DiscoverSikhism

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Baba Banda Singh Bahadur - The game, inspired from the real story of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, is a role-playing adventure game which includes Baba Banda Singh Bahadur's journey as a warrior while battling with enemies across 11 different destinations. The game, developed by 1699 studio, is for mobile devices only and can be downloaded for free. http://www.bababandasinghbahadur.com/ Additional Information: Updated - June 8, 2016 Size - 72 MB Current Version - 1.01 Requires Android 4.0.3 and upwards

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Thank you for your kind words. This has all been due to Waheguru's Kirpa. Thank you for correcting the link. The research of Gurdwaras has been really good. One small example, imagine discovering a Gurdwara (in Punjab) and finding that it contains the 'Chola' that Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji wore when being released from Gwalior with 52 Rajas (which includes the 'Kalian'). The Gurdwara is only 4km from Gurdwara Rara Sahib.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Sangat Ji, For the benefit of the Sangat we have provided one of the largest and most comprehensive archives on Historic Sikh Gurdwaras. The main idea behind the Historic Sikh Gurdwara section is to raise awareness and provide information about the historic gurdwaras, locations and stories associated with the Sikh Guru's (Guru Sahibhan) and other historic Sikhs (during the period of the Sikh Guru's). There are maps, route planners and lots of pictures. http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikh_gurdwaras/historic_sikh_gurdwaras.html

