"ਹੱਥ ਆਲੇ ਫੋਨ ਤੇ ਭੰਗੜੇ ਆਲੀ ਰਿੰਗਟੋਨ ਸਦਕਾ ਅੱਜ ਤੱਕ ਕੋਈ ਹੀਰੋ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਣਦਾ ਦੇਖਿਆ, ਬੇਇੱਜ਼ਤੀ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੀ ਆ ..."
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I don’t think there’s ever been a more engaging craze than the current ring tone we’re experiencing. I thought it was a huge deal back in Punjab when I went in 2002-03 I guess it’s been launched into a bigger phase with the more powerful phones out there these days.
Sure your phone should sound different than the person next to you many times I’ve seen people scramble to check if it’s their phone that just went off. This is reasonable enough but a lot of people go way overboard. If you are among the tone-obsessed do yourself and others a favor and just set it to a simple ‘ring-ring’ provided with your phone. The theory that a supposedly cool sounding phone makes you popular hasn’t been proven yet; stick to the basics till more convincing research comes out.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Giani?
The term Giani’s become really common nowadays. I don’t think it’s used this much even in Punjab. They usually call someone with a dastaar a sardaar there.
Usually people make a big deal when something (especially names) isn’t ‘politically correct’ not only this isn’t contextually correct it doesn’t even fit the intended meaning. Black people don’t like being called the N word even though it was a part of normal to usage just a few decades ago. Same thing in India, the people at the lower end of the social pyramid are no longer called what they always have been in the recent past. Just found out recently even the traditional name of their area in villages has been changed into colonies.
It seems everyone’s getting things done except only the ‘Gianis’ but getting called a giani is expected these days especially since many have even accepted the label. A lot of people have the word ‘giani’ in their email addresses.
Actually it’s most disrespectful when people refer to a Granthi Singh as a giani. It’s even more irritating than someone calling a normal person because of the attached connotation- and the way they say it. The other reason is because not many are gianis in a true sense:
Usually people make a big deal when something (especially names) isn’t ‘politically correct’ not only this isn’t contextually correct it doesn’t even fit the intended meaning. Black people don’t like being called the N word even though it was a part of normal to usage just a few decades ago. Same thing in India, the people at the lower end of the social pyramid are no longer called what they always have been in the recent past. Just found out recently even the traditional name of their area in villages has been changed into colonies.
It seems everyone’s getting things done except only the ‘Gianis’ but getting called a giani is expected these days especially since many have even accepted the label. A lot of people have the word ‘giani’ in their email addresses.
Actually it’s most disrespectful when people refer to a Granthi Singh as a giani. It’s even more irritating than someone calling a normal person because of the attached connotation- and the way they say it. The other reason is because not many are gianis in a true sense:
ਮਹਾਮੁਗਧਤੇਕੀਆਗਿਆਨੀ॥
ਗੁਰਪੂਰੇਕੀਅਕਥਕਹਾਨੀ॥
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਨਾਨਕਗੁਰਦੇਵ॥
ਵਡੈਭਾਗਿਪਾਈਐਹਰਿਸੇਵ॥੪॥੩॥
ਗੁਰਪੂਰੇਕੀਅਕਥਕਹਾਨੀ॥
ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮਨਾਨਕਗੁਰਦੇਵ॥
ਵਡੈਭਾਗਿਪਾਈਐਹਰਿਸੇਵ॥੪॥੩॥
----------------------------------------
ਮੁਗਧ-ਮੂਰਖ।
ਗਿਆਨੀ-ਸਿਆਣਾ, ਗਿਆਨਵਾਨ, ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੀ ਸੂਝ ਵਾਲਾ।
Shaib Singh translates giani as someone knowledgeable and wise when it comes to spirituality.
Do you know of a giani like this? I know very few..
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Helping out is COOL?
I’ve had a little colorful children’s book published by an organization called Volunteer Canada for some time now. Its titled: “helping out is cool” just ran that through a search and to my surprise it indeed found the exact link! Usually stuff like this just passes by without anyone noticing it (because most of the time it’s a stunt that had to be done and not a genuine effort) The Volunteer Canada logo is actually a quite popular one to see at random places.
Click here to download the improved flash version of the book I had. It’s a good read for anyone.
It's a little a little hard to believe that : The Canadian voluntary and nonprofit sector is made up of more than 161,000 organizations, 6.5 million volunteers and 2 million paid staff.
THAT'S ABOUT 1/5 CANADIANS!!!!
Volunteering is a good way to avoid wasting time and helps one learn valuable skills like teamwork, time management, people skills etc. makes you responsible and more mature all in one go. This is what it is supposed to happen, not sure if it actually plays out this well in real life.
Schools have tried to promote this through the CAPP program here in BC. But getting the 30 hours of ‘work experience’ on an actual job is one huge fraud:
I really don’t think volunteering in the traditional sense is the way to go because of some bad experiences I’ve had over the years. And as with anything some still don’t end up learning no matter how good the education.
People usually take you for granted, their eyes light up when they hear ‘volunteers’ are offering their help.
This is pretty much true across the board; Punajbis aren’t the only ones waiting to exploit poor defenseless teens as many think. Our Grade 10 CAPP class did a one day job shadow program where each student followed a person of choice working on site and later submit a report based on what they observed.
The majority were forced into actually helping out with things even though it wasn’t a hands on work experience assignment which was made clear in a signed contract. After that discussion most of the class was clearly disgusted and didn’t want anything to do the mandatory 30 hours of work experience requited to complete the course.
I’m sure there are good volunteer groups out there that live up to what’s expected. But many think some of the better known ones out there are useless.
The transition into the workforce is really tough these days. I don’t think anyone’s addressed this issue well enough yet. Could this be another reason why so many are turning to other illegal methods to earn a living? It’s more academically demanding to find the same jobs that were easy to find a few years ago. And this route becoming harder and harder doesn’t help the situation at all.
Sure there will always be volunteers easily indoctrinated into thinking how good this noble deed is. This should be kept up too I think but to really make this into a win-win situation people on the receiving end of the volunteering equation should take the initiative to actually make it a fairer experience.
I don’t think there’s a bigger paap then thugging little kids/others with a genuine want to do free service.
Click here to download the improved flash version of the book I had. It’s a good read for anyone.
It's a little a little hard to believe that : The Canadian voluntary and nonprofit sector is made up of more than 161,000 organizations, 6.5 million volunteers and 2 million paid staff.
THAT'S ABOUT 1/5 CANADIANS!!!!
Volunteering is a good way to avoid wasting time and helps one learn valuable skills like teamwork, time management, people skills etc. makes you responsible and more mature all in one go. This is what it is supposed to happen, not sure if it actually plays out this well in real life.
Schools have tried to promote this through the CAPP program here in BC. But getting the 30 hours of ‘work experience’ on an actual job is one huge fraud:
I really don’t think volunteering in the traditional sense is the way to go because of some bad experiences I’ve had over the years. And as with anything some still don’t end up learning no matter how good the education.
People usually take you for granted, their eyes light up when they hear ‘volunteers’ are offering their help.
