tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36240666362446216172024-03-20T22:22:59.479-04:00globalsikhsGiving a global sikh news update. Gathered from various sites online and consolidated and merged onto this blog of every news or article relating to the sikhs, sikhism or sikh related issues.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-26799776713819312882024-02-17T08:10:00.003-05:002024-02-17T08:10:52.765-05:00New Sikh Exhibition on display at Surrey Museum<p> According to <a href="https://thelinkpaper.ca/new-sikh-exhibition-on-display-at-surrey-museum/" target="_blank">The Link</a> “<span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> A new community-led exhibit is now on display at the Museum of Surrey from February 6 to May 19, 2024. Lahore to London: A Journey of Chardi Kala invites visitors to learn about the heritage and identity of many in the Sikh diaspora.</span></p><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The exhibition showcases a selection of objects in the Wanjara Nomad collection that boasts over 1230 rare books, meticulously curated to illuminate the multifaceted history of the Sikh diaspora, the East India Company, and the British Empire.</span><br data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Featured on display are books and artifacts that include historical works like the “Annexation of the Punjab and the Maharajah Duleep Singh” (1882), “Punjab-Court and Camp of Runjeet Singh” (1840) which is a valuable historical account about Maharaja Runjeet Singh’s court and military camp during the Sikh empire, the “Personal scrapbook of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh,” and more.</span><br data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">“The aim of this exhibit is preserving, learning and sharing in Chardi kala with fellow Canadians” said Raj Singh Bhandall, Curator of Wanjara Nomad Collections. “We are excited to have selections from this collection on display for Surrey residents. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the communities here in Surrey”, said Lynn Saffery, Museum Manager.</span><br data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Museum of Surrey invites the public to engage with this exhibit, gain insight into the intricate threads of Sikh history, and reflect on the diverse tapestry of Surrey’s community. For more information about the exhibits and other Museum of Surrey programming, visit www.surrey.ca/museum.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-71690220933236939662024-02-16T22:53:00.001-05:002024-02-16T22:53:20.475-05:00A 3-day conference on entitled “Concept of Martyrdom in Sikhism” held at PU Chandigarh<p> According to <a href="https://www.punjabnewsexpress.com/news/news/a-3-day-conference-on-entitled-“concept-of-martyrdom-in-sikhism”-held-at-pu-chandigarh-240537" target="_blank">Punjab News Express</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Three Days Conference entitled “Concept of Martyrdom in Sikhism” dedicated to unique martyrdom of Sahibzadas; was organized by the Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies, Panjab University Chandigarh and Virasat Punjab Manch (A Platform of various thinkers, scholars and academicians).</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">On the second day, many papers on various themes were presented. The sessions were presided by Gurinderpal Singh Josan, a renowned karate coach of international exposure; Dr. Karnail Singh from UK; Dr. Jaspal Kaur Kaang, former Chairperson Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies PU Chandigarh; Dr. Paramjit Kaur Gill of PU Patiala; and Dr. Malvinder Kaur from Punjabi University, Patiala.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Chetan Singh, Kulwinder Singh Badal, Simarjit Singh, Harpinder Kaur, Gurinderpal Singh Josan, Dr. Amardeep Kaur, Pritam Singh, Dr. Ranbir Singh, Ramandeep Kaur, Prabhjit Kaur, Rekha Rani and many other scholars presented their papers.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="5" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Main themes of discussion were martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Arjun Dev, Shahadat of Four Sahibzadas, Banda Bahadur, Bhai Satidas, Bhai Matildas, Bhai Dayala, Bhai Jaita, Bhai Mani Singh, Bhai Deep Singh, Battle of Saragarhi, Battle of Chamkaur and persecution under British era.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">It will be followed by a musical evening in which Sufi Singer Kanwar Grewal will present his Sufi Qalam.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-45241011694373117782024-02-13T17:59:00.000-05:002024-02-13T17:59:02.320-05:00Abbotsford’s Sikh Heritage Museum hosts open house for heritage week<p> According to <a href="https://www.abbynews.com/community/abbotsfords-sikh-heritage-museum-hosts-open-house-for-heritage-week-7317572" target="_blank">The Abbotsford News</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> In celebration of B.C. Heritage Week, the Sikh Heritage Museum in Abbotsford opens its doors to those interested in learning and experiencing Sikh culture.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The event, called Unfolding the Layers of Migration, is part of an open house hosted by University of Fraser Valley’s South Asian Studies Institute to coincide with heritage week from Feb. 19 to 25.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“The Sikh Heritage Museum is a touchstone of history, heritage and culture for the Sikh community in the Fraser Valley and beyond to all parts of B.C.,” says UFV associate professor Satwinder Bains.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Located at 33089 South Fraser Way, the Gur Sikh Temple is the oldest existing gurdwara in North America – first opened in 1911 – and the only temple of its kind outside of India and Pakistan to be designated a national historic site.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="5" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The event is scheduled for Feb. 20, and will include:</p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">• 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – transnational marriage exhibit viewing</p><p data-reader-unique-id="7" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">• 1:30 to 2 p.m. – introduction and talks</p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – film screenings followed by Q & A</p><p data-reader-unique-id="9" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Those interested are also invited to enjoy a meal from noon to 1 p.m. at the Khalsa Diwan Society, located across the street from the temple.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-17722779339128461932024-02-11T07:47:00.002-05:002024-02-11T07:47:14.173-05:00Winnipeg Sikh community prepares Valentine’s care packages for women’s shelters<p> According to <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/10287096/winnipeg-sikh-community-prepares-valentines-care-packages-for-womens-shelters/amp/" target="_blank">Global News</a> “<span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Saturday afternoon at Valley Gardens Community Centre, a group of volunteers with the World Sikh Organization put together special care packages for Valentine’s Day. The gifts won’t be going to their partners or families, but to women in shelters. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">“There’s no restriction to who you share that love with for Valentine’s Day,” says Mahekleen Kaur, regional president of the WSO in Manitoba. “So, the idea is, why not spread it to everybody?”</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The packages contain essentials like toothpaste, pads and tampons, plus things like soap, body wash or face masks, which they hope can brighten the recipient’s day.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="9" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Kaur says the organization does this every year as part of their One Billion Rising initiative. Originating in Vancouver in 2012, the campaign has now spread to multiple cities across Canada. “One in three women will face some form of abuse in their lifetime, which will equal to one billion women, which is just such a heart wrenching statistic,” says Kaur. “So. to raise awareness for that statistic, we’re doing our part as the Sikh community.”</p><p data-reader-unique-id="14" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Volunteer Sheena Gurm collected donations from the Amber Trails Community School, where she teaches kindergarten. She says participating in initiatives like this is important to the Sikh community. <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">“In our culture, we are always taught about the spirit of generosity, so giving back to the community, giving back to those who need it,” says Gurm.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="21" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; max-width: 100%;">Her students also contributed by making cards to go into the packages, featuring messages of hope and encouragement.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="44" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; max-width: 100%;">The children at Little Wonders Daycare helped too, according to director Aman Sidhu.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="45" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; max-width: 100%;">“We talk about how they’re helping somebody’s mommy, or they’re helping somebody like them, because some of these will be going to mothers with children,” says Sidhu. “So, they’re just very happy that they get to give back in that way.”</p><p data-reader-unique-id="46" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; max-width: 100%;">The group is on track to send around 225 care packages to shelters this year, which would be a record amount. But above all, volunteers want the women to know that someone is thinking of them.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="47" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; max-width: 100%;">“Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to just be about having a partner in your life,” says Kaur. “It can also just be about knowing there’s someone who wants you to know that you’re loved, that you deserve to be treated with love and respect.”</p><div data-reader-unique-id="48" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; max-width: 100%;"><p></p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-68003372072224449842024-02-11T00:35:00.001-05:002024-02-11T00:35:25.816-05:00Commemorating the 178th Death Anniversary of Sikh General Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala<p> According to <a href="https://bnnbreaking.com/world/india/commemorating-the-178th-death-anniversary-of-sikh-general-sardar-sham-singh-attariwala" target="_blank">BNN Breaking</a> <span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLWG8Conu-P37kyOAsw4D_8qyRIT7uvtvnCGvfIMsTIxJlvCuyf6vN9ttthBiEXsj_nEwK_QZK-VmBJ2oSiTNi9w2oNueKP-x8Ygm0WmME_l6_SUi74OEQrtVlXsozKwzrM468wVFII8q8QeVyiQMtXZp65xIeo20kqGPGtfipGVW6xWNReWDYJrM6wFk/s496/IMG_1672.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLWG8Conu-P37kyOAsw4D_8qyRIT7uvtvnCGvfIMsTIxJlvCuyf6vN9ttthBiEXsj_nEwK_QZK-VmBJ2oSiTNi9w2oNueKP-x8Ygm0WmME_l6_SUi74OEQrtVlXsozKwzrM468wVFII8q8QeVyiQMtXZp65xIeo20kqGPGtfipGVW6xWNReWDYJrM6wFk/s320/IMG_1672.webp" width="237" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">“Amidst the hallowed grounds of India Gate and the tranquil village of Attari, the echoes of a glorious past reverberated on the 178th death anniversary of Sikh General Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala. The commemoration, a poignant blend of reverence and remembrance, was graced by the presence of Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Attari MLA Jaswinder Singh Ramdas.</span></p><h2 data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 1.2777em; max-width: 100%;">Honoring the legacy of a Sikh warrior</h2><p data-reader-unique-id="7" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The date, 11th February 2024, marked a significant milestone in the annals of Sikh history. It was the day when the valor and sacrifices of General Sham Singh Attariwala, a formidable warrior of the Sikh Empire, were remembered and celebrated. The event, held at the Attari Samadh in Attari village, was a testament to the enduring legacy of the General, whose life and martyrdom continue to inspire generations.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and MLA Jaswinder Singh Ramdas paid their respects at the monument dedicated to the General. The duo announced plans for the development of Attari village and the expansion of the museum built in the General's honor. The aim is to educate children about the valorous generals of Sikh history and to preserve their memories for posterity.</p><h2 data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 1.2777em; max-width: 100%;">Songs, stories, and tributes</h2><p data-reader-unique-id="13" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The commemoration was a vibrant tapestry of music, stories, and tributes. Kirtani Singhs, with their soulful renditions of Guru Jas, filled the air with a sense of devotion and reverence for the General. Dhadi Jathas regaled the audience with tales of the General's life and martyrdom, painting a vivid picture of his indomitable spirit and unwavering courage.