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July 15, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Bonhomie marks luncheon General’s promise
on Pak gurdwaras President treated to
choicest dishes Release
PoWs, demand
kin |
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PM introduces Farooq to Pervez Pervez rubs shoulders with artists, editors
Begum to convey peace message to spouse Forms
to be accepted till Aug 31 KASHMIRI SIKHS-II Pandit leader says he surprised VIP VHP warns against concessions to Pak Plea for Vatican City status for
Nankana Sahib Body of former Governor’s
son-in-law found Jailer
transferred
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Bonhomie marks luncheon New Delhi, July 14 The 150-odd guests, including foreign dignitaries, Bollywood Stars, Cabinet ministers and members of the Pakistan President’s entourage made polite conversation and exchanged pleasantries as they savoured specially prepared delicacies by a team of chefs of the hotel. Boneless breasts of chicken, batter fried fish, lamb chops and tiger pawns were some of the delicacies on the elaborate menu. Mr Vajpayee and General Musharraf were seen talking to each other before the lunch as the two leaders met inside the hotel. They walked together into the dining hall. The Pakistani President thanked the Prime
Minister for the warm welcome he was given eversince he landed here earlier in the morning. The two leaders were seated next to each other at the main table along with the former Prime Ministers, Mr. I.K. Gujral, Mr V.P. Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. G.M.C. Balayogi, Pakistan foreign minister, Mr Abdul Sattar and Union Ministers, Mr. L. K. Advani, Mr Jaswant Singh, Mr Yashwant Sinha and Mr Murasoli Maran. The guest of honour
apparently set the tone at the luncheon by being gracious and charming to the guests, observed one of the guests. When the Prime Minister introduced thespian Dilip Kumar to General Musharraf, the Pakistani President got up from his chair, shook his hands and exchanged pleasantries with him. Both General Musharraf and the Prime Minister rose from their seats when Bollywood star and Rajya Sabha member Shabana Azmi was introduced along with her husband to the chief guest. Such was the bonhomie among the guests that one invitee commented, “going by the relaxed manner and the atmosphere at the lunch if this gets translated into practical terms, it would go a long way in improving and normalising bilateral relations.” Other prominent guests included the Congress president and leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader and former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, Haryana Chief Minister, Om Parkash Chautala, Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, Union Human Resource Development Minister, M.M. Joshi, Information and Broadcasting Minister, and Mrs Sushma Swaraj, Samajwadi Party leader. |
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General’s promise
on Pak gurdwaras New Delhi, July 14 Mr Tarlochan Singh took the opportunity of meeting General Musharraf at the luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee here this afternoon. Mr Vajpayee introduced Mr Tarlochan Singh to General Musharraf as a representative of the Sikh community. General Musharraf expressed regret at not having time to meet a Sikh delegation as he was hard pressed for time. He asked for a note about the gurdwaras in Pakistan. Mr Tarlochan Singh was prompt in handing General Musharraf a note. In the short time available, Mr Tarlochan Singh apprised General Musharraf about the problems being faced by pilgrims visiting gurdwaras in Pakistan. He impressed upon General Musharraf to intervene so that the restoration work of gurdwaras in Pakistan could be undertaken speedily. Mr Tarlochan Singh suggested to the President that a high-powered committee should be constituted by him comprising senior officers and having in its ambit representatives of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee, Amritsar, as well as
representatives of the Sikh community in Pakistan. The representative committee should study the problem of gurdwaras in Pakistan in its entirety and submit a detailed report to General Musharraf, he suggested. Mr Tarlochan Singh emphasised that the report should be to the satisfaction of the Sikh community. Mr Tarlochan Singh told General Musharraf that the gurdwaras in Pakistan required urgent restoration work. The SGPC, Amritsar was willing to undertake this task and perform kar seva as was the practice in gurdwaras all over India. The Sikh community would bear the costs, he said. He appealed to General Musharraf to make pilgrimage to the Sikh shrines a hassle-free affair. General Musharraf evinced interest and told Mr Tarlochan Singh categorically that he was keen to set things right in this regard. |
