Vaisakhi 2016

COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Vaisakhi 2016

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COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Publishers: Gurvinder Singh Hundal Ramneek Singh Dhillon Editor: Petrina D’Souza Assistant Editor: Garima Goswami

Contents

Vaisakhi 2016 12 Feature: The Emerging Colours of Vaisakhi 22 Vaisakhi Greetings from the Government of Canada 28 Feature: Vaisakhi - The Cultural background and the Sikh Context 36 Spotlight: Hari Nam Singh Khalsa 44 Feature: Birth of Khalsa 50 Feature: Punjabi is in Bollywood’s DNA 58 Spotlight: Balbir Singh Sr. 66 Colouring Contest 68 Puzzle and Crossword 76 Vaisakhi Special Recipes by Sadhna Grover 92 The Significance of Karah Prasad 96 Vaisakhi Special Recipes by Lucky Dhillon 110 Movie Calendar 120 Significance of the Turban 124 Spotlight: Bobby Singh Bansal 134

Order of the Sikh Gurus

142 Golden Rules of Sikh Panth

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2016 VAISAKHI

Contributing Writers: Dr. Pargat Singh Bhurji Naina Grewal Petrina D’Souza Renu Singh-Joseph Shweta Kulkarni Surender Pal Singh Graphic Design: Vinay Giridhar Photography: Amrit Photography A Master Media Online Editor: Sumesh Sharma Fashion Editor: Kanika Sasan Advertising & Sales: Gurvinder Singh Hundal Ramneek Dhillon Sonia West Published By: Darpan Publication Ltd. Darpan Magazine is published once every two months.

Any Reproduction of this magazine, editorial content, images or advertisement cannot be reproduced or reprinted in any form, without prior written permission of the publisher. The Views expressed by the writers in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright 2010 Darpan Publications Ltd. All rights reserved. Publications sales agreement no. 4116014.

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

Colours

The Emerging

Of

Vaisakhi

By Naina Grewal

The true spirit of Vaisakhi evidently lies in its religious background pertaining to the birth of Khalsa, cultural significance as a harvest festival, and less so mentioned political aspect with the Jallianwala Baag incident.

F

estivals embody many elements, with the historical ones being those of high significance. Undoubtedly, the historic background of any festival is the foundation and the root of meaning behind celebrations. The true spirit of Vaisakhi evidently lies in its religious background pertaining to the birth of Khalsa, cultural significance as a harvest festival, and less so mentioned political aspect with the Jallianwala Baag incident. Such historical implications are central to Vaisakhi as a day of remembrance, celebration and festivity.

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

Vaisakhi, being the new financial year, is a time to forgo the old and build the new. While festivities do build new relationships, they also revisit older friendships and ties.

However, history is largely invariant and undergoes little change. Though perspectives on the ‘right’ history of Vaisakhi vary, the underlying essence is common at the core. Festivals themselves, on the other hand, do evolve overtime as a result of social, cultural, communal and even political forces. Vaisakhi is no longer

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2016 VAISAKHI

solely a celebration of history; it continues to develop as a result of the changing global landscape. Therefore, it becomes just as important to recognize and accept the evolution of any festival as it does to retain its historical significance. As a community, we must embrace the emergent sociocultural value of Vaisakhi in its celebratory sense.

Let’s look at one of the most basic levels of analysis: social institutions. While Vaisakhi has always maintained a strong presence in religious and cultural institutions, educational institutions have only recently integrated it as part of annual celebrations – especially in countries other than India. Schools play a vital role in shaping human interaction and it is highly noteworthy that Vaisakhi is a school event in many public and private schools.

Be it the free food, henna, bhangra and singing performances or dressing up in traditional Indian attire, Vaisakhi celebrations in schools are catalysts of cultural awareness. Many workplaces also celebrate the festivities, but Vaisakhi

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celebrations in schools are especially important; they are a direct gateway for reaching youth as they are still forming their worldview. Many schools even extend their lunch time by five to 10 minutes to accommodate the Vaisakhi festivities, which only goes further to highlight the degree to which Vaisakhi is increasingly integrated in the educational system.

Around the time of Vaisakhi, community exhibitions are also put up, giving rise to the creative autonomy of local artists and presenters. For the parade, decorations of street-sides, floats and displays also promote art. Vaisakhi, therefore, becomes a medium through which artists express and communicate to audiences. The time of Vaisakhi evokes a new attention in the minds of audiences, as there is an increased

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desire to learn deeper about cultural interests. Artists use this to their advantage, and rightfully so, as they become the distributors of cultural meaning by putting on special shows, features and programs.

Vaisakhi as a festival and even the parade itself, are further both viewable as educational platforms. With a record attendance of 300,000 in 2015, the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey is the largest outside of India. Thus, it is inevitably the ideal means of educating the community about many important issues. Many Vaisakhi parade floats, stages and initiatives strive to highlight current affairs to garner awareness and attention at the very least, if not support for important causes. There is an abundance of social issues that the attendees of the Vaisakhi parade are exposed to. Even if people do not donate or take immediate action, they come to know that these issues are very real.

Vaisakhi celebrations over the years have come to become significant contributors to the expansion of many organizations that address social issues.

Aside from the aforementioned advantages of a large-scale attendance, another

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From a socio-cultural lens, Vaisakhi is the fuel to multiculturalism, the peak of exposure, and a hub of the exchange of cultural meaning. force at work is the social and communal one. Within the sea of faces, anybody is bound to spot at least a dozen familiar ones. This leads to one of the strongest and simply beautiful components of Vaisakhi – building connections.

Vaisakhi, being the new financial year, is a time to forgo the old and build the new. While festivities do build new relationships, they also revisit older friendships and ties. During the parade, many must have witnessed or undergone the revival of forgotten, abandoned or

broken relationships. In fact, many people only really see each other during Vaisakhi and so the parade is what keeps the bond alive. Be it new relations or old, a casual hi or a warm hug, the communal power that the Vaisakhi gathering holds is phenomenal.

On the whole, as we take a step back to observe, we should ask ourselves what culture consists of. Surely, the visible aspects include food, clothing, dances, and language. Vaisakhi embodies all these components and much more. It is a rich reflection of culture and has a variety of other social elements emerging that accompany its cultural ones. To what extent these socio-cultural practices are justified is another debate, but it cannot be denied that they very much do exist.

From a socio-cultural lens, Vaisakhi is the fuel to multiculturalism, the peak of exposure, and a hub of the exchange of cultural meaning.

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Wishing you a very Happy Vaisakhi

Hon . Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

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2016 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi

Greetings From the Government of Canada

I wish you a peaceful and joyful Vaisakhi ~ Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to the staff and readers of DARPAN Magazine on the occasion of Vaisakhi.

Vaisakhi marks the beginning of a new year in many parts of India and is the holiest celebration in the Sikh faith, commemorating the creation of the Khalsa. Canada is home to one of the largest Sikh populations outside India and this occasion provides a wonderful chance to reflect on the tremendous contributions Sikh Canadians have made to our country in all fields of endeavour.

Canada is a country defined by – and celebrated for – its pluralism. Our ethnic, religious, and racial diversity is what makes us uniquely Canadian and allows all members of society to thrive within a multicultural fabric. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish you a peaceful and joyful Vaisakhi, as well as prosperity and good health in the New Year.

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2016 VAISAKHI

Vaisakhi is a time to celebrate our faith and to take pride in our community ~ Hon. Harjit Sajjan

Minister of National Defence Sikhs all around the world and especially here in Canada will celebrate Vaisakhi in April. Guru Gobind Singh created the order of the Khalsa in 1699 and enshrined within it the principles of justice, equality, service and compassion.

Vaisakhi is a time to celebrate our faith and to take pride in our community but this Vaisakhi let us do one better. We know that inclusive communities build better communities, let us share and celebrate together with our fellow Canadians across the country. I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Vaisakhi.

Very proud that our traditions are being shared with all Canadians ~ Hon. Navdeep Bains,

Minister of Innovation, Science & Economic Development I wish all Darpan readers a Happy Vaisakhi! On this day, we celebrate the New Year and the birth of the Khalsa over 400 years ago. I am very proud that our traditions are being shared with all Canadians.

This is a further example of the richly diverse country in which we live.

As we spend this festive time with loved ones, we remember that our principles of hard work and honesty are foundations for the continued success of Canada. My best wishes to you and your family on this joyous occasion.

Vaisakhi reaffirms the commitment of the Sikh and Punjabi people around the world ~ Hon. Amarjeet Sohi

Photo: Liberal.ca

Minister of Infrastructure & Communities Each year on Vaisakhi, we celebrate the founding of the Khasla by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the coming of the harvest season. Vaisakhi reaffirms the commitment of the Sikh and Punjabi people around the world to lead lives of courage, sacrifice, and equality. I wish you and your family all the best during this holiday. Happy Vaisakhi!

2016 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi gives us a chance to celebrate the immense contribution of Canadian Sikhs� ~ Hon. Bardish Chagger, Minister for Small Business & Tourism Vaisakhi, a time of celebration for so many. A Punjabi harvest festival, the solar New Year, a day of thanks, and the birth of Khalsa.

For me, Vaisakhi also gives us a chance to celebrate the immense contribution of Canadian Sikhs, who have enriched our country. Whether in the fields of business, education, public service, or civil society, Canada’s Sikhs are a success story and a model community. We see these contributions every day, all around, across this country where these very citizens are boosting the economy by creating jobs and opportunities.

And these contributions are not recent, they go back many years. In Waterloo Region, the Canadian Sikh war veteran Private Bukham Singh (December 5, 1893-August 27, 1919) rests at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener, Ontario. I pay tribute to those who travelled far from home and who fought and died with their comrades in the fight for our freedoms. We will remember them.

I am very honoured to be joining the Sikh community and the Punjabi community in these celebrations. I know this is an incredibly important time for the community as families and friends come together with vibrant parades and celebrations within our homes, Gurdwaras and neighbourhoods. This also provides all Canadians with the opportunity to learn more about the Sikh community, and stands as further proof that our country is strong not in spite of our differences, but because of them.

So, at this important time, let us commemorate the birth of a great religion, let us give thanks, and let us celebrate the multicultural, multi-faith democratic country that we are. And wherever you are, I extend my best wishes for happiness, good health, and prosperity on this Vaisakhi.

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2016 VAISAKHI

2016 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi

The Cultural background and the Sikh Context

A

By Surender Pal Singh

rrival of Vaisakhi brings myriad colours of life to life itself; more so in the peculiar Punjabi context. What more a reason to celebrate than a fresh harvest for a primarily peasant community.

In Punjab, Vaisakhi has long been celebrated as a harvest festival and a thanksgiving day.

