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धन गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
धन धन गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
माँ गुजरी के लाल गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
दुष्ट जन के काल गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
खालसा के सृष्टा गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
नवयुग के दृष्टा गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
वारे चारों लाल गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
हर हाल में खुश हाल गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
धर्म के रक्षक गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
पापी के भक्षक गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
धरम के सरताज गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
योग में योगी गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
लेखनी के धनी गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
युग प्रवर्तक संत गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
रचे धर्म ग्रन्थ गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
हे पिता दशमेश गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
संत सिपाही वेष गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
धन गुरु गोबिंद सिंह
धन धन गुरु गोबिंद सिंह

By. Rajiv Jayaswal

18 Mar 2016 — Each one of you deserves to be congratulated!

New Delhi, March 17: The Supreme Court today indicated that it might ban “Santa Banta” jokes from being circulated for “commercial” motives on the Internet and other media “if the entire (Sikh) community is being aggrieved by it”.

Such a ban will apply to all publications and broadcasters but not to jokes told during private conversations.

“Tell us the directions that can be given. If it is done with a commercial angle, we will certainly stop it,” a bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur told Satwinder Singh Gulati, counsel for petitioner Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.

The SGPC is the highest temporal body of Sikhs and manages the affairs of gurdwaras worldwide. It had filed a writ petition on the subject after a woman Sikh advocate moved the apex court seeking a ban on the circulation of Sikh jokes.

In its petition, the SGPC said it had received complaints from Sikhs and Sikh organisations against the circulation of jokes at the expense of the community on the Internet.

It urged the court to determine whether the circulation of these jokes violated Sikhs’ fundamental right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, their right of equality under Article 14, and their right to profess and propagate their religion, as enshrined in Article 25.

It asked the court to decide whether “Internet websites circulating and selling Sikh jokes have unrestricted rights under Article 19 of the Constitution to do business, where the business being done by them hurts the sentiments, self-respect of a minority community”.

“It is further submitted that if this circulation of Sardar jokes be allowed to continue, depicting Sikhs as naïve, inept, etc. etc. then, since it creates a stereotype image of Sikhs, it is also leading to undermine the contributions made by Sikhs for the independence of India, such as sacrifices by Sikh Gurus, sacrifice of Sikh soldiers to protect the frontiers of this country and Punjab as an agriculture storehouse feeding the entire nation, apart from the above, the Sikhs have made contributions in all spheres of life, be it science, engineering, administration, bureaucracy, literature, medicines etc. etc,” the petition said.

The SGPC says it had approached several government authorities, including ministers, against the circulation of such jokes but no action had followed.

Earlier, advocate Harvinder Chowdhury had urged the apex court to ban the 5,000-odd websites circulating jokes projecting Sikhs as “unintelligent”, “stupid”, “idiot”, “foolish”, “naïve”, “inept” and as lacking proficiency in English.

Harvinder, a Sikh married to a Hindu, told the court through counsel Ashish Pandey that such jokes violated the community’s fundamental right to life and to live with dignity, guaranteed under Article 21.

She urged a ban on these websites and prosecution of their owners under penal code sections 153A (promoting enmity between communities, punishable by up to a year in jail), 153B (imputations prejudicial to national integration, carrying up to a five-year term) and 268 (public nuisance, entailing six months’ jail).

source : The Telegraph

Beginning in the 2015-16 NHL season, arenas were instructed to introduce airport-style security screening of guests, including walk-through metal detectors. The WSO began working with arenas across Canada on creating a suitable accommodation for Sikh guests that would balance security with freedom of religion and the Sikhs’ obligation to wear the kirpan.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada has worked with NHL hockey arenas across Canada to implement kirpan accommodation procedures for Sikh guests. According to the policy adopted across Canada, Sikh guests wearing the kirpan should inform a member of the event service team at the security gate. The guest wearing the kirpan must be wearing all the other Sikh articles of faith. The total maximum length of a kirpan can be 7.5 inches, with a blade of no more than 4 inches in length and it should be worn underneath the clothing. In accordance with the Sikh tradition, the kirpan should be worn in a fabric belt (gatra) and secured into its sheath.

