News & Update

Nagar Kirtan of sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sahib last night under surveillance of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee and Punjab Government. The local Sikh sangat warmly welcomed the Nagar Kirtan on the way.

Sikh Devotees from nearby villages reached Sri Damdama Sahib to have glimpse of rare weapons and clothes of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Elephants of Budha Dal and Army Band were centre of attraction for the devotees. Thousand of Sikh devotees attended this divine Nagar Kirtan.

It is notable that these sacred relics were provided to the SGPC in Patiala by Riasat authorities under patronage of Punjab Government.

This journey will provide the opportunity to local Sikh devotees to have glimpse of relics for two days. The Nagar Kirtan will leave for Sri Mukatsar Sahib after spending two days in Talwandi Sabo.

Singh Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh, Jagpal Singh (Manager, Takht Sahib), Dr. Basant Garg (Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda), SDM Vinet Kumar, Tehsildar of Talwandi Sabo, DSP Malkit Singh Bhatti, Inspector Gursher Singh etc. warmly welcomed the Nagar Kirtan on its arrival at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib.

– Source: Sikh24.com

Young Delhi runner Beant Singh won a gold each in boy’s 800m as India bagged three medals on the second day of the Asian Youth Athletics Championships here.

16-year-old Singh was in a class of his own in the two-lap event and strode to a comfortable victory, clocking 1.52.26, among fastest times in the world this year in the youth category. He ran an excellent 54 sec first lap and won the race with a big lead from start to finish at the Qatar Sports Club stadium.

He ran an excellent 54 sec first lap and won the race with a big lead from start to finish at the Qatar Sports Club stadium.
An ecstatic Singh revealed that wrestling was his initial love and he switched to athletics just a few years ago.

“I was feeling really good for this race and I have been preparing really well for this competition, so to win is a great satisfaction,” he said.

“I have only been in athletics for a short time, two or three years. I was a wrestler before and I was picked for a national team camp by Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar. It was at this moment that I noticed I had a talent for middle distance running and I was encouraged to switch to athletics. Sushil remains a very big inspiration for me,” he added.

Beant had won a silver in the National Open Athletics Championships last year at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, his first senior national medal, in 800m with a time of 1:51:08 which was a new national record in the youth category.

“Next stop for me is the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali. I have set big expectations. I want to beat the Indian national record there. I know I can run under 1:50. I have done it in training and I aim to run it at the championships,” he said.

Source- HindustanTimes

Kudos to the upcoming Milkha Singh!

“When I decided to keep my hair uncut, I don’t think I realized the true impact of Sikhi on my life. It was after I decided to start tying turban in 12th grade that I noticed the difference in the way people looked at me, or how everyone stared just a few seconds longer at me than they would at my other friends.

Definitely, the first few months, I was very self-conscious and even a bit apprehensive as to whether my decision had been right or not. This is not to say that people who do not tie turbans are any less Sikh than me; in fact, I know many non-turbaned people who are contributing to the Sikh community and they face many difficulties as well.
Personally, tying a turban was one of the best but also difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make; it’s a lifelong commitment with no looking back, at least for me. I slowly became more confident about my image; the turban gave people a reason to come talk to me and ask questions about Sikhism.

This made me feel as if my decision to tie a turban was 100% positive and that it gave me a significant identity, allowing me to educate others about the Sikh faith. My advice to other Sikh women and men as well, is to remember that those extra stares are not actually hostile glares, but are actually just questioning minds who are curious.

Do not get defensive about questions relating to long hair, turbans because when people ask questions, they are actually interested in being educated. Also, never feel like you know everything there is about Sikhism, because that will surely cause you trouble along the way.

Try to educate people with the knowledge you have, and educated yourself about Sikhism as much as you can. Also try to educate yourself about other cultures, faiths and religions to become more informed and better equipped to have actual intellectual discussions. Let’s just embrace and respect each other with open arms while retaining our own identity as Sikhs.”

~ Anonymous
~ Source: facebook.com/PortraitsofSikhs

This is a springtime Raag to be recited in the morning hours.
This Raag is associated with the yogis….
Sidh Gosht is composed in this Raag by Guru Nanak.

Guru Nanak Dev ji says

Ang 840 He alone is a yogi who realizes the word of the guru’s shabad
Ang 878 He alone is a Sidha (a seeker) who meditates on the one perfect Lord.

So this is a scene of a sunrise in the mountains with the snow clad peaks in the distance.
In the foreground the Yogis have gathered together as if to receive the Gur Gyan.
There is no physical appearance of Guru Nanak in the painting.
The rays of the rising sun are the “Gur Gyan” that is Guru Nanak.
Metaphorically the Sun represents Guru Nanak.

~ Dr. Navjeet Kaur

The ideal season to recite the raag is in the winter time.

Guru Arjan Dev ji says,
Ang 868 ….Meeting with the true Guru and singing the Lord’s praises I have found an incomprehensible treasure.

So for this painting the inspiration is from nature once again.
The seashell holds its precious pearl within it.
Realizing that each of us has a precious and divine treasure within.
This realization IS the true blessing.

~ Dr. Navjeet Kaur

Sikhs have to explain to American people what the turban means because that is the immediate source of their identification, according to the author of a new report on Sikhs in America presented to US lawmakers.

“Sikhs have to explain what it symbolizes and what values it represents,” said Geoff Garin, former political strategist for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton presenting the key findings of the report at a briefing arranged by the National Sikh Campaign (NSC).

“This will have a very powerful impact on the broader American public,” he said. “The study shows that when people see Sikhs on the streets anywhere, people are very confused about what Sikh faith is and that confusion leads to tragic consequences,” said Gari

“They also feel that they will not have very much in common with Sikhs.”

Garin, whose current clients include the World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Harvard University, heads the Hart Research Associates, one of the leading survey firms in the US.

The firm conducted a six-month long nationwide polling and focus group study to understand how Sikhs are perceived in America and what strategies would be helpful to change perceptions.

The report lists specific messaging techniques which Sikhs could use in their media strategies resonating with American public. Garin said the survey showed that 6 out 10 Americans acknowledge that they know nothing at all about Sikhs and Sikhism.”

“Better educated Americans are likely to come in contact with Sikhs,” he said. “Younger Americans are likely to have some information about Sikhs.”Judy Chu, founder and vice chair of the Congressional American Sikh Caucus, called it “a very significant report about the American perceptions of the Sikh community.”

John Garamendi, co-chair of the Sikh Caucus, said, “It’s extremely important that the people of the United States and beyond learn and understand the multiple cultures that we have in the United States.”

Dr. Rajwant Singh, senior advisor to NSC, said the NSC plans to start a media ad campaign based specifically on this study and the various intricate details input collected from common Americans.

~ Source: ibnlive.in.com