Saturday, March 25, 2000,
Chandigarh, India





punjab
P U N J A B

SAD, BJP men court arrest
NEW DELHI, March 24 — Leaders of the Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the BJP courted arrest in protest against the massacre of Sikhs at Chatti Singhpura in Kashmir.

Bibi acting ‘under duress’
AMRITSAR, March 24 — The Akhand Kirtani Jatha today described the ex-communication of the Sikh high priests as a “blunder” by Giani Puran Singh.

Homage or ‘masti mela’ ?
HUSSAINIWALA, March 24 — Commercialisation of the Martyrs’ Day fair held here yesterday came under sharp criticism from several quarters. While some civilians visited here to pay homage to the national heroes, most enjoyed the “mela masti” on the occasion that was supposed to be a national event.

Mamta Kulkarni makes light of abduction bid
LUDHIANA, March 24 — Film actress Mamta Kulkarni neither denied nor confirmed the alleged attempt to abduct her here on October 30 last while addressing a press conference today.

POLITICS

Prohibitory orders in Fatehgarh Sahib
FATEHGARH SAHIB, March 24 —Taking a serious note of the threat by the Shiv Sena to gherao the house of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, MP, at his native village at Talania, the district administration has imposed Section 144 of the Cr PC and banned the carrying of firearms.

COMMUNITY

Sukhdev’s house cries for memorial
LUDHIANA, March 24 — Even as various politicians continue to promise the construction of a memorial in the name of famous martyr Sukhdev at his ancestral house in Mohalla Naughara here, the present tenants of the house have refused to vacate it.



YOUR TOWN
Amritsar
Anandpur Sahib
Chandigarh
Fatehgarh Sahib
Ferozepore
Gurdaspur
Ludhiana
Patiala


EARLIER STORIES
  Support for Anandgarh hatao panel
CHANDIGARH, March 24 — The Anandgarh Hatao Joint Action Committee headed by Mr Karnail Singh of Mullanpur Garibdas received a shot in the arm as several prominent persons extended their support to it today.

Nayar for Indo-Pak ‘ceasefire’
FEROZEPORE, March 24 — A votary of Indo-Pakistan friendship, eminent columnist Kuldep Nayar, has demanded “six month ceasefire” between the two sides of the border to felicitate tension-free environment in South Asia.

Patiala localities stinking
PATIALA, March 24 — Resentment prevails among residents of Arjun Nagar and shopkeepers along the lower Mall Road near Budha Dal Public School here due to heaps of garbage and cattle waste dumped near their dwelling places.

TB Day observed
PATIALA, March 24 — The World Tuberculosis Day was observed by the Department of T.B. and Chest Diseases of the Government Medical College here.

Natural way of healing stressed
ANANDPUR SAHIB, March 24 — The three-day “International Conference on Alternative Systems of Medicine” began in the presence of about 90 delegates, including 17 from the USA, UK, Italy, Mexico and Malaysia at the Sri Guru Har Rai Institute of Alternative System of Medicine here today.

Balmikis take out rally
FATEHGARH SAHIB, March 24 — A large number of Balmikis led by Mr Daulat Ram president, Balmiki Sabha and Karamchari Dal, organised a protest march here today and presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, against the illegal encroachments made by mahants and other people at their religious shrine Ram Tirath on the behest of politicians.

CRIME

Minister’s kin allege harassment
FAZILKA, March 24 — A relative of the Punjab Forest Minister, Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani, have charged the local police with harassing him and other relatives under political pressure.

Criminal gang busted
GURDASPUR, March 24 — The police has busted a ‘kale-kachchewale’ gang involved in several cases of robberies in the district of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar.

Father’s complaint against son
LUDHIANA, March 24 — Mr Sukhdev Thapar, (71), has complained to the Senior Superintendent of Police to seize a licensed pistol owned by his son, Arun Thapar, as he (father) was being threatened by his son.

