BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

Gaza London demonstration and march Saturday 9th August 2014. 150,000 marched through London to Hyde Park.

48 – JEUDI 22 AVRIL 2010 – L’IMPARTIAL

Oise

SAINT-CLAIR-SUR-EPTE > ASSOCIATION PLEIN PH’ART

Un final musical et ensoleillé

L’exposition de l’association gisorsienne Plein Ph’art, baptisée EXPianO s’est achevée dimanche, sur une note ensoleillée.

Alléchante sur le papier, l’idée maîtresse – transformer des pianos, tout ou partie, en œuvre d’art – s’est effectivement révélée source de surprises créatives.

Les artistes participants ont modelé à leurs goûts et selon leur inspiration les instruments morts.

Vieux de 150 ans pour la plupart, non restaurables, ils ont été donnés par le facteur de piano Nicolas Dumas, à Montagny-en-vexin. Au final, ils ont repris vie sous formes diverses.

Après une ouverture d’exposition en musique, avec le Gee jazz band, la clôture a également été musicale, un récital de piano venant logiquement terminer le cycle artistique. Des pièces de Chopin ont notamment été exécutées avec le bonheur par le trio de pianistes Marie Bénédicte Lavoine, Hugues Delaunay et Vincent Vidal.

Légendes des photos :

Les pianos ont repris vie sous formes diverses

L’exposition s’est en toute logique achevée par un concert de piano.

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Voici une petite FC réalisé, une belle petite Minifée Woosoo jamais je ne pensais autant aimer ce modèle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bref gagatise devant ma petite!! Manque encore le gloss et le msc et aussi une wig approprié du coup mais bo je ne pouvais pas ne pas me dépêcher de la prendre en photos!!

Connu dans certaines parties du monde comme Margravine la Maudite.

Viens durant les nuits sombre, avec ses ailes silentieuse elle enroule sa victime dans un manteau mortelle. Elle est impartial comme la mort et inflexible comme la pierre.

www.TobyDeveson.com

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion which originated during the 15th century in the Punjab region. The term "Sikh" has its origin in the Sanskrit words शिष्य (śiṣya; disciple, student) or शिक्ष (śikṣa; instruction). A Sikh is a disciple of a guru. According to Article I of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh code of conduct), a Sikh is "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; Guru Granth Sahib; the teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru". "Sikh" properly refers to adherents of Sikhism as a religion, not an ethnic group. However, because Sikhs often share strong ethno-religious ties, many countries, such as the U.K., recognize Sikh as a designated ethnicity on their censuses. The American non-profit organization United Sikhs has fought to have Sikh included on the U.S. census as well, arguing that Sikhs "self-identify as an 'ethnic minority'" and believe "that they are more than just a religion".

Male Sikhs usually have "Singh" (Lion), and female Sikhs have "Kaur" (Princess) as their middle or last name. Sikhs who have undergone the khanḍe-kī-pahul (the Sikh initiation ceremony) may also be recognized by the five Ks: uncut hair (kesh); an iron or steel bracelet (kara); a kirpan (a sword tucked into a gatra strap); kachehra, a cotton undergarment, and kanga, a small wooden comb. Baptized male Sikhs must cover their hair with a turban, which is optional for baptized female Sikhs. The greater Punjab region is the historic homeland of the Sikhs, although significant communities exist around the world.

HISTORY

Sikh political history may be said to begin with the death of the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev, in 1606. Guru Nanak was a religious leader and social reformer in the 15th-century Punjab. Religious practices were formalized by Guru Gobind Singh on 30 March 1699. Singh baptized five people from a variety of social backgrounds, known as the Panj Piare (the five beloved ones) to form the Khalsa, or collective body of initiated Sikhs. Sikhism has generally had amicable relations with other religions, except for the period of Mughal rule in India (1556–1707). Several Sikh gurus were killed by the Mughals for opposing their persecution of minority religious communities including Sikhs. Sikhs subsequently militarized to oppose Mughal rule. The emergence of the Sikh Confederacy under Ranjit Singh was characterized by religious tolerance and pluralism, with Christians, Muslims and Hindus in positions of power. The confederacy is considered the zenith of political Sikhism, encompassing Kashmir, Ladakh and Peshawar. Hari Singh Nalwa, the commander-in-chief of the Sikh army in the North West Frontier, expanded the confederacy to the Khyber Pass. Its secular administration implemented military, economic and governmental reforms. The months leading up to the partition of India in 1947 were marked by conflict in the Punjab between Sikhs and Muslims. This caused the religious migration of Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus from West Punjab, mirroring a similar religious migration of Punjabi Muslims from East Punjab.

The 1960s saw growing animosity between Sikhs and Hindus in India, with the Sikhs demanding the creation of a Punjab state on a linguistic basis similar to other states in India. This was promised to Sikh leader Master Tara Singh by Jawaharlal Nehru, in return for Sikh political support during negotiations for Indian independence. Although the Sikhs obtained the Punjab, they lost Hindi-speaking areas to Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Chandigarh was made a union territory and the capital of Haryana and Punjab on 1 November 1966.

Tensions arose again during the late 1970s, fueled by Sikh claims of discrimination and marginalisation by the Hindu-dominated Indian National Congress party and tactics adopted by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

According to Katherine Frank, Indira Gandhi's assumption of emergency powers in 1975 resulted in the weakening of the "legitimate and impartial machinery of government", and her increasing "paranoia" about opposing political groups led her to institute a "despotic policy of playing castes, religions and political groups against each other for political advantage". Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale articulated Sikh demands for justice, and this triggered violence in the Punjab. The prime minister's 1984 defeat of Bhindranwale led to an attack on the Golden Temple in Operation Blue Star and to her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards. Gandhi's assassination resulted in an explosion of violence against Sikh communities and the killing of thousands of Sikhs throughout India. Khushwant Singh described the riots as a Sikh pogrom; he "felt like a refugee in my country. In fact, I felt like a Jew in Nazi Germany". Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have moved toward a rapprochement aided by economic prosperity. However, a 2002 claim by the Hindu right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that "Sikhs are Hindus" disturbed Sikh sensibilities. The Khalistan movement campaigns for justice for the victims of the violence, and for the political and economic needs of the Punjab.

In 1996, United Nations Commission on Human Rights Freedom of Religion or Belief Special Rapporteur Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993–2004) visited India to report on religious discrimination. The following year Amor concluded, "In India it appears that the situation of the Sikhs in the religious field is satisfactory, but that difficulties are arising in the political (foreign interference, terrorism, etc.), economic (in particular with regard to sharing of water supplies) and even occupational fields. Information received from nongovernment (sic) sources indicates that discrimination does exist in certain sectors of the public administration; examples include the decline in the number of Sikhs in the police force and the military, and the absence of Sikhs in personal bodyguard units since the murder of Indira Gandhi".

Although Sikhs comprise 10 to 15 percent of all ranks of the Indian Army and 20 percent of its officers, they make up 1.87 percent of the Indian population.

During the 1999 Vaisakhi, Sikhs worldwide celebrated the 300th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa. Canada Post honoured Sikh Canadians with a commemorative stamp in conjunction with the 300th anniversary of Vaisakhi. On April 9, 1999, Indian president K.R. Narayanan issued a stamp commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa.

DEFINITION

According to Guru Granth Sahib:

One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name. Upon arising early in the morning, the Sikh is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar. Following the Instructions of the Guru, the Sikh is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased. Then, at the rising of the sun, the Sikh is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, the Sikh is to meditate on the Lord's Name. One who meditates on my Lord, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food – that Gursikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind. That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate – upon that Gursikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed. Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that Gursikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it.

Simran of the Lord's name is a recurring theme of Guru Granth Sahib, and Sukhmani Sahib were composed to allow a devotee to recite Nam throughout the day. Rising at Amrit Velā (before sunrise) is a common Sikh practice. Sikhism considers the spiritual and secular lives to be intertwined: "In the Sikh Weltanschauung ... the temporal world is part of the Infinite and partakes of its characteristics." According to Guru Nanak, living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" is superior to a purely contemplative life.

FIVE Ks

The five Ks (panj kakaar) are five articles of faith which all baptized Sikhs (Amritdhari Sikhs) are obliged to wear. The symbols represent the ideals of Sikhism: honesty, equality, fidelity, meditating on God and never bowing to tyranny. The five symbols are:

- Kesh: Uncut hair, usually tied and wrapped in a Dastar

- Kanga: A wooden comb, usually worn under a Dastar

- Katchera: Cotton undergarments, historically appropriate in battle due to increased mobility when compared to a dhoti. Worn by both sexes, the katchera is a symbol of chastity.

- Kara: An iron bracelet, a weapon and a symbol of eternity

- Kirpan: An iron dagger in different sizes. In the UK Sikhs can wear a small dagger, but in the Punjab they might wear a traditional curved sword from one to three feet in length.

MUSIC & INSTRUMENTS

The Sikhs have a number of musical instruments: the rebab, dilruba, taus, jori and sarinda. Playing the sarangi was encouraged in Guru Har Gobind. The rubab was first played by Bhai Mardana as he accompanied Guru Nanak on his journeys. The jori and sarinda were designed by Guru Arjan. The taus was made by Guru Hargobind, who supposedly heard a peacock singing and wanted to create an instrument mimicking its sounds (taus is the Persian word for peacock). The dilruba was made by Guru Gobind Singh at the request of his followers, who wanted a smaller instrument than the taus. After Japji Sahib, all of the shabda in the Guru Granth Sahib were composed as ragas. This type of singing is known as Gurmat Sangeet.

