Ancient bazaars of holy city: shoppers’ delight
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Sugar toys being prepared in the walled city of Amritsar.
Sugar toys being prepared in the walled city of Amritsar. — Photos by Rajiv Sharma 
Foreign tourists buy silver products in Guru Bazaar, Amritsar
Foreign tourists buy silver products in Guru Bazaar, Amritsar

Guru Bazaar, ancient market of the holy city that developed between Guru ke Mahal and the Golden Temple is now a famous gold and silver market, adding a sparkle to city’s shining heritage.

Around Harmandir Sahib are narrow winding alleys and streets of the Old City — cosy and clean bazaar lanes, dotted by shops selling jewellery. Some of the buildings look old and are beautiful with their trellised wooden and metal balconies. Amritsar is a treat for history lovers too. It boasts of a number of historical monuments which captivate connoisseurs with their matchless aura.

People from various parts of the country throng old bazaars to make vigorous purchases. Divali, literal meaning “rows of lighted lamps” is the most enthusiastically enjoyed festival of Amritsar. For trading community, new business year starts on Divali. The sweet delicacies ‘Khand de Khedone’ (sugar toys), silver and gold jewellery, made in the Holy City is great attraction for shoppers.



Bengali artisans have rapidly replaced Punjabi craftsmen in gold jewellery.

Mr Vijay Kapoor, a jeweller, said that cheap Bengali labour has become a viable alternative to traders.

Apart from this, Bengali artisans are better craftsmen since they belong to traditional families of artisans. Roughly 90 per cent artisans are believed to be Bengalis.

They have adapted to the culture and speak Punjabi.

While have-nots still find the earthen lamp —considered to be the poor man’s light, out of their reach due to high mustard oil prices , the haves would make beeline to buy dazzling silver ‘Diyas’ in the ancient ‘Guru Bazaar’ to light up their houses. A great range of glittering ‘Hatli’ (Divali) and idols of Ganesha and Laxmi are in great demand. The Guru Bazaar in ‘Sifti Da Ghar’ has been shopper’s delight and many foreigners could be seen flocking the silver shops.

The Guru Bazaar markets gold and silver to almost entire north India. Each shop in the market is like a storehouse of a variety of gold ornaments. A shop here could be a big showroom or a small box-like place in a corner.

A good number of residents are engaged in preparing traditional sweet delicacies like Makhana, Patasa, Phulian and sugar toys. Customarily sugar toys are vital part of the festival celebrations.

Though the number of shops making sugar toys is handful yet they are keeping traditional delicacy alive. These sugar toys are sold not only in the local market but across the state. The toys are prepared in animal and bird forms. Patasa, phulian and Mishri are traded off to as far as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Dry winter of Leh and Ladakh make mishri prepared here a must to have for families there. Harpreet Singh, a young trader and manufacturer, said that his family shop in the Mishri Bazar was as old as the city is. He gave details of family hierarchy starting from his father Mr Satpal Singh, late Mohinder Singh, Sunder Singh, Jhanda Singh and Burj Singh.

With change in human taste and habits, there are few takers for these sugar toys. Only five old business houses are involved in this business.

Since medieval times Amritsar has been an important centre for trade. In old days, its proximity to Lahore attracted the traders from West and Central Asia. Even now, Amritsar continues to be an essential revenue collector. Guru Bazaar offers quality products of popular brands at very reasonable prices. Though much has been changed with passage of time, even today, the markets have an ambience of ancient times. There are rows upon rows of shops on each street selling specifics goods.

Remarkable feature about Guru Bazaar is that the upper storey of the buildings, which look like houses from outside, are in fact a large wholesale and production market of gold and ornaments. Next market is Katra Kesarian - famous for steel and brass utensils. More than 100 shopkeepers are doing brisk business of utensils, shining brightly under electric lamps. While Guru Bazaar specialises in gold jewellery shops, the Bazaar Kesarian is for steel and brass utensils. These bazaars hum with activity during festival days, especially Divali. The adjoining Katra offers a colourful kaleidoscope of bridal glass bangles. However, the Mishri Bazaar - the dry fruit market is doing brisk business where dry fruit from Afghanistan also reaches.

The name of the festival comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning “row of lights”. Small earthenware lamps called diyas, traditionally fueled by mustard oil, are placed in windows, doors and outside buildings—although nowadays these are often replaced by strings of electric lights. Since the potters had already baked earthen lamps in bulk in anticipation of Divali, there are few takers for the commodity.

