501.The Man in Blue – Jáp Sahib (I)

Recently anonymous troublemakers posted a message on Facebook, which was made to look like it came from a Professor Tundha and a local Sint-Truiden Sikh Surinder Singh. The posting claimed that Jáp Sahib was against Gurmat. It soon became clear that neither Surinder Singh nor Professor Tunda had anything to do with the posting.

There are people and organisations, both within the panth and outside it, who like it when Sikhs quarrel with each other. And unfortunately we are too often acting just like these mischief makers want us to act.

The simple solution of the wider ‘Dasam Granth’ issue is to compare whatever is contained in this collection with the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. Whatever agrees with the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib can be part of the Sikh tradition.

Whatever does not agree is not part of our tradition.

We cannot prove that Guru Gobind Singh is the author of any of the texts included in the ‘Dasam Granth’; neither can we prove that Guru Sahib is not the author of some or many of the texts in the Dasam Granth.

The fact that some verses from the Dasam Granth agree with the teachings of our eternal Guru does not prove that these are written by Guru Gobind Singh. Bhagat bani agrees with and is part of the Guru Granth, but these shabads are not written by any of our Gurus.

I do not know much about the writings of Bhai Nand Lal or Bhai Gurdas, but if they wrote poetry or prose that agrees with the Guru Granth Sahib, it does not follow that this poetry or prose is written by one of the ten Sikh Gurus.

Please consider the points raised underneath, not as proof one way or the other, but just as facts to take into account.

Both the verses by the Bhagats and those by the first five and ninth Guru use end phrases like ‘Says Nanak’ or ‘O Nanak’, or ‘Says Kabir’ ‘Says Farid’ etc.   In the Nitnem verses from Dasam Granth that are often considered as writings of Guru Gobind Singh neither ‘Says Gobind’ nor ‘Says Nanak’ is used.

The Guru Granth uses mostly ‘Vaishnava’ language and images. God is often referred to using words belonging to this tradition like Rám, Har, Krishan, Harsingh and Madhsudan.

Going by what I have seen the Dasam Granth much more refers to Shiva, either directly or to avtars, consorts etc.

The parts of Dasam Granth I have seen, with only a few exceptions, do not use the rágs that we know from the Guru Granth Sahib. Finally if Guru Gobind Singh had wanted a ‘Dasam Granth’ why did he not start this project after he and Bhai Mani Singh finished the final version of the Guru Granth Sahib ?

The Tribune – Canadian group on awareness campaign against social evils

Gagan K Teja, Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 13. Members of the Canada-based Nach Baliye dance group, which is actively working against the menace of dowry and female foeticide, reached Khalsa College here today to motivate students to take a ‘No Dowry’ pledge.

More than 300 students of the college participated in this international anti-dowry campaign that was initiated by Dr Harshinder Kaur in Canada. She, along with her husband, was present in the college and addressed the gathering. She said that all such petitions would be sent to the UN.

Sumeet Gill, a graduate from Carleton University, Canada, who formed this dance group after being inspired by Dr Harshinder Kaur’s fact-based speech about the evil at her university, said they had decided to come to an Indian college to deliver the message that this menace was prevalent on an international level and needed to be immediately dealt with.

“Our aim is just to tell them that we have already initiated the battle against this evil in our country. Now it is their turn if they want the Indian society to get rid of it,” added Neeru Gill and Kiran Rai from Toronto.

Appreciating the endeavour of Dr Harshinder Kaur and Nach Baliye team, college principal Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha said female foeticide was an extreme form of violence against women and he was glad that these girls were raising their voice against this practice. “Everyone knows that giving and taking dowry is an offence. But people still indulge in this practice.

Therefore, it is really important that youngsters should take a pledge against dowry” he added.

Dr Gurdish Kaur, convener of the Nanhi Chaan Cell of the college, said it was a matter of great pride for them to be part of this international campaign and they would continue to work on these lines. She said the dowry system was one of the greatest evils in India and was the major cause of female foeticide. She stressed the need for such initiatives for educating girls and spreading awareness among the youth.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120214/punjab.htm#13

The Tribune – MFN status to India likely to be delayed; Trade barriers with Pakistan to go, says India

Ashok Tuteja writes from Lahore

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma arrived here on Monday as the head of the largest-ever Indian business delegation to Pakistan, affirming India’s resolve to dismantle trade barriers and build a relationship of trust and confidence with the neighbouring country.

