A mobile application of Delhi Police called ‘Himmat,’ which will allow women to send a distress call to police control room and their relatives in case of any emergency, was launched recently. The app will basically cater to employed women who have smartphones and travel alone even late in the night. Pepper spray was also distributed to women and girls were awarded who had successfully completed Delhi Police self-defence programme. Delhi Police’s efforts were lauded to use technology for better policing.

Explaining the work of the app, Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi said that after downloading the app, a new user has to register with the Delhi Police website by sharing their name, mobile number and that of a minimum of two relatives/friends.

Once the user registers, the user will get a SMS on mobile number given at the time of registration with a download link and registration key. User has to enter this key in the registration window in the application. This is a one-time process.

“In case of an emergency, the user can send an alert by shaking her phone or by pressing the power button/soft button. As soon as the distress button is pressed, it will trigger a 30-second audio and video recording on the phone which will be relayed to the Police Control Room, and the victim will get a call back from the PCR,” said Bassi.

An SMS alert will also be sent to minimum of five friends and relatives of the user and a status will be posted on his Facebook and Twitter timeline which will be connected to the App.

“All the details of the victim, including her location, time will be there in the SMS which will also be transmitted simultaneously by the police control room to the police patrol cars in the area and the local station house officer (SHO) through the Delhi Police cyber highway,” said Bassi.

The police however cautioned people not to misuse the App.

“Himmat application and service are to be used only when there is a threat to Life and Limb. Generating false SOS alerts/ alarms, intentionally/ unintentionally, will lead to cancellation of the registration after 3 such (False SOS alerts) incidents.

The user must report in an email/to support number, if in case they want to re-register and activate the facility. Support number is 011-23490378,” said Bassi.

“This app is currently available on Android platform, since a survey has revealed that most working women use Android based phone. In due course this facility will be extended to other operating systems as well,” said a senior Delhi Police official.

The Home Minister also asked Delhi Police to make the app available on iOS platform so that iPhone users can also use it.

Singh said traditionally Indians are more sensitive to women’s safety issues as women have been worshiped and respected through ancient times in our society.

“Providing self defence training increases self-confidence of girls and this is a good initiative by the Delhi Police which has so far trained more than 14,000 women… Being the national capital, Delhi does not deserve ordinary policing and ordinary police. We need modern policing and and modern police, other states should learn from Delhi Police,” he said.

The Home Minister accepted that the recent spurt in crime against women has caused a “trust deficit” and the image of Delhi Police and also the Home Ministry has taken a beating but he expressed hope that the police are aware of this and efforts are being taken to improve the situation.

Singh also informed that keeping in mind the inadequate representation of women in various police forces. The Home Ministry has issued an advisory to all states that efforts should be made to increase the representation of women to 33 per cent.

“The representation of women in Central Armed Police Forces is also just 1.22 per cent. In the next 2 to 4 years, we want aim to bring it 5 per cent,” he said.

On this occasion, Singh also unveiled an advertisement educating street vendors to report any kind of harassment by police officials on 1064 and 9910641064 on which a complaint in the form of an audio video clip can also be sent.

The Himmat app can be downloaded free of cost from the Delhi Police website – www. delhipolice.nic.in and also from the Google Play Store.
The application also has a help section which has details about how to use each section of the app. Users are requested to follow the instructions there.

It also has ‘Safety Tips section’ and First aid tips for women to help them in times of crisis.

In 2014, 11,000 women have used 100 number facility while 49,717 women have used number 1096, the anti-stalking and obscene calls helpline, and 1410 women have used the women helpline 1091.

~ Source: Economic times

Naam ras Kirtan Darbar held at the Singapore Expo Hall from Dec 25 to 28, Naam Ras Kirtan Darbar 2014 brought thousands of people from Singapore and the region to an uplifting experience of blissful kirtan (Sikh traditional music and singing), selfless service, insightful awareness and a delectable spread of vegetarian Punjabi food.

Particpants of the biennial event were inspired by the level of selfless service and commitment that members of the congregation displayed as people from all walks of life contributed to the event in their own ways – serving water, manning the shoe counter and ushering, among others.

