Sikh American Float 2020

A sneak peek of behind the scenes!!

Sikhs help stranded Truckers in Dec 2020

As the new coronavirus strain wreaked havoc in the UK, the Govt there immediately sealed all international borders. France too did the same, and the highways were locked.

More than 1000 truck drivers found themselves stranded at Kent, which is a border town, leading to France. 48 hours had passed, and the truckers were distressed, with no food, no water, and no updates.

At around 12 in noon yesterday, the local Gurudwara received distressed calls from the truck drivers for help. 

By 3PM, the Gravesend Gurdwara had prepared record 800+ meals, and distributed them to the truck drivers. 

The local media has termed this gesture as magical and divine, as within 3 hours, more than 1000 truckers were fed with steaming hot chickpea curries and mushroom and pasta dishes.

I don't know the definition of religion, but whatever it is, this gesture and humanitarian aid exhibited by the Gravesend Gurdwara is very close to that.

*More power to the Sikhs globally Salute to this community* 💐💐

Jupiter and Saturn conjunction

Great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn captured from Sherwood Ct on Dec 20, 2020

Agricultural Reforms Started by me in 1982

Very good,

I am mostly with Dr Ashok Gulati.

https://youtu.be/IubklOpzD8A

He has come out with decent solutions. Some of them, I have been trying to do since my taking over the farming in 1980s.

I started diversification by going fir producing tomatoes. I failed as I did it at wrong time. My cousin laughed at me. My mistake I should have carried on pursuing after rectifying my mistakes in production. I was an absentee too.

I was also not supported by Govt policies of inadequate infrastructure and support of subsidies as required in real sense.

As in my earlier posts, the Govt should have taken much more time in educating them for reforms rather rushing quietly today. In 1991 reforms were done comparatively to an educated class while today, they are implementing it on uneducated class of people.

Loosing My Battle Of Life

...

A Farmer in Me

 

A farmer is one who works in farms not sitting and ruling from 5 star bungalows. Understand the plight of poor farmers who puts in hard labour in farming. Their conditions need to be improved . Leaders who exploits real farmers should be condemned."

"The definition of farmers should exclude all rich farmers and no income tax exemption should be given to these rich so called farmers who are infact exploiting real farm labour. Law should be amended to take care of only poor and real farmers."

Reaction to the comment by Mr MK Garg above:

If some farmer with his hard work becomes rich and influential, why do you want to cut him off from his roots. We should not compare oranges with apples.

Mr Garg, I have never known you and similarly you may not be knowing me well. Your comments are biased and full of frustration. This is not a forum to decide/change the definition of a farmer. 

What if I continue to do farm work even at this ripe age, should I be ripped of the title of a farmer I have been working hard without retiring.

For four decades, my Dad did not make a penny from the lands we were allotted after partition. There were hills and pebbles all over. I worked hard to grade and level and toiled for many years spending huge money from my job savings and my extra time to make it agriculture worthy. I am able to contribute towards nation’s progress in the Agriculture farms. Agriculture is an important sector of Indian economy as it contributes about 17% to the total GDP and provides employment to over 60% of the population. 

My heart pains, when some body calls me ‘so called farmers’. 

Dr Gagandeep Gulati also reacts as below:

"Preet Mohan Singh Kapoor sir you are a role model for many. We so much hope that all the farmers who work so hard always remain in Chardikala and prosper. Correctly said that agriculture contributes towards the GDP of any economy and provides employment as well. Much more than that, farmers are the Ann Data who provide us food to survive. Proud to be associated like farmers like you 💐💐

Geet finds a common factor between ‘Guru Nanak’ and herself

                                                                            Geet Kapoor

Shilpy brought ‘Amat Chitra Katha’ books on Sikhism. After Gobind and Jania, Geet gets the chance to go through since she started reading lately. 

After reading this first book on Guru Nanak, she concludes “Some thing is common between me and Guru Nanak” and further adds, “he was also a singer like me”.

My Maru Lands in Badbar

This is a trip to our lands in village Badbar. We were allotted half Nehri and half Maru( marusthal) after partition. There was no crop in Maru for 40 years.

I tried to change the scene, purchased a tractor and invested in its development as there were hills and hills and before I migrated to US, the Maru land started producing after so much hard work in three years. 

But one hill on one Acre still could not be graded and left. In last couple of years I decided to level that hill of 30 ft high and now I am successful. Ironically I earn more than Nehri here.

This is a small story of a farmer in me.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aRhgoCUoQGhEpjEu8

Nawab Malerkotla

Nawab of MalerKotla Muhammad Ahmad Ali Khan Bahadur , c.1920.

 Muhammad Ahmad Ali was born at Malerkotla in 1881. He attempted to modernize his state and improve the living conditions of his subjects . He built a railroad , schools , hospitals , and a college . He also constructed a bazaar based on Jaipur's " pink city " . These projects resulted in major debts for the Nawab , and his state . Malerkotla's administration reportedly went bankrupt soon after Ahmad's accession to the throne , and remained in this state during most of his rule . Corruption among the state's public services were also a problem But Unlike the other parts of eastern Punjab , there was no mob violence in Malerkotla State during the Partition of India in 1947. Ahmad Ali Khan maintained an army until the independence of India . Malerkotla's forces tried to keep order , while thousands of refugees took refuge in the small state . In September 1947 , the Nawab signed the Instrument of Accession to join the newly created Dominion of India , and requested that the Indian central government send the Indian Army to prevent chaos in Malerkotla .

