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| Monday, November 27, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Teachers to march to Parliament CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Teachers protesting against non-implementation of their demands for service benefits will stage a protest march to Parliament on December 12 with teachers from parts of the adjoining states likely to join. Talking to the Tribune Dr V.K. Tewari, Secretary of the All-India Federation of University Teacher Organisations (AIFUCTO), said hectic preparations were on to mobilise teachers from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab for the event. Also present at the meeting to chalk out the programme schedule were Mr Shamsher Singh, President of the Haryana College Teachers Union, Mr Sudarshan Gasso, General Secretary, Mr Jai Pal Singh, President of the Government College Teachers Association (Punjab), Prof Charanjit Chawla and Mr K.B.S. Sodhi, General Secretary and President, respectively, of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, and Mr Ram Singh Brar, President of the Haryana Government College teachers Association. The protest is significant in the background of a number of colleges on protest likely. These include 108 non-aided colleges in Haryana, 165
attached to the PCCTU, 48 government colleges( Punjab) and 40 Government Colleges in Haryana. The move is aimed as a protest show against non-implementation of a pact with the Human Resources Department Minister, Dr M.M. Joshi in 1998 following a 28-day nationwide stir. Teachers still await the benefits of the Career Advancement Scheme ( CAS) since 1996. There are also points pertaining to benefits on account of placement in the senior and selection grade besides benefits of Ph D. The meeting also expressed its difference of opinion on concurrence with the government move to make the Ph D degree a compulsory qualification for the post of principal. The federation also passed the proposal of seeking approval of Rs 14,940 for salaries of DPEs and librarians which should be on par with lecturers. Dr Tewari also said there was a decision to adhere to the belief that old teachers should be governed under the old set of rules. There was also a voice for release of 80 per cent shares of the HRD for giving arrears of the Haryana staff. A strong difference of opinion was expressed against a move under consideration for more autonomous colleges. This has strong components of exploitation and commercialisation which were matters of concern and were not being shown. The protest march on December 12 will start from the UGC office and will move towards Parliament House. A senior participant said that the agreement was signed between Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, HRD Minister, officials of the Education Department and AIFUCTO leaders. |
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Fake encounter case CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — The District and Sessions Judge, Mr
H.S. Bhalla, granted a compensation of Rs 2.68 lakh in case a of fake encounter in 1984. The petitioner, Surinder Kaur, the wife of the victim, and other family members had been granted a compensation of Rs 2 lakh by the Civil Judge (Junior Division) on January 6. The appellants filed a suit against the Union of India, State of Punjab and eight others for recovery of Rs 5 lakh as compensation on the account of the alleged murder of Sube Singh in a fake encounter in 1984. Sube Singh was a resident of Talwandi village, tehsil Gurdaspur. It was pleaded in the plaint that Sube Singh, a JBT teacher in Government Primary School, Gurdaspur Bhaian, was whisked away by the police from his house on October 10, 1984. The police party led by SHO Jaimal Singh, also took away Jaspal Singh. Both the victims were taken to the Shahpur Kandi rest house and subjected to inhuman treatment. It was also alleged in the plaint that the said police party with the help of the BSF took Sube Singh in a matador towards the Indo-Pak border and killed him and declared his body as unclaimed. It was also said in the appeal that Sube Singh was 28 and drew a salary of Rs 1500 per month at the time of his murder, and the appellant were dependent on him, and through the present suit, were seeking Rs 5 lakh as compensation. It was said in the order that the respondents did not choose to contest the suit and
therefore, they were proceeded against ex-party. The appellants adduced their ex-party
evidence. The Lower Court after assessment of the evidence on record, passed the decree in favour of the appellants. The judgement passed on January 6, stated that the appellants had been granted a compensation of Rs 2 lakh with 12 per cent interest on the amount from the date of filing the suit till its realisation. The complainant again filed a suit for increase in the compensation before the District and Sessions Judge. |
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Helping the terminally ill die
