Celebrations ‘triumph of Khalsa spirit’
CHANDIGARH, April 16 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today described the unprecedented upsurge of devotional fervour during the tercentenary celebrations as "forceful reassertion of the universal humanitarian and liberal vision of the gurus...."

5,000 teachers hold dharna
PATIALA, April 16 — A state-level dharna was staged by the Joint Action Committee of the federations of managements, principals, teaching and non-teaching staff of 164 private colleges in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office at Punjabi University here this afternoon in protest against the Punjab Government's move to end grant-in-aid to private colleges.

'Don't pit Ambedkar against Gandhi'
AMRITSAR, April 16 — "Beware of the forces which are pitting Ambedkar against Gandhi. It is not simply because of ignorance, it is born out of malice and mischief of the forces opposed to the emancipatory social transformation which was central to the life and work of both of them."

Punjab plan to improve backward villages
CHANDIGARH, April 16 — The Child Welfare Council, Punjab, today decided to start a new project under which one of the most backward villages of each district will be identified and the council look after the needs, including nutrition, clothing and education of all children up to the age of 16 in these villages.

3 guards faint at passing-out parade
PHILLAUR, April 16 — The passing-out parade of J and K forest protection inspectors and guards, trained at Punjab Police Academy here, was held today. Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, inspected the parade and took the salute. Seventytwo forest protection inspectors and 295 guards took part in the parade.

HIV positive cases on the rise
BATHINDA, April 16 — The number of HIV positive cases is rising in the state. According to official figures given by the Health and Family Welfare Department, the number of HIV positive cases, detected by the government agencies till December 31, has risen to 2,204 from 73 cases in 1992.

Protest rallies by FCI unions
BARNALA, April 16 — In response to a call given by the All-India Food Corporation of India Mazdoor Federation thousands of activists from different parts of Punjab arrived here on Thursday to protest against the Union Government for not accepting their demands of the FCI Mazdoor Union.

Illumination till April 30
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 16 — Lakhs of pilgrims, who thronged this "white city" during the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations, have carried with them the memories of the grand pandal, and illumination at the gurdwaras here.

The pandal, however, is being dismantled, while the government has decided to continue the illumination for some more days, as thousands of visitors and pilgrims are still coming each night to have a glimpse of the elaborate illumination at the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr K.S. Sidhu, said here today that the Chief Minister, Dr Parkash Singh Badal, had agreed to continue the illumination on the Gurdwaras, trees and main roads till April 30. A special lighting system, having about 1.71 lakh electric bulbs was being used for illuminating the town.

He said, the illumination work had been done in 5 square km metres area. Regarding the continuation of illumination beyond April 22 on private houses, he said the administration would seek the option from house owners in this regard.

The four historic gurdwaras — Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sri Anandgarh Sahib, Sees Ganj Sahib and Mata Jito Ji — have been illuminated at a cost of Rs 1.24 crore with the funds available from the central and Punjab government. This project is unique in its technical execution as some of the equipment is being used for the first time in the country.

For illuminating the entire town and some gurdwaras with ordinary bulb the Bank of Punjab has offered a sponsorship of Rs 22 lakh. Thus, a total of Rs 1.46 crore have been spent on the illumination. The Rs 1.24 crore illumination project is of a permanent nature, which was entrusted to a renowned company, by the Punjab Tourism and Punjab PWD B and R (Electrical Wing) in December 1998, and was completed in three months.

According to Mr M.N. Goel, Executive Engineer (E), PWD B and R, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the first monument in the country which is illuminated by a lighting system, consisting of multi-colour fibre-optic generators. These generators, specially imported by the company, illuminate the upper domes of the Takht and change the colour of lights every few seconds.

Greeting card from Pakistan
From Raj Sadosh

ABOHAR: A beautiful saffron greeting card in Gurmukhi from Pakistan has been received by some journalists, poets and writers. The sender is Mr Illias Ghumman, Chairman of the Punjabi Languages and Cultural Department, Lahore (Punjab). The card has been processed by Mr Ghumman at his Gurmukhi script computers. Mr Ghumman, a civil engineer, is virtually wedded to promotion of Punjabi in West Punjab. He joined scores of Punjabi lovers in taking out peaceful processions in the past decade. He brings out two Punjabi magazines — "Meeti" (for children) and "Ravel". He also edits annual Punjabi Magazine "Sahit".