Only rich persons can afford to light up their houses with earthen lamps on this auspicious occasion, says, a potter. He points out that due to a glut of earthen lamps, the potters have resorted to distress sale. In view of the recession, the potters have already slashed the prices of earthen lamps this time.

There are more than 70 families of potters who are engaged in the clay work in Amritsar. In most cases, entire family members of the potters are engaged in making the earthen pots. Even then, they save not more than Rs 1000 per month, said, a potter of Anngarh village.

The high prices of mustard oil have come as a blessing in disguise for candle makers. The sales of candles have gone up — much higher than the last Divali. Candle factories have also hiked their rates. Even then, the people prefer candles to earthen lamps for obvious reasons.

The sari and fabric shops in the Katra Jaimal Singh are a textile lover’s dream. Running the array from silky-smooth synthetics to the finest silks and wools, they boast something to please every taste. The pashminas, splendidly beaded dresses, elegant men’s wedding suits, and tasteful boxed shirt-and-tie sets with quasi-designer names are available at affordable prices.

It is difficult to estimate the volume of sale and purchase of silver and astounding jewellery since the smart shop-keepers won’t come forward to reveal their earnings. Hundreds of craftsmen are engaged in the silver business. The ‘Guru ki Nagri’ - the city with many faces and legendry cultural fabric with pronounced historical trimmings has been traveller’s delight for a long.

During Divali, homes are cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps, lights and candles are lit as a greeting to Goddess Lakshmi. The festival is a very important Hindu festival when Lord Rama returned home after ‘ Banwas’ (exile) of 14 years. On the same day, Sikhs celebrate the return of the sixth Nanak, Guru Hargobind from detention in the Gwalior Fort. The day when the Guru was released coincides with the festival of Divali. This coincidence has resulted in similarity of celebration amongst Sikhs and Hindus. Keeping in view the common cultural fabric, even Nanakshahi Jantri- the separate calendar of the Sikhs has allowed the Sikhs, Hindus and Jains to celebrate the festival jointly.

The Sikhs celebrate this day as Bandi Chhor Divas (literal meaning the day of release of detainees).

The Jain community in Amritsar also celebrates Divali with great enthusiasm since Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, attained his Nirvana on the day of Diwali. According to Mr Amrit Lal Jain, President Punjab Beopar Mandal, next day of Divali is celebrated by Jains as New Year’s Day.

For many residents, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The new business year starts at Divali, and some Hindus will say prayers to Lakshmi for a successful year. Windows and doors are left open to make it easy for her to enter, and special patterns, rangoli, are drawn on the floor, the most popular being the lotus flower.

At this time, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. The books are worshipped in a special ceremony by Indian priests and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate, and jealousy from their lives.

The shops present a splendid collection of silver ornaments, bracelets, idols in wonderful designs and patterns. Made of pure silver, these items boast excellent designs.

Mr Padam Jain, owner of the oldest silver shop (more than two century old ) says that silver made Hatli, called Divali ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50,000 (weight 2.5 kg). They also receive orders from NRIs.

He claims that it is his fifth generation in the silver business. Similarly, the shop of Mr Amrit Lal Jain in Guru Bazaar (deals in plastic now) is 90-years-old. Some of the oldest gold/silver shops in the bazaar include ‘Bhagtan Di Hatti’ and Durga Dass Seth - both jewellers.

The beautiful ornaments studded with semi-precious stones are specially made for people who understand what fine art is. Their unmatched beauty and the extrinsic craftsmanship make them ideal as gift items.

The exceptional range of pendants made of silver and studded with semi precious stones is famous for its ideal looks. They also develop products as per buyers’ specifications. Gorgeous semi-precious silver earrings are guaranteed to make anyone’s jaw drop when they see the exclusive assortment of silver earrings.

The Bengali and Punjabi craftsmen have mastered the art of engraving on metal. Here they create exquisitely engraved brassware articles like lamps, boxes, bowls, picture frames and planters. Ancient art and modern aesthetics mingle well at the roadside silversmith in Amritsar. Now, the machine-made jewellery has dominated handcrafted items.

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DAV opens dengue helpline
Our Correspondent

DAV College has opened a Dengue Blood Bank and Helpline for donating blood and providing aid to dengue patients.