The roots of communal harmony in the area date back to 1705 , when Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh , 9 and 7 year - old sons of tenth Sikh Guru , Guru Gobind Singh , were ordered to be bricked alive by the governor of Sirhind , Wazir Khan . His close relative , Sher Mohammed Khan , the then Nawab of Malerkotla , who was present in the court , lodged a vehement protest against this inhuman act and said it was against Islam . Wazir Khan nevertheless had the Sahibzadas tortured and bricked into a section of wall while still alive . At this , the Nawab of Malerkotla walked out of the court in protest . Guru Gobind Singh on learning this kind and humanitarian approach profusely thanked the Nawab of Malerkotla and blessed him with his Hukamnama , Kirpan , etc. In recognition of this act , the State of Malerkotla did not witness a single incident of violence during partition.

How My Mom Spotted a Girl for Me

It was on the wedding of my Cousin, my Mom spotted Dari to be my life partner. When it on the wedding of my cousin Bubble ( Jai Singh Mama Ji’s daughter) in Nov 1969 at Chandigarh. Dari accompanied her grandmother Bai Ji for the occasion. My Mom had gone there along with Ambu Bhenji and happened to share a room with her older sister Bai ji who had companied her grand daughter.

Bhai Dooj Tikka Multani Style

Bhai Dooj Tikka celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters, and is popularly observed as the last and fifth day of the Diwali festival by Hindus/Sikhs of western Pakistan. On this day, sisters apply tika made of Zafran and rice on the forehead and ears of their brothers and pray for their well-being. 

Brothers give cash/gifts in return.

Prior to that the family Pandit or head would record the celebrations in ‘Geru’ on a corner of a prominent wall in sitting room or kitchen. I will write as per my Dad Style like given below:

੧ਓ ਸਤਿ ਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ 

ਅੱਜ ਤਾਰੀਖ਼ ਨਵੰਬਰ ੧੬, ੨੦੨੦, ਦਿਹਾੜਾ ਸੋਮਵਾਰ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਮੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ, ਹਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਕੌਰ, ਸ਼ਿਵਪਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ, ਦਸ਼ਮਿਦਂਰ ਕੌਰ, ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ, ਜਾਨਿਆ ਕੌਰ ਤੇ ਗੀਤ ਕੌਰ ਲਕਸ਼ਮੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਮਨਾਈ।

So every year, the whole house will get cleaned up, white washed and the old writings will get erased too.

I have seen similar writings in Lachhmi Masi House, Hari Bai Masi house, and in Bai ji house in their respective kitchens.

Bhagwant, Ambu and Bobi may recall this in our Panipat house.

On Tikka day, My Dad will push some coins in my hands to hand them over to my sisters.

And when I grew up, he made sure that I was ready with cash at the time ceremony. He will not start the ceremony until I got money from my Wallet. He hated my habit of saying ‘later’. 

‘Did you bring the money?’, was enquisistive first question every time knowing my lithargic and ‘putting off’ habit.

It was also a tradition to place Zafran on the shelled Almond a keep it safe till the sister virtually meets the brother in person and hands over zaforon pasted Almond. Most of the brothers who were on a Military duty, this procedure was adopted.

It was also a opportunity occasion when die t some unforeseen reasons, the siblings will be at logger heads at eac other. So on Bhai Tikka day they will assemble among other common relatives and thrash out out their differences. 

On my sister Bhagwant wedding, it happened to be a Tikka day. Due to trifle reasons, our cousin Satwant had not done Tika on her older Brother S Hari Narain Singh for past couple of years. So prominent family members made them thrash out their differences and Tikka was done. So Tikka gives an opportunity and and reason to continue to exchange love within the siblings and unite the family.

A Baby Eagle comes to meet us on Diwali 2020

A baby eagle in our back yard sits on a branch of a plant near the window of our guest room. I could snap him from a close distance of about two feet through the window glass though. The hooked beak is visible.

Thanks Caronavirus, the wilderness is at best!

Yes I am thrilled! 

Such a beautiful bird of prey, who is so agile and looks straight into my eyes, is beyond fear. Evidently the birds of prey are brave.

Like all birds of prey, eagles have very large, hooked beaks for ripping flesh from their prey, strong, muscular legs, and powerful talons. The beak is typically heavier than that of most other birds of prey. 

Eagles' eyes are extremely powerful. It is estimated that the martial eagle, whose eye is more than twice as long as a human eye, has a visual acuity 3.0 to 3.6 times that of humans. This acuity enables eagles to spot potential prey from a very long distance. This keen eyesight is primarily attributed to their extremely large pupils which ensuire minimal diffraction (scattering) of the incoming light. The female of all known species of eagles is larger than the male.

Black hawks, bald eagles and guolden eagles are inhabitants in our area.

Baby Hawk in Our back yard

Diwali Guest 2020 in Our backyard - A Baby Hawk hiding from the rains.

World War I and my Grandfather

Every year on November 11th we commemorate the end of the First World War and the thousands of soldiers and civilians who died as a result. This year we encourage you to remember the Sikh soldiers who volunteered to fight in the British Armed Forces on behalf of the British Raj, many of whom died during the four-year conflict. 

