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Has anyone lived for a considerable time in Hazur Sahib or knows family there. I have heard it is routine for amritdhari sikhs to take alcohol and other drugs? Is this true? Does the Takht Hazur Sahib consider Alcohol as one of the bujjer kuraits? Do almost all Nanded Sikhs take alcohol.

I am struggling with alcohol use disorder - my drinking has put me in unsafe situations and I have no doubt that if I continue down this path, I will be back in jail or in the hospital. Does the Gurdwara or community have any resources that can help? I have looked into AA and things, but it felt cultish to me- I would prefer to pursue my recovery around the word of our Gurus, and I am not sure where to begin. Do I just show up to the Gurdwara and say I have an addiction problem? Do I perform service every time I feel a temptation? Any advice is welcomed.

Hi All, I'll try to keep this brief but I'm basically posting this for those in need of help in relation to alcohol/drugs/addiction with the aim of helping those in need. My story in a nutshell: I grew up in your typical punjabi cultured family. My mum has always been spiritual and dad has always been a drinker. My mum had me going to the Gurdwara from a young age and the knowledge has always been instilled within me. Unfortunately, as I grew older my crowd changed. I did well in terms of achieving a degree and a good job but I had also drank heavily during my uni years and started using drugs. My life turned upside down whilst I was stuck in this and I couldn't find or see a way out. I was emotional spiritually and financially dead. I was searching for help and didn't know where to go. A few years back I found sikhsangat online and started posting on here with the hope that I could find some answers and guidance to get myself spiritually connected again and remove myself from the darkness. Many people helped me on here but unfortunately that alone was not enough to keep me sober. Yesterday I logged on to here after 3-4 years off this site. I logged on because I wanted to help others out there who are suffering. I am sober, clean and could not have asked for a better life. Im still in disbelief at times that I managed to turn my life around. Everything is possible with waheguru in your heart. Couple of things I just wanted to say to the users on this forum: Thank you for all your help and guidance when I was on here before. This site saved my life and pulled me out of suicidal states many times. People on here gave me hope and pointed me in the direction of waheguru. Without any of that, I would not be where I am today. If your struggling with any sort of addiction, please reach out to me and message me. There is help for everyone out there. Everything will remain anonymous if you wish. Equally, if your confident sharing your identity, I am in the midlands area and can meet up to talk, help and give guidance. You might ask yourself why am I doing this? i'm doing this to give back to people the same way people gave to me in my hour of need. There is no costs and no judgement. I hope that I can be of service to those in need - I would be happy to give you my story in more detail so you can identify and realise that your not alone. Waheguru

It literally looks like those apocalyptic movies, but its real! Its sad, I feel for these people ... Is this what the future will look like ? the more we go into Kalyug.

