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| Saturday,
November 11, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Tribune
special CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Bureaucrats are slowly replacing technocrats
as heads of certain departments of the Chandigarh Administration.
In the past few years, at least six technocrat heads of departments
or top officials have been replaced by the IAS, PCS or HCS officers.
This has caused resentment among junior officials as their chances of
heading the departments have dried up. Regardless of the nature of the
job in a department, a bureaucrat is always made the head of it.
A latest example is of the Secretary for Medical Education and
Research. Till October 16, Prof V.K. Kak had the dual charge of the
Director Principal of the Sector 32 Government Medical College and
Hospital and the Secretary for Medical Education and Research. The Union
Ministry of Home Affairs said one person could not hold two posts.
Following this, the Chandigarh Administration relieved Prof Kak of the
charge of the Secretary for Medical Education and Research.
Now, the charge has been handed over to an IAS officer. The Adviser
to the Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, when contacted, said the issue of
the Secretray for Medical Education and Research would be discussed with
the MHA at a forthcoming meeting. “We have not acted on our own, but
have carried out the instructions of the MHA,” the Adviser said.
Independent sources said the controversy over Prof Kak might be because
of instructions and complaints by other departments and politicians.
When Prof O.N. Nagi was selected to replace Prof Kak, he turned down
the offer of the Chandigarh Administration. Like his predecessors, Prof
Nagi also wanted to be the Secretary for Medical Education and Research,
besides heading the GMCH.
Another example is of the Director Technical Education. The previous
incumbent, Prof S.K. Aggarwal, a senior professor of engineering, was
replaced by an official of the Haryana Civil Services. This led to a
quiet, but strong dissent among teachers of various technical
institutes.
The Director Technical Education automatically becomes a member of
the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). According to a
1987 Act of Parliament, the AICTE makes policy for all technical
education in the country. “It will be better to appoint the seniormost
principal rather than a bureaucrat on the post,” said a teacher of
engineering.
The Secretary Engineering is also not an engineer, contrary to the
practice in the past. This post has been held by both bureaucrats and
engineers in the past five years. After K.K. Jerath, a former Chief
Engineer and Secretary Engineering, was arrested about two years ago, an
IAS officer was put on the post of Secretary Engineering. On the
condition of anonymity, an engineer said Jerath’s arrest did not mean
that all engineers were corrupt and could not hold a top post.
Earlier, the post of Director Public Instructions (Schools) used to
be held by senior educationists. Ms Kuldeep Kaur was the last
educationist to be DPI (Schools). After her, the post went to a PCS
officer about seven years ago. Until about 25 years ago, the DPI
(Colleges) used to be an educationist. However, since then, an IAS, PCS
or HCS officer has held the charge.
The last person to be Director Sports from the sports cadre was
Nirmal Mikha Singh. She was an employee of the Sports Department who was
promoted to be the Director. After her retirement about four years ago,
an IAS officer became the Director Sports.
The Chairperson of the Chandigarh Housing Board used to be a senior
technocrat like Mr J.S. Kohli or Mr S.S. Virdi. The Secretary of the CHB
used to be a PCS or HCS officer. Eight years ago, everything changed.
Now, the Chairperson of the CHB is an IAS officer appointed by the MHA,
while technocrats can rise upto the level of Chief Engineer in the CHB.
Even the post of Secretary Urban Planning has been handed over to
various IAS officers in the past five years. It is only now that it has
been handed over to the Chief Architect. Secretary
Engineering
Engineer
IAS officer
Housing Board Chairperson
Technocrat
IAS officer
Director Technical Education
Educationist
HCS officer
Director
Sports
Seniormost DPI
Schools
Educationist
PCS officer |
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Ludhiana-UT
road to be 4-laned NEW DELHI, Nov 10 — The Punjab Government has drawn up an integrated infrastructure development plan exclusively for the road sector with planned financial outlay of more than Rs 2,200 crore to be deployed during the next two years. These include four-laning of the Chandigarh-Ludhiana highway, four-laning of the Ambala-Chandigarh road and construction of 15 railway overbridges and under-bridges. Addressing the Chief Ministers’ conference here, the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said the state government had made much headway to facilitate private sector participation in infrastructure development. The requisite legislative framework for this purpose had been laid down and the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board, which would act as credit enhancer and development financer set up. Expressing concern over the challenges posed to the industrial sector, he said the state government had set up an expert committee under the Chairmanship of Prof Y.K. Alagh to prepare a status paper on the impact of the WTO. The state had also notified the IT
policy containing an exclusive package of facilities and incentives for
IT units. Mohali, a satellite town of Chandigarh, was being developed as
a centre of excellence for the IT industry. An earth station had already
been commissioned in that area and a number of IT companies had started
their operations. |
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Prasada
opposes Mirdha’s move CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Mr Jitendra Prasada, who is challenging Mrs
Sonia Gandhi in the All-India Congress Committee presidential election,
today strongly objected to the party’s Central Election Authority
chairman, Mr Ram Nivas Mirdha’s decision to delink the election of the
presidents of the Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) from that of the
AICC President.