Sikhs fought and died on every major front of the war, from Ypres and Flanders in Belgium, the Somme in France, Gallipoli in Turkey, to East Africa, Palestine, and Egypt. Throughout this war they not only battled the Germans but the disease and filth that came with trench warfare.

Sikhs became known for their bravery and fearlessness under fire. They fought while wearing their dastars proudly, and carried their talwars into infantry charges against enemy forces. 

Sikh battalions would carry a saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji wherever they went. It was not uncommon for Sikhs to set up temporary Gurdwaras behind trench lines, so they could do their nitnem and celebrate Gurpurabs and Prakash Purabs.

This year and every year forward, we ask that you remember how these Sikhs kept their rehat while they fought in foreign lands, around strange people, surrounded by the horror of modern warfare.

The war ended on 11th month, 11th day and 11th hour. That’s why Veterans Day is on 11th and does not change.

Sikhs as above gave exampalary sacrifices even maintaining their ‘Rehat’ I.e. keeping their hair and turbans intact and taking holy book along with them with continuous praying even in trenches.

Our maternal grand father late L Kanwar Bhan as a Quarter Master played a prominent part and earned many rewards & laurels. He brought a bag full of gold coins, thus earning a fortune.

Enjoying ‘The Melbourne Cup’ Nov 6 2018

"The race that stops a nation".

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most well known annual Thoroughbred horse race. It is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over, as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. 

It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races.

The total prize money for today’s race was AD 7.3 M.

The race was won by Cross Counter - AD 4 M, ahead of Marmelo - AD 1M, A Prince of Arran - AD .5M were the highest Placed.

We were fortunate to witness the race that stopped the nation, but at the finish only one horse triumphed and one did not survive unfortunately. We found many couples well dressed up walking on the roads to catch public transports.

Harish Khanna innovative As A Kid

On this day, I have to tell a story:

Your when your Dad was in high school also studied Science as one of the compulsory subjects.

My mom, was a year younger to him, narrated me this story with a family pride.

Having learnt in perhaps Physics, your Dad made a pan (Karhahi) of paper and filled up oil in it. He then put it on Chullah. And when the oil was heated enough he demonstrated to fry Pakoras. It was a magic as she termed it. And the family enjoyed it.

Such an intelligent was her nephew Harish and  she challenged us to be innovative and bright like him.

I can understand a bit when we can make popcorns in paper bags. Why not Pakoras!

I hope you will enjoy it and do inform this true story to your siblings.

Can you counter check from your uncle about the incident if he remembers?

Commemorating Max Arthor MacAuliffe- A Sikh Religion Author

 Max Arthur MacAuliffe Commemoration ceremony shortlisted for Local Government Award 2020

Image of Max Arthur Macauliffe, translator of the holy book of the Sikhism Religion, the Guru Granth.

Great to hear that an plaque of Max Arthur Macauliffe has been shortlisted for the Local Government Award 2020 in Ireland. 

Michael MacAuliffe, also known as Max Arthur Macauliffe (10 September 1841 − 15 March 1913), was a senior British administrator, prolific scholar and author. MacAuliffe is renowned for his partial translation of Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib and history into English.

MacAuliffe entered the Indian Civil Service in 1862, and arrived in the Punjab in February 1864. He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Punjab in 1882, and a Divisional Judge in 1884. He retired from the Indian Civil Service in 1893.

MacAuliffe also wrote a rendition, English translation of the Sacred scriptures of the Sikh religion, the Guru Granth Sahib. He also wrote The Sikh Religion: its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors (six volumes, Oxford University Press, 1909). He was assisted in his works by Pratap Singh Giani, a Sikh scholar.

MacAuliffe converted to Sikhism in the 1860s and was even derided by his employers for having "turned a Sikh".

His personal assistant remarked in his memoirs that on his death bed, MacAuliffe could be heard reciting the Sikh morning prayer, Japji Sahib, ten minutes before he died.

In 1909, Newcastle West native Max Arthur Macauliffe, also known as Michael McAuliffe, translated the holy book of the Sikh religion into English and the translation, published by the Oxford University Press, has not been out of print since.

On September 11, 2019, the West Limerick linguist, scholar, and civil servant was celebrated with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Templeglantine Community Centre.

Max Arthur McAuliffe completed his classic translation of the holy book of the Sikhism Religion, the Guru Granth, in 1909. Oxford University Press published the first edition of his renowned work of art. ‘The Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors’, in six volumes and running over 2,000 pages. 

The focus of Macauliffe’s life is in his as a translator and interpreter of Sikhism to the English-speaking world. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that has an estimated 28 million followers, making it the ninth-largest religion in the world.

Macauliffe was born in Newcastle West in September 1841 as the eldest of eleven other siblings, his parents moved their family to Templeglantine national school when he was eight-years-old after his father took the position of principal at the school.

He lived in the upstairs of the school with his family and won scholarships to attend Springfield College, Ennis (now St. Flannans College) and NUIG, eventually choosing to study at Queen’s College in Galway, graduating with a B.A degree with first-class honours in Modern Languages.

He was then selected in 1862 for the Indian Civil Service and was then assigned to the state of Punjab in 1864. He served for almost twenty years, during which he was promoted to deputy commissioner and divisional judge.

