|
|
|
|
Forty years ago on this day in 1965
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
When Patton Tanks had to retreat…
Havildar Abdul Hamid’s supreme sacrifice
Holy shrine, unholy surroundings
VCD on poet Hasham Shah released
‘Outsiders’ maligning Khalsa College: Principal
PBN Senior Secondary School heading for a closure?
AIDS education should start with sarpanchs, say experts
Certain agencies trying to derail SEZ project, alleges Tandon
Administration says ‘no’ to crackers during daytime
|
||||||||
|
Forty years ago on this day in 1965 As the ceasefire announcement was being broadcast, Pakistani Sabre Jets unexpectedly pounded the city killing about
THE vivid memories of traumatic experiences of the Indo-Pak War of 1965, perhaps one of the most intense wars the two neighbours ever fought, are still fresh in the minds of old Amritsaris. The Holy City bore the brunt of the war that left more than 100 dead in Chhehrta — the industrial hub of Amritsar. This war witnessed the largest tank battle in military history since World War II. The Indian and Pakistani forces fought pitched battles for every inch of territory and a large number of soldiers and civilians lost their lives defending their respective motherlands. The war of 1965, codenamed Gibraltar, was perhaps one of the most intense wars the two neighbours ever fought, especially on Amritsar border.
Unmindful of grave danger to their lives, the curious residents of Amritsar witnessed the fight of Indian and Pakistani aircrafts from rooftops of their houses for the first time. They would take pleasure in the gunning down of the Pakistani Sabre aircrafts. They used to take debris of the fallen enemy-aircrafts to their homes. The indigenously-built Gnat aircraft proved to be a formidable match for the US-supplied high-tech Pakistani Sabre jets. It was an ‘exciting’ experience for Amritsar media. Veteran photographer Nirmal Singh still has many rare photographs of the war in his archives. But it was the better prepared and trained Indian Army that kept its nerves to cross the international border. It captured many strategic towns of Pakistan, including Batapore, Barki and Dograi, on Amritsar-Lahore road while halting its advance at the Ichhogil Canal (a few kms from Amritsar) of Pakistan. “The brick-lined Ichhogil Canal is 112-foot wide, 30-foot deep. With a depth of 20-foot of fast flowing water, it ran parallel to the border, 8 km inside Pakistan. On the east bank, Dograi was a significant town. The whole complex was a strong defence structure. After the capture of the eastern bank of the Ichhogil Canal, the first line of Pakistan’s defence, the Indian forces would play loud Indian patriotic songs and music, much to the chagrin of the Pakistani army. One such song, which amused many, was ‘Aj Ham Se Kion Parda hai…’ as Pakistan had put up wooden planks to block the view of the other side of the Ichhogil Canal,” recalls Mr Jayant Sud, a resident of the city. The Indian army had captured two double-decker buses plying between Lahore and Batapore and brought them to Amritsar as war souvenirs, Mr Sud tells us. These buses were later sent to Delhi. To build up patriotic fervour among the people, the Department of Song and Drama Division used to show feature films at various locations of the city. The Indo-Pak War still haunts the Sud family of the Holy City. This family lost three members and a servant several days after the announcement of the ceasefire. Recalling the fateful day of October 21, 1965, Mr Sud said that his brother-in-law Rajinder Nath Verma (36), a senior executive with the then Burmah Shell, and two younger brothers, Maharaj Sud (23) and Raman Sud (12), along with their servant went to the Indian-occupied Pakistani territory just to pick up a war souvenir. However, fate had something else in store for them as they picked up an unexploded bomb that blew off all four of them, resulting in a big tragedy for the family. The residents of the Holy City were shell-shocked at the tragedy that left the family totally shattered. Recounting his memories of the war, Mr Kapal Bhrany, an industrialist, said that he himself saw a couple of Pakistani paratroopers being dropped behind the Indian defence line in a village of Amritsar. They were subsequently killed by villagers. The looters had a field day after the ceasefire and picked up many valuable items from the Pakistani territory. A group of Amritsar residents who reached late were seen bringing cow dung cakes on ponies. Both air forces lacked night-flying devices. Mr Bhrany, along with other youths from the city, visited Chheharta township that was badly damaged by the Pakistani Air Force in the bombing attack immediately after the announcement of the ceasefire. “The air attack had left a trail of destruction all around. Hundreds of civilians had assembled in the crowded bazaar to listen to the radio announcement about the ceasefire declared by both governments at 5 pm on September 23 that year. This unexpected air raid had shocked the entire nation,” he explained. The war was at a point of stalemate when the UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on September 20 that called for a ceasefire. New Delhi and Islamabad accepted the ceasefire, and the war ended on September 23. Indian troops suffered 3,000 casualties, while the Pakistani side had a casualty of 3,800. Almost thousand tanks, on either side, were engaged in the war. At the end of it, Pakistan lost an estimated 300 tanks, while India lost 128 tanks.
