Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA)

Asian gold burglaries update, Good News and 'Safe Box' details‏ by Thames Valley Police

2012-02-02T22:22:00.000-08:00

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa | WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh

The below messages are from Thames Valley Police:

Good News

Dear All,

I am pleased to announce that Wokingham Police have now charged Roberto Tascon-Grisales, of Albert Carr Gardens, in Lambeth, London with a further 6 Asian Gold Burglary offences. These Include Bryron Road, North Earley, Reading on 1st June 2011, Marefield, Lower Earley, Reading on 29th November 2011, Beechwood Avenue, Woodley, Reading on 29th November 2011 and 3 further offences in Luton. Mr Tascon-Grisales remains in prison awaiting his trial.

We continue to dedicate a significant amount of effort into investigating all of our burglaries and we still have a number of live investigations ongoing. We are confident that we will be able to bring further good news soon.

The patrols will continue in the area and the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and Community Messaging has grown significantly. We now have 92 members in Earley, 45 of which are in North Earley. Don’t forget on Thursday 9th February at the Oakwood Centre, Woodley we have another ‘Have your say’ opportunity and a ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ surgery between 5pm and 7pm where the community can meet with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Kind regards

Andy

A/Inspector Andy Ainsley

Neighbourhood Policing Team (West)

Wokingham LPA

Mobile 07800 702311, Landline 01189 181727, Internal 7041727

Non-emergency number 0845 850550

Email: andrew.ainsley@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Loddon Valley Police Station,

Rushey Way,

Lower Earley,

Berkshire RG6 4PS

Asian gold burglaries update

Dear all

I hope you are all well.

I am emailing you to provide you with an update on what has been happening over the last few weeks in relation to the burglaries in North Earley. Most of you will be aware that we have undertaken a significant amount of activity in the last few weeks to try and prevent any further burglaries. The public engagement events went well and seem to have provided the community with some of the reassurances that they needed. I would like to thank all of you for passing information out into the community and especially to those of you that have worked directly with us and the community. Your help and support has been much appreciated.

A summary of the activity in December:

· Public engagement meetings held at the Pakistani Community Centre and the Oakwood Centre. I updated the community at both these events and took questions. Both events were very well attended. We also had some crime reduction stalls at the Oakwood Centre which were well received.

· We have significantly increased our patrols in the area and these will remain for the foreseeable future.

· We have run ‘Have your Say’ engagement meetings on the street in Earley to speak to the community.

· We have signed approximately 50 new people up on Community Messaging which is an excellent way for us to get information directly out to the community. Many of these people were signed up at the open evening events.

· We are going to expand our Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Earley. This is an important part of our longer term plan and a way that the community can take greater ownership of security in their area.

· Jim Willis has been working with Shakeel Khan and others to ensure that the North Earley Community is represented on the Earley Neighbourhood Action Group. I know that Jim has already been instrumental in getting the Council Community Wardens active in the area.

· We have put up 75 new Neighbourhood Watch signs in the area to help act as a deterrent to offenders.

We have had a very good response from the community who are calling us when they see suspicious persons or vehicles.

We have had two burglaries in December where we believe that Gold jewellery was the target. One was in North Earley and one in Lower Earley.

We still have a number of live investigations ongoing and I am confident of some positive results from these in the next few weeks.

We need to continue to encourage the community to take proper steps to safeguard their property and Jewellery.

Useful crime prevention tips to help reduce your chance of becoming a victim of burglary:

· Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for around £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home. Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb

· Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com. It’s free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief

· Keep valuables out of sight and don’t keep high value jewellery at home

· If you have to keep your jewellery at home, then please invest in a home safe suitable for protecting your valuables; your insurance company will provide advice as to which type and grade of safe best suits your needs

· Look your doors and windows; if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it

· Set your house alarm if you have one

· Invest in a security light for the rear and front of your property

Please feel free to circulate this update.

Thank you again for your help

With regards

Christian

Christian Bunt | Wokingham LPA Commander | Tel: 0118 918 1645 | Fax: 0118 918 1619 | Int: 704 1645 | Address: Loddon Valley Police Station, Rushey Way, Lower Earley, Reading, RG6 4PS | Email:christian.bunt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

'Safe Box' details

Dear all,

Please see below a list of some banks which are able to offer the service of a ‘safe box’ facility.

Please feel free to share this list amongst all your contacts.

SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES - READING

PLEASE NOTE

SAFE DEPOSIT FACILITY IS ONLY SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

HSBC BANK:

· Safe deposit facility offered at main branch in central Reading. Also available at Wokingham, Slough, Newbury – subject to availability

· Only available to HSBC customers

· Depends on the size of box

· Costs: Small - £30.64 Medium - £40.86 Large. £56.17 annually

· A charge of £10.20 for each time of access

· An appointment is required to register for this service

· Customers must have provide their own boxes

RBS BANK:

· Safe deposit facility

· Eligibility criteria: you must have greater than £50 in savings before they will allow you to deposit “anything”

LLOYDS TSB BANK:

· Safety deposit facility

· “off premises”

· Smallest box will hold no more than 15 Kg

· Cost £50 /year + transfer cost £40 to gain access

· No min earnings requirements

BARCLAYS BANK:

· Safety deposit facility

· “off premises”

INDEPENDANT COMPANIES: also available http://www.metropolitansafedeposits.co.uk/

For further information please contact:

Saika Chaudhry

Community & Diversity Officer

Reading Police Station

Castle Street

Reading, RG1 7TH

Mobile: 0797 6963023

Office: 0118 9536436

Internal: 751 6436

Saika.chaudhry@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Website:http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Snakes in Suits

2012-01-27T23:57:00.001-08:00

The Reading University Sikh Society present a talk, empowering knowledge on how to stay committed to what you believe in, on Tuesday 31 January.

Bring your family and friends to this event and let's learn to help each other, as brothers and sisters.

The talk will be about psychopaths and how they work in today's society.

In popular culture, the image of the psychopath is of someone like Hannibal Lecter or the BTK Killer. But in reality, many psychopaths just want money, or power.

There is an age limit for this talk which is 14 and over.

Refreshments will be available!

Palmer Building Reading University, Room 109, Whiteknights campus main entrance, Reading, RG6 6UR

See attached poster

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

"INSPIRATIONS" SERIES OF TALK NOW IN READING, ON 11TH FEB 2012

2012-01-22T22:12:00.000-08:00

Inspirations is a new sikhi project started in Reading Gurdwara with some spiritual and inspirational talkers all over UK who will inspire sangat form their life experience.

The First talk is by Bhai Jasprit Singh who is a historian working in a museum. Bhai Sahib has been studying our oldest manuscripts from our Gurus times and is an expert in his field. He has also studied Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s handwriting in great detail and is a great advocate in protecting our rich heritage.

Guys this is a talk not to be missed!! Come along and join us in this inspiring talk by Bhai Sahib. There will also be an open Q&A session for 10 minutes after the talk.

For any further details visit www.readinggurdwara.org or contact 07584677427. Volunteers needed for this sewa, so please email on raman_singh91@hotmail.com if you can help us with any sewa on the day of talk.

Sikh Secondary School, Slough

2012-01-22T22:10:00.000-08:00

[Attachment(s) from Hardip Singh included below]

Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh

Dear Sadh Sangat Jeeo

We need help from all of you to make a Sikh secondary school in Slough.

After the recent Outstanding OFSTED rating of Khalsa Primary School the demand has come forth in greater force from the Sikh community of Slough and surrounding areas.

As you may know we have been working on this project for a while now but were unsuccessful in our application for 2012.

We are now applying to the DFE again with an aim to open the school in 2013.

One way in which we need your immediate assistance is to fill in the survey form attached (there is a version for Sikhs & non-Sikhs) or on-line, which you can also collect from/drop to the KPS reception office.

We especially need these filled in from parents/guardians of any children, Sikh or non-Sikh that are currently in Year 5. The deadline for these is next Friday - 27th January.

http://www.khalsasecondaryschool.com/survey.html

If there is any other way you can assist us, have any suggestions, advice, etc. please contact us on the below email address:

info@khalsasecondaryschool.com

Thanks from all Sevadars working on this project.

Vaheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from Hardip Singh

2 of 2 File(s)

Khalsa Sec Sch Brochure version 4 final.pdf

Khalsa Sec Sch Brochure version 4 final _SIKH_CHILDREN.pdf

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's
)

Asian Gold burglaries update

2011-12-26T11:04:00.001-08:00

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Please see update on Asian Gold burglaries from LPA Commander (Police) and forward to your contacts. Also print the attached poster (in Punjabi) and give to friends and family.

Dear all

I hope you are all well.

A summary of the activity in December:

Public engagement meetings held at the Pakistani Community Centre and the Oakwood Centre. I updated the community at both these events and took questions. Both events were very well attended. We also had some crime reduction stalls at the Oakwood Centre which were well received.
We have significantly increased our patrols in the area and these will remain for the foreseeable future.
We have run ‘Have your Say’ engagement meetings on the street in Earley to speak to the community.
We have signed approximately 50 new people up on Community Messaging which is an excellent way for us to get information directly out to the community. Many of these people were signed up at the open evening events.
We are going to expand our Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Earley. This is an important part of our longer term plan and a way that the community can take greater ownership of security in their area.
Jim Willis has been working with Shakeel Khan and others to ensure that the North Earley Community is represented on the Earley Neighbourhood Action Group. I know that Jim has already been instrumental in getting the Council Community Wardens active in the area.
We have put up 75 new Neighbourhood Watch signs in the area to help act as a deterrent to offenders.

We have had a very good response from the community who are calling us when they see suspicious persons or vehicles.

We have had two burglaries in December where we believe that Gold jewellery was the target. One was in North Earley and one in Lower Earley.

We still have a number of live investigations ongoing and I am confident of some positive results from these in the next few weeks.

We need to continue to encourage the community to take proper steps to safeguard their property and Jewellery.

Useful crime prevention tips to help reduce your chance of becoming a victim of burglary:

Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for around £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home. Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb

Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com. It’s free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief

Keep valuables out of sight and don’t keep high value jewellery at home

If you have to keep your jewellery at home, then please invest in a home safe suitable for protecting your valuables; your insurance company will provide advice as to which type and grade of safe best suits your needs

Look your doors and windows; if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it

Set your house alarm if you have one

Invest in a security light for the rear and front of your property

Please feel free to circulate this update.

Thank you again for your help

With regards

Christian

Christian Bunt | Wokingham LPA Commander | Tel: 0118 918 1645 | Fax: 0118 918 1619 | Int: 704 1645 | Address: Loddon Valley Police Station, Rushey Way, Lower Earley, Reading, RG6 4PS | Email: christian.bunt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA)
Reading,
Berkshire,
U.K.

http://www.rsya.org/

Contact: rsya@hotmail.co.uk

New Years program at Reading Gurdwara

2011-12-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Please see poster for more details.

New Gurdwara Calendar available at Gurdwara today

2011-12-25T07:39:00.001-08:00

Pick up the new Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading at the Gurdwara today

November 1984 pogroms uncut - the truth revealed

2011-11-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

An amazing talk by Bhai Manvir Singh about what REALLY took place in india to the Sikhs in 1984.

NEXT WEEEK AT SLOUGH ~ WEXHAM ROAD!!!!!!!

Please see poster below for more details.

Celebrations for Parkash of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji

2011-11-05T04:08:00.000-07:00

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa | WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh

*This Sunday we have Bhai Sulakhan Singh Kavisheree Jatha Tarn Taran coming down to to singh about Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. This is the first time we have a Kavisheree Jatha coming - not to be missed. Here's a sample of Bhai Sahib:

http://youtu.be/87Kbciiu3lk

What? – Akhand Paath for Parkash of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji
When? – Tuesday 8th November to Thursday 10th November
Where? - Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading, 30A Cumberland Road, Reading, RG1 3LB

Evening Keertan Darbar on Thursday 10th November from 6pm onwards. Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa (Sri Darbar Sahib Wale) will be attending. See his keertan here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IptaKZo7ztg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYi5QpFA8JQ&feature=related

Does God exist?

2011-10-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.
He asks one of his new students to stand and…..

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student: Yes..

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn’t. How is this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can’t answer, can you? Let’s start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From….God…

Prof: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?
(Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
(Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son…Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn’t exist.
What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn’t.
(The lecture the after becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat..
But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it .
(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright
light, flashing light…..But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can’t even explain a thought.. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one.To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is
not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.
Now tell me, Professor.Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain,sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir… The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

A website to answer all of your questions

2011-10-13T02:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.sikhanswers.com/faq/

Sikhanswers.com is a website dedicated to provide information for Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike giving an introduction to the principles of the Sikh faith.

The question & answer section ranges from general questions about the Sikh faith, Sikh history, questions posed by other faiths and modern issues.

The unique feature of this site is its question and answer data base which contains many frequently asked questions on various subjects. We hope to continuously expand the question & answer database with more topics which will help answer the questions seekers have on the Sikh faith and particularly the Sikh youth.

Do Sikhs celebrate the ritual & festival of Rakhri?

2011-08-22T04:48:00.000-07:00

The Rakhri ritual is not a Sikh celebration. Its practice doesn’t fit in the Sikh philosophy. Rakhi or Rakhri means protection. This is a custom among some Hindus. Accepting a Rakhri from a girl, sister or a cousin, means that the boy takes responsibility of protecting her if she happens to be into any trouble. As a token of his promise, he gives some money to the girl after she ties the Rakhri on his wrist. The ritual Rakhri assumes that a girl cannot protect herself. This gives second-rate status to the women. Hence, it is not an approved custom among the Sikhs.

According to historic tradition, the Rakhi or Rakhri was a magic thread tied by a Tantric Yogi, a holy person, or a fakir, to protect the wearer from evil happenings. Later, the Rakhri took the form of the present colorful bangle like thread with flowers and other decorations tied to it.

The Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan prominently know as rakhi once again approaches. The sight of Sikhs purchasing thread to tie on wrists of their brothers and fathers, in return for blessings and gifts has become far to common. Originally a Hindu festival has ignorantly been bought into and accepted in Sikh culture, without a single thought to what it is all about and why our Gurus would never support it. The ritualistic festival, which is against the basic tents of the Sikh faith, has been justified with the explanation that it is a day dedicated to the bond of a brother and sister, and an excuse to pamper each other.

In accordance with the Hindu faith the day is marked, ‘As per the traditions, the sister on this day prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal and rakhis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi to the brother(s) and wishes for their well being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters’ side through the thick and thin and gives her a token gift.’

