Maple Leaf Sikh

Nishkam

2012-02-14T13:45:00.000-05:00

Nishkam from the source project on Vimeo.

A beautifully short film on Sikhism by The Source Project. It takes about the concept of nishkam (sacrifice, compassion, love). There's also amazing scenes of an Amrit Sanchar (initiation ceremony).

AS Kang Is A Singh!

2012-02-08T17:02:00.001-05:00

I was delighted to see this picture today circulating on Facebook. It shows how AS Kang now as a bearded turban wearing Sikh. I grew up listening to his music and he was always someone who had a face made for radio. But I can he's a pretty good looking uncle - "kya personality" as my mom would say.

Hopefully this keeps him from making any BET-type music videos in the future. In fact, I'd love to see an awesome dharmak album from him, perhaps collaborating with the Immortal Shaheedi folks.

22 Minutes: Tim Hortons Cup Sizes

2012-02-05T17:57:00.000-05:00

Boy am I glad I'm not the only one confused by the new sizes.

Bhangra Flash Mob hits Chandigarh

2012-01-26T14:52:00.000-05:00

Stuff White People Say About Brown People

2012-01-18T22:49:00.000-05:00

One of Jus Reign's funniest videos yet. This will no doubt get over a million hits. And yes, I've been asked just about everyone of those bloody questions.

My New Years Inspiration (From Prof Puran Singh)

2012-01-01T00:31:00.000-05:00

Professor Puran Singh

I call you to become greatest, noblest, broad hearted individuals; be perfect as gods and as full of love and light and song as the angels. And first of all, be individuals strong and powerful, free and beautiful like the pole-star, that you may shine with the name of the Guru, and make your memory holy with His Name.

Let your lips utter the songs of His glory, your feet be creative of the beauty of journeying to the Guru, your hands be of service of Him, your heart full of love for Him, and may your city, country and world be filled with the glory of Nam.

And be you song-strung, name-strung, passion-strung as the harps of God, striking the music that may awaken the memory of the Beautiful.

And then I call you to form the Sangat, the whole humanity of the saints of Simrin, of the Guru’s Nam.

May the galaxy of the saints of God on this earth, from among you, shine as soul-stars in the inner firmament of the soul-consciousness of man for ever, pulling him upward, Guru-ward, God-ward.

I call you to form the Saviour-people, the Khalsa, the Guru’s own, the fragrant companionship of the Knights of Heaven.

One disciple thus may become armies, multitudes, shining and burning with Nam, brimming over with love this is my Khalsa. This is my Akali armies, the host of my Knights of Heaven.

And let the Heavens march you in firm step with the whole infinite system of the Guru’s great cosmic love.

And all shall stand on the roadside and with parted lips look up to you and say, this is the Guru’s Khalsa!

Rise then, you disciples, one in the multitude, and the multitude in one, as the hope of all humanity.

Rise as a host of messiahs and overwhelm the hosts of darkness, hatred and revenge; and free man from the misery of his little self both here and the hereafter.

(Puran Singh, Spirit Of A Sikh, Part 2 Volume 1)

Best Day Ever

2011-12-28T07:06:00.001-05:00

Great highlights of Harjot Singh's trip to Punjab.

KP Singh Part of Super Bowl XLVI Faces Project

2011-12-27T15:19:00.000-05:00

A video featuring KP Singh as one of the 46 faces representing the people, cultures, and spirit of Indianapolis, was recently produced as a part of the Super Bowl XLVI Faces Project. Being selected for this honor was a pleasant surprise. The video is produced and distributed by the Indianapolis 2012-Super Bowl Host Committee to introduce Indianapolis to sports fans and others in America and around the world about the richness and vibrancy that is Indianapolis today.

Born in India, KP Singh is a proud and passionate resident of Indianapolis, his home for the past 44 years. KP is a familiar presence at cultural, community, and interfaith events and lends his time and energy to many civic, educational, and humanitarian initiatives. One of Indiana's leading artists, KP is a published author, public speaker, and engaged citizen of Indianapolis.

The Kindness Boomerang

2011-12-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

Kinda corny but makes you wonder how for one random act of kindness can really travel.

Watch as the camera tracks an act of kindness as its passed from one individual to the next and manages to boomerang back to the person who set it into motion.

Stand with us in spreading the love and repost our video on your wall! Together we can make a difference!

Google's Year In Review

2011-12-21T11:19:00.003-05:00

Amazing how much has happened in one year. It seems like the pace of change is increasing at an increasing rate. Can only imagine what's in store for 2011.

SFU Bhangra Flash Mob!

2011-12-15T12:52:00.002-05:00

Kolaveri ft Pinky Mogewali (Punjabi Version)

2011-12-11T10:39:00.001-05:00

This song has been stuck in my head for three days now. Total ear virus.

UPDATED:

Here's the original song:

Here's the Tigerstyle remix:

UPDATED UPDATED:

Why This Kolaveri Di (Party Mix) by Bups Saggu & Jati Cheed:

Why This Kolaveri Di (Punjabi-Fied) - Desi Touch ft. JSL Singh:

Singh in Spain

2011-12-08T16:33:00.001-05:00

What a chardi-kala infused Sikh in Spain. I love Gagandeep Singh's turban colours.

Article of Faith

2011-12-07T09:32:00.000-05:00

From the producer:

I was living four blocks away from the Twin Towers on 9/11/01. That day was devastating; not one of us who witnessed the destruction will ever be the same. And yet, it has been heartbreaking to see our suffering in NYC used as an excuse to violently target Muslims and Arabs, as well as people perceived to be Muslim, such as Sikhs and South Asians.

This violence has not only been targeted at people abroad, but also on hundreds of thousands of American adults and young people. Sikh-Americans have been among the most vulnerable in this post 9/11 era, because of their turbans -- a religiously mandated article of faith. In fact, Sikhism is the only religion that mandates its followers to wear a turban. There have been numerous deadly hate crimes against Sikh Americans since 9/11, and many Sikh Americans since 9-11, and many Sikh youth experience daily harassment.

Much of this fear and hatred has been fueled by mainstream media representation. When I met Sonny, I felt that his story demanded to be told. As a media-maker, I had an opportunity to create a counter-narrative. I was moved by his willingness to share difficult stories about how racism, xenophobia, and islamophobia impact him in a very daily and intimate ways. But more importantly, I was inspired by how he had turned this hardship into a motivation to fight for social justice for all people. It was an honor to be able to document Sonny and his communities. I was welcomed with incredible warmth, and inspired by the Sikh traditions seeing the divine in all people, and fighting for equality.

ARTICLE OF FAITH is part of a larger documentary project entitled with WINGS and ROOTS currently in production. The 90-minute film and interactive website comparatively explore the immigration debate in the USA and Germany, through the stories of children of immigrants who are actively pushing against their societies and communities limited definitions of belongings. Set in Berlin and New York, two cities emblematic of immigration to Europe and the USA, Sonny is one of the protagonists. His story will be expanded in his feature-length film.

Tackling Caste Head On

2011-12-05T09:17:00.000-05:00

For a faith that has in many ways been based on the irrelevance of caste, Sikhs spend a lot of time obsessing over it. The latest trend in caste oneupsmanship is to pour over our history and start splitting the great Sikh personalities by caste. I guess that way I can have my heroes and you can have your heroes. The sheer lunacy and stupidity of these and other caste-based arguments are blown wide open in this great new video. Again, I'm increasingly impressed with what Sikh youth in Punjab are doing with cheap accessible digital video technology and their own sheer creativity.

Guru Nanak's Life Story

2011-12-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

A mini-documentary narrated in English, using Guru Nanak's own Gurbani and contemporary paintings to showcase Guru Nanak's life story. A good effort by the Sikh Help Line, a great initiative from the UK.

This video shows the highlights of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jis life from avtar (birth) to joti jot , showing his childhood and love for Waheguru at a young age, his education, family life, companions and praising of the Supreme Lord through meditation and singing of shabads. The troubles Guru Nanak Dev Ji faced are narrated and how he spread the word of Sikhi and way of life on his many travels across mountains and seas.

Gurmat Sangeet Legend Prof Kartar Singh Ji

2011-12-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

A short documentary on Gurmat Sangeet Legend Prof Kartar Singh Ji.

Toronto Tempo

2011-12-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

A great video showcasing Toronto. Really shows the beauty of the city.

Toronto Tempo from Ryan Emond on Vimeo.

Register Now for 2012 Toronto Sikh Retreat!

2011-12-01T15:53:00.001-05:00

2012 Toronto Sikh Retreat
Thursday January 5th to Sunday January 8th, 2012
Circle Square Ranch, Brantford, Ontario.

The Toronto Sikh Retreat is a youth led effort to gather young Sikhs and create a sangat of Guru-inspired individuals. Join us for a weekend of educational workshops, divans, and fun activities to connect yourself with the Sikhi spirit and others on the same path.

Our vision is to create an inclusive community of Guru-centred, enlightened, connected and motivated Sikh youth. Our mission is to connect with the essence of who we are as Sikhs, individually and collectively, by organizing events that enhance our spiritual and social awareness. We endeavour to work with a sense of humility, grace, compassion, inclusiveness, and fun.

Taxxi (Auto Censure)

2011-11-28T23:59:00.001-05:00

Not fully sure what to make of this short film, but here it is. It features BK Singh and Kaylee Harwood.

Sikhcess: Feed The Homeless Campaign

2011-11-26T16:55:00.000-05:00

Sikhcess - The Toronto Chapter, get together once a month at Shromani Sikh Sangat (Dunwin) Gurdwara in Mississauga to create lunches for 6-10 shelters in the GTA region. Compassion through SEVA is the root of the Sikh religion. Deepi Singh, a sevadaar (volunteer), explains how the seva spark begins at home and in the roots of our upbringing.

1947, 1984 & Sikhs Today

2011-11-25T16:29:00.001-05:00

Harinder Singh from the Sikh Research Institute discusses the impact of 1947 and 1984 on today's Sikh condition.

Drowning Punjab

2011-11-22T23:08:00.000-05:00

Great to see the youth of Punjab using the power of film to tell their stories and raise awareness on the realities of substance abuse in the region. This video is by Jarnail Singh.

SikhRI Webinar: Creating Confident Kaurs

2011-11-17T22:35:00.001-05:00

Update: You can watch the webinar here.

Another great upcoming webinar from the Sikh Research Institute:

Creating Confident Kaurs
Jasmine Kaur

Who should attend?
Anyone interested in giving an equal opportunity to young Kaurs to understand and practice Sikhi.

What is the presentation about?
This session explores the ways we can create classrooms which are a nurturing, exciting place for Kaurs. By making a conscious effort to use lessons and language which enforces the power and strength inherent to a female Sikh, and resisting traditions which implicitly, or explicitly, favors the male perspective, we can make a difference for the next generation! Come bridge the gender gaps and ensure every Sikh child in the classroom knows, with great confidence, her true worth.

