Amritsar, January 18
Centuries old heritage building of Teja Singh Tkakur Dwara, located at Jamadar di Haveli, in the arterial lanes of the walled city, is a picture of neglect.

The Shri Durgiana Committee, its caretaker, spent a measly Rs 30,000 for the maintenance of the shrine spread on hundreds of square yards.

The shrine, dedicated to Radha Krishan, is a specimen of the Nagara style of temple architecture prevalent in the North India from the ancient period to the medieval times.

Balvinder Singh, conservation planner of Guru Nanak Dev University, said the temple architecture was an instructive chapter for students of archaeology, architecture and a peep into the style and functioning of the building construction during the rule of legendary Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The Khalsa Raj under the maharaja provided safe haven to inhabitants of the North India repeatedly battered by the invasions from Khyber Pass (Afghanistan). Thus, in the period of peace and tranquillity people could spare time to give flight to their creativities and liberty of beliefs, he said.

As per the Nagara style of architecture, the external view of the sanctum sanctorum resembles an upturned cone since it tapers as it rises upward. This structure is called Shikhara. The temple is built on the first floor.

On the ground floor, the temple building apparently presents features of the Mohammedan style of building.

The present condition of the temple offers a deplorable view. Apart from the management of the temple, its sorry state embarrasses the authorities as well. Since the temple falls on the heritage walk, which is a part of the annual Heritage festival.

Notably, the location of the temple in the Jamadar di Haveli also stresses its antiquity as the area once boasted of the residence of Jamadar, a high ranking official in the “Darbar” of Maharaja Ranjit. The haveli belonged to Jamadar Khushal Singh.

After taking over the building some years ago, the committee had carried out the renovation work without consulting heritage experts. Its result was catastrophic. The Shikhara, made of Nanakshahi bricks and containing frescoes and other artistic designs, was covered with white bathroom tiles, which do not synchronise with the old structure.

Om Prakash, a local resident, said without bothering about the heritage value of the building, the committee whitewashed a portion of the building containing frescoes.

He said devotees hardly visit the shrine as its building was not safe. Keeping this in view, residents of the area constructed another temple next to the heritage shrine.

He said the committee was never bothered to re-construct the temple wall along the road, which was demolished many years ago.

However, Harish Taneja, spokesman for the committee, said the committee had all the requisite funds to carry out its renovation work. Unlike previous managements, the present members wanted to take advice from architecture experts even the Archaeological Survey of India before going ahead with its renovation.

Taneja added that the committee would strive to restore the glory of the temple.

Amritsar, January 18
The controversy over the post of Medical Superintendent (MS) of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital refuses to die down, even as the principal, Government Medical College (GMC), removed Dr H.S. Lamba as officiating MS.

Principal Dr S.S. Shergill gave the additional charge of officiating medical superintendent to Dr K S Sidhu, professor and cardio-thoracic surgeon, for the time being.

Interestingly, Minister for Medical Education and Research Tikshan Sood while talking to The Tribune hinted that Dr R P S Boparai might rejoin as Medical Superintendent of the hospital.

It is evident to mention here that Dr Lamba officiated as MS after the retirement of Dr Boparai. But a lot of hue and cry was raised as to who authorised Dr Lamba to officiate as the Medical Superintendent.

Dr Shergill, who was on leave, in an effort to end the controversy removed Dr Lamba handing over the charge to Dr Sidhu after joining the office. Dr Shergill said Dr Sidhu would continue on the coveted post till the government takes any the decision on the rightful candidate.

Dr Boparai was reportedly given re-employment by the Medical Education Minister as MS but he could not join the office, reportedly, due to hue and cry raised by the Punjab Medical and Dental Teachers Association, it is learnt.

The association, headed by Dr R S Sidhu, has threatened to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the reemployment of the Dr Boparai alleging that he has been facing a number of inquiries and by giving him (Dr Boparai) one-year extension, the government was ignoring the rightful candidates for the coveted post.

Meanwhile, Tikshan Sood, Minister for Medical Education and Research when contacted confirmed that Dr Boparai was earlier granted the reemployment as MS of the GNDH. However, the matter was still under consideration and for the time being the government has authorised the principal of the college to appoint an officiating MS so that the functioning of the hospital could not suffer.

Amritsar, January 18
Close on the heels of dismissal of three patwaris from their services on charges of corruption and alleged tampering with government records, Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu today terminated the services of another patwari Tejinder Singh.

Tejinder was posted at Rajasansi circle. He was dismissed after the enquiry report indicted him for corrupt practices.

“Tejinder was found guilty of fraud and forging duplicate copies of a land registry and his services were terminated under Clause 5 (9) of the Punjab Civil Services Rules, 1970,” Pannu said. 