However, New Delhi’s spirit was dampened somewhat when Pakistan indicated that it might not be able to finalise the ‘negative list’ of items for trade between the two countries by February-end as was earlier promised by it.

This would inevitably delay the granting of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status by Pakistan to India.

Sharma’s visit marks the first trip by an Indian Commerce Minister to Pakistan. During his four-day visit, the minister will, apart from Lahore, visit Karachi and Islamabad. In the Pakistani capital, he is expected to call on Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

On Wednesday the two countries are expected to sign agreements on customs cooperation to avoid arbitrary stoppage of goods at each other’s ports, another for acceptance of certificates of internationally accredited laboratories and the third one for removal of grievances in case of any disagreement.

The visit has generated a lot of excitement in Pakistan and this was very much evident when Sharma crossed the Wagah land border this morning to enter Pakistan along with his nearly 150-strong delegation.

Pakistan Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim hugged Sharma as he received his Indian guest amid the playing of the National Anthems of the two countries. Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal and Pakistan envoy to India Shahid Malik were among those who received the Indian minister.

The two ministers then posed for photographers before addressing a joint press conference. “We have come here for a substantive visit as part of the (peace) process initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and PM Gilani to take the relationship to a higher level,’’ he said.

India, Sharma said, was keen to deepen and diversify the bilateral economic engagement with Pakistan, which would help both countries, particularly the younger generation. The two countries aim to double their trade volume in three years.

Asked if Pakistan’s ‘negative list’ of items was ready, the Pakistani Minister said the commerce secretaries of the two countries were discussing the issue.

However, he could not give any time frame on when the list would be ready. He said Pakistan’s Cabinet had decided in principle to accord the MFN status to India in November last year and ‘we are moving towards this end.’

At present, Pakistan maintains a list of 1,945 items allowed to run from India to Pakistan – but only 108 can be transported directly by road through Wagah. Major items of export from India to Pakistan are sugar, cotton, man-made filaments and chemicals, while its top imports from Pakistan include fruit, mineral fuels, and organic chemicals.

Pakistan is find it difficult to sell its people the idea of granting the MFN status to India. The apprehension among the Pakistani business community is that the Pakistani markets will be flooded with Indian goods once India gets the MFN status.

Various ‘jehadi’ groups have also vehemently opposed the proposal.

Meanwhile, the two ministers was quick to announce that the two countries had agreed to give multiple entry visa for three years to businessmen from each other’s country. The draft of the agreement had already been exchanged and the accord would be signed soon. Sharma also stated that an integrated check post would be ready at the Attari-Wagah border by April 30 for facilitating trade between the two nations.

When a Pakistani journalist asked him how India and Pakistan could make any progress on trade and other issues without resolving the Kashmir issue, Sharma said the two countries were discussing all outstanding issues to peacefully resolve them.

“I bring the message of peace and friendship from India,’’ said Sharma.

Later, the two ministers visited the Lahore Export Centre to watch an exhibition of Indian products. A one-time import of Indian goods, which are not on the positive list, was allowed for the three-day show, which ended this evening.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120214/main2.htm

The Hindu – Khursheed regrets statement, writes to EC

New Delhi, 14 February 2012. Seeking to end the row with the Election Commission over his Muslim sub-quota remark, Law Minister Salman Khursheed has expressed regret, saying it was never his intention to transgress the law and undermine the poll code of conduct.

In a letter delivered to the EC midnight last night, Mr. Khursheed said that he “bows to the wisdom of EC” and has given his commitment to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.

Mr. Khursheed’s letter came close on the heels of Congress disapproving his comments against the EC, saying that “people occupying posts of responsibility should speak responsibly.”

