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Admn bans excavation at Ram Bagh
Finally, historic Panj Mandir gets state’s attention
Standing up for the cause of special children
Children stage a play during a meet of the Amrit Parivaar Parents Association at Virsa Vihar on Saturday.
Photo: Sameer Sehgal |
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NASA visit a fun-cum-learning experience for DPS students
Another happy weekend for city shopaholics
Amritsar-Lahore Festival spreads bonhomie
Qawwals from Pakistan perform during Saanjh-2012 at Spring Dale School in Amritsar on Saturday. photo: vishal kumar
Mobile phones seized from jail inmates again
Pak’s ex-cricketer hails resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties
KocharTech gets Aegis Graham Bell award
Ryan students promote cottage industries
12-yr-old raped by neighbour
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Admn bans excavation at Ram Bagh
Amritsar, November 3 Officials of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), a subsidiary of Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB), which is looking after the conservation of the Ram Bagh area, claimed that the earth being excavated from Ram Bagh was to be utilised for another government project of Heritage Village near GNDU complex. They emphasised that everything was being done as per norms and after obtaining prior permission from the authorities concerned. Yet, the yesterday's instance has brought to the fore a sheer lack of coordination between different wings of the government as far as the conservation of historic site or the heritage village projects are concerned. Ironically, both these projects are being minutely monitored by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. The incident of digging at Ram Bagh sparked controversy on Friday when the Industry minister Anil Joshi summoned the whole battery of officers at the site where excavation was being carried out. None of the officials of the tourism department, the district administration or the local wing of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) could apprise the minister about logistics of excavation of earth being undertaken at the historic site. Later, it was revealed that the excavated earth was being transported to the Heritage Village site for landfill purpose. The district administration has written to the local mining authorities to intervene and take action. The PIU officials said a detailed report of the conservation plan, along with the documents pertaining to the scope of work in the Ram Bagh, the tenders called in for and other formalities was submitted with the district authorities today. It has been learnt that an area of about 7,600 metres was excavated, whereas there was a permission of to carry out excavation on 25,000 metres with the PIU. AK Mishra, Project Manager, PIU, said the digging of earth was being carried out to protect the heritage buildings in Ram Bagh, upon which crores of rupees is being spent to conserve them. "There was nothing illegal about it. Since the height of these heritage structures are below the level of the land, it was necessary to excavate the earth around them just to protect them from the moisture and water. Otherwise, these buildings would not survive. The permission for the excavation was taken well in advance through our head office located in Chandigarh. We have intimated to the officials concerned and in a day or two the copy of permission letters would reach here," he said. Moreover, the two projects --- conservation of Ram Bagh and establishment of Heritage Village --- are being carried out simultaneously by PHTPB. It was rather good that the earth taken out from one site would be utilised in the other profit, he added. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said taking into consideration the sensitivity of the situation, the digging at present has been banned. District land mining officer Dharampal Bhagat told that it was mandatory to obtain environment clearance before taking any such action. "It appears as if those who were doing digging at Ram Bagh were not aware about the Supreme Court's directions issued just two months back over digging of land. Moreover, we have submitted our report with the police and the digging has been stopped", he said. No coordination at all
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Finally, historic Panj Mandir gets state’s attention
Amritsar, November 3 “I have never seen such architecture in the region and it is surely needed to be preserved,” said Balraj Singh while pointing out that the temple seemed to be more than 150-year-old. The invaluable frescoes have been decaying due to a lack of knowledge among area residents while the lower portion of the walls, which were adorned with priceless frescoes, of the three of the four temples, have been whitewashed by the caretakers of the temple. The temple has a very unique structure and is a blend of various art styles, including Mughal, Hindu and Sikh architecture not found anywhere else in the region.
The temple was built during the reign of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It has been a rich treasure trove of resplendent frescoes of Hindu deities besides Guru Nanak Dev along with his two disciples Bala and Mardana. It comprises four small temples of Lord Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha and Surya in as many corners with the main temple of lord Krishna and Ram situated at the centre. Balraj Singh said a high-level team from the department visited the temple after getting instructions from Geetika Kallah, Principal Secretary, Tourism. “We were surprised to see the temple as a majority of frescoes has been intact and could be preserved. Only Shiv temple - one of the four temples in the premises situated on a corner – was whitewashed by the owner who was still in possession of the shrine. Remaining frescoes are in very good conditions. The domes of four temples situated on the four corners of the shrine was also unique in its architecture,” said Balraj. He said he would submit a report regarding the preservation of the temple to higher authorities on Monday. It is to mention here that the plight of the temple was first highlighted in The Tribune on August 1, 2011. Later, a team of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chandigarh circle, visited the shrine and recommended preservation of historical structures and frescoes to the ASI authorities in New Delhi. The Superintendent Archaeologist, Chandigarh Circle, had submitted a report of the Director General, ASI, New Delhi, while strongly recommending its protection and preservation keeping in view its unique art and architecture. “In the report, the ASI had said that the temple reflects the regional artistic style and temperament of the 18th century. It is an effective amalgamation of Mughal and Sikh architecture with artistic inputs of the Pahari miniatures,” said an official of Chandigarh circle of the ASI. A team of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums, Punjab, had also visited the historic temple. Rajneesh Khosla, who is known for preservation of handwritten manuscripts and has taken up the issue of its preservation with the authorities concerned, expressed his hope that the historic temple would now be preserved and become a major tourist destination.
