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‘Voice of pro-democracy Bhutanese being muzzled’
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150-yr-old miniature Guru Granth Sahib donated to Akal Takht
Students from New York visit city to study Indian culture
CISF celebrates foundation day
City votes for its Bollywood favourite
Silver jubilee of 41 Armoured Regiment
Meeting of school bus operators
Weekly Round-up
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Devotees offer liquor as ‘prasad’ at Baba Rode’s ‘samadh’ (tomb) in Bhoma village on the Amritsar-Fatehgarh-Churian road. Though the Taraksheel Society members (rationalists) debunk the claims of miraculous cures at the shrine, the annual mela at the ‘samadh’ draws more than one lakh believers, reports Varinder Walia. The offerings at the famous "samadh" (tomb) of Baba Rode are in form of liquor. The Baba himself belonged to a Jat Sikh family and was a teetotaller. As a ritual, devotees bring bottles, pouches and buckets containing a heady cocktail of drinks. People having faith in Baba Rode are seen offering prayers for jobs, happiness and success in life. As the folklore goes, Baba Rode underwent austere penance and was blessed with mystical powers. Today, the shrine is known for its "miraculous cures", even as the Taraksheel Society members (rationalists) have openly challenged this. Devotees offer liquor at the "samadh". The offerings measure up to thousands of litres, particularly during the three-day fair. The liquor flows into an iron pipe and devotees line up, holding steel glasses in their hands. According to a myth, Baba Rode moved to a village near Bhoma in 1896 and lived on the outskirts. His sister was married in this village. People believe that Baba Rode started performing miracles to help people in distress. It is believed that once a devotee of Baba Rode offered him liquor to show his gratitude for a fulfilled wish. The Baba distributed the offering among his disciples. And later, this became a tradition. The ancestral village of Baba Rode was Dhiman (Damodar), which falls in border district of Gurdaspur. He was son of Sham Singh, a farmer. The room where Baba Rode was born is still intact. The caretaker claims that leaders of all political parties pay their obeisance at the "samadh". Gurnek Singh, a revenue patwari and caretaker of the "samadh", said liquor of all kinds was being offered at the shrine, be it country-made liquor or expensive foreign-brewed whisky. The offered liquor is put into one container and the "cocktail prasad" is distributed among the devotees. The devotees, who come from far-flung areas including remote areas of Himachal Pradesh, are given this "unique prasad" in the form of liquor in small plastic bags. During the annual three-day mela, scores of temporary stalls selling items like toys, and eating joints come up. Though the devotees flock the tomb of Baba Rode (more than one lakh in three days), yet the liquor is offered at the "samadh" every day. It is said that Baba Rode once blessed a childless couple. The Baba refused to accept money that the grateful couple offered to him. However, the couple brought a bottle of liquor and distributed it among his devotees. That is how the tradition of offering liquor began. The number of visitors at the fair has increased manifold over the years. Though Baba Rode passed away in 1924, the tradition is still alive, much to the chagrin of the Taraksheel Society. A devotee claims that the famous singer Mohammed Rafi, who lived in the nearby Kotla Sultan Singh village, was one of the disciples of Baba Rode. According to another legend, one Sunder Singh, a bootlegger, frightened of the police raid during the British rule, sought Baba Rode’s protection. A "miracle" happened. The police could not trace the liquor peddler. He then offered a bottle of liquor to Baba Rode as a mark of gratitude. Baba being a teetotaller, distributed the same among his followers. Later, it became a tradition. A picture clicked by The Tribune lensman shows liquor "prasad" being distributed openly. A senior police officer said there was no question of any grant of permission, but the administration did not want to hurt anybody’s religious feelings. Mr Sumeet Singh, state media in-charge of the Taraksheel Society, alleged that it was a matter of concern that the police encouraged the offering and the consumption of liquor in the name of “religion”. Many policemen even believe that they would earn the wrath of Baba Rode, if they stopped the devotees from consuming the “prasad”. Even a booklet published by Dera Baba Rode claims that once a complaint was lodged by a villager with the Excise Department during the British regime against the offerings of liquor. A British officer raided the dera. Instead of taking any action, he bowed his head before Baba Rode and himself partook of the “prasad” of liquor, claims the booklet. Roman connection of Bacchus Bacchus was the god of wine. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2001-05, Bacchus in Roman religion and mythology, is described as the god of wine; in Greek mythology, Dionysus. Dionysus was also the god of tillage and law giving. He was worshiped at Delphi and at the spring festival, the Great Dionysia. In Rome, the mysteries of his cult were closely guarded, and he was identified with an ancient god of wine, Liber Pater. Many legends connected with Dionysus were also used in the cult of Bacchus. Bacchus was also the god of the theatre, since the first plays in Greece were performed in his honour. His festival was celebrated on March 16 and 17. An update on alcohol What is alcohol? Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is a psychoactive drug found in beer, wine, and hard liquor. It is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. The effects of alcohol on the body are directly related to the amount consumed. In small amounts, alcohol can have a relaxing effect. Adverse effects of alcohol can include impaired judgment, reduced reaction time, slurred speech, and unsteady gait (i.e. difficulty in walking). When consumed rapidly and in large amounts, alcohol can also result in coma and death. Binge drinking is generally defined as having five or more drinks on one occasion in a row or within a short period of time. However, among women, binge drinking is often defined as having four or more drinks on one occasion. Excessive drinking, including binge and heavy drinking, has numerous chronic (long-term) and acute (short-term) health effects. Chronic health consequences of excessive drinking can include liver cirrhosis (damage to liver cells), various cancers, including cancer of liver, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), and esophagus, high blood pressure, and psychological disorders. However, these guidelines also specify that there are some people who should not drink alcoholic beverages at all. These include children and adolescents, individuals of any age who cannot restrict their drinking to moderate levels and individuals who plan to drive, operate machinery, or take part in other activities that require attention, skill or coordination. It may be noted that spurious arrack is injurious to health. Techniques of production are poorly controlled. Some studies have suggested that there is a danger of poisoning from toxic forms of alcohol, metals and other chemicals (some of which come from the distilling apparatus).
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‘Voice of pro-democracy Bhutanese being muzzled’
“More than one-sixth of the citizens of Bhutan, who have been striving for a democratic set up in the country, had to flee the hilly kingdom. The Bhutanese democratic activists are termed as terrorists and have to face inhuman punishments there”.
Mr D.P. Kafley, General Secretary, Human Rights Council, and one of the “most wanted” fugitives of Bhutan, who carries an award of Rs 5 lakh on his head, said this while talking to Amritsar Plus recently. He was in the city to participate in the seminar on “The Problem of Terrorism in South Asian Countries”, organised by the Folklore Search Academy, Amritsar. He said there were more than 40,000 Bhutanese youths in various refugee camps in Nepal being run under the supervision of the United Nations High Commission. He said it was difficult for the leaders to prevent them from taking to the arms. Describing the pitiable condition in Bhutan, Mr Kafley said, “The advocacy of democracy is considered by the royal regime as an encroachment upon national sovereignty.” He said many Bhutanese were languishing in various jails of the country for raising their voice against atrocities committed on the citizens. Mr Kafley said he was one of the 14 Bhutanese, who carry an award of Rs 5lakh on their head, announced by the Kingdom of Bhutan. He alleged that there was no written Constitution of the country and hence, the voice of pro-democracy citizens was being muzzled by using inhuman methods. He, however, announced that the Bhutanese would continue their struggle till democracy was set up in the country. Earlier, Nepal had sought India’s participation in solving the problem of ethnic refugees, who had fled Bhutan. The refugees, who claim were victims of ethnic discrimination in the wake of a pro-democracy movement that emerged in Bhutan in 1990, have been sheltered in the United Nations-monitored camps in eastern Nepal. “Bhutan is our homeland. We had been there for generations. We had land and houses to live. We were productive farmers, self-reliant and peace-loving. We want to go back to our home early, but with dignity. It is a plea to our well-wishers to send us back with dignity, safety, security and assurance of our human rights,” Mr Kafley said. He said that despite a nebulous future, the refugees were engaged in various household, administrative, as well as recreational activities — as if this was the only way to relieve themselves of their pain and sufferings.
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150-yr-old miniature Guru Granth Sahib donated to Akal Takht
A 150-year-old, rare (one-square inch) miniature Guru Granth Sahib of the British period, said to be the smallest in the world, was donated by a resident of Chawan village (Ludhiana) to the Akal Takht.
