News & Update

A relief camp started by Kashmiri Sikhs a day before deluge hit Srinagar inside a Gurduwara in uptown Srinagar provided timely rescue and relief to thousands of flood-ravaged people. Three weeks after, the camp is still busy providing relief to an unending rush of flood-hit. Saima Rashid walks inside the camp to report its relief work

Scores of women have fallen in line inside Gurduwara Shaheed Bunga Bhaghat (GSBB) in uptown Srinagar. These flood-ravaged females are mostly Muslims. The deluge devoured their homes, turned their stuff into slush and left behind a putrefying stench.

One by one, they come forward and receive the relief material from the camp run by local Sikh brethren inside the vicinity of the Gurduwara.

Gurduwara offers myriad scenes. Harmony co-exists with confusion—mainly reflecting from the faces of flood-hit. People keep pouring endlessly at the place. After five exits with relief material, another ten falls in line. Standing in a queue, women appear absorbed. They appear absent-minded.

In contrast, the relief workers appear active. They are tirelessly distributing the relief material among the flood-hit.

After the floods hit Kashmir, relief camps started cropping up in many parts of valley. By September 6, a day before the deluge put life out of gear in summer capital, a rescue-cum-relief camp was started inside GSBB. Since then flood-hit people are continuously pouring at the camp.

GSBB becomes what its volunteers are calling the “central relief committee” for anyone coming forth. More than one lakh flood-hit people have so far visited the camp, says the camp public relations officer Bikram Singh, “besides, the camp provided medical treatment to more than 20,000 people.” While receiving a torrent of people at the camp, Bikram says, the camp supplied medicines to hospitals like SKIMS and to other medical camps.

The camp is managed by Gurduwara Prabandhak Committee Budgam. Bikram says, after focusing on rescue works, the camp concentrated on relief and medical facility. And once done with the relief works, he says, the camp will be working on rehabilitation process.

“Our relief distribution is very much systematic,” he says. “Every victim or victimised families were given relief as per their needs. No one was given much or less.”

After a while, the rush at the camp derails Singh’s briefing. He along with camp team is now busy attending the people. And meanwhile, the scenes at the camp appear intriguing. On the right side of the entrance, a prominent Kashmiri dramatist and film maker, Arshad Mushtaq is playing with a bunch of kids. Those who are catching glimpse of the dramatist encircled by kids are passing smiles. This part of the lawn is in serious contrast with the camp where anxious flood-hit people seem reflecting remorse.

Running the camp (where emotions run high) nonstop for three weeks was beyond individual’s capacity. The long run was made possible by Sikh volunteers who offered their services from the very beginning.

The relief material distributed among the flood-affected people at the camp is aided by NGOs, local youth, volunteers and foreign organisations. The contributors’ names include Khalsa Aid, United Sikhs and Australian Sikh Support have been emblazoned on banners placed at the camp.

During rescue operations, three hundred volunteers including locals and non-state subjects have turned up with help at the camp. Special rafters were called in from mainland India, which put more than 300 volunteers on their toes. These volunteers went everywhere to rescue the stranded people. Besides community based kitchen was setup inside GSBB on war-footing to cater a large chunk of flood-displaced population. These kitchens are continuously feeding people, especially those who have been sheltering inside Gurduwara after losing their homes to flood fury.

The flood-displaced people are packed inside a spacious hall of Gurduwara on the first floor. They look weary, lost and worried. Some of them are sleeping. A few are still sobbing over their loss. Others are busy talking. Girls are busy in making their hair plaits. Boys are roaming around.

Next is the room of management team and planning staff. They are busy in accounting available and required stock.

After the flood, many heroes and their heroics are feeding main headlines to Press. One such hero is a resident of Jawahar Nagar, Satnam Singh.

Satnam’s nephew, Manjeet Singh while recalling the heroics of his uncle says, his heroics not only saved his family, but scores others.

Satnam, Manjeet says, made smart use of his turban and saved many lives by holding himself one part of the turban and accordingly the other part was held by the stranded people to come out of the troubled waters.

