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Fog leaves passengers out in cold
Mobile phones don’t stop ringing at high-security jail
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Molestation victim wants strict action against accused
‘Historical’ Kalleyaanwala Khu cries for recognition
With success behind, trust seeks to revive closed park
The Dalmia Charitable Trust has planted 1,100 saplings of ornamental and medicine plants; repaired swings, benches and pavements; leveled sand; and pruned trees to revamp Dr Baldev Prakash Park in Amritsar. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
Red Ribbon train to reach Verka on Dec 31
Making X-mas a memorable event for children
Students of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur College perfom during their annual function in Amritsar on Monday. photo: Vishal Kumar
A singer performs at a function to mark the birth anniversary of legendary singer Mohd Rafi in Amritsar on Monday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
Fog, chill may dampen New Year celebrations, fear residents
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Fog leaves passengers out in cold
Amritsar, December 24 Five flights were delayed to Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport. Nine arriving trains and many departing from the Amritsar railway station were delayed due to fog. A huge number of tourists, besides residents, were stranded at the airport and railway station for hours. Waiting for the arrival of their flights in a freezing cold, a large number of passengers kept standing in front of the airport building. A passenger, Narinder Singh said they had been waiting for over nine hours at the airport. Waiting for the arrival of flight from Taskant, the Banga resident said they could not go anywhere else as no fresh time for departure of the plane was given. He said in this scenario entire family had to wait in the cold. Sardul Singh from Moga had a similar tale. He had to wait for hours for the arrival of Turkmenistan Airlines flight from Asghabat. Having some work at Turkmenistan's capital Asghabat, he had to catch another flight for Dubai. He said he was unsure of catching his next flight. Amritsar Airport Director Suneel Dutt said scheduled flights got delayed due to delay in take off from their originating stations. Other flights were delayed as either aircraft were not technologically equipped to utilise the category II landing system or pilots not trained to land under this landing system. He said average visibility stood between 400 to 500 meters. Chaos prevailed at the railway station where a large number of passengers were seen waiting for their trains in the chilly weather. Waiting passengers kept thronging the enquiry counter to get the latest information regarding their trains. Stalls and shops at the platforms selling coffee and tea had a roaring business. A senior citizen, Manjit Singh of Daghdhoot village said he along with six of his family members arrived after traveling all the way from their remote village at the station, but was shocked to find the train late by several hours. His family was to travel to Delhi to attend a family function. He said it was an ordeal to be stranded at the station for these many hours. "There was no place to sit; waiting halls were full and toilets were crowded at the station," he said. Ramandeep Kaur, a pilgrim from Delhi, said, "Having checked out of the hotel at 12 pm, I came to the station only to find my train delayed by hours." Flights delayed: five
Uzbekistan Airlines flight from Taskant was late by 11 hours and 37 minutes. Turkmenistan Airlines flight from Ashgabad was delayed by nearly 4 hours. Delhi-Amritsar flight of SpiceJet was delayed by four hours. SpiceJet's another flight from Mumbai got delayed by 20 minutes. Jet Airways' flight from Delhi was delayed by 3 hours and 30 minutes. Air India's flight from Delhi was delayed by 3 hours. Trains running late: Nine
Delhi-Amritsar Shaen-E-Punjab was delayed by five hours. Tata Moori was delayed by 12 hours Katihar express was late by nine hours. Jansewa Express, Sachkhand and Paschim Express were delayed by five hours, four hours and two hours, respectively. Kolkata Express and Dadar Express were late by three hours each. New Delhi-Amritsar Express got delayed by an hour Stranded at airport,
rly station
A huge number of tourists, besides residents, were stranded at the airport and railway station for hours Chaos prevailed at the railway station. Waiting passengers kept thronging the enquiry counter to get the latest information regarding their trains
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Mobile phones don’t stop ringing at high-security jail
Amritsar, December 24 Security personnel at the high-security Amritsar Central Jail today seized a mobile phone loaded with a SIM card, besides two other SIM cards from two undertrials lodged in the jail. A case under Sections 420 of the IPC and Section 42 of the Prisoners Act, 1894, has been registered against Bhagel Singh and Darshan Lal. During a search, the jail staff found the activated mobile phone and two other SIM cards, hidden in the bedding at barrack no 2, where both the undertrials were lodged in. According to the Jail Superintendent, who has lodged a complaint with the Cantonment police station, the two undertrials were shifted to Amritsar from Patiala jail. They were arrested in separate murder cases. The police is tracking the call details. Further investigation is going on. The authorities have failed to install mobile phone jammers. As a result notorious criminals lodged in the high-security jail have continued to sneak in mobile phones to remain in touch with their counterparts outside. As per intelligence reports, Amritsar has become a transit route for smuggling drugs from Afghanistan and Pakistan to various European countries. Phone seized
Mobile phone, two SIM cards were seized from two undertrials at Amritsar Central Jail A case under Sections 420 of the IPC and Section 42 of the Prisoners Act, 1894, has been registered against Bhagel Singh and Darshan Lal About 30 cases have been registered against jail inmates, from whom mobile phones were seized, at the central jail in 2012.
