News & Update

Cheema Mandi, 18 March (Jaswinder Singh Sheron)- Like every year, Sant Attar Singh Ji Khushti Akhada organized Khushti Competitions at localized Govt. Senior Secondary School. The Khushti event was inaugurated by Bhai Jagjeet Singh Sewadar, Baru Sahib and Rs 13000 prize was given to Akhada; Bhai Jagjeet Singh was specially honored by President International Body Builder – Jagtaar Singh Golu.

The competition of first Khushti of Rs 31000 was a tie between Sonu Cheema and Jaseen Malerkotla; and second Khushti of Rs 31000 between Mani Roanhi and Bagga Malekotla, remained equal. In Rs11000 Khushti, Baljinder Patiala won over Mani Sangroor whereas on the other hand Rimpy Roanhi won over Toni to claim the victory. Besides these, Poppy Cheema and Saddy Patiala; Namaaz Ali Kainoor and Farooq Malerkotla brawls also showcased great actions.

Commentator’s role was played by Nazar Kheri Jatta. Winning wrestlers were presented with prizes together by Vinarjeet Singh Goldy, ‘Kaumi Meet’ President , Youth Akal Dal and S. Indermohan Singh Lakhmirwala, who were honored by the Akhada. Towards conclusion, President Jagtaar Singh Singh Golu of Akhada thanked everyone. On this occasion, Sarpanch Bikkar Singh Patialvi, Kaka Singh Dhaliwal, President Baba Bhola Gir Sports Club, Jasvir Singh Baghwala, Sarpanch Ajaib Singh, Harbans Singh Khadial, Harpal Singh Khadial and Boda Sunaam were also present.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 18th Mar ’14

Ludlow, UK: A recently discovered early 19th century Indian sword bearing on its blade a silhouette of Maharajah Ranjit Singh – the legendary ‘Lion of the Punjab’ – goes under the hammer later this month in Ludlow, Shropshire (English Midlands).

This most exquisite find comes from a British family of military descent and is inscribed in the hilt in Gurmukhi ‘Ranjit Singh Lahore’ and dated. As such it could prove to be one of the most significant Sikh artefacts to come to light in recent years.

‘The sword was brought into us for inclusion in our regular sales of important Indian documents and artefacts and it was originally thought to be an Islamic sword belonging to a Moghul Prince,’ said Richard Westwood-Brookes of Auctioneers Mullock’s who will sell the sword on Tuesday March 18th.

‘However, once we had researched the design it became obvious to us that it was a potentially unique piece, with historic connections to the most famous of all the rulers of the Punjab.’

The sword – known as a ‘Tulwar’ – could possibly have been a gift to the Maharajah himself or presented by him to a fellow noble at his court in Lahore.

‘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 as such at the time of the Maharajah it must have been a most spectacular piece,’ added Richard Westwood-Brookes.

‘Items which date from the time of the Maharajah and bear indications of a direct link to him are obviously of the greatest rarity, and we are expecting great interest from around the world.’

Maharajah Ranjit Singh was the founder of the Sikh Kingdom in the Punjab and ruled for 40 years. His Kingdom was annexed to British dominions after the Anglo-Sikh Wars and his infant son, Maharajah Duleep Singh was removed and sent to England where he lived the life of an English Gentleman.

The Mullock’s sale features more than 100 lots of important Indian items, including a military bugle with a letter from the bandmaster of the Kashmir State, saying that it was used in the army of Maharajah Ranjit Singh.

Also in the sale is a rare copies of the Chronicles of the Lahore Durbar, the Travel Memoir of Godfrey Vigne to the Court of Ranjit Singh and a two volume set of ‘A Year on the Punjab Frontier’ by Herbert Edwardes which belonged to Sir John Lawrence, Viceroy of India from 1864-69, and containing handwritten notes by the author’s wife.

The sale also features rare photographs and documents of the Punjab States, and important documents including a memorandum on the widow and son of Maharajah Sher Singh and a rare first hand account of the Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh written by his colleague in 1945.

“Air is the Guru, Water the Father and Earth the great Mother”
—Guru Granth Sahib

And now marble is king. Sikhism is the world’s youngest religion and perhaps the only one in which trees have contributed to spiritual evolution. More than 50 Sikh shrines across the country, and some in Pakistan, are named after trees. These are trees under which the Sikh gurus sheltered, rested or met their followers during their travels. The followers then commemorated the guru’s visit by building a shrine and naming it after the tree under which he sat. Many of these shrines still exist. Many of the trees, sadly, don’t. They have been strangled to death by the new marble floors and facades of the gurudwaras.

This facet of Sikhism, of gurudwaras being named after trees, like the Amb (mango) Sahib or the Imli (tamarind) Sahib, is so little-known that when a civil servant from Punjab, D.S. Jaspal, documented his religion’s close association with them, even the scholarly from within the community sat up and took notice. “These trees are our living link with the gurus which, either out of ignorance or lack of awareness, have been cut down to make way for expansion of gurudwaras in all their marbled, gilded glory,” says Jaspal.