This is pretty much true across the board; Punajbis aren’t the only ones waiting to exploit poor defenseless teens as many think. Our Grade 10 CAPP class did a one day job shadow program where each student followed a person of choice working on site and later submit a report based on what they observed.
The majority were forced into actually helping out with things even though it wasn’t a hands on work experience assignment which was made clear in a signed contract. After that discussion most of the class was clearly disgusted and didn’t want anything to do the mandatory 30 hours of work experience requited to complete the course.
I’m sure there are good volunteer groups out there that live up to what’s expected. But many think some of the better known ones out there are useless.
The transition into the workforce is really tough these days. I don’t think anyone’s addressed this issue well enough yet. Could this be another reason why so many are turning to other illegal methods to earn a living? It’s more academically demanding to find the same jobs that were easy to find a few years ago. And this route becoming harder and harder doesn’t help the situation at all.
Sure there will always be volunteers easily indoctrinated into thinking how good this noble deed is. This should be kept up too I think but to really make this into a win-win situation people on the receiving end of the volunteering equation should take the initiative to actually make it a fairer experience.
I don’t think there’s a bigger paap then thugging little kids/others with a genuine want to do free service.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Dragonfly
On a bright sunny afternoon this past summer there was something sitting on the clothesline in our back yard. I took my video camera and zoomed in
from the deck... it was a dragonfly! One of the best small flying things out there.
Surprisingly a dragonfly doesn't have a proper name in Punjabi. In the dictionary it just says 'ਇੱਕ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੱਖੀ' (a kind of fly) But you'd see these things in Punjab all the time. I remember they call it a helicopter, because of the way it flies.
Now that I think about it: was the helicopter another nature inspired invention? The flight mechanism appears pretty similar in both and the basic structure looks alike.
More information here. Never knew this: Dragonflies are the world's fastest insects, capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. The Common Green Darner dragonfly (Anax junius) is nicknamed "Darning Needle" because of its body shape. It is one of the biggest and fastest-flying dragonflies, able to reach speeds of 85 km/h (53 mph).
Friday, January 20, 2006
ਅਸੂਲ # ੭: 'ਗੁਰੂ ਸਹਿਬ' usage
ਗੁਰੂ: ਗੁਰੂ ਸਹਿਬਾਨ(the Guru)
ਸਾਹਿਬ: ਸਤਿਕਾਰਯੋਗ ਸ਼ਬਦ(Word used to show respect)
So 'ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ'are two words combine to mean ‘The Respected Guru’ used in this form instead of writing in full: 'ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ'
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Bhai Kulbir Singh from Brampton Ontario, Canada is a great Scholar-Gurmukh who is is a regular contributor to the ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਤਪੋਬਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ (Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib) message board. I kept up with all the posts from the time it started until about a year ago when free time became scarce. Now with a less demanding schedule I’ve been spending time reading older archived posts which everyone should read.
Going through this Sakhi again reminded me of how Bhai Sahib uses the term ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ (Shri Guru Jee) instead of the normally used term explained above. Even though it’s a correct way to write as well, the only issue I have with it is that it really sounds odd. A few years ago there was a kathakaar who came here and he used the same term. It became so annoying that it made me permanently allergic to it.
ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ_______ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ _______ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਭਾਈ ਜੀ
Seeing how Bhai Sahib is similar to Guru Sahib, it doesn’t sound proper saying ‘Shri Bhai Jee’ like Shri Guru Jee. I think I talked to him about this the last time and I’m glad to know he’s changed it since then.
ਸਾਹਿਬ: ਸਤਿਕਾਰਯੋਗ ਸ਼ਬਦ(Word used to show respect)
So 'ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ'are two words combine to mean ‘The Respected Guru’ used in this form instead of writing in full: 'ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ'
------------------------
Bhai Kulbir Singh from Brampton Ontario, Canada is a great Scholar-Gurmukh who is is a regular contributor to the ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਤਪੋਬਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ (Gurdwara Tapoban Sahib) message board. I kept up with all the posts from the time it started until about a year ago when free time became scarce. Now with a less demanding schedule I’ve been spending time reading older archived posts which everyone should read.
Going through this Sakhi again reminded me of how Bhai Sahib uses the term ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ (Shri Guru Jee) instead of the normally used term explained above. Even though it’s a correct way to write as well, the only issue I have with it is that it really sounds odd. A few years ago there was a kathakaar who came here and he used the same term. It became so annoying that it made me permanently allergic to it.
ਗੁਰੂ ਸਾਹਿਬ_______ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ _______ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਭਾਈ ਜੀ
Seeing how Bhai Sahib is similar to Guru Sahib, it doesn’t sound proper saying ‘Shri Bhai Jee’ like Shri Guru Jee. I think I talked to him about this the last time and I’m glad to know he’s changed it since then.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Trendy Foot-Fashion
If you know me chances are you also know Jagjeet Singh, personally or from older blog posts. I’ve known him for a very long time. He regularly amazes me with his sense of ‘style’ here’s an example:
He took this picture if his shoes on a recent trip to Vancouver. The yellow arrow points to these new socks everyone’s wearing these days.
It seems as if everyone just woke up one morning and felt the sudden urge to go buy them. I never thought I’d say this about anything but: they look GAY! Theres no other way to describe these. Why wear socks at all if you like wearing these things? Another good example of the classic ਭੇਡ-ਚਾਲ syndrome. Since we began playing hockey the last time it was weird asking people in shock they were playing without any socks. It was weirder still knowing they really wore socks.
I once overheard someone say: the less material used for an article of clothing, the popular it becomes, and pricier it sells.
I wont even try to pass judgment on the shoes, they speak for themselves.
He took this picture if his shoes on a recent trip to Vancouver. The yellow arrow points to these new socks everyone’s wearing these days.
It seems as if everyone just woke up one morning and felt the sudden urge to go buy them. I never thought I’d say this about anything but: they look GAY! Theres no other way to describe these. Why wear socks at all if you like wearing these things? Another good example of the classic ਭੇਡ-ਚਾਲ syndrome. Since we began playing hockey the last time it was weird asking people in shock they were playing without any socks. It was weirder still knowing they really wore socks.
I once overheard someone say: the less material used for an article of clothing, the popular it becomes, and pricier it sells.
I wont even try to pass judgment on the shoes, they speak for themselves.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
TOUGH Nokia phones
Some people-companies really do make products better than the rest. When it comes to cellular phones no ones makes them quite like Nokia. Compact phones became more popular about a decade ago and even then most had a Nokia. I remember in May 1997 we were going to Ross St. Gurdwara and a Singh said that the Nokia he held in his hand was the best phone ever made. Back then I never thought I’d have any use for something like that.
I really didn’t too much about care until I got my very first phone in late 2003. That phone was given to me; I didn’t want it even then. That was a 3590 model. Even the previous generation of these was really good. The menu interface was a lot more easier to use and the phone itself very reliable with decent battery life.
One little bump and most electronic things tend to go bang that instant, usually for the final time. But the best thing about Nokias is that they’re the toughest phones out there.
