Amritsar, February 5
The undue haste shown by the Punjab government in the allotment of 22 shops to commercial oustees under the Galliara project (beautification of the surroundings of the Golden Temple), is likely to invite litigations.

Forty-eight shops of the Improvement Trust market, in front of the Golden Temple, would be demolished to pave the way for the completion of the Galliara project. As many as eight shopkeepers would get two shops each in lieu of the big-sized shops which they currently possess, eight shopkeepers who possess medium-sized shops, said they could move court if they are discriminated against in any way.

The Galliara project, the brainchild of the central government, was announced amidst much fanfare in June 1988. Its objective was to remove the narrow lanes and bazaars which proved to be a hindrance for the security forces during Operation Bluestar.

The date for the rehabilitation of the oustees has been fixed as February 12, just a day before the proposed disposal of the case, which was filed by 133 other oustees, in June 1988 in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who could not be rehabilitated even after two decades.

The officials who are at the helm of affairs are of the view that if the High Court gives any decision in favour of the 133 oustees, then it could give an undertaking in the court that there was no vacant shop available with the local administration.

Sate minister Manoranjan Kalia, at a high-level meeting, finalised the claims of oustees of phases IV and V of the Galliara project, Amritsar, in which it was decided, as per the recommendations of survey report, to allot the shops at Ghanta Ghar in Amritsar to 22 commercial oustees, who’s shops falls in Bazaar Dhobian and Bazaar Mochian.

Kalia said a total of 142 applications were received for rehabilitation, which submitted their claims. The rehabilitation committee found 130 cases eligible, out of which 126 cases fall in the commercial category and four in residential category, while 12 cases were rejected.

Earlier 15 residential claimants were rehabilitated immediately by being provided LIG houses by the Improvement Trust.

Kalia further disclosed that directions had been given to the rehabilitation committee to physically verify the remaining 108 claims of oustees, of which 104 claims fall in the commercial category and four in the residential category. The minister emphasised that the work relating to allotment of shops to the oustees as well as tenants of properties, which were yet to be evicted, be completed positively before February 12.

Earlier, in the 1960s, many historical buildings, including Ghanta Ghar and its adjoining market, were demolished by the Improvement Trust.

As per the official record, the project report for the development and beautification of the 30-metre belt around the Golden Temple complex was sent to the union home secretary by the Punjab chief secretary on June 15, 1988. This project was approved at a meeting held at the Prime Ministerial level in April 1988.

The entire area was divided into five phases. About 1,233 commercial plots and 391 residential plots were allotted and a subsidy was paid by the Municipal Corporation. Similarly, 54 residential plots were allotted by the Improvement Trust.

As many as 859 families were uprooted and 500 houses and 1,150 shops demolished. The shopkeepers were resettled in various markets like Pink Plaza, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Market, IDH Market and Green Plaza. They were allotted plots for 1,224 shops. The expenditure incurred on the payment of compensation of land properties and rehabilitation was Rs 80.14 crore.

Amritsar, February 5
The city’s air seems to be loaded with influenza virus, leading to a spurt in the number of flu cases. Though there are different types of viral infections almost all of them announce their arrival with increase in body temperature, headaches, joint aches and skin rashes.

Dr Santokh Singh, head, department of medicine, government medical college, says the treatment of viral fever is symptomatic as the infection usually takes its own course. Taking rest and plenty of fluids can help the body fight the fever better, adds the doctor.

“Viral fever refers to a variety of such infections, which show general symptoms but can target specific organs of the body. Viral infection may affect any age group and some are highly contagious,” adds a professor with the department of microbiology.

Once the virus enters the body, there is an incubation period during which the organism multiplies rapidly, affecting the body functioning. This is followed by a phase of fatigue, body and muscle-ache.

Doctors say the fever may be low grade or high, along with headache, redness of the eyes, cough, muscle & joint pain and skin rashes.

Fatigue and body pain can make the patient restless, leading to loss of sleep, say doctors, adding that duration of the primary infection may vary from days to several weeks.

The experts advise consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A, B complex, C and E, which strengthen the immune system. Drinking plenty of fluids, including water, soups and juices, is also recommended as it helps in replenishing the fluid loss due to infection.

It is also recommended that one should eat only freshly cooked food and avoid refrigerated products, alcohol, deep-fried items and chilled beverages. 

Amritsar, February 5
A compilation of some rare pictures of Golden Temple was released recently by Dawn Studios. The book takes its readers to every part of the Golden Temple complex, with pictures of precious jewellery on display in the sanctum sanctorum and Guru Granth Sahib being taken in a gold palanquin.

The outer view of the different Gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Deep Singh Shahid, which commemorates the martyrdom of Baba Deep Singh who fell fighting for the liberation of Amritsar from Afghani invaders in November 1757, Gurdwara Baba Atal Sahib, located around 100 meters southeast of Harmandar Sahib, and Gurdwara Mata Kaulan and its sarovar.

The book, a complete guide to the Golden Temple, paints a great picture of the Sikh shrine for someone who has not visited it in a long time.

The introduction of the book gives a brief history of the Golden Temple. The foundation of the building was laid by Hazrat Mian Meer of Lahore on December 28, 1588.

The Golden Temple assumed its present appearance during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839).

Amritsar, February 5
Though she is not a member of famous “Chak De” squad, she does head the Punjab state hockey team. Nineteen-year-old girl Kirandeep Kaur recently made the state proud by winning the Kalpana Chawla Excellence award at Karnal on February 1.

