Monday, May 14, 2012

Grooming problem in UK exposed...


Grooming refers to racially motivated sexual exploitation. The UK Sikh community has been concerned about this issue since the early 1990s. Recently, the mainstream media has highlighted the successful arrests of men from Pakistani origin in Rochdale, Oxford and some other cities. Judge Gerald Clifton, who heard the case of the Rochdale grooming gang, said in his sentencing remarks that they had treated their victims as “worthless and beyond all respect” at least in part because “they were not of your community or religion”.

Please see video interviews from BBC News:


News articles in chronological order:
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Friday, May 11, 2012

Episode 4: Sri Anandpur Sahib (Part 1)


Inside of me I had a yearning to have Darshan (a glimpse) of Sri Anandpur Sahib. Our driver first drove past Sri Anandpur Sahib and instead went to Keeratpur Sahib. The driver said "If you go to Sri Anandpur Sahib without visiting Keeratpur Sahib first then Guru Gobind Singh jee said that your yatraa (pilgrimage) of Sri Anandpur Sahib is not accepted." It was first time I had such a thing. Why would Guru Gobind Singh jee Maharaaj say such a thing? When Guru jee called the Sangat to Sri Anandpur Sahib on Vaisakhi 1699, did he asked all of them to go via Keeratpur Sahib otherwise he would turn them away? Waheguru.

The driver went on to say that Baba Gurditta jee was given a "barr" (boon) by Guru Gobind Singh jee that whenever someone meets they will first meet you and then meet me. Baba Gurditta jee, was a great saint, who is the son of Guru Hargobind jee (the sixth Guru). Baba jee is also the father of the seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai Sahib jee. Keeratpur Sahib was established in 1627 by the Guru Hargobind Sahib jee, who bought the land from Raja Tara Chand of Kehloor through his son, Baba Gurditta jee.   Baba jee physically left this world in 1638, yet Guru Gobind Singh jee physically manifested in this world in 1666, so the story the driver was saying didn't seem to make sense, unless I had misunderstood him.

After having Darshan of Gurdwara Keeratpur Sahib and listening to some Keertan there, the driver drove down the road to Gurdwara Baba Gurditta jee. Straight after visiting the Gurdwara, the driver said we must visit the place of Baba Buddhan Shah jee now. I was told we are going to do Matha Tekh there. I asked him if it was a Gurdwara, he said no but Guru jee said we must go there and do Matha Tekh. The driver told me that Baba Buddhan Shah jee told Guru jee that no one will come and visit me and instead people go to see you. Guru jee in return gave him a "barr" (boon) that whoever comes to see me will first come to you.  All these stories seemed to have a common theme. 




To be continued...
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Monday, May 07, 2012

Episode 4 of India Travels: Panjab goes Kesri

Passages from my diary of my trip to India, April 2012:


On the way from Gurdaspur to Jalandhar, I saw so many trucks, buses, cars and motorcycles with kesri (orange) flags. Going through the different villages you could see people had kesri flags with Khande flying from their homes and shops. Apparently on the 28th March the whole of Panjab had turned Kesri. However, with the stormy weather some of the flags had fallen down and others had been taking down as they were put up for just a few days. Also I was told that at night time Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal activists took down a lot of flags so that things can be played down. Apparently most of these Shiva Sena and Bajrang Dal activists are immigrants from Bihar who have little connection or links to Sikhi, as Hindu Panjabis have respect for Sikhi. 


When I went to Guru Tegh Bahadar Nagar Gurdwara in Jalandhar I saw Rajaona stickers on the walls. A lot of vehicles had similar stickers stuck on the back rear screens. It was impressive to see how the Kesri Lehar (movement) had spread across Panjab as a result of the media and Internet.

There is one Gursikh shopkeeper who sells Dastaar material. Every time I go to his shop he is very happy seeing Gursikhs. He is amazed that so many youngsters in the West are adopting Gurmat and Rehat. He has other customers from abroad who are Gursikhs and come to his shop dressed in Baanaa (Khalsa uniform), which makes him realise how far back Panjab has gone in its Sikhi. He becomes very emotional seeing Gursikhs.

