Bringing Shiv to USA- at the SFO Airport

This is the first time ever stepping on the soil of United States of America in Mar 1988

The Hidden Treasure of Our Panipat house

THE LOCKER OF OLDEN TIMES

Hiding valuables when no lockers existed .

Have you ever thought where people kept and how they protected their money and wealth in ancient times? Isn’t it a million dollar question!

Every house carries history within its walls, ceilings, floors and foundations. The very wood, plaster and stone can contain powerful secrets, some valuables were placed there for future inhabitants to find — a thread linking the past and the future. Once one starts digging urban land for a commercial project or tearing down the walls of a house one never knows what one would find.

Throughout history, before there were safes or banks, people hid their valuables underground, especially in unstable times such as during war or in normal times for safety of their jewellery and currency. They had no proper safety places to safekeep their stuff.

We keep hearing stories from our parents how their parents and others families protected their wealth, jewels at home only as they believed home was the safest place to hide their money and possessions in or around the house.

In earlier times when Banks came into being, many people did not trust them. Also, many of our elders were very independent individuals, they wanted total control of their lives, and their possessions, including their money and valuables. It was common for those individuals to bury their valuables for safekeeping. 

However, most of the times, the person hiding the stuff would not tell the family. Husbands sometimes even did not tell their wives where they buried the stuff. Therefore, when the spouse died, the other had no idea of the stash. And imagine when both spouses died together the children not knowing of a hidden cache on the property would eventually move away and lo, the house with the treasure became the property of a new owner! Some parents did not tell their children about the location of jewellery and money as they were small but when death came they were unable to even tell their children the location. Money was also commonly stored in various different temples or places of worship for both practical and security reasons as a temple could catch fire or be ransacked.

Take the example of ancient Babylon where Temples and its Priests were their Banks of that time. It was difficult for the farmers or merchants to bring surplus stores of grain or precious objects, gems or metals to a Temple to be kept for safe keeping. The depositor would have likely received a clay tablet confirming his deposit so he could return later to reclaim it. Once coinage was invented and became commonly used, they might take any excess coins.

About 80 years back the people in villages and towns did not have any means to keep their gold, silver and currency in safe place. The only option they had to place their valuables in copper or brass vessel, cover it with lid and hide in neglected place of the house. Some used to painstakingly dig the pit and place the vessel there and cover it with soil. Only the elders knew the place of hidden valuables. Some passed on the valuables to the lucky next generation but many unlucky ones did not get anything rather they always kept digging the earth in search of success. Where there was no trust in family or dominance of elders, such things were bound to happen.

The idea of searching and finding a buried treasure has been thought about and dreamed by both young and old. Some have followed their hearts and have gone on treasure hunts that have resulted in locating buried treasures both beneath the ground and in the house which they left under forced situations. 

Treasures are out there, just waiting to be found, and some of them may be closer to you than you think. Older homes that date back to one hundred years or more have a very good chance of holding a treasure. But not all are lucky to find treasures.

Some made the hidden almirahs which from the front gave the look of a wall, as a few bricks were placed in front to give wall impression. Some families had Tajoris to keep their valuables. In most houses of Punjab, the ladies kept their jewellry in the Sandookh or Pettis  as they were the safest place according to them.

There are circumstances like war, earthquake, sudden death when nobody is able to dig out jewellry and currency, in other words, to bring precious family glittering jewellery to the surface. People would hide their money during dangerous times, and if they were killed or displaced by war, they never reclaimed their loot. While some of it was found later by someone but there are many which are still waiting to be discovered.

Most of the times it has been seen that workers digging the soil at the construction site came across loads of coins. Once a boy came across Roman coins near a river. Later when he saw same type of coins in museum, he started searching for more. After finding more coins, he saved pocket money to purchase a metal detector and that is how his metal detecting adventure started. A metal detector is a useful tool for locating buried treasure. 

By Opinder Kaur Sekhon

When We Played Holi In Our College 1963

At Principal Gambhir house in Sec 22 Chandigarh

With Prof Moti Ram Singla

Sewa In Darbar Sahib At Night

Sewa during late night hour's inside Sachkhand  Sri Harminder sahib ji 

Pc @As Khalsa

 

Sri Harkrishan Sahib Ji Paniting

ਅੱਠਵੇਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਤੋਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਅੱਠ ਸੇਧਾਂ ਮਿਲਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ 

8 life lessons from 8th Guru 

1) ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੀ ਬਾਹਰੋਂ ਸ਼ਕਲ ਜਾਂ ਪੜਾਈ ਲਿਖਾਈ ਦੇ ਆਧਾਰ ਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਨਿਰਣਾ ਨਾ ਲਵੋ ( ਝਿਊਰ ਛਜੂ ਤੋਂ ਗਿਆਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਕਰਵਾਕੇ ਪੰਡਿਤ ਦਾ ਹੰਕਾਰ ਤੋੜਿਆ - Don’t judge others based on Education or on the basis of their birth. 

2) ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੇ ਸਿਆਣੇ ਹੋਣ ਜਾਂ ਨਾ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। ਬੱਚੇ ਚ ਵੀ ਸਿਆਣਪ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। Age is no indication of someone being wise 

3) ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਅੱਗੇ ਨਾ ਝੁਕੋ - ਜੇ ਸੱਚੇ ਹੋ ਤਾਂ ਆਖਰ ਜਿੱਤ ਸਚਾਈ ਦੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ( ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੇ ਔਰੰਗਜੇਬ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਂਹ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਉਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਤਾਕਤਵਰ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਚੋਂ ਸੀ) Never bow down to worldly power - only bow to God. 

4) ਜਦੋਂ ਤੱਕ ਸਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਸੇ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਆਈਏ ਤੇ ਖਾਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਗਰੀਬਾਂ ਦੁਖੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਬਾਂਹ ਫੜੀਏ ( ਦਿੱਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੇਚਕ ਦੀ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਬੀਮਾਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਪੀੜਿਤ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਦਵਾ ਦਾਰੂ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ) Help and serve the needy and be a healer in the world. 

5) ਜੇ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਆਪਣਾ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰ ਗਲਤ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਸਚਾਈ ਅਤੇ ਸਹੀ ਗੱਲ ਨਾਲ ਖੜੋ ( ਵੱਡੇ ਭਰਾ ਰਾਮ ਰਾਏ ਨਾਲ ਜਿਸਨੇ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਦਲੀ ਮੁਗਲ ਬਾਦਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਖੁਸ਼ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਅਤੇ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਤਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਏ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਮੂੰਹ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਾਇਆ - ਅੱਠਵੇਂ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹ ਨੇ ਵੀ ਉਹੀ ਸਟੈਂਡ ਬਰਕਰਾਰ ਰੱਖਿਆ। Stand for truth and righteousness regardless of the person or relations. 

6) ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਛੋਟੀ ਉਮਰੇ ਹੀ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਆਧਾਰ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਤੇ ਦੈਵੀ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਕਰਕੇ ਗੁਰਗੱਦੀ ਤੇ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਹੋਏ। ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਭਾਣਾ ਮੰਨਣਾ ਅਤੇ ਕਰਾਮਾਤਾਂ ਚ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨਾ - ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਔਰੰਗਜੇਬ ਦੇ ਕਹਿਣ ਤੇ ਕਰਾਮਾਤ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਂਹ ਕੀਤੀ Make Waheguru as an anchor in your own life. Don’t believe in miracles - accept God’s will. 

7) ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਨੂੰ ਖ਼ੂਬਸੂਰਤ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ - ( ਰਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਪਿਆਰ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝਦਿਆਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਰਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਬੱਚਾ ਅਖਵਾਉਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ।) Be humble and spread love. 

8)ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੀ ਜ਼ੁੰਮੇਵਾਰੀ ਸਮਝੋ - ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਏ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਨਸਲਾਂ ਤੇ ਚੰਗਾ ਜਾਂ ਮਾੜਾ ਅਸਰ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ (ਅਚਨਚੇਤ ਬੀਮਾਰੀ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ ਨਾਜ਼ੁਕ ਹਾਲਾਤ ਚ ਵੀ ਅੱਠ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਨੇ ਸਹੀ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਲੈੰਦਿਆ ਬਾਬੇ ਬਕਾਲੇ ਚ ਤੇਗ਼ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਉਤਰਾਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਬਣਾਇਆ Recognize your own responsibility and be careful about your own legacy. 

ਡਾ ਰਾਜਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਵਾਸ਼ਿੰਗਟਨ 

- Dr. Rajwant Singh, Washington

Shiv and Geet in an affectionate mood

Darshani Deori in 1914

A Rare pic of Dashani Dori Shri Darbar Sahib on 15

January 1914. Picture was taken by Musee Albert

Kahn. A famous photographer of Paris.