The Principal of the College, Dr V.K Sharma, said the college has established an exclusive blood bank as only fresh blood was required for dengue patient’s recovery.

He said dengue helpline would render all information and help to the patient suffering from the disease. He said in this way their aim was to encourage students to donate blood and participate in helping the society. 

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My City
City changing with the times
Karamjit Singh Sandhu

A lot is being said about the Conservation of Heritage of Amritsar City. The whole set-up of views is prejudices of the scholars but there are other views also which are relevant for the heritage of the city.

Just imagine the scene in the absence of redevelopment works of the Amritsar Improvement Trust, approach road to the Golden Temple Project and the Corridor Plan for the beautification of the areas around Golden Temple. These works have opened up the city core for the convenience of a large number of visitors without any damage caused to any building of site of heritage importance. Rather these efforts have been instrumental in fusing current values with old and historic values.

Since change is the law of nature, Amritsar city is also changing its face to cope up with the changed circumstances and the requirements of the society. This is in the fitness of the things that elevated road connecting the G.T. Road with city core without dismantling of any building is under construction at the moment which will not affect the city heritage in any manner as anticipated by many scholars. Project of this kind will definitely enhance the functional integration in the city.

Amritsar being an important centre of cultural and religious heritage is bound for many more spatial changes, which need to be welcome by each one in my city. In the city fabric today, metro system, battery operated buses, traffic free zone around Golden Temple and many other systems are not feasible and workable at present. It is then desirable to postpone the application of most modern approaches in the present context.

What is really desirable is to comprehend the functional need of the city comprehensively with the concurrence of State Government. The existing as well as proposed NGO will not be helpful in any manner for conserving the heritage of the city but the need of the time is for establishing a special authority to be called as the Amritsar Development Authority with wide ranging powers in the interest of comprehensive development and the care of the city of International status. The state government should come forward with a strong will and support for the cause of managing the city with care.

The writer is a Senior Lecturer at Guru Ramdas School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

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Punjab Agro to bring 4200 acres under hyola
Our Correspondent

The Punjab Agro would bring 4200 acres of land in Amritsar district for cultivation of hyola under the contract farming system.Mr Baljit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, in a meeting organised to create awareness about crop diversification, said the state government was trying to enable farmers to face financial constraints by adopting crop diversification and come out of the wheat-paddy circle which was harming the state. Punjab Agro was committed to purchasing the crops sowed by the farmers on their advice. Last year Punjab Agro purchased 2,000 quintals of hyola at Rs 1,715 per quintal.

Mr J. S. Ghuman, District Manager, Punjab Agro, said hyola could be sowed from October 7 to 10 while it is harvested from March 15. He said farmers interested in sowing hyola could purchase the seed from Punjab Agro office or other centres and get their name registered with the office so that their crop could be procured by them.

He said the department would organise cluster camps at block levels to create awareness and encourage the farmers to sow hyola and other crops for diversification. 

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Chinese lights sweep Amritsar markets
P. K. Jaiswar

Divali - the festival of light now has a new light with the introduction of Chinese lights, which have virtually thrown traditional Indian electrical lights out of the market solely due to price factor and introduction of new varities every year keeping the interest of buyers.

With Divali approaching near, the demand of these lights swells many times. While the traditionalists still prefer earthen lamps, which are inseparable parts of Divali celebrations, most of the people find numerous colored Chinese electric lights attractive.

Chinese lights are affordable and hassle free. These were available in many shapes and different kinds of fruits like cherries, pineapples etc. A visit of market of electrical goods in Hall Bazaar and IDH market found these markets flooded with new designs with long ‘larees called Rope light and new verities.

A Shopkeeper in the IDH market told this correspondent that customers get attracted to these lights due to the less prices as compare to domestic lights.

These lights range between Rs 15 to rs 200 and is within the reach of common man. One can also buy multicolored lights placed inside different colored flowers between the range of Rs 25 to Rs 30. Just plug in and these will shine the whole house with different colours of light.

The traditional domestic lights used to be made by purchasing small size bulbs from Delhi and other far away markets and then connected with each other by using electric wires. This process consumes more time and labour; hence become costly ranging from Rs 100 onwards and were difficult to repair.