Amritsar, January 18
If everything goes according to plans, the residents of Ajnala would be first in the district to get unique identification number (UID) cards.

The project is likely to be implemented from mid of February. The state government has announced to launch the central government’s project ‘Adhaar’ in the rural areas in the entire state.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Anjuman Bhaskar, District Food and Civil Supply Controller, confirmed that the department had chalked out a routine plan for implementing the project in the rural areas.

“In Amritsar it would be implemented in the Ajnala block comprising 100 villages,” said Dr Bhaskar. A detailed plan had been sent to registrar of the UID project-cum-Director of Food and Civil Supply in this regard, she added.

An initiative of Government of India, the UID would help in managing the centralised identification system for the adult citizens of the country which can be utilised for a variety of identification purposes besides providing better security by identifying illegal immigrants and checking the problems arising out of inter-state migration.

The 12-digit UID number would consist a resident’s demographic and biometric information which can be used to identify anywhere in the country. The number will remain same even if the address and other particular of that person changes.

The UID card will carry biometric or iris scan, finger prints and photographs besides the name, address, date of birth, etc. of the person. This card will be given free of cost.

The other benefits of the new ID system include subsidies on food, energy, education etc to people who are entitled to receive them besides opening bank accounts, getting new telephone, mobile or internet connections, new light or gas connections and getting a passport. The same card would also act as a driving license. It may also act as your electoral card besides other benefits.

Amritsar, January 18
“You don’t need a famous last name to enter politics. It’s just your dream to make a difference to the society drives you. Learn to come up with the solutions rather than just talking about the problems,” says Ruby Dhalla, Member of Parliament for Brompton-Springdale, Canadian House of Commons, during an honorary function held at BBK DAV College for Women here today.

She was accompanied by a Canadian delegation, comprising her mother Tavinder Dhalla and brother Dr Neel Dhalla.

“How many of you want to go in for politics?” was the very first question she put before the college students. After noticing a scant reply, she advocated to realise the importance of just three words “Yes We Can” to overcome any challenge or obstacle that come in the way of your objectives.

“Politics is not about one person. It’s not about Manmohan Singh, Tony Blair or Ruby Dhalla, it’s about your idea, power or dreams to make contribution no matters where you live, how rich you are or which family you belong to. I want to see younger generation to come forward in politics. I belonged to a very ordinary family but it was my instinct and dreams which propelled me to join politics,” she said.

While narrating her experience, the young Parliamentarian said she was just 10-year-old when she decided to show her concern for Operation Bluestar. She attracted international attention while living in Winnipeg's north end, when Indian soldiers took part in a military action in the Golden Temple complex.

Dhalla wrote a letter to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, urging her to resolve the situation without further violence. Gandhi personally replied to her letter and referred to it at a press conference held in the months before her assassination. “I wrote a letter to the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi to show my concern. One fine morning I received an envelope, which contained a handwritten letter from her. That letter inspired me to come forward with my thoughts and later I joined politics,” she said.

She appealed to the authorities to listen to the minds of younger generation. “I myself interact with school and college children in my constituency to know their feelings. We have formed youth advisory council where the young schoolchildren design and develop solutions to their problems or issues. Same methodology should be adopted in every college and school here,” she said before giving another piece of advice to respect the elders and never to forget our rich cultural heritage and traditional values.

However, on the alleged turban issue in various parts of the globe, the Canadian MP said turban was the strong identity of Sikhs and we should all be together in support of the sanctity and respect it deserved. “There should always be respect and freedom for every religion and we should support the Sikhs who are living in any part of the world, if the turban is subjected to some disrespect,” she appealed.

Later, the Canadian Parliamentarian announced a donation of Rs 5 lakh on behalf of MP Navjot Singh Sidhu to the college.

Others present on the occasion included Sanjeev Khanna, chairman, Improvement Trust, and Sandeep Rishi, SDM.

Later, while delivering a lecture in Guru Nanak Dev University, she advised the youth to help the under-privileged and economically weaker sections who do not have direct access to even basic education and bare minimum requirements of food, shelter and clothes.

She further said Punjabis had contributed to the Canadian economy in a big way by putting in hard work and labour. She pointed out that the fraud marriages and marriages of convenience had become a major problem. She suggested that the governments of Canada and India should work out mutually agreeable arrangements to deal with this menace. This special lecture was organised by Department of Political Science of the university.

Amritsar, January 18
Despite the Amritsar Municipal Corporation taking cognisance of the illegal poster pasting on the pillars of the elevated road and approaching the police to register FIRs against defaulters, it seems that the norms don’t apply to the political parties.