Vinod Kohli visits us July 2022

It was a lovely evening as Vinod ji and his daughter in law Maithali, Araham and Sanjeev were invited for a gala dinner at “Yellow Chillies by Master Cheff Sanjeev Kapoor”, Danville Ca. Dear Aman could not join due to exigency of his job in Amazon.

Queen Victoria Sons as Sikhs

Queen Victoria's sons, Prince Arthur and Prince Alfred dressed as Sikh Princes Sept 6,1854.

Jania scores 4.0 in Summer Classes for college

After being accepted for college Summer Classes in the Daugherty Valley Community College, Jania scores 4.0 with 100% marks.

It is remarkable on her part while being only in the Sophmore year the high school, she has successfully scored the college curriculum.

Majha, Doaba and Malwa

MAJHA, MALWA, DOABA - Regions of Punjab ☬

Punjab state is divided into three major regions: 

MAJHA

MALWA

DOABA

This division of Punjab is basically due to the rivers Sutlej and Beas flowing through the land of Punjab. 

In the historical times, it was not easy to cross the rivers and hence the areas divided by rivers were considered as separate regions. 

The regions were often ruled by different rulers or kings. The interaction between the people living in these geographically separated areas was limited. Due to this, there is a difference between the language and culture of the people living in these regions. Note that the regions Malwa, Majha and Doaba span over the parts of historic Punjab region which includes today's Punjab (India), Haryana, Himachal Prades and Punjab (Pakistan), but this article will mainly focus on the details that are relevant to today's state of Punjab in India.

The following table gives a summary of Majha, Malwa and Doaba:

MAJHA REGION OF PUNJAB ☬

Majha region mainly covers the area between Beas and Ravi rivers. The area on the north of Sutlej, after the confluence of Beas and Sutlej at Harike in Tarn Taran district, extending upto the Ravi river is also part of the Majha region. The literal meaning of word Majha means 'in the middle' or 'at the center'. This area was in the middle (or central part) of the historic Punjab region, hence giving it the name Majha. The Majhi dialect of Punjabi language is the main language of this region. The people of this region are given the demonym 'Majhi' or 'Majhel'. This area includes a major region of Pakistan's Punjab, extending upto Jehlum river and here we will mainly talk about the region within Punjab state in India. The area between Beas and Ravi rivers is also called as Bari Doab. A list of districts of Punjab, which are part of Majha region, is given below:

Amritsar

Gurdaspur

Pathankot

Tarn Taran

MALWA REGION OF PUNJAB ☬

The region of Punjab towards the left bank of Sutlej river is called Malwa. Malwa extends upto Ambala district in Haryana, beyond the borders of Punjab state. Almost 60-70% area of Punjab state is part of this region. The people of this region are given the demonym 'Malwai'. The primary language of this region is Malwai dialect of Punjabi. Malwai Punjabi is considered very close to the written Punjabi. The districts of Punjab which are part of this region:

Barnala

Bathinda

Fatehgarh Sahib

Faridkot

Fazilka

Firozpur

Ludhiana

Mansa

Moga

Mohali

Muktsar

Patiala

Ropar

Sangrur

DOABA REGION OF PUNJAB ☬

The area between the rivers Satluj and Beas is called as Doaba. The area is also called Bist Doab or Jalandhar Doab. The word Doaba is made up of two words 'Do' meaning two and 'Aab' means water or river, so the literal meaning of word Doaba is the area between two rivers. Doabi dialect of Punjabi language is the primary language spoken in this part of Punjab. The people of this part are known with the demonym 'Doabia'. This area is sometimes referred as NRI hub of Punjab as a large number of people from this region are settled in foreign lands like UK, Canada, USA, Dubai and Europe etc. The districts of Punjab which are part of Doaba region:

Jalandhar

Kapurthala

Hoshiarpur

Nawanshahr

Powadh Region of Punjab

Powadh (or Poadh or Puadh) is another major region of Punjab. Powadhi dialect of Punjabi language, which is a mix of Malwai Punjabi and Haryanvi, is spoken in this region. Powadh is sometimes not considered as a separate region and this area is mostly included in the Malwa region of Punjab. The Punjabi speaking area near the Ghaggar river, mostly adjacent to Chandigarh is considered part of Powadh region. It includes parts of Patiala, Mohali and Ropar districts of Punjab and Panchkula and Ambala districts in Haryana ☬

FCCI Amritsar honors Shivpreet Singh

-Shiv

Begin forwarded message:

From: shikha sareen <shikha.sareenk@yahoo.com>
Date: December 31, 2021 at 4:37:07 AM PST
To: shivpreetsingh@live.com


Respected Mr. Shivpreet, 

Subject- Invitation to honor Mr. Shivpreet as the "Pride of Punjab" by FICCI FLO Amritsar.

