Amritsar, December 10
The annual trade and shopping exhibition, PITEX-2012, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concluded on a high note with the international stalls getting the maximum attention this year as well.

If the Pakistani exhibitors occupied a larger share in the arcade and were the major crowd pullers, international stalls from Lebanon, Thailand, London and Afghanistan were quite popular as well.

Punjab International Trade Expo-2012 was not only about business to business interaction and trade development. The underlying sentiment behind the biggest consumer extravaganza in Amritsar was cultural exchange through economics.

“Past five days have been totally amazing in terms of business and pleasure. We thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm people showed,” said Samyos, owner of Zen Forum from Bangkok. His collection of designer lamps and lightings was thronged by potential buyers.

But what he loved the most about the city was something very different from trade. “Well, the city is quite similar to ours back home as it has got delicious street food and it is full of life,” he said.

As for the business, his products remained high on profitability as he is now a regular at the exhibition. “People now recognise our brand and products and every year when we come we already have our loyal customers waiting to visit.”

Echoing similar views, exhibitor Rattana Chinburarat from Creation World Wild Wood, Thailand, said, “People are now familiar with the products each exhibitor brings. Our designer décor products sale out every year and it’s an amazing business outing for us.”

Coming from similar cultural backgrounds and enjoying a good rapport and client base in the city, the Pakistani exhibitors had the best time. Like every year, the Pakistani stalls enjoyed maximum footfall with all major products like clothes and apparels, footwear selling like hot cakes.

Meer Designer, from Pakistan, was the best of them all, even getting the award for the best international exhibitor. “Our business and customer base expands with every passing year. The extent of our business in the holy city is the same as back home, thanks to the popularity of Pakistani products here,” says Meer Mohd, from Meer Designer.

The African stalls were more specific on building a client base and getting potential traders to invest in their respective countries. More than selling, they emphasised on building favourable trade relations through making the consumer in Amritsar aware about their possible markets.

Tourism was one area that caught customer fancy. “We had a lot of queries about tourist destinations in African nation popular for its Kenyan wildlife safaris, tribal colonies in Ghana and national parks in Mozambique. The expo has given them a good platform to directly interact and explore the market in Punjab,” said a PR representative from the expo.

Javid Hamizada, a trader dealing in dry fruits from Afghanistan, said he did a good business. Besides, he also found a dealer in Amritsar to boost his trade. Earlier, his company used to supply dry fruits in India through dealers at Delhi.

Farooq A Malik, a Pakistan businessman dealing in wood and laminate floors, doors and kitchenware, said though he got fewer customers, he established contacts with local dealers to supply material in Punjab.

During the event, industry associations from Punjab had one to one business to business meetings with the representatives of seven chambers of commerce and industry from Pakistan.

Business communities on both the sides showed keen interest in business opportunities available in respective countries. 

TRADERS, ORGANISERS A DELIGHTED LOT

Past five days have been totally amazing in terms of business and pleasure. We thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm people showed
— Samyos, owner of Zen Forum from Bangkok

This edition of the PITEX was a great success. We managed to generate business enquiries worth more than Rs 240 crore. On MoUs with Pakistan chambers, we look forward to the translation of these pacts into good business deals in the near future
— Suman Jyoti Khaitan, Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber

Amritsar, December 10
Talks between the laid-off daily-waged safai karamcharis and the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) authorities bore no results as the workers did not accept the authorities' offer of re-engaging them.

The delegation of agitating safai workers, who have been observing hunger strike for the past five days against the university for outsourcing the cleanliness work, met GNDU Vice Chancellor Dr AS Brar today.

The safai karamcharis were offered 'redeployment', but on the condition that they get themselves registered with the Abohar-based firm, which has been engaged by the university for hiring workers.

The university has hired 50 workers from the private firm while terminating the services of the daily-waged 55 safai karamcharis.

Dejected by the university's proposal, the safai karamcharis decided to continue their agitation.

They have been sitting outside the university's main gate and observing chain hunger strike.

On the fifth day of the hunger strike, the condition of three agitating safai karamcharis, including two women, got deteriorated.

Partap Singh, one among the workers, said Gyan Kaur and Jasbir Kaur have been withdrawn from the fast, as they were not keeping well.

"We have withdrawn them from the hunger strike as they had developed some health complications. Amar Singh and Sandeep Singh have replaced them in the strike," he said.

Partap Singh said the meeting with the university officials did not produce any positive result. "The authorities placed a condition that we could be re-engaged, but only through the private contractor. This was not acceptable to us. First, there was no guarantee that we would be paid promised remunerations; secondly, our decade-long service would come to naught with this decision. Therefore, we have unanimously decided to continue our agitation," said Partap.