WSO President Mukhbir Singh said, “Hockey is Canada’s national sport and unites us across all of our differences. It was important that we proactively ensured that Sikh guests would not run into issues with the new security measures at arenas. Our discussions with the arenas have been very positive and they recognized the importance of welcoming Sikh guests and accommodating the kirpan. We believe that the kirpan accommodation policy now in place at these arenas is an effective balance of security and the right of Canadian Sikhs to freely practice their faith.” WSO had pioneered a kirpan accommodation policy for the guests at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics which has served as a precedent for the accommodation of the kirpan not just in Canada but across the world.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status

~ Source : worldsikh.org

Sakhi of Guru Har Rai Saving Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s Son Dara Shikoh.

The Emperor Shah Jahan had four sons by different wives: Dara Shikoh, Shuja Muhammad, Aurangzeb, and Murad Baksh. Dara Shikoh was the heir-apparent, and was very dear to his father. (The name Aurangzeb means – fit for the throne . Aurangzeb was very cunning, clever and ambitious, and was fixated on succeeding to the throne.) He administered tiger’s whiskers in a dish to his eldest brother and he became dangerously ill as a result. Astrologers were sent for, pirs and fakirs were called, all known charms, spells and incantations were tried but to no avail. Wise men were assembled together and they came to the decision that until the tiger’s whiskers could be removed, there was no hope of a recovery.
They were of the opinion that if two ounces of chebulic myrobalan (scientific name: termininalia chebula; known in Ayurvedic medicine as Aralu, credited with having laxative and stomachic properties) and a clove weighing one masha were administered, his health could be restored.

The Emperor searched everywhere for the ingredients but they could not be found – it was only until his Prime Minister, who had heard of the Gurus’ fame, was informed that there were available from the Gurus’ storehouse, that hope was restored.

Although the Emperor was hostile to the Guru, yet as the Guru’s house was a mine of sympathy and compassion for all, there was no doubt that he would grant the articles required. The Emperor humbled himself before the Guru and sent a letter.

The Guru was pleased that the Emperor had such confidence in him as to write such a friendly letter, and consented to give the required medicines. “Behold,” said the Guru, “with one hand man breaks flowers and with one hand offers them, but the flowers perfume both hands alike. The axe cuts the sandal tree, yet the sandal perfumes the axe. The Guru ought, therefore, to return good for evil.”

The ingredients were weighed and it was explained that these medicines would cause the hardest substance taken to be digested. To these ingredients, the Guru added a pearl which was to be ground and used as a subsidiary remedy.

The Emperor was naturally very pleased and forgot all his enemity with the Guru, and vowed that he would never again cause him annoyance. His medicine was administered and effected a speedy and complete cure.

source: dailysikhupdate

ਲੰਡਨ : ਔਰਤ ਦਿਵਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਬੀ.ਬੀ.ਸੀ. ਨੇ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਿੰਨ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਖਾਸ ਅਤੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਰੀ ਕੀਤੇ ਨਾਂਵਾਂ ‘ਚ ਮਾਈ ਭਾਗੋ ਦਾ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ ਨਾਂਅ ਦਰਜ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ | ਬੀ.ਬੀ.ਸੀ. ਨੇ 1600 ਦੇ ਆਖਿਰ ਅਤੇ 1700 ਦੇ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤੀ ਸਮੇਂ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਮਾਈ ਭਾਗੋ ਨੂੰ ‘ਮੋਸਟ ਬਾਦਾਸ’ ਔਰਤ ਕਿਹਾ ਹੈ |