Bhai Sahib told me that all of Panjab has gone Kesri and youngsters are holding Kesri flags etc. I told him how I was amazed that so many shops in Jalandhar had Kesri flags flying. However, he said that the youngsters and the people of Panjab who wave these flags have little knowledge of Sikhi. He said the majority of protesters who airing slogans and waving Kesri flags are cut-haired young people who have become very emotional (quite rightly so) however no one is addressing the issue that those same youngsters and the rest of Panjab are addicted to drugs, alcohol, have no knowledge of Gurmat, Gurbani and Sikh history. For these reasons he said he was not holding up his hopes by the rise of Kesri flags in Panjab.He said the best Lehar is a Lehar of knowledge through educating the people of Panjab about Gurbani and inspiring them with Gurmat.


Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!


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Sunday, May 06, 2012

Missing Tablaa


If anyone was returning back from Amritsar on 16th April to Heathrow Airport and picked up a Tablaa. Can you please contact me as soon as possible. Looks like there has been a mix up. Thank you.
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Thursday, May 03, 2012

Undergraduate ParliaMentors Scheme

Message:

Undergraduate ParliaMentors, run by the Three Faiths Forum (3FF) offers a unique opportunity and may assist in developing networks and understanding of the British political establishment.There also clear benefits in having something like this on CV's. Applications for next years scheme are now open.

As per the ParliaMentors website: http://www.3ff.org.uk/universities/, the scheme can be summarised as follows:

Winner of the UN Award for Intercultural Innovation, our leadership development programme equips aspiring leaders at university with the skills, experiences and networks they need to advance their careers
  • See Politics in Action: Gain a unique insight into politics with mentor support from MPs and Peers.
  • Create Social Change: Work in trios to create social action projects with support from leading NGOs.
  • Develop Leadership Skills: Learn through direct experience, training workshops and expert-led events.
  • Build Lifelong Networks: Create new professional and personal links by joining an ever-expanding Alumni Network..
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Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Episode 3 of India Travels: Unique Home


Passages from my diary of my trip to India, April 2012:




When we came to Jalandhar we visited Unique Home. The Unique Home looks after unwanted, unclaimed or orphaned children who have been discarded or neglected by society. Baby girls are found by roadsides, dumped near streams, or even left during the night in a baby cradle outside the Home.

Before we came to India a 80-year-old English lady that knows my mum knitted some small sweaters and gave them to my mum to give to Unique Home. She knitted about 10 or 15 sweaters. The old lady has no children of her own and whenever she has the opportunity she likes many clothes and gifts for orphans around the world. It was very humbling to hear of the humanity of such people. 

It was moving to see that when I picked up one child the other children put their arms up and wanted to be lifted up. Just by lifting them up and repeating "Waheguru" the children smiled and got happy. It always sad to see how parents can abandon their baby daughters and commit such paap (sin). However, it is better that they give their unwanted babies to the Home rather than murder them. 

If any of the Sangat wishes to visit the Unique Home then you are requested to ring the Unique Home before visiting so that you can arrange to meet Mata Parkash Kaur jee (the main sevadaar):
Phone: 0181-2276066/ 2274005
Mobile: 98721-20664

Address:
Unique Home
Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Charitable Trust (Regd.)
1082-B, Model House,
Jalandhar.


Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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Friday, April 27, 2012

Episode 2 of India Travels: Gurdwara Kahnuwan Sahib (Part 2)

