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December 31, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Sikh organisations denounce
RSS 60 delegates to
attend SAARCLAW
meet Red alert sounded in border
districts
DCC dharna
on Jan 3 BKU seeks probe into paddy scam Third front a necessity:
CPI |
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Man threatening immolation goes
underground Vulgar posters even on school
walls WB funds to provide
water to Kandi area Life-time award for Krishan
Maharaj MP writes to Minister on
railway bridge Ex-gratia relief
to terrorist-hit increased Literary award for Gyan
Chaturvedi Ceasefire no solution
in J & K: RSS Telecom employees observe strike Akali councillor
booked Pesticide dealer’s licence
cancelled Decline in male-female ratio
Fifth suspect held in Mukhija case Pomila remanded
in police custody
Pharmacists
plan to hold
dharna Brick price hike
hampers work Closure of units
hits transporters
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Sikh organisations denounce
RSS KASHTIWAL (Amritsar), Dec 30 — Saffron Brigade came under attack from Sikh Organisations on the occasion of the bhog ceremony of slain militant Dharam Singh
Kashtiwal. Various radical organisations converged on Kashtiwal village 25 km from Amritsar at the eighth death anniversary of the militant to air views on RSS (Rashtriya Sikh Sangat) activities. Speakers denounced the RSS for denigrating the Sikh religion, ethos and culture. The Sikh organisations included the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, the All-India Shiromani Youth Akali Dal, the Damdami Taksal, the Dal Khalsa and Human Rights Bodies. Mrs Sandip Kaur Kashtiwal, wife of the slain militant who runs the Mata Gujri Trust for the welfare of kin and kids of slain militants organised the function. Addressing the gathering Mr Karnail Singh Panjoli, president, All-India Sikh Youth Akali Dal (AISYAD), urged the Sikhs to wake up and face the challenges posed by the RSS out to subsume Sikhs into the Hindufold. He held Mr Parkash Singh Badal Punjab Chief Minister, responsible for giving free rein to the RSS at the altar of Panthic interests. Mr Kanwarpal Singh of the Dal Khalsa, speaking on the occasion, exposed the RSS’s anti-Sikh designs and warned the Hindutva forces to desist from meddling in with internal affairs of the Sikhs. He demanded of the Punjab Government to attend to the grievances of family members of former militants. The speakers pledged to work for the unaccomplished mission of the Sikhs. They were critical of the manner in which Mr Badal had abdicated the Panthic agenda. “He has made little efforts to secure the release of Sikh detainees languishing in jails and guilty police officers were never booked,” they said it was the SAD’s manifesto at the time of elections. Bhai Mohkam Singh of the Damdami Taksal, Bhai Baldev Singh, vice-president, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, and federation leader Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed, Akal Federation convener Narain Singh and Mr Amarinder Singh and Mr Gurinder Singh, Members of the SGPC of the Tohra faction, were present.
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Tohra denounces RSS move LUDHIANA, Dec 30 — The president of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) and former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today took strong exception to the proposed programme of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to take the Guru Granth Sahib into temples on the occasion of Gurpurb on January 5. Talking to reporters after paying tributes to a social activist and philanthropist, Avtar Singh Grewal here today, Mr Tohra described the proposed programme of the Sikh Sangat as intrusion into the Sikh religion threatening the Sikh identity. He warned against any such campaign as it could pose a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. Mr Tohra hoped that better sense would prevail among the RSS and it will desist from such activities. He disclosed that what the RSS was planning to do was absolutely against the Sikh maryada. He argued that the reciting of the Guru Granth Sahib cannot be permitted in any place other than the Gurdwara, not even in a temple. In what it claims to be an attempt to strengthen the bonds of unity among Hindus and Sikhs, the Sikh Sangat has decided to start the “path” of the Guru Granth Sahib in temples. The programme will start from January 5 and will continue till January 21. This has been opposed by several Sikh religious and political organisations. The SGPC president, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, has also denounced the RSS move. Challenging the RSS concept that Sikhism was a part of the Hindu religion, Mr Tohra asked: “Let them explain what is common between us, except that both burn their dead”. The Hindus and Sikhs, according to Mr Tohra have only one common identity that of being Indians. Otherwise, he said, Sikhs was a separate religious and cultural identity and the RSS was posing a threat to this identity. Equating the RSS ideology with that of Aurangzeb, the former SGPC chief pointed out that the RSS was propagating one nation, one religion, one culture and one language theory which was no different from the Mughal ruler. The only difference he said, was that Aurangzeb did it with the might of the sword, while the RSS was trying to do it in a subtle manner. He said if the RSS was really interested in strengthening the bonds among the Hindus and Sikhs it should stop such activities and also if it did not consider any difference between Hinduism and Sikhism, why do not they embrace the Sikh faith and celebrate the Gurpurab in Gurdwaras only. He ridiculed the statements of some of the RSS leaders that those opposing its Gurpurab programme were chauvinist. “We are not chauvinist, but are committed to safeguard the Sikh tradition and everybody knows who is a chauvinist (while referring to the RSS). Warning that nobody can prevent the Sikhs from safeguarding their maryada, he said, in case anything untoward happens on January 5, the onus will be on the government. “It is the duty of the government to safeguard the faith of every individual and if it fails in its duty, they will be forced to take their own measures”. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by Mr Simranjeet Singh Mann has appealed to the SGPC chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi to “immediately convene an urgent meeting of the executive committee and also to convene a special session of the general house of the SGPC on the issue”. In a memorandum submitted to Mr Talwandi, the party urged him “to take immediate notice of the notorious literature published by the RSS in Punjab and ask the government to proscribe such literature”. |
