Fourth post about going from Camden to Brick Lane
All pictures will gradually be uploaded on my flickr account
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157614139538921/
The Overground Bridge across the Shoreditch High Street
Under Construction
More to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue
Varinder Singh,
Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 27
Almost putting an end to the long-standing confusion and prevailing apprehensions in the Sikh circles, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar has made it clear that there was no move to withdraw the Nanakshahi calendar.
Makkar has also said that the issue of formation of a separate Sikh body for Haryana has ceased to exist as Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee(HSGPC-ad hoc) chief Jagdish Singh Jhinda had already supported him on November 25 — the day when Makkar was re-elected as the SGPC chief and was subsequently, congratulated by Jhinda immediately after the election.
Meanwhile, the SGPC has decided to form a new committee comprising Sikh scholars to study the Nanakshahi calendar once again and discuss the need to introduce any fresh amendments in respect of the calendar.
The Canada-based designer of the calendar, Pal Singh Purewal, was also likely to be included in the new committee of scholars. Similarly, representatives of Sikh organisations supporting or opposing the calendar would also be part of the committee, said Avtar Singh.
“The calendar is not going to be withdrawn. Those who are busy spreading any such rumours need to exercise self-restraint. Even at the time of proposed discussions of Sikh scholars on the issue, the feelings and sentiments of the Panth would be taken care of. All technical and religious aspects of the calendar would be examined so that there was no dilemma on the issue, said Makkar, who also addressed a meeting of the existing 11 member-committee on the calendar.
The Sikh leaders and scholars who participated in the meeting included former Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, Prof Suba Singh, Kiranjot Kaur, Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon, Dr Darshan Singh from Chandigarh, Principal Amarjit Singh, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Swarn Singh, Prof Waryam Singh, Rajinder Singh Mehta and Dalmegh Singh.
Friday, 27 November 2009
The bullet-riddled body of an anti-Taliban tribal elder has been found in Pakistan’s north-western Mohmand area, police say. Ameer Saiyed, a member of the tribal peace committee, was taken from his home by Taliban militants on Thursday.
His body was found on Friday morning near his home in Wali Kor village.
In a separate incident, another anti-Taliban tribal elder, Shahfur Khan, was killed in a roadside bombing in the nearby Bajaur area, officials said.
Mr Khan was returning to his home in Badan village to receive guests after prayers marking the start of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha when the bomb exploded, killing him and wounding three others, news agency Associated Press quoted local officials Jamil Khan and Abdul Malik as saying.
Violence has increased in Pakistan’s tribal areas along the Afghan border since the army launched an anti-Taliban offensive in South Wazisitran district in mid-October.
Tribal elders are influential people in north-western Pakistan.
Many of them have joined with the authorities and are being targeted by Taliban militants.
Third Posting on the Kirtan Darbar remembering the birthday of Guru Nanak in 1469
All pictures will gradually be added to the Flickr set on Guru Nanak Gurpurabh ‘09 Southall & Heathrow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622701631084/
All kinds of everything …
And we must have Heinz Tomato Ketchup on our parkore !
Bhai Hari Singh doing kirtan
Sadh Sangat enjoying the kirtan
Bhai Jagdip Singh
Note the nice little basket for putting your donation (golak) in
More to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue
Sikh New Discussion – Saturday 21 November 2009
On Thursday 19 November around 150 Sikh representatives took part in a lobby at the Houses of Parliament organised by the Sikh Federation (UK).
Over 200 MPs were contacted prior to the lobby and over 100 MPs, including Ministers were lobbied on the day itself.
One of the issues covered in the lobby was the need for a Code of Practice on Sikh articles of faith.
The UK Government first promised a Code of Practice four and half years ago.
In the meantime Sikhs have been experiencing more and more difficulties. Many of the difficulties have related to the Kirpan, but the wearing of the Kara and the Dastaar has also been challenged.
Considerable pressure has been exerted with the issue raised through Parliamentary Questions, during Parliamentary Debates and in letters to relevant Ministers.