Passages from my diary of my trip to India, April 2012:
When we were about to leave the Gurdwara Sahib, someone dressed as a Nihang Singh came to me and and asked me for a pen. I said, "I have to look if I can find a pen." He then got out a small note book and said, "Bhai Sahib, can you please write down the Dohraa for me?" I was slightly confused that he wanted me to write the Dohraa for him. He said he wanted the Dohraa written down which is recited at Sri Hazoor Sahib. I told him to go to the Gurdwara office and that they can check it and write it properly making sure there are no spelling mistakes etc. He then asked me something about doing Ardaas or giving a donation. I was slightly confused and didn't understand what he was saying so I pointed at the Gursikh who drove us there and said "Ask Bhai Sahib jee". The next thing I know Bhai Sahib hands over 10 rupees and the other person starts doing an Ardaas "May Guru jee keep you in Chardi Kalaa" etc.  
We walked away and then the Gursikh explained to me that that person dressed as a Nihang was asking us for money for "Shaheedi Degh" (i.e. cannabis milk drink). I was surprised that someone could go around in Gursikhi baanaa (dress) and beg for money for such a thing. If I had have known I would have refused to give any money and explain it not right for a Gursikh to ask or beg money for such things. However, the Gursikh explained that there are many like that man who have shamed the Guru's uniform. The Gursikh explained that many thieves and beggars have taken on the Nihang uniform and are always intoxicated. I remembered what Nihang Baba Nihaal Singh jee from Harian bela said in one his talks: "Nihangs are not thieves. Thieves have dressed up as Nihangs."

Behind the Gurdwara Sahib there is a no hospital being built and always further down the road the government is making a Khalsa-e-Viraasat. The building is supposed to a multi-media museum which will display the history of the local area. The building seemed quite nice. It is still under construction.

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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Episode 2 of India Travels: Gurdwara Kahnuwan Sahib (Part 1)

Passages from my diary of my trip to India, April 2012:


The first night in Panjab we spent at Gurdaspur. It was the first time I had spent time at Gurdaspur. It was very sad to hear how innocent young Sikh men aged 15 to 35 were picked up the Police and killed during the 1990s. Locals told of how villages upon villages across Gurdaspur district were wiped clean of young people and a generation of Sikhs was wiped out.

The next day Gursikhs took us to visit Gurdwara Kahnuwan Sahib in district Gurdaspur. This Gurdwara marks the spot where the Chhota Ghallughara (the smaller holocaust) took place. In Sikh history there have been two ancient holocausts, the Chhota Ghallughara which took place in 1746 and the Vadda Ghallughara (the bigger holocaust) which took place in 1762. The more recent carnage of the 1980s and 90s, has also come to be known as Ghalughara (holocaust).

The Gurdwara Chhota Ghallughara Sahib marks the place were nearly 10,000 Sikh men, women and children were wiped out in 1746. Yahya Khan and Lakhpat Rai had taken a pledge to wipe out the Sikhs. They chased and surrounded the Sikhs taking refuge in the forest area of Kahnuwan. The forest was set on fire to make sure no Sikh survived. Retreating regiments of the Sikhs braved an onslaught under the command of Nawaab Kapoor Singh jee. Even though the Sikhs were hungry, they did not lose their determination and fought on in the scorching heat. During the building of the fairly recent Gurdwara Sahib, the Sangat discovered weapons belonging to the Sikhs who were martyred in the holocaust. Unfortunately the shastar were on open display without any security or any measures to preserve them to the best condition. After speaking to a local member of the Sangat they said they would notify the management committee to keep the shastar in an air tight case and under better security.


To be continued...




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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Episode 1 of India Travels: Flight

Passages from my diary of my trip to India, April 2012:



At the beginning of April I went to India to visit Panjab. The flight was London to Amritsar via Delhi. We arrived at Delhi about 9am and had to wait till 5.30pm to go to Amritsar. It was a long wait! When we arrived at Delhi we had to go through security clearance again (I don't understand why, because we had just come out of the plane). The security guy checking passengers had a dirty white glove on his hand while patting down the passengers. It looked filthy and as if it had never been washed. He was touching his face and nose with one hand and the other hand he had a dirty glove on. I was praying to Waheguru that the guy doesn't touch me and get my Kurta and Hazooria covered with the dirt and filth. The glove was literally like a brown grey colour. Surprisingly, when the guy came to me he just waved the metal detector over me and let me go. (Thank God!)


