 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capt takes tough stand in Brar case
Chandigarh, October 27 Mr Brar’s brother, Mr Balkaran Singh and father, Mr Kheta Singh, who remained behind bars for 10 days, were arrested on October 8 in connection with a controversial pension case of Bhagsar
village (Muktsar). However, popular opinion about this case is that it was registered to “ teach” a lesson to Mr Brar and his other family members for daring to file the PIL. There was no solid ground in the FIR to arrest Mr Brar’s close relations. Though the VB
chief, Mr A.P. Pandey, has justified the case the CM has a different view regarding it. Differing with the VB, the CM said today that many people could be arrested in connection with such insignificant cases. Making a strong comment on the functioning of the police in this connection, he said in chaste Punjab, “ Makhaul bana rakhia, Jehnu marji farlo te andher kardio”. “ I am keen to find out that who was behind this case”, said the CM, obviously realising that this case had caused immense damage to the image of his government. However, the CM said that he did not seek the explanation of Mr A.P. Pandey. “ I only asked about the factual report from him regarding the case”, he added. However, there are reports that on behalf the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary had asked Mr Pandey to send an explanatory note regarding this case. Speaking on another important issue of debt-related farmers’ suicides, he said that during his rule no farmer committed suicide because of debt factor in the state. He claimed that the farmers economic condition has improved because of the revival of cotton crop and other factors. However, when told that there are well documented reports regarding the farmer suicides during his rule, he said that no one brought this in his notice. When told about the list of 230 farmer suicides prepared by a student doing Ph.D, the CM said that the Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur should have told him regarding such suicides. His attention was also drawn towards a report sent to the parliamentary committee in Delhi enlisting 2116 suicides by farmers in Punjab in the past 15 years. He was also not aware about this report.
|
|
Byelections’ impact on Punjab politics
Ludhiana, October 27 As expected Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his followers in the Akali Dal though dismayed and demoralised have formulated a strategy to get aggressive against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. They began chanting slogans of misuse of government machinery, high-handedness against the Akali and BJP workers, as also the bribing of voters. They want to highlight and put the thought that there was massive use of money and muscle power on the part of the Congress to win these elections. But an analysis of the results and the margins and mood in both camps proves that things may not be pliable for the Akalis as well as the Congress. Mr Badal is giving the impression that he has got emboldened after the verdict by the Supreme Court in the auction of liquor vends and cancellation of selection of DSPs under the sports quota by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Mr Badal is now demanding dismissal of the Amarinder Singh Government in Punjab following these verdicts against the government. Perhaps he fails to recollect that similar statements were issued against the Badal government by Captain Amarinder Singh and her Congress leaders when they were in the Opposition. What has to be noted is the impact or the Congress victory and Akali defeat on the future developments. In this regard it has to be noted that voices against the dictatorial actions of the SAD chief and lack of inner democracy in the Akali Dal are becoming louder day in and day out. So much so that there is a section among the Akalis who look gleefully whenever there is demonstration against Bibi Jagir Kaur, president, SGPC, and Mr Badal has to defend her publicly. The tirade against Bibi Jagir Kaur is as a matter fact, aimed at Mr Badal and he knows it well. So far no senior Akali leader has come out openly In the Congress camp, the victory got clouded because of the verdicts given by the Supreme Court in the auction of liquor vends and in the case of selection of DSPs by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Incidentally, the verdicts came simultaneously when the results of the two byelections were declared. With the result that Captain Amarinder Singh could not be flamboyant on the eve of victory and he had to defend himself and his son in the case of alleged hawala transactions. But the things which go in favour of Captain Amarinder Singh are — he has emerged as a tireless campaigner in no way less than Mr Badal. This has been displayed well through the policies he adopted in targeting the Akali vote bank and the rural masses, have paid him dividends — waters issue and the procurement of agricultural produce. As a matter of fact, the procurement of wheat and paddy during the past three years now has been without any agitation by the farmers and this is perhaps the biggest achievement of his government. The urban middle class also seems to be disenchanted with the Akali Dal and the BJP. The urban people have helped the Congress despite their reservations and the Chief Minister has to look towards the interests of the common man in the urban areas. The common man also does not seem to have approved of the dissidence in the ruling party in spite of the chants of the detractors of Captain Amarinder Singh. All in all, the Akalis and the Congress have to do a lot of soul searching in the coming days. The Akalis have to analyse why they have been beaten in their own den. The Congress has to think how to maintain the ‘goodwill’ earned by Captain Amarinder Singh for the Sikhs and the Punjabis in general. The Chief Minister must understand that the trade and industry are not happy with his style of functioning. He has to listen to their grievances and take steps to mitigate them. There are certain issues like the introduction of VAT from April 2005 and the state government has not bothered to educate the traders and the industrialists regarding the same. The industry has been passing through a difficult period and with the change in government of the Centre, the Chief Minister should be able to get more benefits for them. Accessibility of the Chief Minister is the biggest problem with the people. The Akali leadership has to take drastic steps to improve the functioning of the religious body, the parliament of the Sikhs. The Sikhs must feel that there is no stranglehold on the functioning of the SGPC and the message of the Gurus is being spread without any fear. Bibi Jagir Kaur, instead of making personal attacks on Akali leaders like Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and others should pay more attention towards the functioning of the SGPC and also stop having any controversy with high priests.
