Latest news with #Sikhs
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
In California, school named after Jaswant Singh Khalra, who blew lid off Punjab killings of 1980s and 1990s
1 2 3 4 Jalandhar: 'Punjab 95', the film starring Diljit Dosanjh on slain human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, faced 127 cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification at home in India, but an elementary school in Fresno, California, has been named after the man who challenged Punjab Police during the darkest days of the state. The school was inaugurated in the presence of Khalra's family on Friday. "It was a historic day in Central Unified! Today, we proudly celebrated the ribbon cutting of Jaswant Singh Khalra Elementary School — the first elementary school in the United States named after a Punjabi human rights activist," posted the Central Unified School District, in Fresno County, on its Facebook page. "This powerful moment was more than just the opening of a new school — it was a tribute to courage, community, and the rich cultural heritage of our Punjabi community that helps shape the Central Valley. We're excited for our students to walk these hallways in the upcoming school year and carry forward a legacy rooted in justice and truth," added the district. Khalra's wife, Paramjit Kaur Khalra, and daughter, Navkirtan Kaur, were present on the occasion. Amid the controversy over a hundred cuts asked by the CBFC, Kunal Kamra called out the CBFC for stalling 'Punjab 95'. Kamra said it was a fear of showing "a hero in a turban." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dores nos nervos e neuropatia? Esse truque está surpreendendo. A arte do herbalismo Undo Khalra had documented forced disappearances of Sikhs from border areas. Later, 6 Punjab Police officials were convicted for his abduction and disappearance. Khalra was last seen in Sep 1995, washing his car in front of his house in Amritsar. Khalra had documented and blown the lid off thousands of extra-judicial killings carried out by the state police.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
June 28, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Plane Crash Probe
Investigators said that faint, intermittent signals have been detected near where an Air India jumbo jet crashed, but it is not certain if they are being emitted by the missing flight recorders. A spokesman at the British Royal Navy's command centre at Northwood, north west of London, confirmed this. If the flight recorders can be recovered from the mile-deep seabed, they could provide information on the cause of the crash. As Canadian authorities continued their hunt for two Sikhs for questioning in connection with the crash of an Air India jumbo jet and a Canadian Pacific Airline baggage explosion at Tokyo airport, a Vancouver Sikh lawyer said Lal Singh (one of the two suspects) had been seen in Vancouver as recently as three weeks ago. In an interview, Ujjwal Bosanjh, a spokesman for Sikh moderates in Vancouver, said it was accepted within the Sikh community that Lal Singh, and perhaps Ammand Singh were hiding in the city. The MoS for Railways, Madhavao Scindia, formally announced the introduction of 'an absolutely new concept of serving wholesome and hygienic food to railway passengers.' A variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, in consultation with the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), are to be served in hygienic aluminium foil wrappers. With the ten more landslide deaths reported in Idukki high ranges, the death toll in Kerala's monsoon havoc this week has mounted to 45, reports received in Trivandrum said. Nine persons belonging to two families were crushed to death when huge boulders came down on their house.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'Can He Spend One Night In Bihar Village': Prashant Kishor Dares Rahul Gandhi
Patna: As the political heat intensifies in Bihar ahead of the forthcoming Assembly polls, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor targeted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, questioning his commitment to Bihar and accusing him of token gestures rather than genuine political engagement. In an interview with ANI, Mr Kishor, who has been tirelessly walking through Bihar's hinterlands as part of his ambitious outreach, challenged Mr Gandhi to spend even one night in a Bihar village to prove his connection to the state's grassroots. "Rahul ji keeps coming and going here, but doesn't really undertake any Yatra. If Rahul Gandhi has ever spent even one night in a village in Bihar, let us know. If he can spend just one night in a village, we'll accept it," he said. "Tum Delhi mein bethkar Bihariyo ke naam par haste ho aur yaha bethkar gyan dete ho (You sit in Delhi, laugh at Biharis then come here to lecture us)" Mr Kishor said. He also hit out at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his remarks about Bihari people, demanding an apology and slamming Congress for what he described as years of neglect and disrespect toward the people of Bihar. "In Telangana, their Chief Minister is Revanth Reddy, it's been two years since he became CM. Before that, he was in the TDP (Telugu Desam Party), and before that, he was in the RSS and the BJP. After becoming Chief Minister, he officially stated that doing labour is in the DNA of Biharis. Biharis are born to do labour work. Why did he say this? Because most of his rival KCR's officers had a Bihar background. So he was implying that Telangana is in a bad state because Biharis are running it. And to justify that, he added another statement saying it's in Biharis' DNA to do labour, and that's why KCR appointed them as bureaucrats," Mr Kishor said. "Aap Bihariyo ko kehte ho ki vo paida hue hai mazduri karne ke liye aur phir yaha aakar bada-bada gyan doge (You say Biharis are born to do labour work, and then come here and preach to us?" he asserted. Further, the Jan Suraaj Chief recalled that the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1989, said he would make Bihar a development hub. "Where did that money go? Congress remained in power afterwards, so tell us, what did you do for Bihar?" he asked. "If Congress apologised for the injustice done to Sikhs, then Rahul Gandhi should apologise to Biharis as well before campaigning in Bihar. If Biharis are only born for labour, then why are you coming here? Just go campaign in Telangana and get your votes there," Mr Kishor said. On being asked how many seats Congress will secure in the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, Mr Kishor said that it will depend upon "Lalu ji's charity." "Congress has no real existence in Bihar. For the past 25-30 years, it's been a party that just carries Lalu ji's bag. If Rahul Gandhi truly has political strength, let him contest elections in Bihar on his own. Try demanding 40% of the seats from Lalu ji and see what happens. In Bihar, Congress dances to Lalu ji's tune. Whatever he decides, that's what happens," he said. Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced the dates. While the NDA, consisting of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again be looking to continue their stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, consisting of the RJD, Congress, and left parties, will be looking to unseat Nitish Kumar. Mr Kishor has presented his party, Jan Suraaj, as another alternative in the state. In the current Bihar Assembly of 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U)-45, HAM(S)-4, with the support of 2 Independent candidates. The Opposition's INDIA Bloc has a strength of 111 members with RJD leading with 77 MLAs, Congress-19, CPI(ML)-11, CPI(M)-2 and CPI-2.
