As The Body Grows Old

As the body grows real old
The fear of death grows ten fold
It slowly starts to sink in
That the end is near the door

One starts to reflect back
On the years gone by
What was achieved
By toiling so hard
All these years

The death is staring
The person in the face
Still the greed anger lust
Remain inside the surface

The physical body finally ends
The greed anger lust don't end
They are carried
Onto the next form
To begin yet another cycle
Of toiling reflection and fear

CrackPot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his masters house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

Khalsa Identity


Sometimes when your out in the world you see people acting inappropriately to the uniform they are wearing.

This is usually when the person represents something goodly, and you see the person acting badly. An example of this is when police officers become corrupt.

They are the enforcers of the law, yet they do not practice it themselves.

In the same way, if we keep the BASIC Sikh uniform (un-cut hair and/or turban) we should act in a certain way, the way that was given to us by our father - Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji (Last living Guru of the Sikhs).

What counts as behaviour that is not 'Sikh'?

Things that I see routinely would be;

Most of these things are included in the Bajjar Kurehits, sort of like the Sikhs "list of donts", so to see a Sikh doing them is not only wrong for the individual but bad for the nation.

In the same way, many people as soon as they hear the name Afghanistan they automatically think Taliban...

Bluntly put, if you act like a clown and people see you - the next time they see Sikhs they'll think of your behaviour as representative of everyone.

This is why we have a uniform, this is why we are different from most other people in society. It is our duty to act courteously at all times, and if we followed Sikhism to the tee - we should be an example that people would want to follow, not outcast.

Why does no one know who Sikhs are?
Because most of us try to fit into the rest of society, so they look like any other brown person - and the few that keep the identity, don't act as Sikhs should either!

I'm not sure which is worse.......

Timetable Organisation

im frantically trying to sort out my sleeping patterns again. basically the latest plan is that I am going to try and sleep before 10, and get atleast 8 hours from that point.

then i will slowly work this back, minute by minute into a decent time to wake up - preferbly around 3!

i've tried, and failed, in the past to try and wake up at 3 everyday. this is do-able, for a couple of days. but after that sleep sets in and i just cant get up *knocked out* on the next day.

Im also going to try get some magical 20 minute nap sessions in during the day, to provide a sort of catchup.

i've tried everything else, might aswell try this!

Slander (Part 2!)


An Excerpt from Bhai Manvir Singh's blog:

... I love listening to Keertan and Katha (discourse on Gurbani). It was Bhai Veer Singh Jee Delhi Wale's last evening of Katha at Park Avenue Gurdwara. I mentioned his Katha in a previous post.

Bhai Sahib's Katha on Saturday was on the topic of "Nindiyaa" (slander). Bhai Sahib gave a beautiful description of what Nindiyaa is and how it doesn't have a negative effect on the devotees of Waheguru.

"A rose plant also grows thorns. What is "Nindiyaa" (slander). Nindiyaa is not recognising the roses on the plant and instead saying it is plant of thorns.

We all have "avguns" (negative points) saying something bad about someone becomes slander when we make someone out to be fully bad, and see no good in the person whatsoever, i.e. bad through in through.

However, no-one is perfect, only the Guru and Waheguru are Perfect.

Hence doing Nindiyaa of anyone is bad, defining someone is through and through bad and not recognising the even smallest amount of good quality or virtue in a person is considered Nindiyaa.Gurbani says:

ਨਿੰਦਾ ਭਲੀ ਕਿਸੈ ਕੀ ਨਾਹੀ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮੁਗਧ ਕਰੰਨਿ ॥
nindaa bhalee kisai kee naahee, manmukh mugaDh karann.
It is not good to slander anyone, but the foolish, self-willed manmukhs still do it.

ਮੁਹ ਕਾਲੇ ਤਿਨ ਨਿੰਦਕਾ ਨਰਕੇ ਘੋਰਿ ਪਵੰਨਿ ॥੬॥
muh kaale tin nindkaa, narke Ghor pavann. 6
The faces of the slanderers turn black (in this life & the next), and they fall into the most horrible hell. 6(Ang 755, SGGS)

The saintly people actually appreciate Nindiyaa.

They don't lose anything through people slandering them. This is because the wise person uses people's slander to self-analyse himself or herself and correct his or her "avgun" (negative points) and convert them to "guns" (virtues).

However, the Nindak (slanderer) is stuck in slandering and forgets self-correct and improve his own jeevan (life). Hence, the wise saintly people win against the Nindaks.

ਹਰਿ ਜਨੁ ਰਾਮ ਨਾਮ ਗੁਨ ਗਾਵੈ ॥
har jan raam naam gun gaavai.
Waheguru's humble servant sings the Glorious Praises of the Waheguru's Name.

ਜੇ ਕੋਈ ਨਿੰਦ ਕਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਜਨ ਕੀ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਗੁਨੁ ਨ ਗਵਾਵੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
je ko-ee nind kare har jan kee, apunaa gun na gavaavai. 1 rahaa-o.
Even if someone slanders the Lord Waheguru's humble servant, he does not give up his own goodness. 1Pause(Ang 719, SGGS)

We Got It Twisted!!



One thing that struck me is how back to front we have certain things.

So many times, we are made to believe that society wants us to believe and we are totally unaware of this even taking place.


