Sikhi Week Photos: Sikh Women and Sacrifice talk and Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji Talk

Here are the photos from the first two Sikhi Week events. Sorry they've took so long.

Sikh Women and Sacrifice at University Of Birmingham


Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji talk at Aston University



More sikhi week photos soon

The Week's Events

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Congatulations to all on the 538th Gurpurb of our first Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji.

giaan dhhiaan k ishh karam n jaanaa saa r n jaanaa thaeree|
I know nothing about wisdom, meditation and good deeds; I know nothing about Your excellence.

sabh thae vaddaa sathigu r naanak jin kal raakh ee maeree|4|10|57|
Guru Nanak is the greatest of all; He saved my honor in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga.|4|10|57|

(Ang 749 - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

There is a great sakhi that a current University of Birmingham Sikh Society student has put up on his blog. Click here for Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sakhi

Meditation and Youth Simran

This weeks Meditation will be held at Flat X9 of Victoria Halls Phase II on Monday at 5.30pm . Meditation is for everyone and a great way to ease the stress of studying, so why not try it for a week and bring a friend with you.

BCU Talk

There will be a Talk at BCU (aka UCE) this Wednesday at 2pm-3.30pm. Some of the Uni of Bham Sikhsoc members will be going there by train so if you want to go with the Sikh Society meet them infront of the guild for 12.45. For those who want to make there own way there, the 51 bus (bus stop is in Birmingham City Centre on the road on the left side of the pavilion shopping center) or a train to perry barr train station (leaves new street at 27 and 57 minutes past each hour) both get you to BCU university. The room number is 217 (Attwood Building).

Football

There will be football at 4pm on Thursday at the football pitches by Bristol Road (by Mech Eng building) . £1 members, £2 non-members.

There is now a group on facebook called: University of Birmingham Sikh Society. Joining the group is a easy way to put forward any ideas you may have.

Hope to see you at the events.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

The week's events

Meditation and Youth Simran

This weeks Meditation will be held at Flat X9 of Victoria Halls Phase II on Monday at 5.30pm . Meditation is for everyone and a great way to ease the stress of studying, so why not try it for a week and bring a friend with you. After this, a few of us will be going to Guru Nanak Gurdwara on Smethwick High St, where there is a simran programme for youth. If anyone is interested in going, we will be leaving straight after meditation , so come along to the flat. Great chance for those who are living away from home to have some dhaal and roti!!


Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh Talk

On Wednesday afternoon, we are very lucky to have Birmingham's Resident Comedian, Sukhi Singh giving a talk on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee . This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn about Sikhi and what values a Sikh holds. The talk will be held at the Aston Webb Building at Bham Uni (big central building with a dome opposite clock tower), in room WG5. The room isn't too hard to find, and there will be signs to help, but in case you do get lost, the receptionists in the entrance to the building will show you. The talk will start at 1.30pm, and will last approximately 45mins. You will also have the chance to ask Sukhi Singh questions at the end - exciting!!!!!!

Football

The will be football at 4pm on Thursday at the football pitches by Bristol Road (by Mech Eng building) .£1 members, £2 non-members.

This Week's Events

Thanks for everyone who came to the Sikh Week Events and made them a success. Aston Sikh Society are currently organising the photos and they should be up on the blogs very soon.

After suggestions from the Sikh Society members, the weekly Meditation has been moved to an earlier and more suitable time of 5.30pm on Mondays.

This weeks meditation will be at the Strathcona building at room SR12 at 5.30pm. For anyone that is unsure of where this building is, please go to the following links where the Strathcona building is R18 on the map.

As all West Midlands Sikh Societies are linked with one another, over the coming weeks, there will be some meditation sessions where the members of Aston uni Sikh soc will be joining us, and sessions where we will be going to the Aston uni meditation. Transport will be available for pick ups and drop offs. Details of this will be coming up shortly once dates are confirmed.

http://www.bham.ac.uk/documents/B1796_Edgbaston_red_zone.pdf

http://www.bham.ac.uk/about/maps/edgbastonmap.shtml

Remember meditation doesn't have to be just religious meditation, its a technique we can use to ease the stresses of studies and a great way to meet people from your Sikh soc. From next Wednesday, we will be holding midday prayer, meditation and keertan sessions, more about this in the next email.

BCU University (aka UCE) will be having an event on Wednesday at 1.30 - 3.30pm (in the Kenrick Theatre). The talk will be on Guru Nanak Dev Ji and there will be free Soda and Samosas afterwards.

To get to BCU you can either catch a train to Perry Barr (leaves New Street at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour every hour - Paltform 3a usually) or catch the 51 bus (bus stop in Bham City Center by Marks and Spencers)

There will be 6 a side football on Thursday. It will start at 4pm at the pitches by Bristol Road.

