In 1704 the fort of Anandpur Sahib, was sieged by the combined forces of the Mughal army and Hill chiefs. Within the Sikh rank of warriors, there was a group of warriors had made up their mind to leave Anandpur Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh Ji with a heavy heart asked them that if they truly wished to leave then they must write a disclaimer and have it signed by all the deserters claiming that they no longer belonged to the Guru, and the Guru no longer belonged to them.

Mai Bhago known for her faith and courage and when she saw the 40 Sikhs approaching in the distance she went out to meet them. She asked news about Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and when she heard about their decision to leave Guru Sahib ,her blood boiled with anger. She could not contain herself, she charged them with cowardice and a lack of faith in their Guru.

Mai Bhago donned on men’s clothing and told them that either to stay behind and look after the children or try to amend by returning to Guru Sahib Ji . Ashamed by their act of desertion they vowed to put things right and mounted their horses and set off towards Ferozpur.

When Wazir Khan advanced to attack the Guru Gobind Singh Ji , Mai Bhago’s group took up positions near a place called Khidrana. As the enemy forces came close the Sikhs pounced on them, a fierce battle ensued; although heavily outnumbered the Sikhs attacked with ferocity and many were killed on both sides. The dust raised by the battle alerted Guru Sahib Ji who by this time had vacated Anandpur Sahib, he joined his Sikhs on a sandy hill (tibbi) and shot arrows at the enemy. As the battle raged Guru Sahib Ji mounted his horse and led his contingent from the West.

Bhai Maha Singh was one of the martyrs of Muktsar, collectively called ‘Chali Mukte’, the Forty Liberated Ones. He, in addition to Mai Bhago, was the only ones among the wounded who had some life still left in him. Guru Gobind Singh Ji dismounted from his horse and surveyed the scene on the battlefield. He saw one of his Sikhs lying wounded and recognized him as Maha Singh, the leader of the 40 deserters. Guru Ji sat beside him and put his head on his lap and wiped away the blood and tears from his eyes, just as a father would a son.

Guru Ji was greatly impressed and pleased by his Sikhs. “Ask whatever you will, the house of Guru Nanak is open to you” spoke Guru Ji but Maha Singh only had one thing on his mind, the letter of desertion. “O Lord of all the heavens, if you are in mercy then please forgive me and my companions for our betrayal, and I pray that you tear up the letter we handed to you.” The all knowing Guru had kept the letter on his person knowing full well that it would be needed, Guru Ji took it out and tore it in front of Maha Singh.

“You have redeemed yourself here and in the hereafter.” The forty deserters who lay dead in the battlefield were blessed by Guru Sahib Ji as the Chali Mukte –the forty liberated ones. A Grand Gurdwara now stands at the site of the battle, known as Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, Mukhtsar.

~ Tapasleen Kaur

Foundation stone of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, was laid down by the renowned Sufi Saint of Qadiry order, Mir Mohamed Khan, popularly known as Hazarat Mian Mir of Lahore. Sri Harimandir Sahib, unlike any other place of worship, was built at a lower level than the surrounding area. It has doors on all four sides, signifying both humanity and universalism and that it was open to people of all the denominations. Sri Harmandir Sahib was established for signing the praises of Almight — “Har Japae Har Mandir Sajia ||”

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, often visited Lahore, the birthplace of his father (the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das) to meet his relatives. On the occasion of one of such visit, he called on Mian Mir. The two and became life-long friends. Mian Mir was thirteen years older than Guru Arjan.

Guru Arjan was responsible for the construction of many tanks and buildings. In 1588, he planned to build a Gurdwara in the centre of the holy tank called Amritsar or the pool of nectar. As the Gurdwara was to be open to people of all castes, creeds and climes, he invited Sia Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of the Sri Harmandir Sahib. He came to the city of Amritsar wearing a religious mendicant’s long cloak made up of patches of coarse wool and a cone-shaped cap, with a rose flower on top.

