DSGMC President Manjinder Singh Sirsa's Meeting with Ministry of External Affairs On the Issue of Attempt to Cover Gurdwara Sahib Shaheedi Asthan Bhai Taru into A Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan

President Manjinder Singh Sirsa along with other office bearers had a meeting with Jt Secretary (PAI) J.P. Singh from Ministry of External Affairs on the issue of attempt to cover Gurdwara Sahib Shaheedi Asthan Bhai Taru Ji into a mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.

           Gurdwara Shaheedi Asthan of Bhai Taru Singh ,Lahore,Pakistan

Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa  took up issue of conversion of

Gurdwara Shaheedi Asthan of Bhai Taru Singh at Lahore into a mosque.  He said that the Ministry assured to take up the matter with the Pakistan Government at the earliest and ensure that this pious place will remain  Gurudwara as it is.

Ministry assured delegation that  no damage will be allowed to the structure and action will be taken keeping in mind the sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide.

Ministry also assured that it will ask Pakistan Government to ensure that no damage is caused to any other religious place of the Sikhs in future.

Along with Mr.Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara committee member Paramjit singh chandhok, Harvinder singh k.p, Jasmen singh noni and Gurdev singh bhola were also present in Delegation.

News Courtsey,

Mr.Sudeep singh

Honorary Media Advisor

DSGMC

Sunil Munjal:We Must Learn From The Sikh Philosophy Of Reaching Out To Others

Sunil Munjal of hero enterprise says that the only sikh community in the whole world is a community that is known all over the world for his service spirit. 

Sunil says that Sikh community is doing selfless service in the whole world while celebrating the order of their gurus. While serving people, this community does not look at anyone's religion or the color form of anyone. Sikhs always serve from the heart and follow the teachings of their Gurus.

Presenting this special report of his interview

news credit NDTV

https://www.facebook.com/BaruSahibHP

SGPC to Install Solar Power Plants in 79 Gurdwaras To Bring Down Electricity Expenses

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—To bring down the electricity expenses, the apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee is going to install solar power plants in 79 historic Sikh shrines being controlled by it. Notably, donations in most of the Sikh shrines have come down due to prevailing coronavirus pandemic.

Sharing the development with media, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said that these solar power plants will help in bringing down the current electricity expenses almost to half. “In the first phase, we are going to install these solar power plants in around six Sikh shrines for the experiment,” he added.

https://www.sikh24.com/2020/07/25/sgpc-to-install-solar-power-plants-in-79-gurdwaras-to-bring-down-electricity-expenses/#.Xx62jVUzbIU

Khalsa Aid Australia :Working Genuinely for The Wellbeing of Mankind Amidst Global Pandemic Crisss

   

Harminder sculptor donated this stunning piece for Khalsa Aid India Office

Tassie Face Mask Project

have sewed thousands of reusable masks and distributed them for free.To support this remarkable work and to convey their thanks to this wonderful group, Khalsa Aid Australia have supported them with two sewing machines

Mr.Guneet Singh contributing in plasma donation.

Ajinder Singh Bawa donated plasma,Adelaide,Australia

volunteer Geet Inder Singh

   Singh Sweets & Punjabi Restaurant donated 1200 kilo rice.

Team Adelaide

https://www.facebook.com/KhalsaAidAustralia/

‪Sikh and Hindu Families of Afghanistan Who Arrived in India Thanked The Govt of India For Giving Them Shelter and a Hope of Safe Life‬

Sikh Afghan Nationals Narrate Their Stories of Fear, Suppression and Anxiety Faced in Kabul

A seven-year-old girl Poonam carrying a doll came out of the lift of ceremonial lounge at Delhi Airport . She was accompanied by her eight-year-old brother and parents. One of her eyes has to be operated as it suffered an injury after a Gurdwara in Kabul's Shor Bazar was attacked by terrorists on March 25.

Ponam's father Balender Singh told ANI how they used to live in the atmosphere of fear and threats back there in Kabul.

Singh said, "26 people from my family were killed by them (terrorists). I used to remain tensed for my children and their safety. My mother and brother are still there and I am extremely worried about them."

"They used to call us Qafir and pressurised us for conversion. We love all religions and want peace," says Balender who now hopes for his children's education.

Another nine-year-old Gorjeet Singh recounted, "I was studying when I saw few men coming towards our room. I slipped inside a blanket to hide. I saw four people getting killed in front of my eyes. I could not even run away as I knew that they would also kill me if they see me."

