About Me
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Aussie scientists find coconut-carrying octopus - Yahoo! Singapore News
Aussie scientists find coconut-carrying octopus - Yahoo! Singapore News: "Aussie scientists find coconut-carrying"
Portrait of the Modern Terrorist as an Idiot
Portrait of the Modern Terrorist as an Idiot: "Portrait of the Modern Terrorist as an Idiot"
Monday, November 30, 2009
www.outlookindia.com | One Shoe Isn’t Quite Enough
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?262944: "One Shoe Isn’t Quite Enough"
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November: The saddest month of the year- Hindustan Times
November: The saddest month of the year- Hindustan Times: "November: The saddest month of the year"
Wounds of 1984
Wounds of 1984: "Justice to the victims of the anti-Sikh violence in Delhi seems far away even after 25 years."
Sunday, November 8, 2009
KNOW THE FACTS of the 1984 Sikh Genocide
Know the Facts of “84' Sikh Genocide”
October 31st, 1984 – November 4th, 1984: “84' Sikh Genocide”.
“84' Sikh Genocide” was far from being a spontaneous expression of "madness" and popular "grief and anger" at Mrs. Gandhi's assassination as made out to be by the authorities.
It was an outcome of a well organized plan marked by important politicians of the Indian National Congress party and authorities in the administration.
The brutal killing, looting and raping of Sikhs during the “84' Sikh Genocide” took place in Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Jammu & Kashmir, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra.
As per official records over 3000 Sikhs were killed but the fact is, over 30,000 were killed throughout India and over 2,00,000 were displaced.
Sikh Army officers and men in uniform were done to death in the presence of non-Sikh soldiers, who stood as silent spectators.
Hundreds of Gurudwaras and thousands of Guru Granth Sahibs were burnt and desecrated.
Property worth millions was looted and destroyed.
Senior members of Indian National Congress party led murderous mobs during “84' Sikh Genocide”. These included Jagdish Tytler (Member Parliament), Sajjan Kumar (Member Parliament), Kamal Nath (Member Parliament), Dharam Das Shastri (Congress's senior party member), Vasant Sathe, HKL Bhagat and many more.
Amitabh Bachchan was shown on television inciting people to kill Sikhs. He raised the slogan ‘Khoon ke chheente Indira ko marne walon ke gharon tak pahunchne chahiye (The bloodstains must reach the houses of those who killed Indira)’.
Sikh dwellings were identified by government voters lists.
Ten Inquires of the “84' Sikh Genocide” are over. After every commission, a cover-up operation has been launched to protect the perpetrators of this organized genocide.
Clean chits given to the guilty by the investigative agencies despite testimonies of witnesses.
The guilty remain unpunished and enjoy positions of power in India.
After 25 years the victims await Justice.
Sikhs for Justice joined hands with witnesses of “84' Sikh Genocide” – Jasbir Singh (gave his statement against Jagdish Tytler on December 25, 2008 before CBI in California ), Surinder Singh (passed away on July 13, 2009, gave his statement against Jagdish Tytler on December 23-24, 2008 before CBI in New York), Gurcharan Singh Rishi (passed away on February 17, 2009, he gave his statement against Sajjan Kumar to CBI on March 12, 2008, but passed away just before two days he was to appear before the Delhi High Court ), Resham Singh (ready to testify against CBI) and brought them before the international media.
Sikhs for Justice is struggling to get justice for the victims of “84' Sikh Genocide”
October 31st, 1984 – November 4th, 1984: “84' Sikh Genocide”.
“84' Sikh Genocide” was far from being a spontaneous expression of "madness" and popular "grief and anger" at Mrs. Gandhi's assassination as made out to be by the authorities.
It was an outcome of a well organized plan marked by important politicians of the Indian National Congress party and authorities in the administration.
The brutal killing, looting and raping of Sikhs during the “84' Sikh Genocide” took place in Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Jammu & Kashmir, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra.
As per official records over 3000 Sikhs were killed but the fact is, over 30,000 were killed throughout India and over 2,00,000 were displaced.
Sikh Army officers and men in uniform were done to death in the presence of non-Sikh soldiers, who stood as silent spectators.
Hundreds of Gurudwaras and thousands of Guru Granth Sahibs were burnt and desecrated.
Property worth millions was looted and destroyed.
Senior members of Indian National Congress party led murderous mobs during “84' Sikh Genocide”. These included Jagdish Tytler (Member Parliament), Sajjan Kumar (Member Parliament), Kamal Nath (Member Parliament), Dharam Das Shastri (Congress's senior party member), Vasant Sathe, HKL Bhagat and many more.
Amitabh Bachchan was shown on television inciting people to kill Sikhs. He raised the slogan ‘Khoon ke chheente Indira ko marne walon ke gharon tak pahunchne chahiye (The bloodstains must reach the houses of those who killed Indira)’.
Sikh dwellings were identified by government voters lists.
Ten Inquires of the “84' Sikh Genocide” are over. After every commission, a cover-up operation has been launched to protect the perpetrators of this organized genocide.
Clean chits given to the guilty by the investigative agencies despite testimonies of witnesses.
The guilty remain unpunished and enjoy positions of power in India.
After 25 years the victims await Justice.
Sikhs for Justice joined hands with witnesses of “84' Sikh Genocide” – Jasbir Singh (gave his statement against Jagdish Tytler on December 25, 2008 before CBI in California ), Surinder Singh (passed away on July 13, 2009, gave his statement against Jagdish Tytler on December 23-24, 2008 before CBI in New York), Gurcharan Singh Rishi (passed away on February 17, 2009, he gave his statement against Sajjan Kumar to CBI on March 12, 2008, but passed away just before two days he was to appear before the Delhi High Court ), Resham Singh (ready to testify against CBI) and brought them before the international media.
Sikhs for Justice is struggling to get justice for the victims of “84' Sikh Genocide”
Lest We Forget : 1984 Sikh Massacre
It is the responsibility of all Sikh to remember this event in 1984.
Just like the Jews think of Holocaust, this is the same thing for us Sikhs.
All Sikhs must fight for this justice. All of us.
Until those who did this are not bought to justice, we wil not sleep a good sleep everynight.
Somehow Rajiv paid the heavy price of being killed himself. Now the others must be bought to justice.
Petition Lest We Forget
Just like the Jews think of Holocaust, this is the same thing for us Sikhs.
All Sikhs must fight for this justice. All of us.
Until those who did this are not bought to justice, we wil not sleep a good sleep everynight.
Somehow Rajiv paid the heavy price of being killed himself. Now the others must be bought to justice.