Although, the Chinese lights which are imported from China and find way to New Delhi and other parts of the country, were mostly irreparable, but it does not pinch the customer due to its low cost factor.

Another shopkeeper in Hall Bazaar market said they procure the lights from New Delhi on wholesale much before the festival resulting in high profit margin on the festival.

The other lights that are selling like hot cakes are rope lights as it primarily look like ropes with same colored bulbs enclosed within. Then there are silky lights covered with a smooth silk coating.

Lights in shapes of fruits are also selling briskly. Rice lights are in fact the cheapest. The pictures of Ganesh, Lakshmi and other idols of the Goddesses with soft lights and Bhajans recorded within were also in rich demand.

Another shopkeeper said that lights in shapes like pineapples grapes, cherries etc are still selling. Lights in the shape of a circle with small lights embedded within looked like a star and when hung looked glorious. The multi-layered Diyas are also favorites among the residents of the holy city. 

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Verka hopes for development
P K Jaiswar

At last — the historical township of Verka situated on the outskirts of holy city can now hope for its development which was till now a glaring example of neglect due to apathy of successive governments, local political leaders and Municipal Corporation.

The package announced by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh during a rally in this constituency has brought cheers amongst the residents of the city. But a section of this constituency was still doubtful about this. They said the announcing of package does not mean ‘development’. It would depend how much the government was serious whose term would end within few months as election was round the corner. Mere assurances would do nothing good, they added. They said earlier, too the leaders belonging to various political parties gave them assurances, but nothing had been done so far.

It may be recalled the chief minister announced establishment of a Government College for Boys in this constituency which could be set up over 10 acre land donated by residents of historic township. The Improvement Trust of Amritsar had already sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the construction of the college.

One Malkeet Singh, a resident of Verka and principal of private school said the projects announced by the previous governments were still hanging fire and only time will tell what would be the fate of these projects.

Besides, Capt Amarinder Singh also announced Rs 9.63 crore for the sewerage and drainage system to be laid down in the town as water logging was a common problem and water frequently collects on roads and nearby houses due to lack of proper drainage and sewage. This led to water borne diseases in the area.

The chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of sports stadium in Verka at a cost of Rs.50 lakh besides inaugurating the fourth tubewell to augment the water supply for 5,000 people of the area.

The historical Gurdwara Nanaksar and the famous Verka Milk Plant are located here. The gurdwara was built in the memory of the visit of Guru Nanak Dev, who rested here after returning from Batala and cured a boy of his aliment. Every Sunday, a large number of suffering children take a holy dip here. However, the area is still the slum-part of the holy city. It awaits a nod from authorities for its proper development.

The residents alleged that the Verka situated on main Batala Road, which connects Pathankot, Jammu and Kashmir, Dalhousie and many other important places, this highway mostly remains in a bad condition. The condition of other lanes and streets continues to be even worse. No metalling of roads has been done for years, despite several assurances by politicians and district administration. There is no proper bus stand for buses which stop “any and everywhere” on main roads, leading to frequent brawls, besides making the area accident-prone. 

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Pluss, clothes for all sizes
Tribune News Service

There is good news for the people who have extra weight by relishing chole bhature, Amritsari kulchas and other items prepared with pure desi ghee. Now, they need not hide behind loose clothes and unwanted combinations of colours as ‘Pluss’, the exclusive showroom for men and women of all sizes have opened here also.

Persons with extra size would be able to find their sizes on without any difficulty.

With the opening of this showroom, which was inaugurated by the Mayor, Mr Sunil Datti, it could be possible for the people to purchase readymade garments of all sizes and fittings. So far, of Pluss has five showrooms and the company plans to open 50 mores all over the country in next two years. The garments in the showroom range from Rs 599 to Rs 1,499. 

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Media Matters

It’s not an easy job to handle so many hotshot mediapersons, that too for a stretch of about three hours, under the same roof. But Jeff Gralnick did a remarkable job.

In city to address a one-day workshop titled ‘Trends in Global Media’, this Chairman of CNBC, NBC and Public Television at the Press Club, he knew how to get the interest going throughout the session.

Treading carefully on the minefield (in his own words),which our esteem journalists laid down for the veteran, Jeff (with his casual jacket and trousers, he was instantly on the first name basis) carefully answered about the pros and cons of the new technologies in media.

But more than the knowledge of latest technologies, we are more interested in knowing the impact of it on the media functioning.