The Vice Chancellor said as these workers were never the employees of the university, they should not expect to be on rolls.

Amritsar, December 10
As the countdown begins for the ‘Mr Singh International’ competition, the contestants have geared up to showcase their skills.

Today, the contestants had to fight and entertain simultaneously during a competition held at the old age home run by Chief Khalsa Diwan. Right from performing bhangra to cooking a sumptuous meal, the competition saw all the 26 finalists impressing the panel of judges.

“All the contestants have learned to hone up their skills whether creative or culinary. So, we had all the finalists coming up with some different act on stage. The talent show is an integral part of the programme and important to highlight the overall personality of the contestants to build their confidence,” said Jaswinder Singh, organiser and president, Akal Purakh Ki Fauj.

Apart from the fact that Mr Singh International is a talent grooming competition, it comes with a mission attached. Jaswinder said, “We have a lot of Sikh youths detaching themselves from the religion by shedding off their turban and other symbols of identity. We started this programme to inspire them by making a point that the cultural and religious identities are nothing to be ashamed off. Our very first competition had the late Yash Chopra as the guest of honour.” He said that one must not compromise on their cultural identity for making it big in the glamour world. “Today, Bollywood has Sikh characters and turbaned heroes making Rs 100 crore at box office.”

He said the event also helps the Sikh youths to find a common platform to dream big. “Our last year’s winner Damandeep Singh is doing well in Mumbai. He is part of many big commercials and getting constant recognition for his work. We get calls from agencies in Mumbai asking for Sikh models and artistes. This means our efforts are being rewarded.” 

Amritsar, December 10
About a month back, when the police department had engaged the services of private players to tackle the wrongly parked vehicles, the residents were a delighted lot as such a move was desperately required to address the massive parking woes in the holy city, but now it has ended up in farce exercise.

The tow away cranes were witnessed on city roads for few days. The reason was that the contract made with a firm had to be scrapped due to some technical fault which remained overlooked at the time of contract.

Now the police department is in the process of starting a fresh exercise with tendering process of hiring private tow-away vehicle.

Meanwhile, the parking blues in the holy city continues as the department does not possess adequate infrastructure to tackle the problem.

The department currently has only two vehicles. Ironically, the department was finding it difficult to maintain them due to cut in fuel supply by the state government.

The present scenario of massive traffic jams can be witnessed in the Nehru Shopping Complex parking. The huge quantum of wrongly parked vehicles in this complex causes big blockades in the smooth flow of traffic.

Some of the shopkeepers have permanently encroached upon the parking slots for their four wheelers by erecting temporary advertisement billboards.

The police post is located just a few steps away from this parking lot but this menace have still not caught their eyes.

Similarly, huge quantum of wrongly parked vehicles on roadside can be spotted at the busiest Crystal Chowk, Lawrence road, Mall road, Albert road, stationary auto rickshaws opposite to Bus Stand and Railway Station.

According to officials, the bid from aspiring firms has been received by the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police mentioning the rates to be charged for lifting vehicle and how many tow-away vehicles are required.

As per terms, the offenders would have to pay the expenses for towing as well as the fine for wrong parking.

The police has fixed a rate of Rs 500 for four wheelers, including cars and auto rickshaws, Rs 150 for two wheelers and Rs 1,000 for light and heavy commercial vehicles as their tow-away charges.

Amritsar, December 10
The third day of the 10th National Theatre Festival entertained the theatre audiences in city with a comedy play, 'Arey Shareef Log'.

The play was directed by Sharad Sharma and staged by Abhinav Rangmandal, Ujjain, brought comic relief to the festival after two days of serious theatre.

The play is set in the lower middle class locality with numerous characters in the story that develops after a young, beautiful girl rents a room on the ground floor of a three-storeyed building. The life of the innocent people of the locality starts revolving around the new tenant. The play has been staged at various prominent national and international festivals and is a light hearted attempt at the social mannerisms.

"I believe laughter is the best medicine and treatment for all the social problems that we suffer from. I have an inclination towards comic stories and 'Arey Shareef Log' is an attempt to lighten the hearts of the theatre audience who thinks going to watch a play is all about serious emotions," said Sharad.

Amritsar, December 10
Zafar Lohar, disciple of eminent Punjabi Pakistani folk singer, Alam Lohar, enthralled the audience with his spellbound performance during the ongoing refresher course on ‘visual and performing arts’ at Guru Nanak Bhawan Auditorium in Guru Nanak Dev 
University.

The refresher course is being organised by the Academic Staff College in association with the Department of Music of the university.

