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| Thursday, October 12, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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House linked to Tagore in ruins
ABOHAR AMRITSAR WORKSHOP HELD: The Youth Welfare Department of Guru Nanak Dev University on Tuesday organised a one-day workshop on theatre and dance for teachers and students of these disciplines, keeping in view the ensuing youth festival. Mr Baljit Singh Sekhon, Director, Youth Welfare of University, said national and international experts spoke on the occasion.
FARIDKOT FEROZEPORE JALANDHAR KAPURTHALA LUDHIANA DHARNA: The Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Employees Federation held a dharna in front of the registrar’s office of Punjab Agricultural University to raise its voice against PAU policies which were detrimental to the interests of the students belonging to SCs and BCs. Speakers at the rally, including the state president Mr Achara Singh Lapran, alleged that as against a quota of 12 seats in Bachelor of Veterinary Science, only 5 had been filled from amongst the SC and BC categories, while the rest were transferred to the general category. The federation termed the decision as violative of the Constitution, as well as of the PAU rules. The agitation, according to federation activists, will continue till justice was done to the SC and BC students. FLAYED: The CPI ML-Liberation) has condemned the NDA government, headed by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee for increasing the prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and kerosene and putting unbearable burden upon the common man and weaker sections. The district secretary of the party, Mr Ramesh Sharma, has observed that the hike in prices of petroleum products would lead to spurt in the prices of essential items like foodgrain, vegetables, cloth and medicines, thereby creating more problems for the people. He said bowing to international pressure, the NDA coalition government was inflicting fatal blows upon the working classes, for which it would have to pay dearly. FUNCTION: A prize distribution function for fifth semester students of BBA of the Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, who went on trekking, was held here on Wednesday. Nearly 25 students of the institute along with Mr Satinder Singh, lecturer, had gone on the trip to Dalhousie and Khajjiar. Reminiscing the various adventurous moments of the trip, Uday Pratap Sandhu, team leader, said, ‘‘We really enjoyed trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing and camping. This was for the first time that such trip was organised.’’ Uday was given the prize for being a good team leader. Mahinder Chawla got prize for best trekking, Rohit Sharma for best climbing and Manpinder Pal Singh for best camper. CASE
DISMISSED: The District Consumer Redressal Forum has dismissed a student’s complaint seeking compensation from a teacher for beating him. The forum dismissed the complaint due to lack of evidence. It also observed that the case was not one of deficiency of service as it did not involved a dispute over fee of any service. It said if there was something illegal the complainant could move a civil court. The student, Amandeep Kaur, of Class VIII of Government High School, Khanna, and her mother, Kuldeep Kaur, had alleged that the girl was slapped by the head mistress of the school in September 1997 which caused bleeding in her ear. They alleged that the girl could not prepare for the exams and consequently failed. They also claimed 85 per cent damage to the ear. The accused, however, vehemently denied beating the student. The forum after listening to both the parties observed that as the student had produce only a chit of some ear specialist having examined the girl, it does not have incriminating evidence against the teacher. EXAMINED: As many as 500 students of USPC Jain Public School were examined checked by Dr J.M. Singh, eye specialist, from Civil Surgeon’s office to observe World Eyesight Day. However, 50 students were recommended glasses.