peacefully CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — In a country like India where a conservative figure of one million new cases is added every year to the long list of people suffering from cancer, palliative care acquires a definitive meaning. Speaking to The Tribune, here today, experts attending the palliative care-cum-workshop, organised by the Department of Radiology and the Global Cancer Concern, called for intensified efforts by existing health facilities and NGO’s to help the terminally ill live a more dignified life. According to Dr Robert Tycross, a specialist in palliative care at the Oxford University, UK, who has been working in the field for more than three decades, say the concept developed foremost in the UK and has till now primarily focussed on the terminally ill cancer patients. “Though some cancers can be cured, a majority, as high as 80 per cent, cannot be cured. These are the people who may require palliative care at one stage or the other,” says Dr Tycross. Maj-Gen (retd.) R.S Pannu, president of the Global Cancer Concern agrees. “Whenever we move into the unknown, it induces fear. For terminally ill patient not only loses his job, but also his dignity as the pain intensifies during the last days”. “To accept that life is slipping away, to prepare for death and to get into that frame of mind requires spiritual and socio-psychological counselling, which is the core of palliative care. In other words, it is the care beyond care,” says Dr Tycross while adding that communication is at the heart of palliative care. General Pannu adds, that while basically palliative care means doctors and nurses are committed to providing a four dimensional physical, psychological, social and spiritual relief , it also provides, the patient and his family, a meaning , a purpose for the rest of his life. “The aim is to take the pain away and reintroduce dignity and self esteem in the last days.” Global Cancer Concern, India came into existence about five years back when General Pannu who was then the director general, Help Age, India, left the organisation after putting in 12 years after he retired from the Armoured Corps of the Indian Army in 1984. Global Cancer Concern functions on voluntary donations. “People give for the people. In the last five months we have raised Rs 43 lakh. However, in the times to come, our requirement will be in terms of crores,“ he adds. Dr Tycross says that lot of people at the end of their life, focus more clearly on aspects of existence, which they had ignored till then. “Besides, it is also the time when they question, why me or what have I done to deserve this. Very often giving support does not mean giving a verbal answer. It may just mean sharing silently or support by not abandoning. For patients It may often be the case of having to live with some unanswered questions but it means the psychological transition from fighting death to accepting and maybe seeking it too,” he adds. Dr Val Hunrin, a palliative care consultant for W.B. Davis Charitable Trust in the UK says that it is equally rewarding to see the patient, earlier in pain and devastated, go back to living life in peace”. Many times patients are reluctant to unburden themselves on doctors and nurses and it is not so simple to reassure someone who is dying, but that is where training and communication skills step in.” “We often tell these patients that they are the lucky few who have been given a deadline by God to take care of pending affairs and make their wills, while others do not have this option,” says General Pannu. “I believe in honesty. It is the end of a tenure and it is always better to give the right information.” In India palliative care is gaining new dimensions, with a concentrated effort to reach more and more people to reach the terminally ill. And as Dr Tycross says, “It will have to be a combination of existing health care with unique partnership with NGO’s. Besides, a country like India requires awareness right at the grass root levels. With timely detection 50 per cent of the cases can be saved from pain and misery towards the end,” he adds. |
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Malkit, Gursewak to perform at
PU CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Punjabi pop stars Malkit Singh and Gursewak Mann will perform near the Students Centre, Panjab University, on November 30. The show is being organised jointly by the Panjab University Students Union and the Haryana Students Association. Munish Anand, a former president of the Student Council and a member of the PUSU gave the programme details while addressing a press conference here today. Rekha Raj, a stage performer and Dynamite, a dance group besides few more entries have been finalised for the show, Chand Singh Madaan, chairman of the HSA said. |
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Labourer dies
as half-bodied trucks collide PANCHKULA, Nov 26 — A 22-year old labourer died and 20 others were injured when a truck of the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) turned turtle near Mattawala on the Ramgarh road, here today, after colliding with a truck coming from the opposite direction, here today. Ravi Kumar was killed when the truck carrying the labourers turned and hit a sheesham tree. The victim was buried under a load of wires on the turning of the truck. The others received minor injuries and were taken to the General Hospital in Sector 6 where they were discharged after first-aid. Two labourers who received head and spinal injuries were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Both vehicles involved in the accident were half-bodied trucks and the HVPN truck was hit from behind by the other after the two had almost crossed each other. The HVPN truck was on its way to Mehtabgarh where work is in progress on the Shahbad-Panchkula 220KV line. It maybe recalled that the police had initiated action against the plying of half-bodied trucks which are responsible for most accidents in the district. However, these have continued to ply without much hassle. |
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Residents meet Bansal CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — A deputation of the LIG Residents Welfare Association, Sector 41-D, led by Mr R.K. Mann and S.K. Juneja, president and general secretary, respectively, met Mr Pawan Bansal, MP, and submitted a memorandum to him regarding various problems faced by the residents.