So the question that pops up in the discussion is— has the new technologies weakened the position of an editor?

“Not in the USA,” comes the reply and of course the position of an editor depends on the management.

“But then money is a cool dictator.” Irony!

And social responsibility of a newspaper? “Just report fairly and honestly. And remember that it’s not the job of a newspaper to save the world,” says Jeff. With a 45-year career in broadcast news, a writer and producer of special events covering among other things, every space launch from Alan Shepard to the landings on the moon and political conventions, Vietnam War, he sounds like the man who is absolutely sure of what he is talking about.

As the stress of the workshop was the digital media, we print-media people express our concern over the stiff competition we are forced to meet with.

“With television and Internet breaking news minute to minute we have rethink our working module. Find out what are the additional information we can give out to our readers who are still loyal to the print media,” he says. So is evening newspapers the answer?

“It’s an outdated concept which has been completely wiped out by Television,” is the words of wisdom. Well, Jeff did educate us. But this media magnet too has something to take home from this visit.

“After staying four days in India, I can go back and say ‘hey there is more to India than it just being a northern point.” Well put!

— P.R.

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Different Strokes

‘Life is not a smooth ride, but one should not get dejected for there is always hope for tomorrow’ Parbina Rashid

He is good at healing your fracture but he is equally good at healing your heart too. He is Dr Rajendra Kumar Kanojia, Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at PGI. But why we seek him out is not for his skilled fingers that handle the scissors with precision, but his artistic hands that handle paints and brush with equal ease. That’s not all, his artistic self also finds expression in poetry and short stories.

Difficult to imagine, especially after you have had the misfortune to see a doctor working the way they do at the OPD of PGI?

But sit with him for a while, he makes life look nice and bright.

“Healing people, writing poetry or painting are all connected. All three things have to do with creativity,” he tells us and we begin to see his philosophy.

To simplify this he recites a self- composed verse—

Tut kar gir hi gayi

Thak kar pattiyan sabhi

Aur naye ped ne

Phir odh li nayi sondhi sawan ki chadar hari

“Life is not a smooth ride, but one should not get dejected for there is always hope for tomorrow,” says Kanojia.

Writing and painting has always been a passion with this Allahabad-born doctor. Medicine happened later.

“The first real high I got from my writing when a series of my short stories were aired on the Yuv Vani programme of the All-India Radio when I was only a class XI student,” he says recalling the days when he used to take part in all major painting and writing competitions without telling his parents and then come back with prizes only to meet the scornful look of his parents.

But once he proved that he was equally good at his studies, their approval followed.

He never gave up his childhood enthusiasm. “In fact the years I had spent in Delhi, had been my best years in terms of literary achievement,” says Dr Kanojia.

During this period Dr. Kanojia published three books – Hamare Hisse Ki Duniya (an anthology of poems) and two short story collections Lautte Hue Din and Shinakt. Well, Dr Kanojia has been busy with his creative pursuit but that does not mean that he has been neglecting medicine. Kanojia’s book Kamar Dard: Karan and Nivaran has become a guidebook for the common man.

As far as his paintings go, Kanojia believes in taking inspiration from nature. “I find painting therapeutic and I like capturing nature on canvas,” says Kanojia.

He has a collection of 100 of his paintings. “I will like to exhibit them someday,” says Kanojia with a dreamy look. Who says toiling hard with subjects like chemistry and biology saps one’s creativity? 

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Dhawan Educational Consultancy

Dhawan Educational Consultancy was formed in Mar, 1992 by Chitresh Dhawan to assure the integrity and credibility of agents who recruit students on behalf of Australian Education institution. Our company also works as e-Visa lodgement agency for Department of Immigration and multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), Australia, Among the 28-e-visa authorised representative in India, Dhawan Education is one of them. The Australian High Commission (AHC) has chosen e-visa representative based on the performance and track record in the last couple of years. Dhawan Education is proud to be selected by the AHC.

Since implementation of the e-visa in India, Dhawan Education has lodged numbers of applications as on date with minimum visa refusals. Dhawan Education commands a very high reputation in the prospective international student market especially from Punjab State.

We have successfully enrolled about 1000 students to University of Ballarat at MIT, Melbourne Campus and about 750 students to Brighton Institute of Technology (Melbourne) from year 2004 till date. Majority of the students are for Post Graduate Courses. Also in addition few students have been enrolled in Tafe institutions.