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Molestation victim wants strict action against accused
Amritsar, December 24 The youths, whose friendship offer was turned down by the girl, allegedly molested her and later poured poison down her mouth on Friday. Recuperating at a private hospital here, the girl demanded stringent possible action against the culprits. Preet Paul Singh Virk, SSP Amritsar Rural, confirmed that the girl recorded her statement with the Rajasansi police. A case of attempt to murder and molestation has been lodged against the two accused, identified as Sukhman of Cheecha village and Billu of Adliwal village. The incident had occurred at Adliwal village.During interrogation, the accused had claimed that the girl had herself consumed the poisonous substance and one of them had an affair with her. However, the girl, a student of Class VIII, alleged that the accused used to tease and follow her when she used to go to her school in Adliwal. She had refused to accept their proposal. She alleged that Billu caught hold of her and Sukhman poured some poisonous substance down her mouth. She had been going to procure some grocery from a shop. When she raised an alarm and people started gathering, the youth fled. Meanwhile, former Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla today met the victim at the hospital. She expressed her concern over rising instances of eve-teasing and molestation. She pointed out that the Punjab Government should immediately launch a helpline for curbing such instances. Chawla pays a visit
Former Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla met the victim at the hospital. She expressed concern over rising instances of eve-teasing and molestation.
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‘Historical’ Kalleyaanwala Khu cries for recognition
Amritsar, December 24 The historical Kalleyaanwala Khu (well), which was filled with the bodies of jawans who had revolted against the British in 1857, has been lying neglected for the last one and half century. Though the district administration has communicated to the Punjab Government to take appropriate action and grant due recognition to this historical site, but it has got no reply so far. A local historian Surinder Kochhar's claims to have discovered remains of 1857 martyrs during the digging process at Ajnala recently bore no official authentication because neither the Central nor the state authorities were ready to testify it. The reason cited by the authorities was that it was not a 'protected site' yet, hence it finds no place in their records. Historians say this well is a known site and that it was not unusual to find remains of soldiers underneath. Since the spot doesn't come under the purview of any government department, it required no permission to dig it. An 11-member committee of Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj, located on the same spot, has been digging out the well, which was filled with sand and pebbles with the passage of time. During one such digging process, skeletons were found, which were believed to be of jawans of 1857 struggle. Dr Harish Sharma, a noted historian, said Kalleyaanwala Khu is a significant place but none of the authorities - the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), the Punjab Cultural and Archeological Affairs Department and the district administration --- was ready to authenticate the site. ASI's senior conservationist Charan Das and Punjab Archeology Department's director Dr Karamjit Singh Sra said Kalleyaanwala Khu does not come under their preview as it was never in their records. "It was never a protected site. Until and unless, we are informed by the local authorities, we cannot initiate the process of recognising it or designating it as protected site," said Dr Sra. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal maintained that a communication has been sent to the Punjab Chief Minister. The detailed examination of the site could be carried out only by the Punjab Cultural and Archeological Department. History behind the well
When Mangal Pande blew the trumpet of rebellion against the British in 1857, its effect was felt in this border district too. A platoon of more than 300 soldiers (hailing from UP, Bihar) stationed at Lahore rebelled against the British by leaving their barracks. Soldiers bravely crossed the flooded Ravi and reached the adjoining Ajnala town. However, acting on a tip-off, Fredric Cooper, the then deputy commissioner of Amritsar, ordered the capture of soldiers. They were put in a cage-like room of the Old Tehsil (Ajnala) where almost 200 soldiers died of asphyxiation. The rest of them were brutally shot the next morning and their bodies thrown into the Kalleyaanwala Khu.
