White Sikhs

WHITE SIKHS

Have you ever seen them? Interacted with them?
The more I reseached, the more interesting this topic became.
White Sikhs !?! Someone finds it amazing, someone doesn't realise they exist.
Have you ever seen white sikh and what is your view?
There are some white sikhs in America, Europe and Asia. How many? I would not be able to answer but I would like to know.

Visit new blog from GORA SIKH.

White Sikhs - they follow sikhism more a lot of punjabis living abroad, they speak Punjabi fluently and can read Gurmukhi and Guru Granth Sahib and some of them are fully amrit dari. Although Sikhism does not have missionaries and it does not actively seek converts, people are eager to know more about Sikhism.

"Sikhism is a way of life, a universal faith without prejudice towards others, as you've shown with this video. People of all races, cultures can practice this wonderful faith. It doesn't preach, but offers insight into how to live a good life, to be respectful towards others, while leaving open interpretation of our universal creator."- you tube comment about this video.

Sikhism is the most youngest religion in the world and it's not well known in Europe and other parts of the world. More and more people discovering Sikhism in the 21st century.
Does it make you proud that someone chooses/embraces your religion?

If you are interested in this topic you might want to read about about Gurumustuk Singh who runs blog http://www.mrsikhnet.com/ and http://www.sikhnet.com/.

Sikh movie “Ocean of Pearls” in Hollywood by Sarab Neelam

Sikh movie “Ocean of Pearls” in Hollywood by Sarab Neelam

If you want to see new sikh movie, you are welcome to Miami International Film Festival in March 2008. This year a sikh movie “Ocean of Pearls” directed by Sarab Neelam will be shown March 2nd,5th and 7 th.

The plot of the movie:
AMRIT SINGH has always felt an outsider despite being born in North America. The turban on his head is a constant reminder to him that he's different. After enduring a childhood plagued by racism, Amrit moves to Detroit for a prestigious job as a transplant surgeon and a fresh start. All Amrit's ever wanted was acceptance and he'll do anything to get it. He immerses himself in work and before long, he's searching for happiness in all the wrong ways. Making money starts to take precedence over caring for his patients. Any time not working is spent with SUSAN CLARK, a beautiful hospital administrator.

But, Amrit's world crashes in on him when he feels responsible for the death of his favorite patient. He's forced to look himself in the mirror and is horrified at what he's become. Having hit rock bottom, Amrit agrees to volunteer at a Sikh camp for children at the advice of his father. There, Amrit finally opens himself up to his Sikh heritage. The teachings he's ignored his whole life now ring true to him.

Amrit returns to the hospital and immediately finds his new outlook tested. His patient desperately needs a liver transplant but the superiors don't want him to perform the costly procedure. Showing the resolve he never knew he had, Amrit sacrifices his promising career to perform the surgery; his first step on the path to true happiness and inner peace.

Sarab Neelam - Producer's Notes
“As a practicing Sikh living in the United States, I have undertaken this effort to reach out broadly to various communities after the events of 9/11. This tragedy has led to hate crimes - especially against Sikhs. It is extremely important to note, however, that this film and its characters are fictitious, though loosely based on my own experiences and observations. This film is not intended to be a definitive depiction of Sikhs or Sikhism. It is one characters journey to find inner peace.”

Director's Notes
I feel truly lucky to have been part of "Ocean of Pearls" as there has never been a lead character from Hollywood as a Sikh. I also recently learned that there is not a single Sikh director in the world that wears a turban. I feel blessed and thankful to have had this opportunity.

All info from http://www.oceanofpearlsfilm.com/

Sikhism Philosophy Network

I have discovered quite a treasure.

Sikhism Philosophy Network - Venture into the Fascinating Philosophy of Sikhism.

Great website full of information about sikhism, sikh downloads and wallpapers, forums with quite interesting topics.

There are 5,713 members with 18,330 topics.
You can read member blogs and interact and debate with members.

Explore sikh religion, sikh origins and history and sikhi at Sikhism Philosophy Network.

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net

U.S. Department of Justice puts educational video about sikhs

U.S. Department of Justice puts educational video about sikhs

"A law enforcement training video on Sikh cultural and religious sensitivity was posted Monday on the U.S. Department of Justice web site.

