Today we remember human rights activist, Jaswant Singh Khalra.  Jaswant Singh Khalra discovered cremation records that proved Indian security forces illegally killed thousands of Sikhs in the 1980s and 1990s. Khalra connected the police to the disappearances of over 2,000 Sikhs in Amritsar district, located in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. The police allege they lawfully killed the Sikhs in “encounters”, or in an exchange of gunfire. Khalra’s investigations, however, demonstrated that these Sikhs had been abducted by the police, killed in custody, and then secretly cremated as “unidentified/unclaimed” bodies at various municipal cremation grounds. The municipal cremation ground records recorded the date the bodies were cremated, the identity of the police stations and officials who deposited the bodies for cremation, and, in many cases, the identity of the victims, despite being labeled as “unidentified”. Khalra estimated that over 10 times as many Sikhs were killed throughout the entire state in this manner.

On the morning of September 6, 1995, witnesses saw uniformed and armed Indian police personnel abduct Khalra from outside his home, who had previously been warned by the police to discontinue his efforts or he too would be disappeared. Police tortured Khalra for weeks before killing him. Five police officers were eventually sentenced to life in prison for his abduction and murder, but the chief architects of systematic killings, including Punjab Police Chief KPS Gill, remain free. Khalra’s widow, Paramjit Kaur, who has been pursuing justice for her murdered husband, remarks: “We continue to seek the prosecution of the murders in Court but a communal judiciary only harasses us.  It is unlikely that I will see justice served in my lifetime.”  For more information, go to Ensaaf or Khalra.org

The video below is one of Khalra’s final speeches – it’s an incredibly inspiring video which should be watched by all.

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]> http://thelangarhall.com/human-rights/in-memory-of-sardar-jaswant-singh-khalra/feed/ 0 http://thelangarhall.com/canada/letter-to-community-from-seva-food-bank/ http://thelangarhall.com/canada/letter-to-community-from-seva-food-bank/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:23:50 +0000 Jodha http://thelangarhall.com/?p=6498

I received an email from a friend and wanted to share it with the rest of the Langar-ites. Congratulations to the whole team of Seva Food Bank from all of us at the Langar Hall.

Monumental events usually flash by at such a speed that those involved rarely have a chance to appreciate what has just taken place. Wednesday September 1st, 2010 was just such a day. The opening of the Seva Food Bank to clients was, of course, a big day in the lives of those who have worked to make it a reality and those families being served. What made yesterday even more significant is what it means to Sikh-Canadians across the country. We believe the Seva Food Bank provides us with a template on how we engage with the rest of Canada and how we develop our next generation of leaders.

To our knowledge, this is the first permanent physical Sikh institution designed solely to serve the greater non-Sikh Canadian community. Serving families in need provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our Sikh values on a daily basis – not through a PR campaign, but through personal displays of charity, humility and service. Every interaction with client families allows volunteers to demonstrate the best of Sikhi, not just with kind words, but with loving meaningful actions. Canada has given us so much and we need to give back in a visible, impactful way. This is why the parent organization of the Seva Food Bank is simply named Sikhs Serving Canada.

While most of our existing organizations are still run by our ‘elders’, the Seva Food Bank is entirely run by Sikh youth. By youth, we mean second-generation Sikh- Canadian twenty or thirty-somethings that are often told that they are the future of the community, but rarely given a chance to step up as leaders. The Seva Food Bank’s Organizing Committee is made up of nine young professionals, including five females. We are also supported by hundreds of volunteers of all ages, Sikh and non-Sikh who have all contributed to the success of our launch. The food bank exemplifies the type of next-generation Sikh-Canadian institutions needed in our community to engage our youth and provide them with the development opportunities that will mould them into leaders.

The Seva Food Bank will continue to provide healthy, nutritious and culturally-appropriate food to hundreds of families every month, but we aim to do much more. As we expand the services we offer to clients, we also hope to engage and inspire fellow Sikh-Canadians to get involved in their local community and truly provide Sikh youth a chance to develop and demonstrate their leadership potential. Thank you for your continued support.