|
||||||||
|
It was all for one and one for all
Volunteers of various political parties, including RSS, Akali Dal, and villagers supplied ration, milk, tea and snacks at various entry points at the railway station for the troops going to the forward posts.
The women would carry home-cooked food to the forward bunkers to feed the jawans, while the men would help carry ammunition and act as guides to familiarise the troops deployed at the international border. Truck drivers, especially from the border villages, provided a yeoman’s service by carrying loads of military hardware and ammunition round-the-clock to keep the supply line intact. Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a social activist, used to mobilise students of various women colleges for providing tea and snacks at the railway station to the troops reaching
Amritsar.
|
||||||||
|
In an attempt to spread misinformation and disinformation about the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the Radio Lahore would broadcast highly provocative and false propaganda against India. The motive was to demoralise the local people. Later, the All India Radio also launched counterpropaganda. The Radio Lahore provided the comic relief to the Indian listeners, who would get the correct feedback from the AIR. Indians called the Radio Lahore “Radio Jhuthistan”. A renowned Anglo-Indian anchor of the All India Radio, Malvell Demello, was specially stationed at Amritsar to counter the Pakistani propaganda. He produced a couple of outstanding radio features on the epic battles of Dograi, Barki and Ichhogil Canal. He also produced a special feature on the contribution of Amritsar residents in tilting the war in favour of India.
|
||||||||
|
When Patton Tanks had to retreat…
However, Lt-Gen Harbaksh Singh, GOC-in-C of the Western Army Command, under whose direction the war was fought, was a privy to the wireless communication of the Pakistani Division Commandant about their move to cut off Amritsar. To pre-empt Pakistan’s nefarious designs, Indian armoured and infantry troops regrouped in that area and breached the strategic canal to halt the advancement of the famed Patton Tanks. The valour of Abdul Hamid who stopped the advancing Pakistani tanks saved the nation from the ignominy and helped thwart the Pakistanis’ attempts to cut off the Holy City. There are many versions of this battle royal. There have been speculations that differences had cropped up between the Army Chief, Gen J.N. Chaudhary, and Gen Harbaksh Singh. General Harbaksh Singh’s finest moment came when the army chief, General Chaudhary, ordered him “to abandon” Amritsar and set up a defence line behind the Beas River. However, General Harbaksh Singh reportedly refused such an order, and the threat to Amritsar never developed. A havildar of the Air Artillery Defence Regiment, popularly known as Raju, heading a battery of anti-aircraft gun, proved to be the saviour of the city. He warded off many attempts of the Pakistani Air Force Sabre Jets to bomb many strategic civilian and military targets in and around the city. Similarly, Col Hayde (who retired as Lt-Gen) motivated his men to cross the formidable Ichhogil Canal, the first line of defence, and capture Pakistan’s area. In his memoirs, Maj-Gen Kuldip Singh Bajwa (retd) has recounted the valiant acts of the then-Col Hayde. “It was September 6, 1965. The troops of 11 Corps stormed into Pakistan in Amritsar-Khemkaran sector. The goal: to secure the east bank of the Ichhogil Canal in Lahore’s outskirts. This retaliatory attack across the border in Punjab was necessitated by Pakistan’s unprovoked attack in the Chhamb sector. Our strategy worked.”
