Friday, November 20, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, November 20, 1998 |
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Pak plea on fencing
rejected ATTARI (Amritsar), Nov 19 — Even as a high powered three-day meeting held between the BSF and Pakistani Rangers at Lahore agreed to stop firing on civilians, Indian delegates have rejected the proposal by Pakistan that it would fence the Jammu and Kashmir border. 'Minar-e-Khalsa concept Move
to get Sikh relic on loan SGPC
chief writes to Centre Cases
against quacks urged In
aid of mentally retarded kids |
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 Hyundai showroom demolished Badal
camp divided on approach Centre
to blame for DAP muddle Gang
in guise of cops active |
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Experts:
orchards need rejuvenation Sekhwan
objects to Amrinder's remarks 'Chashma
to Chishti' reaches Jalandhar |
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Pak plea on
fencing rejected ATTARI (Amritsar), Nov 19 — Even as a high powered three-day meeting held between the Border Security Force and Pakistani Rangers at Lahore agreed to stop firing on civilians, Indian delegates have rejected the proposal by Pakistan that it would fence the Jammu and Kashmir border. The Indian delegation led by Mr Avtar Singh Aulakh, Inspector-General (BSF), Frontier, Jalandhar, pleaded with the Pakistani counterpart that Pakistan should have no objection on fencing the Indian border to stop infiltration. However, Pakistan maintained that India should not "spoil" the present "status" with the fencing project. However, the Indian delegation feels that to plug infiltration, the Indian Government can make use of its own land for border fencing. Pakistan rejected India's claim that the border in Jammu and Kashmir was an international one. Firing by Pakistani Rangers in Samba region of Jammu and Kashmir was also discussed at length. Both sides agreed not to open fire on civilians or officials in case they showed the white flag. Mr Aulakh said in the recent past, Pakistani Rangers had indulged in indiscriminate firing on five occasions. He, however, refused to divulge the details. The BSF and Pakistani Rangers also agreed in principal to allow cultivation by farmers up to the Zero Line. There had been reports that the farmers on the Jammu border had faced fire across the border while reaping their crop. The gaps in fencing also figured at the meeting. Apart from Mr Aulakh, the Indian delegation included Mr V.C. Chhabra, IG (BSF), Jammu, Mr Bakshish Singh, IG, Gujarat and Rajasthan (BSF), Mr V.N. Roy of the BSF Frontier, Headquarters, New Delhi, Mr M. Zulla, DIG, Headquarters, Mr R.N. Shukla (Narcotics) and Mr B.S. Sekhon, S.E. (PWD). The two sides agreed to give timely information to each other in case of reports on narcotic smuggling. Both countries agreed to repair demarcation pillars on the border. However, Pakistan denied it was attempting to construct pucca bunds to divert the course of rivers towards the Indian territory. The next meeting between Pakistan and India has been fixed for March at Jalandhar. Mr Aulakh said though there were difference of opinion between both countries on certain vital issues, yet the talks were fruitful. "We were able to sort out many irritants," he said. Pakistan also agreed to
dismantle the patch of road constructed on the Indian
side near Dauke village (Amritsar). |
Minar-e-Khalsa concept not
right: Takht chief LUDHIANA, Nov 19 — Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, speaking at a conference on the "Role of the intellectuals for the development of dharam and humanity" organised by the International Human Rights Organisation here today, said he had sought certain clarifications from the Punjab Government with regard to the projects being established at Anandpur Sahib as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa but he had received no explanation. Therefore, he had decided not to participate in the official celebrations. He also raised objections to the concept and design of certain memorials to be raised on the occasion, including "Minar-e-Khalsa." "The design of the 'khanda' needs to be amended," he said. The Akal Takht chief said he had told Capt Kanwaljit Singh during his meeting with him at Anandpur Sahib that he was not satisfied with the manner in which the tercentenary celebrations were being organised and, therefore, would not participate in the same. He came down heavily on "certain intellectuals in and outside the newspaper world who had sold their soul for money and other worldly comforts" and had begun to question him and his authority. These intellectuals were close to the late Beant Singh and now to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, he alleged. He complained that while the Badal government had invited leaders of other religions and sects to the Anandpur Sahib celebrations, it had ignored the head of the Sikh religion. Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, a former Akal Takht chief, criticised the government for "ignoring" Bhai Ranjit Singh. Others who spoke were Mr
Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, Maj-Gen Narinder Singh, Jain
Acharya Vimal Muni and two Muslim scholars. Mr Sooraj
Gupta, son of the late Hari Ram Gupta, well-known Sikh
historian, was honoured by the Akal Takht jathedar. |
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Move to get Sikh relic on loan ANANDPUR SAHIB, Nov 19 — A national-level project for the collection of Sikh relics from various parts of the world has been drawn up. These relics would be displayed at an exhibition here on Baisakhi as a part of Tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. Addressing a press conference here today, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister, said the project would be finalised through the national committee, set up under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister for holding tercentenary celebrations. He said, these relics would be brought here with the help of Archaeocological Department from abroad, including Pakistan where the Anglo-Sikh Treaty (1831) in original is preserved in the Lahore Fort. The minister clarified that these relics would be procured on loan. He said the project had been mooted by the Anandpur Sahib Foundation. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who was here to preside over a meeting for reviewing arrangements, being made for the November 22 function, said the function was a joint effort of the Punjab Government, the SGPC and the Anandpur Sahib Foundation. However, he added that he had been deputed by the Anandpur Sahib Foundation to organise this function. The minister said two horses, belonging to the breed of Guru Gobind Singh's horses, and 10 'shashtras' and other articles would also be displayed during the November 22 Khalsa march. These had been collected from different sources, he added. Earlier, he visited the site of the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex. Meanwhile hectic activities are on for the laying of foundation stone, made from spotless white marble of the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex on November 22 next by the 'Panj Piaras'. The construciton work, including inscription on the foundation stone at the site of the complex is going on at a war-footing. The foundation stone is designed by Moshe Safdie, an architect from Israel. A large number of nihangs have already arrived to take part in the procession and the function. The police has made elaborate security arrangements for the function. According to Mr Ranbir Singh Khatra, SSP, Ropar, 58 gazetted officers, about 140 non-gazetted officers and over 1500 policeman would be deployed. In another development Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, told newsmen here today that he respected Bhai Ranjit Singh, Jathedar, Sri Akal Takht, and was waiting for him here for his participation in the tercentenary celebrations of birth of Khalsa like other Gursikhs. Prof Manjit Singh also
said the celebrations were not of any Jathedar. It was
the function of the entire Panth. |
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Hyundai showroom demolished PATIALA, Nov 19 — The Patiala Municipal Corporation today demolished three properties, including a car showroom, under its anti-encroachment drive. The properties which were demolished were a double-storeyed Hyundai Santro car showroom at Fountain Chowk, Lochan Motor Car Service Station on the Rajpura road and a shop in the Sabzi Mandi area. There was a mild law and order problem when the demolition of the Hyundai showroom was under way. Minister of State for Printing and Stationery Surjit Singh Kohli arrived on the scene with a number of followers. One of them dragged the crane operator out of the crane. The situation was brought under control following a mild lathi charge. Deputy Commissioner Viswajit Khanna said the minister had probably visited to the demolition site as it was part of his constituency. He said he did not know if the person who had tried to disrupt the demolition process was a follower of the minister. Mr Khanna said notices had been issued to all owners of the properties which were demolished today. He said in the case of the Hyundai showroom, the owners — Bhagat Singh and Sons — had constructed the showroom despite its building plan having been rejected by the municipal corporation. He said the building plans of the showroom had been rejected as these did not conform with the rules of the municipality. The Deputy Commissioner said in the case of Lochan Service Station the land was the property of a dera which had been encroached upon. The Deputy Commissioner said 30 to 40 small shops had already been demolished under the drive. Illegal khokhas and sheds in congested bazars were also being removed. However, people affected by the drive say the corporation is removing khokhas and rehris parked along roads at night without giving any opportunity to the owners to take away the goods. Petrol station in the city
today observed a token strike in protest against the
"illegal" destruction of the Hyundai showroom.
Talking to TNS, Petrol Dealers Association president J.P.