Vaisakhi falls on the first day of Vaisakh, the second month of the Sikh calendar, the first being Chet. It intersects with many important observances across cultures, both religious and folk. It coincides with the day Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana. The day is also celebrated as New Year in many regions of the Indian-Subcontinent including Assam

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2016 VAISAKHI

(Rongali Bihu), Bengal (Naba Barsha), Tamil Nadu (Puthandu), and Kerala (Pooram Vishu), other than Punjab itself.

Guru Nanak Sahib had a knack for utilizing such public events to reach out to the masses with his message. Guru Amardas Sahib is believed to have continued that tradition by asking Sikhs to gather at Goindwal every year on Vaisakhi, other than Maghi and Diwali to receive Guru’s blessings.

Guru’s message informed people’s consciousness and transformed it from mundane considerations to that of thoughtfulness. A paradigm shift was effected; a transformation of folk culture to the divine culture, enthusiasm to

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VAISAKHI FEATURE

inspiration, ambition to purposefulness, and exclusivity to inclusive streaks, as was the very act of utilizing Vaisakhi and other such events to connect with people, and using people’s language, vocabulary and symbols, while redefining them to send across his message.

All life activity was visualized through a loving relationship with the divine. Thus cultural celebrations were consciously shaped into a deeper celebration of life through the integrative genius of the 10 Nanaks across a period of well over two centuries.

Guru Nanak’s revolution of halemi raj (dominion of the humble) promised dignity and respect for all, liberty from religious and political persecution, and the rule of the collective through self-governance. A unification of the inspired and awakened was later sought under the Khalsa, irrespective of their background.

Father of the Sikh Panth must have had similar considerations on the Vaisakhi of 1699 at Anandpur, when, standing at the altar, he set his sight on birthing life out of death. Other than the mundane details of the day, it would be worth exploring the not-so-apparent cultural dimensions of the event.

Inauguration of the Khalsa, smelled fresh of a renewed beginning on the New Year, as did

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2016 VAISAKHI

This Vaisakhi lets resolve to annihilate prejudice, particularly caste and gender from within the community. Let’s confront powers to defend the downtrodden, the very reason of Khalsa existence, all in divine love.

Guru Nanak’s call of riddance from exclusive claims over access to the divine amidst oppressive social hierarchies and religio-political dominance.

Giving a fresh lease of life to the seeker, 10th Master shattered the taboos of previous identity and associated practices. Birth in the Khalsa siblinghood annihilated (nash) past beliefs (dharam), actions (karam), bondage of birth (janam) from caste origin, embarrassmentsCAR (sharam) of non-prestigious professions, in a caste tied society, and of all doubts (bharam) through freedom from ritualistic and religious prejudices, with the new awakening of the At B Guru-consciousness in the person. cust Rabi harvest of Vaisakhi, being the first of the year, has been celebrated with much more uniq

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Guru Nanak’s revolution of halemi raj (dominion of the humble) promised dignity and respect for all, liberty from religious and political persecution, and the rule of the collective through self-governance. enthusiasm than others. Rabi is an Arabic word that means spring. Incidentally, Vaisakhi is also celebrated as ucha amongst Hindus. It’s that time of the year when the sun reaches the highest orbit point – the final point of rotation of the earth. It marks the end of the spring when the vegetation fully ripens into fruition. This harvest brings alive the abundance of the nature and the fruits of labour, as did the inauguration of the Khalsa siblinghood, after a long toil and careful nurturing by the 10 Nanaks.

Food crop being the very support for human survival, it has served as a powerful symbol in Sikh tradition to understand one’s relationship with the ultimate provider. Guru Nanak Sahib has frequently used the farming model to explain the crop yield as divine blessings, nature’s law of just and fair return, interplay of actions and consequences etc. One is awe-struck witnessing all life elements coming together in such a beautiful harmonious existence. Wheat flour did not just end up on our plates at home or in the karah prashad at the Gurdwara. It isn’t without a reason that Satta and Balwand invoked divine

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economy of Guru Nanak’s house, where Nam (self-reflection) and the grain-laden khir (pudding) were distributed equally by Mata Khivi, in an assurance of all-round perpetual sustenance.

It was a long journey of the Gurmukhs (Guru-oriented) through the Guru-wisdom that pinnacled in the inauguration of Khalsa on Vaisakhi. Thus, Vaisakhi not only symbolizes cultural confluence, but also emphasized the essential unity of existence, and human yearning for divinity and dignity.

As we celebrate Vaisakhi today, it is incumbent upon us to reflect how we have fared with regards to the Guru’s message. What is our commitment to Sikh ideals of dignity, liberty and justice for all? This Vaisakhi lets resolve to annihilate prejudice, particularly caste and gender from within the community. Let’s confront powers to defend the downtrodden, the very reason of Khalsa existence, all in divine love.

Says Kabir, those who have recognized loving devotion of the Divine have become Khalse. (655)

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

The spiritual leader has been acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest pioneers in the field of mind body integration.

Hari Nam Singh

Khalsa

BY PETRINA D’SOUZA

H

ari Nam Singh Khalsa’s spiritual journey began at a very young age. The spiritual leader, who has been serving the Khalsa Panth for over 35 years, recalls talking to God when he was just six or seven years old. “I didn’t know really what a God was but I felt the presence of something. So in many ways I believe that I was birthed to understand

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2016 VAISAKHI

a spiritual life and to be a godly person,” says he.

For 14 years he searched until at the age of 24 he came to the feet of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and knew that he had found the teachings he was searching for. From that day onward he has never left the feet of the Guru. Hari Nam turns 64 this year

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

and will celebrate 40 years of devotion.

“I have gone through and continue to go through a transformative and elevating experience. My prayer is that this transformation and growth never ends,” says Hari Nam, describing his journey so far.

Hari Nam has been acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest pioneers in the field of mind body integration. He serves as the Director of Education at the Anand Lotus Academy, where programs in mind body integration, Kundalini Yoga and meditation, organizational health and wellness, and personal counselling services are offered.

He has lectured at seminars and professional development workshops on stress management, depression management, Kundalini Yoga and meditation, conscious awareness, and personal health and wellness.

The inspirational

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2016 VAISAKHI

Baisahki is a time of great renewal in the Sikh faith. Guru Gobind Singh ji gave Sikhs an identity and created Khalsa (those who live in the purity of their consciousness to serve all humanity). I feel that renewal each year. It reminds me of the commitment I have made to live and represent this way of life.”

speaker believes that each one is born with a birthright to be happy.

“Be kind, truthful, compassionate, giving, serving, tolerant, accepting of all people, conscious of this earth we live on, and most important, trust in God. I teach four basic principles of life: know

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Be kind, truthful, compassionate, giving, serving, tolerant, accepting of all people, conscious of this earth we live on, and most important, trust in God. I teach four basic principles of life: know yourself, love yourself, trust yourself, and be yourself.” yourself, love yourself, trust yourself, and be yourself,” says Hari Nam, pointing out that following these four principles can make you successful and happy.

As a devoted Sikh, Hari Nam speaks and lectures in Gurdwaras throughout the world, and is a well-known TV personality. His messages are shared on more than 18 DVD’s, books, and guided meditation CD’s, along with radio, TV, web and live audiences throughout our world.

He has hosted his national television program Insight into Sikhism. “Insight Into Sikhism was Canada’s show teaching the principles of Sikhism solely in English. I shared the simple teachings of Sikhism in a way that any person could understand – teaching our Sikh history, translations of our prayers and teachings, and explaining the science and technology of the Sikh teachings and their relationship to today’s life,” says Hari Nam,

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about the show which was broadcasted on Omni TV, Vision TV, Joy TV and CTS. His teachings, especially on TV, have created a huge impact among his followers and youth.

His uniqueness in expressing the teaching of Sikhism in English has been a breakthrough to inspire the younger generation, growing up in the west, to embrace the Sikh faith.

“Somehow God or Guru blessed me with the ability to teach and give a deep understanding of Sikhism in English. Many of our youth tell me that they had never previously been given the understanding of these teachings, and how they relate it today in their day to day lives. Many tell me that they do not speak or understand Punjabi and that through our teachings they have gained a deeper understanding of their faith,” shares Hari Nam. He has also authored two books – Wisdom Shared and Aquarian Consciousness: 2013 & Beyond. Wisdom Shared is a collection of many of his lectures and teaching that have been compiled and indexed to give specific reference to living a health and happy life. “I share

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In Aquarian Consciousness, he teaches about the changing times that we are living in today. “In this changing world and through the changing of the age, our behaviour, sensitivity, intuition, feelings are all heightened. This is the age of the sensory human. In this book, I strive to give an understanding to these changing times, their meaning and how to make the adjustments and shifts necessary to survive with these changes,” explains Hari Nam. Hari Nam will be visiting Vancouver in April and will be present at the Nagar Kirtans (Vaisakhi parades) taking place in Vancouver (April 16) and Surrey (April 23). “Baisahki is a time of great renewal in the Sikh faith.

Guru Gobind Singh ji gave Sikhs an identity and created Khalsa (those who live in the purity of their consciousness to serve all humanity). I feel that renewal each year. It reminds me of the commitment I have made to live and represent this way of life,” says Hari Nam, explaining the significance of the festival in his life.

The dedicated preacher is happy to celebrate the festival with people here. “I have the great opportunity and blessing to meet with our Sangat and to participate in the celebrations. This year in Vancouver, we will have our own stage dedicated to Gurmat, only with an emphasis on our youth groups,” says Hari Nam, who has been teaching in the Vancouver, Surrey and surrounding areas for over eight years, through yoga classes, workshops and counselling services.

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DR. PARGAT SINGH BHURJI

BIRTH OF

KHALSA

This year, we will be globally celebrating the 317th Birthday of the formation of the Order of Khalsa.

S

everal months before the Vaisakhi of 1699, our 10th Master Guru Gobind Rai invited his followers from all over greater India to come to Anandpur Sahib. As a result, on that particular day many hundreds of devotees and onlookers had gathered.

Many had come as a sign of respect for the Guru ji and in accordance to his invitation, while some had just come out of

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curiosity. On the appointed day, the Guru addressed the congregants with a most stirring oration on his divine mission of restoring their faith and preserving dharma (righteousness).

After his inspirational discourse, he flashed his shamsheer and said that every great deed was preceded by equally great sacrifice. He asked, with a naked sword in his hand, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is there any one among you who is prepared to

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Pictured Above: Indian Sikh devotees march during traditional annual festival of Sikhs held at Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab. The festival was founded by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru.

die for their faith?” When people heard his call, they were taken aback. Some of the wavering followers left the congregation, while others began to look at one another in amazement. It was a crowd of over 80,000.

After a few minutes, a brave Sikh from Lahore named Daya Ram stood up and offered his head to the master. The Guru took him to a tent pitched close by, and after some time, came out with a blood dripping sword.

