Rupinder Singh Magon:The First Turbaned Sikh to Play Lead on Canadian National TV

                                  Rupinder Singh Magon

Following a handful of Canadians as they carve their way into a competition for top bird at the Northern Alberta Carving Cup (NACC), CBC Gem’s newest mockumentary ‘Decoys’ stars the first turbaned Sikh – played byRupinder Singh Magon – in a lead role on Canadian National television.

He is The Montreal-raised co-lead singer of the internationally acclaimed Indo-Pak musical band JoSH.

Discussing his experience on becoming the first turbaned Sikh to play a leading role on national TV, Rupinder Singh Magon says: “In Canada, Sikhs have held prominent positions in some of the country’s highest political and corporate offices. This has not been the case in the entertainment industry, however. Despite being born and raised in Canada, wearing a turban has had its fair share of challenges, especially in the music and television business. It’s an honour to be able to bring our nation’s diversity to small screens.”

On set of "The Black Prince" -The biopic feature film about the amazing life of Maharaja  Duleep Singh. 

Rupinder Singh Magon, most recently seen in a supporting role in “The Black Prince” (starring Satinder Sartaj and Shabana Azmi) – a biopic on the last King of Punjab – is all love for his ‘Decoys’ character Amandeep.

https://www.canindia.com/rup-magon-opens-up-about-being-the-first-turbaned-sikh-to-play-lead-on-canadian-national-tv/?

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

Yukon's Sikh Community Has Its First Gurdwara In Whitehorse,Canada

Dhyan Singh, left, and Inderjeet Singh are two of the people behind the opening of Yukon's first Gurdwara.

Yukon's Sikh community has its first gurdwara, a place of worship for the group, and some say it's only the beginning.

Inderjeet Singh, who's lived in Whitehorse for five years and helped create the Gurdwara, says the Gurdwara will support Sikhs in Yukon and bring them together.

Satnam Singh, clockwise from back left, Ravi Bhullar, Kudratjot Singh, Darshan Singh, Ranjeet Singh, Dhyan Singh, Jagtar Singh in the rented space they use for a Sikh temple in Whitehorse on Aug. 20, 2020. The Whitehorse Sikh Society has turned to online fundraising in hopes of building a dedicated worship space for community members. 

The Gurdwara is not only a place of worship, but it's a place where people can gather for communal meals and musical events.Some rituals,like weddings, can't be done outside a Gurdwara. He says those are a big part of the culture and religion.

The Darbar Sahib, or hall, of the gurdwara, with the Takht Sahib (bed). 

"It's a lot of excitement, not just us, like everybody who comes in, everybody's just praising," said Singh.

Before a month ago when the Gurdwara opened, Sikhs in the territory had to use their homes and other spaces for worship, said Dhyan Singh, another person that helped make the Gurdwara a reality. 

But some rituals, like weddings can only be done in a gurdwara, he said. People wanting to have a traditional ceremony have had to go Vancouver or other cities in the South.

Dhyan says there are an estimated 300 to 400 Sikhs in Yukon.Once COVID-19 passes and the Gurdwara becomes more established, it will host events geared toward the general public.

"There will be like turban days, [people] can come and learn about turbans, how to tie them and what's the significance," he said.

It's a lot of excitement ... everybody's just praising.- Inderjeet Singh

"Why do we have so much beard, why don't we cut our hair. So we'll be holding those kind of events to get people to know more about our culture and we can learn about their culture," said Dhyan. 

The Gurdwara is in rental space in a commercial neighbourhood,but they want to buy or build their own space.

An online fundraising campaign is underway to help pay for a permanent space, he said. They're also seeking financial help from Sikh communities in the South.

Sikh community in Whitehorse, Yukon,Canada Trying to setup Gurdwara .They are in  need of  all sorts of possible Help.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/establishment-of-gurudwara-sahib-in-whitehorse-yt?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-sikh-gurdwara-first-1.5701308?cmp=rss

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yukon-sikh-gurdwara-first-1.5701308?cmp=rss

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

Harmanjot Singh :Bicycle Cum Scooter Made By Class 8th Student Becomes Centre of Attraction

                 

A Class 8 student Harmanjot Singh of Lakhoval village with help from his father, has made a bicycle that looks like a scooter from the front & can be pedalled like a normal cycle. He says, "Since my father couldn't get me a new cycle during  COVID19 so we made this."

