WE SHOULD INTROSPECT OURSELVES FOR A MINUTE.....

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਚਾਰਿ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਹੰਢਿ ਕੈ ਚਾਰਿ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਸੰਮਿ॥



ਲੇਖਾ ਰੱਬ ਮੰਗੇਸੀਆ ਤੂੰ ਆਂਹੋ ਕਿਹੜੇ ਕੰਮਿ॥ - ਬਾਬਾ ਸ਼ੇਖ ਫਰੀਦ ਜੀ।


{ FARIDA CHAAR GVAAYA HANDH KAEY CHAAR GVAAYA SAMM ; LEKHA RABB MANGESIAA TUN AAHON KEHDE KAMM - BABA SHIEKH FARID JI.} Here in this shabad or sermon, Baba Farid Ji says that 4 parts or half of the day is lost by man in wandering here and there in unending search of more & more money, in other materialistic things & individualistic pleasures of life; and other hours of the day are spent & lost in sleeping and resting..... After the end of this journey of life, God will call for your account, and ask you, Why u came into this world, Why you took birth as a human being? just for doing useless, inhumane, sinful & immoral acts, instead of doing some good & kind acts of Service & Welfare?...... So, we should all think and introspect for a minute whether we all are walking on the right path of honesty, goodness and truth or just wasting our valuable and precious time of this life....- HARGUNPREET SINGH.

WHAT WE SEE, SO WE BECOME....

Some people say that we should not keep pictures of Gurus as this is Manmat, but according to me anything related to Gurus is Gurmat.... A piece of Art is deeply related to Spirituality & Divinity and Everything and every kind of Art has a great effect on our mind & psychology….. It's true that pictures of Sikh Gurus are not real & authentic but being an art lover and winning several prizes in drawing competitions, I personally feel that some of the great portraits & paintings of Sikh Gurus by great artists like Sobha Singh, Tarlok Singh, Amrita Shergill, Devinder Singh etc. put great impact on our eyes and mind and we feel soothing, peaceful & enlightened…..

That’s why Darbar Sahib(Golden Temple) and almost all the Gurudwaras & religious places all over the world have museums and art galleries….. Many old religious scriptures & writings are also comprised of many paintings & drawings of Gurus.... We should not think the particular picture as our Guru and should only believe in Shabad Guru i.e Guru Granth Sahib but for increasing our faith and especially for the children these photos are very inspiring, beneficial & motivational…..

When I was a child of 1 or 2 years and even was unable to speak properly I always used to see the picture of Guru Gobind Singh ji by Sobha Singh on wall in front of me and I still believe that that picture of Guru Maharaj has played a great role in instilling the religious & spiritual faith and beliefs in early days of my life….. If all Sikh children are taught about the Sikh history and sacrifices by our great martyrs like Bhai Taru Singh ji, Bhai Mani Singh ji, Baba Deep Singh ji, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ji, Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Dyala ji and many other thousands of martyrs, with pictures or animation, it will have a long lasting effect on children's mind; but sad thing is that today a Sikh child takes interest in watching misleading actors & singers and listen to their cultureless and worthless songs, which are playing a negative role in taking away our youth from Sikhism.....

Morever inspite of placing & putting the photos of actors, players, corrupt political leaders and singers if we put religious pictures in front of us it will be more fruitful….. Somebody has said ‘What we see, so we become’, which means that if we see good things it will have a good impact on our mind & if we constantly see bad things it will have the worst impact….. Therefore, it depends on us what we like to see and Everyone is free to do whatever he likes or wants..... - HARGUNPREET SINGH.

BE HOLY ON HOLI!

Holi is the great festival related to our golden past and significant cultural heritage of our country and this should be celebrated not by using strong dark colours and damaging each other's skin or eyes & doing immoral & unethical practices under the shelter of it's name; but by becoming holy, awakened & leaving all bad habits and negativities behind us....

According to Gurbani: "ਲਾਲ ਰੰਗੁ ਤਿਸ ਕਉ ਲਗਾ; ਜਿਸ ਕੇ ਵਡਭਾਗਾ ॥ ਮੈਲਾ ਕਦੇ ਨ ਹੋਵਈ; ਨਹ ਲਾਗੈ ਦਾਗਾ ॥੧॥

ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸੁਖਦਾਈਆ; ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੁਖ ਭਾਇ ॥ ਸਹਜਿ ਸਮਾਨਾ ਭੀਤਰੇ; ਛੋਡਿਆ ਨਹ ਜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥" means that the person who is exceedingly fortunate is graced and dyed with the red colour of Beloved God's love; and this colour doesn't get dirty ever, nor any stain or blot can occur on it which could damage it. He attains his peace-giving Lord and automatically meets Him. The Lord sinks into his soul and then he can not leave & stay without Him.... - HARGUNPREET SINGH.