Dr Gurpreet Kaur, coordinator, welcomed the chief guest and introduced him to the participants.

RK Mahajan, principal, DAV College, Giddarbaha; Dr Prateek Chaudhary, 
Dr Dinesh, Ayurveda Charya, were also present on the occasion.

Zafar mesmerised the audience with ‘Kafi of Bulle Shah’ and ‘mitti da bawa’ with traditional dhol and chimta instruments. Mohd Zaman, dholi, was accompanying him during his performance.

He also appraised the participants with folk music and instruments being used in Pakistan.

He expressed his gratitude towards the university for inviting him to interact with the participants of the refresher course.

Dr Gurpreet Kaur honoured Zafar and Zaman with memento on behalf of the University. 

Amritsar, December 10
Chandigarh has enjoyed a cult status amongst Punjabis, especially the youth. The city beautiful again steals limelight in a Punjabi film, Sadi Galli Aya Karo.

The upcoming romantic comedy is ready for a worldwide release on December 14. It has two guys wooing a girl from Chandigarh.

The stars of the film, Zoya Afroz, Anuj Puri and Nav Bajwa along with director Sunil Puri were in holy city to pay obeisance at Golden Temple.

Talking about their film, director Sunil Puri said: “It’s a fun film, true to the expectations of the audiences. It launches three new faces in the Punjabi film industry. The story is about two guys, one from Punjab, and other from Haryana, fighting to get a girl, who lives in Chandigarh. So there is a lot of ‘city beautiful’ capturing screen space in the film.”

Most of shooting has been done in Chandigarh and its peripheries. The film is another in the long line of good films that Punjabi cinema is known for. The crew is sure of its success at the box office.

“It’s a light entertainment, something for the youngsters and the family audience. With three fresh faces, the novelty factor remains,” said Sunil Puri.

The film has been produced under BM Entertainment Company banner and Vinay Puri, directed by Sunil Puri and written by Upinder Waraich. The music has been scored by Onkar Singh.

Amritsar, December 10
The Dal Khalsa and the Sikh Youth of Punjab passed resolutions urging the state and Union governments to honour human rights of minorities and tribal communities to mark the 'World Human Rights Day' today.

Addressing a seminar on 'Human Rights in India', leader of Dal Khalsa Kanwar Pal Singh said: "The government must have a humanitarian look at Chanu Sharmila, a Manipuri activist, who is on fast for the past 12 years, protesting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act."

The gathering condemned the continued house arrest of Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and appealed to the Union government to release the aged leader.

They welcomed the US decision to deny visa to Narendra Modi and appealed to the National Commission for Minorities to censure Modi's unequivocal declaration that BJP will have no Muslim candidates in Gujarat.

"Ours is a peaceful struggle and pushing people to the wall would be dangerous. I appeal to the intelligentsia and the civil society in India to ponder over the serious situation that is emerging because of the trampling of rights," said Dhami.

The leaders condemned the unwarranted detention of leaders of Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind and Bhai Daljit Singh, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

"It is disgusting that these leaders were tortured. The Punjab government must release them," said Dhami.

They flayed the politico-police nexus exposed following the murder of ASI Ravinderpal Singh in broad daylight on December 6. They alleged that cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia inducted leaders with criminal background in the Akali Dal while. They appealed to the government to check criminalisation of politics and stop politicisation of the police.

They accused the Punjab government for mocking human rights by elevating Sumedh Singh Saini as the Director General of the Punjab Police and blamed that he had been involved in gross human right violation during the unrest period in the state.

Our struggle is peaceful and pushing people to the wall will be dangerous. I appeal to the intelligentsia and the civil society in India to ponder over the serious situation that is emerging because of the trampling of rights.
— Harcharan Singh Dhami, a leader of Dal Khalsa 

The government must have a humanitarian look at Chanu Sharmila, a Manipuri activist, who is on fast for the past 12 years, protesting against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
— Kanwar Pal Singh, a leader of Dal Khalsa 

Amritsar, December 10
Chandigarh Hockey Academy beat Guru Gobind Singh Vidya Mandir School (GGSVMS),Mohali, by 3-1 to clinch the 10th ONGC All India Maharaja Ranjit Singh Junior 
Hockey title.

From winning team, Gurjeet Singh scored two goals while Mandeep Singh scored a goal through a penalty corner. The solitary goal for Guru Gobind Singh Vidya Mandir School came from Harjot Singh. The victorious team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 51,000 and the runners-up team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 31,000.

In women category, Central Railway, Mumbai, defeated Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, by 5-4.

The winning team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 21,000 while the runners-up team received a cash prize of Rs 11000.