Tuesday, 17 June 2008
MADNESS OF BELIEF IN CASTE: JAAT-PAAT
In Gurmat — Divine Teaching or Wisdom of the Gurbani from Sri Guru Granth Sahib — there is no place for the caste system (Jaat-Paat). Guru Nanak Dev Ji introduced the concept of a society with no caste hierarchy. This concept was followed through by all Sikh Gurus. Yet, the madness of belief in castes has a stronghold on Sikhs today. On one hand the propagators of the Dharma mouth platitudes about a casteless society preached by the Sikh Gurus, but on the other hand, they practice it madly. What hypocrisy!
According to mythology it is Vishwakarma who created the entire universe as well as the heaven and the earth. Vishwakarma is also credited for creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra the sacred weapon of Lord Indra, from the bones of sage Dadhichi. He is regarded as the supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship.
Also Ramgharia Gurdwaras do not let you join the Committee unless you are of the same so called Caste. This Bullshit has been going on for too long now. If you’re a Sikh you’re a Sikh, you either follow Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or you don’t Simple as!
Threats to our Youth
Sikh Parents Warned over dangers from Internet perverts
As we sit down comfortably after a hard day’s work to our favourite television program, we rest assured that our children are safe in their rooms – but how safe are they?
A study by the Sikh Awareness Society (SAS) has shown that Sikh parents are often less informed of the dangers posed by the Internet. In a survey of over 150 Sikh parents in the age group 40+ it was revealed that 80% are unaware of the dangers of online predators, chatrooms and networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and others. Manjit Kaur, a counsellor from SAS, says,
“Most Parents whose first language is Panjabi are often ill-informed of these dangers – simply because it is not highlighted enough in Gurdwara Sahibs and by Panjabi Media”
“We should promote greater awareness classes in all Gurdwaras and give practical awareness classes in Panjabi”
Last year a teenage Sikh girl was duped into meeting a 29-year-old man.
The man had introduced himself as a 17-year-old ‘Panjabi boy’ named ‘Jags’ when they first began swapping messages on an Internet site.
Manjit Kaur spoke to the 15-year-old girl about her frightening experience that began when she met someone on the Internet.
“I thought the boy I was meeting every night on the Internet was 17-years-old.”
"After a few weeks we started talking on the phone, nearly every night for hours," said the girl.
Eventually she agreed to meet him,
“He said he would send a taxi to pick me up and that I could stay with him in his hotel room.”
It turned out the taxi driver was ‘Jags’; real name Shazad from
The Home Office has warned that up to one in five children could be in danger from these Internet abusers.
Paedophiles are regularly using Internet chat rooms to lure vulnerable children as young as 13, according to the disturbing report.
Manjit Kaur is working with the SAS Victim Rehabilitation Program, she adds,
“It is disappointing to see that the Sikh community at large is still unaware about these problems”
Warning signs
How can you tell that your child may be a victim (or is being preyed upon) by an online predator? If you have experienced any of the following, you have reason for concern.
- Spending long hours online (especially in the evening)
- Phone calls/text messages from people you don't know
- Unsolicited gifts
- Child turns off the computer when you enter the room
- Withdrawal from family activities
- Reluctance to discuss Internet activities
If you are affected by the issues discussed. please Contact info@sikhhelpline.com
Please note: This topic will be covered in detail during the Weekend workshop 5th and 6th July 2008 @ Guru Nanak Gurdwara
Luton Gurdwara Recognise the Importance of Helping The Youth
GURU NANAK GURDWARA
The newly elected committee at Guru Nanak Gurdwara,
The need for Sikh youth and family development was a key topic. The committee has agreed unanimously that greater resources and efforts must be made into developing and supporting Sikh youth in
An initial 12-month youth development program has been outlined.
A series of events are planned to kick-off this development programme. Luton Gurdwara has teamed up with the Sikh Awareness Society (SAS) to host these events, as follows:
A BATTLE CRY FOR A GENERATION
22 June 2008 12PM-2PM @ Main hall Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Luton
A Special 2 hour seminar highlighting some of the issues affecting the Sikh-Panjabi community today:
- How radical groups and cults target young impressionable youth.
