www.gnfa.org Inside Issue 8 2012 YOUR CONNECTION TO GNFA Sandesa sMdysw From the Chair’s desk 2 Hate Crime Resources 3 Gurmat Sangeet 4 Submitted Article 14 Education Report 16 Audit Report 2011 18 My First Sikh Book 33 Vigil Pictures 35 Guru Nanak Foundation of America Over 600 plus attended the August Vigils to show their support for the Wisconsin victims. In attendance, local and state officials came together to grieve and assure the Sikh community is not alone. Maryland leaders from Muslim, Christian, Jew- ish, and Hindu organizations also attended and expressed their deepest support. Vigil pictures continued on page 35
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Sandesa July 2009 · Nimarta Kaur Choudhary, Prabhleen Kaur, Japji Kaur Bindra, Hargeet Kaur and Gurleen Kaur Second Place: Blue Mountain Gurdwara, Pennsylvania: Rasleen Kaur, Ranjyot
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www.gnfa.org
Inside
Issue 8 2012 Y O U R C O N N E C T I O N T O G N F A
Sandesa sMdysw
From the Chair’s desk 2
Hate Crime Resources 3
Gurmat Sangeet 4
Submitted Article 14
Education Report 16
Audit Report 2011 18
My First Sikh Book 33
Vigil Pictures 35
Guru Nanak Foundation of America
Over 600 plus attended the August Vigils to show their support for the Wisconsin
victims. In attendance, local and state officials came together to grieve and assure
the Sikh community is not alone. Maryland leaders from Muslim, Christian, Jew-
ish, and Hindu organizations also attended and expressed their deepest support.
Vigil pictures continued on page 35
www.gnfa.org
From the desk of the Chairwomen
2
Sandesa sMdysw
Sandesa is published quarterly by
Guru Nanak Foundation of America,12917 Old Columbia Pike Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904‘
Blue Mountain Gurdwara, Pennsylvania: Rasleen Kaur, Ranjyot Kaur Longia, Sukhmani
Kaur and Teg Partap Singh.
Third Place :
Guru Nanak Foundation of America: Japjyot Singh, Rabir Singh, Sehej Singh, Jaskeerat
Kaur and Amolak Singh
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www.gnfa.org
The sammelan provided many memorable moments. Some especially striking ones
were:
Taaran Kaur, age 5, singing beautifully and confidently while her mother pumped the har-
monium for her and her father accompanied her on tabla.
All the tanti saaz (stringed instruments ) including dilruba, rabab, saranda, sarangi and taus
being played, as well as the traditional percussion, jori from the time of our guru sahibaan.
Kirtan by S.Harbhajan Singh ji of Florida. Son of the legendary Bhai Samund Singh ji, he
has worked tirelessly to preserve the rich legacy of his father, sharing Bhai Samund Singh
ji’s priceless compositions with the sangat in his mellifluous voice and shabad-pradhan kir-
tan. He was ably accompanied on vocals by his wife, Sardarni Indu Raj Kaur and on tabla
by his son, Mandeep Singh. Three generations of the family participated in the sammelan,
including Bhai Samund Singh ji’s great grand daughters, Preeta Kaur and Harsobha Kaur.
A central role in the success of the sammelan was played by the hazoori ragis of GNFA.
Bhai Jagmohan Singh ji, Bhai Harmohan Singh ji and Bhai Harvinder Singh ji, tirelessly and
selflessly trained 45 youth for the sammelan. Our community is indebted to them for their
contribution in inculcating a love for Gurmat Sangeet in our youth.
This kirtan sammelan has been archived on: www.passionfortruthtv.com.
