Friday, June 27, 2008

Bush greets Sikhs on Guru’ta Gaddi celebrations

WASHINGTON: President Bush has sent warm greetings to Sikhs across America and worldwide on the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib as the community is gearing towards major celebration of this event in October this year. Sikhs will be celebrating this auspicious occasion in their respective congregations all over the world. The Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) representative, Sirmukh Singh Manku, received this message from the White House.
“I send greetings to those celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Scriptures”, said President Bush in a message released from the White House.

Emphasizing the noble concepts of the Sikh faith, President Bush said, “Sikhism teaches its followers to respect the equality of all people, defend the weak, lead lives of compassion and generosity, and work hard.”

“By putting their beliefs and values into action, Sikhs honor God and provide comfort to countless individuals.” He added.

He praised the Sikh community by saying, “I applaud the Sikh community for your respect for human life and your strong devotion to family and faith. With this message of compassion, humility, and love, Sikhs make the world a more peaceful and hopeful place.”

President Bush further added, “Laura and I send our best wishes on this special occasion.\'\'
Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of The Sikh Council on Religion and Education, thanked Bush for extending these greetings to the Sikh community. He said, “The Sikh community is pleased with President Bush’s greetings and we appreciate this gesture by the President. Bush Administration and the White House has always stood with Sikhs since 9/11 tragedy and its negative impact on the community.”

25 June, 2008


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Kelantan Muslim Turban case gives cops a headache

KOTA BARU: Muslims wearing the serban (turban) instead of crash helmets will not be booked until the Kelantan traffic police untangle a confusion over the interpretation of the related traffic regulation.

State police chief Senior Asst Commissioner (I) Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said he had ordered a stop to the issuance of summonses pending a directive from Bukit Aman and possibly the Attorney-General.

He has referred the matter to Bukit Aman’s legal division to study the interpretation of serban in the current traffic ordinance.

SAC Abdul Rahim said this after handing over 102 Proton Waja vehicles to investigating officers from the narcotics, crime, commercial crime and traffic police departments.

He said the exemption was only for motorcyclists wearing the traditional serban and not other forms of headgear.

“Those wearing other than the strict version of serban will be booked,” he said.

In Ipoh, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said there should be no exceptions to the law.

Exempting those with serban from being summoned, he said, would give rise to others using it as an excuse not to wear helmets.

The confusion arose on Tuesday after Pasir Tumboh religious school student Ahmad Nasir Darus, 27, challenged a traffic summons issued for not wearing a crash helmet on Sept 20 last year in the magistrate\'s court.

His counsel Ahmad Rizal Effende Zainol cited a clause stating exemptions accorded to motorcyclists which covers those who are classified as “Haji, Hajjah, Lebai and Singh.”

Ahmad Rizal argued that motorcyclists wearing serban could be described as lebai (pious man).


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Sikhs mark gurpurab with blodd donation drive in Greenwood

WSN Network

GREENWOOD: Members of Greenwood\'s Sikh sangat donated blood Sunday with a dual purpose: to help save lives and to honor a religious martyr. Members of the Gurdwara at 1050 S. Graham Road gave blood to a mobile unit of the Indiana Blood Center in honor of Guru Arjan Dev Ji who was tortured and killed after refusing to convert to Islam in 1606 in Punjab, India.

By donating his body, he became a \"supreme divine donor,\" said Chanchal Singh, 38. Special prayers were held Friday through Sunday at the Gurdwara, and some Sikh members across the country annually donate blood in the guru\'s honor in June. Sunday\'s drive was the first for the Greenwood Gurdwara, which opened in 2007 with 400 to 500 members.

Amarjit Singh, 44, prayed in the guru\'s honor as he gave blood Sunday, and he hopes those prayers will improve the blood, physically and spiritually.

Beenu Sikand, 38, a real estate agent who helped found the Greenwood gurdwara, said the majority of its members are truck drivers who came from California. Two other Sikh gurdwaras are in Indianapolis, one on Southeastern Avenue, in the Acton area, and the other on Hobart Road, near Beech Grove.

As per the GreenwoodStar.com, Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson said the Sikhs have been a welcome addition to the community. He said the Sikh members have brought their culture to Greenwood and have adapted to the community.

He stopped by the blood drive Sunday after going to his own church, First Baptist of Greenwood. Like members of the Sikh congregation, he was asked to cover his hair out of respect. Wearing a bandanna that Sikh members wrapped around his head, the mayor spent an hour chatting and posing for pictures. Sikand said members were eager to meet the mayor.

\"This is for a really good cause,\" Henderson said of the drive.

Sikh members agree. Narinber Singh, 40, said he was glad to \"do something good\" that he hopes will save lives. Palwinder Singh, 31, said giving blood made him realize everyone is the same, whether Sikh or Christian, black, Indian or white. \"Everybody is equal.\"

Steve Moore, coordinator of the drive for the blood center, said donations have been low across the state and he\'s glad the Sikh members are helping. The Indiana Blood Center must collect 550 pints of blood every day, but Moore said the center has had trouble reaching that number. He said one pint of blood can save three lives, but only 5 percent of the population gives blood.

About 30 Sikh members gave blood Sunday, maxing out the bloodmobile\'s capacity. Moore said that\'s rare, and he wants to bring two bloodmobiles next year.

An estimated 2,000 Sikh families have settled in the small communities and suburban neighborhoods south of Indianapolis, most in the past two years. This was the Greenwood congregation\'s first drive, and members hope to make it an annual event.


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Maharashtra may ban Dera chief for a year

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government is considering a ban on Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Ram Rahim from entering the state for one year, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil announced at a meeting in Sholapur on Friday.

The decision may be fuelled by Sikhs’ apprehension that Baba Ram Rahim will try to disrupt an event at Nanded to mark the 300th death anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in October-November this year. The event is expected to draw 25-30 lakh Sikhs from all over India. The 10 th Sikh Guru had breathed his last at Nanded (east-central Maharashtra, 650 kilometres from Mumbai) in 1708.

Patil did not specify when the ban will come into force but said that before making any such move he would discuss the implications of the issue with senior leaders and bureaucrats.

Last Friday, anticipating trouble, Baba Ram Rahim’s guards had opened fire at a mob killing one person at a plush mall in Mulund, a central suburb of Mumbai. Following the incident, thousands of Sikhs came together at the spot waving kirpans (swords) and shouting slogans against the Baba and demanding his arrest.

They staged an impromptu protest at the Mulund railway station, Mulund-Airoli Bridge, LBS Road and on railway tracks. The protests continued till the next day disrupting normal life in the city.

RR Patil reportedly received numerous calls from Sikh political leaders of other states to do something in order to calm down the Sikh community in the state.

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

Thackerays are ‘migrants’, says scholar

Mumbai, The Thackerays came to Mumbai two generations ago for jobs and as such have no right to assault those coming to the financial capital in search of livelihood.
This claim has been made in an article published in this month\'s issue of Nationalist Congress Party\'s mouthpiece Rashtravadi, whose Chief Sharad Pawar is an old friend of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray.

Hari Narke, professor at Mahatma Phule chair in Pune University and a renowned scholar on Ambedkar, has written the strong-worded article.

Narke has flayed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray, who is Bal Thackeray\'s nephew, over attacks on migrants in Mumbai.

\"Raj should read the autobiography of his grandfather Prabodhankar Thackeray (Bal Thackeray\'s father). Prabodhankar, who studied in Madhya Pradesh, has written how he travelled in other states for livelihood\", Narke says.

