SinghStation

1.Release of Guru Hargobind ji from Gwalior Fort Bandi Chhor Diwas is the anniversary of Guru Hargobind ji being released from the prison at Gwalior Fort. It was on this day in 1619 A D when Guru ji was freed along-with 52 Hindu Rajput princes. 2. Role of Sai Mian Mir in Guru ji’s Release Sai Mian Mir, a noted Sufi Sant and friend of both the Guru and his father, had travelled to the Emperor’s Court to meet with Jahangir asking him to release the Guru. Not really wanting to free the prisoners the Emperor Jahangir cleverly added the following condition to Guru ji’s release: “whoever can hold on to the Guru’s cloak can be released.” 3. Bandi Chorh Diwas is not Diwali Bandi Chorh Diwas and Diwali are separate festivals although they take place on the same day every year. People often think of both of these events as the same but in fact they represent two quite different events in history. On Bandi Chorh Diwas, Guru Sahib was released from Gwalior and on Diwali day he reached Amritsar. On his reaching Amritsar the people lit up the whole city with thousands of Lights and Lamps. Bandi Chorh Diwas fall on Amavas of Month Assu. Bandi Chorh Diwas is celebrated at Gurdwara Data Bandi Chorh, Gwalior with Joshokharosh. 4. Celebrations held at Gurdwara Bandi Chor & Amritsar Gurudwara Bandi Chor is built at the place where the Guru stayed during his detention. The Sikhs celebrate this day as Bandi Chhorr Divas i.e., “the day of release of detainees”. 5. Shaheedi of Bhai Mani Singh ji On this day “Bandi chhor Divas” Bhai Mani Singh ji, who was the then Granthi Of Shri Harmandir sahib (Golden Temple) is martyred in 1734. This happened because Bhai Mani Singh ji refused to pay tax on a religious meeting of khalsa on Diwali. The Government arrested him and took him to Lahore. The Qazi pronounced the judgement thathe was to be cut to pieces limb by limb While the celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas affords Sikhs the opportunity to celebrate alongside our Hindu and Jain siblings, we must also consider what this day signifies for Sikhs as more than just a day of celebration involving candles and fireworks. The story of Guru Hargobind’s cloak symbolizes the connections with others to work towards common goals. We must look at our individual causes in the lens of how that work promotes the greater good. In the spirit of that challenge, We wish a happy Bandi Chhor Divas to all. http://singhstation.net/2014/10/five-facts-must-know-bandi-chhor-diwas/

http://singhstation.net/2014/10/bhai-nirmal-singh-khalsa-performs-kirtan-at-anti-sikh-namdhari-dera/

Dr. Assa Singh, 96, has been finally released from prison after being granted bail by the Supreme Court of India on 17 October, 2014. Bapu Assa Singh was convicted by a TADA court in November 2012 in a more than 25 years old case. In November 2012 a TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) court convicted 93 year old Dr Assa Singh and sentenced him to undergo 10 years of imprisonment. It is worth noting that TADA ceased to be operative in 1995 due to worldwide condemnation of its misuse. But even 17 years after TADA expired, Assa Singh along with 11 others, were all given harsh sentences in a decision that was widely considered to be political rather than judicial. Dr Assa Singh could barely walk without support, as he stood on trial accused of a 25 year old bank robbery case in which he allegedly handled the stolen money from a Ludhiana branch of Punjab National Bank in February 1987. The case was full of flaws and lacked any evidence which was conveniently overlooked by Judge Sunil Kumar Arora. Finally, after suffering two years of cruel and wrongful imprisonment while in his advanced years, Assa Singh has now been allowed to return back home to his family. Please watch this short video of Assa Singh taken on the day his sentence was passed. http://singhstation.net/2014/10/breaking-news-96-years-old-bapu-assa-singh-finally-released-from-prison/ Admin Note: Post Full News article with source URL at the bottom of each news. Posting a paragraph with intention to advertise by redirecting visitors to a 3rd party site not allowed.