This is Maya 'the curtain of illusion' that Guru ji mentions so much in Bani:

"jaisee agan oudhur mehi thaisee baahar maaeiaa
As is the fire within the womb, so is Maya outside.

maaeiaa agan subh eiko jaehee kuruthai khael ruchaaeiaa
The fire of Maya is one and the same; the Creator has staged this play.

jaa this bhaanaa thaa junmiaa puruvaar bhulaa bhaaeiaa
According to His Will, the child is born, and the family is very pleased
.

liv shurrukee lugee thrisunaa maaeiaa amur vuruthaaeiaa
Love for the Lord wears off, and the child becomes attached to desires; the script of Maya runs its course.

eaeh maaeiaa jith har visurai mohu oupujai bhaao dhoojaa laaeiaa

This is Maya, by which the Lord is forgotten; emotional attachment and love of duality well up.


kehai naanuk gur purusaadhee jinaa liv laagee thinee vichae maaeiaa paaeiaa
Says Nanak, by Guru's Grace, those who enshrine love for the Lord find Him, in the midst of Maya. ||29||"

Extract from 'Siri Anand Sahib', 5th Daily Prayer of the Sikhs

How beautiful this verse is…

It sums up the cycle of life so perfectly.
  1. We are born, babies are innocent and cute!

  2. We get older, and find out about Maya (worldly attachment, it seems so sweet to the mind compared to religious walks of life).

  3. Eventually we either lose faith in any type of God, or we follow a “slack” version of our religious duties because of it. [Amritvela/keeping hair in its natural form/our diets]

  4. We die in the illusion in which we lived our lives:
“They may live in heavenly realms, and conquer the nine regions of the world, but if they forget the Lord of the world, they are just wanderers in the wilderness. In the midst of millions of games and entertainment, the Lord’s Name does not come to reside in their minds and hearts. Their home is like a wilderness, in the depths of hell. He sees the terrible, awful wilderness as a city. Gazing upon the false objects, he believes them to be real. Engrossed in sexual desire, anger and egotism, he wanders around insane. When the Messenger of Death hits him on the head with his club, then he regrets and repents. Without the Perfect, Divine Guru, he roams around like Satan.[707]

An example of this Maya, that ‘hit me’ today is “Self Confidence”, what a farce!

I agree that without a degree of confidence we become anti-social, isolated or even depressed but we shouldn’t be proud of ourselves.

“You are so proud of your body; it shall perish in an instant, my friend.”

We should thank Vaheguru for the bodies/abilities we have, and be proud that our Guru Ji is so perfect. However, to be proud of ourselves is just going to increase our ego/haumai and take us further away from God.


Blog Notes

After a while of messing around with all the blog settings, i think im going to try get some help with the formatting of the blog.

Somehow, im going to try and find a way to index all the random topics i write about so they are easily accessible.

Secondly, on the left hand side i've managed (somehow) to add a "blog update notification thingy", so you can add your email and whenever a post is added it'll drop you a little email!

I only write three/four times a week so you wont get any mass spam!

Also, can you please let me know if the blog is mis-alligned/messed up on your browser?
I use mozilla, so sometimes it comes out wierd in internet explorer etc.

Colours ok? Size of text readable? Please let me know it its not.

Also, anybody know a good way to post Gurbani onto the blog? I currently cut and paste from websites or SikhiToTheMax.com and occasionally the text doesnt copy, or there are gaps left where there shouldnt be, and you cant remove them!

I've tried blogger for word, but this doesnt really sort out the problem either.

Finally, i'm going to try start posting from my mobile - so the text might be messed up intially as I mess around with the settings. So many times i think of things to write about, but when i get to a computer my mind is blank.

I think im going to also change the template, dots just arent me anymore :)

THE BRICK


A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar.

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared.

Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic.

"Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar.

The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message:

"Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

"duKu dwrU suKu rogu BieAw jw suKu qwim n hoeI ]

dhukh dhaaroo sukh rog bhaeiaa jaa sukh thaam n hoee

Suffering is the medicine, and pleasure the disease, because where there is pleasure, there is no desire for God."

Extract from; Siri Rehraas Sahib, The Evening Time prayer of the Sikhs

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the away.

Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Not all emails are junk, some actually make you think :)

You and me

O Lord!
If you want to send
Somebody in my life
Please make sure that
This person brings me
Nearer to You than before

Otherwise please don't send
Anybody new
As I don't want to go
Further away from You
I don't want anybody to come
In between You and me

O Lord!
If you want to send
Something new to me
Please make sure that
This thing brings me
Nearer to You than before

Otherwise I don't want it
You can give to somebody else
Who desires this more than me
I don't want anything to
Come in between You and me

O Lord!
If you want to send
Me somewhere
Send me to a place
Where I am nearer to You
From inside my heart

Otherwise I don't want
To go anywhere
Where I can't remember You
I don't want to goto any place
That takes me away from You

O Lord!
If you want to give me happiness
Please make sure that
With it You send me some sadness
To test my state of equanimity

Otherwise I don't want only joy
As it might make me
Forget You
I don't want any state to come
In between You and me

Four Wives

There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!"

The merchant's heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave."

The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !"

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives.

The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll never leave with us when we die.
Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure.

Guess what ?
It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament.

Be good as your religion states, meditate - cultivate your soul.

Kill the "Self"

Peer Bhudu Shah asked the Guru Sahab, Guru Gobind Singh Ji (known in the world as the tenth Sikh Guru):

"Khuda aur bande ka meel kaisen hoon?"

How can a human merge into God (known by infinite names in the world, common ones being Aum, Waheguru, Khuda, Allah, God, Almighty, Akal Purakh)?

