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Steps afoot to modernise forces,
Row over test reports of petrol Shovana beckons Krishna in His own land
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Stories from Haryana towns falling in the National Capital Region are put in NCR Tribune.
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Critics evaluate Komal’s Dharti-di-Ghazal Forum restrained from pronouncing judgements Tension prevails in village Eliminate professional blood donors,
says doctor Village ponds being leased out for fish farming Leaf from History 8,969 cases of unfair means detected Battle areas left out of
celebrations Two female foetuses
found abandoned Cash, jewellery worth 10 lakh stolen
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Steps afoot to modernise forces, says Kalam Hisar, December 1 He was addressing men of the 69 Armoured Regiment of Indian Army after presenting the standard to the regiment. Referring to the recent peace initiatives by India, Dr Kalam said India had always striven for world peace and the latest moves were aimed at harmonious relations with its neighbour to pave the way for the progress of both countries. In his brief address, he said the government was aware of the constraints under which the armed forces were operating. However, he said that several steps were afoot to modernise the armed forces to increase their combat capabilities. The Supreme Commander of the armed forces lauded the role played by the regiment during the 1971 war following which it earned one Vir Chakra, four Sena Medals and two Mention-in-Despatches. He made a pointed reference to its role in providing relief to the flood-stricken people in Patran in Punjab in 1993 during which the men of the regiment saved at least 2000 lives. The 69 Armoured Regiment was raised on October 1, 1968, at Ahmednagar. It was then manned mainly by troops drawn from the Regiment of Artillery and Infantry battalions. In March 1971, the regiment was deployed on the Indo-East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) border and saw action for the first time on 23 November 1971 at Huh in North Bengal. Thereafter, the valour displayed by the regiment left the enemy bewildered. This period of the regiment’s history is a saga of courage, determination, heroism and devotion. The lightning advance of the regiment lies unmatched till date in the history of mobile warfare in India. The regiment spearheaded the advance of the Corps and Mountain Division on multiple thrust lines. During the course of war, it advanced over 250 km in the difficult terrain of the erstwhile East Pakistan. The bold and speedy manoeuvres of the regiment left the Pakistani tank men totally bewildered. The Pakistan 29 Cavalry ceased functioning as a coherent unit and was left with no alternative but to surrender to the regiment on 16 December, 1971, at Bogra. One junior commissioned officer and nine other ranks from the regiment made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. The regiment was conferred with the Battle Honour “Bogra” and the Theatre Honour “ East Pakistan”. The ceremony was attended among others by Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand and Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and the top military brass. |
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Row over test reports of petrol Faridabad, December 1 According to representatives of the Haryana Petrol Pump Dealers Association and its district unit officials of the Union Ministry for Petroleum had written to the Chief Secretary of Haryana regarding the stand taken by the ministry. A spokesman for the
association, claiming that the ball was in the court of the Haryana Government, said the ministry had given the petrol pump owners a clean chit and said there was no adulteration, as alleged by the district authorities. Claiming misinterpretation of the test reports, the association said the parameters of testing ethanol-mixed petrol allowed vapour test limit up to 75 per cent. It admitted that the first test report had indicated the failure of some samples but claimed that these had been tested for parameters meant for petrol (not having ethanol) only. He said the second test report had indicated that samples taken from two petrol pumps had ‘failed’ due to vapour test limit of 70 and 71 per cent. However, laboratory experts had later admitted that limits for ethanol-mixed petrol had been up to 75 per cent. Therefore the samples had not failed. As the seven petrol pump owners were booked under various sections of the Essential Commodities Act, they recently secured bail in the district court. The district authorities have decided to take legal action against owners of petrol pumps whose test samples failed and have turned down the requests of the association to withdraw the FIRs. The authorities have written to various oil companies for sealing the petrol pumps on adulteration charges. Owners of petrol pumps here had gone on strike on November 25 against the registration of cases, but called it off after about eight hours on the intervention of the president of the All-India Petrol Pump Dealers Association. |