SOME FAMOUS SAYINGS OF THE GREAT ACHARYA RAJNEESH (OSHO)

*How can one become enlightened? One can, because one is enlightened. One just has to recognize the fact.
*Enlightenment is the understanding that this is all, that this is perfect, that this is it. Enlightenment is not an achievement, it is an understanding that there is nothing to achieve, nowhere to go.
*Yes, when you see for the first time, a great laughter arises in you - the laughter about the whole ridiculousness of your misery, the laughter about the whole foolishness of your problems, the laughter about the whole absurdity of your suffering.
*Meaning is man-created. And because you constantly look for meaning, you start to feel meaninglessness.
*You come to the master only in deep humbleness, because learning is possible only in humbleness. You have come to surrender, not to perform, not to manipulate, not to impress.
*When I say that you are gods and goddesses I mean that your possibility is infinite, your potentiality is infinite.
*You become that which you think you are. Or, it is not that you become it, but that the idea gets very deeply rooted and that's what all conditioning is.
*The day you think you know, your death has happened - because now there will be no wonder and no joy and no surprise. Now you will live a dead life.
*The modern mind has lost all capacity to wonder. It has lost all capacity to look into the mysterious, into the miraculous - because of knowledge, because it thinks it knows.
*If you can become a mirror you have become a meditator. Meditation is nothing but skill in mirroring. And now, no word moves inside you so there is no distraction.
Don't seek, don't search, don't ask, don't knock, don't demand - relax. If you relax, it comes. If you relax, it is there. If you relax, you start vibrating with it.
*God is a synergetic experience. Science can never reveal it, philosophy can never come to it - only a poetic approach, a very passive, very loving approach, can.
A really religious person has no theology. Yes, he has the experience, he has the truth, he has that luminosity, but he has no theology.
Life is not a tragedy, it is a comedy. To be alive means to have a sense of humor.
Be less of a judge and you will be surprised that when you become a witness and you don't judge yourself, you stop judging others too. And that makes you more human, more compassionate, more understanding.
Know the whole world is nothing when it is compared to knowing your own inner mystery of life.
*Drop the fear. Fear was taken up by you in your childhood, unconsciously. Now consciously drop it and be mature. Then the life can be a light which goes on deepening as you go on growing.
*Intelligence is a natural phenomenon -- just as breathing is, just as seeing is. Intelligence is the inner seeing; it is intuitive. It has nothing to do with intellect. Never confuse intellect with intelligence, they are polar opposites. Intellect is of the head; it is taught by others, it is imposed on you. You have to cultivate it. It is borrowed, it is something foreign, it is not inborn. But intelligence is inborn. It is your very being, your very nature.
*Become more and more innocent, less knowledgeable and more childlike. Take life as fun - because that's precisely what it is!
*To be alone is the only real revolution. To accept that you are alone is the greatest transformation that can happen to you. - HARGUNPREET SINGH.

ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦਾ ਚੈਂਪੀਅਨ :ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ

ਜੋ ਸ਼ਖ਼ਸ ਉਸ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀ ਨੇਅਮਤ ਨਾਲ਼ ਨਵਾਜ਼ੇ ਸੁਖਾਂ ਦਿਆਂ ਰੰਗਾਂ ਸਮੇਤ ਦੁਖਾਂ-ਤਕਲੀਫ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਉਹਦੀ ਰਜ਼ਾ ’ਚ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਿਆ ਅਮੁੱਲ ਸਰਮਾਇਆ ਜਾਣ ਕੇ ਖਿੜੇ ਮੱਥੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਹਿੱਕ ਨਾਲ ਲਗਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਜਜ਼ਬਾ ਰਖਦੇ ਹੋਣ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਹੌਸਲੇ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀ ਵੱਡੀ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਡੀ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲਾਤ ਦੀ ਗਰਮੀ ਅੱਗੇ ਵੀ ਕਦੀ ਬਰਫ਼ ਵਾਂਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਖੁਰਦੇ।ਸਗੋਂ ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਅਜਿਹੇ ‘ਅਮੁੱਲੇ ਦੁੱਖ’ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਰਾਹਾਂ ’ਚ ਡੱਕੇ ਬਨਣ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਾਮਿਸਾਲ ਮਿਸਾਲਾਂ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਉਭਰਦੇ ਹਨ।