When they marched into battle, the Sikhs would play a Ranjit Nagara (victory drum) to boost morale. Nagaras (usually two to three feet in diameter, although some were up to five feet in diameter) are played with two sticks. The beat of the large drums, and the raising of the Nishan Sahib, meant that the singhs were on their way.

DISTRIBUTION

Numbering about 27 million worldwide, Sikhs make up 0.39 percent of the world population; approximately 83 percent live in India. About 76 percent of all Sikhs live in the north Indian State of Punjab, where they form a majority (about two-thirds) of the population. Substantial communities of Sikhs (more than 200,000) live in the Indian states or union territories of Haryana (more than 1.1 million), Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.

Sikh migration from British India began in earnest during the second half of the 19th century, when the British completed their annexation of the Punjab. The British Raj recruited Sikhs for the Indian Civil Service (particularly the British Indian Army), which led to Sikh migration throughout India and the British Empire. During the Raj, semiskilled Sikh artisans were transported from the Punjab to British East Africa to help build railroads. Sikhs emigrated from India and Pakistan after World War II, most going to the United Kingdom but many to North America. Some Sikhs who had settled in eastern Africa were expelled by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 1972. Economics is a major factor in Sikh migration, and significant communities exist in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Malaysia, East Africa, Australia and Thailand.

Although the rate of Sikh migration from the Punjab has remained high, traditional patterns of Sikh migration favouring English-speaking countries (particularly the United Kingdom) have changed during the past decade due to stricter immigration laws. Moliner (2006) wrote that as a consequence of Sikh migration to the UK "becom[ing] virtually impossible since the late 1970s", migration patterns evolved to continental Europe. Italy is a rapidly growing destination for Sikh migration, with Reggio Emilia and Vicenza having significant Sikh population clusters. Italian Sikhs are generally involved in agriculture, agricultural processing, the manufacture of machine tools and horticulture.

Primarily for socio-economic reasons, Indian Sikhs have the lowest adjusted growth rate of any major religious group in India, at 16.9 percent per decade (estimated from 1991 to 2001). Johnson and Barrett (2004) estimate that the global Sikh population increases annually by 392,633 (1.7 percent per year, based on 2004 figures); this percentage includes births, deaths and conversions.

REPRESENTATION

Sikhs have been represented in Indian politics by former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and the deputy chairman of the Indian Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is also a Sikh. Past Sikh politicians in India include former president Giani Zail Singh, Sardar Swaran Singh (India's first foreign minister), Speaker of Parliament Gurdial Singh Dhillon and former Chief Minister of Punjab Pratap Singh Kairon.

Politicians from the Sikh diaspora include the first Asian American member of the United States Congress, Dalip Singh Saund, British MPs Piara Khabra, Parmjit Dhanda and Paul Uppal, the first couple to sit together in a Commonwealth parliament (Gurmant Grewal and Nina Grewal, who requested a Canadian government apology for the Komagata Maru incident), former Canadian Shadow Social Development Minister Ruby Dhalla, Canadian Minister of State for Sport Baljit Singh Gosal and Legislative Assembly of Ontario members Vic Dhillon and Jagmeet Singh. Ujjal Dosanjh was the New Democratic Party Premier of British Columbia from July 2004 to February 2005, and was later a Liberal frontbench MP in Ottawa. In Malaysia, two Sikhs were elected MPs in the 2008 general elections: Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) and his son, Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong). Two Sikhs were elected assemblymen: Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat) and Keshvinder Singh (Malim Nawar).

Sikhs comprise 10 to 15 percent of all ranks in the Indian Army and 20 percent of its officers, while making up 1.87 percent of the Indian population. The Sikh Regiment is one of the most-decorated regiments in the army, with 73 Battle Honours, 14 Victoria Crosses, 21 first-class Indian Orders of Merit (equivalent to the Victoria Cross), 15 Theatre Honours, five COAS Unit Citations, two Param Vir Chakras, 14 Maha Vir Chakras, five Kirti Chakras, 67 Vir Chakras and 1,596 other awards. The highest-ranking general in the history of the Indian Air Force is a Punjabi Sikh, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Plans by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for a Sikh infantry regiment were scrapped in June 2007.

Historically, most Indians have been farmers and 66 percent of the Indian population are engaged in agriculture. Indian Sikhs are employed in agriculture to a lesser extent; India's 2001 census found 39 percent of the working population of the Punjab employed in this sector. The success of the 1960s Green Revolution, in which India went from "famine to plenty, from humiliation to dignity", was based in the Punjab (which became known as "the breadbasket of India"). The Punjab is the wealthiest Indian state per capita, with the average Punjabi income three times the national average. The Green Revolution centred on Indian farmers adopting more intensive and mechanised agricultural methods, aided by the electrification of the Punjab, cooperative credit, consolidation of small holdings and the existing, British Raj-developed canal system. According to Swedish political scientist Ishtiaq Ahmad, a factor in the success of the Indian green revolution was the "Sikh cultivator, often the Jat, whose courage, perseverance, spirit of enterprise and muscle prowess proved crucial". However, not all aspects of the green revolution were beneficial. Indian physicist Vandana Shiva wrote that the green revolution made the "negative and destructive impacts of science [i.e. the green revolution] on nature and society" invisible, and was a catalyst for Punjabi Sikh and Hindu tensions despite a growth in material wealth.

Punjabi Sikhs are engaged in a number of professions which include science, engineering and medicine. Notable examples are nuclear scientist Piara Singh Gill (who worked on the Manhattan Project), fibre-optics pioneer Narinder Singh Kapany and physicist, science writer and broadcaster Simon Singh.

In business, the UK-based clothing retailers New Look and the Thai-based Jaspal were founded by Sikhs. India's largest pharmaceutical company, Ranbaxy Laboratories, is headed by Sikhs. UK Sikhs have the highest percentage of home ownership (82 percent) of any religious community. UK Sikhs are the second-wealthiest (after the Jewish community) religious group in the UK, with a median total household wealth of £229,000. In Singapore Kartar Singh Thakral expanded his family's trading business, Thakral Holdings, into total assets of almost $1.4 billion and is Singapore's 25th-richest person. Sikh Bob Singh Dhillon is the first Indo-Canadian billionaire. The Sikh diaspora has been most successful in North America, especially in California’s fertile Central Valley. American Sikh farmers such as Harbhajan Singh Samra and Didar Singh Bains dominate California agriculture, with Samra specialising in okra and Bains in peaches.

Sikh intellectuals, sportsmen and artists include writer Khushwant Singh, England cricketer Monty Panesar, former 400m runner Milkha Singh, Indian wrestler and actor Dara Singh, former Indian hockey team captains Ajitpal Singh and Balbir Singh Sr., former Indian cricket captain Bishen Singh Bedi, Harbhajan Singh (India's most successful off spin cricket bowler), Bollywood actress Neetu Singh, Sunny Leone, actors Parminder Nagra, Neha Dhupia, Gul Panag, Mona Singh, Namrata Singh Gujral, Archie Panjabi and director Gurinder Chadha.

Sikhs have migrated worldwide, with a variety of occupations. The Sikh Gurus preached ethnic and social harmony, and Sikhs comprise a number of ethnic groups. Those with over 1,000 members include the Ahluwalia, Arain, Arora, Bhatra, Bairagi, Bania, Basith, Bawaria, Bazigar, Bhabra, Chamar, Chhimba, Darzi, Dhobi, Gujar, Jatt, Jhinwar, Kahar, Kalal, Kamboj, Khatri, Kumhar, Labana, Lohar, Mahtam, Mazhabi, Megh, Mirasi, Mochi, Nai, Rajput, Ramgarhia, Saini, Sarera, Sikligar, Sunar, Sudh, Tarkhan and Zargar.

An order of Punjabi Sikhs, the Nihang or the Akalis, was formed during Ranjit Singh's time. Under their leader, Akali Phula Singh, they won many battles for the Sikh Confederacy during the early 19th century.

IN THE INDIAN & BRITISH ARMIES

Sikhs supported the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. By the beginning of World War I, Sikhs in the British Indian Army totaled over 100,000 (20 percent of the force). Until 1945 fourteen Victoria Crosses were awarded to Sikhs, a per-capita regimental record. In 2002 the names of all Sikh VC and George Cross recipients were inscribed on the monument of the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill, next to Buckingham Palace. Chanan Singh Dhillon was instrumental in campaigning for the memorial.

During World War I, Sikh battalions fought in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and France. Six battalions of the Sikh Regiment were raised during World War II, serving in the Second Battle of El Alamein, the Burma and Italian campaigns and in Iraq and receiving 27 battle honours. Around the world, Sikhs are commemorated in Commonwealth cemeteries.

In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world, and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith.

—General Sir Frank Messervy

British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time. I know that within this century we needed their help twice [in two world wars] and they did help us very well. As a result of their timely help, we are today able to live with honour, dignity, and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans.