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Sangat Ji, For the benefit of the Sangat we have provided one of the largest and most comprehensive archives on Historic Sikh Gurdwaras. The main idea behind the Historic Sikh Gurdwara section is to raise awareness and provide information about the historic gurdwaras, locations and stories associated with the Sikh Guru's (Guru Sahibhan) and other historic Sikhs (during the period of the Sikh Guru's). http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikh_gurdwaras/historic_sikh_gurdwaras.html We have also updated the online Sikh Library with hundreds of Gurbani, Sri Harmandir Sahib Monthly Gurmat Parkash and English books and articles.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ New York, USA: US based human rights group 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) whose Facebook page has been blocked by the Indian government has given a call to the Sikh diaspora in North America to boycott Air India. The national airline of the India operates several flights every day to various destinations in North America. SFJ claims that it called for boycott of Air India to highlight the dictatorial action of Modi Government to block the democratic campaign of SFJ to hold referendum in the state of Punjab. To adversely affect the usage of Air India by the Sikh community, on May 12, SFJ launched an online campaign 'Say NO Air India, YES to Punjab Independence Referendum'. The campaign urges the community to denounce blocking of SFJ's Facebook Page; declare that Sikhs have a right to hold Punjab Independence Referendum and pledge not to travel by Air India. Say No to Air India: A poster released by Sikhs For Justice The Sikh rights group plans to reach out to every Sikh household in North America through social media and local Gurdwaras. SFJ volunteers will be setting up “No To Air India” camps at Gurdwaras urging the community to sign the pledge boycotting India’s national airline during the upcoming busy travel season. Advocating to banish Air India, attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ stated that “every dictatorial action of Modi Government will be challenged through equally strong but legal, peaceful and democratic action”."Our campaign is aimed at mounting pressure on India into holding Punjab Independence Referendum under UN Charter", added attorney Pannun. SFJ has given a call to hold a referendum in the year 2020 on the question of Sikh sovereignty. Referendum 2020 will be held in the state of Punjab and among Sikh diaspora living in America, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Middle Eastern Countries.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Canadian Sikhs Declare Support for Punjab Independence Referendum in 2020: Sikhs For Justice Toronto, Canada: Seeking an independent Sikh country, Ontario Gurdwaras Committee; (OGC) a Canadian umbrella Sikh organization passed a historic resolution in support of holding a referendum in the state of Punjab in the year 2020. Since the military invasion of Sikhi's holiest shrine, the Golden Temple, in June 1984 in the operation code named 'Blue Star', Canadian Sikhs have been supporting the movement for creation of Khalistan, a sovereign Sikh country. Canada is home to the largest Sikh population living outside India. Canadian Sikhs Declare Support for Punjab Independence Referendum On May 03, a gathering of more than 150,000 Canadian Sikhs unanimously passed the Punjab Referendum Resolution during annual Khalsa Day parade in Toronto. Chanting slogans in favor of Independent Sikh country, participants walked over 11 kilometers from Malton to Sikh Spiritual Center Toronto carrying placards demanding referendum in the state of Punjab. 'Self determination is the right of Sikh people as guaranteed by the UN Charter', stated attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun legal advisor to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Support of Canadian Sikhs to hold referendum 2020 will go a long way in realizing community's long standing demand for a separate country, added Pannun. SFJ a human rights group has given a call to hold a referendum in the year 2020 on the question of Sikh sovereignty. Referendum 2020 will be held in the state of Punjab and among Sikh diaspora living in America, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Middle Eastern Countries. "Referendum 2020" will be managed by independent and reputable organizations and monitored by international NGOs.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Yatra showcasing Historic relics of Sikh Gurus to begin Patiala: A 33-feet long bus carrying the revered relics of three Gurus of Sikhi flagged will be off today (6th May 2015) from Gururdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib in Patiala. The relics related to Guru Sahiban, their clothes and weapons are displayed in a bus, a Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) spokesman said. Two relics are related to Guru Hargobind Sahib including 46 inches long sword and 22 inches long whip. There is a Siri Sahib related to Guru Teg Bahadar that has 'Sat Sri Akal Guru Teg Bahadar' engraved on it. There are ten relics related to Guru Gobind Singh, he said. Sikh Gurus’ relics to be showcased during Yatra The relics also include Chola Sahib, manuscript, hair, comb and turban; 20 inches long iron arrow; three-and-a-half inch long Siri Sahib; 30 inches long wooden spear and five arrows. Jathedars of all the five Takhts, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal will flag off the yatra drenched in colors of Khalsa, the spokesman said. The religious procession will have relics related to sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib, ninth Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib and tenth Guru Gobind Singh and will pass through every district of the state. The yatra will culminate on May 20 at Anandpur Sahib where the relics would be put at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, he added. Full route of Yatra: May 6 – Patiala, Nabha, Bhawanigarh, Sangrur, Barnala May 7 – Barnala, Mansa, Maur, Talwandi Sabo May 8 – Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, Malout, Sri Muktsar Sahib May 9 – Sri Muktsar Sahib, Kotkapura, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Wazidpur May 10 – Wazidpur, Moga, Kot Isse Khan, Zira, Makhu, Harike May 11 – Harike, Patti, Bhikhiwing, Jhabbal, Tarn Taran May 12 – Tarn Taran, Jandiwala, Baba Bakala, Chowk Mehta, Amritsar May 13 – halt at Amritsar May 14 – Amritsar, Batala, Sri Hargobindpur, Kahnuwan, Chhota Ghallughara May 15 – Chhota Ghallughara, Gurdaspur, Mulerian, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur May 16 – Hoshiarpur, Tanda, Bhogpur, Kartarpur, Kapurthala, Sultanpur-Lodhi (via Talwandi Chaudharian) May 17 – Sultanpur Lodhi, Malsian, Nakodar, Jalandhar, Phagwara May 18 – Phagwara, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib May 19 – Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, Kharar, Morinda, Chamkaur Sahib, Ropar May 20 – Ropar, Sri Anandpur Sahib