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="14" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Family members of Sham Singh Attariwala were also honored during the event. They were the living links to a legacy that has shaped the course of Sikh history. Their presence added a personal touch to the commemoration, underscoring the human element behind the tales of valor and sacrifice.</p><h2 data-reader-unique-id="18" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 1.2777em; max-width: 100%;">Preserving history for future generations</h2><p data-reader-unique-id="19" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The announcement of Rs 15 lakh for the development of Attari village and the expansion of the museum dedicated to General Sham Singh Attariwala is a significant step towards preserving Sikh history. The expanded museum will house pictures and artifacts of other Sikh generals, serving as a repository of their valorous deeds and sacrifices.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="20" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">By educating children about these warriors, the state government aims to instill a sense of pride and respect for the rich cultural heritage of the Sikh community. It is a move that underscores the importance of remembering and honoring those who have shaped the course of history with their courage and sacrifice.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="21" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">As the sun set on the 178th death anniversary of General Sham Singh Attariwala, the echoes of his valor and sacrifice lingered in the air. The commemoration, a poignant reminder of the General's indomitable spirit, served as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. It was a day when the past and present converged, honoring a warrior whose legacy continues to shape the course of Sikh history.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="22" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In the heart of Attari village, amidst the hallowed grounds of the Attari Samadh, the story of General Sham Singh Attariwala lives on. His valor, his sacrifices, and his unwavering courage are etched in the annals of Sikh history, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Sikh warriors. The commemoration, a poignant blend of reverence and remembrance, was a fitting tribute to the General, a warrior whose legacy continues to inspire and educate generations.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-38198825301210424212024-01-09T08:12:00.002-05:002024-01-09T08:12:47.809-05:00The Legacy of the Sikh Contingent<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx3XEaOfvBw6vs3PdJTSgdr7RRLaa7D9JfUVK7ZWjhAmSjd9ktwSwp08WsBjNo-koN6IHSXdj4zxooXCzyzn0X8VK1SdXwlAaLRKhepC1OPA0hEorxFpK9J1PyN0M9VxMvSb7Vh3q5nBReViqSFFUxLEdsxqs2E6kHOSDnL-ncgW65TtmznvtAHnt4hxJ/s2250/IMG_1642.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx3XEaOfvBw6vs3PdJTSgdr7RRLaa7D9JfUVK7ZWjhAmSjd9ktwSwp08WsBjNo-koN6IHSXdj4zxooXCzyzn0X8VK1SdXwlAaLRKhepC1OPA0hEorxFpK9J1PyN0M9VxMvSb7Vh3q5nBReViqSFFUxLEdsxqs2E6kHOSDnL-ncgW65TtmznvtAHnt4hxJ/s320/IMG_1642.jpeg" width="213" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRUe_cN1j7C0BKT9qOzLmJn7lrtLSaA5bhef-8kCM8X-E1wkK3oSfeC4sjZTgdoLr74R-_t4ePqO7Xu8KfiWjBSrQTKlmbXB1LUjvFSn9bo-n-3kgZB6glT8ry7LajGNZ39bLNE-UVZFCAWTDmVETji6Faht5dZclBW6MWH5yTTeYW23byUqnKwNCjmea/s2250/IMG_1643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRUe_cN1j7C0BKT9qOzLmJn7lrtLSaA5bhef-8kCM8X-E1wkK3oSfeC4sjZTgdoLr74R-_t4ePqO7Xu8KfiWjBSrQTKlmbXB1LUjvFSn9bo-n-3kgZB6glT8ry7LajGNZ39bLNE-UVZFCAWTDmVETji6Faht5dZclBW6MWH5yTTeYW23byUqnKwNCjmea/s320/IMG_1643.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>According to <a href="https://www.police.gov.sg/Media-Room/Police-Life/2024/01/Standing-Tall-The-Legacy-of-the-Sikh-Contingent" target="_blank">Police</a> “<span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> In the 1870s, the Straits Settlements Police Force faced significant challenges in carrying out its duties. Crime rates were high and secret societies wielded much influence, committing offences such as the trafficking of arms, narcotics, and people. To address these issues, a Police Commission was established, and one of its recommendations was the introduction of a Sikh Contingent to strengthen the Force. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The colonial government considered the Sikhs to be soldiers with an unwavering sense of loyalty, as demonstrated in the Anglo-Sikh Wars and Indian Rebellion of the 1800s. Successful policing by the Sikhs in the Federated Malay States and Hong Kong also reinforced British confidence that they could serve as the core of an excellent Police Force, helping to enhance Singapore’s security and, in turn, promote economic opportunities. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">In November 1881, a full Sikh Contingent, comprising 165 men, assembled in Singapore. Recruits had to be at least 175cm tall with a chest measurement of more than 96.5cm. Those who met the criteria underwent a medical examination, swore an oath before a magistrate and were baptised at the Contingent’s </span><em data-reader-unique-id="30" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Gurdwara</em><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> for oaths of honesty and faithfulness. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Baptism was mandatory for all Sikh Contingent officers as the British believed it ensured staunch and exemplary conduct. Recruits were required to adhere to the code of conduct for baptised Sikhs, including leaving their hair, beards, and moustaches uncut, and wearing a turban. British officers enforced these standards through regular inspections. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Sikh Contingent officers were primarily tasked with handling public order incidents and maintaining peace in town. In fact, a Sikh Contingent riot squad comprising 50 officers was always on standby. This squad served as an effective deterrent against unrest, as troublemakers were often intimidated by their towering presence. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The Sikh Contingent was also deployed for assignments far from Singapore’s shores. Officers stationed on Christmas Island (then part of the Straits Settlements) were entrusted with quelling disturbances there. Several strikes had taken place on the island in the early 1900s, and Sikh Contingent officers dealt with the unrest so effectively that they were once credited for having stamped out a strike almost as soon as it started. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">In addition to dealing with public order situations, Sikh Contingent officers also served as guards at government buildings and other key installations. They were also deployed for guard duties on special occasions or ceremonies such as the Governor’s swearing-in, as well as the opening of the </span><em data-reader-unique-id="54" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">assizes</em><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> (or courts). On occasions, they even received prominent foreign dignitaries and served as their bodyguards during their stay in Singapore. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Following the Contingent’s satisfactory performance, it was given additional responsibilities. The Contingent took on beat and traffic duties, a testament to the officers’ adaptability in meeting the Force’s requirements. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The establishment of the Sikh Contingent in 1881 also marked the beginnings of Singapore’s Sikh community. The first Sikh temple, the Sikh Police Contingent Gurdwara, was erected a year later. The British prioritised meeting the needs of the Sikh Contingent to secure loyalty, appointing a </span><em data-reader-unique-id="66" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">granthi</em><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> (or priest) from the Contingent. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The Gurdwara soon welcomed Sikh civilians on Sundays and weekdays. Civilians started using the religious grounds for ceremonies and sent their children to the Police Contingent </span><em data-reader-unique-id="75" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">granthi </em><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">for their education. The Sikh Police Contingent Gurdwara served as the primary Sikh place of worship before it was succeeded by the Queen Street’s Gurdwara.</span></p><br data-reader-unique-id="77" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" /><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Following the First World War, the Sikh Contingent contributed to building the Silat Road’s Gurdwara in 1924, fostering the growth of the Sikh community. </span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">After the Second World War, the Contingent was disbanded. But its legacy endures through the vibrant history of the Sikh community in Singapore, and as one of the many threads in the distinguished heritage of the </span>Singapore Police Force<span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">.</span><figure data-reader-unique-id="21" style="color: rgba(79, 50, 28, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1.4em 0px; max-width: 100%;"></figure><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-58594555932094876782023-12-23T07:12:00.001-05:002023-12-23T07:12:38.174-05:00Two Vancouver High School Sikh Clubs creating positive space for students to be themselves and give back to the community<p> According to<a href="https://thelinkpaper.ca/two-vancouver-high-school-sikh-clubs-creating-positive-space-for-students-to-be-themselves-and-give-back-to-the-community/" target="_blank"> The Link Paper</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> When students from David Thompson and John Oliver High School Sikh Clubs heard the story of Victor Ghirra Toy Drive, they felt inspired to collect toys to bring Christmas cheer to more kids in need. They decided to help local elementary school children in need.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="7" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Victor was involved in many philanthropic initiatives, but one good cause that Victor was really touched by was the BC Children’s Hospital. He bought toys worth thousands of dollars every Christmas and donated them to the hospital for children that needed them. He would never tell them who he was or where the toys were from. It was later found that Victor had made trips to the hospital for over a dozen years.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Mr. Aman Grewal, David Thompson Teacher and Sikh Club Sponsor said: “The David Thompson and John Oliver Sikh Club kids enjoyed collecting toys to honor Victor’s vision and love for giving. It profoundly changed both groups having seen what quiet service like Victor’s can do to change a community to envision a common goal for the good.”</p><p data-reader-unique-id="9" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Students made announcements at their schools, shared posts on social media, spread word to their families, and friends, and started collection boxes at their schools. The collection of toys started out slow, but as awareness grew more people learned why students were collecting toys and the boxes started filling up.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The toy drive was only one of the many events that David Thompson Sikh Club has done over the school year. Founded in 2014 by Mr. Grewal, the Sikh Clubs aimed to give students a place to come together and share their cultural identity. Mr. Grewal wanted to let students know they are capable of anything in this world and set their sights on any positive path; they can achieve it. The club aims to promote education, self-growth and realizing youth’s potential.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="11" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“I wanted to show students a truer image of Sikhi. My goal was to create visible unity amongst them as a starting point to address behaviors that were counterproductive to their interests. Sikh Club, in the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, will give (not receive) and will donate endlessly without “fundraising.” The Guru’s treasures are vast, and I have always guided students to know that Sikh’s have always been the heroes for all, the warriors for justice, and the bearers of that burden. We do not complain, we do not say we can’t. We envision, pray, and watch Guru Ji’s magic unfold,” he said.