Sikh Samaritan Harman Singh was felicitated with Police Award for his Outstanding Act of Compassion and Empathy!

A Sikh man who removed his turban to cradle the injured head of a child has been felicitated for his efforts. Harman Singh has received the district commander’s certificate of appreciation at the Counties Manukau police district awards, held at Manukau Institute of Technology. Singh was recognized rescued a 6-year-old Daejon Pahia after the youngster […]

A Sikh man who removed his turban to cradle the injured head of a child has been felicitated for his efforts. Harman Singh has received the district commander’s certificate of appreciation at the Counties Manukau police district awards, held at Manukau Institute of Technology.

Singh was recognized rescued a 6-year-old Daejon Pahia after the youngster was hit by a car. Singh made world headlines he removed his turban to staunch the blood flowing from Daejon’s head.

Inspector Bruce O’Brien, the prevention manager for the Counties Manukau central policing area, praised Singh for his “outstanding compassion and empathy”.

He was “overwhelmed” when he received the email inviting him to the awards ceremony, the 22-year-old said “I’m a shy guy, but it’s nice. I’m so happy.” The media attention following the incident had taken some getting used to.

“It was very uncomfortable doing the first TV interview but the second or third time, you get used to it.”
Singh said his relatives back in India were very proud to hear he was receiving the award. And he said he would not hesitate to act if ever in a similar situation.

“If something else happens, I have the maturity and I can do the same thing.”

The Sikh man who captured the hearts of people across the globe when he took off his turban to cradle a boy’s head who had been hit by a car and this was a very emotional moment for him to get honored for his noble act of compassion.

~ Source: stuff.co.nz

Exclusive Series on Nihangs – Nomads of Punjab

Nihangs are a tribe that are scattered around Punjab, India. Dating back to the time of the ever expanding Mughal Empire where they were the first line of defense fighting simply for the right to live free from oppression. Each nihang was trained in the martial art of “Shastar vidiya”; The art of swordsmanship allowing […]

Nihangs are a tribe that are scattered around Punjab, India. Dating back to the time of the ever expanding Mughal Empire where they were the first line of defense fighting simply for the right to live free from oppression. Each nihang was trained in the martial art of “Shastar vidiya”; The art of swordsmanship allowing them to be very agile yet very destructive. They have dedicated their whole lives to defending their faith.

Known for their martial arts, sword fighting abilities, military expertise and bold blue attire, their traditions have changed very little over the past 300 years.

Due to the success of the Vaisakhi event which took place on Saturday 11th April, Raman Singh’s art work for my latest series Nihang, Nomads of Punjab was put on display until 24th April 2015 at City Hall, Central London.

The Event was organized by the Mayor of London and the positive feedback of the series has given him the opportunity to share his life long passion to explore history and heritage.

Despite being warriors they are a symbol for world peace, Nihangs are saint soldiers! They exist to spread love and preserve peace.

Courtesy – www.ramansingh.co

Share & Spread to appreciate the efforts put in, digging the Sikh Heritage to the surface!

Sant Teja Singh Ji presented the Divine Vision of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in World Religious Conferences!

Sant Teja Singh during his sojourn of USA was invited to attend Berlin World Congress of all Religions. Sant ji presented the divine vision and preaching of Guru Nanak Dev. He familiarised the huge gathering from across the globe, about Guru sahib’s message of Universal Brotherhood and the presence of same divine light within every […]

Sant Teja Singh during his sojourn of USA was invited to attend Berlin World Congress of all Religions. Sant ji presented the divine vision and preaching of Guru Nanak Dev. He familiarised the huge gathering from across the globe, about Guru sahib’s message of Universal Brotherhood and the presence of same divine light within every creature of the Creator.

Sant Teja Singh on return to India also participated in the Second Sikh League Congregation to decide political course of action in light of non–cooperation movement initiated by political leaders of India at that time.
Apart from the above Sant Teja Singh represented Sikh community in The Eighth World Peace Conference attended by spiritualists of all faiths across the globe, held in Japan in 1956.

After Sant Attar Singh Mastuane left his mortal frame in year 1927, Sant Teja Singh during the period of 1927-1939, toured the whole of India and propagated Sikh Faith. People in large numbers partook the divine nectar of Guru Gobind Singh and thus got baptized and started treading the spiritual path under the guidance of Eternal Guru Granth Sahib ji.

