Punjab Unrest is Comparable to 1984 - Says Non-Sikh Analyst

Please see this interview of Dr. Iqtidar Cheema, an international relations expert based in the United Kingdom, about the growing unrest in Punjab, India and the role of state-led violence by Indian security forces against peaceful protesters. The interviewer is Pieter Friedrich, 'Organization for Minorities of India' Advising Director for California, USA.

 

Anmol Bachan: Bhagat Puran Singh Ji on Devotion to Vaheguru...



Bhagat Puran Singh on Bhagti

If you make your morning, you've made your day. Don't be irritated by trivial matters. Make sure you take time in the morning for silent, solitary reflection.

Daily have a talk with God. He is a true friend and "It is so natural to discuss with a friend your ambitions and aspirations, your plans and programmes, your failures and frustrations and ask him to help you". We may not be able to at first see Him or hear Him, but be certain that He does see and hear you.

We will meet God only when He is sure that "you truly need Him and nothing besides."
Prayer is not easy: "A holy man driving a car, met a beggar on the way. The beggar exclaimed, "If only I too became a holy man, a man of prayer, I would have a car!"

"Prayer is not that easy" said the holy man. "If you say too(n) thaakur tum pai ardaas... with a concentated mind, the car (and much more) can belong to you"

"Wonderful!" Said the astonished beggar. Joining his hands and closing his eyes he said the prayer aloud, "Too(n) thakur tum pai ardaas. Jeeo pind sabhi teree raas..."

Suddenly in mid prayer, his eyes opened up and he asked, "Shall I have a garage along with car? Else where would I keep it???" Moral: concentrated prayer is not an easy task.

Make God your life partner: He can be a partner in your daily life and all activities and miracles can happen. Rest assured that there is no problem which you and God cannot solve together and no situation you cannot handle together.

A loving relationship is based on a feeling of being needed. Think about when you have felt closest to someone. It is quite possibly a time when you have been needed by them. Feeling needed and wanted is something that fosters love not only between humans but also with God. When God knows you need Him and only Him and have no other support, He will then come to you.

How and Why Tat-Khalsa Will Be Victorious....

How and Why Tat-Khalsa Will Be Victorious 

Author: Bhai Balpreet Singh Ji (Toronto)

Bhai Balpreet Singh Ji

Today we are seeing some very dark days for our Panth. Not because of our enemies attacking us or trying to destroy us, that has been happening since our creation, but because we ourselves are our own enemies. 

 People in Sikh appearance are amongst us eating at our roots. We ourselves allow ourselves to be fooled by them. Our "leadership" is filled with failed old men who talk big but have no Jeevan or character. These "leaders" will be remembered one day as those idiots who led the Panth to its biggest defeats in history. 

All I see before me is the need to step away from this old and failed leadership. Its time to recognize that our institutions (SGPC, SANT SAMAJ, TAKHTS etc) have rotted away from the inside out because of these people who have sold their souls and compromised every Khalsa rehit. 

But I am absolutely optimistic. Why? I see the youth. I see strong Khalsa youth coming up all over and I have a strong hope that these youth will never make any compromise in Khalsa principles and Rehit. They will stand for Dashmesh Pita jee and not sell out for personal gain or to appease anybody. This Tat-Khalsa (Pristine Khalsa) Guru Sahib is creating will drive out the Mallech-Khalsa (Wretched Khalsa) who are destroying us today! 

The following is based on Pr. Satbir Singh's book "Rabab to(n) Nagara" on Why the Khalsa was victorious in the past, and why it will be in the future. 

1) The Khalsa has full confidence and faith that they are the rightful and true rulers of this land (Punjab). Sri Guru Gobind Singh jee has promised us "Raj Karega Khalsa". This is his promise to us. When we become Khalsa and take those Rehits, we should have confidence that Dashmesh Pita is with us in all our fights. 

Kalgidhar Pita Jee once said to his Khalsa, "Where the Singhs are fighting for Dharam for Parupkaar and Sikhi, you will forever see me fighting along side my Sikhs as well."

