The US president Barack Obama has appointed Indian-American CEO Ajay Banga as a new member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Ajaypal Singh Banga is a President and CEO as well as a Board member of MasterCard for more than four years now.
Ajay is also the chairman of the US Indian Business Council (USIBC). He has been regular at White House receptions featuring Indian leaders and was a part of the delegation to India during Obama’s visit to India.

Chairman of the US-India Business Council, has been appointed as the member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the White House said. The announcement came along with several other appointments to key administration posts.

“The talent and expertise these individuals bring to their roles will serve our nation well. I am grateful for their service, and look forward to working with them,” Obama.

Mr Singh, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, is president and CEO of MasterCard, a position he has held since 2009. Prior to joining MasterCard, he held various senior management roles with Citigroup from 1996 until his departure in 2009, he served as CEO of Citigroup Asia Pacific. He served as Director for Marketing and Business Development at PepsiCo Restaurants International India from 1994 to 1996. He began his career at Nestle India, where he served in various sales and management roles from 1981 to 1994. He is a member of the Board of Directors of MasterCard and The Dow Chemical Company. He received a BA degree from Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College.

We are Proud of you Achievements Mr. Singh!

~ Source: articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom visited Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, in the West Midlands in recognition of the contributions of Sikhs; who have an estimated population of between 600,000 and 750,000 in the UK, and haven made an “immense contribution” to the country according to the PM at last years Vaisakhi reception at 10 Downing Street.

The Prime Minister was greeted by members of the committee. He then joined the sangat in the darbar hall as the first part of his guided tour of the gurdwara, before making his way down to the langar hall and kitchen; greeting those doing sewa, and trying to make roti. Cameron then made his way to the reception hall in the basement to conclude his tour, where he took photos with the committee and Sangat, he also spoke of the admiration he had of his trip to Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, and stated that it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places he had ever visited.

The PM commented on the hospitable manner of the Sangat and the British Sikh community as a whole, he then conducted a brief interview with Sikh Channel outside the Gurdwara before leaving.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said “I congratulate the federation for all the hard work it has done to increase awareness and importance of social and political activism within the Sikh community.”

David Cameron has showed great admiration of the British Sikh community over recent years!

~ Source: www.leamingtonobserver.co.uk

Nihangs, the last guardians of the Sikh martial spirit, roam freely across the Punjab (western state of India). Their nomadic lifestyle is dedicated to praying the almighty and practicing the Sikh martial arts. They maintain these traditions from the time of the 10th Sikh Guru, who left this world in 1708 AD.

“Where the Khalsa (Sikh Army) had set camp the war drums were being beaten and battle standards were raised. He arrived at where the Singhs were based. Ahead he could see where the Singhs were congregating. The musicians sung the Gurus hymns while others read the scriptures. Some were grounding sukha (cannabis) and others were preparing mahaparshad (meat). Some Singhs were cleaning and sharpening their weapons. Some trained in archery while other did target practise with their muskets. The Singhs massaged each other while others fanned the congregation. Some set off far to fetch water for the Singhs to bathe in…Running around the Singhs served one another”. (Prachin Panth Parkash)

Each year, during the spring festival of Holla Mohalla, the Nihangs still come together at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) from all corners. It is their time to show the world their dedication to the ancient martial traditions of the Sikhs.

In creating this series of “Guns of Nihangs”, I broke the barrier by striking dialogue with them. Having demonstrated my intent, I was able to partner in making them pose with their Guns around their tented habitats.

~ Source: http://amardeepphotography.com/

London’s Northern Relief Road has been renamed to honour Sikhs’ contribution to the borough. The Gurdwara Singh Sabha has contributed significantly to our borough for over 40 years,” says Cllr Laila Butt. “The renaming of the road is a fitting recognition of its importance to the borough and its residents.”

The road had its temporary name for 25 years since being opened by Cllr Fred Jones MBE in 1990.

It was agreed, at a cabinet meeting in October last year, the road would be renamed Gurdwara Way in recognition of the building’s contribution to the local community and of the Sikh community’s to the borough during the two world wars.

“A quarter of a century is a long time for a temporary name, so I am delighted that cabinet colleagues agreed the new name which honors the Sikh community as well as acknowledging a local landmark that has served our community since 1908 – when the building was originally a friends meeting house for the Quakers,” says Cllr Geddes.

~ Source: barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk

Jaap Sahib, given place of prominence in the Dasam Granth is the invocation made by the khalsa a hymn in praise of the omnipotent God. The attributes and qualities of God delineated herein are based on the transcendental nature of God, He who is without attributes as in the ideology of Nirgunwad. While on one hand the form and shape of the Almighty God as portrayed in Gurbani have been further honed and highlighted, on the other hand there is an elaboration and embellishment of it.

There is a specific purpose behind this literary creation and it has been written in a unique style.

In fact, of all the transcendental literature written in the middle age the Jaap Sahib stands out unique for delineating the humanitarian attributes of God who is without attributes by presenting them in a worldly and universal form. It has proved itself as a cardinal literary piece in all northern Indian literature for its brilliance, sublimity and majesty.

The Jaap Sahib has evolved as the product of extensive reflection, cogitation and deliberation through moments of awe and reverence experienced by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. In this creation the various attributes of God almighty have been depicted ö He is without caste, without creed, without community, without religion and he is Fearless. He is the destroyer of enemies too.

This aspect of “the destroyer of evil” proved a great force as it enthused the terror ö stricken multitudes into such an awesome force of might and courage that it could not be suppressed anymore.

From the point of view of diction and style too it is a matchless piece of writing. The vocabulary used and the connotations suggested by these words have lent it a universalism that makes it significant and meaningful for people of all religions. This is why people of varied religious backgrounds have accepted it and even today read it with great devotion.

Indeed, the quintessential message of Gurbani is not limited to followers of any one religion but hold true for people of all religions. This is why it is said to have a universal appeal. In fact, this universalism is not limited to the message only. It also holds true for the language or diction. Because for Gurbani every language is pure, every word is sacred.

Another outstanding feature of the Jaap Sahib is the beautiful and amazing manner in which worship and might merge together. Might or power by itself is blind. When it gets bound to worship instead of becoming the destroyer of mankind it becomes the destroyer of evil. These writings encourage the saint-soldier to participate in war as the metre and rhyme scheme, full of alliteration and rhythm is set to martial moves. At the same time care has been taken that all moral values and norms of society are upheld while fighting evil.

Kalgidhar Maharaj was just 19 when he created Sri Jaap Sahib!

The rhythm of Jaap Sahib is like that of a horse at the gallop, and the beat of the hooves drum martial spirit into the heart.

~ Source: dailysikhupdates

A wonderful journey of one man, who dedicated his life to service, the film, “Eh Janam Tumhare Lekhe”, received a favourable opening on its first day in the city. The film inspired by the life of a humanitarian saint and the founder of Pingalwara, Bhagat Puran Singh, released worldwide and aims to promote humanitarian service.

The All-India Pingalwara Charitable Society hosted a special screening of the film at Suraj Chanda Tara, with eminent residents attending the show. The screening was preceeded by a special ardas that was held at the Pingalwara branch at Manawala and later the inmates along with the staff and volunteers of Pingalwara too became an audience to the special show. Dr Inderjit Kaur, director, Pingalwara, presided over the event and addressed everyone who had a role in the making of the film. “It was an emotional ode to our mentor, father and a great human being, Bhagat ji, who showed us that gratifying the soul is more important than gratifying material needs.” The screening was attended by director Harijit Singh along with some actors from the film. As expected, the film moved the audience, some of who were seen crying during touching scenes.

Arvinder Bhatti, actor, who plays the role of Giani Acchar Singh, head Granthi of Gurudwara Dehra Saheb, where Bhagat ji served before coming to Amritsar, was all praise for the film. “The film should be considered an achievement, cinematically as well as for sending out a social message. I took my children along as they did not know about this selfless man and his great deeds.”

Tarandeep Kaur, a nursing student, too felt that the film was honest in its execution and appeal. “It’s a great film that will educate our youth about Pingalwara and the selfless attitude of its sewadars besides humanising society towards the destitute. Everyone should watch the film.”

Dr Jagdeepak Singh, executive member of Pingalwara trust and a reputed ENT surgeon, too considers the film to be one of the finest in recent years. “It’s a soul-stirring film. It’s an emotional film and good cinematically as well. Promoting the film is a social cause.” He was accompanied by five of his postgraduate medical students, for whom the film was an education.

The film has opened in all four major multiplexes as well as single-screen theatres in the city, with an average of five shows every day. Experts predict good potential business from the film, given its good first- day response. “The film opened to a good response and will perform well as it’s a family film. The business can increase over the weekend due to good word-of-mouth publicity,” said Davinder Singh, manager, Big cinemas, Amritsar.

~ Source: Tribune

Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is a Sikh historical shrine situated in Bidar, in Karnataka. During the second ‘Udasi’ (missionary tour) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji the South India, visited the ancient Hindu Temple of Om Kareswar on the Narbada and reached Nanded, where 200 years later Guru Gobind Singh spent his last days. From Nanded he proceeded towards Hyderabad and Golkonda where he met Muslim saints and then came to Bidar to meet Pir Jalaluddin and Yakoob Ali.

The Guru accompanied by his disciple Mardana stayed in the outskirts of the Bidar town where ‘Nanak Jhira’ Gurdwara is now located. In the nearby were huts of Muslim fakirs, who took keen interest in the sermons and teachings of the great Guru. The news soon spread throughout Bidar and its surrounding areas about the holy Saint of the North and large number of people started coming to him to have his “Darshan” and seek his blessings There used to be acute shortage of drinking water in Bidar. All efforts of the people to dig wells were of no avail. Even where the wells were dug the water was found to be unfit for drinking.

The Guru was greatly moved by the miserable condition of the people. With divine name on his lips and the mercy in his heart he touched the hillside with his toe and removed some rubble from the place. To the utter surprise of all, fountain of sweet, cool water gushed out of the hillside. The place soon came to be known as ‘Nanak-Jhira’.

A beautiful Gurdwara has now been constructed by the side of the fountain. The water of the fountain is collected in a small ‘Amrit-Khud’ built in white marble. There is a free kitchen (Guru ka langar) where free food is given to pilgrims all the 24 hours. A Sikh museum has been built in the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur, depicting the important events of Sikh history through pictures and paintings. The birthday of Guru Nanak and the Hola Mohalla festival attract large number of Devotees from all over India.

It may be recalled that Bhai Sahib Singh one of the Panj Piaras (five beloved of Guru Gobind Singh) hailed from Bidar.

~ Source: http://www.worldgurudwaras.com/

The historic 400 years old tree is full of fruit at Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji this year. The other Beris known as Dukh Bhanjani Beri and Elachi Beri also gave fruit. The sangat(devotees) at Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji were amazed to see the yellow fruit on the trees. Picking is not allowed but sometimes people get lucky with the fruit falls near them.

SGPC after a several years of wondering by the Beris were showing signs of weakness finally took the initiative to hire experts in horticulture. The experts came up with a plan to help the beris survive through various root mechanisms. Beris have significantly improved.

~ Source:http://dailysikhupdates.com/

Jasvir Kaur took home the gold medal after shattering the national record in the 63kg category. In the women’s 63kg category, Punjab’s Jasvir Kaur won the gold by lifting 212kg (94 + 118). Punjab’s Jasvir Kaur, the Commonwealth junior medallist, set new marks in snatch and clean and jerk while winning the women’s 63kg gold.

It was Rakhi Halder of West Bengal who had set the ball rolling with a record lift of 87kg in snatch. It bettered the 85kg set by L. Monica Devi of Manipur at Vishakapatnam in 2002. Even as Rakhi was rejoicing, Reena (Haryana) followed it up with an 88. Vandana Gupta (Uttar Pradesh) took up the challenge and improved to 90. It was then Jasvir’s turn. And the 21-year-old Physical Education student of Punjab University came up with a 92kg lift.

The record-breaking efforts of these lifters had the crowd on its feet. Vandana was not one to give up. She increased it to 93 in her final attempt before Jasvir sealed it with a 94 in her last attempt. A relaxed Jasvir also shattered the clean and jerk record of 117 set by P. Harita of Andhra Pradesh in 2002 to clinch the gold.

~ Source: Daily Sikh Update

President Obama greets Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh during his visit to New Delhi. He is the only ‘Five Star’ rank officer in the Indian Air Force. The Indian armed forces have had only three officers who have reached the rank of Marshal, the highest honorary rank possible.

The two had a quick casual conversation, and the hope is President Obama will allow Sikhs to serve in the United States Army after seeing representation of Sikh serving in Indian armed forces.

The United States Govt has a ban on the Turban and Beard in the armed forces. Major Kamal Kalsi and the Sikh Coalition have worked tirelessly the past few years to get the United States military to give Sikhs an exception to the rule due to religious reasons. The hope is that after seeing so many Sikhs in the Indian military and watching the Sikh Regiment parade on republic day maybe Obama will push to have the rule changed.

Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership of the air force, and subsequently in recognition of the air force’s contribution in the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal and Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

~ Source: Bharat Rakshak