He spent many years at Paonta sahib and meditated on Divine Name, did sewa in building Gurdwaras and also wrote the Biography of Sant Attar Singh Ji. In the year 1945, he visited west Punjab areas (now in Pakistan) and held religious congregations and gave spiritual discourses. In the year 1949, he addressed the students of Khalsa College Amritsar and motivated them to tread on the spiritual path while taking worldly education. The students after listening to the sermons and lecture of Harvard educated Sant Teja Singh and seeing his simple outlook; were extremely motivated. Here he also invited students to Paonta Sahib during study vacations to have more insight of spiritual way life and the path shown by Guru Nanak Dev ji Maharaj. Many students pledged to have his association and committed to visit to Paonta Sahib during vacations.

Out of the prominent students who pledged allegiance to Sant Teja Singh, only two students namely Iqbal Singh and Bhai Gurbux Singh went to Paonta Sahib to have spiritual association with Sant Teja Singh.

In the period of 1952-53, Sant Teja Singh propagated Sikh faith in the places/countries like Bangkok, Malaysia, Singapore, East Africa, Japan along with his disciple Baba Gyan Singh. In African countries, he also visited Uganda and advised the local Indians to be more affectionate to the local natives and alongside to prepare for moving to other countries also. The advice came in handy after a few years later since due to civil war and on orders of Idi Amin, the then Ugandan dictator, all the Indians were flushed out of that country.

Again in 1955-56, Sant Teja Singh visited Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, USA and Canada.

Indo-Canadian pay Tribute to Sant Teja Singh Ji during the Sikh History Tour in Canada!

A new, unique, and exciting program to honor Sant Teja Singh’s amazing life and contribution to the Sikh and South Asian community of BC has been organized by Indo-Canadian Sikhs at Vancouver. Sikh History Tour for high school students in memory of Sant Teja Singh Ji, to many Sikh historical sites around the Vancouver area, […]

A new, unique, and exciting program to honor Sant Teja Singh’s amazing life and contribution to the Sikh and South Asian community of BC has been organized by Indo-Canadian Sikhs at Vancouver.

Sikh History Tour for high school students in memory of Sant Teja Singh Ji, to many Sikh historical sites around the Vancouver area, to teach children about Canadian Sikh history pioneered by Sant Teja Singh and other Gurmukhs.

Students aged 13-18 from all over the Lower Mainland are invited to take part in a bus tour of Several Sikh Heritage sites, from Abbotsford to Vancouver.

Date – Saturday, July 4th
Timings – 9:00am-7:00pm

The day will be filled with education, fun, engaging speakers.

Sant Teja Singh was a saint, scholar, and worldwide activist who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Sikh community, within and outside itself, through most of the 20th century. Sikhs around the world, particularly in North America, owe a great amount of their success as a community to pioneers like Sant Teja Singh, who lead the community to great heights through very difficult and challenging times.

This program is a joint effort between Gurmat Center Abbotsford, Guru Nanak Academy, Akal Academy Surrey, Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar, SFU Sikh Students’ Association, UFV Sikh Students’ Association, and UBC Sikh Students’ Association.

This is one of the efforts by the Vancouver Sikh Sangat to celebrate the 50th Barsi of Mahapursh Sant Baba Teja Singh Ji.

Sant Teja Singh Ji was appointed as First Principal of the First College of Education, Banaras Hindu University

It is worth mentioning that in the year 1914, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya had travelled to Mastuana barefoot from Sangrur Railway Station to invite Sant Attar Singh for laying the foundation stone of Banaras Hindu University. Sant Attar Singh accepting his request had accompanied him to Varanasi. Rather a train, full of affluent people including […]

It is worth mentioning that in the year 1914, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya had travelled to Mastuana barefoot from Sangrur Railway Station to invite Sant Attar Singh for laying the foundation stone of Banaras Hindu University. Sant Attar Singh accepting his request had accompanied him to Varanasi. Rather a train, full of affluent people including Sikh rulers of Jind, Patiala and Nabha alongwith prominent religious heads of all faiths and political figures of that era arrived at Varanasi for this ceremony.