With the recent changes and development in visa procedures/policies, there has been a tremendous response from students who specifically wish to study at highly renowned and reputed Universities. Having an experience of over 15 years. We have a success rate of 99% Maximum of our students are comfortable and having great prospects for their future goal. We give services till our students get their permanent residency.

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Destination Overseas

Destination Overseas is a well established organization, dedicated to serve and help the Indian youth in getting the basic and higher education in the foreign Universities and Colleges. The Organization is backed by a dynamic, experienced as well as professional management, working for the last four years for the organization.

We at Destination Overseas believe that choosing the right field of study is certainly one of the most crucial decisions of one’s life.

Destination Overseas provides professional and technical counseling services to the students, helping them with the best future career prospectus in the leading universities and colleges abroad.

Our counselors are professionally trained who other than counseling students also provides all information on visa application and other follow through services like pre-departure briefing.

It has been observed that 60% of clients of Destination Overseas come through “word of mouth” publicity.

The company has maintained high standard of business ethics and competence and enjoys good reputation in the region.

Philosophy

Destination Overseas was established with a vision of providing our world class services throughout India.

We believe that it is possible only with a strong network of associate partners who have the same vision and willing to dedicate themselves in providing the required services to the students of this country to realize their dreams.

Business Potential

Overseas Education is a fast growing and a very potential business. The number of students going abroad is increasing everyday.

India is a very potential market for recruitment of international students because Indian students can speak English very easily and have very good communication skills that is why more and more Universities/Colleges come to India in every semester to recruit students for their respective Institutes.

Our Commitment to our Associates

We are committed to our associates to provide them with full backup in recruiting students, keeping them informed about application status of each student, to give them training about visa documentation and counseling.

If you have enough financial resources and interest in the field, kindly send your details at franchisee@destination-overseas.com

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Tough season for compulsive shoplifters, thieves
Ashok Sethi

Compulsive shoplifters and habitual thieves, beware this season as their movements are being continuously monitored. Malls and mega marts have got electronic tags and sensors installed at all gates to detect thefts in the stores.

Even the most innovative thieves with novel modus operandi have been caught with their pants down, literally. Quoting an interesting incident, the senior manager of a newly opened countrywide chain of Vishal Megamart at Ranjit Avenue, Mr Saurabh Misra, said a student of the local medical college was caught wearing stolen jeans concealed under his trousers. The moment he stepped close to the electronic sensor at the exit gate, the siren raised the alarm and he was stopped for frisking. To their astonishment, they found the jeans under his pants.

In a similar episode, a woman was also stopped while she was using a same modus operandi of hiding a set of inner wear. Mr Misra said they come across eight to 10 such incidents daily, which is normal in a major departmental store.

He said the management had taken all precautions to save their products being stolen. He, however, pointed out that majority of thefts were of a very small nature, including products easy to carry.

The manager of the store said they deal in more than 10,000 items, including fast-moving consumer goods, food items, ready to eat products, linen, crockery, steel utensils, and you name the product it is there on the shelf.

The management of Koutons, Mr Daljit Singh Kohli, said they had devised special tokens fixed to every garment. At the time of the billing, the tags are taken off by the packing department to ensure that no such thefts take place. He said that they had also installed electronic sensors at the exit gates to prevent the store from the compulsive shoplifters and kleptomaniacs. 

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Swift Sales Service

Overseas education — within your reach

Swift Sales Service, was established in 1979 with the launch of Electronic Calculators & is the 1st to bring SHARP Intercoms, BEETEL, TATA Push Button Phones, EPABX, CCTV & Security systems in this area & still leader in this field.

SWIFT Educational Services is a new venture in Overseas Education, objective is to:

— Make overseas Education accessible to all Indian Students.

— Provide guidance to students on overseas study opportunities based on an individual’s financial, educations & social background & career goals.

— Provide total solution to students, from choosing the right course, University & country, to completing applications & follow ups, visa filing & processing, accommodation, travel & airport pickup.

Studying abroad has been considered to be only for a privilege few because of the misconception that it is very expensive and one has to pass through many qualifying exams (GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, etc) to stand a chance.

We aim to break this myth & prove that studying abroad can actually be more economical than studying in India, that one has better career choices & that most countries do not have qualifying exams like U.S. Universities.

We represent a large number of Universities & Institutions in U.K., Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, Dubai, Singapore etc to meet the academic requirements of students.

Above all, We offer SERVICES to all students FREE OF Charge!

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Opp. Hotel Suncity Tower, Queen’s Road, AMRITSAR.

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Craze for animation gaining ground

Information technology and animation is used in every field. It has won big place in the print media, electronic media, web media, animation and film industry.

The craze of animation is getting increased every where in everything, whether it is a TV Cricket Match, songs, News Channel or advertisements. Carton characters give you healthy entertainment with the increase in animation culture, the demand for animations has increased in the industry.

In Animation the Software 3DS Max & Maya are very widely spoken of the developer of software 3DS Max ie Auto desk has won wonder fame.

There are lot of opportunities available in this industry. India is receiving order worth Rs 6 Million Dollars of outsourcing work from the total of 25 billion dollars. The reason behind this is the quality of work at reasonable price.

It is a good direction for the students and special is it to see that every 5th job will be connected with it in the coming years.

Visual effects / digital effects is the another very important part in post production work. Everything we see some times is not real. It is the work of different software to make a movie, Ad presentable for the people.

Multimedia creations, the only authorized training center of Auto desk (USA) in North India has done a marvelous job by getting students issued Worldwide valid certificates through professional training. The student get job in India as well as in abroad after getting successful training. Multimedia creations is also the first one to come up with an Audio Video Studio in the name of “SAI FILMS” which is given remarkable performance in the field of editing. It is doing editing on apple G5 editing Machine with the software Final – Cut – Pro.

It is providing professional education in Graphic designing, Audio-Video Editing, Composting, 2D and 3D Animation, Website Designing and interior exterior designing. There is another course available here in Multimedia creation ie. Diploma in Visual Effect it include various Software like Adobe Photo Shop, 3D Animation, After Effects, Final Cut –pro, Motion, Live type , Sound track pro, Camera Handling & Chroma Shoot. There will be 15 days studio training available which will enhance the confidence of student to do job work in different channel and production house, During studio training they work in live projects.

After the completion of the course, student can work as visualizes, ink and paint artists, special effects persons, character animators, modeling artist, page lay out artists, art consultants, editing professionals and web animators in various print and production houses.

This career has name, fame, creativity & also the handsome earning. The need is of interest and passion in the person for being a professional in join this field as a career and create your imaginations to make it real.

Recently, Multimedia creations has tied up with cyberdyne computers 355- the mall to offer these professional job oriented course in Amritsar. Hence please feel free to visit our Amritsar center to get first hand information about these courses.

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AC buses minting good money
Manish Kumar Singal
Tribune News Service

The government-run air-conditioned deluxe buses plying between Amritsar to Chandigarh are doing good business. The bus service that was started on July 21 this year by the Captain Aamrinder Singh has been proved to be a successful transportation for the general public.

But still the transport authority officials claims that they could even better business if the private illegal buses could be stopped. The private illegal buses plying on the same route offer concessional rates as they do not pay route taxes.

According to the District Transport Officer Mr. Bhupinder Singh, “Our buses are doing good business and the passengers are also feeling satisfied especially in the scorching heat when out air-conditioned buses give them soothing effect.” Speaking on the issue of illegal private buses, he said that the business would raise manifold if the plying of illegal private buses would be stopped.

If fact it is the connivance between the private bus operators and local police and the transport officials due to which the private bus operators are plying those buses illegally and minting out hefty money.

These buses do not pay the tax to the government and hence offer discounted fare charges to the passengers. They do not have route permit. The government run A/C buses was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on July 21 this year.

It was decided after flagging off the first Super Deluxe AC Bus from Amritsar to Chandigarh that the State Transport department that had already purchased new eight such buses, would be soon pressed in service on Chandigarh-Abohar via Patiala, Chandigarh-Katra and Amritsar-Delhi route.

The most shocking is that the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was aware about the plying of these illegal private buses and have mentioned about those while inaugurating the bus service between Amritsar to Chandigarh, but did nothing to stop them.

The fare of the government run a/c bus is Rs. 297 per passenger from Amritsar to Chandigarh. While the private bus operators offer fare of Rs. 282 per passenger on the same route. This difference, which is not much, but have attracted good number of passengers. This is the reason that the bus going to Chandigarh generally goes less than half filled and the private buses go fully loaded.

