extracts and articles from newspapers and magazines

A collection of articles from newspapers magazines & publications

The Articles

Apollo Hospital gets international certification
Docs perform simultaneous surgeries on 75-yr-old
Saarc Car Rally - Apollo team back with fond memories
150 years of Kuka Movement - 2007
Hip surgery performed on 97-yr woman - 2007
NEW YORK: Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan honoured - 2007
Funds for Bhaini Sahib development soon: CM Badal - 2007
Keyhole surgery rids14-year-old of congenital problem
Linkup with Apollo Hospital - 2006
Review Namdhari status
Poets highlight female foeticide menace
Punjab’s silent musical revolution
Namdharis from the pages of history
Satguru’s legacy
Tributes paid to Namdhari martyrs
Tributes paid to Satguru Ram Singh Ji
Relevance of Basant Panchami
‘True’ story of freedom struggle out

Namdharis laud drive against graft
Namdharis honour Hanspal
Hanspal takes over as PPCC chief
USA urged to protect Namdharis
Tributes were paid to Sant Khazan Singh
25-lakh winner to give part of money to school
Grant for Guru Ram Singh Chair
Namdharis' role in women empowerment
Seminar
Inauguration of bus stand
Holiday on the birthday of Satguru Ram Singh.
Kukas-torch-bearers of India’s freedom struggle
Function to mark kuka martyrs
Celebrated
Health, education need of hour: Advani
Super-specialty hospital for city
Search for Namdhari guru starts
Tributes paid to Satguru Ram Singh Ji
Where Satyagraha was born
Namdhari Chair announced
Quality music is forever
Namdhari Guru prays for peace
Sikh identity

Apollo Hospital gets international certification
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 5 2007
Satguru Partap Singh Apollo Hospitals here has achieved global accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI), USA.

Addressing a news conference here today, Apollo executive director Jugdiep Singh said, “JCI, the gold standard in healthcare, focuses on areas that have a direct impact on patient care. These include access to care, assessment of patients, infection control, patient and family rights and education. JCI also addresses facility management and safety, staff qualifications and education, quality improvement, organisational leadership and management of information, with almost 1,033 measurable elements.”

According to Dr G.L. Avasthi, director medical services at Apollo, the JCI accreditation was awarded after a rigorous on-site evaluation by team of international health-care experts, who appraised the hospital, based on international standards of infection control, medication management, quality improvement processes, patient care, safety issues and structural compliance like building and fire safety, procurement of materials, water supply, and uninterrupted power supply for controlled and quality patient outcome.

Dr S. P. Singh, COO, Apollo, said it was indeed an honour for the institution to be awarded the JCI accreditation within just two years of the hospital’s inception.

Speaking at the occasion, medical superintendent Dr P.S. Bhatia expressed hope that the JCI healthcare quality accreditation will raise the standards of healthcare in the region, and also lead to more and more NRI’s and foreign nationals to this region, thereby giving an impetus to the medical tourism in the region, which was expected to become a whopping $ 2.3 billion business for India by 2012.

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Docs perform simultaneous surgeries on 75-yr-old
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 8 2007
A team of cardiac surgeons and orthopaedicians, led by Dr K.C. Mukherjee and Dr Harpreet Gill, respectively, performed simultaneous cardiac bypass (CABG) and hip surgery on a 75-year old patient at SPS Apollo Hospitals here. No such case had been reported in medical literature from anywhere till date, the doctors claimed.

The doctors said here today that the patient had come to emergency with a hip fracture and was prepared for surgery to be performed the next day. However, on the morning, he was posted for hip surgery, the patient developed intense chest pain, and diagnosed to have heart disease and artery blockage. Angiography of the patient revealed critical left main coronary artery disease with triple vessel disease (blockage of three arteries).

Since immediate cardiac bypass was necessary as a life-saving measure, after thorough discussion and assessment of various vital parameters, the team of cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, orthopaedicians and anaesthesiologis, with the consent of relatives of the patient, decided to carry out both surgeries at the same time in a single anaesthesia.

Dr Mukherjee and his team performed beating heart bypass surgery in this critically balanced patient within three hours and handed him over to the orthopaedic team in a stable condition. Immediately thereafter, and in the same anaesthesia, Dr Harpreet Gill and his team performed surgery for hip fracture.

The doctors said the post-operative recovery was excellent. The patient was made non-weight bearing supported mobility on third day after surgery, and discharged from the hospital on 10th post-operative day in a very stable condition. "Now the patient is walking without any support as the fracture has healed and his cardiac condition is stable," added Dr Mukherjee.

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150 years of Kuka Movement
Namdharis can have whatever they want: CM
Tribune News Service

Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana), April 15 2007
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today regretted that the national heroes were gradually being forgotten. He said a fresh movement needed to be started across the country for creating awareness among the masses, particularly the youth, about national heroes like Satguru Ram Singh.

Addressing a function organised by the state government in the presence of Satguru Jagjit Singh, head of the Namdhari sect, here today to mark 150 years of the Kuka movement, Badal pointed out that these heroes had made great sacrifices for the whole country. But unfortunately it was being made out as if they belonged to Punjab only. He pointed out functions in memory of other heroes like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai and others remain restricted to Punjab.

Although Badal made no announcement about any special scheme today, he said whatever orders there would be from the darbar, he would abide by them. Later he told reporters, “I have given them a signed blank paper and they can have whatever they want.”

Leader of the Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal while appreciating the path set by the Namdharis, said it was high time that the modern and future generations were told about their great sacrifices for the freedom of the country.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad general secretary Ashok Singh lauded the contribution of the Namdhari darbar towards social awareness and cow protection, in particular.

Prominent among those present included Lok Sabha deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, Punjab Assembly deputy speaker Satpal Gosain, minister Hira Singh Gabria, local Akali leader Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, SAD general secretary Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, state BJP president Avinash Rai Khanna, chief parliamentary secretary Jagdish Sawhney.

Interestingly, Satguru Jagjit Singh left the function while Badal was still delivering his presidential address.

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Saarc Car Rally
Apollo team back with fond memories
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 6 2007
SPS Apollo Hospital's emergency medical response (EMR) team returned from the Saarc car rally after the conclusion of the Jaipur leg with fond memories as the Saarc flag, signed by the participants from eight countries, was handed over to the team as a gesture of gratitude.

The local hospital had provided its state-of-the-art ambulance along with a team which comprised a doctor, a para-medic and two drivers. The team had a life-time experience and all participants of the Saarc car rally appreciated the assistance lent by the Apollo team.

From Jaipur, the rally was scheduled to move via Ahmedabad to Mumbai, from where the participants will proceed by air to Colombo (Sri Lanka) while their cars would be taken to Colombo by sea. After a five-night stay in Sri Lanka, the participants will leave for Male.

According to Dr S.P. Singh, the ambulance which accompanied the Saarc car rally up to Jaipur, was fully equipped with all life-support equipment like defibrillator, ECG, cardiac monitor, portable ventilator, suction machine, resuscitation kit, pulse oxymeter, oxygen and emergency medicines.

He further said that the medical response (EMR) team of Apollo had been recognised for its high level of quality performance, clinical practise, equipment, training and overall emergency preparedness.

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Hip surgery performed on 97-yr woman
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, April 12 2007
In an unusual surgical feat, a complex hip joint surgery has been performed on a 97-year-old woman at SPS Apollo Hospital here.

Tara Devi, a resident of Rahon Road here, had broken her upper femur bone near the hip joint when she slipped in the bathroom. She was brought to the hospital where the treatment options were discussed with her family members.

If left as such, she would have been bedridden for the rest of her life which could have further led to many complications like bedsores, and even heart or chest conditions. After thorough evaluation and assessment, the doctors decided to fix the fracture with screws and plate.

Dr Harpreet S. Gill, consultant orthopedic surgeon, assisted by Dr Neeraj Bansal and Dr Harmandeep Singh, performed the surgery. The fractured bone was fixed with the help of 'dynamic condylar screw plate', anaesthesia was given in an advanced form by the team of Dr Gaurav Kuthiala and Dr Dilip and sophisticated monitoring was done during the operation.

The surgery went off smoothly, recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital after five days. At present, after one and a half months of surgery, the woman is mobile and the fracture is uniting.

Dr Gill remarked that old age presented a unique challenge for both the anaesthetist and orthopedic surgeon. At this age, the quality of bones is poor and fracture fixation a challenge. Similarly, giving anaesthesia to a patient of this age, that too when he or she was suffering from diabetes, is another big challenge.

According to Dr Gill, nearly 95 per cent of hip fractures resulted from falls. Thus, minimising fall risk was a practical approach to reducing these serious injuries. Important elements included education and skill building to increase knowledge about fall risk factors, exercise to improve strength and balance, and home modifications to reduce fall hazards.

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NEW YORK: Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan has been honoured
times of india april 11, 2007

NEW YORK: Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan has been honoured with the "Key to the City" award by Tulsa, a city in the Oklahoma state of the United States for his "long-standing contribution" to classical music.

Khan, along with his sons Amaan and Ayaan and Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari, a tabla artist, were also conferred honorary citizenship of the city by Mayor Kathy Taylor.

Tulsa is the third US city to confer honorary citizenship on the Indian Sarod legend. Houston and Nashville had conferred honorary citizenship to him in 1997. In 1984, Massachusetts had declared April 20 as Amjad Ali Khan Day.

Khan received the honour during a concert titled Raga - Melodies of India . He was accompanied by his sons on the sarod and by Sukhvinder on the tabla.

Apart from the concert, the Sarod exponent also delivered a lecture in the University of Tulsa.

The citation given with the award expressed "sincere appreciation" of his contribution to the promotion of classical music and also recognised his "outstanding performance" in the city of Tulsa, "providing a totally unique experience in Indian classical music and in supporting ongoing efforts to promote cultural ties between the city of Tulsa and India."

The concert was organised by the South Asian Performing Arts Foundation (SAPAF), a Tulsa-based organisation.
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Funds for Bhaini Sahib development soon: CM
Vimal Sumbly - Tribune News Service

Ludhiana March 24 2007
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced reconstitution of the Bhaini Sahib Raiyan Development Board to ensure fast integrated development of historic Bhaini Sahib headquarters of Namdhari Darbar. He said adequate funds would be released for all the remaining development projects.