Guru Gobind Singh Ji replied with a very short sentence politely:
"Peer Sahab, Whon mua Khuda hua"

Peer Sahab (Sahab for respect), kill the ego (self) and you will merge in Him.

----------

Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

All victory belongs to God.

We as Sikhs say this everytime we see another Sikh, it is a constant reminder that everything belongs to God, yet many people including myself are still full of ego.

How do we get rid of this ego?

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਹੈ ਜਪ ਹਉਮੈਂ ਖੋਈ ॥
ਆਪ ਗਵਾਏ ਆਪ ਹੈ ਗੁਣ ਗੁਣੀ ਪਰੋਈ ॥13॥

"The Gurmantar is "Vaheguru", through reciting which erases egotism. Losing egotism and merging into the qualities of the supreme Lord, he himself becomes full of qualities."

(Vaar 13, Bhai Gurdaas Ji, Contemporary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji)

WORLDWIDE DAY OF PROTEST 17 JANUARY 2006

WORLDWIDE DAY OF PROTEST
17 JANUARY 2006

SIKHS TO CALL FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY AND THE RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN INDIA

A Worldwide Day of Protest is being organised for 17 January 2006. Sikhs in cities around the world from London, to Paris, to Toronto and to New York are aiming on 17 January to show their opposition to the death penalty and call for the release of all Sikh political prisoners held in jails in India.

Candles will be lit in prominent places in cities throughout the world, including in India itself. Sikhs in more than 100 cities are expected to take part in the protest and will be joined by prominent non-Sikhs, such as politicians, human rights and trade union activists.

In the UK the candle light protests will be taking place simultaneously in around twenty towns and cities and are being organised by the Sikh Federation (UK), Khalsa Human Rights, Sikh Secretariat, Young Sikhs (UK), Sikh student groups, Gurdwaras and the Sadh Sangat. The protests are being supported by Amnesty International and other members of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.

The protest in London will be taking place outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster between 5-7pm. MPs, Lords and members of the public will join Sikhs to light candles celebrating life, freedom and opposition to the death penalty.

The worldwide protests are taking place on 17 January to coincide with the 11th anniversary of one of the most controversial and highest profile death penalty cases in recent Indian history. 11 years earlier on 17 January 1995 Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, a Sikh political activist, was illegally deported from Germany. Davinderpal Singh was handed over to the Indian authorities on the basis that he had nothing to fear on his return to India.

For 11 years Davinderpal Singh has been forced to live with the mistake by the German authorities. He was arrested and put in prison as soon as he landed in Delhi, tortured to obtain a false confession, charged and sentenced to death by hanging for a crime he did not commit.

When Germany deported Davinderpal Singh to a death-penalty prone country it violated the European Convention on Human Rights. After his deportation, the court of appeal in Frankfurt allowed his appeal and said that he should not have been deported as he would face torture, harassment and death in India and were he to re-enter Germany he would be given asylum.

The verdict of the court of appeal in Germany came too late for Davinderpal Singh. However, it has left Germany and the EU with a moral obligation to ensure the threat of the death penalty by India is removed and Davinderpal Singh and other political prisoners that are unnecessarily being held, either without trial or under false charges and without evidence, are released immediately.

Protests in different towns and cities are in the process of being organised. Our aim is to organise candle light vigils in at least 20 towns/cities. We are already aware of vigils being organised in prominent locations in Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, Derby, Gravesend, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Nottingham, Slough, Southampton, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

We are also hopeful that Sikhs in the UK will also organise candle light vigils in other locations such as Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle. There is no reason why the candle light vigils should not extend further to other towns and cities, especially where there are Gurdwaras or Sikh students at University.

Gurjeet Singh
National Press Secretary
SIKH FEDERATION (UK)
The first and only Sikh political party in the UK

Tanglewood House, Pine Walk, Chilworth, SO16 7HQ

www.sikhfederation.com
sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk

When Will I Mature?

I may have started
Looking old from outside
But from inside
I am still a child
My physical body
May have seem to matured
But from inside my mind
Is still that of a child

When I was a small kid
I wanted toys all the time
Not this one
I want that one
I used to cry

Then I grew up little bit
Became a bigger kid
I wanted bigger toys
Not the small toys from before
When I grew up more
I wanted toys with buttons
Toys with motors and guns

A day came when I entered
The age of youth
The physical body blossomed
Other desires replaced
The ones for motorcars and guns

One day someone said that kid
Is taking your toys
Won't you stop him
No I won't I said
Let him take
All that he wants
Now I have realized
One should not cry over toys

Really is that true?
Something inside me asked

Now the mind has developed
The desire for some other
Kinds of toys
I spend my entire time
Trying to get hold of them

I am spending my entire life
Trying to be happy
Seeing my big house
My beautiful car
My lovely family

I don't realize that the time
Is not far when
These will be taken away from me
And then I will be crying again
Like I used to when I was a small kid

I am still a child
For I still cry for my toys
Only the type of toys has changed
My desire for them has not changed

Something inside me asks me this again
When will I finally mature
And not remain a child
Any more from inside?

-----------------------

We 'grow' up, but our desires and wants get more childish.

How many of us are content with what we have? If we were given £5000 i'm sure things almost instantly spring to mind that we "need".... I'm no exception.

The day we become contempt with what we have, I honestly believe, is the day when God will want us.

Dying For A Drink

The big news in the UK at the moment is that the leader (actually ex-leader as he resigned earlier today) of the Liberal Democrats has been suffering from an alcohol addiction.

