Baba Sewa Singh’s works attain global recognition

The United Nations Environment Programme, a frontal organisation of UN environment programme, had given recognition to the services of Baba Sewa Singh, working for bio-diversity, waste management and water conservation. Baba Sewa Singh, head of Kar Sewa sect Khadoor Sahib, has been appointed as the ‘Faith for Earth Councillor’ by the United Nations Environment Programme. Sewa Singh besides looking after the Sikh religious historic buildings has been working in the field of rural education, youths uplift, sapling plantation, training rural youths for getting admission in higher education. Sewa Singh had also been awarded by the Assistant Secretary General during Eco-Sikh Programme in New Delhi in 2009. Prince Phillip and then Secretary General of United Nations Ban Ki Moon had honoured Sewa Singh at Windsor Celebrations Event in November 2009 at London. He was honoured with Padma Shri by President of India on March 31, 2010 but was returned by extending support to the current farmer struggle. Sect under Sewa Singh guidance had planted sapling of different varieties of trees in Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in alliance with state governments as well as NGOs. The sect had deputed at least 50 persons with 12 water tanks to look after the plants. A magnificent orchard in the name of Baba Sadhu Singh having 36 types of fruit bearing trees has been established near Gurdwara Tapiana Sahib, Khadoor Sahib. The sect was motivating residents to plant neem, jamun and mango trees around their houses, public places like schools, gurdwaras and panchayat lands. Under the environment conservation scheme, the organisation has planted over 5 lakh trees till date covering approximately 500 km of roads, public places, gardens and 475 villages. The sect has set a goal to plant 550 mini forests during centenary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, besides running a hockey academy in Khadoor Sahib.

An officer par excellence

Dr Amandeep Singh Saini (pic), Deputy Economic and Statistical Adviser, Tarn Taran, has remained the first choice of every Deputy Commissioner due to his abilities. Dr Saini after doing his BSc (Hons) in agriculture from Khalsa College, Amritsar, did masters in agriculture from Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, and PhD from Punjabi University, Patiala. Belonging to a mediocre family of a school teacher, Dr Saini is differently abled due to post-polio paralysis but he never considered it hurdle in attaining the highest level of education and working in different spheres. From the very childhood he was seen in every social activity in Tarn Taran town. At the age of 17, Dr Saini joined Nehru Yuva Kendra as volunteer and worked as president of the blood donation organisation for almost 15 years. He was adjudged the best youth of Amritsar district when Tarn Taran was part of it and honoured with state youth award. Before joining the Punjab Government job he worked as project coordinator for the Punjab region in British High Commission’s funded project on STD/ HIV prevention from 1997-1998 and as project director in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s project of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre from 1998-2000. Funds pertaining to different plan schemes are released though the office of Deputy Economic and Statistical Adviser. Government of India allocates Rs 5 crore per annum per MP under MPLADS. Proper accounting, careful release, monitoring and reporting are conducted by the office. Dr Saini has also been given the role of coordinator of GOGs ( Guardian of Governance) , nodal officer for Mission Tandrust Punjab at district level, Additional District Census Officer, etc. by Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh. When asked, “Don’t you feel political pressure while working on this post?” he replied, “As I have proper knowledge of rules with honesty and commitment towards hard work there I feel no political pressure in my work and it gives me pleasure.” Bicycle is his first choice as vehicle.

Narrow bridge without railing

Is anyone worried about a very narrow bridge on Lalpur- Sheikhchak village link road? The said road is very busy because it further links to another number of villages like Warana, Shangarpur, Vein Puin and Dhotian. The railing is missing from the bridge for the last more than 30 years and it may cause any major accident. The matter has been brought to the notice of authorities concerned many times but to no avail. There are many more such type of bridges on the link road in the border area.

— Contributed by Gurbaxpuri

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