by blogadmin | Nov 5, 2019 | Sikhism, Year 2019
Hi folks, first of all, I would like to thank The Almighty Shri Guru Nanak Dev for making this tour a reality which a devotee can only dream of. Yes, today I am sharing some glimpses of my recent visit to Shri Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev and also the Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.
On 23rd of November, we reached Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, Pakistan and we received overwhelming response and Hospitality from the Pakistani people which completely refreshed us and our fatigue has gone away. When we are heading to visit the shrines we went across the Ravi river which is almost dried these days and coincidently it’s the same Ravi river where Shri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib laid the foundation of Sikh commune on its sides.
Sri Nankana Sahib is located 91 kilometres from Lahore in the district of Nankana Sahib which itself is named after Shri Guru Nanak Dev we went there hiring a local cab and as we are heading towards the ultimate pilgrimage of Sikh religion our driver told us many things about the pious city. We consider ourselves very lucky to have visited the Shrine and we are so mesmerized by the Peaceful and calming atmosphere of the Gurdwara where you can still feel the Spiritual influence of Shri Guru Nanak Dev as we say it’s in the air.
I feel very blessed to have witnessed such defining events of modern history related to Sikh community across the globe. Although there is some time left for the events to actually happen. As we all know the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Sahib is around the corner and as decided by Government of India and Pakistan, that Kartarpur corridor will be made functional before the 550th anniversary for the Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur which is also a major Shrine along with the Nankana Sahib.
On 9th of November the corridor will be inaugurated by the prime minister of Pakistan Mr Imran Khan, the pilgrims will now be able to visit the Kartarpur Gurdwara without any visa but a passport is a must. The total length of the corridor is 6 kilometres from Dera Baba Nanak Sahib, Gurdaspur District, Punjab, India to Kartarpur Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Pakistan out of which four kilometres are in Pakistan and two kilometres are in India. This is a very welcome move on part of both the governments which is welcomed by the Sikh community all over the globe.
by blogadmin | Nov 4, 2019 | Blog Post, Media Publishing's, Sikhism, Year 2019
On 24 October, my wife and I had the good fortune of visiting Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara – before it opens to Indian pilgrims on 8 November.
We travelled from Delaware to Lahore a day before and left for Kartarpur the following morning. There was a lot of construction activity going on, but it was wonderful to get a first look at Darbar Sahib.
What we will cherish most is the kind of hospitality and warmth we received from the Pakistanis, from the security people at the entrance of the gurdwara. We were greeted with warmth and joy everywhere we went. It was a pleasure being at Kartarpur.
We were greeted with a white expanse upon entering the premises. It was amazing to see the commitment of the local and central government in finishing up the work before the inauguration. There was a road being constructed for the pilgrims’ entry, and the library was almost furnished too. The experience was nothing short of surreal.
Construction underway at the gurdwara.
It was most touching to see local people from Lahore and its neighbourhood welcoming and helping us, making sure we had a great time.
This visit was something that we had desired and wanted for a long time, but we’d never thought that such a day would come when we’d have the opportunity to visit the holy destination – that too before the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
We were also lucky to have visited Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev.
Our purpose in coming here has been fulfilled in a joyous and beautiful way.
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This column was published online by the www.thequint.com on November 04, 2019.
by blogadmin | Oct 9, 2019 | Sikhism
Exhibition on Guru Nanak’s Life and Teachings.
A free by invitation only event.
When: Saturday, October 12th, 2019 (Columbus Day long weekend)
Where: New Castle County, Route 9 Library & Innovation Center (3022 New Castle Ave, New Castle 19720)
Schedule: 11:30 A.M. Lunch
followed by 12:00 noon to 1:00 P.M. speeches and interactions.
Thereafter, Governor John Carney will inaugurate a month-long exhibition on Guru Nanak’s life and teachings.
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The tribune, in India, ran a “Curtain Raiser” there for our Oct. 12 event in Route 9 Library and Innovation Center in New Castle.
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Here are a few glimpses of the event that was conducted on October 12th, 2019.
by blogadmin | Jun 3, 2019 | Delaware, DSAC, Sikhism, Year 2019
“Vand chako” (share before you consume) is one of the values Guru Nanak Dev (founder of Sikhism or Sikhi) emphatically taught. Delaware Sikh Awareness Coalition (DSAC) is grateful to New Ark United Church of Christ for the opportunity today to serve them langar (complimentary communal meal) in commemoration of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary year. What a joyous experience it was!
Please let us know if we can do langar or another kind of service for your congregation or house of worship.
by blogadmin | May 13, 2019 | Blog Post, Delaware, Media Publishing's, Sikhism, Year 2019
Years ago, I was at a college classmate’s house in my hometown, Patiala. His retired colonel neighbor asked me, where in the United States I lived. “Delaware,” I replied.