In 1761, on the eve of a battle with the Mughals, a barefooted Guru Gobind Singh reached the Kiri Afghana village in Ropar district, evading enemy informers. Gurudwara Imli Sahib commemorates his visit to the place, and the tamarind tree where he rested a while lent its name to the shrine. It assumed majestic proportions, and till 2004 dominated the small village in more ways than one. It became, for instance, a custom for newly-married Sikh couples to pay obeisance at the tree; nearly everyone’s wedding album in the village has a picture of them posing before the sacred tree. In 2000, the management invited a well-known ‘kar seva’ baba from Delhi to renovate and beautify the gurudwara—and it was decided to demolish the old structure and replace it with a marble monument. The roots of the ancient imli tree that fell in the gurudwara’s parikrama or circumference area were dug up and chopped off. Concrete was dumped in its foundations and a marbled parikrama soon choked it to death. “We pleaded with the babas not to destroy the tree, but they insisted, saying it had to go as it was falling in the parikrama,” says Joginder Singh, the head granthi at Imli Sahib. The kar seva babas, he says, have destroyed 80 per cent of the Sikh heritage in the name of rebuilding gurudwaras. “But who is to question them?” he asks. Joginder Singh, along with some villagers, has quietly planted a small imli sapling opposite the gurudwara building, but no one comes to get their pictures taken here any more.

It’s a similar story at many of the 58 gurudwaras documented in Jaspal’s book, Tryst with Trees, and the many more he has not talked of. The gurudwaras have drawn their names from some 19 species of trees, from the humble ber to the kalpavriksha. They also shed light on the modest lifestyles of the Sikh gurus, who had a vigorous outdoor life and travelled extensively, often halting under shady groves. They fed their animals the leaves of these trees. “If the community and its leaders do not wake up and create awareness about trees, a time will come when future generations will remember these shrines not by the species of trees but by the variety of marble from Makrana,” laments Jaspal.

At many places, this is already taking place. Like at the Gurudwara Amb Sahib in Mohali near Chandigarh which was established by Guru Har Rai. Legend has it that the shrine was set up after Guru Har Rai was given a gift of mangoes by some devotees from Kabul. The original mango tree planted at the site is today a dried-up stump which stands bare and stark in the marbled parikrama of the gurudwara. Devotees often fold their hands and make offerings before it.

At the Gurudwara Rehru Sahib at Rampur near Ludhiana, where Guru Gobind Singh rested while travelling from Machhiwara village in Ludhiana into the interior of Malwa country, the original rehru (Acacia leucophloea) tree is no more. In its place stands a marble platform that commemorates the site of the tree. Though the shrine is named after rehru, no specimen of this tree can be seen for miles around.

“Soon, people will recall these shrines not by the species of trees but by the variety of marble from Makrana.”

Most gurudwaras in Punjab are managed and maintained by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), dominated by the Akali Dal. The years after Operation Bluestar saw a phase of massive rebuilding, expansion and beautification of gurudwaras undertaken by a breed of Sikhs called the ‘kar seva’ babas with the blessings of the SGPC. Not just the trees but much of the Sikh heritage fell victim to the zeal of what many Sikh scholars call the “bulldozer babas”, in their effort to “make grand” the humble shrines. The five-century-old Bebe Nanki’s (Guru Nanak’s sister) house in Kapurthala was demolished in 2001 to make way for a grand gurudwara. The Thanda Burj or cold house in Fatehgarh Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh’s mother and his two sons were held captive, or the wall the sons were interred alive, are all gone. Says Gurtej Singh, a Sikh scholar, “When I raised the issue before the then SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, he retaliated by issuing a statement that when Sikhs in prosperous Punjab towns renovate their homes every few years why should the guru’s house not be beautified! I find it hard to believe that in this day and age people are unaware of the value of preserving our heritage. It is all being done deliberately for commercial motives and the voice of the Sikh intelligentsia on these issues is generally ignored.”

The SGPC now says it is trying to preserve these priceless heritage sites. President Avtar Singh Makkar told Outlook: “I cannot comment on what happened before my tenure, but we have now issued instructions to all gurudwaras not to cut any sacred trees within their premises. Wherever the trees are dying, we are providing expertise from the agriculture university and many like the two sacred ber trees in the Golden Temple complex which were dying have been revived.” What is lost, though, has been preserved by some gurudwaras as forlorn souvenirs of their once magnificent trees. At the Phalahi (Acacia modesta) Sahib at Duley near Ludhiana, the remains of the original phalahi tree have been kept in a cage where devotees make offerings. Similarly, at the Gurudwara Tahliana Sahib in Raikot in Ludhiana, in addition to the Guru Granth sahib, a small stump of the tahli (Dalbergia sissoo) or sheesham tree is placed on a platform for devotees. The tree was felled to make place for a grand marble edifice.

