News & Update

This Italian Lady took Amrit deeply inspired by Sikh Thoughts. It’s a blessing for her to be a part of this beautiful religion. Her Friend Navpreet Kaur introduced her to this religion by introducing her history of the sacrifices of the Sikh Guru & their teachings. This gripped her mind & she developed an unconditional love for Sikhism. She started reading books on Sikh History in English too. Her Heart was deeply touched when she saw ‘ Chaar Sahibzaade’. The touch was soo deep that she decided to dedicate her life to the Guru Sahib & changed her name to Hargun Kaur. The depth is reflected in her purified soul.

She inspires the upcoming generation as a youth icon. Adorned in all five kakaars, this Kaur now religiously recites her Nitnem during the blissful sacred hours of Amritvella.

While the youth is caught by the menace of drugs, these inspirational stories continue to remind us of the blessing we are endowed with by the virtue of being a Sikh. It’s our duty to refine ourselves in accordance to the beauty of Sikhism & preserve it for our future generation!

~ Source: kaurageous44.blospot.com

Sahibzada Ajit Singh (11 February 1687 – 7 December 1705), the eldest of four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, was born to Mata Jito ji at Paonta sahib on 11 February 1687. The following year, Guru Gobind Singh returned with the family to Anandpur where Ajit Singh was brought up in the approved Sikh style.

He was taught the religious texts, philosophy and history, and had training in the martial arts such as riding, swordsmanship, gatka and archery. He grew up to be a handsome young man, strong, intelligent and a natural leader of people. Soon after the creation of the Khalsa on 30 March 1699, he had his first test of skill. A group of Sikhs (sangat) coming from Pothohar, northwest Punjab, was attacked and looted on the way by the Ranghars of Nuh, a short distance from Anandpur across the River Sutlej.

Guru Gobind Singh sent Sahibzada Ajit Singh, barely 12 years of age then, to that village to intervene and defend the sangat. Ajit Singh at the head of 100 Sikhs reached there on 23 May 1699, punished the Ranghars and recovered the looted property. Following this successful mission, a much harder task was entrusted to him the following year when the hill chiefs supported by imperial troops attacked Anandpur. Sahibzada Ajit Singh was made responsible for the defence of Taragarh Fort which became the first target of attack.

This, according to the Bhatt Vahis, happened on 29 August 1700. Ajit Singh, assisted by Bhai Ude Singh, a seasoned soldier, repulsed the attack. He also fought valiantly in the battles of Nirmohgarh in October 1700. On 15 March 1701, a sangat, column of Sikh devotees, coming from Darap area (present Sialkot district) was waylaid by Gujjars and Ranghars. Sahibzada Ajit Singh led a successful expedition against them too.

Once a Brahman came to Guru Gobind Singh’s darbar. He complained that some Pathans of Bassi, near Hoshiarpur had taken his newly-wedded wife away by force. Sahibzada Ajit Singh offered to help the Brahman to recover his wife. As instructed by Guru Gobind Singh, on 7 March 1703 he took out 100 horsemen to Bassi, near Hoshiarpur. With this band of young brave Sikhs, Baba Ajit Singh fell upon Bassi during the night. He arrested the Pathans responsible for the wicked deed. He recovered the Brahman’s wife. He took the wicked Pathans to Anandpur the following morning. The Brahman’s wife was restored to him. The wicked Pathans were punished, suitably and severely.

Depiction of the Sahibzada Ajit Singh at the Battle of Chamkaur, painting by Bhagat Singh Bedi. In the prolonged siege of Anandpur in 1705, Sahibzada Ajit Singh again displayed his qualities of courage and steadfastness. When, at last, Anandpur was vacated on the night of 5-6 December 1705, he was given command of the rearguard. As the besiegers, violating their solemn promises for a safe conduct to the evacuees, attacked the column, he stoutly engaged them on a hill feature called Shahi Tibbi until relieved by Bhai Ude Singh. Sahibzada Ajit Singh crossed the Sarsa, then in spate, along with his father, his younger brother, Jujhar Singh, and some fifty Sikhs. Further reduced in numbers by casualties at the hands of a pursuing troop from Ropar, the column reached Chamkaur in the evening of 6 December 1705, and took up position in a garhi, a high walled fortified haveli (house).

~ Source: Sikhiwiki.com

One of Singapore’s oldest cemeteries “Bukit Brown” has 2 Sikh statues of Sikh guards next to a grave belonging to a prominent Chinese physician Chew Geok Leong who died in 1939. It is documented at the grave site that he had the statues made while he was alive, so that after he died these statues would literally guard his tomb. The Strong Belief was based on the philosophy that after a person dies the Sikh Statues guard the soul against evil.

The Chinese tradition of the particular community is that after they have physically died they make statues of basically anything that they think will protect them in the “other world”. This Chinese physician was so amazed by the valor, courage and bravery of Sikhs that he wanted Sikh soldiers to protect him in the “other world”. Sikhs don’t believe in graves, but the fact is, this person recognized Sikhs is a big honor.

~ Source: www.facebook.com

The SFIAR award for the best PhD/post-doc project, endowed with CHF 5,000 prize money, goes to Dr. Gurbir Singh for his project entitled “A novel cropping system for climate-neutral and bio-diverse rice farming”. Bhullar was engaged in research at ETH Zurich until 2013 and now works in the Department of International Cooperation of FiBL.

In order to feed a growing global population, rice farmers must increase their production. This, however, is problematic for the global climate: flooded paddy fields are one of the most significant sources of the greenhouse gas methane. In response to this conflict of interests, Dr Bhullar investigated new, less climate-damaging cultivation methods for rice, while he was still working at ETH.

