Want to be a more successful warrior? Make your bed!
POINTS TO PONDER
"Those who shall not learn to obey shall never be
in a position to command." Siri Singh Sahib
"Your value is not in how many experiences you have had.
It is in your stability -- in how much sacrifice you can do.
Your value is in how effectively and how consistently you can
live for others. Your value is in how you can take command of
yourself and others in any situation. Your value is in your capability
of firmly planting yourself in the neutrality of your higher consciousness
and standing as a pillar of strength, turning every negative to a positive.
Your value is how quickly you are there when the call comes." Yogi Bhajan
"Human
is a blend of saint and soldier; this is a complete person. If you
are not a soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are
only a
soldier, not a saint, you will start kicking others around." Yogi Bhajan
"Today we have the head of a soldier and the heart of a saint. Actually
what we need is the head of a saint and the heart of a soldier." Yogi Bhajan
"Security
consciousness is a state of being whereby we live in service to
humanity, inspiring and assisting others to do the same. And while
it is
our sacred purpose to celebrate Naam and live as saints-soldiers,
it is
our sacred duty to defend the weak and protect the innocent." Hari Singh
"The Form Follows Function Principle means that any hardware or
other equipment that is required to execute the mission must be based
upon the intended function or purpose. In other words, policy and procedure
needs to be established and ready for implementation before acquiring people,
equipment, or support, i.e., hardware is considered last. Or, first know where you're
going and how to get there before you acquire the means." Hari Singh
Bird Khalsa
Colonel Khalsa joined the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Private, and
served in
the Special Forces Unit for 10 years on Parachute Status, as a Battalion
Commander overseeing an 800-person intelligence group, and also received
a Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster Award, amongst
many
other honors. He is a graduate of the Army Officer Candidate School
in Georgia, and was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in
2004.
Sergeant Sevak Singh Kroesen (center)
Sergeant Kroesen enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves in 1976 and
was
attached to the Signal Company, 11th Special Forces Group after which
he successfully completed airborne (paratrooper) and Radio Teletype
Transmission Operator training. He then completed his Special Forces
Qualification Courses and became a Special Forces Communications
Sergeant. He completed this rigorous training, and his Sikh articles
of faith
were never a hindrance to his service. Sergeant Kroesen subsequently
completed schools, training, and missions around the world all with
honor
and distinction. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1991.
Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan (center)
graduates from U.S. Army's Officers Basic Training.
Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi (center)
graduates from U.S. Army's Officers Basic Training.
Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi with wife and children.
Sikh guards at Buckingham Palace
Sikh soldiers during WW I
Sikh soldiers in combat during WW II
Sikh unit of the Indian Army in parade formation
"Human
is a blend of saint and soldier; this is a complete person. If you
are not a soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are
only a soldier and not a saint, you will start kicking others around." Yogi Bhajan
"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to show up.
It's called commitment." Hari Singh
Bird Khalsa
Sergeant Uday Singh Born and raised in Chandigarh, India,
Migrated to the United States in the 1990s
Died in the service of the United States Army
Sikh Officer of Distinction
Lt. Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjit
The
following narrative is presented for the purpose of making the
inquirer more familiar with the lifestyle and practices of Sikh
Dharma, a householders' spiritual path by which practice and only
by God's grace, one may be blessed with the virtue known as humility
and the good fortune to overcome the mental and spiritual affliction
known as pride.
It
is not the purpose nor customary practice of the followers of Sikh Dharma to proselytize others. In
fact, Sikhs often express
the term "Sat Kartar," i.e., "God is the Doer."
In this sense
meaning, only those with such destiny will become Sikhs.
Sikhs hold a prominent place in the history of America and India. Guru NanakDev founded Sikhism in the fifteen century and he was followed by nine Gurus (enlightened
teachers or prophets). Guru Angad, the second Guru, developed the Gurumukhi script. Guru
Ram Das, the fourth Guru, laid the foundation for the city of
Amritsar. Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru, compiled the Adi Granth,
the sacred songs of the Sikhs, later
to become known as the Siri Guru
Granth Sahib. But it was Guru Gobind
Singh, the tenth Guru, who gave Sikhs a renewed sense of chardikala,
which in turn gave Sikh Dharma its resurgent vigor and mass following
in the 17th century. Guru Gobind Singh declared himself to be the
last of the earthly Gurus. And he commanded his followers to revere
only the Guru-Word as Guru upon his death. See the 12
Aspirations of the Sikhs.