This year, Naam Ras also saw more non-Sikhs attend the event over the four days as it reached out to leaders and representatives of other faiths and ethnic groups in Singapore. Guests participated in a guided exhibition of Sikh history and heritage as well as a discussion aimed at providing awareness of Sikh values and traditions. Through these channels, Naam Ras displayed the central position that religious and racial understanding and respect play in the ethos and philosophy of Sikhs here, strengthening the community’s bonds within Singapore’s social fabric.
“The Naam Ras Kirtan Darbar was really a learning journey on the Sikh culture and how they practise (their faith),” said Mr Jalaludin Peer Mohamed, secretary of the Radin Mas Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle.

~ Source: http://news.asiaone.com/

What does lasers, fiber optic communications, biomedical instrumentation, solar energy, pollution monitoring and lastly, the Internet all have in common? These inventions would not have been possible without Dr. Narinder Kapany’s scientific contributions to the world of physics. Recognized as the “Father of Fiber Optics” on a global scale, his research in the 1950’s led to the development of fiber optics and he was the first person to demonstrate the transmission of an image through a bundle of glass fibers.

Dr. Narinder Kapany, a name that should be synonymous with other great contributors to technology and science like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, gave the world fiber optics. A brilliant yet humble visionary, who has countless life lessons to offer and an infectious laugh that brings a beaming smile to anyone within earshot.

His dedication and commitment to his research and fellow man has helped shape the very nature of our world today. Without his efforts, the world would have been dull with shades of black, gray and white; instead we see it in a myriad of colors and waves. If you are told to believe something, even though it doesn’t sit right with you, don’t take it for its face value. Go out and try to disprove it. You just may in fact be responsible for the next great invention to affect our lives and change our world for the better.

Furthermore, these fibers are responsible for the transmission of higher bandwidths of information over great distances, in which their applications over the past few decades have revolutionized countless industries, including medical, communications, entertainment, networking and business to name a few. Without his groundbreaking gifts to science, none of this technology would have been invented and the very nature of our world would be dramatically different today. Dr Narinder Singh early pioneering contributions are definitely the key to the success and development of the Internet. This scientific genius hailing from Punjab, India was recognized as one of seven ‘Unsung Heroes’ by Fortune magazine in their ‘Businessman of the Century’ issue in 1999.

He is indeed a man of numerous talents and accomplishments. Throughout his life and career, he has been a scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, business executive, academic scholar, professor, mentor, philanthropist, art collector and an artist himself.

He’s been the recipient of countless awards and recognitions, including ‘The Excellence 2000 Award’ from the USA Pan-Asian American Chamber of Commerce in 1998 and the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, which was bestowed by the Indian government and presented by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004. In addition, He holds over 100 patents and was a member of the National Inventors Council.

Born in Moga, Punjab and raised in Dehradun, Uttarakhand; He had an affinity for science from a young age. It started when he was given a small Kodak camera from his father and was determined to understand its inner workings. Moreover, in his early studies, he was told by a professor that light can only travel in a straight line. He thought to himself, “No, that doesn’t sound right” and took it as a challenge to prove his professor wrong. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Agra, he says “there wasn’t enough to learn in India at that time so I left for Imperial College in London.” Transitioning from university in India to London was not a difficult feat for him, as he says “I was young and ready to conquer the world!”

His knowledge on technology started in India while working in an ordinance factory, where he learned how to design and manufacture optical instruments. Wanting to learn more about technology at a higher level, His intended goal was to finish his degree at The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London and then head back to India to start his own business. The idea of having his own business and being an entrepreneur was something instilled in him from a young age.

While completing his studies, he received a scholarship from The Royal Society of Engineering to do further research into fiber optics. After 18-months and several published articles, He had successfully completed his objective of demonstrating the transmission of light and images through glass fibres. Upon the completion of his work, He presented his findings to his professor and at that point was ready to head back to India.