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ “My Life is in Danger,” Says American Citizen in India After Release From Jail Without Charges Ludhiana, Punjab: A week after his April 27 release from a two-month imprisonment in Ludhiana Jail, U.S. citizen Ravinderjit Singh Gogi is speaking out in a formal statement delivered on Monday to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal, pleading that his life is in danger and warning: “I want to let you know that in case something like this happens or I face the above situation again, you all will be fully responsible for such actions.” Gogi was arrested on February 26 while sitting beside his hospitalized father, Surat Singh Khalsa. Despite his release with all charges dropped, Gogi notes: “I have a strong feeling that I am at an extreme risk of being picked up again and falsely charged with even more severe charges…. I am very much concerned as my life is in danger.” His father, a permanent resident of the United States, began a hunger-strike on January 16 to, in Gogi’s words, “Protest the refusal to release Sikh prisoners who have completed their respective prison sentences.” Gogi, who was arrested along with his father, a journalist covering the protest, and others, was charged with a preventative detention law allowing police to arrest those suspected of considering breaking the peace. “Although, I was in Punjab just to take care of my 83-year-old father, I was charged under section 107/151 and was kept in the jail for almost 2 months,” he says. Ravinderjeet Singh Gogi meets Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa reunited after charges against both were dropped. Gogi is now with his family at their home in the village of Hassanpur and has not made plans to return to the United States since his father just entered the 111th day of his hunger-strike, is in extremely frail health, and remains determined to continue his protest until death unless his demands are met. A resident of the California town of Lathrop, where he owns a truck-driving school, Gogi says he traveled to India because he was “concerned for my father’s welfare.” He departed the U.S. on January 28, twelve days after Khalsa began his hunger strike. Gogi believes police wanted to use him as a tool to manipulate Khalsa into stopping his protest, stating: “I still remember the day when Mukhvinder Bhullar, the ADCP (Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police) threatened me that if I did not dissuade my father from continuing the hunger-strike, he would falsely charge me with murder and put me away for 15 years.” Gogi, who copied his statement to Punjab’s Director General of Police, India’s National Human Rights Commission, and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, says he was tortured in custody. India, which refuses to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture, has a long history of severely abusing and even killing detainees; according to a 2011 report by Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI) which was catalogued by the U.N. in its Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review: “The use of torture is employed as daily tool by Indian police officers.” Though charged with violating section 107/151, Gogi was never arraigned before a judge. Summarizing his ordeal, Gogi says, “During these 2 months, I was scheduled for five court hearings, and all were cancelled. I was not even arraigned. This violated standard proceedings for almost all democratic countries, which typically require arraignment within 48 hours. While I was in the custody I was treated as a criminal and was tortured multiple times by the police officials.” Describing his torture in further detail, Gogi says, “I was even beaten in the judicial custody during a court hearing. On my way to the court appearance on April 13, Assistant Sub-Inspector Richard Masih, the police official accompanying me, took me aside into a detention cell where him and other Punjab Police officers severely beat me with a gun and metal handcuffs also punching on my face, neck, shoulders, and back with a chain wrapped around his fist.” “I was under extreme pain and a high fever,” he explains. “Despite? ?interventions by U.S. Consuls, my attorney, and family, the police denied me proper medical treatment. I was finally examined by a government doctor on April 20 and yet records of the visit, including x-rays, were never made available to me or my family or the U.S. Embassy. Additionally, the police department never released any statement about the findings of the examination. During this time, I was repeatedly told by police that they will release me if I promise to convince my father to end his hunger-strike. If not, police threatened to slap me with false murder charges.” At the request of his family in the United States, seven U.S. congressional representatives joined an April 15 letter to the U.S. State Department requesting Secretary John Kerry assist Gogi and Khalsa. Less than two weeks later, Gogi was unceremoniously released on April 27 with all charges dropped and, as he remarks, “without any record or compensation or apology being released by the police department.” Khalsa remains on hunger-strike. Arrested the same day as his son, he was detained at Ludhiana Civil Hospital and released from police custody on April 23. He was charged with the same preventative detention law as his son, and all charges were likewise dropped, but his family says their father is now under virtual house arrest. His daughter, Sarvrinder Kaur, a U.S. citizen from Chicago who is ministering to her father in Punjab, reported that after they returned home when he was released from arrest, hundreds of police officers ringed the village, over a dozen took up permanent post outside their house, and family members are followed when they leave. Khalsa’s decision to hunger-strike directly connects to his decision to leave India for the United States. A former government schoolteacher in India, he quit his job in June 1984 in disgust over an Indian Army invasion of the revered Sikh Golden Temple in Punjab that left thousands of Sikh pilgrims dead. That November, the country’s ruling Congress Party organized a genocide against Sikhs, centering in New Delhi and emanating outwards to other regions of the subcontinent. Members of Parliament, the city government, and party officials openly participated in mass killings of Sikhs in the streets at broad daylight. Khalsa began organizing protest rallies, was injured in 1986 when police opened fire on unarmed protesters outside the Punjab Legislative Assembly, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1988. This past month, the California State Legislature became the first in the world — national or state — to recognize the 1984 Sikh Genocide, stating: “Government and law enforcement officials organized, participated in, and failed to intervene to prevent the killings.” Bhajan Singh, director of OFMI, pondered: “Is India interfering in the domestic affairs of the United States by politically targeting an American citizen and a permanent resident in retaliation for the political actions of their adopted state of California?”