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President treated to choicest dishes New Delhi, July 14 “Badami shorba”, “nadroo kebab”, “malabari paratha”, onion “kulcha” and custard apple ice-cream among others were part of the menu. The four-course menu designed specially for the occasion had choicest vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes like “badam bahar”, “anmol moti”, “lucknowi “tiranga pakwan”, “machali tukda”, “dariya ke ratan” as starters. The choice of cuisine which had flavours of different regions of the country had “sali boti”, “guchchi palak”, “nizam-e-bahar”, “chilam-e-chilgoza”, “safed badami murg”, “paneer kundan” and “chote nawabi aloo” as the main course. Among the Indian breads forming a part of Gen Musharraf plate were “pudina paratha”, “lehsooni naan”, “tandoori roti” and onion “kulcha” prepared especially by Taj group’s corporate chef Hemant Oberoi and executive chief of the Taj Palace Hotel Alexander. Gen Musharraf, who had sent chausa mangoes to Indian leaders, got a taste of popular Indian mango variety alphonso and peak of Himalayas, a combination of gulab jamuns and rasogullas with kulfi. The dishes were served in silver plates and cutlery crafted in gold.
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Release PoWs, demand
kin New Delhi, July 14 Persistent drizzle, which nagged the
Capital, however, did not dampen the spirits of the people and many thronged the streets of the Capital which Gen Musharraf visited to have a glimpse of the person who masterminded the Kargil intrusion. “As a foot soldier himself, President
Musharraf, should have the moral courage to release the prisoners of war languishing in Pakistani jail,” said Col V.N. Thapar, who lost his son, Capt Vijayant Thapar, during the Kargil conflict. Damayanti Tambay whose husband has been languishing in Pakistani jails since the 1971 war expressed optimism of a positive outcome of release of Indian PoWs by Pakistan. Col R.K. Pattu of the Missing Defence Personnel Relatives Association, said “ We sincerely hope that the two leaders discuss the issue of PoW and a breakthrough is achieved.” Pakistan Presidential spokesman, Rashid
Qureshi, has been quoted as saying that there were 135 Indians in Pakistani jails on criminal charges and 71 were yet to be identified by India. Moreover, ashes of 21 cremated Indian prisoners were lying in Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore for the past many years, reports from Islamabad said. Col Pattu said the families were ready to visit Pakistan and identify the prisoners if the permission was granted. The visit by the mastermind of the Kargil intrusion stirred the emotions of many and the Kashmiri Pandits took to the streets and held demonstrations in the capital. “Without the representation of the Pandits the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved”, said A.N. Vaishnavi, President of the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference. |
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PM introduces Farooq to Pervez New Delhi, July 14 Dr Abdullah, who was specially called by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to be introduced to Gen Musharraf during a lunch hosted for the visiting dignitary, conveyed to him that the Kashmiris were looking at the Agra summit with a great hope and expected that Islamabad would make sincere efforts in bringing down violence. The Chief Minister told Mr Vajpayee and Gen Musharraf that “whatsoever will be decided at Agra summit, will be acceptable to Kashmiris.
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Pervez rubs shoulders with artists, editors New Delhi, July 14 Mr Vajpayee held talks with Gen Musharraf at Taj Palace Hotel for 10 minutes before the lunch. Among the ministers present were Mr L.K. Advani, Mr Jaswant Singh, Mr Yashwant Sinha, Mr Murasoli Maran, Mrs Sushma Swaraj and Mr Shahnawaz Hussain. Opposition leaders who had turned up for the lunch, comprising traditional Indian menu, including Mughlai-style prawn and chicken delicacies, included Mr Ajit Singh, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Manmohan Singh, Mr Karan Singh and Mr Natwar Singh. Former Prime Ministers V.P. Singh and I.K. Gujral and Chief Ministers Keshubhai Patel (Gujarat) and Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan) were also there. Among the film stars present were Dilip Kumar, Shahrukh Khan, Shatrugan Sinha, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar, while artistes M.F. Hussain and Satish Gujral also showed up.