The Guru repeated his demand calling for another Sikh who was prepared to die at his command. At this second call, even more people were shocked and some were frightened. A few more of the wavering followers discreetly began to filter out of the congregation.

However, to the shock of many, another person stood up. The second Sikh who of-

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fered himself was Dharam Das. This amazing episode did not end there. Soon three more, Mohkam Chand, Sahib Chand and Himmat Rai, offered their heads to the Guru. Each Sikh was taken into the tent and some thought that they could now hear a ‘thud’ sound – as if the sword was falling on the neck of the Sikh.

The Guru ji then brought these five brave men in new bana with dastar, wearing the 5 Kakkars: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kachera (uniform shorts) and Kirpan (sword).

Guru ji prepared amrit with water in

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prejudice, equality, democracy, common worship, common place of worship, common external appearance, combining bhakti and shakti.

The creation of Khalsa culminates 240 years of training by each Guru ji to create the perfect image of saint, scholar and soldier. Guru Nanak Dev ji says, “Jo Tau Prem Khelan Ka Chao, Sir Dhar Tali Gali Mori Aao.”

If you want to walk on the path of devotional love, cut your head, place it on your palm and walk towards me (submit your ego/haumey).

Sarab Loh (pure iron) vessel, Mata Sahib Kaur put Patasey (sugar puffs) into the water, a Khanda (double-edge sword) was used to stir it, while the Bani of Japji, Jaap, Savaiye, Chaupai Benti and Anand Sahib were recited.

Guru ji then baptised these five brave hearts by sprinkling amrit in their eyes and hair, and then gave them to drink the amrit five times, while saying “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”

Guru ji called them the Panj Pyare or the ‘Beloved Ones”, changing their names to Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, Himmat Singh, Mohkam Singh and Sahib Singh.

These are the stages of spiritual journey through which one will have to start from Daya to meeting Waheguru ji (Sahib).

Guru Gobind Rai then stood in front of these Panj Pyare and asked for the blessing of amrit, changing him to Guru Gobind Singh ji, “Waho Waho Gobind Singh ji, Apey Gur Chela”.

This act created the abolition of

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2016 VAISAKHI

In order to mould his personality, the Guru inculcated in him the five virtues – sacrifice, cleanliness, honesty, charity and courage, and prescribed Rehat Maryada – the Sikh code of discipline.

“Rehni Rahe Soi Sikh Mera; Oh Sahib Mein Uska Chera”

A Khalsa in Rehat Maryada is my beloved, he is my master and I am his follower.

In Surrey and Vancouver, BC Canada, we have some of the world’s largest Nagar Kirtan to celebrate the Birth of Khalsa with a congregation of over 300,000.

“Khalsa Akal Purakh Ki Fauj, Pragteo Khalsa Parmatam Ki Mauj”

This is Guru ji’s mehar/bakshish.

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PUNJAB

IS IN

BOL LYWOOD’S

DNA

By Shweta Kulkarni

Be it the golden sun-kissed sarson ke khet, the typical gabru jawan, the Patiala pegs, the bhangra, the full of life festivals or the quintessential lifestyle – one cannot refute the fact that the leitmotifs of Punjab and it’s culture have played a huge role in defining Bollywood films at large.

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2016 VAISAKHI

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t would not be wrong to say that Punjab is in the DNA of Bollywood. After all, for decades, amid all the ‘bale bales’ and ‘shava shavas’, the exuberance of Punjabi culture has thrived through the larger than life format of Hindi films.

Today, no Hindi film is complete without a bit of Punjab in it. Be it in songs, language, locations or even a small character, Punjabi culture has become a defining element of Bollywood films.

Many might want to blame it on the Kapoors, the Chopras and the Johars of the industry, but the fact is, the contagious energy, the groovy music, the picturesque landscape, the colourful festivals of Punjab have been irresistible and these elements have stirred the imagination of Punjabi and non-Punjabi filmmakers alike.

Shoojit Sircar (Vicky Donor; 2012), Imtiaz

Today, no Hindi film is complete without a bit of Punjab in it. Be it in songs, language, locations or even a small character, Punjabi culture has become a defining element of Bollywood films.

Ali (Jab We Met; 2007, Love Aaj Kal; 2009), Dibakar Banerjee (Oye Lucky Lucky Oye; 2008, Khosla Ka Ghosla; 2006) are among the nonPunjabi directors who couldn’t resist the charm of Punjabi ethos either and adopted it in their films.

Here’s a look at some of the major influences of Punjabi culture in Bollywood films and why it’s impossible to detach Punjab from the veins of Hindi cinema.

Folklore During its nascent stage, cinema relied heavily on traditional folklore for its content and thus we had several films that were based on Punjabi folk tales such as Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal, and Mirza Sahiba. These popular romantic tales have inspired so many filmmakers that there have been several films made on them since 1930s. The tales have

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been so fascinating even today that director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is making Mirzya, which apparently explores why Sahiba betrayed Mirza and then killed herself.

Music The foot-tapping Punjabi music has become an essential ingredient of majority of Bollywood films.

While the likes of Honey Singh, Mika, Daler Mehndi have been the recent entrants in the music scene, Punjabi traditional music and rhythm has been part of Hindi films since decades.

Punjabi music was introduced to Hindi films through songs

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2016 VAISAKHI

by popular music directors like Pandit Amarnath (Mirza Sahiban; 1947), Vinod ER (Ek Thi Ladki; 1949), Shankar Jaikishan (Barsaat; 1949), Naushad (Anmol Ghadi; 1946) and others.

And, of course, then there was the great O.P. Nayyar, whose music had a distinct Punjabi influence. He adapted Punjabi folk music for a wider national audience and made the bhangra beats so popular that even today most films cannot do without their share of this foot-tapping music.

Filmmakers Some of the major industry leaders like Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, B R chopra, Yash Johar, Chetan Anand, Dev Anand, David Dhawan, Satish Kaushik, Subhash Ghaiâ&#x20AC;Ś all hailed from Punjab and they inadvertently brought with them the Punjabi flair which reflected in their movies.

So be it Punjabi words

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like ‘puttar’, ‘soni kudi’ ‘chak de phatte’ ‘matti ki khusboo’ or characteristics Punjabi elements like phulkari, laasi, bhangra, dhol, Patiala pegs – Hindi films are strewn with these elements whether the film is based in Punjab or not.

Punjab De Puttars Whether it’s the past or the present, Bollywood films had the good fortune of being entertained by talented Punjabi actors.

The likes of Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Balraj Sahni, Jeetendra, Sunil Dutt, Dara Singh, Rajesh Khanna, Raj Babbar and Dharmendra were all bred in the heartlands of Punjab and brought with them the Punjabiyat on-screen.

The Kapoor clan of Lyallpur has not only contributed to the cinema but till date has given us four generations of wonderful actors starting from Prithviraj Kapoor, his sons Raj, Shammi and Shashi, their children Rishi and Randhir, and the present generation of Karisma, Kareena, and Ranbir.

Apart, from these khandani Punjabis who have been ruling the Bollywood film industry for decades, we also have the other set of Punjabis whose contribution to the cinema cannot be missed. Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ayushmann Khurrana, Jimmy Shergill, Divya Dutta, Om Puri…all have roots in the

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Punjabi heartland.

Locations Of course, the credit for popularizing the golden mustard fields goes to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), but the lush green spaces and the heritage sites of Punjab have always enticed Bollywood filmmakers. The Golden Temple of Amritsar has made an appearance in several Hindi films and soon shall be seen in Udta Punjab as well. Veer-Zaara (2004), Rang De Basanti (2006), Pinjar (2003), and Jab We Met are among the many films that have captured the scenic beauty of Punjab on camera.

Celebrations The Punjabis are known to live their life to the fullest and this perfectly complements the larger than life format of Hindi films. So be it weddings or festivals, there is no better way to portray them than in the archetypical Punjabi style. It also provides a perfect milieu for a showy, fun-filled dance sequence.

So be it the effervescent culture of Punjab or the Punjabis themselves, the Punjabi tadka shall continue to define Hindi films today and always.

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY

HAPPY VAISAKHI

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

BALBIR SINGH SR.

A Legendary

Athlete

BY RENU SINGH-JOSEPH

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2016 VAISAKHI

Photo: A Master Media

M

any athletes dream about representing their country at the Olympic Games and while most dream, Balbir Singh Sr. made this a reality representing an independent India (post British Raj and Partition) in the sport of field hockey during the Olympic Games in 1948, 1952 and 1956.

During these games, Singh was a prolific scorer and was instrumental in clinching three Olympic gold medals with his Indian field hockey team.

Moreover, he set an Olympic Record and Guinness World Record at the 1952 Olympics for scoring the most goals in a game â&#x20AC;&#x201C; five goals against

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

Netherlands, India won that game 6 to 1 clinching the gold medal.

“At the 1948 Olympics in London at Wembley Stadium, we defeated our former masters England in their own game, in their own country,” explains Singh. “I scored the first two goals, and we won that game 4 to 0. I still remember the victory ceremony and hearing India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and our national flag going up. Standing at the victory podium, I felt like I was flying!”

After the Olympics, Singh, along with his team, went on to secure silver medals in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games. His passion for hockey transitioned to coaching, and Singh victoriously led India’s team to clinch the 1975 World Cup. “My first love is hockey, it fascinated me since I was a child and I’ve always wanted to play,” explains Singh, who played centre forward and was heralded for his lighting quick shot. He goes on to explain that his father gave him a very important gift for his seventh birthday – a field hockey stick. His father Dalip, a freedom fighter, may not have known it at the time, but this fateful gift steered his son in the direction of his life’s calling.

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From an early age, Singh exhibited tremendous aptitude and skill set to succeed in the sport of field hockey. He was a naturally-gifted player and this was evident throughout his adolescence and college years as he was a sought-after player, who played for Sikh National College in Lahore and Khalsa College in Amritsar, winning multiple provincial and national championships.

He went on to play for Punjab University’s regional all-star squad, and as a member of this team, Singh travelled to other states and played in the prestigious All India Inter-University Championship.

“I got married in 1946, and I give the credit to my wife. She was instrumental and encouraged me to play better, score more goals and win more medals,” says Singh.

“Normally, after marriage, people stop playing, but I won all my Olympic medals after marriage.”

Singh’s wife Sushil was also an athlete and played badminton at the college level.

The couple would often compete with one another playing spirited matches. Singh and Sushil have four children; Singh currently splits his time between his children in Chandigarh, India and Burnaby, Canada.

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

At the 1948 Olympics in London at Wembley Stadium, we defeated our former masters England in their own game, in their own country.”