Anyone who has yet to join the Sikh Society for the academic year can do so at any of the Sikh Soc events this week. Remember this is your Sikh society, so any ideas and suggestions are welcomed.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Event: National Kirtan Darbar (and transportation)

har keerathan sunai har keerathan gaavai this jan dhookh nikatt nehee aavai 2
Listening to the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises, and singing the Lord's Kirtan, misfortune shall not even come near you

(Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Ang 190)

National Kirtan Darbar - An evening of Kirtan and Katha by various renowned Keertanee. There will be Katha in English, displays and the BOSS Stall which includes books on Sikhi, Hoodies, T-Shirts and CD's.
6 till late at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick

Transport: The Sikh Society have arranged transportation from the University Of Birmingham. Anyone wanting to go with the sikh society please meet them behind the Guild at 7pm. They'll also drop you back at uni at 10pm.For those who want to stay longer, they can. Any further questions please don't hesitate to contact Nick Singh at 07859 905652.

To get to Smethwick Gurdwara you could either catch the train from New Street to Smethwick Rolfe Street (train stop opposite the gurdwara) or catch the 87 bus (also stops right infront of Guru Nanak Gurdwara). The 87 bus stop is just outside of New Street next to the 61 bus stop.

Remaining Sikhi Week Events

Thanks to everyone who helped out at the langer. The event was a huge success and we got some great feedback from both the sevadars and the university students. We'll be putting the best comments up on the blog at the end of the week. We'll also put up photos of the langer, along with the other Sikhi Week event's photos, on the blog at the end of the week.

Note: SikhSoc 6 a side football: thursday at 4pm on the pitches by Bristol Road.

Remaining Sikhi Week events:

Wednesday :
Candlelight Vigil - As an act of remembrance, the Sikh community will be holding a candlelight vigil to mark Remembrance Day in memory of thousands of Sikhs soldiers who fought in the World Wars. Also to remember the dark days in history during the Anti-Sikh Programs with killings of thousands of innocent Sikhs across India from the 80's to the present.
5 - 8pm at Chamberlain Square, Birmingham City Center

Directions to Chamberlain Square:
1) Catch train(/bus) to Birmingham New Street(/Birmingham City Center).
2) Next, head out of the Pallasades and turn left onto New Street.
3) Head down New street until you reach Victoria Square. Go down the road on the left hand side of the Council House.

Friday:
Sikhs and Diwali - Seminar led by a Bibi Kiranpal Kaur on the difference between Diwali and Bandi Chor, why we celebrate Bandi Chor and what this day signifies and really means to Sikhs. 2 - 5pm at Wolverhampton University, Room MN110

If anyone wants to go there with the Uni of Bham Sikh Society please be outside the Guild on Friday at 12.45.

Saturday:
National Kirtan Darbar - An evening of Kirtan and Katha by various renowned Keertanee. There will be Katha in English, displays and the BOSS Stall which includes books on Sikhi, Hoodies, T-Shirts and CD's.
6 till late at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick

Directions: To get to Guru Nanak Gurdwara you could either catch the train from new Street to Smethwick Rolfe Street (train stop opposite the gurdwara) or catch the 87 bus (also stops right infront of Guru Nanak Gurdwara).

This Weeks Events

Monday:

LANGER ON CAMPUS


The langer on campus is coming up this Monday. On Sunday at 2pm we will be setting up the tent just outside the clock tower so if anyone is free and wants to help please do come down. We'll need sevadars throughout the day so whenever you're free please come down. For anyone wanting to help on the monday, please come down Sunday at 4pm and we'll brief you on the seva required. You can also turn up on the day and our organisers can assign you seva which is required at that moment.

lµgru clY gur sbid hir qoit n AwvI KtIAY]
The Langar - the Kitchen of the Guru's Shabad has been opened, and its supplies never run short. (Ang. 967 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

History:

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji started of the tradition of the langer. His father Mehta Kalyan Chand Ji gave Guru Ji 20 rupees to start off a business in trade. As Guru Ji made his way to the city, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji came upon a group of Sadhus (spiritual men) who, engrossed in meditation, had not eaten in several days. Guru Ji felt the best allocation for this money would be to buy these spiritual beings food. Whilst given the food, Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji also served the Sadhus any way he could. A Gurdwara has been built where this event occured (Sacha Sauda Gurdwara in Pakistan). The langer continued on and was futher developed on by Sri Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji. Guru Ji's wife, Mata Khivi Ji, did seva of making the langer and helped serve it. Due to her devotion and service she is mentioned in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

blvMf KIvI nyk jn ijsu bhuqI Cwau pqRwlI ] lµgir dauliq vMfIAY rsu AMimRqu KIir iGAwlI ]
balava(n)dd kheevee naek jan j is bahuthee shhaao pathr aalee || a(n)gar dhoulath va(n)dd eeai ras a(n)mrith kheer gh iaalee ||