 

After retiring in 1893, he then developed his interest in the Sikh faith by undertaking writing, leading him to complete the classic translation into English the major parts of the Guru Granth, the holy books of the Sikhs.

Sikhism was founded in the sixteenth century in the Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan. It was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and is based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh Gurus who have followed him.

This year, the Max Arthur Macauliffe commemoration ceremony has been shortlisted for the Local Government Award 2020.

The Local Government award recognises the skills, hard work, innovation, and enthusiasm within local government that can often go unrecognised. The Excellence in Local Government Awards are held in partnership with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, taking place as an annual celebration of the value of the continuous work and effort happening locally. This celebration of local projects and the Local Authorities behind them is part of a broader partnership between businesses and government nationwide, which continues to evolve to support collaboration with our local communities.

The Max Arthur Macauliffe commemoration ceremony has been shortlisted as one of the top six projects from across the country. The winner will be announced during an online ceremony on November 26.

By being shortlisted it is an acknowledgment of the benefit of the ceremony to the local community in Templeglantine but also to the links that have been established in the region between the Sikh community, the local authority, and the residents of the birthplace of one of Limerick’s most famous residents.

Anne Rizzo, Administrative officer of the Thematic Programmes, said, "Even though we are in very uncertain times, with so much negativity around, I am delighted to bring you some positive news. Our Max Arthur Macauliffe commemoration ceremony has been shortlisted for a Chambers Ireland, Excellence in Local Government Award 2020."  

"This shortlisting is an acknowledgment of the benefit of the ceremony to the local community in Templeglantine but also to the links that have been established in the region between the Sikh Community, the local authority, and the residents of the birth place of one of Limerick’s most famous residents. We are thrilled with the news, as I’m sure you all are." 

We at I Love Limerick wish them good luck!

Another article by Michael Raul throws some interesting details on Max MacAuliffe is also given below: 

Michael (Max) Arthur McCalif - the person who vaccinated Jugo Jugo Atal Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in English and became the first person to do the valuable job of spreading the light of Sikhism in the western countries. He was first an English officer who became a Sikh from a Christian. Max Arthur's very important contribution to Sikh culture, heritage and religion, Sikhism had a profound impact on him.

Michael (Max) Arthur McCaliff was born September 10, 1838 in Newcastle West, Limerick County, Ireland. He learned in Newcastle, he had good knowledge of Greek, Latin and French, Italian languages apart from English. Max Arthur McCalif passed the Indian Civil Service Exam in 1862 and was deployed in Punjab. In 1864, he came to Punjab as an officer, on 1882 he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner and in 1884 served as a Divisional Judge. When he was a judge, the leader of Lahore Khalsa Diwan and Sikh scholar Prof. Gurmukh Singh inspired him to translate Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji into English.

Max Arthur McCalif was a translator of Sikh scriptures and a history of Sikhism. The main goal of McCalif's life was to work as a translator and interpreter of Sikhism in the English-speaking world. His interest in Sikhism started shortly after reaching Amritsar Sahib, when he came to Darbar Sahib on Diwali. He also built his permanent residence on Cantonment Road in Amritsar, where he lived. His home in Amritsar was such a place where there were always interesting talks about Sikhism, he kept some Sikh Gianias in his own home to understand Sikhism more. They were hard to understand though.

He studied Sikhism and was deeply connected to what he learned. With this he was able to complete the original translation of the key parts of the holy book of Sikhs Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in English. In the 1860 s he became a Sikh while British officers mocked him on his becoming a Sikh. Made it but he didn't care about anyone and went forward with more interest in Sikhism. Three Akhand Paths and prayers were held for him in Darbar Sahib, Amritsar for the success of translating Sri Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh Granth Sahib into English.

For translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji into English and for his deep love, connection with Sikhism, he was a great honor in the Sikh community of Punjab. During the annual meeting of Singh Sabha, Lahore, he described Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and teachings as the best in the world. Kings of many Sikh states of Punjab were given financial help to translate the sikhism into English. Due to the translation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in English, many Sikhs had increased their desire to learn English.

Macalif's article about Sikhism study first published in Calcutta in 1875 and 1881 One of those few titles was: ′′ Diwali at Amritsar - the Religion of the Sikhs ′′ (1880), ′′ The Rise of Amritsar and the Alterations of Sikh Religion ′′ (1881), and ′′ The Sikh Religion under Banda and It ' s present condition ".

Max Arthur received appreciation letter from far drawer for translating Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Japji Sahib into English and his work was appreciated. Although he became a Sikh, several officers of the British government started treating him with a stunning man which also harmed him, he did not give up.

Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha Ji was a hearty helper of Macalif to understand the literal and emotional meanings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Bani and Sikh history. Macalif, impressed by the knowledge of Bhai Sahib Ji, received the services of Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha by requesting Maharaja Nabha pass. Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha Maharaja Nabha passed job. McCaliffe had two large houses in London. Macalif had named the royalty of his books to Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha. Macalif also offered that Bhai Sahib should live his life in London after being service free. He had also registered a house in the name of Bhai Sahib. But Bhai Sahib was dedicated in the service of Guru Maharaj in Punjab.