ਜੇਕਰ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਜਿਊਣ ਦੀ ਅਟੁੱਟ ਜ਼ਿੱਦ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਆਈ ਮੌਤ ਵੀ ਆਪਣਾ ਰਾਹ ਬਦਲਣ ਲਈ ਮਜਬੂਰ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੀ ? ਇਸ ਪੇਚੀਦਾ ਸਵਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਹਨੇ ਸੋਹਲ ਉਮਰੇ ਹੀ ਹੱਲ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ।ਸਿਰ ’ਤੇ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਦਸਤਾਰ, ਅੱਖਾਂ ’ਤੇ ਐਨਕ ਅਤੇ ਮੋਢੇ ਨਾਲ਼ ਲਮਕਾਇਆ ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ ਦਾ ਭਰਿਆ ਝੋਲਾ ਲਈਂ ਜਦ ਉਹ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਪਟਿਆਲਾ ਦੇ ਪੱਤਰਕਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਜਨ-ਸੰਚਾਰ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਰਾਹਾਂ ’ਚ ਦਰਖ਼ਤੋਂ ਡਿੱਗੇ ਪੱਤੇ ਵੀ ਉਹਦੇ ਕਦਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਨਿੰਮ੍ਹੀ-ਨਿੰਮ੍ਹੀ ਠਕਠਕਾਹਟ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣ, ਆਪਣੇ ਕੁਮਲਾਏ ਦਿਲਾਂ ’ਚ ਮੁੜ ਸਬਜ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਿਆਲ ਪੁੰਗਰਾਊਣ ਲੱਗ ਪੈਂਦੇ ਹੋਣੇ।ਅਜਿਹਾ ਹੈ ‘ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ’।

ਇਹ ਉਹੀਓ ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਅਕਸਰ ‘ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਟ੍ਰਿਬਿਊਨ’ ’ਚ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਿਤ ਆਪਣੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਰਕ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗਾਂ ਜ਼ਰੀਏ ਮਹਾਨ ਸ਼ਖ਼ਸੀਅਤਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਾਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਲਫ਼ਾਜ਼ ’ਚ ਪਰੋਂਦਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਰਾਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੁਸ਼ਨਾਉਣ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੁਕਤਾਂ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ।ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਖ਼ੁਦ ‘ਪ੍ਰੇਰਕ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਗ’ ਹੈ, ਖ਼ਾਸ ਕਰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਜੋ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਕਲੀਫਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੰਮੇ ਮੀਲ ਪੱਥਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖ ਉਹਨੂੰ ਪਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਥੱਕ, ਅੱਕ ਜਾਂ ਹਾਰ ਕੇ ਬੈਠ ਗਏ ਹਨ।1 ਅਪਰੈਲ, 2003 ਦੀ ਉਹ ਹਲੂਣਾ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲ਼ੀ ਤਿੱਖੀ ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਦਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਭੁੱਲਾ ਸਦਕੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਡਾਕਟਰੀ ਮੁਆਇਨੇ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਆਈ ਕਿ ਦਸਵੀਂ ਜਮਾਤ ’ਚ ਪੜ੍ਹਦੇ 15 ਵਰ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਇਸ ਅਲੜ੍ਹ ਉਮਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ ‘ਬਲੱਡ ਕੈਂਸਰ’ ਦੀ ਲਪੇਟ ’ਚ ਆ ਚੁੱਕਾ ਹੈ।ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਨੂੰ ਜਦੋਂ ਇਸ ਨਾਮੁਰਾਦ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਾ ਤਾਂ ਉਹਨੇ ਇਸ ਅੱਗੇ ਗੋਡੇ ਟੇਕਣ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਕਹਿ ਕਿ ਹੌਸਲਾ ਵਧਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਜੇਕਰ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ’ਚ ਇਨਸਾਨ ਸਚਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਸਵਿਕਾਰ ਕਰ ਲਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨਾਲ਼ ਜੂਝਣ ਦੀ ਤਾਕਤ ਵੀ ਮਿਲ ਹੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।ਮਾਸੂਮੀਅਤ ’ਚ ਆਪ ਮੁਹਾਰੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਕਿਰੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਫ਼ਜ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੁਗਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ ਸਾਢੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਵਰ੍ਹੇ ਉਹਨੂੰ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, ਪੀ.ਜੀ.ਆਈ. ਵਿਖੇ ਕੈਮੋਥਰੈਪੀ ਤੇ ਰੇਡੀਓਥਰੈਪੀ ਜਿਹੇ ਸਖ਼ਤ ਕੋਰਸਾਂ ’ਚੋਂ ਲੰਘਣਾ ਪਿਆ ।ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੋਰਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਪੀੜ ਨੇ ਉਹਨੂੰ ਬੇਸ਼ਕ ਜਿਸਮੀ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੀ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਪਰ ਉਹਦਾ ਹੌਸਲਾ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਦਿਨ ਬ ਦਿਨ ਮੌਤ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਫਰਲਾਂਗ ਪਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਨਾਲ਼ ਵਧਦਾ ਹੀ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ।ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ ਦਸਵੀਂ ’ਚੋਂ 78.46 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ, ਬਾਰ੍ਹਵੀਂ ’ਚੋਂ 74.6 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਤੇ ਬੀ.ਏ. ’ਚੋਂ 75.13 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਅੰਕ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਅਦਾਰੇ ’ਚ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਸਥਾਨ ’ਤੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ‘ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਸਰੀਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਮਨ’ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ‘ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਚਾਅ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤ ਰਾਹ’ ਜਿਹੀ ਨਿਵੇਕਲੀ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਜਿਆ।

ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਪਟਿਆਲਾ ਦੇ ਅਰਜਨ ਨਗਰ ’ਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਦਾ ਕਮਰਾ ਉਹਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਤੇ ਸੁਭਾਅ ਵਾਂਗ ਬਹੁਤ ਵੱਡਾ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਉਹਦੇ ਇਨਾਮਾਂ-ਸਨਮਾਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਾਦਾਦ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਹਦੇ ਵੱਡੇ ਕਮਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਬੌਣਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ।ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਲਿਖਾਈ, ਚਿੱਤਰਕਾਰੀ, ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਜਾਉਣ ਤੇ ਲੇਖ ਲਿਖਣ ਦੇ ਮੁਕਾਬਲਿਆਂ ’ਚ ਤਕਰੀਬਨ 60 ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਰਾਜ ਤੇ ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਪੱਧਰ ਦੇ ਪੁਰਸਕਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰ ਚੁੱਕਾ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਉਹਦੇ 200 ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਲੇਖ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਅਖ਼ਬਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਿੰਗਾਰ ਵੀ ਬਣ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ।ਇੱਥੇ ਹੀ ਬਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਇਲਾਜ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਵਿਹਲੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਉਹਨੂੰ ਸਾਹਿਤ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ, ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਸੁਨਣ ਤੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਸ਼ਖ਼ਸੀਅਤਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਜਾਣਨ ਦੀ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਚੇਟਕ ਲੱਗੀ ਕਿ ਉਹਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਿਆਨ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਅਵੇਸਲਾ ਕਰਕੇ ‘ਮੁਸੀਬਤਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਨਾ ਘਬਰਾਓ’ ਇੱਕ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਵੀ ਲਿਖੀ।

ਹਰਗੁਣਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਨੂੰ ਨਵੀਂ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀ ਨਵੀਂ ਸਵੇਰ ਮਿਲੀ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਰੌਸ਼ਨੀ ’ਚ ਉਹ ਭਵਿੱਖ ਦੀ ਕਿਤਾਬ ’ਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੁਫ਼ਨਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਕਲਮ ਨਾਲ਼ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ‘ਨਵੀਂ ਸਵੇਰ’ ਦੀ ਇਬਾਰਤ ਲਿਖਣ ਦਾ ਯਤਨ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।ਅਜਿਹੀ ਨਵੀਂ ਸਵੇਰ ਜਿਸ ਦੇ ਨਿੱਘ ’ਚ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਕੈਂਸਰ ਪੀੜਤ ਨੂੰ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਦਰਾਂ ’ਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੀਮਤੀ ਹੰਝੂ ਵਹਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਲਾਚਾਰ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਾ ਪਵੇ।ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੇ ਗ਼ਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਥੋੜੀ ਲੰਮੇਰੀ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਅਜੇ ਤੀਕ ਕੋਈ ਅਜਿਹੀ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਈ ਜਿਸ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਸਵੇਰਾ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ।ਮੌਤ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਤ ਪਾਉਣ ਵਾਲ਼ਾ ਤੇ ਦੁਖਾਂ ’ਚ ਵੀ ਮੂਹੋਂ ਉਲਾਂਭੇ ਭਰੀ ‘ਹਾਏ-ਹਾਏ’ ਕੱਢਣ ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਸ਼ੁਕਰਾਨੇ ਭਰੀ ‘ਵਾਹੁ-ਵਾਹੁ’ ਉਚਾਰਨ ਵਾਲ਼ਾ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਚੈਂਪੀਅਨ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਮੀਦਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁਝਿਆਂ ਚਿਰਾਗ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ‘ਜਗਦੀ ਸ਼ਮ੍ਹਾ’ ਦੇ ਖ਼ੁਆਬ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਬਸ ਇਹੋ ਆਖ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੋਵੇ:

ਦਿਲ ਨਾ ਊਮੀਦ ਤੋ ਨਹੀਂ, ਨਾਕਾਮ ਹੀ ਤੋ ਹੈ
ਲੰਮੀ ਹੈ ਗ਼ਮ ਕੀ ਸ਼ਾਮ, ਮਗਰ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਹੀ ਤੋ ਹੈ।

-ਵਿਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੰਗਰੂਰ
ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਿਤ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਟਿ੍ਬਿਊਨ 26/03/2011 ਸੱਜਰੀਆਂ ਪੈੜਾਂ

"PAGGAN VICHON PAGG PATIALA-SHAHI HAI KARDA SIFAT JEEHDI SARA JAGG NI"

In India, turbans are referred to as a Pagri. The word specifically refers to the headdress that is worn by men and needs to be manually tied. There are several styles which are specific to different regions and religions. A Pagri is a symbol of honour and respect across all regions where it is a practice to wear one. It is also why almost of all of these will honour important guests by offering them one to wear.

In British period, The Muslim elites of South Asia especially of western Punjab used to wear long pagri which was also a symbol of nobility, honour and respect. In Punjab and Sindh members of the landed aristrocracy always wore this pagri. This pagri was a part of full formal dress and was used to wear with Sherwani.

The Sikh turban, known as the Dastar, is mandatory for all Khalsa Sikhs to wear. The Pheta is worn in Maharashtra and also has regional variants like Puneri and Kolhapuri pheta. In Mysore and Kodagu the turban is known as the Mysore Peta. The Rajastani turban is commonly called the Pagari. It will vary by caste, class, religion and region. It also serves practical functions like protecting from the elements, used as a pillow, blanket or towel. When unravelled, it is used like a rope where it is tied to a bucket to draw water from the well.

The Pagri will also vary in shape, size and colour. The colour will vary related to occasion it will be worn. For example, Saffron (associated with valour) is worn during rallies, White (associated with peace) is worn by elders, Pink (associated with spring) is worn during the spring season or marriage ceremonies, etc.

Though all styles of turban are great & wonderful, but I have presented this article & information regarding Patiala-Shahi turban especially because firstly I like this style from the day I was born as my grandfather, father, chacha ji & other relatives used to wear turban in this style; Secondly, I feel that it is the most easiest & covenient style of tying a turban and looks better aesthetically, symmetrically & artistically then other styles of turban; and Thirdly, it suits the people of all ages, whether children, youth or older ones; and Fourthly, because today most of the youngsters are forgetting and replacing this style of Turban by the sharp, narrow & tilted turban which is far away from the Patiala Shahi turban .


According to the song sung by Pammi Bai, “Paggan vichon Pagg Patiala Shahi ae, karda sifat jeehdi sara jagg ni, bochvin ne pagg sardar bannhde, shaunki bande bannhde ne tedhi pagg ni”

“Patiala Shahi, Ludhiana style, Amritsari Pagg, Tikkhi Pagg, Bhangra Pagg and the Gol Pagg, or the round turban, are the various styles out of which the Patiala style is the most popular one”, The Patiala turban was evolved over a period of time and is best suited for those with broad faces and sharp features, ethnic characteristics which exemplify Sikhs of the region.


