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Overcrowding Blues Jalandhar, January 8 Number of inmates lodged here had reached almost three-times of its total capacity, according to sources. And they are forced to live in unhygienic conditions in absence of proper facilities. As many as 1,400 inmates were recorded to have been lodged in the jail in May last year. To get some respite, the jail authorities shifted about 175 inmates to Ludhiana jail after getting permission from Director General (DG) Prisons Mohammad Izhar Alam in early part of June last year. However, even the shifting of these inmates could not provide much relief. Refusing to comment on various controversial questions during his visit to the jail, Alam confirmed that overcrowding in the Jalandhar jail was one of the main reasons behind the siege by prisoners. Jail authorities also suspect that some prisoners like Kuldip Singh Keepa and ex sub-inspector with the Indian Reserve Battalion, Satwinder Singh, lodged in the jail for the infamous Prabir kidnapping case and a rape case respectively, allegedly instigated inmates for the violent protest. However, the fact remains that the Central Jail here is one of the most overcrowded jails in the state. On Monday, the day of protest, as many as 1,391 prisoners were lodged here as compared to its capacity of 525, add sources. Majority of inmates are undertrials lodged in various cases, including petty crimes. The Tribune had highlighted problem of the overcrowded jail in its editions on June 29 and November 7 last year. Usually, more than double of its total capacity of just 525 inmates had been lodged in the jail for the past several months. Due to overcrowding, inmates had to live packed in the jail’s barracks like animals and were forced to live in unhygienic conditions. Fearing that things might get out of hand the authorities did not hold any special programme for the inmates on the Diwali festival. The jail authorities feared a possible clash between different groups during the programme. The number of prisoners had touched 1494, probably an all-time high, right before Diwali, sources add. The state government had already been apprised of the problem and decision to construct a new jail for Jalandhar and Kapurthala at Theh Kanjla village in Subhanpur on the Jalandhar Amritsar highway had been made. The proposed jail will have a capacity of lodging 3000 inmates but there were apparently no immediate plans to begin construction of the new jail, which may take several years to complete. Apart from overcrowding, the jail also remained in the news over recovery of mobile phones and drugs every now and then.
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100 yrs of deep frying Jalandhar, January 8 There is, however, another type of people who are remembered. No statues are built for them but somehow their memories are imprinted, deeper than the latter, in the hearts of the townspeople. These are the low-profile guys who lived and worked in the town their entire lives and gave the town its daily dose of lip-smacking delicacies. Be it the simmering tikkis of Dhanne Di Hatti, the motichoor laddoos of Aryan Di Hatti or the popular karhi-chawal of Sardar vegetarian dhaba, these men have made the city the ultimate food haven. The bazaar between Mai Hiran Gate and Imam Nassar houses a number of dhabas and eateries which were started by low-profile, strong-principled men almost all of whom have a street or a chowk named after them. One of the stops in this area is Jaggu Chowk which is named after a man who used to have a shop where he used to sell snacks. The shopkeepers of the area fondly remember him. Though it’s been almost a hundred years since Jaggu halwai had a shop here and none of his descendants run an outlet here any more, almost all the shops in the area have hoardings informing the visitors that the place where they are standing is Jaggu Chowk. Interestingly, due to another dhaba, which sells karhi-chawal, being opened in the same area, the place is now popular as Karhi Vala Chowk. Mahinder Pal, a jeweller, tells us that Jaggu halwai had fixed timings for selling the snacks. “He was a man of principles. He would rather prefer incurring losses than sell substandard material to his clients.” Agrees Rajesh Kapoor, a shopkeeper, “Jaggu is famous as one of the few people who used to pay income-tax during the British era.” Another pre-partition dhaba of the place is Aryan Di Hatti which was established in 1882. The sweet shop which was once very popular and customers from as far as Delhi came to buy sweets from here, has now been turned into a hosiery store by the descendants of Jattu Mal Aryan, the man who established it. The last to come in the league of the old dhabas of Jalandhar is the 130-year-old Dhanne Di Hatti. With walls blackened with years of accumulating soot, Baijnath, an employee at the place, sits serving a hoard of customers. A shopkeeper, Ashok Seth says, “Dhane Di Hatti is one of the few old eatries which all city residents know about. The kachauris and pakoras are a rage with the people.”
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Rain mars Bhangra Olympiad Jalandhar, January 8 Only six of the total 12 teams, including those from Canada and European countries that were here for the event could give their performance at the open-air venue. Organisers of the event said the remaining part of the show would be held at Red Cross Bhavan tomorrow at 11 am. Ace Punjabi bhangra artiste and
singer Pammi Bai is also expected to reach the venue tomorrow.
