One day he asked me to go to the Cubs with him. The history of the Cubs is that in 1908 Baden-Powell created the Scout Movement, it was designed as a programme for boys over the age of eleven. But very soon younger brothers wanted to be part of this Grand Adventure. In 1916, Baden-Powell published his own outlines for a scheme called Wolf Cubbing. These days both boys and girls can become Cubs and eventually Scouts.

Back to the story. Innocently, I went along to Alexandra Hall just no more that 200metres from our house. There was no Cub master present, instead approximately 20 boys all under the age of 11 kitted out in badge laden caps and green jumpers. My neighbour then joined up with one of his friends and collectively they rallied the rest of the boys together into a herd. They descended like a set of bees returning to their hive. They’re stings were in the form of kicks and random hands pulled at my turban. Eventually, they pulled my turban off and proceeded to wrap it around my body, kicking me and leading me out of the hall at the same time! Crying and alone in the dark I walked back to the house. I never forgave my neighbour for his dastardly deed.

The Cub Master also tried a turban on.

In January 2010 a friend of mine called me up asking if I would be interested in attending a Cub event. The Cubs have invented a new badge that requires them to learn about different faiths – consider it as a kind of global awareness educational accomplishment. The suggestion was that I could present a five minute overview of Sikhism and if I could get some people  together, the Cubs could each try on a turban.

Attached is the presentation and also a worksheet they used when we divided the 32 Cubs (boys and girls) into groups of 6. After trying on a turban each could also have a picture taken (NB In advance we obtained consent from the parents and Cub organisation for the taking and use of all pictures).

In all the excitement I only took a few pictures but the nicest comment was from a Cub master who said that at the end of the evening, one of the Cubs said to him, ‘Sikhs are cool’!

My Thanks to all my friends who took part.

In December 1984 India saw the beginning of the worst industrial disaster in history. It has come to be known as the Hiroshima of the chemical industry. 40 tonnes of deadly methyl isocyanate gas, used in the manufacture of the pesticide Sevin, spewed from the plant into the surrounding areas.

8-10,000 people died within the first 72 hours and another 15,000 people have died as a result of their exposure to the gas. Another 120,000 have chronic medical conditions that require constant healthcare.
The death toll stands at 25,000+

The following footage from the You Tube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/BhopalMedicalAppeal is unbelievably graphic in terms of showing:

1. Still no clean-up?!
2. The extent of damage is vast and water is still contaminated, getting into the food chain.
3. The fact that people can still walk about and enter the plant complex

Please see the videos below:
Click here to view the embedded video.

Indra Sinha, who was Booker-nominated for his book on the Bhopal disaster, explains in the following article why the gas leak that killed 20,000 people 25 years ago – and continues to create health problems for countless more. The pictures in the article are also haunting.

In addition, the following video, you can see the need for more health resources and the appalling fact that you can see the contaminated soil that is still present.

The sad news is that people are still suffering.

What is so so sad is the fact that as we enter the 26th year of the tragedy, those who have the power to help appear to be not!?  Maybe public pressure can help. I certainly missed this news item. Does this mean that what we do not see can not move us? Do we forget because the public eye facilitated by the media is blind?

Or, on a positive note now that we know that people are still suffering, we can reach out and help.

Recently, over a thousand party revellers turned out to a party in an abandoned building in London, all on the whim of a Facebook invitation. It is a pity that we do not exercise our disgust and demand for justice using such tools!

The Bhopal Medical Appeal funds the Sambhavna Clinic. Sambhavna is the only place that offers free treatment to anybody affected by the toxic gas or the toxic water.  This Medical Appeal offers free health care and hope to the survivors of the 1984 Union Carbide gas leak disaster and those suffering from the present day water poisoning.  Find out more at: http://www.bhopal.org

Over the last few days the temperatures in the UK are consistently sub-zero.

As our boilers work on over-drive I urge you to watch the video footage featured on the Facebook group page featuring those effected and brave enough to come forward. Their predicament will surely haunt you and stress the urgent call for action.

The first question I ask is why issue of the homeless is not being addressed by our politicians or those that have facilities that could aid?

Here are some facts:

1. Up to 75 people are involved in sleeping rough – this is a rough audit
2. The vast majority have drug issues
3. Scabies is rife.
4. Showers, fresh clothes & rooms for rent are required
5. The situation will worsen with more homeless expected.
6. Medical support & drugs are required to address specific health issues.