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RSS denies joint celebration
report FARIDKOT, Dec 30 — Mr Sewa Singh Chawla, President of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS) Punjab, has denied the report published in an English daily from Chandigarh yesterday regarding the joint celebration of Hindu and Sikh religious functions at temples and gurdwaras from January 5 to January 21. In a press statement here today, he said the sangat had never planned such proposals. He stated the organisation had great regard for the Akal Takhat Jathedar, Mr Joginder Singh Vedanti, and had no differences on any issue with him. The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat always followed the guidelines laid by the Jathedar and had been working to unite the society through the teachings of Sikh Gurus, he said. Mr Chawla clarified that the organisation had no concern with the news published under the name of Mr Sudarshan
Chouhan, organising secretary of the Sikh Sangat. Mr Chouhan had stated that the RSS had decided to celebrate Hindu and Sikh religious functions at all gurdwaras and temples collectively. The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat had evoked big response from many gurdwara committees to celebrate the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh under the programme at both communities’ religious places, the news report said. He had also made some objectionable remarks against the Sikh clergy. Mr Chawla made it clear that the RSS always worked for the welfare of both communities but never thought of interfering with each others’ affairs. |
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Gurpurb on
Jan 2: SGPC AMRITSAR, Dec 30 — The SGPC today clarified that the gurpurb will be celebrated on January 2 according to the lunar
calender. Last year the gurpurb was according to the Nanakshahi calendar. Telegrams have been send to the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and New Delhi to observe January 2 as the day for celebrating the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, Mr Narinder Singh
Bedi, SGPC, spokesman informed here today. |
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60 delegates to
attend SAARCLAW
meet CHANDIGARH, Dec 30 — The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Law (SAARCLAW) is a community of legal illuminates comprising judges, lawyers, law teachers, academicians, government servants and a host of other law related persons registered with SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu. Justice Umesh C Banerjee of the Supreme Court heads the India Chapter of SAARCLAW. Now for the first time in India it has been decided to have SAARCLAW Punjab and Haryana Regional Chapter in Chandigarh. The Chief Justice of India, Justice A.S.Anand, will formally inaugurate this. The occasion slated for January 20 and 21 next will also include a Seminar on “E-commerce, information technology and cyber laws: emerging trends in the new millennium”. The Chandigarh sub-chapter has Mr Harbhagwan Singh as its president, while Justice G.S.Singhvi is the Patron and Mr Manjit Singh Khera, Secretary. Informed sources told TNS today that SAARCLAW owes its birth to the desire of member countries’ legal community to establish an association for SAARC region that promotes cooperation, exchange of ideas, dissemination information and an emphatic understanding of the problems of the region through net-working of lawyers, judges and academicians. The proposed sub-chapter owes its origin to Colombo meeting of SAARCLAW, held two years ago, when a delegation of three members from Chandigarh participated in that. Sources disclosed that eminent judges, including the SAARCALW Patron, Justice P N Bhagwati, and Justice Nasim Hasan Shah ( Pakistan ) will address the seminar. As many as 60- odd delegates from SAARC countries are expected to participate in the two-day event. Speakers are expected from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. The sub-chapter will also satiate the hunger of the legal fraternity of Pakistan and India to exchange ideas and identify problems common to both on either side of Wagah border. Organisers of the programme said judicial activism in SAARC countries had stirred interest of legal brains. In fact India’s apex court had discovered its potential in doing good for the people through judicial activism. This idea has caught on in other countries as well. It goes without saying that when Southeast Asian currency crisis developed by and large it by-passed SAARC countries. A large number of people have also migrated to the West and Europe from the SAARC region. They have to be helped and understood in legal matters. The legal system operating in the SAARC region is the same. SAARCLAW will help people better fighting their legal cases and understanding and interpreting the International Intellectual Property Rights etc. Corruption is another issue common to the region. In international transactions hurdles are put because of this. Therefore the Chandigarh seminar will discuss the issue. Litigation between two persons and parties residing in two different countries often creates legal problems. SAARCLAW, therefore, is expected to take care to sort out such disputes as also solve internal and international disputes between countries over various issues say sharing of river water, sources added. The seminar will deliberate upon the Information Technology Act, 2000, passed by Parliament as some of its provisions, correct implications, impediments and complications are not clear even to the legal fraternity what to say of ordinary people. Equally crucial to the member countries in the region is the regime of the World Trade Organisation and its impact on agriculture, industry and economy. The seminar will devote a part of its programme to educate itself and the participants on such topics besides a detailed discussion on corporate law. |