—Sir Winston Churchill

IN THE WEST

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Sikhs began to emigrate to East Africa, the Far East, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1907 the Khalsa Diwan Society was established in Vancouver, and four years later the first gurdwara was established in London. In 1912 the first gurdwara in the United States was founded in Stockton, California.

Since Sikhs (like Middle Eastern men) wear turbans, some in Western countries have been mistaken for Muslim or Arabic men since the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War. Several days after the 9/11 attacks Sikh Balbir Singh Sodhi was murdered by Frank Roque, who thought Sodhi was connected with al-Qaeda. CNN suggested an increase in hate crimes against Sikh men in the United States and the UK after the 9/11 attacks.

Since Sikhism has never actively sought converts, the Sikhs have remained a relatively homogeneous ethnic group. The Kundalini Yoga-based activities of Harbhajan Singh Yogi in his 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy) organisation claim to have inspired a moderate growth in non-Indian adherents of Sikhism. In 1998 an estimated 7,800 3HO Sikhs, known colloquially as ‘gora’ (ਗੋਰਾ) or ‘white’ Sikhs, were mainly centred around Española, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. Sikhs and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund overturned a 1925 Oregon law banning the wearing of turbans by teachers and government officials.

In an attempt to foster Sikh leaders in the Western world, youth initiatives by a number of organisations have begun. The Sikh Youth Alliance of North America sponsors an annual Sikh Youth Symposium, a public-speaking and debate competition held in gurdwaras throughout the U.S. and Canada.

ART & CULTURE

Sikh art and culture are nearly synonymous with that of the Punjab, and Sikhs are easily recognised by their distinctive turban (Dastar). The Punjab has been called India’s melting pot, due to the confluence of invading cultures (Greek, Mughal and Persian) from the rivers from which the region gets its name. Sikh culture is therefore a synthesis of cultures. Sikhism has forged a unique architecture, which S. S. Bhatti described as "inspired by Guru Nanak’s creative mysticism" and "is a mute harbinger of holistic humanism based on pragmatic spirituality".

During the Mughal and Afghan persecution of the Sikhs during the 17th and 18th centuries, the latter were concerned with preserving their religion and gave little thought to art and culture. With the rise of Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Raj in Lahore and Delhi, there was a change in the landscape of art and culture in the Punjab; Hindus and Sikhs could build decorated shrines without the fear of destruction or looting.

The Sikh Confederacy was the catalyst for a uniquely Sikh form of expression, with Ranjit Singh commissioning forts, palaces, bungas (residential places) and colleges in a Sikh style. Sikh architecture is characterised by gilded fluted domes, cupolas, kiosks, stone lanterns, ornate balusters and square roofs. A pinnacle of Sikh style is Harmandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple) in Amritsar.

Sikh culture is influenced by militaristic motifs (with the Khanda the most obvious), and most Sikh artifacts - except for the relics of the Gurus - have a military theme. This theme is evident in the Sikh festivals of Hola Mohalla and Vaisakhi, which feature marching and displays of valor.

Although the art and culture of the Sikh diaspora have merged with that of other Indo-immigrant groups into categories like "British Asian", "Indo-Canadian" and "Desi-Culture", a minor cultural phenomenon which can be described as "political Sikh" has arisen. The art of diaspora Sikhs like Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra and Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh (the "Singh Twins") is influenced by their Sikhism and current affairs in the Punjab.

Bhangra and Giddha are two forms of Punjabi folk dancing which have been adapted and pioneered by Sikhs. Punjabi Sikhs have championed these forms of expression worldwide, resulting in Sikh culture becoming linked to Bhangra (although "Bhangra is not a Sikh institution but a Punjabi one").

PAINTING

Sikh painting is a direct offshoot of the Kangra school of painting. In 1810, Ranjeet Singh (1780–1839) occupied Kangra Fort and appointed Sardar Desa Singh Majithia his governor of the Punjab hills. In 1813 the Sikh army occupied Guler State, and Raja Bhup Singh became a vassal of the Sikhs. With the Sikh kingdom of Lahore becoming the paramount power, some of the Pahari painters from Guler migrated to Lahore for the patronage of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and his Sardars.

The Sikh school adapted Kangra painting to Sikh needs and ideals. Its main subjects are the ten Sikh gurus and stories from Guru Nanak's Janamsakhis. The tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, left a deep impression on the followers of the new faith because of his courage and sacrifices. Hunting scenes and portraits are also common in Sikh painting.

WIKIPEDIA

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

On Dec. 15, 2015, at 6 p.m., the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County constitutional officers, and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District directors all took their oath of office in the Government Center forum.

Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate administered the oath of office to 16 elected officials, who each swore to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon them as officials of Fairfax County.

All elected officials will take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

More information:

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/inauguration/

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), hosted by Azerbaijan in Baku, took place from 18 to 20 November 2024. With Azerbaijan, ITF Vice-President, serving as this year’s Presidency, COP29 was held at the iconic Baku Stadium. The event focused on fostering transparency, impartiality, and inclusivity through a framework built on two mutually reinforcing pillars: enhancing ambition and enabling action.

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

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Nourishment

Appearing to begin the New Year to the correct feet having a nearer look at your quality of life? With more and more folks getting conscious of how food influences our well-being and health, it’s significant to find individuals that are competent nutrition trainers to assist with all the procedure out. In this essay we’re heading to have a look in the spectral range of of care providers who the best way to find the right choice for you personally, and provide nutrition solutions, what qualities to try to find.

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As a scientific discipline is really extensive that when individuals become fascinated in it-they usually need to know as much as you possibly can about everything relating to foods and the way that it interacts with all the human anatomy, selecting a nutritionist, selecting a dietitian, registered dietitian, nutrition. Obviously, try out numerous food diets and as they dig further in to complicated physical procedures, nutrition can be an all encompassing goal.

Below are a few things to think about when you’re searching for to get a nutrition trainer:

Qualifications and Expertise

Simply because there are certificates and a variety of nutrition certificate in use now, it may be really difficult to evaluate the caliber of a trainer’s expertise and instruction. Bear in mind that anybody may be referred to as a nutrition or nutritionist trainer. It’s not a name commanded ordinance or for legal reasons, as well as a permit to to apply is typically perhaps not needed.

Registered Dietitian (ROAD) – A registered dietitian does a year long internship related in structure to health-related residency finishes four years of school, and must-pass a demanding nationwide accreditation examination. RDs are educated extensively in clinical nutrition therapy, supplying nutrition assistance for disease-management in many different out-patient and clinic options. Some may possibly also provide specialties, for example sports dietitians together with the Licensed Professional in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) qualification who perform mostly with sportsmen, together with dieticians that are Qualified Diabetes Teachers (CDE) and perform with diabetic people.

As I mentioned before, being a nutrition trainer that is good is not only about certification or the qualification. People perhaps not just have their pick of various qualifications that are impartial, but could additionally opt to follow higher level levels in nutrition. Sadly, neither of those is entirely indicative of a man’s skill to supply quality nutrition solutions to people in a way that is successful and protected.

Nourishment as a wellness science exists on earth in many different types, and lots of care providers with varying levels of expertise and license are supplying nutrition solutions. The reality of the problem is, the qualification does the trainer is always made by n’t. Here are a couple of instances of the mo-Re widespread health vocations nutrition training providers are offered by that:

Doctors of the Maryland assortment have had limited learning nutrition. Happily, instances are changing and several doctors that are newer are getting to be more and more eloquent in nutrition technology as well as the program of nutrition treatment for preventive treatment and long-term disease control.

Doctrine

It’s significant to decide the trainer’s doctrine and whether your own is matched by it. Are they open minded with regards to nutrition? Do they maintain up with re-search and current trends? Nutrition trainers that are great must have an evidence-based strategy, constantly driving themselves improve and to understand their particular understanding. Simultaneously, they shouldn’t be inclined to blowing off any strategy that is fresh out-right, but as an alternative have the capacity to objectively assess it on assisting re-search and previous experience. All these are great standards when studying your trainer, to bear in mind.

Counselling Abilities

The nutrition trainers that are most effective may also be counsel that are outstanding. Meals may be issue that is tricky. It quite private, and certainly will be linked to additional dilemmas including selfimage, depression, consuming problems, and dependence. Having a nutrition trainer with abilities in this region is exceptionally useful.

Standing

Wait to to check out customers the trainer spent some time working with. What do outcomes that are standard seem like? Have customers been met? Have they written any testimonies? When do-ing your study, all these are excellent queries to have in brain.

Fundamentally, it comes all the way down to what your specific aims are and having the ability to fit them with knowledge for the reason that place to your nutrition trainer. Don’t forget, expertise, education, as well as certificate are significant, but similarly so so can be connection, doctrine, and training fashion.

As of late, using the preponderance of interpersonal press and blogs, it’s maybe not overly hard to get a sense of the standing of a nutrition trainer. Additionally, any function they’ve created, written or or elsewhere, will allow you to make a mo Re knowledgeable choice about if they might be an excellent fit for you personally.

