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DJ culture in full blast, dholis in doldrums
Four-yr-old Agam weaves magic with tabla
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CM to inaugurate ultra-modern bus terminal on Oct 15
City fourth most quake-prone area, admn yet to gear up
Experts find beetle the best bet to weed out congress grass
Handicrafts exhibition concludes
Weekly Round-up
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Anngarh, an area on the fringes of the city, is not only a bootlegger’s paradise, but it is also dotted with illegal firecracker units. Though these units provide employment, the whole area is a tinder-box waiting to explode during the hectic Divali season, report Varinder Walia and Pawan Kumar.
“Let your taste buds dance delightfully with the wonderfully-brewed lahan (locally made illicit liquor)”. This is the loud message from
Anngarh, an area on the fringes of Amritsar. Anngarh is also called a bootlegger’s paradise. Bootlegging — historically a pseudonym for illicit liquor making — has virtually become synonymous with
Anngarh. However, the area has also earned the nickname of Sivakasi (famous for firecrackers in South India) due to the manufacturing of firecrackers
here. Interestingly, the bootleggers have been using the nullah at Anngarh to evade police and excise raids by throwing liquor in the nullah. However, with such a huge demand for liquor, it wasn’t long before organised groups of bootleggers took over. The gangs use innovative ways (like packing liquor into tubes or small packets) for transit of liquor. The police, during a raid, recently caught a drum full of illicit liquor fitted with a ‘hand pump’ to facilitate easy bottling. Firecracker manufacturing — the other business for which the area is noted — also has the tag “illegal” associated with it. Many of the firecracker manufacturers conduct this business illegally and without taking the requisite safety precautions. Administration, on its part, has been conducting raids on these illegal firecracker manufacturing units. Observers, however, rue that the administration is only deterring the self-employed youth from selling firecrackers and not charting out any positive course for them. They say that instead of imposing a clampdown on a flourishing industry, the administration could draw safety plans, hold workshops and try to impress upon the manufacturers to go in for safe and organised manufacturing units. “Since the firecracker trade is purely seasonal (limited to festival seasons), the unorganised approach of the administration can spell doom for this indigenous industry,” said a firecracker manufacturer. Urging the government to adopt a positive approach towards the firecracker trade, he said that people from far-flung areas came to Anngarh for purchasing firecrackers on festive occasions. There are about 10-12 families engaged in the manufacturing of firecrackers at Anngarh. Generally, women and children are employed to manufacture firecrackers, it is learnt. When the administration takes a strict action against those involved in illegal firecracker manufacturing business, there is some increase in illicit liquor manufacturing and trading, it is learnt. Many elders in the area feel that the administration should take into account the fact that the firecracker units could provide employment to those being ‘forced’ to run bootlegging ‘business’. According to residents, three or four deaths due to excessive consumption of hooch are reported from the area every year. The residents said that in connivance with lower level police officials and under political patronage, even well to do families are involved in this illegal business. Fake names According to administration, though the firecracker units in Anngarh have become a source of employment for residents of the area, most of these units are illegal. They operate in violation of the Explosives Act and also without the requisite licence. Only about five persons in the whole area are reported to possess licence to manufacture firecrackers. Further, in violation of the Act, child labour is engaged in this extremely hazardous job. Although the manufacturers claim that they have taken precautions such as water and sand storage to deal with any emergency, this seems to be more of a formality. The illegal practice of faking names of reputed firecracker-making companies is rampant in the city, with scores of unauthorised firecracker manufacturers indulging in this practice. With less than a fortnight left for Divali celebrations, the administration is trying hard to handle the problem of illegal manufacture and storage of firecrackers in the city. Many mishaps have already exposed the dangers of illegal firecracker manufacturing units in the residential areas on the outskirts of the city. |
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DJ culture in full blast, dholis in doldrums
Dholi Mohalla, located inside the Sultanwind Gate, has been the abode of dholis for generations. Though no one knows when the dholis started living there, most believe it began during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. However, the dholis are facing the toughest time ever. About 2,000 families here depend upon the dhol to earn their livelihood. Most families have been in this profession for centuries. Generations after generations have passed on the know-how of playing the dhol the right way. Though the dhol is an indispensable musical instrument during functions at any Punjabi household, very few have strived to know the condition of the dholwalas and the hardwork involved in learning the instrument. Fortythree-year-old Kasturi Lal has been a professional dhol player for the past 25 years. He says a person willing to learn the dhol has to contribute at least four to five years and even that is not sufficient. The challenges to dholis have been numerous. Audio cassettes earlier posed a threat, though dholis successfully overcame this challenge. “Now it is DJs playing at every other function. It is not always possible to beat the machine,” says Mukhtiar Singh, another dholi. But there were times when these dholis were much sought after for weddings, domestic or religious functions and social celebrations. Dholwalahs say they earn about Rs 200 or more each from a party. It is astonishing that these dhols associated deeply with Punjabi culture are actually made in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The instruments are made in Amroha, Poonch and Rajouri. The dhol had its origins in Afghanistan where it was used as a war drum. Sufi saints were credited to have brought the musical instrument to Punjab. To attract customers, these
desperate dholis nowadays sit outside the Sultanwind Gate and Hathi Gate and play the dhols to their heart’s content. 