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Sidelights New Delhi, July 14 With the clouds playing hide and seek, the officials at one stage toyed with the idea of having the ceremony indoors at the Ashoka Hall but finally settled for the red-gravelled forecourt. The print media had a harrowing time when the officials repeatedly told them to refrain asking questions from General Musharraf. “If any of you asks questions , your venue access passes will be withdrawn”, an External Affairs Ministry official told them.
* * * A beautiful wooden gate was erected at the entry of the Naharvali haveli and a “shamiana” put up inside to welcome General Musharraf. All streets leading to the haveli and Netaji Subhas Marg were closed since early morning. It was opened for public at 4 p.m. when General Musharraf left the haveli. The haveli literally turned into a tourist spot as residents and mediapersons thronged it when the roads were thrown open to the public. |
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Pak plane had fluttering
Tricolour New Delhi, July 14 As the Boeing 737-300 with the call sign AP-BEH came through the grey skies and touched down at the Palam air force station in a light drizzle, the Tricolour was perched on the right window of the plane and the Pakistani flag on the left side.
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Yajna for success of summit Kolkata, July 14 With the national flags of the two countries in the background and photographs of Mr Vajpayee and General Musharraf placed at the yajna site, priest Dharmendra Tiwari performed the yajna for two hours.
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Shiv Sainiks burn Pak flag Agra, July 14 The activists, however, ran away before the police arrived on the scene.
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Begum to convey peace message to spouse New Delhi, July 14 Begum Musharraf, however, concluded her five-minute prepared speech with a reassuring statement that she would convey the message of peace and harmony to her husband and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. Women peace activists heaved a sigh of relief when the First Lady of Pakistan said, “I’m pleased to be here and hear your views and I will try to convey your messages as best as I can in my language to my husband and to others.” This parting promise brought back smiles on some faces but many returned disappointed. Begum Musharraf’s decision not to broach the issue of peace assumes significance in light of the fact that her meeting with the women peace activists was preceded by her visit to Rajghat to pay tributes to the father of the Nation and apostle of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi. The special summit was organised by the Women’s Initiative for Peace in South Asia (WIPSA). The speech turned out to an exercise in image-building for her home country than a confidence-building exercise. She chose to highlight the Pakistan Government’s initiatives on women’s development and made a detailed mention of the National Plan of Action to reduce gender imbalance, to improve the social and economic conditions of women and eliminate discrimination against women. The First Lady described WIPSA as a distinguished group which had contributed to improve relations between the two countries. Begum Musharraf was anything but media savvy and chose to dismiss most questions with brief replies. Asked how she felt being in India, she said, “I haven’t seen much.” Asked whether the visit would revive memories of India, the First Lady said, “I have no memories of India. I’m a Pakistani.” Walking hurriedly towards the Mercedez, Begum Musharraf, clad in an embroidered light green salwar kameez said, “Don’t kill me by asking questions on peace.” Former National Commission for Women chairperson and founder trustee of WIPSA, Mrs Mohini Giri, agreed that Begum Musharraf should have expressed her views on peace. Earlier, noted Gandhian and founder trustee of WIPSA, Ms Nirmala Deshpande, honoured Begum Musharraf with a dupatta made by SEWA, Lucknow. A scroll with a statement in Urdu was also handed over to her by Mrs Giri. The statement was read out in Urdu and English by founder trustees of WIPSA, Ms Syeda Hameed and Ms Kamla Bhasin. The function ended on a participatory note as Mrs Giri motivated Begum Musharraf and other distinguished members on the stage to hold hands and recite songs of peace. Accompanying Begum Musharraf on the stage were Mrs Qazi, wife of Pakistan High Commissioner, Mrs Malini Nambiar, wife of the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit and founder trustees of
WIPSA. |
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Forms