Badal was discussing the plan in a meeting after presenting a cheque of Rs 50 lakhs for the completion of Kuka Martyrs Memorial at Malerkotla as announced by him during his last visit to Bhaini Sahib on March 6 to Sat Guru Jagjit Singh Ji head of Namdhari Darbar at Bhaini Sahib 25 kms from here today.

The Chief Minister discussed the detailed plans relating to the development projects of Bhaini Sahib with Sat Guru Jagjit Singhji, Namdhari Thakur Udhey Singh, MD, Namdhari Seeds Bangalore, Sumer Singh Gurjar Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana.

Bhaini Sahib- Raiyan, the birthplace of Sat Guru Ram Singhji, was a sacred and historic place for the whole country as the most effective Kuka Movement for the freedom of the country was launched from here by Satguru Ram Singhji.

On the demand for the construction of roads linking Bhaini Sahib, the chief minister asked the Principal Secretary, Local Bodies, Punjab, to issue special directions to sanction the plans and start work for construction of peripheries of Bhani Sahib and other link roads connecting to this place at the earliest.

On another suggestion from Namdhari Darbar, Badal asked the Vice-Chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, on telephone to immediately revive Sat Guru Ram Singh Chair in the university and assured the required funds would immediately be released for this purpose by the government.

Badal said 150th anniversary of Kuka Movement launched by Sat Guru Ram Singhji in 1857 would be observed in a fitting manner and a high level meeting to chalk out the detailed programme for the anniversary would be held at Chandigarh under his chairmanship.

Keeping in view the contribution of Namdharis in the independence struggle, the government was also considering to set up two more memorials, one at Raikot, in Ludhiana district and another in Amritsar district, so that the coming generation would seek inspiration from the sacrifices of the followers of Sat Guru Ram Singhji.

Keyhole surgery rids14-year-old of congenital problem
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 20 2007
An innovative laparoscopic surgery was performed on Hardeep Singh of Nawanshahr at SPS Apollo Hospital for treatment of a congenital complication affecting the quality of life by Dr Arindam Ghosh, known for his work in the field of minimal invasive surgery.

Hardeep, a 14-year-old boy, was suffering from constipation since birth. His bowel movement was erratic and the boy could not have complete evacuation, even with laxatives. On investigation and biopsy, he was diagnosed to be suffering from Hirschprung's Disease (HD).

According to Dr Ghosh, normally the muscles in the intestine push out the faecal matter with the help of special nerve cells in the intestine, called ganglion cells. In persons suffering from HD, these nerve cells in the last part of the large intestine are missing. As a result muscle movement for evacuation is absent or lacking. This is a common problem among newborns in India, with more than 20 to 25 children reporting in hospitals each year with this disease.

Conventionally one operation (in two or three stages) was required to remove a part of the bowel and to restore continuity, bypassing the diseased rectum. However, Dr Ghosh, Dr Rajan Dhamathia and their team in Surgical Gastroenterology and Advanced Laparoscopic Digestive Surgery unit, undertook a complete key hole approach in a single stage for Hardeep Singh.

"The patient was given only four tiny puncture points in his abdomen. This reduced the pain, hospital stay and ensured no ugly scars, while at the same time reducing the chance of incisional hernia later."

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IGMC to have telemedicine linkup with Apollo Hospital
Tribune News Service May 29, 2006

Shimla, May 28
Patients under treatment at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and other major hospitals of the state will shortly be able to avail super-specialty services of eminent doctors of Satguru Partap Singh (SPS) Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana, due to a telemedicine link up between the two institutions.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the Director of SPS Apollo Hospital, Mr Jugdiep Singh, said they would shortly be providing the software for the telemedicine link up free of cost to the IGMC.

“This will enable a doctor at IGMC or other district hospitals to seek the opinion of doctors at SPS, Apollo,” he said.

Mr Singh said they would, in a phased manner, have a link up with all the district hospitals in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir so that people sitting in remote areas can seek the opinion of specialist doctors. He added that secondary care hospitals were being identified which could have this link up with them.

He said the case for empanelment with the HP government had been initiated so that the patients from Himachal can get treated at their hospital at the lowest possible rates.

He claimed that the charges at their hospital were 40 per cent less than the Apollo hospital at Delhi. “We will be the fifth hospital in the country and the first in the region to get a Joint Commission Accreditation as a US team will shortly visit our hospital,” he stated.

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Review Namdhari status, says NCM chief
New Delhi, March 29
Taking strong exception to denial of ‘freedom fighter status’ to Namdharis by the Home Ministry, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has urged Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani to review the decision.
In an affidavit recently submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh, the Union Home Ministry declared that the Kukas, known as Namdharis, who were blown to pieces with canons at Malerkota in Punjab by the Britishers in 1870, and also those Sikhs killed in Kamagatamaru episode in 1914 were not freedom fighters.
He requested Mr Advani to direct the Freedom Fighters Cell in his ministry to review both the cases and correct the historical distortion. — UNI

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Poets highlight female foeticide menace
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, October 15
To create awareness among the people on the menace of female foeticide, a seminar- cum - kavi darbar was organised by the Namdhari Darbar on the second day of the 99th annual Jap Tap Samelan at Bhaini Sahib today. Mr. H.S. Hanspal, President, PPCC, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, Mr Hanspal said Satguru Ram Singh, had launched a crusade against those who killed their daughters at birth. Following his directions, the whole Namdhari Darbar, now under the spiritual guidance and direction of Satguru Jagjit Singh, was making efforts to create awareness among the people regarding the seriousness of this alarming situation.
He said though the government has enacted several legislations to give stringent punishments to the guilty, but this social evil was assuming alarming proportions and was causing an irreparable loss to society. In present times, skewed sex ratio would create a serious imbalance in society.
Mr Hanspal appealed to the people to be vigilant and report any such by couples to the authorities so that they can be punished suitably.
Sant Daleep Singh Namdhari apprised the people about the efforts of Satguru Jagjit Singh and Namdhari Darbar in persuading the people to refrain from the female foeticide as the girls are equally important for society. He said the darbar was also educating the public regarding the growing use of the drugs and other intoxicants among the youth, which could completely ruin our future generations.
Prominent speakers and poets who participated included Dr Gurcharan Kaur Kochhar, Mr Surjt Patar, President, Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Mr Harbir Singh Bhanwar, Mr Inderjit Singh Hassanpuri, Dr Swaranjit Kaur Grewal, Dr Gurminder Sidhu, Dr Kamaljit Singh Kakkar, Dr Harjinder Singh Sandhu, Mr Ajit Singh Lehal, Dr Tarlochan Lochi, Mr Jatinder Pal Singh Jolly and Mr Kulwant Jagraon.
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Punjab’s silent musical revolution
Reeta Sharma
April 6, 2003 Spectrum Section The Tribune - Chandigargh

HE is 84 and the religious head of lakhs of Namdharis all over the world, including India. Besides being a spiritual leader, Satguru Jagjit Singh has given birth to a parallel religion — the religion of music.

In the history of music, he will always be credited with unmatched passion that sowed the seeds of a silent musical revolution in Punjab, which of late has had little to boast of in the field of classical music. Although age is catching up with him yet his thirst for music remains insatiated. It was as early as 1959 that Satguru Jagjit Singh had foreseen the dearth of talent in the field of classical music in Punjab. He was taken aback to learn that only two ragis, Darshan Singh and Khazan Singh, were using Indian classical vocal forms while reciting Gurbani. What will happen in the future, he asked himself. "People of Punjab had not realised that this fine art was being eroded in the state. I desperately wanted classical music to thrive in the state," reminiscences the Satguru.

His resolve soon witnessed the initiation of young talent into the world of music. Satguru Jagjit Singh, who himself excels in Indian classical vocal and instrumental music, started imparting knowledge to boys and girls, aged between 5 and 10 years. Soon the number began to multiply. The untiring, unrelenting and consistent devotion of the ‘guru and his disciples’ over a period of 10 to 15 years began to bear fruit

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Balwant Singh Namdhari (extreme right) was decorated with the Punjab State Award this year

Beyond the fast-paced lifestyle of the Punjabis and unnoticed by the powers that be, in a remote village called Bhaini Sahib, known as the seat of the Namdhari sect, the foundation of Indian classical vocal/instrumental music was being laid. Though it takes a long time for any such serious forms of music to gain recognition, Bhaini Sahib saw the rise of Mohan Singh Namdhari and Sukhdev Singh Namdhari, who have carved a niche for themselves in the world of music. They have performed not only at Haraballabh, held annually in Jalandhar, but also at various other functions in other parts of the country and even abroad.

That Satguru Jagjit Singh did not restrict his teachings to his followers alone but imparted his knowledge of music to others too speaks volumes for his dedication and zeal. Once in Gwalior, when he heard budding Indian classical vocalists Rajan and Sajjan Mishra, he immediately took them under his wing. When he learnt that the two brothers were earning their living as petty clerks, he immediately offered to pay them double the amount they were earning from Namdharis’ offerings. He wanted them to devote themselves totally to riyaz without worrying about their bread and butter. Today, the Mishra brothers are the pride of India and they do not get tired of acknowledging the role played by Satguru Jagjit Singh in promoting their career.

Once again, led by his farsightedness, he consciously decided to revive many dying musical instruments of Punjab. As a result of his efforts, rabab, dilruba, saranda, sarangi, santoor and sitar have been popularised by his disciples, who play them oblivious of any consumerist or materialistic pressures. Hundred of children in the age group of 8 and 15 years are today learning to play these instruments and are also being trained in classical vocal. A stream of students, including Mohan Singh and Sukhdev Singh, have been making waves at various musical performances in India and abroad.

Vocalists Sukhdev Singh and Mohan Singh

Two young boys, Balwant Singh Namdhari and Harjinder Singh Namdhari, are being taken note of music circles in India. Balwant is not only being acknowledged as one of the most promising players of santoor, sitar and tabla but is also a name to be reckoned with as a classical vocalist. On this February 27, he was decorated with the Punjab State Award for Indian Classical Vocal and Santoor Vadan at a state-level function in Kapurthala by the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt. Amarinder Singh.

Harjinder Singh has won a name for himself as a noteworthy rabab player. The sparkle in the eyes of Satguru Jagjit Singh cannot be missed as he hears his disciple Harjinder Singh, the only other player of rabab besides himself, weaving a raga on this majestic instrument. Harjinder Singh has already adopted two young Namdhari children to train them to play this instrument. Interestingly, Harjinder is also equally comfortable with the bansuri, dilruba and sarod.
It may be mentioned here that in 1930, Bhai Taba, the last rababi of that era, was forsaken by his employers. Likewise, Bhai Naseer, the pakhawaj player of the time, found no patrons. It was at this juncture, when both these artists were finding no patronage, that they were adopted by Guru Partap Singh of the Namdharis. The duo thus became the hazoori musicians of the guru.