In Chardi Kala,

Seva Food Bank Organizing Committee
(Amarpreet Kaur Ahluwalia, Amritpal Singh Gosal, Birender Kaur Gill, Gosha Sekhon, Gurmeet Singh Ahluwalia, Inderpreet Kaur Mudhar, Kulvir Singh Gill, Manpreet Kaur Gosal and Manraj Singh Pannu)

Saanjh Sikh Scholarship has announced its 2010 Saanjh Scholars and awarded scholarships to four California high school students entering institutions of higher education. The 2010 scholarship recipients are Amandeep Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harsimratpal Kaur, and Kamalpreet Sahota.

The Saanjh Sikh Scholarship was commenced by a group of college students who attended Saanjh—the Bay Area Sikh retreat, in 2009. The Saanjh Sikh retreat is held annually in the San Francisco Bay Area, where college students and young professionals come together to learn and discuss Sikhi and contemporary Sikh issues. This year’s retreat will be from October 7-10, in Santa Cruz, CA.

The impetuous behind this effort was to actually start supporting higher education in our community rather than only lamenting the lack thereof. At the Saanjh retreat in August 2009, while discussing the pressing needs of our community, participants organized into different seva groups. The scholarship group took it upon themselves to raise money and support for four modest scholarships to encourage higher education in our community. They then used their various networks—SSA, Gurdwaras, Facebook—to solicit applications from deserving Sikh high school students.

Amongst over 30 applicants, 4 students were selected on the merit of their academic and extracurricular achievements as well as their commitment to seva, Sikhi, and personal growth and goals. Kamalpreet Sahota, who is now headed to University of California – Davis, said “I am honored to be one of the recipients… I promise I will not disappoint the community’s faith in my success and ambition.”

The Saanjh Sikh Scholarship committee thanks all supporters and donors who helped make this initiative a success. $6,000 of scholarship money is being awarded this year. The hope is that, with the community’s continuing support, Saanjh Sikh Scholarship will be able to lay a strong foundation for the next generation and inspire students to excel in their studies and give back to the community upon graduation. As Professor Puran Singh says: “The Khalsa looks at the world from a supreme height, blessing all, helping all, loving all, with [the Khalsa’s] beautiful looks from the inner self of all life.”

The sevadaars are now planning for next year’s scholarships and welcome all forms of help!

Anyone who has been blessed enough to visit the Darbar Sahib in Panjab will always speak about the amazing experience of Langar that takes place there.  A free meal is provided to about 80,000 people each and every day.  For those who have not visited the “Golden Temple” or perhaps are not familiar with this unique aspect of Sikhi, this NYTimes article provides a great overview of how souls are nourished in this small complex in Amritsar.  The video below is titled, Peace and Roti at the Golden Temple and highlights how langar brings people of all faiths and backgrounds together as equals.

You can view the VIDEO here.

You can view the PHOTO GALLERY here.

]]> http://thelangarhall.com/india/nourishing-souls-at-the-darbar-sahib/feed/ 3 http://thelangarhall.com/news/stupid-or-evil/ http://thelangarhall.com/news/stupid-or-evil/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:31:31 +0000 Brooklynwala http://thelangarhall.com/?p=6446

As the debate over the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque” wages on in the media with plenty of misinformation and a whole lot of fear-mongering, we finally get some worthwhile news from The Daily Show on the subject.

You don’t have to look much beyond the comments here on The Langar Hall to see that Muslim-hating is seriously on the rise.  Here’s a few quotes responding to my last post on the subject of the Park51 Islamic Community Center in June:

“We all know what Pisslam is. The religion of murder.. ”
“BUILD THE DAMN MOSQUE….I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU. LETS SEE HOW LONG IT STANDS.”
“If Islam couldn’t hide behind the word “religion” it would be hounded out of all civilized nations for the hate spewing Evil that it is.”
“now NYC, the most beautiful city in the world is being corrupted by these parasites…”

A pastor in Florida is planning on hosting a “Burn Quran Day” next month, and the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attack will be commemorated with even more hatred in New York City in a protest of the Park51 plans organized by the so-called “human rights group” Stop Islamization of America (SIOA), headed by Pamela Geller, aka the Queen of Muslim Bashers.