ਬੀ.ਬੀ.ਸੀ. ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਜਦੋਂ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਗ਼ਲਾਂ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਜੰਗ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਸੀ ਮਾਈ ਭਾਗੋ ਨੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਬੇਦਾਵਾ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ 40 ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਦੋਂ ਤਾਨੇ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਾਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਸੋਚ ਮੁੜ ਬਦਲੀ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਮੁੜ ਜੰਗ ਦੇ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ | ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜੰਗ ਦੇ ਮੈਦਾਨ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਮੁਆਫ਼ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਟੁੱਟੀ ਗੰਢੀ | ਮੈਦਾਨੇ ਜੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਮਾਤਾ ਭਾਗੋ ਵੀ ਬਹਾਦਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਲੜੀ ਅਤੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਅੰਗ ਰੱਖਿਅਕ ਬਣੀ | ਇਸ ਸੂਚੀ ਵਿਚ 1775-1844 ਚੀਨ ਦੀ ਜੰਮਪਲ ਚਿੰਗ ਸ਼ੀਹ ਦਾ ਨਾਂਅ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਸਮੁੰਦਰੀ ਡਾਕੂ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਪਤੀ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ 1807 ਵਿਚ ਰੈੱਡ ਫਲੈੱਗ ਫਲੀਟ ‘ਤੇ ਕੰਟਰੋਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਦ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤਾ |

ਉਸ ਨੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਕਿ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਵਿਚ ਲੁੱਟ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨੀ ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਔਰਤ ਨਾਲ ਜਬਰ-ਜਨਾਹ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਦਾ ਉਹ ਸਿਰ ਕਲਮ ਕਰ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਖ਼ਤਮ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਚੀਨ ਦੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ਾਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ, ਪਰ ਆਖਿਰ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਖੁਦ ਆਪਣੀ ਤਲਵਾਰ ਨੀਵੀਂ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ | ਇਸ ਸੂਚੀ ਵਿਚ 1880-1973 ਦੀ ਜੈਨੇਟ ਰੈਂਕਿੰਨ ਦਾ ਨਾਂਅ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਾਮਿਲ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨੇ ਅਮੀਰਕਾ ਦੀ ਜਾਪਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਜੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਲੈਣ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੋਧ ਵਿਚ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਬੁਲੰਦ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ | 1916 ਵਿਚ ਉਹ ਯੂ.ਐੱਸ. ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ‘ਚ ਚੁਣੀ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਔਰਤ ਸੀ, ਜਦ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਚਾਰ ਸਾਲ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿਚ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੋਟ ਪਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਹੱਕ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੀ | ਉਹ ਔਰਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਕਾਂ ਲਈ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਬੁਲੰਦ ਕਰਦੀ ਰਹੀ ਸੀ |

~ Source: BBC

Prof Punditrao, assistant professor, government college, Chandigarh was honored by Bhasha Vibhag, Punjab Government for his contribution to popularize Punjabi language. Punditrao was given one lakh rupees and citation by Higher Education Minister Surjit Singh Rakhada. The vice chancellor Doctor Jaspal Singh expressed his happiness for Punditrao who won the special award inspite of being a south Indian by learning and writing 12 books in Punjabi. Total 60 writers and artists were honored by language department in Sri Guru Tegh Bahadar Hall, Punjabi University, Patiala.

After accepting the special award Punditrao said that he will work for the Punjabi language till the last breadth of his life.

Hunger is not an always issue of charity. At times, it is an act of justice. The Sikh community’s work often go unnoticed and they are too busy helping others to even take notice of it and crib about it, but we thank you for your effort, your love, and for keeping the spirit of humanity alive.

There are some people who are working hard continuously for the relief of humanity – happily serving without complaining or roaring for attention – from post-earthquake Nepal to serving the homeless poor in the UK, food services offered by Sikh temples are committed strongly to alleviating world hunger and reducing food waste. We hardly took notice of it, isn’t it?

1. Khalsa Aid in the UK provided disaster relief in many countries

Khalsa Aid, a UK based Sikh charity provided disaster relief in Albania, Turkey, Somalia and Pakistan. The British Sikhs also helped the Thames Valley and Somerset flood victims by delivering sand bags, food and medical supplies to those affected.