Since its inception, however, cross migration of Sikhs within Punjab and across the world has somewhat affected the style, with the true Patiala Shahi turban connoisseurs now being relatively small in number.

Even though the Patiala turban has developed into an art form, it captures a carefree spirit, mainly because it presents a round & balanced look with its rear being flat. The thumb is used to depress the cloth at the forehead to create the perfect, triangular effect with the fifty (a band of cloth worn under the turban, the colour usually chosen to match) or patka.

Other requisites of the Patiala turban include use of Finlay‘s "F-74 mal-mal" fabric, at least seven-and-a-half meters of it or more, which is cut in half and sewn together to double the width; some light starch; and, a twist in the last larh.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, R.S. Randhawa, explains that the final larh was twisted in order to strengthen it so that it could support the kalgi (aigrette). The tradition, long after the kalgi has been discarded as an ornament, has however continued, says Mr. Randhawa. He adds that the tradition of leaving the ear lobe visible in the Patiala style is continued by those who, like their ancestors, still wish to wear earrings.

While the colours of the Patiala turban were always light, pink and lemon were regarded as the state colours. ‘‘The colours have to be soft", says Raja Malvinder Singh, scion of the Patiala royal house. He says light colours were worn since the Patiala turban took its final shape during the reign of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. He recollects that different colours were used, depending on the festivals being celebrated. For example, the tarbuzi (watermelon) colour was worn during the Dussehra season. The darkest hue thus worn was dhani (dark green) to mark the Muslim mourning at Moharram.

Raja Malvinder states that though a style which could be loosely described as a Patiala one first came into being during Maharaja Rajinder Singh's time, it did not become identified as such and standardized until Bhupinder Singh's reign.

The Raja says that whereas the best quality of mal-mal cloth from Dhaka was used at first, Finlay's made it more accessible and commonplace once it started manufacturing the F-74 label. However, the width of this new version was 20 inches less than the earlier supply, as a result of which the turban became slightly smaller. He adds that presently only families associated with the Patiala State have continued sporting the style.


"I used to wear the Patiala Shahi turban when in college, but my style changed when I joined the Army," says Mr. Randhawa. The same is said to be true of royal family scion, Capt. Amarinder Singh. Presently, very few neelgars (dyers) in the city are said to be able to get the Patiala colours right because the traditional artisans were from the Punjabi-Muslim community, but the art is gradually being lost in the region now. Thus, Patiala-shahi turban is the part of our culture and I would like that the youngsters should reattach with their traditional roots & start wearing this Shahi style of turban...... - HARGUNPREET SINGH.

WHEN RECITATION OF GURBANI CURED ME OF DEADLY CANCER, I EXPERIENCED GOD - VASU BHARADWAJ

ਜਾ ਤੂ ਮੇਰੈ ਵਲਿ ਹੈ ਤਾ ਕਿਆ ਮੁਹਛੰਦਾ ॥

jaa too merai vall hai taa kia muhchha(n)dhaa.... When You are on my side, Lord, why should I worry?

If God is with me, who can harm me?: Not even the deadliest disease of cancer can take my life away and that is exactly the divinely inspiring message of the truly miraculous story of my victorious battle against bone cancer which was medically diagnosed to be multiple melanomas.

It was the continuous recitation of Gurbani that not only cured me of bone cancer that had already destroyed most of my bones in my skeleton, but also shattered my will to live. The blessings of Guru Granth Sahib not only triggered and accelerated the processes of complete and total cure in my body, but the Guru also enabled me to experience God. This also inspired me to pursue Naam therapy to totally and permanently get rid of otherwise fatal bone cancer.

Can Shabad-Kirtan and faithful recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib save me from fatal clutches of cancer.

Can such a miracle happen?

These were the questions that repeatedly crossed my mind and also dominated my dreams. Initially, I dismissed such ideas and being a science researcher with American educational background, I did not even believe in the existence of god. I have always been taught by my American scientists, teachers and professors that our life and the universe are governed by the irrefutable and irreversible laws of science and that God was nothing but a 'concept' or an illusion invented by timid and non-scientific minds. Hence, I have never been to any place of worship and also never prayed. But not anymore.

