rsingh

Benghazi Sikh soldiers War Cemetery

2011-06-14T16:36:00.001Z

Read more on http://ravjeetsingh.blogspot.com/2011/06/sikh-soldiers-war-cemetery-in-benghazi.html

updates at www.ravjeetsingh.blogspot.com

2011-06-03T12:10:00.002Z

Im just remaking blog, I think I shall stick to the new one at http://ravjeetsingh.blogspot.com .

If you want to welcome to read.

Sea turtles in Gulf of Mexico -help these voiceless and defenseless creatures! Eco-criminals should sink or swim in their poison!

2010-06-11T09:19:00.001Z

Dear people:

"You are the fish. You are the tortoise. You are the abundant ocean." Guru Granth Sahib

Whilst BP officials and their Chief Executive struts about assuring the world and the US President that they will eventually clean up their sick and poisonous gigantic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; there are countless animals, birds and fish who are being terminally contaminated and killed by this entirely corporate, profit driven disaster. The planet, animals, and, humans, are simply fodder for companies like BP, Esso, Shell, Union Carbide to simple trample over, in pursuit of their glorious multi-billion profits. The Chief Executives and their cosy colleagues, get rich and fat on these massive profits, enjoying their mega-comfortable lifestyles in the rural billionaire homes, ranches and farm-houses;, with their hunting and shooting adventures and their 4x4s. Whilst the rest of the world around them, decays, suffers, contaminates and dies becuause of their filthy, morally debased, pursuit of monetary riches.

What BP have done in the Gulf of Mexico, and have done before elsewhere and will invariably do again; is ECO-CIDE! Killing and maiming the planet, and its varied life forms. I am tempted to say that, the chief executive and senior officials of these moronic profit making gigantic machines, should be all gathered up and dumped right in the thick of this poisonous oil slick. They should be told sink or swim in the poison of your own making!

It is left to the Robin Hoods, Banda Singh Bahadurs of past and present, to fight this legalised murder of the planet and its animals. The poor, dismepowered, money-less humans who are not part of the chain of profit making, like the tens of thousands of residents of Bhopal (central India) who bore the direct brunt of the 1984 Union Carbide chemical explosion - the "worlds deadliest industrial accident"; are also treated like the abundantly defenceless, voiceless animals. Bhopals residents too, are profitless, voiceless, defenceless animals. Indeed, a good taste of what animals feel and suffer, through a human experience!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7145106.ece

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/5978266/Bhopal-gas-disasters-legacy-lives-on-25-years-later.html

As part of the righteous fight back against these murderous giants, please help and support groups like Defenders of Wildlife in their bid to save and rescue the animals and birds of the Gulf of Mexico. There are many other good groups doing their part. Help them all!

Our riches lie in the life of diversity on this mother planet, that we should nurture and empower to grow and flourish. Our riches lie in the sacred circle of life, not in the elites and cliques that seek to maim, contaminate and dominate.

Power to the Planet! Power to the Animals! Power to the People!

jagdeesh singh

SIKH ENVIRONMENT NETWORK V| SARBAT DA BHALLA

www.sarbat-da-bhalla.blogspot.com

www.sikh-environment-network.blogspot.com

The Noble 'Servant' Of Peshawar

2010-06-02T19:46:00.001Z

The Noble 'Servant' Of Peshawar

Khurshid Khan (in yellow head-covering) shining shoes to help show brotherhood with the Sikh community in Peshawar.

June 02, 2010

Khurshid Khan, an eminent 60-year-old lawyer and deputy attorney general of Pakistan, wants to "heal the wounds" of the terror-stricken minority Sikh community in that country.

So he does an extraordinary thing at a temple in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

Every day when he handles his work as a legal expert, Khan visits a Sikh temple in center of the city, wraps a piece of cloth around his head to show his respect, and sits in the doorway to shine the shoes of Sikhs, whose community has come under frequent attack by Taliban militants over the last few years.

Two months back, militants in Khyber Agency abducted three Sikhs and demanded for a huge ransom for their release. Two were eventually freed, but one, Jispal Singh, was killed in brutal fashion and his corpse left on the roadside in the tribal area.

"I went to offer my condolences to the family of Jispal Singh and that was a turning point in my life," Khan tells RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal. "I realized that as a Pashtun I should work to 'heal their wounds' by becoming their sewadar (servant). I want to give them a message of love and brotherhood, and that's why every day I am here to shine their shoes."

Khan says he is himself a landlord and doesn't even shine his own shoes at his home. But his cause inspires him to sit on the ground on a daily basis and shine 70-80 pairs of shoes.

"I can see the light of love in their eyes for me and my people," he maintains.

He adds that Sikhs have lived in the area with the dominant Pashtun communities for centuries, pay taxes, and play an important role in the economic progress of the region. But still, he laments, we fail to protect their lives and properties.

They are being killed and kidnapped by the Taliban in Orakzai, Kurrum, and Khyber tribal regions, Khan says, adding that other Pakistanis must stand by them in these critical hours and give them a sense of oneness and brotherhood.

An estimated 28,000 Sikhs live in Pakistan, including about 10,000 who live in the tribal region and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the conflict-ridden country. In May 2009, Taliban militants destroyed 11 Sikh homes in the Orakzai tribal district after accusing them of failing to pay "taxes." The ongoing conflict in the Buner and Swat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has displaced more than 200 families.

Amritsar 1984

2010-05-29T07:39:00.000Z

Amritsar 1984

31^st May 1984

Satwant could feel her clothes sticking to her, the heat was unbearable, she had spent the night tossing and turning trying to get a goodnights sleep. She glanced at her watch, it was 4am, she thought, I need to get up, help milking the cows so Bibi (mother) doesn’t change her mind about letting me go to Amritsar. She quickly rose to her feet and looked into her parents bedroom and saw that Bibi was still sound asleep.

She quickly made her way over to the water pump and poured some water onto the top of it, to ignite the waters trajectory from below. She gave the hand-pump some quick bursts of arm-action and splashed the water over her face. This wasn't a nice sensation as she could taste salt from her perspiration of the night and the water was warm. Satwant placed a bucked under the pump she again energised the flow of water, with some hard and fast movements of her hands and arms. The water now collected was cool and refreshing, she again washed her face, the sensation soothed her in the humid and windless surrounds of her village of Maheroo, Jalandar. She filled 4 buckets of the cool water so her family could utilise it. Her Bibi had woken up and she walked over to her, Satwant quipped “Bibi, I’ll start milking the cows,” her Bibi replied, “fine, you go ahead and I’ll join you shortly.”

Satwant picked up some rope and took a bucket of water over to the feisty kicking cow. Satwant quickly grabbed the cows back legs to tie them with the rope, but in her haste she forgot about the cow’s tail and she received a whipping blow of the cow’s tail in the eye. She shuddered and immediately felt perspiration on her neck, she swooned backwards. She resolutely gathered herself and squinting through one eye, still managed to tie the cow’s legs with the rope. After tying the cow’s legs she got up grabbed a stick and gave the cow some vicious blows to let her know who the boss was. The cow resigned to her fate and allowed Satwant to milk her, she first washed the udders which were covered in dung and mud.

Bibi walked over, “You are blessed my daughter, you took on the battle-axe cow,” Bibi could work at double the pace of Satwant, so in the time that Satwant had milked the battle-axe cow, Bibi had finished milking the other two cows. Upon completion they emptied their buckets of milk into the milk-man’s container and kept one-eigth of the milk for themselves.

5am Bibi said to Satwant “Don’t worry daughter you will go to Amritsar with your uncle today.” Satwant’s stomach churned with butterflies, she quickly hugged her mother and kissed her forehead, her mother jokingly said “Stop clinging to me, it is already too hot, do you want me to come down with heat stroke.”

7am Mama Jagjit and Mami Jasbir (maternal uncle & aunt) turn up with their 2 year old boy Suraj and 4 year old daughter Parveen. They had planned the trip to Amritsar and were to take Satwant and her brother Balwant. Satwant’s duty for the trip is to look after Suraj and Balwant’s got to help look after Parveen, that’s why Mama and Mami had wanted to take them to go with them as the pair of children are quite a handful.

9am Satwant, Balwant, Mama and Mami board the ‘Shane Punjab’ train at Phagwara Junction train station to Amritsar. After about 90mins of hustle and bustle in the train and the excruciating heat of travelling in cattle-class in the train, they all took a sigh of relief at the arrival at Amritsar. Thankfully the kids had perfectly slept the whole time.

10.30am After alighting from the train, we all gasped for air and thankfully drank at the public water points at the Amritsar train station. The water was warm but we drank it nonetheless, as we were too poor to afford cold drinks. We had planned to return to Maheroo on the next day after a whirlwind visit.

Satwant: We make our way out of the station on foot, I and Balwant have to carry the bags as Mama and Mami carry the children. It’s about half a mile walk to Durgiana Mandir and we start the walk with a slow pace, in order to stay as cool as we can. It takes us about 30 minutes to get there. We enter the Mandir after depositing our shoes in the shoes-stand. I walk into the shrine and see the Mandir shining in the middle of the water tank, with it’s gold plated dome. Immediately, I realise the marble floor is burning hot and I run to whatever matting I can find on the walkway. We’re not a particularly religious family, we are Sikhs but we also pay our respects at shrines of Devta’s (Demi-Gods) and those of the Hindu Faith. My Mami had wanted to come to Amritsar for the well-being of the kids.

We pay our respects at the Mandir, offer parshad (holy offering, purchased at the entrance of the temple), and joyfully bathe in the water tank to cool ourselves, in the afternoon sun. I’m not too sure of the historical significance of the shrine and hear it could possibly be the original home of Mata Sita and her sons Luv and Kush, some aeons ago (the family of Lord Rama of the Hindu Faith). I wasn’t particularly bothered any reason to get out of Maheroo was a God-send and Amritsar is one of the largest cities of Punjab, so I was just in awe of the city.

After leaving the shrine we find some shade under a banyan tree and eat our lunch which was handed to us by Bibi in the morning. She carefully packed misse parshade (lightly flavoured chapattis), we drank water from the public tap and Mama purchased milk from the street-traders tea stall for Suraj.

2pm The afternoon heat was at it’s worst now, but Mama and Mami decided we should travel on to the Golden Temple and then rest when we get there. We made our journey through the alley ways of Amritsar, the rich aroma’s, rickshaws and glaring shopkeepers calling out for business, all defined the Amritsar experience for me, as we dodged people and street traffic in the alley ways to the Golden Temple.

We passed Lohgarh Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship), which was a commanding fort on our way and went past Gurdwara Guru Ke Mehal, arriving at the Golden Temple near the clock tower entrance, whilst seeing the roof-top of Akaal Tahkat to our right. We deposited our shoes, washed our feet in the soothing water wash basin and when I saw the Golden Temple, butterflies stirred in my stomach and a cool soothing sensation ran through my spine. When seeing the Golden Temple I was so humbled and over-whelmed that I dropped to my feet and bowed. When my forehead hit the ground, I could feel static energy reverberate through my forehead and my whole body. I was quickly brought back to earth by Suraj violently slapping me in the head, he had done this to get my attention, I looked up in anger and then I heard Mami hollering at me, “Hurry up! What are you doing? We need to keep together as a group,” I quickly got to my feet and we alighted the stairs to enter the Gurdwara.

We promptly entered the shaded areas of the walkway (parkarma), took water at the Punjabi Sevak Jatha Shabeel (water point) and decided to get some sleep in the shade there. We all peacefully slept here, on the hard marble surface, using our bags as pillows for the next 2 hours.

5pm We awoke and then offered parshad at the Golden Temple, I was amazed at the intricacies of the frescos and embedded jewels of the whole Gurdwara. The gold artwork and cladding was fascinating as were the expensive throws and flowers around Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. I was used to going to the village Gurdwara and mechanically bowing, running to get parshad and leaving immediately. So this experience of being over-whelmed by the art and beauty of a Gurdwara was fresh and inspiring.

The Akaal Takhat intrigued me, with it’s weapons and arms of Sikhs and Gurus. We saw the end part of the daily display of the weapons as we paid our respects. As night fell we had Langar (blessed free food) at Guru Ramdas Langar Hall and went to sleep again in the shaded area of the parkarma.

1^st June 1984

We were woken by an elderly woman, frantic but cautious. She whispered to all of us to wake up and leave the Gurdwara. She said the Gurdwara has been surrounded by the army and a curfew is in place. She chillingly said, “leave and save your children in any way that you can to my Mama and Mami.” My Mama cursed my Mami, “Stupid woman, I told you to wait a little longer before making this trip, the power-mad Bhindranvale and Indira Gandhi are both going to get us killed,” she lightly slapped him on his upper arm and said quietly “Keep your voice down, somebody could hear you.”

The reality of what was going on around me, suddenly dawned on me. I looked around and now realised that, what I thought was normal for the Golden Temple and Amritsar was possibly more sinister. I thought of armed Sikh men I had seen around the complex and the large presence of security forces across Amritsar.

We spent the rest of the day in the sweltering heat, flittering from pillar to post and thinking of what to do next. We didn’t leave, as there was indiscriminate fire from the army outside, into the complex. Luckily at this point the armed Sikhs in the complex were not firing back. This bamboozled me, as I had an image of gung-ho fire squads of Bhindranvale. To the contrary armed Sikhs across the complex were sheltering, guarding and guiding innocent pilgrims into safe havens across the complex. We ended up taking shelter in Guru Nanak Niwas and in rooms built to usually house about 3 people, about 20 of us were crammed in. There were literally thousands of pilgrims locked into the complex, a few brave pilgrims did leave through the exits near Baba Atal, the Sikh reference library and the Akaal Takhat as there were pockets of entry points through which they could risk leaving and not being detected or shot by the security forces.

I fell into a torrent of thoughts as night approached and we sweated profusely in the night hue and heat. I thought, I am only 14 years old, I have not got married, finished schooling, had children, I do not deserve to die! Even though I had never prayed before in my life, I mentally started reciting “Satnaam Vaaheguroo,” (True is the Name, He is the wondrous enlightener).

9.30pm We heard a loud knock at the door and someone shouting, “Open.” Everyone in the room was scared and someone near the door opened it. To our shock an armed Sikh was standing at the door, he looked like one of Bhindranvale’s henchmen. He mechanically looked around the room and ordered me and another girl, who was about 14years old also, to get up and leave with him. My Mama shouted “No way” he quietly replied “brother, we need her to do some seva with us,” my Mama’s voice got louder and he still said “NO” but then quickly said “Take me instead!” The Singh firmly said “No, we need her, we can do this the easy way or hard,” he pointed at his assault rifle. My Mama backed down, I and the other girl - Surjit, were ushered out of the room with the Singhs pointing their guns showing us the way.

The Singhs proceeded towards Manji Sahib Diwan Hall, one in front of us and one behind us. As we approached we could see a fire, as we got closer we realised it was a funeral pyre, I shuddered in fear. Horrified I thought, am I going to be burnt alive? There were about 20-25 Sikhs gathered around the fire, we were stopped about 20 feet way. The Singhs then said to us “He was a great Sikh, he was shot today on Baba Atal Gurdwara. He died a warriors death, his name is Bhai Mehnga Singh. We have brought you here, as we thought we can’t help everyone, but if we can help some younger sisters then we should try to do that.” They then sternly spoke, “More than likely you will die in the violence that is to follow. The government is hell-bent on killing innocent pilgrims and Sikhs, they have purposely decide to attack the complex now, as thousands are gathered here in preparation for the memorial programmes for the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee which is on the 5^th June.”

I was now confused thinking what are they talking about, will they still kill us? The Singh continued, “You are young women and you may be abused by the army, we have two cyanide capsules,” the Singh reached into his pocket and handed me a capsule, as he did Surjit, “You should take this capsule if the situation gets too bad and death is a better option.” They then marched us back to the room, before re-entering our room at Guru Nanank Niwas, I requested that I be allowed to talk to Surjit, the Singhs gave us some space. I whishpered to Surjit “We can’t tell our families about these capsules, we must conceal them and not tell anyone,” Surjit nodded agreeing with the suggestion, she said “but what shall we say has just happened?” I said “Don’t worry, leave the talking to me, just follow my lead,” she again nodded in agreement. We signalled to the Singhs that we were happy to re-enter the room, they opened the door and we entered.

Both our families rushed to greet us, the Singhs just left without saying anything. I quickly said “The Singhs asked us to make chapattis in the Langar Hall and to tend to the wounds of their fighters, me and Surjit said we have never made chapattis and have no medical knowledge, so they brought us straight back.” Surjit half-winked at me, showing approval of my cover-up story. My Mami started blabbering, “How dare they, they knew this room has been designated for families with young children, they should have gone elsewhere.” I calmly put my hand on my Mami’s shoulder and said, “we are back safely,” and she hugged me and I could feel Suraj and Parveen clenching at my legs.

My brother Balwant, was very subdued and quiet. Once all my family had fallen asleep, I whispered to Balwant, “Are you okay?” he said “No! did those militants do anything to you?” I replied, “No – they were very polite to us.” He then gently stroked my head and said, “I love you, I know I haven’t been a good brother …” I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. I put my finger on his lips and said, “You don’t need to say anything, I know. Don’t worry we will get out alive.” Balwant – “I sure hope so.”

2^nd June, 1984

We spent the whole of the next day in the room, only venturing out to the corridor to use the toilets. The men in the room went out of the room at 12pm to get food from the Langar Hall. They brought back enough food for one meal, for everyone in the room. A lot of us were now suffering from dehydration due to the heat.

3^rd June, 1984

10am - We get a visitor to the room, he says he is an employee of SGPC (Shromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee – the management committee of the Gurdwara complex). He says that there will be an announcement to allow innocent pilgrims to leave the complex, he says we can all leave then. We all rush after him, thinking we have a slim hope of survival. In all about 200 people join this sort of walk to freedom. We are all assembled collectively at Manji Sahib Gurdwara and eagerly await the announcement from the army.

At 11am the announcement is made by the army that innocent pilgrims can leave and no harm will come to them. The army announced that pilgrims leaving, must leave through the Brahm Buta Market exit gate. When signalled by the SGPC workers the whole procession started walking towards the gate, I had realised that the SGPC workers conspicuously ensured they were at the back of the procession. I halted Surjit’s family and mine and said “Lets go to the end of the lines, like the SGPC workers,” my Mami looked at me, as if to say, are you crazy? Fortunately, at this point I saw the same Singh who had taken me and Surjit standing on an upper floor of the Langar Hall with his gun in toe. I pointed him out to my Mami signalling he has told us to go to the back, my Mami quickly obliged, for fear of getting shot by the Singh, even though, he wasn’t even looking at us.

All of a sudden, gun fire stared and about 40 of the people at the front of the procession were immediately gunned down. Everyone ran helter skelter, for cover. I grabbed Parveen and ran towards the Langar Hall, I dived to the floor, smashing Parveen’s chin on the floor and cracking her front teeth. She whimpered, but bravely didn’t cry. We then crawled our way to the Langar Hall. I lost my brother, mama, mami and Suraj in the chaos. I never saw them again. Surjit had followed my lead and made it to the Langar Hall with me. I later learnt from family members that Balwant had told them the following;

.............................

Balwant: “Mama, Mami, Suraj and I made it back to Manji Sahib. Some of the leaders of the SGPC and Akali Dal (Sikh political party) were trying to reassure the congregation that they would assure a safe escape, but there was much incessant bickering due to the earlier calamity of the 40 innocent pilgrims being gunned down by the army. Then a few hours later, these leaders left the complex with their arms in the air and about 70 others they had not taken to arms and were not involved any firing against security forces. But this time the leaders were forced to the front of the procession. We were shocked by the earlier incident and decided not to try leaving again.

Suraj died on died on the 4^th June from dehydration and Mami died from banging her head so hard in the wall, in anguish of his death. She was already weak from dehydration and trying incessantly to breast-feed Suraj. She was like a crazed woman when he died and banged her head with much fervour, into a wall 2 or 3 times and the bleeding killed her. Mama tried unsuccessfully to get her treated and took off his own turban in an attempt to bandage the wound.

Me and Mama survived to 6^th June, as we both took the drastic step of drinking bloodied water from the Sarovar (sacred water tank of the Golden Temple that pilgrims bathe in). It made my stomach churn and I was nearly sick, when I first drank it. When Mama realised this, he slapped me so hard on the face, that I got an instant scar, he hollered, “You stupid boy, you will die! If you don’t drink.”

On 7^th June, the army took control of the whole complex. I and Mama had survived by playing dead. We used to lie down between dead bodies and went undetected like this. At times we were even trampled upon by army personnel and I and Mama both developed bleeding in our mouths due to biting in agony, whilst trying not to make a sound in the excruciating pain. At about 12pm we watched the army killing Sikh men by tying their turbans around their backs, these were non-combatant pilgrims. They were all shot at point blank range. After witnessing this, Mama grabbed me by the shoulder and said, “We are only going to survive this, if we pretend we are militants. We are going to have to find some guns and surrender to the army, they will not kill us then as they will try to extract information from us.” I thought he was insane and looked musingly up at him. He then lashed a back-handed slap across my face. “Trust me, it is our only chance of survival!” he shouted and his voice broke as he said it. I could see he was desperate. He was at the end of his tether, I agreed with him as I thought we’re dead anyway.

