Chardikla Time TV is News plus Entertainment based satellite channel of India. It has got the millions viewer-ship in India and 54 other Asian countries. The main focus of Time TV is to present real picture through News and Entertainment. It covers the latest happenings in whole country with special focus on Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh etc. Time TV has made a very strong network of reporters throughout India. There are lots of other programs in the queue of Time TV schedule like religious, talk shows, road shows, interview based programs, serials, documentaries based on current affairs etc. Some of these programs are telecast and some are in future plans.
In religious programs Time TV is telecasting live Gurbani from Gurdwara Bangla Sahib every day and Aarti from Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar. These programs are part of main attraction in these days. The main aim of Time TV is to produce quality programs for all age groups. Time TV has got very good feed back through direct interaction with public, analysis from market and viewer ship.
Viewers belonging to different castes and religion prefer to watch the Time TV because of its policies of human welfare and preaching of Indian heritage and culture.
Veteran journalists are associated with Chardikla Time TV. The first job achieved is to have a sound network of reporters all over the country so that we may always be the first to report. Chardikla Time TV not only functions as a news broadcasting station, it also covers all important fields which cater for the requirements of the children, adults and Senior Citizens. It will have the analysis of the burning topics on political, economic, religion, social issues and views of eminent personalities on Affairs, National and Inter-national issues are being telecast live.
Chardikla Time TV not only functions as a news broadcasting station, it also covers all important fields which cater for the requirements of the children, adults and Senior Citizens. It will have the analysis of the burning topics on political, economic, religion, social issues and views of eminent personalities on Affairs, National and Inter-national issues are being telecast live.
Other TV Channels – Sikh Channel
In addition to the above mentioned channels, there are Zee TV Punjabi Channel, MH1 and National Punjabi Channel known as DD Punjabi which are quite popular. Zee Punjabi is owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises and is available in various foreign countries on the demand of Punjabis. DD Punjabi is a state owned Punjabi language TV channel. Which was started in 1998 is now among the popular channels. A number of Punjabi channels are there in U.K., Canada and USA also, such as Apna Channel, Punjab TV, Punjabi TV Canada, Jus Punjabi, Channel Punjabi in USA, Global Punjab TV and Sur Sagar TV. In U.K., Sikh Channel as well as Sangat TV Channel have remained popular. Sangat TV Channel is owned by Sangat Trust, a registered charity in U.K. This channel is an open platform for the Sikh sangat to express their views independently. The Channel is broadcast on Sky Channel 755. Sikh channel is the first broadcasting channel which covers Sikh issues and Sikh religious and cultural shows. It is based in UK and broadcast across Europe on satellite television, in Canada and is also streamed live on the internet. It started broadcasting on 13th April 2009. It operates from a studio in the Aston Area of Birmingham. It was setup by Davinder Singh Bal and Gursevak Singh Shergill in April 2009 as TV Legal Limited. TV Legal Limited formed The Sikh Channel Community Broadcasting Company Limited to accept donations, which are used to pay broadcast and programming costs. The Sikh Channel Community Broadcasting Company Limited became a registered community interest company on 25 September 2009 and a registered charity on 2 June 2010. In December 2012, TV Legal Limited transferred the channel’s television broadcast licence to the Sikh Channel Community interest Company Limited. On 18 April 2013, the channel was launched in Canada as ‘ATN Sikh Channel’ through an exclusive licensing agreement with the Asian Television Network.
Punjabi Radio Stations
It is noted that in foreign countries, there are more Punjabi radio stations then Punjabi TV Channels. Further, these radio stations are very popular and people enjoy the various programmes of these radio stations even while driving cars, trucks and at picnic places. For example, Radio Hamsafar was launched in Montreal in July 2000 and is currently heard on radio stations across Canada, India, Australia and United States. It can also be heard via satellite in North America using a DVV receiver via telesat Anik F1 satellites. In October 2015 Radio Hamsafar received a license for a new radio station in Brampton (a suburb of Toronto). Similarly, Sanjhi Awaaz, a Punjabi Radio Station is based in Melbourne (Australia) which gives various Punjabi and Hindi Programmes for these communities in Melbourne. This is also available on online across the world. The address of this radio station is 1/215 Watton Street, Werry Bee Victoria 3030, Australia. Its contact number is 0061-481827575. It may be mentioned here that in Melbourne the SBS also has a special unit for Punjabi programmes. Manpreet Kaur Singh is the incharge of these programmes. She has presented many such programmes which became very popular. One of her programmes about Pooran Singh, A Sikh Hawker who had lived in Australia in 1899 has now been in corporated as a chapter in the book “Indian Diaspora, Hindu and Sikhs in Australia”. She has got many awards and appreciations for her programmes. Other Punjabi Radio Stations in Australia and Newzealand include Hanji Radio and Harman Radio. In USA also mention may be made of Punjabi Radio USA, an internet radio station San Jose, California which gives many interesting programmes for the Punjabis. In UK there is an Asian Commercial Radio Station located in Hayes which includes Punjabi programmes including religious programme for the Sikhs. This radio station was launched in two thousand with a view to serve the Asian community. Some radio stations known as Desi Radio stations are also available in e-stations countries.
