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Monday,
December 2, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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‘Progress linked to writers’ place in society’ Preparations on for Mahabharata Utsav Barnala sees no need for separate SGPC ASI takes over
Nabha House |
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MC to privatise pig catching
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‘Progress
linked to writers’ place in society’ Hisar, December 1 Presiding over the Dainik Tribune Kahani Puraskar Samaroh here he said the Indian democracy was even better than that of the USA because by and large the Indians enjoyed greater freedom than their American counterparts. However, he cautioned that Indians must not misuse their freedom as it was the basis of social uplift and development. Recounting his experiences, he said recently he happened to meet a former Bangladesh Prime Minister Ms Sheikh Hasina and was shocked to find that even a senior Opposition leader could be jailed in that country for speaking against the government. He said journalists had been tortured for writing against those in power. Many of them had their thumbs cut off and sent to their family members in a bid to check dissent. Mr Hari Jaisingh said certain aberrations had crept in the Indian system too due to commercialisation and all pervasive sycophancy. However, this did not mean that we had to be puppets in the hands of anyone howsoever powerful. Every Indian must realise that freedom was priceless and everyone should exercise his or her right to question those who did anything wrong. He regretted that late the sessions of Parliament and the state Assemblies had been reduced to “hungamas” because nobody wanted to be questioned over their actions. Such irresponsible behaviour at these levels posed a great threat to every Indian. He added that whenever something went wrong we must have the courage to pose this question to our leaders — “netaji kyon?” He declared that on its part The Tribune group of publications would continue to “tell the truth” and remain sensitive to people, their sufferings and their aspirations. This had been the guiding principle of the group and the liberal and secular tradition of the organisation would be carried forward, he said. He said Hindi literature as well as journalism had a bright future. Mr Hari Jaisingh concluded by saying that only those societies could progress which respected their writers. “If the pen keeps writing, social uplift would follow surely”, he added. Noted Hindi litterateur Vishnu Prabhakar who was the chief guest said budding writers at present lacked guidance from their seniors. This, he said, was the result of too much competition but it was nevertheless unhealthy. He asked young writers to be sensitive to pain and suffering in life and travel extensively to broaden their horizons. These two requirements alone could help them develop their craft. Describing Hisar as his literary birthplace because this was where he started writing, the noted writer said he had gained immensely from the guidance provided by his seniors notably the renowned Hindi writer Jainendra who he said once asked him to “concentrate more on purpose than emotion” in his stories. He said this piece of advice helped him make his writings more purposeful. Prabhakar who hails from Uttar Pradesh but worked here for a number of years during which he began his literary pursuits said he relied heavily on personal experiences for his writings. He was happy to note that Hindi literature was progressing and there were many good young writers who held much promise. He appreciated the efforts of The Tribune trio to encourage young writers by organising story writing competitions for them. The Vice-Chancellor of Guru Jambheshwar University, Dr R.K. Chauhan, who was the special guest on the occasion said literature was not entertainment but a mirror of its times. Literature and writers guided the society, he said. Mr Vijay Sehgal, Editor, Dainik Tribune, said The Tribune group would continue to encourage young writers. He said more competitions would be organised for the purpose in the near future. Mr Madan Gopal Shastri of the local Hindi Sahitya Parishad presented mementos to Mr Hari Jaisingh and Mr Vishnu Prabhakar. The following winners of the competition were presented with cash awards: Ms Sampriya Sharma (first), Ms Archana Mansingh (second) and Mr Narendra Kumar Gaur (third). Consolation prizes were given to Mr Ram Narain Taneja, Mr Pawan Panchal and Mr Raj Kumar Chauhan. |
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Preparations
on for Mahabharata Utsav Kurukshetra, December 1 The district administration is leaving no stone unturned to see that the national event goes off very well. More than Rs 1 crore is being spent on the creation of a big spectacle, which will be held at Purshottampura Bagh between the two parts of the Brahmasarovar. It will be a choreographed musical of arts associated with the Mahabharata. Efforts are being made to complete the south-eastern part of the parikrama of the Brahmasarovar at a cost of Rs 6.5 crore. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee over two years ago. All the seven cultural zone centres of the Department of Culture, Government of India, will participate in this three-day spectacle. The festival will also feature a state-level exhibition and a craft mela. A 240-foot long wall will be used to paint murals by artists from all over the country. An exhibition, Cultural Panorama, will be held at the Sri Krishna Museum. It will be a platform for promotion and exchange of information of tourism, heritage and pilgrimage destinations, with focus on Haryana. Over 1,500 artists from all over India will perform during the festival at Brahmasarovar and in the villages of Kurukshetra associated with the Mahabharata. These villages, including Kirmach, Sarsa, Dyalpur, Amin, Jyotisar and Saraswati Tirth and Pehowa, are being readied for the performances so that maximum number of people from surrounding villages can view various folk arts associated with the epic. |
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Barnala
