Singh, Mahan

From ajit .com http://www.ajitjalandhar.com/20060629/main3.htm

Nagas have been fighting for about 58 years. It is estimated that more than 250,000 Naga Christians have died at the hands of Indian Securities Forces over this period. But India has not been able to subdue them. So, India is not agreeing to SOME of the demands of Nagas out of the goodness of her (India’s) heart. International pressure and cost of continuing military operations have started to have adverse effect on India both from the economic point of view and its reputation (thanks to Christian NGOs). Throughout the struggle the Nagas remained united in their cause. The terrain also made it difficult for the Indian forces to fight them (despite the overwhelming superiority of Indian forces). They were being helped by Burma and Bangladesh (before that the East Pakistan.) in their attitude towards India. They could easily slip into these countries without fear of being extradited. In my OPINION, such a deal for Punjab is not in the offing. We do not have that kind of support, not even from our own people. Our own Sikhs and other Punjabis of “Indian patriot” variety will be the in the front and centre in opposing this type of deal because these “Sikhs of Indian patriot variety” will loose their privileged position and financial support from GOI.

Whats Up With The Pictures Of The Week? Well, a turbaned Sikh in the sea of people with caps (I think)

. Kesari or Basanti? I have not read any written reference in support of adopting one colour or the other. (Also I do not claim to have more knowledge of history about how and why diffirent colours were adopted.). However, I have seen old picture/ paintings of old murals showing Nishan Sahibs. They (Nishan Sahibs) seem to be yellowish - more like Basanti rather than Kesari. Chardi Kala is one of the Piri aspect of the Sikhi. Sikhi promoted positive outlook of life rather than fear of deities as was promoted by the Hinduism of the days of Gurus. Adopting “renunciation” as a way to spirituality was discouraged . Guru Nanak was not happy with Baba Siri Chand for this reason. So Jathedar Vedanti “MAY” be right in bringing this to our attention. Regarding the blue colour, it certainly signifies the warrior aspect (ONE of the Miri aspect) of Sikhi. Nihangs always had this as their favorite colour. (My grand uncle was a Nihang. He wore basanti with blue turban, or blue with blue and basanti turban, or white with blue and basanti turban . (The basanti part of his turban used to be only one or two “laRh”). Blue was also adopted by the Akalies, during their struggle to free the historic gurdwaras, as the distinguishing colour of their turbans (though many Akalis also wore white turbans). .

. It looks that a large number of aunties and uncles are falling over each other to do yoga with Swami Ramdev. It looks like the craze has started because he is seen on Indian television doing yoga with hundreds of yoga lovers. It is just like “Bollywoodization” of yoga. Apne are falling for it. If they are putting up (or allowing it to be put up) the posters in the gurdwaras advertising the “Swami Ramdev” style, what objection do the gurdwaras have about the “Kundalini yoga”? In Kundalini yoga at least the chants are taken from Gurbani and most of the people who have done Kundalini seriously have adopted Sikhi. I think you should discourage aunties and uncles, wherever you can, from getting on this bandwagon. And ask the gurdwaras to take off the posters. Because of the TV exposé of Swami Ramdev, he has build up a large following. If the Sikhs want to follow the yoga route to spirituality the kundalini yoga is much more effective and spiritual (and helps with recitation of gurbani) IN the case the gurdwaras want to promote yoga route to spirituality, ask the gurdwaras to put the posters for Kundalini yoga

Saffron is Hindu colour. It signifies renunciation of the world. Sikhs don’t believe in renouncing the world. The equivalent in Sikhism is Chardi Kala – hope and optimism. . The symbolic colour of Chardi Kala is Besanti ( colour of the spring season – This the colour of the yellow/ yellowish flowers called “Satberg”) . I think the “Besanti “ colour is called “Xanthia” in English . Saffron colour somehow ( slowly) started to replace the besanti colour of Nishan Sahib after 1947. Somehow the Sikh started to associate the colour of Nishan Sahib (besanti) to that of Kesari (Saffron) colour on the Indian flag. . The green colour on the Indian flag is Muslim colour. The Kesari (Saffron) on the Indian flag is Hindu colour ( the Sikhs being considered/declared Hindus ) The gullible Sikhs started to believe that the Kesari (saffron ) on the flag is also their colour. Now at most places even the Nishan Sahibs are saffron (instead of besanti) . . Please also refer to Jathedar Vidanti’s recent remarks http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/discussion....33;OpenDocument .

