Kalam optimistic about India, Pak resolving Kashmir
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 25
Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam today said it was possible for India and Pakistan to resolve differences on Kashmir.

He supported his statement saying, “Some European countries fought for 100 years, later became friends and are now part of the European Union. Russia and the USA had developed 10,000 warheads to fight each other and are now talking peace. Anything is possible.” He was replying a question from a student of the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology here at an interaction programme this afternoon.

Engineering student Rishi Singh asked him if Vision-2020 by him was possible after the economic recession, he replied that it certainly was. “I understand the GDP has fallen to 6.5 per cent from 9 per cent till a few months back. We only need to work harder,” he stressed.

Kalam began the interaction with the example of the 1984 Nobel Laureate Mario Capecchi. “No one ever thought that the Italian street boy would one day reach up to that level,” he said giving an inspiring quote: “If you aim for a star, it does not matter who you are”.

He asked the students to take an oath with him, “Engineering and technology are my lifetime mission. A thought will come to my mind what process or product I can innovate. My greatest friends are the great scientific minds, good teachers and good books. No problem can defeat me. My national flag flies in my heart and I will bring glory to my nation”.

As the former President’s flight to Amritsar was delayed by over an hour, he had to rush through his programme in the two institutes to catch the return flight in time. He first reached the Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, to preside over the convocation and lay the foundation stone of the lecture complex.

At NIT, he told the students that knowledge was major wealth today in the country compared to natural resources that empowered the nations earlier. He cited example of small country like Japan.

Chandigarh, March 25
Former Deputy Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha and chief whip of the Congress Legislature Party today fired a salvo at the Congress high command, demanding an immediate review of party ticket allocation to both Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar.

Talking to The Tribune here, Bir Devinder Singh, who was an aspirant for Congress ticket from Anandpur Sahib, says by giving tickets to both Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, the party has shown total “disregard to Sikh ethos”.

Now, when the court is recording the evidence against them, the party should have avoided giving them ticket for the Lok Sabha elections. It is time for the party to review its decision.

“On the one hand we are trying to assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikh community after the 1984 genocide while on the other we are rewarding those who were allegedly responsible for this worst ever crime against a particular minority community. Now, when the process to prosecute them is in progress, how can Congressmen face the ire of the community that is still feeling hurt over the 1984 and subsequent events,” says Bir Devinder.

It is not only Bir Devinder, but also other Congress leaders have expressed dismay over ticket allocation to Tytler and Sajjan Kumar.

They maintain that by giving them tickets, the Congress has virtually endorsed their actions of 1984 and afterwards. “With what face Congress candidates can go and ask for Sikh votes?” they ask.

Some of Congress leaders want the party high command to wait till those accused of instigating anti-Sikh riots are acquitted by courts. They should not be given any office or party ticket in any election. This, they say, would help in assuaging the hurt feelings of the Sikhs faster than anything else.

Further, it would also deny other parties a handle to criticise the Congress for backing Tytler and Sajjan Kumar.

Meanwhile, The choice of Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar as Congress nominees for the Lok Sabha elections has upset Sikhs in Punjab. Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, secretary, SAD, has said the names will be opposed by every right-thinking person.

He said anti-Sikh violence of 1984 is a blot on the nation and these Congress leaders were behind it. Dr Cheema questioned the intention of Congress leadership and motive behind the decision to give ticket those indicted by the Nanavati Commission and the CBI has again started probe against these accused.

Dr Cheema has said his party had taken a serious notice of the silence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on this sensitive issue. He added the Prime Minister had assured Parliament that the persons held guilty by the Nanavati Commission would be given strict punishment.

He said all parties had demanded action against the persons indicted by the Nanavati Commission.

Ropar, March 25
The common man now has an easier access to low-profile Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. The new destination of queries from Punjab people is Manpreet’s blog on wordpress.com.

From a resident of Mithri Budhgir village in the Lambi constituency to a teacher from Khalsa College, Domeli, Kapurthala, all figure among more than 1,408 visitors to this blog.

Writing a blog has opened yet another window for Manpreet, who is known for being one of the vocal politicians in the government. Started in March last year, blog’s postings range from news reports to budget speeches. The speech also mentions the poetic touch that was rendered to otherwise monotonous budget speech.

