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Old-timers recount festivity of yore
Shopkeepers cash in on R-Day fervour
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Youth urged to exercise right to vote
Speaking out on National Voters’ Day
BFGI holds special lecture for students
Electrician electrocuted
Withdrawal of water bills sought
Man detained for carrying pistol near courts complex
Woman injured after being hit by a motorcycle
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Old-timers recount festivity of yore
Bathinda, January 25 Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (Retd) Rajinder Singh (67) said, "Things were different in our time. On the Republic Day, people used to gather and talk about the sacrifices made by freedom fighters to see India free from the British rule. In those days, leaders used to talk about nationalism, but today every political head is busy boasting about his/her party. Their focus is squarely on their political agenda and they don't talk about the importance of the day. The very purpose of the day is defeated." Retired military officer, Tarlok Singh (78), said with changing times, the importance of such days has also changed. "For us, it was a day of great importance, and we used to celebrate it with friends and family members. There was love and unity amongst the people. Sadly, for present generation, the Republic Day is only a holiday," he said. Another senior citizen, Ranjit Kumar said, "When we were young, the Republic Day filled us with a sense of patriotism. We used to celebrate it like a big festival. Helping others and promoting brotherhood were the main themes of the R-day celebrations. But now, January 26 and August 15 have been restricted to the formality of playing patriotic songs and hoisting the National Flag." Member of the District Public Grievances Committee, Amritpal Singh Sidhu, pointed out that the era of terrorism in Punjab impacted the Republic Day celebrations in the state. He said, “There was a time when days like Republic Day and Independence Day were an important part of everyone's life. People would traverse great distances to watch the Republic Day parade as it was a symbol of our new-found freedom and embodied our hopes and aspirations. But after terrorism spread in the state, people stopped being a part of huge gatherings." He, however, added that all was not lost. He said today's generation was very responsible and understand their duties. City youth unaware of significance of R-Day
When Bathinda Tribune asked some youngsters why is the Republic Day celebrated and what it means to them, it received some shocking answers. Hardeep Kaur said, "We have a holiday on this day. Schools and colleges organise functions. Rest, I do not know." Medical students Tanu and Mahima said, "We have a holiday on January 26 which is celebrated as the Republic Day. We do not know what happened on this day." St Xavier's High School student Kunika said, "We got independence on this day." |
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Shopkeepers cash in on R-Day fervour
Bathinda, January 25
We are talking about special discounts that are being offered on January 26. Although the concept of offering democracy discounts, discounts or sale offers announced on or around either the Republic Day or the Independence Day is not new, slowly it has started catching the fancy of Bathinda shopkeepers too. And hence, all those who have plans to spend the weekend shopping now have a dual reason to smile. They can show their patriotic side while they shop till they drop. Even as the end-of-season sales have been going on for more than a month now, many apparel showrooms on the Mall Road in the city have displayed the Indian flag along with the banners announcing the end-of season sale. The manager of one of such showrooms said, “This is our way of showing patriotism. We register bumper sales during the end-of-season sale. When we announce additional discount on some special occasion, the sales increase even further. It has been noticed that people wait for such discounts to buy products of their choice.” The concept of democracy discount has gone viral on the internet shopping portals too. To celebrate India’s 64th Republic Day, online shopping portal Freecultr is also offering 26 per cent discount on goods ordered on Janaury 26. While supermarket Big Bazaar, located on the premises of the Mittal’s Mall, launched its ‘Sabse Saste 5 Din’ campaign for the period January 23 to January 27, automobile brand Nissan is also offering special discount for booking any Nissan vehicle on January 26.
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Youth urged to exercise right to vote
Bathinda, January 25 Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav was the chief guest on the occasion. Also present during the function were Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Mohammad Tayyab, Sub-Divisional Magistarte (SDM) Shruti Sharma, district cooredinator of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Jagjit Singh mann, Deputy District Education Officer Amarjit Kaur and many others. Focusing on the importance of celebrating the National Voters’ Day and voting, the DC said, “The Constituion of India has given every one of us the right to vote. It is the right and duty of every citizen of India, who has attained the age of 18 years, to cast his/her vote.” “It is also our duty to not get influenced by the caste, creed, region or religion of any leader while casting our vote,” he added. He also spoke about how the Election Commission of India is taking concrete steps to ensure enrollment of youngsters in the voting list. Winners of the slogan writing, poster-making and speech competitions were also honoured on the occasion. Managing director of BFGI, Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal thanked all for attending the programme. The National Voters’ Day was also celebrated at the Punjabi University’s Maur campus. The celebrations started with an oath-taking ceremony during which the students vowed to protect the Indian democracy by taking part in the elections. Addressing the students, principal of the campus, Prof DK Madaan said, “The programme aims to instill in the youth a sense of empowerment and inspire them to exercise their right to franchise.” He also spoke extensively on the role the youth plays in shaping the future of a country. He appealed to the students to vote without any prejudice for a good and strong government. Ealier, the college had taken the intiative to ensure that all the eligible students of the college were enrolled as voters. Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, also organised a programme to celebrate the third National Voters’ Day. The function was chaired by Talwandi Sabo Sub-divisional Magistrate Anil Garg. He shared his views on the occasion and spoke on the power of vote and asked everyone present to take a pledge to cast their votes in every election. GKU chairman, Gurlab Singh Sidhu, managing director Sukhraj Singh and vice-chancellor SK Ahluwalia were also present on the occasion. Malwa College also organised a programme to celebrate the day. While addressing the students, principal of the college, NK Gossain reminded them about their right and duty to vote. “It is also our duty to make sure that we also make others aware about the significance of voting. Greater participation on the part of the youth is required to make the Indian democracy a success. We must also ensure that the elections are held peacefully and in a fair manner.” Dr Aruna Gupta, head of the Department of Political Science, asked all the eligible students to enroll themselves as voters.