                       

Harmanjot had demanded a new cycle but his father couldn't get him that due to his limited income that too was impacted by the coronavirus-induced lockdown. But as they say a father would do everything in his power and beyond to make his children happy. Harmanjot's father used the spare time during corona virus lock down to make this unique bicycle.

They used parts of an old scooter, painted them in golden colour and assembled on a bicycle. If you see the bi-cycle from front, it would look like a beautiful scooter and can be pedalled like a normal cycle.

It took total cost of Rs 10,000 and 15 days to create this masterpiece. It has become a centre of attraction for the villagers.

https://www.dnaindia.com/india/video-bicycle-cum-scooter-made-by-class-8th-student-becomes-centre-of-attraction-2839343

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

Sudeep Singh's Article:पंजाबियों की अनदेखी क़ेजरीवाल को पड़ सकती है भारी

          
                             Sudeep Singh

1947 के भारत पाकिस्तान के बंटवारें उपरांत लाखों लोगों को घर-बेघर होना पड़ा था। भारत आने वाले ज्यादातर लोगों ने दिल्ली में आकर अपना डेरा डाला था। इन लोगों में बहुसंख्या में पंजाबी लोग शामिल थे। क्योंकि बंटवारा देश के साथ-साथ पंजाब का हुआ था। दिल्ली के अलग-अलग क्षेत्रों में यह लोग बहुगिनती में रहते हैं। सबसे बड़ी बात इन पंजाबियों के नाम पर तो कई जगह का नाम भी कालोनियों के नाम पर रख दिया गया। इन लोगों ने अपनी मेहनत और लगन से दिल्ली में एक मुकाम हासिल किया। दिल्ली की राजनीति में किसी समय पंजाबियों का डंका बजा करता था। चाहें कांग्रेस की सरकार हो या भाजपा की सरकार हो। पंजाबियों की तूती बोलती थी पंजाबियों की बहुगिनती को देखते हुए 2004 में दिल्ली में पंजाबी भाषा को दूसरा दर्जा दिया गया। सरकारी ऐलान होते ही दिल्ली में पंजाबियों ने खुशी मनाई पर जब से भाजपा ने पंजाबियों को नज़रअंदाज़ किया भाजपा दिल्ली हाशय पर चली गई। तब से लेकर आज तक भाजपा दिल्ली में सरकार नहीं बना पाई है। भाजपा हाईकमान शायद अभी भी समझ नहीं सका कि उसे दिल्ली के पंजाबियों की नब्ज़ पहचाननी होगी और उन्हें पार्टी में बनता मान सम्मान देकर शीर्ष पदों पद पंजाबियों की नियुक्ति करनी होगी। आम आदमी पार्टी से लोगों को काफी उम्मीदें थीं पर वह भी पंजाबियों की उम्मीदों पर खरी नहीं उतर सकी। पंजाबियो का भाजपा से मोहभंग होने के कारण ही केजरीवाल की पार्टी को 70 में से 67 सीट मिलीं पर सत्ता में आते ही पंजाबियों को नज़रअंदाज़ करना शुरु कर दिया गया। 4 विधायक सिख आने के बावजूद भी किसी सिख या पंजाबी को मंत्री पद नहीं दिया गया।
केन्द्र सरकार की तरह दिल्ली सरकार ने भी पंजाबियों के साथ पूरा इंसाफ नहीं किया। पंजाबी को दूसरी भाषा का दर्जा तो दे दिया। लेकिन उसको अमली रूप आज तक नहीं दिया। इसके पीछे क्या कारण है या तो पार्टियां नहीं चाहतीं या फिर सरकारों को चलाने वाले ब्यूरोक्रेटस जो कि ज्यादातर गैर पंजाबी हैं उनकी मंशा पंजाबियों को पीछे करने की रही है। पंजाबी को पटरानी का दर्जा नहीं मिल सका। दिल्ली सरकार के ऐलान के बावजूद भी स्कूलों में छात्रों को पंजाबी भाषा पढने की सहूलियत नहीं दी गई। सरकारी दफ्तरों में पंजाबी की पोस्ट नहीं निकाली जा रही है। अगर बात की जाये तो मौजूदा दिल्ली सरकार के मुखिया श्री अरविंद केजरीवाल की तो वह भी पूर्व की सरकारों की तरह ही पंजाबी भाषा के साथ सौतेला व्यवहार करते हुए नजर आ रहे हैं। विरोधी दलों द्वारा उनके ऊपर पंजाबी और सिक्ख विरोधी होने की जो छाप लगाई जा रही है। वह कहीं ना कहीं सच साबित हो रही है। अभी-अभी दिल्ली में आम आदमी पार्टी में जिला स्तर पर जितनी भी निुयक्तियाँ की गईं उनमें भी सिक्खों या यूं कहा जाए कि पंजाबियों की नुमाईंदगी शून्य मात्र है। ऊपर से केजरीवाल सभी धर्मों के लोगों को अपने साथ लेकर चलने का डंका पीटते रहते हैं पर वह छलावा मात्र है।
कोरोना काल में जब सब कुछ आनलाईन हो रहा है। दिल्ली सरकार अपने अंर्तगत चलाये जाने वाले स्कूलों के छात्रों को भी आनलाईन शिक्षा दे रही है। दिल्ली के शिक्षा मंत्री श्री मनीष शिषोदिया तो हर बात में अपनी पीठ थपथपाते हुए नजर आते हैं कि वह दिल्ली के स्कूली छात्रों को बहुत अच्छे ढंग से पढ़ाई करवा रहे हैं। लेकिन दूसरी तरफ उन्हीं के अधिकारी सभी विषयों में पंजाबी भाषा को शामिल ही नहीं करते। आज तक दिल्ली के सरकारी स्कूलों में कक्षा छठी से लेकर बारहवीं तक ना तो पंजाबी भाषा की कक्षाएं लगाई जा रही हैं और ना ही इन छात्रों को कोई वर्कशीट दी जा रही है। स्कूलों में पढ़ाने वाले पंजाबी अध्यापक अपने स्तर पर छात्रों को वर्कशीट दे रहे हैं। लेकिन दिल्ली का शिक्षा विभाग पंजाबी भाषा के लिए कुंभकर्णी नींद सोया पड़ा है। दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी ने इस मुद्दे को ज़ोर-शोर से उठाया है ओर कमेटी की वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्षा बीबी रणजीत कौर ने इस बाबत दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री, शिक्षामंत्री व गर्वनर को पत्र लिखकर माँग की है कि इन स्कूलों में पंजाबी भाषा पढने वाले छात्रों के लिए कक्षाएँ लगाई जायें। राजनीतिक माहिरों की मानें तो अरविंद केजरीवाल व पार्टी के शीर्ष नेतृत्व को अगर पंजाब फतेह करना है तो उसे पंजाबियों को उनके बनते हक देकर यह विश्वास पंजाब की जनता को दिलाना होगा कि आम आदमी पार्टी पंजाबी विरोधी नहीं है।

Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC 

Kartarpur Corridor Bridge Construction Project: Pakistan Team To Visit Dera Baba Nanak

           

A team of engineers from Pakistan will meet the officials of Indian officials at Dera Baba Nanak town of Gurdaspur district on Thursday on the construction of a bridge over a low-lying area at the border as part of the corridor project.

A senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said, “The Pakistan team will survey the Indian side of the bridge before starting construction.” Officials of the National Highway Authority of India, BSF and Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) will be present in the meeting.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/open-kartarpur-corridor-on-guru-nanak-s-joti-jot-diwas-pak-gurdwara-body-to-india/story-BBSr6pWVf9DYM6cxWB1CYO.html

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

Pak Gurdwara Body to India :Open Kartarpur Corridor on Guru Nanak’s Joti Jot Diwas

PSGPC president Satwant Singh presided over a meeting at the Evacuee Trust Property Board’s head office in Lahore to make arrangements for observing Joti Jot Diwas at Kartarpur

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) on Wednesday urged the Indian government to reopen the Kartarpur corridor for Sikh devotees on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s Joti Jot Diwas (day of immersion in eternal light) on September 20.

The PSGPC chief said, “We are marking the occasion for the first time after the opening of the corridor at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. We want the corridor to be opened from today itself. But if that is not possible, it should be opened on the day. We request the Indian government to allow the passage of Sikh sangat through the corridor to take part in the function being organised from September 20 to 22.”

They also want the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the affairs of gurdwaras in Punjab and other states of India, to send special jathas of ragis (hymn singers) on the occasion, he said.

“We also invite SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal and Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to be part of the function,” he said.

The PSGPC chief said they will also follow the Covid-19 guidelines of the health agencies during the visit of the Sikh sangat through the corridor. Special arrangements will be made for maintaining social distancing, he added.

