The scent of curry wafted from a conference hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, Saturday as thousands lined up for LANGAR at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, an international gathering that, every five years, brings together thousands of people from different religious and spiritual traditions.

Nishkam Centre, a U.K.-based Sikh organization, hosted the free lunch with the help of dozens of volunteers.

Orderly queues, barefoot, heads covered, sitting in Pangat; the diverse world enjoys Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen ie. Langar.

People from other faiths remarked that this it was the perfect message of Inter-Faith and Oneness.

“You are about to eat food that has been blessed, and so we cover our heads out of respect,” one volunteer told The Huffington Post.

Geetika Kaur, another volunteer, stood at the front of the line offering a quick explanation of the langar tradition to those about to partake in the feast.

“The gurus started this tradition to say, ‘Regardless of who you are, where you come from, what your background is, you’re welcome into this space,'” Kaur told HuffPost. People are encouraged to break bread together, she added, and “share that common humanity that binds all of us together.”

Langar meals were offered every day of the five-day conference. Amrick Singh Ubhi, the director of Nishkam Centre, estimated that up to 6,000 people had been fed on Saturday alone.

Thousands partook of a free langar meal on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, during the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

“In modern day terms it is simply a case of equality,” he continued. “It doesn’t matter if you arrived in your private jet outside or whether you had to scrounge money together to get bus fare to get here. We’re all equal before God.”

Once diners got to the front of the line they were invited to sit on the ground and were offered a plate, spoon and cup. One by one, volunteers came by dispensing spoonfuls of vegetable curry, raita, rice and salad from giant buckets. They handed out naan, apple and banana slices and poured generous cups of water and mango lassi. Anyone who desired another helping of food needed only to ask to receive it.

The langar meal included two types of curries, rice, raita (a side dish made from yogurt), salad, naan (an Indian flatbread) and mango lassi.

“We sit on the floor in order to sit amongst equals,” Singh Ubhi said. “It is about keeping good company.”

For William Hwang, an educator who lives in San Diego, the langar was more than a shared meal. It was a form of spiritual fellowship that “feeds your body and feeds your soul.”

Source- huffingtonpost.com

The world is getting more unpleasant by the day. When we look around, we see increasing cases of road rage.

And all we are left with is wondering whether the world will get better or worse.

But in the midst of everything going wrong and our intolerance levels reaching a new high, there are people who are still doing good deeds in the hope that, somewhere, the world will make room for positivity and kindness.

Take a look at story of this Sikh Man that will help you believe that there is potential to make the world a better place.

About 400 teachers had assembled near Rose Garden to hold a dharna. Unfortunately, heated arguments broke out between the cops and the protesters. Things got worse when the cops asked the protesters to leave. Four protesters, including two women and two men jumped into a nearby canal. Fortunately, they were rescued by the cops. When asked about their act of bravery, the cops said it was their duty to save them. Two cops namely, Bhucho DSP Gurmeet Singh Kingra and ASI Kaul Singh certainly did an exemplary job.

~ Source: IndiaTimes

Share & Spread this heroic act by a SIKH!

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hailed a Sikh man for saving a man who suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kulwinder Singh had used a defibrillator to help save the life of Michael Williams at Central Station in 2011.

Turnbull, who was visiting Sydney Trains office, wrote on Facebook, “a great honour to meet Kulwinder Singh who works for Sydney Trains, at Central this morning.”

Singh saved a passenger’s life by using a defibrillator after he had suffered a heart attack.

“Whenever I bump into people working at Sydney trains they are friendly and professional but I am so proud we have people like Kulwinder looking after passengers. Another reason to catch a train,” the PM’s post said.

Expressing his delight, Singh said, “I never expected it, it was unbelievable. I did what I do in the line of duty and I am simply pleased that I could help a customer who was in need.”

Born in Punjab, Singh has completed almost 20 years in Australia. He completed his post-graduate studies in Agriculture and emigrated to Australia in 1995. He started working the railways in 1996 in Sydney. —PTI

~ Source: Tribune

Our nation has 21 Param Vir Chakra (PVC) winners out of which 4 are SIKHS.

