Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Friday, 31 July 2009
Another Guru Ghar Burnt down - Sangat across world really need to have a peradhar system
VANCOUVER — Rina Kaur Chawla wept with relief Thursday and declared it a miracle when a fireman carried out the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, unscathed from the ashes of a fire that destroyed Vancouver's Khalsa School and the small temple in which the book was lodged.
"It's totally intact. It's a miracle nothing happened to it. It's amazing it was saved," said Chawla.
The temple was located in a converted portable classroom, one of the six portables levelled by the fire, which police suspect was deliberately set at about 7 a.m.
Chawla is a former principal of the elementary school, which is located at 43rd Avenue and Prince Albert Street and has 155 students.
She had gathered with a group of devout Sikhs who had been fretting about the fate of the holy book.
They stood for hours across the street from the temple keeping watch as firefighters fought the blaze, afraid that the book had been consumed by the fire that had already destroyed the walls and roof of the temple, or by the high-pressure water being poured into it from an aerial ladder.
Deputy Fire Chief Tom McEwen said firefighters were made aware of the importance of the book to the Sikh community when they arrived on the scene.
Although the fire was still active and smoke and steam were rising in columns above the ruined school, a firefighter was sent into the destroyed temple and recovered the holy book just before 10:30 a.m.
He carried the book across the street and a Sikh priest dressed in white robes and a white turban spread a large white sheet on which which the book was placed.
The book was then wrapped in the sheet and the priest carried it on his head while the faithful followed behind, repeating prayers. He entered a car and was driven away with the holy book on his lap.
"He does his miracles," said Chawla. "That's the Guru's power. It's totally hard to believe it survived. That building was on fire; there were huge flames coming from it.
"We want to thank the firefighters, they've done an amazing job," she said.
As the holy book was being driven away, Vancouver police arson investigators and the fire department could be seen probing the edges of the ruined school, which was founded in 1986. It was the first Sikh religious school to be opened in B.C.
McEwen said arson was suspected because when firefighters arrived on the scene they saw the fire had spread throughout the portable classrooms.
(Sun photographer Ian Smith, who was on the scene shortly after the fire was reported, saw four distinct fires burning when he arrived.)
It was the second mysterious fire to occur in the school in recent times. In the summer of 2004, a fire damaged two portable classrooms.
Khalsa School principal Jasbir Bhatia arrived at the scene at about 8 a.m. to find his school engulfed in flames.
"Thanks be to God that no lives were lost," Bhatia said.
He said the fire looked suspicious.
"I'm shocked, but we have to leave it to the investigators to find out what happened. We will cooperate fully with the fire department and the police," Bhatia said.
He was at a loss to say what would happen to the 155 children enrolled for classes in September.
"Right now I'm emotionally disturbed by what's happened," he said, looking at the charred beams and collapsed roofs, all that was left of his school.
"We will sit down and plan some line of action, but right now I can't comment. It's too disturbing," he said.
The portables were leased to the school by the Vancouver school district. Firefighters managed to save one portable and kept the blaze from spreading to nearby South Hill School, which is separated from the Khalsa School by a six-metre lane.
Former B.C. premier Ujjal Dosanjh — now MP for Vancouver South — came over from his constituency office a few blocks from the school.
"This is a huge setback for people who send their children to the school," Dosanjh said. "I understand arson is suspected and if that's the case, I hope the police catch the culprits."
Time For Zero Tolernace, name and shame the culprits
AMRITSAR SAHIB (KP)—After holding a very important meeting at the holy city, Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh (appointed Jathedar, Akal Takht Sahib) officially announced that saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji could not be taken to public places, including halls or places where meat or alcohol are served. The hukam was issued recently after Akal Takht Sahib had received numerous complaints regarding private parties having taken saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji to party halls.