What is worrying is even smaller gurudwaras managed by village communities have begun playing catch-up with their more famous cousins, with disastrous consequences. Take the Gurudwara Kalpavriksha Sahib in Attari village. The modest structure is maintained entirely by contributions from the villagers, who a few years ago decided to make a langar hall and a more grand gurudwara near the ancient kalpavriksha (Mitragyna parvifolia) tree which gave the gurudwara its name. When the roots got exposed due to the digging, parts of the tree began dying, and finally fell. The villagers then erected brick supports around it to hold it upright. But the damage to the ancient root system was done and last year was the last time the tree bore leaves. When Outlook visited the gurudwara, sevadaar Ajmer Singh said this is the first spring they have seen the tree completely bereft of leaves. The kalpavrisksha is dead, the brick supports are holding aloft its corpse.

Source: www.sikhnugget.com

Chandigarh, March 13, 2014: The excavation work at a well in Ajnala near Amritsar, in which 282 Indian soldiers were thrown into on August 1, 1857, on Saturday threw up the remains of around 100 martyrs. Sikh historian Surinder Kochar and Gurdwara Shaheed Gunj Management Committee have started excavation of the Rebel’s Grave, popularly known as the ‘kaalon ka kuan’, where the Indian soldiers were pushed into by British officials.

“The digging of the well continued throughout the day and we found mortal remains of around 100 soldiers, including 50 skulls and 40 jaws, teeth, 47 one rupee coins of the East Indian Company, besides golden jewellery and other goods,” Kochar said.

The committee said the excavation work will continue on Sunday to trace remaining mortal remains of 182 human soldiers. The well used as a mass grave has been covered by a 10-feet layer of soil. Hundreds of people gathered at the site when the excavation work was started. There were tears in hundreds of eyes when the committee members found some bones. The crowd gathered around the site got emotional on seeing the mortal remains of the martyrs after 157 years.

” The whole of Ajanala was crying today. Remains (52K)Nobody thought about these martyrs for 157 years. They deserve all prayers and will be laid to rest as per faith. We will also be informing the government before the cremation,” Gurdwara committee head Amarjit Singh Sarkaria said.

The August 1, 1857, homicide was perpetrated by Frederick Henry Cooper, the then deputy commissioner of Amritsar, and colonel James George Smith Neill, who was noted for his ruthlessness and indiscriminate killing of Indian rebels and civilians. Frederick Henry Cooper in his book The Crisis in the Punjab: From the 10th of May Until the Fall of Delhi also mentions this incident as “awful tragedy”. Around 500 Indian soldiers of Regiment 26 of Bengal Native Infantry had fled the Mia Meer Cantonment of Lahore. While 150 soldiers were gunned down, some were swept away in a swollen river. The British army was able to capture 283 sepoys, who were tied with a rope and were brought to Ajnala. According to Cooper, 282 captured soldiers were thrown into the well.

My SatSriAkal to everyone, especially the blessed people connected to The Kalgidhar Trust – Baru Sahib. I, Parminder Singh, feel blessed to have had best of both worlds during my schooling & graduation years, for I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Akal Academy Baru Sahib and later the Akal College of Engineering & Technology at Baru Sahib.

With blessings of Baru Sahib & the grace of almighty, I am currently working with HCL Technologies as a Software engineer; this is my first job for which I received placement through the Eternal University in July 2012, soon after I completed my graduation.

Currently located in Noida, I originally belong to a middle class family from Rajpura Patiala. My childhood saw a difficult time when my father passed away while I was 3 1/2 years old; it was my bold mother & grandfather who managed the load of the family & also fulfilled my father’s wish of getting me admitted to Baru Sahib.

I did my entire schooling from Akal Academy Baru Sahib and passed my 12th in 2008. It doesn’t escape me for one moment that how beautiful & enlightening my experience has been in the divine valley. I received a complete package of overall development – from sports to extracurricular; to proficient academics exceptionally blended with the element of spirituality; there was nothing that the teachers could be better at, they were the best, and they gave us guidance on each front.

Amidst busy schedules now, I am able to realize the importance the ‘Paath’ that they made us practice each day; even if I don’t find time to sit at one place now, I am able to do it on the go – all thanks to the Baru Sahib Regime & the devoted teachers who have instilled the ‘Paath’ within me.

I sincerely wish to thank all my teachers & mentors for everything I am & everything I know today; I often recall Amarjeet Sir, who taught us Physics during 11th class. Everything learnt at Baru Sahib is benefitting me manifolds in my practical life – I would specifically like to mention about English here because the Academy gave us a really strong foundation & command over the language that I am now able to feel as I stepped into the city life.

