News & Update

Promotes Right To Vote across 28 States, Riding Bike!

Sikh Boy Jaspreet Singh Monty from Bidar is the first and the only Sikh representative joining this sensational Bike Ride Campaign from South India. His association is being hailed as a moment of proud for the entire Sikh Youth and the Community. Checkout the details of their high-spirit sensational tour and the nationalist objective behind!

Moment Vande Maataram

It is the first and the biggest ever movement organized by the bikers to create awareness and motivate youth to VOTE. A large group of bikers rode to all the State Capitals of India meeting youth along the way. The movement was spearheaded by Bharadwaj Dayala, the first Indian to go around the world on motorcycle.

The Ride

Large group of riders rode to all the 29 State Capitals of India spanning 15,000 kms. They are not supported by anyone but the people of this country. No politics, no parties, no persons. It’s just the bikers and Call of duty! The ride started from Mumbai on 15th March 2014, and 470 bikers came to support the core team of riders. The rally ended at Mumbai on 27th April 2014.

Why This Ride?

This time, the average voting age in our country is 23 years which means young people will play the key role in upcoming elections. Unfortunately, most of our youth takes voting casually and don’t take the pain to go on a booth and vote. Currently, our country is at crossroads and a strong participation will only lead to better future. It is the responsibility of young people to take charge in moving the country forward. So, we are just appealing to the youth of India to exercise their power, go out and Just Vote!

Also, most of the people think, bikers are reckless and careless people but, it’s not like that. No doubt, we are passionate about bikes and rides but we also understand our social responsibilities.

Know more about us or Connect with us at –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vandemaataram2014

Twitter: @getspotted2014

Chandigarh/ Punjab (May 14, 2014): A four-day ‘Gurbani Impact Study Programme’ concluded at Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh Campus. This was an exclusive program to establish the teachings enshrined in the Sikh Scripture – Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

The programme was organized under the Major Project sanctioned by the University Grants Commission with Prof. Jaspal Kaur Kaang, Chairperson of Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies, PU as its Principal Investigator.

The main objective of the Project was to establish that teachings enshrined in the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib Ji can play a very significant role in treating ailments and solving all the other problems being faced by human beings in the modern age at the personal, social and global levels.

As many as 150 participants attended the program regularly on all the four days. The participants, male and female, included people from all walks of life and different age groups. At the Valedictory Function Prof. Kaang thanked S. Hardial Singh and his team, all the participants and volunteers, PU and U.G.C authorities and the Gurdwara Management for their association with the programme. She hoped that the achievements made through this programme will go a long way in making the U.G.C Project a highly successful and fruitful venture.

The programme was held at the Gurdwara Sahib of Sector 14, Chandigarh in collaboration with ‘Sarb Rog Ka Aukhad Naam Mission’, Chandigarh with S. Hardial Singh, a former I.A.S officer as its Head.

The mission has been active for the last three decades and has been organizing camps for healing through Gurbaani, regularly.

The daily programme, was divided into two sessions i.e. 8.30 AM to 11.30 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM.

Each session was devoted to Gurbaani- Keertan led by expert Raagis, Gurbaani Recitation, elaboration of Gurbaani teachings highlighting the healing effect of Gurbaani in diverse ways, Kirtan by Sangat, discourses inspiring adoption of teachings of Gurbaani for moral and spiritual upliftment.

Lively interaction also made part of each session Religious literature was distributed among participants and interviews were held.

Data was collected at the beginning and on the conclusion of the programme to assess the progress made vis-a-vis the impact of the experience gained by the participants.

~ Source: http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/

SACRAMENTO, USA (May 12, 2014)—The Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 147 (ACR 147) was introduced on May 11 by Member of assembly of California Roger Dickinson to establish November as “Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month” in the state.

The resolution demands that Californians should be given an opportunity to better understand, recognize, and appreciate the splendid history, and shared principles of US based Sikhs.

Dickinson said, “The Sikh American community is an integral chapter of California history. California’s Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month calls attention to the many contributions to California by Sikh Americans, and denounces discrimination against Sikhs.”

The Sikhs entered California in 1899, but it was not until 1946 that a legislation was enacted to authorize Sikhs to become US citizens. The Sikh diaspora in US has excelled in a various fields such as cultivation, and social service.

