Ieper – Ypres 11 November 2012 & ENORB Meeting in Brussel – Bruxelles

Last of the pictures taken at Hollebeke near Ieper

European Network of Faiths and Beliefs (ENORB)
13 November 2012 – Brussel – Bruxelles

My three Pagan friends from the Netherlands, Croatia and France

Two of the speakers

On the left two delegates from the Netherlands, Navleen Kaur from the UK and a French senator

In white the Brahm-Kumari lady and behind her Catriona Robertson

To see more Belgium (mostly Limburg) pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622046344528/

More Belgian pictures to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

The Tribune – Amritsar man kills wife for filing dowry case against him

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 30. A woman was allegedly shot dead by her husband at Manawala village falling under the Lopoke police station in Amritsar rural police district today. The victim, Ranjeet Kaur of Bhitewid village, had filed a dowry and domestic violence case against her husband Parkash Singh of Manjh village.

She was on her way to the Ajnala court for the hearing of the case along with her five-year-old child when Parkash allegedly shot her dead. The accused also kidnapped the child from the spot.

Ranjeet’s sister Baljinder Kaur was also married to Parkash Singh in 2005. A member of the victim’s family alleged Parkash had solemnised the second marriage without giving divorce to Ranjeet.

Preet Paul Singh Virk, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar rural police, said the accused fired five shots from his licenced revolver killing the victim on the spot. He said raids were being conducted to nab him. A case under Section 302 and 364 of the IPC has been registered against the accused.

Rickshaw puller hacks wife to death

In another incident, a rickshaw puller, Kuldip Singh of Nangali Kalan village, allegedly hacked his wife Randhir Kaur to death who had been objecting to his drinking habit. Bikramjit Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Mehta police station, said the incident took place last night and the accused was absconding.

In-laws murder NRI woman in Batala

Batala: An Italy-based NRI woman was allegedly murdered by her in-laws at Nandeyian village, falling under the jurisdiction of Fatehgarh Churian police station, after the deceased declined to share her Italy-based husband’s income with them.

Batala SSP Tulsi Ram said Savrain Singh, deceased’s father, lodged a complaint that his daughter Kuldeep Kaur’s husband Tegbir Singh used to send money from Italy to his brother’s wife Paramjeet Kaur, a widow. But after his marriage, he stopped doing so which ultimately led to Kuldeep’s murder allegedly by her in-laws.

The police has registered a case against Paramjeet Kaur, her son, Taranpreet Singh and Ranjeet Singh.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130131/punjab.htm#13

Dawn News – A society at war with itself

Mobarak Haider

Thursday, 31 January 2013. The professional Muslim Ulema of Pakistan have influenced our thinking so much that we see everything in religious terms. We keep a keen record of “atrocities against Muslims” but we ignore the enemy within who hides behind Islam. Earlier, we used to see two centres of evil: India and Israel but with time they have increased to include America and Europe. Iran is rapidly moving away because of our growing sectarianism and it is hard to name any real friend – Saudi Arabia and China are our ‘friends’ only in the sense that they are not enemies.

They have excellent relations with our enemies and do not support us in our disputes with India and America, or in our red-hot anger against Israel.

We strongly believe that in our 65 years of national life, we have been attacked five times by India, once by Russia, that we are “spiritually” fighting America for the last 12 years, that we fought our East Wing and lost it because of Indian aggression which the world supported because of the bias established by Indian propaganda. We believe that we were always on the right side, that we were persecuted.

It was always hard for us to ask: are we really so innocent and so persecuted? Why does the world hate us? All these 65 years we have been teaching our students that one billion Hindus hate us because they are bigoted and jealous of our merit. It has been considered unpatriotic to ask why we failed to befriend them in 700 years.

War is a tragedy but we refuse to see that a society at war with itself is an abomination. We love to talk of “we”, but we are “we” only in hate against “others”; when it comes to sacrifice or service, everyone is an individual.

War is a tragedy because it tries to achieve an objective through use of force and destruction. Even when it ends in one’s victory, it does not end; it sows the seeds of future wars because those who are vanquished and disgraced never forget the wounds of defeat. Their collective memory passes to posterity generation after generation and nourishes the desire to avenge.

Our subcontinent remained in a state of war for centuries between the Muslims kings and a resisting India. A narrow class of Muslim victors in India won prosperity and power but the large Indian population suffered the tragedy of defeat and suffering for all these centuries, while Muslim masses had no share of victory except vain pride and widespread ignorance.

This history of war has left an aching scar on both sides of our people. It is partially, if not wholly, responsible for the lingering misery of our masses on both sides. Although for several reasons we in Pakistan refuse to see, the fact is that India started its recovery only after 1947, Bangladesh only after 1971 while we have yet to start.