Over the course of three Olympic Games, Singh scored an astounding amount of goals – 22 in total. During the 1948 London Olympics, Singh scored eight goals in the two games that he played. At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Singh was India’s flag bearer in the opening ceremony and as vice captain, he scored nine of India’s 13 goals.

In Helsinki, he set the Olympic and Guinness World Records for scoring the most goals in a game with five goals. At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Singh once again became India’s flag bearer, this time as captain of the team. He scored five goals in the opening match, but he was injured and broke a finger. He wasn’t able to play in the group matches, but he played in the semifinal and final games.

More recently, Singh was recognized at the 2012 London Olympics as one of 16

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iconic Olympians. Singh, along with other incredible global athletes, including American Jesse Owens, were featured in an exhibit titled The Olympic Journey: The Story of the Games at the Royal Opera House. Singh was the only Indian and the only field hockey player to receive this distinguished honour.

“Balbir represents the iconic Olympian.

He is a pitch-perfect athlete, a hero who is incredibly humble and always one to give his teammates all the credit,” says Vancouverbased journalist Patrick Blennerhassett.

“He is very idealistic, someone who has spent their entire life turning the other cheek, all the while achieving greatness in the process.”

As our interview comes to an end, I ask Singh, ‘How would you like future generations to remember you?’ and he replies with a smile, “As a hockey player, as a real sportsmen.”

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1 2

4

3

5

6 7 8

9 10 11

12

13 14 15

16

VA I S AKH I C R O S S WO R D ACROSS

DOWN

4 The Birth of ---- Panth in 1699 6 Sanskrit word for mirror, which means “the reflection of light” 7 Maharaja ---- Singh provided gold and marble for Harimandir 9 Original name of Golden Temple 12 Teacher, literally means “dispeller of darkness” 13 Ancient harvest festival 15 Popular folk dance of Punjab 16 Nectar

1 One of the 5 K’s, symbolizes restraint and gentility 2 The symbol of Sikhs 3 Sikh house of worship 5 One of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons 8 Eternal Throne 10 Symbol of spirituality and holiness in Sikhism 11 A community kitchen, food is served to all 14 To serve your community

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2016 VAISAKHI

Wishing you a Happy Vaisakhi!

ਐੈਨ.ਡੀ.ਪੀ.ਵੱਲੋ ਂ ਸਮੂਹ ਿਸੱਖ ਸੰਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੈਸਾਖੀ ਦੀ ਲੱਖ-ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈ ਹੋਵੇ।

Don Davies, MP Vancouver Kingsway 2951 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5R 5J4 604-775-6263 don.davies@parl.gc.ca

Peter Julian, MP New Westminster—Burnaby #110–888 Carnarvon Street New Westminster, BC V3M 0C6 604-775-5707 peter.julian.c1@parl.gc.ca

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WHERE LAW AND SUNNY AUJLA IS A TRUSTED BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL LAWYER FOR BUSINESSES, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, REALTORS AND DEVELOPERS

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Wishing you a very Happy and Prosperous

Vaisakhi 73

2016 VAISAKHI

VIBC PRESENTS 12TH ANNUAL

CITY OF BHANGRA FESTIVAL The City of Bhangra Festival takes place in Vancouver and Surrey BC from June 11 to 18, and promises to deliver with a BHANG!

O

nce again, Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration (VIBC) is bringing the dynamic sounds of dhol and celebration to you. The City of Bhangra Festival takes place in Vancouver and Surrey BC from June 11 to 18, and promises to deliver with a BHANG! This not-for-profit organization is 99 percent volunteer-powered, with over 150 dedicated individuals working more than 40,000 hours a year to bring you this week of bhangra and joy.

As the leading South Asian Arts organization in Canada, VIBC works hard to create events that

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both bring attention to the folk art form of bhangra and create bonds across cultural boundaries.

Not only has the organization created their own space in the bhangra community, they have also become advocates for South Asian arts in the mainstream cultural arena, representing immigrant minorities in important dialogues that happen in our cities, provinces, and even on national levels.

Through all the hard work they do year round, they still keep true to their bhangra roots.

THE

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As the leading South Asian Arts organization in Canada, VIBC works hard to create events that both bring attention to the folk art form of bhangra and create bonds across cultural boundaries.

Over the last 12 years, VIBC has taken bhangra to new frontiers by collaborating with all different dance forms, from Khatak to Celtic, from African folk to Flamenco, from Native American to Hip Hop; each time bringing you something innovative and creative, and delivering a very special message of unity.

Anita Lal, Executive Director at VIBC, feels it is important to reflect what our community truly looks like. “When you look at Canada, what do you see? You see a country rich in culture and diversity. You see Canadians of different backgrounds with deep Canadian roots. You see a mosaic. VIBC celebrates diversity and at the same time draws attention to the unique space we share and fuse together, breaking down cultural silos through

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art, celebration, and dialogue. We are Canadian and this is what Canada looks like, we have bhangra with a little Hip Hop in our step and we have Celtic dance with a little dhol in the beat. It’s beautiful, it’s unique, and it’s Canadian; and that’s what the City of Bhangra Festival is all about.”

This year’s Festival runs from June 11 to18 in the cities of Surrey and Vancouver. Along with crowd-pleasers from past years (such as Bhangra on Main and Downtown Bhangra, featuring two days of free live performances by dozens of outstanding local and international performers at the Vancouver Art Gallery), Festival 2016 is introducing some hot new events guaranteed to inspire, provoke, and please you. From the “Crash an Indian Wedding” kickoff party to a “Where Not to Do Bhangra” comedy/burlesque night, to workshops and club nights in unexpected places, VIBC promises you eight days and nights of pushing buttons and pushing boundaries through bhangra like you’ve never seen before.

Join us for VIBC’s City of Bhangra Festival 2016 and catch some #BhangraLove!

For details on the City of Bhangra Festival, visit vibc.org or https://wwwfacebook.com/ vancouverbhangra

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2016 VAISAKHI 77 www.railingvancouver.ca

Photos: madhumadhavan.com

Vaisakhi Recipes

SADHNA GROVER’S

Vaisakhi Recipes C ooking has always been blogger Sadhna Grover’s passion.

“I really enjoy my time in the kitchen. I am always interested in trying new recipes and making inventions in my kitchen,” says the cooking expert.

Grover started her blog, Herbs Spices and Tradition (herbsspicesandtradition.blogspot. ca), in 2014 - inspired, supported and encouraged by her daughter and son-in-law. After retiring from teaching, she realized she had a lot of time and decided to explore her 78

2016 VAISAKHI

cooking further. “I wanted to take my culinary experience to a higher level through sharing and learning.”

Now, food blogging has become an integral part of her life. “I never thought blogging would be so enjoyable and rewarding. It is part and parcel of myself,” says Grover.

Every month, Grover creates three to four Indian and western vegetarian recipes on her blog.

“In future, I am looking forward to learn and try more recipes from different cuisines and share it with the world,” she sums up.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

CreamyStuffed

Tomatoes

Ingredients For Filling:

Preparation

• 10 serving sized tomatoes, cored • 2 medium-sized boiled and mashed potatoes • 75 g grated khoya/mava/ paneer • Salt and chilli powder to taste • 1 tsp dhania powder

For White Sauce/Roux: • Heat ghee/oil in a fry pan; add white flour and roast, till light brown.

• Slowly add milk and continuously stir to avoid any lumps. When it is thick enough, leave it to cool.

For White Sauce/Roux:

• Heat oil in a saucepan and add cumin seeds, when they change colour, sauté the onions until they turn golden.

• 3 tbsps white flour

• Add the tomato puree, pulp of tomatoes, and all the spices, except the roux, and sauté for a few more minutes.

• 3 tbsps oil or ghee/ 2 tbsps for sautéing onion • 2-3 cups of milk

• 1 big onion, finely chopped • 2 tbsps tomato puree • Pulp of tomatoes, chopped finally • Salt and chilli powder to taste • 1 tsp coriander powder • 1 tsp garam masala • 1 tsp cumin seeds

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• Add the roux/white sauce when the onions and puree are well-cooked with the spices.

Note: To avoid the roux being lumpy, when combining with the milk, it is important that the milk be added very hot and in small quantities to the roux while stirring, to ensure proper mixing.

2016 VAISAKHI

For Tomatoes:

• To core a tomato, use the tip of a sharp knife or peeler to make a shallow cut all around the stem end, and then pop out the core. Scoop out the seeds and the pulp with a grapefruit spoon.

Reserve the pulp.

• Combine well the ingredients for the filling.

Fill into the deseeded and cored tomatoes.

• Arrange the stuffed tomatoes in a baking tray.

Pour over the creamy sauce and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C for 15-20 minutes to allow the tomatoes to absorb all the moisture and to cook well.

• This can be served hot with naan/ roti/tandoori or dinner bun.

2016 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Cocktail

Ingredients

Kebabs

For Spinach Balls:

• 1 packet of frozen spinach or fresh green spinach (400 g) • 3 tbsps chickpea flour • Salt and red pepper to taste • 1 tsp coriander powder • 1 tbsp oil for glazing the balls and some oil for frying the balls

For Beetroot Balls: • 2 big beetroots (400 g)

• 4 heaped tbsps chickpea flour • Salt and black pepper to taste • 1 tsp dhaniya powder (coriander powder) • 1 tbsp oil for glazing and more oil for frying.

For Assembling:

• 1 box of bocconcini/ mozzarella cheese balls/ paneer squares • 3 tbsps yoghurt or sour cream • Salt and dried mint/or any other herb • Few toothpicks/small-sized skewer • Spinach balls and beetroot balls

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Preparation

For Spinach Balls:

• Thaw the frozen spinach and remove all the water, then slice it again to make sure there is no whole leaf of spinach left. If you are using fresh spinach, blanch for five minutes, when cold squeeze all the water and chop the leaves.

• When cold, peel and mash further with a potato masher or in a food processor.

• Dry roast chickpea flour on medium heat in a fry pan, till it is light brown; when cold, mix with mashed beetroot.

• Add salt and pepper, mix well and make small balls with little oil glazing your palms.

• Fry on a medium heat till • Dry roast the chickpea flour it changes colour to a few in a fry pan on low heat. Once shades darker. it changes colour to a few shades darker, remove from gas and For Assembling: leave it to cool.

• Marinate bocconcini/paneer • When cool, add chickpea in sour cream/yoghurt with salt flour into spinach with little salt, and herb for two hours. pepper and coriander powder.

Make small balls, using oil to • Heat spinach and beetroot glaze your palms. balls in an oven before serving and arranging on the skewer.

• Fry them on medium heat.

Once they turn into light greenish • On a tooth pick or skewer golden brown colour, take them arrange one bocconcini, then out and drain on a kitchen towel. one ball of spinach and then one ball of beetroot.

For Beetroot Balls:

• Wash and cook beetroot in a microwave for six to eight minutes, till they are soft and cooked well.