It may be mentioned here that CJMR 1320 is a full time multi-culture radio station carrying fifteen different languages weekly programs. CJMR 1320 serves the Greater Toronto in the real sence and with over 650,000 people of South Asian background are covered. CJMR 1320 is the biggest and most powerful broadcaster in the community with over 120 hours each week in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and Gujarati. So far Punjabi is concerned, many popular programmes are being broadcast under the title ‘Rangla Punjab’ (Colourful Punjab). In this programme which is being run for the community since April 1997 with over 2,50,000 listeners across Ontario vibrant colours with musical entertainment, talks and news item are presenting. Rangla Punjab is actively involved in social and political events happening in the community and is also a leader for fund raising for projects like hospitals, temples Gurdwaras and eye camps. In view of these charitable activities, for the past six years, with the support of thousands of listeners the producers of CJM Radio 1320 AM alongside SFB have hosted the Guru Nanak Radio Thon and Food Drive event to fight hungry in our local pcommunity. This year, when the 8th Annual CJMR Guru Nanak Radio Thon and Food Drive was held, it raised over $1,80,000 in pledges and 40,000 Pound for the Sewa Food Bank.
Social Media
The last, but not the least is the domain of social electronic media, which is progressing at an alarming speed. We have a large number of Sikh News Channels like Sikh Channel, Sikh T.V., Sangat Channel, Akal Channel, 7sea, Alpha ETC Punjabi Channel, Aapka Channel, Chak De T.V. Channel, Chardikala, DD Punjabi etc. Asia Samachar is an online newspaper for Sikhs/Punjabis in South West Asia and beyond. It is an independent news portal for Punjabis in general and Sikhs in particular living in South East Asia. They report on Sikh matters relating to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and also cover Myanmar, Hong Kong, Australia and Newzealand. The editor of this newspaper may be contacted on email: editor@asiasamachar.com and on whatsapp no. +6017-335-13991. Kaur Life is a non-profit online magazine serving Sikh women across the globe. Started with a small blog in 2012 by Lakhpreet Kaur. This magazine has resulted into the formation of Kaur Foundation which works for the Sikh women and expresses their view point at different platforms. The role played by Sikh Net Media Group is highly important. A brief discussion in this regard follows:
SikhNet
SikhNet is a not-for-profit global media company that serves the temporal and spiritual journey of those who are interested in the spiritual technology embodied in the Sikh lifestyle. It is a web channel intended to provide spiritual education and knowledge regarding Sikh religion. It has tremendous collection of Sikh religion related videos on different subjects. With this website are associated various others apps like The Gurbani Media Centre, Daily Hukamnama, and Guru Granth Sahib Katha. Through all these, Sikh Net share the Guru’s light with over a million visits every month. The organisation also conducts certain courses for developing ones personality in such a way that our relationship with the Guru become stronger. The Gurbani Media Centre on SikhNet is the most popular and, to many, the most impactful service we offer. Over 40,000 hours of Kirtan and Katha by over 800 different Musicians. Each year, more people than ever access this rich online library of Gurbani Kirtan and Katha. Our free Gurbani Media Centre Smartphone apps and website have made this resource available to Sikhs all around the world. In 1027 over 50,000 people downloaded the GMC app and we now have over 27,000 active monthly users. 2.5 million people used the website version of the GMC (Approx 230,000 people per month).
Founded in 1984, SikhNet has become the largest on-line resource on Sikhism with more than 7 million visitors annually. SikhNet is a multifaceted community where people worldwide can learn and communicate about the Sikh way of life. SikhNet offers a broad range of services including broadcasted live video events, reporting daily news, open discussion forums, radio and television broadcasts, the world’s largest online library of Sikh music, free matrimonial services, international chat and a variety of additional information relevant to Sikhs. In fact SikhNet is the media of Sikh Dharma International. The present CEO of SikhNet is S. Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa. The other associates include Guruka Singh Khalsa, S. Joginder Singh, S. Gurjot Singh Khalsa, Gurunam Kaur Khalsa and S. Ash Singh. SikhNet may be contacted on Contact No 505-814-1523.
SikhiWiki
The SikhiWiki is a website which is maintained by Sikhnet.com. It is a web based Encyclopaedia of the Sikh way of life which is written collaboratively by a large number of readers. In other words, the website is self regulating and self cleansing whosoever want to contribute anything regarding the great religion can post that provided it should be good taste and not for purpose of preaching, advocating any personal and political view. Many people may think as while Sikhi is suffixed by Wiki. This concept of Wiki has been explained in the introduction to this website as follow.
“We are all familiar with traditional websites and most of us are familiar with Blogs (online journals). Wiki is a new concept originally developed by Ward Cunningham. It’s a set of web pages which can be edited by anyone without any special tools. All you need is a web browser. The word “wiki” comes from the Hawaiial word “wiki”, which means “really quick.” This technology has given rise to Wiki communities on the internet, the most well known of which is the Wikipedia. With most websites you come to read and perhaps listen or download. With a Wiki you can jump right in and change anything that is on the page. We feel that this is a marvellous opportunity for Sikhs everywhere, young and old alike, to share their knowledge, experience, thoughts, and poetry, and to generally inspire each other with an ongoing, ever-growing narrative. You think of it, it’s here.”