At the airport my mother and I were laying back on the comfy chairs when I spotted a mouse running around next to me! I told my mum that a mouse is next to me and she decided to flag it up with one of the airport staff. My mother waved to a lady worker who came over to us. My mother said, "There is a mouse running around here." The lady replied, "What a mouse?" "Yes a mouse!" The lady made a confused face and said "Okay..." and walked off. It was as if she was thinking "Hello, this is India what else do you expect in the airport." As expected no one came back to investigate the mice problem.

Arriving at Amritsar was quite pleasant. The customer service has slightly improved, however people could still work on the 'service with a smile'.


To be continued...
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Monday, April 16, 2012

India Travels coming soon...

In the Easter holidays I went to Panjab, India.
I will be shortly posting stories from the trip.
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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Denmark Smaagam 2012...



From 16th to 18th March, the Sikh Sangat of Denmark held a Keertan Smaagam at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Copenhagen. With Guru jee's kirpaa the Smaagam was really Chardi Kalaa. Sangat from UK and Sweden attend the Smaagam.


During the Smaagam I met a Jamaican man who lives in Denmark. Veer jee's name is Raymond. He first heard of Sikhs after the 1978 Amritsar massacre when the Dharam Yudh Morcha was launched. He said that he remembered seeing Sikhs on the news asking for their rights and was inspired by the Sikhs. Many years later in 2006, he read an advertisement in the local newspaper advertising an open day at the Gurdwara Sahib. Veer Jee came with other members of the public visited the Gurdwara Sahib.

During the Gurdwara visit Raymond was introduced to Giani Jee who taught him tablaa, despite not knowing English or Danish. He learnt through 'pyaar'. Veer jee was told by Giani jee in broken English, "When walk, work, on bus and all day say 'Waheguru'". Veer Jee took Giani jee's words to heart and started during Simran and enjoying the blessings of repeating 'Waheguru'. Veer jee now wants to take Amrit. He has kept his Kesh and been wearing a Dastaar since 2006. He practising Nitnem and enjoys reading the meanings (translation) of Gurbani. May Guru jee bless us all with thirst of Naam, Gurbani and Amrit.


Below are some photos and videos from the Smaagam:













Bhai Vijay Singh jee (UK) - Rainsbaaee Keertan


Bhai Avtar Singh jee (Sweden ) - Sunday Divan


More videos on YouTube





Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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Monday, March 26, 2012

Article by Dr. Jasdev Singh Rai...

Article taken from Huffington Post


Author: Dr. Jasdev Singh Rai
Medical Doctor, with MA in politics, human rights activist and community worker


Death Penalty in the Land of Non-Violence

For a country that brands itself on Gandhi, non violence and cow protection, the death penalty in India and Balwant Singh Rajoana's imminent hanging on 31 March might appear to be an aberration. Not quite so when Balwant Singh's statement in the court is heard. He accepted being party to the assassination of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh, on 31st August 1995. In court he said he had no faith in Indian justice and refused legal representation. He refuses to plead for clemency. This puts many Sikhs and indeed Punjabis who don't want a hanging in Punjab in some quandary.

The death penalty is a retrogressive step in Punjab. Before any European countries got around to abolishing the death penalty (Portugal 1867), the Punjab under the Sikh ruler, Maharajah Ranjit Singh (1801-1839), had removed capital punishment. British colonialism restored the death penalty.

India has inherited a penal and judicial system from its colonial past. With the best it has also continued with the worst of laws. Laws and rules that were meant to prop up colonialism, such as prolonged detention without charge, laws against sedition (Scottish leader, Salmon, would have been incarcerated if not hung in India by now) and death penalty among others.

But India went further by enacting laws that assumed guilt until proven otherwise (TADA) and a constitutional amendment (59th ) for 2 years which removed the primary responsibility of the State (Article 21 Indian constitution) to protect life and liberty. Until the UN reminded Indian legislators of the State's Raison d'eter. However plenty other Indian legal cocktails violate human rights.

In court Balwant Singh questioned India's commitment to its own constitution, human rights and the law citing the assassinated Chief Minister's actions. The Chief Minister, Beant Singh, won the election in Punjab in 1992 on a mandate of 9% of the potential electorate. Peaceful Sikh nationalists were detained and banned from standing.