Another few hats donned by him is that of scholar, author and educator. He has published over 150 scientific papers, written four books on entrepreneurship and optoelectronics and taught at numerous reputable institutions in the State of California, including University of California, Berkeley; Stanford University; and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Further notable undertakings include many philanthropic contributions to the areas of education and art. In 1967, he created ‘The Sikh Foundation,’ a non-profit and non-political charitable organization dedicated to promoting the culture, heritage and future of Sikhism. “I wanted to provide a platform for our children and other Americans to learn and find out what Sikhism is about.”

It was naturally inherent for him to create The Sikh Foundation because his family has been involved with charity and philanthropy work for decades, as it’s important for them to give back to local and global communities. He remembers his father fondly, and says while living in Dehradun, his father, along with a few friends, created the Guru Nanak Public School to provide free education for children. The school was very popular and what started out as a primary school, soon evolved to a middle and high school to eventually two colleges, one for men and the other for women. His father remained part of the school’s evolution and even at the age of 94, stayed on as an honorary manager of the two colleges.

The Sikh Foundation strives to foster awareness and greater ties between Sikhs and Americans in the 21st century, says Mr Singh and over the last few decades, the Foundation has been involved in a number of initiatives for academic courses and conferences to Sikh art exhibitions and the renovation/conservation of historical Sikh monuments.

Most recently, the Foundation worked with UNESCO to restore the mosque, which Guru Hargobind ji had built in the 1600’s for local Muslims in Punjab. He explains the mosque was “in a decrepit state,” and the Foundation, along with UNESCO, renovated the mosque, and “gave it back to local Muslim leaders in the area to foster cross religious and ethnic ties.”

In keeping with his philanthropic mandate, He has endowed a chair of Sikh Studies, under the name of his mother Kundan Kaur Kapany, at UC Santa Barbara and a chair of Opto-Electronics, and most recently a chair of entrepreneurship, at UC Santa Cruz. Moreover, He has avidly collected Sikh art and artifacts over the last few decades and in 1999, he donated $500,000 US and 100 Sikh artefacts from his personal collection to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

“People didn’t realize there is such a thing as Sikh art, and there is a prodigious amount of this work that the world didn’t realize existed,”He said. “It’s a treat to have this collection and to share the beauty of our culture, not only with our community and youth, but with the world at large.”

His famous quote has always been “The important thing is to be a man of the world, that’s what I have tried to be, and to a small extent succeeded, but I like to do things for people.”

~ Source: http://iseeindia.com/

All the colour and some of the cultural traditions of India were on show at the weekend as thousands turned out to take part in the inaugural Tauranga Sikh Parade. The street parade, held on Saturday, was hosted by Tauranga Sikh Sangat Temple and was part of a traditional Indian ritual to mark the birth of the religion’s revered 10th leader, Guru Gobind Singh.

The 2500-strong crowd made its way along Burrows St and through several Avenues streets before heading back to the Sikh temple to continue the celebrations, which included prayers and free food and drinks for everyone. The parade was led by a group of 10 specially selected men who were carrying swords and sticks and who performed an ancient Indian martial art form called Gatka, giving thanks to their guru. At the start of the procession water was also showered on the roadway to purify the path for a truck carrying the holy book of Sikh followers.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Tauranga City Council member Kevin Clout were honoured guests.Organiser Jasneet Bola said the parade had been conducted several times in Auckland but this was the first time it had been held in Tauranga.

Sikhs from Te Puke, Papamoa, Hamilton, Rotorua and Auckland had also travelled to participate in the event.

“Our community is really, really happy about how everything went, particularly the response from spectators and our invited guests. We were so excited about doing this and everyone chipped in to help fund each part of the service so it wasn’t such a big burden on any one person,” she said.

Ms Bola said the preparations included mixing 70kg of dough to make thousands of japatis, [Indian bread] and decorating two trucks, including the one holding the holy book.

Free food and non-alcoholic drinks were also handed out to spectators along the way, who were also invited to join in the celebrations, she said. “Every person contributed to the parade’s success in some way, and all the many hours of preparation was so worth it. “We definitely plan to host the parade in Tauranga again next year.”

Mr Bridges said the event was a “great display of colour and culture”.

~ Source: BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

Though Shanu Kaur works in telecoms, art plays a big role in her life and many of her peers view her primarily as an artist.

