NATIONAL SIKH CONFERENCE - TOWARDS A MALAYSIAN SIKH AGENDA
A paper - "Towards a National Sikh Agenda: the Malaysian Context" - which called for the setting up of a Malaysian Sikh Agenda to be implemented through Sikh organizations, Gurdwaras and individuals, its implementation monitored by a Malaysian Sikh Secretariat and Annual National Sikh Conferences to be held to agree on the Agenda, goals, strategies and action plans, was presented at a conference in 2004.
The proposals in the paper were adopted at the conference and the conference secretariat made up of Khalsa Diwan Malaysia, Malaysian Gurdwaras Council, Parti Punjabi Malaysia, Sant Sohan Singh Melaka Memorial Society and the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia was given the task to pursue the matter.
A protem committee was set up to come up with concrete proposals in the form of a white paper. This White Paper was presented to a gathering of all national and state level registered sikh organisations at a very well attended meeting at Sabha House on 31 July 2005.
As agreed at the above meeting, a follow up meeting was held on 21 August [Sunday]
at 10 am at the Sabha House. All societies either attended this follow up meeting, or sent their apologies with an undertaking to go along with the outcome of the meeting.
After some deliberations, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
"This meeting of Malaysian Sikh organisations gathered at Sabha House on 21 August 2005 resolves to jointly organise and fund a National Sikh Conference on 25 September 2005 with a view to develop a Malaysian Sikh Agenda encompassing Economics, Political Awareness, Education & HRD and Punjabi Language Development and establish a Malaysian Sikh Secretariat to monitor the delivery of this Agenda. "
In addition to the resolution, the following decisions were made at the meeting:
1. 'The National Sikh Conference - Towards a Malaysian Sikh Agenda' will be jointly organised by all Sikh societies and gurdwaras in Malaysia.
2. All societies and gurdwaras to contribute financially to the conference. It was decided that every organisation / gurdwara contributes at least RM500.00 each.
3. All cheques to be made in the name of SIKH NAUJAWAN SABHA MALAYSIA. The covering letter accompanying the cheque to state that the amount is for the National Sikh Conference.
4. It was resolved that the conference would be held as proposed, ie, on Sunday, 25 September 2005 at the Maktab Kerjasama Malaysia, Petaling Jaya from 8 am onwards.
5. The conference would focus attention on four main items of the Malaysian Sikh Agenda, ie,
Economic Activities,
Political Awareness, Participation and Representation,
Education and Human Resource Development,
Punjabi Language Development.
6. A Malaysian Sikh Secretariat, to monitor the implementation of the Malaysian Sikh Agenda, to be set up at the conference.
VI
Mark of Excellence: Becoming Guru-Centered
Mark of Excellence is a series of lectures, presentations and workshops specifically catered to meet the needs and desires of a particular audience. Essentially, participants attend personal and community development sessions that seek to foster the Sikh values based on Gurmat traditions: Sikh scripture, history, and discipline. Other principles of universal significance are also incorporated that do not disturb the harmony of the Sikh faith.
The Sikh Research Institute offers a variety of theme-oriented sessions for emerging leaders in the community - high school and college students and young professionals. Each event seeks to facilitate learning while enhancing personal development and growth for each participant. Past events conducted throughout the country include:
. Asa-Ki-Var, Atlanta, GA (August 2005)
. The Sikh Revolution, Houston, Texas (August, 2005)
. The Guru Khalsa Panth, Atlanta, Georgia (June, 2005)
. Infinite Wisdom, Fremont, California (March 2005)
. Sabad Asgah: Experiencing the Infinite Wisdom, San Antonio, Texas (December 2004)
. The Guru: Message & Nation, Los Angeles, California (November 2004)
. Mul Mantr, San Antonio, Texas (January 2004)
. Principle-Centered Leadership & Success, Detroit, Michigan (October 2003)
. Becoming an Inspiring Activist, San Antonio, Texas (December 2003)
. Community Activism, San Antonio, Texas (March 2003)
Through each program, workshop presenters provide an opportunity for the youth to ask questions and seek an answer through discussion and interpretation.