The rest of Punjab reacted by boycotting the elections. India spun this by asserting the boycott was due to threats from Sikh militants. Repeated evidence and subsequent elections show that Sikh populations don't get intimidated by such threats.

Beant Singh's 9% electoral backing was hailed a return to democracy by many western countries and media. In Syria the west would call this overwhelming rejection of the regime! India obviously has a way with the west.

Beant Singh immediately gave the police force free reign to continue a policy of extrajudicial executions, torture and illegal detentions even more aggressively. During his four years, it is estimated that over 10000 young people were killed by police death squads given rewards for 'eliminating suspects', despite India's repeated claims that there were only 300 armed Sikh Nationalists. Question, who were the other 9700 killed?

Balwant Singh, the assassin, said that someone had to stop the Chief Minister. The west mitigated Beant's crimes with words such as 'democratic mandate'. The Indian State gave him constitutional cover. In India, not only religious texts, but even the constitution can have schismatic interpretations depending on who it is interpreted for.

Meanwhile the Indian Supreme Court, priding itself with 'judicial activism for human rights', ostriched itself through this period despite daily press reports of 'encounter's, called 'fake encounters' by Amnesty and UN. India has even acquired a wikipedia page for this 'incredible' activity. In India everyone is equal before the law but the law is not equal before everyone.

Following the Chief Minister's death by a human bomb, Dilawar Singh, Balwant's accomplice, the 'encounters' fell dramatically. Real democracy returned and the police was largely reigned in.

Balwant Singh questioned the court about Indian justice. During the attack on the Golden Temple in 1984 over 3000 innocent pilgrims, mostly children, elderly and women were killed by the Indian armed forces. A 16,000 strong army using helicopters, tanks and heavy artillery called these 'collateral damage' fighting a mere 200 armed Sikhs. The Army Officers got promotions for 'gallantry'. The Indian Army has always been too willing to kill its own citizens. Another colonial habit hard to give up.

When the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, who had ordered the attack on the Golden Temple, was assassinated in November 1984, about 4000 innocent Sikhs in Delhi were massacred by a mob fed with addresses of Sikhs, petrol, iron bars and tyres by the political establishment and the police. Burning people alive with tyres around their necks (necklacing) was started by 'Non-violent' India in November 1984 beating South Africa by a year.

Balwant Singh asked the judge what was Indian justice doing about the politicians and police who had masterminded or been responsible during the four days of massacres. In fact they climbed the ladder. Tytler, directly implicated, became Union Minister while Narahsima Rao, then Home Minister, went on to become India's Prime Minister. Rao had failed to call in the army stationed only half an hour away.

Underneath the veneer of Gandhi and cow protection is a State whose mindless cruelty against minorities is baffling to an innocent observer. Perhaps that is the ironic 'incredible' in 'Incredible India' the slogan India uses to promote tourism. Killer police squads and non violent sadhus, all in one country.

India's crimes against its own citizens and the silence of the 'ethical west' do not mitigate Balwant Singh's actions. Like many Sikhs in history, he took full responsibility for what he did. He has refused anyone to plead on his behalf. But he has thrown a challenge to India and the world. 'Show the same commitment to constitutionality, law and human rights when the Indian State, its forces, its bureaucrats and its politicians commit heinous crimes against humanity'.

The removal of death penalty from the penal code inherited from its colonial past could be the first step towards convincing ordinary people that non-violence is not merely rhetorical propaganda but really embedded in the culture of Indians. Or perhaps cows are more sacred than humans in India. 'Incredible India?', of course!


http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jasdev-singh-rai/death-penalty-in-the-land_b_1370903.html#


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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Breaking News: British MP and MEP shows support for Bhai Balwant Singh



Breaking news in regards to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana: The Former British Foreign Secretary MP Margaret Beckett and the Leader of the Labour Party in EU and member of the European Parliament, Glenis Willmott have both issued a statement from Singh Sabha Gurdwara Derby in support of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana's case and abolishing the death penalty and highlighting the injustice Sikhs are facing by the Indian authorities.




