Tuesday, January 5, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Tuesday, January 5, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Badal's
appeal to Punjabi NRIs 'Edict
not in Panth’s interest' Cong
divided over issue of march Public
schools focus on careers |
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Sukhbir
denies meeting MLAs, SGPC members |
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9 hurt in
police lathi charge Religious
fervour marks Gurpurb State
Shiv Sena chief, several others held
Minister
suspends officers |
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Badal's
appeal to Punjabi NRIs CHANDIGARH, Jan 4 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today called upon Punjabis settled abroad to adopt poor and needy students and contribute financially towards rebuilding the weakening economy of the state. Speaking at the fourth international inter-faith conclave as part of the conference of the International Punjabi Society at Guru Gobind Singh Bhavan here this morning, he suggested the setting up of a Punjabi foundation, to work independently for the development of Punjab, with a personal contribution of Rs 1 lakh and, if legally permitted, Rs 1 crore on behalf of the Punjab Government to get it moving. The participating delegates of the International Punjabi Society reciprocated his gesture by promising to contribute more than a crore of rupees for the foundation. The Chief Minister said Punjab's economy was not as good as it was being projected. Rather, it was weakening. The affluent Punjabi NRIs, he suggested, should hold their next conference in a village to see for themselves the reality. They would do well if they adopt 1000 poor and needy students for their education and training. This would be a great service to the state. He also suggested that 100 villages could be adopted for their overall development. With a dig at the present education system, he said, it was not result-oriented. "People do not know what they were doing. Even the planners were not aware of the ground realities. Crores of rupees were being wasted in the country on various non-productive plans. You all can contribute constructively for the development of Punjab socially, economically and religiously". "The International Punjabi Society is not a club. It is rather an institution which should work for the welfare of weaker sections of Punjabi society and consider all Punjabis as members of a single large family. I would rather suggest that all retired educated people and intellectuals should sit together and prepare a blue print of what is required of the State in coming years and decades," the Chief Minister said. Mr Parkash Singh Badal also talked about the growing incidence of apostacy in Sikhism and wanted something to be done drastically to arrest this phenomenon. He said that even wards of eminent Sikh religious personalities were not maintaining their physical identity. Giving an account of economic backwardness, poverty and illiteracy in rural and urban areas, he said the poor strata of society needed help. Collective efforts should be made to improve the living conditions for them. The intellectuals and educationists should undertake a missionary task to go to the countryside and educate the masses about the goals and message of Sikhism. The Chief Minister also talked about the plans of the Union Government and the Punjab Government about the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. Soon after Mr Badal suggested setting up of a Punjabi foundation, Mr Sant Singh Chatwal (USA) and Dr A.S. Marwaha (also from the USA) announced personal contributions of US $ 75,000 and $51,000, respectively. Others also chipped in with donations for the foundation. Later talking to newsmen, Mr Jaspal Singh Kandhari and Mr Amarjit Singh Sethi, President and Secretary of the local chapter of the International Punjabi Society, said total contribution to the foundation was around Rs 1 crore. Earlier, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, President, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, in his key note address said the new global civilisation that was in the offing would be qualitatively different from the Western civilisation. "As the basic category of Sikhism is spirit, it can play a vital role in the making of the civilisation of the future," he added. Mr Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon in his address of welcome said the creation of Khalsa was the culmination of the process that started with Guru Nanak who established the sangat institution. Dr J.S. Puar, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, wanted an introspection as Sikhism was going the way of other religions than being the most modern and scientific religion. Dr Bhai Mohan singh, President, International Punjabi Society, laid the foundation stonme of the Khalsa tercentenary Bhavan at Guru Gobind Singh Bhavan. The new Bhavan will be the first of its kind in presenting computer-based audio-video aids on the Sikh heritage of past 500 years. Mr G.S. Gujral of England said personality clashes within the Sikh panth and other controversies were putting Sikh diaspora to lots of difficulties and embarassments. Mr Amarjit Singh Sethi
presented a vote of thanks as a number of delegates and
others were felicitated for their contribution towards
promotion of Punjabi culture and heritage.It was the last
function of the 28th international conference of the IPS.
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Edict
not in Panth’s interest: CPI BHAKNA (Amritsar), Jan 4 — The Communist Party of India today opposed the Akal Takht 'Hukamnama' (edict) for resolving the differences between Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. While talking to TNS here today after addressing the public gathering on the occasion of 129th birth anniversary of Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, founder President of the Gadar Party, Dr Joginder Dayal, state CPI chief, said that meddling in Akali affairs by Akal Takht would result in the revival of terrorism in the state. He said that the mixing of religion with politics had been rejected by the founders of our Constitution and which has been upheld by the Supreme Court. He further said that the Punjabis have already witnessed bad days due to the activities of the fundamentalists. The normalcy, which has returned to the state after many sacrifices, could not be allowed to be disturbed. The CPI state chief said that the Sikh Panth could not be equated with the Shiromani Akali Dal alone. There were many other factions of the Akalis and other political parties who also raised the voice and aspirations of the Sikhs and hence the "Hukamnama" on the pretext of uniting the Panth was not in the interest of the entire Panth. The tercentenary of the Khalsa Panth should not be celebrated by Akalis alone. The great Gurus sacrificed for the sake of humanity and not for a section of the society. The celebrations should not be monopolised by the Akalis for taking political mileage out of it. The teachings of Gurus should be highlighted as part of the tercentenary celebrations. Dr Dayal said that the tercentenary should not be celebrated at the government level. Dr Dayal also flayed the Congress party for organising separate religious march as a part of tercentenary celebrations. He said the Congress also wanted to take political mileage by organising such religious marches. The ongoing tussle between Mr Badal and Mr Tohra was the result of the fiscal crisis. The SAD-BJP government has failed to implement the promises made by these parties with the people before elections. The corruption had surpassed all previous records. He alleged that the family members of Mr Badal were indulging in corrupt practices that was the reason for the government failing in taking anti-corruption measures. The peasantry was also facing miserable time notwithstanding the Akalis claim of being pro-farmer. He further said that the humiliating defeat in the Adampur byelection had showed that the graph of the SAD-BJP was going down. He asked Mr Badal to step down as Chief Minister of the state by owning moral responsibility of the defeat in the byelection. He claimed that the winning of Adampur byelection was possible due to the unity among secular forces. Dr Dayal said that jail bharo agitation would be launched by the CPI and the Punjab Kisan Sabha from February 15 as the SAD-BJP government had failed to fulfil the promises made to the peasantry. The veteran CPI leader, Mr Satya Paul Dang, said the country was facing very crucial and critical period as the communal forces had raised their ugly head again. With the BJP coming into power the foreign policy of the country had lowered the image of the country in the world, especially among non-aligned countries. Mr Dang said that the communal face of the BJP had come to the fore with attacks on Christians by the Hindu fundamentalists in Gujarat. It had never happened in the past, he said, Mr Dang alleged that the integrity of the country was in danger due to wrong policies of the BJP. Mrs Vimla Dang, patron, Punjab Istri Sabha, alleged that during two years of governance of the SAD-BJP government atrocities against women had increased. Among others who spoke
included Mr Jagroop Singh and Mr Harbhajan Singh, members
of the state executive of the CPI and Mr Sukhchain Singh,
District Secretary of the CPI, Amritsar. |
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Action
against sugar mills initiated CHANDIGARH, Jan 4 — Action has been initiated against sugar mills involved in supplying substandard sugar to Punsup for the public distribution system (PDS). Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Food and Supply Minister, told TNS that samples of sugar had been taken from some of the depots in Phagwara, Kapurthala and Patiala towns following complaints that substandard sugar had been supplied by certain mills for the PDS. He said that he had made a surprise checking of depots and ordered the sampling of the sugar for testing at the appropriate level to take action as per laid down rules. He said that he had made it clear to all concerned that quality sugar should be distributed through depots to ration card holders and no compromise should be made in this regard. It may be mentioned that most of the sugar mills have a tendency to allot "poor" quality sugar for the PDS while retaining the best quality sugar for open sale. Complaints in this connection were received by the Minister. Mr Mittal said that to bring about complete transparency in his department, he had taken some major steps. All rice testing departmental laboratories had been closed. He said that various sorts of allegations were making the rounds against such laboratories. He said that powers in the departments had been decentralised. Deputy Commissioners had been given power to allot grain markets for procurement purpose. Earlier, such allotment was made at the Punjab Food and Supply Department level in its head office. Likewise, transport contracts for taking grain from one place to other in the State were also now finalised by the DCs. He said that to bring about improvement in the marketing of grain, cleansing of the grains had been started on a mass scale. In the recent paddy procurement season, he said, it was ensured that grain were properly cleansed at the system provided in the markets before procurement. A new kerosene distribution system would be introduced soon. He said that he had told his officials concerned to submit a comprehensive report with regard to distribution of kerosene in the state. He said that he had got reports that kerosene was diverted from the PDS for other purposes in the districts where it remained surplus. He said that departmental officials had been told to monitor the distribution of kerosene on weekly basis and work out average consumption per depot in all the districts. He said that he had
planned in advance for the procurement of wheat. The same
was also done in case of paddy procurement when untimely
rain spoiled everything, he added. There was no shortage
of gunny bags during the past paddy season, he remarked.
