Mehar Kaur Sahota, an 11-year-old 5th Grade student at Khalsa School Surrey won the National Spelling Bee of Canada in her age group.

Children from across Canada took part in the spelling bee championship that took place in Toronto Ontario on May 3rd, 2015.

In addition to Mehar Kaur winning the Junior age group, Prabhleen Kaur Sandhu also a student from Khalsa School Surrey placed 3rd in the Intermediate age group.

The students travelled to Toronto with their parents along with Khalsa School teachers Ms. Morrison and Mrs. Jaswal, and Mrs. Baga the school Principal. This was the second time Khalsa School Surrey students have competed in the National Spelling Bee Championship.

~ Source: Sikh24.com

Nepal is still reeling from the earthquake that devastated the historical country on 25 April, killing more than 7,800 and displacing thousands more. Two weeks after the earthquake occurred, Nepali families who live in remote villages are still not receiving the aid which they should be.

United Sikhs has taken the lead in shouldering the responsibility of getting Nepal back on its feet.

UNITED SIKHS team first to set up over 4 main medical camps and reaches many villagers in Sindhupal Chok area in Nepal.

Medical assistance provided to 1000 people in a week. Type of injuries their doctors and medical team have been attending to extended from trauma shortness of breath, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, acute gastroenteritis, health concerns for pregnant women, fever, upper respiratory tract infections, joint pains, allergies, oral ulcers, anxiety disorders.

Most of the patients were seeing a medical practitioner for the first time in their life.

Temporary school have been set up by UNITED SIKHS team members in Chaturale so classes can resume for kids
Total of 4 medical camps were set up within a week and over a thousand provided with medical assistance, The First medical camp was set up in Bhimatra in Sindhupal Chok area almost 120 km from Kathmandu. The team had to walk 10 km on foot to reach this village. Around 80 patients were provided medical aid there.

Multiple medical camps held around the Raviholi area with the team visiting 6 villages, walking for kilometers to reach the community and setting up equipment on rough terrain to attend to the patients. Nearly 200 patients have been provided with medical assistance in this area.

Third camp was set up in village Jalberi, almost 170 km from Kathmandu. 95% of homes here are destroyed and our medical team provided assistance to 400 patients here. People walked for 2 hours to seek medical attention from our doctors and this was the first time many of them had consulted with a medical practitioner.

Over 500 treated at our last camp in Chaturale. This place has been impacted most by water borne diseases as the water line was destroyed with the earthquake leaving the locals with insufficient water supply.

Nepal Relief Project Lead Komal Singh said: “Even though getting to these remote areas was a challenge, once we arrived here we were surrounded by the most honest people. We are thankful to the local people of the village who cooked food for us even when they didn’t have their homes, and they still took the time to feed us. They fixed tents with us and helped our team with translations as the local people only speak Nepalese.”

Even though the team has been faced with many challenges along the way – car breaking down on the rough terrain, compromising their own safety and health to serve the community of Nepal, they stood strong on the principles of Guru Nanak and RECOGNIZE THE HUMAN RACE AS ONE.

They hope to have your continued support to enable them to further carry their relief work and reach out to many others who are living in these secluded areas where their teams has been the first to arrive.

We appreciate their zeal to walk on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Path & continue their journey of uplifting souls spiritually, physically & mentally!

Never underestimate the difference YOU can make in the lives of others. Step forward, reach out and help. This is our seva, all of us together, wherever we are in the world. We have the ability to uplift people and communities around the world. And at this moment in time, Nepal needs all of us.

~ Source: United Sikhs

Nagar Kirtan of sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sahib last night under surveillance of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee and Punjab Government. The local Sikh sangat warmly welcomed the Nagar Kirtan on the way.

Sikh Devotees from nearby villages reached Sri Damdama Sahib to have glimpse of rare weapons and clothes of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Elephants of Budha Dal and Army Band were centre of attraction for the devotees. Thousand of Sikh devotees attended this divine Nagar Kirtan.

It is notable that these sacred relics were provided to the SGPC in Patiala by Riasat authorities under patronage of Punjab Government.

This journey will provide the opportunity to local Sikh devotees to have glimpse of relics for two days. The Nagar Kirtan will leave for Sri Mukatsar Sahib after spending two days in Talwandi Sabo.

Singh Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh, Jagpal Singh (Manager, Takht Sahib), Dr. Basant Garg (Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda), SDM Vinet Kumar, Tehsildar of Talwandi Sabo, DSP Malkit Singh Bhatti, Inspector Gursher Singh etc. warmly welcomed the Nagar Kirtan on its arrival at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib.

– Source: Sikh24.com

Young Delhi runner Beant Singh won a gold each in boy’s 800m as India bagged three medals on the second day of the Asian Youth Athletics Championships here.

16-year-old Singh was in a class of his own in the two-lap event and strode to a comfortable victory, clocking 1.52.26, among fastest times in the world this year in the youth category. He ran an excellent 54 sec first lap and won the race with a big lead from start to finish at the Qatar Sports Club stadium.

He ran an excellent 54 sec first lap and won the race with a big lead from start to finish at the Qatar Sports Club stadium.
An ecstatic Singh revealed that wrestling was his initial love and he switched to athletics just a few years ago.

“I was feeling really good for this race and I have been preparing really well for this competition, so to win is a great satisfaction,” he said.

“I have only been in athletics for a short time, two or three years. I was a wrestler before and I was picked for a national team camp by Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. It was at this moment that I noticed I had a talent for middle distance running and I was encouraged to switch to athletics. Sushil remains a very big inspiration for me,” he added.

Beant had won a silver in the National Open Athletics Championships last year at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, his first senior national medal, in 800m with a time of 1:51:08 which was a new national record in the youth category.

