Nirvair S Khalsa

Photograph Video of the three day Samagam held in Kerman: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJJtTgVOMg

Photograph Video of the three day Samagam held in Kerman: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJJtTgVOMg

Anand Saahib: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8880125450483197171

Anand Saahib: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8880125450483197171

SIKH FEDERATION (UK) TO SET UP ALL PARTY SIKH GROUP IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT UK MEPs have agreed to take the lead in setting up an All Party Sikh Group in the European Parliament that will champion Sikh causes. From early indications it will have at least 50 MEPs. The first issue they are taking up is the right of Sikhs to enter the European Parliament wearing their Kirpans. The majority of MEPs will be from the UK, but the group is also expected to have MEPs from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The Federation is also in the process of setting up a European-wide Sikh Liaison Group that will work with the All Party Sikh Group. Anyone interested in becoming a part of the European-wide Sikh Liaison Group from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden or the UK is urged to contact the Sikh Federation (UK) by emailing info@sikhfederation.com. Fluency in speaking and writing the relevant national language is essential.

SIKH FREEDOM LOBBY IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SECURES DEBATE ON LINKING TRADE WITH INDIA WITH ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD Human rights violations have been a key theme of each of the last three Sikh Freedom Lobbies in the European Parliament. When addressing Sikhs in the Eastman Building Baroness Sarah Ludford, the Vice Chair of the Human Rights Sub Committee was asked about the failure of the European Union to challenge India on its human rights record. Baroness Ludford left the lobby to return later to inform the Sikh Federation (UK) representatives that the Foreign Affairs Committee and Human Rights Sub Committee had agreed to consider India's Human Rights record in October. The Sikh Federation (UK) was asked to arrange a European-wide delegation of Sikhs to attend the sub committee meeting. The debate will seek to link trade with India with its human rights record. The EU is India's largest trading partner with about 25 percent of Indian exports coming to EU countries and also provides the most foreign investment to India. Last year two-way trade between India and the EU totalled about euro38 billion. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair Sikh Federation (UK), said: 'this is an opportunity for Sikhs across Europe to demonstrate they can influence the 35 elected representatives on the human rights sub committee. It is time for Sikhs across Europe who have agreed to work with the Federation to take action. We will provide support and guidance to those in mainland Europe.' The Sikh Federation (UK) working with Sikhs in other EU countries is targeting members on the human rights sub committee from 8 of the 27 EU countries that comprise 25 of the 35 members. These include the UK (5 members, including two vice-chairs), Italy (7 members), France (3 members, including the chair and one vice-chair), Spain (3 members), Germany, Belgium and Portugal (with 2 members each) and Greece (1 member).

