sidak

Here's some pics of him trying to dance. http://www.lsesikhpunjab.co.uk/photo/Fresh...s/IMG_2886.html and again http://www.lsesikhpunjab.co.uk/photo/Fresh...s/IMG_2883.html

Bhangra Bob?! Haha. I saw a video of him challenging a 19 year-old girl to a Bhangra dance-off during a Freshers Fair last year. Poor sod was humiliated.

Regarding the picture of the Gurduara in Dubai, it would have been helpful to provide some context. The Gurduara is actually contained within a Mandir, which is located in the floor below, and the property is run by the local Hindu community. My understanding is that since there are no "official" Gurduaras in the UAE (except a few "unnoficial" ones set up by Sikhs working in labour camps outside of central Dubai), but there is an official Mandir, the two communities have come to some sort of agreement about having a Gurduara of sorts in the centre of Dubai where the (mostly immigrant labourers) can attend. Although it is not clear in the photographs, the Darbar walls are covered with paintings of Hindu Devta/Devi's. It's not uncommon for people to first do Puja in the Mandir, which is located on the first floor, then come upstairs into the Gurduara and bow to the Guru, and then proceed to bow to each of the paintings in the Darbar. I don't think there is a regular Granthi in the Gurduara, so I would'nt be surprised if non-Sikhs were taking care of everyday functions.

"I feel discussing maters with people who preserve the maryada is a better way of learning than consulting academics work." I maybe wrong, but I believe Veer AmritPal Singh will be analysing and deconstructing precisely such 'maryada' that you refer to. Then it should be clear whether it is indeed an authentic 'maryada' or just something that has been invented a few hundred years ago [somewhat akin to the charge that is laid to the Singh Sabha], and been given the appearance of antiquity by those whose interest such 'maryadas' serve.

MARK OF EXCELLENCE Becoming Guru-Centered The Sikh Research Institute offers a variety of theme-oriented sessions for emerging leaders in the community - high school and college students and young professionals. Each event seeks to facilitate learning while enhancing personal development and growth for each participant. Mark of Excellence is one such program, offering a series of lectures, presentations and workshops. Participants attend personal and community development sessions that seek to foster the Sikh values based on Gurmat traditions: Sikh scripture, history, and discipline. Other principles of universal significance are also incorporated that do not disturb the harmony of the Sikh faith. Please join us next month in London for a Mark of Excellence program for college/university students and young professionals. Date: Saturday – October 8, 2005 Location: University College London (UCL) Theme: Guru: Connecting with the Divine Light Participants: University Students & Young Professionals Sponsor: Sikh Societies at Cambridge University, Oxford University, and University College London Registration: University Students: £5 / Young Professionals: £10 This Mark of Excellence event will feature the following sessions: Session I: What is Guru? – Meaning, Role & Importance Session II: The Prophet-Genius of Ten Nanaks – Attributes, Lives & Contributions Session III: Guru Granth & Guru Panth – Origin, Development & Institution Session IV: Personal Relationship with the Guru – Effort, Faith & Grace Session V: Questions & Answers – Open forum to seek opinions from a Gurmat perspective For more information and to obtain a registration form, please contact: Baldeep Kaur 07984-937173 | bk254@cam.ac.uk About the Sikh Research Institute The Sikh Research Institute is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization seeking to develop a principle-driven community by protecting the core and enlarging the resource pool. The Institute’s mission is to facilitate training and development while inspiring Sikh values, create global awareness of Sikhi, and deliver solutions to the key challenges faced by the Sikh community. All donations are tax deductible.

"UNESCO WHS applies to the Vatican, Westminister Cathedral & Canterbury Cathedral - ie three major religious sites" I recall Jasdev S Rai making a comment that the Vatican itself was not subject to WHS, where do you get your information from ? On another note, say for example that Harimandir Sahib was granted WHS status, and Baba XYZ Singh comes along with his coterie, adamant to tile over some important artefacts in the name of 'Seva'; What powers would UNESCO have to stop this, and exactly how would their powers be enforced?

this paper can be found in the new journal 'sikh formations'. edited by navdeep's uncle arvind-pal singh mandair. if i get a pdf copy, i'll put it up here. alternately, you can ask your resident 'scholar' francisco luis (aka bahadar nirmalla aka shaka nyorai) who is also at soas, and also has a paper in the above mentioned journal on 'sikh shia relations'.

