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A graphic by the National Sikh Youth Federation in the United Kingdom describes the initiating events during the Indian government's attack on Darbar Sahib (aka the Golden Temple) in June 1984, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. (Source: NSYF)

Remembering June, 1984

June 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The year 1984 is forever etched into the Sikh psyche after it was added to the long list of atrocities against the Sikh people by rulers of their land. During the first week of June of that year, the Indian Government launched “Operation Blue Star“, an attack on the center of the Sikh faith in Amritsar, India, and invasions of numerous other Gurdwaras (Sikh houses of worship) across Punjab and India, under the pretext of neutralizing militants that had taken […]

Categories: 1984 • Tags: Amritsar, Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple, Gunisha Kaur, Guru Arjan, Guru Arjun, India, Indian Army, National Sikh Youth Federation, NSYF, Operation Blue Star, Punjab, Simran Jeet Singh

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Still from film "Who killed Bobby Rai?" by Naujawani.com

The “I Pledge Orange” movement, one year on

March 28, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This week marks one year since the “I Pledge Orange” movement took hold of the minds and hearts of Sikhs around the world inspired by one Balwant Singh Rajoana, a man on India’s death row who was scheduled to be executed on March 31, 2012, in Punjab, India. Balwant Singh was charged for participating in the 1995 assassination of Punjab’s then-Chief Minister, the tyrannical Beant Singh. After the protests in Punjab and around the world, Balwant Singh’s execution was stayed. […]

Categories: 1984, TV/Movies • Tags: Balwant Singh Rajoana, Beant Singh, Harwinder Singh Mander, I Pledge Orange, India, Naujawani.com, Punjab, Who Killed Bobby Rai?

Appear for the Disappeared 5K Walk -- April 6, 2013. (source: Ensaaf Facebook page)

Support Ensaaf’s “Appear for the Disappeared” Fundraiser on April 6

March 14, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Ensaaf (meaning “justice”) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “end impunity and achieve justice for mass state crimes in India, with a focus on Punjab, by documenting abuses, bringing perpetrators to justice, and organizing survivors.” The organization’s work has been mentioned on this blog several times. On Saturday, April 6, Ensaaf is holding a fundraising event in Fremont, California, called “Appear for the Disappeared 5K Walk” in memory of the men and women who disappeared in Punjab, India […]

Categories: 1984, Events • Tags: Amritsar, Appear for the Disappeared, California, Ensaaf, Fremont, India, Jaila, Jarnail Singh, Punjab

The family of Satwant Singh Kaleka was honored by Sikh officials in Amritsar, India (source: demotix.com)

Family of Oak Creek, WI, shooting victim honored in Amritsar, India

January 8, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Having gone to India to release the ashes of Satwant Singh Kaleka, the family of the Oak Creek, Wisconsin shooting victim was honored in Amritsar, India, by Sikh officials from the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, ( “SGPC“, the central Sikh organization in India): Kaleka’s family was honoured for his exemplary courage shown during shoot out incident at Oak Kreek Gurdwara in US on August 5th 2012 where a White supremacist Wade Michael Page who had opened fire in Gurdwara killing […]

Categories: Hate Crimes, News Bits • Tags: Amritsar, hate crimes, India, Oak Creek, Punjab, Satwant Singh Kaleka, SGPC, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin

Sikh Human Development Foundation provides $210K in scholarships to Punjab youth

October 9, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The US-based Sikh Human Development Foundation recently announced a record US$210,000 in funding of scholarships for needy students in Punjab, India, and surrounding areas: Washington based Sikh Human Development Foundation has given a helping hand to needy students pursuing higher education in Punjab and other Northern Indian states. It has given scholarships to 504 students in 159 institutions/colleges totaling about $ 210,000 for the academic year ending in 2012. “This number is up from 412 of the last year” said […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: India, Punjab, scholarships, Sikh Human Development Foundation

Today, within and without, I struggle for peace

March 29, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Raag Bihaagraa, Chhant, Fourth Mehl, First House: One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru: Meditate on the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, O my soul; as Gurmukh, meditate on the invaluable Name of the Lord. My mind is pierced through by the sublime essence of the Lord’s Name. The Lord is dear to my mind. With the sublime essence of the Lord’s Name, my mind is washed clean. Under Guru’s Instructions, hold your mind steady; […]

Categories: 1984, News Bits, Reflections • Tags: Balwant Singh Rajoana, Beant Singh, Canada, Gurdaspur, India, Jaspal Singh, Johnathan Kay, Punjab, Terry Milewski

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Sources of visits to American Turban on March 28, 2012

Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and the indomitable Sikh spirit, cont’d.

March 28, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

After international protests by Sikhs around the world (including the United States – demonstrations have been held in San Francisco, New York and Washington, DC) and especially in Punjab, it was announced today that the execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has been stayed. The “campaign of orange” has become a worldwide movement among Sikhs expressing solidarity in pursuit of justice and/or clemency (the latter of which is something Balwant Singh is not himself interested in) around the world has […]

Categories: News Bits, Sikhism • Tags: Balwant Singh Rajoana, Beant Singh, Capital punishment, India, Jagtar Singh Hawara, Punjab

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Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and the indomitable Sikh spirit

March 22, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

What manliness you have shown by extinguishing a few sparks. You have made the fire brighter and more furious. ~ Guru Gobind Singh, in Zafarnama – his letter to the Mughal emperor of India in 1705. Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is scheduled to be hanged on March 31 for his role in the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab at that time. Balwant Singh’s story is available all over the web, but as a short synopsis, I […]

Categories: News Bits, Sikhism • Tags: Balwant Singh Rajoana, Beant Singh, Bhagat Singh, Guru Gobind Singh, Punjab

Comparison of Amritsar and Bakersfield (sources: wikipedia.org, amritsarcorp.com)

Bakersfield, CA and Amritsar, Punjab to become sister cities

August 25, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

The California city of Bakersfield, 100 miles north of Los Angeles, has announced that it will associate with Amritsar, Punjab, India as sister cities: Mayor Harvey Hall will welcome a new city to Bakersfield’s sisterhood at noon [next] Monday in the City Council chamber. Hall will sign an agreement with Mayor Swaith Malik of Amritsar, India, a city news release said. The relationship has been in the making since early 2007. The Sister City program provides opportunities for cultural, educational, […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Amritsar, Bakersfield, California, Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib, Punjab, sister cities, Sister City Project

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Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Tag: Punjab

Remembering June, 1984

The “I Pledge Orange” movement, one year on

Support Ensaaf’s “Appear for the Disappeared” Fundraiser on April 6

Family of Oak Creek, WI, shooting victim honored in Amritsar, India

Sikh Human Development Foundation provides $210K in scholarships to Punjab youth

Today, within and without, I struggle for peace

Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and the indomitable Sikh spirit, cont’d.

Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana and the indomitable Sikh spirit

Bakersfield, CA and Amritsar, Punjab to become sister cities