Sikh action figures aim to make children proud

 According to BBC "The co-founder of a business which makes Sikh action figures said he wanted to produce toys that made Sikh children proud of their appearance.

An idea that two friends had in a living room has now snowballed into an international business, Khalsa Toys Store, which created its first action figures in 2021.

Co-founder Sukh Singh, from Coventry, said the business was receiving lots of orders from Canada, America, India and Australia.

"We've got a global reach now," Mr Singh said. Explaining the genesis of the business, he said: "I was with my business partner at his house. He’s got two young boys who were playing with their toys and they turned around to us and said 'why aren’t there any toys that look like us?'

"That was a lightbulb moment when we thought 'yeah actually, why don’t we have toys that represent our image, our characteristics?' Because we have a very distinct appearance." The online business, run from Leicester, began with a toy called Baaj Singh, who is dressed in navy blue and displays the five articles of faith ordained Sikhs wear.

These include uncut hair covered by a turban, a steel bangle called a kara and a ceremonial dagger, called a kirpan.

The range was expanded with two extra characters called Tegh Kaur and Sher Singh, each available in two colours, for a total of six figurines.

The business also has plans to expand beyond the figurines.

"We want to give the characters a back story and make animations so kids can take away a piece of education about Sikh culture and our heritage," Mr Singh said. Sukhwinder Singh, from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Academy, travels the world teaching Sikh history and says it is important for children to see toys that look like them.

"As Sikhs, we are very small in numbers and wherever we go we stand out because we are that visible," he said.

“It can be a problem when it comes to bullying or getting picked on because if you look different then you’re going to be a target.

"But when they see these figurines based on heroes from our history, it gives them that confidence that they need to go out there and be proud of who they are." Belinda, 43, from Leicester, said her younger two children were obsessed with the toys.

"They had never seen toys that look like them before, that represented them, their culture, their religion – so they were really excited," she said.

“My eldest daughter would make do by tying a turban on her teddies or draping a scarf on her dolls. There was nothing similar for her at that time.”

Her 10-year-old daughter, Tara, is particularly inspired by the female figurine.

"I love that they’re Sikh warriors and represent what Sikhs would wear when they went to battle and there’s a woman who looks like the warrior women in our history," she said.

Her seven-year-old brother, Zorawar, added: "They’re so inspiring and they’re so fun to play with."

Hundreds attend Bandi Choor celebration at Khalsa Primary School

According to Slough Express “Hundreds of people came to Khalsa Primary School on Wednesday night to celebrate the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor.

The festival marks the day when the sixth guru of Sikhism Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib was released from prison on the day of Diwali during the 16th century.

The guru was imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for opposing the regime.

“This is why Sikhs all over the world celebrate by lighting up candles, praying to almighty, and giving sweets to each other because Guru Hargobind was released on the very same day when the whole of India was commemorating Diwali,” said school trustee Onkar Singh.

The celebrations in Wexham Road consisted of religious hymns, food from a communal kitchen and a fireworks show.”

Blood drive honours Sikh lives lost in 1984 genocide

According to the Abbotsford News "The Sikh community in Abbotsford is hosting a blood donation drive on Saturday, Nov. 10.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Abbotsford Pentecostal Church, 3145 Gladwin Rd.

Every November, a blood donation campaign titled “Blood Donation by the Sikh Nation” takes place across the world.

In 1984, Sikhs across India were victims of aggression and unprecedented attacks following the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards.

Prior to her death, Gandhi had ordered a military assault on the most significant religious center for the Sikhs.

The state-sponsored genocide that followed her killing resulted in the deaths of 3,000 Sikhs in New Delhi and an estimated 8,000 or more in 40 cities across India. The blood donor event is held to not only to remember the lives lost by Sikhs in 1984, but also to stand against any acts of violence or hate towards any individual or group of people.

As a tribute to the events of 1984 and with the vision of bringing people together around the world, the Sikhs started the blood donation campaign in 1999.

The first clinics took place in the Lower Mainland and have since grown to include clinics across Canada, the U.S., Australia and other locations.

The campaign has saved more than 130,000 lives up until December 2017.

The clinics are open to all who wish to donate blood and stand in solidarity against genocide or acts of hate of any kind. Visit sikhnation.net for more information.

Sikh art exhibit puts a face on a group not often featured in American life

According to Sacbee “The California Museum has a new exhibit that puts a spotlight on members of the American Sikh community, a population that has been a part of the fabric of American life for over 100 years. Called the Sikh Project, the exhibit features portrait photographs of prominent members of the American — and Californian — Sikh community.

The exhibit features faces. A man in a motorcycle club, a violinist, a farmer, an eagle scout. There is no one Sikh face.

Sikhism is the one of the largest organized religions in the world, with roughly 25 million members globally, according to the Sikh Coalition. There are more than 500,000 Sikhs in the United States, and it is estimated that roughly half of that population lives in California.

The Sikh Coalition founded the project in 2016 and focused on featuring prominent Sikh men, but later decided to expand the scope of the project to include women and children, according to Sikh community member Deepraj Randhawa.

“The Sikh Coalition partnered with British photographers, Amit and Naroop, to develop a landmark photography exhibition that features 38 Sikh American portraits embodying the beauty, resilience and perseverance of Sikh men and women 15 years after 9/11,” a news release from the Sikh Coalition says. “The exhibition was launched in New York City in September 2016 to critical acclaim and featured unique and overwhelmingly positive stories about Sikhs in America.”

The goal of the exhibit aims to bring light to the Sikh community in the United States, which Randhawa said is often misunderstood.

“It’s a huge population that people don’t know that much about, they just see a turban and that’s all they know beyond that,” Randhawa said. “If you just look past the articles of faith that you see, the stories connect and you realize that there really isn’t much of a difference.”

The exhibit has traveled all over the country before landing in Sacramento — it was first presented in New York City and has since traveled to Texas and other states. The exhibit has a special place in the California Museum, though, according to Amanda Meeker, the museum’s Exhibits and Programs Director.

“We really make an effort to tell stories that have not traditionally been told in these settings,” Meeker said. “We are a museum that’s not only about California’s history but also about its cultures because there are so many different cultures in California, and we want to make sure that they all have a place here in our state museum.”

The exhibit features prominent Sikh figures like Amrita Kaur Khurana, the first turbaned woman to work at the New York Times. It shows Sat Hari Singh, a New York City train operator who turned a train around on 9/11 and saved the lives of all of the train’s riders And if has California’s Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Harinder Kaur Khalsa, who the Sikh Coalition says is the longest-serving turbaned law enforcement officer in the United States.

“Probably tens of thousands of kids will come through this exhibit over the next few months,” Meeker said. “If even a few of them stop and look and learn, and think a little differently then we’ve made a success.”

Melbourne celebrates Bandi Chhor Divas in Australia

According to Singh Station “Melbourne celebrated its first ever Bandi Chhor Divas in Epping at Galada Community Center on 3rd November 2018. Epping is one of the most densed home of multicultural communities and hosts one of the biggest Sikh population.

The event was organised by Khalsa Education Society in collaboration with City of Whittlesea.

There was a display of Sikh exhibition depicting various artefacts of Sikh traditions. Kids stalls including face painting and coloring were also organised. There was a Gurmat Quiz competition held for kids as well. A presentation about the history of Bandi Chhor Divas and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was delivered by Simranpreet Kaur.

Hundereds of people from various communities also tried turbans at the event.

During half time, there was a kirtan darbar organised and various jathas from Melbourne participated.  Bhai Satnam Singh from Gurmat Sangeet Academy Blackburn, Bhai Balwinder Singh from Sikh Naujwans and Akhand Kirtani jatha recited kirtan during the event.

All communities were welcomed to the event. Sangat from various corners of Melbourne including Shepparton also attended the kirtan.

Amarpreet Singh, Managing Director of Khalsa Aid (Asia-pacific) also attended the event and delivered a short speech about humanitarian projects of Khalsa Aid happening across the world. During the event, a donation of $5000 was presented to Khalsa Aid as well.  Free vegetarian snacks and food was also served at the event.

Bandi Chhor Divas is a Sikh festival which coincides with the day of Diwali. Bandi Chhor Divas celebrates the release from prison in Gwalior of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, and 52 other kings with him.

Book on Guru Angad Dev released

According to the Tribune “The Teachers’ Association of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) organised a function to release a book on Guru Angad Dev, the second Guru of the Sikhism.

Dr Shashi Mahajan, secretary of the association, said book titled ‘Guru Angad Sobha’ written by Dr Avtar Singh was released in an impressive function. Dr Avtar Singh took 16 years to do research, collect information and document in the form of 625-page book. GADVASU Vice-Chancellor AS Nanda was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Nanda said this book would be a new and informative document on the second master.

Sikhs from Across the Globe Attend Yuba City Festival

According to Fox 40 "After a month’s worth of preparation, the Sikh community in Sutter County is putting the finishing touches on its annual parade and festival that will draw up to 100,000 visitors to Yuba City.

The Sikh temple on Tierra Buena Road was awash in activity and temporary tents on the eve of one of the biggest gatherings of Sikhs outside Asia.

On the first Sunday in November, the religious group, which originated in the state of Punjab in India, will celebrate the first installation of the religion’s scriptures with a grand parade.

Local Sikhs settled in the area at the turn of the century and the festival was first held in Yuba City 39 years ago. Now thousands from far and wide attend the event.

"A lot of people come from England, Chicago, Canada, all over the world. This is the big one right here in California," said event volunteer Santokh Sandher.

Dr. Harjinder Singh brought the staff from his medical office to the temple Thursday for a sneak preview before the big crowds came. He said the event is managed well, considering crowds of up to 100,000 for the Sunday parade.

"They keep on improving, every time they see a problem they try to improve every year," Singh said.

Acres of vendor tents were being prepared for the marketplace on the grounds and hundreds of restrooms were at the ready along Sunday’s 4-mile parade route.

While it is primarily a religious celebration for the Sikh community, it is also one in which hospitality and food play a major role.

Half a dozen large kitchens were set up and people have been preparing food for the past week. The entire community chips in to help with the fare.

"Friends, everybody, relatives, all the community coming together to support us. That’s why we do that," Sandher said.

Whether it’s volunteer labor or donations that bring in tons of food and supplies, the Sikh community was determined to honor their tradition of hospitality, even it means feeding tens of thousands of festival visitors.

"It’s all free," said volunteer Narinder Singh. "Everybody, it doesn’t matter, it isn’t only for the Sikh community, it's for everyone."

Part of the festival is educational and includes tours of the temple and lectures that explain the Sikh religion.

A large part of the festival is just getting together and having a good time with friends and neighbors.

Festivalgoers began arriving Thursday. Friday night a fireworks display is scheduled. The festival’s highlight will be the parade on Sunday, which will draw the biggest crowds.

Sikhs to be counted separately in next census, rules top court

According to Samaa "Pakistan’s top court ruled that Sikh population will be counted separately in the next census. 

“The Sikh community should be counted separately whenever the next census is held,” said Justice Ijazul Ahsan while hearing the case on Thursday.

Additional attorney general remarked that details pertaining to religion are asked on column six of the form. “An option for Sikhism should be included in the form,” said Justice Ahsan. The Sikh community had filed a petition asking for the inclusion of their religion. They had said that the form included them into the scheduled castes column, while separately counting the Muslims, Hindus, Christians and some other groups.

“We have sought the record of the Sikh community from NADRA,” said the attorney general.

Sikh community exempted from wearing helmets in Peshawar

According to the Daily Times "The Sikh community has been granted exemption from helmet laws in Peshawar due to their religious headdress.

The issue was raised in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly by minority member Sardar Ranjeet Singh and Peshawar police allowed the exemption.

The exemption applies to members of the community who are wearing turbans while riding motorcycles.

Peshawar Traffic SSP Kashif Zulfiqar assured full cooperation with minority communities. As many as 60,000 Sikhs live in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), including 15,000 who live in Peshawar alone.

Meanwhile, Lahore has been clamping down on motorcyclists who do not use helmets. By the end of September, the City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) had issued over 58,066 tickets to motorcyclists riding without helmets in the provincial capital. The campaign was kicked off on September 24.