Medical History

It was April 27th 2002 when three different teams of oncologists and haematologists from Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad presented me with the unanimous medical investigation reports based on their repeatedly unanimous findings, they passed their judgment with one voice that my life is going to end in a few days as the deadly cancer called multiple melanomas has ruined most of my bones that are functionally vital for my survival. On April 29th 2002, I had completed three and half years of painful life as a terminally bed-ridden cancer patient. I was slowly dying of cancer. The bony structures of my right ear had been eaten away by bone cancer that gave me total deafness in my right ear. Repeated audio graphs done by several E.N.T. surgeons proved beyond doubt that the decibel loss was irreversible and so immense that Dr. A.B.R. Desai in Mumbai, who is reputed to be the final authority on E.N.T. ailments, told me that there was something very tragically wrong with the bones in my right year and after trying several treatments, Dr. Desai told me that he has no medicine for my ailment and that I will never be able to hear with my right ear. The reputed E.N.T. surgeon Dr. Farida Wadia of civil hospital was of the opinion that if the loss of hearing in the right year was not due to nerve deafness and was really a symptomatic manifestation of some un-diagnosed ailment then the hearing will return after that un-diagnosed ailment is cured. Is she blessed with 6th, 7th and 8th sense? I guess say so because that is exactly how the events ran their course.

Medical Prognosis Poor

Dr. Farida Wadia was also using her imagination like telescope in time and exactly predicting things which were yet to come. Later, it was Dr. Kiran Shah, the senior most reputed oncologist haematologist in Surat who himself performed bone marrow analysis and gave me the shocking news that I am not only suffering from bone cancer called multiple melanomas but the cancer has already destroyed much my vital bones. As per his advise, electrophoresis of the blood and MRI - [magnetic resonance imaging] - of brain and skull as well as CT-Scan were also done at Mahavir General Hospital which confirmed beyond doubt that I am slowly but surely dying of bone cancer. I had been loosing appetite and had developed dislike for food. [Anorexia nervosa] in between, I had also suffered from tumour on the right side of my head which gave me excruciating headache and giddiness. I lost orientation and would fall after walking for 30 seconds. As soon as cancer was diagnosed, I was immediately admitted to government civil hospital. There they administered six chemotherapy sessions – one every 28th day. This further destroyed my appetite and all the hair on my head and body were gone. I suffered these agonies for more than three and half years when on April 27th 2002, three teams of doctors and oncologists advised me that I should prepare my will as I had only a few days left.

Beginning of the Miracle

Now, this was the phase when the divine miracle began to take shape. It was Sardar Kesar Singh, the owner of reputed " Kwality Group of Hotels and Restaurants" in Surat and his son Sardar Manjeet Singh, who suggested to me that I should undertake a pilgrimage to the holy Golden Temple at Amritsar and offer Akhand Path and Ardas with complete faith and total devotion and pray before Sri Guru Granth Sahib to cure me of my cancer and bless me with good vibrant health and long life to remain in his service. I initially, took this suggestion very lightly and argued back that I do not understand Punjabi or Gurmukhi and would therefore, not follow any word of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and whatever brief knowledge of Sikhism and Sri Guru Granth Sahib I acquired was in April of 1999, when I wrote six researched articles on the 300 years of Khalsa celebrations published in the Indian press. But, Sardar Kesar Singh, who is also the president of Gurdwara at Udhana-Surat, convinced me that Sri Guru Granth Sahib's blessings are not restricted to those who speak or understand Punjabi or Gurmukhi. It is the faith and sincere devotion to the Guru which makes you worthy of his blessings.

Inspiration and Dedication

I found Sardar Kesar Singh's advice very much inspiring. Moreover, my sister-in-law Miss Kunti, a staunch devotee of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and a faithful follower of principles of Sikhism since her childhood, was equally instrumental in motivating me to undertake this pilgrimage. she taught me the basic philosophy of Sikhism and brought me a copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in English. My mother-in-law Ms.Shanti Hotchand Khatri, have a separate room at their bungalows at Baroda where they offer prayers, Ardas and listen to Shabad Kirtans every early morning. Their persuasion proved to be decisive.

The Miracle

So we left by Golden Temple Mail express train which departed from Surat at around 1-15 a.m. on April 29th 2002. We were received by the staff of Golden Temple and particularly Sardar Diljeet Singh Bedi who is in charge of liaisons with press and the public. Myself being a leading journalist, foreign-educated researcher and U.S.A. trained science writer, was given a VIP treatment and given accommodation in room no. 16 of Sri Arjan Dev Niwas. Since I had only a few days to live according to my doctors, they quickly made preparations for Akhand Path and Ardas after I paid Rs 2100 as fees. My wife Kanta, my daughter Halley and my brother-in-law's daughter Puja also sat with me. I was permitted to photograph and tape-record entire Akhand Path as well as Shabad Kirtans which I wanted to keep listening till I was to breath my last on my death - bed.

