Abohar, January 23
Multifaceted activities marked the main function that was organised by the Punjabi Sabhyachar Manch to celebrate Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s 113th birth anniversary at the Sawan Public School here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ramesh Verma, Senior Medical Officer, Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital, said Netaji sacrificed his life for the freedom of India.

He said that the formation of the Indian National Army (INA) by Netaji was the first triumph of the Indian National Congress but for the British, it was a big setback, which ultimately compelled them to leave India.

Former SDM BL Sikka said Netaji was a man of his words and never compromised on the dignity of the nation. Netaji always opposed the policies of the British rulers and spread the message to throw off the foreign yoke and never stooped to the arrogance of the British rulers and instead fought against their policies and the treatment they meted out to the Indians.

Mahila Paropkarini Sabha chairperson Jamuna Devi Chawla said the best homage to Netaji would be to follow his mission and spread the message of peace and tranquility, which he gave to the nation during the freedom struggle.

Manch president Gurcharan Singh Gill said maintaining communal harmony was the first step towards peace and cautioned people against forces that were adamant on dividing the people on the basis of caste, creed and religion.

Representatives of different NGOs including veteran social activist Chaman Lal Wadhwa, Ramesh Bajaj, Des Raj Kamboj, Ramesh Middha, Parminder Sachdeva, Dr Rupinder Singh, Narinder Singh Dhanoa, principal Savita Ahuja, teachers and students offered flowers petals at Netaji's portrait.

On the occasion, a two-minute silence was observed to mourn the demise of the IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar. BL Sikka said Jakhar would be remembered not only as a pioneer of the cooperative movement but also as beacon for the NGOs.

After the function, SMO Dr Ramesh Verma inaugurated a polio camp to administer pulse polio drops to kids as part of the National Polio Prevention Programme.

Bathinda, January 23
In the memory of Punjabi literary legend Prof Rupinder Singh Mann, the Prof Rupinder Mann Yadgari Samvedna Manch held the second literary conference at the Baba Farid Public School here today.

The event was held in two sessions. Dr Surjeet Singh Bhatti presided over the first session, in which GS Dhaliwal of the Baba Farid Institute welcomed the intelligentsia. Dr Satnam Jassal, Hardam Singh Mann and Kranti Pal read papers on Prof Mann and spoke about the literary figure.

During the event, the Manch honoured a renowned columnist-cum-poet Sushil Dosanjh, who is also the editor of a magazine ‘Hunn’, by conferring upon him an award in the memory of Prof Mann. Kamaljeet Mann, sister of Rupinder Singh Mann, was also present on the occasion.

In the second session, a Kavi Darbar was held, which was presided by Prof Lok Nath. Among others, Buta Singh Chauhan, Harmander Kaharwala, Kavinder Chand, Satpal Bhikhi, Dr Davinder Saifi, Dr Sushil Raheja, Sushil Dosanjh and Anita Komal threw light on the contribution made by Prof Rupinder Singh Mann with their poetry.

Paying tributes to Mann, Ghania said he had written three books — Inkar Savikar, Andrali Tapish and Kis Sunya Kis Kahya Nanak — which were considered as gems in the literary world.

Ferozepur, January 23
A dispute, which erupted between a section of the Scheduled Caste community and management of the SD Sabha Gaushala in connection with the ownership and possession of 12 acres of land, located at village Rajji Wala, near this town, took a new turn today.

A criminal case against the clerk of the Gaushala along with four others was registered at the Kulgadi police station for their alleged involvement in theft and causing damage to the property of those who occupied that piece of land on a complaint lodged by Roshan, the former sarpanch of village Rajji Wala.

Yesterday, the activists of Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj blocked the traffic at Udham Singh Chowk for hours to protest against the dispossession of their members from that piece of land by the management of the SD Sabha Gaushala with the help of civil and police officials and subsequent registration of two criminal cases against some of them.

The case against Manjeet Singh Sodhi, the clerk of Gaushala and four others, namely, Virsa Singh, Joginder Singh, Amar Singh and Tarsem, was registered under various sections of the IPC.

Jatinder Mehra, president, SD Sabha Gaushala, has already said that the management had got the land evicted after it won a civil suit in a court of law. No arrest has been made so far, police said.

Fazilka, January 23
To boost tourism in this border town, the NGOs would organise a kite flying festival in Fazilka on February 8.

The festival would be organised at the local Government Senior Secondary School for Boys on Basant Panchami by the NGOs including Graduate Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF), Martyr Bhagat Singh Sports Club and Sarhad Social Welfare Society (SSWS), Fazilka. Experts from different towns of Punjab and the neighbouring states have been invited to participate, said Navdeep Asija, general secretary, GWAF and Rakesh Nagpal, president, SSWS.

The NGOs would also spread the message of the residents of Fazilka for getting district district headquarter status and checking female foeticide by printing and displaying it on the kites.

The winning teams would be awarded a cash prize of Rs 3100, Rs 2100 and Rs 1100, respectively by the SSWS, said Nagpal. Asija said the Association has also released a logo of the festival. — OC

Bathinda, January 23
Activists of the urban unit of the District Congress Committee are gearing up for PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh's Bathinda rally that is slated for February 11.

To make it a success, the leaders today held a meeting with party workers and urged them to mobilise maximum people from their respective areas for the rally. Among others, Tehal Singh Sandhu, Surjit Singh Mokha, Ashu Thakuar, Mahinder Singh Bhola, Anil Rana and Balraj Pakka addressed the gathering.