PUNJABI SAHITYA AKADEMY PUNJABI BHAWAN,
BHARAT NAGAR, LUDHIANA
Ludhiana, March 26, 2008
Prominent Punjabi writers Dr. Surjit Patar, Prof. Ravinder Bhattal
and Prof. Gurbhajjan Gill respectively President, General Secretary
and Vice President of Punjabi Sahitya Akademy in a press release
issued here today have highly appreciated the two resolutions
passed in Punjab Vidhan Sabha yesterday to make the teaching Punjabi
compulsory in all schools in State up to Matriculation and to
strictly implement Punjabi in Govt. offices for all official work.
They said that the Govt. headed by S. Parkash Singh Badal chief
Minister Punjab had fulfilled the promise made with the people
during the elections and the demand presented by Punjabi Sahitya
Akademy in its memorandum presented to Chief Minister. They said
that it was also appreciable that the provision of strict punishment
to those officers/employees who found guilty of violating the
decision of the Govt. These writers said that this decision has
given satisfaction to the Punjabi lovers, who had been pressurizing
the respective governments time to time for the strict implementation
of Punjabi as a state language for official work. They felt that
now the proper environment for the development of Punjabi language
will be created in the state and mother tongue will get full respect
at all levels. They said that the role of Education Minister Dr.
Upinderjit Kaur who made special efforts in getting the resolutions
presented and passed in Vidhan Sabha was fully commendable.
Dr. Patar further suggested the Govt. to immediately constitute
a Special Panel based upon prominent Punjabi writers and Language
Experts, so that unjabi Language Act could be prepared at the
earliest for its passage from the Assembly.
He also demanded that Punjab Public Laibrary Act should also
be got passed and implemented, so that book literature could be
further promoted in Punjab
SINGAPORE SENIOR MINISTER MR. TONG CALLS ON PUNJAB
CM
CHANDIGARH MARCH 26:
A 24-member high powered delegation of Singapore Government led
by its Senior Minister Mr.Goh Chok Tong called on Punjab Chief
Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal at his residence on Tuesday evening
and put forth proposals to make investments in infrastructure
development in Punjab by the Singapore Government.
According to Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr. Harcharn
Bains the Singapore Minister had detailed deliberations with Mr.
Badal, who evinced keen interest for making huge investment in
Airport, Power, roads & bridges and housing sector in Punjab
to boost the bilateral trade and investment as a follow up to
the economic agreement signed by the Prime Ministers of India
and Singapore. It may be recalled the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreement (CECA) in 2005 to boost bilateral trade and investment
besides opening up the banking industry, liberalizing the services
sector and easing visa restrictions for professionals of the two
countries was signed between the premiers of both countries. The
signing of Agreement was aimed to pave the way for the two countries
to enhance their two-way trade to over $ 10 billion by the end
of 2005-06 and to $ 50 billion by 2010. Mr. Tong informed the
Chief Minister that PHD chamber of commerce would soon lead a
delegation of eminent industrialists and investors from Punjab
to Singapore to visualize the investment potential there. He also
extended an invitation to Mr. Badal to lead a Government delegation
to Singapore to study the development in different facets of Singapore
economy.
Mr. Tong informed Mr. Badal that the delegation would have one
to one interaction with the officers of the state government to
further explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation on technology
sharing and making investments in collaboration with the state
government in the Industrial and infrastructural sector.
Mr. Badal informed the Singapore Senior Minister that Singapore
based company - Jurong international had already conceptualized
various mega housing and shopping mall projects in Punjab besides
preparing master plans for Mohali, Ludhiana and Amritsar. He also
asked the Singapore Government to make investments in the power
sector as the state government had already floated global tenders
for two thermal plants out of three to be set up at Talwandi Sabo
and Rajpura.
The Chief Minister assured Mr. Tong that the Punjab Government
would extend all possible assistance to the Singapore government
for setting up of new joint venture of mutual interest and cooperation,
added Mr. Bains.