A year after the Sikh American video for training law enforcement officers was released on DVD, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service put it on its web site Monday, making it available to police agencies nationally and abroad.

The 17-minute video, called ‘On Common Ground: Sikh American Cultural Competency Training for Law Enforcement,’ informs police and security officers how to approach Sikhs in a respectful manner while still performing their duties effectively.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, where the video was created, every effort was made to show the DVD to community groups and police organizations, said David Baker. Now, with it available online, Baker said he would like it to be played at roll-call, at the early-morning briefings before patrol officers go on duty.“I want everyone to see it,” Baker said. “The academy should use it.”He is talking about the county’s Public Service Training Academy, which trains all officers in the various police agencies in the county.

Officers deployed in areas with larger Sikh populations around the county have seen the DVD, he said. “Law enforcement that have seen it were really quite thrilled with it,” Baker added, who also appears in the video. “They found it informative to their duties.”

‘On Common Ground’ was created by the DOJ and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group.

Since its initial release in January 2007, more than 65,000 law enforcement personnel, including all Transportation Security Administration airport screeners, have viewed it said Rajbir Singh, SALDEF national director.“It’s now online to make sure as many people as possible can view it,” Singh said.

”Law enforcement and Sikh community representatives in other countries have also asked for the video, Singh added. The DVD was sent to Ireland (that's what we need here in Ireland), the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, India, and Brazil for use in their local law enforcement agencies.

Although the laws and policies described in the video are American-based, Singh said he expects those countries to use it as a template in their own training or their own country-specific video. “There seems to be a greater need abroad for this video,” Singh said. “There is nothing like it.” It’s a very proactive approach here and abroad, he added. Word gets out and they want a copy because they need it.

Singh said the video has had an especially positive outcome in the treatment of Sikh travelers at airports. SALDEF has received hundreds of positive letters in which travelers say they don’t feel like they are targeted. And even if they have to go through extra security, the screening is handled respectfully. Ondray T Harris, DOJ-CRS acting director, could not be reached for comment, but he states on web site: "…Awareness of cultural and religious observations can help avoid misunderstanding and tension. Towards this goal, On Common Ground can assist the public in understanding the challenges and realizing the contributions of the Sikh community in the United States…”

By Anju KaurSikh News Network staff journalist anjukaur@sikhnn.com

YOU CAN SEE THE VIDEO BY PRESSING ON THIS LINK

http://www.usdoj.gov/crs/video/ocg-video.htm

This article comes from SikhNNhttp://www.sikhnn.com/

The URL for this story is:http://www.sikhnn.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=571

www.cafepress.com/desilegend

Check out for more great gifts on http://www.cafepress.com/desilegend

Kenneth Cole - Sikh model

"We all Walk in Different Shoes"
A few days ago, Kenneth Cole unveiled one of his new ads on a wall of Rockefeller Center in New York City. The model is, surprisingly, a sardar.
The campaign features Sandeep (aka: Sonny) Caberwal as a Sikh and in the below video he explains about being a Sikh and standing out.

Sonny Caberwal grew up in a small town in North Carolina.
He’s a practicing Sikh and an entrepreneur.
Still in his 20s, Sonny is the joint owner of Tavlon Tea Bar in New York City – a lounge that sells gourmet loose-leaf tea and tea accessories.
He graduated Duke University in 2001 and went on to graduate from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004.
He currently resides in New York.

You can see full video with Sonny at: http://www.kennethcole.com/thinkers/bio6.asp

Gora Sikh

Very inspirational video! What a punjabi!
Although Sikhism does not have missionaries around world,more and more white people convert to sikhism. More people are discovering sikhism in the 21 st century. I have seen white sikhs in Amritsar (may be from Miri Piri Academy).

http://www.miripiriacademy.org/

Respect.

Findingawife.blogspot.com by Harry Singh

http://www.findingawife.blogspot.com/ by Harry Singh

I recently stumbled upon Harry's Singh blogspot. I would say it's really exciting and very spiritual blog. Harry blogs about arranged marriage, about changing values of young sikhs...

"She wanted her hubby to trim his beard and better still, cut his hair, if he could. "Tussi dekhoge, tussi change disso ge" (You will see, you will look better). "

For full story please visit:

http://findingawife.blogspot.com/

France sikhs and turbans

France stokes a turban revolution.

