& V I C I N I T Y
Monday, November 30, 1998
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C H A N D I G A R H & V I C I N I T Y |
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Monday, November 30, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Demolitions may hit LPG
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 Fireworks bring the curtain down on carnival CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — Dazzling fireworks marked the conclusion of the Chandigarh Carnival here today.There was a heavy rush of visitors because of the weekend. Folk artistes were a big draw among children particularly bazigars, puppet show and nat-natis. |
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Film Review |
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Demolitions may hit LPG supply CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The supply of LPG in Chandigarh and its satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali is likely to be disrupted in the next few days following the demolition of three LPG godowns by the Panchkula administration on November 26. According to informed sources, the LPG godowns faced the wrath of the authorities because these were constructed in violation of the Periphery Act. LPG dealers say that if the authorities in the three towns strictly implement the Periphery Act even on the LPG godowns, almost all godowns would be unable to escape the axe. The sources say Mr A M Nagar, Deputy General Manager, Indian Oil Corporation, who is the coordinator for oil industry in Punjab and Haryana, has sent fax messages to the Haryana authorities informing them that in view of the demolition of the godowns without notice, the oil companies cannot ask their dealers to supply LPG to consumers. The HUDA authorities say they had demolished only the boundary walls of the godowns and not the main structures which have been constructed in violation of the Periphery Act. Mr Nagar is believed to have told the state authorities that as per the norms laid down by the Department of Explosives no LPG godown can operate without a safety zone marked by the boundary wall. In the absence of the safety zone, the oil companies cannot force the dealers to operate the godowns. Otherwise the Explosives Department can cancel the licences of the LPG dealers. The President of the LPG Distributors Association of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, Mr Chander Mukhi Sharma, says the distributors of Mohali face the same problem like their counterparts in Panchkula. The land on which some LPG godowns are constructed has already been acquired by the government. Similarly in Chandigarh all LPG godowns have already been acquired by the administration and are facing demolition. Mr Sharma says though the Union Territory Administration framed a policy for giving land for LPG godowns, the policy is unworkable for various reasons. Under the policy the land is to be leased to the oil companies and not to the distributors and that too only for 15 years. Mr Sharma alleges that the companies have not pursued the matter with the administration for several years. The General Secretary of the association, Mr Sharanjit Singh, says a distributor requires at least Rs 10 lakh for the construction of a godown. No distributor would take such a big risk because he only has a sub-lease for the land. Moreover, no bank gives loan to a sub-lessee. He says the administration has fixed a rent of Rs 15,000 per month. Normally a distributor sells about 3,500 refills per month and gets a commission of Rs 10 per refill. At this rate, he says, it is not viable for a distributor to pay rent and interest on the loan he would have to raise for constructing the godown. Recognising the problems of the distributors, the Indian Oil Corporation has written to the administration that the land should be allotted directly to the distributors. But the administration has not responded. Mr Sharanjit Singh says even the Explosives Department has raised certain objections to the site plan of the godowns prepared by the administration. Mr Sharma says HUDA and PUDA have not framed any policy to allot land for LPG godowns. In the absence of such a policy the authorities should not demolish the LPG godowns in public interest. He says the distributors are not sure that even if they shift their godowns from the present sites, the new sites would not be acquired by the administration later on. Therefore, the two states should earmark a definite zone for the construction of LPG godowns in consonance with the norms laid down by the Explosives Department.