|
||||||||
|
Havildar Abdul Hamid’s supreme sacrifice
On September 9, 1965, the Pakistani forces launched an attack with a regiment of the Patton Tanks on a vital area, later called the "graveyard of the Pakistani tanks". This is ahead of Chima village on the Bhikkiwind Road in the Khem Karan Sector. The Pakistani attack was led by the First Armoured Division, dubbed the "Pride of Pakistan". The tanks used were mainly Pattons along with a few M24 Chaffee Tanks. The Indian defence included the 4th Mountain Division backed up by artillery support. The battle came at a vital point in the war and could have tilted the war in Pakistan's favour if it had won it. The original plan was to cut off Amritsar, thereby choking the Indian supply lines to Kashmir and even the western Punjab. The battle was vital as it came at a critical juncture in the war and could have tilted the war in Pakistan's favour.
Initially, Pakistan's 4th Armoured Brigade attacked the area surrounding Asal Uttar (Amritsar) but found a solid defence in the village and lost a few tanks in the process. The enemy tanks penetrated the forward position. Realising the grave situation, CQMH (Company Quarter Master Havildar) Abdul Hamid, who was commander of a recoilless gun detachment, moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep. There was intense enemy shelling at Asal Uttar village. Taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank, and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another tank up in flames. By this time, the enemy tanks in the area had spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine gun and high explosive fire. Undeterred, CQMH Abdul Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank from his recoilless gun. While so doing, he was mortally wounded by enemy's high explosive shell. Havildar Abdul Hamid's brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard of his personal safety during the operation and his sustained act of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but also to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
|
||||||||
|
Authorities caught napping as city
struggles with traffic nightmare
Endless traffic snarls continue to be the bane of the city. Notwithstanding the tall claims of civic authorities, the traffic police and the district administration regarding the removal of traffic chaos on busy roads, little seems to have changed.
The worst hit is the area near the bus stand on the GT Road where a large number of buses are parked haphazardly on both sides of the road. This adds to the already existing chaos due to the encroachments by shopkeepers and hawkers on the pavement. The road leading to the Golden Temple, which is the main passage to the walled city, is generally choked with all kinds of vehicles leading to long traffic jams. It takes a minimum of 30 to 40 minutes to pass that area, say commuters. Mr Sadhu Singh, a frequent visitor to the city, lamented that there was existence of any traffic plan, and the absence of traffic police definitely aggravated the problem. Expressing his strong resentment, he said that with a manifold increase in the number of vehicles, including tractor-trolleys, rickshaws, three-wheelers, buses and vans, besides cars and scooters, the authorities must ensure smooth flow of traffic to avoid inconvenience to the commuters. Encroachment, too, continues unabated throughout the city. A senior functionary of the civic body, preferring anonymity, blamed the politics of vote as a major hindrance in checking illegal and unauthorised encroachments. Expressing his helplessness, he said he had to face many hurdles in his efforts to decongest the roads leading to Harmandar Sahib. Besides traffic jams on the GT Road, the main markets and the bazaars, especially Lawrence Road, Malviya Road, Mall Road opposite Dental College, Hukam Singh Road, Court Road, Putlighar and other areas have seen a surge in the number of fruit and vegetable rehris. On some major roads, tea and food kiosks have also sprung up. Meanwhile, a school on the Mall Road has allowed the creation of a cycle stand on the side lane outside the campus. Construction of a large number of multiplexes and high-rise buildings on the Mall is also likely to create more parking problems with the civic authorities far from devising any future traffic plans.
|
||||||||
|
Tickty-tock into the past
Though horse-driven tongas are becoming a rare sight nowadays, these can frequently be spotted carrying devotees on the road leading from the Grand Trunk Road to the Golden Temple.
