SIKHS IN LAHORE BARRED FROM CELEBRATING FESTIVAL

The Sikh community in the eastern city of Lahore has been barred from organising a religious function at a disputed gurdwara after a religious group persuaded the authorities that celebrating the Muslim holy day of Shab-e-Barat was more important than the Sikh festival.

The musical equipment of the Sikhs was thrown out and their entry into the gurdwara barred due to the efforts of the Dawat-e-Islami, a Barelvi proselytising group. The police was deployed outside the gurdwara to prevent the Sikhs from holding a religious function until after the end of Shab-e-Barat, which falls tomorrow. Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore was built in memory of a Sikh saint who was executed in 1745 on the orders of the Mughal Governor of Punjab, Zakaria Khan.

Every July, Sikhs have held a religious ceremony to commemorate his sacrifice. Though the gudwara was taken over by the Evacuee Trust Property Board after Partition, Sikhs were allowed to continue using it with few restrictions. Four years ago, the Dawat-e-Islami claimed the gurdwara was located on the site of the grave of a 15th century Muslim saint, Pir Shah Kaku. The group claimed Kaku was the grandson of Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar, an "implausible” claim since Ganjshakar died in 1280 while Kaku died almost 200 years later in 1477, the daily reported.
SRC.http://www.punjabmailonline.com/Punjab%20News_news2.aspx#51599

GREEN 'HOLA MOHALLA' FESTIVAL PLANNED AT PUNJAB GURDWARA

The Takht Keshgarh Sahib gurdwara at Anandpur Sahib and the Ropar district administration of Punjab have banned the use of plastic material and other pollutants during the Hola Mohalla celebrations at the shrine next week, an environment group official said.

Addressing media here via video-conferencing from Washington D.C., EcoSikh convenor Rajwant Singh said the Ropar district deputy commissioner has issued an order banning the use of plastics and other pollutants during Hola Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur Sahib, 90 km from here. He said Takht Keshgarh Sahib head priest Tarlochan Singh also has sent out an appeal to shun plastic and is planning to lead a nature march in Kiratpur Sahib, 10 km from Anandpur Sahib.

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival held in March to coincide with the Hindu festival of colours, Holi. It is held at Anandpur Sahib, home to the second holiest Sikh shrine, Keshgarh Sahib, the birthplace (April 13, 1699) of "Khalsa", the modern day Sikh religion. Sikh environment activist and preacher Sewa Singh of Khadoor Sahib, who was present at the press conference here, said: "We have to seek guidance from the Gurbani and also from the life of Guru Har Rai ji to work for greater good."

"Working for the restoration of nature is one big way to serve humanity and the coming generations. I congratulate EcoSikh for this initiative of mobilising the Sikh community worldwide for one purpose of environmental activism," he said. EcoSikh came into existence as an answer to a call by the United Nations to world religions to contribute to environmental restoration.

"Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib are the only hilly sacred sites of the Sikhs and we must protect their serene surroundings and natural beauty for the coming generations," Rajwant Singh said. EcoSikh project manager for India Ravneet Singh said: "All major Sikh institutions -- such as the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Sukrit, Akal Purakh ki Fauj, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, Gurmat Gian Missionary College and many others -- have joined to celebrate this day with their individual plan of action."

EcoSikh urged the community and other people to plant trees March 14 (Monday) to observe the Sikh environment day and not to use plastics and other polluting materials. Rajwant Singh added: "In the Sikh diaspora, gurdwaras from Canada to Malaysia will be participating in observing the Sikh environment day." "In Connecticut, in the US, the Connecticut Sikh Association will be celebrating the day with plans to install solar panels in their new gurdwara to reduce energy costs by USD 15,000 per year," he said.

"In British Columbia, Canada, Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and Sukh Sagar Gurdwara Sahib will be hosting a community environmental clean-up, a tree plantation drive and distribute plants," he said.

First Shimla International Film Festival from March 18, 2011

The first Shimla International Film Festival (SIFF) for documentary, short and animation films is being organised by Films Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, government of India, in collaboration with Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Himachal Pradesh, from March 18 to 20 at Gaiety Theater here.

The SIFF will showcase some of the best and award-winning documentaries, short and animation films from India and abroad, apart from films by a filmmaker from Shimla. The festival will provide an appropriate forum for filmmakers, technicians and artistes of Shimla to discover and discuss the current and latest trend and techniques in this creative art.

The highlights of the festival will be award-winning films of MIFF and best of Films Division Documentary films, animation films and films on Himachal Pradesh. In addition to these, two films entitled “For Whom The Jingle Bells Toll” and “Spot The Difference” directed by Vivek Mohan from Himachal Pradesh will be screened during the festival. Total 23 hours of films will be shown in the festival.

Rose Festival at Chandigarh

Chandigarh Tourism is going to organize Rose Festival 2011 which is also known as the Festival of Gardensfrom 25th to 27th February, 2011 at Rose Garden & Leisure Valley, Chandigarh. You can enjoy large variety of magnificent roses during Chandigarh Rose Festival 2011. Chandigarh Rose Festival 2011 is celebrated to encourage people to stroll through the Rose Garden and enjoy the sight of the blooms. Since 1997 it is known as the Festival of Gardens and is included on the national calendar of festivals.

The 39th Edition of Rose Festival also know as Festival of Gardens now will be hosted Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Chandigarh from February 25-27, 2011. This year too, the festival will see concerts, musical nights, comedy shows, food streets along with the various competitions held for art, dance and photography.

Famous singers like Hans Raj Hans, Priyani Vani, Mohit Chuahan and comedian Udhay Dhaiya will be performing at the Rose Festival this year.

Be there to enjoy the fun and festivities in the garden full of blooming Roses.