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Chandigarh Carnival Fireworks
bring the curtain down CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — Dazzling fireworks marked the conclusion of the Chandigarh Carnival here today. There was a heavy rush of visitors because of the weekend. Folk artistes were a big draw among children particularly bazigars, puppet show and nat-natis. Cultural programmes continued on three different stages all through the day. The eating corner featured students of the Food Crafts Institute. They could be seen preparing new dishes in front of curious visitors. The closing ceremony was marked by a cultural programmes by students of different institutes. These included a play by G.S. Channi and a performance by Jaspal Bhatti. Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber, Governor of Punjab, was the chief guest. Kanwaljeet Nelon had young children dancing to his numbers. His imitation of a child's voice was particularly interesting. A clay modelling competition was organised. More than 250 students participated. The winners included Sandeep Kumar (Government Senior Secondary School, Sect 20), Manjot Kaur (Chandigarh Baptist, Sect 44), Saurab (GMSSS, Sect 10), Devi (GHS, Sect 30), Pooja (New Public School), Subhash (GSSS, Sect 47), Vinod (GSSS, Sect 27), Amandeep (GMSSS, Sect 21), Raju (GHS, Sec 26), Rajesh (Dev Samaj Junior Model), Sanjay (GSSS, Sect 27), Neeraj (GSSS, Sect 20) Jagdish Kumar (Bright College), Amita Bhalla (GSSS, Sect 20) and Deepak Singh (GHS, Sect 40), in various age categories. The workshops by various artistes remained abuzz with hectic activity. Prem Singh, Madan Lal, Balwinder and Raj Jain showed youngsters some finer points about painting; Viney Wadhera and Kavita taught mask making, Satwant taught cartooning while Raja Jaikrishan had children engrossed in collage making. As the response to the Carnival this time was unprecedented, the missing link perhaps was Ms Suwarcha Paul, who until her death last year, had been shouldering key responsibilities in organising the festival. The Carnival remembered her.
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PM tells GAIL to make demand
survey CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee has asked Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) to conduct a demand survey in Punjab and Haryana for laying a liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline. This was conveyed to Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal by the Prime Minister on Friday when he requested that an LNG pipeline was necessary to produce power and to set up fertiliser units in Punjab and Haryana which now suffer from a locational disadvantage. Since the deregulation process began in 1991, these states, located far away from the coast, could not attract much industry. They could offer nothing as incentives as compared to coastline states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra. An LNG pipeline could be used by other companies to obtain gas and set up fertiliser plants and gas based power stations. According to industries secretary, Ramesh Inder Singh, Punjab has already conducted a demand survey and found the project feasible. The pipeline will start from Kandla and after passing through Gujarat and Rajasthan reach Delhi, Haryana too could take advantage. After the oil refinery at Bathinda, Punjab is seeking a liquefied natural gas pipeline to Punjab. Estimated to cost about Rs 700 crore, the project will usher in an industrial revolution in the state as LNG cost is likely to be 50 per cent of the cost of coal transported from mines to the state. The availability of cheaper energy, could boost industrialisation particularly high power consuming industries such as steel and arc furnaces in Mandi Gobindgarh and Batala. Industries in both these towns are sick due to the withdrawal of the freight equalisation and higher costs of power and coal. Besides, new projects of urea and ammonia fertilisers will become viable with the availability of LNG. "It will also help housewives as pipelines will be made available to them," Mr Ramesh Inder Singh said. Some central public sector
organisations of the Ministry of Petroleum and private
companies, including multinationals are considering the
import of LNG mainly through the Gujarat coast. The HBJ
pipeline of Gas Authority of India Ltd is meeting the
energy requirements of fertiliser units and power
stations. "With the increase in availability of
natural gas, it will be useful to extend the pipeline up
to Punjab particularly through the industrial towns of
Haryana and Punjab so that the cost of energy is kept
down. This will go a long way in improving the
competitiveness of industrial units," the secretary
said. |
