Though Gatka is a traditional Punjabi martial arts associated largely with the Sikh religion, the sport is gradually spreading its wings to other states too after it was included in the National School Games last year.

Whereas there were just four Gatka teams last year, the number this year has gone to six in the 61st edition of the games being held in the district.

Teams from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are participating in the game.

Moreover, girls from Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Malayalam are part of the Chandigarh team. The events in gatka commenced on Tuesday at Senior Secondary Girls School, Nehru Garden.

GS Bajwa, coach of the Chandigarh team, said, “It feels great to see girls showing interest in the game from other states too. It used to be a myth that the game is only that of the Punjab region, but the thinking has changed a lot and students from different regions are adopting Gatka.”

Baljinder Singh Toor, national coordinator, Gatka Federation of India (GFI), said the game was started by sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind for self-defence. The game is never meant to attack others.

“We are happy to see that the game is getting popular in other states too. We are determined to get more than 15 teams next year in the games,” Toor said.

Coaches from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh said that now gatka is no more confined to Punjab as players from others states too have noticed the game.

Members of the Uttar Pradesh team which made its debut in the games this time, said playing gatka is fun and it also tests one’s physical strength.

UP coach Jaspal Singh said that it is the beauty of the sports that they are above any religion, caste and creed and team members are taking part in the game with full enthusiasm.

In the Uttar Pradesh team, not even a single team member is a Sikh. Solanki Himanshu Nathala, coach of Gujarat team, said, “We had played last year also. Gatka is played in more than 12 districts in Gujarat. The players show equal respect to the weapons that are used in the game as Sikhs do.

~ Source: Hindustan Times

The celebrations have been titled as ‘Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurb Celebration- an evening of celebration, inspiration and recognition’.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs along with The Sikh Network and Sikh Federation (UK) have organized the Gurupurb celebrations- the birthday of the first Sikh guru- Guru Nanak Dev on November 25 at the Houses of Parliament, UK.

It would be for the first time that the occasion will be marked in UK Parliament at Portcullis House, where Sikhs would gather to remember teaching of Guru Nanak Dev.

The celebrations have been titled as ‘Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurb Celebration- an evening of celebration, inspiration and recognition’.

The chairman of Sikh Federation (UK)- the Sikh NGO cum political party working in UK since 2003- Amrik Singh Gill said that APPG decided to hold this celebration in the House of Commons UK and it is being supported by Sikh Federation (UK).

The spokesperson of The Sikh Network- an open collaboration of Sikh activists working in UK and the organizers of Gurupurab event at UK Parliament, in a statement issued said, “It is the first time that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday is being marked in Parliament and it a unique opportunity to share his universal message of One God, truth and equality.”

The gathering is scheduled to be held on November 25 from 17:00 to 19:00 at House of Parliament, Portcullis House.

Earlier this year, Rob Marris, MP Wolverhampton South West was elected as chairman of APPG for British Sikhs. The APPG was established almost ten years back in UK to highlight the issues of Sikhs settled in UK with the government.

As the part of Sikh Manifesto, the three main items which APPG has taken up for welfare of Sikhs in UK include: separate ethnic monitoring of Sikhs and separate tick box for Sikhs in Census 2021, allocation of a suitable site in central London for a permanent monument to highlight Sikh sacrifices in World War.

~ Source: Indian Express

The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple will build the striking new heritage centre next to its Gurdwara on the corner of Duncan Street and Sedgley Street in Blakenhall, revamping the site with a new glass dome, stone archways and feature windows.

Planners at Wolverhampton council have approved a planning application, paving the way for work to start.

The new building will completely transform the site.

Blakenhall councillor Harbans Singh Bagri welcome the planning approval.

He said: “I am quite pleased the planners like the application. It is a combination of traditional and new designs coming together and is something which the Blakenhall ward would benefit from so I am quite happy to see this new building because it will be a statement for the people that have lived here for generations.

“It will also be a focal point for visitors who come a distance to come and shop in the Blakenhall area.
“The Gurdwara provides a platform for people to come and visit the area and I think it will complement the local traders in the community.

“I think it will supplement the evening and weekend footfall which will be a great thing for the traders.”

The heritage centre will provide an ‘educational learning facility’, exhibition space and a new entrance and lobby to the existing Gurdwara.

The new building would have a central atrium, offices, a feature hall and reception, a basement conference room for up to 160 people, storage, an education space, library and a viewing area to accommodate wheelchair users and the frail in the main prayer room.

The glass dome will have a diameter of almost 30ft and plans say it will allow light to penetrate into the core of the building ‘adding drama to the central atrium’.

The plans had received an objection from a resident in Barcroft Road on the grounds that the access road will be unable to cope with traffic, it affects the right of way, the level of existing on street parking, inadequate parking provision and an increase in traffic.

A comment left by the objector said: “I object to the proposed extension of the Gurdwara due to the lack of parking facilities provided by the temple for visitors in access of 200/300 causing parking issues with local residents, local businesses and a school, blocking access to residential properties streets and surrounding roads with cars / coaches blocking access to residents houses and using residents private car parks.”