Petition Lest We Forget
Mishra Commission Affidavits
this is how fucked up the Indian government / services / police and army is: Mishra Commission Affidavits: "Affidavit of Mishra Commission"
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Forgive sounds good, Forget I am not sure I could
Forgive sounds good, Forget I am not sure I could
This year, year 2009 is the 25th anniversary of the genocide of Sikhs committed by Indian Govt. and the above line that I have chosen from the Grammy award winning song “Not ready to make nice”, of Dixie chicks aptly describes my feeling towards that Govt. sponsored ethnic cleansing of Sikhs.
I still clearly remember those days; I was almost 8 years old in 1984 and living in Ranchi, Bihar. My Mom and Dad narrowly escaped death at the hands of mob on 1st November and then for 3 days I saw shops and houses belonging to Sikhs being burned from my window. We were able to survive as we were living in a Telephone Exchange, a Government building. After 2 days curfew was imposed and when curfew was relaxed, I used to go out with my mom to get milk and ration with my hairs knotted at the back like girls to hide my Sikh identity. I can clearly talk about myself that after that genocide that was committed in 1984 Sikhs have always lived with fear as to what can happen next.
When Indra’s son Rajiv was assassinated, I was 15 years old and living in Delhi. A family friend called at 3 in the morning and informed us about it. At that time it was not known as to who were the assassins, and so we informed all the Sikhs that we could and got ourselves ready to face what could have been the next unleashing of fury upon one of the minorities living in world’s largest democracy.
I believe that horrible incidents that have taken place in the past must be made available to the present and future generations so that they can learn a lesson from those incidents and happenings. Rather even the very generation that lived during those times is sometimes unaware of such incidents and must be made aware of it.
Exactly 25 years have passed and none of the people responsible for that carnage have been brought to justice. Sajjan Kumar, Kamal Nath, DharamDas Shastri, Jagdish Tytler and HKL Bhagat(now dead) are all enjoying the fruits of their labor even though their Master Rajiv is long gone.
The most important thing that becomes clear from all this is the wrong notion that some people had in their mind; only one person/family or one political party was responsible for this genocide. This is absolutely rubbish. Had it been the case then what about the time when BJP(Bhartiya Janta Party) was in power. Or for that matter for a small amount of time when VP Singh came to power? This is to the credit of VP Singh though, that he did try to implicate the culprits. CBI went to arrest Sajjan Kumar but have to come back empty handed with their cars and vehicles smashed. Or what about the culprits of Godhra massacre where thousands of Muslims were butchered the same way as was done with Sikhs in 1984. So it is not one party or one person but one particular thinking and ideology that work behind all this. What is that? I will leave it unsaid, as sometimes Silence is itself deafening.
Of course there are good people too, like the Justice Dhingra and then Police commissioner Maxwell Pereira who averted attack on Sis Ganj Gurdwara.
To put salt over the wounds, when Manmohan Singh a Sikh becomes Prime minister of India, he asks for forgiveness for the massacre of Sikhs. What a drama? Sikhs are killed and Sikh is saying forgive me!!!!! , this is what is known in Punjabi as “ Tagda Marta bhi hai aur Rone bhi nahi deta”, Strong and powerful will beat you up and wont even let you complain.
In order for people who have no idea of what happened to Sikhs I am just quoting an incident recorded by renowned feminist Madhu Kishwar in her reputed magazine called “Manushi” reproduced by HS Phoolka in his book : “When a tree shook Delhi”.
Two decades later this account was placed on official records when Madhu Kishwar filed an affidavit before the Nanavati commission:
“Gurdip Kaur, a 45 year old woman from Block 32, Trilokpuri, told a typical story. Her husband and three sons were brutally murdered in front of her. Her husband used to run a small shop in the locality. Her eldest son, Bhajan Singh, worked at the railway station; the second, in a radio repair shop; and the third as a scooter driver.
She says, ‘On the morning of 1 November, when Indira Mata’s body was brought to Teen Murti, everyone was watching television. Since 8.00 am, they were showing homage being paid to her dead body.At about noon, my children said, “Mother, please make some food.We are hungry.” I had not cooked that day, and I said, “Son, everyone is mourning. She was our mother too. She helped us to settle here. So I don’t feel like lighting the fire today.”
‘Soon after this, the attack started. Three of the men ran out, and were set on fire. My youngest son stayed in the house with me. He shaved off his beard and cut his hair. But they came into the house. Those young boys, 14 and 16 years old, began to drag my son out even though he was hiding behind me.
‘They tore my clothes and stripped me naked in front of my son. My son cried, “Elder brothers, don’t do this. She is your mother just as she is my mother.” But they raped me right there, in front of my son, in my own house. They were young boys, maybe eight of them. When one of them raped me, I said, “My child, never mind. Do what you like. But remember, I have given birth to children. This child came into the world by this same path.”
‘After they had taken my honour, they left. I took my son out with me, and made him sit among the women, but they came and dragged him away. They took him to the street corner, hit him with lathis, sprinkled kerosene over him, and burnt him alive.
‘I tried to save him but they struck me with knives and broke my arm. At that time, I was completely naked. If I had even one piece of clothing on my body, I would have gone and thrown myself over my son and tried to save him. I would have done anything to save at least one young man of my family. Not one of the four is left.”(When a Tree Shook Delhi, page 70)
At last I would only like to tell the very words of the above mentioned song to some self declared Sikh custodians, scholars and intellectuals who give me the advice that let bygones be bygones:
Forgive, sounds good; forget, I am not sure I could
They say time heals everything but I am still waiting
I am not ready to make nice, I am not ready to back down
I am still mad as hell, I don’t have time to go round and round and round
ਏਤੀ ਮਾਰ ਪਈ ਕਰਲਾਣੇ ਤੈਂ ਕੀ ਦਰਦੁ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਕਰਤਾ ਤੂੰ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਜੇ ਸਕਤਾ ਸਕਤੇ ਕਉ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਰੋਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਕਤਾ ਸੀਹੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਪੈ ਵਗੈ ਖਸਮੈ ਸਾ ਪੁਰਸਾਈ ॥ .ਰਤਨ ਵਿਗਾੜਿ ਵਿਗੋਏ ਕੁਤੀ ਰਤਨ ਮੁਇਆ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਕਾਈ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜੇ ਆਪੇ ਵੇਖੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੨॥ਜੇ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ਧਰਾਏ ਵਡਾ ਸਾਦ ਕਰੇ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਣੇ ॥ ਖਸਮੈ ਨਦਰੀ ਕੀੜਾ ਆਵੈ ਜੇਤੇ ਚੁਗੈ ਦਾਣੇ ॥ ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜੀਵੈ ਤਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਏ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੇ ॥੩॥੫॥੩੯॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 360}
Gurpreet Singh Sumra
Brampton,Canada
This year, year 2009 is the 25th anniversary of the genocide of Sikhs committed by Indian Govt. and the above line that I have chosen from the Grammy award winning song “Not ready to make nice”, of Dixie chicks aptly describes my feeling towards that Govt. sponsored ethnic cleansing of Sikhs.
