|
|
|
|
Ram Tirath Temple
row: Handing over of Paathshala to Mahant Baldev Giri
Info panel fines ADC for not appearing in hearing under RTI
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Book on Battle of Saragadhi released, soldiers’ families
awarded
100 Gujaratis from city stranded in Srinagar
Rains cause losses to traders at ill-equipped Integrated Check Post
MC launches cleanliness drive around temple
City-based writer awaits release of her film
5-year-old raped, accused arrested
No check on hiring of private individuals
Narang hospital fails to furnish records
Man killed in road mishap
GNDU prof presents paper at international forum
From
schools
A book donation camp underway at Bibi Kaulan Ji
Senior Secondary Public School in Amritsar. A Tribune Photograph
|
|
Ram Tirath Temple
row: Handing over of Paathshala to Mahant Baldev Giri Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 11 The Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Prabandhak Committee, an organisation of the Valmiki community, today burnt an effigies of the state government and SAD leader OP Gabbar to lodge their protest. The district administration has provided high security in the Hall Gate area for the protest. The spot was later shifted outside a Valmiki temple near the Hathi Gate area where activists of the organisation gathered. The police force later shifted outside the shrine and the protesting activists burnt the effigies there only. Meanwhile, another organisation, Vishav Valmiki Kaumi Ekta Dharam Samaj, also held a demonstration in the Batala road area, protesting against the handing over of the Paathshala to Mahant Baldev Giri. They burnt an effigy of Gabbar and Mahant Malkeet Nath. The district administration and the Police Department have been on their toes to meet any eventuality because several organisations have expressed their dissatisfaction over the decision to hand over the Luv- Kush Paathshala to Mahant Baldev Giri. In view of this, the district administration has already deputed the BSF at the shrine to thwart any untoward incident. Security has also been deployed for the family of Mahant Baldev Giri. Following the intervention of the Punjab Government, the dispute related to the ancient Ram Tirath Temple was amicably resolved as Dhuna Sahib was taken over the Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Development Board, formed by the state government for the development of the shrine while a portion of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple including the Luv-Kush Paathshala was handed over to Mahant Baldev
Giri.
|
|
Book on Battle of Saragadhi released, soldiers’ families
awarded
Amritsar, September 11 Presiding over the event, ex-Army chief Gen JJ Singh
(retd) was the chief guest along with members of the British Army delegation. Describing the Battle of Saragadhi as a unique example of valour and bravery, the ex-Army chief said that sacrifices made by the Sikh Regiment should be valued by the future generations and descendents, so that the fruit of freedom could be enjoyed. He also honoured the families of the soldiers who fought the battle and the 11-membered delegation of the British Army. “It was probably the first time in 117 years of the Battle of Saragadhi that most of the descendants and families of the soldiers were present at one place,” said
Josan, author of the book. Titled “Saragadhi”, the book traces the history of the battle with pre-and post-event details, the author said, adding that that it took him over two decades to put all the facts in the right place. “As a teacher of ‘gatka’ and martial-art forms, I was always intrigued by the superhuman courage that those 21 Sikh soldiers exhibited at
Saragadhi. The process of researching for the book started way back in 1995 when I decided to trace the history and the families of the soldiers of
Saragadhi. By 1997, I had found 19 families and I started to pen down the details,” he said.