Mr Prasada was talking to newsmen at the local Press Club today. He
was accompanied by the former Union Minister of State and former
president of the Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee, Mr Venod
Sharma.
He said the last-minute decision not to hold elections to various
posts of the PCCs simultaneously with the AICC presidential poll was
against the party’s age-old convention. Refusing to say if there was
any ulterior motive behind the delinking of the elections, Mr Prasada
said while the motive could be disclosed by Mr Mirdha only, the decision
was certainly bound to cause embarrassment to the latter because only a
few days ago Mr Mirdha had declared that the two elections would be held
simultaneously.
Proving himself to be a great dodger in giving direct replies to
questions, the answers to which could be highly critical of Mrs Gandhi,
Mr Prasada left nothing unsaid in a round-about manner of what he felt
about the party’s future under Sonia.
Though he would not say that the party high command was terrorising
Congressmen supporting him, he told newsmen how the chief of the Tamil
Nadu unit of the Seva Dal, a front organisation of the party, who came
to receive him at Chennai railway station, was removed from his post. He
also would not say that Congressmen were afraid to come out openly in
his support, but would readily tell how PCC headquarters in many states
were locked when he informed them about his intention to visit the party
offices.
He said despite what had happened (he would avoid using the word “irregularities”)
in the election process so far, he would be satisfied if Mr Mirdha stuck
to his assurance of holding elections through secret ballot and counting
ballot papers after mixing them to maintain the secrecy of votes.
Mr Prasada said it was decided at Pachmarhi that the organisational
elections would be fair and held through secret ballot. This had raised
the expectations of the grass roots workers. But the elections were not
being held as promised.
He also criticised the decision of various PCCs to leave the issue of
election of their office-bearers to Mrs Gandhi. “Such decisions lead
to sycophancy.”
Mr Prasada demanded that the Antony Committee report on the debacle
of the Congress in the last Lok Sabha elections should be made public so
that the workers should know the reality. Even members of the Congress
Working Committee (CWC) were given only a brief summary of the report.
He said he had gone to the Press about the issues on which he was
contesting the party poll because in 17 major states the addresses of
PCC delegates were not available. Therefore, he could not write to them.
He favoured autonomy for various units of the party.
Earlier, he was given a rousing welcome at the local railway station
by Congress workers belonging to the Venod Sharma camp. Hundreds of
activists waving party flags greeted him by raising slogans in his
favour. Women workers garlanded him besides applying tilak on his
forehead. Later he interacted with party workers at the residence of Mr
Sharma.
Meanwhile, the general secretary of the Haryana Congress, Dr Ram
Prakash, said he kept waiting for Mr Prasada at the PCC headquarters
with an open letter for the AICC presidential candidate. In the open
letter Dr Ram Prakash held Mr Prasada responsible for many of the ills
afflicting the party. Dr Ram Prakash said Mr Prasada did not visit the
Haryana Congress office. |
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Mann
confident of meeting challenges CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Prof S.B.S. Mann, designate Director-Principal of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, takes over his new assignment next week. The head of the ENT Department at the PGI, Prof Mann, is a specialist in Oto-Rhino-laryngelogy and a pioneer in starting several new techniques, in this field. Talking to TNS, here today, Prof Mann said that he was looking forward to his new job and was feeling “a little more responsible. At the PGI, I had to look after a single department consisting of about 65 staff members. At the GMCH, the responsibility will multiply manifold,” he added. Regarding the controversial decision of not being given the charge of Secretary, Medical Education and Research, by the Chandigarh Administration, Prof Mann does not feel that it would mean less administrative and financial powers for him. “ It will not hamper my way of functioning and I am sure that in due course of time, the issue will be sorted out. I intend discharging my duties with dedication and professionalism and at present that is all that matters to me.” Prof Mann, however, disagreed that the Administration had given him an assurance of giving the additional charge at a later stage. “I have not even discussed the matter for the simple reason that at the time, almost a month back, the post for Director-Principal was advertised and we were asked for our bio-datas, the charge of Secretary, MER, was not part of the portfolio, a fact all of us were aware of very well,” he added. Talking about immediate plans for the state-of-the-art institution, he said he would like GMCH to achieve the standards of the PGI. “I believe that love is the biggest weapon in life. Therefore, whatever I do, it will be with love and affection. However, if certain situations need tough decisions, I will certainly not hesitate.” Prof Mann stressed that at present, his single-point agenda would be to gain maximum knowledge about GMCH, its staff and its functioning. “As soon as I get clearance from the Ministry of Health, I intend calling a meeting of the faculty and the administrative staff. I would like to find out matters and projects that have been pending which will also be my top priority. I intend meeting challenges head on and implement all that I have
learned and gained during my 34 years of experience in the PGI,” he
added. |
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SPEAKING
OUT CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Should administrative and financial powers in
the technical field be delegated to technocrats or bureaucrats? Taking a
recent example when the post of Secretary, Medical Education and
Research (MER), was withdrawn from the former Director-Principal,
Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Prof V.K.Kak,
just 15 days prior to his retirement on October 31, a wave of
indignation went through the medical fraternity on what they called was
a ‘totally unreasonable and unfair move’.