Festivals like these are beautiful, no doubt and therefore easily justifiable yet in Sikhi our actions or non action should be determined by the Guru only. Nowhere in Sikh history has any Sikh Guru known to have accepted this Hindu custom. Often one hears about a painting of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is being depicted to have a raakhi being tied on his wrist by his sister Bebe Nanaki. This is nothing more than a work of fiction and has not substantive historical evidence.

From the very beginning Guru Nanak rejected the spiritual thread that the Hindu Brahmins consider connects them to God, in the midst of all the learned Pandits, Brahmins and his own father, would that same Guru accept the far more earthy thread called a ‘rakhi’? Far too often we blindly follow rituals and apply little logic and explanation to our actions and rakhi is eveident of this. If Nanak could challenge the Brahmins and reject outright the janeu, would he want to contradict himself by accepting another thread? The painting of Guru Nanak with Bebe Nanaki has been created after the time Guru Nanak walked this earth, more then likely the person never had the fortune of meeting Guru Nanak in person but infact painted this centuries after as it is not in the style of painting used at time of Sikh Gurus. There is no doubt as per history Guru Nanak and his sister Bebe Nanaki had a strong bond and loving relationship especially as she was one of the first to recognize the uniqueness of Guru Nanak and his message.

From Shabad Guru we can see that such a festival would be hypocritical and therefore the Guru would never support it. Gurbani makes clear our beliefs should be in line with the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib ji and actions not contradictory. Likewise, no other Sikh Guru accepted rakhsha bandhan ceremony; it was not a Sikh practice, be it religious or cultural.

The usual uneducated argument, ‘So what’s the harm in commemorating the day?’ or ‘they are just expressing love and commitment’ is often thrown about. Whilst there is no harm physically in doing any of these things, they are still not in line with the teachings of the Guru and not approved of by the Guru for Sikhs. Having removed us from meaningless rituals practices and festivals we seem to be definite in bringing them back and taking us further away from Akaal Purkh and the essence of Sikhi.

Sikh heritage is unique, giving equality to both men and women, rich and poor, no matter of race, caste, colour or creed. So then why would a Kaur ever need anyone’s protection when they have the power within them to defend themselves? That is why if the Singh was given a Kirpan, so was a Kaur granted the same. When the 40 Sikhs abandoned the Guru, their wives took away their mens’ weapons and horses and left their husbands home to take their place. It was a proof of the might of the Guru’s daughters – that they are as mighty, or even mightier, than men. ‘Truth is high,’ Guru Nanak Dev Ji said and, further added, ‘but higher still is truthful living.’ So how can a mere thread prove the love between a brother and sister. Will that thread not wear out too, just like the janeu?

Festivals and ceremonies like rakhsha bandhan are for those for whom it was made, for the Hindu faith has it’s own valid reasons. Sikhi has its own distinct philosophy and moral compass. And how? Guru Nanak did not accept the janeu; he rejected the offering of water to his ancestors; he did not recite the Hindu Vedas; nor prayed to the 330 million gods, but contemplated only on the SHABAD what was revealed to Him from the Court of the Lord. Likewise, the other Sikh Gurus further developed what Guru Nanak preached; they never contradicted Nanak’s message and way of life.

In conclusion, while the ceremony is a beautiful one, it simply has no place in Sikhi because it is not higher than the Sikh teachings and way of life. The simple thread that is meant as a prayer to protect a sister and to seek the blessings of the brother’s long life and well being, is not any higher than believing that it is Akaal Purakh that protects and blesses us his beings. The Kara (iron bracelet) one of our Panj Kakkar is a constant reminder of shabad Guru and how Akal Purkh is with us constantly.

ਗੁਰੁ ਮੇਰੈ ਸੰਗਿ ਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਨਾਲੇ ॥ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਸਿਮਰਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਸਦਾ ਸਮ੍ਹਾਲੇ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
gur maerai sa(n)g sadhaa hai naalae simar simar this sadhaa samhaalae 1 rehaao
My Guru is always with me, near at hand. Meditating, meditating in remembrance on Him, I cherish Him forever. 1Pause

Threads are illusion, a Sikh of the Guru has no need for it to be reminded of his duty to the world, otherwise our Gurus would have allowed us to adopt it. And what of those who have no brothers? Who will protect them? What of those who have no sisters, who will pray for their long life and wellbeing? It’s all out of logic for Sikhs.

Rakhsha Bandhan is good for the Hindus, the Sikhs have their own beautiful way of life, made as simple as it could ever have been so that we can connect more to the Divine, and detatch more from the illusionary world.

With thanks to SikhAnswers.com

How Amrit & Naam changes our life...

2011-08-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

Guru Arjan Dev Jee Maharaaj describes how one's life is before receiving Amrit Naam and how with Guru Kirpaa's one's life changes:

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ||

aasaa mehalaa 5 ||

Aasaa, Fifth Mehla:

ਅਪੁਸਟ ਬਾਤ ਤੇ ਭਈ ਸੀਧਰੀ ਦੂਤ ਦੁਸਟ ਸਜਨਈ ||

apustt baat te bhe-ee seedhharee dhoot dustt sajanee ||

That which was upside-down has been set upright; the deadly enemies and adversaries have become friends.

ਅੰਧਕਾਰ ਮਹਿ ਰਤਨੁ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਿਓ ਮਲੀਨ ਬੁਧਿ ਹਛਨਈ ||੧||

andhkaar mehi ratan pragaasiou maleen budh hachhanee ||1||

In the darkness, the jewel shines forth, and the impure understanding has become pure. ||1||

ਜਉ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਭਈ ||

jau kirpaa gobind bhe-ee ||

When the Lord of the Universe became merciful,

ਸੁਖ ਸੰਪਤਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਫਲ ਪਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਮਿਲਈ ||੧|| ਰਹਾਉ ||

sukh sampat har naam fal paae satgur mile-ee ||1|| rahaao ||

I have met the True Guru and obtained the fruit of wealth of peace and obtained Naam, the Lord's Name. ||1||Pause and reflect||

ਮੋਹਿ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕਉ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਜਾਨਤ ਸਗਲ ਭਵਨ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਈ ||

mohi kirpan ko koe na jaanat sagal bhavan pragattee ||

No one knew me - the lowly person, but now, I have become famous all over the world.

ਸੰਗਿ ਬੈਠਨੋ ਕਹੀ ਨ ਪਾਵਤ ਹੁਣਿ ਸਗਲ ਚਰਣ ਸੇਵਈ ||੨||

sang baithano kehee na paavat hun sagal charan seve-ee ||2||

Before, no one would even sit with me, but now, all worship my feet. ||2||

ਆਢ ਆਢ ਕਉ ਫਿਰਤ ਢੂੰਢਤੇ ਮਨ ਸਗਲ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨ ਬੁਝਿ ਗਈ ||

aadd aadd ko firat dhoondte man sagal trisan bujh ge-ee ||

I used to wander in search of pennies, but now, all the desires of my mind are satisfied.

ਏਕੁ ਬੋਲੁ ਭੀ ਖਵਤੋ ਨਾਹੀ ਸਾਧਸੰਗਤਿ ਸੀਤਲਈ ||੩||

eik bol bhe-ee khavato naahee saadhsangat seetale-ee ||3||

I could not bear even one criticism, but now, in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, I am cooled and soothed. ||3||

ਏਕ ਜੀਹ ਗੁਣ ਕਵਨ ਵਖਾਨੈ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਮ ਅਗਮਈ ||

eik jeeh gun kavan vakhaanai agam agam agamee ||

What Glorious Virtues of the Inaccessible, Unfathomable, Profound Lord can one mere tongue describe?

ਦਾਸੁ ਦਾਸ ਦਾਸ ਕੋ ਕਰੀਅਹੁ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਹਰਿ ਸਰਣਈ ||੪||੨||੧੨੪||

daas daas daas ko kareeahu jan naanak har sarnee ||4||2||124||

Please, make me the slave of the slave of Your slaves; servant Nanak seeks the Lord's Sanctuary. ||4||2||124||

(Ang 402)

Event Sunday 7th August

2011-07-30T10:31:00.001-07:00

WaheGuru JI Ka Khalsa | WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh

Parkash of Bhagat Ramanand Ji and Bhagat Sadhna Ji

Parkash (birth) of any of the Bhagat’s are rarely celebrated in Gurdwara’s and much of the meaning of the Bhagat’s Bani, their Jeevan and the contribution they have made to Sikhi is not understood.

When we bow down to Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj, we not only bow down to the Bani of the Guru’s but also the Bani of the Bhagat’s.

To understand why their writings have been included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj; who they were as people; what their Jeevan was like; what contribution they made for Sikhi and much more come down to Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading and listen to Katha by renowned Kathavachik Bhai Gurmeet Singh Guarav.

Bhai Sahib regularly appears on the Sikh Channel and Sangat TV as well as many Gurdwaras around the world.

What? - Parkash of Bhagat Ramanand Ji and Bhagat Sadhna Ji
When? - Sunday 7th August 11.15am to 12.30pm
Where? - Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading, 30A Cumberland Road, Reading, RG1 3LB

Also see attached poster

Here is a link to one of Bhai Sahibs Katha:

http://www.sikhchannel.tv/index.php?Itemid=81&id=70&option=com_seyret&videotitle=Jassa+Singh+Ramgarhiya+Part+1&view=video

For further info contact us at:

readinggurdwara@gmail.com / rsya@hotmail.co.uk

www.reading-gurdwara.org.uk / www.rsya.org

Kirtan Darbar with Bhai Ravinder Singh Harzori Ragi Darbar Sahib

2011-07-11T05:07:00.001-07:00

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa | WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh

Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading is proud to announce that Bhai Ravinder Singh Harozi Ragi Darbar Sahib will be coming to the Gurdwara Sahib on Wednesday 20th July 2011 to do Kirtan as part of his UK Tour.

Here are some amazing videos of Bhai Sahib's Kirtan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ZbsNJvL6o&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUESnU_egJg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTf2Jv56QS4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZjSJOYpank&feature=fvst

Programme:

6 to 6.30pm – Rehraas Sahib

6.30 to 7pm – Kirtan By Hazoori Jatha Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading

7 to 8pm – Kirtan By Bhai Ravinder Singh Ji

8pm – Samapati followed by Langar

Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading

30 A Cumberland Road,

Reading,

Berkshire,

RG1 3LB

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246170165408592

www.reading-gurdwara.org.uk

www.rsya.org

rsya@hotmail.co.uk

Become an upright, honest, and trustworthy individual

2011-06-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

An interesting story on how it is sometimes more important to be good as a person rather than be good in a particular sport/art...etc

With guidance from Gurbani and Naam we can become that individual who has the high Khalsa moral fibre.

Liang Guozhi was a man from Emperor Qianlong’s period (1735 – 1796 A.D.) in the Qing Dynasty of ancient China. He was kind, honest, and upright. He was also extremely intelligent and had enjoyed studying since he was a child. When he was only 17 years old, he won the first place at the provincial level of the civil service examination. At the age of 24, he won the first place in the Imperial civil service examination held at the Imperial court. After he became a government official, he did not forget the elderly people in his hometown. He often used his salary to do charitable things for his fellow villagers. No matter where his post was, he always considered the welfare of the common people and did things to help the common people. He received high praise from common people.

Liang Guozhi not only had broad and deep knowledge in many subjects, but also had a high moral standard. Moreover he excelled at the calligraphy and painting. Many people were eager to collect his calligraphy works or paintings and treat them as treasures.

Under his influence, his son became very interested in calligraphy and painting as well. He asked his father to teach him how to paint. One day, his son brought painting brushes and asked his father for lessons again. By mistake, the son had spilled some ink all over his face. Liang Guozhi laughed when he saw his son. He helped his son wipe off the ink from the face and said to his son sincerely, “One must learn how to be a good person before studying painting. One will never become an outstanding painter or calligrapher if he does not have moral integrity.” His son looked confused and asked his father, “Painting is just painting. What’s that to do with being a good person?” Liang Guozhi said, “A real painter paints with his heart, not his brush. If you are an honest and upright gentleman, your painting will be filled with an upright spirit. When people looking at it, they can see that the painting is filled with life and intelligence.”

He did not really understand what his father had just said. Liang Guozhi told the story of Qin Kuai, the vicious and traitorous Prime Minister who had framed the patriotic military general Yue Fei of the Song Dynasty (1127 – 1279 A.D.) He said, “Qin Kuai actually was a very talented person and was very good at calligraphy. But he goes down in history as an infamous figure because of his treasonous acts. After he died, people cursed him as soon as they heard his name. Nobody was willing to collect his calligraphy work. People thought that keeping his calligraphy work would bring disaster to them. People either burned his works or threw his works in the latrine pit. Now there are very few pieces of his calligraphy work left. People despise his calligraphy work because they despise him.”

Liang Guozhi continued, “Being honest is the first step to become a good person. Only a person who does not lie and is honest can become an open and upright person.”

His son always remembered his father's guidance. The son led his life in an honest and trustworthy manner, and became a respected and renowned painter in his own right.

From clearharmony.net

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji

2011-06-20T03:29:00.000-07:00

This week marks the Shaheedi Divas (Martyrdom) of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji and many other Sikh Soldiers along with him, including Baba Ji's 4 year old son.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji (1670 - 1716) is one of the greatest heros in Singh history who in 1710 with the Khalsa, uprooted the Mughal imperial rule in the Panjab and established the Khalsa Raaj (Rule). Baba Ji lived and died like a lion, whose faith in the Guru led to five-years of the Khalsa ruling Panjab.

Below is a small extract from a letter gives an eye-witness account of how Baba Ji was brought to Dehli and attained Shaheedi:

.....The great rebel Gooroo (Guru) who has been for these twenty years so troublesome Subaship (Subah) of Lahore is at length taken with all his family and attendants by Abd-us-Samad Cawn the Suba (Subedar that is Governor) of that province. Some days ago they entered the city laden with fetters, his sole attendants which were left alive being about 780, all severally mounted on camels which were sent out of the city for that purpose, besides about 2,000 heads struck on poles, being those who died by the sword in battle....

And then an account on Baba Ji's execution:

.......After Banda Singh had been dismounted and seated on the ground, he was offered the usual choice between Islam and death. But the 'chosen disciple of Guru Gobind Singh, as the Tarikh-i-Muzaffari calls him, chose to lay down his life like a devoted follower than to abjure his faith for the sake of enjoying a few more years of life. His young son Ajay Singh, about four years, was then placed in his arms and he was told to take the boy's life. But can a father kill his own child? He refused. The executioner then hacked to pieces joint by joint with a long knife, dragged out his quivering heart and thrust it into the mouth of his father, who stood completely resigned to God's will.......

John Surman, Edward Stephenson.