Less well reported is that this very week it was reported that:

Mortality from the commonly drink-related disease soared during the 1980s and 1990s with rates for men doubling in Scotland and rising by two-thirds in England and Wales. Those for women went up by about half in the same period.

The report was the result of a pan-European comparison of death from liver cirrhosis. It further highlighted that as many as 22,000 death a year were linked to excessive drinking; with most being the result of chronic liver diseases.

You can read the full report on the Lancet website; but it does required (free) registration.

Even without reading the full report and reading the brief extracts that have made it into some of the mainstream press it makes for sobering reading. Apparently drinking costs the NHS several billions of pounds a year and the economy much more in lost working days and alcohol fuelled crime.

I recall some statistics from a few years ago that more beds in hospitals were taken by those suffering from alcohol related illnesses than even those related to smoking. Though I am unable to locate those statistics at the moment this briefing from Alcohol Concern in Sept. 2005 provides some futher details:

Alcohol misuse costs the UK £18 billion a year, with £1.7 billion spent by the NHS and £7.3 billion spent on crime and disorder. Currently 1 in every 26 NHS bed days can be attributed to an alcohol-related disease … Almost three times more people die as a direct result of alcohol than drugs yet alcohol services receive just a fifth of the funding.

Furthermore 15% of road deaths are alcohol related and I’d hate to think of the nusance factor, those unreported incidents of drunks urinating in people’s gardens, throwing up outside peoples houses and generally harassing other people.

The above are just some figures for the UK, the effects are similar in the US:

Today, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are major public health problems in North America, costing the region’s inhabitants an estimated US$170 billion annually … Of the one half of the North American population who consume alcohol, it has been estimated by some that 10% are alcohol abusers and alcohol dependents, and 6% consume more than half of all alcohol.

I was further reminded of this on New Years Day when I walked to my brother house; I lost count of the number of puddles of vomit I walked past en route. It was nauseating. But well new year wouldn’t be new year if it didnt involve the consumption of vast quantities of booze and a ritual throwing up session. It’s a special occassion so it’s acceptable, right? Just like it is on any other day.

By all accounts alcohol consumption is rising among all age groups and sex’s and it is a serious problem. So why isn’t it treated more seriously. Leaving aside the Sikh angle; which is pretty clear in favour of abstaining (despite what some people may say - the taking of intoxicants is forbidden) many “Sikhs” (I’ll stick to Sikhs and not say Punjabi’s) drink and in fact they have a reputation as hard drinkers; whose claim to fame is to be able to drink others under the table.

I know this from my own school and university days; where I was under constant pressure to drink and normally from my Sikh mates. Well thank you very much but I am perfectly capable of enjoying myself without being out of my head on drink. But the peer pressures are enormous and no doubt many do succumb. I know that drinking is a big problem in our community, my understanding is that there is a serious alcohol problem in the Panjab; but I don’t think this fact is widely appreciated and even if there were services available I suspect very few would attend. Also have you ever noticed the number of “Sikhs” who own pubs or Off-Licences?

Pondered on the statistic I previously mentioned: almost three times more people die as a direct result of alcohol than drugs yet alcohol services receive just a fifth of the funding; why isn’t the effect of alcohol taken more seriously? Is it because it’s the drug that is legally permitted and acceptable?

My own position is pretty clear; as far as I am concerned it is a drug and a pretty dangerous one at that; however I’m not even going to suggest prohibition as I can’t ever see it working and well the Government makes a tidy packet from taxing the stuff; so they ain’t going to be rushing to do this.

But what is the difference between the amount raised and the cost to society; not just in terms of The NHS, but everything including petty crimes, violence, nusances and all the rest? And is it worth it?

There are steps that can be taken, including treating alcohol the way smoking is treated; make the statistics available to the public in an effect manner, have major education campaigns. In much the same way that schools show pupils the effect of smoking make them do the same for drinking. Ban all advertising, and not just on television and provide comprehensive resources to those trying to tackle these issues. Also talk about the effects of alcohol on families, it’s often a cause in domestic violence, break ups or general wasting of a family wage packet.

This has to be taken more seriously than it currently is; perhaps even more seriously than hard drugs are treated. But wait - it’s cool to drink and uncool to not drink; ah that explains a lot and well even politicans do it!

Alcohol - the acceptable face of drug abuse. Thats the real problem.

http://solarider.org/blog/

Here
Here...

Free Feature Length Film: Sarbans Dhanni

Description (2 hours, 11 mins)

A timeless theatrical account of the story of Guru Gobind Singh Jee and his family. The movie mainly centres around the events surrounding Wazir Khan of Sirhind, and how he bricked alive in a wall the two young sons of the Guru, as well as having Guru Ji martyred. The movie portrays the final days of Wazir Khan and portrays the Nawab of Malerkotla and how he tried to stop the madness. It also has Sucha Nand the evil Hindu Dewan as well as Gangu - the Brahmin who betrayed Guru Ji's children.

To Download Intro Click Me (12mb)

To Download Full Film Click Me (145mb)

Download tip : Right click on the link above, and select "save target as" to save the video to your computer.

Please Note: No aspect of Sikh heritage and history is copyrighted therefore we are able to offer these clips for educational purposes, profit free. It must not be used for redistribution or public broadcasting for profit terms.

Good Job EktaOne.Com for hosting these files.