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Khalsa Ji, Thank you. Your comment inspired us to do more and so we have also made Larivaar Ardas, Nitnem and Sukhmani Sahib available. http://www.discoversikhism.com/larivaar/gurbani.html

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ ਸ੍ਰੀਗੁਰੂਗ੍ਰੰਥਸਾਹਿਬਜੀ - ਲੜੀਵਾਰਸੈਂਚੀਆਂ (SriGuruGranthSahibJi - LarivaarSainchiyan) Larivaar is where Gurbani is written in continuous form as shown above (ie. with no breaks in between the words of Gurbani). This form of writing was used by the Guru Ji's and other historical Sikhs. DiscoverSikhism.com is making online Larivaar Sainchiyan available for the Sangat to use. We hope the Sainchiyan will benefit all those wanting to learn and use Larivaar Gurbani as Guru Ji’s intended. In keeping maximum Satkar, we have kept the Gurbani ang’s with no other writing/ logos on the screen. A useful mouse hover feature shows the Padd-Chhed (broken word) which will aid learning and practice. Any feedback or help with proof reading would be much appreciated. http://www.discoversikhism.com/larivaar/sri_guru_granth_sahib_ji.html#/home Benti, if you want to debate the use of padd-chhed saroops (which began just over 100 years ago) please start another thread.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Correction - David Cameron was NOT taken to a side room. The gurdwara masands allowed the speech to take place in the main darbar (as shown on Akaal TV). We have no idea if Gurbani or Path was interrupted to make way for the speeches.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ The world is seeing India for what it really is. A terrorist State that does not recognize democracy, human rights or equality.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ There is often a big 'tumasha' when dignitaries visit a Gurdwara. Recently we have been noticing that those surrounding the dignitaries have a severe lack of respect in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ie. the two women sitting near Mrs Cameron and when Badal and Co refused to matha tek during Modi's visiti to Sri Harmandir Sahib. Disrespectful behavior undoes the good nature of the visit. Otherwise, despite Conservative Pary history with 1984, it seems this visit was better than that of Labour leader Ed Milband. Veerji, the post heading is because saffron/ orange is sometimes used as a color when referring to Khalistan.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ UK PM David Cameron visits Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Gravesend in Kent, UK Today UK Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha visit Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Gravesend in Kent, UK. The Prime Minister, wore an orange patka, and Mrs Cameron, a blue salwar kameez. The Camerons removed their shoes, queued up to kneel, offer coins and bow before Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The start of the Camerons visit was delayed slightly after a scuffle broke out among the sangat when a Granthi [rightly] objected to speeches being made while prayers were taking place. Mr and Mrs Cameron were taken to a side room where, it is said, Mr Cameron delivered a speech. He told the audience that Vaisakhi was a "big, bold" sign of their devotion. "I wanted to make sure Downing Street was part of this too, and I'm proud to be the first Prime Minister to host a Vaisakhi reception at Number 10," he added. "And I'll tell you what - if I'm back there as Prime Minister, I'll keep bringing the community, the colour and the celebrations there, again and again." Both David and Samantha Cameron correctly sat on floor with legs crossed. However, two women (in a group of three) sitting near Samantha Cameron showed their ignorance and contempt of Sikhi by having their heads fully uncovered (view from 1min 10secs in the video at the link below). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/article11547439.ece#ooid=NoM2psdDpPPkL0_eVCs7TLBay997xWkm

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖਾਲਸਾ॥ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫਤਿਹ॥ Very true, however we understand John McDonnell is a long standing friend of the Sikh Sangat and fully deserves the Sikh vote. We also understand others like MP Tom Watson (who helped uncover covert British military involvement in 1984), MP Fabian Hamilton (Chair of the All Party Group for British Sikhs) who slammed Genocide denial last year and MP Pat McFadden have also supported Sikhs over a number of years, more so than other 'punjabi'/ 'asian' politicians. And yes, all of these people are UK Labour politicians. We take little interest in politicians and elections. However, feel that any MP that supports Sikhs and recognizes Sikh genocide has to be commended.