Date: Saturday - September 24, 2005
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Theme: The Guru: Connecting with the Divine Light
Participants: High School, College Students & Young Adults
Registration: $25
Sponsor Midwest Sikh Association
This Mark of Excellence event will feature the following sessions:
. Session I: What is Guru? - Meaning, Role & Importance
. Session II: The Prophet-Genius of Ten Nanaks - Attributes, Lives & Contributions
. Session III: Guru Granth & Guru Panth - Origin, Development & Institution
. Session IV: Personal Relationship with the Guru - Effort, Faith & Grace
. Session V: Questions & Answers - Open forum to seek opinions from a Gurmat perspective
For more information and to obtain a registration form, please contact:
MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Sikhs in America - A 9/11 Story
AT THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS, PARLIAMENT HILL, OTTAWA ,
TO COMMEMORATE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
PRESENTING
UNITY IN DIVERSITY AWARDS
12 SEPTEMBER 2005 FROM 3:00 - 5:00 PM
(By Invitation Only)
On 12 September 2005, the premiere screening of "MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Sikhs in America" will be held at the HOUSE OF COMMONS, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM for 200 guests "by invitation only". It will commemorate the 4th anniversary of 9/11 (USA) and 7/7 in London (UK) as "UNITY IN DIVERSITY".
Hosted by the Honorable David Kilgour - one of the two longest-serving MPs in the current House of Commons, having been re-elected seven times, most recently in 2004 to represent the constituents of Edmonton-Mill Woods, Beaumont. In the 37th Parliament, David was a member of the Health Committee and the Agriculture committee and chaired the Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the committee of Foreign Affairs. And Vice Chair of the Canada-US Parliamentary Group. He is also the designated Canadian Head of Parliamentarians for Global Action.
At this premiere screening, Unity in Diversity Awards will be presented to major supporters who sponsored the film production (screened at major film festivals, over 27 US States, across the Atlantic to UK, EU (Belgium, Holland, France, Spain ...), India, Australia and New Zealand, to inform and educate mainstream Western populations about Sikhs and Sikhism after 9/11). The Unity in Diversity Awardees are:
* The Bag Lady, Cardiff, Wales UK) # 1 Internet Portal for Women in Business in UK & EU www.bagladyit.com
* CitiBank Group, London (UK)
* Jaya Foundation, Detroit, MI (USA)
* Punjabi American Heritage Society, PO Box 3335, Yuba City, CA (USA)
* Sikh Cultural Society of New York, Richmond Hill, New York (USA)
The film was produced by two non-Sikh women, 22-year old Host Amanda Gesine from Greenwich, CT, and New York Filmmaker Vinanti Sarkar who witnessed the racial profiling, verbal abuse and physical assaults on Sikhs mistaken for terrorists simply because they wore turbans and beards for religious reasons. Amanda felt this was due to fear and ignorance.
Note: Next production is entitled “Jain Enlighenment – A Way of Life”. For more information Contact: V. Castellarin: @ 425 East 51st Street, Suite 7E, New York, NY 10022.
Email: cultural-diversityfilms@msn.com Websites: www.cultural-diversity.biz and www.mistakenidentity.tv
IV
Surjit Singh Theri, 75, Master of Sikh Politics
Fresno, USA- Former Akali leader and a long time Sikh thinker, Surjit Singh Theri, breathed his last on Friday, August 19, 2005 at his home in Fresno, California. His wife, Amrit Kaur with their daughter Sukhminder Kaur and her family were at his bedside.
According to the Theri family the cause of death was complications from serious heart problems that had afflicted him for the past few years.