|
|
Council approves issuance of ordinance
Chandigarh, October 27 The dtep has been obviously taken to avoid the disqualification of three Chief Parliamentary Secretaries as MLAs. The office of the Chief Parliamentary Secretary till date is an office of profit, and no MLA can hold it as per the law. In fact the council has acted on this issue at a time when a writ challenging appointment of MLAs as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary Secretary is in the High Court. The Chief Minister said that the amendment would be made with retrospective effect to declare all the official work handled by Chief Parliament Secretaries till date as legal and valid. The office of Parliamentary Secretaries was declared as such long back. Though, the council has approved the change in the Act, legal experts differ with the government in this regard.They say that mere declaration of any office as “of no profit” by issuing an ordinance and later even passing such amendment in the Punjab Assembly would not serve the purpose. The government would have to justify in strict legal terms that the office declared as “of no profit” is actually so. They say that as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary Secretaries were drawing all sort of perks, pay and other benefits, how can their office be called as “of no profit”. The council also approved to pay fixed pension of Rs 15,000 per month to Mrs Joginder Kaur, wife of the late Gurcharan Singh Tohra,former SGPC Chief. Disclosing this today a spokesman of the government said that, Mrs Joginder Kaur, would also be entitled for free telephone facility at her residence and medical facilities on the pattern of Class I officers. Besides, PUDA would arrange residential accommodation for her either in Tohra village or at Patiala or at Mohali. She would also be provided with full time security and a driver. However, as such no Cabinet status has been given to her. The Council of Ministers also approved to enhance the lease period of 5 acres of land of agricultural farm near Sirhind, allotted to the Punjab National Bank Farmer’s Welfare Trust to establish a farmer’s training center. The council reduced the power tariff being charged by the PSEB from the Punjab State Tubewell Corporation (PSTC) for operating tubewells and lift irrigation schemes to provide water to agriculture sector. The tariff has been brought down on par with the rates being charged from farmers.
|
|
DSP case: Punjab still undecided on SLP in SC
Chandigarh, October 27 According to highly placed sources in the government, there is thinking in some circles that the government should not move the SLP, instead wait for the candidates whose selection was set aide by the HC to do so. The Punjab Government has 90 days within which it can appeal against the HC
judgment. "Once the direction in which the case is moving is clear, the government can either become party to the case or file a separate petition. In view of the damning strictures passed by the High Court Bench that passed the
judgment, this would be the best course of action," said a government lawyer. However, when asked about the future course of action of Punjab in the matter, Advocate General Harbhagwan Singh only said that the judgement was being studied and any further action would be decided later. Sources said that at least two of the seven selected candidates, whose selection as DSP was set aside by the Full Bench of Chief Justice Mr Justice B.K. Roy, Mr Justice Rajive Bhalla and Mr Justice Surya Kant, have already decided to challenge the order in the apex court. The case assumed importance due to the fact that the sons of two powerful people in the current dispensation were among those selected by a committee headed by Principal Secretary (Home) S.K. Sinha, known for his personal loyalty to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. These candidates are Bikram Inderjit Singh Chahal and Gulzar Singh, sons of Mr B.I.S. Chahal, Media Adviser to the Chief Minister, and Mr Harinder Chahal, Ferozepore Senior Superintendent of Police, respectively. Though government lawyers are still studying the
judgment, some experts are learnt to have advised the government that the best course of action for it would be to adopt a wait and watch policy and let the private respondents approach the Supreme Court. "With the kind of strong language used by the Bench in the
judgment and the fact that the closeness of the Chief Minister with Mr B.I.S. Chahal is well known, it makes sense not to go to the SC immediately. Even though it is sure to be made a respondent by the candidates, if they move the SC, the government can also move a separate SLP in the SC at a later stage," said a leading lawyer. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today told mediapersons here that the government experts were studying the
judgment and any further move by the government in this regard would be decided only after they gave their advice.
|
|
Pak Punjabis donate money in memory of
Jalandhar, October 27 It is for the first time since the Partition that Pakistanis have come forward to donate money for the sake of perpetuating the memory of those freedom fighters, who are still revered among the Indians and the Pakistanis. Driven by a wish to do something in memory of such freedom fighters, 13 Pakistani Punjabis, based in Vancouver and Surrey, have made a token donation of $ 400 (Canadian) to the Desh Bhagat Yaadgaar Hall Committee. Their dream is that the committee should set up an exclusive website, giving full details about the freedom fighters, their objectives and their movement. Most of the 13 Pakistani Punjabis, now settled in Canada, were those who had migrated either from the Jalandhar or the Amritsar areas to Pakistan during the Partition. Those who have donated money include Asgar Ali, from Multan, Dr Saif, from Gujranwala, Mohammed Afzal from Bahawalpur, Faqir Mohammed, from Lyallpur, G. Mohiyyuddin from Attock, Ms Shireen Saif, Gujranwala, Ms Tallat Mujtaba from Lahore, Ghani from Multan, Sanaullah from Bhera, Shahid from Jhelum, Ali Shahid from Jhelum, Syed Raja from Vehari, Arshad from Lahore, Chaudhary Shahid from Toba Tek Singh, Chishti from Sialkot and Mujtaba from Lahore. “They also want to come to Jalandhar and see the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall. They feel that our freedom fighters are common. I told them that if they accord respect to freedom fighters of this side, we also hold freedom fighters of that side in the highest esteem. There is a thaw in our relationship and the proof of it is before you,” said Mr Malook Singh, who is associated with the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall Committee and who collected donations of Pakistani Punjabis during his recent visit to Canada. “We are already in the process of making a website based on the portrayal of freedom fighters. It will have ample details about the lives and works of freedom fighters and how they dedicated themselves to the freedom struggle,” said Mr Gurmeet, secretary of the committee. According to Mr Naunihal Singh, office-bearer of the committee, Canada-based NRIs have donated about Rs 1.25 lakh to the committee.