Satguru Jagjit Singh has ensured that all students at Bhaini Sahib should learn both vocal as well as instrumental music. So while you have Devinder Singh who not only excels at playing the dilruba but also sings classical numbers, there are others like Satwant Singh, Jagjit Singh and Harpreet Singh who are enthusiastically learning the finer nuances of music under the guru-shishiya parampara.

Satguru Jagjit Singh’s name, as a renowned musician, would also be remembered for having evolved new maatras like paune aath (seven and three-fourths), paune pandhran (fourteen and three-fourths), sava chaudhan (fourteen and one-fourth), saade staran (seventeen and a half) and teran sahi satt bata aath (thirteen and seven-eights).

Though lakhs of Namdharis all over the world and within India revere and look up to Satguru Jagjit Singh, this humble religious head, in turn, has a lot of respect for his musicians. The musicians who perform sit on a higher platform than the seat reserved for the guru of Namdharis.

Satguru Jagjit Singh playing the rabab

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Namdharis from the pages of history
April 6, 2003 Spectrum Section The Tribune - Chandigarh

Guru Ram Singh, the founder of the Kuka movement, rose to fame after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1939. He proved to be not only a religious philosopher but also an unparalleled patriot. Aghast at palace conspiracies and intrigues and degeneration of fellow Indians of the time, he vowed to build an army of puritanical Sikhs who would fight for the freedom of the country.

A great visionary, he mixed religion with politics of the time in such a manner so as to motivate the Kukas to fight for the freedom of their country. The residents of the tiny village of Bhaini Sahib, where Guru Ram Singh and his followers lived, made the British spend sleepless nights. The desperation of the British was evident from the Malerkotla massacre of 1872. A clash between the Kukas and a Sikh zamindar was used by the then Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana, L. Cowan, to not only teach a lesson to the Kukas but also to send signals to all other anti-British forces. He arrested 68 Kukas and without trial and blew up 66 of them by tying them to the mouths of canons.

Guru Ram Singh and 11 of his followers were arrested and deported to Burma and all Kuka assemblies were banned. For the next 13 years, Guru Ram Singh led an isolated life and eventually died in Rangoon in 1885.

Guru Ram Singh was succeeded by his younger brother, Hari Singh. The British did not allow Guru Hari Singh to leave Bhaini Sahib village, near Ludhiana, which was to be the main base of the Kukas for the next 21 years. On his death in 1906, Guru Hari Singh was succeeded by his son Guru Partap Singh, who in turn was succeeded by the present Satguru Jagjit Singh.

The Namdharis and their gurus are credited with many firsts. Besides making several outstanding contributions to society, Guru Ram Singh had issued edicts, both political and social, to his followers:

1. As many as 62 years ahead of Mahatma Gandhi, Guru Ram Singh advocated the practise of non-cooperation with the then ruling British as a way to free India.

2. The Namdharis were asked not to accept any government service offered by the British.

3. They were also told to boycott all educational institutions opened by the British.

4. They were forbidden to use any foreign-made goods.

5. The Namdharis were asked to disobey and resist the laws and orders that their conscience abhorred.

6. They were to boycott the law courts started by the British.

7. They were also not to use the British postal services.

Guru Ram Singh’s instructions to Namdharis in the social context were also amazingly progressive for his times. Some of them are as follows:

1. Do not indulge in infanticide or trade in female children.

2. Do not practise child marriages.

3. Do not lie or steal or indulge in adultery.

4. Abstain from intoxicants like alcohol, tobacco or any other drugs.

5. Do not give or take dowry. (He had forbidden his followers from spending more than Rs 13 at a wedding).

6. Do not borrow or lend money on interest.

7. Do not indulge in casteism. All human beings are born alike.

In fact, Guru Ram Singh also gets the credit for having set up a system similar to the present Panchayati Raj. He had adopted and evolved this system for his followers. When the Kukas boycotted the British courts, the panchayats settled all their social disputes

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Satguru’s legacy
April 6, 2003 Spectrum Section The Tribune - Chandigarh

Satguru Jagjit Singh’s contribution to the Namdhari sect can be gauged from the following diktats issued by him:

Marriage ceremonies should be kept simple. There should be no indulgence in extravaganza. Both the groom and the bride must dress in plain white. No jewellery must be worn and no dowry must be given. Marriages must not take place in hotels or lavish pandals but only at nearby Namdhari temples.
No morsel of food to be wasted, as overwhelming poverty marks the lives of millions.
Crackers must not be burst on Divali because the ensuing pollution not only harms the environment but also brings into focus the wide disparity between the haves and have-nots.
Lohri must not to be celebrated on the birth of a boy, as that would speak of gender discrimination.
Loud speakers should not to be used in Namdhari temples, for they add to noise pollution and disturb the people living around.
One should not possess too many clothes, as such belongings generate materialistic desires besides creating disparity.
Watching of films on TV or cinema halls are not allowed but children are encouraged to watch news, sports or any other educative programmes.

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Tributes paid to Namdhari martyrs
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 17 2003
Cutting across political, social and religious barriers, people from all walks of life thronged Bhaini Sahib headquarters of Namdhari Darbar to pay tributes to 66 Namdhari martyrs of the freedom movement who were blown up by British rulers at Malerkotla on the occasion of their annual martyrdom day.

Paying tributes to the martyrs, Mr H.S. Hanspal, President, PPCC, said that the brave sons of the soil had “voluntarily presented themselves before the cannons of British rulers”. He said the induction of religious spirit in the political movement by Satguru Ram Singh Ji here enthused freedom fighters in the country which ultimately culminated in throwing out the British from India.

He said Mahatma Gandhi had followed the principles of Satguru Ram Singh Ji and introduced Ram naam in his anti-British movement.

Mr Hanspal called upon all political and religious representatives to rise above political considerations to jointly fight for the interests of Punjab. Appreciating the contribution of the late Beant Singh for giving liberal financial aid to the Namdharis, Mr Hanspal announced on behalf of Capt Amarinder Singh continued financial help for the purpose.

Mr Buta Singh, former Union Minister, also spoke. Among others who paid tributes were Mr Gurcharan Singh Glaib, MP, Mr Nahar Singh Gill Mayor, MC, Ludhiana, Mr Darshan Singh Brar, Mr Sukhdev Singh Sehbajpuri, Mr Isher Singh, Mr Upinder Sharma, Mrs Malti Thapar (all ex-ministers), Mr Prem Mittal, Senior Deputy Mayor, Sant Swaran Singh, Sant Dalip Singh Namdhari and Sant Harpal Singh.

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Tributes paid to Satguru Ram Singh Ji
Tribune News Service

Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana), February 6 2003
Rich tributes were paid to Satguru Ram Singh Ji, one of the architects of the Freedom Struggle and founder of the Non-Cooperation Movement, at a state-level function organised by the Punjab Government to mark his 188th birth anniversary (parkash utsav) at the headquarter of the Namdhari Sect, about 20 km from here today.

While the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, could not make it to the function due to other engagements, others who paid their tributes included Mr H.S. Hanspal, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Transport Minister, Punjab, Mr Jasjit Singh Randhawa, Public Health Minister, Dr Harbans Lal, Minister of State, Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, MP, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, Mr Malkiat Singh Birmi and Mr Amrik Singh, all MLAs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hanspal said Satguru Ram Singh Ji had launched a well-organised movement against the British rule. He had waged a Non-Cooperation Movement by boycotting the services of British rulers and setting up schools, postal and judicial systems. “The Namdhari movement launched by Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji was, in reality, a revival of the Sikhism. The Namdhari Sect had spread fast and the number of the followers had gone up to 60,000 within 10 years, thereby posing a serious threat to the British Empire.”

The PPCC Chief regretted that the part of the sacrifices by Punjabis, particularly by Sikhs, had been deliberately undermined in the history of the country, which he demanded to be amended accordingly. He said Satguru Ram Singh was a far-sighted leader, who, during his struggle, had created administrative system right from panchayats to state-levels, which had played a frontal role in strengthening the foundation of the freedom struggle. He described the founder of the sect, as an unmatched social reformer, who developed his own social system which had no place for social evils like dowry, casteism, killing of girl child and intoxicants.

Mr Tej Parkash Singh, who represented the Chief Minister of Punjab, while paying his tributes to Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji remarked that he was a great social reformers, who struggled throughout his life to eradicate the social evils in the society. “Sat Guru Ram Singh had created a strong force of Namdhari patriots, who made enormous sacrifices while fighting the British.” He announced that the state government would implement concrete programmes and policies to give shape to dreams of Sat Guru Ram Singh of providing equal opportunities to everybody in the state without any discrimination.

Sat Guru Jagjit Singh Ji, present head of Namdhari Darbar, in his religious sermon, advised the people to implement the directions of Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji of complete social boycott of the killers of girl childs.

Among others who addressed the function were Mr Jasjit Singh Randhawa, State Minister for Public Health, Dr Harbans Lal, state Minister for Forest, Mr Satinder Singh Noor, Head Sat Guru Ram Singh Chair, Guru Nanak Dev University, Mr Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Vice-President, Punjab Sahitya Academy, Sant Dalip Singh and Mr Gurdip Singh Bhaini.

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Relevance of Basant Panchami
Mohindar Pal Kohli

6 FEB 2003

THE people of the Punjab are very close to nature. The variegated moods and effects of the climate — the scorching heat of the summer or the chilly and foggy days of the winter — have all been absorbed in their spine. After the rigours of the winter, when the koel (cuckoo) calls in the mango grove, with her notes full of joy, people know that as a messenger of vernal season, she is the harbinger of the pleasant change. They get ready for the spring festivities to be held on the fifth day of the bright half of Magh.

It is the season when the decayed hibernation and through the rebirth, there grow; lotuses among the reeds, the flaming smilings pinks, pushed up in the quagmire by the vital spark, which keeps things alive. In fruits, flowers, foliages among the birds, beasts and humans, the same glorious urge prospers. And that is the cycle of creation. The Basant is a popular folk festival of India and it has undergone numerous changes over the years. In Punjab (both in India and Pakistan), it is the festival of joy, non-sectarian in character, impregnated with the spirit of goodwill towards all.

