Water tanks, mainly as parts of temples, are in such a disuse that they seem to be almost relics of a bygone era. This sums up the tale of drying tanks and dwindling water in this part of the border region.

Amritsar is one of the most ancient and legendary sites in Punjab, but most of the water tanks, especially near the Pakistani border, dried up after the end of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule owing to apathy shown by the state and the local residents.

It has been established now that the whole of Amritsar district was part of the vast area covered under the Indus Valley Civilization during the early period of history. This civilization developed prior to the Aryan Civilization in this region. According to a study, many temple tanks existed in this region even before the foundation of Amritsar (meaning “ a pool of nectar”). Only a few of these tanks still have water.

Many water tanks served millions, who would travel on the old Delhi and Lahore (via Fatehabad, Tarn Taran Tehsil) road.

The ‘tank’ system shows that long before the great dam-building projects of the 20th century, the people of this part of India had a firm grasp of hydraulic engineering. And, unlike many of today’s big dams, this system of water management was in tune with the environment.  The tanks also provided a vital habitat for birds such as pelicans, painted storks, and common cranes, and wildlife like spotted deer, wild boar, and occasionally, tigers.

The retrieving of three idols of Lord Mahavira, the twenty fourth and last Tirthankara of the Jain religion, from the ancient tank of Kotla Vasawa Singh, a few kilometres from the Pakistani border showed the antiquity of the place. However, two of the idols have been lost, while the third was kept outside a religious shrine without any protection. The tank is near the mound from where archeologist have found traces of various civilizations. However, this ancient water tank and its adjoining “bauli” are in the state of utter neglect these days.

The Lok Kalyan Samiti has identified at least 20 water tanks having a magnificent structure near the Indo-Pak border. Mr Jagmohan Singh, president of the Samiti, informed that these water bodies were located at Serai Imanat Khan, Kahngarh, Kotla Wasava Singh, Attari, Boparai Kalan, Kahangarh, Rajatal, Dhand Kasel, Chawinda Devi, Bhakna Kalan, Baniye Ke, Preet Nagar, Pul Kanjri, Fatehabad, Gandiwind, Naurangabad, Ramtirath and Chamiyari. The biggest of them was at Rajatal Tank, which was spread on about nine acres. He said usually each water body had a temple on its bank. For instance, Dhand Kasel village (considered to be the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Rama), had a temple.

Serai Amanat Khan is famous for its ornamental gateway and glazed tile decorations. However, a beautiful “bouli” attached with well has been ruined. Such elegant structure situated in a small village, south west of Amritsar has now been ruined. The serai had a beautiful gate constructed in the Mughal style of architecture. The tomb of Amanat Khan was surrounded by four minarets. The mosque near the tomb is decorated with Persian verses.

During the Mughal period, the Badshai Road passed from Atari to Govindwal, via serais Amanat Khan, Nurdin, Naurangabad and Fatehabad, all of which are situated in Tarn Taran. The serais are almost of the same design and dimensions, having water tanks. These places virtually formed fortified habitation, the whole population residing within the four walls of the serais. Over 100 yards in length as well as breadth, Serai Amanat Khan is 29 km from Amritsar and four km from Attari. At a distance of about 12 km from Serai Amanat Khan, on the Tarn Taran Road, is another serai, called Nurdin. About 11 km from Nurdin towards Govindwal is a serai at Naurangabad that is also in ruins. 

Located at a distance of 30 km from Amritsar, Gobindwal Sahib is another place to visit during your excursion from Amritsar. The beautiful “bauli” has been marbled. However, its antiquity could not be preserved during “Kar Seva”.

Mr Dev Dard, an archeologist, says villagers adopted different methods for water harvesting and conservation in those days. He says the temple tanks were once the heart of water management. Partition also gave a big blow to the heritage temples and water tanks.

These former drug addicts now motivate others to give up the habit.

Yogesh Hinant, Kamleshwar and Pritpal, all in their 20s, have become ambassadors in spreading the message of de-addiction at the Red Cross De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital.

Head of the mission since its inception has been Dr Saroj Sanan.

She said majority of the youth were entering the world of drugs because of bad parenting and stressful upbringing. “The youth are isolated and face a dilemma for the future,” she added.

Dr Sanan said a study by the centre had shown that 41 per cent of the total drug addicts in the district were between the age group of 16 to 20. “About 17 per cent of them are graduates. Professionals constitute 4 per cent and illiterates and primary educated make up 2 per cent each,” she added.

She said around 61 per cent were addicted to smack. It proves the easy availability of this drug in the market”.

Talking about her experiences the rehabilitation of drug addicts, Dr Sanan said during last 10 years, 2,271 patients have been cured. “Majority of them used to take smack”.

Presently, the centre is home for 23 addicts who are being providing with counselling and are kept engaged the whole day in various activities including yoga, prayers, counselling, indoor and outdoor games. “They are responding positively to the month-long treatment,” she said.

Dr Sanan said the government provides about Rs five lakh of the centre’s annual budget of about Rs 6 lakh, while the remaining amount collected through the contributions of the Red Cross Society.

Mr K. D.S. Bhullar, the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner and President of the Red Cross Society, said the society ran a deaf and dumb school for the students till class VII providing special coaching to physically-challenged students. He said that blood donation camps were also organised regularly in association with various social and academic institutions of the district.

The society, he said, also ran an artificial limb fitting centre.

Several schools in the city including the Senior Study School-II, DAV Public School, Shri Ram Ashram Public School, Spring Dale Senior School, Manav Public School and Sri Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School got 100 per cent pass results in the CBSE Class X examinations, which wereannounced this week.

Kirti Ahuja made Amritsar proud by securing 98.2 per cent— the highest in the country. A student of the DAV Public School, Kriti said she had set her goals on joining the IITs and later the Civil Services. Kirti said she dreamt of serving the country to the best of her abilities.

It was her love for mathematics which had brought her this laurel and the reason why she opted for the non-medical stream. She not only excelled in mathematics but also in physics, chemistry and social studies.

Rachit Gupta of Shri Ram Ashram Public School secured the second position in the region with 97 per cent, while Swapandeep of Spring Dale Senior School became third with 96.8 per cent.

Rachit attributed his success to self-study and hard work. He gave the credit of his success to his teachers and parents who, he added, always stood by him and helped him in each subject.

For Swapandeep too, it was hard work and the blessings of his parents and teachers, which made him achieve this position.

He said he planned to take up the medical stream and become a doctor.

President of the Shri Ram Ashram Public School, Dr Harbilas Rai, said the school achieved a unique distinction with all its students passing the examination in first division.

The Principal of Spring Dale Senior School, Ms Manveen Sandhu, said it was a glorious year for the school that out of the 186 students who appeared for the Class X examination, 34 got above 90 per cent.

Manik Mehra of the Senior Study School-II secured 94.8 per cent followed by Shauryavir Singh with 94.2 per cent. He got 100 marks each in mathematics and science. Nearly six students of the school got above 90 per cent.

Principal of the school, Mr Vijay Mehra, said the excellent result was the combined effort of the students and the staff.

Jasleen Kaur Arora of Shri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School secured 95.2 per cent and topped the school’s merit list.

Principal, Mr Dharmvir Singh, said the school achieved 100 per cent results.

Sukriti and Suruchi of Manav Public School scored 95 per cent in the CBSE Class X exams while Aanchal and Vaibhav scored 93 per cent and 92 per cent respectively. Nine students of the school secured over 90 per cent.