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Sikh Club creates a positive space for students to be themselves, work together and give back to the community. At David Thompson Secondary School, the students have celebrated Vaisakhi, Diwali and Gurpurab with their school community</p><p data-reader-unique-id="13" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Through Sikh Club students learn what selfless service is about. For students it’s not about getting recognition for the work, it’s about doing ‘seva’ for the community. That’s why the students were so touched by Victor Ghirra’s story – how he selflessly gave to BC Children’s Hospital year after year without any form of recognition. Students came together and made a difference just the way Victor would of.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="14" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Students contacted local elementary schools to find out how they could help. Elementary School Administrators gave wish lists from students whose families need some support during the holidays. The local high schools’ Sikh Club toy collections were put into the grand toy count for the 17th Annual Victor Ghirra Toy Drive for 25 good causes – where there were 2,600 toys gathered together. From there, the wish lists of the elementary schools were taken and fulfilled in addition to the toys collected by the Sikh Clubs.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="15" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Last week, both high school Sikh Clubs visited elementary schools to deliver the toys. There was joy on the faces of Administrators when they saw the toy collections that students brought in. The actions of these Sikh Clubs is making an impact over the holidays for dozens of students in the community.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="16" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In addition to the toy drive, Sikh Club students will reach out to elementary schools to do: mentorship programs, get involved in sports and community events.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="17" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Mr. Grewal hopes to support and help other high schools in British Columbia create Sikh clubs to do noble deeds in the community. If you would like to get involved or help support Sikh Club’s community outreach please email: asgrewal@vsb.bc.ca</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-30933408473546659222023-12-15T05:57:00.001-05:002023-12-15T05:57:26.897-05:00Sikh boxing club to celebrate its first anniversary with Wolverhampton showcase<p> According to <a href="https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/boxing/2023/12/15/sikh-boxing-club-to-celebrate-its-first-anniversary-with-wolverhampton-showcase/" target="_blank">Express and Star</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Nanaksar Khalsa Akhara Boxing Club is celebrating its first year anniversary with a boxing showcase in Wolverhampton.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="1" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The volunteer-led Sikh boxing club has grown from strength to strength, with more than 100 children and adults taking up boxing, with teenage girls making up a large proportion of the classes.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Nanaksar Khalsa Akhara Boxing Club, the largest Sikh boxing club in the country, will be celebrating their first anniversary with an inter-gurudwara boxing showcase event.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The event will give these youngsters the opportunity to showcase their skills and will be a ticketed event for parents of the children taking part. The showcase event will see 26 girls taking part aged seven years and over.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="23" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The club is based at Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar, Mander Street, Wolverhampton, and runs five classes across the week, with children as young as five participating. In addition, a ladies-only class has been started recently. The Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar Gurudwara has supported the club from day one with free venue hire and has many other volunteer led classes taking place including punjabi, teaching of scriptures and music classes (dhol, harmonium, tabla and string instruments).</p><p data-reader-unique-id="24" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The club was initially set up by a core group of volunteers, who donated £900 for equipment and have continued to support the running of the group.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="25" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The group previously raised over £1,900 with a sponsored walk at CWM Idwall, Wales and was used to purchase a two boxing rings and further equipment.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="30" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Kully Singh, lead volunteer coach said: “It’s so humbling to see young people take up the sport. The club has had kids join who have been subject to bullying at school and I have seen the progression and confidence grow in all of the kids. Some of our best boxers are the girls, which is really good to see.”</p><p data-reader-unique-id="31" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">For any further information about classes and press opportunities, contact Kully Singh on 07907 035758.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-61487937827555361482023-12-04T20:09:00.003-05:002023-12-04T20:09:32.757-05:00Sikh environment group plants 850 'Sacred Forests' ahead of COP28<p> According to <a href="https://in.investing.com/news/sikh-environment-group-plants-850-sacred-forests-ahead-of-cop28-3924471" target="_blank">Investing</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Washington-based EcoSikh has planted 850 "Sacred Forests" ahead of the COP28 Climate Summit to spread the message of combatting climate change through environmental action.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">EcoSikh's President Rajwant Singh said that the "Sacred Forest" initiative was an effective way to promote climate solutions through ecological restoration while highlighting the Sikh faith's tenets of respecting and nurturing nature.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">EcoSikh has been invited to a forum on "Urban Wisdom: Indigenous Knowledge and Governance of Future Cities" on the sidelines of COP28 -- the organisation's programme of working with governments and faith groups to promote environmental action to raise awareness of and find solutions to climate change, Singh said.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">On the urgency for grassroots initiatives, especially by faith groups, he said, "We all need to take action urgently in response to devastating rising temperatures. We cannot wait for some entity or government to find solutions to the ecological disasters we are facing."</p><p data-reader-unique-id="5" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The 850th "Sacred Forest" with 1,313 trees of native species was completed on Guru Nanak's Birthday in Ludhiana, a city with several environmental problems, Singh said.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">EcoSikh, founded in 2009 in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme as the Sikh community's response to climate change, has chapters in India, Ireland, the US, Canada and the UK.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-47776034525475446792023-11-28T12:18:00.004-05:002023-11-28T12:18:43.159-05:00Sikh charity opens Wolverhampton kitchen for Guru Nanak anniversary<p> According to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-67553766.amp" target="_blank">BBC</a> “<b data-reader-unique-id="17" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"> A charity has opened its first food kitchen to mark the 554th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. </b></p><div data-reader-unique-id="18" dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="19" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">More than 50 people attended the event, organised by the Sant Ashram trust at its community centre in Park Village, Wolverhampton, on Monday.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="20" dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="21" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">The kitchen will provide hot meals for people including those on the street and those at risk of homelessness.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="22" dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="23" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">The charity's Hardeep Grewal said it was rewarding to help people in need.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="31" dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="32" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">"We are going about Guru Nanak's teachings, Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Vand Chhako, which means live honestly, be humble and share your earnings," she said.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="33" dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="34" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">Guru Nanak is considered to be the first Sikh Guru and was born in India in 1469.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="36" dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="37" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">His teachings are expressed through devotional hymns, many of which still survive today. Alison, who lives near the Sant Ashram community centre, said it was brilliant to receive a free hot meal from the kitchen.</p><div data-reader-unique-id="47" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="48" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">"It just shows that there is humanity out there, I'd be lost if it wasn't for the little community around here," she said.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="49" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="50" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">She added that coping with the cost of living was "tough and horrible" but getting help from the community meant a lot to her. Mandeep Dhaliwal, a volunteer at the food kitchen, said the service aimed to help people in any way possible to survive the winter.</p><div data-reader-unique-id="60" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="61" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">Sant Ashram has worked with other Wolverhampton charities like P3 to engage with service users and provide food parcels to people.</p></div><div data-reader-unique-id="62" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;"><p data-reader-unique-id="63" dir="ltr" style="max-width: 100%;">The charity also invites low income families to attend the kitchen and provides hot food to the elderly to tackle loneliness.</p></div></div></div><figure data-reader-unique-id="38" style="color: rgba(79, 50, 28, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1.4em 0px; max-width: 100%;"><div data-reader-unique-id="39" style="max-width: 100%;"><amp-img alt="Alison from Wolverhampton" class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-reader-unique-id="40" fallback="" height="549" i-amphtml-auto-lightbox-visited="" i-amphtml-layout="responsive" layout="responsive" lightbox="i-amphtml-auto-lightbox-1" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/16B91/production/_131837039_9e582db8-8173-46b3-a4b8-4f043451e8f2.jpg" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/16B91/production/_131837039_9e582db8-8173-46b3-a4b8-4f043451e8f2.jpg 240w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/16B91/production/_131837039_9e582db8-8173-46b3-a4b8-4f043451e8f2.jpg 320w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/16B91/production/_131837039_9e582db8-8173-46b3-a4b8-4f043451e8f2.jpg 480w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/16B91/production/_131837039_9e582db8-8173-46b3-a4b8-4f043451e8f2.jpg 624w, https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/16B91/production/_131837039_9e582db8-8173-46b3-a4b8-4f043451e8f2.jpg 800w" style="max-width: 100%;" width="976"></amp-img></div></figure><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-34011325043153309602023-11-21T16:17:00.004-05:002023-11-21T16:17:18.925-05:00Yakima Valley's Sikh community builds a new place of worship in Terrace Heights<p> According to <a href="Yakima Valley's Sikh community builds a new place of worship in Terrace Heights" target="_blank">Yakima Herald</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Yakima’s Sikh community has been growing over the years, and its place of worship has moved during that time.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Members are building a gurudwara — also known as a gurdwara or Gurdwara Sahib — which is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs — in Terrace Heights. The community previously met in Selah and then West Valley.