Jain and director Avinash Gaur said the association would
go on an indefinite strike if the owners were not duly
compensated for the loss within 15 days. |
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CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — Controversies are not new to the Akalis. But to indulge in sabre rattling on the issue of celebrations of the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa and that too by those who are supposed to lead the masses is something quite new. The Chief Minister and Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who initiated the moves to hold the celebrations in a grand manner, feels deeply hurt at the repeated statements of his senior colleague SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh. Even yesterday he told his colleagues that he had only wished to spread the message across the world and build something unique to mark the birth of the Khalsa Panth. He was not able to understand as to what was really hurting those who wished to boycott the foundation stone laying ceremony on November 22 for the Khalsa Heritage Project at Anandpur Sahib. The government also claims that a national committee has been set up and the Prime Minister has announced to provide Rs 100 crore. At the state level , the committees with Chief Ministers of the respective states are coming up. UNESCO is also involved in the celebrations and the year 1999 may be celebrated as the year of the human spirit. But nothing seems to convince the detractors of the government. While some Left leaders wished that the government should have kept itself away from it, the Akal Takht chief is in no mood to reconcile. He feels not only ignored, but belittled. Now he along with some sant Samaj leaders plans to hold separate celebrations. The Anandpur Sahib foundation is headed by his arch rival, the Editor of the Ajit and now Rajya Sabha member, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard. Also, he alleges that the government is helping his other rival, the Jathedar of Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Bhai Manjit Singh. It is all to benefit his Gurmat Sagar Trust, an urban development project. Every month some new controversy emerges. In fact, the two Jathedars are not even on talking terms. Clearly, the Akal Takht Jathedar would like to maintain his primacy over everybody else in these celebrations whose hallmark will be the presence of major political figures of the country on Baisakhi day next year. In fact, Mr Badal is concentrating whole heartedly on this project which would eventually cost Rs 600 crore or even more. He would neither like to change the foundation's Executive Director, Mr Hamdard, nor withdraw the government or himself from the grand celebrations. His supporters also say, though as yet not openly, that all priests are equal under the Sikh tenets. And in fact, the institution of priesthood itself has no place in the scheme of things ordained by the 10 Sikh gurus. Every Sikh, man or woman, enjoys equal status, they argue. But the fact remains that Takht chiefs have come to occupy coveted positions and some tend to make political capital out of this. It seems that Mr Tohra right now is angry with the government and as usual is mincing no words to support the high priest of Akal Takht. He wants the Centre should hand over Rs 100 crore promised for the celebrations to the SGPC. Though he would like Bhai Ranjit Singh to participate in the celebrations, he feels that it is just a government show where the SGPC has been ignored. It is another matter Mr Tohra is a member of the Anandpur Sahib Foundation. The Union Government may not be able to hand over the money to the SGPC for two reasons. One under the Constitution ( Article 27), no particular religion can be favoured and secondly other religious institutions may make similar demands. After getting a firm no from the Akal Takht chief, the supporters of the Badal camp are divided as how to approach the whole issue. Some think that the government and the foundation should go ahead with the project unmindful of the criticism. "We are laying the foundation stone of the museum and other parts of the heritage complex. We have invited all, including the priests, and if someone does not want to come, it is his wish. We cannot force anyone. For us all Sikhs are equal. It is a democratic religion and the Gurus ordained each Sikh to be equal. So why worry if someone is not happy", Mr Hamdard told TNS on the telephone from Jalandhar. But there is also a
section of Badal supporters who would wish to avoid
controversy and not annoy the Akal Takht high priest. One
suggestion was that both Mr Badal and Mr Tohra could make
a joint appeal or meet Bhai Ranjit Singh and invite him.
How Mr Badal finally reacts is as yet not clear. What
worries him is not the attitude of Bhai Ranjit Singh, but
of Mr Tohra. And , he would like to have a smooth sailing
for his ambitious project. |
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SGPC chief writes to Centre AMRITSAR, Nov 19 — The SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra has urged the Centre to give representation to its nominee on the censor board to prevent the distortion of Sikh history, culture and the Sikh way of life in Indian films. In a communication to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, which was released to the Press here today, Mr Tohra said it had come to his notice that some Indian films, while presenting a Sikh character or a scene from a place of their worship or the Sikh way of life, presented a caricature or distortion of Sikhism. Such a thing had been going on for quite some time, and the SGPC had been registering strong protests against the same from time to time. Doordarshan too had, occasionally been, showing scenes, were misrepresenting the Sikh faith. All this had hurt the feelings of the Panth. The Sikhs believed that there was either a planned conspiracy or it was a mischief by some anti-Sikh elements. Pleading that after
continued serious efforts of several years, they had been
able to create a congenial atmosphere, he said it should
be sustained. "We shall have to be very
cautious" in order to sustain it. He demanded that
the Indian Film Censor Board should have atleast one
practising Sikh member or all films presenting Sikh
characters or scenes from a Sikh way of life should be
approved by the SGPC. He further suggested that the Prime
Minister, as a good gesture, could issue a general
communique asking the Indian film makers, writers,
journalists etc to exercise restrain and caution on the
subject. Copies of the letter have also been sent to the
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting.