Who is the presenter?
Jasmine Kaur is the Sikh Research Institute’s Director of Education. She has worked in the education field for more than 15 years. Her degrees are in elementary education, sociology, human development and family studies. Her passion is developing creative & hands on Sikhi related tools for all ages. In the last year Jasmine has conducted fun, interactive workshops for over 800 children and more than 500 parents and educators across North America.

Session Date:
19 Nov 2011
12:00 – 1:30 pm EDT (GMT - 4:00)

Register at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/317688561

Revealed GOLDEN TEMPLE documentary on Discovery channel

2011-11-17T21:29:00.001-05:00

From The Hindu newspaper:

It took Delhi-based film-maker Rajendra Kondapalli almost a year to make a 50-minute documentary on the Golden Temple, perhaps the most sacred place for the Sikh community in India. The temple is visited by lakhs of people of various religious denominations every year.

SPREAD AWARENESS

Mr. Kondapalli, who specialises in creating non-fiction programming in various genres, was entrusted the challenging task of producing Revealed: The Golden Temple by the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

“The basic idea behind producing this film was to create awareness about Sikhism among global audiences by distributing it through Indian missions and embassies. The documentary begins from the midnight seva, prakash or awakening ceremony to sukhasan when Sri Guru Granth Sahib is laid to rest at Akhal Takht. It also seamlessly weaves in all the other events taking place at the Golden Temple,” Mr. Kondapalli says.

Noting that the focus of the film has been on the significance of Guru Granth Sahib, Mr. Kondapalli says the documentary highlights the basic tenets of Sikhism, how it evolved and what the role of the Golden Temple's custodian, the granthi, is.

To understand the importance of Guru Granth Sahib on the life of an average Sikh, the film-maker interviewed a cross-section of devotees. Maninder Gujral is one such devotee. A doctor by profession, Mr. Gujral came all the way from his adopted home in New York to pay homage to the sacred sanctorum at Amritsar.

“He talked about the devotional angle and what seva means to the Sikh community as a whole. We have also highlighted the tosha khana, the resting place of old Guru Granth Sahibs,” says Mr. Kondapalli.

Since he had never visited the Golden Temple before this project, Mr. Kondapalli knew that plenty of homework would have to be done before starting his shooting schedule.

The film-maker had to do extensive research for five months. “After the research was over, we shot four schedules over a period of six months. We are grateful to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee president for all the cooperation they extended to our team. Without the support of SGPC it would not have been possible to make this film.”

Mr. Kondapalli says that as soon as he entered the revered place, he could sense its importance among the Sikh community as well among the spiritually inclined.

CHEQUERED HISTORY

“Sikhism is such an open religion, and everyone is welcomed with open arms. However, it was still a challenging task to make a film on the Golden Temple, which is known by a vast majority of Sikhs living in India and abroad as Harmandir Sahib. The place has had a chequered history; it was invaded during the medieval period and then in 1984, when Operation Bluestar was launched the Army stormed into the temple. We have made no attempts to conceal any of these facts,” says Mr. Kondapalli, who is executive producer and director of the documentary. (Link)

Shot in high definition, the film is being aired on Discovery TV channel this week.

Revealed - The Golden Temple

2011-11-15T22:32:00.001-05:00

Officer of Distinction - Lt.Col. Harjit Singh Sajjan

2011-11-15T00:23:00.001-05:00

It was an absolute pleasure watching The National's Remembrance Day show and seeing this profile of Lieutenant Commander Harjit Singh Sajjan, the pride of the Sikh Canadian Community.

Here's some other great videos on him.

Memorizing Time Lapse Views of Earth

2011-11-14T23:53:00.000-05:00

Love the Aurora Borealis also known as Northern Lights.

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

Na Katal Karavo Kes by Miss Pooja

2011-11-11T16:52:00.000-05:00

All too often our dharmak songs and community efforts are around protecting and promoting the wearing of only the dastaar (turban). In our drive to make the dastaar more attractive and relevant to youth, we seem to overlook the fact that the dastaar is actually secondary to the keeping of kesh, or unshorn hair. I hear the slogan of Dastaar Bachao (save the turban) a lot more than Kesh Bachao (save our unshorn hair) and there aren't many contemporary dharmak songs that promote kesh amongst men and women.

That's why I was pleased to come across this song by, yes of all people, Miss Pooja. I'll withold my commentary on her personal level of observation of Sikh practices as I think the message of this song is quite positive. Sure I can nitpic around the excessive bowing to images of Sikh Gurus and disproportionate focus on only Sikh boys. However, overall I quite enjoyed the song. Even the title of the song is provoking. For practicing Sikhs, the term used for cutting your hair is not katana (to cut) but actually katal karna or murdering your hair. For those with unshorn hair, cutting any hair on your body is like killing your Sikhi and disowning your Guru., hence the staunch defense of the external identity.

Let me know what you think.

Gurpurab Mubarak! This is my Nanak.

2011-11-10T07:16:00.001-05:00

Lions of the Great War – The Sikhs, Lest we Forget

2011-11-09T08:16:00.000-05:00

In commemoration of Remembrance Day on Friday November 11, 2011, the Canadian Sikh Heritage Museum in partnership with the Khalsa Community School will be hosting an exhibition celebrating and honouring the contributions and sacrifices made by Sikhs entitled "Lions of the Great War - The Sikhs, Lest we Forget”.

We must never forget the sacrifices made by the “Singhs” (Lions) of yesterday who fought and died to preserve the freedom we all enjoy today. Fighting in the trenches and muddy fields of Europe, in the deserts, among the mountains and on the oceans in these global conflicts, the Sikhs would win unstinting respect for their courage, bravery, patience and fortitude.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this exciting and fascinating exhibition highlighting the contributions of Sikhs of Canada to the Great War and the moving account of Private Waryam Singh of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in battle during the Great War. Furthermore, the exhibition will feature original World War 1 artifacts including medals, pagri badges, POW images, magazines, postcards, Sikh toy soldiers and rare war film footage.

During the day over 500 students will explore the great artifacts and exhibits.

The Exhibition will be open to the public and community from 5-9 p.m. at the Khalsa Community School, 69 Maitland Street, Brampton Ontario L6S 3B5 (map).

For more information, please contact Pardeep Singh Nagra at 416 587-5498 or shmc@rogers.com.

You can visit the Facebook page here.

Annual Sikh Remembrance Day Service

2011-11-08T07:46:00.000-05:00

Its not often that I haven moments of intense pride in being simultaneously a Sikh and a Canadian. Usually they’re different aspects of my identity that are celebrated and recognized in different quarters. However, last Sunday was one of those moments. I had the honour of attending the Annual Sikh Remembrance Day Service in Kitchner, Ontario at the grave of Private Buckam Singh. Here's what the ceremony was all about:

Military Heritage - With a long military tradition Sikhs have always been at the forefront in serving their country. Over 65,000 Sikh soldiers fought in WWI as part of the British Army and over 300,000 Sikhs fought against German and Japanese tyranny in WWII.

Past and Present - We will honour the service of our men and women of the Canadian Forces as well as remember all those who have served and sacrificed for their country in past wars.

Reclaiming a Forgotten Hero - Wounded twice on the battlefields of France in WWI, Canadian soldier Pvt. Buckam Singh was one of only 9 Sikh soldiers allowed to serve with Canadian Forces in WWI. With the discovery of his war medal and military grave the Sikh community has reclaimed a forgotten son and Canada has reclaimed the story of a hero. (Link)

Seeing the Sikh-Canadian community (and friends of the community) come together to remember one of its long-forgotten sons brought tears to my eyes. Buckam Singh connects us with not only our Guru-inspired tradition of service for the defence of others but also reminds us of how we are an essential and historical part of Canada’s social fabric. Both legacies must be embraced and celebrated with not only our children and our fellow Canadians. Sikhs have made Canada what it is today and must play a central role in what we are to become in the future. We must not be content with the personal gain and affluence that our adopted country has brought to us. We are also obligated by none other than our Guru to play a central role in improving the communities and country in which we spend our lives. For me, this is how I am inspired by the legacy of Buckam Singh.

It is amazing that a young man’s grave can lie virtually ignored for decades only to have hundreds to people descend on it to honour his sacrifice. For this we have to thank Sandeep Singh Brar. He has a gift and talent for research, archiving and documenting that is so rare in our community. His years of thankless hard work and dedication continue to bear fruit and will do so for years to come.

His discovery of Buckam Singh's life story and grave provides us with a real hero and a venue around which to build our own Sikh-Canadian Remembrance Day tradition.

Please read more about Buckam Singh and the Remembrance Day Service at www.sikhmuseum.com.

CBC news did a great story on the event. Since you can't embed their news reports, here's one that someone taped and put online:

Film Trailer: I Am Singh

2011-11-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

Not entirely sure what to make of this movie from the trailer. Will have to watch the whole thing to form an opinion.

Paramjit Kaur Khalra

2011-11-06T20:34:00.000-05:00

Paramjit Kaur Khalra from Ensaaf on Vimeo.

In this new video from Ensaaf, Paramjit Kaur Khalra describes the need for a truth commission to redress the thousands of disappearances and killings in Punjab, India perpetrated during the counterinsurgency of 1984 to 1995. In September and October 1995, Indian security forces illegally detained, tortured, and killed her husband, human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, for his work uncovering over 2,000 cases of extrajudicial executions and secret cremations in Amritsar district alone. Today, November 4, 2011, India’s Supreme Court upheld life imprisonment for five officers involved in Khalra’s unlawful abduction, torture, and killing. Mrs. Khalra continues to seek justice for the all victims of illegal killings and disappearances.

Ensaaf's Cascade of Voices

2011-11-05T20:33:00.003-04:00

Cascade of Voices from Ensaaf on Vimeo.

From 1984 to 1995, Indian security forces disappeared and unlawfully killed thousands of people in the northern state of Punjab. Survivors are speaking up for their children, husbands, and wives. Ensaaf's new initiative “Cascade of Voices” showcases their determination to learn the true fate of their loved ones, as well as the continuing emotional and financial impact these abuses have had on families.

Ontario NDP Recognizes 1984 Sikh Genocide

2011-11-03T22:54:00.003-04:00

Regardless of your political stripes, if you are a Sikh-Canadian with any sense of historical perspective, you have to be impressed with the NDP's unwavering support of Sikh issues. While other political parties, for a variety of reasons, have refused to speak truth to power regarding the true nature of the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms, not the New Democratic Party. Here's what the federal NDP's Jasbir Sandhu (Surrey North, BC) said in the House of Commons to mark the 27th anniversary of November 1984:

“It is with great sorrow that I extend my sympathies on the 27th anniversary of the tragic pogroms of 1984 that targeted Sikh men, women and children.
‪
“The New Democratic Party of Canada stands in solidarity with the Sikh community, demands justice for the survivors and an explanation for why and how this community was targeted by organized mobs.

“The victims and survivors of 1984 cannot sit idly by, waiting for the Indian government to recognize their plight and frustration. Rehabilitation and support for the broken families, especially the trauma the widows and children experienced, must be prioritized. The negligence of the police must be examined. The truth and those guilty must be brought to justice.