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The two-story structure is under construction on Hillcrest Drive near the intersection Roza Hill Drive, and Sikhs from throughout the region have been coming to help build it.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Jaspal Singh, who is a Sikh temple priest, Sikh preacher and Sikh ragi — a “word chant” musician — has spoken to groups and individuals about the Sikh community here and its new gurudwara. He talks more here about the history of the community and a special event Dec. 9 at the Harman Center in Yakima that will also help raise funds to complete the gurudwara.</p><div data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><div data-reader-unique-id="7" style="max-width: 100%;"><amp-ad class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-a4a-upgrade-type="amp-ad-network-doubleclick-impl" data-amp-slot-index="0" data-google-query-id="COSfp6v11YIDFROCWgUdTPQDOA" data-multi-size-validation="false" data-multi-size="336x280,320x100,320x50,300x250,300x100,300x50" data-reader-unique-id="8" data-slot="/81279359/www.yakimaherald.com/news/local" height="280" i-amphtml-layout="fixed" json="{"targeting":{"k":["yhr reporters"],"page":["asset","article","app-editorial"],"pos":["fixed-automatic-ad-amp","fixed-automatic-ad-amp1","amp"]}}" style="max-width: 100%;" type="doubleclick" width="336"></amp-ad></div></div><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Sikhi is a distinct, independent religion founded in the Punjab region of South Asia in the late 15th century by Guru Nanak, who promoted the idea of a singular divine (God) and a life of spiritual reflection and selfless service. Sikhi is the term Sikhs use for their faith. The Sangat of Yakima (Sikh community of Yakima) has been steadily growing over the last few decades, since the early 1990s, and there was a need for a place of worship for our community. At first, our nearest gurudwara was in the Tri-Cities and several families would travel the distance on Sundays and during special occasions.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="14" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">(A) church in Terrace Heights gave us a place to worship and we would celebrate main dates/days in our Sikh community, such as Gurpurab of our Gurus, our Guru’s birth date.</p><div data-reader-unique-id="15" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><div data-reader-unique-id="16" style="max-width: 100%;"><amp-ad class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-a4a-upgrade-type="amp-ad-network-doubleclick-impl" data-amp-slot-index="1" data-google-query-id="CIOj_Kr11YIDFUacWgUdzCgJHQ" data-multi-size-validation="false" data-multi-size="336x280,320x100,320x50,300x250,300x100,300x50" data-reader-unique-id="17" data-slot="/81279359/www.yakimaherald.com/news/local" height="280" i-amphtml-layout="fixed" json="{"targeting":{"k":["yhr reporters"],"page":["asset","article","app-editorial"],"pos":["fixed-automatic-ad-amp","fixed-automatic-ad-amp2","amp"]}}" style="max-width: 100%;" type="doubleclick" width="336"></amp-ad></div></div><p data-reader-unique-id="19" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Then, in 2013 our first location was opened in Selah. In 2020, we relocated to the West Valley. Now, due to growing Sangat, there is a need for a permanent location. At the end of 2022, the construction for our gurudwara in Terrace Heights began and we are eagerly awaiting for its completion. <span style="background-color: #f8f1e3;">We take pride in the religious services we offer, drawing upon a network of a community from various backgrounds, but with the common love of our Waheguru in common to effectively deliver organized worship schedules and perform special religious ceremonies. </span><strong data-reader-unique-id="47" style="max-width: 100%;">How can people learn more about the Sikh community here and Sikhism?</strong></p><p data-reader-unique-id="48" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">They can call us on <a data-reader-unique-id="49" href="tel:509-969-3815" style="color: #d19600; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">509-969-3815</a>. They can ask any Sikh/ Indian individual here in Yakima. They can visit our Gurudwara any time and they can call us on <a data-reader-unique-id="50" href="tel:509-969-3815" style="color: #d19600; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">509-969-3815</a> before coming or email us on <a data-reader-unique-id="51" href="mailto:yakimagurudwara@gmail.com" style="color: #d19600; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">yakimagurudwara@gmail.com</a> so we can organize a visit.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="52" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><strong data-reader-unique-id="53" style="max-width: 100%;">What are some of the ways the Sikh community gives back to the Yakima Valley?</strong></p><p data-reader-unique-id="54" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Rod’s House, YWCA Yakima, the homeless shelter in Union Gap and food banks throughout Yakima. We did a school supplies drive and Red Cross drive in summer.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="55" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><strong data-reader-unique-id="56" style="max-width: 100%;">When did construction of the Gurudwara begin and how is it coming along? When might it open?</strong></p><p data-reader-unique-id="57" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Construction started at the end of 2022. We hope it will open mid-2024.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="58" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><strong data-reader-unique-id="59" style="max-width: 100%;">How can people of other faiths support the Sikh community here and construction of its new Gurudwara?</strong></p><div data-reader-unique-id="60" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><div data-reader-unique-id="61" style="max-width: 100%;"><amp-ad class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-a4a-upgrade-type="amp-ad-network-doubleclick-impl" data-amp-slot-index="4" data-google-query-id="CLap_Kr11YIDFQakWgUdkZkNQQ" data-multi-size-validation="false" data-multi-size="336x280,320x100,320x50,300x250,300x100,300x50" data-reader-unique-id="62" data-slot="/81279359/www.yakimaherald.com/news/local" height="280" i-amphtml-layout="fixed" json="{"targeting":{"k":["yhr reporters"],"page":["asset","article","app-editorial"],"pos":["fixed-automatic-ad-amp","fixed-automatic-ad-amp5","amp"]}}" style="max-width: 100%;" type="doubleclick" width="336"></amp-ad></div></div><p data-reader-unique-id="64" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Association of Faith Communities is putting together a fundraiser for the Sikh Gurudwara on Dec. 9. The main focus of the event will be fundraising. During this event, we will also be celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights. This event will take place at the Harman Center from 4 to 6 p.m. During this event there will be door prizes, handicrafts and authentic Indian food served by Geet Indian Cuisine (Yakima).</p><p data-reader-unique-id="67" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Everything is included in the ticket price and tickets and donations are available on <a data-reader-unique-id="68" href="https://diwali-celebration-fundraiser-for-sikh-temple.cheddarup.com/" style="color: #d19600; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://diwali-celebration-fundraiser-for-sikh-temple.cheddarup.com</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-41664289369769344762023-11-17T05:11:00.001-05:002023-11-17T05:11:04.250-05:00Samabula Sikh Temple marks centenary<p> According to <a href="https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/samabula-sikh-temple-marks-centenary/" target="_blank">FBC News</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> The Samabula Suva Sikh Temple is set to mark its centennial milestone, commemorating a century of faith, community strength, and cultural preservation.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="7" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Head Priest Sandeep Singh describes the Gurudwara Sahib, standing tall for almost 100 years, as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Sikh community in Fiji.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh underscores the vital role Sikhs have played in various sectors in Fiji, notably farming, as well as their contributions as prison officers, police, and army trainers. <em data-reader-unique-id="36" style="max-width: 100%;">“So we are cherishing the countless moments of joy, unity, and strength that this sacred place has rewarded us with. Also, we, from the bottom of our hearts, appreciate Fiji, who embraced this new culture in an overwhelming manner and allowed us to preserve our culture, our language, food, attire, and so on.”</em></p><p data-reader-unique-id="37" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh says the upcoming eight-day celebration promises a series of events that reflect the diversity and resilience of the Sikh community.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="38" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">From sports activities and charitable initiatives, including food distribution for the needy, to religious gatherings and spiritual programs, the commemoration aims to enrich the spiritual tapestry of the community.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="39" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The celebrations start on Sunday.</p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-65710663869509776432023-10-23T08:35:00.003-04:002023-10-23T08:38:50.277-04:00Sikhs in Fiji Police force now allowed to wear turban with official crown<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_NroJo1VHRu-Efi-w2tTUqVa11WJkARjfhDOxYPIhJTIQjPtDCqnK-zgBlV2bzRt8DOEMeXZQx6tv968RwCPqn7rZfXqGbtIRV5KTZpRCYYn8k-couG8-9JwL6t_vikUZ_N1gYMDdJG3HjHIN83ZJ7ep1xrL0vybs_yPpy0TWtyQJAUdcNw9IfdU5mdX/s1169/IMG_1546.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="740" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_NroJo1VHRu-Efi-w2tTUqVa11WJkARjfhDOxYPIhJTIQjPtDCqnK-zgBlV2bzRt8DOEMeXZQx6tv968RwCPqn7rZfXqGbtIRV5KTZpRCYYn8k-couG8-9JwL6t_vikUZ_N1gYMDdJG3HjHIN83ZJ7ep1xrL0vybs_yPpy0TWtyQJAUdcNw9IfdU5mdX/s320/IMG_1546.jpeg" width="203" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>According to <a href="https://www.punjabnewsexpress.com/world/news/sikhs-in-fiji-police-force-now-allowed-to-wear-turban-with-official-crown-225849" target="_blank">Punjab News Express</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Navjeath Singh Sohata has become the first Sikh cop to don a turban with the official Fiji Police crown after the island nation's police force approved changes to the uniform in a bid to promote diversity.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Recognising that the respect for diversity and inclusivity are integral to the success of policing efforts, Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew approved the wearing of a turban with the official Fiji Police crown.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Police Constable Sohata, 20, is a member of Batch 66 undergoing the Basic Recruits Course Training in Nasova, after being selected from the open market recruitment drive.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">A devout Sikh, Sohata had marched into the academy knowing the training requirements would require personal sacrifices on his part.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="7" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"However, the Acting Commissioner of Police, in respecting Sohata’s rights, approved the wearing of the turban with the official Fiji Police crown, " the Fiji Police said in a statement.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Commissioner Chew said the move was a testament of the organisation's commitment in upholding the fundamental principles of equality and diversity.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="9" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">According to a book by Stanley Brown, 'The History of the Fiji Police Force', the first Sikh constables were recruited in force the early 1910s.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Sharing his experience as a recruit, Sohata, who hails from Dreketi village in Northern Division of Fiji, said it was difficult at first being away from his family.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="11" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"I have a number of people in my life who I look up to as inspiration and role models, and it is my goal to make them proud and be just as good as them when it comes to my professional life, " Sohata said.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">According to records kept by the Lautoka Gurudwara, Sikhs arrived in Fiji towards the end of the indentured labour system and mostly established themselves as farmers, policemen and teachers.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="13" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The first school built by Sikhs in Fiji was the Khalsa High School in Ba district and the Suva gurdwara, built in 1922, is the oldest of all.