Today, after episodes of religious persecution in their homeland,
in 1738 by Nadir Shah, in 1748 to 1751 by Ahmed Shah Abdadi, by the
British in 1849, and in 1984, by the government militia in the aftermath
of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination, and due to their
energetic and entrepreneurial spirit, Sikhs can be found all over
the world. See Gurdwara Security.
The
Sikhs, or Sardarjis as they are known by some, aside from being great
patrons of art, religion and scholarship, are known as the bravest
people in India, and their women, among India's most beautiful. The
Sikhs have participated in India's nation building for hundreds of
years, fighting the British, serving in the military (the Sikh regiment
is the most decorated regiment of the Indian army) and excelling in
sports. And they have served as President (Gianni
Zail Singh, veteran freedom fighter, 1982-87) and Prime Minister
(Manmohan Singh)
of India.
Gianni
Zail Singh Manmohan
Singh
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama
and their respective First Ladies at State Dinner, Nov. 24, 2009.
Left: Barack Obama and Manmohan Singh at the April 2009 G-20 in Europe.
Right: Obama and Singh during state visit in Delhi, India, November
2010.
History of the Sikh Warrior - The Sant Sipahi
No greater servants, no worse enemies.
Baba
Deep Singh
Follow the next link for biographies of a few of the many Sikh Warriors who
protected Sikhs and members of other religions from the onslaught of tyrannical forces. These brave souls protected the Sikh faith and fought battles against
oppressors in keeping with the Khalsa spirit of Sikh Dharma. They
stood up against tyranny by invaders and oppressors on the battlefield.
They raised the sword against aggression in defense of the rights
of women, and the weak and defenseless, and never to threaten or oppress
others. Click here.
"In Prosperity, three things work: Security, Security and Security.
Because Security manifests Prosperity. Security manifests the entire
manifestation. Because Security is the Rule of Harmony." Siri Singh Sahib
"It is a Sikh's sacred duty, without fear or hate, to defend the
weak and protect the innocent." SantSipahiAdvisoryTeam.com
"Forgiveness doesn't mean you forget what happened...
If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-
measures, you have to take counter-measures." Dalai Lama
"Circumstances cannot be allowed to preclude the implementation
of adequate safety and security measures." Interior-Guard.com
Monitor all activities occurring in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib as well as any other activities in order to maintain a safe, hazard-free environment, and a peaceful, respectful Gurdwara decorum.
Assist Sangat members in the performance of their worship and other activities, especially to include the arrival and departure of families with young children, giving aid and comfort to the elderly and the infirm, and greeting visitors.
Take direct Protective and/or Defensive action in the event of emergency circumstances such as fire and emergency medical response, disruptive or disorderly activity, or any act of aggression occurring within or around the Gurdwara or amongst Sangat members, and ensure security of building perimeter (doors and windows) while maintaining appropriate access for Sangat members and guests.
Gather and disseminate intelligence data, and subsequently alert Sangat members, and appropriate local authorities to the existence of issues or circumstances involving imminent or potential risk to the security of the Guru, Sangat members, or Gurdwara property.
Interface with and assist Local Fire and Medical Emergency or Law Enforcement Response Team members in order to maintain appropriate and respectful decorum in any emergency conditions occurring in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib or upon the Gurdwara property, circumstances permitting.
NOTE: General Protocols For Gurdwara Sevadars are intended to be general in nature as opposed to specific since these apply to the commonalities of all Gurdwaras.
Special Operating Protocols or SOPs should be formulated and implemented by respective Sangat leaders after consultation with local First Responders, i.e., Fire, Medical Emergency, Law Enforcement or other agencies. These Special Operating Protocols then will reflect conditions peculiar to local circumstances, which may vary according to any unique layout, structural, or geographical, economic, or technical requirements.
