Cary Diwali 2011 and Cary Diwali 2017

Indian community celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights, with fanfare and zeal in different parts of the USA too.  Every year Indian community of Raleigh/Cary area organizes Diwali festivities in an open air theater in Cary. A large number of local children and some adults participate in mostly Bollywood songs based ‘cultural’ programs and a majority of Indians attend this daylong event. While mingling with friends, Indian food and shopping take the center stage, the main stage hosting the performances remains in background for most of the day.

The focus shifts to the main stage when a renowned Indian celebrity begins the performance in the evening.

Six years back in Oct 2011, the star performers were not from India though they mastered various forms of Indian dances including Bollywood. MAYURI, a dance group from Russia, performed several forms of traditional and Bollywood style Indian dances. Well versed with the history of Hindi movies, the group selected very popular songs of different eras to entertain all age groups. I think they were far better than a large number of Indian performers who come to perform in this area. Perhaps that was the best cultural event I attended in this area so far.

On popular demand, the organizers of Cary Diwali, Humsub, brings back Mayuri this year (2017). I think it will be a fabulous show.  I hope to see you all of you there.

Some pictures of MAYURI groups performing in Oct 2011 (The quality of pictures may not be good as I had a low resolution camera then)

A Journey from Sikh to Singh – Part 2

This is part 2 of the article (A Journey from Sikh to Singh) contributed by Dr. Umesh Gulati. Dr. Umesh Gulati writes on variety of subjects and his articles are published in several magazines. This part focuses on five ‘K’ and opinion of noted people. Part 1 of this article can be found here.

My personal note on this article: Some say religion and reason contradict each other. Religion is faith and beyond reason. But sometimes a profound reason is the reason of a new religion. Generations later descendants realize the significance as some of us do now.

The five symbols, mentioned in the first installment, beginning with ka or fivekakaars are: 1. Karhaa is a steel bracelet on the right wrist symbolizing strength and integrity. 2. Kesh, the uncut hair is the symbol of holiness in India, but with a turban on represents leadership. 3. Kachha the boxer shorts, is the symbol of self-control and chastity. 4. Kanghaa is a small comb, which is tucked at the back of the hair-bun, indicates cleanliness and order. 5. Kirpaan stands for a sword. Collectively these are the reminders of moral values for this martial and self-sacrificing race.

The fifth symbol, Kirpaan, needs further elaboration. First and most important of all, it should never be used as a sword or a butcher's knife. Kirpaan is krpaa + aan, which means kindness and self-respect. While on one hand, kirpaan is meant to bestow kindness to the suppressed community by the tyrant rulers of the time; it also means the assertion of the community's self-respect. It should never be forgotten that the Mogul Emperor Jahangir had put the fifth Guru Arjan to death for advocating harmony between the Hindus and Muslims, while the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur's head was severed in Chaandani Chowk, Delhi, on the order of Emperor Aurangzeb. For, the latter feared that the Guru was converting many Muslims to Hindu faith. At any rate, the martyrdom of the two gurus would always stand witness to the bigotry of the cruel and ruthless rulers of the time. 

It was very clear that the Kirpaan would be used only when every other remedy to relieve the suppression failed. As the former President of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan put it, '… Guru Gobind Singh raised the Khalsa to defy religious intolerance, religious persecution and political inequality. … This [achievement of] freedom [of India] is the crown and climax and logical corollary to Sikh Guru's and Khalsa's terrific sacrifices and heroic exploits.'

       A Punjabi Sufi poet, Bulle Shah, noted, 'Had Guru Gobind Singh not been there, all [Hindu Indians] would have been converted to Islam.' In fact the guru himself said that the formation of the warrior class by him was the need of the time and the mission of his life, allotted to him by God Himself. According to his faith, the Hindu temple and the Muslim mosque were the same.

