Kamal Singh Kalsi served in Afghanistan in 2011, running a field hospital in Helmand Province. Kalsi, a major who received the Bronze Star and a client of The Sikh Coalition, serves in the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion at Fort.
I recently went for a run. It started to rain, but I kept on going. I thought back to the countless times I ran the fence line during my deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. I was a U.S. Army captain serving my country by providing emergency care to our soldiers on the very austere front lines of war.

We ran in the rain, in dust storms and in an unforgiving heat. One of my lasting lessons during those runs and over my 13 years of service was that we rarely had ideal conditions for what we needed to accomplish, but whatever adversity we encountered we were always there for each other regardless of the conditions or our differences.

I joined the Army during medical school, seven months before the Sept. 11 attacks. Although some civilians at the time called me a “terrorist” and “Osama” and told me to “go home,” my fellow soldiers treated me like a brother and understood that my New Jersey home was no different from their own.

The Army respected my Sikh religious beliefs by giving me a special accommodation so that I could wear a turban and maintain uncut hair in accordance with my Sikh faith.

Let me be clear – we were not given a free pass on any of the safety and uniformity standards that protect and define soldiers. We completed basic training and proved that we could wear protective gear, including helmets and gas masks. We were required to maintain our beards neatly and wear turbans of a specific color to match our uniforms.

Two of us successfully deployed to Afghanistan. The three of us have received awards and promotions for our service. Far from being an impediment, our faith gives us the strength to succeed as soldiers, just as it did for my father and grandfather and for thousands of Sikhs in armies throughout the world.

Sikhs believe that all people are equal in dignity and divinity. The turban is both a spiritual crown and a reminder to lead an ethical life. Our hair is left uncut out of respect for God’s creation and required to be groomed.

Observant Sikhs also carry a kirpan – a small religious sword – as a reminder to stand up against injustice.

During their formative years in India more than three centuries ago, Sikhs maintained these articles of faith in spite of religious persecution by Mughal and Afghan invaders. Our Sikh legacy represents a proud and patriotic people who served by the thousands in both world wars, and maintains its articles of faith in the modern military forces of Canada, India and the United Kingdom.

Our faith and traditions are not in conflict with American values; they embody them in the most fundamental ways.

~ Source: KAMAL SINGH KALSI ~ NEWSDAY | Albuquerque Journal

Sardar Hardit Singh Malik (23 November 1894 – 31 October 1985) was an Indian civil servant and diplomat. He was the first Indian High Commissioner to Canada, and then Indian Ambassador to France.

He was the first Indian to fly as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War. He also played first-class cricket between 1914 and 1930.

It all started with a Sikh student studying in Oxford expressing his wish to join the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1917, when the war had reached a crescendo. Sardar Hardit Singh Malik was initially denied permission to join the force; he was instead asked to serve as an orderly in an Indian military hospital. “He had to overcome institutional racism to become a fighter pilot for the British before he took on the Germans,” said Harbakhsh Grewal of UK Punjab Heritage Association, one of the organizers of the widely acclaimed ‘Empire, Faith, War: The Sikhs and World War One’ exhibition in Britain.

A disappointed Malik then went to France to help out the beleaguered French as an ambulance driver. There, too, he asked if he could volunteer in the air force. The French agreed. Malik then wrote to his tutor in Oxford about it, who then took it up with the chief of the RFC and said it would be an embarrassment if a British subject had to be employed by the French. “That’s when I heard from General Henderson, chief of RFC, who asked me to see him. After that meeting, I was sent for training and got a commission in the RFC as a fighter pilot,” Malik had said in a TV interview in the early 1980s. Malik became the first Indian fighter pilot of the RFC, which became the Royal Air Force during the war. With a precedent thus set, the RFC opened its doors to Indians.

He trained at No.1 Armament School from April 1917 and was commissioned as a Flight Lieutenant into No. 26 Squadron on 22 June 1917. As an observant Sikh, he wore a turban instead of a helmet, and later wore a specially designed flying helmet that fitted over his turban. As a result of his unusual helmet, he was nicknamed the “Flying Hobgoblin”.

Malik joined the Indian Civil Service and had a distinguished career. He became Independent India’s first high commissioner to Canada, and Jawahalal Nehru is believed to have made him Indian ambassador to France to use his goodwill among the French to settle the return of French colonies to India. Britain, however, always remembered Malik as the “turbaned young fighter pilot who shot down Germans in the air”.

~ Source: TOI

One of the central teachings in Sikhism, that in my mind signifies a really deep philosophy in just one word, Chardi Kala which literally translated means “high spirits”. Our daily prayer ends with Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, tere bhane’ Sarbat da Bhala or the “Repeat the name of Guru Nanak in high spirits, may all be blessed under his care”. Chardi Kala signifies a perennially blossoming, a perpetual state of certitude resting on the unwavering belief in Divine justice. In Chardi Kala there is confidence in the ultimate victory of Truth over falsehood and of Good over evil.