When I was in 9th standard, I had developed a clear vision; a goal to be a software developer, hence now I feel there’s nothing better I could’ve asked for. Since my goal is achieved, I now look forward for better opportunities & positions; and since I am earning for myself now, I am planning to go abroad to pursue my masters. I am hopeful that wish graces of Almighty & the blessings received from Baru Sahib & all its members, my wishes would be granted.

In the society, I feel the quality of education needs to improved on General, not all schools, rather most schools I would say, are not providing education the way Akal Academy does. In today’s time, it’s crucial to switch to values based education learning module for students, so that they learn to adapt the good things they learn about rather than just studying for the heck of good marks & degrees. Becoming good citizens should be the agenda of education instead of getting good marks alone.

To all the parents of children, I would like to recommend them to send their wards to Akal Academies because religious/spiritual knowledge is as critical as scientific element of education. Especially in rural & remote regions, the children remain unaware of their origins/religion as there is nobody who teaches or makes them away of their heritage & values, hence it’s important that parents should take the wise call and send choose the right school for their children.

My Regards & Wishes to my Baru Sahib family!
Gur-fateh!

Yesterday was 8th March and we were all commemorating International Women day, but for us we had a religious function at home , with Simer finishing of her first Sehaj path and luckily and fortunately we had the august presence of Baba Iqbal Singhji of Baru Sahib who came to ‘ put the Bhog and we had kirtan at our place amongst our family and friends.

The highlight of the whole function were the Shabad Kirtan done by the Gurmat Sangeet students under Akal Academy . The gist of the Shabads were of the union of the soul with the creator. The yearning , the anguish and the longing comparable to the love of a woman who is parted from her husband . I was moved by the young men , who sang in such a pure , raw form , unencumbered by materialistic strings that actually is so visible nowadays. It’s as if the purest form of devotion has also become a business, raking in money for its singers. The young boys sang of the human form which is akin to a husband that seeks fulfillment with his wife, the longing is like that of a lover who searches for his fulfillment of his love. After, the moving , pure recital that had us all enthralled , we had katha by Babaji.

In fact , the explanation of the Hukamnama and the satsang done made me realize how futile our existence is. Babaji, said , that all have come and gone. No one is permanent , we all come with a limited existence . Death is the only permanence in this otherwise unpredictable life that is volatile at every turn.Man in his existence has become a creature , bogged down by materialism, stress, tensions forgetting the real purpose of his life. We take form in the human , mortal form after a cycle of birth death in other forms and then we can attain salvation or the release of the soul what do we do we run after materialistic pursuits , lust , we become gluttons, thievery , hoodwinking fraud are middle name, we all pursue a life that is governed by ‘ what will the other person say . Babaji’s talk was lucid hard-hitting and direct . I loved his direct humour , with no bones spared. His talk was peppered with anecdotes that brought the point home to us. When Alexander the Great died, his mother cried copiously, howling on the grave. A voice came from within the earth, stunning her,” which Alexander do you weep for?’. We all are caught in the malstorm of pleasuring the human body , the gratification is superficial and immediate nothing is done for the soul that dwells within.
We are given this human form to improve this soul . Imagine going to heaven , and trying to rid the scars on the soul ! This , according to the scriptures and Him is only attainable , by reciting the Naam. We can wipe out the sufferings, lust and desires by Naam Jaap.

Baba Iqbal Singh ji had ample time to talk to us, and then further illustrated his point by telling a short story highlighting how on our death bed one gets attached to a materialistic thought that traps the soul. He told us , how Duni Chand called Guru Nanak Dev ji for a religious function to remember his father who had died.Nanak sat in his room and everyone was outside . Duni Chand asked Babaji to partake langar . But Babaji stunned by telling him that your father is seven miles away , a shrunken starved wolf with his mouth watering and in the forest . Duni Chand was stunned, how can this be possible , my father was a generous person. He must have passed on to heaven. Duni Chand went into the forest and when he saw the wolf roaming there where his father had been cremated; he rushed back to Babaji. Then , he told him , when your father was on his death bed , you were cooking meat and the whiff of the tadka went into his nostrils.

The last minute yearning to eat meat , and to be caught in the temptation is why he took re-birth as a wolf. Man, on his death bed should remember God, jaap, and not to cry at the last breath. The soul gets lost and caught between and in transition.
I feel , as humans we are so swayed by the glitter, glamour and glitz that we are forever trying to appease ourselves. In fact , we all forget an essence of life that this too shall happen with us. Hoarding of wealth thinking , that one cannot take into Jannat . Where are the pockets, my dear?

I apologise for any mis-information written by me, all faults are mine. He is a brahmgyani , who is trying to improve us and also to guide us by showing the light . However, we remain mere mortals caught in the trappings of life.

Posted by Ravneet at 12:00 AM