Rare Sikh memorabilia dazzle London - ‘The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms’.

Davinder Singh Toor’s moment of revelation came back in 1999 when he was apprenticed as a tour guide to the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition in London called, ‘The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms’.

“For me it was a revelation”, says Davinder, a 33-year-old London-based optometrist. “It suddenly became real. I was brought up reading stories about the Gurus and things like this, but there was always something mythical about it and because of the myth there was a bit of a disconnect. This was different. Now I had the artefacts that proved the existence of these people to me.”

The son of a Ludhiana-born engineer who emigrated to the UK in 1962, Davinder soon discovered he had a passion for finding out more about his heritage. His father was a clean shaven Sikh, but Davinder started wearing a turban at the age of 14. By the time he was a second year student at the University of Aston in Birmingham, he was an avid collector of Sikh memorabilia.

The first artefact he ever collected was an early 20th century dagger made of jade and brass and produced in Lahore. Davinder bought it from a London dealer with £60 borrowed from his elder brother.

Today he is part of a group of UK-based Sikhs who have come together under the aegis of the UK Punjab Heritage Association to promote a stunning exhibition about the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

They include author/historian Parmjit Singh, public relations expert Harbaksh Singh Grewal and exhibition designer Juga Singh. Judging from the comments in the visitors’ book, the exhibition so far has been an unqualified success and is a tribute to the group’s dedication and perseverance.

Polite and attentive, members of the group emphasise the inclusiveness of their faith and how it drew followers from all religions, whether Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs.

Parmjit Singh, the exhibition curator, is quoted as saying: “When it was at its peak, the temple was not only recognised as a centre of devotion for pilgrims of many other faiths, it was also a centre of learning,”

FOR PUBLIC EYE

n A vast Perspex model of the Golden Temple as it once stood in the 19th century is on display at Brunei Gallery at the London’s School of Oriental and African Studiesn The exhibition reminds visitors about Sikhism, its history and traditions, including the arts that flourished under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

n Re-creation of what a Sikh warrior looked like over 100 years ago. Mannequin dressed in its original helmet and weaponry is one of the most impressive items on display

Read More:http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110830/main7.htm#1

There are 14 types of noses, but none for news

A new research says there are 14 types of nose shapes, each determining what kind of person we are

You need to have a nose for this news - there’re 14 types of the vital organ on the human face, according to a researcher.

Professor Abraham Tamir of Ben-Gurion University in Israel has completed what he claims is the first survey of its type to classify and record the different shapes of the human nose, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.

This revealed that there are 14 types of nose, with classifications ranging from “fleshy” to “celestial”.

The most common, particularly among men, was the fleshy nose, best illustrated by Prince Philip, which featured on almost a quarter of all the faces studied.

Writing in the ‘Journal of Craniofacial Surgery’, Prof Tamir says those with such a nose are likely to be generous, emotional, helpful and sensitive.

But it is not all good news. In the professor’s opinion, both the “fleshy” and the “hawk” are among the least attractive.

The Roman nose, seen on Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, was sported by 9 per cent, who were ambitious, courageous and clear-thinking.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe joins the 9 per cent who sported an aquiline nose, said to symbolise a cool tactician with a business mind.

Some 13 per cent had celestial noses, with celebrity examples, including actor Carey Mulligan. These, the professor believes, are most attractive along with the snub noses found on 5 per cent. But while the snub shape may be attractive, it is not necessary a blessing.

ype: The Fleshy nose; most common type

Best seen on: Prince Philip

Traits: Generous, emotional, helpful and sensitive

Type: The Roman nose; only 9 pc have it

Best seen on: Tom Cruise

Traits: Ambitious, courageous and clear-thinking

Type: Aquiline nose

Best seen on: Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe

Traits: A cool tactician with a business mind

Prof Tamir said: "The snub nose is a small nose sloping upwards at the tip. People with this frequently lack spiritual and physical maturity." Kate Middleton, however, can also claim an attractive nose. Her shape was frequently found in paintings, suggesting artists saw it as a thing of beauty, says the researcher. Simon Withey, of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said the results would have been different had the survey been done in another part of the world. "Women like a nose like Angelina Jolie's -- a very delicate nose with not a lot of bulk. Men like straighter noses. In general people don't like fleshy tips or excessive bumps," he said. 
src.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110713/nation.htm#4

New flight between London and Amritsar on the anvil

The British Midland International (BMI), a part of the Lufthansa airlines, is all set to introduce a new flight between London (Heathrow) and Amritsar.

The new flight has raised the hopes for revival of perishable cargo at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji (SGRJ) International Airport. Operating thrice a week, the flight will commence on October 13. These flights will arrive here from Heathrow, via Almaty in Kazakhstan on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The return flights from Amritsar will again be via Almaty on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The BMI has initiated the sale of tickets.

Flights will be operated on a wide-bodied Airbus A330 aircraft, which returns into service for BMI this week after its lease to Turkish Airlines. The refurbished aircraft will offer 36 business class and 196 economy class seats.

The aircraft has 44 tonnes cargo capacity which can easily accommodate export consignments of fresh vegetables. Perishable cargo has been lying defunct since Air India discontinued its direct Amritsar-London-Toronto flight in October last.

The discontinuation of Air India’s direct flight from Amritsar to London had created a hue and cry among the NRIs of Punjabi origin settled in England. They reasoned that the convenient and financially lucrative link between Amritsar and London had been snapped without a valid reason. A sizeable number of Punjabis are settled in the UK.

The BMI is the second largest airline at London Heathrow, with flights over 40 destinations worldwide. It would be its maiden commercial venture in north western India.

src.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110623/punjab.htm#11

Nachiye Punjabi Song By London

Gurdas Maan Live Show Today At London 23 & 24 April,2011

Today's first reference email!

I'm writing this mail with tears in my eye. I came to London,United Kingdom on a Seminar, unfortunately I got mugged at the park of the hotel I lodged, all my cash,credit card and telephone were stolen from me but luckily for me I still have my travel passports with me.

I have contacted the Embassy via e-mail and the Police are not helping issues at all. They told me to wait for 2-3weeks before any help can be done. Besides,my return flight leaves in 3hrs from now. Also, I have problem settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let us leave until I settled my bill.



So I was actually felling quite concerned for MR Gary Weiner who had written to our reference deparment's email help until I read his last line! Unless I'm figuring this wrong not being allowed until your bill is paid equates to not being allowed to vacate until your bill is paid! HAZAH! Free room and board in London! And here I was worrying about how to make my mortgage payment or afford a vacation getaway this spring! Suddenly both problems solved in one fell swoop!