News & Update

The whole of India watched in eager earnest, the outcome of the imbroglio of Campa Cola Compound, Mumbai. The highest judiciary in the land, Supreme Court had ordered the illegal floors of the buildings in Worli’s Campa Cola compound to be demolished and people across the nation and the city felt a fraction of the residents’ shock. The shocking images of wailing, screaming women and children left many of us speechless with the looming thought that these people will be homeless in a few hours.

You could either see the hapless residents blocking the entry gates by forming human chains or holding ‘save our homes, save campa cola’ placards and banners or even performing ‘hawans’ to refrain the authorities from setting foot into and bringing down their domiciles.

It was absolutely clear that the residing families weren’t leaving any stone unturned, and all this bore some fruits in the form of extension of deadlines issued by the court for final demolition. But with the court finally becoming stricter regarding the case, it didn’t seem that it was interested in setting a precedent by allowing the illegal construction to stand.

As they ran from pillar to post to stop the demolition of the 143 apartments in central Mumbai, the residents of the Campa Cola compound in Worli in central Mumbai banked on a SLP ‘special leave petition’ they had filed before the Supreme Court to save them. The residents were hoping that the Supreme Court will be enough to hold back the city’s civic body from going ahead with the demolition. Many of the residents were on a hunger strike protesting the demolition of the apartments.

The deadline for vacating illegal flats in Worli’s Campa Cola compound lapsed but not single resident submitted keys to their ward office. The civic body then planned to enter the premises on June 17 to cut electricity, water and gas connections, following which it planned to start demolishing the internal walls of the flats to make them uninhabitable. Their trauma had been prolonged. The Government didn’t do anything to help them on humanitarian grounds.

Supreme Court had quashed their plea for an extension. The residents remain defiant on handing over the keys, though.

Exhausted by the attempts to save the compounds from that misery, Ajit Mathur, the legal advisor of the case called his friend, explaining their dismal helplessness as the last resort. As soon as he heard that his friend was at the Sacred Sikh Holy Shrine Shri Harmandir Sahib; He exclaimed” Now My work is done!” His battle was half won when he said this. Such was his CONVICTION.

He just requested him to get a gallon of Sacred Nectar from Guru Ram Das ji’s Sarovar, for him. He believed in the divine power of Faith. His Faith was strong enough to defy all the fears which had hovered his mind.
The day after; this sacred water was sprinkled around the whole compound and an Ardaas performed. And what was surprising that it actually did WORK!

No one knew that, this Only ray of hope had the power to turn the situation flipside. In a huge relief to hundreds of agitating residents of the Campa Cola Compound in South Mumbai`s posh Worli area, the Supreme Court stayed the demolition of illegal flats. The Supreme Court on May 30, 2014 declined to stay the eviction of the residents.

For Campa Cola society residents, it`s tears of joy with hope. The apex court directed the officials of the BMC to halt the demolition work.

This Decision gave a fresh lease of life to hundreds of Campa Cola society residents who have waged a do-or-die battle to save their homes, claiming that they had done nothing wrong and they were duped by builders.

When there is HOPE, there is FAITH, when there is FAITH, there are MIRACLES.
Guru Ram Das even answered the prayers of this Non-practicing Sikh.

~ Source: Kaurageous44.blogspot.in

The Great Panthic historian, Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, has given an important reference in “Prachin Panth Prakash” of “Desah Wai”(edition, 1998). These “Desah Wai”, are Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These countries speak Swihilli and Luganda languages which were the languages of Bantu Category.”Wa” in Swahilli means “People of”, similarly “Jumla” and many other words belong to this language which are in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

This great historian has also confirmed that these countries are in the”Paschim” that is in the west. He is absolutely right in saying that because one earlier historian named Bhai Saroop Singh Kaushish, in “Guru Kian Sakhian”(1790) has also given a valuable reference of Makhan Shah Lubana.