Muktsar – Due to the apathy of the authorities, the model of Mukte Minar, a historic monument built in the memory of 40 Muktas (liberated ones), has turned into a “junk” item. The expensive model prepared by the Chief Architect, Punjab, along with other junk items, has been presently dumped on the second floor of the District Administrative Complex (DAC) in the open. It speaks volumes about the “indifference” of the district administration towards the contribution of 40 Muktas, who laid down their lives while fighting against Mughals in 1705. Sources said the model of Mukte Minar was brought to the DAC to display it for those visiting the complex. However, later it was shifted to a kitchen located on the first floor of the building adjacent to the meeting hall and thereafter, finally dumped with other waste material. The memorial having the tallest “khanda” (81-ft) in the world is located along the District Administrative Complex here. It was opened with much fanfare, but now a victim of officials’ apathy, the monument is gathering dust for want of proper upkeep. Hardly any visitor can be seen here these days and the slow pace of construction of a road connecting to it is proving to be a major hurdle. Heaps of clay lying in front of the monument have blocked the entrance. The rings girdled with khanda are now covered with rust and some of the lights installed there are also missing. The minar is crying for immediate attention of the authorities, which spent nearly Rs 5 crore to build it in February 2005 on the 301st martyrdom day of the “muktas”. The SAD-BJP government has hardly paid any attention towards this monument, because it was built during the Congress regime of Capt Amarinder Singh in May 2005,” a local said. Junior Engineer (JE), Markfed, said, “We are only responsible for the maintenance of the Mukte Minar memorial. The model of Mukte Minar was not even handed over to us and kept in the District Administrative Complex to show it to the visitors. I am not aware of the present status of the model.” Some social activists said if the district administration was unable to take care of the model of Mukte Minar, it should have been handed over to some museum.

With Punjab State Assembly elections drawing close, Veteran Leader of Opposition L K Advani on Saturday reached Punjab for a visit to the Radha Swami Satsang headquarters in Beas. Advani landed at Guru Ramdas international airport in Amritsar and went straight to visit the Dear Head. The veteran leaderalso stayed the night at Beas Radha Swami headquarters and is expected to attend ‘satsang’ (prayer service) organised by Gurinder Dhillon Sunday morning. Advani was received by Punjab cabinet minister Anil Joshi, Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma and BJP national secretary Tarun Chug at the airport. Though political observers feel that the visit was a “strategic move” in the run-up to expand BJP’s mass base in Punjab, aiming at forming government on its own after the next assembly elections, however sources in the dera said the visit was a “private affair”. “It was a religious visit and he wanted no disturbance. “My sole purpose is to visit Dera Beas,” said Advani in reply to a question whether he was here to woo deras of the state. The dera that has a huge following in north Indian states usually attracts political leaders before polls. Senior Congress leaders, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, are also frequent visitors. She had visited the dera ahead of 2002 Assembly elections, accompanied by Moti Lal Vora, who was then party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, and Natwar Singh, who was considered close to the Gandhi family. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh have also been visiting the dera for the blessings of the Baba. Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma said Dera Beas followers are not confined to Punjab. They are across the nation and BJP could gain if the sect extends support to the party. This is one such attempt. Admin Note: Post Full News article with source URL at the bottom of each news. Posting a paragraph with intention to advertise by redirecting visitors to a 3rd party site not allowed.

The Sikh Awards were held at The Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, London on Saturday 18th October 2014. The Awards recognised Sikh contributions and excellence in a variety of fields from nominations received from around the world. Bhai Baldeep Singh, well known as the “Renaissance Man” of Punjab for rendering the vintage etiquettes of Gurbani Kirtan, won the Sikhs in Entertainment award while Malvinder Mohan Singh, Executive Chairman of Fortis Healthcare, was declared as the Sikhs in Business – Business Man. Describing 81-year-old Singh as a “walking encyclopedia on Sikhism, sports, Indian politics and Punjab”, the citation read out at the Sikh Awards 2014 at Westminster Park Plaza in here last night said: “He is an able Parliamentarian, a sports administrator par excellence, a well read columnist, a successful communicator and a proven administrator.”Sardar Tarlochan Singh, the former Chairman of India’s National Minorities Commission, has been conferred with Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award 2014 for his outstanding contribution to Sikhism and other walks of life. It said that Singh is the only Sikh to hold the post of the Chairman of National Minorities Commission. Besides this he was also a member of the National Human Rights Commission, Population Commission and the Rajya Sabha. In his acceptance speech, Tarlochan Singh said, “I feel honoured to receive the award as it is a positive step to promote Sikhism internationally. I cherish it all the more because the honour has come from my own community.” He wanted Navdeep Singh, founder of the Sikh Directory Ltd who instituted the Sikh Awards, to consider setting up a Sikh Research Centre or Sikh Information Centre in London. Giani Sukha Singh from Sikh Helpline UK, received the “Sikhs in Charities” award. Navtej Singh of India, one of the world’s first Sikh Bodybuilders, won the Sikhs in Sports award. 23-year-old entrepreneur and fashion blogger has won the People’s Choice title at the annual Sikh Awards. Other awardees honoured at Sikh Awards 2014Pardeep Singh Bahra, the face of Samsung’s Alpha Smart phone campaign and founder of Singh Street Style online fashion site, was honoured at the ceremony in Westminster, central London. - Gursharan Kaur Kandra (Canada), founder of the Canadian Intercultural Association of Students (Sikhs in Education) - Sangat Television, UK (Sikhs in Media), - Swaran Singh Gharial, Kenya (Sikhs in Seva) - Amrit Singh, Global Head of South Asian Clients with EFG Bank AG, Singapore (Sikhs in Profession) - Parminder Kaur, Netherlands (Sikhs in Business – Business Woman) - Sukhi Singh Ghuman, UK (Sikhs in Business – Entrepreneur). http://singhstation.net/2014/10/many-honoured-5th-annual-sikh-awards-2014/ Admin Note: Post Full News article with source URL at the bottom of each news. Posting a paragraph with intention to advertise by redirecting visitors to a 3rd party site not allowed.

For the first time, in the 100 years of Indian Cinema, a ‘photo realistic’ 3D Animation Film in S-3D, on Sikh History depicting the life of Char Sahibzade (four sons) of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji will be portrayed. The film will be released in Punjabi, Hindi, English and various other Indian and over a dozen foreign languages. The script and the making of the film is being coordinated with the team at the SGPC so that the effort is true to history and correct in it’s depiction of religious sentiments. The first look trailer and poster are launched with the consent and approval of SGPC. When asked about his reasons for embarking on an animated film project, Harry said, “While going through the pages of Sikh History, as I focused on the dramatic events around the Lives and Sacrifices of the Four Sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, I knew I had the story of my next film in hand. But It is an understood fact that a ‘live action’ film cannot be made on the lives of the four sons of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, so Animation was the only option in which format I could make a feature film on this part of Sikh History.” “A three-and-a-half minute trailer of the film, to be produced by Baweja’s wife and producer Pammi Baweja, was released before the media in Chandigarh on January 18. According to sources, the movie is worth between Rs 15 to Rs 20 crore — the highest ever for an animation film related to the Sikh religion. Baweja plans for a December release” Indian Expresses (IE) has reported. “We then closely worked with Mr Prasad Ajgaonkar the head at the Animation Studio “IREALITIES” to create the world of that era. Finally after an intense effort of literary and technical research for over three years, the First Look of the Film in 3D Animation being also made in S-3D : that is 3D projection in theaters, is ready.”, adds Harry. This story of “Char Sahibzade” is about holding the sanctity, and sacrifice for the sake of the Sikh religion. The Khalsa stood the test, now and again for its own existence and the two tender younger sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, too stood their ground, and accepted martyrdom. When it came to fighting the enemy in a battle unto death, age was no bar, and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji’s elder two sons were no exceptions. That the history of any religion may be written with pen & ink… but the Glorious Sikh History is written with the edge of Sword & the redness of the blood. The foundation of Sikhism is very strong, and it is cemented on the supreme sacrifices of its great Martyrs, including The “Char Sahibzade”. http://singhstation.net/2014/10/first-3d-animation-film-sikh-history-depict-life-char-sahibzade/

Dear JSingh ji Do Apologize for the mistake and you are 100% correct. We have now made the correction to our post. Regards

16 October - Today is the birthday of First Sikh General, Baba Banda Singh ji Bahadur. Baba Banda Singh came to Punjab like a storm, sent message of Guru Gobind Singh to various places to Khalsa, raised an army of the selfless Sikhs under numbers of commanders of Sikhs and attacked Sarhind in the year 1710 AD. On this day we all should celebrate and give a warm salute to the greatest Sikh warrior, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur that ever lived who gave his life but not his beliefs. http://singhstation.net/2014/06/the-first-sikh-general-baba-banda-singh-bahadur/

Baba Kharak Singh name is a mark of respect in the Sikh Community.He was the first elected president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee(SGPC). Apart from this distinction, he was also a freedom fighter of great repute. He worked for the welfare of the masses and after independance of the country, lived a life of peace and quiet away from political activities. He did not seek any favours. His aim in life was to see a free India and flourishing Sikh Community. He worked in both areas and was greatly revered. Such was his clout, that his arrest during freedom struggle launched massive protests by the public. He was arrested several times and was given harsh treatment in prison, but he never deterred from his target. Baba Kharak Singh’s long public life began innocuously enough – when he was elected Chairman of the Reception Committee of the fifth session of the All-India Sikh Conference held in his home town, Sialkot, in 1912. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 and the subsequent events in Punjab under Martial Law galvanized him into political activity. He addressed the annual session of the Indian National Congress which was held as Amritsar in December 1919, under the presidentship of Motilal Nehru (Jawaharlal’s father). Baba Kharak Singh was elected the first President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) in 1921. In November that year, the Punjab Government passed an order whereby the keys of the toshakhana (treasury) of the Golden Temple at Amritsar were to remain in the custody of the Deputy Commissioner of the district. The SGPC protested and an agitation was launched. Baba Kharak Singh was arrested. The agitation continued. As Rana Jang Bahadur Singh, a former Editor of The Tribune wrote: “Ultimately the proud ruling power had to bend before the iron will of the puissant Baba. The key was delivered to him at a public function by a representative of British imperialism. And, metaphorically speaking, with that key he eventually opened the gates of the temple of freedom. He became a general of the army of liberators in the Punjab and his life became a saga of sustained, valiant struggle.” On January 17, 1922, the keys of the Golden Temple were handed back to Baba Kharak Singh, who had been released along with thousands of other political prisoners, at the Akal Takht. On this day, Mahatma Gandhi, who was then ‘Dictator’ of the Indian National Congress, sent the following telegram to Baba Kharak Singh: “First decisive battle for India’s freedom won. Congratulations.” In a lecture at Lahore he said “In the fight for India’s freedom if you find a bullet in my back, do not count me as one amongst the Sikhs of the Gurus and do not cremate my dead body according to the Sikh rites. A disciple of the Great Gurus is an ideal saint-soldier and it supposed to fight in the vanguard and face the bullets in the chest and not in the back, and we the Sikhs shall never allow any foreigner to rule over Motherland, and we shall brook no injustice.” He organized a mammoth demonstration in 1928 when the Simon Commission visited Lahore. He was again sent to jail in 1931 but was released after six months. He was re-arrested in 1932 and detained for 19 months in prison. Once again he was taken in custody in 1935 for his scathing criticism of the Communal Award. He was again sent to the jail in 1940 for participating in Satyagrah movement in 1940. In spite of his old age, Babaji did not stop his activities. He was one of those leaders who unhesitatingly took up the cause of the I.N.A. in 1945. During the elections of 1946 he toured the whole of the Punjab and the N.W.F.P. and made a magnificent contribution to the success of the Congress. According to Jawahar Lal Nehru, during his whole life had never surrender to what he considered to be wrong or evil, whatever the consequences might have been. At another place Mr. Nehru said about him, “There are few hands which can uphold the honour and preserve the dignity of the national Flag better than those of Babaji”. After 1947, Baba ji stayed in Delhi in virtual retirement, and died there on 6 October 1963 at the ripe age of 95. Even in his death, he caused a stir. “Pandit Nehru was in Parliament when he heard that Baba Kharak Singh had passed away. He rushed from Parliament to be by his bedside. “When he arrived there he saw that Baba ji was still struggling. Nehru was angry at having to rush out on the midst of a Parliament session and he asked the doctors for an explanation. ‘Well, technically he is dead. But this is some kind of a struggle going on within him,’ said the doctors. There he was, struggling till the very last”, recalls Gurdit Singh Jolly. Its a sad plight of Punjab about what the Akali government did for Babaji. There is no institution or even a road or chowk in the name of Baba Kharak Singh in Punjab, while the government in the center named a very important road in Babaji’s name and at his death they brought out postal stamps in his name and have put up his photograph in the parliament while even in the Sikh Museum in Amritsar and others there is no mention of Baba Kharak Singh under whose leaderships the Sikhs and Indians won all the campaigns against the British and even Gandhi after the victory of Babaji’s campaign sent the following telegram to Babaji: “First Battle of India’s freedom won, Congratulations.” It’s a shame that the sacrifices of the uncrowned king of the Sikhs are absolutely Ignored. Source: http://singhstation.net/2014/10/baba-kharak-singh-revolutionary-sikh-sgpcs-first-president/

http://singhstation.net/2014/07/boiled-alive-shaheed-bhai-gurdev-singh-debu/

With the grace of Satguru Nanak Dev Ji, Sikh Sewaks Australia is going to have 3 days Akhand Chaupai sahib path from 17/10 to 19/10 for our brothers and sisters who are having problems with their visas and PR applications and other personal problems. Please feel free to call to inquire how you could participate in this program. Check below link for Poster and further details: http://singhstation.net/event/48-hour-chaupai-sahib-akhand-jaap-sikh-sewaks-australia/

Amritsar: The All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) led by Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed has given a call for Punjab bandh for November 1 to to mark the 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar - Read More: http://singhstation.net/2014/10/1984-riots-aissf-calls-punjab-bandh-november-1/