Ranbir Kaur was the first Sikh woman to join the US armed forces in 2003. She went on a one-and-a-half-year mission to Afghanistan. She had joined the US National Guard at the age of 17.

She was born in Nijjran village of Jalandhar district, Punjab, the young fighter reached the US as a seven-year-old after her father Mahan Singh, pursuing the American dream, secured a green card in 1990.

She was brought up in an isolated town called Earlimart, in California, her brush with the uniform dates back to 2001 when she was a freshman (Grade IX) in high school at Delano, which was the closest city.

In 2003, the daughter of a Sikh grape grower who faced the ire of white supremacists, who posted spam emails terming her recruitment as a means to seek citizenship. However she was already a US citizen, and the young girl set about proving her detractors wrong through hard training.

During the 2005 Katrina hurricane in New Orleans, the devout Sikh was instrumental in the recovery of the Guru Granth Sahib after the New Orleans Gurudwara was submerged.

United Sikhs, an organisation, had sought her assistance and Ranbir got everybody moving after she announced that the living Guru of the Sikhs was under water. Amid random shootings, air force rescue experts David Cruz and Tom Bausmas rescued the Guru Granth Sahib in an operation that lasted 22 hours.

After serving in Afganistan Ranbir was reassigned to Iraq were last year she was injured. She was returned to the States for a four week recovery period. She has returned to complete her tour of duty with her unit in Iraq.

~ Source: DailySikhUpdate

Sikh Delegation raised a demand for a Sikh regiment in the US Army to recognize the contribution of Sikh soldiers during the World War II.

A meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central USA, Eileen O’Connor in Washington was held and demand was put forth to raise a separate Sikh regiment in the US Army recognizing the contribution of Sikh soldiers during the World War II under Dwight D Eisenhower who was the Commander of allied forces and later became the US president.

The delegation requested the US department of State to introduce Sikh history in Schools and sought cooperation in areas such as health care and cultural exchange programs.

“US appreciates the contribution of Sikhs and values for Sikh Religion and considering the same Sikhs have been allowed to be part of the military service with their full attire including turban and will also forward the request of setting up of Sikh regiment to the concerned authorities”, Eileen O’ Connor said to visiting delegation.

~ Source: indiatoday.intoday.in

The haveli was the residence of one Ranjit Singh’s finest general in the own town of Ranjit Singh’s birth. Today an Islamic madrassa is being run in the haveli.

There is an old Hindu temple complex at Katas, in Chakwal district of Punjab, which may probably date back to at least the 10 AD.

Katas is a very sacred place for the Hindus. It is located on a hill six kilometers from village Choa Saidan Shah of Chakwal district. The place is mentioned in the ‘Mahabharata’ and according to Hindu religious belief, both Katas and Paskar (Ajmer) are the eyes of Shiva. Paras Nath Jogi breathed his last here. The Founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Ji also visited Katas and had set his foot here. This place thus also came to be known as ‘Nanaknawas’. It was the abode of contemplation for groups of mystics, ascetics and Jogis etc.

It also has great historical significance because it was the place where the Arab traveler and historian Al-Beruni attempted to measure the circumference of Earth, and where he studied and learnt Sanskrit, and eventually wrote his renowned “Kitab-ul-Hind”. Even today groups of Hindu pilgrims come from India to visit it regularly to worship.

At Katas, is also a small fortified mansion or traditional ‘haveli’ which goes by the name of ‘Hari Singh Nalwa di Haveli’ (the Haveli/Mansion of Hari Singh Nalwa). This Hari Singh was a famous Sikh general and administrator who served as governor in Kashmir and Hazara areas during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time, and one of the bulwarks of the Sikh regime in Punjab. He died in 18 at Jamrud, in the Pashtun tribal areas, and his death was a major set back or blow to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Sikh power generally.

According to local information, this ‘haveli’ at Katas, named after Hari Singh, was probably made by this able commander sometime in the 19th century, some 10-12 years prior to his death. He also used to come and visit this holy site and stay here and it is presumed he built it for his own use as well as a sort of garrison to protect this holy site. Not much is known about this place now, local people dont seem to have much knowledge, and the government are equally clueless and disinterested. Despite being a place much-visited by Hindus, the temple complex and this fine old ‘haveli’ and other old buildings, are falling to rack and ruin.