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Four-yr-old Agam weaves magic with tabla
He is just a little over four but is already dazzling everyone with swift movements of his fingers on tabla. His amazing performances on stage have made him a much sought-after figure in musical programmes.
Agam Shingari, a student of DAV Public School, began playing tabla at the tender age of two and a half. His mother Shweta Shangari says the art of playing tabla came almost naturally to Agam. “He used to move his fingers rhythmically on whatever object he could lay his hand,” she said, adding that she brought him a toy banjo which he played amazingly well. The Shangaris then decided to promote the inborn talent of little Agam. This Nursery student learns the instrument from Mr Lakhi Chand, a tabla teacher, for an hour every day. Mr Amit Shangari, Agam’s father, has written to the officials of the Limca Book of Records to enter Agam’s name in the book. Agam gave his maiden performance about a year earlier at Kid Zee School’s show and earned accolades from viewers. Ms Shweta Shangari said he did not show any sign of inhibition while performing on stage. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sangeet Academy gave him a special performance award for his performance in its competition, though officially he could not participate in the contest as he was underage. During the last Independence Day celebrations at Wagah border, he impressed onlookers by his performance. His tabla playing was beamed on DD-I, Jalandhar.
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CM to inaugurate ultra-modern bus terminal on Oct 15
The much-awaited ultra-modern bus terminal, the first of its kind in Asia, is going to be inaugurated by Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, Punjab, on October 15. The bus stand, built under BOT (built, operate and transfer) scheme, has been completed at a cost of over Rs 22 crore by a private builder. Some of the latest electronic gadgets, including sensors, have been integrated into the system to provide foolproof security and amenities to passengers as well as to operators in the “ultra-modern” bus stand built in the Holy City. The project manager of the private builder, Mr Sharad Sexena, said the bus stand had been built at the cost of Rs 22 crore in a record time of 16 months and that it would become a modern landmark for the Holy City. Authorities say the bus stand is equipped with a water treatment plant to purify water, rain harvesting system to store rainwater in the complex and various other modern facilities like banks, ATMs and post office for the public convenience. Internet facility will also be available for booking for airlines and railways and other modes of travelling with tourism guidance. Spread over an area of about eight-and-a-half acres, the land had been planned for its optimum utilisation. Sixty buses will be able to simultaneously enter and leave for different destinations. At a time, 200 buses can be parked in the open area of the terminal. The basement area of more than 4,000 square metre has been provided for the parking of cycles, scooters and other two-wheelers. A separate site outside the basement has been earmarked for car parking. About 30 to 35 office rooms will be allotted to the transport companies. Special care had been taken by providing separate restrooms for drivers and conductors so that they can have proper rest before embarking upon their duties, claim authorities. In case of a power failure, a 200 KW generator system will be installed to maintain continuous supply of electricity, said the authorities.