Dhan Guru Dhan Guru Pyarai, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Judicial Murder: The Case of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar by GURMEET KAUR

2011-06-10T06:40:00.001-07:00

As Sikhs all over the world were preparing to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the genocidal attack on Sikh shrines carried out by the Indian Army in June of 1984, they found themselves rudely awoken on the morning of May 26, 2011 with another tragic news.

The Indian media enthusiastically carried news of the Indian President’s go-ahead to the execution of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. The clemency petition filed for Devinderpal Singh's life was inclemently denied.

For readers unfamiliar with the case, Devinderpal Singh Bhullar (also known as Prof. Bhullar) was charged and convicted for a 1993 car bomb blast in New Delhi targeted at the then Youth Congress leader, M.S.Bitta, that had killed 9 other people. Bitta escaped with minor injuiries.

This is not the first or the last state execution of a Sikh that India will commit. So why is this one important?

Over the years, Devinderpal Singh and his case have become iconic of the ability (or lack thereof) of Sikhs to speak up for their judicial rights in India. Saving him from the death sentence unjustly conferred upon him, especially in this day and age of media-led revolutions, should not have been difficult because there is clearly no case against him.

After all, India prides itself in being the largest democracy in the world. In any civilized country in the world, proof beyond reasonable doubt is necessary to convict a person, especially to send him to the gallows.

Not in India.

Everything about Devinderpal's case is disturbing.

Disturbing, because not only will another judiciary murder happen in India, but it will happen in the name of justice - justice that neither Devinderpal nor his family ever had the right or chance to. Justice that hundreds of thousands of Sikhs have not received in recent memory.

Disturbing, because there is a criminal named Sumedh Saini, the then Superintendent of Punjab Police, responsible for the abduction, torture and elimination of Devinderpal’s father, uncle, and friend (and several others) because Saini suspected Devinderpal's involvement in an attack on him. Instead of being charged and tried for his crimes, Saini was promoted to the position of Director-Vigilance, Punjab.

Disturbing, because there are several incarnations of Sumedh Saini who continue to enjoy free license to kill in the name of curbing the Khalistan insurgency and have been given total impunity for their actions - and rewarded with high-profile government posts and honors by both the Congress and Akali governments.

But what is beyond disturbing and unbearable is the helplessness that Sikhs find themselves in every time India hangs one of ours on the noose to make a statement, or kills one in a fake encounter, or worse - when, on the global stage, the crimes against the innocents are justified as curbing terrorism and the perpetrators of the mass killings and disappearances are venerated as the face of anti-terror.

Devinderpal’s case is one where even a layman can see that the death sentence given to him is a travesty of justice, a blatant disregard to human decency.

He was tried by the designated court in Delhi in January of 1995 under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act) for allegedly participating in the attack on Bitta. After facing six years of trial, he was sentenced to death by the designated judge on Aug 25, 2001. His sentence was based on a "confession" by Devinderpal purportedly recorded by a Deputy Police Commissioner during the police remand. This "confession" was recanted at the first opportunity by Devinderpal as a confession obtained by coercion and torture.

To begin with, there is nothing right about TADA, under which Devinderpal was tried and convicted and under which the alleged confession was made admissible as an evidence. TADA was repealed in May 1995 (years before the guilty verdict) after immense international pressure from the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, being termed as ‘draconian’.

Further, Devinderpal's conviction under TADA was wrong on another ground, his alleged crime of conspiring to assassinate Bitta should have been tried on the charge of "attempted murder", not as an "act of terrorism" as per definition and scope of the Act.

None of the 133 eye-witnesses produced by the prosecution identified Devinderpal as being present at the crime scene or planting a bomb in the car. There was no evidence to connect him with the crime, except for the alleged ‘confession’.

A second defendant in the case was acquitted on the same charges, in the same trial, because the only evidence against him was Devinderpal's "confession" - the very same one on the strength of which Devinderpal himself was convicted.

Furthermore, this ‘confession’ was said to have been recorded on a computer and was never produced in the court.

In the Supreme Court appeal of his case in 2002, the presiding judge on the bench, Justice M.B. Shah acquitted him of all the charges in a dissenting judgment, stating that too much doubt remained on the authenticity of the alleged ‘confession’ to the police.

"It is trite to say that one person alone can ever be held guilty of criminal conspiracy for the simple reason that one cannot conspire with oneself," Shah had ruled.

But the two other judges, Justice B.N. Aggarwal and Justice A. Pasayat, upheld the death sentence. The case failed to qualify for capital punishment because of the requirement that the sentence be unanimously hels by all the judges.

Devinderpal became the first person in independent India to be condemned to death on a split verdict by a Supreme Court bench.

Since January 1995, Devinderpal has spent 16 long years in Indian prisons, and since August 2001, the day of his conviction, much of the time has been spent in solitary confinement. Out of the 24 hours of each a day, he has spent 22 hours in his 7 x 9 feet cell in Tihar jail, a torture that has driven him insane. Today he suffers with severe mental and physical ailments.

After dismissal of his curative petition on Dec 19, 2002, the clemency petition was filed on his behalf by his lawyer with the President of India on January 14, 2003.

After eight long years of sitting on it, it was finally declined on May 25, 2011, and the President of India has given the go-ahead for his execution.

It didn’t matter to the President that the Constitution of India admits a very important fundamental right to everyone, i.e., protection against double jeopardy. One cannot be punished for the same offence twice. Devinderpal has already undergone a rigorous imprisonment for sixteen years of his life, including ten years in solitary confinement. At this stage, rendering capital punishment would mean awarding death penalty after undergoing life imprisonment.

This degree of punishment is not acceptable in any civilized society in the world today.

Even a layman who is not familiar with intricacies of law will agree that Bhullar should have been a free man today.

But that is not what the Indian media is talking about. Talk shows are debating why was there such a delay in hearing of appeals made by a "deadly terrorist" with alleged links to the Khalistan Liberation Force.

Not many are talking about the wrongful conviction or that Devinderpal has already served more than a full life-imprisonment term, enduring the entire period in torture. No one is talking about his wife Navneet Kaur, who after only a couple of months of marriage, was isolated from her husband and who still awaits his return. No one is talking about his mother, Upkar Kaur, whose husband, brother and son were cruelly snatched away from her by the state. And, no one is talking about one man on whose whims all of this befell on the family - Sumedh Saini.

Devinderpal’s lawyer, K.T.S. Tulsi, has not given up hope. Paramjit Singh of the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee who has lobbied for Devinderpal so far, providing him with legal aid, has vowed to keep fighting for his life in spite of the latest setback. His political clout has helped keep Devinderpal's story in the limelight to date.

But there is another ray of hope, a power that has not been tapped, that lies with the diaspora.

This angle drew some international action but not nearly enough. In December, 1994, Devinderpal - fearing elimination by the police through torture or a fake encounter much like his father, uncle and friend, decided to escape from India. While at Frankfurt airport in Germany, he was taken in custody on suspicion of forged documents and after remaining with German authorities for a month, he was deported to India in January,1995. He was arrested and charged with carrying a false passport.

While he was in police custody, with no access to a lawyer or his relatives, he was forced to make the confession for plotting the attack, which later resulted in his capital punishment.

This deportation was later recognized by a German court ruling as having been made by ‘grave procedural errors’. Now, since Germany should not have extradited or deported someone to his or her native country where they could be subject to a death penalty - Germany and other European countries do not condone capital punishment - upon delivery of the death sentence to Devinderpal, Germany should have intervened and asked for his return, especially in the light of the ‘grave procedural error’ it had committed and admitted.

But that never happened. The reason – a lack of global Sikh leadership which failed to wield an effective international lobby for the cause.

So, in essence, Devinderpal Singh Bhullar will see the gallows because of a ‘grave procedural error’ that was never corrected, a confession extracted under torture as the sole evidence against him, and the belief held by two Indian Supreme Court judges that "proof beyond reasonable doubt" should be a "guideline, not a fetish".

With all the facts laid out before us, the question today is not ‘What is wrong with India?’ but ‘What is wrong with us? ’

Why have the Sikhs worldwide not been able to fight for Devinderpal and many others languishing in Indian jails - some for more than quarter of a century?

Many organizations have come and withered away, but none have had the longevity and muscle to carry out the vision of creating an international movement that could save Devinderpal and similar innocent victims from the clutches of the draconian Indian "justice" system.

Devinderpal's father who "disappeared" while in police custody, was a Section Officer of the Punjab Audit Department and his mother a Supervisor in the Rural Development Department of Punjab. Devinderpal himself was young Lecturer in the Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana, where he had completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1990. His maternal uncle, Manjit Singh Sohi, another victim of state murder, and who he lived with for several of his school years, was an officer with the Reserve Bank of India.

If an educated family with such high visibility had to face such grave injustice, one can only imagine the status of thousands of others. Who is even bothering to look at the condition of village youth who were picked up on false allegations and are still languishing in prisons without any convictions or cases against them? Who will give closure to thousands of mothers still awaiting their sons?

Who will prosecute Sumedh Saini for his crimes?

The clock is ticking.

We need to act now.

This June of 2011 offers the opportunity for us to come out of our comfortable cocoons and take wings. Wings, not like an individual butterfly that flutters for a day before disappearing, but like migratory butterflies that reach a destination as a group, albeit living and dying individually.

June 8, 2011

Please go to and sign the petition: http://www.prisonerwelfare.com/category/news/
Write a letter to your local MP - you can get a draft copy from the Sikh Federation website - http://www.sikhfederation.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174:save-professor-davinderpal-singh-bhullar-campaign&catid=35:news
To find who your local MP is and how to contact them go onto: www.writetothem.com

1ST SHAHEED OF JUNE 1984 : BHAI KULWANT SINGH BABBAR

2011-06-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

http://www.panthic.org/articles/2518

1ST SHAHEED OF JUNE 1984 : BHAI KULWANT SINGH BABBAR

PANTHIC.ORG

Shaheed Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar

Name: Kulwant Singh
aka: Mehnga Singh
Date of Birth: 1957
Place of Birth: Yumnanagar Jagadhri
Date of Shaheedi: June 1st 1984

This warrior's confidence increased and he went up to the top most floor of Baba Atal. A sniper fired at Bhai Sahib and the bullet hit him in the forehead. Bhai Sahib fell to the ground, but when a nearby Singh asked "Mehnga Singh!!! How are you??" he replied "Chardi Kalaa!!!"

"True Lord, may my body be a sacrifice unto your feet. Guru, father, may I not show my back in the field of battle, and may I be martyred battling the enemies of the faith. Guru, Father, have mercy on me, may the enemy's bullets not hit my back, may I take them upon my chest. satguru, do not think of my faults, please let me embrace your feet."

This was Bhai Sahib's daily prayer before the Guru. When the time comes for a Sikh to give his head for the Guru, he is overcome with eagerness. He considers it his great fortune to give his head for the Sikh faith. When it comes time to sacrifice for the faith, the Sikh doesn't seek any examples, or justifications, or bribes. No force or fear can turn him away from his goal. Living his life according the Guru's bestowed faith, he fights the enemy and gives his head for the pure faith and truth and is then called a Martyr. Such a warrior always wants that his head should be sacrificed for the cause of the Guru.

On June 1st, 1984, the Indian government directed its evil eye towards the Sikh Places of worship and Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar. During the attack, Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar had the honour of being the first martyr to die fighting those who would defile the sanctity of Sri Darbaar Sahib. Just as Bhai Kulwant Singh had the honour of being the first martyr in the Darbar Sahib attack, similarly, Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar/Nagokay had the honour of being the first martyr of the Dharam Yudh Morcha. On June 9th, 1982, Bhai Nagokay had every one of his limbs broken and after enduring countless tortures, achieved martyrdom and by doing so, gave the shattered Panth unity to fight together. During this time Bhai Amarjeet Singh DaheRoo gave his martyrdom and increased the Panth's fervour to battle.

Bhai Kulwant Singh babbar was born in Yumnanagar Jagadhari in 1957 in the house of Sardar Partap Singh located in Vishkarma Nagar. He completed his early education in Yamunanagar. After passing the ninth grade, he entered the ITI and took a yearlong course in welding and then began to work.

Just as Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar had the honour of being the first martyr in the Darbar Sahib attack, similarly, Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar of Nagokay had the honour of being the first martyr of the Dharam Yudh Morcha.

During the Vaisakhi of 1978, unarmed Singhs went to protest the insult of Guru Sahib being done by the Fake Nirankaris, the unarmed Singhs were fired upon and 13 were martyred while countless others were injured.

The spilt blood of the martyrs had a deep effect on Bhai Kulwant Singh and as a result, he began attending Kirtan smagams and would long for the blessing of amrit day and night. By the grace of the Guru during the 1979 AKj holla Mohalla smagam at Anandpur Sahib, he presented himself before the punj pyaaray and was blessed with amrit.

Bhai Sahib would read books on sikh history and would try to mould his life to match those of old singhs. He would always be consulting with other singhs on panthic issues and how they could protect the panth from external threats such as the fake nirankaris.

The Police lodged murder cases on many Singhs and Bhai Sahib's companions fought this case. Bhai Sahib on the other hand refused to fight the case because in this words, "We don't believe in this false government, so why should we go to courts of a government we have no faith in?" Bhai Shaib was acquitted along with the singhs who chose to attend court proceedings.

With a desire to serve the Panth and punish the persecutors of the Singhs, Bhai Kulwant singh left his home and came to Bibi Amarjeet Kaur, wife of Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh, in Amritsar.

In Amritsar there was a group called the Chaldaa Vaheer, which Bhai Sahib joined and served whole-heartedly. Bhai Sahib wore tattered clothes but refused to accept dasvandh for his own personal use. With the Chaldaa Vaheer Bhai Sahib would do the seva of cleaning Darbaar Sahib early in the morning, the washing of Akaal Thakhat Sahib, kneading of flour in Sri Ramdaas Langar, preparing parshadas and also seva in distributing the langar. Considering Bhai Fauja Singh's wife and mother to be the family of a shaheed, Bhai Kulwant Singh served them with dedication and love. In return Bhai Fauja Singh's mother gave Bhai Kulwant singh the love a mother gives to a son.

In September 1979, Gursikhs held a camp in Bhai Fauja Singh's Khalsa farm in which Gursikhs in addition to learning gurmat, also learned weaponry. Bhai Shaib took part in this camp with a desire to learn the use of weapons. During this camp, Bhai Sahib met Bhai Sukhdev Singh, Bhai Kulwant Singh Nagokay , Bhai Sulakhan Singh, Bhai Balvinder Singh, Bhai Vadhava Singh, Bhai Anokh Singh, Bhai Manmohan Singh and many other Singhs. The Singhs who taught the use of weapons loved Bhai Sahib.