The deputation urged Mr Bansal to submit the memorandum to the Chandigarh Administration and Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh authorities for early action. |
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THE UT Administration’s demolition squads might have cleared all encroachments in front of shops in the Sector 22 market. But it hasn’t deterred some clever vendors from resurfacing on the familiar turf, albeit in modified avatars. Realising that they can’t squat on the pavements in front of the shops any longer, these literally street smart vendors now “park” themselves in the area instead. They hang their wares — be it sweaters, jackets or shawls — on their scooters and station themselves at strategic points near the rehri market. Other “mobile” vendors dangle their products on long sticks carried on their shoulders and roam around, pursuing buyers. Perchance, if the anti-encroachment staff were to be sighted, they’re free to zoom off or saunter off in a jiffy. This way they’re not encroaching on any space and thus can’t draw the ire of demolition men. But at the same time, they’ve succeeded in resuming their small-time businesses!
Renuka in city Model-actress Renuka Shahane who was in the city a few days back to launch a product for Vardhaman, the premier knitting yarn manufacturing industry of the region, seemed happy to be here. Although it was difficult to make out as to why she was happy (for her ever-smiling countenance) she later said while talking to people that she had always heard about Chandigarh as a city of discipline. “ I remember how we used to reminisce the name of Le Corbusier before our general knowledge test at school. I am glad that I had an opportunity to be here and witness the schedule of the city,” said the actress. She said that Chandigarh presented a beautiful contrast from Mumbai. “It’s nice to feel peaceful sometimes,” she said. Renuka was also quite taken aback by the immense hospitability of the North. As she conversed with representative of 42 schools who had just come to the launching function to take her autographs, she said: “Before coming here I did not know people loved me so much.” Renuka, who has been appointed the brand ambassador for Vardhaman, was coming to this side of Delhi for the first time.
Children charm About 10 children from the local Guru Harkishan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 38, enthralled the gathering at the Sector 17 Piazza on Thursday when they staged a play titled Somnath Crorepati, a satire on the human instinct of hankering after money all the time. The best part of the play, which made a mockery of a man who remains away from home for 25 years just to take part in game shows, was that it had been conceived and scripted by children themselves. They took basic theatre training during a 15-day long personality development workshop conducted at the school by CEVA. On this same day they also held an exhibition of diaries, calendars and posters which they made from waste paper.
The products attracted many buyers. R. R. Sheoran Mr R.R. Sheoran, Engineer-in-Chief of the Haryana PWD (B&R) has been unanimously elected Vice-President of the Indian Roads Congress — the highest professional body of engineers in the country entrusted with the task of framing policy, laying down guidelines and specifications and, above all, quality control and research. The first engineering graduate from Haryana, after it was carved out as an independent state in 1966, Mr Sheoran chose a ticklish and relevant subject to speak at the congress held in Calcutta last week. The subject he discussed threadbare was ribbon development, encroachments, arbitrary increase in
municipal limits and overloading of trucks which destroy roads. On an average vehicular traffic goes up at least by 8.5 per cent every year, cautioned Mr Sheoran. He added that if immediate remedial steps were not taken, the day was not far when there would hardly be any room to park your vehicles, not only in metropolitan cities but even in small cities and towns. Moreover, excessive use of roads in the country would destroy them. Therefore, it would not be possible to repair roads so frequently. Engineers of Haryana feel that with the election of Mr Sheoran as Vice-President of the Indian Roads Congress and his wide and varied experience of more than 34 years, the problems being faced by Haryana about the development of roads and bridges would be properly handled.
Stray dog menace Stray dogs have made the lives of Sector 20-B residents miserable. It becomes difficult for the elderly and the children to venture out of their homes during night time. The fear that they may be bitten by the dogs confines them to their homes, alleges a senior citizen. Will the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), which is in the habit of announcing special drives to nab the stray animals at regular intervals, do something concrete to eradicate the menace.
Rural development The Environment Society of India (ESI) is launching a rural development project at village Khuda Ali Sher on Friday. This assignment will establish a training centre for vermiculture, biotechnology and bee keeping for marginal farmers so as to propagate the use of environment friendly composting and apiculture. It will enable the farmers to set up their own units to improve their economic conditions. In the two experimental plots using chemical fertilisers and pesticides and crop using vermicompost and integrated pest management (IPM) will be grown with the aim to make a comparison in soil quality using organic and inorganic inputs. In addition, the village pond will be renovated and a path developed around. Willow saplings will be planted and fish and swans introduced into the pond. “One Neem-one chullah” scheme will be launched. Besides saplings of six species will be planted in the village stadium, schools, religious places and panchayat land.
Multipurpose The flower garden in Sector 20, with the imposing mosque, the Lakshmi Narayan temple and the Gaudiya Math soothing against the vast horizon, serves two purposes for its regular visitors. Besides providing them soothing fragrance of the blooming flowers of varied hues and the refereshing whiff of air, it offers some divine moments. As they stroll on the velvety lawns of this upcoming flower garden, they hear soul-elating bhajans, “bhetas” and shabads. Women, young and old, sitting in a circle, chant devotional songs, one after the other every evening. They also narrate anecdotes from the lives and times of great saints and sages. When this garden was thrown open to the public, four or five ladies from the neighbourhood would sit in a secluded corner and share their sweet memories. The number increased to 10 or so. “Why shouldn’t we, instead of whiling away our precious time in just gossiping, enliven our glorious evenings by singing in praise of the lord, while enjoying the evening stroll?, some one suggested. The idea was well received. Now, after a few quick rounds of the garden, these 40-odd women settle down and chant bhajans and shabads, which have attracted more of their clan, who join them after finishing the evening chores. After exchanging pleasantries, they sit and sing in praise of the Lord. The two-hour long bhajan-chanting session ends with the recitation of “aarti”, which is followed by the “prasad”, which they distribute among themselves and the passersby.
The legendary Punjabi romantic poet — Shiv Batalvi — may be immortal for the Punjabis but the “elite” Chandigarh Club does not think so. In a handout by the club regarding the holding of the “Shiv Batalvi Nite” on November 17, it is mentioned: “To perpetuate the memory of the “mortal” Punjabi poet... renowned singers will render their tribute to the great poet.” Whether the faux pas is intentional or a spelling mistake can be debated but certainly it’s time for the club secretary to read the press notes more carefully before releasing them to the Press!.
KBC bug KBC bug, it seems will not go off the city residents’ heads easily. The same was witnessed during a show of the current rage, Mohabbatein. Amitabh Bachchan (Narain Shankar, the strict principal of Gurukul in the film), who was annoyed at three students of the school for breaking the rules of the organisation summoned these students and said: Ab main apse ek sawal poochoonga, soch samajh ke jawab
dijiye. The words evoked an automatic reaction from the spectators, many of whom immediately spoke out: “Options, Lock
kar diya jaye? etc. etc....”, and the audience had a hearty laugh during the serious scene. Well, the legendary hero, it seems will never be able to get out of his KBC image.
Agrotech 2000 A galaxy of luminaries are scheduled to visit Agrotech 2000, India’s premier technology fair which will be held from December 1 — 5 here. The guests of honour at the inaugural ceremony will include
UT Administrator and Governor Punjab, Lt. Gen. JFR Jacob (Retd.), Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Sharad Joshi, Chairman, Task Force on Agriculture, Mr Omesh Saigal, Secretary, Department of Food Processing Industries. The Ambassador of France, Mr Bernard De Gaubournet De Montferrand, and the Australian High Commissioner Mr Rob Laurie will also be there on the inaugural day. On the second day of the fair, Mr Rajnath Singh, CM, Uttar Pradesh, and Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, CM, Himachal Pradesh, are expected to pay a visit. The five-day fair, which will showcase products of 250 exhibitors from different countries across the globe will also feature seminars of wide range of agro related products. —Sentinel |
AIBEA leader threatens
strike CHANDIGARH,
Nov 26 — The staff of nationalised banks will observe an indefinite nationwide strike if Parliament passed the Bill pertaining to the privatisation of the banking sector, the All-India Bank Employees Association(AIBEA) General Secretary, Mr Tarakeswar Chakraborty, said here today. Addressing a press conference, Mr Chakraborty, who was here to attend the 18th conference of the All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation, said in the event of the government tabled the Bill in Parliament, the bank staff would go on strike within 72 to 94 hours followed by the indefinite strike. Mr Chakraborty said a majority of the big loan defaulters and party to the bad loans were the big industrial houses, certain influential lobbies of small scale industry and big landlords, who claimed loans following natural calamities. As one of the steps to improve the nation’s economy, he demanded that the defaulters registered with the Debt Recovery Tribunal should not be allowed to contest the
elections. The privatisation of the nationalised banks, 72 per cent of which were in the villages, would be “anti-national”as the branches in the rural areas would be closed down on the plea of not earning sufficient profit. Speakers who addressed the inaugural session were Mr N.K. Gaur, General Secretary of the Federation, Ms Amarjit Kaur, Secretary of the AITUC, Mr Atul Kumar Anjan, General Secretary of the Kisan Sabha, Mr Madan Lal Didi and Devinder Singh. Earlier, before the conference, thousands of bank employees held a march from Bank Square in Sector 17 to Sector 26, protesting against the privatisation move.
