PUNJAB READIES FOR I-DAY PROGRAMME

The Punjab Government has decided to organise State level Independence Day function at Amritsar this year where Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will unfurl the National Flag.

While Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal would be the Chief Guest on the Independence Day function in newly formed district of Fazilka, Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Nirmal Singh Kahlon would unfurl the National Flag at Gurdaspur.

According to a spokesman of the Punjab Government, Local Government Minister Tikshan Sud will unfurl the flag at Pathankot, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura at Tarn Taran, Finance Minister Upinderjit Kaur at Kapurthala, Social Security Minister Prof Lakshmi Kanta Chawla at Jalandhar, Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar at Ludhiana, Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike at SAS Nagar (Mohali) and PWD (BandR) Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa will. 

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AKALI DAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEMBER RESIGNS

Disgruntled Shiromani Akali Dal Working Committee member Pardip Singh Walia resigned from the party and announced his decision to contest SGPC election from Amritsar West.

Walia, who remained former District president of Shiromani Akali Dal for Urban, accused the party of ignoring sincere activists during the allocations of SGPC tickets.Elections to SGPC, apex religious body of the Sikhs, are due next month.He told reporters here that he would contest election from Amritsar West to defeat the Akali Dal candidate Bawa Singh Gumanpura who was allocated ticket by the party high command.

Presently Amritsar West is retained by SGPC member Advocate Jaswinder Singh who had won SGPC elections two times in row but this time ticket was denied to him by the party High Command.Jaswinder had won the elections two times with the help of Pardip Walia.Singh here today gathered his supporters in a show of strength at Akal Takht in the marbled periphery of Golden Temple where he expressed his anguish for not being allocated ticket to him party.

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Historic Panj Temple of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s era cries for care

Even as the Archaeological Survey of India and Punjab tourism authorities have been restoring various heritage buildings in and around Amritsar, Panj Temple, about 25 km from the holy city, lies in a state of neglect.

More than one-and-a-half-century-old Panj Temple comprises four small temples of lord Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha and Surya in as many corners with the main temple of lord Krishna and Ram at the centre.

The temple was built during the reign of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh and has been a rich treasure trove of resplendent frescoes of Hindu deities and first Sikh master Guru Nanak Dev.

However, the invaluable frescoes have been decaying due to lack of knowledge among the inhabitants of the area. The lower portion of the walls, which were adorned with priceless frescoes, of the three of the four temples, have been ignorantly whitewashed by the caretakers of the temple. A small temple-like structure situated opposite to the temple lies closed and is in a shambles.

In the absence of any check, some locals have even constructed their houses around the temple, which is now under private possession. The present owner, Mohinder Pal, is said to be the descendent of the former priests and caretakers of the shrine. He says the family lacks enough resources to restore the wall paintings in its original form. He claims that the frescoes got damaged due to moisture and the wall paintings in the Shiva temple have been whitewashed in the absence of any conservation plan.

"The structure of the temple, especially the four domes, which are made up of Nanakshahi bricks, is a unique style of architecture," says Dr Balwinder Singh, a conservationist and head of the department of Guru Ram School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University. He says the structure is of great importance and needs to be safeguarded from the mindless urbanisation. The fort-style temple is built in Mughal style with domes on the top.

The floor patterns are a testimony to the fact that it was constructed during the Renaissance period in Punjab, he says. Similar floor patterns have been found in the historic Ram Bagh garden, Gurdwara Baba Atal and Pul Kanjri.

SORRY STATE OF AFFAIRS

About the temple...

• Situated about 25 km from Amritsar, the Panj Temple is over 150 years old
• Built during the reign of legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh
• Has a rich treasure of frescoes of Hindu deities and Guru Nanak Dev

Lies in bad shape...

• Lower part of walls in 3 of 4 four temples, once adorned with frescoes, ignorantly whitewashed
• A small temple like structure situated just opposite to the main temple is closed and is in a shambles

Read More.....http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110801/punjab.htm#3

Haryana court issues warrants against Sikh Jathedar, Akal Takht warns against arrest

 A court in Haryana has issued non-bailable warrants against Jatehdar of Takht Damdama Sahib Balwant Singh Nandgarh. Takht Damdama falls in Talwandi Sabo town of Bathinda district in Punjab. So far no Sikh Jathedar had ever appeared before any court of law in his official capacity.

Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Gurbachan Singh talking to Punjabnewsline.com here today said, “Nandgarh would never appear in the court law in the capacity of Jatehdar Takht Damdama Sahib. Since, so far, no serving Jatehdar ever appeared in any of the worldly court. Moreover, no worldly court is above Akal Takht the highest Sikh Temporal Seat”.

Adding further, Gyani Gurbachan Singh said, “If Haryana police comes at Takht Talwandi Sabo, in such circumstances, the entire Sikh community would stand by Nandgarh at the time of arrest. It is not as easy as Haryana police thinks”.

Gyani Gurbachan Singh said that a complaint against Jatehdar Nandgarh was filed in the State of Haryana by one of the follower of Dera Sacha Sauda Sect falsely with the allegation that sentiments of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda Sect were hurt during religious discourse of Nandgarh.

Gyani Gurbachan Singh extending support to Nandgarh, said that he had never uttered anything wrong but whatever he had said was right as per the Sikh religious rituals and community always stands with him.

This is not first time wherein such situation occurred for the Sikh Community as well for Jatehdar Akal Takht, as earlier in 1980 Jathedar Akal Takht Amritsar Gurdial Singh Ajnoha was summoned in the court but he didn’t appeared in the court of law keeping in view the respect of highest Sikh temporal seat, and at last complainant himself had withdrawn his complaint and case was dismissed. 

 Second time, once Bhai Ranjit Singh Jatehdar of Akal Takht was also asked to appear in the court when he had come out from bars after spending 14 years for assassinating the chief of Narnkari Sect Baba Gurbachan Singh, but when final Session Court verdict was pronounced, he was asked to face eight months more jail, but Bhai Ranjit Singh had out rightly rejected the court order by saying he would neither appear in the court nor surrender to go jail. Then Chief minister of Punjab himself Parkash Singh Badal, alongwith other Akali stalwarts including Surjit Singh Barnala, then SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Torha met the then Prime minister I.K. Gujral who took up  the case before president whereupon his rest of the sentence was condoned. Ranjit Singh on April 24, 1980, had shot dead the then head of the Mission Baba Gurbachan Singh.

Third time, Gyani Kewal Singh Jatehdar of Takht Damdama Sahib Predecessor of Nandgarh was booked in murder case of her daughter-in-law was also slapped murder case and asked to appear in the court. At That time Kewal Singh appeared in the court and faced trial in the court but after tendering his resignation from post of Jatehdar. But later he was acquitted by the court of law.
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Amritsar to get new facelift by November this year as Sukhbir dedicate projects worth Rs. 2557 Crores

The heritage city of Amritsar is all set to get a new facelift by November this year with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister  Sukhbir Singh Badal reiterating his resolve to dedicate over 22 projects with combine capital cost of Rs 2557 crores to the people of this holy city.

Reviewing the progress of ongoing development projects in a high-level meeting with the officials concerned asked the concerned authorities to expedite the construction works of various projects. He said that whether it may be 8 laning of Amritsar Gate to Bhandari Bridge Road or Multilane High Level Bridge on UBDC or four laning of Amritsar-Ajnala Airport Road, or Two Laning of NH-15 to Amritsar-Bhikhiwind-Khemkaran Road, these projects when completed are set to put Amritsar and adjoining areas on a higher pedestal of development.

Emphasizing on early completion of Plaza at Sri Darbar Sahib being constructed at the cost of 80 crore, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister asked MD PIDB to ensure that there was no difficulty faced by the devotees due to construction of Plaza. He said that the construction of this plaza must focus serenity and religious importance of Sri Darbar Sahib and the Deputy Commissioner should personally monitor the progress of this project of great importance to Sikh psyche.

Badal expressed satisfaction that the work of 8 laning project from Amritsar Gate to Bhandari Bridge was in full swing, which when completed this year would provide big relief to over 20,000 daily commuters.  Badal also aksed the Deputy Commissioner Amritsar to personally monitor the widening and repairing of Amritsar-Taran Tarn Road besides 4 laning project of UBDC Canal, Amritsar-Ajnala Airport Road, Outer Ring Road project, Sakatari Bagh Project, Gol Bagh Project and remaining portion of  Elevated Road. The Deputy Commissioner assured the meeting that the majority of ongoing development works would be completed by October end and become operational by November.