When Abdali asked Baba Ala Singh why the Sikhs never finish, Baba Ala Singh replied, "Sri Guru Gobind Singh jee has given the Khalsa this blessing that wherever one Sikh falls for the Dharam, two more will come to take his place". 

2) The Sikhs know their land. Sikhs are sons of the soil. Punjab is ours. We know every village, every forest, every swamp and every hill. We are the rightful heirs of Punjab. This is the land of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib jee and no foreign power has any right to it. 

3) Khalsa has high character and high jeevan. This has been the fault that has stopped us in the recent past. We have abandoned our rehit. When we are ready to sacrifice our lives but not our principles, victory is certain. Khalsa does not harm those who come to its shelter or surrender. Khalsa does not so much as touch another woman/man or her/his wealth. The Khalsa rules of battle were so high that if an enemy's turban fell off during battle, the Sikh would say, "Take care of your turban. I'm not here to interfere with your honour..." 

This is a contrast to today where Sikhs (more accurately, Malechh Khalsa) when fighting other Sikhs first grab for the dastaar and have no shame in even pulling Kesh. 

4) Khalsa would give up Moh (attachment) of all worldly possessions and their homes. They would make their saddles their homes. For the cause of the Panth it was a saying that the Khalsa never put his back down to rest but even slept while walking around. If they were wounded in battle, they would consider the blow to be a holy blessing. 

The Khalsa would never retreat, only run back and then run forward again. Kazi Nur Muhammed writes, "If they ever run from battle, do not consider this to be a retreat. This is their strategy of war. Watch out! Save yourself from this trap of theirs. Once again, watch out!" 

It is this tenacity and selflessness that will come to the Rehitvan Khalsa. It is this attitude that will result in Khalsa Raj! Gurmat Jeevan, Gursikhs and Rajneeti (Intelligent Politics) will get our Jeeth (Victory)! 

 ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

The Power of Sohila Sahib...

 

Author: Mandeep Singh

 

A Gursikh businessman once met an African man who approached him and began talking to him and asking him to come join him for a coffee. The African man was being very friendly but also very inquisitive about the Gursikh and was repeatedly asking what he does at night. The Gursikh was suspicious about his questions and asked him why he wanted to know. The African man said he was curious. So the Gursikh said that he has his evening meal and watches a bit of TV then goes to bed.

 

But the African man kept enquiring further as to what else he does. By this time the Gursikh was concerned about the personal and private detail that he was asking for and demanded why he wanted to know.

 

So the African man told him. He said that he was a Voodoo practioner and was paid to put Black Magic on him to make him ill and ruin his business. For the past few nights he had stood outside the Gursikh's house and sent Black magic to affect the Singh. But to his dismay the Black magic spells kept returning back to him. After such time he realised his black magic wasn't working and now he has quit his job.

 

So that's why he was asking the Gursikh about what he does at night that gives him the Power to withstand and repel the black magic that was sent his way.

 

Then the Gursikh realised what it was. Every night he recites the Sikh prayer of Sohila Sahib as part of his daily Nitnem before going to bed. This is meant to provide a spiritual force field of protection around anyone who does so. He didn't know how true that was until just then!

ਏ ਦੇਸ਼ ਸਾਡਾ ਨੀ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ... Eh Desh Saadaa Nee Ho Sakdaa...

Poem - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, My Father

Author: Rajdeep Singh (Derby, UK)

My father has been taken from His home. Disrespected, beaten... his limbs torn apart. Thrown in a canal when the thugs have mindlessly tortured Him.

My father has sacrificed Himself so that I wake up. So that my whole family wakes up. So that the whole world wakes up. So that we realise there is no equality... That we are second class citizens... We are slaves.

My father shouldn't have to have sacrificed Himself. He saved the poor, the vulnerable, the weak. Now the poor, vulnerable and weak have a bit of power, they decide to torture Him. Regularly.

My brothers and sisters have had enough. They can't see their beloved father, who took them from being the lowest of the low and made them the highest of the high. He put a crown on each of their heads. He made everyone a king. He treats everyone equally, He says everyone is royalty. Every being regardless of race, gender, religion, is royalty.