Mama’s plan worked, we conducted a fake surrender throwing empty guns (we had recovered) on the floor in front of the army personnel and throwing our arms in the air. At this point of surrender, I stared straight at the guns of the soldiers, waiting for a gun to launch a bullet that would pierce my body. But Mama was right, the soldiers cautiously approached us and sent us to Ladha Kothi Jail. This was full of people from the Golden Temple, all the prisoners were from there.

Mama died on 17^th July 1984. He died from the relentless torture he endured at Ladha Kothi. He would get hung upside down, then, they would start interrogating him, trying to force him to make confessions or give information that he simply did not have. To force him to speak they would beat him with metal rods, electrocute him, run wooden logs over his legs and sexually abuse him. The sleepless nights between 7^th June - 17^th July were unbearable for him. He persistently cursed his luck saying, “What possessed me to surrender as a militant, this place is worse then hell itself. God please bring my death!” He also used to caressingly beg for my forgiveness, “Son, I am sorry, I shouldn’t have slapped you, my stubbornness has led us here, please forgive me, please forgive me...” This was our daily ritual and he used to fall asleep everyday begging my forgiveness.

I was labelled a hardcore militant due to my age. Eventually I was released from prison when I was 13years old. I returned to my village - a disturbed 13year old, due to all that I had witnessed and experienced. Due to continuous police harassment after returning to Maheroo, I took the step of trying to protect myself rather than be a victim of physical violence from the state machinery. I joined the Khalistan Commando Force as Bhai Manbir Singh was its leader and he was from the village Chaheroo, which is neighbours my village.

I was involved in militant actions until the age of 18 and eventually came to the UK, to escape from India. My parents were both killed by the police when I was 17 years old, as they kept harassing them about my whereabouts. They were both killed being tortured by the police. I had no real inclination to faith initially and became a practising Sikh, due to the unjust and inhumane way that the state treated me, faith was the only thing that gave me solace and some hope of a better future.”

.............................

Balwant became mentally unstable and could not settle in to life when he arrived in the UK. He no longer had a recollection of what ‘normality’ was, he could not adjust to finding a job, working, buying a house and getting married – things we may take as a normal course of life. All that he had endured took it’s toll in the most unforgiving manner, he committed suicide at the age of 22.

.............................

3^rd June, 1984

Satwant: When we entered the Langar Hall, the door was slammed shut by an armed Sikh. I looked around frantically and quickly realised that the Langar Hall was a mini fortress. There were sandbags piled next to openings and armed Sikhs were guarding the rations. I also saw wiring which had been erected and realised a mini wired network for communications had been set up.

The Singh who had given us the cyanide capsules came over and greeted us saying, “Sisters are you okay?” I pointed at Parveen and she started crying and blood started to pour out of her mouth. The Singh quickly picked her up and ran with her behind some sandbags. Behind the sandbags there was a Sikh woman with a turban on. I was shocked at the sight of her turban as I had never seen a woman wear a turban before, she calmed Parveen down, cleaned her wounds and applied some cream to stop the bleeding from her mouth. The Singh came back after about 10 minutes and said “I am Seva Singh, if you want to survive, I suggest you stay here and I promise to ensure your safety.” Me and Surjit were re-assured by Seva Singh and asked how we could be of help. He said we could assist the injured pilgrims and we started helping the woman who had treated Parveen.

4^th June, 1984

We stayed in the Langar Hall until 4^th June. At about 12pm Seva Singh came over to us, he said “I have arranged for your escape you must come with me immediately and do exactly as I say.” Me and Surjit nodded in agreement. Seva Singh told us that there was an opening at the back wall of Baba Atal Gurdwara, he and another Singh would ferry us to the safe house. We followed his orders, our path from the Langar Hall to Baba Atal was treacherous as we had to dodge sniper fire and come under attack from commandos, who were parachuted down from aircraft. We witnessed about 20 commandos were making their descent down, the Sikh militants opened fire, firing at their parachutes so when they landed they were seriously injured. We had witnessed the army continuously kill Sikhs indiscriminately between the 1^st June to 4^th June and were coping the best we could, with the war-like situation and killing all around us. We couldn’t believe that the Indian Army had turned the Golden Temple complex into a killing field. It beggared belief that a whole scale army operation against it’s own people was underway.

As for the journey to Baba Atal we also had to walk over dead bodies of Sikhs and Indian army soldiers. The stench of death was sickening and unforgettable. We successfully dodged sniper fire until Baba Atal Gurdwara, where Surjit was grazed on the arm by a bullet, thankfully she only sustained a minor injury. As for our escape, Surjit and I had to make separate ways out from the complex, both ferried by a Singh each. Surjit had made it safely in to a Sikh household and I never saw her again. Me, Parveen and Seva Singh waited for the other Singh (who had taken Surjit to the safe house) to return safely, before leaving ourselves. One Singh had to remain near to the wall opening, to guard it from the army entering the complex from it.

Now it was our turn, me and Parveen made it safely to a flat of a Hindu family who were sympathetic to innocent pilgrims. Seva Singh bid us farewell and I bowed and touched the dust of his feet raising it to Parveens brow and my own. I thanked Seva Singh, “May you live on, and have a good life, my brother,” he was a little embarrassed and smirked, saying “Whatever God will’s will happen,” he turned and left, I peered out of a window of the flat to see Seva Singh leaving, about 40 yards from the house, he fell to sniper fire, a bullet had pierced his chest. I ran to him, the Hindu family tried to stop me for their own safety and mine, but I wasn’t thinking of the consequences and my safety and ran to his aide. I raised his head in my lap and stroked his forehead, he looked up and said “Vaheguroo.” He then passed away in my arms. I cried and screamed in agony.

I was crying for somebody I didn’t know, had known for only a few days, but he was the only adult who provided safety and a sense of family for me. At that point in time he was all I had. I sat there crying for about a minute, I glared back at the flat and saw Parveen staring at me. I signalled for her to stay there and made my way back to the flat. She innocently asked “Where are mummy and daddy now?” I replied, “I am your mummy and daddy now” and she said, “But you are my deedi (sister).” I said, “I am now your sister, mummy and daddy. We have to live with these people until we save enough money to go and see mommy and daddy.” She was pacified temporarily.

For the next 6 years, me and Parveen lived with this Hindu family in Amritsar, we changed our names to Hindu ones and lived with them as their servants. They became our surrogate family and we were treated lovingly, but had to put up a pretence of being servants, in front of other people to not raise suspicion. The head of the household was a gentle kind-hearted man, who was sympathetic to the Sikh cause and he kept in touch with influential Sikhs in the militancy. These Sikhs in turn paid for our upkeep. This family had been helped earlier by Bhindranvale in a dispute about dowry demands in the marriage of their daughter. Living with this family changed my whole outlook on Bhindranvale and what I termed, Sikh Terrorists. Living in Amritsar, I had easy access to recordings of Bhindranvales speeches and learnt that he was not the monster the media and government had projected him to be.

When I was 20 years old, I left Amritsar to go to Germany and had to leave Parveen in an orphanage. She was than 10 years old. I was married in Berlin to a Sikh through the contacts of my new family of Amritsar. I never tried to contact my real family or Parveen’s, as we would have risked the lives of our new Hindu family and were grateful to just be alive.

I am now 40 years old and live in Birmingham, England. Parveen is now 30 years old and is married with one child. We did eventually make contact with our relatives in 1995 when Punjab turned to what some refer to ‘normality’ at the end of the guerrilla warfare.

I am now divorced and can never forget June 1984. The famous verse of “I have seen all other places, none compare to you,” in reference to the Golden Temple, has very different connotations for me and Parveen.

I attend the annual remembrance march in London in June and rally in Trafalgar square. I mourn for what I witnessed, lived through and live through. I feel a numbness that is indescribable when I think of these events. My only solace in life is meditation, as that is the only escape I have found that works.

I pray for the safety and well-being of all humanity, “Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhalla” (May the name of God gifted to me by Guru Nanak, keep me in high spirits and I pray for the betterment of all humanity, oh Lord). I have no hatred, enmity or anger towards those that killed my family and so many other Sikhs. My closure is not sought in viewing myself as a victim. Rather I spend my days with resilience as thousands of Sikhs before me have done. Sikhs have been persecuted throughout History.

I hope that Sikhs realise that what happened to us should lead them to take positive action to try and get some redress, or at the very least to not forget. They should open their minds and hearts to the human side of what happened to us as a people. Thousands suffered and live on with horrifying memories. As a community and a people, we don’t like being victims and this is portrayed with the rightful glorification of martyrs. The point I’d like to make is, the martyrs make up a minority and the majority who survived have also suffered immensely but little has been done or is being done to unearth their stories and support them.

I still have the cyanide capsule that my brother Seva Singh gave to me. The small time I had with him, inspired me so much that he became my reference point or alter ego and I would think of how he would handle a situation and in this way I always found a solution to my problems. After years of searching I recently found photos of him. I take out the cyanide tablet every year at Rakhria (an Indian festival which marks the vow of protection that a brother gives to his sister and their love), the capsule is then placed in front of his photo and I place my fingers lovingly over his photo and wave my hand over my brow – in the hope that his dust still magically inspires me to live on and be an ounce of the Sikh that he was.

This is a fictional account which is based upon the real events of June 1984. All of the characters are fictitious, but all the places referred to in the narrative are real, including Ladha Kothi detention centre.

www.akaalpublishers.com

Prince battles for Sikh regiment in army

2010-04-19T20:08:00.001Z

Prince battles for Sikh regiment in army

Highly controversial plans to raise a Sikh regiment within the British army has pitched the Prince of Wales into conflict with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The MoD believes that such a force would be divisive and immensely difficult to organise, even though the proposal has the support of some past and present senior officers.

The Prince, colonel-in-chief of a number of regiments, has taken a keen interest in ethnic minority recruitment and is known to have lobbied for a separate Sikh regiment in meetings with General Sir Charles Guthrie, while he was chief of defence staff.

Leaders of Britain's half a million Sikhs think the Royal backing significantly boosts their chances of a regiment of their own. They say such an unit will be no different from the Scots, Welsh and Irish Guards or the Gurkhas, and there will be no shortage of young recruits from a community that prides itself on its martial heritage.

Sikhs have fought for the Crown, from Flanders to Burma, as part of the old British Indian army, with a large number winning decorations for gallantry. They continue to play a central role within the Indian Army and have produced several of the country's chiefs of staff.

Mohan Singh Gill, one of a group of former servicemen campaigning for the setting up of a regiment, said "The army has a shortfall in recruits and we have young men to fill that. We have a warrior tradition and nothing to prove if you look at our record."

Harbinder Singh Rana, the chairman of the Maharaja Duleep Singh Sikh Centenary Trust, said "The army should do this because we have a legacy of military achievement with this country. I could give the army 280 names tomorrow."

Outside consultants brought in by the MoD to attract ethnic recruits have also rejected the Prince's proposals and advised against forming such an unit.

The MoD points out that a Sikh regiment will be a religious one. There are also logistical problems. There are currently only six Sikh officers and 18 other ranks out of the Army's 105,000 personnel, which would make it impossible to form a purely Sikh officer corps.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Prince of Wales is very interested in the matter of recruitment from ethnic minorities. He believes there should be a debate on this issue and that, of course, includes the Sikhs with their martial traditions."

http://news.independentminds.livejournal.com/6781255.html

David Miliband

2010-04-19T19:29:00.002Z

While I do not endorse Labour or any other politcial party I just came accross a post by David Miliband, Sec of State talking about his visit to Gurdwara in Southall.

http://blog.davidmiliband.info/?p=188

Sikh to take top post at MasterCard

2010-04-16T11:52:00.001Z

Banga to take top post at MasterCard

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


	In this undated photo provided by Mastercard, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ajay Banga, left, and CEO Robert W. Selander, are shown. Banga will take over as CEO in July.(AP Photo/Mastercard)

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- MasterCard said its president and chief operating officer will take over the company's top job and announced Monday that CEO Robert W. Selander will retire at the end of the year.

Ajay Banga, 50, becomes CEO in July.

During a press conference Monday, Banga said his focus will be on MasterCard's global growth. MasterCard, based in Purchase, N.Y., generates 55 percent of its revenue outside of the U.S.

He said by emphasizing local markets, the payments processor can take advantage of its worldwide reach. "Local presence and local thinking is the best way to ensure your ability to grow while you leverage global scale," Banga said.

Banga was part of a leadership shake up at Citigroup last year, where he had worked for 13 years. He left the bank in June, following chief financial officer Gary Crittenden, who left the month before.

New York-based Citigroup, a major lender in the subprime market, was rocked as the housing bubble burst and the recession took hold.

Bana was brought to MasterCard for the top job.

Banga's original contract with MasterCard allowed him to leave the company with a $4.2 million signing bonus if it failed to offer him promotion to CEO before June 30.

"The news should come as no surprise," wrote Janney Capital Markets analyst Thomas C. McCrohan, noting the contract provisions. He called Banga "an overall highly seasoned executive with broad consumer financial services experience around the globe."

Banga had headed Citigroup's Asia Pacific division.

Beyond its core business of debit, credit and prepaid cards, Banga said Monday that he sees e-commerce and mobile commerce as key components of MasterCard's future.

The incoming CEO pointed to one example as a model for the types of opportunities ahead: last week's announcement of a deal between MasterCard and NextJump to provide online shopping tailored to a customer's prior spending.

Mobile commerce, particularly smart-phone based money transfers and payments, is another arena he targets for expansion, pointing to pilot projects in local markets around the world that are already under way.

Brazil, China and India are among the markets MasterCard will emphasize, he said.

Selander, 59, will stay on as executive vice chairman and board member until he retires on Dec. 31. He has been the company's CEO since 1997.

MasterCard said in February its fourth-quarter profit rose 23 percent as it raised fees to offset fading credit card use in the U.S. Revenue rose to $1.3 billion, from $1.22 billion a year ago.

Shares of MasterCard Inc. rose 69 cents to close at $259.57 Monday.

honesty

2010-04-04T15:45:00.002Z

>>> vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ke fateh

>>> pyare jio, a nice post forwarded to me by a local Gursikh.....

>>> Several years ago, a gyanee from out-of-town accepted a call to a
>>> Gurdwara in canada

>>> Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from
>>> his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the
>>> driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong
>>> to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who
>>> would worry about this little amount?

>>> Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.
>>> Accept it as a gift from Vaheguru and keep quiet.

>>> When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed
>>> the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change."

>>> The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new Gyanee in
>>> town? I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I
>>> just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I ' ll
>>> see you at gurdwara on Sunday."

>>> When the Gyanee stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the
>>> nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh Vaheguru, I almost sold your Son for a quarter."

>>> Our lives are the only Teachings some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Sikhs and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Guru ji on your shoulders when you call yourself "sikh."

>>> Watch your thoughts; they become words.

>>> Watch your words; they become actions.

>>> Watch your actions; they become habits.

>>> Watch your habits; they become character.

>>> Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

>>> vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ke fateh

Comments of British Generals

2010-04-04T15:38:00.001Z

These comments of British Generals regarding the Sikhs and their Turban.
These quotes are from my book, How Europe is Indebted to the Sikhs - Role of
Sikhs in Europe http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/2930247126/smallbusin0f7-20 during WW II, Vol. II.
- Bhupinder Singh (Holland)

Lt.General Sir Reginald Savory K.G.T., C.B., D.S.O., M.C. states in a letter
to Mrs.G.Scott, Scientific Section, House of Commons Library:

"... I have known Sikhs to pick bullets out of their turbans during and
after battle. In fact the turban absorbs the shock of a bullet possibly
rather better than a tin helmet. If the turban is properly tied, it will
also form an effective buffer too, for instance from a toss from a motor
bicycle.

During World War 1, when the steel helmet was first introduced, we British
Officers of Sikh Regiments tried to persuade our men to wear them, but they
steadfastly refused, and have done so ever since."

A letter from Major General B.W.Key, C.B., D.S.O., M.C. to Gyani Sundar
Singh Sagar states:

"... At the outbreak of World War II I was serving at A.H.Q. (Army
Headquarters). Shortly after I was sent for by the C. in C. General Sir
Robert Cassells. He asked me if the Sikh Regiment was prepared to wear steel
helmets. I replied that they had not done so in World War I, that it was
contrary to their religion, that we had never interfered with religious
tenets, and was it worthwhile arousing strong feelings to reduce head
injuries by an infinitesimal proportion? I also pointed out that the Sikh
Pagri (Turban) was a very good protection in itself to head wounds.

This latter point I would emphasise as regards riding motor bicycles. There
is no question that the Pagri offers greater protection than an ordinary hat
or cap.

The reasons given above were accepted by the C. in C. India. Sikhs did not
have to wear steel helmets, and I hope the same reasons will satisfy the
Government."

A letter from Col. H.A.Hughes, D.S.O., M.B.E., D.L., and J.P. to Gyani
Sundar Singh Sagar:

"Thank you for your letter of 6th August 1975 enclosing Sir Reginald
Savory's letter. May I say I entirely agree with all that the General says.
I was in the 2nd Royal Battalion Sikh Regiment during the Frontier Campaign
of 1936-38 on the N.W.Frontier of India.

My Regiment consisted entirely of Sikhs and of course they always wore the
Khaki Safa (Turban to the uninitiated!)

During World War II I commanded the 4/16th Punjab Regiment from the battle
of El Alamein to Tunis. In this battalion I had a company of Sikhs plus
those in H.Q. Company. They all wore the Safa and I certainly had no more
head wounds in this battalion than in any other battalion in which the
soldiers were wearing steel helmets.

In Great Britain we claim to support religious tolerance. Why therefore
should we try to force someone to do something which is definitely against
his religious convictions?

The Sikhs have fought for us in so many campaigns and laid down their lives
for us - I consider that we owe them a great deal and have now a chance to
repay our debts in a small way by allowing them to wear Turbans instead of
crash helmets while driving motor cycles.

I give you my full support in your struggle to get exemption and wish you
the best of luck."

In "The Sikh Regiment In The Second World War" by Colonel F.T. Birdwood,
O.B.E., the last words of the foreword of this book written by General Sir
Frank Messervy, K.C.S.I., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O. state

"Finally we that live on can never forget those comrades who, in giving
their lives, gave so much that are great and good to the story of the Sikh
Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice. May
they rest in peace.

In the last Two World Wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed
and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of
Britain and the World, enduring shellfire with no other protection but the
turban, the symbol of their faith."

Turban vs. Helmet

In the early days of World II (1939-1945) the Sikh Regimental Center, then
known as 10th Battalion the Sikh Regiment, was stationed in Nowshera (now in
Pakistan), when I got enrolled in June 1940.

I recollect that Maj Gern Kilroy (who had earlier commanded its No: 4
Company as a Captain) was deputed by the Army HQ (then called General HQ) to
visit the Training Center to convince and persuade the Sikh soldiers being
drafted to the European War Zone, to wear helmets (even over their turbans )
to protect themselves from sustaining head injuries. The entire gathering
opposed the idea.

Ultimately he came forward with a bet that let any one soldier accompany me
to the battle field where heavy shelling is going on. If that person yet
refuses to wear a helmet, I will reward him with Rs. 100 and in case he then
wares it, he will pay me Rs.1 only for losing the bet. (In those days a
soldier's monthly salary was only Rs.16).

He was astounded to see that all the listeners raised their hands, in
acceptance of the challenge. He left the stage with a smile and submitted
his findings to Army HQ, where the idea was nipped in the bud for good.
- Gurbachan Singh Bedi, Ottawa, Canada.

What should Pope Benedict XVI do?

2010-04-04T15:35:00.001Z

Interesting article below

What should Pope Benedict XVI do?

By Ajit Singh Sahota, Citizen SpecialApril 3, 2010

This matter relates to one religion, and I wonder if it was a fair question to ask the other religious communities! However, no religion or institution is immune to such tragedies and betrayal on a large scale. The issue of victimization of people in any place of worship or by a religious authority figure is an important one, and one that all communities face, not just the Roman Catholic Church.

Public media reports suggest that the abuse was widespread in the Catholic Church, and that proper, timely action may not have taken place. At this juncture, Pope Benedict XVI must be working on what he should do; all we can say is what any institution should do in face of such allegations.

Sikhs are taught to respect all religions equally. Sikh Gurus and their followers suffered brutal oppression with sacrifices and extreme physical tortures, for "freedom of religion." Sikh religion is a very young religion as compared to others. In India five centuries ago, the masses were oppressed by the rulers and the priestly classes of the dominant religions at that time.

There are many verses in Sikh Scriptures identifying that "we all are fallible, Guru Creator Alone is infallible." Guru Nanak said, "I am not good and no one is bad, Wondrous Lord alone is the Saviour of mortals." It is the same One Lord that resides in all of us. Errors in judgment and crimes committed by some clergy must be addressed according to the laws of various jurisdictions.

