News & Update

Washington: A top American Congressman today expressed deep concern over the attack on a 29-year-old Sikh man in New York City and sought assistance of Justice Department and the FBI in such cases. The victim, Sandeep Singh, was critically injured when he was hit by a pick-up truck last week and dragged nearly 30 feet on a public street in Queens, following an argument with the driver who used racist language against him and his friend.

“I’m deeply concerned about the events that took place last week here in Queens, and I wish Mr Singh a speedy recovery,” said Congressman Joe Crowley, a leader on Sikh-American issues who spearheaded the effort to encourage the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI to begin tracking and quantifying hate crimes against Sikhs.

“Two years after the massacre in Oak Creek, it is clear that the Sikh community is still facing the threat of violence, and this kind of continued hate and these attacks against Sikh Americans must come to an end,” he said in a statement.

“I hope the Department of Justice and FBI can offer assistance in this case, including using the updated system for specifically tracking hate crimes against Sikhs. The intolerance and ignorance that contributed to the attack on Mr Singh is unacceptable, and we must continue to work to end these hate crimes,” Crowley said.

Over the past three years, Crowley has led a major effort in the US House of Representatives to convince the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans – introducing legislation and sending multiple letters to the DOJ and FBI. Last year, the then FBI Director Robert Mueller announced the agency would begin this program.

Crowley’s efforts have been supported by the Sikh Coalition, American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Hindu American Foundation, Indian American Forum for Political Education, SALDEF, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) among other leading national organisations.

~ Source: www.indiatvnews.com

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A Sikh comes to the world with qualities to rule the world already imbibed in him – the quality of being on the front row of achievements in every field whether it be a battle field, a peace front , education field or sports ground.

The strength, vigor, vitality and the attitude of winning have made the world to bow! Meet these amazing Sikh Heroes who have brought fame to India with their exceptional World Winning Skills…

Gurpal Singh:-
Gurpal Singh from Bhatinda (Punjab) made a momentous day for Indian shooting at 2014 Commonwealth Games. He defeated Australia’s Daniel Repacholi, stood second and won the silver medal with 187.2 points in the 50-metre men’s pistol finals at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre.

Harpreet Singh:-
33-years-old Harpreet Singh hails from Haryana topped qualification round. He defeated Canada’s Metodi Igorov and bagged the silver medal in men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event of Commonwealth Games. He hit 21times on the target in six-shooter finals which have eight rounds of five shots each.

Rajinder Rahelu (Powerlifter):-
Rajinder Rahela whose legs were affected with polio, won the silver medal in the men’s heavyweight category at the Clyde Auditorium. Rahelu picked up a total of 180.5 kg to get the silver on the penultimate day of Commonwealth Games.

Navjot Kaur:-
India’s Navjot Kaur won the bronze medal beating Scotland bronze medal play-off in the women’s freestyle event of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the SECC Hall on Wednesday. Navjot, 24, won 13-0 against the 31-year-old Sarah. Navjot was leading 9-0 when she pinned down Sarah in her last move to clinch four points and bagged the match on account of technical superiority. Thirty-year-old Navjot faced a tough challenge from top-ranked Australian judoka Tom Pappas in the opening round before winning on the basis of more yukos at the end of the five-minute bout
Navjot’s bronze was the fourth medal for India from wrestling in the day.

Rajwinder Kaur:-
Rajwinder Kaur won the bronze medal in the women’s -78kg category. She defeated the Kenyan judoka Esther Akinyi Ratugi in the bronze medal play-off contest B in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. Rajwinder won penalties as Esther picked up three warnings. With her bronze medal, India continues to have a successful day at the Commonwealth Games 2014.

Abhinav Bindra:-
Abhinav Bindra made his memorable appearance at the Commonwealth Games as the star Indian shooter who won the battle of nerves in a gripping competition to bag the 10m Air Rifle gold medal. Bindra, first Indian Olympic individual gold medalist, shot an aggregate of 205.3 to set a new Final Games Record. This is first CWG, which applied the ISSF rule of taking the final round score only and not adding the qualification score in shooting. 31-year-old Bindra kept his nerve to take the honour in his favourite 10m air rifle event with a final games record score of 205.3 to bring cheers for the Indian contingent.

Sardar Singh –
He has made the whole of India proud by getting a Silver Medal in Hockey but missing out on the gold medal was a bit disappointing for the team captain. India might have failed to break their Commonwealth Games title jinx for the second consecutive time but captain Sardar Singh has a lot of positives to take from the event and said the silver medal was a “well- deserved” achievement.