Vanaspati price comes down CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The price of vanaspati has started coming down. Sources in the trade say that though the downward trend in the price of vanaspati has been around for the past 15 days, a considerable fall between Rs. 5 and Rs 8 during the past week was recorded. A 1 kg packing of vanaspati which was available for Rs 50 during the past week, is now priced at Rs 45. Similarly, there is a difference of Rs 100 in the price of a tin of vanaspati weighing 15 kg. According to wholesalers, the price of the commodity has been registering a daily fall between Rs 3 to Rs 4 a litre. They attribute the fall to arrival of imported edible oils in the market and entry of fresh oil crops such as cottonseed, 'til' and 'lal' til in the market. They predict that the prices of vanaspati and other edible oils will witness a further dip in the next 15 days. On the vegetable front, cucumber registered a fall in its price. The vegetable, which was available between Rs 24 and Rs 30 a kg on Friday, was available today at Rs 20 a kg. Likewise, the minimum price of a kilo of brinjal came down from Rs 8 to Rs 5 today. Peas too have become cheaper as their retail price came down from Rs 20 a kg to Rs 12 and Rs 14 a kg in Sector 22 and Sector 29 respectively today. There was, however, no major fluctuation in the prices of other vegetables. The following are the minimum retail prices of good quality vegetables and other food items: Vegetable Sector 22 Sector 29 Cauliflower 8 10 Cabbage 10 10 Peas 14 12 Bitter gourd 28 25 Capsicum 40 30 Carrot 14 10 Brinjal 5 6 Beans 20 20 Ginger 20 25 Garlic 40 50 Radish 4 5 Lady's finger 12 15 Sugarbeet 6 9 Onion 24 24 Potato (fresh) 10 10 Cucumber 20 20 Gourd 8 10 Lemon 20 15 Tomato 30 35 Grapes 55 60 Banana 15 15 Apple (delicious) 25 25 Pomegranate 30 35 Orange (per dozen) 25 25 Pulses (Sector 29): Moong Dhuli 34; Moong Sabat 30; Moong Chilka 30; Mah Sabat 30; Mah Chilka 30; Mah Dhuli 30;Malika Masoor 31; Masri 30; Kala Masar 32; Dal Chana 20; Kala Chana 22; White Chana 40; Arhar 45; Rajmah 40; Roungi 40; Besan 22; Suji 10; Maida 10; Atta 8.50; Zira 100; Blackpepper 260; Turmeric 80; Red chillies 100; Dhania 60; Mustard Oil 65-79; Groundnut Oil 75 (1 litre); and Sunflower 60 Vanaspati 45 (1 litre).
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Singers enthral audience SAS NAGAR, Nov 29 — Singers and other artistes enthralled a large gathering at the daylong MS Randhawa Yadgari Sabhyacharak Mela in Phase VIII here today. People in hundreds could not enter the pandal, as entry was by card, and had to stand outside listening to their favourite singers. The mela was opened by Mr Harjit Singh Bhullar, executive member of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister, was the chief guest and Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, Minister of State for Health and Family Welare, Punjab, presided over the function. Among the artistes who reached the venue were Jagtar Jagga, Mohammad Sadique, Gurdev Dhillon and Baljit Kaur Mobali. Sarabjit Kaur (Kokewali) entertained the gathering with many songs. She sang "suti pai nu jagaunda rode mar ke....." Later she presented her popular number, "koka kadhwa de we maiya koka....we haniyan". Before presenting this song she added humour to the atmosphere by saying that her husband had not been able to give her a "koka" (nosepin) for the past 15 years. But she hoped to get one today as Capt Kanwaljit Singh had graced the occasion. Sarabjit also presented a Multani geet "Main kamblee da dhola hai rat dhami dhami jandi.." The Finance Minister announced a grant of Rs 31,000 to the society. The society honoured Mr Ajaib Aujla and Mrs Jaswant Kaur for their contribution to journalism and social work, respectively. Later, Gurbux Shonki regaled the audience by singing "Nee tu mahindi wang har ik de hath chad jandi..." and "Iko tera lakh warga baki more ke jeb vich pa lai...." Baljinder Dhillon presented "Daru pee ke mukarda, With the setting of the sun came Surinder Shinda on a well-lit stage. Paying tributes to our martyrs he came up with "Jis komch hon shaheed bare, uthe gadar wee hoyia karde ne..." He came out with the feelings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, when he met his mother in the jail a night before his hanging, "Gal sun meri ammiyen ni, meri lassh lain nahin aauna..." Later he came up with the folk song, "Sheti beaur mirziya we, mapiyan wia kar dita mera..." and also a song from his new cassette, "Ankh di khatir marde, put saradaran de..." The mela, which was
dedicated to the tercentenary celebrations of the birth
of the Khalsa, was organised by the Punjabi Cultural
Society in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural
Centre, Patiala, and the Punjab Public Relations
Department. |
Film Review A
clean Punjabi film CHANDIGARH: Punjabi cinema over the years has mainly been confined to amateurish productions with stress on baser elements. Vulgarity, violence, cheap dialogues with dual meaning and scenes from "akharas" loosely fitting into the script have always received priority. Messages, limited to a few films, have failed to serve the intended purpose and catharsis in the strictest term has seldom been achieved. Photography, locale and cinematography, barring a few exceptions, have always remained mediocre. However, taking a complete break from the past, Manjeet Maan's maiden venture "Shaheed-e-Mohabbat" in which her husband Gurdas Maan is the hero is a brave, sincere and serious attempt to steer Punjabi cinema clear of the path of mediocrity and cheap mileage. Directed by Manoj Punj, the film depicting communal amity amidst insanity, triumph of the human spirit and all that religion stands for is perhaps the most powerful message