Theri who lived in California after migration from India in 1977 spent the last years of his life in America in a state of anguish; the anguish he continually expressed to me and his other friends. It was his sense of helplessness to do something more for the glory of Sikh Panth. It seemed that he took self imposed exile from Punjab in dire frustration when he migrated to America in 1977. He did not like to settle here but he would not advise any one else to return to India. He agreed with us that globally Sikhs could accomplish much more.
It was at the time of his arrival here that I received a personal letter from Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, then president of Shromani Gurdwara Parbandak Committee, asking to help Surjit Singh Theri settle in America and introduce him to the Sikh leadership in his new home. Ganga Singh Dhillon told me that he had received a similar letter at that time. When we met him in USA, Surjit brought to mind memories of many past struggles that Sikhs went through over the years.
Sardar Theri entered Sikh politics right from his younger years. The first time he went to jail as a political protestor was when he was only 14-years old. How could we imagine then that he would be in and out of jail for some 28 years? Whereas his contemporary Akali and Singh Sabha leaders would be blessed with political power and chairs, Theri would end up in a jail.
Theri began his active life with the formation of the All India Sikh Students Federation. He was there with all of us right at the start. There was one difference, however. Whereas the rest of us were determined not to sacrifice our education to politics, Surjit did not care. His activist preoccupations hurt his studies, which he could not finish to the great displeasure of his parents and the leadership of the All India Sikh Students Federation. Instead, he acquired deep wisdom and unparallel insight of political game through hard work in the field.
Surjit Singh Theri was elected to Punjab Assembly more then once. He was Speaker of the House and a deputy leader of his party. In his role as the legislator he worked tirelessly for the long term objectives of the Akali politics but often chose not to toe the exact line of the Akali leadership.
Surjit Singh was first with Master Tara Singh and then with Sant Fateh Singh. It is then that he took over the organization of Punjabi Suba Morcha. His contacts with people in rural areas turned out to be a great asset in recruiting volunteers and those who would court arrest. Principal Satbir Singh, Sardar Bhan Singh, and other Sikh youth leaders would provide the brain behind the morcha and people like Surjit Singh Theri would provide leadership in the field to support the leadership of Sant Fateh Singh.
The original letter that I received from Sardar Tohra suggested that Theri would lead in promoting interests of Sikh political identity in the Western world. Thereafter, Theri occasionally visited Punjab after his American immigration and met Akali leadership including Sardar Tohra. The last message that he brought from Tohra to me and his other colleagues was that we should begin working on bringing into existence a global Sikh Gurdwara organization. Under that instruction, Surjit Singh Theri founded the International Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
We often debated among ourselves on various strategies to fulfill the dream of Pardhan Sahib as we used to refer to Sardar Tohra. Alas, our colleague, Surjit Singh Theri, did not live to see the day when his dream would come true on some future date. Sardar Tohra is no more and many of us would also leave with the anguish still in our heart. Why would Sikhs not learn from their history and produce leadership that would salvage their aspirations. The way of the Guru has a bright future and there are no two opinions about it. But Sikh leadership, both of political and religious, has been disappointing for the past few years.
Surjit Singh Theri is no more but there are many who continue to live thinking in his way and who continue to carry similar anguish in their heart. May the spirit of Guru Gobind Singh guide our nation and Vaheguru bless our departed friend.
III
CED Outreach Scholarship
Announcement of 4th Batch: Special Program for Social Workers and Activists.
The Centre for Education and Documentation (CED) invites applications from those who wish to spend three months documenting and reflecting on social issues of their interest.
Applications for the fourth batch must reach CED by the 15th of August 2005. For further information write to tanvi@doccentre.org
Citizens For Peace: Annual Essay Writing Competition
Citizens for Peace (CfP) is proud to announce its alliance with The Indian Express Group to organize a national level essay competition on the theme 'A Secular Rethink'. This competition, the first of an annual endeavor, aims at reawakening all Indians to the need for redefining 'secularism' in today's time. CfP is a non-political organization that was formed in response to the violence and anarchy that ravaged Mumbai in 1992-93. CfP is a group of concerned citizens committed to working towards communal harmony and a vibrant secular culture.