Mr Ghumman had travelled of kilometres to know and highlight the present condition of gurdhams (places visited by Guru Nanak and other Sikh Gurus in West Punjab). This forced the Auqaf Board of Pakistan to remove encroachments and beautify certain places. Non-resident Sikhs took up the task of looking after the repairs and renovation of some historic places but this was not the end of his mission.

He has written six books in Punjabi, highlighting the religious journey by Guru Nanak Dev, life of Guru Gobind Singh, sacred birth places of Mata Sahib Kaur, Mata Sundri Ji, Bebe Nanakiji and antiques of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's regime.

This group of Punjabi writers and journalists organised the world Punjabi conference at Lahore last year but Indians were denied visas to attend the conference. Mr Ghumman was honoured with the Sadhu Singh Hamdard International award for promotion of Punjabi language. He was overwhelmed with the affection showered on him in east Punjab when Mr I.K. Gujral was Prime Minister.

Mr Ghumman's card conveys greetings on Baisakhi-1999 and the tercentenary Khalsa Panth celebrations and sent good wishes for the welfare of all Punjabis in the universe.

Celebrations ‘triumph of Khalsa spirit’
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 16 — The Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today described the unprecedented upsurge of devotional fervour during the tercentenary celebrations as "forceful reassertion of the universal humanitarian and liberal vision of the gurus and the triumph of the spirit of the Khalsa."

This has happened despite attempts in certain quarters to dissuade Sikh masses through an artificial scare about the ability of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Punjab Government to organise such a massive event.

Mr Badal in a statement said that those who had been trying to frighten the masses (the sangat) with bloodshed and violence during the celebrations faced disappointment and felt embarrassed.

The message from the tercentenary is loud and clear: The Khalsa has not lost sight of the teachings of the gurus and opens up its heart to receive mankind in an embrace of love, compassion and human brotherhood. "It is the proudest moment in contemporary history", he claimed.

The Chief Minister said the sangat went to Anandpur Sahib to be blessed by the 10th Master. Its mood transcended the narrow bounds of caste, creed, nation or countries.

Nishan-e-Khalsa for NRI
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, April 16 — The compiler of the "Encyclopaedia of Sikhism", Mr Raghbir Singh Bains, has been honoured with the Order of Nishan-e-Khalsa by the Punjab Government on Baisakhi at Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Chief Minister of Punjab and the Chairman of the Celebrations Committee of the tercentenary celebrations presented the award to Mr Bains. The award consists of a silver medal and a letter of commendation.

A resident of Manik Dheri village in the Doaba area and now settled in Surrey (Canada), Mr Bains, had completed the encyclopaedia in nearly 10 years at a cost of about Rs 3 crore.

Mr Bains said he had revised the encyclopaedia up to the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa and the revised addition would be available throughout the world very shortly.

Punjab move to eliminate middlemen
Experiment in procurement
By P.P.S Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 16 — Punjab today started an experiment in agricultural produce procurement.

It revolves round permitting procurement agencies to go in for bi-lateral transactions with the producers (sellers) to purchase wheat outside the principal markets with the approval of the Punjab Mandi Board.

The experiment is aimed at bringing about reforms in the agricultural marketing system and phasing out the institution of middlemen (arhtiya) and enabling buyers and sellers to have direct dealing.

Besides the state's own procurement agencies, Markfed, Punsup, agro-industries corporation and warehouse corporation, etc. the Punjab roller flour mills have also been permitted to make direct purchases from the producers. The Mandi Board has already declared 20-odd godowns owned by various procurement agencies as "purchase centres" where farmers could directly sell their produce without having to go through Mandi rigmarole and hassles.

According to the Mandi Board secretary, Mr P.S. Aujla, as a result of the decision, which has been notified by an amendment in the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets (General) Rules, 1962, the procurement agencies or miller will make a saving on payment of various fees, it will also ease congestion in the mandis and save time of the sellers (farmers) who spend days in mandis for the produce to be procured.

Moreover, the flour mills shall have to pay 1.5 per cent more on every quintal of wheat procured directly.

This will be over and above the minimum support price of Rs 550 a quintal. The notification amending the relevant rule of 24 of the said Act of 1961 prescribes filling certain forms which will indicate the quantity bought, name of the seller, means of transport, etc.

The Financial Commissioner, Development, Mr R.N. Gupta, today held a meeting with the representatives of the flour mills who accepted the new proposal. Among those present of the All-India Roller Flour Mills Federation, Mr Vinod Kumar; the president of the Punjab Roller Flour Mills, Mr G.B.K. Gupta; and general secretary, Mr R.K. Jindal.