‪”These are not demands – these are obligations of a democratic government to its citizens.

‪”Remembrance is the tie that binds us to our past as it guides us for the challenges of the future.

‪”Lest we forget.” (Link)

Now the Ontario NDP has taken it to the next level, by openly calling the pogroms a genocide, something that Sikhs around the world have been advocating for over many years.

The ONDP stands in solidarity with the Sikh Community in remembering the November 1984 Sikh Genocide. From October 31 to November 4th 1984 thousands of Sikhs were killed across India. Hundreds of Sikh homes and businesses were burned. Sikhs places of prayers or Gurudwaras were attacked and destroyed. Members of the Sikh community were targeted and killed based solely on their religious identity. The Sikh community continues to experience trauma from the events of November 1984. We stand with the Sikh community’s call for justice and recognition of their loss. Recognition of harm suffered is the first step to healing and reconciliation.

Jagmeet Singh, MPP Bramalea-Gore-Malton made a presentation to the ONDP Caucus on the anniversary of the Sikh Genocide yesterday.

The ONDP is committed to human rights across the province and the country and continue to work with all communities in creating a better world. (Link)

It takes tremendous courage to speak the truth sometimes. I suspect there are many members of the Indian establishment that will not be happy with the ONDP's statement and they'll be likely to voice their opposition in a variety of powerful ways. Hence, why groups like the Sikh Activist Network are mobilizing their members to express their support and appreciate for the ONDP regardless of their political affiliations.

All I can say to the NDP is thank you from the Sikh-Canadian community. From years past when even most Sikhs were unwilling to discuss 1984, your leaders like Jack Layton were quietly attending candlelight vigils for the victims of this horrible violence. And today, you've spoken the truth previously unsaid by politicians - that the state-sponsored pogroms of Sikhs in November 1984 was indeed a genocide. As defined by the UN General Assembly it was an indeed a series of "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group" (Link)

Here's what Jack Layton himself said about the pogroms last year:

Sardul Singh Gill Gives $5M To University Of Victoria

2011-11-01T15:32:00.000-04:00

A great story of Sikh-Canadian philanthropy from British Columbia. Sardul Singh Gill has just donated 5 million dollars to University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business. The gift will establish a permanent endowment that will disburse funds for scholarships and financial awards, international projects, teaching and research. The university will recognise the gift by naming its graduate business program the Sardul S. Gill Graduate School. Here's the article in the Globe and Mail and here's the article from the University of Victoria.

$5-MILLION GIFT HONOURS PARENTS' BELIEF IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Students at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business will be the beneficiaries of a $5-million donation from Victoria businessman Sardul S. Gill. The gift will establish a permanent endowment that will disburse funds for scholarships and financial awards, international projects, teaching and research. The university will recognise the gift by naming its graduate business program the Sardul S. Gill Graduate School.

“Mr. Gill’s generous donation will do a great deal to strengthen graduate level business education and allow us to reward outstanding academic achievement and foster excellence in teaching,” says UVic President David Turpin.

“This magnificent gift will benefit generations of business students and advance our teaching and research programs,” says Dr. Ali Dastmalchian, dean of the Gustavson School of Business. “We are delighted to honour Mr. Gill in this way; he is a person who exemplifies the values of hard work and integrity.”

Gill attended UVic’s predecessor Victoria College (Class of ’53) and is the president and secretary of Gill-AM Investments Ltd, a Victoria-based real-estate holding company. He was born in Victoria in 1931, the son of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, India. Gill graduated from Victoria High School and attended Victoria College before completing his commerce degree at UBC.

“I made this gift to honour my parents. My father immigrated to Canada from the Punjab in 1906,” says Gill. “He laboured all his life and encouraged me to pursue my education at a time when there were significant barriers to people of Indian descent in this country.”

Gill’s father, Bhan Singh Gill, came to Canada with a fifth grade education and had to settle for labouring jobs in Vancouver Island sawmills. His wife, Hardial Kaur Gill, came to Canada in 1926.

“My father could not get a job for nine, 10 cents an hour,” Gill recalls. Bhan Singh Gill toiled in saw mills up and down Vancouver Island; the younger Gill worked in those same mills as a young man supporting himself through college and university.

“As a result, I never had much of a social life,” Gill relates, “but I knew the value of hard work from a very young age.”

In 1953 he was admitted to the commerce program at UBC and after graduation, completed his CGA. Over the years, Gill worked diligently to build up a considerable portfolio of real-estate holdings.

“I owe the fact that I got this far to my parents,” he says. “My parents were staunch believers in education, and now I want to honour them, and the value they placed on higher education by giving something back to the institution that gave me a start in life.”

The naming of the Sardul S. Gill Graduate School at UVic represents the first time in Canada that such an institution has been named after a philanthropist of Sikh Indian descent.
This gift has other historic benchmarks: it is the largest gift ever from an alumnus to the university and may be the largest gift to a Canadian university by a person of south Asian heritage. It is the largest gift ever to a graduate program at the University of Victoria.

“My greatest hope,” says Gill, “is that this gift inspires others to give back to their own communities – perhaps just as my father and mother inspired me.” (Link)

Undesirables, White Canada and The Komagata Maru

2011-10-28T17:23:00.000-04:00

No one has done more than Ali Kazimi in bringing the tragedy of the Komagata Maru into the Canadian conciousness. His 2004 documentary, Continuous Journey, is THE film on the incident itself, the context in which it happened and the impact it has had on all Canadians. I've always believed that it should be mandatory viewing in all Canadian high school social studies classes.

Ali Kazimi is back with a new book entitled "Undesirables, White Canada and The Komagata Maru". Here's how the website describes this project:

MAY 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru, a ship carrying 376 immigrants from British India, was turned away when it tried to land in Vancouver’s harbour. The passengers on board, like Canadians at the time, were British subjects. Many of them were veterans of the British Indian Army who had fought to defend and expand the empire. They believed it was their right to settle anywhere in the empire, but they were wrong. Enforcing the “continuous journey” regulation, immigration boats surrounded the ship a half-mile offshore. Thus began a dramatic standoff that would escalate over the next two months.

Why did Canada refuse to let these South Asian migrants land, when it had accepted more than 400,000 immigrants the previous year? Why did this ship pose a threat to the mightiest empire the world had ever known? In Undesirables: White Canada and the Komagata Maru, award-winning filmmaker and author Ali Kazimi addresses these and other provocative questions. At the heart of the story lies the struggle between Canada’s desire to build a homogenous nation of white immigrants – preferably from Britain and Northern Europe – and the British Empire’s need for stability.

The turning away of the Komagata Maru became one of the most infamous “incidents” in Canadian history. But it was far from incidental – it revealed one component of what was effectively a white Canada immigration policy. Weaving text together with rarely seen photographs, key documents and other striking visual materials, Kazimi brings new insight to what the federal government acknowledged in 2008 as a “dark chapter” in our country’s past. Today, with Canada’s immigration and refugee framework under intense scrutiny, the story of the Komagata Maru is all the more relevant.

To launch the book, a series of events has been planned across the country. Unfortunately, I just found out and there's only one event left, this Sunday in Brampton. Here are the details. I hope there's a good turnout for the event. Ali Kazimi is a great friend of the Sikh-Canadian community and needs to be supported.

The Brampton launch of Undesirables is presented by Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA)

On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru, a ship carrying 376 immigrants from British India, was turned away when it tried to land in Vancouver’s harbour. Why did Canada refuse to let these South Asian migrants land?

Join author and award-winning filmmaker, Ali Kazimi For an illustrated presentation and discussion about one of the most infamous episodes in Canadian history and the subject of his upcoming book,

Undesirables, White Canada and The Komagata Maru
This richly illustrated history showcases many rare archival photographs and visual materials, some never seen before.

Sunday, October 30th, 2011
Doors open at 2:00 pm, event starts at 2:30 pm
The Brampton Civic Centre, Lower level Meeting Room
Brampton Library, Chinguacousy Branch, 150 Central Park Drive, Brampton, ON

To RSVP: While Undesirables is NOT available for sale at this event, selected guests attending the Brampton event will receive a complimentary, autographed copy of a special, limited edition of Undesirables. To RSVP confirming your attendance at this launch and to be considered for a gift copy of the book, please email ContactUndesirables@gmail.com with your name and contact information, and include “Brampton Launch” in the subject line.

Please note that this launch is in the Chinguacousy Branch Library Meeting Room which is located in the Brampton Civic Centre and not inside the Brampton Library. Parking is available on the south side of the Civic Centre facing Clark Blvd, lower level.

Gurpreet Ghuggi Tells It Like It Is

2011-10-28T13:08:00.000-04:00

Ghuggi being serious for a moment. Thoroughly impressed with his reflections on how Sikhs aren't using the power of film to tell our stories. Not so impressed by his fascination with caste.

Head and Shoulders Nursery Rhyme...Punjabi Style!

2011-10-27T16:05:00.000-04:00

How could I not share this adorable video..

The Black Beards - Beautiful Lies

2011-10-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

My new favourite Sikh boy band (not that I know of any others).

Patka Power

2011-10-24T20:57:00.001-04:00

For most of my childhood, I was the only Sikh kid in school that had long hair. Never mind that the other kids didn't know nor appreciate my Sikh identity, even my teachers were clueless about my faith. As I reflect back on those early years, I can say with some certainty that their ignorance was also tinged with a sense of racism. They didn't know that I was Sikh nor did they really care to find out more.

Well times have changed. Most Canadians at least know who Sikhs are and, in general, receptive to learning more about who we are when presented with opportunities to do so. Even more importantly, there's a generation of young Sikhs growing up that need support and positive affirmation. That's why I'm so excited about videos like this one produced by Saffron Press. By telling a very simple story of a Sikh boy with long hair and a patka they've normalized something that is usually consider exotic or weird.

Here's how Saffron Press describes their latest project:

As our supporters know, Saffron Press is more than a Publishing House. Our goal is to engage in dialogue - encouraging children, parents and educators to deepen their understanding of positive self-identity. In an effort to inform about the Sikh identity, Saffron Press has produced an educational video showing a young boy tying his patka or dastaar.

Inkquisitive Illustrations

2011-10-23T10:05:00.000-04:00

I just discovered (through the power of Facebook) a great emerging artist named Amandeep Singh from the UK. Under the banner of Inkquisitive Illustrations he has created a very unique style of art.

In his own words:

I believe art comes from the palms of our hands and from the tips of our fingers, which is why I always choose to handle, make, and produce my work through nothing but ink..

Here's some of his Sikh works. I especially like the creative rendering of Guru Hargobind and the 52 princes:

Also, here's a great video he produced using his Guru Gobind Singh art to tell his story.

Mini-Doc on Fauja Singh's Historic Marathon

2011-10-20T16:50:00.001-04:00

You've seen lots of amateur footage of Fauja Singh's amazing marathon finish. Here's a beautuiflly produced video put together by SangatTV and Fauja Singh's own team. Its the raw footage of what is likely to be an upcoming documentary on Fauja Singh's life.