Balwand says that Khivi, the Guru's wife, is a noble woman, who gives soothing, leafy shade to all. She distributes the bounty of the Guru's Langar; the kheer - the rice pudding and ghee, is like sweet ambrosia.
(Ang. 967 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)


So, again please do come down and tell as many people as possible about the langer. By the clocktower, 11am-4pm.

Meditation - There will be a medition session at St Francis Hall, Chaplaincy at 6pm.


Wednesday

Candlelight Vigil - As an act of remembrance, the Sikh community will be holding a candlelight vigil to mark Remembrance Day in memory of thousands of Sikhs soldiers who fought in the World Wars. Also to remember the dark days in history during the Anti-Sikh Programs with killings of thousands of innocent Sikhs across India from the 80's to the present.

5 - 8pm at Chamberlain Square, Birmingham City Center

Thursday

Sikh Society 6-a-side Football Tournament on Thursday at the football pitches by Bristol Road. The tournament will start at 5pm and it'll be £1 per person. For more information get in touch with Nick Singh on 07859 905652.

Friday

Sikhs and Diwali - Seminar led by a Bibi Kiranpal Kaur on the difference between Diwali and Bandi Chor, why we celebrate Bandi Chor and what this day signifies and really means to Sikhs.
2 - 5pm at Wolverhampton University, Room MN110

Saturday

National Kirtan Darbar - An evening of Kirtan and Katha by various renowned Keertanee. There will be Katha in English, displays and the BOSS Stall which includes books on Sikhi, Hoodies, T-Shirts and CD's.

6 till late at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick


Loads of events happening this week, and all not to be missed.

This Weeks Events

Monday 29th October

West Midlands Sikhi Week 2007 will commence on monday and University of Birmingham will be hosting the first event.
There will be a talk on Sikh Women and Sacrifice which will take place in the St Francis Hall in the Caplaincy (the place where the Cha n' Samosa event was held) at 2pm till 5pm .
There will also be the meditiation session after the event at the same place starting 6pm.


Wednesday 31th October

The next event for Sikhi Week will be taking place at Aston University. The talk will be on Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji and will start at 2pm. Members of the Sikh Society will be commuting there by train/bus. Anyone who wants to go with them, please be at the clocktower for 1 pm sharp. Alternatively, for those who would like to make there own way there, the 61, 62 and 63 buses stop outside of Aston University.

Thursday 1st November

There will be a Gatka demonstation at Aston University. This will take place 1pm - 3pm just outside Aston University Guild. If anyone would like to go with the sikh society then e-mail us back on this e-mail address.

There will also be a Sikh Society 6-a-side Football Tournament on Thursday at the football pitches by Bristol Road. The tournament will start at 5pm and it'll be £1 per person. For more information get in touch with Nick Singh on 07859 905652.

Langar on Campus

The langer on campus commemorating Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurb will be on the 9th November and we need as many sewadars as possible. If anyone is free for a few hours on Monday please come down and help by doing whatever sewa needs doing. This event has been a huge success in previous years with the university, students and sikh community praising the event and the sewadars.

Everyone is welcome to the events.

There's loads happening next week so please come down and make these events a success.

Event: Sikhi Week 2007

Below are the dates and venues for Sikh Week 2007's events.

Monday 29th Oct- Sikh Women and Sacrifice at St Francis Hall, University of Birmingham, 2-5pm

Wednesday 31st Oct- Presentation on Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Aston University, NG09, 2-5pm

Thursday 1st Nov- Gatka at Aston University, outside Guild, 1-3pm

Monday 5th Nov- Langar On Campus at University Of Birmingham, outside Clocktower, 11-4pm

Wednesday 7th Nov-Candlelight Vigil (for 1984 remembrance and sikh soldiers who fought in 2 world wars) at Chamberlain Square in Birmingham City Centre, 4-7pm

Friday 9th Nov- Sikhs and diwali at Wolverhampton University, ML 041, 2-5pm,

Saturday 10th Nov- National Kirtan Darbar at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick, 7pm-12am

This week's events (Week 4)

Events coming up:

On Monday 22nd October we will be starting the Meditation sessions.
Time: 6.30pm
Place: Worship room, St. Francis Hall chaplaincy
Everyone welcome

On Wednesday 24th October, the SikhSoc will be going bowling at AMC.
We'll be going by train or bus most likely - depends on how many people with gaddiya wanna come ; )
The plan: meet at the guild for 1.30pm and make our way to AMC
For more details and to let us know you're coming, please get in touch with Nick Singh on 078599 05652, or alternatively Satnam Kaur on 07743 433146.

