Sikhs, the best flatmates in the world...

After a long hard day at work, it's nice to come home and watch stuff to make you laugh! Check this video out...

The Carlsberg Sikhism Spoof, by Jasdeep Singh

If you don't get it, it spoofed the following video:

The original Carlsberg commercial

Later...

Go push your Grandfather!

A Sikh child pushes his grandfather on a swing in a park in the northern Indian city Chandigarh August 13, 2006. REUTERS/Kamal Kishore (INDIA)

Sikh Coalition Announces 2006 Winners of the Annual Diversity Essay Competition, Nearly 1700 Participate

News Date: 08/30/06
News Source: Sikh Coalition


The Sikh Coalition is proud to announce the winners of the Diversity Essay Competition for the year 2006. Nearly 1700 submissions were submitted from 30 Countries in the Second Annual Sikh Coalition Diversity Essay Competition. An independent jury was appointed to choose the best essays on the basis of originality, understanding of the issues involved and relevance to the theme of the essay.

The Sikh Coalition Diversity Essay Competition helps students, teachers, parents and entire communities engage in a dialogue about issues affecting our everyday lives. It provides an opportunity to learn about various religions, ethnicities, communities and celebrate the rich diversity of opinion that exists in our world.

This year we invited young people of all backgrounds to share their views on the following topic:

Racial, ethnic or religious profiling makes the world more secure.

They were asked to argue for or against this position by using suitable material collected through interviews, publications and the like.

The following awards were declared for the competition:

First Place: Nicholas Robillard (Silverdale, WA, USA) - $1,000 award.

Nicholas Robillard

Second Place: Karim A. Hassanein (Thousand Oaks, CA, USA) - $500 award.

Karim A. Hassanein

Third Place: Issac Podyma (Bedford, VA, USA) - $250 award

Issac Podyma

Honorable Mentions: Katie Schmidt (Shaw Island, WA, USA), Benjamin Landau-Beispiel (Philadelphia, PA, USA), Danielle Drasin (Beverly Hills, CA, USA), Mary Yanik (Emporia, KS, USA), Kelsey Hayes (Lawrence, KS, USA), Daniel Baker(Fountain Hill, AZ, USA), Shawnbir Singh Gogia (Fair Oaks, CA, USA), Nicholas Reshetnikov (Melbourne, FL, USA), Samantha Rene Johnson (North Chicago, IL, USA), Dildeep Brar (Ottawa, ON, Canada), Tanisia Morris (Bronx, NY, USA) - $50 award for each winner in this category.

The Education Director of the Sikh Coalition, Jasmit Singh, thanked all participants in the essay competition, “I am pleased with the exceptional quality of the essays and the breadth of participation (students essays from over 30 countries). This underscores the growing interest in the issues of diversity the world over and a fresh understanding of its vital role in our daily lives as well as the welfare of society as a whole.”

“I found it refreshing to read the thoughts of so many young people. It lifts my spirits to know that so many of them are interested in what is going on in the world around us, and can write with clarity of thought, _expression and conviction. All of them deserve to be winners!” said Parminder Singh – one of the judges of the essay competition.

The Sikh Coalition would like to thank the following individuals and distinguished judges who worked tirelessly to evaluate the essays and come up with the final results – Paramjit Singh Chawla, Sutinder Kaur Chawla, Parminder Singh, Manjit Kaur Kochhar, Paul Gamble, Dr. I J Singh, Joginder Singh Rekhi, Laurie Bolger, Dr. Nicole Carney, Dr. Sorena Kaur, Dr. Molina Kaur, Heather Singleton, Reshma Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Jaskaran Kaur, Rajwinder Singh, Hardeep Singh and Tripat Singh. Without their dedication and support, it would have been very difficult to find the winners of this competition.

The Sikh Coalition Diversity Essay Competition is open to the youth, regardless of their ethnicity, race, religion or cultural background, with an interest in religion, liberty, and a just society of free and responsible individuals.