These buses have fully reclining luxury seats fitted with tabletops, mobile charging points and fitted with all weather air conditioners. Besides the bus has double TFT screen television, DVD and music system.

These buses on the Chanidgarh-Amritsar route leave Amritsar for Chandigarh at 4.45 am and from Chandigarh to Amritsar at 5.00 pm from Sector 17 bus stand. 

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Fellowship for Amritsar ophthalmologist
Our Correspondent

City ophthalmologist, Dr Vikas Menon, has been selected for clinical fellowship in ophthalmic plastic surgery, orbital disease and ocular oncology at the prestigious LV Prasad, Eye Institute at Hyderabad.

Dr Mennon, completed his schooling from Manav Public School and then gained entrance to the local Government Medical College in 1995.

Completing his MBBS in December 2000, Dr Menon opted for DNB at Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

He is the only ophthalmologist from north India to be selected for this fellowship. The 15-month long fellowship will help him understand the latest medical techniques in curing complicated eye diseases.

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Although Australia welcome highly qualified migrants with relevant skills and work experience, there is limit to the number of visas granted each year. Thus, every year, quite a number of applications are refused. Further more, there does not exist a right of appeal against a visa refusal. This means that only the well prepared and well advised applications get approval for migration to Australia. By using the services of Auscanus Consultants you are offered a detailed knowledge of Australian Immigration rules and professional help in processing your visa application for various categories like General Skill, SIR and STNI migration.

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Rare recovery for three-year-old
Our Correspondent

For little Anirudh Talwar (3) it was no less than a miracle that he recovered from acute infection of Heptitis-A. Anirudh was admitted in the Fortis hospital about 20 days back and brought in an unconscious state.

Dr Sudesh Sharma, consultant pediatrician, and Dr Rajiv Thukral, consultant gastroenterologist, said the child had minimal chances of recovery.

It was a rare recovery for such a severely infected case, the first in their long medical careers.

The doctors explained that the child’s liver was extensively damaged, and it was in grade 3 to 4 of terminal stage. The child remained unconscious for four days and suffered from fits.

He remained without solid food for almost 13 days and was provided intravenous nourishment.

The child was not vaccinated against the virus and the infection either through contaminated food or water.

Parents of the child said it was grace of the Almighty that their son overcame the disease. Anirudh, a student of DAV Public School, would be able to join school after four weeks, added the doctors.

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Change handwriting & change fate
Manish Kumar Singal
Tribune News Service

Handwriting not only describes the personal traits of a person, it also casts the destiny of a person. And of course, by changing your handwriting, one can change his destiny.

This is what a graphologist working area.

It is just like reading the lines of a palm, which tells the future of a person and keep on changing every six months. But in case of handwriting, it is you who can change the destiny by changing the handwriting, claims Mr Mohan Ray, a graphologist by profession and running his institute of improving handwriting.

Mr Ray is in Amritsar to give his lectures on graphology.

“The handwriting depicts the personality traits of a person and if there is any negativity in the behaviour of that person, it can be cured by improving his handwriting”, says Mr Mohan Ray, adding,

“It reflects the subconscious mind of a person.”

Mr Ray says that healthy handwriting is an asset in the professional as well as personal life of a person.

He said that the handwriting is divided into three parts, upper portion, middle portion and the lower portion.

The upper portion defines the personality of a person while middle portion depicts the daily action and the lower portion reflects the desire, drives of that person.

“By analyzing the construction of the letters, combination of two letters and the style of writing, the nature of a person can be analyzed,” said Mr Ray.

It is the science being used for hundreds of years to analyse the person. Graphology is a Greek word in which graph means the writing and ology means the science.

Mr Ray said that three thousand years ago Nero stated that he had no trust in a person whose handwriting is not acceptable to him.

“It is a perfect science and even the major disease like Cardiac disorders or brain hemorrhage can also be predicted. Not only this, by changing the handwriting, these disorders can be removed from the person’s life,” Mr Ray added.

The art of eliminating the disorders of any kind by changing the handwriting is called Graphotherapy.

“In this method, we change the letter formation and the writing style of a person, which acts as self sabotaging attitude and abnormal behaviour of a person hence eliminates the negative attitude of a person and give him a shoot in his professional and personal life,” said Mr Ray.

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