The origin of the springtime youthful vernal festivities can be traced from the ancient past. The Rig Veda (10.10.6) mentions only three seasons of summer, winter and the spring (Vasant). In its deified personification as the companion of Kamdeva, the god of love, it was the day on which women used to worship the god residing in the bodies of their husbands. The Kamdeva came to be recognised as the wearer of the five arrows — the soft verdant mango leaves, the white lotus, the jasmine, the Ashoka and the blue lotus — signifying tenderness, purity, fragrance, freedom from grief and beauty. Obviously, during the season, these flowers are in full bloom. Maybe, the fifth day of Magh was fixed for the celebrations in view of the five arrows of the god which have been transcended by our thinkers...

Our old festivals adopted various forms with religious overtones. The Basant came out of the palaces to the market place, to the open fields and to the banks of the rivers and the rivulets. Enamoured by yellow sarson fields and the blossoming trees, the whole Punjab gets gay and enjoys the celebrations of the creativity. Clad in the yellow dupatta adorned damsels experience the taste of the changing pattern of nature. The Punjab lives on agriculture. For the brave and the adventurous denizens with their deep association with ecology, the Basant has become the symbols of Punjabi consciousness.

In Punjab, Basant is also the festival of challenges, bravery and brotherhood. Basant Panchami became the festival of the brave and the martyrs. Maharaja Ranjit Singh held a special durbar on this particular day when the soldiers attended the parade in yellow uniforms. The founder of the patriotic Namdhari sect Baba Ram Singh was born on this day and he was exiled to Burma (Myanmar) in 1873 on Basant Panchmi. Shahid Bhagat Singh adopted the impelling song of Ram Parshad Bismal in the tradition of Rajput soldiers who left their homes to have tryst with death: Mera Rang de Basanti Chola, Maai mera rang de basanti chola (Give yellow hue to my dress, O Mother mine). Even now the brave nihang singhs, clad in the yellow robes emerge from the gurdwaras to display the warlike sports of Gataka and spear wielding.

Along with the traditional melas, the fair is marked by the kite-flying competitions. The kites of the different colours flying as the little stars in the clear sky match the butterflies and bubble-bees among the bushes.

The Basant is the symbol of creation, of love and bliss; of sweet human relationship, of fraternity and commonness. It is the journey from cold to the warmth, from separation to communion. Verily it is the festival of hope pregnant with expectations.

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‘True’ story of freedom struggle out
Tribune

Ludhiana, November 1 2002
“The founder of the Namdhari sect was the one to introduce non-cooperation, economic independence and social self-dependence as ways of achieving political freedom,” said Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, at the release of a Punjabi book, ‘Gatha Sutantarta Sangram Di’, written by Sant Dalip Singh Namdhari, secretary of Namdhari Darbar of Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana), headquarters of the Namdharis.

Dr Aulakh said this concept had, later, been adopted by Mahatma Gandhi to lead India to independence. “The Namdharis have done a lot of work for the development of agriculture, particularly in the fields of animal breeding and seed production. The sect has fought evils like dowry, drug addiction and display of opulence at weddings — examples that should be emulated,” he said.

The VC said, to make India aware of the true history of the freedom movement, this book should be translated into English and Hindi. He also presented the first copies of the book to Mr J.S. Toor, Director Students Welfare of the PAU; Punjabi poet Dr Surjit Pattar, Harbhajan Singh and Mr Jagmohan Singh. Dr Surjit Pattar said the contribution of the Namdharis in the Indian freedom struggle had not received due recognition — something that this book aimed to change. He said Sant Dalip Singh had written an authentic book, based on historical documents and facts.

Dr Sarjit Singh Gill, Additional Director Extension Education (Communication Centre) of the PAU, said, by following the teachings of Baba Ram Singh Ji, Punjab could overcome its agricultural crisis. His doctrine of self-dependence could be used for making each village a self-dependent unit with respect to the production of pulses, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and cattle feed. Punjab had the agro-climatic conditions to produce all this.

Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Senior vice-president of the Ludhiana chapter of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, introduced Sant Dalip Singh and said the Namdharis had done a lot to promote education and sport. The others present on the occasion included Prof Niranjan Singh Tasneem, Prof Ravinder Bhattal, Sarup Singh Alag, Nirmal Jaura, Janmeja Singh Johal and Dr Avtar Singh, Associate Director (Publications) of Communication Centre. Prof Mohinder Singh Cheema, proposed the vote of thanks.

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Namdharis laud CM’s drive against graft

Tribune News Service

Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana), October 16 2002
The Namdhari Samaj today lauded the crusade launched by the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, against corruption in the state. It also thanked the Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi, for appointing Mr H.S. Hanspal, a Namdhari, as president of the Pradesh Congress Committee after his name was recommended by the Chief Minister for this post.

At the conclusion of the month-long annual congregation here today in presence of Satguru Jagjit Singh, the samaj resolution recalled the contribution of the Namdharis in the freedom struggle and their long association with the Congress.

Capt Amarinder Singh said he would ensure that his government came up to the expectations of the people. The Chief Minister said he had visualised a prosperous Punjab where everyone would have access to basic amenities like drinking water and proper sanitation.

Capt Amarinder Singh said, “By simply rooting out corruption, we cannot fill the stomachs of people. For that, we need development for which we need funds”. He said his government was trying to create an atmosphere which would be friendly to and conducive for industry.

Satguru Jagjit Singh presented a siropa to the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister announced that Satguru Ram Singh Chair in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, would be activated and funds made available to it for research work.

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Namdharis honour Hanspal
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 6 2002

It was a journey down the memory lane for the Namdharis while honouring Mr H.S. Hanspal for being appointed president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). Mr Hanspal was felicitated by the Namdhari society yesterday at a colourful function attended by several other Congress leaders including Transport Minister Tej Prakash, local MP, Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, District Congress Committee president Gurcharan Singh Ghalib and senior vice-president of the Pradesh Youth Congress Pawan Dewan.

While felicitating Mr Hanspal, the Namdhari leaders observed that his appointment was an honour for the entire brotherhood. The speakers recalled the services and sacrifices rendered by the Namdharis for the freedom movement, particularly, as Namdhari leader Dalip Singh Namdhari pointed out to how the Kukas laid down their lives while fighting against the British.

The Namdhari leaders reiterated their commitment towards the national interest and assured Mr Hanspal of full support. They pointed out the Namdharis had always stood by the Congress in its best and worst times and they would continue to do so under the leadership of Mr Hanspal.

The other speakers, including Mr Tej Prakash and Mr Ghalib, recalled the sacrifices made by the Namdharis in the freedom movement.

Later the local Congress leaders led by former PCC general secretary Ramesh Joshi honoured Mr Hanspal at a separate function at Circuit House.

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Hanspal takes over as PPCC chief
Promises to implement poll manifesto
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 18 2002
Mr H.S. Hanspal, who was today formally installed as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President, promised to implement the party’s election manifesto.
Addressing a press conference after taking over as PPCC President, Mr Hanspal said: “The party will act as a watchdog of the government, which is to implement the promises held out to the people at the time of the Assembly elections and also ensure that the benefits of government policies percolated to the grassroots”. The party workers would be activated to disseminate government policies.
Mr Hanspal said a clean and compact PPCC would be reconstituted shortly and it would supplement the government’s anti-corruption drive. Asked if he would adhere to the principle of ‘’one man, one post’’, Mr Hanspal said he would follow the party constitution. Capt Amarinder Singh, he added, had himself offered to step down as PPCC President on becoming the Chief Minister.
About relations between the Congress and the Akali-BJP, he said in the interest of the state and its people the Congress would reciprocate the Opposition’s positive gestures. He feigned ignorance over the war of nerves between Capt Amarinder Singh and Mr Parkash Singh Badal. At this Capt Amarinder Singh, who was sitting next to him, remarked with a chuckle, ‘’I love Badal’’, with Mr Hanspal interjecting to say, ‘’His (Badal’s) district-level protests against the government have fizzled out and his defamation suit is a diversionary tactics’’.
Time and again Capt Amarinder Singh intervened to rescue Mr Hanspal, whenever some questions with political overtones were asked.
Capt Amarinder Singh clarified today that Punjab had suffered due to a scanty rainfall which had adversely affected its agricultural and industrial economy and upset its finances, resulting in the state suffering a loss of Rs 5,014.12 crore which the Centre must compensate.
The Chief Minister said since the “Akalis are a part of the NDA government, why doesn’t Mr Badal go to New Delhi and plead Punjab’s cause for compensation, which includes a remunerative minimum support price plus adequate bonus on paddy? He went on to say that Ms Sonia Gandhi had met the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states and approached the Prime Minister for financial help. But it was apparent that the NDA was ‘’selective and discriminatory’’ in its approach and attitude towards the Congress-ruled states. If that was not so, how come the NDA had not yet responded to Punjab’s request for help? The Chief Minister asked.
About the progress on the ‘’charge sheet’’ against the Badal government that the PPCC had released during the elections, Capt Amarinder Singh said it was being pursued and once documentary evidence became available, it would be made public.
The Chief Minister said he had decided to meet with all MPs from Punjab once a month in New Delhi to discuss the state’s needs and problems vis-a-vis the Centre and seek their intervention.
Besides thousands of Congress workers and supporters Ms Ambika Soni, Mr Moti Lal Vora, Ms Mhsina Kidwai and Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder were present at Mr Hanspal’s installation ceremony. Party leaders urged workers to strengthen the organisational wing and work for the good of the state.

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USA urged to protect Namdharis
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28
Namdhari Darbar has urged the USA to provide security to the Sikhs in America as members of the community have come under attack following the recent terrorist strikes. Namdhari Sikhs are living in many towns of America, a press note said, adding that the attire of Osama bin Laden resembled that of Namdhari Sikhs. Americans mistakenly identify Namdhari Sikhs with Laden’s followers and have attacked them, it said, urging the USA to protect the Sikhs in America.

Namdhari Sikh children participating in a demonstration in New Delhi on Thursday demanding security for the Sikhs in the USA and denouncing terrorism. — PTI

Sikh religious leader Baba Virsa Singh today appealed to the global community, especially the USA, to resolve the issue of terrorism through negotiations. “If America wages war against Afghanistan, neither the world nor God will forgive it,” he said.