My brothers and sisters walk out into the streets. Their father has told them to remain calm. To only use force when all other means have failed. They sit peacefully in the street. Peacefully protesting. They all meditate and sing the prayers that Our Father has given them.

Hoping for change. Hoping for peace. Hoping to finally be treated as equals after 68 years of being a slave.

The thugs aren't interested. They've received orders from the mob bosses to beat, abuse and kill. Don't let them sit peacefully. Force them to accept the abuse of their Father as the norm. Make them understand that they're powerless.

My brothers and sisters are beaten. Beaten with batons, fired at with water cannons, fired at... With bullets.

They sit peacefully and are fired at... With bullets.

Some of my brothers and sisters are old and frail. They don't know what to do. They're beaten severely, so bad that they lose their sight.

Some of my brothers and sisters are young. They had their whole lives ahead of them. Bullets rain down into the bodies.

They're killed... For peacefully protesting the desecration, disrespect and abuse of their Father.

Wake up. Our Father is telling us to wake up. It is time to break the shackles of slavery and unite under our Father.

ਕੀਤਾ ਸਰਸੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਲ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਨਹੀਉ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰ....

Katha: Brahm-Gyanis and Naam...

Priceless Gurbani Vichaar by Bhai Surjit Singh Ji on the topic of self-proclaimed Brahm-Gyanis that can start people's Anhad Shabad, open their Dasam Dwaar and give Naam to those without Amrit, smoke tobacco and drink alcohol:

Becoming a Devotee...

Bhagat Puran Singh Ji, Pingalware

Salok Fareed Ji, Ang 1384:
 
ਮਤਿ ਹੋਦੀ ਹੋਇ ਇਆਣਾ ॥  If you are wise, (appear to) be simple;    ਮਤਿ = ਅਕਲ। ਹੋਇ = ਬਣੇ।
(ਜੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ) ਅਕਲ ਹੁੰਦਿਆਂ ਭੀ ਅੰਞਾਣਾ ਬਣੇ (ਭਾਵ, ਅਕਲ ਦੇ ਤ੍ਰਾਣ ਦੂਜਿਆਂ ਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਦਬਾਉ ਨ ਪਾਏ),

ਤਾਣ ਹੋਦੇ ਹੋਇ ਨਿਤਾਣਾ ॥  being powerful, (appear to) be weak (i.e. don't quarrel or subjugate others);   ਤਾਣੁ = ਜ਼ੋਰ, ਤਾਕਤ।
ਜ਼ੋਰ ਹੁੰਦਿਆਂ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰਾਂ ਵਾਂਗ ਜੀਵੇ (ਭਾਵ, ਕਿਸੇ ਉਤੇ ਧੱਕਾ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ),

ਅਣਹੋਦੇ ਆਪੁ ਵੰਡਾਏ ॥  and when there is nothing worthy to share, then share with others (your share).    ਅਣਹੋਦੇ = ਜਦੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਭੀ ਦੇਣ ਜੋਗਾ ਨਾਹ ਹੋਵੇ।
ਜਦੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਭੀ ਦੇਣ-ਜੋਗਾ ਨਾਹ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤਦੋਂ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਪ (ਭਾਵ, ਆਪਣਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ) ਵੰਡ ਦੇਵੇ,

ਕੋ ਐਸਾ ਭਗਤੁ ਸਦਾਏ ॥੧੨੮॥  How rare is one who is known as such a devotee. ||128||  
ਸਦਾਏ = ਅਖਵਾਏ ॥੧੨੮॥
ਕਿਸੇ ਅਜੇਹੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ (ਹੀ) ਭਗਤ ਆਖਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ ॥੧੨੮॥ 

Kavishree (Poetry) - "Today's Modern Boys & Girls"..

Story of Bhai Devinder Singh (Australia)...