Josan, who runs his school of gatka and martial arts in the US, Nepal and the UK, has given a vivid account of the battle in the book along with mentioning the family descendents of the Saragadhi soldiers. “It also has some rare pictures of the time, and of a time before the battle was fought and some details shared by the British Army that has a special room full of texts, pictures and information in memory of the 21 soldiers,” said
Josan. The book launch was followed by the screening of a documentary on Saragadhi made by Josan’s 15-year-old son, Japjot Singh
Josan. As for the families that have been proudly saving their brave history, it was their moment of glory. “It’s a matter of great pride that our great grandfather’s heroics are celebrated. Till date, the families of the martyrs of Saragadhi were living in oblivion. But the event had brought in all those proud memories back,” said Kulbir Singh, one of the honoured family member. Josan added that we need more efforts to keep alive the legacy of our brave soldiers. “No attempts from the state or otherwise have been made to help or trace the families of the martyrs. One of the two memorials build to commemorate the battle in Amritsar is a picture of neglect. We need more efforts to keep the glory of our past alive, like the British, who have still preserved the Saragadhi memorial.” The British delegation led by Brigadier Mark Abraham
OBE, brig Brain McCall and Lt Col Simon Colyer also had officers from Indian descent. Captian Jagjit Singh
Marwaha, capt Harpreet Kaur, private Jatinder Singh Dhaliwal and WOI Ashok Chauhan were among the Indian-origin officers serving in British Army honoured on the day.
|
|
|
Info panel fines ADC for not appearing in hearing under RTI
Amritsar, September 11 A vigilant citizen, Parbodh C Bali, took notice of the litter that was left unattended after the event. Bali and the residents living in the vicinity brought the matter to the notice of the civic authorities and asked them to remove the garbage at the exhibition site. The garbage remained rotting at the site for about 10 days. This had caused inconvenience to the residents, who used to take a stroll there, due to the foul smell emanating from it. It was only after a strong protest was lodge by Bali and the residents that the MC removed it. Exercising his rights under the RTI Act, Bali had submitted an application with the authorities seeking information regarding the government office or the agency, which was the nodal office for the event. The PIO failed to furnish any information till date. Bali moved the State Information Commission, which had ordered the ADC, who is also the PIO (public information officer), to appear before the court for video-conferencing yesterday but he didn’t turn up. Taking cognisance of such a negligent attitude, Narinderjit Singh (ex-IAS), State Information Commissioner, Punjab Information Commission, Chandigarh, directed the ADC to pay a compensation to the tune of Rs 5,000 to the appellant due to the difficulty suffered by him because of non-supply of information by the ADC-cum-PIO till this date.
|
|
100 Gujaratis from city stranded in Srinagar
Amritsar, September 11 Families of those stranded said they had no information about the whereabouts of their members for the last five days. They said the government could do something to ascertain their well being. The families said most of the stranded persons had climbed on the top of a hotel, near Batmalu in Srinagar. A local woman, Sharda Gujarati, said, “We remain glued to television day and night. Nobody bothers to cook food and do anything else. People here are so worried. We request the government to do something.” She said a family had received a call from one of the stranded persons on Saturday, but after that phones lines snapped. President of the Gujarati Community Association, Sham Lal Sethi, said, “Around 150 to160 members from the locality are stranded in Srinagar. We know it is difficult for the government to rescue people, but at least the government should do something so that families can know in what condition their members are.” Most of the Gujarati families had settled in the city during 1947-48 after coming from various places in Pakistan. Due to the strong presence of the community, the locality, where they had settled, is known as Gujarati Mohalla. Around 90 per cent of the families are involved in the business of purchasing used clothes in and around the city, which are sold at Gol Market in Srinagar. While the women and children from the community live permanently in the holy city, the male members shuttle between Amritsar and Srinagar to divide time between their families and business.