After subsequent camps in Sabhravan and Goindvaal, Bhai Shaib became very well acquainted with all the Singh's views and the love between them increased. They began to stay together in the form of a jathebandee. All the singhs had the goal of finding and punishing the killers of Gursikhs and those who would insult Guru Sahib. The first action the Singhs conducted was against an individual who had insulted the saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. And with this, by the grace of the Guru, the work of punishing the enemies of the Panth carried on in secret for the next two years. The Government had no idea who conducted these actions but the people declared that the sevice was being rendered by the Guru Shaheedee Fauj who were supporting the Gursikhs. During this time Bhai Kulwant singh took part in every action, considering it to be service to the Panth. Day and night Bhai Sahib worked to cut the chains of slavery from the neck of the Sikhs.

In 1982, village leader Surjan Singh Nagokay turned in Bhai Kulwant Singh Babbar Nagokay and also gave a full report of othe rest of the Singhs. The government tortured Bhai Kulwant Singh Nagokay to death and then made a false encounter; they also put rewards on the heads of all the other Singhs. Bhai Kulwant Singh aka. Bhai Mehngaa singh also had a reward out for his capture. The government began to hunt the Singhs and as a result, they went undergound. Only a few days had passed in hiding when this beloved of the guru, Bhai Kulwant singh, left to bathe in Sri Ramdas Sarovar and have darshan of Guru Sahib. He exclaimed "If the olden Singhs could cut through the cordon of their enemies, to have ishnan and darshan at Darbaar Sahib, so can I."

Gurdwara Sahib Baba Atal Ji where Bhai Sahib was mortally wounded

Even during this time in hiding, Bhai Sahib would rise at amritvela, bathe in the sarovar and then attend Asa Dee Var kirtan at Darbaar Sahib. After this, he would attend to the seva of the Singh's langar and also the Jora Ghar. On June 1st 1984 at around 12pm, the CRPF and the BSF, in a government-sponsered scheme to eliminate the Sikhs, opened a rain of fire upon the Singhs at Sri Darbaar sahib, Darshanee Deeorhee, Langar Building and Sri Akaal Takhat Sahib. Bhai Sahib was at Baba Atal sahib and took up a postition there, killing three attacking soldiers. This warrior's confidence increased and he went up to the top most floor of Baba Atal. A sniper fired at Bhai Sahib and the bullet hit him in the forehead. Bhai Sahib fell to the ground, but when a nearby Singh asked "Mehnga Singh!!! How are you??" he replied "Chardi Kala!!!"

The Singhs were informed that Bhai Sahib had been hit and Bhai Manmohan Singh and others were sent to retrieve him. The Gursikhs with great effort in the rain of bullets brought Bhai Kulwant Singh down from the top most floor of Baba Atal and carried him to Guru Nanak Niwas. There were no medical facilities or doctors, but the Singhs cleaned the wound and dressed it. Around this warrior gurbanee began to be recited and only after the completion of Sukhmani Sahib did he go and take his place at the feet of the Guru. On one hand, the Singhs were fighting the enemy and on the other, some Singhs were taking care of the Shaheed's body. Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar asked that Gurbanee continue to be recited.

On the evening of June 1st, the firing ended and a message was sent to the fallen warrior's mother and father. On the afternoon of June 2nd, they arrived from Yamunanagar at Guru Nanak Nivaas, despite the curfew. Mata Jee saw her son and said, "Son, you've fulfilled your promise. When you left home to serve the Panth you asked the Guru for what you have achieved today. By fulfilling your words, and giving your life to the Panth, you have honoured my womb."

BHai Kulwant Singh Being Honored Before Antim Sanskar

All the Jathebandees in the complex, upon hearing the news of the Shaheedee did a final ardaas for Bhai Kulwant Singh, and upon seeing the shaheed for the final time, heaped praise upon his bravery. Whoever meditates upon the Guru with a pure heart, for certain, gets the reward. May we be a sacrifice unto this first Shaheed, this blessed soul. This was the first shaheed whose body was cremated in the Darbar Sahib complex, despite the protestations of the SGPC president. Bhai Sahib was cremated close to Sri Manjee Sahib.

Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar and other Gursikhs lovingly bathed Bhai Sahib's body and dressed him in the five kakkars, a chola and dumalla . After the final ardas, he was brought near Sri Manjee Sahib and all the sangat in the complex accompanied this procession. Bhai Sujan Singh put a sheet over the body on behalf of Baba Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Other jathebandees also put sheets on the body out of respect and covered it with garlands of flowers. At the time of cremation, there was a large gathering of the sangat and every Gursikh felt the pain of Bhai Sahib's departure. Bhai Sahib's father lit the funeral pyre and seeing the rising flames, every Gursikh felt the desire to run to battle and die fighting for the faith.

Remembrance Rally in London Sunday 5th June

2011-06-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Akhand Paaht and Sunday Program in Memory of Panth Deh Shaheed

2011-05-28T02:24:00.001-07:00

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

A reminder to all - Change in Car Park!

RSYA is proud to announce that with Sat Guru Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Kirpa, we have managed to arrange Sri Akhand Paath Sahib in Memory of Panth Deh Shaheeds who gave their lives for OUR Freedom on started Friday 27th May 2011 at 10.00AM

Bhog is on this Sunday 29th May 2011 at 10.00AM

On the 29th May please come and find out the truth about what happened in the build up to Operation Bluestar & what's still happening today. The TVU Car Park (on Kings Road) has been booked on Sunday (29th May) for the Sadh Sangat (Please see maps for information on where the car park is located). Please use the TVU Car Park (on Kings Road) and do not park on Cumberland Road, as you will get a fine if your car is there for over 2 hours.

Talks on Sunday by after Bhog:

Bhai Kuljeet Singh Ji (Leicester) - on the history leading up to the attack on Harmandir Sahib and what continues to happen today

Bhai Satnam Singh (Barrister) - on Human Rights Abuses against the Sikh Community in India

Khalsa Aid - On Dharmi Fauji's - The Forgotten Hero's of the Khalsa Panth

There will also be a BOSS Stall at the Gurdwara with literature and information being distributed to the Sadh Sangat.

We have also arranged a coach for the Remembrance and Freedom Rally on Sunday 5th June at Hyde Park, in London. Please see poster for further details and to book your place.

Check out the event on Facebook, the advert on Youtube and the RSYA website for more info:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175510395837746
Youtube: http://youtu.be/1R5YkQSM5Lg
Website: www.rsya.org for more info

Or contact us at: rsya@hotmail.co.uk

Reading Nagar Keertan 2011

2011-04-14T01:31:00.000-07:00

Important Announcement

2011-03-09T01:43:00.000-08:00

CENSUS 2011: Sunday 27th March 2011

Sat Sri Akaal
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The Sikhs in Britain are a large and established group, but this is not always evident. The last survey carried out in 2001, at that time, approximately 300,000 Sikhs completed the Census, however it is estimated the Sikh population exceeded 700,000.

The impact of not completing the Census form to receive social, political and economic support is enormous. To receive the maximum support it is very important for us all to complete the Census form fully & accurately.

Why is the Census important for Sikhs and how will it make a difference?
Completing the Census form is very important for Sikhs as it is an opportunity for every Sikh to be counted. The amount of money our council has to spend on services is based on population statistics from the Census. That is why it is so important that everyone takes part.

Here are some socio-political matters that can be influenced

Culturally sensitive services e.g. Sikh doctors and nurses,
• Sikh child care services,
• Sikh home care/ day centre services for elderly,
• Transport for the disabled.
• Appropriate values based education e.g. schools & nurseries, free courses, library services etc.
• Employment help.
• Funding for charities and other community projects.

• Our identity, values, ethics and cohesion for generations to come.

Be Inspired!!!

2011-03-03T05:35:00.000-08:00

Be inspired by the amazing story of Bibi Harvinder Kaur, formely known as Alexandra Aitken (daughter of government minister; Jonathan Aitken) in her first UK talk since her transformation from a London party girl to a Gursikh

FRIDAY 11th MARCH 2011

7PM - 9PM

Tae Kwon Do & Pilates Sessions

2011-03-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

We know its been ages since we have written anything!! We are working on a few projects at the moment hence the lack of activity of this blog!

Singh Sabha Reading brings you Tae Kwon Do and Pilates, thursdays at 7pm, The Warehouse, 1a Cumberland Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3LB, don’t miss out!

We have organised Tae Kwon Do (for families) & Pilates (for women) at The Warehouse (1a Cumberland Road,Reading,Berks,RG1 3LB). The sessions are being provided by Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading, all sessions on Thursdays between 7-8pm.

Sessions provided by outsourced professionals - Bytomic Tae Kwon Do (http://www.btkd.co.uk/ ) & Pilates for Living (http://www.pilates-reading.co.uk/ ).

Please attend! Show your support so we can continue these events in the future. Only with your support can we continue, otherwise we won't be able to provide anything in the future for the community.

Attend and help kick start something amazing for the Reading Sikh Community.

Kirtan @ Slough Khalsa Primary School on 12th Dec

2010-12-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

Khalsa school Slough invites all to attend a kirtan darbar to commemorate the shaheedi of our beloved char sahibzades on Sun 12th Dec from 5.30pm to 8.30pm in which kirtanis Bhai Manpreet Singh Kanpuri, Bhai Tejinder Singh Khanewale and Bhai Amolak Singh Australia will be attending.

A heated marquee will be installed for extra seating arrangements, please attend with family and friends and forward this link to others.

Slough Khalsa Primary School, Wexham Road, Slough, SL2 5QR

Punjabi class turned to Gurbani class!!!

2010-10-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

Have been really busy with jobs, sikhi and family life therefore not giving us time to post inspirational posts regarding Sikhi!!

Please bear with us whilst we get things sorted on the blog front.

OHH.......as the kids in the higher punjabi class have expressed their interest in learning paaht correctly, Punjabi class for the higher set is now changed into learning paaht from the Reading Gurdwara Gianis.

This will take place from 5pm to 6pm on saturdays!!!!

5 sponges

2010-10-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Post from everydaysikhee.blogspot (Bhai Atma Singh - slough)

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕਾਖ਼ਾਲਸਾਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂਜੀਕੀਫ਼ਤਹਿ

There are five sponges laying on your kitchen counter top. Each member of your family has been cleaning up different areas of your home, but all the sponges look the same. You are curious as to what was cleaned in your home, but you can't tell by looking...they all look the same....so what do you do?

You squeeze each sponge to see what comes out. As you squeeze the first sponge, you see that cola comes out, and so you decide that someone cleaned the kitchen with that one. Upon squeezing the second sponge, you find tub and tile cleaner - that one was used to clean the bathroom. Next, in the third sponge, you find motor oil -- hubby was cleaning the garage! In the fourth sponge, baby powder puffs out when it is squeezed -- yep, the baby's nursery was done with that one! And finally, in the last one, is floor wax -- that was the one you used on the hall floor! As you lay the last one down, you look again at their similarity - and they all look the same until they're squeezed.

We are the same way. As life squeezes us, different things come out - anger from one, greed from another, attachment from one, lust from yet another, pride from one - and finally, from the Gurmukh, pours forth the love of Waheguru.

Just like the sponge, we can only squeeze out what is put in - stay in the Word of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj daily, and be in continuous prayer, so that when life puts the squeeze on you (and it will), Vaheguru, and Vaheguru alone, will shine forth from you!

RSYA NEEDS YOU!!

2010-06-11T02:58:00.000-07:00

For a long time now Parmvir Singh and Manmander Singh have been running Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA) and are now looking for more people to join to make it a large team. This will allow us to broaden the service that Reading Gurdwara can provide for the youngsters. We need people who can help us continue what we have been doing (and it isn't sitting on our backsides!!lol) such as;

Designing posters
Designing presentations for Gurpurbs and Sikhi Class
Running Punjabi Class and Sikhi class every Saturdays 5pm-7pm
Coach filling for all night kirtan programmes and other events
Providing literature and other media to sangat
Organising One day Camps at the Gurdwara
Updating this blogspot and Reading Gurdwara website (www.reading-gurdwara.org.uk)

....etc list is endless. Email RSYA@HOTMAIL.CO.UK for a full list.

Yes we know, we dont have many meetings, we just get on with the work rather than talking about it.

Khalsa Camp

2010-05-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

A Summer without going to a sikh camp is not much of a summer holiday!!

Khalsa Camp is a journey of discovery for those who seek the truth and spiritual advancement as according to the Sikh scriptures.

The aim of Khalsa Camp is to help you "Discover the Spirit Within". It is common for Sikhs to live their lives without any spiritual experiences and consequently remain God-less. Many find it difficult to begin their spiritual journey, despite efforts they may make. Some may even find it difficult to make the effort that is required. Khalsa Camp seeks to push-start those who need to begin their journey, inspire those who have already begun and share with those who have travelled far on the path of God.

If you wish to go, please let rsya@hotmail.co.uk know!!!

22 August - 27 August

For more information and application forms, please visit;

www.khalsacamp.com

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

2010-05-19T02:47:00.000-07:00

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as if as soon as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen.

The mother filled three pots with water.

In the first, she placed carrots. In the second she placed eggs. And the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil without saying a word. About twenty minutes later, she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she said, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. (You known the tone of voice.)

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they felt soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg inside. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, "What does it mean?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid center. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its insides had become hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water...they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your
door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot , an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my outer shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water - the very circumstances that bring the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of the bean. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you instead of letting it change you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle Adversity?

ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?

Make a difference

2010-05-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

Protest in Downing Street against Death Sentence given to 17 Sikhs - Coach Leaving from Reading Sunday 16th May‏

2010-05-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Protest in Downing Street, London on Sunday 16^th May against the Death Sentence given to 17 young Sikh men in Dubai.

Coach will be leaving Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading, Cumberland Road at 11am sharp on Sunday 16^th May.

Please email rsya@hotmail.co.uk to book seats.

Book your seats ASAP as we need to know the size of coach to take.

For further information on the case please check the following links:

http://sikhchannel.tv/

http://www.sikhchannel.tv/blog.php?id=14

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118382904859949

Vaisakhi + Nagar Kirtan INFO!!!!‏

2010-04-13T01:25:00.000-07:00

Yep its that time again when the entire Sikh population of Reading comes out to the streets for Nagar Kirtan!!!!

It will be taking place on the 2nd MAY 2010 - start about 1100am

please see poster below

We need seva for:

1. Punj Pyarai Seva

2. Nishaan Sahib Seva
* 1st line: 5 individuals above the age of 16
* 2nd line: 5/6 boys between age 9 - 16
* 3rd line : 5/6 girls between age 9 - 16

3. 15 Marshalls needed!!