India temporarily suspended the pilgrimage to the Kartarpur gurdwara on March 16 in view of the coronavirus outbreak. Pakistan had also closed the corridor soon after. On June 29, Pakistan had announced that they have reopened the corridor for the pilgrims from India. The Indian government, however, is yet to take a decision on the matter.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/open-kartarpur-corridor-on-guru-nanak-s-joti-jot-diwas-pak-gurdwara-body-to-india/story-BBSr6pWVf9DYM6cxWB1CYO.html

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

Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi Mourns Loss of Artist, Mehar Singh

           

Senior artist and former President of Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, Sardar Mehar Singh, known for his lively portraits and paintings on Sikh history, passed away on the morning of August 26 at his son's home in New Delhi. Born on October 1, 1929 Singh had not been keeping well for some time and due to his deteriorating health he was taken to Delhi from Chandigarh last year in December. His body was put to rest in a crematorium in Delhi on August 26, 2020.

"Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi and Punjab Kala Prishad expressed their deep condolences at the demise of the senior artist who was equally well respected for his humanistic qualities, gentleness and kindness towards others fellow beings," says Diwan Manna, Chairman of Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh.

Among his famous paintings included an oil painting depicting Guru Nanak Devji's visit to Kabul on the way back from Mecca. The painting shows the local population gathered to see the Guru.                                   

To mark the birth centenary of the legendary artist, Sardar Sobha Singh, Sobha Singh memorial award has been constituted by the Punjab govt in the year 2001. And Mehar Singh, who was the then President of Punjab Kala Bhavan and a self-confessed disciple of Sobha Singh became the first recipient of the award.

In an interview to TOI in 2001 when he had received the award, Singh had said, "I began learning from Sardar Sobha Singh when he was in Lahore in 1946. After Partition when we came here I travelled with him to Andretta (in Palampur, Himachal), Ambala and Bombay. After that, I needed money for my family so started working with the American embassy's United States information service as an artist."

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-lalit-kala-akademi-mourns-loss-of-artist-mehar-singh/articleshow/77771420.cms

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

My Dupatta :Anhad Kaur Shergill

                           Anhad Kaur Shergill

My Dupatta

The way my dupatta wraps around me
It’s makes me feel beautiful
It makes me feel cozy 
It makes me feel MYSELF 

“oh ! she is wearing a suit. soo backward”
exclaimed the first 

“she looks ugly”
said the second 

“who is she trying to impress?”
asked the third 

she didn't want to fit into the society’s criteria of modernism
she wasn’t trying to look beautiful ,she was just trying to feel beautiful
and NO, she wasn’t trying to impress anyone

she looked at herself in the mirror, took her dupatta
and whispered ,” don’t care about what people say, 
you make me feel beautiful in your own way " 

                                

I was in 5th - 6th grade when I went to golden temple with my parents. It was hot and we were walking towards the gurdwara from the parking.  I went up to my dad and said that I am feeling hot , he looked at me and said that just cover your head . He said that just like the tree provides us shade just like that when you cover your head your dupatta will help you escape the heat. 

                             Anhad Kaur Shergill

At that time I was a kid.I was shy, but I covered my head as dad said. 

Now after all these years I just want to say that the way my Dupatta wraps around me it does make me feel safe and cozy.

And it does make me feel beautiful.

PS :  Thank you for making me feel beautiful.

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

"Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara":Sikh Canadian Teacher Writes Children's Book About Sikh Traditions

Harman Singh Pandher :'Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara: Understanding the Sikh Place of Worship'

A Surrey teacher is hoping his new children’s book will teach people about Sikh traditions and culture, while increasing diversity and representation in children’s literature.

'Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara: Understanding the Sikh Place of Worship' is a newly published picture book by Harman Singh Pandher, a Grade 5 teacher and Punjabi language teacher at Beaver Creek Elementary. The book follows a six-year-old protagonist who learns about his family’s culture while attending Gurdwara and gains a sense of community through worship.

Harman Singh Pandher’s inspiration for the book dates back to his childhood when he first noticed Sikh culture was underrepresented in media, particularly in the books available to him.

“It planted the seed for me to write this,” he said. “It started growing up as a student and going to school and not really having these books in our library or available to my teachers in my classes. Books that reflected my experience were in short supply.”