- With the promotion of sleazy bhangra and drink culture in our community, are we to blame for the decline in ethics in our youth?
- Unseen Dangers of Modern Media, from Internet to Bollywood movies, what are we feeding the mind of our children?
- Sikhi, Marriage and relationships – With high levels of divorce, pre-marital relationships and abortions in the
“Supporting Youth, Strengthening Families”
WEEKEND WORKSHOP @ GURU NANAK GURDWARA
SATURDAY 5TH AND SUNDAY 6TH JULY 2008
|
The goal is to resolve cultural conflict and improve communication skills amongst Sikh families. The interactive course allows parents to discuss their issues in a relaxed environment and complete exercises that involve real life examples by using the (new) techniques they have learned. Parents will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to comprehend issues faced by their children and how to connect with youth effectively. The Workshop will be delivered in Panjabi and English and covers topics on:
• Parental styles
• Institutional & social pressures
• Communication
• Building self-esteem
• Discipline vs. punishment
• Teaching decision-making
• Problem-solving
• Drug awareness
NOTE: A FULL TIME TABLE OF WEEKEND WORKSHOP AND SEMINARS WILL BE HANDED OUT ON THE 22 JUNE SEMINAR
Mail me if you want all Sikh Unit Tunes on 1 cd
I have managed to get hold of all their tunes and put them on a single Cd in Mp3 Format. If you want a copy email me a adress and name to send it to and i will do this seva. Email me at harpreets12@hotmail.co.uk and i will ship it out ASAP. (There is 7 albums on their in total)
Monday, 16 June 2008
1984 True Story
After spending long time in the kitchen she diverted her attention to her lounge and bedroom. She put herself in the sofa, relaxed and switched on the radio. She was petrified to hear that an attempt had been made to assassinate Indra Gandhi, and she had been rushed to All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Without further thought she jumped out and hurried to Sita's house next door. The radio was on there too, but Sita was on telephone. Seeing Preetam coming in she put the handset down.
"Have you heard? Indra Gandhi has been shot at?" puffing Preetam asked.
"Shot at! She is dead," and sarcastically added, "Your Sikhs have killed her?"
"Killed her? She is dead? What are you talking about? Are you sure?"
"Yes, my husband just rang. Two of her Sikh bodyguards put dozens of bullets through her body."
Preetam sat down in the chair with her face dug in her hands.
"Why are you so sad? You Sikhs should be happy." Sita's remarks baffled Preet.
"Sita! What are you saying? You know how big an admirer of Indra I have been."
"May be... perhaps... but you all Sikhs are same inside."
"Oh, my God. I never expected this, not at least from you.... Any way can I use your 'phone? I want to ring Sohan." Sita nodded in affirmative.
"Halloo. Nathoo," she recognized the voice of her husband's peon on the other end, "It is me here, Preetam. Please call the Sahib.... What? The office is closed already and he has left for the home?.... How long ago?...." She looked at the clock on the wall, "That's alright then. He should be home any minute," and she hung up. Sita's last remark was looming in her mind, without saying anything she just left the place.
Her radio was on. She was puzzled as it was still broadcasting the news of attempted assassination and the messages received from the heads of states of foreign countries condemning the act. Her husband had taken longer than usual to reach home. Every minute was adding to her apprehension. It was extra half an hour of hell before she heard the voice of the scooter.
"Why did you take so long today? I was so scared," she asked after opening the door and letting the machine in.
"I couldn't help. On all the major road-junctions Hindus were getting together and shouting slogans against Sikhs. I had to go round and round the side streets. The situation is getting worse. Good thing office is closed till her funeral. We shall better stay indoors."
In the evening they heard the news of the arrival of President Zail Singh and the Prime Minster's son Rajiv Gandhi in the capital, declaration of the death of Indra Gandhi and swearing in of Rajiv Gandhi as the Prime Minster of India.
Kartar Singh, who lived five houses down the street, came after dark and told them that thousands of Hindus had amassed outside the A.I.I.M.S., where Indra Gandhi's body was kept. The President's car was bombarded with bricks and stones when he came to see her. When Rajiv Gandhi emerged from the hospital he said, "My mother has been shot dead. What are you doing here? Go, and take revenge. No turban should be seen."