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Friday, March 23, 2012

Akal Takht Sahib Aadesh...

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Monday, March 19, 2012

Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana....



Bhai Balwant Singh Rajaona is currently Patiala Jail, serving a sentence for his involvement in the execution of then Chief Minister, Beant Sinh outside the Punjab secretariat in 1995. Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoanna was announced to be executed by hanging tat has been set for March 31st, 2012 for his alleged association with Shaheed Bhai Dilawar Singh Babbar and Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara who were responsible for bringing the ex-Punjab Chief Minister Beant Sinh to justice, on August 31st, 1995. Although his death sentence was capable of appeal, Bhai Rajoana instead willingly expressed his desire to be put to death instead of showing any faith in the widely acknowledged to be corrupt Indian justice system. Despite Bhai Sahib's willingness to embrace Shaheedi (martyrdom), it is everyone's duty to raise our voice against this injustice and save our fellow Sikh brother.





A humble request, please send this letter to your local MPs/MEPs to raise a voice against this injustice:

Dear [MP NAME]

RE: Urgent Action: India to hang Balwant Singh on 31 March 2012

I am writing to express my deep concern that it was confirmed on 13th March that India is preparing to break its moratorium on the death penalty by hanging Balwant Singh on 31st March at 9am in Central Jail, Patiala. Balwant Singh was a close friend of Dilawar Singh, a serving police officer in the Punjab Police who in 1995 killed the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh, who was responsible for the mass genocide of the Sikhs in the 1980s and early 1990s.

In recent years Amnesty International has welcomed the lack of executions in India, with the last one taking place in 2004, but expressed its concern that at least 50 death sentences are passed each year by the Indian courts.

By making this announcement India is signalling to the world that when it comes to Sikh prisoners it is prepared to break the moratorium and reverse the trend to abolish the death penalty.

There is a real risk this may open the flood gates and allow India to execute the likes of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. His case has been highlighted by Amnesty International and raised with UK Parliamentarians on a number of occasions. He has now been in prison for over 17 years and been on death row in Tihar Central Prison, New Delhi for over nine years.

This most recent announcement also comes on the back of the pre-mature release last month of Kishori Lal, who was awarded the death penalty in the murder of three Sikhs with a chopper knife on 1st November 1984. Many in the Sikh community feel the Indian authorities are blatantly targeting Sikhs and many countries around the world may stay silent as they do not want to jeopardise trade with India.

I urge you to:
i) write to the Foreign Secretary to:
a) immediately raise with India the UK Government’s concern about the execution of Balwant Singh
planned for 31 March

b) use the UK presidency for the Council of Europe to get the other 46 Member States to exert pressure
on India regarding the need to abolish the death penalty without further delay
ii) contact Amnesty International to launch an urgent action appeal

Yours sincerely
[ADDRESS]



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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Happy New Year! ਨਵੇਂ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਵਧਾਈ !


Today on 1st Chet (Panjabi Month), 14th March, the Sikh Nation celebrates the Sikh New Year. On this day I would like to wish everyone a prosperous new year and in the year ahead may Guru jee inspire, motivate and bless us with Gursikhi Sangat, keeping Rehat, japping Naam and doing seva of the Panth.

You can download the Sikh Calendar for the new year on www.nanakshahi.org.