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TRIBUTES PAID

September 24, 2001
Tributes were paid to “hazoori ragi” Sant Khazan Singh at a congregation held today at Gurdwara Bhaini Sahib, the headquarters of the Namdhari sect, about 25 km from here. Sant Khazan Singh who was associated with the sect for the past more than 70 years died at the age of 84 on September 14. A large number of people, including Sat Guru Jagjit Singh, head of the Namdharis, attended the congregation. Others who spoke on the occasion included Sant Rachhpal Singh, Mr Harpal Singh, Mr Jagdish Singh Waryyam, Principal Ajit Singh Cheema, Mr Joginder Singh and Mr Daleep Singh Namdhari.

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25-lakh winner to give part of money to school

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 23
A primary school teacher from Ellenabad has done Sirsa, the home district of Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, and Hayana proud by becoming the first Haryanavi to win Rs 25 lakh in Amitabh Bachchan’s “Kaun Banega Crorepati” . And the proud winner is none other than 30-year-old Kulvinder Singh, a follower of the Namdhari sect. For Kulvinder, it was his second attempt at the crore-rupee contest. His first, in the couples category with wife Arvinder Kaur, was not successful as the couple failed to make it to the “hot seat” in the May 2 episode of the TV quiz show. Kulvinder, who comes from a lower middle class family in remote Ellenabad, had made 165 calls before he got the present break. On July 4, the first part of the episode was shot which was telecast on July 18. The shooting of the next episode, telecast tonight, took place on July 19.“It is not money but the public recognition that has made me feel proud. Yesterday, I went to meet the Chief Minister at his farmhouse at Teja Khera. He was so excited and made me feel so important and told me that I had done Haryana proud by winning the Rs 25 lakh prize. I got myself photographed with him. He blessed me also,” says Kulvinder .“A part of my prize money will go to the school at Amritsar Kalan, a remote village, where I teach. The two-room school is in a dilapidated condition. I want to make my contribution to improving the facilities at the school. There are only two teachers in the school,” he said. Kulvinder, who obtained a diploma in primary school teaching after his plus 2, got the present job only a couple of years ago. His four brothers are in business. His wife is doing her BA from a private college at Ellenabad. “I have two sons. I want a small house for my family. Some portion of my award money will also go to Satguru Jagjit Singh, my Guru and torchbearer. It was with his blessings that I had gone to participate in the programme”. Kulvinder presented special “malas” given by Satguru Jagjit Singh to Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. “Amitabh developed a special liking for me”, he says. “I would also love to accompany my dharamguru to Africa to meditate in solitude. I have special interest in general knowledge. From my childhood, I have been reading newspapers, especially The Tribune and Dainik Tribune, regularly. And this stood me in good stead during the quiz,” says Kulvinder, maintaining that his success in the July 18 episode, at the end of which he won Rs 6.4 lakh and became a rollover contestant for the July 23 episode, made him an instant hero. “People stopped me, greeted me, shook hands with me not only in Mumbai but also at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and on our way from Delhi to Ellenabad in the bus. My brother, Mr Surinder Singh Namdhari, had accompanied me to Mumbai for the contest this time”.

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Rs 2.5 lakh grant for Guru Ram Singh Chair of Guru Nanak Dev University
Bhaini Sahib (Ludhiana), May 10
A galaxy of scholars attending the two-day international seminar on “Namdhari Movement: History, Literature and Contribution” were of the view that the contribution of the Namdharis should be projected at the global level. They also concluded that uniform opportunities should be provided to all for development in the educational, religious and economic fields.
The seminar, organised by the Namdhari Guru Ram Singh Chair of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amrtisar under the directorship of Dr Satinder Singh at the Namdhari headquarters, concluded here yesterday.
The scholars further opined that simple life, being led by the Namdharis, should be adopted as a role model by the masses. They demanded that the available Namdhari literature be documented so that the true picture of their contribution could reach the people.
In all, 37 papers were presented by scholars from all over the world during the seminar, depicting all aspects, including history, literature and contribution of the movement, launched by Satguru Ram Singh. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, presided over the valedictory function and honoured 12 scholars on this occasion.
Capt Kanwaljit Singh observed that the Sikh politics was seeking guidance from the religion and only that government could be termed as national government which was influenced by the principles of religion, including justice, equality, patience, service and brotherhood.
He further said the government would take steps to publish the literature relating to the Namdhari movement and sacrifices of the martyrs. He said Satguru Ram Singh Chair, set up at Guru Nanak Dev University to carry out complete research and publish literature on the Namdhari movement launched by Satguru Ram Singh, had been provided with sufficient funds. He announced a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh for the chair to launch a website and acquire internet connectivity.
Satguru Jagjit Singh, Head of Namdhari Sect, exhorted the scholors to make efforts to collect and compile all valuable historical literature regarding the Namdhari movement and Satguru Ram Singh, lying in different parts of the world, so that the research work taken up by Satguru Ram Singh Chair could reach a fruitful conclusion.
Among others who addressed the concluding function were Sant Surinder Singh Namdhari, vice-president Namdhari Darbar, Mr H.S. Hanspal a former MP and Dr Satinder Singh Noor, Head of Satguru Ram Singh Chair.

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Namdharis' role in women empowerment stressed
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 8
The Namdhari Movement has played a significant role in empowering Sikh women by promoting education, widow remarriage and their upward mobility in society. It has provided them with an opportunity to participate in the decision-making body of the sect. The movement had raised its voice against atrocities against women during the British period, when no one was ready to think about them.
These were the views of Dr Gurnam Kaur Bedi, Punjabi Department, Sarup Rani College for Women, Amritsar, in her paper on Namdhari Movement: Feminist Perspective and Social Awareness, presented at the international seminar on Namdhari Movement: History, Literature and Contribution at Bhaini Sahib, about 30 km from here today.
Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab, inaugurated the two-day seminar. Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, welcomed the guests.
In the first session, Dr Joginder Singh, Department of History, GND varsity, in his paper, pointed out that the Namdhari Movement, despite its differences with the mainstream Sikh religion, had worked as a reform movement in society. It had propagated simple way of living, struggle against superstition and colonialism, communal harmony and equal rights for women. A section of the Namdharis had entered trade and industry. There was clash in their professional ethics and religious values. There was a need to collect data on the demographic, social and other changes taking place in the community.
Dr Kudeep Singh, Department of History, SGAD College, Khadoor Sahib, said,‘‘According to Namdharis’ belief, struggle for freedom did not end with the transfer of power. The outer wounds or political slavery had been healed, leaving behind the ugly scars of communal hatred. The inner cancer throwing up poisonous virus and retarding the production of balanced healthy growth of economic , social, religious and political was still there.’’
In the second session, Dr Surjit Kaur Jolly, Principal, S.P.M. College, Delhi University, said,‘‘Today we talk about the rights of the child and the UN’s charter on rights of children, but the Namdhari Gurus not only loved children, but used to educate the parents about their behaviour with children. They do not subscribe to caste system or discrimination. Baba Ram Singh, the founder of the sect, offered all the castes social mobility.”
Dr Sarna Arora made a presentation about the contribution of Namdhari Darbar in the field of music. It had organised a number of music samelans in the different parts of the society. Other speakers included Dr R.S. Jaggi, Dr Jodh Singh, Dr Jasbir Singh Sabar, Dr Devinder Singh, Dr S.C. Sacdeva and Dr Baljit Kaur.

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Seminar

SEMINAR: A two-day first international seminar on “Namdhari Movement: History, Literature and Contribution” is being organised by Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with Namdhari Darbar at Bhaini Sahib, 20 km from Ludhiana, on May 8 and 9.

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Inauguration of bus stand-lalton, kalan

LUDHIANA 2 march 2001
BUS STAND: The bus stand constructed in the memory of eminent social worker, Mr Kapur Singh Grewal, at Lalton Kalan village, 10 km from here, was inaugurated by Namdhari chief Satguru Jagjit Singh, on Wednesday. The sect chief said that in the memory of the sect founder, Satguru Ram Singh, a stadium would also be constructed in the village. Large number of Namdharis and others, including former MLAs and writers, were present on the occasion.

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Badal announces holiday on Jan 29
MALERKOTLA, Jan 17 — Namdhari Sikhs, known as Kukas, are rightly called the “torch bearers of India’s freedom struggle”, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said this while addressing a gathering on Namdhari Kukas Martyrs Day celebration here today in the memory of 66 Kukas who were blown off with cannons in Malerkotla on January 17, 18, 1872, by the British Government.
The Chief Minister said Satguru Ram Singh founder of the Namdhari sect, was the pioneer and first in the world history who used the Non-Cooperating Movement as a weapon to free his country from the of British rule.
He announced a permanent holiday on January 29 on the birth day of Satguru Ram Singh.
He said a national-level monument should be build to remember our martyrs and this monument should be build in Punjab

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Kukas, torch-bearers of freedom struggle

