News & Update

Waris Ahluwalia is the type of handsome multihyphenate – House of Waris jewellery designer, creative collaborator, occasional actor and model – that everyone wants at their party. Beyond his social-fixture status, he aligns himself with philanthropic initiatives. His latest is a friendship bracelet for ALDO’s #FriendsFight campaign, launching today. Proceeds from sales of the $5 piece benefit Partners in Health’s HIV/AIDS initiatives. Ahluwalia spoke with Amy Verner on the phone from New York.

Do you think that what we wear can be an effective way to support a cause?

Supporting causes with whatever we do can be effective. My general philosophy is that you can make a difference doing what you normally do in your everyday life. You don’t have to become Mother Teresa to make an impact in the world. But nothing can be achieved if, at the very least, we are not talking about it.

How did the ALDO collaboration begin?

It began quite simply with a phone call about the project and the AFA (ALDO Fights AIDS) campaign. I had seen the previous work in 2005, so I was familiar with the initiative. I was happy to hear it was re-launching and there would be time, energy and money spent on the campaign.

What’s the significance of the bracelet’s arrow charm?

The arrow represents the symbol of truth and justice and the idea of forward movement and of breaking walls and boundaries as a way to create change. These days, people drink juice more expensive than this bracelet. There’s no reason not to be wearing it. And that was the initial conversation roughly two years ago – the idea of [something] being so accessible that there is no barrier to entry. The only way you can make change is if you do it together. It’s not something you can do alone.

You’ve already explored friendship when, to promote one of your jewellery collections last year, you recruited friends to produce a series of short films titled You’re My Boo.

I’m just repeating the same message over and over again in a number of ways. It’s about humanity, it’s about collaborations and about moving forward together and changing history. My friends are a huge part of my inspiration. What also came to mind were the 1960s protest marches where people would stand side-byside for what– ever cause. It’s not about race, colour, creed, sexuality.

Is AIDS no longer top of mind?

I think AIDS had its moment in the eighties. But it’s not over. And by not talking about it, we’re creating a very dangerous situation where people don’t realize the problem, right? It was in the media before and that’s how the numbers went down. But if we’re not talking about it, then the numbers go up. That’s why I think it’s important that ALDO is back on the mission.

Do you think your name adds cachet to brands you align with?

Well, I don’t know. I do believe in standing for something more than just a product. And my mission [has become] more and more apparent: to create thoughtful living. If [I] find partners who believe in that, that’s amazing.

You have also been working with Holt Renfrew’s Alexandra Weston on H Project, a collection of fair-trade, artisan-crafted products. You’re being courted by the Canadians!

Yes, I’m having a real Canada moment – or about to. The H Project is about the same message; creating a dialogue is the only way we can impact change. It’s not about a dialogue with yourself. It starts with your most intimate relations and friends.

Which colour bracelet do you plan to wear?

I plan on wearing them all – I like a little bit of colour – that is, if I can find four friends to give them to me.

Courtesy ~

AMY VERNER
The Globe and Mail

SAP has announced the appointment of Ravi Chauhan as Managing Director for SAP India, further strengthening the senior management team of SAP Asia Pacific Japan. Effective immediately, Ravi will be responsible for driving SAP India’s growth strategy and operations across the country. Based in Bangalore, Ravi Chauhan reports directly to Adaire Fox-Martin, President of SAP Asia Pacific Japan.

“As a technology hub and with its vast network of enterprises, entrepreneurs and users, India is undoubtedly a key market for SAP in the region and globally,” said Adaire Fox-Martin, President of SAP Asia Pacific Japan. “We are confident that Ravi brings the right set of skills and experience to lead SAP India to continued success, as we increasingly address the needs of India’s rising millennial workforce.”

Ravi Chauhan brings close to three decades of wide-ranging IT industry and management experience to SAP, with a track record of increasing market share, winning key customers and leading effective teams. Chauhan joins SAP after four years at Juniper Networks, where he last served as Managing Director, India and South Asia. From 2000 to 2009, Ravi held leadership roles at Nortel Networks such as General Manager (Global), Contact Center and Unified Communications Software; Managing Director, India; and Vice President, Enterprise Business, India.

~ Source: www.cioandleader.com

A local community group is launching a free hot curry service for vulnerable people in Bedford.

The Bedford Langar Project will launch its first curry night on Saturday, April 6, 2014 at 6pm in Pigeon Square. Langar is the Sikh term for kitchen. The service is run by volunteers from the Akaal Seva group which aims to improve the quality of life for Bedford people.

The Sikh community is supporting the project. The group is working in partnership with Bedfords three gurdwaras, and housing charity Bedfordshire Housing Link. The Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Queens Park, Ramgarhia Gurdwara, Amphtill Road, and Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara, Kempston are taking food donations, making the vegetarian curries, and providing storage facilities.

Ravi Gill, 36, Akaal Seva member from Bedford, said,” I do a lot of volunteering with the homeless of Bedfordshire anyway. I’d been talking to them for a while. They love curry, absolutely love curry, but they don’t really get it. The project is a combination of the Sikh concept of seva selfless service aimed at improving the community, and a soup run.”

He added [said], “The people that need it get a warm meal. Families who can’t afford to have a night out, or people who want a takeaway can come, and we can give them a takeaway.”

Bedfordshire Housing Link will provide drinks, and a bus with a kitchen facility for the day. The charity provides supported accommodation for single homeless, and other vulnerable people, they also provide education, and training services.

