Kartarpur Sahib Corridor: A world where devotees find solace, inspiration



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There are a few places in the world where boundaries don't matter, where religions vanish, and where tranquilly and calm wrap you like a baby in its mother's warm, protective embrace. One such location is the Gurudwara Sri Darbar Sahib or Kartarpur Sahib, Khalsa Vox reported.

The "Hindustani" or "Pakistani" in devotees seems to be missing as soon as they step foot inside the premises of this holy shrine. What cocoons them is pure, divine bliss. They become humans, naked of hatred, biases and animosity.

Guru Nanak Dev spent the remaining 18 years of his life in Kartarpur before leaving for his heavenly abode from here on September 22, 1539. Because of this, this Gurudwara is regarded as the second-most sacred site in the Sikh faith. The original structure constructed by Nanak Devji was twice destroyed by the Ravi floods. Raja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala rebuilt the current temple in 1925 and gave Rs 1,35,000 towards the project, as per Khalsa Vox. Khalsa Vox is a new-age online digest that brings to you the latest in Punjab politics, history, culture, heritage and more.

The original writings and artefacts that belonged to the Gurudwara are not well known. However, Charlotte Canning, the wife of British Viceroy Lord Canning, paid 'Khurtarpore' a visit in February 1860. She sent sketches to Queen Victoria in her letters, apparently depicting the Guru Granth Sahib and the building that held it. At Harewood House in West Yorkshire, England, these are still kept there. A 20-foot well that is 500 years old and thought to have been constructed during the first Guru's lifetime is located on the Gurudwara grounds. Throughout his time here, Guru Nanak practised farming and gave the principles of "Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, and Vand Shako." Here, Guru Sahib also penned a number of "Paaths," including "ASA DI WAR" and "REHRAAS SAHIB."

Here, Bhai Lehna received the 'Gurdaddi' blessing that would later transform him into Guru Angad Devji. Due to the fact both Hindus and Muslims who followed Guru Nanakji cremated him according to their respective religious practices, both memorials are located close to one another, making this shrine unique. Guru Nanak "radiated love and faith and attracted people like light attracts moths" in Kartarpur, said Professor Puran Singh, a well-known Punjabi physicist and poet, according to Khalsa Vox. This is where the community meal, known as "Guru ka Langar," was first introduced and has since grown to be an integral element of the Sikh religion. Like many others, the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara is more than just a place of worship.

It is sentiment. There was a loss of shared common religious, cultural, and spiritual heritage as a result of the British Indian partition, particularly in Punjab. Gurharpal Singh stated in "The Control of Sacred Spaces" that "the political division of Indian subcontinent in 1947 was, in some measure, a spiritual division as the new states established complex systems of regulation to control the access of pilgrims from the two countries. When devotees enter the Gurudwara complex, they not only begin a life-changing spiritual journey but also free themselves from the bonds of fanaticism and organised religion to bow themselves before "Ik Onkar." The corridor, which promotes peace and religious harmony, serves as a literal and metaphorical bridge between India and Pakistan. The meditative ambience of the Gurudwara complex's central courtyard is accompanied by the melodic and comforting sounds of traditional instruments while devotees recite "Gurbani."

Thus, a profoundly peaceful atmosphere is produced, allowing travellers to engage in prayer and meditation, as per Khalsa Vox. The complex is touted as the largest in the world and has a total area of about 42 acres. Sarovar Sahib (holy pond), Darbar Sahib, Dewan Sahib (a location where the Guru Granth Sahib is embodied and read to congregations), Langar Hall (community kitchen), Kheti Sahib (a location where Guru Nanak had his farms), and Khoo Sahib (heritage well) are all located on the premises. The courtyard is enormous and immaculately clean. Despite the frequent commotion of visitors from both nations, the area has a general sense of calmness and spirituality.

The pilgrims can indulge in Pakistani cuisine and purchase trinkets in addition to satisfying their spiritual needs. Overall, Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib is a perfect place where devotees can find comfort, inspiration, and a deep connection with Guru Nanak Devji and his timeless teachings, Khalsa Vox reported. (ANI)

   

Hamas says 'yes' to Gaza ceasefire



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Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal brokered by Qatar and Egypt. But so far nothing has been reported from Israel in this regard. They are looking into the matter.

On Monday (May 6), Qatar-based media Al Jazeera reported this information.

According to a statement by Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, the head of Hamas' political wing, Ismail Haniya, called Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and informed him that Hamas had approved the proposal for a ceasefire agreement. Ismail Hania also said the same thing to the Minister of Intelligence of Egypt, Abbas Kamal.

Meanwhile, the residents of Gaza expressed joy at the news of Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire.

It should be noted that at least 34 thousand 737 people have been killed and 78 thousand 108 people have been injured in the Israeli attack on Gaza since October 7. And the number of dead in Israel is 1 thousand 139 people.

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Campuses can be battlegrounds around graduation ceremonies in the United States



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Protests against the Israeli attack on Gaza have erupted in several US universities. The student protests there have entered their second week. Last Saturday (May 4), police arrested at least 25 more pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Virginia.

