Sikh Seva Foundation’s 1st Annual Food Drive Donates 10,000 Food Items

SURREY – A food drive organised by Sikh Seva Foundation with the support of local Sikh Community and Sikh Organisations for the Month of April donated over 10,000 food items weighing 8126 Pounds to BC Food Banks on Monday May 7.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the community for their generous donations, the response was overwhelming. The community united to donate over 8100 pounds of food. We wantto thank everyone for taking part in 1st Annual Seva Community Food Drive, organized by the Sikh Seva Foundation in association with Food Banks BC. Your selfless service to the community is appreciated,” the organization said in a press release.

The month long food drive was held in April and food items were dropped off at Sikh Gurdwaras and schools in the Lower Mainland.

“We feel so honoured to see the community taking part in such a fundamental project. Food is energy, food is love and food gives hope to those who face challenges in providing nourishment to their families, seniors and others who cannot afford the basics. It is great to see the community stepping up their efforts this year to meet these challenges, to help others and to show how much they care about one another,” said one organizer.

“I feel this is so important. Every day I see people in need and I want to help. This is something I can do,” explains a youth volunteer. “Collecting food for others is just my small way of supporting the community. Everyone should help if they are able to. Whatever you donate, will be helpful.”

The Sikh Seva Foundation is a community driven initiative focusing on volunteering today to help give hope for tomorrow. Their goal is not to have any one person lead or direct; it is to have the entire community work to improve conditions for everyone. The purpose of Sikh Seva Foundation is to be a volunteer bank resource for a wide range of charities throughout the Lower Mainland.

The Foundation’s activities are inspired by the principles of Sikhism, including:

• Equality and fraternity of all human beings

• Selfless service to others, especially any one who is impoverished, disadvantaged or vulnerable

• Diligent and honest work

• Sharing with the community the fruits of one’s labour

• Increasing understanding and acceptance among all human beings

For more information email at info@sikhsevafoundation.com or visit their website www.sikhsevafoundation.com

Businessman killed after being hit by private plane

Meerut: A Delhi-based businessman was on Saturday killed when a two-seater micro-light private plane met with an accident at the Partapur airstrip, though the pilot and his colleague escaped unhurt.

The incident occurred around 10 AM when the businessman Yogesh Garg was clicking pictures of the private plane on the airstrip while it was taking off and was hit by one of its wings, police said.

Yogesh, who ran a consultancy company at New Delhi, died on the spot, they said.

Anil Thapa, spokesman of Pankh Aviation, which runs the flying club, said the wing and a wheel of the plane was damaged in the incident, but its pilot Anil Gupta and his colleague Purvi escape unhurt.

He claimed that the accident took place as Yogesh came on the airstrip to take pictures of the micro-light aircraft while it was taking off from the runway.

Police said that the matter was being investigated and they were trying to find out who allowed Yogesh to come on the runway and take pictures.

Additional District Magistrate Neeraj Shukla, who reached the spot, said that preliminary inquiry has revealed that Pankh Aviation was not allowed to use the airstrip.

However, the company claimed that it was giving flying training from the last three-four months. The ADM said that records of last three-four months were

being checked.

Anand Marriage Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, May 7
The government today brought before Parliament a Bill to amend the 103-year-old statute that hitherto allowed solemnisation of Sikh marriages but not their legal validation.
The Anand Marriage Amendment Bill:2012, introduced in the Rajya Sabha today by Law Minister Salman Khurshid, amends the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, by inserting a new Section enabling registration of marriages performed as per the Sikh rituals (Anand Karaj).
The amendment Bill defines the Sikh marriage ceremony as “Anand Karaj” instead of “Anand” as in the old law. Once passed by both Houses of Parliament, it will give the Sikhs the liberty to register their marriages separately and will exempt them from registering these under the Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths Act, 1969 (which the government plans to amend to provide for religion neutral registration of marriages across India).
The Sikhs would continue to have the option of registering their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, as before. It was registration under this Act that had been causing confusion about their religious identity abroad with their marriage certificates describing them as Hindus.
Importantly, the amendment Bill doesn’t provide for divorce among Sikh couples. For a divorce, they would have to use the Hindu Marriage Act.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka, commenting on the matter, said: “Because the amendment Bill serves a limited purpose of giving Sikh religion a separate identity by allowing marriage registration under a pre-existing law, it is not a complete marriage law.
“Any religion to be recognised must have its separate ceremony of births, deaths and marriages. Sikhs didn’t have a separate marriage law so far and they wanted the Anand Marriage Act amended for the purpose. For divorce, Sikhs can use the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.”
The amendment Bill clearly states that “parties whose marriage has been registered under this Act won’t be required to get marriage registered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, after the enactment of the proposed amendments in this Bill.” “Today we have won the battle for a separate identity as a religion,” said former MP Tarlochan Singh who led the movement for the Bill. “The SGPC is also against any divorce provision under the Anand Marriage Amendment Bill,” he said. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law had approved these amendments in 2007 when Veerappa Moily was Law Minister. “The Bill need not go again to the standing committee and can be simply taken up and passed,” Tarlochan Singh added.

