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Callous neglect
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Residents resent dumping of construction material on roads
My City
GND Varsity scientist to attend world conferences in Australia
Panthers Division organises medical camp
Local doctor selected for international fellowship
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Callous neglect
Many visitors who come to Amritsar do not realise that some of the finest architectural marvels and Sikh religious places are being steadily defaced.
Amritsar is replete with a number of historical, archaeological, religious and scenic places, which have not been given their due attention.
Most of the ancient buildings lost their heritage value during kar seva. It is shocking to learn that some “wonders” that once existed in Punjab have disappeared now. One such “wonder” on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road is Jhulna Mahal Gurdwara. It is situated about six km from Tarn Taran, in the old village of Thathi Khara, near Doburji. The shaking arcade, popularly known as “Gurdwara Jhulna Mahal”, an important monument connected with the visit of Guru Arjun Dev, has been whitewashed without caring for the historicity of the monument. The arcade is an important monument of the medieval period that could not be preserved in its original shape. A modern structure — the Dera of Kar Sewa Wale — has been constructed in the vicinity of the gurdwara. The kar seva is being carried out by Baba Hira Singh these days. It is a common belief that Guru Arjun Dev used to stay at this place when the new city in Majha region was being founded with the construction of Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran. Unfortunately, the place is being neglected today. The Babas of Kar Sewa Wale have started constructing a new gurdwara around the double pillars, symbolising the meeting of Guru Arjun Dev with his son Guru Hargobind Sahib. Surprisingly, the pillars remain covered with a saffron cloth and devotees can’t have look at them. The masonry work done in the vicinity of Jhulna Mahal Gurdwara has also caused considerable damage to its unique architectural features. The well, made of small Nanakshahi bricks, has been broadened with new construction. As a result, it has lost its sheen. The municipal taps have been attached to the modern construction around the ancient well. And it was the imagination of the Guru and masons of the period that blended all these elements together to produce one of the great wonders. The place attracted visitors and worshippers from far-flung areas. Instead of carrying out the repairs of the aging structures by getting the opinion of experts, a modern look is being given to some parts of the ancient structure. Guru Arjun Dev made Amritsar the headquarters of his pontificate. He completed the digging of the tank, and a new town began to grow up around the sacred pool. In the centre of the tank, he built the Hari Mandir. In 1590, he built another Sikh shrine with a tank at Tarn Taran. The Guru was himself a man of fame and wealth, and his influence extended over Hindus and Muslims to such an extent that he incurred the wrath of Emperor Jahangir. Hearing a report that the Guru had shown sympathy towards Prince Khusru who had rebelled against him, Jahangir ordered him to be thrown into prison and, according to the account given in Tuzak-I-Jahangiri, the Guru’s death was caused directly by the orders of the Emperor in 1606. A sevadar, while giving description of Jhulna Mahal Gurdwara, claims that when Emperor Jehangir was passing through the nearby road with bedecked elephants swaying, the curious Sikh sangat went up to the road to see the royal procession. It is said that Guru Arjun Dev blessed the magnificent place to “swing like an elephant”. Another shaking arcade — Jhulna Mahal — is situated in the adjoining district of Gurdaspur. This Jhulna Mahal is also crying for immediate preservation. The arcade is an important monument connected with the medieval history of Gurdaspur town. The town is named after Guriaji who had bought the village and named it after himself. The construction of this Jhulna Mahal in Gurdaspur district began in the middle of the eighteenth century and was meant to be the residence of Narain Dass, one of Guriaji’s grandsons. However, the construction could not progress beyond a wide wall