As a result of this war, Muslims remained a medieval-minded crowd for centuries, taking pride in their ability to wield the sword, until the Aligarh University movement of modern learning started some change. But we, in Pakistan, never questioned our Civilizational Narcissism which keeps breeding new tragedies of paranoia and chaos. The legacy of centuries of war never leaves us. Both the nations have spent, since 1947, trillions annually on meaninglessly large armies and arms-building, keeping their masses in misery, stupor and barren hate. The total resources spent by both amount to a sum that could have brought us to modern European levels of life and learning, had we spent them
productively.

War is a tragedy but a society at war with itself and everything around, with no objective and no remorse is more than a tragedy; it is a total disaster. Our society with its special mindset is at war with itself and the world, with other religions and its own religious diversity. It is in a state of schizophrenia passing into paranoia. The roots of this mindset lie in our narcissism, in our self image of righteousness. We do not take criticism and never feel sorry for our wrongs. A semi-educated boy can start yelling at you if you point out a mistake.

It is a depressing state of affairs. Many sensitive patriots have lost all hope that health can be restored. Ever since 1947, the nation has been moving down the slope. Each period has left us more frustrated and hopeless. Every time we discover that standards have fallen further. But that is not how human societies should move in this age of immense opportunity.

It is right to reject what was wrong in the past but it is not right to predict that the wrong will continue forever.

Admitted that it is our special ability as humans that we conduct mass destruction; this special ability is a tragic aspect of our mind but that same mind is capable of science, wisdom, tolerance and inclusiveness. We can perhaps halt destruction by practicing and preaching critical thinking with humility. Human societies all around us are growing and developing. Why can’t our land of disaster outgrow its roots? And do we have an option other than trying?

http://dawn.com/2013/01/29/a-society-at-war-with-itself/

Sify.com – Sukhbir Badal thanks Delhi Sikhs for gurdwara poll win

Chandigarh, 30 January (IANS). With his party Wednesday moving to get a clear majority in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) election, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president Sukhbir Singh Badal thanked the Sikh community in the capital.

The Akali Dal routed a group led by DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna, which had dominated Delhi Sikh politics and managed the Sikh shrines in the national capital for over a decade. Sarna himself was defeated from the Punjabi Bagh seat by Akali Dal candidate Manjinder Singh Sirsa.

Akali Dal candidates were declared winners in 23 out of the 46 constituencies in the DSGMC poll till afternoon. The winners included Akali Dal leader Manjit Singh GK.

Sukhbir Badal, who is Punjab deputy chief minister, said: “The Sikh community has reposed faith in us. We will deliver by fulfilling all promises made in our manifesto.”

“This election is a reminder to Sarnas that those who stabbed the Sikh community in the back by hobnobbing with the Congress, would be severely punished by the community,” he said.

He said the Akali Dal would strive further to seek conviction of Congress leaders involved in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Badal said the DSGMC election results were an indicator of the ensuing rout of the Congress in the Delhi assembly election and the 2014 general election.

Speaking to media in New Delhi after his group’s defeat, a defiant Sarna, who was backed by Congress leaders, including Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh, said: “These (Akali Dal) people will ruin everything. We have no regret (about the defeat).”

http://www.sify.com/news/badal-thanks-delhi-sikhs-for-gurdwara-poll-win-news-national-nb4skgdeihc.html

The Times of India – Fauja Singh finally says full stop at 101

Neel Kamal, TNN

Barnala, The world’s oldest marathon runner, 101-year-old Fauja Singh, has decided to hang up his running shoes. The Hong Kong Marathon will be the legendary runner’s last tryst with running as the centenarian has decided not to run in competitions anymore. Before Hong Kong, he will run in a marathon in Australia in February.

Fauja, who has earned the sobriquet of ‘Turbaned Tornado’ in international events, confirmed to TOI that age has finally caught up, compelling him get out of competitions. “But I will keep running to inspire the masses,” he said.

“Running is my life and I really would not have stopped competing if I had not crossed the age of 100,” he said.

“Yes, the Hong Kong Marathon will be the last. But I will keep running daily for at least four hours daily to cover 8-9 miles,” he said.

Born on April 1, 1911, Fauja Singh refrains from talking about the controversy surrounding his age. “I am more than 101 years old and it is up to anybody to accept it or not,” he said curtly. Ask him about the diet and pat comes the reply: “I take happiness in biggest proportions though my actual diet is very small,” he said.

Fauja credits his Sikh identity for giving him fame across the globe. “It is God’s grace that I wear a turban and flaunt a beard which got me instant recognition while running marathons. When I won, everybody wanted to know about the turbaned winner,” said Fauja.

