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At a time when Christian missionaries were propagating their religion in the state, two young Hindu men in Amritsar set out to counter it with a 20 by 26-inch four-page newspaper. Little did they know that ‘Akhbaar Sri Darbar Sahib Sri Amritsar Ji’, printed on lithographic limestone, would go into history as the first Punjabi newspaper.
Experts feel that even after 150 years, by and large Punjabi journalism is still to grow out of its religious boundaries.
“The newspaper was started on March 1, 1867. So, this year marks 150 years of Punjabi journalism,” says Prof Narinder Singh Kapoor, former dean, Punjabi University, Patiala.
Prof Narinder Singh has documented ‘Akhbaar Sri Darbar Sahib Sri Amritsar Ji’ as the “first-ever Punjabi newspaper published in Gurmukhi script” in his Punjabi book ‘Development of Punjabi Journalism’.
Munshi Hari Naryan was the editor of the newspaper and Firaya Mal, the manager. The two were followers of Hindi language.
Priced at two annas, the handwritten newspaper would carry a picture of Darbar Sahib on the masthead and the matter — mainly translated from other papers — was set in two columns.
The name — ‘Akhbaar Sri Darbar Sahib Sri Amritsar Ji’ — gave the impression that the newspaper was inclined towards Sikh religion but, in reality, the fortnightly from Amritsar was started for the propaganda of Hindu religion and would use Hindi written in Gurmukhi script.
“It was a pro-establishment newspaper as it didn’t have a single word on the anti-British Kuka Movement,” Prof Kapoor says.
As per different works on the history of Punjabi journalism, this paper was followed by a bilingual Hindi and Gurmukhi paper ‘Sukib Sambodhni’, which was brought out by Pandit Santokh Singh in 1875.
“Most of the newspapers in Punjabi brought out over the next 40 years were religiously-driven,” says Dr Megha Singh, former assistant editor, Punjabi Tribune. He is the author of a book titled ‘History of Punjabi Journalism’.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Punjabi newspapers started gaining ground as a weapon of resistance to the British colonial rule. Historians term first 19 years of the 20th century as a vibrant period in the history of Punjabi journalism, when 80 newspapers were brought out, but most of them did not last a year. Those were the times when distinction between views and news was easily made.
The Ghadar uprising and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre gave birth to political journalism in Punjabi language. Charan Singh ‘Shaheed’ was the most popular journalist of those times.
According to historians, the next 15 years of journalism starting from 1920 was influenced by the Akali movement.
It is remembered as the “most glorious period”.
“The popularity of Punjabi newspapers was such that they would sell in black. A large section of society learned Punjabi only to know what was being reported in the newspapers,” says Prof Kapoor.
This phase is marked by ‘invention of headlines’, beginning of publication of advertisements, and contribution to the development of modern Punjabi literature.
When it comes to contemporary times, experts feel that the maximum space in Punjabi journalism is still captured by newspapers started on communal lines.
“Like most newspapers in other languages, Punjabi journalism has failed to set new trends,” says Prof Kapoor.
About the current scenario, Navjit Johal, former head of the journalism department, Punjabi University, feels that except for one or two organisations, Punjabi journalism is not attracting the best of talent because of low salaries.

– Tribune

ਅਕਾਲ ਅਕੈਡਮੀ ਦਦੇਹਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥਣ ਸਾਹਿਬਪਾਲ ਕੌਰ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਸਰਦਾਰ ਸਰਦਾਰਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਅਤੇ ਮਾਤਾ ਮਲਕੀਤ ਕੌਰ ਹਨ।ਸਾਹਿਬਪਾਲ ਕੌਰ 10 ਵੀਂ ਕਲਾਸ ਦੀ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥਣ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਸਾਹੋਦਾ ਜਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਕਲੱਸਟਰ ਸੀ.ਬੀ.ਐਸ.ਈ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਟ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ ਦਾ ਦਰਜਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।ਸਾਹਿਬਪਾਲ ਕੌਰ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਐਵਾਰਡ ‘ਚਿਲਡਰਨ ਡੇ’ ਮੌਕੇ ਕਰਵਾਏ ਗਏ ਸਮਾਗਮ ਵਿਚ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਰੁੱਤਬਾ ਵਿਦਿਅਕ ਖੇਤਰ,ਖੇਡਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਸਕੂਲੀ ਗਤੀਵਿਧੀਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਧ-ਚੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਲੈਣ ਕਰਕੇ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਹੈ।ਸਾਹਿਬਪਾਲ ਕੌਰ ਇਕ ਹੋਣਹਾਰ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥਣ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਹਰ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਚੰਗਾ ਨਾਮਣਾ ਖੱਟ ਰਹੀ।ਜ਼ਿਕਰਯੋਗ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਅਕਾਲ ਅਕੈਡਮੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਹਰ ਸੰਭਵ ਮਦਦ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਭਾ ਨੂੰ ਨਿਖਾਰਨ ਸਮੇਂ-ਸਮੇਂ ਤੇ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ।

India’s weightlifter Gurdeep Singh created scripted his name into the history after creating three national records in the IWF World Weightlifting Championships at Anaheim in the USA

Gurdeep Singh created three new senior national records in +105kg weight category in the just-concluded IWF World Weightlifting Championships at Anaheim in USA.