Though the order, saying that duties of Secretary, MER. were being
withdrawn from the Director-Principal as he could not hold dual charge,
was formally issued by the Union Ministry of Human Resources , it was
felt that the move had a significant bureaucratic person and reasons
behind it.
Later, on his appointment as the next Director- Principal, Prof
O.N.Nagi, seeking clarification on this sudden withdrawal of charge,
eventually turned down the prestigious offer of heading the state- of-
the- art GMCH.” He did the right thing,” say three former directors
of PGI and the founding Director Principal, GMCH, Prof. J.S.Chopra and
former Director -Principal Prof V.K.Kak.
“A doctor,” questions Prof B.N.S. Walia, Director of the PGI from
1991-95, “ is never asked to do an economist’s job, then why
vice-versa?”
Prof I.C. Pathak, Director, PGI from 1985 to 1990, feels the same.
“To act as the Chief Executive, the Director-Principal should have
authority and power to run the institute. My personal experience says
that a director or a Principal should have complete administrative and
financial powers, otherwise for small matters he will have to keep
running to the Secretary’s office, which will only delay the
functioning of the institution. I would like to ask the Chandigarh
Administration if Prof Kak or Prof Chopra were not running the GMCH
efficiently, why was the matter not taken up by the authorities earlier.
The answer is that GMCH was progressing well during the past decade.
Therefore, the charge of Secretary, MER should remain with Director
Principal, GMCH, for proper functioning of the institute .”
Prof B.N.S. Walia asserts that autonomy promotes productivity.” The
best medical colleges in the country, government or private, have the
powers delegated to the director or whoever is in charge. It is a proven
fact that whenever power is given to a technocrat to run the
institution, it is always a decision in the interest if the institution”.
It is not just the question of a post of Secretary, MER, but if the
Chandigarh administration cannot give the Director -Principal this
additional charge and designation, then he should be given complete
financial and administrative power to run the institution. Surely, the
previous two director principals could not have achieved what they did,
without those powers.
Prof B.K. Sharma, Director PGI from 1995 to 1999 agrees.” Not for
any partisan reasons, but based on pure practical experience as Medical
Superintendent, Dean and Director of a premier institution, I feel that
unless the decision making powers are with the administrator, matters
can remain suspended between him and the Secretariat.
In many medical colleges where the administrative head have little
authority, most of the things are referred to the Health Department. At
times, even for something as basic as repair of the CT scan or similar
equipment , permission is not granted for months. Without sounding
anti-bureaucratic, there are examples galore that a bureaucrat holds
several portfolios without having deep knowledge of even one.
Moreover, the seven-year old GMCH certainly needs an experienced
person, with full power, to establish itself because although the
previous director-principals have done an excellent job , a lot remains
to be achieved.”
Although Prof J.S.Chopra, founder Director-Principal of the GMCH, was
appointed to take charge of the upcoming GMCH in 1991, he joined about
one year 28 days later in 1992, only when he was given the dual charge
of Secretary, MER. “ Without total financial and administrative
powers, it might have become impossible to run the institute smoothly.
The Director-Principal , on his own, has hardly any administrative or
financial powers without which matters would be as good or bad as any
other government hospital in the country”.
Prof V.K. Kak, Director Principal, GMCH from 1995 to 2000, during the
end of whose tenure, the post of Secretary, MER was withdrawn, says it
is not the question of superiority or personal ego of who holds which
post. “ For better functioning , however, professional departments
like medical, engineering and urban planning have to be administered by
experts in the respective fields.