I Challenge the Darkness - The Story of Jaswant Singh Khalra

2011-10-19T14:07:00.000-04:00

LIV -I Challenge the Darkness from Sikh Research Institute on Vimeo.

The presentation examines the life and work of human rights activist Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra who was abducted and murdered by the police. His work will be used to understand the efforts to end impunity and achieve justice for mass state crimes in Panjab. Violent deaths and mass disappearances in Panjab will be discussed with a focus on current legal and advocacy efforts to get justice for the aggrieved families. Jaswant Singh's story is presented by his daughter Navkiran Kaur Khalra. She is currently a graduate student studying Electrical Engineering in the United States. She has been a vocal activist for furthering her father’s legacy to confront impunity in India. She continues to work first-hand with different stakeholders in the current struggle for justice.

Let's Challenge the Darkness

2011-10-18T20:17:00.000-04:00

From Ensaaf:

"There is a fable that when the Sun was setting for the first time, … light was decreasing … and the signs of Darkness were appearing … Darkness set its foot on the earth, but it is said — far away, in some hut, one little Lamp lifted his head. It proclaimed, 'I challenge the Darkness. If nothing else, then at least around myself, I will not let it settle. Around myself I will establish Light.' And … watching that one Lamp, in other huts, other Lamps arose. And the world was amazed that these Lamps stopped Darkness from expanding, so that people could see."

Jaswant Singh Khalra, April 1995

From 1984 to 1995, Indian security forces engaged in systematic human rights violations in the state of Punjab, India, as part of counterinsurgency operations aimed at crushing a violent self-determination movement. Director General of Police KPS Gill expanded upon a system of rewards and incentives for police to capture and kill militants, leading to a dramatic increase in disappearances and extrajudicial executions. By the end of the "Decade of Disappearances" in 1995, security forces had disappeared or killed tens of thousands of Sikhs. In order to cover up their crimes, Punjab security forces illegally detained, tortured, and killed human rights defenders such as Jaswant Singh Khalra and Sukhwinder Singh Bhatti, as well as secretly cremated thousands of victims of extrajudicial executions.

(Fremont, CA, October 18, 2011) Ensaaf and the Khalra Mission Organisation announce Challenge the Darkness, a campaign to commemorate human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra and draw attention to the mass state crimes committed in Punjab, India from 1984 to 1995. Starting October 28th, Ensaaf and the Khalra Mission Organisation will participate in a series of events to remember the 16th anniversary of Khalra's abduction, torture, illegal detention, and murder. Join our campaign and challenge the darkness:

Like our Facebook pages by October 28th: Ensaaf, Khalra Mission Organisation. Help each of us reach 2,059 fans — the number of secret cremations recognized by the Indian government in one district in Punjab, based on Khalra's work.
Make the image above your Facebook and Twitter profile picture by October 28th. Send this image to your friends to share your awareness and knowledge of Khalra's work and the ongoing human rights violations committed in Punjab.
Learn more about Khalra's work and the mass state crimes in Punjab.
Stay tuned for videos Ensaaf will release periodically over the month of November.
Finally, help end impunity and achieve justice by making a donation to Ensaaf. Throughout this campaign, a philanthropist will match each dollar donated.

No family has received truth, justice, and reparations.

The sharing of this image via Facebook and Twitter is an identification on your part that you will help bring light to the thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial executions that remain unresolved, and to the survivors who continue their struggle for justice.

Join us — Let's Challenge the Darkness.

VIDEO: 100 Year Old Fauja Singh Finishing Toronto Marathon

2011-10-17T17:31:00.000-04:00

A great video of Fauja Singh crossing the finishing line. I love how the race organizers played a Sikh dharmak song for Fauja Singh - one highlighting the importance of the turban to the Sikh identity.

100 Year Old Fauja Singh Becomes Oldest Marathoner

2011-10-17T08:45:00.000-04:00

I had the utmost privilege to witness Fauja Singh crossing the finish line yesterday, becoming the oldest person to ever run a marathon. It was a great day for the Sikh-Canadian community.

An elder related to me that he had been living in Canada over 40 years - he was one of the founders of the Pape St Gurdwara. He had lived through those early racism-filled days where a Sikh walking down the street would invite everything from name-calling to egg-throwing. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought back then that a Sikh would be feted on the streets of Toronto.

Yet here it is 2011. Fauja Singh had hundreds of people waiting for him at the finish line. He even got his own press conference! Along the route people came out of their homes and businesses to cheer him on. He has provided inspiration to so many people, regardless of their age or ethnicity.

For Sikh youth, there's an added dimension of inspiration. If a 100 year old guy can run 40+ kilometers with a big turban proudly adorned on his head, I can probably get through my day with my Sikh identity intact too. Thank you Fauja Singh for making us proud to be Sikh.

Here's some pictures from the day:

Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) by 5 Rings Productions

2011-10-13T22:50:00.000-04:00

A great little video from a UK production house called 5 Rings Productions.

Harmandir Sahib - Golden Temple from 5 Rings Productions on Vimeo.

Its name literally means Temple of God. The fourth guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das, excavated a tank in 1577 CE which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning "Pool of the Nectar of Immortality"), giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a splendid Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib (meaning "the abode of God"), rose in the middle of this tank and became the supreme centre of Sikhism. Its sanctum came to house the Adi Granth comprising compositions of Sikh gurus and other saints considered to have Sikh values and philosophies, e.g., Baba Farid, and Kabir. The compilation of the Adi Granth was started by the fifth guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev.

Location: Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar, Punjab, India
Sountrack: 'Ik Ardas Bhaat Keerat Ki' by Dileep Kaur from Vancouver, Canada
Filming: 100% by 5 Rings Productions' crew from the UK
Editing: Also all by 5 Rings Productions

Jagmeet Singh - A New Generation of Sikh-Canadian Leaders

2011-10-07T10:16:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Jagmeet Singh on becoming the new MPP for Bramalea-Gore-Malton. He'll be representing his community in the Ontario legislature. Its not often that an individual is able to capture the hearts of his constituents but Jagmeet has done just that.

From his near win in May's election, he's be seen as a rising star in all corners. He's educated, articulate and passionate about issues that matter to his community. Plus he does it with style - I especially love the over-the-top kirpan and gatra under his suits.

Without a lot of resources, he and his team have put in a tremendous amount of effort. All the hard work has paid off and Sikh-Canadians of all political stripes should be proud to have him representing us in office.

Congrats!

Updated: Here's a video on CBC of the celebration last night.

Sikh-Canadian Launches Worlds Cheapest Tablet

2011-10-06T16:44:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Sikh-Canadian Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of DataWind on creating the world's cheapest tablet.From today's Toronto Star:

On Wednesday, Indian Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal introduced the device, developed by DataWind, a Montreal firm founded by brothers Raja and Suneet Singh Tuli.

DataWind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli expects to sell 1 million tablets per month once the Android-powered device goes on sale to the general public later this year.

The first run of 100,000 Aakash tablets (meaning “sky” in Hindi and Gujarati) has been purchased by the Indian government for $48 each. They will be resold to university students for $25.

Tuli explained that the government would like to buy 8 to 10 million units from four or five suppliers.

SAFAR - Exploring Gender Equality and Sikh Feminism

2011-09-19T23:57:00.000-04:00

There are few opportunities for Sikh scholars and community members alike to come together and openly connect, converse and engage in a dialogue and critical thinking about Sikhi, gender and Sikh feminism. These are issues that demand to be voiced, and heard, in order to be addressed. In the spirit of sangat an upcoming conference endeavors to be inclusive, and accessible to the spectrum of diversity within the Sikh and non-Sikh communities.

To create this space the Sikh Feminist Research Institute has organized a conference in Toronto. Here are the details:

SAFAR - The Sikh Feminist Research Institute
Our Journeys Conference 2011
In partnership with the The Centre for Women’s Studies in Education (CWSE) At The Ontario Institute of Studies & Education (OISE)OISE (Ontario Institute of Studies & Education), University of Toronto
University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON Canada
October 1st, 2011 - 8:00am to 6:30pm

"Our Journeys" brings to light the high caliber of research being carried out to explore our collective past, present and future of gender equality.

The term “Sikh feminism” elicits a wide range of emotions, confusion and often miscomprehension. In this conference using diverse lenses of reflection – theology, literary analysis, sociology, ethnography, political thought and history, Sikh feminism, its definition, its origins, the present-day reality and how it can be an impetus for social change will explored. The keynote speaker, Prof Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh can perhaps be credited with introducing the term “Sikh feminism” into the English lexicon and raising consciousness about a feminism that long pre-dates the Western feminist paradigm. Through her pioneering work in re-translating Gurbani text and re-affirming the Sikh feminist perspective with respect to both the spiritual and socio-religious identity of the Khalsa, Prof Singh has been a beacon in an otherwise masculinized landscape of Sikh theology.

This conference is an opportunity for scholars and community members alike to openly connect, converse and engage in a dialogue and critical thinking about Sikhi, gender and Sikh feminism, issues that demand to be voiced, and heard, in order to be addressed. In the spirit of sangat this conference endeavors to be inclusive, and accessible to the spectrum of diversity within the Sikh and non-Sikh communities.

To see the detailed program please go to http://www.sikhfeministresearch.org/ourjourneys/

Registration is now open, do not miss out, be part of the conversation and share your journey.

All queries can be sent to safar@sikhfeministresearch.org<

What Surprises The Dalai Lama

2011-09-19T20:25:00.000-04:00

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, said:

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

De-Freezing 1930’s Panjab

2011-09-18T16:31:00.000-04:00

A wonderful webinar by Davinder Pal Singh and Daljit Ami from the Panjab Digital Library

Panjab Digital Library (PDL) is a voluntary initiative to digitize manuscripts, paintings, photographs, books and other printed or hand written material to preserve heritage. During the course of digitizing more than six million pages, PDL explored unknown treasures of heritage. These treasures familiarize the unfamiliar past in minute details which turn out to be a chance of happiness and sadness, simultaneously.

The photographs clicked by Bhai Dhana Singh during his bicycle tour to different shrines in 1930s open a window to a different past. He might not have been aware of the fate of those shrines in near future but he has documented the heritage which not only provides a glimpse of the past but also incite to think about their present status. During last eight decades most of the buildings have been demolished or deteriorated without much care.

Out of 200 photographs, Davinder Singh and Daljit Ami will share 15 to revisit those shrines which were frozen in frames. And hopefully move the agenda beyond apathy to connect with the real Panjabi roots.

Davinder Pal Singh is co-founder of Panjab Digital Library; he pro-actively reaches out for heritage material with several custodians, individuals and organizations for digitization. Daljit Ami is a journalist and award-winning documentary film maker; he also works with the Panjab Digital Library.

Interview with Pingalwara's Dr. Inderjit Kaur

2011-09-15T18:01:00.000-04:00

A fascinating interview with Dr. Inderjit Kaur. She is the successor to Bhagat Puran Singh, founder of Pingalwara, one of the most inspiring individuals and institutions of the 20th century.