The Deputy Chief Minister also directed the concerned authorities to liaison with the Railways to initiate the construction work of widening of Bhandari Bridge besides expediting the ongoing work of Kitchlu Chowk Flyover and 4S Chowk Flyover.  It was also informed in the meeting that a state-of-the-art and impressive gate would be constructed on the entrance of Amritsar with the cost of Rs. 9 crore besides installation of 160 CCTV camera with sound on the major points in the city area to keep a security check.      

        

Badal directed the Amritsar Improvement Trust to initiate the process of acquiring a chunk of land on a prominent place in this heritage city to build an ultra modern auditorium with a capacity of 3000 seats. This was also informed in the meeting that the covering work of Ganda Nullah has been near completion, which would be concluded by October this year.

        

Prominent amongst those, who were present in the meeting included  Tikshan Sud, Local Bodies Minister, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Shwait Malik, Mayor Amritsar,  D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Home,  S.K. Sandhu, Secretary PWD,  S.S. Sandhu MD PIDB and  Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner.

src.http://punjabnewsline.com/content/amritsar-get-new-facelift-november-year-sukhbir-dedicate-projects-worth-rs-2557-crores/32338

New flight between London and Amritsar on the anvil

The British Midland International (BMI), a part of the Lufthansa airlines, is all set to introduce a new flight between London (Heathrow) and Amritsar.

The new flight has raised the hopes for revival of perishable cargo at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji (SGRJ) International Airport. Operating thrice a week, the flight will commence on October 13. These flights will arrive here from Heathrow, via Almaty in Kazakhstan on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The return flights from Amritsar will again be via Almaty on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The BMI has initiated the sale of tickets.

Flights will be operated on a wide-bodied Airbus A330 aircraft, which returns into service for BMI this week after its lease to Turkish Airlines. The refurbished aircraft will offer 36 business class and 196 economy class seats.

The aircraft has 44 tonnes cargo capacity which can easily accommodate export consignments of fresh vegetables. Perishable cargo has been lying defunct since Air India discontinued its direct Amritsar-London-Toronto flight in October last.

The discontinuation of Air India’s direct flight from Amritsar to London had created a hue and cry among the NRIs of Punjabi origin settled in England. They reasoned that the convenient and financially lucrative link between Amritsar and London had been snapped without a valid reason. A sizeable number of Punjabis are settled in the UK.

The BMI is the second largest airline at London Heathrow, with flights over 40 destinations worldwide. It would be its maiden commercial venture in north western India.

src.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110623/punjab.htm#11

AMRITSAR UNDER CCTV SURVEILLANCE

Crucial points in the city will be brought under surveillance. The police, in association with the Amritsar Improvement Trust, kick-started the Intelligent City Surveillance Project here today under which 35 major intersections and places will be monitored with the help of close circuit television (CCTV) cameras round the clock.

Funded by the trust, the Rs 4 crore project will be fully operational by the year-end. “This is a revolutionary step in the history of Amritsar city as security will now be electronically managed. This will make the Police Department more accountable besides proving a deterrent in traffic violations and petty crime,” said Navjot Singh Sidhu, BJP MP.

He said the Punjab police would be first in North India to have such an advanced surveillance system. The 35 points have been identified by the Police Department. As many as 175 cameras, including 100 fixed cameras, will be installed. Sidhu, while addressing mediapersons here today, said according to the company officials engaged for setting up CCTV cameras, this was one of the top five surveillance systems in the country


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Dara Singh "Jatt Sikh Punjabi wrestler and Actor

Dara Singh Randhawa (born November 19, 1928) is a Punjabi wrestler and film actor from the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, Punjab in India.

He was a well-known wrestler before he started acting in Hindi films in 1962. Standing tall at 6’2” with rippling muscles this wrestler has been a part of cinema for many years and is known for his portrayal of Hanuman in Ramayana. He was trained in a type of wrestling called Pehlwani and has taken on wrestlers like Lou Thesz and Stanislaus Zbyszko.