EDUCATION

Geographers to hold conference in April now
PATIALA, March 24 — The Punjab Geographers’ Conference, which was scheduled to be held in Punjabi University here from March 14 to 15 and which was postponed due to “unavoidable circumstances” (read infighting), will now be held in April.

Seminar to discuss Sikhism’s relevance
PATIALA, March 24 — Punjabi university is organising an international seminar on “Sikhism: a religion for the third millennium” from March 27 to 29 under the auspices of the Department of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism.

Errors in plus 2 maths paper
AMRITSAR, March 24 — Certain discrepancies were found in the plus two mathematics code B (English medium) question paper of Punjab School Education Board.


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SAD, BJP men court arrest
From Our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, March 24 — Leaders of the Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the BJP courted arrest in protest against the massacre of Sikhs at Chatti Singhpura in Kashmir.

The demonstrators broke the barricade and made an attempt to move towards the Pakistan High Commission office. When they were prevented the police said several people courted arrest.

Among the arrested and later released were Mr Onkar Singh Thapar, General Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Mr Avatar Singh Hit, President of the Delhi unit of SAD (Badal), Mr Madan Lal Khurana, former union minister and Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, MP from South Delhi.

The demonstrators burnt an effigy of Pakistan’s Chief Executive, General Parvez Musharraf and Pakistan flag.

While demonstrating leaders of both parties demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq Abdullah, for having failed to provide security to the Sikh community despite threat perceptions.

Addressing the demonstrators, Mr Onkar Singh Thapar urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to provide security to the Sikhs or the Chief Minister, Mr Farooq Abdullah, should resign on moral ground so that the Centre could intervene for taking effective steps to rebuilt the shaken confidence of minorities specially Sikhs.

The Akali Dal (Badal) Delhi Unit leader, Mr Avatar Singh Hit, said incident also warranted a probe by the Amnesty International as it seemed that many organisations had jointly masterminded the killings.

The President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, blamed "intelligence failure" for the massacre and demanded an "impartial" inquiry of the incident.

He said "such a large scale violence cannot be spontaneous and it appears to be a well planned act".

Mr Sarna said the Centre should strengthen the hands of the state government to fight against the militants.

Mr Balbir Singh Bir of the Shiromani Vishwa Akali Dal accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of failing law and order front. He also demanded an "international level enquiry into the massacre.Top

 

Bibi acting ‘under duress’
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, March 24 — The Akhand Kirtani Jatha today described the ex-communication of the Sikh high priests as a “blunder” by Giani Puran Singh.

It took exception to the suggestion by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the SAD to Bibi Jagir Kaur to appear before Akal Takht.

Criticising the decision, office-bearers of the Jatha said the Bibi had said she would appear before the Takht only if the five designated Sikh high priests were present. They claimed that in her fresh letter, which was written under “pressure” from her “political bosses”, she had not mentioned the same.

The jatha members said the PAC decision was “direct interference in religious affairs”. They alleged that the basic tenets of Sikhism were being violated. The decision of Bibi Jagir Kaur to now present herself before Akal Takht under pressure amounted to “double standards” as she had challenged the “hukamnama” against her from day one of its issuance. Those who had stood by her felt ditched, they said.

Lashing out at Giani Puran Singh, the jatha members said his “personal directives” could not be considered as “hukamnamas”.

Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht, who was “excommunicated” on March 12, today criticised Bibi Jagir Kaur for applying to Akal Takht for seeking a pardon. He said as per the Sikh “maryada”, Bibi Jagir Kaur was part of the Sikh Panth as the “hukamnama” issued from Guna (Madhya Pradesh) excommunicating her was in violation of Sikh traditions.Top

 

Homage or ‘masti mela’ ?
From Gurpreet Singh
Tribune News Service

HUSSAINIWALA, March 24 — Commercialisation of the Martyrs’ Day fair held here yesterday came under sharp criticism from several quarters. While some civilians visited here to pay homage to the national heroes, most enjoyed the “mela masti” on the occasion that was supposed to be a national event.