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Standing up for the cause of special children
Amritsar, November 3 The regional parents’ meet held at Virsa Vihar was kicked off by Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora. He was joined by Ajin Sen, president, Parivaar, a Kolkata-based NGO; Anil Joshi, member, National Trust; Amarjit Singh Anand, zonal secretary, Amrit parivaar, Amritsar; and parents from across the region. The initiative, ‘badhtey kadam’, is aimed at providing necessary aide and awareness amongst parents and people involved in taking care of the needs of special children. “Parenting is becoming a tough job these days, and when you have special kids whose needs and requirements are different as well as difficult to understand, some parents find it impossible to be on their own. So, we try and provide help to those parents who need guidance in taking care of the child,” said Amarjit Singh Anand. Over 150 parents and 70 children with multiple disabilities are a part of the programme. A cultural event was also organised by the volunteers of the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan and later a session on self help was also organised for parents and delegates. “Most parents come with a question --- What after us? There is a huge number of special kids who get neglected in absence of a parental guidance and there are no rehabilitation or residential homes for such children to shelter and provide for them. Our programme’s agenda is to have such special homes for special kids in Punjab, as many other states in the country have already established such services for the disabled,” shared Amarjit. Another thing that remained a top priority was legislation for the disabled. “The Draft Rights for Person’s with Disabilities Bill, which will give enable disabled people with special rights like personal liberty and right to property, guardianship, education and employment will be presented in Parliament this session. We are hopeful that it will bring the desired change in the social standing of the disabled,” said
Amarjit.
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NASA visit a fun-cum-learning experience for DPS students
Amritsar, November 3 The students said they were fascinated to explore NASA's spacecraft and launch site. They visited the Astronaut Hall of Fame besides a theme park, Sea World, devoted to the study of marine biology and challenges faced by marine wildlife. They also visited the ‘Rocket Garden’, ‘Early Space Exploration Tour’ centre, ‘Lunar Theatre’. The team felt proud to see the picture of Indian astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died a few years back. They were also inspired by the tales of the exploits of another Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams. The group talked about their visit to ‘Moon Rock Café’, the only place in the world where guests can dine sitting next to moon rocks, where they had lunch with the astronaut Jerry L Ross. They also visited ‘Apollo Saturn V’ Centre and Space Shop. The students got an opportunity to witness the creative works of ‘Disney Production Arts and Sciences’ besides youth education series 'YES' workshop, which showcased the way technologies, techniques, and storyboarding are shaping today's media.
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Another happy weekend for city shopaholics
Amritsar, November 3 The exhibition is a haven for all those who want something different for themselves. The exhibition comes with a wide range of fashion and lifestyle products, from known designer houses and brands. If you are never tired of picking and choosing from a sea full of designer wear, the exhibition is a must visit. With over a dozen designer wear brands from across the border displaying their collection, the clothes section was the most crowded. With particular style of hand embroideries, lacework and silhouettes, the ethnic wear have made a brand of themselves with the city women. “We come here at least three times a year and each time we get good sales. The cultural taste of the holy city is same as that back home so it is a good market for us,” says Mohammed Azam, who has brought a collection of suits in chiffons and georgettes. The range of bright designer wear starts at Rs 1000 and above. Another staple item that is a huge hit with city shoppers is the home décor pieces. The festivities have made sure the Diwali shopping options don’t fade out with a wide variety onyx and wooden furniture, antique clocks, and décor pieces in crystal and glass are quite impressive. Home appliances and electronics also was a mojor hit, with shoppers. Since Diwali is a time to buy home appliances and consumer items, big brands like Samsung, LG and other electronic house have put their best products on display. The expo is on till November 5.
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Amritsar-Lahore Festival spreads bonhomie
Amritsar, November 3 Saanjh, instituted in 2004 by late Dr Shivinder Sandhu and Manveen Sandhu, entered its eighth year. The colourful evening had Pakistani artists Mehboob Mian Mir Qawwal and Group, Faiz Ahmad Qawwal and Group, Mahboob Farid Qawwal and Group, Badar Qawwal and Group, Deepalpuri Qawwal and Group entertaining the audiences with their performnaces. The event was inaugrated by Usman Pirzada, convener, Rafi Peer Theatre, Pakistan.
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Mobile phones seized from jail inmates again
Amritsar, November 3 The city police on the complaint of RK Sharma, Superintendent, Jail, has lodged three separate cases under Section 420 of the IPC, Section 42 of the Prisoners Act and Sections 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act against undertrials, identified as Karaj Singh of Mahendipur, Tarn Taran; Anil Sharma of Hall Bazaar; and Jagjit Singh of Chatiwind. Sharma told the police that during a search operation, the jail staff found two mobile phones with SIM cards from the possession of Karaj Singh and Jagjit Singh and seized three grams of smack from Anil Sharma. On Friday, the jail authorities have seized three mobile phones from as many jail inmates.
— TNS
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Pak’s ex-cricketer hails resumption of Indo-Pak cricketing ties
Amritsar, November 3 Majid said cricket ties between the neighbouring countries had been snapped several times since 1952. He felt political establishments should not hold sports to ransom. The former cricketer, who played 63 Tests, wished that had there were more matches between India and Pakistan, he would have scored more runs. Answering a question regarding growing menace of match fixing, he advocated legalising betting in cricket on the line of Australia and United Kingdom.
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KocharTech gets Aegis Graham Bell award
Amritsar, November 3 As per a release issued here today, Jitender Jain, CEO, KocharTech said, “We are proud and happy to receive this award for the second time in a row. It’s a great achievement for KocharTech team, who design innovative Telecom and Enterprise Mobility Solutions. The company provides device management solutions, mobile network/application testing and e-learning and training solutions.
— TNS
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Ryan students promote cottage industries Amritsar, November 3
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Standing up for the cause of special children, the National Trust for Disabilities in association with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and city-based wing of the Amrit Parivaar launched a two-day programme to spread awareness and discuss the problems faced by disabled children in the region.
Amritsar, November 3