No provision of divorce in the new BillFor seeking divorce, Sikhs would have to use the Hindu Marriage Act. The Union Cabinet had approved amendment to the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, on April 12 this year.

Renowned Environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna unveils two books

Dehradun, May 6
Keeping up with the tradition of coming up with a book every year, author Chamanlal Pradyot did not disappoint his fans as environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna today released two books titled ‘Atam Bodh’ and ‘Uttarakhand Key Shilapkar’ penned by him.
The book Atam Bodh, written in a diary form, is the 12th book penned by Pradyot, who had been an Additional DGP. “The book would prove handy for readers who are constantly looking for introspection and take an insight into their behaviour. I have tried to share my innermost thoughts with the readers through the book,” said the author.
The other book, Uttarakhand Key Shilpkar, sheds light on the life of craftsmen of Uttarakhand. An article by Captain Shoorveer Singh Panwar also tries to sketch the profile of different craftsmen and their contribution to the Uttarakhand society.

Theft bid at Turner Road ATM

Dehradun, May 6
The Uttarakhand police on early Saturday morning foiled an attempt by three youths to rob an ATM machine. They were caught red-handed with the gas cutter equipment.
The three youths in their mid-thirties and hailing from Ludhiana were caught red-handed by the night police on duty on Turner Road. “The youths, who have been charged under section 398, IPC, and jailed, had come in a Lancer (carrying Delhi number plate) car. They were caught while attempting to break the ATM of Axis Bank located on Turner Road,” said Lalit Joshi, Head Constable, Patel Nagar.
Had it not been for the night duty Uttarakhand Police officer, another ATM at Turner Road would have been robbed. Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the three had earlier been booked for different crimes, including theft, robbery and possession of drugs.

Buddha Purnima celebrated

People pay obeisance at the statue of Lord Buddha on the
occasion of Buddha Purnima in Dehradun on Sunday.


Dehradun, May 6
Lord Buddha was worshipped on the occasion of Buddha Purnima today.
A programme was organised at Tikona Budha Park under the aegis of the Triratna Buddha Mahasabha. Earlier in the day, Bhanwar Lal Bodh Dham Mitra and Pratap Singh offered prayers which was followed by songs based on Lord Buddha's life, a cultural programme and community kitchen.
Founder of the mahasabha RL Kardam, president Bodhi Sagar Gujrowali and secretary Sant Lal were present.

Spring Hills School celebrates annual day

Dehradun, May 6
Spring Hills School, situated at Ajabpur Kalan, celebrated its annual day today. Lokayukta Justice MM Ghildiyal (retd), chief guest, graced the occasion. Students of the school presented a series of cultural programmes which included song "Chanda Mama", display of tae kwon do for self-defence, Rajasthani dance form, Kawwali based on inflation, play on corruption titled "Bhola Ram ki Atamkatha" and English play "Seven Cream Jugs" and lastly a medley of Garhwali and hip-hop dance.
Enthralled by the talent of the students, Ghildiyal said , "All children must study as the Right to Education is a fundamental right of children these days but due to shortage of resources, the state governments are not able to take the message across to each household."
He also stressed on the quality of education while giving advice to teachers that they must work with a sense of uplifting society rather than earning monthly salary.
Bar Council member Chander Shekhar Tiwari and principle of the school Sushma Farsi was also present.