The winning essays, including those of the honorable mentions, are available on the Sikh Coalition’s Web site, www.sikhcoalition.org/essay.asp

The Right to Protest

“To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.”

-Abraham Lincoln

An Indian Sikh protests outside the embassy of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi August 24, 2006. The Sikhs were protesting after six teenagers were accused of forcibly cutting the hair of a Sikh boy in the Indian state of Rajasthan, and against the reported harassment of Sikhs living in Saudi Arabia, who were being asked to shave off their beards and cut their hair. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (INDIA)
Reuters - Aug 24 6:23 AM

Indian Sikhs attend a protest outside the embassy of the Saudi Arabia in New Delhi August 24, 2006. The Sikhs were protesting after six teenagers were accused of forcibly cutting the hair of a Sikh boy in the Indian state of Rajasthan, and against the reported harassment of Sikhs living in Saudi Arabia, who were being asked to shave off their beards and cut their hair. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (INDIA)
Reuters - Aug 24 5:54 AM

An Indian Sikh attends a protest outside the embassy of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi August 24, 2006. The Sikhs were protesting after six teenagers were accused of forcibly cutting the hair of a Sikh boy in the Indian state of Rajasthan, and against the reported harassment of Sikhs living in Saudi Arabia, who were being asked to shave off their beards and cut their hair. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (INDIA)
Reuters - Aug 24 5:17 AM

Sikh activists draw their swords during a protest in Bombay, India, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006. The protest was held against the cutting of hair of a Sikh boy Tuesday in Rajasthan. The poster reads 'If you want to cut our head, go ahead but we will not allow our turbans to be touched.' (AP Photo/Rajesh Nirgude)
AP - Aug 24 4:53 AM

Success!

After months of planning and hard work, I was glad to see the following event come off as a great success! Mission Accomplished. Now, back to work on Dashmesh Pictures...

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Guru Gobind Singh Foundation
13814 Travilah Road
Rockville, Maryland 20850

301 309 9528

Website: www.ggsfusa.com

08/18/06
Press Release
For Immediate Release

Sikh Youth from Across America renew their spirit in camp in Washington: learn to tackle issues facing them

Washington - Camp Gurmat 2006, which began on August 6th and ended on August 12th at the Lanthrop E. Smith Environmental Center in MD, was the 7th camp organized by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Rockville Maryland. This annual youth camp is held in this vast, beautiful facility, in the lap of nature, surrounded by thick shady trees, deer and peacock and other exotic birds seen at random. The theme, this year, was Guru Arjun Dev Ji, in keeping with 400 years martyrdom celebration of the great first martyr of Indian subcontinent.

Campers, teachers and volunteers at the Camp Gurmat 2006

The camp housed about 125 youths from all over USA and unfortunately about 20 youths were turned away because of lack of residential facility. Youth and counselors came from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Michigan, Texas , Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California. There were 10 councilors and 25 volunteers.

Camp Coordinator Hargurpreet Singh, an engineer with Maryland government, meticulously planned every detail from registration to every day meals. He said, "With the best of the best Counselors from through out the United States, the children who attended Camp Gurmat were exposed to the true roots of the Sikh faith which allowed for all of them to walk away motivated and rejuvenated."



Hargurpreet Singh with Counselors who guided the Sikh kids at the camp

Within in a one week time period, Sikh children from all throughout the United States were given intensive training in Sikh history, culture, music, and martial arts all within in a fun, friendly, and welcoming environment. Rajwant Singh, Executive Director of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation with Sartaj Singh, the Head Councilor planned the academic sessions on the theme of the camp.

Group B ages 10 - 12.

Dr. Rajwant Singh ,said, "Emphasis was balanced between being spiritually rounded in the Sikh face as well as the challenges the youth face growing up in a country where fellow citizens struggle with understanding who the Sikhs are."

Gagan Kaur assisted in teaching Sikh history.

Dalpreet Singh, a young attorney sharing his life experiences with campers.

Sartaj Singh, very skillfully and diligently drafted an elaborate schedule of every hour so the students could utilize their time effectively and learn about the Guru. He made sure that students get enough time for sports and entertainment. The curriculum was very well integrated.