Besides, there is no logic why a Director-Principal, a senior doctor
of international repute has to be at the beck and call of a relatively
junior administrative officer, both in age as well as experience?” |
Flat allotments
precede basic amenities SAS NAGAR, Nov 10 — Scores of successful allottees of the MIG and
LIG Housing Colony in Sector 66 of this Urban Estate are being harassed
by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) by not
providing basic amenities in the area. Even after two months of being
handing over the possession of the flats the allottees are waiting for
electricity connections.
After paying lakhs of rupee, the allottees lament that at the time of
giving possession of the flats, the PUDA officials concerned had
described them as “ready-for-possession flats”. Mr Sanjay Kumar, who
had taken a loan from a financial institution to pay for the cost of his
flat, laments: “I cannot move into the flat as there is no power
supply and water supply is poor. Due to lack of coordination between
PUDA and the Punjab State Electricity Board ( PSEB), the low tension
lines and other distribution system in the area have not been handed
over to the latter”.
In fact, at least 50 allottees have been running from pillar to post
to get a power connection. Some have even deposited security with the
Phase 1 office of the board only to be told later that the power lines
were yet to be handed over to them. Some allottees have deposited
security in Phase 1 and Sohana circle office of the electricity board
due to confusion over the area from which the power would be sourced.
Mr K.S. Bindra, a retired defence personnel, said he, due to the
delay in providing the basic amenities, was being doubly burdened — he
was paying for his rented accommodation and the installments of the
flat.
Similar problems are being faced by the allotees of LIG houses.
A section of the allottees point out that the quality of construction
was poor, the power switchboard and the window frames were not up to the
mark.
Another clause in the allotment letter that the allottee would have
to execute the deed of conveyance within three months of taking the
possession of the flat has also irked them. “ We have yet to get the
basic amenities and paying for the charges of the conveyance deed would
put an extra burden on the salaried class,” said Mr Bindra. |
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20
schools participate in nagar kirtan SAS NAGAR, Nov 10 — On the eve of the birth anniversary of Guru
Nanak Dev, special arrangements were made by the Managing Committee of
local gurdwaras under the banner of the local Gurdwara Talmel Committee
to take out a procession in the town. Students of 20 schools
participated in the procession which started from Gurdwara Gobindsar in
Mohali village and culminated in Phase 11 after winding its way through
different phases.
Throughout the entire route of the procession, devotees could be seen
lined up on both sides of roads to pay their obeisance to Guru Granth
Sahib placed atop a decorated truck which was preceded by the Panj
Piyaras. A glider was engaged by the committee to shower flower petals.
Tents had been pitched to distribute sweetened water and parshad among
the devotees. Mr Hardeep Singh, a member of the SGPC, said the
procession was led by Baba Avtar Singh Dhulkot Wale. An added feature of
the celebrations was that the local Municipal Council had erected
welcome gates throughout the procession route.
A similar procession was taken out by villagers of SAS Nagar
subdivision. The procession, which started from Bhabat, culminated at
Gurdwara Akal Ashram, Sohana, after winding its way through Nabha,
Nadiali, Bakarpur, Manauli, Raipur and Mauli Baidwan villages. The
Jathedar of Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, was present at the Bhabat
gurdwara. |
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Many IT
companies ready to set up facilities in city CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — A number of multinational and Indian IT
companies have expressed interest in setting up their facilities in
Chandigarh.
Representatives of these companies met the Adviser to the
Administrator, Mrs Vineeta Rai, and the Secretary, IT, Mr Rakesh Singh,
during their visit to Bangalore for the IT.Com. Fair.
Over 500 companies inquired about the IT developments in Chandigarh
and conveyed their desire for establishing IT units in Chandigarh, a
spokesperson of the Administration said. A meeting was held between
Administration officials and the Jurong Trading Corporation (JTC) of
Singapore regarding the IT tower complex which is to be set up in Sector
47, Chandigarh. The JTC had earlier set up an IT park in Bangalore,
which is the most modern state-of-the-art IT park in the country.
The response of the IT companies as well as general visitors to the
stall of the Department of IT, Chandigarh, was immense as over 10,000
people visited the stall. The Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Haryana and
Madhya Pradesh, besides ministers from various state governments and
also from foreign countries, made highly appreciative comments. |
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Terrorism
is self-generating CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Violence and killings in the world are
increasing day by day, and it has become necessary to find a solution to
the problem of terrorism. Professor Paul Wallace from USA, today
presented a paper on” Lessons of political violence and international
Terrorism at Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Chandigarh.