Connection

Selecting a nutritionist, selecting a dietitian, registered dietitian, nutrition Finally, of locating the perfect nutrition trainer the break or make part is whether you believe there’s a connection that is great. For instance, I’ve been informed that it’s nerveracking to consult with a nutritionist like myself, believing I I would act such as the the foodstuff authorities. Such fears are calmed by me instantly by stating, “I’m maybe not here to to guage that which you take in. The truth is, I the many open-handed dietitian you fulfill. I concerned with viewing how we can fit your daily diet and life style so that they help that journey.”, and obtaining you from point A to stage B Obtaining the capacity to relate genuinely to a trainer is very vital that you the achievement of the procedure that is whole. If it doesn’t sense just like an excellent fit, hesitate to change. Don’t forget, this really is about locating you personally the correct trainer.

Selecting a nutritionist, selecting a dietitian, registered dietitian, nutrition Similar to fitness areas that are additional, nutrition trainers utilize many different training styles and strategies. These comprise having customers study nutritional labels, practice understanding part dimensions, and monitor meals consumption and calories using a meals diary. Some trainers highlight targets and particular amounts and offer education that is quite in-depth, while others choose a custom and a more generalized -centered strategy.

Concerns to Contemplate:

Exactly what are your aims?

How may the trainer strategy executing nutrition modifications in your lifestyle that is current?

Is it true that the trainer provide an initial consult to get a sense of the kinds of solutions accessible?

What’s the trainer’s history?

What light emitting diode them becoming a nutrition trainer?

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BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

An Idea which assures impartiality by design.

Make a photograph today dominated by browns or other earthtones. Explore how the color influences your subject choice.

A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism, a monotheistic religion which originated during the 15th century in the Punjab region. The term "Sikh" has its origin in the Sanskrit words शिष्य (śiṣya; disciple, student) or शिक्ष (śikṣa; instruction). A Sikh is a disciple of a guru. According to Article I of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh code of conduct), a Sikh is "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh; Guru Granth Sahib; the teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru". "Sikh" properly refers to adherents of Sikhism as a religion, not an ethnic group. However, because Sikhs often share strong ethno-religious ties, many countries, such as the U.K., recognize Sikh as a designated ethnicity on their censuses. The American non-profit organization United Sikhs has fought to have Sikh included on the U.S. census as well, arguing that Sikhs "self-identify as an 'ethnic minority'" and believe "that they are more than just a religion".

Male Sikhs usually have "Singh" (Lion), and female Sikhs have "Kaur" (Princess) as their middle or last name. Sikhs who have undergone the khanḍe-kī-pahul (the Sikh initiation ceremony) may also be recognized by the five Ks: uncut hair (kesh); an iron or steel bracelet (kara); a kirpan (a sword tucked into a gatra strap); kachehra, a cotton undergarment, and kanga, a small wooden comb. Baptized male Sikhs must cover their hair with a turban, which is optional for baptized female Sikhs. The greater Punjab region is the historic homeland of the Sikhs, although significant communities exist around the world.

HISTORY

Sikh political history may be said to begin with the death of the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev, in 1606. Guru Nanak was a religious leader and social reformer in the 15th-century Punjab. Religious practices were formalized by Guru Gobind Singh on 30 March 1699. Singh baptized five people from a variety of social backgrounds, known as the Panj Piare (the five beloved ones) to form the Khalsa, or collective body of initiated Sikhs. Sikhism has generally had amicable relations with other religions, except for the period of Mughal rule in India (1556–1707). Several Sikh gurus were killed by the Mughals for opposing their persecution of minority religious communities including Sikhs. Sikhs subsequently militarized to oppose Mughal rule. The emergence of the Sikh Confederacy under Ranjit Singh was characterized by religious tolerance and pluralism, with Christians, Muslims and Hindus in positions of power. The confederacy is considered the zenith of political Sikhism, encompassing Kashmir, Ladakh and Peshawar. Hari Singh Nalwa, the commander-in-chief of the Sikh army in the North West Frontier, expanded the confederacy to the Khyber Pass. Its secular administration implemented military, economic and governmental reforms. The months leading up to the partition of India in 1947 were marked by conflict in the Punjab between Sikhs and Muslims. This caused the religious migration of Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus from West Punjab, mirroring a similar religious migration of Punjabi Muslims from East Punjab.

The 1960s saw growing animosity between Sikhs and Hindus in India, with the Sikhs demanding the creation of a Punjab state on a linguistic basis similar to other states in India. This was promised to Sikh leader Master Tara Singh by Jawaharlal Nehru, in return for Sikh political support during negotiations for Indian independence. Although the Sikhs obtained the Punjab, they lost Hindi-speaking areas to Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. Chandigarh was made a union territory and the capital of Haryana and Punjab on 1 November 1966.

Tensions arose again during the late 1970s, fueled by Sikh claims of discrimination and marginalisation by the Hindu-dominated Indian National Congress party and tactics adopted by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

According to Katherine Frank, Indira Gandhi's assumption of emergency powers in 1975 resulted in the weakening of the "legitimate and impartial machinery of government", and her increasing "paranoia" about opposing political groups led her to institute a "despotic policy of playing castes, religions and political groups against each other for political advantage". Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale articulated Sikh demands for justice, and this triggered violence in the Punjab. The prime minister's 1984 defeat of Bhindranwale led to an attack on the Golden Temple in Operation Blue Star and to her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards. Gandhi's assassination resulted in an explosion of violence against Sikh communities and the killing of thousands of Sikhs throughout India. Khushwant Singh described the riots as a Sikh pogrom; he "felt like a refugee in my country. In fact, I felt like a Jew in Nazi Germany". Since 1984, relations between Sikhs and Hindus have moved toward a rapprochement aided by economic prosperity. However, a 2002 claim by the Hindu right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that "Sikhs are Hindus" disturbed Sikh sensibilities. The Khalistan movement campaigns for justice for the victims of the violence, and for the political and economic needs of the Punjab.

In 1996, United Nations Commission on Human Rights Freedom of Religion or Belief Special Rapporteur Abdelfattah Amor (Tunisia, 1993–2004) visited India to report on religious discrimination. The following year Amor concluded, "In India it appears that the situation of the Sikhs in the religious field is satisfactory, but that difficulties are arising in the political (foreign interference, terrorism, etc.), economic (in particular with regard to sharing of water supplies) and even occupational fields. Information received from nongovernment (sic) sources indicates that discrimination does exist in certain sectors of the public administration; examples include the decline in the number of Sikhs in the police force and the military, and the absence of Sikhs in personal bodyguard units since the murder of Indira Gandhi".

Although Sikhs comprise 10 to 15 percent of all ranks of the Indian Army and 20 percent of its officers, they make up 1.87 percent of the Indian population.

During the 1999 Vaisakhi, Sikhs worldwide celebrated the 300th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa. Canada Post honoured Sikh Canadians with a commemorative stamp in conjunction with the 300th anniversary of Vaisakhi. On April 9, 1999, Indian president K.R. Narayanan issued a stamp commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa.

DEFINITION

According to Guru Granth Sahib:

One who calls himself a Sikh of the Guru, the True Guru, shall rise in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name. Upon arising early in the morning, the Sikh is to bathe, and cleanse himself in the pool of nectar. Following the Instructions of the Guru, the Sikh is to chant the Name of the Lord, Har. All sins, misdeeds and negativity shall be erased. Then, at the rising of the sun, the Sikh is to sing Gurbani; whether sitting down or standing up, the Sikh is to meditate on the Lord's Name. One who meditates on my Lord, Har, with every breath and every morsel of food – that Gursikh becomes pleasing to the Guru's Mind. That person, unto whom my Lord and Master is kind and compassionate – upon that Gursikh, the Guru's Teachings are bestowed. Servant Nanak begs for the dust of the feet of that Gursikh, who himself chants the Naam, and inspires others to chant it.

Simran of the Lord's name is a recurring theme of Guru Granth Sahib, and Sukhmani Sahib were composed to allow a devotee to recite Nam throughout the day. Rising at Amrit Velā (before sunrise) is a common Sikh practice. Sikhism considers the spiritual and secular lives to be intertwined: "In the Sikh Weltanschauung ... the temporal world is part of the Infinite and partakes of its characteristics." According to Guru Nanak, living an "active, creative, and practical life" of "truthfulness, fidelity, self-control and purity" is superior to a purely contemplative life.

FIVE Ks

The five Ks (panj kakaar) are five articles of faith which all baptized Sikhs (Amritdhari Sikhs) are obliged to wear. The symbols represent the ideals of Sikhism: honesty, equality, fidelity, meditating on God and never bowing to tyranny. The five symbols are:

- Kesh: Uncut hair, usually tied and wrapped in a Dastar

- Kanga: A wooden comb, usually worn under a Dastar

- Katchera: Cotton undergarments, historically appropriate in battle due to increased mobility when compared to a dhoti. Worn by both sexes, the katchera is a symbol of chastity.

- Kara: An iron bracelet, a weapon and a symbol of eternity

- Kirpan: An iron dagger in different sizes. In the UK Sikhs can wear a small dagger, but in the Punjab they might wear a traditional curved sword from one to three feet in length.

MUSIC & INSTRUMENTS

The Sikhs have a number of musical instruments: the rebab, dilruba, taus, jori and sarinda. Playing the sarangi was encouraged in Guru Har Gobind. The rubab was first played by Bhai Mardana as he accompanied Guru Nanak on his journeys. The jori and sarinda were designed by Guru Arjan. The taus was made by Guru Hargobind, who supposedly heard a peacock singing and wanted to create an instrument mimicking its sounds (taus is the Persian word for peacock). The dilruba was made by Guru Gobind Singh at the request of his followers, who wanted a smaller instrument than the taus. After Japji Sahib, all of the shabda in the Guru Granth Sahib were composed as ragas. This type of singing is known as Gurmat Sangeet.