“In hard times, our turban, our pride, came to our rescue,” says Manjeet, a resident of Alouchi Bagh. “It was Wahe Guru’s blessings that made my uncle to make use of his turban on the right occasion for saving many precious lives.”

Manjeet was himself trapped in his home for three days. Next to his home was a building, under construction, where a cow and its little calf were trapped. “I somehow managed to make way into that very building and evacuated the cattle,” says Manjeet.

The camp receives six truckloads of relief material on an average daily. And 900 trucks of relief are on its way, says Bikram.

“Family packages are prepared by the management team according to the need from fully damaged and partially damaged houses,” he says. “Raw food is supplied continuously including rice and flour.” Moreover, he says, the personal needs of women and babies are taken care of.

As people replace the state by playing a major role in rescue and relief, the community sense has also strengthened. This is exactly what Bikram remarks on parting note: “We Kashmiris have always stood for each other cutting across the religious lines. This calamity fell on everybody. Nobody is untouched. But we are survivors. And we will survive the flood fury as well!”

~ Source: www.kashmirlife.net

One day Guru Nanak confided to Bhai Sadharan that he was passing away on Asu 10. 1596 Bik. The news spread like a wild fire and people started assembling at Kartarpur sahib. Before that Guru sahib had declared Bhai Lehna as his successor. Guru’s sons and family vehemently opposed Guru’s decision and were even conspiring to beat and expel Guru Angad from Kartarpur. Guru Nanak therefore advised Guru Angad to leave Kartarpur for Khadoor sahib.

Guru ji passed away and then a quarrel among Hindus and Muslims arose as to how Guru’s body is to be created.
It is said Guru sahib then met a faqir and gave the solution to dispute. The faqir then advised the Hindus and Muslims to keep flowers on the body of Guru Nanak and in the next morning check whose flowers. Whosoever’s flowers were found withered the next morning would loose the claim. It is related that the next morning when the cloth sheet was removed the Guru’s body was missing and both sets of flowers were found as fresh as when they were placed.

The two communities then decided to divide the cloth sheet that covered the Guru’s body and together with the flowers that they had place, one burying it and the other consigning it to fire. Therefore, both a samadh (Hindu tradition monument of remembrance) lies in the Gurdwara at Kartarpur and a grave (according to Muslim traditions) lies on the premises as a reminder of this joint claim to Guru Nanak Dev ji by both the communities. The grave is outside the Kartarpur building.

However in the year 1684 Ravi had a devastating flood which washed away both the grave and smadh. Guru’s Bedi descendents then erected another monument on the left side of river Ravi. It received a lot of criticism because Guru prohibits worship of graves and smadhis. The third monument was called Dehura and therefore a city was founded which is now known as Dera (Dehura) Baba Nanak. It is a sub tehsil of district Gurdaspur and is 50 kms from Amritsar and about 40 kms. from Batala.

KARTARPUR IS THUS UNBELIEVABLY STRANGE AND MYSTERIOUS PLACE BECAUSE THERE EXIST THREE MAUSOLEUMS OF A SINGLE PERSON: GURU NANAK, AND THAT TOO SPREAD IN TWO WARRING COUNTRIES; INDIA AND PAKISTAN.

SIKHS BELIEVE IT HAS A TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL OF BRINGING DAWN OF PEACE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

It is just about 4 KM from Indo-Pak border on the right bank of river Ravi in Pakistan and is visible from Border. On the demand of Sikhs, the Pakistan Govt has agreed to grant a FREE CORRIDOR i.e entry without passport/visa. John McDonalds ex- UN member and peace maker visited Corridor site on June 20, 2008 and emphasized that this Corridor holdS key to Indo-Pak peace. The present President of India Sh. Pranab Mukherjee visited the Corridor site on June 28, 2008. On Oct.1, 2010 the Punjab Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Govt of India (Central Govt) to immediately approve the Corridor Plan and ensure early opening of the Corridor.