For those who visit here every year to pay homage to the martyrs, it was a pain to find most civilians eating kulfis and listening to the film songs played by the artistes on the stage in a show organised by the Punjab Government. A number of stalls selling various commodities were put up on the occasion that resembled any other countryside fair, where people of all age groups assemble for amusement.

An aged farmer, who was eating kulfi said that it was the mela attraction that brought him here. “It is for the educated ones to give a befitting honour to Bhagat Singh”, he added.

However, Mehal Singh, a class IV employee from the Khai area, who frequently visits the fair, lamented. No effort is being made to make people aware of Bhagat Singh’s ideology through such fairs. I am afraid that the fair is losing its meaning, with the public coming here to have fun”.

Pawan Kumar of Wazidpur said that obscene film music was played every year to make the fair, a big crowd-puller. “More than increasing the number of visitors, we actually need to introspect on this occasion, by giving free literature to the public seeking to know about Bhagat Singh’s and other martyrs’ ideology”.

Ironically, a representative of Taraksheel Society from Moga was seen selling the patriotic cassettes and books on the occasion.

The president of Punjab Jamhoori Morcha, Mr Jaswant Singh Patti, attributed this trend to the weakness of the government. While the morcha activists gather here every year to voice their concern for eroding national values, Mr Patti alleged the ruling party leaders made use of such occasions for their vested interests.

The political figures from the ruling alliance reportedly devoted most part of their lectures at listing grievances and blaming the previous Congress regime for all ills. Barring Mr Kuldeep Nayyar, a Rajya Sabha member, and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu nobody made a detailed reference to the struggle of the national heroes.

Interestingly, the slogan of “Jai Hind” was replaced by “waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh”.Top

 

Mamta Kulkarni makes light of abduction bid
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, March 24 — Film actress Mamta Kulkarni neither denied nor confirmed the alleged attempt to abduct her here on October 30 last while addressing a press conference today.

She was in the city to inaugurate a slimming centre in the city.

Answering queries about the incident during her previous visit to the city to perform in a star nite, she termed the incident as “an attempt of over enthusiastic fans” trying to get close to her. In October last, two city men-Mr Kamal Sharma, son of a local BJP councillor, and Mr Gurcharan Singh Malwa, a businessman, had alleged tried to abduct her from a hotel by posing as senior police officials trying to escort her to the venue of the star nite. However, the plan was foiled when the organisers reached the hotel and called the two men’s bluff.

Subsequently an FIR was also registered against the two and in spite of the actress later absolving one of the accused, Kamal Sharma, of the charge, the FIR has not been withdrawn so far.

Recalling the incident, the actress said that the two men had indeed come knocking at her hotel room and introduced themselves as senior police officials. “One of them claimed that he was the chief of the Punjab police and asked us if we were satisfied with the security arrangements, to which we replied in the affirmative.”

Mamta says that the two men heard her discussing the delay in reaching the function venue with her aide, Rosy, and offered to drop them at the club. She says that it was only when she reached the reception and saw the organisers that she realised that the two men were trying to befool her.

“People are the same everywhere and in their obsession with the stars, they tended to do such things. It could be harmless flirting or some thing more serious. Who knows?” she added.

The cine star, however, said that she herself had not registered a complaint with the police, but confirmed that she had been approached by certain film stars affiliated to the BJP to absolve Kamal Sharma of the charge and had then sent a fax message to the local police.

She announced that her forthcoming films were ‘Dandit’ with Sanjay Dutt and ‘Thoda sa Pyaar’ with Salman Khan.

The venue of today’s function virtually looked like a fortress with a large number of police personnel deployed everywhere. A large number of fans were also waiting outside the venue.Top

 

Prohibitory orders in Fatehgarh Sahib
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, March 24 —Taking a serious note of the threat by the Shiv Sena to gherao the house of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, MP, at his native village at Talania, the district administration has imposed Section 144 of the Cr PC and banned the carrying of firearms.