– Sikh24.com

May 08, 2014: William Osler Health System will soon launch its own mobile app courtesy of the winner of Kiss My App, the organization’s national app design contest for students.

Atinderpal (Atinder) Singh Multani won the $10,000 grand prize for his app, HosNav, which focuses on improving the patient experience at Osler’s hospitals. Slated for launch in June 2014, the app includes helpful tools like hospital maps, parking information, a diagnostic appointment tracker and a visitor navigation tool.

“Atinder’s HosNav app will be a tremendous help to the thousands of patients and families that come through our doors each and every day,” said Matthew Anderson, Osler President and CEO. “We are looking forward to working with him in the time ahead to make it available to our community.”

The winning app was unveiled before a standing-room only crowd at Brampton Civic Hospital. The award ceremony was hosted by Evan Hadfield, the man behind his famous father’s astronomical social media campaign and featured guest speaker Marc Saltzman, tech expert and host of Gear Guide.

One of the first contests of its kind in Canada, Osler launched Kiss My App in September 2013 and challenged undergraduate students to come up with innovative ways to identify and address what they see as perceived issues in health care through the development of a mobile app. Four finalist teams were in the running for the top prize.

“We have been completely blown away by the ingenuity and out-of-the box thinking demonstrated by our student teams, and the creativity in how they have presented their ideas throughout this competition,” Anderson said. “These students have different educational backgrounds, but they all have a single passion for improving health care.”

The prize money was donated by Osler’s Student Volunteer Youth Committee, which is a group of passionate young leaders committed to improving Osler’s hospitals by raising funds for equipment and providing student bursaries.

“We are thrilled to be involved with Kiss My App,” said Yamna Ali, President of Osler’s Student Volunteer Youth Committee. “To be able to support this contest and an idea that will help improve the patient experience at this hospital is an honour, and something our Committee can proudly stand beside.”

Source: www.healthscape.ca

Cheema Mandi, 13^th May: Akal Academy Cheema Sahib running under the aegis of the Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib, recently organized ‘Sant Attar Singh Inter Academy Basketball Tournament’ for Girls. During the tournament, Zonal Educational Officer (Elementary), S. Sher Singh Baalewal was present as the chief guest. In the tournament, Girls’ Teams from Cheema Sahib, Muktsar, Bhai Desa, Ratia, Kaudhiwada, Fatehgarh Gundhuaan and Dhindsa Akal Academy participated. Akal Academy Mukstsar, Bhai Desa and Kaudhiwada won 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd positions respectively.

Whilst distributing the prizes to the winning teams, Sher Singh Baalewal said that alongside quality education games also play an important role in our physical and mental development. On this occasion, he was honored by the academy. Akal Academy’s Principal Baljeet Kaur thanked all the special guests and the prominent personalities who had visited the event. For the event, Manjeet Singh Bakshi, Tej Singh – Zonal Manager Mid Day Meal, Sukhwinder Pal Joshi, Lal Singh S.D.O, Vice Principal Manjeet Kaur Virk, etc were also present.

Hail the efforts. Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

Sikh Gurdwara (Acton Road) – Indianapolis, Indiana USA: May 4, 2014: Honorable U.S. Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R- IN, 5th District) visited the Sikh Gurdwara (Acton Road) on May 4, 2014. Congresswoman Brooks and was accorded a very warm reception by the Sikh community and friends. This was a historic first, the first visit by a Member of Congress to a Sikh Gurdwara in Indiana.

In her prepared remarks, Congresswoman Brooks paid tribute to the central Indiana Sikh community and assured the gathering of her commitment to address major Sikh concerns: their opportunity to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces with the faith-mandated articles of faith; the unacceptable racial profiling of Sikhs at the U.S. Airports and incidents of workplace discrimination and harassment due to Sikh appearance with their articles of faith; the continuing unprovoked violence and hate crimes against the Sikhs and other ethnic minorities, especially since 9/11, due to unfounded stereotyping and issues of mistaken identity. The bullying of Sikh children in schools and the need to introduce Sikh studies program in curriculums of Nation’s schools were brought to the attention of Congresswoman Brooks.

