Amritsar, April 1
Memories of renowned Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi were revived by the presentation of a play on his biography by artistes of city-based theatre group Dastak.

The Punjabi play, “Mando”, was staged at Virsa Vihar yesterday. Playwright Ravi Nandan provided the complete biography from the childhood to the death of the noted poet besides offering space for airing views of critics and society.

Director Rajinder Singh, alumnus of the National School of Drama, equally justified his job as he effectively conveyed the larger than life scenes, despite the stage’s restrictions.

For the purpose, he liberally used symbolism. To show breaking out of communal riots in the 1947 during the childhood days of Shiv symbols of kite flying and waving of unsheathed swords were shown.

Similarly, receptive viewers gave electric response.

Audience mood was somber at the deteriorating health of Shiv and falling financial condition of the family. They burst in laughter at the comical dialogues and scenes, which provided escapes from a story which has a tragic end in the demise of Shiv Kumar Batalvi.

It was a compact and close-knit play in which compulsions and needs of the stage were not allowed to become obstacle in properly conveying the message.

Umpteen writers have penned down the biography of the 20th century Punjabi poet, Shiv Kumar Batalvi. Some of the noted writers of his biographies are Jeet Singh Sheetal, Mohan Kahlon, Safi Rammah, Manu Sharma and Meharbban, son of Shiv.

Meharbaan wrote an essay, “Geetan Da Sachha Vanjara Shiv Kumar Batalvi” on the life of his father, which also became the playwright’s formative choice.

Other vital things interested the playwright were significant events of his life and their fallouts. He laboured to know these things from the contemporaries and friends of Shiv, who died in 1973. Shiv was known for his romantic poetry marked with pathos, separation and agony of lovers. His style of poetry had come under criticism during his lifetime, which was similarly portrayed in the play.

Amritsar, April 1
An 18-member delegation from six countries of Latin America arrived in the holy city today in order to promote agriculture trade between India and Latin American countries. The delegation is headed by Alfred Pinto from Columbia. They are visiting the country on the invitation extended by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union Minister and Chairman, Indo-Italian American Friendship Association.

They paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and paid tributes at the historic Jallianwala Bagh here.

Dhindsa, interacting with the media, said the delegation was interested in developing various agricultural techniques conducive to agricultural crops there. A delegation from the Indian side would also be sent to Latin America to see the possibilities of agricultural trade between India and different countries there. He said during its visit the American delegation would be meeting with Amritsar-based traders, besides meeting the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University at Ludhiana on Saturday. He said it would also meet various farmer leaders in the state.

Amritsar, April 1
The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) passed Rs 124.26-crore budget on Thursday. The budget earmarked Rs 95 crore for various development work in the city, including flyover at Four S Chowk, widening of the Bhandari railway overbridge, civic amenities at New Amritsar, Mall Mandi schemes, Ranjit Avenue District Shopping Complex.

The AIT anticipated revenue of Rs 108.97 crore by selling its property, rent income of Rs 86.93 crore, Rs 90 lakh from fee and Rs 3.5 crore from fines.

Expenditures would include Rs 6.76 crore in shape of salaries of its employees, Rs 50 lakh for machineries, Rs 20 lakh for contingency, Rs 2 crore for sale of land and refund, Rs 2 crore for interest on advances, Rs 40 lakh for gratuity, Rs 2.5 crore unclassified, Rs 60 lakh for suspense and Rs 3.12 crore for assess charges.

Amritsar, April 1
Rajiv Dutt, a resident of New Model Town, Chheharta, allegedly committed suicide early this morning by hanging himself from a ceiling fan.

According to information, the deceased was hooked to drugs and last evening he had a dispute with his wife Hardeep Kaur, who is a head constable, posted at Civil Line police station. He was demanding Rs 5,000 from her.

Initially she refused to give the money. But as the Dutt started quarrelling, she gave Rs 3,000 to him. Dutt, however, remained adamant and continue to fight with her.

Hardeep along with her children went to her neighbours’ house. When she returned in the morning and knocked at the door repeatedly, she failed to evince any response. She immediately called her neighbours, who broke open the door and found Dutt hanging from the ceiling fan.

The police has initiated action under Section 174 of the CrPC.