Amritsar, April 10
As the men folk of the Rai Sikh community in the border villages of Rajasansi and Ajnala border belt find themselves unable to generate income from their present vocation, the female members of this brave community have started making carpets to make both ends meet.

The community,which links their lineage to a Rajput clan and did not flee even during shelling from across the border, use to cultivate the farms across the fence on the Indo-Pakistan border.

Now, they are finding it difficult to earn their living due to restrictions put in by the Border Security 
Force (BSF).

Earlier, they used to work from 10 am to 5 pm but due to the restrictions imposed on their work timings, they are not able to generate a decent income. They are now forced to find other avenues to ensure their survival.

Seeing their parents unable to find work to earn their livelihood, Rajji, a teenage girl of village Dug Tut said as her parents were finding it difficult to work in fields across the fencing on the Indo-Pak border they started making carpets by putting up traditional handlooms in their houses.

These handlooms were being provided by the contractors working for the carpet manufactures.

The proud girls are a very good example for those villages where boys are preferred over the girls and young couples are killing their daughters in the womb due to extreme poverty and so called ‘social stigma’.

Unable to give the name of the NGO which had provided them the necessary six-month training in carpet-weaving, she said after the training some contractors provided them the necessary raw material to weave 
the carpets.

The girls said the attractive designs were also being provided by the contractors as per the demand of customers.

Though shy in nature due to their orthodox environment, the confidence of these girls has increased who are helping their parents in every respect.

After making a round of various villages in this border belt where girls have taken up this profession the Amritsar Plus team found these hapless girls, who had not gone to school due to poverty and scarcely ventured out of their homes, had learned the skills from other girls and the chain went on.

They said it was easy for them to learn and earn for their families within their environment.

Rajji said it took her three to four months to weave a carpet and was able to earn Rs 1500 to 2000 per month.

The parents of girls said besides generating income for families, it had become easier for them to find a suitable match for their daughters as the parents of boys preferred the girls who knew the carpet-weaving as they could supplement the income of their in-laws.

Trilok Singh, also of the same village who has been making the carpets for the last 10 to 12 years and was involved in giving training to these girls, said he was uneducated and moreover could not earn sufficient income by working in the fields across the fence due to the restrictions.

He said all members of his family help in carpet-weaving and were able to earn more than Rs 5,000 per month.

However, he rued that due to the negligent attitude of the state government towards this industry, they were not getting enough remuneration as most of the carpet-manufacturing units in the border belt and cities were closing down due to the heavy losses incurred by the owners of these units.

He said the government should come forward and offer some kind of financial help so that this dying industry could revive which was once famous for exporting the carpets to Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.

Amritsar, April 10
There was more to the recently-concluded silver jubilee celebrations of the air cargo centre of the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) at Rajasansi Airport, given all the talk about the international airport being touted as the next cargo hub of the region.

With the Airport Authority of India (AAI) also coming up with its main cargo centre, which is expected to become operational next month, cargo handling at Amritsar is all set to move to the next level.

Rana Sangha, in charge of CWC’s air cargo centre says, for a long time, Kabul remained the only cargo destination from Amritsar, thanks to regular flights by Ariana Afghan. About 90 per cent of the export consisted of green tea, besides readymade garments, hosiery, medicines, tyres and tobacco. In return, dry fruits and perishable like grapes from Afghanistan 
were imported. However, things have changed drastically in these years and now there is a whole bunch of airlines keen on lifting cargo from Rajasansi.

With more and more exporters from the region preferring to send their freight from Amritsar, a whole new variety of goods have been added to the cargo list.

Recently, CWC’s air cargo centre got a rather interesting assignment of air-lifting 47 buffaloes, along with their calves and fodder, the total weight of the consignment coming to 32 tonnes. “It was the toughest assignment of my career. We had to work on every aspect of the transportation, from deciding the Russian airplane’s interior to loading the cattle till 2 am in the morning,” he says. The consignee of the chartered flight, Dr D.S. Chawla, a retired principal scientist of Punjab, says the buffaloes were sent to the private farm of the president of United Arab Emirates (UAE), for production of cheese and yogurt, two things the Arabs relish.

