Sacramento Area
India Market(Antelope)
Hoti Palace
Vicky Emporium
Desi Bazaar
India Bazaar
Meena Bazaar Boutique(Rose ville)
India Spice(Woodland)

Yuba City
LA Merchandise
Kashmir Bazaar
New Delhi Palace
Bombay Video
Punjab Bazaar
Rani Collection

This generous effort was dedicated to honor the memory of Mata Gujri.

Gujar Kaur known as Mata (Mother) Gujri was imprisoned at age 81 and left to die on the cold days of December in a freezing Jail cell. Sikhs called her mother of the Sikh Nation because she sacrificed her Husband, only Son and 4 grandsons for the sake of freedom of speech and people’s right to practice the religion of their choice. Mata Gujri (1624 -1705) (whose formal name was ‘Mata Gujar Kaur’) was the wife of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur; the mother of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, and the grandmother of the four Sahibzade. She was born in 1624 and was the daughter of Bhai lal Chand Subulikka and Bishan Kaur, a pious couple of Kartarpur, in present-day Kapurthala district of the Punjab. Her role in the development of the Sikh faith has been crucial. She was the wife of a supreme martyr; mother of a brave saint-soldier; and the grand-mother of four amazing children who all attained martyrdom at the ages of 6, 9, 14 and 18 years. She had been close to the two younger sahibzade and took up their guardianship in the flight from Anandpur under a promise of safe passage to Punjab. Imprisoned in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower) of Sirhind with her youngest grandsons Zorawar and Fateh Singh, she attained martyrdom, at the age of 81 years, when she was told of their execution.

Her role was pivotal during the difficult period from about 1650 to 1705 for the people of India when Aurangzeb ruled this country from 1658 until 1707 and spread his tyranny and barbaric practices to the sub-continent. She was the “iron-lady” who was responsible for giving birth to and raising the last human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. She endowed in him the best qualities of the Sikh faith.

Mata ji gave birth to Gobind Rai at Patna in 1666, when she was 42 and alone as her husband, Guru Tegh Bahadar was on tour across Bengal and Assam spreading the word of the Lord. She made sure that the young Gobind had the qualities of bravery and acute awareness and a highly discerning consciousness.

When she was 51 year old, her husband attained martyrdom and she had to guide the Panth and protected and guided the young Gobind to become the magnificent leader that he was. Again, her role during these years of widowhood are a clear example of how to accept the Hukam of the Lord and live a life of righteousness and chardikala.

For more information please contact information is Harjeet Singh 530-218-7614 and Jasjit Singh 218-1108.

The Sikh community organized this meal to celebrate Gurpurab (Day of Guru) of first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The meal is being called “Langar(Food for Needy)”. Langar is a 500 year old tradition that was started by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, when he used 20 rupees given to him by his father for business, but he used 20 rupees to feed hungry Pilgrims passing through his town. Ever since then feeding the hungry has been a tradition in the Sikh community, which is practiced in the form of a community kitchen.

November was also designated as Sikh appreciation and awareness month by California Legislature with the passing of Resolution ACR 181. Organizers of “Food for Needy” feel that while legislature has done its part, now it is their turn to do something to raise awareness as well. “Sikhs believe in praying for the welfare of mankind, earning honest living and sharing with others.

This event was organized in partnership Pastor Ron Brasier of A Hand Up Ministries and River Bottom Church. Community organizers are pleased by this partnership with members of other faiths with Sikhs to help the needy. They wanted this to be more than just a meal serving event and but use it as an opportunity to engage with other communities.

Sikhs have been living in northern California for over 100 years now. At first they established themselves as farmers in Sutter County and more recently as entrepreneurs, transporters, engineers and doctors. Several members who have excelled in these fields will be taking part in serving the meals. They look at it as an opportunity to give back to community they have adopted.

For more information please contact Jasjit Singh Kang 530-218-1108, Harjeet Singh 530-218-7614

PRESENTS

UNIVERSAL MESSAGE ABOUT ANGER CONTROL

A SEMINAR BASED ON THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH

FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES

SATURDAY DECEMBER 11, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Fremont Hospital Conference Center

989 Plumas Street

Yuba City

(directly in front of Fremont Hospital main entrance)

GURBANI DISCOURSE PROGRAMS

AT

GURDWARA SAHIB

2468 Tierra Buena Road, Yuba City

Friday December 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday December 11 at 6:30 p.m.

and

GURDWARA SRI SACHKHAND SAHIB

(Sponsored by California Sikh Foundation)

1090 Main Street, Roseville, CA 95678

Sunday December 12 at 12 p.m.