|
|
Hind-Pak Punjabi mela from Nov 29
Amritsar, October 27 The festival is being organised by the Folklore Research Academy, Chandigarh. Its President, Dr Tara Singh Sandhu, said today that three persons would be honoured in it. Each person would be selected from East Punjab (India, West Punjab (Pakistan) and from Punjabis settled abroad
|
|
NRIs pledge $ 10m to set up vet varsity
Chandigarh, October 27 “I have already enlisted the support of nearly 200 NRIs for the project,” says Dr Bajwa, in an interaction with TNS here today. “These NRIs have formed themselves into a group called the ‘Friends of Punjab’. They are willing to be associated with the project as non-executive trustees of the proposed university. I have already handed over a list of these NRIs to, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Punjab Minister for Animal Husbandry, for onward transmission to the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh.” Dr Bajwa, says that most of the NRIs interested in the project originally hail from rural Punjab. They love the land of their birth and feel that they ought to pay back their debt to Punjab in some way. They want to do everything possible to improve the economic status of farmers in Punjab. The project is of great promise in the changing socio-economic trends in Punjab where agricultural land holdings are decreasing with each passing day. Agricultural production has already reached a plateau. The scarcity of water resources in Punjab, electricity shortages and cost of labour will further strain the agricultural production. Under the circumstances, development of animal husbandry sector alone comprising livestock, dairy products, fishery, sheep, goat, poultry and meat can offer an attractive alternative. In this connection, he notes that the Punjab Government has already announced its decision to set up a veterinary university at the campus of Punjab Agricultural University at Ludhiana. As a matter of fact, the College of Veterinary Sciences already functioning at the PAU campus can be easily upgraded and turned into a university. Such a move will save a lot of time and money on setting up a new infrastructure. Besides, contributing money to the proposed university, NRIs will also be willing to offer their technical expertise in the areas of education and research at no cost to the government. The US is also faced with the prospect of a shortage of trained veterinary professionals to serve in the rural areas and inner cities. The new university can admit NRIs as well as students of US origin who will pay their tuition fee in US dollars. The cost of veterinary education in US is very high. The training in Punjab can save these students thousands of dollars while generating a lot of funds for the university here. Dr Bajwa, who is an old alumnus of PAU, Ludhiana, said that he had persuaded the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ludhiana to start NRIs’ admission programme in the year 1993. “I am satisfied with the progress of this programme. This year, 20 students have been admitted to the course. They are a source of good income for the college. Just consider how much funds can be generated if it starts admitting 125 students per year in this programme, each paying $ 40, 000 as a total fee for the entire course. Many former students of PAU have already found employment in the US and Canada. This will be a win-win situation for students as well as Punjab,” he added.
|
SAD (A) dares Bibi to open debate
Phagwara, October 27 The repeatedly addressing her as mahantani while talking to mediapersons here, Mr Kahan Singhwala was reacting to Bibi Jagir Kaur’s statement that SAD (A) president Simranjit Singh Mann was a “diharidar”(daily wager) of the Congress government. Mr Jaskaran Singh said that Bibi Jagir Kaur should give out a reasoned and logical answer to the issue as to whether a kudimar could be the President of the SGPC as per Sikh principles. He warned her of dire consequences in case she did not desist from using abusive language against Mr Mann. He alleged that SAD President Parkash Singh Badal had mortgaged the SGPC to a gang of unprincipled Sikhs at the behest of the RSS. As much as 80 per cent of the SGPC members took liqour and meat,he alleged. The SAD (A) would continue to show black flags to Bibi Jagir Kaur to liberate the SGPC of the coterie of criminals and kudimar, Mr Kahan Singhwala added.