Mr Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Chairman, the censor board and
Director General, Doordarshan.
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Potato prices may slide further PATHIAL (HOSHIARPUR), Nov 19 — The prices of potatoes may slide down still further as late sown varieties have begun to arrive in the market. Damage to advanced varieties notwithstanding, farmers in the potato belt of the Doaba region are expecting a good crop. A Tribune team which undertook a tour of the belt witnessed harvesting operations at a number of places. The price the farmers are getting this season for their produce has been between Rs 400 and Rs 600 per bag of potatoes weighing 80 kg. While the local market has witnessed a sharp decline in the prices of potatoes, the crop continues to fetch a good price in Delhi. Commission agents have been loading trucks with potatoes directly from the fields. The price quoted yesterday was Rs 450 a bag. Mr Devinder Singh, a farmer, says that after his advanced sown varieties were damaged by unprecedented rains, he took yet another chance and went for late maturing variety of potatoes. "The price of seed potato, especially of late sown and late maturing varieties, was also much higher last season. I bought a bag of 80 kg for Rs 480." Now he is in the process of harvesting potatoesgrown in three acres. "My crop is good and I hope to make profit or at least break even. Initially, I was expecting a loss," he adds. He, however, is critical of the unprecedented hike in the prices of vegetables. "Being a farmer, I bought radish for Rs 10 a kg and cauliflower for Rs 20 a kg. What all can a farmer can grow? I am basically wheat and paddy grower and use only a portion of my land for vegetables. Since our soil is good for potatoes, I do not grow other vegetables." A group of 20 labourers, including 16 women, were busy in harvesting operations at his field. "A woman labourer gets Rs 40 a day and a male labourer Rs 60," he informs. There is no labour problem in the potato belt. All along the Hoshiarpur-Tanda and Hoshiarpur-Phagwara roads, The Tribune team found harvesting taking place at numerous places. The crop looked good. The retail market price of potatoes has already come down to Rs 8 a kg at several places. Some farmers after harvesting the potato crop are going for late varieties of cabbage and cauliflower as they continue to get a good price. Between Samrala and Morinda, The Tribune team noticed a good crop of these vegetables sold between Rs 5 and Rs 7 a kg against the retail price of Rs 15-Rs 18 a kg. Meanwhile, the number of
roadside "gur factories"has multiplied
manifold. The entire trade continues to be in hands of
experts from Saharanpur, Shamli, and Muzaffarnagar. Such
factories are primarily located in and around Kurali,
near Banga, Nawanshahr, Phagwara and Phillaur. |
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Centre to blame for DAP muddle CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 — For much of the panic over the availability of DAP fertiliser for wheat sowing, the major portion of the blame must be apportioned to the Centre, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture. If the queues of farmers have shortened and wheat sowing completed in nearly 80 per cent of the expected 33.50 lakh hectares, the credit accrues to the Punjab Government, which vehemently pursued the ministries concerned, Railways as well as Chemical and Fertilisers, which understanding the problem created by the "wrong policies" of the Centre responded effectively to the SOS from Punjab. What went wrong this rabi season (1998-99) is not new. Such a predicament has been faced by the farmers for nearly four years, may it be kharif or rabi crop. Several factors led to the fertilisers muddle which forced the state not only to rush officials to the ports for timely supply of fertiliser but even had to pay an extra amount of Rs 200 per tonne for movement of DAP from Vizag. But the temporary scare and scarcity, which made news, was due to delayed arrivals of rakes loaded with DAP. Nevertheless, a record quantity was moved in a short span of time, which helped farmers complete sowing, which has been very timely and raises hopes that the wheat production could be around 140 lakh tonnes. The Ministry of agriculture shot off a T.P. message on August 28 that there would be "no" maximum retail price for DAP and the states should tie-up quantities required with suppliers and manufacturers of their own. Punjab, thus, confirmed supply of three lakh tonnes of DAP. In that letter, the ministry said the rate of DAP would be Rs 4,000 per tonne and would be effective till March 31, 2000. A list of fertilisers was also mentioned. Later, on September 23, the same ministry on "reconsideration" wrote to the states that the Centre had decided to indicate the "maximum retail price" of DAP for rabi 1998-99, which would remain the same in kharif, 1998. The maximum price fixed for DAP was Rs 8,300 per tonne. In the same letter it was explicitly mentioned that the "government will bear the subsidy required to keep prices pegged at the levels indicated." This