\"This proves that the Thackerays, who are not original inhabitants of Mumbai, came to this city in search of livelihood\", the scholar says.

Incidentally, Maharashtra Government published Prabodhankar’s literature in 1995 at the behest of Narke, the article says.

\"Who gave those, who came to Mumbai two generations ago to earn their livelihood, the right to beat up others who also come here in search of jobs?\" Narke has questioned.

\"It does not behove people who live 24 hours a day seeped in history to forget the history of just over two generations\", Narke said.

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£60,000 raised at Sikh Leisure Centre

A CHARITY dinner and dance at the Sikh Leisure Centre in Huddersfield has raised £60,000 for Cancer Research.

Some 470 guests attended the evening of food and entertainment.

It was organised by Inderpal Randhawa with members of the leisure centre committee and the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Temple at Prospect Street, Springwood.

The event was prompted by the efforts of Balwant Singh Grewal, who walked 500 miles from the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to the Parliament at Westminster to raise cash for bowel cancer research at St Mark’s Foundation Hospital in Harrow, London.

A life member of the India Association charitable body, he has previously run the London Marathon for the Blind Children’s Society and walked 2,500 miles over five months in northern India to raise £100,000 cancer and AIDS research.

Inderpal said: “Balwant is aiming to raise £1m for research into bowel cancer.

“To help reach the target, the Sikh Leisure Centre, in partnership with the Sikh Cultural Society (North) UK, were proud to hold this Vasakhi celebration and fundraising charity dinner and dance.”


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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Sukhbir asks Maha govt to take back cases against Sikh protesters

Chandigarh, June 24 Meets CM, Guv; demands action against guilty, relief for victims
Shiromani Akali Dal president and MP Sukhbir Singh Badal today urged the Maharashtra government to withdraw cases registered against the 27 Sikhs who were booked by the police following protests by the Sikh community over the killing of a community member in Mulund area in Mumbai last week.

He urged the government to take exemplary action against those guilty of firing at innocent and unarmed people. Leading a delegation of senior Akali leaders from Punjab, Sukhbir Badal, who met Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and the Governor, said the reaction of the community was spontaneous and emotional which led to protests. He said those arrested should be released immediately. He also demanded liberal compensation to those affected by the tragic incident, including a job to a member of the bereaved family.

Harcharan Bains, media advisor to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, represented the Punjab government in the delegation. The delegation also visited the family of Balkar Singh, who died in the incident. The SAD president announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to each to the injured. Sukhbir Badal said the Maharashtra government needs to take all necessary steps to ensure safety of life and property of the minority Sikh community in the state. "Sikhs have lived in Maharashtra for centuries and have made Maharashtra their second home. Punjabis and Marathas share a common heritage of bravery and patriotism," Sukhbir Badal said.

The other members of the delegation included SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, SGPC vice-president Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, former ministers Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Prem Singh Chandumajra and Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, SAD secretary Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Avtar Singh Hit and Onkar Singh Thapar.

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Sikh body demands arrest of Dera head

Amritsar (PTI): The Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) on Tuesday demanded the arrest of Dera Sacha sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, saying nothing less that this can pacify the Sikhs incensed over the gunning down of a community member allegedly by his bodyguard in Mumbai recently.

In a joint statement Issued here today Bhai Mohkam Singh, Kanwar Pal Singh and Manjit Singh Calcutta of the KAC said the arrest of Dera chief alone would pacify the Sikhs.

They also demanded that a case under section 302 should be lodged against the Dera chief for conspiring the killing of Balkar Singh.


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Sikhs in Punjab on warpath, block tracks

Demanding arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh in the wake of the Mumbai firing incident, nearly 150 Sikh protestors have gathered near Amritsar railway station and stopped several trains.

At least five trains are held up by protestors near Amritsar and Abohar stations, which include: Amritsar-Delhi Shatabdi and Sach Khand express, Abha Tufan, Abohar-Haridwar express and intercity between Abohar and Ganganagar.

The Sikh protesters squatted on the track at several places, including Amritsar, Sirhind, Malout, Abohar, Sangrur and Rajpura in Punjab to protest against the killing of a community member allegedly by a bodyguard of the Dera chief in Mumbai last week.

On Tuesday, Punjab\'s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal asked for a judicial probe into the firing by the private security guards of controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief in a Mumbai mall.

In another resolution, the party demanded that the Dera chief should not be allowed to take his gunmen inside the court either.

The \'rail roko\' call given by Damdami Taksal, SAD (Amritsar) and certain radical Sikh organisations asked the protesters to remain peaceful.

\'\'At least eight super-fast and five passenger trains have been cancelled for the day. Several other trains were being terminated short of their destination in order to ensure the safety of the passengers and rail property,\'\' Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala H K Jaggi said.

Punjab Police sources said here that though the movement of trains had come to a halt, the situation was peaceful.

Sikh protestors also blocked the Amrtitsar - Delhi highway. On Tuesday, Punjab\'s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal asked for a judicial probe into the Mumbai firing incident.

In another resolution, the party demanded that the Dera chief not be allowed to take his gunmen inside court.

Trains cancelled:

The 2204 Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath Express

The 2014 Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi Express

The 2716 Amritsar-Nanded Sachkhand Express

The 2460 Amritsar-New Delhi Intercity Express

The 5210 Amritsar-Saharsa Jan Sewa Express

The 2054 Amritsar-Haridwar Jan Shatabdi Express

The 5708 Amritsar-Katihar Express

2SUN-Nangal Dam-Sharanpur passenger.

2ULN/3ULN Ambala-Ludihana-Ambala passenger.

Trains short terminated:

The 2903 Amritsar-Mumbai Central Golden Temple Mail short terminated at Beas.

The 4631 Dehradun- Amritsar Express short terminated at Dhillwan.

The 8237 Bilaspur- Amritsar short terminated at Jalandhar Cantt.

The 3049 Howrah-Amritsar Express short terminated at Ambala.

1SUN/2SUN Nagal-Dam-Saharanpur passenger short terminated at Ambala.

334 Amritsar-Ambalal passenger short terminated at Sirhind.

Trains diverted:

The 8101 Tata Nagar-Jammu Tawi Muri Express has been diverted to run via Jalandhar-Patiala stations. (With PTI inputs)

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Sikh groups block trains, want Dera chief arrested

New Delhi: Sikh protesters have blocked the Amritsar Shatabdi and the Sachkhand Express at the Amritsar Railway Station on Wednesday.


They demand the immediate arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh along with his bodyguard for allegedly killing a Sikh in Mumbai.


Protesters have stopped the main railway line near Walla village in Amritsar and Shivala which goes till Jalandhar. There is a gathering of about 150 people.


All trains coming to Punjab have been cancelled as protestors have blocked railroads.


The protests reportedly are likely to go on till 6 pm on Wednesday evening, but could be extended further.


\"We are trying our level best to control the situation.We are talking to the protesting leaders and hopefully jams will be removed soon,\" says SSP Amritsar.


The incident in Mulund had rekindled a strong anti-Dera sentiment across Mumbai, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu. Though the situation was largely peaceful, Sikhs staged large-scale demonstrations in several parts of the country on June 21.


Protesters had earlier warned that things will get out of control if no action is taken against the Dera chief.


Ever since a private Dera guard opened fire in Mumbai killing one person and leading to unrest across several states, Rahim has become persona non grata with governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi.


His presense in Karnataka also created unrest as Sikh groups there staged protests demanding his expulsion from the state. Baba Ram Rahim Singh then took a flight to Delhi on Monday morning to prevent trouble.