|
|
Rains cause losses to traders at ill-equipped Integrated Check Post
Amritsar, September 11 Talking to The Tribune, leading gypsum trader Iqbal Singh Bedi said, “We have been importing gypsum in huge quantities from Pakistan and almost half of the total consignments arriving at Attari belong to us. However, we have suffered huge losses in the recent rainfall as gypsum is being dumped in the open, exposing it to the vagaries of the weather. The entire area where gypsum is unloaded is inundated with rainwater. Consequently, the company to which we were to supply gypsum has penalised us heavily.” He said they had suffered losses to the tune of crores of rupees as they are not getting the fair price of gypsum. Besides, he said they’ve slowed down further orders from Pak in view of the situation prevailing at the ICP. Dry fruit importer BK Bajaj said it has hardly been three years since the ICP became functional but a mere three days of rainfall is enough to paralyse the functioning of the port. “It is not desirable that the ICP gets flooded even when there is rainfall for merely a day. Moreover, the unfortunate part is that nobody is held accountable. The authorities keep on passing the back to each other,” he added. Another trader, pleading anonymity, said those dealing in import of dry dates also suffered losses due to the rainfall. The trading community has been demanding further expansion of warehousing facility at the ICP. Besides, they are also seeking a proper area with a shed for unloading gypsum, so as to evade any losses in rainy season. On the other hand, officials at the ICP denied any damages caused to goods being unloaded at the ICP due to rainfall. They admitted that gypsum is being unloaded in the open, but said it was not taking a toll on its quality. About dry dates, they said though it was being unloaded outside, they made sure that it was properly covered, so as to protect it from bad weather.
|
|
MC launches cleanliness drive around temple
Amritsar, September 11 Anticipating heavy footfall of the locals as well as international tourists during Navratra celebrations scheduled for September 25, the MC authorities in collaboration with the Improvement Trust and Punjab Sewerage Board has chalked out special plan to complete the Durgiana Temple beautification project. For the past one year, a 600 foot sewerage line is being laid outside the complex. Work on laying the line is on the verge of completion, but it has left behind a lot of mud and refuse around the shrine. It has made movement on roads difficult. Officials from the sewerage board have assured to complete their part of job within two days and submit the completion certificate. On the other hand, the Improvement Trust, under whose jurisdiction the area comes, has planned to lay roads. According to reports, new premix roads would be laid from the main entrance point to the temple. Besides, seven foot high barricades will be installed on both sides of the road as per plan from the Shivpuri temple side. Meanwhile the MC will be responsible for laying all roads leading to the Durgiana Temple complex starting from Hathi Gate, Hall Gate and Lohgarh Gate side. The Water Supply Department has been instructed to streamline the supply line and plug snags. The MC’s streetlight wing has been directed to replace defunct lights and the health wing has been given the responsibility of maintaining hygiene around the complex. MC Commissioner Pardeep Sabharwal said September 21 had been fixed as the deadline for the completion of the task. “All officials of departments concerned have been taken in loop and responsibility has been fixed at every stage of the task. We have also called up a review meeting on September 14.”
|
|
City-based writer awaits release of her film
“Let’s not confuse it with a horror film. It’s a sci-fi thriller, inspired by the likes of Jurrassic Park and Godzilla. The concept might look influenced from the West in terms of the creature-feature, but we have tried to match up to that level of storytelling and technique.” The film, with its promised 3D effects is high in VFX, but Sukhmani says the story is the actual feast. “It’s not a brainless thriller, but quite original in its premise. It has got Indian elements like mythology to begin with, a lot of emotions and a strong female protagonist to back up that VFX. The audience is too smart for being taken for a ride. If you don’t have a good story, any terrifically made film will fall flat,” says Sukhmani. Bipasha, who plays the lead, has claimed that she has no competition in horror-genre films. Sukhmani nods in agreement, “She is right. My protagonist was supposed be strong yet emotional, fighting inner monsters as well as the outer one. And she fit the bill conveniently.” For someone writing their second horror film, first being Horror Story, Sukhmani says that she had sleepless nights while writing about creepy ghosts and supernatural beings. “I slept with my lights on post writing Horror Story and Creature,” she confesses. A fan of horror flick the Ring, her writing affiliation is towards romantic comedies, one of which she is writing for director Kunal Kohli. From writing for advertising to facing the camera in Yash Raj productions show Khotey Sikkey, Sukhmani has had quite a run in the tinsel town. Though she started her acting career with television, she did not want to become another ‘sindoor’ marked, pancaked damsel in distress. “Khotey Sikkey opened up so many avenues for me, but I chose to stay away from the clichés. That’s when ideas started coming in and I worked on a few concepts for scripts,” says the pretty lady. “I have a lot of film offers as well, and I am also working on different script ideas.” Still picking up on a teacher and learning the ways of film industry, Sukhmani feels she is quite at home in Bollywood. “I am better with concepts rather than writing beautifully, which is not required in films.” She admires Zoya Akhtar for the way she connects emotionally with her stories. “She makes entertaining, meaningful and relevant cinema, which is an amazing quality as a filmmaker.” As for her “Creature,” Sukhmani hopes the audience would go back home to sleep with their lights on after watching the film.
|
|
|
5-year-old raped, accused arrested
Amritsar, September 11 The victim’s mother stated to the police that on the intervening night of September 9-10, she found her daughter missing from her bed. When she failed to find her in the house, she raised an alarm and woke up her brother-in-law, Jugraj Singh, and his family living in the adjoining house. Villagers gathered at her house and started searching for the girl. At 4 am they heard the cries of a girl near the village pond. When they searched the area with the help of a torch, they saw Harpal Singh fleeing from the spot. Later, they found the girl writhing in pain. The family took the child to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where her condition was stated to serious. A relative of the victim said girl’s father worked in a private firm in Rajasthan. She lived with her elder sister and mother. Her father arrived in the morning today. He was shocked to see the condition of his daughter. The family and village residents were shaken by the incident and demanded death for the accused, added the relative. SHO of the Mehta police station, Rashminder Singh, said a case under Sections 363, 366-A, 376 of the IPC, Sections 3, 4 of the SC/ST Act and Section 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence 2012 Act has been registered against Harpal. The accused was produced in the court which sent him to four-day police remand. Investigations revealed that he was earlier arrested by the police under the Excise Act on charges of bootlegging. He was declared a proclaimed offender by the court. He managed to get bail on August 28. In another incident, a 16-year-old girl was raped by two persons in Raipur Kalan village in Ajnala on the intervening night of September 9-10. One of the accused was identified as Gurjinder Singh, a resident of the same village. Though the police have registered a case in this regard, no arrests have been made so far. The victim’s father in his complaint stated to the police that he worked as a truck driver. He said yesterday, when he returned to his house, his wife said Gurjinder along with an unidentified person barged into the victim’s room. She alleged that the accused covered victim’s mouth and committed the crime. SHO of the Ajnala police station, Gurbhinder Singh, said a case under Sections 376, 34 of the IPC has been registered against the two culprits and raids were on to nab them.
|
|
No check on hiring of private individuals
Amritsar, September 11 An unidentified patient brought to the hospital by 108 Ambulance Service was shifted to the mortuary by a person, who claimed to be a ward boy. Later, the investigations revealed that he was not a hospital employee, but had been working at the place on behalf of some other employee. The college authorities tried to downplay the incident by saying that the person who had brought the patient to the mortuary was not a hospital employee. However, according to reports the said ward boy had been working at the hospital for a long time on behalf of some other employee. Sources said many more persons working at hospital may not be employees, but persons employed by regular employees. This tendency is prevalent among lower-rung employees. Only three days ago, the Vigilance Bureau had arrested a patwari posted at Tarn Taran for taking bribe. The bureau had also arrested a person employed by the patwari to facilitate him in performing official duties. “Some of the old class four staff working here is taking home a hefty pay packet. In the open market a person can be hired for doing the same job for a few thousand rupees. Though the authorities concerned know about it, yet they are helpless as these persons have patronage of some politicians,” said a senior faculty member. Meanwhile the institute authorities have constituted a committee to probe the matter. The committee will look into lapses on the part of hospital employees as to how an alive patient was shifted to the mortuary.
