received a beautiful New Year message from a Sikh friend: "End 2024 with shukrana (thanksgiving), start 2025 with ardas (petition for well-being)." This naturally brought to mind that January 6 is the 358th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. Date-wise, after Rana Pratap and Shivaji Maharaj, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, is India's last great classical hero, and Hindus revere him as devotedly as Sikhs do.
Among his many brave deeds, he founded the Khalsa, the Sikh army created to fight injustice and oppression. I can never forget the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1999. Delhi was a festive sight, with thousands of cars flying saffron pennants with 'Ik Onkar' (God is One) in Gurmukhi script. To offer respect, I went to Delhi's seven historic Sikh shrines and was deeply moved by the sincerity of devotion there, the soothing sound of the shabad kirtan, the cleanliness, and the characteristic generosity with which the gurdwaras fed everyone langar, the free community meal.
Growing up in Delhi, I had the subconscious assurance that, should the need arise, I would never go hungry in my hometown. All I had to do was show up at one of the great gurdwaras, and I would be fed. This assurance gives a certain confidence to those who know it—I have never seen a Sikh beggar.
Denne historien er fra January 06, 2025-utgaven av The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram.
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Denne historien er fra January 06, 2025-utgaven av The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Mime's cocktail of art, acrobatics leaves viewers on a high
An exciting cocktail of art and acrobatics marked the mime competition at the 63rd State School Youth Festival.
Showcases Malabar's Rich Culture
Kolkali with a Martial Touch
Malapulayattam showcases tribal heritage, leaves audience thrilled
THE TRIBAL folk art form malapulayattam at Nisagandhi captivated audiences with its vibrant display of rhythm and culture.
Kalolsavam Stages Become Crucibles Of Experimentation
Highly creative compositions based on off-beat characters of mythology were aesthetically presented on stage
Games, upcycled seating promote eco-friendliness
In a bid to inspire and encourage the younger generation to adopt eco-friendly habits, the Suchitwa Mission has launched an innovative anti-littering campaign with interactive games and upcycled seating made from discarded tyres to sensitise the students taking part in the State School Art Festival.
It's 'A' hat-trick moment for Dwidhy
FOR DWIDHY K S, a Class XII student of Kanikkamatha English Medium Convent Girls HSS, Palakkad, achieving an A grade in the English recitation competition at the Kerala State School Arts Festival has become a hat-trick moment.
NRV HairCure Hair Transplant Centre
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Euphoria Fills Food Pavilion As CM Makes Surprise Visit
The visit of the CM turned out to be an unforgettable moment for the students and officials
Mono act artists come up with heart-touching performances
ENACTING those moments on stage, he once again relived the trauma of a tragedy that shattered the lives of thousands of people around him. Hanin Ahmed, a Class 10 student from GHSS Moolankaavu, Wayanad, recreated the Chooralmala disaster that killed hundreds and left several more orphaned.
Chendamelam Beats Shatter Gender Stereotypes
In what is seen as a welcome move, more and more girls are taking up percussion music of late. Chendamelam witnessed the presence of girls at the arts festival