Guru jee's Hukam (instruction) to us on commencing of the month of Chet (mid March - mid April):
ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਘਣਾ || ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਣਾ || ਜਿਨਿ ਪਾਇਆ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਏ ਤਿਸਹਿ ਗਣਾ || ਇਕੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਜਣਾ || ਜਲਿ ਥਲਿ ਮਹੀਅਲਿ ਪੂਰਿਆ ਰਵਿਆ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਣਾ || ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਚਿਤਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਕਿਤੜਾ ਦੁਖੁ ਗਣਾ || ਜਿਨੀ ਰਾਵਿਆ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤਿੰਨਾ ਭਾਗੁ ਮਣਾ || ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕੰਉ ਮਨੁ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਿਆਸ ਮਨਾ || ਚੇਤਿ ਮਿਲਾਏ ਸੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤਿਸ ਕੈ ਪਾਇ ਲਗਾ ||੨||
In the month of Chet (the Spring season arrives, the blossoming of flowers everywhere brings joy to the mind), meditate on Waheguru, the Lord of the Universe, (and through the blessings of doing Simran) a deep and profound spiritual joy can arise. However, meeting with the humble Saints, the gift of chanting Waheguru's Name with our tongue is obtained. Those who have found Waheguru (through the aid of Simran) are blessed in their coming into this world, (because) those who live without Him, for even an instant - their lives are rendered useless. That Lord who is totally pervading the water, the land, and all space, He is contained in the forests as well. Those who do not remember such a Lord (i.e. Waheguru) then that person's mental anguish and suffering cannot be explained. (However,) those who enshrine that (All-prevading) God in their hearts, have great good fortune. My mind yearns for the Blessed Vision of the Lord Waheguru’s Darshan. O Nanak! My mind is so thirsty to have Your Darshan! I will touch the feet of the one who unites me with Waheguru in the month of Chet. 2
(Ang 133)
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Dawn of Gyaan...

A thought-provoking article written from Bhai Kulbir Singh jee, taken from www.GurmatBibek.com:




Dawn of Gyaan

Now a days, the days are short and the nights are long. Even around 6 am, there is darkness outside.

The following Samagam happened at our Greh (house), in an informal setting, with a few near and dear Gursikhs.

Siri Akhand Paath Sahib jee's Bhog occurred around 5:15 am. Degh was distributed after Bhog. Siri Asa kee Vaar Kirtan had not yet started. I went outside to wash my hands. When I came back after few minutes, the lights in the Darbar had been switched off. The room of Darbar Sahib was exhibiting crazy spiritual vibrations due to Siri Akhand Paath Sahib. Kirtan had begun and the room was totally packed.

I sat in one corner and Gursikh Kirtanees continued to do Kirtan of Siri Asa kee Vaar with full vigour and Anand. When I had came, the lights had been switched off. When I closed my eyes, the image I had in my mind was that of mixture of darkness and light because though the lights of Darbar Sahib were switched off, there was light outside the Darbar Sahib and that prevented total darkness.

After an hour or so, I noticed that with the rise of sun, there was dim light outside and due to that, a very mild and cool light and entered Guru Sahib's room from outside. Right then, a thought entered the mind. This room is more fortunate than our hearts. When the Kirtan started, there was darkness in the room but after an hour of Kirtan, the room was getting some light. On the other hand, the darkness in our hearts has still not been dispelled... Gyaan has still not dawned in our hearts. Gurbani has not done Prakash in our hearts. We are still far from Gurmat Rehit-Rehni. We are still stuck in Maya. Our priorities are still not set right. Worldly priorities are still taking precedence over spiritual priorities.

Guru Sahib Kirpa karo.

Kulbir Singh

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Sunday, March 04, 2012

Old Photos of Singhs....

ਤਿਨਾ ਦੇਖਿ ਮਨਿ ਚਾਉ ਉਠੰਦਾ ਹਉ ਕਦਿ ਪਾਈ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਾ ||
tinaa dekh man chaao uthandaa hou kad paaee guntaasaa
Beholding the Gursikhs, desire wells up in my mind; when will I obtain the Lord, the treasure of virtue?
(Ang 703)


Some photos of Chardi Kalaa Gurmukhs taken from the Flickr of Bhai Maha Singh and Bass Singh:


Bhai Rama Singh jee doing keertan


Jathedaar Bhai Surat Singh jee and Bhai Rama Singh jee


Bhai Rama Singh jee doing Simran


Jathedaar Bhai Raghbir Singh jee


Bhai Joginder Singh jee Leicester doing Keertan with Bhai Harpreet Singh Toronto doing Tablaa seva.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif


http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
AKJ UK Singhs in Germany. Bhai Sohan Singh jee, Bhai Jarnail Singh jee and Bhai Raghbir Singh jee seen at the front.