In addition, each community should contact their local First Responders, especially Fire Prevention and Law Enforcement Agencies, for a comprehensive risk assessment survey of Gurdwara property, and management policies and procedures to include a comprehensive Safety and Security Audit. Audits may possibly be provided free of charge, and should include procedures related to the following issues:
For assistance, call 800-528-0413 Ext. 354 Eastern, or click here. For security skills training, see RamDhanSingh.com.
Security is the absence of risk.
Security does not happen by accident!
Security is those actions or systems, which prevent or minimize
the occurrence of adverse events within specific environments.
The most effective security is preventative as well as proactive,
and serves to minimize any risk to life, property or environments.
American Sikhs are free to pursue happiness,
but there's no guarantee we will achieve it.
SPECIAL
NOTE: American Sikhs are free to pursue happiness, but there's no guarantee we will achieve it. We can view the subject of Security as an unpleasant, even terrifying concept, or as a fearless, even exhilarating exercise in courage. We can choose to be passive, wimpy victims,
or proactive, fearless survivors. To those members of the Sadh Sangat who choose
to remain in denial with regard to matters of Security
and Safety, who either claim that Gurdwara Security is unnecessary,
or who dismiss any thought of improving Gurdwara Security, I suggest
that you not only recall the tragic events of the August 5, 2012 Gurdwara
assault in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the Sandy Hook Elementary School
killings in Newtown, Connecticut, December 14, 2012, and the U.S. Navy Yard massacre of September 16, 2013, but that you
recall the days of Operation
Blue Star, the tragic assault on the Guru in Amritsar, India, June 1-6, 1984, a week, which will live in infamy...
the event that involved the desecration of the Golden
Temple, and the destruction of the Akal Takht.
(See video.) Going back much farther, remember Aurangzeb?
Beadbi of Siri Guru Granth Sahib
Keep in mind also that the Siri
Singh Sahib of Sikh Dharma established a policy whereby a Security
and Safety Sevadar is posted at the door of the House
of Guru Ram Das Gurdwara in Los Angeles, California, even to this
day. His vision being that Gurdwara Security and Safety is not about acting out
of fear or hate, it is about selflessly serving the Guru and the Sangat while
fearlessly defending the weak and protecting the innocent for which
Sikhs have a sacred duty. See Our Youth Deserves Leadership Training.
SANT SIPAHI - SOLDIER SAINT
JAPJI SAHIB - 37TH PAURI
Karam khand ki bani jor. Tithai hor na koi hor. In the realm of Karam, the Word is Power.
No one else dwells there,
Tithai jodh maha-bal sur. Tin meh ram rahia bharpur. Except the Warriors of great power, the Spiritual Heroes.
They are totally fulfilled, imbued with the Lord's Essence.
Tithai sito sita mehma mahi. Ta ke rup na kathne jahi. Myriads of Sitas are there, cool and calm in their
majestic glory. Their beauty cannot be described.
Na ohi marahi na thage jahi. Jin kai Ram vasai man mahi. Neither death nor deception comes to those
within whose minds the Lord abides.
Tithai bhagat vasahi ke loa. Karahi anand sacha mani soe. The Devotees of many worlds dwell there. They
celebrate; their minds are imbued with the True Lord...
PSALM 82:3-4
"Human
is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant Sipahi); this is a complete person.