Sikhs consider Chardi Kala as the central attitude on how one should live their life. Chardi Kala, also meaning “the positive attitude” is an equivalence of a mind that never despairs, never admits defeat and refuses to be crushed by adversities. It means “In High Spirits of the Lord”. All our Gurus repeatedly emphasized in their teaching, poems, songs and lectures that one should always work towards Chardi Kala, be joyous and playful mood even in the time of adversity and despair.

Have you ever observed children, how care-free they are? Regardless of whatever happens, they are mostly always joyful, mischievous and happy. Even if they fall down and get hurt they may cry about it a little but then quickly forget it and move on with life. There is very little despair and brooding over the past as they are always looking for the next game or experience.
Our Gurus encourage us to be like children and remember always that we are all children in the metaphorical eyes of the divine, the one Universe.

This ability to remain positive even in the midst of ‘Calamity’ is Chardi Kala. And where does this Chardi Kala stem from? Well in its purest sense, it’s from Naam. When we enjoy the bliss and joy of knowing our inner and outer Beloved, there can be no question of being sad, it’s all Sweet Hukam, it’s all Chardi Kala.
The example which perfectly defines Chardi Kala is Guru Gobind Singh Ji, when his four sons got martyred in front of him, and he said” chaar muye to kya hua jeevat kai hazar”

Sikhism dictates that Sikhs believe in the Will of God (Bhana) and that God is without enemies (Nirvaar) and is always merciful. Hence, the acceptance of his Will is in the interest of and for the benefit of His Creation, even if at times one suffers severe hardship. This attitude of “Chardi Kala” is to allow one to sail through the ups and downs of life with as little harm as possible to the individual. To join and help others in their hour of need is part of this “Chardi Kala” spirit.

(For the family of my Khalsa, I have sacrificed my four sons, So what if four are dead, when thousands more are alive) . This is the height of Chardi Kala.
The five K’s of Khalsa, a gift from the Guru; are indicative of dignity and power. They are outer indications of the inner spirit that knows of no reverse or disappointment; of that personality that is unconquerable in its hopes, of its spiritual radiance that is always a fountain of inspiration to others.

It’s imbibed in our daily prayers that a Sikh never despairs, never admits defeat and refuses to be crushed by adversities. To all those who find it difficult to rise up, Always Remember “Chardi Kala “ and Move forward with that elevated spirit, Guru Sahib has imbibed us with!

~ Source: http://kaurageous44.blogspot.in/

Sikh community in Pakistan lighted Candle of grief for the children who were massacred in School Attack Peshawar. They stand by the families of the innocent 132 lives in solidarity and pray for their Souls to rest in Peace, “Recognizing the whole Human Race As One.!”

~ Source: Khalsa Aids

Pictures have been unveiled of a new permanent memorial in honor of the Indian Sikh soldiers who fought during World War One. The “WW1 Sikh Memorial” will take the form of a statue at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and it will commemorate around 130,000 Sikh soldiers who fought in the Great War.

A national campaign for the permanent memorial began back in August. Work is now well underway for the statue, and it is due to be unveiled in a special ceremony at the Arboretum in March next year.

Despite only making up 1% of the Indian population at the time, the Sikh contribution to the war efforts is recognized as remarkable. They constituted 20% of the British and Indian Army and were represented in more than a third of regiments at the time.

The project is being managed by the “Sikhs At War” team as part of its legacy efforts to create British-Sikh heritage initiatives. They say it is to ensure the Sikh sacrifice is never forgotten. The Midlands itself is home to many multi-generation British-Sikh families, many of whom will have an ancestral connection to the WW1 soldiers being honored in Staffordshire.

“The memorial has had a phenomenal amount of support from Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike – and with just weeks to go until we reveal the final statue we’re busy ensuring there is a lasting legacy which will inspire and educate future generations about this heroic war contribution.”

“This is a fitting memorial to our forefathers and will no doubt inspire those Indians serving now and into the future. Whether you are a soldier or a civilian we should all be grateful for the sacrifices made by such a small distinct group such as the Sikhs – and be encouraged that their contribution has made it easier for successive generations in Britain to integrate and be key players in society.”

The memorial’s sculptor is Mark Bibby, who’s from Stamford in Lincolnshire. His grandfather served alongside Indian soldiers during World War 2. He says he’s excited to have been commissioned to make this memorial in recognition of the soldiers.

“I am proud to be able to support a memorial commemorating the Sikh soldiers who fought in the Great War. The valor and courage of Sikh soldiers is something that was quite rightly commended by British Generals – as a nation we should recognize this by building a lasting tribute to the sacrifice of these often forgotten heroes”.

