More than 300 kilometres from Patna, Dalit settled in villages adopted Sikhism in large numbers.

The special districts of Nyanagr, Khwaspur, Prmanandpur, Manikpur and Mjltta Dalit village there are nearly 200 men and women who have embraced Sikhism.

In particular in Hilhai village there is a Gurdwara Sahib called Takht Sri Akal where hundreds gather every weekend.

Narendra Singh saw it all happen in front of his eyes. He lived for ten years in Punjab stricken with poverty and racial discrimination and he wasn’t accepted by the Khalsa Panth in Punjab.

He then returned to his village and spread what he learned about the Sikh faith in Bihar. To his surprise, the locals accepted the faith introduced to them in the 80s and now they have carried it through to the third generation. A Dalit turned Sikh from Katana Sahib Punjab, Khanna worked here for 35 years and said after he accepted the faith, he was opposed by the locals in Punjab and moved to Bihar.

~ Source: bbc.com

A white supremacist inspired by ISIS executioner Jihadi John was jailed for life after trying to kill an Asian dentist with a hammer and machete in a supermarket.

Zack Davies, 26, of Mold, North Wales, shouted ‘White Power’ and ‘I did it for Lee Rigby’ as he attacked Dr Sarandev Bhambra in the town’s Tesco store last January.

He was convicted of Dr Bhambra’s attempted murder and jailed for a minimum of 14 years.

Davies, who had posed in Nazi uniform and even dressed as Jihadi John, left home to kill his mother’s boyfriend but after failing to find him he tried to murder Dr Bhambra instead.

Sentencing him to a minimum term of 14 years, Judge Rhys Rowlands told Davies: ‘This was a dreadful offence in which an innocent young man was set upon with great savagery in broad daylight in front of others. It was a racist attack. You are a very dangerous young man.’

He added: ‘One can only imagine the sheer terror you subjected him to.’
Davies was an open racist and owned posters, flags, armbands, and leaflets linked to Nazism, and had bought himself a lock knife with a swastika on the handle.

Dr Bhambra said that Davies was a white supremacist who had tried to kill him because of his ethnicity. He added : ‘Imagine your own sons, daughters, brothers or sisters facing my reality and you may begin to understand and appreciate what my family and I have been going through in the last nine months.

‘While Zack Davies has been convicted and sentenced for attempting to kill me I am convinced that the background behind the incident has not been explored fully.

Dr Bhambra described his attacker as a coward. ‘He attacked me from behind and intended to behead me. By the Grace of God I remained conscious and was able to defend myself.

Source- www.dailymail.co.uk

Panditrao Dharennavar, assistant professor of government college of Chandigarh staged a silent protest in front of Chaudhary Devilal University, Sirsa.

Panditrao who went all the way to Sirsa from Chandigarh, raised slogan in favor of Panjabi language which was later supported by famous Punjabi poet Hari Singh Dilbar.

The University which is not having Punjabi department is being criticized for biased behavior towards Panjabi language. Panditrao who visited the University for the third time, has been demanding to open up Panjabi department for the development of Indian languages but the administration of the University is not showing the interest.

Panditrao has also written letter to Manhor Lal Khattar, Chief Minister of Haryana but he did not get any response. Panditrao also demanded to appoint Chairmen of various literary boards of Hariyana Sahit Academy which is almost nonfunctional since six months.

Panditrao said “ Haryana is holy place but modern Haryana is witnessing many social issues due to lack of rich literature being written in local languages, Punjabi and Haryanvi, therefore Haryana government needs to open up Panjabi departments in Universities and develop the Haryana Sahit Academy by appointing Chairmen of various literary academies.

Hari Singh Dilbar, the famous Panjabi poet said in a poetic way “Never I loose faith and never I loose my breath till the Panjabi language gets its high berth”

Like & Share the great efforts put in to bring Punjabi to the Mainstream!