News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/

Chandigarh, January 24 - The turban controversy in France has virtually triggered a wave of awakening about its importance in this part of the country.

Schools are being set up to train Sikh youths in turban tying. Competitions are being held by various Sikh organisations to honour the youths who have perfected the art of tying turban.After 1990 Sikh youths, in big numbers, had started becoming clean-shaven and these were mainly from colleges and universities.

But, now, it appears, the turban is staging a comeback in a big way in this region.The most interesting development is turban has become theme of Punjabi folklore, especially Punjabi folk songs in recent past. A large number of folk songs have been dedicated to turban by Punjabi singers in recent months. Ravinder Grewal’s folk song “pag banani na bhul jayo, o Punjabio” has been a hit for several weeks. Babbu Mann’s recently released song “pehlan main sardar han” is topping the popularity charts in the region. It is the first time Babbu has worn the turban while singing the song in the video. A few weeks ago Hardip Gill came out with Punjabi hit on turban theme “pagan cho pag sardaran di.Earlier, Shamsher Sandhu’s song “geet hove Punjabian di pag varga” had become a hit. Pammi Bhai’s latest song “pagan cho pag Patiala shahi e” has become a hot song. Another song by Bitta from Batala topping the popularity charts is “tohar sadi jag to niari mitro, sadi pag sanu jan ton piari mitro”. A duet “har pase teri pagri the gal ve” sung by Nikku and Jaspinder Narula has also become immensely popular.Earlier, also turban used to be part of the Punjabi songs but in a different contest. “Pagri sambhal jatta” had become a theme song of the freedom movement in the farmer community all over the country.

All Punjabi folk singers such as Yamla Jat, Karamjit Dhuri, Chandi Ram, Harcharan Grewal, Didar Sandhu used to tie turban in a peculiar style while singing on stage. Gurdas Mann was perhaps the first artiste who did not wear turban but became a famed Punjabi folk singer. Abroad it was Malkiat Singh of “tutak tutak tutian” fame, who made the turban popular. Daler Mehndi also played vital role in making turban popular. “Whenever any minority community faces adverse situation with regard to its identity, it obviously reacts strongly. Apart from resorting to agitations and other modes of protest, it uses its folklore to inspire its constituents to defend the identity,” says a social scientist.

-By Sarbjit DhaliwalTribune News Service

You can find more SIKH NEWS at:

http://www.sikhnet.com

My respect to all Sikhs who are wearing turbans!

Thanks for keeping your traditions and beliefs alive!

Turbans are no threat. THE Times of India news

Turbans are no threat to secularism.

From THE TIMES OF INDIA.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong in Sikh organisations and individuals in India urging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue of the ban on wearing turbans in France. The turban is merely one among many outward religious symbols that the French republic has outlawed in public institutions and photo identity. To be seen to be secular, the French government has gone to the extent of specifying even the size of religious symbols like the cross that could be displayed on a person. Secularism, however, is not about denial of individual rights; it is about keeping religion out of the state’s hair and vice versa. Understandably, Sikhs across the world are upset and anguished over the French ban on turbans in public institutions. Wearing a turban does not in any manner compromise the safety, security or health of either the wearer or those around him. Nor does it undermine the secular nature of the French republic. So is there really a case for the ban? It befits a democracy to maintain a clear separation between religion and state. However, making the distinction into a divide only leads to a secularism that is militant, even aggressive to the point of preventing people from expressing their beliefs peacefully. By making secularism a state religion, France has only given liberalism a bad name."

You can read more at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2732746.cms

What's your view?

Read new article about first new Sikh school in France.

Love Punjab

In my previous blog I mentioned I LOVE PUNJAB DESIGN.

Simple but lovely!

You can buy it on Desi Legend family gift shop.

You are welcome!

WEAR IT PROUDLY!

Punjabi language websites

I just thought this time I should put my faivourite punjabi language websites which are available online:
http://www.rajkaregakhalsa.net/punjabi.htm
Very cool websites for anyone wanting to learn punjabi:
http://www.advancedcentrepunjabi.org/intro1.asp
http://www.maa.com.au/alphabets/alphabets.html

Hope it will be helpful to someone! Good luck!

Soon I'm going to create a Gurmukhi t-shirt section on:
DESI LEGEND SHOP

Please check for desi designs! Great gift idea for family member or friend!