Meanwhile, Industries & Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan
Kalia also had an extensive interaction with the members of the
visiting delegation about the prospects and scope of future investments
in the state.
Prominent amongst others who are present on the occasion included
Chief Secretary Punjab Mr. R.I. Singh, Principal Secretary to
Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru and Additional Principal Secretary
to Chief Minister A.K. Mahajan. The other eminent members of the
Singapore delegation included Senior Minister of State Dr. Balaji
Sadasivan, Member of Parliament Mr. K. Shanmugam and Singapore
High Commissioner Calvin Eu.
OMAXE TO SPONSOR MANJEET KAUR IN OLYMPICS-2008
Chandigarh 25 March: SAD President S.Sukhbir Singh Badal today
finally prevailed upon the country's renowned infrastructure &
realty company – Omaxe to sponsor a celebrated athlete Ms.
Manjeet Kaur working as an Inspector with Punjab Police Headquarters
at Jalandhar who is strenuously preparing for the forthcoming
Beijing Olympics-2008 (China), Common Wealth Games-2010 (New Delhi
and 16th Asian Games-2010 (Doha).
It may be recalled that S. Sukhbir Singh Badal was instrumental
in securing the sponsorship of recently held "Triumph-08',
T20 Charity Cricket match between the SAD-BJP & Congress at
PAC Cricket Stadium Mohali by OMAXE for the welfare of paralympians.
Ms. Manjeet Kaur is a distinguished athlete who had already made
a mark at international by winning one gold and one silver medal
in 15th Asian Games-Doha, 2006 (Qatar). She has also bagged silver
medal in Common Wealth Games- Melbourne (Australia), besides participating
in Athens Olympics-2004, championships Encheon-2005 (South Korea).
She has many more titles/records to her credit at international
and national level. She was conferred upon Arjuna Award recently
for her rare and outstanding achievements.
S.Sukhbir Badal pointed out that Ms. Manjeet Kaur was a potential
athlete likely to win medals in the forthcoming Olympics, Asian
Games and Common Wealth Games and therefore the Omaxe Group had
been requested to bear an expenditure of Rs.34 lac for her training
from VS Athletics Track Club, California alongwith her coach to
be trained under famous Sprinter Cedric Hill. S.Badal hoped that
Ms. Kaur would certainly excel in these international competitions
thereby bringing glory to our country in general and Punjab in
particular.
S. Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the corporates to come forward
for such bold initiatives which would not only enhance their brand
value but also encourage the upcoming sports persons to excel
in the international fora.
On the occasion, Chairman and MD OMAXE Ltd. Rohtas Goel handed
over a cheque of Rs.34 lac to Ms. Manjeet Kaur and assured fulsome
support and cooperation to her for achieving this rare fete.
TWO JEs AND ONE ASSISTANT LINEMAN ARRESTED BY
VIGILANCE
Chandigarh, March 24:
State Vigilance Bureau, during its ongoing campaign against rampant
corruption today arrested two Junior Engineers (JEs) and one Assistant
Lineman PSEB Garhdiwala under Prevention of Corruption Act.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Vigilance Bureau Punjab
said that Mr. Ajit Singh and Sukhjit, both JEs and Mr. Shivcharan
Assistant Lineman, posted at PSEB Garhdiwala have been arrested
on the charges of accepting bribe from complainant Amandeep Singh
for installing a domestic electric connection and to ignore excess
meter reading of his Atta Chakki.
A Vigilance team led by Mr. Daljit Singh, DSP/VB, has arrested
the accused after verifying the corruption charges leveled against
them in a complaint number 09/07 registered at VB office Hoshiarpur.
It was found that the above accused in connivance with each other
had accepted bribe of Rs. 30,000/- from complainant Mr. Amandeep
Singh.
A case under Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) at Police Station
/VB Jalandhar has been registered against them and further investigation
was under process.
HAEMOPHILICS ASK UT, PUNJAB AND HARYANA GOVERNEMNTS
TO PROVIDE FREE FACTOR VIII AND IX ON PATTERN OF DELHI GOVERNMENT
CHANDIGARH MARCH 24
The Haemophilic Welfare Society of Chandigarh organized a daylong
open clinic for patients with Haemophilia (PWHs) for an effective
treatment and management of the disease on Sunday.