These Men of Steel gave everything to keep our country safe.Their acts of supreme and selfless bravery have made them win the country’s highest wartime gallantry award.

But Do you Know them?

Here’s a look at our SIKH HEROES who won the highest honour of the country.

Lance Naik Karam Singh
Lance Naik Singh commanded a post when the enemy launched eight strikes. The Sikhs repulsed each wave but Karam Singh was wounded. When 2 enemy soldiers came too close, he bayoneted the intruders to death.

Subedar Joginder Singh
Holding a position in Tongpeng La area, Subedar Singh faced repeated attacks by the Chinese. Despite a wound in the thigh, he refused evacuation. He manned a light machine gun and killed a large number of enemies. Finally better weapons of the enemy prevailed and Singh was martyred.

Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon
Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of 6 Sabre aircraft. Flying officer Sekhon engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres, succeeded in damaging two of the enemy aircraft before his plane crashed.

Naib Subedar Bana Singh
Leading his men through a hazardous route to rid the area of Pakistani infiltrators in ’87, Naib Subedar Singh lobbed grenades, charged with a bayonet, and, moving from trench to trench, cleared the post of all intruders.

~ Source – IndiaTimes

Most densely populated Cities With a significant Sikh Population as percentage of Total Population

1) City: Surrey, Canada (Largest Sikh Settlement Outside of Punjab)(120,000 Sikhs)
Sikhs as a Percentage of total Population: 42%

2) City: Richmond Hill, NY
Sikhs as Percentage of Total Population: 38%

3) City: Millbourne, PA USA
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 36%

4) City: Brampton, Canada
Sikhs as a Percentage of total Population: 24%

5) City: Abbotsford, Canada
Sikhs as a Percentage of Population: 19%

6) City: Slough, UK
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 12%

7) City: Yuba City California, USA
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 11%

8) City: Wolverhampton, UK
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 10.2%

9) City: Hounslow, UK
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 10%

10) City: Ealing, UK
Sikhs as a Percentage of Population: 8.5%

City: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 4%

City: Leicester, UK
Sikhs as a Percentage of Total Population: 4%

Notes:
London has the highest overall Sikh Population in England with 126,000 Sikhs comprising 1.5% of London’s total population.

Top ten Metropolitan areas with Sikh Populations in Canada: ( Listed from Largest to Smallest ): Toronto ON, Montreal QC, Vancouver BC, Calgary AB, Ottawa ON, Edmonton AB, Quebec City, QC, Winnipeg MB

As for total Population in Canada of Sikhs: Surrey (120,000 Sikhs), Brampton, Ontario (98,000) and Calgary, Alta (29,000) has a higher population than Abbotsford.

Abbotsford has 26,000 Sikhs while Vancouver has 17,000 and Toronto has 20,000.

~ By DailySikhUpdates.com Editors

Brigadier Kuldip Singh is known for his exemplary display of leadership skills during the Battle of Longewala, for which he was awarded the second highest gallantry award of the land, the Maha Vir Chakra.

Mr Singh was born on 22nd November, 1940, to a Gurjar family in India’s undivided Punjab, and from where he later moved to his family’s native home in Balachaur. He graduated from Hoshiarpur’s Government College where he spent his days as an active NCC cadet.

The Indian Army Officer

In 1962, Brigadier Singh joined the Indian Army and in 1963, he was commissioned in the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment – the oldest and most reputed Indian Army battalion. Brigadier Singh participated in the 1965 war and post that, worked for a year in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Egypt.

The Battle Hero

Serving as Major at that time, Mr Singh led his soldiers to defend his Longewala post in Rajasthan against the attack by the Pakistani Army during the early phase of the Indo-Pak War of 1971. Longewala was manned by 120 soldiers of the Alfa Company of the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment, under Major Singh’s command.