It should be noted that only two weeks ago, the Panthic Weekly published proof of the Sikh Religious Society of Indiana having taken Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s saroop to Meadows Club in the town of Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The committee has so far refused to honor the requests of Sikh Sangat based all over the United States of America asking them to put an end to such blasphemy. Now with the official hukamnama of Akal Takht Sahib being confirmed once again, Sikh Sangat based in IN and IL hope the committee will acknowledge their mistake.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, while addressing the press, held that to do parkash of Guru Granth Sahib where alcohol or non-vegetarian food is served is not acceptable as per standards of the Sikh Religion. In addition, he stated that people do not remove their shoes at private places, which is also not acceptable for the place where Guru Sahib’s parkash is to be done.
Giani Gurbachan Singh also made it clear that the new hukamnamas asks for all Sikhs to get married only at Gurdwara Sahibs. According to his press statement, party halls were not acceptable for Anand Karaj's. He said that the hukamnama was being reconfirmed considering the satkar or respect for Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
In the past several years, reports of Gurdwara Committees indulging in transferring saroops of Guru Granth Sahib to private places have been on the rise—especially in countries such as England, Canada and the USA. Although a hukamnama passed in March 1998 had put a ban on parkash at such places, worldwide, it was only being followed in Punjab. The recently passed hukamnama asks Sikhs living across the world to abide by this.
Another issue to be addressed at many places in western countries is party halls on Gurudwara premises—permanent or not. Panthic Weekly staff have seen a rise in Gurudwaras sidestepping the hukamnama by putting up tents and creating multi-purpose halls so that restaurant food can be served on Gurudwara premises in a restaurant style, sometimes with shoes and tables.
Singhs Living the Struggle have had no Support from kaum
PATIALA, Punjab(KP)—Following the arrest of Baba Balbir Singh from LammaJat Pura, Singhs lodged in the Nabha based high security jail have written a letter addressed to Giani Gurbachan Singh, appointed Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The letter expressed grief over a lack of interest shown by Giani Gurbachan Singh over the imprisonment of Sikh political prisoners recently. The letter states that the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar must look over all aspects of the Sikh religion—which includes safeguarding and fair trial of Sikh prisoners.
According to the letter penned by the grandson of Giani Gurbachan Singh Khalsa Bhindrawale, Bhai Amolak Singh Akara writes that for the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar to remain silent over the arrest of innocent Singhs is very disturbing. He writes that along with innocent Sikhs, saintly personalities of the Sikh religion had been wrongfully arrested and detained by the Punjab Police, yet no action has been taken by the most supreme authority of the Sikhs.
Bhai Amolak Singh writes that the imprisoned Singhs saw some hope after Giani Gurbachan Singh passed a sandesh asking the Punjab Government to release the Sikh political prisoners who have been lodged in Punjab’s jails for years. This sandesh was passed on the twenty-fifth anniversary of Operation Blue Star which was remembered at a large scale by Panthic Organizations. The sandesh, however, seemed to hold no affect whatsoever over the Punjab Government as the matter was not taken forward.
Bhai Amolak Singh writes that following the passing of the sandesh, he had personally thanked the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar in a letter. He revisits his previous correspondence in which he had requested Giani Gurbachan Singh, appointed Jathedar, to confirm that the sandesh doesn’t solely remain a sandesh penned down on paper and that the matter actually gets heard by the appropriate authorities.
The writer further expresses grief over the arrest of Baba Balbir Singh Ji, who was arrested along with other Singhs in a very suspicious manner. Bhai Amolak Singh expresses that the arrest of Baba Balbir Singh made him fully confirm that the current Jathedar’s sandesh held no standing in front of the Punjab Government.
The letter by Bhai Amolak Singh Akhara also sheds light on the true reason behind the arrest of Baba Balbir Singh. Bhai Amolak Singh writes that during his personal meeting with Baba Balbir Singh at the jail, he learned that the charges being leveled on Baba Balbir Singh were fabricated and the illegal arms and weapons had been wrongfully planted.
Bhai Amolak Singh concludes his letter stating that the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar should recognize his duty for Singhs who had been falsely implicated in various criminal cases. In addition, the Singhs who have continued the struggle for freedom also needed to be looked after by the Akal Takht Sahib. Without the Akal Takht Sahib, the imprisoned Singhs had no one to appeal to.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Do not be a skank
Do not turn your back on the Sikh Victims – Do the honourable thing!
