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Poll code violations galore
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Admn on its toes for polls
Big names missing, but event draws decent crowd
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Poll code violations galore
Jalandhar, December 26 A majority of such hoardings greeting people on the eve of Christmas and New Year by the SAD, the BJP and the Congress were spotted at many key intersections of the city. This is contrary to the claims of district election authorities to have removed all such political hoardings in the district after the implementation of the model code of conduct on December 24. The Jalandhar Tribune conducted a survey and found that hoardings were still lying intact on Garha Road, Urban Estate Phase-I and II and also on the road approaching the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar. The billboards of the ruling SAD- BJP and the Congress were found with the
pictures of senior political leaders along with local workers. This somehow also raises questions over the action taken by the Jalandhar administration in the peripheries and villages of the district. District Election Officer Priyank Bharti said they have removed 250 hoardings of political parties while four FIRs were also lodged against those found guilty. “About 99 per cent of billboards in the district have been removed. We have also served notices to political parties returning officers have also been directed to act as soon as any such violation comes to their notice,” Bharti added. Meanwhile, a billboard of the SAD-BJP government at the entrance of the district administration complex and at other places were removed today. When asked about this lapse, Bharti said in a lighter mood: “I don’t know how we missed on the one at the gate. But today, I read in newspapers and got it removed immediately.” |
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Admn on its toes for polls
All nine returning officers, all of whom are PCS officials, were busy preparing lists of the five teams and chairing meetings with its members as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. The five teams include those for videography, video surveillance, accounts monitoring, flying squads and model code of conduct (MCC) teams. The flying squads include a naib tehsildar as the head with an ASI and head constable to assist him for the same. The accounts team include accounts officials from government offices. The MCC teams also have class IV employees who would go around and primarily check any defacement of public property. Besides, all returning officials have also appointed sector officers who would report any violation from areas falling under 10 or more polling booths. The task of media surveillance has been entrusted with ADC Praneet Bhardwaj. Check defacement
All public departments, including forest, government hospitals, schools, drainage, PWD and others, have been asked to report the concerned election registration officers in the event of any defacement of their public buildings. They have been asked to be themselves alert and remove any political poster or banner immediately on their own. Pictures of political leaders
The first thing that most officials on Monday did after sitting in their offices was to remove the pictures of political leaders or cover them in with plain paper. Since all offices had government calendars in their rooms bearing pictures of SAD-BJP leaders, they got their pictures covered to avoid any controversy amounting to violation. Toll-free number
The administration has taken a toll-free number for taking note of various election related complaints round the clock. The number 18001802129 will become operational from tomorrow evening. Besides, all returning officials have been asked to set up control rooms at their own levels and publicise a complaint number which is to be attended 24x7. Action recommended
The Jalandhar MC team on Monday found six violations of the Public Defacement Act by six private firms and put up the case with the police for registration of cases against them. Action has been recommended against Sukhmani Entrerprises at PPR Mall, UBI VM Chambers, behind Hotel Residency at Central Market, Tyre Villa at 1, Guru Nanak Complex, Sports College, Kapurthala Road, Madan Lal Sobti and Sons at Tanda road, Bhola Hire and Traders at Lamma Pind Chowk and Daffodils Study Abroad at Corporate Park GT Road. Even as hoardings by political parties were still there at non-designated areas, surprisingly no action has come against them. |
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Scrap dealer shot at, attacked with sharp-edged weapons
Jalandhar, December 26 The victim has been identified as Rohit Kumar, a scrap dealer and a resident of Bhargo Camp. The incident took place around 11 pm when Rohit was on his way home. Rohit alleged that when he reached Bhargo Camp, five youths came in his way and started arguing with him. Rohit alleged that the youths were carrying sharp-edged weapons. “When I asked why they were messing with me, one of them pulled out a sharp-edged iron rod and hit me,” Rohit alleged. The victim further alleged that when he tried to escape and started running, one of the miscreants pulled out his gun and started firing. “The assailant fired three gunshots at me spot. Unfortunately, one of the bullets hit my right leg and I fell
down unconscious on the spot,” Rohit alleged. Victim’s brother Deepak Kumar alleged that Rohit had a minor scuffle with the assailants a few days ago. He said last night, Rohit’s friend informed the family about the incident. When they reached the spot, Rohit was lying in a pool of blood. Rohit has identified three assailants and a complaint with the police has been filed. SHO, Bhargo Camp police station, said the police had registered a case against five youths. The accused have been identified as Ajay Kumar alias Buggie, Rajesh Kumar alias Jeycee, both brothers and residents of New Sarai Ganj. The third accused has been identified as Raja. A case under Section 307 of the IPC and 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the accused. |