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Police science congress begins today CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — ‘Innovative techniques in policing and police administration’ is the main theme of the 32nd All India Police Science Congress to held here from tomorrow. Police officers of all ranks, social scientists, forensic scientists and criminologist from all over the country are expected to deliberate at the three-day congress. This was announced in a press conference, here today. Announcing this at a joint press conference, Mr Bhim Sain, Inspector General Police and Mr Rakesh Jaruhar, IG, Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) said that 65 delegates would present 19 papers on innovative techniques in policing and police administration, perspective planning and simplification of administrative process during the three-day session. Lt Gen. (Retd.) JFR Jacob, Governor of Punjab, will inaugurate the conference and Mr Ved Marwah, Governor of Manipur will deliver the keynote address. Mr Jaruyhar said there was a need to expand the coverage of criminal law so as to bring more offenses of local and special laws to its purview. He said the multiplicity of law needed to be checked to make its enforcement more effective on priority. On the third-day of the congress, Mr K. Padmanabhaiah, former Union Home Secretary and the chairperson of the Police Reforms Committee will address the gathering on the various issues relating to police reforms where qualitative changes are required to be made in the police to meet the challenges in a changing scenario The inaugural session of the congress will be held at the auditorium of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), tomorrow. The valedictory session of this congress would be held on November 29. |
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READERS WRITE THIS refers to the report ‘‘KU panel recommends five monthly tests’’ (The Tribune, Nov 9). As an educationist of 36 years’ standing, I fully agree with Dr Ramesh Kumar, Principal, M.L.N. College, Yamunanagar, in demanding the restoration of December examinations instead of holding five monthly tests. The December examinations constitute a valid and an essential academic exercise which prepares the students for the final examinations and imparts them first-hand experience of the style of question papers. Besides, it also gives them practice of attempting the required number of questions within the stipulated time. The proposed one-hour monthly tests by class teachers cannot adequately replace this useful exercise. As for the question of achieving the target of 180 teaching days in a year as prescribed by the UGC, I, along with many other principals, had suggested to the DHE the following steps: (i) Results of all university examinations should be declared well before the commencement of the new academic session before July 1 in any case; (ii) This step can ensure admissions to colleges in a week or 10 days, saving a period of one to one-and-a-half months which, at present, is devoted to admissions only. In the current academic session, admissions in KU were extended up to October 31, 2000. Such a situation, if allowed to continue, cannot be conducive to completing 180 days of teaching. (iii) The university examinations can be completed in about 25 days if these are conducted in two sessions each day. This used to be the practice till a few years ago. This will also save the extra dearness allowance being paid to the supervisory staff at present as the examinations continue for well over two months. (iv) The university authorities have curtailed the October and December holidays from 14 to seven days each which is a welcome step. On the same lines, the summer vacation can be curtailed and the new session can start right after the annual examinations. This will also remove the criticism that college teachers enjoy too long a vacation. In its place, as in other government departments, one month’s earned leave could be granted to college teachers and leave encashment policy can also be introduced. (v) Local holidays, duty of college teachers during elections, census and other similar exercises should be done away with to increase the teaching days in each session. I, along with a large number of colleagues in different colleges, feel that if these steps are implemented, the total number of teaching days go up to 200 in each session. Dr S. R. DHAWAN Entrance tests There is a mad race for holding entrance tests for various courses at the cost of classroom teaching. These tests are anti-education, anti-student, anti-people and anti-teacher and are pro-rich. In the normal course, the wards of the elite remain far behind in admissions to medical, engineering and management courses. This elite group has forced the