakenly blocked on March 7th following a report that was inaccurately reviewed by our teams,” Instagram said in a Twitter thread while giving clarity on the #sikh hashtag blocking.

Interestingly, the company added it became aware of the blocking just on Wednesday following the feedback it received from the community. “Our processes fell down here, and we're sorry,” it continued .


 Several people had raised the issue on social media but it was finally noticed by the Instagram team on June 3.


June-1984 Holocaust: Sri Akhand Path Sahib begins at Sri Akal Takht Sahib



AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Commemorated to the 36th anniversary of the June-1984 holocaust, Sri Akhand Path Sahib has been begun at supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib today. An Ardas for the martyrs of this holocaust will be held on June 6.

SGPC member Bhai Ram Singh, SGPC’s chief secretary Dr. Roop Singh, Sri Darbar Sahib’s Manager Mukhtiar Singh Cheema, Additional Manager Rajinder Singh Ruby etc. were present on this occasion.

Link :https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/04/june-1984-holocaust-sri-akhand-path-sahib-begins-at-sri-akal-takht-sahib/#.Xt8XAdUzbIU


DSGMC launches 'Langar on Wheels'

New Delhi: "Langar On Wheels" to deliver food to the needy at their doorsteps across the national capital #Gallery

NEW DELHI, India—As per an estimate, around 15,000 poverty stricken people are benefiting daily from the ‘langar on wheels’ service launched by the DSGMC on June 1. Notably, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee had launched this service after the government and NGOs stopped providing food to these people living in the slum areas, railway stations, bus stands, rain shelters, pavements etc.


Interacting with media, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the DSGMC was committed to avail free food to every needy person so that no one sleeps empty stomach. “We started this service keeping in view the inaccessibility of Gurdwaras to the poverty-stricken people living remotely from Sikh shrines,” he added.


Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed that this service has been started for one month, but will be extended from time-to-time till the economic activities are restored and disadvantaged people are able to sustain themselves.




It is learned that 15 vans depart from Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib daily during the wee hours to serve food to people at various places across Delhi.
In coming days, the DSGMC is also going to station vans with banners highlighting food and water arrangements for needy persons at different places like railway stations and bus stands.












Looters target Sri Harmandir Sahib’s Hazoori Raagi in Amritsar




CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The condition of Punjab’s society is becoming worse day by day. The robbers and snatchers have become so daring that they don’t even refrain from targeting the staff working in holiest Sikh shrine Sri Harmandir Sahib.  


In a press note shared with Sikh24, SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Bath has informed that Hazoori Raagi Bhai Mahabir Singh was looted by some looters during the morning hours on June 8. “The looters targeted Bhai Mahabeer Singh on 100 Ft. Road when he was going back to his home after serving at Sri Harmandir Sahib,” he said while adding the looters took away his two mobiles, cash, wallet and some other documents.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that an FIR has been registered in B-Division police station in this concern.
SGPC has sought immediate arrest of the looters so that the Sikh sangat could go to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib without any fear.

Link:https://www.sikh24.com/2020/06/09/looters-target-sri-harmandir-sahibs-hazoori-raagi-in-amritsar-take-away-his-mobiles-and-wallet/#.Xt8S8NUzbIU

Prominent Sikh Community Member Challenges Idea of Khalistan :“We Sikhs have seen much at the time of Partition to know what it does with a Nation and its people".


NEW DELHI: A UK-based prominent member of the Sikh Community has challenged Akal Takht’s recent assertion that "it is ready to accept the sovereign state of Khalistan if the Indian government makes such an offer".

Navdeep Singh, a member of the Community in an open letter to Giani Harpreet Singh, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht asserted that not even one-fourth members of the community favour Khalistan. “We Sikhs have seen much at the time of Partition to know what it does with a nation and its people. There are many of us who’s ancestral homes, their memories of childhood, the place they were born, now lies in Pakistan. We still remember the painful memories of 1947. So, we would never want another such event to happen in our lifetime or with our future generations,” Singh wrote in his letter made available to ET.


“Now, for those who talk about the diaspora wanting Khalistan are wrong too. Again not all of us living abroad want any such thing. We came here to earn a livelihood which many Indians do. Though, I agree that there is a small part of Sikhs who do believe in the idea of Khalistan but they do not have real support.”