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City fourth most quake-prone area, Amritsar has been declared the fourth most earthquake-prone place in the country, but the administration is yet to wake up. The Holy City lacks the contingency plan and the equipment to deal with such a calamity. The issue needs to be addressed to immediately, especially after the devastating quake on October 8 that shook Pakistan and India, claiming thousands of lives and rendering thousands of people homeless. The union ministry’s report has put the city among the fourth most earthquake-prone places in the country. It has directed the city’s administration to prepare a “master plan” to meet any contingency arising out of this kind of natural disaster. According to reports, the city has been found to be ill-equipped to meet such emergencies. Even though the municipal corporation has announced that it has identified 101 unsafe buildings in the city, no headway has been made yet in the direction. The city has many century-old structures and high-rise multi-storey buildings. Many such buildings have roofs supported by bamboo poles. Not only has the municipal corporation allegedly ignored many complaints which reported about the buildings developing cracks and precariously holding on to their foundations, but also it has made little or no effort to persuade occupants to repair or fortify the structures to make them safe for habitation. Several such buildings have collapsed during monsoon showers in recent years, resulting in casualties and loss of properties. Moreover, such unsafe structures also adversely affect the adjoining buildings erected in clusters in the historic katras of the walled city. In such circumstances, a tremor of high intensity like the one which shook the northern region on October 8 is likely to cause havoc, as one weak building in a cluster could bring down other adjoining buildings. Besides municipal corporation, police, fire brigade, water and electricity departments are also not well-equipped to deal with the situation in the aftermath of any such calamity, experts say. As per the norms, the fire brigade department requires 24 units in a city which has a population of around 12 lakh. However, only nine units exist in the city. The top post in the department has not been filled up, while the on-roll staff is constituted of only 70 members as against the requisite 123 members. The proposals of mini-fire brigades and ditch machines have still not been formalised, despite the passing of a proposal of Rs 3 crore for upgradation and allotment of funds for fifth fire station at Ranjit Avenue. Most unsafe buildings are located in the walled city that has narrow approach lanes posing hindrance to rescue and salvage operations. According to sources, the police, too, is ill-equipped to handle such calamities as it lacks the equipment and staff to carry out proper rescue and relief operations besides maintaining law and order. Arrangements like camps or other portable equipment for evacuees is a far-off dream, say many. Electricity and water supply departments are also unlikely to be able to meet the situation. However, the district administration officials have claimed that they are making efforts to chalk out a comprehensive charter to define, identify and outline a broad-based contingency plan to minimise the destruction in case of such a calamity.
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Experts find beetle the best bet to weed out
The menace of congress grass, one of the most harmful weeds causing major health hazards, could now be eradicated biologically without the use of chemical or manpower.
A local environmentalist, Dr P.S. Bhatti from Khudai Khidmadgar, an NGO, along with doctors of government-run medical college, including Dr B.S. Dhillon, claim to have found a species of beetle, which could be used to eradicate the weed, botanically known as Parthenium Hysterophorus. This weed is known to cause asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis and high fever in humans and livestock. The doctors claimed that the discovery was an “important chance discovery” that could efficiently check the growth of the weed, as earlier it was being presumed that no insect, bird or animal could be helpful in eradicating it. The chemical analysis of the weed has indicated that all its parts, including pollen, contain toxins called sesquiterpene lactones. Dr Bhatti said he, along with Dr Dhillon, had observed the activities of beetles after they ate the noxious grass. Efficiently restricting the weed’s growth after eating its pollens and seeds beetles were found mating, breeding and laying their eggs on parthenium plants in a foamed bubble, Dr Bhatti said. The doctors also showed that species of beetle to experts from Guru Nanak Dev University, who also found those beetles to be different from other insects. However, the experts stressed that there should be proper study on the subject. The doctors urged the government to start research work on this “newly-found beetle” by appointing experts so that its effects on other plants could also be ascertained. |
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Handicrafts exhibition concludes
The weeklong handicrafts exhibition organised by the Tamil Nadu Handicraft Development Corporation concluded at the local art gallery.
The manager of the corporation said the exhibition had included unique works of craftsmanship, including a wide range of brassware, stoneware, sandal and rosewood carvings in various shapes of lamps, wooden sculptures, door handles and tableware. |
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Weekly Round-up
Hyola oil, a product of the Punjab Agro Foodgrains Corporation, was launched in the city last week. Mr Sawinder Singh Kathunangal, Chairman of the corporation, inaugurated the launch. Mr Jaswant Singh Ghuman, District Manager, presided over the function. Mr Kathunangal said that Hyola was the Indian version of Canola, an oilseed of Canadian origin, which held a major share in the edible oil market of Canada, Japan, Australia and the USA. He elaborated that the oil contained less than two per cent ureic acid as compared to other oils that assured lower cholesterol level. The oil was a rich source of vitamins E which helped preserve the health of arterial walls, he added. Mr Ghuman added that the oil contained acids which protected people from heart attacks and strokes. It was good for eyes and brain, improved blood lipid levels. Free check-up The Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Colgate jointly organised a free dental check-up under “Free Dental Check-up at Clinic Project” here on October 8 at a local hotel. Dr Puneet Girdhar, State Secretary, IDA, said check-ups under the project were being organised in 50 other cities of the country from October 8 to October 22. |
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He is just a little over four but is already dazzling everyone with swift movements of his fingers on tabla. His amazing performances on stage have made him a much sought-after figure in musical programmes.