The fan followers, however, miss the personal musings of Manpreet and notions on the blog. Responding to a query on the inclusion of his personal opinion, he states: “The intention of starting this blog was to gauge people’s response. If the response in encouraging, then I will begin blogging about my thoughts and convictions as well.”

People visiting the blog also get visual treat of some rare pictures of the minister in different moods, posing with cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle and him lending ear to an elderly woman, etc.

Despite being busy with the elections, Badal is squeezing time to respond to the queries. But, the campaigning seems to have started taking its toll on postings, which, nowadays, remain irregular and the resentment comes from fans’ section too.

But, as it is election time, the model code of conduct is in place. “Two things are happening simultaneously. On the one hand, I am busy in the constituency canvassing, while on the other I would like to stay within the code of conduct. One final comment: Watch out for this space,” the minister remarks.

Zaffarwal (Gurdaspur), March 25
Former self-styled Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief and once top militant Wassan Singh Zaffarwal dispensing sweet homoeopathic pills may sound strange!

But a visit to his house in the border village here makes one believe that he wants to forget militancy days when innocent persons were killed.

“There is no place for innocent killings in Sikhism,” quipped Zaffarwal. To a question, Zaffarwal said the five-member Panthic Committee (he too was a member) was used by intelligence agencies of India and Pakistan to declare “Khalistan” from Akal Takht on April 29, 1986. After that, he had to flee to Pakistan. “This is what the agencies wanted,” he said.

“The ballot is more important than bullet,” he said. “What the LTTE, the PLO and militant outfits of the world have achieved so far?” he asked.

He claimed that intelligence agencies were against emerging of new Sikh leadership among the Sikhs after Operation Bluestar in June 1984. The surcharged atmosphere was against traditional Sikh leadership and radical Sikh youths could have come to the centre-stage of politics through democratic means. “I was opposed to the declaration of Khalistan, but Dr Sohan Singh, former Director Health and member of the Panthic Committee, prevailed upon at least two of the members while the fifth was ignorant about the consequences”.

He alleged that certain vested interests also used him and other members of the Panthic Committee to keep themselves away from mainstream politics.

However, Zaffarwal said many youths were disturbed after Operation Bluestar and went to Pakistan. His own family was victim of circumstances when his father was harassed by the police at times. “I don’t repent my past because I did not kill even a single person”. He said some saner elements like Bhai Mohkam Singh, spokesman, Damdami Taksal, were instrumental in uniting the splinter groups of Sikh youths in turbulent times.

Zaffarwal floated the Shiromani Akali Dal (Zaffarwal). He said his party would not field candidates for the Lok Sabha election due to lack of funds. He said the Sikh youth had to opt for path of militancy when traditional Akali leadership failed to get just demands of the Sikhs conceded through morchas. “The fact is Akalis instigated the Sikh youths to adopt militancy by giving provocative speeches,” he quipped.

Chandigarh, March 25
The deputy commissioners in the state seem to be failing in responding expeditiously to complaints referred to them by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here with several complaints of sensitive nature still under scanner at the district level though referred to them a week ago .

Official spokesman Dr Megha Singh said here today reports on complaints of meetings addressed by SAD Jalandhar candidate Hans Raj Hans and Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa in gurdwara complexes were l awaited. Hans Raj spoke in a community hall of a gurdwara in Dosanjh village in Phillaur sub- division while Parminder Dhindsa addressed a meeting in gurdwara Nankiana complex in Sangrur.

Two other complaints on which reports are to be received according to the official spokesman are on the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) calender, which depicts Akal Takht after Operation Bluestar, and a complaint of red light atop the vehicle of BJP president Rajinder Bhandari.

Meanwhile the Pradesh Congress Committee brought issue of alleged re-employment to Deputy Secretary, Home Bharat Bhushan Sethi one day after the model code of conduct came into force. The complaint, by PPCC general secretary Raj Pal Singh states Sethi was dealing with signing of orders regarding postings of police officers and was also Secretary, Punjab Wakf Board and secretary, Haj Committee. He demanded the re-employment orders be cancelled fortwith.