“In India, our community is respected a lot, people trust us, they vouch for our braver and kindness. You talk about unity? We Sikhs unite for the welfare of people, we unite to protect people and we unite to submit ourselves before our Gurus. We will never unite to break a nation as that is not what Sikhi is about. You being the Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, should have known better,” Singh pointed out.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Sikh Community :Pure Bhakti, Peace & Seva

A Few Sikh Principles to Live By | Seva Food Bank
Government of India, should recommend Sikh Community, as a whole, for Nobel Peace Prize, for its Exemplary Services to the mankind in providing Free Food (Langar) & shelter to every Human being irrespective of his Religion or Nationality, during any difficult times the World over. The Cleanliness of their Religious Places & the humbleness of their Serving In Gurudwaras, Community Kitchen & Shoe keeping, is Exemplary.

Sikhs always come to the forefront, in any corner of the World, to help anyone in Pain or Difficulty, without any distinction of Caste, Creed, Religion or Gender. It’s quite rare to find Sikhs involved in heinous crimes like Gang Rape or Atrocities against Women.

These simple looking People have always stood the test of time, in spite of their poor Leadership.*

This is the right time for Sikh Community to move towards pure Bhakti, peace & Seva, as preached by its founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Please LIKE, Share & Retweet, my Tweet to PMO to recommend Nobel Peace Prize to this wonderful Community.

CA Prem Garg 
Chandigarh 

Friday, May 1, 2020

Coronavirus Lockdown Extended: What's Allowed, What's Not as Per Revised Guidelines for Next 2 Weeks