The tragic story of the actress Vimi. This actress was in the famous dharmic Punjabi movie "Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai" she was the lead actress. She was born into a Sikh family, went against her parents and married an industrialist. Her dream was to become a Bollywood actress and through her husbands connections met some Bollywood directors at fancy parties. Her in-laws were against her getting into movies as it would damage the families reputation, but she went against her in-laws and made a movie. Her husband was supportive of her. But she wasn't a great actress and didn't receive many offers after her first movie. Once her husband realized her career has flopped he dumped her and went running back to his parents, the parents accepted him back but rejected her. She made a few movies here and there. She then took to alcohol and became an alcoholic, ended up in a relationship with a failed film maker and then ended up in prostitution. She eventually died of the cirrhosis of the liver aged just 32. She had no money left to pay the hospital bill and her body was taken to the cremation ground on the back of a cart/thela, most likely with a donkey pulling it! No one attended her funeral. She made a few Hindi movies and also starred in the Punjabi dharmic movie "Nanak Naan Jahaz Hai" those who have seen the movie will probably remember her face. I don't think it would be inaccurate to say that millions of women who had dreams to become "actresses" and "models" have ended up like this girl over the decades. Including many girls from Sikh families. The number of times I have read about British Punjabi girls who want to become models and actresses, end up blackmailed, selling drugs and prostituting themselves. The usual scenario is they come across a guy who tells they they "know" a modeling/acting agent, but first they need to do them some "favours" , and you all know what happens next ... Don't know when women will learn, and think with their heads and not with their emotions. Stuff like this has been happening for decades. Tragic life: Vimi's dead body was pushed in a thela to the cremation ground Vimi became a household name in the late 60s after debuting in the Raj Kumar and Sunil Dutt starrer, Humraaz. Made under B. R Chopra’s banner, it also featured the stunning Mumtaz. With an assortment of stars, made by the Chopras, the film released to rave reviews, earned massively at the box office and landed the debutant Vimi among the stars. Vimi’s accidental entry into showbiz was surprising, unconventional, and also unfortunate, for this one move proved to be the beginning of her tragic end. Hailing from a non-filmy background, Vimmi had graduated from Sophia College, Mumbai, with a degree in psychology. She was a trained singer who would frequently participate in All India Radio Bombay's programs. Introduced to B R Chopra by music director Ravi, she bagged the role in Humraaz effortlessly. Speaking highly of her in a 1967 interview, BR Chopra praised his new find as, "intelligent, educated and grasps things quickly.” This leaves us wondering why the filmmaker never cast her again, despite the blockbuster status of their first and only film together. Chopra’s detachment prompted her existential crisis in the industry. She lost her credibility and her career saw a downward spiral after the release and tanking of the big-budgeted and highly anticipated Aabroo. Even artists like Nirupa Roy and Ashok Kumar could do nothing to salvage it. Vimmi signed a few more films opposite Shashi Kapoor, but failed to establish herself as a bankable actress. In the less than 10 films she did, Vimi manifested herself as a leading lady with charm and artistic skills. While Patanga released in 1971 barely did moderate business, her 1974 release with Shashi Kapoor again, Vachan, failed to ring any bells. Though movie offers were drying up, Vimi would keep herself relevant through her style sense which was on par with stars of old Hollywood. She was dressed to the nines, on and off screen, and captured a sizeable portion of her audience’s memories by posing in glamorous avatars for filmy glossies. A rarity of the age, she had even dared the bikini for a photoshoot, a bold move that set tongues wagging. With almost all films failing at the ticket window, she declared she wasn’t doing films for money, she had plenty of it, which was evident from her lifestyle that included a vast wardrobe, luxury drives and expensive jackets. But truth is often far from what meets the eyes. Her personal life was stuck in a whirlwind too. Unlike most actresses of Bollywood, Vimi entered the industry when she was already married and a mother of two. The pretty girl from a Punjabi Sikh family had strained ties with her parents after falling in love with a Calcutta-based Marwari businessman, Shiv Agarwal. She never got their blessings when she tied the knot with him against her parents consent. Her in-laws were the only family she had left, but she ended up spoiling these remaining relations with her decision to enter showbiz. Her husband, she claimed, supported her and was producing movies for her, but the films she listed never saw the light of day. Was she lying or was she hallucinating: guess we'll never know. What we got to know long after she was gone, is, the couple had separated long back. Within 7 years into the industry, Vimi found herself jobless, and was living with a small-time film broker who had been exploiting her in all ways imaginable. As the riches depleted, the once proud owner of designer dresses and sports cars, stood penniless, forced into prostitution. To seek respite, she took to alcohol; the cheap and toxic kind, as the means were scarce. Excessive and incessant drinking decayed her body. Gradually she developed fatal liver complications and succumbed to it at the age of 34. Already lost in oblivion, no one in Bollywood remembered her, or mourned her death. She died a pauper in the general ward of Nanavati Hospital, and her dead body reached the cremation ground in a thela, attended by none. It was later revealed that she was a victim of domestic abuse; and her husband was regularly hostile with her, before leaving her for good. Not forgiven even in death, she was character assassinated by a friend who slandered her in an obituary published in the Ananda Bazar Patrika. Calling her death a great pain reliever, the writer addressed her as one "with the roving eye who went out without her husband in the fond hope that some producer or actor will make her an offer" and justified her agony and suffering for the “sin” of not complying with societal norms and trying to create a world of her own.

Can they be used as a medicine?

I am a 28 year old Sikh girl. I used to drink alcohol but I quit, I used to eat meat but I quit. I feel bad eating animals now and I know in our religion it’s preferred I don’t eat meat. I have never ever treated someone unequally or have had ego problems. I do my work honestly and help the community. I have a soft heart. I just really regret some decisions I made before which makes me feel like I’ll be put in an endless cycle again. I lost my virginity before marriage and I’ve been regretting it everyday. I don’t know how I can make up for this or what I can do to better practice my religion. I’m always scared I will go to a bad place after death but I always try to be an honest person. Can someone please guide me and tell me what’s right or wrong. I couldn’t find the answer to this. I dont know if god will forgive me and I feel really bad doing these mistakes I did

.....and India show Punjabis/Sikhs as the drunkards

I had no idea these guys were Canadian!

