News & Update

‘Chaar Saahibzaade’ is garnering emotional applause from people of all backgrounds. Children have got new superheroes in the form of four Sahibzaadas now that they are aware of their sacrifices and great Sikh history.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has given its nod for displaying merchandise related to Sikh history in the gurdwaras of Punjab, and Ludhiana has been chosen as the first city for the initiative.

Delhi-based company has collaborated with the SGPC to promote Sikh history in gurdwaras of Punjab. Even a special stall will be put up at Fatehgarh Sahib during Jor Mela in December this year, where an annual fair is held in the memory of two youngest sons of Guru who were alive when walls were built around them.

Various things like key chains, calendars, pen drives, games, T-shirts and water sippers related to four Sahibzaadas will be put on display.

Rajiv Sawhney, manufacturer of the products, “The merchandise starts from Rs 15 and goes up to Rs 30,000 so that all can buy them.

The exclusive of all products is a 24-carat gold-plated kirpan (sword) mounted on a wooden panel. The calendars have an inscription from the Guru Granth Sahib on each page with an English translation of the same.

The movie has recorded good collections overseas as a large number of Sikhs are settled in Canada and the US. “We are getting overwhelming response for these products as children have got new superheroes in the form of four Sahibzaadas. Earlier, they were not even aware of their sacrifices and great Sikh history,” Sawhney said.

He added that ‘replicated swords and bow arrow of four Sahibzaadas are getting great response from children and also the pendants made for women.”

“A lot of research went into making products to avoid any controversy and we studied Sikh history literature for a month to learn the details,” he added.
SGPC head Makkar said, “It is a noble cause and we will happily allow this venture in gurdwaras starting from Ludhiana.”

Raman Singh, a city resident, said, “It is time that new generations in Punjab were made aware of great Sikh history and sacrifices of Chaar Saahibzaade, and there is no better platform than gurdwaras to begin with.”

~ Source: http://indianexpress.com

The state legislature in California declared November as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation month this year. To our knowledge, California is the only state to encourage the celebration of Sikhs and Sikh accomplishments on this scale.

To their credit, California Sikhs took advantage of this wonderful opportunity serving Hot ‘Langar’ to about 700 hot meals at Glide memorial Church on Saturday. The event catered to hundreds of homeless in San Francisco, celebrating Sikh principles of ‘Seva’ (selfless service) and ‘Langar’ (community kitchen).

The theme of the event is tied into the Sikh principle of Langar. Langar symbolizes the recognition of the human race as one, since anyone irrespective of caste, creed, race, or religion can partake in Langar. This is why in Sikh Gurdwaras (Sikh Houses of Worship), all who partake in Langar sit on the floor denoting that no one is above or beneath anyone else. All the food is prepared by dedicated volunteers and there is no cost to those who partake.

Appreciating the efforts of the wonderful volunteers of Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, Kabila Restaurant, and Glide memorial staff who made this event happen. Langar is an example of how to share the fruit of one’s labor with needy people selflessly as a support to the community.

A good way of sharing the heritage of Sikh people and reaching out in a caring way to the community. The blessings came pouring to all those who attended and volunteered.

Thousands of people turned parts of Sandwell into a sea of orange for a huge Sikh community celebration. The event marked the birth of the first Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji and the founder of the Sikh faith. More than 30,000 turned out for an annual procession from West Bromwich to Smethwick. Thousands were on the streets, making it the biggest yet in the event’s nine-year history.

One of the organisers Parmjit Singh Dhillon, coordinator of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Sandwell, added: “It’s been a great event, despite a bit of rain it hasn’t been that cold and everyone has enjoyed themselves.

“It really brings the community together.

“It’s great to see so many people taking part in such an important day”.

Five men in ceremonial dress known as ‘Panj Pyaare’ led the procession in honour of Guru Nanak. They were followed by a float containing the holy scriptures of Guru Granth Sahib.

Volunteers cleaned the streets around the procession and food and drink were handed out along the way, with people of all ages and backgrounds taking part.

A celebration where everyone was welcomed to join in, this was actually represents a true example of ‘Multi- culturalism’. It was a “fantastic parade” with a “brilliant turnout” !

~ Source: http://www.expressandstar.com

Chaar Sahibzaade has achieved a new milestone by becoming the highest rated movie ever in IMDb history. Earlier IMDb has rated this movie 9.5 out of 10 but now it has moved further up to 9.9. It is an animation movie based on the life of four sons of tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

It sheds light on one of the most horrifying battles ever fought, in which a handful of Sikhs defended the fort of Chamkaur Sahib, against an army numbering in tens of thousands. The courage and utmost faith in the will of God, throughout the film, is inspiring beyond words for our younger generation.

Preserve the Past, Inspire the Future!

~ Source: http://www.punjabupfilms.com

History says that Guru Nanak Dev visited Kathmandu in 1516 AD during his third udasi (long journey) and spent a-month-and-a-half there. His first night in Nepal was on the banks of the Bishnumati river. To commemorate 500th year of Guru Nanak’s visit to Nepal in 2016, a Dubai-based charitable trust plans to develop a lesser-known shrine at Thapathali town of the hill country into a major religious destination.

Dubai-based Sikh entrepreneur and philanthropist SP Singh Oberoi told Hindustan Times on Sunday that he had a Rs. 100-crore plan for the scientific preservation of Guru Nanak Math at the shrine.

After Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust, a public charity floated by Oberoi, has given the gurdwara a facelift, the shrine management committee of Sikhs and Nepal government representatives would maintain it. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev was celebrated at Thapathali early this month.

“Pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib, birthplace of the Guru and one of the most revered places for Sikhs, is tedious and expensive owing to strained political relations with Pakistan; whereas, Nepal has simplified rules for foreign pilgrims,” he said. On the basis of revenue records in which the Math land was still registered in the name of Guru Nanak, Oberoi’s trust managed to convince the Nepalese government to recognise its religious significance.

“In 1516, the-then Nepal emperor Raja Jaya Jagat of the Malia dynasty had donated about 200 acres as religious service to the Guru. As there was no one to take care of the math, people encroached upon the land to construct houses and hotels. Now only 4 acres is in the possession of the shrine and some people are planning to sell even that illegally,” said the philanthropist.

The local Nepali population and officials helped his core team get access to the original papers signed by the-then Malia king of Nepal under his official seal. To make the offering non-disputed, Malia had made his son a witness. Multi-millionaire Oberoi said he had come across the math by accident three years ago. “I was looking for a place for a gatka (Sikh martial art) academy in Nepal when a Sikh devotee, Pritam Singh, told me about the neglected shrine. Once I was convinced of its link with Guru Nanak, I fought a long legal battle on foreign soil,” he said.

SP Singh Oberoi plans to construct a museum at the Thapathali math in Nepal, where he will keep a rabab (stringed musical instrument) believed to be of Guru’s disciple Bhai Mardana and an old 1,554-page manuscript of Guru Granth Sahib.

His team will search more relics related to the Guru and put the items on display after scientific preservation. He also plans an orphanage and adopting 100 children whose education his trust will sponsor. The martial arts academy plan is also very much on.

Source: Hindustan Times