I still clearly remember those days; I was almost 8 years old in 1984 and living in Ranchi, Bihar. My Mom and Dad narrowly escaped death at the hands of mob on 1st November and then for 3 days I saw shops and houses belonging to Sikhs being burned from my window. We were able to survive as we were living in a Telephone Exchange, a Government building. After 2 days curfew was imposed and when curfew was relaxed, I used to go out with my mom to get milk and ration with my hairs knotted at the back like girls to hide my Sikh identity. I can clearly talk about myself that after that genocide that was committed in 1984 Sikhs have always lived with fear as to what can happen next.
When Indra’s son Rajiv was assassinated, I was 15 years old and living in Delhi. A family friend called at 3 in the morning and informed us about it. At that time it was not known as to who were the assassins, and so we informed all the Sikhs that we could and got ourselves ready to face what could have been the next unleashing of fury upon one of the minorities living in world’s largest democracy.
I believe that horrible incidents that have taken place in the past must be made available to the present and future generations so that they can learn a lesson from those incidents and happenings. Rather even the very generation that lived during those times is sometimes unaware of such incidents and must be made aware of it.
Exactly 25 years have passed and none of the people responsible for that carnage have been brought to justice. Sajjan Kumar, Kamal Nath, DharamDas Shastri, Jagdish Tytler and HKL Bhagat(now dead) are all enjoying the fruits of their labor even though their Master Rajiv is long gone.
The most important thing that becomes clear from all this is the wrong notion that some people had in their mind; only one person/family or one political party was responsible for this genocide. This is absolutely rubbish. Had it been the case then what about the time when BJP(Bhartiya Janta Party) was in power. Or for that matter for a small amount of time when VP Singh came to power? This is to the credit of VP Singh though, that he did try to implicate the culprits. CBI went to arrest Sajjan Kumar but have to come back empty handed with their cars and vehicles smashed. Or what about the culprits of Godhra massacre where thousands of Muslims were butchered the same way as was done with Sikhs in 1984. So it is not one party or one person but one particular thinking and ideology that work behind all this. What is that? I will leave it unsaid, as sometimes Silence is itself deafening.
Of course there are good people too, like the Justice Dhingra and then Police commissioner Maxwell Pereira who averted attack on Sis Ganj Gurdwara.
To put salt over the wounds, when Manmohan Singh a Sikh becomes Prime minister of India, he asks for forgiveness for the massacre of Sikhs. What a drama? Sikhs are killed and Sikh is saying forgive me!!!!! , this is what is known in Punjabi as “ Tagda Marta bhi hai aur Rone bhi nahi deta”, Strong and powerful will beat you up and wont even let you complain.
In order for people who have no idea of what happened to Sikhs I am just quoting an incident recorded by renowned feminist Madhu Kishwar in her reputed magazine called “Manushi” reproduced by HS Phoolka in his book : “When a tree shook Delhi”.
Two decades later this account was placed on official records when Madhu Kishwar filed an affidavit before the Nanavati commission:
“Gurdip Kaur, a 45 year old woman from Block 32, Trilokpuri, told a typical story. Her husband and three sons were brutally murdered in front of her. Her husband used to run a small shop in the locality. Her eldest son, Bhajan Singh, worked at the railway station; the second, in a radio repair shop; and the third as a scooter driver.
She says, ‘On the morning of 1 November, when Indira Mata’s body was brought to Teen Murti, everyone was watching television. Since 8.00 am, they were showing homage being paid to her dead body.At about noon, my children said, “Mother, please make some food.We are hungry.” I had not cooked that day, and I said, “Son, everyone is mourning. She was our mother too. She helped us to settle here. So I don’t feel like lighting the fire today.”
‘Soon after this, the attack started. Three of the men ran out, and were set on fire. My youngest son stayed in the house with me. He shaved off his beard and cut his hair. But they came into the house. Those young boys, 14 and 16 years old, began to drag my son out even though he was hiding behind me.
‘They tore my clothes and stripped me naked in front of my son. My son cried, “Elder brothers, don’t do this. She is your mother just as she is my mother.” But they raped me right there, in front of my son, in my own house. They were young boys, maybe eight of them. When one of them raped me, I said, “My child, never mind. Do what you like. But remember, I have given birth to children. This child came into the world by this same path.”
‘After they had taken my honour, they left. I took my son out with me, and made him sit among the women, but they came and dragged him away. They took him to the street corner, hit him with lathis, sprinkled kerosene over him, and burnt him alive.
‘I tried to save him but they struck me with knives and broke my arm. At that time, I was completely naked. If I had even one piece of clothing on my body, I would have gone and thrown myself over my son and tried to save him. I would have done anything to save at least one young man of my family. Not one of the four is left.”(When a Tree Shook Delhi, page 70)
At last I would only like to tell the very words of the above mentioned song to some self declared Sikh custodians, scholars and intellectuals who give me the advice that let bygones be bygones:
Forgive, sounds good; forget, I am not sure I could
They say time heals everything but I am still waiting
I am not ready to make nice, I am not ready to back down
I am still mad as hell, I don’t have time to go round and round and round
ਏਤੀ ਮਾਰ ਪਈ ਕਰਲਾਣੇ ਤੈਂ ਕੀ ਦਰਦੁ ਨ ਆਇਆ ॥੧॥ ਕਰਤਾ ਤੂੰ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਸੋਈ ॥ ਜੇ ਸਕਤਾ ਸਕਤੇ ਕਉ ਮਾਰੇ ਤਾ ਮਨਿ ਰੋਸੁ ਨ ਹੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਸਕਤਾ ਸੀਹੁ ਮਾਰੇ ਪੈ ਵਗੈ ਖਸਮੈ ਸਾ ਪੁਰਸਾਈ ॥ .ਰਤਨ ਵਿਗਾੜਿ ਵਿਗੋਏ ਕੁਤੀ ਰਤਨ ਮੁਇਆ ਸਾਰ ਨ ਕਾਈ ॥ ਆਪੇ ਜੋੜਿ ਵਿਛੋੜੇ ਆਪੇ ਵੇਖੁ ਤੇਰੀ ਵਡਿਆਈ ॥੨॥ਜੇ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ਧਰਾਏ ਵਡਾ ਸਾਦ ਕਰੇ ਮਨਿ ਭਾਣੇ ॥ ਖਸਮੈ ਨਦਰੀ ਕੀੜਾ ਆਵੈ ਜੇਤੇ ਚੁਗੈ ਦਾਣੇ ॥ ਮਰਿ ਮਰਿ ਜੀਵੈ ਤਾ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਏ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਖਾਣੇ ॥੩॥੫॥੩੯॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 360}
Gurpreet Singh Sumra
Brampton,Canada
Friday, October 9, 2009
Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
BBC NEWS Europe Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize: "Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize"
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Superb vistas from reborn Hubble
BBC NEWS Science & Environment Superb vistas from reborn Hubble: "Superb vistas from reborn Hubble"
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Coke Studio
Coke Studio: "Coke Studio embodies a musical fusion of exciting elements and diverse influences, ranging from traditional eastern, modern western and regionally inspired music. Bringing alive the magic of live recordings and performances, Coke Studio prides itself on providing a musical platform which bridges barriers, celebrates diversity, encourages unity and instils a sense of Pakistani pride. Coke Studio is an inspired step by Coca-Cola for having created a platform where renowned as well as upcoming and less mainstream musicians from various genres can collaborate musically."