|
Encroachment at behest of councillor
Amritsar, October 27 A number of “illegal” structures belonging to various religious bodies have mushroomed here over the years. This is especially true of the main GT Road that connects Wagah border with Pakistan and the international railway station at Attari besides leading to the ancient Ram Tirath Temple here. However, the municipal corporation has done little to discourage the practice of encroaching on public land in the name of God, in the past many years. Mr Satya Pal Dang, CPI leader, raised the issue with Mayor Sunil Datti, Municipal Corporation Commissioner K.S. Kang and Deputy Commissioner Raminder Singh. The Mayor said he would look into the matter but his reply was not satisfactory, while the Deputy Commissioner was ignorant of the malpractice, Mr Dang said. It is learnt that the temple is being constructed at the behest of a senior MC councillor. Mr Dang said when the Commissioner sent MC staff to the site, people gathered there along with the said councillor. Mr Kang said the shrine was “illegal”, adding that representatives of all religious bodies should take a collective stand on these developments. He said the MC was ready to accept applications for building shrines. The Mayor said he had called a meeting of the temple representatives. However, Mr Dang said that in view of the improving relations with Pakistan, this road has a vital connection and it should be treated as an “international highway”. He pointed out blatant encroachments on this road included one by a police station, the Irrigation Department and several by the PSEB. An earlier MC survey of “illegal” religious places of all hues identified nearly 75 such encroachments from early 1980s. Five such religious places have encroached on main crossings, two near the bus stand and four near educational institutes. About eight such encroachments already exist in the putlighar chheharta area and a number of them on the GT road.
|
|
Challans fail to deter eateries
Patiala, October 27 This, sources said, was nothing new. The eateries have been fined earlier also and continue to do business despite this. The logic, the sources said, was that it was easy to give the Rs 500 penalty after every six months or so than to shift business. This time around, despite claims of the municipal corporation that it would be strict with eateries which have taken over pavements outside their shops and are also making food in the open, the eateries continue to do business as before. A round of the Railway Crossing Number 22 market where Chawla Chicken Corner is situated revealed that the small outlet continues to have movable ‘tandoors’ and other counters outside the shop. These counters present a busy sight at night, completely blocking the pavement outside the shops, besides causing traffic problems. In the Leela Bhavan area also, Happy Chicken Corner continues to have his barbecue machine and counter outside on the veranda in the market. Closeby, the Arjun Eatery, which is famous for its soups and chinese preparations, continues to have its counters and chairs out in the open. The raid conducted yesterday also does not seem to have scared those who were not checked. In the Railway Crossing Number 22 market, Samrat Fish Corner is doing brisk business by covering the pavement outside the shop with a counter. At other places in the city, it is the same with most shopkeepers bent upon playing cat and mouse with the corporation raiding staff and upon being caught with encroachments preferring to pay up the fine and continuing with the earlier arrangement. Corporation Health Officer Karamjit Singh said the Corporation could not check encroachments today as it was a half-day holiday due to Valmiki Jayanti. When told that this seemed to be the story every time, he said this time around the corporation was serious in its endeavour to remove the encroachments made by the eateries. Dr Karamjit, said eateries which had been challaned for encroaching upon government land would be levied heavy penalties. “We plan to increase the penalty amount from the earlier Rs 500 when they present themselves before us on Monday next,” he added. Besides, he said, the corporation would warn these shopkeepers that a further violation would result in the sealing of their shops. He said vigorous checks would be conducted to ensure the encroachments were stopped once and for all, adding that ‘rehris’ operating in the same manner in the Railway Crossing market as well as near the bus stand would also be checked in the coming days.
|
|
Food park to come up near Patiala
Patiala, October 27 Speaking at a seminar on “Rapid economic growth — focus Patiala” organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Punjabi University, Ms Preneet Kaur said the establishment of a food park in the city would ensure that the fruits of diversification reached farmers. The government would also promote drug exports from the district.
|
|
|
Digging work damages phone cables
Kharar, October 27 The digging was stopped when some farmers of the area protested. It is learnt that about 50 pairs of the cable, measuring about 50 meters, was cut at a number of points. The estimated loss incurred in this regard was more than Rs 50,000. An SDO from the BSNL visited the site and brought the damage to the notice of the higher authorities. There is a plan to make a complaint to the police in this regard tomorrow. It is alleged that the damage to the telephone cables was caused as the layout plan of the nullah had been changed by council officials allegedly to oblige some persons close to the council president. According to the earlier plan, the nullah was to be constructed from the Randhawa road towards the Khanpur choe but later the plan was changed. Mr Charanjit Singh, council president, said the layout plan had not been changed to oblige anyone. He claimed that the plan had to be changed as the earlier water outlet, which was planned on the northern side, was at a higher level which would have made the flow of water difficult. More digging would also had to be done. Now the outlet had been selected towards the west, which was at a lower level. Mr
K.R. Chaudhry, Divisional Engineer, External, said the department had also suffered losses amounting to lakhs of rupees about a month ago when telephone cables were damaged by workers of a contractor of the council while carrying out digging work on the Arya College road in the town. He said a complaint to the police had been made but no action was taken. He blamed the civic body for the damages. The council president, however, said the department laid telephone cables without covering them with bricks. When digging work was carried out it became difficult for workers to know where a cable had been laid, leading to the damage.