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Dedicated to teaching Punjabi language
For over three decades, Dayal Singh has devoted his life to keeping the Punjabi language alive among Sikhs in Malaysia. The former government school teacher began his career teaching English in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, in 1969 and retired in Sitiawan, Perak in 2003. But his work as a Punjabi educator extended far beyond the classroom. In the late 1980s, he was roped in to teach Punjabi at the local gurdwara in Sitiawan. 'I did not plan it, but I took the challenge and it became a turning point in my life; teaching Punjabi quickly became a labour of love. 'I have been teaching the Punjabi language even before Punjabi Education Centres (PECs) were established in 2001, and I was among the pioneer teachers in the programme. 'In 2010, I moved to Seremban in Negri Sembilan, and although I had intentions to retire upon relocation, my passion could not be extinguished,' Dayal said. He offered to help after noticing a class at the Gurdwara Sahib Mantin was struggling. Every Saturday since, he has been making the 15km journey from his home to Mantin, teaching beginners and advanced learners phonetics, a skill that helps children who struggle with basic reading. 'Even when I am not well, I teach, as that makes me well and happy,' he added. Dayal emulates the dedication of his father, Ram Singh, who had taught him the basics at his hometown in Batu Gajah, Perak. 'In Batu Gajah back then, we had Punjabi classes every day after school. It became a part of who I am. 'Teaching Punjabi is more than just a service, it is a responsibility for me,' said the man who is fondly known as 'Masterji' (teacher). Similarly, Guru Nanak Institution (GNI) principal Phajan Kaur remains an inspiring force in Punjabi language education. Also a retired government school teacher, Phajan returned to her hometown in Ipoh, Perak, from Johor upon her retirement. Dayal teaching children at the Punjabi Education Centre in Gurdwara Sahib Mantin in Negri Sembilan. — Courtesy photo Phajan said she was recruited as part of the teaching workforce in the year 2000, just as KDM was in the midst of working on the framework of the PECs. Punjabi language lessons started in 2001. 'I scored an 'A' for SPM Punjabi Paper, so they pulled me in because I had the background and passion for teaching. 'I started teaching upper secondary classes and still teach until today. 'Although the student enrolment has dropped since 2001, I still see a glimmer of hope,' she said. She noted that children were more distracted these days with other activities and unfortunately, many parents did not prioritise Punjabi language education. 'Interest is still there but it heavily depends on parental involvement, especially from mothers,' said Phajan. She said students who shone, always had a strong support system at home. In order to keep students engaged, her team organises activities such as language carnivals and monthly birthday celebrations as well as use technology tools in class, including laptops and digital resources. 'We also hold student seminars. Every student is assessed through mid-year and end-year exams, and the school holds report card days where teachers meet with parents to discuss student progress and placement,' she said. 'Some families still struggle, especially those with three children or more. 'If a parent can afford to pay for one child, KDM tries to sponsor the other two,' she added. Despite the challenges, Phajan remains deeply committed. 'This is not just about language but about identity, values and keeping our roots alive for the next generation,' she said. During the 25th anniversary of Khalsa Diwan Malaysia's Punjabi education programme in Kuala Lumpur in May, Dayal and Phajan were among recipients who received the long service and 25 years of service awards respectively.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Delhi govt to renovate Guru Tegh Bahadur's memorial, hold light and sound shows
The light and sound show at the memorial is expected to begin in the month of November when the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, is observed, it said. The announcement was made following a consultative meeting chaired by Art and Culture Minister Kapil Mishra and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa with prominent community leaders and members of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), according to a statement. New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) The Delhi government plans to honour the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur with series of cultural and educational initiatives, which will include a daily light and sound show and the renovation of his memorial near the Singhu Border here. 'Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's sacrifice is a global symbol of the right to freedom of thought and belief. Our tribute will go beyond one day or one event. We are working on initiatives that preserve and promote his legacy for generations,' said Mishra. Sirsa, who also addressed the meeting, said Delhi has a deep historical and emotional connection with Guru Tegh Bahadur's legacy. 'We will work with schools, colleges and cultural institutions to ensure that our youth learn about his life and message,' he said. The ministers said the government also plans to establish a Centre for Martyrdom Studies and launch an annual Punjabi Literature and Cultural Festival. According to the statement, several proposals are currently under consideration, including academic programmes and public outreach initiatives to raise awareness about the significant historical sites related to Guru Tegh Bahadur, such as Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. PTI SHB RHL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