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Sandesa sMdysw
10
Outstanding Exemplary Excellent Participation
Group 1 (4-6 yrs) Jastej Singh (10 pauries)
Piya Kaur Harsimar Singh Harbani Kaur
Sanjam Mehta (8 pauries)
Kabir Singh Kavi Singh Karina Kaur
Ansh Singh Nimrat Kaur Ahuja Prabhangad Singh
Ishpreet Singh
Group 2 (7-9 yrs) Amrita K. Sawhney Tudhjot Kaur Simarna Kaur Arun Singh
Seetal Kaur Mani Kaur Bani Kaur
Harsimran Kaur Dasuni Kauru
Mohan Singh Prabhsimran Singh
Manmeet Singh
Group 3 (10-12 yrs)
Amrita Kaur Jaskeerat Kaur Preetaman Virk
Ripudaman Virk
Group 4 (13-15 yrs)
Navneet Kaur Gurleen Kaur Ajuni Kaur
JAAP SAHIB RECITAL RESULTS
January 2, GNFA
Congratulations and keep up the good work!
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Issue 8 2012
I think I am a victim of a hate crime. What can I do?
Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency or human relations commission. Even if you do not have any information on the suspects or there is no physical injury or property damage, your report will serve as important investigative information if a future incident were to occur.
Do not destroy any evidence related to the crime. Keep all letters and answering machine
tapes. Do not clean up any vandalism until the police arrive. Get help - your local victim assistance agencies and human relations commissions are here to
help you. If you are a student, also report the crime to school administration.
Hate Crimes Hotline If you do not know who your local victim service providers are or you need to reach your local hu-
man rights enforcement agency, contact the Maryland Hate Crimes Hotline at: 1-800-637-6247
Provided by the Maryland Commission on Human Relations.
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Sandesa sMdysw
S.A.M. Video & Photography
We provide services for all occasions, including…
Weddings, Receptions, Banquets, Birthdays
Anniversaries, Concerts, Shows. Kirtans,
Festivals
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Conversions
Your Video is available for DVD also
Sirmukh S. Manku
(703)250-6702 or (703) 927-2680
Free Classes
Quality Assurance (QA)-Software Tester classes
at Gurdwara complex (Guru Nanak Foundation of America), Silver Spring MD
We can help you to jump Start your Career In
Software Quality Assurance/Testing
Study Material Sample QA planning documents, Guidelines and templates to boost your QA job responsibilities.
You will get trained in:
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Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Closing
Classes held every Sunday at 12:00 Noon
If you or anyone you know who may be interested, please contact
Equality of women was started by Guru Nanak and was carried out by the succeeding nine Gurus. From the beginning of the Sikh
religion, women have contributed immensely to the welfare of the community. During the period of the ten gurus, women
played a very important role in spreading the universality of the Sikh religion, and took an active
art in social, spiritual and political fields. The contributions of some of the women are described below:
A. Bebe Nanaki – A Unique Brother-Sister Relationship
Guru Nanak‘s elder sister, Bebe Nanaki, played a very important role in taking take care of her sister-in-law when Guru Nanak was
on extended tours. She encouraged her brother to use a musical instrument. She provided him with a beautiful musical instrument
called the rebab to recite hymns. She mentally prepared Mardana, a Muslim, to stay with guru Nanak. This way Bebe Nanaki helped her brother directly in spreading the equality and universality of the Sikh
religion to which Guru Nanak was dedicated.
The brother-sister relationship was so intense that even today the following three values are deeply ingrained in day- o-day living
between brother and sister.
to help each other
to respect each other’s feelings
to sacrifice for each other
Mata Khivi – A Pillar of Community Service
Mata Khivi, wife of the second Guru, Guru Angad Dev, was in charge of the community kitchen (langar). Food was served every-
day and it was open to all, irrespective of caste, gender, rich-poor, etc. The tradition of serving langar is being continued even today
in all gurdwaras. Langar, besides providing food, also establishes a bond of equality and cooperation. It also helps in feeding
the poor and destitute. If all religions started a langar service, hunger problems would be considerably reduced in the world.