2016 VAISAKHI

• Serve hot with any sauce or chutney of your taste.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Ingredients

• 100 g red kidney beans • 100 g black eyed beans • 100 g white chick peas (cholle/channa) • 100 g white soya beans or broad beans

4 BeansCurry with

Punjabi Tadka

Preparation

• Rinse, wash and soak red kidney beans, white chick peas, and soya beans separately in different bowls for seven to eight hours or overnight.

For Tadka (Tempering): • 200 g onion

• 200 g tomatoes

For Tadka (Tempering):

• Heat oil in a fry pan and add cumin seeds and let them change colour, then add onions, ginger-garlic paste, and green chillies, and sauté till light brown.

• Rinse the black eyed beans three to four times in water.

Pressure cook them together with the soaked soya beans and white chick peas and little salt, and cook for about five to eight minutes after the whistle.

• Now add chopped tomatoes, salt, red pepper, green chillies and coriander powder, when tomatoes are done, add tomato puree with half a cup of water. Mix well and let it boil.

• 1 tsp garam masala

• Now boil the red kidney beans with some salt for five to eight minutes in the pressure cooker after the whistle.

• Green coriander for garnishing

• Finely chop the onions, tomatoes and green chillies.

• Combine all the beans in one sauce pan, add this mixture of tadka in beans, mix well and let it boil for five more minutes. Now add garam masala and garnish with green coriander.

• 4-5 green chillies (optional) • 2 tsps ginger-garlic paste.

• 2 tbsps tomato puree • 4 tbsps oil or ghee • Salt and chilli powder to taste • 1 tsp coriander powder • 1 tsp cumin seeds

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• Serve hot with roti, naan, dinner bun or rice.

2016 VAISAKHI

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Vaisakhi Recipes

By Sadhna Grover

Ingredients For Papdi:

• 250 g all-purpose flour • 250 g semolina (suji)

Papri

• ¼ cup oil • Salt to taste • Oil for frying

For Filling:

Tokri Chat

• 200 g soaked and boiled chickpeas • 100 g green peas (fresh or frozen) • 2 big potatoes, boiled and finely chopped (400 g) • 1 big onion, finally chopped (200 g) • 2 cup yoghurt beat well with an egg beater • 1 cup tamarind chutney • ½ cup mint chutney • Salt and red chilli powder to taste • 1 tsp roasted and ground cumin seeds • 1 tbsp oil • 1 tsp cumin seeds • 3 tbsps chaat masala (optional) • 3-4 green chillies, finally chopped (optional) • 3 tbsps dried and sliced cranberries

Preparation

For Papdi:

• In a big bowl mix white flour and semolina with salt and oil, mix well and make medium-hard dough by adding little water.

• Divide the dough into 25 pieces and make small balls, flatten them in between your palms.

• Roll with a rolling pin, double the size of the rolled out dough to double the diameter of your strainer.

• Press this rolled round piece in the strainer with your fingers giving the shape of the basket.

• Heat oil in a wok and fry in hot oil with the strainer till golden brown.

• 100 g thin savoury seviyan (optional) 2016 VAISAKHI 86

For Serving Chat:

• Heat one teaspoon oil in a fry pan and add cumin seeds, when they change colour, add peas and sauté for few minutes till they are done, add boiled chickpeas and mix well, then add potatoes and onions in it.

• Fill papdi baskets with this veg and peas mixture, garnish with yoghurt, tamarind and mint chutney, salt, red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder and chaat masala.

• Decorate on top with a sliced green chilli, cranberries and thin seviyans, and serve it as an appetizer.

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87

Vaisakhi Recipes

Malai

Ingredients

• 1 tin of cham cham/ rasgulla • 200 g fresh cream (whipping) • 100 g home made chhena or grated paneer • 100 g khoya/mava • 5-6 tbsps Roohafza sharbat • Sliced cherry

Chop Sweet Preparation

• Chhena can be made very easily at home. Boil one litre milk, once it starts boiling, add one tablespoon vinegar to separate milk from whey, drain and remove the watery whey. Leave the milk solids in a colander for 30 minutes to drain all the water. Chhena is ready.

• Open the tin and slit cham cham or rasgula into half, length-wise, and arrange in a serving tray.

• Take cream in a bowl, add Roohafza and mix

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well with egg beater/stand mixer with beat attachment for five to 10 minutes till it forms soft.

• Now add chhena or paneer and fold gently, add khoya and fold gently till they dissolve well with cream, taking care not to overbeat the cream.

• Fill the cream mixture in a piping bag and decorate the top of cham cham or rasgulla with the cream.

• Place a sliced cherry on top for garnishing.

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Happy Vaisakhi!

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STOCK PLANS CUSTOM HOMES PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMERCIAL PROJECTS DESIGN CONSULTANCY INTERIOR DESIGN

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The innovative Creative Touch

2016 VAISAKHI

89

Vaisakhi Recipes

Semolina&

Ingredients

Khoya Pinni

• 500 g fine semolina (suji) • 300 g fine sugar (castor sugar) • 350 g mava (khoya) • 200 g ghee or unsalted butter • 1 tsp cardamom powder or ½ tsp nutmeg powder • 50 g sliced almonds or any other nuts • Few sliced almonds and pistachios for decoration • 30 g raisins • ¼ cup milk for binding the pinni

90

Preparation • On a medium flame, heat the ghee in a wok or fry pan.

Add semolina and roast for around 10 to 15 minutes till light brown, leave it to cool.

warm, sprinkle some milk and give it a long shape of pinni. You can use a cookie cutter to give any desired shape.

• In the meantime, grate khoya on the smaller side of the grater (to get fine shreds).

• If mixture is cold while making the pinnis, it can be warmed up in the microwave for one minute.

• When semolina is still warm, add sugar, cardamom powder, grated mava, and sliced almonds, and mix well.

• When this mixture is still

2016 VAISAKHI

• You can make around 30 pinnis, depending on the size you chose to make.

Leave them to cool and settle.

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Happy Vaisakhi

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We Wish You a Happy & Prosperous Vaisakhi!

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H

ave you ever wondered what is the significance of karah prasad? How it is made?

What it means to give and receive karah prasad? Karah prasad is a sweet flour-based offering that is given to all visitors of the Durbar Sahib in a Gurdwara. It is regarded as food blessed by the Guru and should not be refused.

All devotees who visit Gurdwaras on the occasion of Vaisakhi Festival to celebrate the birth of Khalsa Panth receive karah prasad by the sewadars (volunteers).

This karah prasad holds a lot of importance

VAISAKHI FEATURE

The Significance of

Karah Prasad

in Sikh faith. The religion gives a prescribed method of preparation, distribution, and the way of receiving karah prasad.

Method of preparation

According to Sikh religion, karah prasad or the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sacred Puddingâ&#x20AC;? must be prepared following the prescribed rituals. The religion gives strict instructions that only the karah prashad, which has been prepared or got according to the prescribed method, shall be acceptable in the congregation.

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VAISAKHI FEATURE Method of distribution

According to the Sikhism, karah prasad should be prepared in the following method: • Place for preparation must be swept and clean.

• Cooking vessels must be scoured and washed clean.

• The person preparing karah prasad must bathe and must utter only 'Praise to the Guru'.

• Fill a new pitcher with water.

• In a clean large iron pan (karah), equal quantities of three contents coarsely-refined wheat flour (semolina), pure sugar and clarified butter or ghee - should be put and it should be made reciting the scriptures.

• When the karah prasad is ready, it should then be covered with a clean piece of cloth.

• The prasad must be placed on a four-legged clean stool in front of the Guru Granth Sahib.

• The first five and the last stanza of the Anand Sahib should be recited aloud (so that the congregation can hear).

• If another vessel of the sacred offering is brought in after the recitation of the Anand, it is not necessary to repeat the recitation of the Anand Sahib. Offering of the prasad brought later to the sacred kirpan is enough.

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According to Sikhism, before distribution, karah prasad should be touched with the point of a kirpan, to strengthen it symbolically. The share of the five beloved ones (Panj Pyare) should be set apart and given away before being served to the rest of the congregation. Thereafter, while the general distribution, the share of the person in attendance of the Guru Granth Sahib should be put in small bowl or vessel and handed over. The religion says that giving double share to the person in attendance constitutes improper discrimination. It has also been mentioned that the person who doles out the karah prasad among the congregation should do so without any discrimination on the basis of personal regard or spite. He should dole out the karah prasad equally to the Sikh, the non-Sikh, or a person of high or low caste.

While doling out the karah prasad, no discrimination should be made on considerations of caste or ancestry or being regarded, by some, as untouchable, of persons within the congregation.

Right way to receive karah prasad

Karah prasad is considered sacred in Sikhism and should be accepted with respect and in a proper way. Sikhishm says that the person being offered karah prasad in the worship hall should accept it sitting down with cupped hands raised high to help the sewadar serve with ease.

The prasad should then be transferred to the palm of one hand and eaten with the other hand.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Vaisakhi Recipes

LUCKY DHILLON’S

Vaisakhi Recipes

A

s an ex-IT professional-turned - culinary chef, Lucky Dhillon is the acclaimed former executivechef at the Fraser River Lodge. A search for ingenious ways to showcase his creativity inspired this chef’s journey from computers to the culinary world. For chef Dhillon, nothing beats the marriage of fresh ingredients and unexpected spices lending an unpretentiously brilliant twist to his take on even the humble classics.

With close to a decade of kitchen experience, chef Dhillon is now ready for the next phase in his career. And true to his belief of cooking from the heart and

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soul, comes his new venture, ‘Soulful Kitchen’. Soulful Kitchen is a catering service aimed at helping people turn their special gatherings and events into unforgettable experiences. “From weddings, corporate and special events, lunch boxes and picnic baskets, our primary focus will be superlative, customized and all-inclusive service that’s visible in even the minutest details. We want to share our passion for simplicity and elegance through our food and service”, says Chef Lucky.

Soulful Kitchen is aimed at catering events all over Vancouver Lower Mainland and opening doors in June 2016.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Ingredients • 20 small heirloom cherry tomatoes

• 2 large English cucumbers • 150 g soft malai paneer (cottage cheese) • ½ tsp chaat masala • ½ tsp Madras curry powder • ¼ tsp hot chili powder • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 doz bamboo skewers

Small Heirloom Tomatoes & Cucumbers Stuffed

Creamy Masala Malai Paneer

Preparation

• Wash cherry tomatoes and remove the tops gently with a small paring knife.

• Scoop out tomato pulp and seeds and put aside.

• Wash, then using a knife or mandolin slice the cucumber, lengthwise approximately 1/8 inch of thickness.

• Roll the cucumbers slices like sushi rolls, leaving the middle hollow. Use skewers to hold the cucumber rolls in place.