IT IS 14 YEARS NOW AND GOVT OF INDIA IS YET TO ACCEPT IT. People are continuously praying to God so that He blesses peace sense to India. Daily thousands of people visit Corridor site and have a glimpse of Kartarpur from distance while 2.5 million people visit Corridor Point on Border between March 1 to 15 every year.

– Source: http://www.punjabmonitor.com/

New Delhi: In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement, the Minister of Home Affairs has issued a notification that the ‘Person of Indian Origin’ (PIO) card shall be valid for a lifetime.

The notification was issued on September 30, a Home Ministry release said on Wednesday.

“In pursuance of the announcement made by the Prime Minister at Madison Square Garden in New York on September 28, 2014, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a Notification on September 30, 2014 to the effect that Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card shall be valid for lifetime, and the PIO Card holder shall be exempt from police reporting/registration,” the release said.

The release further clarified that that all PIO cards issued till September 30, 2014 ‘are automatically deemed to have life time validity’.

Modi announced at the Madison Square Garden, to cheers from the assembled gathering, that PIO card holders will get lifelong visas.

~ Source: http://www.indiatvnews.com/

A bright, spunky, bold, and fun woman, Bhupinder “Bhupy” Kaur, mother of three, is a trial attorney who specializes in construction law civil litigation.

What makes her stand out from other lawyers is that as an amrit-dhari Kaur, she always keeps her head covered with a chunni. Whether meeting with a client, arguing a case in court, or meeting with her kids’ teachers, she dons the chunni. Whether wearing western clothes or Punjabi clothes, she dons the chunni.

Born in England and raised in Vernon, Canada, she currently lives in LA, California.

It is so unusual to see a young Sikh woman covering her head with a chunni in the United States that Kaur Life decided to learn more about Bhupinder’s journey with Sikhi to understand what prompted her to wear the chunni at all times.

When did you start covering your head?

Bhupinder Kaur: I was 12 when I wanted to take Amrit. My parents said I was too young, but they agreed. So, we went to Vancouver for the Sanchar and I took Amrit there. I thought, “Hey, now that I’m amrti-dhari, I should cover my head.” I started doing so with a ramal.

I never questioned it. I just thought, “That’s how it was supposed to be.” Growing up, my mother covered her head with a chunni.

How did you integrate that into your high school life?

Bhupinder Kaur: I started with a plain blue ramal and a plain black one. Then, I started wearing bandanas but I wanted more colors. By 12th grade my mom had dyed me 200 different colors so I could match them to my outfits!

At the time, I was really into watching WWF wrestling, so I would use puffy paint to design my ramals to support my favorite wrestler. It was fun!

Did your family influence your decision to cover your head?

Bhupinder Kaur: My mom covered her head all the time with a chunni. But she never pressured me to cover my head. I remember when we would go to parties and sometimes I’d wear a lengha and she would say, “You don’t have to wear a chunni at the party. You don’t have to wear it if you don’t feel like it.” But I wanted to and she would have special chunnis made for me.

The only time we had to cover our heads in our family was when we were cooking, eating, or in the baba ji’s room.

I never associated my dad or my brothers wearing a dastar to me wearing a ramal.

Did you ever consider wearing a dastar?

Bhupinder Kaur: I did. I was at a kirtan program once, at the age of 14, and someone said I couldn’t do kirtan because I didn’t wear a dastar. It was that comment that made me not want to wear one. I thought, “I can do kirtan. I can still be a Sikh even if I don’t wear a dastar!” It was a rebellious thing. I’ve never thought about it after that.

When did you switch from a ramal to a chuni?

Bhupinder Kaur: Even in law school I wore a ramal but I started to dislike the look. I felt like it looked to “kiddish” and not very formal. Wearing a bandana to a law internship wasn’t very professional and I didn’t want to wear plain ramals. Plus, I wanted a greater range of colors and prints so, I switched to a chunni.

I still wear a bandana sometimes while playing sports.

