From the desk of managing editor, Giri Gupta: 31 October
The Indian Weekender seems to be in a perpetual mode for celebrations or is it that time of the year when, we hard working Indians decide to celebrate life? Just as the Diwali celebrations were dimming, the celebrations for Gurpurab are around the corner. Our current issue is dedicated to the great Saint whose teachings are as true and applicable today as they were in the late 1400s and early 1500s. His message of “Ek Onkar” – One God, holds the essence of a peaceful coexistence, which is the need of the hour in a world rife with differences. He established Sikhism based on his teaching that there was neither a Hindu God nor a Muslim God and that God was one.
Over the years Sikhism has grown and spread across the world with a very rich spiritual, cultural and traditional legacy being carried forward by roughly 25 million adherents across the globe. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world. Our current issue, is a tribute to this inseparable community that makes our heritage richer. These brave hearts called Singh (Lions) are known for their passion, exuberance, enthusiasm, unity and patriotism. Indeed the history of India would look a lot different, had it not been for the contribution of some brave Sikhs. With this tribute to a brave community of India – we hope you enjoy our issue and wish that this auspicious day lights up your lives and ushers in the joys and good fortune that you hope for.
In the mean while, when we all celebrated Diwali at home with our families, our Prime Minister chose to celebrate it with our other brave hearts – the soldiers of the Indian Army deployed at the world’s highest battleground in Siachen. It has been 9 years since any Indian Prime Minister visited these soldiers who serve the nation under adverse weather conditions and a militarily hostile environment. PM Modi is the first Prime Minister who chose to spend his Diwali amongst the soldiers guarding our frontiers.
Talking about soldiering and celebrating our Sikh community, it is pertinent to note that the Indian Army has a large contribution of Sikh soldiers. To this day a number of Punjabi families, follow the tradition of raising their oldest son as a Sikh, who invariably is dedicated to joining the Indian Army. Hardy, devoted, industrious and skilled, the Sikhs contribute in equal measure to many other areas like farming, transport, business, entertainment, education and manufacturing industry. In fact they have become a symbol to reckon with and we have recently seen most leading Bollywood actors take on the “Singh Avatar”. We bring you a serving of this as well, in our current issue.
It is quite amazing how rich, diverse and unique each Indian community is and how each of these communities in their own way contributes to not only India but to the world as a whole by immigrating overseas. Here too, our large Indian community is a happy mix of so many little communities that contribute greatly to the growth and development of New Zealand.
Our three Members of Parliament, proudly Indian, have now been truly inducted and have made their maiden speeches addressing the Parliament. It was an honour to hear Mr Mahesh Bindra MP acknowledge the Indian Weekender in his speech. It is noteworthy that the other two MPs are Sikhs.
Let us always remember what Guru Nanak taught - God is one. We may call Him by different names, walk different paths yet our destination is one. So let us join hands in oneness and be there for one and all without discrimination.
May I request everyone to join me in this tribute to our Sikh brothers and sisters who are the epitome of hard work, fearlessness, enthusiasm, attitude, exuberance and live heartedness, as we lovingly say “Singh is King”!
Giri Gupta
The Indian Weekender seems to be in a perpetual mode for celebrations or is it that time of the year when, we hard working Indians decide to celebrate life? Just as the Diwali celebrations were dimming, the celebrations for Gurpurab are around the corner. Our current issue is dedicated to the...
The Indian Weekender seems to be in a perpetual mode for celebrations or is it that time of the year when, we hard working Indians decide to celebrate life? Just as the Diwali celebrations were dimming, the celebrations for Gurpurab are around the corner. Our current issue is dedicated to the great Saint whose teachings are as true and applicable today as they were in the late 1400s and early 1500s. His message of “Ek Onkar” – One God, holds the essence of a peaceful coexistence, which is the need of the hour in a world rife with differences. He established Sikhism based on his teaching that there was neither a Hindu God nor a Muslim God and that God was one.
Over the years Sikhism has grown and spread across the world with a very rich spiritual, cultural and traditional legacy being carried forward by roughly 25 million adherents across the globe. Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world. Our current issue, is a tribute to this inseparable community that makes our heritage richer. These brave hearts called Singh (Lions) are known for their passion, exuberance, enthusiasm, unity and patriotism. Indeed the history of India would look a lot different, had it not been for the contribution of some brave Sikhs. With this tribute to a brave community of India – we hope you enjoy our issue and wish that this auspicious day lights up your lives and ushers in the joys and good fortune that you hope for.
In the mean while, when we all celebrated Diwali at home with our families, our Prime Minister chose to celebrate it with our other brave hearts – the soldiers of the Indian Army deployed at the world’s highest battleground in Siachen. It has been 9 years since any Indian Prime Minister visited these soldiers who serve the nation under adverse weather conditions and a militarily hostile environment. PM Modi is the first Prime Minister who chose to spend his Diwali amongst the soldiers guarding our frontiers.
Talking about soldiering and celebrating our Sikh community, it is pertinent to note that the Indian Army has a large contribution of Sikh soldiers. To this day a number of Punjabi families, follow the tradition of raising their oldest son as a Sikh, who invariably is dedicated to joining the Indian Army. Hardy, devoted, industrious and skilled, the Sikhs contribute in equal measure to many other areas like farming, transport, business, entertainment, education and manufacturing industry. In fact they have become a symbol to reckon with and we have recently seen most leading Bollywood actors take on the “Singh Avatar”. We bring you a serving of this as well, in our current issue.
It is quite amazing how rich, diverse and unique each Indian community is and how each of these communities in their own way contributes to not only India but to the world as a whole by immigrating overseas. Here too, our large Indian community is a happy mix of so many little communities that contribute greatly to the growth and development of New Zealand.
Our three Members of Parliament, proudly Indian, have now been truly inducted and have made their maiden speeches addressing the Parliament. It was an honour to hear Mr Mahesh Bindra MP acknowledge the Indian Weekender in his speech. It is noteworthy that the other two MPs are Sikhs.
Let us always remember what Guru Nanak taught - God is one. We may call Him by different names, walk different paths yet our destination is one. So let us join hands in oneness and be there for one and all without discrimination.
May I request everyone to join me in this tribute to our Sikh brothers and sisters who are the epitome of hard work, fearlessness, enthusiasm, attitude, exuberance and live heartedness, as we lovingly say “Singh is King”!
Giri Gupta
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