Fauja was in Barnala to take a tour of the slum areas where children of snake charmers are being educated by the Guru Nanak Slum Society. “The Punjab and Union government should practise austerity. They should stop unnecessary expenditure and spend more on educating and providing sports facilities to poor children. Big corporate houses spending millions of dollars should also spare something for charity,” he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Fauja-Singh-finally-says-full-stop-at-101/articleshow/18157158.cms

The Tribune – Shrinking Harike sees 30% less migratory birds

Manmeet Singh Gill, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 29. While the percentage of migratory birds which arrived at Harike wetland this year has gone down by almost 30 per
cent, the number of species spotted has gone up by six.

During a recently concluded survey, a total of 72,562 birds of 79 species were spotted. During the previous census in February 2011, around 1,00,124 birds of 73 species were counted. Besides, the census has spotted 87 terrestrial species

The arrival of migratory birds is even lower than the 2010 census when 79,500 birds were counted. Divisional Forest Officer M Sudhakar said: “The count of birds was low as most of the high altitude water bodies were frozen. The count was also low at Nagal, Chandigarh and Noida”.

He, however, said water pollution caused in the Sutlej by Budha Nullah might have deviated birds away from the main wetland. “Around 10,000-15,000 birds might have avoided the main wetland and chosen surrounding areas,” said Sudhakar.

Encroachments on all sides of the 86 sq km sanctuary bordering Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Kapurthala districts have also resulted in shrinking of the habitat for birds.

Sudhakar said the shrinking habitat area might be another reason for the lesser count. He, however, added a count of 60,000 plus was considered normal for the Harike sanctuary.

The falling count

72,562 birds of 79 species were spotted this winter
During the previous census in Feb 2011, 1,00,124 birds of 73 species were counted

Possible reasons

Most of the high altitude water bodies were frozen this winter
The rising level of pollution in the Sutlej
Encroachments on all sides of the 86 sq km sanctuary bordering Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Kapurthala districts

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130130/punjab.htm#3

The Hindu – Armed men rob California Gurudwara

Washington, 30 January, 2013.  Armed men barged into a Gurudwara in California city and took away the money from a donation box kept inside the complex, police said.

According to the local Livingston police in California, three robbers entered the Gurudwara through the front door early Sunday morning. One of the men was armed with a gun, while another with a knife. The third robber was unarmed.

The three men took a few thousand dollars from a donation box and left through a side door, joining two other men who were waiting outside, local newspaper Merced Sunstar quoted police as saying on Tuesday.

North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) president Satnam Singh Chahal also that the three men took money from the donation box and left through a side door.

Police Chief Ruben Chavez said all of the men were wearing hooded jackets or sweatshirts, concealing their identities.

Police are searching for three unidentified men.

Mr. Chavez said while money has been stolen from the donation box before, it’s the first robbery that he knows of at the Gurudwara. “This is more brazen because they did come in armed. Obviously it’s someone who knew the temple because they knew where to go,” he was quoted as saying.

“We’re looking at different angles, and we will do our best to get to the bottom of it. We really want to identify who they are,” Mr. Chavez said.

Sikhs make up nearly 20 per cent of Livingston’s population.

In August, a Wisconsin shooting rampage at a Sikh Gurudwara left seven people dead.

Mayor Pro Tem Gurpal Samra, who worships at both of the city’s Sikh Gurudwaras, classified Sunday’s robbery as “very disturbing.”

“I was in Fresno when I got the call,” Mr. Samra said. “The first thing that flashed in my mind was Wisconsin, right away.”

The Wisconsin incident was one of the reasons officials at the temple had surveillance cameras installed, said Narinder Dola, vice president of the temple.

Three persons, including a woman, were present inside the Gurudwara at the time of incident.

Mr. Dola was glad those inside the Gurudwara didn’t confront the robbers. “I think they did the smart move, they didn’t do anything, they just kept quiet.” (PTI)

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/armed-men-rob-california-gurudwara/article4360280.ece

Ieper – Ypres 11 November 2012 World War I Commemoration

Hollebeke – UK Sikhs

Hollebeke

Hollebeke

Hollebeke

Hollebeke

To see more Belgium (mostly Limburg) pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622046344528/

More Belgian pictures to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

The Tribune – Punjab’s economic slide: Report blames power subsidy, farm mess

Ruchika M. Khanna, Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 29. Political rhetoric about the upswing in Punjab’s economy aside, the state has slipped from sixth spot to twelfth in six years as per the latest edition of the Economic Freedom Index (EFI).