In one of their Middle East ventures, they also delivered food, blankets, clothes and water to over 150 Yazidi refugee families, many of whose family members were kidnapped by the ISIS.

2. The Sikhs set up a langar for flood hit victims in Uttarakhand

While many were busy blaming the authorities and disaster management procedures, the Sikhs of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee came forward and provided a helping hand to rescue and serve the stranded pilgrims in Uttarakhand.

3. KIRPA Food Bank in Wolverhampton is serving the needs of the poor with its dedication and hard work

With the aim of helping everyone realize that there is no other race but one – the human race, the Kirpa Food Bank is dedicated to feed the homeless, the victims of disasters and those in need.

4. In Los Angeles, the Khalsa Food Pantry and Khalsa Peace Corps provide meals to the poverty-stricken

Located in Pacoima, CA, the Khalsa Food Pantry provides assistance to low-income families in the US and every week, the Khalsa Peace Corps serve about 600 meals at skid row and Venice Boardwalk alone. Sharing meals and uplifting the spirit of communities, they are serving and growing, with dedication and a lot of good will. (Keep at it, fellows!)

5. The Gurudwara Singh Sahib Sabha in Dibrugarh distributed food to about 1000 people affected by the floods that hit Assam last year

While a lot of people pointed out the apathy of the Government during the flood, maybe we forgot to thank those who worked with all their dedication and effort to reach out to the flood affected areas and help those in need.

6. Two Sikh organisations in New Delhi and Amritsar sent food relief to victims in post-earthquake Nepal

Besides sending their team of people who served hot meals to over 10,000 people a day, these two Sikh organisations sent out 25,000 packets to Kathmandu.

7. Langar Aid, an extension of Khalsa Aid, set up a community kitchen in the ISIS territory to feed Yazidis

Tweaking the concept of Langar, a group of Punjabi NRIs collaborated with the locals to provide fresh bread to nearly 14,000 refugees daily in the strife-torn region for many months now.

8. The Sikhcess project provides food and clothing to the homeless in a number of local communities across the US

Based on the basic humanitarian principles of sharing, inclusiveness, community, and public service, this project not only helps those in need but also creates public service opportunities with the goal of enhancing life for all humankind.

9. In the UK, homeless people are getting free meals, all thanks to the centuries-old Sikh tradition

The Sikhs have managed to take the concept of Langar outside its traditional setting in temples and out onto the streets to feed the homeless and the poor. The Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall, the biggest Sikh temple outside of India, alone serves 5,000 meals on weekdays and 10,000 meals on weekends.

These community kitchens fed 346,992 people across Britain in the UK last year, according to the Trussell Trust.

10. The Midland Langar Seva Society is a food relief organisation in Birmingham

Selflessly serving away, the Midland Langar Seva Society helps the homeless and provide food and hunger relief to those that are in need of it.

11. The Sikhs sent out food packets to more than 70,000 people daily during floods in Jammu and Kashmir

Besides establishing community kitchens (or langars) at several places in Srinagar, the Sikhs sent out packed food for more than 70,000 people daily. Their Gurudwaras opened doors to people from all communities and religions without any bias – good old humanity has not died yet.

Not only that, food for more than 1,00,000 victims stranded in different places was airlifted from Amritsar.

12. In Canada, the Seva Food Bank serves food to low-income families

Sikhs have been a part of Canada for over a hundred years now. The Seva Food Bank opened its doors in 2010 and has dedicating itself towards providing safe, nutritious and most importantly, culturally-appropriate food to low-income families in Mississauga.

Being a religious organisation, they do not fail to respect and take into account the food cultures of other people while serving food and preparing the menu. Truly inspiring, to say the least.

(In the times of growing intolerance – here are some people who are leading the world by example – it is high time we learned from them already)

13. Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen based in Doncaster and Edinburgh serves free food everyday to people who need it

Not everyone can help everyone, but everyone can help someone. With the aim of providing and serving free food to anyone in need of it, they are helping so many people everyday, selflessly and happily.

14. The Bedford Langar Project, the Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team based in London are helping hundreds of people everyday

These two Sikh organisations, The BedFort Langar Project and Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team (SWAT) in London, are taking care of the needs of the poor. No one has ever become poor by serving others, have they?

15. Sikh volunteers ran a round-the-clock community kitchen for thousands of people who were left stranded on the Delhi-Ambala highway (NH1) due to Jat Agitation

The Sikh community distributed free snacks, cooked rice and hot tea to stranded travellers and ran a round-the-clock langar for people who were stuck in Haryana due to Jat Agitation. While there were some who caused discomfort to everyone, there were some who were working for the relief of those in need, comforting people of all castes and religions.

16. The Khalsa Aid helped those who were stuck in Chennai floods

Coming to the rescue of the distressed and helping those in need, during the
Chennai floods, the Sikhs offered food and basic necessities to the ones stranded and grieved by the floods.

Strictly believing in not wasting food and helping those in need, the Sikhs have been sharing their meals, uplifting the community and helping the ones who are in distress with a smile and warmness galore!

We have a lot to learn from you – we make a life out of what we get, hopefully we learn how to make a life out of what we give soon.

~ Source: Dailysikhupdates

“Lt Gen N P S Hira, who is presently posted as Chief of Staff of Northern command at Udhampur. Chief of the Army’s Northen Command Lt Gen N P S Hira has been appointed as Deputy Chief of Army Staff and would assume office on March 14.

He has been posted to Army Headquarters at Delhi to take over as Deputy Chief of Army Staff with effect from March 14,” Defence spokesman, Col S D Goswami said.

He said the General was commissioned in the Sikh Light Infantry and has a rich experience of counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and in the northeast region, as well as conventional operations in Western command.

“He commanded the Battalion in Assam (Op Rhino) during high violence period. The unit bagged 32 gallantry awards and COAS citation under his command,” Col Goswami said.

He later commanded 12 Infantry Brigade deployed on the Line of Control in Uri sector. The Brigade earned an Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and many more gallantry awards during his command, Col Goswami said.

The General commanded the 10 Infantry Division in Jammu and Kashmir on the Line of Control with distinction for which he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

He commanded the 11 Corps ‘Defenders of Punjab’ at Jalandhar. He said Lt Gen Hira is moving to Army Headquarters with an extensive ground experience of all types of operations. (PTI). He was posted as Chief of Staff of the most important Northern Army battling insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen Glacier and Line of Actual Control with China in Leh Ladakh region, the spokesman said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, known for his witty repartees, told an American audience in Washington that he has more Sikhs in his Cabinet than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The quip came when Trudeau was taking 10 questions from students at the American University in northwest Washington during his state visit to the US.

During the half-an-hour session at the university on Friday, a student named Jahan from the Punjab province of Pakistan told Trudeau that it was really great to see so many Punjabis in his cabinet.

“I have more Sikhs in my cabinet than Modi does,” Trudeau was quoted as saying by the Canadian daily ‘The Star’.
44-year-old Trudeau, who assumed office in November last year, surprised one and all by including four Sikh-Canadians in his Cabinet.

The four Sikh Canadians inducted into Trudeau’s Cabinet include defence minister Harjit Sajjan, a combat veteran who did three tours in Afghanistan as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The other three Sikh ministers are — infrastructure minister Amarjeet Sohi, small business minister Bardish Chagger and innovation minister Navdeep Singh Bains, the Canadian daily The Globe and Mail had reported at the time.

There were also 17 Sikh MPs elected in the Canadian election in October last year — 16 from the Liberal Party of Canada and one Conservative — the highest number of Sikhs ever elected.

In contrast, there are two Sikh Cabinet ministers in the Modi government — Maneka Gandhi, who is a Sikh by birth, and Harsimrat Kaur Badal — the food processing minister.

Trudeau, in the past, has been spotted doing bhangra moves and visiting Gurdwaras several times. He has participated in Diwali celebrations, a ‘Gurbani’ recital and even helped out women in preparing meals in a langar.

~ Source: PTI, Washington