Friday, July 24, 2009
The idea of 7 heavens
I was in a class learning Japji and the idea of God is "above" his creation came into discussion.
We talked about how the islam believe in the 7 layers of heaven.
i did a little search and found this very interesting website.
http://islam-watch.org/AliSina/7Layers.htm
You will realise how the quran is nothing but false statements of science. Does this mean Mohammad was messenger of God or liar.
We talked about how the islam believe in the 7 layers of heaven.
i did a little search and found this very interesting website.
http://islam-watch.org/AliSina/7Layers.htm
You will realise how the quran is nothing but false statements of science. Does this mean Mohammad was messenger of God or liar.
Friday, June 12, 2009
BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Could tuna disappear from the sea?
BBC NEWS Science & Environment Could tuna disappear from the sea?: "Could tuna disappear from the sea?"
BBC NEWS | Programmes | Newsnight | Bill Gates on corruption, aid and Gordon Brown
BBC NEWS Programmes Newsnight Bill Gates on corruption, aid and Gordon Brown: "Bill Gates on corruption, aid and Gordon Brown"
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Formula 1 on Google Earth
Make sure you have the latest version on Google earth. http://earth.google.com/ Here is the link to the download. http://www.terraforma3d.com/autoracing/formula1/formula1.kml
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
YouTube - Adidas Taekwondo - New Electronic Points Counting
YouTube - Adidas Taekwondo - New Electronic Points Counting: "Adidas Taekwondo - New Electronic Points Counting"
at least things will be fare and square (unlike the beijing controversy)
at least things will be fare and square (unlike the beijing controversy)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
YouTube - James Stewart '09 Supercross Champion
African-American wins SuperCross Championship.
Very seldom African-American get involved in motosports.
YouTube - James Stewart '09 Supercross Champion: "James Stewart '09 Supercross Champion"
Very seldom African-American get involved in motosports.
YouTube - James Stewart '09 Supercross Champion: "James Stewart '09 Supercross Champion"
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
BBC NEWS | Europe | Abuse 'endemic' at institutions
BBC NEWS Europe Abuse 'endemic' at institutions: "Abuse 'endemic' at institutions"
I would like to ask all the Catholics where was Jesus when this was happening?
Jesus loves you they say. Jesus makes sure no harm comes to you.
I am sure the children are mentality and physiologically will be affected for their rest of their lives. They will have trouble with relationships when they are older.
Maybe a Catholic would say, the people who do this would go to hell. I would say they gave the children Hell on earth for the rest of their lives.
I think heaven and hell is in this world that we live now. This is where we make difference and salvation also happens here while we are alive. We make a difference now and see the results now. Not after our death. We don't get rewarded after death and not when we go to heaven.
I would like to ask all the Catholics where was Jesus when this was happening?
Jesus loves you they say. Jesus makes sure no harm comes to you.
I am sure the children are mentality and physiologically will be affected for their rest of their lives. They will have trouble with relationships when they are older.
Maybe a Catholic would say, the people who do this would go to hell. I would say they gave the children Hell on earth for the rest of their lives.
I think heaven and hell is in this world that we live now. This is where we make difference and salvation also happens here while we are alive. We make a difference now and see the results now. Not after our death. We don't get rewarded after death and not when we go to heaven.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Impact of WWI on Sikh soldiers based on their letters | SikhNet
Impact of WWI on Sikh soldiers based on their letters | SikhNet: "Impact of WWI on Sikh soldiers based on their letters"
Friday, April 10, 2009
WOW!! This is so cool. Get Twitter Updates in Media Center
Get Twitter Updates in Media Center Sarah In Tampa Channel 10: "Get Twitter Updates in Media Center"
Monday, April 6, 2009
Everything's amazing, nobody's happy
A short rant on Conan O’brien by Louis CK entitled ‘Everything is Amazing, Nobody is Happy’. This is really worth watching.
Monday, March 30, 2009
BBC NEWS | Business | GM chief Wagoner ousted by Obama
BBC NEWS | Business | GM chief Wagoner ousted by Obama: "GM chief Wagoner ousted by Obama"
Finally, these people making tons of money and sitting at the top got to go. All the CEOs have not done their job. It is as simple as that. Big brands and bloody big debts and losses and can still can yourself a CEO and i can save the company. It is about time the US looks how the rest of the world deals with the CEOs who don't do their job.
i heard a European car maker fired their CEO. BRAVO !!
Finally, these people making tons of money and sitting at the top got to go. All the CEOs have not done their job. It is as simple as that. Big brands and bloody big debts and losses and can still can yourself a CEO and i can save the company. It is about time the US looks how the rest of the world deals with the CEOs who don't do their job.
i heard a European car maker fired their CEO. BRAVO !!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Cancer Updates from John Hopkins - 2
1. No plastic containers in micro.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This
information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center as well.
Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer.
Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.
Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.
Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.
This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as CorningWare, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.
Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
2. No water bottles in freezer.
3. No plastic wrap in microwave.
Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This
information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center as well.
Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer.
Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.
Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.
Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.
This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as CorningWare, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.
Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.