Professor Paul said that” It was important to understand why
political violence occurs and takes an organised form. Once it begins,
it tends to develop into a self generating process with violence,
revenge and killing of the innocent. There is a large literature which
focuses on the causes and details of various problem situation
throughout the world. The following is a modest effort on how to reverse
the process of political violence. It essentially is the result of
examining a large number of movements in an attempt to develop a
comparative perspective. There is a need to understand the problem of
terrorism and find the ways to solve these.
He said political violence against a state most often results in a
damage to democracy. Emergencies then replace the political process, but
it is no solution to the problem. Politics is essential to deal with it.
We need not to be pessimistic.
We now have models with the end of apartheid in the Union of South Africa, the painful but continuing PLO-Israli negotiation, a creative political agreement in Northern Ireland. Renewed democratic Institutions in Punjab, and substantial hope in Bosnia, Peru and Sri Lanka may also fall into this improving category. In contrast to what seem to be improving situations, there is a long list of areas with a high level of political violence, Algeria topped the list in 1998 and so was the case with Rwanda, Burundi, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka may be Improving, but the level of political violence and terrorism is high. Professor Wallace also warned about the dangers of violence and said
that “Violence can quickly destroy relationships between groups, which
took long time to build. The process of overcoming hatreds engendered by
violence was very slow. Moreover, the longer one waits, the more deeply
imbedded become the fissures which needs to be repaired”.  |
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Mystery
of monthly telephone bills solved CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Telephone subscribers connected to the Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) exchanges are confused and surprised as
they have received bills for a monthly billing cycle, instead of the
usual bimonthly billing cycle.
Thousands of subscribers in Chandigarh, Panchkula and SAS Nagar have
received bills of amounts that they pay on average in a bi-monthly
billing cycle. The rentals have been halved. The bills are for calls
made till September 30 and rentals are also till that date only. Nowhere
does the bill explain the reason for this sort of billing cycle. Not
only has this led to harassment but also to thousands of queries from
subscribers.
Several people were not even expecting their bills. Explaining this,
BSNL officials said all bills have been issued till September 30. That
was when the Department of Telecom (DoT) was working. So all bills have
to be cleared. From October 1, the BSNL came into being and the bills
will now be on a bimonthly basis. |
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Resident
accused of posing as SP CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — A city resident was today accused of getting
his car repaired after posing as Superintendent of Police. Denying the
allegations, the resident, however, claimed he was being implicated by
certain shopkeepers of Sector 21 following dispute over money.
At about 5. 15 p.m., the resident was brought to the Sector 19 police
station after the cops were reportedly contacted by the owner of a car
accessories shop in Sector 21. He and certain other shopkeepers alleged
that the person had flaunted a fake identity card.
Taking to media persons present at the police station soon after
hearing the news of an “SP” from Punjab being apprehended by the
police, the shopkeeper said the person was today recognised while he was
getting his car repaired. The person, he added, had “run away” after
getting accessories worth Rs 6,000 installed from his shop last year.
Giving details, he added that the person had dropped names of
influential bureaucrats during the visit to his shop the previous year.
The shopkeeper further added that he informed the owner of the adjoining
shop after seeing the person there.
The other shopkeeper alleged that a fake identity card was shown to
him two or three days back. The person, he added, had asked them to
charge reasonable price for the repairs.