Addressing a joint press conference here today, Deputy Commissioner, V.K. Janjua, and SSP, Paramraj Singh Umranangal, said nobody would be allowed to take law in his hands.The protesters would not be allowed to proceed to Talania.

Sources said to prevent any untoward incident Shiv Sena activists were being rounded up as a precautionary measure.
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Sukhdev’s house cries for memorial
From Ruchika Mohindra
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, March 24 — Even as various politicians continue to promise the construction of a memorial in the name of famous martyr Sukhdev at his ancestral house in Mohalla Naughara here, the present tenants of the house have refused to vacate it.

The house is under the occupation of Mrs Saroj Sood and her two children since 1952, when it was rented to them by the martyr’s grandfather late Chint Ram.

Says Saroj Sood “It was 48 years ago that my father-in-law brought his family here in search of better means of livelihood since a close relative was already residing in the area, she arranged for our family to get this accommodation”.

“There are so many sentiments and memories attached with the place. Moreover, it is only because of us that the place still stands. The surviving members of his family have never even bothered to look at it,” she states.

Mr Raju Sood, son of Mrs Saroj Sood, who works as a salesman in a hosiery, informs that they were regularly paying a rent to the family till 1990, but stopped it as no one in the family was bothered. “Initially, we were paying rent to Mr Chint Ram and after his death to the martyr’s uncle, Mr Om Parkash,” he informs.

He says other than a cousin of the freedom fighter, Mrs Kanta Jhanji, who also passed away a fortnight ago, one had shown any interest in the house. “She was in regular contact with us for the past few years and had also prevailed upon us to get a plaque pasted outside the entrance of the house, denoting its significance,” he informs.

He also claims that Mrs Kanta Jhanji had promised to get them a separate piece of land with a two-room construction allotted, if they vacated the house, so that a memorial of Shaheed Sukhdev could be constructed there. He also claims members of the Shaheed Sukhdev Memorial Trust, too, have promised to get them a house allotted by the government in order to pave the way for the memorial.

Mr Sandeep Thapar, joint secretary of the trust, says there is no hinderance in acquiring the land by the trust for constructing the memorial.” We have been holding talks with the present incumbents and all efforts are being made to get the premises vacated at the earliest, he says.

Meanwhile, a function was organised by the trust at Mohalla Naughara in order to commemorate the martyrdom day of Shaheed Sukhdev. Leaders, cutting across all political lines participated in the programme, which they referred to as “samman divas.”

Mr Sahib Singh Verma, senior BJP leader and MP and former Chief Minister of Delhi, too, said due recognition should be given to the martyrs and they should not be treated as mere characters of history books. He said their contributions should be recognised and roads, schools and colleges should be named after them.Top

 

Support for Anandgarh hatao panel
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 24 — The Anandgarh Hatao Joint Action Committee headed by Mr Karnail Singh of Mullanpur Garibdas received a shot in the arm as several prominent persons extended their support to it today.

In a joint statement issued here today, Mr Harbans Singh Bajwa, sarpanch and president of the Kandi Area Panchayat Union, Kharar block, Mr Mohinder Singh, secretary, Chudhary Prem Singh, Tira samiti member, Mr Garja Singh, samiti member, Naya Gaon, Mr Paramjit Singh, sarpanch, Choti Karor, Mr Surjit Singh, chairman, Ghar Bachao Committee, Naya Gaon, Mr Gurbachan Singh, sarpanch, Janata Colony, strongly opposed the Punjab Government decision to build Anandgarh near Chandigarh.

They further added that the self-styled president of the Pind Bachao Committee, Mr Gurbachan Singh Dhillon, had conspired to torpedo the movement against the establishment of Anandgarh by calling a convention on March 26 near the barrier. They also appealed to the Chief Minister to cancel the plan to establish Anandgarh as it was against public interest.Top

 

Nayar for Indo-Pak ‘ceasefire’
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, March 24 — A votary of Indo-Pakistan friendship, eminent columnist Kuldep Nayar, has demanded “six month ceasefire” between the two sides of the border to felicitate tension-free environment in South Asia.