I was talking to someone who recently visited India and told of how the Nokia brand is the phone of choice of everyone there from rickshaw drivers to jutts in the khet(farmers). Technology as complicated as phones doesn’t tend to last very long in places like India, usually it’s a problem to get electronics properly working in the first place. He told me of how his phone was accidentally thrown in a pool of water and it worked fine after the water was dried.
Besides these phones being super tough, they also have the best buttons which never lock up or get mis-pressed. A nokia usually doenst have an antenna sticking out like your usual phone. That’s good news because on most phones the antenna’s fragile and breaks off with ease and that’s the end of your phone right there. The Motorola/LG as with other flip phones are notorious for this.
The other great thing is the nokia menu system design which is straightforward and super easy to use. All the selections are logical and easy to access, not confusing like other phones. It’s the one interface that can truly be considered user-friendly because it’s more customizable than anything I’ve seen.
The 3590 is one tough phone I had this one for over 20 months until the old plan came to and end and the company offered to give a new one for free. I’ve lost count of how many times this phone’s endured freefalls as high as 2 meters onto hard cement floors at work. I’m sure it ranges in the high hundreds. It hasn’t turned off from a plunge even one time.
The reception on this thing is better than most on field tests. Two times from Vancouver to California. A few times to Victoria on the Island and once to Prince George a few months ago. And It out preformed all others. Hardeep Singh’s Trio($100+plan) stopped working pretty much north of Harrison Hotsprings I don’t think mine lost reception the whole way there and back. Same story on the California trips.
The best thing about it is you can easily call any number without actually looking at the keypad and display when dialing. This comes in hady in certain situations as you can imagine. You can’t do that with any phones these days. I really didn’t mind the size it was compact yet large enough to be handled as a cordless phone. It’s quite light as well. I never realized it had voice dialing till today when I looked at the site.
^The 3590 on the left and 3120 on the right
Last summer upon renewing the plan Rogers gave me the smaller 3120 version. This one has a color screen with a host of other improvements on the already decent features the older/much bigger brother. The only thing is it has sometimes fallen apart due to a comparatively less stronger locking mechanism its predecessor had. But the amazing thing was the battery was still intact and the display lit!
This one comes with an improved calculator and a great stopwatch function. Both this and the old one had an excellent calendar with a reminder/alarm option. But this has a color display. For anyone who likes to play games its no secret nokia includes the best games on earth.
See your dealer today and get your hands on one of these.
I really didn’t too much about care until I got my very first phone in late 2003. That phone was given to me; I didn’t want it even then. That was a 3590 model. Even the previous generation of these was really good. The menu interface was a lot more easier to use and the phone itself very reliable with decent battery life.
One little bump and most electronic things tend to go bang that instant, usually for the final time. But the best thing about Nokias is that they’re the toughest phones out there.
I was talking to someone who recently visited India and told of how the Nokia brand is the phone of choice of everyone there from rickshaw drivers to jutts in the khet(farmers). Technology as complicated as phones doesn’t tend to last very long in places like India, usually it’s a problem to get electronics properly working in the first place. He told me of how his phone was accidentally thrown in a pool of water and it worked fine after the water was dried.
Besides these phones being super tough, they also have the best buttons which never lock up or get mis-pressed. A nokia usually doenst have an antenna sticking out like your usual phone. That’s good news because on most phones the antenna’s fragile and breaks off with ease and that’s the end of your phone right there. The Motorola/LG as with other flip phones are notorious for this.
The other great thing is the nokia menu system design which is straightforward and super easy to use. All the selections are logical and easy to access, not confusing like other phones. It’s the one interface that can truly be considered user-friendly because it’s more customizable than anything I’ve seen.
The 3590 is one tough phone I had this one for over 20 months until the old plan came to and end and the company offered to give a new one for free. I’ve lost count of how many times this phone’s endured freefalls as high as 2 meters onto hard cement floors at work. I’m sure it ranges in the high hundreds. It hasn’t turned off from a plunge even one time.
The reception on this thing is better than most on field tests. Two times from Vancouver to California. A few times to Victoria on the Island and once to Prince George a few months ago. And It out preformed all others. Hardeep Singh’s Trio($100+plan) stopped working pretty much north of Harrison Hotsprings I don’t think mine lost reception the whole way there and back. Same story on the California trips.
The best thing about it is you can easily call any number without actually looking at the keypad and display when dialing. This comes in hady in certain situations as you can imagine. You can’t do that with any phones these days. I really didn’t mind the size it was compact yet large enough to be handled as a cordless phone. It’s quite light as well. I never realized it had voice dialing till today when I looked at the site.
^The 3590 on the left and 3120 on the right
Last summer upon renewing the plan Rogers gave me the smaller 3120 version. This one has a color screen with a host of other improvements on the already decent features the older/much bigger brother. The only thing is it has sometimes fallen apart due to a comparatively less stronger locking mechanism its predecessor had. But the amazing thing was the battery was still intact and the display lit!
This one comes with an improved calculator and a great stopwatch function. Both this and the old one had an excellent calendar with a reminder/alarm option. But this has a color display. For anyone who likes to play games its no secret nokia includes the best games on earth.
See your dealer today and get your hands on one of these.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The Best Kirtan Ever!!
In a response to recording thread on the akj.org forum someone mentioned that nothing can compare to one of those single round shaped old school microphones and the blaring horn type speakers that woke you up in a pind. Recoding expert Mandheer Singh/ਉਰਫ Netnihung was obviously upset at the comment. But I think that person really knew what he was talking about. And today I too know what he meant by that.
After many years I’ve had the chance to view a Raensbayee video from 1991 at small pind in the Malwa region. The last time I saw it was well over 8 years ago. I don’t think most of us in the west can even comprehend the notion that a fannism-free Raensbayee can ever be possible. It’s hard to remember the last time when there was a kirtan without flashy tunes and major fannist presence.
Kirtan really can seem different and enjoyable when done without the ever-present superficial voice and the need to conduct the whole routine purely to please and maintain ones fan base.
Most of the shabads done back in Punjab are different and in simple ‘lehs’ easy to sing anolng with. It was really something else seeing the whole pind flock to the Gurdwara Sahib to take in kirtan.
Amrit Singh said it best: “It’s not kirtan, unless it’s straight from the hirdha”
I’ll try to upload it for everyone to see later when I find time
After many years I’ve had the chance to view a Raensbayee video from 1991 at small pind in the Malwa region. The last time I saw it was well over 8 years ago. I don’t think most of us in the west can even comprehend the notion that a fannism-free Raensbayee can ever be possible. It’s hard to remember the last time when there was a kirtan without flashy tunes and major fannist presence.
Kirtan really can seem different and enjoyable when done without the ever-present superficial voice and the need to conduct the whole routine purely to please and maintain ones fan base.
Most of the shabads done back in Punjab are different and in simple ‘lehs’ easy to sing anolng with. It was really something else seeing the whole pind flock to the Gurdwara Sahib to take in kirtan.