The same would be done in case of wheat procurement, he
added. |
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Congress
divided over issue of march CHANDIGARH, Jan 4 — There is sharp division among Congressmen in Punjab over the question of the party organising a march to celebrate the tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa. There is also division the way a party leader had approached the Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh, to lead the march titled as "Degh Tegh Fateh". Even the state Congress President, Mr Amarinder Singh, reprimanded Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, a Vice-President of the party, for having exceeded his brief when he met the Akal Takht chief, who incidently has shown reluctance to lead the march. A senior Congress leader and former Punjab Minister, Mr Brahm Mohindra, today said that a party committed to secular values was not expected to patronise one particular religion and lead marches as announced by Mr Amarinder Singh. Talking to TNS he said: "The State Congress President did not hold any Executive Committee meeting of the party to take this important decision. He announced the march on his own and then constituted a broad committee to organise the celebrations. Ours is a secular party with strong traditions not to align with any particular religion, but to respect all and keep politics away from religion. Now we are competing with the Akalis. Tomorrow shall we be leading marches for Lord Shiva or Lord Rama or organise Moharram? Two former Prime Ministers, the late Mrs Indira Gandhi and the late Mr Rajiv Gandhi, while making reference to Punjab in Parliament had deplored exploitation of religion for political purposes and were against any such participation. Now suddenly we are being pushed into a communal line-up." Mr Mohindra was quite bitter when he said the Congress Party in Punjab was being turned into an extension counter of the Akalis. "Why should we be competing with the Akalis. Giani Zail Singh tried with one such march and later Mr Buta Singh, despite opposition from the then Chief Minister, Mr Darbara Singh, organised a Sarbat Khalsa. We all know the results. Let us leave this mixing up of religion with politics to the Akalis. Currently they are having a taste of this", he added. Mr Mohindra said that many other Congress leaders felt the same way and would soon be speaking out. He himself was meeting the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, to apprise her of the dangers of mixing religion and politics. "I am not against such celebrations per se. In a free and a democratic country, people have the right to profess any religion. Congressmen could participate as individuals and not as a party. In fact, I wish the government had chalked out a good programme of development of villages and make a befitting attempt to celebrate the birth of Khalsa, a religion which is dear to all", he said. Mr Mohindra felt that such marches violated the basic Congress approach. "Minorities are safe with the Congress and that fact is well established and there is no need to appease and compete with a communal party." "I was against when Mr Amarinder Singh approached Akal Takht. See, we recognise that institution to one extent only. We will not expect that institution to meddle in our affairs and once we submit to that institution and recognise it, we by that simple logic, accept its suzerainty over our political matters. Suppose the Akal Takht chief had, while rejecting Mr Amarinder Singh's petition, summoned him and declared him a tankhaiya and even ex-communicated him. What impact it would have had on Congress affairs?" he asked. Mr Mohindra said that now
Mr Amarinder Singh wanted to exclude Nirankaris from the
march. This means that the Congress Party had accepted
the Hukamnama on Nirankaris. "Mr Amarinder Singh as
a Sikh is free to do whatever pleases him, but should not
drag the Congress Party along with him. He should stop
behaving like Akalis. I expect him to call a meeting of
the State Executive and debate the issue." |
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Sukhbir denies meeting MLAs, SGPC
members GHUBAYA (Jalalabad), Jan 4 — The Union Industry Minister, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, today categorically denied that he had been meeting SAD MLAs and members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to remove Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra from the presidentship of the SGPC. Addressing a press conference here he said that he was not playing any role in the ongoing feud between state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Tohra. Declining to comment on the "Hukamnama" issued by Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, directing the warring Akali leaders to stop infighting till April 15. Sukhbir Singh said "I do not want to comment on it. Please don't ask me such questions". He made it clear that he had no "hand" in the dissolution of the Youth Akali Dal. He added that he was not in the race for the presidentship of the Youth Akali Dal. He alleged that few persons who were jealous of the success of the SAD and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, were making false propaganda that he was being groomed as the next Chief Minister of Punjab. He made it clear that the SAD was a democratic party and the Chief Minister was always elected not imposed. He denied that power had been centralised in the Badal's family. He disclosed that matter of releasing of Rs 300 crore by the Centre for compensating the rain-hit farmers of Punjab was now lying with the Union Cabinet and a final decision in this regard would be taken shortly. Lashing out at the Congress party he alleged that in its 42 years of rule in the country the Congress discriminated against Punjab. Dubbing Ms Sonia Gandhi as a "foreigner" "Mem" he asked whether Sonia Gandhi loved India or Italy. He said that Ms Gandhi did not know about agriculture scene of the country then how could she do anything for the farmers. Addressing a rally after inaugurating the 220 KV grid sub-station here, he announced that 12-hour power supply would be ensured to the region by the next paddy season. He also announced that an industrial focal point would be set up here. He said that all main and link roads of the border areas would be repaired on priority. Mr Zora Singh Maan, MP, Ferozepore alleged that the Congress party was again trying to grab power by dividing people on communal and casteist lines. Mr Sher Singh, MLA, Jalalabad, urged the Punjab government to make arrangement for the setting up of judicial courts here and grant of border areas allowance to the government employees of the region. Mr Paramjit Singh MLA, Mr
Ram Kumar MLA and Mr Gurtej Singh MLA also addressed the
rally. |
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Public
schools focus on careers NABHA (Patiala), Jan 4 — Dyed-in-the-wool public school principals would not admit that emphasis in their schools has shifted from all-round development to career building of students. However, principals attending the 59th Indian Public Schools Conference at Punjab Public School here were of the view that public schools were fast losing their elitist image with education becoming an investment for the burgeoning middle class. Talking to TNS they also felt that public schools were relevant today as they instilled qualities in children which ensured their success in life. The President IPSC, Mr S.K. Gupta, said public schools were now gearing themselves up to cater to the special needs of children. He said while in the past there was a concentration on all round development, specially on extra-curricular activities, now it was on academics. Mr Gupta said this was because parents now wanted to ensure that their children compete for professional courses. Mr B.R. Dube, Principal, Birla vidya Mandir, Nainital, said the curriculam of his school was being remodelled on career lines. He said extra curriculam was being created in this regard. Special education was also being given to the gifted children, he added. Col Dr D.S. Khera,
Principal, Punjab Public School, Nabha, said while
earlier students of public schools were groomed for
taking over their family business. Now there has been a
shift towards careers. He cited the example of his school
which, he said, had 800 students in the armed forces. Mr Pramod Sharma, Principal, Mayo College, Ajmer, said "we like to expose a student to all sports and extra-curricular activities so that he can choose his specialisation, so that special attention could be paid to developing his skills in the game or activity of his choice". Mr Sharma, however, said in Mayo while emphasis remained on all-round activity till class eight, there was a shift to academics in Plus One and Plus Two. Speaking on the elitist image created by public schools, the Mayo College Principal said this was not true any longer as the middle class had started looking towards education as an investment. The conference chairperson, Dr Mrs G.D. Bakshi, who is also Principal of Maharani Gayatri Devi School, Jaipur, said in her school there was reservation for students of weaker sections. Dr Bakshi said public
schools stood out as they gave stress on both all round
development and academics. She said students graduating
from such institutions were more pushing and able to face
competition better by being able to judge their aims and
goals. Col Bakshi, while speaking on the same lines, said
public school children were seldom failures in life.