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Red alert sounded in border
districts WAGAH (Amritsar), Dec 30 — A red alert has been sounded by the Home Ministry in the border areas of Amritsar, Jammu, Samba, Kanchtu sectors following apprehensions of renewed attempts by mercenary outfits the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Harkat-e-Mujahideen to
format trouble in parts of India especially in the border areas. Extensive discussions in this direction are on among the intelligence agencies and Border Security Force officials to beef up security against the backdrop of the recent attack at the Red Fort during the ongoing ceasefire in Kashmir valley. Renewed threat perceptions are apprehended from Fidayeen suicide bombers according to intelligence reports to disrupt the Republic Day functions on January 26. According to officials in the intelligence a single gate for both entry and exit has been retained in place of the former two separate points for incoming and outgoing personnel and
vehicles. “This is to keep prompt and easy access to records of any entry and the time period spent in the campus,” said a BSF official on conditions of anonymity. Observation and domination of international borders and mobile patrolling especially at night has been enhanced. Meanwhile a joint meeting held at Wagah discussed vital issues of common problems affecting both sides. Top officials of the BSF from Amritsar Gurdaspur and Ferozepore sectors discussed issues of frequent unprovoked firing in the border belt with their counterparts. The issue of growing number of intruders also came up besides cattle lifting as a transborder crime. The repair of border pillars due to ploughing by tractors or washed away due to the swelling water channels along the border were deliberated upon at the meeting that went on till three in the afternoon according to BSF sources. Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi national was apprehended while trying to cross over from the Indian side of the border on the night of December 29, 2000. The trespasser Abdul Hamid during interrogation by the Border Security Force revealed that he was lured by some agents who left him at a distance just close to the border. The 25-year-old youth is a resident of Cox bazaar in Bangla Desh. He was apprehended while trying to cross over from the Molakot sector on the Indo-Pakistan border. Security agencies are on the look out for a gang of agents operating near the Indo-Pakistan border who lure unassuming Bengladeshis and other nations to cross the border for hefty sums. The arrested was carrying Rs 375 in Indian currency on his person.
Meanwhile a Pakistani jatha is slated to arrive on January 12 here for an onwards journey to Delhi. |
DCC dharna
on Jan 3 ABOHAR, Dec 30 — The District Congress Committee president, Mr Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, will lead the farmers of the subdivision in staging a demonstration and dharna at the local Canal Colony on January 3. Mr Jakhar, a former Irrigation and Cooperation Minister, today said hardly 1,500 cusecs of canal water was being supplied to the farmers against the requirement of 4,500 cusecs. In majority of the villages, the farmers had not been able to irrigate wheat crop for past several days, he alleged, adding that the ground water was not fit for irrigation in a large number of villages. The DCC chief further alleged that, many farmers in the region were complaining that the prospect of
bumper wheat crop during the next months had baffled the state government, which had failed in making proper arrangements for purchasing wheat during the last season. It appeared that water supply had been deliberately cut to ensure lesser crop, they alleged. There were complaints of victimisation in supply under political pressure. Rural waterworks had dried up and people were not getting water for drinking in many villages for last one month, Mr Jakhar said. The DCC president alleged that the sugarcane growers had also been cheated by the state government. They had been asked to grow more sugarcane so that the mills could be run to the capacity but now the management of local cooperative sugar mills at Bodiwala Peetha village had introduced 4 per cent deduction instead of 1 per cent on the pretext of washing the sugarcane. Majority of the local cane growers had to travel long distances and suffer losses to sell the sugarcane to other cooperative mills at Zira as the local mills had refused to buy the crop. The local mills preferred to buy sugarcane from growers of Chief Minister’s Assembly constituency under political pressure, he alleged. |