Many are coming together to denounce the dangerous rise in Muslim hating, including an interfaith coalition (including Sikhs) I just heard about in Stamford, CT, and a broad-based movement in NYC that is planning a Rally for Unity and Solidarity with Muslim People on 9/11.

Interfaith efforts, unity, and solidarity are what we need more than ever right now.  Fox News and the right are interested in none of these.  I guess the jury is still out on whether it’s their stupidity or their evil intentions (or both) that motivates their divisive and hateful misinformation.

Guest blog by: Satinderpal Kaur

This August the 12th annual Camp Gian, in which approximately 150 youth ages 3 to 20 partook, was held. In its twelfth year, Camp Gian had a new home, the Khalsa Care Foundation, but still had the same mission. Youth attended the overnight camp from August 8th through August 13th and spent five days being instilled with “gian”—knowledge—in various forms. While learning about the history of the period from 1740 to 1850, the youth also learned about discipline, spiritual growth, being part of a “sangat” (congregation/ community), and leadership through various activities throughout the week.

Every morning, campers would be woken up as early as 4:00 a.m. in order to get the day started on time. All of the campers would join each other in the main hall for yoga exercises in order to get their bodies ready for the day. The exercises were followed by recitation of the morning prayers, Jap Ji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, and Savaiye, as well as singing of kirtan. During the morning, as well as the evening, divaans all of the activities are facilitated by campers so that they learn how to perform the services that occur at gurdwara. The campers are responsible for making the prashaad, doing ardaas, taking hukam, and handing out prashaad. The theme shabad for this year was “Darshan Har Dekhan Kai Taaee” and the theme song was entitled “I Can’t Wait to See You.” Every year a shabad is chosen to go hand in hand with the history lessons and a theme, or take-home message, is developed. Waking up in the morning and participating in the morning divaan instilled values of self-discipline and personal, spiritual growth in the campers.

After morning divaan and breakfast, the campers would participate in another important part of Camp Gian—the classes. The campers were split up into three different age groups, from ages 0-11, 12-14, and 15-20. Each age group had a class tailored to their level and learned about Sikh history from 1740-1850. They learned about martyrs like Baba Deep Singh, Jassa Singh Alhuwalia, Akali Phoola Singh, and Hari Singh Nalwa, and also learned about the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. While they learned about the struggles of Sikh martyrs during this time, they also learned about what kind of faith in God helped the martyrs to face their hardships bravely. The theme shabad helped teach the campers that the martyrs accepted any situation in which God put them happily and never lost faith in Him.

Divaan and breakfast were followed by three rigorous and interesting classes, after which the campers had lunch and would be escorted to a local park for recreation time. There, they played various games like “Capture the Laddoo,” “Water Balloon Toss,” football, soccer, and many others. The recreation time facilitated an environment where the campers could get to know each other, make friends, and build relationships. The young campers got the chance to associate with their “sangat” and build relationships with Sikhs in their community. The free time refreshed the campers and let them have a lot of fun, making their camping experience more memorable.

The rest of the afternoon would then be spent in various intensive training classes in which campers either learned how to play “gatka,” how to tie turbans, how to do braids, or how to cook prashaad, sabzi, daal, and rice. The intensive training exercises gave the campers a kind of knowledge that they could use in their lives to become better Sikhs and better people. These basic skills that all Sikhs should have were mastered by attending the same intensive training classes over the course of three days. These skills allowed for personal growth as Sikhs. In the evening, campers would participate in evening prayers and divan. Divaan was followed by dinner, and just like at every other mealtime, campers were responsible for distributing food and cleaning up afterwards. The evening would wrap up with a fun activity, like the pillow-fight competition and the family feud game, after which the campers would promptly be sent to sleep at 10:30 p.m.

Following this schedule for five days can be grueling, but when the last day of Camp Gian arrives, the campers are always wishing they had one more day of camp. Camp Gian becomes such a large part of campers’ lives that much of camp is helped run by senior campers who have attended camp their whole lives. Now that they are older, they are given responsibilities and leadership positions so that they can help facilitate the transmittance of knowledge to the younger generation. Camp Gian has completed another successful year and campers are counting down the days to Camp Gian 2011!