Amrit Singh said it best: “It’s not kirtan, unless it’s straight from the hirdha”
I’ll try to upload it for everyone to see later when I find time
Monday, January 16, 2006
Nothing like Tintin
Cartoons out there today are simply worse than trash compared to the ones I grew up watching. Sometimes I feel sorry for the kids watching YTV nowadays, other instances I’m simply amaze at how well they’re able to handle stuff like spongebob and sailor moon/pokemon/digimon and others.All this cheap Japanese animation's potent enough to drive you to the brink of death by boredom in just a few short minutes. But ‘Dhaan’ are the kids of today can endure putting up with this stuff day in and day out and surprisingly enduring little negative impact. This stuff wouldn’t have any chance of being broadcast in the past decade. But i guess it's ecpexted in the 2000’s, stranger things seem to happen everyday.
After seeing what kids’ve been watching for the past few years, the downfall of great cartoons is evident. It seems the best thing left to watch is Sesame Street. Even with huge advances across the board there’s still nothing out there today that can compare with Tintin. It’s one of the most memorable ones ever. I got to know Tintin through the TV show made over 15 years ago based on the many decades old original in French. I was really excited when one day I saw our public library had the same comics.
And I don’t think I’m the only person who thinks highly of Tintin. I’ve often come across Tintin memorabilia in the past. The one time I remember most vividly is when I saw Japnaam Singh of all people wearing a Tintin shirt! I didn’t say anything at the time for some reason but it brought back good memories and felt good knowing he must have watched Tintin too.
Tintin used to come on the weekends. I think it’s still one of the best real life based adventure cartoons ever created. With natural environmental design and believable characters it was something that you could easily relate too. Each and every story was more gripping than the next and took you right into the action. The other good thing was it actually addressed major issues and world events like the fascination with space exploration people have had:
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Quote of the moment
Time: ~4:05pm
Date: Sunday January 15 2006
Place: Student Union Building, UBC
As the 2006 Sikh Students Association conference is about to come to an end the guy at the podium looks towards his left and signals for someone to come up and give a short speech. In the dimly lit ballroom about 200 people are seated and about 7-8 are standing against the right wall where I stand.
The 6 foot figure makes his way to the stage area from among us. Hard to phantom he, the quiet frail little grade 2 kid I saw over 13 years ago on a Richmond farm, had turned into a man! Not just any man, someone who can really talk. Seizing the mic he asks: everyone fold your hands and say fateh. The response is weak with a feww scattered voices replying from the floor. With a look of disappointment taunting the gathering he again asks everyone to give a proper response to fateh. This time the response is thunderous, the figure in white seems pleased. He addresses the gathering confidently with charm like a seasoned leader.
Everything moves on form one theme to the next point smoothly for about 10 minuets. He then switches to the topic of bad sangat. Determined to push through this thought into everyone’s heads he proclaims: "ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਕਹਿੰਦੀ ਆ ਕਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਤੈਸੀ ਰੰਗਤ" (Gurbani says: jaisee Sangat taisee rangat/ you become like the people you hang out with) As his head turns around the hall making eye-contact from right to left, I catch a glimpse of Japnaam Singh’s blank face standing to my right. I turn around and look back at the man in the white hooded shirt, he too pauses and sees Japnaam Singh’s confused look. He looks back at me and seeing this I swing my head from left to right again and again. There’s a pause... with only the hum of the overhead lights he comes to the sudden realization and says: "no no its not gurbani, gurbani doesn’t say that, its just made up... it’s a... it’s a, it's just a saying”
I glance back at Japnaam Singh, unable to control his laughter he has slipped down against the red brick wall. Hidden from view behind the rows of chairs he struggles to contain himself. From there the wave of laugher spreads throughout the crowd..........
Date: Sunday January 15 2006
Place: Student Union Building, UBC
As the 2006 Sikh Students Association conference is about to come to an end the guy at the podium looks towards his left and signals for someone to come up and give a short speech. In the dimly lit ballroom about 200 people are seated and about 7-8 are standing against the right wall where I stand.
The 6 foot figure makes his way to the stage area from among us. Hard to phantom he, the quiet frail little grade 2 kid I saw over 13 years ago on a Richmond farm, had turned into a man! Not just any man, someone who can really talk. Seizing the mic he asks: everyone fold your hands and say fateh. The response is weak with a feww scattered voices replying from the floor. With a look of disappointment taunting the gathering he again asks everyone to give a proper response to fateh. This time the response is thunderous, the figure in white seems pleased. He addresses the gathering confidently with charm like a seasoned leader.
Everything moves on form one theme to the next point smoothly for about 10 minuets. He then switches to the topic of bad sangat. Determined to push through this thought into everyone’s heads he proclaims: "ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਕਹਿੰਦੀ ਆ ਕਿ ਜੈਸੀ ਸੰਗਤ ਤੈਸੀ ਰੰਗਤ" (Gurbani says: jaisee Sangat taisee rangat/ you become like the people you hang out with) As his head turns around the hall making eye-contact from right to left, I catch a glimpse of Japnaam Singh’s blank face standing to my right. I turn around and look back at the man in the white hooded shirt, he too pauses and sees Japnaam Singh’s confused look. He looks back at me and seeing this I swing my head from left to right again and again. There’s a pause... with only the hum of the overhead lights he comes to the sudden realization and says: "no no its not gurbani, gurbani doesn’t say that, its just made up... it’s a... it’s a, it's just a saying”
I glance back at Japnaam Singh, unable to control his laughter he has slipped down against the red brick wall. Hidden from view behind the rows of chairs he struggles to contain himself. From there the wave of laugher spreads throughout the crowd..........
Saturday, January 14, 2006
"GOOD DAY"
From: "Markus Umeh" [ markus_umeh900@msn.com ]
Subject: GOOD DAY
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 11:34:25 +0000
NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
FROM THE DESK OF DR.MARKUS UMEH
10B IN UNIPETROL ESTATE,VICTORIA ISLAND.
LAGOS - NIGERIA
Email : [ markus_umeh1978@yahoo.co.in ]
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is with trust and confidence that l write to make this urgent and important business proposal to you. I am a Senior Accountant with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) here in Lagos, Nigeria.
The purpose of this letter is to seek for your urgent assistance in securing the worth of an already executed remunerated contract number NNPC/PED/1140/LAGREF/99, executed to the NNPC by foreign contractors and the contract sum was deliberately over invoiced (inflated contract values) to the tune of Fifteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$15,500,000.00) only. The original contractors have been paid following the completion and commissioning of the various contract and they are unaware of the over invoicing.
Presently this fund has been approved for payment but still floating in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) suspense account awaiting activation. However since the initial contracts were executed by foreign firms,only a foreign firm can also make claims or act as a beneficiary for the purpose of transferring this money out of Nigeria, l and my colleagues agreed together to contact you for urgent assistance, we are in control of all the procedures and we have the capability to manipulate any kind of difficulty we may come across during the transaction. Your assistance will be needed for two main reasons: -
1) As senior government employees, We are not permitted by the Nigeria law to operate foreign accounts.
2) You will assist us to arrange on investment potentials and prospects in your country. I and my colleagues also has agreed unanimously to compensate you with 30% of the total sum if you assist us to transfer this money in your nominated bank account 10% will be set aside to offset incidental expenses that might be incurred by either of us in the course of the project.