In another complaint, Congress leader G S Grewal alleged the chargesheeted officers continued to serve in Ludhiana. He mentioned names of SP Gurmeet Singh, DSP (Rural) Parmjit Singh and DSP, Phillaur Rajinder Singh Sohal. The Congress leader also alleged SP (Detective) R K Bakshi continued to serve in Mohali despite cases were pending against him. He also claimed complaints in this regard had been sent to the DGP, Punjab and also the Chief Electoral Officer’s office but no action had been taken.

Other complaints include the demand for transfer of Bathinda civil surgeon Neelam Bajaj beingb permanent resident of the town and demand for action against those distributing cards for the “atta -daal” scheme in Budhlada.

The CEO’s office also disclosed the case for auction of panchayat lands for annual lease received from the Panchayati Raj Department had been referred to the EC.

Chandigarh, March 25
Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has been given a free hand to run the Congress campaign and form committees in the state.

Talking to The Tribune, Amarinder said he would hold a meeting of a core group of leaders on Monday at his residence in Patiala following which a mini-secretariat would be established to coordinate the election campaign.

Amarinder, when asked whether Pradesh Congress president Mohinder Singh Kaypee would participate in the meeting, said Kaypee would not have the time, as he was a candidate from the Jalandhar constituency.

The former Chief Minister also disclosed that he would form state-level as well as district-level committees to run the campaign. Earlier, when he had made the same statement, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal had taken objection to it and said it was up to the PPCC president to take a decision on the issue after discussion with senior leaders.

Sources said once district-level campaign committees were established, those would have precedence over the district Congress committees during the electioneering period and put the entire party machinery under the command of Amarinder.

The campaign committee in charge said during the first phase the elections, candidates would conduct a mass-contact programme. “I will enter the campaign in the second phase and we will conduct rallies two weeks before voting to create the necessary momentum”.

Amarinder, Akali leader and former Samana legislator Jagtar Singh Rajla would join the party at a function at Samana on March 31.

Meanwhile, it seems both Kaypee and Bhattal have left the field open for Amarinder. Kaypee indicated he needed to be in Jalandhar for a few days, saying that the party would plan a big rally near Baisakhi. CLP leader Bhattal indicated she would be concentrating on Sangrur. “I am going tomorrow to Sangrur along with present and former legislators to build the required atmosphere for the party campaign,” she said, talking about the function being held to welcome party candidate Vijay Inder Singla in Sangrur tomorrow.

Jalandhar, March 25
Former MLA Raj Kumar Verka said he had been misquoted by the media in respect of the party high command fielding Mohinder Singh Kaypee from Jalandhar (reserved) seat.

To disciplinary action against Verka for such a statement, Kaypee said there was no need for any action against him as he had informed him that he had been misquoted. Verka assured to make things clear to the media in this regard.

Verka also said he had been misquoted and denied making any statement against Kaypee. It was a worker who had said at Tuesday’s press conference here that former Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, Dr Swaran Singh should have been allotted ticket instead of Kaypee.

He stood by his utterances that the Congress was not giving due representation to Valmikis, Mazhabi Sikhs and Christians who converted from these castes compared to Ravidasis and Ad-Dharmis.

Verka said he with other Valmikis had asked Kaypee and CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal to give equal representation to Valmikis, Mazhabi Sikhs and converted Christians while deciding ticket.

Only one Valmiki Sukhwinder Singh Danny has been fielded by the Congress in Punjab from Faridkot out of a total of four reserved Lok Sabha constituencies, including that of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Fatehgarh Sahib.

Verka said the Congress was ignoring Valmikis, Mazhabi Sikhs and converted Christians though 90 per cent voters of these castes voted for the Congress.

He said the Congress had made a Ravidasi, Santosh Chaudhury, chairperson of the Safai Karamcharis Commission, whereas usually Valmikis work as sweepers.

Chandigarh, March 25
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann has urged the Union government to intervene in the auction of gem-studded gold finial of throne of Tipu Sultan to be held in London on April 2.

Mann said Tipu Sultan launched the First War of Independence against the British, therefore, he was pioneer of the national freedom struggle. “The nation intervened to get personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi from overseas, using the services of Vijay Mallya. Will the Union government use its good offices to do the same in case of Tipu Sultan, he asked.