Akal Academy Baru Sahib school is run by the Kalgidhar Society based at Baru Sahib, in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. Kalgidhar Society is a Sikh Institution. This particular school is closely related to the famous Baru Sahib Gurdwara. However, among many other things, the Kalgidhar Society also operates a number of other similar (Sikh) Schools. These schools impart education to 10 + 2 level, to prepare students to the University Entrance Level.. Level ‘10 + 2’ is similar to ‘grade 12’ education in USA and Canada. Website of Baru Sahib Academy. http://www.kalgidharsociety.org//education..._baru-sahib.htm List of Sikh Schools at other places run by the Kalgidhar Society . http://www.kalgidharsociety.org//education/index.asp .

Nirgun, means something without material properties. If it does not have properties of being material, it would also be without a form. The “formless”can not be defined the same way as an entity made of matter can be defined. Sargun means that which has become matter- has the properties by which matter can be described - meaning ,it can be seen, it has shape. With respect to Gurbani these two words have special meaning. The first symbol of the Mool Mantar which we pronounce as ‘Ek Ongkaar’ and translate as “One God”, consists of numeral one and the letter “ooRha “ open at the top. Open “ooRha” symbolizes an entity that has no bounds, ie, it is infinite and is unique entity and is formless That in Gurbani is called “Nirgun Nirankaar” ( Formless entity without material properties Nirgun= non material; Nirankaar = without form). That is what “God” is . It is the Ultimate Truth (Sat Naam) . As Raag Maru Mehala Pehla -M:1 (SGGS) describes it that all things (Universe , many universes and all thing materials) have come out of “God” (Nirgun Nirankaar). (please read the entire Raag Maru M:1.) So, all material things exist within that Boundless Infinite. In the Boundless Infinite pervades the Nirgun Narankaar and when things loose its material aspect they merge back into SAT -Ultimate Truth (that is it merges back into the Formless One – God). Transformation from being Nirgun to some thing being Sargun takes place through Sunn state ( what we may call state zero. Again refer to Raag Maru M:1 in Sri Guru Granth Sahib). It is in this state that Sat ( the Ultimate Truth) takes the Sargun characteristics defined by Time (Kaal), Form (space) and energy. This also mean that the universe that we live in (That which is defined by Time , Space and Energy axis) has thus gained “sargun” aspect by passing throgh "Sunn" state. Hukam (laws that run the universe and the laws which make things happen in the universe- also known as God’s Will) has retained the Nirgun aspect. All inanimate things PERHAPS have only the Sargun aspect to them. The life forms ( human beings, animals etc ) have both “sargun” and “nirgun” aspects. Human beings for example, have bodies made of elements and that can be called sargun aspect; and the soul that runs the “body” through “mind” has nirgun aspect to it. Soul of human beings remains attached to material things to it becomes pure ( detaches itself from material thing). In order to achieve that (reverse process) soul must go through "Sunn" state in reverse. With Naam simran and Gurbani some can achieve that goal.

How did it go? Any pictures? Any comments?

MA correspondence course in Religious Studies. Sometime back some people were asking if there is a correspondence course that leads to a university certificate in Sikh Studies. Most people on this forum may already know this, I have come across this at the web site of Sikh Missionary Society U.K (http://www.gurmat.info/ an associated website of Sikh Sangat com) . The Sikh missionary society is running this Panjabi University Patiala (India) course MA correspondence course in Religious Studies. I have not seen the contents of the course, but I know that the faculty at the Panjabi University, Patiala (Also the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar) has done a lot of work in constructing the theology (philosophy of religion) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. >>>> Apart from selling scriptures and literature on Sikhism, the Society does keep in stock Sikh artefacts and various educational guides for those students studying GCSE and 'A' level Panjabi and Sikh studies. Concurrently, the Society with the help of the Punjabi University in Patiala (India) are running a MA correspondence course in Religious Studies. <<<< For more information click on the following URL http://www.gurmat.info/sms/smsresourcecent...ntre%20Booklist Information about the Sikh Missionary Society Sikh Missionary Society U.K. (Regd.) 0, Featherstone Road. Southall, Middx, U.K. UB2 5AA Tel: +44 020 8574 1902 Fax: +44 020 8574 1912 Email: info@sikhmissionarysociety.org Reg. Charity No: 262404

Amritsar Protest . Because of the protests in Amritsar, the theater (in Amritsar) where the film was being shown has voluntarily withdrawn the film. Video of the protest at bhagautiblogspot.com http://bhagauti.blogspot.com/2006/06/amritsar-protest.html