Here is an amazing story of a white Australian, Donald Harry Goldsmith, who took Amrit and became Sikh, and now called Devinder Singh. Bhai Devinder Singh is from Adelaide, Australia, and kindly shared his story of becoming a Sikh with the Sangat on the Internet:

Bhai Devinder Singh (Australia) - Before and After

I believe Amrit is very important. For me it was my commitment to Vaheguru. I feel an unexplained definite connection that has changed my life to be less stressful and significantly more peaceful and happy. Most importantly, it has made me a better and more loving human being. I don't like the word 'religion'. I much prefer 'faith'. My dad used to say, "Respect and love. We are put on earth not to see through people but to see people through love." 

Dad served in World War 2, serving in army medical corps in New Guinea. He had so much respect and love for Sikhs that fought with the Allied forces describing them as "True warriors - compassionate and brave." 

I was in India in 1984 with my late father when all hell broke out in the streets of India. My Sikh friends got me out of Delhi. From that day, I always loved the Sikh people, their caring nature for humanity, and their strong faith in Vaheguru. Dad also said I would one day become a Sikh through the experience of wonderful love. 

In 2007 I had two heart attacks, almost died twice and the first thing I spoke after four days in coma was "Vaheguru wants me to become Sikh". I felt I was brought back to life twice and I am now so thankful to be in happy health. After the heart attacks I went straight into a turban, because I already had a beard from performing Shakespeare's Antonio in The Merchant of Venice (that was another life). I wanted to go straight to Amritsar to give my heart and soul to Vaheguru. 

I have found the Sikh community in Australia to be generally fantastic. Extremely happy, beautiful people. I am so pleased with Vaheguru for showing me this path. 

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

 

In 2012, Bhai Devinder Singh recieved Amrit and he legally changed his name to Devinder Singh.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Khalsa Camp BC 2015 - Photos...

Khalsa Camp BC (Canada) took place from 26th to 31st August 2015. This was the fifth successful year of Khalsa Camp BC. It was very impressive to see how the camp has grown and developed over the years. The camp was well organised and the atmosphere was inspirational! It was great to have darshan of so many Gurmukhs this year.

This years camp had a range of speakers which included Bhai Santbir Singh jee (Toronto), Bhai Jagjit Singh (UK), Bhai Shaminder Singh (BC), Giani Kulwinder Singh (BC), Bhenji Gurminder Kaur (BC), and Bhai Paramjit Singh Khalsa (Anandpur Sahib wale). Bhai Davinder Singh (California) also attended and held workshops.

I found the whole camp amazing! Great atmosphere, great Gursikh speakers, and great Sangat. The most memorable thing about the camp was the mosquitos and being bitten over and over again and being swamped by mosquitos! Vaheguru!

The camp left a very positive impression on my mind and I found it very uplifting and beneficial. May Guru Sahib continue to bless the Sangat and may their flourish in Gursikhi.

Some of the photos from the camp (taken from Khalsa Camp BC Facebook):

Orientation

Divaan

Keertan

Ice-breaker

Langar Seva

Bhai Santbir Singh workshop

Bhenji Gurminder Kaur did an amazing talk!

Evening Questions and Answers session

 Gatka by Veer Harman Singh

Gatka

Gatka

Talk by Bhai Shaminder Singh

 In the workshop we were lucky enough to have Bhai Prabhsimran Singh, a white-Canadian Gursikh share his experiences of how he becoming an Amritdhari Singh.

 Calligraphy workshop

Calligraphy workshop

 Workshop with Bhai Jagjit Singh

Workshop with Bhai Davinder Singh

Bhai Harveen Singh was previously from UK and is currently living in BC

Bhai Paramjit Singh Khalsa 

 Giani Kulwinder Singh's talk on Gurbani

Keertan

 Campers doing Satguru Ji's seva

Deg Seva

 End of camp closing comments

 A lovely Gursikh that I share the week with at Khalsa Camp BC - Baba Harbans Singh Ji. Baba Ji had so much knowledge and wisdom and deep reflections on Gurbani, yet so much humility and also lots of humour. Vaheguru!