— TNS
|
|
Narang hospital fails to furnish records
Amritsar, September 11 The health officials held a meeting today after they received no reply from the hospital in response to a letter seeking records that was sent to the hospital earlier this week. The officials decided to follow the procedure laid down for seeking the records and decided to send another reminder. According to the procedure, the Health Department has to send three reminders before moving on to the next step. “We have received no response from the hospital so far. A reminder will be senrt to the hospital,” said an official. The hospital owner and his supporters are already in jail for “misbehaving” with and “threatening” a team of senior Health Department officials, who had gone there for an inspection on August
21. The health team had to seek police protection to get the records. The health officials had earlier stated that the hospital had given incomplete records and more documents would be required to find out if the proper medical procedure was followed. Later, the health employees had initiated a protest to get the hospital owner and his supporters arrested. The police had arrested five persons, including the owner, Ashwani Narang. A local court had sent them to 14 days’ judicial custody.
|
|
Man killed in road mishap
Amritsar, September 11 According to information, Surinder Singh and Hukum Singh had left the club for their homes. When they came on the Mall road, a speeding car first hit Surinder Singh and then collided with Hukam Singh, who sustained serious injuries. He was immediately taken to a private hospital. The Civil Lines police have arrested Gaurav, a resident of Basant Avenue who was driving the car, and registered a case under Section 304-A, IPC, in this regard. Hukam Singh, who sustained serious injuries after he and Surinder Singh were hit by a car in the mishap on Sunday, later succumbed to his injuries.
|
|
GNDU prof presents paper at international forum
Amritsar, September 11 Dr Sethi spoke on “Sources of growth in the Indian economy with specific references to Punjab and Haryana states: Evidence from Malmquist productivity index approach.” More than 250 economists from different parts of the globe participated in the conference. Dr Sethi’s paper was discussed in the first technical session, spanning a full week. Through his presentation, Prof Sethi advocated for diverting out-of-proportion expenditure incurred, particularly in the state of Punjab, on vote-catching and non-developmental activities towards strengthening of social and physical infrastructure, so as to achieve sustainability in the growth process. According to his findings, total factor productivity growth in Punjab, specifically during post-liberalisation policy regime, has been slower in comparison to the aggregated Indian economy, and far slower in comparison to Haryana. Through decomposition analysis of sources of growth, inspiration component was observed to have contributed negatively in all sectors of Punjab, which according to Prof Sethi was indeed a matter of serious concern. Productivity performance had been the worst in respect of primary producing activities. He stressed upon the need to strive for a productivity-driven economic growth. “There is a need not only to make a quantitative accumulation of factor inputs, but also to go in for qualitative improvements in the inputs, so as to ensure acceleration in total factor productivity growth,” said Prof
Sethi.
|
|
Book donation camp
Amritsar: A book donation camp was organised on the campus of Bibi Kaulan Ji Senior Secondary Public School here recently. The event was a success as thousands of books were collected for the class library in the school. Chairman Bhai Guriqbal Singh and Principal Parveen Kaur Dhillon were present on the occasion. Chief guest Rajwant Singh Vohra donated Rs 51,000 for the school library. Guest of honour, Dr Kulbir Singh Suri, delivered a motivational lecture to the students on the occasion. Being a storyteller, he emphasised on reading more and more books of one’s choice. Those present on the occasion lauded Principal for her efforts in educating students and inculcating reading habits among them. Chief adviser of the school, BS Garcha, said, “In today’s world books have taken a backseat as children are hooked to the new technology. To gain knowledge and character, reading skills have to be inculcated in the young minds. The passion for reading can make them understand the past and the present.” The management members, who were present on occasion, include Tehalinder Singh and managing director Rajinder Singh. — TNS
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Commemorating the Battle of
Saragadhi, known as one of the greatest ‘last stands’ in military history, US- based author Gurinderpal Singh Josan launched his book titled,
“Saragadhi”, at an event held at the International Fateh Academy.
The local Municipal Corporation (MC) has embarked on a special cleanliness drive around Durgiana Temple ahead of the Navratras by roping in various agencies.
The surroundings of the holy shrine are littered with waste material due to the ongoing work on its beautification project. The shrine also hosts the famous Langoor Mela around Dussehra every year.
Amritsar, September 11