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Gita Utsav
takes off on the banks of Brahmasarovar
10,446
govt employees surplus Lawyers told to remove
temporary sheds |
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Homoeopathic
OPD faces rough weather Three
die as car collides with bus 7 killed
in car, Canter collision Art not
confined to time, says Governor Tension grips Ambala village Police move to settle disputes mutually
Beopar leader’s charge against Chautala Workshop for teachers at Air Force School
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Gita
Utsav takes off on the banks of Brahmasarovar Kurukshetra, November 30 Most of Kurukshetra’s glory will return the moment the Ministry of Culture’s most ambitious excavation project, involving the revival of the Saraswati, is completed. The news is that the Ministry has already sanctioned the money to bring Saraswati back to life. The excavation will be made at several points between Adibadri in Haryana and Dholavira in Gujarat. Besides, as informed by Mr Jagmohan, the Central Minister for Tourism and Culture, all the major hotel chains of India had been asked to tap Kurukshetra’s hidden potential. The five-day festival today took off on these pleasing notes, as also on the goodwill generated by the presence of political stalwart Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and the celebrated danseuse Sonal Mansingh alike. While Mr Advani used the divinely inspired platform at Brahmasarovar to promise that his government would make the 21st century the century of India and will unleash a movement of cultural awakening in the land, Sonal Mansingh blended the folk dances of North and South to delineate the message of Gita for the common man in her dance drama titled, “Shri Krishna Sharnam Mamah”. The musical spectacle presented on the inauguration today, and witnessed by Mr Advani, Mr Jagmohan, Haryana Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala and Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand, drew on the folk dance traditions like Purulia, Chhau, Yakshagana and Raasleela to weave sequences that led to the Mahabharata. Directed by Sonal Mansingh, the presentation depicted the Draupadi cheer haran, the period of exile in which Shri Krishna visits the Pandavas hankering after peace, the Mahabharata scene in which Bhima cuts open Dusshasana’s chest to draw blood out of it. Finally came the scene, so symbolic of woman’s empowerment — Draupadi fulfilling her vow of never to tie her hair, until she bathes them in the blood of those who wronged her. Structured with classic sensitivity and professionalism, the spectacle underlined the elements enshrined in the Gita. Inspired by the overwhelming arrangements for the festival Mr L.K. Advani was particularly impressed with the “snan ghaat” at Brahmasarovar, which he dedicated to people today. He expressed gratitude to the
organisers of the festival, who gave him the opportunity to visit the land referred to extensively in the Sanskrit Shlokas. After lighting the customary lamp and also accepting the bright turban from the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Advani called for cultural awakening in the country. “India’s unity is reflected in every aspect related to it. From Shankaracharya to Gita, the message is single — that of integration and brotherhood. It may sound exaggerated when we claim that we will make the 21st century the century of India, but we are not at loss for either confidence or commitment to do so. We swear to lead India into the comity of leading nations in the world,” he said. Earlier explaining the need to strengthen the tourism potential of the state, Mr Jagmohan said the Ministry was aiming not just at the enhancement of tourism potential but also at cultural regeneration and value addition. Significantly, where forex reserves of India have increased by 26 per cent due to tourism, the domestic tourism market has grown phenomenally by registering a three crore increase in one year. Returning to the purpose behind the Utsav, Mr Jagmohan said, “Kurukshetra is a fine example of corporate federalism, where the Centre, the state and various cultural departments are working in tandem to achieve something stupendous. We want to market Kurukshetra as an international tourist destination. That is why we are here with 150 units of tourist operators. As we enrich the local potential, the domestic economy will also get a boost. The idea is to give Kurukshetra a pull that will attract tourists just as Vaishno Devi does.” Detailing the Ministry’s efforts to rejuvenate Kurukshetra, Mr Jagmohan talked about the revival of Sanahit Sarovar, the Purushottam, the Harshvardhan and the Kapvan parks. He also struck a connection on the national level when he said that the Ministry was out to establish Lord Krishna’s Trinity by strengthening the places connected with his life at Kurukshetra, Vrindavan, Dwarka and Somnath. Earlier the Haryana Chief Minister and the Governor welcomed the Centre’s initiative to take over Kurukshetra’s development in its own hands. Mr Chautala gave a
through break-up of the investments made in various tourism projects in Kurukshetra, including the light and sound show at Jyotisar, which demands Rs 1.25 crore. A state-level crafts fair and a special exhibition showcasing sites of tourist and heritage potential in Kurukshetra also went under way at the banks of Brahmasarovar, which was adorned for the big day today. |