It has been further explained that SikhiWiki is different from an Encyclopaedia in the sense that whereas Encyclopaedia is compiled by scholars who are experts on the subjects but SikhiWiki has the material contributed by not only the scholars, but also ordinary people who want to contribute anything relevant to Sikh religion through text, graphics, audio or video. One can not only write but, also add review or delete. Thus, it is place for ideas, insights, reflections, realizations and inspirations and not a place for personal agendas, politics, diatribes or attacks on anyone. Those who want to be a part of SikhiWiki or want to enquire anything may contact the organisers on email or call at 5057533117.
This website was created by Ash Singh. He was inspired while giving a television interview in which both he and the interviewer stressed the importance of not only recognizing Sikh history from the last 400 or so years, but of documenting today’s “history” as it happens. After this interview, Ash realized that today’s events need to be documented, but by whom? By the people who are making the history today of course. So, teaming up with his mentor Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, webmaster of SikhNet.com, they are bringing another cool new technology to the web in order to serve the Sikh community worldwide. Inspired by the Wikipedia (the largest online encyclopaedia in the world) they created SikhiWiki – an online resource for Sikh philosophy, history, culture and lifestyle. Rather than an academic compendium of exiting materials, SikhiWiki is living website which is constantly changing, evolving and improving through everyone’s active participation.
National Sikh Compaign
Despite many media efforts, it was noticed that Sikhs were still being targeted because of the hate crimes. So, National Sikh Campaign, has been started as new project to fulfil desired mission of popularising Sikh identity among the people. National Sikh Campaign is a project started by some prominent American Sikhs mainly because of the fact that in spite of their great contribution to the American Society in various fields, majority of the American do not know anything about them and their unique identity. After 9/11, they have even been targeted for their mistaken identity with the Muslims. Ultimately, some of the American Sikhs, including Dr. Rajwant Singh thought of starting a campaign by engaging the top political strategists from the OBAMA and HILLRY campaign. The campaign aims at changing the perception of Sikhs in America and organized the community. This will be done by the campaigners by doing the following four things.
- Conduct groundbreaking research and polling that will explore misperceptions toward Sikhs and how new information and visuals can change attitudes.
- Conduct an integrated media campaign rooted in data driven, proven messaging with web and digital, and TV advertising, and national press coverage.
- Build a bridge of understanding and mutual interests between Sikh Americans and leaders of other traditions.
- Build an infrastructure to convene leaders from leading Sikh American organizations in a manner that fosters ongoing collaboration.
It is hoped that by doing this campaign the following goals will be achieved. Highlight the Sikh community’s contributions to American society. Create an environment in which Sikhs don’t have to hide their articles of faith and who they are as people. A Sikh community that is organized and can begin using existing infrastructure to better integrate into American society Lay the foundation for more Sikhs to become leaders in the United States.
The non profit Sikh campaign organization wants to clarify the position of Turban in the Sikh faith as it is generally misunderstood by the people of America. S. Rajwant Singh, Co-founder and Sr. Advisor of NSC had emphasised that the Turban was a symbol of our community’s commitment to equality and serving others. Advertisements were slated on TV channels like CNN and Fox News giving the message that the Sikh values are American values and the Sikhs are patriots. S. Gurwin Singh Ahuja, Co-founder and Executive Director of NSC said in a statement “We run local businesses, sing our national anthem with pride, serve on local Parent Teacher Associations and lead Boy Scout Troops.” Another aid was launched of the Sikh Festival of Vaisakhi in 2017. As per this aid “We are Sikhs”, sincere effort was made to spread awareness about Sikhs and Sikhi amidst a spike in hate crimes against the Sikhs in USA. The entire cable TV Network including local TV Stations were utilized for this aid. S. Rajwant Singh has stated time and again that “Sikh-Americans are pillars of their communities in every corner of our nation and we must work to proactively meet and connect with our neighbours,” Singh Said. There exists a “collective misunderstanding” of what the turban means in the US, because of which the
community has been the target of discrimination and hate crimes, especially since the 9/11 terror attacks, the organisation said.
“Sikh values are American values, and Sikh-Americans have been making positive and significant contributions to American life for more than a century. We run local businesses and sing our national anthem with pride,” Gurwin Singh Ahuja, the co-founder and executive director of the NSC, said.
The American dream is a fundamental part of the Sikh community’s identity in America and they “deeply in the freedom to pursue one’s own success through hard work,” Ahuja added. “We have brought a very scientific and targeted messaging element to the campaign. Our focus is to build a proactive and positive message and try to educate and inform Americans about the positive contributions the Sikhs have been making in America,” Singh said. With this massive campaign, NSC hopes to create awareness about the Sikh faith and promote inclusivity and positive attitude towards the minority community in US.
