Thursday, August 26, 1999
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REGIONAL BRIEFS | Thursday, August 26, 1999 |
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PM's meeting ... but at what cost! HE came, he spoke, he conquered. Scribes may have thus summed up the story of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to a Fatehabad college on August 20 but it is just one side of the story. There is another side of the story over which the environmentalists can only beat their chest and raise slogans, but the "irreparable loss" that has been done to the college in particular and the town in general can hardly be compensated. The authorities felled more than 200 green trees on the Manohar Memorial College campus to facilitate landing by helicopters of the Prime Minister’s entourage. A visit to the college ground by this correspondent revealed that several rows of eucalyptus and sheesham trees on the college ground had been felled. Seventy trees were cut on the Setia Palace side of the college ground, while 85 trees were sighted on the Punjab National Bank side. About 400 plants of "ashoka" and 400 plants of "chandni" in the college nursery were totally destroyed. The basketball poles and the football goals on the ground were also uprooted. Some trees which were used for the public rally were felled as well for security reasons. Though the authorities had assured the college management that they would only prune some trees but over 200 trees were cut in such a manner that only three to four feet of the trunk remained while the rest had been severed. The standing cotton crop on two acres of land was damaged by the administration to level the ground for the public meeting. Not only this, the college building was left in disarray after the PM’s rally. The college authorities, it is learnt, have not estimated the loss, but according to one source, several pieces of furniture of the college were missing after the rally. The authorities have decided to lodge a formal protest after assessing the loss. These trees had been grown painstakingly by NSS volunteers of the college. The volunteers had organised tree plantation drives for this purpose. The move has disappointed those students who had put in a lot of labour in providing greenery to the college campus. A student of the college involved in NSS activities told this correspondent that he felt like weeping after seeing the condition of the college ground. The ground which once was a pleasant sight owing to its greenery, now wears a bald look with rows of small trunks of the trees. Efforts were made by this correspondent to contact the DC for comments, but he was not available. Tax official turns writer Being the Commissioner of Income Tax for Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, his area of jurisdiction ranges from Beas to Ladakh. While he is responsible for enhancing the tax revenue in the terrorist-affected Jammu & Kashmir despite heavy odds, Surinder Jit Singh Pall has never stopped writing. Even as a number of books have been written on Sikh history, Pall has written the first-ever book in the layman's language "The Masters & the World Devine" to mark the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth's birth. This book provides information on the works of the Sikh Gurus. The author, belonging to a devout Sikh family, has given information in the question-answer form. His earlier book "Guru te Gurbani" on the same pattern was published both in Punjabi and Hindi. These editions became very popular, especially among the younger generation, for whom the same was written. The other aim was to make all those persons, especially the younger generation, who were ignorant of their glorious past, conversant with their rich traditions and values. The English edition is not merely a translation of the original books, but a different book on the same have been elaborately modified. The information has also been updated on certain issues such as the Nanakshahi calendar, etc. The questions and answers have also been prepared regarding the composition of the great masters, providing information to the simplest extent possible with suitable illustrations, but also in Punjabi as to make the readers conversant with the original words. The last chapter of the book is very significant as it deals with prominent Sikh personalities, shrines and significant concepts of the Sikh religion. In the chapter on the Guru Granth Sahib, the writer has dwelt at length so as to cover not only the spiritual aspect, but also the literary aspect. The treasure of knowledge in this respect enriches the reader with the knowledge of the language, various poetic forms and ragas, as used by the Gurus and other saint poets for their compositions. The spiritual views expressed by the contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib on various subjects have also been given in suitable question answers. Monumental neglect of fort Khabli, a sleepy village in Dehra subdivision of Kangra district, famed for its landscape, is a spectacular repository of rare historical remains of archaeological value. It is indeed a matter of concern that this place has fallen on the bad days. Neither has the state government nor the Archaeological Survey of India done anything to protect and preserve its grandeur. The crumbling Bithgarh Fort, in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar ranges, speaks volumes for its upkeep. A blend of 16th century architecture, the magnificent monument reminds us of the master creators of those times. The other historical objects of archaeological value, include the Royal Bathing Ghats and Nauroji Tilla. Reminiscent of the rich cultural heritage of this countryside, that lies hidden under the cover of obscurity, Khabli calls for care and optimum exposure. The rare historical remains retrieved during ploughing on the village lands shed light on Sikh and Mughal history. The stone images of Hindu deities, assorted armour, coins, and other historical finds call for care and patronage so that it does not completely lose its glory. It seems the efforts on the part of the state government and the ASI to safeguard the rare historical remains are not adequate. A lot more needs to be done. —Contributed
by Sushil Manav, Varinder Walia and Ramesh K. Dhiman |
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