Jalandhar, May 24
They say what’s in a name. But in Jalandhar it appears that its all about the name game. It would become all the more evident by taking a round of the city where most of the roads, parks and roundabouts have more than one name. While the older name, in most cases, denotes the historical importance of the landmark, it has been re-christened to suit the political interests in modern times.

For instance, the prominent Nehru Garden here was called Company Bagh since British era as it was set up by the East India Company. Historians tell that after Jawahar Lal Nehru came here in 1960s and addressed a massive gathering here, it was re-named Nehru Garden.

Not just the garden, even the T-junction in front of it which was called Company Bagh Chowk or later Nehru Garden Chowk was re-christened Sri Ram Chowk last year by the previous Congress government probably to gain some political mileage in the elections.

A billboard depicting a scene from the Hindu God’s life too has been painted there at the entrance of MC office. Maqsudan Chowk falling on Amritsar road too had been re-named Prabhu Issu Massiah Chowk during Christmas in 2005. A tall structure signifying trinity was erected there.

Partap Bagh situated on Ladowali Road had a historical importance as it was named after the former CM Partap Singh Kairon. The elderly in the city tell that after his regime, the garden was re-named Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park though the martyr had no connection with the place.

Similarly, Milap Chowk here is said to have been named so since Milap, then a popular Hindi daily, had its office adjacent to the roundabout. But it is also called Luv Kush Chowk, though there again is no such link with the city. Likewise, Jyoti Chowk is also called Balmik Chowk, probably because there are lot many followers of the community in the city.

Some intersections in the city have also been named after the war heroes from the city. Kapurthala Chowk here is also called Major Raman Dada Chowk after the statue of the Kirti Chakra awardee was erected on one side in May 2003, exactly four years after he laid down his life defending the Indian territory. It also has been proposed to re-christen the Cool Road after Major Kapil Vinayak who got martyred in J&K in July 2005.

Those residing in the city for long feel strongly on the issue. An eminent historian and principal of Lyallpur Khalsa College, Dr Satish Kapoor, opined that the historical names must be retained for they have some sanctity about them and remind the residents about the significance of the place. “Such trends are bound to confuse the new generations about the history of the various points”, he professes. He, however, believes that when a new roundabout comes up it certainly could be given a new name.

A resident of Model Town here, Manoj Arora, too believes that the historical importance of the place must be retained. “Masand Chowk is now often called Gaba Chowk after the name of the person who maintains it. The Mall Road named so by the British rulers is now sometimes called shopping mall road. Even though English have gone and there are no horses treading here, still the sanctity of the name needs to be maintained”, he responded.

An Akali councillor, K.S. Oberoi, said that agenda of each meeting of the MC house included seven to eight points on re-naming of the various roads and intersections. “Such proposals suits representatives of various political parties, the trend is common in the city”, he explained.

Phagwara, May 24
Phagwara based four-member family of Chauhan’s have earned a name for themselves. The family has taken their course of popularity through the stomach of people.

It’s three years now and the family is still receiving kudos for their home cooked meals being supplied in tiffins to those who are staying in the town away from their families either for professional reasons or for studies.

According to the grapevine not only the food in the tiffin, delivered at the doorstep of the customer, is ‘yummy’ but even affordable to the pockets (Rs 20) of those who relish the tiffin till the last morsel.

“It was a reporter from a vernacular daily staying with us as a paying guest who suggested us to open a restaurant in the town,” says Gulshan Chauhan. “However the venture required alot of finances which was not possible for us as that time we were undergoing financial crunch,” he said.

“Starting with only two tiffins in 2004, at present 50 tiffins are being served in the towm,” says Chauhan.

Though the homemade ‘dabba’ has a fixed menu the same could be changed by shelling out some extra green bills. Usually the tiffin includes chapattis, subzi, dal, rice, curd and pickle.

“Not only the food is hygienically prepared and packed but it is a low fat / calorie food,” says Sudesh Chauhan, wife of Gulshan Chauhan, the women behind the yummy delicacies.

“For cleaning the tiffins we have employed two helpers. Infact i personally make the pickles, jams and 'murabbas' to be delivered as per the demand,” adds Sudesh.

Based in Subash Nagar locality the Chauhans deliver 'dabbas' withing the radius of 3 km radius. However outside the radius the delivery charges have to be paid by the customer.

“Sweet dish is also served once a week along with lunch or dinner,” says Ajay Chhabra, a bank manager and a regular with the tiffins.

Just in case the tiffins don’t get mixed up while they are being delivered on bicycles they are given different colours. while the delievry time is aournd 1.30 pm the collection time starts around 3.15 pm.

With their motto to serve quantity and quality food the Chauhans are bound to go places. 

Jalandhar, May 24
Police DAV School is organising a summer camp which began here on Wednesday.

Tiny tots up to nursery class are enjoying learning various crafty ideas, including cutting, colouring and pasting of various shapes with the use of safety scissors.

The kids come here dressed up on the theme. Since Thursday was an orange day, all participants came dressed in orange colour and were served orange squash.

Phagwara, May 24
A world Brahmin convention will be held in Washington (DC) from May 25 to June 3 in which delegates from 120 countries will participate.

Punjab Brahmin Sabha general secretary K.K. Sharma stated this while talking to The Tribune here today.

Sharma said he would lead the Punjab delegation at the convention and present its paper on "Brahmanic values and its importance in the world".

“The convention will work out and review the seven links which were decided in the London convention in 2005,” added Sharma. He said many resolutions would be discussed and passed for the welfare and uplift of Brahmins in this world-level 
convention.

Later, Phagwara Brahmin Sabha honoured K.K. Sharma at a function held at the local Sanatan Dharam Mandir.

Phagwara, May 24
Sunil Chum, proprietor of Classic Flight Links, Phagwara, has knocked the doors of Chief Passport Officer, National Humans Rights Commission, CBI, Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Punjab State Human Rights Commission against the alleged misconduct of Amarjit Singh, Passport Officer, Jalandhar. When contacted, Amarjit Singh, passport officer, has denied the allegations.

Addressing a press conference here today, Sunil alleged that he had gone to the passport office on May 14 for some amendments in his passport. He alleged that the passport officer there abused and misbehaved with him. When he tried to resist, the office staff and gunman of the officer allegedly manhandled and thrashed him.

Sunil alleged that after the incident the officials forced him to sign a written  apology.

Sunil also alleged that he had been receiving threatening calls allegedly from the passport officer’s side to withdraw his complaints filed against him to the higher authorities. Stating that he is feared for his life, Sunil demanded police security and protection

Meanwhile, while rendering the allegations as baseless Regional passport officer, Amarjit Singh, said Sunil had come to his office with his mutilated passport and wanted a new one on the spot, which was not possible.

Amarjit alleged that the said person openly misbehaved with his staff and threatened him also in the presence of a senior Akali leader on that day. — TNS 

Jalandhar, May 24
Students of Lyallpur Khalsa College have won top ranks in various examinations conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University this year.

Ravinderjit Kaur has stood first in MCA (first semester), Gaurav Mahajan first in MCA (third semester), Kamaldeep Kaur Kalsi first in MCA (fifth semester), Nitika Mittu first in MSc (IT-third semester), Richa Kapoor second in MCA (first semester), Bavneet Kaur second in MSc (IT-third semester) and Jagdeep Kaur second in MCA (third semester). — TNS