Each of these eleven belonging from Hindu and Sikh minority including women and children have their own experience of fear and threats from Pakistan- backed Taliban while their stay in Afghanistan's Kabul. Today they have been facilitated in a special flight to India by the Indian government.

Minorities in Kabul speak of threat, fear, and the constant pressure of conversion putting their religion at risk.

A septuagenarian named Balwan Kour Singh's sons and sons-in-law were killed in Kabul. She said, "Although I am feeling good after coming to India but hope my people out there experience this peace too. I request the government of India to bring those stuck there in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Moreover, women are given respect over there."

Approximately 700 Hindu and Sikhs Afghan nationals have registered with Embassy of India in Kabul and are seeking immediate transfer to India.

Continued attacks on minorities, on religious places like Gurdwara, abduction, pressuring for conversion propelled Central government into immediate action.

As incidents of human rights violation against the minorities continue in Afghanistan at the behest of external forces, people are making efforts to come to India with hopes of staying in peace.

http://www.businessworld.in/article/Sikh-Afghan-nationals-narrate-their-stories-of-fear-suppression-and-anxiety-faced-in-Kabul/26-07-2020-301687/

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur

Associate Professor

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College

University of Delhi

Surinder Pal Singh Goldy: Devotees With Covid History Made to Remove Mask at Golden Temple

     Surinder Pal Singh Goldy,Jalandhar, India

A devotee Surinder Pal Singh Goldy alleged that the SGPC employees at the Golden Temple asked his family members, who have recently recovered from COVID-19, to remove face masks before entering the sanctum sanctorum, a charge that has been denied by the authorities at the gurdwara.

Surinder Pal Singh Goldy, a Jalandhar resident who had remained the vice president of Youth Akali Dal for seven years before quitting party in 2007, said that he and his family members visited the Golden Temple Sunday 26th July to fulfill the last wish of his father jathedar Jaimal Singh. “We all were wearing masks. But SGPC employees on duty at the entry asked us to remove them. We decided not to get into an argument and removed the masks,” Goldy said.

“We were a group of 14 including my mother and brother who have recovered from Covid-19. First, we were asked to remove our masks at the entry gate of the Golden Temple by SGPC employees. But we refused to do so. Then we were again asked to remove the masks in the parikarma of Golden Temple. This time I told the SGPC employees that two of us have Covid-19 history. The employee then objected to my brother and mother visiting the Golden Temple. I again explained that they have recovered but should wear mask as per the protocol,” Goldy alleged.

He said, “The third time we were stopped at the entry to the sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple and asked to remove mask. They asked us if we didn’t have any faith in the Guru. This time we couldn’t resist and took off our masks. My brother and mother too had to remove their masks”.

Goldy asked if the the SGPC wants to push Sikhs into the well of death. “My family and I are devout people but Guru Sahib never told us to commit suicide. How can wearing mask put a question mark on my devotion? How can wearing a mask be against the Sikh principles,” he asked.

Mukhtiyar Singh, manager, Golden Temple, however, denied the allegations. “Those must not be our employees who made devotees remove mask. We have been following instructions”.

When asked why hardly any devotee is seen with mask on inside the Golden Temple premises during live telecast in morning and evening, Mukhtiyar Singh said, “It is not like that. All devotees wear masks. We ask all of them to wear mask.”

SGPC secretary Mahinder Singh Ahali was not available for comments.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/covid-19-in-punjab-two-with-covid-history-made-to-remove-mask-at-golden-temple-6524714/
Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
Univeristy of Delhi

Nidan Singh Sachdeva :"I don't know what to call Hindustan -- whether it is my mother or my father -- Hindustan is Hindustan."

Speaking to ANI upon his return, emotional Nidan Singh Sachdeva said, "I don't know what to call Hindustan -- whether it is my mother or my father -- Hindustan is Hindustan."

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, in a tweet, that the Indian government was "facilitating the return of Hindu and Sikh community members seeking permanent residency and citizenship in India".

Indian mission in Kabul also tweeted and said, "#VandeBharatMission The eighth batch of stranded Indian citizens left Kabul by Kam Air to Delhi today. Travel of some members of the Hindu and Sikh Community, interested in moving to India, was also facilitated."

Earlier, the external affairs ministry had said the Afghan Sikhs and Hindus were given "short-term" visas to facilitate their "return" to India.

The MEA on Sunday thanked the Afghanistan government for extending necessary support for the safe return of 11 people belonging to the Sikh and Hindu minority communities.

India has granted an appropriate visa and facilitated their travel to India,."We appreciate the efforts of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in extending necessary support for the safe return of these families," the MEA said in a statement.