~ Source: SikhVoice.com

One of the most decorated units in the Indian Army and at one point the most decorated unit in the British Indian Army, the Sikh Regiment’s tales of bravery are legend. The Sikh Regiment has an elevated status that is richly deserved. Read on to find out why.

The beginning of the Sikh Regiment

The proposal to raise a Sikh Regiment was raised just before the beginnings if the Sikh War. During the war, or so the story goes, the British were so impressed by the valour and sheer courage of the Sikh fighters, that they wasted no time in raising their own battalion of Sikh warriors.

The Second Afghan War

While the Sikh Regiment was called to action during the 1857 revolts, their first deployment really came during the Second Afghan War.

The legendary battle of Saragarhi

Now this, this a battle where the Sikh Regiment truly cemented its reputation as one of the bravest regiments in the country, if not the world. To say that this battle is made of the stuff of legends would be a disservice to the 22 soldiers who laid down their lives in the defense of Saragarhi. This day is now celebrated annually as Regimental Battle Honor Day.

World War 1: The battle of La Bassee

German and Franco-British forces were engaged in a fierce battle in La Bassee, north France. During the battle, the 47th Sikhs were part of a coordinated attack on the German fortifications. The attack was eventually cancelled, but two companies of the Sikhs never received the order and marched on the Germans themselves. During the attack the Sikhs lost 221 of their 289 soldiers but managed to severely cripple the Germans’ attacking capabilities.

World War 2

The Sikh Regiment contributed to a major part of the British war effort, especially in the Asian theatre. Together with the rest of the Indian army, the Sikh Regiment ensured that the Japanese advance didn’t proceed beyond the Indian borders.

India-China War 1962

The war with the Chinese in 1962 isn’t one of the greatest chapters in the Indian Army’s history, or in India’s in general. Whether it was the bureaucracy tying down the armed forces or the usage of wrong tactics, it was a chastening experience for the country. But even in this dark episode, the Sikh Regiment managed to shine like a beacon of light. Tales of the bravery of Subedar Joginder Singh, Captain Haripal Kaushik and Sepoy Kewal Singh are still recounted even today.

India-Pakistan War, 1965

But the war against Pakistan just 3 years later, was another story. The Indian Army managed to cut into the heart of Pakistani territory reaching the outskirts Lahore, and of course, the Sikh Regiment was the tip of the sword that was the army.

India-Pakistan War, 1971

While the primary conflict zone of the 1971 war was around East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh), the Indian Army opened another front on the western border to keep Pakistan occupied. This was where our legendary Sikh Regiments took the fight to enemy, ensuring that Bangladesh managed to attain independence.

The Kargil War

During the battle for Tiger Hill, it was the 8th Sikh Regiment, along with the 18th Grenadiers and the 2nd Naga, that were chosen to lead India’s push to reclaim what was ours. In a tense 36 hour operation, it was the three Indian regiments that persevered.

Share & Spread so that the WORLD Knows!

~Source: www.scoopwhoop.com

A unique devotion in helping Sikhs Worldwide, a first-of-its-kind initiative, a new portal called www.gurdwarajob.com, has been launched where Granthis, Ragis, Pathis, Langris, Sewadars etc. could get jobs in Gurdwaras worldwide. This website has more than 1,800 listed Gurdwaras in the world from where anyone could search their particular job in specific country.

Developed by Amrit Pal Singh, this global online platform will provide information on vacancies. This website is conceptualized on the lines of employment websites that list job opportunities for corporate executives.

When asked about this out-of-the-box idea, Amrit Pal Singh said that while he was working abroad, he had encountered several trained Ragis, Katha Vachaks and Pathis who were cheated by agents back home by promising them jobs in Gurdwaras overseas, but actually found that there were no jobs once they went abroad. They were forced to stay there illegally and had undergone many hardships. They were cheated by agents back home for huge sums of money under the pretext of getting jobs.

