Monday, August 22, 2011

India win International Gatka Trophy

 by Punjabnewswire4u  (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, AUG 22
 
India won the prestigious International Gold Eagle Gatka Trophy at Mata Chanan Kaur Dhanoa Sports Stadium in village Parasrampur in Jalandhar District today. The winners were also presented a cash award of Rs 1 lakh.
The USA team finished runners-up trophy and a pay cheque for Rs 70,000.
 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Sukhbir Badal warns drug paddlers against ruining lives of youth


 by Punjabnewswire(Balbir)
FAZILKA, AUG 15
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the present government has initiated record development works to realize the dreams of our freedom fighters, who dreamt of a prosperous and fully developed country.
          Addressing the people after hoisting the Tricolour in the first ever Independence Day function of newly carved of district Fazilka, the Deputy Chief Minister said that our freedom fighter struggled for over 100 years to see their country free from the clutches of imperialist British regime. He said that Punjabi’s who contributed more than 80% sacrifices in the freedom struggle dreamt of Punjab that would be free from poverty, illiteracy and under development. He lamented that even  64 years after getting freedom we have not been able to solve the problem of poverty and malnutrition.
          The Deputy Chief Minister said that the development initiative taken by the present government strengthening the infrastructure of the state including power sector, road network and aviation sector, has brought us closer to realizing the dreams of our freedom fighters. He said that our government has successfully implemented the Atta-Dal scheme to enable the 15 lakh poor families to survive in the era of record price rise. He said that these downtrodden families are getting 35 kg of atta (flour) and 4 kg of Dal (Pulses) at highly subsidized rates of Rs four and twenty per kg respectively.
          Mr. Badal said that due to record power initiatives of Rs 92,000 crore investment Punjab would become first state in the country that would ensure 24 hours power supply to domestic, industry and commercial sector. Mr. Badal said that investment in the road connectivity sector has started showing results with record number of Railway Over Bridges, High Level Bridges and Railway Under Bridges getting completed during last 4 years. He said that by ushering in Administrative Reforms, promulgating Right To Service Act, the present government was ensuring hassle free citizen services to the citizens.
          Stressing upon the need for bringing attitudinal change Mr. Badal said that the present government has implemented free education to the girl students to check their dropout rate and class XI and XII students have also got bicycles for going to schools.
          Expressing concern on the trend of drug addiction amongst youngsters, Mr. Badal said that the present government has launched a concerted campaign against drug paddlers and had made record recoveries during last four and half years. He warned the paddlers to be prepared for a stern action as government would not allow anyone to play with the lives of our youth. Mr. Badal said that present government has focused on development of sports in the rural areas to wean away youth from drug addiction and channelized their energy in the productive areas. Mr. Badal said that World Cup Kabbaddi has energized the whole young world about this traditional game. The Deputy Chief Minister said that present government has taken an initiative to link all major cities with 4/6 lane roads. He said that the government has ensured potable water supply in every locality besides initiating record work on laying underground sewerage network in every city and mandi of the state.
          Congratulating the people of Fazilka on fulfillment of their 64 years old demand, the Deputy Chief Minister said that by giving district status to Fazilka the present government has fulfilled the aspirations of people of this area. He said that district status of Fazilka would ensure prompt citizen services to the citizens besides accelerating development works in the district.
          Earlier Mr. Badal took a salute from an impressive march past from the 10 contingents of BSF, Punjab Police, Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Home Guards urban and border wings, NCC senior and junior wings and Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur band. He also inspected the guard of honour of above ten contingents. The tableau of 16 departments including Dairy Development, Markfed, Fisheries, Health, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Agriculture department, while educating the people regarding new agricultural practices also gave different social messages.
          The tent-pegging by equstarian team of Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur besides motorcycle acrobatics drew the maximum applause from the audience, who braved intermittent rains to become part of historic first independence day function of newly carved district Fazilka. The cultural program including jhoomar, gidha, choregraphed dance depicted the multihued ancient cultural heritage of Punjab.
          Mr. Badal also personally went to freedom fighters, coming down from the stage to honour them with a memento and a shawl. He told them that country would always remain indebted to them for their unparalleled sacrifices. Mr. Badal also honoured the contingent of PAP that excelled in the march past.
          Local Member Parliament Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, prominent civil and police officials from the state participated in the function.



