The Indian Panorama

Tag: Golden Temple

  • Consul General of India Mr. Pradhan celebrates The Indian Panorama Holi and Hola with the Indian American community and elected officials

    Consul General of India Mr. Pradhan celebrates The Indian Panorama Holi and Hola with the Indian American community and elected officials

    Consul General is presenting a replica of the Golden Temple to Sardar Daler Singh, the coach of the Gatka team
    Consul General is addressing the gathering

    CARLE PLACE, NY (TIP): India’s Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, NY State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar , Town of North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava joined the Indian American community at the festival of colors hosted by The Indian Panorama in Carle Place in Long Island on March 24.

    Into the fifth year, the Holi and Hola celebrations started in 2019 have come to stay.

    The highlights of this year’s performances was a display of Sikh martial art – Gatka- by Sardar Daler Singh’s Gatka academy students. The guests were thrilled and spellbound to see young kids wielding swords and other weapons. They appeared to be on the battlefield. Consul General Mr. Pradhan was immensely impressed with the performance as were about a hundred guests present. The Indian Panorama honored Sardar Daler Singh with a replica of the Golden Temple.

    New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar is addressing the gathering

    A Holi dance performance by students from Shilpa Jhurrani’s dance academy won the admiration and applause of the gathering. The performers were honored with a replica of the Golden Temple.

    Mr. Kulbhooshan Sharma sang a lovely Holi song “Rang barse…” and soon the ladies took to dance floor. Mr. Sharma received loud applause. He was honored with a replica of the Golden Temple.

    Mr. H.P. Singh earned the royal crown, as he was selected through a draw of lots as the Mahamoorkh. He has joined the ranks of Tirlok Malik and Ravi Batra who are his senior Mahamoorkh. He obviously cherished the new title, as he was seen grinning at the time of his coronation.

    Town of North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava is addressing the gathering.

    When Surya Makkar played Dhol, it became difficult for the guests to remain seated. Soon they took to dance floor. Surya was joined by his sister Prachi Makkar who is an accomplished singer. She wove a magic web with her boliyan and tappe, and soon a large part of the gathering was dancing. The finale came with a thrilling Bhangra performance by Dr. Reena Sharma who was introduced to The Indian Panorama by an upcoming moviemaker and director Neha Lohia.

    In his address, Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan congratulated the gathering on the occasion of Holi and Hola and lauded the performances. He said he was happy to be with the Indian American community on the Long Island. He spoke about the strong relationship between India and the US and gave credit to the Indian American community for the ever-growing relationship. He expressed happiness that the Indian Americans here were preserving and promoting their culture, which was visible from the participation of the young kids.

    Consul General presented to Ragini Srivastava a replica of the Golden Temple.
    Seen in the picture, from L to R: Dr. Jag Kalra, Beena Kothari, Gunjan Rastogi, Jyoti Gupta, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Consul General Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Ragini Srivastava, Shashi Malik

    New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar spoke about her grim struggle to have the Diwali holiday in New York schools. She thanked the community for their support which, she said, means a lot to her.

    Town of North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava spoke about her long and strong relationship with the community. She said she was always around to assist the community in every way.

    H. P. Singh was selected in a draw of lots as Mahamoorkh and was crowned by the Consul General. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Jyoti Gupta, Balbeer Pahwa, H.P. Singh, Consul General, Ragini Srivastava, Anju Sharma.
    Consul General went round and met with community members. He is seen meeting with Jay Jasbir Singh and Baldev Singh Grewal, both publishers of newspapers
    Consul General went round and met with community members. He is seen meeting with Jay Jasbir Singh and Baldev Singh Grewal, both publishers of newspapers

    The Indian Panorama publisher and editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja thanked the dignitaries who were honored with traditional shawls and a replica of the Golden Temple. Prof. Saluja said all the guests were VIPs and community leaders and thanked them for their gracious presence. He thanked Arminder Arora and Tript Arora, his long-time friends who had come from India to celebrate the 18th year of publication of The Indian Panorama, and their cousins from Connecticut who joined them at Holi and Hola celebrations.

    It’s dance time. Surya played on Dhol, and his sibling Prachi crooned boliyan and tappe, and all danced with abandon.
    It’s dance time. Surya played on Dhol, and his sibling Prachi crooned boliyan and tappe, and all danced with abandon.

    He also thanked members of the organizing committee- Jyoti Gupta, chairperson, Shashi Malik, Dr. Jag Kalra, Abha Bhatnagar, Anju Sharma, Gunjan Rastogi , Beena Kothari and Jaskiran Saluja.