Accompanied by the religious chantings, the foundation stone of Sanskrit College was laid by Sant Attar Singh by placing eleven bricks of gold. Prior to this Five Akhand Paths were conducted at same place and after holding prayer (Ardas), the revered Sant also sung divine hymns (Kirtan).

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in the month of July 1919 requested Sant Attar Singh to send Teja Singh as Principal at the start of the first Teachers Training College of the University. Sant Attar Singh asked Teja Singh to take charge of the college as Principal and the same was humbly followed by Teja Singh.

A year later, rulers of Patiala, Nabha and Jind requested Sant Attar Singh Mastuane Wale to recall Teja Singh back from Banaras Hindu University; to direct him to establish centers of higher education at Gur Sagar Mastuana.

After serving for a year at Teachers Training College of Education at Banaras Hindu University, on directions from Sant Attar Singh, Teja Singh returned back and took charge of Akal Degree College Gurusagar Sahib Mastuana. He remained the Principal of the college from 1923- 1926.

Sirjana Diwas of Akal Takht Sahib!

Akal means the Throne of the Immortal and is the highest political institution of the Sikhs. “Akal” means “The Timeless One” – another term for God. “Takhat” means “throne” in Persian. The Akal Takhat is an impressive building that sits directly in front of the causeway leading to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India. […]

Akal means the Throne of the Immortal and is the highest political institution of the Sikhs. “Akal” means “The Timeless One” – another term for God. “Takhat” means “throne” in Persian. The Akal Takhat is an impressive building that sits directly in front of the causeway leading to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India.

The original structure of Akal Takht was built by Guru Hargobind ji, Bhai Gurdas ji and Baba Buddha ji, with their own hands. No other person or artist was employed to build the platform. Guru ji remarked that the seat of guru would serve the panth for eternity. Guru ji raised the height of the platform to twelve feet, defying the royal edict of Jehangir that no other person except the Emperor himself can sit on a raised platform of more than three feet. Guru Hargobind would regularly sit on the raised platform, Takht, with all marks of royalty and dispence justice for all disputes of Sikhs.

The Akal Takhat was built a fraction lower than the Harimandir Sahib, implying the order of importance, that the search for spiritual grace was always to lead.

A similar balancing of assertion and submission was built into Guru Hargobind’s daily routine, which alternatively highlighted the shrine, with its spiritual function and self-effacing architectural symbolism, and the throne platform, with its assertion of sovereignty and temporal authority. The Guru started the day with worship in the Harimandir; he would then go on a hunt in the late morning and grant audience from the Akal Takhat in the afternoon.

~ Source: Sikhiwiki

Sikh Man dies yet his Retrieved Organs saved 4 lives!

A 42-year-old Sikh man was declared brain dead at AIIMs, Delhi becomes the ninth cadaver donor this year. Institute director Dr M C Misra said the man’s heart, liver and two kidneys have been transplanted in the bodies of four recipients, while his corneas have been preserved in the AIIM’s eye bank. Sikhism stresses the […]

A 42-year-old Sikh man was declared brain dead at AIIMs, Delhi becomes the ninth cadaver donor this year. Institute director Dr M C Misra said the man’s heart, liver and two kidneys have been transplanted in the bodies of four recipients, while his corneas have been preserved in the AIIM’s eye bank.

Sikhism stresses the importance of noble deeds, selfless giving and sacrifice which is always exemplified by the Sikh Gurus.
Saving a human life is one of the greatest things one can do as an act of selflessness. Since life continues after death in the soul, and not the physical body. The last act of giving and helping others through organ donation is both consistent with, and in the spirit of, Sikh teachings.

His heart was transplanted into a 48-year-old male suffering from dialectic cardiomyopathy, while his kidneys went to two different males.

Due to non-availability of a suitable recipient at AIIMS, his liver was offered to Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences and transplanted into a 54-year-old man suffering from acute and chronic liver failure.

“The patient was admitted to Rockland Hospital in Qutab Institutional Area with complaints of severe headache and pain in the right side of the body on June 23. A sudden haemorrhagic attack left him brain dead,” said Rajeev Maikhuri, senior organ transplant coordinator, Organ Retrieval Banking Organization at AIIMS. A patient is termed brain dead when he or she has suffered complete and irreversible loss of all brain functions and are clinically and legally dead.

Maikhuri said that that the patient’s family agreed to donate his organs when neurosurgeons explained about the condition. Names withheld to respect privacy.

