Social Educational Welfare Association - SEWA

09/10/2015

http://sewaforsewa.org/interfaith-langar-organised-at-jama-masjid-to-mark-langar-week/

INTERFAITH LANGAR ORGANISED AT JAMA MASJID TO MARK LANGAR WEEK

Volunteers of Sikh Press Association and Basics of Sikhi organized an Interfaith Lunch (Langar) at Khairuddin Masjid, also known as Jama Masjid, to mark International Langar Week today.
Representatives of all religions partook langar together, principles of Sikh Langar was also discussed. Langar was also served to the students of Madrassa at Jama Masjid.

Jasjit Singh from Basics of Sikhi said three principles of Sikh Langar are :

(1) Fighting Hunger
Sikhs believe that no one should be hungry and langar is intrinsic to the Sikh faith and lifestyle. It provides a daily lifeline for many people around the world, regardless if you’re Sikh or not. Approximately six million meals are served daily just in Gurdwaras alone. This does not include meals that are provided by Sikh organisations and volunteers outside of Gurdwaras.

(2) Equality in Action
Started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (the first Sikh Guru) over 500 years ago, langar was designed to break down
barriers and teach equality amongst all, something it is still doing to this day. The inclusivity of langar mean
that stigmas attached to foodbanks don’t apply. Young and old, rich and poor, Sikh and non-Sikh all share the
same vegetarian food, in the same place, all seated at the same level. No one knows about your background and
therefore you are not judged but accepted as equals.

(3) Teaching Compassion
Langars are all run on donations of food, money and time. Anyone can volunteer to cook, clean or distribute langar. This is seva (selfless service) and it teaches us the joy of sharing with others and have empathy with those less fortunate. We learn to be compassionate beings that enjoy helping others.

05/10/2015

http://sewaforsewa.org/sikh-press-association-starts-langar-week-campaign/

Langar Week to be observed on a large scale from October 5 to 11.

In a joint press conferences of 'DSGMC', 'Basics of Sikh' & 'Sikh Press Association' a UK-based Sikh press association which is organizing an awareness campaign for langar in major cities of the world for one week beginning today, it was explained that the concept of 'vand ke chakan' (eating after distributing with others) would play a vital role in fighting hunger all over the world.

Manjit Singh GK said that the Sikh ethics believes in offering food to everyone irrespective of caste, colour, creed, without regard to age and treats all human beings equal.

Avneet Kaur who represents the 'Basics of Sikhi' explained the slogan 'Hello Langar - Goodbye world hunger'-- a slogan which creates awareness about langar. On the occasion, GK and Sirsa unveiled a T-shirt for the volunteers connected to the campaign.

A leaflet explaining the Three Principles of Langar was also unveiled.

Three Principles of Sikh Langar

(1) Fighting Hunger
Sikhs believe that no one should be hungry and langar is intrinsic to the Sikh faith and lifestyle. It provides a daily lifeline for many people around the world, regardless if you’re Sikh or not. Approximately six million meals are served daily just in Gurdwaras alone. This does not include meals that are provided by Sikh organisations and volunteers outside of Gurdwaras.

(2) Equality in Action
Started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (the first Sikh Guru) over 500 years ago, langar was designed to break down barriers and teach equality amongst all, something it is still doing to this day. The inclusivity of langar mean that stigmas attached to foodbanks don’t apply. Young and old, rich and poor, Sikh and non-Sikh all share the same vegetarian food, in the same place, all seated at the same level. No one knows about your background and therefore you are not judged but accepted as equals.

(3) Teaching Compassion
Langars are all run on donations of food, money and time. Anyone can volunteer to cook, clean or distribute langar. This is seva (selfless service) and it teaches us the joy of sharing with others and have empathy with those less fortunate. We learn to be compassionate beings that enjoy helping others.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK, General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Avneet Kaur, Opinderpreet Singh from Basics of Sikhi launching an awareness campaign on Langar Week from October 5 to 11 at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in New Delhi on Sunday.

30/09/2015

http://sewaforsewa.org/sikh-men-remove-turbans-to-save-hindu-boys-drowning-in-canal/
SIKH MEN REMOVE TURBANS TO SAVE HINDU BOYS DROWNING IN CANAL,THE YOUTHS WERE PARTICIPATING IN A CEREMONY OF DEITY GANESH VISARJAN.