If a Singer raped your child, would you wear their top and still listen to their music? The answer is no, as a protest to the Singers act many more would turn their backs on this singer. That’s would be the honourable thing to do dough?
So why is it that we so called Sikhs wear the tops of our oppressors?
On October 31, 198, Indira Ghandi was assassinated by her two Sikh security guards as payback for all the atrocities she had committed and as prevention to prevent her from committing the atrocities she had planned. Even dough one of the assassins was shot dead on the spot and the other taken into custody. Anti Sikh Murder squads killed thousands of Sikhs.
Sikhs were beaten, stabbed, doused in kerosene and burned alive by mobs, thousands of Sikhs were made homeless and jobless less as there shops and homes were reduced to ashes. 330 Gurdwaras were burnt and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Saroops were desecrated in many violating situations.
The slaughter of Sikhs took place throughout
Many of the organizers of these anti-Sikh military like pogroms have been identified as politicians at the highest levels of the Indian government. These individuals roam free even today and continue to participate in elections. No attempt has ever been made by the Indian government to bring them to justice.
“The bodies beside the track were all Sikhs, some had been burned alive others were beaten to death. The Sikhs were pulled from trains by a Hindu mob outside
For the first time in history of mob violence in
More than 60,000 Sikhs were rendered homeless in
Days of violence, loot and murder left the national capital dazed, reeling from an unprecedented holocaust. The pattern was nauseatingly repeated everywhere. Spontaneous arson and destruction at first taken by criminally led hoodlums who killed Sikhs, looted or burnt homes and properties while the police twiddled their thumbs. – India today November 15th 1984
An eyewitness account revealed that a Sikh was being pursued by a mob, attempting to save his life he climbed into a police jeep. But he was thrown out by the police to the attacking mob and was killed on the spot. – Manushi November 1984
Police officers stood by and watched arson, rape, looting and murder without making any attempt to intervene to protect citizens belonging to the Sikh minority. They did not stop the attackers or call for reinforcements or even other support such as the fire brigade. – Report – who are the guilty?
CURRENT SITAUTION
Human rights violations and atrocities continue to occur towards minority groups all over
Freedoms we take for granted are non existent for citizens of this so called democratic country.
As a Sikh do not wear the Indian colour or an Indian team top, they are the symbols of our oppressors!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Propercies Made By Sri Guru Nanak Dev JI
The Karni Namah was told to Qazi Rukan Din, Pir Bahaoud Din, Ghous, Kuthab, Saalaar, Hajji, Sheikh and Mushaikh Aulviya, who sat with Guru Nanak at religious discussions. The Raj Namah was told to Kaarun, on Guru Nanak’s return from medina.
Karni Namah
While Guru Nanak was in
In the tenth dress shall reside The Lord.
I shall fight many battles against Emperor Aurangzeb.
I shall then send a letter of victory (Zafarnamah) to Aurangzeb with my Singh (Bhai Daya Singh).
Upon seeing him, Power shall lessen and he shall forget his devious ways.
Emperor Aurangzeb will be overwhelmed by the sight of Daya Singh and will start to tremble.
The Khalsa been resurrected! Good has not been done by Gobind Singh?
I shall leave having given a kingdom; My name being Gobind
There will be a time when the Khalsa shall forget the teachings I have given them. Sikhi will only be left in name. Many Wars shall occur.
I will have to return again to resurrect the Khalsa. They shall reside in the
I shall make people from all four corners into one.
They will be in Majjha; They will raid
They will bring Potohaar to justice; They will take
They will set up a cantonment at Attock and then open the
They will establish a kingdom in
After bringing Hazaara to justice they will march on to
After taking Balack and Buckaara, they will conquer Sindh and Baloch.
After gaining victory over these lands they shall govern all the people.
They shall gain victory in battle over south and west
The Guru’s Army shall sit at the throne of
Umbrellas of kingship shall sway over their heads. All shall be content.
From East to West all shall be conquered. None shall challenge the Khalsa. All humanity shall become one.
In the kingdom of the True King, Satjug shall be established.
The Khalsa Panth shall rule. The arrows of death shall not touch them.
The Army of the Timeless shall grow and spread like locusts.