A noble initiative by the family members which proved to be a blessing for others.

Organ Donation is truly a gift of life. An inspiring story of loss and hope, pain and joy and acts of selflessness.

This is true spirit of Chardikala, thinking as a well wisher for others even after undergoing a huge loss!

~ Source: ndtv.com

Sant Teja Singh Ji – First Turbaned Sikh Graduate at Harvard University!

After getting residency rights for Indians in Canada, he again returned to USA for completion of AM Degree in Columbia University. But he was barred from studying there on the plea that he had participated in a movement against Canadian Government; and that as such he had lost right to study there. Then Teja Singh […]

After getting residency rights for Indians in Canada, he again returned to USA for completion of AM Degree in Columbia University. But he was barred from studying there on the plea that he had participated in a movement against Canadian Government; and that as such he had lost right to study there.

Then Teja Singh took admission in Harvard University for which he had applied whilst he was in India itself. Since no such report or complaint had been received by Harvard University against him; so the admission was granted. Teja Singh completed his A.M. degree in 1913 with his Sikh identity intact.

On his return to India, at the behest of his Mentor, Sant Attar Singhji, in pursuance of his faith, Professor Teja Singh shunned comfort to find riches in poverty and started teaching in a Primary School in an ashram at Mastuana Sahib.

Later he served as Principal of Gujranwala College from 1917-1919 on the instructions of Sant Attar Singh.

Great Turnaround in Canadian History – Indians won the case for Permanent Residency Rights under his Guidance!

In early 1900s, The Canadian government decided to ship out all Indians to Honduras in South America, infested with yellow fever and uninhabitable. As this word spread, the Indians residing in Canada identified and requested Teja Singh to help bail them out since they were being forced to move out of Canadian mainland. After discussing […]

In early 1900s, The Canadian government decided to ship out all Indians to Honduras in South America, infested with yellow fever and uninhabitable. As this word spread, the Indians residing in Canada identified and requested Teja Singh to help bail them out since they were being forced to move out of Canadian mainland.

After discussing the emerging situation from all possible aspects and giving due credence to the Canadian Government’s orders, Professor Teja Singh met up with the employers where Indians worked and requested for their testimonials. Each one of them came forward saying that Indians worked harder and far better skilled than the natives of Canada.

Professor Teja Singh believed that this visit of his to Canada was not by chance but for a purpose, which shall shape the destiny of millions in Canada during times to come. He convinced the local Sikhs to form and register a Mining and Trust Company, which bought one-fourth of the shares in a gold mine at Jacksonville.

Being a remarkable planner and organizer, he successfully rallied around the Sikhs to purchase 250 acres of prime land near Eagle Harbour for a princely sum for establishing a Sikh colony and Sikh University. All this helped build a good image and a firm position of Sikh community in Canada. Strong financial strength of Sikhs became a public knowledge and there was no reason for them to become a public charge.

Many seminars were planned to educate Canadians about the Sikh Community. This gathered momentum and was published in leading Canadian dailies, adding to Professor Teja Singh’s faith that all this is being shaped by the will of the Almighty.

Armed with a stronger faith, the Government of Canada was petitioned that Indians in Canada were industrious, possessed good wealth and better working skills thus bringing strength to the economy. Faced with these facts the authorities had to reconsider giving permanent residency rights for the Indians in Canada and allow them to become as integral as Canadians to this North American nation.

His organisational, legislative and constitutional skills gave shape to one of the most important turnarounds in Canadian history.

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Sant Teja Singh Ji Established Gurdwaras in Western countries with the help of Sikh Students & Saints!

During his stay in UK, he motivated the Sikh students studying there to build a Gurdwara in Shepherd Bush. In Canada too, he built a Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C. Similarly he gathered the revered Sikhs who took part in freedom of India like Baba Vaisakha Singh, Baba Jawala Singh and others. As such, he established […]

During his stay in UK, he motivated the Sikh students studying there to build a Gurdwara in Shepherd Bush. In Canada too, he built a Gurdwara in Surrey, B.C.

Similarly he gathered the revered Sikhs who took part in freedom of India like Baba Vaisakha Singh, Baba Jawala Singh and others. As such, he established a Gurdwara at Stockton USA with the help of these Sikh Saints.