Kartar informed them about the rumours circulating that the Hindus were planning to raid Sikh houses and kill them all. But there was nothing to worry about in this locality as the Hindus and the Sikhs had quite amicable relations.
`Do they?' Preetam thought and whole night she could not sleep.
Half heartedly she prepared breakfast and then lunch. All the time radio was playing the mourning music, vedic discourses and religious hymns. Repeatedly, it was broadcasting the killing of Indra Gandhi in the hands of Sikh bodyguards.
On Sundays and other holidays, they normally used to join their neighbours to play cards. But Sita's remarks were resounding and they decided to stay put in their own house. Lying down on the sofas they dozed off. In the late afternoon they heard a knock at the door and let Kartar in. He was breathing heavily.
"They... they are coming?
"Come on... keep calm... sit down.... Who are coming?.
"Narain Dass just telephoned me. You know Narain Dass, a Congress worker living in the yellow three storey house at the corner of the street." It was a cul-de-sac and Preetam's house was the last one.
Kartar continued, "He told me in confidence that the Hindu mobsters have burned down almost all the shops belonging to the Sikhs in Samri and they have laid siege outside Sikh dominated streets. They are carrying cans of kerosine oil and are burning the houses belonging to the Sikhs. Any Sikh who goes out they just pore oil over the person and light the fire. They are carrying lists in their hands and sparing the houses under the ownership of Hindus."
"What shall we do then?" Preetam asked.
"Narain advised me to stay put and not to worry as both, yours and mine; houses are owned and registered in the names of Hindus. There is only one house in this street which belongs to a Sikh Army Officer, even he does not live there himself and has let it to Hindu couple. Some Congress boys are leading the assaults. They are holding the lists of the houses which are owned by the Sikhs. Most of the raiders are from the hut-ments around
"Why such a big reaction now against the Sikhs? They did not kill even one person from
"I think it is a part of big conspiracy against Sikhs." Kartar added, "We wait and see."
"What should we do now? Why can't we take scooters and go to our
"In the first place, most of the street entrances have been blocked, and secondly, Narain told me that the Gurdwara were the first to be hit by the mob."
"Why didn't you telephone the Police."
"I did, immediately, but I was told, most of the Police was busy in the funeral arrangement of Indra Gandhi. They would come if they are called for.... My friend Inspector Ujjagar Singh and two other Sikh constables in Samri Police Station had taken day off, I learnt."
"God bless us all."
They went on discussing the eventualities till the darkness brightened the sky with flames coming out of the burning buildings along with the voices of slogans and cries. They kept lights off and kept looking out into the street; hardly any body was walking. Preetam's heart started to bounce when she saw a neighbour's teenager boy, Tilak, stopping out side her house, and waving to somebody to come forward. Within seconds, quietly, couple of dozens of roughnecks joined him.
She turned her head in, "Sohan, Kartar, come, look out, they all are looking at our house."
"Oh, God! What shall we do now." They heard a knock at the door, "They... they are going to kill us. Where shall we go now?"
"Please keep calm. I'll go and talk to them," Sohan suggested.
"No, don't go out. Let them knock. They will think that no body is home. I am sure they won't break the door; after all the house belongs to a Hindu."
But the raiders started to push hard to break the latch.
"Come, let's go in the bedroom, under the bed. You Preet go and hide in the large wardrobe."
They were in dozens and soon discovered Sohan and Kartar under the bed.
"Take them out in the street," a powerful voice ordered, "Is there anybody else in the house?"
"Doesn't look like."
"No, Kanti Bhiya she must be here, somewhere," Tilak shouted, "I saw her walking in the house about an hour ago."
"Yes, she is here in the wardrobe," a voice came.
"Take her out as well." She started to shout.
"Put her scarf through her mouth. She shrieks too much," and her voice was suppressed.
She staggered and nearly fainted to see Sohan and Kartar in the middle of the street. Both were tied together back to back with Kartar's own turban. Their mouths were gagged with the kerchiefs.
"Bring the scissors," a mam shouted.
"Look baby, look, we are going to make men out of your Sikhs," one of the persons holding Preetam said. She elbowed fiercely but the force of the people holding her was much greater.