All shall wear vestments of blue; no one else shall be seen.
Listen Qazi Rukan Din, The Singhs shall rule.
The Unholy Sheikhs shall be destroyed. Pirs and Mureeds shall be no more.
All shall recite the one name of the Lord. Then he shall come himself.
The untrue shall not be able to see his glory.
All humanity shall unite and he will distribute provinces.
The Earth shall give food and the mountains shall give diamonds.
Fruits of many kinds there shall be, upon the sight of the timeless.
All shall recite VAHEGURU and achieve salvation.
Many Dharamsalas (places of discussion) shall exist. The Koran and the Mosques shall vanish.
The Lord shall manifest himself in body (as man).
He will make all utter VAHEGURU. All Singhs shall flock under his banner.
All shall know him as the True One. He will sit at the throne of
He will establish a kingdom of peace and no enemies will remain.
Wherever the Khalsa turns his eye, the 14 realms shall tremble.
For 14,000 years, this kingdom shall remain.
Wealth will be collected and food shall be distributed.
The naked and the starving shall all receive; no one will go without.
Sayeth Nanak, Rukan Din, This is how it shall be.
Whosoever reads the Karni Namah, his love with The Lord shall grow.
The Word of the Timeless shall prevail. Those uttering falsehood shall not remain.
After the effect of The Akaal, forests, mountains and the world shall see salvation.
The Khalsa shall Rule. There will be no-one left to oppose them.
All who are lost shall gain the safety of the Khalsa
Raj Namah
Spoken by the First Master
First, Nanak went to
The lord of
Kaarun, he made his disciple.
When Nanak was about to depart,
Kaarun, the fortunate, thus spoke:
Now thou art about to go,
But when wilt thou return?
Then the Guru thus answered:
When I put on my tenth dress
I shall be called Gobind Singh;
Then shall all Singhs wear their hair;
They shall accept the 'Pahal' of the two-edged Sword
Then shall the Khalsa be established;
Then shall men exclaim 'Vaheguru'
The four races shall become one and the same;
The five weapons shall be worn by all.
In Kalyug they shall array themselves in vestments of blue;
The name of the Khalsa shall be everywhere.
In the time of Aurangzeb
The wondrous Khalsa shall arise.
Then shall battles be waged,
Endless war shall ensue,
And fighting shall follow year after year.
They shall place the name of Gobind Singh in their hearts.
When many heads shall be rendered up,
The Empire of the Khalsa shall prevail.
First, they shall conquer
Then other countries shall be theirs;
Then the west shall bow to them.
When they enter Khorasan,
When
Arabia shall be conquered and they shall march on to
And
Mighty shall be the rejoicing,
And all shall exclaim 'Vaheguru'.
Unbelievers shall everywhere be destroyed;
The holy Khalsa shall be exalted.
Beasts and Birds shall tremble in the presence of the Lord.
Men and Women shall everywhere call on God.
The Earth, the Oceans and the Heavens shall call on God.
By calling on the Guru shall men be blessed.
Every faith shall become of the Khalsa;
No other religion will remain.
'Vaheguru' shall everywhere be repeated,
And pain and trouble shall depart.
In the Kalyug shall the Kingdom be established,
Which Nanak received from the Lord.
Worthless, I fall before God;
Nanak, the slave, cannot comprehend the ways of the Lord.
Thus replied Nanak to Kaarun's question.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Friday, 17 July 2009
Akal Takht Sahib Officially Bans Same-Sex Marriages for Sikhs
AMRITSAR SAHIB (KP)—Following a request by SGPC President Avtar Makkar to comment on the recent legalization of gay marriages in India, Giani Gurbachan Singh, after holding a meeting at Akal Takht Sahib, announced such marriages to be in contradiction to Gurmat. As reported by the Panthic Weekly in last week’s edition, gay marriages were legalized by Delhi’s High Court but Sikh leadership raised concerns over the passing of such laws.While passing a sandesh to the Sikh Community living in Punjab and worldwide, Giani Gurbachan Singh stated that no Gurdwara should allow persons of the same sex to get married as per the ceremony of Anand Karaj. Any Gurdwara partaking in such wrong-doing would have to face serious consequences.
