IFFI-2012

Shri Dnyanesh Moghe (Director) film “Digant”, Ms Sunanda Bhat (Director) film “Ningal Aranaye Kando” and Dr. Biju, (Director) film “Akashathinte Niram”, at a press conference, during the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2012), in Panaji, Goa on November 26, 2012. (PIB)
26-November-2012

Enter in Diversity Video Competition

Accepting Entries For The 2012 Diversity Video Competition

Are you interested in filmmaking?

Are you tired of being looked at suspiciously because you are Sikh?

 Enter in the Sikh Coalition’s Diversity Video Competition to make a difference, and have your voice heard.
The Sikh Coalition invites you to create a video for this year’s Diversity Video Competition! The first place winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize and have his/her film premiered at the Sikh Arts and Film Festival in New York City in November! The deadline for entry is September 30, 2012.
Once entries are submitted, the public will be given an opportunity to view the top films, and vote for their favorites. Then, a panel of expert judges will select the 1st and 2nd place winners.

Competition Topic

My Crown - My Faith
How does it feel to be a Sikh? Why don’t you try! Walk a mile in our shoes!
Film-makers are encouraged to create a 5 minute video (or less) which depicts a non-Sikh adorning/wearing a Sikh turban for a day, and presenting himself/herself as a Sikh. The turban is a Sikh article of faith, and should always be treated with respect. The film should capture the reactions of passersby, friends, and family members. Pre and post interviews with main characters are encouraged.
The application, rules, and submission instructions are available by clicking here.

Eligibility

• Contestants of all ages may submit to the competition.
• Prior film experience is not necessary.
• All entries will be considered without regard to race, sex, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, religious affiliation, or disability

Awards

• First Place: $1,500 cash prize and your film will be premiered at the SEnter in  Diversity Video Competitionikh Art and Film Festival.
• Second Place: $750

Submission Deadline

All entries must be submitted online no later than September 30, 2012. To download an instruction and application form, please click here. All information, details, and contact information for inquires may be found at http://www.sikhcoalition.org/our-programs/education/diversity-video-competition.  

Anand Patwardhan addressing the Press Conference

Shri Anand Patwardhan, Director of 'Jai Bhim.. Comrade' a film on Dalit atrocity addressing the Press Conference, at the “MIFF- 2012”, in Mumbai on February 06, 2012....{PIB photo...06-February-2012}

"BACHCHAN'S HANDS ARE BLOOD STAINED"

1984 VICTIMS TO AKAL TAKHATNov 28, 2011
 WITNESSES CHALLENGE "BACHCHAN'S" PLEA OF INNOCENCE IN 1984 SIKH GENOCIDE

Punjab Screen photo by Gajinder Singh King

Close on the heels of Amitabh Bachchan's pleading innocence for his role in 1984 Sikh Genocide before Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and "National 1984 Victims Justice and Welfare Society" presented witnesses who saw Bachchan on Doordarshan raising slogan "khoon ka badla khoon" after the death of Ms. Indira Gandhi. The witnesses' testimony on how Bachchan instigated the killing of Sikhs in November 1984 refutes Bachchan's claims of innocence and substantiates claims of victims that it was Bachchan who raised the slogan "Blood for Blood" which was aired on Doordarshan and All India Radio causing the killing of thousands of Sikhs across India.

Amitabh Bachchan

AISSF President Karnail Singh Peermohammad stated that instead of demanding the filing of murder charges against Amitabh Bachchan for instigating the killing of Sikhs, it is unfortunate that SAD (Badal) controlled SGPC member is pleading the case of Amitabh Bachchan before Sri Akal Takhat Sahib while there is a criminal complaint pending against Bachchan. AISSF will present witnesses regarding Bachchan's involvement in 1984 massacre of Sikhs at the upcoming meeting of Five High Priests who are planning to take up this issue after the receipt of Bachchan's letter which is supported by SGPC and SAD (Badal).

Babu Singh Dhukhiya President National 1984 Victims Justice and Welfare Society, and witness to Bachchan's raising slogan "Blood for Blood", stated that since Bachchan openly used to call Ms. Indira Gandhi as "mother", and after her death Bachchan used his super star status and influence to instigate the killing of Sikhs. Due to his continued proximity with Congress, Bachchan's role in 1984 Genocide was never investigated and now when victims have filed criminal complaint in Australia, Bachchan for the first time in 27 years is forced to take plea of innocence, added Dukhiya.

Bibi Jagdish Kaur a prime witness in November 1984 case who lost her husband, son and three brothers in the massacre, stated that "I watched live relay on Doordarshan and saw Amitabh Bachchan raising his arm and shouting the slogan, 'khoon ka badla khoon sae laengae' (Blood for blood) two times." Bibi Jagdish Kaur stated that she will attend the meeting of High Priests on December 5^th to remind Akal Takhat that Bachchan's hands are soaked with the blood of Sikhs.

AISSF President Karnail Singh Peermohammad demanded that "murder charges should be filed against Amitabh Bachchan for inciting, participating, conspiring, aiding, abetting and carrying out organized attacks on Sikh population of India in November 1984. Criminal case against Bachchan should be filed under sections section 505 of the IPC for inciting violence against Sikh community and under section 302 for resulting deaths of thousands of Sikhs.

In a statement issued from New York by human rights lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Criminal complaint filed by SFJ against Bachchan with Australia's Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has been forwarded to Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation and issuance of warrants for instigating killing of Sikhs in November 1984 under Australia's Criminal Code Act of 1995 which provides for prosecution of crimes against humanity even when such crimes are committed outside Australia.