Very interesting that even Puran Singh is seen as a figure of service, he was a fierce activist. After the attack on the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar in June 1984 he returned the Padma Shri (one of the highest civilian honour in India) back to the Indian Government with a strongly written letter to Rajiv Gandhi saying that neither God nor the Sikhs would forgive the attack.

So many great stories and quotes in this interview. Please take the time to watch.

Bhagwant Mann Being Serious About Punjab

2011-09-14T18:22:00.000-04:00

I will reserve judgement on Manpreet Badal and his People's Party of Punjab for now. However this video is worth watching. Bhagwant Mann, one of the best Punjabi comics around today, has put his comedy aside to focus on some real issues. He's touring the world campaigning for the PPP. Here's a speech he gave to warm up the crowd at the big Manpreet Badal rally held in Surrey, BC this summer. He touches on what's happening in Punjab today - corruption, drugs, youth employment, farmer debt, etc.

Bhai Sarwan Singh's Beard on LIVE! with Regis & Kelly

2011-09-13T16:14:00.001-04:00

I confess I'm not a regular viewer of of Regis and Kelly (I thought it was still Regis and Kathie Lee). However, I tuned in today as the guest was Bhai Sarwan Singh (original post him is here). He is a granthi and kirtan instructor from Surrey and the Guiness Record holder for the world's longest beard, an amazing 7+ feet in length.

BTW, I love the fact he's wearing a Canadian flag on his very graceful outfit. Now I admit the fact that its not the most respectful that he's on the same show as the lady with the world's longest nails but given the huge amount of ignorance about Sikhs in the US, we'll take any positive coverage we can get.

Divine Art Exhibition on Oct 9th

2011-09-12T17:29:00.000-04:00

Until the last decade, when you thought of Sikh art, you inevitablly though of Sobha Singh's work and the calander art of depicting Sikh history and personalities. Thankfully, artists like Kanwar Singh Dhillon has revolutionized the portrayal of Sikh figures through his work at Art of Punjab. Now there's an upcoming exhibit organized by Inderpal Kaur (seen here on Masti TV) that aims to share the message of Guru Granth Sahib through the power of art.

Inderpal Kaur and Unison Creations presents a unique exhibition showcasing a true blend of art and divine wisdom and sharing treasures of Guru Granth Sahib on canvas

Our Inspiration - The Universal Truth for humanity, as enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib.Our Vision - For everyone to take this as an opportunity to discover and admire the gems within one-self.Our Mission - An effort to help one to find one’s true self

The artifacts of Unison Creations will strengthen our connections with our friends , our loved ones and ignite the spark within those seeking to be enlightened.

When: Sunday, October 9, 2011 from 12:00 pm - 9:00 pmWhere: International Center, 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga, Ontario,

Avail yourself of this unique opportunity to invite divine wisdom into your life.

5% of all the sale of every product will be donated to Seva Food Bank of Mississauga.

Jump to view more art from the exhibit.

Sikh Wikileaks

2011-09-11T02:00:00.003-04:00

There's finally some Sikh content coming online on to the Wikileaks. Here's a lowdown of what I've found so far:

1985 - Major Police Action Against Sikhs in Vancouver
2010 - Changing Demographics In Punjab
2010 - Sikh Beheaded in Pakistan, Outrage in India
2005 - Extradition of Kulbir Singh Barapind
2005 - Punjab Worried About Drugs And Jobs, Not Terrorism
2008 - Fraud In The Name of God
2008 - Delhi Diary (CBI Has Nothing to Show for its Tytler Enquiry)
2010 - A Small Step Toward Accountability For The 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
2007 - Bellwether Project: India Rising, Punjab Struggling

Jump to the post to read more about each memo.

1985 - Major Police Action Against Sikhs in Vancouver

The Rcmp And Vancouver Police Carried Out A Series Of Arrests And Coordinated Searches Of The Homes Of Militant Sikhs Here In Vancouver November 6. The Rcmp Arrests Of Talwinder Singh Parmar And Inderjit Singh Reyat Were In Connection With The Narita Airport Explosion Last June. The Vancouver Police Raids Were Not Related To The Narita Bombing, But To A Number Of Recent Attacks By Militant Sikhs On More Moderate Sikhs Here In Vancouver.

2010 - Changing Demographics In Punjab

SUMMARY: Sporadic violent clashes and riots in 2009 involving migrant laborers in Punjab have highlighted the changing demographics of India's wealthiest state. Punjab has historically imported labor to fuel its high agricultural and industrial growth rate. According to Embassy contacts, labor from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has been increasingly replaced in the last decade by migrants from further afield, including Muslim Bengali-speaking laborers. Although landowners and businesses have largely welcomed and encouraged the migration into Punjab, cultural, religious, caste and class difference are fueling fears of political and social tension. The possibility that many or most of these Muslim migrants may be from Bangladesh adds another layer of complexity to the political mix.

2010 - Sikh Beheaded in Pakistan, Outrage in India

SUMMARY: On the eve of the February 25 Foreign Secretary talks between India and Pakistan, reports of the beheading of a Pakistani Sikh sparked outrage in India. Protests and media coverage across India indicate a broad level of anger at the beheading, directed equally at the Taliban, Pakistan and the Indian government. Some observers questioned the advisability of resuming talks with Pakistan. Responding to the public anger, the Foreign Secretary told the press that she expressed India's grave concern at the incident during her February 25 talks with her Pakistani counterpart (RefTel). External Affairs Minister Krishna made a statement in Parliament strongly condemning the beheading.

Comment: Contacts say that Sikh community does not think the GOI is doing enough to protect the lives of Sikhs living abroad. Reports that the Sikh community in the United States has appealed to President Obama to step in and do more to protect minorities living in Pakistan are making the press rounds in India. As with previous such incidents of violence against Indians in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, the anger will likely pass unless there are more such occurrences, in which case the pressure will again mount on GOI to "do something." Stories about Indians being assaulted or killed anywhere in the world frequently appear in the press with the admonition that the GOI is not doing enough to protect its citizens.

2005 - Extradition of Kulbir Singh Barapind

Confirming or refuting specific allegations of torture is extremely difficult by the very nature of the usual secrecy surrounding torture. Barapind's claims of torture include a litany of many of the forms of torture the police in India are known to use on criminal and terrorist suspects. At the time of Barapind's arrest, police routinely tortured and/or killed terrorists' families and associates. Today, however, India has numerous activist human rights NGOs that specialize in assisting victims of police abuse, including some that focus on Punjab. The free press is also sensitive to human rights, and a leading HR activist opined "no one will touch" Barapind given his prominence. The GOI will probably be willing to give the USG assurances of Barapind's treatment, as they did when Portugal in November extradited to India notorious terrorist suspect Abu Salem. That said, India's judiciary is independent; in the Salem case, the presiding judge stated that he might not be bound by assurances the GOI made to Portugal that he would not face the death penalty. Presumably, however, the government could and would appeal any such judicial finding that was in contravention of diplomatic assurances.

The statement that "torture is imbedded and accepted in the culture and investigative methodology of India's law enforcement officials" is largely accurate. Forensics in India is weak -- for example, two DNA labs service the entire country, and even a few years ago police would routinely staple floppy disks seized as evidence to police reports. As a consequence, many cases like Barapind's revolve around personal testimony that is subject to coercion or force. As Delhi-based terrorism expert Ajai Sahni explained, especially in regions rife with terrorism (Jammu & Kashmir, the growing Naxalite belt, the Punjab of the 1980s-90s, etc.), frustration among police, prosecutors and local inhabitants over the difficulty of securing convictions against terrorists has led to a culture that tacitly condones torture. He also remarked that judges secretly condone extra-judicial killings, as they fear reprisals by terrorists if they try cases against them.

With regard to former Senior Superintendent Punjab Police (Jalandhar) Mohammad Izhar Alam, we can confirm that he now holds the position of Additional Director General (Administration) Punjab Police, a senior police posting. During the insurgency, he assembled a large, personal paramilitary force of approximately 150 men known as the "Black Cats" or "Alam Sena" ("Alam's Army") that included cashiered police officers and rehabilitated Sikh terrorists. The group had reach throughout the Punjab and is alleged to have had carte blanche in carrying out possibly thousands of staged "encounter killings." (NOTE: Former Director General Punjab Police KPS Gill publicly praised the group, saying the Punjab police could not function without them. End Note.) Herkewaljit Singh told us that Alam was "at the top of the list" in authorizing encounters during the insurgency period. He also told us, however, that Alam's superior, Director General of Punjab Police Virk, is very strict and that custodial killings have decreased under his leadership; Avinash Chopra said that custodial killings have "declined dramatically" since 1994 due to post-insurgency changes in policing in Punjab. When Alam visited the UK in 2003 for a conference on Indian policing, three individuals accused him of having either watched them be tortured or directing other police officers to inflict torture, to include their arms being suspended from the ceiling, their legs being crushed under heavy weights, and the application of electric shocks and acid. Some human rights cases against Alam remain pending in India.

2005 - Punjab Worried About Drugs And Jobs, Not Terrorism

Summary: In response to media reports warning of a resurgence in Khalistani terrorism in Punjab and northern India, Poloff traveled to Chandigarh August 4-5 to interview government, business, police, civil society and political leaders. They were uniformly unperturbed by reports of militant arrests, attributing New Delhi's May 22 cinema bombings to a few bad apples who will appear from time to time. However, all highlighted increasing drug use, cross-border drug smuggling, and poor job prospects for uneducated rural Sikhs as imminent concerns for stability and law-and-order in Punjab. The business community is optimistic that smart policies will promote healthy economic growth in Punjab's traditionally dominant agricultural sector and newer high-tech sectors. While the bad apples may continue to stir up trouble, Punjabis do not anticipate a return to the violence of the 1980s, and are hopeful that economic growth and reforms will usher in a return to the pre-militancy golden days of prosperity.

Local leaders in Punjab present a generally optimistic outlook for their state, in spite of their concerns for employment and economic growth. As a result of the turmoil of the 1980s and 1990s, Punjabis have seen their state's per capita income, once the highest in India, fall relative to the new hot spots of Indian economic growth, and are now redoubling their efforts to regain their top place. The efforts of Punjab leaders to position Chandigarh and surrounding areas as a center for hi-tech companies have been somewhat successful in attracting high-profile corporations, and the agreement of leaders of both main Punjab parties on the need for economic and agricultural reforms suggests that their optimism may bear fruit.

2008 - Fraud In The Name of God

Post refused over 90% of Sikh "priests" seeking R-1 visas, by far the most egregious fraud pattern at Post. (Note: 9 FAM 41.58 recognizes chiefly religious workers who have been ordained or who have taken sacred vows. A Sikh Granthi is not a priest and has not taken vows, but for all intents and purposes, his job is very "priestly." Granthis are the closest Sikhs have to people doing R-1 eligible work. There are more varieties of religious worker than the FAM has accounted for. End note.) In almost every case, applicants had no claim to residency within Post's consular district. These applicants usually came in threes and all were "Ragis" or Sikh religious singers; were born in North India; had passports issued in North India; and usually paid their visa processing fees in a northern Indian state.

