Thursday, December 18, 2008

Parliament go-ahead to anti-terror law, NIA

New Delhi:Within three weeks of terrorist attacks in Mumbai that shook the nation, Parliament on Thursday night gave a go-ahead to the setting up of a National Investigation Agency (NIA) and providing more teeth to the law for combating terrorism that claimed hundreds of lives in India this year.The Rajya Sabha passed the NIA Bill and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, which were approved by Lok Sabha on Wednesday, after a lengthy debate during which most parties expressed their support for such measures, while some members voiced reservations over certain clauses.Winding up a six-hour debate on the two bills, Home Minister P Chidambaram said adequate care had been taken while drafting these bills to ensure that law enforcement agencies were empowered to effectively deal with the problem of terrorism, but at the same time respecting the rights of individuals and states.The Home Minister said a strong message should go to the people that \"we are united and we have a unity of purpose and are determined to bring to book perpetrators of crime,\" adding \"Parliament is the sentinel to guard liberty\".Terrorist attacks on luxury hotels and other places in the financial capital claimed about 180 lives, leading to outrage in the country.Sensing the mood of the people, the UPA moved swiftly to bring tougher terror laws along with a NIA with power to take up terror cases anywhere in the country suo motu.The main objectives of bringing the two new bills are to ensure speedy and efficient investigation, fair and speedy trial and deterrent punishment, Chidambaram said adding these laws will apply only to eight acts and not to all crimes as the NIA is not like CBI or FBI.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3998

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Injuries in lungs and chest caused Bhargavi\'s death

Hyderabad: Investigations into the murder of upcoming Telugu actress Bhargavi have revealed that the deep stab injuries in lungs and chest caused her death. A day after the budding actress was found dead at her house in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad, police on Wednesday said the cause of her death was due to stab injuries in lungs and chest, though there were at least five other similar wounds on her body. However, police were awaiting the final report of the post-mortem, an investigating officer said. Her alleged killer Praveen Kumar, an orchestra troupe operator, who was also found dead in the house, stabbed Bhargavi with a dagger, that was brought from his native Nellore, West Zone DCP Ravi Varma told PTI in Hyderabad. \"We have got evidence that Praveen came to city from Nellore only day before yesterday and reached Bhargavi\'s house. He brought the dagger from Nellore,\" he said. Police said they have also found a CD and a photo album in the house, which indicated that Bhargavi was married to Praveen. Both Bhargavi and Praveen had made their last phone calls to her assistant Venkat who was absconding since the incident came to light, police said. Bhargavi called up Venkat as she was supposed to attend a film shooting on Tuesday morning while Praveen might have called him up to check her whereabouts, police said. They were also analysing the mobile phone calls of Bhargavi and Praveen, police said. \"Venkat may be aware of Praveen\'s presence at the house. He might have got scared after the incident and is at large,\" police said.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3997

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Arabs find a hero in \'shoe attacker\'

Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi (29), who \"shoed\" US president George Bush, faces up to seven years in jail for \"aggression\" but one thing is certain: he won\'t slip into oblivion in a hurry. Zaidi\'s soaring popularity across the Arab world would more than make up for the prison term he faces. Zaidi\'s brother Dargham told BBC that he deliberately bought dark brown Iraq-made shoes for the purpose from a shop in Baghdad\'s Al-Khyam Street. A colleague described Zaidi as a \"proud Arab and an open-minded man\", adding that Zaidi had no ties to the former government and that his family was arrested under Saddam\'s regime. A communications\' graduate from Baghdad University, Zaidi was abducted by insurgents in 2007, beaten up and released without any demand for ransom. He was also twice held for questioning by US forces. Another colleague said Zaidi had planned some sort of protest against Bush for nearly a year. \"In 2007, he told me \'you\'ll see how I\'ll take revenge on Bush for his crimes against Iraqis\',\" he said. The symbolism attached to the \"shoeing\" has made Zaidi the face of rage against America. From Cairo to Riyadh, his act has united the normally divided Arabs. Moments after Zaidi was pinned down, handcuffed, beaten up and whisked away by security men, his employer, Al-Baghdadiya TV, suspended normal programming to play messages of support. Zaidi has worked for Al-Baghdadia for three years. In Syria, the state TV repeatedly played the \"shoeing\" footage and asked Syrians to share their admiration for his \"bravery\". A banner in downtown Damascus read: \"Oh, heroic journalist, thank you so much!\" Reports from Saudi Arabia said a man offered to buy one of what has now certainly become the world\'s most famous pair of shoes for $10 million. In Libya, Muammar el-Gaddafi\'s daughter bestowed \"a medal of courage\" on Zaidi. \"Throwing shoes at Bush was the best goodbye kiss ever and expresses how Iraqis and Arabs hate Bush,\" wrote Musa Barhoumeh, editor of Jordan\'s Al-Gahd newspaper. Egyptian daily Al-Badeel carried the US flag\'s caricature with the shoe sole replacing the stars. Across Iraq, thousands of people rallied round the journalist by removing their shoes and placing them at the ends of long poles. People hurled shoes at an American convoy at Najaf. Apart from street-corner conversations, the \"daredevilry\" spilled over to cyberspace with many using the internet to hail the \"hero\".

http://www.s7news.com/story/3996

Monday, December 15, 2008

250,000 birds culled after bird flu outbreak in Assam

Bangalore: India has culled at least 250,000 birds in Assam to contain an outbreak of bird flu among poultry, a government official said.At least 950 health officials are monitoring the situation in eight of the state's 23 districts where bird flu has been reported, D. Hojai, director of health services in the Assam government, said on Sunday over the telephone from the state capital, Guwahati.Samples from two more districts where poultry died have been sent to a laboratory to confirm if the deaths are due to bird flu, Hojai said.Culling is being expanded to include two villages in neighbouring Meghalaya. The virus was detected in poultry in a village near Guwahati last month."Though no cases of bird flu have been reported in Meghalaya, we are going ahead with culling as a preventative measure," S.F. Khongwir, a senior official in Meghalaya, said.Millions of fowls have been killed in the country in the past three years following outbreaks of bird flu. The virus has spread from birds to humans in 15 countries, mostly in Asia, and is not expected to diminish significantly in the short term, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.Governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) are piling up medicines in case of an bird flu pandemic in humans. A flu pandemic could kill 71 million people worldwide and lead to a major global recession costing more than $3 trillion (Rs146.1 trillion), according to a worst-case scenario outlined by the World Bank last month.While no human cases have been reported in India, experts fear the H5N1 virus might mutate or combine with the highly contagious seasonal influenza virus and spark a pandemic that could kill millions of people.Since the virus resurfaced in Asia in 2003, it has killed more than 200 people in a dozen countries, WHO says.India, on 24 September, banned imports of some livestock and their products from nations affected by bird flu to prevent a fresh outbreak of the deadly virus.(livemint.com)

http://www.s7news.com/story/3995

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Mumbai lawyer drops plans to defend nabbed terrorist

Mumbai: Noted criminal lawyer Ashok Saraogi on Monday said he had dropped plans to represent and defend nabbed Mumbai attack terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir alias Kasab. Grappling with an outburst against his reported plans, Saraogi said that he would not represent or fight Amir\'s case \"in view of the strong public sentiments\". \"There was some initial discussion in this matter, but now I am bowing before public sentiments and I shall not take up this particular case,\" Saraogi told IANS on Monday. Amir was the only terrorist nabbed alive early Nov 27 morning, while nine gunmen were killed in the security operation, after they struck Mumbai on the night of Nov 26. Mumbai lawyers have unanimously decided against taking up Amir\'s case. Last week, a magistrate remanded Amir to police custody till Dec 24. Dinesh Mota, a city lawyer appointed by the Maharashtra Legal Aid Cell to represent Amir in the court, had also declined to fight the case. After this, Kasab on Saturday wrote to Pakistani authorities seeking their intervention in the matter and to provide him legal assistance to fight the case, according to Mumbai Police, which forwarded his letter to the central government for appropriate action.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3994