We were greatly impressed by Congresswoman Brooks’ candor, friendliness, knowledge of Sikh American concerns and her willingness to support their commitment and struggle to discover a rightful place for their faith, culture, and community in America. Congresswoman Brooks was honored by Giani Pritam Singh and Maninder Singh Walia with the traditional Siropa (Sacred Scarf) and a beautifully-illustrated book: The Sikhs.

Congresswoman Brooks honored The Sikh Satsang with an American flag that was specially flown over the U.S. Capitol. Congresswoman Brooks participated in honoring Jasvir Singh Lalli, past President of the Sikh Satsang; in informal discussion with the Sikh leaders following her remarks in the Sanctuary (see below the full text of her speech); and graciously partook the traditional Langar (vegetarian community lunch) in the Gurdwara Library.

Ms. Brooks is a Member of Indiana Delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congresswoman Brooks has an impressive resume, with vast public and private sector experience, family values and leadership qualities that put her in the special class of an outstanding representative of Indiana and the interests of all Hoosiers. “…she currently serves on the Education and the Workforce, Homeland Security and Ethics Committee. She is also the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.”

Congresswoman Brooks sees public service as a noble profession and is attentive to the concerns of her constituents. Most recently, Congresswoman Brooks, at our request, added her name and voice to the Congressional initiative to allow Sikhs with their faith-mandated articles the right to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and in other opportunities. Congresswoman Brooks promised her continued support and friendship in safeguarding the rights of Sikh Americans. Congresswoman Brooks deeply appreciated our commitment to enrich Indiana and our Nation with our heritage, talents, and strengths as proud Americans. This was another landmark memorable moment for the Hoosier Sikh Americans.

– by Kanwal Prakash Singh

Mother’s Day, which started as a meeting of grieving mothers of the American Civil War, has now become a celebration of the role of mothers in our society. We are used to being taken care of and nurtured by our mothers from our birth. So we sometimes take our mothers, our selfless caregivers, for granted. Mother’s Day is an occasion to recognize our debt to them and to show our gratitude and appreciation.

Mother’s Day is not a religious occasion and there is no specific “Mother’s Day” in the Sikh faith.

Every day should be filled with love and respect for the mother. However, Sikh-Americans have joined enthusiastically in this annual reaffirmation of the important role of mothers in our lives.

Even though Mother’s Day is a new idea, mothers occupy a very special position in the Sikh faith.

In Sikh scripture, God is often addressed as a parent, mostly as mother and father – the two parents being equally important. For example: “You are the mother and the father; we are Your children. In Your mercy we find profound happiness.”

Similarly: “God is my mother, God is my father; God nurtures me. God takes care of me; I am the child of God. Patiently, He feeds me; He never fails. He does not remind me of my faults; He hugs me close in His embrace.”

The Guru is also referred to as a parent. For example: “My dear, most beloved, the True Guru, is my protector. We are helpless children, O God, have mercy upon us. My mother, my father, is the perfect True Guru. Upon meeting my Guru, my soul blossoms as a lotus flower upon being in water.”

The love between a devotee and God is described as the bond between a child and its mother. “Just like the love between a child and its mother, my mind is attuned to God.”

A mother’s qualities are described in many ways. Mothers are kind and merciful and constantly provide for their children. No matter how busy a mother is, her mind is constantly on her children and their well-being. Her caring role is highlighted in this prayer: “O God, care for me just as a mother brings up her son” and “God provides for all His creatures just like a mother cares for her son. The Master, the destroyer of all troubles, the ocean of joy, provides for everyone.”

A mother is forgiving.

A verse in Guru Granth Sahib reads: “A mother does not keep note of the transgressions of her son. O God, I am Your son. Why don’t You destroy my sins?”

A mother is also a spiritual guide.

A verse in Guru Granth Sahib includes: “Always remember the boundless, limitless God, remembering whom all our sins are destroyed. My son, this is a mother’s prayer for you. May you always remember God and never, even for a moment, forget Him.”

Emphasizing the importance of women and mothers to all life, Guru Granth Sahib teaches: “From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only God is beyond a woman.”

It was women who gave birth to the prophets, the Gurus, and devotees of God of all faiths.

Today, and indeed every day, let us all show our gratitude and celebrate our mothers who have given us so much and have worked so selflessly to make us what we are.

Happy Mother’s Day!

~ Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu is Professor Emeritus, Ohio State University.

[Courtesy: Huffington Post]