When they marched into battle, the Sikhs would play a Ranjit Nagara (victory drum) to boost morale. Nagaras (usually two to three feet in diameter, although some were up to five feet in diameter) are played with two sticks. The beat of the large drums, and the raising of the Nishan Sahib, meant that the singhs were on their way.

DISTRIBUTION

Numbering about 27 million worldwide, Sikhs make up 0.39 percent of the world population; approximately 83 percent live in India. About 76 percent of all Sikhs live in the north Indian State of Punjab, where they form a majority (about two-thirds) of the population. Substantial communities of Sikhs (more than 200,000) live in the Indian states or union territories of Haryana (more than 1.1 million), Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh Assam and Jammu and Kashmir.

Sikh migration from British India began in earnest during the second half of the 19th century, when the British completed their annexation of the Punjab. The British Raj recruited Sikhs for the Indian Civil Service (particularly the British Indian Army), which led to Sikh migration throughout India and the British Empire. During the Raj, semiskilled Sikh artisans were transported from the Punjab to British East Africa to help build railroads. Sikhs emigrated from India and Pakistan after World War II, most going to the United Kingdom but many to North America. Some Sikhs who had settled in eastern Africa were expelled by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 1972. Economics is a major factor in Sikh migration, and significant communities exist in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Malaysia, East Africa, Australia and Thailand.

Although the rate of Sikh migration from the Punjab has remained high, traditional patterns of Sikh migration favouring English-speaking countries (particularly the United Kingdom) have changed during the past decade due to stricter immigration laws. Moliner (2006) wrote that as a consequence of Sikh migration to the UK "becom[ing] virtually impossible since the late 1970s", migration patterns evolved to continental Europe. Italy is a rapidly growing destination for Sikh migration, with Reggio Emilia and Vicenza having significant Sikh population clusters. Italian Sikhs are generally involved in agriculture, agricultural processing, the manufacture of machine tools and horticulture.

Primarily for socio-economic reasons, Indian Sikhs have the lowest adjusted growth rate of any major religious group in India, at 16.9 percent per decade (estimated from 1991 to 2001). Johnson and Barrett (2004) estimate that the global Sikh population increases annually by 392,633 (1.7 percent per year, based on 2004 figures); this percentage includes births, deaths and conversions.

REPRESENTATION

Sikhs have been represented in Indian politics by former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and the deputy chairman of the Indian Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is also a Sikh. Past Sikh politicians in India include former president Giani Zail Singh, Sardar Swaran Singh (India's first foreign minister), Speaker of Parliament Gurdial Singh Dhillon and former Chief Minister of Punjab Pratap Singh Kairon.

Politicians from the Sikh diaspora include the first Asian American member of the United States Congress, Dalip Singh Saund, British MPs Piara Khabra, Parmjit Dhanda and Paul Uppal, the first couple to sit together in a Commonwealth parliament (Gurmant Grewal and Nina Grewal, who requested a Canadian government apology for the Komagata Maru incident), former Canadian Shadow Social Development Minister Ruby Dhalla, Canadian Minister of State for Sport Baljit Singh Gosal and Legislative Assembly of Ontario members Vic Dhillon and Jagmeet Singh. Ujjal Dosanjh was the New Democratic Party Premier of British Columbia from July 2004 to February 2005, and was later a Liberal frontbench MP in Ottawa. In Malaysia, two Sikhs were elected MPs in the 2008 general elections: Karpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor) and his son, Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong). Two Sikhs were elected assemblymen: Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat) and Keshvinder Singh (Malim Nawar).

Sikhs comprise 10 to 15 percent of all ranks in the Indian Army and 20 percent of its officers, while making up 1.87 percent of the Indian population. The Sikh Regiment is one of the most-decorated regiments in the army, with 73 Battle Honours, 14 Victoria Crosses, 21 first-class Indian Orders of Merit (equivalent to the Victoria Cross), 15 Theatre Honours, five COAS Unit Citations, two Param Vir Chakras, 14 Maha Vir Chakras, five Kirti Chakras, 67 Vir Chakras and 1,596 other awards. The highest-ranking general in the history of the Indian Air Force is a Punjabi Sikh, Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Plans by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for a Sikh infantry regiment were scrapped in June 2007.

Historically, most Indians have been farmers and 66 percent of the Indian population are engaged in agriculture. Indian Sikhs are employed in agriculture to a lesser extent; India's 2001 census found 39 percent of the working population of the Punjab employed in this sector. The success of the 1960s Green Revolution, in which India went from "famine to plenty, from humiliation to dignity", was based in the Punjab (which became known as "the breadbasket of India"). The Punjab is the wealthiest Indian state per capita, with the average Punjabi income three times the national average. The Green Revolution centred on Indian farmers adopting more intensive and mechanised agricultural methods, aided by the electrification of the Punjab, cooperative credit, consolidation of small holdings and the existing, British Raj-developed canal system. According to Swedish political scientist Ishtiaq Ahmad, a factor in the success of the Indian green revolution was the "Sikh cultivator, often the Jat, whose courage, perseverance, spirit of enterprise and muscle prowess proved crucial". However, not all aspects of the green revolution were beneficial. Indian physicist Vandana Shiva wrote that the green revolution made the "negative and destructive impacts of science [i.e. the green revolution] on nature and society" invisible, and was a catalyst for Punjabi Sikh and Hindu tensions despite a growth in material wealth.

Punjabi Sikhs are engaged in a number of professions which include science, engineering and medicine. Notable examples are nuclear scientist Piara Singh Gill (who worked on the Manhattan Project), fibre-optics pioneer Narinder Singh Kapany and physicist, science writer and broadcaster Simon Singh.

In business, the UK-based clothing retailers New Look and the Thai-based Jaspal were founded by Sikhs. India's largest pharmaceutical company, Ranbaxy Laboratories, is headed by Sikhs. UK Sikhs have the highest percentage of home ownership (82 percent) of any religious community. UK Sikhs are the second-wealthiest (after the Jewish community) religious group in the UK, with a median total household wealth of £229,000. In Singapore Kartar Singh Thakral expanded his family's trading business, Thakral Holdings, into total assets of almost $1.4 billion and is Singapore's 25th-richest person. Sikh Bob Singh Dhillon is the first Indo-Canadian billionaire. The Sikh diaspora has been most successful in North America, especially in California’s fertile Central Valley. American Sikh farmers such as Harbhajan Singh Samra and Didar Singh Bains dominate California agriculture, with Samra specialising in okra and Bains in peaches.

Sikh intellectuals, sportsmen and artists include writer Khushwant Singh, England cricketer Monty Panesar, former 400m runner Milkha Singh, Indian wrestler and actor Dara Singh, former Indian hockey team captains Ajitpal Singh and Balbir Singh Sr., former Indian cricket captain Bishen Singh Bedi, Harbhajan Singh (India's most successful off spin cricket bowler), Bollywood actress Neetu Singh, Sunny Leone, actors Parminder Nagra, Neha Dhupia, Gul Panag, Mona Singh, Namrata Singh Gujral, Archie Panjabi and director Gurinder Chadha.

Sikhs have migrated worldwide, with a variety of occupations. The Sikh Gurus preached ethnic and social harmony, and Sikhs comprise a number of ethnic groups. Those with over 1,000 members include the Ahluwalia, Arain, Arora, Bhatra, Bairagi, Bania, Basith, Bawaria, Bazigar, Bhabra, Chamar, Chhimba, Darzi, Dhobi, Gujar, Jatt, Jhinwar, Kahar, Kalal, Kamboj, Khatri, Kumhar, Labana, Lohar, Mahtam, Mazhabi, Megh, Mirasi, Mochi, Nai, Rajput, Ramgarhia, Saini, Sarera, Sikligar, Sunar, Sudh, Tarkhan and Zargar.

An order of Punjabi Sikhs, the Nihang or the Akalis, was formed during Ranjit Singh's time. Under their leader, Akali Phula Singh, they won many battles for the Sikh Confederacy during the early 19th century.

IN THE INDIAN & BRITISH ARMIES

Sikhs supported the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. By the beginning of World War I, Sikhs in the British Indian Army totaled over 100,000 (20 percent of the force). Until 1945 fourteen Victoria Crosses were awarded to Sikhs, a per-capita regimental record. In 2002 the names of all Sikh VC and George Cross recipients were inscribed on the monument of the Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill, next to Buckingham Palace. Chanan Singh Dhillon was instrumental in campaigning for the memorial.

During World War I, Sikh battalions fought in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and France. Six battalions of the Sikh Regiment were raised during World War II, serving in the Second Battle of El Alamein, the Burma and Italian campaigns and in Iraq and receiving 27 battle honours. Around the world, Sikhs are commemorated in Commonwealth cemeteries.

In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world, and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith.

—General Sir Frank Messervy

British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time. I know that within this century we needed their help twice [in two world wars] and they did help us very well. As a result of their timely help, we are today able to live with honour, dignity, and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans.