Two weeks before the lobby the Sikh Federation (UK) wrote to Rob Marris MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs, regarding the Code of Practice. Rob Marris challenged the Minister to explain the latest position knowing Sikhs would be in Parliament taking up the matter at the lobby and they would want answers.
In a letter received on 20 November (sent on 17 November) the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Shahid Malik confirmed that the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) would be producing guidance on Sikh articles of faith in early 2010 and the Sikh community would have ownership of the development of the guidance.
The EHRC is taking forward work on developing guidance in partnership with the Department for Communities and local Government (DCLG). The Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) are also participating. A meeting was held in Birmingham on 20 November to discuss a draft of the guidance that was circulated on 17 November.
Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said ‘we suggested during the lobby the Code of Practice is agreed with Sikh community representatives as soon as possible and to agree an implementation plan for the Code by 31 March 2010.’
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
As always, the Sikh Coalition continues to monitor whether Sikh air travel passengers are unfairly singled out for enhanced scrutiny at the nation’s (USA) airports.
Your Rights at the Airport, the Transportation Security Administration has created a webpage that describes you rights at the airport: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1037.shtm
In addition, the Sikh Coalition, in partnership with United Sikhs and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), has created a document on the rights of Sikh air travelers. That document can be found here:
http://sikhcoalition.org/documents/SikhAirTravelersGuideandBillofRights.pdf
Our Request to you, we ask that you do your part this Thanksgiving weekend, by reporting your air travel experience to us, good or bad.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If you believe that you have suffered discrimination in air travel, please report it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FF3GWCN
Third post about my trip to Belgium in November
All the pictures taken will be uploaded to a new set called Benelux 4 of my flicker photo account
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622685920411/
On the Grote Markt in Ieper before we went to the Menen Gate
Sikhs, their flowers with the magnificent Cloth Hall in the background
Scots pipers at the Menen Poort (=Gate)
What wears a Scot in his sock ?
More to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue
Tuesday, 24 November, 2009
Posted by young.sikhs.uk.wolverhampton@googlemail.com to Sikh News Discussion
See the following link for photograph: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6239/imgp8177.jpg
Some of the Sikhs with the Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma, who along with many other MPs agreed to support Sikhs on all the issues being raised.
On Thursday 19 November around 150 Sikh representatives took part in a lobby at the Houses of Parliament. Over 200 MPs were contacted prior to the lobby and over 100 MPs, including Ministers were lobbied on the day itself. Meetings were held with around 25-30 MPs or their assistants, including:
John Austin, Paramjit Dhanda, Mike Gapes, Sandra Gidley, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Alan Keen, Ann Keen, John Lancaster, Bob Laxton, Fiona Mactaggart, Mike O’Brien, Virendra Sharma, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Mark Todd and Keith Vaz.
Five issues were raised during the lobby:
i) the campaign for separate ethnic monitoring of Sikhs for the Census 2011 where the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is ignoring the needs of the Sikh community
MPs were requested to copy their Sikh constituents all correspondence with Jil Matheson the new head of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). MPs were informed an Early Day Motion (EDM) would be tabled and that they would be urged to support. If Parliamentary protocol or other reasons prevent them from signing the EDM a letter of support was requested.
ii) the need for a Code of Practice on Sikh articles of faith where the UK Government has been dragging its heels for four and half years and Sikhs are experiencing more and more difficulties – Kara, Kirpan, Turban (Dastaar) etc.
Parliamentary Questions were raised with all Government Departments and raised in Parliamentary Debate in April 2005. The UK Government promised at that time in Parliament a Code of Practice, but then changed its mind after the General Election. The Government was again reminded in December 2006 in Parliamentary Debate by MPs from all the main political parties of its promise.