ever to be delivered on the silver screen in the history of Punjabi cinema. "Shaheed-e-Mohabbat" is a dramatised version of a true story dating back to partition. Buta Singh (Gurdas Maan) a soldier who has served on the Burma front, returns to his village only to become a victim of his greedy uncle’s guiles. His uncle (taayaa) conspires to usurp his small land holding, even using religion as a tool to achieve his evil designs. For him human life and emotions are immaterial. The innocent Boota, who like a true soldier, rises to the defence of the hapless Muslims, escorting them to a refugee camp, settles down with a young Muslim girl Zainub (Divya Dutta) whom, he had saved from the jaws of death by bartering her safety for his small savings. However, this is not his uncle’s liking. The announcement on radio that the two governments have agreed to exchange women refugees comes as a blessing for his uncle. While Boota is away, Zainub is forcibly taken away by the policy as "she is a Muslim and has to be sent to Pakistan". What follows is indeed a pathetic tale of an individual’s unsuccessful struggle to keep his family intact. Having succeeded in tracing Zainub at a refugee camp in New Delhi, Boota can get no further. However, he is not the one to give up. Following the deportation, Boota returns to his village, aggrieved by the treachery of his so-called relatives. He sells his land and sets off for Lahore where he faces nothing but humiliation. Like a chivalrous man, he struggles till the end, even making a vain bid to prevent Zainub’s remarriage. However, Zainub’s statement under duress through which she denies any links with him breaks his heart compelling him to commit suicide. He is, nevertheless, immotalised by society transcending barriers of religion. Like "Chann Pardesi", "Shaheed-e-Mohabbat" also has a rural setting and it has been shot mainly in Ropar district, although some scenes have been filmed in Ambala and Shambhu. The vast expanse of wheat fields, the open air kitchen, brass ware, bullock carts etc help in projecting the real rural Punjabi culture. Unlike earlier Punjabi films, rabble-rousing is on a low key. Delivery of dialogues is smooth and serious efforts have been made to provide an aesthetic touch. With the present-day audience having got accustomed to films of cheaper variety, "Shaheed-e-Mohabbat" set for release on December 25, might as well prove to be a turning point in the history of Punjabi cinema. It’s script is by Suraj Sanjim with songs by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Asha Bhonsle, Gurdas Maan and Karamat Ali Khan. The premiere of the film,
which will be screened at the International Film Festival
in Hyderabad in January, was held here on Sunday. |
‘Education can speed up
development’ CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — "The process of development could be accelerated only by giving a greater thrust to education." This was stated here today by Dr L. Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour, while addressing the participants of a special training programme at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development. He said in spite of all efforts education had failed to reach the grass-roots level. He said there were about 100 million children out of school and 13 million were being added to this number annually. Dr Mishra, said the development had been anti-poor, anti-women and anti-lower caste during the past five decades. He said banking could play an important role in developing a delivery mechanism to cater to growing needs of education in society. Mr T.K.A Nair, Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board focused on the philosophy of governance which has seen drastic changes during the last three decades and the instruments of governance which have remained unchanged during the period. Former Chairman of the Bank of India, Mr G.Kathuria, stressed the need to inculcate leadership quality in the bank management to meet new threats and challenges in the economic arena.
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Call to adopt path of
spiritualism CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The local branch of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) organised a function on the eve of Gita Jayanti here today in which hundreds of devotees participated. The programme began with the recitation of Bhagavad Gita slokas in the morning till 12 noon. On this day, millions of copies of Bhagavad Gita are distributed all over the world by ISKCON devotees among the people to whom an appeal is made to follow the path of righteousness, according to Nand Maharaj Dasa spokesman of ISKCON. Ved Vyas Maharaj, in his speech made the people realise that we could understand the divine-message of the Gita only by taking the shelter of a pure devotee of Lord Krishna. Founder Acharya of ISKCON A.C. Bhaktivedana Swami Srila Prabhupada has been one such personality and his guidance was available through his books. "If we adopt the path of spiritualism, we can attain peace and save ourselves from all sorrow, sufferings and misery but we are running after the materialistic world under the influence of false ego, lust, anger, greed etc and this is the route cause of our sorrows," he said.