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With success behind, trust seeks to revive closed park
Amritsar, December 24 The Dalmia trust planted 1,100 saplings of ornamental and medicine plants; repaired swings, benches and pavements; leveled sand; and pruned trees to revamp Dr Baldev Prakash Park. The trust also erected 60 boards with motivating slogans to seek people’s help in keeping the park clean and green. Kamal Dalmia, managing trustee, said the 2.5-acre park was revamped with an investment of Rs one lakh within a week. He said landscaping and development of the park was carried out by experts Charan Singh and Charandeep Singh Thukral. The refurbished park was inaugurated by Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora. Office-bearers of the trust have submitted a proposal to the Mayor, in which it has wished to revive the children’s park, which has been lying closed for many years. A little thought has been spared for the children, Dalmia quipped. There are only two prominent children parks in the city. One of them is in the Gol Bagh and the other in the Ram Bagh, popularly known as Company garden. He said the park has been lying unused and without proper infrastructure for the past many years. He said, “They don’t want to crib and criticise the government and authorities. Trust members are ready to contribute by themselves to install good quality swings and other facilities in children’s park.” A proposal
Having successfully revamped Dr Baldev Prakash Park spread on 2.5 acres in posh Green Avenue, the Dalmia Charitable Trust has submitted a proposal to the Mayor, in which it has wished to revive the children’s park, which has been lying closed for many years.
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Red Ribbon train to reach Verka on Dec 31
Amritsar, December 24 Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon, District Health Officer-cum-District Nodal Officer, said the Red Ribbon train, which has been spreading information on precautionary measures against contracting AIDS, would pass through eight districts. The Red Ribbon Express of the Indian Railways was flagged off by the Government of India on December 1, 2007 on the occasion of World AIDS Day. This train has eight coaches, the first four have been devoted to exhibit paintings to depict the cause, the fifth one has an auditorium, the sixth coach has been transformed into a testing lab where several medical examinations would be conducted free of cost whereas the seventh and eighth coach have doctors and medical volunteers. “I appeal to all the representatives of NGOs, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Education Department, panchayats and students to come and make it as a fruitful mission. Besides this, the health department will conduct an awareness drive from December 26 to December 30 where our teams will visit various pockets of the district to let the masses aware about our mission,” said Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon.
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Making X-mas a memorable event for children
Amritsar, December 24 Pooja Arora, manager at Kapsons, Amritsar, and mother of one-year-old Amaiyra is an example. From getting the perfect Christmas tree to shredding perfect pieces of glaze paper decorations, she is doing everything to celebrate her daughter’s first Christmas. “Every festival is special for children and since she is celebrating all her festivals for the first time, I want to go an extra mile to ensure Amaiyra enjoys Christmas as well,” shares the doting mother. Pooja is ready to give Amaiyra a Santa makeover too. “I have purchased a Santa costume for her, which she will be wearing all day long, since she is the best gift I ever had from Santa.” She has also decorated the Christmas tree with loads of small gifts and is planning to surprise her daughter with stocking full of more. Spreading the yuletide spirit for their children is another city parent, Vishal Sharma. A marketing executive in a leading insurance firm in city, Vishal is ready to turn Santa for his two daughters Kavya (9) and Koel (4) yet again. “From buying the tree to picking up each gift I know they would love, I have been working from past three days to make their Christmas special. I have also arranged a small Christmas party for the girls, inviting their friends over for the day.” Exchanging gifts, chocolates, cakes and carol-singing are on cards. Though, the Santa part remains a secret, Vishal does take their help in decorating the tree. “They wrap each gift and make sure they remain in command while decorating the tree and this year Kavya is learning to bake a Christmas cake from her mother. Of course, later we all gorge on the cake and candies and have a feast.” Since it's Christmas and the winter holidays are on, all rolled into one, celebrations are extended to spend some quality time as a family. “My daughter, Roohi, is the one turning Santa this year,” shares Dolly Gulati, a housewife. “She has got gifts for all of us, and Santa caps to wear on the occasion.” Well, Christmas means decorating the X-mas tree and having a slumber party. “Our plan is to spend the time, feasting on cakes and puddings, drinking hot chocolate and watching a movie together,” says Dolly. In between they do share some mother daughter moments by pampering each other with a head massage or applying red nail paint. Grandparents too have joined the celebrations. “I have purchased a Santa dress as my 10-year-old grandson, Akshit, has asked me to be his Santa,” Yashpal Martins, a retired government employee from the city. From the midnight Mass to morning full of Christmas activities and participating in the carols in church, the grandfather-grandson duo has planned the day together. “We will do the usual, but I have promised to take him for Dabangg 2 on Christmas,” says Martin.
