During the week of Vaisakhi, the annual Akhand Keertani Jatha Smaagam was held in Amritsar. It was the first time I had attended a Keertan Smaagam in India. It was great to see Gursikhs from different countries there.
The atmosphere of the Keertan programmes were really energetic and uplifting. Most of the Keertan took place at Gurdwara Bibeksar which is a short walk from Sri Harimandir Sahib. The main Rainsbaaee was held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib in the Sri Harimandir Sahib complex. The Guru Ka Langar was served at the Rangle Sajjan Trust which is just off the road that leads to Baba Attal Rai Jee Gurdwara.
Sangat eating Guru Ka Langar
Gursikhs preparing Guru Ka Langar
Sewadaars cleaning the Sarbloh utensils of the Sangat
UK Sangat eating Langar
Rainsbaaee at Gurdwara Manji Sahib. At the back and sides you had visitors of Sri Harimandir Sahib sleeping.
ਮਨੂਰੈ ਤੇ ਕੰਚਨ ਭਏ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰੁ ਪਾਰਸੁ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਇ ||
"O companions! Being united in Union with the Guru, the Philosopher's Stone, I have been transformed from rusty iron into gold."
(Ang 638)
Inspiring pictures of famous Sikhs who discovered Sikhi and transformed themselves:
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Jee
Kept his Kesh and desired to take Amrit after meeting Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee in October 1930.
Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh Jee.
Inspired to take Amrit after visiting the destroyed Sri Akal Takht Sahib in early October 1984. Received Amrit on 24th October in a Gurdwara Delhi.
Shaheed Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha Jee
Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha and Bhai Harjinder Singh Jinda wished to take Amrit in prison however the Indian government refused them permission.
Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana Jee
Kept his Kesh in prison in 1995. Took Amrit in Patiala Jail on 12th June 2011 after Sri Akal Takht Sahib accepted Bhai Sahib's request.
Arnold Toynbee (1889 - 1975) was a historian who studied and compared different cultures. He writes about one of his personal experiences. He
recalls one accident when he had met an American lady. She wanted to ask
him something because she knew that he had studied different cultures,
traditions, religious and views. So she felt that Toynbee
could probably only give her the answer.
She asked Toynbee if he could tell her who
is the most beautiful person in this world? Toynbee immediately replied,
“A man with open beard and a complete Sikh”. She was surprised to
hear his answer. She thought a little and then again asked, “who is the
most ugliest person to you?" Toynbee replied, “A Sikh who has cut his
hair”. This time she became more surprised. These answers grew curiosity
in her about Sikh religion and she decided to gain more knowledge about
it.
ਗੁਰਮਤੀ ਮੁਖ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਖਿਆ ਉਰਿ ਧਾਰਿ ॥
gurmatee mukh sohanne har raakhiaa ur dhaar.
"Those who follow the Guru's Teachings and keep the Lord enshrined in their hearts, their faces are radiant and beautiful."
"Such a Guru is found by great good fortune who places the one who strays back on the Path."
(Ang 803)
Continuing the series of interesting and inspiring pictures of people who have gone back to Sikhi...
Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
NOTE: If anyone would like to share any inspiring photos showing the transformation of before and after finding Sikhi then please email: manvir.khalsa@gmail.com
Today marks the martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh jee. Shaheedaa Nu Lakh Lakh Parnaam. Remembering Bhai Sahib's shaheedi may Guru jee give us the strength, spirit and pyaar to keep our Kesh and Sikhi intact till our last breath with Guru's kirpaa.
Rabindera Nath Tagore (1861-1941)
The the legendary poet, artist, musicologist, novelist and mystic, Rabindera Nath Tagore, was influenced so much by the story
of Bhai Taru Singh jee's martyrdom and sacrifice that he stopped cutting
his Kesh. The story goes that once while traveling by sea, the famous
poet Rabindranath Tagore threw his shaving kit into the sea. Upon
enquiry, he said: “I have realized God and the first step I have taken
is to throw out this kit. I realized that cutting hair was a clear
violation of the Will of God.”
Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh - short poem by Rabinder Nath Tagore:
When the Pathans brought them chained
All in calm they remained
The captive Sikhs – though at Saheedganj town
With their comrades' blood the soil was brown.
Says the Nawaab, "Look Taru Singh –
I want to forgive you without misgiving."
Says Taru, "Why for me so much slight?"
Nawaab says, "A great warrior you are
That you proved in your fight;
So, to you I bear no anger;
Only I beg of you the gift of your Kesh And you will be spared harm any."
