‘Chokho Abohar’ for better hygiene

Abohar: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday spoke about the series of steps being taken by the government to improve the standard of sanitation in Abohar — the hometown of Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar — which has recently been declared the third most polluted city in the Swachh Survekshan. The CM said as part of the overall efforts to improve the situation, 10 new community toilet blocks and seven new solid waste management sites called material recovery facilities would be set up. He said a project called ‘Chokho Abohar’ for sanitation and hygiene had been sanctioned by the state government. The word “chokho” is used by the Bagri populace which means beautiful. How did the CM come up with the word is a matter of discussion in the area.

Always close to farmers, fields

Chandigarh: Kahan Singh Pannu is known for his close association with the farming community. As the Agriculture Secretary in the past three years, Pannu worked to stop burning of crop residue and promote techniques for in situ stubble management. His efforts led to large scale direct seeding of rice this year and making it legally binding to transplant paddy after June 10, thus helping save the groundwater. Pannu retired after three decades of service last week. He said, “I have always taken keen interest in bringing latest technology to farmers. I hope to emulate these in my farm.” Pannu started his career as a deputy registrar in the Cooperative Department, where he introduced the concept of multi-purpose village cooperative societies and set up the Punjab State Farmers Commission. Pannu always remained the “son of the soil”, and keeping up with this image, he is back to where he loves being the most: In the field.

With love from Sonu Sood

Fazilka: Distribution of free android mobile phones by actor Sonu Sood and Fazilka resident Karan Gilhotra during the Covid pandemic has been a boon for poor students. “Hundreds of poor students are being provided phones for their education in Fazilka and other parts of the country,” Gilhotra said. “I was not able to buy a phone for online classes and requested for it. To my surprise, I got it in three days,” said Vicky Paswan, a migrant labourer’s son. “Sonu Sood is a true Punjabi. He not only helped the migrants reach homes but has also been providing phones to their wards,” Gilhotra said.

Recalling educationist’s contribution

Abohar: Sher Singh Toor (98), former director of Gramothan Vidyapeeth and finance secretary of the Swami Keshwanand Memorial Charitable Trust, released the Hindi edition of a book on the life of Swami Keshwanand on Sunday. The book has been translated from English to Hindi by historian Dr Rekha Sood Handa. Toor and Raghubir Singh Bhadoo recall how Keshwanand went to villages to supply books and fought the ban on women education. In the pre and post-Independence period, Keshwanand had founded Sahitya Sadan in Abohar, Gramothan Vidyapeeth in Sangria and more than 200 primary education centers in Punjab and Rajasthan.