ABOUT VEER BHUPINDER SINGH JI – The Visionary
The messages of goodwill and of public interest are being given by a visionary, Veer Bhupinder Singh Ji, who is a civil engineer by profession. He frequently visits India and other countries to conduct seminars, talk shows, discourses, workshops, etc. on topics of social uplift and spiritual enlightenment. He has conducted programs on important topics of much concern in our daily lives, such as: Stress, Harmony, Love & Fear, Conscience, Prayer and Marriage. His organization, The Living Treasure, is involved in helping the needy, less privileged people of society by providing them with basic services without any discrimination of religion, caste and creed. For more information and to listen to discourses please visit:
www.thelivingtreasure.com

SPONSORED BY PUNJABI AMERICAN HERITAGE SOCIETY, YUBA CITY
www.punjabiheritage.org

For more information, please call 530-844-0247

The Sikh Council of Central California celebrated its Annual Guru Nanak Prakaash Utsav dedicated to Honoring Assembly Concurrent Resolution 181 (Logue) -Relative to California Sikh Awareness and appreciation Month on Sunday November 14, 2010 at Selma Sikh Temple. Akin to a seminar, the program was highly educational; brainstorming as educators how to create awareness and fill the cultural gap using this opportunity to bring long term benefits to Sikh Americans and the American Community at large?

On this auspicious Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, the 541st Birthday of the founder of the Sikh Religion, there couldn’t be a better tribute (nazrana) for Guru Ji, than the California Legislature has bestowed in passing its unanimous Resolution 181; a resolution now enthusiastically being honored with adopted proclamations by the county and city governments as well as by the school districts all over the state. No doubt there is a long way to go but this measure is a big step in the right direction in dispelling some of the serious misconceptions about the Sikh Americans, caused by the 911 tragedy. However belated, the Sikh American community greatly appreciates it and is thankful to the legislature in its entirety especially, to Assembly Member Daniel Logue for passing this resolution.

This event was not a mission in advocating a particular community or religion to the multiethnic and multicultural population as such, but the Sikh Americans need to use all possible means of educating fellow Americans about who they are and ensure that their identity is not to be mistaken or abused. If this was the case with any other community, the values of the Sikh faith demand that a Sikh stands up and demands that no one, regardless of faith or creed be barred from practicing their faith freely; that no one be denied justice and compassion.

All presentations were focused to explore the ways and means especially through our educational system that allows the Sikh Americans to work together towards new progressive educational initiatives that benefit Sikh American students and help close the cultural awareness gaps that currently exist in text books between them and their peers. The possible use of California Department of Education approved Supplemental Instructional Material in classrooms and school districts as a way of attaining mutually beneficial objectives was demonstrated through videos, power point presentations and to the point speeches, on this occasion.

The carefully selected participants made excellent presentations and the whole program with a packed hall went according to the plan. Lot of young students from the Gurdwara schools along with their teachers and parents attended and watched every video and presentation with great interest.

The program started sharply at 11 AM after the Bhog Shri Akhand Patth and Kirtan by the Hazoori Ragis of the Selma Temple. Dr. Ranjit Singh Rajpal General Secretary of the SCCC shared greetings of the Gurpurb, gave a brief introduction on the Sikh philosophy and welcomed all participants. Pashaura Singh Dhillon, the Education Coordinator gave a brief synopsis of the program as a Master of the Ceremonies and briefly touched upon why the Sikh Americans needed this Resolution 181although they have lived in California for more than a century. Now they have got it how best to use it to realize its full potential in creating awareness among fellow Americans. Apart from other venues, Mr. Dhillon emphasized the role of classrooms in public schools where it all begins. A couple of videos ‘Meet the Sikhs ‘ and ‘Understanding Sikhism were shown which were produced by Dr. David Hosley while he was C.E.O at the PBS KVIE Sacramento. These videos are available on You Tube and are approved by the California Department of Education.

Dr David Hosley was introduced by Dr, Onkar Singh Bindra of Sacramento who along with Dr.Jasbir Singh Kang and other community members especially from Yuba City, worked closely with Dr. Hosley in preparing these videos. Dr. Hosley now an Interim Vice Chancellor of UC Merced spoke briefly and shared his experience with the congregation and was honored by the SCCC with a Commendation Certificate. Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang made a comprehensive power point presentation covering 120 years of Sikh American history in California, genesis and background of ACR 181 and Achievements of the Sikh Community in California. He also introduced Assembly Member Daniel Logue, author of the ACR 181. Mr. Logue glowingly appreciated the Sikh American community and thanked for their patriotism, hard work and valuable contribution to this Golden state.