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10,446 govt employees surplus Karnal, November 30 Although sources close to the Chief Minister reveal that there is no immediate move to downsize the number of employees so as to rationalise the staff structure, leaders of various opposition parties and employee unions fear that thousands of employees may lose their jobs. According to a report available from the Chief Secretary’s office, 91 employees in the Employment Department, 914 in the Agriculture Department, 22 in the Horticulture Department, 88 in the Economics and Statistics Organisation, 276 in the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, 956 in the Public Health Department, 256 in the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Seven each in the Mines and Geology Department and the Cooperation Department, 466 in the Ayurveda Department, 221 in the Fisheries Department, 2,270 in the Irrigation Department, 469 in the Industries Department, four in the office of the Chief Electoral Inspector, 25 in the Public Relations Department, 29 in the office of the Chief Architect, eight in the Archaeology and Museum Department, 56 in the Women and Child Development Department, 1,197 in the Public Works (B & R) Department, 428 in the Printing and Stationery Department eight in the Archives Department, 63 in the Excise and Taxation Department, 28 in the Department of Forests, 17 in the Technical Education Department, 32 in the Town and Country Planning Department, four in the Urban Estate Department, 21 in the Industrial Training and Vocational Education Department, three in the Legal Affairs Department, 55 in the Treasury and Accounts Department, 19 in the Non-Conventional Energy Sources Department, 2,380 in the Health Department and 26 in the Local Audit Department have been found surplus following a restructuring exercise initiated early this month. Employees of the Public Works Department have chalked out a plan to oppose the decision of the government to declare 1,197 employees surplus. Talking to TNS, Mr Lakhmi Chand Sharma, president of the Haryana PWD (B & R) Field Ministerial Staff Association, said the government was against the interests of the employees and was secretly preparing a plan to downsize the staff strength in various departments. He said the government had already closed down a senior division, four divisions and 55 sub-divisions of the department. He alleged that there was a move to shut down at least six divisions and 48 sub-divisions of the department. He said the association would take to the streets against the “anti-employee” move of the government. He said the association would hold protest rallies at Faridabad on December 11, at Gurgaon on December 18, at Karnal on January 8 and at Ambala on January 22 next. Many other employee unions, including the Teachers Union, the State Roadways Employees Union and the Employees Union of the Irrigation Department, have also opposed the government’s decision of declaring surplus. |
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Lawyers told to remove temporary sheds Ambala, November 30 After the shifting of the district and local courts of Ambala Cantonment from the old sessions court building to the new judicial complex, nearly 200 lawyers had to make sitting arrangements on their own as no chambers had been constructed for them along with the judicial complex. At present, there are nearly 700 lawyers practising in various courts. No proper parking facilities have been made in the new complex. A large number of vehicles parked in the court premises often cause traffic hazards. The Executive Engineer of the Public Health division has sent letters to Mr
J.S. Kohli, president of the Ambala District Bar Association, and Mr
D.K. Bansal, president of the Ambala Cantt Bar Association, in which he has asked them to persuade lawyers to remove the structures and construct these away from the alignment of public utility services as it created hindrance in carrying out maintenance works in the complex. He said the letter observed that the pucca structure of the chambers was being constructed by members of the bar association on the alignment of the public utility services which stand already laid in the court complex such as water supply, sewerage and fire-fighting arrangements. The Executive Engineer has also sent a copy of the letter to the District and Sessions Judge and Deputy Commissioner requesting them to direct the lawyers to remove the structures. On being contacted, Mr
J.S. Kohli said the lawyers, who had set up their temporary sheds, should be provided suitable place for their sheds first and then only should they be asked to remove the structures. He said the bar had already taken up the issue of construction of 500 chambers with the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court and the state government. Mr
D.K. Bansal also expressed similar views in this matter. |
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Homoeopathic OPD faces rough weather Ambala, November 30 A homoeopathic OPD was proposed to be started at the hospital under the European Commission’s programme. This was to encourage alternative system of medicine in the hospital. However, it is now learnt that instead of a
homoeopathic dispensary, an ayurvedic OPD might become operational. A senior health official said it was earlier planned to start a homoeopathic OPD in the hospital. “But, now an ayurvedic OPD is likely to be made operational. In any case, we are promoting alternative system of medicine,” he added. Dr Harprakash Sharma, national working president of the Indian Homoeopathic Organisation, has taken a serious note of this development. “I am dismayed by the decision to replace a homoeopathic OPD with ayurvedic in the Civil Hospital,” he said. He observed that homoeopathy was not being paid the desired attention by the government. While there were a large number of homoeopathic dispensaries in Kerala, the figure was abysmally low in Haryana. Dr Sharma said there were several reasons for homoeopathy being the most suitable alternative system of medicine. He said homoeopathic had no side effects as compared to some other systems of medicine. He pointed out that research was concluded on healthy persons under the strict supervision of physicians. “In a developing country, economically the cost of homoeopathic treatment is less. Homoeopathy also helps in avoiding surgery in diseases like warts, corns, tonsils, adenoids and stones. It helps in building resistance in the body,” he added. Dr Sharma demanded that the Haryana Government should open at least one