Presiding over the function Mr.Pardeep Chhabra, Mayor Chandigarh
Corporation asked the members of the society to submit a charter
of their demands so that he could take up this matter with the
states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and UT Administration
Chandigarh to evolve a joint action programme to provide timely
and adequate treatment through the concerned medical authorities.
He assured the society that he would plead their case before the
administrator for allotment of a plot for the society to discharge
its day-to-day functions in a meaningful and result oriented manner.
He assured the executive of the society to lead a delegation to
PGI to impress upon the Director Dr.KK Talwar to treat the patients
of Haemophila at par with the patients of Thalesemia thereby earmarking
a special ward, doctors and para medics for the PWHs. He also
assured full cooperation and support for organizing such medical
camps to bring awareness for the effective management of the dieses
amongst the PWHs. The mayor also said that he would take up the
issue of opening a special clinic for the PWHs in the PGI to ensure
timely treatment to them.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. J.G.Jolly, Emeritus Professor
Transfusion Medicine and formally professor of Transfusion Medicine
PGIMER, Chandigarh and Chairman of the Society said that the state
governments of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory
of Chandigarh should immediately address to the problems of PWHs
and chalk out a strategy to give adequate financial, medical and
moral support to them in order to cope up with this mental trauma.
He pointed out Haemophilia was a hereditary disease characterized
by deficient activity of blood clotting factors of VIII &
IX. Dr. Jolly emphasized on the need to provide necessary backup
support to the affected parents to enable them to cope with the
tremendous psychological stress from the day one when their child
was diagnosed as a Haemophiliac. To achieve this objective NGOs
and other social and voluntary organizations could play a vital
role in overcoming the stress encountered by these hapless parents
for none of their fault. Similarly, PWHs should also be encouraged
and motivated considerably to lead a happy and normal life by
giving them timely care and treatment and concerted efforts should
be made by the parents, teachers and medical fraternity to boost
their morale so as to lead them a normal; life without developing
a feeling of inferiority complex amongst them.
Dr. Jolly attributed this disease as purely a genetic disorder
and had nothing do with a good or bad luck. He pointed out that
it was the bounden duty of the parents to prepare their children
psychologically to muster enough courage to bear the brunt of
the disease. He advised the PWHs to get them regularly medically
checked so as to maintain the base line of the factor VIII or
IX. He also urged the society to update the data of the PWHs for
the research and reference purposes. He also impressed upon the
doctors of the PGI and research scientists who were present on
the occasion to regularly hold such open clinics for the well
being and benefit of the PWHs. He also urged the members of society
to form a core group to take up various matters with the Chandigarh
administration and the PGI authorities in an effective and result
oriented manner.
Mrs.Indira Venkatraman, Executive member of Haemophilic Federation
of India (HFI) appealed to the Central and State Governments to
provide adequate medical and financial help to the Haemophilics.
She also called upon the electronic and the print media to promote
awareness about Haemophilia among public in general, doctors,
paramedical staff and NGOs so as to minimize the sufferings of
hemophilics. She also urged the UT administration of Chandigarh
and the Governments of Punjab and Haryana to issue a notification
for providing free factor VIII and IX to the PWHs of below poverty
line and above poverty line families on the pattern of Delhi government.
Dr.Pallavi Saini Physiotherapist underscored to hold such clinics
regularly and should be located in the hospital out patients thereby
offering consultation in all necessary areas of specialized knowledge;
hematological, surgical and orthopedic, physical and physiotherapeutic,
dental, social and psychological & educational. Dr.Saini Physiotherapist
practically demonstrated few exercises to the PWHs for improving
the mobility of their joints.
As many as 350 patients were clinically checked up on the spot
and all of them were infused free Factor-VIII & IX besides
vaccination of Hepatitis-B to 50 patients and booster dose to
150 patients.