“Umm…Where?”
I repeated, slowly, “Delaware.”
The colonel narrowed his eyes, picked up his large tumbler of some strong drink, (rum, probably), gulped it in one go, and said, “Delaware…huh? What kind? Software or hardware?”
Could this ignorance, coupled with bigotry, have led to the killing of three Sikh women and a Sikh man at an apartment complex in Ohio’s Cincinnati city, on 30 April? While External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said that this was “not a hate crime”, questions continue to linger amid investigation into the case.
Is it possible that the Sikh family was more vulnerable (in the eyes of the perpetrators) because they were Sikhs / Asians?
Sikh Diaspora in Delaware & Cultural Diversity
Almost all the South Asians living in Delaware are first generation immigrants. As long as they could eat their rice or rotis at home, their cultural and religious aspirations rarely superseded family and economic priorities. Therefore, I was amazed to see a huge (and diverse) turnout at Lalkar 2019 , a national collegiate bhangra and fusion dance competition. From the 62 university teams that had applied, eight teams were selected to perform at the University of Delaware.
Significantly, the event’s success was a true tribute to the message of Guru Nanak in his 550th birth year—bringing people together in respect, peace and love.
On 19 March, the Delaware Sikh Awareness Coalition (DSAC) organised a luncheon in Dover, the capital of Delaware. It was before we went to the state Legislative Hall, where the Senate and the House were scheduled to pass a concurrent resolution, declaring April 2019 as ‘Delaware’s Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month’.
The participants at the luncheon were a diverse lot, and included men and women as young as 16 and as old as 86. Those originally from India included Gujaratis, Punjabis, Sindhis, Delhiwallahs, UP, Bihar, MP, and many from the southern part of India. Among the Americans there were people across Christian denominations, and one Jew.
Various community leaders, legislators and individuals of different castes, colour, abilities and professions were in the audience. Many of them even took the opportunity to experience wearing a Sikh turban.
‘Why a Real Tribute to Guru Nanak Should Be An Interfaith Celebration’
The topic of discussion at the luncheon was ‘Why a real tribute to Guru Nanak’s 550th should be an interfaith celebration’. Most had never even heard of Guru Nanak.
Starting from the “Na ko Hindu, Na Musalman” (No one is Hindu, no one is Muslim) proclamation after his communion with God in 1499, Guru Nanak used art (writing hymns in divine poetry) and music to take his message of Ek Onkar (all creation by one creator) to the world. Along with two companions, Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana – the latter playing the rubab – Guru Nanak used melody and music to spread his message.
His successors temporally and spiritually built on the foundations of peace and communal harmony that Guru Nanak had laid.
Among the 36 were Baba Sheikh Farid, Bhagat Namdev, Sant Kabir (the maximum contribution by a non-Guru author and the fifth largest among all authors), Bhagat Ravidas, Bhagat Kalshar, Bhagat Nalh.
The holy text also depicts the importance of dissent, and that too, respectful dissent. On page 1380 of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Amar Das disagrees with Baba Farid ji after more than 250 years, and the divine dialogue is presented in a sublime way. In fact, Farid ji’s bani (hymn) is in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, before which millions bow their heads every day. This also depicts the virtue of tolerance and regard for all, that Sikhism embodies.
What Guru Nanak Truly Wanted
At the end of the presentation, a slide show on Harmandir Sahib, whose foundation was laid by Sufi saint Mian Mir Sahib, was presented – to further illustrate the point of communal harmony and religious tolerance. Post-luncheon, we went to the Legislative Hall where Delaware Senator, Bryan Townsend, introduced the resolution in the Senate, and Representative Paul Baumbach introduced it in the House. It was unanimously passed in both the chambers. Governor John Carney signed an executive proclamation, declaring April 2019 as ‘Delaware Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month’.
This was the third year in a row that this feat was accomplished. But what made this edition stand out is the participation of diverse groups, across communities. This is what we believe, Guru Nanak really wanted.
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This column was published online by the www.thequint.com on May 13, 2019.
by blogadmin | May 11, 2019 | Sikhism
Mauj and Mazza in the fizza: These pictures of Vaisakhi celebration today in “India House” in Washington D.C. (India’s US Ambassador residence) where I was an invitee with my family don’t show food stalls (FREE): chaat, lassi, golguppe, maki-di-roti & saag, karhi-chol, chhole-bhutere, dahi-bhalle, etc. You can very well guess why! Khao yaan photo khincho? You sure can answer this one on my behalf!
Major Minhas and I are with Harshvardhan Shringla, India’s US Ambassador, at his residence in Washington D.C. celebrating Vaisakhi.
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