Battle of Longewala, Brig Kuldip Singh

The soldiers fought against mammoth odds, battling Pakistan’s 4 infantry battalions and the 22nd Armoured Regiment. The attack came at 12:30 AM and lasted entire night until help came in the guise of Indian Air Force the next morning. Even though the 23rd Battalion was heavily outnumbered, they persevered and held off the enemy for hours. The IAF then swooped in to destroy 26 tanks and a large number of Pakistan’s Armoured Regiment Carriers.

The Maha Vir Chakra Awardee

For displaying an indomitable spirit, courage of heart, and nerves of steel, Brigadier Singh was honoured with the gallantry award, Maha Vir Chakra. The citation for his award read as follows:

“Citation: Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was commanding a company battalion of the Punjab Regiment occupying a defended locality in the Rajasthan Sector. On the 5th December 1971, in the early hours of the morning the enemy launched a massive attack on this locality with infantry and tanks. Major Chandpuri exhibited dynamic leadership in holding his command intact and steadfast.

Showing exceptional courage and determination, he inspired his men moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them in beating back the enemy till reinforcements arrived. In this heroic defence, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and forced them to retreat leaving behind twelve tanks.

In this action, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri displayed conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.”

~ Source: Indiatimes.com

The UK’s first national Sikh memorial in honour of those who fought during the Great War will be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on November 1.

The memorial is the first of its kind and a statue commemorating the 130,000 Sikh soldiers who fought in the war will be unveiled in a ceremony.

More than 200 people from across different faiths and backgrounds contributed from £1 (around Rs 100) to £1,000 to fund the memorial. According to the portal, a total of 153 backers pledged £22,685 to help bring this project to life.

The charities founder and chairman Jay Singh-Sohal says: “It is a tremendous achievement for Sikhs to be able to finally have a national monument in honour of the bravery and sacrifice of our forebears. For far too long the contribution of those from India to the war effort has been overlooked but now young people have a symbol of remembrance which they can visit at the National Memorial Arboretum and which will inspire people from all backgrounds well into the future.”

The Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt MP said “Sikh Service personnel have served with great distinction in the British Armed Forces. We recognise their outstanding contribution, and the strong link with the British Armed Forces which continues to this day. As Minister for the Armed Forces, I am grateful for all that they have accomplished; their incredible efforts have helped to build a better world for future generations. Defence recognises that our people are our most important asset; we will continue to do all that we can to ensure that our Services reflect British society, and that we recruit individuals from all communities including the Sikh community.”

The memorials patron, Peter Singh Virdee from the Virdee Foundation, says: “The sacrifice of Sikhs who’ve served Great Britain will surely never be forgotten, now that this community initiative has led to the creation of a permanent national memorial at the centre of remembrance in our country.

Sir Francis Richards, chairman Imperial War Museums, says: “The memorial will be a fitting tribute to the sacrifice made by Sikh servicemen during the First World War and can only serve to increase awareness and appreciation of the Sikh contribution to British military history. Most importantly, it will ensure that we remember in perpetuity those Sikhs who gave their lives in Britain’s defence.”

The unveiling event will include speeches from dignitaries, a British Army band and re-enactment troop.

The memorial will be sanctified with a traditional Sikh prayer and a minutes silence held to remember all who have fought for Great Britain.

~ Source: Times Of India

The monument will undoubtedly inspire future generations to follow in the footsteps of their forebears and contribute great things to our society.

Salute the Real Bravehearts of the Nation!

Service users of a city homeless drop-in-centre were treated to a traditional Sikh dish as part of Langar Week.

Plymouth councillor, Chaz Singh, took over the kitchen at Shekinah Mission as part of Langar week, to treat the service users to traditional Sikh dishes.

Councillor Singh is an advocate of the Sikh community in Plymouth and has done previous work with homeless organisations, this was the first time he treated the users to a free meal.

Laura Fraser-Crewes, operations manager at Shekinah Mission, said: “With everything going on in the world at the moment with the refugee crisis it’s so lovely to see the Christian and Sikh community coming together here. They are both here with one purpose and that is feeding people in need.

“Langar means community kitchen so it’s perfect to have Chaz here doing this. It’s free food and has brought lots of people to the centre.

“There are bigger cities than Plymouth that aren’t doing anything like this. We want to show the way and show how important events like this are.

“For me this is also about promoting a healthy diet. For many of the people who use this service they either eat soup or pasties. Part of the new work we are doing is around healthy eating and events like this feed that. We want the service users eating more veg and more fresh produce and to use less things from tins.”

Many of the service users are homeless or isolated and use the drop-in-centre to access a cheap meal – many of them were excited to try a new dish served by Councillor Singh.

Councillor Chaz Singh dishes up some of the food for Shekinah service users

“This is our way of showing the Sikh culture in Plymouth. People can talk to us about being a Sikh and we can provide food.”

~ Source: www.plymouthherald.co.uk

Most people eagerly await the weekend as the chance to forget the stresses of the working week. But for one Sikh man, he has dedicated every Saturday for more than a year to helping feed the city’s homeless.

Amerpreet Singh Khalsa cooks and then serves the food to anyone who asks for a meal – and refuses to accept a penny in donations.

The father-of-four, 39, says his Sikh religion demands followers devote their efforts and earnings to those less fortunate than themselves.

And he has taken that teaching to heart, preparing meals from about 8am every Saturday – after prayers – alongside his wife Manpreet Kaur, before serving them at the bottom end of Newport Road outside Greggs and Coffee#1 from about 3pm.

‘It takes a bit of time, but we know it’s going to a good cause’

He is often helped by members of Cardiff University’s Sikh Society, and, while he doesn’t take money from wellwishers or those who enjoy what is on offer, he does accept food donations so he can continue to provide the meals.

Amerpreet, from Adamsdown, began feeding the city’s homeless in August last year and usually dishes out the food to about 80 people in the hour or so he is in place. Last Saturday was his busiest to date, with 106 meals served.

Everything he cooks is vegetarian to ensure there are no issues such as those concerning halal food, and a typical menu could include chick peas, cauliflower curry, pasta-based dishes, naan breads and onion bhajis.

“It’s not quick, it takes a bit of time, but we know it’s going to a good cause,” he said.

Amerpreet Singh Khalsa who helps with Langer Seva society, a hunger relief charity, providing free food to Cardiff homeless.

Amerpreet prepares the food ready for anyone who asks for a meal.And it is not just the homeless whom he serves, but all those who cannot afford to eat.

He says he was inspired by the example of his grandfather, who handed out bags of roasted chick peas and bottles of water to those who were hungry in his home town in Amritsar, India.

“I wanted to do something along the same lines and carry on his good work,” Amerpreet explained.
“It’s a good feeling, giving something back to the community.”

He represents a charity based around the Sikh concept of langar, which translates as “free kitchen” and which offers free food to anyone who needs it, regardless of background. And he says he derives satisfaction from the gratitude of those whom he helps.
‘We had to be committed to it’

“You can see in their faces when they get a warm meal or a cup of tea that they really appreciate it,” he said.

Devoting every Saturday to the cause is not one which daunts Amerpreet. “When we started off we said we had to be committed to it,” he added. “If we miss one then people will miss that food.”

Amerpreet added: “I see a lot of homeless people all over the place and if someone in Newport or Swansea wanted to set something similar up I would be happy to help them out.”

~ Source: walesonline.co.uk

From October 15th to October 19th, the Parliament of the World’s Religions will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. This unique gathering brings together thousands of people from different faiths to dialogue with one another about the pressing issues of our times.

The Parliament meets only once every four years and this is the first time in over 20 years that the Parliament has been held in the United States.

SikhNet will participate in this year’s Parliament of the World’s Religions, on the ground coverage of the Sikh presence there.

How will the Sikhs contribute to this year’s Parliament? What unique perspectives do we have to share?

SikhNet plans to bring you original articles, photos and interviews from the Parliament to give you a view of what is happening inside. Watch the SikhNet News, SikhNet social media or bookmark this page to view our inside coverage.

TODAY, this event is recognized as the occasion of the birth of formal inter religious dialogue worldwide.

~ Source: Sikhnet