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-65125397269075438522023-10-16T16:14:00.001-04:002023-10-16T16:14:03.215-04:00The identity of Sikhs should be highlighted separately in the South Asian Museum being built in British Columbia, Canada<p> According to <a href="The identity of Sikhs should be highlighted separately in the South Asian Museum being built in British Columbia, Canada" target="_blank">Punjab News Express</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee General Secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal has written a letter to Canada's Minister of Heritage, Pascal St. Onge, demanding respect for Canadian Sikhs as their identity in the 'South Asian Museum' being built in British Columbia.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In the letter written by Bhai Grewal, it is said that Sikhs have different history, traditions and background. Punjabis and especially Sikhs have taken a long and hard work to make their place in Canada. Bhai Grewal said that when Sikhs achieve something, they are lumped under the name of South Asian, which is an insult to people with a unique identity. Of course, Sikhs have gone from Punjab to the region in South Asia, but only by this they do not become South Asians, but also have their own distinct identity.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">He wrote in the letter that many people live in South Asia, to lump their identity under one name is to deny the separate existence of all. Bhai Grewal also wrote that a campaign is being launched by the Sikhs living in Canada to have the achievements of the Sikhs recognized as Canadian Sikhs and not as South Asians. The achievements of not only the Sikhs but of every community should be linked with the distinctive names of the different communities, so that Canada's multi-community culture emerges.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="5" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">It was written in the letter that in the golden pages of the history of Canada, Sant Teja Singh, Mewa Singh Lopoke, Gadri Babas identify as Sikhs and to conflate their heritage as South Asian would be unfair to Sikh and Punjabi identity. Through the letter, it was demanded that according to the sentiments of the Canadian Sikhs, special attention should be given to the unique identity of the Canadian Sikhs in the South Asian Museum being built in British Columbia.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-79191165709807348552023-09-13T11:00:00.000-04:002023-09-13T11:00:23.847-04:00West Midlands Freshers Fair to be held to create support system for Sikh students<p> According to <a href="https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/west-midlands-freshers-fair-held-27698082.amp" target="_blank">Birmingham Mail</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> The West Midlands</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span>Sikh<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Students Freshers Fair will be held in</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span>Coventry<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">to create a support system for students about to embark on their university journey. The event is set to take place at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span>Coventry<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">on October 4 from 5pm - 9pm.</span></p><amp-video-iframe class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-reader-unique-id="5" dock="#primis-dock-slot" height="9" i-amphtml-layout="responsive" layout="responsive" src="https://live.primis-amp.tech/content/video/amp/videoIframe.php?s=114418" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" width="16"></amp-video-iframe><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"></span><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"></span><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Organisers are inviting all students to take part as they will have the opportunity to network and connect with like-minded peers, businesses and organisations. There will be giveaways and prizes and the chance to hear inspiring speeches from people in the community.</p><amp-embed class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-amp-slot-index="5" data-article="auto" data-block-on-consent="_till_responded" data-mode="thumbnails-mid-1x1-amp" data-placement="Mid Article Thumbnails AMP Outstream" data-publisher="tmg-network" data-reader-unique-id="11" data-target_type="mix" data-url="" height="100" i-amphtml-layout="responsive" layout="responsive" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" type="taboola" width="100"></amp-embed><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"></span><amp-iframe amp-removed="" class="i-amphtml-element i-amphtml-notbuilt amp-notbuilt" data-block-on-consent="" data-reader-unique-id="13" frameborder="0" height="1" i-amphtml-layout="fixed" layout="fixed" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts" src="https://s2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/@trinitymirrordigital/withnail/lib/ads/amp-cookie-sync.html?ozone=&t13=&psp=" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;" width="1"><i-amphtml-scroll-container data-reader-unique-id="14" style="max-width: 100%;"></i-amphtml-scroll-container></amp-iframe><span style="background-color: #f8f1e3; caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"></span><p data-reader-unique-id="15" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">We spoke to organiser Deepa Singh of Sikh Youth UK who told us more about what students can expect from the event and the reason behind it. He said: "In 2016, Sikh Youth UK recognized the pressing need to provide unwavering, comprehensive support to Sikh students, particularly in light of the concerning cases of sexual grooming and exploitation affecting Sikh females.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="20" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"This commitment emerged as a response to these challenges, and we have steadfastly adhered to it. Over the years, we have consistently showcased this dedication at our annual Sikh Students Freshers' Fairs, where we bring together Sikh students from across the nation."</p><p data-reader-unique-id="21" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Deepa explained that the primary objective is to equip students with invaluable resources, nurture a sense of community (sangat), and facilitate networking opportunities to enhance their academic and social journeys.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="25" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">They also aim to create awareness and provide a protective support structure to prevent vulnerability to perpetrators, making their academic pursuits more secure.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-84140554520646857022023-09-03T07:25:00.001-04:002023-09-03T07:25:44.614-04:00When Jews Found Refuge in the Sikh Empire<p> According to <a href="https://aish.com/when-jews-found-refuge-in-the-sikh-empire/" target="_blank">Aish</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> In the first half of the 19th century, visitors to the Sikh Empire, centered in modern-day Pakistan, were amazed by the splendor of its royal court.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span>London’s Victoria and Albert Museum<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">describes it as “one of the most magnificent in the whole of India.” Ranjit Singh, the maharaja who ruled in opulence, maintained a solid gold throne for state occasions, though he usually preferred to eschew luxury and often sat on the floor with his subjects.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="158" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Ranjit Singh was a brilliant military leader and statesman known as “The Lion of the Punjab.” He was a member of the Sikh faith, a monotheistic religion which developed in the 1400s in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. The Sikh Empire he forged stood for 50 years, until it was conquered by British East India forces in 1849. During Ranjit Singh’s rule, the Sikh Empire was known for religious tolerance. In the annals of the region’s bloody history, his rule stood out as a golden age of peace and security.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="203" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In an almost forgotten episode of both Jewish and Sikh history, the Sikh Empire Ranjit Singh founded came to the aid of Jews in their hour of need. In the midst of horrific anti-Jewish violence miles away, the Sikh Empire opened its doors to Jews, helping save hundreds of lives. The Sikh Empire became a home to a now long-forgotten Jewish community in the heart of Pakistan’s Punjab region. While the Sikh Empire was flourishing, over a thousand miles to the northwest a very different region was engaged in long- running fights and violence. In the early 1800s, the city of Mashhad - today Iran’s third largest city - was a semi- autonomous region, buffeted by local fighting and struggles between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.<span style="background-color: #f8f1e3;"> </span>Regarded as a holy city by Shi’ite Muslims, no non-Muslim was allowed to live in Mashhad. Nevertheless, Mashhad was home to a small Jewish population who were caught up in the region’s struggles. The story of how this unlikely Jewish community came to be was a testament to the region's war-torn history.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="218" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Even though Mashhad was a tortuous, months-long journey away from the regions of the Sikh Empire, the Jews of Mashhad were intimately linked to the homeland of the Sikhs. A generation earlier, the fearsome Persian ruler Nader Shah had conquered the Punjab region, as well as other vast swathes of territory in India. Known for his bloody cruelty, Nader Shah tortured and killed his enemies with abandon - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others - and plundered as many priceless riches as he could from the Indian subcontinent.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="219" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Shah brought his treasures back to Mashhad for safekeeping. There was only one problem: Nader Shah was a Sunni Muslim and the majority of the population of Mashhad were members of the Shi’ite branch of Islam. He feared that local Shi’ites would turn on him and steal his riches. So, in 1741, Shah turned to nearby Jewish communities, forcing scores of Jewish families from their homes and communities to move to Mashhad, where they were compelled to guard his spoils.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="220" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The fact that Mashhad, as a holy Muslim city, was closed to non-Muslims didn’t bother Shah at all: He ordered a special quarter constructed for the Jews, separating them from the rest of the city. This ghetto was known as the “Idgah,” or “place of celebrations.” The Jews were considered <i data-reader-unique-id="221" style="max-width: 100%;">dhimmis</i>, people who were tolerated but had to put up with a lesser status than the Muslim majority, display obsequiousness to their Muslim betters, and pay special taxes.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="222" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">For over 90 years, the Jews of Mashhad nonetheless flourished, building a vibrant community filled with a central synagogue, Jewish schools, and cultural institutions. Many of Mashhad's Jews worked as international traders, bringing vital industry to their corner of Persia. Yet they were often barely tolerated, resented for their separate religion and for their material success by their Muslim neighbors. Anti-Jewish sentiment in Mashhad finally boiled over on March 27, 1839, two days before the start of Passover. Local Shi’ite Muslims had just celebrated a Muslim festival remembering the death of Imam Hussein, founder of the Shi’ite sect of Islam. Religious fervor was bubbling throughout the Muslim neighborhoods. Tragically, all it took was the actions of one teenage boy to bring it to a violent pitch. A Jewish woman had consulted a local Muslim doctor about ways to cure what he diagnosed as a case of leprosy. Bizarrely, the doctor advised her to use dog blood as part of a cure. When he heard this, a local Muslim teenaged boy began yelling that a Jewish woman had taken a dog and named it Hussein, like the founder of their religion. Anu: The Museum of the Jewish People, in Tel Aviv, describes what happened next:</p><p data-reader-unique-id="228" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">…try and visualize the picture. Thousands of Muslims are observing the (religious holiday) in the mosques, which includes self-flagellation and bloodletting to commemorate the suffering of their holy one, Hussein. And at the height of this ecstatic ritual, they hear that the dhimmi, who were residents of inferior status - and in this case the Jews - had dared to disrespect one of the holiest Muslims by naming a dog Hussein….