HOLLA MOHALLA SET TO HAVE DATE WITH ITS HISTORY AS
WORLD’S LARGEST EVER BLOOD DONATION CAMP BEGINS AT SRI ANANDPUR
SAHIB
• MAJITHIA AMONGST FIRST FIVE DONORS
Chandigarh, March 10
World’s largest ever blood donation camp
targeting to register more than 25000 blood donations in a single
day began on the sacred soil of Sri Anandpur Sahib with Jathedar
Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Sahib donating
the blood to inaugurate this mega blood donation camp. The camp
is all set to cross more than 25 thousand donations in a single
day making a new record in Guinness Book.
The first five donors including Patron of organizing
committee of camp S. Bikram Singh Majithia, Baba Harnam Singh
Ji, Head Damdami Taksal, Jathedar of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib
Giani Tarlochan Singh, Prof. Manjit Singh Ji Ex. Jathedar Sri
Akal Takht Sahib and President Youth Akali Dal S. Kiranbir Singh
Kang marked the beginning of bleeding session that began at 7
a.m. after the Ardas by Jathedar of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani
Tarlochan Singh.
The camp organized under the aegis of Sri Akal
Takhat Sahib with the leading role of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak
Committee had the stamp of organizational skills of former Minister
S. Bikram Singh Majithia, who as patron of Organizing Committee,
worked day and night to make this camp a success.
The mega camp has been organized in mega pandal with 700 beds
that has 14 blocks with 50 beds each. Such was efficiency witnessed
in the camp that there were 2500 donations in one hour averaging
15 minutes per donor.
Over 5000 volunteers including 3000 paramedical
staff were deployed for the Camp to ensure smooth working of blood
donation camp. A team of 100 doctors was deployed at different
investigation counters to oversee the arrangement. More than 110
blood banks from all over the country had assembled to collect
blood from this camp. Special arrangements were made to airlift
the donated blood to different parts of the country, on that day
itself.
To make this mega event a success case, organizers
had arranged for accommodation of 20000 donors. Big set up created
for refreshment to the donors was a great success as devotees
from adjoining villages were also serving refreshments including
fruits to the blood donors.
Donors had descended on the Holy soil of Sri Anandpur Sahib from
all across the country to become part of this social movement
besides also to seek blessings from Almighty. A Special train
with 1500 donors had come from Nagpur besides thousands of donors
reaching by special buses from all across the country.
Over 150 counters were set up to fill forms of the donors at the
base camp at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Anandpur Sahib
which made the entire exercise smooth.
After launching concerted drive against female
feticide through Nanhi Chaann Program, this camp was another big
social cause taken up by the SGPC during last two years. Chief
Minister Punjab S. Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister
S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Member Parliament S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa,
Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and number of cabinet ministers of Punjab
visited the camp and appreciated the brain behind this mega exercise.
Badal Asks People For Social Boycott Of
Those Indulging In Female Foeiticide
Confident of landslide victory of SAD-BJP in Lok Sabha polls
Anandpur Sahib 10th March:
hief patron of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Chief Minister Punjab
Sardar Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people of Punjab
to boycott the unscrupulous elements who were indulging in the
crime of female foeiticide which was a sin against the god and
the humanity.
Addressing an unprecedented gathering of the devotees, on the
historic occasion of annual Hola Mohalla festival on the 'birth
place of Khalsa' here after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Takhat
Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Sardar Badal asked the people to take a solemn
pledge on this auspicious day to bring a social awakening amongst
the people against the social evils of female foeiticide and the
growing trend of drug addiction amongst the youth.
Sardar Badal announced that 3 memorials would be erected in the
memory of martyrs of ‘Chota Ghalugara’ at village
Khanuwan in district Gurdaspur, ‘Wadha Ghalugara’
in village Kuppa Raheera of Sangrur district and at village Chapar
Chiri in district Mohali in the memory of great warrior Baba Bandha
Singh Bahadur aimed at propagating the rich legacy of Sikhism
especially amongst our future generations.
Sardar Badal declared an electoral war against the Congress
party and asserted that nobody could deter the SAD-BJP alliance
from capturing all the 13 parliamentary seats in the state because
of the upbeat mood of the people in favour of SAD-BJP alliance.
He said Congress party had none of any significant achievement
to its credit in the last tenure of full 5 years to face electorate
in the Lok Sabha polls except indulging in criticism on one count
and another. He lambasted at the Amarinder Singh for being inaccessible
not only to the common people but also his party MLAs due to his
autocratic style of functioning, far away from the hearts of the
masses because he never bothered for the welfare of the people
at the grass roots level whereas SAD-BJP government was sensitized
to their basic problems and could feel their pulse.
Sardar Badal said that SAD-BJP Government was committed to the
development of the Punjab and welfare of its people because our
party have come to power due to their mandate in the last assembly
elections and were equally confident that the people of Punjab
would firmly stand by us to ensure landslide victory of all SAD-BJP
candidates in order to install NDA government at Centre so the
legitimate rights of the state could be safeguarded and the aspirations
of the people be cherished because the Congress government during
its rule of over 45 years in Centre, since Independence had ignored
the state's interests and virtually exploited the people in one
way or the other.