       Late Swami Ranganathananda, the thirteenth President of Ramakrishna Mission said: Guru Nanak and his movement sought to weld Hindus and Muslims into a powerful nation dedicated to the realization of universal spiritual and human values transcending the prevailing communalism of sects and creeds and castes. This movement soon gathered strength, and equally soon, faced fierce opposition from the contemporary Muslim communalism and the Mogul political state. The tragedy, which began with Guru Arjan, the fifth guru of the Sikhs, continued and reached its highest intensity during the period of the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, whose struggles, sacrifices, and successes make him shine as the greatest tragic hero of the later Indian history. His character, dedication, intellect, courage, and above all, compassion, mark him out as a born leader and saviour. In his life as well as in death he has been a beacon of light and hope to millions of his countrymen.

       Swami Vivekananda was a great admirer of the Sikh gurus. He had longed to pay a visit to the Punjab. When he set out from Kolkata in May 1897 for a lecture tour of northern India, his chief objective was to visit the Punjab. Swamiji reached Lahore (in Pakistan now) on November 5, 1897 and stayed there till November 15. In his lecture at Lahore, on the 'The Common Basis of Hinduism', he eulogized the greatness of Guru Nanak and Gobind Singh and said, "This is the land which, after all its sufferings has not yet entirely lost its glory and its strength. Here it was that in later times, the gentle Nanak preached his marvelous love for the world. … Then and then alone you are a Hindu when you will be ready to bear everything for them [countrymen], like the great example of your great Guru Gobind Singh."  

       In a his conversations at the house of Balram Bose in Kolkata in 1898, Swamiji touched upon the life of Guru Gobind Singh, how the guru reinvigorated the Sikh sect by his great renunciation, austerities, fortitude, and life consecrating labors-how by his initiation he re-Hinduized Mohammedan converts and took them back into the Sikh community. … Speaking of the great power that used to be infused in those days into the initiates of Guru Gobind Singh, Swamiji recited a Dohaa (couplet) of the Sikhs:

Sava laakh par ek charaahun
Jab Guru Gobind naam sunaaun

       The meaning is, "When Guru Gobind Gives the Name, that is, the initiation, a single man becomes strong enough to triumph over a lakh and a quarter [125,000] of his foes." 

Related Articles:-

A Journey from Sikh to Singh – Part 1 (By Dr. Gulati)

Explanation of Mool Mantra

A Visit to Gurudwara Banga Sahib

CARY DIWALI

Indian community celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights, with fanfare and zeal in different parts of the USA too. Every year Indian community of Raleigh/Cary area organizes Diwali festivities in an open air theatre in Cary. A large number of local children and some adults participate in mostly Bollywood songs based ‘cultural’ programs and a majority of Indians attend this daylong event. While mingling with friends, Indian food and shopping take the center stage, the main stage hosting the performances remains in background for most of the day. The focus shifts to the main stage when a scheduled famous performer starts in the evening.

This year the star performers were not from India though they mastered various forms of Indian dances including Bollywood better than a large number of Indian performers. MAYURI, a dance group from Russia, performed several forms of traditional and Bollywood style Indian dances. Well versed with the history of Hindi movies, the group selected very popular songs of different eras to entertain all age groups.

Of course, Diwali is not complete without fireworks.

Some pictures of MAYURI group on the stage. (The quality of pictures may not be good because of fast moving subject in low light conditions).

I wish all my readers a VERY HAPPY DIWALI.

 

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Related Article:- Diwali Festival of Light: Celebration of Life

Babri Mosque Ram Janam-bhoomi Solution

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition seeking rescheduling of the Allahabad High Court verdict on Babri Mosque/ Ram Jamam-Bhoomi dispute and in turn the verdict is due on 30th September 3:30PM IST. In preparation for the verdict, the security is being beefed up and a lot of people believe the verdict will be challenged. Regardless of the decision, the chances are, dispute will continue.

So who owns it – Hindus or Muslims? 

Is it going to be a temple or a mosque? Is a solution possible?

Yes, a solution is possible. In a forward looking society and growing economy we need schools, houses and hospitals.

Possible Solution: Build a state of art hospital to treat Hindus, Muslims and people from other religions. Lord Rama and Prophet Mohammed both will be happy to see their followers being cured. Does anyone disagree with it?