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9
hurt in police lathi charge FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 4 — Residents of Mandi Gobindgarh town 15 km from here blocked traffic on GT Road today evening to protest against a lathi charge by the police earlier in the day in which 9 persons were reportedly injured. The police resorted to force to lift the blockade. According to Mr Paramraj Singh Dhaliwal, SSP, Mr Rajinder Kumar Titu, municipal councillor, who belongs to the Tohra group, abused and publicly manhandled the SHO, Mandi Gobindgarh. The councillor came to the police station to help one Vijay Kumar, who was summoned by the SHO as a case under Sections 406, 420, 467, 471, 506 IPC was registered against him on the complaint of one Ashwani Kumar. The SSP further said that Titu and his supporters broke the boundary wall and the main gate of the police station, abused police officers. He feared that an MLA of the district is behind the scene. The police has registered a case. He claimed the MLA had been creating problems for the police to bring a bad name to the government. Talking to reporters Mr
Titu said he had gone to help Vijay Kumar when the SHO
misbehaved with him because he was a supporter of Mr
Tohra. |
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Religious
fervour marks Gurpurb PATIALA, Jan 4 — A colourful procession was organised here today to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh. The procession started from Shri Singh Sabha gurdwara and passed through Sheranwala Gate, Dharampura Bazaar, Adalat Bazaar, Gur Mandi and Ragho Majra before terminating at Singh Sabha Gurdwara again. Entire route of the procession was tastefully decorated. A large number of religious and social organisations besides school children joined the procession. All gurdwaras in the city were also illuminated last night to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of the 10th Sikh Guru. Tribune reporters add: FARIDKOT: More than 2,000 men, women and children took part in a nagar kirtan procession taken out to celebrate the birthday of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh here today. A large number of devotees took holy dip in Baba Farid Sarover. Bhog of Akhand Path was also performed at Government Balbir Senior Secondary School. GURDASPUR: More than 1,000 persons, including women and school children, participated in Shobha Yatra taken out here today to mark the Birth-day celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh. Various kirtan parties also participated in nagar kirtan which passed through main bazaars of the town. The nagar kirtan started from Singh Sabha Gurdwara on the Jail road which after parading the town also terminated there. AMRITSAR: On the eve of Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh a large nagar kirtan started here this morning from Akal Takht. A large number of school, college students, alongwith thousands of volunteers belonging to various religious organisations led by "Panj Piaras" joined in the procession. Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh alongwith members of the SGPC, senior secretary of the SGPC, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta and others participated in the procession. TARN TARAN: A well attended nagar kirtan procession to celebrate the birth anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh today in which students of different schools, colleges, volunteers of different religious societies and devotees along with band' "gatka" parties participated, was organised here. The town was decorated with banners, arches and other colourful flags. Shopkeepers and other devotees organised langars of 'fruits' tea and food at different places. The 'Panj Piaras' led the procession and the holy Guru Granth Sahib was taken in a decorated 'Palki Sahib'. BATALA: Large religious procession was taken out today to mark the birthday celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh. The procession started Kandh Sahib Gurdwara and passed through Achli gate, Dharampura Colony Smadh road, Simble chowk Hansli bridge City road Chakri Bazar and terminated in the evening again at Kandh Sahib Gurdwara. Entire route of procession was decorated. School children in their best participated in the procession alongwith the men and women of different walks of the society. Panj Piaras in their traditional gear and carrying swords walked in front of flower bedecked palanquin carrying Guru Granth Sahib. Reports of celebrtion of
10th Guru's birthday were also receive from Phagwara and
Pathankot where nagar kirtan processions were organised. |
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State
Shiv Sena chief, several others held PATIALA, Jan 4 — The local police reportedly arrested Punjab Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) President Pawan Gupta in connection with the ransacking of a theatre screening "Fire" minutes before he was scheduled to address a press conference on the issue today. However, Mr Gurpreet Singh Gill, SP (City), said Mr Gupta had himself "walked" into Model Town police station at noon. Mr Gupta had subsequently "come-himself" to the CIA staff building and had left the building in the evening. Mr Gupta's brother Virender Kumar told TNS late in the evening that the Shiv Sena chief had been detained in the CIA building and had not come home. Local Shiv Sena supporters, however, told the press gathered at a local hotel to attend the press conference called by Mr Gupta at noon that he had been rounded up by the Model Town police. Later, Mr Gupta, also talked to some journalists "while in custody". While talking to newspersons, the Shiv Sena chief said Shiv Sena workers from Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib had held a meeting in his house yesterday morning. Though it had been decided to protest