~ Source: www.expressandstar.com

During the World Wars, members of the Commonwealth came together, with troops from India, Pakistan, Africa, the Caribbean and beyond.

On television, on November 4, the BBC showed how the Sikh community helped during the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 wars.

An officer of the Indian Army, Manta Singh saw his commanding officer, Captain Henderson, shot in battle, so, under heavy fire, Manta obtained a wheelbarrow, put the officer in it and pushed him to a safe area.

Just before getting there, Manta was shot in the legs, but as they were almost safe, men came forward and saved them both.

Both were treated at a makeshift hospital at the Royal House, in Brighton, Both families became close friends.

I was on a hospital ship during the Second World War and saw a lot of terrible injuries of men from the Indian Sikh community, injured in the fierce fighting in Burma. I never heard any of these men complain of their injuries.

Britain owes a lot to these men, coming to our aid during both World Wars. Thankfully, their families can now live in peace in England – a small price to pay for their help when it was needed.

Mr M Patrick, Ibstock.

~ Source: www.leicestermercury.co.uk

Despite being only 14 years old, she has set many records. She had also solved 1,000 sums of division in just 17 minutes.

She had registered herself for the Limca Book of Records on June 20, 2015. “We received a call from the record book authorities on August 20 who confirmed submission of the registration. On October 29, they apprised us through e-mail about the feat achieved by our daughter,” informed Dilpreet’s father Manjeet Singh. She has already got a certificate and a trophy for the same.

Dilpreet, who is studying in class VIII from Huddard High School in Civil Lines area of the city, started solving sums when she was in class II and credits her skill to her parents who are into teaching profession. She was confident when asked if she had any doubt about this feat. “No. Nothing is impossible and I knew I had to do it,” she said.

Principal of Huddard High School KB Vincent said, “The management, principal, teachers and students of the college are proud of this small wonder and wish her a great career ahead as she has miles to go.”

“Solving sums has almost become a passion for my daughter Dilpreet. To improve her brain’s ability, we guided her to follow ancient abacus theory to perform mathematical functions ike multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, square root and cube root. But, we did not know that her hard work would set a new record,” her father tells.

Talking about her daughter’s feat for Limca Book of Record, Singh further said, “We used to arrange for her practice sheets and she solves nearly 5,000 sums daily which further brought her laurels. She can now solve 100 division sums in just 96 seconds, which has now become a National record and it’s all due to her dedication and hard work.”

Dilpreet’s mother Simran Kaur said she would not stop at this. “After registering this record wherein she had solved 100 division sums in just 96 seconds, she is all set to make a new record. She has solved one digit 100 row addition in just 21 seconds, however 19.23 seconds is the world record for which she is toiling hard. Limca authorities have already registered it for 2017 record,” she claimed.

The achievement coincides with the forthcoming World Mental Maths Competition being organised by Delhi University from December 5, for which Dilpreet is preparing hard.

Dilpreet has already won the City trophy 2012 in Champion and 2013 state Champions of Champion competition.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma also met Dilpreet and lauded her achievement, on Dhanteras day.

Share & Spread the LITTLE EINSTEIN!

~ Source: Indiatimes.com

Today around 25,000 school students of eighteen GHPS – Guru Harkishan Public Schools lent their support and strength to an online petition stared by DSGMC – Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee seeking a ban on Sikh Jokes.

Sign the petition at Change.org/BANSikhJokes

The students who don’t possess an email address will sign on a signature sheet hard copy for their signatures to be submitted on their behalf to the Supreme Court.

The online petition stared by DSGMC last week has seen growing numbers with around 13,000 supporters till date.The petition is gathering momentum and thousands of people even from diverse faiths and religious identities have voiced their opinions on this platform. They have welcomed the move to seek a ban against these jokes, which hurts the feelings and shows Sikhs in poor light.

In a meeting with School Teachers and Student Leaders of GHPS Schools, S. Manjit Singh GK, President DSGMC exhorted them to be positive despite bullying and to get involved in constructive activity of community service for the country. He added “It is generally seen that ignorant bully Sikh children with ‘12 baj gaye’ and other taunts. Our children should use positive dialogue like Guru Nanak used five centuries ago, and remind them of the historic significance of ’12 baj gaye’ when Sikhs at this time freed thousands of Indian girls and women from the clutches of Ahmed Shah Abdali.”

He further added “We all have to be proud Indian citizens with a global outlook. We should seek and mobilize support on all social media for this campaign. The need of the hour is to let the Indian society know that we love humor but not racism. We are proud Indians and the country has benefited from our contributions in almost every field. It is time that Sikh children should not face bullying or insults in the name of casual fun.”

The enthused children took a pledge to bring support to this petition from all social quarters and bring an end to bullying and taunts that they are subjected to.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 18th Nov ’15

Established in 1961, the largest Sikh Gurdwara in Smethwick, Birmingham in the United Kingdom, The Guru Nanak Gurdwara, lite up in colours of the French flag on Sunday, in solidarity with the victims of Paris terrorist attacks.