Taru replied, "I owe you as your mercy's nominee;
So offer a bit more, my head with my Kesh (*) (*) Note by Tagore: "To shave off Kesh is as good as forsaking religion for a Sikh".
On 13th April my mother and I went to Amritsar. We planned to stay in Amritsar for 2 nights and then fly back to England from there. We knew somebody who works in SGPC who said they would book us a room at Guru Gobind Singh NRI nivaas. When we got there we were told that no booking had been made and that they were fully booked. When I rang the SGPC member again and said no booking had been made apparently he asked to speak to the Singh manning the reception. In short, after a few phone calls, the same person who said they were fully booked said we now have a room. I was shocked at the poor service. Afterwards I met a Singh there from England who said there were loads of rooms empty on his floor. Also a lot of the people I saw were not NRIs but were from India, yet the accommodation building was made with support of Sikhs abroad for providing facilities for NRI Sikhs.
Our relatives dropped us off at the Harimandir Sahib multi-storey car park and from there they arranged a riksha driver to bring us and our suitcases to the nivaas (accommodation building). First the riksha drivers said they will arrange 2 rikshas. One old Baba and another young guy. The young guy was supposed to bring our bags and suitcases and the old Baba was going to take us. When the young guy packed our stuff he asked for us to get on as well. There was hardly any space. We sat with bags underneath us, infront of us and behind us. I was thinking with just a small knock to the riksha all the bags are going to tumble down on us!
We got outside the carpark and the old Baba was waiting, but the young guy said "Don't worry, I'll just take them." Thinking it would be a short uncomfortable ride we went along with the man. When we got near Harimandir Sahib we were told the roads were blocked because Prakash Badal (the Chief Minister) had come to pay respects at Sri Harimandir Sahib. So the Police made us go all the way around Sri Harimandir Sahib complex (which was some distance!).
The poor guy was sweating and looked like he was struggling. He suddenly braked because a 3 wheeler scooter was coming and nearly hitting us. As he braked the Vaajaa bag nearly hit me on the head and one of our bags fell off! People were staring at us thinking what on earth were we doing sitting amongst so many suitcases and bags!
Eventually the guy got us to Guru Gobind Singh Nivaas. He initially asked for 20 rupees and then by the time we got to paying
him he asked for 80 rupees!! lol. It was so funny. We felt so sorry for
him we gave him 80 rupees and thought it would be nice to give him so
clothes as he must be poor. But he didn't want the trouser we gave him! Perhaps he thought it was one of my trousers or something. Just to clarify it was new and unworn and brought to give away to someone. Sat Naam, Vaheguru.
During my trip I visited Bhai Harkirat Singh jee who lives in Jalandhar. I first met him in Denmark. Bhai Sahib served as a Granthi Singh in Denmark. In the short time he was there he inspired the local youth who were disconnected and broken from Sikhi to keep their Kesh and take Amrit. Bhai Sahib does Keertan as well as Gurmat Veechar.
When I visited Denmark Gurdwara I was pleasantly surprised that the Gurdwara had a routine that every Sunday Bhai Sahib would lead the Sangat to do Naam Simran for 15 minutes (without instruments). Bhai Sahib would play football with the young and teach the youth Gatka and Keertan. He was an ideal Granthi Singh who could relate to young and old, men and women, Sikhs and non-Sikhs. If all Gurdwaras had a Granthi Singh with such qualities, the Panth would be in Chardi Kalaa.
Bhai Sahib knew of a good tailor in Jalandhar who makes clothes for
Singhs. The clothes I got made were tailored well and actually fitted me
properly (usually the tailor would make each Kurta a different size!). Unfortunately I cannot remember the address of the tailors.
Bhai Sahib and his brother, Bhai Tarlochan Singh jee, are involved in arranging Keertan programmes in Jalandhar and take Sangat to Rainsbaaee Keertans in Panjab. It was humbling meeting such friendly and down to earth Singhs.
"Contemplate upon the gur(mantar) Waheguru and focus upon (the sound) Waheguru.
The (resulting) principal benefit the Gursikh will savour in their heart."
(Bhai Nand Lal Singh)
Interview with Bibi Amritpal Kaur jee from USA at the Española, New Mexico Gurdwara after 3HO Summer Solstice 2012.
ਉਦਮੁ ਕੀਆ ਕਰਾਇਆ ਆਰੰਭੁ ਰਚਾਇਆ ॥
udam keeaa karaaiaa aarambh rachaaiaa.
Just as the Guru gave me encouragement to make an effort, I made the effort and made (the effort of chanting Naam) the beginning.