What has happened to date ?

1. Some Sikh Temples have taken the initiative and offered help.
2. Sikh Temples have continued to feed those suffering
3. A drugs and rehabilitation organisation are desperately seeking more support
4. £1000 has been collected from voluntary donations but more is desperately needed.

In addition, last week two satellite based programmes issued a broadcast to highlight their plight. However, there is confusion regarding who these people are! It appears that the issue of Immigrant student visas is clouding the issue.

Yes, many of the 75 may comprise of overseas students

NB There are some deeper issues here.

• Southall in West London in recent years has become a dominant UK player in street drugs and crime.
• Is it not the duty of the Police to take ownership?
• Politicians are talking about the expected new arrivals (new students) over the coming months. Are they linking a possible fate?
• What about UK colleges offering questionable places with some educational establishments under investigation?
• There needs to be a campaign (video and audio) to educate those considering coming to the UK about the reality of the UK economy and their expectations for their associated visa. There are issues for those who wish to go back, especially if unscrupulous ‘overseas agents’ have run off with their money or those who will return to face hardship on another street, i.e: another country, same situation!
• Many have have sold-up their properties or land to seek a better life in the UK.

An opportunity for Interfaith charity work:

In terms of immediate solutions. I have said this at one of the meetings. An audit of the 75+ homeless needs to take place. If some of the 75 are penniless students what can we do as a community to provide them with basic care. Local Sikh Gurdwaras, Hindu Temples, Muslim Mosques and Christian Churches have an opportunity to join forces in the spirit of interfaith and community cohesion to solve a problem on their doorsteps.

• This means raising funds and setting-up a temporary housing area.
• An assessment centre should be established to help the 75+, documenting through an appraisal and action plan with associated forms for support established for each affected.
• If drug dependency is an issue, then let us bring this issue into the public domain to raise more funds and get those with medical skills involved.

The issue should not be clouded by political ambition or suggesting that a signal or precedent is established if you help someone – after all we are all human and we need to take the attitude of self-less service for immediate help. We must also be strong enough to use existing agencies or set-up a new infrastructure & knowledge base of preventative strategies.

In my view the programme title was a wrong starting point, `1984: A Sikh Story’ became clouded with identity issues rather than explore the historical context of the troubles. If it was about Sonia’s (not her real name, she later declared) journey of self-discovery then it was a bit disjointed, for example:  There is no deep reference to her own family – If she wanted to explore her identity then maybe she should have been featured on a full BBC genealogy episode of ‘Who do you think you are’.

I have written to the BBC before about skimming issues. For example, in Michael Woods ‘The Story of India’. He forgot to mention the invaluable contribution of Sikhs to free India from the tyrannical reign and ethnic cleansing practices of the Mogul empire. For example, Guru Gobind Singh Ji the 10th Guru of the Sikhs lost his entire family to ensure religious freedom, human rights and equality for all.

Back to the programme. As Sonia traced what happened during the unfortunate desecrating of the Golden Temple known as Operation Bluestar (June 1984), she forgot to mention the essential historic context of the core issues dating back to the early part of 20th Century. For example, water rights, broken promises about greater autonomy for the region by Nehru and the economic policies of India’s central government at the time. Interviewing one person selling T-Shirts is simply not enough to explore the real issues.

General Brar’s comments hinted a slight remorse but no evidence was produced about the assessment of his decisions at the time. Why did he allow so many innocent people within the Golden Temple on a religious day to be killed? Why was the force so devastating that it damaged the architecture, religious books, historic records, art and relics? Why were people shot at point blank range with their hands tied behind their backs? Why were no available human right violation reports communicated during the documentary?

The programme then moved on to the genocide of Sikhs in November 1984, post the assignation of Indra Gandhi. The events of those dark days of free reign by looters and murderers have been described as riots. They were in fact pogroms, an attack directed against a particular group, in this case one religious group – the Sikhs. A pogrom is characterised by the killing and destruction of their homes, businesses, and religious centres. The term was originally used to denote extensive violence against Jews – either spontaneous or premeditated. The programme then skimmed over key facts, for example – documented evidence and eye-witness reports of certain government MPs directing the attacks, the use of kerosene sourced from the same warehouse to burn victims. Why have the 9 investigations over the years revealed very little in terms of justice or revealing the truth. In the taxi Sonia made an excellent point about the assignation of Mahtma Gandhi – when he died mobs did not go after the religious group the assassin was part of !

