Amritsar, August 14
In order to commemorate the 67th Independence Day, the Border Security Force (BSF) organised an arms exhibition while displaying its latest weapons and machinery at the Attari-Wagah joint check-post (JCP) here.

This is for the first time that the BSF has organised such an exhibition. The tourists and visitors who arrived at the JCP for witnessing the Beating Retreat ceremony at the India-Pakistan border were curious and excited to see the latest gadgets while jawans were seen explaining to them the knowhow of the artillery. Even foreigners were seen interested in clicking pictures with the BSF officials and weaponry.

DIG, BSF, Amritsar sector, MF Farooqui, said the basic idea behind the exhibition was to restore faith among the public that they were in the safe hands and that the BSF was capable of guarding the nation in case of any eventuality at the International Border. The exhibition was also aimed at encouraging the students and the young generation to join the armed forces and serve their country.

“In the exhibition, the general masses, especially schoolchildren, were given an access to the latest weaponry used by the BSF. They got an opportunity to see the equipment and weapons closely,” said Farooqui.

The three-day programme to celebrate Independence Day at the border commenced with a blood donation camp in which around 200 jawans of the BSF donated blood. The DIG said that the whole programme would be telecast on LED screens while the BSF Brass Band would play marching tunes. A women’s gidda team of the local Khalsa College would perform on August 15. The three-day event would culminate with a spectacular fireworks show after the Beating Retreat ceremony, said Farooqui.

Earlier in the morning, the Pak rangers exchanged sweets with their Indian counterparts in view of their independence day.

Amritsar, August 14
On the eve of the 67th Independence Day, several NGOs and social organisations captured the nationalist sentiments by celebrating the highs and debating the lows of India, the largest democracy in the world.

The day started with a message of brotherhood and social responsibility as Hind-Pak Dosti Manch organised a seminar on “Terrorism in South-East Asia” and its repercussions on India-Pakistan relations. The seminar, a part of the Hind-Pak Dosti mela, was attended by eminent citizens as well as a special guest from across the border, Mohammed Tabassum, and delegates from the PHD Chamber of Commerce, Pakistan.

Addressing the seminar, one of the speakers, Professor Parminder Singh from the Department of English, GNDU, said, “True independence will be getting freedom from the factors responsible towards the acts of terrorism. Most conflict-ridden countries have a few things in common — poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and a lot of social factors, which are misleading the youth.”

He was joined in by several speakers, all agreeing on finding solutions through dialogue. “The only solution could be reached through dialogue and not violence. It becomes the responsibility of SAARC nations to work together towards territorial peace and sustainable relationships through geographical borders,” said Ramesh Yadav, one of the organisers and a member of Hind-Pak Dosti Manch.

Later, Punjab Natshala, a key cultural space in the city closed for several months due to renovations, was opened to the audience as a special Independence Day treat. The entertainment for the evening was provided by popular Punjabi singers Lakhwinder Wadali and Gurnam Bhullar. “I feel proud to be born in a country, which is colourful in its culture, traditions, nationalist sentiments and history. Independence Day is not just celebration of any particular day, but a celebration of millions of sentiments, hopes, aspirations and achievements that each Indian brings together to make a nation,” said Wadali.

PETA’s patriotic Indian ‘dog’

Taking I-Day message to each citizen, PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) booked a place right outside the Company Bagh, dressed in colours of the Indian National Flag and in company of a ‘giant Indian community dog’. The mascot encouraged the passersby to be Indian and adopt Indian community dogs instead of buying foreign breeds. The dog mascot looked nothing less than convincing, with the pup-eyes and holding a placard that read, ‘Be proud to be an Indian, adopt an Indian community dog, never buy’. The reason behind the campaign, explained Garishma Mytra, from PETA India, “It’s irresponsible for anyone to buy or breed animals when there are millions of stray and homeless community dogs and cats languishing on streets and in animal shelters. It’s their way to find a loving home.”

Patriotism and Art

AlphaOne, Amritsar, is hosting a special Independence Day festive extravaganza, entailing patriotic, socially responsible and cultural elements from August 15-August 17, 2014. Bringing in renowned and upcoming artistes from over 17 states of India, Kala Mela, 2014, will be the largest conglomeration of artists in Amritsar, ably supported by Brijesh Jolly, director, KT Kala, Amritsar.

The three-day festival-cum-exhibition will be part of special I-Day celebrations, said Prodipta Sen, executive director, Alpha G:Corp. “We anticipate thousands of enthusiastic visitors to come during the Independence Week Celebrations and partake of this fine exhibition of Indian artists. We take special pride in extending our support and appreciation to the budding and experienced artists of India, as Kala Mela 2014 is an ideal opportunity for enhancing enduring relationships and feel that this will unearth a treasure trove of fine artists right here in our beloved Amritsar.”