Mann felt no one would take the initiative in the case of Tipu Sultan’s belongings because “he was a Muslim leader”. It is time the nation shows a secular face to the world and bids for Tipu’s treasure. He said Tipu’s finial was as much part of Indian heritage as belongings of Mahatma Gandhi. The gem-studded gold finial of Tipu Sultan was plundered and found decade ago in England, stored in the vault of a British bank.

The finial to be put auctioned is one of three surviving tiger head finials that adorned Tipu’s throne. Auctioneers in London have claimed, “It had lain at Featherstone Castle, Northumberland, where it was listed in 1843 inventory of the late Baron Wallace of Knarsdale (1768-1844). It was later hidden away in a bank”.

Reports from London said, “The famous golden throne was broken up so quickly - much to the disapproval of the then Governor-General Lord Wellesley - following the fall of Seringapatam that little is known about the fate of the remaining relics”.

The large gold tiger head from the front of the throne platform is however kept in the Windsor Castle, while another finial lies at Powis Castle The finial is expected to fetch upwards of £8,00,000 in the April 2 auction.

Chandigarh, March 25
Senior civil servants belonging to the 1980, 81 and 82 batches have been cleared for appointments as Joint Secretaries in various departments of the union government.

Among those who will benefit by yesterday’s decision of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet are civil servants from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

It appears the ACC is going by the alphabetical way in making appointments. Interestingly, all five officers cleared today for appointments have their names starting with letter A.

Ashok Lavasa, who belongs to the 1980 batch of the Haryana cadre, has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. His central deputation will be for five years.

Amitabh Verma of the 1982 batch and belonging to the Bihar cadre has been given three-month extension as Joint Secretary in the Department of Financial Services.

Anjuly Chib Duggal, a 1981 batch officer from Punjab, will be the new Joint Secretary, Expenditure. Her appointment is also for a term of five years.

Ajay Mittal, who belongs to the 1982 batch of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will be Development Commissioner, Madras Export Processing Zone, in Chennai. His appointment is also for a period of five years.

Ashok K Srivastav, who belongs to the 1980 batch of IFS of the Jammu and Kashmir cadre, has been cleared for appointment as Joint Secretary, Commission for Economically Backward Classes for a regular term of five years.

All these civil servants had been waiting for appointments in the union government on the central deputation. The imposition of the model code of conduct after the announcement of the general elections on March 2 may have delayed their appointments.

The next batch of Joint Secretaries is likely to be cleared in a few days.

Jalandhar, March 25
Upset at remarks of BJP leader Varun Gandhi against Sikhs, SGPC office-bearers have decided to discuss the issue with Sikh high priests, including the Jathedar of Akal Takht on March 26. A pre-Budget meeting of senior SGPC leaders is to be held at Amrtisar on March 26.

Besides it, nomination of Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, allegedly involved in anti-Sikh violence by the Congress in Delhi, will also be discussed by SGPC leaders with Sikh high priests.

Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary, SGPC, said as both issues touched the Sikhs, these would be discussed at the meeting of the SGPC leaders and Sikh high priests. He said the Congress had also hurt Sikh sentiments by nominating Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler in Delhi.

Meanwhile, there are reports that the Congress leaders have been collecting compact discs (CDs) containing Varun’s remarks against Sikhs. Sources said a number of such CDs had been procured by Congress leaders for distribution in Punjab and other areas of Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan where Sikhs were living in sizeable number. Such CDs were fetching Rs 5,000 per unit. Many TV channels had also highlighted the “hate speeches” by Varun at various places in UP.

The sources said the Congress would use the CDs to create division among the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP. Varun has also reportedly commented that he did not need votes of Pakistanis and “Khalistanis”. Varun is son of Maneka Gandhi, who belongs to a Sikh family.

Cheema Khurd (Jalandhar), March 25
In a unique gesture, writers, lyricists and singers from all over the state converged on a common platform here yesterday to convey that “dhian bhaar nahin hundian” (daughters are no burden). The “Mela Cheemian Da”, aiming at creating awareness against female foeticide, dowry and drug addiction, marked the carrying forward of the ambitious project started last year to voice societal concerns needing immediate attention.