Testing for gossip

2010-03-19T05:58:00.001-07:00

In ancient Greece, Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?”

“Hold on a minute,” Socrates replied. “Before telling me anything I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called the Triple Filter Test.”

“Triple filter?”

“That’s right,” Socrates continued. “Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“No,” the man said, “Actually I just heard about it and ...”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?”

“No, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still pass the test though, because there’s one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really …”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

Reading Sikh Workshop pics

2010-03-10T03:49:00.000-08:00

Please see the pics of the Reading Sikh Workshop that took place in November 2009

link to pics

Meeting this Sunday

2010-03-02T09:36:00.002-08:00

Sikh Youth meeting this Sunday (7th March) at Reading Singh Sabha Gurdwara at 1.30pm

please attend and tell us what you want seeing done!!

GURFATEH

Movie Day

2010-03-02T09:36:00.001-08:00

We are showing a movie at Reading Singh Sabha Gurdwara on Saturday 6th March at 6pm.

There will also be a presentation on one of the most controversial topics in Sikhi after the movie.

Please feel free to bring popcorn to the film.

Waking up for Amrit Vela

2010-02-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

1. That Sikh who remembers Vahiguru at Amrit Vela will achieve liberation.

2. Ishnan, nitnem and simran/abhyaas at amrit vela can transform the individual

3. Only that person can wake up for amrit vela who forsakes laziness and remembers death.

4. It is just as essential for every Gursikh to wake up in the last quarter of the night, amrit vela, as it is to do simran.

5. That person that remains asleep at amrit vela goes without the blessings and grace of Vahiguru

6. The best way of waking up for amrit vela is to eat little at night and to go to sleep on time.

7. It is at amrit vela that currents of Vahiguru's blessings are flowing but those who remain asleep at this time cannot enjoy them

8. Until the stars disappear, it is the fourth quarter of the night, amrit vela,
which is considered the most conducive time to meditate and worship Vahiguru.

9. That person that longs to wake up at amrit vela will be woken up on
time by some secret power.

10. After doing Sohila Sahib, and before going to sleep, doing ardaas for the ability to wake up at amrit vela is very beneficial.

11. That Gursikh who is thirsting for naam and baaNee will find that this thirst will be like the alarm which wakes him/her up.

12. Even cows, birds and roosters wake up at amrit vela. If a Sikh does not, it is his own bad karma.

13. It is a natural phenomenon that at amrit vela, even flowers blossom and spread their scent more than at any other time.

14. That person who wants to meditate on Vahiguru must make it a daily habit to wake up at amrit vela.

15. It is not enough to just wake up at amrit vela, ishnaan and simran are also essential.

16. Those individuals who spend their nights lost in vices and evil and then sleep through amrit vela are destroying their own lives.

17. The way in which our minds can be attached to simran and baaNee at amrit vela is not possible at any other time.

18. All great saints, rishis, munis, bhagats and Gursikhs all have woken up at amrit vela.

19. That person's life is fruitful and worthwhile who wakes up every day at amrit vela and remembers Vahiguru.

Respect of Sree Guru Granth Sahib Jee

2010-02-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

There is no limit in the amount of respect we can gave the focus of our faith. Whatever we do is not enough. Those who are in love with the Guru keep the following things in mind:

1) They take their shoes off far away and after washing their feet come into the Guru Darbar

2) With respect they bow before Guru Sahib and sit in Sangat

3) They sit cross-legged while facing Guru Sahib

4) Before leaving the Sangat to go outside, they first bow.

5) Whatever offerings they have, they do not throw in front of the Guru but slowly and respectfully place it before the Guru and then bow.

6) KaRah Parshaad is brought in a Sarbloh Bata with a white cloth over it and placed on a wooden table before Guru jee off to one side. They do not Bring the kaRaahee the degh was prepared in straight before Guru Sahib.

7) The sevaadaars who prepare Degh do so while repeating naam or baaNee

8) They prepare degh with a lot of care: it is not undercooked or burnt.

9) When bhog is done, the degh is not so hot that it can't be eaten.

10) They accept the degh in two hands and then bow their heads in thanks and when eating the Degh do not let any fall to the ground at all.

11) The Singh sitting in attendance of Guru Sahib keeps doing chaur. The Chaur is not to make flies go away but it is a form of respect to the divine jot that has been passed into Guru Sahib.

12) When taking Hukam, they do not hang the rumallas in Guru Sahib's ang (pages). (Hukam is taken from the left side's first shabad)

13) When putting the rumala back over Guru jee, they make sure no ang is bent.

14) When turning an ang, they carefully take the corner of the ang and separate it from the next one and turn slowly. When using the thumb or finger to turn from the middle of the ang, chances of damage or ripping increase so this should not be done.

15) A clean white rumalaa should be kept for the sevaa of the angs. Silk and nylon are not good for this task.

16) Before sitting in attendance of Guru jee, all grime and oil should be removed with soap otherwise it will mark the rumallas and the angs.

17) One only sits in taabiyaa (attendance) of Guru Saahib after washing the hair and while wearing clean clothes with a hazooriyaa. Washing the kes is also the maryada for doing degh and langar seva.

18) There should be a big and clean chaananee over Guru Sahib jee.

19) If parkaash is to be done in a paalkee, it should be big enough that chaur can easily be done.

20) The divaan is only over when ardaas after sukhaasan takes place.

21) When bringing/taking Guru Sahib, at least 5 Singhs should accompany.

22) When bringing degh into sangat, water should not be sprinkled on the carpets.

23) In that home where Sree Akhand Paath is taking place (or even in general) and Guru Sahib is not on a Takhat Posh but on a manjee placed over a mat, no one in the house should sleep on a bed.

24) When doing Sehaj Paath, the reader should not put a paper/sheet in Guru Sahib to serve as a marker. The number of the ang should be recorded in a separate diary or notebook.

25) For Guru jee's sukhaasan, at least two clean and big rumalaas are necessary.

From Soora Sept. 1994:

1) Wherever a Gurmat Smaagam is to take place, before doing parkaash of Guru Sahib, it should be noted that the place is according to the status and glory of Guru Sahib. It is disrespectful to do parkash in Hotels, Bazaars, dirty plots and tight areas.

2) No one in the presence of Satguru jee should have a special sitting place, chair, bed, etc. This is manmat.

3) Going into sangat bare-headed or veiled for women is against Gurmat

4) If Guru Sahib is parkaash at home, the room should be clean and fresh. No unnecessary things should be put in that room. PUTTING ANY PICTURES OF HUMANS OR REPRESENTATIONS OF GURUS IN PARKAASH AREA IS MANMAT.

5) Parkaash should be done at Amrit Vela (before sunrise). This is important regardless if it's a gurdvara or home.

6) Guru Sahib's parkaash should be on a high place or a takhat posh. If these both are for whatever reasons not possible, then the manjee should be placed on a clean cloth and parkaash done.

7) Rumallas for Guru jee should be beautiful and clean, but simple [preferably white or another Khalsa colour]. Too shiny, gaudy or very thin ones or ones with Gurus' pictures should not be used. Rumalas, pillows, sheets and other necessary items should all be clean. This is extremely important. Every day or seeing the need, they should be changed. Putting thin rumalas in the summer or warm ones in the winter in light of temperature should not be done. Does Guru Sahib feel hot or cold? Guru Sahib is shabad-roop.

8) At the end of divaan, Guru Sahib should be taken to the Sukh Asan place and only then should the sangat disperse. Usually after listening to katha/keertan, we take parshaad and run away. This shouldn't be done.

Slander & Hatred

2010-01-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

• Slander reduces the individual's own respect and kills feelings of brotherhood.

• Unjustly slandering someone is such a serious and massive offence that there can be no recourse for it

• In the world, any patient suffering from a disease can be treated, but there is no treatment from a slanderer

• Spreading information about someone's good or bad qualities without investigating for one's self is idiocy.

• That person that slanders the Guru's beloveds has his face blackened in this world and the next

• If you see a person with a fault, rather than slandering him before others, it is much better to educate him.

• To slander others to hide one's own faults is a very lowly and disgusting sin.

• To see and dwell on someone's faults is very easy, but to see faults and understand them is very diffcult.

• Almost everyone at some time does ninda, but to slander someone innocent or to do so with evil intent is a
• maha-paap.

• There are four types of ninda which are not sinful: that of a fake, that of someone opposed to the Guru, that of the ruler and one's own ninda.

• Someone who unjustly slanders and opposes others will never see happiness or peace.

• Just like a dog's tail can never be straightened, a nindak too will never leave his habit.

• If you give milk to a snake, it still strikes and spews venom. In the same way, if you do good to a nindak, he will still do bad to you.

• It is not wrong to join the ninda of those who are opposed to the Panth

• There is no person in existence who has not been slandered or wronged in some way.

• Only a true Soorbeer (warrior) can hear his own slander and remain uneffected

• To forget someone's good qualities and to look only at the bad is to be even worse than the ant who sorts through the dirt to find the sand.

• The mighty and wealthy may be able to crush the poor and meek, but they cannot crush Vahiguru's justice.

• The Jealous and hateful receive this punishment that their minds are never at peace.

• To cure the diseases of both the mind and body, the greatest medicine is to remain free of hatred and always remember Vahiguru

• Do not reply to the evil with evil. If you throw a rock at filth, it will only end up splattering on you.

• If the individual remains calm and peaceful after hearing hateful words, then the effect will reverse on to the
hateful individuals who spoke them.

• Having hatred towards others is the root of all bodily ills.

The Bag of Nails

2010-01-04T11:55:00.001-08:00

There was a little boy with a bad temper.
His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his Father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.
The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.

You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there.
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one".

Wind Of Forgiveness

2010-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: "Today My Best Friend Slapped Me In The Face."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "Today My Best Friend Saved My Life."

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

What we have done so far

2010-01-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

The list below shows what we have achieved to date
(15 months)

15^th Nov 2008 - Sikhi Workshop & Kirtan Darbar
14^th& 15^th February 2009 - SAS survival workshop
30^th May 2009 - 2 hours Chaupai Sahib paaht
2^nd August 2009 - Conversations with God (talk by Bhai Jagjit Singh)
29^th August 2009 - Family fun day out
31^st October 2009 - Seva day
21^st Nov 2009 - Sikhi Workshop & Kirtan Darbar
Running Sikhi class for one year
Movie day started at the Gurdwara
Bought new books for library
Produced a banner in remembrance of the Shaheeds
Added 4 educational poster boards in langar hall
Produced and printed Sikh literature
Helped set up a Sikh society at Reading University in 2008
Produced the Reading Gurdwara 2010 calendar
Started Gatka and Kirtan classes at Gurdwara
Made website with educational articles & upcoming events for Reading Gurdwara (this blog!! www.rsya.org)
Started a Reading Gurdwara Football team
Delivered Sikh presentations to schools and scouts

We have many more things to do this year 2010!! Be part of the change!

Pics of the snow!!

2010-01-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

Check them out below:

Trip to Derby and Leamington Spa‏

2009-12-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

Yep we got a trip for all the Sangat with under 16's to the Sikh museum in Derby and to the brand new Gurdwara in Leamington Spa!!

The trip will take place on Sunday 27th December, will leave the Gurdwara at 0900 and will get back about 5.30pm

If you want to come, want your younger brothers / sisters / cousins / nieces / nephews or your children to attend please get in touch ASAP and book your place!

Those who wish to go, please email back saying you want to go

If you have any questions please email RSYA Team at rsya@hotmail.co.uk

TWO WOLVES

2009-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

One evening an old Cherokee (Native American) told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said:

"My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all...
...one wolf is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego...

...The other one is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:
"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

japahu th eaeko naamaa || Chant the Name of the One Lord.

avar niraafal kaamaa ||1|| All other actions are fruitless. ||1||

Thanks to Bhai Bhupinder Singh

Mother and mute child

2009-12-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

A mother has her first child and as she nurtures her child for the first year she looks forward to the time her child will speak. A year passes and the child does not make a sound. She worries a little that the child is not even making a single sound. At two years the mothers fears are proven correct as the child is diagnosed as not being able to speak.

The child can hear fine as he follows the sounds that they make around him, but he cannot speak. She waits another few years. And hopes that one day her child will call her, speak to her, cry out her name. She longs for some response. But nothing.

Then one day while she is working outside she hears "Maaa!" shedrops everything runs to her child and asks the child, did you say something, say it again, was it just my imagination, please say something, say it again.....

And So is our Guru waiting for his children to call out to him, talk tohim, ask for him, remember him. Sometimes we may remember for an instant in times of pain and he will always run to us, he is always there, but then we lose our voices again.

gur naanak dhaekh vigasee maerae piaarae jio maath suthae

Beholding the Guru, Nanak is filled with wondrous joy, like a child, gazing upon his mother.

Guru Raam Daas Ji Raag Aasaa 452

prabh maath pithaa ka(n)t(h) laaeidhaa lahurrae baalak paal

God is my mother and father; He hugs me close in His embrace, and cherishes me, like His tiny baby.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Raag Raamkalee Ang 957

Sikhs Attacked in Ludhiana, Panjab

2009-12-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

On Saturday 5th December, the Panjab Police shot and killed Sikhs protesting in Ludhiana against a rally organized by supporters of Ashutosh Noormehlia of the Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan.

Who is Ashutosh Noormehlia?

Ashutosh Noormehlia is a man from Bihar who was brought to Panjab by agencies to create a cult (Diviya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan) to attack the Sikh religion. The cult-leader Ashutosh openly claims that Sikhs should not follow Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and instead accept him as the Guru because he says that the 'Jyot' (light) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee is within him and he claims that he is the reincarnation of Guru Gobind Singh jee as well. In his dera he keeps saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee that they treat and keep like a book which they keep on the shelf. He quotes and misinterprets Gurbani on a daily basis at his programmes. Ashutosh preaches against and insults keeping Kesh, wearing the 5 Ks, reading Gurbani, following the Shabad Guru, and going to the Gurdwara etc. The cultists claim that they are the 'true Khalsa' and oppose Amritdharis.

Video of Ashutosh Cultist preaching against Sikhi

They hold regular diwans at the heart of Sikh cities like Taran Taaran, Amritsar and Gurdaspur. Many times, events of 1978 have been repeated where the police was used for protection and attacking and killing the peaceful Sikh protestors. On one occasion, a programme was held on 19th April 2002 at which a preacher of Ashutosh, Shardha Nand, grossly insulted Sikhi and Guru Granth Sahib jee (see video above). When Sikhs showed up to protest they were attacked and fired upon. Shardha Nana escaped in government vehicles and Sikhs were arrested for causing violence. Similar events have taken place in other cities but with the help of the government Noormehls always managed to escape and Sikhs became the target of violence and police brutality.