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

101 dead in mumbai terror attacks

MUMBAI (IANS): At least 80 people, including a foreign tourist and four top police officers, were killed and over 250 injured as terrorists struck in yet another series of planned and synchronised gunfire and bomb attacks in the heart of India\'s financial capital late Wednesday, authorities said. Terrorists were reported to be holding tourists and other guests hostage in two five-star hotels, the Taj Intercontinental and Trident (formerly Oberoi), facing the waterfront across the Arabian Sea close to the city\'s most important landmark, the Gateway of India. Four top police officials, including Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, were among the 10 policemen killed in the gunbattles with the terrorists, police confirmed. Among terror targets was the city\'s busiest railway station, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), formerly the Victoria Terminus that is a World Heritage site. A nationwide alert was sounded and all airports in the country put on high-security surveillance following the attacks that came less than a month after over 50 people died in serial terror bombings in the northeastern state of Assam.Army was called in to bring the situation under control and restore the sense of security in the city that was literally shaken the attacks, one of the worst in the country. \"This is a most audacious attack. It is a very serious situation and gun battles are still on in at least three places,\" said Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Ghafoor said the attacks were suspected to be \"coordinated terrorist acts\", and added that automatic weapons like AK-47 and AK-56 and semi-automatic rifles as well as grenades were apparently used. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil, who hold the home portfolio, confirmed more than 70 people were killed and 250 injured, many of them grievously. But the police officials said over 80 people have died in the series of attacks. Patil said two terrorists were killed in gun battles with police while at least nine were held. Small groups of heavily armed terrorists had sneaked into busy public places, mostly in south Mumbai, in the dead of the night spreading panic in the crowded metropolis that has been a target of terror attacks in recent years. Many of the locations targeted, mostly in upscale south Mumbai, were preferred destinations of foreign tourists.Maharashtra Director General of Police A.N. Roy said: \"At least seven places have been attacked. The figure could be eight. \"The terrorists have gone in and fired indicriminately at certain places. They are still holed up in three places and gun-battles have been on (with security forces).\" Five people were killed in a bomb blast targetting a taxi in Vile Parle. The taxi was blown to pieces, police said. Police officials said suspected terrorists opened fire at police and paramilitary forces outside the Taj between 10.15 p.m. and 10.30 p.m.The police officials said firing was on near the five-star hotel where around 2,000 guests and staff were stranded. The body of a foreign woman guest was recovered from the Taj Hotel and two terrorists were holed up inside the building, a police official said. She was not immediately identified and her nationality was not known. At least 90 percent of the 22-storey building was plunged into darkness as authorities cut off power in a precautionary measure. In the wee hours of Thursday, there was an explosion on the top floor of the legendary hotel, leading to a major fire. Minutes later, bullets were fired near the Hotel Trident - another five-star hotel barely a kilometre away from the Taj. Part of the hotel was said to be on fire. At least 1,000 tourists were inside the hotel, which is in a high-security zone and lies just behind the Air India and Maharashtra legislature buildings. Those trapped in the two hotels included an unspecified number of foreign guests. Officials said rescue operations had started and hostages were being evactuated as army stormed the besieged hotels. Suspected terrorists also opened indiscriminate firing near the railway station, the headquarters of the Central Railway, which remains crowded almost throughout the day. As a precautionary measure, authorities suspended suburban and other railway services. But the train service was resumed early Thursday, nearly six hours after the station was shut. Later in the night, two bomb blasts, one in Vile Parle, a residential suburb in north Mumbai, and another in Mazgaon, also injured an unspecified number of people, police officials said. Firing also took place near the Metro cinema, barely a kilometre away from the CST. An eyewintess said the attackers hijacked a police vehicle after opening fire at two policemen in the vehicle. All roads linking south Mumbai with the rest of the metropolis were barricaded. Elite Rapid Action Force (RAF) were pressed into action and the targeted locations were cordoned off. A crack team of 200 National Security Guards (NSG) were rushed from New Delhi to Mumbai late in the night. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the terror attack and assured all help to the state government. Schools and colleges will remain closed Thursday although government will function normally, officials said.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3993

Bush, Obama condemn Mumbai attacks; offer assistance

The Bush Administration and President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday strongly condemned the deadly attacks in Mumbai, offering assistance to the Indian government and convening defence and intelligence officials amid a \"grave and urgent threat\" of terrorism.\"President (George) Bush offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured in the attacks in Mumbai, India,\" White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a statement.The United States condemns this terrorist attack -- which left at least 80 people dead and over 275 injured -- and will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy, she said.\"This afternoon, the White House National Security Council convened officials from counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies as well as the State and Defence Departments,\" Perino said.\"The US government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens, and stands ready to assist and support the Indian government,\" the senior White House official said, adding the President has been updated regularly.Strongly condemning a series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai\'s financial hub, Obama said it only demonstrated \"the grave and urgent threat\" of terrorism and nations must work to \"root out and destroy terrorist networks.\"\"President-elect Obama strongly condemns terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India,\" Obama\'s Chief National security Spokesperson Brooke Anderson said in a statement.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3992

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

PM evokes \'Gandhi magic\' in Mizoram

AIZAWL: At a packed Assam Rifles ground in Aizawl, PM Manmohan Singh unleashed a bitter attack on Zoramthanga\'s MNF Government, charging it with failure on every count — particularly the education and power sectors. Saying that Congress did not believe in a pointless blame game, Manmohan said the failure of Zoramthanga\'s government was there for all to see. Manmohan also called himself a man from the Northeast and said: \"It\'s always a proud moment for me to re-affirm the enduring ties of love and affection that bind Congress with the people here. As you know, I am an MP from Northeast and consider myself an adopted son of the region.\" Continuing his tirade against the MNF government, the PM said, \"The Central Government made grants of more than Rs 3,800 crore to Mizoram between 2004-08. But its utilization by the state government has been poor.\" It was not Congress\'s policy to discriminate between states as far as financial assistance was concerned, he added. Referring to the various schemes of the UPA government, Manmohan said the MNF government got its rightful share which was squandered. \"If these central programmes are not reaching your lives in Mizoram, it\'s because the MNF government has failed. Corruption under MNF has shot up,\" PM said. The PM said he was alarmed to see that even programmes meant for the poor were mismanaged. \"There are allegations of irregularities by the state government machinery even in NREGS and the loan waiver scheme; funds meant for tribal welfare have been squandered,\" Manmohan Singh alleged. He appealed to the Mizo people to form a Congress government and punish the MNF for its failures. Donning a typical Mizo waistcoat and a traditional Mizo bag, Manmohan drove home the point that he was perfectly aware that the Mizos have a soft corner for the Gandhi family. He, therefore, did not forget to mention the \"Gandhi magic\" during his first election meeting in Mizoram. \"Mizoram has a close relationship with Congress. Our beloved former PM Rajiv Gandhi was instrumental in ending years of insurgency and violence in the state,\" he said, adding, \"The people of Mizoram responded magnificently to the call and wholeheartedly joined the national mainstream.\"

http://www.s7news.com/story/3991

Obama announces economic team; Geither for treasury

Washington: President-elect Barack Obama on Monday unveiled his economic team and promised to take \"extraordinary policy responses\" to save the world\'s largest economy from a major financial crisis. New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner will take over the post of next Treasury secretary and former Treasury chief Lawrence Summers will be the president-elect\'s chief White House economic advisor, Obama announced in a press conference in Chicago. Also named was Christina Romer Chair of the Council of Economic advisors, with Melody Barnes and Heather Higginbottom to serve as Director and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council. Noting that the financial meltdown cannot be solved easily, Obama said he chose \"the best minds in America\" to reform the sagging economy. \"While we can\'t underestimate the challenges we face, we also can\'t underestimate our capacity to overcome them to summon that spirit of determination and move forward in a new direction to create new jobs, reform our financial system, and fuel long-term economic growth,\" he said. \"We know this won\'t be easy, and it won\'t happen overnight. We\'ll need to bring together the best minds in America to guide us and that is what I\'ve sought to do in assembling my economic team. \"I\'ve sought leaders who could offer both sound judgement and fresh thinking, both a depth of experience and a wealth of bold new ideas and most of all, who share my fundamental belief that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers; that in this country, we rise and fall as one nation, as one people,\" Obama said.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3990