West Midlands Sikhi Week is also just around the corner. This is where there are events throughout the space of a week or 2 at the different W Mids Universities, including Wolves, UCE, Aston and of course Birmingham. There will be more details to follow.

The West Midland Sikh Society's have also created a joint website. SikhSoc events from around the West Midlands will be put up on this website. Aston University's Soda n' Samosa event has just been uploaded with some hilarious videos from Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh's talk at the event. Check the site out:
http://wmsikhsoc.blogspot.com/

Sanjha Akhand Keertan Smagam at Niskham Educational and Cultural Centre

Go to www.sanjhasmagam.com for location info, transportation and for more information about the event.

Event: Cha n'Samosa at Aston University

There will be a Cha n' Samosa event at Aston University on wednesday. If anyone wants to go down to help (or for free samose ;)) there are a group of people going down from University Of Birmingham via train. Email us (bhamunisikhsoc@googlemail.com) if you want to go by train with them.

Alternatively, it is very easy to commute there:

1) Bus :- Catch the 61, 62 or 63 bus towards Birmingham. They all stop just in front of Aston University (the aston uni stop is the stop just after the stop infront of the bull ring).
2) Train :- Catch the train to New Street and then go up the esculators after the ticket check, and turn left towards the ramp that takes you outside the pallasades. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp (towards the Bullring) and turn left onto the road with Virgin/HMV/Pavilion on. Head straight down that road (keeping to the right hand side of the road) and you should reach Aston University.

Photos: University Of Wolverhampton Soda n' Samosa

Here are photos from yesterday's Soda n' Samosa event at Wolverhampton University. There will be videos up soon on the parts of the talk by Bhaji Sukhwinder Singh on the life of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji.

Cha n' Samosa at Wolverhampton University

Their will be a Cha n'Samosa event happening at Wolverhampton University this week. The sikhsoc at wolverhampton university has requested for some of the university of birmingham sikhsoc members to go and help. There will be people going by train so anyone who wants to go just e-mail us at bhamunisikhsoc@googlemail.com. They'll leave at around 12.15. There is a map below for anyone who might want to make there own way there (Train, metro and bus stops are all a short walk away from the university campus)
Click here for map

Shaheedi Keertan Smagam 2007

There will be a kirtan smagam this week in memory of the shaheed sikhs of the past. Click on poster below for dates and gurdwareh.

The kirtan from the Rainsbhai in memory of Ikbal Singh is now up on the Sikh Soul website (click here).

Photos: Soda n' Samosa event

Here are photos from today's Soda n' Samosa event. Apologies that photos are not in chronological order.

The next Soda n'Samosa event will be at Wolverhampton University on 10th October (next week wednesday). More info will be on the new West Midlands Sikh Blog.

Reansbhai Keertan In Loving Memory Of Ikbal Singh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Waheguru Ji Ke Fateh!

With the Grace of Waheguru, there will be Reansbai Keertan for the sikh naujwan who sadly died in a motorbike accident.

It will be held on Saturday 6th October 07 from 7 PM to 5 AM at:

Guru Nanak Gurdwara
8 Edward Street
West Bromwich
B70 8NN

O my mind, earn the profit, before you return home...

Plz attend

Directions to Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Edward Street:

Driving: Click here for map

Commuting: Catch the 74 or 79 bus to West Bromwich (or metro to West Bromwich Central). From there a very short walk to gurdwara (see map above). West Bromich bus station is just by St Michaels Street so all you need to do is cross over St Michaels street and go around either left (via price street then onto victoria street) or right (via the high street onto victoria street). The metro stop is on W Bromwich ringway so all you need to do is turn left and head towards price street, then turn right onto victoria street and finally left onto edward street.

Event: Soda n' Samosa

3rd October, 2007 at St Francis Chaplaincy (next to the guild).

All Welcome.
2 - 4pm

Video: Bhai Gurbir Singh Ji (Tarantaran)

Shabad and Meanings: Click here

Event: Wolverhampton Rehnsbhai

There will be a Rehnsbhai (all night kirtan) at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Wolverhampton (Sedgley Street) on the 1st September. There will be kirtanias from all around the world coming.

Click here for map.

For last years kirtan,

AKJ Rehnsbhai: Click here

Naam Ras Rehnsbhai: Click here