Shanu Kaur is an artist working under the name Krantikari Art. She sketches comic book style art hoping to provoke the viewer to think. The pieces tend to be paired with a quote which she feels aptly illustrates the thought as she feels literature is also as important as art. She realised art was important to her when she was a child.

The following questions were asked.

What do you enjoy about your job the most? As much as I enjoyed drawing, I never seriously took time out to work on it and share until I got married and my husband encouraged me to take time out every day to draw. I love how there are no wrong answers with art. And how art can connect people from all walks of life, on lots of different levels. I’m a terribly shy person and tend to find myself tongue-tied in front of an audience. Tools like Facebook andInstagram have been a godsend in that sense.

Considering it is nontraditional, what were your parents’ reaction? How did you deal with their response? My parents have always been encouraging and supportive. It was my own decision not to consider it as a career because I was the one with the “traditional” views when it came to a career-path. I don’t regret this though as I feel having art as a hobby means I don’t have to work under deadlines, chasing a paycheque or to anyone else’s expectations. I tried it. It sucked the fun out.

How do balance family and work and hobbies? I’m still working on a balance but I find the biggest hindrance is procrastination. Watching tv and sitting on social media disrupt the balance.

How do you feel Sikhi inspires your work?I work under the pseudonym Krantikari which means revolutionary. I was always attracted to this word since I was a teenager. Before I got into Sikhi, I was a huge fan of Krantikaris like Bhagat Singh. The Guru is a revolutionary by nature. Sikhi is a revolutionary movement. I say “is” because we focus on the past and the great acts of the Sikhs pre-now, but don’t realize we should still be effecting change in all parts of society. And not only for ourselves. My art hopes to not only educate the ignorant but help you reflect on the times we live in and how we can all be revolutionaries by nature.

What elements of Sikh values are in your work? Part of why I started drawing again was because I was frustrated with not being able to make a change. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think my work really changes the world but I draw in the hope that in the very least, somebody is thinking or reflecting…

What lessons have you learned about Sikhi through your work? I’ve learnt how to be patient. I think part of being an artist is never being satisfied by how your work turns out. You always want to do better. I’ve also had lessons in humility. Most of the people who appreciate my work have given me so much love and encouragement it can be very overwhelming.

What advice do you have for young Kaurs who are unsure of what career they should pursue? My advice for young Kaurs would be to explore what values matter to them the most; and to think about what sort of impact they want to make in the world. I would also encourage them to seek out the support and advice from sangat — we are very fortunate to have the sense of community where everyone wants to help one another. And to always remember — Where there’s a will there’s a way!

~ Source: http://www.kaurlife.org/

The Winter Food Drive, the third Canned Food Drive in 2014, was a project of The Sikh Satsang Youth Group under the leadership of Satsang Secretary, Amandeep Singh Sidhu, and Satsang President, Maninder Singh Walia. The Winter Food Drive included a large corporate donation by PepsiCo Asian Network (PAN). The Sikh congregation and its Guru Nanak Food Pantry participated in this important endeavor to support Central Indiana families who depend on Gleaners and other food pantries to feed their families.

Our participation in the Food Drive is in response to the call by the Interfaith Hunger Initiative, the Office of the Mayor of the City of Indianapolis, and as a part of the time honored Sikh commitment to serve and feed the hungry in our midst. Amandeep enthusiastically added: “Food for everybody, no matter what?” and young Jaskirat Kaur, one of the leaders of the Satsang Youth Group, affirmed: “Incredible opportunity to help those in need.”

DISASTER RELIEF AND HUMANITARIAN CAUSES

The Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis and its individual members have a long history of stepping forward and generously assisting in a variety of community and global humanitarian relief efforts and causes over the past nearly five decades: supporting the Indianapolis-Madras Council Orphanage /School in Truchi, India; the Earthquakes in Gujarat, India, and in Pakistan; the devastating Asian and Japanese Earthquake-Tsunamis and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans; The Indianapolis Wheeler Mission, and other causes, crisis, and worthy charities through The Interfaith Hunger Initiative, Gleaners Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank – Food and Disaster Relief, American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, The Christelhouse Schools for underprivileged in India, The Center for Interfaith Cooperation, The Indianapolis Star’s annual “Season for Sharing” (now renamed: Our Children, Our City), and many others.