If you are not a soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you
are only
a soldier, not a saint, you will start kicking others around." -- Yogi
Bhajan
"I
can think of a number of fanatical, over-zealous religious groups
who
would do us all well to take Yogi Bhajan's advice." -- Hari
Singh Khalsa
Sat
Nam. The Siri Singh Sahib was asked to express his priorities
for a community gathering in the early ‘70s. His reply, “Security,
Security, Security.” I share his vision. I have the concern
that with the passage of time, nay, even as we speak, the memory of
the Oak Creek massacre
will fade away just as the memory of the infamous 1984 Operation Blue
Star attack on the Sikhs in India seems to have disappeared from our
recollection. Many Sikhs simply tag these events as the will of God
and Guru, which is true, but we cannot stop there. There is a deeper
message, a challenge, that has apparently gone unnoticed, i.e., our
sacred duty to fearlessly "defend the weak and protect the innocent,"
just as Guru Gobind Singh taught us. So, I am requesting that the
Sikh ministers act to meet our present day challenges. Not out of
a sense of fear or apprehension, but with the same courage and fearlessness
as did Guru Gobind Singh
and our beloved Siri Singh
Sahib. I urge my fellow ministers to answer this call by purchasing
the Active Shooter Survival Training DVD shown below, and sharing
it with their respective sangats. See Jai Jagdeesh Kaur's Ad Guray Nameh.
Active Shooter Survival DVD is
a reality-based training production.
Training covers the following topics.
Planning for Survival Stopping the Shooter Escaping the Violence Hiding from the Shooter Preventing Violent Intrusions Collective Survival Strategies
Disrupting the Shooter’s
Intentions
Training
includes a step-by-step how-to, such as:
Protecting you from extreme
violence Responding to an active shooter Managing workplace violence Improving Gurdwara security Becoming better prepared Saving innocent lives Surviving terrorism
Who is responsible for your security?
YOU ARE!
Most people are reactive when
it comes to their safety and well-being. Most people respond only after
threats have materialized and the problem is acute. This approach brings little
solace to the victims and is dangerous. The most effective security
is preventative as well as pro-active. The radicalization of fringe
elements in society is increasing. The targeting of minorities
is nothing new and will continue. Community preparedness is a
must; its absence is a liability. --
Alon Stivi, CEO, Direct Measures
International
"Your
value is not in how many experiences you have had.
It is in your stability -- in how much sacrifice you can do.
Your value is in how effectively and how consistently you can
live for others. Your value is in how you can take command of
yourself and others in any situation. Your value is in your capability
of firmly planting yourself in the neutrality of your higher consciousness
and standing as a pillar of strength, turning every negative to a
positive.
Your value is how quickly you are there when the call comes."
-- Yogi Bhajan
"Security
consciousness is a state of being whereby we live in service
to humanity, inspiring and assisting others to do the same. And while
it is our sacred purpose to celebrate Naam and live as saints, it
is our
sacred duty to defend the weak and protect the innocent." --
Hari Singh
Security is the absence of risk.
Security does not happen by accident!
Security is those actions or systems, which prevent or minimize
the occurrence of adverse events within specific environments.
The most effective security is preventative as well as proactive,
and serves to minimize any risk to life, property or environments.
Sat Nam, Brothers and Sisters! Iam a former U.S. Marine and someone who has been involved with Gurdwara and Solstice security for decades. I would like to address what I see as a general absence of security/soldier consciousness within Sikh communities by quoting the Siri Singh Sahib, who said: “Human is a blend of Saint and Soldier; this is a complete person. If you are not a Soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are only a Soldier, not a Saint, you will start kicking others around.”
The Siri Singh Sahib was once asked to express his priorities at a 3HO Solstice Sadhana gathering in the early ‘70s. His reply was, “Security, Security, Security.” And since the establishment of the Guru Ram Das Ashram in Los Angeles, and until this very day, a sevadar is posted at the door of the gurdwara as ordered by the Siri Singh Sahib. Security has been a priority consideration since the earliest days of 3HO/Sikh Dharma.
While
recently speaking with a sangat member regarding the subject of Gurdwara
Security and Safety, she mentioned how she thought she would engage an active-shooter incident
within her community. She said her first instinct would be to physically
cover any potential victims with her body as a shield. I advised her
that this would be exactly the wrong action to take. I suggested that
she think about the instructions given by airline attendants concerning
an in-flight emergency. Passengers are advised to take self-saving
actions first by utilizing their oxygen mask on themselves before
attempting to assist anybody else.