Cancer Updates from John Hopkins - 1
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY (TRY THE KEYWORD) AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard Tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size...
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's life time.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle (lack of sleep) factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinaltract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9 When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
A. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful.. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
B. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinaltract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
C. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
D. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.
About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells, try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
E. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water
-- best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tapwater.. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs, etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16.. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.
Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy
cancer cells.
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard Tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size...
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's life time.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle (lack of sleep) factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinaltract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9 When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
A. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful.. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
B. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinaltract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk cancer cells are being starved.
C. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
D. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.
About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells, try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
E. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water
-- best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tapwater.. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs, etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16.. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment.
Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy
cancer cells.
Monday, March 2, 2009
BBC NEWS | Business | AIG reports record $61.7bn loss
BBC NEWS Business AIG reports record $61.7bn loss: "AIG reports record $61.7bn loss"
This US corporates should change the culture of paying so much bonuses and salaries to their executives. It is plain stupid.
Why are they paid so much when they cannot keep thier companies above the water.
Learn from Asians.
This US corporates should change the culture of paying so much bonuses and salaries to their executives. It is plain stupid.
Why are they paid so much when they cannot keep thier companies above the water.
Learn from Asians.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Guru Granth Sahib – on the head, inside the heart
Guru Granth Sahib – on the head, inside the heart
by Nanak Singh Nishter
This year we have enjoyed the Guru Maniyo Granth –Tercentenary Celebrations of Gurta Gaddi Divas of Guru Granth Sahib. all over the world and intend to continue to celebrate for the coming year. It is important to ask ourselves what we have done and what we have achieved, but for the present I will restrict to saying what we should do. We the Sikhs sincerely believe that Guru Granth Sahib is the only multilingual and multi-religious Scripture of the world, and is the greatest blessing the Sikh Gurus have bestowed to the human race. We find our hearts filled with gratitude to Guru Sahib for bestowing upon us this unique gift of having a living Guru (spiritual as well temporal mentor) with us for all the time at every place.
In fact teacher is not the proper substitute word for the Guru. A teacher teaches something about a subject.Whereas the Guru is not only a teacher but he shapes and moulds the whole life of a person. A Sikh is a person whose life undergoes a metamorphosis in accordance with the teachings of the Guru. Perhaps, the nearest translation may be as Bhai Sahib Sirdar Kapur Singh puts it, World-Teacher. During Guru Nanak.s sojourn to the Himalayas, the Sadhus living there asked him, Who is your Guru? Guru Nanak Sahib replied Shabad (word, gyan, knowledge, wisdom) is my Guru. Thus Shabad is the Guru of all the Gurus and also of the Sikhs. The Sikh Gurus have introduced to the world this new concept of .Guru In Shabad., and a succession system of Gurus to carry on the mission for the past, present and future ages, which can never become obsolete. His nine successors carried on the mission in person. The tenth Guru Sahib conferred the Guruship in 1708 to the Holy Scripture Guru Granth Sahib for ending Guruship in consonance with the philosophy of .Guru in Shabad..
Let us honestly search from the depth of our inner hearts, where should be the place of Guru Granth Sahib in our life? Is the Guru an object of worship? Is it meant for conferring boons? Is it meant for providing livelihood to one and for minting money to another individual or institutions? Is it meant for delivering knowledge for leading life and after life? What is the message we are conveying to our coming generation and the people of other faiths? One incident of the late nineteenth century about a British Resident Officer stationed at Hyderabad, the capital city of a princely state of the Nizam comes to mind. A huge British Army under his
command was stationed in a cantonment area of Secunderabad. He wanted to go through the Scriptures of different Religions, and asked to bring them. In no time, all the individual priests brought their respective Scriptures. One fine morning he heard noises of fire shots and sound of musical instruments. When asked about the matter, he was told the Sikhs are bringing their holy book. He came down the steps to receive the Scripture with respect and said, .The community which respects their Scripture in such a manner, can never be vanquished..
His prediction cannot be denied, but let us fairly introspect, how far we are acquainted with its contents? All the other Scriptures are read by the people of that religion to follow the instructions and to abide by the guide lines. They are read, translated, propagated, preached, and the contents are practised individually by them. The Bible has been translated into a thousand languages and billions of copies are freely distributed through out world.
Let us change our attitude of worshipping the Guru and develop the aptitude of learning from the Guru, which is the sole purpose of conferring Guruship. In this way we can become true Gursikh otherwise we are no less than impostors. If we cannot inspire others, let us make a beginning with our own family and friends. Let us boldly confess that our Scripture Guru Granth Sahib is unfortunately the most unread Scripture of the world. The Sikhs generally do not read, nor allow access to any non Sikhs on the pretext of reverence. Often it is read and recited by the professionals engaged and paid for their wages. When a Sikh is born, professionals read it for the benefits to be conferred to the new born. When a Sikh marries, again professionals read it for the benefits to be conferred to the couple for a happy married life. When a Sikh dies, again the professionals read it for the peace of the departed soul. Another category of professionals are paid for reciting the verses in melodious tunes for pleasing and mesmerising the Sikh audience.
What prevents a Sikh to read it for himself? Why he does not read, understand and others? What is the relation of a Sikh with his Guru? These are the questions which require deep introspection and explanation. Leave aside non-Sikh scholars, who do not have any access to the Script and the Scripture. Unfortunately, most of the Sikh scholars while writing about Guru Granth Sahib, reproduce the writings of others in their own words, instead of going through the original text by themselves or applying their mind for verification about the authenticity of their version.
In the year 2004, this fact was revealed in a confession in a news papers article by Khuswant Singh who was in the year 1999 awarded the title of Nishan-i-Khalsa by the Sikh Panth at the Khalsa Tercentenary celebrations at Anand Pur Sahib. He said, .Having spent the best part of my life working on Sikh history and translating selected passages of the Gurbani, I felt I owed it to myself to read the Granth Sahib from cover to cover.. I was astonished by his statement. What does one make of the interpretation of Sikh philosophy and ideology done by the learned author without reading the original Scripture?
The Guru is supposed to be consulted for finding solutions for individual and collective problems. While we recite Gurbani text every day, we do not practice the teachings in our living. We fall prey to some who are bent upon converting Gurbani into a Mantra. We no longer seek guidance from it. We no longer ask the Guru to tell what should be our beliefs, morals and actions, nor how we should lead our lives. We do not want to find out what is true and what is false. We do not want to follow the commandment of Guru Nanak Sahib that, .Truth is high, but the truthful behaviour is still higher. -page 62 - Guru Granth Sahib. We are not even aware that it is meant for knowing and practising the Do.s and Don’ts, to assimilate our self with God (Jeevan Mukat) during our present life only.Instead of watching or blaming others for not doing anything, let us all do some soul searching. We learn foreign and indigenous languages and hold one after another worldly qualifications. Sadly, we do we read our Scripture Guru in the simple colloquial Communicative spoken languages of our country. We also traditionally fall in line with others for performing Akhand Path in Gurdwaras or at residences. Even well read intellectuals do not read. What use is such intellect? If you do not read for yourself, then how do you expect your children to read it? Can parents escape responsibility for lack of religious training of their children?
