Author: Bhanu Dhamija Publisher: Harper Collins Pages: 384 Price: Rs.550 Was “familiarity” the only reason why India adopted a parliamentary system of governance? In his book “Why India Needs the Presidential System”, author Bhanu Dhamija, himself a publisher, seeks to answer this question, while extending some radical thoughts on how we should be governed. “The Indian system began to break …

Worldwide, there are 25,800,000 (25.8 million) Sikhs, but around 75% of Sikhs live in the Indian state of Punjab, where they are close to 59.9% of the population. Large communities of Sikhs live in the neighboring states, and large communities of Sikhs can be found across India. However, Sikhs are only about 2% of the Indian population.

To get guidance is one of the reasons they come into the presence of God by listening to and singing from the holy book. To be a part of a community is another reason they come to be in company of God’s people, of all different ages. Singing lessons and community. Activities will also be held in rooms at the …

The Sikh Gurdwaras are not only places of worship but also the training center of service. Such service as sweeping the precincts, serving drinking water to the thirsty, fanning the congregation in hot weather and serving food to the hungry have always formed an integral part of the factions in a Sikh shrine. Of these, Langar is perhaps the most …

Sikhism began around 1500 A.D, in the northern part of ancient Punjab, which is now part of Pakistan. It originated with the teachings of Guru Nanak who rejected the philosophies of the Hindu society that he grew up in. Refusing to participate in Hindu rites, he argued against the caste system and preached equality of mankind. Denouncing the worship of …

“Pakistan can never defeat India”, the Italian remarked. That morning in May 1999, on an official trip to Italy, as I had switched on the BBC World News, I had heard the announcement that Indian Air Force had started an offensive on the Kargil peaks and there were fears of a full-fledged war with Pakistan. What had till now been …

Saying that the population of Sikhs has declined in the country is a misreading of the Census by religion. It is the rate of population growth that’s come down. In the larger national goal of population control, Sikhs could rightfully see themselves as being flag-bearers of this wise cause First, the denial. The Sikh population is not on the decline, …

Saeed Jaffrey (8 January 1929 – 16 November 2015) is an Indian actor, who has done numerous British movies. He was born in Malerkotla, Punjab. His film credits include “The Man Who Would Be King” (1975), “Shatranj Ke Khiladi” (1977), “Gandhi” (1982), “A Passage to India” (1965 BBC version and 1984 film) and “My Beautiful Laundrette” (1985). He has also …

Delhi has very high concentrations of respirable particulate matter (PM), even crossing the safety limits prescribed by the World Health Organization. While for some reason, the highest PM is routinely reported from some areas in the east of the city, no place is safe in the Delhi National Capital Region. A rather startling fact which studies bear out is: Indoor …

The nine day stage spectacle has been part and parcel of celebs from the region; they share their most favourite flash If you happen to get some time to sit with your elders, grandparents, aunties and uncles you might just come back hearing really interesting, really funny, really wonderful stories from the Ramlila that they have attended and seen. Also, …