communication was received in Punjab in the first week of October stating that the ceiling on retail price had been "reimposed" and would be Rs 8,300 per tonnes. Meanwhile, the state knowing its requirements had negotiated with Indian manufacturers and importers and agreed to pay a price of Rs 9,200 per tonne. When this happened most of the suppliers and manufacturers with whom Punjab and tied-up backed out. Thus the state was left with just 1.80 lakh tonnes against bookings of three lakh tonnes done at Rs 9,200 per tonne. This created ripples Punjab pushed all the panic buttons with the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Financial Commissioner (Development) Mr D.N. Gupta, taking up the matter at the highest level with the Railways as well as the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers. Mercifully, both responded. Several rakes began to be diverted, protests from other states notwithstanding, to Punjab. Ironically, so far, the Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture to be precise, has not informed the states about the "promised subsidy" to be paid as a consequence of the change of policy. Nevertheless, the Financial Commissioner (Development) has asked the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Prime Minister and ensure such "stop and go" policies were not pursued since these created problems for the farmers and were harmful to food production. Why cannot the Centre announce long-term policies to ensure suppliers and consumers planned well in time? Punjab, Mr Gupta said, had
received 3.28 lakh tonnes of DAP till November 18. Some
problem was there in Mansa and Muktsar districts, where
Railway rakes were awaited. Against the total arrivals
2.94 lakh tonnes has been sold off. Another consignment
of over 35,000 tonnes was expected in the next few days. |
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Fresh
stocks of DAP arrive PATIALA, Nov 19 — The district administration yesterday said that with the arrival of fresh stocks of DAP, there was no shortage of the fertiliser in Patiala. Mr Visvjeet Khanna, Deputy Commissioner, in a statement said that a stock of 2100 metric tonnes of fertiliser had arrived. It had been made available to farmers. Another stock would arrive tomorrow and would bring the supply of the fertiliser to a normal scale. He also said that the
administration had already provided 35028 metric tonnes
of fertiliser against 40456 tonnes in the district. The
new stocks would meet almost the entire requirement, he
said. |
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Licences
of 13 fertiliser dealers cancelled ABOHAR, Nov 19 — The Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepore, had suspended licences of 13 fertiliser dealers, having shops near the Punjab- Rajasthan border, for 15 days. Sources said here today that the order followed a report submitted by the SDM that there had been a mushroom growth of fertiliser dealers near the inter-state border on the Abohar- Sriganganagar road and the Abohar- Hanumangarh road. The Bhartiya Kisan Sangh,
the Bharatiya Kisan Union and the consumer movement had
alleged that fertiliser, particularly, DAP, was being
smuggled to Rajasthan creating scarcity to the
subdivision. |
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Medical
practitioners' plea on registration BATHINDA, Nov 19 — The Medical Practitioners Association, Punjab has urged the state government to open the registration of medical practitioners enrolled in other states and make arrangements for their six-month training. In a press note here today, Dr Om Parkash Sharma, president, Medical Practitioners Association, Bathinda, said that the association welcomed the statement of Mr Inderjit Singh Zeera, Health Minister, in which he had said that the Punjab Government would take a decision in this regard shortly. He said the association
would contribute its mite to government's pulse polio
programme to be held on December 6 and January 17. |
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Cases against quacks urged PHAGWARA, Nov 19 — The Indian Medical Association, Punjab, today urged the Chief Secretary and the DGP, Punjab to issue necessary instructions to all SSPs for registering cases under Section 15 (sub section 3) of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, against all those so-called doctors practising allopathic medicine without the requisite qualifications, unlicensed medical shops, hospital, clinics, nursing homes and quack shops and practitioners of unscientific medical practices. In a statement here today,
Dr Raman Aggarwal, secretary of the state medical action
committee-cum-legal cell of the IMA, Punjab, hailed the
recent registration of a case by the Anandpur Sahib
police against Harbhajan Singh who ran such an unlicensed
hospital at Mangewal village in Ropar district. The
police should take action against all quacks in
compliance under the order of the Punjab, and Haryana
High Court last month to all SHOs of Punjab, Haryana and
Chandigarh, added Dr Aggarwal. |