Talking about here achievement, she said, “The award has encouraged me to work hard even in testing times. I have fought my way up as I come from a small village Sahiana in Verka. Above all, my coach and inspiration Sukhjit Kaur Shammi has always asked me to dream big and the award is the outcome of the vision shown by her. Since I am busy with the ongoing Senior National Women Tournament being organised by the Indian Women Hockey Federation in Jalandhar, my mother Sukhwinder Kaur received the award on my behalf,” she added.

Born in 1988, Kirandeep started playing hockey at the age of 12 and represented the Punjab state team for the first time in the 16th Sub-Junior Girls’ National Hockey Championship.

She is presently studying in Layallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar. Describing her dreams, Kirandeep said, “I wish to participate in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games that are being hosted in India and win a gold medal for my country.”

Kirandeep, who has been representing the Indian hockey team since the age of 17, has participated in a number of international tournaments, including four-nation tournament held in 2006 and the sixth Asia Cup tournament held in Hong Kong in September 2007.

Meanwhile, the Kalpana Chawla Excellence award instituted in 2003 by the PECOBA (Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh Old Boys Association) is given every year on February 1, the death anniversary of Kalpana Chawla. The award is given to the women who have displayed excellence in various fields, including sports, arts and performing arts. In the field of sports, Kirandeep is so far the youngest winner of the award.

Amritsar, February 5
The Air Hostess Academy (AHA) is all set to go global. Two more centres of the academy would be opened in Punjab, said Sapna Gupta, founder director, AHA, at a 
function to mark the 10th anniversary of the academy.

Gupta said at present more than 10,000 students at 35 centres across the country were getting training in aviation and hospital management, international ticketing and tourism, personality development, public relations, communication and industrial training in leading hotels and catering service organisations.

She said the AHA planned to open its centres in Patiala and Bathinda. She said they also planned to establish their centres in Sydney, London, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia.

Sapna said the AHA had always been at par with the industry standards and was the first to add foreign languages - German and French - to its curriculum.

She said after the completion of the cabin crews’ training, their students were able to get Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month, depending on the airlines they joined.

She said the AHA was the first to provide its students with airports and in-flight exposure with some of today’s leading airlines. She claimed it was primarily on this account that AHA students were getting placement with all the top employers in the service industry like Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Kingfisher Airlines, Taj Palace Hotel to cite just a few.

Chief guest BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu exhorted the young aspirants to give due importance and cognizance to soft skills, besides the acquired professional skills to succeed in their career. He said the academy was playing a great role in fulfilling the dreams of the young students by channelling their energies towards a successful career.

Sidhu released the book “Winning Strategies: Serving with a Smile” written by Sapna Gupta. The book highlights the aspects of soft skill training for the service industry with a specific focus on aviation and hospitality.

Amritsar, February 5
Guru Nanak Dev University would organise a two-day national seminar and exhibition on applications radioisotopes and radiation technology from February 7 here.

The seminar is being held in collaboration with the National Association for Applications Radioisotopes and Radiation Technology (NAARRI), Mumbai, and the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai.

Eminent nuclear energy scientist Dr A.K. Kohli, chief executive of the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Department of Energy, Government of India, Mumbai, would inaugurate the seminar in which more than 500 scientists across the country were expected to participate.

R.K. Bedi, convener, ARRT-2008, said the main objective of the seminar was to create general awareness on radiation, radioisotopes and their applications in the industry, healthcare, food preservation, agriculture and research sectors.

He said an exhibition highlighting the advancement made in the field of radiation technology would also be set up, including advancements made by India in nuclear energy and its peaceful uses in health care, food preservation, environment and industry, and it would remain open for the general Public, NGOs, teachers and students.

Amritsar, February 5
Just the way we keep small things like shaving kits and toothpastes while travelling in our mind, similarly we can manage to spend five minutes on meditation despite our tight schedule. This was pointed out by Acharya Nigamananda Avadhoot, head of the Anand Marga (Ranchi unit), who was in the city for a discourse this week.

Talking to The Tribune, the Acharya said, “The philosophy of Anand Marg is based on the simple idea of “atam mokshastham, jagat hitache (liberalisation of self and service to mankind).”

He said the common human behaviour was that their expectations went on increasing and the ultimate objective was to achieve “anandam”, which was the state when happiness became infinite. However, the whole process needed spiritual meditation to achieve peace of mind.

“We are leading a healthy life till our mind and body are synchronous and we should try to maintain this balance. It is, therefore, important to keep a check on both conscious and sub-conscious mind as they are of equal importance. Besides, the journey to ‘anandam’ begins from the point of introspection,” added the Acharya.

Launched in 1955 by Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, the mission Ananda Marga was first started in Bihar and the first chapter was organised in Jamalpur. The founder of the mission, popularly known as Anandmurtyji, founded the cult in the 1960s and visited the holy city in 1969. Later, a permanent diocese was established here.

Sarkar’s philosophy strongly rejects dogmas, superstitions and conventions such as the caste system. He taught spiritual practices for self-development and urged the aspirants to take a strong stand against exploitation and corruption. The “self-realisation and service to humanity” motto became the guiding ideal for thousands of people.

Even the marriage of an Ananda Margi is termed as a “revolutionary” as it has to be inter-caste and the practice of dowry is prohibited.

V.K. Mehta, the Bhukti Pradhan (the chief of local diocese), says the cult also carries out social works and the Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT) is recognised by the UNO.

Amritsar, February 5
The students of Dasmesh Parivar International School, Tarn Taran, won the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial National Table Soccer Championship that concluded at Chandigarh on February 3.