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Celebrating Organ Donation Day Today! Register Now to gift someone a Happy Life and make your day worthwhile…

What is organ donation?
Organ donation is the harvesting of an individual’s organs after he or she dies for the purpose of transplanting them into another person. The person who gives the organs is called a donor while a person who receives the organ is called a recipient.

Who can be donor?
All of us can be organ donors, irrespective of age, caste, religion, community, current or past medical condition. Children can also be organ donors after taking consent for organ donation from their parents.

However active cancer, active HIV, active infection (for example, sepsis) or Intravenous (IV) drug use are some of the contra-indications. Patients who have Hepatitis C may still donate organs to a patient who also has Hepatitis C. The same is true for Hepatitis B — but this happens in very rare cases. Most cancer patients may donate corneas.

Which organs and tissues can be donated?
Vital Organs like heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can be donated only in case of ‘brain death’. However other tissues like corneas, heart valves, skin, bones etc can be donated only in case of natural death.

How does Organ Donation help patients with organ failure?
For organ recipients, a transplant often means a second chance at life. Vital organs such as the heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys and lungs can be transplanted to those whose organs are failing. It allows many recipients to return to a normal lifestyle. For others, a cornea or tissue transplant means the ability to see again or the recovery of mobility and freedom from pain.

What is the importance of a donor registry?
A registry is an essential part of understanding who and where potential donors are. A registry gives a planner enough information to devise strategies to get more public cooperation and commitment towards organ donation. Having a registry in place allows doctors and transplant coordinators to check if a brain dead person wished to donate and then approaching the family for consent becomes easier. It helps in saving crucial time in the process of organ donation. At present, we do not have a central registry in India.Through this initiative we intend to make the government of India create one.

How does organ donation help families of deceased donors to cope with their loss?
The act of organ donation has the ability to comfort grieving families. It is always difficult to lose a loved one. Many grieving families of organ donors draw comfort from the fact that their loss may help to save or improve the lives of others. Studies carried out to understand how a family’s heals have shown that the support from family members helps a person to overcome grief. The support of friends and religious and cultural beliefs also help donor families. Most of the donor families agreed to donate organs because they felt that it was the only positive outcome from their loss.

REGISTER YOURSELF HERE – http://organdonationday.in/index.php/

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Washington: A top American Congressman today expressed deep concern over the attack on a 29-year-old Sikh man in New York City and sought assistance of Justice Department and the FBI in such cases. The victim, Sandeep Singh, was critically injured when he was hit by a pick-up truck last week and dragged nearly 30 feet on a public street in Queens, following an argument with the driver who used racist language against him and his friend.

“I’m deeply concerned about the events that took place last week here in Queens, and I wish Mr Singh a speedy recovery,” said Congressman Joe Crowley, a leader on Sikh-American issues who spearheaded the effort to encourage the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI to begin tracking and quantifying hate crimes against Sikhs.

“Two years after the massacre in Oak Creek, it is clear that the Sikh community is still facing the threat of violence, and this kind of continued hate and these attacks against Sikh Americans must come to an end,” he said in a statement.

“I hope the Department of Justice and FBI can offer assistance in this case, including using the updated system for specifically tracking hate crimes against Sikhs. The intolerance and ignorance that contributed to the attack on Mr Singh is unacceptable, and we must continue to work to end these hate crimes,” Crowley said.

Over the past three years, Crowley has led a major effort in the US House of Representatives to convince the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans – introducing legislation and sending multiple letters to the DOJ and FBI. Last year, the then FBI Director Robert Mueller announced the agency would begin this program.

Crowley’s efforts have been supported by the Sikh Coalition, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Hindu American Foundation, Indian American Forum for Political Education, SALDEF, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) among other leading national organisations.

~ Source: www.indiatvnews.com

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A Sikh comes to the world with qualities to rule the world already imbibed in him – the quality of being on the front row of achievements in every field whether it be a battle field, a peace front , education field or sports ground.

The strength, vigor, vitality and the attitude of winning have made the world to bow! Meet these amazing Sikh Heroes who have brought fame to India with their exceptional World Winning Skills…

Gurpal Singh:-
Gurpal Singh from Bhatinda (Punjab) made a momentous day for Indian shooting at 2014 Commonwealth Games. He defeated Australia’s Daniel Repacholi, stood second and won the silver medal with 187.2 points in the 50-metre men’s pistol finals at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre.

Harpreet Singh:-
33-years-old Harpreet Singh hails from Haryana topped qualification round. He defeated Canada’s Metodi Igorov and bagged the silver medal in men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event of Commonwealth Games. He hit 21times on the target in six-shooter finals which have eight rounds of five shots each.