Smile In Stormy Weather

There was a little girl who walked to and from school every day. One day,
though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming,
she set out on her daily trek to the elementary school.

As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and
lightning. Her mother was concerned that her daughter would be frightened as
she walked home from school and she herself feared that the electrical storm
might harm her child.

Following the roar of thunder, lightning, like a flaming sword, was cutting
through the sky. Concerned, the mother quickly got into her car and drove
along the route to her child's school. As she did so, she saw her little
girl walking along, but at each flash of lightning, the child would stop,
look up and smile at the sky.

Another and another flash of lighning followed and with each the little girl
would look up at the streak of light and smile. The mother pulled her car up
beside the child, and she lowered the window and called to her, "What are
you doing? Why do you keep stopping?"

The little girl answered, "I am trying to look pretty! God keeps taking my
picture."


Got to smile even in the stormy weather..

Hilarious Story from Gurudwara Visit

Today I went to my local Gurdwara (a small converted house). It was the Sri Akhand Paath da Bhog (completion of the continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee) in celebration of Guru Gobind Singh Jee's Prakaash Utsav (Birth Day).


Got there before the bhog, so I had a chaa da cup, then made my way up to the Diwaan Hall. On completion of the Sri Akhand Paath Sahib Ardaas was done. I was standing with my eyes closed listening to the Ardaas. Then I could here a scuffle. What's happening? So I open my eyes and see an old Bibi jee dashing over to the Gurdwara Treasurer giving him £10 and loudly saying "Bhaji, £10 Karhah Parshaad Vaaste" (well it was loud enough that I could hear it and lose concentration from Ardaas!!). It was unbelievable! Disturbing not one's own concentration but others as well JUST TO GET YOUR NAME AND £10 READ OUT! Waheguru!


Chalo, so I close my eyes again. Now someone is gently shaking my arm (yes, DURING ARDAAS). I open my eyes and see the old Bibi jee, "Kidaa Put, Teek Taak?" (How are you son, are you fine?). I was gobsmacked at how this elderly Bibi Jee could do this and be so calm and casual about it. I smiled and said "Teek jee" and quickly closed my eyes. Waheguru Bhalla Kare.


Sat Naam! Then the point came in Ardaas where there is a huge list of people's names to be read and out and how much money they have given to the Gurdwara building fund. In one word, "BORING"!! It really breaks the flow of Ardaas and it seems POINTLESS, other than boost one's EGO. So while Giani jee was say, "Sardar...... Das Pound.... Sardar...... Panj Pound..." you even get people announcing that they gave £1.25 (Savaa Pound) to the Gurdwara Building Fund. Is it necessary? Why can't someone just put the money in the Golak. Simple dimple.


So while the names were being read out I quietly did Simran of Waheguru in my mind. Then at last, the LIST OF NAMES WAS NEAR THE END. What next? "Giani jee, You got that name wrong, its Sardar........" O My God! I couldn't believe what Gurdwara Ardaas has turned into! So eventually after using the life lines of 50/50, phone a friend (or more like ask Waheguru) and ask the "Sangat", Giani jee said RIGHT NAME for the person who donated £5. Deary me.

Praise the Lord! The LIST OF NAMES had come to an end. Now came the Jaikaare (shouting the slogan of "Bole So Nihaal" (whoseover shall reply to this shall be blessed) with the reply of "Sat Sri Akaal" (True is the Immortal))! Giani jee does the first Jaikaara, and I bend down to do matha tekh. I was half way down until I realised, "Woops, I think there's going to be more than one Jaikaara." So I stood back up and hoped that I didn't stand out too much.

Another Singh does Jaikaara. Then the another Singh, followed by a UNCOMFORTABLE PAUSE. Everyone is looking at everyone is going to do the Jaikaara. At this point I am always a bit scared of the scenario that I do a Jaikaara at the same time as someone else and my Jaikaara gets drowned out! lol. Chalo, So I am about to do a Jaikaara, then I hear "MANVIR SINGH, MANVIR SINGH JAIKAARA BOLAA." Waheguru! It was so funny that there was no flow, no focus and no concentration of the Sangat in the Ardaas (including myself). So I did a Jaikaara. Then ANOTHER UNCOMFORTABLE PAUSE. O deary me! You either get TOO MANY Jaikaare or NONE AT ALL. Eventually a Singh did a Jaikaara. Thank God! Then there was ANOTHER UNCOMFORTABLE PAUSE with half people saying Fateh at that point and the other half still staning waiting to say Fateh and the Giani jee stood there for a bit (I don't know what he was thinking) and eventually said Fateh.


Hukamnaama was read and then Keertan began. Sat Naam! Keertan is happening and guess what? Ladies are talking away! And I don't mean quietly! The bibi jee doing Keertan ending up stopping and saying that she will not continue until ladies stop having loud conversations amongst themselves. There seemed to be a bit of an argument or something brewing up amongst the lady. It was really off-putting. Firstly, no FOCUS or NO CONCENTRATION in Ardaas, NOW the same for Keertan. I looked at the ladies and one of the aunty jee's ended up saying "Manvir come here." So I walked across the Darbaar and one of the aunty jee's from the group of aunty jee's who were arguing about something said, "Has the Langar and Karhah Parshaad been Kirpaan Bhet?" I was thinking "Is that what you were arguing about WHILE KEERTAN IS HAPPENING. I said yes, the Singh did it after the ardaas. Rab Da Shukar that the talking amongst the ladies quietened down, but not for long.