comprising a set of arches. The wall came to be known as “Jhulna Mahal”, as it used to vibrate considerably if someone touched it. A document (dated 1839) of a Mahant stated that Rang Mahal, the residence of Narain Dass’ brother, Saran Dass, was built in 1737. It is believed that the Jhulna Mahal of Gurdaspur also belongs to that period. Some people here attribute the shaking of the wall to mystical powers. The damage caused to many heritage buildings in the border belt has already drawn flak from heritage lovers. Even in 2003, the kar seva at the Golden Temple came in for severe criticism. The SGPC and the Akal Takht secretariat was flooded with objections raised over the alleged damage to the magnificent old structures in the past, but the vandalism of heritage continued. “We Sikhs are either too naive or do not care for our past,” read a letter written by an SGPC member and President, Akali Dal (Amritsar), Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, addressed to the then SGPC Chief, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar. He saw a “conspiracy to finish the Sikh heritage through the Babas of Kar Seva Wale” and had held Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra (who remained the SGPC Chief for 25 years) and his successors, “responsible” for this colossal damage. Earlier, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, a former general secretary, had written to the SGPC to stop the ongoing gilding of the interiors of the Golden Temple, stating that it was not being done as per recommendations of experts. There are many such sites in Amritsar district, which, though quite ancient and associated with history, have neither been included in tourist circuits nor mentioned adequately in tourist literature. Kar seva controversy The institution of kar seva came under the scanner from the Sikh Sangat for the first time when in a shocking but unprecedented development, Amrik Singh of Dera Baba Jagtar Singh went underground after allegedly embezzling donations worth crores of rupees. However, Baba Amrik Singh levelled serious counter-allegations against Baba Jagtar Singh. Baba Jagtar Singh had alleged that Amrik Singh had purchased about seven acres land in Hoshiarpur district in his own name recently. A Scorpio vehicle was purchased in the name of his (Amrik Singh’s) relative, he further alleged. Earlier, a couple of years ago, Amrik Singh was held “responsible” for the missing of some things during the kar seva of the sarovar of the Golden Temple, but no action was taken against him. Amrik Singh, who is only about 38 years, had joined the Dera of Baba Jagtar Singh at the young age of 17 years. He had won the confidence of senior Sikh sants and was brought to Tarn Taran, the headquarters of the kar seva. Since he was found to be ‘worldly wise’, he was given the general power of attorney in July 1998. He had visited many developed countries, including the USA, with a view to collect donations. However, recently, he developed sharp differences with Baba Jagtar Singh when his activities were found suspicious. SGPC versus the Babas of Kar Sewa Wale
The SGPC executive suddenly withdrew kar seva from Baba Jagtar Singh and Baba Lakha Singh on the pretext that they (the Babas) had indulged in “anti-SGPC” activities. The immediate provocation to ‘punish’ Baba Jagtar Singh was that he had accepted a siropa from the Congress stage at Tarn Taran. However, within 24 hours, the SGPC Chief did a volte-face. He had to call an emergency meeting to restore the kar seva to Baba Jagtar Singh, eulogising his services in the field of kar seva. The SGPC executive, however, took a principled decision not to give a free hand to the Babas to demolish the Sikh heritage. From now onward, the kar seva would be carried out on the basis of the recommendations of the heritage experts and on the approval of the Shiromani Committee. Had such a decision been taken immediately after the formation of the SGPC, the rich heritage would have been saved.
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Residents resent dumping of construction material on roads
Loading and unloading of construction material, especially sand, in various residential areas of the city is allegedly rendering the land “barren”, besides damaging the environment in the vicinity. The sand in the air, usually found in these areas, has also reportedly led to many accidents.
