• 05/20/2022

  Hola Mohalla with The Valiant

  
  
  

  Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

  The Valiant Jaswant Singh Khalra -  continues to enlighten the young generation who are not very aware of the 20th century history of Punjab and the ongoing issues that linger on - both in Punjab and in the diaspora through his life story in #JSKTheBook. 
  
  With your support we were able to reach over 500 students and readers at Hola Mohalla (at no cost to students and subsidized cost to others) in Anandpur Sahib. 
  
  The books were received very well and most people who read the book reported on how easy it was to read and how they wanted to finish the whole book as they started without putting it down. 
  
  I invite you to watch the following coverage of the Hola Mohalla book distribution - with our volunteer - Kuldeep Singh -  speaking about the book. 
  
  https://fb.watch/bRIR-qE0Pj/ 
  and 
  
  https://fb.watch/bQ6WfCpGO2/

  
  I hope you appreciate the effort that goes into getting these books out in the hands of  youth in Punjab. I also hope that you are proud of your support and will continue to support this work. Without education, there is only darkness. 
  
  Thank You for your contribution to this light,

  Sincerely, 
  Gurmeet Kaur 
  www.pippal.org 

• 02/17/2022

  In Remembrance - Justice Ajit SIngh Bains

  Dear Supporter,

  Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa
  Wahguru Ji Ki Fateh 
  
  Another iconic hu­man rights cham­pion of Punjab, Jus­tice Ajit Singh Bains passed away on  Feb­ru­ary 11th, 2022, just a couple months short of hitting a century. He was well known worldwide as the judge of the Pun­jab and Haryana High Court, who de­fended hu­man rights to the last letter. He was the co-founder of the Pun­jab Hu­man Rights Or­gan­i­za­tion and a prolific writer who chron­i­cled the dark times of Punjab, post-June 1984, much to the embarrassment of the In­dian state.  
  
  He became a household name in Punjab when he was asked by the newly elected chief minister, Surjit Singh Barnala, to appoint a committee on political prisoners post-1984, to hush the organizations crying human rights violations in Punjab. 
  
  The committee lead by him travelled across Punjab, meeting the imprisoned, presented its report and recommendations to release 6,000 languishing detainees against whom it had found no credible evidence, in just three months of its work.

  The Punjab government was shocked by his work but had to release thousands illegally detained because Justice Bains refused to back down from holding the government accountable despite obvious threats. He continued to work against illegal detentions and disappearances and exposed the human rights abuses in Punjab prolifically both in his position as a judge and as a lawyer at PHRO. 
  
  He was also perhaps the only judge on the Indian subcontinent who was arrested by the same police he used to order to arrest the criminals. On April 3, 1992 he was forced out of his car and taken away by the Punjab Police. He spent five months behind bars. The imprisonment made the him larger than life figure in Punjab and the Diaspora, causing many human rights organizations to lobby for his release.
  
  He closely worked with the hero of our book, Jaswant Singh Khalra, in the nineties and later with his family post his disappearance, along with his son Rajvinder Singh Bains who also practices law in Punjab and Haryana High Court. 
  
  So when this book was finished a couple of years ago, he was one of the three people whose blessing we sought. He was kind enough to send it. His words adorn the back cover of our book. 
  
  He said, “The Valiant brings to life in flesh and blood, Jaswant Singh Khalra, the activist who died defending people’s right to life and the rule of law. A moving tale of courage under fire, of a rebel who confronted tyranny with defiance, without arms and guns.” 
  
  "ਇਹ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਜਸਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਖਾਲੜੇ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਠਕ ਅਗਾੜੀ ਸਾਖਿਆਤ ਲਿਆ ਖਲ੍ਹਾਰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹਨੇ ਅਪਣੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਿਊਣ ਦੇ ਹੱਕ ਤੇ ਨਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਆਦਰਸ਼ ਦੇ ਲੇਖੇ ਲਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ। ਇਹ ਉਸ ਬਾਗ਼ੀ ਸੂਰਮੇ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਹੈ, ਜਿਹਨੇ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਹਥਿਆਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਹਿੱਕ ਡਾਹ ਕੇ ਜ਼ੁਲਮ-ਜਬਰ ਦਾ ਮੁਕਾਬਲਾ ਕੀਤਾ।" - ਅਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੈਂਸ, ਰਿਟਾਇਰਡ ਜੱਜ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ
  
  We thank him for life full of service and inspiration as we bid him farewell. 
  
  
  
  
  
  Friends, so much is happening in Punjab right now, that it is hard to write more on our work. But I promise you, that this book is traveling into many homes and hearts through libraries and book shops and doing what we intended for it to do - Educating our youth about our recent history - so they can be inspired to carve a better future. Not a week goes by that I don't hear a new story of inspiration. 
  
  Thank You, for all your support. 

  Guru Ang Sang
  Gurmeet Kaur 

   

  www.pippal.org
  www.folktalesofpunjab.com

• 11/16/2021

  Thank You for all you have done!

  Dear Supporter,

  Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. 
  