Bhai Sohan Singh jee, Bhai Jarnail Singh jee, Jathedar Raghbir Singh jee & Bhai Banta Singh jee in Germany.




Dhan Hai Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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Saturday, February 25, 2012

How Can We Become Truthful?...

A Gursikh forwarded this video link to me. Really nice video of Giani Gurdev Singh jee Australia during the Sikhi Camp Malaysia Day 2 morning session. The topic of the class was "Kiv Koorhe Tuttey Paal":





Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Inspirations - Bhai Jarnail Singh Jee (UK)

Inspirations is a spiritual workshop that took place at Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Coventry (UK), where people learn and ask questions about the Sikh Faith. Below is a video of a session with Bhai Jarnail Singh jee. Bhai Sahib has served as the Jathedaar of Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK and for many years has done seva in Amrit Sanchaars and Gurmat parchaar across UK and Europe. In addition to this he has done sangat with great Gursikhs which include, Bhai Jeevan Singh jee and Bhai Rama Singh jee.

For further information on events, please visit our website:
www.crossrdgurdwara.com


Some old photos of Bhai Jarnail Singh jee:

1983 Amrit Sanchaar in Norway


Bhai Jarnail Singh jee, Bhai Onkar Singh jee (Leicester), Bhai Sohan Singh jee (Slough)





Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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Friday, February 17, 2012

New Channel: Sikh Youth Project...

Message to Sangat:

NEW INITIATIVE FROM SIKH YOUTH PROJECT
Today Sikh Youth Project are launching an online TV station.

The launch programme is today at 8.30pm with a live programme.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Bhai Kulwant Singh dies in prison...


PRESS RELEASE
from Sikh Organization of Prisoner Welfare (SOPW)

Kulwant Singh was falsely arrested by the authorities, along with Pal Singh (a French national) on the 22nd July 2010. They were tortured severely, electric shocks were given to the ears and genital area, as well as being beaten with sticks daily rupturing Kulwant Singh’s kidneys and making Pal Singh blind in one eye.

According to Navkiran Singh, representing Kulwant Singh legal proceedings against the officers that carried out the torture were starting soon. Three days ago Kulwant Singh was in his cell in a maximum security jail. Having being doused in oil and set on fire today he passed away. Media reports had stated an accident in kitchen and then contradictory rumours from jail authorities that he had committed suicide but we believe these to be lies.



About Sikh Organisation of Prison Welfare (SOPW)
The Sikh Organisation for Prisoners Welfare is a Registered Charity (UK), run by volunteers, working to achieve justice for the thousands of Sikhs, who have been illegally imprisoned and tortured in India. SOPW was founded in 2008 by Bhai Balbir Singh who was arrested in 1999 by Delhi police who said they had found a consignment of RDX explosives. However due to International support for the UK national, the case was taken to the Supreme Court where the judge threw out the charges, calling them a “balloon of falsehoods” after it emerged the RDX in question had come from a police warehouse. Whilst in Tihar jail Balbir Singh met Prof Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, who implored him to carry the plight of the Sikh Prisoners to the Sikh Diaspora.

The aim for this charity was that the Sangat gives not only help and support to prisoners, but gives them the two most important things in life, hope and voice. In addition to funding legal cases, SOPW provides monthly support (to approx 100 Sikh Prisoners) consisting of basic needs such as clothes, soap, hair oil etc. In October 2010 UK volunteers travelled to Delhi, India and provided all the Sikh prisoners in Delhi Jails with warm winter clothing. SOPW is the only charity in the world whose mandate is solely to ensure the civil rights of political Sikh prisoners are ensured in India. Its success and progress is down to the support of the Sangat, they rely on the Sangat's support to continue and develop this worthy project.

For more information and to contact SOPW, visit their website:
www.prisonerwelfare.com



VIDEO: Bhai Ravjeet Singh from SOPW explains the projects being run by the charity to the Sangat in France.
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