In the meeting that was held this past Wednesday, Giani Gurbachan Singh acknowledged that gay marriages were not in accordance to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikh religion promotes gristhi jeevan between a man and woman, with the sole emphasis having been laid on meditation and selfless service. In a Sikh lifestyle, lust and attachment have no place.
Giani Gurbachan Singh also appealed to Sikh families worldwide to not tolerate such things in their families and households. Such problems should be dealt with proper care, said Giani Gurbachan Singh while announcing the sandesh to the press.
Kirpa of Gurbani
A Sikh of Guru Jee never see's difficult times
Listen to a continuous Jaap off aoukhee gharree n dhaekhan dhaeee apanaa biradh samaalae || if your having a bad day-
http://www.rajkaregakhalsa.net/audio/Prayers/Giani%20Mahinder%20Singh%20-%20aukhi_ghari_na_dekhan_dehi.zip
Translations (read along)-
| DnwsrI mhlw 5 ] |
| dhhanaasaree mehalaa 5 || |
| Dhanaasaree, Fifth Mehla: |
| AauKI GVI n dyKx dyeI Apnw ibrdu smwly ] |
| aoukhee gharree n dhaekhan dhaeee apanaa biradh samaalae || |
| He does not let His devotees see the difficult times; this is His innate nature. |
| hwQ dyie rwKY Apny kau swis swis pRiqpwly ]1] |
| haathh dhaee raakhai apanae ko saas saas prathipaalae ||1|| |
| Giving His hand, He protects His devotee; with each and every breath, He cherishes him. ||1|| |
| pRB isau lwig rihE myrw cIqu ] |
| prabh sio laag rehiou maeraa cheeth || |
| My consciousness remains attached to God. |
| Awid AMiq pRBu sdw shweI DMnu hmwrw mIqu ] rhwau ] |
| aadh a(n)th prabh sadhaa sehaaee dhha(n)n hamaaraa meeth || rehaao || |
| In the beginning, and in the end, God is always my helper and companion; blessed is my friend. ||Pause|| |
| min iblws Bey swihb ky Acrj dyiK bfweI ] |
| man bilaas bheae saahib kae acharaj dhaekh baddaaee || |
| My mind is delighted, gazing upon the marvellous, glorious greatness of the Lord and Master. |
| hir ismir ismir Awnd kir nwnk pRiB pUrn pYj rKweI ]2]15]46] |
| har simar simar aanadh kar naanak prabh pooran paij rakhaaee ||2||15||46|| |
| Remembering, remembering the Lord in meditation, Nanak is in ecstasy; God, in His perfection, has protected and preserved his honor. ||2||15||46|| |
Waahiguroo Je Ka Khalsa Waahiguroo Je Ke Phatehi
Da S.I.K.H Camp
On Sunday the 23rd August 2009, a group of the countries most vibrant, inspirational and open-minded Sikhs (ranging from students to graduates and professionals) will gather at a carefully chosen location to embrace on a life enhancing spiritual journey. This revolutionary forward thinking week will provide opportunities for you to meet a diverse range of other young Sikhs with an exceptional love and understanding for Sikhi, while on your path of discovery and exploration in a truly divine environment.
Only 1 question remains…
Will you be willing to venture out of the box enough to join them?
Ø Lively innovative discussions in a chilled out atmosphere to explore and learn about the Sikh faith!
Ground breaking talks, mind shaking discussions!
Forget food for thought, this is nutrition for your brain, guaranteed to keep your neurotransmitters warm on a cold
day…
Martial Arts and Sports workshops – from Yoga to Football to Dodgeball to Paintballing!
Street Self Defence and Awareness!
Meditation and Simran (learn and practice)
Santhiya – correct pronunciation of Gurbani
Kirtan – modern and classical Kirtan (Gurmat Sangeet) with in-depth English translations
Gurbani Veechar / Spiritual Inquiry & Discussion (Philosophical & spiritual exploration)
Langar - A wide range of international cuisine…
Remember Sikhi is not a religion but a spiritual journey and a way of life…
Ps …most definitely bring your sense of humour and personality!