It should be an opportune time for members of clergy at all levels of religious institutions worldwide to acknowledge the need for the healing of victims of abuse.

The Catholic Church would be best served by leading efforts to facilitate victims' healing and to prevent further abuse. Some examples could be: providing victims access to funds for counselling and other healing therapies; establishing accountable protocols and positions that may receive anonymous reports of abuse by clergy and are mandated to investigate and force appropriate action. This should be seen as an invaluable opportunity for religious institution reform.

In the Sikh religion, the Guru eliminated the need for clergy altogether, by ordering Sikhs to receive all instruction directly from the Shabad Guru (Word ) in Sikh Scriptures, for a direct communion with the Supreme Power rather than through any intermediaries such as priests.

The abode of God is in all beings and everywhere.

Ajit Singh Sahota is a retired biologist from Agriculture Canada and a founding member of the Sikh National Archives of Canada; he was president of the World Sikh Organization of Canada from 2001 to 2005.

Jasvir Kaur: UNITED SIKHS Haiti humanitarian aid volunteer

2010-03-28T08:04:00.003Z

Excellent article on UNITED SIKHS AID volunteer out in Haiti. Below is a snippet I have taken from interview.

Jasvir Kaur: A Life Well Lived

She is not a woman of complicated words, just simple actions.

I came across Jasvir Kaur towards the end of 2004, on a trip to Chicago where I was invited to speak at the IFCAPS (Institute for Conflict and Peace Studies) Conference - on the topic of Sikh women and their place in society today.

This International Woman's week at sikhchic.com, I am honored to bring you Jasvir Kaur Singh ... in her own words.

Jasvir, what can you tell us about yourself?

I am a pharmacist. I moved to Chicago from Punjab in 1980 in my elementary school years. My free time is spent doing yoga, listening to music (Punjabi folk, classical Indian, Sufi, R & B, etc.). I also love biking, hiking, running and spoiling my nieces.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A helpful, genuine and dedicated GurSikh.

Why does the seva concept of Sikhi appeal to you the most?

It is a positive way to impact your own life as well as the life of others. Because humans are co-dependent on one another, it forms a brother/ sisterhood despite man-made biases and boundaries.

How did you get involved with volunteerism in the field of humanitarian aid?

After graduating from pharmacy school, I felt fortunate to be educated and thankful to the Guru for blessing me with Sikhi. I felt it was my duty to now empower others that may not have the same opportunities as I have had. I went to India for a year to volunteer.

A lesson I learnt was that to blindly give my donations to an organization is irresponsible. I was able to see first hand where the sangat's money was going and it wasn't to the orphan children, widowed mothers and the poor, as promised in speeches at gurdwara fundraisers.

From then on, I made a promise to myself that along with giving monetary donations (daswandh), I would also give my time in helping others. So, the journey began.

What are your personal ruminations from these trips?

The tsunami experience was interesting; I learned that people have different definitions of seva. It is difficult to find people who give selflessly without want of fame and glory.

My most recent trip to Haiti taught me how little I appreciate my life and good fortune. This impoverished nation with a country of now homeless people taught me that genuine happiness and wealth lies in strong faith in God and simplicity in life.

Although the Haitian patients lie in the hospital beds with no home to go after being released, mothers with their children would throw their hands up and sing praises of God for being alive. I saw no anger or resentment, just praises and acceptance of God's Will. Even though their day to day needs were not met, they stood resilient.

The respect we were given when we went to a poor village by the pastor of the community is unforgettable.

What areas were you able to contribute in?

The medical field - helping doctors cleaning wounds and applying medication. Also helped organize and set up pharmacies with the medicinal donations sent from around the world.

What are the Haitians in most need of in the short term and long term? What can Sikhs provide?

They still need the basics - food, water, medical help. Long term, they need housing, health and hygiene, medical care, but most of all, education.

The Sikh community can provide both short and long term needs. We are doing an excellent job with langar seva and in the medical field already. I believe long term is imperative for them to rise above their impoverished state of being that was there even before the quake hit.

Read more: http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?cat=8&id=1349

Haiti needs YOU!

2010-01-17T07:09:00.001Z

You have seen the devastation of Haiti on TV. Now please switch on to their needs. The UNITED SIKHS team , headed by Lt Col Gurbachan Singh and 4 volunteers including doctors, has arrived in Haiti through the neighbouring islands. They have found that looting and devastation is painful to describe. They have set up a base camp and and wish to set up a langgar service (hot community meal) and distribute food and medical supplies urgently.

See the UNITED SIKHS appeal poster attached . Please put it up an your local Gurdwara or community centre.

We need your help.

If you can volunteer in Haiti please Join UNITED SIKHS at www.untedsikhs.org/join and you will receive an automatic email acknowledgment with a link to a health history form and a volunteer application form for field projects. Kindly fill both forms and email them to volunteer@unitedsikhs.org asap.
If you would like to donate , you may do so online at www.unitedsikhs.org/join, or post a cheque, payable to UNITED SIKHS, to us at PO BOX 43799 8SS

Flying USA

2009-12-28T07:11:00.001Z

December 27 2009
14th Poh (Samvat 541 Nanakshahi)

Press Release
Are your Travelling in bound to the United States. What does it mean to YOU?

New York, NY, Dec 26, 2009: Your safety is our priority. Passengers flying from International locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place. Since the recent airport high alert on all in-bound flights to the United States, you will find that you are being screened for turbans at the airports and maybe profiled. Additionally due to the busy holiday travel season, both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in.
Passengers travelling internationally could see:

Increased security screening at gates and when they check their bags, as well as additional measures on flights such as stowing carry-ons and personal items before the plane lands.
Expect delays on US-bound flights. Keep in mind this is a holiday season and the busiest time of the year.
US-bound flights have been restricted for one carry-on item.
Sikh passengers have been known to be targets for increased security checks and associated harassments worldwide. Recently, a Sikh passenger was harassed in Poland during a security procedure at the airport without any justified reason.
We are seeing an increased number of cases where Sikhs returning from Pakistan after a visit to the Sikh shrines have to undergo excessive screening, delays and harassment at the US airports on in bound flights. This screening then becomes a pattern under which they get screened/harassed and delayed following on every International flight in bound to the United States of America.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement Saturday that passengers flying to the U.S. from overseas may notice extra security. However, she said "the measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."

UNITED SIKHS is closely monitoring complaints of harassment from Sikh passengers for International in-bound flights and will take the issues on a case by case basis with the TSA and Department of Homeland Security. For this we need your help and request you to report your experience at all International Airports by filling in the form available at: http://unitedsikhs.org/exp-at-americanairports
Report all Turban (dastaar) related harassment experiences at the USA airports or International airports at http://unitedsikhs.org/turban_screening
If you feel that you have been racially profiled, if in the USA, please call us at:
1-888-243-1690 or from outside the USA at 001-646-688-3525. You can write to us at law@unitedsikhs.org
Resources for Travellers:
Helpful Hints for Holiday Travellers: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/civilrights/travelers.shtm
Flight Delay Information- Air Traffic Control System Command Center: http://www.fly.faa.gov/flyfaa/usmap.jsp (Check with your airline if your flight is affected here.Information on wait times at security checkpoints is available here.)
Department of Homeland Security’s Traveller Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/redress/index.shtm
TSA Claims management Branch: Department of Homeland http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/index.shtm
Airport Checked Baggage Guidance Material: http://www.tsa.gov/research/checked_baggage_material.shtm
Civl Rights for Travellers (Office of Civil Rights and Liberties): http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/civilrights/travelers.shtm
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):
Overview: http://www.tsa.gov/research/foia/index.shtm
Department of Homeland Security FOIA: http://www.dhs.gov/xfoia/editorial_0579.shtm
United States Coast Guard FOIA: http://www.uscg.mil/global/foia.asp
United States Secret Service: http://www.treas.gov/usss/foia.shtml
For an earlier press-release on this issue read: http://unitedsi khs.org/PressRe leases/PRSRLS-1 4-12-2009-00.ht ml

Issued By:
Legal Coordinator - West Coast
Amardeep Singh
Phone: 646-315-3909/408-838-2264
Email: law-usa@unitedsikhs.org

Keep in Mind
1) Report your Turban (Dastaar) related harassment experiences on all in-bound and local flights in or to USA at http://unitedsikhs.org/turban_screening

2) If you are continuously harassed on all US inbound international flights, immediately do the following-

a) Apply for a DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS Trip) by filing a complaint at: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1169676919316.shtm

b) Report your experience at http://unitedsikhs.org/exp-at-americanairports

3) The original and revised Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Guidelines can be read at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/FAAGuidelines.pdf

4) Travel Screening procedures are available at the UNITED SIKHS website at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/turbanscreening/TSA-KYR.doc

Contact Us
To Contact UNITED SIKHS, please visit: www.unitedsikhs.org/contact.php

OUR MISSION
To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.

UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.

UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.

Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.

We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.

Giani Ji's Katha - The future

2009-12-19T16:23:00.002Z

Giani Thankur singh Katha on future and what will happen. I haven't listened to it all but here is link.

Link

Sikhs in hospital in Ludhiana, Panjab from attacks

2009-12-09T17:15:00.001Z

For background information on the violent attacks by authorities on Sikh protestors Sikhs please see Attacked in Ludhiana, Panjab

Thought for Today: Sikh Philosophy and History

2009-11-30T09:29:00.001Z

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

One of the countless expamples of the Sikh's courage comes at the battle of Kohima, Burma in 1944. The 15rh Sikh Regiment headed by Naik Gian Singh was facing defeat. The Sikh solidiers wer well entrenched in teh sweltering swamps of Burmese jungles. The Japanese, better suited and well motivated were strongly pushing westward to the plains of India. As the merciless machine gun shots from the Japanese foxholes burst from the bush, Gian Singh pushed forward with his men behind him, he ordered his men to cover him as he single handedly cleared foxhole after foxhole.

Despite being severely wounded, he continued to push through the intense fire and cleared a stragegically vital road, The Japanese were forced to retreat. Gian Singh received the Victoria Cross, the highest order of gallantry in the British Army at the end of the war.

Today in the Kohima cemetery, among the 1,378 grave markers is the famous Kohima memorial with its historic incription:

"When you go home tell them of us, and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today"

Naik (Corporal) Gian Singh VC
15th Punjab Regiment

Bhul chuk dhi khima, H

Source: www.boss-uk.org

Picture: Naik Gian Singh

Contributed by UNITED SIKHS Volunteer, Harbans Kaur

Regards!!
Administrator

UNITED SIKHS

FT article on Darbar Sahib

2009-11-15T13:51:00.001Z

The holy city of Amritsar
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ff70c156-cfe0-11de-a36d-00144feabdc0.html

By James Lamont

Published: November 13 2009 23:45 | Last updated: November 13 2009 23:45

The Golden Temple in Amritsar

Amritsar was the first place to which Manmohan Singh, the prime minister of India, travelled after convalescing from heart surgery earlier this year. The dignified Singh, India’s first Sikh prime minister, went from New Delhi to Amritsar, a dusty city in north-west India, to give thanks for his life. Amritsar is to the Sikh what Jerusalem is to the Christian and Jew, Mecca to the Muslim and Varanasi to the Hindu. The Golden Temple, or Darbar Sahib, is the holiest Sikh shrine.

Raag Darbar Amritsar

2009-10-18T09:23:00.002Z

Amritsar Raag Kirtan Darbaar 2009 recordings
http://gaavosachibani.net/KeertanSamagams.aspx?&AlbumID=A0008

Prof Kartar Singh
Bhai Balbir Singh Amritsar
Bhai Gurmeet Singh Jee Shant
Bhai Harjinder Singh Jee (Sri Nagar Wale)
Bhai Manjeet Singh Jee (Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar)
Bhai Niranjan Singh Jee (Jawadi Kalan Wale)
Bhai Nirmal Singh Jee Khalsa (Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar)
Bhai Sarabjeet Singh Jee (Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar)
Bhai Sarabjeet Singh Jee (Durg Wale)
Bibi Ashupreet Kaur (Ludhiana Wale)
Chardikala Jatha (USA)
Dr. Gurnaam Singh Jee (Patiala Wale)

Two place God does not reside

2009-10-03T15:40:00.002Z

Video from http://www.flickr.com/photos/imindersingh/
Bhai Surjeet Singh at Khalsa Camp 2009, http://www.khalsacamp.com

19th Century Necklace Owned by Wife of Last Sikh Ruler Ranjit Singh for Sale at Bonhams

2009-09-29T19:36:00.001Z

LONDON: An important 19TH Century emerald and seed-pearl Necklace from the Lahore Treasury, reputedly worn by Maharani Jindan Kaur wife of Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab (1780–1839), is for sale in Bonhams next Indian and Islamic sale on 8th October 2009 in New Bond Street.

The necklace has six polished emerald beads, one later converted to a pendant, each bead gold-mounted and fringed with seed-pearl drop tassels, fastened with a gold clasp. It comes with a fitted cloth covered case, the inside of the lid inscribed: "From the Collection of the Court of Lahore formed by HH The Maharajah Runjeet Singh & lastly worn by Her Highness The Late Maharanee Jeddan Kower" It is estimated to sell for £25,000-35,000.

This rare necklace comes from the Collection of Maharajah Ranjit Singh and Maharani Jindan Kaur (1817-63), which was sold by Frazer and Hawes from Garrards, Regent Street, London.

Between 1849 and 1850, when the British took control of the court in Lahore, they entered the Treasury, where they found the court jewels wrapped in cloth. The Treasury was fabled to be the greatest and largest treasure ever found. The most famous and well-known jewels were taken away as gifts for Queen Victoria, including the Koh-i Noor and the Timur Ruby.

The Maharani Jindan Kaur was born in 1817 in Chahar, Sialkhot, Punjab. Of humble origins, she was the daughter of Manna Singh Aulak, the Royal Kennel Keeper at the Court of Lahore. She grew into a young lady of exquisite beauty and came to the attention of Maharajah Ranjit Singh at a young age. Manna Singh was reported to have pestered the Maharajah, promising that his daughter would make him youthful again. In 1835, she became Ranjit Singh's seventeenth wife and in 1838 bore him a son, Duleep. Duleep was his last child and just ten months later Ranjit Singh died following a stroke. Jindan was the Maharajah's only surviving widow, rejecting the practice of 'Sati' or throwing herself on the funeral pyre with his other wives, choosing to bring up her young son instead.

Ranjit Singh's empire stretched from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas, with its southern boundary bordering British India. His court was fabled for its patronage of the arts and sciences, and for its riches.

The Russian painter Alexis Solykoff wrote on visiting the court: "What a sight! I could barely believe my eyes. Everything glittered with precious stones and the brightest colours arranged in harmonious combinations". Upon the Maharajah's death, his body was carried through the streets to his funeral pyre in a golden ship, "with sails of gilt cloth to waft him into paradise'. I

mmediately after his death, Ranjit Singh's golden empire began to crumble. His eldest son, Kharak Singh took the throne, but was murdered two years later; the reign of Sher Singh was similarly short-lived and he was assassinated in 1843, upon which Duleep was proclaimed Maharajah at the age of five, with his maternal uncle as Prime Minister and his mother, Jindan, as Regent. His uncle's position as Prime Minister was brief, after the Khalsa Army declared him a traitor and killed him. As Jindan came to power, she was swiftly confronted by the British army that had moved to her southern border in the hope of conquering one of the last independent states of northern India.

As Regent, Jindan became a thorn in the side of the East India Company. She waged two unsuccessful wars against the British, the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars of 1846-49, which brought about the annexation of the Punjab. In 1846 she was deposed as Regent and in February 1847 the British took possession of the capital, Lahore, installing Sir Henry Lawrence as British Resident to oversee their affairs.

The British continued to see her as a major threat to their control of the Punjab, since she was instrumental in organising Sikh resistance, rallying her armies to battle and plotting rebellion against the British. Thus in August 1847, to halt her influence on the young king, Duleep was sent away from the palace and Jindan was ordered by Sir Henry Lawrence to the Summan Tower of Lahore Fort and was then was incarcerated in the fort at Sheikhurpura. After being moved around several prisons, in 1849 she escaped from British captivity at Chunar Fort, leaving a note for the British: "You put me in a cage and locked me up. For all your locks and your sentries, I got out by magic....I had told you plainly not to push me too hard – but don't think I ran away, understand well that I escape by myself unaided...When I quit the fort of Chunar I threw down two papers on my gaddi and one I threw on a European charpoy, now don't imagine I got out like a thief!". Disguised as a beggar woman, she fled to the Himalayas, where she found troubled sanctuary in Kathmandu, Nepal. All her jewels and gold that had been left in the government treasure in Benares were confiscated, with the added threat that if she went to Nepal she would lose her pension as well.

In Kathmandu, she lived under the protection of the Nepalese King and government, and spent her time studying scriptures and doing charitable work through a temple she had built near her house. Life was not easy for her and she was kept as a virtual prisoner with a meagre allowance. Under pressure from the British officials at Kathmandu, who portrayed her as dangerous with her alleged efforts to create disaffection against the British, the Nepalese imposed humiliating restrictions upon her.

The young Maharajah, Duleep, was moved to Fategarh, where he lived under the guardianship of Dr John Login and his wife, and eventually arrived in Britain in 1854, at the age of sixteen, where he was adopted as a godson by Queen Victoria. Under the influence of the Logins, he converted to Christianity and was brought up as a young English gentleman. In 1860, Duleep sent his native attendant to Kathmandu to find out about his mother and a report came back through the British resident at Nepal that: "The Rani had much changed, was blind and lost much of her energy, which formerly characterised her, taking little interest in what was going on". The Governor General agreed to a meeting based on this report of the Rani's condition, thinking that the last queen of the Punjab no longer posed a threat.

In 1860, tired of her exile and isolation, and the indignity she was made to suffer, she travelled to meet her son in Calcutta. For the first time in thirteen and a half years, they were reunited at Spence's Hotel in January 1861. Duleep found her almost blind and suffering from poor health. He offered her a house in Calcutta, but she expressed her wish to stay with her son, following years of enforced separation. And so it was agreed that the Rani would travel to England. Her private property and jewels, previously taken by the British authorities, would be restored to her on the basis that she left India and in addition she would be granted a pension of £3,000 per annum. Her jewels were returned to her at Calcutta at the start of the journey.

On the 1st August 1863, Jindan died in her Kensington home in the country of her sworn enemy, just two and a half years after being reunited with her son and leaving him inconsolable. In 1864, permission was granted to take the body to India, which had been her dying wish, and she was cremated at Bombay (Duleep was not allowed to go to the Punjab), her ashes scattered on the Godavai and a small memorial or samadh erected on the left bank. In 1924, her ashes were later moved to Lahore by her grand-daughter Princess Bamba Sutherland, and deposited at the samadh of Ranjit Singh. Finally the 'Messalina of the Punjab' returned home to rest.

Courtesy-bonhams.com

Argentina

2009-09-29T16:45:00.001Z

Sikhs seize onto culture in remote Argentina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pqzMgznE2w

True parchar would be going to places like this and supporting the sangat with Gurmat vichaar smagams and camps to ensure Sikhi remains generation after generation.

Remember the Battle of Saraghari - 12th September 1897 - "greatest act of courage in military history"

2009-09-25T09:34:00.003Z

12th September 1897

Described by British military historians as the "greatest act of courage in military history" "Of courage and braveryA tale be told Long forgotten, brought forthFrom the memories of the old.Of 21 men who Died at duty's callWho laid down their livesAnd let not the fort fall.

(To read the rest, click the link)http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030920/windows/rhyme.htm

Battle of Saragarhi: 21 Sikh soldiers (36th Sikh Regiment) defended to death, the Fort of Saragarhi in the Kohat, North-west Frontier, against 10-15,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribal armies. "The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh Regiments. It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which possess the valiant Sikhs cannot face defeat in war" - Parliament of the United Kingdom[5]”

“"You are never disappointed when you are with the Sikhs. Those 21 soldiers all
fought to the death. That bravery should be within all of us. Those soldiers
were lauded in Britain and their pride went throughout the Indian Army. Inside
every Sikh should be this pride and courage. The important thing is that you
must not get too big-headed it is important to be humble in victory and to pay
respect to the other side." - Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount
Slim[9]

"The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh Regiments.
It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which possess the valiant Sikhs
cannot face defeat in war"
British Parliament
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saragarhi
http://www.saragarhi.org/http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=Battle+of+Saragarhi&hl=en&rlz=1R2GGIC_en-GB&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=xEO7SpnRIsGQjAfbsY27Cw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4
http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-warriors/battle-of-saragarhi-1897.html
"The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh Regiments. It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which possess the valiant Sikhs cannot face defeat in war"
- Parliament of the United Kingdom[5]
"You are never disappointed when you are with the Sikhs. Those 21 soldiers all fought to the death. That bravery should be within all of us. Those soldiers were lauded in Britain and their pride went throughout the Indian Army. Inside every Sikh should be this pride and courage. The important thing is that you must not get too big-headed it is important to be humble in victory and to pay respect to the other side." - Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount Slim[9]

"The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh Regiments. It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which possess the valiant Sikhs cannot face defeat in war" - Parliament of the United Kingdom[5]

"You are never disappointed when you are with the Sikhs. Those 21 soldiers all fought to the death. That bravery should be within all of us. Those soldiers were lauded in Britain and their pride went throughout the Indian Army. Inside every Sikh should be this pride and courage. The important thing is that you must not get too big-headed it is important to be humble in victory and to pay respect to the other side." - Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount Slim[9]

My Guru & I

2009-09-13T15:24:00.001Z

If you walked into this Gurdwara and instead of the Guru Granth Sahib being there, say it was Guru Nanak, or Guru Amar Das or Gur Tegh Bahadur, sitting there – how would you act? How would you carry yourself when walking in? Would your mind-set be any different? Would your muthha tek take on a different meaning? Would you be more attentive and alert during the divan? Would you be more eager to listen to his words and try harder to understand him?