Max spent most of his time in India in Amritsar and built a house here. Max didn't get married. After returning from the Indian Civil Service in 1893 he returned to live the rest of his life in London. Where he died on March 15, 1913 at the age of 74 His personal assistant says that he also recited Japji Sahib Ji 10 minutes before his death on his bed.

Source - Central Sikh Museum, Amritsar / Sikh History.

Author - Michael, Sri Amritsar Sahib Ji ✅.

The Law Of Waisted Efforts

 Law of Wasted Effort

Do you know that lions only succeed in a quarter of their hunting attempts -- which means they fail in 75% of their attempts and succeeds in only 25% of them.

Despite this small percentage shared by most predators, they don't despair in their pursuit and hunting attempts. 

The main reason for this is not because of hunger as some might think but it is the understanding of the "Law of Wasted Efforts" that have been instinctively built into animals, a law in which nature is governed. 

Half of the eggs of fishes are eaten... half of the baby bears die before puberty... most of the world's rains fall in oceans... and most of the seeds of trees are eaten by birds. 

Scientists have found that animals, trees, and other forces of nature are more receptive to the law of "wasted efforts". 

Only humans think that the lack of success in a few attempts is failure... but the truth is that: we only fail when we "stop trying".

Success is not to have a life free of pitfalls and falls... but success is to walk over your mistakes and go beyond every stage where your efforts were wasted looking forward to the next stage. 

If there is a word that summarizes this world, it will simply be: continue all over again.

  〖Please refer to sharing blood pressure〗:

 Subvert our understanding of normal blood pressure! What should be the normal blood pressure for various ages?

 Normal systolic blood pressure = Wu's calculated systolic blood pressure = (82+age)

 Example: 75 years old = 82 + 75 = 157

 【in conclusion】

 Normal systolic blood pressure: male = 82 + age, female = 80 + age,

 Health (normal) indicators: measured systolic blood pressure = normal systolic blood pressure.

 Dr. Guo Mingxiong (Zong Qi) 102, Dean of the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical College, told that people over 70 years of age cannot have high blood pressure lower than 130, otherwise they are prone to postural hypotension and fainting. High blood pressure between 150 and 130 is safer. It is better to be higher. , Don't be low.

 The same is true for blood sugar. The standard should be relaxed as the age increases. The fasting blood sugar of diabetic patients over 60 years old should be controlled at about 6.5, those over 70 years old should be controlled at around 7.5, and most of the time over 80 years old should not exceed 8.0, occasionally around 8.5. The harm of hypoglycemia is even more terrible. 😱Wish every family has a healthy person!

 There are "anti-intestinal cancer" substances in rice!

 Do you eat rice? Eat it while it's hot? Is it better to let it cool?

 I used to make rice, and I was always afraid of the cold, so I asked my family to eat it while it was hot.

 wrong! There is a substance in rice that can fight colon cancer, called resistant starch; cooked rice will only produce more resistant starch when it is cooled.

 Therefore, after the rice is cooked, open the lid and use a spoon to stir the rice to let the rice dissipate heat; when the rice reaches a moderate temperature, eat it again, and resistant starch will be produced. This kind of rice, because there are more resistant starches, it is not easy to convert resistant starches into sugars, which is good for weight loss and easier to control blood sugar. It is also very good for preventing bowel cancer.

 *Hurry up and change the old concept of eating!

 Starting today, let’s change our old habit of eating while

Balraj Sahni on Punjabi

Image for post

Balraj Sahni’s own writings:

Those days I was a teacher at Shanti Niketan. One day I went to invite Rabindranath Tagore for the annual Hindi SammeIan, when he started a discussion with me During the course of our conversation he asked, “Besides teaching what else are you doing over here?”

“I write stories in Hindi which are published in the leading Hindi magazines. During my stay here, I have written a lot and also earned a good name for myself.”

‘But your mother tongue is not Hindi. You are a Punjabi. Why don’t you write in the Punjabi language?”

I felt that Tagore was a narrow-minded, provincial man; at that time I did not realize that an artist must first be nationally known in the true sense of the word, before he is internationally acclaimed.

“But Hindi is the national language. It is the language of the entire nation. Why should I write in any provincial language, when I can write for the entire country?” I said.

“I write in Bengali, which is a provincial language; yet, not only the people of Hindustan but people all over the world read what I write.”

“I am not a great writer like you, I am just an insignificant writer.”

“It is not the question of greatness or smallness; a writer has a relationship with his own birthplace, his people and his language. It is only from them that he can receive the warmth and feeling of being one of them.”

“Probably you do not have much knowledge about the conditions prevailing in my State. In Punjab, we either write in Hindi or in Urdu. No one writes in Punjabi. Punjabi is a very backward language. If you want an honest opinion, it cannot be called a language. It is a sub-language, a dialect of the Hindi language.”

“I do not agree with you. The Punjabi literature or the Bengali literature is very old. Can you look down upon that language and call it outdated or backward, the language in which great poets like Guru Nanak have written?”

And then he recited a few lines of Guru Nanak’s, which I now remember by heart. But at that time, I was absolutely unaware of them. Those lines were:

Gagan mein thaal Ravi Chand deepak bane

Tarka mandal Janka moti

Dhoop Malyachal pawan chanwar kare

Sagal banraya phulanto Jyoti

Literally translated the four lines mean:

Nature in its own way offers arti (prayers).

