Welcoming the victory flame

Bathinda: The ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1971 India-Pakistan war was accorded a grand reception in Bathinda by 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment on behalf of the Chetak Corps. A ‘victory march’ was organised at the Bathinda Military Station by the 25 Infantry Brigade. The flame arrived at Yodha Yaadgar, Bathinda, where it was received by Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Mago, General Officer Commanding, Chetak Corps. The victory flame was given a special guard of honour by 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment. A wreath was laid by Lieutenant Colonel Daya Singh (retd), Honorary Captain Sukhdev Singh (retd) and the General Officer Commanding, 81 Sub Area.

‘Rickety’ car centre of attraction

Gurdaspur: Days before the ‘chakka jam’, a ‘rickety’ car was seen making rounds of the border villages. Some farm unions, led by Amarjit Shastri and Amar Kranti, had purchased the vehicle from a Moga dealer for Rs 4 lakh, following contributions made by peasants. This was then converted into a ‘farmers’ car’ and a logo of the Indian Farmers’ Trade Unions (IFTU) was affixed atop the bonnet. Before the tractor march, it covered 35-40 villages every day, drumming up support for the farmers protesting in Delhi. Contributions flowed in, which were later used to build a stage during the ‘chakka jam’ and also meeting other miscellaneous expenses, including purchase of drinking water pouches and bottles. The vehicle has become a centre of attraction in villages, and will remain so till the protests are on.

Training youth for a cause

Fatehgarh Sahib: Gaurav Sood, a wrestler, is training the youth aspiring to get recruitment in police, paramilitary and military forces. He gathers them every morning, runs with them and gives them tips on clearing physical competitions. He tells them to abstain from drugs. His efforts are bearing fruit, as about 200 youth trained by him have been appointed in police and paramilitary forces, and as many as 500 new trainees from far-flung areas have approached him. His selfless services was recently recognised by local leaders. He was honoured by Dr Kashmir Singh, principal, Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib; AS Dharni, an advocate; and Jagdeep Singh Cheema, district president, SAD. Sood said he envisioned a drug-free society and wanted the youth to have a bright future.

Welfare activities unaffected by campaigning

Abohar: The poll campaign did not affect welfare activities in Abohar. The ‘Apna Abohar, Apni Abha’ team organised the 20th cleanliness camp on Saturday at Government Senior Secondary Boys’ Smart School and removed tonnes of waste that had accumulated after reopening of schools. The team gave a call to shun single-use plastic. The Manav Sewa Samiti organised camps to distribute winter-wear to labourers and provided for essential items required during a wedding ceremony of a girl in a slum area. The Bahawalpur Panchayat Sabha on Sunday organised a camp and collected 40 units of blood.

Remembering ghazal maestro

Abohar: Fans of Sriganganagar-born ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh organised ‘Jhuki jhuki si nazar’, a musical extravaganza, on Sunday, a day before his 80th birthday. Artistes Vicky Sharma, Arun Kumar, Tarun Anand and Aastha Ahuja, music teacher Gurmukh Singh, Shivani Kashyap, and police officer Habib Khan, among others, enthralled the audience with ghazals, at a function held near Ramlila Ground in Sriganganagar. Paintings of Jagjit Singh prepared by Savita Lalgarhia and artist Tarun Kumar were released by the guests. Shyamsunder Goswami, president, RD Burman Fans Club, thanked everyone.

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