Talking to mediapersons here last evening, Mr Nayar, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, said guns on either side of the border should be silenced for at least six months to give peace a chance.

Infiltration of militants should also be stopped to end the stand-off between India and Pakistan.

Terming as “tense” the situation arising out of the developments in Pakistan, he said “The people-to-people contact should remain unaffected to maintain diplomatic ties”. He said the people in Pakistan were equally worried about the situation.

Making it clear that the spying should be effectively monitored, he, however, said the bus service between the two countries should not be suspended.

To a question, he said the suspension of Samjhauta Express was not a solution to the smuggling of counterfeit currency. “For that we should step up our vigilance”, he said.

Mr Nayar, who was here to pay homage to martyrs said the Centre should not reconsider its decision to invoke the controversial Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. “In the garb of tackling terrorism, the civilians’ rights are likely to be violated”, he warned.Top

 

Patiala localities stinking
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, March 24 — Resentment prevails among residents of Arjun Nagar and shopkeepers along the lower Mall Road near Budha Dal Public School here due to heaps of garbage and cattle waste dumped near their dwelling places.

A delegation of residents and shopkeepers complained to The Tribune here today they were tired of sending representations to the Municipal Corporation requesting it to get the garbage lifted.

Dr K.L. Minocha and Mr Jagpreet Singh, spokesperson of the delegation, said the garbage not only spread smell around but also bred mosquitoes and germs of all kinds. It also attracted stray animals who littered the garbage on the road causing several accidents.Top

 

TB Day observed
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, March 24 — The World Tuberculosis Day was observed by the Department of T.B. and Chest Diseases of the Government Medical College here.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jaikishan, Professor and Head-cum-Deputy Medical Superintendent of T.B. and Chest Disease Hospital, called for more refresher courses-cum-in service training of the serving doctors and private practitioners. He also demanded that internship period of two weeks should be compulsory in the department of TB in the state.


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Natural way of healing stressed
From Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, March 24 — The three-day “International Conference on Alternative Systems of Medicine” began in the presence of about 90 delegates, including 17 from the USA, UK, Italy, Mexico and Malaysia at the Sri Guru Har Rai Institute of Alternative System of Medicine here today.

The conference is being organised by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Healthy, Holy and Happy organisation, Hamdard University, and the Gurmat Sagar Trust, Anandpur Sahib.

Inaugurating the conference, Ms Linda Lancaster, general secretary of the International Congress of Alternative Systems of Medicine from the USA, said the adoption of alternative systems of medicine had become a necessity nowadays. She said the alternative systems of medicine were natural way of healing the patients with traditional methods.

She also released a souvenir regarding alternative systems of medicine prepared by the Gurmat Sagar Trust.

Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and the chairman of the Gurmat Sagar Trust, while welcoming the delegates said lakhs of persons were being cured throughout the world with the use of herbal medicines. He said he was interested in setting up of a centre of the alternative systems of medicine in this “city of bliss” as there were many medicinal plants in the nearby areas which could be used for preparing medicines.

Mr Harbhajan Singh Yogi, a spiritual leader from the USA, said medicinal plants were available in large numbers in the country.

Maj-Gen P.S. Gill (retd), in his keynote address, explained historical perspective of medicines. He said our medicine heritage was very rich. This was the reason why many students from Western countries had started studying the alternative systems of medicine in India.

Dr J.S. Neki, former Director of the PGI, Chandigarh, said Indian medicines provided life to a human being while western medicines prolonged the process of death in certain cases.

Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, urged the doctors and researchers of the alternative systems of medicine to educate people about the benefits of these systems so that more people could get benefit from these.