Dr. Onkar Singh Bindra of Sacramento made a very impressive and brief presentation to create awareness, demonstrating some practical ways through classroom in public schools, libraries, work places and other venues of interaction with other communities through his personal involvement. Robert Frausto, Kerman Unified School District Superintendent topped it all, by offering to inculcate all the Supplemental instructional material as approved by the CDE in the classroom in his school district of Kerman without delay. Mr. Frausto touched upon AC 181 Resolution passed by the State Assembly declaring November 2010 Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month and what that means to public school districts. To every one’s delight he explained what specifically the Kerman Unified School District was currently doing to promote Sikh awareness and appreciation and the duty of public education in promoting multicultural awareness and cultural sensitivity in the public school setting. It is appropriate to state here that the Kerman Sikh American Community because of its leaders, is way ahead from others except perhaps Yuba City where Punjabi course is being taught for the past some years in schools
.
Other Sikh American organizations and representatives who took part and made powerful and focused presentations relating to ACR 181as to what has been done in the past by their respective organizations and what are the future plans to honor the resolution and create awareness among fellow Americans to fill the cultural gap were as follows: Simranjit Kaur Sandhawalia and Iqbal Singh Bains from JAKARA, Raj Singh Dadhesha from SALDEF, Manvinder Singh from United Sikhs, Jessi Kaur and Reshma Kaur from KAUR Foundation.

The program ended with the donation of several hundred blankets to the representative of Poverello House Fresno; A word of thanks for the program well accomplished by the General Secretary and Ardas at 1.45PM.
The Langar as usual was served all day long. Media coverage was provided by most local TV channels and newspapers. Moga Video provided free photo and videography to cover the occasion. Special thanks go to the entire management committee of the Sikh Temple Selma for their close cooperation with the SCCC and for playing host. Special thanks are also in order for the special committee members set up for this function to assist the Education Coordinator, without their help this would not have materialized. presentation, preparation

Please note: The Age Limit has been removed.  This competition is open to those of all ages.

PTC Punjabi Presents… The 2010 Mr. and Miss. Punjabi American Talent Contest

At the 16th Punjabi American Festival On May 30th, 2010 at Yuba Sutter Fair Grounds, Yuba City, CA

This competition is open to individuals of any age, who have lived in the USA for more than two years. Please note that this competition is based on a talent. This is not a beauty pageant.

Qualification criteria:
All participants need to submit a DVD or video (can be posted on youtube.com) which shall be no more than 6 minutes in length (3 minutes for Talent and 3 for speech). A talent may be: Singing Music, Dancing, Comedy, Martial art, Mimicker or anything else you think is creative and artistic. All participants are limited to one category. The speech component topic is “Why I am proud of my roots!”

All DVDs must be received by PAHS before May 15th, 2010 or post marked no later than May 13th, 2010. Your DVD must be accompanied by your name, copy of a photo id (DMV or School ID), cell phone number and email address that will be used to notify you about your selection. By submitting an entry, participant agrees to and understands that the program and content will be recorded and televised.

Selection Criteria:
Our selection committee will review all applicants and narrow it down to 16 entries for the semifinal round. The 16 entries will include 8 females and 8 males. Selected individuals will be notified one week before they compete on May 29th before a panel of judges. These 16 will then be narrowed down to a selection of 4 males and 4 females who will be chosen to present themselves for the final round during the Mela the following day on May 30th.

The individuals chosen will repeat their 3 minutes speech item (30 points), Perform their talent/art live before the judges (50 points) in Punjabi attire (10 points). Participant will be asked the following question (10 points):

How do you plan to contribute to your community in the future? (10 bonus points awarded if you answer in Punjabi).

The final round selection criteria will be similar to the pattern above but you will be judged on a different set of questions. In the final round, judges will assign 60 points. The final 40 points will be based on audience response.

The final competition will be aired on PTC and Crossing TV Channels in major cities of USA and Canada also locally (Yuba City) on Apna Punjab. Mr. & Miss Punjabi American winners will be awarded a $1000 scholarship award and Runners up will receive a $500 award each. All 16 semi-final participants will receive medals of participation. All entries will receive a certificate and one mela admission ticket.

Please mail your DVD to: 481 Plumas Blvd, Suite 104 Yuba City, CA 95991 Entries or questions can be emailed to: Punjabiamerican@gmail.com

This competition is presented by PTC Punjabi, USA and the Punjabi American Heritage Soceity.  For CROSSINGS TV on Comcast Channel 236 in Central Valley, CA and Channel 503 on Time Warner in New York and New Jersey

Download the flyer for the competition.

