Website: http://www.ishmeetsinghfoundation.com

Starring: Gursikhs

Directed By: Sardar Gurpinder Singh Ji

Kaljug meh kirtan pardhaana. Gurmukh japiaai laaye dhyaana.
In this Age of Kaljug, the singing of Kirtan is most supreme .
The Gurmukh chants with focused attention.
(SGGS ang 1075)

In loving memory of Star Voice of India Ishmeet Singh, his parents, father Gurpinder Singh and mother Amritpal Kaur are organizing a unique event due to begin in July 2009. The TV reality show is based on Classical Gurbani kirtan. Children and youngsters of ages 15-23 are encouraged to take part in this show which will be recorded in Punjab and televised live to a worldwide audience. The youth will be judged on the best classical and traditional performance of Gurbani kirtan by a panel of experts in this field. The event will be shown on PTC Punjabi channel over period july 2009 to september 2009. The final of this special Sikhi event will take place during the first week of September 2009.

Sangat is kindly requested to help this deserving cause and promote this event in bringing classical shabad kirtan to the forefront of our daily lives.

Gurbani Keertan auditions for Gursikhs ageing from 15-23 years.40-50 gursikhs will be selected from all the auditions then 12 of them will qualify the mega auditions and leave for the finals.

News Source: SikhiSidak Group

I was wondering if anyone had taken any pictures of Golden Temple during total solar eclipse on july 22,2009 which was seen in india in early hours of the morning. I found these two pics on twitter which are beautiful.

1. Taken by @__silvita__ – Source Link

Solar Eclipse as seen from Golden Temple,Amritsar

2.  Guru Singh’s Blog

Eclipse as seen from Golden Temple

If you have more pictures, do send us pics and your experiences of visits to Golden Temple at info@amritsarovar.com

Bhai Taru Singh Ji – An Animation movie on great sikh martyr is coming soon in your city. This is the third movie in series after ‘Sahibzaadey’ and ‘Mata Sundri’ from Vismaad Creations.

Gurpurab Di Lakh Lakh Wadai Hoye Ji.

Heartiest gurpurab greetings on Parkash Purab [Birth Day] of 8th Guru Of Sikhs, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji. World celebrates his 353rd Birth Anniversary of youngest Sikh Guru.

Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji

Guru Har Krishan who was the second and the youngest son of Guru Har Rai and Mata Krishen Kaur, was born on 7th of July, 1656 at Kiratpur. The reason why Ram Rai was superseded has already been given in the last chapter. Guru Har Krishan was appointed Guru when he was five years and three months old.

For more on life of Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji, Please Click Here

Send us pictures, news of celebrations on info@amritsarovar.com

Even as Amrit and Jeeta — possibly the first gay couple in India to marry after the Delhi High Court read down section 377 that penalizes sex between homosexuals —spent a day in marital bliss, an uncomfortable and angry Sikh clergy issued directions to all gurdwara management committees of the world to not solemnize such unions ‘‘as it is against Gurmat and has no place in Sikhism.’’

The censure came after a meeting at the Akal Takht secretariat on Wednesday of Sikh high priests, among them the jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, and Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Tarlochan Singh.

“Gay marriages are not acceptable in Sikhism and have no place in Gurmat,” said Gurbachan Singh, adding that the five Sikh high priests have issued strict directions to all gurdwaras across the globe to abide by the diktat.

‘‘The heads of other religions and faiths also have a similar opinion on gay relations,’’ he said, finding brotherhood in the group of enraged Hindu, Christian and Muslim leaders who have condemned the court’s rethink on the anti-gay section of IPC.

Harnam Singh Khalsa, head of Damdami Taksal, too, echoed the anti-homosexual chorus, protesting India’s inclusion in the list of 150 countries, including South Africa, China, Nepal, Australia, Canada and Argentina, where homosexuality is legal. ‘‘Gay marriages,’’ he said, ‘‘are not acceptable and we strongly oppose it. We may even begin an agitation against such relations.’’

Going a step further, Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the state government to take legal steps that would prevent gay marriages in the state ‘‘which would only lead to moral degradation in society.’’
News Source : TimesOfIndia

I was talking to my friend over chat today and we started discussing about the situation in Punjab and the media coverage being done in regard to same. Most of international media is giving almost a completely wrong aspect of what the actual situation is. some of the things which came forward were :

Major inaccurate reporting of Vienna story that has serious implications for Sikhs World wide.

1. There have been reports covered of ‘Sikh Guru Killed in Vienna‘ by world media, however it is clear and evident that in Sikhism, we have no living sikh guru and Sikh Community follows the word of ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’. The concern lies not only with wrong communication being published by National and International Press but then online community follows their linkbacks for their views and opinions which have adds as catalyst to report things wrong.

2) Clearly as the reports come from Vienna, this is not an inter caste incident. It’s an issue stemming from differences within Ravidasi Community. Ravidasi is a separate religion, who follow ‘Sri Guru Ravidas,’ and have their presence across the globe and majority of population resides in punjab and both the priests ‘Sant Niranjan Dass Ji and Sant Rama Nand Ji are both from ’Sri Guru Ravidas Sabha’ and the attack was from the radical elements of the same community.

3) The name of priest who was shot and later passed away is ‘Sant Rama Nand.’ Other Saint, ‘Sant Niranjan Das’ ji is under treatment in Vienna and in stable condition. A query which comes in picture is that If they were Sikhs, they would have name ‘Singh’ . The Sikh community is equally disturbed with such attack on Sant Ji but wrong projections in media are completely creating a misunderstanding by mixing the sects and communities without reconfirming the things being reported to them by various citizen journalists and other resources.

4) Negative media coverage : After reading and doing some research on coverage of attacks, its been clearly seen that reports of Violence, Fire, Tension have been headlines may be because they sell.. but considering the fact the sensitivity of issue and communication gap between two places at official level, its very easy for rumors to spread and news of fire, riots completely negate all the peace appeals that are being made from leaders of community, religious sects and people leading the state.

Clearly, there is a clear gap between the facts and the news available and if any action can be taken is only Now. These stories will get buried in some time and then will no more be discussed. Now when body of ‘Sant Rama Nand Ji’ will be brought from Vienna to India, there will be tension all around and again Media will act as major element to increase/decrease the sense of fear and fright in Punjab. Which way we want it to go?

Some of the points have been discussed here. What do you think about this and what have been your reactions on this, do share in comments.

Baisakhi is one of the most significant holidays in Sikh calendar, commemorating the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699. Baisakhi is celebrated by the Khalsa as their birthday every year, the day corresponding to the event when they were created by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. This year April 13 is being celebrated as Turban Day worldwide.All around the world, dastaar saajna diwas are taking place. At Amritsar, the lead is taken by SGPC and Sri Akal Takht Sahib where Head Granthi Giani Gurbachan Singh ji And President SGPC Avtar Singh Makkar will be present at Dastar Coronation Ceremony.

Are you celebrating the Turban Day ?  How do you feel ? Share your thoughts and experiences and we will share it with world.

Mail the news, views and your feedback at info@amritsarovar.com

Some more posters on Turban Day :

Turban - A Sikh

Please sign the petition to support the fight for Sikh identity in the US Army.
 
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/1607/t/380/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=569
 
With Waheguru’s blessing, soon we will see Tejdeep and Dr Kalsi opening a new chapter in Sikh History especially for Sikh Identity in the US.
 
Please forward the link to all your relatives, friends and community members.
 
Organizational Sign on Letter is also available on the website using this link
 
http://sikhcoalition.org/ArmySignOnLetter.asp

Thank you very much for your help and support.

As always, Sikhisidak Group – a group of Sikh volunteers in National Capital Region in India has come up yet again with amazing endeavour to get all the sikh kids transform from wearing ‘patka’s to ‘Dastar [Turban]. On account of Baisakhi celebrations, Dastar Sajna Samagam -  (Turban Coronation Ceremony)is being organized at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha C-Block Vikaspuri. A unique feature this time has been Dastar Saajna Samagam for both SINGHS and KAURS. As told by Sikhisidak member, Through this event we want to tell the importance of Turban (which is an integral part of the Sikh identity) and the sense of responsibility that one should feel wearing it.
More Details on event banner.

For any queries on this ceremony and details, you can write backat info@amritsarovar.com

Do share your stories and any updates on sikhism, events . we would love to put them on our blog.