It
may seem counter-intuitive, but self-preservation must be the first
response in order for other potential victims to be protected and
defended. Contrary to the unfortunate outcomes of numerous recent
horrific events, an active-shooter event is not a situation where potential victims
are without recourse. This is addressed in numerous, simple, and surprising
ways in a survival training video called Survival
Edge: Active Shooter Survival, available at ACTCert.com (ACT stands
for Attack Countermeasures Training), which I urge all communities
to acquire and view. This DVD provides a reality-based, step-by-step
training program that covers how to protect you and others from
extreme violence, including responding to an active shooter, managing
workplace violence, improving Gurdwara
security and safety, becoming better prepared, saving innocent
lives and surviving terrorism.
Though the outcome of the shooting event in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in 2012 was horrific, those murders might have been preventable to a significant extent. There are specific actions (some even at the time of the attack) that could have possibly mitigated the outcome.
Since the incident, many Sikhs have opined that as unfortunate as it was, it was the will of God and Guru. This is true. But I opine that the event did not just happen in order to happen. It happened with a clear and challenging message to the Sadh Sangat: as Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh, it is our sacred duty to defend the weak and protect the innocent.
My question is, what are we collectively doing to meet this challenge? What are we doing in the way of securing our communities, whereby we honor our sacred duty?
My concern is that with the passage of time, the memory of the Oak Creek massacre and other tragedies will fade away. I strongly encourage all members of the Sikh community – and especially Sikh Dharma Ministers – to act now to meet this ever-present challenge – not out of a sense of reactionary fear, but with the same attention and fearless dedication as our beloved Siri Singh Sahib.
As a member of the 3HO Solstice Security and Safety advisory team, I am working to help develop programs and awareness, and I am happy to receive communication from sangat members.
My
web site at www.GurdwaraSecurity.com provides resources, tips, and thoughts about this important topic.
Sat
Nam, Khalsa ji! In the wake of the attention that's been given for and against gun ownership, and the use of firearms, I find myself recalling with a wince and shudder on one hand, and a smile and headshake on the other, an experience from many years ago.
Wimps or Warriors
I was conducting a security and gun safety class in a mixed group of women and men. While discussing gun safety training I observed a young woman reluctantly pick up a handgun between her thumb and forefinger as if picking up a dead mouse. The vision has stuck with me ever since. The frequent media attention and talk about guns and gun violence causes me to recall that silly albeit sad scenario to this day. Silly because it looked so comical; sad because it is so indicative of where I see the mind set of too many women, today.
Wimps
Warriors
If
a woman is attacked by a gun-toting assailant, her
chance of survival diminishes greatly if she has no training
in survival skills, including martial arts and
firearms training.
Regardless
of where you stand on gun control, knowledge of firearms and martial arts equates with strength; ignorance
of firearms and martial arts equates with weakness.
WOMEN Are
The First Teachers
OUR YOUTH DESERVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING
New Mexico Military Institute can provide this.
A two-year leadership program is available.
Those who shall not learn to obey shall never be
in a position to command. -- Siri Singh Sahib
A woman who is not a leader is a miserable person… A leader has three things.
First thing, leader has to sacrifice; second thing, leader has to stand alone; and
third, leader has to lead. And leader has to lead by example, by action and by word.
A leader is one who can stand on the top of the ladder and can stay balanced and
alone. So basically, if you do not want to be the leaders, and you do not want to
lead the home, lead the family, lead your environments, with grace, with courage
and with intelligence, you will have nothing in your life... -- Siri Singh Sahib
Create dependable
children, not dependent children. Give your children
the basic values to face their own tomorrows, not be blinded by yours. Make
them proper personalities, not helpless puppets. Position them for success; do
not paralyze them with the commotion of your emotions. -- Siri Singh Sahib
The basic aspect of you as woman is not in your sensuality and in your dramas.
You are not only the givers of life, you are the manufacturers of character. Whatever
character you will give to your children, that shall be their future. -- Siri Singh Sahib
Your reliability will give people the courage to trust you.
Their trust will give you the power to carry a situation. A leader
carries and serves people. Learn to lead as a ‘seva’ (to sacrifice your
time and resources for the benefit of others without wanting anything in
return); people will love you, and you will continue to expand. -- Siri Singh Sahib
Children are born with intrinsic leadership traits, which prepare them for life.