The resident, on the other hand, reportedly told the police that he
was being framed due to some dispute over money. Refuting the
allegations of possessing fake identity card, the person reportedly said
he was getting his car repaired for four or five days but no one had
pointed an accusing finger towards him till today. The matter, according
to sources in the Police Department, was amicably resolved. |
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Jacob’s
message on Gurpurb eve CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), today called upon the people to follow the path of truth, equality and kindness as shown by Guru Nanak Dev. Felicitating the people on the eve of the birthday of the Guru, the
Governor said he was an apostle of peace who epitomised universal
brotherhood and love towards humanity. General Jacob said: “This day
give us an opportunity to reaffirm our faith in his teachings and rise
above caste, religion and regional considerations and fight for the
unity and strength of the nation.” |
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Probe
demanded into land dispute KHARAR, Nov 10 — Mr Ranbir Singh Kala, President, and six other members of the local Municipal Council, have demanded that the Punjab Government should order a CBI inquiry into the land dispute at Khanpur village, which falls within the municipal limits of Kharar, so that a permanent settlement of the dispute could be found. According to a press note issued here today, a resolution to this
effect was passed at a meeting held here yesterday. The meeting was
attended, among others, by Mr Preet Kanwal Singh, Mr Gurdial Singh, Mr
Roshan Lal, Mr Om Parkash Aggarwal and Mrs Swarnjit Kaur (all municipal
commissioners) and Mr Devinder Gupta and Mr Harpreet Singh Johar (both
advocates). |
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‘Need’
to educate public on legal aid PANCHKULA, Nov 10 — The necessity of creating public awareness about the legal aid and the Legal Services Act, 1987, was emphasised on Legal Services Day observed in the district courts complex in Sector 1 here yesterday. The member-secretary of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority, Mr R.S. Virk, said that measures like organising seminars and lok adalats, wide publicity of the aims and objectives of the legal aid movement by distributing pamphlets were being undertaken. Later, interacting with members of the local Bar, Mr Virk sought their cooperation and participation to make the legal aid movement a success. Earlier, a special lok adalat was organised to mark the occasion. The
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr Ved Pal Gupta, informed that 152 cases
were settled by the courts functioning on the premises. Mr Gupta added
that the next lok adalat would be held in the complex on November 18. |
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Jat
expedition reaches city CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The cycling leg of the Mahaveer Jat expedition
arrived in city yesterday after pedalling their way from Bilaspur in
Himachal Pradesh. The team, led by Lieut S. Sanger, will be flagged off
on its next leg to Ambala tomorrow.
This is part of a three-week long multi-disciplinary adventure
expedition, including cycling, running and motor cycling, being
undertaken by the Jat Regiment to inculcate the spirit of adventure and
comradeship amongst its troops, besides testing leadership qualities,
skills and stamina. Its members will be drawn from all battalions of the
Jat Regiment who will traverse the region on foot, cycles and motor
cycles.
While the different legs of the expedition will be flagged off from
various places where Jat battalions are based, they will all culminate
at the Jat Regimental Centre in Bareilly.
According to information made available here, the cycling leg was
flagged off from Jammu on October 27 and involves covering a distance of
about 900 km. The route, to be covered in 25 days, includes Jammu,
Pathankot, Kangra, Yol, Palampur, Sajanpur, Bilaspur, Chandigarh,
Ambala, Karnal, Sonipat, Meerut, Moradabad and Bareilly. |
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Guru’s
disciple shares the limelight CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — A rare and beautiful model of Bhai Lallo’s,
a disciple of Guru Nanak, residence and the forest adjoining to his
village has been made by a city resident.
Sector 27 resident Amar Singh has prepared a model which took
intensive labour by the 76-year-old artist. The model would be displayed
in several gurdwaras of England.
Guru Nanak Dev ji, accompanied by Mardana, visited Bhai Lallo’s
house in Sadpur (present day Amnabad, Pakistan), and stayed with him for
11-months. The Guru used to meditate in the nearby forest and take meals
at his house. Both the sites are now Gurdwaras called Rori Sahib and
Bhai Lallo’s Gurdwara.
The project was completed by the artist in three months. He said the
model has been made keeping in view the need for telling the new
generation about our rich heritage and the deeds of our gurus. I desire
that the children should know about their forefathers. This sentiment
was also shared by some NRIs. The model would be displayed in London and
would be a means to educate the children staying there.
The model portrays the life style of Bhai Lallo, who was a hakim, a
blacksmith and a carpenter. Depicted are his workshop and the plate
where he used to make agricultural tools and implements. Also shown are
his dispensary and the kitchen where Guru Nanak Dev used to take his
meals.
What strikes the visitor is the detail and the labour of love that
went in the making of the model. Great attention has been given to each
detail and the result is worth seeing, especially for those who do not
know the background.
The boundary wall of the house has been made using small wooden
sticks and to give it a real touch, the sticks are tied with thread.
Small bamboo shrivels have been used for the roof of the house.
Mr Amar Singh revealed that he has tried to show each and every place
where Guru Nanak Dev put his feet during his 11-month stay at the latter’s
place. The well in the house, which still exists, has also been shown.
Water from the well is consumed both by Hindus and Muslims, both of whom
consider it as nectar.
In one part of the model he has depicted the life style of Bhai Lallo
while in the other half he has shown a forest where people used to take
shelter whenever any enemy attacked the village and the Guru used to
meditate.
A lake in the forest is portrayed very efficiently with its stony
banks. Animals and birds in the forest look very natural. Those desirous
of seeing the model can contact the artist at 3459, Sector 27 - D. |
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Dancer,
actress, compere all in one CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Grace is inherent. At least that is what one
gathers after meeting 26-year-old Odissi dancer, Leesa Mohanty of
Chandigarh, who has achieved great fame at a young age. Her reputation
is because of her unique style.