Sohan and Kartar were shaking their heads vigorously and jostling their bodies. "Bring a tyre and put around them, saaley, don't stand still," the man cropping their heir shouted. Everybody around was giggling and dancing.
"Oye, take the canister there," a man holding her asked a boy walking towards the house with canister of oil, "we don't need it here; it is a Hindu house we are not going burn it. Give it to him," he pointed towards the man busy cutting hair.
He took the can, pored over Sohan and Kartar and lit a match.
The crowd was seized in a frenzy. Preetam jumped hard to get out of their clutches.
"Shall we throw her there, too?" A man holding her asked Kanti. Kanti thought over for a few seconds, looked at her from head to feet, licked his lips and stealthily winked and whispered, "Take her in." In the delirium no body noticed them pushing her in and closing the door behind.
"Put her on the bed," ordered Kanti, "saaly, does not stay still. Tie her there."
Four of them pushed her on the string-bed, taking her head-scarves from the clothesline tied her feet and hands with the sides of the bed. Kanti went forward, opened the knot of the string and pulled her trousers down. He ripped her blouse and broke apart the brasier. "She looks ugly with this gag on. Untie the knot and remove the cloth from her mouth," Kanti ordered one of his accomplices.
He unbelted his trousers, unzipped and jumped up. She spit on his face. With his fist as big as the hammer of an iron-smith he hit her hard on both the cheeks. She was almost unconscious. He went down after a few minutes and the other one came up and then another and another and....
She regained consciousness and tried to pull her hands, they were still tied but she could move her leg, they were free. She moved her head right and left and started to cry, "Oh, my True Lord, what have I done to deserve this punishment. I have been an ardent devotee of yours and have recited holy hymns every morning and evening. I was just a baby when you snatched my mother, took away my father immediately after my marriage and... and... even you did not leave for me my unborn baby and left me to have no more children in my life... and now my husband... why? why?"
Sunday, 15 June 2008
A Must Read Report on the Dehli Roits
A good report with media quotes and photos of 1984, its simple and too the point (no bullshitting about)
http://www.solarider.org/dld/Kristallnacht.pdf
Pig's head tied to Sikh memorial
A pig's head has been tied to a war memorial put up by the Sikh community in the West Midlands.
The discovery was made at a roundabout close to Stoney Stanton Road, in Coventry, on Wednesday evening.
Navreet Singh, 22, who removed the head before taking it to the police, said whoever had tied it to the memorial was "ignorant" and "mindless".
West Midlands Police said they were aware of the incident and were investigating.
'Absolutely disgusting'
Mr Singh, a Sikh youth co-ordinator for temples across the city, said he became aware of the incident when contacted by a newspaper about it.
He said at first he assumed it would be a pig mask, but his sister went to the roundabout to take a look and confirmed the severed head was real.
"It is absolutely disgusting," he said.
"It's inhuman. This is a war memorial. It's not a Sikh monument, it is a British one.
"It seems like someone was trying to attack Muslims. It is ignorance."
'Very daunting'
The memorial commemorates lives lost in war by members of the Sikh Regiment.
Mr Singh said he had no idea how long the head had been there.
"I can't imagine someone putting it up in broad daylight but then it must have been up for some time before it was reported," he said.
"It was very daunting having to remove it."
A police statement said: "Police were made aware of an incident last night involving a pig's head located on a roundabout near to Stoney Stanton Road.
"Inquiries are ongoing in respect of this issue."
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Increasing Trend amongst youth
The Guru is the "boat"!
In this Dark Age the earth has been consumed by sin and vice. Corruption and evilness has taken over the minds and hearts of human beings. Guru Ji describes the earth as a terrible ocean in which all the beings are sinking in and therefore not reaching their destination (union with God). It is very easy to sink as there is more bad around us then good. Everyone around us may it be work, TV; school and even family seems to be engaged in tempory false pleasures (materialism). However if we make Gurbani our main focus in life, it acts as a boat and carries us across this worldly ocean.
