The truth uncovered: Leamington Spa Gurdwara Sahib

[MrDoaba]

I should mention only some roles require you to dress like this at times. Usually the higher posts.

[MrDoaba]

I hope that they were more shrewd with their money then if they knew it was corrupt. The only way to fight corrupt committtees is to starve them of the oxygen they need - money. Dont give your money to Gurdwaras that are like this.

Leamington Gurdwara is a good example of a Gurdwara with a money hungry committee. There has always been problems. But like i said, im sure they are out now. The community there is the typical traditional Punjabi community, more parchar needs to be done.

[West London Singh]

I should mention only some roles require you to dress like this at times. Usually the higher posts.

Well no. Thats giving our non-British friend a very inaccurate assessment of the facts. The truth, in fact, is the complete opposite of what you just said. With the exception of the London Mayor (who is elected and does not wear silly fancy dress) the other local Mayors are not what non-British people would understand a 'Mayor' to be in the traditional sense. These 'mayors' are not elected and have absolutely no power or position of authority. The limit of their position of being 'mayor' is to open a new local supermarket or hand out prizes at the kids summer fair. Not by any standard what one would consider a "higher post". The position is, in fact, an extremely low post given , turn by turn, to the old men and women that have served as local councillors. When it comes to Sikhs being mayors in the UK, those 'mayors' usually celebrate their mayorship by going on trips to Punjab where they get greeted and respected by people that have no idea what a lowly non-power position that 'mayor' actually holds. Today, like all other days, is a perfect example. The Indian news media is today full of stories about the visit of the Mayor of Hounslow to Ludhiana. Its actually quite funny how the locals are none the wiser and how Mr Grewal the mayor is milking the attention. And so....the funny costumes ? Well, when it comes to ancient towns and cities in the UK then one can understand and appreciate the ancient insignia of the town. However, when it comes to places such as the London Borough of Hounslow one needs to remember that the unitary authority only came into existence in the late 1960's and so this 'ancient insignia of Hounslow' they wear is actually newer than many of the cars you see on Hounslow's roads. Before that, Hounslow was merely a parish in the Hundred of Isleworth and so it would have been Isleworth that had an ancient insignia. I'm sure Leamington and Warwick have similar stories to tell. In other words, the photos of those mayors wearing their silly gear, is a good indication of where we, the British, are in the world today. We are nothing but a tourist attraction for the world. We live in one great big giant medieval theme park in which we all dress in character for the benefit of the tourists that are dissapointed unless we are dressed as Dickensian characters. The whole thing is a joke. But if our north american friends here wish me to sum it up I would sum the situation up like this :

Whenever you read or hear a story about a Sikh in the UK becoming a Mayor do NOT assume it has the same relevance as an American or Canadian mayor and so do not waste your time having any pride in the fact that a sikh has become a mayor. Just like you we have democracy. However, unlike you our mayors do not fall into the democracy camp but instead fall within the comedy circus camp. Here, in the UK, anyone that wants to can become a local councillor fairly easily. Once you're a councillor your turn will come to wear the silly costume and be mayor for a year or two. At this point you will prey on the inherent unpadh and ignorant nature of our desi people and either network to make money or demand false and unwarranted respect.

[Singh559]

Here, in the UK, anyone that wants to can become a local councillor fairly easily. Once you're a councillor your turn will come to wear the silly costume and be mayor for a year or two. At this point you will prey on the inherent unpadh and ignorant nature of our desi people and either network to make money or demand false and unwarranted respect.

haha. Thanks for that insightful post! Makes sense.

People make Gurudwaras as an investment opportunity. They take money from the golak and use that money to invest without the community knowing, once they get the money back they give it back.

They use it like banks.

[MrDoaba]

Well no. Thats giving our non-British friend a very inaccurate assessment of the facts. The truth, in fact, is the complete opposite of what you just said. With the exception of the London Mayor (who is elected and does not wear silly fancy dress) the other local Mayors are not what non-British people would understand a 'Mayor' to be in the traditional sense. These 'mayors' are not elected and have absolutely no power or position of authority. The limit of their position of being 'mayor' is to open a new local supermarket or hand out prizes at the kids summer fair. Not by any standard what one would consider a "higher post". The position is, in fact, an extremely low post given , turn by turn, to the old men and women that have served as local councillors. When it comes to Sikhs being mayors in the UK, those 'mayors' usually celebrate their mayorship by going on trips to Punjab where they get greeted and respected by people that have no idea what a lowly non-power position that 'mayor' actually holds. Today, like all other days, is a perfect example. The Indian news media is today full of stories about the visit of the Mayor of Hounslow to Ludhiana. Its actually quite funny how the locals are none the wiser and how Mr Grewal the mayor is milking the attention. And so....the funny costumes ? Well, when it comes to ancient towns and cities in the UK then one can understand and appreciate the ancient insignia of the town. However, when it comes to places such as the London Borough of Hounslow one needs to remember that the unitary authority only came into existence in the late 1960's and so this 'ancient insignia of Hounslow' they wear is actually newer than many of the cars you see on Hounslow's roads. Before that, Hounslow was merely a parish in the Hundred of Isleworth and so it would have been Isleworth that had an ancient insignia. I'm sure Leamington and Warwick have similar stories to tell. In other words, the photos of those mayors wearing their silly gear, is a good indication of where we, the British, are in the world today. We are nothing but a tourist attraction for the world. We live in one great big giant medieval theme park in which we all dress in character for the benefit of the tourists that are dissapointed unless we are dressed as Dickensian characters. The whole thing is a joke. But if our north american friends here wish me to sum it up I would sum the situation up like this :

