sikhguru.org.uk

Know your value

Pritpal — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:40:42 +0000

A bottle of water in the supermarket is worth about £1. The same bottle in a bar costs £2. In a good restaurant or hotel it can be worth up to £5. At an airport or on the plane, you may be charged £8. The bottle and the brand is the same, the only thing that changes is the place. Each place gives a different value to the same product. When you feel like you are worth nothing and everyone around you belittles you, change places, do not stay there. Have the courage to change places and go to a place where you are given the value you deserve. Surround yourself with people who really appreciate your worth. Don’t settle for less!

“She asked him, ‘How much are you selling the eggs for?’

Pritpal — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:37:49 +0000

The old seller replied, ‘$0.25 an egg, Madam.’She said to him, ‘I will take 6 eggs for $1.25 or I will leave.’The old seller replied, ‘Come take them at the price you want. Maybe, this is a good beginning because I have not been able to sell even a single egg today.’She took the eggs and walked away feeling she has won. She got into her fancy car and went to a posh restaurant with her friend. There, she and her friend, ordered whatever they liked. They ate a little and left a lot of what they ordered. Then she went to pay the bill. The bill costed her $45.00, she gave $50.00 and asked the owner of the restaurant to keep the change.This incidence might have seemed quite normal to the owner but, very painful to the poor egg seller.The point is, why do we always show we have the power when we buy from the needy ones? And why do we get generous to those who do not even need our generosity?My father used to buy simple goods from poor people at high prices, even though he did not need them. Sometimes he even used to pay extra for them. I got concerned by this act and asked him why does he do so? Then my father replied, It is a charity wrapped with dignity, my child.

What’s your value?

Pritpal — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 17:50:23 +0000

A father said to his daughter “You have graduated from university, here is a car I bought many years ago. It is a bit older now. But before I give it to you, take it to a second hand car dealer and tell them I want to sell it and see how much they offer you for it.

The daughter went to the second hand car dealer, returned to her father and said, “They offered me £1,000 because they said it looks pretty worn out.”

The father said, now “Take it to the pawn shop.” The daughter went to the pawn shop, returned to her father and said,”The pawn shop offered only £100 because it is an old car.”

The father asked his daughter to go to a car club now and show them the car. The daughter then took the car to the club, returned and told her father,” Some people in the club offered £100,000 for it because it’s a Nissan Skyline R34, it’s an iconic car and sought by many collectors”

Now the father said this to his daughter, “The right place values you the right way,” If you are not valued, do not be angry, it means you are in the wrong place. Those who know your value are those who appreciate you……
Never stay in a place where no one sees your value.

Never!

via : Debbie Benton

International Women’s Day from a Sikh perspective

Pritpal — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 11:11:59 +0000

Happy International Women’s Day to all the lovely women of the world. Below, from our scriptures, is the high regard the Sikh faith have for women. Just the line “So why call her inferior from whom kings are born” says it all.

Also just as all Sikh males have the same common name Singh (meaning Warrior), females have the same common name Kaur (meaning Princess).

The Sikh Faith from its inception has upheld the equality for and dignity of women. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of the Sikh Faith, emphasised the dignity of women in a way that was ahead of his time. Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji stated:

“From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to a woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her inferior from whom kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all. O Nanak, only the Creator is without a woman. That mouth which praises the Creator continually is blessed and beautiful. O Nanak, those faces shall be radiant in the Court of the Creator.”[21] – Translated into English from Gurmukhi, Siri Guru Nanak Sahib in Raag Aasaa, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ang 473

Sikh actor Waris Ahluwalia: Education must follow apology over turban incident

Pritpal — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:25:14 +0000

Sikh actor Waris Ahluwalia: ‘This is about education’ 05:05

Story highlights

Airline offers apology to Waris Ahluwalia over botched security screening
He says Aeromexico wouldn’t let him board a flight because of his turban
The designer and actor had roles in “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “Inside Man”

(CNN)Waris Ahluwalia may make it back to New York in time for Fashion Week after all.

Two days after Aeromexico kicked the Indian-American actor and designer off a flight after he refused to remove his turban during a security screening, the airline and the Sikh celebrity appear to have reached an agreement.

Ahluwalia has accepted an apology from the airline, and Aeromexico has pledged to improve its training for how to screen passengers with religious headwear, the Sikh Coalition said.