The relatively unknown Bhagat Puran Singh was born in Punjab in 1904. Motivated by his love of humanity, he established Pingalwara, an institution dedicated to the care and healing of the disabled and the infirm.  The uplifting documentary is told from the atypical point of view of the observations of Pyara, Bhagat Puran Singh’s severely disabled ward, whom he transported on his back for 14 years.

Western audiences understand and recognize the contributions of towering figures such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Albert Schweitzer. Likewise, Bhagat Puran Singh of Pingalwara, Amritsar was also among the few shining stars in recent history who devoted their entire lives to serving the sick, the weak and the destitute.

When he died in 1992, there were no headlines, no huge processions, and no massive garlands of flowers. But he left something vastly more enduring, a legacy of care and concern for the entire world to see. Captured in this documentary is a legacy that animates every atom of his beloved institution, Pingalwara.

This is the sixth documentary film produced and directed by Joginder Kalsi; he has also produced Two Hearts (Hindu & Sikh weddings Ceremonies), The Khalsa (The Saint Soldiers), Guru Granth Sahib (The Sikh Scriptures), A Punjabi Village and The City of Amritsar. The documentary was written, produced and edited in Canada.

The production, which has gone direct to DVD, has English and Punjabi audio tracks. It is being distributed via the internet and to schools and libraries world wide.
For more information, contact:
Kalcine Enterprises Inc.
kalcine@rogers.com
416-445-5497

Event: 15Th Punjabi American Festival organized by Punjabi American Heritage Society
Place: Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds, 442 Franklin Avenue. Yuba City, CA 95991
Date: May 24th, 2009, Sunday
Show Time: 1 PM and 2PM and 330PM

Sahaita provides opportunity and resources to needy children and the elderly regardless of their status, background, or religion.  They organize charitable clinics to provide health education and immunizations in California and India.  Sahaita also helps by providing shelters, educational tools and fund for the poor, disabled and less fortunate.

Dr. Sandhu gave a very touching PowerPoint presentation to inform the audience about the various projects Sahaita is implementing in California and Northern India.  Kashmir Singh also gave a motivational speech to encourage every to open their heart and soul to donate for this noble and worthy cause.  The message and mission of Sahaita truly inspired those in attendance bringing the total donation amount to an impressive $35,000.

There were about 200 people in attendance at this fundraising event. Among the attendees were: Yuba City Mayor Rory Ramirez, Vice Mayor Kash Gill, Councilman Tej Singh Mann, and Sutter County Supervisor Jim Whitaker.  Punjabi appetizers and dinner were served.  The Punjabi American Heritage Society would like to express our whole-hearted appreciation to all those that took time out of their very busy lives to show their support and donating to the Sahaita. To learn more about Sahaita please visit Sahaita.com.
 
Link to a story from local American News paper: http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/yuba_76744___article.html/group_city.html

The Punjabi American Heritage Society (non profit) was founded in 1993 with the purpose of promoting friendship and understanding with other communities and helping our younger generation getting connected to their roots.

Pictured above: Dr Harkesh Singh Sandhu and some of the members of Punjabi American Heritage Society and Sahaita Team
 

Free Ebook – The Sikh Religion – What Was Taught vs What We Do Today by Dr. Gulzar Johl, MD

Excerpt of Chapter 1:

Chapter One

Who is a Sikh?

The word Sikh means a student, a learner, a follower or chella. Over the last five centuries, the word Sikh has denoted a distinct group of people who are followers of a faith or a religion, founded by Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji during the fifteenth century, called Sikhi or Sikh religion. Anyone who follows the principles, laid down by guru Nanak dev Ji and preached by the next nine gurus, as we Sikhs call them, the next nine guru Nanak’s. We also believe that Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the eternal guru. A Sikh is a person who believes in above mentioned criteria. A true Sikh has to have certain qualities and follow specific guidelines set by the gurus for Sikhs to live his life by.

The most important rules are the three golden rules of Sikhi as established by Guru Nanak and preached by each and every Sikh guru, and now, until eternity, are taught by the eternal Guru Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

1. Always remember Waheguru or God because he is the creator of all, is present everywhere and watches over us all the time. We cannot hide anything from him.

2. Earn your living by honest means. Do not try to gain material wealth by fraudulent means because it is forbidden by the guru and the guru-given common sense.

3. Out of your earnings, give some of it for the care of the needy who are less fortunate than we are. Guru Nanak Dev Ji has told us that the hungry man’s stomach is Sikhs golakh, or depository.

These rules to live one’s life by is not for the Sikhs only, but these are the guide lines for every human being on this earth, because Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not bring this religion to this earth just for the Sikhs. He created a religion, called Sikhi, as a universal religion for everyone to live his or her life by to achieve salvation.