From Vikrant Jindal Jan 16 2001
NAMDHARI Sikhs known as Kukas in the annals of Indian history are rightly called “torch-bearers of India’s freedom struggle”. Sri Satguru Ram Singh ji, founded the Namdhari sect on April 12, 1857, at Sri Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana district of Punjab.
At that time India was under the yoke of the British Empire. Simultaneously, its people were being repressed under evil customs Shri Satguru Ram Singh ji mobilised the people for the freedom of their country and against the evil customs of society.
He inculcated religious awareness among the people which served to evoke the feeling self-respect and sacrifice for the sake of the country. In a short period lakhs flocked to him and they became aware of their serfdom and bondage. In the 19th century, killing girls in infancy and their sale-purchase was a daily occurrence in India.
The main cause behind these pernicious customs was the enormous burden of marriage expenses and illiteracy. Sri Satguru Ram Singh ji laid emphasis on the education of both boys and girls. He introduced a system of mass marriages. Dowry, marriage procession and various other formalities associated with marriage were stopped.
The first-ever inter-caste marriage was performed on June 3, 1863, in Khote village of Ferozepore in Punjab. Sri Satguru Ram Singh ji made every effort to accord respect and equal status to women in society. He was the first in world history to have used non-cooperation as a weapon to free his country from the yoke of the British Empire. Mahatma Gandhi talked of it later Sat Guru Ram Singh’s non-cooperation movement entailed boycott of government services, of educational institutions opened by the British of law courts started by the British and foreign goods. He believed political freedom was a part of religion.
Sat Guru Ram Singh ji set up his own postal system. Diplomatic relations were established with native states and neighboring countries such as Nepal, Afghanistan and Russia. In 1869-70, a separate regiment “Kooka platoon” was created in the Kashmir State. Namdharis revolted against the British rule.
They raided a slaughter house at Amritsar on June 15, 1871, and then Raikot on July 15, 1871. The British Government reacted quickly. But could not arrest the persons who had raided the slaughter houses. Three Namdharis were hanged on Three Namdharis were hanged on August 5, 1871 at Raikot, four at Amritsar on September 15, 1871, and two at Ludhiana on November 26, 1871.
Under the leadership of Hira Singh and Lehna Singh, Namdhari Sikhs attacked Malerkotla on January 15, 1872. There was a fierce fight. The Kukas fought bravely. Persons from both sides were killed. Hira Singh lost his left arm. All of them resolved to surrender before the authorities. At that time the ruler of Malerkotla was a minor. Mr Cowen was working as a Superintendent of the Council of Administration. He immediately sent the force to bring all arrested Namdharis to the Malerkotla Parade Ground where he had stationed cannons from a neighbouring state.
Mr Cowen conducted the trial. Even the names of persons were not recorded. He immediately ordered the rebels be tied to the cannon’s mouth. But the daring Namdharis said they would come to the cannon’s mouth by themselves. Once again Mr. Cowen asked them to stand with their backs to the cannons.
Again the Kukas replied that only the cowards died by receiving shots in the back. They would die a brave death with shots in their chests. Before the order to shoot, Mr Cowen questioned group leader Hira Singh, “Why did you attacked Malerkotla?”. Hira Singh replied firmly and boldly: “We want the rule of our own brother”.
Seven times the seven cannons were ignited and all the time seven Namdharis, 49 in all gave up lives for the independence of India. A young boy of 12, Bishan Singh, was asked by Mr and Mrs Cowen to renunciate Namdharism to save his life. As soon as Bishan Singh heard these words, his eyes became balls of fire. Like a lion he pounced on Mr Cowen and caught hold of his beard.
Mr Cowen was saved by native officers who cut the hands and head of Bishan Singh with their swords. The following day on January 18, 16 more Namdharis were blown off with the cannons. On this day Waryam Singh was short. He was asked to go back as he was too short. Waryam Singh ran and brought some pebbels and sods of earth from nearby fields and prepared a small platform. Standing upon it, he challenged the gunman to open fire.
The Malerkotla incident gave an opportunity to the government for crushing the Namdharis. Satguru Ram Singh ji and prominent subas were arrested and exiled. Namdharis were ordered not to hold meetings or leave their residences without informing the police or the village head. More than five Namdhari Sikhs were not allowed to assemble at a place.
In the meantime, the Indian National Congress had been wooing the Namdhari Sikhs. It organised a number of conferences at various places in Punjab to insite the people against the British tyranny.
Now, Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh ji is working for the unity and integrity of the country, love and affection towards the down-trodden, peace and prosperity of mankind is his message.
In the memory of the great warriors of our freedom struggle, a beautiful building has been constructed. A monument in the shape of a ‘khanda’ with three wings has been built. On each wing 22 holes have been made which represent the number of martyrs. Mr Surinder Singh Namdhari, president of the memorial said their plan was to cover the khanda with Japanese steel to enhance its beauty.

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Nov 26 2000
FUNCTION in Ludhiana
Tribune News Service

The Namdhari Darbar will organise a function at Namdhari Smarak, near Jail Road here on November 26 to mark the martyrdom day of Giani Ratan Singh and Sant Ratan Singh, who were hanged by the then British government, outside the Central Jail in the city in 1871. Giving details, Mr. Dalip Singh Namdhari, secretary, Namdhari Darbar informed that the Punjab Finance Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Assembly Speaker Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker Mr Sat Pal Gosain, Congress MP Mr Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, among others, will attend the function and pay tributes to the martyrs.

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Nov 14 2000
celebrated
Tribune News Service

The 81st birthday of the Namdhari chief, Baba Jagjit Singh, was observed with enthusiasm by his followers. In the morning, a religious congregation was organised at Namdhari Smarak in the city with kirtan recital by ragi jathas of Mr Iqbal Singh. Mr Darshan Singh, Mr Amrik Singh, Mr Sukhwinder Singh and the hazoori raagi jatha of Sant Harbans Singh. Speaking at the occasion, the Congress legislator, Mr Rakesh Pandey, recalled close association of his father, Mr Joginder Pal Pandey, a Punjab minister, with the Namdhari chief. Prominent among those present were Mr Surinder Singh Namdhari, Director, Satguru Partap Singh, Apollo Hospital, Mr Harbhajan Singh, Mr Jasbir Singh, Mr Dalip Singh Namdhari, Mr Ajit Singh Namdhari, Mr Jagmohan Singh and Mrs Sukhjit Kaur

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Health, education need of hour: Advani
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Oct 28, 2000 — It was VIPs’ galore in the city as the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, was on a brief visit to lay the foundation stone of a state of the art ‘Satguru Partap Singh Apollo Hospital’ here today. Besides the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Chief Minister, Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, his Cabinet colleagues Mr Balram ji Das Tandon, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker, Mr Sat Pal Gosain and Punjab BJP president, Mr Brij Lal Rinwa, were present to accord welcome to Mr Advani.

Mr Advani observed that education and healthcare were the two main pre-requisites for development of the country and setting up educational and health institutions was the need of the hour. He said internationally acclaimed Indian economist and nobel laureate Dr Amartya Sen had also emphasised that reasonably good education and health care facilities had to be provided to the people to sustain economic growth.

"India is a country with great potential and rich in human resources. Our IT professionals and computer software engineers are being welcomed with open arms all over the world," the Home Minister maintained. He said healthcare facilities needed to be expanded to bring them within the reach of masses and super specialty centers, like the one coming up in the city, could play a vital role in this regard by making available latest medical facilities at affordable cost to the suffering humanity.

Welcoming Mr Advani, Mr Badal pointed out that ever since the NDA government led by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee took over at Center, Punjab, which had been persistently being discriminated against by successive Congress governments, was given a fair deal. "The Centre had allotted many big projects like the oil refinery, international airport in Amrtitsar, science city in Jalandhar and Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link to Punjab." The latest goodwill gesture of the Union Government towards Punjab was the Rs 350 crore package for paddy growers, he added.

Stressing the need for providing good quality treatment at a reasonable cost to people, especially in the remote and rural areas, he said, the health cover, even to the poorest of the poor, should be assured. The super speciality hospitals should not only cater to the health needs of the affluent, but should also be open to the economically weaker sections and some percentage of beds, as also other facilities, be reserved for the poor.

Mr Badal paid rich compliments to the Namdhari sect, which he said, had taken the initiative to bring the premier health institution to the city. "The Namdhari sect or ‘kukas’ as they are popularly known, had made enormous sacrifices for the sake of the country, right from the time of Baba Ram Singh, the founder of the sect, who had resorted to complete boycott of the British Government and had, in a way, laid the foundation for the freedom movement in the country." He wanted the Centre to assist in erecting a suitable memorial for veteran freedom fighters and martyrs from Punjab so that the younger generations could draw inspiration and the sense of patriotism from those who had made unique sacrifices for the sake of their motherland.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, expressed his happiness that latest medical facilities would be made available by the Apollo Hospital to the people of Punjab. He, however, added that the government and the civic body would have to make extra efforts to develop the kind of infrastructure facilities, that were needed to cope with the increase in population and the influx of people to this city, which was known as industrial capital of the state. He also invited the Apollo group to set up a similar institution in the state of J&K and assured all assistance from the state government for this purpose.

The Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, expressed his concern over the alarming levels of pollution and unchecked population growth. Both of these had to be kept under control, he remarked. While pollution was playing havoc with the health of the urban people, the rising population made it difficult that the fruits of development percolated right down to the under privileged and the weaker sections. Referring to the sacrifices made by a large number of followers of Namdhari Darbar, led by its founder Baba Ram Singh, he made a fervent plea that all such events should be properly recorded in the history books for the posterity.

In his speech, the chief executive of the Apollo Hospital group, Dr Partap C. Reddy, informed that the proposed hospital in the city, estimated to cost around Rs 75 crore would be ready in about two years time. It would provide totality of healthcare and facilities, available anywhere in the world. The hospital, he added, would be a perfect combination of best of medical talent and state of the art diagnostic and treatment technology.

According to Dr Reddy, himself an eminent cardiologist, the core areas of specialisation in the hospital would be cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology, urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, obstetrics, gynaecology, ophthalmology, ENT, dentistry, general medicine and general surgery.

The chief of the Namdhari sect Baba Jagjit Singh remarked that the hospital, being set up jointly by the Namdhari Darbar and the Apollo group, was another step towards service of the mankind. "Through the proposed ‘state of the art’ hospital, the Namdhari Darbar was striving to realise the dreams of Baba Partap Singh (the father of the present chief)," the Baba said.

Others, who addressed the function were the Punjab BJP president Brij Lal Rinwa, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and S.S. Ahluwalia, member of Rajya Sabha while ruling SAD (B) general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Lala Lajpat Rai, MP and Gurcharan Singh Ghalib, MP were present.

Later, the Union Home Minister unveiled the foundation stone of the hospital, before air dashing to Lucknow to take part in the swearing in ceremony of the new Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Raj Nath Singh, Mr Badal, Dr Farooq Abdullah and the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal also accompanied Mr Advani.

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Super-speciality hospital for city
From A.S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Oct 18, 2000 — The Apollo group of hospitals will soon set up a 300-bedded multi-disciplinary super speciality hospital in the city at a cost of about Rs 75 crore.

The hospital, to be named after the head of the Namdhari sect, Satguru Partap Singh, will be established at a five-acre plot near Sherpur Chowk, donated by the Namdharis.

The Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, will be the chief guest at a function for laying the foundation stone of the hospital by the present Namdhari sect chief, Satguru Jagjit Singh, here on October 28. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will also attend the function.

Incidentally, the hospital was originally proposed to be set up near Chandigarh. But the final choice of site has fallen on Ludhiana.

According to information available here, the hospital is expected to be completed within 24 months of the commencement of the construction work on the building. A company called SJS Holdings Ltd. (SJS) has been incorporated with the objective of setting up the hospital in Ludhiana. The Indian Hospitals Corporation Ltd., the parent company of Apollo Hospitals group has been commissioned by the SJS to carry out a feasibility study to assess the healthcare scenario in the region and to suggest a suitable healthcare facility to be set up by the SJS. In this connection, an MoU was signed in June last year.