Senior artists like Baldev Gambhir and Dr Neeta Mohindra from Amritsar, DP Mohanti from Varanasi, Diyandu Paul (artist, Agartala, Tripura), BR Annapillai from Chennai, Manilal Sabrimala from Kerela and many more will participate in the mela. “Over 800 children will benefit from the Kala Mela by interacting with the participating artists. It will be a great priviledge to see an eight-year-old artist sharing art space in this exhibition with an 80-year-old artist,” said Jolly

A special performance by Sufi singer Satnam Singh and a dance show choreographed by Pankaj and Preeti are also a part of the I-Day celebrations. As a special treat for all, over 40 representatives from 14 countries will showcase their culture and art through exhibition stalls on Independence Day through AISEC Global.

Amritsar, August 14
Even as the police managed to recover the five-year-old boy abducted by unidentified youths from the posh Ranjit Avenue area here a few days ago, it is still groping in the dark.

Even after about a week has passed, the police were yet to achieve any breakthrough in identifying and arresting the culprits. The incident left the family shell-shocked while residents of the city also panicked after Harvanshbir Singh (5) was kidnapped from outside his home by four motorcycle-borne youth.

The owner of the house, where the boy’s family lives on rent, was the sole eyewitness of the shocking incident that occurred on August 7. Soon after the incident, the police launched a manhunt to recover the boy and arrest the culprits. A day after, the accused left the boy abandoned in the Majitha road area with shorn hair.

The police heaved a sigh of relief and assured the family and the media that the accused would be arrested soon.

This was not the sole incident of its kind. In a similar incident, a three and half years old boy, Gurmilap Singh, was abducted from the Golden Temple complex in June last year. He was abducted by a woman when he was sleeping with this father in the ‘parkarma’. The whole incident was recorded on the CCTV cameras installed in the shrine’s complex. The woman was accompanied by another woman and a couple of men.

After the police mounted pressure and launched a manhunt to arrest the culprits, they left him abandoned near a toy shop in Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh. Though the boy was in good health, his hair were shorn by the accused. However, until now, the police have failed to make any breakthrough in the case and arrest the culprits, who had kidnapped him.

Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh admitted that there was still no clue about the suspects involved in the crime. But he expressed the hope that the police officials deputed to crack the case were on job and would arrest the culprits soon.

Amritsar, August 14
The Indian Oil Corporation’s decision to slash the petrol prices by Rs 2.18 per litre tonight has evoked a mix response from local residents, who said they wanted a reduction in diesel prices also. They termed the decrease irrelevant going by the current petrol prices in Punjab, which are pegged at around Rs 79 per litre. They pointed out that the oil companies should reduce the price in consonance with the global crude oil prices.

While expressing concern over the rising diesel prices, they demanded a reduction in diesel rates also that had disturbed and hit their budget very hard. They also urged the government to make the country self-reliant by embarking upon an “oil revolution”.

Following the softening of global crude oil prices and appreciation in the rupee, the Indian Oil Corporation decided to slash the petrol prices. The price cut will be implemented from the intervening night of August 14-15.

Dr Rakesh Sharma, orthopedic surgeon, Government Medical College said that the government should cut petrol prices watching the global trends. It should also provide relief by cutting on taxes levied on fuel. He said that the Union Government should also give subsidy on diesel rates, which were heading north these days.

According to Anuradha, a housewife, the move is welcome, but it is not sufficient. After a regular hike in petrol prices for about a year, there is some relief at least for the citizens. She said that a constant hike in the prices of essential commodities like vegetables, milk and others items had already burnt a hole in the pocket of a middle-class family while rise in fuel prices had burdened the common man.

Dr A Adlakha, ENT surgeon said that with the fuel prices fluctuating at the international level, there was a need to cut the consumption of petrol and diesel in daily life. Just like food and milk revolution made the country self-reliant in these areas, the government should also embark on an “oil revolution” by increasing the production of oil. 

Amritsar, August 14
The Amritsar Central Jail authorities have recovered over 3 gm of intoxicant powder from an undertrial.

The accused has been identified as undertrial Joga Singh, son of Udham Singh, a resident of Dojal wind, Khalchian. He was lodged in the jail under the NDPS and Arms Acts, police station Jandiala Guru, said Jail Superintendent RK Sharma. “We have seized 3.2 gm of intoxicant powder from his possession during a routine search,” he said.

A case under sections 22, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act and 42 Prisoner Act has been registered. — TNS

Amritsar, August 14
With the Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu raiding illegal manufacturing units of packaged drinking water and soft drinks, it has once again come to light how the business of spurious food items is flourishing right under the nose of the health authorities.

The list of spurious food items made in the city includes cold drinks, khoya, sweets and edible oils among others. Most often, the manufacturers use fake packaging labels of well known brands to sell their goods.

In September last year, an illegal factory manufacturing spurious soft drinks was sealed at Loharka. The manufacturers used labels of big brands with a mere change of an alphabet or two in the name.

In July last year, the Health Department had siezed a packet of labels from a ‘petha’ factory, which carried ‘Made in UK’ and ‘Made in USA’ tags. In the same month, the labels seized from an oil presser in Gurjarpura carried ‘Made in Jaipur’ and ‘Made in Indore’ tags on them.

While the food products were being made locally, the fake labels were used to disillusion people. The department had sealed more than 10 illegal factories manufacturing foods in unhygienic conditions.

More than 50 per cent of the samples collected by the Health Department from various food shops failed on quality parameters. Of the failed samples, many are categorised as unsafe for human consumption by the testing authority.

The samples collected from many well-known eateries too had failed in the test.

Talking about the sale of spurious foods, Civil Surgeon Dr Rajiv Bhalla said, “The customer needs to be more vigilant. One should not forget to read manufacturing date, batch number, expiry date and other details on the label.”

He said illegal food factories had been sealed in the past and the department would adopt no leniency in the matter. 

Amritsar, August 14
While condemning the controversial remarks of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat that all Hindustanis are Hindus, national secretary, CPI, Amarjit Kaur, today said all citizens living in independent India are Indians and not Hindus.

She said an Indian living in the country could belong to any religion or community. Amarjit Kaur was here to hold a meeting with party workers and leaders.

She flayed the controversial remarks of Mohan Bhagwat in which the latter had said that if inhabitants of England are English, natives of Germany are Germans and citizens of USA are Americans, then why not all inhabitants of Hindustan are Hindus.

She said such irresponsible remarks only revealed that RSS chief didn’t believe in the Indian Constitution.

Talking to Amritsar Tribune, she said the Left parties were considering the use of the modern gadgets, techniques and social media in order to connect with the younger generation, middle class people and opinion makers.

“We lack in this aspect, therefore we failed to convert our support into votes. We have to make the people believe that we can be the third alternative. The BJP won because no party or third front could come forward and project itself as the third alternative to the Congress and BJP government,” she said.

She called upon the party workers to take the recent Lok Sabha elections seriously and be united in order to strengthen the party cadre. 

Amritsar, August 14
Guru Nanak Dev University extended a warm farewell to the outgoing Registrar, Dr Inderjit Singh, and welcomed Prof Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, who took over the post today.

Various bodies/associations of the university, in special functions organised here today at different venues, extended wishes to Dr Inderjit Singh on completion of his term.

The university also hosted a special function on this occasion where Vice Chancellor Prof AS Brar lauded the services rendered by Dr Inderjit Singh during his tenure as Registrar.

Dr Inderjit Singh while thanking the university fraternity said he received immense cooperation from all quarters during his tenure. He thanked the Vice Chancellor and others for the solidarity extended to him as Registrar.

During the farewell party, Officers’ Association applauded the contribution made by Dr Inderjit Singh.

Professor in-charge (Examinations), Dr Renu Bhardwaj and Dr Rajesh Kalia, secretary, Officers’ Association were also present on the occasion.

Prof Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said it was a great opportunity for him to serve the university named after Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Apart from security arrangements, cleanliness and hygiene, sanitation and more active and effective administration would also be on his agenda, he said.

A warm farewell was also extended to Rajinder Singh Sodhi, Assistant Registrar, who also retired from service. — TNS

Amritsar, August 14
Different organisations, including schools, organised functions to mark Independence Day. In a function held at district courts here, Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora and other dignitaries planted a sapling to celebrate Independence Day.

The guests highlighted the importance of the event and the need to take the country ahead.

The management, staff and students of Spring Dale Senior School marked the occasion by holding a march past highlighting the cultural diversity of India. The parade was led by the students of the school’s NCC wing. It witnessed the participation of students sporting traditional attires of different states of India.

A 68-feet-long Independence Day collage depicting important monuments in the country, national and religious symbols and costumes, folk dances, folk art and festivals, glimpses of technical advancements and industrialisation, freedom fighters and India’s Nobel Laureates was presented in the school ground.

Mr Rajiv Kumar Sharma, principal, Spring Dale Senior School, said the collage was a tribute to the nation, its history, culture and heroes, while the parade aimed at highlighting India’s unity in diversity.

Independence Day was celebrated with zeal by Sidana International School. The school organised a cultural function on the occasion.

Director Dr Jeewan Jyoti Sidana said activities such as group songs, choreography, poetry, bhangra, solo dances and solo songs were part of the function.

A cultural festival was also organised at Satyam Institute of Engineering and Technology. The school also organised a declamation contest on the occasion. — TNS

Amritsar, August 14
The state government has sanctioned opening of Government Pharmacy College within the premises of Government Medical College (GMC) here. The college authorities said the enrolment of students would start from the next academic session.

Government Medical College principal Dr Santokh Singh said permission had also been granted for initiating diploma and various skill development courses.

He said enrolment to diploma and skill development courses had been started with immediate effect. Dr Santokh Singh said they were working on the detailed plan for the pharmacy college.

The college has introduced new certificate courses in operating theatre attendant, plaster techniques, hospital care attendant, home-based care attendant of six month duration.

The college has also initiated diploma courses of two-year duration in operating theatre techniques, burn and plastic surgery techniques, hospital documentation and record keeping and intensive care unit techniques.

The college has also started four-year B Sc courses in radio-diagnosis, operation theatre technology, medical radiography and imaging techniques. — TNS