Generally I found my Gurdwara experience today a bit funny and amusing (not funny "ha ha", but funny "o deary me"). God help us all :)

Manvir Singh Khalsa

Weapons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji

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The historic Khanda assiciated with the amrit ceremony on Vaisakhi 1699

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Karpa Barsha. In the year 1673 when Guru Sahib Ji was engaged to Mata Jito Ji, Guru ji's father-in -law wanted the marriage party to go to Lahore. However, instead of going to Lahore Guru Ji established a new township near Anandpur Sahib and named it Guru Ka Lahore. When the residents complained of water shortage, Guru Ji struck the ground with this very barsha and water came gushing out.

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Dhal (shield) made of hippoptamus skin used by Guru ji

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After the martydom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji issued a hukamnama (written order) to his Sikhs that whenever they visited Anandpur Sahib they should bring horses and weapons as offerings. As a result many weapons, including this bandook (rifle) from a Sikh from Lahore were presented to Guru Ji.

user posted image
Shamsheer-e-Tegha, scimitar of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

****************

When I see these pictures, it makes me so happy and yet so unbelievably sad.

Happy because it reinforces what our Guru's stood for, being humble yet powerful enough to take on armies, out numbered many times...

However there is also a strong feeling of sadness because when I see artefacts of the Guru's it means that they actually existed on this earth....

Why this makes me sad is as follows;
our Guru's walked this earth less than 300 years ago and look at the state of our religion and the world. People cutting hair, eating meat, fornicating and committing many sins like I do daily.

And our father WALKED THIS EARTH..... When people hear about Jesus they think "Old wives tales blah blah", after all who can prove something that happened over 2000 years ago?

Yet we have artefacts, paintings, clothes even the turban of Guru Gobind Singh Ji yet we have no faith.

Our scriptures (not trying to big up Sikhism, just stating the facts) are the only religious scriptures that were transcribed while the prophets were still alive. The bible and Koran for example were written after the death of their respective prophets, so it is possible there could be transgressions in the writings. However, our scriptures (Dhan Dhan Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji) were actually composed by the Guru's themselves.

What does this mean? If you want to know what Sikhism is, ask your Guru.

Read and understand Guru Ji. Don't take another persons translation as gospel, meditate on the word and see what Guru Ji tells YOU.

I feel like such a fraud saying these things, but when I type them - they make sense to me. I in no way follow what I write, but it sure does sound good at the time.

Please forgive me for any mistakes and feel free to share any comments.

Pictures from this site

Commemorating Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Birthday



The Pure & Sovereign Khalsa Belong to the Wonderous Enlightener God,
and the Wonderous Enlightener God is Ever Victorious !

Dear Blessed Holy Congregation / SaadhSangat,

Today, January 05, is the "prakash divas" of my father, the great Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaaj.

The Sikh Community around the world celebrates this day when, 340 years ago, my father's divine light - the light of the Almighty God - was revealed to the world through a human body in the city of Patna. The blessed baby came into the family of beloved Sri Mata Gujjar (Gujari) Kaur Ji and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji Maharaaj. The divine child was given the throne of the enlightener at only the age of nine years. In the short time that he spent in his human form, this divine soul changed our world forever. Among countless other amazing wonders, my father finalized the initiation of the Khalsa and bestowed the eternal throne to our beloved Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaaj. Now my father's divine light is forever absorbed in the Guru Khalsa Panth and Guru Granth.

I feel very honoured to have the Shaahe-Shahanshaah (King of Kings) Gur Gobind Singh as my father. At the same time, I feel extremely ashamed for not having lived up to even one of his teachings, or having enacted even one of the divine principals from his legacy to my own life.

My father's qualities and accomplishments can't be described even in a million pages. For our sake, my father surrendered his own father, mother, four sons, thousands of his Sikhs, all of his material possessions, and wealth. Even more, he gave his throne to the eternal Guru - Guru Granth and Guru Khalsa Panth; he gave the honour of his turban - to Bhai Sangat Singh Ji in the Battle of Chamkaur; and he even gave the protection of the shoes off his own feet - which he removed before walking into the Machhiwara Jungle, lest he step with his shoes on the hair of his beloved Shaheed Gursikhs in Chamkaur. Not only that, but before all of this he had already given his head - to the Punj Pyare when he requested them to give him khande-ke-pahul. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaaj put all strength, courage, love, and mercy into the present and future of the Khalsa, for the wellbeing and protection of all living beings.

Please try to visit the gurdwara today and congratulate another fellow human being on this day to celebrate and remember the great legacy of the 10th embodiment of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib Ji, the great Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib Ji Maharaaj, father of the Khalsa Panth.

peace and prosperity to all in the new year.

stay in chardee kalaa,

Vaaheguroo jee kaa khaalsaa
Vaaheguroo jee kee fatheh !!!!!

Extract taken from an email.

Are you a Bob, Mickey, Dolly, George and Wally?

Pyare jio, are you a Bob, Mickey, Dolly, George and Wally?

You may think it is a strange question. So let me explain.

What is it with the nickname culture in Sikhs? We may expect it in punjabi youth, and non-punjabi youth, but not Gursikhs. Today Kamaljit singh becomes kam, bhupinder singh becomes puppy or bob, Amandeep singh becomes wally, darshan kaur becomes dolly, sukhvinder singh becomes sukhi, etc. Infact the sangat is full of Steven, Goerge, Phulloo, Geeta, Sukhi, Deepa, kamli, and so forth.