But page 3 of volume-III, of ” A Glossary of The Tribes And Castes of the Punjab and Frontier Province(1911) confirms that the Last Name of Makhan Shah was Pilla, but Lubana was his nickname, because his forefather, Diwan Sawan Mal was Married to Mrs Nambi of Lohana Community of Gujrat. Please note that Makhan Shah was a “Masand” of Gujrat. While narrating his family tree, the writer has stated that—-Baba Makhan Shah s/oDasa, s/oBanna s/oArtha, s/o Bohru Mal, Ulad Sawne Ki.

Who is this Sawan Mal ?. According to the history books of H.A. Rose and others in 1911(volume-1, 2, 3), have clarified that “Sawna” is Diwan Sawan Mal. They have clarified this while writing the history of Lubanas.After a vast research, I have been able to find that Diwan Sawan Mal was the Diwan of Kashmir Riyasat and was settled in Bamunanika(Uganda, Africa). He was a trader by profession, and was married to Mrs. Nambi (reference pp 96 of “A History of Buganda, by Prof. M. S. M. Simakula Kiwanuka, Ph. D. of Makrere University, Kampala).

Mr. Bohru and Sawan Mal used to do the trade from Indian Ocean via Lamu(Kenya), Mombassa.Tanzania,Rwanda,(previously in Congo)and Kampala through Lake Victoria and horse-driven carts. Lake Victoria is spread in three countries- Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. They did trade with Sudan via Nile River and bullokcarts. Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana Ji reached Kampala via Kenya, Tanzania, Congo from Somalia and Ethiopia (Previously known as Abyssenia. They reached Abyssenia via Aden(reference “Travels of Guru Nanak” by Prof. Surinder Singh Kohli, 1969).

Bamunanika is about 38 K.M. from the city of Kampala. After the Diwan in Kampala in 1519,Satguru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Sahib Mardana Ji reached Bamunanika by horse-cart and stayed in the fields of Diwan Sawan Mal. Giani Baljeet Singh Khalsa, Head Granthi, of Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sikh Road, Nakasero, Kampala, who went with me to Bamunanika and other offices in Jinja, Entebbe, Kampala and elsewhere.We tried our best to get the records for 16th century Bamunanika from Ministry of Lands, Housing And Urban Development, Kampala but for our bad luck, we got the records for Bamunanika from 1900 onwards(reference letter T-59 dated December, 23, 2009 from the same Ministry in my personal name)

Bamunanika is situated near Sudan Road.Woblenzi is 30 K. M. on Sudan Road and Bamunanika is another 8 K.M. from Woblenzi, It is in Lweero district and Bamunanika is a sub-county of the said district.It has a Co-operative Bank, College High School, Telephone facilities other county-offices.

There was famine in Bamunanika in the reign of Kabaka(King) Jemba(reference”The Legendry Kingdom”by Nicholas K. Ssewanana, published by R.K.Solutions, Kampala). He was the King of Buganda from 1510-1530.The grandmother of the present Kabaka(King), Mrs. Sarah Natole in her letter dated December16, 2009, she has undoubtly confirmed that King Jemba received a bracelet(Kara) from a Indian Saint in 1519. Prof. Lwanga Samwiri Luniigo,Presidential Advisor, confirmed that Bamunanika means to put something either in finger or in arm.Please note that Bamunanika is a Luganda word which means “Bamu”=Some one, Nanika=to decorate(reference A Concise Luganda-English Dictionary, published by Fountain Publishers, Kampala). The old name of Bamunanika was “Bamoli “(reference pp39 of “A History of Buganda by M.S. M. Samukula).Page No.20-21 0f “Nishaan” of Ramgarhia Sikh Society, old Kampala, designed and printed by Oscar Industries, Kampala 2004, also confirmed that the king at that time received a bracelet from Guru Nanak Sahib.