Mian Mir was given one of those warm welcomes for which Guru Arjan was famous. The two holy men embraced each other in sincere love and regard. The purpose of the Gurdwara was disclosed to the Sufi saint. Sia Mian Mir was delighted at the fine objectives the Guru had in mind. The foundation-stone was laid. Hymns were sung in praise of God and sweets were distributed among the audience.

~ Tapasleen kaur

It was not just the entrepreneurial bug; Savneet Singh also wanted to create something beyond an ordinary business, a start-up that was unique. And so in 2009, Gold Bullion International (GBI) was set up. It was the first electronic platform for investors to buy, trade and store physical precious metals.

“There has been no innovation in the precious metals market for over 50 years. We believed we could be the first to do so. The opportunity excited me enough to take the plunge,” says the 29-year-old former investment banker.
Singh whose parents immigrated to the US, visits India every few years and likes to attribute his achievements partly to the fact that he was born into the Sikh faith that encourages him to work hard and give back.
The New York-headquartered company is the largest independent provider of precious metals and has clients ranging from individuals to hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds and endowments.

The way the exchange functions is unique — precious metals are acquired from dealers who sell brands recognised by the London Bullion Market Association and stored on behalf of clients in protected and insured vaults in New York, Salt Lake City, London, Zurich, Singapore and Melbourne.

For the Cornell – educated Singh the entrepreneurial journey has been a tough one. “It took us 18 months to get our first customer, and many more months to start making revenue,” he says. At the heart of his business plan was the idea of being a value investor.

“I have grown up reading, following and analyzing the great value investors of our time — Warren Buffett, Seth Klarman and David Einhorn. I’ve always looked to find business models that would pass the test of these investors. Our goal has been to use technology to create a platform that drives down costs and brings in new clients,” he says.

“Being a Sikh in America isn’t easy today. Knowing that you look different or that others don’t know where you come from can be scary,” says Singh who is an active member of the community and serves on the boards of the Manhattan Sikh Association and International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination.
For him, the Indian heritage and culture helps create resiliency and success in business and philanthropy. “Sometimes I see a young Sikh entrepreneur and want to bet on him, because I know he’s gone through some very tough times in life and starting a business won’t be nearly as hard,” adds Singh.

And personally he hopes that in the next five years, he will either be working on building the next enterprise or focusing full time on investing and helping grow a unique set of businesses. Big on fitness, a member of the local basketball team, an avid reader and fond of cooking, he manages time for all his hobbies.

“I’m also a collector of koi fish which I help raise along with my dad upstate [New York],” he says. The inspiration to get involved with hobbies came from his father, who felt that the problem with Indian men is they don’t develop hobbies early in life. “My greatest joy in life is spending time with my family. When I have free time I choose to spend it with them,” he says.

Though not here yet, GBI has plans for a foray into India eventually. “India is the largest gold market in the world and we are looking for firms to partner with and launch in the region. At the moment, though, we are taking a step back given the government’s restriction on imports, but will make a push when regulation changes,” Singh says. Amidst the hectic pace of Wall Street life, Singh is learning to find the perfect work-life balance.

“I make an effort to be active in my personal life like I am with work. I try to engage and stay up to date with my friends and family and not make them second fiddle to work. Life is short and I’m quite sure that while business pays the bills and provides temporary fun, it’s the love of family and friends that makes life real.”

~ Source – Economics Times

The journey from a small village to icy Antarctica in itself seems highly challenging but he was the first Turbaned Sikh to explore the high seas for research purposes. It aimed at creating leaders for education, environment and sustainability across the globe through a leadership and sustainability program called ‘Leadership on the Edge’. It also aimed to identify potential sustainability leaders for a greener future.

Though a very few turbaned Sikhs could have had a chance to explore Antarctica that too for only tourism purposes, Bandanjot Singh of a small village, Handiaya was the first turbaned Sikh to head towards the South Pole as a member of an expedition. Twenty-eight old, Bandanjot, is among the 30 probably from 20 countries that had been selected for the hazardous expedition.