to be accepted till Aug 31 New Delhi, July 14 A press statement issued by the Health Ministry here yesterday said the detailed application form and related documents could be obtained from the Medical Council of India, Aiwan-i-Galib Marg, Kotla Road, New Delhi. The Medical Council of India has already notified regulations for opening new medical colleges for undergraduate courses. According to the MCI establishment of medical colleges regulations, 1999, no person shall establish a medical college without obtaining permission from the Central Government. All applications under the scheme have to be submitted to the Secretary, Department of Health, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under the regulations, organisations eligible to apply for a medical college include a state, union territory, a university, an autonomous body promoted by the Centre and the state government by or under a statute for the purpose of medical education, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or corresponding Acts in the States or 1882 (2 of 1882) The
eligible persons should fulfil the following conditions — the
applicant should own a single plot of land measuring not less than 25
acres or possess the same by way of 99 years’ lease for the
construction of the college, obtain the essentiality certificate in
form 2 regarding no objection of the state government or the union
territory administration for the establishment of the proposed medical
college at the proposed site and availability of adequate clinical
material as per the council regulations, from the concerned state
government or the union territory administration, obtain the consent
of affiliation in Form 3 for the proposed medical college from a
University. Another condition is that the person should own and
manage a hospital of not less than 300 beds with necessary
infrastructural facilities capable of being developed into a teaching
institution in the campus of the proposed medical college. |
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KASHMIRI SIKHS-II Mohan Nagar (Raisinghpura), July 14 Recalling the dark days, octogenarian Giani Nahar Singh, now working as a priest at the gurdwara at Chak 45 GB, says thousands of innocent, ill-equipped Kashmiri Sikhs and Hindus were killed by the raiders. There was simply no escape route for those living in Mirpur, Muzzafarabad and Poonch districts. Able bodied men armed with just swords and other make-shift weapons were entrusted with the responsibility of taking the women and children to safer places in India. The first such caravan assembled at Maira Mandhri village and comprised people living in villages in the vicinity of Kuhala Hill and other adjoining areas. The 500 family-strong caravan started off and had made good progress. They were nearing Bagla Sikhan village when they came across a strong force of Pathans at the village. Since it was already dusk, the Pathans did not attack and instead went on a drinking spree and fired shots in the air while shouting across to the Sikhs of the fate that awaited them the next morning. After a brief conference among the men, it was decided that their only chance of breaking through the barricade was a night attack on the enemy. Though greatly outnumbered, we killed more than a large number, while the others fled. A large quantity of guns and ammunition was recovered by our party which included .303 rifles, army mortars, grenades and other assorted weapons, he added. Capt Labh Singh and his small detachment of Dogra soldiers, which joined the caravan later, were greatly impressed with the swift and daring operation. We were attacked by the Pathans again at Dhana Gali where both sides suffered heavy casualties. The worst sufferers were the small children and the women who had to face the biting cold. Our supplies ran out and most of the time we were at the mercy of the weather. At one of the passes they were again attacked by a strong party of Pathans who now knew that they were tired and had only a limited quantity of ammunition. But by this time other small caravans had joined us en route and our strength rose to around 15, 000. The last attempt to stop us was made by the Pakistani army and the Pathans near a mountain at a place called Bali Pansari near Bara. The troops were stationed on tree tops and shot at us. Scores of men, women and children were killed. By this time we realised that this was the last battle between a painful death and freedom. In view of the previous experience this time the enemy did not want to take them straight on and sent a captured Sikh to tell them that a few miles ahead the Dogra detachments were killing Sikhs. They should put down their arms and assure safe passage for themselves under the protection of the Pakistani forces. An officer, who was sure of our surrender, swaggered down towards the caravan where his head was severed off by Saian village resident Dyal Singh with a stroke of his sword, Gianiji added. Seeing this, the Pathans and troops opened fire, and young Sikhs with unsheathed swords charged at the Pathans amid cries of “bole so nihal”. There were heavy casualties and more than 500 men, women and children were taken prisoner. The attackers too suffered heavy casualties. As many as 28 men of the Dogra