“This is a fantastic initiative to recognize the service, suffering and sacrifice of Sikh soldiers in the First World War. Set in 150 acres, we are home to over 300 memorials to a wide range of conflicts, groups and individuals, with many more in the pipeline. This particular sculpture will highlight and provide a lasting tribute to the 130,000 Sikh soldiers who served between 1914 and 1918, and it will become an important focal point during the period of centenary commemorations.”

The Sikh sacrifices can never be forgotten! And the World shall remember them as Great Warriors!
Dhan Sikhi!

~ Source: itv.com

Gurdwara Shri Baoli Sahib & Shri Goindval Sahib are situated in the Goindwal Sahib in Taran Taaran Distt. This is the first Sikh pilgrimage which was prepared under the supervision of Shri Guru Amar Das Ji in year 1616 AD. GURU SAHIB then blessed this holy place and decreed that whosoever does 84 paaths of JAPJI SAHIB with a pure heart and baths in the BAOLI SAHIB shall be freed from the cycle of birth and death. Shri Guru Amardas JI himself performed Seva of Gurdwara Baoli Sahib.

~ Source: worldgurudwaras.com

Photo Courtesy- Manjot Singh
www.lenspassions.com

The Film Chaar Sahibzaade has emerged as the biggest film in Indian Film history which wasn’t cover it’s cost. Punjabi audiences worldwide have carried the film strong into it’s 6th week and is still going strong at the box office. The film is expected to pass the 60 Crores mark which will be more than double for any Indian Animation Film in History. The film’s response has been so tremendous that distributors cut screens of major Bollywood films to make room for film “Chaar Sahibzaade.”

Here is a look at some of the records the film Broke:

1. Highest Rated Indian Film of all Films in History with an unprecedented rating of (9.8).
2. Highest Rated film in world film history passing the Lion King (8.9) by 1 whole point.
3. Highest Grossing Punjabi Film Ever leaving Jatt and Juliet 2 (Previous Record Holder) far behind.
4. Only Film to run in over 82 screens in Punjab with 150 screens in India and a Record 150+ Screen in it’s 5th Week and still hanging strong.
5. Highest grossing Animation Film in Indian History with earnings triple the previous record holder “Tin-Tin.”
6. All Time Grossing Indian Film in Canada
7. All Time Grossing Indian Film in UK
8. Top 5 grossing Indian Film in New Zealand and Australia All Time
9. Top 5 Grossing Indian Film in USA All Time
10. All Time Grossing Indian Film in countries where usually Indian films don’t screen such as Philippines, Sweden, Singapore.
11. Only Indian Film to play in over 30 Countries.
12. Per Screen Average Higher than any Indian Film in Overseas History
13. Only film in History where free shows were booked.
14. Only Film in Indian History to be seen by the most viewers for the First Time.
15. Only Film to Record Housefull past the 5th Week Worldwide
16. Only Film In Indian Film History to have it’s name Trend on Twitter for over 2 weeks.
17. The film had such a high positive word of mouth that demand was increasing by the hour, unseen ever before.
18. Highest grossing Punjabi Film in South India History
19. Only film to match first-week earnings total
20. Tax Free in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi

~ Source: DailySikhUpdate

Words are not enough to condemn this barbaric slaughter of innocent children. It was a usual day for the kids in Peshawar. Everything was fine, until seven militants got in from the back wall of the Army Public School in Peshawar and took the school kids and staff hostage in the auditorium, where about 400 students were gathered for an event. The militants opened fire, killing everyone from teachers to students as young as ten! This barbaric activity went on for eight hours. In the name of revenge, Taliban took hundreds of lives – lives of kids, innocent little kids, who couldn’t have done anybody any wrong. It is impossible to even gauge how it may have occurred to the terrorists to commit such a savage. The news of 132 kids killed in Peshawar shook the whole world. It was not just a black day for Pakistan, but for humanity.

A teacher is believed to have been burned alive while her pupils were forced to watch as Taliban gunmen stormed a school in Pakistan. Seven Taliban terrorists attacked the Army Public School in the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar yesterday, slaughtering 132 children in the deadliest terrorist attack in the nation’s history.

Harrowing eyewitness accounts revealed how students were forced to watch as bodies were burned beyond recognition. Other survivors told how they played dead while insurgents scoured the school looking for children to shoot, before open fire indiscriminately – sometimes with smiles on their faces.During a three-hour orgy of bloodshed, seven jihadists claimed at least 141 lives before themselves being killed.

Distraught parents were in tears as children were admitted to Peshawar’s Lady Reading hospital. As the death toll from the attacks rose, coffins were seen being loaded into vehicles in front of the hospital. The Afghan Taliban have criticized Tuesday’s attack as un-Islamic.

Islam doesn’t support violence nor does any other religion!

A Black Day for Humanity – Wake up World! Let our prayers go out to the hostages & innocent lives lost in ‪#‎PeshawarAttack.

~ Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji used to meditate sitting on this Rock during his stay in Mandi. It is situated in the middle of River Beas, near Gurdwara Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Mandi!