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Shovana beckons Krishna in His own land Kurukshetra, December 1 In Kurukshetra to present a Krishna ballet, titled “Soor ke Krishna”, Shovana, who virtually thinks in dance, said, “How can you ever dismiss the unlimited treasures of His place? It was here that the Lord gave the message of life to the world. The Bhagvadgita may have been born in this city, but it does not belong to it alone. The message of Krishna transcends the boundaries of Kurukshetra to fill our lives with meaning and purpose. That is the reason why each one of us is seeking Krishna. In His birth, in His cleansing of the world, in His antics and in His philosophy, it is He alone that we seek, nothing more, nothing less.” Through her Krishna ballet, presented at the auditorium of Kurukshetra University today, it was the quintessence of Krishna's divinity that Shovana brought alive. As she encapsulated sequences from His life — right from His birth, His role in the annihilation of evil, His “raas” and His final sermon on karma, life and righteousness, a whole new vision came back to the ongoing Kurukshetra utsav. The gathering received the spiritual message, which remains enshrined in the Bhagvadgita. As the danseuse herself explained, “We are forever imploring Krishna to protect us from the fury of nature, and also to lead us to the path of sublimation. His message to the world is a cultural and religious treasure. It opens up a whole new way of life. It leads us towards enlightenment.” Basing her presentation on the poetry of Surdas and his depiction of the Lord, Shovana once again used kathak to bring home an essentially spiritual theme. She was accompanied by a 15-member troupe. Almost an authority on kathak by now, the elegant artiste talked about her publications like “The Dance Legacy of Patliputra”, Indian folk traditions, Indian dramatic and dance traditions, handbooks on kathak, among others. Calling herself a sadhak of the dance form, she said, “Kathak is the very reflection of life. Its vast canvas, its outstanding rhythmic power and its rich tapestry, which allow you to give form to the most abstract of themes amazes me.” No wonder Shovana has used kathak to present pieces on Khalil Gibran’s poetry, Vivekananda and Raman Maharishi’s philosophy. She is now working on another ballet, titled “Ganga”, which she will shortly present at Vigyan Bhavan on the occasion of an international conference on water on December 10. She has also prepared another presentation based on the theory of time and existentialism, as given by Gibran’s contemporary Mir Dad. |
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3,000 kids participate in Kurukshetra
utsav Kurukshetra, December 1 In the rangoli and collage making competitions children created art works depicting various episodes of Mahabharata. These competitions were also witnessed by the Chief Executives Officer of Kurukshetra Development Board, Ms Hema Sharma. |
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Expert sees vast tourism potential in Kurukshetra Kurukshetra, December 1 Even though the dullness of the highway disappeared as you got closer to the city, one wondered what prevented the publicity from flowing outside the otherwise well-adorned Kurukshetra, which is nowadays the centre of hectic tourism related deliberations. In the midst of functions that dish out intense rhetoric on “how to market Kurukshetra as a pilgrimage destination”, one got talking with the man who revamped the tourism policy in Kerala during his stint as Secretary, Tourism, there. In an exclusive interview with the Tribune, Mr Amitabh Kant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and Chief Managing Director, Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), talked about how Kerala became “God’s own country” and how Kurukshetra could become one. He said Kurukshetra had the potential of being promoted as a top-class domestic destination. Not rushing with the international tourism potential of the city, the visionary, credited with marketing Kerala all over through road shows, was all for focusing on the domestic aspect of tourism. Mr Kant gave figures that suggested the phenomenal growth of this market. “India had 238 million domestic tourists in 2001. The figure increased to 278 million last year,” he said. Interestingly, the Ministry of Tourism has recently shifted its focus towards religious tourism. The first-ever survey conducted for the ministry by the National Council for Applied Economic Research to determine the movement of tourists towards religious and pilgrimage destinations has yielded encouraging results. It has been found that over 550 million Indians travel for religious purposes. The survey has validated the Central Government’s interest in promoting Kurukshetra as a pilgrimage destination. Mr Kant said, “There is no reason for Kurukshetra to trail behind Hardwar, which is not as close to Delhi or as well-connected as