It may be hypoctical of me, because in my mona days, I also was regularly referred to as Jag. But the day I took Amrit, my father specifically said to all my friends and relatives, that I am now Amritdhari and only my Gursikhi name is to be used. So since it has always been Jagjit Singh.

Sometimes I feel I am the only one in the UK sangat who always trys to call every Gursikh by there full name. Some youth have even tried and make a nickname for me. But I will never respond to any name other than Jagjit Singh. Sometimes if in the mood, then I will also give them a roasting for even trying to give me a nickname.

We go to so much effort when a child is born to give them a Gurmat name from the Sahib Siri Guru Granth sahib. There is a deep reason for this. The name of a Gursikh is very reflective of thier personality and jeevan. Think about it, does not Bhai Jeevan Singh have a Jeevan, did not Bhai Rama Singh become one with Rama, or even lets look back at the names that Sahib Siri Guru Gobind Singh ji gave his Pavittar Panj Pyares, or his Sahibzades. Just go through them in your mind, and they will bring a smile to your face, lalli to your cheeks, a warmth inside and a cool calm to your mind. Their names bring their jeevans to your mind.

Sir William Shakespear wrote - "What is in a Name?" There is so much in a name. Your personality begins with your name. When we hear the name darshan kaur, she should so amazing in her jeevan that all wish to do her darshan, when we hear the Gurdip Singh, he should have the light of Waheguru shining from his face.

Youth today, put so much emphasis on rehit and bana. This is because it sets your personality as a Gursikh. Your dumalla is high and has the pride of royalty. But then if you ask his name, the veer says, my name is bob, dave, george, puppy, sukhi, or Wally. Then it all falls apart. Instead if he says my name is Bhupinder Singh, Dalvir Singh, Gurmit Singh, Sukhjit kaur, or Amandeep Singh, then it fits.

At a old Khalsa camp, I met a Gursikh called Khaniya Singh. During the camp, I witnessed him doing seva, and my heart just said, the name fits.

It takes just as much effort to say the full name as it does the nickname. It is just our lazy minds, or the fact we think we may be "cool" that we use these. This is completely wrong. There is nothing "cool" about it. In fact it is highly disrespectful. What will happen in 20 years, what will our kids says.

Singh says "Veer ji, who did seva in the Panj Payes at the samgam?"
Bibi ji replies, "I think it was "Dick singh, Dally Singh, Tip Top Singh, Wally and puppy".
Singh ji, "Did Satta do keertan or was Mini, bhini, vinny, and ruby?"
Bibi ji replies, "no, we should listen to bani not the keertani, but the keertani was dolly kaur."

Pyare jio, we talk about assols. But these are real basics. Every Amritdahri should only use their full Gurmat name, and more than that build a jeevan reflective of that name blessed by Guru Ji.

In Gurmat, there are no shortcuts, and in our Gurmat names we should not start the bad habit of shortcuts. It all starts here, one shortcut leads to another , to another, to another, then we wonder why do I have nothing?

For all the Gursikhs, who I may have offended by using thier names in this post. You may be upset with me, but please, it is me who has offended you, or it you who answer to that name when others call you it. If so then it is you who has disrespected yourself. Or maybe you have not figured out that when someone gave you that name, they were actually taking the mickey out you

For an amritdhari, disrespecting your Gurmat name, should be like someone trying to knock your datsaar off. In the old days, people had so much respect for Singhs and Singhnia, that they always put Sardar and Sardani before their name, and always used their full name. Now them very names have become Satta and batta, Rinku and Tinku.

If you use a nickname, then do ardas today, that Guru Maharaj bless me that never again may I answer when my full name is not used, and let me build a jeevan reflective of my name.

Jagjit Singh

Oi Bin Laden!!!



Last Thursday I went to town with my brother. He was going to the gym, so he dropped me off in town. He gave me his suite to get dry cleaned. So I looked around town looking for a dry-cleaners shop, because the main one has shut down. Chalo, eventually I found one. I browsed through the shops and took a gentle stroll through the shopping centre.

My brother told me to meet him at 3 o'clock outside the gym but I thought usually he takes longer than he says so I decided to walk to my cousins house nearby. Kill two birds with one stone - have a cup of tea and also have gap shap with my cousin.

I was walking down the High Street. Generally the people where I live, have got used to me wearing a pagh (turban) and so don't find me too strange and so I don't get stares (well not very many!). When I initially kept my Kesh and starting tyng a pagh in December 2000 then people did look and stare. I suppose its expected because its something new and there are not many Sikhs where I live.

As I was saying, I was walking down the High Street and I notice three youths walking down. Two boys (a bit scruffing looking I must say), and a girl. They looked about 14 or 15 years old. I could see them looking at me while I was walking, however I could also sense some negativity. The three people were sniggering and laughing amongst themselves and then all three were staring at me. Chalo, Rab Bhalla Kare and bless them with samat (wisdom). I carried on walking. As I walked pass, from behind the girl shouted "OIH BIN LADEN.

Sat Naam. I was bit overwhelmed because its been a while since people said silly things to me like that. Udhaa its nothing new, but its been a long time in my town, since I have experienced something like this. I looked back and saw them laughing but I thought chalo rab rakha thats a part of life.

In November there was a meeting at Scotland Yard held by Mr. Gafoor with members of the Sikh community. I had a chance to go the meeting. A point was raised about racist comments and what one should do, and is there much that really can be done. One Met police representative said that all race crimes and racist incidents, however small or insignificant should be reported to the police so that they can monitor things. It was stressed that reporting small racist comments said in the street is not wasting police time and that you can easily and conveniently report it to the police on their website www.police.uk.