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Ward off winter blues in style Jalandhar, January 8 The exhibition showcases her collection which mainly comprises bridal wear. With suits ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 she has experimented with different mediums and works. With the frock and Anarkali suits already being a rage with people she has come up with another Bollywood inspired theme. Her Umrao Jaan collection clearly drives her point home. She has experimented with the frock suit too, presenting it in both asymmetrical and regular versions. “I like to work on rich materials. Flaunting formal wear on weddings is the one thing women are quite fond of and I have tried to exploit formal wear to the fullest," she says. She has worked on suits with indo-western cuts, off shoulder kurtis, cigarette cut pants and has worked mostly on brocade and banarasi and Bhagalpuri silk. Tunics with tight pants, Aanarkalis with capris and Korean beads on suits are among her other experiments. With the lehengas and siuits in zardozi, dabka, tilla and salma work she brings the best out of Indian wear. She doesn't mind getting loud but subdued tones are certainly a no-no for her. "Everybody wears crepe and georgette but on weddings you have to come up with something different," says the young designer. She has already held exhibitions at Ludhiana and Chandigarh and has a strong American clientele. Talking about Jalandhar she says, "The customers here find my work good but they are quite dissatisfied with the prices." Given her age and the fact that she has already struck the right chord with clients, that doesn't seem to be a big problem.
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Bye Bye 2007 Lo! The bell has tolled and we are in the novice and novel year 2008. New Year is ready to sprinkle its warmth, felicitation, sparkle and boundless joy. Just get prepared to inhale the fragrance of the wonderful gift that New Year is going to bestow upon you. Year 2007 was a combination of excellent and rancid activities. The year brought a frenzy of activities in political, social and personal lives. It was thumps up for many in different strata of life but too ghoulish for others. The year 2007 was full of unforgettable disdainful events that really plugged off our faith in goodness of humanity. The brutal assassination of Pakistan’s former prime minister Benazir Bhutto put a question mark on the revival of democracy in Pakistan. It also sidelines the hope of progress and peace in the neighbouring country. Macabre situations like bomb explosions, earthquakes, fire outbursts, etc. have robbed the people off peace and placidness not only in India but also all over the world. At the same time, some really memorable moments kept us agile. On 07.07.07 the Taj was again crowned as No 1 splendid monuments among all seven wonders of the world. Along with this, 2007 kept us busy in many delightful activities. People experienced the thrill of becoming Twenty 20 World Cup champions. Team India captain M.S. Dhoni turned out to be a larger-than-life figure. One of the most sizzling news of the year was Ash-Abhishek’s marriage. Bollywood got many budding stars like Ranbir, Sonam, Deepika Padukone, etc. And lots more memorable, superb and outstanding events have found a place in
our hearts. With the advent of New Year, the time has really come to think about a new beginning and feel the magnificent touch of this ruling hour. US-based institute “Pan-Tone” had accomplished a very interesting research work about the “colour” of the year and declared that “blue iris” is going to reign over the other colours in 2008. Last year they had predicted “red” colour to be the dominant hue of 2007. Even a cursory glance at the year lifted the curtain. The year 2007 was frenzied with massacres, bloodshed, terrorism and so many other repulsive and contemptuous actions. The researchers have tried to establish the relation between the two. Looking at the past, we hope that this cool, icy “blue iris” will bring placidity, serenest and eloquence - as these are the things direly needed today. Moreover, the blue colour is associated with the sky and blue sea. It is responsible for rejuvenating essence of eternity among human beings who are a part of that cosmic spirit whom we call “Brahm”. Blue iris is also considered good for the purpose of meditation and rumination. So add one more thing to your New Year’s resolutions i.e. to pacify your senses and feel the difference. Therefore, get rid of the bitterness of the past, be optimistic and get prepared to enlighten yourself while experiencing the magic of this shade. Kick off the worries, shoo away the anxieties with the
year 2007 and welcome New Year with the changed perspective with open arms, open heart and
open mind.
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Samandeep, Ramandeep are Karate champs Jalandhar, January 8 Samandeep Singh, Ramandeep Kaur, Badal Singh, Rajinder Singh, Amanjit Singh and Rajiv Kumar won the gold medals and Gurdeepak Singh, Jyoti Pradhan, Johnson, Ravi Basyal, Vishal Khan, Gulnaz Kaur, Anoop Singh and Ritik Rana got the silver medals, while the bronze medals went to Abhishek, Chirag, Virender Kumar, Jatinder, Sonu Nirmal, Kaushiki Gupta and Kangna. Samandeep, Ramandeep Kaur and Gurdeepak
were declared the best martial art players of the year 2007.
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The team should have been back the day wrong allegations were levelled against Harbhajan Singh. Australians have proved that they win by playing unfair. The Sydney test should be declared null and void.
The series of events in Australia has proved that the World Cup champions can go to any extent to win. Since Bhajji has now been given a chance to play in the third Test, India should take Aussies by the horns.
The ICC’s decision to lift the ban on Bhajji has proved that Team India was right and the Oz wrong. We all know the Indian team has potential and does not need abusive language or favours from umpires. They can prove themselves by winning the next match.
The way Aussies have cheated us is really disappointing. Above all they are not even sorry for it. We have the potential to beat them any day. However, after what all has happened, there is no point staying there. After all, it’s question of our self-esteem.