Accordingly, the IHC conducted a comprehensive market survey in Ludhiana and Jalandhar in June, 1999. Almost every member of the medical community of the region and general public felt that wide-ranging diagnostic, critical care and therapeutic facilities under one roof offering tertiary care have been a long overdue need of the region.

The hospital will employ 853 personnel, including contract labour but excluding consultants which includes medical, paramedical and other nonmedical staff. It is expected to generate an annual income of Rs 48.28 crore at 100 per cent utilisation. It is expected to reach the break-even level of operation at 58 per cent capacity. However, the cash break-even level stands at 47 per cent.

The Apollo Hospitals group was founded by Dr Prathap C. Reddy in 1983. Dr Reddy, a practising cardiologist in the USA, returned to India with a vision of bringing international standard medical care to India. At that time, medical care in India consisted mainly of government and charitable trust hospitals.

Apollo Hospital, Chennai, set up in 1983, was the first corporate hospital in India offering a complete range of sophisticated facilities for private paying patients. Since the group has been continuously expanding in related areas as well as setting up hospitals in different parts of India and neighbouring countries, it has consistently collaborated with other world-class institutions to ensure that it keeps well abreast of global developments and trends in technology and practices.

The IHC, the consultancy wing of Apollo Hospitals group, is the pioneer in bringing the concept of world-class healthcare to India. It has commissioned over 12 projects, including all of the Apollo Hospital state-of-the-art super speciality facilities. The IHC currently has about 20 hospital projects in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal under active development.

The IHC has an active pool of distinguished medical professionals drawn from the USA, the UK, Australia and the Middle East. In addition, the IHC has access to leading hospitals and academic institutions around the world with exchange programmes and reciprocal services.

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Myanmar forms panel to study guru’s life
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, July 8, 2000— The Myanmar Government has set up a three-member committee to study the life and disappearance of Namdhari Guru Satguru Ram Singhji who was imprisoned in that country for initiating the famous Kuka movement against the British rule in India in the 1870s.

Efforts were also on to raise a memorial in the form of a public utility service like a hospital or a school in Myanmar in memory of the Namdhari guru.

Announcing this at a press conference here today, Mr Surinder Singh Namdhari, Vice-President of the Trust, said a five-member delegation of the Kuka Martyrs Memorial Trust which included Namdharis, research scholars and historians visited Myanmar from June 11 to 24 to study the life of their guru in different jails of the country and to find out the truth behind different versions of his death as claimed by the Britons.

He said the team had found some vital clues and documents about the life spend by their guru in the jails. However, the mystery surrounding the Namdhari guru’s disappearance (the sect claims that their guru was destined to live life up to the age of 250) is yet to be solved. The team found evidence that their guru had not died because of dysentery in 1885 as claimed by the Britons since no prisoner was reported to have died of the ailment in the entire jail record of the country.

The team, according to him, had found clues that their guru had somehow gone to Malaysia from Myanmar and the Namdhari Trust would now send a team of researchers to that country. Mr Surinder Singh said the visit would be scheduled after permission from the Centre. However, he said the research would continue in Myanmar and the sect had offered research scholarship to interested scholars there to study the life spent by their guru in the country. The research would be taken up in association with Rangoon University.

Giving details about the delegation’s success, Mr Surinder Singh said the team brought a number of files pertaining to their guru along with maps of old jails and pictures of the places where there guru was kept.

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June 5,2000
Search for Namdhari guru starts
From Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Excerpts from The Tribune Daily Newspaper of Chandigarh, India

LUDHIANA, June 5,2000 — One hundred and fifteen years after the mysterious disappearance of Satguru Ram Singhji, founder of the Namdhari sect and an acknowledged leader of the historical Kuka Movement of the Indian freedom struggle, the External Affairs Ministry of the country has finally given a nod to the long-cherished project of the Namdharis to research about what happened to their revered Guru, last seen in a British Jail in Burma, now known as Myanmar.

A five-member delegation comprising Namdharis, research scholars and historians will leave the city for Myanmar tomorrow to research into the life spent by their guru in British confinement in a foreign land. It would also try to establish for once and all whether the Britishers claim that the guru died of a water-borne disease in a jail in 1885 or not as later documents procured from some Englishmen by the sect activists assert that the death news of the guru was false and a year later he was sent to some remote areas of Myanmar.

The research will also endeavor to rewrite the history as the Namdharis believe that their guru , who launched a non-cooperation movement in 1860’s some 60 years before Mahatma Gandhi did so, had also established links with the Russian and Afghani forces long before Netaji Subhash Chander Bose did so along with the Japanese to throw the British out of India. The delegation expects to lay their hands on some documents that will force the historians to give more credit to the Namdharis for being one of the first to raise a banner against the British rule as today the sect is popular for the KUKA movement only.

Delegation secretary Ajit Singh told The Tribune in an exclusive interview here today that apart from the freedom struggle the main motive of the delegation would be to discover some real photos of their guru as the portraits available today were based on old paintings only. Other members of the delegation include senior Namdhari leader Surinder Singh, research scholar Surjit Singh and historians Jaswinder Singh and Tara Singh Anjaan of New Delhi.

The delegation will also try to give King Thibu of the erstwhile Burma his due for having cooperated with their guru in spite of the hostile British. Another objective of the expedition will be to research on the life spent by three other Namdharis — Lakha Singh , Brahma Singh and Jawahar Singh in British confinement in Myanmar and give them a high place among the Indian freedom movement martyrs as their contribution is relatively unknown. According to the Namdhari records while the former two breathed their last in the jail after spending 20 years, the third one was released by the British at a very old age.

According to the External Affairs Ministry documents, the delegation’s 20-day visit has been cleared after a hectic correspondence with the military government in Myanmar. It said the delegation had been allowed to visit a number of; jails where the British claimed to have kept the Satguru. The main places to be covered included Yangoon (formerly known as Rangoon), Myeik and Moulmein cities.

Namdhari Ajit Singh was optimistic of finding some documents about their guru. Showing documents he said according to the announcement made by the British the guru died of dehydration in November, 1885, in a jail in Myanmar. However the sect activists managed to make a chance discovery some years ago about another document signed by Mr Bernard, British Chief Commissioner in Burma, in August, 1886, that the Satguru had been sent to a remote place in the country where no one had access to because in spite of being kept in strict imprisonment he had managed to keep contacts with the freedom fighters in India. An initial research of the Myanmar Jail records by the sect revealed that no prisoner had died of such disease in the said year nor even four years later. More investigation done by the sect revealed that even the census done by the British had also not recorded any such death.

Namdhari Ajit Singh stressed the expedition was not being undertaken to make some kind of religious claims but to establish the sacrifice made by the Namdharis in the country’s freedom struggle.

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H.S. CHEEMA
SAS Nagar

Sikh Identity

This refers to the controversy about the issues at the centre of the debate regarding Sikh identity.

(a) As far as the composition of the Dasam Guru Granth Sahib, normally referred to as the Dasam Granth, is concerned, there are a few points to be noted. This is not the tenth Granth of the Sikhs after Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib the very name Dasam Granth suggests that this Granth is named after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Even if it is believed by some that entire Dasam Granth is not the composition of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the fact that he has compiled it, has his approval. It has to be revered as his gurbani, the status given to Bhagtan Di Bani in Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

The controversy regarding Namdharis has been brought into the limelight by certain individuals regarding the book, Purkh Guru, written by Mehar Singh and published by the Namdhari Durbar, Sri Bhaini Sahib. The demand varies from the book being banned to Namdharis being declared as non-Sikhs. According to the book the Guru has to be a Dehdhari; it challenges the concept of Panjpiaras having right to give directions to the Guru and Guruship having been bestowed on Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

The author has quoted extensively from Sri Guru Granth Sahib in support of his argument in favour of Purkh Guru.

It is not good enough for these individuals to only express their feelings against the book. They should be able to give their arguments against the points made by the author.

Namdharis' faith in Purkh Guru notwithstanding, they revere the Guru Granth Sahib , no less if not more ,than any Sikh with faith in Granth Sahib as Guru. They follow gurbani not only in letter but also in spirit and are engaged in promotion of Sikhism all over the world in true spirit. Any Sikh in the know of their activities should only feel proud of them as Sikhs and not seek their exclusion from Sikh Religion.

Before making a demand for declaring Namdharis as non-Sikhs, the Sikhs must know as to what will be left of them as Sikhs less the Namdharis?

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Granth can’t be guru, says book

JALANDHAR, May 10, 2000 (PTI) — Close on the heels of the controversy regarding the perceived RSS’ designs on the ideological roots of Sikhism, the community’s think-tanks have now trained their guns at the Namdhari sect for allegedly using sacrilegious language in a book and claiming that the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib cannot be a Guru of the Sikhs. ‘Akhand Kirtani Jatha International’ and ‘Social and Panthic Watchdog Group’, in separate statements issued here, said the book ‘Purakh Guru’ published by Sarb Hind Namdhari Darbar, Bhaini Sahib contains claims that the Guru Granth Sahib and the ‘panj pyaras’ (five beloved ones) of 10th Guru Gobind Singh were never accorded the status of a Guru.

Both organizations demanded that the Punjab Government immediately impose a ban on the book and ask the Namdhari sect to withdraw it from the market.

"Not only has the book’s contents hurt the Sikh sentiments but a sacrilege has been committed through use of objectionable language," Prof. Gurmukh Singh, one of the five members of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha’s top decision making panel said.

The Social and Panthic Watchdog Group’s statement was accompanied by a copy of the book which says "Guru can only be an individual, not a granth or panth," adding that those believed the scriptures were Guru were flush with money and other resources, which they employed to propagate ‘falsehood’.

The group took particular objection to a statement in the book that it is not difficult to sway people into celebrating the ‘Guru Granth Sahib gaddi diwas’ or believe in the guruship of the scriptures as Sikh shrines are centred around the idea of Guru Granth Sahib as the Guru.

Interestingly, the current incumbent leader of the Namdhari sect is considered close to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

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PATIALA
PETROL STATION
May 2000:

The state’s first multi-facility modern petrol station was opened near Shambu on National Highway Number 1 by Satguru Jagatjit Singh of Namdhari Darbar Bhaini Sahib. Chief Manager Charanjit Singh said in a press note here on Wednesday that the station of Bharat Petroleum has been built at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. Housed in 4.5 acres, it has parking space and servicing facility for 150 trucks and 400 cars. It also has a shopping complex, fast food centre, dormitory and dhaba

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Tributes paid to Satguru Ram Singh Ji
From Our Correspondent

RAYIAN (Ludhiana), Feb 10 — The research-based study project undertaken by Guru Nanak Dev University on the life and contribution of Sat Guru Ram Singh, founder of the Namdhari sect, would be given further impetus. The Baba Ram Singh Chair has already been set up for this purpose.