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BKU seeks probe into paddy scam PHAGWARA, Dec 30 — To voice its protest against the WTO and the GATT, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) will dump imported goods into sea at Mumbai on February 19. This was stated here today at a press conference by Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, president of the union. He claimed that 2,000 farmers from Punjab would join this ‘national-level protest. Mr Lakhowal stated that the BKU would knock the doors of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Punjab State Human Rights Commission if a CBI probe was not ordered by January 14 into the “cartel” of purchase agencies, arhtiyas, rice sheller owners and traders. Accusing the government of not announcing prices of crops under pressure of the WTO, Mr Lakhowal demanded minimum support prices for various crops be announced on the basis of the price index of 1966-67. Claiming the hike should be 12 times as per this index, Mr Lakhowal demanded 912 per quintal price for wheat, 132 for sugarcane and 3000 for cotton and oil seeds. Charging the USA with designs to control Indian market, Mr Lakhowal said the Union Government was misleading masses on GATT and WTO. |
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Third front a necessity:
CPI BUDHLADA (Mansa), Dec 30 — The national leadership of the CPI while condemning the BJP for creating a wedge among people on communal lines, said the party would make efforts to set up a third front to provide an alternative to the people. Addressing a rally of party workers here today, Mr A.B. Bardhan, General Secretary, CPI said the third front had become necessary in the present political scenario to fight the economic policies of the BJP-led NDA government. He pointed out that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s statement made in connection with the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya had created tension and it was the right moment for secular and democratic parties to come together. He alleged that the BJP government had been implementing the agenda of the RSS. Also, the way the Central Government was following the terms of the IMF the World Bank and the WTO indicated that in the coming years the country would lose its economic sovereignty, he claimed. Mr Bardhan said farmers and labourers, who were the backbone of India’s economy had been committing suicide in Punjab, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh because their interests had been sold to foreign business houses. The public sector undertaking units were being made non-functional on the pretext of disinvestment and lakh of workers were being forced to retire under the voluntary retirement scheme. He said the CPI was not against the Congress joining the proposed third front. Dr Joginder Dyal, General Secretary, CPI, Punjab, making a scathing attack on the SAD-BJP combine state government alleged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had criminalised politics and introduced the culture of muscle money and liquor in elections. Mr Bhan Singh Bhora, MP said a CBI probe had become necessary for exposing the assets acquired by ruling politicians. Mr Hardev Arshi, CPI leader in the Vidhan Sabha, said the next government in Punjab would be formed by secular and democratic forces. He alleged that Mr Badal was not giving any penny for the development of those areas which were represented by MLAs belonging to opposition parties. A major portion of government money was being diverted to Muktsar district and in those areas from where family members of Mr Badal would contest the next assembly elections, he said. |
Man threatening immolation goes
underground ABOHAR, Dec 30 — Mr Vijay Kumar, convener of the Khooni Phatak Sangharsh Samiti, Bathinda, who had threatened to immolate himself on New Year Day over the failure to construct an overbridge there, has gone underground and all efforts by the police to locate him have reportedly failed. The Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, Mr Deepak Krishan, informed members of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC) that the railways had agreed to relinquish the land for the construction of an overbridge so that no more mishap occurred at the “Khooni-phatak” but the state government had not deposited the assessed cost of land so far. According to a press note by Mr R.K. Goyal, a member of the DRUCC, and Mr Pawan Tayal, President, Railway Passengers Association (north zone), the divisional manager at a meeting of the consultative committee was equally concerned over the increase in number of accidents at unmanned level crossings in this division. He said at least 11 unmanned crossings would be converted into manned crossings next year. Mr Goyal and other members after condoling the deaths of passengers in the rail accident at Jeewanpura, demanded that the family of each victim should be given an ex gratia grant of Rs 4 lakh. The injured passengers should be given a compensation up to Rs 3 lakh as per norms laid down in the manual. Mr Krishan said laying tracks between Abohar and Fazilka would cost Rs 72 crore but work could not be started due to the paucity of funds. The working of booking windows at Abohar and Bathinda railway stations was also discussed at the meeting. Mr Krishan said self-printing ticket machines would be installed by March 31, 2001. The railway authorities agreed to sanction STD PCOs in Abohar, Bathinda, Rampur Phul and over 20 other railway stations. The proposal for an Internet connection would also be considered. The timings of 1 BD passenger train from Bathinda should be changed so that the passengers could catch trains for Abohar and Suratgarh. The members demanded that a train from Fazilka to Delhi via Bathinda should also be started. |
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Vulgar posters even on school