—Sir Winston Churchill

IN THE WEST

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Sikhs began to emigrate to East Africa, the Far East, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In 1907 the Khalsa Diwan Society was established in Vancouver, and four years later the first gurdwara was established in London. In 1912 the first gurdwara in the United States was founded in Stockton, California.

Since Sikhs (like Middle Eastern men) wear turbans, some in Western countries have been mistaken for Muslim or Arabic men since the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War. Several days after the 9/11 attacks Sikh Balbir Singh Sodhi was murdered by Frank Roque, who thought Sodhi was connected with al-Qaeda. CNN suggested an increase in hate crimes against Sikh men in the United States and the UK after the 9/11 attacks.

Since Sikhism has never actively sought converts, the Sikhs have remained a relatively homogeneous ethnic group. The Kundalini Yoga-based activities of Harbhajan Singh Yogi in his 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy) organisation claim to have inspired a moderate growth in non-Indian adherents of Sikhism. In 1998 an estimated 7,800 3HO Sikhs, known colloquially as ‘gora’ (ਗੋਰਾ) or ‘white’ Sikhs, were mainly centred around Española, New Mexico and Los Angeles, California. Sikhs and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund overturned a 1925 Oregon law banning the wearing of turbans by teachers and government officials.

In an attempt to foster Sikh leaders in the Western world, youth initiatives by a number of organisations have begun. The Sikh Youth Alliance of North America sponsors an annual Sikh Youth Symposium, a public-speaking and debate competition held in gurdwaras throughout the U.S. and Canada.

ART & CULTURE

Sikh art and culture are nearly synonymous with that of the Punjab, and Sikhs are easily recognised by their distinctive turban (Dastar). The Punjab has been called India’s melting pot, due to the confluence of invading cultures (Greek, Mughal and Persian) from the rivers from which the region gets its name. Sikh culture is therefore a synthesis of cultures. Sikhism has forged a unique architecture, which S. S. Bhatti described as "inspired by Guru Nanak’s creative mysticism" and "is a mute harbinger of holistic humanism based on pragmatic spirituality".

During the Mughal and Afghan persecution of the Sikhs during the 17th and 18th centuries, the latter were concerned with preserving their religion and gave little thought to art and culture. With the rise of Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Raj in Lahore and Delhi, there was a change in the landscape of art and culture in the Punjab; Hindus and Sikhs could build decorated shrines without the fear of destruction or looting.

The Sikh Confederacy was the catalyst for a uniquely Sikh form of expression, with Ranjit Singh commissioning forts, palaces, bungas (residential places) and colleges in a Sikh style. Sikh architecture is characterised by gilded fluted domes, cupolas, kiosks, stone lanterns, ornate balusters and square roofs. A pinnacle of Sikh style is Harmandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple) in Amritsar.

Sikh culture is influenced by militaristic motifs (with the Khanda the most obvious), and most Sikh artifacts - except for the relics of the Gurus - have a military theme. This theme is evident in the Sikh festivals of Hola Mohalla and Vaisakhi, which feature marching and displays of valor.

Although the art and culture of the Sikh diaspora have merged with that of other Indo-immigrant groups into categories like "British Asian", "Indo-Canadian" and "Desi-Culture", a minor cultural phenomenon which can be described as "political Sikh" has arisen. The art of diaspora Sikhs like Amarjeet Kaur Nandhra and Amrit and Rabindra Kaur Singh (the "Singh Twins") is influenced by their Sikhism and current affairs in the Punjab.

Bhangra and Giddha are two forms of Punjabi folk dancing which have been adapted and pioneered by Sikhs. Punjabi Sikhs have championed these forms of expression worldwide, resulting in Sikh culture becoming linked to Bhangra (although "Bhangra is not a Sikh institution but a Punjabi one").

PAINTING

Sikh painting is a direct offshoot of the Kangra school of painting. In 1810, Ranjeet Singh (1780–1839) occupied Kangra Fort and appointed Sardar Desa Singh Majithia his governor of the Punjab hills. In 1813 the Sikh army occupied Guler State, and Raja Bhup Singh became a vassal of the Sikhs. With the Sikh kingdom of Lahore becoming the paramount power, some of the Pahari painters from Guler migrated to Lahore for the patronage of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and his Sardars.

The Sikh school adapted Kangra painting to Sikh needs and ideals. Its main subjects are the ten Sikh gurus and stories from Guru Nanak's Janamsakhis. The tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, left a deep impression on the followers of the new faith because of his courage and sacrifices. Hunting scenes and portraits are also common in Sikh painting.

WIKIPEDIA

On Dec. 15, 2015, at 6 p.m., the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County constitutional officers, and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District directors all took their oath of office in the Government Center forum.

Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate administered the oath of office to 16 elected officials, who each swore to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon them as officials of Fairfax County.

All elected officials will take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

More information:

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/inauguration/

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BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

Grover Cleveland (1837-1908), mayor of Buffalo, N.Y.; Governor of New York; President of the United States.

Image from "The Parties and The Men, or, Political Issues of 1896 ... The Issues of the Day Impartially Reviewed" (1896).

Contrast digitally enhanced from faded original.

I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.

Sir Winston Churchill

A design by Sir Norman Foster's team or prop left-over from "Independence Day"?

In June 2005, the Supreme Court moved from the old Supreme Court and City Hall buildings into its new premises on 1 Supreme Court Lane. The current Supreme Court building was designed by British architectural firm Foster and Partners in partnership with local architectural consultants CPG Corporation.

Trivia:

* The circular disc, which represents the impartiality of justice, serves as a modern interpretation of the dome on the old building.

* The marble cladding of the building's external facade is made from laminated sheets of rosa aurora marble harvested in Portugal. In the day, the marble allows natural daylight to filter in, infusing the building with a natural illumination, an allusion to the light which comes from justice. Come nightfall, light from within the building continues to emanate outwards.

* The steel-framed disc is supported by 16 slanting tubular disc legs

* User-friendly features incorporated into the Supreme Court building include: a children's corner, disabled-friendly features, an information counter, spacious and comfortable waiting areas and a bistro.

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

After returning to the island early this morning, President Rajapaksa received a briefing of the events that took place in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga town and decided to go to Beruwala this afternoon to hold discussions with both Buddhist and Muslim communities, together, at the District Secretariat. President Rajapaksa assured all communities that an “impartial inquiry” will be held to bring to justice anyone responsible for the violence, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. The Buddhist and Muslim communities that were present for the discussion told the President that they want to live in peace with each other. President Rajapaksa assured protection for the Buddhist temples as well as the Muslims who were displaced. President Rajapaksa said the Government will rebuild homes and businesses that were destroyed.

බොලිවියාවේ සංචාරයෙන් පසු අද උදැසන දිවයිනට පැමිණි ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්‍ෂ මැතිතුමා, පසුගිය දිනවල අලුත්ගම, බේරුවල සහ ධර්ගා නගරයේ වූ සිද්ධීන් පිළිබඳව තතු විමසීමකින් අනතුරුව, පස්වරුවේ බේරුවල ප‍්‍රාදේශීය ලේකම් කාර්යාලයෙදී බෞද්ධ හා මුස්ලිම් ජනයා සමග සාකච්ඡාවකට එක් විය. එම අවස්ථාවේදී රැස්ව සිටි ජනතාව ඇමතු ජනාධිපතිතුමා, තත්වය සම්බන්ධයෙන් අපක්ෂපාතී පරීක්ෂණයක් පවත්වා ජාති ආගම් තරාතිරම් නොබලා වැරදිකරුවන්ට දඬුවම් ලබාදීම අනිවාර්යෙන්ම සිදුකරන බව සහතික විය. තමන් එකිනෙකා සමග සාමයෙන් හා සහජීවනයෙන් ජිවත් වීමට කැමති පිරිසක් බව එහි රැස්ව සිටි බෞද්ධ හා මුස්ලිම් ජනතාව ජනාධිපතිතුමා සමග කියා සිටියහ. බෞද්ධ සිද්ධස්ථානවලට හා අවතැන් වූ මුස්ලිම් ජනතාවට ආරක්ෂාව ලබාදීමට සහතික වූ එතුමා, විනාශ වූ නිවාස සහ ව්‍යාපාරික ස්ථාන රජයෙන් ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණය කරන බවද කියා සිටියේය.

பொலிவிய பயணத்தை அடுத்து இன்று காலை நாடு திரும்பிய ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ அவர்கள், பேருவளை பிரதேச செயலகத்தில் இன்று மாலை மதத்தலைவர்கள் மற்றும் பொது மக்களுடன் கலந்துரையாடளில் ஈடுபட்டார். அளுத்கம, தர்கா நகர் மற்றும் பேருவளை சம்பவங்கள் தொடர்பில் பக்கச்சார்பற்ற விசாரணை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு மதவேறுபாடின்றி நிச்சியம் தண்டனை வழங்கப்படும் என உறுதியளித்தார். தாம் சமாதானமாக வாழ விரும்புவதாக அங்கு குடியிருந்த பௌத்த, முஸ்லிம் மக்கள் ஜனாதிபதியிடம் தெரிவித்தனர். சம்பவத்தால் சேதமடைந்த உடமைகள் அரசாங்கத்தினால் மீள திருத்தியமைக்கப்படும் என ஜனாதிபதி உறுதியளித்தார்.