Tomorrow, she will perform in Pracheen Kala Kendra. Today, she spoke
to Chandigarh Tribune about her days of struggle and her first love —
Odissi. She has a number of performances at prestigious places to her
credit. Her sister, Leena is also a noted Odissi dancer.
Leesa’s association with Odissi is as old as her age. She says, “I
was born with an urge to master the art. I have always remembered myself
as dancing ever since I was a little girl.” Leesa received the Best
Child Artiste award in 1984 for an Oriya movie Basanta Rasa. She is also
a senior auditioned B-category artiste of Cuttack Doordarshan Kendra.
She has also received a senior merit national scholarship of the
Department of Culture of the Union Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
She performed at Sharad Utsav organised by the Uttar Pradesh
Government in 1986 and 1988. She also performed for the International
Society for Krishna Consciousness at Mayapuri (Nadiya). Another
memorable performance that she gave was at the India International Trade
Fair at Pragati Maidan in 1987.
She says, “I also performed at the Konark Festival in 1991, Swami
Haridas Samaroh at Vrindavan in 1993 and the Natyanjali Festival in 1995
at Chidamvaram. People have also seen my performances in Gaiety Theatre
of Shimla and at the Republic Day celebrations of the Himachal Pradesh
Government.”
She has also established herself as a successful actress and
choreographer. She has choreographed a 30-minute programme, Milan
Madhuri, for Bhubaneshwar Doordarshan Kendra.
Being a dancer, acting is not much of a problem for her. “I was
keen on assimilating all my talent and learning, so, I picked up
whatever came my way,” she says. Leesa has been able to blend her
Odissi skills with ability to act. She has acted in many award-winning
movies like Janani, Jai Phoola and Hakim Babu. In Basanta Rasa, she has
played Mansukha, childhood friend of Lord Krishna. This was the role
that got her the Best Child Artiste award. She has been the leading lady
of many dramas produced by a cultural group, Bansi Bilas, of
Bhubaneshwar.
She is an excellent compere as well. She says, “I have compered the
Konark Festival in 1992. I have also compered programmes for the Orissa
Government.” |
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Children’s
Day celebrated CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Children’s Day was celebrated at the
Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, by Worldwide Fund for
Nature-India in collaboration with Ganesh International Movies, in which
the underprivileged children of the Vatika School for Deaf and Dumb and
Ashiana School, Sector 25, participated.
An on-the-spot painting competition, a mono-acting contest and a
fancy dress competition were organised on the occasion. |
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AC, stereo stolen
from house CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — In a complaint to the police, a Sector 40
resident today alleged that an airconditioner and a stereo were stolen
from his house.
Taking up the complaint lodged by Rakesh Mahajan, the police has
registered a case of theft under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code.
Senior police officials, when contacted, said investigations were on
and efforts were being made to nab the culprits.
Theft cases Acting on his complaint, the police has registered a case of theft
under Section 379 of the IPC. According to sources, investigations into
the matter were on.
In another incident, an SAS Nagar resident has alleged that a stereo
was stolen from his car in broad daylight. In his complaint, he added
that the car was parked in the Sector 22 market when the theft occurred.
The police, taking up his complaint, has registered a case under
Section 379 of the IPC and is investigating the matter. PANCHKULA
Goods recovered According to sources, the duo — Ravi and Vijay, residents of Indira
Colony — were arrested by the police in their involvement in theft
cases last month.
The items which were recovered from them include two pistols, TV
sets, gold ornaments and some other valuables. |
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Women
allege harassment CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — In separate complaints before the police, two
housewives have alleged that their husbands were demanding dowry. Taking
up their complaints, the Chandigarh Police has registered two separate
cases.
Accusing her husband Ram Ishwer, along with her in-laws, of harassing
and maltreating her, Ms Geeta of Milk Colony in Dhanas alleged that she
was being asked to bring more dowry. Giving details, she added that she
was married of to Ram Ishwer, a resident of Naya Gaon in Ropar District,
on March 10, 1999.
In the other complaint, Ms Jasman Kaur of Phase IX in SAS Nagar
alleged that Rs 70,000 was demanded by her husband on October 22, 1999
for setting up an STD booth. She alleged that she was asked to get the
money from her parents, but her parents were not in a position to pay.
Going into the background, she added that her marriage with Purandeep
Singh, a resident of Ramgaria Mohalla in Pathankot, had taken place on
November 27, 1997.
