Art has been a passion for Navi since youth. As a child Navjeet (Navi) learned to express herself through paint at the prestigious SG Thakur Singh School of Fine Arts in Amritsar, India. After a pause of three decades for motherhood and career, her brushes beckoned once again. So for the last fifteen years Navi has honed her artistic skills at the Woodmere, Cheltenham as well as the Abington Art Centers.

Navi’s first exhibit titled “My Sikh Heritage” was based on the parables of the Sikh Gurus. In 2006 she was invited to exhibit this collection. The series was on show at the Elkins Park Public Library near Philadelphia. It was well received and written up in the local paper as well as art press. For two months, the public was invited to view and discuss these pieces of art, and to learn about Sikhism at two special events held in the library.

Her present series is inspired by the Raagas of the Sri Guru Granth Sahb ji. This is a collection of 31 paintings each representing one Raag of the SGGS ji. Navi says “it has been an eight year journey into my faith, to try to find greater meaning for myself, to feel within and then express with paints”. Navi added “this process has been a very dynamic one …one that has continued to evolve along the way. In some ways it feels as if this journey has only just begun”. She noted that she shares these works “with a great sense of humility as well as gratitude to the Guru”,

Navi shared some thoughts about the making of this series: The medium used is water mixable oil paints. There is no physical appearance of the Gurus as a mark of her respect. In each painting the effort was to depict what moved her about the Raag, whether it was a group of Shabads or a line from a Shabad …a message received. In addition, while composing these paintings, attention was given to the ideal time of day or season for reciting each Raag or any particular association of the raag. There is no recurring pattern that flows through the series, each piece is unique unto itself.

Over the last many years Navi has given of herself through her art to several charities including The Epilepsy Foundation, The Red Cross, Philadelphia Children’s Hospital and Habitat for Humanity.madditionally, for two years her paintings were selected to be the annual holiday cards/fundraiser for The Committee to end Homelessness in Philadelphia. Navi says, “I feel very gratified to be able to give of myself in this way, and while the art work donated over the years in these auctions was not related to the Sikh faith, it was deeply linked to the Sikh spirit of “Sewa”. Her goal is to spread awareness of the rich Sikh heritage and continue to express herself through the medium of art….as is willed by the Divine.

~ Navjeet (Navi)

[button color=”color” size=”medium” url=”http://barusahib.org/general/series-paintings-raagas-i-inspired-raagas-sggs/” icon=”picture” iconcolor=”white” ] Watch the Series of Paintings Here [/button]

Hola Mahalla begins on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar. One of the organisers, Simran Singh, said: “The festival dates back to the 1700s. This is the first time we’ve ever held this event at Guru Nanak Gurdwara.

“We had a few hundred people come along to celebrate throughout the day. There was something for the kids and something for the adults. “It’s a chance for everyone to get together and learn more about Sikhism.”At the event there were also poetry readings and music from children. The weekend celebration attracted people from Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, with up to 400 guests coming along. Mr Singh continued: “Everyone here helping to run the event has given their time up for free.

“The younger members of the management committee helped to organise it. We’re hoping it will become an annual event in future. It is the first time we have done it. “We had Sikhs from most of the surrounding areas; Walsall, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. We were really lucky with the weather.”

A range of vegetarian foods were available during the event, while there was also an ice cream van. During Hola Mohalla, which stands for ‘mock fight’, processions are organised, accompanied by war-drums and standard-bearers.

The custom originated in the time of Guru Gobind Singh, who held the first such mock fight event at Anandpur in India in February 1701. The popularity can be judged from the fact that out of five Sikh public holidays requested by the Khalsa Diwan, of Lahore in 1889, the Government approved only two – Hola Mahalla and the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. Hola Mahalla is presently the biggest festival at Anandpur.