This was stated by the Information and Public Relations Minister, Mr Natha Singh Dalam, while presiding over a state-level function organized by the state government on the parkash utsav of Sat Guru Ram Singh here today.

He said Sat Guru Ram Singh launched a crusade against the British rule and the non-cooperation concept given by him had shaken the British raj. He continued the struggle for India’s independence peacefully and through non-violence.

Lauding the contribution of Sat Guru Ram Singh for eradication of social evils and bringing awakening among the people Mr Dalam said it had contributed in a big way for social transformation. The real tribute to Baba Ram Singh would be to follow his ideals and make this universe an abode of peace, progress and prosperity, he said.

Mr Dalam said that 80 per cent of the warriors who made supreme sacrifices for the noble cause belonged to Punjab. He said movements like Kuka movement had their origin in Punjab and Punjabis fought bravely against the British raj.

Mr Dalam said the Punjab Government had taken various steps for perpetuating the memory of Sat Guru Ram Singh and other Kuka warriors by setting up memorials. The state government had already approached the Central Government for installing a life size portrait of Sat Guru Ram Singh in the Central Hall of Parliament.

The Minister said the village middle school would be upgraded to the high school level and the birth place of Sat Guru Ram Singh Ji would be developed.

Mr Dalam presented a draft for Rs 5.59 lakh to the Namdhari trust on behalf of the Punjab Government for setting up Rs 10 lakh night soil based bio-gas plant by the Punjab Energy Development Agency under national bio-gas development programme of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources.

The Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, also paid rich tributes to Sat Guru Ram Singh.

Sat Guru Jagjit Singh Ji, head of the Namdhari sect, and various leaders of different political parties and social groups participated in the function and paid their rich tributes to Sat Guru Ram Singh.

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Where Satyagraha was born
From Ruchika Mohindra - Tribune News Service

RAYIAN/BHAINI SAHIB (LUDHIANA): With the turn of the new millennium, the two historic villages of Rayian and Bhaini Sahib, too, have undergone a sea change and boast of all modern amenities of living. But what makes them different is the fact that the residents of these villages have managed to maintain and uphold their importance by maintaining the relics of the past.

For a casual visitor, the rustic surroundings of the two villages, located next to each other, makes these look like any other village located in the heartland of Punjab. Go a bit deeper into the two villages and one realizes that this is one place where modernity and history go hand in hand. While on one hand, these villages boast of concrete roads, underground sewerage, clean drinking water supply, computers at the Satguru Partap Singh Academy (a school up to the plus two level) and other civic amenities quite unheard of in villages, places of historical importance like Parkash asthan of Satguru Ram Singh, founder of the Namdhari sect, the dera at Bhaini Sahib, Akal Banga, and the ancient sarovar, believed to be from the time of the treta yuga exist side by side.

It was from these two non-descript villages, around 25 km from Ludhiana, that the non-cooperation movement against foreign rule was launched for the first time in history by Satguru Ram Singh in the later half of the 19th century.

Much before Mahatma Gandhi had started this movement to rock the very foundation of British rule, Satguru Ram Singh was the first one to ask his followers to boycott government service, British educational institutions and courts and their goods.

Considered as one of the pioneers of the country’s freedom struggle, he had managed to set-up an independent parallel government from here by setting up his own postal system and establishing diplomatic ties with the neighbouring states of Nepal, Afghanistan and Russia. In fact, he also created a separate regiment, Kooka Platoon, in the state of Kashmir in 1869-70 and the sacrifices made by the followers of the Satguru during the country’s freedom struggle are also praiseworthy.

At Bhaini Sahib, the management of the dera has made all-out efforts and succeeded in maintaining the “sarovar”, Akal Banga; where Satguru Ram Singh had meditated and Parkash sthan of the Satguru in Rayian village. The “sadavart langar”, which has been carried on since 1871, still goes on regardless of the number of people there and everyone gets “parsade”. Interestingly, a continuous recital of prayer has also been going on here for the past 66 years, with one granthi doing a two-hour shift at a stretch.

While maintaining these places of historical and religious importance, the dera management with substantial help from the state government, is now building a state of-the-art indoor stadium of international standard and a college for residents of the area is on the anvil.

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Namdhari Chair announced
From Tribune Reporters

AMRITSAR, Nov 22 1999 —Despite the state government’s failure to release money for its four existing chairs at Guru Nanak Dev University, Chief Minister Punjab Mr Parkash Singh Badal today announced the creation of yet another (Namdhari Guru Ram Singh chair) at a special function organised at Dashmesh auditorium of Guru Nanak Dev University here today. Baba Jagjit Singh, chief of the Namdhari sect presided over the function.

To the Chief Minister’s chagrin Dr Harish Puri, head Dr Ambedkar Chair, speaking on the occasion actually pointed out that chairs established in the university had not received any grant for a long time. He expressed the hope that the newly established chair in the name of the Namdhari Guru would not meet the same fate. At this, Mr Badal promptly announced that all the chairs established in the names of religious personalities and Dr Ambedkar won’t face financial problems in future. "We will release sufficient grants so that research work on these revered personalities is not hit for want of funds", he said.

On Baba Ram Singh Mr Badal said he was a great revolutionary who launched a massive movement against British imperialism and started the non-co-operation movement against the British. They formed a parallel organisation. To defy the British Empire and Namdharis laid down their lives for the Independence struggle.

The Chief Minister lamented that no government so far had recognised the sacrifices of Punjabis adding that martyrs were not associated with any sect or region.

Namdhari chief Baba Jagjit Singh, who presided over the function, said while there was turmoil everywhere peace could be achieved through nam and simran. He thanked Dr Soch for his sincere efforts for the establishment of this chair.

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Quality music is forever
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 3, 1999 — Well-known playback singer Arvinder Singh believes that only quality music can survive the test of the times. "Whether classic, film or pop, only quality music will survive in the end", he says.

Arvinder has been in the world of music for the last 15 years. Born and brought up in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, he had an ear for music. He disclosed that he started learning music, from Pandit Ram Narayan a well know sarangi player, at the age of 7, with the blessings of Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, head of the Namdhari sect. He went to Bombay 15 years ago. Since then he has never looked back, with many music albums, films and live stage performances across the world to his credit.

The noted playback singer and music director, along with his brother Surinder Singh, has composed the music for films like Dada and Sita aur Gita. His forthcoming films include Ma Tujhe Salam which stars among, others, Sunny Deol. Besides, he has done a number of popular Hindi television serials like Sanjha Choola, Hindustani and Jai Mata Di with Hema Malini in the lead role.

His latest music album Tip Tip Tara Tara was released recently which has been received well by people. His tryst with pop music started with the Zee music album Bulaylay. He followed it with the album on cricket stars which was named Rest Day. His other popular numbers include Walah re wallah. He has also brought out an album in Pahari, his mother tongue.

Arvinder agreed, that with a large number of people jumping into pop, the quality of music had been compromised and had come down. He regretted that with technological advances "everybody and anybody who wants to sing brings out an album giving a go bye to the quality". He pointed out that as the reason for a number of pop numbers not being accepted or been forgotten within a short span.

"Rhythm and melody are the pre-requisites of good music", he said, while adding, "I am afraid most of today’s pop music lacks both". He said, the Hindi film music was still far better in comparative terms. It had kept alive tradition. A good number of songs are still full of rhythm and melody that is why people still liked them, he remarked.

Although he claimed to have achieved great success in a short span, he said, he had a long way to go.. He pointed out, "in any art satisfaction is death and I do not want to die so soon...I have miles to go before I sleep".

Arvinder, who has performed in a number of foreign countries like America, Britain, Canada, Australia and many others, is all praise for the Namdhari sect and its leader Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj, who he said, were doing everything to keep the classical traditions of music alive.

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Namdhari Guru prays for peace
From Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

JEEVAN NAGAR (Sirsa), March 6, 1999— The leader of the Namdhari sect Guru Jagjit Singh, has exhorted the youth to preserve their cultural roots and not get swayed by westernization. Talking to TNS during the Hola Mohalla function organised here between March 2 and 5, Guru Jagjit Singh cautioned against the evil influence of western culture on the youth of the country.

It was the fortieth Hola Mohalla function organised during the lifetime of Guru Jagjit Singh and for the fourth time it was held in this small village. At least 50,000 devotees from all over the country and abroad took part in the function. Guru Jagjit Singh delivered the concluding address today.

He prayed for peace, amity and brotherhood. He pointed out that the very purpose of organizing the Hola Mohalla function was to strengthen brotherhood and amity among the people.

Guru Jagjit Singh said the Namdharis would also be celebrating tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa. Special functions will be organised to mark the occasion. He disclosed that a Namdhari yatra would be organised from Bheni Sahib, near Ludhiana, to Anandpur Sahib on March 28. Guru Jagjit Singh himself would lead the 125-km yatra. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and his Cabinet colleagues at Anandpur Sahib would receive it.

The Guru refused to comment on the ongoing tussle within the Akali Dal. He said he only prayed and hoped that peace and goodwill would prevail among all sections. He hoped the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa would pass off peacefully and with traditional gaiety.

The Namdhari sect has been instrumental in setting up a chain of educational institutions in the northern region. At present, five colleges are being run by the sect, one each at mandi, Jeevan Nagar, Delhi, Bheni Sahib and Chandigarh. The sect also plans to start a school at Amritsar, which will impart religious education. The sect is also running a college in Thailand, where students from 30 countries are admitted.

The sect has also been hooked on the Internet for the past six months. According to Mr Dayal Singh, the mela in-charge, all information about the Namdhari sect is provided on the Internet. This has also helped in spreading the message of peace, love and brotherhood across the globe, he pointed out.

Former Rajya Sabha member H.S. Hanspal was also present on the occasion. People from the USA, Canada, the UK and Gulf countries also attended the five-day-long celebrations. As many as 40 religious jathas from across the country presented kirtan.

Several marriages were also solemnized on the occasion. These marriages were organised according to traditional Hindu rites, but without other formalities. Mr Dayal Singh said these marriages were organized to inspire other youth in going in for simple and dowries marriages.

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