Unfortunately, Gurdeep Singh finished 13th overall with a total lift of 388kg (172 + 216) but created national records in snatch, clean and jerk, and the total lift.

In the snatch, weightlifter Gurdeep Singh bettered his own earlier national record of 171kg by one Kg. In the total lift also, Gurdeep bettered the earlier national record of 384kg. While in clean and jerk, Gurdeep broke the earlier national record of 215kg set by Sarabjit Singh by clearing 216kg.

Indian Weightlifting Federation Secretary General Sahdev Yadav said in a release that 12 new senior national records were created during the IWF World Weightlifting Championships which is a rare achievement never made before by Indian athletes.

This American magazine wrote an article some time ago on why they believe Sikhs are one of the greatest warriors in history.

Originally Published by the Exiled Magazine

FRESNO, CA — I think I’ve finally found a religion I can convert to. I’m thinking of turning Sikh. And we’ll just slide right by all the puns popping into your little heads, if you don’t mind. The Sikhs are just the coolest warrior tribe around. Take their scripture.

It all started when I got a letter from a guy named Gill, a Sikh in the UK, whining about how I’d talked up all the other warrior tribes but never had a word to say for the Sikhs. “Give us some love, Gary,” Gill whined.

Well, the War Nerd makes war, not love, but after weeks of looking into this Sikh thing, I gotta give the bearded boys their due. The Sikhs have one of the most amazing military histories on the planet. And they’re still living through their Golden Age right now. One of the great last stands in Sikh history happened less than 25 years ago, when 200 Sikh militants holed up in their version of the Mormon Tabernacle, the “Golden Temple” in Amritsar, India. Anybody with sense knew those 200 Sikhs were going to fight like demons, because that’s what Sikhs have been doing for the past 400 years. Sikh military history is so packed with glorious last stands that George Armstrong Custer would be a smalltime footnote if he’d worn a big turban to go with that long hair and beard of his.

It was 1984, and the Indian Army must have known it was in for a big bloody mess to get the temple back, especially since its upper ranks are filled mostly with Sikh generals, Sikhs being the designated hitters of the Indian war game. But Indira Gandhi was PM, and she was a lady who didn’t like being disobeyed, so she ordered her Sikh Commanding General to overrun the temple.

Mistake. The Sikh CO inside the temple was a dude named Shahbeg Singh, who pretty much single-handedly engineered the collapse of the Pakistani Army in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. It was Shahbeg who organized the Mukhti Bahini, the Bangladeshi guerrillas who made history by being the first Bengali armed force in history not to pee in their dhotis and flee at the sound of gunfire. In fact, this Sikh must’ve given the Bengalis some kind of Sikh blood transfusion because they fought well enough to make the West Pak garrisons surrender en masse even before Indian troops crossed the Bengal border. After that it was the end of history for East Bengal, except for a bunch of whiney George Harrison begging chanteys, and a tidal wave or two.

Well, this same Shahbeg arranged the defense of the Golden Temple so well that at the end of a seven-day battle with the Indian Army’s best units, his 200-odd amateur militants had inflicted 83 KIA on the army and even managed to blast the first tank to enter the compound. They paid a price, naturally – at least 500 Sikh dead. But Sikhs — well, if there’s one thing you can say about ‘em, it’s that they’re willing to pay any price.

And they make the enemy pay, too. Less than five months after Indira Gandhi ordered the attack on the Temple, she was strolling into her garden to be interviewed by that fat old Brit with the Russian name, Peter Ustinov, when the Sikhs got their revenge. It must have been a pretty scene, the fat man sweating in the Delhi heat, Indira swirling up in her best sari — when BOOM! Two of her bodyguards, who were Sikhs, naturally, opened fire on her with machine guns, turning her into human chutney. She died before the sweat dried on Ustinov’s chins. And then, just to add to Ustinov’s fun, her other non-Sikh bodyguards started blasting at the Sikh shooters, killing one and wounding another.

Shortest — and loudest — interview the old battle-ax ever gave. Last, too.

That was the Sikh revenge for “Operation Bluestar,” the temple raid. By the way, that’s another of these lame ops titles they keep coming up with. Should’ve called it “Operation Blowback,” or “Operation Indira, Are You Sure?”

For the Sikhs, this was just like Chapter Two Million in a long and glorious series of battles, assassinations and massacres. The Sikhs were born in the Punjab, the coolest part of India. Every conqueror in history headed that way as soon as he got his learner’s license at 15. Punjab was the last, and the toughest place Alexander himself ever tried to take. He was so impressed with the army of Pontus, as they called it then, that he said every Punjabi deserved to be called Alexander. Which was high praise, since Alex was never known for modesty.