These must translate positively into the lives they lead as citizens of the world.
These are: Service, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Decisiveness, Reliability,
Integrity, Initiative, Knowledge, Loyalty, Enthusiasm, Endurance. -- Hari Singh Khalsa
Sikh youth...Sant-Sipahi is their heritage
Sat
Nam, Khalsa ji! I am a passionate proponent of more balance
between our claims to accept and understand the concept of Saint-Soldier, and actually living our lives as authentic Sant-Sipahi. To this end I strongly urge Khalsa parents, especially
our women, the first teachers of our children, to consider the following points.
.) I urge you to consider enrolling our children at the New
Mexico Military Institute, located in Roswell, New Mexico. My
kids graduated high school with honors at NMMI in the early '80s,
the first children of Sikh
Dharma to attend a military school in America. The Siri
Singh Sahib expressed pleasure upon observing
cadet training when he visited NMMI in 1983. He advised us then that he
would have enrolled his own children at NMMI if he had known of its existence. Another group of children
who attended school in India later attended NMMI in the early '90s.
Sikh Chaplain, M.S.S. Hari Singh Bird, addresses Sikh cadets in front of the NMMI chapel, 1992.
New Mexico Military Institute offers an outstanding two year college option for your sons and daughters after they complete their
time at Miri Piri Academy. For those families for which MPA is not an option, NMMI has an excellent four year high school college prep programin addition to theirtwo year
college program. New Mexico Military Institute has been ranked No. 5 on a list of the nation’s top 50 community colleges by an independent organization, i.e., TheBestSchools.org, which has described the Roswell, New Mexico school as the “only state-supported, coeducational, military boarding school in the United States.” The school offers college prep, a four-year high school and a two-year junior college. See NMMI
Strategic Measures Statistics.
Each of the former Sikh students/graduates
of NMMI provide a testament to the advantages of attending NMMI, which
include a rigorous and challenging lifestyle, camaraderie and fellowship,
and outstanding leadership
training especially, along with NMMI's excellent scholastic program.
This experience prepared them for additional university training, and exciting
careers all over the world. NMMI is the only American prep school I know
that has a history of accommodating the Sikh lifestyle, i.e., sadhana, kesh, turban, sipahi training, and vegetarian diet. And it is an excellent environment for Sikh youth to learn leadership
and soldiering skills for which the Siri Singh Sahib was a passionate
proponent.
The NMMI program offers MPA students and other Sikh youth
a unique and reasonably cost-effective opportunity to transition
from the Indian program into the American experience as a unit, and the obvious advantage of continued
bonding with their peers. See NMMI
Admissions, or click admissions@nmmi.edu, or call 800-421-5376.
.) I urge you to reflect on the Siri Singh Sahib's words, "Human
is a blend of Saint and Soldier (Sant
Sipahi); this is a complete person. If you
are not a Soldier your sainthood will be kicked around. If you are
only a Soldier, not a Saint, you will start kicking others around."
Again, our youth deserve leadership training going forward. I know of no readily available source of formal leadership
training available to our Sikh youth other than the New Mexico Military
Institute.
To: M.S.S. Hari Singh Bird Khalsa
Sent: Thu, Aug 1, 2013 12:24 pm
Sat Nam Hari Singh,
Hope you and your family are keeping well.
As you must have heard, another Gurdwara in California got vandalized recently. Please let me know your comments on security measures we can suggest to various Gurdwaras that they can take to prevent these incidents. Also, what do you think the local, state and federal government can do to protect our Gurdwaras.
Blessings.
Bhai Sahib ____________________ --
Sat Nam, Bhai Sahib ji!
Thank you for your inquiry!
I am truly saddened to hear of the recent Gurdwara vandalism.
Regarding your request for my thoughts about local Gurdwara actions, I suggest that immediate consideration be given to adopting and distributing the General Protocols listed at GurdwaraSecurity.com.
These should be supplemented with any appropriate Special Operating Protocols unique to a respective Gurdwara.