walls BATHINDA: Obscene and vulgar posters have flooded this region as almost all cinema halls are screening adult movies which attract youth. Even school-going children cannot keep their eyes closed when they face bold posters on the way to school. Who is to blame? The district authorities, parents or those responsible for sticking obscene and vulgar posters in every nook and corner of the town? Most residents blame the authorities for allowing cinema owners to stick obscene posters all over with no space for public information posters. The people who run this business do not care whether the wall where the obscene poster is stuck is of a school or of any educational institution. They have to inform the public about the adult movie being screened at their cinema house. The authorities, too, have been turning a blind eye to posters being stuck near educational institutions. Khalsa School, Arya School, SSD School, Government Rajindra College, Mahatma Hans Raj School, are some institutions whose walls of the schools are replete with obscene posters. “How one can keep his or her eye closed when obscene and vulgar posters are everywhere and the authorities are not serious in taking action against those responsible for this”, said a student of Government Rajindra College. “Sometime we bunk classes whenever there is new adult movie, he said without any sense of guilt. “We come to know about these movies from the posters stuck on the college walls.” Mr Rakesh Kumar, a computer expert of Poojan Wala mohalla, suggested that the authorities concerned should make efforts to select places where posters providing public information could be stuck. Nowadays there was no place where obscene and vulgar posters could not be seen. Mr K S Dhaliwal, a resident of Paras Ram Nagar, alleged that for the publicity of the adult movies, cinema owners were using loudspeakers in various mohallas and in the main bazaar as if it was a family movie which every family member must see. Mr Sadhu Ram Kusla, Public Grievance Association member, said at least publicity for adult movies should not be given on roads. Vulgar posters also should not be stuck on the walls of educational institutions. Rather these should be at selected places where all types of posters are there. Mr Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted regarding vulgar and obscene posters of the adult movies being screened in the cinema hall, said appropriate action would be taken against those responsible, if anything was found wrong. |
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WB funds to provide
water to Kandi area GURDASPUR, Dec 30 — Mr Sat Pal Saini, newly inducted Minister of State in the Punjab Cabinet, without portfolio so far, talking to reporters here said today that Rs 285 crore water shed scheme financed by the World Bank for development of Kandi Area when fully implemented would rid the Kandi area of shortage of drinking water. In addition the Kandi area will have pucca link roads, good school buildings and adequate buildings for veterinary dispensaries and health dispensaries. Mr Saini said that 46 villages falling in the Sujanpur Assembly segment were facing acute shortage of drinking water. In all Rs 9 crore is required to extend drinking water facilities in the said villages. The government has already spent Rs 3 crore in this regard as part of the first phase which will cover 26 villages and will be completed by the end of 2002. Mr Saini said that water level in the Kandi area had gone down and hardly any drinking water was available in May and June. The condition becomes still worse when there were no rains. The Punjab government is considering to lift water of rivulets Chakki and Ravi flowing in the area through lift irrigation. Mr Saini said that the area had many khuds, the prominent of which included Babber, Salari, Darang and Doong khads by lift irrigation. Water of these khuds which stores seepage water will enable more than 3000 acres of land to be covered under irrigation out of a total land of 5000 acres in 46 villages of Kandi area under Sujanpur Assembly constituency. Mr Saini said that the government has decided to undertake construction of Shapur Kandi Dam Project during early next year and Rs 10 crore will be released at the earliest. The project will be taken up on departmental level. He added that 30 deep tubewells had been installed in the said villages for providing drinking water. The area needs another 35 tubewells for which funds will be released in phases. Each tube well cost between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. Mr Saini said that his induction into the Cabinet had been delayed. He earlier was called by the Chief Minister twice for oath ceremony but changed the “bridegroom” at the 11th hour. Mr Saini said that he had preference for the Cooperative Department as his port-folio but will abide by the decision of the Chief Minister. He said whatever his port-folio, he will ensure transparency in the working of his ministry. |
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Life-time award for Krishan
Maharaj JALANDHAR, Dec 30 — The velvet touch of swift fingers of veteran tabla maestro Pandit Krishan Maharaj of Benaras Gharana was enjoyed by a responsive crowd of music lovers at the ongoing Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan at Devi Talab Temple here. The repeated interruption by photographers notwithstanding, venerable-looking Pandit Krishan Maharaj performed in a manner that was dynamic and challenging. The Harballabh Sabha honoured the 78-year-old maestro, a disciple of Kanthe Maharaj of Benaras
Gharana, with the first annual life- time achievement award. Pandit Krishan
Maharaj, whose name has become synonymous with tabla, established an instant rapport with the audience when he performed amid pindrop silence with “Ma Sharda Ganesh
puja” in a traditional style. The atmosphere was surcharged with the presentation of centuries old intricate
“bandish”, “tin tin na dhin dhin na”, taught to him by his guru Pandit Ram Nath Sahai known as the father of the typical Benaras style of tabla. This was followed by
“alaaps”, studded with the use of “dungi”, creating an impression that tabla had turned alive. The impression lasted when he rendered, “Dharo teer
teer”, ge teer teer a “bandish” of Pandit Bhairon Sahai and repeated it on tabla by using the “teen