Odd jobs and stress amongst trained Sikhs

Once abroad, they had to take up odd jobs, were under constant stress and had to prolong their stay in the hope of recovering the money they had spent. Stating that the website provides services free of cost, Amrit Pal Singh said that numerous Gurdwaras all over the world always require capable and efficient staff like Ragis, Pathis, Granthis, Langri, Sewadar, Katha Vachak, computer operators, librarian, cashier, supervisor, managers etc.

“However, there are a large number of trained and talented people who want to serve in overseas Gurdwaras but are unaware of the vacancies and the process for applying. So this portal will provide Gurdwaras’ managements worldwide the platform to choose competent staff, as per their criteria from the list of resumes posted by job seekers and to post job vacancies. Hence, this website will serve as a boon for everyone,” added Amrit Pal Singh.

Sewa

You can contribute to this cause by helping it make the biggest network for Gurdwara jobs worldwide by listing the Gurdwaras worldwide that you know off by simply clicking on the option ‘Add Gurdwaras’ on the website where you can add the Gurdwaras’ details, thus helping others in the world to contact those looking for Gurudwara jobs.

For more details about this venture, check the link below:
http://www.gurdwarajob.com/faq.php
Media Contact:
Amrit Pal Singh
Mobile +91-9876625076
Email: info@gurdwarajob.com /gurdwarajob@gmail.com

A school head teacher has apologized to two Sikh girls after they were ordered to remove their turbans on the first day of term. Simranjot Kaur, 13, and 11-year-old Prasimran Kaur, who aren’t related, returned to St Anne’s Catholic School in Southampton, Hampshire, wearing their traditional religious headwear.

Newly enrolled year seven student Prasimran was told to take it off shortly after walking into school, while Simranjot, who is in year nine, said a teacher spotted her coming through the gates.

Simranjot Kaur, 13, and 11-year-old Prasimran Kaur, who aren’t related, returned to St Anne’s Catholic School in Southampton, Hampshire, wearing their traditional religious headwear. Both of the girls, who are baptized Khalsa Sikhs and take the mandatory female surname Kaur, refused to remove the headwear which can be worn by both sexes in their religion.

They claim the school suggested they were wearing them for ‘fashion’ and that they should be replaced by headscarves usually worn by Muslim women.

Simranjot says she was forced to take hers off after staff began unravelling it, something which Sikhs regard as highly disrespectful, and her mother arrived at noon to take her home.

Their furious families have blasted the school for what they say are ‘discriminatory’ rules.

They claim the Southampton school suggested they were wearing them for ‘fashion’ and that they should be replaced by headscarves usually worn by Muslim women. Simranjot’s mother Sukhwinder Kaur, 38, said: ‘They are in the correct uniform the only thing different is the turban. If Muslims can wear hijabs then why can’t Sikhs wear turbans?’

Prasimran’s Jaskiran, 18, a former pupil there said: ‘It’s discriminatory. They are a Catholic school and are supposed to support equality.

At puberty an initiation ceremony called the Dastaar Bandi (wearing of the first turban) takes place and young Sikhs are allowed to join the Khalsa. There was a total lack of understanding. We need to change the school’s policy.’

However, the school has said it was a ‘misunderstanding’ and apologized to both families. In a statement, head teacher Lyn Bourne said: ‘I would like to apologise to students and parents for any offence caused by our enforcement of our uniform policy this morning.

The situation that occurred was a misunderstanding and I can confirm that both girls involved now have permission to wear a turban to school.
‘St Anne’s is an inclusive school community that respects all faiths. We are united by our shared values and do not allow ourselves to be divided by our differences.’

Southampton City Council cabinet member for communities Satvir Kaur, a former headgirl there and a practising Sikh said: ‘It hasn’t been a great first day back but I’m pleased the situation has been resolved.

Southampton has a variety of diverse communities all of which recognize the need to be valued and respected.

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

Two beautifully carved wooden doors, more than 200 years old at the Golden Temple have been removed for renovations. The old, huge gates of Darshani Deori which is entrance tothe Golden Temple have been removed to be repaired and preserved from degeneration.

The doors are being subjected to repair and preservation work for the first time since they were installed in 1800.

The two gates having a sandalwood base were installed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1800 AD and are believed to have been originally belonging to Somnath Temple near Veraval in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The gates were looted from the Somnath Temple in 12th century by Afghan traders, but later the Sikhs captured them from the Afghans and since then these historic gates have been a part of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

However the aforesaid belief has been rejected by many top Sikh religious leaders. According to them, the Darshini Deori doors were carved by a Muslim craftsman, Yaar Mohammed Khan for an order by a Sikh family of Sursingh village, who presented the doors to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Also the Golden Temple has a century old tradition that no used artifact or article can be presented to the temple.

With the sandalwood base of the doors crumbling and its silver and ivory carving and golden screws damaged with time, preservation of the doors has become a necessity. Under the hands of an expert panel the doors are undergoing repair and preservation work in a glass cabin which is open for the view of visiting devotees. The work is being further supervised by a five member committee of top Sikh religious leaders. Since these doors are sacred, preservation work will be carried out within the Golden Temple premises only. The doors will not be taken out of the complex at all. The aim is just to restore it to its former glory.

While the matter is totally religious, based on the belief that the doors originally belonged to Somnath Temple, some political and religious leaders are trying to make an issue out of the matter by proclaiming that the doors are being sent back to the Somnath Temple.

Golden Temple in Amritsar is one of the most religious places for the Sikh community and is also one of the important tourist destinations in India.

Source- Sikhnet

The Haryana government announced that manufacturing and sale of gutka, pan masala, and other similar products containing tobacco has been completely banned in the state.

Health Minister Anil Vij said that the decision had been taken in view of health of the people.

“The manufacturing, storage, distribution and sale of gutka, pan masala, flavoured or scented tobacco, kharra and other similar products containing tobacco have been completely banned. Other products containing tobacco which are available in market are also included in it,” he said.

The Food and Drugs Administration has issued notification in this regard, under which, sale and purchase of tobacco products have been prohibited for one year from September 3 in the interest of public health, Mr Vij said.

The ban also includes mix of other ingredients such as heavy metals and anti-caking agents, except to the extent of specifically permitted ingredients, silver leaf, binders, flavours, scents and fragrances.

~ Source: ndtv.com

An elderly Sikh-American man was brutally assaulted and called “terrorist” and “Bin Laden” in an apparent hate crime case in Chicago, just days before the US commemorates the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Mukker, a resident of Chicago, and a father of 2 would never have imagined his fate when he had set off for a grocery store. On his way, a fellow pulled up to his car and kept taunting him with racial slurs like “Terrorist! Go back to your country, Bin Laden!”

The Sikh stopped the car on the side to let him pass but instead, the assailant parked right in front of him and aggressively approached Mukker’s car, reported the Sikh Coalition, a community-based organisation.

The man then reached inside the car and kept placing punches on Mukkers face repeatedly, which made him bleed profusely and lose consciousness. This led to a fractured cheekbone, and a laceration onto his cheek.

Mukker was taken to a nearby hospital where he received treatment for laceration, bruising and swelling. He has 6 stitches on his face.
The suspect is now in custody.

“No American should be afraid to practice their faith in our country,” said Mukker.
“I’m thankful for the authorities’ swift response to apprehend the individual but without this being fully investigated as a hate crime, we risk ignoring the horrific pattern of intolerance, abuse and violence that Sikhs and other minority communities in this country continue to face,” he further added.

According to the community, this kind of an attack in the eve of the 9/11 displays a similar pattern.
This was definitely not the first of its kind. Last August, Sandeep Singh, a Sikh father in New York City, was run over and dragged 30 feet after being called a “terrorist.” Also, previously in 2012, a gunman walked into a Sikh house of worship and shot and killed 6 innocent Sikh victims in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

~ Source: indiatimes

With such rise in the number of hate crimes, is the world really safe for anyone?