There is little more daunting than the burning stare of a blank page waiting to be filled with the introduction to a new book. And so it was with the task of writing the opening chapter of ‘The Golden Temple of Amritsar: Reflections of the Past (1808-1959)‘. read more
A Chief Minister of Punjab for more than eight consecutive years, Partap Singh Kairon turned Punjab into an economic powerhouse. A no-nonsense administrator, he did not let procedures come in the way. The death anniversary of this builder of modern Punjab falls today (February 6.) read more
As a Sikh child who grew up in the west, my knowledge and experience with Sikh history came mostly through stories and books. Aside from occasional visits to India, what I knew and saw of Sikh history was predominantly left to my imagination that provided to me a visual to the words I read or the static pictures I saw. read more
Conclusively, we can understand.....The seeds of European and western ideology that were sown almost four generations ago, have now grown into trees where the youth of Punjab of either side, craves for an escape from its land and place of origin. read more
The verdant township of Anandpur Sahib, at the foothills of the Shivaliks in Punjab, has always drawn tourists by the hordes. But this time, it is not just the historic gurdwaras that is drawing them to one of the most sacred places for the Sikh community. read more
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may no longer be king for the Congress in Punjab but to the party's opponents, he is above criticism. At least in public. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal mentions Singh in reverential tones and, in a strategy that suits it, treats him as someone above party politics. read more
The people, in turn, have to choose between two fighting families, that of the Badals and the Singhs, the rulers of erstwhile Patiala princely state from where Amarinder Singh comes and only those parties where ideology has ceased to be and dynastic power has become a norm. read more
The Englishman was asked by someone the reason for his adopting the Sikh form. "Was it due to respect for the weapons or was there any other reason?" The explanation given by him at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is... read more
Countering allegations that he is "aloof", US President Barack Obama counted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel among leaders with whom he has forged "friendships and bonds of trust". read more