For those of you who will be in or around Northern California [actually, if you're in or around North America you should come!] be sure to check out this upcoming event featuring Humble the Poet, Mandeep Sethi, Hoodini, Baagi Gunjiv, DJ Rav-E and more.

This is the first event of its kind in the U.S. (we usually are envious about these events when they happen in Canada!).  The show will bring together these artists for, what promises to be, a legendary event.

Here are the details:

::Slumgods.com Presents::

Humble the Poet VS Mandeep Sethi

::Live Beats::

Povan Beats

::Special Guests::

Hoodini & KinG! + Baagi Gunjiv

::Gully Poetry by::

Sasa [Sick Spits]

::Holding Down the Cuts::

DJ Rav-E

The event will be taking place on SUNDAY AUGUST 29TH from 7-11pm at Sol Collective/2574 21st St/Sacramento, CA 95818

Click here to view the embedded video.

Below the jump you can preview Mandeep Sethi and Hoodini&KinG!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In Pakistan's flood-ravaged Punjab province, roads are impassable.

One-fifth of Pakistan is under water.

900,000 people are now homeless.

Up to 20 million are impacted – more than the number of people affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake combined.

As many of you know, Pakistan has recently been devastated by floods. The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, recently visited Pakistan and described the flooding as the worst disaster he has ever witnessed. The UN says six million people desperately need emergency aid but most still have not received it.  Tens of thousands of villages remain under water. There are growing health concerns for those surviving without proper shelter, food or clean drinking water leading to a potential public health “catastrophe”.  And all of this is still occurring almost three weeks after the country’s worst natural disaster began.

The numbers are staggering – almost unbelievable. Given the magnitude of this disaster, one would expect to see an outcry of sympathy for the victims from the global community.  Then why does is seem that the world has become complacent when coming to the aid of this region?  Perhaps the region’s geographical/symbolic proximity to the “war on terror”? Perhaps we’re suffering from selective giving?

An interesting article in the Christian Science Monitor discusses how even many Pakistani-Americans say they are reluctant to donate to Pakistan flood relief efforts because they think their money will only line the pockets of a government they see as corrupt. Whether the corruption allegations hold any truth or not, the perception that money would be wasted may be one reason contributions for flood victims are way down.  BBC World Service breaks down the impact of current aid,

The money pledged so far to help survivors in Pakistan is $95,604,766, – although two thirds of that is in the form of “unconfimed pledges” that, if history is any guide, are likely to go unfulfilled. That equates to $6.82 per survivor. In contrast, after the tsuanmi, $3,348,000,000 was committed for five million survivors – which works out at $669.60 for each of them. There are now concerns that because of the lukewarm international response, organisations with links to terror groups – including the Taliban – are stepping in to fill the gap. [link]

The instability of an already unstable region is not good news for Pakistan and it’s not good news for the global community.

In a report earlier this year, the Pentagon warned that new weather patterns “may act as an accelerant of instability or conflict, placing a burden to respond on civilian institutions and militaries around the world.”

For Pakistan, which is already the epicenter of the US war on terrorism, the unusual monsoon rains and massive flooding have created the potential for further weakening of the country’s fragile democracy. Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have been seen as inept in their response, while the head of armed forces, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, has tried to show the strength of the military in leading the country through this crisis. The armed forces have ruled Pakistan for most of its 63 years as a nation.

In addition, militant Muslim groups in the fragile northwest, where the worst flooding has occurred, are distributing their own aid and using the crisis to turn traumatized refugees against the government and the US. Civilians in that largely lawless region are already resentful of the US for its drone attacks that have killed civilians.

All of this has the potential to bolster the Taliban and Al Qaeda in both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, making it harder for the US to pacify these nations which have been launching pads for global terror attacks. [link]

While the situation may drop off the media’s agenda, and thus off our agenda, it is clear that help is still needed.  So i ask you, since tomorrow (August 19th 2010) is World Humanitarian Day, how will you help?