The Gurdwara is the first Sikh temple which was established in the United Kingdom almost 54 years ago.

The spokesperson at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick, said that the Sikh temple condemns ‘violence by the terrorists and hatred’ in Paris that claimed lives of 129 people.

Gurdwara President Bhai Malkit Singh Tehang said, “Here in UK we are following the terrible news from Paris.

We are shocked by this violence and hatred and we strongly condemn the attack, along with all those who love peace. We pray for the victims and the wounded, and for all the French people, we offer our condolences to the friends and families who have lost loved ones”.

“This is an attack on humanity and peace for all, and it requires a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us, as we counter the spread of hatred in all forms,” he said.

He added: “There is no religious or human justification for it.”

On the decision of the Gurdwara to light up in French flag colours, he said, ” Smethwick gurdwara in UK is the largest and the oldest one and it went blue, white and red in solidarity with the people of France following the Paris terror attacks. It is a landmark building which sets an example for Sikhs around the globe especially in UK and European nations. Last month we had lit up the building in pink to mark breast cancer awareness month.

But this is to send a strong message against terrorism and that Sikh community is standing with every nation facing brutality. Terrorism is simply unacceptable.”

~ Source – Indian Express

An innovative and talented teacher from Leicestershire was awarded the title of ‘Teacher of the year 2015’ by HRH the Prince of York at a very special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Daljit Kaur, a practicing Sikh and a Computing Teacher at Loughborough Grammar School was nominated for the award by her students. During the course of the year, TeenTech judges in collaboration with the examination board OCR shortlisted her for the highly prestigious national award and in June she was announced the overall winner.

Daljit Kaur won her coveted place in the TeenTech Awards finals through her sheer dedication and determination to bring STEM based innovation and creativity to the classroom. She has worked passionately for a number of years to create an environment whereby her students can thrive and explore their innovative ideas and maximize the potential for the ideas to become a reality. She has been at the forefront of trialing new technologies, apps and software at her school and recently secured a purchase for a programmable humanoid NAO Robot!

Every year hundreds of enthusiastic teams throughout the UK register for the contest, held by award winning science event organisation TeenTech. For participating teams to win their place in the finals, they need to prove high levels of collaboration with experts in the world of technology and engineering. Daljit Kaur has managed to successfully see many of her teams through to the finals and win their categories over the years! The judges were very impressed by her continued successes but in particular her dedication, as nearly all the creativity and innovation is done outside of the classroom in the form of after school or lunch time clubs with some trips to Universities organised on Saturdays.

As well as a full time teacher of Computer Science, a mother of three, Daljit Kaur is a trustee of the first Sikh School in Leicester, Falcons Primary School.

~ Source:

Two Sikh comedians, who have been performing under the names of Santa and Banta for the last 18 years, have announced to drop their stage names and adapt new ones.

Sign the Petition www.change.org/BanSikhJokes

Gurpreet Singh and Prabhpreet Singh based in Jalandhar who adopted the names Santa and Banta, respectively, in 1997 and rose to fame with their stage shows on social issues, they have decided to GIVE UP on their famous names in response to the recent plea seeking ban on Sikh Jokes.

They said they always believed in healthy comedy. “We never failed to make people laugh and did so without having to resort to show the community in a bad light. Negative stereotyping of a community is not good and comedians must refrain from doing that,” the comedians said.

All our silences in the face of racist assault are acts of complicity. Haters and bullies are always cowards.

Do you know what we call opinion in the absence of evidence? We call it prejudice.” What a sad era when it is easier to smash an atom than a prejudice

As long as you hate, there will be people to hate. Bigotry is bigotry whether it’s dressed up in the language of faith or not.”

Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. The Government SHOULD NOT allow any loopholes for religious homophobia.

Lets break the silence & TELL the World, HUMOUR is OK. RACISM is NOT

Sign the Petition www.change.org/BanSikhJokes

The Sikhs in France and UK stepped up to help people in the French capital Paris, where multiple terror strikes left more than 120 people dead, by arranging for safe shelter, providing free cab service and blood donation camps.

Gurdwaras in Paris decided to keep their doors open night and day for those stranded after the attacks. They publicised their move over social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter with the #PorteOuverte (Doors open).

Leading the charge was Gurudwara Singh Sabha in Paris along with Conseil Representatif Des Sikhs De France (Representative Council of Sikhs of France), Sikh Helping Hand, Mairie De Bobigny (office of Mayor Of Bobigny) and Prefecture De Seine Saint Denis.

Ranjit G Singh, director public affairs, Representative Council of Sikhs France, said, “It was a horrifying scene as endless gunshots were fired. We were in district 5 and it happened in district 10, few kilometres from here. We were busy watching the football match and suddenly we heard loud noises. Soon, we came out and saw the military take over the streets. We were sure that something had gone seriously wrong.” He added that eight gurdwaras in Paris would be open throughout night and day to welcome the needy.

“We have already started with blood donation at Hospital Avincennes, 93000 Bobigny and people have started lining up to give blood,” he said. He added that Sikh cab drivers were also ferrying people to their homes for free.

~ Source: indianexpress.com