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Gang in guise of cops active NAWANSHAHR, Nov 19 — Fear stalks residents of nearby villages as a gang of at least 25 to 30 persons, who in the guise of police personnel enter houses and indulge in looting, is active in the area. During the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, this gang struck at Sant Nagar and entered three houses by climbing the walls and started making a "search" there. Nachattro, wife of Amrik Lal, in whose house this gang entered first said it was a terrifying experience as 25 to 30 persons dressed as commandos and armed with swords, lathis and iron rods started a search for valuables. When they could not find anything they went next door to the house of Pakher Ram. Pakher Ram said three persons detained him and remained in his house for about half an hour. They took away a watch, a gold ring and some silver ornaments. The gang then entered the house of Labhu Ram. They took away a gold chain, two gold rings, a pair of gold ear rings and Rs 3000 in cash. They even took away ghee, sugar, milk, curd, two blankets and a pair of chappals besides partaking of the chapatis at home. A few days earlier, similar incidents had occurred in nearby Jabbowal and Majhoor villages also. Mr Ashwani Kumar, SHO,
said the police had been making all-out efforts to book
the culprits but till date no clues had been found. Night
patrolling had also been started in all villages, he
added. |
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In
aid of mentally retarded kids HOSHIARPUR: According to medical reports, over 2 per cent of all newly born children are mentally retarded. The functioning of their brain is nowhere near its normal potential. They need constant support in their day-to-day activities. Medical science has not found any solution to cure this handicap so far. Therefore what can be done is to help them function most effectively within the limits of their mental ability. According to the medical survey, there are about 20 million mentally retarded cases in India alone. However, the facilities for their training and rehabilitation are very limited. When the mentally retarded child grows into an adult, his parents are under a constant worry. They fear that after their death their child will neither be looked after by any of their relatives nor by society, and consequently he will roam in the streets to lead a miserable life. Keeping in view the plight of such children, some of the philanthropists of Hoshiarpur formed a charitable organisation named "Ashadeep Welfare Society" to run a school for mentally retarded children in the city. Ultimately, a school, under the name of Ashakiran" for mentally disabled children, was started on May 1, 1995, in a room on the Arya Samaj road with only four children for whom one trained teacher was appointed. Mr A.S. Arneja, general secretary of the society, told The Tribune that educational and vocational training was being provided to the children according to their ability. He said mildly and moderately retarded children of both sexes between 5 and 15 years were being admitted to the school. To make the children self-dependent and useful citizens, specially trained teachers had been appointed. They were being taught basic skills of life like personal hygiene, washing, cooking and basic courtesies. They could also learn counting, handling money, telephone, radio, television and distinguishing between colours etc. Under vocational training, the children were being given training in handicrafts, candle-making, screen printing and sewing etc. The response from the parents was overwhelming. Now the school had 25 students on regular rolls. Presently, the school was located on the Una road and functioning from a rent-free building of Thakur Dass Sarai. The school was running purely on donations from the public. The Governor, Chief Minister of Punjab and the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur had donated Rs 50,000, Rs 21,000 and Rs 11,000, respectively, on various occasions. Mr Arneja appealed to
local leaders and the district administration to get
arranged the regular financial help from the government
for the noble cause. |
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Sale
of book banned CHANDIGARH, Nov 19 —
The Punjab Government has banned the sale, possession and
publication of the book — Nav Bharti (3) —
written by Dr Desh Pande and published by Jeevan
Publishing House, New Delhi. In a notification issued in
this connection here today it was stated that the book
contains objectionable material which could promote
hatred between different communities. |
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School
"fleecing" students BATALA, Nov 19 — Members of the Parents Association whose wards are studying in R.D.Khosla DAV Model School here are a harassed lot. They allege that the school principal is "coercing" their wards to collect money for the school fete slated for November 21. Each student has been given a receipt book consisting of 20 slips, each for Rs 10. The parents say there are 3,000 students in the school and in this manner the authorities would be collecting Rs 6 lakh for the fete. The school is run by a local management with members from Batala and not by the DAV Managing Committee in New Delhi, they say. They have urged the Chief