Artistes voiced strong opinions on female foeticide, dowry and drug addiction. The artistes who performed included Jasbir Jassi, R Maqbool, Vijay Dhami, Amrinder Gill, Nachattar Gill, Chacha Raunki, Deepa Cheema, Satwinder Bitti, Hardeep Cheema, Nirmal Jaura and Gurbhajan Gill. Also present was the man behind the project, which was staged for the second year in succession, Sarbjit Cheema.

Baba Kashmira Singh, known for his voice against female foeticide, and Jagdev Singh Jassowal, called the “Baba Bod” (banyan tree) of the state cultural bastion, too, gave many a word on degenerating culture, worth a thought.

Jasbir Jassi of the “Dil lai gayi kudi Gujarat di” fame said: “It’s a matter of great concern that the state, which topped in food production in the country, is also among toppers in female foeticide. We should be ashamed of ourselves. We are definitely moving to the dark ages in case we cannot recognise the fears of alcoholism, drug addiction or dowry deaths”.

Chacha Rounki said: “It’s a pity that the state earned more than Rs 600 crore on account of alcohol, which was eating into the vitals of society. The state police has more than 1,500 alcoholics in its own cadre”.

“Our Gurus have clearly asked us not to have any relations with those indulging in female foeticide. Punjab is on the way to extinction, at least culturally. The government claims to earn crores from the liquor. The figures of drug users, too, are frightening,” said Jassowal.

Vijay Dhami said: “I am very proud to be part of an endeavour of boys from two villages of Cheema Khurd and Cheema Kalan. This is a rare mela, which also has a purpose to safeguard our future”.

Sarbjit Cheema said: “We are getting a lot of response from abroad, particularly on the issue of female foeticide. In the changing world scenario where women are rising in diverse fields, it is time to wake up and make the necessary amends to our mindsets”.

The crowd looked thin during the earlier part of the programme because of heat.

Kairon (Tarn Taran), March 25
Political leaders of Punjab and Haryana today paid warm tributes to former member of Parliament Surinder Singh Kairon at his bhog ceremony at his village today.

Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana, and Om Prakash Chautala, INLD chief, Manoranjan Kalia, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab, Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and Navjot Singh Sidhu, member of Parliament, Amritsar, were among those present. Gurchet Singh Bhullar, former minister, Rana Gurjit Singh, Congress candidate from Khadoor Sahibm and others paid tributes on behalf of the Congress party.

Recalling the association of his father Ranbir Singh Hooda and Partap Singh Kairon, former Punjab Chief Minister and father of Surinder, Hooda said they worked together for the development of a joint Punjab, especially construction of Bhakra dam for power production.

President, SGPC, Avtar Singh, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and others were among the speakers.

Chandigarh, March 25
For over 35 years, Ratan Singh continued to draw salary for a post on which his twin brother was appointed, by impersonating. He would have moved out after taking voluntary retirement, but for a letter by the state Vigilance Bureau.

The stranger than fiction fact came under the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s scanner after Ratan Singh filed a petition against the orders dismissing him from service.

From his petition dismissed by Justice Permod Kohli, it transpires that Ratan Singh of Chandpur village in Ropar district took the job his brother Prem Singh was offered in the weights and measures department.

For the purpose of joining the department in 1974, Rattan Singh used Prem Singh’s certificates, while the latter took up another assignment in the Central excise and customs department. He applied for voluntary retirement with effect from August 21, 2002. But, during the pendency of his request, the department received a letter from additional director-general of police (vigilance) regarding Rattan Singh’s fraudulent entry in Prem Singh’s name.

His services were placed under suspension with effect from September 9, 2002, and a first information report was registered in the matter under the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC. He was eventually dismissed from service on December 12, 2005.

Taking up his petition against the termination orders, Justice Kohli said the matter was liable to be dismissed as the petitioner was an imposter and had secured entry in government service in a fraudulent manner.

Amritsar, March 25
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) yesterday foiled an attempt of a smuggler to smuggle contraband taking advantage of the preoccupation of the security agencies due to Prime Minister’s visit here. Sleuths seized 10 kg of heroin worth Rs 50 crore in the international market and Rs 4 lakh in Indian currency from Heera Singh of Waan Lakha Singh village, under the Lopoke police station, Amritsar (rural) police district.

Dhiraj Rastogi, Joint Director, DRI, said he was caught from near historic Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib in the Chheharta area when he was going to deliver the consignment.