Wrestling Career:
Dara Singh is from India's state of Punjab. Due to his physique he was encouraged to study Pehlwani, an Indian style of wrestling, in the milked sand wrestling pits of India called "akhara". During the 1940's and 1950's, Dara Singh was a favourite in wrestling tournaments in India.

In addition to this he wrestled on invitation of the kings of various Indian princely states and wrestled frequently in haats and melas (fairs and carnivals). He also successfully competed against some of the greatest names in wrestling history including Stanislaus Zbyszko, and professional wrestlers in the United States.

In May 1994 he was involved in a typical bit of 'professional' wrestling chicanery, in a match with a wrestler, imitating the WWE's 'Undertaker' (once the reigning champion of the American wrestling scene) in an IWF (Indian Wrestling Federation) championship match. The match was fixed between Baljit Singh and The Undertaker at Worli Mumbai's Vallabbhai Patel Stadium and the Referee for the match was an IWF official RATAN.

Throughout the match The Undertaker dominated Baljit Singh, but as the IWF would be humiliated if a foreigner defeated an Indian on Indian soil, Dara Singh along-with his brother entered the ring and helped Baljit win the match. Baljit was then awarded the IWF championship belt at a ceremony. The belt was sponsored by Hitsu Jewellers Worli Naka.

Filmy Career:

He then went on to 1980s and 90s television fame, when he played the role of Hanuman in the television adaptation of the epicRamayan. The series is amongst the most widely viewed in history.

 He has acted in over 100 films. His latest Hindi movie isJab We Met and his latest Punjabi movie is Dil Apna Punjabi.He also acted in National Award winner film MAIN MAA PUNJAB DEE(Director Balwant Dullat). 

He also worked in some television serial shows, most notable is 'Had Kar Di' which was aired on Zee TV. 

He has two sons named Vindu Dara Singh and Amrik Singh and also 3 daughters. Vindu stays in Mumbai while Amrik stays in Chandigarh. Singh retired from active wrestling in 1983. [4] In 1996 he was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

DEVOTEES AT MERCY OF GOD

Even as the Golden Temple is thronged by thousands of devotees everyday, the holiest Sikh shrine managed by the SGPC, having an annual budget of Rs 580 crore, doesn't have a proper medical care facility to fall back on in case of any untoward incident.

Though the Golden Temple Complex has two dispensaries — one being run by the SGPC and the other by the Fortis Group, they are only equipped to deal with minor cases of injury or ailment among the devotees from time to time. While the Fortis dispensary has a doctor available between 10 am and 4 pm, the SGPC dispensary is being run by a pharmacist.

Moreover, the dispensaries are located in the middle of the "sarais" (inns) on the other side of the complex and not around the main entrance of the shrine. The SGPC hasn't even put up a board to pinpoint its dispensary for the devotees. However, the Fortis authorities have placed a small board atop its dispensary door. Some SGPC officials feel that a few rooms at any of the five "sarais" (inns) in the Golden Temple Complex may be spared for providing better medical facilities.

They also opined that one or two rooms should be allocated in the 'parikarma' of the Golden Temple for meeting any medical urgency. In summers, there are cases of devotees fainting almost daily and to provide them immediate relief there should be first-aid facility in the 'parikarma', besides a couple of stretchers and wheelchairs to shift them to proper medical care, they said. He nearest proper medical care facility is the SGPC-run Guru Ram Das Hospital which may be around 2 km from the shrine but the route is marred by narrow lanes, congested markets and traffic chaos.

On the other hand, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said they will soon facilitate four-five beds for the purpose and also assign permanent duty to a doctor from Guru Ram Das Hospital at the Golden Temple. He said they will also make sure that stretchers are available in the 'parikarma'. He said they have already made arrangements like putting up "shamiana" and water-sprinkling fans for the devotees in view of harsh summer.

Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu said they have deployed a mobile medical van at the shrine and they have 20 such vans in the holy city under the newly launched 108 ambulance service scheme. He admitted that it would have been better to have a proper medical facility near the Golden Temple, but said it was not possible now due to space constraints. He said they have made a provision for first aid and trauma facility in the under-construction Golden Temple Entrance Plaza.