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-to-provide-citizenship-to-nidan-singh-10-afghan-sikhs-and-hindus-who-landed-in-delhi-1704773-2020-07-27

Bengaluru Sikhs Ensure That Nobody Goes hungry in The City

Sikhs have been serving food to guest workers and the needy, distributing PPEs, sanitisers to cops in Bengaluru.

Sikh community has always been at the forefront of relentlessly helping people to tide over a crisis. Their altruism comes from the traditon of “seva”, which involves acting selflessly and helping others without any personal gain or reward.

 Sikh Community supplied 200 PPE kits as well as masks and sanitisers to the cops. 

And the city’s Sikh community has imbibed this spirit and have gone out of their way to help people. Despite the lockdown being lifted in Bengaluru, the needy are still struggling and searching for food kits. Even on Sunday, a few people walked into the Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Ulsoor, seeking kits. Ever since the city went into a complete lockdown from mid-March, volunteers from the Sabha have been reaching out to people in various areas.

Sardar Harjinder Singh, the president of the Sabha, said that when the lockdown was first imposed, they reached out to people living in the slums located of Yeshwanthpur, Mysore Road and distributed rice and dal items. However, they soon realised that there was a demand for cooked food. With the gurudwara’s kitchen equipped to cook around 20,000 meals in a day, they soon started serving cooked food to 1,500 to 2,000 people three times a day. Rishipal Singh, assistant manager of the Sabha, said that though the food served by the gurudwara consists of traditional Punjabi cuisine, it was tweaked to serve the local palate. “Hence, we started serving lemon rice, tomato rice and other times to serve the local people. We continued serving the cooked food till May following which we reverted to supplying the food kits as there was a great demand for it,” he said.Most of these guest workers didn’t prefer chapatis and hence we started serving them freshly cooked rice, “ he said.

Rishipal said that they also were able to serve guest workers heading out of the city as they were in touch with the police. “We were serving mainly food to guest workers at KR Puram railway station. I still recall a tweet from a Kashmiri student who had thanked us after reaching her hometown during the lockdown,” he added.

Rishipal said that maintain physical distancing at the railway station was a big challenge for the volunteers. “It was really tough and the police had to pitch in but then we started serving food to the guest workers on the buses that were used to transport them to the station. 

They supplied 200 PPE kits as well as masks and sanitisers to the cops. “We soon started getting calls from outside Bengaluru especially from places like Dharwad. Though we could not physically reach out to them, we decided to build contacts so that the locals who were in need of essentials could buy it from shops and we could pay these shops,” he added.

https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/sikhs-ensure-that-nobody-goes-hungry-in-the-city/articleshow/77187336.cms

DSGMC:Joining of Vishnu Garden Ward No. 21 Circle into Shiromani Akali Dal Badal.

Pics Courtsey,
Mr.Harmeet Singh Kalka
General Secretary
DSGMC

DSGMC And SAD Delegation To Meet External Affairs Minister On Bhai Taru Singh Gurdwara Issue Of Pakistan

             Historical Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh,Lahore,Pakistan

Manjinder Singh Sirsa:DSGMC Will  Ensure that Gurudwara is not Converted Into A Mosque.

New Delhi, July 26 : A delegation of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will meet External Affairs Ministers Dr. S Jaishanker tomorrow to apprise him about the issue of  attempt to convert a Gurudwara in name of Bhai Taru Singh into a mosque by vested interest in Pakistan and it will urge the Minister to take up the issue with Pakistan Government to ensure Gurudwara Sahib remains safe and secure.

An activist of Dawat-e-Islami (Beraillwi), who is also a caretaker of Mazar of Muslim prophet Hazrat Shah Kaku Chesti in Lahore has threatens Sikh community, aims to occupy gurudwara land.

In a statement released here today, the DSGMC  President and National Spokesman of the SAD, Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that certain miscreants had made a video viral yesterday in which they claimed that Gurudwara in the name of Bhai Taru Singh ji which in infact a place of his supreme sacrifice, is not a Gurudwara but a Mosque. He said that these elements not only threatened the Sikh community but also said that they will not allow Sikhs into the place. He said that the delegation will urge the EAM to take up the matter on fast track basis so that concern of the Sikh community is solved at the earliest.

He said that this incident has caused widespread anger and anguish among the Sikh community members residing  worldwide and we have urged the Pakistan Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan to take serious note of the incident and ensure that such miscreant elements are taught a lesson and Gurudwara Sahib remains safe and secure. He said that we will ensure that this place which is Gurudwara remains so.

News Courtsey,
Mr. Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC

Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi