MisterrSingh

The man's been wagging his finger at and rebuking public figures in that annoyingly haughty manner, for what's deemed to be questionable behaviour, as Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee for years, lol. Wonder how the liberal quarter of the press will handle this; if anything, they'll paint him as some sort of tragically repressed yet brave figure who should not have been exposed for having gay encounters (as opposed to a dirty, cheating philanderer had he got caught with female prostitutes), won't he? I can't see them turning on him, lest they be accused of homophobic hypocrisy?

When it comes to aspects of intelligence (in terms of the ISI) and how they deal with the U.S., fair play to Pakistan because they've got some balls on them, lol. I'm not sure how much of that is America playing the (very) long game and allowing them a very long rope by which Pakistan will eventually hang itself, or whether Pakistan are genuinely running circles around the States, as well as keeping their oar in with jihadists; in essence playing both sides, and somehow succeeding in doing so for quite a while. It's almost as if the Pakistani hierarchy realises that, as a fully fledged functioning state they are a mess domestically (and they've reconciled themselves with this fact behind closed doors), but due to their key geographic location, they know they are simply too important to fall, hence the bravado on their part that they are a big player in the region and somewhat internationally, too.

I think you're right, although don't quote me on it. What India is attempting now with the U.S. is, I'm guessing, mostly for economic expansion. Pakistan has America's attention on the geo-political front.

There can be room for only one Indian sub-continent country of India and Pakistan as America's chamcha. As of now - and the past few decades - Pakistan has India beat on that particular front. Simply put, there's too much Pakistan has that India does not in order to keep the States interested.

It's always the other Asian business partner (allegedly). If I were the coppers, I'd reopen unsolved cases where UK resident Indian businessman have gone back home for a holiday and died unexpectedly whilst over there. There's usually a hand close to home in such shenanigans (allegedly).

Has an apocalyptic prophecy ever come true? Or do they continually get delayed for some inexplicable reason.

3 months give or take a few days. It's going to get tasty!

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (formerly Bhai Teg Mal) partook in the Battle of Kartarpur, and most likely other undocumented skirmishes as a youngster. He was a trained warrior. There are sources available that prove they fought.

Some people are easily impressed O_o

Very few people care about the valid point you're highlighting, Jagsaw Singh. An 800 page book could be written on the subject. It's possibly the one aspect of contemporary orthodox Sikhi that concerns me more than anything else, yet nobody - certainly not the preaching hierarchy - will ever discuss it, because i believe it might be misinterpreted as an attack on Gursikhi itself. Unfortunately, this silence will contribute to the further devolving of the Sikh faith into exactly the type of religion that the founders of Sikhi denounced so harshly.

There's a considerable number of male Poles I work with, but very little, if any, of their women, but I was wondering what's the appeal for Polish women when they opt for our fresh brothers from back home. I've asked a few, and it visibly rankles them to acknowledge their own women are marrying "out." Is it a marriage of convenience, or are they dazzled by our desi bro's sparkling wit and engaging personalities?

It's a concern for all imo.

Are we more prone to marrying out of our religion compared to Hindus and Muslims in the uk? I don't think there's any official figures on the subject. If so, what are the reasons?

I agree. As much as becoming a granthi or a kirtani should be about devotion and love of those respective arts, our people are a very practical lot. There needs to be a balance that takes both into account, or we'll end up in a situation where even our kirtanis and gianis will be compromised.

When a family relies on a person for survival, and the means of that survival is through one particularly narrow and limited way of work, how can he or she drop everything and embark on a moralistic crusade to assuage their conscience? Yeah, in the eyes of God that person might be unburdening their dhokra of sin, but that isn't much consolation when the dependents of that person are going hungry or are in danger of being made homeless or - in terms of Punjabi culture - become the victims of gossip and slander (which for some is much worse than death, lol). If that isn't being "trapped" then what is? Life isn't some feel-good film, where people can drop everything and everyone and focus on the self. Teens and single folk can, but people with families cannot do that. Our gianis, parcharaks, etc., have their responsibilities and material desires beyond what they preach on stage. They're human beings, believe it or not.

The answer is in what I've already said. I can't make it any clearer.

They all rely on a corrupt system that ensures there's a roof over their head, food on the table, and their bodies are clothed. It's no more complex than that. Religion and faith barely factors into it. The question that arises is this: if they all realise what they must do to survive is to tow the line of the likes of Badal, then why not walk away with integrity? Answer: they can't. They're trapped. Wives, children, families, communities, fellow religious cohorts... all need require their continued compliance. Responsibilities. Adult life. The harsh reality of it all.

Sounds spicy. What did I miss, lol?

I'm thinking pretty much the same thing. It's unwittingly revealing a person's browsing habits, lol.

All too often our people interpret the above in bold as material rewards; elevated social status, fruitful employment, peaceful and contented existence... MONEY, lol. The fact that there may be other less tangible rewards may as well as be voodoo to these folk.

Very true. Various religions refer to a state of human existence pre-Sin, i.e. Christianity and the Garden of Eden prior to Eve's temptation; Original Sin. And there's the Eastern faiths, including Sikhi, that refer to an era of ultimate Truth (Satjug), etc., so perhaps there was an age when we were not subject to - or at least had a firm grip on - what became the vices.

Lol, that police statement has more holes in it than swiss cheese. It makes no sense.

I've been mulling over something similar for the past few weeks. I sometimes wonder whether Sikhi is maybe too idealistic? A perfect path but perhaps beyond the reach of 99.9% of its followers? There's too many bull5hitters who talk a great and pious game in public, but behind closed doors are left severely wanting on even the most basic of tenets. I think they call it human nature, lol. Of course, Sikhi's inherent message at its very core is one of self-improvement and betterment, not only for the individual on a spiritual basis and otherwise, but also in terms of how we affect others around us. Overcoming the 5 Vices is, I believe, the key to it all. Whether humanity is capable of ever overcoming its built-in switches is debatable. Still, it's a message of hope and something to strive for, and it's a beautifully positive way of aiming to exist as prescribed by our Guru Sahibs.

As the populations of the West have switched from manual, physical work to service-based industries over the past 60 or so years, this has gradually affected the strengths and competencies of future generations. Personally, I find the mental effects of these changes to be a lot more concerning than any of the physical aspects of it (although I wouldn't downplay the benefits of a strong and fit body). From a Sikh perspective, I see the type of males our community is producing in the United Kingdom, and it is extremely worrying for our future. Generations of mentally weak, confused, limp-wristed "men" are emerging. Confusion reigns. A severe lack of identity. Afraid of women; afraid of other men; afraid of anything that moves. This is your liberal, educated Sikh middle class. Obtain the social and financial benefits of a comfortable western existence, and in the process unwittingly relinquish everything that makes you a man. There are, of course, exceptions, but they are too few to make much difference, especially when the tide is flowing overwhelmingly in one particular direction.

I'm not sure I'd want it to be, bhenji, especially with the Punjabi trait of chugliyan, lol.