detachment were taken prisoners. Others too recall that the news of the attack reached other caravans who joined them. Similarly, seeing our swelling ranks, the enemy sent for reinforcements. We were completely surrounded and decided to make it the last battle down to the last man. Other caravans of Hindus and Sikhs from the three districts had reached us and our numbers swelled to almost 80,000. We were surrounded by the enemy from Poonch to Kashmir, Mirpur, Uri and all along the Akhnoor river and there was no food or shelter, he recalled. Mercifully, by this time Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession and the Indian forces landed in the affected areas. Giani Nahar Singh was all praise for Brig Pritam Singh and the Kumaon Regiment who constructed an air strip without any help and evacuated the old, women and children from Poonch to Jammu. He, however, said the entire Kashmiri Sikh community felt let down when the brave Brigadier was chargesheeted for uprooting graves for the construction of the air strip which saved thousands of lives ! This could have been our first lesson of things in independent India, but there were more hardships in store for us in the days to come, “ he added, with a solemn shake of his head as many youngsters in the gurdwara listened in awe to the old man. Concluded |
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Pandit leader says he surprised VIP New Delhi, July 14 The Hurriyat which has taken on itself the sole representation of the people of Kashmir had stiff competition from Kashmiri Pandit organisations, which managed to drive home the message to the Pakistani President. Dr Agnishekhar convener of the Panun Kashmir, who met the Pakistani President told The Tribune: “I introduced myself as a refugee representing the 3.5 lakh Pandit migrants. I am a refugee in my own country because of the ethnic- cleansing and genocide supported by your country”. The General was obviously taken by surprise at the unconventional approach and after a short pause replied, “something will have to be
done". The verbal exchange was mutely witnessed by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr Advani and many others. Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, who was also present added that the people of India and Pakistan have a common lineage, and their roots can be traced to the same soil. The Kashmiri Pandits also held a peaceful demonstration in the Capital in the morning. |
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VHP warns against concessions to Pak Allahabad, July 14 “The VHP will resort to an agitation across the country in the event of the Vajpayee government making any concession to Pakistan vis-a-vis Kashmir and national security,” VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia told the media here. Flaying Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for extending an invitation to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to visit India, the VHP leader said: “Now that the mistake has been made, the government shall not err again by conceding any ground to Islamabad.” Mr Togadia said the VHP was always against any dialogue with Pakistan, particularly with General Musharraf who, he said, was responsible for the Kargil conflict.
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Plea for Vatican City status for
Nankana Sahib New Delhi, July 14 “Sikhs have lost free access to Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan) unlike Christians, Muslims and Jews, who have free access to their holy cities,” said Mr Kuldip Singh Bhogal, president of the INSC, in a statement here yesterday. Justifying the demand, he said “Pakistan allows the Sikhs to perform pilgrimage to Nankana Sahib and Hasan Abdal, also historically linked to Guru Nanak, only twice a year — once on his birth anniversary and another on Baisakhi. There is no free access at any other time of the year.” He said the Sikh clergy would exclusively manage the city like Vatican. |
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Body of former Governor’s son-in-law found Gorakhpur, July 14 Prasad was apparently abducted and shot dead while on his way to Allahabad in his car, Senior Superintendent of Police Vijai Kumar said, adding that his car was found abandoned in Mau
city. |
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Jailer
transferred Hanumangarh, July 14 The investigation carried by the SDM, Mr Khajaan Singh, on the orders of the District Collector, had found that the incident occurred due to the negligence of the jail officials. The District Collector, Mr J.P. Chandellia, had sent the report to the IG, (Jails). Official sources said the IG (Jails), Mr Surendra Partap Singh Rathore, decided to change the whole jail staff. On his orders, the jailer, Mr Subhash Yadav, has been transferred to Bikaner and Mr Jai Singh has assumed the charge of the jail. A Deputy Jailer has also been posted. |
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