Group D ages 15 and above.

The remarkable point to be mentioned is that the camp prepares youth to accept many challenges that youth have to face in this complex world. Sartaj Singh said, "Students learned how to protect themselves when using online chatting applications, discussed how popular music and videos influence their thoughts, as well as discussed how they will preserve and grow the Sikh face throughout their lifeline."



Sahib Singh of New Jersey bringing Guru Granth Sahib to the Main Hall.

"Interactively acting out several key moments in Sikh history, such as mimicking how Guru Arjan Dev Ji wrote to Guru Ram Das Ji, it allowed me to truly reflect in a new manner the principles which the Sikh Gurus strived for," said Angadraj Singh from New York.

Group C ages 13 - 14.

Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Granthi of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation infused great reverence and love for the Guru Arjun Dev Ji by the selection of the theme hymn, "Sab Kich Toon Hain." He taught kirtan at the camp along with Bhai Mehar Singh, Amrit Pal Kaur, Surinderjit Kaur, Herman Kaur and Preet Amrit Kaur. Harminder Singh Jassal held an interactive hands on session on the Guru Granth Sahib.

Campers performing kirtan in the service at the Camp.

Baba Chattar Singh, a well renowned gatka player of India with his electrifying son Sukhwinder Singh and Jaswant Singh Bal from California were invited to teach the art of Gatka, initiated by Guru Hargobind Ji, to the students in the 17th century.

Gatka Teachers Jaswant Singh (left) and Bhai Chattar Singh.

Harjot Singh an expert youth gatka player of Guru Gobind Singh foundation along with Harjus Singh from Ohio assisted in gatka training. Harjot is a great motivational force among youth and he teaches gatka to boys and girls in the gurdwara every Sunday.

Thursday night was the gatka demonstration night. It was fascinating to see all novice players perform so well and enjoy it.

Camp Gurmat 2006 group photo after the infamous Thursday night Gatka Show.

Friday night was students and councilors night. They got opportunity to present and dramatize small skits with a moral related to the life of Guru. It was amazing to see their creativity. They used every opportunity to provoke laughter with their jokes.

From R to L Sartaj Singh, Harjot Singh and a 84 year old Volunteer
lovingly referred to as Bapu Ji

Preetmohan Singh of The Interfaith Alliance speaking on how to handle bullying and teasing in schools.

Darshpreet Singh from San Antonio, an Amrit-dhari basketball player at Trinity University as well as a regular counselor at the Camp Gurmat, said "We are the utmost thankful for the knowledge of Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, Head Granthi of Camp Gurmat and Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, who has excellent communication skills on teaching the Sikh scriptures to either a Punjabi or American audience. It is individuals like him who can relate to the Sikh youth in America and be able to teach Sikhism in manners that are easily understood by them."

Bhai Gurdarshan Singh instructing during the Kirtan class.

Saturday 12th August, marked the grand finale of the Camp Gurmat 2006. In the divan all the students presented hymns or speeches to the utter delight of their parents. A grand Tabla presentation by the students learning tabla with Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh in lead enthralled the audience and left every one spell bound. Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh, an illustrious Tabla player created an enthusiasm among youth to learn the art of tabla. He also teaches tabla to many youths in the Washington metro area.

Bhai Rajinder Pal Singh teaching tabla.

Amrit Kaur, secretary of the GGSF said, "Camp Gurmat was a phenomenal success in every aspect. It was able to inspire the love and longing for the Guru and redefined the importance of Sikh identity. During camp, teenager Sherman Singh announced his pledge to come back to Sikhi form and keep unshorn hair. It was a moment of great rejoice and accomplishment for the Camp Management. With WaheGuru's grace this camp came to an end with promise of another one next year."

Volunteers at the Camp.

Guru Gobind Singh Foundation excels in its Youth oriented programs and this camp was another milestone in its long journey.

Campers on a scavenger hunt with Counselor Japkeerat Singh of NJ.