Recent discoveries in Child Psychology have determined that the years 3 to 5 as most significant in the intellectual and emotional development of a child. This is the age group of most efficient speed learning. Some innovative entrepreneurs have devised very good pre-school programs for this age group. The benefits of these advanced methods are available to children of enlightened parents. This is the race to gain a head start. This race for temporal gains exerts so much pressure that it results in tension and misery.
At the age of 4 years, 4 months and 4 days, it is compulsory for every Muslim to start reading of Quran; this ritual is called .Bismillah Khwani.(taking the name of Allah). It is mandatory to teach Quran in every Mosque. A large number of ladies and gents voluntarily teach Quran even if they live one room accommodation. In every marriage a volume of Quran is the first and foremost thing to be given. Let me share a personal experience. I am an Urdu speaking Deccani Sikh of Hyderabad. I got a Punjabi speaking daughter-in-law, when she spoke in Hindi to her infant child, I told her to always speak with him in Punjabi only, also telling her that the child will learn the other languages from interaction with society. Now the boy is hardly 4 years old, but conveniently speaks Punjabi, Telugu (local language), Hindi and English.
I am a staunch believer that Guru Granth Sahib is meant to read and not just to be respected. Its not reading is disrespecting and reading is offering true obeisance. During my seven and a half months imprisonment on trumpedup charges, I continued my practice of doing Sehaj Path of Guru Granth Sahib in 2 volumes and completed 6 readings. Due to the ample time at my disposal, I studied Quran in Arabic and Bhagwat Geeta in Telugu.
I always advocate doing the Sehaj Path in volumes in a simple way, if you do not have the Prakash of Guru Sahib. This is the easy way and perhaps the best way. One of my acquaintances - Satnam Kaur, running a grocery shop has completed one path and is continuing the second one, and she reads while doing her business. So many others have realized that the Guru Sahib is meant for reading and they started reading it in 2 volumes and observing the change in their lives. Our Gurdwaras are no more the Dwar of the Guru (gate way of the Guru). They have been converted into organizations, planning day and night how to boost the image of a few leaders .religious and political, how to make more money by attracting crowds by pomp and show, organising publicized spectacular entertaining events, thus converting the Sikhs into blind worshippers. Sikh religious activities are being reduced to eating, meeting, enjoyment and not for learning. Let us frankly confess that what we are doing for publicity, pleasure and fun can never be described as a Dharam. On the other hand we should know, learn and practice the real Dharam in our life by regularly consulting and following our Scripture Guru.
Let us change our attitude of worshipping the Guru and develop the aptitude of learning from the Guru, which is the sole purpose of conferring Guruship. In this way we can become true Gursikh otherwise we are no less than impostors. If we cannot inspire others, let us make a beginning with our own family and friends. Most of us put a lame excuse for not reading Gurbani, saying that we can not understand. This is an electronic age; you know its comforts and usefulness. Every now and then some or other inventions are coming in to the market and you opt for it without knowing how to operate it. Take a very common example of mobile phones. You do not say, after knowing the usage of the hand set, I will purchase it. First you purchase, without knowing how to operate it? When you start operating the set, you come across the functions one by one and by using and practicing. This usage and repeated functioning makes you acquainted with your set well enough for common usage. We are not aware of the worth of our Scripture Guru, so we neglect to read it. Once we realize the usefulness of the Guru in our life, we will be attracted to avail the benefits. Instead of keeping distance of respect, with the Scripture Guru Sahib, come closer to owe it and love it. Make a beginning by beginning to read it. You will admire the achievements you get from its reading.
The simple way is to read it loud to be heard by your ears. Do not read a verse in one breath. To understand the verse, read it in with two, three or four pauses. As we memorise spelling of any word, we memorise it in bits of syllables. This habit will make you realise that Gurbani is not Greek and Latin; you will soon be acquainted with much of the vocabulary.We have held the Guru Sahib over the head for a sufficiently long period and confined it to an arena of worship. We could not derive any benefits from its contents, just because we never reflect upon the basic purpose for which it has been made so sacred? This can only be possible if we make it a practice of reading it daily and reflecting up on it. Gurbani should penetrate our whole life. The most befitting aspect of the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi Divas 2008 is to let the Guru abide in our mind, heart and behavior making us to transform from Munmukh (self-centred) to Gurmukh (Gurucentred). Let us pledge to motivate and educate our present and coming generations to regularly read Guru Granth Sahib and make it a part and parcel of our life. This literacy of Gurbani movement must be taken to all homes.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
by Nanak Singh Nishter
This year we have enjoyed the Guru Maniyo Granth –Tercentenary Celebrations of Gurta Gaddi Divas of Guru Granth Sahib. all over the world and intend to continue to celebrate for the coming year. It is important to ask ourselves what we have done and what we have achieved, but for the present I will restrict to saying what we should do. We the Sikhs sincerely believe that Guru Granth Sahib is the only multilingual and multi-religious Scripture of the world, and is the greatest blessing the Sikh Gurus have bestowed to the human race. We find our hearts filled with gratitude to Guru Sahib for bestowing upon us this unique gift of having a living Guru (spiritual as well temporal mentor) with us for all the time at every place.
In fact teacher is not the proper substitute word for the Guru. A teacher teaches something about a subject.Whereas the Guru is not only a teacher but he shapes and moulds the whole life of a person. A Sikh is a person whose life undergoes a metamorphosis in accordance with the teachings of the Guru. Perhaps, the nearest translation may be as Bhai Sahib Sirdar Kapur Singh puts it, World-Teacher. During Guru Nanak.s sojourn to the Himalayas, the Sadhus living there asked him, Who is your Guru? Guru Nanak Sahib replied Shabad (word, gyan, knowledge, wisdom) is my Guru. Thus Shabad is the Guru of all the Gurus and also of the Sikhs. The Sikh Gurus have introduced to the world this new concept of .Guru In Shabad., and a succession system of Gurus to carry on the mission for the past, present and future ages, which can never become obsolete. His nine successors carried on the mission in person. The tenth Guru Sahib conferred the Guruship in 1708 to the Holy Scripture Guru Granth Sahib for ending Guruship in consonance with the philosophy of .Guru in Shabad..