Rajinder Rahelu (Powerlifter):-
Rajinder Rahela whose legs were affected with polio, won the silver medal in the men’s heavyweight category at the Clyde Auditorium. Rahelu picked up a total of 180.5 kg to get the silver on the penultimate day of Commonwealth Games.

Navjot Kaur:-
India’s Navjot Kaur won the bronze medal beating Scotland bronze medal play-off in the women’s freestyle event of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the SECC Hall on Wednesday. Navjot, 24, won 13-0 against the 31-year-old Sarah. Navjot was leading 9-0 when she pinned down Sarah in her last move to clinch four points and bagged the match on account of technical superiority. Thirty-year-old Navjot faced a tough challenge from top-ranked Australian judoka Tom Pappas in the opening round before winning on the basis of more yukos at the end of the five-minute bout
Navjot’s bronze was the fourth medal for India from wrestling in the day.

Rajwinder Kaur:-
Rajwinder Kaur won the bronze medal in the women’s -78kg category. She defeated the Kenyan judoka Esther Akinyi Ratugi in the bronze medal play-off contest B in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. Rajwinder won penalties as Esther picked up three warnings. With her bronze medal, India continues to have a successful day at the Commonwealth Games 2014.

Abhinav Bindra:-
Abhinav Bindra made his memorable appearance at the Commonwealth Games as the star Indian shooter who won the battle of nerves in a gripping competition to bag the 10m Air Rifle gold medal. Bindra, first Indian Olympic individual gold medalist, shot an aggregate of 205.3 to set a new Final Games Record. This is first CWG, which applied the ISSF rule of taking the final round score only and not adding the qualification score in shooting. 31-year-old Bindra kept his nerve to take the honour in his favourite 10m air rifle event with a final games record score of 205.3 to bring cheers for the Indian contingent.

Sardar Singh –
He has made the whole of India proud by getting a Silver Medal in Hockey but missing out on the gold medal was a bit disappointing for the team captain. India might have failed to break their Commonwealth Games title jinx for the second consecutive time but captain Sardar Singh has a lot of positives to take from the event and said the silver medal was a “well- deserved” achievement.

We are proud of them all! Are you? Tell us what you think in the comment box below –

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 12th Aug ’14

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In the wake of growing injustice, poverty, hatred and the people killing each other, 103 year old Fauja Singh – Worlds Oldest Marathon Runner has asked patrons of all religions and faith to join him in a peace marathon to be held in UK. The Marathon has been organized to bring awareness among the masses to get over hatred and injustice and make this world a better place to live in full of love and brotherhood.
London’s running club Sikhs in the City has announced to organize a relay race to mark the centenary of World War I as message of “cooperation and harmony”. The India-born British Sikh, the club’s founding member who was three in 1914 when the conflict started has put forward his appeal inviting people across faiths to participate in the race.
He also said that Sikhs in the city represent Britain in the Luxembourg Interfaith Marathon each year to show how all faiths can share a common effort for peace and harmony.

Singh, who was born in India in 1911, took up running in his 80s to distract himself from the trauma of losing his son, daughter and wife in quick succession. He completed the London Marathon at the age of 89 before retiring after the Hong Kong marathon last year.

While he no longer runs, he keeps active by walking the same distance every day.

“I look forward to playing my part in the race, if only to start it and cheer others all day,” he added.

His trainer Harmander Singh, who is organising the event with the club, said the race was particularly in honour of the “forgotten victims” of conflicts – women and the elderly.

The event will start in London at 9am on August 24 and will comprise 21 laps of a 2km route, with participants receiving a commemorative medal and a T-shirt.

The club is looking for 21 people who normally lead prayers in their faith communities, 21 women from any background, and 21 pensioners from any background to join together in relay teams.

There will also be a 10km (five laps) and a 22km (11 laps) for anyone else who wants to take part.
We are proud of this noble cause. Are You? Tell us in the comments below, we want to hear you speak!

~ Source: http://www.business-standard.com/
~ Edited by Deeksha Singh

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Hope in Unity!

Recently, Saharanpur was in news because of Sikh Muslim riots. It was disheartening. India is a land of diverse religion and culture. We belong to same color but different religion and this marks the major reason for all riots in India.