Funding for this Hospital: The hospital be funded with the money

•Hindus and Muslims will save by not spending on lawyers over next few decades

•Government will save on courts hearings and security

•Saving that local businesses will make by averting the riots and looting

First Act of This Hospital: Assist delivering babies of a Muslim and a Hindu woman. On newly born babies, perform EEG, ECG, Blood, DNA and most importantly genes testing. Guess what will doctors conclude? Can they figure out an iota of difference between the two and differentiate between a Hindu and a Muslim baby.

Well we don’t have to be physicians and conduct numerous tests. We know the answer. I only wish people fighting over this issue understand.

Do you agree with me? Do you have an alternate solution? 

A Visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

“How many Gods do Sikhs believe in?” My very curious Christian friend Joe asked with sincerity on my proposal of a visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib en route to Connaught Place.

Religion being a difficult subject for me, I carefully phrased my answer, “Sikhs believe there is only one God.”

“I thought Hindus and Sikhs are the same and have many Gods,” Joe stated.

“Sikh religion originated from Hinduism but it is different on this and some other aspects,” I managed a reply.

“Is that why a Sikh temple is called a Gurudwara?” Joe continued.

“The literal meaning of Gurudwara is the residence of the Guru and Guru means a spiritual guide that leads the way from darkness to light,” I tried to provide a complete answer.

At reaching the Gurudwara, Joe was not sure if he should accompany me inside of just wait for me in the car, “Am I allowed to come in? I am not a Sikh and I am not a member.”

I ensured him the entry in the Gurudwara without anyone asking any question,” Everyone is allowed in Gurudwara.”

“Why are they polishing shoes inside?” Joe asked another question as soon as he deposited the shoes in the locker room.

“It is to pay respect to attendees.”

“Who are these people polishing shoes and do I need to pay them?” Joe asked

“They are people like you and me who chose to dedicate time and you don't have to pay.”

“Some of them look very wealthy to me, “Noticing the clothing of some people inside the locker room, Joe stated.

After covering the head, washing the hands and feet, we entered the Gurudwara and followed a large crowd through the process of paying respect to the Guru Granth Sahib.

“Where are the idols?” Joe whispered realizing chanting of gurubani by narrators and the concentration of listeners.

 “Sikhs don't worships idols or pictures,” I replied back.

“So what is here?”Joe raised his head towards the Guru Granth Sahib.

“Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book, to be the eleventh guru or the leader that provides direction for day to day living as well as guidelines for the spirituality.”

“When was this book written?”

“It was complied by ten Sikh Gurus from 1469 to 1708AD. It is pretty much during the time of Mogul kingdom in India.”

“So the Sikh religion started during Mogul kingdom in India?”Joe continued asking questions.

“Yes that is correct. Initially Sikhism followed non violence principles, but at the time of Aurungzeb, the Gurus and their followers (Sikhs) took arms to fight against forced conversion of Hindus to Islam. “

At ‘Langar’ (Dining) hall, Joe asked another question, “Is this the place to feed the poor?”

“It is the place to feed the body and soul of the congregation. Attendees have to sit side by side regardless of the caste, rank, financial or social status. Over here Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or his driver Mohan Chand, Reliance CEO Anil Ambani or our peon Anil, they all sit side by side signifying equality and casteless society.”

Joe continued asking questions, “What is the significance of this Gurudwara?”

“In 1664, the eighth Guru, Guru Harkrishan stayed here on what used to be the mansion (Banlga) of Raja Jai Singh. Guru Harkrishan helped sufferers of Small Pox and Cholera by providing fresh water from the well of this mansion. Fresh water, being very important, helped cure many victims. The well is preserved and enclosed in the glass walls and it is believed this water has healing powers and therefore also called ‘Amrit’. While helping Cholera and Small Pox victims, Guru Harkrishan died on March 30, 1664. Later in 1783, a Sikh general, Sardar Bhagel Singh converted it to Gurudwara.“
 “Do you believe in the healing powers of the ‘Amrit’?” Joe asked a very difficult question now.

“Millions of people have faith in it and I have faith in them.”

It is been few years since this conversation. Joe is still a practicing Christian but he tells me, “I don't consider Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to be a mere tourist place. When I go to Connaught Place, I make a point to visit the Bangla Sahib and have a different perspective.”