Blessings

But I was never to be lying on my death-bed because the moment the Granthi started reciting the Akhand Path , I began to feel streams of energy entering and flowing thru my body. It rose majestically from the pages of Sri Guru Granth Sahib like a serene cool flame of light entering my body through my fingers. The excruciating pain which I had suffered while struggling to reach the Golden Temple also disappeared. After 48 hours, I got up on my own two feet and began to feel and enjoy such vibrant health that I almost ran with joy towards Sri Arjan Dev Niwas and quickly climbed the stairs to my room no. 16. My appetite returned. I first took bath and then visited Jaliyanwala Bagh and then went to the 'Hotel Cityheart' and for the first time in three and half years I enjoyed a variety of Punjabi and Chinese foods which I had missed like deserts miss the rains.

Return to Surat

We returned to Surat on 18th May 2002 and on 25th May again bone marrow analysis and electrophoresis tests were done on my body. No cancer was detected. Hence, to obtain second medical opinion, the samples were sent to Mumbai and Ahmedabad and medical doctors there also confirmed that the bone cancer is gone. My oncologist at Ahemedabad Dr. Pankaj Shah was preparing for stem cells transplant on me which was to have cost me Rs. nine lakhs. The entire medical world was taken by surprise. All doctors agreed that this is, indeed, a miracle because there is no medicine in Allopathy that can cure deadly cancer within 48 hours and effect a 180 degree change. The latest electrophoresis: serum protein test done is dated April 7th 2003 at Abha Clinical Laboratory. The doctors have signed this medical test report with comments: " no melanomas band."

Post-Miracle Analysis

I have preserved all the medical reports and x-rays done before and after the Akhand Path and Ardas at Golden Temple and they all tell the true story of my miraculous cure. Ever since this miracle, I am not only experiencing Guru's vibrations within me but also feel God's spiritual energy within me which inspires me and guides me in thought and deed, and vibrate in unison with him. I am joyfully back to " cheers and gears of life.", soulfully sharing my God-Given spiritual energy with those who love and faithfully listens to Guru Granth Sahib and enrich their mind, body and soul with divinely vibrant health.

Charhdi-Kala

Now, I am enjoying the life of guru-inspired faith and taking Sri Guru Granth Sahib and God as my constant companion. It is the miracle and the divine magnetic spell of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which I also realized through Naam therapy that has not only blessed me with healthy life but considering my greatly vibrant health, spiritual strength and new youthful looks and glamorous shining black hair, the same oncologists tell me that I am totally free of all kinds of diseases. I myself feel so close to the Guru that something tells me that I will live for 125 years and remain in Guru's service and bring true love, happiness and inspiration to all my friends.

My life has taken a spiritual turn. I get sound sleep without any sleeping pills. Since 25th April 2002, I am no longer on any medicine. I read Nitnem and get sound sleep and get up early to read Paath and enjoy Shabad Kirtan on Punjabi TV channel. Guru's teachings have gone a long way in dispelling the darkness of ignorance. Guru has not only changed my destiny but made me a devotee with the faith that is not blind but enlightened.

Conclusion

So often, I see and meet Gurus in my dreams and they taught me a new healthy life-style to give happiness to others. I am never angry. I have no bad habits and always remain jovial. Now, my motto is: ' people enjoy the happiness they feel. but I enjoy the happiness I give. Guru's one of the teachings says : " Kirat Karani and Wand Chhakana." - Meaning: earn the fruits of your hard work ‘ Naam Japana’; and share your fruits with others with love. I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when not feeling it. I believe in God even when he is silent. There is one God. God is truth. He is the creator of the universe and all beings. He is without fear and without hatred. He is the eternal being and the divine soul, birth less, self enlightened. He is enemy to none. Through grace of the Satguru he is met. Diseases and sins are destroyed by hearing the name of God says Guru Nanak. The Name, revealed to me by Guru's advice, is the breath of my life and the praise of the lord is my life's vocation. " Truth is great but greater than truth is truthful living." says Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Khalsa belongs to [the wondrous guru ] God; all victory of is the victory of [the Wondrous Guru ] 'Wahe Guruji ka Khalsa- Wahe Guruji ki Fateh'.