Back in 2011, UK riots were in limelight. There was destruction everywhere. The police wasn’t able to control the boisterous mob. The Sikhs and Muslims were in limelight too, for a different and a noble reason though. When Birmingham was facing the ravages of time, audacious Sikhs of Britain took over the streets to defend homes, businesses and places of worship. Armed with swords, and carrying hockey sticks, the rebellious Sikhs guarded their temples. And they were ready for any coup de main. They not only guarded their temples but also stood guard outside Mosque when Muslims were offering their Ramadan prayers. After this bravado act by Sikhs, Muslims also came forward and they stood guard outside Sikh temple when Sikhs were offering their prayers at night. Sikhs and Muslims not only guarded temples and mosques of the city, but they united to guard Churches of the city too. Social media, be it twitter or facebook, newspapers were brimming with this lion-hearted act. No matter what, Sikhs always stand against evil and this quality they have got from their ancestors and teachings of their Gurus. Since childhood Sikhs have learned that – “Maanas ki jaat sabai ekai pehchanbo” or “Aval allah nor upaya kudrat ke sab bande” meaning everyone belongs to ONE CREATOR.

There is harmony in unity, and peace in harmony. And there is a hope in unity!

~ Gurpreet Kaur
~ New Delhi, 9th Aug ’14

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14 years ago an article in a UK newspaper on pitiful condition of Sikligar, Vanjaras and Satnami sikhs inspired Kulwant Singh Dhesi and Tarsem Singh Deol alongwith like-minded individuals to found British Sikh Council UK in 2002. Initial surveys in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh having a sizable population of Sikligar, Vanjara and Satnami Sikhs revealed inspite of alarming levels of poverty, lack of sanitation,dismal health and education facilities people have a staunch belief in the Sikh value system. Hair was maintained unshorn.

With the sincere efforts of Malkit Singh Bal, President, Gurmat Parchar Sanstha (Nagpur) and Gurcharan Singh, Coordinator in India (BSC), with the UK natives the first Gurdwara was constructed in 2003 at Warud, Maharashtra. 10 Gurdwaras in Maharashtra, One school in Aaron (district Guna) and two Gurdwaras in Mathana (district Ashok Nagar) were constructed in Madhya Pradesh. Scottish Sikh Council assisted with construction of homes and the tribal Sikhs emerged out of their shanties to move into a life of dignity. The transition has been fascinating and marvellous Their language, customs, lifestyle and skill should be respected and preserved. In the last 12 years British Sikh Council has achieved remarkable success with the contribution of the sangat of Europe. Local governments had marked the tribal Sikhs as denotified tribes and their weapon making skills occasionally put them on the wrong side of the law. Intervention and conselling by British Sikh Council UK and Malkit Singh Bal has encouraged the tribal Sikhs to educate their children and explore better job options. Change is happening but there is lots more work to be done.

~ Source: www.britishsikhcounciluk.org

It’s been two years since six people were shot to death at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and members of Stanislaus County’s Sikh community commemorated that event by dedicating Saturday to public service.

“I feel like I’m actually making a difference today,” said Tejinder Atwal, 23, from Turlock. She was among about a dozen Sikhs who volunteered to help build Habitat for Humanity houses in west Modesto. “Selfless service is what everyone should do.”

Sikh volunteers Saturday also assisted in cleaning up two parks and distributing free meals to homeless and hungry people in Modesto. Sikh groups nationwide provided similar services.

No one is quite sure what motivated the shooter in Wisconsin to open fire that day because he ended up taking his own life. But Atwal and other Sikh volunteers hope such violence can be avoided in the future by introducing themselves and their culture to the public at large.

“Whenever someone asks us questions, we’re happy to tell them about our culture,” said Atwal, who was born in India. She moved to America when she was 16, learned English and now is a student at California State University, Stanislaus.

The Sikh religion originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, and a couple of thousand of its members reside in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

Kelly Gill is among them. She, too, attends Stanislaus State, lives in Turlock, is 23 and donated her labors Saturday to building Habitat for Humanity homes.

“We learned to install windows today. That was my first time doing that,” Gill said. “We wanted to do something very hands-on.”

Khush Samra of Turlock also used her hands – and strong back – as she removed weeds from the construction site. The 40-year-old mother is an attendance clerk at Keyes Elementary School, and she wanted to set an example for her children by donating her time for the public good.

Her husband, Amrik Samra, and son Navdeep Samra joined in working on the Habitat homes.

So did 23-year-old Lovinder Johal of Turlock, who quipped: “Instead of going to the gym today, I exercised by picking up windows. They’re pretty heavy!”

After spending the morning on construction, several of the Sikhs headed to their temple to prepare Indian food for distribution to those in need. They made two vegetarian dishes – a sholay rice with garbanzo beans and curry, and a samosay fried pastry filled with potatoes.

The food was handed out in downtown Modesto, along with bananas and cold water.