To God the creator of the Universe

The sky is the thali (tray)

The sun and the moon are the diyas (candles)

The stars are the pearls

The fragrance from the Malyachal Mountain is the incense

The breeze sways like the chawar (fan)

And the entire flora blossoms luminously.

When Hindustan was fighting for Independence, it required one national language. The Congress was making tremendous efforts to make it the national language and encourage its growth and popularity. I did not think it proper to argue but I had utmost respect for him to listen to his words of wisdom.

I got up to leave.I had barely reached the door, when Gurudev spoke words which troubled my heart for many years. But one day, suddenly, I realized that these words had much truth in them. He said:

“A prostitute, even after amassing all the wealth, cannot command respect, Similarly, when you spend your entire life writing in an alien language, neither your own people will accept you as one of them, nor will the people in whose language you have been writing. Before trying to win over outsiders, you should first win over your own people.”

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Punjabi Language in West Punjab

The Punjabi in the western Punjab was of very high and decent standards both from cultural and literature point of view.

The Punjab and Sharab and the notorious foul abuses are more common in Eastern Punjab where we landed after partition.

All first five Gurus Baanis - the entire Granth Sahib, Baba Farid, the folk lore all originated from there. Multani was the mother of Punjabi language popularized by Farid and other Sufis.

Tagore And Sikhism

Tagore Was Inspired by Sikhi After Listening to Kirtan At Sri Darbar Sahib in 1873

Posted byDaily Sikh Updates October 12, 2020 Leave a comment on Tagore Was Inspired by Sikhi After Listening to Kirtan At Sri Darbar Sahib in 1873.

The Bengali Poet Rabindranath Tagore was inspired by Sikhism so much that he took upon himself to translate a number of Sikh manuscripts and wrote dozens of poems on Sikh history.

A particular incident inspired him to love the Sikh religion which took place in 1873 when he visited Sri Darbar Sahib with his father. The kirtan touched his heart so much that he studied Sikhism in detail and became inspired by Gurbani and Sikh history.

Some of the poems he wrote were "Veer Guru" and "The Last Lesson." A composition he wrote on Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was "Bandi Veer" and his work on Bhai Taru Singh was high acclaimed as it detailed the supreme sacrifice.

When Tagore was just 21 years old he wrote the Sakhi of Sacha Sauda in the Bengali children’s magazine called ‘Balak.’

Tagore also translated Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s bani "Aarti" in Bengali. After Lal Bihari Singh translated Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Bengali in 1899, Tagore read and became familiar with Gurbani.

Success Stories Book Launch

https://youtu.be/heaVedRC9A4

Why I left India, my Cousin asks me

My cousin Pushpa Butta Agnihotri asks me a few questions?

Read it all. You have done a lot in your life.while talking about your studies ,you haven't written anything about the studies in Delhi,when you were living with Nani, or did I miss it? 

How did launch on Zoom go

Why did you decide to come to USA because you were very well off in India also?

Here is my Answer.

Me:

One word answer - 1984 riots. 

You have reopened my wounds.

During those horrible days there were about 1000 rowdy people with Lathis and kerosine to attack any body looking Sikhe on the Bhogal side of house.

So one sad day we left the house leaving my Mom heavily invalid inside the house and getting refuge with next door neighbor - the sister of Ex Chief minister being a safe house. Thanks for their risky invite.

We sent our 9 years old Shivi by converting his ‘Joorha’ to ‘Gutt’ to make him look like a girl rather than a Sikh. He would in turn his Gutt again and again over the top of his head as his habit was to put his Joorha.

The time was bad for people looking like Sikhs while Others could move freely.

Worst Part.

I was brought up and raised among my cousins on maternal side, we hardly knew the difference between Hindu and Sikhs. But on that fateful period none of them came to rescue me and my family. I was with an invalid Mom, old Dad, a woman and a helpless kid to defend and felt extremely helpless.

Except for Prema Bhenji who came on 5th day, no body of my close relatives asked my whereabouts and even till TODAY. 

The incident pained my inside harshly and in fact effected my generations. My Dad who had seen the Partition virtually, advised to move out of this country. So I came to reco visit my in-laws in 1988 if I could fit in this new society - America. You are right I had a prestigious Senior Class One job in the GOI and a palatial house in posh South Delhi and other assets and huge lands (three times the sealing limits). I needed time to wrap up my huge properties and Agriculture land. And finally landed here in early 1991.

Zoom was launched by the Author in India- its very easy and free.

While living with Nani, I pursued my AMIE which is actually there in the main Book.

God has been very grateful on me, while I possess only of a mediocre intellect, short with bulging out tummy. But He bestowed His abundant fortunes on me like Excellent parents, beautiful and dedicated wife, outstanding and remarkable son, my loving siblings and worlds materialistic goodies. In USA. 

I turned to Business and made serial successful companies and made fortunes. At one time I was supplying Software expertise to top 500 Fortune Companies of USA. 6th largest Fleet Bank was assisted by getting Multi million contract for many years with branches in Hartford, Edison, Chicago and San Jose. The entire finances were looked after by Dari, the reason of my worry-less rise in Power and status.

Today, I opened out my heart to you, Bhenji 

Any thing it ever pains you on my inside story, please forgive me.