It is perhaps the only road in Amritsar that still has the tonga as a mean of transport. Though majority of the carriages are rickety, tourists say they prefer tongas to other available modes of transportation due to the sheer thrill and excitement these give. This thrill also keeps in business the small number of tonga owners left in the Holy City. These tongas are mostly parked near the Akali Phulla Singh Burj and at the 100-foot Road and carry passengers to the Golden Temple and the Jallianwala Bagh. Tourists also find these tongas perfect for sightseeing as they get enough time to observe the old quarters of the historic city. With the slow ride, one can see all around without much difficulty, they say. These carriages pass by the Akali Phula Singh Burj, Gate Shera Wala and Ghee Mandi, amid the rush of traffic. Mr Lachman Singh, who resides inside the Gate Shera Wala, says that besides tourists, devotees coming from the surrounding rural areas also use these tongas. "Among the tourists, Europeans and people coming from outside north India like this old-fashioned mode of travel." However, in the absence of proper traffic management, traffic jams are frequent on this route. Tongawallas rue that since the arrival of automobiles, their tongas have been neglected. Many have abandoned their age-old profession to find newer avenues of earning a living. However, some enterprising tongawallas kept their carts moving and found customers in tourists. Mr Brij Bedi, a social worker here, opined that the district authorities should help preserve these heritage rides. "Majority of the tongas are in a bad shape and they must be provided soft loans. It will definitely help attract more tourists." Ms Angela, a resident of Ireland, said it was a sheer thrill to ride these tongas as she did not find such wagons in her country. "It is nice to see that these horse cart pullers have successfully overcome severe competition from the automobile industry. To a considerate onlooker, a tonga ride provides a peep into the past." During the 2003 Tourist Conclave, organisers transported 150 delegates from the railway station to a hotel in a procession of beautifully-decorated tongas accompanied
|
||||||||
|
Eco-preservation is kar seva for Khadoor Sahib’s Baba
If anyone has grasped the true meaning of "kar seva", it is Baba Sewa Singh — chief of the Kar Seva Organisation at the historic township of Khadoor Sahib, about 20 km from Tarn Taran.
Not only does "Babaji," as he is fondly called, undertake the repair of buildings and historical gurdwaras throughout the country, he also has the unique distinction of undertaking tree plantings covering approach roads to Khadoor Sahib and also at some places in Gwalior. Having been granted kar seva for construction and renovation of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, Baba Sewa Singh also went global to create awareness about Sikh values and kar seva in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. During his visit to the US, he also held discussions with the World Bank for creating pollution-free environment near religious places. Other than construction, renovation, beautification and maintenance of buildings and structures, the Kar Seva Organisation under him is committed to the construction of rural roads, canals, drains, bridges, village streets and digging of drains. Baba Sewa Singh is also heading management committees of various educational institutions, including Sri Guru Anged Dev College at Khadoor Sahib, Baba Gurmukh Singh Uttam Singh Secondary School, SGAD College of Education and others being run by the organisation. He joined the pre-Partition Kar Seva Organisation that was established in 1920. He got his religious education at Nirmal Ashram in Khadoor Sahib. He became an active member of the organisation in 1982 and was appointed chief in 1990. To maintain a pollution-free environment, Baba Sewa Singh made a plan to celebrate the quadri-centennial Gurpurb celebrations of Sri Guru Anged Dev, the second Sikh Guru, by planting trees on all roadsides leading to Khadoor Sahib. This work was started in the year 1999 on both sides of the five roads (120 km). Taking a cue from motivation of Baba Sewa Singh, farmers in the area, too, have helped to make nearly 200 acres of land clean and pollution free. "Babaji" has also received awards from various organisations all over the world for his services to humanity. Various universities and state governments have given him certificates of appreciation for unparalleled contribution to environmental work.