(Photos by: Sudath Silva)

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

Educational Initiatives – Our Detailed Assessment Program allows impartial judgement of the student’s learning and understanding of key concepts. The assessment details help teachers identify weak students and conduct remedial classes to get 100% results. Request a demo!

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Donald McDonald Dickinson (1846-1917), U.S. Postmaster General, 1888-89. Dickinson County, Michigan, is named for him.

Image from "The Parties and The Men, or, Political Issues of 1896 ... The Issues of the Day Impartially Reviewed" (1896).

Contrast digitally enhanced.

Practicing with makeup and trying new outfits while traveling. I arrived at the resort on the weekend before the week-long conference and had the weekend to practice. I took many photos that weekend, and surprisingly most of them turned out very well, so there are 38 (out of 61) photos in this series! (Photo selection was done by two impartial reviewers.)

This is the business outfit. (I was 'into' the color fuchsia at the time.) I did not wear this outfit out at the resort because I thought it was too dressy for a weekend look. Turns out there was a business woman convention at the resort that weekend and I would have fit right in!

After returning to the island early this morning, President Rajapaksa received a briefing of the events that took place in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga town and decided to go to Beruwala this afternoon to hold discussions with both Buddhist and Muslim communities, together, at the District Secretariat. President Rajapaksa assured all communities that an “impartial inquiry” will be held to bring to justice anyone responsible for the violence, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. The Buddhist and Muslim communities that were present for the discussion told the President that they want to live in peace with each other. President Rajapaksa assured protection for the Buddhist temples as well as the Muslims who were displaced. President Rajapaksa said the Government will rebuild homes and businesses that were destroyed.

බොලිවියාවේ සංචාරයෙන් පසු අද උදැසන දිවයිනට පැමිණි ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්‍ෂ මැතිතුමා, පසුගිය දිනවල අලුත්ගම, බේරුවල සහ ධර්ගා නගරයේ වූ සිද්ධීන් පිළිබඳව තතු විමසීමකින් අනතුරුව, පස්වරුවේ බේරුවල ප‍්‍රාදේශීය ලේකම් කාර්යාලයෙදී බෞද්ධ හා මුස්ලිම් ජනයා සමග සාකච්ඡාවකට එක් විය. එම අවස්ථාවේදී රැස්ව සිටි ජනතාව ඇමතු ජනාධිපතිතුමා, තත්වය සම්බන්ධයෙන් අපක්ෂපාතී පරීක්ෂණයක් පවත්වා ජාති ආගම් තරාතිරම් නොබලා වැරදිකරුවන්ට දඬුවම් ලබාදීම අනිවාර්යෙන්ම සිදුකරන බව සහතික විය. තමන් එකිනෙකා සමග සාමයෙන් හා සහජීවනයෙන් ජිවත් වීමට කැමති පිරිසක් බව එහි රැස්ව සිටි බෞද්ධ හා මුස්ලිම් ජනතාව ජනාධිපතිතුමා සමග කියා සිටියහ. බෞද්ධ සිද්ධස්ථානවලට හා අවතැන් වූ මුස්ලිම් ජනතාවට ආරක්ෂාව ලබාදීමට සහතික වූ එතුමා, විනාශ වූ නිවාස සහ ව්‍යාපාරික ස්ථාන රජයෙන් ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණය කරන බවද කියා සිටියේය.

பொலிவிய பயணத்தை அடுத்து இன்று காலை நாடு திரும்பிய ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ அவர்கள், பேருவளை பிரதேச செயலகத்தில் இன்று மாலை மதத்தலைவர்கள் மற்றும் பொது மக்களுடன் கலந்துரையாடளில் ஈடுபட்டார். அளுத்கம, தர்கா நகர் மற்றும் பேருவளை சம்பவங்கள் தொடர்பில் பக்கச்சார்பற்ற விசாரணை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு மதவேறுபாடின்றி நிச்சியம் தண்டனை வழங்கப்படும் என உறுதியளித்தார். தாம் சமாதானமாக வாழ விரும்புவதாக அங்கு குடியிருந்த பௌத்த, முஸ்லிம் மக்கள் ஜனாதிபதியிடம் தெரிவித்தனர். சம்பவத்தால் சேதமடைந்த உடமைகள் அரசாங்கத்தினால் மீள திருத்தியமைக்கப்படும் என ஜனாதிபதி உறுதியளித்தார்.

(Photos by: Sudath Silva)

BBC impartiality was challenged today by several hundred Pro Palestine protesters who gathered outside the Birmingham studios located in the Mailbox. Several speakers highlighted the disproportionality of coverage and just days after 4 Palestinian children were bombed on a beach in Gaza.

The protesters held an impromptu march to a scheduled Stop the War meeting. When it became clear that the Council House could not accomodate the number of protesters wishing to attend a sound system was hastily put together and a mass public meeting was held in the city's Chamberlain Square.

A Dentist's Daughter at aDentistsDaughter.com/ shares the best electric toothbrush reviews. Discover top rated Philips Sonicare, Oral B and other electric toothbrushes. Find unbiased, impartial and detailed electric toothbrush reviews to help you buy the best model for your needs.

Ty wanted a mosaic like theme, with warm rustic colors. As I am impartial to warm colors, I was happy to oblige. I originally did her nickname (Ty) in mosaic tiles, but as intricate and amazing at it looked, the design really didn't work as a smaller graphic. I decided to go to a script font, something that matched the look of the mosaic theme. I found this nice Persian-like typeface called Sprig.

On Dec. 15, 2015, at 6 p.m., the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County constitutional officers, and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District directors all took their oath of office in the Government Center forum.

Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate administered the oath of office to 16 elected officials, who each swore to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon them as officials of Fairfax County.

All elected officials will take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

More information:

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/inauguration/

After returning to the island early this morning, President Rajapaksa received a briefing of the events that took place in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga town and decided to go to Beruwala this afternoon to hold discussions with both Buddhist and Muslim communities, together, at the District Secretariat. President Rajapaksa assured all communities that an “impartial inquiry” will be held to bring to justice anyone responsible for the violence, irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity. The Buddhist and Muslim communities that were present for the discussion told the President that they want to live in peace with each other. President Rajapaksa assured protection for the Buddhist temples as well as the Muslims who were displaced. President Rajapaksa said the Government will rebuild homes and businesses that were destroyed.

බොලිවියාවේ සංචාරයෙන් පසු අද උදැසන දිවයිනට පැමිණි ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්‍ෂ මැතිතුමා, පසුගිය දිනවල අලුත්ගම, බේරුවල සහ ධර්ගා නගරයේ වූ සිද්ධීන් පිළිබඳව තතු විමසීමකින් අනතුරුව, පස්වරුවේ බේරුවල ප‍්‍රාදේශීය ලේකම් කාර්යාලයෙදී බෞද්ධ හා මුස්ලිම් ජනයා සමග සාකච්ඡාවකට එක් විය. එම අවස්ථාවේදී රැස්ව සිටි ජනතාව ඇමතු ජනාධිපතිතුමා, තත්වය සම්බන්ධයෙන් අපක්ෂපාතී පරීක්ෂණයක් පවත්වා ජාති ආගම් තරාතිරම් නොබලා වැරදිකරුවන්ට දඬුවම් ලබාදීම අනිවාර්යෙන්ම සිදුකරන බව සහතික විය. තමන් එකිනෙකා සමග සාමයෙන් හා සහජීවනයෙන් ජිවත් වීමට කැමති පිරිසක් බව එහි රැස්ව සිටි බෞද්ධ හා මුස්ලිම් ජනතාව ජනාධිපතිතුමා සමග කියා සිටියහ. බෞද්ධ සිද්ධස්ථානවලට හා අවතැන් වූ මුස්ලිම් ජනතාවට ආරක්ෂාව ලබාදීමට සහතික වූ එතුමා, විනාශ වූ නිවාස සහ ව්‍යාපාරික ස්ථාන රජයෙන් ප්‍රතිසංස්කරණය කරන බවද කියා සිටියේය.

பொலிவிய பயணத்தை அடுத்து இன்று காலை நாடு திரும்பிய ஜனாதிபதி மஹிந்த ராஜபக்ஷ அவர்கள், பேருவளை பிரதேச செயலகத்தில் இன்று மாலை மதத்தலைவர்கள் மற்றும் பொது மக்களுடன் கலந்துரையாடளில் ஈடுபட்டார். அளுத்கம, தர்கா நகர் மற்றும் பேருவளை சம்பவங்கள் தொடர்பில் பக்கச்சார்பற்ற விசாரணை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு குற்றவாளிகளுக்கு மதவேறுபாடின்றி நிச்சியம் தண்டனை வழங்கப்படும் என உறுதியளித்தார். தாம் சமாதானமாக வாழ விரும்புவதாக அங்கு குடியிருந்த பௌத்த, முஸ்லிம் மக்கள் ஜனாதிபதியிடம் தெரிவித்தனர். சம்பவத்தால் சேதமடைந்த உடமைகள் அரசாங்கத்தினால் மீள திருத்தியமைக்கப்படும் என ஜனாதிபதி உறுதியளித்தார்.

(Photos by: Sudath Silva)

On Saturday 5 August, activists gathered in central London to protest the ongoing brutal and illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India and its use of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, intimidation and censorship to maintain its control.