The programme concluded with a loose link back to identity, consisting of confusing narrative about directing pain and Sonia’s thoughts about her own spiritual journey. The programme was left open ended with so many questions: What about the problems encountered by the region today? Where is the accountability for what happened? What about the post 9/11 situation and international mistaken identity issues? What about people who are still awaiting a court hearing, who have been locked away  for so long? Why is this situation not treated the same as the Jewish Genocide, both involved persecution and innocent lives being lost.

Although the programme was an attempt to educate, it did to a certain extent. However, it used tired footage and chats from the same old spokespeople. Apart from Sir Indrajeet Singh’s comments, He is to be appluded as he provided a sensitive and welcome perspective. At least last nights programme highlighted that many innocent people attending a religious event inside the Golden temple during Operation Bluestar were killed – the actual number killed runs into the thousands.

What we really needed was a ray of hope to communicate that Sikhs still need justice. I recommend that people watch, ‘The Widow Colony’ – it is a film that really delves into the lives affected by the Delhi genocide. Many people say that Sikhs should forget! Do we forget our loved ones when they leave the world? One of the most profound statements made by a widow of ‘84 is that every year Sonia Gandhi lays a reef to remember her husband. As Sikhs we need to recognise our holocaust must never be repeated and steps must be taken to assure this, else the lives of the innocent will be forgotten.

In 1984 a news blackout prevented us from gaining access to the truth – this truth is still hidden. We must continue to retrieve more information from human rights organisations active with their data and we must record more media to assure that the true Sikh Story is told.

The final of this week’s pause for thought on BBC Radio 2 covers the recent world religion’s parliament the Parliament brings together the world’s religious and spiritual communities, their leaders and their followers to a gathering where peace, diversity and sustainability are discussed and explored in the context of interreligious respect and understanding.

Today’s broadcast can be heard by clicking on the play button below:

Transcript from today’s PfT (agreed with  the producer):

Make a World of Difference
I suppose it’s understandable, when you catch the news headlines, how some people believe that the world’s troubles seem to be caused by the world’s religions and that the world would be a far better place without religion.

Of course, that would be to ignore the fact that so often these problems and conflicts arise as the result of a crude misrepresentation by minority groups of the message at the heart of the various world religions, and would ignore the vast amount of good work done to relieve poverty and suffering in our world by people of all faiths.

And what better way of acknowledging and displaying that cooperation is there than at the recent conference in Melbourne, Australia held by the Parliament of the World’s Religions?

First held in Chicago in 1893, the Parliament brings together the world’s religious and spiritual communities, their leaders and their followers to a gathering where peace, diversity and sustainability are discussed and explored in the context of interreligious respect and understanding.  In December, over 5,000 people from more than 200 faiths and from 80 countries attended the event to explore the theme Make a World of Difference: Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth.  It focussed on such global problems as poverty, ignorance, and environmental concerns.

There’s a Sikh saying: “In the whole wide world that I see around, Nothing can be gained without good actions.”  It’s a sentiment that does us well whether we’re members of a faith or of none.  Because only together, through our patient conversations, mutual understanding and trust can we strive to create a just and fairer world, sustainable for all.

Idealistic movies are keen to proclaim that kids find their own levels of expertise. Sometimes these films forget that especially with those that have recently moved (1st generation), have 2nd Generation parents or prior generations that have moved,  survialist attitudes tend to be based on risk adversity.

Back to the video. It is great that we have a diverse set of people around us. We also need to ensure that we invest in both physical and virtual knowledge. Sikhnet provides a real link and an advanced set of features to create a greater understanding amongst people. Consider Sikhnet also as a bridge to Interfaith.

The second video is also impressive. Being personally involved in Audio projects as part of my business life, I have complete empathy with the amount of time it takes to develop quality content. The Kids Story project involves audio, art, physical printing and copyrighting. All of this costs but the investment is really worth it as the resource is a valuable contribution to learning more who Sikhs are.