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Canada cops in Punjab to crack Kanishka case

CHANDIGARH: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is in Punjab these days to crack the 1985 bombing of Air India's Kanishka aircraft, which caused the death of all 329 passengers aboard.A five-member team, which arrived here on Wednesday, called on Punjab DGP NPS Aulakh and CBI officials and listed 12 Punjab militants, whom they will be questioning in the next few days.Some of the listed persons, including those facing life term in the Beant Singh assassination case, are in prison. The Punjab police will make the others available for questioning later this week.On Wednesday, the Canadian team visited Burail jail in Chandigarh to interrogate Jagtar Singh Hawara and Paramjit Singh Bheora, who face the death sentence in the Beant Singh killing case. Both of them were teenagers when the Kanishka was bombed.The Canadian team, accompanied by CBI sleuths, questioned both militants about the Babbar Khalsa International, a militant organisation. The militants raised pro-Khalistan slogans before joining investigation.Sources said the team was interested in knowing their family background and the history of the Babbar Khalsa International. The main thrust, however, was on knowing the whereabouts of Sarwan Singh Gill, one of the main conspirators of the Kanishka bombing.Former British Columbia resident, Gill, was a close associate of Canada-based Babbar Talwinder Singh Parmar who was killed in an encounter in India. Gill, who was also arrested in the Kanishka case, jumped bail in 1996 and is believed to have fled to England. The Babbars were also asked to furnish details about their joining the group and their links with Canada-based Babbars. The Canadian police had in January asked security agencies here to help interview 12 'witnesses' who they pointed out could have information regarding the Kanishka bombing. The team comprises police officials James Stewart, Bart Balchford, Dan Bond, Dan Sandhar and Tuckey Shane.Those who would be interrogated by the RCMP include Harminder Singh Gandhi, Naudh Singh Thind, Jivan Singh, Mohan Singh Johal, Kanwaljit Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Pratap Singh Gill, Satnam Singh, Bohar Singh and former top intelligence official Maloy Krishna Dhar. The RCMP opened investigation into the flight bombing even after a March 2005 verdict by the Supreme Court of British Columbia acquitted two suspects, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, as "not guilty". The court had observed that the evidence against them had fallen short of conclusive proof. It is apparently an effort to collect more evidence in the case that the RCMP has come around for another round of investigation.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3989

Students’ clash turns ‘casteist’

CHENNAI: A clash between two groups of Dr Ambedkar Law College students here last night is assuming casteist overtones, as they belong to two communities hostile to each other and involved in frequent clashes in southern districts of the state. A group of students armed with knives, logs, iron pipes and tube lights attacked another group, in the presence of policemen, who were mute spectators, despite pleas from the public and journalists to intervene. The police said they needed written permission to enter the campus from the college principal. Finally, the public entered the college and chased away the students and rescued three critically wounded students. The condition of the three students was improving, police officials said, while seven students have been arrested.The clash is said to have broken out with the omission of Ambedkar's name from the name of the college in printed notices for the anniversary celebration of Muthuramalinga Thevar, a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Thevar's followers belong to a particular backward community who worship him as a deity during his birth anniversary celebrations. The people belonging to the backward community and Dalits in south Tamil Nadu have been involved in frequent clashes for more than two decades. Dalit students alleged that the students of the other community had deliberately omitted Ambedkar's name since they did not want his name to be seen along with that of Thevar. A state-wide alert has been sounded in southern districts, where the two communities are dominant, following reports of violence. A probe has been ordered into the clash.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3988

Congress releases charge-sheet against M.P. Govt.

Bhopal: The opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday released a 96-page charge-sheet against the BJP government levelling a total of 139 allegations against it. The charge-sheet was released at a press conference by the State Congress president Suresh Pachouri in the presence of party general secretary Narayansami, in charge of the State. Mr. Pachouri said that BJP in its manifesto for the December 2003 Assembly elections, had made a large number of promises to the people and most of these remained unfulfilled. He said that it had promised to sort out the power situation in the State within 100 days of coming to power but the present state of affairs with regard to electricity was much worse than what it was in 2003. He said that the state of corruption under the BJP government could well be imagined by the fact that the Lokayukta was investigating into corruption charges against the Chief Minister and several of his Ministers. He said that three BJP Ministers had been removed from their posts after they faced corruption charges.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3987

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Separatists hope Obama will help solve Kashmir issue

Srinagar : The election of Barack Obama as US President has generated hope among separatists in Kashmir that the decades-long Kashmir issue would be solved soon. Welcoming the election of Obama, chairman of Moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said \"We see a role for US in resolution of Kashmir issue and hope that Obama will fulfill his responsibility.\" Mirwaiz, who has been placed under house arrest since Wednesday morning ahead of proposed Jamia Masjid march by separatists, said \"We hope that he (Obama) will give practical shape to his encouraging statements on resolution of Kashmir during campaigning.\" Meanwhile, chairman of Hardline faction of Hurriyat Syed Ali Shah Geelani said the election of Obama is a \"historic event\" for America and \"We hope that he will use his good offices to resolve Kashmir issue in its historic perspective.\"

http://www.s7news.com/story/3986

Obama wins U.S. presidential election

WASHINGTON : Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States, winning an historic election to become the first African American in the White House. He told a vast crowd of supporters at a Chicago park that his election showed the world that the United States real strength was not its military but the power of its ideals. \"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, tonight is your answer,\" Obama said Reaching out to Republicans, he called his opponent Sen. John McCain \"brave and selfless\" and said he looked forward to working with him and his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin \"to renew this nation\'s promise.\" Speaking to the millions of Americans who voted for the Republican ticket, Obama said: \"I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too.\" McCain and President George Bush both called the Illinois senator to congratulate him on his historic victory. McCain delivered a gracious concession speech soon after polls closed in western states, praising Obama for running a strong campaign and vowing, despite the candidates\' differences, to do everything he could to help the next president face the challenges of his presidency. \"The American people have spoken, and spoken clearly,\" McCain said, calling for the nation to come together after the bitterly contested poll. His speech was marred by sporadic booing from the Republican crowd, perhaps showing the difficulties Obama may have in uniting a fiercely divided and partisan country. Bush congratulated his successor on an \"awesome night,\" and promised a smooth transition to the White House. The president\'s spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president told Obama: \"You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself.\"

http://www.s7news.com/story/3985

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Leading in every poll, Obama heads for a landslide