ANNOUNCED: According to a press note issued by the Satluj Club here on Wednesday, Ritesh Arora has become the squash champion in the junior singles, category in the championship held at the club. CONTEST: Vardhman group of companies has organised a ‘Magika Embroidery Contest’ at Home Science College of Punjab Agriculture University. Mr C.B. Sharma, Senior Sales Manager. (Vardhman Threads), appreciated the efforts of the Department of Clothing and Textiles for supporting the contest. He said the company would organise these type of contests at various schools and colleges of the city in the coming months. Mrs Kanwaljit Brar, Assistant Professor said,” the results of the contest would be announced next month function. POSTPONED: Mrs Anita Rana, president, Shivam Arts, Chandigarh, has stated in a press note that Punjabi Munde, which is to be held at Punjabi Bhawan, here on October 14 has been postponed. She said the programme would be held on November 11. OUTLET
OPENED: After making its presence felt in Delhi, Noida and Chandigarh, Ebony, a chain of department stores opened an outlet here on Wednesday. The store stocks items ranging from books, music and stationery to household wares, from cosmetics, jewellery and perfumes to garments for men, women and children and from baby stuff like toys and prams to gifts and imported crystal ware. SAMRALA RALLY: Watchmen of this tehsil held a rally here on Tuesday under the presidentship of Mr Gian Singh. They were demanding Rs 1,000 per month as pay. On this occasion, a senior clerk, Ms Jasbir Kaur, was honoured by the Patwari Union for her cooperation in tehsil work. |
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AMBALA AEROBATIC DISPLAY: Surya Kirans, the Aerobatics team of the Indian Air Force, will display their powers at the Air Force Station, Ambala Cantt, on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. It was stated by Mr Ravi Bhargaw, Commanding Officer, Airmen Selection Centre, on Wednesday. He said the viewers would be allowed on the airfield after 3 p.m. Visitors would not be allowed to carry any eatables, bags, briefcases, cameras, pagers or mobile phones with them due to the security and flight safety reasons. The nine aircraft Surya Kiran team recently gave a spectacular display in New Delhi on the occasion of Air Force Day. ARRESTED: The local police arrested 20 gamblers from different places in Ambala City and Ambala Cantt on Wednesday. The police raided the railway godowns and Jain College road at Ambala City and seized Rs 10,100 from their possession. The police also conducted a raid in the Punjabi Bagh area and seized Rs 11,500. Mr Navdeep Singh Virk, SP, Ambala, said the police had received a telephonic information in this regard. He said that all the police stations have been directed to keep a close watch on the unsociable elements especially the satta operators. COP DIED: A constable of Ambala police died in mysterious conditions. According to the police, the constable, Jaipal, came back to the local police station after performing his assigned duty. As soon as he took the meal he fell ill. He was rushed to the local civil hospital from where he was shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh, where he succumbed to his injuries. The reason of his death could not be established. After conducting the post mortem his body was handed over to his relatives. BAN: The District Magistrate, Ambala, Mr Ram Niwas, has put a ban on bursting of crackers within the 500-metre of the depot of Indian Oil Corporation, G.T. Road and 12 Cross Road which will remain effective till October 31. A ban on the sale of crackers was also imposed in the busy markets of Ambala City, Ambala Cantt and Naraingarh. FATEHABAD SOLAR COOKER: The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) will provide solar cookers to people living below poverty line on a priority basis. A press note issued here by the agency stated that the state government was giving a subsidy of Rs 300 on every solar cooker. The original price of the cooker is Rs 900. JIND: KURUKSHETRA ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Urban Welfare Association, Sector 7, HUDA: president — Mr Hawa Singh Hooda; vice-president — Mr Ramesh Goyal; and general secretary — Dr A.N. Manocha. SEMINAR ON PUNJABI: The Department of Punjabi, Kurukshetra University, is organising a two-day seminar on “The Khalsa Panth — A symbol of Indian pride” in the university Senate hall on October 18, 19. This was disclosed by the chairperson of the department, Prof A.S. Kang, here on Wednesday. The seminar will be inaugurated by Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala. REWARI SHAHABAD SONEPAT WOMEN ASSAULTED: Two women sustained injuries when a group of farmers from UP allegedly assaulted them while they were working in their fields at Zainpur Tikola village along the embankment of the Yamuna river, 15 km from here, on Tuesday. The assailants also burnt the crops of at least 13 farmers of the village. A case has been registered on the orders of Mr Jagrup Singh Rathi, ASP. LICENCE
CANCELLED: The District Food and Supplies Controller has cancelled the licence of a brick-kiln owner on a charge of supplying substandard bricks for the construction of the retaining wall of a pond at Lalehri village in the district.
