News & Update

Students studying in around 18 Guru Harkrishan Public Schools New Delhi generate support for the online petition, banning Sikh jokes.

The campaign for banning Sikh jokes started few days back, and the online petition has so far received over 13,000 signatures in the ten days since the launch of the Change.org website.

The petition is gathering momentum, and what we’re seeing from the nearly 13000 comments, is that people from various sections of society, including non-Sikhs, have welcomed the chance to protest against these jokes which hurt the feeling of Sikhs and shows them in poor light.

DSGMC president Manjit Singh G.K said, “It was decided to start the online petition by the student community and to actively involve around 25000 students studying in Sikh minority education institutions in the “Ban Sikh Jokes”

Movement under the aegis of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee after a sikh women advocate Mrs. Harvinder Choudhary had filed a petition in the supreme Court seeking a ban on sikh jokes for hurting religious sentiments of the community.”

Manjit Singh G.K further said that both teachers and students have been asked to meet the target of one lakh online signatures within the timeline of four weeks. He said that the DSGMC will provide all technical and logistic support to the schools for facilitating the signature drive.

He added that the committee has also given options to school teachers to get signatures on separate sheets of paper for students who do not have e-mail ids and do not use online accounts for one reason or the other.

He said that students will also be encouraged to get the signatures of their parents and also the signatures of non-sikh students so to as to generate mass support among all sections of society.

He said the DSGMC will also provide publicity material like posters,visiting cards that will be displayed in each classroom to generate awareness among students about the movement so as to emotionally integrate and involve them with the cause. Manjit Singh GK exhorted both parents and teachers to be positive and get involved in constructive community service for the country.

“It is generally seen that ignorants are bullying Sikh children with ’12 baj gaye’ and other taunts. Our children should use positive dialogue like Guru Nanak used five centuries ago, and remind them of the historic significance of ’12 baj gaye’ when Sikhs at this time freed thousands of Indian girls and women from the clutches of Ahmed Shah Abdali,” he said.

“We all have to be proud Indian citizens with a global outlook. We should seek and mobilise support on all social media platforms for this campaign. The need of the hour is to let Indian society know that we love humour but not racism. We are proud Indians and the country has benefitted from our contributions in almost every field. It is time that Sikh children should not face bullying or insults in the name of casual fun,” he said.

Enthused children took a pledge to generate support for the petition from all quarters and bring an end to the bullying and taunts that they are subjected to.

~ Source- Asianage.com

Though Gatka is a traditional Punjabi martial arts associated largely with the Sikh religion, the sport is gradually spreading its wings to other states too after it was included in the National School Games last year.

Whereas there were just four Gatka teams last year, the number this year has gone to six in the 61st edition of the games being held in the district.

Teams from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are participating in the game.

Moreover, girls from Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Malayalam are part of the Chandigarh team. The events in gatka commenced on Tuesday at Senior Secondary Girls School, Nehru Garden.

GS Bajwa, coach of the Chandigarh team, said, “It feels great to see girls showing interest in the game from other states too. It used to be a myth that the game is only that of the Punjab region, but the thinking has changed a lot and students from different regions are adopting Gatka.”

Baljinder Singh Toor, national coordinator, Gatka Federation of India (GFI), said the game was started by sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind for self-defence. The game is never meant to attack others.

“We are happy to see that the game is getting popular in other states too. We are determined to get more than 15 teams next year in the games,” Toor said.

Coaches from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh said that now gatka is no more confined to Punjab as players from others states too have noticed the game.

Members of the Uttar Pradesh team which made its debut in the games this time, said playing gatka is fun and it also tests one’s physical strength.

UP coach Jaspal Singh said that it is the beauty of the sports that they are above any religion, caste and creed and team members are taking part in the game with full enthusiasm.

In the Uttar Pradesh team, not even a single team member is a Sikh. Solanki Himanshu Nathala, coach of Gujarat team, said, “We had played last year also. Gatka is played in more than 12 districts in Gujarat. The players show equal respect to the weapons that are used in the game as Sikhs do.