  Kabir Kaur, a teacher from Shahid Bhagat Singh Senior Secondary School, Bhikhiwind, Punjab just sent this review (translated from Punjabi): 

  
  "This book is not only the story of the 'Valiant Jaswant Singh', but also the painful story of the land of Punjab that its people have endured upon themselves.

  Gurmeet Kaur has not only worked as a storyteller but also as a historian and has documented an account for our next generation that is not being taught to them in schools and colleges. She has fulfilled her duty; the onus is now upon us - to take it to them."

  It's a joy to hear from teachers. Especially, teachers in Punjab.
  A lot of work has gone into this book - they see it.
  A lot more work is going into getting this book into the hands of youth.

  
  Thank You, for all the love and encouragement, your support has got us this far. Thank You for a successful Dasvandhweek and your generous contribution. 
  
  Happy upcoming Baba Nanak's birth anniversary. 

   

  In gratitude, 

  
  -Gurmeet Kaur 
  www.pippal.org
  www.folktalesofpunjab.com 
  

• 11/13/2021

  Last Call - Please ask a friend to help

  

   Dear Friend,

  Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

  Thank You, so much for your support this week on the Dasvandh Network.

  As the native American saying goes - "You don't know where you are going until you know where you are coming from," I believe that until the youth in Punjab knows its 20th century history they won't be able to carve their future in the 21st.

  And it goes for our youth in the diaspora as well. U.S. based community educator and activist, Inni Kaur, calls this book a must for all Sikh youth and families. 

  And I am asking for your help in making this happen.

  Today is the last day of the #Dasvandhweek and DVN will contribute $50 for each *new* donor we bring to our cause; $100 if they start a recurring donation for as little as $10/mo.

  So may I kindly request that you encourage a friend or a family member who has not donated to our cause before to contribute?

  Please encourage giving - any amount helps. But please do it NOW - so DVN can match the funds; Every match makes a big difference.

  https://www.dvnetwork.org/valiant

  Thank you so much for all you have done this far. 

   

  Gurmeet Kaur
  www.pippal.org

• 11/05/2021

  Please donate so we can continue to Inspire

  

  Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! 

  Dear Friend,

  Does this testimonial move you? Then please read more...

  It is from a teacher in Punjab, who came across #JSKTheBook in a library (Giani Ditt Singh Library) that we had sent all our books to - because you made this happen.

  She says - 

  "While narrating the life-story of Punjab's courageous warrior, Jaswant Singh Khalra, this book touches each fold of Punjab's history, capturing an ocean in a pitcher.

  Any one longing to know Punjab's history, should start with this book. Any student of human rights and related discipline must read this book and know how this 'Valiant' set an example by giving his own life to protect the rights of others to live." - Rajwant Kaur Cheema, Teacher, Beas
  
  Rajwant has now made it a priority to inspire all her students and friends to read this book. I think you are already beginning to imagine the impact of this effort.

  I hope that you have been in touch via DVN updates or through our Social Media pages on other glimpses of we have accomplished with your support thus far. 

  In short, we have reached thousands of youth through our books in Punjab - either via subsidizing them heavily or giving them free of cost to libraries, schools and even at the Farmers Protest Morcha. We have shared pictures and testimonials from all age groups, all genders and educational backgrounds - our books have been so educational and empowering, you should be proud of this support.

  Now that Covid restrictions are easing up - we plan to amplify our outreach with your help, of-course. This week, DVN will be matching your one-time donations while funds last up to $400 per donor. 

  Please consider giving to the project of your choice or to both - any amount helps. But please do it TODAY - so DVN can match the funds. 

  If you would like to give more, please consider asking your family member to do so. 

  https://www.dvnetwork.org/valiant

  https://www.dvnetwork.org/folktales

  
  May we also ask you to please take a few minutes after you have donated to reach out to at least five more friends and request them to make a contribution? 

  This is the only week that we do our fundraising but it sustains us through the whole year because we have zero overhead expenses. All your donations go into creating these wonderful books and making them reach the masses. 

  Thank you so much for your dasvandh. We know that you have a choice of many causes. But your strong belief in our educational endeavor to empower our Panth and Punjab, makes us want to continue our mission with more strength. May Waheguru bless you with Chardi Kala. 

  
  Guru Ang Sang,

  Gurmeet Kaur

  www.pippal.org
  www.folktalesofpunjab.com

  www.facebook.com/ FolktalesOfPunjab/
  www.facebook.com/pippalorg/

• 08/30/2021

  Inspiring Punjab with the legacy of Jaswant Singh

  
  Dear Donor,

  We are days away from Sept. 6th, when in 1995, Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra would be abducted by the government machinery of Punjab to be disappeared forever - like the twenty-five thousand civilians he estimated to have been illegally killed and mass-creamted by the state in those dark years. 
  
  It is heartening to know that the youth in Punjab is receiveing 'The Valiant / ਮਰਜੀਵੜਾ ' or  #JSKTheBook as we call it on social media, with much enthusiasm, learning about the life and legacy of our hero as well as about the 20th century Punjab's conditions that led to his ultimate sacrifice. And we have, You, to thank for it. 