We are proud of them all! Are you? Tell us what you think in the comment box below –

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 12th Aug ’14

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In the wake of growing injustice, poverty, hatred and the people killing each other, 103 year old Fauja Singh – Worlds Oldest Marathon Runner has asked patrons of all religions and faith to join him in a peace marathon to be held in UK. The Marathon has been organized to bring awareness among the masses to get over hatred and injustice and make this world a better place to live in full of love and brotherhood.
London’s running club Sikhs in the City has announced to organize a relay race to mark the centenary of World War I as message of “cooperation and harmony”. The India-born British Sikh, the club’s founding member who was three in 1914 when the conflict started has put forward his appeal inviting people across faiths to participate in the race.
He also said that Sikhs in the city represent Britain in the Luxembourg Interfaith Marathon each year to show how all faiths can share a common effort for peace and harmony.

Singh, who was born in India in 1911, took up running in his 80s to distract himself from the trauma of losing his son, daughter and wife in quick succession. He completed the London Marathon at the age of 89 before retiring after the Hong Kong marathon last year.

While he no longer runs, he keeps active by walking the same distance every day.

“I look forward to playing my part in the race, if only to start it and cheer others all day,” he added.

His trainer Harmander Singh, who is organising the event with the club, said the race was particularly in honour of the “forgotten victims” of conflicts – women and the elderly.

The event will start in London at 9am on August 24 and will comprise 21 laps of a 2km route, with participants receiving a commemorative medal and a T-shirt.

The club is looking for 21 people who normally lead prayers in their faith communities, 21 women from any background, and 21 pensioners from any background to join together in relay teams.

There will also be a 10km (five laps) and a 22km (11 laps) for anyone else who wants to take part.
We are proud of this noble cause. Are You? Tell us in the comments below, we want to hear you speak!

~ Source: http://www.business-standard.com/
~ Edited by Deeksha Singh

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Hope in Unity!

Recently, Saharanpur was in news because of Sikh Muslim riots. It was disheartening. India is a land of diverse religion and culture. We belong to same color but different religion and this marks the major reason for all riots in India.

Back in 2011, UK riots were in limelight. There was destruction everywhere. The police wasn’t able to control the boisterous mob. The Sikhs and Muslims were in limelight too, for a different and a noble reason though. When Birmingham was facing the ravages of time, audacious Sikhs of Britain took over the streets to defend homes, businesses and places of worship. Armed with swords, and carrying hockey sticks, the rebellious Sikhs guarded their temples. And they were ready for any coup de main. They not only guarded their temples but also stood guard outside Mosque when Muslims were offering their Ramadan prayers. After this bravado act by Sikhs, Muslims also came forward and they stood guard outside Sikh temple when Sikhs were offering their prayers at night. Sikhs and Muslims not only guarded temples and mosques of the city, but they united to guard Churches of the city too. Social media, be it twitter or facebook, newspapers were brimming with this lion-hearted act. No matter what, Sikhs always stand against evil and this quality they have got from their ancestors and teachings of their Gurus. Since childhood Sikhs have learned that – “Maanas ki jaat sabai ekai pehchanbo” or “Aval allah nor upaya kudrat ke sab bande” meaning everyone belongs to ONE CREATOR.

There is harmony in unity, and peace in harmony. And there is a hope in unity!

~ Gurpreet Kaur
~ New Delhi, 9th Aug ’14

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14 years ago an article in a UK newspaper on pitiful condition of Sikligar, Vanjaras and Satnami sikhs inspired Kulwant Singh Dhesi and Tarsem Singh Deol alongwith like-minded individuals to found British Sikh Council UK in 2002. Initial surveys in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh having a sizable population of Sikligar, Vanjara and Satnami Sikhs revealed inspite of alarming levels of poverty, lack of sanitation,dismal health and education facilities people have a staunch belief in the Sikh value system. Hair was maintained unshorn.

With the sincere efforts of Malkit Singh Bal, President, Gurmat Parchar Sanstha (Nagpur) and Gurcharan Singh, Coordinator in India (BSC), with the UK natives the first Gurdwara was constructed in 2003 at Warud, Maharashtra. 10 Gurdwaras in Maharashtra, One school in Aaron (district Guna) and two Gurdwaras in Mathana (district Ashok Nagar) were constructed in Madhya Pradesh. Scottish Sikh Council assisted with construction of homes and the tribal Sikhs emerged out of their shanties to move into a life of dignity. The transition has been fascinating and marvellous Their language, customs, lifestyle and skill should be respected and preserved. In the last 12 years British Sikh Council has achieved remarkable success with the contribution of the sangat of Europe. Local governments had marked the tribal Sikhs as denotified tribes and their weapon making skills occasionally put them on the wrong side of the law. Intervention and conselling by British Sikh Council UK and Malkit Singh Bal has encouraged the tribal Sikhs to educate their children and explore better job options. Change is happening but there is lots more work to be done.

~ Source: www.britishsikhcounciluk.org