Kurukshetra is. We, however, need to develop the city’s infrastructure and give it a contemporary feel. China has grown entirely by virtue of its domestic market. We can replicate the example in Kurukshetra, where domestic tourism can be used as a springboard which can then become a take-off point for international tourism.” Sharing his idea behind “Incredible India”, which has launched India afresh on the world tourism map, Mr Kant listed the many historic and religious treasures of Kurukshetra. Significantly, the Archaeological Survey of India is already spending crores on excavation projects like the revival of the Sarasvati river, which has disappeared over the years. The ASI, besides being involved in the upkeep of Sheikh Chilli’s tomb, is also pumping in money to keep Jyotisar culturally alive. It was at Jyotisar that Lord Krishna recited the Bhagvadgita to Arjuna. A vibrant light and sound show on the message of Lord Krishna and his philosophy of life now keeps the ambience at Jyotisar alive every evening. |
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Critics evaluate Komal’s Dharti-di-Ghazal Karnal, December 1 Chairperson of the seminar Dr Chander Trikha, Director, Haryana Sahit Academy discussing “Dharti di Ghazal” said that the writer had expressed feelings about the present society beautifully. The writer, the way he knitted the phrases, deserves to be honoured”, he added. Balbir Singh Madhopuri in his paper on the ghazal said, “Every phrase of the ghazal touches life of a person”. The writer has tried to highlight social evils in the society and maintained a secular view of all communities. Professor Surjit Juj criticised Komal on certain points and picked up a few phrases from the ghazal for support. He was also critical of the writer for picking all social evils around him in the society right from the coffin scam to construction of Devi Lal’s statues in Haryana. He said that the ghazal seemed to be influenced by politics while otherwise should not have been based on short-term issues. He said that a ghazal should talk of truths that have eternal effect on society. Professor Karamjit Singh of Kurukshetra University supported Professor Surjit Juj’s view and said that the very nature of ghazal does not permit to go beyond the limitations of certain truths that cast everlasting effect on society. Its phrases should be limited, should not be affected by short-term issues, touch everyone’s mind for everlasting impact etc.,” he added He also criticised mainstream writers of Punjabi for neglecting the writers living in Haryana. He said, “Mainstream writers of Punjabi language living in Punjab or Delhi are not serious on the writings of Haryana Punjabi writers”. He favoured discussions or poetic symposia to bridge this gap. Many other writers of Punjabi including Prof Gurbhajan Gill, Sardar Panchhi, Professor Gurnam Singh and Dr Rattan Singh Dhillon were also present. |
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Forum restrained from pronouncing judgements Chandigarh, December 1 The State Commission has also directed Mr Chopra not to decide any case on merit after today. The Rohtak district forum had sentenced the Chief Administrator, HUDA, Mr N.C. Wadhwa, to six months’ imprisonment each in eight cases and a fine of Rs 10,000 in each case. Since the district forum had ordered that the sentence would not be concurrent, Mr Wadhwa would have to undergo a four-year term and pay a fine of Rs 80,000 from his pocket for the non-compliance of the orders of the district forum. However, Mr Wadhwa’s arrest was stayed by the State Commission on November 28. The State Commission has, however, allowed Mr Chopra to hear the cases listed before him and to pass “ziminy orders” till the completion of his tenure. Sources in the State Commission said today’s order to Mr Chopra should not be linked with the sentencing of Mr Wadhwa. They said the order was in line with the policy adopted by the previous President of the State Commission, Justice Amarjit Choudhary, who used to issue similar directions to all those Presidents of the district forums who were scheduled to retire in near future. |
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Tension prevails in village Ambala, December 1 The newly-born baby girl of Sabir Mohammad Khan had died in the military hospital soon after the delivery on Sunday noon. The body could not be buried yesterday following the protest of a majority community as they claim their ownership on this graveyard. A number of people of minority community gathered in the village but the police did not allow to bury the body in the disputed graveyard. The DSP, Mr Raj Gopal, and the SDM, Mr Narsingh Dhull, who had been camping in the village along with a large number of police constables made repeated efforts to persuade the members of the minority community to bury the infant in the old graveyard but in vain. At last, the family of the deceased brought back the body to their house. The president of the Ahle Islam Intjamia Committee, Mr Sagir Khan, said they would meet the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Minister in this regard. He said they would bury the body in the disputed graveyard at every cost as they had been burying the bodies of their community there only since long time. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr
D.D. Gautam, said since the court had granted stay order on the disputed graveyard, that is why they were not allowed to bury the body there. He said the administration had offered them to bury the body in the old graveyard located in the same village. |
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Eliminate professional blood donors,
says doctor Sirsa, December 1 Dr Beniwal said it was sad to note that only 16 per cent of blood requirement was being met by voluntary blood donors. This situation had to be reversed keeping in view the threat that AIDS present through infected blood transfusion. The President of the Rakt Data Samiti, Dr M.R. Bansal, said in Sirsa during the past three years professional blood donors had been eliminated because of the earnest efforts of his organisation. He said such was the enthusiasm among voluntary blood donors that for the past two weeks blood banks giving blood unit without replacement and youths were pressurising his organisation to hold more camps. Mr Kamal Relhan, advocate Secretary, Panchnad, welcomed the guests and demanded that AIDS testing kits should be supplied to all blood banks. On the world AIDS Day, a blood donation camp as well as an extension talk on AIDS awareness was also organised in the local
C.M.K. National Girls’ College, Sirsa. Students of this college donated 50 units of blood. Mr Bhim
Junthra, President, College Governing Body, welcomed all guests while Acting Principal, Mrs Shakuntla thanked them. |
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Village ponds being leased out for fish farming Chandigarh, December 1 He claimed that 80 per cent of the water bodies existing in the villages were being leased out to individuals, mostly from the village itself, for fish farming. As much as 20 per cent water bodies which were not given on lease were those to which tradition or religion attached a special importance, Mr Saharan said. A major problem of fish farming in the state was the absence of any worthwhile local demand, the Director said. He added that while three fish markets in the state set up by the Fisheries Department in Faridabad, Panipat and Yamunanagar, were doing reasonably well, the clientelle of these markets were primarily people of others states staying in these towns. |
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Leaf from History AMBALA:
The first war of Independence is believed to have started from Ambala cantonment. Although Meerut is credited with being the area where the effort to gain Independence from the Britishers began, records point out that there were a series of arson fires here, indicating that the first war of Independence actually started at Ambala cantonment. Ambala Cantonment MLA Anil Vij said that the first war of Independence actually started in Ambala cantonment. “History needs to be again looked into so that Ambala Cantonment can gets its due importance. I have raised this issue in the Assembly,” he said. “Besides arson fires breaking out, on May 9, 1857, the Native Infantry had chalked out a plan to encircle Britishers. This development was a day prior to the Meerut incident,” Mr Vij added. A series of arson fires broke out in Ambala cantonment nearly two months before the struggle for Independence is said to have begun in May, 1857. The arson fires rattled the Britishers and they maintained a close watch on the Native Infantry. The first arson fire broke out in March 26, 1857 at the depot musketry (late 28th Regiment Native Infantry Lines). The second fire took place on April 13 while the third fire broke out on April 15 at the 60th Regiment Native Infantry Lines. Thereafter 11 more arson fires took place in quick succession with the last arson fire taking place on May 1 at the 5th Regiment Native Infantry Lines unit. Captain EWE Howard, cantonment Joint Magistrate, in his report dated May 4, 1857, states: “I hope time will discover the combination which in my opinion exists amongst the sepoys at this cantonment, and which has been led to by the reports that have reached them of the disaffection and discontent prevailing in the Native Army at large; through the sepoy has been deluded and led astray.” The report states: “This, together with the formation of the Rifle Depot in cantonments, has brought matters to the present pass, and the sepoy vainly imagines that by his present deeds he is showing to Government his firm resolve and determination not to have forced on him an injury by being made to use the new cartridge, and by doing which he considers his character, honour, credit, reputation and caste will and must be lessened and disparaged, as also his religion lost.” A communique from Captain HR James, Offg Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Punjab, to the Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department-No. A, dated