|
||||||||
|
Harvinder Singh awaits his
return to Team India
Harvinder Singh is waiting. The right arm medium pacer is confident that sooner or later he will again be called to play for India. Greg Chappell had brought good news. After his joining as the new coach of the Indian team, Harvinder Singh's name was included in the list of 36 probables for the triangular series in Sri Lanka in July. Though he could not make it to the playing eleven, it has not dented his spirit.
The local boy brought laurels to the city when he was first selected for Team India in 1997 and later in 2001. It was after decades that a city lad was donning the cap of the Indian cricket team. The city has already produced two major cricketers - Bishen Singh Bedi, a former Indian skipper, and bowler Madan Lal. Like most cricketers, Harvinder Singh, too, began playing with his mohalla team. His formal training started when he joined DAV School at Hathi Gate and was soon absorbed into the school's cricket team. And it was bowling that attracted him the most. At Gandhi Ground, he honed his skills and prepared for the big battles ahead. But a year after joining the Indian team, Harvinder developed a back problem, which forced him to stay out of action for two long years. He made his comeback in 2001 and played in the triangular series in South Africa. It was to be his last international appearance. In the meantime, he played for English County too. Last year, he bowled for Yorkshire. Next year, he says, he would play for some other county. But before his stint in the Indian team, Harvinder Singh had proved his mettle in domestic and junior level international tournaments. He was adjudged the best bowler in the SAARC Tournament held in Sri Lanka where he claimed 14 wickets in three matches. He is now ready to give his best to the Ranji season, which is about to start. For the past three years, his wicket rate has been over 40 annually in the elite Ranji Trophy tournament. He has also been honing his batting skills. He smashed six sixers in the triangular series amongst India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the Tsunami charity match held in Dubai last year. Till date, he has played 16 one-day internationals claiming 28 wickets with the best figure of three for 41 against Pakistan in the Sahara Cup held in Toronto in 1997. He has also played three tests matches, taking five wickets in all. |
||||||||
|
Holy shrine, unholy surroundings
The Galiara Project, which had aimed at beautifying the surroundings of the Golden Temple, has fallen victim to the Central government's apathy.
With millions of pilgrims visiting the holy shrine, total chaos and alleged mismanagement of the area surrounding the Golden Temple has become an embarrassment to the people here. Even the authorities managing the temple have allegedly not offered any help. Amritsar Vikas Manch, an NGO, alleged that it was a shame that the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee had failed to make any headway in getting the permission to make some standby arrangements. Complaints have been submitted not only to the temple authorities but also to the city administration. But nothing had been done so far, a member of the NGO said. Apart from haphazard parking and fleecing of tourists, vehicle thefts from the area are also being reported regularly. "The Galiara scheme never really helped. Three phases of the Central project were completed eight years ago, and the remaining two still hang fire due to the lack of funds," said an observer. Garbage heaps can be seen in places which, according to the plan, should have been beautified. Only dry pits can be located on the spots reserved for green cover and plants. The area has been beautified instead with bricks and plastic bags. At several places, the area gets clogged after a mild shower. All fountains have dried up and the musical ones are silent. Add to this the menace of stray dogs. Mr Charnajit Singh Gumtala, president, Amritsar Vikas Manch, and its public relations secretary, Mr Kashmira Singh Fauji, in a letter, have urged the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, to take over the management and the maintenance of the surroundings as a temporary measure to at least portray a presentable image of the shrine. The Golden Temple, say the NGO members, is flushed with funds from countless offerings made by lakhs of devotees. However, the authorities have allegedly made no move to allocate some of that money to the maintenance of the temple surroundings. A contribution by the SGPC in this regard would enhance the SGPC's image here and abroad, the members add.
|
||||||||
|
VCD on poet Hasham Shah released
A VCD of a documentary delving into the life and achievements of popular Punjabi poet Hasham Shah has been released here.
Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University released the VCD in a special function organised here by the School of Punjabi Studies of the University. The documentary has been produced by Hasham Shah Memorial Trust, Jagdev Kalan, Amritsar. Besides covering various historic morchas during the freedom struggle, history of Jagdev Kalan village and various cultural events, which contributed a lot towards Punjabi culture, the documentary delves into the poet's life, family, and his close relations with Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It also informed about the public school and college being run by the Hasham Shah Trust. Scripted and directed by Mr Harjit Singh Gill, general secretary of the trust and Mr Manmohan Singh Dhillon, the video documentary was compeered by Mr Anil Sharma, a senior announcer of the All India Radio (AIR). Mr Kewal Krishan, assistant executive of the AIR and Mr Aman were the technical advisor and the playback singer, respectively. Appreciating the efforts of the Hasham Shah Trust, Dr S.P. Singh said that by producing this video documentary, it had made a commendable contribution in preserving the rich history and literature that belonged to the poet of the masses. He said Shah's "Sassi-Punnu" had its own place in Punjabi literature. Calling the documentary as a "historic" one, he said it depicted the events which were of historic relevance.
|
||||||||
|
‘Outsiders’ maligning Khalsa College: Principal
False propaganda against Khalsa College authorities is being done by the "outsiders" who were denied admissions, alleges Dr Daljit Singh, Principal of the college.
He has also urged the district administration to make adequate security arrangements in the campus to stall any untoward incident amid the volatile situation. The students of the college have been on a chain hunger strike against the alleged denial of admissions this year. They allege that the college has sold vacant seats on the pretext of donations. However, Dr Daljit Singh has refuted the allegations. The college authorities claim that issues are being created out of non-issues. There have been other issues also, including rumours about 'dislodging the turbans' of students in the college. The college authorities blame it on a conspiracy to defame the college staff by trying to provoke religious sentiments of the students. They claim that the two students who were the alleged victims had admitted in a written statement of being misguided and of giving a false appearance in photographs. Those on strike have already filed a case in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the matter is subjudice. Hence, as per law, those on strike are forbidden to demonstrate, stage dharnas or to resort to hunger strikes.
|
||||||||
|
PBN Senior Secondary School heading for a closure?
Post the freezing of accounts of the 112-year-old PBN Senior Secondary School on alleged political interference, school staff members apprehend that an imminent closure is on the cards.
As many as twelve staff members, in a press conference recently, stated that they had not been paid their salaries for the last six months, fuelling the fear of the closure of the school. It is also alleged that some politicians having an interest in the government-aided school were behind the controversial scenario. Trouble is also brewing in the school over the principal's post with the removal of Mr Rajeev Kumaria as Principal some time back. Mr Kumaria has alleged that the president of the school's managing committee had served him backdated suspension orders. He further alleged that when he had attempted to enter the school in February this year, he was beaten and dragged out of premises in a semi-conscious state. The matter was taken up by the city Superintendent of Police, Mr P.K. Rai, who had informed about this to the SSP, said Mr Kumaria. Due to political pressure, however, the district administration had remained silent on the issue, he alleged. Meanwhile, in another press conference, those opposed to Mr Rajeev Kumaria charged him, along with his brother Mr G.R. Kumaria, with misappropriation of funds. They alleged that the family of the Kumarias had "looted" the institute of its funds and diverted the funds to real estate purchases in Gurgaon. But Mr Jalwant Singh, district president of Punjab Government Aided Schools, came out in favour of the ex-principal and alleged that undeserving persons were working in the school at the behest of a political personality. Mr Jagdish Singh, general secretary, Principal's Association of Aided Schools, alleged that with the backing of a politician, panic was being created in the school.
|
||||||||
|
AIDS education should start with sarpanchs, say experts
Rural education about AIDS should begin with the village sarpanch, says an AIDS activist working here. "Every Sarpanch in every village of India should be trained by HIV/AIDS counsellors, who in turn will educate the rural masses about the deadly disease," suggested Mr K.M. Tripathi, general secretary, All India Sri Chaitanya Jan Kalyan Parishad, an NGO.