Speaking on the occasion, Head Fund Raising Haemophilic Society
of UK Mr.Oliver Kemp asked the HFI to provide financial assistance
to its affiliated chapters to serve the poor and needy patients
with a missionary zeal. He said that ministry of health should
come forward to direct the medical institutions like PGI and AIIMS
to impart specialized training to the doctors treating Haemophilics.
Earlier, Dr. Maghar Singh, Finance Secretary presented the financial
report of the society for the year 2007-08 on the occasion. The
annual general body meeting unanimously elected the members and
office bearers for the year 2008-09. He demanded that the Factor
VIII and IX should be exempted from VAT to enable the patients
to get this life saving drug at affordable price. He said that
the society had been supplying factor VIII and IX to the needy
patients on almost no loss no profit basis. As a large number
of families were living below the poverty line, which could not
afford to procure it from the open market even from the chapter.
He urged the government to adequately subsidize factor VII and
IX for the poor patients. He also mentioned that the Hemophilic
patients were denied the benefit of reservation available to the
handicapped people in the govt. service. It would be just and
fair to categorize haemophilics patients as handicapped, so that
they could also become eligible to avail of this benefit. He further
said that the Haemophilic Federation was constituted in 1983 and
it had 63 chapters in different cities throughout India. The sole
aim of the Federation was to create awareness amongst haemophilics
and to make arrangements for the treatment of poor patients because
the treatment of this disease was very costly.
A delegation comprising of 3-members from Haemophilic Federation
of India (HFI) and Haemophilic Society UK namely Volunteer Mr.Tom
A Head Resource Mobilisation, HFI, Mr.Sameer Srivastva and Resource
Executive (North) Ms.Rosalin also attended the clinic and addressed
the patients.
The society also constituted a core group comprising of Dr. Maghar
Singh, Rajesh Sood, Neki Ram, Lal Singh, Rohit Sharma, Balbir
Singh and Prabh Dyal to peruse the pending references with the
authorities of Chandigarh administration and PGIMER. On the occasion,
few PWHs shared their experiences with a team of doctors from
PGI and advised to lead a happy and normal life through keeping
their children busy and channelising their unbounded energy in
to constrictive and productive means.
PAKISTAN AND INDIAN PUNJAB KEEN ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN AGRICULTURE
AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
CHANDIGARH MARCH 24:
A high powered 18-member delegation of progressive farmers from
Pakistan led by Vice Chairman Farmers Associates Syed Hussain
Jahanian Gardezi today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash
Singh Badal and evinced keen interest for technology transfer
in the field of agriculture to increase the production of wheat,
cotton, maize, barley and sugarcane both qualitatively and quantitatively.
The members of the delegation shared their experiences with
the Chief Minister that how they have improved the quality of
these crops substantially in Pakistan. They also dwelled on the
prospects of allied agriculture in terms of animal husbandry,
fishery, dairy, bee-keeping, horticulture and floriculture as
traditional agriculture was no more remunerative and profitable
in Pakistan also alike India.
Showing deep concern over the depletion of ground water table
especially in Indian Punjab, the delegation urged the Chief Minister
to take effective measures to reverse this trend otherwise it
would create an abnormal situation beyond one's control and jeopardize
the future of our generations. Mr.Gardezi informed the Chief Minister
that 92% of Pakistan's agriculture depended on canal irrigation
which was quite efficient and hardly 8 to 10% relied on tubewell
irrigation. He invited Mr.Badal to lead a delegation of progressive
farmers to study the cropping pattern of Pakistan and impressed
upon him to initiate steps for technology transfer between the
Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana and Agricultural University
Faislabad especially in the crops of cotton in which their country
had excelled in the production of long staple cotton. Likewise
Indian Punjab had made significant contribution in the production
of wheat and sugarcane with high quality and maximum yield per
acre as compared to Pakistan. Mr.Badal also pointed out that Punjab
had a proven track record and rich experience of quality production
of kinow which could be replicated in Pakistan too as both countries
had almost same soil texture and climatic conditions.