The remaining 60% shall be our due share. All necessary arrangement required for a speedy conclusion of this transaction have been put in place with top officials of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to enable us conclude the whole transaction within 14 working days.
What is required from you is as follows: -
a) Your bank details to be used in obtaining payment approval.
b) The name of the account to be used as beneficiary
c) Your private phone and fax numbers for easy communication.
The nature of your company’s business is irrelevant to this transaction. It is also very important to inform you that this transaction and information shall be handled with absolute secrecy and confidentiality, because this deal involves some high ranking Nigerian government officials who would not want to be involved/mentioned in any form of scandal, should this deal be made open/exposed.
i shall appreciate your acceptance to assist us to conclude this transaction in no distant time.
Endeavor to contact me through my email address.[
markus_umeh1978@yahoo.co.in ]
i am urgently waiting to hear from you.
My best regard and God bless
DR. MARKUS UMEH. esq
Subject: GOOD DAY
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 11:34:25 +0000
NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION
FROM THE DESK OF DR.MARKUS UMEH
10B IN UNIPETROL ESTATE,VICTORIA ISLAND.
LAGOS - NIGERIA
Email : [ markus_umeh1978@yahoo.co.in ]
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is with trust and confidence that l write to make this urgent and important business proposal to you. I am a Senior Accountant with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) here in Lagos, Nigeria.
The purpose of this letter is to seek for your urgent assistance in securing the worth of an already executed remunerated contract number NNPC/PED/1140/LAGREF/99, executed to the NNPC by foreign contractors and the contract sum was deliberately over invoiced (inflated contract values) to the tune of Fifteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$15,500,000.00) only. The original contractors have been paid following the completion and commissioning of the various contract and they are unaware of the over invoicing.
Presently this fund has been approved for payment but still floating in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) suspense account awaiting activation. However since the initial contracts were executed by foreign firms,only a foreign firm can also make claims or act as a beneficiary for the purpose of transferring this money out of Nigeria, l and my colleagues agreed together to contact you for urgent assistance, we are in control of all the procedures and we have the capability to manipulate any kind of difficulty we may come across during the transaction. Your assistance will be needed for two main reasons: -
1) As senior government employees, We are not permitted by the Nigeria law to operate foreign accounts.
2) You will assist us to arrange on investment potentials and prospects in your country. I and my colleagues also has agreed unanimously to compensate you with 30% of the total sum if you assist us to transfer this money in your nominated bank account 10% will be set aside to offset incidental expenses that might be incurred by either of us in the course of the project.
The remaining 60% shall be our due share. All necessary arrangement required for a speedy conclusion of this transaction have been put in place with top officials of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria to enable us conclude the whole transaction within 14 working days.
What is required from you is as follows: -
a) Your bank details to be used in obtaining payment approval.
b) The name of the account to be used as beneficiary
c) Your private phone and fax numbers for easy communication.
The nature of your company’s business is irrelevant to this transaction. It is also very important to inform you that this transaction and information shall be handled with absolute secrecy and confidentiality, because this deal involves some high ranking Nigerian government officials who would not want to be involved/mentioned in any form of scandal, should this deal be made open/exposed.
i shall appreciate your acceptance to assist us to conclude this transaction in no distant time.
Endeavor to contact me through my email address.[
markus_umeh1978@yahoo.co.in ]
i am urgently waiting to hear from you.
My best regard and God bless
DR. MARKUS UMEH. esq
Friday, January 13, 2006
4 blessings...
ਚਾਰਿਪਦਾਰਥਆਖੀਅਨਿਸਤਿਗੁਰਦੇਇਨਗੁਰਸਿਖੁਮੰਗੈ॥
ਅਠਸਿਧੀਨਿਧੀਨਵੈਰਿਧਿਨਗੁਰੁਸਿਖੁਢਾਕੈਟੰਗੈ॥
ਕਾਮਧੇਣੁਲਖਲਖਮੀਪਹੁੰਚਨਹੰਘੈਢੰਗਿਸੁਢੰਗੈ॥
ਲਖਪਾਰਸਲਖਪਾਰਿਜਾਤਹਥਿਨਛੁਹਦਾਫਲਨਅਭੰਗੈ॥
ਤੰਤਮੰਤਪਾਖੰਡਲਖਬਾਜੀਗਰਬਾਜਾਰੀਨੰਗੈ॥
ਪੀਰਮੁਰੀਦੀਗਾਖੜੀਇਕਸਅੰਗਿਨਅੰਗਣਿਅੰਗੈ॥
ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁਦੂਜੇਭਾਵਹੁਸੰਗੈ॥
ਅਠਸਿਧੀਨਿਧੀਨਵੈਰਿਧਿਨਗੁਰੁਸਿਖੁਢਾਕੈਟੰਗੈ॥
ਕਾਮਧੇਣੁਲਖਲਖਮੀਪਹੁੰਚਨਹੰਘੈਢੰਗਿਸੁਢੰਗੈ॥
ਲਖਪਾਰਸਲਖਪਾਰਿਜਾਤਹਥਿਨਛੁਹਦਾਫਲਨਅਭੰਗੈ॥
ਤੰਤਮੰਤਪਾਖੰਡਲਖਬਾਜੀਗਰਬਾਜਾਰੀਨੰਗੈ॥
ਪੀਰਮੁਰੀਦੀਗਾਖੜੀਇਕਸਅੰਗਿਨਅੰਗਣਿਅੰਗੈ॥
ਗੁਰਸਿਖੁਦੂਜੇਭਾਵਹੁਸੰਗੈ॥
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
UBC SSA Conference
The UBC Conference is fast approaching. Last years conference was one of the best ever! Bhai Santbir Singh and Bibi Gurminder Kaaur’s speeches were unforgettable.
This year they changed the format to more discussion based for better interaction, than just all lecture like the previous years.
Email the SSA to register for free, there’s still time left. Click here for the poster.
This year they changed the format to more discussion based for better interaction, than just all lecture like the previous years.
Email the SSA to register for free, there’s still time left. Click here for the poster.
Politicians Helped ‘Terrorist’!
Click here for a real audio clip(5:00-16:00), URL
Transcript from the CBC website:
It seems unlikely in these times ... Canadian politicians coming to the defence of a convicted Sikh terrorist. But that's just what's happening in the case of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar.
He was convicted in a 1993 bombing that killed 9 people in New Delhi. He's been sentenced to death.
Now, because his wife is Canadian, his cause has been taken up by several politicians here. Natural Resources minister Herb Dhaliwal sent a letter to the Indian president condemning the sentence. Secretary of State for Asia Pacific David Kilgour sent an assistant to India to meet with officials. NDP M-P Svend Robinson has also raised the Bhullar case during question period.
Gurpreet Singh has been following the story of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar. He hosts a radio show with Radio India in Vancouver ... and has talked to members of the city's Indo-Canadian community about Mr. Bhullar. He was in Vancouver this morning.
Transcript from the CBC website:
It seems unlikely in these times ... Canadian politicians coming to the defence of a convicted Sikh terrorist. But that's just what's happening in the case of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar.