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• In a small bowl, crumble soft paneer, chaat masala, curry powder, chili powder, and lemon along with left-over tomato pulps and seeds.

• Whisk and blend the paneer mixture until it’s a smooth paste (like soft cream cheese).

• Using a small piping bag, fill the tomatoes and cucumber rolls with the paneer paste and cover with tomato tops, or any garnish.

• Drizzle with olive oil, roasted cumin seeds, salt and pepper before serving.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bosch pear, pitted & sliced (grilled or pan seared) • 3 cups organic spinach (washed and clipped) • 1 cup arugula • 50 g Parmesan cheese (shaved) • 20 g toasted pine-nuts

For Dressing: • 3 tbsps chopped fresh basil 45 ml

Organic Spinach & Arugula

• 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil 45 ml • 4 tsps balsamic vinegar 20 ml • 1 tsp honey 5 ml • Salt and pepper to taste

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Bosch Pear Salad with

2016 VAISAKHI

Preparation

• In a small blender, combine basil, oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.

Mix until smooth.

• Gently toss and coat the spinach and arugula with the salad dressing.

• Divide spinach and arugula mixture among two salad plates.

• Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese, grilled pears and toasted pine-nuts.

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Ingredients For Sambar:

• 1 cup black-eyed peas (soaked overnight) • 1 cup vegetables, roughly diced (potatoes, onions, eggplants, tomatoes) • 1 tbsp tamarind paste • 2 tbsps sambar powder • Salt (as needed) • ½ tsp red chilli powder • ½ tsp garam masala powder • ½ tsp turmeric powder • 4-6 cups vegetable stock

For Tadka:

• 2 tbsps ghee (clarified butter) • 4 dry red chillies • 1 tsp mustard seeds • ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds • 2 pinch of asafoetida/hing • 2 tsps garlic (minced)

with Jasmine Rice

Preparation For Sambar:

• In a pressure cooker or a heavy bottomed stock pot, cook black-eyed peas in four cups of vegetable stock until soft.

• Add the chopped vegetables, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt along with the remaining one cup of stock or water.

• Simmer on medium-high heat for 20 minutes.

• Add sambar, tamarind paste and add more stock if the sambar is too thick.

• 12 curry leaves

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Black-Eyed Peas Sambar

2016 VAISAKHI

For Tadka:

• In a small pan, heat ghee over high-heat. Once hot, add mustard seeds.

• Next, add fenugreek seeds, garlic, red chillies, asafoetida and curry leaves.

• Fry until the garlic turns a light-brown and the red chillies change colour.

• Add the entire tadka in the steaming hot sambar.

Cover with lid and let all the flavours infuse for three to five minutes.

• Serve the black-eyed peas sambar with steamed jasmine rice or idli.

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105

Vaisakhi Recipes

Ingredients • 1 bunch fresh basil • ½ bunch fresh parsley • 3 tbsps walnuts (toasted)

Spaghetti Squash with

Coconut & Basil Pesto

Preparation

• 1 garlic clove • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

• Preheat oven to 375° C.

• ½ cup freshly grated coconut • ½ cup cherry tomatoes cut in halves • Salt and freshly ground black pepper • 1-2 lb spaghetti squash • Shaved coconut for garnish

• Combine the basil, walnuts, garlic, and olive oil in a blender • Using a large fork, gently and blend to a puree. pull all the spaghetti-looking pulp from the squash.

• Add grated coconut, salt and pepper, and blend again.

Chill the pesto in fridge for minimum 30 minutes.

• In a medium pan, add pesto, cherry tomatoes and cook for two to three minutes over low • In the meantime, cut squash heat. in halves, remove the seed • Gently toss the spaghetti using a spoon, without squash to the hot pesto and removing the skin. mix until everything is well-coated.

• Rub the cut squash with generous amount of olive oil, nutmeg, salt and peppers.

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• Wrap each squash in a tin foil and bake in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

Let it cool for 10 minutes

• Plate the spaghetti squash and garnish with fresh coconut shavings and a drizzle of olive oil.

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Vaisakhi Recipes

Lemon Tart with

Ingredients

For the Tarts (6 small tarts):

• 1 cup all-purpose flour • 3 tbsps sugar • ¼ tsp salt • ½ tsp lemon zest

Marshmallow Truffle

• 120 g cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Preparation

• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375° C.

For Lemon Curd:

• 2 large eggs plus 3 large egg yolks (or 70 g egg substitute) • ¼ cup plus 2 tbsps sugar • ¼ tsp cornstarch • 3 tbsps lemon zest • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (almost 3 lemons) • 6 tbsps unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

For Marshmallow Truffle: • 8 large marshmallows

• 2 tbsps white chocolate chips • 100 ml heavy cream • 30 g toasted and crushed pistachio nuts

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2016 VAISAKHI

For Crust:

For Lemon Curd:

• Whisk together eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan.

• Whisk in lemon zest and juice.

• Whisk together flour, sugar, half teaspoon salt, and the lemon zest in a large mixing bowl. Stir in butter, small batches at a time, until the dough begins to hold together.

• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon for about seven minutes.

• Stir together one tablespoon water and vanilla, and then mix in with the dough. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

• Pour filling into the cooled tart shell. Bake until filling is browned.

• Using your fingers, press dough evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of a four-inch flat tart pan with a removable bottom. Freeze for 30 minutes.

• Remove dough from the freezer. Bake tart shell until golden for about 25 minutes.

Let it cool completely.

• Remove from heat and whisk in butter, one piece at a time.

For Marshmallow Truffle:

• Over a double boiler, melt white chocolate, cream and two marshmallows. Mix until a smooth sauce forms.

• Very quickly toss in the six marshmallows in a white chocolate mix, next toss in the crushed pistachio nuts.

• Let the tarts and truffle marshmallows cool completely before serving.

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Classic Raspberry Mousse Ingredients

• 3 tbsps fresh lemon juice • 2 ½ tsps powdered clear gelatin • 5 cups fresh raspberries • ½ cup plus 2 tbsps white sugar • 2 cups cold heavy cream

Preparation

• Squeeze lemon juice in a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin on top. Let it sit until gelatin softens (about three to five minutes).

• In a blender, puree two cups of raspberries until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed.

• Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup and discard solids (you should have about one cup of puree).

• In a small saucepan, combine raspberry puree and half cup sugar over medium high-heat. Cook until sugar dissolves.

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2016 VAISAKHI

• Add gelatin mixture and cook, stirring constantly, just until gelatin dissolves for about one minute. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature for 20 minutes.

• In a large bowl, using a handheld whisk or electric mixer, beat cream and two tablespoons sugar on medium-high until firm peaks form (about four to six minutes).

• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in raspberry puree mixture until combined.

• Let the mixture cool in the fridge for minimum two to six hours (or even overnight).

• Serve the mousse in a small wine glass or a small jar. Garnish with fresh raspberries and rosemary leaves.

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Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at some of the Punjabi films releasing in April and May.

Movie Calendar Vaisakhi List

Director: Smeep Kang | Producer: Amolak Singh Gakhal | Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Sunil Grover, Shruti Sodhi, Jaswinder Bhalla | Genre: Historical: Rom-com | Releasing Date: April 22 Smeep Kangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directorial film Vaisakhi List promises to be a fun mix of comedy, drama and romance. It stars Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunil Grover, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Karamjit Anmol, BN Sharma, and Jaswinder Bhalla in prominent roles.

The film has been produced by Amolak Singh Gakhal and its music has been composed by Jaidev Kumar.

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FROM ALL OF US AT LK LAW! Cody Mann Associate

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Sumit Ahuja* Associate Family Law

Sukhminder S. Virk* Associate Wealth, Estate & Corporate Law

Puneet Deol-Khaira Associate

Civil Litigation, Family Law

Perminder S.Tung* Partner

ICBC Claims

Subreen Bedi Associate

ICBC Claims

PARTNERS

Terence A. Dunn

Frank G. Potts*

D. Kirk Poje*

Trevor S. Fowler*

Timothy N. Grier*

Angela E. Thiele*

Christopher D. Martin* Mark von Marksfeld*

Gregory S. Miller*

Timothy D. Goepel*

Timothy J. Delaney*

Bradley T. Martyniuk*

Erin J. Easingwood* Perminder S. Tung*

Joel R. Hagyard*

P.G. Kent-Snowsell*•

ASSOCIATES Puneet Khaira ♦ Melissa Bryden Sumit Ahuja * * Law Corporation

Ari Wormeli Jessica Lo Paul Kennedy ♦ also of the Ontario Bar

Subreen Bedi Sukhminder S. Virk* Jonathan E. Fung

Nancy Chen Andrea Ritchie Tony Anderson

Cassandra Drake Laura Nichols Matthew Stainsby

C. Andrew Guerra Cody Mann

• also of the Law Society of England & Wales

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Saka â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Martyrs of Nankana Sahib Director: Jagmeet Singh Samundri | Producer: Sukhbir Sandhar Films Pvt. Ltd. | Cast: Oshin Sai | Genre: Historical | Releasing Date: April 8 The movie is based on the massacre of Nankana Sahib, 1921. The massacre of Nankana Sahib took place on February 20, 1921, when a group of Sikhs went peacefully to the chief of monastery at that time, to unbound Gurudwara. The chief had illegally gripped that Gurudwara into his custody. He killed all the people heartlessly. This massacre brought consciousness in Sikh community to handover the Gurudwara management to Khalsa Panth. The Sikh community were finally at peace after releasing all holy Sikh places and Gurudwaras from the corrupt Mahants. In this massacre, the leader of Sikh community, Bhai Lachhman Singh was martyred.

The film is written and directed by Jagmeet Singh Samundri, after a great deal of research and hard work of two years. It is produced by Sukhbir Sandhar Films Pvt. Ltd.

Zorawar Director: Vinnil Markan | Producer: PTC Motion Pictures | Cast: Yo Yo Honey Singh, Parul Gulati, Mukul Dev, Gippy Grewal | Genre: Action | Releasing Date: May 6

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Zorawar is a Punjabi action romantic film directed by Vinnil Markan. The film features musical artist Yo Yo Honey Singh as the main lead, alongside actresses Gurbani Judge and Parul Gulati. It is a story of the emotional journey of a young Indian soldier, Special Agent Zorawar Singh (Honey Singh), and his search for his long-lost father. Once thought to be dead, Zorawar traces his father to Durban and flies into the city to try and resolve the mystery.