B. Bibi Bhani – A Unique Personality
Bibi Bhani has a very distinct place in Sikh history. Bibi is a word that is used as respect to a daughter. Bibi Bhani had a direct re-
lationship with eight of the ten Gurus. Bibi Bhani was:
daughter of the third Guru, Guru Amar Das
wife of the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das
mother of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev
grandmother of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh
great-great grandmother of the seventh Guru, Guru Har Rai
great-great-great grandmother of the eight Guru, Guru Har Krishan
great-grandmother of the ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur
great-great grandmother of the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
C. Bibi Bhani’s Two Great Contributions to Humanity
a. Abolition of difference between son and daughter
Bibi Bhani used to take care of her father, Guru Ram Das, and proved the point that there is no difference between a son and daugh-
ter. If we treat sons and daughters as equals, there will be no more gender discrimination in the world.
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Issue 8 2012
b. Composure during Adversity
When her son, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev was arrested by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and tortured to death, Bibi Bhani did not
lose her composure and did not let her daughter-in-law lose her heart. The martyrdom of her son prepared her to teac her seven-year-old grandson, Guru Hargobind, to abide by God‘s Will. Bibi Bhani was an embodiment of service, truth, mod-
esty, endurance and uniqueness of character.
D. Mai Bhago – A Brave Woman
During Guru Gobind Singh‘s time, women took a more active part in fighting against the atrocities committed by the Muslim rulers. Mai Bhago, a very forceful woman, brought all 40 Sikhs who had deserted Guru Gobind Singh, under her control. She
was bringing them for a pardon from the Guru. The Mughal army attacked them and all 40 died while fighting. On hearing this, Guru
Gobind Singh rushed to the battlefield, pardoned all of them and tore up the disclaimer written earlier on their de- sertion.
E. Mata Sundari – A Great Organizer.0
Mata Sundari, wife of Guru Gobind Singh, was a most significant personality. She lived 39 years after the death of Guru Go- bind Singh,
who passed away in 1708. She lived 80 years and died in 1747.She was the woman who led all Sikhs immedi- ately after the death of
Guru Gobind Singh. Mata Sundari very amicably resolved disputes between factions of Sikhs. For ex- ample, when soldiers of Banda
Singh Bahadur and Sikhs of Punjab were going to destroy each other, she resolved the dispute. Mata Sundari convinced Bhai Mani Singh
to establish a school in Amritsar for interpreting the teachings of the Gurus. She was very wise, bold and patient woman who kept Sikhs
united for the propagation of the Sikh religion.
F. Roop Kaur – First Woman Editor
The first woman editor in the Gurus‘ family was Roop Kaur, daughter of Guru Har Rai. She compiled 32 books for the spread
of the universality of the Sikh religion and was the first woman to hold such a position.
G. Noor Shah – Preacher of the Sikh Religion
Guru Nanak met Noor Shah, a Muslim woman and convinced her to leave evil ways and perform good deeds. She accepted the teachings
of Guru Nanak. She was so devoted that the Guru made her the main preacher in Assam, India. She carried out the duties prescribed by
the Guru for the rest of her life.
H. Importance of Women during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Time:
Sada Kaur, the mother-in-law of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a very smart woman and made him in charge of all forces. This
was a very big step in the uniting of all Sikh factions. After Maharaja Ranjit Singh‘s death, his wife, Rani Jindan, took charge o
the forces.
Status of Women at the Present:
Women enjoy great respect in the Sikh religion and have a status of which they should be proud. They can compete for any posi tion – religious, political and social. They also compete in sports. Women have equal rights in almost every field. A
woman, Bibi Jagir Kaur, was elected to the high position of president of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.
References
Dr. Jaspal Singh Mayell, ―Universality of Sikh Religion‖, Mayell publishers, Stamford, Connecticut, USA 2006
Dr. M.S.Gill,1998, ―Women in Sikhism‖,The Sikh Courier International, Middlesex, U.K. VO.38 No.86, p. 3-11
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MERIT AWARD:
GNFA Merit award of $2,000 for the year 2012 was awarded to Ajit Singh Gill. Ajit will study his Honors
Program – School of Business at the George Washington University, Washington DC. Ajit will study in the
college education Honors Program – School of Business at the George Washington University, Washington
DC.
GRADUATE RECOGNITION:
On July 15th, GNFA recognized sixteen (16) - College (5), and High School (11) graduates of GNFA Commu-
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