taal”. The audience burst into cheers when Pandit Krishan Maharaj welcomed the chief guest, former Army Chief, Gen V.P. Malik, by making his instrument ‘speak out’ “Top ka
gola”, a typical and difficult “toda”, and saying that “top ka gola dushman phenkte
hain, par yeh ek dost ki tarf se aa raha hai”. He also displayed how the instrument could double as
‘‘mridang’’ and ‘‘pakhawaj’’ and how despite his age he could still play the difficult ‘‘128 matra ik haath ka
tukda’’ on one piece of the instrument. A smiling Pandit Krishan Maharaj got irritated when several cameramen started disrupting his performance despite repeated requests. After receiving the award, he shared his 50-year-long association with the event and admitted it was difficult to find dedicated music lovers of classical
music. Sarod player Danish Aslam Khan of Kerana Gharana and sitar player Sayyad Zaffar Khan, too, did not disappoint the audience when they rendered a memorable
‘‘jugalbandi’’, inititated with a long but soothing ‘‘alaap’’. They, however, did not play the scheduled
‘‘jhala’’ owing to lack of time. Sudhir Pande, a tabla player of Benaras
Gharana, also displayed his prowess when he played ‘‘teen taal’’ with Raga Kirmani and ‘‘aad
kavaad’’ of the sitar and when the sarod player played the ‘‘Dhe dhe na dhi
na’’ on his instrument in the typical Ajrana Gharana style, though Pande’s presentation was studded with all styles of Delhi, Ajrana and Benaras
Gharanas. What bemused the audience was the question-answer session between the two instruments. Earlier, young Kumar S. Mungee of the Agra and Jaipur Gharanas presented Raga Bihag with a
bandhish, ‘‘Sajan more ghar aaye manva ati sukh paaye.’’ Sanchari Bakshi, a sitar player, performed with the accompaniment of Pandit Rama Kant while vocalist Nivedita Singh was accompanied by Dr Diwakar on the harmonium and Pandit Kale Ram on tabla. Vocalist Madhumita Ray of Gawalior Rampur Gharana and a disciple of Vasant Thakat also made people sway when she rendered in her sweet voice. Meanwhile, the special treatment by the organisers to VIPs who were allowed to take their cars on the
‘‘parikarma’’ of the temple irked the crowd. Some of the VIPs even placed their shoes near the samadhi of Baba
Harballabh. The vehicles, including the car of General Malik, was allowed to be parked on the
‘‘parikarma’’, along with the Baba’s samadhi. Securitymen, belonging to the Punjab police and that of the military police, accompanying him entered the main
‘‘pandal’’ with their shoes on. |
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MP writes to Minister on
railway bridge HOSHIARPUR, Dec 30 — Mr Charanjit Singh Channi, MP from Hoshiarpur Parliamentary constituency, in a letter urged the Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, to include the construction of a railway overbridge (ROB) on the railway crossing at Tanda town on the Jalandhar-Jammu section in the railway works programme for the current year as the Punjab Government had agreed to bear the state’s share of the finances for the construction of this bridge. In a press note by his office here yesterday, Mr Channi said on the demand of the residents of the area he took up the matter of construction of bridge with Ms Banerjee who told him that the construction of the bridge was possible only on a cost-sharing basis. Thereupon, he took up the matter with Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, and on his directions, the Superintending Engineer, PWD (B&R), Hoshiarpur circle, sent the proposal to the Chief Bridge Engineer Northern Railway Baroda House, New Delhi. He said now the Special Principal Secretary to the Punjab Chief Minister, ex-Officio Secretary to Government of Punjab, had informed him that state’s share of the finances for the construction of the ROB would be borne by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. He said the construction of the bridge was long overdue as 48 trains passed on this track every day and people had to face inconvenience on this account. |
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Ex-gratia relief
to terrorist-hit increased AMRITSAR, Dec 30 — More than 60 persons, who sustained 100 per cent disability, will benefit by the recent government order. The Government of Punjab has ordered to this effect to all Deputy Commissioners and SDMs in the state to pay an additional Rs 50,000 to each of those persons, who had suffered 100 per cent disability as a result of terrorist attacks. The orders were issued on December 4 this year. Welcoming the government gesture Mr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader, said, “The order issued on December this year may have come late in the day, but were welcome”. Vide the orders a budget to Rs 30 lakh was allotted to the Deputy Commissioners in Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepore, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur, as also Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Moga, Nawanshahr, Patiala, Ropar and Sangrur. Following Mrs Vimla Dang, former MLA’s complaint with the National Commission for Human Rights regarding the issue, the government ordered an enhancement on ex-gratia amount for each specific cases to Rs 1 lakh and has demanded a report on compliance within two months. However, necessary instructions were issued vide circular letter No. 13/1/97-RR. 2/15477 dated December 4. The Punjab Government has also informed the Commission in a letter dated December 20 about the budget to be allotted to the Deputy Commissioners. |