Earlier Bamunanika was in Belmezi country. The previous name of Bamunanika was Bamoli.The Dynesty of King Jemba was Bamoli.This name of Bamunanika was given after the name of Great Satguru by King Jemba.Prof. Surinder Singh Kohli was absolutely right in saying so,as the elderly people told us here in Bamunanika.Almighty Satguru has given the true definition of the creator , the nourisher, the destroyer here. For the last fifty one years, the stupid in me had totally misunderstood the word”Deeban”. According to my limited knowledge, I took its one side. It means “the holy court”, but the meaning defined by Almighty Satguru is “Destroyer”,”Deeban” means “to hit with the arrow”. Dear Congregation, in the light of this definition, the meaning of this 30th Pauri of “Japuji” is fully clear and in line with the theory of “Ek-Oankar”.

Almighty Satguru had given two Saloks here in the land of Buganda.They are on the Holy page 1279 of SGGS.”Nanak Sawan Je Wasey———–“. I have been taking one side of the coin.
I thought that “Sawan” is rainy season. But my visit to East African Countries, which are on the other side of the Equator, has removed my long time misunderstanding.

The rainy-season months in Uganda are from March to May which is nowhere near the month of Sawan. Almighty Satguru was addressing Sawan Mal and his son Bohru Mal and others. One meaning of “Sawan” is definitely the month of rain, where, the other part of this was cleared by Great Satguru himself in those two Saloks. The Almighty Satguru addressed Bhai Sawan Mal and others and confirmed that the rain is useful for one and the source of separation for the others. For their detailed meaning of these Saloks, you can see the Steak of Prof. Sahib Singh and others.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Several Sikhs weren’t allowed to enter the cricket match between India and Zimbabwe due to their Kirpans. The ICC has imposed a ban on the Kirpans, even though in New Zealand the Kirpan can be worn in public.

Regarding the ICC ban he stated, “”It’s their tournament, not ours. So we can’t dictate that to them.”

He expressed sympathy towards the Sikh community and stated, “My understanding of the kirpan is it is for the most part very small, it’s a blunt instrument.”

“And, actually, if you want to make the case that someone could cause harm with that, they’re probably much more likely to be able to cause harm with anything else you can get at the grounds, including a wine bottle or something else,” the prime minister said.

Daljit Singh, chairman of the Supreme Sikh Council reacted to the ICC ban by saying, “This decision has huge implication because we have about 500 in our community who already bought tickets for the semi-finals, and are now worried that they cannot get in,” he said.

“We have been told that, under New Zealand law, it is legal to carry a kirpan, but this ban is being imposed by the ICC which we feel should follow the law of the land.”

The PM also stated they might legalize the Kirpan on flights and cited other countries and said, “Some countries have legislated for that, I think Britain and Australia. We might look at it.”

~ Source: DAILY SIKH UPDATES

Tea, samosas, berry crumble, clothes and gloves too… SWAT members load the stuff in a van and reach central London by 5.30pm where a massive queue awaits them. They serve food, distribute other items and wrap up by 8.30pm, to return three days later to feed hundreds who have lined up again. A common concept in Punjab, langars such as this one are succor for life for Britain’s homeless.

Around 25 volunteers from Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team (SWAT) feed the homeless every Thursday and Sunday. “We’re independent from gurdwaras and our volunteers are a mix of Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and we feed 300-450 on Sundays; usually a little less on Thursdays,” says Randeep Lall, who heads the central London team.

Before the langar, they pack different stuff into the van. “We try to take along what we notice was lacking the previous week. We’re taking umbrellas next,” he tells. When it comes to food, they try to make that too interesting for people. “There’s a professional chef who volunteers. He’s previously made berry crumble, vegetarian lasagne and potato pie,” he adds.

However, food is not their only concern. “Volunteers serve food, some monitor the queue, some clean afterwards and some just talk to the needy—make sure they’re okay. Not all are homeless; some are drug addicts and some just come because they are lonely,” he says. The team does not leave until 8:30pm, and the homeless are always grateful. “‘I love you’, ‘You’re angels’ and ‘God bless you’ are what we commonly get to hear after the langar. Sometimes, it’s their first meal in days,” he adds.