The residents of the area, where these activities are concentrated, and many environmental activists have expressed their resentment over this alleged illegal act, which has its repercussions on the fertile land, as they say that the continuous loading and unloading activities damage the fertility of the land. Interestingly, the building material dealers, in total disregard to the norms, were dumping sand and other items on the roadside outside their premises. This not only causes traffic hazards, but also spoiling the ecology of the area defying the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court about the handling and transportation of sand and other building items. A number of such activities are being carried out on the main G T road with impunity. The residents of Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra HIG Housing Complex have to face the situation due to the activities being carried out on the entrance gate of the Punjab Institute of Textile Technology (PITT) on the Amritsar-Wagah road near the Guru Nanak Dev University for more than 10 years. The residents’ association of the HIG flats has taken up the issue of parking of construction material laden tractor trolleys with the authorities a number of times, but the administration allegedly did not pay heed to their protest. Mr Narinder Mohan Lamba, president of Shaheed Mandan Lal Dhingra Housing Welfare Society, said during dust storms or hot summer months, the entire loose sand and dust enters their houses. This dust particles also creating health hazards and the residents had to clean the house all the time, he added. He urged the administration and the civic authorities to stop this parking of tractor and trolleys carrying construction material, especially sand and bricks, from this permanent encroached areas outside their colony. The Amritsar Sand Suppliers Truck Operators’ Union, led by Mr Balbir Singh, alleged that these tractor trolleys were illegally plying in the city violating the guidelines of the Apex court and the high court for carrying more material than authorised by the courts. He alleged these trolleys were also not paying any local taxes and were damaging the roads by carrying more than 20 tonnes of material. He expressed his anguish and shock over the administration’s apathetic attitude towards this serious violation of the guidelines. These trolleys were also plying without any registration number thus defying the orders of the state government and therefore, could not be challaned by the transport authorities in the absence of any legal documents. This has resulted in unauthorised movement of tractors in hundreds doing commercial activity and creating traffic jams everywhere, in addition to spreading pollution. Mr K. S. Kang, Commissioner, MC, when contacted, said earlier too the matter had come to his notice. He said the authorities had removed the material on these areas. But certain persons had again started to park and loading and unloading the sand due to political patronage to them, he claimed. He added that he would look into the matter and would order the banning of such illegal activities. |
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‘Amritsar needs to be put on the right track’
By Brij Bedi
The city has a rare position in the world in the sense that hymns from Gurbani reverberate throughout the day all across the year. However, much remains to be desired from its Municipal Corporation as it has hardly attempted to save the only historic gate left out of the 12 constructed during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.A few decades back the city was counted among the top industrial hubs of the country. There were thousands of looms where shuttles used to reverberate environment with the sound, which inspired others also to march ahead. These looms weaved all types of cloth, including silk, cotton and woolens. However, it has all stopped due to a number of reasons, including indifferent attitude of the successive governments. Besides home to famous ‘pappad Warian’, it carved a niche for producing blankets, shawls and carpets, machine tools and fans. Unable to run factories, owners had converted them into marriage palaces or into residential colonies. The city abounds in rich heritage in the form of fresco painting and architectural buildings, which are being demolished in the name of modernity and today, we have malls without parking space. Gurudwara Baba Atal Rai is the classic example of fresco painting about which a handful of people know. In fact, we have destroyed the ambience in the form of small lanes around the Golden Temple where people used to jostle with each other shopping for trinkets and Punjabi ‘juttis’. It has all vanished. Traffic management is almost non-existent and all roads lead to chaos. Apart from this, encroachment is another evil plaguing the city. The violators of law have become stronger than the administration, which has reduced to a mute spectator. The Municipal Corporation has not delivered well. Violators are choking the city by constructing wide road dividers, while every inch of footpath is encroached. On one hand, the MC cart the city’s garbage in open trolleys. On the other hand, they are putting up horrendous looking lights on the road crossings. The MC is allowing people to put up huge hoardings all over the town at all vantage points even at green belts with impunity. It is a total let down by the local administration. Amritsar is also known for its medical education and has produced world famous doctors and surgeons. The citizens of Amritsar hardly care to protest against the vandalisation of this Holy City. Its time that we the citizens of Amritsar should get our act together and make the city the most beautiful city in the world. With unplanned construction it has become a chaotic city, another sad part of the story is that the city is in the grip of drug abuse and there is no one to combat this deadly menace. The city belongs to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. I request him to send a team of professionals to put the city on the right track.
