guptkuri

My family and I are having an argument. They seem to think that you can only get kakkars in amritsar. And I think you should be able to get them from any major city in Punjab. Anybody know where to get Kakkars in Jhalandar or Karpurthala? -guptkuri

Someone I know is doing a project at a local school in Punjab where all the kids are going to be given free uniforms and the poor families are going to be given blankets. Further more a scholarship is going to be started for the kids that top in their class, so they don't have to worry about money and can focus on their educations. We wanted to contact the news media in Punjab to get some coverage for this project, so more people can do similar projects with their local schools. So if anyone knows how to contact the media in Punjab, please post asap. -guptkuri

Austirillia vich bura hi hala. Some of my relatives have actually migrated back from there. So, I don't know how much a citizenship of there actually counts for.

I hate to say this but I agree.

waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh

I don't like people that give negatives to mods and admins....so I voted you down :D btw, I see you still haven't sent me any cake nor put up any pics...very bad

Waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh! I recently meet Bhai Jatinder Pal Singh Ji and was highly impressed by him and was wondering if anyone has more information on him? Here is what I do know, he is very down to earth and well-versed in english and punjabi. He does katha and has recorded a few cds. I have one of his cds and it blew me away that on the cover where it said his name, there was no tittle like sant, baba, bhai, giani and etc. That is the first time, I have seen someone with so much gain, so down to earth. And thats about all I know. Anybody got any more info? -guptkuri oh and here is Bhai Sahib's facebook http://www.facebook.com/ur.harman#!/profile.php?id=100001917048812. Incase there is more than one Jatinder Pal Singh out there.

For a long time I have kept my mouth fairly shut when it comes to this website. But honestly, has anyone else noticed they blantly prmote darshan ragi, even though he speaks so much trash? As for there articles, they have a few questionable articles. Like all the fiction stories are about Sikhs having premartial sex and not really following Sikhi. There non-fiction articles are written to sound nice but if you read carefully they clearly disrespect many aspects of Sikhi.

okay, thanks. I know about dowry now and I don't feel guilty about taking my parents gifts.

I don't know this kindof stuff either. thats y i was asking

As talks are on about my engagment, I just found out that my parents want to gift me a house and my moms brothers want to pay for all the furniture and whatever else I need for the house. Does that count as dowry? The guy I will be marrying does not know about any of this, infact we are still in the process of selecting him. The guy is going to be from India and my family does not wish to see me struggle to rebuilt a life here. Is it wrong for me to accept this from my parents? Does it make it harder for other girls, whose parents can't afford to give such gifts? I am really confused because all my life I made scarfices along with rest of my family, so we could be where we are today. I have had to live in less, so the family could save up to have more. Does me getting married mean I have no right on any of it anymore and my family should give me nothing? If I was to marry in the states, it would be different because the guy would be settled here. But since he lives in India, the chance of him having the kindof money it would take to buy a house here and everything else, is very slim. Its just not realistic. I am confused because I feel like the stuff my parents would be giving me is mine anyways but at same time, I don't want to contribute to dowry practice. What to do?

here is my list guys. If I forgot something, let me know. I am emailing India tonight. I know there are sources where I could read online for free or order for free. But I don't want to put burden on the free sources, I want to give back. Rimpy’s Book List- Book Names: · Divine Mystic Reflections on Gurmat (Book ONE) · Divine Mystic Reflections on Gurmat (Book TWO) · The Miracle of Ardaas · Guide to Spiritual Conciousness · In Search of The True Guru · Se Kinehiya · 9 Qualities of Sri Sukhmani Sahib · Garland Around My Neck · Jail Chithiyaan- Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji · Roop Khalse Ka - Bhai Rama Singh ji · volume 1 - SRI NIRANKARI CHAMATKAR by SODHI TEJA SINGH · volume 2 - SODHI CHAMATKAR by SODHI TEJA SINGH · volume 3 - SRI DASAM GUR CHAMATKAR by SODHI TEJA SINGH · The Sikh Religion by Max Arthur MacAuliffe · Kabit swayie - Bhai Gurdas Ji · "Pachmi Parkash" - Sant Karam Singh Ji Hotimardana Wale (Very inspirational) · BASANT BIHAAR - (Very inspirational book on the life of Sant Baba Basant Singh) · Bhai Gurdas Ji vaaran (in english if possible but punjabi is also okay) · Sri Suraj Prakash Granth - Santokh Singh · Sheikh Farid Sakhi · Baba Kabir Sakhi · Sri Dasam Granth · Sri Sarbloh Granth · Bhai Nand Lal goya saj · Fatehnama · Rehatnama · Rehat Maryada Authors: · Sant Waryam SIngh Ji Ratwara Sahib Walae · Bhai Pinderpal Singh Ji · Giani Maan Singh Jhaur · Giani Sant Singh Maskin · Sant Kartar Singh Ji Bombay Walae · Giani ishar Singh Nara · Subedar Baghel Singh · Piara Singh Padam · Raghbir Singh Bir · Bhai Randhir Singh Ji · Sant Hari Singh Ji · Giani Mohan Singh Ji Azad · Ajait Singh Aulakh · Pandit Narayan Singh Ji Lahore Walae · Sant Jagjit Singh ji · Bhai Veer Singh Ji

I can always use brotherly advice, thank you for sharing it with me. I have tendency to talk alot and get hyper and stuff, so I probably will not be talking to him much over the phone or nothing. I think email is safe? And his family already knows I am like that; One of the first things my aunty told them was that I talk alot and that I want to take amrit. As for him, I am really just trusting my family on this matter, I will be willing to adjust to whatever my family picks for me. The thing no one really talking to me about whats going in India and the guys and etc, I don't know whats gonna happen next. My aunt is the only one that shares anything and though she gets the most say in the guy, end of the day my parents will say yes or no. So if my parents want me to go to india and get engaged, I will. If they want me to fly down to get married in a few month, i will. Just whatever they wish.

thanks me too. I am actually really nervous because I am not suppose to be knowing all these things. as far as my parents know I am clueless. lol My aunt (the only one keeping me in the loop) offered to force them to tell me and make the guy call me before everything is finalized but I said no. Lets see what happens...

Well, Maharaj is beant. I just called India this morning and things are looking better. My aunt had gone to a wedding and there she ran into some old friends she hadn't expected to see but anyways they have a son who is amritdhari, exactly my age and is from just the kindof family my parents were looking for. My dad is to go see him in a few days and from the looks of it, this might be it. I can take amrit now without my family preasure to wait because the guy I am probably gonna marry is amritdhari. Thanks for your guys advice and I am sure you guys did ardass too because things worked out so quickly. thank you

Recently I had a meeting with a guy that I want to be my mentor and help me do more for Sikhism. My first assignment was to create a plan; long term and short term. I think the sangat might enjoy reading it and creating their own. Because sometimes its when you start planning, you realize tha do accomplish your dreams, you have to take a different route and can start preparing for it. Anyways here is mine, I hope to see some of yours and comments. Short Term Goals 1 week: · Check out local Salem Library to see what kind of selection they have on Sikhism. · Make a list of schools that have world religion classes. If possible get a hold of their syllabus to see how much they focus on Sikhism. One Month: · Get in contact with a religion teacher and work on a lesson plan to better teach the students about Sikhism. · Get in touch with the local library to donate some books about Sikhism. And work on a plan to hold a series of workshops on Sikhism at the library that is open to the public. This way the books will be highlighted and the look public will get introduced to Sikhism. This should be held in the month of May, right before the Nagar Kirtan in June, as it will encourage more non-Sikhs to attend the Nagar Kirtan. · Help Veer Ji with the workshop on public relations. Plus, I think we can use it to prepare youth and some adults to run the workshops at the library. Six Months: · Have the library and the classroom plans functional and happening. · Begin writing articles on regular bases for American newspapers · Take Amrit One Year: · Create videos and written materials about the projects we are doing here, so sangat that wants to do something similar. They have a place to start because these plans can be done easily with smaller or larger groups. Long Term Goals Five Years: · I wish to have a website up and running that connects people. Like a big brother and big sister program. Sikhs that want to start following the principles of Sikhism but don’t know how to work it into their daily lives, connect them with someone with similar life styles. That way they can get advice, not feel alone and overwhelmed. Just make it easier for youth wanting to become Sikhs but are scared because it can be overwhelming. · Another aspect of the website will be to connect with girls that want to start wearing dastars but don’t know how. Right now it is pretty simple for guys but girls there is not much help available. I want to provide girls that are interested with their first dastars, so they have a starting point. Many girls like me have no clue what cloth, how big and it just overwhelms them from even trying. And family is often not much help. · Write a book that is not so heavy into principles of Sikhi. More of a fiction story of a girl finding herself as a Sikh. That goes from a party girl to a girl that finds herself being forced with circumstances of her life to rediscover the religious side of her life. Something more for the youth to just enjoy, not be lectured but still have a message in it. · Get Married · Go to widow’s colony in Delhi and get some inspiration from the ladies there and hopefully find some way to offer some assistance to them. I am thinking of starting a protection program for them. To keep drugs out and keep people from threatening them. And then possibly work with Sikh therapist to get them help where needed and finding new better housing for them out of widow’s colony. I think they need to get out of there and have a right to get away from some of those horrible memories. Because they are suffering, they shouldn’t have to suffer anymore. · Try to make break into media and journalism, so any project I do, I can get it out to the people. I want media to my friend. I want people to duplicate easily anything I do and be able to work with me easily. Not just make it a one man show. And for me the only way to do it is through the media. I want anything I do, for someone else to take it and do it better. · Also, I don’t want to limit myself to thinks I have written here, so I am leave a few blank spots because I can never do enough for Sikhi. I will be never happy with what I have done, it’s not enough. · · 10 Years: · Organize a Nagar Kirtan that includes different religions. Invite all the local churches to take part. So that way at a larger scale people can see and compare different religions and see how similar we all are. But also see the benefits and appreciate different religions. Because typically I have seen Sikhs not to be open to gatherings with other religions, though we have nothing against other religions. I want to show the world that we promote being a good Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and etc. · I want to organize a rally for justice for 1984 all over the world, all on the same day. So we get tons of media coverage and people know that we have unity at least when it’s come to getting justice for the genocide. But hopefully we will have justice by then and I won’t have to organize this. · Somewhere along the line I hope to have some kids, maybe adopt one also. I hope my hubby is good at taking care of kids because I won’t let them slow me down. · I hope to travel to lots of Gurudwara Sahibs to gather funds for Sikhs in need because I am hoping that my family will support my ventures and I won’t have to waste sangat’s money on that. While travelling I hope to write about the Gurudwara Sahibs so the whole world knows how much gurudwara’s are capable of, if they get out of politics. Also because I want sangat to be able to know what activities Gurudwara Sahibs offer and be able to move closer to Gurudwara Sahibs that offer lot of activities to stay connected to Sikhi. · Throughout my travels I hope to set up a better system in Sikhi. My dream is having each Gurudwara Sahib selecting one person that can really represent the sangat and then having those people coming together to form a team that can solve state problems by bringing the gurudwaras together to work together. Than from those people have them vote and select amongst themselves who would best represent the state. And then each state representative coming together to form a team to solve national problems. Then of course one person to represent the country. Each country would do this. Than all country representatives would report to Akal Thakt sahib. This way we can solve problems before they get out of hand. · Of course leave some open spots for things that come to mind in those ten years. And of course leave time to keep up on all the projects that I started. · · Fifteen Years: Need time to think?

another thing, I wear a dastar so there will be no misunderstanding where I stand Haan Ji, I complete understand where you guys are coming from. And I had made this post to vent and to find arguing points against my aunt. But the hukamnama? What do you guys make of it. What is Guru Granth Sahib Ji saying.

Haan Ji, I did ardass to Guru Ji telling them everything what my aunt said and how I felt and asked for advice. This was the hukamnama I got. and yes, I belong to a similar background as you. We are not close to very many amritdhari's and even those aren't of the highest rehat that I dream off. One thing I must clarify to sangat ji is that my aunt is my best friend. I call her daily and share everything with her. She knows how much amrit means to me and is trying to find a guy that also is religous. Someone that will take amrit with me and be my life partner. That way we can become good Gursikhs togather. They will never marry me to a guy that is not thinking about walking on the Sikhi path.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Sadh Sangat Ji, I am not stuck in a delima anymore. When I began writing this post I was going to tell Sangat Ji about how I am unsure, whether to take Amirt this visakhi or not. Amrit Sanchar does not happen often where I live and this year for visakhi there was going to be one. I was of my mind that this is it, I am going to take amrit this visakhi no matter what. My father has just gone to India so I asked my grandmother to send kakkars with him. Then today while I was talking to my aunt, I told her same thing, that I don't care if she sends anything else but please make sure my grandmother gets the kakkars for me. She asked me what the big hurry was, why I can't wait to take amirt. I frankly told her that I could not wait any longer and that I don't care if I don't get married. She said she had selected a few boys and would introduce them to my father and fix my marriage at the earliest. To just give her a few months and if she can't finalize my marriage by then, than she will not stop me ever again. My aunts issue is that she does not know many amritdhari people, and she can't imagine finalizing my marriage to an amritdhari boy that my parents would approve. But she does know many guys that are khesdhari boys that can take amrit with me. I was upset with my aunt and thought I would vent on sikhsangat. That I would ask for advice on how to explain to my aunt that its okay everything will work out. But as I began to write this post, I decided to take my case to high court (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and the hukam I recieved makes me think I should wait for my mariage and that it will happen soon enough. Here is the hukamnama, does the sangat agree I should wait? Or does it mean that I should marry the lord and take Amrit? hukamnama: Soohee, Fourth Mehla: In the first round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord sets out His Instructions for performing the daily duties of married life. Instead of the hymns of the Vedas to Brahma, embrace the righteous conduct of Dharma, and renounce sinful actions. Meditate on the Lord's Name; embrace and enshrine the contemplative remembrance of the Naam. Worship and adore the Guru, the Perfect True Guru, and all your sins shall be dispelled. By great good fortune, celestial bliss is attained, and the Lord, Har, Har, seems sweet to the mind. Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the first round of the marriage ceremony, the marriage ceremony has begun. ||1|| In the second round of the marriage ceremony, the Lord leads you to meet the True Guru, the Primal Being. With the Fear of God, the Fearless Lord in the mind, the filth of egotism is eradicated. In the Fear of God, the Immaculate Lord, sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, and behold the Lord's Presence before you. The Lord, the Supreme Soul, is the Lord and Master of the Universe; He is pervading and permeating everywhere, fully filling all spaces. Deep within, and outside as well, there is only the One Lord God. Meeting together, the humble servants of the Lord sing the songs of joy. Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the second round of the marriage ceremony, the unstruck sound current of the Shabad resounds. ||2|| In the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love. Meeting with the humble Saints of the Lord, I have found the Lord, by great good fortune. I have found the Immaculate Lord, and I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord. I speak the Word of the Lord's Bani. By great good fortune, I have found the humble Saints, and I speak the Unspoken Speech of the Lord. The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, Har, vibrates and resounds within my heart; meditating on the Lord, I have realized the destiny inscribed upon my forehead. Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the third round of the marriage ceremony, the mind is filled with Divine Love for the Lord. ||3|| In the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, my mind has become peaceful; I have found the Lord. As Gurmukh, I have met Him, with intuitive ease; the Lord seems so sweet to my mind and body. The Lord seems so sweet; I am pleasing to my God. Night and day, I lovingly focus my consciousness on the Lord. I have obtained my Lord and Master, the fruit of my mind's desires. The Lord's Name resounds and resonates. The Lord God, my Lord and Master, blends with His bride, and her heart blossoms forth in the Naam. Servant Nanak proclaims that, in this, the fourth round of the marriage ceremony, we have found the Eternal Lord God. ||4||2||

I love to write and learn about Sikhi but I can only write if I have knowledge. My beanti to sadhsangat Ji is please recommend books I should order from India. My father just went and I am suppose to be emailing him a list at the earliest with books I need. I know a little bit punjabi but it is very hard for me to read, I am still learning. I am more comfortable with english books. So could you guys please recommend books in english or books that have english translation easily available. Also if you guys know any good bookstore in jhalandar area or even amritsar, please do share.

Thank you for your guys words of encouragment. And you guys are right, I must write. I have been feeling a little down but thanks for reminding me that power of pen is also important and that I can do so much with it. I will try to write better and more. once again, thanks

As a Sikh I am equal to any guy but as a punjabi, my brother shall always be better than me. I grew up as more of a Punjabi, than a Sikh but I still would fight for my equality. I was never tied down by the inequalities but at same time as a girl, I put my parents on a very high pedistole. Till this day I breakdown even at the thought of going against my parents, even for a good cause. I just can't see them hurt, even if they are wrong. As a Sikh I have many dreams of what I want to do for my panth but as a punjabi I am tied down by culture barriers. It would hurt my parents if I went against them and broke the culture barriers and I don't want to hurt them. I would rather slowly move forward in my life with my family, then create ill will. I can't help but wonder if I was a boy would they hold me back the same, have the same effect on me? I might not be able to do much because I am scared of pushing buttons with my parents but I have many dreams. I would like to put them out there, so anybody in position to make them come true, can try. Hiring or finding volunteers to gaurd to the widows colony. So they have protection when going to court dates and also people to keep the drugs out of the colony. Currently there are people that have fallen to the extent to giving drugs out for free to ruin the youth in widows colony. So something must be done to protect those that have already suffered so much. Starting a similar effort to breast cancer awareness they have in the states. Not only does it raise awareness with all the people wearing clothing reminding themselves and others of breast cancer, it also raise funds to make a difference. If we can find some creative people to put togather a line of clothing to honor the victims of 1984 genocide, we can make sure it is never forgotten and find a way to support them without begging for donations. Organizing a march around the world on the same day to show the unity of Sikhs on getting justice for 1984. Not a march a khalistan but a march for justice to get the culprits punished. I will add more as I remember. I feel helpless as I can't do anything but I hope all will do ardass for me so one day I can be free of this bond of mouh and do something for my panth.

Waheguru Ji, do we know how much funds have been collected and how much there is to go?

It is working fine for me now, the time and everything