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Dharna by JD men on price rise CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — Activists of the local unit of the Janata Dal (JD) today sat in dharna near the traffic lights on the Chandigarh-Panchkula road to protest against the government's failure to check rising prices and joblessness. The protesters who were joined by activists of the Gram Vikas Samiti, Panchkula, condemned the recent demolitions by the Chandigarh Administration in Raipur Kalan village and the Department of Town and Country Planning, Haryana in Bhainsa Tibba, Saketri and Nadda villages. The JD had earlier threatened to block traffic on the road. But a strong police posse coupled with less number of protesters saw no blockade of the road.
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School function concludes PANCHKULA, Nov 29 — A two-day annual function of local Manav Mangal School concluded at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh, today. Students of the school enthralled the audience through a cultural programme. The puppet show was appreciated by all. The annual prize distribution function of Moti Ram Arya Modern Public School, Sector 7, was organised at the school premises here yesterday. An exhibition on science and social subjects was held. Later a cultural show was
presented by students. Mr Y.P. Katyal, Joint Secretary at
the regional office of the CBSE, Chandigarh, was the
chief guest. 553 get vaccinated for
Hepatitis B PANCHKULA, Nov 29 — As many as 490 persons were examined at a medical camp organised by local Unnat Bharat Vikas Samiti at Abheypur village here today. In a separate subsidised Hepatitis B vaccination camp organised by the regional office of the International Shri Geet Ashram (IGSA) in Sector 11 here, 553 persons were vaccinated.
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Function to welcome migratory birds CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The Environment Society of India has decided to hold a function to welcome migratory birds at the Sukhna Lake regulator on December 5. According to the president of the society, Mr S.K. Sharma, the winged visitors will be greeted by a number of school children from Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal. Besides this, a bird
identification painting competition and a quiz will be
held on the spot, Mr Sharma said. NCC camp concludes CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The annual training camp of the 2 Chandigarh Battlion of NCC concluded at Barotiwala today. As many as 470 cadets participated in the 10-day camp. Lieut-Col Onkar Singh, officer in charge, said that the training during the camp was modified as compared to earlier years. There was more stress on firing, field craft, map reading, patrolling, ambush and trekking. Colonel Onkar Singh felt
that the rates of diet should be revised by the UT
Administration and should be brought on a par with other
states. National integration camp concludes CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — A pre-Republic Day parade and national integration camp organised by the regional centre of the NSS concluded here today. Cultural functions marked the valedictory function which was presided over by Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Education minister of Haryana. Mr Gurdeep Singh, assistant programme director, said of the 180 cadets who took part in the camp, a total of 30 would represent the centre at the Republic Day parade in Delhi. Dr Abdul Rahim, contingent in charge in UP, proposed a vote of thanks.
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Awareness camp on AIDS CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The UT Health department in collaboration with the Servants of the People Society organised an AIDS awareness camp at Khudda Alisher village today. A street play and screening of a film for creating awareness about AIDS were the highlights of the camp. A medical camp for
determining the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was
also held, according to a press note. 300 screened for TB CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — Over 300 persons were examined at a free TB detection camp organised by the Lions Club, Chandigarh Central, at Colony no 4 here today. Various tests were conducted on 80 persons suspected to be TB patients. They will be provided free treatment for the disease, according to a press note. Meanwhile, at another free medical camp, organised by the Citizens’ Association, Sector 21, more than 250 senior citizens were examined for various diseases, including ENT troubles diabetes and dental problems.
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Reforms
in varsities needed: teachers CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — The need for immediate structural reforms in Indian universities was stressed at the first regional convention of the All-India Federation of University Teachers' Association(AIFUTA) here today. Representatives from universities in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir were present on the occasion. It was pointed out that "with unforeseen but crucial transformations in the official policies in the fields of economy, politics and culture, there was an increasing pressure on the university system to respond to changed perceptions regarding purpose, role and significance of higher education in the society". The aims and objectives of the new body include identification of sources of problems affecting adversely the work culture in universities in terms of resources, management and working and living conditions. The organisation will make efforts to ensure accountability of managements and make university functioning transparent, fair and credible through effective elected representation to teachers. Other objectives include protection of universities from political and bureaucratic interference; provision of incentives for good quality work, and better facilities. The proposed structure of the organisation will have a national council at the apex. This will consist of presidents and secretaries of the member associations. Below it will be five zonal councils. The executive council of the AIFUTA will be its executive body. Prominent speakers included Dr Satya Pal Gautam, president of the Panjab University Teachers' Association, Dr M Rajivlochan, Dr P P Arya, convener of AIFUTA; and Dr K Tankeshwar besides representatives from other universities.