Pushpa Bhenji replies:

"Thank you Preet Mohan to share your painful thoughts with me. We did hear the horrible stories about 1984 incident, but never knew that someone so close had also gone through this pain. I had the impression that Satwant Behenji called Mohan veerji and he called his daughter to USA.

We were busy settling down here and saving money to go back and buy a house there since my in-laws never had a house of their own, Just living in Government quarters. Our contract here was just for 3-4 years. Also we were trying to had to support our family back home. All this took our attention and energy.

Sorry, I didn't know much about you in details. It was selfish on my part."

Me:

Life goes on!

Badbar Girl

Badbar Girl,

Badbar Girl

She is My beautiful Badbar Girl

Badbar having green Trees

And vast Fields

Which spread into Horizon

She is Ever ready to See

Badbar Girl,

Badbar Girl

She is My beautiful Badbar Girl

Hoping to meet Zara

Her pet Puppy there

As Zara could not

Co-habit with green Tweety here.

Badbar Girl,

Badbar Girl

She is My beautiful Badbar Girl

She would ride on a Tractor Red,

Ploughing through the fields ahead,

Many birds follow on the trail,

Chirping, eating, and swinging behind

Badbar Girl,

Badbar Girl

She is My beautiful Badbar Girl

After a dip in the Well pool

Enjoy some fresh reddish

Before heading for Toy Shop

Badbar Girl getting little selfish.

Badbar Girl,

Badbar Girl

She is My beautiful Badbar Girl

My Forehead Injury

My fav cousin Nindi recalls it after after more than 65 years.

“There was a slant road near Aligang house No. 748. We all went to see you off . While running down the slant, you fell down and injured your forehead. We all came back home to treat your injury. 🤕 - Nindi” Sep 25, 2020

OMG! You remember it too.

I still remember the incident. It was morning time around 9-10 am. 

Due to that slant, my mind hurried in excitement while body was sluggish resulting in mismatch and fell down on the straight forehead with bloody face. 

I donot remember you were with us or not. They took me back and treated at home with Detol. The injury which looked scary and big was not actually so but good enough to delay departure for couple of hours to Panipat.

Bibi ji was in the habit of overstaying in Delhi and Papa ji had warned not to delay her return again. The sisters again emphasized Bibi ji to stay for one more day though.

Geet reaches Antarctica

Our Water heater broke down and we called our insurance to fix the problem but due to weekend we have to live without a shower or we have to go to Shiv’s adjoining Stufio known as ‘Cassita’ which has a separate heating and cooling zones. 

The water heater is instant and without storage. As poor Geet was asked take a shower in the ‘Cassita’ shower. She came and explained that she had reached Antaracita as the water was so cold. 

Engineers

Why are they called 'Engineers'? 

Is it from 'Engine'?. But steam engine was made only in the 19th century whereas engineering as a profession that came in to existence centuries earlier. 

The word 'Engineer' has nothing to do with the word engine. Engineer did not originate in engine. The word engineer originated from 'ingenium' which is a Latin word meaning ingenius meaning someone who solves problems that elude normal persons. 

From 'ingenium' came 'ingenieur' ( which is the French word for engineer even now) and from it came the English word Engineer. 

Engineers should be ingenius and solve problems for the society and ameliorate life of all.

🙏

HAPPY ENGINEER'S DAY

Geet morning time SSA

Everyday Geet comes to ‘Matha Teko’ in the Baba Ji’s room which is adjacent to our bed room.

She removes her Sandles and covers her head  with scarf hanging on the door handle. She goe inside and prays for her needs and family needs. 

Last time I asked her what she had asked from Baba Ji. She quickly responds that She had requested Baba Ji to take back the Carona virus for good.

It looks her prayers are answered, first time there are no deaths in our county and over all death rate has significantly gone down.

After Baba ji room, she will enter our room to say SSA to me and Dadi Ma. Today she came and wished SSA as follows:

Sat Sri Akal, Gama;

Dada, Sat Sri Akal, 

Whereever you are. 

(As I was away to Shower) and left in a hurry as her on-line School was ready to start, saying, "I am in danger zone"

School+Vava+Video=knowledge

Why is Geet so Smart?

When Pushpa Butta met Shamshad Began

Shamshad Begum, the iconic singer  who had sung over 6,000 songs in various languages, including Hindustani, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Punjabi,  During her visit to Delhi, she was scheduled to record a few songs at All India Radio (AIR). As a young Programme Executive for AIR, Pushpa Butta, my cousin, was assigned to accompany her on a tour of the Radio Station Delhi. This opportunity allowed her to be in the company of one of the most revered voices in South Asian music history.

Shamshad Begum

During the recording session at the AIR studio, an unexpected situation arose. Shamshad Begum, despite her legendary status, momentarily forgot the lyrics of one of her own songs, "Kanka Diyan Phasla Pakian Ne…" The studio atmosphere was tense, with everyone eagerly waiting for her to continue. In that critical moment, Pushpa Butta stepped in and provided the full lyrics of the song, helping legendary Begum to continue with her recording.

This gesture not only saved the session but also left a lasting impression on everyone present. Shamshad Begum, iconic singer was particularly astonished. She was taken aback by the fact that a young woman in her twenties, still emerging in her career, could recall the lyrics of such a classic song with such precision. Shamshad Begum expressed her surprise and admiration for Pushpa’s knowledge and memory.