For this reason I thought to myself when I get time in the evening I will report this incident to police on the website to help their statistics etc. I forgot to do it in the evening so I did it the next day in the evening (well it was quite late - 9.30pm). Then the next day I got a call from Thames Valley police at 11 o'clock in the morning. I was pleasantly suprised because (1) it was Christmas eve, (2) it was not a serious crime, (3) didn't know that police would take any steps because you can't really do much about people making silly comments in the street.

After ringing, a police officer came to our house.

To be continued...

The policeman arrived at our house around 1pm or so. He was a very friendly chap. He sat down and noted down the details of the incident, description of the offender and asked me whether I feel okay. I said to him that there's no big deal and that after Sept 11 its nothing new that a Singh recieves a racist comment. However, I told him I was kind of taken back because I have not recieved any "overt" racist comments since I was at school and college.

The police officer seemed shocked by how I felt and how I felt this incident was insignificant. He said, "I have big ears as you can see (Note: he pointed to ears at this point). If someone called me big ears while walking down the street, I would feel upset. Yes if a friend said something then that is different. However, if someone walking down the street insults me then this is unacceptable." It was kind of a bizzare example, but chalo, bechaara tried to give the nearest example he could find.

The police officer said "No! It is unacceptable. You should not find it normal that someone insults you." I was impressed by the police officer's attitude. He then said, "I don't know why someone would want to insult a Sikh? Sikhs are the most respectable, loving and peaceful people in the whole world." I was pleasantly taken back by his comment.

My dad also told him about another incident which happened with my in our town centre. Last April I was walking in the shopping centre and my Kirpaan was popping out of my jacket. I was window shopping and just browsing. I went inside M&S and looked at jumpers, shoes etc. I noticed that a Gora security guard looking at me. I didn't take much notice. I continued to walk to the other shops. I could sense someone following me. I looked back and couldn't see anyone. There was a security guard standing, but he was staring the opposite way. Chalo! I went to Burtons. The shop was empty with no other customers. Suddenly the shop phone rings and the shop-assistant picks it up. While she was on the phone she began to stare at me as I looked at the clothes in the shop. I sensed that something is not quite right.

As I walked past the shops I looked back again and I saw the SAME security guard from earlier standing behind. But he was suspicously pretending to look the other way. I felt as if I am being followed and traced. I was near Ottoka's Bookstore, when I looked back and saw three security guards rushing towards me. Sat Naam, Waaheguroo!

They pulled me to the side infront of the public and said, "We suspect that you are carrying an offensive weapon. You are carrying a knife. Is this true?" "No. I am not carrying a knife. I am WEARING a KIRPAN, an ARTICLE OF FAITH." I opened my coat jacket and showed them my 9" Kirpaan. One of them started speaking on his walky talky saying "The suspect is wearing a large blade..." Waheguru! I explained "Why am I being stopped? I am not wearing anything illegal. The Kirpan is an article of faith, which is part of the Sikh Saint-Warrior uniform. It is not an offensive weapon! I have been to parliament, a high securit place, 5 or 6 times wearing my big Kirpaan and I have never faced any problem. So why is there a problem in the shopping centre?" The man then spoke to someone on the walky talky and all three of them ended up saying "We are sorry for stopping you, please excuse us. We were unaware about your article of faith." I said "Are you given training about these issues?" They replied "No".

So when I got home I wrote a letter to the shopping centre. They replied back with an apology and said that they are sorry that they don't train their security guards about the articles of faith. After the incident the security guards were informed about the Kirpaan. Though there was a positve outcome, it was VERY STRANGE to be followed around the shopping centre as if it was a secret operation monitoring me or something.

The police officer was shocked at hearing about this incident. He said, "Thats awful. All security should be informed about the Sikhs. All police officers are educated about Sikhs and the 5Ks. Even if I saw Sikh wearing a Kirpan in town and it visible, there should be no problem. He or she is not doing anything wrong, other than practice their religion. The only time I would be concerned by a Kirpaan is if a Sikh got it out of it's sheath and started wielding it around town. I would only confiscate the Kirpan off someone if someone used it against me and ONLY when they put it against my neck. Other than that it is outrageous and disrespectful to ask a Sikh to remove his or her Kirpan or be offended be seeing a Sikh wear it." I was overwhelmed by the police officer's positve comments about the Kirpan and Sikhs. I did not expect this

So the police officer left our house (after eating some Barfi, which he found extremely tasty and drank a cup of chaa). He took down the details of the girl who had shouted the abuse and said he would the CCTV cameras. If he found her he would let me know. Udhaa, it didn't seem a big deal to me because it was a small silly comment, but the police was adament to clamp down on any racism however small or big. :)

extract from: http://manvirsingh.blogspot.com/

100 Crazy Things from 2005

Some interesting facts about the world we live in:

How amazing is Vaheguru..........

Click Me

Here's a taster:

91. Croydon has more CCTV cameras than New York.

92. You are 176 times more likely to be murdered than to win the National Lottery.

90. Ordinary - not avian - flu kills about 12,000 people in the UK every winter.

89. Spanish Flu, the epidemic that killed 50 million people in 1918/9, was known as French Flu in Spain.

53. It takes 75kg of raw materials to make a mobile phone.

2. Mohammed is now one of the 20 most popular names for boys born in England and Wales.