|
|
‘Kirpan’ issue to be taken up at Sikh clergy meeting
Amritsar, October 27 Jathedar Nandgarh had applied for visa for attending the bhog ceremony of Harbhajan Singh Yogi who had passed away in the USA recently. However, while talking to The Tribune Jathedar Vedanti said that Jathedar Nandgarh should have sent his personal assistant instead of visiting the embassy himself . He said he had never visited the embassy to complete the visa formalities . He, however, said that he had been using a particular size of “kirpan” during international flights. Talking about the clash at a religious function held in the USA during his presence, Jathedar Vedanti said that the Gurdwara Committee had taken serious action against the guilty persons . He said the committee had announced that those persons who were responsible for unsavoury situation should not be called to such functions in future . Giving details of the clash, Jathedar Vedanti said that some persons had raised objections when Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, an SGPC member, was called to address the function organised to commemorate quadricentennial celebrations of Guru Granth Sahib. He said it was the most unfortunate incident as Mr Calcutta was not keen to address the gathering.
|
|
Khalsa Panchayat ultimatum to DSGPC
Ludhiana, October 27 The Khlasa Panchayat has given an ultimatum of 48 hours to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGPC) to remove the pictures or face the consequences. Mr Charanjit Singh Khalsa, President, Khalsa Panchayat, said they would announce the action after the expiry of the deadline. Mr Khalsa alleged the paintings amounted to saffronisation of the Sikh religion and history. He said the first Sikh Guru has been shown wearing a sacred thread worn by Brahmins whereas Guru Nanak Dev was against such practice. In another painting, Guru Nanak Dev has been shown standing in a Lotus and worshipping a Hindu god. He alleged that the paintings were a part of a conspiracy hatched by the RSS in connivance with some Sikh leaders in Delhi.
|
|
|
Infantry martyrs remembered
Bathinda, October 27 A wreath-laying ceremony was organised to mark the momentous action wherein the Indian troops air landed in the Kashmir Valley and repulsed the Pakistani invaders from the vicinity of the Srinagar airfield. A special Sainik Sammelan was also organised at Chetak Sainik Institute, which was followed by ‘barakhana’. A large number of serving and retired officers, JCOs and troops were present on the
occasion. ABOHAR: Infantry Day was celebrated at the military station here today. Infantry is called “Queen of the battlefield”. Brig V.P. Singh, VSM, while congratulating the officers, jawans and their families, said in his address that on October 27, 1947, Infantry jawans had been dropped in the Kashmir Valley to repulse the attack by the tribals on Srinagar. The first ever Param Veer Chakra (PVC) was awarded to Major Som Nath Sharma of the Kumaon Regiment posthumously then. To celebrate that victory Infantry Day is observed. The Infantry had played a vital role during the wars in 1965 and 1971 also. It was known around the world that the Infantry had emerged victorious in 99 per cent wars. Even a few years back, the first assault to throw out the intruders from the Kargil sector had been undertaken by Arif Beig with a background support from the Artillery. Hardly a day went without the sacrifice of a jawan from the Infantry to protect the security and sovereignty of the nation. The morning ‘darbar’ was followed by daylong celebrations in which families of officers and jawans participated with fervour.
|
|
|
Infantry Day celebrated
Jalandhar, October 27 It was on this day 58 years ago that the first Infantry man landed in the Kashmir Valley and repulsed Razakars from the vicinity of the Srinagar airfield. Subsequently Srinagar was saved and the enemy repulsed. On this occasion, Major-Gen BJ Gupta, COS of the Vajra corps, laid a wreath at the Vajra War Memorial. Lieut-Gen S.S. Sangra (retd) also laid a wreath. Later in the day, a Sainik Sammelan was held during which the glorious past of the Infantry was remembered. This was followed by a ‘barakhana’ in which Infantry ex-servicemen from nearby areas joined and shared the brotherhood of the Infantry. Later in the evening, a social interaction with serving and retired Infantry officers was held in the cantonment.
|
|
|
A theologian turned
educationist
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 27 Born at Piplanwalla in Hoshiarpur district, Dr Ram Singh studied at Saharanpur Theological College and Allahabad University from where he received degrees in philosophy and psychology. He did his Ph.D from the University of North Carolina. He returned to India in 1953 with his bride Nancy van Zelm. He started the departments of sociology at Hislop College, Nagpur. In 1957, he was invited by the Rockefeller Foundation to direct a field study of village sanitation under the aegis of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. The next year, Dr Ram Singh became Principal of Baring Union Christian College, Batala, Punjab. Over the next 17 years, he contributed immensely to the development of the college. He was instrumental in the opening of a children’s school and the Christian Institute for the Study of Sikh Religion and Culture, designed to further the appreciation of Sikh history, scriptures and spirituality. In 1983, he became the Director of the Institute for Development Education in Chennai, which included the Interfaith Movement for Human Solidarity. Dr Ram Singh was thrilled with one accomplishment above all: a small mobile library he established to serve the villages surrounding Baring College. An open slated wooden wagon trailer hitched to his car, it was loaded with paperbacks in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu and was greeted with gusto by villagers, young and old. Borrowers were not strictly held to return the books but were encouraged to pass them around. Dr Ram Singh leaves behind his wife and two sons Mohinder (Michael) and Rajinder (Raj) and their families and his younger brother Mr Sita Ram of New Delhi.