WASHINGTON: The momentum for Barack Obama is so great now that Democrats are swinging wildly between giddy euphoria and fearful disbelief. \"Stick a fork in McCain, he\'s done!\" one Obama supporter chortled on TV. Moments later, he said it ain\'t over till it\'s over.Every single poll now shows Democrat Barack Obama leading Republican John McCain by anywhere from five to ten points. A poll of polls averaging six prominent surveys gives Obama a 52-41 lead with seven per cent undecided. Unless Obama makes a big mistake now, McCain is a goner, says David Gergen, the respected political commentator.Republicans look and sound like the Australian cricket team. The swagger is gone; they have their backs to the wall. Obama is the Democratic Dhoni for now. Everything he touches is turning to gold.The fact that he took two days off from the campaign trail at a crucial time to go visit his seriously ailing grandmother in Hawaii was seen by some as confidence that he is on a roll. Others saw it as highlighting the fact that he has a white maternal grandmother.Madelyn Dunham, the woman he affectionately calls \"Toot,\" short for the Hawaiian word \"tutu\" for grandparent -- brought him up when his single white mother was traveling when he was a kid. Pundits say the gesture, while genuine, can only help him in the polls.Some of the most significant pointers to a possible Obama landslide came in an NBC-Wall Street Journal poll on Monday that put him 52-42 ahead of McCain, up from a six-point lead weeks ago. The 10-point lead is the largest in the Journal/NBC poll since both men claimed their parties\' nominations, and represents a steady climb for Obama since early September, when the political conventions concluded with the candidates in a statistical tie.The survey shows that Obama is now starting to extend his lead in almost every major voter segment, mainly on account of the economic crisis. He leads suburban voters by 12 points, up from two points two weeks ago. He holds a 12 point advantage with independents, up by four from two weeks ago. He even leads among voters older than 65 by nine points, erasing a one-point McCain advantage.Some of the most striking advances he has made have been in the Midwest, home to a swath of battleground states, where he is now favored by a staggering 25 points, up from a one-point advantage. A rattled McCain camp is on the run from states such as Iowa and Colorado, deep in the Republican heartland. To use a kabaddi term, Obama is now raiding deep into the Republican territory.The McCain campaign has already pulled out stakes (and finance and advertising) from Michigan to try and concentrate on Pennsylvania, where they still have an outside chance. In the American system, once a candidate establishes an insurmountable lead in one state, the rival does not waste time, money and resources on that state, preferring to divert it to state where the race is still close. It\'s one of the quirks of a system where a candidate who wins the popular vote of a state (even by a few votes) wins all the electoral votes. The number of electoral votes in each state is the sum of the number of Senators (2) and Congressmen (variable).As a result, the election is virtually over or uncontested in almost 40 states. The so-called battleground states number around ten. And in almost every one of them, Obama has the momentum.It won\'t be anything like Ronald Reagan\'s rout of Walter Mondale in 1984 (when he won 49 of 50 states and 525 out of 538 electoral votes), because there are more than a dozen states which McCain has wrapped up. But the Obama camp, no-hopers when they began their campaign, are certainly eyeing 300-plus now.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3984

Police identify Malegaon blast mastermind

Mumbai: The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Mumbai Police on Sunday claimed to have closed in on the mastermind of the September 29 Malegaon blast. The ATS further revealed the name of the instigator as Ram Narayan Singh.The ATS disclosed that Singh planted the bombs on the bike and did a survey of the area before the blasts. According to police sources, the accused is associated with a Hindu organisation.The disclosure comes a day after the Mumbai ATS detained two former Army officials from Pune.The ex-Army officials are said to have given training to the people involved in carrying out the blast.ATS officials are also on the lookout for other leads in various states.Earlier, a young Sadhvi and two other men were arrested on Thursday and slapped with murder charges for their alleged involvement in the Malegaon blast.Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur along with Shamlal Sahu and Shivnarayan Singh, all hailing from Madhya Pradesh, have been remanded them to police custody till November 3.The motorcyle used in the Malegaon blasts on September 29 in which five persons were killed belonged to the Sadhvi. Besides having links with the BJP\'s student wing ABVP, she is suspected to be associated with the Indore-based radical Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) accused of involvement in the blasts in Malegaon as well as in Modasa in Gujarat in which one person was killed.However, the right-wing outfit has denied the charge.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3983

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Thackeray stares at long legal battle

MUMBAI: MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who was released on bail on Wednesday, would have to prepare himself for a long-drawn legal battle in view of mounting pressure from major partners of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government in Delhi.A day after MNS workers went on the rampage, the state home department led by senior NCP leader and deputy chief minister R R Patil registered a record 54 criminal cases against Thackeray in 27 police stations and arrested an estimated 6,000 MNS workers across the state.Director-general of police A N Roy confirmed that a large number of criminal cases had been registered against Thackeray and his supporters.\"After proper investigation and on the basis of adequate evidence, we have added his name as an abettor to the main crime. Of course, the law will take its own course in all these cases,\'\' Roy told TOI.According to records, offences for rioting, arson, obstructing public servants from performing their duties and conspiracy have been registered against MNS workers. In all these cases, Thackeray\'s name has been added as an abettor.Significantly, all the accused arrested since October 19 have been released on bail. If Thackeray is arrested, he, too, will be released on bail; but in that event, he will be taken across the districts. \"It is not necessary to arrest him in all the cases as, according to the law, he can be asked to remain present in court at the time of filing the chargesheet,\'\' a senior home department official said.Alarmed by the stringent criticism of the home department, it was for the first time that the law-enforcing agencies followed a strategy adopted for a hardened criminal.Once a criminal is booked, the police ensure that he does not get bail and is shifted from one court to the other. In the case of Thackeray, the home department has adopted the same strategy. \"We don\'t want to arrest him on a daily basis, but let there be a hanging sword,\'\' he added.On the large number of cases against Thackeray, the official admitted that more than the state government , there was mounting pressure from the Centre, particularly home minister Shivraj Patil, railway minister Lalu Prasad and fertiliser minister Ram Vilas Paswan, to take stern action against the MNS chief.\"If we hadn\'t detained him for two days, there would have been law and order problems across the country, particularly the north,\'\' he added.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3982

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Webmaster Jam Session Rocked

 
CoffeeCup Software
Over 45,639,249 Downloads in 87 Countries

The Webmaster Jam Session Rocks Again

Hi everyone!

Things are moving a little slowly around the CoffeeCup office today. What can we say? We were having so much fun at the Webmaster Jam Session this weekend that we didn't have a chance to get our beauty sleep.

It was worth it, though, because this year was easily the best Jam Session yet! We knew we had some great speakers lined up, but in no way were we prepared for them to kick this much butt.

Couldn't make it to the Jam Session this year? Check out some pictures here!

One of our favorite parts of the event was the Website Smackdown. Fourteen of our speakers crowded onstage, some lucky enough to find chairs, some perched on the edge of the stage, and one — Rob Weychert — sitting squarely on two other speakers' laps. Despite the cramped quarters, they critiqued Websites in fine style. Members of the crowd took notes, asked questions, and rolled in the aisles laughing. Everyone had such a great time!

The attendees and speakers had the exclusive pleasure to be the first to check out the newest members of the CoffeeCup family of software: Shopping Cart Creator, sIFR Font Maker, and the latest build of Website Font. We'd never seen that much excitement in crowd of Webmasters before!

Some of our users will get their exclusive beta invitations this week. Don't worry if you don’t hear from us this week, though. These and more applications will be ready for public release soon!

One of the perks at this year's Jam Session were free DVDs of the highlights of Webmaster Jam Session 2007. They were such a big hit that we decided to make a special offer for all our users. Here it goes: For the next 7 days, if you order any software on CD — even software you already own — we'll throw in a copy of the 2007 Webmaster Jam Session DVD absolutely free!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Wrong to malign Islam: Advani

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party\'s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani on Saturday said that it is wrong to target and malign one particular religion for the wrongs of a few. \"Even if the Quran is quoted in threatening emails by terrorists, we should not malign a religion. It is the particular interpretation of the Al Qaida-type of groups,\" Advani said while addressing a seminar on \'War on Terrorism\' organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, a BJP- sponsored think tank. He said that Hindu scriptures could also be misinterpreted and it would be \"intolerable if people malign Hindutva because of that\". On the party\'s repeated demand for reviving the stringent anti-terror law Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), Advani said: \"We have accepted the Supreme Court\'s directions and precautions to check misuse of the law. This shows the determination of the BJP to make proper laws.\" The BJP has intensified its campaign for the general elections due next year and is using the issue of terrorism to criticise the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. The seminar on Saturday is one of many planned to mobilise people against the UPA government on the BJP\'s chief election plank - the fight against terrorism.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3981

Suspected US strikes kill 21 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: At least 21 people, including 16 foreign militants, were killed and several others injured in a missile strike carried out by a suspected US drone in Pakistan\'s North Waziristan tribal region on late Friday. Official sources were quoted by Dawn News channel as saying that a house in a village in Mohmandkhel area, located 15 km from North Waziristan\'s main town of Miranshah, was targeted in the attack. The sources said 16 Arab militants were among the 21 people killed in the strike. Earlier reports had said two women also died in the attack. The residents of the house fired at the unmanned spy plane, which then fired a missile. The house that was targeted belonged to two Afghan refugees, the sources said. However, local residents claimed the attack was carried out by two jets that intruded into Pakistani airspace. They said they had heard the jets flying in the area at the time of the attack. Pakistan has angrily protested cross-border attacks in its tribal areas by US-led coalition forces from Afghanistan, describing them as a violation of its sovereignty. Despite the protests, the attacks have continued.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3980