–

Read: How to help.

Having just been named as one of the international best-dressed honorees by Vanity Fair, Waris Ahluwalia is getting noticed not only for his dynamic sense of style but for his versatile portfolio.  Best known for being a unique jewelry designer, Waris is also an actor (having starred in Wes Anderson and Spike Lee films) and recently co-wrote a book, To India with Love.

I never get tired of talking about Waris Ahluwalia by the way, but apparently i’m not alone.  Blogs and articles are abuzz discussing his jewelry company, House of Waris, his sartorial taste and even his interest in Bollywood.

Wait, Bollywood… really?

…Despite his turban and beard look, Waris says that he has never been stereotyped in Hollywood. “Everyone likes to put people in categories, whether its Hollywood, Bollywood or the media in general. Whenever I meet agents their big concern is that I’ll be stereotyped. Well, I haven’t been stereotyped yet. “Some of the roles I’ve played; camera man, a bank hostage, a Republican, a hypo-chondriac, none of these roles called for an Indian.” [link]

I’m not sure i like the thought of Waris being in Bollywood, but regardless, he would make quite a statement i’m sure.  [Mis]portrayal of sardars in Bollywood has been an issue of discontent for the Sikh community for quite some time – however, many would welcome Waris’ presence in Bollywood in hopes that portrayal of sardars would change.

There will be much more to come from Waris, and we anxiously await what’s next!  In the meantime, Waris credits his mother for his noteworthy style, “My mother is a very elegant woman by her very nature.  She does everything with style and grace and does it effortlessly.”  And in his own eloquent words he shares with us what’s behind all that talent,

We’re all here for what is a spark of a moment. If I can bring some beauty, hope and joy to the world around me in my little time here I shall have served my purpose. [link]

So very true sir!

Also see: A Year in the Best-Dressed Life of Waris Ahluwalia.

Here on TLH, we’ve covered a variety of talented musicians including Sikh Knowledge, Mandeep Sethi and Humble the Poet.  We’ve been following these individuals, their music, new collaborations and of course new albums. I am a huge believer that youth (yes, we have a particular interest in Sikh youth here in TLH) should be encouraged to pursue their talents regardless of what may be expected of us. These musicians are doing just that – and they are creating incredible music that speaks to the masses.

This post is for Hoodini & KinG.  I have to say Hoodini is one my favourites.  Not only is he extremely talented (listen to track 6/Keep it Rollin’ and track 10/Til I’m Through of the mixtape) but he’s a nice guy (a really nice guy)… and the kid has serious style.  It’s like he knows he’s going to make a mark on the world, and is dressed for the occasion…

So i didn’t mean to just mention this mixtape in passing – you really have to download and listen to it yourself.  It is a really dynamic piece of work.  Hoodini & KinG! Present: A California Classic, is available here.   While Hoodini is the emcee, the album was produced by KinG! né Keith Rice – a 21 year old producer from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles (he’s really really talented).  Even though the two went to different high schools, their mutual love of hip-hop was destined to bring their forces together so that they could make music that would “make people fall in love again.”

I asked Hoodini what inspires him and what he told me was this,

inspiration comes from anywhere & everywhere.. sometimes there`s an issue that i want to address & i make a song about it.. sometimes i have a story that i want to tell and it comes out in rhymes.. sometimes i`m walking down the street and i overhear someone saying a phrase and i immediately start rhyming things with it in my head.. i guess there`s music in all aspects of the universe right?

Right – and some of us are blessed with the talent to do something with that inspiration. Speaking of inspiration, i’m still anxiously waiting to blog about young Sikh women rappers/musicians too. I know they’re out there  - Hoodini mentioned we should keep an eye out for Mystic Flava né Nimrta Saini – a young aspiring music producer from New York.

I can only imagine the amount of time and energy that went into making this California Classic but Hoodini & KinG! should be proud of this piece of work.  Go ahead TLH-ers, download it and give it a listen while you peruse through the rest of blog.  You won’t be disappointed.

Hoodini & KinG! will be performing at 9pm this Sunday August 15th at Club Aura.  See the image to the right for more details.