Earlier, Dr D.B. Kapoor, organising secretary of the conference, said the Anandpur Sahib area was a treasure of herbals.Top

 

Balmikis take out rally
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, March 24 — A large number of Balmikis led by Mr Daulat Ram president, Balmik Sabha and Karamchari Dal, organised a protest march here today and presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, against the illegal encroachments made by mahants and other people at their religious shrine Ram Tirath on the behest of politicians.

In a press note issued today Mr Pawan Kumar Detiya convenor, Aadi Samaj, India, alleged that certain people with vested interests were trying to create confusion about Balmiks and their shrines.


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Minister’s kin allege harassment
Tribune News Service

FAZILKA, March 24 — A relative of the Punjab Forest Minister, Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani, have charged the local police with harassing him and other relatives under political pressure.

Accusing the police of parading them in handcuffs at the behest of the minister and implicating them in a “false case”, Mr Anil Jyani and Sunil Jyani — both brothers, have demanded the immediate transfer of an ASI, allegedly involved in the incident. Residents of Kathera, the native village of the minister, they have also charged Sarpanch Bhim Sen of teaming up with the minister.

In a representation to the Punjab DGP, the two brothers have demanded that an Assistant Sub-Inspector be transferred for harassing them at the behest of the minister. Although the Ferozepore Range DIG was now holding an inquiry into the matter, Mr Anil Jyani said that the ASI was not being transferred at the behest of the minister.

Narrating his side of the story, Mr Anil Jyani told The Tribune that they were handcuffed and paraded in Fazilka after being booked on a “motivated complaint” by the village panchayat on January 31. While the two were booked for helping a man for taking wrongful possession of a quarter in a village colony, Mr Anil Jyani claimed that the person they were trying to help was genuine. “As the sarpanch was annoyed with our intervention, he had us booked”, he alleged.

However, the DIG, Hardeep Singh Dhillon , said that the matter was still being examined and ruled out shifting of the ASI at this point of time.

The minister, on his part said, that Mr Anil Jyani had misbehaved with the police, who was acting on a complaint against illegal possession of a quarter in the village colony. Justifying the arrest of his relatives, he said “The law is no different for the relatives of a minister. They not only supported bad elements, but tried to obstruct the police from doing its duty”. He also admitted that he was helping the village sarpanch, who is also a relative.Top

 

Criminal gang busted
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, March 24 — The police has busted a ‘kale-kachchhewale’ gang involved in several cases of robberies in the district of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar.

According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP a police party led by Sub-Inspector Swaran Singh, SHO, acting on specific information raided the hideout of the accused near Bharat Flour Mills, Pathankot and arrested the accused. Two pistols and five cartridges were recovered from them.

Mr Varinder Kumar said the accused committed robberies by wearing police uniform or ‘kale kachchhe’.

One scooter and other stolen goods were recovered from the gang.Top

 

Father’s complaint against son
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, March 24 — Mr Sukhdev Thapar, (71), has complained to the Senior Superintendent of Police to seize a licensed pistol owned by his son, Arun Thapar, as he (father) was being threatened by his son.

In a statement to the press, Mr Thapar has alleged that his younger son, Arun Thapar and his wife, Renu Thapar, who is also the general secretary of the women’s wing of the BJP, were also trying to implicate him and his elder son, Ashok Thapar, in false cases of physical attack.
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Geographers to hold conference in April now
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, March 24 — The Punjab Geographers’ Conference, which was scheduled to be held in Punjabi University here from March 14 to 15 and which was postponed due to “unavoidable circumstances” (read infighting), will now be held in April.

A decision to this effect has been taken by the university administration after brokering a truce between warring groups in the Department of Geography. Both groups will be assigned specific duties by Vice Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, himself who will oversee all the preparations for the conference.

Talking to TNS today, the Vice-Chancellor said he had called both the head of the Department, Dr H.S. Mangat, and another teacher, Dr Yadvindra Singh, who had protested against the manner in which the conference was being conducted by the former and told them to cooperate with each other in the hosting of the conference. He said he had made it clear that action would be taken against anyone who was found wanting in his task.