The Guru Granth Sahib with fine but extra thin paper was handed over by Bibi Sukhwinder Kaur, a widow of an Army officer of the British period. She said that the holy granth had been preserved by the family for the past one-and-a-half century. However, due to the aging factor, she had decided to donate the rare Guru Granth Sahib to Akal Takht so that it could be preserved as per “Rehat Maryada” even after her death. Mr Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, an Australia-based nephew of the donor, claimed that this miniature Guru Granth Sahib, with golden covers and 1,430 pages, was one of the 60,000 such mini-sized holy books published by the British empire, especially for the Sikh soldiers of the Indian Army, who were fighting war for them. While nothing was known about the fate of other miniature Guru Granth Sahibs gifted to the Sikh soldiers, who used to tuck these in their turbans after daily prayers, one of these was brought at the Sachkhand Sahib Gurudwara, Pune, with reverence. One can recite Gurbani from the miniature Guru Granth Sahib only by using a magnifying glass. The British government used to supply such glasses to the army men at that time. Mr Hardalbir Shah, a member of the SGPC’s Dharm Parchar Committee, Mr Roop Singh, Manager of the Darbar Sahib, and a large number of relatives of the donor and residents of her village also gathered at the Akal Takht.
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Students from New York visit city to study Indian culture
A group of 17 students and two professors from the Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University, New York, visited the Holy City last week as a part of study tour of various religions in India.
The delegation was headed by Mr Ari L. Goldman, dean (students) and an associate professor of the university. After visiting Delhi and
Deobandh, one of the oldest seminary of Muslims, the group arrived here to study Sikhism. They visited The Golden Temple and took firsthand account of the Sikh way of life. They were impressed with the rich history of the Sikhs and listened to the holy verses of Guru Granth Sahib. They also showed a lot of interest in the heritage building of the Harmandir Sahib. They were curious to know about the other traditions of Sikhism. Mr Goldman said that before coming here, all the students for several weeks carried out a study of the people from different faiths living in New York. Ms
Aili, a student, studied Sikh families in New York and found that the community was close knit while maintaining harmonious relations with others, Mr Goldman said. He added that in Delhi, they visited a cathedral and some synagogues, and in
Deobandh, they studied the Islamic way of life. Another professor, Mr Sreenath
Sreenivasan, said religion influenced life so much that a need was felt to report religious affairs with professional competence. Another student, Ms Dikla
Kadosh, expressed her delight on visiting The Golden Temple. The group would also visit Agra, Mathura,
Vrindavan, Varanasi and Mumbai to observe the role of religion in Indian society and polity. They also visited the Wagah joint check post and saw the retreat ceremony. The students and the professors also interacted with religious leaders, political observers and interpreters of cultural traditions to get a better sense of their visit. |
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‘66 per cent increase in air traffic from city’
The Chairman and Managing Director of Air India (AI), Mr V Thulasidas, has said that the AI registered a phenomenal 66 per cent increase in its passenger traffic volume from the Rajasansi airport.
Air India’s recent survey had found a record increase in passenger traffic emanating from the city, especially to Birmingham and Toronto, after the launching of its flight last year in May, he said. The CMD also announced the introduction of AI Express — the low-budget flight from Amritsar to Dubai from May-June, to meet this region’s traffic to the Gulf countries. He said the company’s revenue had jumped from Rs 30 crore to Rs 50 crore. He added that in view of the overwhelming response from the NRI population of Punjab and the local residents, Air India was all set to double its frequency for Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight from May 1, 2006. He said that the “six days a week flight with the exception of Tuesday” would cater to the growing needs of this region. He added that the AI expected over 90 per cent increase in the revenue from this sector in the coming months. The CMD said that after the induction of new fleet of 68 Boeing aircrafts in next three years, the AI was expected to add more destinations from this region. The new acquisitions of the state-of-the-art aircraft, including Boeing 787 at the cost of Rs 35,000 crore, would transform the AI into one of the biggest and best airlines in Asia, Mr Thulasidas claimed. He said the first new aircraft would be inducted in November 2006, which may offer many non-stop flights between India and the US, besides other major destinations around the globe. At present, the airlines was operating from 48 aircrafts, including some on lease, covering 43 destinations and with the new acquisitions in the pipeline, the AI would add many more cities to its present itinerary, he added. Commenting on the proposed reported merger between the two national airlines – AI and Indian Airlines, Mr Thulasidas said that it was important to synergise the operation of the two airlines. However, he added that it was a political decision and had no comments to offer on the issue. Talking about the cargo potential from the agriculture rich state of Punjab, the CMD pointed out that AI was exploring its full potential and in case there was found economic viability, AI would operate exclusive cargo flights and even offer cargo space in their regular passenger flights. Detailing about the new acquisitions, Mr Thulasidas said that as part of the deal with Boeing aircrafts, the company would provide training to AI pilots to familiarise and operate new aircrafts, besides offering flight simulators for ground training facilities.