|
|
10 injured as buses collide
Jalandhar, October 27 The roadways bus was badly mangled as it first hit a tree and then collided with a private bus coming from the opposite direction. The driver of the roadways bus, Jagdev Singh, received head injuries and was rushed to Satyam Hospital in Jalandhar. His condition was stated to be critical. Two other patients, Jasdeep Singh and Resham Singh, were discharged from the hospital this evening. The other seven patients received minor injuries and were simply given first aid.
|
|
Punjab to replace 400 old buses
Ropar, October 27
|
|
Local bodies told to clear bus stand plan
Kharar, October 27 Elected members of the civic body and the panchayat samiti had unanimously decided that a proper bus stand should be constructed in the town. It was also decided to construct a separate bus stand for local buses and a community hall on the panchayat samiti land. The Deputy Commissioner urged members of both the bodies to work jointly for the development of the town. Those present at the meeting demanded that the traffic on the main road should be regulated and the sale of narcotic drugs in the town be checked. The meeting was attended, among others, by the local SDM, Mr Sukhvinder Singh Gill, president of the council, Mr Charanjit Singh, and head of the panchayat samiti, Ms Kulwant Kaur.
|
|
One more jaundice case detected
Sangrur, October 27 Talking to The Tribune over the phone today, Dr Inderjit Kaur Walia, Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, said the team during its door-to-door survey found that one more person was suffering from jaundice. She said with this, the number of jaundice-affected persons in the area had risen to 13. She stated that the patient was suffering from mild jaundice. Dr Walia said the situation was now under control as all necessary steps had been taken to prevent the disease from spreading. Meanwhile, a team of doctors of the local Umeed Khanna Foundation, a social organisation, also visited the jaundice-affected locality to examine patients. Mr Arvind Khanna, MLA from Sangrur, and chairman of the foundation, said today that he had directed the municipal authorities to supply pure drinking water to the residents immediately.
|
|
Mata Chakreshwari Fair begins
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 27 This is the only temple in the country where the idol of Mata Chakreshwari Devi has been installed. The Sikhs also hold this place in great reverence because Diwan Todar Mal, who was a devotee of the Mata purchased land by offering gold coins for cremating two younger Sahibjadas of Guru Gobind Singh who were bricked alive at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup Sahib is situated on this land. Dr Harbans Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary. and Mr S.K.Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the fair by lighting a candle. In his address, Dr Lal, appreciated the contribution of Diwan Todar Mal and said the state government had constructed four memorial gates in the name of those who had helped the younger Sahibjadas directly or indirectly. He also announced a grant of Rs 51,000 for the temple. Mr Payush Kant Jain, president of the managing committee, read out the history of the temple and welcomed the guests. Schoolchildren from Jain schools of Ambala and Ludhiana presented an impressive cultural programme.
|
|
DSP writes to SSP on bomb
Dera Bassi, October 27 Highlighting the problems being faced by the police personnel deployed to guard the bombshell, the DSP said that policing has been affected as the bomb had not been either taken or disposed off by the defence authorities. Mr Sharma said in a letter to the SSP, he has explained about the queries made by residents of over six villages.
|
|
Bimla elected vice-president of MC
Dera Bassi, October 27 A councillor from Ward 13 of the Dera Bassi Municipal Council, Mrs Bimla Devi was elected vice president unanimously. She was elected at a meeting held under the presidentship of Mr Amrit Pal Singh, president of the council. Municipal Councillor Mr Bakshish Singh Saini, proposed her name while Dr Shushil Raj Kumar, seconded it.
|
|
59 apply for pension
Zirakpur, October 27 Fitness certificates for the handicapped were issued by the village dispensary. An AIDS awareness camp was also organised.
|
High Court Our High Court Correspondent
Chandigarh, October 27 In 2000, following a petition moved by Kamaljit, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had handed over investigation of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was the SGPC chief at that time, had to resign due to her alleged involvement in the mysterious death of her daughter. Bibi is among the half a dozen persons accused in the case. The Special CBI Court at Patiala has been conducting the trial of the case. In his petition, Mr Kamaljit has stated since Bibi Jagir Kaur has been re-elected chief of the SGPC, she has been interfering in the judicial process and could affect the outcome of the case. He has also stated that so far only 35 out of the total of about 150 witnesses in the case have been examined by the court. He has prayed that day-to-day hearing be ordered in the case. It may be recalled that on October 19, activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) had clashed with Bibi's supporters near the court at Patiala after they tried to protest the reinstallation of Bibi as SGPC chief. During that hearing, an approver in the case, Dr Balwinder Singh Sohal, had told the court that he had been asked by Bibi to get the child, which was in the womb of Harpreet, eliminated. School course
The High Court has directed the Punjab Government to send seven head constables to attend the intermediate school course at Police Training Academy, Phillaur. Taking up the petition filed by Ms Charanjit Kaur and six other head constables, who were seeking directions to the respondents to send them for the course in the present sessions itself as they would lose out on service benefits for no fault of theirs, the Bench allowed their plea. The petitioners had stated that despite being eligible and senior, their claim for attending the course had been ignored and others had been sent for the same. After hearing their counsel, Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar and Mr Justice J.S. Narang directed that the petitioners be deputed for the course from the current session even if it meant creating more seats.