 Bus journey back home from camp

Group photo on arrival back from camp

Khalsa Camp UK 2015 - Photo Highlights

Learning Panjabi: a quicker and easier way...

"Panjabi is the language of the native people of Panjab, a land of five (panj) rivers in north-western India. The script was improved and popularised by the Sikh Gurus. It was adopted by them to write Gurbani hymns, hence it became known as Gurmukhi. As the Gurmukhi script is used to write Panjabi only, the word Panjabi has also come to mean Gurmukhi. When we actually speak of learning Gurmukhi, more often we say Panjabi. Thus, Gurmukhi and Panjabi became synonymous."

This summer I was introduced to a new scientifically-designed method of learning Panjabi for fast learners whose primary language is English. "It is based on the conversion method of learning Panjani. According to this method, one learns to convert the Panjabi alphabet and vowels into corresponding English forms, the use of which the student already knows. It therefore enables a person to read Panjabi in about two weeks time. Learning by this technique becomes interesting because one starts reading and writing words the very first day. This is another reason that the trainees can learn reading Panjabi very quickly by this method."

"To make the learning interesting and easy for the youth, only four to six consonants and one set of vowels are introduced at a time. Further, short words with just two letters were chosen for a quick and better understanding of consonant and vowel sounds. The repetition of the same letter in multiple combinations is planned to help the student to correlate the shape and sound of the letters with ease."

I remember when I went to Panjabi school and still learning the beginning lines of the alphabet after so many months. Children easily get demotivated and disheartened as they don't see themselves progressing, which then leads to boredom. This summer when offered with the opportunity to teach young adults Gurmukhi using this method, it was an eye opener. Firstly, all the people attending the class enjoyed it and secondly, they could all learn to make words and read a sentence in Gurmukhi in the first lesson. This encouraged those learning to want to learn more and progress.

If you wish to learn Gurmukhi to help you read Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and have access to reading the wealth of Sikhi knowledge that is written in Punjabi, or you wish to help your children or someone else to learn Gurmukhi, then please follow the the directions and easy to follow lesson plans of the 'Scientifically-Designed Panjabi Primer' by Dr. Gurbakhsh Singh.

PDF copy of 'Scientifically-Designed Panjabi Primer' manual booklet:
http://www.barusahib.org/Assets/Publications/PunjabiPrimer.pdf

Video lessons using this teaching method aired on Sangat Television:

Lesson 1:


Lesson 2:

Lesson 3:

Lesson 4:

Lesson 5:

Sweden Sikh Family Camp 2015...

The annual Sweden Sikh Family Camp was held at Gurdwara Sangat Sahib in Tullinge, Stockholm, from Monday 24th July to Sunday 30th July. The camp was attended by children and adults. Gursikhs from Belgium, Holland and Denmark also attended the camp. Bhai Surjit Singh Ji, especially came from India to speak at the camp. The camp was a week of amazing sangat, amrit-vela, classes for adults and children, inspiration, and pyaar.

Over the week camp there were classes on Sikh history, teachings from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Keertan, learning Panjabi and fundamental concepts of Sikhi such as Seva, Simran, Sangat, and sacrifice. As always it was a pleasure to work with the children and adults as they showed so much enthusiasm to learn. The atmosphere of the camp was great. Despite the rainy weather, the camp was a success. On Sunday nearly all the children that attended the camp came ready wearing dastaars and gurmukhi dress. Each group and child had to present something to the Sangat that they had learnt from the camp.

Some photos:

 Morning Paatth led by campers

Morning Hukamnama vichaar by Bhai Surjit Singh Ji

Campers

 Morning workshop - group work

 Morning workshop - group work

 Morning workshop - Group work

 Adults and parents Gurmat Vichaar class

 A young camper presenting what he has learnt during the Sunday divaan

Sangat during Sunday divaan

 Elder campers presenting what they have learnt to the Sangat

A young camper reciting Mool Mantar

 This young Singh sang an amazing poem about Sikhi Saroop. He had memorised the whole poem as well.

 Kathaa by Bhai Surjit Singh Ji

 Prize giving

Prize giving

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!