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| Friday, July 7, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Dalai Lama turns 65 HP
Govt, Pepsi forget Kargil hero Non-tribal panchayats’ plea
to NHRC Irregular service irks commuters ASI suspended after
resident’s death Over 17 cr outlay for backward
areas |
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Mahila yojna reviewed Muddy water in taps raises hackles
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Dalai Lama turns 65 DHARAMSALA, July 6 — The Tibetan Government-in-exile, has urged the Chinese Government to come to the negotiating table so that a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of Tibet can be found at the earliest. On the occasion of the 65th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, the Cabinet of the exiled government said the issue of Tibet was that of people with a very long history and it could remain unresolved for long. Reiterating its commitment for the "middle way" approach, the Cabinet said China must take into account the general international trend and the ground realities and give a positive response soon. A function was held at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), on the occasion of the birthday of the Dalai Lama. Tibetans, including monks, nuns, schoolchildren and foreigners turned up in large numbers to celebrate the birthday of the head of the exiled Tibetan Government. The ministers, MPs, senior functionaries and religious heads were present on the occasion. Earlier in the morning, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, went to the palace of the Dalai Lama to greet him on his birthday. The Dalai Lama, returned from abroad last evening only. He was greeted by his ministers and other senior officials of the Tibetan Government, at his palace. All-Tibetan offices, shops and commercial establishments remained closed in McLeodganj, on the occasion. People turned out in large numbers at TIPA, where a cultural programme was held by Tibetan artistes. Making mention of the White Paper released by China, recently, the Tibetan Cabinet said it denounced the freedom movement of the Tibetans and the Dalai Lama’s efforts to resolve the problem of Tibet through peaceful means. The Cabinet said the Tibetan culture had reached the point of extinction under Chinese rule. The Cabinet said that among all kings, regents and Dalai Lamas of Tibet, the present 14th Dalai Lama had to struggle the maximum. "At the tender age of 16, he assumed the spiritual and temporal power of Tibet and set in a process of modernisation of Tibet but after the invasion of Tibet he was forced to flee to India, to protect the Tibetan people’s interest," they said. They said the Dalai Lama’s message of peace, altruism and universal brotherhood had earned him the respect and admiration of world leaders and people worldwide. They added that it was due to this that awareness on Tibet was increasing and there was international support for the cause. They said that all
Tibetans must follow the path shown by the Dalai Lama for
the attainment of the freedom of Tibet. |
HP Govt, Pepsi forget
Kargil hero DHARAMSALA, July 6 — “I will either unfurl the Indian flag over the Tiger Hill or else come back wrapped in the Tricolour”. Such was the grit and determination of the 24-year-old officer of 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles that he succeeded in achieving both these missions that he had set for himself, before leaving for Kargil. It was on the night of July 7 last year, that this valiant officer, belonging to Palampur, laid down his life, paving the way for the recapture of the crucial Tiger Hill by the Indian troops. It was for the exemplary courage that he showed in capturing 5140 peak. Three Pimples, 4875 Peak and 5100 Peak that he was awarded the highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously by the government. Even one year after this brave officer, died fighting the militants, his memory remains etched in the minds of the people, as he was the one who, as “Shershah”, became a virtual terror for the Pakistanis. Leading his men from one victory to the other, “Yeh Dil Mange More” became a slogan that he immortalised for the Indians, who threw out the Pakistani intruders from the Kargil area. There was a mixed feeling of pride and sorrow in the hearts of the parents and twin brother of this brave officer, as they watched the last moments of the life of Vikram Batra, seated in a bunker in Kargil, recorded by television journalists covering the Operation Vijay. It is these video cassettes which have become a priceless possession for the family of Capt Vikram Batra. “I am glad that the last memories, not only I but the entire nation has of my son is that of an officer who is young, daring, ready to take on challenges without bothering for the consequences,” says Mr G.L. Batra, the proud father of Capt Vikram Batra. He says that despite suffering from high fever, Vikram volunteered to lead his men, as they had immense faith in his leadership and courage. “I am proud of the sacrifice my son made for the nation, but my heart pains when I see that bodies of our children, wrapped in tricolour, are being brought everyday from the border,” he stated. Mr Batra feels that though the Kargil operation got over last year the proxy war between India and Pakistan is continuing. “To put an end to these killings on both sides of the border, there has to be a political solution on the diplomatic level,” he observes. Though opposed to the autonomy demand by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, he is against the stand of the Centre to hold talks with the Hurriyat leaders. The family of Captain Batra, however, regrets that within a year of making the supreme sacrifice, the recipient of the highest gallantry award, has been forgotten by the state government. Apart from the puja and rituals at home and a small programme being organised by his family, there has been no initiative at any level from the state government. “This is when one gets the feeling that all that is offered is mere lip sympathy and not genuine respect,” lament his mother, Kamal Kanta and his father. Mr Batra also feels let down by the attitude of the Pepsi group, who after promising him that it would do something in the memory of Captain Batra, have not done anything. “They got in touch with us and said that Vikram had immortalised their slogan, “Yeh Dil Mange More”. The Pepsi group seems to be willing to give crores to cricketers facing betting and match-fixing charges rather than doing something in memory of those who died fighting for the nation, he regretted. Mr Batra says that