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SHIMLA |
House linked to Tagore in ruins “Woodfield’’
where Rabindranath Tagore stayed for eight months during his visit to Shimla, is getting dilapidated although the Himachal Pradesh Government had decided to preserve the heritage building long ago. This historic house is in such a bad condition that it could collapse any moment. There was a time when this house was surrounded by flowers and trees but today shrubs and wild plants cover the house. Both sides of its walls have developed cracks and at certain spots bricks have fallen. The roof is rusting and some tin portions falling down. Only a few people are aware that Gurudev stayed here. As we walk through the building, it seems to be falling from the edge. A plaque listing the history of the building was unveiled by Mr M.S. Mukherjee, the then Chief Secretary, in 1993. That was the only attention given to it. At the time there was a move to convert it into a tourist centre. No government authority looks after the heritage building. “Many government staff visit it, take photographs, ask about the building and also agree on preserving it as a heritage building. Their visit is just to satisfy others’’, says a tenant. Satpal, the owner of the house, is no more interested in maintaining it. The tenants have been living in this house for about three or four decades. The owner had a dream about demolishing it and building a hotel at the spot, says one tenant. The owner threatens to get the house vacated and this dispute has forced them to knock at the court. Neither the owner nor the government has taken any action. Rabindranath Tagore stayed at “ Woodfield” in October-November 1893. The poet’s elder brother, Satyendranath had rented this house and was living there with his wife. From this house, Gurudev wrote eight poems for a publication called “ Sonar Tari” ( Golden boat) and he would indulge in correspondence with artistes and friends. The Director of the Languages, Art and Culture Department says: “This is a private building and we cannot interfere in it. We had written to the government, but there was no satisfactory response. This house has its own importance”. But no one is willing to maintain this legacy. Steel was ‘first made’ in India Mr Satya Pal, president of the Asian Foundry Congress (1999-2000) had the honour of presenting a paper ‘‘Evolution of 5000-year-old technology of Ancient Indian Art Castings’’ during the 64th World Foundry Congress held in Paris from September 11 to 14. The congress was attended by scientists, metallurgists and engineers from all over the world. They were told that it was India which first produced steel and other metals. He also put before the august gathering regarding the “Satyuga” about 1.7 million years ago, Dvapar of about 3 million years and Treta about 8.64 lakh years. The last era is known as “Kalyug” means the era of machines. Of this era, 5102 years have passed and most of the slides he showed during his lecture belong to this period. He produced before the audience a table giving the names and periods of about 16,000 years before the Mahabharata war and in the second table gave details of kingdoms from the rise of Vikramaditya. Mr Satya Pal a former president of Institute of Indian Foundrymen, is also president of Laghu Udyog Bharti, Haryana. The technical discussion on his paper was limited to the art castings which were discovered during the excavations in various parts of the country, commencing from the Vedic period and going further to the civilisations of Mohanjadaro, Harappa and the Indus Valley, all probably about 5,000 years old. Interestingly, some European archaeologists estimated this period to be almost 7,000 years old! He also told the gathering that in 325 BC Damascus imported steel from India to make the famous ‘‘Damascus swords and arrow’’. Alexander the Great made an agreement with King Porus and was given special gifts of steel, considered to be one of the most valuable ones. The typical ancient art castings covered by him are the ‘‘the dancing girl’’ of Mohanjadaro (3000-2000 BC), ‘‘Nataraja’’ from Chola dynasty (9th century AD), ‘‘Svachchhanda Bhairavi’’ and ‘‘Kaliya Mardhan Krishna’’ (10th century), ‘‘Uma Maheshwara’’ (11th century), ‘‘Ganesha’’ (14th century), ‘‘Ardhanareshwara’’ (15th century) and ‘‘Buddha’’ (17th century). He gave the analysis of a six tonne piece of the Iron Pillar standing amidst the ruins at Qutub Minar cast about 1,500 years ago showing the skills of those days. The composition of this Iron Pillar showed almost no sulphur. One of the scientists at the gathering wanted to know how in those days they could produce steel with no sulphur — no easy task. His paper was published in black and white with all pictures. One of the publishers said that he was impressed and wanted to publish the paper with photographs in colour. His paper is being reprinted in colour and published throughout Europe in French and German. Pre-teen stamp
collector “I want to set a record in philately” says Gaurav Dahiya (11), a student of standard VI at the Model School in Rohtak, who has collected nearly 1300 stamps of 70 countries. The enthusiastic Gaurav said he had collected 133 stamps of Germany, 92 of the UK, 63 of Panama, 39 of Pakistan etc. Asked how he took interest in the hobby, he said attractive stamps on international mail sent to his father fascinated him at the age of seven. Since then he started collecting stamps. He started corresponding with his relatives and friends abroad just for to collect stamps of those countries. He even made friends in dozens of countries and corresponded with them. He had set a target of collecting 5,000 stamps of 100 countries. His father, Dr S B Dahiya, Director of Distance Education, Maharshi Dayanand University, said although the hobby of his son was costly, he never discouraged the boy. Contributed by Ranjana Sharma, TNS, and Vipin Sharma |
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