The Chief Minister also asked the delegation to undertake a programme
to improve the quality of milch cattle through a technology exchange
programme between the Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary
& Animal Sciences Ludhiana and University of Veterinary &
Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore. Mr.Badal said that the buffalo
breed of Nilli Ravi and Murrah besides Sahiwal breed of cows could
be further improved in Punjab through mutual cooperation in research
and development programme.
The visiting delegation was on week-long workshop on Total Agriculture-cum
Field Visits: Farmers Connecting India and Pakistan through knowledge-sharing
on agriculture from March 23-29, 2008 at Centre for Research in
Rural & Industrial Development (CRRID).
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
Financial Commissioner Agriculture RS Sandhu, Chairman Punjab
State Farmers Commission Dr.GS Kalkat, Hony. Senior Advisor CRRID
Dr.SK Mangal and Principal Advisor CRRID PS Sahai. The other members
of the delegation included Chief Coordinator Farmers Associates
Pakistan Muhammad Idrees, Director Punjab Institute of Agriculture
Marketing Munir Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director Punjab Seed Corporation
Abdul Shakoor Shaad, CEO Punjab Agriculture Research Board Dr.Mubarik
Ali and Vice Chancellor University of Veterinary & Animal
Sciences Prof. Muhammad Nawaz.
CHIEF MINISTER'S OFFICE PUNJAB BAZIGAR SEWA DAL
CALLS ON PUNJAB CM
CHANDIGARH MARCH 24:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today assured the
Bazigar Sewa Dal that the members of the Bazigar community would
be soon bestowed upon the ownership rights of the houses.
Addressing a gathering of bazigar community here at SAD Office,
Sector 28, Mr.Badal said that the SAD-BJP government immediately
coming into power ordered to undertake a survey of the bazigar
community to ascertain the number of eligible beneficiaries who
had constructed houses after their settlement in the different
parts of the state but could not get the ownership rights of the
houses occupied by them. The Chief Minster said that he had already
directed the Chief Secretary to immediately get the survey completed
to enable the government to bestow these ownership rights on the
eligible members of the community. He also assured the members
of the bazigar community that state government would soon find
out ways and means to allot plots of 5 marla for the construction
of houses who did not have any land for the purpose.
Lashing at the Congress for instigating people for disturbing
peace in the state and its indulgence in divisive politics, Mr.Badal
said that the people had already realized that Congress's policy
of 'divide and rule' which it has adopted not only in Centre but
in the states too pursue its political agenda. Mr.Badal lamented
that after 60 years of freedom, Congress government during its
successive terms in Centre and even in Punjab had not been able
to provide the basic civic amenities to the common man. He said
that poor and lower strata of the society had been completely
ignored by the Congress because it was least concerned about their
welfare. He said that our government was committed for the overall
development of the state and its people. He said that SAD being
a party of a common man sensitized to the problems of the people
at the grass root level was committed to serve them in the right
earnest.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr.DS Cheema, besides the members
of the Bazigar Sewa Dal included National President Bazigar Sewa
Dal of SAD Makhan Singh Lalka, Gurnam Singh Raikot, Joginder Singh
jalla, Dr.Mulakh Raj Lalka, Malinder Singh Batala, Jagbir Singh,
Dana Singh and Rattan Ratti.
CHIEF MINISTER'S OFFICE, PUNJAB LAUDS SANJIVANI FOR PHILANTHROPIC
ACTIVITIES
CHANDIGARH MARCH 24:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today appreciated
the pro-active role of Sanjivani -a non-government organization
(NGOs) in curbing the menace the deadly dieses of tuberculosis
on the occasion of world T.B. day.
Speaking on the occasion after releasing a Souvenir of Sanjivani,
Mr.Badal asked the NGOs, voluntary and social organizations to
follow the foot steps of Sanjivani and said: "Until TB is
controlled, World TB day won't be a celebration. But it is valuable
opportunity to educate the public about the devastation TB can
spread and how it can be stopped".