Before him even those lazy necrophiliac Egyptians had a stab at the Punjab. I couldn’t believe it when I read it, but apparently those Nile-side loungers had the energy to attack the Punjab. Everybody had a turn, though it was the Persians and the Afghans who turned invading the Punjab from a healthy, occasional fun evening into an unhealthy obsession.

Born at village Churpur in Ludhiana district of Punjab, where she grew up playing with mud toys and mud cakes, manpreet Kaur had never thought of this day, when she walked to the stage to get two gold medals, one in MA in instrumental music and other un overall MA topper at the convocation of Eternal University, Baru Sahib .

Kaur was among 40 students who were conferred degrees and honours. She was also given employment by the Kalgidhar Soceity which runs the university. Her father is a security guard in a pvt company and his mother is a housewife. Manpreet and her siblings hardly had an opportunity to good education.

“ Its and experience which I can’t explain in words. When I came here in 2005, as a school drop out, I never thought I would have this privilege. My parents found it tough to meet my expenses of my education. My mother who heard from someone about free education being imparted here to girl children of poor families, brought me here to shape my future. Today she had tears of joy when she saw me with two gold medals and also a dignified job at Akal Institute of Divine music.” – Manpreet Kaur

She will be travelling around the World, US, Canada, England for carrying the legacy of the Trust through Kirtans and fund raising programmes organized to support children and girls like her.

She wants to find her space in the music world and revive the Saranda which is facing neglect.
She gives all the credit of her success to Baba Iqbal Singh Ji who has framed the career of nearly 60,000 students, many of them imparted free education and residential facility!

– Indian Express

The Team Kaleigh 10K Challenge was organised to raise additional funds for seven-year-old Kaleigh Lau, of Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green.

In April last year, Kaleigh, was told she had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a very rare and aggressive tumour.

Since then she began to suffer double vision, unbalanced walking and her left hand became very weak.

Earlier this year, she started travelling to Mexico every month with her family, to try and find a way of halting the tumour through a pioneering treatment.

So far, Kaleigh has responded well to the treatment and now Team Kaleigh is raising money in order to ensure the seven-year-old can continue to travel abroad.

At Sikhs in the City Running Club on November 26, a whole host of friends, family and complete strangers united to run a challenging 10K on a blustery winter day.

Mayor of Redbridge Councillor Linda Huggett gave a rousing speech before starting the race and was on hand to present medals for every runner.

She said: “It’s amazing to see everyone here today and I congratulate every runner for their dedication and human spirit.”

Celebrated runners included Jog on Hijabi Lynne Northcott, who is preparing for the London Marathon whilst raising money for a Gambia water project for Penny Appeal, Timi Veerasamy from Dagenham 88 and prolific long distance running legend Harmander Singh.

Organiser Jason Li said that the most uplifting moment of the race was watching “brave Kaleigh take part and complete the course in her wheelchair”.

He added: “I’m just relieved the event ran like clockwork.

“The weather was cold but the sun was out. We had no rain and even little Kaleigh participated.

“Everyone looks so happy and there is a great spirit of togetherness – It’s been perfect.”

Kaleigh’s Father Scott Lau thanked everyone for their support: “We are very blessed to have so many people come out and support Kaleigh and her determination has spurred us on even more. It’s just been an amazing day.

“We will do whatever it takes to make life easier for Kaleigh and it’s just fantastic that we have so many unbelievable people joining us on this journey.

“I’m really proud of everybody and immensely inspired by my own daughter. This illness hasn’t got a cure at the moment and we want to make a change as Team Kaleigh.

“It’s been emotional and we are full of pride – thank you everyone.”

The route was run on Roding Lane South, Woodford Bridge Road and Woodford Avenue with several friendly volunteer marshalls manning road crossings.

Readers who wish to make a donation should state clearly your full name, add a reference: “TK 10K” with your deposit and if possible an email to jasonli.kaleighstrust@gmail.com so that it can be added to the event’s fundraising total.

A Dream doesn’t become a REALITY through Magic, it takes Sweat, determination and Hardwork!

Hailing from a small village in Ludhiana, Manpreet Kaur always dreamt of making an impact beyond just her village.

On the Fifth Convocation Ceremony of Eternal University, Manpreet Kaur was awarded the University Medal for being an over all best student in her Post Graduate studies.

Her Journey from a Govt School to Akal Institute of Rural Women Empowerment was full of struggles. Her father worked as a Security Guard in a private company. He got her name registered in the Akal Institute of Rural Women Empowerment which underprivileged young women from remote areas. These students are imparted spiritual education and Divine music on ancient Indian stringed instruments.

]After completing education here, these girls become eligible enough to easily secure service as educators in reputed schools.

Till Now 822 girls have been given Free education under this program.

She completed her Xth and XIIth from Akal Academy, Baru Sahib. She was given an opportunity to pursue her education FREE of cost by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji who truly believes in the POWER of Education to uplift the women of Rural Villages.

Manpreet Kaur is teaching at Akal College of Divine Music and Spiritualism

– Tapasleen Kaur