Al-Jazeera reported that more than two and a half thousand students have been arrested from campuses across the United States. In the meantime, graduation ceremony in universities is approaching.

It is feared that various university campuses in the United States may turn into battlefields around graduation ceremonies in the coming days.

At 47 US universities, students are protesting against Israeli aggression and genocide in Gaza. This protest has been going on since April 17. Since the beginning, the police have used excessive force to suppress this peaceful protest.

In this way, the rights activists protested the suppression of the protest and the arrest of the protesting students. They demanded to ensure the freedom of expression of the students.

Graduation ceremonies are scheduled for the end of this week at four universities hit by protests. The event is scheduled to take place this month or next June at several other universities, including New York's Columbia University, the epicenter of the protests.

The university authorities fear that the protesting students may disrupt the graduation ceremony. For this reason, the authorities are taking initiatives to strengthen the security system.

The protesting students have threatened that if their demands are not met, they are thinking of alternative programs including boycotting these events and walking out of the venue. In such circumstances, some universities have canceled these programs. Some are procrastinating.

The peaceful protests at the University of Virginia continued until Saturday morning. At that time a video spread among the students. In the video, police are seen detaining some protesting students from the campus lawn.

Apart from this, the police are using chemical sprays to quell the protests. After that the protest turned into a riot.

In a statement, University President Jim Ryan said that the protesters were detained when campus security informed the police that they would be protesting in tents last Friday night. However, it is not clear how many university students are among those detained.

Pro-Palestinians protest in front of the stage at the graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan. But this protest was peaceful. Campus police quickly surrounded the protesters and escorted them to the back of the stadium. But dozens of students dressed in flags, kaffiahs and graduation caps staged a university graduation ceremony.

A day later, Northeastern University and Ohio State University were supposed to hold the closing ceremony on Sunday, but the commencement ceremony was disrupted.

Meanwhile, apart from the United States, this protest has now spread to new countries. Students from France, UK, Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Lebanon, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland and Mexico have come to protest for the Palestinians.

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Israel launched a ground attack in Rafah amid ceasefire talks



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Israel launched a ground attack in Rafah in the midst of Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks in Gaza.

A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas is in the Egyptian capital for ceasefire and prisoner-release talks. Sources said Ceasefire talks have progressed.

International media Al Jazeera reported in a report that despite the negotiations, Israel continued its ground attack on Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Saturday to meet with mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States to negotiate a 40-day ceasefire, according to reports published by the United Kingdom.

The talks are at a critical stage, sources told Al Jazeera, as a Qatari technical team is working out the details of a potential deal with the Egyptians.

As technical teams indicate, we are moving into the operational side of a deal. They are monitoring the issues in detail in this agreement.

A senior Hamas spokesman, Osama Hamdan, told Al Jazeera, "It is clear that we are moving forward. There are some good points.

"So far we are still talking about the main issue, which is a complete ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from Gaza," he said. We hope to find some good and positive answers today.

Israel said it will continue to attack Rafah despite talk of a possible deal with Hamas. UN agencies and aid groups have long warned that the ground operation would spell disaster for the 15 lakh people taking refuge there.

Hamdan said, "Unfortunately, Netanyahu has made a clear statement that no matter what happens, if there is a ceasefire or not, he will continue to attack." That means there will be no ceasefire, and that means that the offensive will continue.

Al Jazeera's Ahlbara said the talks were focused on convincing Hamas that it should refrain from demanding a permanent ceasefire from Israel during the first phase of the deal because it is unlikely to happen.

On October 7, Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, killing more than 1,100 people. During this time, more than 240 people were captured by Hamas.

Later, more than 34,600 Palestinians have died in Israel's attack on Gaza. More than 70 percent of Palestinian territory has been reduced to rubble, pushing the region toward famine.

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Attacks on environmental journalists are on the rise worldwide: UN



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According to a recently published report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO, 44 environmental journalists from 15 countries around the world lost their lives in violent attacks from 2009 to 2023; And 24 people managed to return alive.

This information was reported in the report of the news agency Reuters on Friday (May 3).

According to the report, attacks on environmental journalists are increasing around the world. UNESCO representatives interviewed 905 environmental journalists from 129 countries to prepare the report.

In the interview, 749 out of 905 journalists (more than 70 percent) said that they had to face physical attacks or intimidation, threats, and pressure at some point in their lives to perform their professional duties. Many have also had to deal with the legal problems of detention and defamation cases.

Analyzing the cases of assault-harassment, it has been found that the cases of physical assault have occurred more among male journalists. On the other hand, women journalists are more victims of harassment.

Journalists have been attacked and harassed while reporting on various environmental issues. These issues include various mining irregularities, land tenure conflicts, deforestation, extreme weather related disasters, pollution and environmental damage, fossil fuel sector and its trade etc.

All of these attacks and harassment have come from individuals and groups associated with the power structure of the state. In this context, the UNESCO report said, 'Police, army, government officials and employees, people of local government authorities are responsible for these attacks and harassment. 

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