Lall says that though SWAT helps in areas such as Southall, central London is a totally different ballgame. “There are 14 gurdwaras in the city and langar is readily available there. But there is problem of homelessness,” he says.

“In Southall, there are several homeless Punjabis, Indians and Pakistanis. In 2009, there were 200 of them and we had launched a huge online campaign to highlight the issue. We went to see our local MP regarding this, but we were told that they were breaking the law and shouldn’t be here in the first place. The problem didn’t exist for him,” Lall says. SWAT decided to take it upon itself to help. “Some of us visit the homeless everyday and make sure they’ve eaten as many don’t feel comfortable going to the gurdwaras. We give them what they need: food, clothes and advise them on where they need to go about drug problems and immigration issues,” he adds. Even though he says that they have helped significantly since 2009, about 30 are still on the streets, usually due to heroin addiction and that is a major concern for them, says Lall.

Amritpal Singh manages the SWAT team in Birmingham, working alongside the gurdwara. “The team feeds the homeless every Saturday and Sunday night. “We usually have 7-20 volunteers and they include 8-year-olds to those above 70 years of age. And they come from a cross-section of society. There are Somalis, Jamaicans and a lot of students from the University Hindu Society,” Singh says. They serve about 200 meals each time.

Preparation is the key to such a big operation. “We meet at 4pm to load foods such as pasta, sabzi and roti and we’re usually ready to leave by 7pm. Volunteers leave from the gurdwara to the city centre in a minibus,” he shares.

Another group promoting organized langar for the homeless is Midland Langar Seva Society that has served over 67,000 meals since 2013 and has teams throughout the country. Parmjit Singh is one of the founders. “In Walsall, roughly 60 volunteers feed the homeless everyday; whether they are out on the streets or at a homeless shelter, we help,” he says. “Though the organization is based on Sikh principles, we’re not exclusively Sikh. We have a large amount of Hindus and Muslims who help and serve alongside us,” he says. The volunteers serve whatever the sangat is able to donate. “Stuff like choley, rice, pasta, tea, biscuits and soda and we also distribute non-food items like blankets,” he adds. What they gain in return is, for them, awe-inspiring: Thanks, tears and hugs. “That unites everyone,” he says.

SWAT teams feeds the homeless in four places and MLSS feeds in nine places

~ Source : TOI

Britain’s Sikh community are tightening their grip over the outcome of the upcoming general election with the Sikh Federation writing to the main candidates in over 100 constituencies urging them to adhere to their recently released election manifesto demanding allocation of a site in central London for a permanent monument to Sikhs who lost their lives in the World War 1.

The politically active Sikh community have also called for a statutory code of practice on items of the Sikh faith in order to prevent discrimination in the workplace and public spaces besides an independent inquiry into the actions of the British government in relation to the Amritsar and Delhi massacres of 1984. Bhai Amrik Singh, the chair of the Sikh Federation said each candidate in the 100 constituencies are being asked to provide a general endorsement of the Sikh manifesto and indicate those items they are prepared to specifically commit to and work on if elected.

Singh said “So far the Labour leadership continue to take the Sikh vote for granted. We will publish a summary of the responses from candidates in the 100 constituencies one month before the general election on May 7. We are also planning meetings with the leadership of the main parties to get their commitment to specific issues that will be shared widely with the 700,000 strong Sikh community. Sikh voters will then look at both the support of the party as well as the individual candidates before casting their vote”.

The candidates include the 50 target constituencies with a strong Sikh presence and 50 additional constituencies where Sikhs may hold the balance of power. The 50 additional constituencies are mainly due to the surge in support for UKIP and the collapse of the Liberal Democrat vote. In the manifesto, Sikhs have also demanded more effective Sikh representation in the Houses of Parliament.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said “I think the Sikh Manifesto 2015-2020 demonstrates the commitment of British Sikhs to be actively involved with the political process and is a great way of empowering the British Sikh community”. Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said “The British Sikh community’s energy and devotion in campaigning to drive forward our shared values of fairness, compassion and tolerance is a priceless contribution to the modern Britain we live in today”.