New Delhi: After a comprehensive review of the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Centre on Friday extended the lockdown by a further two weeks. In the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the ministry laid down guidelines to be followed in different zones across the country - Red, Orange, and Green - depending on the risk profiling of various districts. The lockdown will continue till May 17 under the following guidelines issued by the ministry:
1. The MHA issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period, based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red (hotspot), Green, and Orange Zones. The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones.
2. The criteria for identification of districts as Red, Green, and Orange Zones have been spelt out in detail in the letter dated April 30, 2020, issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GoI. The Green Zones will be districts with either zero confirmed cases till date; or, no confirmed case in the last 21 days. The classification of districts as Red Zones will take into account the total number of active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases, extent of testing and surveillance feedback from the districts. Those districts, which are neither defined as Red nor Green, shall be classified as Orange zones. The classification of districts into Red, Green and Orange Zones will be shared by MoHFW with the States and Union Territories (UTs) on a weekly basis, or earlier, as required. While States and UTs can include additional districts as Red and Orange Zones, they may not lower the classification of a district included by MoHFW in the list of Red or Orange Zones.
3. A number of districts of the country have, within their boundaries, one or more Municipal Corporations (MCs). It has been observed that due to higher population density within the MCs, and consequent greater inter-mixing of people, the incidence of COVID-19 within the boundary of the MC(s) is higher than in the rest of the district. In the new guidelines, therefore, it has been provided that such districts will be classified into two Zones, i.e., one Zone for the area under the boundary of the MC(s); and, another for the area falling outside the boundary of the MC(s). If the area outside the boundary of the MC(s) has reported no case for the last 21 days, it will be allowed to be classified as one stage lower than the overall classification of the district as either Red or Orange. Hence, this area will be classified as Orange, in case the district is overall Red; or as Green, in case the district is overall Orange. This classification will enable more economic and other activities in that area of the district, which is relatively less affected by the incidence of COVID-19, while also ensuring that due caution continues to be exercised so that these areas remain free from COVID-19 cases. This dispensation has been made only in respect of districts having Municipal Corporation (s).
4. The most sensitive areas of the country, from the spread of COVID-19 point of view, and falling within the Red and Orange Zones, are designated as Containment Zones. These are areas where there is significant risk of spread of the infection. The containment areas would be defined by respective District Administrations, taking into account the total number of active cases, their geographical spread, and the need to have well demarcated perimeters from the enforcement point of view. The local authority shall ensure 100% coverage of Aarogya Setu app among the residents of the Containment Zone. Containment Zones would have intensified surveillance protocols, with contact tracing, house to house surveillance, home/ institutional quarantining of persons based on their risk assessment, and clinical management. Strict perimeter control would need to be ensured, so that there is no movement of people in and out of these Zones, except for medical emergencies, and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. No other activity is permitted within the Containment Zones.
5. Under the new guidelines, a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. These include travel by air, rail, metro and inter-State movement by road; running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training/ coaching institutions; hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants; places of large public gatherings, such as cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes etc; social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings; and, religious places/ places of worship for the public. However, movement of persons by air, rail and road is allowed for select purposes, and for purposes as permitted by MHA.
6. The new guidelines also prescribe certain measures for well being and safety of persons. Hence, movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am. Local authorities shall issue orders under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders [curfew] under Section 144 of CrPC, for this purpose, and ensure strict compliance. In all zones, persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical clinics shall be permitted to operate in Red, Orange and Green Zones, with social distancing norms and other safety precautions; however, these will not be permitted within the Containment Zones.
7. In the Red Zones, outside the Containment Zones, certain activities are prohibited in addition to those prohibited throughout the country. These are: plying of cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws; running of taxis and cab aggregators; intra-district and inter-district plying of buses; and, barbershops, spas, and saloons.
8. Certain other activities have been allowed in the Red Zones with restrictions. Movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed only for permitted activities, with a maximum of 2 persons (besides the driver) in four-wheeler vehicles, and with no pillion rider in the case of two-wheelers. Industrial establishments in urban areas, viz., Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control have been permitted. The other industrial activities permitted are manufacturing units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates; production units, which require continuous process, and their supply chain; manufacturing of IT hardware; jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing; and, manufacturing units of packaging material. Construction activities in urban areas have been limited to in-situ construction (where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside) and construction of renewable energy projects. Shops in urban areas, for non-essential goods, are not allowed in malls, markets and market complexes. However, all standalone (single) shops, neighborhood (colony) shops and shops in residential complexes are permitted to remain open in urban areas, without any distinction of essential and non-essential. E-Commerce activities, in the Red Zones, are permitted only in respect of essential goods. Private offices can operate with upto 33% strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home. All Government offices shall function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and the remaining staff attending upto 33% as per requirement. However, Defense and Security services, Health and Family Welfare, Police, Prisons, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, Disaster management and related services, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Customs, Food Corporation of India (FCI), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuvak Kendra (NYK) and Municipal services shall function without any restrictions; delivery of public services shall be ensured and necessary staff will be deployed for such purpose.
9. A large number of other activities are allowed in the Red Zones. All industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MNREGA works, food-processing units and brick-kilns are permitted; besides, in rural areas, without distinction to the nature of goods, all shops, except in shopping malls are permitted. All agriculture activities, e.g., sowing, harvesting, procurement and marketing operations in the agricultural supply chain are permitted. Animal husbandry activities are fully permitted, including inland and marine fisheries. All plantation activities are allowed, including their processing and marketing. All health services (including AYUSH) are to remain functional, including transport of medical personnel and patients through air ambulances. A large part of the financial sector remains open, which includes banks, non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), insurance and capital market activities, and credit co-operative societies. Operation of homes for children, senior citizens, destitutes, women and widows etc.; and operation of Anganwadis has also been permitted. Public utilities, e.g., utilities in power, water, sanitation, waste management, telecommunications and internet will remain open, and courier and postal services will be allowed to operate.
10. Most of the commercial and private establishments have been allowed in the Red Zones. These include print and electronic media, IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres, cold storage and warehousing services, private security and facility management services, and services provided by self-employed persons, except for barbers etc., as mentioned earlier. Manufacturing units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates; production units, which require continuous process, and their supply chain; Jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing; and manufacturing of IT hardware and manufacturing units of packaging material will continue to be permitted.
11. In the Orange Zones, in addition to activities permitted in Red Zone, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 1 passenger only. Inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed for permitted activities only. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers.
12. In the Green Zones, all activities are permitted except the limited number of activities which are prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. However buses can operate with upto 50% seating capacity and bus depots can operate with upto 50% capacity.
13. All goods traffic is to be permitted. No State/ UT shall stop the movement of cargo for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate pass of any sort is needed for such movement, which is essential for maintaining the supply chain of goods and services across the country during the lockdown period.
14. All other activities will be permitted activities, which are not specifically prohibited, or which are permitted with restrictions in the various Zones, under these guidelines. However, States/ UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, and with the primary objective of keeping the spread of COVID-19 in check, may allow only select activities from out of the permitted activities, with such restrictions as felt necessary.
15. No separate/ fresh permissions will be required from authorities for activities already permitted to operate under the guidelines on Lockdown measures up to May 3, 2020. The Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) issued by MHA will continue to operate such as transit arrangement for foreign national(s) in India; release of quarantine persons; movement of stranded labour within States/ UTs; sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers, movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons by road and rail.
16. State/ UT Governments are mandated to strictly enforce the lockdown guidelines and they shall not dilute these guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in any manner.
with thanks: YAHOO NEWS