The Economic Freedom of the States of India, 2012, which ranks 20 states on three parameters – size of the government, legal structure and security of property rights, and regulation of business and labour – debunks reasons given by politicians to explain the sorry state of affairs in Punjab. It maintains that the huge power subsidy bill, fiscal crunch, tapering off of the Green Revolution, failures in agricultural marketing and inability to catch the services revolution have led to the decline in the state’s economy.

The report claims that the state sharing its border with a hostile neighbour or terrorism causing a decline in the state’s economy were mere myths created by policy-makers to absolve themselves of responsibility for the state’s steady decline.

While most other states such as Gujarat have dramatically improved their ratings, the report says that the freedom rating (indices used to rate states) has remained almost static for Punjab, showing that not much effort is being put in to improve its condition. The report, which has undertaken a study called ‘Why Punjab has suffered long, steady decline’ by noted economist Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar, has said that the chief culprit for the fiscal crunch in Punjab is free power to farmers.

From having huge revenue surpluses in its glory days in the 1960s and 1970s, the Punjab’s fiscal deficit in now amongst the highest among all major states (budgeted at 3.8 per cent of GDP for 2011-12). Aiyar said though Punjab has enacted the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, which aims to gradually bring revenue deficit to zero, runaway subsidies – above all, the supply of free electricity to the farm sector – has led to a steady increase in revenue deficit.

“In fact, revenue deficit increased from 1.8 per cent of GDP in 2010-11 to 2.75 per cent in 2011-12. The committed expenditure on salaries, pensions, interest payment and power subsidy alone account for 80.44 per cent of the revenue receipts during this financial year alone,” he said.

Aiyar told The Tribune that one of the reasons for the decline in the state’s economy was that no major investments were coming into the state. “The state is power deficient and the cost of land is prohibitive. It is for this reason that most industry finds investing in Punjab very capital intensive,” he said.

The report also points out that though there has been huge emphasis on the agricultural economy, the state seems to be caught in the wheat-paddy cycle and effects of the Green Revolution are now tapering off and agricultural marketing has failed. “Unlike other states, Punjab missed the opportunity to catch the services revolution. But we cannot attribute the sorry state of affairs to Punjab being land locked and away from ports or the state lacking in metallic minerals or coal, and thus losing avenues of making money,” said Aiyar.

The silver lining for Punjab, according to Aiyar, is the opportunity to explore trade with Pakistan. “As trade volumes with Pakistan grow, Punjab can see its economy growing. This will also have a substantial impact on investment in the state,” he said. He also lauded the state government for bringing in the Right to Services Act.

Researchers have used objective data to produce the index. The report has been co-published by Cato Institute, USA, Indicus Analytics, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, New Delhi, especially in the context of Punjab.

Ludhiana most business-friendly

A study ‘Why Punjab has suffered long, steady decline’ by noted economist Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar (that was part of the Economic Freedom of the States of India report) rated Ludhiana as the country’s best city for ease of doing business, mainly for creating the most business-friendly environment. Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are widely cited as the best states for doing business.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130130/main3.htm

BBC News – Pakistan polio vaccination policeman shot dead by gunmen

Tuesday 29 January, 2013. A policeman providing security for a polio vaccination team in Pakistan has been killed by gunmen near the north-western town of Swabi, officials say.

The killing is the latest in a spate of deadly attacks against vaccination workers in the country.

In December at least eight people engaged in polio vaccinations were shot dead in Karachi and the north-west.

No group has said it carried out Tuesday’s attack, but the Taliban have threatened anti-polio efforts.

The militants have accused health workers of working as US spies and say the vaccine makes children sterile.

Along with Afghanistan and Nigeria, Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio is still endemic.

Grenades

The latest attack took place on the southern outskirts of Swabi town, police say.

Tuesday was the second day of an immunisation drive in the area and a two-women team were administering polio drops to children.

“The team, after finishing the campaign in Kala [village of Swabi district] was heading towards a nearby village when three men armed with Kalashnikovs appeared from sugarcane fields and opened fire,” Swabi police chief Abdul Rashid Khan told the AFP news agency.

He said that the two team members were unhurt and the gunmen escaped.

“It seems the target was the policeman,” Mr Khan said.

Health officials say a total of 538 immunisation teams were deployed in Swabi district on Monday, each accompanied by a policeman for protection.

The BBC’s M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says Swabi has had its share of militant attacks in the past, mostly targeting non-governmental organisations involved in health and education projects.

On 1 January seven charity workers, six of them women, were shot dead in the Swabi area. Correspondents say it is not clear if they were targeted because their charity offered vaccinations or education for girls.

All NGO operations in Swabi district have now been suspended, officials say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21244016