News & Update

A 105-year-old Sikh helped a group of runners celebrate the group’s first birthday by taking part in a 5km run.

Fauja Singh accepted an invitation from the organisers of the Rutland Water parkrun to take part in their weekly event on the shores of the reservoir.

Mr Singh took up running in his 80s and has since completed eight marathons.

He took part in the event alongside more than 200 other runners.

Sometimes dubbed the Turbaned Tornado and Sikh Superman, he is a world record holder in his age bracket.

His current personal best time for the London Marathon in 2003 is 6 hours 2 minutes and his marathon record, for age 90-plus, is 5 hours 40 minutes at the age of 92, at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

In 2004, Mr Singh, who lives in London, was featured in an advertising campaign for sportswear manufacturer Adidas alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.

Run director Paul Rogerson said: “The star attraction on the day was undoubtedly Fauja Singh the world’s oldest marathon runner, now just 105 years young, who volunteered to be our tail runner for this event.

“The man is a legend in the running world having not taken up running until aged 89 and completing eight full marathons since then.

“Now retired from competitive running we were particularly honoured to have him run with us as this was his third parkrun.”

Rutland Water parkrun director Manjinder Jagdev, of Oakham, a lecturer in education at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, said the past year has been great.

She said: “I met Fauja a few years ago and kept in touch with him. When we were looking for an idea to celebrate our first birthday I thought of him. It was a real pleasure and a privilege to have him there.

The whole park run ethos is to create a happier, healthier community. It’s free, fun and a place to socialise.

“There are parkrun groups all over the world now – allowing people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to run or walk three-miles in an informal, non-competitive setting.

“You don’t have to run – we have people who walk with children in buggies, Nordic walkers, anyone is welcome.

“It’s by a team of unpaid volunteers for the benefit of the community and is proving to be very popular.”

As well as the special guest runner, there was cake for all finishers, and party balloons and bunting on the course, with many runners in Halloween outfits.

To take part, register at www.parkrun.org.uk and head to Rutland Water on a Saturday morning for the 9am run from Normanton Church to the dam and back.

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The 2017 Northern Territory Local Hero is food van founder, Tejinder pal Singh.

His name was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Australian of the Year series award on Tuesday.

The Award recipients will join recipients from all other States and Territories as finalists for the national awards, which will be held in Canberra on 25 January 2017.

For the past four years, Tejinder Pal Singh has dedicated the last Sunday of each month to feeding poor and needy locals of northern Darwin.

After a gruelling 12-hour shift driving a taxi, Tejinder spends five hours cooking up a storm in his kitchen, preparing 80 kilograms of vegetarian curry and rice, which he then serves as a free lunch.
After arriving from the Punjab region with his family in 2006, Tejinder endured a racist tirade of abuse while a passenger which inspired the humble man to break down the negative prejudice associated with turbans.

His work has inspired three other groups to take up the cause to distribute free food to the homeless on Sundays. And the hungry and thirsty come flocking when they see Tejinder’s van, emblazoned with the sign “free Indian food for hungry and needy people.”

“One more step to making awareness about Sikhism and share thoughts. Thanks to teachers and future of my beautiful Australia,” said Tejinder Pal Singh on social media post.

Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, recognised the recipients for their outstanding efforts and contributions to the NT community and the nation.

“These inspirational people epitomise selflessness by often putting others before themselves,” Mr Gunner said.

“We can all learn from their efforts and hard work in helping make our communities and the whole of the Northern Territory a better place to live and work.

“Our recipients hail from vastly different backgrounds yet they all have one thing in common – they have an overwhelming desire to help others.

“It’s often that these are the people who go about their business unrecognised, which is why I’m so pleased that their achievements are being acknowledged.

“I’m sure that all Territorians will join me in thanking our recipients and wishing them well at the national Awards.” Australia Day Council NT Chair, Daryl Manzie, said the Territory Awards recipients are four inspirational Australians.

“These Awards celebrate the achievements of Australians worthy of the nation’s attention and tonight’s finalists, and indeed Award recipients, are no exception to the rule,” said Mr Manzie.

“These are remarkable members of our community who lead by example and inspire others to make a difference locally, nationally and globally. They are willing to stand up for what they believe in, to mentor and to take others on their journey.

“It is an honour to recognise them through this esteemed Award process and I wish them every success as they go on to the national Australian of the Year Award ceremony in January. Good luck and thank you.”

Funding the feast each month from his own pocket, Tejinder attributes his generosity to his deep Sikh faith.