“The adaptability of the cattle is being tested and in case the Indian buffaloes pass the test, additions would soon be made to the farm,” he says. Given years of experience in handling cargo, the CWC’s cargo centre, says Sangha, is capable of providing every kind of guidance to any exporters operating from Rajasansi Airport. “Not just this, we have freight coming all the way from Jalandhar and Ludhiana through Custom Bounded Trucks (CBT) whenever there is shortage of space at the cargo centres there.”

“Many passengers also come to us for seeking guidance on export baggage, which is flown separate from the customer, depending on the availability of flights. Many times, the passengers are given the impression that the baggage would be home delivered, which is not true,” he says. Cargo handling at Rajasansi airport started on November 23, 1981 and the sole flight to Kabul was stopped during the Gulf War. In absence of service, tobacco started accumulating from Hyderabad and Bihar and exporters had to seek an alternative in chartered flights.

Flights to Kabul were resumed by Ariana Afghan in May 2005. But the real boom period for the CWC’s air cargo centre started when many Russian flights started operating from Amritsar.

Amritsar, April 10
More than three per cent of the city's population is suffering from diabetes and the figure is rising at an 
alarming rate.

This was stated by noted diabetes specialist Dr Rohit Kapoor in the seminar organised by the Fortis Hospital here to mark the World Health Day. The theme this year is "Invest in health, build a safer future ".

In his keynote address, Dr Kapoor revealed that the figures were based on his survey spanning the past 15 years. According to the survey, it was found that among those who died due to diabetes, 55 per cent of them were women.

He further revealed that among patients suffering from diabetes, an alarmingly high figure of 70 per cent in the city was also found to be "obese" which was the main cause for this disease.

The survey revealed that bad food habits, sedentary lifestyle and lethargy contributed heavily to obesity and found that women in the city were suffering from obesity more than any other city in Punjab state. Apart from this, it was also revealed that about 30 per cent of diabetic patients were also seen to be having "high cholesterol levels" which was becoming the major cause for growing rate of heart problems in the city and the region.

The diabetes specialist said it was commonly understood that diabetes was genetic, however it was revealed in the survey that diabetes could be managed better by early detection, managing food habits and exercising regularly.

He called upon the medical fraternity to start a "diabetes control programmes" on the pattern of "polio eradication" drive.

Chief guest Dr Rajinder Singh,civil surgeon, addressing medical specialists on the occasion stressed on the need for greater cooperation between the private and government health services in order to fight epidemics.

Expressing his deep concern over contaminated water he said this was a major cause for water-borne diseases and urged private hospitals to join hands with government to counter any such eventuality.

He also said standing guidelines should be followed by all medical practitioners in letter and spirit. 

Amritsar, April 10
The Central Reserve Police Force, 134 Battalion, Ajnala Road, observed Shaurya Divas in recognition of the bravery shown by jawans of the battalion during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war in which its eight soldiers laid down their lives fighting the Pakistani forces.

On April 9, 1965, the whole brigade of the Pakistani forces attacked two Indian posts of Sardar and Taak situated on the border in the Kuchh area of Gujarat where the battalion was posted. The soldiers fought valiantly for 12 hours continuously and killed about 34 soldiers of the Pakistan forces, thus failing the attack.

Commandant B.S. Sidhu took the guard of honor and honoured the guards. Sidhu exhorted the jawans to get inspiration from the Shaurya Chakra winners of the force.

Later a cultural programme was organised in the evening. Sidhu gave away awards.

Amritsar, April 10
Amritsar - Punjabi gazals, bhajans, folk numbers with special flavor of 'Heer' sung by Punjabi singer Didar Singh 'Pardesi' from Kenya called the curtains on the silver jubilee year of DAV public school.

