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Tuesday,
June 5, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Rally against water
tariff hike
Khushwant goes down memory lane Move to shift school resented |
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Sirmaur planning
panel notified Teachers
resent withdrawal of powers Summer festival from June 6 Insurance company directed to pay compensation Seminar on heart
diseases held 3 shells found Army chief meets
HP Governor Minority cell
convener appointed Judge sworn in
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Rally against water
tariff hike Nurpur, June 4 Thousands of residents, under the banner of the local Town Welfare Committee, today took to streets and held a protest rally here against the government notification enforced with effect from March 1. They raised slogans against the government. The state government has not only enhanced drinking water tariff by seven times but also served notices on consumers to install water meters at their own cost which has evoked a sharp reaction from the residents. The residents took out a procession, shouting slogans against the government’s “anti-people” decision on water tariff hike and held a rally in which speakers criticised the Dhumal government for keeping a private water connection beyond the reach of the poor in the state. The Town Welfare Committee also
submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, through the SDM who was not available in his office in spite of pre-intimation. In his absence, the tehsildar took the memorandum. The committee has urged the Chief Minister to reduce the water tariff and get the water meters installed through the Irrigation and Public Health Department on the pattern of electricity meters. The committee warned that it would intensify its stir if the government failed to revoke the “anti-consumer” notification. The agitating residents also blocked traffic on the Pathankot-Mandi highway at Chogan. Coincidentally, the agitators stopped the convey of members of the Public Accounts Committee of the state Vidhan Sabha headed by its President, Mr Jai Bihari Lal Khachi, a Congress legislator, which was coming from Chamba district. Mr Khachi also faced the wrath of the agitators who expressed displeasure over the role of the Opposition in checking the “anti-people” decisions of the Dhumal government. Mr Khachi took a copy of the memorandum and assured them that he would take up the issue with the Chief Minister. |
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Dancing on Ridge to tunes of “Chori Chori” Shimla, June 4 It was a virtual chaos outside the Christ church where Devgan along with about 60 others, including those playing the role of sadhus, danced to the tune of the song. People were waiting for the arrival of Devgan since early morning, but made his appearance only around 2 p.m. when the clouds disappeared and there was sunshine to meet the requirements of the camera. Taking serious note of the stage having been constructed right on the water reservoir on the Ridge for shooting of “Jaal”, the Commissioner of the Shimla Municipal Corporation, Mr H.N. Kashyap, ordered its dismantling in the evening and shifting the shooting spot elsewhere. Famous dance director Saroj Khan kept waiting under the porch of the church for the stars of “Chori-Chori” to come. Anxious people wanted to have a glimpse of Rani Mukherjee, but she did not come and her shots were expected to be filmed tomorrow. Sonali Bendre and Kulbhushan Kharbanda have also come for the shooting. The film unit, headed by producer Raju Narula and director Milind, was visibly upset as the shooting got delayed because of the overcast sky and delay in the arrival of certain equipment. The shooting was to be done yesterday, but had to be postponed because the main actors could not reach due to the cancellation of the flight. Twenty dancers have come from Mumbai and 40 locals have been provided by Mukesh Rajput. A huge stage has been set up just a few feet away right on the Ridge in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi for the shooting of “Jaal” which begins tomorrow. Finishing touches were being given to the sets. The shooting of “Chori-Chori” will also be held on the Mall and at times filming of both movies will go on simultaneously at the Ridge in the next four or five days. Both units will camp here for about a fortnight for the shooting at various locations. Sunny Deol, Tabu and Amrish Puri will play the lead roles in “Jaal”. The shooting of both films will be done at Naldehra, Chail and some other places. About 20 horses have been hired for “Jaal”, said a local horse owner, Sher Singh. Although the authorities had earlier said the shooting of films would be allowed only at such time when normal life was not affected, yet this assurance remained just on papers as all roads around the church were virtually sealed for the people. Tourists and locals were pushed around by policemen. Ambulances carrying patients also crossed the place with difficulty. Some people protested saying that why was the shooting allowed at a sensitive place on the Ridge, while the government had itself not allowed holding of the official summer festival there. |
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Khushwant goes down memory lane Kasauli The octogenarian first visited this town as a schoolboy in 1920s when his father got the contract to build Pasteur Institute, now the Central Research Institute. In 1948, his father-in-law, Sir Teja Singh Malik, bought Raj Villa, his present sojourn, for Rs 13,000. Khushwant Singh’s wife inherited the house and since then he visits Kasauli at least twice or thrice a year. A narrow, shady lane leads to his house built in the British architectural style. Reminiscing about the pre-independence British era, he says it was a period when the upper Mall and Kasauli British Club were exclusively British territories. It was only during the World War II when the British Army left for the battle-field that their lonely wives started befriending Indians. Their return marked the retreat of the British from India who sold off their property at throw away prices. Kasauli had come a long way since. Now a plethora of palatial buildings have sprung up on every nook and corner despite acute water and power shortage, he bemoans. The plight of roads is deplorable with cartons, beer bottles and other trash left callously by tourists. Youngsters come to the town to merely get drunk and create nuisance, he added. Talking about the British heritage left in the town he resents the presence of the Air Force authorities who have spoilt the beauty of the Ladies Grave which was a favourite picnic spot of the tourists. Khushwant Singh’s arrival in the town is