This annual festival in Punjab is now replicated at other Gurdwaras worldwide. It reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness, concepts dear to the Tenth Guru who was at that time defending the Sikhs from the attacks of the Mughal empire and the hill kings. On April 5, the Sikh community in Willenhall will be celebrating Vaisakhi with a procession from Wednesfield to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara. Thousands of people usually take part and they will be setting off from 10am. The celebrations will continue until 2pm. Mr Singh added: “That day the community will be coming together from all walks of life. Sikhism is for all people. ”Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival and marks the creation of the Khalsa Order and making of Saint-Solider by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

~ Source: expressandstar.com

Anandgarh Fort was also known as fort of bliss. Anandgarh is one from five Kilas Built By Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji for the protection of sikhs from Hill rulers. In Gurdwara Sahib also there is Sacred Baoli Sahib. It is situated in the middle of Shri Anandpur Sahib on another spur, about 800 metres southeast of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

Guru Gobind Singh spent 25 years at Anandpur Sahib. To protect the Sikhs from the hill Rajas or Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh began the construction of five defensive forts all around the town. Keshgarh at the center (now a Takht), Anandgarh (fort of bliss), Lohgarh (fort of steel), Holgarh (fort of colour) and Fatehgarh (fort of victory). All the forts were joined together with earthworks and underground tunnels. The construction began in 1689 and took over ten years to complete.

The neighboring hill Rajas and their Mughal allies became increasingly hostile towards the success of the Sikh community and their associates thriving in their midst in this region. Seeing the need to protect Anandpur from its hostile neighbors the Guru ordered the construction of a series of defensive forts.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

~ Source: Sikhiwiki

Sikhs around the world would be taking pledge to protect the environment and follow the principle of “Pawan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat” as enshrined in Gurbani aiming to create awareness about nature conservation. Guru Har Rai is remembered in Sikh history for his deep sensitivity to nature and its preservation. Today is also the Gurgaddi Diwas (enthronement day) of Guru Har Rai ji, the 7th Guru of the Sikh who became Guru in 1644: he was a great humanitarian who inspired Sikhs to preserve nature and promote the well-being of animals.

“It’s our moral duty to protect mother nature from the pollutants and not to let anyone plunder the natural resources, besides we should teach others to do the same,” said Baba Sewa Singh Karsewawale and an environmentalist. He said every Sikh should take the initiative to keep surroundings clean and green.

Notably, all the five Sikh Takhts had in March 2013 endorsed and passed a resolution that Gurgaddi Diwas (coronation day) of the seventh Sikh Guru Har Rai should be celebrated as Sikh Environment Day every year, especially “in light of the rising global environmental crisis.”

On Sikh Environment Day, hundreds of Gurdwaras across India, United States, Canada, England and Australia would take part in celebrations by reciting Shabads focused on the environment, holding ceremonial tree plantings and encouraging children to share reflections on the environment and Sikhism with the Sangat.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

~ Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

After eight years at Google developing products like Google News and launching new phones while an exec at Motorola, Punit Singh is moving to India to be the chief product officer at e-commerce company Flipkart.
As e-commerce explodes in India, Flipkart is its largest online marketplace in terms of sales. It has 33,000 employees, and 10 million daily visits.

But, it has some big competitors too. Local startup Snapdeal is close behind it, and another giant company is trying to move in fast, too: Amazon.

Amazon and Flipkart have an interesting history: Flipkart’s founders actually both worked at Amazon before leaving in 2007. Amazon opened its official India website in June 2014. The next month, Flipkart raised a mammoth $1 billion funding round. Exactly one day later, Amazon said it planned to pour $2 billion into its Indian operations.

“You can throw a lot of money at something – and in areas like e-commerce where on-the-ground infrastructure matters, throwing money is absolutely going to help,” he says. “But I’d be more nervous if somebody had assembled a team of 100 world-class people who were building five or six new world-class ideas, that when I heard of, I thought, ‘Oh my god, I’ve never thought of that. That’s amazing.'”

He’s not worried about that from Amazon. “That’s the kind of work that I think we do,” he adds.

Singh believes that one of Amazon’s biggest disadvantages in India comes straight from its core. Amazon was built in a “desktop era” where people bought stuff online using their computers. In India, 70-80% of online transactions could come from mobile by 2017.