ਨਾਮੁ ਜਪੇ ਜਪਿ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਗੁਰਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇਆ ॥੧॥
naam jape jap jeevnaa gur mantar driraaiaa. ||1||
The Guru has firmly implanted the Naam-Mantra within me; now I have obtained spiritual life through chanting and meditating on the Naam.
Fateh Posters has gone LIVE - check www.fatehposters.co.uk, pick up your copy of fantastic posters remembering the shaheeds. All money is reinvested to publish more panthik material to educate future generations. Please forward link to friends and family. www.fatehposters.co.uk
Below are the Gurdwara
programmes for the month of July 2012. Every month there will be different
speakers and kirtanis. Please attend these specially organised programmes and
ask your family and friends to also attend.
Sri Akhand
Paath Sahib: Friday 6th July
to Sunday 8th July
Celebrating the prakaash divas of the Sixth Guru
Sunday 1st July, 11am to 12pm Martyrdom of
Baba Banda Singh Ji Talk by Bhai Joginder
Singh (Leicester) Well known Parchaarik who does talks and lectures
in camps in UK inspiring countless people. Bhai Sahib is a retired Account
who worked for the Ministry of Defence.
Sunday 8th July, 11am to 12pm Prakaash divas
of Sixth Guru
Talk by Bhai Balbir Singh
(Southall)
Founder
of SOPW (Sikh Organisation of Prisoner Welfare) who is fighting for the human
rights and release of Sikh political prisoners in India.
Sunday 15th July, 11am to 12pm Shaheedi Divas Bhai
Mani Singh Ji Talk by Bhai Rajinder
Singh Purewal (Derby) Owner
and Editor of Panjab Times newspaper,
who has worked tirelessly for various Sikh causes since the 1970s. Bhai Sahib
is part of the Sangat TV’s weekly Gurmat Q&A programme.
Sunday 22nd July, 11am to 12pm Shaheedi Divas Bhai
Taru Singh Ji
Talk by Bibi Mandeep Kaur
(Birmingham) University graduate who is the first ever Sikh
Chaplain to be employed by the British Armed Forces. Bhenji does talks at
various camps and Gurdwaras across the UK and is also a Kirtani.
Sunday 29th July, 11am to 12pm Prakaash divas
of Eighth Guru
Kirtan & Talk by Bhai
Vijay Singh (Luton)
Young UK born Parchaarik who is Head of Business
Studies at Uxbridge College. Bhai Sahib travels across UK and abroad to
spread the Guru’s message. Bhai Sahib is a presenter on Sangat TV’s
‘Discovery’ show.
Address:
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Banbury
43 West Street
Banbury
Oxfordshire, OX16 3HA
Tel: 01295 265400
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Today marks the Shaheedi purb (martyrdom day) of Baba Banda Singh Jee Bahadur, one of the greatest Sikhs in Sikh history. Baba Jee was not only a saint-soldier but an intelligent and skillful general and leader. Baba Jee along with 700 other Sikhs were martyred in Delhi in 1716. Baba Jee was given horrific tortures but he did not waver from Sikhi. His 4 year old son had his chest ripped open and his heart placed in Baba jee's mouth. His body was then pierced with hot iron rods and eventually was hacked slowly into pieces. May we all be inspired by such a great Sikh and such a great sacrifice pray that Guru jee blesses us with the gift of dying with our Sikhi and Kesh intact till our last breath.
Lecture about Baba Banda Singh Jee Bahadur by Dr. Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke:
"The Guru is the River, from which the Pure Water is obtained forever; it washes away the filth and pollution of evil-mindedness. Finding the True Guru, the perfect cleansing bath is obtained, which transforms even beasts and ghosts into gods."
(Ang 1329)
Some interesting and inspiring pictures of people who have gone back to Sikhi.
If anyone else has any pictures showing how they transformed and gone back to Sikhi and wouldn't mind sharing with Sangat then please email me: manvir.khalsa@gmail.com
On Sunday 10th June, over 30,000 Sikhs across the UK to remember the Shaheeds (martyrs) of 1984, those killed by the tyrant regime India and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Sikh nation. A rally took place in Trafalgar Square which had various speakers given talks on the right of the Sikh nation to freedom and human rights.
The following Sunday after the 10th June programme, I was told about an incident that happened to a Gursikh. An elder Amritdhari Gursikh who attends work meetings across the world travelled to Italy a day or so after the 10th June remembrance march and freedom rally held by the Sikh Sangat of UK.