Chief guest Joginder Singh former director CBI along with BR Abrol vice-President

DAV management, Delhi lighted the lamps for the inaugural ceremony of the grand finale evening.

Students presented an in-depth colorful ballet titled "Uthaan' (Higher, Higher and Higher') on the occasion that brought forth the insights into life and living. Prepared jointly by students and staff the indigenous presentation used the unique technique of "shadow dancing" to symbolically portray the five senses that traps humans and brings about negative changes in them.

The show concluded on a note of 'empowerment' and 'rise' of the 'inner conscience' that succeeds to enlighten the spirit to command over the senses and shed the shackles of slavery to other negativity like ''Kama, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahankar" (lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride).

The celebrations of freedom over negativity brought the stage alive with beautiful dances in brilliantly colored costumes, crisp narrative on a backdrop of western and Indian classical 'fusion' music.

Exception is there for Ram Bagh aka Company Gardens, the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh from where he used to conduct all his administration, its maintenance and development remained under the administrative supervision of the scion.

As the Maharaja was a frequent visitor to Amritsar to offer his obeisance at Harmandir Sahib, the garden was properly looked after and a special squad was deployed for the purpose. The structure of the buildings is a testimony to the architectural design that kept the inner surroundings cool and comfortable.

At a later stage, when the Britishers annexed Punjab as part of their domain, the garden came to be known as Company Gardens. The English used to enjoy their secluded pleasures within the walls of the bagh and hardly any Indian was allowed to stroll within its limits.

It has now acquired almost a heritage status in Amritsar. Within the premises of the bagh stand Bagh Sheesh Mahal and Bagh Kharag Singh, named after the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Most of the localities are christened as bagh after the names of different persons who must have been renowned citizens in the erstwhile era of the historic city.

It appears that the area, since the time of the city’s inception, must have been a fertile resort of gardens. Irrigation facilities must have been so convenient to grow and develop the gardens commercially.

The proof is still visible that quite a number of the gardens are still flourishing on the outskirts of the city. Many fruits from these gardens still command demand in Indian markets.

With growth of population, it was obvious that buildings became more prevalent and the gardens faced extinction. But whatever localities came up under different names, many of them are still wellknown because of the names related to different gardens.

Guru ka Bagh, within the precincts of Darbar Sahib, Bagh Akalian and Bagh Santokhsarwala have their religious or historic relevance. Jallianwala Bagh is the most red-lettered historic garden that is maintained by an independent body due to its distinct significance related to the freedom movement of India.

Baisakhi Day of 1919 imparts historic significance to the garden. Gol Bagh, on the north-western side of the city, is also an open space, with not many trees and vegetation, being used by political parties to organise rallies and sometimes for circus shows also.

On the Chatiwind Gate side, Sakattri Bagh is being used for various activities by the citizens for the promotion of their health and harmony among themselves.

As the gardens went under extinction, the places got the changed names as Katra i.e. tracts of land. Some memorable names can be reminisced as Bagh Gyanian, Bagh Raja Dhian Singh, Bagh Raja Hira Singh, Bagh Raja Suchet Singh, Bagh Dal Singh, Bagh Jamedar Khushal Singh, Bagh Jawala Singh, Bagh Kaserian, Bagh Ralia Ram, Bagh Beli Ram, etc. 

Amritsar, April 10
A two-day exhibition-cum-sale of exclusive hand-painted fabrics and other materials would be organised at the art gallery on the Madan Mohan Malviya road here from April 11.

Kiranreet Singh, popularly known as Bugli, said that her hand-painted creations included unstitched salwar, kameej, shawls, sarees, dupattas, stoles and kurtis with sequins work on cotton, georgettes and pure chiffon. She said that even the painted dupattas with the cotton suit were in pure chiffon.