“The inherent being of the company can’t just change – it’s very hard for it just to suddenly become mobile-centric,” he says. “Of course, I have to understand everything Amazon has done well and then make sure that we are always lapping them. But, more than that, we have to focus on things that Flipkart has that are unique to Flipkart, like understanding what the best mobile experience should be.”

He also believes that Flipkart has a unique view on ways to make shopping a more social experience and plans on building out new ways for buyers and sellers to communicate in real time (Flipkart only sells products through third-parties).

“It’s about understanding where the future is going to be,” Singh says.

“The significance of mobile is much higher in India than anywhere else as most of first time internet users will come on the mobile,” Agarwal told India Times last fall. “The mobile will be the first point of contact for customers here.”

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

~ Source: www.ibtimes.com

Sikhs gather in the town of Anandpur Sahib during Hola Mohalla, where some show off their martial prowess. Pictures of fire-breathers who performed during Hola Mohalla celebrations in Anandpur Sahib, were breathtaking. It seemed as if they were literally walking up and putting flammable liquid down in their mouths. Thousands upon thousands of Sikhs flock to the area to celebrate Hola Mohalla.

The devotion & faith dragged the devotees who came to pay obeisance to the Sikh Shrine. Manjot Singh, a 6-year-old training to be a Nihang, has been practicing archery for about two years. “From what I’ve been told, it takes them 15 years to become a full Nihang,” said Daniel Berehulak, who photographed Hola Mohalla celebrations in the town of Anandpur Sahib.

~ Source: New Your Times

Muktsar , literally, means the Pool of Liberation.

Sri Muktsar Sahib has a proud heritage. It is known as the last battlefield of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in 1705 A.D., which proved to be a most decisive conflict in the military history of the Sikhs. Sri Muktsar Sahib is a city and a municipal council in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in Punjab, India. Its historical/old name was Khidrāna.

The “Chalie Muktey” forty Sikh warriors fought to death here against the Mughals under the leadership of Guru Ji. After the war, the city was renamed as Muktsar in their memory and recently the government has renamed it as Sri Muktsar Sahib due to its religious as well as historical importance. Being a historical heritage, the city has many historical sites, mainly Gurudwaras like Gurudwara Tutti Gandhi Sahib|Sri Darbar Sahib, Gurudwara Tambu Sahib, Gurudwara Taran Taran Sahib, Gurudwara Tibbi Sahib (at the battlefield).

A few years ago, a new monument was built in the shape of Khanda Sahib, near DC office, in the memory of the forty martyrs.

~ Source: Wikipedia

Craigieburn Gurdwara Australia & Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento set an exemplary by raising funds for Education!

Craigieburn Gurdwara, Melbourne, Australia & Gurdwara Sahib West Sacramento, California, USA set an Exemplary by raising funds for out of school kids & also for Akal University- Guru Ki Kashi. This benevolent act might be one of the first historic remarkable unique things to happen in the Giving world. Many a Gurdwara Committees might be inspired to walk this path after these Gurdwaras have set this example.

We sincerely appreciate the generosity of these Gurdwara Committees in gifting Out of School Kids an opportunity to turn their dreams into Vision. A Vision for a Brighter Future ahead. Their generosity will help them living a dignified life elevated through the platform of value-based Education. These students will be nurtured in the best of Sikhi environments, wherein they will be able to explore the best of their potentials.

A man’s true wealth is the good he does in the world. For these acts go all the way, right up to their last breath. By sponsoring the education of Rural needy kids they share their pious contribution in building a strong edifice for Rural Empowerment & Social Welfare.

‘Share’ & ‘Inspire’!

~ Tapasleen kaur
~ New Delhi, 9th Mar ’15

Researching about ways to improve our own health and fitness, we thought who better to interview for our monthly feature of The Spotlight other than Beant Kaur aka KaurStrength.