Pushpa Butta Agnihotri

The secret to this remarkable recall was her upbringing. She had learned this song from her parents, who had passed down their love for music to her. This deep-rooted connection to the music of earlier generations enabled Pushpa to assist in such a significant moment, creating a memorable experience that blended her professional role with her personal heritage.

Sky Red, Orange and Yellow

The sky is visibly bloody red today, because the tiny pollution particals scatter and spread out at Sun Rise and Sun Set making way for red, orange and yellow color to sky.

The Royal Society of Chemistry says reddish skies are common when fires are burning -- it's because smoke particles scatter sunlight in a way that we see red. Due to the size of smoke particles, they are better at scattering long wavelengths of red light.

Geet Book on 'Piggy Can Fly'

Geet Does Ardaas

When asked what did you ask in your Ardaas today. “I requested Baba ji to take back the Covid for Good”, replied Geet quickly.

Darshan Deeje Khol Kiwaad

It’s even more captivating.

When Bibiji Ji went there first time in 50s. She narrated me the scene and that got etched in my mind. She told me that they sing ‘Darshan Deeje Khol Kiwaadh’. And the atmosphere turns into heaven so early in the morning.

So taking that que we almost visit Darbar Sahib at this hour for last thirty years almost every year. A must catching experience. 

Lessons Before Old Age

8 lessons to learn before old age

 Aging and death are a fact.

 With a little mental preparation you can deal with it with confidence.

 1. As we get older, the number of people we need will continue to decrease. The parents and the generation before them left. Many of his contemporaries were exhausted and deprived of opportunities. The younger generation may not have time to look after their parents because of the hustle and bustle of their life problems. At this point many life partners may have passed before they can expect it. That is when loneliness and emptiness take hold. So this is the first lesson. Love loneliness and learn to live happily alone.

 2. As you grow older, society will begin to forget you. No matter how great, as you get older you become one of the other old people. All previous glories will be gone. You have to be mentally prepared to step aside into a corner by giving priority to others. If possible, look curiously at the noise and views of those who follow. Blessed are those who overcome grief and jealousy. This is the second biggest lesson.

 3. Later life is a time of health problems. Fall, fracture, damage to the arteries and brain, cancer. Thus unavoidable diseases and ailments come together like unavoidable companions. It is vain to dream of a peaceful old age free from any diseases. Aging will be a blessing if you are able to enjoy a decent life without grumbling and quarreling, following all the moderate exercises regularly.

 4. Fraudsters and swindlers will have the opportunity to travel after sixty. These people are well aware that the elderly have a lot of savings and assets. Therefore, they are constantly devising strategies to hijack it. A variety of products, shortcuts to make quick money, single cures to prolong life and cure diseases, spiritual scams like miraculous cure if nothing happens ... beware and manage money wisely.

 5. Born close to your mother, you have gone through many life experiences and are again in a position to be cared for by others. Only one difference ... If you had a mother to take care of you lovingly then, no one would be around today. You will probably be cared for in the last days by any nurse who has nothing to do with any ICU. Try to be thankful for everything without complaints.

 6. Do not think that you are older and more knowledgeable and superior than others. Don't worry about other people's problems or your children's or grandchildren's problems. Do not argue with anyone unnecessarily. It hurts others and puts you under stress. We must learn to live humbly, free from pride and arrogance. As you grow older, you need to be able to recognize the importance of respecting others and being self-respecting. At the end of life one must be mentally prepared to be pure without attachments to worldly relationships. The journey of life is a natural flow, live it with balance.

 7. Avoid greed for excessive gain ... for whom? .... stupidity ... let us live with dignity for ourselves. Do not be stingy there. A situation may arise where even a single rupee coin cannot be touched with the hand from what has been earned. Sadly, we can only see the wealth being shared and wasted by others.

 8. By the end of the journey, the light will dim and darkness will begin to cover you. The way forward will begin to become unclear, and the subsequent journey will be difficult. So by the time we reach sixty, we must learn to be happy with what we have and start celebrating life. It doesn't matter if you live your life to the fullest!

 Take a look back at the dead here! He who enjoys and lives well is intelligent !!. Whoever is not is a fool !!

 Decide for yourself whether you are intelligent or stupid .. !!

 Heaven on earth

 Pradeep Menon. WHO Consular for Senior Citizens.

Mastuana Sahib

My village is about 5 miles from Badrukha where General Harbaksh Singh the 1965 Wsr Hero was born. It is also the ‘Nanaka Village of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sant Attar Singh ji established a Gurdwara Mastuana Sahib at this place donated by A Jatt Mastu,

https://youtu.be/YR7nAoNX4MU

Our first crop every year is offered here traditionally.

My Dad S Vasdev Singh, Dadi Ji, Bhua Ji and S Partap Singh. Harvinder with Shivpreet in lap in the background in 1976 at Mastuana Sahib following traditional donating the First wheat produce at the feet of Guru.

Geet The Teacher - III

I think, teacher’s dog is the best because of natural hanging ears and also the Turtle neck is naturally raised.

Teacher is a Teacher of course!

Geet The Teacher

Lesson -5

Lesson 4

I think, teacher’s dog is the best because of natural hanging ears and also the Turtle neck is naturally raised.

 

Teacher is a Teacher of course!

Grading by Teacher

Lesson 3

Lesson 2

Lesson1