~ Source: www.modbee.com

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Guru Gobind Singh Ji was famed for his blue colored horse, in fact Guru Sahib Ji is sometimes known as ‘Neelay ghoray whalla’ or the owner of the blue horse and many a folk songs and vars sing the exploits of ‘Neelay Ghoray Te Swaar’ the rider of the blue horse.

Just as his grandfather Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Guru Gobind Singh instructed his Sikhs to make offerings of arms and horses in readiness for the turbulent times ahead. In anticipation of this Guru Gobind Singh Ji learnt the art of horsemanship from an early age under the guidance of his maternal uncle Bhai Kirpal Chand.

A Painting of Guru Gobind Singh JiAs Guru Sahib Ji grew up he became an accomplished horseman and would spend time travelling the country side on horseback blessing his people who would inevitably gather wherever he went.

It is not clear where the blue horse, affectionately known as Neela, was acquired from, it may have been a gift from a royal dignitary or from a devotee. Even today the lineage of the stallions continues at Hazoor Sahib, Nanded. The horses are kept in stables and are bred from the original stallion belonging to Guru Sahib Ji, although over time the blue colour has been diluted down to a grey white. No one is allowed to ride the horses as a mark of respect and they are brought out on the festival of Holla Mahalla or gurpurbs when they are beautifully decorated with tassels and riding gear. On occasions, especially on the festival of Holla Mahalla, it has been said that the horse will get extremely sweaty and agitated, as if it is being ridden.

It is difficult to get information about Guru Sahib Ji’s horse, even more so about a blue horse. These horses are very rare and many people are sceptical that such horses exist. Well, blue horses do exist. The colour is officially known as Blue Roan.

Roan horses have solid coloured coats, but with white hairs interspersed (roaning). The white hairs are not actual spots, but single white hairs mixed with the darker coat colour. These horses have a specific colour gene and this roan gene can be applied to any colour of horse. The most common are Red Roans and Bay Roans. There are also Palomino Roans, Red Dun Roans, Dun Roans, Buckskin Roans and the Blue Roan. The roan gene adds white hairs into the body of the horse. Roan is a stable colouration throughout life, whereas Grey and Varnish Appaloosa are progressive.

The legs and occasionally the head are not affected and will remain darker then the body (note in the above painting, Guru Sahib Ji’s horse is shown as blue, but not the legs).The mane and tail are usually not affected, but some may have some white hairs mixed in. A Blue Roan is a dark coloured horse with the roan gene.The roan gene gives the horse interspersed white hairs on his body and this gives a general blue hue or sheen to the horse. Blue Corn is a variation of Blue Roan, in which speckles and spots of the base colour (black) appear, making a mottled appearance.

The gurdwara at Putthi Sahib (Punjab) commemorates the incident when Guru Gobind Singh Ji arrived at this place from a long journey on their way back to Anandpur Sahib. They say a man working at a furnace (putthi) baking bricks. Upon enquiring from the local artisan if there was a place to rest, the local gestured at his furnace and said mockingly “If you call yourself Guru why don’t you rest here in the furnace?” This posed a direct challenge to the Guruship, and whereas Guru Sahib Ji would much rather have not revealed the full extent of the divine seat of Guru Nanak in this case there was no option. Guru Ji ushered Neela forward who trampled on the mud surrounding the furnace and put one of his hooves on the side of the furnace. Whereas a furnace would normally take a week or so to cool down the furnace became instantly cool. Guru Ji demounted Neela and rested for the night in the furnace. The gurdwara that now stands there has been built around the now solidified mud which still has the impressions of Neela’s hooves.

Source – http://www.info-sikh.com/

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Glasgow: Indian powerlifters Rajinder Rahelu and Sakina Khatun stole the limelight on the penultimate day of the 2014 Commonwealth Games winning the silver and the bronze medal in their respective events here on Saturday.

Rahelu, whose legs were affected with polio, won the silver medal in the men’s heavyweight category at the Clyde Auditorium. Rahelu picked up a total of 180.5 kg to get the silver while Nigerian Abdulazeez Ibrahim clinched the gold with a lift of 197 kg. Malaysian Jong Yee Khie got the bronze with a lift of 178 kg.

Sakina won the bronze in the women’s lightweight (up to 61 kg) category, which was the first medal of the day. Sakina lifted a total weight of 88.2 kg to finish third.

Esther Oyema (136 kg) of Nigeria took home the gold while England’s Natalie Blake took home the silver with a 100.2 kg lift.

But there was disappointment from para powerlifter Farman Basha, who failed to finish in men’s light weight group B. Farman’s first lift of 145 kg was declared ‘no lift’ while his second attempt of 147 kg was a ‘good lift’ after which he pulled out.

~ Source: http://sports.ndtv.com/

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