Getting back to Sikhi’s treehugging roots
Environmental issues have taken a backseat for way too long. Even under this administration – which promised to create jobs through new and clean energy initiatives, and rejoin the international community to reduce worldwide carbon emissions – environmental issues have taken a backseat...
(Dis)honor Killings in Punjab
One of our goals on The Langar Hall is to raise awareness about issues affecting our community around the globe. Whether or not we identify or relate to these specific issues may not be as important as much as the acknowledgement that these issues do occur and that individuals and families and even...
Sikh Film Haters – and the trashy newspapers that love them
On many occasions, I have noted my dismay at the joke of journalism that calls itself the Times of India. They never cease to provide stupid nonsensical and ill-researched articles. Here is one more example.
It appears that the writer ‘Divya A’ has recently been making his/her rounds...
Abercrombie & Fitch: Is The Religious Practice “Sexy” Enough to Protect?
So Abercrombie & Fitch is at it again or I should say has been at it for a while-practicing bias against those who “don’t look the part” of mainstream White American society. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a college age Muslim girl who wears a hijab is filing suit against the retail store for not hiring...
Where is Ramadan in Sikhi?
Posted by Mehmaan (Guest) in Sikhi on 09 24th, 2009 | 53 Comments
Blogged by: Amritpan
The presence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib and its message of universal fraternity of the human race and ultimate destination of oneness with the Supreme Being imparts an unparalleled serenity and contentment on its disciple. When I listen to the chants of Om-mantar in a Mandir,...
Breaking the Silence around Punjabi-Sikh Women
Coblogged by Reema and Sundari
There is a deafening silence that surrounds Punjabi-Sikh women. Too often, when discussing challenges that some women may be facing, the conversation is shut down and de-legitimized by one or two angry voices. Interwoven into this is the unrelenting identity debate of...
Kisaan: A Film About Farmer Suicides?
While I do value the role films play in telling stories, I wonder if at times it can do more harm than good. I recently heard about a new bollywood movie called Kisaan and had the opportunity to watch it last night. I had been told the movie was about farmer suicides in punjab and while i was aware...
~Happy International Day of Peace~
Today is a global cease-fire day. Since 2001, every September 21st is declared an International Day of Peace- a day of cease-fire and non-violence by the UN. The unanimous declaration from the UN General Assembly was brought about by the non-profit organization, Peace One Day.
What is the point of...
On Losing a Historic Sikh Space
When hallowed grounds make way for fairway greens, you have a lens into contemporary elite culture in Punjab. Tales of the loss of our historical materials and architecture form a common topic here in The Langar Hall as throughout conversations of Sikhdom. Destruction of historic Gurdwaras for the...
British Sikh Police Officer Humiliated For Practicing Sikhi
A couple of months ago the Sikh community was elated to see the Queen of England make two Sikh gentlemen her bodyguards. Thisact was seen as a huge step forward for Sikhs in the fight against discrimination for our religious articles of faith. It tremendously inspired many of us to continue the fight...
Jasmeet Kaur Sidhu: Top 10 College Women
Jasmeet Kaur Sidhu is a 21-year-old aspiring journalist, who currently writes a climate blog for the Toronto Star (she even has The Langar Hall listed as one of her links!). She was recenly chosen as one of the Top 10 College Women for Glamour Magazine (hat tip: Maple Leaf Sikh). The award is usually...
Sikh paintings auctioned at Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s is having an auction today in New York of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art including Miniature Paintings.
Sotheby’s September 2009 auction of South Asian Art features a carefully-curated offering of works by leading modern and contemporary Indian artists, accompanied by an...
Seva & I
I was nervous. It was my first day on the job as a crisis hotline volunteer. Although I had just completed weeks of rigorous training on how to handle all types of calls – from anxiety, to depression, domestic abuse, and the dreaded suicide – I was still a little uneasy.
I met my mentor for...
Visions of Truth: Sikh Stories and Films
Last week, Reema discussed the dynamic Punjabi-Sikh art scene. We’ve come a long way, especially in the field of film and media with a growing number of films by, for and about Sikhs. Now, you can attend Sikh film festivals in every corner of the country and even internationally. In addition...
SIKHOLARS: First Sikh Graduate Student Conference
Sikh scholars have a long and proud history from Bhai Gurdas to Giani Ditt Singh and Sardar Kapoor Singh with too many to name in between. Although in more recent times some academics have been seen as controversial in the community, a confident community celebrates academic conferences that provide...
Who needs Spiderman when I have Bhai Taru Singh?
babania kehania put saput karaen ||
The stories of one’s ancestors make the children good children.
(Guru Amar Das, Raag Raamkalee, Page 951 of Guru Granth Sahib)
The American writer Muriel Rukeyser once said that the universe is made up, not of atoms, but of stories. This especially holds true...
Take Action To Make Kirpan Education Bill Into Law
Posted by Phulkari in Activism, Education, General, Human Rights, Law, News, Politics, Sikhi, USA on 09 11th, 2009 | 1 Comment
The California legislator has unanimously passed a Kirpan Education Bill (AB 504) through both houses (Assembly & Senate); it is now headed to Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk. This bill, carried by Assemblymember Warren Furutani (D-Long Beach) and other co-sponsors, will only become law if...
Is RDB really the best we have to offer?
In many ways, the Punjabi-Sikh art scene is expanding exponentially these days. Just 10 years ago, beyond major, mainstream singers, I don’t think there was an arts scene, except maybe in people’s homes. Today, there are film festivals in most major cities like Spinning Wheel and the upcoming...
To The Last Hair, To The Last Breath
A few weeks ago, while at the park with my family, an elderly woman dressed in a sari came over to say hello. After a brief introduction, she said to us “wait here for a second” and called out “Alex…come here!” A little boy with light skin and brown hair ran over to...
Sikh Boys Stranded in Ceuta
Blogged by: Amol Singh
For many of us, the ability to live our lives in the diaspora is a direct consequence of journeys emanating from Punjab. Our fathers and mothers left economic insecurity and political uncertainty and set sail on ships and planes to far off backwaters in hopes of finding routes...
