COURTS

Bar president accused of misleading lawyers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
The Group of Friends Advocates Organisation has accused the president of the District Bar Association, Mr Balwinder Goel, of keeping members of the bar in the dark over several important issues.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Parminder Singh, president of the organisation, Mr David Gill, Mr Naginder Singh Gora, and Mr Gurpreet Singh Virk said the DBA president had earlier claimed that with his efforts the government had waived Rs 30 lakh, which they were insisting on paying before getting possession of the ground floor of Lawyers Chambers Complex (bar room and library) but it was not true.

“We were shocked to know that the present executive was keeping the legal fraternity in the dark by concealing material facts. These lawyers distributed a copy of the letter purported to have been written by Executive Engineer of PWD B &R to the District and Sessions Judge, in which they have submitted that in view of the holding of national-level Lok Adalat here in April 2005, the keys of bar room and library hall were handed over to the bar president for three days only.

108 cases settled in Lok Adalat

Ludhiana December 18
As many as 108 cases were settled in the Labour Lok Adalat held here under the supervision of Mr A.K. Singla, Presiding Officer of Labour Court-cum-Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana.

Around 180 cases pertaining to disputes between labourers and employers were placed before the Lok Adalat for disposal. With the settlement of these cases, the labourers would get an compensation of Rs 5,41,292.

Mr Arvind Markan, Assistant District Attorney, Legal Services Authority, said Mr Chaman Lal Vashisht, president of the Labour Bar Association, Mr P.D. Sharma, Mr B.D. Arora, Mr B.N. Sehgal played an active role in settling the cases. OC

CULTURE

Book of ghazals discussed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
The literary body, ‘Sirjandhara’ and the Punjabi Lekhak Kalakar Society jointly organised a seminar and felicitation function at Punjabi Bhawan here today to release and deliberate on the recently published book of ghazals, ‘Ahsaas Da Safar’ (journey of feelings) written by Gurcharan Kaur Kochar.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, S.H.S Hanspal, former President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, said poems in the book were deeply empathetic and inspirational and exposed the exploitation of women in the contemporary context.

Dr Surjit Patar, who presided over the function, said ‘‘Kochar’s verses are of great literary worth as these spread the message of universal peace, love and respect for women’’.

The guest of honour, Mr Gurbhajan Gill, said Ms Kochar has created an admirable place for herself in the literary field by penning down beautiful verses.

Presenting the first copy of the book to the Chief Guest, Gurcharan Kaur Kochar said she had derived enormous inspiration from her teachers, especially Sardar Panchhi who had motivated her in life.

She recited some of her selected verses. Later, Randhir Kanwal, Sunanda and Surinder Cheema enthralled the audience by singing some verses of Ms Kochar.

Presenting her paper on‘Ahsaas Da Safar’, critic Dr Kulwinder Minhas, observed that Kochar’s verses reflected a deep sagacity which ‘‘she has presented with utter candidness thereby making her message reach the mind of reader’’. The paper written by another noted scholar Prof G.S.Bedi was read by Prof Kulwant Jagraon, who conducted the stage. The key speakers, Prof Mohinder Singh Cheema, Dr Jagtar Dhiman and Principal Gurdip Kaur, while sharing their views about the substance, style and literary worth of the released book mentioned that ‘Ahsaas Da Safar’ is like a flowing melody as it makes the reader conscious of the significance that lies somewhere ahead of words. Besides sending a message for a dignified living, her poems propagate a respect for womanhood.

The chief guest, Ms Kochar , key speakers and paper presenters were given mementoes. Earlier, the president and general secretary of Sirjandhara, Karamjit Aujia, and Kulwant Jagraon, said in Kochar’s verses the agony of distressed women and a reflection of Punjabi culture had been presented beautifully.

Prominent among other literary celebrities who attended the programme were Sardar Panchhi, Principal Prem Singh Bajaj, Davinder Sekha, Principal Gurcharan Singh, Prof Kartar Singh Kaira, Dr Gurde Singh Pandhoh, Dr Manu Sharma, Ms Manjeet Dhiman, Dr Swaranjit Kaur Grewal, Ms Inderpal Kaur Bhinder, Amarjit Kaur Naaz, Sukhwinder Amrit, Paramjit Kaur Nijjar, Biba Kuiwant, Bachint Kaur, Prof Gurjinder Kaur, Satish Gulati, Sarod Sudip, Janmeja Johi,, Charanjit Singh, Dr Ajit Singh Sikka, Tarlochan Lochi, Inderjit Hasanpuri, etc.

The function concluded with the presentation of vote of thanks by Prof Jagmohan Singh Oyster and Er J.B.Singh Kochar of the Punjabi Lekhak Kalakar Society.

Music of ‘Baghi’ released
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 18
‘‘Om Puri, the famous international actor has returned to Punjabi films after a hiatus of 20 years. After ‘Long Da Lashkara’ and ‘Chan Pardesi’, Om Puri is doing a stellar role in my film’’, this was stated by Sukhminder Singh Dhanjal, director of the Punjabi film ‘Baghi’.

He and the producer of the film Gaj Deol are in the city to release the music of ‘Baghi’.

At a function held here today, Mr Surjit Patar, president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi, released the music album of the film.

Mr Dhanjal while talking to Ludhiana Tribune said ,‘‘Baghi is a revolutionary film. But revolt is not against the system and power, it is against the social evils. ‘Baghi’ is a musical love story of two youngsters who are living their dreams of love and romance in a college in Chandigarh. Love birds— Deep and Preet are as fresh as the breeze coming from Sutlej and Chenab, where love originally flourished. Their love touches the heights of romance, togetherness and eternity. When it comes to the marriage, the obstacles of cast and creed come in their way and then the lovers become Baghi."

Mr Dhanjal said at the release function of Baghi’s music, ‘‘The movie has every shade and colour of music whether it is folk or modern Punjabi pop. The treatment is so youthful that today’s youth will relish the peppy music, beautifully picturisation and eye catching locales. Music by Vidyut Goswami is another highlight of the film. Vidyut has also given the background music, which gives the entire film a different mood and feel.

Alaaps by Suresh Wadekar in the background score are moving. Lyrics by Sukhminder Dhanjal and songs sung by Sonu Nigam, Sardool Sikander and Preeti Uttam Singh are mind blowing.

‘Baghi ’ is a great drama presented in a unique story telling style using modern techniques. This drama is enacted by great actors like Om Pun, Girija Shanker and Sardar Sohi. Om Puri is playing a Sikh for the first time on silver screen. He plays the character of an Army Subedar Major who fights not only at the border but also fights against social evils.

Girija Shanker plays a high profile landlord and Sardar Sohi as Jwala Singh justifies his name with his electrifing performance.