~ Source: historyhpak.blogspot.in

Once a 17-year-old girl who was addicted to cocaine came forward and asked, “Can Guru Granth Sahib Maharaj forgive my past sins, and put me on the path in the future?”. When the Hukamnama Sahib was taken, Guru Sahib answered said:

ਪਿਛਲੇ ਅਉਗੁਣ ਬਖਸਿ ਲਏ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਗੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਪਾਵੈ ॥2॥
Please forgive my past actions, God, and place me on Your path for the future. ||2||
This can also be interpreted as: “I have forgiven your past sins, and I put you on the future.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIWTSHQozp4

On another tour when Bhai Sukha Singh was in America someone came up to him and asked, “Can Guru Granth Sahib ji talk? He said, “Let’s go to Guru Granth Sahib”. The man said, “I want to hear Guru Granth Sahib ji say that they can speak. It if doesn’t come up in the Hukamanma then think about what I’m saying”. Bhai Sukha Singh thought, “Ok my job is done, Guru ji it is up to you to take care of this from here”. The man wasn’t a bad person; he just misunderstood what the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is. He thought it is a book with some spiritual understandings.

No, Guru Granth Sahib Ji is spirituality. It is not a prophet. It is the message. It is the voice. So they did an Ardaas and received a Hukam. After the first line came up, the man put his head down. Not with shame but with sharda (belief), with satkar (respect). And it was

ਹਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਗਲਾ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਵੈ ਨਾਲਿ ਮਸਲਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਹਮਾਰੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਨਿਤ ਸਾਰਾ ॥

My conversation is with the Lord’s Name, and my counseling is with the Lord’s Name; the Lord’s Name always takes care of me.

Which can be interpreted as, “ You can speak to me. You can ask my advice. It is the Name of God that looks after me.

So when we take a Hukamnama Sahib, it’s that it’s just a random Shabad that may or may not be applicable. It is a direct message to you.

Message by Bhai Sukha Singh Ji

~ Source: Sikhnet

The Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships hosted a cultural literacy workshop focused on the Montgomery County’s Sikh Community on July 14 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Rockville Library.

The workshop was hosted by the Kaur Foundation- a nonprofit organization that helps communities through education- and was designed to increase awareness of Sikh American identity and heritage, and cultivate cultural sensitivity.

“Our goal is to bring about understanding in the community through education. Through awareness we can create change,” said Geetika Kaur, director of education and community engagement for the Kaur Foundation.

Montgomery County EEO Officer Angela Washington shared remarks on community diversity followed by an educational video and a short discussion.

“The culture diversity workshops are a really important piece of the office of community partnership. It increases the sets of awareness the global community in Montgomery County and it really gives a platform for communities who traditionally don’t have a voice,” said Diane Vu, Asian liaison and language access coordinator for the Office of Community Partnerships.

~ Source: Sikhnet

Amitoj Singh is the Junior Powerlifting National Champion in US!

“It was surreal. I worked really hard for this,” said Chhabra. “I worked really hard for this. It was a long journey. I’ve been working out since I was 14; competitively powerlifting since last May. I’ve got a lot of great people behind me, like my coach.”

He was helped by his trainer Adam Lauritzen of Silverback Strength and Conditioning to add over 100 pounds on his dead lift in the last year alone. He topped out at 573 pounds to propel him to the title.

“I’m extremely proud. It’s pretty amazing, really,” said Lauritzen. “He’s got the genetic talent, he’s got the work ethic. And that only comes along every once in a while.”

Singh won the title in the full power Raw event, a combination of three lifts. The bench press, the squat and the deadlift. He finished with 1,383 total pounds to win the Junior Championship in the 198 pound weight class.

He admitted ,”I’m not satisfied with my performance, I had to cut about 20 pounds (to make weight) and I think I could have done better, especially in the squat and the bench. Other than that, it feels great. All the hard work, it’s all paid off.”

A graduate from Galena High School has been dominating the Junior circuit for a while now. He broke four Nevada state records back in October at the Central California Open which was in the 18-19 age division. Now in 20-23 age group, he still holds those same records and currently has seven Nevada state records.

“‘He’s just going to get stronger,” said Lauritzen. “So our job now is to make sure he keeps progressing and stays healthy enough to continue going up.”

“I’d like to dominate in the open division as well. My goal is to dominate,” added Singh. “I don’t want to just focus on Junior. I want to be the best of the best.”

You appreciate your spirit & zeal towards your goals!

Share & Spread the pride of this Junior Champion!

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC (17 July 1943 – 14 December 1971) was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a PAF air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be so honoured.

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born on 17 July 1943 in the village of ISEWAL DAKHA in Ludhiana District, Punjab. He was the son of Flight Lieutenant Tarlochan Singh Sekhon. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1967 as Flying Officer.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was serving with the No. 18 Squadron, “The Flying Bullets” of IAF, flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets of 26 Sqn from PAF base Peshawar. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. As soon as the first aircraft attacked, Sekhon rolled for take-off as No 2 in a two-Gnat formation, with Flt Lt Ghumman in lead, just as the first bombs were falling on the runway. Only being delayed due to dust kicked up by the preceding Gnat, Sekhon lost no time in singling out the first Sabre pair, which was re-forming after the bombing run. The Gnat Leader, Flt Lt Ghuman, lost visual with his wingman just after take-off, remained out of the fight leaving Sekhon to handle the muddle all by himself.

In the ensuing air battle, Sekhon scored a direct hit on one Sabre[3] and set another ablaze,.The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke.

Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base. He is said to have flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted, plummeting down, probably due failure of control system. He attempted a last-minute ejection, which did not prove successful, as his canopy was seen to fly off. The wreckage of the Gnat was found in a gorge, near the road coming from Srinagar town to the base, a few miles from the base. Despite many search efforts by Army and Air Force, his corpse was never found due to the mountainous terrain of where his fighter went down, much to the disappointment of his wife and family.

A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cdre Kaiser Tufail. His skill was later also praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down. The bravery, flying skill and determination displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon, against odds of 1:6, earned him India’s highest wartime medal for gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra.
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in Punjab.

A marine tanker built in 1985 was named Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC.

Source- Wikipedia

Envisaging the vision of great gurus and to conform to the principle of education with equity set by the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru sahib, Akal Academy Kajri yet in another move towards sensitizing and mobilizing the community about the need of Girl Education at par with boys, organized Inter House Skit Competition on 11 July ,2015.The competition was held by Atul House.

All the Houses of the schools gave their performance dramatizing the importance and the need for girl education in society. To begin with Abhai House participants presented their skit, ‘Betian Ghar Ki Shaan “.This was followed by Amul House performance,”Beti Hai Anmol”. The Skit dramatized the changing minds of people about girl education. The participants playing the roles of grandfather, grandmother moved the audience to applause. Atul House in its performance, ‘Beti Ki Seekh’was praise worthy.

The Principal Mrs Simran Kaur Thind in her words asked the girls to work hard and prove their mettle in all walks of life. She motivated the children to spread the message of gender equality in their community. Mr Ashok Singh Guleria,(Senior Academic Coordinator) Housemasters Mr. Vatanpreet (Abhai) Mrs Kanchan Mishra (Amul), Ms Anshul Bhardwaj (Atul), Mr. Phillip Xavier (Library Head), Mr Vijapal Singh (HOD Science) were present among huge assembly of children and visitors. Mrs. Rajinder Kaur read a poem on Girl Education. Mrs. Kanak Tripathi concluded the programme with an emotional message.

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

“Although I was born and raised in a Sikh family, I only started keeping my kes (hair) about a year ago. Appearance wise, yes it was a big change, however the decision to do so seemed natural and effortless.

I’m not someone who has been to a lot of Sikh camps or events growing up. When I was much younger I was enrolled in classes at the Gurudwara for just a couple of years where we learned about Sikh history, Gurmukhi script etc. Unfortunately, the active effort to continue had faded and just like everything else, the only way you get better at something is by regular and consistent practice.

A few years ago, my dad started to tie a dastaar again. Witnessing my dad make this change had a big impact on me. Many people have different views on whether or not it is possible to call yourself a Sikh if you do not wear a turban and keep your hair, and I want to make it clear that I’m not here to argue that at all. I realized that my dad’s decision to once again carry himself with the Sikh identity was done with the intent to go back to his roots and more importantly, practice the Sikh teachings and values in everyday life. Seeing his transformation of becoming a sardar strengthened my faith and reverence for Sikhi.

After I attended Sidak last summer, a 2 week leadership program, I found myself having a much better understanding of Sikh history and could also relate much more with my dad’s decision. It inspired me to follow his footsteps and do the same. Listening to my inner voice, and in the spirit of Chardi Kala, I put on the crown.” – Divij Singh

Source- Portrait of Sikh

Along with being a devoted Sikh, an immigrant from Punjab, and a dentist, he is also serving the U.S. military and has been since 2010. He decided to join the military as a means of giving back to the community and the U.S. while keeping up the traditions of Sikhism.

Captain Rattan began his service as an Army dentist in Fort Drum after graduating from Fort Sam Houston. He graduated with an exemption from a uniform policy that has prevented Sikhs from enlisting since 1984. Captain Rattan was deployed to Afghanistan from March 2011 to October 2011 and served in the Southern part of the country at the Forward Operating Base.

Ever since his deployment to Afghanistan, Captain Rattan has been climbing the ranks in the U.S. Army. Firstly, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Navy Medal in honor of his superior service to the U.S. in Afghanistan. Recently, Captain Rattan was awarded the prestigious MSM (Meritorious Service Medal) for his exceptional service.

In addition to receiving the MSM, we are very proud to announce that Captain Rattan has been selected for a promotion from Captain to Major.

Congratulations, Captain Rattan! The entire Sikh community is proud of your service and you will always be an inspiration–not only for our fellow Sikhs who wish to join the military in the future, but for all Sikhs.

~ Source – Portrait of Sikhs