The significant role of Mirasis or Bhand (jesters) in the cultural life of Punjab.

The significant role of Mirasis (jesters) in the cultural life of Punjab cannot be ignored. They were known as Bhand or Naqqal (actors), their profession being to make others laugh by enacting humorous anecdotes. 

They were mostly Muslims. They used to lead a very rough and rustic life, and formed a very poor section of Punjabi society. In times of yore, they were encouraged and patronised by feudal lords and sometimes found employment in big and small courts. They, entertained people with their pungent witticisms, mimicry ('Swang'! humorous and satirical dialogues, rough dances and pantomimes. They also enacted amusing scenes by using a leather strap called "Chamota" which was very similar to slapstick. They were good story-tellers.

In lean times, when patronage was lacking from aristocracy and nohility, they earned their livelihood by entertaining the commoners on weddings, betrothal ceremonies and other auspicious occasions. At times, they were invited by rich people or admirers to sing songs based on the theme of Raja Rasalu. These songs were known as Khioore. 

There was a common practice to invite two or more than two Mirasis and make them sit face to face to sing. They used to sing the whole night sitting on the terraces, one hand placed on the ear and the other extended in front. Such programmes were generally organised on full-moon nights. The whole' atmosphere used to get saturated with their musical strains.

It is unfortunate that all the colour and vivacity of everyday life in Punjab has vanished on account of partition. Those happy memories still linger in the minds of Punjabis who are above fifty years old. Only some families of Mirasis survive around Ludhiana and Jalandhar while the rest have given up their ancient art and have moved over to some other jobs to earn livelihood.

src.http://www.eknoor.net/mirasi.php

lawlessness in Punjab and this was the second murder in Jalandhar

The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today condemned the brutal murder of a Jalandhar resident Naveen Randheev by four activists of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha and the RSS. He warned the police against hushing up of the matter and said those found shielding the guilty will be held accountable.

In a statement issued here today, Amarinder said that the four BJP-RSS activists had mercilessly beaten up the man to death and the police was trying to make it out as an accidental case. “Now the BJP is putting pressure on the police to protect the guilty,” he said, while asking police officials to perform their duties honestly and not succumb to any political pressure lest they have to pay for it themselves.

The PCC President said, there was total lawlessness in Punjab and this was the second murder in Jalandhar committed by the people belonging to the ruling alliance in less than three months. He pointed out, earlier the nephew of Adampur MLA murdered a youth Gurkirat Sekhon.

src.http://www.punjabstarnews.com/Jalandhar/lawlessness-in-Punjab-and-this-was-the-second-murder-in-Jalandhar.html

Doaba gets its first medical college at Jalandhar

Fifteen years after its foundation stone was laid, the Punjab Institute of Medical Science (PIMS), Jalandhar, has received a final nod from the Medical Council of India (MCI) to start MBBS classes from the current academic session. The final permission to start classes was given through a Letter of Permission (LoP), received by the management of PIMS yesterday.

Earlier, the MCI had granted a Letter of Intent (LoI) on May 19, said the PIMS management. The intake capacity of the institute would be 150 students per year.

The development is important for the Doaba region as the PIMS will be the first medical college in the region.
The brainchild of the then Chief Minister Beant Singh, a project to develop a world-class medical institute, was launched in 1994. It became operational only in June 2010, when it was handed over to the PIMS Medical and Education Charitable Society (PMECS) to be run on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

Rajshekhar C, Chief Operating Officer, PIMS, said that the seat distribution would be same as other private medical colleges in the state.

“Half of the total seats will be filled under the state government quota. The rest will fall under the management quota, including 15 per cent seats under the NRI quota,” he added.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110611/punjab.htm#4

Book Fair in Jalandhar Golden Opportunity for Jalandhar Book Publishers

Book Fair in Jalandhar 2 April to 10 April,2011 Golden Opportunity for 

Jalandhar Book Publishers

To provide ample opportunities to both publishers and booksellers to display and sell their publications and reach to students community and public at large under one roof , National Book Trust , India is organising JALANDHAR BOOK FAIR :-

Dates : 02 -04 -2011 to 10-04-11

Venue : Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall , GT Road , Jalandhar City

Rent : Stall ( 3 metre X  3 m ) - Rs. 7721
          Stand  ( I mtr )                Rs. 1324

( 50% Discount to those Publishers Selling books in Indian Languages only )

LAST DATE FOR BOOKING STALLS : 25-03-11

The application form can be donloaded from the website

www.nbtindia.org.in

For further inquiry , please contact :-

Deputy Director ( Exhibition )
National Book Trust , India ,
Nefru Bhawan , 5 ,Institutional Area , Phase II ,
Vasant Kunj ,
New Delhi -110070

Tel : 011 -26707700
Fax : 011-26707846
email :nbtindia@nbtindia.org.in: 

Jalandhar Leading Tally With 46 Medals In Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Games 2011 Punjab

Jalandhar were leading the medal tally with an impressive haul of 20 gold, nine silver and 17 bronze medals on the penultimate day of the inaugural Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games being organised by the Punjab Sports Department in Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar.

The leaders were being closely followed by Patiala (17-7-7), Ludhiana (10-10-16) and Tarn Taran (8-9-10) in that order. Jalandhar clinched gold in women's football final match at the Guru Nanak Stadium here by defeating hosts Ludhiana by a solitary goal scored by Monika in the dying minutes. Amritsar were declared third since Patiala were scratched on technical ground.

Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games 2011, Dharminder, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol entry at Surjeet Hockey Stadium at Jalandhar

In the men's hard-fought football final Ludhiana snatched a thrilling 1-0 verdict. The match winner goal was scored by Jagdeep Singh of Ludhiana in16th minute of the match. The bronze medal went to Kapurthala who defeated Gurdaspur through tie-breaker 5-4. The Jalandhar men spikers bagged gold by defeating Tarn Taran in the volleyball fine by 3-0. Ludhiana claimed bronze by defeating Hoshiarpur 3-0.

Mukatsar showed their supremacy in the women's volleyball final after routing Mohali 3-0. Sangrur had to work hard to beat Jalandhar by 3-2 in a tough match to decide third and fourth positions. The women's kabaddi went to Nawanshahar who outplayed Amritsar by 41-33 whereas for the third-fourth position Ropar beat Jalandhar and won the bronze medal.

Jalandhar bagged gold in men's kabaddi by defeating Ludhiana by 52-32 in the final. Kapurthala defeated Sangrur 48-42 to bag bronze medal. Ludhiana clinched gold in women basketball final match by defeating Kapurthala 65-55. Jalandhar won the bronze medal who defeated Gurdaspur by 54-14 points. Jalandhar defeated Ludhiana by 101-94 in the men's basketball final. Kapurthala won bronze by defeating Patiala 65-59.