He devoted his energies to work for renewable and green energy initiatives in India to promote innovation and help rural India to achieve self-sustainable energy production.

Bandanjot is in the rural solar electrification projects and is associated with the leading educational institutes like IITs in electrification projects. Son of a general manager in BSNL, excited Bandanjot terms the power breakdown in the Northern grid in the recent past and Hurricane Sandy in US as the urgent points for him to explore to Antarctica as member of international Antarctic expedition(IAE) 2013. The expedition, he said aimed at creating leaders for education, environment with the theme of ‘Leadership on the edge’.

Having done the integrated course of B.Tech instrumentation and MSc Physics from BITS Pilani, Bandanjot, is presently working for a US company National Instruments. A fortunate meeting with Sir Robert Swan, who is the first person to walk both the north and the south pole made him work hard to be a part of the expedition.

As much as he conquered Antartica, he has surely conquered the attention of the Sikh Youth

Kudos to BandanJot Singh for making Sikhs proud! One of the potential Leaders of The Greener Future!

~ Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

From Kurukshetra, Guru Nanak Dev went to Haridwar. On the auspicious day of Vaisakhi, a large number of priests and Hindu devotees used to gather for offering water to their dead ancestors, according to the prevailing Hindu tradition.

All those devotees were bathing in the River Ganges, and were offering water towards East, which, according to their belief, would quench the thirst of their dead ancestors. To put the pilgrims and the priests on the right path of spirituality, Guru Nanak Dev started offering water of the River Ganges towards the West, which was Punjab side. This annoyed the priests, who questioned Him, “Are You mad, that You are throwing water towards the West against the traditional ritual?” The Guru humbly replied, “My crop in West Punjab is parched due to lack of moisture and so, I am throwing water in that direction to save my crop from withering.”

The priests questioned His stupid action and said to the Guru, “How is it possible that water offered by You can irrigate Your crop hundreds of miles in the west, whereas it falls into this river itself within a few yards?” Guru Nanak Dev said, “How is it that your water being thrown towards East could possibly quench the thirst of your ancestors, who have subtle bodies and are roaming in the cosmos thousands of miles from this place?” Many of the wise priests understood His divine Wisdom and bowed before Him in reverence for His divine Knowledge.

Guru Nanak Dev told them that after reciting and meditating the Divine Name, they would definitely quench the thirst and would have their ego eradicated for getting salvation. In a lengthy discourse, they clarified their doubts and started meditating on the Divine Name.

~ Source: Sikh Faith Book
~ Written by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji

The Hari Singh Nalwa Academy located in Leicester, United Kingdom teaches martial arts, combat, and fitness training for the local community. The Academy has a high number of young children learning to stay fit who take advantage of the various classes.

However, the interesting thing is the academy has a good number of Kaurs learning self-defense and mixed martial arts.

Kaurs have throughout history been pivotal at many points in Sikh history by showing their bravery from Mata Bhag Kaur Ji to Bibi Bhagael Kaur Ji to Sardarani Sada Kaur who led Singhs when conquering Lahore. The Kaurs had also made up a good percentage of the Khalsa Fauj during the turbulent times from the 1730s to 1780s.

Perhaps with such excellent training facility and coaches of Hari Singh Nalwa Academy, the day for the first Sikh female MMA fighter might not be too far. UK is one of the places in the world where youngsters are coming back to Sikhi in very high numbers and programs such as the Academy’s approach of teaching self-defense will reawaken the warrior spirit of Sikhs.

~ Source: facebook.com/HariSinghNalwaCombatAcademyLeicester

When it comes to India travel, the state of Punjab, which borders Pakistan, doesn’t make it to the top of that many itineraries.

That’s good news for intrepid travelers.

From temples so gold they’ll make your eyes water, to food you’ll be longing for days after it hits your lips, Punjab is India at its colorful, lively best.

1. Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)

Located in Amritsar, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), is Punjab’s top attraction. Reflections of its gold-encrusted dome shimmer in the clear water of the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar), which greets those who enter from the north gate, the most impressive of all four entries. To take it all in, it’s best to simply walk around the marble pathway surrounding the pool.Its waters are said to have healing powers. Devotional music, bathing pilgrims, golden carps and meditating devotees add to the atmosphere. Worth keeping in mind: There’s a long line to visit the inner sanctum (Darbar Sahib), where the holy book of the Sikhs, “Guru Granth Sahib,” is kept. Visits are best scheduled for the late afternoon and early evening; every night the temple complex is illuminated. Simply stunning.You can end the day at the temple’s langar. The scale of its free meal, put on daily by volunteers, is impressive, with 50,000 meals served each day, according to temple officials.

2. Punjabi eats

The city of Amritsar has a rich culinary heritage. Building a big enough appetite to give it the attention it deserves is a challenge. Extra-large tumblers of yogurt lassi is an Indian food lover’s dream destination. The best way to get a balanced taste is to start in Kesar Da Dhaba. Hidden in the twisting lanes of the old part of the city, it’s reached only by foot, cycle rickshaw or bicycle. Founded in 1916, the restaurant is particularly popular with vegetarians. There’s crispy butter-smeared tandoori bread; the house specialty, daal makhani, comes with a thick layer of ghee. The creamiest and freshest yogurt lassi in Amritsar is at Surjan Singh Milk Bhandar; the thick drink is a mini-meal in itself.

3. Border face off

One of Punjab’s most interesting rituals is the lowering of the flags ceremony, held at India’s Wagah border each evening before sunset. Wagah is about 25 kilometers from the Pakistani city of Lahore. Indian guards in red and gold turbans march out to meet their Pakistani counterparts in a choreographed affair greeted with loud applause from onlookers. It’s a splendid show of patriotism, pomp and panache. To secure good seats, it’s best to get there by mid afternoon or arrange for a VIP pass from the Border Security Force station. For security reasons, bags and backpacks aren’t allowed. The border is 30 kilometers from Amritsar and takes about 45 minutes to reach by car.

4. Punjabiyat Lodge

The main lounge at Svaasa is tastefully decorated with antique pieces and art from the family. The main lounge at Svaasa is tastefully decorated with antique pieces and art from the family’s personal collection. Punjabiyat Lodge doesn’t conjure quintessential images of India. Instead what you get here are feather-light beds with unobstructed views of green fields as far as the eye can see. The nature retreat in Punjab’s agricultural heartland is a great place to de-stress through simple rural experiences. Visitors can lend a helping hand to farmers, cycle around the village, milk cattle or take a tractor ride. Rooms are luxurious but eco-friendly. Guests get a sense of remoteness and privacy; there are only four cottages, all set in a wheat field. Meals are a pleasure. Breakfast is served near the fields, lunch under the shade of sprawling trees and dinner on a terrace under a canopy of stars. Most meals are made with ingredients grown on the lodge’s farm, says Punjabiyat manager Jagdeep Singh. Punjabiyat Lodge is in the village of Saidowal-Gunopur, about 75 kilometers from Amritsar.

5. Sarai Amanat Khan

A scenic 45-minute drive from Amritsar, Sarai Amanat Khan is an old, crumbling caravanserai (roadside inn). Built by Mughals in 1640, it’s a fantastic remnant of ancient architecture. It once served travelers on the Agra-to-Lahore trade route and was a prosperous pit stop back in the day. These days, the historic ruins only hint at its glorious past. Photogenic features of the complex include an arched entry, fading calligraphy, Persian tiles, eroding walls and a mosque. Amanat Khan, the inn’s namesake, is believed to be the same guy who etched the calligraphy on the Taj Mahal in Agra. It’s a great day trip from Amritsar.