Read more about Ashutosh here.

The events leading up to Saturday
After the events of 2002, the then government led by Capt. Amrinder Singh (Congress) banned Ashutosh from doing any form of preaching outside of his dera as it was a risk to law and order and it would hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. However, the Badal government (the Akalis) lifted the ban and allowed Ashutosh to do programmes throughout Panjab. It should be noted that whenever anti-Sikh cults have risen in Panjab to attack the Sikhs it has always been during the Akali-BJP governments (e.g. 1978 massacre, 1984 Operation Bluestar, Bhaniaare wala, and Jhoota Saudaa).

Ashutosh had planned a Shobha Yatra (mockery and copy of Sikh's Nagar Kirtan) in Ludhiana on 5th December, in which he was to sit in a Palki and roam around Ludhiana. But Panthic Jathebandis had protested against it, and due to pressure from all sides, the Badal's government refused permission for the parade. Despite the cancellation of the Shobha Yatra, Ashutosh was adamant to hold a programme to show his power, as he knows that 40% residents of Ludhiana today are from UP and Bihar. He wanted to directly challenge the Sikh panth.

One day before on 4th December, 12,000 Bihari workers rioted across Ludhiana and burnt down Sikh buses, trucks, cars and motorcycles in protest against another issue which was related to them being treated poorly by the police when they reported that they were being their money was being looted by robbers on paydays. Although the issues are different, it is hard to ignore that both events have links. When 12,000 Biharis targetted Sikh buses (Sachkhand and Akal Takht Express buses) and Sikh property no one was fired at! However, oney day later when 500 to 600 Singhs peacefully protest they are fired with bullets by the Police.

On Friday 4th December the Sikhs were reassured by the government officials that Ashutosh's programmes were cancelled however fearing that it could be a bluff they decided to carry out a peaceful protest to the intended programme venue on 5th December. The Sikh Sangat led by Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, leaders from Damdami Taksaal and Sant Samaaj gathered at Gurudwara Kalgidhar in Ludhiana where the Singhs did Ardaas in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee for blessings and then they began to walk.

The Singhs had only walked a hundred kilometers or so when the peaceful Sikh protestors were stopped by the Police and were blocked from going forward. The Police then tried to put Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma (Damdami Taksaal) into a Police van when the Sangat intervened and prevented it from happening. At this point tensions rose due to the heavy handed tactics of the Police.

LUDHIANA MASSACRE - DECEMBER 5th 2009

The police set up a barricaded check post at Samrala Chowk, about 1 kilometer from the dera rally, and without warning fired upon the protesting Sikhs as they approached the check point. The police used tear gas and live ammunition on the protesting Sikhs. Varying reports are saying that 4 to 6 Gursikhs have been killed and 11 others were seriously injured by the indiscriminate police firing. The injured include Bhai Kanwalpreet Singh, Bhai Anup Singh, Bhai Manjinder Singh, Bhai Sukhwinder Singh, Bhai Parminder Singh, Bhai Gurpreet Singh, Bhai Gurjant Singh, Bhai Jaswinder Singh, Bhai Amarjeet Singh, Bibi Surinder Kaur and Bhai Mangal Singh.

58-year old Bhai Darshan Singh jee becomes the first Shaheed of this Saakaa (massacre). Bhai Sahib was a simple Gursikh who drove a Rikshaa for his livelihood. He was driving his Rikshaa when he saw the Gursikhs protesting. Finding out about the protest Bhai Sahib left his Rikshaa and joined the protest at the front. The Police aimed to shoot Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale but when Bhai Sahib saw this he jumped in front to have bullets pierce through his chest. He has left 2 sons and 1 daughter.

Elderly Singh becomes Shaheed after Police open fire on Gursikhs.

Gursikh left bleeding and his turban removed.

Sikh youngster lying on the ground seriously injured.

Bhai Sahib jee shot in the stomach by the Police.

Panjab Police brutality

Blood on their Hands!
Panthic organizations state that Harish Bedi, the local BJP MLA leader, and his son Honey Bedi are directly responsible for organizing the cult rally with the blessings of the ruling Akali government. Both had been actively preparing for the event for several days. Witnesses attest that Honey Bedi was present at the protest site, and shot a firearm in the direction of the protesters. The organizations have requested that along with cult leader Aushutosh, Parkash Badal, Harish Bedi and his son should to be held responsible for the bloodshed in Ludhiana.

Protest ongoing
The Gursikh leaders decided that they would get the Sangat to hold back from fighting the Police as they felt it was a trip to get maximum number of Sikhs get killed. Instead the decision was made by the Mahapurkhs for the Sangat to sit down and peacefully protest and stay clear from the trap. All the Singhs and Mahapurkhs continued the protested throughout the night and on to the next day. In the cold night of December with no extra clothes or blankets, Gursikhs sat in the roads to peacefully protest. As there was a complete shutdown in Ludhiana, I assume that Langar was not allowed to be brought to the places where Gursikhs were protesting throughout the day and night. Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale jee has taken the lead and are visiting hospitals to tend to the injured Singhs and preparing for the funerals of the Shaheeds tommorow in Ludhiana.

Reading Gurdwara Workshop and Kirtan Darbar

2009-11-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh,

On Saturday November 21st Reading Gurdwara will be a day of Sikhi workshops!

Sri Guru Singh Sabha
30a Cumberland Road,
Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3LB

The workshops will be conducted by Bhai Manvir Singh and Co. who will speak in English (so you cant complain 'I dont understand!!).

This is a fantastic opportunity to really learn, appreciate and enjoy the wealth of Sikhi. The workshops will be held throughout the day so that everyone and anyone can benefit. They start at 10am and will be going on continuously until 5pm, so come when you can, ideally for the whole day lol.

'Use this chance to take a permanent hold of Guru Ji’s hand; it may be your last'

It would be amazing to see you there at the workshops on the date specified. Even coming down just a couple of hours is good enough!!!

The camp will cover the core principles of Sikhism; it will allow you to ask ANY questions you have on Sikhism that you may have, and all in English!!!!!!! It is better than asking Gianis/ Granthis where we become more confused after hearing their answer than when we went to ask them the question!! Lol

If you have any questions please email.

TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!

For the Youth: YOU ARE THE FUTURE – DISCOVER YOUR SIKHI

Also Sevadars are required so please get in contact if you can help out!

Oh and to top it off we have a Kirtan darbar at the end of it from 6pm to late! Kirtanis are coming from all over the UK to do kirtan seva in the remembrance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Jis Shaheedi (Martyrdom). PLEASE ATTEND.

Singing the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy, is the highest of all actions.

So chant the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy; this alone shall go along with you in the end. ||3||

Seva Day & Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurb

2009-10-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Seva Day - Saturday 31st October from 10am to 7pm - There will be plenty to do and we advise you bring clothes you dont mind getting dirty!

Guru Nanak Dev Jis Gurpurb - Akhand Paaht starts 31st October and Bhog on Monday 2nd November, evening Kirtan programme from 6pm - 10pm!

Movie Day - RSYA will be showing another movie at Reading Gurdwara on Sunday 7th November at 6pm downstairs.

STRENGTH

2009-10-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

A little boy was spending his Saturday morning playing in his sandbox. He had with him his box of cars and trucks, his plastic pail, and a shiny, red plastic shovel. In the process of creating roads and tunnels in the soft sand, he discovered a large rock in the middle of the sandbox.

The lad dug around the rock, managing to dislodge it from the dirt. With no little bit of struggle, he pushed and nudged the rock across the sandbox by using his feet. (He was a very small boy and the rock was very huge). When the boy got the rock to the edge of the sandbox, however, he found that he couldn't roll it up and over the wall.

Determined, the little boy shoved, pushed, and pried, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the rock tipped and then fell back into the sandbox.

The little boy grunted, struggled, pushed and shoved. But his only reward was to have the rock roll back, smashing his chubby fingers.

Finally he burst into tears of frustration. All this time the boy's father watched from his living room window as the drama unfolded. At the moment the tears fell, a large shadow fell across the boy and the sandbox. It was the boy's father.

Gently but firmly he said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?

Defeated, the boy sobbed back, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had!"

"No, son," corrected the father kindly. "You didn't use all the strength you had. You didn't ask me."

With that the father reached down, picked up the rock, and removed it from the sandbox.

When in times of need, use the biggest strength you have...An ardas to your Father, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, to help you overcome your problem...

Guru Raam Daas Ji in Raag Dayv Gandhaaree on Ang 527

dyvgMDwrI ]
dhaevaga(n)dhhaaree ||
Dayv-Gandhaaree:

Ab hm clI Twkur pih hwir ]
ab ham chalee t(h)aakur pehi haar ||
Now, I have come, exhausted, to my Lord and Master.

jb hm srix pRBU kI AweI rwKu pRBU BwvY mwir ]1] rhwau ]
jab ham saran prabhoo kee aaee raakh prabhoo bhaavai maar ||1|| rehaao ||
Now that I have come seeking Your Sanctuary, God, please, either save me, or kill me. ||1||Pause||

lokn kI cqurweI aupmw qy bYsMqir jwir ]
lokan kee chathuraaee oupamaa thae baisa(n)thar jaar ||
I have burnt in the fire the clever devices and praises of the world.

koeI Blw khau BwvY burw khau hm qnu dIE hY Fwir ]1]
koee bhalaa keho bhaavai buraa keho ham than dheeou hai dtaar ||1||
Some speak good of me, and some speak ill of me, but I have surrendered my body to You. ||1||

jo Awvq srix Twkur pRBu qumrI iqsu rwKhu ikrpw Dwir ]
jo aavath saran t(h)aakur prabh thumaree this raakhahu kirapaa dhhaar ||
Whoever comes to Your Sanctuary, O God, Lord and Master, You save by Your Merciful Grace.

jn nwnk srix qumwrI hir jIau rwKhu lwj murwir ]2]4]
jan naanak saran thumaaree har jeeo raakhahu laaj muraar ||2||4||
Servant Nanak has entered Your Sanctuary, Dear Lord; O Lord, please, protect his honor! ||2||4||

Article written by the administrators of Sikhvibes.com - check out that website!

Interesting thoughts

2009-09-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

Prayer is not only worship; it is also an invisible emanation of man's worshipping spirit - the most powerful form of energy that one can generate. If you make a habit of sincere prayer, your life will be very noticeably and profoundly enriched.

Prayer is a force as real as terrestrial gravity. As a doctor, I have seen men, after all therapy had failed, lifted out of disease and melancholyby the serene effort of prayer. Such occasions have been termed miracle. But a constent, quieter miracle takes place hourly in the hearts of men and women who have discovered that prayer supplies them with a steady flow of sustaining power in their daily lives.

Too many people regard prayer as a formalised routine of words, a refuge for weaklings or a childish petition for material things. Properly understood, prayer is a mature activity indispensable to the fullest development of personality. Only in prayer do we achieve that complete, harmonious assembly of body, mind and spirit which gives the frail human reed its unshakeable strength.

How does prayer fortify us with so much dynamic power? To answer this question (admittedly outside the jurisdiction of science) I must point out that all prayers demonstrate the same truth; human beings seek to augment their finite energy by addressing themselves to the infinite source of all energy. When we pray, we link ourselves with the inexhaustiblemotive power that spins the universe. We ask that a part of this power be apportioned to our needs. Even in asking, our human deficiencies are filled, and we arise strengthened and repaired.

In order really to mould personality, prayer must become a habit. One can pray everywhere; in the street, the office, the school, in the solitudeof one's own room, in a church. There is no prescribed posture, time or place. But it is meaningless to pray in the morning and to live like a barbarian the remainder of the day. True prayer is a way of life; the truest life is literally a way of prayer.

Today, lack of emphasis on the religious sense has brought the world to the edge of destruction. Our deepest source of power and perfection has been left miserably undeveloped. Prayer, the basic exercise of the spirit, must be actively practised by man and nations. For if the power of prayer is again released and used in the lives of common men and women, there is yet hope that our prayers for a better world will be answered.

(Prayer is Power by Alexis Carrel in Reader's Digest March 1963).

---------------------------------------------------------

Times of general calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest one is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm. (Colton)

Nations, like individuals, derive support and strength from the feeling that they belong to an illustrious race, that they are heirs of the greatness, and ought to be the perpetuators of their glory. It is of momentous importance that a nation should have a great past to look back upon. It steadies the life of the present, elevates and upholds it and heightens and lifts it up, by the memory of the great deeds, the noble sufferings and the valorous achievements of the men of old. (Samuel Smiles)

Ideas have never conquered the world as ideas, but only by the force they represent. They do not grip men by their intellectual contents, but by the radiant vitality which is given off at certain period in history...The loftiest and most sublime idea remains ineffective until the day when it becomes contagious, not by its own merits but by the merits of the groups of men in whom it becomes incarnate, by the transfusion of their blood, then the whithered plant, the rose of Jerico comes suddenly to flower, grows to its full height, and fills all the air with its aroma. (Roman Rolland)

Typed by sevadaar of RSYA

Movie days at the Gurdwara!!!

2009-09-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

We bet you can't believe it!!

A Gurdwara - a place where parents bring you even though you may not want to be there is showing films?!?

YEP! We sure are, each month on a Saturday during Sikhi class, we will show a Sikhi based film. (Saves the Sikhi class teacher from boring everyone to sleep! lol).

Please see poster attached to find out next movie day!!

P.S. Feel free to bring popcorn and juice!

Kirtan in loving memory of Bhai Gurnam Singh Ji - Pics

2009-09-19T04:52:00.000-07:00

The Kirtan programme in loving memory of Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurnam Singh on the 12th September was a great success as many kirtanis and sangat attended from all over UK.

Below are some pictures taken on the day, enjoy!

Bhai Harsevak Singh

Bhai Gurvijay Singh

Bibi Ji

Bhai Ragbir Singh doing Chaur Sahib Seva

Bhai Nanak Singh

Kirtan event in loving memory of Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurnam Singh Ji

2009-09-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

There is a kirtan programme on the 12th September in loving memory of Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurnam Singh, the first president of Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Reading.

Bhai Sahib were also one of the founding members of Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK when in it was set up in 1976. Bhai Sahib did seva as its General Secretary from then until 1995. They arranged many of the old international smagams in the UK, single handly, nowadays there are smagams everywhere but back in the day in the 70's, 80's, it was harder to get keertanis to smagams, as the majority of keertanis were in India and getting visas was not as easy as it was now.

The Rehansbai's we enjoy today are due to the hard work done by these Gursikhs in the past. Please please attend.