What have other Sikhs’ reaction been to you always wearing a chuni?

Bhupinder Kaur: In Vancouver, no one questioned why I wore it. They knew I was amrit dhari.

In Punjab, they didn’t get it. They knew why I wore it but they don’t understand why I would choose to. “Do you believe in a sant?” some people would ask me.

In the US, Sikhs come up to me and ask me, “Why are you covering your head? Why are you wearing a chunni?” This surprised me at first, the fact that Sikhs were asking me. I had to explain, Sikhs need to keep their kesh clean, boys do it, it’s an identity thing. Spiritually, it makes me feel closer to my guru. It’s like a uniform. When I cross the line into the Guru’s Darbar, I don’t have to think twice about covering my head, because it is always covered.

I don’t get it when a Sikh tells me, “There’s no need to cover your head.” That’s rude. It’s not their decision and it’s violating my personal space. I respond to that by saying, “There’s no need for me to wear this shirt either, but I choose to.” I don’t know why it would bug them. It’s a personal choice. I’m not telling them they should all wear chunnis. The chunni is a part of me.

How did non-Sikhs react to your chunni?

Bhupinder Kaur: In Vancouver, everyone knew I was a Sikh. Canada’s multicultural education is awesome. In Vancouver, Non-Sikhs knew that I covered my head and didn’t cut my hair because I was amrti-dhari. Very few people asked me questions because there were so many Punjabis around. Once in a while people would ask me, “That’s a cool print. Is it for fashion or something else?”

In the US, I am constantly mistaken for a Muslim. When I first got here I thought, “What the hell?!”

Even Muslims think I’m Muslim! they greet me with “As-Salâm Alaikum.” I reply, “Wa-laikum as-Salâm but, I’m not a Muslim, I’m a Sikh.” Then they ask, “Oh. So, why do you cover your head?”

Only once did a Muslim know I was a Sikh and that’s because he was from Pakistan and saw my kara.

When other ethnicities say, “I like your scarf.” I say, “Thanks. I cover my head because I’m a Sikh.”

Did covering your head connect you to Sikhi or the Guru?

Bhupinder Kaur: As I got older, it did help me connect to the Guru and my Sikhi. When you realize you are different and you embrace that difference, it makes you a stronger person; you don’t end up changing your believes and morals based on your community. People have to accept you for who you are. You assert, “This is who I am, you need to accept me. I accept you and we can live together.”

It’s not about fitting in; it’s about accepting each other and doing stuff together.

Covering my head instilled confidence in me. I felt, “I can do anything.”

The chunni became my identity. My style. I became known for it and recognized by it. As my husband Amarpreet says, I can’t get lost in a crowd, he can spot me anywhere because he just looks for my chunni!

~ Bhupinder Kaur
~ Source: http://www.kaurlife.org/

A look at the broken slabs inscribed with words of valour of Sikh generals at the first Anglo-Sikh war memorial in Gora Hoor village near Aliwal, 40 km from Ludhiana, are a reflection of the hollow promises and salutations made by the political leaders of the state.

The irony of the situation is on the one hand, the state government has failed to protect the old memorial, on the other hand, it is all set to construct ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’, a memorial at Kartarpur near Jalandhar over 25 acres at a cost of Rs. 200 crore.

Despite being declared a protected monument in 1964 under the Punjab Ancient, Historical Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, the memorial has been in ruins all these years.

Irrespective of the fact that the memorial referred to as “Flame of Memory” is a symbol of gallantry of Sikh soldiers duly acknowledged by the British by installation of this commemorative plaque, the monument was denied due recognition by the governments and people of the state.

It was built in 1853 by the British, more than 160 years ago, to honour the bravery of the Sikh soldiers who changed the face of first Anglo-Sikh war. The British were forced to acknowledge the valour with which the Sikh soldiers fought against the much stronger British army.

In 2011, the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board had made efforts to renovate the monument and an amount of `10 lakh was sanctioned for it. But soon after putting up of a boundary wall made of grills the work stopped as the contractor failed to get requisite funds.