At the meeting it was revealed that of the 48 roller flour mills in Punjab 18 were "closed" and the remaining 30 were operating at only 20 per cent of their installed capacity due to the "heavy" tax structure. There was no tax problem for flour mills in Chandigarh or New Delhi.

5,000 teachers hold dharna
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, April 16 — A state-level dharna was staged by the Joint Action Committee of the federations of managements, principals, teaching and non-teaching staff of 164 private colleges in front of the Vice-Chancellor's office at Punjabi University here this afternoon in protest against the Punjab Government's move to end grant-in-aid to private colleges.

At least 5,000 members of the action committee participated. They came from all over the state in buses and trucks. In response to the Joint Action Committee's call to boycott the examinations till its demands are accepted, the Punjab Government College Teachers Association issued a statement today saying it would boycott examinations in protest against the "incomplete" notification regarding pay revision.

In a press statement, Dr P.S. Bhatti, said the Punjab Government had not implemented its decision regarding considering past service for the Readers grade, despite repeated assurances, besides uniform age of superannuation for university and colleges teachers.

In a separate rally, the Punjabi University Teachers' Association president, Dr S.S. Khaira, announced resolutions condemning the university for its "adamant" attitude regarding holding of examinations for undergraduate and postgraduate classes.

He appealed to the university teachers to "completely" boycott the examination work to get the UGC notification implemented in toto.

He appealed to the non-teaching staff of the university to support the teachers' cause and refuse to be associated with the examination work.

Mr Ashwani Kumar Sharma, general secretary, Joint Action Committee, said the teachers would continue their agitation until the Punjab Government accepted their demands. Addressing the dharna at Punjabi University, various speakers criticised the Punjab Government for not releasing salary grant of Rs 10 crore for the year 1997-98 and Rs 12 crore for 1998-99.

Due to the non-receipt of salary grant, the staff of private colleges had not been paid since January this year.

The speakers also lamented that as per the election manifesto of the Akali Dal, all unaided colleges were to be brought under grant-in-aid scheme, but Punjab had backed out of the promise.

'Don't pit Ambedkar against Gandhi'
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, April 16 — "Beware of the forces which are pitting Ambedkar against Gandhi. It is not simply because of ignorance, it is born out of malice and mischief of the forces opposed to the emancipatory social transformation which was central to the life and work of both of them."

This was the emphasis of the symposium held at Guru Nanak Dev University today to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar. Presentations were made by Mr G.S. Bal, PCS, Professor Sewa Singh, Head, Sant Kabir Chair and Professor Harish K. Puri.

Mr Bal, in his paper on Ambedkar-Gandhi controversy highlighted their opposition to and struggle against casteism and untouchability. Dr Sewa Singh discussed the class and caste inter-relationship in the ideas and struggle of Ambedkar. In India's passive capitalist growth caste and class domination went together. Fight against that order called for deep understanding of the overlapping between the two.

Focussing on Dr Ambedkar's vision of "composite nationalism" against "cultural nationalism" Dr Puri emphasised the programme which Ambedkar shared with Gandhi and Nehru. Dr Ambedkar's conversion to Buddhism along with lakhs of other Dalits at Nagpur should have been more than a wake up call on why the poor and the oppressed converted to other religions.

Work for a just social order required as Dr Ambedkar wanted the removal of contradictions between political equality and social and economic inequality. "Our failure in removing the contradictions" is the reason for the present day political farce, hatred and violence, he observed.

The symposium was organised by B.R. Ambedkar Chair of the university. Dr G B Singh Director All-India Services Training Centre presided.

Punjab plan to improve backward villages
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, April 16 — The Child Welfare Council, Punjab, today decided to start a new project under which one of the most backward villages of each district will be identified and the council look after the needs, including nutrition, clothing and education of all children up to the age of 16 in these villages.

The project will be formally launched in June.

A decision to this effect was taken in the council’s general body and executive committee meeting held at Punjab Raj Bhavan under the chairmanship of vice-president of the council, Mrs Rama Chhibber.

The council also approved a new scheme under which five needy students in each district would be identified and given financial assistance of Rs 50 each a month. Another 10 handicapped needy students in each district would be identified and given Rs 100 each a month.

Mrs Gurbinder Kaur Brar, chairperson of the council, said that Punjab had been allotted three ICDS projects (Bathinda, Sidhwan Bet and Tarsikka) with a grant of Rs 71 lakh.