Sardar Badal cautioned now it was the high time to alert Centre
to shun its indifferent attitude towards Punjab 's farming community
and industry which had been badly hit due to its step motherly
treatment. He called upon the Centre to ensure 'level playing
field' to the industry regardless of special incentives and concessions
as already given to the states of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and
Uttrakhand. He said that agriculture was no more a profitable
occupation due to the negligible returns on it due to non- remunerative
and stagnant minimum support price for which Centre had always
adopted an approach of 'negativism'. Our Government had been demanding
the linking of MSP with consumer price index since long but Centre
always turned down our plea without any rhyme or reason.
Sardar Badal said SAD-BJP alliance had adopted a unanimous resolution
to improve upon the lot of farming community in the recently concluded
budget session of Punjab Assembly asking the Government of India
to waive their entire outstanding debt and fresh loans to them
be provided at an interest of 4% and the fixation of MSP to provide
a margin of 50% over the cost of production as recommended by
the National Farmers Commission. He also said the State Government
had also decided to pay compensation of Rs.2 lakh to the each
family of the farmer who was forced to commit suicide due to heavy
indebtedness. He added it was a testimony to our sincerity for
the farming community who had been exploited by the UPA Government
due to its negative attitude.
Lashing at the Congress for instigating people for disturbing
peace in the state and its indulgence in divisive politics, Mr.Badal
said 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.
Sardar Badal appealed to the people to vote and support SAD-BJP
alliance candidates during the forthcoming general elections.
He said to ensure the formation of NDA government at Centre all
of us must make concerted efforts for the victory of SAD-BJP candidates
so that the legitimate demands of the state could be conceded
and the aspirations of the people fulfilled.
Speaking on the occasion SAD President and Deputy Chief Minister
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal gave a call to all Punjabis to bundle
out Congress from the electoral field in ensuing Lok Sabha elections
to punish it for mortgaging the interests of Punjab besides playing
fraud with the farming community. He also exhorted the party cadre
to whole heartedly work for resounding victory of SAD-BJP on all
13 seats to pave way for NDA government at Centre. The unprecedented
gathering in the SAD-BJP Holla Mohalla political conference unanimously
supported the call given by the Deputy Chief Minister by the war
cry of Bole So Nihal, Sat Sari Akal and raising their both their
arms as he listed out the injustices perpetuated by the Congress
Party on Punjab right from the day one of independence of country.
He said that Congress led UPA government in centre which first
time in history instead of paying more than minimum support price
of Rs. 1000 per quintal for paddy suggested by Central Agricultural
Price Commission fixed only Rs 850, robbing the hard earned money
of farmers. He said that Cotton Corporation of India under centre
government deliberately harassed cotton grower during purchase
season to induce distress selling of cotton so as to help cotton
mill lobby to purchase cotton at lower rate. Attacking Congress
for not decreasing oil prices in proportion to international crude
oil prices, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that entire exercise
was being enacted to fill the pockets of multi-national oil companies.
Mr. Badal promised that NDA after assuming power will reduce diesel
prices by Rs. 10 and would link MSP with price index. He appealed
voters to strengthen the party in coming Lok Sabha elections so
that party could have good hold at centre as major economic decisions
were in the hands of centre.
Comparing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal against former
CM Amrinder Singh SAD president said that on one side Mr. Badal
was busy in solving problems of common masses through Sangat Darshan
on other side Raja was not only cut -off from people of the state
but also from his own party MLAs. He said that Chief Minister
S. Parkash Singh Badal was the first CM to launch schemes like
Ata-Dal, Shagun Scheme, Pension Schemes etc to help poor people
of the state. He said that committed for the overall development,
Chief Minister Badal approved setting up of 4 new Thermal plants
in state, Rs. 3200 Crore project for revamping Canal irrigation
system, 20 KM new roads in every assembly area etc. whereas former
congress CM has nothing in its bucket to be proud of. He said
that coming Lok Sabha elections is a war of every individual of
the state against Congress party which looted the nation for past
60 years.He also apealed for record victory of Dr. Daljit Singh
Cheema.
Later talking to media Mr. Badal confirmed that as he is also
Home Minister of the state he will ensure law and order and protection
of democratic rights of the people of the state.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included
Jathedar Avtar Singh, President SGPC, Mr.Avinash Rai Khanna, MP
from Hoshiarpur, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Sant
Ajit Singh, MLA Anadpur Sahib, Gurdev Singh Badal, Vice President
and Tara Singh Ladal, ex-Minister & Distt President SAD Ropar,
Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD-BJP nominee from Anandpur Sahib seat,
Gurinder Singh Gogi, Member SGPC and other senior leaders and
party workers were also present on the occasion.