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060519/haryana.htm#9 Sacha Sauda: CBI given more time to complete probe Our High Court Correspondent Chandigarh, May 18 The Punjab and Haryana High Court today accepted the prayer of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for grant of more time to complete investigation in three separate cases involving the Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa. In its application, the CBI had stated that due to fear psychosis generated by the dera management, people were not coming forward to assist it in the investigations. It had, therefore, sought three more months to complete the investigations. It may be recalled that the CBI had been directed by the High Court to probe three cases involving the dera. While one of the cases being investigated by the CBI pertains to murder of journalist Ram Chander Chattarpati in 2003, another relates to the alleged murder of dera follower Ranjeet Singh. Ranjeet's father Joginder Singh had sent a letter to the High Court, alleging that his son was killed after he tried to part ways with the dera. The third case pertains to the anonymous letter sent by an alleged female resident of the dera, which alleged that women residents of the dera were being sexually exploited at the dera. Following the receipt of the letter, the High Court had ordered investigation by the CBI in this case also. While the CBI had sought extension of time, the dera management had opposed the same, instead praying that the investigation into the allegation that lady inmates at the dera were being sexually exploited be ended as nobody had come forward to provide any information to the CBI. However, the CBI counsel had opposed the dera plea. Sometime back, the Bench headed by Mr Justice Amar Dutt had reserved its judgement on the CBI plea. Today, the Bench of Mr Justice Amar Dutt and Mr Justice A.N. Jindal Singh, while allowing the CBI to continue its investigations, directed the agency to submit its progress reports to the court on a monthly basis. Observing that there were two reasons why no substantial progress had been made by the CBI in the matter, the court said that one was the shortage of manpower, which resulted in the agency failing to provide adequate staff to the officer investigating the cases. The second reason, it said, was the hindrance created by the followers of the dera, which also resulted in extremely hostile environment against the investigation. Saying that though the show of indignation by followers of the dera was not unexpected, the Bench expressed dismay over the fact that the investigation into the cases was hampered due to protests by the followers. It hoped that the CBI would be able to sort out the problems on its own without involving the court. The Bench also said it hoped that responsible persons of the dera would make concerted efforts to ensure that the process of law was not stalled by any act of the followers. It added that it was only through such efforts by both the sides that the cloud that has been cast over the functioning of the dera can be removed. At the same time, referring to the series of protests orchestrated by dera followers at various places, including Chandigarh, the Bench asked the governments to take necessary steps to ensure that the roadblocks in the ongoing investigations were removed. Hearing will re-start on July 3, when the CBI will also submit its progress report to the court.

http://www.asianage.com/main.asp?layout=2&...&RF=DefaultMain . UK MPs take aim at India - By Seema Mustafa . New Delhi, May 12: A group of British parliamentarians have come together to set up a "Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination" body that will seek to get international recognition of self-determination as a fundamental human right. India is a clear target, with the organisers listing "Punjab, Nagas, Manipur, Tamils and Kashmiris" in their list of movements seeking self-determination. The chair of the new organisation, which was inaugurated at the Houses of Parliament at Westminster on Thursday, is Pakistani-origin Labour Party parliamentarian Lord Nazir Ahmed, with Mr Ranjit Singh, a lawyer who is openly supportive of a separate state of Punjab, as its administrative secretary. The Indian high commission in London has taken the matter up with the British foreign office, which has disclaimed all responsibility, maintaining that it cannot interfere in the workings of the British Parliament. Mr Ranjit Singh, when contacted over the telephone by this correspondent, said that the effort of the parliamentarians was to propagate self-determination as a fundamental human right, and to give a platform through the organisation to all such separatist groups seeking self-determination. He said that a group of lawyers from Punjab had made a very forceful presentation for "the Sikhs’ right to self-determination" at the inaugural function. He said he himself was from Punjab and supported the right to self-determination which had assumed the shape of the "Khalistan" movement in the 1980s. Mr Singh claimed that the inaugural function was very well attended and that apart from Punjab, the "nationalist movements" of the "Nagas, Manipur, Northeast, Tamils, Kosovo, Kurdish self-determination" ... all had figured at the meeting. Interestingly, he had to be asked specifically about the Kashmiris, to which he said: "Yes, there were several speakers actually on this issue." Asked if representatives from Pakistan’s Northern Areas, Gilgit, Baltistan as well as Baluchistan had been represented, Mr Singh said: "We are a new organisation, more groups will come." It is learnt that a group of Baluchis did arrive for the conference but, sources said, "they were not allowed to speak for more than 30 seconds." Mr Ranjit Singh said that in his view, "if people are denied self-determination, the situation eventually leads to huge human rights abuses." He said that a cross-section of MPs was represented in the organisation and it would focus on "informing the world that self-determination was a fundamental right and not just a political slogan." The vice-chair of the parliamentarians group is Mr Elfyn Llwyd, MP, who represents the Welsh, Scottish and English nationalist groups. Others who spoke and are associated with the organisation include Mr Simon Hughes, president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Daniel Hannon, member of the European Parliament from the Conservative Party, Mr Peter Wishart, MP of the Scottish Nationalist Party, and Mr Kashmiri Singh, general secretay of the British Sikh Federation. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Hague-based Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO). Lord Nazir Ahmad could not be reached. Sources said that he is the treasurer of a newly-constituted group on Sikhs and helps raise and channel funds. He is particularly unpopular with the Indian community in London, with several members having written to him protesting against the visible anti-India bias of the new organisation. Lord Dholakia, who is chairman of the Liberal Democrats’ Friends of India, spoke out against the parliamentarians’ initiative in the House of Lords. He said that it was important to ensure that government subcommittees were representative of all communities, and "not restricted just to those perceived as being responsible for the atrocities on that day." He went on to point out: "When examining home-grown terrorism, we need to consider the pronouncements often made by responsible people in our community in this country. I refer, for example, to those who exploit the situation in the subcontinent by advocating self-determination of some states in that part of the world. Those are the breeding grounds of emotions and hatred and do nothing but damage the stability of some people in this country and the stability of communities." Interestingly, several Baloch and Sindhi groups are active in the UK and submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Tony Blair last year demanding that Pakistan should stop "committing ongoing atrocities against our peoples in Pakistan. Over the last six months, Pakistan’s military and paramilitary forces have once again started a widespread operation using heavy air and ground artillery in various parts of Balochistan. This violent and illegal operation was started to suppress the legitimate demands of the Baloch people." The signatories to this memorandum, which is with this newspaper, included the World Sindhi Congress, Sindhi Baloch Forum and Balochistan Rights Movement, who incidentally were not invited to the parliamentarians and the UNPO’s inaugural conference. .

. DKI ji, How did the event go? Any more information? .

Bavita ji, SAT Sri Akaal, From your post somehow, I get the impression that you are new to Sikhi or that you are born into a Sikh family but do not know much about Sikhi. (like many of the young people, who think Sikhism as just a cultural identification). Also I noted that you wanted to know about some “Peer Baba” to impress your husband. From that I again form the impression that you are also a newly married person. So please, allow me to wish you very happy journey in marriage. Assuming that you are new to Sikhi, I am going to write a few lines about being a Sikh and following a “Peer Baba” or a “Sant Baba” who are appearing every day by the dozen. Sikhism is a way of living. Sikhism is a view of the world much different from any other religion; nothing comes close to it. I would say Sikhism is alone in its domain by itself, it has no companion. The “spiritual authority” in Sikhism is Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book). Sri Guru Granth Sahib (also sometimes abbreviated as SGGS). SGGS is written in poetry genre. So the meaning of the its passages do not become very clear till you read the entire book and reflect upon what is written in it. When one reads SGGS one finds that the subject matter it deals with are the the fundamental questions ( among many other things) - What God is . - What a human being with respect to God is. - What consciousness is. - How a human being can become aware of his/her consciousness and develop it to the point where he/she can feel the presence of God every where. At that point SAT ( the Truth - truth about every thing) becomes your guide (SAT GURU) for action you take to live by. So to develop one’s consciousness to this point is a journey. That is the path a Sikh takes (Sikh means leaner / disciple of this path mentioned in the SGGS). It is a long journey. There are no short cuts to it. Many “cultural” Sikhs do not understand this, They see people from other religions where a priest whispers something to a "deity" or a “higher power” and claim that ”you” are blessed and everything will be alright. Here enter many a “baba”. These babas claim that they can do miracles and make your life easy if you follow them. They target Sikhs in particular, because they have found that many Sikh do not understand their own religion and that Sikhs are also well to do and generous in giving money to these type of false babas. But SGGS tells us that there is no one between your consciousness and God. All these babas (even if they are able to perform miracles) are as mortal as any other human being. So to impress your husband, I would suggest that you read Sri Guru Granth Sahib and try to understand what it really says. The main text of SGGS is in Gurmukhi. If you do not read or understand that, there are a few “online” translations of SGGS. May some one post a link to those sites. Now about the PeerBaba you may be enquiring about. Sikhs do not have “peer babas”. Peers are muslim holy men. Similarly there are “Sant Babas”. Many Sikhs looking for short cuts start to follow some of these babas if they are living; or start to “worship” some baba if he is dead. My suggestion is if you are a Sikh do not follow anyone else other than the path described in SGGS. By the way which “Peer Baba” are you enquiring about?

Mr. Sooden seemed to have converted to Christianity. In the following article it is clearly mentioned by those who know him. It has become “fashionable” for the ex Indian / Punjabi Sikhs who convert to Christianity to keep their Sikh name. (The reason for that seem to be many.). The confusion may come from seeing the pictures of his parents. His father keeps turban and beard and remained a Sikh. The first few lines of the article are: >>>>>>>> Claire Evans, delegation coordinator for Christian Peacemaker Teams, the American organisation which sent Sooden and three other volunteers to Iraq, said her organisation's first contact with Sooden was through his unsolicited application to go to Iraq early this year. His credentials - he had made similar visits with the International Solidarity Movement to the West Bank, impressed, as did his character references, which painted him as a humble, collected - and Christian - man. <<<<<<<<<<<<<< . http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3508365a1861,00.html . Full text of the article. : Harmeet Singh Sooden: peace-maker, Christian, battler against injustice 11 December 2005 Harmeet Singh Sooden changed career plans - from electrical engineering to teaching - because of his political convictions. Claire Evans, delegation coordinator for Christian Peacemaker Teams, the American organisation which sent Sooden and three other volunteers to Iraq, said her organisation's first contact with Sooden was through his unsolicited application to go to Iraq early this year. His credentials - he had made similar visits with the International Solidarity Movement to the West Bank, impressed, as did his character references, which painted him as a humble, collected - and Christian - man. Sooden's Auckland friends described him as "spiritual". Evans said Sooden's application revealed his change in career, from electrical engineering to studying English with the aim of becoming a teacher, had been motivated by political convictions. Sooden's close friend Omar Hamed, a student at Takapuna Grammar, said the English literature student loved Shakespeare and philosophy, African culture and squash. Sooden was also active in Auckland University's Students for Justice in Palestine group, which he says his friend was drawn to as a Kashmiri. "He feels there's been a lot of injustice to Kashmiri people, so he naturally wants to help out other causes." Miriam Pierard, president of Students for Justice in Palestine, said she and Sooden had discussed him taking over the leadership of the group which he joined this year after enrolling at Auckland university. "If he gets back, he more than deserves the role," she said. "He's essentially a really good guy who was willing to put himself on the line for the underprivileged." In a message on a peace activist website, Sooden's Australian friend Donna Mulhearn described the man she met at a non-violence training session in Palestine as "the most gentle and sensitive guy I know". Mulhearn, who visited Sooden in Auckland four months ago, was held hostage for 24 hours as a "peacemaker" in Fallujah last year. She was criticised by the Australian government as foolhardy for having entered a war zone. The mayor of the town of Jayyous in the West Bank of Palestine, Shawkat Samha, told the Sunday Star-Times he had met Sooden and Fox and there was no doubt they were peace campaigners. He called on the Iraqi kidnappers to let them return to their families. "They went with us and stood in front of bulldozers approaching olive trees. They helped us. They said no to the wall (Israeli dividing wall), they said no to Israeli occupation. I think they went to Iraq to help Iraqi people against the British and American occupation. We owe it to them to let them go back to their homelands freely." Mohammed Ayyash, from the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, said he became friends with Sooden in January, and they had stayed in touch by email when Sooden went to Iraq. He said Sooden had talked about setting up an internet connection between children in Palestine, Kashmir and New Zealand to show each group how the others lived. Ayyash said there had been a large solidarity meeting in Nablus on Wednesday night calling for the release of the hostages. The city's main mufti (Islamic cleric) was in attendance. Ayyash said Sooden was a gentle and sensitive man who hated violence. His only intention in going to Iraq was to show the world what the American occupation was doing to ordinary Iraqis. Sooden, who was born to Indian Kashmiri parents and grew up in Zambia, gained a degree in electrical engineering from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and obtained Canadian citizenship before arriving in New Zealand in April 2003. Since his kidnapping in Baghdad on November 26, he has been seen in video film with fellow hostages Canadian Jim Loney, Briton Norman Kember and American Tom Fox. The Briton and American were blindfolded, manacled and handcuffed, and wearing the orange jumpsuits reminiscent of those worn by Iraqi detainees at the US military prison Guantanamo Bay. Sooden and Loney were not manacled and had food before them.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060319/punjab1.htm#4 Sikhs part of Hindus: Josh . Varinder Walia Tribune News Service . Amritsar, March 18 Even as Mr Harcharan Singh Josh, newly appointed member of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), today kicked off a controversy by describing Sikhs as part and parcel of Hindus, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, the SGPC President, Mr Avtar Singh, and Mr Tarlochan Singh, former Chairman of the NCM, have deplored his statement. They said Akal Takht and the SGPC had already acknowledged that the Sikhs enjoyed a ''distinct and separate'' identity and Mr Josh had no right to question the same. Though Mr Josh had breakfast with Jathedar Vedanti at his residence here today and held a marathon meeting with the SGPC chief, both have announced that they will not hold any more meeting with him (Mr Josh) till he withdrew his controversial statement. Mr Josh had stated that it was only a turban that distinguished a Sikh from a Hindu. He claimed that the Sikhs came from the same 'Hindu culture' and they should admit this fact gracefully. ''Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed for whom?'' he asked. He said the Sikhs should not deny the facts that they were baptised to protect the Hindus - their brethren -from the Mughal tyranny. He, however, advocated for a separate Anand Karaj Act for the Sikhs. He also assured that the NCM would endeavour to bring back the 'blacklisted' Sikh youths who wanted to join the mainstream of the country. Earlier, the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) honoured Mr Josh on his appointment as member of the NCM. Mr Charnjit Singh Chadha, president of the CKD, and other members of the organisation were present on this occasion. The SGPC chief said Mr Josh was nominated being member of the Sikh community and hence his "irresponsible statement" amounted to his disqualification. He said Mr Josh's statement showed that he wanted to watch the interests of the majority community instead of the minority. Peeved at the controversy, Mr Tarlochan Singh, former Chairman of the NCM, said Mr Josh must understand that the Sikhs had a separate religion and identity. He said during his stint as Chairman of the NMC, he had arranged written statements from Mr K. Sudarhsan, RSS chief, and Mr Ashok Singhal, VHP leader, that Sikhs enjoyed a separate identity. He said he had now moved the Lok Sabha to amend Article 25 of the Indian Constitution that equated Sikhs with Hindus. Mr Josh has had stint as general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress and was considered a confidant of Sanjay, younger son of Ms Indira Gandhi. To a pointed question, Mr Josh admitted his Congress background and said that at one time he cropped differences with Sanjay Gandhi and joined the Congress group led by Mr Swarn Singh, the then Foreign Minister.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060306/punjab1.htm#5 Change in Maryada draws criticism Varinder Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 5 The amendment in the Sikh 60-year-old Rehat Maryada by the SGPC has evoked a strong reaction from Sikh intellectuals. Mr Gurcharnjit Singh Lamba, a Sikh intellectual and Editor of monthly ‘Sant Sipahi’, has said the Sikh Maryada was formulated after marathon discussions and hence any amendment without taking the Sikh Panth into confidence was unacceptable to the sangat. He was here today to pay his obeisance at Harmandar Sahib. A comparative study of two versions of the ‘Sikh Rehat Maryada’ - one of 1945 and the recent one published by the SGPC - shows glaring discrepancies. Questioning the wisdom of changing the Article on re-marriage, Mr Lamba alleged the amendment was aimed to benefit certain influential persons who had indulged in bigamy. The original Rehat Maryada clearly mentions that no Sikh could remarry when his wife was alive. However, the amended Maryada has added the word ‘generally’ that reads, “Generally, no Sikh should marry a second wife if the first wife is alive.” Another glaring amendment in the new version is on the definition of a Sikh. The Punjabi version of the original Maryada gives the definition of a Sikh as “Any human being who believes in all Sikh Gurus in One Immortal Being, (ii.) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, (iii.) Guru Granth Sahib, and the utterances and teachings of the 10 Gurus and baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion, is a Sikh. However, the amended Punjabi version has deleted ‘Dassan’ (meaning all 10 from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh). Mr Lamba further alleges that the deletion of ‘plucking of gray hair’ from the new version of Maryada was a blunder on the part of the SGPC. He also criticised a section of the Sant Samaj for pursuing its own Maryada which was in sharp contrast to the original version, passed with the consent of the Sikh sangat.

Three interesting posts on www.tapoban.org . Please read all three. (Don’t know whether the names Gurbaksh Singh and Maj. Gen. Waris Ahmed are real names) . . Post by Gurbaksh Singh posted on the topic ‘Who is Satguru ‘ http://www.tapoban.org/phorum/read.php?f=1...384#reply_29749 Post by Gurbaksh Singh posted on the topic ‘Radhasoamis – Vichaar on Ruhaniyat’ http://www.tapoban.org/phorum/read.php?f=1...806#reply_29988 Post by someone by the name ‘ Maj. Gen. Waris Ahmed’ posted on the topic ‘Radhasoamis – Vichaar on Ruhaniyat’ http://www.tapoban.org/phorum/read.php?f=1...806#reply_30014

>>>In another decision the Sikh head priests held Baba Daljit Singh Chicago guilty of 'religious misconduct'. Allegations had been made that Daljit was caught with a woman in a motel in America in a compromising position. <<< The above paragraph is from the news item that appeared in The Tribune (India) of February 10, 2006. No mention of any punishment though. Click on the link to read the complete news item. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060211/main7.htm .

Sahib Singh ji. You seem to be an ardent follower of Mr. Jaspal Singh. And you are asking for the telephone number of his 2nd wife with whom Mr. Jaspal Singh’s relationship is estranged. The Babaji of whom you are devotee of, seems to be a powerful and influential person. Don’t you think that she (his wife) would feel threatened by receiving a call from one of Jaspal Singh’s (Babaji’s) followers? Why do you expect BalatiSingh or any one else to give you her telephone number and put her in a position where she would could feel intimidated upon receiving a call (or calls) from one (or several) of his (Jaspal Singh’s) followers? You do seem to have very high regard for Mr. Jaspal Singh, he should be able to tell the whole truth about the matter. Give him a call instead and get the story yourself that way rather than telephoning his (ex) wife where she is very likely to feel threatened or intimidated by a call from one of his followers. .

I have read the following news about setting up of a worlds class sports centre in Mohali. IT IS A GREAT NEWS. All should be happy and celebrating it. It looks like (at this stage ) that the money will be the taxpayers’ of Punjab and perhaps from some investors from Dubai. HOWEVER, look at whom the centre is going to be named after. It is going to be named after Rajiv Gandhi. -- What has Rajiv Gandhi done for Punjab!!!!!!!!!!!! The money will be coming from the taxes paid by the citizens of Punjab (one way or the other). If I am not wrong, the Sikhs still form the majority population in Punjab, albeit now a very small majority. The major part of the cost will be paid by their money by one way or the other. For the past 50 years or so, the Congress party and the Nehru – Gandhi dynasty (the descendents of the Gangoo bahman – the person who betrayed Guru Gobind Singh and handed over the younger Sahibzade to the Moguls) have been among the worst enemies of the Sikhs. What a gift Arminder Sahib is giving to the Sikhs on the anniversary of Shaheedi of Sahibzades !!! Now we are asked to recite the name (naam japan) of the descendents of Gangoo. These people have been responsible for killing at least a quarter of a million of Sikhs in the last 21 years. Now the name of one of them is again being shoved in the throats of Punjabi Sikhs to recite - whenever they will look at the sport centre. When will the Sikh leaders stop doing "CHAMCHA – GIREE" and "sycophancy" of those who have hurt the Sikhs most ???? . *************** http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051227/main8.htm . World-class sports centre for Mohali Sarbjit Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 26 Mohali will have a world-class sports centre soon. It will be dedicated to the late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. Spread over about 25 acres, it will be constructed by a Dubai-based company, EMAAR MGF, which has already signed a Rs 5,000 crore memorandum of understanding with the Punjab Government to set up a world-class township at Mohali. The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, told The Tribune today that the sports facility, which would be named the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Centre, would come up opposite the cricket stadium at Mohali. “Land is available just opposite the stadium and the centre will be used to produce world-class sportspersons,” Capt Amarinder Singh said. EMAAR MGF would spend about Rs 80 crore to build the centre. “The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammad, would visit Punjab soon for the ground-breaking ceremony of the township project,” Capt Amarinder Singh said. At that time, the foundation stone of the sports centre would also be laid. “We will approve this sports project at a meeting of the empowered committee scheduled to be held on January 12,” said Capt Amarinder Singh. In the township project, the Dubai-based company would contribute 38 per cent of the total project cost. The remaining investment would be made by public and other bodies. The sports centre would have facilities like the best equipment for all major disciplines of sports, a swimming pool and other infrastructure besides well-qualified coaches and other trainers. Facilities for hockey, volleyball, basketball and wrestling would also be available at the centre. Capt Amarinder Singh said he had useful talks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the government authorities concerned. The Abu Dhabi Government was keen on making a huge investment in a hydroelectric project in Punjab.” We have planned a project of 2,000 MW and I hope it will soon materialise because addition to the present power generating capacity in the state is a top priority of my government,” Capt Amarinder Singh said. Even in the housing sector EMAAR would increase its investment in due course, he added. Capt Amarinder Singh said Punjab needed a world-class sports facility to reestablish its supremacy in this sphere. Actually, the proposal to set up such a sports centre was mooted by Mr Parminder Singh, vice-president of the Punjab Cricket Association and general secretary of the state unit of the Congress. He had sent a detailed proposal in this connection. Later, the proposal was also discussed with Mr Inderjit Singh Bindra, who had suggested the setting up of a trust as was done by the Australian Government to create infrastructure to hold the Olympics in Sydney. Mr Parminder Singh said while countries like Ethiopia, which were grappling with poverty, had been winning a good number of gold medals at various world sports meets, India, which was emerging as a world economic power, had failed to do so. “For all of us it is a matter of great concern,” he added. “Because of this reason, the proposal for setting up a world-class sports centre at Mohali was mooted,” he added. He said talented boys and girls from various parts of Punjab should be trained at the centre for national and international competitions. In the absence of proper sports facilities, young Punjabis were going astray and falling prey to drugs, he added.

I read this about 3 years ago. At the time when this article was written Janet Lant was seriously thinking of adopting Sikhi. (I do not know whether she did so or not ). So we can not say that the view expressed in this article is the view of a typical Christian. This is a view of someone who has studied Sikhism and is about to adopt Sikhi. In fact this piece was written by her as a response to the remarks made by two Christians, namely Chris Hammer and Jass Singh. (Jass Singh is a Punjabi Christian who SEEMS to be actively promoting Christianity to Punjabi Youth.). These two men were discouraging her and saying that hers may be an isolated example of having a bad experience of being a Christian. But after they received this reply they seemed to have become quiet about the matter for a while.

***** . What is language? And what is a script?. (With Respect to Gurmukhi and Devnagri) Whatever way one defines what language is, it is when one speaks, a sound is produced. Vocal chord produce sounds and synthesize it, words are pronounced. Theses words mean something. To preserve it one can write that down. Or record it. To write it down one needs symbols generally in the form of script. But it still is the “words spoken” to which we respond. Writing is only a way of preserving the sound (words pronounced). Now a days you can record the words instead of writing to preserve them. Gurmukhi script (for that matter even Devnagri – the script traditionally used to record /write Sanskrit sounds) is developed in such a way that you can write any word the way it is spoke by using Gurmukhi script. There would be only one way that word would be pronounced when it is read . For example, if one writes the word “chocolate “ in Gurmukhi script (provided it was pronounced correctly), it will be read back and pronounced exactly the way it was spoken. There is no confusion about whether it should be spoken as Chhoklate, Chalklate, Shoklate or Kalklate . Many time Gurus spoke other language or regional dialect for the benefit of those to whom they were addressing. That speech ( composition ) is recorded in Gurmukhi script. When people say that this composition Guru Granth is written in (say) in Sanskrit, it means that the words are “recorded” (written) in Gurmukhi script, but when read these words would sound exactly as if “spoken” in Sanskrit. Let us take another example. Suppose I have a guest in my house who does not understand Punjabi and can not read any thing written in Gurmukhi script, And he has gone out to do some business; and I too want to go to the market to buy something. At home I have two young children who do not speak English.. So I shall write a massage for my guest in Gurmukhi script “recording” the sound “ I have gone to the market and shall be back in half an hour”. If I am not back when the guest comes back, the children would read that sound from Gurmukhi script producing the sound “ I have gone to market and shall be back in half an hour”. Did the children speak Gurmukhi or English.?. They reproduced exactly ( more or less) what I wrote and the guest understood it as if it was spoken in English. You can “write” almost any sound in Gurmukhi script. (same can also be said about Devnagri). It will be read back only one way even if the reader has not heard that word before. Regarding the English translations of Guru Granth Sahib, all the translations have been the work of individuals. So these translations do reflect their bias in interpretation. This problem is further compounded by the fact that all of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is written in poetry genre. Its interpretation is sometimes becomes clouded when the translator try to do that in poetry as well. However one can still construct (understand) the theology of Guru Nanak quite well from these translations. In order to understand his theology one needs to understand very clearly what Guru Nanak means by “God” ,“Hukam”(Hukam means the laws of Infinite – not a command as most of the English translators tend to translate it as), “ consciousness “ and “ what man is with respect to what he calls God”. In one of your previous posts you have mentioned Hagel . So I assume that you have a keen interest in Philosophy. So I suggest that you read Spinoza (lived in seventeenth century ) to understand his concept of God.. His concept of God is very similar to that of Nanak except that Guru Nanak calls it ”SAT ” rather than a substance. “SAT” means the Ultimate Truth, Ultimate reality, all that is there even the “universe “ came from it. When all thing would run its course they will merge back “SAT”. Guru Nanak also gives the technique (Naam Simran) by which one can feel the presence of “SAT” – experience the presence of once essence. Guru Nanak has developed the concept to much higher level. Guru Nanak calls this the Ultimate Truth about this universe, all universes which exist, and beyond - the Reality of all things.