California Trip... Yuba City Sikhi Camp

From Monday 28th December to Thursday 31st December, a Gurmat Camp was organised in Yuba City at Tierra Buena Road Gurdwara Sahib. For many years there has been little or no parchaar at this Gurdwara Sahib and recently with the arrival of a new management committee progress has been made in establishing a successful Panjabi school for children. Bhai Jagjit Singh jee from Leeds (UK) attending the Gurdwara Sahib for a family wedding a year ago and did a speech in English which inspired the local Sangat to want a Sikhi camp held at the Gurdwara Sahib.

The camp was from 9am to 4pm everyday and was attended by 250 children, aged from 6 to 16+. The camp was divided into five zones - spiritual zone, history zone, inspirational zone, open zone and warrior zone. Campers rotated around the zones for different talks, workshops and discussions. With Guru Sahib's kirpaa the younger children showed so much enthusiasm and energy. Many children learnt how to do Simran on the Vaaja for the first time and asked sewadaars to tie Dastaars on them.

Some photos:


Morning assembly.


Children aged 6 to 9 coming on the stage to do Simran.


Sangat.


Bhenjis from UK doing a class.


Bhai Jagjit Singh jee in Inspirational Zone.


Veer Ravjeet Singh in Open Zone.


History Zone.


Langar.


Young children having Darshan of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and going through Gurdwara Sahib etiquette.


Bhai Hardip Singh jee (England).


Sukhi bhenji (England) made this tree explain to the younger children how the Jeevan (life) of a Gursikh should be. It's a really nice idea that children could easily relate to and understand.

Young children learning the golden three keys tune to doing Simran, Mool Mantar and any generally any Shabd on the Vaaja. Bhai Jeevan Singh jee showed this easy and simple tune to Bhai Jagjit Singh (England). Waheguru.

Campers doing Jorreaa(n) dee sevaa (cleaning shoes).


Bhenji helping with Dastaar tying.


Bhaji helping with dastaar tying.


Campers doing keertan.

In the morning assembly and afternoon assembly Bhaji used to give a word (e.g. sehaj, nimartaa, daya etc) to the campers and they had to find out what the word meant. Children would volunteer to come to the front and tell the whole Sangat what the word meant. Waheguru.

Campers playing Gatka on the last day.


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.

California Trip... West Coast Sikhi Camp 2009

From Wednesday 23rd December to Saturday 26th December, West Coast Sikhi Camp 2009 took place in California (USA) organised by the local Gursikh Naujawaan. It was a 4-day residential camp held at the Gurdwara Sahib in Caruthers which gave campers an opportunity to experience the Gursikh way of life which included Amrit-vela, sevaa, keertan, talks, discussions, activities, sports and a trip. It was first the camp held in California which was aimed at high-school to college age students. With Guru Sahib's kirpaa 75 youngsters attended the camp and was very successful.

The day would start with Amrit-velaa (early morning) Simran and Nitnem. After a rest period everyone would have breakfast (American style - big portions and very sweet!) . In the day there were 3 sessions of either talks or discussions and in the afternoon there was activities outside for everyone which included basketball and an assault course (but the weather was slightly cold). In the evening there was Rehraas Sahib and Keertan in the Darbaar Sahib and on the last night there was an inspirational talk session.

It was amazing to see the pyaar of the Sangat and how much love they had for Sikhi. The thirst and hunger of some of the campers was very moving. There were definitely great souls and saints amongst the children and the elders! May Guru Sahib bless all the sevadaars and the children with Gursikhi Jeevan, blessings of Naam & Amrit, and forever love for Sikhi.

Some photos:


West Coast Sikhi Camp banner outside of the Gurdwara.


Bhenji Manpreet Kaur jee and Bhaji Prabhdev Singh jee registering campers on the first day.


Gurdwara (Darbar Sahib) from outside.


Aunty jee and other bhenjis cooking Langar. The American portions are very big!!


Langar Hall.


Amrit-Velaa (early morning). It was Chardi kalaa to see campers who usually don't wake up Amrit-velaa to be waking up 2am (without being asked) and getting ready to attend the camp Amrit-velaa. Waheguru!



Amrit-velaa - Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaj.


Bhaji Ravjeet Singh jee's talk on 'Beauty of Sikhi'.


Assault course.


Bhaji Vikram Singh jee doing a magic show for the children.


Dr. Gurtje Singh jee doing a talk on "Know Sikhi?".


Langar.


Social issues workshop presentation.


Social issues workshop presentation.


Rehraas Sahib da paath.


Bhaji Manvinder Singh jee talking to the campers about his life experiences in the session about thinking about the future and careers. Very inspiring Gursikh and talk!


On the last day of the camp we all went on a trip. Campers had a choice of either going paint-balling or attending an amusement park which had racing cars and crazy golf.


Rambo attending the camp! This guy took paint-balling too seriously! Waheguru he was dressed up for the occasion and had all the gear! Sat-naam Waheguru.


Bhaji Baljeet Singh jee. A chardi kalaa Gursikh :)


Crazy golf! (Its more difficult than you think!)


Paintballing! (Some people took this far too seriously! Sat-naam Waheguru!).


Lunch during the trip.


Group photo


Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

California Trip... Fresno

In the Christmas holidays we went to California, USA. Bhenji Manpreet Kaur jee and Bhaji Manvinder Singh jee invited us over to California to do sevaa at a camp that they were helping to organise. Bhenji is originally from the UK but now lives in California. It was great to meet the Fresno Gursikh sangat. The whole atmosphere and attitude of the people was very friendly and open. It was inspirational and moving to see the pyaar and Gursikhi spirit of the Sangat.