Britain is home to 600,000-800,000 strong Sikh community. The Federation is also sending letters to the leaders of each of the main political parties to clarify their positions by March 31, with regards to demands set out “in the Sikh Manifesto so the British Sikh community can be advised on the merits of each of the political parties”.

The community is also very politically active. Around 3 in 4 Sikhs have voted in different elections in the last 4 years. Around 2 in 3 voted in the 2010 general elections.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

~ Source: thelinkpaper.ca

“Since her appointment to the Board in 2010, Inni Kaur has been an active member and integral part of SikhRI’s marketing efforts as well as overseeing initiatives such as the Sikhi booklet project,” remarked the outgoing Chair Inderpreet Singh.

Inni Kaur is Vice-President of Spectrum Communications. She is known as a poet with a passion for bringing Sikhi to life for younger generations. She has published Journey with the Gurus, a children’s book series. She serves on the boards of MBSK Foundation, Nishaan magazine, Sikhchic.com, Sikh Family Center and Interfaith Council of Southern Connecticut.

“I am honored to have been appointed as the SikhRI’s Board chair. I believe SikhRI plays a vital Panthak role in preserving our rich heritage and inspiring future generations through education. I look forward to building upon SikhRI’s successes as we continue to collaborate with Sikh Sangat’s in the homeland and diaspora. I am humbled to follow Inderpreet Singh in the role of chair. Inderpreet has been a strong and inspiring leader and I am delighted that he will continue to be our colleague on the Board,” says Inni Kaur.

Inderpreet Singh is stepping down from his role as Chair due to his personal and work commitments. He will continue to be a member of the Board, and will serve on the Executive Committee. Inderpreet has been a tireless volunteer for almost a decade.

“These are exciting times at SikhRI. In the last six months we have added three new directors at the staff level: Karamjit Kaur, Harpreet Singh and Sarbpreet Singh. Now with a new chair Inni Kaur, we are ready for both strategic and directional guidance to better serve the global Sikh community,” remarked Harinder Singh, co-founder and CEO of SikhRI.

SikhRI’s mission is “to provide educational resources to Sikhs to lead a Guru-inspired life.” And it is focused on helping YOU fall in love with Sikhi!

~ Source: sikhri.org

The portals of the famous Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara located in snow-capped Garhwal Himalayas will be open from June 2015. Hemkunt Sahib, where Guru Gobind Singh meditated before his incarnation as the 10th Sikh guru, is one of the most revered places and attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year.

Braving chilly weather thousands of Sikh pilgrims offer their prayers at the star-shaped Gurdwara situated at a height of 16,000 ft in Chamoli district.

The shrine opens for four months in a year as the area remains snow-bound during the rest of the period.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Supreme Sikh Gurdwara body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has purchased screening rights for the super hit animation film ‘Chaar Sahibzade’. SGPC plans to screen the film in every village, city, school and college in Punjab, informed its president Avtar Makkar during an inaugural function at historical Gurdwara Jamani Sahib Bazidpur. He inaugurated a Green Park at the Sikh shrine sanctified by the visit of Guru Gobind Singh.

Talking to media persons, he said, “The film will create awareness among new generation about Sikh religion and sacrifices by the Gurus.”

He said that the :Gurdwara panel is giving special attention towards spreading and development of Sikh religion, eradicating of drugs, female feticide and other social evils, educating the youths, vocational training to women and these projects will continue in future also.

He told further that the SGPC will be announcing its annual budget of about 1000 crore on March 30. He said, the SGPC is running about 120 schools and colleges which include medical, engineering and polytechnic universities, etc. where the students – both boys and girls – are getting the modern facilities besides moral value educations is also imparted to them.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

~ Source: www.sikh24.com