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Migrant labourers convert to Sikhism in Punjab

     Talhan (Punjab): A large number of poor labourers from Bihar are migrating to Punjab in search of jobs. So desparate is desire for employment, that they have even reports of them converting to Sikhism to fight poverty and social stigma. Punjab has become hot favourite for the migrant labourers who come to the state, known as the granary of India, in hunt of work but they also get attracted to the Sikh shrines where free community meals are served to the devotees everyday. Figures reveal that there are about a million such migrant labourers in Punjab who are lured by higher wages which they expect to get in the state.

     And now many of these labourers, known as Biharis or Bhaiya (brother) in the local parlance, also sport long beards and wear all the five Sikh symbols. Sharmilee Singh, whose real name was Chander Shri, migrated from Bihar's Purunea district 15 years ago. Sharmilee said he converted to Sikhism as it was the best way for him to fulfill all his basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Sharmilee now earns his daily wages doing odd jobs at a shrine in Talhan area of Jalandhar city. "I migrated to Punjab from Purnea. I used to work here and do voluntary service here so I decided to convert," said Shamilee. In Talhan and its surrounding villages Giljian, Jamsher, Randhawa Masanda, Bolina, Nagal Shama, there are a number of migrant Biharis who have converted to Sikhism.

      In Talhan alone, there are at least 10 newly converted families. Lakshman Singh, another migrant from Bihar staying in Punjab for the past 13 years, says by converting to Sikhism his family has gained social status and it saves them from derogatory remarks. "It helps us a lot as we are spared of the social stigma nobody calls us Bhaiya and they give us respect if we keep beard," said Lakshman, who has now set up a wheat grinding unit. Meanwhile, the Sikhs apex religious body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has said these conversions were purely voluntary. "They convert to Sikhism because they are attracted towards it and find peace of mind. They find it good," said Joginder Singh, member of SGPC. Ninety percent of the farm labour employed in Punjab's agriculture sector comes from the poorer states of Bihar and northern Uttar Pradesh.

President gives away gallantry awards (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: President APJ Abdul Kalam presented gallantry awards and military decorations to 64 defence personnel on Tuesday. At the award ceremony, 22 personnel were given the peacetime gallantry awards Kirti Chakra, the second highest, and Shaurya Chakra. Among them 14 personnel were awarded posthumously. The winners of the gallantry awards were mainly from army, barring one Air Force Wing Commander and one Border Road Organisation personnel. Most of the awards went to men deployed in Kashmir and the rest in insurgency hit North-Eastern region. The President also gave military decorations to 42 senior defence personnel. Out of them nine were from Air Force and four from Navy.

SC rejects Zahira's application (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The Supreme Court today rejected an application submitted by the counsel of Zahira Shiekh, a key witness in the Best Bakery case, seeking clarification on the modalities of procedure adopted by the inquiry committee set to probe the veracity of the statements made by her as well as those by social activist Teesta Setalvad. The apex court said that the proceedings would continue to take place. "We will not adjourn the proceedings for any clarification. If at all she has any grievance, that can be ventilated after the submission of the report by the committee," it said. On Tuesday, Sheikh's counsel P.N. Lekhi had sought from the Supreme Court clarification on the manner in which the proceedings had to be regulated. Zahira is the seventh witness in the Best Bakery case and has faced severe criticism from the SC for her erratic behaviour. Zahira and her family members have alleged top human rights activist Teesta Setelvad and her associate Raees Khan lured them with money and pressurised them to identify the accused.

WB shortlists panel of experts for Baglihar dam (Go To Top)

     Islamabad: Pakistani officials have said that the World Bank has short listed a panel of experts for arbitration on the Baglihar dam dispute. According to the Dawn, the panel includes experts of international repute on water disputes, mostly Europeans and Americans. The report said that a neutral expert could be nominated in consultation and consent with both the parties. The report states that the bank would soon dispatch the list of experts to both India and Pakistan for their feedback. It will also ask New Delhi and Islamabad to indicate their nominee within a reasonable timeframe, most likely a month. It further states that in case India and Pakistan differ in their choice of expert, the bank would first ask them to select a consensus candidate by themselves, failing which the bank would use its own discretion to appoint the expert.

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