</p><p data-reader-unique-id="229" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Shi’ite Muslims rampaged through the Jewish ghetto, attacking everyone they could find. The attackers raped Jewish women, kidnapped Jewish children, and murdered over 30 Jews during the pogrom. They burned down the town’s synagogue and stole Jewish property as they devastated the community. Finally, the attackers gave the Jews of Mashhad a devastating choice: either convert to Islam en masse, or else the mob would kill the Jews’ children.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="230" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">About 300 of Mashhad’s Jews converted to Islam; local Muslims called it the <i data-reader-unique-id="232" style="max-width: 100%;">Allahdad</i>, or “God’s justice.” For generations, the Jewish community maintained their Jewish traditions and way of life in secret, much like the secret Jews of Spain during the Inquisition. Hundreds of Jews fled. Given their region’s historic links with the Punjab area, and the well-known openness of the Sikh Empire which ruled the Punjab at the time, many Jews fleeing Mashhad sought refuge there, particularly in the city of Rawalpindi, near the present-day Pakistani capital of Islamabad. Once in Rawalpindi, the fleeing Jews of Mashhad settled in Rawalpindi's Babu Mohallah neighborhood. It was located close to the city’s main railway station, so it was an ideal location from which to continue working in international trade.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="236" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Transplanted to a new land, the Jews of Mashhad were no longer barely-tolerated hated interlopers as they had been back in Persia; in the Sikh Empire, these desperate Jewish refugees now enjoyed a level of security and respect they'd never had in Mashhad. The Jewish refugees built a beautiful synagogue and a communal hall in Rawalpindi, and flourished for over a century. Ranjit Singh, who founded the Sikh Empire, died in the same year that his kingdom welcomed Mashhad's Jews. Yet his legacy of openness and tolerance ensured that the Mashhad Jews remained safe in their new home. Jews remained in Rawalpindi long after the death of the Sikh Empire in 1849. Yet the tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh Empire showed to these desperate refugees should never be forgotten. In a terrible moment of deadly danger, the Sikh Empire opened its doors, saving the lives of hundreds of Jews. With the partition of the Indian subcontinent into two nations, Pakistan and India, in 1947, most of the area’s Jews fled to India, settling predominately in Bombay, and later moving to Israel. Nearly all of the Jews who remained in Rawalpindi left in the 1960s.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="243" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Saif Tahir, a writer in Pakistan, visited the old Jewish neighborhood in Rawalpindi in 2016 and found it completely devoid of Jews; locals were too afraid to even talk about the Jews who once lived in their city. He did find one old synagogue that was still standing; the exterior of the building was adorned with Jewish stars of David. Tahir noted that it looked much like a synagogue in India built by Jews from Iraq and Iran in the 1800s.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="244" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The haven that the Jews of Mashhad found in 1839, when Rawalpindi was part of a progressive, open Sikh Empire, is long gone. The welcome and safety that they received there, when Rawalpindi was part of an expansive and open Sikh Empire, deserve to be remembered today.</p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-35071908462220404492023-08-30T10:28:00.002-04:002023-08-30T10:28:35.407-04:00Thousands expected for annual Sikh parade in Abbotsford<p> According to <a href="https://www.abbynews.com/community/thousands-expected-for-annual-sikh-parade-in-abbotsford-3103167" target="_blank">The Abbotsford News</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Thousands of people are expected to gather in Abbotsford on Sunday, Sept. 3 for the annual Sikh parade, known as the Nagar Kirtan Procession.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Nagar Kirtan Procession in Abbotsford involves transporting Sikhism’s holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, on a float through the streets while singing devotional hymns.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m., starts and ends at the Gurdwara Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar (Sikh temple) at 30640 Blueridge Drive.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The route travels east on Blueridge Drive, south on Townline Road, west on Southern Drive and along Sandpiper Drive, Goldfinch Street and back on Blueridge to the temple.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="5" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The city says rolling road closures will be in effect between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., with approximately a two-hour closure at most locations along the route as the procession passes. Lengthier closures are expected near the temple.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The city also advises that bus service in the area will be disrupted. A map of scheduled bus re-routing is available at bctransit.com/central-fraser-valley</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-8218741405744004012023-08-19T13:04:00.003-04:002023-08-19T13:04:47.629-04:00Samarpan Yatra: Ranchi Sikhs pedal to Jamshedpur <p> According to <a href="https://avenuemail.in/samarpan-yatra-ranchi-sikhs-pedal-to-jamshedpur/" target="_blank">the avenue mail</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> The city witnessed a remarkable event today as the Sarbat Da Bhala Sewa Society, Ranchi organised the third installment of the Samarpan Yatra – a cycling pilgrimage from Ranchi to Jamshedpur. The event, held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Singh Sabha, saw a congregation of devotees, volunteers, and enthusiasts coming together for a noble cause.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Samarpan Yatra, a unique blend of spirituality and physical endurance, embarked from Ranchi and will conclude in Jamshedpur. The yatra is a symbol of dedication and selflessness, embodying the values and principles the society has upheld for over a century and a half. Jodi Riders of Jamshedpur led by Jagtar Singh Nagi welcomed the cyclists from Ranchi.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The event was inaugurated with great fervor and enthusiasm, as the participants set out on their bicycles, adorned with flags and banners bearing the society’s emblem. The yatra aims to spread the message of ‘bhalai’ (goodness) and ‘sewa’ (service) in its truest form.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Sarbat Da Bhala Sewa Society has been an emblem of compassion and community service since its inception. The society has tirelessly worked towards alleviating the suffering of the less fortunate and marginalized sections of society. The Samarpan Yatra stands as a testament to their commitment to these ideals.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the society’s Sukhvinder Singh Bagga expressed gratitude to all the participants, volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to the success of the yatra. He emphasized the importance of unity and service in building a strong and harmonious society.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="14" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">As the yatra progresses, it is expected to touch the hearts of many along its route, inspiring people to come forward and contribute to the betterment of society. The Samarpan Yatra not only celebrates a significant milestone for the Sabhat Da Singh Society but also reinforces the message of selfless service that continues to guide their actions.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="16" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In conclusion, the Samarpan Yatra-3 Cycle Yatra is a remarkable testament to the enduring spirit of service and unity. It brings people together in the pursuit of a common goal – making the world a better place through acts of kindness and compassion. The Sarbat Da Bhala Sewa Society’s dedication to the welfare of society remains unwavering, and the yatra is a shining example of their commitment to this noble cause.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-4561563479035479122023-08-11T22:47:00.001-04:002023-08-11T22:47:58.664-04:00In Landmark Case, a Sikh Marine Graduates with ‘Articles of Faith’ Intact<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq35FGYogBv5542Oi1gdXGcrRnzrBXfI_nBAbNKYm9dmiLMm_uALYTfo6avkDk8Rhpg6PNpPMHs6o_egNZCItkzYOYmdBA5GSItWG2sgCZ1PnvnIryf1aDhnK3ZySBXRXF03PC4dKJB1-Q40P6rxIWQUS8M1gOgfFLVsSpEseRogbgrQkf42A9MeLRocM/s1920/IMG_1413.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq35FGYogBv5542Oi1gdXGcrRnzrBXfI_nBAbNKYm9dmiLMm_uALYTfo6avkDk8Rhpg6PNpPMHs6o_egNZCItkzYOYmdBA5GSItWG2sgCZ1PnvnIryf1aDhnK3ZySBXRXF03PC4dKJB1-Q40P6rxIWQUS8M1gOgfFLVsSpEseRogbgrQkf42A9MeLRocM/s320/IMG_1413.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>According to<a href="https://themessenger.com/news/in-landmark-case-a-sikh-marine-graduates-with-articles-of-faith-intact" target="_blank"> the messenger</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px;"> A Sikh man graduated from basic training Friday to join the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps — the culmination of a two-year court battle to let him uphold the sacred tenets of his faith while also serving his country. </span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Jaskirat Singh, 21, graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in California on Friday at the rank of private first class.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="3" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">But the road to his becoming one of "the few, the proud," was a bumpy one.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Last year, a federal court of appeals granted a preliminary injunction allowing Singh to begin training without having to have his head and beard shaved, which is customary for recruits when they first arrive at boot camp.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="21" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The injunction also allowed Singh to wear religious articles such as turbans and patkas. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="27" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">With an expert rifle badge on his chest and a gold Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia on his turban signifying his attaining the title of U.S. Marine, Singh spoke to reporters on Friday. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="28" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“Making it through Recruit Training is an achievement I am deeply proud to share with all of my brothers and sisters in my battalion," Singh said.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="29" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"The fact that I did it with my Sikh articles of faith, which posed no barrier to my achievement, is deeply meaningful to me personally."</p><p data-reader-unique-id="30" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh said his fellow recruits were supportive of him and his religious beliefs, and that he had chosen the Marine Corps because of the services’ values of honor, courage and commitment overlapping with Sikh values. Singh is contracted to be an infantry rifleman and will undergo training at the Marine Corps’ School of Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton in California. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="39" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">For Sikhs, beards and unshorn hair stand as profound emblems of their religious beliefs that they were created in God’s perfect image and that their hair should therefore not be altered.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="42" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Milaap Chahal, who also sued the Marine Corps, said in his administrative appeal that cutting one’s hair is “as reprehensible as adultery,” and that throughout history, Sikhs have chosen death over cutting their hair. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="43" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals noted the testimony from the Sikh Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group that defends Sikh civil rights, and which said that “denying a Sikh the right to wear a turban and maintain unshorn hair…is perceived by followers as the most humiliating and hurtful physical injury that can be inflicted upon a Sikh.” </p><p data-reader-unique-id="44" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“I am grateful that my fellow Marines were supportive of me and my faith, and I hope that the respect they showed me sends a strong signal to young Sikhs who are thinking about military service,” said Singh. </p><h2 data-reader-unique-id="45" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 1.2777em; max-width: 100%;">Long Fight to Join the Corps</h2><p data-reader-unique-id="46" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh began his push to join the Marine Corps in 2021, along with two other Sikhs, Milaap Chahal and Aekash Singh. He passed the standard entrance exam known as the Armed Services Vocational Battery Test, or ASVAB, and was “found to be mentally, morally, and physically qualified for accession into the Marine Corps,” per a court filing. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="47" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In November 2021, Singh and his legal counsel submitted a request to the Marine Corps to serve with his articles of faith, meaning he would attend recruit training without shaving his hair and wearing his turban. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="48" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Marine Corps said it would allow Singh to wear “unshorn hair, neatly tied beards, turbans or patkas, and a steel bracelet after basic training,” except when receiving hostile fire or imminent danger pay in a combat zone, or when Marine commanders determined that a beard or turban might hinder his duties in some way.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="51" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">But it initially refused to grant his religious exemption for the Corp’s 13-week basic training program due to a “compelling interest” in “instilling in each Marine an identity as part of a team.” </p><p data-reader-unique-id="52" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh filed an appeal, and a lawsuit was filed on his and the other Sikhs' behalf in April 2022 against the Commandant of the Marine Corps and other Defense Department officials. The suit alleged that the Marine Corps denial had violated the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. Singh’s lawyers filed a motion for a preliminary injunction which would have allowed him to attend recruit training with his articles of faith, but in August 2022, a U.S. District Court judge denied the motion on the grounds that granting the injunction would “pose a serious threat to national security” by disrupting Marine Corps training procedures, per a court filing. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="61" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">In December the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the ruling and granted the preliminary injunction to allow Singh to attend recruit training with his articles of faith.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="62" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in May.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="63" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">On Friday, Lt. Col. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a founder of the Sikh American Veterans Alliance who serves in the Army reserve, issued a statement cheering Jaskirat Singh's graduation. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="64" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“As a Sikh man who fought for a first-in-a-generation religious accommodation in the U.S. Army, I have immense admiration for PFC Singh’s achievement today. As our Armed Forces continue to rise to the challenges of the 21st century, it is essential that we recruit and retrain talent from all walks of life—including communities like our own.”</p><h2 data-reader-unique-id="65" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 1.2777em; max-width: 100%;">An ongoing legal battle </h2><p data-reader-unique-id="66" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Another lawsuit against the U.S. government is ongoing and seeks to change the limited accommodations granted to Sikhs serving in the U.S. military while on deployment. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="67" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Marine Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor, an artillery officer, won several legal victories against the Marine Corps which allowed him to keep his beard, long hair and his turban but that freedom has not extended to deployments. The New York Times reported last year that these restrictions prevent Toor and other Sikhs from wearing beards in 39 countries considered hostile. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="69" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Marine leaders have pushed back on making accommodations to Sikhs, citing uniform appearances and an argument that beards prohibit the safe use of gas masks. These deployment restrictions will apply to Jaskirat Singh, if he deploys overseas to a hostile area. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="70" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Singh told The Messenger that his beard would not prevent him from wearing and using gas masks safely. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="71" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“Over the past several years, more and more Sikhs have shown that you can have a turban and a beard while serving your country in uniform, whether that’s in the Marine Corps or other branches of the Armed Forces,” Singh said.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="72" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"My advice is to follow whatever career path you are called to—if you are motivated enough, and you have the support you need, you can achieve your goals.”</p><figure data-reader-unique-id="53" style="color: rgba(79, 50, 28, 0.9); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1.4em 0px; max-width: 100%;"><div data-reader-unique-id="54" style="max-width: 100%;"><span data-reader-unique-id="55" style="max-width: 100%;"></span></div></figure><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-71003410138267206342023-08-11T06:11:00.000-04:002023-08-11T06:11:37.334-04:00Uttarakhand becomes 10th state to implement Anand Karaj Act<p> According to <a href="https://garhwalpost.in/ukhand-becomes-10th-state-to-implement-anand-karaj-act/" target="_blank">Garhwal Post</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> State President of the Uttarakhand Sikh Coordination Committee and National Advisor of the National Minorities Commission, Sardar Gurdeep Singh Sahota has welcomed the decision of the Uttarakhand Government to implement the Anand Karaj Act and thanked Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the BJP state organisation.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="8" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Anand Marriage Act was passed for the registration of Sikh marriages in the year 1909, which was passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the year 2012 as the amended Anand Karaj Act. However, since then, many states neither made its rules nor implemented it. The demand of the Sikhs has been raised many times in this regard. Recently, in December 2022, the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, wrote to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of the state and asked them to implement the rules of the Anand Karaj Act in the state. In 2022, the Uttarakhand High Court also passed instructions to the state government to implement the Anand Karaj Act after the decision on a petition.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="9" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The state government prepared the rules for Uttarakhand after studying the rules in Delhi, Kerala, Chandigarh, etc. With this, Uttarakhand has become the 10th state of the country to implement this act.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Incidentally, the BJP-ruled Assam and Uttarakhand approved this act together on the same day, 3 August, 2023, by their respective state cabinets.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="11" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Sahota said that, when suggestions were sought regarding the Uniform Civil Code in the state, a team of the Sikh Coordination Committee held a meeting with the members of the expert committee of the state government and requested that the Anand Karaj Act be kept out of the Uniform Civil Code.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Members of the Sikh community have welcomed and appreciated the sensitivity shown by the state government in this matter.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="13" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">With the implementation of the Anand Karaj Act in the state, marriages held in the Gurdwaras of the Sikh community can now be registered under this act.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-29922644703253829972023-08-03T09:36:00.002-04:002023-08-03T09:36:21.676-04:00In Assam, Sikh marriages to be recognised under Anand Marriage Act<p> According to <a href="https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-sikh-marriages-anand-marriage-act.html" target="_blank">Northeast Now</a> “ Sikh<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">marriages in Assam will be recognised under the Anand Marriage Act, 1909.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">This was informed by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (August 03).</p><p data-reader-unique-id="11" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">This decision to recognise Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act was taken by the Assam cabinet it its meeting on Wednesday (August 02).</p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“As a mark of recognition to the customs of Assam’s Sikh community, the cabinet has decided to formulate the Assam Anand Marriages Registration Rules 2023,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in a statement.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="19" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“Henceforth, the Sikh community can register their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="20" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Assam CM said that this decision is ‘historic’ that “honours the unique traditions of over 20,000+ people of the Sikh community in Assam”. The Act seeks to give statutory recognition to a marriage rite of the sikhs called ‘Anand’. Thus, any marriage performed according to the ‘Anand’ ceremony is valid with effect from the date of its solemnisation.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="39" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">It states: “All marriages which may be or may have been duly solemnised according to the Sikh Marriage ceremony called Anand shall be and shall be deemed to have been with effect from the date of the solemnization of each respectively, good and valid in law.”</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-55982759560508813182023-07-21T04:21:00.003-04:002023-07-21T04:21:47.199-04:00'What a thrill': Perth street is renamed to honour a Sikh Anzac<p> According to <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/punjabi/en/podcast-episode/what-a-thrill-community-proud-as-a-perth-street-is-renamed-honouring-a-sikh-anzac-of-indian-origin/etakoytkz" target="_blank">SBS</a> “<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> An inner-city street in Perth has been renamed 'Sailani Avenue' to commemorate the invaluable contributions of Western Australia's Indian Anzacs during World War I.</span></p><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Private Nain Singh Sailani migrated from India to Australia in 1895 as a 22-year-old and was one of 12 known Indian Anzacs who enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force during WWI.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sadly, he was also one of two Indian Anzacs killed in the Belgian campaign, the other being Pte Sarn Singh. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Both were buried in Belgium alongside fellow Australian soldiers also killed in action. </span>Speaking to SBS Punjabi, Kuljit Jassal, a Royal Australian Air Force veteran, said the renaming ceremony was testament to the contribution of Indian Anzacs to enriching WA's multicultural history.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">"Sikhs and Australians fought together on the same side at Gallipoli with at least 16 Sikhs enlisting and serving in the Australian Imperial Force for WWI," Ms Jassal, who herself migrated to Australia in 1982, told SBS Punjabi. </span>Ms Jassal said the location of Sailani Avenue was even more poignant as it was so close to the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) stadium.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">"(It's) A great location especially considering many great players from Nain Singh Sailani’s home country (India) have played at the ground," she said.