The MC authorities have looked the other way in case of posters pasted by people associated with political parties.

Pillar no 10 is a clear example of that. The pillar, with five posters in a row, could not catch the fancy of the municipal corporation, apparently, because these posters were of leaders of political parties, both ruling as well as the opposition.

It’s important to mention here that in the letter addressed to Police Commissioner Parampal Singh Sidhu, MC Commissioner D.P.S. Kharbanda mentioned that illegal posters on the pillars of the elevated road had defaced the city entrance and the responsible persons should be booked under the law.

Along with the letter, there are 10 pictures of the posters pasted on pillars and mobile numbers of persons or firms concerned mentioned on them, were sent. The MC Commissioner recommended booking those persons, on whose behalf these posters were pasted.

Another significant aspect was that the pasting of any material over the pillars was banned because the civil experts cautioned that any such pasting would damage its special coated material needed to maintain the strength of the pillars.

MC Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said this initiative was taken to curb the menace of defacing public property. “We have just started this drive and in coming days we would be more stringent. Anyone responsible for defacing the city would be taken to task,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Amar Singh Chahal said, “After verifying the antecedents of the responsible firm or the individuals, FIRs would be lodged accordingly.” 

Amritsar, January 18
The unabated use of the lethal Chinese kite string, which resulted in the death and injuries in the past few days, brought the students of Spring Dale Senior School out of their classes on Tuesday to raise a voice against the menace.

The young protesters vowed to shun the use of Chinese kite strings completely besides pledging to educate others to do so as well in the interests of their security.

Armed with slogans decrying its use and posters depicting its hazardous consequences, the students held a rally within the school campus in which they urged the police and the district administration to ensure a strict implementation of the ban imposed by them.

Amritsar, January 18
It’s been three weeks since a postgraduate student of the Government Medical College (GMC) allegedly attempted suicide but the three-member team constituted by the Principal GMC failed to submit its report till now.

Dr Sapna, a PG student of the Department of Medicine, who allegedly consumed poison, was found unconscious in her hostel room on December 30 and was admitted in the ICU of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in critical condition.

Seeing the gravity of the incident, Principal Dr S.S. Shergill constituted a three-member team headed by Dr Kanwaljit Kaur, head of Department of Radiotherapy to inquire into the sensational incident. The team also included Dr Jatinder Singh of Pharmacology and Dr Surinder Pal of the Pathology Department who is also the hostel warden where the girl was found unconscious.

Dr Shergill admitted that the team had not submitted its findings to his office till now. He said the members of the committee were on leave which was the main reason for the delay in the probe. He said he had directed the team to submit the report within couple of days so that necessary action could be initiated.

Meanwhile, in new turn of events, the victim girl has backed out for giving any statement to the police. She stated to police that she had ‘mistakenly’ consumed the poisonous substance.

“Though the circumstantial evidence speaks aloud, Dr Sapna had stated to the investigating police team that the she had consumed the poisonous substance by mistake,” confirmed Kirpal Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police, who visited the spot after the college authorities informed about the incident. As the girl had not given by credible statement to the police team we could not initiate any action in the case, he added. 

Amritsar, January 18
Farmers especially marginal farmers in the district are perturbed over the scarcity of urea which is delaying the second dose to the recently sown wheat.

Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Paramjit Singh Sandhu admitted that the shortfall was certainly there. The supply of urea had been discontinued for nearly 10 days during the agitation of Gujjars’ agitation in Rajasthan.

Usually, farmers spray urea on the fields before sowing seeds of wheat and the second dose was sprinkled later.

A resident of border subdivision Ajnala, Surjit Singh, said his five-acre land was badly in need of urea.

He said he had visited shops in his area several times, but traders invariably maintained that they had not received the material.

Another farmer, Balwant Singh of Majitha town, said traders cited the reason that they were not getting the material.

He said it was marginal farmers like him who were the major sufferers as big farmers had stored ample quantity of these material in advance.

Beant Singh, a farmer of Bhikhiwind village, said some tillers of his area had procured some quantity of urea yesterday as the supply of urea resumed.

As per the data available with the Agriculture Department, roughly 1.85 lakh hectares was under wheat cultivation in the district. The demand for urea could be gauged from the fact that a hectare of land required 275 kg of urea.

Dr Sandhu said the supply resumed about three days ago and efforts were being made to distribute the material evenly among farmers. Hence, urea was evenly divided among private traders and corporate societies to ensure supply to all areas of the district. He urged farmers not to resort to hoarding of urea, adding that regular consignment of urea was arriving in the past couple of days

He advised farmers to restrict the use of fertiliser as per recommendations.