Next week I am presenting at a Cub Scout event. I was asked to do this by a friend’s neighbour who is a Cub Scout leader. The Cub Scout leader called me a couple of days back and said that 32 lively kids have never heard or met a Sikh before. I suggested that the UK did not do enough about contributing knowledge / teaching kids in school about who Sikhs are, especially during History lessons, for example how the Sikhs contributed to helping free the world during the world wars. He agreed. Such books (see 2nd video) could be great for such events, promoting greater awareness in the young from all backgrounds. The books could become essential school resources.

Please give to Sikhnet for they are investing in both now and the future.
As the kids say on the video, ‘why don’t we build our spirit’.

Or, click here to download.

Transcript from today’s PfT (agreed with  the producer):

Communities working towards London 2012

In the middle of December, I attended an event at the Olympics organisation centre in Canary Wharf.  It was inspiring to see so many people from different communities getting involved in the various projects for 2012.  In fact, Lord Sebastian Coe, the chairman of the organising committee, spoke about how crucial London’s emphasis on communities had been to helping it win the bid to host the Games.

We were then treated to a video presentation outlining the progress made to date.  There were, of course, the now classic pictures of the bid team in Singapore with their hands covering their faces in heavy anticipation, awaiting the verdict of who would host the games in 2012, followed by the wonderful scenes of celebration as the team embraced one another.  I must admit, I felt a warm sense of pride that a country that my parents made home back in 1958 has this opportunity to shine globally.

The video went on to outline some of the long-term community projects which are coming out of the planning for the Games.  At the reception afterwards, I met one of the Games organisers who has developed a national campaign to help some of the most disadvantaged to improve their job prospects.  The scheme’s called Personal Best and uses the excitement of the 2012 Games to promote training for an accredited volunteering qualification, while also offering participants support into further volunteering, training or work.

So often, it’s not what you initially take out of something but about what you put in.  And that’s no truer said than when you’re talking about voluntary work.  There may not be a personal financial gain, but for many across the country, voluntary work – be it for a charity, a club, or a religious organisation – can be a wonderfully satisfying and worthwhile use of spare time.

And the Olympic’s Personal Best scheme is a great example of the Games giving people not just a fabulous fortnight of sporting and cultural entertainment, but the long-term opportunity of job prospects, helping communities to create a legacy which will live long – well beyond the time the last spectator has left the Olympic stadium.

Transcript from today’s PfT (agreed with  the producer):

Just one day’s wages can be all it takes!
We get up, we go to work, we go home, we crash out and we go to bed again.  Somewhere in there we also eat!  It’s a daily grind which tends to distract us from so much as we concentrate on getting by, particularly in these dark days of winter.  Helping a neighbour de-ice their car’s windscreen can seem a big deal, let alone helping to tackle world issues such as poverty, violence and exploitation that too often face us in the news.

Think of it:

• 25,000 children under the age of 5 die each day due to poverty-related causes.
• Nearly 900 million people in the world do not have access to clean water.
• Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.
• Many in our world spend hours walking many, many miles a day – often barefoot – to collect water, food or to get to their nearest school.

I remember once meeting a Peace Corp volunteer in the United States who told me about her visit to a remote village in Kenya and how the people there looked at her shoes in wonder.

The scale of these and many more issues can simply seem insurmountable to us.

Yet charity, as they say, begins at home.  Recently, I came across an international movement which encourages people to donate a day’s wage to help end global poverty.  That’s about nought point four percent of an annual salary.  It’s a simple idea.  Yet it could make such a difference to the lives of so many in this world.

There’s a Sikh saying: “The earth is a garden, The Lord its gardener, Cherishing all, none neglected.”

So next time you’re in the car heading to or from work with the weight of the world on your shoulders, listening to the news on the radio and feeling powerless to help, why not set that single day’s pay aside?  Strangely enough, it may be just the thing you need to lighten the load and give a fresh perspective on the daily grind.

My Original article is here:

Our daily grind tends to take us away from helping to free others. Freedom from poverty, slavery and exploitation tends to unfortunately drop in priority as we are so tied-up with surviving and investing in personal or associated family futures.

One of the wonders of humankind is the potential to be innovative. Recently, I came across One Day’s Wages. ODW is an international movement dedicated to ending extreme global poverty. The figures quoted on their website are shocking and staggering:

• 25,000 children under the age of 5 die each day due to poverty-related causes.
• Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
• Nearly 900 million people do not have access to clean water.
• Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.