Minister , Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Education Minister
Tota Singh and the Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur to
intervene. |
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Two
minor girls recovered BATALA, Nov 19 — The police has recovered two minor girls within eight hours of their abduction. The chief of Batala police district, Mr Lok Nath Aangra, told mediaperons here today that Mrs Bachno of Gaunspura village informed the police on November 16 that her daughter, Navpreet, aged about 14, had gone to the market along with her friend, Rajni (15), but had not returned. Following the complaint, police parties were sent to Jammu, Delhi, Gurdaspur and Amritsar to trace the girls. The girls alleged that
they had been abducted by some of their friends who have
been identified as Vijay Kumar, Kuldip Singh and Narinder
Kumar. One of the accused has been arrested and produced
in court. |
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MOGA, Nov 19 (UNI) — The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kulbir Singh Kang, has directed all officials concerned to take immediate steps to get occupied government land, falling along link roads, vacated. Reviewing the progress of development works at a meeting here yesterday, he expressed concern over the delay in submitting the reports by certain officials regarding the progress of development works carried on in their jurisdiction. He asked the officials to submit their reports with immediate effect so that the required money could be withdrawn from the treasury and to avoid delay in its implementation. The Deputy Commissioner
also directed them to visit the rural areas and redress
the grievances of the people. |
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Experts : orchards need
rejuvenation LUDHIANA, Nov 19 — Two Israeli horticulturists have observed that a majority of fruit orchards in Punjab need rejuvenation in a phased manner. Speaking at a training programme on "modern technology and agronomic practices for the intensive growth of fruit orchards" organised by the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) at Punjab Agricultural University here, the two experts, Mr Cliff Lahav and Mr Michael Noy belonging to Mashav Centre for International Cooperation, Israel, explained to the fruit growers the advanced technology being adopted in Israel for fruit cultivation which could be suitable to Punjab due to similarity in soil and climatic conditions. They suggested several measures for rejuvenation of fruit orchards. They stressed that instead of inter-cropping in the orchards, farmers should go in for dense spacing of trees with proper pruning, fertilisers and water management so that they could earn more from the same area. Mr Jagjit Singh Ghungrana,
Chairman, PAIC, said if Punjab farmers were to compete in
the market, they had to start quality production for
which they needed aggressive training in modern
technology and changing agronomic practices. |
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Sekhwan objects to Amrinder's
remarks JALANDHAR, Nov 19 — Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister of State for Information and Public Relations, Punjab, today took strong exception to the statement of Capt Amrinder Singh, Punjab Pradesh Congress President, in which the latter had reportedly tried to meddle in the affairs of the SAD and the SGPC. Mr Sekhwan said that it was an established fact that Capt Amarinder Singh was "neither a true Sikh nor a true Punjabi because of his dubious role in the past." Mr Sekhwan warned Mr Amarinder Singh aginst creating differences between the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs Akal Takht and the other Singh Sahiban of the Takhts. People are aware, he said, of the "misdeeds" of the Congress and Capt Amarinder Singh. Before commenting on the
tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa, beginning
November 22, he should have read the appeal and the
statement of Mr G.S. Tohra, in which he had appeared to
all people, irrespective of their religion and faith, to
participate in the celebrations, Mr Sekhwan said. The
SGPC President also reiterated his earlier stand that
"I reaffirm my solidarity with the Chief Minister,
Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in the decision he has taken for
the celebrations regarding the foundation of the
Khalsa." |
||
'Chashma to Chishti' reaches
Jalandhar JALANDHAR, Nov 19 — The religious sojourn "chashma to chisthi", launched by the 22nd battalion of the Punjab Regiment under the aegis of 93 infantry brigade from Loran village in Poonch district on November 9, arrived here today on its way back to Poonch after a 10-day educational tour of Ajmer-Jaipur-Agra and Delhi. The group of 40 children
was flagged off with the aim of exposing them to the
social and cultural diversity of India. The group paid
obeisance at the holy Dargah of Khwaja-Moin-Din Chishti
in Ajmer on November 13. |
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