Vaheyguru ji Ka Khalsa vaheyguru ji ki Fateh Ottawa Gurudewara Managment is allowing Nidar Nang to hold his classes on Gurudewara premises. He will be there in person on December 6,7, and 8. Called Gurus Banie is plagiarized from Rishies and Guru were impotent, Sikhs History is fabricated. Dasam Pita ji were worshipper of Shiva, typical RSS. His pictures with RSS and training them are available. Had confronted him in the past for his Koor parchar and being under the influence of alcohol at Gurudewara premises. His chalay regularly hold classes in Gurudewara with managements blessings, eventhough send them the videos. Lately they have been influcing young Sikhs, students and recent students from Panjab. If the current trend will continue like this, they are basically going to use our own Sikh youths against us. If they want to do their Shaster Vediya and Koor Parchar atleast, Gurudewaras should not be their premises. Please request management in numbers to come to their premises and Stop allowing anti-Sikh RSS agents. Vaheyguru ji Ka Khalsa vaheyguru ji ki Fateh

Yesterday, I went to a school party. At the bar i asked for non-alcoholic drink as I am amritdhari, But I was accidentaly given a beer containing 5% alcohol. I swear to God, I didn't like the taste and after tasting it i threw it away. Just after that, people started telling that I was turning red and i also felt myself uncomfortable. maybe because i hadn't eaten anything earlier. My question is that is accidental or minimal consumption of alcohol a sin? Will i have to present myself in front of the 5 pyare and get rebaptised again? are non-alcohol beers also prohibited?

Wjkk wjkf, I just wanted to know what are your guys thoughts on large amount of products having alcohol in them like toothe pastes, to facial clears to body sprays and moisturizers, should a Sikh use them in their everyday life?

Thought id share this video as I just come across it after being at a wedding this weekend. Im guessing many peeps on this site dont drink or do drugs but if you do, this is a good watch

Waheguru ji gave us free choice now he's making sure we start following rehit of dropping intoxicants http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/human-gene-stop-drinking-alcohol-evolution-addiction-intolerance-health-development-a8221186.html?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh It has recently come to my notice that vanilla essence and/or vanilla extract (which is a widely used product in ice creams, chocolates, cookies, cereals, etc.) contains alcohol/ethanol. Vanilla extract is made with vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water. So, is it ok from Amritdharis to consume foods that contain vanilla essence?

Is there a way gurbani can help? what path should I do? I do chaupai sahib everyday due to the time crunch. I do try to do simram but not sure if I do it right. Nothing seems to be helping. I used to be so connected with baba ji and would like to get that connection back but don’t know how now? thank you

I recently started drinking after never really drinking at all. I have noticed that I get some anxiety after drinking. I dont know if its connected but since I started drinking I have a low mood. Anyone experience negative effects if alcohol. When I have stopped for about a weej. I notice I feel alot better.

This makes me laugh because it subtle touches on a white elephant in the Sikh room. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4514688/Boris-Johnson-blunders-election-trail.html

1 in 3 of us will have to face cancer in our lives. None of us should face cancer alone, and with your support no one will. Drug and Alcohol abuse in Punjab has also reached epidemic proportions. Lions MMA are looking to address the Cancer, Drugs and Alcohol issues both here in the UK and in Punjab. How can you get involved? Why not join Lions MMA on 24th Oct 2015 and participate in a 5k fun run or 2.5k walk to raise funds. The run/walk is designed for all ages to take part, no matter how old or young. For further information please contact info@lionsmma.net or register at www.lionsmma.net To donate please follow: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/lionsmma5k