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Kaptaan Director: Mandeep Kumar | Producer: Tips Films | Cast: Gippy Grewal, Karishma Kotak, Monica Gill | Genre: Comedy/Drama | Releasing Date: May 6 Kaptaan stars Desi Rockstar Gippy Grewal as the main lead. The film is being produced by one of the most successful film production houses of the country, Tips Films. It is directed by Mandeep Kumar whose last couple of films have been superhits – Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya (2012) and Jihne Mera Dil Luteya (2011). The film revolves around a reluctant and unsuccessful lawyer who finds new meaning to his life and profession when he takes up an NGO case. The emotional and funny Kaptaan also stars Monica Gill and Karishma Kotak alongside Gippy Grewal. Kumar Taurani of Tips says, “We are supremely confident that Kaptaan will be the next big Punjabi blockbuster. Having delivered hits we know the pulse of the audience in Punjab and are very excited about Kaptaan.”

Gelo Director: Manbhavan Singh | Producer: Nidhi. M. Singh | Cast: Gurjit Singh, Jaspinder Cheema, Pavan Malhotra | Genre: Drama | Releasing Date: May 20

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The film is inspired from Late Ram Saroop Ankhi’s novel Gelo. It is directed by Manbhavan Singh and produced by Nidhi. M. Singh. It features Ik Kudi Punjab Di (2010) fame Jaspinder Cheema, veteran actor Pavan Malhotra, Gurjit Singh, Dilawar Sidhu, Aditya Sharma and Raj Dhaliwal. The film revolves around Gelo who represents the females of small land tillers and small farmers of Malwa’s cotton belt in Punjab. Director Manbhavan Singh said that the film is about making right decisions even in adverse conditions, and how life becomes more than just a matter of pulse ticking when life, conditions and power does injustice with laymen.

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SOMETHING NEW AND FABULOUS from Khalsa Kirpans and Khalsa Raj Collection from Khalsa Kirpans and Khalsa Raj Collection The “Sword of Baisakhi ’99”, crafted by Jot Singh Khalsa and fellow master

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T Ta a 1 1 A A o o a a J J d d j jr rm Kirpan in 2008.

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It is created fromGobind Argentium Sterling Silver, i from Argentium Sterling Silver, 24Kt. gold, over 600 diamonds, J 24Kt. gold, over 600 diamonds, green tourmaline, Ocean jasper Jt green tourmaline, Ocean jasper and stainless Damascus steel. tk and stainless Damascus steel.

Entirely hand engraved and ks Entirely hand engraved and carved with the Golden Temple s p carved with the Golden Temple portrayed on a scabbard panel, p b portrayed on a scabbard panel, surrounded by diamonds. b d surrounded by diamonds. d s s I Ia aa aS sS sf Harjit Singh Sajjan, Canada’s f o current Minister of Defense os and former military officer (above si and on left) presents a hand-en- ib graved Artisan Kirpan to US Army ba Major General James Terry. Harjit a K had done several tours of duty K Khanda/Kirpan on gemstone o Khanda/Kirpan chain - availableon inalongside agemstone variety of Major ao in Afghanistan chain available in a variety of metal finishes.

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The “Sword of Baisakhi ’99”, crafted by Jot Singh Khalsa and fellow master artisans, was presented to Keshgar Sahib Gurdwara in Anandpur Sahib, India in April 1999, commemorating the 300th year Gurdwara anniversary ofinthe “Birth of the Khalsa”. artisans, was presented to Keshgar Sahib Anandpur Sahib, India in April Appraised at over $300,000, this sword became the inspiration for a new generation 1999, commemorating the 300th year of thesword, “Birth of personal and wedding swords – all withanniversary the heart of this magnificent but atof the Khalsa”. a modest cost.

Appraised at over $300,000, this sword became the inspiration for a new generation Tribute to Darbar Sahib Singh is known and respected internationally for theof classic contemporary sword, of personal andJotwedding swords – all with the heart thisand magnificent but atcreated Tribute to Darbar Sahib Khalsa Kirpans this designs, craftsmanship, and artistry represented in the swords, kirpans and Tribute to Darbar Sahib Khalsa Kirpans created this Kirpan in 2008.

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tion ut at rary and aterary ous and work atears. ous Baltej Dhillon is our agent in des, Kirpan in 2008. current work B.C. Canada andThe longtime friend. st of owner plans to present it as a gift ars.

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WEDDING SOMETHING NEWSWORDS AND FABULOUS

rials, often including diamonds and pure gold, meticulous gemstone and precious

metal inlays, blades with Damascus steel have been into his workcontemporary Jot Singh is known andand respected internationally forincorporated the classic and for many years. These are collectors’ items, often worth tens of thousands of dollars. designs, craftsmanship, and artistry represented in the swords, kirpans and Some collectors have bought Jot Singh’s swords and knives over several decades, confidently value in the A rather extensive of jewelry with which heanticipating honorstheir andincreased decorates thefuture.

Sikh Panth.

Thelistfinest raw mateawards and appreciation worldwide have further fueled enthusiastic response, inrials, often including diamonds and pure gold, meticulous gemstone and precious cluding written and video media coverage in nine languages. With dedication and inspiration, Jot with Singh has created a legacy in these unique art pieces. metal inlays, and blades Damascus steel have been incorporated into his work Singh also a very practicalitems, side. In response requeststens from friends and pofor many years.Jot These arehascollectors’ oftentoworth of thousands of dollars. tential customers, he has worked diligently to create affordable jewelry, swords and Some collectors have bought Jot Singh’s swords and knives over several decades, kirpans with the same excellent craftsmanship. Today, kirpans with fine functional steel blades can be proudly worn by men and women as one of the “K’s” in their daily confidently anticipating their increased value in the future.

A rather extensive list of practice of Sikhi. And high-quality jewelry collections, within price ranges that fit all awards and appreciation worldwide further fueled budgets, have been conceived tohave uplift and inspire those drawnenthusiastic to the innovatively response, insacredmedia symbols. coverage Many jewelry pieces havelanguages. diamonds and other gems cluding writtendesigned and video in nine With dedication and set in gold, silver, platinum or bronze settings. inspiration, Jot Singh has created a legacy in these unique art pieces.

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It has long been a goal of Jot Singh’s to create wedding and personal swords that are handsome, elegant, and fully functional, with a price point most Sikhs could Jot Singh also has a very practical side. In response to requests from friends and poafford. Generally speaking, the sword occupies a special place in Sikh history; many Sikhshe wishhas to bring that dignity to their Sikh Jot Singh designed a swords and tential customers, worked diligently toweddings. create So affordable jewelry, sword intended to bring royalty and nobility to any wedding or to that Sikh household kirpans with thefor same excellent craftsmanship. Today, kirpans with fine functional lifetimes thereafter. The swords now being offered by Khalsa Kirpans are worthy of an placeworn in any home or on any altar.women There are 16as different the in their daily steel blades can behonored proudly by men and oneversions of theof“K’s” sword for every budget and need, each offering the possibility of additional, custompractice of Sikhi.

And high-quality jewelry collections, within price ranges that fit all ized inspirational and/or personalization options. They are exceptional swords with the finest hardened tempered with the best materials budgets, have blades beenofconceived to and uplift and stainless inspiresteel, those drawn to the innovatively and construction used for each facet.

designed sacred symbols. Many jewelry pieces have diamonds and other gems Khalsa Kirpans - Jot Singh has spent nearly forty years designing and creating set in gold, silver, platinum or Large bronze settings. original Sikh kirpans. or small, his Artisan Kirpans designs combine elegance and affordability, allowing almost anyone to own a beautiful and fully functional

kirpan, suitable dailySingh’s wear or any to altar.create wedding and personal swords that It has long been a goal offorJot Raj - and Jot Singh an artist whose with intention beenpoint to create fine Sikhs could are handsome,Khalsa elegant, fullyis functional, a has price most jewelry and art objects that uplift, inspire and empower. His exquisitely handcrafted afford. Generally speaking, the sword occupies a special place in Sikh history; many LifeKnives, as well as other pins, pendants, rings, etc., often incorporate gemstones and precious There isto virtually something everyone within these collections.

Sikhs wish to bring thatmetals. dignity their Sikhforweddings.

SofineJot Singh designed a hasroyalty had the good to make the wedding creation of theorfinest swords, sword intendedJottoSingh bring and fortune nobility to any to that Sikh household kirpans and jewelry his life passion. He has strived to make all of his pieces elegant for lifetimes thereafter.

The From swords nowmost being offered

by Khalsa Kirpans are worthy and heart stirring. the world’s expensive and ornate Sikh swords to the Filigree Adi Shakti/Khanda Shields most affordable practical kirpan or pendant, these selections are authentic,versions of the - with or without gemstones and of an honored place in anyand home or on any altar. There are 16 different beautiful and practical - simply the best available anywhere. available in a variety of metal finishes. sword for every budget and need, each offering the possibility of additional, customVisit his websites at: www.khalsakirpans.com and ized inspirational and/or personalization options.

Theyjourney are exceptional swords with www.thekhalsaraj.com for a unique 2016 VAISAKHI 118 blades of the finest hardened and tempered stainless steel, with the best materials

Harjit curre and fo and on graved Major had d in Afg

VAISAKHI FEATURE

Significance

Turban of the

T

he turban is a symbol of spirituality and holiness in Sikhism. It is also a symbol of honour and self-respect.

In the Punjabi culture, those who have selflessly served the community are traditionally honoured with turbans.

Responsibility Rasam Pagri (“turban ceremony”) is a ceremony in North India. Rasam Pagri takes place when a man passes away and his oldest son takes over the family responsibilities by tying the turban in front of a large gath-

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The turban is our Guru’s gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness.

ering. It signifies that now he has shouldered the responsibility of his father and he is the head of the family.

Piety and moral values The turban also signifies piety and purity of mind. In the Punjabi society, the Khalsa Sikhs are considered as protectors of the weak, even among the non-Sikhs. In the older times, the Khalsa warriors moved from village to village at night, during the battles.

When they needed a place to hide from the enemy, the womenfolk, who had a very high

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VAISAKHI FEATURE The Sikh warriors (Khalsa) wear turban partly to cover their long hair. There are many references in the Sikh history that describe how Guru Gobind Singh personally tied beautiful dumalas (turbans) on the heads of both his elder sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh. degree of trust in them, used to let them inside their houses.

Courage The Sikh warriors (Khalsa) wear turban partly to cover their long hair. There are many references in the Sikh history that describe how Guru Gobind Singh personally tied beautiful dumalas (turbans) on the heads of both his elder sons Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, and how he personally gave them arms, decorated them like bridegrooms, and sent them to the battlefield at Chamkaur Sahib where they both died as martyrs. A saffron-coloured turban is especially identified with courage, sacrifice and martyrdom.

Friendship and Relationship Pag Vatauni (“exchange of turban”) is a Punjabi custom, in which people exchange turbans with their closest friends. Once they exchange turbans they become friends for life and forge a permanent relationship.

They take a solemn pledge to share their joys and sorrows under all circumstances.