Invitation and highlights

Highlights:

• International Film Festival highlights Sikh culture and traditions through features, documentaries and short films
• Panel of Sikh leaders to discuss their journey into leadership positions
• For more information on tickets and how to participate visit www.sikharts.com
• New York, NY: UNITED SIKHS would like to extend an invitation to community members to attend two events in coming weeks: the Sikh International Film Festival on October 8, 14 and 15, 2011 and a Sikh Leadership Event on October 13, 2011. The events are hosted by Sikh Arts and Film Foundation and are held in New York City. Sikh International Film Festival 2011:
• This year, films and documentaries featured at the festival address a variety of issues such as the farmer suicides in India, bullying of school children, drug addiction to name a few. Details of films with short write-ups are included on this weblink. Winners of the short films and documentaries will be judged by a distinguished panel of judges.

On the 8th of October children’s films will be shown at the Hofstra University, Student Center, in New York.
The schedule for the Film Festival is as follows:
Saturday, 8th October: Hofstra University, Student Center (11:30 am – 2:30pm)
Friday, October 14th : Featuring Session (7:00pm 10:00pm)
Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Saturday, October 15th: Short Films (11:30am – 1:30pm), Documentaries (2:00pm – 5:00pm)
To purchase tickets to the Film Festival, please visit: www.sikharts.com

Sikh Leadership Summit
Youth members of the community are highly encouraged to attend the leadership session which will focus on the nexus between diversity, mentorship, community service, and leadership development in one's career. The details of the event are as follows: 
Thursday, October 13th
Location: Asia Society & Museum, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 
Panel Session (7:00pm–8:30pm):  
Panelists
Gurinder Chadha, Internationally Acclaimed Director / Writer
Mohanbir S. Sawhney, Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation Clinical Professor of Technology & Director of the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Gurvendra S. Suri, Founder and CEO, Optimal Solutions Integration, Inc.
Moderator: Matthew Breitfelder, Managing Director & Chief Talent Officer, BlackRock
Networking Reception : 8:30pm – 9:30pm : Network with peers and a diverse array of industry professionals
To reserve your complimentary tickets for the leadership event, please write to us at: contact@unitedsikhs.org or call 1-646-688-3525 | 888-243-1690


Issued by:
Mankanwal Singh
1-516-698-8546
unitedsikhs-usa@unitedsikhs.org

A Blue-eyed Prince

	Iftikhar Chaudri shared an article on Syed Ishrat Abbas who left this world on November 8, 1980.     Syed Ishrat Abbas better known by his stage name Darpan was one of the original romantic heroes of the "golden age" of the Pakistan Film Industry (also commonly known as Lollywood). He belonged to an educated family originally from Uttar Pradesh, India where he was born in 1928. His brother, Santosh Kumar, was also an actor and another brother, S. Sulaiman, was a director. He started his film career with the Punjabi film Billo in 1951. After starring in a few more films produced in Lahore,he decided to travel to India to try his luck there, he only had moderate success. Notable films from this period include Adal-e-Jahangiri opposite Meena Kumari and Barati. Critics applauded his performance in "Saheli" in which he starred alongside Nayar Sultana and Shamim Ara. He won a Nigar Award for his performance in "Saheli" as well as a Presidential award. He died in Lahore on November 8, 1980. Darpan was a top hero in the beginning of the 60s. He was introduced in film Amanat in 1950 and after only one more film Billo, he left Pakistan and tried his luck in Mumbai, where he appeared in two Indian films Barati and Adl-e-Jahangir. But he was more active in non-professional activities there and became one of many victim of famous Indian actress Nigar Sultana (who played famous Dil Aram role in classic Indian film Mughal-e-Azam and was married director S.M. Yousuf and actor Zahoor Raja too!). Darpan came back to Lahore after few years, where film industry was booming and he acted in first film Baap ka Gunnah.But he got breakthrough from his own produced film Sathi. Raat ke Rahi, Saheli, Gulfam, Qaidi, Anchal, Baji, Shikwa, Ik tera sahara and Naela were some big films as hero. His last big film as hero was Pail ki jhankar in 1966. He was hero in Waheed Murad's two produced films Insaan badalta hai and Jab se dekha hai tumhen. He was villain in Ik Gunah aur sahi and supporting actor in Khuda te Maa, Jab jab Phool khiley and few other films. Filmography • 1950 Amanat • 1951 Billo • 1957 Baap ka Gunaah • 1957 Noor-e-Islam • 1958 Rukhsana • 1959 Sahara • 1959 Khul ja sim sim • 1959 Shama • 1959 Saathi • 1960 Noukri Saheli • 1961 Insaan badalta hai • 1961 Gulfam • 1961 Lakhon fasane • 1962 Qaidi • 1962 Mousiqaar • 1962 Aanchal • 1963 Jab se dekha hai tumhen • 1963 Yahudi ki Larki • 1963 Baji • 1963 Shikwa • 1963 Dulhan • 1963 Ik tera sahara • 1963 Tange Wala • 1964 Baap ka Baap • 1964 Sikari • 1964 Inspector • 1964 Shabab • 1965 Koh-e-Qaaf • 1965 Naela • 1966 Al-Halaal • 1966 Hamrahi • 1966 Jalwah • 1966 Mere Mehboob • 1966 Pail ki Jhankar • 1966 Mojza • 1967 Sham Svera • 1967 Bahadur • 1967 Sitamgar • 1967 Shola aur Shabnam • 1968 Baalam • 1968 Ik Musafar Ik Haseena • 1968 Saiqa • 1969 Meri Bhabbi • 1969 Fasana-e-Dil • 1970 Hamjoli • 1973 Azmat • 1973 Khuda te Maa • 1974 Jawab do • 1975 Izzat • 1975 Ik gunah aur sahi • 1975 Jab jab Phool khiley