before he died, Vikram, when asked by a television crew,
what he wanted from the government, had said that his
only wish was that the families of those being killed in
action should be taken care of by the nation. He said
that he too wanted that the government should fulfil with
sincerity the promises it makes to the families of the
martyrs. |
Non-tribal panchayats’
plea to NHRC CHAMBA, July 6 — Residents of nine non-tribal panchayats of the Bharmour tribal Assembly constituency in Chamba the district have approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with a request of granting tribal status to these panchayats. According to Mr Navneet Chowfla, a social worker of this area, the residents of these non-tribal panchayats are deprived of those benefits which have been provided to the tribals. The area has been bifurcated and merged into the Bharmour tribal Assembly segment for a long time. These panchayats include Kiri, Sarahan, Guwad, Priyana, Radey, Kulod, Kuned, Batot and Khundel which were attached with the Chamba Assembly constituency before 1972. Owing to the undulating
topography and alpine belts of this terrain, the area is
quite far from the district headquarter. The inhabitants
have small land holdings and no other employment avenues.
There is no dispensary. There are a few primary schools
and an understaffed high school. |
Irregular service irks commuters KUMARHATTI, July 6 — Resentment prevails among residents here, at Dharampur and Subathu due to lack of a timely bus service, especially during morning hours. The commuters have alleged that in spite of repeated requests to the authorities concerned, no action has been taken so far. Also, the discontinuation of the Subathu-Dehra bus service, which was being run by the Solan depot for the past 20 years, has added to the woes of the commuters. Mr Sushil Garg, an elected member of the Subathu Cantonment Board, said there was earlier a direct bus from Subathu to Dehra, which was beneficial to the Army personnel of the cantonment who mostly belonged to Kangra and Hamirpur districts. However, the Solan depot had discontinued this service on the pretext of economic unviability about eight months ago he said. In early June, the
residents heaved a sigh of relief when the state
transport corporation directed the Kalka-Janghehu bus
service to cover Subathu too. However, due to an
irregular service, the problem had not been solved. |
ASI suspended after
resident’s death NAHAN, July 6 — Mr Subhash Chand (ASI) has been placed under suspension and asked to report at the Police Lines by the S.P. Sirmaur, as Dadahu market remained closed toady following the death of shopkeeper yesterday. Residents pelted stones at the police station at Renukaji yesterday, causing minor damage to the police station and a police vehicle. Mr S.P. Singh superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, in a statement said here today that ASI Subhash Chand and a search party went to Sewa Ram’s house yesterday in search of his son, Kulvinder, who was suspected to have been involved in a case registered under Sections 457 and 300, IPC. Kulvinder was not in his house. The ASI called his father from his shop and asked him some questions about Kulvinder’s whereabouts. Sewa Ram is reported to have collapsed soon after the police party left. Local residents allege
that Mr Sewa Ram died due to police harassment. |
Over 17 cr outlay for
backward areas MANDI, July 6 — Addressing the first meeting of the District Planning, Development and 20-point programme Monitoring Committee meeting here today, the state Forest Minister, Mr Rup Singh, said that over Rs 17 crore would be spent on various development programmes in the backward areas of the district during the current financial year. The progress of the first quarter was also reviewed at the meeting. A sum of Rs 4.48 crore has been spent in the first quarter by various implementing agencies. The Minister claimed
that 37 per cent progress had been achieved in the
implementation of various programmes in the first quarter
of the year. |
Mahila yojna reviewed SHIMLA, July 6 — Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary A.K. Goswami said that Indira Mahila Yojna was being implemented effectively in three blocks of the state — Rohru in Shimla district, Baijnath in Kangra district and Chamba in Chamba district. Presiding over a review
committee for implementation of the yojna here today, he
said the target group of the scheme was rural women and
the objective was to organise women in groups and
inculcate in them the habit of thrift. |
Muddy water in taps raises
hackles SUNDERNAGAR, July 6 — Residents of Karsog subdivision of Mandi district are annoyed with the Irrigation and Public Health department for getting muddy water supply in their houses. They have demanded an inquiry into the matter and action against guilty officials. According to the residents, for the past two months whenever there is rainfall they get muddy water in their taps. There was allegedly no
arrangement for sedimentation and filtration and water
was being lifted from polluted sources directly. A few
days ago the bodies of three animals were found in the
water tank. When the residents protested the bodies were
taken out of the tank. The Department has not taken any
action against the guilty officials. |
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