Notice issued
A Division Bench of High Court comprising Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar and Mr Justice J.S. Narang on Tuesday issued notice of motion for February 10 on a petition filed by some meter readers of the Municipal Corporation, Amritsar. In their petition, Mr Mukesh Chander and other meter readers have challenged the order dated October 20 by which they have been transferred from the Water Supply Department of the corporation to the Octroi Department. The contention of the petitioners is since there is no post of meter reader in the Octroi Department of the Municipal Corporation, the transfers mean that their cadre has been changed as they will have to work as clerks. After hearing counsel for the petitioners, the Bench, while issuing notice, also stayed the operation of the impugned order.
Liquor vends
A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice N.K. Sud and Mr Justice Hemant Gupta today fixed Friday as the next date of hearing of the bunch of petitions challenging the holding of auctions of liquor vends by the Punjab Government sometime back. Taking up the petition of Man Singh and company, the Bench ordered that since the same law point was involved in the petition as also the other pending petitions that had been remanded back for hearing to the High Court by the Supreme Court, they be listed together on Friday. The Bench directed the High Court registry to inform counsel of the parties about the same.
|
Farmers plan rail traffic blockade on Nov 3
Chandigarh, October 27 Though the BJP protest and farmers’ protest on subsequent days have nothing in common, yet the protesters will be taking their ire out against the Congress Government in the state as well as the UPA Government at the Centre. Farmers are primarily agitated at the steep fall in cotton prices. They maintain that after a long time, the cotton belt in Punjab-Haryana-Rajasthan has recorded a bumper crop. Instead of any support price for their produce, the farmers are forced into distress selling. To register their cotton prices protest, they would be blocking rail traffic at Fazilka, Gidderbaha and Mansa from noon to 3 p.m. Incidentally, Gidderbaha is the constituency of Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, a nephew of the Leader of the Opposition and Akali Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Yesterday, the protest by farmers at Chathewala in Bathinda district was also reportedly supported by the Shiromani Akali Dal. Mr Joginder Singh Ugrahan and Mr Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, president and general-secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta), respectively, told The Tribune that besides cotton prices, other issues agitating farmers of the state were delay in payment of compensation to damage caused to paddy crop by an unprecedented spell of inclement weather on October 10 and 11. Talking about the remaining venues for ‘rail roko’ protest on November 3, they said that a final decision would be taken in a day or two so that sufficient number of farmers are mobilised to join the protests. They resented that neither Markfed nor Cotton Corporation of India has entered the market to stabilise the cotton prices. Farmers are demanding Rs 4,500 a quintal for cotton. Both Mr Ugrahan and Mr Sukhdev Singh maintained that instead of redressing genuine demands of the farmers, the state was more focussed on reorienting agricultural marketing to meet WTO requirements. This is being done to the detriment of Punjab farmers. Meanwhile, the police claimed that it was ready to meet any agitational threat, maintaining that no one would be allowed to take law into one’s hands. The BJP’s protests, the police sources said, would be symbolic and done only at the district headquarters.
|
|
Farmers training camp
Hoshiarpur, October, 27 Agriculture experts from PAU, Ludhiana, and the agriculture Department explained the latest technical knowhow of agriculture to the farmers.
|
Father, son held on murder charge
Gurdaspur, October 27 In a press release issued here today, the SSP, Mr Narinder Bhargav, said that the father-son duo shot dead Gulshan, a resident of Sangalpura Road with their double-barrel gun last night. The deceased was killed on a grudge that he allegedly teased a sister of Hardeshwar Singh. The incident happened in the Buttanwali Gali area where Gulshan was standing with his brother Lavraj. Hardeshwar allegedly came there and started abusing Gulshan for allegedly teasing the sister of his friend. Gulshan denied teasing anybody but this did not pacify Hardeshwar who kept threatening him with dire consequences. Hardeshwar left the spot while they kept standing there talking on some matter. After about 10 minutes, he came back in a Santro car along with his father, Balbir Singh Janjua. Balbir Singh allegedly challenged Gulshan to run away from the spot or face dire consequences. Later, he handed over the double-barrel gun to his son who fired at Gulshan. Gulshan was hit in the chest and died on the spot. The father and son fired one more round in the air to scare away the people who had gathered there and fled. The police on being informed about the incident laid nakas. At a naka on the Kanuwan level crossing a Santro car (PB-06-5989) tried to flee. The car was chased and stopped. The father and son, accused of murder, were arrested from the car. The weapon with which the murder was committed was also recovered from the accused. A case under Sections 302/34 of the IPC and the Arms Act has been registered against the accused.