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Expedition to commemorate Battle of Hussainiwala
To commemorate the Battle of Hussainiwala, fought in 1956, the 4th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, better known as “Fateh Shibji”, embarked upon a motorcycle expedition.
The expedition team consists of an officer, two junior commissioned officers and 13 from other ranks. Major-General S.C. Sharma, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Panther Division, while addressing the battalion, highlighted the formidable battle that a few were aware of. The battalion had successfully repulsed Pakistani troops, who had launched a three-pronged attack on the night of 18/19 March in 1956 at Hussainiwala border post, Major-General Sharma said. He added that the Indian battalion gave a befitting answer by killing nearly 250 Pakistani soldiers and causing injury to nearly 800 of the enemy troops. The GOC said the battalion “Fateh Shibji” had lost four of its jawans, with 20 wounded. Pakistan was forced to pursue peace and a flag meeting was held subsequently. For this outstanding victory, the battalion was decorated with one Ashok Chakra (the first to be awarded post-independence), one Kirti Chakra, two Shaurya Chakras, four Sena Medals, and two Mention-in-Dispatches, Major-General Sharma said. The then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the Defence Minister and the Defence Secretary visited Hussainiwala and the battalion. Meanwhile, the motorcycle expedition, flagged off from Hussainiwala, would reach Rohtang Pass as its final destination, covering a distance of 1800-2000 km.
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Savitu Kundra crowned Ms BBK DAV College
For Savitu
Kundra, a final year student of Mass Communication, the crown of Ms BBK DAV came as a surprise.
She won the coveted title out of 400 students who were short-listed to six. While Savitu won the beauty pageant, Nidhi Sharma of BA (Hons) won the “Ms Witty Dot Com” title as the first runner-up and Sakshi Sodhi won the title of “Ms Gloria Dot Com”, as the second runner-up. The college’s farewell party was labelled “Dot Com Party”.
Savitu has an impressive academic record. She topped in Elective English and contributed photographs that have been chosen for display in various projects. She was also chosen amongst the three girls of the college to organise meetings of Pakistani industrialists with their Indian counterparts in the hospitality section during the first Indo-Pak Expo Trade Fair held here recently. She has also starred in a film that was shot in the college and had an all-girl star cast with an exception of one male actor in a one minute role. “My next step in life is event management. Though teaching is my passion,” Savitu says. The farewell party at the college premises was packed with fun and frolic. Junior students picked out winners from the senior crowd with innovative ideas of “one bearing the smallest purse”, “the one wearing yellow nail-paint” or “the one with the highest heels”. Squeals of laughter were heard when the English translation of names of Hindi movies had to be guessed, for instance “Dus
bahaney” was “Ten Excuses” etc. Old songs filled the evening with solo and group performances on evergreen melodies of yore. Ms Sarla Gupta, vice-principal of the college, presented prizes to the winners.
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CISF celebrates foundation day
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) celebrated its foundation day at the Rajasansi Airport recently. Chief Commandant Jarnail Singh, while addressing the jawans, informed that the elite force was established in March, 1969. The force was deputed at Rajasansi on November 25, 2001, after the airport suffered the ignominy of being the “favourite” destination for a number of hijackings. Declared most sensitive after the December 24, 1999 hijack, the continued terrorist attacks that followed subsequently, including the one on Kashmir Assembly on October 1, 2001, ruled strongly in favour of deputing the force to protect this extra sensitive airport located on the Indo-Pak border. After its deputation in November the same year, it was felt that the decision was timely, as terrorist violence continued with the suicide attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. The force, with more than a lakh personnel on its rolls nationwide and equipped with latest weapons and defense gadgetry, was selected to protect sensitive points throughout the country. As many as 267 industrial units are being provided security by the CISF. Almost all airports (numbering 52) have stationed the CISF for security. Apart from this, about 45 government departments and hundreds of top VIPs are being provided security by the personnel of the CISF. Recently, a plan was also mooted to use the force to protect important shrines in the country which have become the latest target of the terrorist elements. The force has also the rare distinction of providing security to monumental greats such as the Taj Mahal at Agra and the Red Fort, Delhi. While a plan to depute the force for the protection of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre was also in the pipeline. Besides, the CISF also possesses a special unit of Quick Reaction Force (QRF), a special wing for anti-hijacking operations. Since its deputation, the Rajasansi airport has not reported any serious incident compromising security, the Chief Commandant said. The day was celebrated with gaiety and a special feast. 