It is the RSYA team's humble request that you attend and get the laha of Kirtan, Simran and Saad Sangat.

Please see poster.

Next RSYA meeting - 6th Sept 2009

2009-08-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

The meeting will be on the 6th SEPTEMBER 2009 at Ramgharia Sikh Centre at 1.30 PM. (234 London Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1AH)

Those who have ideas that they would like to see be implemented through this youth group or even just want to be part of this growing group of Sikh youngsters in Reading; then please attend.

Tell others please. Thank you.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Bhai Gurnam Singh Antim Sanskar

2009-08-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh

Bhai Gurnam Singh Reading left for heavenly abode on the 13th August 2009. Bhai Sahib was very old and had been in hospital for a couple of weeks.

Bhai Sahib had dedicated his life to Gurbani and spent years as a very active sevadaar in the sadh sangat. Bhai Sahib would sit through many Rainsbhais enjoying the laha of Gurbani while doing his niskam seva.

Bhai Sahib was one of the founding members of Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK when in it was set up in 1976. Bhai Sahib did seva as its General Secretary from then until 1995. Bhai Sahib was highly educated and held a good position in his working life, but always remained humble.

Bhai Sahib helped many Sikhs in the early days who had issues of keeping rehit in work places, such as dastaar, kirpan, etc. He was a very capable community spokesperson.

He would often reminiscence about how blessed he was to have spent so much time in sangat of Guru Sahib and his Gursikhs.

During the past few days sehaj paaht and kirtan has been taking place at Bhai Gurnam Singh Ji's residence.

Kirtan takes place from 1815 to 1945 every day.

Address: 10 Lambourne Gardens, Earley, Reading, RG6 7EG

ANTIM SANSKAR IS ON FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2009

Bhai Gurnam Singh brought home - final respect
Time: 0845 - 1000
Address: 10 Lambourne Gardens, Earley, Reading, RG6 7EG
Telephone: 01189 267900 / 07932386991 / 07961169805

Followed by

Antim Sanskar
Time: 1045 - 1130
Address: Reading Crematorium & Henley Road Cemetery, All Hallows Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5LP
Telephone: 01189 472433

Followed by

Gurdwara - Sehaj Paaht Bhog and Kirtan
Time: 1230 - onwards
Address: Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, 30A Cumberland Road, Reading, RG1 3LB
Telephone: 01189 623836

Left to right
Bhai Tejinderpal Singh Ji (Dulla)
Bhai Gurnam Singh Ji
Bhai Joginder Singh Ji Talwara

The Rehansbai's we enjoy today are due to the hard work done by these Gursikhs in the past. Please please attend.

WaheGuru Ji Ka Khalsa WaheGuru Ji Ki Fateh

Family Day Out at Palmer Park

2009-08-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

Thats right there is going to be a family day out on the 29th August 2009 at palmer park!!!

Starts at 1pm and will end about 5pm

There will be plenty to do including football, rounders, gup shup and eating!! LOL

Please come along with whole family

Check out the poster

Next RSYA meeting - 16th Aug 2009

2009-08-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

The meeting will be on the 16th AUGUST 2009 at Ramgharia Sikh Centre at 1.30 PM. (234 London Road, Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1AH)

Those who have ideas that they would like to see be implemented through this youth group or even just want to be part of this growing group of Sikh youngsters in Reading; then please attend.

Tell others please. Thank you.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Inspirational books‏

2009-08-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Following the amazing talk at Reading Singh Sabha Gurdwara on the aspect of talking to God, there were a few inspirational books mentioned, they are written below with the link for more info and to go and buy it. These books will be in the library soon.

THESE BOOKS ARE IN ENGLISH!!

1 - In Search of the TRUE Guru (Bhai Rama Singh Ji Autobiography)
http://www.sikhnation.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=31

2 - Autobiography of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Ji
http://www.sikhnation.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=48
http://www.bhaisahib.com/ (more info)

3 - The Little book of spiritual Wisdom (by Jatinder Singh)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0953857204?tag=openlibr-20

Happy reading!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Conversations with God

2009-07-20T15:41:00.001-07:00

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

The next event at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading is on SUNDAY 2nd AUGUST 2009

It is a talk that will be about 'Conversations with God' by Bhai Jagjit Singh

It starts at 10.30am and finish at 1pm

Do we speak to God? is there a way of speaking to God? how do we speak to God? Does God listen? what is the point of speaking to God?

ALL these questions WILL be answered - dont get that on a general Sunday programme!!

any other question you may have can be answered on a one to one basis after the general talk that will be given to the sangat

Please pass this email out far and wide!!! Dont be shy!!

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA)
Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara,
30A Cumberland Road,
Reading,
Berkshire,
RG1 3LB,
U.K.

http://www.rsya.org/

Contact: rsya@hotmail.co.uk

Gursikhs have two wings

2009-07-17T03:51:00.001-07:00

"A bird has two wings and cannot fly without these. In the same way, for the Gursikhs sewa and simran are like two wings. Without sewa and simran, an individual will not rise above the problems of daily life and be content and positive. By doing sewa, the hands, feet and body become purified. By doing Simran, the tongue and the mind are purified."

written by Bhai Rama Singh Ji in 'In Search of the True Guru'.

Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and The Naamdhari's‏

2009-07-17T03:50:00.001-07:00

One time, 108 Bhram Giani Mahpursh Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa and the entire Jatha where staying at Sachkhand Sri Hajoor Sahib. At the same time a large Naamdhari Jatha had reserved rooms at Gurdhwara Sahib not knowing that Mahpursh and Jatha where also staying there.

The Naamdhari's where given stage time, and did katha and many members of the jatha where taken back by the preechar done. During Ardaas, premi's who where doing Joryaan di Sevaa, ran away as they did not want to hear the blamsemphous ardaas of the Naamdhari's, who did not beleive in Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the jag-di-jot of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji.

The premi's quickly ran over and sat with Mahpursh. No one dared to say a word to mahpursh Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji, out of fear, as any talk outside of gurbani was not tolerated, and Mahpursh where always in a state of doing, or listening to Gurbani and no one would dare interupt it. The Singhs all sat with mahpursh wondering what should be done, and how the Naamdhari's should be dealt with.

Later in the evening diwan Sant Mahpursh Bhram Giani Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa, sat on stage and did Katha. Just by listening to the Katha the Naamdhari's realized who Mahpursh where (A true Sikh of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji). The Katha hit deep down and the unfatmoable arth of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji stung at the hearts of the Naamdhari's. Without wasting any time they all got there stuff together and ran away from Sri Hajoor Sahib Ji.

Morale: Many times we see parkhandhi babbay running prechaar against Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Quickly we are triggered to being angry and becoming hot headed. In this day and age espeically countless numbers of people are doing beadbi of Maharaaj and not conforming to parataan Rehat. By becoming angry and hot headed we are all causing fire, and likewise getting burned. Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is above all, they are untouchable and above all, it is no doubt our duty as the sons and daughters of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji to have shardaa and respect towards Maharaaj, however acting out and acting rash is of no use to anyone.

The real way to act, should be to simply get on stage and do prechaar and Gurbani itself will teach and sting at the hearts of those doing wrong doings. Full faith in Gurbani should always be held. As Gurbani itself is above all, who are we to protect it? We can only simply ask for Gurbani to protect us. Many times we feel we need to protect Gurbani from evil mahaants, but just as children who get angry at someone teasing our parents, we fail to realize that this calling of names etc, is only bringing the other person down and weighing down on there own karm.

Sakhi typed as remembered, from the katha narration of Baba Charn Singh (Bhagat Ji).

Shaheedi Akhand Paath

2009-06-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

In Memory of all the Shaheeds in 1984 Sri Akhand Paath will be held to commemorate this occasion when Sri Harmandir Sahib was attacked, the Akal Takht destroyed and Thousands were killed.

Please attend and bring your family and friends.

19th June - 21st June

Start (Arambh): 10.00am (19th June)
Finish (Bhog): 10.00am (21st June)
Keertan Deewan and Speakers: 10-1pm

Guest Speakers on 21st June (10.30am - 1pm):

Bhai Balbir Singh (Southall) - who spent over 3 years in an Indian Jail wrongly accussed by the corrupt Delhi Police, just as he landed at the airport in 1999. Bhai Sahib was acquitted by the Judge in 2002, as he called the case put against Bhai Sahib a "balloon of falsehood".

and

Bhai Deepinder Singh(aka Dr.D from Khalsa camp)

@ Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading
30A Cumberland Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 3LB
UK

Tel: 01189 623 638

rsya@hotmail.co.uk

http://www.reading-gurdwara.org.uk/
http://www.rsya.org

Keertan Classes

2009-06-12T19:17:00.001-07:00

@ Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Reading
30A Cumberland Road
Reading
RG1 3LB

Keertan Classes Every Monday and Thursday 6.30pm until 7.30pm

Next RSYA meeting - 14th June 2009

2009-06-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

LONG TIME SINCE MEETING!!

RSYA have been busy designing banners and other work for the 1984 Rally and for the Shaheedi Akhand Paaht (19th - 21st June 2009).

BUT WORRY NOT.......THE GUP SHUPP.......erm.........THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND!

The meeting will be on the 14th JUNE 2009 at Reading Gurdwara at 1.30 PM. Those who have ideas that they would like to see be implemented through this youth group or even just want to be part of this growing group of Sikh youngsters in Reading; then please attend.

Meeting will take place in small hall (Opposite the main Darbar - access via the small stairs)

Tell others please. Thank you.

WAHEGURU JI KA KHALSA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH

Make the time for Guru Ji!

2009-05-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Sikh duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of waheguru to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before Waheguru,
I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands He held a book; It was the book of life.
Waheguru looked into his book and said
Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down... But never found the time'

IF SOMEONE HAD A GUN HELD IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE AND ASKED YOU IF YOU BELIEVED IN WAHEGURU, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

SAY NO AND FEEL ASHAMED THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
OR
SAY YES, I DO, AND DIE STANDING UP FOR WAHEGURU?

Why Humans Don't Believe, Love or Have Faith In God‏

2009-04-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

People feel this way due to doubts, and these doubts have increased from having so many life times in which we have sinned. By sinning a real filth, not an abstract filth but real, clouds the mind with such thickness that the person cannot feel or hear the soul but only the mind. People have both good and bad thoughts, the good thoughts which lead us closer to God come from the soul whereas the bad from the mind. In Gurbani it says that people only began to doubt and to think of God to be faraway in Dvapar Yug, the yug before this one, Kaliyug (dark age). So, imagine what people would be like now in this age - they won't believe God exists at all.

Why would God show that he exists so easily to one who doubts or who has ego, if he did that, than everyone in this world would believe in God, worship him and would not SIN. He saves his existence for his SAINTS; this is the glory of the saints. God teaches, guides and inspires his devotee, perfecting him/her, turning them into a SAINT in order to grant their GIFT, God's Darshan. This is the love they have for God and the love God shows back to them, enabling them to merge with him and return to their true home.

What separates us from him is our own EGO. In this EGO we say I did this, I bought this, but in reality God does everything. In fact, everything you have in your life has been given to you by GOD; in gurbani God is called the GREAT GIVER. To counter this EGO we put FAITH in between this EGO and God. Now, faith is everlasting, nothing like belief as belief can be shattered easily. By putting faith in Guru Ji and God, we have put a thorn in our EGO, because we will now look beyond the blindness of the ego into the unseen. The soul already knows God exists it is our mind that does not. With this Faith we become humble living, not in our own will (ego), but God’s will doing what he tells us not what our mind tells us, ie giving our head to Guru Ji by taking amrit and JAPING NAAM. This is the beginning stage of perfection - NAAM CONVERTS THE FAITH INTO A REALITY. There is no difference between God’s name and God himself; the naam acts like a mediator, we have to remember this. It erases countless sins and filth of the mind so much that we will begin to hear and feel our soul’s needs, which is to unite with GOD. This state is called Bairaag, it has been reached by many Gursikhs in the past. Notable ones to mention are Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh Ji and Baba Harnaam Singh Ji. Below are their pictures and short stories of major turnings in their life before they both had the vision of God. Enjoy.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh:
Bhai Sahib Ji’s father always told him that prayer to God does not cure physical illnesses but only mental illnesses, and that he should take a medicine to cure the physical ones. Bhai Sahib disliked medicines as he never accepted or put faith in them, but only in God. Soon his father became ill of Malaria, and if not cured by medicine, he would have died. Bhai Sahib Ji served him at the hospital himself accompanying him. After a week the treatment had no effect on him; there was not the slightest change in his condition and his fever proceeded to worsen. More servants were sent to help bhai sahibs father but whoever did suffered a severe attack of malaria and had to leave the place. Even a relative of Bhai Sahibs could not help from also becoming ill from being near Bhai Sahib’s father. His father’s condition was taking a serious turn now. Bhai Sahib himself eventually caught the fever too, he was fine at first but then he started to shiver and his body’s temperature rose every high, so he had to confine himself to a bed. His father was dying now, and it was unlikely for him to survive in the next 24hrs.

Now, bhai sahib was told to take medicine by a doctor, otherwise he won’t be able to serve his father in his last moments. Bhai sahib replied: “your medicine had not been able to cure my father after a treatment of many weeks. Your medicine had not cured anyone of those servants and relatives who became a victim of the fever and had to go home. How could this medicine cure me? Don’t worry about me I have my own medicine. Do not annoy me anymore as I am not going to take any of your medicines anymore”. The doctor became very angry on hearing this and put two medicines on a table beside his bed, ordering him to take it or if he does not after an hour when he comes back he and his dying father will be thrown out of hospital. Bhai sahib who was unaffected by the threat gathered strength and went to his father. His father looked completely dead; he was lying unconscious, his pulse was very slow and about to fail, his hands and feet were very cold, a rattling sound could be heard in his throat and he could neither hear nor see for the last two days. For three days he was unable to pass urine, although his catheter was passed and some injections were given. His urine had poisoned and infected his whole body. There was no hope of his survival. Giving up, Bhai sahib ji then heard a voice inside of him that the divine name is the panacea of all illnesses. This gave him hope and his faith was awakened, but only because he already served Guru Ji and believed this in his heart.

Being disappointed from every side, he concentrated on the inner voice which was his only hope. He wrapped himself in a blanket and in a state of mental concentration did ardaas and then recited Japji (to him this was the only name he knew as he had not taken amrit at the time). The spiritual mystery of the name had not been revealed to him. He recited Japji five times and sixth time his mind was concentrated on the verses of spiritual communion manai (verse no. 12 to 15). He continued to repeat these verses and could not go beyond it. His body then began to sweat and his fever had come down to normal and he was feeling light and healthy. He went to see his father, thinking that he might be dead. When he was near him he was surprised and at the same time delighted to see that his father was now passing urine and his pulse was better. He was also breathing clearly. His body was also sweating, even though he did not have the cotton sheet over his body. Happy seeing him recovering he called his father, who opened his eyes and spoke as if coming out of Samadhi. He said “Son somebody is reciting the communion verses manai ki pauri of Japji. I feel deeply elevated in spiritual bliss”. Bhai Sahib was astonished to hear him say that and thanked God for saving his father.