3-DAY SIKH EDUCATIONAL TOUR OF EUROPE AND LOBBY PROVES HUGE SUCCESS The National Sikh Resource Centre operated by the Sikh Federation (UK) last week organised a 3-Day Sikh Educational Tour of Europe and Lobby. The tour comprised a combination of visits to Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Paris and Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sahib, Brussels, a visit to see the Menin Gate war memorial in Ypres, along with a special exhibition in the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres that recognised the contribution of Sikhs. The tour concluded with the Sikh Freedom Lobby in the European Parliament in Brussels on the third day. The coach load of 55 Sikhs from the UK that took part stayed in bed and breakfast hotel accommodation with ensuite facilities in Paris and Brussels. During the tour the group also had time to take in the sites in Paris with a night tour and river boat cruise on the River Seine. A lot was packed into the three extremely long days and the Sikhs – men, women and children that took part had an excellent time. The family atmosphere is difficult to explain, but was a unique combination that involved the group doing Rehraas Sahib together at the Gurdwara in Paris and on the next two days in the coach. Doing five Chaupai Sahib Paaths on the way to Ypres and five after leaving Ypres to pay tribute to the Sikhs that sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today in Europe. The humour and camaraderie in the Sikhs from Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Ilford, Leamington, Leicester, Slough, Southall and Southampton would be difficult to repeat. The demand for the tour increased rapidly to over 100 in the last few days just before the departure showing the numbers could have been much greater if Sikhs had not left it so late to book. Whilst the organisers learnt much from this first endeavour it is clear that many other Sikhs want to take part in similar longer tours, especially given the feedback from the first tour and enquiries to date. The National Sikh Resource Centre and the Sikh Federation (UK) are planning similar educational/religious ventures in the summer when children will be off from school and students will also be on a break. Several individual branches of the Sikh Federation (UK) have suggested each may be able to organise a coach load making the logistics for pick up and drop off much easier. Sikhs on the tour greatly appreciated the hospitality shown by Sikhs in Paris and Brussels and donated food for the langar as well as £500 towards the building fund for each of the Gurdwaras. In Paris it was disappointing that only two of the four so-called Sikh leaders in Paris spared the time to meet with Sikhs at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Paris and upon request no one was prepared to inform the visiting Sangat from the UK the latest position on the dastaar cases. This demonstrated first hand to those that came from the UK that the Sikhs in France are struggling to maintain unity and share information about an issue that extends beyond France. This was reinforced when only three or four Sikhs from France bothered to turn out to the Sikh lobby two days later at the European Parliament in Brussels. In fact they turned up just before the event was concluding and were unable to share with MEPs their experiences first hand – unlike those from the UK, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Greece who provided examples of how Sikhs were facing discrimination in each of their countries. The response of Sikhs from France was in direct contrast to Sikhs from Belgium who proved once again to be excellent hosts. Sikhs from both Gurdwaras and from all groupings turned out in large numbers showing their continued support for Panthic issues. Large numbers of Sikhs from Germany belonging to or associated with the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) fully supported the lobby with some arriving the day before to be fully prepared. This was in direct contrast to others from Germany that showed again they are more interested in pushing their own groupings than support Panthic issues where the Sikh Federation (UK) given its political contacts is not surprisingly taking the lead. The message to the membership of these organisations in Germany or elsewhere is very clear – they are in danger of being left behind and should question their respective leaders for putting their own personal interests before those of the Panth. The Panthic work led by the Sikh Federation (UK) will continue with or without them.

Will get the link to it for you... The following link provides a copy of the article in the 'Times of India' on Friday 20th January 2006: http://www.sikhfederation.com/news/2006/ja...rries_india.htm ...and in the following link is a copy of the press release by the Sikh Federation (UK) on Friday 20th January, in regards to the 'Times of India' article above: http://www.sikhfederation.com/news/2006/ja...nterference.htm

Many thanks! Will get the link to it for you...

As mentioned above, the Remembrance March will take place on Sunday 8th June 2008. This information was put on the Sikh Federation (UK) 2008 calendar, released in December 2007. The Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO) comprises of around 6/7 groups, each with an equal say, and where each are represented by two people at its meetings. These are believed to be: 1) Council of Khalistan - Amrik Singh Sahota 2) Dal Khalsa - Manmohan Singh 3) Prime Minister in Exile - Gurmej Singh Gill 4) AKJ - Balbir Singh 5) SAD (A) - Master Avtar Singh 6) SAD (B) - Gurdev Singh Chohan 7) Sikh Federation (UK) The FSO appoints two co-ordinators , if Sikhs are not happy or want to voice their concerns/suggestions, the co-ordinators can be contacted. Currently, the co-ordinators are believed to be Bhai Kuldip Singh Chaheru and Bhai Joga Singh. In regards to the questions raised for the Sikh Federation (UK), the following is a brief of the current state of affairs. The Sikh Federation (UK) has only 1/7th of the say in the FSO (as can be seen in the list above). The idea is for the event to be 'equally' co-ordinated by all these groups, but it has been evident for around the last four years, that only one of these groups, the Sikh Federation (UK), has almost independently took it upon itself to manage the above event, as well as the introduction of the successful Freedom Lobby in Trafalgar Square. This has been done with little or no financial/volunteer help from the other Sikh organisations making up the FSO. Gurdwaras have provided transport for the local Sangat, but other than one or two, there has been no financial assistance towards the £10,000-£12,000 required for the day. The Sikh Federation (UK) has been responsible for getting more of the Sikh youth involved in the planning of the event over the last few years. The youth have played a major role working with the Sikh Federation (UK) to professionally co-ordinate the Remembrance March and Trafalgar Square Freedom Lobby. To upkeep Panthic unity, the Sikh Federation (UK) is not taking the lead in organising the event this year, as some organisations have objected to this, as well as the Trafalgar Square Freedom Lobby. However, the Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO) is this year taking all responsibility for bookings, advertising, posters, postcards,…etc. The Sikh Federation (UK) are unhappy with the lack of organisation and disappointed like many others that there has been no advertising, posters, postcards,…etc to date. Next year 2009 marks the 25th anniversary. The Sikh Federation (UK) will be monitoring the event and it is up to the Sangat/Sikh Youth to decide what part or action it will take next year. If the Remembrance March is poorly organised this year, the Sikh Federation (UK) will not wish to see a repeat for the 25th anniversary and looks upon the Sangat, including the youth that it has successfully introduced over the last four years to take the lead working with the Sikh Federation (UK). Nevertheless, the Sikh Federation (UK) is urging Sikhs around the country and through its contacts in each town/city, particularly the youth, to be properly organised for the Remembrance March this year. Local Sangat, young and old, male and female, are all encouraged to attend the event and take part. Sikhs are urged to bring along banners and placards, to make use of other new innovative ideas to emphasise the campaign, and create the best possible impact on route. The lead for the Remembrance March is with the FSO, the Sikh Federation (UK) being part of the FSO, will take forward any responsibility it is given to upkeep Panthic unity...

SANT BABA RANJIT SINGH JEE KHALSA DHADRIANWALE LEFT CALIFORNIA YESTERDAY AND ARE NOW ON THEIR WAY BACK TO INDIA. ...Masses of Sangat showed up at the Airport to say their thanks for doing Gurmat Parchaar in California (U.S.A.) and see the Jatha off...Sangat are arriving in Delhi Airport to welcome them back...

Diwaans are going very well with Maharaaj Jee's Kirpa. They have been held in open parks, similar to the massive Diwaans in India. Tonight will be the fourth Diwaan of the Visit, it will be held in Bakersfield (California). The first Amrit Sanchaar has took place already yesterday in Yuba City (California) on the third day of the Diwaans. With the blessings of Akaal Purakh Jee, 90 Sikhs have took Amrit yesterday to join the Khalsa Panth and have become the sons/daughters of Shahe-Shahan-Shah Guru Gobind Singh Saahib Jee Maharaaj. VAHEGUROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO gurujee;s pyareee kirpa :pray: Dhaas knows a whole family (relatives) who have recieved Amrit on the 11th May 2008. Over five Amrit Sanchaars have taken place, where hundreds have recieved Guru Saahib Jee's Amrit. Just in the last week alone two Amrit Sanchaars took place, where on the 4h May 2008 around 71+ Sikhs recieved Amrit, and in the last Diwaan on 11th May 2008 around 95+ Sikhs recieved Amrit of Kalgidhar Dasmesh Pithaa Jee.

A clip from the Seattle Samagam: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JIWrlSWuGbU

A clip from the Seattle Samagam: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JIWrlSWuGbU

Dhaas will attempt to provide some information regarding this matter within the next 24-hours...

Dhaas thinks this audio file may only remain on the link page for a short period of time and may not be permanent. It seems it cannot be saved directly from 'Windows Media Player', but if there is a way to save it as a permanent copy for reference, please PM Dhaas. Thanks in advance!

Dhaas thinks this video will only remain on the link page for a short period of time (around six months). If there is a way to save it as a permanent copy, please PM Dhaas. Thanks in advance!

Message on the blog for 'Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash' (Fresno, California): http://www.gurdwaragurnanakprakash.com/2008/05/sant-baba-ranjit-singh-ji-dhadrian-wale.html

From another forum (04.05.08):

About the location above... From another forum (03.05.08): From another forum (04.05.08):

About the location above... From another forum (03.05.08):

The three day Samagam at the following Gurdwara Saahib will be broadcasted from www.FremontGurdwara.org: El Sobrante, CA Gurdwara Sahib Friday, 9 May 9am to 12pm Saturday, 10 May 9am to 12pm Sunday, 11 May 9am to 12pm If news comes of any other diwaans that will be broadcasted live, details will be posted here...

Don't think there will be a broadcast tonight at: Fresno, CA New Nanaksar Gurdwara Sahib Thursday, 1 May 6pm to 9pm ...But as "Sher-e-Moreau" Jee has mentioned above, the three day Samagam at the following Gurdwara Saahib will be broadcasted from www.FremontGurdwara.org: El Sobrante, CA Gurdwara Sahib Friday, 9 May 9am to 12pm Saturday, 10 May 9am to 12pm Sunday, 11 May 9am to 12pm If news comes of any other diwaans that will be broadcasted live, details will be posted here...