In expressing solidarity, adding our voice and support (manpower, materials, and contributions), interfacing and networking with other groups and faith communities, and mainstreaming our presence, energy, and involvements, we have strengthened our sense of belonging, our shared responsibility and common humanity. This commitment is to be celebrated and we hope will always remain our guiding anchor, as we individually and collectively discover our own direction and destiny to be an integral part of the incredible American experience. By our dedicated engagement and contribution to important community and humanitarian endeavors that make a difference to life, opportunities, uplifting the burdens of others, we honor our own spiritual and cultural foundation and proud legacy. For many, that is the true year-round meaning of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sikhs Baisakhi and Gurpurabs, Diwali, Hanukkah, Ramadan, Dalai Lama’s call for a Century of Compassion, Native American spirit and traditions, other major feasts and festivals of our family of faiths and unifying spiritual precepts.

~ Source: Daily Sikh Update

The three-day festivities of 349th Prakash Utsav (Birthday Celebrations) of Tenth and Last Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji, founder of Khalsa Panth and who protected the nation from invaders, concluded on Sunday with thousands of Sikh Devotees and other community faiths celebrating it with religious fervour, gaiety and devotion by offering prayers at Gurdwaras.

The major attraction of the concluding event was organised under the aegis of Prabhandak Committee, Central Gurudwara Saheb Gowliguda, near Koti where over 25,000 Sikh devotees and other community faith participated in the “VISHAAL DEEWAN” (MASS CONGREGATION) by offering prayers to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at Central Gurdwara Saheb Gowliguda.

The congregation began this morning at 11.00 AM continued up to 4.30 PM and was marked by the recitations of Gurubani Kirtans and Kathas (Holy Hymns) by the renowned and reputed Ragi Jathas (Sikh Preachers).

Sant Baba Baljit Singh ji Khalsa of Daduwalwale, Bhai Jeevan Singh, (Ludhiana, Punjab), Bhai Hari Singh ji, Bhai Jagbeer Singh (Karimnagar) and other reputed Ragi Jathas who were specially invited from various parts of the country for the important occasion recited Gurbani Kirtans (Holy Hymns) and delivered Gurbani Vichar that stressed on imbibing the higher values of life and communal harmony for which Guru Gobind Singhji strived.

They also have thrown light on the teachings of Sikh Gurus who stood for national integration, peace, brotherhood and communal harmony. They asked devotees to follow the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh ji which are very relevant these days.

After the culmination of the congregation, the traditional Guru Ka Langar (free community kitchen) was served to all the devotees where devotees sit in the same row with great discipline promoting the feelings of togetherness, fraternity and concern for fellow human beings.

Prabhandak Committee, President S Tirlok Singh and General Secretary S.Rashpal Singh welcomed the devotees at the mass congregation.

~ S. Trilok Singh
~ President

~ Source: Sikhnet.com

Gurdwara Sahib located in South Shields, UK is the only known Gurdwara Sahib in the world which runs just on sewa of sangat. This Gurdwara Sahib has no golak, no paid granthis, kirtaniye, committee, or any employee. The Gurdwara is called Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas and is the only Gurdwara to have continues Akhand Jaap since 1984, which means at least 1 person is doing Naam-Jaap at all times since 1984. The Gurdwara first opened up in 1981 by some humble Gursikhs and the tradition has been fully according to sewa for the past 33 years. The normal hardworking Sikh Sangat run the gurdwara, prepare langar, do kirtan, katha, and manage the Gurdwara all voluntarily.

~ Source: Daily Sikh Updates

Gurdwara Baru Sahib also has no paid granthis and is all run by students. The students are brought up with such divine education, they voluntarily participate in Akhand Path, Sehaj Paths, Kirtan, bringing a generation of blessed souls! In this way, they are enlightened with the divine teachings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib with deeper understanding of the Guru Sahib’s Message. These enlightened souls will be the upcoming Proud Sikh Generation to come!