These are all challenges for us. When we sleep at night we hope for a good nights rest. However, we forget about those that have to walk miles to go to school, many in bare feet. I remember meeting a Peace Corp volunteer in the US who hold me about her visit to a remote village in Kenya. She spoke about how people looked at her shoes in wonder.

ODW suggest that a one day salary contribution is equivalent to about 0.4% of your annual salary.
They are also setting-up partnerships with other organisations, for example: Not for Sale.
The latter focus on deploying innovative solutions to re-abolish slavery in their own backyards and across the globe.

The Interview with David Batstone of Not For Sale below is inspiring and exposes the evil of slavery that is happening in the 21st Century!!!?
It is great that people are now starting these organisations. A start to harmonisation and fairness in terms of the distribution of wealth, respect for human rights and stopping abuse of people.

Together we can overcome.

Transcript from today’s PfT (agreed with  the producer):

Guru Gobind Singh Birthday
When you got dressed today, how aware were you of what you were saying about yourself?
Though we may not think it, what we wear indicates so much about ourselves.  Our likes, our associations, our community, our attitudes, our beliefs.   Sometimes it’s explicit: remember the Parker coats of the Mods?  Or what about the skinny jeans, black lipstick, and wristbands of today’s Emo culture.
Hair is crucial too.  Punks often had mohawks as sharp as a blade and then there’s the ease of Rastafarian dreadlocks.  Skinheads went to the opposite extreme.
Even the pinstripe suit of a City gent says much about who they are.

Of course, many religious faiths can be identified by their clothes or how they wear their hair.  But this isn’t done just to be part of a crowd.  It is often very symbolic.

Today Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.  Born in India in 1666, he was the tenth and last of the human-form Gurus of Sikhism.
He fought in a number of battles against the Mogul empire, losing his father, mother and four children in the fight for freedom.

Later, Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa, dispelling the caste system that created artificial barriers between people and established the 5 Ks of the Sikh faith; 5 means of identifying and representing the ideals of Sikhism:

• Kesh: unshorn hair, representing the natural appearance of God-given sainthood.
• Kanga: a comb to clean the hair.
• Kachha: an undergarment to indicate virtuous character.
• Kara – an Iron bracelet on the wrist: a symbol of dedication to the Divine Bridegroom and that God is limitless.
• And Kirpan: a sword symbolising dignity, power and unconquerable spirit.

Our clothes or hair may not say as much about us as the 5 Ks of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.  But none of us fail to send out a signal, each time we dress, about who we believe we are.

Of course, that’s nothing unless we are honest with ourselves and with those around us.  What’s most important is where our heart is.  As Guru Gobind Singh himself once said: “Peace and happiness shall fill your mind deep within, if you act according to truth and self discipline.”

Transcript from today’s PfT: ( Agreed with the Producer).

What inspires you?  It was a question I posed for a bit of fun to my friends on Facebook the other day.

I was expecting them to reply with answers such as a beautiful landscape, a wonderful piece of music, children, or the do-or-die commitment of a sporting hero.

But the first response I received back was much deeper.  It simply said: ‘Compassion’.  In other words, a simple human act or emotion towards another in pain or trouble.

It sounds so simple doesn’t it?  But then again, in our heart-of-hearts, we know that we too often fail to show self-less compassion when we find colleagues, neighbours, or strangers in need?  Too often we walk-on by.  No wonder my friend found true acts of compassion an inspiration.

Of course the cynic might argue that there is no such thing as selfless compassion.

“Hold on”, I hear you cry!  “I give to charity when I see or hear about a worthy cause.”  But our donation, the cynic would say, gives us a feel good factor.  We shouldn’t kid ourselves that there isn’t a positive benefit to our giving.

“But what about my children?  I bring them up and don’t think twice about caring for them or protecting them.  I give selflessly.”  But our reward for the care and concern we show our children comes, the cynic would argue, with the love that our children show to us in return.

Even a birthday present isn’t apparently such an innocent gift because we give expecting one in return.

All the great faiths refer to the importance of showing compassion to others.  Christians have the story of the Good Samaritan and the Dalai Lama once encouraged his followers with the words: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”  So maybe, while true acts of compassion are rarer than we think, that’s not what’s important.

In the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Patshah is quoted as saying: “Make compassion the cotton, contentment the thread, modesty the knot and truth the twist.  This is the sacred thread of the soul.”