US troops kill al-Qaida mastermind in Iraq

BAGHDAD: The US military says it has killed a senior al-Qaida leader suspected of masterminding deadly bombings in Baghdad. The military says US troops acting in self-defence also killed his wife in Friday\'s firefight. Saturday\'s statement identifies the man killed as Mahir Ahmad Mahmud Judu\' al-Zubaydi, also known as Abu Assad or Abu Rami. It says he directed the insurgent cell that was believed to be responsible for nearly simultaneous car bomb and suicide attacks that killed at least eight people on Thursday. The military says he was suspected in several other attacks against Iraqis and US forces in past years. It also says he is seen in the videotaped execution of one of four Russian diplomats in June 2006.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3979

Primary health centres defunct: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: In a strong indictment of the country\'s rural healthcare infrastructure, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said that primary health centres (PHCs)conceived as the pillar of the system providing medical care in the countryside, had become totally defunct. \'\'In rural areas, there are no doctors. They (PHCs) are functioning only on paper. There is no facility at PHCs. Hospitals function without any doctor,\'\' a bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Ashok Bhan and P Sathasivam, said. The remarks came as the bench was approving plans of the health ministry headed by Anbumani Ramadoss for fresh initiatives on AIDS. The new AIDS control programme, largely authored by additional solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam and adopted by National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), was cleared after the ASG himself gave a power-point presentation. The programme would go a long way in containing AIDS. But the government\'s satisfaction was marred by the bench\'s observations on the poor state of India\'s the healthcare system. As Subramaniam pointed out that PHCs in rural areas would be linked with the ART (anti-retroviral treatment) centres so as to widen the net of the AIDS combat programme, the bench asked the health ministry to carry out a reality check on facilities available at PHCs. Interrupting Subramaniam as he offered an explanation, the bench asked: \'\'What to talk of PHCs, the state of affairs in government hospitals in the cities is no better. Go to Delhi\'s Safadarjung Hospital. What is happening there and what is the status of healthcare facilities there?\'\' The bench added: \'\'If you want to get a real picture of the rural healthcare system, go to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. You will realise the ground reality. Now you are linking this scheme with PHCs. But have you noticed that certain areas of the country have more people living with HIV/AIDS compared to others. You should focus your attention to those areas.\'\' Sensing an exit route from a sticky situation, Subramaniam grabbed it and said the government had precisely done that and established more ART centres in areas where there were higher rates of HIV/AIDS prevalence. Though the health ministry has already issued an office memorandum to all players concerned, the ASG urged the bench to put the apex court\'s stamp of approval so that it could be effectively enforced. The court directed the states and Union territories to implement the 14-point scheme for \'\'Comprehensive Care for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLAHAs) at Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centres\'\' and asked National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) to submit status reports on the implementation every four months.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3978

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

PM urges to guard India from global financial turmoil

he prime minister, Manmohan Singh said that insulating Indian financial market, inflation, terrorism and left wing extremism and effective implementation of flagship programmes are the priority areas of the government.India is not protected from what happens in the rest of the world. Inflation remains a major worry and government is keeping its fingers crossed, several steps have been taken to ease inflation, he said adding that the economic meltdown may also have a moderating effect on it.Government will also put its best foot forward while dealing with terrorism and left wing extremism. Terrorism still constituted a serious threat to the country`s cohesion and unity, he added further.Earlier, minister of Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath has articulated that the India cannot remain `insulated` from the turmoil in global banking and financial system and the US rescue would not be sufficient to solve the problems of the world economy.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3977

Eid-ul-fitr celebrated with fervour in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Lakhs of people today offered special prayers on Eid-ul-fitr at Eidgahs across Jammu and Kashmir where the festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramzan was celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour a day ahead of rest of the country. The largest gathering was witnessed at Hazratbal shrine, housing the relic of Prophet Mohammad on the outskirts of the city, where, according to official estimates, more than four lakh devotees congregated on the occasion.No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state, officials said. Addressing gatherings in the Valley, separatists leaders asked the leadership in India and Pakistan to \"institutionalise\" the dialogue process to resolve the Kashmir issue and ensure involvement of Kashmiris in it. \"We are hopeful that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, besides taking forward the confidence building measures (CBMs) between the two countries, will start institutionalisation of the dialogue process to solve the Kashmir issue with seriousness and ensure involvement of Kashmiris in it,\" chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said at the Eidgah prayer ground. People raised pro-freedom slogans as they gathered at eidgah, a vast ground in interior city, and Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in the heart of Srinagar soon after the special Eid prayers. The Valley has been bustling with activity for the last one week with people indulging in frantic festival shopping, reflecting little of the violent, over two-month long agitation that rocked the state following the Amarnath land transfer row.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3976

Jodhpur Muslims won\'t celebrate Eid after temple stampede

Jodhpur: Tuesday marked an inauspicious start to the festive season when 130 devotees were killed in a stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, a popular religious and tourist destination in Rajasthan.Rajasthan on Wednesday observed state mourning as a mark of respect to the devotees who lost their lives during the stamped.The national flag atop Government buildings and installations flew at half mast throughout the state and no entertainment programme at official level was held anywhere.Expressing their grief on the incident, Jodhpur Muslim youth have also decided that they won't celebrate Eid on October 2 and will prefer to mourn the death of those killed in the stampede.They feel that the tragedy that struck at the Chamunda Devi temple on Tuesday doesn\'t warrant any celebration.According to the reports, locals rushed to the spot to help with rescue operation and take the injured to the hospital and a day later the city is mourning.And this section of locals have put up posters appealing to others in their community not to celebrate on Thursday.\"We will only be offering Namaz. We have decided not to celebrate Id,\" says one of the Jodhpur Muslim youths, who believe that Eid shouldn\'t be celebrated after the stampede, Shakir Ali.At least 130 people were crushed to death and more than 450 injured in a stampede caused by a rush of devotees at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan on Tuesday.Thousands of pilgrims had gathered along the two-km-long slope to the temple to mark the beginning of the Navratra festival.Then, as eyewitnesses say, there was a scramble in the men\'s queue, some devotees slipped and soon, it turned out into a massive stampede within minutes.The disaster took place around 0600 hrs (IST), less than three hours after the historic Chamunda Mata temple opened for prayers on the occasion of Navaratri festival.No medical help was available and the pilgrims had to reportedly carry the injured themselves. Some even attempted to resuscitate the unconscious victims.A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3975

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

India, France sign nuclear agreement

PARIS: Even as the United States remains unable to finish its internal political process on the proposed Indo-U.S. civil nuclear accord, New Delhi and Paris signed on Tuesday an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, the first of its kind since the Nuclear Suppliers Group agreed to lift international restrictions on India's nuclear trade. Formally called the "Co-operation Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the French Republic on the Development of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy," the agreement was signed by Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace here.The agreement paves the way for India to do business with France in reactors, nuclear fuel supply, nuclear safety, radiation and environment protection and nuclear fuel cycle management.The Prime Minister said the agreement added "a new dimension to our strategic partnership." The relationship dated back to the days of the fast breeder test reactor at Kalpakkam near Chennai, the heavy water production facilities at Vadodara, and the supply of enriched uranium for the Tarapur nuclear plant after the Pokhran test in 1974. Both sides have contextualised the agreement in the global need to find non-polluting energy sources in order to combat climate change. A background note assures the global community that as "responsible states with advanced nuclear technologies, including in the nuclear fuel cycle," both India and France are committed to "the highest standards of safety and security and in accordance with their respective nuclear policies and international obligations." The two sides also reaffirm their "common concerns and objectives in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery including a view of possible linkages to terrorism."Kakodkar hopeful Later, interacting with the media, Dr. Kakodkar expressed the hope that "sooner [rather] than later" India and France would hammer out commercial agreements to operationalise the nuclear agreement, though he thought there were "no serious impediments" in India's Atomic Energy Act.

http://www.s7news.com/story/3974

Shabad Vichaar

ਨਟ ਮਹਲਾ ੪॥ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ - ਪੰਨਾ ੯੮੨॥ ਰਾਮ ਗੁਰ ਸਰਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਰਖਵਾਰੇ॥

ਜਿਉ ਕੁੰਚਰੁ ਤਦੂਐ ਪਕਰਿ ਚਲਾਇਓ ਕਰਿ ਊਪਰੁ ਕਢਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ॥ ੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ॥

ਅਰਥ: ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ ਸਦਕਾ, ਇਨਸਾਨ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਰਜ਼ਾਅ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਜੀਵਨ ਬਤੀਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਗ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਜਿਵੇਂ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ, ਹਾਥੀ ਨੂੰ ਤੰਦੂਏ ਦੀ ਪਕੜ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਵੇਂ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਗ੍ਰਹਿਣ ਕਰਕੇ, ਦੁਨਿਆਵੀਂ ਦੁੱਖ-ਤਕਲੀਫ਼ਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਹਉਮੈ ਤੋਂ ਸੁਰਖ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। (੧ - ਰਹਾਉ)

Those persons, who have sought the support of the Almighty God, lead satiated life. God protects the elephant when caught by the noose of the crab and prays for help. We human being could also get rid of our sufferings by seeking God's refuge. (1 – Pause)

ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਾਰੇ॥

ਗੁਰੁ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ॥ ੫॥

ਅਰਥ: ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਉਪਦੇਸ਼ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਹੇ ਭਾਈ, ਬਾਣੀ ਹੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਆਤਮਕਿ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਨਾਮ-ਰਸ ਮਜ਼ੂਦ ਹੈ। ਜੇਹੜਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਗ੍ਰਹਿਣ ਕਰ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਦੁਨਿਆਵੀਂ ਝੰਝਟਾਂ `ਚੋਂ ਛੁਟਕਾਰਾ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਫਲਾ ਕਰ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। (੫)

The Divine Word is a manifestation of the Guru as the Divine Enlightenment is hidden in the Amrit like nectar of the True Naam. In fact, the devotee, who realizes God in his heart, attains emancipation in life by following the Guru's teachings. (5)

ਸਭੁ ਹੈ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੁ ਹੈ ਪਸਰਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਬੀਜਿਆ ਖਾਵਾਰੇ॥

ਜਿਉ ਜਨ ਚੰਦ੍ਰਹਾਂਸੁ ਦੁਖਿਆ ਧ੍ਰਿਸਟਬੁਧੀ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਘਰੁ ਲੂਕੀ ਜਾਰੇ॥ ੬॥

ਅਰਥ: ਐ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ, ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਵਿਆਪਕ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਇਸ ਗਿਆਨ ਤੋਂ ਸੇਧ ਲੈਣ ਦੀ ਬਿਜਾਏ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਕੀਤੇ ਕਰਮਾਂ ਕਰਕੇ ਖ਼ੁਆਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਵੇਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਧ੍ਰਿਸਟਬੁਧੀ, ਚੰਦ੍ਰਹਾਂਸ ਦਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਲੋਚਦਾ ਲੋਚਦਾ, ਆਪਣੇ ਹੀ ਘਰ ਦੀ ਤਿਬਾਹੀ ਕਰ ਬੈਠਾ। (੬)

We should always remember that God pervades everywhere. But by forgetting this reality, faithless person suffers in life by performing vicious actions just as Dhristbudhi having evil design to destroy Chanderhans, had, instead, suffered himself by burning his own house. (6)

ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕਉ ਜਨੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਰਿਦ ਲੋਚੈ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਜਨ ਕੇ ਸਾਸ ਨਿਹਾਰੇ॥

ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰਿ ਭਗਤਿ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਏ ਜਨ ਪੀਛੈ ਜਗੁ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ॥ ੭॥

ਅਰਥ: ਜੇਹੜਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰਨ ਲਗ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਭੀ ਐਸੇ ਭਗਤ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਸਮੇਂ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। ਐਸੇ ਭਗਤਾਂ ਦੀ ਘਾਲਣਾ ਸਦਕਾ, ਹੋਰ ਪ੍ਰਾਣੀ ਭੀ ੳੇੁਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੂਰਨਿਆਂ ਉਤੇ ਚਲ ਕੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਸਫਲਾ ਕਰ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। (੭)

The Almighty God protects the persons, who realize the True Naam in their hearts. By following such true devotees, others also attain self-realization through Divine Wisdom. (7)

ਆਪਨ ਆਪਿ ਆਪਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਆਪੇ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਵਾਰੇ॥

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਪੇ ਆਪਿ ਸਭ ਵਰਤੈ ਕਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਆਪਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ॥ ੮॥ ੪॥

ਅਰਥ: ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਸ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਟੀ ਦਾ ਰਚਨਹਾਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੀ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਰੂਹਾਨੀ-ਗਿਆਨ ਸਦਕਾ, ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਬਿਆਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਵਿਚਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ਿ ਦੁਆਰਾ, ਸਾਰੇ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਦੇਖ-ਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। (੮ / ੪)

God alone is the sole Creator of the entire Creation and takes care of all. By virtue of Guru Nanak Sahib's Divine Enlightenment, Guru Ramdas Sahib says that the Almighty God pervades at all the places and as such we should seek peace and tranquility by reciting God's True Naam and attain emancipation. (8 / 4)

[Guru Sahib advises us that the devotees could realize emancipation in life by following the \"Shabd Guru, the Divine Wisdom\" as contained in the Guru Granth Sahib. Thus, we should have full faith in our Perfect Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib as ordained by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib before breathing his last on 7th October 1708. There is no need to wander around]

Waheguru jee ka Khalsa Waheguru jee kee Fateh

Shared by: Gurmit Singh (Sydney – Australia): Sunday, 28th September 2008


http://www.sikhpress.com

ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ

ੴ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਹਿ॥

ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ

-ਇਕਵਾਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਪੱਟੀ

ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਨਕਸ਼ੇ ਉਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ ਕੌਮ ਹੀ ਐਸੀ ਕੌਮ ਹੈ ਜà©&lsqauo; ਦਿਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਦà©&lsqauo; ਜਾਂ ਤਿੰਨ ਵਾਰ ਜਾਂ ਫਿਰ ਜਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਵੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਇਸ਼ਟ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਚਾਰ ਵਸਤੂਆਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਚਾਰ ਵਸਤੂਆਂ ਹਨ:

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ, ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ॥

ਸਭ ਤà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਮੰਗ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜà©&lsqauo; ਮਨੁੱਖਾ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ਦਾ ਮਨà©&lsqauo;ਰਥ ਹੈ। ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਤà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਉੱਚੀ ਆਤਮਿਕ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਦੀ, ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਦੀ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਦੁੱਖ ਜਾਂ ਸੁੱਖ, ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਜਾਂ ਗ਼ਮੀ ਅਤੇ ਹਰਖ ਜਾਂ ਸà©&lsqauo;ਗ ਦੀ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਵਾਲਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਹੀ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮੰਗ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਸà©&lsqauo;, ਇੱਕ ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖ ਜਿੱਥੇ ਰà©&lsqauo;à©› ਆਪਣੇ ਲਈ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤ ਅਤੇ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉੱਥੇ ਅੱਜ ਦੇ ਪਦਾਰਥਵਾਦੀ ਯੁੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮੰਗਣਾ ਇੱਕ ਬਹੁੱਤ ਹੀ ਨਿਵੇਕਲੀ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਸ਼ਾਲੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ।

ਸਰਬੱਤ ਲਫ਼ਜ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੇਵਲ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ, ਟੱਬਰ, ਸਮਾਜ ਜਾਂ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਜਾਂ ਬਰਾਦਰੀ ਤੱਕ ਹੀ ਸੀਮਿਤ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਮਨੁੱਖੀ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਾ ਕੇਵਲ ਦà©&lsqauo;ਸਤ, ਮਿੱਤਰ, ਜਾਂ ਸੱਜਣ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣ, ਸ਼ਤਰੂ ਅਤੇ ਵੈਰੀ ਵੀ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਸਰਬੱਤ ਲਫਜ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੀਰ ਬੁੱਧੂ ਸ਼ਾਹ, ਸਾਈਂ ਮੀਆਂ ਮੀਰ, ਪੀਰ ਭੀਖਣ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਜਾਂ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਕੌੜਾ ਮੱਲ ਵਰਗੇ ਮਿੱਤਰ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਦੀਵਾਨ ਲੱਖਪੱਤ ਰਾਇ, ਜ਼ਕਰੀਆ ਖ਼ਾਨ, ਯਹੀਆ ਖਾਂ, ਮੱਸਾ ਰੰਘੜ ਜਾਂ ਮੀਰ ਮੰਨੂ ਵਰਗੇ ਜ਼ਾਲਮ ਜ਼ਰਵਾਣੇ ਵੀ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ। ਸਿੱਖ ਲà©&lsqauo;ਕ, ਇਹਨਾਂ ਮਨੁੱਖਤਾ ਤà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਗਿਰੇ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਏ ਮਨੁੱਖਾਂ ਦਾ ਵੀ ਭਲਾ ਮੰਗਦੇ ਹਨ। ਸਿੱਖ ਕੌਮ ਦੇ 500 ਸਾਲਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਐਸੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਕਿ ਜਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਕà©&lsqauo;ਲà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਬਾਬਰ ਵਰਗੇ ਜਾਲਮ, ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ, à¨"ਰੰਗਜੇਬ ਜਾਂ ਫਰੁਖਸ਼ੀਅਰ ਵਰਗੇ ਜਾਲਮ ਦਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਮੰਗਿਆ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਵੇ, ਇਸਦੇ ਉਲਟ ਸਗà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਮੀਰ ਮਨੂੰ ਵਰਗੇ ਜਾਲਮ ਜਰਵਾਣੇ ਦੇ ਰਾਜ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਮਿਸਾਲਾਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।

ਜਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਮੀਰ ਮੰਨੂੰ ਨੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਬੀਬੀਆਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਜ਼ੁਲਮ ਕੀਤਾ। ਸਾਰਾ-ਸਾਰਾ ਦਿਨ ਚੱਕੀਆਂ ਪੀਸਣ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਣੀਆਂ, ਖੰਨੀ-ਖੰਨੀ ਰà©&lsqauo;ਟੀ ਤੇ ਗੁਜ਼ਾਰਾ ਅਤੇ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਕà©&lsqauo;ਰੜਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਉਪਰੰਤ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਬੀਬੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖੀ ਸਿਦਕ ਤà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਡੁਲਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਛà©&lsqauo;ਟੇ-ਛà©&lsqauo;ਟੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਟà©&lsqauo;ਟੇ-ਟà©&lsqauo;ਟੇ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਬੀਬੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਗਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਾਰ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਪਾਏ ਗਏ, ਪਰ ਧੰਨ ਮਾਤਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਕੌਰ ਦੀ ਉਹ ਬਹਾਦੁਰ ਬੱਚੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਜਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਸ਼ਾਮਾਂ ਵੇਲੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰਹਰਾਸਿ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪਾਠ ਕਰਨ ਉਪਰੰਤ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕੀਤੀ ਤਾਂ ਇਹà©&lsqauo; ਮੰਗ ਆਪਣੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਕà©&lsqauo;ਲà©&lsqauo; ਕੀਤੀ:

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ॥

ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਸਾਡਾ ਇਹ ਸਿਧਾਂਤ ਹੈ:

ਪਰ ਕਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਨ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਚੀਤ॥ ਤੁਮ ਕਉ ਦੁਖੁ ਨਹੀਂ ਭਾਈ ਮੀਤ॥ (ਆਸਾ ਮ. 5, ਪੰਨਾ 386

ਇਹà©&lsqauo; ਕਾਰਣ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਕਾਜ਼ੀ ਨੂਰ ਮੁਹੰਮਦ ਵਰਗੇ ਕੱਟੜਪੰਥੀ ਅਤੇ ਜਾਨੂੰਨੀ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕਾਰ, ਜà©&lsqauo; ਆਪਣੇ ਮੁਤੱਸਬ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਗ (ਭਾਵ ਕੁੱਤੇ) ਲਿਖਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਵੀ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਕਹਿਣ ਲਈ ਮਜਬੂਰ ਹà©&lsqauo; ਗਿਆ ਕਿ: ਐ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਲà©&lsqauo;ਕà©&lsqauo;! ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ (ਸਗਾਂ ਭਾਵ ਕੁਤਿਆਂ) ਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਨਾ ਆਖà©&lsqauo;, ਇਹ ਤਾਂ ਬੱਬਰ ਸ਼ੇਰ ਨੇ। ਜ੍ਹਿਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦਾ ਕà©&lsqauo;ਈ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਹ ਬੁਰੇ ਦਾ ਵੀ ਬੁਰਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਚਿਤਵਦੇ ਸਗà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਭਲਾ ਹੀ ਚਿਤਵਦੇ ਹਨ।\"

ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੁੜ੍ਹਤੀ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ:

ਹਮ ਨਹੀ ਚੰਗੇ ਬੁਰਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਕà©&lsqauo;ਇ॥ ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਤਾਰੇ ਸà©&lsqauo;ਇ॥

(ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ 1, ਪੰਨਾ 728)

ਮਹਾਨ ਫਿਲਾਸਫਰ ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਲਿਖਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਬਲਦੇ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਦੇ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਹੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਧਰਮ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਲਈ ਦੌਰੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਮੀਲ ਪੈਦਲ ਸਫ਼ਰ ਤੈਅ ਕਰਕੇ ਠੱਗਾਂ, ਚà©&lsqauo;ਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਖਸ਼ ਬੁੱਧੀ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਢੰਗ ਸਮਝਾਇਆ। ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਲਿਖਦੇ ਹਨ:

ਬਾਬਾ ਦੇਖੈ ਧਿਆਨੁ ਧਰਿ ਜਲਤੀ ਸਭਿ ਪ੍ਰਿਥਵੀ ਦਿਸਿ ਆਈ॥

ਬਾਝੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਬਾਰੁ ਹੈ, ਹੈ ਹੈ ਕਰਦੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਲੁਕਾਈ॥

ਬਾਬਾ ਭੇਖ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਉਦਾਸੀ ਦੀ ਰੀਤਿ ਚਲਾਈ॥

ਚੜ੍ਹਿਆ ਸà©&lsqauo;ਧਣਿ ਧਰਤਿ ਲੁਕਾਈ॥ (ਵਾਰ 1)

ਗਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਸਮਝਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਕਿ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਅਤੇ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ਸੁਭਾਅ ਦਾ ਮਾਲਕ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ਸੁਭਾਅ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਮਾਜ ਦੀ ਸਿਰਜਣਾ ਲਈ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਵਿਦਿਆਵਾਨ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ \"ਵਿਦਿਆ ਵੀਚਾਰੀ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ\"। ਇਸੇ ਲਈ ਦੂਜੇ ਜਾਮੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਲਈ ਛà©&lsqauo;ਟੇ-ਛà©&lsqauo;ਟੇ ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਲਾਸਾਂ ਲਗਾ ਕੇ ਪਰਉਪਕਾਰੀ ਬਣਨ ਲਈ ਸਾਡਾ ਮਾਰਗ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੀਤਾ। ਤੀਜੇ ਜਾਮੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸਤੀ ਵਰਗੀ ਭੈੜੀ ਰਸਮ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਅਕਬਰ ਬਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਿਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਇਸਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਬਣਵਾਇਆ। ਅੱਜ ਬੇਸ਼ੱਕ ਇਸ ਦੇਸ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਨੂੰ ਬਾਣਾਏ ਜਾਣ ਲਈ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਏ ਮà©&lsqauo;ਹਨ ਵਰਗੇ ਦੇ ਸà©&lsqauo;ਹਿਲੇ ਗਾਏ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਵਾਲੇ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਰੱਖ ਕੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਮਰਦਾਸ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ 500 ਸਾਲ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਲਾਗੂ ਕਰਵਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਸੀ। ਪੰਜਵੇਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ ਵੀ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਦੇ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਨੀਹਾਂ ਮਜਬੂਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਈ ਸੀ। ਅੱਗà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਛੇਵੇਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗà©&lsqauo;ਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਚਾਰ ਜੰਗਾਂ ਲੜੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਜਿੱਤ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕੀਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਜੰਗ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਣ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਸੀ ਕਿ:

ਤਿਨ ਕਾ ਬਾਜ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਮ ਦੇਣਾ, ਤਾਜ਼, ਬਾਜ਼ ਤਿਨਕਾ ਸਭ ਲੈਣਾ॥

ਰਾਜ ਦੇਸ਼ ਜà©&lsqauo; ਉਨਸੇ ਲੈ ਹੈਂ, ਗਰੀਬ ਅਨਾਥਨ ਕà©&lsqauo; ਸਬ ਦੇ ਹੈਂ॥

ਨੌਵੇਂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ਼ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਹਾਦਤ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਵੀ ਇਹà©&lsqauo; ਹੀ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਸੀ। ਕਾਜ਼ੀ ਅਬਦੁਲ ਵਾਹਦ ਵà©&lsqauo;ਹਰਾ ਨੇ ਪੁੱਛ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ ਕਿ \"ਐ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ਼ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਜਾਮੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਜੰਝੂ ਪਾਉਣ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਅਤੇ ਹੁਣ ਜੰਝੂ ਲਾਹੁਣ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ, ਇਹ ਕੈਸਾ ਮਾਜਰਾ ਹੈ? ਤਾਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਕਹਿਣ ਲੱਗੇ \"ਕਾਜ਼ੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਉਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਜ਼ਬਰਦਸਤੀ ਪਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਸੀ `ਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਪਾਉਣ ਨਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਹੁਣ ਜ਼ਬਰਦਸਤੀ ਲਾਹਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਲਾਹੁਣ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇਣਾ।\"

ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਲਈ ਦਸਮੇਸ਼ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਾਤਾ-ਪਿਤਾ, ਦਾਦਾ-ਪੜਦਾਦਾ, ਚਾਰੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਗੱਲ ਕੀ ਸਰਬੰਸ ਕੁਰਬਾਣ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਐਲਾਨ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਕਿ \"ਮੈਂ ਦੇਸ਼, ਧਰਮ ਅਤੇ ਕੌਮ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਵੱਲà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਉਲੀਕਿਆ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਹੀ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਹੈ।\"

ਹੁਣ ਵੀ ਜਦ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਜਿਹਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਅੰਗਦ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਦੇ 500 ਸਾਲਾ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ ਦਿਹਾੜੇ ਦੇ ਮੌਕੇ ਤੇ ਸਰਬ ਧਰਮ ਸੰਮੇਲਨ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ। ਜਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਰੇ ਧਰਮਾ ਦੇ ਆਗੂ ਜਿੰਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਦੀ ਅੰਸ਼-ਬੰਸ ਵਿੱਚà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਵਾਸਤਵ ਗà©&lsqauo;ਸਵਾਮੀ, ਜੈਨ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਮੁਨੀ, ਇਸਲਾਮ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਮੁਲਾਨਾ ਸਿਰਗ਼ੁਲ ਹਸਨ ਕਾਜ਼ਮੀ, ਕ੍ਰਿਸਚੀਅਨ ਧਰਮ ਤà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਬਿਸ਼ਪ ਡੈਨਿਸ ਲਾਲ, ਯਹੂਦੀ ਧਰਮ ਤà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਇਜ਼ਾਦਿਲ ਇਸਾਕ ਮਾਲਕੀਰ ਆਦਿ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਿਲ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਏ ਸਨ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਂਝੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ ਕਿ \"ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਆਧੁਨਿਕ ਅਤੇ ਵੱਡਮੁਲੀਆਂ ਕੀਮਤਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਰਬ ਕਲਿਆਣਚਕਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਦੀ ਕਾਮਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਧਰਮ ਹੈ।\"

ਇਹà©&lsqauo; ਕਾਰਣ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਜਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਜੰਗਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਏ ਭੁੱਖੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਕਿ ਨਾਦਰ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਅਤੇ ਅਬਦਾਲੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਜਰਵਾਣੇ ਹਿੰਦੁਸਤਾਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਇੱਜ਼ਤ ਆਬਰੂ (ਬਹੁ-ਬੇਟੀਆਂ) ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦੀ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਜ਼ਬਰਦਸਤੀ ਲਿਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਤਾਂ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮੰਗਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਵਰਗੇ ਮੁਦੱਈ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੇ ਅਬਦਾਲੀ ਉਪਰ ਹਮਲਾ ਕਰਕੇ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਬੱਚੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਕਰਵਾ ਕੇ ਹੀ ਦਮ ਲੈਦੇ ਸਨ।

ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮੰਗਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸੂਰਬੀਰਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਮਰਜੀਵੜਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਇਹ ਕਹਾਵਤਾਂ ਮਸ਼ਹੂਰ ਚੁੱਕੀਆਂ ਸਨ:

\"ਰੰਨ ਗਈ ਰੰਨ ਬਸਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਗਈ, ਵੇ ਮà©&lsqauo;ੜੀਂ ਬਾਬਾ ਕੱਛ ਵਾਲਿਆ।\"

ਜਾਂ \"ਬੂਹੇ ਆਏ ਨੀ ਨਿਹੰਗ, ਬੂਹਾ ਖà©&lsqauo;ਲ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਨਿਸੰਗ।\"

ਅੱਜ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਕੱਟੜ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਤੱਸਬੀ ਵਿਚਾਰਧਾਰਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਲà©&lsqauo;ਕ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਮੰਗਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਿਆਰਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਬੁਰਾ ਹੀ ਲà©&lsqauo;ਚਦੇ ਹਨ, ਪਰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕà©&lsqauo;ਈ ਅਫਸà©&lsqauo;ਸ ਨਹੀਂ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਬੁਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਭ ਬੁਰੇ ਅਤੇ ਭਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਭ ਭਲੇ ਹੀ ਦਿੱਸਦੇ ਹਨ। ਪਰ ਅਸੀਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਅਖਵਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਲà©&lsqauo;ਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ ਅਤੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਗà©&lsqauo;ਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੀ ਵੱਲà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦੇ ਭਲੇ ਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹà©&lsqauo;ਇਆ ਸੰਦੇਸ਼ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖਣਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਜਦà©&lsqauo;ਂ ਵੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਨੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਇਹੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰਨੀ ਹੈ:

ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮ ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ, ਤੇਰੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ।

ਦਾਸਰਾ:

-ਇਕਵਾਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਪੱਟੀ

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