Let us honestly search from the depth of our inner hearts, where should be the place of Guru Granth Sahib in our life? Is the Guru an object of worship? Is it meant for conferring boons? Is it meant for providing livelihood to one and for minting money to another individual or institutions? Is it meant for delivering knowledge for leading life and after life? What is the message we are conveying to our coming generation and the people of other faiths? One incident of the late nineteenth century about a British Resident Officer stationed at Hyderabad, the capital city of a princely state of the Nizam comes to mind. A huge British Army under his
command was stationed in a cantonment area of Secunderabad. He wanted to go through the Scriptures of different Religions, and asked to bring them. In no time, all the individual priests brought their respective Scriptures. One fine morning he heard noises of fire shots and sound of musical instruments. When asked about the matter, he was told the Sikhs are bringing their holy book. He came down the steps to receive the Scripture with respect and said, .The community which respects their Scripture in such a manner, can never be vanquished..
His prediction cannot be denied, but let us fairly introspect, how far we are acquainted with its contents? All the other Scriptures are read by the people of that religion to follow the instructions and to abide by the guide lines. They are read, translated, propagated, preached, and the contents are practised individually by them. The Bible has been translated into a thousand languages and billions of copies are freely distributed through out world.
Let us change our attitude of worshipping the Guru and develop the aptitude of learning from the Guru, which is the sole purpose of conferring Guruship. In this way we can become true Gursikh otherwise we are no less than impostors. If we cannot inspire others, let us make a beginning with our own family and friends. Let us boldly confess that our Scripture Guru Granth Sahib is unfortunately the most unread Scripture of the world. The Sikhs generally do not read, nor allow access to any non Sikhs on the pretext of reverence. Often it is read and recited by the professionals engaged and paid for their wages. When a Sikh is born, professionals read it for the benefits to be conferred to the new born. When a Sikh marries, again professionals read it for the benefits to be conferred to the couple for a happy married life. When a Sikh dies, again the professionals read it for the peace of the departed soul. Another category of professionals are paid for reciting the verses in melodious tunes for pleasing and mesmerising the Sikh audience.
What prevents a Sikh to read it for himself? Why he does not read, understand and others? What is the relation of a Sikh with his Guru? These are the questions which require deep introspection and explanation. Leave aside non-Sikh scholars, who do not have any access to the Script and the Scripture. Unfortunately, most of the Sikh scholars while writing about Guru Granth Sahib, reproduce the writings of others in their own words, instead of going through the original text by themselves or applying their mind for verification about the authenticity of their version.
In the year 2004, this fact was revealed in a confession in a news papers article by Khuswant Singh who was in the year 1999 awarded the title of Nishan-i-Khalsa by the Sikh Panth at the Khalsa Tercentenary celebrations at Anand Pur Sahib. He said, .Having spent the best part of my life working on Sikh history and translating selected passages of the Gurbani, I felt I owed it to myself to read the Granth Sahib from cover to cover.. I was astonished by his statement. What does one make of the interpretation of Sikh philosophy and ideology done by the learned author without reading the original Scripture?
The Guru is supposed to be consulted for finding solutions for individual and collective problems. While we recite Gurbani text every day, we do not practice the teachings in our living. We fall prey to some who are bent upon converting Gurbani into a Mantra. We no longer seek guidance from it. We no longer ask the Guru to tell what should be our beliefs, morals and actions, nor how we should lead our lives. We do not want to find out what is true and what is false. We do not want to follow the commandment of Guru Nanak Sahib that, .Truth is high, but the truthful behaviour is still higher. -page 62 - Guru Granth Sahib. We are not even aware that it is meant for knowing and practising the Do.s and Don’ts, to assimilate our self with God (Jeevan Mukat) during our present life only.Instead of watching or blaming others for not doing anything, let us all do some soul searching. We learn foreign and indigenous languages and hold one after another worldly qualifications. Sadly, we do we read our Scripture Guru in the simple colloquial Communicative spoken languages of our country. We also traditionally fall in line with others for performing Akhand Path in Gurdwaras or at residences. Even well read intellectuals do not read. What use is such intellect? If you do not read for yourself, then how do you expect your children to read it? Can parents escape responsibility for lack of religious training of their children?
Recent discoveries in Child Psychology have determined that the years 3 to 5 as most significant in the intellectual and emotional development of a child. This is the age group of most efficient speed learning. Some innovative entrepreneurs have devised very good pre-school programs for this age group. The benefits of these advanced methods are available to children of enlightened parents. This is the race to gain a head start. This race for temporal gains exerts so much pressure that it results in tension and misery.
At the age of 4 years, 4 months and 4 days, it is compulsory for every Muslim to start reading of Quran; this ritual is called .Bismillah Khwani.(taking the name of Allah). It is mandatory to teach Quran in every Mosque. A large number of ladies and gents voluntarily teach Quran even if they live one room accommodation. In every marriage a volume of Quran is the first and foremost thing to be given. Let me share a personal experience. I am an Urdu speaking Deccani Sikh of Hyderabad. I got a Punjabi speaking daughter-in-law, when she spoke in Hindi to her infant child, I told her to always speak with him in Punjabi only, also telling her that the child will learn the other languages from interaction with society. Now the boy is hardly 4 years old, but conveniently speaks Punjabi, Telugu (local language), Hindi and English.
I am a staunch believer that Guru Granth Sahib is meant to read and not just to be respected. Its not reading is disrespecting and reading is offering true obeisance. During my seven and a half months imprisonment on trumpedup charges, I continued my practice of doing Sehaj Path of Guru Granth Sahib in 2 volumes and completed 6 readings. Due to the ample time at my disposal, I studied Quran in Arabic and Bhagwat Geeta in Telugu.
I always advocate doing the Sehaj Path in volumes in a simple way, if you do not have the Prakash of Guru Sahib. This is the easy way and perhaps the best way. One of my acquaintances - Satnam Kaur, running a grocery shop has completed one path and is continuing the second one, and she reads while doing her business. So many others have realized that the Guru Sahib is meant for reading and they started reading it in 2 volumes and observing the change in their lives. Our Gurdwaras are no more the Dwar of the Guru (gate way of the Guru). They have been converted into organizations, planning day and night how to boost the image of a few leaders .religious and political, how to make more money by attracting crowds by pomp and show, organising publicized spectacular entertaining events, thus converting the Sikhs into blind worshippers. Sikh religious activities are being reduced to eating, meeting, enjoyment and not for learning. Let us frankly confess that what we are doing for publicity, pleasure and fun can never be described as a Dharam. On the other hand we should know, learn and practice the real Dharam in our life by regularly consulting and following our Scripture Guru.