In addition, I suggest that Sangat leaders make contact with local law enforcement, medical emergency and other first responders, ASAP, for the purpose of initiating a security and safety assessment audit in order to determine the actual security status of the Gurdwara environment plus the adjacent property and neighborhood, followed by the implementation of any appropriate recommendations. Communications with key people within these same agencies should remain well established and maintained, as well. (Note: It may be helpful to direct local agencies to this site, WhoAreTheSikhs.com, for historical reference, especially regarding the Oak Creek tragedy.)
Further, I suggest that Sangat leaders immediately execute actions that secure Gurdwara environments, e.g., employ an on-site uniformed, and armed law enforcement officer along with an on-site marked vehicle presence during high visibility Sunday activities, especially. This action will provide the Sangat with a) an on-site, professionally trained agent with arrest powers, and b) legal cover in the event of potential liability issues.
With respect to vandalism concerns, I suggest that security video cameras be deployed at key points around the Gurdwara perimeters as well as inside the Gurdwara. This will also provide a means by which safety issues such as fire and-or hazardous and emergency medical events can be monitored. The security audit will more than likely cover this issue.
A final thought, although this may not be practical for obvious reasons, remember that the Siri Singh Sahib directed that a Sevadar be stationed full-time at the entrance of House of Guru Ram Das Gurdwara, Los Angeles. To my knowledge, this remains the case to this day. See Interior-Guard.com.
Be well.
Humbly,
M.S.S. Hari Singh Bird Khalsa --
"Forgiveness doesn't mean you forget what happened...
If something is serious and it is necessary to take counter-
measures, you have to take counter-measures." Dalai Lama
If you cannot walk together, you
cannot work together. Yogi Bhajan
Those who shall not learn to obey shall never
be in a position to command. Yogi Bhajan
The synergistic equation is 1 plus 1 equals 11.
When
this synergistic equation is applied, the 'me' perspective
morphs into the universal 'we' perspective. The result is each action is
accomplished exponentially for the common good. 1Plus1Equals11.com
FACTOIDS
"All
security is local.
Homeland security begins with hometown security."
Note: This video is not intended as a solicitation,
only as a helpful source of information.
In
the heart of a lion,
There is no fear of dyin'.
In the heat of battle,
The Spirit of Life burns like a flame.
In the depths of the darkness,
In the worse betrayal and pain,
The fearless Khalsa heart will
beat
To the rhythm of the Name.
We've
never started a war before,
But we have finished many.
We see the One in everyone.
Whom should we fear? Not any!
We play the game of life with style;
The question of death we love to enjoy.
We have seen so many times,
In so many lives what our life is for ...
In so many lives what our life is for!
In
the heart of a lion,
There is no fear of dyin'.
In the heat of battle,
The Spirit of Life burns like a flame.
In the depths of the darkness,
In the worse betrayal and pain,
The fearless Khalsa heart will
beat
To the rhythm of the Name.
Enemies
come and enemies go,
But the Khalsa stands like a mountain range.
We will return to Infinity.
What in the world will the drama change?
Go onto the battlefield;
Head in hand as a humble one.
The life doesn't matter, the courage does.
Soon the job will be done ...
Soon the job will be done!
In
the heart of a lion,
There is no fear of dyin'.
In the heat of battle,
The Spirit of Life burns like a flame.
In the depths of the darkness,
In the worse betrayal and pain,
The fearless Khalsa heart will
beat
To the rhythm of the Name.
On
every side the world will pull;
They want you to join them in their fog.
It took you millions of lives to arrive;
What do you care for the barking of dogs?
The one who stands alone in the fray
Is a priceless gem to the One he serves.
Be the Light for the world to see.
Invincible ones live by their words ...
Invincible ones live by their words!
In
the heart of a lion,
There is no fear of dyin'.
In the heat of battle,
The Spirit of Life burns like a flame.
In the depths of the darkness,
In the worse betrayal and pain,
The fearless Khalsa heart will
beat
To the rhythm of the Name. WAHE GURU WAHE GURU WAHE GURU WAHE GURU...