Guru Ram Das says:
Baani Guru Guru Hai Baani Vich Baani Amrit Saarey
Bani is the Guru and Guru is the Bani. And it’s within this Bani, that Amrit is found.

Thus, the Shabad (”The Word”) is, was and always will be the Guru. History tells us that even during Guru Arjan’s time, the Granth (then referred to as the Pothi Sahib because it was yet to be completed and anointed Guru), was the center of the congregation, the center of the Darbar, even in the presence of Guru Arjan himself.

The saakhis tell us that Guru Arjan had so much reverence for the Pothi Sahib that he kept it on an pedestal elevated even from himself, and joined the Sikhs in paying obeisance to it. This tells me that it is not the person, the attire or the physical attributes that make the Guru; instead, it is the Shabad. But we call the ten physical forms (from Nanak to Gobind Singh) Guru because they were the living manifestation of that Shabad.

They lived the Shabad. We sing it, they lived it.

Guru Nanak was so immersed in the Shabad that the two became one.

He says in Raag Ramkalee:
Shabad Guru Bhavsaagar Tariye Ith Uth Eko Jaanai
Shabad is the Guru that will ferry you across the terrifying world-ocean.

So, if this is the case, how can the Guru Granth Sahib we bow before, be any different than Guru Angad or Guru Amar Das sitting before us?

We refer to the Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru. But is it really living to me?

Some say we have it harder, because we don’t have a physical Guru simply telling us what to do, particularly since, in Sikhi, we don’t believe in “holy” persons being the official “interpreters” of scripture. Thus, it falls upon us to make the effort to listen to, read, and apply the lessons to our lives.

People often asked, “What does the Guru Granth Sahib say about this or that?” About life after death, about good and evil, about socio-political issues, such as abortion, divorce, climate change, etc., and the children are often disappointed when I can’t point them to a direct quote – a simple “Thou shalt …” – to answer their question.

To some, this is frustrating; but I find it … beautiful!

The Guru refrains from giving commandments or a list of do’s and don’ts. Instead, He has compiled 1430 pages of divine poetry that provides a structure for our life and a personal map to guide us through our daily choices and challenges. Instead of quick and fast answers , the Guru has trusted and empowered his Sikhs, to reflect, discuss and interpret the Word [within basic parameters] and form our own opinions and make ethical decisions accordingly … for anything and everything.

So, is the Guru living?

I can go through life and treat the Guru Granth as a mere idol and bow before it out of empty ritualism, or I can take the time to reflect on Gurbani – to think, reason, understand and genuinely act on the Guru’s teachings … and that is when the Guru comes alive.

As a Sikh, do I need the Guru in my life? This is where Gurbani is as very clear…black and white:
Anand Anand Sabh Ko Kahai Anand Guru Tay Jania
Bliss! bliss! Everyone talks of bliss! Bliss is but known only through the Guru.

Then he goes on to say:
Jai Ko Gur Tay Vaymukh Hovai Bin Satgur Mukhat Na Paavai
One who turns away from the Guru and becomes “baymukh” – without the True Guru – shall not find liberation.

The role of the Guru is to enlighten and bring us to a heightened sense of awareness, to establish that connection with the Divine. The forces of kaam, krodh, lobh, moh and ahankaar – lust, anger, greed, attachment and pride – are so strong that it is only through the Guru that we can overcome them.

Throughout this festive year, there have been many celebrations, kirtan darbars, nagar kirtans, conferences and seminars and symposia, discussions and debates on all aspects of the Guru Granth to mark this special milestone – but I truly hope that we, even if we are small and isolated communities, take this opportunity to develop and strengthen our personal relationship with the Guru. I believe this one-on-one conversation, this spiritual dialogue with the Guru, is essential in our self-discovery – which is fundamental to being a Sikh.

On this very early stage of my journey with the Guru, I have learned that all roads on this path lead to within. As the Guru says:
Mun Tu Joth Saroop Hai Apna Mool Paichan
O my mind, you are the embodiment of this Divine Light – recognize it, O, recognize your own origin … the true origin of thy self.

I have been the beneficiary of a lot of advice and guidance in my life, but one of the most meaningful things has been what a friend once said to me: “You know, many think the Guru Granth Sahib’s 1430 pages are about the Guru’s lives and teaching … but, in reality, it’s about you.” And I believe this. There is not a Shabad I come across where the Guru is not challenging me, where the Guru doesn’t push me to question myself.

I often stop in my tracks while reading Baani and ask: Is he referring to me? Am I one of those ego-filled beings that he is talking about, that is, obsessed with myself and my own thinking? Am I being humble in my actions, am I truly forgiving to those who have hurt me, do I speak lovingly to others? Am I really walking the walk … or am I just talking the talk?

This is my dialogue with the Guru, and with my Ardaas and his Grace, I continue to strive to improve myself every time I stand before him.

So I hope this year will not end as just a celebration of a historical event, but instead, be the motivation for a spiritual event – for personal change, within me, within each of us … that brings us closer to the Guru.

Churchill on Sikhs : The Story of the Malakand Field Force

2009-04-27T07:21:00.001Z

Wed Mar 4, 2009 10:37 pm (PST)

http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext05/mkdff10.txt

In the Sikh the more civilised man appears. He does not shoot naturally,
but he learns by patient practice. He is not so tough as the Pathan, but
he delights in feats of strength--wrestling, running, or swimming. He is
a much cleaner soldier and more careful. He is frequently parsimonious,
and always thrifty, and does not generally feed himself as well as the
Pathan. [Indeed in some regiments the pay of very thin Sikhs is given
them in the form of food, and they have to be carefully watched by their
officers till they get fat and strong.]

15. During the fighting above described, the conduct of the whole of the
garrison, whether fighting men, departmental details, or followers, is
reported to have been most gallant. Not the least marked display of
courage and constancy was that made by the small detachment in the
signal tower, who were without water for the last eighteen hours of the
siege. The signallers, under No.2729, Lance-Naik Vir Singh, 45th Sikhs,
who set a brilliant example, behaved throughout in a most courageous
manner; one of them, No.2829, Sepoy Prem Singh, climbing several times
out of a window in the tower with a heliograph, and signaling outside to

the Malakand under a hot fire from sungars in every direction.

The Sikhs arrived first, but by a
very little. As they turned the corner they met the mass of the enemy,
nearly a thousand strong, armed chiefly with swords and knives, creeping
silently and stealthily up the gorge, in the hope and assurance of
rushing the camp and massacring every soul in it. The whole road was
crowded with the wild figures. McRae opened fire at once. Volley after
volley was poured into the dense mass, at deadly range. At length the
Sikhs fired independently. This checked the enemy, who shouted and
yelled in fury at being thus stopped. The small party of soldiers then
fell back, pace by pace, firing incessantly, and took up a position in a
cutting about fifty yards behind the corner. Their flanks were protected
on the left by high rocks, and on the right by boulders and rough
ground, over which in the darkness it was impossible to move. The road
was about five yards wide. As fast as the tribesmen turned the corner
they were shot down. It was a strong position.

In that strait path a thousand
Might well be stopped by three

Being thus effectively checked in their direct advance, the tribesmen
began climbing up the hill to the left and throwing down rocks and
stones on those who barred their path. They also fired their rifles
round the corner, but as they were unable to see the soldiers without
exposing themselves, most of their bullets went to the right.

The band of Sikhs were closely packed in the cutting, the front rank
kneeling to fire. Nearly all were struck by stones and rocks. Major
Taylor, displaying great gallantry, was mortally wounded. Several of the Sepoys were killed. Colonel McRae himself was accidentally stabbed in the neck by a bayonet and became covered with blood. But he called upon the men to maintain the good name of "Rattray's Sikhs," and to hold their position till death or till the regiment came up. And the soldiers replied by loudly shouting the Sikh warcry, and defying the enemy to advance.

On the right Colonel McRae and his
Sikhs were repeatedly charged by the swordsmen, many of whom succeeded
in forcing their way into the pickets and perished by the bayonet.
Others reached the two guns and were cut down while attacking the
gunners. All assaults were however beaten off. The tribesmen suffered
terrible losses. The casualties among the Sikhs were also severe. In the morning Colonel McRae advanced from his defences, and, covered by the fire of his two guns, cleared the ground in his front of the enemy.

How terrible that march must
have been, may be judged from the fact, that in the 35th Sikhs twenty-
one men actually died on the road of heat apoplexy. The fact that these
men marched till they dropped dead, is another proof of the soldierly
eagerness displayed by all ranks to get to the front. Brigadier-General
Meiklejohn, feeling confidence in his ability to hold his own with the
troops he had, ordered them to remain halted at Dargai, and rest the
next day.

NATIVE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES.
Killed. Wounded.
No.5 Company Q.O. Sappers and Miners . 3 18
24th Punjaub Infantry . . . 3 14
31st " " . . . . 12 32
45th Sikhs . . . . . 4 28
Q.O. Corps of Guides . . . . 3 27

TOTAL NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN KILLED AND WOUNDED--153.

Colonel Goldney simultaneously advanced to the attack
of the spur, which now bears his name, with 250 men of the 35th Sikhs
and 50 of the 38th Dogras. He moved silently towards the stone shelters,
that the tribesmen had erected on the crest. He got to within a hundred
yards unperceived. The enemy, surprised, opened an irregular and
ineffective fire. The Sikhs shouted and dashed forward. The ridge was
captured without loss of any kind. The enemy fled in disorder, leaving
seven dead and one prisoner on the ground.

On this occasion, our provisions were supplemented by the hospitality of
the khan. A long row of men appeared, each laden with food. Some carried
fruit,--pears or apples; others piles of chupatties, or dishes of
pillau.

Nor were our troopers forgotten. The Mahommedans among them eagerly
accepted the proffered food. But the Sikhs maintained a remorseful
silence and declined it. They could not eat what had been prepared by
Mussulman hands, and so they sat gazing wistfully at the appetising
dishes, and contented themselves with a little fruit.

The
Sikhs, who now numbered perhaps sixty, were hard pressed, and fired
without effect. Then some one--who it was is uncertain--ordered the
bugler to sound the "charge." The shrill notes rang out not once but a
dozen times. Every one began to shout. The officers waved their swords
frantically. Then the Sikhs commenced to move slowly forward towards the
enemy, cheering. It was a supreme moment. The tribesmen turned, and
began to retreat. Instantly the soldiers opened a steady fire, shooting down their late persecutors with savage energy.

Afterwards in
the Mamund Valley whole battalions were employed to do what these two
Sikh companies had attempted. But Sikhs need no one to bear witness to
their courage.

Out of a force which at no time exceeded 1000 men, nine British
officers, four native officers, and 136 soldiers were either killed or
wounded. The following is the full return:--

BRITISH OFFICERS.
Killed--Lieutenant and Adjutant V. Hughes, 35th Sikhs.
" " A.T. Crawford, R.A.
Wounded severely--Captain W.I. Ryder, attd. 35th Sikhs.
" " Lieutenant O.G. Gunning, 35th Sikhs.
" " " O.R. Cassells, 35th Sikhs.
" " " T.C. Watson, R.E.
" " " F.A. Wynter, R.A.
Wounded slightly--Brigadier-General Jeffreys, Commanding 2nd Bde.
M.F.F.
" " Captain Birch, R.A.
BRITISH SOLDIERS.
Killed. Wounded.
The Buffs . . . . 2 9
NATIVE RANKS.
Killed. Wounded.
11th Bengal Lancers . . 0 2
No.8 Mountain Battery . . 6 21
Guides Infantry . . . 2 10
35th Sikhs . . . . 22 45
38th Dogras . . . . 0 2
Sappers . . . . . 4 15

The next day the first instalment of rifles was surrendered. Fifteen
Martini-Henrys taken on the 16th from the 35th Sikhs were brought into
camp, by the Khan of Khar's men, and deposited in front of the general's
tent. Nearly all were hacked and marked by sword cuts, showing that
their owners, the Sikhs, had perished fighting to the last. Perhaps,
these firearms had cost more in blood and treasure than any others ever
made. The remainder of the twenty-one were promised later, and have

There are many on the frontier who realise these things, and who
sympathise with the Afridi soldier in his dilemma. An officer of the
Guides Infantry, of long experience and considerable distinction, who
commands both Sikhs and Afridis, and has led both many times in action,
writes as follows: "Personally, I don't blame any Afridis who desert to
go and defend their own country, now that we have invaded it, and I
think it is only natural and proper that they should want to do so."

Such an opinion may be taken as typical of the views of a great number
of officers, who have some title to speak on the subject, as it is one
on which their lives might at any moment depend.

The Sikh is the guardian of the Marches. He was originally invented to
combat the Pathan. His religion was designed to be diametrically opposed
to Mahommedanism. It was a shrewd act of policy. Fanaticism was met by
fanaticism. Religious abhorrence was added to racial hatred. The Pathan
invaders were rolled back to the mountains, and the Sikhs established
themselves at Lahore and Peshawar. The strong contrast, and much of the
animosity, remain to-day. The Sikh wears his hair down to his waist; the
Pathan shaves his head. The Sikh drinks what he will; the Pathan is an
abstainer. The Sikh is burnt after death; the Pathan would be thus
deprived of Paradise. As a soldier the Pathan is a finer shot, a hardier
man, a better marcher, especially on the hillside, and possibly an even
more brilliant fighter. He relies more on instinct than education: war
is in his blood; he is a born marksman, but he is dirty, lazy and a
spendthrift.

In the Sikh the more civilised man appears. He does not shoot naturally,
but he learns by patient practice. He is not so tough as the Pathan, but
he delights in feats of strength--wrestling, running, or swimming. He is
a much cleaner soldier and more careful. He is frequently parsimonious,
and always thrifty, and does not generally feed himself as well as the
Pathan. [Indeed in some regiments the pay of very thin Sikhs is given
them in the form of food, and they have to be carefully watched by their
officers till they get fat and strong.]

There are some who say that the Sikh will go on under circumstances
which will dishearten and discourage his rival, and that if the latter
has more dash he has less stamina. The assertion is not supported by
facts. In 1895, when Lieut.-Colonel Battye was killed near the Panjkora
River and the Guides were hard pressed, the subadar of the Afridi
company, turning to his countrymen, shouted: "Now, then, Afridi folk of
the Corps of Guides, the Commanding Officer's killed, now's the time to
charge!" and the British officers had the greatest difficulty in
restraining these impetuous soldiers from leaving their position, and
rushing to certain death. The story recalls the speech of the famous
cavalry colonel at the action of Tamai, when the squares were seen to be
broken, and an excited and demoralised correspondent galloped wildly up
to the squadrons, declaring that all was lost. "How do you mean, 'all's
lost'? Don't you see the 10th Hussars are here?" There are men in the
world who derive as stern an exultation from the proximity of disaster
and ruin as others from success, and who are more magnificent in defeat
than others are in victory. Such spirits are undoubtedly to be found
among the Afridis and Pathans.

---------------
since all been surrendered.
Total Casualties, 149; with 48 horses and mules.

xmas camp

2009-01-17T18:11:00.001Z

Prof. Puran Singh’s Century-old Advice To Sikhs

2009-01-04T14:05:00.000Z

Prof. Puran Singh’s Century-old Advice To Sikhs

Posted by:

Fri Jan 2, 2009 2:24 am (PST)

Puran Singh's Century-old Advice To Sikhs

The digitization of books has created a whole new way for Sikhs to access their history. I've stumbled onto a lot of historical Sikh literature that I had never heard of. For example, through Google's Book Search function, I discovered a tourist guide to Punjab from the 1880's (here's an excerpt on visiting Amritsar).
Over the holidays, I found a scanned version of a first edition of The Life and Teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. It was written by Puran Singh and published by The Khalsa Agency in Amritsar in 1908. Puran Singh has a way with words like no other Sikh author I've ever encountered. His books The Spirit Born People and The Ten Masters are essential readings for anyone interested in Sikhi. In his book on Guru Tegh Bahadur he writes:
He looks upon the world with that far-seeing vacant eye with which a mariner, having lost his boat, looks upon the broad sea, seated on a rock in the middle dashed by the waves of the angry sea. The world to him is lost in the constant vision of the higher Reality of its soul. There is an intense spirit beating within his heart, which weeps ard cries at the sight of a man who is lost in the tempest of passions and remembers not the glorious life of his beyond this little life and the glorious inheritence of his in ideals of God, Love, and Truth.
He is a high abstraction in the love of God, and whenever a single thought of the world lowers his consciousness from those ethereal heights, he at once sings of God-consciousness and soars again."Remember thy God, remember thy Lord, this is thy one duty, thy only duty," says he.
However, what I really want to share is his opening introduction. The words are 100 years old, but just as or probably more relevant today.
Sikhism is a wonderful power that has been put in the soil of the Punjab and the flesh and blood of the Punjabis. I raise a warning note, lest the forgetful men may sleep over again on the verities of the sacred faith preached by the Sikh Gurus, and lest they may only apparently continue the babbling of the mere letters in delirium. The time has come that the life of man should be, awakened to its natural position of the Master Witness of Nature, realising afresh the Law of life, for the good of himself and the whole Society. "My I'd comes when I see the moon," "They are like dogs and hogs, who live on this earth with heads and eyes and hearts and consecrate them not to God." "Live in God or do not live at all." "Know thyself."
The Gurus have preached this and let us justify them by our daily conduct. Let us justify them and their beautiful teachings and their still more glorious life, by our life of love and dedication. In their honor and memory, let us make this Punjab, by living nobly, the "golden land where no monuments exist to Heroes but in the daily thoughts and deeds of men." Let all the individuals of the nation be the living and moving temples of God.
All Truth is alike. It is one and the same everywhere. Only men are needed to realise it and bear witness to it in their own soul. Unless, I am alive to Truth, all writings preaching Truth are meaningless to me. Unless I have some sort of the Hero's character, the life of a Hero has no lesson for me. Therefore, the true act of following any prophet is to evolve another prophet out of myself. It is to travel along the road taken by the prophets and the victory of faith is achieved, when we scale up the same heights as reached by them and see things as they saw, and read things as they road. Rhetoric availeth not, even learning and scholarship toil in vain. It is a simple inner reaction, wrought by acting upon the best and highest in us, that furnishes us with a new standpoint, an original view-point of looking upon things. "To see through God's eyes is knowledge." The world of misery, trouble and pain and death is gone and I see God everywhere. I become
twice-born then. My father, mother, wife, master, servant, city, home, country, life, death, joy, sorrow, are all resolved into "the Eternal Me," the God, the One Reality. Nothing but God is.
Men of such high realisation and such ample and broad life and experience were our Gurus, the Masters of man. Let us sit at their feet, with respect and veneration, to receive that light from them which may open our eyes and make us fresh and alive to the presence of God.
But friend ! Beware! Our love for them is apt to change into an unhealthy zeal which, while trying to build the magnificent superstructure of love's and devotion's external show, digs only the grave of the whole Church of Love within.
Beware! our faith is apt to take the shape of hatred for others beliefs.
Our gratitude to our heroes is apt to degrade into a foolish obedience to the letter of the Truth they lived, when sonship does become idle and bankrupted in the false pride of their fatherhood.
Our missionary zeal is likely to change into a morbid tendency of reforming others instead of ourselves. Instead of vindicating the Truth preached by our masters we mar and jeopardise Truth, because of our non -realisation of the Facts which came into their inner spiritual experiences. Instead of Life, we only have mockeries in the form of our prayers, and talks and boastings.
Stop these mockeries and do not talk but live. Do not be anxious to save Sikhism. Rest assured that Sikhism can take care of itself. Your only anxiety should be to save YOURSELF.

New Years Resolution

2009-01-01T10:28:00.000Z

Guroo Pyario, Happy New Year to everyone from Sikh Seva.

May Guroo Sahib Bless 2009 for everyone as a year in which they get closer to Gurbani, Naam and Gursikhi Jeevan.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION!

