Article from NST on 12/8/2007 on the recent new programmes directly from Sri Harminder Sahib, Amritsar
Sikhs thankful for live prayers from Amritsar
KUALA LUMPUR: The day has been starting differently for many Sikhs nationwide since Aug 1.
They have been switching on their television sets at 7am (4.30am in India) to follow prayers live from the Sri Harmandir Sahib temple in Amritsar. For 30 minutes, they can listen to the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, and the singing of kirtans (hymns) in the Qurbani programme.
It has been a dream come true for most who have been longing for the day when they would join their Sikh brethren around the world in prayers at the religion’s holiest shrine.Now they can do so in the comfort of their
homes thanks to Astro and Zee TV.The 100,000 Sikhs nationwide also have one person to thank for helping them fulfil their religious obligations — Tan Sri Darshan Singh.
The Ipoh-based lawyer was instrumental in bringing in the programme which has been aired live in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States for years.
It all began two years ago when Darshan, 59, thought of the possibility of airing the prayers live but realised that a channel was not available over Astro for the purpose.
Things began to take shape when Zee TV began operating last year."It was not easy. It took a while before things started moving but Astro made it so much easier by helping us make this a reality," said Darshan, who undertook the move under the umbrella of GerakSikh.
GerakSikh, the Malaysia National Sikhs Movement, is aimed at helping the Sikhs and other north Indian communities in socio-cultural matters, including registering for the general election.
Darshan thanked Dr C. Rajamani, the head of Astro Indian programmes, for negotiating the airing of the programme with Zee TV.He and Rajamani have also made it possible for Sikhs and fellow Punjabis to unofficially declare Saturday Astro’s "Punjabi" day.
This is because Zee TV has made two slots available for Punjabi speakers — a regular Punjabi movie screened from 11am and a 30-minute cultural show called Shava-Shava from 2pm.
"Punjabi speakers, be they Sikhs, Hindus or Muslims, have only had one Punjabi movie a year so far during the Vaisakhi period (Sikh New Year). Now, they can enjoy one every week.
"Darshan said Punjabi movies may also appeal to North Indians who speak Hindi, a widely-spoken "close cousin".The airing of Punjabi programmes has elicited an overwhelming response from Sikhs around the country with many saying that the programmes were long overdue.
"My 23-year dream to hear prayers live from the Sri Harmandir Sahib have now been realised," said former Malay- sian Gurdwara Council secretary-general Hari Singh who first thought of the possibility when in office in 1984.
His views were echoed by Khalsa Diwan Malaysia president Santokh Singh who thanked GerakSikh for making it possible for Sikhs to start the day with the special prayer."It is truly something wonderful to do so. GerakSikh has made my day."
Amar Singh Sandhu, Sant Sohan Singh Ji Malacca Memorial Society president, said a new chapter had opened in the lives of Malaysian Sikhs with the advent of the programmes
Things began to take shape when Zee TV began operating last year."It was not easy. It took a while before things started moving but Astro made it so much easier by helping us make this a reality," said Darshan, who undertook the move under the umbrella of GerakSikh.
GerakSikh, the Malaysia National Sikhs Movement, is aimed at helping the Sikhs and other north Indian communities in socio-cultural matters, including registering for the general election.
Darshan thanked Dr C. Rajamani, the head of Astro Indian programmes, for negotiating the airing of the programme with Zee TV.He and Rajamani have also made it possible for Sikhs and fellow Punjabis to unofficially declare Saturday Astro’s "Punjabi" day.
This is because Zee TV has made two slots available for Punjabi speakers — a regular Punjabi movie screened from 11am and a 30-minute cultural show called Shava-Shava from 2pm.
"Punjabi speakers, be they Sikhs, Hindus or Muslims, have only had one Punjabi movie a year so far during the Vaisakhi period (Sikh New Year). Now, they can enjoy one every week.
"Darshan said Punjabi movies may also appeal to North Indians who speak Hindi, a widely-spoken "close cousin".The airing of Punjabi programmes has elicited an overwhelming response from Sikhs around the country with many saying that the programmes were long overdue.