Let us change our attitude of worshipping the Guru and develop the aptitude of learning from the Guru, which is the sole purpose of conferring Guruship. In this way we can become true Gursikh otherwise we are no less than impostors. If we cannot inspire others, let us make a beginning with our own family and friends. Most of us put a lame excuse for not reading Gurbani, saying that we can not understand. This is an electronic age; you know its comforts and usefulness. Every now and then some or other inventions are coming in to the market and you opt for it without knowing how to operate it. Take a very common example of mobile phones. You do not say, after knowing the usage of the hand set, I will purchase it. First you purchase, without knowing how to operate it? When you start operating the set, you come across the functions one by one and by using and practicing. This usage and repeated functioning makes you acquainted with your set well enough for common usage. We are not aware of the worth of our Scripture Guru, so we neglect to read it. Once we realize the usefulness of the Guru in our life, we will be attracted to avail the benefits. Instead of keeping distance of respect, with the Scripture Guru Sahib, come closer to owe it and love it. Make a beginning by beginning to read it. You will admire the achievements you get from its reading.
The simple way is to read it loud to be heard by your ears. Do not read a verse in one breath. To understand the verse, read it in with two, three or four pauses. As we memorise spelling of any word, we memorise it in bits of syllables. This habit will make you realise that Gurbani is not Greek and Latin; you will soon be acquainted with much of the vocabulary.We have held the Guru Sahib over the head for a sufficiently long period and confined it to an arena of worship. We could not derive any benefits from its contents, just because we never reflect upon the basic purpose for which it has been made so sacred? This can only be possible if we make it a practice of reading it daily and reflecting up on it. Gurbani should penetrate our whole life. The most befitting aspect of the tercentenary celebrations of Gurta Gaddi Divas 2008 is to let the Guru abide in our mind, heart and behavior making us to transform from Munmukh (self-centred) to Gurmukh (Gurucentred). Let us pledge to motivate and educate our present and coming generations to regularly read Guru Granth Sahib and make it a part and parcel of our life. This literacy of Gurbani movement must be taken to all homes.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
nice photo with explanation
http://flickr.com/photos/mrsikhnet/3306967566/
This is a really nice photo. However, there are a few interesting points to be noted:
No one is spraying water in front of GGS (as the Sikhs have started doing nowadays). Secondly, while they are carrying GGS on their head, they are wearing shoes as well. Nowadays under the influence of Hindus, Sikhs have become more superstitious than them.
The most important point regarding Guru Granth Sahib, that we all must know and practice is that GGS is 'Shabad Guru'. Until we read or listen and practice His word, all other ways of assumed - sewa and respect are our ignorance and hypocrisy. A Sikh must learn to read His Guru - 'Treasure of Divine Word' to know the true way of being a Sikh.
Words by Prof. Jaswant Singh
This is a really nice photo. However, there are a few interesting points to be noted:
No one is spraying water in front of GGS (as the Sikhs have started doing nowadays). Secondly, while they are carrying GGS on their head, they are wearing shoes as well. Nowadays under the influence of Hindus, Sikhs have become more superstitious than them.
The most important point regarding Guru Granth Sahib, that we all must know and practice is that GGS is 'Shabad Guru'. Until we read or listen and practice His word, all other ways of assumed - sewa and respect are our ignorance and hypocrisy. A Sikh must learn to read His Guru - 'Treasure of Divine Word' to know the true way of being a Sikh.
Words by Prof. Jaswant Singh
Friday, February 20, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
El Camino del Rey:
El Camino del Rey:
El Caminito del Rey (English: The King's pathway) is a walkway, now fallen into disrepair, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Málaga, Spain. The name is often shortened to El Camino del Rey. In 1901 it was obvious that the workers of the Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls needed a walkway to cross between the falls, to provide transport of materials, vigilance and maintenance of the channel. Construction of the walkway took four years; it was finished in 1905. In 1921 the king Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce and it became known by its present name.
El Caminito del Rey (English: The King's pathway) is a walkway, now fallen into disrepair, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Málaga, Spain. The name is often shortened to El Camino del Rey. In 1901 it was obvious that the workers of the Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls needed a walkway to cross between the falls, to provide transport of materials, vigilance and maintenance of the channel. Construction of the walkway took four years; it was finished in 1905. In 1921 the king Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce and it became known by its present name.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online
The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online:
"Only this site contains Darwin's complete publications, 20,000 private papers, the largest Darwin bibliography, manuscript catalogue and hundreds of supplementary works: specimens, biographies, obituaries, reviews, reference works and much more"
"Only this site contains Darwin's complete publications, 20,000 private papers, the largest Darwin bibliography, manuscript catalogue and hundreds of supplementary works: specimens, biographies, obituaries, reviews, reference works and much more"
Monday, February 9, 2009
Raag Ras Kirtan Darbar 2009
The Gurmat Sangeet Academy, Sikh Centre is proud to showcase talents in raag kirtan during the 20th and 21st February 2009.
Attached is the poster for the dates of the programme. Detailed updates will be sent out in 2 days. Please check your email. For any enquiries, please email us. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh.
from Youth Kirtan Darbar [youthdarbar@gmail.com]
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hazur sahib jhatka for tilak
Out of our five takhats, two, Hazoor Sahib and Patna Sahib are under lot of influence of Hindu (Brahminism) impact. They both are not under the management of SGPC, so do not follow Akal Takhat's Code.
They do many such rituals which are clearly fobidden in Guru Granth Sahib.
This ritual of offering sacrifice is also a part of that. Many hymns in GGS condemn such sacrifices in harsh words but who listens to GGS, they are so misled that they follow their own beliefs or so-called traditions.
They do it just following the Hindu ritual of offering animal sacifices to their gods. Their is no such happenings in Keshgarh or at any other places to my knowledge. Yes, some of the Nihang sections do it, and later eat the meat themselves.
Therotically no one from Punjab side accept such rituals but no body dares to condemn it. i don't when the so called Khalsa will awake to the teachings of GGS. Only if people (sangat-public) awake then such useless and contrary to Gurmat rituals can be stopped. I am pained to my heart so see these and many other futile acitivities performed in our religious places. The centres of enlightenment have become places of business.
All those, who just offer theri money and gold ornaments blindly, should think twice before the do it just for the sake of Guru Ji.
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