UGC and the states to start entrance tests for admissions. The Punjab Government has forced the universities to generate their own resources. The Vice-Chancellors have started holding entrance tests for all courses and turned these tests into money-spinners. There are reports of scandalous leakage of question papers for prestigious entrance tests by coaching academics. These academies charge from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh for three subjects. Some of them even guarantee selection for a higher fee. If the so-called entrance tests are scrapped, it will help restore the credibility of classroom study and students from all sections will get admission to specialised and technical courses. Admission to post-graduate and elite courses should be made on the basis of the result of the previous class. V.K. GUPTA |
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Rotarians discuss public
relations CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Lively discussions on “the Rotary Public Relations and the Rotary Foundation” were the highlights of the one-day inter-city meet, “Adharshila,” of the 3080 Rotary International District 3080, held here today. Addressing the delegates, the District Governor, Mr Ranjit K Bhatia, while stressing the need for public relations so that the community at large came to know about the activities of the Rotary International, highlighted four objectives — credibility, motivation, accountability and vision — for the success of any organisation. In the panel discussion on “Rotary Public Relations”, Mr Deepak Kapoor, Area Coordinator, said the public relations had certain advantages like fetching new projects for the club, fulfilling the role of the NGO as a catalyst, attracting more members and recognition for the organisation. Mr DP Kalra, Zone Coordinator, informed that the Rotary International chief, Mr Frank Devlyn, has constituted a public relations task force. Dr Balram Gupta, said the public relations was not commercialisation and proper image must be reflected in a true and transparent manner. Public relations helped generate Public awareness , he added. Dr Vanita Gupta, President of the Rotary Club Chandigarh Midtown, explained how the club went about organising media coverage for its projects. Intervening in the discussion, Mr Rajendra K Saboo, a former president of the Rotary International, said the public relations was a technique which must be developed. Dr GK Thakral and Mr Vikram Chawla focussed on the proposed community assistance programme (CAP). Col AJS Gill (Retd) dwelled on world community service and matching grants. The district Governor(D-3010) briefly touched the group study exchange. In his concluding remarks, Mr Saboo, while terming donation as a habit, said there was no end to it. He made an impassioned appeal to Rotarians to donate liberally for the Rotary Foundation so that the funds could be used for the welfare of the humanity. Dr SK Sharma from Panjab University, delivered an impressive talk on the non-conventional energy sources. |
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3 councillors
question police role SAS NAGAR, Nov 26 — The ongoing controversy over the postponement of the meeting called to elect the President of the SAS Nagar Municipal Committee took a new twist with at least three of the councillors, who have been booked by the police for tearing off the ballot papers, claiming that they had been falsely implicated in the case. They alleged that the cases had been registered as part of a well-planned move to pressurise the other councillors to vote in favour of the group led by Mr Kulwant Singh. Addressing a press conference, Mr S.S. Patwari, said no action had been taken against those involved in the case regarding the burning of Mr Manjeet Singh’s car. ‘‘By issuing summons to certain councillors in the case, the police was being used to tilt the mandate in the favour of Kulwant Singh’’, he said adding that the video recording of the camera installed by the convener of the meeting was shut down the moment the fracas started. He said the video recording of the fracas should be shown so as to pinpoint the real culprits. Mr Amrik Singh Mohali, another councillor, said the Senior Vice-President of the Youth Akali Dal, Mr K.B.S. Kang, was dictating the SDM. He said due to wrong policies of Mr Kang, the SAD would lose the Kharar Assembly seat in the coming elections. Mr Manjeet Singh, another councillor, said they wanted the elections to be held in a peaceful manner. Mr Amrik Singh said to elect the President of the civic body, Mr Kang was having an alliance with the leaders of Congress, AISAD and left parties. Mr Kang denied that he was settling any political score with Mr Amrit Singh. He said his alliance with Mr Kulwant Singh was at an individual level.