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GND Varsity scientist to attend world conferences in Australia
About 8 million children are born with a serious genetic birth defect every year in the world and of these 3.3 million die. Those who survive either have a short life or are disabled for whole life.
Keeping this in view, the International Federation of Human Genetic Societies (IFHGS) has decided to organise a special workshop during the 11th International Congress of Human Genetics at Brisbane, Australia, from August 6 to 10. Dr Jai Rup Singh, Professor of Human Genetics and the Coordinator of the Centre for Genetic Disorders of Guru Nanak Dev University, said it would formulate the guidelines and find out the ways and means to extend the benefits of discoveries of human genetics to the people in the poor countries. Dr Jai Rup Singh said 90 per cent of such births and 95 per cent of deaths of children with serious birth defects occurred in low-income countries, which currently did not have comprehensive genetic services for care and prevention. He said traditionally such genetic services had been confined primarily in rich countries. The development of basic medical genetic services in developing countries could ensure that these countries also get the benefit from the discoveries of medical genetics and genomic. He added that the developing countries around the world were now showing keen interest towards developing these medical discoveries. However, they have widely failed due to the absence of innovative policies to integrate genetic services into their existing health services. Moreover, the misconceived high costs presumably associated with these services were the major hurdles, Dr Jai Rup Singh said. The International Congress of Human Genetics is the foremost meeting of the world human genetics community that is held once every five years. This Congress is the major global forum for human geneticists. In this Congress, over 5000 scientists from different countries are expected to participate. During his visit to Australia to participate in the 11th ICHG, Dr Jai Rup Singh would be delivering several other invited talks and participate in other international satellite meetings that include; “Challenges of Genetics and Genomics”; “Genetic Education in Developing Countries” by World Alliance of Organisations for the Prevention and Treatment of Genetic and Congenital Conditions; “International Genetic Alliance Conference”; “Symposium on Thalassemia”; “Australasian Genetic Alliance Conference”; and Round Table on “Evaluating Genetic Education for Health Professionals”. |
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Panthers Division organises medical camp
Field Regiment under the aegis of Panther Artillery Brigade organised a medical camp at Government School, Durgi Village, here recently.
Speaking on the occasion, Lieut-Gen Noble Thamburaj, G-O-C Vajra Corps, said the main aim of the camp was to sensitise and create goodwill amongst the people of border villages, create awareness about AIDS and the increasing menace of drugs amongst the youth. He said the medical team from the Army provided free medical treatment and distributed medicines to the ailing people of the village.
He said in addition, the Army authorities redressed the grievances of ex-servicemen of the border villages and provided on-the-spot advice and solutions to their problems through representatives of Zila Sainik Board, District Pension Division and office of the DC. The G-O-C also inaugurated the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic building which would provide top class service to the ex-servicemen, apart from providing and channelising the medical facilities, and other basic amenities. He said the scheme had recently been introduced to ensure comprehensive medical coverage to the ex-servicemen at a reasonable one-time payment at the time of their retirement from service. He said referrals of patients from ECHS polyclinic would be made to reputed medical institutes, keeping in view the requirements and convenience of the patients. |
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Local doctor selected for international fellowship
Dr Manuj Wadhwa, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospital here, has been selected for a three-month long joint reconstruction surgery fellowship of the Ranawat Orthopaedic Research Foundation at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York.
Dr Wadhwa said that he would participate in the research projects with Dr C.S. Ranawat, who operated upon former Prime Minister Mr A.B. Vajpayee, during his fellowship. He would be trained in state-of-the-art techniques in total joint replacement surgery. He would leave for the USA on July 11. He said that the hospital was a premier institute in state-of-the-art-techniques in hip and knee joint replacements surgery. Dr Wadhwa felt that the stint with world famous medical practitioner would enrich him not only in experience, but also expose to new developments. |
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My city Amritsar has a long glorious history. It was known as the city of ‘baghs’ (gardens). Unfortunately, those ‘baghs’ have either disappeared or become a haven for chug addicts and anti-social elements.