PADAM VIBHUSHAN CONFERRED ON PROF. J.S. BAJAJ

Chandigarh March 31, 2009

The President of India Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil today conferred the prestigious Padam Vibhushan Award on Prof. J.S. Bajaj at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Prof. Bajaj has been honoured with this award for his outstanding contribution towards the medical science and research besides planning for improving the health care delivery system .
Prof. Bajaj was among the distinguished recipients of this national award announced by the Government of India on the eve of republic day this year. Prof. Bajaj is the first Punjabi and ninth Indian to receive this award for services in the field of medicine and research.

Prof. J.S.Bajaj, Vice Chairman, State Planning Board Punjab receiving the Padama Bhushan award from Mrs Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, President of India in Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi on Tuesday i.e 31.3.2009.

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today felicitated Prof. J.S. Bajaj for making Punjab proud for this honour.

In a congratulatory message Mr. Badal said, “Prof. Bajaj’s tremendous capabilities and acumen has enabled him to be honored with the Padam Vibhushan Award. He has rendered outstanding services in the sphere of health delivery system”. Describing Prof. Bajaj as a visionary totally committed to the improvement of health care especially for the poor, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government feels honored in Prof. Bajaj’s success.

It may be recalled that Professor J.S. Bajaj is presently the Vice-Chairman of Punjab State Planning Board in the rank of Cabinet Minister. Earlier, he had served as Member (Health), Planning Commission, Government of India, in the rank of Minister of State (1991-98) and steered the development of national policy and plans for population stabilization, environmental and public health, nutrition and medical education. He joined the Faculty of the AIIMS in 1966, and subsequently occupied the Chair as Professor (1979) and Head of Medicine. Recognized as a physician and diabetologist of exceptional merit, he was appointed Honorary Physician to the President of India (1977-1982) and again from 1987-92. He also served the Prime Minister of India as Consultant Physician from 1991-96. He was the first biomedical scientist ever to have been appointed as Member, Planning Commission in 1991, and had the unique distinction of serving the Commission for a long duration of more than 7 years, with the privilege to serve three Prime Ministers, who Chaired the Planning Commission during his tenure as Member.

Professor Bajaj has been recipient of many distinctions, awards and honours, national and international. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London as well as of Edinburgh, and of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. He is a Founder Fellow of the Indian College of Physicians. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was decorated with Padma Shri by President of India in 1981, and with the coveted Padma Bhushan in 1982. Indeed, he is the first diabetologist and endocrinologist of India to be so honoured. The citation at the award of Padma Shri recognized his contribution to innovative approaches to health planning and stated : "….Prof. Bajaj has played a pioneering role in the conceptual planning and development of an alternate model of health care delivery system in Jammu and Kashmir which has made a discernible impact on the health and welfare of the people. His interactions with the health authorities in Paraguay, resulted in the initiation of a similar health care programme in that country……". The citation at the award of Padma Bhushan recognized his professional excellence as well as his contributions to medical education and biomedical research : "….Prof. J.S. Bajaj is an eminent physician, diabetologist and medical scientist of international repute. A leading research investigator in the field of diabetes, he has made original and outstanding contributions regarding the role of specific areas of the brain in the regulation of insulin release and glucose metabolism. His original research contributions, coupled with organizational leadership and conceptual planning of diabetes health care delivery systems, have won him several national and international awards.

Antim Ardas of Capt. Kanwaljit Singh on April 5 at Village Chat

Chandigarh 31 March, 2009

The Bhog of Sri Akand Path Sahib in the memory of Co-operation and Defence Services Minister and General Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal Capt. Kanwaljit Singh would be held at Village Chat on the Jirakpur – Banur road on April 5, 2009 (Sunday). ‘Antim Ardas’ in the memory of departed leader would also be held at Village Chat at 1:00 PM on the same day.

According to the family sources of late Capt. Kanwaljit Singh’s recitation of Gurbani kirtan would be performed from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM at the same venue. The entire programme has been chalked out with the consultation of Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal.

It may be recalled that Capt. Kanwaljit Singh died in a road accident near Kharar on Sunday last.

CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICE, PUNJAB

Chandigarh:- March 31, 2009

The Election Commission of India has given approval to implement certain components of internationally funded Punjab Aforestation Project. According to the spokesman of the Election Office Punjab, the Afforestation Project was to be concluded by July 2009. Soil and water conservation measures under the Project were small interventions being carried out in the selected watersheds of Shivalik area of Punjab . These interventions, being a seasonal work, had to be carried out before onset of monsoon season, would go a long way in preventing environmental degradation in the fragile Shivalik Hills.
The Election commission of India has also approved the proposal of disbursement of agricultural subsides and holding of training programmes for farmers in the month of April and May. According to the spokesman, Punjab was the food bowl of the country and continuous efforts had to be made not only to increase production but also to save the soil, water and electricity.

The Election commission of India has also sought a fresh panel for posting of D.I.G. Patiala Range replacing Mr. S.K. Asthana.

The Election Commission of India has also given approval to the proposal submitted by the Chief Election Commissioner for award of works and starting of work under National Rural Health Mission and continuation of subsidy to Agricultural Power and SC/ BPL consumers.

The Election Commission of India has deferred the proposal of granting permission for utilization of learning enhancement grant received under Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan Scheme for Math Lab in upper Primary schools in district Jallandhar.
A spokesman of the Election Office Punjab said that proposal regarding teacher training material for the Parho Punjab Project under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan has also been deferred. Inviting tenders for allotment of newly constructed Parking at Saragarhi Senior Secondary School site, Town Hall, Amritsar has also been deferred. The Election Commission of India has also deferred the proposal regarding allotment of revised budget of NGOs under Non Plan Scheme. Recruitment of staff in State Programme Management cell and district Programme Management cells on contact basis for implementing. World Bank aided Punjab Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project has also been deferred till the completion of Election in the State. The Election Commission has also deferred the proposal regarding awarding the contracts of P.W.D. (B&R) works. Pronouncement of Land Acquisition awards (GMADA) has also been deferred.

Questions are raising doubts behind to all type of conspiracies

Chandigarh

The sudden demise of Capt Kanwaljit Singh a cabinet minister of the Alakis Punjab Govt. in a road accident is a great loss to the public of the Punjab State stated Baba Gurdev Singh the chief preacher of Nanaksar Sect. at Chandigarh. The Sehajdhari Sikh Federations National Chief Dr.P.S,Ranu stated in a press statement that the loss of Capt.Kanwaljit Singh cannot be fulfilled by any means as he was a dynamic person of great principles and was a grass root leader who realized the feelings of the workers due to which his name often popped out many times for leading the Akalidal.

Dr.Ranu said that though many suspicions regarding foulplay have been raised by some leaders in the media by which some definite questions have given birth to confirm it as a conspiracy.

For example

• 1:The sitting of the minister on the front seat
• 2:The non experienced driver of the car of the cabinet minister who was simply a School Bus driver and had no experience in driving a VIP vehicle in the cavalcade
• 3: The movement of Pilot escort Gyspy 200 mtrs away from the VIP’s vehicle
• 4:Both the trucks belonged to a particular Delhi based company ‘Rimpy transport’
• 5:Avoiding of postmortem on the body of the cabinet minister
• 6: Hasty constitution of an Inquiry by the Chief Minister through a single IAS of Divisional commissioner rank as this matter needed an Inquiry panel of special Investigating team comprising of senior IPS and IAS officers along with senior forensic experts of the State.
• 7: As the veteran leader Capt.Kanwaljit was a star campaigner of the Lok Sabha Elections and there were internal groupism in the Akalidal and it was presumed that if the results did not favour the Akali dal then there might be a inner voice for change of leadership and the name of Capt.Kanwaljit was the one who was to be brought forward as he was holding an inner support of a larger group of Legislatures including the Finance Minister S.Manpreet Badal.
  

All these questions are raising doubts behind to all type of conspiracies which should not be ruled out at any cost and the Sehajdhari Sikh Federation which is a registered Political Party by the Election Commission of India has demanded a High level probe by an Independent Agency like CBI to unearth the conspiracy if any.

Issued by
Ravinder Kaur
Secretary SSF