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Winter cultural fest begins
Amritsar, December 24 Exhibitions displaying cultural heritage, fabrics of Punjab were organised. A blood donation camp was also held in which 28 students donated blood.
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Veteran Olympian comes calling
Amritsar, December 24 He had clinched a silver at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul in 200m butterfly. It was the first medal that the country bagged in swimming in the Asian games since 1951. Presently serving as Inspector General with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Khajan was in the holy city to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and at Jallianwala Bagh. Sharing his feelings, he said Virdhawal Khade had come close to breaking his record when he won a bronze in the same category at 2010 Asian Games. The former Olympian was bestowed with Arjuna Award in 1984. Talking about the present standard of swimming in the country, he said states in the southern peninsula and west of the country had taken considerable strides. These regions have raised fabulous infrastructure. He said the youth do not see much career opportunity in the game whereas in the developed and other countries the game is highly popular. He said Indian players need to put in much more efforts to break the mental barrier. The ace swimmer represented the country in the 1988 Olympic at Seoul. Asked about his outstanding performances, he said he cherished winning gold at the South Asian Games at Kathmandu in 1984 and seven at 2004 South Asian Games at Islamabad in 1989. He won a bronze at the 1988 Asian Swimming Championships in Beijing and a silver in the 100 metre butterfly at the World Police Games in 1988.
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Musical tribute to Mohd Rafi
Amritsar, December 24 Prem Gill, the organiser of the event, said the singer remains a legend for all those who have established their name or aspiring to do so in the music industry. “The celebration is a reflection of the talent that we have in the region and is held to honour the most celebrated singer of his time, Mohd Rafi.”
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Fog, chill may dampen New Year celebrations, fear residents Amritsar, December 24 As the city gets in the mood to welcome the New Year, the heavy fog and low mercury levels have made some to rethink their plans. “I have plans to party on the New Year’s eve, but the weather may prove a dampener. It will be difficult to party out in such cold and then drive back home in the fog,” shared Puneet Arora, a city resident. The low spirits are common for young and old, with some even complaining, “The cold is okay, but the dense fog is too much and the chilling breeze makes things worse. It’s difficult to drive, even travelling is a hassle as the dense fog has delayed all trains and flights,” says Neeti, an employee. — TNS
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Even as the border town of Ajnala played a pivotal role during 1857 struggle for independence, supreme sacrifices made by the jawans here during the mutiny cry for recognition.
The historical Kalleyaanwala Khu (well), which was filled with the bodies of jawans who had revolted against the British in 1857, has been lying neglected for the last one and half century.
Though the district administration has communicated to the Punjab Government to take appropriate action and grant due recognition to this historical site, but it has got no reply so far.
Having successfully revamped Dr Baldev Prakash Park spread on 2.5 acres in posh Green Avenue, the Dalmia Charitable Trust has wished to revive the closed children’s park in historic Ram Bagh.