Rawulpindee, 16th May, 1857, points out: “Chief Commissioner is convinced that these combinations, arsons and
emeutes, are all caused by the disaffection which has arisen from the introduction of the new cartridge, and he is persuaded that nothing will put a stop to this state of affairs short of giving up the use of new cartridges of any kind.” According to reports on the incendiary fires at Ambala, one or two European barracks were burnt down, a police station was fired and from time to time the flames broke out in a mysterious and determined manner, in spite of all the vigilance of Captain Howard and his police. “The ‘grammies’ or thatchers were suspected, and there was an evident disinclination to believe the fires to be the work of
sepoys. Sowars were reported on several occasions to have been seen galloping away from a building which was afterwards discovered to be in flames, and the conviction gradually forced upon us at last that some emissaries were at work to spread the flames of disaffection.” The report observes: “It was to the effect that the Mussulmans and Hindoos were united in the determination to resist what they looked upon as tampering with their religion, and that there was a clique who held consultations which were not communicated to the sepoys generally. Subsequently, the information took a more tangible form, and it was positively stated on 7th or 8th May that in the following week blood would be shed at Delhi or
Umballa, and that a general rising of the sepoys would take place, it was even foretold that there was a conspiracy amongst the syces of Her Majesty’s 9th Lancers to hamstring the horses in the event of an outbreak.” |
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8,969 cases of unfair means detected Bhiwani, December 1 Secretary of the Board Rakesh Gupta said this yesterday that out of 2008 cases of unfair means detected in supplementary examinations 2003, 1995 of them were punished. He cautioned the parents of the students against the “teaching shops” which indulged in bogus admissions and issued school leaving
certificates, thus encouraging copying in examinations. He said that the Education Department would take stern action against such institutions, withdrawing recognition of the educational institutions. |
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Battle areas
left out of celebrations Karnal, December 1 The government has neither made any special arrangements to take the residents of these areas to the site to the celebrations nor any publicity campaign was launched in this regard. Interestingly, more than 50 per cent of the holy places related to the Mahabharata fall in these two districts. As per details available from the Kurukshetra Development Board, more than 50 holy places related to the Mahabharata fall within the limits of Kaithal district, 34 in Karnal district, 31 in Kurukshetra district and 18 in Jind district. |
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Two female foetuses
found abandoned Sirsa, December 1 Some shopkeepers of the auto-market on the Janta Bhawan hospital road found two foetuses lying in plot near Dr Shayam Sunder Gupta’s nursing home. They informed the police which sent the foetuses for post-mortem examination the civil hospital here. According to Dr P.L. Verma, the embryos were of four and a half months old and aborted medically only before 12 to 18 hours. Dr Shayan Sunder denied having done the MTP in his nursing home. Deputy Commissioner, D. Suresh, said that the administration would take action in this matter. Dr Vinod Gupta president Sirsa IMA condemned the incident. No arrest has been made in this connection. The police has registered a case in this matter. |
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Cash, jewellery worth 10 lakh stolen Ambala, December 1 According to information, a former president of Phoenix Club, Ambala cantonment, Mr Jai Prakash Aggarwal, had gone to attend a marriage to New Delhi along with his family members four days ago. When Mr Aggarwal came back on Sunday evening, he found that the locks of the doors of his house were broken. When he entered the house, he noticed that the household goods were scattered here and there and the locks of almirahs were also broken. According to information, the thieves took away jewellery and cash worth Rs 10 lakh. The matter was reported to the police. A case has been registered. PO arrested The Ambala police arrested a proclaimed offender on Monday. According to the police, the arrested man, Charan Singh, was declared an absconder in 1976 when he did not appear in the court after getting bail. The police had been searching him for a long time. Dowry case The Ambala police has registered a case under the Dowry Act against the husband of a woman. The woman,
Reeta, said in her complaint that her parents had given all household goods and jewellery in the marriage, but her in-laws had been harassing her and demanding more dowry. The police has registered a case in this regard. |
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