That means Ahluwalia, who’d been staying in Mexico City until his demands over the situation had been met, will be heading back to New York on a flight Wednesday, according to the coalition, which is representing Ahluwalia.

Ahluwalia said Aeromexico staff and security screeners told him Monday to buy a ticket on a different airline after he refused to remove the turban he wears as part of his faith.

Aeromexico offered an apology Tuesday, saying it “recognizes and is proud of the diversity of its passengers.”

“We apologize to Mr. Waris Ahluwalia for the bad experience he went through with one of our security personnel,” Aeromexico said in a statement.

The airline said it works to maintain strong security measures while respecting its passengers’ cultures and beliefs.

But Ahluwalia said those who wear turbans shouldn’t face discrimination. Travelers should be taken into a private area if they’re asked to remove their turban, he said, as required by the policy of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

Aeromexico’s apology “is a brilliant first step” but “there is a lack of understanding,” Ahluwalia told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday.

He thanked the airline for its apology, but called the gesture “past-looking” and that he wants to talk about “steps in the future.”

The actor had said he would remain in Mexico until there was dialogue with Aeromexico bosses about training their staff.

“Really, this is about education, about education of the Sikh religion, but also of other religions, and this is not just about me or Sikhs,” he said.

Aeromexico has “issued a directive to its staff regarding the religious significance of the Sikh turban,” the Sikh Coalition tweeted Tuesday night.

The airline plans to make a formal request to the TSA and the Mexican government to implement religious and diversity sensitivity training, according to the coalition.

Ahluwalia was in Mexico City for a contemporary art show. The incident happened as he prepared to fly to New York.

“I was upset, I had anxiety, I was shaking, I did not speak,” Ahluwalia told CNN. “And then I realized, clearly, they have not been trained properly. I knew yelling will not do anything. It is about education and the policy.”

And so, days after he posted about fresh papayas and famed artist Frida Kahlo, Ahluwalia started sharing photos about his security screening.

Ahluwalia — whose acting career has included roles in “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Darjeeling Limited” and “Inside Man” — drew attention to his plight on social media, posting a photo of what he said was his canceled plane ticket.

The Sikh turban: At once personal and extremely public

Sikh men have worn turbans since 1699 when the last living guru bestowed a unique Sikh identity based on five articles of faith. Among them were a steel bracelet signifying a reality with no beginning or end, a sword representing resolve and justice, and unshorn hair as a gift of God and a declaration of humility.

Some Sikh men don’t wear turbans and beards; others say they stopped after being mistaken for Muslims and being targeted after 9/11.

Losing the Turban: Indian Sikhs at odds on essentials

‘We have to be vigilant’

Ahluwalia said he has had brushes with bigotry before. In 2013, a Gap holiday ad with him drew widespread attention after someone defaced it in a New York subway station.

“Make Love” was crossed out to read “Make Bombs.” Beneath that, someone scrawled, “Please stop driving TAXIS.”

The company was quick to replace the ad and double down on its campaign, making the photo its background image on Twitter and Facebook and releasing a statement saying Gap “is a brand that celebrates inclusion and diversity.”

A 2013 Gap ad with Ahluwalia was defaced at a New York subway station.

That “was a great example for corporate responsibility,” Ahluwalia said, “but this is the exact opposite of that.”

“I didn’t ask to be a public face or voice of a religion. Sikhs have been in (the United States) for over 125 years,” he said. “I just want to make and create art.”

But Ahluwalia said he knew he needed to take a stand.

“I’m not sitting here angry at Aeromexico. Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes,” he said. “But what makes us different is how we collect and respond and react to the mistakes we make. They did not know. I cannot blame them for that, but ignorance and fear is the flag humans carry, and we have to be vigilant to fight that.”

CNN’s Mariano Castillo and Moni Basu contributed to this report.

As he was being ejected, Trump said: ‘He wasn’t wearing one of those hats, was he? Was he wearing one of those things?

Pritpal — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:52:23 +0000

EXCLUSIVE: ‘If Donald Trump thought I was a Muslim, I’d be proud’ – turban-wearing Sikh who interrupted rally says he wanted to challenge candidate’s ‘old man mutterings’

Donald Trump called out a man wearing a turban protesting at his campaign rally in Iowa Sunday while he was being ejected
Today Arish Singh, 35, of Iowa City, tells Daily Mail Online he was the protester and speaks of pride at ‘civil disobedience’
As he was being ejected, Trump said: ‘He wasn’t wearing one of those hats, was he? Was he wearing one of those things?’
Singh says he is proud if his turban – a sign of his Sikh faith – caused him to be confused with Muslims and added: ‘I will be back at his next rally.’