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Heritage week concludes with havana PANCHKULA, Nov 26 — The inclusion of Lahore, Kusoor, Multan, Sialkot and Peshawar in the list of world- heritage cities was demanded by the members of the Federation of Migrant Groups from North Western India now Pakistan. The members gathered to perform havana at the Ghaggar today. The function was held to mark the conclusion of World Heritage Week celebrations. The federation President, Mr S.K. Sharma, appealed to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to step in and accept the demand of the association. The President of the association Mr R.R. Dehra, said that the Bhawalpuris had a sentimental relation with the Ghaggar. |
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Arya Samaj losing its goal CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Prof Rajinder Jigyasu is a man who lives and links two worlds. He is a 69-year-old historian who has lived, upheld and worked tirelessly for his ideals and principles but at the same time never let them colour his keen sense about the truth. A staunch Arya Samajist, Prof Jigyasu is also the author of more than 40 biographies and 100 books. The following are some excerpts from an interview with him: Question:
Did you choose to be an Arya Samajist? Answer: I was born in an Arya Samajist family of Sialkot, now in Pakistan. My father was one of the earliest to join the Arya Samaj. After my early education in Sialkot we shifted to Qadiyan in India. I did my second year of Masters in History at Panjab University, Chandigarh, under Dr Hari Ram Gupta. I first started teaching in school and then shifted to a college. Now I have retired from the DAV College, Abohar. Q: You authored more than forty biographies? Who have been your subjects? A: My biographies have been on men who have been national leaders and on some who are totally unknown but have done exemplary things for the nation.These include Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, his father, his grandfather and even his uncle. Then I have written on Swami Swatantranand, the only freedom fighter to be arrested on the direct orders of the Viceroy and on many others who don’t even figure in the routine history of India. Q:
You have witnessed and chronicled the changes which have come across in the nation since Independence and also in the Samaj. A:
There is a stark difference between the kind of men and women who were working for the Congress and the Samaj in the pre and post Independence times. Earlier we had people who had made sacrifices for the nation’s freedom and nation building. Now we have people who are building their own houses at the cost of the nation. This is something to be ashamed of. Q:
The Arya Samaj is also an organisation which is more than 100 years
old. What about the changes in the Samaj? A:
Earlier the stalwarts of the Samaj propagated ideals like truth and service without any desire of name and fame, now we have individuals who work for the sake of name. The individual has now become more important than the mission. Q: What about the success of the DAV institutions? A:
We should have taken up a cause which was within our means. For the first few DAV institutes, the great leaders of the Samaj went begging for funds and now when it comes to donations for admissions the DAV institutes name the price and they get it. This is not the mission we had started with.
Chotti agar banata to kuch intezam hota, itni badi bana ke kya le liya khuda ne?
The bigger and larger the organisations the more difficult to manage they are. Q: Has the Arya Samaj been able to achieve its mission? A:
When the Arya Samaj had started with its mission, it shunned the caste system and everyone was to address each other with their first names. Now many of them use their castes along with their names. We have failed in that goal. Then the Samaj had shunned superstition completely, but here in Chandigarh one of the most modern city of the world, there is no Sector 13 simply because the number is considered unlucky. We have failed in these. The teachings of Maharishi Dayanand like environment and vegetarianism are being taken up by agencies across the world which should have been the Samaj’s duty. This is a clear historical victory of Maharishi Dayanand and a loss of the Samaj. |
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Tribune employee
bereaved CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Ajmer Singh, father of Mr Jitendra Thakur, an employee of The Tribune, died here today after a brief illness. He was 68.
He is survived by his wife, one son and three daughter. He was cremated in the afternoon. |
Nine persons
arrested CHANDIGARH,
Nov 26 — Nine persons were arrested for failing to inform the police about their antecedents under Section 188, IPC, and five cases were registered against them, here yesterday. The persons arrested have been identified as Jaswinder Singh of Patiala district, Dinesh of Bihar, Devi Ram of Mani Majra, Intjari of Uttar Pradesh, Kiran Bhatia of Sector 18, Sajjan Singh of Ram Darbar, Vikran of Sector 21, Kuldip Chand of Dehra Dun district and Jagdish of Tehri Garwal district. Motor cycle stolen Eve-teasing case Liquor seized 4 held for gambling |
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