|
|
Medical officer arrested for taking bribe
Bathinda, October 27 Dr Ranjit Kumar was arrested by the team after laying a trap on him on the instructions of the SSP, Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda, Mr Amrik Singh Waraich. Information revealed that Mr Amarjit Singh was getting treatment in the Civil Hospital after he suffered injuries in an attack made a few days ago. As per the injuries suffered by Mr Amarjit Singh, the offence against the accused was made out under Section 324 of the IPC. Dr Ranjit Kumar was demanding a bribe of Rs 5000 from Mr Amarjit Singh to show the injuries as serious in the medical report so that offence under Section 326 could be made out against the accused. Mr Amarjit Singh contacted the Vigilance Bureau and lodged a complaint against the accused. A trap was planned by the team led by the DSP, Mr Kaushal, leading to the arrest of Dr Kumar. The bribe money was recovered from the accused. The recovery was made in presence of two government witnesses and one shadow witness. A case would be registered against him in the Vigilance Bureau police station, Bathinda, under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
|
|
|
1 booked in dowry case
Kharar, October 27 The case was registered on the complaint of Ramandeep Kaur against her husband, Onkar Singh. The complainant said she got married in January this year. Her husband and in-laws started demanding dowry and she was also harassed by them, she alleged. The complaint had been made to the Ropar SSP who had asked the Kharar DSP to hold an inquiry into the matter. A case has been registered under Sections 406 and 498 A of the IPC in this regard.
|
|
Charas seized
Kharar, October 27 Akram was nabbed from Bariyali village where he had gone to supply charas. The police acted following a tip-off. Akram was running a barber’s shop in Mundi Kharar.
|
Training youngsters in dhrupad gayaki
Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, who honed his musical skills on the seaside in Mumbai with waves as accompaniment as he could not even afford a ‘tanpura’, has chosen more conventional surroundings for hundreds of disciples whom he has groomed to excel in dhrupad gayaki. The Ustad headed the Dhrupad Kendra established by the Madhya Pradesh Government for years and he still goes to teach there. Right now, he is ensconced in the campus of the IIT, Mumbai, which has established a gurukul by the name of ‘Dhrupad Sansar’ for him. Not content with even this, he travels all over the country to teach classical singing. He was here to hold a six-day workshop at the Punjabi University’s Department of Music. He would go to Mussorie and Bengal before returning to Delhi where he would hold another workshop. What attracts Ustad Zia Fariduddin to students and vice versa? “An abiding love for music from my side and a patient ear”, he feels. His disciples aver the same. Sunita Amin, who accompanied him here, says, “He believes in practice and encourages his students to find their own music through hard labour and careful guidance,” he adds. Ustad Zia Fariduddin, who belongs to the illustrious Dagar family of dhrupad musicians, is responsible for saving this ancient art from disappearing. Representing the music tradition of a family that has preserved it for 20 generations, he came to Mumbai to earn a living with his elder brother from Udaipur in Rajasthan. He used to work during the day and in the evenings, he would sit and sing by the seashore without any accompaniment as he could not even afford a ‘tanpura’. He made a name for himself when he was around 45 years of age and has never looked back. He feels amazed at the interest shown for his ‘gayaki’ by students of the Music Department of the university. “This is my second visit to Patiala, but it is the first time that I am holding a workshop in the city,” he says. He has guarded the purity of ‘gayaki’ which he says has its origins in the Vedas. It has bright future in India and abroad where people are appreciating its ability to relate to the soul. “It is truly the music of the soul,” he adds. The Ustad says it is very important for a ‘khayal’ singer to know subtleties of dhrupad which was the presiding style of the medieval era if he was to render it in proper manner. Vajinder and Narinderpal, students, said besides being taught voice culture, they have also learnt ‘alankars’ and traditional compositions of dhrupad in raga bhoop, shankara, bhairavi, gujri, mian ki todi, tilak kamod and madhyamad sarang during the workshop. Head of the Music Department, Dr Yashpal Sharma, said the department planned to organise more such workshops in future and also start the concept of ‘Artiste in residence’ so that seasoned artistes could stay for longer periods on the campus. TNS
|
|
Seminar on oral evidence
Patiala, October 27 Dr G.S.L Devra emphasised on the significance of folklore as a perfect medium of writing history. In his presidential address, noted historian Prof Kirpal Singh said the concept of oral history was based on social and democratic ideas of history. Earlier welcoming the delegates, Prof SPS Virdi, Dean Academic Affairs emphasised for collecting historical oral evidence from the two Punjabs for creating a holistic and historical account.
|
|
Seminar on Guru Angad
Patiala, October 27 Giving this information, Dr Ranjit Singh Ghuman, convener of the celebrations committee, said Singh Sahib Giani Joginder Singh Ji Vedanti, Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib will inaugurate this seminar and S. Swarn Singh Boparai, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, will preside over the seminar. Eminent poet and Sikh philosopher Dr Jaswant Singh Neki shall deliver the key-note address.
|
|
|
IEI scholarship for 3 students
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 27 College Principal D.S. Hira said a communication in this regard was received from Kolkata, head office of the IEI. The three students of the department of Electronics and Communication of the college have been selected for the academic year 2004-2005. They will get Rs 3000 per year. The three students are Shimnder Kaur, Navkiran Kaur and Rajesh Kumar of first year, Electronics and Communication Department.
|
|
Midday meal for students soon
Moga, October 27 The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Mandeep Singh, said that as per the new directives each student of a primary school would be given 100 gm of wheat. The government had sanctioned the first instalment of Rs 33 lakh under the scheme.
|
|
|
MCI postpones medical college inspection
Faridkot, October 27 While it came as good news for the patients, who were deprived of proper medicare due to the shortage of doctors, it spelt trouble for the staff shifted from Government Medical College, Amritsar, as they were being ferried in a vehicle to Faridkot daily.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