A Sikh protester who was manhandled out of a Donald Trump rally today hit back at the Republican presidential candidate branding him as ‘childish’.
Arish Singh, who wears a red turban,was ejected from Trump’s rally in Muscatine, Iowa yesterday after unfurling a banner saying ‘Stop Hate’.
Trump interrupted his address to the rally as Singh, 35, was ejected along with his friend Taylor Williams as the crowd repeatedly chanted ‘ USA, USA’.
Trump watched from the platform as Singh was jeered and forced out by security officials and told his audience: ‘He wasn’t wearing one of those hats was he? And he never will, and that’s okay because we got to do something folks because it’s not working.’
Minutes after the flare up, Trump went onto talk about terrorist attacks in Paris and California and referred to ‘hats’ several times.
It was unclear whether it was a reference to Singh’s turban but there was outrage on Twitter that such a link could be made.
Today Singh, a writer and comedian from Iowa City, Iowa, said he was unsure whether Trump had confused his turban for an Islamic headdress.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Online he said: ‘I am not sure what he meant when he used the word “hat”.
‘But if he thought I was a Muslim, I would not have a problem with that because we all have to stand with the Muslims and reject the hate that is being directed towards them.
‘How can anybody stand up and say Muslims should be banned from this country?’
He admitted he had interrupted Trump’s address and his behavior had provoked Trump supporters.
The two protesters hold a sign that reads ‘Stop hate’ after interrupting Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during his speech at Muscatine High School
The protester wearing the red turban (above) was removed by security after interrupting Trump with another protester
The Republican presidential candidate’s rally in Muscatine, Iowa was interrupted by a group of protesters on Sunday
Speaking out: Comedian Arish Singh, whose act includes a satire aimed at Jeff Dunham, with a dummy who is a white terrorist
But he added: ‘This country has a history of civil disobedience and I am proud of that.
‘I want to speak out against hate and I will be back at his rally in Iowa on Tuesday.
‘Trump comes across as childish and sometimes he just mutters like an old man who has no control of what he is saying.
‘But he is in an important position because he is saying stuff from the position of a billionaire and the media is not challenging him.
‘He is getting the publicity, but I believe he is trying to make up for his failings earlier in his life and he just speaks a lot without thinking first.’
Singh said he was moved to carry out his personal protest because he believed Trump had been attracting support from white supremacists.
He repeated claims which have surfaced of robocalls being made by white supremacist groups urging support for Trump and said he wanted to see the Republican frontrunner disavow such support.
‘I know that through robo calling, these white supremacists are showing their support for him and saying things like “America needs to be free of Muslims”.
‘Trump should speak out against White supremacists and say he doesn’t want their support. He should not allow them to support him and distance himself.
‘I did shout “why do you give shelter to white supremacists and why do we have white supremacists robocalling in Iowa?”
‘Since 9/11 attacks on Muslims as well as Sikhs who have been wrongly identified as Muslims have increased.
Speaking to the two protesters being removed, the billionaire businessman said: ‘Bye. Bye. Goodbye’
Once the man wearing the turban and another protester were escorted out by security, video of the rally shows the audience erupting with loud applause, cheers and chants of ‘USA! USA! USA!’
‘Those people who cannot tell the difference between a Muslim and a Sikh should be embarrassed of themselves.
‘But I stand with the Muslims and I will always do what I can to stop the hating.’