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">City of Perth's Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas, who unveiled the Sailani Avenue street sign, said that the naming was a joint effort between all three tiers of government. </span>"The City received the naming request through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and, following community consultation, we worked closely with Landgate to bring it to fruition," he said.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">"Sailani Avenue will act as a tangible reminder of the role Anzacs from the Indian community played in shaping our state's history and paving the way for future generations."</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lands Minister, John Carey, emphasised the importance of place names that connected people to their history, culture, and environment.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">"WA has a strong relationship with India and a large Indian community. Our Government's renaming of Nelson Avenue, East Perth, to Sailani Avenue ensures WA continues to honour the memory of our Anzac soldiers while also acknowledging the vital role of all of our Indian Anzacs," he said. </span>Ms Jassal said WA's Indian community was 'absolutely thrilled' about the honour.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">"Many members of the Indian community attended the event, including the Indian Consul General of India in WA, Amarjeet Singh Takhi; members of the Sikh Association of Western Australia (SAWA); and many ex-service personnel," she said.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(11, 13, 15); color: #0b0d0f; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">The Sikh community's roots in WA go back around 120 years. This rich history is founded in the stories of early Sikh settlers, documented in various archival records.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-10798183171814006652023-07-17T16:42:00.003-04:002023-07-17T16:42:29.758-04:00Sikh NGO raising funds for Punjab flood victims<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd1yRULESsUtwa8Xbm8LsgnR64tc_3H8nAvUI1pzGpngZI6mryjaD2ThHASyjjSqmcr0SmI3F3S8WM-x1TZ_4z_o8fa6aofqX3D3wmiXTUwUCQFVpffyXFKWVmuhewiV3y5-Hii_XYabK9NR1718bn_AAq2w7IhrGIwKmd_n9bfxBvmjba22o38zLtcNc/s640/IMG_1368.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd1yRULESsUtwa8Xbm8LsgnR64tc_3H8nAvUI1pzGpngZI6mryjaD2ThHASyjjSqmcr0SmI3F3S8WM-x1TZ_4z_o8fa6aofqX3D3wmiXTUwUCQFVpffyXFKWVmuhewiV3y5-Hii_XYabK9NR1718bn_AAq2w7IhrGIwKmd_n9bfxBvmjba22o38zLtcNc/s16000/IMG_1368.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>According to <a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/07/17/sikh-ngo-raising-funds-for-punjab-flood-victims" target="_blank">The Star</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> A SIKH NGO is launching a fundraising project to help those affected by the floods in Punjab, India.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="2" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The "Punjab Flood Fury" campaign is aimed at prebuilding lives and restoring hope," said Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) in a statement.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="11" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">It said the people of Punjab are facing huge challenges and uncertainties due to the devastating floods, leaving many homeless, hungry and feeling helpless.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"They need urgent help and support to survive and recover from this massive natural calamity.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="24" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"We are working with local partners and volunteers to distribute the aid and help those affected."</p><p data-reader-unique-id="25" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Punjab is a largerly agrarian state and the crops of many farmers, especially padi, have been destroyed by the floods.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="26" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">SNSM is appealing to Malaysians to join in this urgent humanitarian project and donate through the Global Sikh Relief Fund.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="36" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">"Together, we can help the people of Punjab overcome this crisis and restore their faith in humanity."</p><p data-reader-unique-id="37" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="color: #4f321c;">For enquiries, call 017-871 7444</span><span style="color: #4f321c;"> (Paramjeet Singh), </span>016-551 0148<span style="color: #4f321c;"> (Pavandeep Singh) or go to SNSM's social media accounts.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-83414953145223614812023-07-14T05:34:00.002-04:002023-07-14T05:34:29.997-04:00The Sikh studies program’s path to permanency and inclusivity<p> According to the <a href="https://thegauntlet.ca/2023/07/13/the-sikh-studies-programs-path-to-permanency-and-inclusivity/" target="_blank">Gauntlet</a> “<span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> Dr. Harjeet Singh Grewal, the current teaching professor in Sikh Studies at the University of Calgary, sheds light on the program’s establishment, evolution and aspirations for the future. Initially driven by students’ desire for representation and comprehensive courses, the program has grown significantly over the years through collaborative efforts with the Sikh community.</span></p><p data-reader-unique-id="4" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Sikh Studies program has attracted students from diverse backgrounds, extending beyond the Sikh community itself. The rarity of these courses in Canada has piqued the interest of many students who recognize their value. The overwhelming support from alumni, students, staff, faculty and supporters nationwide has laid the foundation for program expansion and long-term sustainability.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="5" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“A lot of students, given the growth of the Sikh community within Canada, are familiar with the Sikh community with their own personal experiences. They are curious to learn more about the Sikh tradition,” said Grewal.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="6" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Sikh Studies program at the U of C is currently offering foundational courses, including <em data-reader-unique-id="7" style="max-width: 100%;">Introduction to Sikhism</em> and <em data-reader-unique-id="8" style="max-width: 100%;">Sikh Diaspora</em>. These courses are unique to the U of C as they are not widely available elsewhere in Canada. Looking ahead, the program aims to introduce a certificate in Sikh studies, allowing students to incorporate it into their degree.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="9" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“We want this to be an inter-disciplinary form of knowledge production, and we want students to be able to participate in this across different career paths,” said Grewal.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="10" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The crowdfunding campaign for the Sikh Studies program surpassed its initial goal, showcasing the immense support and interest from various stakeholders. This strong backing has paved the way for the program’s expansion and long-term sustainability. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="12" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“We are looking to expand to have a full program in Sikh Studies,” said Grewal. “That includes expanding courses, research and other forms of community engagement.”</p><p data-reader-unique-id="13" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">Grewal emphasizes the importance of creating a full-fledged program for Sikh Studies, fostering representation for marginalized communities and promoting equitable access to knowledge. The program’s initiatives, such as the Sikh Studies reading group, foster community engagement and eliminate elitism within the university space.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="14" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“It’s about how Sikhs participate in the world and research, and knowledge production is a part of that participation. This is going to acknowledge that and allow us to be equitable participants in how that’s created,” said Grewal.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="15" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">The Sikh Studies program at the U of C is working towards creating permanent positions to contribute to the university’s goal of an equitable, diverse and inclusive campus. </p><p data-reader-unique-id="16" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“We aren’t necessarily working towards a Sikh chair, more of a permanent endowed program,” said Grewal. “That allows us to be bigger than what a chair does. This is not about the individual or a series of faculty members that come forward. The programming part is essential. That is a unique thing that the UCalgary has stepped up to do.”</p><p data-reader-unique-id="17" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">With a vision for the long-term sustainability of Sikh Studies, Grewal emphasizes the necessity of establishing an enduring presence that will leave a lasting impact not only within the university but also in the broader community.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="18" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">“All of this is exciting, but it requires permanency. The preparation extends the past four-year limited term. As we increase familiarity and spread the word, I’m confident this is going to come through,” Grewal.</p><p data-reader-unique-id="19" style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px; max-width: 100%;">To learn more about the Sikh Studies Program, check out their <a data-reader-unique-id="20" href="https://www.instagram.com/sikhstudies/" style="color: #d19600; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">Instagram page</a> or visit their <a data-reader-unique-id="21" href="https://arts.ucalgary.ca/classics-religion/research/expanding-sikh-studies" style="color: #d19600; max-width: 100%; text-decoration: none;">website</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624066636244621617.post-42683929816417952052023-07-13T22:28:00.006-04:002023-07-13T22:28:57.059-04:00Khalsa Aid volunteers play saviours<p> According<a href="https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/khalsa-aid-volunteers-play-saviours/amp_articleshow/101713752.cms" target="_blank"> to Times of India</a> “<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Amid rescue operations being carried out by the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">Army</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">NDRF</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> and </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;">SDRF</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(26, 26, 26); color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.2px;"> teams, the contribution of volunteers of NGO Khalsa Aid and residents cannot be ignored as it played a vital role in rescue and relief operations. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The rescue and relief operations carried out in Patiala have been continued since floodwaters entered houses. The residents in various colonies were forced to leave their houses and take shelter at temporary relief centres as the water level reached from six to 10 feet in the areas. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">The Khalsa Aid has been rendering services in Punjab with around 90 volunteers while from Wednesday they have initiated their evacuation operations in </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Haryana </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">also. The designated volunteers of Khalsa Aid claimed that three boats each in Punjab and Haryana were being used to rescue the residents in the flood-affected areas in both states.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Meanwhile, eight columns of the Army and three columns of NDRF had also rescued hundreds of residents in Patiala affected with the floods and sent them to temporary shelters.</span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">Akshita Gupta, nodal officer for flood relief camps in Patiala, said, “Four relief camps are being run in Patiala where people are being provided food and other necessities. The number of people taking shelter has decline as on Tuesday around 630 residents had taken shelter whereas on Wednesday there are around 450. There are around 15 NGOs, including Khalsa Aid, Young Sikh </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(79, 50, 28); color: #4f321c; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18px;">forum, others, are coordinating with us and extending help.”</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0