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PGI
nurse commits suicide CHANDIGARH, Nov 29 — Ms Gurbir Kaur Brar, a nurse working with the PGI, committed suicide last night. The body of Ms Brar , who was living in the Nivedita hostel of the PGI, was found from her room this morning. She reportedly administered an injection on her, according to police sources. The exact cause of the suicide could not be ascertained immediately. The police is investigating. More information will only be available when her parents reach the city, the sources added. Two dead: Rajinder Kumar, a resident of Sector 20, who sustained injuries when his scooter skidded on the road separating sectors 27 and 28 on Saturday night, today succumbed to his injuries at the PGI. In another incident Singhia Rawal, a resident of labour colony, Sector 31, sustained serious burns when his stove caught fire today. He was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, where he succumbed to his injuries. Admitted: Roshan Lal, a resident of Indira colony, has been admitted to the PGI after he reportedly took some poisonous substance at his residence. Case registered: The police has registered a case against Rajan, a student of the local SD College, and his accomplice, on the charge of beating up a student of the college, Harsimran. Injured: Mr Jagdish Chand of Dhanas village was injured on Saturday night when his cycle was hit by an unknown vehicle on the Chandigarh-Dhanas road. He has been admitted to General Hospital in Sector 16. A case has been registered. Case registered: An old lady of Mani Majra, Kamla, sustained minor injuries when she was hit by the scooter driven by Lalit Handa, a resident of Sector 2, Panchkula, on Sunday. A case has been registered.
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PLACE: Punjab
Civil Secretariat. As a journalist colleague emerges from the VIP gate, his attention is attracted to a flurry of activity at the nearby VVIP gate. Several men of the ITBP, both armed and unarmed, are suddenly up and about. While those equipped with weapons take up positions with finger on the trigger, those empty-handed hold a nylon rope and form a semi-circle in front of the VVIP gate; the place where Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh was killed by a "human bomb". The car in front of the VIP gate into which an official just sat is stopped at the gate several yards away from the building; the gate is bolted. As the journalist walks towards the press parking slot, he is signalled to stop by ITBP men. In the distance one can see a caravan of cars with securitymen peering from several windows with barrels of their weapons pointing outward. Someone shouts a command and a "flag" car which has just changed into second gear is made to stop. This is on the Haryana side. At least two ITBP men go close to it. Meanwhile, the fleet of Ambassadors, one of which is fitted with a jammer, screeches to a halt at the VVIP gate and security men frog-jump taking up positions forming yet another small "D" around the VVIP: it is the Haryana Chief Minister. The car in front of the journalist colleague belonging to a Punjab minister is still unable to move. Its driver requests the ITBP men to open the gate, now that the VVIP is well inside the building. "Unless there is a signal, the gate will not open", scowls a jawan. The driver and his colleagues on the other side of the gate clench their teeth and exchange choicest Punjabi abuses and curses on the "system". They have been victim and witness to this "tamasha" quite often. This kind of drill takes place quite often, causing much inconvenience, consternation and awe. After the killing of Beant Singh (August, 1995) this place has remained desolate and deserted. The high barbed wire fencing, of the type one sees around army cantonments or concentration camps, the omnipresent cops, the vehicles (mainly official) parked at distant places (all carry special stickers) give the place a spooky look. From peon upwards all men or women, including employees, are frisked and made to go through metal detectors. Black bags carrying files and tiffin boxes are screened. The humiliation goes on all the time. If the government is of the people, by the people and for the people, where are the people? Whom does the government work for if it is to remain so completely and totally insulated with several security rings? Entering the secretariat may be possible if one has the right connection and procures a pass; but getting into the second-floor high security Chief Minister secretariat is an ordeal. One requires special passes and patience to tolerate frisking and questioning. The growing isolation of the government and the engineered inaccessibility of the politico-administrative men who matter rankles in the mind of the ordinary people. The secretariat is today a living example of over-governance and over-indulgence by the security agencies, which breathe down the people’s necks and step on their toes. In this democracy when there is "peoples’ government", all are "suspect", either within or outside the government. Security of few is the cause of feeling of insecurity among many. Photo convention The