Lets all make a "New Years Resolution" to read a book for just 15 minutes each day. 15 Minutes is nothing compared to the time spent watching a movie, Eastenders, etc!

Spending JUST 15 minutes each day reading a Sikhi Book is not alot to sacrifice for your spirituality and learning about your roots!

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
*In Search of the TRUE GURU
*Autobiography of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji
*Se Kinehiya
*Garland Around My Neck

http://www.sikhnation.com

Discussion:
visit: http://forums.panthic.net/index.php?showtopic=31786

Happy New Year from all the Sevadaars!

Join Sikh Seva Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8128549831

Sikhs in Census

2008-12-16T08:53:00.002Z

Mention of Sikhs from the Official Parliamentary Hansard records regarding Sikh ethnicity in the census. See link below

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081126/text/81126w0055.htm

British Sikh Federation
Kashmir Singh

The UK Parliamentary records for 26 Nov 2008 show an overwhelming demand for Sikh ethnic group monitoring in census 2011, see extract below.

We need Sikh ethnic group monitoring to make sure that we get equality of opportunity, our fair share of jobs and promotions, our fair share of government grants to Sikh businesses and gurdwaras, our fair share of delivery of services by public and private sector organisations, our fair share of public appointments, etc. It is time to end the institutional racism against UK Sikhs. Most of the political parties in the UK support the Sikhs on this matter (Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Scottish Nationalists, Welsh Nationalists, many Labour Party MPs). Whilst some Labour Party Government Ministers have also given their support, the Labour Party to date has not done so; as such the Labour Party is likely to lose support at the next General Election.

In India, Sikhs are monitored in the national census and for public jobs. The Indian census monitors the state that you live in, religion, caste, tribe, etc; the different types of groups of people are monitored, and not just as 1 Indian category. Senior leaders within India have made it clear that the UK Government should monitor UK Sikhs as an ethnic group where such groups are monitored, and as a religion where such groups are monitored, e.g. Tarlochan Singh (National Minorities Commission Chairman at the time), Joginder Singh Vedanti (Akal Takhat Jathedar at the time), Simranjit Singh Mann (Shiromani Akal Dal Amritsar leader at the time), Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, etc. Sikhs are both a separate religion and a Qaum (Nation).

BSF website at www.british-sikh-federation.org

UK First COMMUNITY Sikh School Ofted

2008-12-16T08:50:00.002Z

The Uk's first Community built without help of any particular group or person has received a "good" in its first Ofted report.

http://www.panthic.org/news/124/ARTICLE/4591/2008-12-12.html

Khalsa Primary School which is really impressive in its school but also non school time activities deserves congratulations.

Sikhism - By Janet Lant

2008-12-16T08:41:00.000Z

http://www.searchsikhism.com/si3.html

Sikhism - By Janet Lant

Listen Chris Hammers, I never got around to telling you some of the things about Sikh religion that convince me of its authenticity. One major evidence is the "Holy Book" of Sikh religion known as the "Granth Sahib". The Granth Sahib was complied over a period of 240 years by the hands of the beings that founded Sikh religion. All copies are matched to the original handwritten one. It is scientifically impossible for any known being to write a book with all the qualities found in the Granth Sahib. Below are some of those amazing qualities:

1. It is written using very deeply profound words obtained from over 16 languages. (I would say that it's words are more profound then that of any other Book on the planet, but that would not get anywhere, I would be simply dismissed as being biased)

2. The words from over 16 incompatible languages are incorporated in a way that they make perfect sense.

3. The alphabet the Granth Sahib uses was invented by the Supreme Beings that wrote it. The Alphabet is called Gurmuki, it is impossible to make a spelling mistake using this alphabet because it has logical grammar rules. Every word or sound can only be written one way. Not like English where the k in knife is silent. This is the easiest alphabet to master. I bet the world would be using computers a long time ago to write things using speech recognition programs if Gurmuki was the business language of the world.

4. Every sentence is written in poetry of the highest order. (William Shakespeare would have been envious.)

5. At the same time every sentence rhymes.

6. At the same time everything is in music verse form, so that all sorts of musical instruments can be played while it is sung.

Sikh religion believes praying should be a very pleasurable, stress reliving, thought provoking event. Most other religions believe praying should be a act of submission (Catholics make you kneel allot!), unquestioningly following rituals, and fear of a jealous Angry God (the Ten Commandments of Judao-Christianity state something about God being a Jealous God and one prone to Anger.) Now Chris, tell me does it make sense following a God who is so immature he gets Jealous, how insecure could that kind of a God be! And how wimpy and powerless must this God be if he gets Angry.

The God of Sikh religion never gets Jealous because he made all those awesome things that make insecure persons jealous. Sikh religion also says God is without anger. Their is a very beautiful song about this in the Granth Sahib!

Plus before the Equal Rights movement, infact 540 years before , Guru Nanak said many nice Praises about women, instead of condemning them like all the other great religions do.

Quotes about Women in Sri Guru Granth Sahib In praise of women.

"We are born of woman, we are conceived in the womb of woman, we are engaged and married to woman. We make friendship with woman and the lineage continued because of woman. When one woman dies, we take another one, we are bound with the world through woman. We grow up stronger and wiser having drunk milk from the breast of woman. Why should we talk ill of her, who gives birth to kings? The woman is born from woman; there is none without her. Only the One True Lord is without woman" (Guru Nanak Dev, Var Asa, pg. 473)

Marriage is an equal partnership of love and sharing between husband and wife.

"They are not husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one spirit in two bodies." (Guru Amar Das, Pauri, pg. 788)

Women have an equal right to participate in the congregation.

"Come my sisters and dear comrades! Clasp me in thine embrace. Meeting together, let us tell the tales of our Omnipotent Spouse (God). In the True Lord are all merits, in us all demerits." (Guru Nanak Dev, Sri Rag, pg. 17)

God is the husband and we are all his brides.

"The spouse is but One and all others are His brides. The false bride assumes many religious garbs. When the Lord stops her going into another's home, then is she summoned into her Lord's mansion without any let and hindrance. She is adorned with the Name and is dear to her True Lord. She alone is the true bride and the Lord lends her His support." (Guru Nanak Dev, Ramkali, pg. 933) (note: Lord is one of the names of God)

God is our Mother as well as our Father.

"Thou O Lord, art my Father and Thou my Mother. Thou art the Giver of peace to my soul and very life." (Guru Arjan Dev, Bhairo, pg. 1144)

The rape and brutalities committed against women by the Mughal invader Babar condemned.

"Modesty and righteousness both have vanished and falsehood moves about as the leader, O Lalo. The function of the Qazis and the Brahmins is over and the Satan now reads the marriage rites (rape). The Muslim women read the Quran and in suffering call upon God, O Lalo. The Hindu women of high cast and others of low caste, may also be put in the same account, O Lalo." (Guru Nanak Dev, Tilang, pg. 722)

The practice of women burning themselves on their husband's funeral pyre (sati) condemned.

"They cannot be called satis, who burn themselves with their dead husbands. They can only be called satis, if they bear the shock of separation. They may also be known as satis, who live with character and contentment and always show veneration to their husbands by remembering them." (Guru Amar Das, Var Suhi, pg. 787)

The ritual of dowry so prevalent in many societies condemned.

"Any other dowry, which the perverse place for show, that is false pride and worthless gilding. O' my Father! give me the Name of Lord God as a gift and dowry." (Guru Ram Das, Sri Rag, pg. 79)

First Supreme Being Guru Nanak laid the foundation of Sikhism which believes in a casteless, egalitarian society which guarantees equal rights to Women. Each of the Supreme Being Gurus under authority of God gave women equal status. They gained social and religious freedom at a time when the existing religions and society considered women to be property. The false notion that they were inherently evil and unclean was removed. A woman was regarded as temptation-incarnate. The Gurus exposed the folly of such notions. [Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism, they all directly say Women are Unclean and Inferior.].

Sixth Supreme Being Guru Hargobind called Woman "the conscience of man". In religious gatherings, men and women sang and preached without any distinction. The wearing of purdah (women wearing veils to hide the face) was rejected as demeaning to women. Guru Hargobind refused to have dinner with any Queen who wore a veil.

Ik OnKar: means "One Creator" The circle is a chakram representing the Universe, the double edged sword represents the positive and negative side of the Force, the 2 swords on the outside of the sphere represent the hands of the One Creator protecting and beholding all that exists and beyond.

Dear Inquisitive, challenging brother "Chris Hammer", I will answer all your questions in better detail when time permits. For now I will torpedo your points. PLEASE READ THE KHALSA CONSENSUS ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI. Then you will see that Sikhs have more Divine proofs then any other Religion. I was born and still am a Christian, but I will soon Convert to Sikhism. The main reason being the Bible is anti-Women, it talks about the Woman’s Curse, the Old testament says God wants you to steal a baby boys foreskin, Science now says that mutilative operation is very harmful to the Defenseless infant boy, Mothering Magazine did a Science article on it. But Sikhs knew one should never destroy any Gift God gives, so cutting of a skin from the genitals is quite Evil, what happened to Human Rights, The Sikh religion Honors infants and all beings! Everyday a teaching of the Bible is found to be harmful.

First: You claim the proof that a revelation is truly from God, is Prophesy! As you know any occult palm reader etc... can claim they predicted an Earth Quake a year before it happened. All a Psychic has to say is next year the Earth will shake. Chances under rules of Science are that there is a good chance that some kind of explosion or Earth Shaking activity will happen in a year, so Prophesy is just clever manipulation of history.

You say ""The Bible prophesied hundreds of years in advance giving detailed accounts of the major empires of the world and all major cities of the ancient world as well as the names of two emperors 200 years before they were born".

I have read the Bible, I find that these so called revelation do not prove anything anyone can make them, it's easy to turn anything written in the past into a accurate prediction, by stretching interpretations to suite an end result.

Not to really answer your challenge. SIKHS do not depend on Prophesy, because God like a Movie producer can make any changes whenever He/She wants to. What Proves the Sikh religion came directly from God is it is the only Religion in the world that has perfect Science. Your Bible was the reason Galileo was almost Executed, because the Bible was saying the Earth is Flat & the Sun revolves around the Earth. This Male Egotistical writing is now proven face by Science. The First Supreme Being GURU NANAK, "The Light that Dispels the Darkness", wrote many Divine Poems describing Solar Systems. If you know science you know Solar System means a planetary system in which all the planets revolve around a central Star.

Second proof The first Supreme Being or Light that Dispels the Darkness-Guru Nanak with his own hands at the order of God wrote Hymns that say the Earth and many planets are round. I will now Quote a Divine Poetic Quote translated from Gurmuki, that teaches that not only is Earth Round but there are uncountable Earths (planets), Uncountable Solar Systems around which they orbit, Uncountable Galaxies. Chris Hammer, you know that it was only a few decades ago when "Hubble" an astronomer discovered that we live in a Galaxy, then much later Hubble discovered that there are many Galaxies outside our own. Well Mr. Hammer, the Sikh Holy Scripture which is the only Holy Book written by the Founder(s) of its faith. That is like saying Jesus wrote the Bible, instead of Chauvinistic men 100's of years after Jesus died.

The Guru Granth Sahib, over 540 years ago stated that their were Countless Galaxies, Galileo was not born until 100 years later. Guru Nanak did not have a Telescope or vast scientific resources like Galileo did. If that is not enough & you demand Sikhs to have prophesy to be valid, then I will give you something no human not even Jesus knew, the Gurus said there are Universes upon Universes, Spheres upon Spheres. What this means is that when you reach the end of our 15 billion light years size Universe, go many times that distance into empty space, you will encounter the neighboring Universe, keep traveling and the scenario will repeat. Now the Spheres upon Spheres means that about 400 trillion Universes each the size of our one Universe make a Spherical structures called a Sphere, & that there are countless numbers of these huge Spheres each containing Trillions of Universes.

Now Mr. Hammer, your God is a God of 1 Flat Earth, 1 spiritual heaven, & 1 Spiritual Hell! The Sikh God as I mentioned above is bigger, his Earth is a Sphere, he is master of many Planets, Universes, Galaxies etc.. plus his is master of countless Physical Heavens in addition to 1 Spiritual Heaven plus countless Physical Hells in addition to 1 Spiritual Hell! So your God Mr. Hammer is quite small in power etc... How come your Bible did not mention this.

Now to give you a prophesy, in the Future your Scientists will discover that the Sikh religion was correct when Guru Nanak stated there are Universes upon Universes, then much further into the future your Scientists will eventual realize that Trillions of these Universes form a Sphere. Below is the Quote! Enjoy!

"There are worlds upon worlds, solar systems upon solar systems, galaxies upon galaxies, universes upon universes, spheres upon spheres, They function according to Command of God. God gets joy by thinking of and beholding His Creation;"

"Beyond this Earth, there are many more and more earths. What power bears their load from underneath? (Not the supposed bull, but God's Force)."

"God's One Word created the world's expansion. And lacs of rivers began to flow."

"There are nether worlds and more nether worlds below them and there are lakhs of skies over them. Limitless the worlds beneath, limitless the worlds above. One may grow weary of searching out His limits. One can never reach the end of His Vastness."

"The continents, worlds and solar system, established by God, sing His glories. God's enlightened beings steeped in the Name, who are pleasing to God, sing His praises"

"God has His seat and His storehouses in all the worlds. Whatever is stored, was put only once for all, enough forever!"

"How many Indras, moons, suns, and how many Star Systems[Surya Mandals], and stars, How many [countless], Siddh, Buddhas [like Gautama Buddha], Nath [Gurus], and how many forms and incarnations of Devi [Durga],How many Angles, Demons, Speakars of Truth[Muni], and countless Oceans having precious stones,"

My Dear brother Chris Hammers,

You say "I am very sorry to hear of your bad experience with Christianity, but don't make the mistake of throwing out the baby with the bath water."

Now listen, why do you consider my future plans of upgrading (converting) to Sikhism, as throwing out the baby with the bath water. I am not interested in converting because I had bad experience with Christianity, how could I have a bad experience when all I knew as an infant was Christianity.

My parents like you tried to discourage me from embracing Sikh ways, they said Sikhism is primitive religion. I then proved to them exactly how misguided & ignorant they were. I did this by pointing out that Christianity began 2000 years ago, it was a primitive mans attempt to understand God. So it is Christianity that is primitive, Sikhism I taught my parents is a Religion of Divine Science.

You gave some quotes from the Bible, about Stars, but the Man who wrote that had no idea that a star is a HOT SUN like our sun, not a cool pretty shiny grain of sand in the sky. Most of my relatives understand the Bible considers stars to be Gods heavenly wallpaper nothing more. Only in the Sikh religion is it clearly stated that Stars are Suns because the Granth states Suraa Mundala, meaning solar systems.

I never said a Guru is "The Supreme Being". What I said is "The First Supreme Being GURU NANAK, "The Light that Dispels the Darkness", wrote many Divine Poems describing Solar Systems."

The Sikh religion states there is only one "SAT GURU" meaning True God. When I refer to Guru Nanak as a First Supreme Being, it means Pala Mehel or First Mehel, it does not mean GOD. God is The One Supreme Being, the Gurus were one step below as Supreme Beings under the One True Supreme Being. The word GURU comes from 2 words GU & RU, GU means Light, RU means Darkness. Combined they mean "The Light That Dispels The Darkness" or simply GURU. Clearly each of the 10 Gurus were and are Supreme Beings working for God the One True Supreme Being. Guru Nanak walked the Land like Jesus, only difference is Nanak walked much further distances, infact Nanak at a minimum based on other nations historical records walked enough to circle the Earth 3 times over. But in the future I feel the distance record will increase even further, for example the nation of ITALY has villagers reporting their ancestors made company with Nanak, and the Provincial Governments of CHINA are reporting, that they had visits by Nanak, they have now proved that Nanking province And Nanaking City were named to Honor First Supreme Being Nanak.

If you read Genesis or the TORAH it has a section called "The Woman's Curse", which is a Man made Bible teaching that God punished Women because a mythical Eve gave Adam a forbidden fruit. I will give you an exact quote when time permits. This Bible chapter states that a women had monthly menstrual cycles because God has Cursed her. In Genesis it also says a Woman's Husband shall strike her in the Head. Read the Bible & the Old Testament or Torah and you will see how much hatred of woman there is in there. It talks of God wanting Woman to be submissive to Man.

I am a MD and no Bible Thumping Man tells me what to do. I told my Fiancee that I am almost sure I am converting to Sikhism & if he is unwilling to do the same, then he can hit the road. He said whatever I want he wants too. I have been teaching him many of the Khalsa Books on Sikhism, and he is impressed at the GURU's teachings.

Chris Hammers, I studied all the religions, and found all flawed, only Sikhism was able to withstand my fierce assault. I tried & Tried to find fault in Sikhism, I found NONE! When I first saw a Sikh, I thought he was a Muslim, I latter I learned that most Muslims never wear a Turban, a Sikh wears a Turban, because it Give a Free Cranial Adjustment & tells Him & everyone else that he is beneath no one and only God is above Him!

The Pro Woman aspect of Sikhism is only one of the many Divine Reasons I am planning on Upgrading to Sikhism. I find Sikhism is a very advanced Dharma for the Modern world. My current religion just has no place to meet my Modern Demands, its not like after I got my MD, some guy with a Old Testament is going to put me in the Kitchen, because some imaginary MALE GOD told him a Woman belongs in the Kitchen, HA HA! Of course I do allot of work in the Kitchen, but only when I want to cook something I Love & avoid the unhealthy restaurant food.

The Tenth Supreme Being Guru Gobind Singh, when traveling by the woods, got of his horse upon the sight of a Tobaco Plant. He then drew his Kirpan (holy Sword) and chopped it up, then with his feet he smeared it into the ground. Onlookers belonging to many different religions, asked the Tenths Supreme Being, why have you destroyed that plant? The Tenth Supreme Being replied "Alcohol will destroy one Generation, But Tobaco will destroy many generations."

Chris Hammers, as you know it was only about 4 years ago that Scientist discovered that Second hand Tobacco Smoke kills, thus destroying (damaging or killing) the fetus and destroying the lives of children & great Grand Children & friends. So because the 10th Supreme Being was in constant communications with the One True Supreme Being(Ik Onkar, Sat Nam) he had access to absolute Science. Did the Men who wrote the Holy Bible not know about Tobacco, were the not in communication with the One True Creator? Sikhism is the only Faith that forbids Tobacco in its Scriptures. Read the English Translations by SANT SINGH KHALSA, also a MD! I only hope that God will let me earn the only True Degree there is the "Degree of Divine Sikhia".

Chris it was my Medical Colleagues who during the 50's started routine Circumcision of Defenseless Babies. This was done to make extra income for medical professionals, Circumcision increases the transmission and acquiring of STD's. Plus many other problems, In my next posting I will give over 70 Scientific references proving my point. I will do this not to prove you wrong, but to prove another Sikh wrong. Chris even Jesus tried to ban Circumcision, because the practice is Satanic, no Loving God would ask anyone to chop of a very valuable pleasure producing part.

Until the past 12 years I when to Church every Sunday, now hopefully I will get to go to Gurdwara any day of the week as convenient. Instead of hearing a fiery sermon, I will get to enjoy Divine Music & Hymns!

And Chris Hammer, Only Ik Onkar or One Creators name is Precious, not a Nice Guy named Jesus. I get the impression you are a Religious Fanatic, something that the Sikh Dharm shuns. Because Fanaticism puts a wall between ones spiritual connection to One True Creator.

Sikhs don't waste time spreading Sikhism like other religions do because, one does not give away Diamonds. I am lucky I came across this True Diamond, I only hope I have the IQ it takes to follow the Super Advanced Spiritual Teachings of the "Lights that Dispel the Darkness or Gurus".

See, I am not the only one that knows a Turban gives a Cranial Adjustment. It is a law of Physics, not Indian culture. Sikhism is from the future, Indian is from the past, you can take the wayward path if you like. Your comments indicate you already made many a wrong choice. And, Jass Singh, the Gurus were & are Supreme Beings, and there is nothing you can do to hurt them or lower There power. Some other Sikh, wrote that Punjabi Sikhs are cutting their Hair and trying to blend in with western culture. Well that's their & their parents poor understanding of Divinity of Sikhism. So by dumping diamonds they don't hurt me one bit, its their loss. I as a very Modern American, know I am becoming even more Modern by adopting the Guru's (the Lights that Dispel the Darkness) teachings and way of life. If Punjabi Sikhs misbehave they loose big time. I have looked at all Religions and Sikhism is the only Dharm that can exist in its current form on any Planet in Any Universe, maybe the Punjabi Sikhs don't deserve this best of all Universal Knowledge anymore.