He was convicted in a 1993 bombing that killed 9 people in New Delhi. He's been sentenced to death.
Now, because his wife is Canadian, his cause has been taken up by several politicians here. Natural Resources minister Herb Dhaliwal sent a letter to the Indian president condemning the sentence. Secretary of State for Asia Pacific David Kilgour sent an assistant to India to meet with officials. NDP M-P Svend Robinson has also raised the Bhullar case during question period.
Gurpreet Singh has been following the story of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar. He hosts a radio show with Radio India in Vancouver ... and has talked to members of the city's Indo-Canadian community about Mr. Bhullar. He was in Vancouver this morning.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
ਅਸੂਲ # ੬: Use Windows Update
The one annoying technology downside is most complicated things need to be kept current in order to function properly. That’s digital stuff, which everything is these days. Even the once passive things like TVs will need updating. CD/DVD/mp3 players usually have newer firmware updates that can improve performance. More than anything it’s the not so user friendly computer equipment that needs most frequent updating. Updating your system really does make life easier in the long run and keeps the computer repair guy away for good.
The good news is these updates aren’t overly complicated and are provided by manufacturers free of charge. Over 95% of the people who visit this site use a version of the Microsoft Windows operating system and over 80% use the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. Both of these require updating of one sort or the other to keep them functioning properly and problem free.
The best way to do is to go to the windows update homepage and download the updates(usually released once a month) Even Windows 98 needs updates the last time i checked. Microsoft requires you to use their Internet Explorer browser to get these updates.
The install procedure is straightforward and takes only a few minutes on a broadband connection. If you got a new PC chances are it needs updating too. Installing all the post updates in this case may take a while.
Windows XP and others versions also have an automatic updates application which downloads and installs updates right when they’re released.
The good news is these updates aren’t overly complicated and are provided by manufacturers free of charge. Over 95% of the people who visit this site use a version of the Microsoft Windows operating system and over 80% use the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. Both of these require updating of one sort or the other to keep them functioning properly and problem free.
The best way to do is to go to the windows update homepage and download the updates(usually released once a month) Even Windows 98 needs updates the last time i checked. Microsoft requires you to use their Internet Explorer browser to get these updates.
The install procedure is straightforward and takes only a few minutes on a broadband connection. If you got a new PC chances are it needs updating too. Installing all the post updates in this case may take a while.
Windows XP and others versions also have an automatic updates application which downloads and installs updates right when they’re released.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Maya's World
Most people I know spend a lot of time playing online games. Not multiplayer games like counterstrike or Quake but smaller ones on websites. I’ve never been a fan of these, even when I did play games. They have too many pop-ups and the usual price you pay in turn for playing 'for free' is them installing malicious software on your machine without your knowledge.
I came across a game today that seems less intrusive than other mainstream ones. And it appears to be unique. The ‘hero’ is actually a patka wearing kid! Too bad it hides his eyes too… This could be the start of something interesting if others follow suit. There are a lot of ‘Singh’ software programmers out there but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any game designer/programmer. I really wished I had Sikhi based games to play when I was growing up.
This ones pretty basic you need to avoid the bubble basher things and get the ‘Chaibars’ (interesting!) But it’s still better than having nothing. If you’re going to kill time why not kill time being a kid with a patka?
Click here to play
I came across a game today that seems less intrusive than other mainstream ones. And it appears to be unique. The ‘hero’ is actually a patka wearing kid! Too bad it hides his eyes too… This could be the start of something interesting if others follow suit. There are a lot of ‘Singh’ software programmers out there but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any game designer/programmer. I really wished I had Sikhi based games to play when I was growing up.
This ones pretty basic you need to avoid the bubble basher things and get the ‘Chaibars’ (interesting!) But it’s still better than having nothing. If you’re going to kill time why not kill time being a kid with a patka?
Click here to play
Sunday, January 08, 2006
2nd Class Citizenry
For a long time now I’ve been hearing people around me talk about how unfairly we, the Punjabis get treated even right here in virtual Nova Punjabia-Surrey. People give many supporting examples to back up their assertions. Sadly it looks like they indeed have a valid case here.
A few years ago someone decided to move far far away from the Punjabi dominated area of Newton to another mostly ‘white’ area of Surrey. When asked why he was leaving he said the establishment has made circumstances so severe for Punajbis living in the Punjabi quarter that they’ll continue to be as ‘backward’ as they are now for a many years to come, it’ll never change for the better and the only way to progress is to get away from all this.
Having thought about this a few times over it’s actually beginning to make sense now. Someone I know who lived in the Boundary Park area for a few years told of how the roads there were cleared ‘even before any snow falls’ but the area north of the 64th never gets cleared no matter how much it snows there.
So last month when it snowed I decided to investigate. After a day of snow none of the Boundary Park streets were cleared by city crews. They were the same as any other area, maybe even worse because there’s less traffic there. The only thing that was salted down and without snow were the sidewalks in front of most houses in that area- Gora inhabited ones from the looks of it. During the winter snows it’s impossible to walk on Nova Punjabia sidewalks without slipping over the uncleared ice/snow. I really feel for the kids who have paper routes and have to risk breaking a leg or two because of people being so careless.
Even though things should be fare for all, I still think things are good the way they are. One should defiantly get what one deserves. I hadn’t thought of this before, but couldn’t it be possible that we’re facing this because we deserve it?
Before complaining about anything we should take one look at how things are done in Punjab and find comfort in knowing it’s still ਰਿਸ਼ਵਤਖੋਰੀ(bribe)-free here. And regardless of what people say they have to go through at plaecs like city hall, things usually do get done fast.
If things went our way everywhere, all the time life wouldn’t be exciting at all. Struggling to get things done is fun. This is what makes you stronger. Good to know second class citizenry provides just this...
A few years ago someone decided to move far far away from the Punjabi dominated area of Newton to another mostly ‘white’ area of Surrey. When asked why he was leaving he said the establishment has made circumstances so severe for Punajbis living in the Punjabi quarter that they’ll continue to be as ‘backward’ as they are now for a many years to come, it’ll never change for the better and the only way to progress is to get away from all this.
Having thought about this a few times over it’s actually beginning to make sense now. Someone I know who lived in the Boundary Park area for a few years told of how the roads there were cleared ‘even before any snow falls’ but the area north of the 64th never gets cleared no matter how much it snows there.
So last month when it snowed I decided to investigate. After a day of snow none of the Boundary Park streets were cleared by city crews. They were the same as any other area, maybe even worse because there’s less traffic there. The only thing that was salted down and without snow were the sidewalks in front of most houses in that area- Gora inhabited ones from the looks of it. During the winter snows it’s impossible to walk on Nova Punjabia sidewalks without slipping over the uncleared ice/snow. I really feel for the kids who have paper routes and have to risk breaking a leg or two because of people being so careless.
Even though things should be fare for all, I still think things are good the way they are. One should defiantly get what one deserves. I hadn’t thought of this before, but couldn’t it be possible that we’re facing this because we deserve it?
Before complaining about anything we should take one look at how things are done in Punjab and find comfort in knowing it’s still ਰਿਸ਼ਵਤਖੋਰੀ(bribe)-free here. And regardless of what people say they have to go through at plaecs like city hall, things usually do get done fast.
If things went our way everywhere, all the time life wouldn’t be exciting at all. Struggling to get things done is fun. This is what makes you stronger. Good to know second class citizenry provides just this...
Saturday, January 07, 2006
'No-Bath' excuse
ਆਸਾ ਦੀ ਵਾਰ ਅੰਗ ੪੭੨ (ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਮੁੱਖਵਾਕ ਪਾਤਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀਓ):
ਸੂਚੇਏਹਿਨਆਖੀਅਹਿਬਹਨਿਜਿਪਿੰਡਾਧੋਇ॥
ਸੂਚੇਸੇਈਨਾਨਕਾਜਿਨਮਨਿਵਸਿਆਸੋਇ॥੨॥
They are not called pure, who sit down after merely washing their bodies.
Only they are pure, O Nanak, within whose minds the Lord abides. 2
------------------------------------------
You now know what to say to someone who asks you to take a bath
ਸੂਚੇਏਹਿਨਆਖੀਅਹਿਬਹਨਿਜਿਪਿੰਡਾਧੋਇ॥
ਸੂਚੇਸੇਈਨਾਨਕਾਜਿਨਮਨਿਵਸਿਆਸੋਇ॥੨॥
They are not called pure, who sit down after merely washing their bodies.
Only they are pure, O Nanak, within whose minds the Lord abides. 2
------------------------------------------
You now know what to say to someone who asks you to take a bath
Friday, January 06, 2006
Punjabi-Cheenai?
A few years ago I went to get an X-ray done at the local clinic on Scott Road. When I got called in there was this Chinese lady there who thought I didn’t know English and started giving instructions in Punjabi. I was shocked! Wasn’t sure if I was really hearing what I was hearing. It was pretty close to ‘paindoo boli.’ So I kept talking to her in Punajbi and finally asked how much she really knew. She said: ਥੋੜੀ ਥੋੜੀ ਆਉਦੀ ਆ।(Just a little bit)The look of confusion, mistrust and awe on the faces of old Punjabi ladies when they hear the Cheeni talk to them in Punjabi is priceless.
I went again yesterday and there was this other Cheena guy who looked just like Dr Nik from the Simpsons. It was hard not to laugh at him- the why he looked and the why he talked. This guy too knew some basic Punjabi.
Instead of teaching these guys Punjabi when it isn’t their mother tongue why not just hire someone who actually ‘knows’ Punjabi well. The times I’ve gone there I don’t think there was ever a single Chinese person going in to get an X-ray done. I sure there are a lot of certified Punajbi speaking X-ray technicians out there. Who knows maybe the Xray chain’s owned by a rich cheena from Hong-Kong who has a no-hindu hiring policy.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Dastaardhari Liberals
The federal elections were inevitable right from the get go. It was only a matter of when not if they’d be happening. We’ll be going to the polls on the 23rd of this month.
I was going through the list of liberal candidates on the website and I don’t think there’s ever been a team as diverse as this. A lot of Punjabis are running liberal this time. It appears a big chunk of the liberal candidates are ‘non-white’ even more than in the pervious campaigns. Quite a lot of women candidates this time around as well.
Now most liberal-haters will tell you this is a political scheme, but even if this is the case it’s still a reflection of what the liberal party stands for. Doesn’t every party want to reflect mainstreamness and give the appearance they’re tolerant especially in a place like Canada?
Besides Gurbax Singh Malhi and Navdeep Singh Bains who are already in parliament, there are three other candidates who tie a dastaar. Jaswinder Singh Johal from Calgary Northeast, Amarjeet Singh Grewal from Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont and Parmjeet Singh Gill from Winnipeg North.
Whether they’ll be able to win or not, it’s still good to know they’re at least running, and running liberal.
I was going through the list of liberal candidates on the website and I don’t think there’s ever been a team as diverse as this. A lot of Punjabis are running liberal this time. It appears a big chunk of the liberal candidates are ‘non-white’ even more than in the pervious campaigns. Quite a lot of women candidates this time around as well.
Now most liberal-haters will tell you this is a political scheme, but even if this is the case it’s still a reflection of what the liberal party stands for. Doesn’t every party want to reflect mainstreamness and give the appearance they’re tolerant especially in a place like Canada?
Besides Gurbax Singh Malhi and Navdeep Singh Bains who are already in parliament, there are three other candidates who tie a dastaar. Jaswinder Singh Johal from Calgary Northeast, Amarjeet Singh Grewal from Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont and Parmjeet Singh Gill from Winnipeg North.
Whether they’ll be able to win or not, it’s still good to know they’re at least running, and running liberal.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
ਠਕ ਠਕ variations
Isn't it good to know the knock counterpart in Punjabi isn't limited to just ਠਕ ਠਕ? Check out the full arsenal below:
ਠਕਠਕਾਉਣਾ [ThukThukauna] To produce ਠਕ ਠਕ sound, knock, tap
ਠੋਹਲਾ [Thoola]/ਠੰਗੂਰਾ [Thungoora] {Masculine noun} Same as ਠੂੰਗਾ, tap with knuckles.
ਠੰਗੂਰ [Thungoor] Imperative of ਠੰਗੂਰਨਾ, knock with knuckles
FYI: ਠੁੱਕ-ਠੁੱਕ is sometimes used for a carpenter ==> The Thuk Thuk sound a hammer produces when hitting nails.
ਠਕਠਕਾਉਣਾ [ThukThukauna] To produce ਠਕ ਠਕ sound, knock, tap
ਠੋਹਲਾ [Thoola]/ਠੰਗੂਰਾ [Thungoora] {Masculine noun} Same as ਠੂੰਗਾ, tap with knuckles.
ਠੰਗੂਰ [Thungoor] Imperative of ਠੰਗੂਰਨਾ, knock with knuckles
FYI: ਠੁੱਕ-ਠੁੱਕ is sometimes used for a carpenter ==> The Thuk Thuk sound a hammer produces when hitting nails.
'ਠਕ-ਠਕ'
I like Punjabi for a lot of reasons. It allows one to express themself far better than any other language. Among countless other reasons it's one of the most easiest languages to master and use. It just sounds 'hardcore' as in its written form. But One of the most intriguing aspects is the ability to reproduce common sounds into written language. Nothing else can compare to Punjabi in this respect.
for example the when someone taps on the door the common way to write this out in English is: 'knock-knock'
now this is really boring and dull, doesn't evoke any sort of emotion. If you say it out loud and actually 'knock' on something it jus doesn't fit the actual sound given off by the knocking.
Good thing we have Punjabi. The Punjabi dictionary's my most reliable friend when it comes to questions about words. Improving any language starts from the dictionary and is usually the most productive way to kill time... the other day I was flipping through it and found:
'ਠਕ ਠਕ'[thuuk-thuuk]{feminine noun} Sound of knocking(as on a door), knock, tap; sound of striking on wooden objects
~ਕਰਨਾ {conjunct verb} to knock, strike, tap
Normally no one really cares about the gender of a word when spoken. I fail to notice it being used becuse it's just become a natural instinct and everyone takes it for granted. It took a moment to actually realize that ਠਕ ਠਕ is indeed a feminine noun. With a word like this it's hard to know what it is just by looking at it unitl it's actually put in a sentence and read:
ਠਕ ਠਕ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਸੀ।
ਠਕ ਠਕ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਸੀ।
Its good to know even someone who's never heard Punjabi before can tell what ਠਕ ਠਕ might mean. Now, who else can make such a claim? I'm not sure if the international language of 'knock' can...
for example the when someone taps on the door the common way to write this out in English is: 'knock-knock'
now this is really boring and dull, doesn't evoke any sort of emotion. If you say it out loud and actually 'knock' on something it jus doesn't fit the actual sound given off by the knocking.
Good thing we have Punjabi. The Punjabi dictionary's my most reliable friend when it comes to questions about words. Improving any language starts from the dictionary and is usually the most productive way to kill time... the other day I was flipping through it and found:
'ਠਕ ਠਕ'[thuuk-thuuk]{feminine noun} Sound of knocking(as on a door), knock, tap; sound of striking on wooden objects
~ਕਰਨਾ {conjunct verb} to knock, strike, tap
Normally no one really cares about the gender of a word when spoken. I fail to notice it being used becuse it's just become a natural instinct and everyone takes it for granted. It took a moment to actually realize that ਠਕ ਠਕ is indeed a feminine noun. With a word like this it's hard to know what it is just by looking at it unitl it's actually put in a sentence and read:
ਠਕ ਠਕ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਸੀ।
Its good to know even someone who's never heard Punjabi before can tell what ਠਕ ਠਕ might mean. Now, who else can make such a claim? I'm not sure if the international language of 'knock' can...
Monday, January 02, 2006
6 die... over a buffalo!
I don’t go on the Ajit website at all. It’s the most read Punajbi newspaper in the world. Majority of the older Punajbis who grew up reading the paper there use the internet solely for reading news from their website. The main news was from Bihar state where a family was locked in a room and 6 members were burnt to death. Why? Over a buffalo! A buffalo is the cow equivalent in India, a source of milk. While it may sound like it’s no big deal, for most poor families it’s a prized possession, they’re pretty expensive too. But this?:
A guy named Vajinder Mahati accused Jagat Rai of stealing his milk buffalo and had him arrested. Rai asked Mahati to withdraw the charges against him otherwise he’d have to pay.
And pay he did. Rai had just got out on bail and at 1:00am he led a group of armed men to Mahati’s residence and set the place ablaze locking the doors from the outside. His wife and 5 young children died while Mahati’s in serious condition fighting for his life.
If this is any indication about how people in Bihar think and just general conditions there even thinking about going to India seems scary. I didn’t think anyone would do something like this in any circumstance. And for something so small. Another reason to think once, twice better yet thrice before doing something.
The general impression Punjabi’s have about people from poor states in India is all they care about is money; even a small amount, they’d kill someone over even 50rupees(that’s about $1 dollar) it doesn’t seem that farfetched anymore.
What did anyone get out of this? One guys whole family’s destroyed, the others on the loose trying to avoid capture. He might die too, they still have the death penalty there.
Click here for the story it's in Punajbi.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year?
So finally the new year is here! But after all these years this is the first time I have actually thought about what the big deal is even about. When midnight struck people started to honk their horns, this was followed by playing of the dholl and yelling out BURRRRRRAH with loud music in the background. I’m sure they have their own reasons to do what they’re doing. Because there’s always a reason behind everything isn’t there?
It looks like it's just another ਭੇਡ ਚਾਲ. But is there something really worth celebrating? Beneath all this hype there’s really doesn't seem much to celebrate. Maybe it’s just a false hope like when someone starts out writing and sees a blank new sheet of paper, looks inviting clear and clean and full of possibilities. But slowly after a few seconds neat writing gets messier and messier until halfway down the page it becomes illegible mess of scribbles.
There’s actually a lot to worry about for an earthling then just another 12:00am. People have bombs flying over their heads and don’t know if they’ll survive through the night. Cold metal bars separate millions of innocents from freedom; many waiting or the next round of torture. Someone must have died of starvation, or aids this minute. A homeless person might have just suffered frostbite in a dark alley. Someone somewhere might have been struck by a drunk driver in celebration-mode. Not to mention the ones who must have lose a finger, a limb, an eye to a firecracker prematurely gone BANG! Now would they have anything to celebrate?
The idea of concocting New Year’s resolutions and seeing the whole 12 months full of opportunity laying there like the white blank page must seem promising. It still doesn’t demand millions of dollars wasted just to 'welcome' the New Year.
Gurdwarai should stop this madness. New Years has traditionally been one of the three days when people head out to their local gurdwara without fail, even the ones who go only when they get a wedding card. For the past few years gurdwara managements have put on a fireworks spectacle as a guaranteed golak filler.
And all those who were wished a text- messaged ‘HAPPY New Year’ good luck with that too! Has anyone ever had a happy year? If this really worked there would never be a sad person alive with many ‘happy *****days’ wished every month.
But for me New Year’s is still a few months away. Now celebration on Vasakhi eve, the real beginning of the New Year and the day of the Khalsa revelation does have great meaning behind it and is a day perfectly fine to go crazy on because that gift to the world in 1699 really does justify a big celebration...
It looks like it's just another ਭੇਡ ਚਾਲ. But is there something really worth celebrating? Beneath all this hype there’s really doesn't seem much to celebrate. Maybe it’s just a false hope like when someone starts out writing and sees a blank new sheet of paper, looks inviting clear and clean and full of possibilities. But slowly after a few seconds neat writing gets messier and messier until halfway down the page it becomes illegible mess of scribbles.
There’s actually a lot to worry about for an earthling then just another 12:00am. People have bombs flying over their heads and don’t know if they’ll survive through the night. Cold metal bars separate millions of innocents from freedom; many waiting or the next round of torture. Someone must have died of starvation, or aids this minute. A homeless person might have just suffered frostbite in a dark alley. Someone somewhere might have been struck by a drunk driver in celebration-mode. Not to mention the ones who must have lose a finger, a limb, an eye to a firecracker prematurely gone BANG! Now would they have anything to celebrate?
The idea of concocting New Year’s resolutions and seeing the whole 12 months full of opportunity laying there like the white blank page must seem promising. It still doesn’t demand millions of dollars wasted just to 'welcome' the New Year.
Gurdwarai should stop this madness. New Years has traditionally been one of the three days when people head out to their local gurdwara without fail, even the ones who go only when they get a wedding card. For the past few years gurdwara managements have put on a fireworks spectacle as a guaranteed golak filler.
And all those who were wished a text- messaged ‘HAPPY New Year’ good luck with that too! Has anyone ever had a happy year? If this really worked there would never be a sad person alive with many ‘happy *****days’ wished every month.
But for me New Year’s is still a few months away. Now celebration on Vasakhi eve, the real beginning of the New Year and the day of the Khalsa revelation does have great meaning behind it and is a day perfectly fine to go crazy on because that gift to the world in 1699 really does justify a big celebration...
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