3 guards faint at passing-out parade
Tribune News Service

PHILLAUR, April 16 — The passing-out parade of J and K forest protection inspectors and guards, trained at Punjab Police Academy here, was held today. Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, inspected the parade and took the salute. Seventytwo forest protection inspectors and 295 guards took part in the parade.

In his address Dr Abdullah highlighted the importance of proper training for maintaining high standards of professional preparedness at every level. He lauded the role of the Punjab Police Academy in this regard.

Mr Sarabjit Singh, DGP, Punjab and Mr A.A. Siddiqui, Director, Punjab Police Academy, also spoke on the occasion.

The parade, however, was marred by an incident in which police personnel manhandled a press photographer, snatched his camera and destroyed the film. The press photographer, Mr Sanjeev Kumar, reportedly clicked pictures of three "jawans" who had fainted during the parade.

However, when, the mediapersons objected to it, the Additional Director General (Police), Mr A.S. Siddiqui, intervened and promised that the camera would be returned. But the camera sans film was returned. On, this all mediapersons staged a walkout.

HIV positive cases on the rise
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, April 16 — The number of HIV positive cases is rising in the state. According to official figures given by the Health and Family Welfare Department, the number of HIV positive cases, detected by the government agencies till December 31, has risen to 2,204 from 73 cases in 1992.

The figures revealed that Amritsar district topped the list of HIV positive cases with a total of 801 cases detected in the district in the last eight years. As many as 169 HIV positive cases were detected in 1998 alone. Ludhiana came second with 691 HIV positive cases, and Patiala district was at the third place with the detection of 326 HIV positive cases.

The figure further revealed that in 1998, 51 HIV positive cases were detected in Jalandhar district while 38 in Ludhiana and 27 in Amritsar.

Official sources, however, said these figures only covered the reported cases and added that many HIV positive cases were not reported to the authorities concerned by the affected persons or their kin due to fear of social stigma.

Apart from it, about 53 persons had died due to AIDS in the state last year while 25 deaths were reported in 1997.

Mr Hardev Arshi, leader of CPI group, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, said that Punjab Government should evolve an effective and efficient strategy to deal with the rise in the number of HIV cases in the state. He demanded that a campaign should be launched in the urban as well as the rural areas to educate the public about the transmission of HIV.

He said the government health centres should be provided with the necessary equipment to detect AIDS cases at earlier stage. He also said the state government should make arrangements to check the selling of blood at big hospitals by professional donors.

Protest rallies by FCI unions
From Our Correspondent

BARNALA, April 16 — In response to a call given by the All-India Food Corporation of India (FCI) Mazdoor Federation thousands of activists from different parts of Punjab arrived here on Thursday to protest against the Union Government for not accepting their demands of the FCI Mazdoor Union. The AITUC, CITU and Azad, three major organisations of the federation, organised protest rallies in front of the residence of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Union Food Minister and at the new grain market complex here yesterday.

Mr Bant Singh Brar, General Secretary of the Punjab AITUC; Mr Amar Singh Battian, general secretary of the all-India FCI Mazddor Federation: Mr Chand Singh Chopra, former MLA; and Mr Karam Singh Deol while addressing the rallies flayed the government for adopting different modes of payments for FCI labour. The trade union leaders advocated the direct mode of payment to FCI labour and urged the government to take steps to curb exploitation of labourers and ensure that they got reasonable wages.

Mr Amar Singh Bhattian said the federation would gherao the Chairman of the FCI at New Delhi on May 10 and stage a dharna at FCI headquarters if their demands were not accepted.

Gunman dies of bullet injuries
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, April 16 — Sarbjit Singh, a Punjab police personnel, posted as a gunman with the Akali leader, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, succumbed to his injuries here last night.

Sarbjit Singh was shot in the head when he intervened in an altercation between two groups in Sarabha Nagar market yesterday.

The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC and is looking for the assailant, Asa Singh Sekhon, a youth from Jawaddi village.

Workers on hunger strike rounded up
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, April 16 — On the 14th day of their indefinite hunger strike leaders of OCM workers, Mr Sharam Singh and Mr Rajesh Kumar, were taken away by the Chheharta police today. The health of both the leaders on hunger strike had deteriorated further as their blood pressure dipped and pulse rate dropped a lot.

They had gone on indefinite hunger strike on April 3 in support of their demands for the payment of compensation and minimum wages fixed by the state government.

The OCM Workers Action Committee met immediately and decided that another batch of two leaders of workers would go on indefinite hunger strike in place of those who were taken away by the police.