"My 23-year dream to hear prayers live from the Sri Harmandir Sahib have now been realised," said former Malay- sian Gurdwara Council secretary-general Hari Singh who first thought of the possibility when in office in 1984.
His views were echoed by Khalsa Diwan Malaysia president Santokh Singh who thanked GerakSikh for making it possible for Sikhs to start the day with the special prayer."It is truly something wonderful to do so. GerakSikh has made my day."
Amar Singh Sandhu, Sant Sohan Singh Ji Malacca Memorial Society president, said a new chapter had opened in the lives of Malaysian Sikhs with the advent of the programmes
Follow up on Press Report in Bernama on 13/5/2007
IPOH, 13 Mei (Bernama) -- Astro All Asia Network (Astro) disaran memperkenalkan saluran Hindi dan Punjabi dalam rangkaiannya di Malaysia dan rantau ini, kata Presiden Pergerakan Sikh Kebangsaan (GerakSikh) Tan Sri Darshan Singh Gill.Dalam mengalu-ngalukan pelancaran sembilan saluran baru, beliau berkata saluran bagi bahasa Hindi dan Punjabi hendaklah dipertimbangkan kerana ia mendapat permintaan yang popular di negara ini."Astro hendaklah memperkenalkan sekurang-kurangnya dua atau tiga saluran berbahasa Hindi dan Punjabi dengan pelbagai program yang kini hanya satu, Zee TV yang tertumpu kepada drama dan program yang diulang," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.Beliau juga berkata banyak saluran boleh dipertimbangkan termasuk ETC Punjabi Channel, Doordarshan TV, Star News - 24 Hours Hindi News Channel, Star Gold dan Star Plus."Memang kita gembira dengan rancangan untuk rakyat Malaysia berbahasa Tamil kita, Astro Vaanavil, Sun TV dan dua program baru lain yang baru diperkenalkan di samping beberapa rancangan di RTM dan TV3,Darshan Singh berkata rakyat di negara jiran seperti Indonesia, Thailand dan di rantau ini juga menikmati pelbagai saluran yang menarik.Jika Astro akan memperkenalkan satu pakej khas, untuk program istimewa ini, mereka yakin bahawa bukan hanya masyarakat Sikh atau Punjabi tetapi bangsa lain juga yang menikmati program Hindi akan mengambil pakej ini, kata beliau.Astro yang telah melancarkan Satelit Measat 3 yang baru, memang sepatutnya mempertimbangkan permintaan ini dalam pelancaran program barunya akan datang."Saya akan mengadakan perbincangan dengan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Astro (CEO) Ralph Marshall untuk menekankan tentang keuntungan projek ini. Dengan pelancaran saluran baru ini, bukan hanya rakyat Malaysia keturunan Sikh tetapi penduduk Malaysia yang ramai akan menikmati program Hindi dan Punjabi dan mengalu-ngalukan cadangan ini," katanya.
5 comments:
fantastic job... syabas to geraksikh.. how can i join?
Well done, whoever is responsible for this effort with the grace of the almighty. Lets all benefit from this by understanding the true message of Gurbani (not Qurbani as stated in the news item) and getting closer to Guruji. Waheguru
great effort...most leaders talk but geraksikh has walked the talk...there is more to be done and with geraksikh, we see a light at the end of the tunnel...just one request, how about having the page number of the Bani/Shabad recited on the screen...this will help even more for those who want to refer to the meanings of the Shabads...hope this is not asking too much!!
Its good to get many feedback from the community and happy to note that the programme shown is appreciated.
As for the request on having page numbers on Bani/Shabad recited in the morning programme, it is not possible for the moment. We believe the live feed is being obtained by Astro from Zee Punjab network and plugged every morning for exactly 30 minutes for us to view. As long as you are able to catch a few words in the begining of the shabad, then you will be able to check from the Shabad Explorer.
Happy watching
Those wishing to know the meaning of the Mukh Vaak can also log on to www.sikhnet.com later in the morning where the shabad can be read again with its meaning in Punjabi and English. You need to install Gurmukhi fonts which can be downloaded from the same site. The original recitation can also be heard online via audio. The live feed on Zee is thru ETC Punjabi network, which I think has exclusive rights to air the proceedings at Darbaar Sahib. Waheguru.
Post a Comment