Despite considerable political pressure and numerous individual cases of discrimination the UK Government is still in the process of developing a Code of Practice. Following the lobby the relevant Minister confirmed the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is taking forward work on developing the Code of Practice in partnership with the Department for Communities and local Government (DCLG). The Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) are also participating. The Code is expected in early 2010.
iii) the increased discrimination being experienced by turban wearing Sikhs at various airports in Europe
MPs were informed a Sikh lobby was planned at the European Parliament for March 2010 and urged to write to the Europe Minister to arrange with UK MEPs to host the lobby and raise awareness on Sikh articles of faith throughout Europe where Sikhs are being discriminated.
iv) the death penalty case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar
MPs were requested to provide copies of their correspondence with : i) the German Embassy in the UK; ii) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; iii) the European Parliament President; and iv) the EC Commissioner for External Relations.
v) the need for the UK Government to stop providing visas to those involved in the Genocide of Sikhs in November 1984
Following the successful campaign to have Jagdish Tytler dropped from the delegation to visit the UK a note was provided to MPs supplying details of a number of leading Indian politicians and police officers implicated in the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms. MPs were urged to request the UK Government and other EU member states to exclude entry to these individuals.
Posted to Sikh News Discussion by Mejinderpal Kaur mejindarpalk@googlemail.com
We have waited for this day…please do attend and show your support.
You are invited to the launch of the UNITED SIKHS Law and Media Centre – Supported by the Central Gurdwara London (Khalsa Jatha).
Venue: 62 Queensdale Road London W11 4SG
Nearest tube: Shepherds Bush on the central line.
No parking restrictions after 6.30pm or you may park for free for up to 2 hours at the Westfield Shopping Centre
UNITED SIKHS has been providing civil and human rights advocacy services to the Sikh community in the Europe since 2002, which has included defending the right to wear Sikh articles of faith in France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and the UK. Our work has grown and the UNITED SIKHS Law and Media Centre in London has been set up to increase the community’s access to our services through face to face consultations. The Central Gurdwara London, in keeping with their reputation of being the first amongst equals, has provided their premises to host the UNITED SIKHS Law and Media Centre – the first Sikh Legal and Media Centre in the UK, which opens its doors on 25th Nov 2005.
At the Centre we will provide free initial consultation and assistance every Wednesday from 6.30pm – 8.30pm, on an appointment basis, through our team of legal interns and pro bono lawyers, in the following areas of the law – Civil and Human Rights; Immigration, Family and Children, Employment,Criminal, Commercial, Landlord and Tenancy, Civil, Contract and Trust. In particular, UNITED SIKHS will provide free initial consultation and assistance, to file an application for registration to sponsor Granthis, by Gurdwaras in England and Wales.
At the Centre, we will also deal with media inquiries, assist the community to project its voice and obtain redress for any misrepresentations in the media. Apart from consultations, our interns and lawyers will work on legal and media projects and take inquiries through our telephone service from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm..We will also hold training and talks by experts to provide guidance to the community. You may email us or request a consultation in person. Kindly contact us at lawcentre-uk@unitedsikhs.org or tel 08701993328.
You are invited to the launch to meet our team of lawyers and interns and to provide us your support through guidance and encouragement.
We need you support and donations to fund the running of the Law and Media Centre. You may donate online at www.unitedsikhs.org/donate or post a cheque in favour of UNITED SIKHS to PO BOX 43799, London, W14 8SS. UNITED SIKHS is a registered charity in England and Wales , Charity Number 111 2055
Mejindarpal Kaur
UNITED SIKHS
07709 830 442 (UK)
This is the third posting on the 07/11 ‘Tirath Yatra’ of Coventry by Balwant Singh and me
All pictures taken will be uploaded to the Gurdwara set of my flickr account
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622872811516/
Sardar Balwant Singh Coventry Wala
Picture taken in the langar of the Cross Road’s Singh Sabha
We went back to the Singh Sabha Gurdwara at the end of the ‘yatra’
Guru Hargobind ‘Gurdwara’
47 Coventry Street
Coventry CV2 4ND
A Gurdwara to be, under (slow) construction
Ajit Darbar
Somebody has been spending money here
It looks quite nice, but who is behind it ?
Ajit Darbar ? Which Ajit ?
More to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue
