Congratulations to everyone on the Prakash Purab of Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee Maharaaj!! 💛

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆ ਮਿਟੀ ਧੁੰਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਆ ॥

With the emergence of the true Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around.

~ Bhai Gurdaas Jee, Vaar 1 Pauri 27

Maharaaj Jee taught the values of humility, of serving others without condition, of treating all beings with compassion, of selflessness, of living honestly and with truth, of genuine unritualistic devotion, and of pure love. They taught true equality between all, regardless of race, background, age, religion or gender. Guru Sahib never hesitated to be vocal and to stand up against injustice and oppression, whether perpetuated by an individual or by a government. They actively challenged the darkness of the world. They were a revolutionary, a poet, a teacher, a traveller, a musician, our redeemer, our saviour, our enlightener, and the light of God themselves.

The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak into this world... Guru Nanak came to redeem the dark age of Kalyug.

~ Bhai Gurdaas Jee, Vaar 1 Pauri 23

Dhan Dhan Satguru Nanak Dev Jee Maharaaj! There are no words to describe your greatness. 💎

Happy Vaisakhi, folks! 💙💛🧡

Today we celebrate the creation of the Khalsa Panth in 1699. We thank our Guru for the sweet gift of amrit and for giving us a place in their beloved family.

We remember the Panj Pyare who exhibited immense devotion, loyalty and courage by stepping forward to give their heads, and who demonstrated exactly what it means to have unconditional faith and love for Guru Sahib.

We remember the Tenth King, Guru Gobind Singh Jee Maharaaj, who showed exceptional humility by kneeling at the feet of the Khalsa and begging for amrit - the same amrit bestowed to us.

At this time, we also remember the 13 shaheed Singhs of Vaisakhi 1978, who gave their lives to protect the sanctity of Guru Sahib and stood strong until their final breaths, and the many shaheeds - the innocent men, women and children - of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of Vaisakhi 1919. ਪ੍ਰਣਾਮ ਸ਼ਹੀਦਾਂ ਨੂੰ 🙏🏽

I hope you all have a beautiful Vaisakhi! May we celebrate our rich history and our beautiful path, and may Guru Sahib bless us with seva, sangat, rehit, naam and bani. 🌻

Happy Sikh New Year! 🌸

ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਘਣਾ ॥

In the month of Chet, by meditating on the lord of the universe, a deep and profound joy arises.

ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਣਾ ॥

Meeting with the humble saints, the lord is found, as we chant the name with our tongues.

May Maharaaj Jee shower you all with infinite blessings. 💛

On International Women's Day, I want to to honour the strong, determined and resilient women who have been at the forefront of the farmers' protests and have been camping out on the streets on the outskirts of Delhi over the past few months.

Women are the backbone of agricultural work in India, and as we have seen, are also the backbone of the protests. They have poured into the protest sites in their thousands, and have been loud and defiant in the face of suggestions that they should return home. They have been active and vocal on the streets and on stages, and have made it clear that they belong in the movement alongside the men. After lifetimes of having their labour and their contributions overlooked, women protesters are ensuring that their presence is seen and that their voices are heard.

The agricultural bills that they are protesting against will not only impact men. 80% of all economically active women in India are employed in the agriculture sector. Women comprise 33% of the agriculture labour force, and 48% of the self-employed farmers. However, the gender disparities in agriculture are clear. In rural India, 85% of women are engaged in agriculture, and yet less than 13% of women own the land they till. The women on the front lines are not only fighting for the rights of farmers and agricultural labourers, but are also challenging gender imbalances and fighting for their own rights as women.

It's fitting that this year's theme for International Women's Day is #ChooseToChallenge. Women have chosen to challenge the government and the unjust farming bills that threaten their livelihoods, and in doing so, they have also challenged deeply embedded sexist notions and assumptions about their roles as women. They have shown that they are equal stakeholders in agriculture, protests and politics - three arenas that have traditionally been dominated by men.

The women at the protests are firmly committed to pressuring the government into overturning the three farming bills. Some have even said that they are willing to die trying. I am in awe of their determination and their strength, and I bow at the feet of these extraordinary women. 🙏🏽

ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੀਰ ॥ my mind is pierced through by the arrow of the lord's love.

Happy Valentine's Day! 💕

2020 has been a strange and difficult year in so many ways. It's been a year of missed opportunities, cancelled celebrations, ruined plans, physical distance, fear, discomfort, sadness and loss. Some of the most basic things were a struggle, and so much energy was spent simply on adjusting to everything thrown at us.

But I wouldn't call 2020 a total write-off. I think that most of us have learned new lessons or gained new perspectives this year. I've learned the importance of finding excitement and joy in the little things, of reaching out and truly connecting with loved ones, of taking the time out to sit with my emotions, of genuinely resting, of random acts of kindness, of keeping good sangat, of not being too attached to my plans, and of not taking things for granted.

The highlight of my year was achieving a first class in my second degree (BA (Hons) History and Religious Studies). This was my dream degree and I've had to fight for it - many of you will know how much it means to me. I'm also kick-starting my career with a new job in the subject area that I love, I joined the Faith Strategic Partnership Group for the West Midlands Combined Authority, and I finally went vegan after years of contemplating it (exceptions made for degh). I had the opportunity to discuss technology and faith for a radio programme (just before lockdown came along and made the topic relevant!), I was part of an online BBC documentary on body hair, and despite the pandemic, I even managed to squeeze in some university workshops and primary school talks on Sikhi, which I've loved doing!

I'm so grateful for all of the small successes, wonderful experiences, and precious moments of joy that the past year has brought. The collective light of these small blessings is enough to outshine even the darkest moments. I'm leaving 2020 with a grateful heart, and entering 2021 with a commitment to remain hopeful through whatever the year might bring.

As always, thank you to Guru Sahib for blessing us with another year, another day, another moment, and another breath. May 2021 be brighter, kinder and easier for all of us. Wishing you all a slightly late but very Happy (Gregorian) New Year! 💛

Great are the Gursikhs who laughed in the face of death and remained dedicated to Sikhi until their last breath.

Dhan Dhan Sahibzada Baba Zoravar Singh Jee.

Dhan Dhan Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Jee.

Who at the tender ages of 7 and 9 chose to stand by their Guru and the Khalsa, despite facing a cruel death for doing so, who defied authority and refused to bow in the court of anyone but their Guru, who were steadfast and remained completely unaffected by any bribe offered or any threat made to them, who stood strong and firm and showed no hesitation or fear, who didn't even consider turning their backs on their Sikhi, and who happily embraced death instead.

Dhan Dhan Mata Gujjar Kaur Jee.

Who is the epitome of strength, who dealt with every obstacle in her path and remained in chardi kala, who instilled the spirit of Gursikhi and of courage in her grandsons, who would rather hear her grandsons speak their last fateh than turn their backs on the Khalsa, who defeated attachment and prepared her young Princes for their shaheedi with her own hands, and who always remained firm in her faith and love.

May we remember them. ♡

In solidarity with all those who are protesting the Indian agricultural bills which threaten the livelihoods of India's farmers, both in Delhi and across the world.

May you all stay safe, passionate, courageous, defiant and tenacious in challenging oppression and injustice, wherever you may encounter it.

May the strength and the spirit of the Khalsa continue to run through Punjab and illuminate the world.

Solidarity and love to you all. ✊🏽🌱

Congratulations to everyone on the 551st Prakash Purab of Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee Maharaaj!! 💛

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਆ ਮਿਟੀ ਧੁੰਧੁ ਜਗਿ ਚਾਨਣੁ ਹੋਆ ॥

With the emergence of the true Guru Nanak, the mist cleared and the light scattered all around.

~ Bhai Gurdaas Jee, Vaar 1 Pauri 27

A revolutionary, a poet, a teacher, a traveller, a musician, our redeemer, our saviour, our enlightener, and the light of God themselves. Maharaaj Jee taught the values of humility, of serving others without condition, of treating all beings with compassion, of selflessness, of living honestly and with truth, of genuine devotion to Vaheguru, and of pure love. They preached true equality between all, regardless of race, background, age, religion or gender. Their virtues are beyond words.

Contrary to the compliant, passive and "peaceful" image of Guru Nanak Dev Jee that politicians are quick to paint, Guru Sahib never hesitated to stand up against forms of injustice and oppression, whether perpetuated by an individual or by a government. They actively challenged the darkness of the world. Like those who are protesting in Delhi right now, may we follow Guru Sahib's example and never hesitate to do the same.

The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak into this world... Guru Nanak came to redeem the dark age of Kalyug.

~ Bhai Gurdaas Jee, Vaar 1 Pauri 23

Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Jee Maharaaj! There are no words to describe your greatness. 💛

Wishing you all a very happy Divali! 💛

Today we celebrate Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee Maharaaj's return to Amritsar after having released themselves from imprisonment under the Mughal Emperor Jahangir at Gwalior Fort.

Maharaaj Jee, forever standing for righteousness and against injustice, refused to leave the fort without first negotiating the liberation of the other political prisoners. By holding onto Maharaaj Jee's robe, 52 Hindu Rajas were also led to their freedom.

Today, let's continue to uphold these values of righteousness and justice in our daily lives, and let's do ardaas for the liberation of Sikhs and political prisoners being wrongfully held in Indian jails.

May Maharaaj Jee free our minds from the chains lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego, and may we remain forever attached to the hem of Maharaaj Jee's robe so that we, too, may be led to our freedom.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਬੰਦੀਛੋੜੁ ਹੈ ਜੀਵਣ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਕਰੈ ਓਡੀਣਾ।

sathigur ba(n)dheechhorr hai jeevan mukath karai oddeenaa.

The True Guru is giver of freedom from bondages and makes the detached ones liberated in life.

Sending love and light to you all! 💛

Why I don't celebrate India's independence day - the azaadi that never came.

India’s Independence Day, Pakistan’s Independence Day and the partition are always sensitive topics. Everyone has different perspectives and personal experiences, and they’re all valid in their own contexts.

I get that most people want to celebrate the end of British rule in India, and rightly so. Colonialism was destructive, barbaric and entirely unjust. Indians of all religions fought long and hard to rid themselves of British rule and for the right to finally be able to govern themselves. So I won’t ever condemn anyone for celebrating India’s independence.

I also get that Muslims were legitimately concerned about how they would fare in an independent India. Look at India today. No one can deny that Muslims and other minorities face persecution there. So while I will always be uncomfortable with separating nations along religious lines, I won’t ever condemn anyone for celebrating Pakistan’s independence either.

However, I personally choose to commemorate India's independence day rather than celebrate it.

The partition resulted in the largest forced mass migration in human history, and it was incredibly violent in nature. Over 1 million people were killed in their attempts to cross the border into their new respective countries. Around 14 million people were forcefully uprooted from their ancestral homes and were displaced, creating an overwhelming refugee crisis that the newly formed governments were in no way equipped to deal with. The intercommunal violence was staggering, and massive violence and slaughter occurred on both sides of the border. Mobs rampaged, attacking and killing members of the opposite religion. Trains and caravans of refugee families were attacked. Children were not spared. Women, desperate to avoid abduction and rape, committed suicide. “Ghost trains” full of the corpses of refugees plied the railway tracks. Families were separated and never saw each other again. Communities that had once lived alongside each other turned on each other in the most atrocious and tragic way. People were traumatised and scarred for life. To this day, India and Pakistan have not recovered from the hatred. This, for me, makes independence very difficult to celebrate.

Sikhs made a disproportionate contribution to the fight for independence. 77% of those sent to the gallows were Sikhs. 81% of those sentenced to life imprisonment were Sikhs. More than 60% of the 20,000 who joined the Indian National Army were Sikhs. All this, and yet Sikhs made up only 1.5% of the population. These are sacrifices that we must never forget. We also must never forget how we were denied the freedom that we had been promised.

Our homeland, Punjab, was torn into two. Virtually no Muslim survived in East Punjab and virtually no Hindu or Sikh survived in West Punjab. Our capital, Lahore, went to the other side of the border. Some of our most important historical places of worship, including the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Jee, had to be abandoned, and to this day we haven’t fully been able to regain control of them. Our mother tongue came under attack. Hindi was forced upon us in Indian Punjab, and Urdu forced upon us in Pakistani Punjab. Our identity came under attack, because in order to create a “unified India” we were expected to relinquish our attachment to it. We are constantly put under pressure by Indians to identify as Indians rather than as Punjabis, and we are even expected to identify as Indians above identifying as Sikhs. Since partition, Akaal Takht and Harmandir Sahib have been attacked by the Indian army, we have suffered a genocide that was supported by government officials and spectacularly covered up, and we have been continuously targeted by nationalists. Is this freedom?

I will never condemn anyone for celebrating their azaadi. However, I will not celebrate, because for many people, and for Sikhs in particular, that azaadi never came - their homeland may have been torn into two, or they may simply not have survived the partition to experience it.

Happy Vaisakhi, folks! 💙💛🧡

Today we celebrate the creation of the Khalsa Panth in 1699. We thank our Guru for the sweet gift of amrit and for giving us a place in their beloved family. We remember the Panj Pyare who exhibited immense devotion, loyalty and courage by stepping forward to give their heads, and who demonstrated exactly what it means to have unconditional faith and love for Guru Sahib. We remember the Tenth King, Guru Gobind Singh Jee Maharaaj, who showed exceptional humility by kneeling at the feet of the Khalsa and begging for amrit - the same amrit bestowed to us.

Vaisakhi this year is obviously very different to what we are used to. Many of us will feel a deep longing to be with our Guru and the sangat, and we might experience feelings of sorrow and sadness because we can't be. However, the Khalsa is resilient and adaptable, and we remain in high spirits no matter how adverse the situation is. We have the perfect opportunity to celebrate Vaisakhi in a very different, reflective and personal way. Instead of rushing around and attending events, we now have the time to sit and truly immerse ourselves in naam, bani, kirtan and katha. We are blessed to have access to technology, because it means that we are spoilt for choice with livestreams of simran, kirtan, katha and gurbani. If we can make a conscious effort to truly celebrate in the best way possible in our own homes, Vaisakhi might be even more focused and meaningful for us this year than it usually is. 🙂

I hope you all have a beautiful Vaisakhi 💛 May Guru Sahib bless us all with seva, sangat, rehit, naam and bani. 🙏🏽

Happy Mother's Day to all of our beautiful mothers, and to our dharmik mother, Dhan Dhan Mata Sahib Kaur Jee. ♡

May we live the life that Mata Jee intend for us, and may we become worthy of being Their child.

Please keep us close in your loving embrace. ♡

Happy Sikh New Year! 🌸

It's 2077 Bikrami / 552 Nanakshahi.

ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਘਣਾ ॥

In the month of Chet, by meditating on the Lord of the Universe, a deep and profound joy arises.

ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਣਾ ॥

Meeting with the humble Saints, the Lord is found, as we chant His Name with our tongues.

May Maharaaj Jee shower you all with infinite blessings. 💛

Happy International Women's Day, folks! 🌷✊🏽

While we're celebrating women, here is a list of 15 important things to remember:

• There are many different ways to be a woman, and the concept of womanhood should be broad and freeing, not narrow and restrictive. We are diverse in our appearances, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours - none of these things cancel out our identity as women.

• Women were NOT "created to do the things that men can't do” (which is basically nothing other than menstruating and giving birth). We are capable of doing anything, and we have every right to do so.

• Scientific research does not support the idea that men and women are fundamentally different in their dispositions, inclinations, attitudes and skills. It's time to stop using this idea to generalise, judge and restrict women.

• "Real women have curves" is not body positivity - it enforces gender stereotypes and excludes more women than it empowers. All women are real women, regardless of their shapes or sizes.

• Declaring that you "only have guy friends" because "girls are drama" is your internalised misogyny at play. It generalises all women and perpetuates negative stereotypes about them that are ultimately untrue. Female friendships are important and powerful, and are in no way inferior to male ones.

• Saying "I'm not like other girls" is also internalised misogyny. It implies that you think that all girls are essentially the same, that the negative stereotypes about them are true, and that they are all inferior to you.

• Women don't need to feel threatened by the successes of other women. It isn't a competition. Support your sisters - there is plenty of room for all of us.

• Things that are related to women (from products to event posters) do not always have to be pink.

• Women are constantly held to higher standards than men regarding their behaviour, emotions, morality and conduct. This is not cool, and glorifying this is not empowering.

• Women should not be expected to limit their own freedoms in order to avoid being targeted by men, and women are not responsible for what men do to them without their consent - ever.

• Being attractive to men (with regard to physical appearance, personality traits, behaviours, or anything else) is not the ultimate goal of a woman. If something she's doing is unattractive to you, don’t expect her to care.

• If you only respect women who meet your personal standards of what a woman should be like, you don't actually respect women.

• Women are not your honour. The concept that "girls are the izzat of the family" places an unfair burden on women, is a tool for restricting their freedoms and controlling their behaviours, and has enabled familial violence against women for far too long.

• You don't need to shout "BUT WHAT ABOUT MEN???" whenever we're talking about women. We haven't forgotten about you.

• If conversations about feminism/ women's rights/ gender equality make you feel uncomfortable or threatened, it's because you have become so accustomed to inequality that anything different feels dangerous to you. It's up to you to fix this, and to unlearn the problematic ideas that you have been socialised with.

Is there anything else you would add to this list?

ਧੰਨ ਧੰਨ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਮਹਾਰਾਜ ♡

Congratulations to the entire Khalsa Panth on the Parkash Purab of the King of Kings, Dhan Satguru Gobind Singh Jee Maharaaj!

The most perfect being, with the qualities of a saint, a warrior, a musician, a poet, a linguist, a leader, and a beloved father. May we honour them and remain forever close to their pavitar charan. ♡

2019 has been a bit of a shaky year. It's been a tough one in many ways, and it's had its fair share of dark and difficult and moments. But upon reflection, it's also been filled with a number of small successes, some amazing experiences, and the most precious of moments with beautiful souls. It has taught me things that I will carry with me forever. The last couple of months in particular have been a struggle, but even they have ended on a high note with five beautiful days spent in the warm, loving and forgiving embrace of the saadh sangat. The collective light of these countless small blessings is enough to outshine even the darkest of moments.

I'm leaving this year (and this amazing, transformative decade) with lessons learned, a renewed focus, a grateful heart and a commitment to respond better to whatever life ahead holds.

Thank you to Guru Sahib for once again blessing me with another year, another day, another moment, and another chance. May 2020 be a bright, fruitful and fulfilling one for all of us. Wishing you all a very Happy (Gregorian) New Year! 💛