               Interview with Kamilla Singh at Asian Pulse TV  

While Harman Singh Pandher sharpened his writing skills in high school and university, he said the idea for the book sat in the back of his mind until about 10 years ago, when his son was about six years old – the same as the protagonist – and began really learning about his Sikh heritage.

The book remained an idea until recently, when Pandher connected with Surrey artist Gurpreet Kaur Birk, who provided the illustrations for the book and brought it visually to life.

“When I saw her artwork and signature style, it went together perfectly,” said Pandher. “She had that sensibility of a Canadian kid going through the same experiences, the same questions. She was the perfect illustrator for the book.”

Finally, with the recent events of COVID-19, Pandher found himself with the time to make the final push of publishing Gurpreet Goes to Gurdwara, to almost immediate positive reviews.

“The blessing in disguise was this pandemic – everyone was at home and it gave me an opportunity to focus on a passion that I put off,” he said.

“People are reaching out to me personally that they want signed copies. Teachers, teacher-librarians are reaching out to me. It’s been great. Everyone’s kind of saying the same thing, we need more resources like this.”

Harman Singh Pandher notes this is a Canadian story, emblematic of Canada’s diversity, and one that kids can read and see themselves in the book. He said he hopes it inspires others to write their own stories about their traditions and values.

“It’s important for all cultures to share their stories and for parents to impart their traditions and values to their children,” he said. “We learn so much from each other, we learn how much we have in common and we learn about our differences, which really makes us stronger as a community. We’re so lucky to be living in such a diverse country and a community like Surrey.”

https://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikh-canadian-teacher-writes-childrens-book-about-sikh-traditions

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

Bala Pritam Davakhana :DSGMC's Another Step in The Service Of Humanity

     

रणजीत कौर :महिलाओं की एक विशाल एकजुटता

महिलाओं को धर्म के साथ-साथ एजुकेशन व खेल के क्षेत्रों में भी आगे आने के लिए प्रेरित किया जायेगाः रणजीत कौर

नई दिल्ली, 26 अगस्तः शिरोमणि अकाली दल दिल्ली इकाई स्त्री विंग की अध्यक्ष बीबी रणजीत कौर की अध्यक्षता में महिलाओं की एक विशाल एकजुटता पार्टी के रकाब गंज स्थित आफिस में हुई जिसमें सैंकड़ों महिलाएं शामिल हुईं और शिरोमणि अकाली दल की सदस्यता ग्रहण की।

बीबी रणजीत कौर द्वारा दिल्ली इकाई स्त्री विंग में महिलाओं को पद देकर नवाज़ा गया और बहुत जल्दी पूरी दिल्ली में सर्कल बना कर पूरी दिल्ली में महिलाओं को पार्टी से जोड़ने की शुरुआत करने का भी ऐलान किया। इसके साथ ही माई भागो ब्रिगेड बनाये जाने की भी बात कही गई। 

पार्टी की दिल्ली इकाई के सरप्रस्त जथेदार अवतार सिंह हित्त, अध्यक्ष हरमीत सिंह कालका और दिल्ली कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा ने महिलाओं को नियुक्ति पत्र सौंपा और पार्टी में शामिल होने पर महिलाओं का स्वागत भी किया।

दिल्ली सिख गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी अध्यक्ष मनजिंदर सिंह सिरसा और महासचिव हरमीत सिंह कालका द्वारा नई बनी माई भागो ब्रिगेड की जिम्मेवारी लगाई गई कि शहीद सिंहों के दिन मनाने के लिए ब्रिगेड द्वारा प्रयास किए जायें। स. सिरसा व स. कालका ने कहा कि कमेटी के सहयोग से शहीदों के दिन मनाये जायेंगे और भाई तारू सिंह जी के शहीदी दिवस से इसकी शुरुआत की जाएगी।

सभी ने बीबी रणजीत कौर का विशेष तौर पर आभार व्यक्त किया जो पार्टी के लिए दिन-रात मेहनत कर रहे हैं और महिलाओं को ज्यादा से ज्यादा प्रेरित कर पार्टी से जोड़ रहे हैं। बीबी रणजीत कौर ने बताया कि महिलाओं को धर्म के साथ-साथ एजुकेशन व खेलों में भी आगे आने लाने के लिए विशेष प्रयास किए जायेंगे।

News Courtesy,
Mr.Sudeep Singh
Honorary Media Advisor
DSGMC