In some cases, the fraud originated solely from the applicants themselves, without collusion from anyone outside of India. Checks with the alleged sponsoring organizations in the United States confirmed that the letters were fraudulent. The American organizations' management and trustees were uniformly angered by the fraud and wished to take action against the touts. In other cases, the Indian Sikh gurudwara itself or its officials aided and abetted fraudulent visa applicants. For example, two groups of 3 Sikhs claimed they were employed with Gurudwara Akali Dal or with Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, both in Mumbai. FPU field investigation trips to the two temples confirmed active collusion by a temple employee.

The most difficult Sikh religious worker fraud to investigate usually involved collusion and fraud from both Indian and U.S. sides. Ruse calls to the Indian "employers" and the sponsoring religious organizations in the U.S. were answered by a friend or a visa "consultant" who was coached and prepared to provide supporting information. In one case a Lexis/Nexis search revealed that phone numbers submitted by 3 R1 visa applicants were last registered to an insurance company. When questioned, one applicant confessed that a "visa consultant" provided false documents from the United States and India to support their cases. In other cases, letters were forged on letterheads that closely resembled those of legitimate U.S. organizations. Visa touts in the United States may have worked in collusion with agents in India. Post conducted several field fraud investigations in Maharashtra State on October 12 and November 6, 2007. All 18 cases investigated were found to be fraudulent. The FPU spoke with representatives of 11 Sikh Gurudwaras from which applicants claimed to have come. Almost universally, gurudwara officials were shocked that someone had appropriated or forged their letterhead for mala fide purposes. In all cases, Post collected letterhead and signature exemplars for later use and encouraged organizations to call ahead when sending bona fide applicants. Post maintains and can share lists of gurudwaras in the district

2008 - Delhi Diary (CBI Has Nothing to Show for its Tytler Enquiry)

On March 12, a Delhi city court slammed the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) for not submitting a status report on progress in the Jagdish Tytler case. Three months ago, the court had ordered the CBI to re-investigate the role of Congress Party member Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots (ref A). In the March 12 hearing in his court, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate rebuked the GOI agency, saying "The attitude of the CBI is very strange...They should bring the guilty to book and not shield them." The CBI had asked the court for more time because some issues were sub-judice in the Delhi High Court. After the castigation, the CBI pledged to file the status report within a week.

The CBI had closed the case against Tytler in September 2007, claiming it could not trace a key witness. The Delhi city court had ordered the case reopened in December 2007 after the witness, now living in the United States, emerged and readily agreed to testify that he had overheard and saw Tytler inciting and leading murderous mobs in North Delhi during the riots. The Nanavati Commission's original investigation into Tytler during the riots found "credible evidence" that he played a role in organizing the communal attacks.

Comment: During the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Jagdish Tytler played a particularly grotesque role, competing with local Congress Party leaders to see which wards could shed more Sikh blood. It is clear from the CBI's actions that it is seeking to stall, delay and further drag out this 23-year old case. Some believe that it is doing the bidding of its current masters in the Congress Party for whom the party's role in 1984 riots is highly embarrassing and they would like nothing better than to push the Tytler case under the rug for another 23 years.

2010 - A Small Step Toward Accountability For The 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

SUMMARY: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed two chargesheets January 13 against senior Congress Party leader Sajjan Kumar for making provocative speeches and inciting mobs in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. While a positive step toward accountability and a possible attempt by the ruling Congress Party to address the past, the latest development is likely to be viewed as too little, too late by most members of the Sikh community.

The CBI filing is the latest effort to bring Sajjan Kumar, a well known face, to justice and demonstrate the party's sincerity in bringing closure to this painful episode of Indian history. While this may reflect the determination of the Congress Party and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to bring the perpetrators on the 1984 Sikh riots to justice, minimal press attention devoted to the CBI's charge sheets reflect the public's cynicism. Whatever the intentions, this action has earned little, if any, political capital for the UPA government. In the past, PM Singh has publicly apologized to the Sikh community and ensured substantial compensation payments to victims and their families. While this filing is a positive move toward accountability, the latest development is unlikely to assuage the grief felt by most Sikhs about the lack of accountability for the 1984 violence.

2007 - Bellwether Project: India Rising, Punjab Struggling

Punjab is a beautiful state with a great deal of untapped economic potential," the cable holds while adding "Punjab can no longer afford, however, to rest on its agricultural sector's laurels and miss further opportunities to diversify its economy and attract outside investors. Punjabis must be proactive about luring outside investment.

Unfortunately, Punjab has not seen real leadership from its past elected officials. Many Punjabis calculate that New Delhi gives short shrift to Punjab because it sees the border state as a prime target for Pakistan in the eventuality of a war. Infrastructure projects only seem to get attention in the run up to an election.

No one in power has engaged in long-term planning. The willingness of many Punjabis to move overseas in search of better life removes much of the pressure for change from the state government. Unfortunately, Punjabis who cannot afford to move abroad are stuck with substandard social services.

Nurturing One Sikh Child at a Time

2011-09-10T16:15:00.001-04:00

The Sikh Education Conference is a unique opportunity for those working in the field of Sikh education to come together nationally and influence the direction of learning and teaching.

Who: Sikh Educators, Administrators, Counselors, Curriculum Developers & Users
When: 24 September 2011
Where: University of Connecticut, 1 University Pl, Stamford, CT 06901-2315
Discussion Topics: Developing Characteristics, Learning from Stories, Delivering Your Potential, Montessori Strategies for Teaching Panjabi, Imparting Surat & Ruh, Creating Confident Kaurs, Learning at Camps

Register Now!

The Sikh Education Conference 2011 is coming up fast and we want to make sure you’re registered so no one gets left out of this fantastic event. On 24 September, SikhRI staff and several guest presenters will make the day fly by with exciting, timely presentations covering a broad spectrum of topics relevant to Sikh educators everywhere.

We are excited to be able to share detailed workshop descriptions with you today, and we hope to see you there in a few weeks because it’s truly going to be an unforgettable weekend of connections, ideas and inspiration.

Workshop: Montessori Strategies for Learning Punjabi
Presenter: Harpreet Singh, Principal of Khalsa Montessori School in Brampton, Canada

Using the Montessori style, this hands-on workshop will present strategies and materials that a learner can use to discover the Panjabi language with minimal guidance. This work has been developed along similar lines as those utilized in Montessori English language program and is currently used at the Khalsa Montessori School in Brampton, Canada. Harpreet Singh will talk about the unique challenges of the Punjabi language and present some solutions for making learning effective and enjoyable that can easily be duplicated for use in homes and Gurmat and Panjabi schools.

Workshop: Characteristics of a Sikh Child
Presenters: Jasmine Kaur, SikhRI Director of Education, & Harliv Kaur, Founder of Kikli

This workshop will work through answering a question that all Sikh Educators, parents, and community members ask themselves: What qualities should an ideal Sikh child possess? Well, how about: courageous, just, compassionate and humble, to mention a few! Jasmine Kaur and Harliv Kaur will facilitate small group discussions, sharing ways to encourage families and communities to work hand in hand in order to help children incorporate these qualities. Then, using Gurbani and the rich history of Sikhi as a resource, participants will create activities to incorporate these qualities into the lives of our children. Come and join the discussion as we take a close look at the qualities that make up an ideal Sikh, and be a part of a discussion which will lay the foundation for a Sikhi Character Development Curriculum.

Presentation: Imparting Surat & Ruh
Presenter: Harinder Singh, SikhRI Chief Programming Officer

Sikhi education is an integration of surat (awareness) and ruh (spirit). This session will then tackle the following questions in this context: What must be addressed when creating any Sikhi education resource? What are the aims of creating Sikhi-literate people? Which pedagogy is helpful in achieving these aims?

Workshop: Why Learn Through Stories?
Presenter: Inni Kaur, author of Journey with the Gurus.

Throughout history, the oral or epic tale has been an invaluable way of imparting knowledge, community values, ethics, and common hopes. Stories are powerful! They spark the imagination, stir the emotions, and leave lasting impressions; they inspire, teach, and even heal old wounds and injustices. For educators, storytelling creates opportunities to teach without sounding preachy or boring! A fascinating story can make your point for you, and it likely will be remembered longer than any lecture you might give. Just think of the stories that have molded your values. This workshop will show you how to work with a story to create an enriching environment for children and techniques for using the power of stories to create magic in your classroom.

Topic: Delivering Your Potential
Presenter: Gurpreet Singh, Instructor 5/6 Grade and Gym at Khalsa School-Malton

Using differentiated instruction during lessons is an especially important way to ensure that every student in a classroom is engaged to their maximum potential by the learning process best for that student. Boost your confidence in this style of instruction with this workshop, which will utilize SikhRI’s Sojhi resources to explore fully engaging students by targeting all five of their senses, while also delivering tips and advice on addressing students’ readiness, interests and passions. Along with practical advice for identifying and emphasizing the right learning style for individual students, attendees will also explore differentiation of a lesson’s content, process, product, and even the learning environment itself.

Topic: Creating Confident Kaurs
Presenters: Jasmine Kaur and Harliv Kaur

It can be difficult, and highly rewarding, to acknowledge areas of our classroom environment that need attention. The Kaurs will lead this session which explores the ways we can create classrooms which are a nurturing, exciting place for girls. By making a conscious effort to use lessons and language which enforces the power and strength inherent to a female Sikh, and resisting traditions which implicitly, or explicitly, favors the male perspective, we can make a difference for the next generation! This workshop will be an inspiring and honest place to talk about solutions to these problems, which are available to educators, administrators, counselors, and curriculum developers in order to bridge the gender gaps and ensure every Sikh child in the classroom knows, with great confidence, her worth.

Panel Discussion: Learning from Sikh Camps
Panelists: Sandeep Singh (Camp Chardhi Kala), Inderpal Singh (Sikh Youth Alliance of North America-SYANA), Jessi Kaur (IGS Now), Kaviraj Singh (Camp Sehaij)

Sikh camps have been running in North America for over 25 years. Come find out what successes and challenges camp facilitators and administrators have faced over a quarter century, as these panelists share their experiences of imparting Sikhi in a camp setting and what they see for in the future. Sikh camps have long been an indispensible aspect of the Sikh educational process, and this is a truly unique opportunity to bring together class room educators and camp coordinators in dialog about that very relationship.

Conference Host: Guru Gobind Singh Ji Academy (of Norwalk Gurdwara)

Questions? Please e-mail Jasmine Kaur at: jasmine.kaur@SikhRI.org. You can also connect with others who are attending at the SEC 2011 event page on Facebook. Download the poster here.

Sikh-Canadian appointed Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at UOIT

2011-09-08T07:50:00.000-04:00

A great news story from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). I'm always very happy to see Sikh-Canadians achieving leadership positions in mainstream organizations. More importantly, I like seeing Sikhs recognized for more than just being Sikh. Congratulations to Tarlochan Singh Sidhu on his appointment!