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Literary award for Gyan Chaturvedi MOGA, Dec 30 (PTI) — Noted Hindi novelist Dr Gyan Chaturvedi, who was selected for Leela Rani Samriti Puraskar, was honoured at a function organised earlier this week at Kala Parishad Hall in Bhopal. The Leela Rani Samriti Selection Committee comprising K.L. Garg, prominent Punjabi writer and satirist and Amar Singh, journalist, organised the function. The function was presided by noted Hindi journalist Ram Sharan Joshi, while noted critic Gobind Mishar and famous Hindi novelist Manzoor Ahtsham were the chief guests. The award was confered by Manzoor Ahtsham, Ram Sharan Joshi and Gobind Mishar who acclaimed the novel “Bara Massi”. Prominent critic Dr Vijay Bahadur Singh also praised the novel. Rajesh Joshi gave the main introduction of the novel. Dr Chaturvedi’s novel “Bara Massi” is the next mile stone in the tradition of Hindi novel set by Sri Lal Shukal with his novel “Rag Darshan”. |
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Ceasefire no solution
in J & K: RSS HOSHIARPUR, Dec 30 — The J & K problem has become chronic now for the country and it can only be solved with strong steps. Ceasefire in the region is not a solution to it. This was stated by Mr
Inderesh, Chief Organisor of the RSS of Northern Zone headquarters at Jammu, while talking to mediapersons here yesterday. He said the Indian Government was trying to impress upon Pakistanis since Independence of the country not to poke its nose into the affairs of others. But it had never tried sincerely to solve ‘this problem for ever. A majority of Muslims inhabitants in the Kashmir valley was now fed up with the prevailing conditions there. “The entire trade had been ruined in the valley due to terrorism and people were living there under terror. More than two lakh persons of the minority community had become refugees in their own country”. He said various voluntary organisations of the RSS were supporting Kashmiri migrants through various means. In border districts of J & K, RSS workers were not only boosting the morale of people but also extending support to nab the terrorists and anti-national elements. He pointed out that Muslims of the Kashmir valley had seen through the designs of Pakistan. Mr Inderesh said some of the politicians and foreign powers were trying to tarnish the image of the RSS for selfish motives. RSS workers were dedicated and always ready to serve the suffering humanity. |
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Telecom employees observe strike MALERKOTLA, Dec 30 — Strike was observed at the local telephone exchange here today to protest against the alleged manhandling of employees of telephone exchange by some cable operators. Employees, including the officers of the Telecom Department, staged a dharna and held a demonstration in front of the exchange. According to SDO Kashmira Singh, the employees had been manhandled allegedly kept in the police custody for three hours.
On the complaint of a junior telecom officer, a cable operator has been arrested. |
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Akali councillor
booked JALANDHAR, Dec 30 — The simmering differences between the Mayor Mr Suresh Sehgal, and the Joint Commissioner, Mr Krishan Kumar, of the local municipal corporation, reached a climax when the latter got registered a case against an Akali councillor on Thursday and the former threatened to approach the Punjab Chief Minister against his action. Earlier, the civic staff led by the Joint Commissioner removed several encroachments on the 120-feet stretch of road in Basti Mithu locality. The agitated shopkeepers led by area councillor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia allegedly hindered the operation and threatened the Joint Commissioner of dire consequences if he went ahead with anti encroachment drive in the locality. Later, the anti-encroachment drive was stopped and shopkeepers were asked to remove the encroachment themselves till January 10, the Joint Commissioner said. The Mayor alleged that the Joint Commissioner has created panic among residents by resorting to demolition drive without the consent of the House. Police Division No 5 has registered a case against Kamaljit Singh Bhatia under Sections 353, 186 and 506, IPC. |
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Pesticide dealer’s licence
cancelled ABOHAR, Dec 30 — The licence of a pesticides and fertiliser dealer here has been cancelled by the Chief Agriculture Officer Ferozepore. An official spokesman said yesterday that the dealer was served notice in September under Section 10 of the Insecticides Act 1968-1971 for selling products of some manufacturers who had not been given any authority letter. The firm was issued licence in 1998 but additions regarding new products had not been made in it. The dealer was asked to appear in the office of Assistant Plant Protection Officer here but he allegedly did not turn up. The official sources confirmed that the dealer concerned had lodged complaints against officers of the Agriculture Department to the Director, Vigilance, and other authorities. |
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Decline in male
female ratio AMRITSAR, Dec 30 — Despite outcry from feminists, statistics show that during past 25 years, more than 35 lakh female foetuses were destroyed in the country according to the Director, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab Government, Mr
R.L. Kalsia. He was speaking at the seminar on Human Rights of Women organised by the All-India Women’s Conference here yesterday. He said male-female ratio in Punjab stood at 100 to 82. Mr Kalsia said of the total population of 2.25 crore in Punjab, women numbered around 1.05 crore and only 2.50 lakh found employment and the rest of them had been pushed into the stereotyped role of small-time earners. |
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70 volunteers donate blood PATIALA, Dec 30 — Allahabad Bank organised a blood donation camp to celebrate its 29th anniversary on Saturday. As many as 70 volunteers donated blood. Mr Vijay Chopra, Regional Manager, highlighted the bank achievements, especially in issuing over 4,000 kissan cards in Punjab. He said the bank was committed to issue another 1,000 cards within the next three months. Dr Harmeet Singh, Medical Officer, Rajindra Medical College, was also present on the occasion.