She has truly inpsired me to look after my own health, body and general well-being. Last year, I started training and ran my first 5K race for Cancer Research. My target was to complete the race in under 30 minutes but towards the end, I started to lose momentum and slowed down. I needed motivation and it came in the form of KaurStrength and having to remind myself how she constantly pushes her boundaries. Suddenly out of nowhere came this sudden rush of adrenaline and I was on my way again having completed the race in 35 minutes.

KaurStrength offered to be a part of The Spotlight to share her story and unleash the power of the core!

1. Tell us about yourself and the story behind KaurStrength?

My name is Beant Kaur and I am from Vancouver, Canada. I’m a fitness enthusiast and I started Kaur Strength as a way to share my journey in health and fitness. I noticed there was a lack of a female presence in health and fitness within the Sikh community and thought that by starting Kaur Strength I could encourage and help fellow Kaurs around the world with their health and fitness goals. With my passion for health and fitness I decided to put myself “out there” and see where the universe would take. My Instagram page is a natural extension of myself and I hope to use this platform to speak my mind, share my insights and thoughts pertaining to holistic health and benefits of daily exercise.

2. Have you always been into health and fitness and if not, what was the turning point for you?

I have been into health and fitness for as long as I can remember. I would always be playing outside as a child with my brothers or other kids on the street. I took a liking to basketball and played throughout elementary and high school on the school teams. I started focusing on taking my fitness to the next level a few years ago and I am continuing to work on it. With my dedication and discipline, I know I will progress and continue to break boundaries and take my mind, body, and soul to the next level.

3. What were you doing before you started Kaur Strength?

Before I started Kaur Strength I was training at a local Muay Thai gym, lifting weights and trying to improve in all areas of fitness. I was and currently am working as an auditor – finished my BBA degree and almost completed my CA Designation. (Yes- quite surprising that I have a business and accounting background!)

4. What challenges/obstacles do you face on a day-to-day basis in training?

With my job as an auditor, I am required to travel around BC to different cities for weeks at a time. Sometimes the hotel I am staying at does not have an adequate gym facility in which case I have to improvise to get my workout in. Also traveling to small rural towns I sometimes do not get the proper food I need to fit my diet. Despite the fact that I have to travel quite a bit for my job, I will still workout everyday at my hotel and will try my best to source out the best food. I sometimes also pack training equipment and food in my suitcase which I will use throughout the week. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

5. How do you like to unwind after a long day of workouts?

After training I like to stretch, shower (of course haha) and then have a protein shake, eat some clean food and read a good book.

6. What’s your motto (or the alternative way we often like to ask this question is, ‘If you had to, what would you get tattooed on your forehead?!)

“Meditate. Train. Evolve. “- this is the mantra. As Sikhs we are meant to become the best and strongest version of ourselves in every aspect of life. (spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally). If we are not mediating, training and evolving in all aspects of life then we are truly missing out on the essence of this life. Our bodies are intelligent and amazing machines, and I truly believe everything can be found within.

7. What advice would you give to fellow Kaurs (or anyone else!) that finds it difficult to incorporate health and fitness into their life (especially as we live in a fast paced society)?

“Unless you love the body and unless you understand the body, you cannot grow spiritually. The body is the temple of your soul.”-Osho. You will often see me refer to training as my “meditation”. I feel an inner transformation and mental transcendence each time I train. When I train I do not think of anything else except for the task at hand. Its impossible to think of other things while you are deadlifting 100KG or squatting 80 KG. The mental focus required to lift heavy weight and do things your body has not done before along with the inner and outer transformation is what keeps me coming back again and again. The shaheeds and martyrs in our history gave up their lives so we could be here today. They did not intend for us to be lazy and average human being. We are meant to be elite warriors and truly experience this body in its entirety. We cannot do this unless we train our bodies! If we do not have our health then we have nothing. Put your health and fitness as a priority in your life and you will see the positive changes occurring in all aspects of your life. You will be a happier, healthier, and stronger version of you!