Whenever you read or hear a story about a Sikh in the UK becoming a Mayor do NOT assume it has the same relevance as an American or Canadian mayor and so do not waste your time having any pride in the fact that a sikh has become a mayor. Just like you we have democracy. However, unlike you our mayors do not fall into the democracy camp but instead fall within the comedy circus camp. Here, in the UK, anyone that wants to can become a local councillor fairly easily. Once you're a councillor your turn will come to wear the silly costume and be mayor for a year or two. At this point you will prey on the inherent unpadh and ignorant nature of our desi people and either network to make money or demand false and unwarranted respect.

Yes you are right. Its more of a formality. Thanks for the (unnecessarily long but interesting) veechar.

Sorry Singh559, i gave you the wrong info.

[Singh559]

Yes you are right. Its more of a formality. Thanks for the (unnecessarily long but interesting) veechar.

Sorry Singh559, i gave you the wrong info.

You were right, but he just elaborated haha

Would have been fine with the basic answer, but appreciate the long one haha

[West London Singh]

You were right, but he just elaborated haha

Would have been fine with the basic answer, but appreciate the long one haha

Ah yes but you see...the power of words. Why write a simple paragraph that contains only the simple information you thought you wanted when you can include in it the free sociology and history lesson you didn't even know you wanted ?

Words. More powerful than machine guns, tanks and anti-aircraft missiles. This war we're in right now...with India...will not be won and lost with AK47 assault rifles or swords. The ones who are better with words will win this battle. Unlike bullets you will not run short of ammo by using too much of them and just like guns you need to practice using them frequently so you'll be ready to use them when needed. Words. The most powerful weapon the western born and western educated Sikh diaspora have against the ignorant Indians.

But yes I take your point. It would have sufficed simply to state that the 2 Indian govt agent ex-mayors and councillors of Leamington are pictured in their silly costumes because they wish to give the illusion of authority when in actual fact the only authority they ever had was being able to cut the ribbon for the openings of new leisure centres. Sufficed. But not half as interesting.

[luckysingh99]

The greed !!!!!!!

The funny thing is that most of the gurdwaras here in North America are made with money from investors. They are built to make money and are just seen as income and business for most of these owners.

They don't rely on grants or goverment money like UK gurdwaras.

[MrDoaba]

Ah yes but you see...the power of words. Why write a simple paragraph that contains only the simple information you thought you wanted when you can include in it the free sociology and history lesson you didn't even know you wanted ?

Words. More powerful than machine guns, tanks and anti-aircraft missiles. This war we're in right now...with India...will not be won and lost with AK47 assault rifles or swords. The ones who are better with words will win this battle. Unlike bullets you will not run short of ammo by using too much of them and just like guns you need to practice using them frequently so you'll be ready to use them when needed. Words. The most powerful weapon the western born and western educated Sikh diaspora have against the ignorant Indians.

But yes I take your point. It would have sufficed simply to state that the 2 Indian govt agent ex-mayors and councillors of Leamington are pictured in their silly costumes because they wish to give the illusion of authority when in actual fact the only authority they ever had was being able to cut the ribbon for the openings of new leisure centres. Sufficed. But not half as interesting.

This very point came into my mind after your post. As they say.....the pen is mightier than the sword.

And do you really think the ex-mayors were Indian govt agents?

The greed !!!!!!!

The funny thing is that most of the gurdwaras here in North America are made with money from investors. They are built to make money and are just seen as income and business for most of these owners.

They don't rely on grants or goverment money like UK gurdwaras.

Luckysingh99 as far as i know i dont think we get grants or any government money to build our Gurdwaras. Its all done with the sangats donations.

[gurdssingh]

Well no. Thats giving our non-British friend a very inaccurate assessment of the facts. The truth, in fact, is the complete opposite of what you just said. With the exception of the London Mayor (who is elected and does not wear silly fancy dress) the other local Mayors are not what non-British people would understand a 'Mayor' to be in the traditional sense. These 'mayors' are not elected and have absolutely no power or position of authority.

That's not true. Mayors in some other cities are elected officals and are responsible for all council descisions.