Tarlochan S. Sidhu, chair of the department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Western has been appointed dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

Dr. Sidhu has brought a tremendous amount of knowledge and leadership skills to Western Engineering over the past nine years. He has made significant contributions in teaching, research and service.

“Our faculty, staff and students have benefited greatly from Tarlochan’s leadership and his expertise in power systems engineering,” says Andrew Hrymak, dean of Western Engineering. “He has made an impact at Western, and around the world.”

Dr. Sidhu received a BE (Hons.) degree from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, India, in 1979 and MSc and PhD degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada in 1985 and 1989, respectively.

Prior to joining Western, Dr. Sidhu worked for the Regional Computer Center, Chandigarh, India, Punjab State Electricity Board, India, and Bell-Northern Research Ltd., Ottawa, Canada. From July 1990 to June 2002, he served as professor and subsequently graduate chair with the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan.

Currently a professor and department chair of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Western, Dr. Sidhu is also the NSERC/Hydro One Networks Senior Industrial Research Chair in Power Systems Engineering. He has published more than 200 papers in various journals and conferences; some of these papers recognized by major awards.

“Tarlochan is well respected in his field. He is a Fellow of many organizations including the Institution of Engineers (India), Engineering and Technology (U.K.) Engineering Institution of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,” adds Hrymak. “He regularly contributes to the engineering community as a whole through activities with IEEE and UNENE. His colleagues in Western Engineering, and across campus, will miss him and we all wish him well on his new appointment."(LINK)

Help Seva Food Bank Celebrate Its First Anniversary!

2011-09-06T12:00:00.000-04:00

The Seva Food Bank based in Mississauga (Toronto) just reached the one-year milestone. Here's a letter they sent out to the community. Please take the time to read and support a great cause.

You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
- Khalil Gibran

On September 1st 2010, the Seva Food Bank opened its doors to the community for the first time and we had no idea what to expect.

The food bank was born out of what you could call an audaciously ambitious moment. A group of young Sikh-Canadian professionals decided that we want to make a long-term sustainable difference in our wider Canadian community. We wanted to directly support local families in their moment of need. We wanted to provide a platform for high-potential youth to develop into leaders. Finally, we wanted to enhance mainstream perceptions of Sikh-Canadians through meaningful, personal interactions. Lofty goals for a group with lots of initiative but not a lot of social service expertise.

While there have been and continue to be challenges, they are insignificant compared to what we’ve been able to achieve. Here’s some statistics on our impact (to August 31st, 2011):

More than 530 client families registered
More than 2,600 client family visits
Over 175,000 pounds of food distributed
Almost 4000 volunteer hours worked
More than 1200 shifts worked by over 100 regular volunteers

Hidden in these stats are the stories of our client families. We are often asked about who it is that we actually serve. Our answer is simple. We serve families just like our own. They are new Canadians, coming from every part of the world, struggling to establish themselves in their new home country. They are young students working to finish their education and struggling to find their first real jobs. They are families where Dad is unable to find full-time work and Mom’s part-time fast food job isn’t enough to pay all the bills. They are seniors on fixed incomes and rising expenses. They are honest, hardworking families, just like our own, going through tough times.

Absolutely none of what we have accomplished would have been possible without the complete support of our community. Our partnership with the Mississauga Food Bank has provided us with the long-term supply of food and invaluable coaching needed to run our operations. Our Board of Directors and Organizing Committee have put in countless hours not just fulfilling their strategic roles but working each and ever client shift. Our volunteers have been tireless in doing whatever is needed to serve our clients. Our friends in the media have been tremendously generous in providing us the coverage needed to reach out to the community. Finally, our donors consistently demonstrated their leadership and belief in our cause through their financial contributions.

As we continue to stabilize our operations, our view is towards the future. Just running a regular traditional food bank was never our goal. We want to attack the root causes of poverty. We want to make a transformational impact in the lives of our clients. As our clients get back on their feet, we would love for them to become volunteers and even donors themselves.

For this we continue to need your financial support. While we have always been a registered not-for-profit organization, we are still in the process of getting our charitable status. Not being able to offer tax-deductible receipts limits our ability to solicit larger donations. So for the time being, we rely on lots of donors giving in smaller sums.

Please consider a donation of $100, $50 or even $20 to the Seva Food Bank. Every dollar you give allows us to continue the fight against hunger in our community. Click here to give.

Thank you for your continued support,

Amarpreet, Amritpal, Birender, Gosha, Gurmeet, Inderpreet, Kulvir, Manpreet, Manraj, Michael and Sundeep (Seva Food Bank Organizing Committee)

Sikhs Stand Guard at Bukit Brown (Singapore)

2011-09-05T22:00:00.000-04:00

A story out of Singapore:

The days are numbered for Bukit Brown Cemetery, one of Singapore's oldest burial grounds, but concerned citizens are campaigning for history to win over high-rises.Graves in the thickly forested cemetery are set to be exhumed to make way for more apartment towers in one of the world's most densely populated countries, which has 7,126 people per square kilometre (0.4 square mile).The fate of the graveyard, where several of the island's early ethnic Chinese businessmen are buried, has sparked an emotional call for the preservation of the hilly expanse located in a prime bungalow district.

Here's the interesting part:

In Bukit Brown lies Singapore's largest and possibly most elaborate tomb where Ong Sam Leong, a successful businessman who died in 1918, is buried. His wife, who passed away in 1935, is interred next to him.Two life-size stone carvings of Indian Sikh guards armed with rifles stand in front of the tomb, with a dried-up narrow moat surrounding the tombstone, one of 80,000 graves in the cemetery.Wealthy businessmen used to hire Sikh guards in old Singapore.Decorative mosaic tiles, their colour faded with the passage of time, form a huge rectangle in front of the tomb, whose walls are decorated with carvings of Chinese deities as well as ancient poems."We call this tomb the eighth wonder of Singapore," said Raymond Goh of Asia Paranormal Investigators, which runs cemetery tours on request. "It is so amazing."

I wonder if any of the readers of this blog have any more details on the site or the Sikh guards.

Open Your Eyes

2011-09-04T15:56:00.001-04:00

What a beautiful short film with such a simple message. Directed by Manveer Gill. The bujurgs (elders) in the video are Jernail Singh and Silinder Kaur. This was the winner of the Videologue Competition 2011 from Sekolah Sri Dasmesh, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Fauja Singh's National Post Photo of Day

2011-09-03T01:02:00.000-04:00

Centenarian Sikh runner Fauja Singh poses for pictures after being the first person to officially enter for next year's Edinburgh Marathon on September 1, 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland. A world record holder, aged 100, Fajua Singh has run seven marathons, all after his 89th birthday. He officially opened the entry process by signing up for his last ever 26 mile event in Edinburgh.

Go to Pakistan not India if you want to get a Sikh marriage

2011-09-01T10:51:00.001-04:00

From the Government of India's Press Information Bureau's website under Amendment of Anand Marriage Act:

The Central Government was considering the proposal to amend the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 so as to provide for registration of Sikh Marriages therein. However, pursuant to the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Seema Vs. Ashwani Kumar, reported in AIR 2006 SC 1158, most of the State Governments and Union territory Administrations are taking necessary steps to make all marriages compulsorily registered in their respective States/ territories where such marriage is solemnized irrespective of religious denominations. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice, said that having regard to the position of law as contained in Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 which is applicable to Hindus, Sikhs, Budhist, Jainas and other persons who are not Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Jews and that Section 8 thereof covers the registration of Sikh Marriages within its ambit and that secluding Sikhs from other categories of person may invite similar demands from other religious denominations which would go against directive principle contained in article 44 of the Constitution. Hence, no separate legislation for registration of Sikh marriages is considered necessary, Shri Khurshid said. (Link)

What they're saying is that by giving Sikhs their right to marry under their own act of law, it would open up the door to other minorities asking for similar rights. I guess Shri Khursid is afraid of more work.

And India wonders why Sikhs have issues with the state. If I was Budhist or Jain, I'd also take great exception to this.

Everything In The West Is Designed To...

2011-08-31T22:42:00.000-04:00

Everything in the West - TV, malls, movies, sports, music - is designed to diminish your awareness of your impending death. Because if everyone were constantly aware that were going to die, people could not be brainwashed into sustaining the machinery of civilization, they would live and think for themselves instead of for the agendas of groups, societies and nations and seek to foster peaceful communities that celebrated life instead of competition, war, death and immorality.

Desh Singh, 2011

Babbu's Pagh Tutorial (How to Tie a Turban)

2011-08-30T17:07:00.001-04:00

Doesn't matter what kind of turban / pagh / dastaar you want to tie, there's a video tutorial out there for you. Here's one by Babbu on the damala style.

Lt. Gov Sinha on Operation Blue Star

2011-08-28T11:57:00.000-04:00

A fascinating perspective on the June 1984 attack on the Golden Temple by the Indian Government by Lieutenant General (Retd.) Srinivas Kumar Sinha, He candidly discusses the political circumstances and motivations that lead up to the attack. Interesting that he was actually friends with Major General Shabeg Singh who lead the fortifications of the Darbar Sahib complex.

Indira Gandhi first asked Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha, then Vice-Chief of Indian Army and who was to succeed as the Army chief, to prepare a position paper for assault on the Golden Temple. Lt. Gen. Sinha advised against any such move, given its sacrilegious nature according to Sikh tradition. He suggested the government adopt an alternative solution. A controversial decision was made to replace him with General Arun Shridhar Vaidya as the Chief of the Indian army. General Vaidya, assisted by Lt. Gen. K Sundarji as Vice-Chief, planned and coordinated Operation Blue Star. (Wikipedia)

Costco Parking Lot

2011-08-26T15:48:00.001-04:00

What happens when you have too much time and cheap audio visual technology..

Three Deadliest Words - It's A Girl!

2011-08-23T20:26:00.000-04:00

The three deadliest words in the world are "Its a girl."

In India, China and many other parts of the world today, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls. The United Nations estimates as many as 200 million girls are missing in the world today because of this so-called "gendercide".

This documentary film tells the stories of abandoned and trafficked girls, of women who suffer extreme dowry-related violence, of brave mothers fighting to save their daughters' lives, and of other mothers who would kill for a son. Global experts and grassroots activists put the stories in context and advocate different paths towards change, while collectively lamenting the lack of any truly effective action against this injustice.