Senior police officials, when contacted, said cases of criminal
breach of trust and subjecting a married woman to cruelty, under Section
406 and 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, had been registered. They added
that both the offences were no bailable. |
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JTO
arrested on graft charge DERA BASSI, Nov 10 — The Punjab Vigilance Department today arrested
a Junior Telecommunication Officer (JTO) employed in the local telephone
exchange on the charges of taking a bribe.
According to sources, Hari Om Sharma was caught redhanded while
taking a bribe from a telephone subscriber of Karkaur village. The
subscriber had applied for an STD connection and reportedly had earlier
‘‘pleased’’ him several times for early release of the
connection.
The sources revealed that subscriber informed the officials at
Patiala and then approached the JTO with “marked” currency notes of
Rs 500 denomination. While accepting the amount, the vigilance officials
caught him.
He was later taken to Patiala by a team of the department |
Shopkeepers protest
against drive ZIRAKPUR, Nov 10 — In protest against the removal of the encroachments outside their shops and beating up of some rehri-wallahs by the enforcement wing of the civic body, irate shopkeepers today observed a half-day bandh, staged a dharna and raised slogans before the Zirakpur Nagar Panchayat office here. Shopkeepers of the market pulled down the shutters of their shops and gathered on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway in the morning. Raising slogans, they moved towards the civic body’s office and staged a dharna for over five hours. The shopkeepers alleged that the sanitary inspector demanded money from them and on their refusal had removed the encroachments. The meat-shop owners also alleged that the Nagar Panchayat employees often demanded money from them and threatened to remove their shacks if not given the required amount. The agitators were demanding necessary action against the inspector. The shopkeepers had a tiff with the Nagar Panchayat employees while the latter were removing the encroachments on Thursday evening. About three rehriwallas and some vendors also reportedly sustained minor injuries. Later, on the assurance of Mr A.L. Bansal, the Executive Officer, the
agitators opened shops in the afternoon. Mr Bansal, however, said that
the anti-encroachment drive would continue. He appealed to the
shopkeepers to vacate the encroached areas themselves. |
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Allahabad
Bank holds customers' meet PANCHKULA, Nov 10 — Allahabad Bank organised a customers' meet on
the occasion of the seventh opening anniversary of the Panchkula branch
of the bank here today.
Mr Deepak Narang, Regional Manager, and Mr H.L. Mehra, Senior
Manager, explained to the customers the role of Allahabad Bank in the
present-day market scenario and economic development of the region. They
also explained the housing, car, customer products and personal loan
schemes introduced by the bank.
Mr R.K. Dhall, branch Manager, thanked the customers for giving
valuable suggestions to improve the functioning of the bank. |
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Rehriwalas
seek pucca booths CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — A delegation of the New Capital Rehri Workers
Association, Bajwara Market, Sector 22, met the Adviser to the UT
Administrator, Ms Vineeta Rai, here today.
In a memorandum to the Rai, the delegation demanded pucca booths for
the rehriwalas who had deposited Rs 3,000 with the Chandigarh Housing
Board in 1991. The memorandum regretted that even after nine years 2,100
rehriwalas in 22 rehri markets in the city were without pucca booths.
The memorandum threatened that if the construction of the booths was
not started immediately the association would launch an agitation,
according to a press note. |
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Market
panel members want poll notified CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The elected members of the UT Market Committee
have urged the Administration to notify the elections immediately so
that they could work towards redressing the problems being faced by the
farmers, commission agents and palledars, besides city residents
visiting the grain market.
Some of the members, while interacting with Chandigarh Tribune,
lamented that although the results were declared on November 6, the
authorities were yet to notify the elections declaring them as directors
of the committee. It was only after this that the members would elect a
chairman and a vice-chairman from amongst themselves.
As many as nine members were elected from the farmers, commission
agents, cooperative societies and the palledars constituency.
Meanwhile, five members, Mr Bhupinder Singh Badheri, Mr Kesar Singh,
Mr Kuldeep Singh, Mr Gurdeep Singh and Mr Om Prakash Chawla, have staked
their claim to the post of chairman. They said they were the dominant
group and would name the chairman from among themselves.
The members, who owe allegiance to the Congress, the Akali Dal and
the BJP, cut across party lines and said they wanted not only to work
for the benefit of their electorate but also the people of the city.
They claimed that they would resist all pressures being brought upon
them by senior party leaders.
They said that allout efforts would be made to improve the revenue of
the committee which had dropped drastically during the past years. |
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