He established the potential of certain aquatic plants to reduce methane emissions from soil. According to a media release by SFIAR, Dr Bhullar demonstrated that a larger diversity of plants reduces greenhouse emissions from paddy fields. He also identified which aquatic plants are generally suitable for co-cultivation with rice. Finally, he proved that certain aquatic plants could halve methane emissions from rice cultivation without adversely affecting rice production. These results open interesting perspectives for rural development in rice-growing regions. The co-cultivation of rice and aquatic plants would not only have a positive effect on the climate and biodiversity but would also contribute to improved nutrition for the farmers and create new income-generating opportunities.

~ Source: dailysikhupdates.com

The official distributor for the Film “Chaar Sahibzaade” Dharam Seva Films has announced the DVD and Blue Ray release of the record-breaking film. Film “Chaar Sahibzaade” has become one of the most watched and highest grossing Punjabi film in history. The film broke over 20 records at the box office and earned high praise for its animation and portrayal of the Chaar Sahibzaade story which has been passed down for generations. From the official statement the Dharam Seva states ” inlays will have the most accurate research on our Chaar Sahibzaade that you will have seen”.

The worldwide Sikh Sangat has been excited for the official DVD release not only as memento but also to relive the experience of the film.

~ Source: dailysikhupdates.com

The US president Barack Obama has appointed Indian-American CEO Ajay Banga as a new member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

Ajaypal Singh Banga is a President and CEO as well as a Board member of MasterCard for more than four years now.
Ajay is also the chairman of the US Indian Business Council (USIBC). He has been regular at White House receptions featuring Indian leaders and was a part of the delegation to India during Obama’s visit to India.

Chairman of the US-India Business Council, has been appointed as the member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, the White House said. The announcement came along with several other appointments to key administration posts.

“The talent and expertise these individuals bring to their roles will serve our nation well. I am grateful for their service, and look forward to working with them,” Obama.

Mr Singh, an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, is president and CEO of MasterCard, a position he has held since 2009. Prior to joining MasterCard, he held various senior management roles with Citigroup from 1996 until his departure in 2009, he served as CEO of Citigroup Asia Pacific. He served as Director for Marketing and Business Development at PepsiCo Restaurants International India from 1994 to 1996. He began his career at Nestle India, where he served in various sales and management roles from 1981 to 1994. He is a member of the Board of Directors of MasterCard and The Dow Chemical Company. He received a BA degree from Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College.

We are Proud of you Achievements Mr. Singh!

~ Source: articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com

David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom visited Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, in the West Midlands in recognition of the contributions of Sikhs; who have an estimated population of between 600,000 and 750,000 in the UK, and haven made an “immense contribution” to the country according to the PM at last years Vaisakhi reception at 10 Downing Street.

The Prime Minister was greeted by members of the committee. He then joined the sangat in the darbar hall as the first part of his guided tour of the gurdwara, before making his way down to the langar hall and kitchen; greeting those doing sewa, and trying to make roti. Cameron then made his way to the reception hall in the basement to conclude his tour, where he took photos with the committee and Sangat, he also spoke of the admiration he had of his trip to Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, and stated that it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places he had ever visited.

The PM commented on the hospitable manner of the Sangat and the British Sikh community as a whole, he then conducted a brief interview with Sikh Channel outside the Gurdwara before leaving.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said “I congratulate the federation for all the hard work it has done to increase awareness and importance of social and political activism within the Sikh community.”

David Cameron has showed great admiration of the British Sikh community over recent years!

~ Source: www.leamingtonobserver.co.uk

Nihangs, the last guardians of the Sikh martial spirit, roam freely across the Punjab (western state of India). Their nomadic lifestyle is dedicated to praying the almighty and practicing the Sikh martial arts. They maintain these traditions from the time of the 10th Sikh Guru, who left this world in 1708 AD.

“Where the Khalsa (Sikh Army) had set camp the war drums were being beaten and battle standards were raised. He arrived at where the Singhs were based. Ahead he could see where the Singhs were congregating. The musicians sung the Gurus hymns while others read the scriptures. Some were grounding sukha (cannabis) and others were preparing mahaparshad (meat). Some Singhs were cleaning and sharpening their weapons. Some trained in archery while other did target practise with their muskets. The Singhs massaged each other while others fanned the congregation. Some set off far to fetch water for the Singhs to bathe in…Running around the Singhs served one another”. (Prachin Panth Parkash)

Each year, during the spring festival of Holla Mohalla, the Nihangs still come together at Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) from all corners. It is their time to show the world their dedication to the ancient martial traditions of the Sikhs.

In creating this series of “Guns of Nihangs”, I broke the barrier by striking dialogue with them. Having demonstrated my intent, I was able to partner in making them pose with their Guns around their tented habitats.

~ Source: http://amardeepphotography.com/

London’s Northern Relief Road has been renamed to honour Sikhs’ contribution to the borough. The Gurdwara Singh Sabha has contributed significantly to our borough for over 40 years,” says Cllr Laila Butt. “The renaming of the road is a fitting recognition of its importance to the borough and its residents.”

The road had its temporary name for 25 years since being opened by Cllr Fred Jones MBE in 1990.

It was agreed, at a cabinet meeting in October last year, the road would be renamed Gurdwara Way in recognition of the building’s contribution to the local community and of the Sikh community’s to the borough during the two world wars.

“A quarter of a century is a long time for a temporary name, so I am delighted that cabinet colleagues agreed the new name which honors the Sikh community as well as acknowledging a local landmark that has served our community since 1908 – when the building was originally a friends meeting house for the Quakers,” says Cllr Geddes.

~ Source: barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk