Random Scenes from Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar

Discrimination and History of the UK Sikh's Turban

The Chicken Sees

An aged spiritual master calls his two most devoted disciples to the garden in front of his hut. Gravely, he gives each one a chicken and instructs them, "Go to where no one can see, and kill the chicken." One of the men immediately goes behind his shed, picks up an ax and chops off his chicken's head. The other wanders around for hours, and finally returns to his master, the chicken still alive and in hand. "Well, what happened?" the teacher asks. The disciple responds, "I can't find a place to kill the chicken where no one can see me. Everywhere I go, the chicken sees."

Taken from Tara Brach's book, Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of Buddha

The Sikh Coalition continues to impress me with how they continue to push into new frontiers of advocacy work for Sikh-Americans. Here's a video on their latest effort, the Sikh Advocate Academy.



Here's how the Coalition has described their efforts.

July 18, 2011 (Washington, DC) -- The Sikh Coalition has successfully graduated its first class from the inaugural Sikh Advocate Academy, a groundbreaking initiative designed to create a national network of professionally-trained social justice advocates. Twelve passionate individuals from around the nation are now equipped with the knowledge and skills to engage credibly with government officials, promote Sikh perspectives in the media and build alliances with organizations outside the Sikh community.

As I watched the video, I pondered two things. The first is how, while we have many groups doing good work, we have no organization in Canada that is pioneering this kind of community development work. Secondly, do we even need this in Canada? Is our situation different enough to warrant a different approach?

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Guru Gobind Singh's Teer (Arrow)

One of my favourite all-time dharmak songs is Talwar Main Kalgidhar Di Haan by Amar Singh Chamkila and Bibi Amarjot. It is a duet that personifies the talwar (sword) and teer (arrow) of Guru Gobind Singh. Now its been redone by Ladla & Kanwar from Pind City Records. Both tracks are including below for your viewing/listening pleasure.

San Francisco, CA : Ladla & Kanwar pay tribute to all past and present Sikhs (The Teers of True Guru) and try to communicate to Sikhs what it means to be a TEER (student/pupil of spirituality). Artists have used Hip Hop and Punjabi singing along with catchy music beat to create this track that beautifully blends poetry, song and rap vocals. "Pind City Records" dedicates TEER to each and every Sikh alive on the planet.

Record Label : Pind City Records
Video Director : Ladla
Rap/Lyrics : Kanwarpal Singh Gill (Kanwar)
Song Vocals/Lyrics : Amar Singh Chamkila & Ladla
Music : Trax & Dj Harvi (BPD)

Sardars Only On Stage

I have to honestly say that, despite the fact nothing really surprises me anymore, I was a bit saddened to see this picture (circulated on Facebook). These are probably three of the more famous dastaar (turban) wearing Punjabi singers on the scene, Inderjeet Nikku, Ravinder Grewal and Diljit Dosanjh. The sad thing is that, just like Lada Gaga, these guys put on an act. They tie a wicked dastaar, sing a few Sardar and Sikhi-related songs (click their names to view their most famous songs), and have become darlings of the diaspora. Too bad they choose not to dress the part in real life.

This reminds me of an old quote, "If I have to tell you I'm a gentleman, then I'm probably not". If you have to tell or sing to people that you're a Sardar, you're probably not.

Join Ensaaf as a Case Summary Writer

Here's a chance to do some amazing seva for the Panth (and its paid!).

Job Opening: Join Ensaaf as a Case Summary Writer

(Seattle, WA, July 14, 2011) Ensaaf is seeking a full-time Case Summary Writer to draft case summaries based on interviews of families whose loved ones were unlawfully killed or disappeared by India's security forces. As the case summaries will ultimately be used in a variety of advocacy initiatives and reports, this is an important position that will offer someone a chance to help mobilize international stakeholders on the issue of impunity for mass state crimes in Punjab, India.

The successful candidate will posses excellent writing skills, experience working with databases, attention to detail, and be highly organized and self-motivated. Qualified candidates with a demonstrated interest in public interested matters are preferred.

This is an important position that will offer someone a chance to help mobilize international stakeholders on the issue of impunity in Punjab.

Please note that the Case Summary Writer will telecommute.

Responsibilities

• Draft case summaries (i.e., narratives) of victims of human rights abuses using primary data gathered by Ensaaf
• Maintain a database of human rights violations
• Collect and track translations of Punjabi free text gathered during interviews
• Perform general administrative duties as requested
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Exceptional writing skills
• Familiarity with database and spreadsheet software
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Firm commitment to confidentiality (hired candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement)
• Ability to stay productive and motivated while working from home
• Capacity to work independently (Ensaaf employees work in multiple time zones, some of whom work untraditional hours)
• Fluency in Punjabi language is a plus, although it is not required

Position Start Date: Early September 2011

Minimum Commitment: 6 months

Compensation: $30,000 annually plus benefits, including medical and dental, with generous vacation and sick leave

Application: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Ensaaf's Office Manager, Christina Cusolito, at info@ensaaf.org


The final deadline to apply is August 11, 2011. Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and further evaluation.www.ensaaf.org

Italian Sikhs Celebrate Vaisakhi

A beautiful video about the Sikh community in Brescia/Flero, Italy, complete with a Nagar Kirtan.