THE TURBAN – A SIGN OF FAITH
Men and women who have been initiated into the Sikh faith are known as the Khasla – and the turban is the most visible sign.
In order to become a Sikh and join the Khalsa, people need to follow the Five Ks:
Kesh: uncut hair as a mark of holiness and submission to God’s will. Wearing a turban is a
Kangha: a small wooden comb in the hair as a sign of cleanliness
Kara: a steel bracelet, a reminder that they are connected to God
Kachhera: short cotton underwear, more practical for daily life than the traditional dhoti worn in India
Kirpaan: a sword, for protection.
At puberty an initiation ceremony called the Dastaar Bandi (wearing of the first turban) takes place and young Sikhs are allowed to join the Khalsa.
He said it was part of the Sikh tradition to stand up to injustice, adding: ‘We have to end all hate. We must not let it grow in America or anywhere.’
Singh uses his comedy act for political satire, including an attack on the comedian Jeff Dunham.
Dunham has angered some Sikhs by using a turban-wearing dummy who is supposed to be ‘Achmed the dead terrorist’, a hapless dead suicide bomber.
Singh added: ‘Dunham is a ventriloquist and stand up who has made an obscene amount of money using puppets to make bases stereotypes by packaging it as “family friendly” fare.
‘His “terrorist” puppet Achmed is supposed to be satirizing jihads but really just makes ethnic jokes about Muslims.
‘I’m all for real satire of jihadis. I loved the Four Lions film, but this is just getting applause for affirming and parading around stereotypes and dehumanizing caricatures.
‘There is no connection to Trump in particular here (in the puppet act) other than that both he and Dunham do this dog-whistling to affirm their audience’s prejudices.’
At the time of Singh’s protest, Trump was speaking about the September 11 terror attacks and the San Bernardino shooting.
‘We have radical Islamic terror going on all over the place, all over the world, and we have a president that won’t say it,’ the GOP front-runner said.
‘When planes fly into the World Trade Center, and into the Pentagon, and wherever the third plane was going.
‘When people are shooting their friends in California, when they’re shooting their friends …’
Trump abruptly stopped speaking as Singh stood up to reveal a sign reading ‘Stop Hate’.
The crowd then erupted in chants of ‘Trump! Trump! Trump!’ and grew louder.
Prior to his campaign event’s start, an announcement has been read in the last few months telling his supporters to ‘not harm a protester’ but instead chant ‘Trump, Trump, Trump.’
According to ABC News, the chants alert security that a protester is in the audience.
Next Monday voters will head to the polls as many of the presidential candidates have spent time campaigning in the Hawkeye state.
His chief challenger in the Republican race is Ted Cruz.

Weekly Feed The Homeless event #langar4all

Pritpal — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:06:49 +0000

We are very pleased to announce that Homeless feeds are now weekly every Sunday

We have a brand new website for this service. www.sikhsewa.org.uk

Please visit our facebook page for full details. https://www.facebook.com/SSOManchester/

Sunday January 10th 2016 Feed The Homeless #langar4all Event

Pritpal — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 17:57:51 +0000

The next Christmas “Feed the homeless” #langar4all event will be at Piccadilly Gardens Manchester.

We shall meet on Sunday 10th January 2016 at 1pm at Guru Harkrishan Gurdwara (Sherbourne Street, Manchester) to cook all the food and then we shall form a “delegation” from those present to attend the homeless and needy in Piccadilly after that (same afternoon)

Please do Ardas (pray) that we can always carry on this fantastic sewa (selfless service) of feeding the homeless and carry on forward Spiritual enlightener as in Teacher or Master

The term Guru implies descendant of divine guidance to mankind.

Literally translated: "GU" means darkness and "RU" means light.

Thus, “Guru” means the Light that dispels the darkness.

">Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s great philosophy forever.

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday to make this event a success and feed the homeless/needy with hot food when they need it most at this time of the year.

Sunday January 3rd 2016 Feed The Homeless Event

Pritpal — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 17:56:35 +0000

The next Christmas “Feed the homeless” event will be at Piccadilly Gardens Manchester.

We shall meet on Sunday 3rd January 2016 at 1pm at Guru Harkrishan Gurdwara (Sherbourne Street, Manchester) to cook all the food and then we shall form a “delegation” from those present to attend the homeless and needy in Piccadilly after that (same afternoon)

Thus, “Guru” means the Light that dispels the darkness.

">Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s great philosophy forever.

Look forward to seeing you all on Sunday to make this event a success and feed the homeless/needy with hot food when they need it most at this time of the year.

BBC: SIKH RELIGION MOST GENEROUS RELIGION IN THE WORLD

Pritpal — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:32:32 +0000

The Most Generous Religion Sikh by dailysikhupdates

It preaches help for the poor and loving thy neighbour but now a new study has provided evidence that religion can make people more generous in their everyday lives.
Research commissioned by the BBC found that people who profess a religious belief are significantly more likely to give to charity than non-believers.
Sikhs and Jews emerged as the most likely to share their worldly goods with a good cause, just ahead of Christians, Hindus and Muslims.
The study, carried out for the BBC’s network of local radio stations, included polling by ComRes of a sample of more than 3,000 people of all faiths and none.
It found that levels of generosity across the British public are strikingly high, but highest among those with a religious faith.