Mr.Badal underscored the need to bring awareness about the international
health threat presented by tuberculosis (TB).
Dr.Pawan Sharma, Project Director, Sanjivani urged the people
to rededicate themselves to light the lamp of hope, compassion
and sympathy in the lives of the patients suffering from this
dreaded disease. The mission of Sanjivani to bring awareness about
the AIDS/HIV and the eradication of TB would be un-abated till
its aspiration of a healthy society was cherished, added Dr.Sharma.
On the occasion the Chief Minister was accompanied by his Media
Advisor Mr.Harcharan Bains.
SHUN WHITE COLLARED JOBS; OPT FOR VOCATIONAL JOBS-
MAJITHIA EXHORTS GIRL STUDENTS
Chandigarh, March 24: Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia , Information
& Public Relations Minister, Punjab today exhorted the girl
students to shun white collared jobs and opt for technical and
vocational courses to compete in fast growing job market in national
and international fora.
Speaking in the Annual function of the Sri Guru Gobind Singh
College for Girls Sector 26, here today Mr. Majithia said that
the time has come that girls should give equal fight to their
male counterparts to emerge victorious in every field of the economy.
He said that girls should not remain confined to traditional careers
but opt for technical and vocational careers to emerge victorious
in growing economy.
The youngest Minister in Punjab Cabinet said that history was
propounded by such examples. The recent example of Kalpna Chawla,
Sunita Williams who had who had shown to the world that women
can accomplish much more than men. In our own country, Sarojni
Naidu, P.T.Usha, Sania Mirza and Bichendri Pal have excelled in
the field of their own choice.
The Minister said that the priority of the Punjab Government
was to introduce vocational education in the State and to open
Adarsh Schools to prepare self-reliant and brilliant students.
He said that state has chalked out a future plans of action with
adequate caution and utmost vigilance to prepare our students
to face the growing challenges ahead at the national and international
fora.
Advising the young students to go for self-employment ventures
rather than to opt for table jobs, Mr. Majithia said that self
employment makes one self dependent and provides courage to face
odds of life at various stages.. He said that there was a vast
potential for self employment avenues on our country that an individual
can tap with imagination and hard work and it would give an opportunity
to realize our hidden potential .
Mr. Majithia said that it was unfortunate that northern India
has to fight the stigma of disparity in male-female ratio. The
Minister said that with more and more girls becoming economically
independent, this would bring an attitudinal change in the parents
towards girl child.
On this occasion Mr. Majitha released a Souvenir to commemorate
35 years of the college. Mr. Majithia honoured over 800 students
for excelling in academics, sports and other activities. 135 Academic
prizes, 111 Cultural prizes and 130 Sport prizes were given on
the occasion. 18 meritorious students were also awarded scholarships
worth Rs. 30,000. Amanpreet Kaur, a student of BCA-II, was selected
the Best All-Rounder Student of the year. Vidhushi Sharma, a B.A
III student was given the award of Best Flier (Air Wing). She
is the only student who has been selected for the Air Force Officers
Training and she flies solo Zen micro-light plane. The Roll of
Honor was presented to Harveen Sarao, Kulbeer Kaur and, Gurbinder
Kaur, students of B.A-III. Leela Bhatt, a student of BA-III was
selected the All Round Best Sportswoman and Anita of B.P.Ed. was
selected the All Round Best Outgoing Sportswoman. He also announced
a grant of Rs. 3 lacs for the college.
Dr. (Mrs.) Harinderjit Kaur, Principal, welcomed the distinguished
guests and the students. She read out the College Annual Report,
highlighting the manifold achievements of the college. The college
has secured the first position among 176 colleges in Punjab University
Sport competitions, for the first time.
S. Gurdev Singh Brar, President, and Maj. (Retd.) Mohinder Singh,
Joint Secretary, Sikh Education Society, were also present on
the occasion. All the staff members who have completed 25 years
of service in the college were honored.
S. Virsa Singh Valtoha, (MLA, Tarn Taran) was the Guest of Hon