गोमती स्थित अकाल अकेडमी में सुरक्षित दीपावली मनाने सम्बंधी विषय पर पोस्टर प्रतियोगिता हुई। लघुनाटिका के जरिए ग्रीन दीवाली मनाने पर प्रकाश डाला गया। गुरुद्वारा दमदमा साहिब के मुख्य सेवादार सरदार जसवंत सिंह और सरदार बलवीर सिंह ने बच्चों को पर्व के बारे में बताया। प्रधानाचार्य, अशोक सिंह गुलेरिया ने बेसहारा लोगों की सेवा कर दीपावली मनाने का संदेश दिया। कार्यक्रम में हेमलता, हरदीप सिंह, रेहान खान, मुकुल अग्रवाल, भूपदर सिंह, महीश आदि शिक्षक मौजूद रहे। पोस्टर प्रतियोगिता में रविन्द्र कौर, नवरीत कौर, रिशुप्रीत कौर ने प्रथम स्थान, जसमीत कौर और जशनदीप कौर दूसरे स्थान, कोमलप्रीत कौर, सुमनप्रीत कौर और प्रभजोत कौर को तृतीय स्थान मिला।

Darshan Kaur (survivor of 1984 Sikh massacre) was just 21 years old when the mob dragged her husband out of their house by his hair, put a quilt and a tyre on him and set him on fire.

Even after 32 years, she awaits justice.

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਜ ਜਦੋਂ ਦੀਨੇ ਕਾਂਗੜ ਵਿਚ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਫੌਜ ਦਾ ਟਾਕਰਾ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰੀਆਂ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਸਨ ਤਾਂ ਅਬਲੂ ਤੇ ਮਹਿਮੇ ਕਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਪੋਤਾ-ਪੜੋਤਾ, ਮਹਿਮੇ ਸਰਜੇ ਦਾ ਵਸਨੀਕ, ਭਾਈ ਚੜ੍ਹਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਾ ਭਰਾ ਬਾਬਾ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਬਰਾੜ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਲ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋਇਆ ਤੇ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਿਲ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ।

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਜਦ ਕੋਟਕਪੂਰਾ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ ਤਾਂ ਕਪੂਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਆਰਾਮ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਗੜ੍ਹੀ ਮੰਗੀ ਪਰ ਕਪੂਰੇ ਨੇ ਮੁਗਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਡਰ ਤੋਂ ਗੜ੍ਹੀ ਦੇਣ ਤੋਂ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ। ਕਪੂਰਾ ਗੁਰੂ-ਘਰ ਦਾ ਅਨਿੰਨ ਸੇਵਕ ਸੀ। ਅਨੰਦਪੁਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਵਿਖੇ ਵਧੀਆ ਨਸਲ ਦੇ ਘੋੜੇ ਤੇ ਸ਼ਸਤਰ, ਧਨ ਆਦਿ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਸੀ। ਚੌਧਰੀ ਕਪੂਰੇ ਨੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਘੋੜਸਵਾਰ ਬਾਬਾ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਵੱਲ ਭੇਜ ਦਿੱਤੇ। ਭਾਈ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਤੇ ਚੌਧਰੀ ਕਪੂਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਜਦ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਾ ਕਿ ਬਾਈਧਾਰ ਦੇ ਰਾਜੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਉੱਪਰ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਕਰਕੇ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਤਾਂ ਭਾਈ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਟਿਕਾਣੇ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਜ਼ਾਲਮਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਯੁੱਧ ਕੀਤਾ। ਮੁਕਤਸਰ ਦੀ ਜੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਬਰਾੜ, ਫੂਲ, ਮਾਨ, ਮਰਾੜ ਕੇ, ਭੁੱਲਰ ਆਦਿ ਨੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹਾਦਰੀ ਦਿਖਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਉਪਰੋਕਤ ਜਾਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮਿਲੇ ਸਹਿਯੋਗ ਸਦਕਾ ਹੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਜੰਗ (ਯੁੱਧ) ਵਿਚ ਫਤਹਿ ਹਾਸਲ ਹੋਈ।

ਬਾਬਾ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਸਪੁੱਤਰ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਦੇ ਨਾਂਅ ‘ਤੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਿਆ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਿੰਡ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਵਾਲਾ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਬੇ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਾ ਬੁੱਤ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਲਾਇਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਪਿੰਡ ਗੋਨਿਆਣਾ ਮੰਡੀ ਤੋਂ 8 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਹੈ। ਬਾਬਾ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਇਕ ਲੜਕੇ ਦਾ ਨਾਂਅ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੀ। ਪਿੰਡ ਮਹਿਮਾ ਸਰਜਾ ਤੋਂ 4 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਦੂਰ ਬਾਬਾ ਦਾਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਨਾਂਅ ‘ਤੇ ਵਸਿਆ ਨਗਰ ਸਥਿਤ ਹੈ।

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