“Next stop for me is the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali. I have set big expectations. I want to beat the Indian national record there. I know I can run under 1:50. I have done it in training and I aim to run it at the championships,” he said.

Source- HindustanTimes

Kudos to the upcoming Milkha Singh!

“When I decided to keep my hair uncut, I don’t think I realized the true impact of Sikhi on my life. It was after I decided to start tying turban in 12th grade that I noticed the difference in the way people looked at me, or how everyone stared just a few seconds longer at me than they would at my other friends.

Definitely, the first few months, I was very self-conscious and even a bit apprehensive as to whether my decision had been right or not. This is not to say that people who do not tie turbans are any less Sikh than me; in fact, I know many non-turbaned people who are contributing to the Sikh community and they face many difficulties as well.
Personally, tying a turban was one of the best but also difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make; it’s a lifelong commitment with no looking back, at least for me. I slowly became more confident about my image; the turban gave people a reason to come talk to me and ask questions about Sikhism.

This made me feel as if my decision to tie a turban was 100% positive and that it gave me a significant identity, allowing me to educate others about the Sikh faith. My advice to other Sikh women and men as well, is to remember that those extra stares are not actually hostile glares, but are actually just questioning minds who are curious.

Do not get defensive about questions relating to long hair, turbans because when people ask questions, they are actually interested in being educated. Also, never feel like you know everything there is about Sikhism, because that will surely cause you trouble along the way.

Try to educate people with the knowledge you have, and educated yourself about Sikhism as much as you can. Also try to educate yourself about other cultures, faiths and religions to become more informed and better equipped to have actual intellectual discussions. Let’s just embrace and respect each other with open arms while retaining our own identity as Sikhs.”

~ Anonymous
~ Source: facebook.com/PortraitsofSikhs

This is a springtime Raag to be recited in the morning hours.
This Raag is associated with the yogis….
Sidh Gosht is composed in this Raag by Guru Nanak.

Guru Nanak Dev ji says

Ang 840 He alone is a yogi who realizes the word of the guru’s shabad
Ang 878 He alone is a Sidha (a seeker) who meditates on the one perfect Lord.

So this is a scene of a sunrise in the mountains with the snow clad peaks in the distance.
In the foreground the Yogis have gathered together as if to receive the Gur Gyan.
There is no physical appearance of Guru Nanak in the painting.
The rays of the rising sun are the “Gur Gyan” that is Guru Nanak.
Metaphorically the Sun represents Guru Nanak.

~ Dr. Navjeet Kaur

The ideal season to recite the raag is in the winter time.

Guru Arjan Dev ji says,
Ang 868 ….Meeting with the true Guru and singing the Lord’s praises I have found an incomprehensible treasure.

So for this painting the inspiration is from nature once again.
The seashell holds its precious pearl within it.
Realizing that each of us has a precious and divine treasure within.
This realization IS the true blessing.

~ Dr. Navjeet Kaur

Sikhs have to explain to American people what the turban means because that is the immediate source of their identification, according to the author of a new report on Sikhs in America presented to US lawmakers.

“Sikhs have to explain what it symbolizes and what values it represents,” said Geoff Garin, former political strategist for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton presenting the key findings of the report at a briefing arranged by the National Sikh Campaign (NSC).

“This will have a very powerful impact on the broader American public,” he said. “The study shows that when people see Sikhs on the streets anywhere, people are very confused about what Sikh faith is and that confusion leads to tragic consequences,” said Gari

“They also feel that they will not have very much in common with Sikhs.”

Garin, whose current clients include the World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Harvard University, heads the Hart Research Associates, one of the leading survey firms in the US.

The firm conducted a six-month long nationwide polling and focus group study to understand how Sikhs are perceived in America and what strategies would be helpful to change perceptions.

The report lists specific messaging techniques which Sikhs could use in their media strategies resonating with American public. Garin said the survey showed that 6 out 10 Americans acknowledge that they know nothing at all about Sikhs and Sikhism.”

“Better educated Americans are likely to come in contact with Sikhs,” he said. “Younger Americans are likely to have some information about Sikhs.”Judy Chu, founder and vice chair of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, called it “a very significant report about the American perceptions of the Sikh community.”

John Garamendi, co-chair of the Sikh Caucus, said, “It’s extremely important that the people of the United States and beyond learn and understand the multiple cultures that we have in the United States.”

Dr. Rajwant Singh, senior advisor to NSC, said the NSC plans to start a media ad campaign based specifically on this study and the various intricate details input collected from common Americans.

~ Source: ibnlive.in.com

“Finally, we that live on can never forget those comrades who in giving their lives gave so much that is good to the story of the Sikh Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice, may they rest in peace. In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith.” – General Sir Frank Messervy KCSI, KBE, CB, DSO

We all thank you Major Kamal S. Kalsi for preparing these young men and women to represent Sikhs from both Wars.

~ Source: facebook.com/PortraitsofSikhs

The Sikh community in Singapore has raised S$20,000 so far for the relief efforts in quake-hit Nepal, the Coordinating Council of Sikh Institutions (CCSI) said in a media release on Wednesday (May 6).

“The contribution collected by various gurdwaras (places of worship) comes with even more poignancy in light of reports citing damage and destruction of numerous cultural heritage sites, many which are centuries old, in the Kathmandu Valley,” CCSI said. It noted that priests, whose temple complexes had crumbled in the earthquake, are among those left homeless.

The funds collected have been passed on to Mercy Relief, which has already deployed medical and response teams to Nepal.

However, CCSI said more donations are welcome. “The Sikh community is prepared to donate more and indeed, the donation drive is continuing, so we will go on providing help to the best of our abilities, and share what we have with the victims of this catastrophic disaster,” said CCSI chairman Gurcharan Singh Kesail.

– Source: CNA/hs