He said a woman in Qadian, suffering from AIDS, was abandoned by her in-laws after the death of her husband. The organisation planned to visit Qadian in order to rehabilitate her and address other such cases, he added. The NGO, Mr Tripathi said, aspired to remove the social stigma attached to AIDS. "Such patients need love and affection of the society," said Mr Tripathi. Citing the example of Lakhwinder Singh and Jaspreet, who lost their parents to the disease and were themselves also infected, he said that these children were living with their maternal aunt and the organisation was bearing their expenses. He said the situation was grim as India had 45 to 48 lakh people infected with AIDS, and Punjab itself had 1300 patients. People aged between 18 to 25 years comprised up to 50 per cent of the patients, he added. "Though the Central government has spent Rs 5,000 crore on its AIDS awareness campaign, a large number of people still remain ignorant." Quoting figures released by UNICEF, he said that in India, 28 per cent of the rural and 11 per cent of the urban population had never heard of the disease.
|
||||||||
|
Certain agencies trying to derail SEZ project, alleges Tandon
Welcoming the friendly relations with the neighbouring countries, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, senior BJP leader and former industries, health and local government minister, has said that the prevailing situation along the border can give a boost to the proposed Special Economic Zone However, certain agencies in the ruling government Warning the state and Central governments against such moves, Mr Tandon said the people of Punjab in general and of Amritsar in particular would never forgive such agencies in the ruling government. The trade and business industry in Punjab and Amritsar had suffered a lot due to tension on Indo-Pak border, and decades of terrorism and two wars, Mr Tandon, who remained industries minister twice in 1969-71 and 1977-80, said. "After a long span, the prevailing goodwill gesture on both sides of the Indo-Pak border could be helpful for commercial and industrial activities. Besides, the chances of opening of border with Pak and land route with Afghanistan and Iran, the proposal of SEZ is likely to get a boost," The project should not be limited to one thousand acres alone as reported by some newspapers. It should be the largest possible one, he said, adding that at present the commercial and industrial activities of the city were negligible and the SEZ would go a long way in helping the city develop as a business hub.
|
||||||||
|
Administration says ‘no’ to crackers during daytime
The district administration has banned the sale and use of crackers from 10 am to 6 pm in the whole district till November 12 to prevent any untoward incident.
Mr Kirandeep Singh Bhullar, DM, in his order released to the press, said that in the wake of Divali, fireworks and crackers were being sold illegally at shops without the required permission, thereby increasing the chances of fire mishaps. Apart from the 100-metre periphery of the areas being declared silence zones, including hospitals, courts, educational and religious institutions among others, the ban order has now been extended to the entire district. The district administration has identified certain open spaces at Golebagh, Sacatary Bagh, Chheharta, District Shopping Complex, Sultanwind Road, Batala Road, Gurdwara Baba Jiwan Singh and Guru Ki Wadali for selling of crackers only to license holders.
|
| 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 | |
‘Pakistan ki fauj musalsal aage badte hue Amritsar shehar pahunch gai hai! Hamari fauj ne Hall Gate ki ghari bhi utar li hai’ (Pakistan’s army is continuously marching towards Amritsar and our army men have even removed the clock of the Hall Gate).
Pakistan had planned a pincer move to cut off the Holy City through a well-orchestrated armoured move by deploying the American Patton Tanks on the Khemkaran side for fast movement towards Beas River to isolate the city of Amritsar to get an upper hand and bargaining power as Pakistan was losing in Jammu and Kashmir and Sialkot sectors.