Greetings from Shikha Sareen, incoming Chairperson, FICCI women organization Amritsar - a chapter launched in April 2018.

FICCI FLO is one of India's prestigious and renowned Women's organizations that represents over 8000 women entrepreneurs. With an experience of over 33 years, FLO rigorously works towards empowering women by encouraging, facilitating, and polishing their professional excellence through workshops, seminars, conferences, training, and capacity-building programmes.

FICCI FLO has its roots spread throughout India, and Amritsar was its 15th Chapter which was launched in April 2018, entertaining 250 Amritsari women. The number rose to almost double in the coming years. Throughout these years the vision has been one - to let women create ‘HerStory’ and to fulfill this, FLO provides women with exposure, growth, learning, and experiences that are beyond the walls of our city.

This year, through a myriad of facilitating events, our purpose would be to uplift and empower at least 10-15 subaltern women from different fields like Jails, rural areas, orphanages and lead them into believing and recognising their strengths and capabilities by providing them with skill development programs, health campaigns, and various socio-economic initiatives.

FLO truly stands for 'Power to Empower’ and who could be an epitome of true empowerment other than an artist like you. Therefore, FLO-Chapter Amritsar would feel privileged to honor you as "Pride of Punjab" because you have been a true inspiration.

We are sure that your presence and interaction at the event will leave our Amritsari women feeling enriched, inspired and evolved.

Following the path of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the initiative you have taken of fostering oneness in the world through music is remarkable. Your foundation DhunAnand inspires us and echoes our vision of empowering talented people. As a small tribute to your efforts, we would also like to support and fund DhunAnand foundation.

Formerly, we were also joined by the inspiring Mrs. Diya Mirza, Ms. Susmita, Mrs. Vidya, Mrs. Farrah Khan, Ms. Malika, Ms. Swara, Mrs. Lara Dutta, Ms. Bhoomi Dandekar, Ms. Rujuta, Ms. Lisa Ray, Ms. Tahira Kashyap, Mr. Sabyasachi, Mrs. Twinkle Khanna, Mrs. Kareena Kapoor and Ms. Neena Gupta, whose presence lit a spark in the hearts of the several working women. But this year, I believe my tenure as a chairperson will be truly complete with your artistic presence.

We will be deeply honored and humbled if you will accept our proposal for being our guiding light and an inspiration. We would love to soak in the divine power of your beautiful voice.
The event will be conducted at a five-star property and to make your experience comfortable in our city Amritsar,
we will be taking care of your flight ticket food service, a luxurious five-star stay and VIP darshan to the Golden Temple. There will be huge media coverage, where the branding will be done at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, along with putting hoardings in the city. We assure you that the hospitality of FLO will be amazing. We will try our best to make your stay memorable.

We will be deeply honoured and humbled if you will accept our proposal and shower us with
Regards 
Shikha Sareen

Sent from my iPhone

(Temporary Backup) Bahawalpur Riyasat 1890

To me 

(Temporary Backup) Pokhra I Test

The device was formally called the “Peaceful Nuclear Explosive”, but it was usually referred to as the Smiling Buddha. The device was detonated on 18 May 1974, Buddha Jayanti  (a festival day in India marking the birth of Gautama Buddha). Prime Minister Indira Gandhi maintained tight control of all aspects of the preparations of the Smiling Buddha test, which was conducted in extreme secrecy; besides Gandhi, only advisers Parmeshwar Haksar and Durga Dhar were kept informed. Scholar Raj Chengappa asserts the Indian Defence Minisrer Jagjivan Ram was not provided with any knowledge of this test and came to learn of it only after it was conducted. Swaran Singh, the Minister of External Affairs, was given only a 48 hours advance notice. The Indira Gandhi administration employed no more than 75 civilian scientists, while General GG Bewoor, Indian Army Chief, and the commander of Indian Western Command were the only military commanders kept informed.

The device was of the implosion-type design and had a close resemblance to ‘Fat Man’, the American nuclear bomb detonated over Nagasaki in 1945.

The fully assembled device had a hexagonal cross section, 1.25 metres in diameter, and weighed 1400 kg. The device was mounted on a hexagonal metal tripod, and was transported to the shaft on rails which the army kept covered with sand. The device was detonated when Pranab R. Dastidar pushed the firing button at 8.05 a.m.; it was in a shaft 107 m under the army Pokhran test range in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan.

Photo Shoot at Dal Lake