against the screening of the film he had told party workers to carry out peaceful protest, "there must have been some provocation for workers to have become violent". He did not have any specific direction to stall the screening of "Fire" but his party to not allow its screening in other parts of the state as it distorted Hindu culture and traditions. Meanwhile, Mr Gill said three other Shiv Sena workers had been arrested. They were Sanjeev Kumar Babla, political adviser of Mr Gupta, Prem Kumar Lucky and Rakesh Sharma. Cases under Sections 452, 427, 148, 149 and 506, IPC trespassing, ransacking and threatening people, had been registered against him. Four other persons had been rounded up in connection with the incident. Around eight persons had been rounded up yesterday evening, but cases were registered against three only. Sources said the police had swung into action and started rounding up Shiv Sena activists after the identity card of one of them was recovered from the Rakhra Palace premises, which had been screening the film. The protesters had come in a white Maruti Van and had thrown stones at windowpanes of the theatre besides ranscaking 13 vahicles parked at the theatre. They dispersed after raising slogans against the film. The theatre management
stopped the screening of the film today. |
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VHP
leaders' arrest urged JALANDHAR, Jan 4 — The Punjab Christian Movement (PCM) today demanded the arrest of Giriraj Kishore, president of Vishw Hindu Parishad, and its General Secretary, Ashok Singhal for their anti-national and anti-secular activities. After submission of a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in this connection, Mr Hameed Masih, President, Punjab Christian Movement, condemned the attacks on Christians in Gujarat and claimed that the Hindu fundamentalists organisations, Hindu Jagran Manch, Bajrang Dal, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, were responsible for the atrocities on Christians in Gujarat. Addressing the protesters at Nehru Garden near the Municipal Corporation office here, he said the Christianity in India was as old as the Christian religion itself. The peaceful coexistence of this community with members of other religious persuasions for nearly two millenniums has proved to be mutually enriching. This community's contribution to education, medical care and social service has been accepted and appreciated by many people genuinely interested in the welfare of the nation. He said that they were pledged to continuing their services to "mother India and her children". Because they were convinced that all were children of the same God. He alleged that exploitation of the poor, the landless labourers and the illiterate tribespersons were the order of the day in India, specially in the North. Regular killings of those who ask for their rights goes on unabated. Custodians of law and order were hired or bought by the landed gentry to eliminate the illiterate poor of the tribal belt, he alleged. The Christians, who identify Jesus Christ with these suffering poor, have taken up the case as they could not remain silent spectators to merciless killings of the poor, the Dalits and the tribespersons. But their fate was not different from the people they volunteered to help out, he said. Mr Masih talking about the
killings in Bihar said Sr Rani Maria, was stabbed to
death by killers hired by money lenders, Fr A.T. Thomas
was done to death for helping the tribespersons of Bihar
to get back their land from the land-grabbers of the
area. They were a few courageous Christians who had shed
blood for their brethren, he said. |
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Dashmesh
Academy gets Rs 15 lakh CHANDIGARH, Jan 4 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal today presided over a meeting of the Board of Governors of Sri Dashmesh Academy, Anandpur Sahib. He sanctioned a sum of Rs 15 lakh to the academy to give it a facelift in view of the tercentenary celebrations. A sum of Rs 50 lakh was released in February, 1998, for renovation. The Chief Minister agreed
to the proposal of a swimming pool but said it would be
provided for in the Dashmesh Academy of Martial Sports
for which Rs 5 crore had been received. |
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Rs
126 crore for better medical facilities LUDHIANA, Jan 4 — To provide the latest medical facilities in every part of Punjab, Rs 126 crore is being spent to provide modern medical equipment of the international level and medicines in 150 hospitals under a World Bank project of Rs 422 crore to be carried out by the Punjab Health System Corporation in a phased manner to improve the medical infrastructure. This was disclosed by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, while addressing a function after inaugurating a general medical camp organised by the managing committee of Gurdwara Singh Sabha at the Guru Gobind Singh Charitable Dispensary, here yesterday. The Finance Minister said that during the past two years the state government had taken concrete steps to strengthen hospitals and dispensaries in Punjab and 60 ambulances at a cost of Rs 60 crore had been procured which would visit villages to provide medical facilities to the people. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said that in order to give training to the nursing and other paramedical staff, a special training in the latest techniques had been launched. He said new buildings of eight hospitals would be constructed at a cost of Rs 20 crore during the current financial year. Appreciating the contribution of social and voluntary organisations in providing free treatment at medical camps, the Finance Minister said these organisaations should lay more stress on making available medical facilities to weaker sections of society. He announced a grant of Rs
1 lakh for the purchase of medical equipment for a
charitable dispensary. |
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Rs
10 crore for better schooling in Punjab AMRITSAR, Jan 4 — The state government has earmarked Rs 7 crore and Rs 3 crore to revamp education at primary, middle and secondary school level to be spent during the current year. The Minister of State for Education, Mr Swarna Ram, stated this while presiding over the annual prize distribution function of the Shri Guru Hargobind National Senior Secondary School at Tarn Taran here today. Mr Ram added that the government was committed to provide education in schools based on moral values and vocational aspects to enable the youth to become self-employed rather than hanker after government jobs. The Education Minister pointed that to stop copying in examination the government had approved the plan of issuing five sets of question papers to be distributed at the centres to ensure that every sixth student had a new set of question paper. The government would take strict action against supervisory staff of the centre where copying was detected. To ensure fool-proof examination system in the state, he added. The government would soon fill vacancies of teacher in the schools. He added introduction of English from the class I in schools was proving successful and people had lauded it. The students should also
participate in sports and cultural activities for their
overall development at the school-level. |
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Minister
suspends officers CHANDIGARH, Jan 4 — The Punjab Minister of Information and Public Relations, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, today conducted a surprise check of the films division wing of the P.R. Department and found the following officers absent from duty. Photo Cinema Officer, Mr Adeshvir, Assistant Cameraman, Mr Tarnvir and Technical Assistants, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Ranbir Singh and Mr Rajpal. The Superintendent, Mr Ajaib Singh, was also absent. The minister, according to
a press release, has ordered immediate suspension of the
officers and holding of a departmental enquiry.
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Villagers
resent poor development GURDASPUR, Jan 4 — Resentment prevails among residents of Dorangla and the surrounding villages along the Indo-Pakistan border in the district in view of the government's apathy towards development of the area. Sarpanches of many villages, including Sadda, Sekha, Magarmughian, Gahlari, Aadhian, Baupur, Behrampur, Jhabkara, Thaman, Salaach, Chountra, today demanded restoration of Dorangla as independent development block. Dorangla has been an independent development block since 1974 after which it was merged with Dinanagar development block. The sarpanches said the roads in the block were in bad shape. In this connection they mentioned Gahlari to Dorangala, Tota to Dorangala and Gahlari to Behrampur roads. They demanded development of these roads under a border development board on priority. The constitution of the development board, which has been repeatedly announced by the Chief Minister had not been effected so far. The sarpanches said that Dorangla had a high school since 1947 and in spite of repeated requests by the residents it had not been upgraded to the senior secondary school level. As a result young boys and girls have to travel miles together to receive higher education. They said the government
had not given compensation for more than 3000 acres of
fertile land of the residents which fell under border
fencing. |
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Scribes
told to help fight social evils KAPURTHALA, Jan 4 — Mr D.R. Bhatti, Inspector-General, Punjab Police expressed anguish over the communal outbrust in Gujarat state in which innocent people belonging to minority community were killed. He was speaking at a function organised in connection with the celebrations of third anniversary of the local weekly "Vikas Bulletin" at local Red Cross Bhavan yesterday. Mr Bhatti said that secularism was the foundation of our society. He urged the reporters to come forward to fight communalism, corruption, casteism and criminalisation of politics in the country. Mr Bhatti reminded the 10 years period in the state when journalists and policemen fell to the bullets of terrorists. He appreciated that neither journalists nor policemen lost heart in their fight against terrorism. He said 67 journalists were killed during militancy. Mr Bhatti appreciated the role of small newspapers which always helped in highlighting the problems and grievances of the people of the local areas. He termed the small news- papers as voice of local persons. Mr Bhatti urged the journalists to play a positive role to help set up good society. Mr Bhatti presented a shawl and memento to Mr Rajinder Singh Rajan a senior journalist of the state who was honoured by the organisers of the paper for his services to journalism. Mr Swaran Singh Cheema a
senior Congress leader, Mr Mohan Singh Anand president
city Akali jatha, Mr Malwinder Singh Chahal, a youth
Congress leader and Mr Raghunath Sahai Sharma senior
journalist also spoke. |
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3 of family die as roof collapses AMRITSAR, Jan 4 (UNI) — Three members of a family were killed and another injured in a house collapse in a lane near Katra Bagiana locality of the walled city here today. A police report said that the deceased were buried under the debris of the house which collapsed after the roof caved in. The victims were identified as Pal Singh, his daughter Mangu (5 years) and two-year-old son Sunil. His wife Deepo was injured in the incident. A case has been registered
at the kotwali police station. |
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