The Indian Express Group, throughout its history has believed in the need to strengthen India's secular culture and has advanced that belief through its powerful and effective journalism. Through this essay competition, the Indian Express attempts to awaken public opinion to the need to reevaluate India as a secular nation in the hope of working towards a more secure future. The essay competition is intended to create a public platform at a national level for constructive ideas on how Indian society can work towards a truly vibrant secular culture. It is meant to address the basic question: What would be a state-of-the-art secular culture and polity for India in the 21st century?
The time has come to clearly articulate a vision for India, which is founded on liberal, secular and humane values that encompass every Indian. The prize-winning entry in English and Hindi will each receive grand prize of Rs. 50,000. The winning essay in English will be published in The Indian Express and the winning essay in Hindi will be published in Jansatta. A panel of five eminent persons from different fields will judge the entries. The competition is open to all individuals above 18 years of age. The essay should not exceed 2000 words. Entries can be submitted by post to The Indian Express-Citizens for Peace Essay Writing Competition, Express Towers, 2nd Flr, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021or by email to citizensforpeace@gmail.com All entries must be received by August 15, 2005.
The winners of this contest will be felicitated at an award ceremony to be held in Mumbai on October 2nd, 2005.We look forward to your support in spreading the word about this contest and fostering a debate on this vital concern of our times.
I
Punjab Rights Forum Accuses Police of Human Rights Violations
LUDHIANA- The Punjab Rights Forum (PRF), a constituent of 20 political, human rights, farmers and religio-political groups, has censured the state administration for letting loose the police violence and excesses on the people of Punjab, urging its head Capt Amarinder Singh to bridle the police and its DGP.
In his letter to the Punjab CM, IHRO chairperson and chief coordinator of the PRF, on July 19, wrote, “The state police have undoubtedly failed to deliver the goods. These days, is busy in terrorising the people, especially the Sikhs, their leaders and human rights defenders, only to retain chairs, which they do not deserve... and it would prove to be counter productive. ”
“The game plan is to defame the Sikhs by framing the Sikh youth and their women relatives in and dubbing them as human bombs with a sinister design to create terror in the minds of the general public worldwide,” adds a resolution passed at the convention of the Rights Forum in Amritsar yesterday, said Gill in a statement here today.
A deputation of the Punjab Rights Forum, he said, would meet, on August 2, chairpersons and other members of the National Human Rights Commission and the National Minority Commission to apprise them of the grave violations of human rights, the abuse of state power and the nefarious efforts of the government to defame the worldwide Sikh community and their leaders.
The Forum reiterated its demand for the release of SAD (A) president Simranjit Singh Mann, Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh and other political leaders and innocent Sikhs picked up by the police from Delhi, Punjab and Jammu and the withdrawal of cases falsely registered against them.
The Rights Forum also demanded that the wrongful and illegal conviction of Bhai Daljit Singh, President Shiromani Khalsa Dal and others should be set aside and set them free.
The PRF also took a serious note of the spate in cases of harassment of innocent Sikh youths by the police in various parts of Jammu, and to monitor these state atrocities and express sympathy and solidity with Jammu Sikhs, the Rights Forum will hold a convention in Jammu on July 30, according to the PRF statement.
And to investigate and monitor the human rights situation in Punjab and elsewhere, the Forum has constituted a five-member committee of eminent lawyers and human rights activists. They are Jaspal Singh Dhillon (Chandigarh), Barjinder Singh Sodhi (Patiala), Balwant Singh Dhillon (Bathinda), Surinder Singh Ghariala (Patti) and Mohinder Singh Grewal (Ludhiana). Jaspal Singh Dhillon will act as secretary of the committee.
In additional to the six coordinators already appointed, who are dealing in different aspects, Navkiran Singh (Chandigarh) of the Lawyers for Human Rights International has been taken as Coordinator (Legal Affairs), added the chief coordinator.