~ Source: http://edition.cnn.com/

The Paintings highlights the huge contribution of Sikhs in the UK , 83,000 Sikhs died in the World Wars and a further 109,000 were injured. As Sikhs began appearing on the battlefields, hospitals, towns and farms of Europe during World War One, for many it marked the first time that they had ever seen a Sikh in real life. The appearance of the Sikhs generated a level of curiosity among Europeans about these exotic looking turbaned warriors from the Far East now in their midst to defend them. Paintings and drawings of Sikhs by artists including portraits, scenes of camp life and frontline action helped to satisfy the general public’s curiosity and the hunger for more information about them.This exhibit features a unique collection of paintings and drawings of Sikh soldiers from the First World War.

Striking portraits of Sikh prisoners of war painted by German artists reveal a fascination with ethnic studies as each soldier is meticulously recorded in lifelike detail, including how they tie their hair under their turbans. The time of these paintings marked the formative years of German ethnic studies that would later culminate in the Nazi ideas of race and racial superiority in the following decades. Looking at these lifelike paintings of Sikh prisoner’s one can see in their faces a quiet dignity; their spirit had not been broken in captivity by their German captors.

Fascinating sketches of Sikhs in northern France from the portfolio of artist Paul Sarrut reveal another dimension of the culture and humanity of the Sikhs beyond the stereotypical image of the Sikh as a fierce warrior. Sarrut effectively captured not only personalities with striking portraits but also provides an intimate glimpse into the world of a Sikh soldiers existence between the realms of peace and rest at camp and the brutal violence and intensity of battle at the front.

Almost a century after they were first painted and drawn these images continue to be relevant not only for their artistic merit but also as a time-capsule providing the viewer with an intimate glimpse into the life and experiences of Sikh soldiers in a world at war.

~ Tapasleen kaur

The New Year Honors is a part of the British honors system and is given annually on New Year’s Day, i.e. 1 January. It is marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honors. These awards are presented by or in the name of the reigning monarch, at present by Queen Elizabeth II. The honors are being given since 1890. Queen’s New Year Honors for the year 2015 were given on 1 January 2015. The honors were conferred on more than thousand persons, which included several persons of Indian-Origin from various field. Here we have the proud members of the Sikh community honored with respect & dignity. One of them being Mr Gurmel Singh.

Gurmel Singh has been the Chief Executive of the world’s first dedicated Sikh memorial built in Derby , representing the millions of Sikhs who died in six holocausts and both World Wars. The museum is dedicated to the Sikh Culture commemorating the valor & bravery of the Sikh soldiers. He has been proudly awarded a MBE for services to the community. The memorial highlights the huge contribution of Sikhs in the UK , 83,000 Sikhs died in the World Wars and a further 109,000 were injured. Gurmel Singh had been a consistent volunteers who helped set up the National Sikh museum “. Mr Singh had been on a fundraising campaign for the memorial and got a number of voluntary contributions. He got a large number of young people involved who were interested in their heritage and offered their skills for free when it came to the building of the memorial.

The museum is a modern, packed, multi-channel museum with real artifacts that allow the visitor to appreciate the rich and complex heritage of the Sikhs in a story of courage & sacrifice, recognizing their huge contributions.

We appreciate Mr Gurmel Singh for serving the National Sikh Museum & preserving the rich Sikh Heritage for the generations to come!

~ Source:

Harjus Sethi, a second-year graduate student of Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, has been chosen to ride on the first-ever Sikh American float in the 2015 Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.

Sethi was selected by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, United Sikh Mission, SikhLens and the Khalsa Care Foundation.

Sethi, who is studying to be a film director at Chapman, is considered to be a rising talent by the organizations, which hope to increase Sikh American Awareness.

“I knew that with film, I’d have the freedom to create something uniquely my own and direct projects that show a greater understanding of the Sikh community by placing Sikh actors in lead roles,” Sethi said.

On New Year’s Day, Sikh will be seen atop the float in Pasadena wearing a turban designed by Bicky Singh, the founder of the SikhLens’ Sikh Arts & Film Festival that has been held at Chapman since 2001. The turban was designed by tie-dying cardinal red and gray – the colors of Chapman.

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