As per the India religious census data of 2011, released by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner on Tuesday, the total population of India back in 2011 was 1.21 billion people. Currently in 2015 the population of India is estimated to be just under 1.3 billion people. In 2011, the Hindu population was 966.3 million (79.8 per cent); Muslim 172.2 million (14.2 per cent); Christian 27.8 million (2.3 per cent); Sikh 20.8 million (1.7 per cent); Buddhist 8.4 million (0.7 per cent); Jain 4.5 million (0.4 per cent), Other religions & persuasions (ORP) 7.9 million (0.7 per cent), religion not stated 2.9 million (0.2 per cent). The proportion of Muslim population to total population has increased by 6% by 2011 from 2001, the census data said. The proportion of Hindu population to total population in 2011 has marginally declined by 1% between 2001 to 2011. Falling most of all the Sikh population proportion declined by over 10% in the period between 2001 to 2011. There was no significant change in the proportion of Christians in India between 2001 to 2011. As per the 2001 census, India's total population was 1.029 billion of which the Hindu population comprised 827.5 million (80.45 per cent) and Muslims were 138 million (13.4 per cent). Christians in 2001 stood at 24 million (2.3%) of the total population and with Sikhs being 19.2 million (1.9%) back in 2001. The growth rate of population in the decade 2001-2011 was 17.7 per cent. The growth rate of population of the different religious communities between 2001-2011 was as: Hindus: 16.8 per cent; Muslim: 24.6 per cent; Christian: 15.5 per cent; Sikh: 8.4 per cent; The distribution is total population by six major religious communities namely, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain besides 'Other Religions and Persuasions' and 'Religion not stated'. Is it now about time that we focus on the basics of where our Panth stands in relation to social indices and the problems of female infanticide, drugs, biraderi apartheid, cancer, illiteracy, alcohol and poverty affecting us. With the Sikh population projected to decline to below 50% of the Punjab as a result of state-sponsored Balmiki and Dera Ballan apartheid mandirs re-classifying current day Sikhs into tomorrow's Hindutva slave votebank is it not about time that we focus everything upon uplifting the Panth rather than focussing on the same tired old sloganeering that has not achieved anything meaningful against the apparatus of a terrorist state which is backed and supported by the USA, Russia, China, UK, France, Canada, Australia, Japan, Italy etc. Hindu's in 1984 numbered around 600million whilst Sikhs numbered around 15million back then. Hindu's in India now number over one billion people and Sikhs in India are just over 20 million as a result of the systematic exlusion of sehajdhari non-Punjabi Sikhs from the Sikh Panth's population figures following on from the 1950 Maryada definition of a Sikh that was welcomed deliriously by Nehru, Congress(Indira) and Hindutva forces. Because at a stroke exluding tens of millions of Ravidassia's, Kabirpanthi's, Satnami's, Sindhi's, Balmiki's, Banjara's, Hindu Punjabi's (who had all previously been accepted as Sikhs on account of attending Gurdwara's and respecting Gurbani) prevented, from our opponent's point of view, a Sikh population in excess of 100 million back in 1984 (that Indira Gandhi would never even have dared to provoke) let alone how many Sikhs there could have been today in 2015. We can still get to the stage one day if instead of sending sincere Gursikhs to voluntarily rot out their lives in jail when our opponents get their goons to do Beadbi, we instead make sure to distribute 100 Gutke in non-Punjabi languages to disseminate the truth of Sikhi further and wider among the poor of India, Asia and Africa primarily. It's about time we look for reasons to welcome and include people within the Sikh Panth rather than looking for every possible reason to exclude people from being included as fellow members of the Sikh Panth. If our opponents succeed (due to our lack of action and urgency in tackling the issues that affect us by concentrating on the wrong priorities) in reducing the Sikh percentage of the Punjab population to below 50% by 2021, then it is almost inevitable that the following assault on the Sikh population will be to re-classify all sehajdhari Punjabi Sikhs as falsely being non-Sikhs. So that the opponents of Sikhi can permanently define Sikhs as a permanent demographic minority even within Punjab and as always they will use our own frontmen to inflict this damage on our Panth.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh I watched a Katha on Rehat Maryda And he said that we should eat anything that been touch with person using tabaco, and we should have a full bath after coming into contact with tabaco. The problem is: 1) I go uni and being veg as well my food choices are limited, is it still ok if i eat outside. I can't really eat cold food because it gets stuck in my throat easily. 2) My dad drinks alcohol, he touches the roti thing after he drinks and he also washes my clothes (I study so I don't really have that much time), sometimes he has a glass out while he handles the clean clothes, also all the dishes are washed with same sponge. If feeling really down now, if i think about it everything is touched by alcohol hands. I don't what to do, im not amritdari but still one day hope i can be gifted amrit. Now I just want to move out as soon as I get a job

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My best friend for the whole of high school is having a sweet 16th party. I know that they will be drinking and smoking weed which I know will ring alarm bells in our heads. But it wont be the same if I dont go. So should I go but not do anything bad and be the 'designated driver'. Its his special day but I really dont want to get mixed in with the wrong crowd. What should I do sangat ? Please help

I used to be a mona sikh. I used to go clubbing and drinking a couple of times a month, however I never drank at home, I only used to drink if I was going to a club. I always had a belief in Sikhi. Whenever I hit a tough time in my life I would go to the gurdwara more often and pray to god. When times were good I would stop going to the gurdwara and question if god exists. I was off work for nearly two years due to an injury that was difficult to diagnose. During those two years I hit many lows, got depressed and wondered if I would ever get better. One day I was so low that I bowed in front of the SGGS and told god that I would stop drinking if he made me better. Gradually over time I did get better by seeing some good physiotherapists. I also took to wearing a pagh. I've now returned to work and have started mixing with people again. My health is not 100% better but it's getting there. Entering the workplace after a long time reminds me of my old lifestyle. I now have a craving for alcohol and to visit a nightclub. However I would feel extremely guilty as I wear a pagh and the promise I made in front of SGGS. What can I do to get rid of this craving? I feel like I'm missing out by not drinking and enjoying nightlife but on the other hand I know it's not the right path.