SUKHBIR BADAL SHARES HIS VISION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH CII-
PROMISES WORLD CLASS INFRASRUCTURE, RADICAL REFORMS & GOOD
GOVERNANCE TO INDUSTRY
CII presents 10 point Agenda for Economic Growth of Punjab
Punjab State Annual Session of Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) today began with Mr Sukhbir Badal, Deputy Chief Minister
Punjab reiterating the resolve of the State Government to accelerate
the industrial growth in Punjab by strengthening infrastructure,
simplifying procedures through radical reforms, besides the State
Government acting as facilitator in development process.
Urging CII to anchor and facilitate investment for the State
and join hands with Government in PPP mode to put the state on
a growth trajectory, Mr Badal stated that the State Government
is all geared up to address a gamut of issues which affect industrial
investments in the State by capitalizing on the State's strengths
and ensuring rapid growth of its thrust sectors, overcoming its
weaknesses, putting in place policies and mechanisms to provide
fast approvals and requisite infrastructure to new projects, providing
the necessary incentives to attract entrepreneurs and making Punjab
a preferred investment destination.
Giving a very insightful presentation to the distinguished industry
captains of the State, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed his involvement
with every mega project, be it the Expressways or International
Airports or upcoming four Mega Thermal plants at Giddarbha, Talwandi
Sabo, Rajpura or Goindwal Sahib or upcoming institutes of higher
studies in Punjab, explaining even minutest details of each project.
Detailing on each projects, Mr Badal explained to the industry
titans how these projects with a capital cost of multi-thousand
crores have been planned, to be completed within next three years.
He explained them that how the intricate issue of land acquisition,
becoming hindrance in initiation of any development project the
country was solved. The farmer-friendly acquisition policy with
30% displacement allowance, in addition to market rate has made
the farmers partners in industrial growth, Mr. Badal informed.
While interacting with the young and enthusiastic CII members
on one to one basis, he shared their aspirations besides assuring
them that State Government was ready to be equal partner with
then in their dream of Industrial growth. Fully understanding
the fact that cumbersome government procedures, red tape and fast
changing government policies were the stumbling block in the industrial
growth, Mr. Badal said that new industrial policy would be only
announced after getting a feedback from industry on it. He said
that new Punjab Governance Reforms Commission was all set to make
governance a facilitator and catalyst of growth rather than the
hiderance in the growth process.
On this occasion Mr. Badal also released Punjab Vision 2022, a
report developed by CII listing the aspirations of the people
of Punjab.
Voicing the persistent concern of the industry in global meltdown,
Mr Salil Singal , Chairman , CII , Northern Region, mooted the
participatory and hand holding approach with the Government in
revitialising the Agri Business and bridging the skill deficit
. Mr Singal highlighted the need to design and develop a shared,
agreed vision for developing human skills to foster envisaged
growth in industrial sector and attain higher level of prosperity
towards development of the state. MR Singhal , illustrating the
effectiveness of CII ‘s cluster invention for MSME s , shared
the outstanding work on clusters in Punjab which translated into
a saving of Rs 9.5 crores in one year .
Earlier welcoming the Chief guest Mr. Harpal Singh, Deputy Chairman,
CII Northern Region said that with the global meltdown, the pivot
of power is fastly shifting eastward and with India especially
northern India to be major beneficiary. He said that with the
consumption pattern also shifting eastward, Punjab must revitalize
its Industries especially agro based industry to make most of
new opportunity. Focusing on value addition of agriculture sector
and non- renewable and nuclear energy, Mr. Harpal Singh said that
Punjab must improve its brand name to attract investment in the
state. He also advised industry to rise above subsidy culture
and become state’s partner in growth.
To take Punjab on the next level of development and reforms,
CII proposed 10 point development agenda Agend with Governemnt
to chalk out ways & means for development of State :
# Need to Promote Brand Punjab to attract investment
# Kick Start the industrial Revolution for Punjab
# Harnessing Punjab Potential in Agro & Processing Sector
# Adopting sustainable agricultural processes among the farmers
# Opportunies in Tourism Sector to develop in state with religious,
healthcare and rural tourism
# Revival of Sustainable Sick Industrial units
# Need of major initiatives for development of education and
health in the state
# Reforms in power sector to make Punjab a Power surplus in another
2-3 years
# Development of Urban & Industrial infrastructure in the
state to increase connectivity
# Implementation of SEZ Policy and making land available for
Industry to grow
#Pragmatic steps needed to address Taxation issues
# clearing impediments for doing business in Punjab
Giving a pan view to make Punjab a Model State in every aspect,
Mr JR Singal , Chairman , CII , Punjab State Council and Mananging
Director , Eastman cast & Forge Ltd highlighted the various
path breaking initiatives taken in last couple of years which
included recommendations on policy issues such as IT & ITES
Policy, Agro & Food Processing Policy and Tourism policy,
Upgradation of ITI’s by Industry and starting of new vocational
courses in polytechnics in the state , mapping of Skill Gaps ,
skilling of youth belonging to under privileged section of society
, and social issues such as conserving river systems, sensitizing
society on female foeticide and HIV / AIDS .