The Dera chief took a Monday morning flight to Delhi and was promptly put on a helicopter to Sirsa. Sources in the Delhi Police said the Dera chief, who faces a threat to his life, was put on a helicopter to prevent trouble in the national capital.


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Sikhs girl\'s hair cut off in school

NEW YORK: In yet another incident of bias against Sikh children, a twelve year old girl\'s hair was cut by another student. The incident happened with Gurprit Kaur, a student at Public School 219 in Flushing, Queens.

This comes only five days after Jagmohan Singh Premi, was punched in the face when a student intentionally attempted to remove his Patka (smaller turban) at Richmond Hill High School, in Richmond Hill, Queens and just an year after Harpal Singh\'s hair was forcibly cut by another student in a city school.The Sikh Coalition along with Gurprit Kaur and Jagmohan Singh Premi\'s parents are organizing a march through the streets of Richmond Hill, Queens on June 30. The march will end with a rally at Richmond Hill High School, the school where Jagmohan Singh Premi suffered a bias-based assault this month.

The purpose of the march is to push the New York Department of Education to end bias-based harassment of Sikh children in city schools. The Sikh Coalition has called on all Sikhs to march with them or sign the community petition to Schools Chancellor, Joel Klein asking him to take action to protect Sikh children from bias-based harassment in city schools.

In a recent civil rights report released by the Sikh Coalition it was found that more than 60% of the over 400 New York City Sikh public school students the Coalition surveyed suffered bias-based harassment or violence in city schools.

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No clean chit to Dera chief in firing case yet: Police

Mumbai,(PTI) Police today said there is no immediate possibility of giving Dera Saccha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh a clean chit in the murder of a 40-year-old Sikh man who was gunned down by the spiritual guru\'s private security guard last week.
\"Our investigations are still on and therefore, there is no immediate likelihood of giving Ram Rahim Singh a clean chit,\" Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria told reporters here.

Balkar Singh Thakur Singh was killed after a security guard in the Dera chief\'s motorcade allegedly shot at him outside a mall in suburban Mulund on Friday evening. The incident led to violent protesting by the Sikhs in the Mulund locality till Saturday.

Maria said that the police is right now reconstructing the exact sequence of events and statements of six persons have been recorded for the purpose.

A cyclist who was injured after being hit by one of the vehicles during the melee and the government security guards who were accompanying Ram Rahim Singh that evening are among those whose statements have been recorded, he said.

Meanwhile, Balkar Singh\'s funeral took place peacefully in suburban Mulund this afternoon, police said.

Balkar Singh and his friend Thakur got into a tiff with the spiritual guru\'s staff while the latter was shopping inside the mall as they were not allowed entry into a shop.

Later, when Ram Rahim Singh left the mall in a motorcade, the duo\'s car happened to come near it after which some of the escort staff got down from their jeeps armed with sticks. They allegedly broke the windshield of Thakur\'s car and the firing occurred during the melee. PTI

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Growth of millionaires in India fastest in world

Growth of millionaires in India fastest in world

http://www.s7news.com/story/3926

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Dera chief incites anger of Bangalore Sikhs, sent to Mysore

BANGALORE: The arrival of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh in Bangalore on Saturday irked the city's Sikh community. The Dera chief brought with him tensions that erupted in Punjab in May last year.

This was exacerbated when, on Friday, a Sikh boy, Balkar Singh, was killed and two others injured, when one of Ram Rahim's bodyguards opened fire at protesters in a Mumbai mall.

The Dera chief, who had landed at the Bangalore International Airport on Saturday enroute to Delhi, was advised by the police not to proceed as they apprehended a threat to his life.

Besides ongoing protests around the country, intelligence sources said two militants arrested in Kashmir recently revealed that they had planned to target the Dera chief. Ram Rahim, who was asked to stay put at the airport, drove to Mysore later in the evening.

Ram Rahim was sent under high police cover to the Dera Sacha Sauda local unit in Siddalingapura on the Mysore-Bangalore highway.

The Dera chief, along with his followers, is camping at the Prathanamandir, which was built on a campus of 2.5 acres and is now under high security.

Police have beefed up security here following threats from the Sikh community. The entry of visitors, even media, has been banned. Given Z plus security, the Dera chief has been accommodated in the guest quarters.

The Dera chief has been targeted by the Sikh community, after he had emulated Guru Gobind Singh, much to the consternation of the Sikh community.

Sikhs in Bangalore are conducting a post-prayer meeting at the Ulsoor Gurudwara on Sunday morning to mark their protest against Ram Rahim Singh and inform all members of the community about their protest.

Sikh leaders here have planned to burn an effigy of Ram Rahim and then march to the Raj Bhavan to register their protest.

Sikhs in Bangalore are suspicious after it was reported that the Dera Sacha Sauda bought 100 acres of land near Jalahalli.

This part of Bangalore has a good number of Sikh residents, especially from the Indian Air Force and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Ram Rahim has allegedly built a house in Jalahalli.

Many Sikh leaders have warned of protests if the Dera chief tries setting up camp in Jalahalli in Bangalore. The Dera chief was last in Mysore in April, when about 400 devotees constructed a prayer hall and a small guest house at the venue.

The Dera Sacha Sauda's local unit near Mysore has been open to public for prayers for a month. It was reported that even on his previous visit to Mysore, the Dera chief had arrived in a bullet- proof car.

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‘Sikh yatris should be allowed to visit Gujranwala’

By Abdul Manan

LAHORE: All Sikh pilgrims should be allowed to visit Gujranwala, the birthday place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on the occasion of his 169th death anniversary, Sharomini Gurdwara Perbhandak Committee (SGPC) Amritsar member Baldev Singh told Daily Times on Saturday.

Baldev said that all pilgrims were compelled to attend the death anniversary of Ranjit Singh at his Samadhi in Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore. He said that the Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market) of Gujranwala was the birthplace of Ranjit Singh and they wanted to visit the place.

Baldev also demanded that Ranjit Singh's birthplace should be handed over to SGPC for renovation. He said that the birthplaces of two of Ranjit Singh's generals, Hari Singh and Akali Bhola Singh, were also near Gujranwala and Sikhs should be allowed to visit those as well.

Baldev said that he belonged to Chawinda village (India) while Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif belonged Jati Umra, which was adjacent to Chawinda. He said that since Shahbaz was from Jati Umra, he should make two functional gurdwaras in Lahore like Kahna Kacha and Daftu. He said that he would talk to Shahbaz on the issue.

He said that the SGPC had purchased an ambulance for Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, which they had been unable to bring because the necessary paperwork had not been completed. He asked the authorities to resolve the issue soon.

When asked about the Gulab Singh issue, he said that Sikhs should not be discriminated against in any country because it was against the principles of all religions. He added that the Pakistani government should permit the SGPC to construct and renovate Ranjit Singh's Samadhi.

He said that since Pakistan faced an acute shortage of Granthis (one who recites Guru Granth, the Sikh holy book), the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Perbhandak Committee (PSGPC) should be authorised to send Granthis to India to train. He said that gurdwaras in Pakistan should be expanded to accommodate a large number of Sikh pilgrims who come every year.

Baldev said that Sikhs wanted to visit their sacred places in Pakistan every month and that they should be allowed to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib (Narowal) from the border. He also said that the Pakistani government was reluctant to resolve this issue. He said that the Pakistani government had been ignoring the demands of Sikhs about the lack of accommodation in gurdwaras.


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Dera chief\'s aide confess of firing on a Sikh mob

Mumbai, Jun 21: One of the three arrested for the killing of a Sikh in a firing by bodyguards of Dera Sachcha chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim here on Friday, has confessed to having fired the round from his pistol at the crowd, a senior police official said.
He said Jagdev Singh Gurdev Singh has confessed to having opened fire from his licensed Mauser pistol.

Eleven more who were with the Dera chief at the time of the incident have been detained and will be arrested soon, police said, adding they will be booked for rioting and assaulting.

\"Now onwards, we will focus if the firing was in self defence or unprovoked,\" said the police officer.

Meanwhile, police suspect that one more person, apart from Jagdev Singh Gurdev Singh had fired as two empty shells of a 0.9 mm round were also found at the scene of crime on the L B S Marg, he said, adding forensic tests will ascertain the facts.

Reconstructing the sequence of events on Friday, the officer said two persons, including the deceased Balkar Singh Thakur Singh, got into a tiff with the Dera head\'s staff as they were not allowed entry into a shop.

Later, when the Dera chief left the mall in a motorcade, the duo\'s car happened to come near it after which some of the escort staff got down from their jeeps armed with sticks. They allegedly broke the windshield of Thakur\'s car and in the melee Gurudev Singh is suspected to have fired.

The incident has led to protests by the Sikh community who put up road and rail blockades in and around Mulund since Friday evening.

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SGPC announces Rs. 5 lakh for Sikh killed in Mumbai

Amritsar (PTI): Shriomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Saturday announced Rs. 5 lakh for the family of the Sikh who was killed in firing by security guards by Dera Sachcha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Mumbai.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar is going to Mumbai tomorrow to hand over the cheque of Rs. 5 lakh to the family of Balkar Singh who was killed.

Meanwhile, Makkar has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue of Dera Sacha Sauda.

In Amritsar, activists of various Sikh organizations under the aegis of Khalsa Action Committee today staged a protest at against the killing Balkar Singh.

In a memo to Deputy Commissioner signed by Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal, Kanwarpal Singh of Dal Khalsa, Gurjatinderpal Singh and others, the demonstrators urged Punjab government to ask Maharashtra government to book Gurmeet Ram Rahim along with his bodyguards in a murder case.

Earlier, they blocked the traffic at Bandari bridge for half an hour to reigster their protest. The Sikh leaders accused central as well as Haryana Congress government of failing to arrest the Dera head for his alleged blasphemous acts. A similar protest was also held at Hoshiarpur.

The Dera chief had invited wrath of Sikh community a few months back after he allegedly tried to imitate the dress and activities of the tenth Sikh spiritual leader Guru Gobind Singh.


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Mumbai Sikhs hold protests, demand action against chief

MUMBAI: Thousands of Sikhs blocked railway tracks, damaged a station and observed a shutdown in parts of Mumbai Saturday to protest the killing of a member of the community by the Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief\'s bodyguards. They vowed to continue \"peaceful\" protests until the culprits were brought to book. ( Watch )

Around 5,000 Sikhs squatted on railway tracks near Mulund station and stopped suburban and long distance train services from 11.30 am, causing hardship to thousands of office-goers and college students.

A Central Railway spokesman said the agitators blocked all the four lines and damaged the Mulund railway station. The blockade was lifted after two hours with police help and train services were resumed, he added.

On Friday night, one person was killed and at least two were injured when clashes erupted between Sikhs and members of the Dera Saccha Sauda sect at a mall in Mulund. A bodyguard of Dera chief Ram Rahim Singh opened fire during the clash at the upmarket Nirmal Lifestyle Mall and agitating Sikhs immediately took to the streets and blocked traffic.

The victim who was killed in the firing was identified as Malkar Singh, while two passers-by suffered injuries. The Dera chief was said to be present near the mall when the violent incident took place.

Soon after the train blockade ended, nearly 5,000 angry Sikhs marched to the Mulund police station and staged a peaceful sit-in protest, demanding action against the Dera chief and his supporters.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil appealed to the Sikh community to refrain from violence and has convened a high-level meeting in the evening to resolve the issue.

Following an appeal by Patil, the Sikhs have decided not to indulge in any kind of violent protests, a Congress Sikh leader said.

\"We have not called off the agitation. It will continue peacefully on Gandhian principles. We will wait for the state government\'s decision this evening,\" Charan Singh Sapra, Congress legislator from Mulund, said.

\"The Sikh community is shocked that despite the murderous attack on innocent youths, the Dera members managed to evade the police and escaped,\" he said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh also appealed to the Sikhs to maintain calm and announced a compensation of Rs 200,000 for the victim\'s family.

Mulund and neighbouring suburbs of northeast Mumbai were tense earlier in the day with a shutdown observed since morning. Groups of Sikhs were seen walking the streets, brandishing swords.

All schools and colleges run by the Sikh community remained closed and a shutdown was in place in Sikh majority areas in Thane district like Kalyan and Ulhasnagar.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Sikh-dominated localities of Mumbai, Thane, and Nanded in northeast Maharashtra.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Mumbai_Sikhs_hold_protests_demand_action_against_chief/articleshow/3151867.cms
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Guard of Sirsa\'s rapist baba shoots a Sikh dead

Guard of Sirsa\'s rapist baba shoots a Sikh dead, Baba whisked away

MUMBAI: SHOTS rang out in a crowded Mall in India\'s commercial and business capital Mumbai when security guards of Dera Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim fired point blank into unarmed, innocent Sikhs protesting against the self-styled fraudulent holy man. One Sikh was killed, the Baba was whisked away.

The incident occured at the upmarket Nirmal Lifestyle Mall and agitating Sikhs immediately took to the streets and blocked traffic. The victim was identified as Balkar Singh. Two others were also injured. The Dera chief was present in the area when the killing happened.

The Sikh community in Mumbai has announced that they will not cremate Balkar Singh, unless the \'Baba\' is arrested.

On Saturday, the Sikhs blocked railway tracks and a shutdown was observed in areas dominated by the community. Last evening witnessed clashes between Sikh protesters and bodyguards Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

India\'s federal investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has named Gurmeet as a prime accused in murder and rape cases but the Government of India continues to back and support the baba because of his anti-Sikh stance.

Sikhs squatted on railway tracks near Mulund station and stopped suburban and long distance train services from 11.30 a.m. This inevitably caused some hardship to thousands of office-goers and college students.

A Central Railway spokesman said the agitators blocked all the four lines and damaged the Mulund railway station. He added that two suburban lines were later cleared with police help and the other two would be cleared soon.

Mulund and neighbouring suburbs of northeast Mumbai remained tense Saturday with a shutdown observed since morning. Groups of Sikhs were seen walking the streets, brandishing swords.

All schools and colleges run by the Sikh community remained closed and a shutdown was in place in Sikh majority areas in Thane district like Kalyan and Ulhasnagar.

Badal protests

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has called his Maharashtra counterpart Vilasrao Deshmukh and demanded that those responsible for the firing be arrested. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil ordered an inquiry into the incident.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and the DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna, alongwith many others, have expressed solidarity with the Sikhs in Mumbai and urged the government of Maharashtra to arrest the pseudo-baba.

SGPC has announced a grant of Rupees two lakhs for the family of the deceased who was a daily wage earner for his family.

Some of India\'s TV news channels went hammer and tongs against the Sikh protesters in their bulletins, ignoring the long drawn out struggle being put up by the Sikh community against the Baba who has been provided Z-level security by the state, the highest in the land. The Sikhs of course must take care during the protests because there is no end to the embedded enemies in the media that will make a mountain out of any mistake.

And for a community that professes Sarbat Da Bhala, it is all the more necessary that it sends out signals to that effect.

And the TV channels would do well to see the restraint of the Sikhs over the months right from the time when the Sikh crowds could have razed Salabatpura dera to dust but held their rage and anger. The point is: When will the media start seeing the things in a wholesome perspective?

20 June, 2008


http://www.sikhpress.com

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Sharif\'s party begins to rally MPs for Musharraf\'s impeachment

Islamabad : With PML(N) Chief Nawaz Sharif raising the pitch for President Pervez Mushrarraf\'s trial, his party MPs on Sunday said they have launched a signature campaign calling for the former general\'s impeachment.

Hanif Abbasi, a PML-N lawmaker, told reporters outside parliament that 48 lawmakers of his party had so far signed the motion.

A final decision in the matter would be taken at the next joint meeting of the parliamentary parties of the PML-N and its ally Pakistan People\'s Party, he said.

\"The leadership of the PML-N and PPP have said that Musharraf should be impeached. Till today, 48 signatures have been obtained (for the impeachment motion),\" Abbasi said.

He pointed out that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had himself said that the people wanted Musharraf\'s ouster from the Presidency.

\"The people\'s view is that the individual against whom they had given a verdict in the February 18 general election is still sitting in the Presidency and Army House. It is now the parliament\'s job to remove him,\" Abbasi said.

PML-N chief Sharif has been insisting on Musharraf\'s removal since the President\'s supporters were routed in the general election. Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister in a military coup led by Musharraf in 1999, has said the former military strongman should also be held accountable for his actions over the past eight-and-half years.

The PPP has so far held back from acting on the PML-N\'s demand for the impeachment of Musharraf, saying the ruling coalition does not have the two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament that is required for such a move.

While the PPP-led coalition has a two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament, the opposition PML-Q has a slender majority in the Senate or upper house.

-hindustantimes.com

Friday, June 13, 2008

Sikhs in NZ offended by claim that a widow cant remarry

Auckland , June 13 (ANI): The Sikh community here has been offended by claims being made that a widow cant remarry. A community source, on the condition of anonymity, said that the assertion that a member of the Sikh community cant remarry was an old-fashioned myth.

The controversy arose over the widow of one Navtej Singh, who was killed a couple of days ago in Auckland . A section of the Sikh community had said that she cant remarry.

This has nothing to do with reality, Sikhs have always allowed remarriage, the stuff.co.nz quoted the unnamed source as saying.

Singh's widow Harjinder Kaur has been left with her three daughters, all aged under five, and her aging grandparents. In Sikhism, the 'Anand Sanskar' sets out the religions matrimonial ceremony and conventions of the ceremony known as Anand Karaj. It states: If a woman's husband has died, she may, if she so wishes, finding a match suitable for her, remarry. For a Sikh man whose wife has died, similar ordinance obtains, says Anand Karaj and adds that the second marriage can be solemnised in the same way as the first Anand marriage.

The one prescription on it is that "generally, no Sikh should marry a second wife if the first wife is alive. Other rules say that Sikhs should marry without "giving thought to the prospective spouse's caste and descent".

It also says that a Sikhs daughter must be married to a Sikh, and that a marriage between a Sikh and a non-Sikh appears to be permitted but cannot have the Anand Karaj.

Other provisions Sikhs follow include a tenet that no Sikh should accept a match for his/her son or daughter for monetary consideration. (ANI)


http://www.sikhpress.com

Sikhs move European Court against French turban ban

WASHINGTON: The United Sikhs, a Sikh non-profit body, has moved the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg challenging a French law, passed in March 2004, which bans wearing of conspicuous religious signs, including the Sikh turban, in public schools in France.

The United Sikhs lawyers filed a petition, first of its kind against France, on behalf of Jasvir Singh and Ranjit Singh, who were 14 and 17 respectively at the time when they were expelled from their school in Bobigny for wearing a Keski following the 2004 French law.

\"The small community of French Sikhs has gallantly fought these cases in the French courts for the last three years, supported by the global Sikh community,\" Director of United Sikhs Director for International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy, Mejindarpal Kaur said. She spoke from London.

Hoping that \"justice will be done in the ECHR,\" Kaur said, \"We must salute them for fighting against all odds, despite being the smallest community to be affected by the law, and pray that justice will be done in the highest human rights court in Europe.\" In the appeal, United Sikhs lawyers argued that the 2004 law interferes with the applicants human rights in a way that was disproportionate to the aim of the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

The lawyers added, there was no pressing social need which dictated that members of the very small Sikh minority in France should not be able to wear a discreet head-covering.

Meanwhile, United Sikhs is planning to file an appeal before the UNHRC for another Sikh student, Bikramjit Singh, who was 18 at the time he was expelled in 2004.


http://www.sikhpress.com

SGPC president to be Chancellor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World Sikh University

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee(SGPC) president will be ex-officio
Chancellor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World Sikh University to be set up at Fatehgarh Sahib. In other universities of Punjab, Punjab Governor is Chancellor of the university but in case of Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, Vice President of India is Chancellor of PU.

It may be mentioned here that Sikh university project has been undertaken by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Fourth Centenary Memorial Trust, which is a constituted unit of SGPC. Former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur served as the first president of the trust in her ex-officio capacity but in this capacity Avtar Singh Makkar is presently president of the trust while other members are Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Gurpal Singh, Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Didar Singh Bhatti, Bhupinder Singh Anand, Prof. J.S. Bajaj, R.S. Mann, Punjab Advocate General H.S. Mattewal, former IAS Amarjit Singh Sidhu. Former Punjabi University, Patiala VC Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia was Member Secretary of the trust but now he has been appointed first VC of the Sikh University for the period of five years.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha had passed Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Act, 2008, on April 16 this year. Under the Act, the SGPC would establish the proposed university in 84 acres land. When contacted SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar he confirmed that he is presently Chancellor of the university in his ex-officio capacity of the SGPC president. When asked about Ahluwalia appointment, he said that Ahluwalia was earlier Member Secretary of the trust and he was working with the project from long time in a very dedicated manner and completed all correspondence for setting up the university. He said that it is not possible to continue the Sikh university project without V-C now as signatures of V-C is required on various places but Member Secretary could not sign on those documents. He said after the appointment of V-C, now there is no need of Member Secretary post.

When asked about the procedure of Ahluwalia\'s appointment, who remained in various
controversies when he was V-C Punjabi University, Patiala, Makkar admitted that Ahluwalia\'s selection was not made after calling any panel. He said during recent meeting of the trust, the
trust members decided to appoint him V-C.

http://www.sikhpress.com

New Zealand police arrest three after Sikh storekeeper\'s murder

Wellington - New Zealand police charged two men Thursday with the murder of Sikh Navtej Singh, 30, who was fatally shot in a raid on his liquor store near Auckland on Saturday night.

A third man was charged with being an accessory to the murder of Singh, who was shot in the chest at close range during the robbery, and police said they were still looking for other offenders, including the driver of a getaway car.

The three were due to appear in court later on Thursday.

There is an average of one aggravated robbery a week in the Auckland region and representatives of about 12,000 Sikhs, who own most of the small liquor and convenience stores, met police this week to demand more protection.


http://www.sikhpress.com

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Host the Best Launches HTB Monitoring Script version 4.6

New version of HTB monitoring script introduces system tray add-on.

Host the Best, a web hosting solutions company, last week announced the launch of HTB Monitoring Script version 4.6, a stand-alone script designed to allow users to operate private-labeled website monitoring and server uptime services.

The company states that the HTB Monitoring Script comes with a wide range of administration and reporting features that allow users to start their own accurate, to-the-second monitoring service. It explains that the new version comes with a unique feature: WinApp System Tray Add-on that incorporates browser functions in a tiny application that sits quietly in the Windows System Tray; multiple integrated payment gateways.

It adds that other highlights include: detailed member administration options; templates to allow uniqueness; and a fully-featured control panel that allows users to control nearly every aspect of their service.

Andy Candelario, Director of Business Development at Host the Best noted, ''One of the priorities of our software development team is to create software that not only works well, but also that raises the bar of competition in the industry. With the new version of HTB Monitoring Script, we are giving some of the popular monitoring services, like Hyperspin and Alerta, a true run for their money.''

AXS-One Announces Launch of Dynamic Data Migrator

Designed for companies switching e-mail platforms; solution reduces costs, timelines and risks associated with e-mail server migration.

AXS-One, a provider of scalable, high-performance records compliance management solutions, announced the launch of its Dynamic Data Migrator, allowing enterprise users who migrate from Lotus Notes/Domino to Microsoft Exchange (and vice-versa) to access legacy e-mails created in their previous messaging environment without undergoing expensive, time-consuming and risky data conversion procedures. The company states that with data conversion accounting for approximately one-third of migration costs, the Dynamic Data Migrator is designed to reduce the costs, timelines and risks usually associated with conversion projects.

The company explains that an integrated component of the AXS-One Compliance Platform, the Dynamic Data Migrator provides end users with immediate, secure access to their legacy e-mail directly from the new messaging client, without requiring the usual bulk conversion of e-mail. Original records remain unchanged and are retained with full fidelity. If and when messages are required in the new messaging environment (in order to reply to an e-mail, for instance), the message is dynamically converted to Exchange (or Notes) format, along with any attachments, links to applications, encryption (with available keys) and web links. This streamlined approach also avoids having to lock in decisions regarding the conversion of Domino applications, allowing a planned, incremental and dynamic conversion process. it adds.

"AXS-One's new Dynamic Data Migrator software is the answer for organizations who want to migrate their messaging platform but hesitate due to e-mail or Domino application conversion costs," said Bill Lyons, CEO of AXS-One. "The loss of data fidelity that occurs during standard migration projects is clearly an issue for general counsel. Now, AXS-One can deliver unprecedented savings by eliminating the vast majority of e-mail conversion costs and provide a smooth approach to converting Domino applications."

Commenting on the announcement, Jim Bernardo, a Director of Microsoft's Enterprise and Partner Group, said: "We expect that AXS-One's solution will have a dramatic impact on the cost and time it takes our customers to migrate their Notes mail users to Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Office Outlook. Because it enables users to have access to all their existing Notes mail from their new Outlook environment without needing to convert any of that mail from Notes to Exchange, we feel this solution has the potential to accelerate the rate at which users can be transitioned to the Exchange/Outlook environment. We congratulate them on this announcement and look forward to working with them to bring the benefits of this solution to our mutual customers and prospective customers."

Harjot Singh laugh

Sikh clergymen headed for crisis

Amritsar, June 10 (IANS) The top Sikh clergy were headed for a crisis Tuesday after the chief of one of the five apex religious seats, Iqbal Singh of the Takht Patna Sahib, defied the Akal Takht - the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion - and declared four top Sikh religious leaders as “big culprits”. Summoning his own meeting of Sikh religious leaders at his headquarters in Patna city of Bihar, Iqbal Singh, who has been crossing swords with other top Sikh religious leaders, especially Akal Takht head Joginder Singh Vedanti, reiterated that all Takhts were equal and there was no provision for the supremacy of the Akal Takht.

Besides the Akal Takht in Amritsar, the Sikhs rever four other ‘takhts’ (religious seats) as the apex forum of their religion.

The religious leaders branded “maha doshi” (big culprits) in his order include Vedanti of Akal Takht, Tarlochan Singh of Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib, Punjab), Balwant Singh Nandgarh of Damdama Sahib (near Bathinda), and Gurbachan Singh, the head priest of the Golden Temple.

The Patna head also rejected a June 6 edict by the Akal Takht on religious matters.

Iqbal Singh has locked horns with the Akal Takht over the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar and other issues too.

Volunteers physically prevented Iqbal singh from attending a meeting of Sikh religious heads inside the Golden Temple complex June 6.


http://www.sikhpress.com

Pak Sikhs want PSGPC to be more powerful

Press Trust of India

Lahore, Indian Sikhs visiting Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev want all gurdwaras in the country to be made functional and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) to be given more power. “We want to see the PSGPC as the most powerful and independent representative committee of Sikhs in Pakistan,” Raghbir Singh Saharnmajra, leader of Indian pilgrims, said.
PSGPC members should be chosen through elections and legislation should be made in this regard, Saharnmajra, a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, told the Daily Times. He called on the authorities of the two countries to set up visa facilities in Lahore and Amritsar to ease travel restrictions between India and Pakistan.

He claimed the Lahore-Amritsar bus service was a failure because of visa restrictions. “Visa sections should be opened in Lahore and Amritsar to ease travel between the two countries,” Saharnmajra said. He also said the two countries should create a passageway for Indian Sikhs to visit the Kartarpur Gurdwara in Narowal, located hardly a kilometre from the Indian border.

About 750 Indian Sikhs arrived in Lahore yesterday to commemorate the 402nd death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev. Evacuee Trust Property Board additional secretary Saddique Khurram welcomed the pilgrims at Wagah railway station. The pilgrims will return to India on June 17.

Saharnmajra said the Pakistan government should give Sikhs land in Lahore to build a 400-room complex for visiting pilgrims. “We have been asking the Pakistan government for land for the past two years,” he said.

http://www.sikhpress.com

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Jeans pehenungi :: Joke


1980 girls:Me Jeans pehenungi.
Maa:Nahi beti log kya kahenge?

2008 girls:Me mini skirt pehanungi.
Maa:Pehen le beti kuch to pehan le.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

sms by gurjeet

 May this new year bring many opportunities your way, to explore every joy of life and may your resolutions for the days ahead stay firm, turning all your dreams into reality and all your efforts into great achievements.

Joke by Amarjeet

Teacher to sharma ji: Give english translation of "Bazaar main goliyan chal rahi hai"
 
Sharma ji: The Tablets are walking in the markit!!

Sikh to play Canadian football

PATIALA: Navraj Singh Bassi of Vancouver will be making history when he will take the field in the Canadian Football League with his patka on. The 6-foot-6-inch-tall Sikh footballer will play for Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.

If he plays in his team's match against BC Lions on July 4, he will be the first Sikh to play football with a patka. Till now the headgear was considered a hindrance among Sikhs who wanted to play this game. Interestingly, Navraj's brother Pavan is a super heavyweight boxing champion and his father, Kulwinder Singh Bassi, supports Navraj's passion for the game.

Kulwinder said, "We are very excited that he will be given an opportunity to showcase his talent and by the grace of God he will excel in the sport he has loved since he was a child." Talking about his team, Pavan said, "Saskatchewan coaches are really impressed with his abilities and Navraj is really enjoying the team atmosphere."

Notably, Navraj has played on both sides of the ball as an offensive lineman as well as a defensive lineman but Saskatchewan, who are very excited to have him in their team, hope to use him on both the D-Line and as a blocking tight-end.

Harbans Singh Jandali, former president of Ontario Sikh and Gurudwara Council told TOI from Toronto that Punjabis living in the area were very eagerly waiting for the match and a large number of them would be in Vancouver to cheer up Navraj.

Navraj, who weighs 294 pounds, attended college at the University of Oregon. Despite receiving more than 40 offers for football scholarships, the North Delta Secondary School player chose to stay in the northwest to remain close to his family. He played a few seasons with the Oregon Ducks.

A leading Punjabi broadcaster in Canada, Kuldeep Deepak, said with pride, "We have registered our community's presence on the football field also."
http://www.sikhpress.com

Sikh sports festival

SIKH sportsmen from all around the country and Singapore gathered at Georgian Green, the sports field of SMK King George V in Seremban recently to take part in the 57th Gurdwara Cup and Sikh Festival of Sports.

Games organising chairman Daljeet Singh Dhillon said this year's meet was meaningful to the state contingent as it coincided with the Negri Sembilan Sikh Union's (NSSU) 75th anniversary.

This was the eighth time NSSU was hosting the games.
Standing tall: Gurbachan Singh from the Negri Sembilan contingent leading the other teams at the oath-taking ceremony.

"It's even more significant to us as the NSSU was formed way back in 1933 on this very field.

"We are also grateful to the state government for their contribution of RM50,000 towards the games and the Malaysia Singapore Sikh Sports Council (MSSSC) for acceeding to our request to hold the games here in conjunction of our diamond jubilee," he said.

Organised by the MSSSC, this year's sports festival included 11 teams from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malacca, Perak, Pahang, Johor, Penang, Kedah, Sabah, Singapore and Negri Sembilan.

MSSSC president Datuk Sohan Singh Randhawa said the objective of the games was to encourage fellowship between participants as well as to promote sportsmanship.

"The Gurdwara Cup started out as a hockey tournament but eventually expanded to include various games such as football, badminton, golf and netball.

"Ever since the formation of the MSSSC, the cup itself is presented to the winners of the inter-state hockey seniors tournament," he said.

The launch had the Armed Forces' marching band and raising of the games' flag and later the crowd was also entertained by a Bhangra performance.
Good luck: Hasan (centre) at the launch of the games.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who launched the event, said the state would continue to lend its support to the NSSU especially in organising games as it was a positive activity for youth development.

"Not only is it a wonderful opportunity for participants to build rapport, these games will also help spot budding talent among the younger participants.

"Despite being a small community, many Sikhs have gone on to represent the country. Among them are Karamjit Singh, Santokh Singh, Serbegeth Singh and Sarjit Singh.

"I hope the younger participants will be inspired by these sporting heroes to further develop their talents," he said.

He said the state government had also agreed to give a 50% discount to the organisers to rent the venues for the games, which included the Seremban 2 Hockey stadium at the Seremban Municipal Council hall.<br><br>http://www.sikhpress.com/

Acid attack on two women

JALANDHAR: A mother-daughter duo became the victims of an acid attack in the Ladhewali area of the city on Monday afternoon. Preliminary reports suggest one person threw the acid on Harbhajan Kaur and Jasbir Kaur, but the women have not identified anybody.

Harbhajan Kaur, who is in her fifties, and her daughter Jasbir Kaur (27) had ventured out of their house to purchase vegetables when they were attacked.

While the older woman sustained injuries on the abdominal area, the acid also fell on Jasbir's face. As the women tried to wipe away the acid from their faces, they hurt their hands in the process.

They were rushed to a private hospital in Rama Mandi area. Attending doctor VS Johal said they had sustained 40-45 acid injuries.

The family originally hails from Amritsar and was living here in a rented accommodation.

Sadar Police Station SHO Sarabjit Rai said the victims stated there was only one person who threw the acid. Adding that they were investigating the case from various angles, he said Jasbir was a divorcee and her husband- who was facing a murder case-was out on bail these days. He said they had not named any suspect in the case.

However, area residents claimed three boys escaped on a motorcycle after throwing acid even as the women were still in a state of shock.
 

Man, NRI brothers get father killed for property

Jalandhar: The Punjab police have booked three brothers, including two non-resident Indians, for hiring hitmen to kill their father in Punjab's Jalandhar district last month.

Master Karnail Singh, a schoolteacher in Punjab's Jalandhar, was killed on May 16 by two men allegedly hired by his sons – Rajwinder, Amandeep and Sumandeep. While Rajwinder has been arrested, a case of murder conspiracy has been registered against Amandeep and Sumandeep who live in Germany.

Police say Rajwinder, Amandeep and Sumandeep have plotted the murder as they were worried Karnail Singh would re-marry after their mother's death and they would lose their property.

"During the investigations, we got to know that they (the sons) asked Karnail not to re-marry as he already had nine daughters-in-law. But he apparently did not agree," said Jalandhar SHO, VK Sharma.

Rajwinder apparently had an argument Karnail over the issue

The two hitmen, Tejinder Singh and Karanbir Singh, reportedly followed Karnail for a few days before finally gunning him down.

Punjab Police are now seeking the extradition of Sumandeep and Amandeep.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/man-nri-brothers-get-father-killed-for-property/66849-3.html

Woman raped in train in Amritsar, two held

Amritsar, June 8 (IANS) A 32-year-old woman was repeatedly raped by two youth in the empty compartment of a train parked in the wagon yard of the Amritsar railway station, the police said here Sunday. Both youth, one of them a part-time employee of the Indian Railways, were later arrested by the railway police and booked for rape. They have been identified as Ashish Kumar and Dinesh.

Police officials said both youth forcibly took the woman past midnight Saturday to the empty compartment of the Golden Temple Express parked in the yard, where they took turns to rape her. Railway police official Bhupinder Singh confirmed the incident.

The woman, who belongs to Kangra district of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, had arrived at the Amritsar railway station from Pathankot town in north Punjab. She was waiting to catch another train for Beas town near here.

The victim told the police that the youth told her that her train to Beas was parked a little distance away. After reaching near the compartments of that train, they dragged her inside. She claimed that they continued to rape her till she fell unconscious Sunday morning.

"I regained consciousness much later and approached the police," she said.

The police were able to trace the youth, one of whom worked as a kitchen attendant at the railway station itself. They were identified by the victim.

The woman was sent to a government hospital for medical examination where doctors confirmed that she had been raped.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/woman-raped-in-train-in-amritsar-two-held_10057957.html

http://www.theindianpress.com/amritsar-main.htm

 

 

'परमाणु परीक्षण पर रोक मंजूर नहीं'


नई दिल्ली- भाजपा के वरिष्ठ नेता और प्रधानमंत्री पद के लिए पार्टी के उम्मीदवार लालकृष्ण आडवाणी ने कहा कि अगर परमाणु करार पर फिर से बातचीत कर भविष्य में परमाणु परीक्षण का विकल्प खुला रखा जाता है तो उन्हें अमेरिका के साथ असैनिक परमाणु करार पर दस्तखत करने में कोई आपत्ति नहीं होगी।

लोकसभा में विपक्ष के नेता आडवाणी ने एक पुस्तक लोकार्पण कार्यक्रम में कहा, हमें अपने रिएक्टरों और परमाणु बिजली के लिए अमेरिका से परमाणु ईंधन की आपूर्ति में कोई दिक्कत नहीं है, लेकिन हमें यह देखना होगा कि इसके लिए क्या कीमत चुकानी पड़ रही है।

पोखरण परीक्षण द्वितीय की दसवीं वर्षगांठ मनाने की भाजपा की माँग को खारिज किए जाने पर प्�

‘Indian Sikhs want PSGPC to have more authority’

* Demand visa sections in Lahore and Amritsar, plot for 400-room complex

By Abdul Manan

LAHORE: The leader of visiting Sikh pilgrims has demanded all gurdwaras in Pakistan be made functional, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Perbhandak Committee (PSGPC) be given more authority and visa sections be opened in Lahore and Amritser.