Inderpal Singh and Kanwaljit Singh were sitting on an embankment above a canal, where Hindu devotees gathered on Sunday for a religious ceremony in which idols of the god Ganesha, or Ganesh, are immersed in water. Four boys accidentally fell into the canal’s swift current and were dragged under. The…

25/09/2015

FIVE APPOINTED SINGH SAHIBAN PARDONED ANTI-SIKH SIRSA CULT CHIEF GURMEET RAM RAHIM, SIKH PANTH REACTING AGAINST THE DECISION
AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab (September 24, 2015)—In a sudden move today, five Takht Jathedars have pardon the controversial Sirsa cult chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim infamous for anti-Sikh activities and crimes like rapes and murders. The Jathedars announced this decision in relation to an ‘apology’ letter sent by Gurmeet Ram Rahim advocating his innocence.
It is notable that in May, 2007 Gurmeet Ram Rahim had conducted an activity in Sirsa cult resembling the Amrit Sanchaar custom in Sikhism in which he dressed up like Guru Gobind Singh wearing costumes like him.
Appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh has said that Gurmeet Ram Rahim is pardoned after accepting his apology. He said that it was necessary to pardon him to control threats to disruption of peace and harmony across civilians residing in Punjab.
Meeting of the Jathedars was attended by Giani Gurbachan Singh (Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib), Giani Mall Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib), Giani Iqbal Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib), Giani Ram Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib) and Giani Gurmukh Singh (Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib).
Strongly condemning the excuse given by Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Papalpreet Singh (General Secretary, Sikh Youth Front) has said that Jathedars might forgive the Sirsa cult goon under political pressure but the Singhs who attained martyrdom while struggling against Gurmeet Ram Rahim will never pardon him.
In this letter Dera Chief has not asked for any forgiveness and not even expressed his realization of the mistake. Then the fact to consider is that on what point did Jathedars forgave him?
Besides outrage over social media, a number of Sikh organizations and personalities have criticized and rejected the controversial move by Sikh Jathedars.
Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur who is pursuing a criminal case against Dera Sauda Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim for his 2007 blasphemous act in Punjab and Haryana High Court said that the decision to pardon Sauda Sadh is not in consonance with Panthic traditions. He said that he will continue to pursue the legal fight against Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Kanwar Pal Singh, spokesperson of Dal Khalsa, Karnail Singh Peermohammad, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Giani Kewal Singh, Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh also strongly criticized the sudden decision by Singh Sahiban
Balwant Singh Gopala Chief of Sikh youth body Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale also criticised the move.

21/09/2015

Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle leads movement for development of Punjabi language : http://sewaforsewa.org/guru-gobind-singh-study-circle-leads-movement-for-development-of-punjabi-language/

Writers , Students , teachers and leaders from around the state who gathered here today on call of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle resolved to work for development of Punjabi language and Gurmukhi script. Issuing an emotional appeal to all Punjabis to maintain the prestige and glory of Punjabi langu…

21/09/2015

Three Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib burnt in fire : http://sewaforsewa.org/three-saroops-of-guru-granth-sahib-burnt-in-fire/

Fatehgarh Sahib: Three Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib were reportedly burnt in fire at village Rurisar Gurduara Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib village. As per initial information the fire was sparked by electric short circuit. As soon as the news spread in this regard the Sikh sangat from adjoining villages…

18/09/2015

http://sewaforsewa.org/alberta-mla-manmeet-bhullar-calls-for-canadian-action-to-protect-minorities-facing-persecution-in-afghanistan/

APPROXIMATELY 300 Sikh and Hindu families living across Afghanistan face constant discrimination, the inability to fully practice their faith, and threats of violence says Alberta MLA Manmeet Singh Bhullar (Progressive Conservative) who just returned from his personal mission to South Asia.

18/09/2015

Haryana Police arrested accused of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in Sirsa : SEWA for Sewa http://sewaforsewa.org/haryana-police-arrested-accused-of-sacrilege-of-guru-granth-sahib-in-sirsa/

Observing wrath among Sikh masses during gathering at Gurdwara Sahib, the district administration boosted its probe and arrested the suspected culprit. The offender has been indicted under section 153-A and 195-A of Indian Penal Code. Police have said that the accused committed sacrilege after being…

17/09/2015

New Derby school aims to give British values and Sikh virtues to pupils : http://sewaforsewa.org/new-derby-school-aims-to-give-british-values-and-sikh-virtues-to-pupils/

“SIKH virtues and British values” are combining in a new city school to give pupils an all-round education, according to its founders.

17/09/2015

Delhi HC stays Sajjan trial over ‘interpreting’ of statement : http://sewaforsewa.org/delhi-hc-stays-sajjan-trial-over-interpreting-of-statement/

The Delhi High court Wednesday issued a stay on the ongoing trial of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 Sikh Genocide case after a plea sought transfer of the case to a different judge.

17/09/2015

More facilities in Wadda Gurdwara Sahib in Ipoh, Malaysia : http://sewaforsewa.org/more-facilities-in-wadda-gurdwara-sahib-in-ipoh-malaysia/

THE Wadda Gurdwara Sahib in Ipoh, said to be the biggest Sikh temple in the northern region, has launched a library and resource centre.