“I treat this matter as unfortunate and regret the statement… it has never been my intention to transgress the law and undermine the election code of conduct. I have great respect for the Commission and the decisions it takes and has taken…,” Mr. Khursheed said in his short communication.

In an unprecedented move, the EC had on Saturday written a letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking her intervention on Mr. Khursheed’s alleged defiance of the poll body’s censure of his remarks promising to double job sub-quota for Muslims which the EC found violative of the model of conduct.

Even after the EC’s censure, the Law Minister told an election meeting in Farrukhabad that he would continue to fight for Muslim sub-quota even “if they (EC) hang me.”

The President had forwarded the letter to the office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Law Minister met Dr. Singh and explained his position.

In his letter to EC, Mr. Khursheed said he was “disturbed with the developments arising out of one of my statements” made in the course of electioneering in Uttar Pradesh.

He added that “it has caused me an equal measure of sadness”.

The minister said he was committed to EC’s authority as a constitutional body and said that he bows to the wisdom of the EC and will remain committed to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.

The CEC found the tone and tenor of the remarks of Mr. Khursheed “as utterly contemptuous and dismissive” of the Election Commission and damaging to the level-playing field” in Uttar Pradesh assembly election and sought “immediate and decisive” intervention of the President.

Mr. Khursheed’s sub-quota remarks were first made during a rally in support of his wife Louise who is contesting as a Congress candidate in Farrukhabad.

On Saturday night, the Law Minister had at another rally stuck to his sub-quota stand, drawing the anger of the panel.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2891828.ece?homepage=true

Netherlands 23 december till 2 January, Den Haag & Amsterdam

24 December 2011, from Amsterdam Rai to Schiphol Airport
Waiting at Schiphol Airport station for the NS Intercity to Den Haag Centraal

 24 December 2011,  Schiphol Airport station
Engined hauled doubledecker to Den Haag Centraal

24 December 2011, Den Haag Centraal
On arrival at Den Haag I checked the RET RandstadRail Metro platform and noticed that these metros now run beyond Rotterdam CS to Slinge in the south of Rotterdam.

24 December 2011, Den Haag Centraal
From Den Haag Centraal high level I took HTM Tram 6 to Hobbemaplein, near to where I always stay when in Den Haag

To see more Belgium and Netherlands public transport pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622685920411/

To see more Belgium and Netherlands gurdwara pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622147381380/

More Belgium / Netherlands pictures to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

The Tribune – Israeli embassies in India, Georgia targeted

Diplomat among 4 hurt in Delhi car blast; Bomb defused in time by Georgian police in Tbilisi

Jerusalem/New Delhi, February 13. Bombers targeted staff of Israel’s embassies in New Delhi and Georgia on Monday, wounding four persons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of involvement.

In Delhi, an Israeli embassy car exploded when a magnetic bomb stuck to it went off in a high-security area here, critically injuring a woman diplomat besides three others. The injured woman, Talyesshova, is the wife of the Defence Attache of Israel posted at New Delhi. The incident in Delhi occurred hours after a car bomb was defused near Israel’s mission in Georgian capital Tbilisi.

The Delhi blast took place around 500 m away from the official residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. According to initial investigations, two motorcycle-borne youths tailed the Israeli Embassy vehicle on the Aurangzeb road and allegedly attached a device to the rear of the car when it stopped at a traffic signal.

Minutes later, there was an explosion and Toyota Innova (109-CD-35) vehicle was engulfed in flames. Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said two Israeli Embassy employees were injured in the incident. An eyewitness Ravir Singh said he heard a loud noise following which he rushed to the spot.

“I was at my petrol pump. I heard a loud noise. I rushed to the spot and found a car in flames. A fire tender from nearby Air Force station reached the site to douse the blaze,” he said. The police said four cars were damaged in the incident.

Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said Israel’s allegations against Iran were not being taken on the “face value”.

New Delhi would opt to wait for its investigators to send reports and track down motorcyclists.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna called up his counterpart in Tel Aviv and assured him that “the law of the land will take its course”. The case would be fully investigated, Krishna told reporters here. Delhi Police Commissioner BK Gupta refused to comment on the nature of the explosive saying the forensic laboratory was studying it and they would give a report on that.