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Speaking out on National Voters’ Day
Bathinda, january 25 This National Voters’ Day, Bathinda Tribune reporter Tanbir Dhaliwal spoke to students to find out how important they think voting is. To vote is not only our right but also our duty and we must take our duty towards our country seriously. If we want to bring about a change in the political system of our country, we must visit the polling booth and exercise our right to franchise. I believe, youth can transform the existing corrupt society into a better system. Voting is the first and the most important step that the citizens of any country can take towards a better future of the nation — Pardeep Singh, 24, studentIt is our responsibility to cast our vote and choose our leaders judiciously. Only a selfless leader can lead a society, city, state or country towards a better and bright future. Considering factors like religion, region, caste or creed of a political leader while voting for or against him is also not right. We must choose our leaders on the basis of their merits and not because they belong to our region or community. — Chamkaur Singh, 23, studentVoting is the only instrument with which we can change our country’s political system. The Indian constitution gives all its citizens, who have attained 18 years of age, the right to vote. People often make excuses and say that since all political parties are corrupt, there is no need for them to vote. In that case, we should hang our heads in shame as these leaders have been chosen by us. We should not despair as there is always a ray of hope in a democracy. Individual votes can collectively change the future of the county. — Abhishek Verma, 23, studentThe Constitution of India gives us the right to vote. Apart from being a right, it is also the duty of every adult citizen of the country to cast his/her vote and choose a political leader who can lead the country on the path of success and development. Political leaders and parties may try and influence us but it is our responsibility to be neutral when we go out to a polling booth to choose our leaders. — Shikha Bhatia, 25, student As responsible citizens of this country, it is our duty to cast our vote and be a part of the country’s democratic procedure of choosing a government. People who spend hours on complaining about how corrupt our political system is should take out five minutes to go and vote during elections. Those who do not vote have no right to crib. If we want to bring a change in the country, we will have to initiate the process and play an active part in it. — Beant Kaur, 22, STUDENT
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BFGI holds special lecture for students
Bathinda, January 25 Dr SS Chauhan of SLIET, Longowal delivered the lecture. Starting with the basics of electrical engineering, Dr Chauhan spoke to the students on various topics related to the functioning of machines. He told the students how even a thumb is useful in depicting the direction of various electrical quantities. In order to maintain interest of the audience and to make the understanding easier, Dr Chauhan took examples of very basic electrical equipment that are used in everyday life. To ensure participation of the students and to increase their practical thinking, he explained how simple routine acts can be done differently. Principal of BFCET, Manish Goyal ended the session by proposing the vote of thanks.
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Bathinda, January 25 The electrician, identified as 40-year-old Lakhvir Singh, was repairing a fault in the transformer in an area falling under the Kotshamir Grid. The victim was taken to the hospital by his co-workers where the doctors declared him dead. Police officials were informed about the incident and the matter is being investigated. — TNS
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Withdrawal of water bills sought
Bathinda, January 25
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Parasram Nagar residents booked for preparing fake bail documents Bathinda: Police has booked four persons for preparing fake documents to seek bail of jail inmates.The accused have been identified as Krishan Kumar, Baljinder Singh, Rakesh Kumar and Manish Kumar, all residents of Parasram Nagar. Police said the accused prepared fake documents to seek release of jail inmates. A case under Sections 181, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused at the Civil Line police station. The matter is being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing of the police.One held for stealing cement bags
Police have registered a case against Nirmal Singh of Barnala for stealing cement bags. Three booked for assault
A case was registered against three persons for beating up a resident of Lehra
Dhoorkut. |
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Man detained for carrying pistol near courts complex
Bathinda, January 25 The police said the accused was found carrying a pistol in the parking area and a case was not registered against him as he did not enter the court. The accused was a witness in a case of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and had come from Jaitu. The opposite party had warned him against deposing as a witness in the case but he chose otherwise. One of the members of the opposite party then informed the police about the accused carrying the weapon. Surinderpal, one of the policemen at the police post, said the accused was found carrying the pistol by the police and was taken to the police post where his credentials were checked. It was found that the weapon was licensed. The accused admitted his mistake and apologised. — TNS
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Woman injured after being hit by a motorcycle
Bathinda, January 25 A woman was injured after being hit by a motorcycle today morning. The motorcyclist hit the woman and fled from the spot leaving the injured woman on the road. The woman has been identified as 40-year-old Usha Rani. After some onlookers called up the city-based NGO Sahara Jan Sewa, its volunteers came and rushed Usha Rani to the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital. In another road accident, a roadside vendor near the Bathinda railway station was hit by a vehicle today. The vendor sustained a fracture in his leg. He was also rushed to the emergency ward of the Civil Hospital by the volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa. The volunteers could not ascertain the identity of the vendor.
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Now just another holiday, the Republic Day is celebrated with great fervour across a crossection of people.
Bathinda, January 25