marked by a fish flag which he displays atop his house as his will to meet people. It has an interesting history, dating back to his stay at Japan University. It was a tradition to display a huge nylon fish flag symbolising courage by families who had sons on the occasion of “boys day.” On his return to India, he brought two such flags. Although he is a life member of the 120-year-old Kasauli Club, he no longer visits it for he finds nothing in common between himself and the present members. He recalls spending time playing bridge, tennis and squash in the manicured lawns which now present picture of neglect. He has a rich collection of books on varied subjects ranging from Raymond Burnier’s “The Impressionists” to Japanese art to Salim Ali’s whole series on birds, trees and butterflies and any topic one can think of, besides cassettes of Mozart, Beethoven, gazals, western and Hindustani classical as well as kirtans. He says European music is soothing to the ears in he evening. The former Editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India and the Hindustan Times has a penchant for collecting paintings which adorn all his rooms. They comprise paintings of Ranjit Singh by Emily Edens, and Laele, Mahatma Gandhi, Bhai Vir Singh and others depicting historic battles of Chillienwala and Moodke. Making a dig at his famous joke books, the winner of Padma Bhushan says they earn him more royalty than his other works and he is often seen as a funny man by his readers. Even at the age of 86 he is an active writer contributing regularly to at least two English new papers, besides reviewing books. An avid writer, he starts his day early at 4.30 am and says now he puts in longer hours to earn more money than ever. His love for old artefacts of the British era took him all over the world,
including Vancouver, London, Montreal and the USA. He bought them from those who had little value for such pieces. Truly, even at 86 he is the most vivacious and enterprising writer who has a lot to contribute. |
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Move to shift school resented Dharamsala, June 4 A number of villagers along with the panchayat pradhan met the District Education Officer (Secondary) and registered their protest against the move of the head master. They alleged that the head master, who was recently transferred to the school, was trying to shift it to another site. The panchayat pradhan, Mrs Juma Devi, in a representation to the DEO said the local MLA and parliamentary secretary, Mrs Shraveen Chaudhary had sanctioned Rs 1.60 lakh for the construction of new rooms in the school. She said the villagers were agitated over the move to shift the school to a place, not convenient for the schoolchildren. Mrs Devi requested the DEO to prevent the shifting of the school saying that already there were four kanals in the name of the school where fresh construction could take place. |
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Sirmaur planning
panel notified Nahan, June 4 The committee, which will prepare development schemes for the district, shall have 20 members, including its Chairman, 16 of its members will be elected out of the elected members of the Zila Parishad and Municipal Committee. Mr Rakesh Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, has notified the election of the members and fixed June 15 as date of election. The parishad has a total of 17 members, of which 14 members will be elected for the Planning Committee while one nagar panchayat and two municipal councils in the district has total 31 elected members out of which only two members are to be elected for the committee. Political activity has increased due to elections. |
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Teachers resent withdrawal of powers Jaisinghpur, June 4 Kangra district union president Brij Bhushan Katoch, while criticising the 10 per cent cut, said a headmaster who had completed 30 years of service would be affected by the decision. He said Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the country to have adopted the policy of centralisation, while other states were going in for decentralisation of powers. Mr Katoch said it was the handiwork of some officials who were trying to create a divide between the teachers and the government. He warned of starting an agitation if the government did not withdraw the decision soon. |
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Summer festival from June 6 Dharamsala, June 4 The three-day festival, will be an endeavour to promote Himachali folk lore by artistes from the state. Some artistes are being invited from outside the state on people’s demand. According to the Chairman of the Cultural Committee, Dr Anurag Khanna, star attraction on the first night on June, 6, shall be noted Punjabi pop singer, Baboo Mann. The local MLA and the Himachal Transport Minister, Kishan Kapoor, shall be the chief guest. Star attraction on the second day of the festival shall be playback singer, Manpreet Akhtar, who became known after singing for the film” Kuch-Kuch Hota Hai”. Local youth from the Kangra Musical Group and the Hijackore group shall present Hindi and western music. The Minister for Urban Development, Mr Roop Das Kashyap, shall be the chief guest on the night. |
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Insurance company directed to pay compensation Shimla, June 4 A Tata Mobile owned by Mr Kaushal met with an accident, killing the driver. The vehicle was insured with the company. An FIR was registered and the company was informed. The complainant approached the company to settle the claim, but to no avail. The company had rejected the claim on the ground that the vehicle had no valid fitness certificate at the time of the accident. Moreover, the complainant had used the vehicle as a public carrier against the terms of the insurance policy. Mr Goel held that the company had failed to prove on record that the vehicle was being used as a public carrier and was also being used for commercial purpose in violation of the insurance rules. |
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Seminar on heart
diseases held Mandi, June 4 He said the increased health awareness in the West had yielded astonishing results. The incidence of heart attack there had gone down by over 30 per cent. Mr Kaul said small tips, if followed, could prove big life savers. “Regular exercise, low salt intake, lesser use of fat, and control of blood pressure and sugar prevent heart attacks”, he said. |
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3 shells found Nurpur, June 4 Children, who happened to visit the forest first noticed the shells and intimated their elders. The elders informed the police which immediately took the shells into possession. These shells are about 30 inches in length and weigh 25 kg. |
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Army chief meets
HP Governor Shimla, June 4 General Padamnabhan is on his visit to Shimla after assuming the office of the Chief of the Army Staff. He also held a series of meetings with officers of the Army Training Command. |
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Minority cell
convener appointed Shimla, June 4 Prior approval of Mr A.R. Antulay, convener, All-India Congress Minority Cell, was taken before Mr Liaquat Ali’s appointment. |
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Judge sworn in Shimla, June 4 Mr Justice Goel, who was transferred from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, was administered the oath by the Chief Justice of the High Court, Mr Justice C.K. Thakkar. With this, the strength of the judges in the high court has risen to seven, including two additional judges. PTI |
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