Many of those present were also angry at Britain's continued support of India and failure to take action in support of the Kashmiri people's struggle for independence. India has forcibly occupied the region for over 75 years in open defiance of UN resolutions calling for a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices to determine the area's status.

The protest marked four years since the Indian government, on 5 August 2019, revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, previously guaranteed by the constitution, and instead imposed direct rule from Delhi. As Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported, "The government action was accompanied by serious rights violations including arbitrary detention of hundreds of people, a total communications blackout and severe restrictions on freedom of movement and peaceful assembly."

www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jam...

In their most recent report on Jammu and Kashmir, HRW noted that "the government's repressive policies and failure to investigate and prosecute alleged security force abuses have increased insecurity among Kashmiris," and added that "journalists in Kashmir face increasing harassment by security forces, including raids and arbitrary arrests on terrorism charges. Authorities in India have shut down the internet more often than anywhere else in the world. A majority of those shutdowns have been in Kashmir, where they are used to curb protests and access to information."

www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/02/india-repression-persists-jam...

Enforced disappearances also continue as freelance journalist Mir Aiyaz reported in Fair Planet (23 February 2023). He interviewed Khera Begum about the arrest of her son, Abdul Rashid Dar, by over forty Indian army soldiers, with no police officer attending as is legally required. An officer reportedly told his older brother, Shabir, that the police had been "informed" and that he would be released the next morning. He was not. When the family and other locals went to enquire at the nearest army base, initially they were asked to return later, and then eventually told that he had "escaped from custody." As Aiyaz notes

'Rashid's family and community members do not believe the army's version of events. "How can a man escape in the presence of ever vigilant army men?" rued Shabir. "He was too meek a person to escape, and there was no possibility of running away in the forest where he was taken."

It seems equally difficult to believe that if the army had openly stated its intention to hold him for just 24 hours, that he would have risked everything on attempting to flee.

Aiyaz observes that 'locals, particularly youths living in Kunan Poshpora have altered their daily habits due to their fear of being abducted,' and he quotes a student who while 'staring at the fenced playground (of a school), which used to be brimming with kids but has recently been mostly desolate,' told him that "boys head home after the maghrib prayers, and time spent in the playground has been slashed down."

www.fairplanet.org/story/whats-behind-the-forced-disappea...

The Indian Army has deployed a huge military force in Jammu and Kashmir which some estimates suggest might be as high as 900,000 troops. One soldier for every eight civilians. According to journalist Munir Akram writing in the Pakistan Observer (6 August 2023), the Indian military has "perpetrated a vicious campaign of repressive actions, including extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in fake encounters, custodial killings and "cordon-and-search" operations; use of pellet guns to kill, maim and blind peaceful protestors, abduction and enforced disappearances and "collective punishments," with the destruction and burning of entire villages and urban neighborhoods.'

pakobserver.net/whats-going-on-in-kashmir-is-not-normal/

www.eureporter.co/world/pakistan/2023/08/06/seminar-on-hu...

Despite India's ongoing brutal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and despite the continued tension and risk of war with Pakistan, Britain continues to grant licenses for the export of arms to both Pakistan and India.

On 23 February 2023, Politico reported that in the wake of the Ukraine war, 'Britain's defense and aerospace firms now see an opportunity to chip away at Russia's share (of India's military imports)', adding that 'Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems are part of a delegation to Aero India, Asia's biggest airshow which is taking place this week.'

The same report also seemed to suggest that rather than attempt to limit arms exports to maintain some leverage on the shocking human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir and limit the arms race between the two regional nuclear powers - India and her neighbour Pakistan, the British government appears instead intent on promoting arms exports to India. According to Politico, "Last year the UK put India on its defense equipment fast-track - the first such move offered to an Indo-Pacific nation - in a shift that will reduce red tape and shorten delivery times for defense procurement."

www.politico.eu/article/india-pursues-russian-military-bu...

It should also be noted that the United Kingdom is already one of India's largest suppliers of weapons. According to the UK House of Commons Library arms exports update in January 2023, on a "10 year rolling basis the UK is Europe's largest and the world's second largest defence exporter' beaten only by the United States (p10) and the report ranks India as the fourth largest importer of arms from the UK after Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United States, based on arms transfers between 2012 and 2021. (p21).

researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8310/...

www.radiomet.com

Radiometrics is an industry leader in providing full service Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing and engineering. From the smallest components to the vehicle level, we have been delivering impartial testing and compliant results since 1983.

Our dedicated and professional staff is here to assist our clients in achieving EMC compliance. With years of experience, Radiometrics provides the testing and engineering necessary for wide variety of industries including: Aerospace, Automotive, European Community, FCC Testing and certification, Medical, Military, and Telecommunications.

My ride in Saigon. I sold the venerable Vespa and bought this Yamaha Nouvo LX, not because of its aesthetic appeal, even though I am not impartial to the George Clinton font on its sides but because it is the highest and longest bike I could find and it is cheap and easy to maintain. It seats C and H -and yours truly. It's an automatic which in the manic Saigon traffic lowers the risk of C learning and memorizing sentences like "Holy xxxxxxx shit!" Below the handle bars you can store bottles of water, film, and point and shoot cameras. Nikon FM3A - Nikkor 2.8/28 Ais - Super Uxi 100 ISO

On Dec. 15, 2015, at 6 p.m., the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County constitutional officers, and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District directors all took their oath of office in the Government Center forum.

Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate administered the oath of office to 16 elected officials, who each swore to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon them as officials of Fairfax County.

All elected officials will take office on Jan. 1, 2016.

More information:

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/opa/inauguration/

An antique and disused part of the electrical controls for a large mill motor (5000 hp). That whole mill is now gone without a sign it ever existed.

This is a redo of my original shot using new processing and it looks better I think.

www.entropicremnants.com

accessibilité aux personnes handicapées Un bon point pour la préfecture à laon

Un bâtiment laonnois arrive en tête d'un classement sur l'accessibilité.

qui a obtenu la note de dix sur dix et les félicitations !

LE SITE INTERNET www.accessiblepourmoi.com/

a établi un classement des villes et de certaines préfectures ou sous-préfectures.

Et c'est la préfecture de Laon qui arrive en tête (ex æquo avec Melun) sur treize établissements visités

pour le moment.

L'association Mobilité réduite, à l'origine de cette action, ne se contente pas de consulter des documents et de recueillir des témoignages.

Entre début mai et fin novembre, les adhérents prennent leur voiture et viennent sur place pour voir comment les choses se passent réellement.

Ils visitent, incognito, des villes de toutes tailles et de tous bords politiques ou des établissements publics.

Une bonne surprise

Le président, Jean-Michel Royère, est venu lui-même constater comment cette administration située en ville haute accueille les personnes en situation de handicap.

Et il a eu une bonne surprise.

« Quand je suis arrivé devant la grille de la préfecture, j'ai vu le logo « handicap » sur les barrières.

On m'a ouvert et il y avait quatre places réservées à l'intérieur.

plusieurs places de stationnement réservées aux personnes à mobilité réduite ..

L'accès est facile, il y a un cheminement court et praticable, un accueil aux normes, des toilettes conformes...

Le service communication de la préfecture précise de son côté que des travaux sont réalisés depuis plusieurs années et que « le cheminement des accès au bâtiment Signier a été repris et le dallage refait.

Il y a un guichet surbaissé accessible au niveau de l'accueil général et les ascenseurs sont aux normes depuis 2008.

Un programme de travaux d'un montant de 70 000 €, d'une durée de 10 semaines, sera lancé en septembre. Chaque service (cartes grises, permis de conduire, bureau de la nationalité) disposera d'un guichet d'accueil surbaissé.

Ces guichets seront également dotés d'une boucle à induction magnétique permettant une communication adaptée entre les personnels d'accueil et les usagers malentendants ou non appareillés. »

Restera pour l'association à tester la ville.

Elle a prévu de le faire cet automne ou au printemps prochain. Mais impossible d'en savoir plus. « Afin de ne pas être influencé dans un sens ou dans l'autre et pour rester impartial, nous ne rencontrons ni élu, ni association.

C'est donc une photo à un instant T de la situation globale de la ville.

Si des travaux d'accessibilité conformes à l'esprit de la loi sont prévus ou en cours de réalisation, nous devrions normalement les constater la fois suivante. La note qui sera alors attribuée devrait donc progresser en conséquence.

C'est le but essentiel de nos audits incognito, mesurer la progression des collectivités territoriales en terme d'accessibilité. »

Préfecture de Laon (02010) Picardie > Aisne (02)

2 rue Paul Doumer

02010 Laon CEDEX 9

+33 3 23 21 82 82

courrier @ aisne.pref.gouv.fr

Très pratique

Cabine photo universelle La seule cabine photo, conçue pour être accessible à tous!

Malentendants

Malvoyants

Handicapés en fauteuil

conçue pour être accessible à tous!

Malentendants Malvoyants Handicapés en fauteuil ...

Statue atop the Old State House, Hartford, CT. The statue is a fiberglass replica of the original John Stanwood wooden Lady Justice Statue. The blindfolded figure represents the ideal of impartiality. She holds the scales of justice in one hand and has a sword in her other hand representing punishment of the guilty. The building once housed a courtroom.

Wall art and prints: Justice Statue

You can license this copyrighted image through the Alamy Photo Library : Justice Statue