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REGIONAL
POTPOURRI |
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Hukkah goes hi-tech
 After hundreds of years, hukkah, the first love of rural Haryanvi men, is in for modernisation.
Prem Jangra, a Khalasi working in the Meham Cooperative Sugar Mills in Rohtak district, has designed a “chillum” which does not require smouldering cow dung cakes to be placed in the “chillum” to heat the tobacco.
He has fitted the “chillum” with an electrical contraption that does away with fire. He has fitted an 80w electrical element in the “chillum” and covered it with a layer of plaster of Paris (PoP). The element’s two ends have been taken out of the “chillum” by drilling a hole through the terracotta “chillum”. These have been connected to a bed switch. The switch is connected to a 220-v transformer, which brings down the household electricity output to a mere 40 volt, which is enough to heat the element inside the “chillum”. A small iron bowl is placed above the PoP layer to heat the tobacco.Prem Jangra has specially designed this “chillum” for his friend Sant Ram Prajapat of Meham. Says Prajapat: “I did not want my grandchildren or my daughters-in-law to keep reheating the ‘chillum’ every now and then. Besides, I was worried about the pollution caused by the constant burning of cow dung cakes in the courtyard. So, I asked Prem to do something about it and he came up with the idea of fitting an electrical element. It’s working fine and the tobacco flavour is as good as the traditional ‘chillum’ ”. Prem Jangra says the “chillum” works for about 30 minutes after switching off power. During power cuts, the modernised version of the “chillum” can be used by loading cow dung cakes. He now wants to improve upon the contraption by fitting a regulator to control the heat in much the same manner as the cow dung cakes.
Dress obsession
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Balkaur Singh Gill
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In an age when traditional dresses have been reduced to be showcased in museums, this Excise and Taxation Officer has virtually been wearing the cultural dress of the Malwa region of Punjab, “kurta” and “chadra” , throughout his life.Mr Balkaur Singh Gill, posted with the Excise and Taxation Office, Ludhiana, takes pride in his unique identification in the city — the man clad in “kurta” and “chadra”. Be it his office, a party or any other function, he is seen donning his dress along with his turban with total confidence. “At times, people make nasty comments on my dress, but it does not deter my spirit. Earlier I used to get angry at such people but now I smile at them,” he says. His father tried to make him wear a pair of trousers when Mr Gill joined college, but the trousers did not fit him properly and he was not comfortable in the pair. He decided that he would continue with “kurta” and “chadra” throughout his life. The determination did not die even when he joined the Department of English at Panjab University, Chandigarh, for pursuing post-graduate degree. Though it was known as the department of “modern people”, my teachers never disliked my wearing this dress, he said recalling his university days of 1971-72. “I respect other cultures but I love my own. My first identification is my dress,” he says, adding that he felt sad that only Punjabis were against his wearing the dress. “Mostly Punjabis only pester me to change my dress code. Otherwise, if go down South, people really love me for doing so. They compliment me for my originality,” he says, adding that even his department never asked him to change his dress.
Using postcard to fight foeticide
The women’s wing of the Nawanshahr district-level NGOs Coordination Society, UPKAR, has come out with a unique idea to fight the menace of female foeticide. It is using one of the oldest and cheapest modes of communications — postcard — to bring about a change in the mindset of society, especially womenfolk. Besides, the society is also organising “nukkad” meetings in villages in this regard.Ms Sarita, wife of Deputy Commissioner Krishan Kumar, has motivated the women activists of UPKAR to actively participate in the drive launched to eradicate this social evil. Leading by example, she has launched a programme to mobilise women panches, sarpanches, municipal councillors and teachers etc to participate in this movement. Ms Sarita herself learnt Punjabi, and accompanied by women activists, has started writing postcards to them. Hundreds of postcards signed by her are being sent to women opinion-makers to help change the attitude of the people. In her communication with women through postcards or speeches at “nukkad” meetings, she also tells villagers that foeticide is against the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
Contributed by Raman Mohan, Kanchan Vasdev and Parmod Bharti
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