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Fifth suspect held in Mukhija case MOGA, Dec 30 (PTI) — The police today claimed a major breakthrough when it nabbed the fifth and last suspect Kulbir Singh alias Prince, involved in the murder of senior Congress leader Harmesh Kumar Mukhija. The special investigation team (SIT) probing the murder also recovered 12-bore gun used by the suspect in committing the crime on November 13. SIT in charge SP Shiv Kumar said today that earlier four suspects had already been arrested and were in judicial custody. The vehicle used in the crime had also been recovered by the police. The main suspect Gurbax Singh Kukoo was on interim bail till January 4. Mr Kumar claimed that the Akali MLA from Dharamkot, Mr Seetal Singh, whose name was also mentioned in the FIR lodged by Des Raj, brother of Mukhija, had also been questioned by the SIT. |
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Pomila remanded
in police custody ROPAR, Dec 30 — Ms Pomila Syal, sister of R.K. Syal, Chairman of the Golden Forests Group, one of the directors of the company, was presented in the court of the Duty Magistrate, Mr Vinod Kumar Goyal, here today. The hearing of the case, which began about 4.30 p.m., continued for about 90 minutes. Ms Pomila was represented in the court by 11 advocates, including Mr Sohail Khan, Mr Niraj Chandhan and Mr Rawat. Lawyers of the accused contended before the court that there was no locus standi of keeping the accused in police custody. On an order of the Bombay High Court, Justice M.L. Pendesey, in 1998, had assessed the property of the Golden Forests Group. Till that day, the liabilities of the company were Rs 600 crore. Regarding the case registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau under the Land Reforms Act, the lawyers of Ms Syal contended that the matter was already sub-judiced in a case before the Financial Commissioner, Punjab. On the basis of these arguments, the lawyers of Ms Syal pleaded that she might be released on bail. However, the public prosecutor contended it was necessary to keep Mr Syal in the police custody to ensure a fair inquiry into the case. The Duty Magistrate, rejecting arguments of the defence, sent Ms Syal in police custody till January 2, 2001. |
Pharmacists
plan to hold
dharna CHANDIGARH, Dec 30 — Members of the Punjab State Pharmacists’ Association will stage a dharna in front of the residence of Mr Baldev Raj Chawla in Amritsar on January 7.In a press statement, Mr Sham Lal Sharma, State President of the association, said that they its was decided to take the step to press pending demands which included enhancement of pay scales, change of designations and to create posts of District Pharmacy Officer and Deputy Director Pharmacy. The union had also demanded pay scales at par with the Junior Engineers, apart from permission to do private practice after 10 years of government service. |
Brick
price hike
hampers work MOGA, Dec 30 — The price of bricks in the district has touched an all-time high owing to indefinite strike by brick kiln owners for the past month. According to a survey, the price of bricks has risen from Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,700 per thousand and people who had earlier started construction have temporarily halted it due to the hike. The construction work on various government and private projects has also been affected by the rise in the price of bricks. Construction labourers working in the area have also been hit by the price hike. Residents have urged the authorties concerned to intervene into the matter.
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Closure of units
hits transporters HOSHIARPUR, Dec 30 — The closure of all industrial units in and around Delhi has hit business of goods transport companies in Punjab. Before closure of these units hundreds of trucks carrying goods of various transport companies were coming daily to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir for deliveries. But now movement of trucks has been curtailed to a large extent. One local goods transporter said here today that only one or two trucks arrived here in a fortnight causing great hardships to the transporters and labourers. Their livelihood has been jeopardised. With the
reduction of movement hundreds of truck operators are worried about their employment. |
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