(with inputs from Ajay Banerjee, Shaurya Karanbir Gurung & agencies)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120214/main1.htm

Dawn – Moral support for Gilani, ire at US hearing in National Assembly

Raja Asghar

Islamabad, 14 February 2012. Hours after being indicted by the Supreme Court over a disputed contempt charge, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani seemed winning some moral support across party lines in the National Assembly on Monday before opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan jumped in to share the day`s honours by pulling off a unanimous, though belated, condemnation of a US Congressional hearing on Balochistan.

The prime minister`s arrival during the early part of the question hour to louder than usual desk-thumping from the ruling coalition enlivened a dull house and then lawmakers from both the opposition and treasury benches went to him to shake his hand or say a few words of possible support in the case he has to fight in the apex court for not writing mainly to Swiss judicial authorities to reopen withdrawn money-laundering charges against his party`s dead and living leaders in cases instituted by their political rivals in 1990s.

PPP-S chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao was the first opposition figure to walk to Mr Gilani`s to hug him — and later say he expressed his solidarity to the man who “conducted himself well in the court” – and then lawmakers of other parties, including some female members from the opposition PML-N, made a beeline to the prime minister`s desk during his brief stay in the house.

Contrary to the usual spectacle of house members swarming him with papers to be signed by him, only a couple were seen doing that this time round, while the rest of the crowd seemed seeking only a show of sympathy for the embattled prime minister, topped with felicitations even from the chair, Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, who said Mr Gilani`s appearance before the Supreme Court twice in the case showed “he respects courts and rule of law”.

Chaudhry Nisar, who came to the house somewhat later than the prime minister, did not display a similar warmth for his opposite number and waited until his departure from the house to ask for support of the treasury benches to move his resolution, which seemed to be an over-reaction to the February 8 hearing held by only a sub-committee of the US House of Representatives where witnesses detailed alleged human rights violations in Balochistan but which the US State Department distanced itself from.

The PPP-led government, keen to win opposition`s support for a unanimous passage of its Constitution (Twentieth Amendment) Bill after nearly two weeks of deferments, allowed the resolution to be moved and then passed by consensus without much ado, though Chaudhry Nisar acknowledged the move did not mean everything was fine in Balochistan and some other lawmakers disputed reported denials by the chiefs of the army and paramilitary Frontier Corps of allegations of their forces` involvement in killings and disappearances of dissidents.

The resolution described the hearing by the sub-committee on oversight and investigation as an evidence of a “blatant interference in Pakistan`s internal affairs”, which it said could jeopardise a healing process in the already strained Pakistan-US relations and “further inflame public opinion against the US by adding to the prevailing sense of mistrust and suspicions regarding US intentions in Pakistan”.

It called upon the government to convey to Washington “in no uncertain terms” that “such hearings relating to internal affairs of Pakistan are totally unacceptable”, that the US administration “needs to play a more proactive role to discourage such ill-informed and motivated debate on sensitive issues of a sovereign country like Pakistan”, and to rebuild trust and confidence, it “should respect and comply with the will of the people of Pakistan as expressed through various parliamentary resolutions and discontinue drone attacks (in Pakistani tribal areas) forthwith”.

Taking what appeared to be a soft line about the much criticised role of security forces in Balochistan, Chaudhry Nisar said the ball was in the government`s court after what he called a statement by the Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani that army was not conducting any operation in the province and one by the FC inspector-general that none of the missing persons was in the control or custody of his force.

The opposition leader also complimented the Supreme Court for forcing concerned authorities to present some missing persons before it earlier on Monday.

In another development, the house adjourned Tuesday`s private members` day to 5pm instead of the usual morning session, leading to speculation the government might use the evening sitting to push through the Twentieth Amendment, which seeks to validate challenged by-elections to 28 seats of both houses of parliament and provincial assemblies held during a period when the Election Commission was not complete.

The bill is due to be considered by a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning to consider opposition demands for insertions it thinks necessary to ensure future elections to be free and fair.

http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/14/moral-support-for-gilani-ire-at-us-hearing-in-na.html