Talking to Daily Times at Wagha Railway Station on Sunday, Raghbir Singh Saharnmajra, Shrumani Gurdwara Perbhandak Committee (SGPC) member, said that hundreds of gurdwaras were non-functional in Pakistan.

"Caretakers and sewadars should be appointed at gurdwaras at far-flung areas to bring them into the mainstream," he said.

He said that the SGPC was the supreme body of Sikhs all over the world. "We want to see PSGPC as the most powerful and independent representative committee of Sikhs in Pakistan," he said. He also praised the PSGPC for renovating the gurdwaras in Pakistan.

He said that PSGPC members should be chosen through elections and legislation should be made in the regard.

He said that in India SGPC members were elected through an act of parliament and a similar process should be followed in Pakistan.

He said that land should be provided to build a 400-room complex to house visiting pilgrims in Lahore. "We have been demanding the Pakistan government for land for the past two years," he said, adding that the SGPC would bear the cost of the building.

He said that the Lahore-Amritser bus service was a failure, as only two or three passengers went on the buses because of visa restrictions.

"Visa sections should be opened in Lahore and Amritsar to ease travel between the two countries," he said. He urged Pakistan and India to resolve the Kartarpur, Narowal, gurdwara issue, which was hardly a kilometer away from the Indian border. He said that a passageway should be given to Indian Sikhs to visit the gurdwara.

He said that Sikhs were a minority in Pakistan and India and both governments should allocate funds in their fiscal budgets for the welfare of the Sikh community.
 

Ludhiana police arrests amritdhari Sikh women

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 7: Ludhiana rural police arrested a married woman Ranjit Kaur, a resident of village Batha Kalan near Khamano of district Fatehgarh Sahib. 35 year-old Ranjit Kaur is an activist of Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar(presidium) led by Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu.

When contacted Ludhiana (rural) SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar around 9 pm today  he confirmed that arrest of the woman by his police officials. He said that police is thoroughly investigating about the woman. He said she was presented in a court where she was remanded in police custody till June 10. He refused to divulge all details and said that it might hammer police investigation. When contacted Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Dr Kaustabh Sharma he said that Fatehgarh Sahib police will fully cooperate Ludhiana rural police to deal with this case.
 
It may be mentioned here that the Jammu police recently arrested three persons while they were smuggling weapons to Punjab with an intention to kill Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarewala. One arrested member belongs to SAD Amritsar (presidium). Sources said that during the police investigation of the case, the role of Ranjit Kaur also came under scanner.

SAD Amritsar(presidium) senior leader Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema along with media persons today visited Ranjit Kaur house around 6 pm today. Her husband Jasvir Singh said that a woman and two other persons in plain clothes had visited his home on Friday around 3.30 pm and told them they are officials of Ludhiana police and taken his wife with them. He said after some time local police also visited his house and searched it.

He said that he doest not know why the police has taken his wife with them. He and Bhai Cheema claimed that they did not know whereabouts of the woman. They apprehended that Ranjit Kaur may be implicated in a false case. Ranjit Kaur younger brother Bharatbir Singh said that his family is very upset over  missing of her sister .
 
 

First 'Punjab Golf Rattan' for Jeev Milkha Singh

Punjab Golf Association (PGA) on Friday conferred the first ever 'Punjab Golf Rattan' Award on Jeev Milkha Singh, India's most prolific and highest-ranked international golfer.

His parents, champion sprinter and ace Olympian Milkha Singh and Nirmal Milkha Singh, were also presented with mementos by the PGA.

PGA President SK Sharma presented Jeev with a Trophy, a PGA golf blazer, a scroll of achievements listing all his wins and the "Punjab Golf Rattan" Award at a function in Chandigarh.

For Jeev, currently ranked 37 on the Official World Golf Ranking, 2006 has been phenomenal year for him with four title wins on three different Tours, 2006 Volvo China Open (co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours), Volvo Masters (European Tour), Casio World Open (Japan Golf Tour) and Golf Nippon Series JT Cup (Japan Golf Tour).

He broke into the top 100 in October this year and then became the first Indian to break into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings this month. Being placed in the top-50 in the world has also secured him exemptions into all four Majors next year.

The 35-year-old was the first Indian golfer to become a member of the European Tour in 1998. Jeev, only the second Indian to win on the European Tour after Arjun Atwal, was also crowned the Asian Tour's Order of Merit winner this year.

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c5984156-32f5-47ac-a9ac-756664548d60&ParentID=87703a4e-e3de-4f40-8996-efdc1a25d71e&&Headline=First+'Punjab+Golf+Rattan'+for+Jeev+Milkha+Singh

Shahbaz set to be elected Punjab CM unopposed

* Special session of Punjab Assembly to elect leader of House today

By Mansab Dogar

LAHORE: Following the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q)'s boycott announcement of the assembly proceedings, PML-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif is set to be elected unopposed as chief minister of Punjab.

Shahbaz became a member of the Punjab Assembly on Friday when he took oath of office after winning unopposed from PP-48 (Bhakkar).

According to the schedule announced by Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan during assembly proceedings on Saturday, the provincial assembly would elect the leader of the House in a special session on Sunday (today). Following the election, the newly elected chief minister would go to Governor's House to take oath of office. The Fourth Session of the Punjab Assembly in its current parliamentary year was prorogued, as the speaker said that the House could not conduct any business in the absence of a chief minister. Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa resigned from the CM slot on Friday.

Punjab Assembly Secretary Maqsood Ahmad Malik, on the orders of the speaker, announced that the candidates aspiring for the CM slot could submit their nomination papers with the PA Secretariat by 9pm on Saturday, APP reported. He said the speaker would then start scrutiny of the filed papers at 9.15pm and announce the final list the same night. Malik said the candidates could withdraw their nomination papers anytime before the start of polling for the CM slot. The session, which started an hour behind schedule at 11am, was originally scheduled to conduct a general discussion on the law and order situation, as the day was specified for government business.
 

Enjoy with some jokes

1. Difference between first and second honey moon?
In first honeymoon woman says how big it is & in second
man says.. how big it is?


2. Let me teach u English......what is the full form of
ABCDEFGH. A boy can do every thing for girls hole.


3. Why do woman journalists have big
boobs?..........bcoz where ever they go they say "press"

4 In an excited state a man pissed inside a
call-girl. She sued him in court. They fined him 500$
for creating nuisance in public property.


5 A soldier marries & his whife has periods the same
day. He writes to the camp " red alert in the front,
extend leave". He gets the reply: "attack from the
back and come back".


6 . A small boy went to a prostitute and whose rate
was Rs100 per trip. He fucks her but gives her Rs5.
why?? bcoz paanch matlab chota cock.


7 . A girl marries a doctor. After having sex on first
day she says " r u an anaesthetist?
Doctor: how do u know?
Girl: kab dala kab nikhala pata hee nahin chala.


8.At a fancy dress party a woman appears nude,
painted fully white. A man asks her what r u? she
replies- I'm the mint with a hole


9 Jab tumahara rape hua to tumne kya mehsoos kiya?
Girl: Ladoo agar zabardasti bhi khilaya jaye to bhi lagta to meetha hi hai

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