Photographic Society of Chandigarh, a voluntary art promotion organisation, will host a convention here from December 25 to 28 in which about 250 delegates and experts in different fields of photography are expected to participate from all over India. Papers on advances in various photography techniques will be read and discussed. The venue will be Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10. Apart from this, workshops on portraiture, glamour, table top, and darkroom photo-techniques will also be held. An exhibition of photographs of leading photo-artists will be held at Punjab Lalit Kala Akadmi. The seven-year-old photographic society has amateur and professional photo-artists of Chandigarh and surrounding areas as members. The society regularly organises exhibitions in collaboration with other bodies. Several members of this society have won national and international awards and recognition for their works, which have been published in leading magazines and newspapers. Some of its members are also on the panel of judges of the India International Photographic Council, New Delhi. Bird, dog menace Thousands of people who visit the Chandigarh railway station every day have to suffer bird droppings as numerous birds have taken shelter under the roof of the platform. Not only that, they have to save themselves from dozens of stray dogs that also live on the platform. The health authorities of Chandigarh appear to have neither bothered about the harassment caused by the stray cattle nor the stray dogs. Some of the dogs which move about the platform all day are disease-carrying and are a serious health hazard for the visitors to the railway station. The hazard increases all the more when trains are late and those who come to pick up their relations/friends have to stroll around for long hours. Trees in Indian art Government Museum, Chandigarh, is the only treasure trove in the country which has created a grove of traditional Indian trees that find focus in the Kushan and Gandhara sculptures and Kangra, Basohli and Mughal paintings. Ancient Buddhist gardens in Kushan sculptures depict the Kushan yakshins sporting the flowers of Sita Ashoka, Kadamba and Champaka indicating the unfathomable love our ancestors had for beautiful trees. The purpose of planting the trees in Indian art is to preserve the identity and memory of great Indian trees almost being forgotten and to propagate the great Indian heritage which explains the importance of beautiful trees in its right place and in its real form. After Independence with the pace of economic development museums in India have become more important as custodians of Indian cultural traditions. Thus with creation of the grove of trees in Indian art, the museum's sculptures and paintings have become alive. Remembering Vohra The memory of philanthropist and artificial limb specialist, Col D.S. Vohra, has been kept alive at his beautifully landscaped artificial limb centre at Zirakpur in a unique way. The deceased doctor's son, Dr V.J.S. Vohra, has installed an illuminated photo into a rectangular wooden box and placed the box on the same chair that used to be occupied by the Colonel, who died almost a year ago. The height of the wooden box is the same as would be the height of the late Colonel while sitting in his chair. The moment one enters the room the first impression is that Dr D.S. Vohra is himself sitting on the chair. Everything in his room is lying as it used to be. Pincushions, various mementoes, bank passbooks, pens, fluid marker, gum bottle, little knives, scissors and other knickknacks have been placed as they were. The reading lamp, the fax machine and a phone are still in place as in earlier days. "I come to this room to fax a document," says the Junior Dr Vohra, who now runs the Nevadac Prosthetic Centre. Just a day before his death Col Vohra, who enabled many disabled people to walk, had left two one rupee coins on his table. The coins have been left undisturbed. The room is cleaned everyday and kept in shape. Letter to God Mr S.R. Garg of Panchkula takes pride in describing himself as a humanist and a multi-lingual poet. He writes simple verses on matters of everyday life and aims to make the erring people mend their ways. Another hobby of his is to send his poetic letters to various celebrities. Over the past 20 years, he has sent such letters to some 20 VIPs and carefully maintains a file about the response. In 1988, he wrote to Ronald Reagan on his retirement and to George Bush on his election as President. While the former sent his autographed photo, the latter sent an affectionate reply. The replies also came in from the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Miss Universe. The reply from President Clinton is awaited. He has also addressed a letter to God but is not expecting any response. Giant sugarcane Retired IAF officer Didar Singh has grown a sugarcane in his house in Mohali which just refuses to grow. It is already 17 ft tall and has made Didar Singh some sort of a celebrity in the Phase 7 area. He hopes that its height
will increase by another two or three feet in the days to
come. |
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