Janet Prince, CEO of Bedfordshire Housing Link said homelessness in Bedford is increasing, and added, “We’re doing the best that we can to support individuals, because we have accommodation, we support single homeless people to work towards independence, that’s where the Langar Project came on board with us, because their aim is the same. We’re all doing a wonderful job. There are so many people in need out there, not just single, but families of all sorts.”

The meals service will continue to run once a month, the group hopes to expand to twice a month, then weekly.

Originally published by bedfordtoday.co.uk

Sikhs in the UK will be exempted from wearing hard hats at construction sites, British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.

“From now on Sikhs don’t have to wear hard hats at construction sites in our country,” Cameron said last night at a Vaisakhi reception he hosted at 10, Downing Street.

“We have already stopped searching of turbans in the UK,” he said, describing British Sikhs as “absolute role models in integrating with the British society.”

Construction sites are considered to be one of the most dangerous workplaces and hard hats are worn as a precautionary measure.

Recalling his visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Cameron said, “I will never forget my visit to Amritsar and the peace and tranquility I experienced there.”

“I know how much pain there was after the Blue Star Operation (in 1984).”

He said he wanted adequate representation of Sikhs “everywhere" – including the Army and Judiciary.

He said, “this year marks the 160 years since the first Sikh arrived in Britain. Since then, the story of British Sikhs has been one of success – of many thousands of people making a positive contribution in so many ways.

“From the Sikh entrepreneurs and small businesses who are creating jobs, to the business leaders who are helping to boost overseas trade, from the hardworking families who are getting on in life, to the sportsmen and women who do our country proud. Sikhs are a key part of our island story.” to help us personalise your reading experience.

He said, “As we celebrate the Sikhs contribution to Britain today, let’s also reflect on what their ancestors did for this nation in the past. A hundred years ago, well over 1.2 million men from India many of them Sikhs, fought alongside Britain the First World War.Many fought and fell for the freedom we enjoy today and we must never forget that.”

India’s High Commissioner to the UK Ranjan Mathai,leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, Lord Navnit Dholakia, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords and Dr Rami Ranger, winner of record five Queens’ awards for exports were among those who attended the function.

~ Jagpal S Tiwana
~ Toronto, Canada

On March 2nd, Ikk Onkar launched ikkonkar.com in New York. The website is the first ever platform which uses your location to find nearby Gurdwaras and identifies what events are happening at that location. Mahinder Singh, CEO of Ikk Onkar Media, first thought of the idea around a year ago. His motivation came from a feeling that all Sikhs have felt at some point in their lives. As Sikhs are immigrating to all corners of the world, they are slowly losing their sense of community. In a foreign environment, the only place that can give them a sense of peace is their local Gurdwara.

Gurdwaras have been very helpful to the first generation of immigrants. If you look now, there is a Sikh Gurdwara in almost every major city around the world. The problem now is with the second generation, who were raised in foreign countries and don’t feel any attachment to Sikhism. The fault is not their own. The world is more complex than before and it’s not going back. Even 1ST generation immigrants, who are parents now, are feeling the effect of this change. They are losing interest in their community and Sikhi in general.

To address this problem, we have created the Ikk Onkar platform. Using our platform, a Gurdwara, regardless of its location, can share their events, programs, images and videos with their local members and the world at large. Their members in return can give their feedback and ecommendations. Also, daily visitors to the site can also view live stream programs from Gurdwaras around the world and have access to the Daily Hukamnama and several radio stations. This channel of communication is not just a way organize but it’s to instill a sense of belonging which will have a large effect on the Sikh population. So that the next the time you see someone walking down the street, you can exchange greetings and not just walk away after an awkward stare.

So, I hope that the Sikh Community all over the world will support us in this effort and share their feedback as we start to rollout more new features.

Source: ikkonkar.com

A Canada-based Punjabi businessman has emerged to be the highest bidder of a historic sword that once belonged to Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The sword inscribed with “Akal Sahai Ranjit Singh Lahore” on the blade in Gurmukhi, was originally put up for auction last month by Mullock’s auctioneers in the UK, but withdrawn at the last minute after it generated huge interest.

A few weeks later, it was put up for auction again – this time at a private auction and via a sealed process – with bids pouring in from anonymous people from across the world, including Punjab, London, Hong Kong, New York and Mongolia.

Bob Dhillon, the proud owner of the sword which is described as an early 19th century curved talwar with remnants of gold pitted around the hilt, says he is “absolutely elated”. The engraved silhouette on the upper part of the sword depicts Ranjit Singh seated beside a cushion with the inscription “Ranjit Singh” beneath.

Dhillon says: “I am humbled that after 165 years, my family will be able to help our community become the custodian of our own history. It is probably the first time that such an artefact will be held in Canada and when it comes, you all are welcome to take a look at it.”

Dhillon was in India last February, as a member of a visiting delegation headed by the Governor General of Canada, when he read about the forthcoming UK auction of the sword in the Tribune. On returning to Canada, he contacted the auctioneers, only to be told that the sword had been withdrawn from the sale. When it was put up for sale again a few weeks later, he put forward his bid.

Mullock’s auctioneer Richard Westwood-Brookes, who was involved in the original sale, said: “It was a potentially unique piece with historic connections to the most famous of all rulers of Punjab. The fine craftsmanship on the sword indicates that it was certainly of a very high status and there are also indications that when it was first made, the hilt was covered in gold and it must have been a most spectacular piece.”

Dhillon is the President and CEO of Mainstreet Equity Corp, a real estate company, as well as the owner of National Payments. He is the Honorary Consul General for Belize in Canada and owns 3,000-acre island in Belize, which is being developed into a world-class tourist resort.

Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/