Talking about the quality of her creation, she said the fabrics had been painted with acrymin dyes and steamed and could be washed at home. She said one could experience at the exhibition about the different designs and work pattern as she always tried to create something new and it took her two to three days to give the practical shape to her own ideas.

Bugli, who had organised 108 such exhibitions all over the country and two in Dubai during the past 15 years, said this was her first exhibition in Amritsar. She said that she had also organised exhibitions in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh and had received good response from the residents there.

She said the idea struck her mind to hold the exhibition here as her relatives suggested her as to why not to hold exhibition in the holy city.

She claimed that the designs and the pattern were totally different and were not available anywhere in the country. She said she had tried her best to keep the rates to the minimum so that the general public could afford these.

Amritsar, April 10
Travelling to Amritsar during Baisakhi enables one to mingle with the generous and hospitable residents and relish the local delicacies.

A visitor could see Amritsar at its robust best during the warm summer. The smiling residents and sundry vendors exude optimism and the people's never-say-die spirit.

The summer brings many delicacies for its residents and visitors. Manufacturers of ice candy, ice lolly and ice cream bar in Amritsari style are enough to attract young and old. Amritsar is famous for 'Barf Da Gola' (Ice candy), sprinkled with different sweet colours.

The establishments, be they roadside eateries or makeshift shops on encroached land, are neatly laid out in different parts of the city.

A number of NGOs arrange piao- a kiosk offering cold water and a light sharbat, an ideal drink to beat the summer heat.

All this talk about delicacies usually arises out of vendors or restauranteurs trying to extract handsome sums from your wallet.

Fairs or melas in Punjabi are synonymous with the joy and gaiety and in the countryside where the life follows a hard routine, nothing is more welcome to the people than the prospect of a festival or a mela.

A rural mela in Punjab has a great significance. It is not just an occasion for festivity and mass gathering but it is an unbounded expression of the spirit of the inner freedom, of creative pride, of zest for life, and of colorful traditions of the people of Punjab. The fairs of the Punjab are linked with its culture and reflect by and large the various phases of its life. Baisakhi is a seasonal festival with a special accent. 

Amritsar, April 10
Uncertainty looms large over the future of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) employees, who are demanding

their regularisation on the lines of Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Presenting a memorandum to deputy commissioner, copies of which have been sent to minister of food and civil supplies, the All Food and Allied Loading, Unloading Mazdoor Union has urged the government to provide them facilities which are given to government staffers after regularising them.

The union leaders say they have been working in the godowns of CWC situated near Vallah vegetable market for more than 20 years. The Centre has now given the godowns to Reliance Company on five-year lease without bothering about the future of daily wagers and ‘palledars’.

The union head Dr Pal said there were more than 6,000 palledars and 100 daily wagers working at CWC godowns. He said recently the Reliance vice-president had come to the godown and the union leaders had apprised him of the situation. He said that official had assured them that he would look into the matter.

Besides regularisation, the union has also demanded medical facilities for the daily wagers and salaries at par with the confirmed employees. Dr Pal threatened if the government fails to meet their demands then they would no option but to resort to agitation.

Amritsar, April 10
Stressing on the development of life skills among students, Vineet Joshi, secretary of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, said the CBSE was now expanding its role from being merely an examining body to developing various life skills among the 
students.

He was here to participate in a function organised at the Spring Dale Senior School here to releasing a book ‘Ibadat’- a radiant work of the students of the photography department of Davinderpal Centre for Creative Arts of the school.

The secretary, while lauding the efforts of the school in promoting and developing life skills, said these skills added in the mainstream education should not be seen as just as an extra curricular activity.

‘Ibadat’, where every picture has a story, has been applauded by Raghu Rai, an esteemed photographer.

Imroz, a renowned painter and companion of the legendary Amrita Pritam, described the exhibition as a treasure showing different shades of life that needed to be reflected in every moment of life.

They all felt that ‘Ibadat’would encourage students to learn the art of photography and graphic designing.