~ Source: Hindustan Times

The celebrations have been titled as ‘Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurb Celebration- an evening of celebration, inspiration and recognition’.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs along with The Sikh Network and Sikh Federation (UK) have organized the Gurupurb celebrations- the birthday of the first Sikh guru- Guru Nanak Dev on November 25 at the Houses of Parliament, UK.

It would be for the first time that the occasion will be marked in UK Parliament at Portcullis House, where Sikhs would gather to remember teaching of Guru Nanak Dev.

The celebrations have been titled as ‘Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurb Celebration- an evening of celebration, inspiration and recognition’.

The chairman of Sikh Federation (UK)- the Sikh NGO cum political party working in UK since 2003- Amrik Singh Gill said that APPG decided to hold this celebration in the House of Commons UK and it is being supported by Sikh Federation (UK).

The spokesperson of The Sikh Network- an open collaboration of Sikh activists working in UK and the organizers of Gurupurab event at UK Parliament, in a statement issued said, “It is the first time that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday is being marked in Parliament and it a unique opportunity to share his universal message of One God, truth and equality.”

The gathering is scheduled to be held on November 25 from 17:00 to 19:00 at House of Parliament, Portcullis House.

Earlier this year, Rob Marris, MP Wolverhampton South West was elected as chairman of APPG for British Sikhs. The APPG was established almost ten years back in UK to highlight the issues of Sikhs settled in UK with the government.

As the part of Sikh Manifesto, the three main items which APPG has taken up for welfare of Sikhs in UK include: separate ethnic monitoring of Sikhs and separate tick box for Sikhs in Census 2021, allocation of a suitable site in central London for a permanent monument to highlight Sikh sacrifices in World War.

~ Source: Indian Express

The Guru Nanak Sikh Temple will build the striking new heritage centre next to its Gurdwara on the corner of Duncan Street and Sedgley Street in Blakenhall, revamping the site with a new glass dome, stone archways and feature windows.

Planners at Wolverhampton council have approved a planning application, paving the way for work to start.

The new building will completely transform the site.

Blakenhall councillor Harbans Singh Bagri welcome the planning approval.

He said: “I am quite pleased the planners like the application. It is a combination of traditional and new designs coming together and is something which the Blakenhall ward would benefit from so I am quite happy to see this new building because it will be a statement for the people that have lived here for generations.

“It will also be a focal point for visitors who come a distance to come and shop in the Blakenhall area.
“The Gurdwara provides a platform for people to come and visit the area and I think it will complement the local traders in the community.

“I think it will supplement the evening and weekend footfall which will be a great thing for the traders.”

The heritage centre will provide an ‘educational learning facility’, exhibition space and a new entrance and lobby to the existing Gurdwara.

The new building would have a central atrium, offices, a feature hall and reception, a basement conference room for up to 160 people, storage, an education space, library and a viewing area to accommodate wheelchair users and the frail in the main prayer room.

The glass dome will have a diameter of almost 30ft and plans say it will allow light to penetrate into the core of the building ‘adding drama to the central atrium’.

The plans had received an objection from a resident in Barcroft Road on the grounds that the access road will be unable to cope with traffic, it affects the right of way, the level of existing on street parking, inadequate parking provision and an increase in traffic.

A comment left by the objector said: “I object to the proposed extension of the Gurdwara due to the lack of parking facilities provided by the temple for visitors in access of 200/300 causing parking issues with local residents, local businesses and a school, blocking access to residential properties streets and surrounding roads with cars / coaches blocking access to residents houses and using residents private car parks.”

~ Source: www.expressandstar.com

During the World Wars, members of the Commonwealth came together, with troops from India, Pakistan, Africa, the Caribbean and beyond.

On television, on November 4, the BBC showed how the Sikh community helped during the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 wars.

An officer of the Indian Army, Manta Singh saw his commanding officer, Captain Henderson, shot in battle, so, under heavy fire, Manta obtained a wheelbarrow, put the officer in it and pushed him to a safe area.

Just before getting there, Manta was shot in the legs, but as they were almost safe, men came forward and saved them both.

Both were treated at a makeshift hospital at the Royal House, in Brighton, Both families became close friends.