8. In your experience, what are the highs and lows since you started Kaur Strength?

The highs of Kaur Strength are when I receive emails and messages from fellow kaurs/singhs telling me how I have encouraged them to start training and how they are so happy to see a Sikh woman training hard. When I was in the UK and India, people constantly come up to me in random places to tell me they follow me on Instagram and are inspired by my journey. Though I feel like I still have a long way to go in terms of reaching my goals and being on an elite level of fitness, I am still humbled by the amount of love people have shown me throughout the year! Another highlight of Kaur Strength was when I was in the UK a few weeks ago I was asked by the local Sikh Coventry community to hold a fitness camp for Kaurs. I took the opportunity immediately and held the first official Kaur Strength Fit Camp in Coventry in February 2015! The turnout was amazing and I had an amazing experience helping the Kaurs and coaching them through their workout. My husband said I was a natural considering it was my first fitness camp! This had always been a goal for me as I dream of holding fitness camps around the world and getting the Sikh Community healthy and strong, one city at a time! ?

Another highlight for Kaur Strength was when my husband and I went to Phuket, Thailand earlier this year in January 2015 and trained with elite level athletes and Muay Thai champions every day for a month!

9. What/who keeps you driven/motivated?

I have to thank Akaal Purakh for giving me such an amazing husband. He has been my rock and strongest supporter during my ups and downs. During hard times and when I feel like giving up or do not feel like working out, he will always be there motivating me and bring out the best in me. Kaur Strength would not have begun or grown as much as it has if it wasn’t for my amazing husband. We work out together, read and grow together and he is truly my inspiration and pushes me to become the best version of myself.

10. What’s on your music playlist when you are training? (or in general the kind of music you listen to on a day-to-day basis)

SticMan and Dead Prez- he has an awesome workout album with tracks about health and fitness. I find these motivating and like to hear them when I go hard in my training. I also listen to Dubtician- The Dub Simran Experience. He is a Sikh artist from London who is extremely talented and his new album is the perfect hybrid between meditation with a modern upbeat twist! I also absolutely LOVE listening to kirtan from Bhai Balbir Singh Hazoori Raagi and Bhai Baljeet singh and Bhai Gurmeet Singh. Their kirtan is sublime and I usually like to listen to their kirtan during yoga sessions and in my car.

12. What’s been your greatest struggle, and how do you generally overcome negative emotions?

Though this may be hard to believe but it is a struggle balancing training with work and everyday married life! However, despite that, I will always make time for training everyday (or 5-6 times per week). I usually have to prepare my meals the night before and pack my gym clothes and take them with me to work. I will generally go straight to train after work no matter how badly I want to go home and see my husband I have built that discipline to go train first and relax later. Negative emotions are overcome by discipline and by forming a habit. I have reached the point that whether my mind feels like training or not, my body just needs it, its basically an addiction.

13. Being female and in the fitness arena, have you received any negativity or criticism from anyone and if so, how have you tackled it?

Overall I have received positivity from just about everyone I have met and talked to whether it be in person or online. There have been a few cases of negativity I have received but I just ignore it and literally use it to add fuel to the burning fire inside of me which no hater or criticiser can put out. Lions do not lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.

15. Who/what inspires you? (In life generally, and/or your field of work)

Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mai Bhago (to name a few), inspire me. When I see the glory of the great warriors that were Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mai Bhago it truly motivates me to continue to train hard and not give up. I am also motivated by many others in the fitness community, whether it be my fellow Sikh Brothers and sisters, I am always inspired by anyone who is giving it their 100% into training and also giving it their 100% in other aspects of life as well. It takes a lot of time, confidence, countless failures, and perseverance to achieve greatness- anyone who is on this journey is an inspiration!

16. What else can we expect from Kaur Strength in the future?

Kaur Strength will be coming to a community near you! I am in the planning stages of many different avenues I would like to take Kaur Strength into and will be launching my website shortly. From world-wide fitness camps to coaching, I will have all the tools and resources to help Kaurs get healthy and fit! I also plan on making another trip to Thailand within a year to train and take my fitness and Muay Thai to the next level. Stay tuned my fellow Kaurs, as I would like to help each and every one of you achieve your fitness goals and help you become the strongest version of yourselves!

~ Source: thetwindividualdiaries.com