sees no need for separate SGPC Karnal, December 1 The Governor, who was here to preside over a function of the S.B.S. Model School, told newsmen that an All-India Sikh Gurdwara Act was being framed and it would take care of all gurdwaras in the country. Mr Barnala while reacting to a demand of the Haryana Sikhs ruled out the possibility of framing a separate Act for the Haryana gurdwaras. While replying to queries of newsmen about the recently held SGPC elections in Punjab, Mr Barnala deplored the methods adopted by various factions during the elections. He maintained that some incidents which happened during the SGPC poll were “undesirable and bad”. The Uttaranchal Governor asked the SGPC members to act as per the directions of the 1925 Gurdwara Act as the SGPC was a supreme religious body of the Sikhs. The Governor maintained that Punjab was free of terrorism now and that there was no trace of it in the state. He also categorically said that terrorism would not be allowed to have any roots in Uttaranchal. Mr Barnala refused to comment on the five-year sentence passed on Giani Partap Singh, Head Granthi of Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib, in a TADA case. Mr Barnala was presented siropas and honoured by various Sikh organisations here. |
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Move to send SGPC jatha to Afghanistan Yamunanagar, December 1 Mr Tarlochan Singh said this at the foundation day function of Guru Nanak Khalsa College here today. Mr Harbakhsh Singh, Managing Director, Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation, also spoke. |
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ASI takes over Nabha House Kurukshetra, December 1 Confirming this here today, ASI officials here said that this building was in a dilapidated condition for the past five decades when, after the country’s partition, the royal grant from the Nabha State diminished for its proper maintenance. Although the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) had taken over responsibility for its repair and maintenance some time ago, it was unable to shoulder the responsibility. The sources said, the issue was highlighted when the then Union Tourism and Culture minister Jagmohan came to know of the sorry state of affairs of the historical building last year after a local newspaper carried a story on it. He personally took a round of this monumental building with a unique architectural design,
unparallel in the state, during one of his visits here and asked the KDB authorities to take care of repairs and maintenance.
UNI |
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MC to privatise pig catching Ambala,
December 1 The steadily increasing
menace of pigs was a matter of concern for local residents and the
previous efforts by the Municipal Council officials had not been able
to bring in the desired result. Although, earlier drives against
roaming pigs did have an impact, it was temporary in nature. Even
levying a charge on release of pigs did not deter the owners from
leaving their pigs to roam in the open. The pigs could be spotted in
and near open drains and garbage dumps. The Municipal Council
authorities have now chalked out a plan to put an end to the pig
menace. In an attempt which could well leave the pig owners ‘squealing,”
the Municipal Council Ambala Sadar has invited tenders for catching of
loitering pigs. And in this case, the pigs would not to be returned to
the pig owner. The contractors can submit their tender documents till
December 3. The contractor for catching pigs would now have the
authority to ‘dispose off’ the pig as he wished. The contractor
would have to pay a fixed sum for each adult pig and piglet caught by
him to the Municipal Council. The officials were hopeful that this
effort would bring in the desired results since the contractor would
not have to return the pigs to the owners. The contractor would have
authority to catch any pig which he finds loitering. Also, the
officials were going to make it certain that the Municipal Council
would not be liable to the pig owner whose pigs were caught
loitering. Incidentally, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr D.D. Gautam, had
earlier put out strict orders on loitering pigs. The orders clearly
stated that no pigs should be found loitering in the Ambala Sadar area
and strict action would be initiated against the owner. The order was
issued to ensure maintenance of public hygiene. The Executive
Officer, Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, Mr K.K. Jain said that
tenders had already been invited. “There is a good response to our
plan from contractors who are keen to catch pigs. The contractors have
been asked to submit what amount they will be paying for each pig and
piglet caught by them to the Municipal Council,” he said. Mr Jain
said that not only would this exercise bring in revenue for the
Municipal Council, it would also put an end to the pig menace. He
stated that assistance would be provided to the pig-catching
contractor and the MC would be issuing an authority letter to them to
ensure that they could prove their credentials. The Citizens Council
chairman, Dr N.C. Jain, said that urgent steps were needed to check
the pig menace. “The loitering pigs not only pose a risk to traffic,
they compromise public health. The Municipal Council officials should
ensure that any drive they launch should have a long lasting impact,”
he said. Dr Jain suggested that in case a fresh drive against
loitering pigs was launched, then the support of the local people
should be taken. “The local residents would be more than willing to
give information to the authorities concerned about loitering pigs. If
promptly the pigs are taken away, then there will be greater support
from the local people,” he said. A Municipal Council employee, who
has experience in catching pigs, said that this plan could well become
successful. “Earlier, whenever we used to catch pigs, the owners
used to come and fight with us. The pigs which were caught had to be
kept in a pig pen and we had to look after them. The pigs would be
released on payment and the owners would again set their pigs free to
roam about,” he said. He stated that this plan would bring an end
to pig menace since the pigs would not be returned to the pig owner.
“Now, the pig owners would have the constant worry if they allow
their pigs to loiter. They will be caught. They will have to ensure
that the pigs are kept in a proper place and the pigs do not roam
freely,” he said. In Ambala Sadar, pigs are mainly kept by families
living in backward colonies. The pigs are reared as an extra source of
income. Since the pigs do not require much maintenance, they are
allowed to roam around and look for food. The owners simply round up
the pigs in the evening hours. |
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Hisar, December 1