    It’s dance time. Surya played on Dhol, and his sibling Prachi crooned boliyan and tappe, and all danced with abandon.
    It’s dance time. Surya played on Dhol, and his sibling Prachi crooned boliyan and tappe, and all danced with abandon.
    GOPIO New York supported The Indian Panorama in organizing the event. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Kalpana Ben, Beena Kothari, President, Mrs. Lal Motwani, Mr. Lal Motwani, Chairman.
    GOPIO New York supported The Indian Panorama in organizing the event. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Kalpana Ben, Beena Kothari, President, Mrs. Lal Motwani, Mr. Lal Motwani, Chairman.
    A part of the organizing committee. Seated L to R: Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Jyoti Gupta.
    Standing L to R: Abha Bhatnagar, Shashi Malik, Jag Kalra, Mr. Kothari, Beena Kothari, Anju Sharma. Gunjan Rastogi and Jaskiran Saluja are missing.

  • Sikh History This Week- March 24, 2023, to March 30, 2023

    24th March
    1664 Guru Har Krishan Ji visited Aurangzeb’s court. This is the time Guru Sahib visited Aurangzeb’s court, when Ram Rai emphatically declared that the decision of his father in selecting his younger brother as his sucessor to the pontificate of Guru Nanak was based on cogent reasons, and that he was now under the command of the new Guru.
    1847 The British being aware of the Sikh’s emotional and sentimental attachment to Golden Temple and other shrines, issued special instructions to the British subjects to be careful in maintaining the sanctity of the shrines.
    1922 Meeting at Rajowal by Kishan Singh Gargaj group to devise ways and means of reforming the toadies
    1945 Master Tara Singh denounces the Acharyae Formula.
    25th March
    1830 Baba Ratta Ji Nirankari was born.
    1921 13th Sikh Education Confernce was held in Hoshiarpur that and lasted until Mar. 27. This conference saw the rise of miltant Akalis who advocated non-cooperation with the British government and were deeply inspired by Master Mota Singh. They met sperately and created disturbances in the conference as well as worked on a sperate program. They were equally patriotic believing in the militant traditions of the Nihangs.
    1921 The militant Akalis hatched a conspiracy to murder the officials respobsinle for the Nanakana carnage. 1972 Mohan Singh Tur became President of Akali Party. 1981 The SGPC unanimously passed the resolution “Sikhs are a Nation.” With the passing of such a resolution by the Sikh Parliament and with the ratification of this resolution by the Jathedar of the Akal Takht on April 21, 1981, the issue stood finally decided by the whole of the Sikh nation. On May 11, 1981, the Akali Party also passed a resolution to that effect.
    1986 Surjit S. Barnala himself ordered firing at the Sikhs who were observing holy festival at Anandpur Sahib, killing several Sikhs.

    26th March

    1644 Gur Gadhi Diwas, Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji (1644).
    1746 The forces of Yahiha Khan and Lakhapat Rai seized and set fire to the Kahnuwaan forest. 7,000 Singh were martyred here while another 3,000 were taken to Lahore and martyred there.
    1746 Matta Sunder kaur Ji sent a mace of Kalgidhar to honor Jassa Singh Ahluwalia.
    1748 Raja Amar Singh of Patiala was born. He was a thorough gentleman.
    1923 Amar Singh, granthi of Kot Fatuhi, is arrested

    27th March
    1843 Raja Suchet Singh murdered. Raja Suchet Singh was brother of Raja Dhiyan Singh Dogra and Gulab Singh Jammu. He was a popular propenent of Sikh Raj. Sher-e-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, personally bestowed the honor Raja on Suchet Singh.
    1923 Hazara Singh Sirbrah of Behbalpur is murdered.
    1924 The 4th shahihi jatha of 500 valiant Akali satyagrahies, led by Sardar Puran Singh Bahowal, marched from Anandpur Sahib to Gangsar, Jaito.

    28th March


    1552 Gur Gadhi Diwas, Sri Guru Amar Das Sahib.
    1620 Guru Hargobind Ji had to marry Nanaki despite his refusal. This was an unfortunate upshot of the jubilation in Sikh community caused by Guru Sahib’s release from seven years of incarceration. Within a few months two brides were pledged to him by their parents. Under the customs prevalent at that time, on Guru Hargobind’s refusal, those girls would have remained unmarried throughout their life. So he had to marry Nanaki on March 28, 1620, and Mehrai also called Marwahi on July 10, 1620. The first incident occurred too close to his release. Taken aback at the second incident, he announced that no one should pledge his daughter to him in future.
    1965 SGPC resolves at its general meeting to establish Punjabi Suba.