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City votes for its Bollywood favourite
It was an enthusiastic moment for the local youths, as they gathered to vote for the final winners of the “Sabsey Favourite” of the 2006 Bollywood stars when the Election Express of the Star Gold brought “Schwarzkopf Palette Sabsey Favorite Kaun” to Amritsar recently.
The main aim of the programme was to give the fans the right to have their say in choosing their favourite star based on their popularity, a press release issued here said. Covering around 24,000 km of distance across the country, the Election Express would make visits to 45 towns spread across four zones – North, Central, East and West. While Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya were the Number One in the male and female category in the West Zone, it is to be seen whether Shahrukh Khan, Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol, Salman Khan and Mallika Sherawat remain in the top ten? Who will be Amritsar’s Sabsey Favourite Naya Hero – Abhay Deol or Kunal Kapoor, who has topped the West Zone shortlist? “Ab Aakhri Jung” (Nomination Special) would be aired on April 9 on Star Gold, the release added. |
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Silver jubilee of 41 Armoured Regiment
The 41 Armoured Regiment, an elite unit of the Armoured Corps, under the command of Colonel S.S. Mahal, celebrated its silver jubilee recently.
A large number of ex-servicemen, officers and others came from across the country to be part of this historic moment. The regiment was raised at Ahmednagar on July 1, 1980, when a congregation of “men and arms” got together to raise an institution under the then Lieut-Col J.P. Singh, who became a brigadier later on. The regiment was declared fit for war services in February. Hence, the occasion is celebrated as Regimental Day. To commemorate the special day, a “Sainik Sammelan” was organised. The founder of the Regiment, Brigadier J.P. Singh also graced the occasion. |
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Meeting of school bus operators
A get-together of bus operators and staff from various educational institutions was organised by the Tata Motors to educate them about the safe and better way to transport school children here recently.
Mr Anupam Batra, Assistant Manager of the company, said the company had now introduced a new range of school buses that were designed solely with the objective of transporting school children safely and comfortably.
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Weekly Round-up
As per the programme chalked out by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union, teachers from over 13 colleges observed campus dharnas in protest against the “indifferent attitude” of the government towards their demands. Their demands include implementation of Pension and Gratuity Scheme, absorption of surplus staff due to shifting of Plus Two classes from colleges to schools and immediate release of pending grants of B.Ed Colleges. Professor H. S. Walia, addressing a gathering of teachers at DAV College here, said the Congress-led government should fulfill the promises made in its party manifesto.
Protest The PCMS Association here has decided to protest against the recruitment of doctors in rural areas on contract basis by the Punjab Government. Dr Ranjit Singh Buttar, the association’s senior vice-president and Dr Jagjit Singh Khalsa, its district president, said the association would form a joint forum with various paramedical associations to intensify their stir against this move.
Holi Cellular operator, Spice Telecom, celebrated the festival of colours, Holi, with nearly 70 blind children aged between 2 to 15 from the Andh Vidyalaya here. Mr Mukul Khanna, the company’s assistant vice-president (Marketing), said that in line with the corporate social responsibility, they had decided to bring in hues of colours to these special children. He said the company was making conscious efforts to support the cause of the disadvantaged sections of the society.
One arrested With the arrest of one Gurmail Singh, a resident of Indira Colony, Kot Khalsa, the district police has claimed to have busted a gang of thieves who used to steal vehicles and sell them with fake registrations and fake documents. The police have also recovered four cars and four motorcycles from the accused. The four other members of the gang were absconding, the police said.
Awards The 7th Awards Day ceremony of the BBK DAV College for Women was held at the college premises here recently. The function was presided over by Dr Swaran Singh, Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, while Ms Neerma, a renowned film and TV actress from Pakistan, was the guest of honour. Ms J. Kackria, principal of the college, read out the annual report of the college. Gurpreet Kaur of M.Sc, Computer Sciences, won an Award of Excellence in computer science, while Vishakha of M.Com-II year won the award for the Best Student in commerce and Kiranjit, a volleyball player, was honoured with an award for being chosen “Miss World Punjaban”. The BBK DAV College for Women also bagged the overall general first runners-up trophy in the 36th Annual Sports Prize Distribution Function of Guru Nanak Dev University. Mr Pratap Singh Bajwa, Minister for PWD, Punjab, gave away the prizes to 50 players of the college. (Compiled by Pawan Kumar) |
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