homoeopathic dispensary in the Civil Hospitals of each district. |
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Three die as car collides with bus Karnal, November 30 Sources in the police said the deceased were identified as Simmy, wife of Alok Kumar, their daughter Ashi and their servant Sanjay Kumar. Alok Kumar was seriously injured and was rushed to the local Civil Hospital. They all belong to Champaran district of Bihar. The victims were travelling in a car and were on their way to Anandpur Sahib from New Delhi when their car collided with a Haryana Roadways bus of Jhajjar depot. |
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7 killed in car, Canter collision Fatehabad, November 30 According to reports, Mr Harbans Singh, a resident of Rattia in this district, was coming to Fatehabad with his wife, Raj Kaur, son, Harpreet Singh, daughter-in-law Kanwaljit Kaur and three children this afternoon. The canter driver, who was reportedly in an inebriated condition, ran away leaving the vehicle. In another accident near Patli Dabur village, an unidentified man was crushed to death by an unidentified vehicle last night. The body of around 28-years-old man was found today. |
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Art not confined to time, says Governor Kurukshetra, November 30 He made these observations on the concluding day of a four-day national level painting workshop organised by the Department of Fine Arts of Kurukshetra University. The Chief Guest said loss of human values was the
root cause of tension in modern life. The Governor called upon the audience to work for the downtrodden. In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr
A.K. Chawla, said the Chancellor had held on to moral values even during political career. Dr Chawla praised the chief guest, saying he was a symbol of simple living and high thinking. The Vice-Chancellor announced that from the next academic session, Bachelor of Fine Arts would be started. Dr Ram Niranjan, lecturer in the department, proposed a vote of thanks. |
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Tension grips Ambala village Ambala, November 30 According to information the wife of Sabir Khan, a resident of Pilakhni village gave birth to a baby girl in the Military Hospital this morning who died later. The family members apprehended that the priests of a majority community would not allow them to bury the deceased in the disputed graveyard at Pilakhni like the last time when three months ago a girl of this village Fatima could be buried only after the intervention of the district
administration. Jamil Ahmad the elder brother of Sabir Khan said they tried to meet the Deputy Commissioner and the SDM, but they could not succeed as the senior officers of the district were busy with the Union Minister Mr
I.K. Advani visit. It was learnt that later in the evening a meeting of Ahle Islamia Intjamia
Committee was held under the chairmanship of Sagir Mohammad in the village
where it was decided that the body of the infant girl would be buried in the graveyard tomorrow after meeting the Deputy Commissioner and getting the assurance of security. It is to mentioned that there had been an old controversy over the graveyard of the village. A sect of a majority community claims a part of it while the minority community states that they have been burying the bodies there since a long time. It is learnt that the dispute of this graveyard is already pending in a local court. |
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Police move to settle disputes mutually Ambala, November 30 According to information, Surender Kaur, a resident of Chaormastpur village, near Ambala City, got married to Rajinder Kumar of Rajpura in July 2000. She file a complaint with the women cell of the Ambala Police against her husband and in-laws alleging that her husband used to beat her up on the behest of her mother-in-law. She was harassed and was thrown out of the house. The Superintendent of Police, Ambala, Mohmmad Akil, said instead of lodging a criminal case against the in-laws the police summoned both parties and patiently heard their grievances. The police succeeded in ending misunderstanding and Surender Kaur returned to her in-laws’ house. Mr Akil said it was not the first success of its kind. During the past two months several such cases had been settled by the Ambala police and now a number of victims had started to approach the police in this regard. |
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Beopar leader’s charge against Chautala Panchkula, November 30 This is the reason that all major industrialists were shifting their business from Haryana to other states, he said. Mr Gupta was addressing mediapersons after attending a meeting of the local unit of the Beopar Prakoshth. “Mr Chautala’s weakness are his sons, and by their overt and covert actions, they are bringing down his popularity, “ he alleged. The Beopar Prakoshth President said the industrialists in the state were also harassed because of the imposition of taxes like 4 per cent of local area
development tax, imposition of VAT. He said people wanted a change in the leadership. Once the HVP was elected to power, the party would roll back all
taxes. |
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Workshop for teachers at Air Force School Ambala, November 30 The Air Commodore,
AOC, Ambala Air Force Station, L.K. Malhotra inaugurated the workshop. Around 40 teachers of various Air Force schools of the Western Command participated in the workshop. The Deputy Director of Air Force School and Prof Prahlad of CIFE addressed the workshop. On this occasion, mementos were presented to Air Commodore and his wife, Anuradha Malhotra. The Principal of the school, Mrs Jitender J. Kaur, and Squadren Leader Subodh Kumar were also present. |
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