Criticising the SAD-BJP government for having ignored the “prestigious” project of renovating the first Anglo-Sikh War Memorial, Ex-servicemen Welfare Society, Ludhiana, president Col Rajinder Singh Sohi (retd) said, “It is a matter of shame that our governments have forgotten about the sacrifices made by our soldiers. The land that belonged to this monument too has been usurped by farmers and the administration has not even bothered to look into the matter.”

Another Octogenarian from Hambran Harjinder Singh said, “It is rather shocking that none of the Akali leaders who take pride in referring to the war heroes from Punjab outside the state have ever bothered to pay homage to the martyrs of First Anglo Sikh War at this memorial.”

Expressing ignorance, Principal secretary Raji P Srivastava said, “I will look into the matter and the department will do the needful.”

~ Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Amritsar, Punjab: Realizing that excellence and activism is need of the hour, the young activist’s boys and girls gathered at a call of Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP) today resolved that they would address the issues of drug menace, disrespect to women and yellow literature with persuasion, education and arming residents of Punjab with the knowledge.

They declared not to allow Punjab to be consumed by drugs and asserted that personal responsibility was a pre-requisite to tackle this bull by the horn.

As a united voice with actionable agenda we, the tomorrow of Punjab, will bring change in the little world we live in, reads the resolution adopted during the youth conference organized by SYP on the outskirts of Guru Nanak Dev University.

The speakers mainly SGPC members Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Prof Jagmohan Singh and Prof Inderjit Singh Gogoani felt that the society was facing attack from the dirty nexus of politicians-police-smugglers who work under cloak of various socio-cultural fronts. They pointed out that Punjab was under attack from these drug lords who are being facilitated by political leaders across the spectrum.

The speakers urged the youth to do activism by declaring and proclaiming that they would not tolerate degradation of women and that they would bail Punjab out of sinking hole.

Banners were displayed prompting the youth to work for a New Punjab, a drug free state and make the next generation proud of Punjab.

SYP head Nobeljit Singh from Hoshiarpur said we have no doubt that the strong value system of Punjab, respect for women, standing up for the underdog (oppressed) and refraining from intoxicants will withstand the test of our time.

Delivering the key note, party’s vice head Paramjit Singh Tanda observed that confronting any socio-political issue that was being patronized by the established conservative class was never an easy task. What we need today is not standing observation or nodding of heads to address the issue but a commitment with ourselves that yes we can and will change the current system that is flawed.

Organization’s secretary Sukhvider Singh from Anandpur Sahib said drugs do not discriminate among Punjabi’s. The cancerous epidemic affects all alike, he said and added that modernity at the expense of vulgarity, diluting our values is never welcome and will be rejected by the entrepreneurial spirit of the Punjab.

Kiranjot Kaur said women consist almost half the human population and have to be included in leadership positions for promoting better understanding in the society. She further said a woman was the core of a family which is smallest unit of society, therefore her contribution was immense in inculcating moral values and spirit in the young.

Well known human rights activist Prof Jagmohan Singh in his address said Punjab today was going through difficult times. Drug abuse was a serious concern. Lack of interest in education has taken gigantic proportions. A neo-sub-culture a la Bollywood is being foisted on us through the mega-rich Pollywood producers who are not Punjabi, the degrading treatment to women in all walks of life puts a question mark on Punjabi character, the lethargy and lack of foresight of the governmental authorities was leading us nowhere.

He said from streets to the corridors of power, from canteens to the drawing rooms, this country runs on two hypothes –“chalta hai “ and “mainu ki” There is filth on the streets –chalta hai, there is goondaism in the colony –mainu ki, the government is not fulfilling its promises –so what can I do, girl students are being teased outside colleges and universities –it is their problem, not mine, the neighbour’s son has become a drug addict –too bad but that family is responsible. These are our standard responses. Everyone’s problems are nobody’s problems.

~ By Paramjeet Singh
~ Source: http://sikhsiyasat.net/