Bhai Sahib was sitting in an Italian airport waiting for his flight when a white Italian couple approached Bhai Sahib. They said, "Excuse me, you are a Sikh?" Bhai Sahib said "Yes" and began talking to them. The couple said, "On 10th June we were visiting London for a family wedding. During the wedding, the Sikh peaceful protest march went by. We were taking aback by the amount of people. A kind Sikh man took time out to give us a leaflet and tell us why they were here and what has happened to the Sikhs in 1984 and what is happening to the Sikhs now in India. We were moved with the cause and we support why the Sikhs are protesting."
They added, "When we got home, we were so amazed and interested by the Sikh protest, more so than the wedding we were invited to, that we went on the Internet and researched about the issues Sikhs are facing in India."
**Peaceful Protest against Amitabh Bachchan Cancelled**
It has
been confirmed by both the police and Keith Vaz that Amitabh Bachchan
will not be attending the Platinum Suite in Leicester on Saturday 16th
June 2012. All organisers of the peaceful protest / awareness rally have
agreed to cancel.
When alleged leaders of genocide arrive in foreign lands, it is the duty of the sangat and citizens of the country to raise a united voice and send out a firm message that we will not turn a blind eye.
We sincerely thank the hundreds of Sikhs who confirmed their
attendance, and we rely upon your readiness and support should a matter
of urgency arise in the future.
Please spread the message far and wide, the planned protest will no longer be taking place.
Peaceful Protest to Raise Awareness of Amitabh Bachan's role in the November 1984 Anti-Sikh Pograms
Date: Saturday 16th June 2012, 5pm-7.30pm
Location: Outside the Platinum Suite, Cobden Street, Leicester, LE1 2LB
This is a peaceful awareness protest to educate others about Bachchan’s
alleged role in the November 1984 Genocide. Amitabh Bachchan has decided
not to attend the event, however other high profile figures will be
attending in addition to local and international press.
It is alleged by various sources that Amitabh Buchhan incited mobs to
kill Sikhs live on Doordarshan TV, India leading up to the November 1984
National Genocide. It is likely Amitabh Bachchan will not be present at
the event, however it has been confirmed that his family will be
attending the celebrations taking place at the Platinum Suite.
We would like to highlight to all who are planning to attend the peaceful awareness protest that families with children,
Press and Bollywood fans will be present at the event in addition to
other high profile persons. This must be taken into consideration at all
times. Please refrain from aggressive behaviour.
All who attend are required to partake in Naam Simran.
We have allocated spokes-people for the protest who will highlight the
allegations put forward and will respond to press on the day. All others
who attend are requested to partake in the recitations of Chaupai
Sahib, Naam Simran and Mool Mantra taking place.
Those feet which walk in the Lord's Way are beautiful.
I am a sacrifice to that Congregation in which the Lord is recognized.
(Ang 103)
I've been emailed some photos showing peoples' transformation from Manmukhs to Gurmukhs. If anyone else would like to share their inspiring photos showing their transformation then please email me.
Question: What is the purpose of this rally and march?
Answer: To remember our Shaheeds, to march for the freedom of the Sikh nation and to support our Sikh freedom fighters who are sitting in jails.
Question: Is a protest march and rally the most effective way of doing things?
Answer: This is one of many ways to protest and inform Sikhs and non-Sikhs of the on going injustices and crimes been and being committed against the Sikh nation in India. What can be better way of i) keeping the issue alive, ii) instilling passion and spirit for the Sikh cause in the community, in particular youngsters, and iii) symbolically showing the killers of the Sikhs that Sikhs can never be exterminated and will stand united in becoming the voice of the voiceless.
Question: What is the benefit of Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations spending thousands of money bringing the UK Sangat all together on 10th June?
Answer: It is only because of the annual protest march and rally that the Indian authorities have not gone further in the torture and mistreatment of Sikhs in India. If Sikhs did not protest, the authorities would step up their acts of terrorism against Sikhs because they would think no one is watching them. The slogans of Sikhs in UK have had such an effect on India that the Indian government has requested the UK government to ban Sikhs from protesting against India in UK. The annual protest creates spirit and passion within Sikhs, in particular the youth, to become Sikhs and remember that the crimes against humanity committed against the Sikhs is an unresolved and on going issue.
DRESS CODE:
Orange Dastaars, rumaals and Dupattas. Everyone is requested to wear a Dastaar, irrespective if you have Kesh or not, male or female, as a mark of solidarity to the Sikh nation and a visual statement to India and the world that Sikhi will flourish irrespective and never die no matter how many holocausts and genocides they go through.