Learn more about the film and sign up for email updates at www.itsagirlmovie.com

Turban Removal in Italy Airports

2011-08-23T01:57:00.002-04:00

I've done a lot of flying internationally but have thankfully had nothing like this experience that's been shared on Facebook:

Fateh, Earlier today 22/8 I was stopped at Verona Airport in Italy and was asked to remove my Turban or miss my flight. I stood my ground and was forced to miss my Flight. I am currently in Italy trying catch another alternative flight. Sikhs in Italy are being forced to remove their Turbans or miss their flights. Security in Italy airport are NOT willing to use hand metal detectors. This is very serious issue which all Sikhs around the world needs to tackle ASAP. This is not on. Please spread the word to all Sikhs around the world. By Giani Gurbax Singh Gulshan

In Punjab its White and Blue

2011-08-22T16:34:00.001-04:00

In Punjab, its not about Black and Yellow. Its about the white (Congress) and blue (Akali) and as the song say "Their turban colours may be different, but their all thieves"

The Sikh Awards (UK)

2011-08-19T20:08:00.003-04:00

In Canada we have the Sikh Centennial Foundation's annual awards and in the UK they have the Sikh Awards. This year’s World Sikh Awards will honour Sikh’s throughout the world. The ceremony is taking place on 9th October 2011 at The Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London. (UK).

Here's some highlights from last years event. Looks very shi shi foo foo and the awardees are very impressive.

This is Freedom?

2011-08-18T23:18:00.000-04:00

Is this the freedom that so many Sikhs and Punjabis fought with their lives for?

My Spin on Rakhris..

2011-08-14T20:19:00.000-04:00

So after years of abstaining from rakhris (and hurting many feelings), I decided to participate this year, but with a twist. Instead of getting a rakhri tied, I asked my sister and female cousins to tell me one thing they appreciated about me as their brother.

It did away with ceremonial threads (which Guru Nanak took issue with). While it was a lot harder for my sister/cousins to do, their words meant much more to me than a piece of string. It allowed for a heartfelt moment between me and my sisters. Finally and hopefully, I didn't further perpetuate gender inequalities.

Although, I'm sure I'll be told otherwise in the comments below.

Sikhs Stand Guard in London

2011-08-09T20:27:00.000-04:00

Crazy what's happening in London. To ensure their gurdwaras are protected, Sikhs in UK are standing guard.

I've heard lots of commentary about how this is a manifestation of class warfare and the marginalization of major segments of society. There may be some validity to that point, but I think painting all lower income people with the same brush is an insult to hard-working honest families that are struggling to make ends meet, especially the immigrant running the cornershop being trashed.

Saint Soldier - Martyr

2011-08-08T07:30:00.000-04:00

This guy just keeps on getting better and more provocative. Keep it up Saint Soldier.

Jus Reign Goes To The Mela

2011-08-07T18:27:00.000-04:00

Which Son Are You?

2011-08-03T08:09:00.000-04:00

A father has two grown sons each living on their own. The dad has to go far away for work but he gets into trouble on his trip. He has been robbed of all his possessions. The father manages to sends identical letters to each of sons asking for some money to be sent so that he travel back home.

The first son gets the letter. With great reverence, he gets the document framed and puts it up on his wall in a very prominent place. Every morning he wakes up early and bows to it with great respect. He even reads the letter aloud several times each day. However, this son does nothing.

The second son also gets the letter. He reads his father's instructions, he shoves the letter into his pocket and instantly runs off to get money and send it to his father.

Which son has more respect (satkaar) for his father? The one who merely worships the word or the one that actually follows it?

Perhaps we are so focused on external displays of respect and/or disrespect for our "father", Guru Granth Sahib, that we have forgotten what real respect is. Perhaps the reason we don't respect externally is that we don't respect internally. Our actions betray our thoughts and our values.

I think it is internal satkaar (submission, internalization and obedience) leads to external satkaar.

ਗਾਵੀਐ ਸੁਣੀਐ ਮਨਿ ਰਖੀਐ ਭਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਖੁ ਪਰਹਰਿ ਸੁਖੁ ਘਰਿ ਲੈ ਜਾਇ ॥

Gāvī▫ai suṇī▫ai man rakẖī▫ai bẖā▫o. Ḏukẖ parhar sukẖ gẖar lai jā▫e.

Sing, and listen, and let your mind be filled with love. Your pain shall be sent far away, and peace shall come to your home.

ਮਨਿ = ਮਨ ਵਿੱਚ। ਰਖੀਐ = ਟਿਕਾਈਏ। ਭਾਉ = ਰੱਬ ਦਾ ਪਿਆਰ। ਦੁਖੁ ਪਰਹਰਿ = ਦੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਦੂਰ ਕਰਕੇ। ਘਰਿ = ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ। ਲੈ ਜਾਇ = ਲੈ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਖੱਟ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।

(ਆਓ, ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ) ਗਾਵੀਏ ਤੇ ਸੁਣੀਏ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਉਸਦਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਟਿਕਾਈਏ। (ਜੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਇਹ ਆਹਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ) ਆਪਣਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੂਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਸੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਵਸਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। (Link)

Just something to ponder.

Random Scenes from Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar

2011-07-28T09:41:00.001-04:00

Discrimination and History of the UK Sikh's Turban

2011-07-28T09:30:00.003-04:00

The Chicken Sees

2011-07-22T19:39:00.002-04:00

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

2011-07-19T22:51:00.000-04:00

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)

2011-07-18T22:10:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-14T22:28:00.002-04:00

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

2011-07-08T23:16:00.002-04:00

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

Gora Speaking in Punjabi About Punjabi

2011-06-27T17:08:00.000-04:00

From the video's description:

Just some reflection upon the uninformed opinion of those Punjabis themselves who choose to trash their own mother tongue. Not the most coherent, I know, but I hope to upload more interesting videos in the future!

Forgive the errors I made, like "changi javaab" and others. Another year in Punjab may be in order, haha.

Keshas

2011-06-26T16:44:00.000-04:00

The Guru‘s commandment in asking the disciples to preserve their hair unshorn has in it an abiding depth of thruth, giving men some deeper concerns of the soul, for thereby he has precluded men and women living only for the futile foppishness of sartorial arts or the barber-made civilization. The hair seems redundant to the modern man, but to Guru Gobind Singh, the hair, Keshas, was essential for protecting and continuing an antique worthiness of man, and for bringing on of a great moral and religious civilisation.

Puran Singh – Spirit of a Sikh

TEDxSF - Non Stop Bhangra

2011-06-24T23:21:00.000-04:00

Faith in Taxis

2011-06-19T14:39:00.000-04:00

Made by Australia Network Television for ART SHOW a short piece describing the art project called Faith created by Daniel Connell and the Adelaide Sikh Community

When Lions Roar 3 on June 24th

2011-06-16T19:54:00.000-04:00

Everyday in Punjab, farmers are haunted by the memories of the past, while they are faced with struggles of today. The traumatic experiences of state violence from 1984 are fresh in the minds of many, as justice is continuously denied.

Today, Punjabi Farmers are increasingly turning to suicide as a method to cope with government policies that have robbed them of their land, wealth, heritage and way of life.

This is just one example of the many communities in Punjab that continue to suffer as a result of 1984, coupled with current day policies.

The Genocide continues...

Join us for a A Night of Hip Hop, Poetry, Spoken Word, as we remember 1984 and the struggle for justice on...

When Lions Roar 3 - A Continuing Genocide
Friday, June 24th
Dreams Convention Centre
75 Hedgedale Road; Brampton, Ontario

Admission: Pay What You Can
All Ages - Doors Open at 6pm

Here's the Facebook Event, Facebook Fanpage, Twitter.

How Poor We Are

2011-06-13T21:54:00.000-04:00

A great story from Paulo Coehlo's site:

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from the trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad”.

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yes”, said the son.
“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered:
“I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
“We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden and they have a creek that has no end.
“We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

“Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

“We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
“We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added:
“Thanks, Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Sony Dhugga sings "Canucks Waleyan Ne"

2011-06-11T22:55:00.000-04:00

Ok this just an awesome song.. Catchy tune with great lyrics. I'm very impressed how quickly BC artists have put these songs together. For the lyrics in English, click here.

A Truly Canadian Moment

2011-06-11T08:11:00.000-04:00

Stanley Cup Finals being played in Canada. O Canada being sung by Mark Donnelly and 20,000 screaming fans. A Sikh-Canadian RCMP officer carrying the Maple Leaf. A truly Canadian moment. Even better that the Canucks won the game.

Breakaway Movie Trailer

2011-06-10T14:34:00.000-04:00

Don't know if it will be stereotype-breaking or stereo-type reinforcing, but given the local Sikhs involved in the film, I have high expectations.

Go Canucks Go [2011 Punjabi Anthem]

2011-06-09T21:52:00.000-04:00

Just in case you don't think Punjabis in Canada have embraced hockey, listen to Jeet Jaswant singing Go Canucks Go (2011 Punjabi Anthem).

The Guru Nanak Education Assistance Program

2011-06-08T22:43:00.000-04:00

Are you a Sikh Student in need of Financial Assistance to continue your Post-Secondary Education? The GGSCF Guru Nanak Education Assistance Program maybe for you!

The GGSCF Guru Nanak Education Assistance Program (EAP) is one of the profects of the Guru Gobind Singh Children’s Foundation (GGSCF) which was set up n 1999 under the vision of “…children helping children…”.

Over a period of time, several community members have asked for a fund to be set up to help Sikh students in need of financial assistance to help them complete their university/collage education. On Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab in 2008, a Sikh philanthropist pledged a generous donation to the GGSCF for the organization to establish and administer a Sikh student loan program.

The Guru Nanak EAP will make loan awards once a year. Awards will range from $500 to $5000 per year. All applicants must be attending or should have been admitted to an accredited course of study (University/College in Canada). Awards are in the form of interest-free loan(s) for which repayment is required after graduation. The repaid funds will be re-invested by the GGSCF to aid more students in the future through the Guru Nanak EAP.

All qualified students are encouraged to apply. Please find more requirements and all relevant application material here.

Applications are due July 15th.

Stop The Silence on 1984

2011-06-07T08:20:00.000-04:00

A short film raising awareness of the injustices Sikhs faced in 1984.All the information is based on factual accounts and have been validated by many sources. A film by http://www.bubblemedia.tv for http://www.neverforget84.com/

Transcript:

In the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple, the Indian government claimed that 493 Sikhs were killed; eye witnesses confirmed at least 8,000 fatalities.

22 children between the ages of 2 and 16, were among those apprehended by the army and according to the Government's White Paper, their names were added to the country's "most wanted list".

Since 1984 over 300,000 Sikhs have "disappeared" or been killed in fake police encounters.

That is an average of 30 Sikhs wiped out every single day for 27 years.

In the Anti-Sikh Pogroms of Delhi 1984, Sikh girls, as young as eight were gang-raped in broad daylight;

And the named perpetrators, some of whom are congressmen, are still walking the streets today.

Collectively, the genocide of June and November 1984 saw more than 15,000 Sikhs murdered during an eleven day rampage.

Most of the victims were children.

Religious freedom and justice still evades the Sikhs, ten separate commissions have tried and failed to deliver justice to the Sikh widows of 1984.

In April 2011, The US Commission on International Religious Freedom placed India on its Watch List -- only now is the world recognising that India is killing the Sikhs.

Yet still, India claims to be the world's largest democracy.

It's time...

Let the truth be heard.

STOP THE SILENCE