As he was sitting near his father, the doctor came back finding Bhai Sahib in normal condition. The doctor thought he had taken the medicine but Bhai Sahib told him that he hadn’t and left them where they were, the doctor felt his pulse and was astonished. Bhai Sahib then asked him to see his father’s condition. When he looked at his father and found him quite well, he was dumbfounded. He stood there like a statue and asked his father: “what is the miracle that has suddenly cured you”. The father said “It is the miracle of the communion verses of Japji” and then closed his eyes and remained silent. The doctor again questioned his father who said back “Do not disturb my mind which is deeply absorbed in the music of the communion verses. The music of the communion verses manai ki pauri is still ringing in my ear”. Bhai Sahib ji told the doctor that it was the miracle of the divine name which is the panacea of all illnesses. Within another two or three day Bhai Sahib’s father was brought home. Bhai Sahib’s faith in the high principle of Sikhi became deeper and more sublime. No one thereof prevented him from taking religious life seriously.
Baba Harnam Singh Ji:
Taking Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Shelter

All directions were totally fruitless which led to a feeling of despondency. Two or three days passed in this way. Finally he decided to go to the village Gurdwara. In great sorrow and anguish he did an Ardaas (supplication).

As our fourth Guru, Guru Ram Dass Ji says :

ਅਬ ਹਮ ਚਲੀ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਪਹਿ ਹਾਰਿ ॥
Now, I have come, exhausted, to my Lord and Master.

ਜਬ ਹਮ ਸਰਣਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਕੀ ਆਈ ਰਾਖੁ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਭਾਵੈ ਮਾਰਿ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Now that I have come seeking Your Sanctuary, God, please, either save me, or kill me. ||1||Pause||

ਲੋਕਨ ਕੀ ਚਤੁਰਾਈ ਉਪਮਾ ਤੇ ਬੈਸੰਤਰਿ ਜਾਰਿ ॥
I have burnt in the fire the clever devices and praises of the world.

ਕੋਈ ਭਲਾ ਕਹਉ ਭਾਵੈ ਬੁਰਾ ਕਹਉ ਹਮ ਤਨੁ ਦੀਓ ਹੈ ਢਾਰਿ ॥੧॥
Some speak good of me, and some speak ill of me, but I have surrendered my body to You. ||1||

ਜੋ ਆਵਤ ਸਰਣਿ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਤੁਮਰੀ ਤਿਸੁ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰਿ ॥
Whoever comes to Your Sanctuary, O God, Lord and Master, You save by Your Merciful Grace.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਣਿ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਰਾਖਹੁ ਲਾਜ ਮੁਰਾਰਿ ॥੨॥੪॥
Servant Nanak has entered Your Sanctuary, Dear Lord; O Lord, please, protect his honor! ||2||4||

Satguru Ji! I have given up faith in all other things and I have come to your shelter. Please bless me and assist me, I will never leave your Door for any other. Baba Ji said that he didn't know how long he stood there with love and affection doing his Ardaas. Suddenly he heard a voice: "Harnam Singh! Take the Guru's Amrit and become one of the Guru's followers, only then will you attain this spiritual state. Don't get upset."

The yearning to meet the Guru was now fulfilled. A few days later, he took Khandey Dhaa Amrit at Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib) and set foot on Guru Ji's path. Now the desire to meet God remained firm in his mind. He arose early (at Amrit Velaa) took a bath and did his Nitnem and then he would do his worldly duties. Although he was only around 10 years old, this was necessary because his father had passed away. Through work he would repeat Mool Mantar. When he lost concentration he would repeat the Gur Mantar. He would try to use every breath to remember God. Every moment was a desire to meet God.

As Gurbani says:

ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਨੋ ਸਦਾ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹੈ ਸਾਸਾ ॥
Dear Beloved Lord, I praise You continually, as long as there is the breath within my body.

ਇਕੁ ਪਲੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਵਿਸਰਹਿ ਤੂ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਜਾਣਉ ਬਰਸ ਪਚਾਸਾ ॥
If I were to forget You, for a moment, even for an instant, O Lord Master, it would be like fifty years for me.

The pain of being separated was becoming unbearable. Oh Great One! If I could meet you, then all these pains would disappear immediately and be replaced with pleasures. Bless me. He kept all hope in meeting God.

How the mind of a Sikh should be

2009-03-17T02:39:00.000-07:00

From Guru Granth Sahib Ji on ang 1372 - Salok Kabeer Jee

kabeer rorraa hoe rahu baatt kaa thaj man kaa abhimaan
Kabeer, let yourself be a pebble on the path; abandon your egotistical pride.

aisaa koee dhaas hoe thaahi milai bhagavaan 146
Such a humble slave shall meet the Lord God. 146

kabeer rorraa hooaa th kiaa bhaeiaa pa(n)thhee ko dhukh dhaee
Kabeer, what good would it be, to be a pebble? It would only hurt the traveller on the path.

aisaa thaeraa dhaas hai jio dhharanee mehi khaeh 147
Your slave, O Lord, is like the dust of the earth. 147

kabeer khaeh hooee tho kiaa bhaeiaa jo oudd laagai a(n)g
Kabeer, what then, if one could become dust? It is blown up by the wind, and sticks to the body.

har jan aisaa chaaheeai jio paanee saraba(n)g 148
The humble servant of the Lord should be like water, which cleans everything. 148

kabeer paanee hooaa th kiaa bhaeiaa seeraa thaathaa hoe
Kabeer, what then, if one could become water? It becomes cold, then hot.

har jan aisaa chaaheeai jaisaa har hee hoe 149
The humble servant of the Lord should be just like the Lord. 149

NEXT RSYA MEETING

2009-02-17T02:48:00.000-08:00

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The RSYA meetings take place on the first Sunday of the month after Divaan (1PM). Those who have ideas that they would like to see be implemented through this youth group or even just want to be part of this growing group of Sikh youngsters in Reading; then please attend.

The next meeting will be on the 1st MARCH 2009 at Reading Gurdwara at 1 PM.

Tell others.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Sikhi Talks on the 14th and 15th Feb at Reading Gurdwara

2009-01-24T04:40:00.000-08:00

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The newly formed Sikh Society at Reading University in collaboration with the RSYA, have organised with Sikh Awareness Society (SAS) to do talks at Reading Gurdwara. SAS presents 'SURVIVAL' on the 14th and 15th February.

On the 14th February the talks will take place at Reading Gurdwara. It will start at 9.30AM and finish at 6PM, with Chaa and Samosai for lunch....free lunch?....yep!!!

This event has been designed to help us gain a deeper understanding of Sikhi through emotional intelligent, ethical living, spiratual intelligence, development of an authentic personality, calm minds and expressing behaviour by creating altuistic sacred space in actions and being.

0930 - 1030 Introduction to Sikhism: Dhristi (Sikhi Worldview). Unveiling the sacred and spiratual practices.

1045 - 1200 Nature of suffering and craving. Redirecting motivation and desire.

1300 - 1400 Path of inner transformation. Gurmat as psycho-spiratual healing. Moving from belief to experience.

1430 - 1530 Topology of Simran (Mindfulness intent, thought and deed).

1600 - 1700 Ethical living: Gurmat ethics.

1700 - 1800 Ethical living: Authentic leaders

On the 15th February the talk will take place in Reading Gurdwara from 11AM to 1PM

These talks will be open to all ages, it has NO age restrictions

Please attend and support the newly formed Reading University Sikh Society and the Sikh community in Reading

Let everyone know!!

Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara
30A Cumberland Road
Reading
RG1 3LB

Contact for Gurdwara: Gurmail Singh - 07985494449

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

RSYA Meetings!!

2009-01-24T04:28:00.000-08:00

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The RSYA meetings take place on the first Sunday of the month during Divaan (11AM).
Those who have ideas that they would like to see be implemented through this youth group or even just want to be part of this growing group of Sikh youngsters in Reading; then please attend.

The next meeting will be on the 1st FEBRUARY 2009 at Reading Gurdwara at 11.00AM

Tell others

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Bedford Youth Kirtan Darbar

2009-01-21T06:18:00.001-08:00

BEFORD YOUTH KIRTAN DARBAR

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh |

With Guru's Kirpa, a youth akhand kirtan darbar has been arranged in Bedford for the first time in order to encourage more youngsters to build a link with gurbani and kirtan. There will be Kirtanis from up and down the country.

It will be held on:

Saturday 24th January 2009
6pm till late

at:

Guru Nanak Gurdwara
84 Ford End Road
Queens Park
Bedford
MK40 4JX

For further information call: 07939 513092

Transport
For transport from Coventry contact Bhai Tarunjit Singh : 07877888874.
For transport from Birmingham (West Brom) contact Bhai Maha Singh : 07541 790944

A humble request to sangat in London and other areas, due to limited transport could I please request people bring their own vehicles and bring as much sangat as possible.

Please feel free to pass this message to friends and family.

Money raised from the program will go to 'Unique Home' orphanage for abandoned girls in Model Town, Jalandhar, Punjab.

Please help support our sisters.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh |

RSYA Meeting & Gatka Class This Saturday

2008-12-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

RSYA Monthly Meeting will be held on Saturday 6th Dec @ Midday (12:00), all are welcome to attend and join in to help, we require more Sevadars (helpers).

Gatka Class this Saturday (6th Dec) will be held at 1pm at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Cumberland Road, Reading.

Make sure you turn up on time!

All are welcome!

Sikhi workshops and Kirtan Darbar @ Reading Gurdwara

2008-11-23T15:13:00.000-08:00

The RSYA held its first camp in Reading at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara. It was a day when the Sangat had the opportunity to learn about Sikhism philosophy and history in ENGLISH! Many thanks go out to Sikh Seva who camp and spread their Gyan (knowledge) with others. It was a great day and thanks to Maharaj Ji’s Kirpa, it went really well!

There was a Kirtan Darbar from 6pm until midnight which was fantastic. Many Sangat came from around the surrounding areas. It was the first of its kind in Reading and we will be doing many more of them. The only disappointment was the lack of local Sangat that attend the Kirtan Darbar in the evening, however, Maharaj Ji blessed his Sikhs and brought together many Chardi Kala (High Spirited) Sikhs from outside Reading to make it an awesome event. If you didn’t attend, trust us, you missed out!! But not to worry we will continue to do more and let the Sangat know about future events.

Here are a few pictures from the day event and evening Kirtan Darbar:

The Sikh Seva team

Discussions about Sikh History

Group activity about Sikh History

Talk in more detail about Sikh History

Cha Break

Langar area set up for the day

Langar being made

Event poster

Thanks to Maharaj Ji's Kirpa the youngters really enjoyed the camp and activities

Kirtan to finish the camp

Start of evening Kirtan Darbar

Waheguru!

Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA)

Asian gold burglaries update, Good News and 'Safe Box' details‏ by Thames Valley Police

Snakes in Suits

"INSPIRATIONS" SERIES OF TALK NOW IN READING, ON 11TH FEB 2012

Sikh Secondary School, Slough

Asian Gold burglaries update

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA)Reading,Berkshire,U.K.http://www.rsya.org/Contact: rsya@hotmail.co.uk

New Years program at Reading Gurdwara

New Gurdwara Calendar available at Gurdwara today

November 1984 pogroms uncut - the truth revealed

Celebrations for Parkash of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Ji

Does God exist?

A website to answer all of your questions

Do Sikhs celebrate the ritual & festival of Rakhri?

How Amrit & Naam changes our life...

Event Sunday 7th August

Kirtan Darbar with Bhai Ravinder Singh Harzori Ragi Darbar Sahib

Become an upright, honest, and trustworthy individual

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji

Judicial Murder: The Case of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar by GURMEET KAUR

1ST SHAHEED OF JUNE 1984 : BHAI KULWANT SINGH BABBAR

Remembrance Rally in London Sunday 5th June

Akhand Paaht and Sunday Program in Memory of Panth Deh Shaheed

Reading Nagar Keertan 2011

Important Announcement

Be Inspired!!!

Tae Kwon Do & Pilates Sessions

Kirtan @ Slough Khalsa Primary School on 12th Dec

Punjabi class turned to Gurbani class!!!

5 sponges

RSYA NEEDS YOU!!

Khalsa Camp

Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Make a difference

Protest in Downing Street against Death Sentence given to 17 Sikhs - Coach Leaving from Reading Sunday 16th May‏

Vaisakhi + Nagar Kirtan INFO!!!!‏

Testing for gossip

Reading Sikh Workshop pics

Meeting this Sunday

Movie Day

Waking up for Amrit Vela

Respect of Sree Guru Granth Sahib Jee

Slander & Hatred

The Bag of Nails

Wind Of Forgiveness

What we have done so far

Pics of the snow!!

Trip to Derby and Leamington Spa‏

TWO WOLVES

Mother and mute child

Sikhs Attacked in Ludhiana, Panjab

Reading Gurdwara Workshop and Kirtan Darbar

Seva Day & Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurb

STRENGTH

Interesting thoughts

Movie days at the Gurdwara!!!

Kirtan in loving memory of Bhai Gurnam Singh Ji - Pics

Kirtan event in loving memory of Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurnam Singh Ji

Next RSYA meeting - 6th Sept 2009

Bhai Gurnam Singh Antim Sanskar

Family Day Out at Palmer Park

Next RSYA meeting - 16th Aug 2009

Inspirational books‏

Conversations with God

Gursikhs have two wings

Sant Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and The Naamdhari's‏

Shaheedi Akhand Paath

Keertan Classes

Next RSYA meeting - 14th June 2009

Make the time for Guru Ji!

Why Humans Don't Believe, Love or Have Faith In God‏

How the mind of a Sikh should be

NEXT RSYA MEETING

Sikhi Talks on the 14th and 15th Feb at Reading Gurdwara

RSYA Meetings!!

Bedford Youth Kirtan Darbar

RSYA Meeting & Gatka Class This Saturday

Sikhi workshops and Kirtan Darbar @ Reading Gurdwara

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa | Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
(The Brotherhood belongs to God | All Victories are God's)

Reading Sikh Youth Association (RSYA)
Reading,
Berkshire,
U.K.

http://www.rsya.org/

Contact: rsya@hotmail.co.uk