If the Bhanno Bir is not the original, then there is no basis from which to say that Mirabhai's works are part of Gurbani. Both Bhanno Bir and by implication, Mirabhai, theories have been debunked, yet this talk will use Mirabhai as an example of women whose works have been included in the Guru Granth Sahib ?! Amazing. I'd be interested to know when and where Niddar, or 'Team Niddar' learnt scriptural analysis techniques to come to the conclusion that Mirabhai's works are part of Gurbani.

Well Well Well Gupy, Any 'Sikh Women Seminar' which claims that Mirabhai's writings are part of Gurbani - when the Bhano Bir claim to be the original copy of Aad Granth has been discredited numerous times [by academics I would trust more than a postman from Birmingham], makes me more than a little suspicious ...

"But remember, this is a academic talk looking at historical evidence and facts, not hear say. " Sorry, but where did Niddar gain his Bachelors/Masters/PhD from, and will this presentation be accompanied by an academic paper so those of us who can't attend can at least get an idea of the 'historical evidence' and 'facts' that will be presented ?

here's an email currently on a few of the e-groups ... ****** Sikh Societies Joint Statement on ‘Traditional to modern British Raj Sikhism’ Lecture Series and ‘Snatan Sikhs’ Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh! In recent weeks the Institute of Sikh Martial Heritage have organised a four-lecture series entitled ‘Traditional to modern British Raj Sikhism’ to take place at a number of London universities. The sole speaker for the lecture series is Mr Niddar Singh. Promotional material for this event which has been circulated electronically and via flyers has stated that the lecture series is supported by a number of London-based Sikh Societies. Members of our London-based Sikh Society committees were approached by associates of Mr Niddar Singh to book venues on their behalf, but without specifying the theme or nature of the lectures. It was only after the above mentioned promotional literature was circulated that we became aware of the precise nature of these events. We would like to make clear to all concerned that contrary to the false advertisement and rumours that are being circulated; we did not and will not support this lecture series, the Institute of Sikh Martial Heritage or Mr Niddar Singh. We have informed the relevant Student Unions that the below listed London-based Sikh Societies do not wish to be associated with this lecture series or the organisers, and that all venues booked under their Society in relation to this lecture series be cancelled immediately. In addition to the London-based Sikh Societies, we would like to categorically state that the Societies listed below do not wish to associate themselves with the Institute of Sikh Martial Heritage, Mr Niddar Singh or any other group promoting him. With respect to misrepresenting the Sikh Societies, we demand that the Institute of Sikh Martial Heritage issue a written apology to all Sikh Societies concerned. On Behalf of the following Sikh Societies, Kings College London Sikh Society University College London Sikh Society London School of Economics Sikh Society Imperial College London Sikh Society Cambridge University Sikh Society Oxford University Sikh Society Hertfordshire University Sikh Society Brunel University Sikh Society City University Sikh Society Luton University Sikh Society London Metropolitan University Sikh Society Kingston University Sikh Society

Sure ... Bob, Yankee & Co. must be blameless then.

Kamalroop Singh - may i ask what the title of your thesis is (PhD i assume), the university it's being written at, and who is it being supervised by ? I think i can safely assume its not at Oxbridge or any of the London universities since none of their supervisors is a Dasam Granth specialist with perhaps the exception of Jeevan Deol, but he's not a PhD supervisor.

Awwww, after all the pages and pages Narsingh devotes to condemning others who he feels indulge in petty "slander" and "hatred" against him, his gurdev Niddar Singh and his maha gurdev Santa Singh, he makes these silly statements about someone who isn't even involved in the discussion! Mod's Note: Message Edited due to un-wanted bickering! Anyway, we look forward to your articles(s), just make sure they have more words than pretty pictures of santa singh and/or decapitated goats or quotes from some dusty sadhu sitting in a tree. :roll:

Narsingha, before you wet your pants, you should read my post before it was edited by the mods. I clearly state that this is not a threat, but just my personal analysis, of events that may unfold as a result of your "article", based upon previous occassions where people have offended leading sikhs figures. If using logical inference is a crime, then i must be guilty !