Exchanging turban is a glue that can bind two individuals or families together for generations.

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The turban is considered an important part of the unique Sikh identity. The bare head is not considered appropriate as per gurbani. If a Sikh wants to become one with his/her Guru, he/she must look like a Guru (wear a turban).

Guru Gobind Singh stated: Khalsa mero roop hai khaas. Khalse me hau karo niwas.

(Khalsa is a true picture of mine. I live in Khalsa.)

Maintaining long hair and tying a turban is seen as a token of love and obedience of the wishes of Sikh gurus.

The turban is our Guru’s gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn’t represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your turban, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people.

It is the most outstanding act.

2016 VAISAKHI

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

BOBBY SINGH BANSAL

Sikh Heritage Highlighting

By Petrina D’Souza

Historian, writer and filmmaker Bansal’s recent book is a unique guide to many important Sikh monuments located in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

W

ell-known British-born Sikh historian, writer and filmmaker Bobby Singh Bansal’s interest in Sikh heritage and culture has allowed him to interact with the Sikh diaspora all over the world. His recently-released book Remnants of the Sikh Empire – Historical Sikh Monuments in India and Pakistan attempts to trace the shared heritage of three countries in the context of the

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2016 VAISAKHI

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

Bobby Singh Bansal’s book Remnants of the Sikh Empire – Historical Sikh Monuments in India and Pakistan attempts to trace the shared heritage of three countries in the context of the Sikh Empire.

Sikh Empire. It is a unique guide to many important Sikh monuments located in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The book catalogues numerous structures historically associated with the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh during the early 19th century. “Remnants of the Sikh Empire is a catalogue of major structures such as forts, palaces and mansions (havelis) that were built by his powerful nobles and military generals during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,” shares Bansal.

The 200-page book focuses on major monuments that had never been located or published till now, these include several

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military forts located on the AfghanistanPakistan border which were built by the legendary Sikh hero Hari Singh Nalwa that are still being used today by the Pakistan army.

Concerned that the iconic structures associated with Sikh history will eventually vanish, Bansal decided to catalogue them in a book. “As I’ve been visiting Pakistan since 1989, I had noticed that certain structures had disappeared over time when I had returned to the country after a certain period,” explains the author, “I also noticed certain Sikh monuments being replaced by shopping malls and religious schools.

I thought I should catalogue them for posterity and academic purposes, so that if anyone wanted to know more about them in years to come there was a book

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

▲ Fortress residence of Hari Singh Nalwa in Peshawar, after his death in 1837 it was occupied by the Italian General Paolo Avitabile who became governor of Peshawar during the Sikh reign in 1838 ► Shab Qadar Fort, built by General Hari Singh Nalwa and completed just after his death in 1837

on the subject.”

In order to complete this volume, Bansal travelled extensively across remote regions along the Afghan-Pakistan border with the assistance of the Pakistan army in order to compile rare footage that document these habitats. “I spent about five years of research as it meant travelling to the Taliban areas of the Afghan-Pakistan border or FATA region which jurisdiction it falls under. Many Sikh structures such as the forts of Jamrud, Michni, Bara and Shab Qadar were located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region were either inaccessible or under the Pakistan army.

So thankfully I had the support of the army over the years who provided me with the security and military transport to escort me to such remote areas,” says Bansal, pointing out that the book will show readers that the Sikh period was a very unique era.

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2016 VAISAKHI

It was Bansal’s regular visits to Pakistan that triggered his interest in Sikh heritage since a young age. “The more I ventured out of Lahore, the more I became intrigued in the architecture of such palatial palaces of the Sikh nobles. The rich mosaics or frescoes which were the usual features of such grand buildings were a reason to delve deeper into the heritage of learning even more about the origins of our unique heritage,” says he.

All of the historian’s previous works

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VAISAKHI SPOTLIGHT

▲ Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh lies abandoned and neglected near the River Chenab in Gujranwala district, Pakistan

shine light on Sikh heritage and culture, namely The Lion’s Firanghis – Europeans at the Court of Lahore (2010), The Sikhs of Kabul (2012), and The Road to Mandalay – the Burmese Sikhs (2014). Bansal’s maiden publication, The Lion’s Firanghis – Europeans at the Court of Lahore, charts the lives and careers of European mercenaries who after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, had drifted to other empires in Persia and Egypt but who ended up in Punjab serving the Lion of the Punjab – Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1822.

The Sikhs of Kabul is a documentary film that tells the struggles of the minority Hindu and Sikh communities of

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2016 VAISAKHI

Afghanistan. It was also shown at the British Houses of Parliament in 2013 and has won over seven international awards.

Documentary The Road to Mandalay – the Burmese Sikhs gives a rare insight into the lives of the elusive proud Sikh community of Myanmar. “The Burmese Sikhs is a success story. Sikhs have been in Myanmar (Burma) since the 1860’s, yet we knew nothing about them. How they served the British army and ultimately during World War 2, the Sikhs repulsed the Japanese army’s advance into north east India in 1942,” adds Bansal.

Bansal has a couple of projects this year. He is currently working on a new documentary he filmed in Pakistan last October, titled Legacy of the Sikh Empire, where he travels to the actual forts and palaces highlighting the history of the Sikh structures through the eyes of the local inhabitants of Pakistan.

Another documentary film of his is titled Kapurthala: A Glowing Heritage which tells the story of the Rajas of the Kapurthala royal family, how they became part of the Sikh Empire during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and how the Kapurthala state became one of the most flamboyant princely households in northern India through the eyes of its current scion HH Brigadier Sukhjit Singh.

“A book I’m also working on is on Sikh relics connected to the Sikh Empire; these are the treasures that have been selling over the years at various auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s at exorbitant prices. Most of these treasures are now in private hands, some are in museums across the world, yet it gives us an idea how opulent and grand the Lahore Durbar was back in the 19th century,” says Bansal in conclusion.

2016 VAISAKHI

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Sikh Gurus T

he word ‘Guru’ in Sanskrit means teacher, religious person or saint.

However, in Sikhism, ‘Guru’ refers to the descent of divine guidance to humankind provided by the ten enlightened masters. These ten Sikh Gurus founded the religion, starting in 1469 with Guru Nanak and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708. After that, it refers to the Sikh Holy Scriptures as Guru Granth Sahib. The Gurus are widely regarded as the embodiment of one guiding light which passed from one Guru to the next, and which now resides in the Holy Scriptures. The order of the ten enlightened Gurus is as follows: Guru Nanak Dev (1469 to 1539) Founder of Sikh faith; apostle of peace, unity and true infinite; possessed divinity and religious authority; first Guru of modern thinkers in India; created Langar, free kitchen, for all people; teachings are in the Guru Granth Sahib; his philosophies and teachings were enlightened for his time, he criticized the social, political and religious injustices; advocated for equality between men and women; instructed disciples to face and tackle oppression, he knew this couldn’t be accomplished in his lifetime, so he appointed the practice of successors to lead Sikhs in their spiritual mission

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2016 VAISAKHI

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Guru Angad Dev (1504 to 1582) Compiled the biography of Guru Nanak Dev; introduced Gurmukhi script, medium of writing the Punjabi language; opened schools to educate children; started Mall Akhara, physical and spiritual exercises

Guru Amar Das (1479 to 1574) Social reformer; removed caste, colour distinction and stigma of untouchables; strengthened Langar on basis of equality; introduced Anand Karaj marriage ceremony; abolished Sati and custom of Paradah

Guru Ram Das (1534 to 1581) Organized the structure of Sikh society; contributed 688 shabads to Granth; planner/creator of Ramdaspur (Amritsar) and designed the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple); founder of sacred Sarovar; author of Lavaa, the hymns of marriage rites

Guru Arjan Dev (1563 to 1606) Completed construction of Amritsar, founded Taran Taran and Kartarpur; collected works of first four Gurus, dictated works into verses for Adi Granth compilation, the only script that still exists in the form first published, a hand-written manuscript; organized Masand ‘missionary’ system

Guru Har Gobind (1595 to 1644) Wore two swords of Miri-Piri – one represented spiritual authority, while the other temporal; built the Akal Takht (Throne of the Almighty); excelled in matters of the state; built an army with trained horsemen; martial artist and hunter; built fortress at Amritsar called Lohgarh (Fortress of Steel)

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Guru Har Rai (1630 to 1661) Known for his compassion of life and living things – instead of killing animals, placed them in his zoo; continued military traditions started by grandfather Guru Har Gobind, maintained cavalry of 2,200 soldiers; established ayurvedic hospital and research center at Kiratpur Sahib

Guru Har Krishan (1656 to 1664) Guru Har Rai named five-year-old Har Krishan to succeed him as the next Guru, rather than his elder son Ram Rai, who was in favour with Aurangzeb and the Mughal Empire; helped heal the sick and in doing so, contracted smallpox and passed away at the age of seven

Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 to 1675) Youngest son of Guru Har Gobind; created city of Chakk Nanaki, which later became Anandpur Sahib; contributed hymns to Guru Granth Sahib, including Saloks (Mahal 9); responsible for saving Kashmiri Pandits from Mughal persecution; Aurangzeb issued order for Guru’s arrest, was held for three months and tortured until he would accept Islam; he refused and was martyred at Chandni Chowk

Guru Gobind Singh (1666 to 1708) Succeeded father Guru Tegh Bahadur at age nine; was a warrior, poet and philosopher; created the Khalsa Panth in 1699 – the Panj Pyare were the first baptised Sikhs; declared the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor, and living Guru for Sikhs; his writings and poems were compiled in volume called Dasam Granth; recited the line “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh,” which is an important religious verse included in the daily prayer of Sikhs

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2016 VAISAKHI

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Sikhism is the universal world religion with the message of ‘One God’ for all men. It is a relatively new religion with practical approach founded by Guru Nanak Dev ji in the 15th century. All Sikh Gurus gave one fundamental teaching that God is one and he is the supreme truth. He is the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.

The 10 Gurus promoted universal brotherhood and taught mankind the importance of living in the world while attaining liberation. In their sacred scriptures, they set three golden rules for their followers – Kirt Karni, Naam Japna and Vand Shakna.

Kirt Karni Refers to working hard and earning an honest and truthful living. The Gurus wanted their Sikhs to be loyal and avoid cheating and lying.

Naam Japna Means meditation on God’s name. Meditations keeps one truthful, humble and in high spirits. Be absorbed in the beauty of the creator. Naam japna is a state-of-mind, in which an individual aligns with the creator’s energy and becomes in touch with the infinite.

Vand Shakna Means to share, and Sikhs should share their earnings with those in need, thus they are expected to donate their surplus into a separate treasury so it can be used to help the needy. According to the Sikh religion, every individual should contribute 1/10th (also called daswandh) of his income for such projects.

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