The Guru is the Boat to carry me across the world-ocean; the Guru is the Sacred Shrine of Pilgrimage, the Guru is the
O Nanak, the Boat of Truth will ferry you across; contemplate the Guru. ANG 20 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
The True Guru is the only boat on this terrifying ocean. His Glance of Grace carries us across. ANG 59 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
The ocean of fire is so deep; the Saints have crossed over, in the boat of the Lord's Name. ANG 241 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
As a palace is supported by its pillars, so does the Guru's Word support the mind! As a stone placed in a boat can cross over the river, so is the mortal saved, grasping hold of the Guru's Feet. As the darkness is illuminated by the lamp, so does the mind blossom forth, beholding the Blessed Vision of the Guru's Darshan. The path is found through the great wilderness by joining the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, and one's light shines forth. I seek the dust of the feet of those Saints; O Lord, fulfill Nanak's longing! ANG 282 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
My boat was sinking under the weight of greed and corruption, but it was uplifted when the True Guru implanted the Naam, the Name of the Lord, within me. ANG 443 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Emotional attachment to Maya is spiritual darkness; it is very difficult and such a heavy load. Loaded with so very many stones of sin, how can the boat cross over?
Those who are attuned to the Lord's devotional worship night and day are carried across.
Under the Instruction of the Guru's Shabad, one sheds egotism and corruption, and the mind becomes immaculate. Meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har; the Lord, Har, Har, is our Saving Grace. ANG 509 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
By the Grace of the Saints, I have found the boat of Truth; embarking on it, I sail across the ocean of poison. ANG 618 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
O miser, your body and mind are full of sin. In the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, vibrate, meditate on the Lord and Master; He alone can cover your sins. When many holes appear in your boat, you cannot plug them with your hands. Worship and adore the One, to whom your boat belongs; He saves the counterfeit along with the genuine. People want to lift up the mountain with mere words, but it just stays there. Nanak has no strength or power at all; O God, please protect me - I seek Your Sanctuary. ANG 714 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Kirtan is the way out of hell!
God has infused dark energies into our bodies which are tapped into by an uncontrolled mind. This is the way God has set his game in Kaljug, however if we constantly praise the lord by doing Kirtan our minds can be controlled and we will automatically stop doing sins and stop enjoying corrupt pleasures. But to control the mind takes a lot of dedication it is no easy task. One must have a disciplined routine full of devotion to the lord; we must show our devotion by meditating in remembrance of God and reading a lot of Gurbani. If we don’t do this we will never be able to conquer the mind and attain union with God. Doing Kirtan is the only way we will become pure and rid ourselves of the energies that lead us to doom. It is no easy task because the dark energies are very powerful and put up a strong fight, at any given opportunity when your guard is down they come and strike making you commit sin.
I sing the Lord's Name and the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises; the Divine Light shines, and now I see the Way. ANG 86 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Kirtan of the Lord's Praise has appeared as a Light in the world. ANG 145 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Singing the Kirtan of His Praises, my mind has become peaceful. ANG 178 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Those whose hearts are illuminated by God, sing the Kirtan of His Praises night and day with their tongues. ANG 208 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Nanak has found the peace of the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises. All his sorrows have been dispelled. ANG 213 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Night and day, meditate in remembrance on the one who will be your Help and Support in the end. This poison shall last for only a few days; everyone must depart, and leave it behind. Who is our mother, father, son and daughter? Household, wife, and other things shall not go along with you. So gather that wealth which shall never perish, so that you may go to your true home with honor. In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, those who sing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy - O Nanak, they do not have to endure reincarnation again. ANG 253 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
O Nanak, sing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises; this alone is the eternal faith of Dharma. ANG 299 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Raags in Sikhi is a Hukam
A lot of Sikhs have started dissing raag style kirtan saying its weird etc. But if they actually understood Sikhi they would know that to do kirtan in raags is a hukam of Guru Ji. (If you can’t do raags due to not knowing the art, then other styles are better then no kirtan).
It’s clear that the Gurus used raags to increase the delivery power of shabad to our mind by invoking complementary feelings in our hearts through usage of the prescribed raags.
Raagmala literally means a beaded string of musical melodies. "Mala" means "a beaded string" and "Raga" is a "musical composition". It is the name given to the last composition in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji appearing after Mundavani (The Closing Seal) and a Salok by Guru Arjan Dev. Like Japji Sahib, which appears at the beginning of the Guru Granth Sahib this composition has no heading to show the name of the author. This Shabad explains everything you need to know about raags!