Any person who lives by these rules cannot commit any sins. All other Sikhi rules are derived from these three golden rules of Sikhi. If a Sikh does not follow these rules, then he or she can not be a good Sikh. Some of the sub-rules for a Sikh are as follows;

1. A Sikh gets out of bed at least before day break. The guru called it amrit bella.  After taking a bath, a Sikh recites god’s name before he or she starts his or her daily chores. This has a profound effect on a person’s health, productivity, cheerfulness and accomplishment in general. We have all heard the phrase, “the early bird gets the worm.” This may not be a proper phrase to use here but it can remind us of some of the many practical, common sense benefits of early rising out of bed.

2. A Sikh never lies because it is against the principals of Sikhi and has important connotations. A person loses his or her credibility, loses respect of his peers, loses self confidence and, once you tell a lie, you have to remember it all of the time or you will be exposed as a liar. The benefit of speaking the truth is that you do not have to remember it.

3. A Sikh always has to be humble. Humble does not mean to be a coward; it means to be respectful but do not yield to a bully.

4. A Sikh believes in human rights and equal rights for everyone, because we are all created equal by the same or common creator. For this reason, all of us have the same privileges and rights to attain our own destiny. A phrase “to live and let live” describes this point very well.

5. A Sikh never cheats anyone out of any material things because it is immoral, illegal, fraudulent, and it is against the teachings of our guru.

6. A Sikh always has a guru given duty to protect and help the downtrodden and the weak who cannot protect themselves from predators.

7. A Sikh never steals or takes away anything from anyone or any place that does not belong to him or her.

8. A Sikh is always aware of shame and is the possessor of a true conscious.  Without these two one cannot be a good Sikh.

9. A true Sikh never uses anyone or any public property to advance his or her own agenda or to achieve personal gain, whether it is material or self advancement of any kind.

10. A Sikh should be egoless.

11. A Sikh should put other people’s needs ahead of his own. That is, the legitimate needs.

12. The most important belief a Sikh has is that he or she believes, without a doubt, that the spirit that traveled through the ten gurus was one and the same and that is the spirit of Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. And now, this spirit resides in our eternal and universal guru, Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

13. A Sikh never bows to any human who claims to be a guru.

14. A Sikh never reads, listens or accepts anything else as Sikh scriptures except Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, as this guru is ordained by the tenth and the last in human form, Siri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who ordered the Sikhs that after his leaving this earth Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the one and only Sikh guru. There is not, and will never be, any other Sikh guru, and any Sikh who does not abide by this order is a manmattia, or a fake.

15. A Sikh never uses his religious place or gurdwara to promote his or her personal businesses or branches of these by the space or money that is donated by the sangat, or “congregation”.

16. A Sikh never fools or tries to fool the sangat by making them feel that he is doing it for the benefit of the congregation, but it is really money going into his pocket.

17. A Sikh never pays his pledges with fake money.

18. A Sikh never uses the gurdwara for banking purposes.

19. A Sikh always pays on his pledges. He never makes a false pledge to donate money, property or other material things or services of any kind. It is a sin not to fulfill that pledge.

20. A Sikh never becomes a dictator to the sangat but feels like a good sewadar to the community, always and under all circumstances.

21. A Sikh never uses foul language anywhere.

22. A Sikh never says to anyone that he or she is not a Sikh. Because he himself does not know if he is a good Sikh himself. Only the guru knows who is a Sikh, good or bad, and gurus, during their stay on this earth for two hundred and thirty-nine years never said to anyone that he or she was not his Sikh. Now, for two hundred and ninety eight years, our eternal guru has never said this either. Guru Ji tells us that, before finding faults in others, we should look for hidden ghosts in our own closets.

23. A Sikh remembers that his religion is the newest, practical, common sense and universal religion on earth, without an exception.

24. A Sikh should not question some one else’s Sikhi, because that part belongs to the guru alone.

25. A Sikh should try to learn to read gurbani. This is the best way to gain true knowledge of the guru’s message, otherwise, we fall prey in to the clever preachers hands by accepting the fables he or some one else has created.

26. A Sikh always loves everyone and everything because all of it is created by the omni-present Waheguru. He or she never discriminates against anyone because of their religion, creed, color, caste or occupation.

27. A Sikh should always remember that if something seems or feels bad, and your conscious agrees, then that deed is bad. A Sikh avoids doing bad things or bad deeds.

28. A Sikh always remembers that shame and conscious are the reminders to make him or her walk on the line of righteousness.

End of Chapter 1 – Read the entire book by downloading a copy in PDF format:
Free Ebook – The Sikh Religion – What Was Taught vs What We Do Today by Dr. Gulzar Johl, MD