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royal treat in bangladesh
Jalandhar, December 26 Prime Minister of Dhaka Sheikh Hasina had laid a wreath at the war memorial remembering the sacrifices of the martyrs during the 1971 Indo-Pak war for the liberation of Bangladesh. The occasion was grand as it was for the first time post war that the Indian armed forces officers were invited to for the celebrations. Standing tall in front of the war memorial, the memories of war zones of Dhaka came rushing in front of the eyes of Brigadier AS Brar (retd), a recipient of the Veer Chakra, who was amongst two selected officers
from Punjab to have been invited for the prestigious function held from December 15 to 19. The grand celebrations was attended by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of People's Republic of Bangladesh Mohammed Zillur Rehman, the chiefs of Army, Air Force and the Navy and a host of ministers. Talking to the Jalandhar Tribune, Brigadier Brar said it was a royal treat by the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was all praise for the Indian armed forces. Interacting with us, she said, "We are thankful to the great Indian armed forces, who liberated our country." In fact, every single visit to war memorials, cantonments and the museums in Dhaka was nostalgic, the officer maintained. "I was lucky enough to visit Mynamati cantonment situated in Lalmai hills, which was captured by us on December 9 and 10 in 1971. At that time, it was a garrison commanded by Brigadier MH Atif, who had also remained the captain of the Pakistan hockey team in the Barcelona Olympic Games," he added. At present, the Mynamati cantonment has 33 Infantry Division Headquarters and I laid a wreath at the war memorial in Div Headquarters too. "I was swept by the memories of the war and surprised at the upkeep and maintenance of a museum constructed in the memory of Field Marshal William Joseph 'Bill' Slim, who had his headquarters in this garrison during the World War-II. His office and bunkers have been maintained as museums by the Bangladesh government," he added. Brig Brar said they had also captured the 'Commila sector' in the Eastern part of Bangladesh. "For the splendid victory of Mynamati Garrison, the then Indian government had conferred the 'Battle Honour of Mynamati' to 7 Rajputana Rifles," Brig Brar added. The officer had moved to Dhaka on December 2, 1971, and moved out on March 30, 1972. "Our regiment, the 7th Rajputana Rifles, had stayed on for three months," he said. Talking about his visit to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman Memorial Museum, he said: "It is important to mention that the Bangladesh government has maintained various such museums, war memorials and sites related to war intact. Probably, this was the reason why we found a great attachment of Bangladeshi citizens to their nation." The State Minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, a defected Pakistan Army officer, Captain AB Tajul Islam gave them a memento as a token of remembrance. Amritdeep Brar, the wife of Brig Brar, also said that it was a lifetime moment to have visited Dhaka where my husband captured the prominent sectors. "I was at a loss of words when I saw the different war zone and especially the one at Mynamati. The Bangladeshi women army officers turned up as the best hosts and took us for shopping to Mirpur. We bought the traditional 'Tangel' and 'Dhakai' sarees," she quipped. |
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PUDA postpones auction
Jalandhar, December 26 The officials had today arranged for chairs, tables and tents for the purpose. All items even reached the premises, but they then got the auction cancelled at the eleventh hour. The auction was to be held for eight SCOs at the Old Roadways Workshop site. JDA chief administrator Parveen Kumar said he checked and found that the auction could amount to a violation following which he cancelled the same. He said that the plans for conducting a draw of lots for plots at Mukerian was also cancelled even as the applications and earnest money for which had already been received. |
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Big names missing, but event draws decent crowd
Jalandhar, December 26 As the mungfali-gachak munchers and music revellers sat and slept through three nights of pure Hindustani classical extravagansa, this year's festival and performances certainly said new things about the state of JaIandhar's precious Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan. While the opening day was a warm up gig - with the talented Talwandi gharana cousins from Pakistan singing their aroused Dhrupad - Aman and Ayaan's flowy, impulsive, in-tune-with-the-tabla santoor and Ajay Pohankar's ever soulful vocals, the second day was also full of surprises and a relatively fuller audience. Making up for the lack of costly artistes that the committee could not afford, the artistes that it ultimately did call put up a fair Hindustani classical show. The sitar and cello jugalbandi of Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao De Haas captivated the audience. When Saskia struck the first cello notes while tuning her sonorous, booming instrument, there was laughter from certain audience quarters. Both took turns in playing out their intricate sitar and cello portions. If one did not look at her face, it was difficult to believe that the cello was being played by a person who isn't of the Indian origin. Within minutes of the sitar and cello jugalbandi beginning, the laughing and talking crowds shut up. Heads shook, sleeping crowds sat up and the usually talkative front-rowers grew quiet. The cello made an enlightening debut, with powerful, doting sitar as its constant companion. Pt Vishwanath's sacred strains, his drugged alaaps and taken-in-a-wink intricate taans also charmed. Sukhdev Singh Namdhari and Balwant Singh Namdhari's dhrupad, Pt Ravishankar Upadhyay's pakhawaj and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi's renowned disciple Pt K Upendra Bhatt's aroused Kirana gharana notes were the other highlights of the evening. The final evening, though lacking in the finality and aggressive, forceful classical treats like previous Harivallabhs, also doled out a fair share of classical music. Last year's talented contest winner Richa Aneja kick-started the evening with her vocals. Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar and Ashwini Deshpande's honeyed vocals brought an end to the sammelan. Singing Raag Lalit (Deshpande) and Raag Puriya Dhanashree concomitantly, they brought an ethereal end to the final day with their moorchana jugalbandi. They sung solos in Raag Vibhas and Jaivanti Todi. They ended the recital together with a bhajan and Raag Bahar. Earlier in the evening, Jalandhar's very own, talented vocalist BS Narang, in his inherently Punjabi style, rendered bandishes in Raag Bhim Palasi and Soni, ending with a shabad. Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana's Sonal Shivkumar presented Raag Kedar. Shantanu Bhattacharya, in his magically deep classical tones singing Raag Jaijaivanti and Rageshwari. He ended with the Harivallabh's all-time-favourite yaad piya ki aaye. The immortal thumri, a favourite of Jalandhar crowds, was executed with ease and panache by Bhattacharya, he kept its charm intact and it sounded sweet in his deep, soulful notes. The Harivallabh Life Achievement Samman was posthumously conferred on Mehmood Dhaulpuri, the loved harmonium virtuoso. His sons Fakhruddin and Zakir Dhaulpuri made an appearance with their Sarangi-harmonium jugalbandi playing Raag Puriya Dhanashree. Other performers included Pt. Pushpraj Koshti (surbahar) and Parthasarthi Mukherjee (tabla). In all, the three evenings saw lesser crowds and visibly angry old-timers and regular visitors, many of whom were also peeved at the lack of top-rung artistes that they have been wanting to see for a long time. |
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Khan cousins unveil Pakistan’s Dhrupad secrets
Jalandhar, December 26 While Pakistani artistes have been making enlightening appearance at the festival in the past, this year was special. The torch bearers of the Dhrupad style of Indian classical music, as celebrated as it is in India, are comparatively rarer to trace as compared to the Khayal gayaki. As the genius of the Khan cousins - Ustad Labrez Afzal Khan and Ustad Ali Hafeez Khan - was unveiled for the first time at the Harivallabh stage (their first performance in India too), the pleasure of the gathering knew no bounds. Trained by Ustad Afzal Khan Talwandiwale and Ustad Hafeez Khan Talwandiwale (theor respective fathers) and their grandfather Mohr-e-Mousique Ustad Malikzada Mehr Ali Khan Kandehre Talwandiwale, they have been earning accolades the world over for their rare singing style. They have also been listed in acclaimed musicologist Richard Widess’ book on Dhrupad. Hailing from the Talwandi (prounouced as Taal-wandi - as in rhythm distribution) Gharana in Pakistan, Dhrupad has stayed alive and has been nurtured for centuries in the gharana. The Khan cousins are presently its most popular scions, but there are other disciples who undergo taalim in the celebrated classical singing style. The polite, soft spoken Ustad Labrez Afzal Khan and the much younger and immensely talented Ustad Ali Hafeez Khan unveiled Pakistan’s Dhrupad secrets as The Tribune caught up with them. Tell us about the days of your taalim? We used to be with our elders all 24 hours. Following them around, learning from them. In those days there was no radio or TV. We toured villages with them, hearing them singing. For us, they were everything. I have been scolded and slapped by my ustaads in front of entire mehfils, but for me that was also a charm of music, a reprimand from the Ustads. (says Ustad Labrez Afzal Khan). Still our murshads (teachers) are very important to us. We still regular go to the Urs (fair) of our family peer (saint) Baddo Malli. Its an important tradition. What is special about your gharana? It is the oldest gharana of Indian classical music and employs a very different style of dhrupad than the others. It is taal pradhan and we have a special style of distribution of taal during singing. We mouth the taal syllables while singing. In the normal Dhrupad traditions taals are sung by bol baant, but we sing it by taal
baant. Your ancestors were born here. What did you learn about India from them? Our ancestors were from Raikot, Talwandi. I was brought up accompanying them to fairs and music sammelans. My grandfather has also performed at the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan during the times when it used to be an open ground where saints congregated and sang through the night. He told us that during those times seven pakhawajis sat for the performances as the people listened. The audience was also so aroused that it counted taals (matras) on its hands. Of course as we saw last night, that tradition hasn’t died down. People were still doing it. It was a pleasure to see that. How did it feel performing here? We felt amazing. In fact we would have performing more last night. But given the time slot, we had enough time, its just that when it come to classical music, we can never have enough. We would love coming to India more often. Dhrupad has limited scions left in the world and rarer so in the Talwandi gharana of Pakistan. Does it feel like an immense responsibility on your shoulders? Of course it does. But our fathers have taught many disciples and thankfully when we look around, there are a good amount of people propagating the Talwandi Gharana Dhrupad style. So we can rest assured that it is in safe hands. How important is the spiritual element for your performance? Sometimes it drives entire performances of ours. There is a connect with God. We also kid among ourselves that we feel our 'buzurg' (ancestors) have entered us and it is them singing. Is Indian Classical music as popular in Pakistan as it is here? It is almost similar for both the countries. Our kids have an ear for music and cannot resist it. |
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Jalandhar, December 26