  Your donation has allowed us to print thousands of copies in Punjab, and to donate a good portion of them to libraries free of cost. We have also provided free and subdized copies to youth at the Farmers Protest.

  Please read what a young lady from Bathinda, who read the book in the Giani Ditt Singh Library, has to say: 

  "While narrating the life-story of Punjab's courageous warrior, Jaswant Singh Khalra, this book touches each fold of Punjab's history, capturing an ocean in a pitcher.
  Any one longing to know Punjab's history, should start with this book. Any student of human rights and related discipline must read this book and know how this 'Valiant' set an example by giving his own life to protect the rights of others to live." - Rajwant Kaur Cheema 
  
  "ਇਹ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਸੂਰਬੀਰ ਯੋਧੇ 'ਜਸਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਖਾਲੜਾ' ਦੀ ਜਿੰਦਗੀ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਆਨ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੋਈ, ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਦੇ ਹਰ ਮੋੜ ਨੂੰ ਛੂਹਕੇ ਕੁੱਜੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਨੂੰ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ ਦੇ ਹਰ ਇੱਕ ਚਾਹਵਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ੁਰੂਆਤ ਇਸ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਕਰਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮਨੁੱਖੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਰਗੇ ਵਿਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਲਾਜ਼ਮੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਕਿਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ ਯੋਧੇ ਨੇ ਮਨੁੱਖੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਾਖੀ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਜਾਨ ਵਾਰ ਕੇ ਇੱਕ ਵੱਖਰੀ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਕਾਇਮ ਕੀਤੀ।"
  -ਰਾਜਵੰਤ ਕੌਰ ਚੀਮਾ
  
  Thank you so much for supporting this project. We are finding new ways to reach out to as many libraries and active student groups so this book can continue to inspire the Sikh principles of standing up for truth, liberty and justice for all. Any library in Punjab who is interested in this book is given three sets of each Punjabi and English editions.
  
  Please continue to inspire your family members to read this book. If you don't own a copy, you may order one at our website.
  
  We also have special prices on boxes, english, punjabi or combination - whereby you can gift these books to families or students at your local Gurmat school. Please visit us at 

  https://pippal.org/order-now/

  If you have read the book, we would appreciate you sharing your review via email to info@pippal.org
  
  Many thanks for your continued support,
  Guru Ang Sang,

  Gurmeet Kaur
  Author, #JSKTheBook
  www.pippal.org
  www.folktalesofpunjab.com 

• 06/15/2021

  We continue to reach out to the Villages in Punjab

  Dear Friend,

  Despite Covid19's second wave, which has slowed everything down in India, we were able to stock a few libraries and reach out to hundreds of new readers through wonderful volunteers on the ground.
  
  Kuldip Singh Ratan, a kathaakaar based in Navashahar, Punjab has been taking these books from one village to another in his area, talking about Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra's life and distributing them to all the families in his sangat, encouraging them to read and pass it on to their friends. (picture below)

   

  

   

  Recently, our volunteer and supporter, Barjinder Singh, reached out to Punjabi Likhari Sabha, which runs several libraries in Punjab and donated a hundred books to them to stock as many rural libraries within their reach. They will be reaching out for more books in the next phase. They have also promised to talk to youth about these books and encourage them to read these. (picture below,  Video Here)

  

  
  If you know of any such organizations that are running libraries in rural Punjab or working with the youth to educate them about Sikh / Punjab issues please reach out to us via email at info@pippal.org. We will make every effort to work with them so the book reaches in the hands of maximum young people in Punjab.

  Thank you so much for your continued support. Please continue to spread the word about these books with your friends.

  Gurmeet Kaur 

  Author & Sevadaar at 
  www.pippal.org
  www.folktalesofpunjab.com

   

   

   

   

• 03/30/2021

  The Valiant #JSKTheBook at the #FarmersProtest

  
  
  Dear Donor,

  We have been busy and Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra has truly inspired us to be the lamp that challenges the darkness.

  This time it is the darkness of ignorance. The very reason this book was written (and in two language editions) is because our people had started to forget the enormous sacrifice of thousands of men, women and children who were disappeared, tortured and killed in the black years of Punjab's 20th century history and that of the great activist, Sardar Jaswant Singh, who brought the facts to light. 

  Your loving support has enabled us to take this book to thousands of hands in Punjab. We have recently gifted over a thousand books at the FarmersProtest at various borders and book stalls in Delhi and at HolaMohalla in Anandpur Sahib. 
  
  We are working hard to identify libraries, schools and individuals who would take these books further. 

  Our dream is that all youth in Punjab have access to these books via book stores, libraries or fairs. 
  
  Our next stop will be Vaisakhi at Damdama Sahib.
  
  All of this would not have been possible without your support.
  
  So, I wanted to take a moment and say Thank You! 
  
  Please visit our FB page for some pictures and videos of people who are happy to receive these books. This is just a glimpse but it will give you an idea of how your donations are being put to use. 

  Some pictures of Punjab Distribution
  
  In gratitude,

   

  Gurmeet Kaur
  www.pippal.org
  www.folktalesofpunjab.com

   

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