    29th March

    1552 Second Patshahi, Guru Angad Dev Ji departed this planet from Khadur Sahib. He served as Guru for 12 years and none months. Today is the actual date of joti jot, though its is observed on a different date by Guru Khalsa Panth.
    1552 Third Patshahi, Guru Amar Das Ji ascended to Guruship of Sikhsism. Amardas was influenced to Sikhims by Bibi Amro, daughter of Guru Angad Dev Ji. She was married to Amardas’s nephew. Bibi Amro was a very pious woman. She would get up early in the morning, take a bath and start reciting the hymns of Guru Nanak. One day Amardasheard Bibi Amro sing Guru Nanak’s Jap Ji and pauris of Asa-di-var. He was touched by the divinity and peity of the hymns. He learnt those gymns from her and started reciting them every morning.
    1699 Baisakhi day, Guru Gobind created the Khalsa order at Anandpur Sahib. Earlier Hukamnamahs were sent to Sikhs all over Hindustan and beyond to vist Anandpur. The people were asked to visit with their hair unshorn. The hill chiefs, who, according to one account, were taken into confidence about Guru’s program, were present in strength. He Abolished the corrupt and debased institution of ‘masands’. Created a small regular army and fortified Anandpurs with a ring of smaller fortresses around it.
    1748 The Sikhs assembled at Amritsar on Baisakhi day and by a gurmatta, decided to form Dal Khalsa by reorganization of over 60 arms jathas, bands, into eleven associatios (misls) under the overall command of’ Jassa Singh Ahluwalia. Nawab Kapur Singh because of his age sought retirement from active overall leadership.
    1922 Akali Dal renamed as “Shiromani Akali Dal”.
    1940 The Khalsa National Party at its meeting in Lahore, under Sunder Singh Majithia, saw danger in the division of India into Hindu and Muslim independent states, and said that the Sikhs would not tolerate for a single day the unadultrated communal rule of any community. As a logical sequence, it asked for restoration of Sikh sovereignty of Punjab, which was held in trust by the British during the minority reign of Maharaja Dalip Singh.
    1981 SGPC adopted the motion “Sikhs are a Nation”. When the Presdient Gurcharan Singh Tohra, was asked the question that the SGPC was turning political, he answered “On October 10, 1946, Ishar Singh Mahjaiol, had moved in the house a resolution for the creation of a Sikh State. The resolution was seconded by Sardar Swaran Singh. The “Sikhs Are a Nation” proposal was part of S. Ganga Singh Dhillon’s speech at 54th All India Sikh Educational Conference that took place on March 13, 14, and 15, 1981. In his presidential address, S. Ganga Singh Dhillon wrote: “SIKHS ARE A NATION We all are born equal, with a human right to preserve our religious and cultural heritage, improve our economic inheritance and freedom to mould our destiny.

    30th March

    1664 Patshahi Eighth, Guru Harkrishan Ji, left this planet for heavenly abode from Delhi. He was eight years of age, when he took over on himself the sufferings and sins of the people of Delhi. As a result, he left for heavenly abode. Today is the actual date of joti joot, though it is observed differently by Guru Khalsa Panth.

  • Gurbani telecast from Golden Temple: SGPC fails to comply with Akal Takht directive

    Gurbani telecast from Golden Temple: SGPC fails to comply with Akal Takht directive

    AMRITSAR (TIP): The SGPC has failed to comply with the directions of the Akal Takht to prepare its Information Technology (IT) wing to facilitate world-wide live telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple ‘within a stipulated time’. Akal Takht Officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had ordered the SGPC to work on the modalities of launching its channel, and written directions were issued on April 8. In response, the SGPC had sought a week to equip its IT wing as cameras, wiring and other relevant infrastructure were to be arranged, but to no avail.

    Irked, some SGPC members submitted a complaint with the Takht Secretariat over non-compliance of its directions. A complainant, SGPC executive member Gurpreet Singh Randhawa, said contrary to Takht’s directions, neither could the SGPC start its IT’s web channel nor take steps to stop the controversial private channel from broadcasting Gurbani. Takht had ordered the SGPC to make stopgap arrangements by equipping its existing web channel being run by the IT wing to telecast the Gurbani. Even CM Bhagwant Mann had offered to bear the cost of setting up the infrastructure. Rejecting the offer, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami had termed it politically motivated. Dhami said a five-member panel was formed to study the feasibility of launching a channel. “It had conducted two meetings. Since it required raising of technical infrastructure, the panel is working on it. It will also look into legal aspects as the SGPC is in a pact with the channel on telecast rights till February 2023. As soon as we receive its report, we will table it in the executive and take further action,” he said.

    (Source: TNS)