I wore a Kara to the last continuing medical education seminar, and some of my colleagues asked me about it. So I told them what it was and about Sikh Dharm, they showed great interest in learning more. Two of the ladies from the group asked where they could get a translation of the Sikh Holy book. Page 14 of the Khalsa Consensus Translation must be what peaked there interest! If God gave me more time, I know it would be so easy to get far more individuals interested in Sikhism! I never ever saw a Sikh of India sharing knowledge of Sikhism with a Non-Sikh. Probably a good thing in disguise, because, I have been told so much misinformation by Native Sikhs. For example some tell me Meat is good, then they justify such butchery by saying the Gurus ate it. When I ask them for proof they come up with sloppy translations. I then waste time dissecting them and find the Gurus are speaking against killing animals in those passages. For a person like myself, it is so obvious the Gurus could never condone eating meat. As meat is unhealthy & a Shameful destruction of Life Force. I quit eating meat 12 years ago, way before I even knew Sikhs existed. Thank God the Gurus wrote the Granth and not some body much latter on.

The Spiritual Strength Of Woman - The following is an article that Shanti Kaur Khalsa presented at the Women's Seminar at the World Sikh Samelan, Amritsar 1995.

BANA : The Khalsa Uniform Bana is our own flag. Bana is our nishan that states unequivocally who we are. If we have the dress and fashion of a movie star, that makes a statement as to who we are. If we wear the clothes of beggar, that also tells the world what our status is. And if we wear the bana of the Khalsa, this makes a statement of strength that cannot be ignored by the hardest of hearts. Bana is the image and dress of grace. Bana is the five K's of the Khalsa: Kesh, Kachera, Kanga, Kara, and Kirpan. Each one of these beautiful accouterments gives us strengh and beauty. Bana is a statement that says, with a look, that I belong to Guru Gobind Singh, and He belongs to me.

I belong to the Khalsa and Khalsa belongs to me as the drop of water forever merges into the ocean. Guru Gobind Singh

I would like to share with you my own story and experiences in relation to the bana of the Khalsa. When I first became a Sikh, twenty-three years ago, I had never seen an Indian Sikh woman. I knew only American Sikhs, and in fact, very few of those. But I knew that Kesh and Dastar were part of the 5-K's of Guru Gobind Singh. And I knew that Guru Gobind Singh promised:

If the Khalsa maintains the distinct path, I shall give them all my strength. But if the Khalsa leaves this path, then I will withdraw my recognition.

Guru Gobind Singh

Well, as a young woman of 18 years, full of the spirit of life and the excitement of discovering the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, it never occurred to me to not wear a turban. The Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh wore the dastar, and that was who I wanted to be. So it was with great sincerity that I tied my first turban. From the moment I put on a turban, the effect was immediate and exciting.

Physiologically speaking, the turban creates a dramatic effect on the body. The human skull is not solid, but is made up of 52 moving plates, whose alignment affects our well being and our mental processes. Osteopathic Doctors have developed a science of cranial adjustments to treat many general and specific ailments. By tying the turban, and thus creating the proper pressure and angles, the bones of the skull are automatically adjusted, and remain aligned throughout the day. In situations of mental activity or emotional stress, when the cranial bones tend to go out of proper alignment, the turban contains and maintains the integrity of the skull. This contributes greatly to our strength and ability to succeed under pressure. In addition to this, the effect of the Kesh properly combed-up and the acupressure points that the turban presses at the temple contributes to the person's ability to maintain an elevated state of mind, a higher state of consciousness. All of this was apparent to me the very first day I wore the turban of the Khalsa.

But as you can imagine, the most dramatic effect of wearing a turban is not physiological, but rather it is social. Wearing a turban is to walk the niagra path. My parents and my friends were stunned. They thought they had lost me, but of course they had not. Rather the experience of being distinct has made me more committed to the welfare of those around me, because everything I do is highlighted and examined by others.

Now that I have lived my life experiencing the benefits of the turban, I can tell you honestly that you are missing a great advantage by not doing so. I have been given the respect and the status of a spiritual woman, even when I myself have been filled with self-doubt and misgivings. This I see as Guru Gobind Singh Ji fulfilling his promise, giving me strength even when I do not have strength myself. This beautiful dastar proclaims to the entire world the I belong to Guru Gobind Singh and that is a reality I will never deny.

maya

2008-11-23T10:47:00.001Z

I got this sent in email yesterday

vahegurujeekaakhalsa
vahegurujeekeefateh

Poem by a Gupt Singhanee!

The self willed manmukh feeds his panj chor,contiuously asking for more and more.
Knowing in the end the pain that awaits,yet still going out with so called mates.
Tangled in the web of maya,wanting every possible wordly desire.
Living his life like hes going to live forever,comforting himself saying ''never,never''.
Little does he know the end is so touchibly near,why is he not worried??
Not living in fear?
For what awaits him is 8.4 joon,a single rock glaring up at the moon, the unfortunate being forgot the creator,all he could do was say 'later,later'.
This it the fate that lies ahead, for those who are living,but ultimatley dead!

***

ikAw qU soieAw jwgu ieAwnw ]

kiaa thoo soeiaa jaag eiaanaa ||

Why are you asleep? Wake up, you ignorant fool!

qY jIvnu jig scu kir jwnw ]1] rhwau ]

thai jeevan jag sach kar jaanaa ||1|| rehaao ||

You believe that your life in the world is true. ||1||Pause||

***

vaheguroo...vaheguroo...vaheguroo
vaheguroo...vaheguroo
vaheguroo

vahegurujeekaakhalsa
vahegurujeekeefateh

LIVING BELOW POVERTY

2008-11-23T10:40:00.000Z

Interesting post from Khalsa Aid Blog:

http://apps.khalsaaid.org/Blog/?e=19273&d=11/21/2008&s=LIVING BELOW POVERTY

I walked into a village in the Indian state of Madya Pardes and I saw a woman using a sieve to remove Insects, Stones, Soil and Leaves from a pot of water which she has just filled from the well next to her. I asked her what the water was for, she looked bemused and said it was for her family. She became very angry when I stated that the water will make her family sick if they drank it. She said they had no choice due to the village water pump regularly breaking down, so this was the only option. She has seen many people including young children become sick from drinking the polluted water but being born into dire poverty leaves the individual shackled to a life without choice.

I was invited to this region of India by the Gurmat Gian College Ludhiana who have recently built a Sikh Temple/Educational Centre near the town of Barhvah (60 KM from the city of Indore) They wanted Khalsa Aid to offer some assistance to these very poor people who have been identified as living below the poverty line by the regional minorities commission. This Temple/Centre has been built to offer education and spiritual guidance to the children in the surrounding villages.

I expected these people to be poor but not heartbreakingly poor; I was deeply moved by their hospitality and kindness in every village. I managed to visit about 10 villages in 2 days and every village had almost total lack of clean drinking water. I was also informed that during the summer months almost all the water pumps stop functioning and if it didn’t rain the wells dry up too. Its late November now and the temperature is still very warm but in the summer months it becomes unbearable and i dread the thought of these families going further and further in the searing heat to fill their water containers.

Khalsa Aid will be looking at the possible solutions to provide clean drinking water in the villages with a view to probably boring deeper down into the rock hard earth to reach good quality drinking water. This will be a costly project but a very rewarding and satisfying one for the donors who wish to offer their help to provide the most basic of needs for a human being, clean drinking water. Please please help Khalsa Aid to help these most downtrodden poor people to have clean water!

Khalsa Aid will also be looking into using a room in the new Temple as a medical facility to provide basic medical care to the poverty stricken villages. There is very little access to medical treatment in these villages so hopefully we will be able to change this. It’s a tough world for most of us but for these poor people it’s been a world of discrimination and suffering. Please donate.

Sikhi and Bhangra

2008-11-18T08:14:00.001Z

The Best Musician on Earth

2008-11-14T07:17:00.000Z

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa
Waheguru ji ki Fateh

pyareoo ,
some of you undoubtedly have read this jewel before,
others this may be your first time...
but somethings never wear out and are ever fresh...
for me this is one of those timeless classics
so i share it with you once more

------------ --------- --The Best Musician on
Earth------- --------- --------- ---

Taan Sain was the best musician in Emperor Akbar's court. Each evening he
would sing for the Emperor who was a lover of the arts, and who would
greatly appreciate the musician. He would shower many gifts and praises
onto the musician.

One evening, after a particularly beautiful performance by the musician, the

Emperor called Taan Sain to his palace and said, "Today you overwhelmed me.

While I was listening to you sing, a thought occurred to me and that
thought was that you are the best musician on this Earth. But as soon as
that thought had trespassed my mind, I thought about the great teacher who
must have taught you, must also be great. That's the reason I asked for
you. Pray tell me, who is your teacher and how can he or she come to this
court to perform for the Kingdom."

Taan Sain smiled and said, "Sire, my teacher is full of wonders. But I know
him enough to tell you that he will not come to this court."

The Emperor said, "Of course we will do his seva quite handsomely.. ."

Taan Sain, "With due respect, Sire, no amount of seva will bring my teacher
to your court."

This greatly intrigued the Emperor, "Surely there is a way that I could
listen to your teacher sing. If he will not come here, perhaps we can go to
him."

Taan Sain again smiled, "Sire, my teacher is carefree and he might not like
us going to him."

Emperor, "But surely, my good man, there must be a way."

Taan Sain thought a while and said, "Well, there is one way. My teacher
usually sings in the early mornings by the Ganga River. If the Raja
insists, then we must be discreet and hide nearby and listen to him at that
time."

The Emperor was a spiritual man and he did wake up at early hours of the
morning anyway, so he arranged for them to be taken to a place where Taan
Sain's teacher bathed and sang.

Both the Emperor and Taan Sain reached the river bank at 1 am and hid in
nearby bushes. As was the daily routine of Taan Sain's teacher, he came to
the river at 1.30 am, bathed and sat on the riverbank and sang.

His song was so great that it completely mesmerized the Emperor. The
Emperor could not speak or move, and just sat like a stone idol for the
entire time the teacher sang. Even after the teacher had left, the Emperor
had to be nudged from his vismad smadhi by Taan Sain.

The Emperor half dreamily walked back to the carriage that had brought them
to the riverbank. The Emperor remained in vismad for the whole ride back and
indeed, the whole day.

After that evening's performance, the Emperor summoned Taan Sain to his
palace again and said, "Taan Sain, your teacher is wonder itself. I am
very, very curious at one thing. I love your singing but if you wouldn't
mind, I would request you answer one question."

Taan Sain, "Sire, please ask this servant any question."

The Emperor, "With much due respect, I thought that you were the best on
this Earth, but your teacher far surpresses you. I do not wish to offend
you in any way, but please tell me how is this possible that your teacher's
talent is eons deeper than yours?"

Taan Sain laughed and said, "Rajan, I perform for you, he performs for God."

------------ --------- --------- --------- ---

Taan Sain performed for worldly people. His teacher performed for Waheguru.

Taan Sain's song was like a rose. His teacher's song was like a bed of
freshly blossomed and fragrance-laden roses dancing in the wind.

At the hour that our overwhelmingly loving guru calls "Amrit Vela" we
perform for Waheguru. No one else.

There is no doubt that when we do seva and sing keertan at the gurudwara, we
do it sincerely and with faith. But there is always a hint of humai (ego)
hidden in our actions. When we do good keertan, we wait for someone to say,

"Wah, Wah." When we write a good speech, we expect someone to come and
praise it.

But at the time that our overwhelming- ras-filled guru calls "Amrit Vela",
there is no one there except guru. Then we please the guru and the guru
only. The guru then has the chance to splash us with the guru's overflowing
maddening prem, love, ras and jot.

The time that our very own father, mother and overwhelmingly
unconditionally- loving guru calls "Amrit Vela" is the beginning of sikhi. It
is the beginning of our path to the guru's warm and sukh-sagar bosom.

Bhai Randhir Singh jee on Amrit Vela:

"The gursikh that does naam simran at amrit vela,
is *assured* of satguru's kalaa (rang, love, intoxication, kripa etc)"

Baba Nand Singh jee:
(Upon finding out that someone will be writing his (Baba jee's) biography)

Laughing, "gursikho, imagine an almond. It has the outer shell, the brown
part we all see. Then it has a white inner part that is not seen. My life
is like that almond. The biographer will be writing about that brown outer
part - what I did, what I said - but gursikho, my *real* life, the inner
white, is from 1 am till 6 am. Nobody can possibly even imagine that life,
let alone write about it. Only I know that real life."

Baba Attar Singh jee

"A sikh should drop 10 other tasks to eat on time,
a sikh should drop 100 other tasks to do nitnem on time
and a sikh should drop 1,000 other tasks to do simran on time."

A Gursikh

"I wait desperately for amrit vela all day."

As you can see, amrit vela is *most* important aspect of sikhi. Indeed,
many an aware gursikh will tell you,

"Sikhi without amrit vela naam simran *is* not possible".

waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru waheguru.... .....

NZ's First Turbaned Sikh Police Officer performs the Haka!

2008-10-30T08:08:00.000Z

Sri Bibi Harbans Kaur

2008-10-21T06:28:00.000Z

Rangley Sajjan - The Imbued Ones
Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh Jee
Translated by: Bhai Jaspinder Singh Jee

Chapter 11: Sri Bibi Harbans Kaur

Here is a tribute to the great Sikh, wife of the Late devout Vir Simran Sardar Joginder Singh Ji of village Raipur. Sri Bibi Harbans Kaur Ji belonged to the ancient Gurusikh family, devoted to Faith generation after generation, from Daudpur. Her paternal uncle, Sriman Sant Hira Singh Ji, was a leading light of the Jatha. His devotion to Nam Simran and Godly love was exemplary. This young girl was born and brought up and greatly influenced by the high spirituality of her uncle. At the time of her birth saintly Bhai Hira Singh Ji prophesized that she was destined to be great devotee and her strong Sikh Faith would be worthy of emulation.

When she attained a marriageable age, as a consequence of Sant Bhai Hira Singh Ji's blessing, she got married as per the Anand Karaj rite to Sriman Bhai Joginder Singh Ji. It was indeed a great blessing that such devout spiritual seekers got united in marriage. Though their economic condition was bordering on poverty, they enjoyed enrichment of Nam Wealth. Their spiritual flourishment together was truly exemplary. Their minds got focused on pure Gurmat as soon as they got baptized. With their total reliance on the Efficacious Nam, they never cared much about worldliness. The handling of household duties of Bibi Harbans Kaur was so auspicious, that soon everything was transformed. The hard days ended with a sense of great prosperity. The talents of Bhai Joginder Singh Ji came to be recognized and rewarded by Patiala State. Though worldly riches now abounded, humility of spirit was retained. Sister Harbans Kaur Ji was the living embodiment of Gurusikh living in thought, word and deed. Her head was always adorned with a light bluish turban. She had a strong healthy body and with turbaned head she carried herself with great dignity, worthy of great devout Sikh lady.

She personally attended to all the household chores. The sound of Nam Simran became automatic all the time while attending to her normal activities. It is rare to find such faith in personal life. She would always take full head to toe bath. She followed this practice even soon after delivery of a newborn, not caring for medical advice against this. The blessing of such firm faith was, that she never suffered even a slight sickness throughout. She always eagerly looked forward to serve holy ones and her kitchen was always open for this service. She prepared food and served all by herself. The visitors were always fully satiated. This auspicious service never experienced any shortage.

She was very adept in reading the hidden meaning of actions of devotees. Once she was serving prepared food to the great spiritualist, godly Bhai Atma Singh from Moga. It so happened that suddenly Sri Bhai Atma Singh Ji went into trance and stopped eating from his plate, yet kept chewing with his mouth. His eyes were rolled back and his face shone in Divine splendor. Bhai Joginder Singh Ji was sitting close by and was perplexed with this strange goings-on. In amazement, he enquired the meaning of all this from his wife, that without taking food from his plate Bhai Atma Singh appeared to be partaking of invisible food. Bibi Harbans Kaur Ji replied, 'There is nothing to wonder. Bhai Randhir Singh is offering him morsels from Narangwal.' Hearing this, Bhai Joginder Singh noted the time of the occurrence. At that very time I was served food by my wife, Srimati Kartar Kaur at Narangwal. I had taken only a few morsels and then stopped eating even though my hands took food from the plate. My mother sitting by my side noticed this strange occurance. Puzzled by this, she enquired from Kartar kaur and explanation of this wonderment. Srimati Kartar Kaur could also read through the strange happening as Bibi Harbans Kaur could. He promptly came, 'There is nothing unusual or surprising about it. He is feeding his Sarablohia friend (sharing commonness of eating from Steel utensils) Bhai Atama Singh Ji, who is being served by sister Harbans Kaur at that house of Bhai Joginder Singh at Patiala. 'When I came out of my trance, I too noted the time. After few days Bibi Harbans Kaur, Sant Hira Singh Ji, the great devout Ascetic Bhai Atma Singh Ji and Bhai Joginder Singh Ji visited Narangwal. The mutual query was secretly answered and the events found to coincide.

Sri Bibi Harbans Kaur was such, so outstanding and assertive, that all wives of Patiala high officials and chieftains acknowledged her overpowering religious influence. The consorts of ministers and royal queens all held her in awful respect. They used to send for other ladies to the palace, but none ever dared to ask Bibi Harbans Kaur. She was without a parallel in her chastity.

Sri Bhai Joginder Singh Ji was then a member of Shromani Gurudwara Prabandak Committee (S.G.P.C). The agitation against British Rule by Akali-Panth was at its peak. Almost every member of S.G.P.C suffered imprisonment due to participation in this agitation. Bhai Joginder Singh did not have good health those days and had grown weak. However Bibi Harbans Kaur aroused his religious fervor like brave wives in Sikh history and encouraged him for the sacrifice of courting arrest and jail. However at the moment of his departure, unintentional tears came to her eyes. Bhai Joginder Singh was astonished at this and asked the reason for this show of weakness after putting up a brave front thus far. Bibi Harbans Kaur smiled and replied that the possibility of an early reunion was remote. We seem to be destined for a long separation. Sardar Joginder reassured her that he was fine now with her blessings and there was nothing to fear.

In fact Bibi Harbans Kaur had envisioned her own death, though she never revealed this to him. By the time Sardar Joginder Singh returned after his tern of imprisonment, Bibi Harbans Kaur had left for her Heavenly Abode-Eternal. He could not cope up with the pangs of separation from his faithful godly wife. His health deteriorated fast. Though Bibi Harbans Kaur completed her life sojourn successfully as the very embodiment of faith, the family left behind suffered incompletion of its household affairs. The acceptance of the Divine Will of Bhai Joginder Singh was unique in bearing this terrible loss.

Wonderful Naam

2008-10-15T09:35:00.001Z

Why is it so important to remember God's Name (Nam Simran)? It seems like a pretty strange thing to do - I mean Nam Japna means saying the same Name over and over again, day and night , seven days a week for all of your life? Perhaps this will make it clearer:

The human body is like a wedding car. The mind is the chauffeur and the soul is the bride sitting in the back seat. She sat in the car thinking that she would be driven to the marriage ceremony at the tenth door (dasam duar) where God Himself would be the Husband. Then He'd take her away to Sach Khand (Realm of Truth : God's abode) and they'd be living in wedded bliss happily ever after.

But soon after sitting down, she found the chauffeur was a very cunning driver. He opened all the doors so that his 5 friends called Anger, Greed, Lust, Attachment and Pride could have their wicked way with her. She just couldn't get out and instead of driving the car to Sach Khand, he pushed it around slowly and awkwardly in any direction he wanted depending on where his 5 friends wanted to go. He just couldn't be bothered to get to the wedding at the dasam duar, not that he even knew where it was - I don't think he even had a map and none of his so-called friends knew where to go. The strange thing is that everyone in this world is pushing their cars with the bride trapped with the 5 strange thieves and no-one thinks it's strange because it's what they are used to - I mean everyone’s been doing it like that for thousands of years and they're all lost. They're number plate reads: 'M A N M U K H'.

All of a sudden a car speeds by with a chauffeur sitting in the driving seat driving normally. His number plate is 'G U R M U K H'. ManMukh stops and talks to him, 'Excuse me, why do you drive your car while others push them?'.

He replies, 'Well, I used to be a MAN-MUKH pusher like you, but I met a very spiritually gifted holy man who told me that I was driving my car all wrong. I used to love my car and I didn't like it when he said that. My car was the best car in the world. It had fluffy dice and go faster stripes. It had wheels that would bounce the car up and down; I'd even fitted a £10,000 music centre into the boot. My car was beautiful and everyone used to tell me how beautiful it was. ‘

‘The holy man then told me that if I wanted to know how to drive fast then I'd have to go to a special place called a Gurdwara-Nam-Petrol station where I'd meet the Supreme Being, called the Guru Granth Sahib jee and that if I became a disciple and promised to follow the Guru's instructions then I too could be whizzing around to my true destination. ‘

‘Of course, I didn't believe him at first and my pusher friends all laughed at the absurdity of it whoever heard of someone driving their car? They just wouldn't believe that I'd seen this 'G U R M U K H'. Anyway, I met the 'G U R M U K H' again and I went to the Gurdwara-Nam-petrol station and I saw lots of people driving really fast just like him. I was so exited, I had a tingly feeling in my stomach - I just couldn't wait to meet the Guru Granth Sahib jee.’

‘Then I drank the amrit-nectar and became a disciple. I promised I'd obey my Guru's instructions and I wouldn't do all the silly decorations that I'd done to my car. The first thing Guru jee told me was that this hole in the top of the car, called the mouth was for a special reason. He told me I'd been pouring the wrong kind of fuel in it. I'd been saying so many useless words but they weren't helping me at all. The real fuel to pour into the mouth was The Name of God: Waheguru. If I kept pouring this Nam-petrol into my car day and night then I'd have the power to reach God the Husband.’

My Guru jee also told me to sing my daily prayers so I'd I find the directions and to serve the saints so I'd get the hints and tips of their blessings. And look at me now, I'm whizzing around like nobody's business. It was hard at first, but now I'm used to it and I'll soon be at God's Door and this Divine marriage of Bliss can take place. I tell you, I can't believe I'd been such a fool for so many years. My friends still don't believe me, but I don't hang out with them anymore.’

‘Plus my Guru jee gave me this new Number plate 'G U R M U K H' it means the one who has got his face towards the Guru - I follow my Guru now, before I used have my face towards my own minds desires and cravings so I was a 'M A N M U K H'. So if you're interested in learning how to drive your car then come and meet the Supreme Being - Guru Granth Sahib jee. He'll help you just like he helped me.

manmukh? Short Story

2008-10-14T13:52:00.000Z

There were two Sikhs; Jaku and Bhagta who went to see Sri Guru Nanak sahib
ji in kartapur. They asked guru ji what would be the distinguishing signs of
a manmukh - person who is a slave to the mind.

Guru ji replied the first sign of a manmukh is jealousy. It is however wrong
to assume jealously is less conspicuous in educated people. In fact, it can
become a predominant in educated people. A manmukh craves for all happiness
in this world which he has conceived in his mind, such as wealth, property,
etc. If he sees somebody's beautiful house, he suffers pang in his heart,
becomes distressful and fills himself with sorrow.

Next he thinks everyone is his enemy for no logical reason. He never thinks
of doing good deed at anytime. Then he becomes egotistic has no feeling of
sympathy or mercy for anyone in distress.

Then they ask how does this ego originate?

Guru ji says that when such a person observes somebody with less wealth or
property or who is materially in poor state, the egotistic person laughs and
ridicules the poor person instead of helping him. Then he may assume that he
is intellectually a superior person and that others are way below him in
intelligence.

Then again, such a person may make it a habit of making derogatory remarks
about others and listen to gossip about others.

A manmukh likes to praise someone who is above him in material wealth but
talks bad about someone poor and hold them in low esteem. When he hears
somebody getting praised, he gets jealous. Guru says, this attitude is not
good: getting jealous and creating enmity with a person of equal standing
and talking ill of him; telling another that he is nobody and that you are
everything; well educated and very wealthy.

Recession and redundancy: your rights

2008-10-14T06:00:00.000Z

A useful article in the current climate I recived in an email.

Recession and redundancy: what are your rights if your company lets you go?

Jane Bell

With the credit crunch biting businesses and rumours spreading of a recession that could be as bad as the 70s, all of us are starting to get concerned about the future. Should an economic depression hit hard, then many of us could be in a situation where our jobs hang in the balance.

But what are your rights if your company wants to let you go? Do they need good reason and how much compensation do you deserve? Here are Lawpack's redundancy FAQs.

In what situations can my employer make me redundant?

The business is closing down or relocating.
Your job is unnecessary because of new technology or a new system.
The business no longer has a need for the kind of work which you were employed for.
Your employer needs to cut costs and so they need to reduce the number of employees.

What is the procedure?

You should be selected fairly and your employer should consult you about the redundancy. They should give you redundancy pay and the right amount of notice (which is stated in your contract). They should also consider any alternatives to making you redundant. If a method for deciding redundancies has been agreed with a trade union, your employer should follow it.

'Fair' reasons may be last one in, first one out, or they may initially ask for volunteers. They could also base it on disciplinary records or by evaluating their employees' skills, qualifications and experience.

They may select people by asking their staff to reapply for their own jobs. You should remember that this is still just a way for the employer to decide who to select for redundancy. If you decide not to apply (or are 'unsuccessful'), you're still in employment until your employer makes you redundant.

What happens if my employer offers me an alternative job?

If you decide to take an alternative job, then you have the right to a four-week trial period in a new job and if you need training for this new job, the period can be extended by written agreement. If you decide it isn't suitable, you can give notice during the trial period and this won't affect your right to statutory redundancy payment. If you haven't given notice by the end of the trial period, then your right to statutory redundancy pay ends.

Am I allowed time off for job hunting?

Yes, you're allowed a reasonable time off for interviews and training, as long as you've been working continuously for the business for two years. Your employer only has to pay you up to two fifths of a week's pay for it (e.g. if you work five days a week and take four days off in total during the whole notice period, your employer only has to pay you for the first two days).

What can I do if I've been offered a new job before my notice expires?

Try and negotiate with your employer for early release without losing your redundancy pay, as employers will often try to make such arrangements. If they say they cannot let you leave early (e.g. they need you to finish a project), you can give them 'a written counter notice', which states when you would like to finish. They should then write back to you to let you know whether they accept your offer. If you do decide to leave early without their permission, then you may risk losing some, or all, of your redundancy pay.

What should I do if I feel that I have been unfairly selected?

Write to your employer outlining why you believe the decision to be unfair and explain how you would like the situation to be rectified. If they do not heed your complaint, you can then appeal against the decision to an employment tribunal. The redundancy procedure will be definitely unfair it it's discriminatory; for example, because you're on maternity leave.

Am I entitled to compensation?

You're entitled to a statutory redundancy payment if you're over 18 and have had at least two years' service at the company. It's also due if your fixed-term contract of two years or more expires and the company doesn't renew it because of redundancy.

How is the payment calculated?

It's calculated by the company considering your age, your length of service at the company and your gross average weekly wage. Each completed year of service, up to a maximum of 20 after the age of 18, counts for payment on the following scale (with the maximum of £330 for a week's pay):

If you're over 18 and below 22, half a week's pay.
If you're between 22 and 41, one week's pay.
If you're over 41, one and a half week's pay.

Statutory redundancy pay isn't taxable.

What can I do if I haven't received the right amount of compensation?

Your employer will normally pay you either on the last day of your notice period or shortly afterwards, or on your next pay day. If you haven't been paid, or you don't think it's enough, you should write to your employer explaining the problem. They should then give you a written statement outlining how the payment has been calculated.

If this doesn't work, you can raise a complaint with an employment tribunal, but a claim must be made within six months of you receiving the payment. This time limit can be extended for a further six months, if it has been approved by the employment tribunal.

If the company has gone insolvent and can't pay you, then you may be able to get the money from the government.

Are there any situations where I wouldn't be offered compensation?

You're not entitled to Statutory Redundancy Payment if, before the existing job ends, your employer offers you (verbally or in writing) employment on the same terms or suitable alternative work, beginning within four weeks of the ending of the original employment. If you unreasonably refuse such an offer, or during a trial period for the new job (which you can opt for) you unreasonably terminate such employment, you lose the right to receive the payment.

Where can I get further advice?

If you need more information, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) can help. You can get free and confidential advice on employment issues by calling their helpline on 0845 747 4747.

Can We Take The 5ks Off?

2008-10-09T17:04:00.001Z

Question : Should the 5 Kakars be kept with you during sleep and head covered during sleep?

When Guru Gobind Singh Jee stood infront of the ocean of Sikhs holding the mighty curved sri sahib above his head asking for a head, he created an army called the Khalsa. Khalsa Akal Purakh Kee Fauj.

But this army of khalsa soldiers was not merely fighting the battle against Moghuls, Hill Rajas and thieves and bandits. These Khalsa warriors had the more important life of death struggle against the 5 enemies inside them to fight as well.

Every army has its code of conduct, reporting structure and uniform. All these items maintain discipline within each warrior and unite each individual with one another into an army. Like one finger is weak, but a 4 fingers and a thumb combine into a fist.

The external uniform is the 5Ks and a covered head, if every Khalsa soldier wears the same uniform then they are united like a fist. A soldier in any other army will go to his bed at night and remove his uniform. His daily external battle is over, he can relax for the night.

The Khalsa warrior on the other hand has no time to rest. The 5 enemies never sleep, they dont allow the Khalsa warrior the luxury of relaxing for the night and then resuming the battle at sunrise.

If the 5 enemies don't get tired of attacking us, then the Khalsa doesn't get tired of fighting them. I can't be in the warrior frame of mind if I'm not wearing my Khalsa Uniform. My discipline has gone, my defences are down, the front door is open for the 5 enemies to conquor me in my dreams and in my bed.

Visar Nahee Datar Apanay Naam Deho
Gun gava din raat Nanak Chao eho.

Never Forget me Giver, Give me your naam
May I sing your praises day and NIGHT this is Nanak's desire.

Being Khalsa is not a day job - it's my life, every moment I am tested...night and day I have to think did I remember naam or did the 5 enemies get the better of me?

So it is not acceptable for a Khalsa warrior to let their defences down by removing the 5K uniform and uncovering their head at night.

random thought

2008-09-23T19:41:00.001Z

It is the individual only who is timeless. Societies, cultures, and civilizations --past and present --are often incomprehensible to outsiders, but the individual's hungers, anxieties, dreams, and preoccupations have remained unchanged through the millennia.

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American philosopher and author.

Monks pray over NY museum

2008-09-19T10:52:00.000Z

Monks pray over NY museum

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7624049.stm

Interesting info about Buddhist monks and museum being held in New York.

Khalsa Camp 2008

2008-09-07T13:22:00.002Z

Went to Khalsa Camp last week. Fantastic camp, great sangat, seva, simran, and kirtan.

over 100 pics on flickr, some highlights below. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/sets/72157607105693496/

Bhai Bhupinder Singh and Jaskeerath Singh drinking to much milk!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/2829045756/

13 year old Singh passes Panjabi Language AS Level

2008-08-23T06:37:00.000Z

13 year old Singh passes Panjabi Language AS Level

Friday 22nd of August 2008

Panthic Weekly News Bureau

Jagdeep Singh taking Hukamnama from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

London, UK (KP) - This week a 13 year old UK born Amritdhari Singh from North London became one of the youngest students to pass Panjabi Language AS Level in England. The AS level examination is the first year of the A Level examination normally taken by 17 year olds.

Jagdeep Singh, a student of the Compton School in Barnet, previously passed a GCSE in Panjabi Language with a grade A, aged 11.

Young Jagdeep is said to be happy with the result and looking forward to his other examinations in the near future. Last weekend, the young and talented devout Sikh boy was recommended to The Royal Institution of Great Britain for Mathematic masterclasses for Young People.

Jagdeep Singh and elder brother Ravjeet Singh

Commenting on Jagdeep's achievement, Ravjeet Singh, his elder brother, said: “Jagdeep Singh has worked very hard for his AS level whilst practicing his faith as a devout Sikh. He has proven again that children can achieve at a younger age with Waheguru’s Grace and if given the opportunity.”

Jagdeep Singh is also learning Kirtan and this year started his first Sehaj Paatth of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His ambition is to be a faithful practicing Sikh and make his family and community proud.

http://www.panthic.org/news/124/ARTICLE/4310/2008-08-22.html

AM I NORMAL ?

2008-08-09T06:12:00.000Z

AM I NORMAL ?
by Gurpreet Singh

Who wants to be normal ?
Was Guru Nanak Dev Ji normal when he walked 82,000 miles ?
Was Guru Gobind Singh ji normal when he asked for a head ?
Were any of the martyrs normal, choosing death than living like slaves ?
No, the devotees of God are not normal they are madly and deeply in love with God while the whole world thinks they are insane ...

When Guru Nanak Maharaj appeared from the river after three days, all soaked and with messy hair, people called him many things as guru nanak dev ji himself writes:

"Some call him a ghost; some say that he is a demon.
Some call him a mere mortal; O, poor Nanak! 1
Crazy Nanak has gone insane, after his Lord, the King.
I know of none other than the Lord. 1Pause" (SGGS jeeo-991)

So on this path to being a Gurmukh, forget about what the world thinks of you, forget about being normal, forget about fiiting in with society, think only of loving God, the Wondrous Creator and go where God takes you

Everyday is new,
every day my Master is New .. "sahib mera nit navaa"
every moment is wondrous,
every second something amazing is happening in the universe.

God is not just the Creator,
God is Karta Purakh...the Creative Being...
God is still the Master Artist
still creating ,
still being young and fresh
brilliant and beautiful,
if being normal means being bored ,
being stuck in another rut ,
then that God is not.

Being in love with God is exciting every day,
everday the love increases
everyday God calls me closer,
everyday the spiritual sun shines
brighter in my heart.

Don't be normal
be different
be in love with God
by loving the Name of your Beloved
swing your arms in joy

"Nanak says: swing your arms in joy!" (SGGS jeeo-22)

smile and laugh
while singing the Name of your Beloved
You are God's and God is Yours !

God says, "If you reform yourself, you shall meet me, and meeting me, you shall be at peace.
O Fareed, if you will be mine, the whole world will be yours."95 (SGGS jeeo-1382)

Khalsa are known to live like shooting stars, sometimes short-lived but always bright, wonderous, energetic and are an awe-inspiring spectacle for the world

Thank WAHEGURU jeeo you are not normal, you are Magnificent !

Source: http://www.sikhlionz.com/aminormal.htm

Sikh Ethnic Monitoring. A Scottish Step Backwards?

2008-08-03T06:32:00.001Z

I have just been made aware of the fact that the Scottish Census has now deleted Sikhs as a separate ethnicity option. The Scottish executive has apparently redesigned its census putting consideration on ethnicity. It has introduced the option of being described as Scottish Indian/Pakistani etc BUT at the same time it has been reported to have deleted Sikhs as a separate ethnic group.

Surely this is a step back? While Sikhs are lobbying Houses of Parliament for separate ethnic monitoring and a change in census in England and Wales, Scotland on the other hand goes the exact opposite direction removing Sikh ethnicity option.

I find it astonishing firstly that if the Scottish census was able to recognise Sikhs as a separate ethnicity and have a separate tick box yet Sikh groups such as Sikh Federation UK, etc have to mount intensive lobbying campaigns of government just to get the census in England and Wales changed to do the same.

Regarding the removal of the Sikh ethnicity option in Scotland, Sikhs need to contact the Scottish Executive for clarification as to why they have done this followed by intensive campaign if needed to get it reversed as soon as possible.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/07/29095058/7

Dubidha

2008-07-25T15:26:00.001Z

From an email:

A hermit was meditating by a river when a young man interrupted him. 'Master, I wish to become your disciple,' said the man. 'Why?' replied the hermit. The young man thought for a moment. 'Because I want to find God.'

The master jumped up, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, dragged him into the river, and plunged his head under water. After holding him there for a minute, with him kicking and struggling to free himself, the master finally pulled him up out of the river. The young man coughed up water and gasped to get his breath. When he eventually quieted down, the master spoke. 'Tell me, what did you want most of all when you were under water.'

'Air!' answered the man.

'Very well,' said the master. 'Go home and come back to me when you want God as much as you just wanted air.'

Talk the Talk, Walk the Walk

2008-07-16T09:37:00.002Z

glNØI AsI cMgIAw AwcwrI burIAwh ]

gala(n)aee asee cha(n)geeaa aachaaree bureeaah ||

We are good at talking, but our actions are bad.

mnhu kusuDw kwlIAw bwhir ictvIAwh ]

manahu kusudhhaa kaaleeaa baahar chittaveeaah ||

Mentally, we are impure and black, but outwardly, we appear white.

http://www.sikhitothemax.com/page.asp?ShabadID=220

Simran

2008-07-11T19:25:00.000Z

Hair

2008-07-10T06:05:00.000Z

VaahegurooJeeKaaKhalsaa
VaahegurooJeeKeeFaateeh

An excellent read if you really want to know the importance of Kes!

VaahegurooJeeKaaKhalsaa
VaahegurooJeeKeeFaateeh

Through naked eyes, a real experience;

Sikhi was never of any importance to me. I was still young, and always believed it was something that people did in their fifty's to pass time. I wanted to 'live life to the fullest,' and that wasn't possible if I was living the lifestyle of a Sikh. I didn't care to understand the concept of God, or why people had so much faith in Him. All I cared about was looking good, and having as much fun as I could before I got married (I knew my parents would marry me off to a Sikh). If I was to get into Sikhi it would be a lot later in my life.

I had just turned 22, and because I had finished my degree and was able to support myself, I thought it was time that I went my own way. I had been under the control of my parents all of my life and although I respected that they were devoted to Sikhi, I knew that it wasn't what I wanted in my life.

I had been thinking about getting my hair trimmed for a while. I was getting sick of putting my hair up in a bun. My eyebrows took after my Pitha Jee, bushy as can be, and I couldn't wait to get those plucked.

I didn't tell my parents since I felt I was old enough to make my own decisions. I knew it was a bit selfish of me to go behind their backs, but I didn't think too much of it.

I went into the shop and got my hair trimmed a couple of centimeters and had my eyebrows shaped. There was a look of accomplishment when I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time. The reflection showed a new person, it was the person I always wanted to be.

'Freedom!' I remember thinking to myself.

I drove up into the garage of the house I had lived in for the last ten years of my life, and hoped that it would recognize me. As I walked into the house, I could feel my heart beating rapidly. My parents were in the kitchen so I walked in hastily, said my hello's and headed into my room.

I didn't stay long enough in the kitchen to see my parents' reactions. Matha Jee had just looked up at me when I left and Pitha Jee was too absorbed reading the Punjabi newspaper.

I could hear murmurs coming from the living room. And then for a couple of minutes they stopped. My heart was beating so fast.

'Simran?' I could hear my mom calling for me.

At first I didn't want to answer.

'Hunjee Matha Jee?' I whispered back hoping she wouldn't hear me.

'Can you come downstairs please?'

'Okay, I'll be there in a minute.'

I started feeling guilty for cutting my hair but kept my composure and walked down the hall towards the living room.

My parents were sitting cross legged on the rug, holding gutkay in their hands. My mom looked up at me and handed me a gutka and then nodded her head downwards (her way of telling me to sit down).

It was the first time since I can remember that my parents called me to do paat with them. At first I wanted to get up and tell them I had work to do but then I just felt relieved that they weren't yelling at me, so I sat down beside my mom and read along with Reharaas.

Reharaas was finally over, and by this time I was yawning and just wanted to go to bed. We all got up to do ardaas. Pitha Jee did it. Although I didn't care for Sikhi, ardaas was the one aspect of Sikhi that meant something to me so I actually listened to the ardaas.

Pitha Jee came to the end of the ardaas. He did ardaas for Reharaas and then in a calm loving tone he asked, 'Guru Sahib Jee, please bless our daughter with a Gursikhi life.'

Matha Jee was sobbing. I wanted to cry as well, not because I felt guilty but because I was hurt. Why would they do that to me? They could have done ardaas on their own time.

I didn't sleep that whole night. Pitha Jee's words kept running through my head no matter how high I turned up the radio.

Two months had gone by. I kept my distance from my parents and even when Matha Jee tried to talk to me I gave her one word answers. Although two months had passed, I could still hear Pitha Jee's voice from that night. His ardaas was straight from his heart and I was afraid that it would come true. I had even done ardaas to undo the ardaas he did.

That night my good friend was having a keertan at the Gurudwara. I never liked going to anyone's programs, especially if they were at the Gurudwara, but that day I kept getting this push from inside to go.

I arrived at the Gurudwara early and after failing to find someone I knew I proceeded towards the main darbar hall. I took a glance at Guru Granth Sahib Jee to make sure I was walking in the right direction. As I looked down at the ground I felt warmth take over my body. I felt calm. The vision of Guru Granth Sahib Jee covered with royal blue ramalay was grounded in my mind. I stood still for a moment and embraced the vision in my heart. Everything around me slowly disappeared.

I took a step forward and then another, until I had reached the end. I looked up at the Guru. My mind was silenced in admiration of the beauty that was in front of me. I once again remembered Pitha Jee's ardaas and started to shed tears. Kneeling down to matha taake I could hear Pitha Jee's words so clearly, 'Guru Sahib Jee please bless our daughter with a Gursikhi life.'

The moment my forehead touched the Guru's Charan I could hear whispers in my ear. I was trying to listen to what was being said but I couldn't make out the words. I concentrated and tried again to listen to the sounds.

'Vahe-Guroo. Vahe-Guroo. Vahe-Guroo...'

At that time I didn't know what to think of the moment. But, with the energy I had left I got up and sat in the Sangath. Time had vanished. My eyes were tightly fastened together and my mind was still. A soft white filled the room and I could hear more voices repeating 'Vahe-Guroo.' I absorbed myself in the moment.

Some time had gone by and I could see two figures appear in the distance. They were too far away for me to see if they were male or female but I could see that one was shorter than the other. I couldn't see any details because the colours were meshed into one blur consisting of black, red and a pale brown. I tried to focus on the two figures hoping that I could piece together who they were.

The two figures had vanished and then for a split second materialized again and this time I could see them clearly.

That was the day that my Pitha Jee's ardaas had been answered. I took Amrit a week later. Every night in my ardaas I ask that everyone be blessed with a Gursikhi life.

There are still days that go by when I feel distant from Sikhi. But, when those days come, I think back to the day when Guru Sahib Jee, with my naked eyes, showed me the Piyaar in the face of Bhai Taru Singh Jee as his scalp was being cut away from his body.

near-death

2008-06-23T19:32:00.001Z

I just got this email:

I remember talking to a doctor who worked in a London hospital some years ago. As part of hospital doctor duties; you are asked to certify patient deaths. He says one of the nurses asked him to come up and certify a patient that had passed away. The curtains were drawn on the bay as per protocol. When he opened the curtains to go in he saw something lift out of the body and fly past him. This chap is an atheist and didnt know what to make of it.

Nurse writes book on near-death

Penny Sartori said some people recalled meeting dead relatives

An intensive care nurse from Swansea has published an academic book about near death experiences following 10 years of research. Penny Sartori, who works at Singleton and Morriston Hospitals in Swansea, has 15 accounts, mainly from heart attack patients, of near-death experiences.

They include out-of-body occurrences, reports of a tunnel leading to a bright light and meeting dead loved ones.

The book, costing £85, is intended for academic study and college libraries.

Ms Sartori decided to launch her formal study in 1998 after working closely with critically-ill patients throughout the 1990s and discovering there was very little reference data available for nurses and other healthcare workers.

She spent five years compiling the study, three years writing it up and two years preparing it for publication. The book is called Near Death Experiences of Hospitalized Intensive Care Patients, a Five Year Clinical Study.

She found that people who went through out-of-body experiences floated above themselves and were able to accurately recount what had happened in the room even though they were unconscious and their eyes were closed.

"People also reported travelling down a tunnel towards a bright light," she said.

"Some reported meeting a figure who told them their time had not yet come, and others said they met dead relatives and communicated with them by telepathy."

Some patients reported having their entire lives flash by them in an instant

Penny Sartori

In another case a patient reported encountering a dead relative who gave a message to pass on to another member of the family who was still alive.

Ms Sartori said the information had stunned the receiver because it had been a secret and it was impossible the patient had prior knowledge of it.

Near-death experiences were typically often explained away as the effect of endorphins, abnormal blood gases or low oxygen levels, she said.

However, the study measured these and took them into account when researching the patients' reports.

"All the current sceptical arguments against near-death experiences were not supported by the research," she said.

In one case a critically-ill patient, who also had cerebral palsy, awoke from a near-death experience able to use his right arm normally, even though it had been bent and contracted since birth.

"It shouldn't have been possible without an operation to release his tendons, but he could open his arm freely," said Ms Sartori.

Some patients reported floating back into their bodies after nearly dying, and for others it was a sudden snap back.

"Some patients reported having their entire lives flash by them in an instant," she said.

Private theory

While she found 15 patients reporting near-death experiences, Ms Sartori believes it could be more common but that some patients' ability to recall the event fails shortly after they pass the critical episode and regain consciousness, like a dreamer forgets a dream.

She now intends to continue her research into the phenomenon and is developing a private theory, not included in her book, about what could be happening to these patients.

"I don't think it's quite as simple as life after death," she said.

"It's what consciousness is and how we define it. We are entering an exciting time researching consciousness.

"Current science says it is a by-product of the brain. But it may be that consciousness is around us and the brain might be a mediator, an antenna, instead of controlling consciousness.

"It is a fascinating subject and I'm looking forward to continuing my research," she added.

Leamington Spa Camp

2008-06-02T15:03:00.002Z

On Friday 30th May, me, Vijay, Bhenji Raj Kaur (Bhajis wife), and Harbir Singh drove up to Royal Leamington Spa Camp. Im not one to write loads so will let the pics do the talking.

All pics can be found at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/

Could someone inform this bhai Sahib that Burka is not allowed in Guru Ghar.

bhenji doing paat.

Anand :D

Pardip Singh doing Degh PARVAN

eur de toilette

What next...?

2008-06-02T15:01:00.002Z

Now that I have most likely put the number of views of Zero I might actually start blogging again. I found flickr to be a great site which goes hand in hand with my new equipment. Just need time and the patience now to upload clips of film online.

Sikhs and meat, Drugs, alcohol, cannabis, and more...

2008-05-01T06:13:00.002Z

Below are Vichaar on the salok of Bhagat Kabeer Jee. The vichaar on one of the salokhs is below which covers the meat topic well:

ਕਬੀਰ ਭਾਂਗ ਮਾਛੁਲੀ ਸੁਰਾ ਪਾਨਿ ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਖਾਂਹਿ ॥
ਤੀਰਥ ਬਰਤ ਨੇਮ ਕੀਏ ਤੇ ਸਭੈ ਰਸਾਤਲਿ ਜਾਂਹਿ ॥੨੩੩॥
Kabīr bẖāŉg mācẖẖulī surā pān jo jo prānī kẖāŉhi.
Ŧirath baraṯ nėm kīė ṯė sabẖai rasāṯal jāŉhi. ||233||

Literal Translation:
"O Kabeer! Those mortals who consume marijuana, fish and wine
- no matter what pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they follow, they will all go to hell. ||233||"
(SGGS - Ang 1377)

Meaning of words:

Note:- Through the Revealed Word of God, Bhagat Kabir Ji explains to himself to instruct the world about the prohibitions in religious discipline (kurehits). It is false to believe that this salok (hymn) only prohibits the consumption of cannabis, fish and alcohol. One has to look beyond the surface level and dive deeper into Gurbani. Guru Ji cannot make a vast list of drugs, foods and wines that one is forbidden to eat or drink. This would be a waste of time. Instead Guru ji categorises drugs, meat/flesh/killed animals and wines/alcohol under three categories which represent all products associated and in the same category.

ਭਾਂਗ (bẖāŉg) = marijuana, cannabis |
The category of 'cannabis' or 'bhung' includes opium, heroine, tobacco, and all drugs whether inhaled, eaten, smoked or injected through needles.

ਮਾਛੁਲੀ (mācẖẖulī) = fish |
The category of 'fish' includes all killed animals whether sea animals (e.g. cod, haddock, crab, whale etc) or land animals (chicken, goat, cow, pig etc.) and all allied products like egg, i.e. all meat and flesh.

ਸੁਰਾ (surā) = liquor, alcohol | ਪਾਨਿ (pān) = one who drinks |
The category of alcohol or wine includes all types of alcohol whether beer, whisky, rum, brandy, or any type of wine etc.

ਜੋ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ (jo jo prānī kẖāŉhi) = whosoever, everyone | ਖਾਂਹਿ (kẖāŉhi) = eat, consume |
Gurbani is not prohibiting drugs, meat and alcohol to only Sikhs. It is clear that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is addressing everyone, i.e. Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and the whole world.

ਤੀਰਥ (Ŧirath) = pilgrimages |
Guru Ji is addressing everyone and not only Sikhs. For Hindus, pilgrimage is bathing at the sixty-eight sacred places revered across India. For Muslims, pilgrimage is going on Hajj, i.e. visiting Mecca. For Christians, pilgrimage is visiting Bethlehem and Jerusalem. For Sikhs, pilgrimage in a physical sense is visiting Sri Harimandir Sahib (also known as the 'Golden Temple') in Amritsar as well as other historical Gurdwaras in India and Pakistan, but in a spiritual sense pilgrimage means travelling from your mind to one's soul through bathing and immersing oneself in Naam.

ਬਰਤ (baraṯ) = fast |
Hindus keep fasts on certain days related to their deities as an act of penance. Muslims observe 'Roza' or a fast during the month of Ramadan. Christians keep a fast or give up certain foods during 'Lent' (before Easter). Sikhs observe the permanent fast of not telling lies, not cheating anyone else or stealing the wealth of others.

ਨੇਮ (nėm) = (religious) routine, practice | ਕੀਏ (kīė) = perform, follow |
Hindus perform daily rituals (puja) and chant devotional prayers as part of their daily routine. Muslims perform five prayers (namaaz) as part of their daily routine. Christians say the Lord's prayer as part of their daily routine. Sikhs wake up Amrit-vela (the early ambrosial hours) and repeat and meditate upon Naam (the Divine-Name) followed by reciting the five prayers of the morning, and reciting Rehraas Sahib in the evening and Sohila Sahib before bed.

ਤੇ ਸਭੈ (ṯė sabẖai) = they will all |
Again, Guru Ji talks about everyone. There are no exceptions.

ਰਸਾਤਲ ਜਾਂਹਿ (rasāṯal jāŉhi) = become useless, there is not an iota of benefit, go to hell. |233|
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Pefect True Guru, the Complete Truth, the Word of God, the Universal Truth, instructs us that if anyone (irrespective of faith or background) consumes drugs or intoxicants, eats any fish or meat, or drinks any wine or alcohol then all their pilgrimages, fasts and religious practices and prayers lose their value and become worth nothing. That person becomes worthy of hell and reaps no benefit from his religious commitments and efforts.

This salokh on ang (page) 1377 is crystal clear that a Sikh is prohibited from eating meat or any flesh. Anyone who accepts and has full faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their Satguru will not doubt Gurbani. With one Hukam from Gurbani a Sikh accepts and obeys. On the other hand, a Manmukh would continue to ask for further proof or evidence and remain unsatisfied and unwilling to submit to the instructions of Satguru.

More camp pics

2008-04-15T06:18:00.002Z

More Camp Pics can be found on http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa

East London Camp

2008-04-15T06:08:00.002Z

On Friday and Saturday a youth camp took place in east London. Pics tell the story below more on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/

Free Tibet

2008-04-03T21:15:00.001Z

PROTESTS IN TIBET
Click for the latest news
Sunday April 6th
Protest on the official Olympic Torch Relay route
Gather at Queensway at 11am,
Bedford Place at 11.45am
or Whitehall at 12.30pm
Click here for full details

Also, come along to the Tibetan Freedom Torch Rally
2.30pm at Argyle Square
Click for full details

http://www.freetibet.org/

Parliament Award

2008-04-03T07:27:00.004Z

On Tuesday I was invited to an award ceremony celebrating Vaisakhi held by Panjabis in Britain All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) at Parliament, Houses of Commons. Here are some photos from my Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/

Bhai Sital Singh Sitara is soorma Singh (blind) he has spent all his life teaching kirtan in Gurdwara's all over London and home counties. Bhai Sahib takes public transport, (train, etc) and travels to take classes in North London, East London, Kents, and various other areas charging minimal fees to cover his costs.

Bhai Gurbachan Singh Sidhu has written over 25 Sikh books in his time a fantastic seva one of the many unsung sevadars of the panth.

MP John McDonnel who organised the award ceremony.

From left MP MP John Mcdonnell, MP Virendra Sharma presenting award to Ravjeet Singh.

Me receiving an award for Contribution to Community in Britain organising BOSS events, Talks, Sikhi Month, Camps etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/2381810019/in/set-72157604351254682/

Bhai Iqbal Singh is an Amritdharhi who works in Parliament

I have to say I so prefer me being behind a camera then infront.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rskhalsa/2381844553/in/set-72157604351254682/

I took this! And its not been touched with photo shop or anything else.

Free Tibet

2008-03-31T06:45:00.000Z

This week the Olympic torch will be reaching UK and pro tibet protestors have protests lined up but whats happened to the Sikhs?

When Babaaar was doing evil Guru Nanak Sahib raised his voice and protested calling im Jabbar. Babaar then put Guru Sahib in Jail and Guru sahib got everyone in jail together and protested. Babaaar then had to free Guru Sahib. China is doing injustice against Tibet and what are we doing?

Would Guru Nanak Sahib be at sotheby's Auction house bumping up the price of some artifact or Guru Sahib be protesting about Human Rights and freedom from the baabars in China?

Should Sikhs be protesting?

Today me and YOU are the Babaaar watching this evil!

Vijay Singh at End of Month Kirtan

2008-03-31T06:43:00.001Z

Bhai Vijay Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Veerji use to be mona few months ago. He started coming to end of month keertan and now does seva with dass and veer Manvir Singh. Veerji does awesome keertan and had a beautiful daughter few weeks ago called Amrita Kaur. :)

Gurbinder Kaur

2008-03-31T06:42:00.001Z

Bibi Gurbinder Kaur, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Bibi Gurbinder Kaur from Acapella Jatha doing calming keertan as usual.

Bhai Harri Singh

2008-03-31T06:41:00.001Z

Bhai Harri Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Keertan at end of month. Bhai Harri singh does awesome keertan sounds like Bhai Narinjan Singh. Vaheguruu

Sikhi To The Max 2

2008-03-29T07:27:00.001Z

woohoo Yep Sikhi To The max 2 is now available from http://www.Sikhfiles.com

more info on: http://forums.waheguroo.com/index.php?showtopic=23546&st=0

Jap Ji Sahib

2008-03-29T07:26:00.000Z

Fantastic video on Jap Ji Sahib

Bhai Pritam Singh, Bhai Vijay Singh

2008-03-28T10:15:00.003Z

Veer Gurpreet Singh Anand Karaj to Navrup Kaur, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Singhs busy viewing pics on the camera.

Bhai Abinash Singh

2008-03-28T10:15:00.002Z

Bhai Abinash Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Veer Abinash Singh

Bhai Manvir Singh

2008-03-28T10:14:00.001Z

Bhai Manvir Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

No idea what veer Manvir singh is doing, I assume looking for some kinda mark on lohi?

2008-03-28T10:13:00.000Z

Veer Gurpreet Singh Anand Karaj to Navrup Kaur, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Veer Gurpreet Singh and Bhenji Navrup Kaur just after laavan listening to keertan

2008-03-28T10:11:00.000Z

Bhai Tarsem Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Day before rainsbai we went to Veer Gurpreet Singhs wedding to Navrup Kaur. This photo is of Bhai Tarsem Singh doing keertan after anand karaj

Khalsa Primary School

2008-03-25T07:29:00.001Z

Bhai Amolak Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Bhai sahib talking about 1978 Shaheeds, it was an emotional and moving talk about Bhai Fauja Singh and other Gursikhs who Bhai Sahib was with during 1978 massacre.

Bhai Pritipal Singh

2008-03-25T07:28:00.001Z

Hola Mahalla 2008, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

A true tyar by tyar Khalsa! Bhai Sahib doing talk on encouraging youth to take up sports like horse riding, etc and inspire each other for London Olympics 2012. Fantastic seva by bhai sahib.

2008-03-25T07:26:00.000Z

Orange Award, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

I'm hoping this will be turned into an Orange mobile network advert. hehe :P

2008-03-25T07:25:00.000Z

Bhai Harpreet Singh Ji (Canada), originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Bhai Sahib doing Keertan at smagam. Whole smagam was wiked the night before rainsbai keertan at Khalsa Primary school had the hall buzzing.

2008-03-25T07:24:00.000Z

Hola Mahalla 2008, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Guroo Sahib Parkash at Amrit Vela in the second darbar Sahib at the end of Rainsbai Smagam. The glow from Guroo Sahib is awesome. All the lights where off in the room and I couldn't use flash as people where asleep dunno how I snapped this.

2008-03-20T12:02:00.000Z

Jagdeep Singh, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

My brother at Asa Ki Vaar at Maninder Singh's house.

Bhenji Kiran Kaur

2008-03-20T11:52:00.001Z

Kiran Kaur, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Bhenji Kiran Kaur doing Langar Seva.

Bhai Manvir Singh

2008-03-20T11:51:00.001Z

Slough Sikhs, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Bhai Manvir Singh quickly explaining the purpose of time line and how Sikhi is fairly recent in comparison to other faiths.

Time Line

2008-03-20T11:50:00.001Z

Slough Sikhs, originally uploaded by Ravjeet.Singh.

Slough camp we asked the guys to work in groups making time line comparing Sikhi history in parallel with what was happening in UK and other parts of the world.

Am I Back?

2008-03-20T08:28:00.003Z

Only time will answer this Question. I just got really busy and stopped blogging.

Anyway I thought I would blog my flickr pics but it wont connect so I am waiting for Flickr to resolve the problem. This week is smagam which means I should get some great pics. So keep a look out. Below are some pics from Slough Youth Camp.

View Ravjeet.Singh's map

Taken in a place with no name (See more photos here)

Slough Camp March

View Ravjeet.Singh's map

Taken in a place with no name (See more photos here)

Slough Camp March

more pics on http://www.flickr.com/photos/24766694@N06/sets/72157604151576995/

Newwwwwwwwww

2008-03-18T19:44:00.001Z

I got a D40 SLR so I have now created a Flickr account.

http://flickr.com/photos/24766694@N06/

Wensfield Jan 08 Rainsbai

2008-01-24T07:09:00.001Z

Sikh Leads Monks Protests For Freedom In Burma

2008-01-18T15:27:00.000Z

Along side the Amu email I recived another from a Singh, when I clicked the youtube link it was amazng.

The email also said:
"an inspiration for us all, esp on the anniversary month of the challee mukte, as lessons on how to fearlessly face annihilation (in the physical, emotional, or worldly sense) in our own lives. "

Truly agree with that statement. This one Singh is so inspiring how many of us even bother going to peaceful protest in western world?

Amu

2008-01-18T15:17:00.000Z

Haven't posted in ages as I have been busy. Happy new year you all who bother checking this lol.
Anyway I received a email today with links to an interview with director of the 1984 film Amu. I'm just about to check it out my self so have a watch and let me know what you think.

Amu is the story of Kaju, a twenty-one-year-old Indian American woman who returns to India to visit her family. The film takes a dark turn as Kaju stumbles against secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place twenty years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins.

How were Kaju’s family involved in the killings? What happened and why? Who were the culprits? Who benefited? Will Kaju have the courage to pursue the truth no matter the cost? Will it destroy her relationship with her mother? Will it affect her burgeoning romance? Will it change everything she knows about herself and about India?
http://www.amuthefilm.com/synopsis.htm

amu-movie-director-shonali-bose-interview-part-13

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4924012094448526733&hl=en

amu-movie-director-shonali-bose-interview-part-23

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3331567805828704926&hl=en

amu-movie-director-shonali-bose-interview-part-33

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1616070501676643858&hl=en

amu-movie-producer-interview-part-13

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5428636677949010603&hl=en

amu-movie-producer-interview-part-23

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-556162751150625751&hl=en

amu-movie-producer-interview-part-33

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4785547846048299951&hl=en

Reading Camp

2007-12-24T20:10:00.000Z

Last weekend a Gurmat Camp was held at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Reading, Berkshire. It was a weekend camp that started 9.45am on Saturday 15th December. Bhaji Sukhjeet Singh from Reading Gurdwara Sahib organised the camp and put a lot of effort into getting everything arranged. It was the first ever camp in Reading and we didn't know how much Sangat was going to come. The sevadaars that led the classes included Bhai Ravjeet Singh, his younger brother Jagdeep Singh, Bhaji Harbir Singh, Bhaji Gurpreet Singh, Bhenji Pardeep Kaur and Bhaji Vijay Singh. Bhaji Arwinder Singh and Bhaji Sukhjit Singh did a lot of running around and getting things organised. It was great how Guru Sahib got all the sevadaars and the Sangat together! Waheguru.

If you've been to Reading Gurdwara, you will know that the PARKING is a nightmare! Waheguru! The Gurdwara road has cars on both side and you just about squeeze through, so you can imagine finding a car park space can be stressful (especially with my parking skills! Waheguru!). But with Guru Sahib's Kirpaa, when there are any special programmes at the Gurdwara Sahib, then Gurdwara Sahib hires out the nearby church car park or Thames Valley University car park. During camp the Sangat could park their cars at the university. I'll post more about the camp with the photos in the next part.

The campers where aged 5 years + and split up into three groups, 5-9 years, 10-15 years, 16 years plus. The campers went through various workshops and seminars which included discussions on issues different generations are feeling. Campers got chance to air problems they face at school, work and home and find solutions or places they could seek help from. After 1 hour to 90 minutes depending there was a little break as well as tasty langar throughout the day! Day one of camp was concluded with rehraas and Keertan carrying on late into the night.

Day two started earlier with campers arriving early even though many had stayed late into the night day before. Following Hukamnamma and English explinations campers sat through an interactive talk on Gursikh jeevan followed by questions and answers. The next workshop was dastar tieing. While many people boys, girls, men and women had chance to tie dastar (turban) they also had chance to have informal chat with gursikhs regarding any problems or questions they may have.

The finally of the camp was inform of Kirtan and Katha by Bhai Manvir Singh, Dass Ravjeet Singh and Bhai Vijay Singh for over 1 hour and a half. After this Anand Sahib, Ardaas and Hukamnamma was taken then discussed in English. With Guru Sahib’s grace the camp was a great success.

More info on http://www.SweetSikhi.com

Pics are now up on http://sweetsikhi.com/image/reading-camp-december-2007