I was on a hospital ship during the Second World War and saw a lot of terrible injuries of men from the Indian Sikh community, injured in the fierce fighting in Burma. I never heard any of these men complain of their injuries.

Britain owes a lot to these men, coming to our aid during both World Wars. Thankfully, their families can now live in peace in England – a small price to pay for their help when it was needed.

Mr M Patrick, Ibstock.

~ Source: www.leicestermercury.co.uk

Despite being only 14 years old, she has set many records. She had also solved 1,000 sums of division in just 17 minutes.

She had registered herself for the Limca Book of Records on June 20, 2015. “We received a call from the record book authorities on August 20 who confirmed submission of the registration. On October 29, they apprised us through e-mail about the feat achieved by our daughter,” informed Dilpreet’s father Manjeet Singh. She has already got a certificate and a trophy for the same.

Dilpreet, who is studying in class VIII from Huddard High School in Civil Lines area of the city, started solving sums when she was in class II and credits her skill to her parents who are into teaching profession. She was confident when asked if she had any doubt about this feat. “No. Nothing is impossible and I knew I had to do it,” she said.

Principal of Huddard High School KB Vincent said, “The management, principal, teachers and students of the college are proud of this small wonder and wish her a great career ahead as she has miles to go.”

“Solving sums has almost become a passion for my daughter Dilpreet. To improve her brain’s ability, we guided her to follow ancient abacus theory to perform mathematical functions ike multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, square root and cube root. But, we did not know that her hard work would set a new record,” her father tells.

Talking about her daughter’s feat for Limca Book of Record, Singh further said, “We used to arrange for her practice sheets and she solves nearly 5,000 sums daily which further brought her laurels. She can now solve 100 division sums in just 96 seconds, which has now become a National record and it’s all due to her dedication and hard work.”

Dilpreet’s mother Simran Kaur said she would not stop at this. “After registering this record wherein she had solved 100 division sums in just 96 seconds, she is all set to make a new record. She has solved one digit 100 row addition in just 21 seconds, however 19.23 seconds is the world record for which she is toiling hard. Limca authorities have already registered it for 2017 record,” she claimed.

The achievement coincides with the forthcoming World Mental Maths Competition being organised by Delhi University from December 5, for which Dilpreet is preparing hard.

Dilpreet has already won the City trophy 2012 in Champion and 2013 state Champions of Champion competition.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma also met Dilpreet and lauded her achievement, on Dhanteras day.

Share & Spread the LITTLE EINSTEIN!

~ Source: Indiatimes.com

Today around 25,000 school students of eighteen GHPS – Guru Harkishan Public Schools lent their support and strength to an online petition stared by DSGMC – Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee seeking a ban on Sikh Jokes.

Sign the petition at Change.org/BANSikhJokes

The students who don’t possess an email address will sign on a signature sheet hard copy for their signatures to be submitted on their behalf to the Supreme Court.

The online petition stared by DSGMC last week has seen growing numbers with around 13,000 supporters till date.The petition is gathering momentum and thousands of people even from diverse faiths and religious identities have voiced their opinions on this platform. They have welcomed the move to seek a ban against these jokes, which hurts the feelings and shows Sikhs in poor light.

In a meeting with School Teachers and Student Leaders of GHPS Schools, S. Manjit Singh GK, President DSGMC exhorted them to be positive despite bullying and to get involved in constructive activity of community service for the country. He added “It is generally seen that ignorant bully Sikh children with ‘12 baj gaye’ and other taunts. Our children should use positive dialogue like Guru Nanak used five centuries ago, and remind them of the historic significance of ’12 baj gaye’ when Sikhs at this time freed thousands of Indian girls and women from the clutches of Ahmed Shah Abdali.”

He further added “We all have to be proud Indian citizens with a global outlook. We should seek and mobilize support on all social media for this campaign. The need of the hour is to let the Indian society know that we love humor but not racism. We are proud Indians and the country has benefited from our contributions in almost every field. It is time that Sikh children should not face bullying or insults in the name of casual fun.”

The enthused children took a pledge to bring support to this petition from all social quarters and bring an end to bullying and taunts that they are subjected to.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 18th Nov ’15