Earlier, the university announced on March 11 that the conference would be held on March 14-15. A day later another press release stated that the conference had been postponed due to “unavoidable reasons” and said the new dates would be announced shortly. Although none was willing to go on record, reliable sources said the trouble started after a Geography Department teacher, Dr Yadvindra Singh, complained to the Faculty Dean, saying it was not appropriate to hold the conference in collaboration with the Association of Punjab Geographers when the university was organising the event.

The Conference was, however, okayed by the university administration but postponed at the last minute according to sources due to alleged interference by a local politician who is also a Syndicate member. It is also claimed that the conference was postponed to ensure the university atmosphere was not vitiated.

The Vice Chancellor, however, claimed that the conference was postponed as he was not satisfied with its focus. He said he felt that the focus of the conference should be on Punjab, which had not been really reflected in the preparations. When asked about political interference in the matter , he said Syndicate member Surjit Singh Rakhra had met him and advocated his view but he had taken a decision to postpone the conference on merit and was not influenced by any political considerations.

It is to be seen how the focus is to be presented. The press release of the university preceding the conference, while stating that Punjab was one of the most developed states of India and was known for the strides made by it in the agricultural sector , had highlighted the attending problems faced by it as a result of intense agriculture production . This, it said, included adverse effect on the eco health due to lowering of the sub soil water table in some areas and waterlogging in others . It had also highlighted the decline in fertility of the soil.Top

 

Seminar to discuss Sikhism’s relevance
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, March 24 — Punjabi university is organising an international seminar on “Sikhism: a religion for the third millennium” from March 27 to 29 under the auspices of the Department of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism.

Talking to newsmen here today, university Vice-Chancellor Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia said the seminar would primarily address itself to the achievements and failings of the Sikhism during the last millennium, make an objective assessment of the challenges being faced by it today and highlight its importance and relevance in the coming millennium and thereafter.

He said the seminar, being monitored by Prof Prithipal Singh Kapur, Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and Dr Dharam Singh, Head of the Department, would be attended by about 300 scholars in the field of Sikh studies from all over India and abroad. About 20 papers would be presented on different aspects of Sikh history and religion, Philosophy and theology, polity and sociology.

The Vice-Chancellor said the keynote address of the seminar would be read by Prof Marcus Braybrooke, president of the World Congress of Faiths (Oxford, England), and a reputed scholar in the field of inter-faith dialogue. Swami Agnivesh, who was also a known thinker in inter-faith studies in India, would inaugurate the seminar and would be the guest of honour.

He said Yogi Harbhajan Singh of the USA, who had popularised Sikhism in the western hemisphere, would also participate in the deliberations.

The Vice-Chancellor said the proceedings of the seminar would be divided into four academic sessions besides the inaugural and the valedictory ones. The first such session, to be chaired by Prof N.S.S. Ramman of Banaras Hindu University, would include papers on the advent, growth and distinct characteristics of the Sikh faith.

He said the next three sessions would take up some of the problems and challenges being faced by the Sikhism today and bring out its importance and relevance in the year to come.

He said papers would also be presented on Sikh music and art as well. Bhai Surinder Singh and Bhai Baldeep Singh would present papers on Sikh music and also give practical demonstration of its finer nuances. Dr Daljit Kaur Khare would present a paper on Sikh paintings, bringing out distinct characteristics of the Sikh art, he added.Top

 

Errors in plus 2 maths paper
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, March 24 — Certain discrepancies were found in the plus two mathematics code B (English medium) question paper of Punjab School Education Board.

The mathematics examination held here on Wednesday had two mistakes in which all questions were compulsory.

The Government Teachers Union Panjab spokesman, Mr Kuldip Singh Mughawa, in a press note issued here yesterday urged the board to give grace marks to students of the said paper in lieu of the fault by the PSEB.

The teachers also took up the matter with District Education Officer, Ms Swinder Kaur Kahlon, who, they said asked them to take up the issue with the board.
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