Some photos:

Group photo with Bhaji Manvinder Singh jee, Bhai Prabhdev Singh jee and Bhenji Manpreet Kaur jee. On the day we arrived we were shown the Golden Gate Bridge. (Looking at the bridge you realise there is nothing 'golden' about it and is more of a 'Red Bridge'.)

With Bhaji Prabhdev Singh jee, standing next to this statue. I have no idea who the statue is supposed to be!


Bhaji Prabhdev Singh jee driving his pride and joy! (bhaji's van reminded me of the A-Team van!).


Woodland Park.


Lake Millterton (when they said Lake Millerton I thought they said "Lake Militant". Waheguru).


Group photo.


Bhaji Jagmeet Singh jee. Such a nice Gursikh. Waheguru :)


Group photo of Singhs at the Lake.


On the last day before we left for Yuba City, all the Bhenjis cooked us loads of cakes to take with us on the way (carrot cake, cup cakes and normal cake! Waheguru!). Dhan Guru Ke Sikh.

Family photo on our last day at Fresno with all the Gursikhs at Bhaji Manvinder Singh jee and Bhenji Manpreet Kaur jee's house :) Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.

Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee.

Derby One-Day Sikhi Camp coming up...

With Guru Sahib's kirpaa the Derby Sangat has organised a one-day Sikhi Camp during the Christmas holidays. There will be lots of activiites for the Sangat and guest speakers will be doing talks, including Bhai Joginder Singh leicester, Bhai Surjit Singh India, Prof Daljit Singh Virk, and Bhai Vijay Singh. The Kauregeous group from Leicester will be running individual groups.

There will also be indoor sports activities in the afternoon including Bouncy castles, trampoline, and volleyball. The Sangat will have opportunity to ask the elder Gursikhs questions in the open discussion forum.

Details below:

Date: Sunday 27th December 2009

Where: Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Princess street, Derby, DE23 8NT.

Time: 9am to 5pm

Coventry Christmas Sikhi Camp - It's Back!

With Guru Sahib's kirpaa, the 15th annual Christmas Sikhi Camp is beign held in Coventry. It is an opportunity not to miss. Like every year the camp is fun and enjoyable for all ages. There will be special classes for 15+ and adults! This year Bhai Surjit Singh from India will also be attending and therefore extra laahaa (benefit) for all the Sangat attending.


DETAILS:
When: From Friday 25th December to Wednesday 30th December 2009

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Where: Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Cross Road, Coventry, CV6 5GR.



WHAT'S PLANNED?


25th December (Christmas day):
There will be a fun day with activities, competitions, bouncy castles, bungee runs, gladiators,THE BITTU SHOW, tug of war, PS3, Xbox and moret!


26th to 29th December:
There will be Sikhi talks and discussions with various guest speakers, zones with different activities, bouncy castles, keertan, dastaar tying and loads more! (Not forgetting - THE BITTU SHOW!)

30th December:
There will be a mystery trip for campers!
Note: There will be re-union trip in January 2010 for the 14+ years! (Sounds exciting!).



NOTE: Coventry Gursikhs will provide accomodation if needed. Please contact local Gursikhs.

Email Your MPs to Put Pressure on Indian Govt

Guru Pyaario,

Benti to everyone please write to your local Member of Parliament about what has happened in Ludhiana. The British, Canadian and American governments can put diplomatic pressure on India to ensure peace is brought to Panjab, that the human rights of the Sikhs is restored and justice is delivered for the bloodshed of the Sikhs.

You can contact your local MP through this website:
http://www.writetothem.com/

This is the least we can do sitting abroad! You can use the below template to send. Just copy and paste but remember to put the name of your MP at the top and your name at the bottom.

Dear [WRITE MP'S NAME]

I am emailing you in regards to the concerning events that took place in Ludhiana in Punjab (India). On Saturday 5th December 2009 when police and paramilitary forces opened fire without warning and used heavy-handed barbaric tactics to stop Sikh protesters who were protesting, belonging to Sikh religious organisations, marching towards a controversial anti-Sikh two-day event organised in Ludhiana by Dera Divya Jyoti of Ashutosh; and that at one Sikh has been killed and about 15 seriously injured. Sadly, the death toll is expected to increase. Further to this a number of Sikhs have gone missing and it is feared the Punjab Police have kidnapped them and will torture them.

Members of the UK Sikh community, including myself, have family members living in the area and are horrified at the police brutality used against the Sikh protesters shown in the News reports.

Please see video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUjzKDSQWU0

News link and Press release from Voices of Freedom charity:
http://www.panthic.org/articles/5183
http://www.panthic.org/articles/5186

I would like you to take up this issue with the Indian High Commissioner in the UK immediately and ensure that justice is brought for the victims of the Police brutality and that the Human Rights (which includes the right to protest) of the Sikhs will be protected. Please press upon them that we would like to see peace in Punjab, and that this cannot be achieved with over zealous policing.

I await a response from you.

Kind regards,
[YOUR NAME]

More photos of Police Brutality:


Lawless policemen


Police beating an unarmed Sikh.


Shaheed Bhai Darshan Singh after being shot in the chest by the Police.


Bullets being collected.


Police didn't fire in the air but were aiming at the Sikh protestors. Some bullets hit many public buses as seen above.