 

Badal seeks people's cooperation to make Punjab as a front runner state


by Punjabewswire4u (Balbir)
 AMRITSAR, AUG 15
         The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal,  today called upon the people of Punjab to strive hard for emerging Punjab as a front runner state in the country on one hand and further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood to ensure all round development and prosperity in the state. 
            Addressing at the 65th Independence Day during the state level function after unfurling the National flag, Mr. Badal said that brave Punjabis have always displayed their indomitable spirit to maintain peace, amity and communal harmony at all costs  even in the trying circumstances and hoped that such ethos of secularism, national integration and universal brotherhood would be all pervasive in future too.  
            Highlighting the unique role of Punjabis in the Indian freedom struggle, Mr. Badal pointed out that more than 80% sacrifices have been made by them in the national freedom struggle despite the fact Punjabis merely constituted two-and-a-half percent of country’s population. He said: "Punjabis have a prominent place and we are proud of their brave and unparalleled contribution.  The great martyrs from Punjab Shaheed Udham Singh, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha and Lala Lajpat Rai and numerous others laid down their lives for the nation's freedom and inspired the complete generation with the values of patriotism and nationalism".  Even all the prominent movements associated with the country’s freedom struggle like Kuka, Gaddar, Kamagata Maru, Pagri Sambal Jatta and Babbar Akali were also spear headed by the valiant Punjabis. 
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the brave Punjabis had
always inherited the spirit of self sacrifice, patriotism from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, Sri Guru Teg Bahadar ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, who waged a relentless battle against the atrocities and terror unleashed by the mughal emperors to safeguard the human rights in order to protect the innocent and hapless people from their tyranny.
             The Chief Minister further said that Punjabis have not only played a vanguard role in the freedom struggle but also made an outstanding contribution in maintaining the hard earned freedom by guarding its borders and ushering in an era of overall development and prosperity thereby making our country self-reliant in the food production by contributing more than 60% in the Central Pool.  Therefore, Mr. Badal remarked Punjab rightly deserved to be acclaimed as ‘sword arm’ and the ‘granary’ of the country.
The Chief Minister rued that the aspirations of our freedom fighters who made sacrifices to free our motherland from the yoke of British imperialism had not been cherished so far because they dreamt of an Independent India free from the maladies of poverty, illiteracy, starvation, corruption and  unemployment and still after 64 years of freedom we have not been able to provide them with the basic amenities to lead a quality life.   He lamented probably India was the only country in the world which has the highest number of poor.  As per an economic survey 70% of our population live in penury and merely earn Rs.20 daily.  
Blaming the Centre for its arbitrary policies deliberately formulated to thrust upon the states, Mr. Badal emphasized the need for a true federalism as in Canada and USA with a sole objective to ensure fairand equitable distribution of sources of revenue amongst the Centre and the States.  He said that now the states have been virtually reduced as beggars which have to look upon the Centre for their petty demands. 
Realizing the importance of education and health as a core sectors to trigger the pace of overall development and prosperity in any state or nation, Mr. Badal said that the state government had added 7 new universities and 17 degree colleges in addition to three universities and 55 colleges earlier in just four-and-a-half year besides recruitment of 54000 school teachers to ensure quality education to our youth.  Likewise, the entire medical infrastructure and equipment have been upgraded in all the state hospitals, community and primary health centres to provide the best medical treatment and diagnostic facilities.      
Braving the inclement whether and heavy down pour thousands of people especially the school children converged here at the Gandhi Ground to participate in the Independence Day celebrations.   After unfurling the National Tri-color, Mr. Badal took salute from an impressive parade comprising PAP, Punjab Police and Police Band contingents led by the Parade Commander Mr. Bikrampal Singh Bhatti.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal presented State Level Awards comprising of a Memento, Commendation certificate, Shawl and cash award to 37 prominent personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields.  Mr. Badal also honoured the freedom fighters and their family members besides 29 eminent personalities from different walks of life across the Amritsar district.  
A colourful variety program presented by the school children regaled the audience.  Martial sport Gattaka and Karate performance by the tiny tots was the star attraction of the program. 
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Director General of Police Mr. PS Gill, MP from Amritsar Mr. Navjot Sidhu, Commissioner Police Amritsar Mr. RP Mittal, Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Anurag Verma, Mayor Amritsar Mr. Shewet Malik, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Rajat Aggarwal and SSP Mr. Gurmeet Singh Chauhan.  Besides several prominent local leaders including MLAs and chairmen of various boards and corporations also attended the function. 

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Dhanoa Family to organise Social-cum-sports meet

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, AUG 14 
The Dhanoa Family is organising a three-day social-cum-sports programme at Gurduwara Baba Lodhiana in village Parasrampur in Ludhiana District from August 19 to 21.
In a communication received here today, Sports Promoter and Film Producer Harjinder Singh, NRI, said that marriage of the under-privileged girls will be performed on August 19 from  10 a.m to 1 p.m.
Additionally to the ceremony, the boy is gifted with a watch and wedding attire and the girl wedding attire and gold earrings. To start them off in life the bride also receives a new bed and bedding, a ceiling fan, a sofa set, a table and chairs and a sewing machine. Each marriage costs about Rs 80,000.
A 16-km long Nagar Kirtan with the sadh sangat will be held from 8:30 a.m – 3 p.m
 The first Gatka World Cup will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. Teams from USA, Italy, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab are taking part in the World Cup. Finals will be held on August 21 from 5 to 10 p.m.
  On the concluding day of the three-day programme, a free eye camp, heart and bone and joint camp will be organized on August 21.
Dr. Sanjiv Goel's Bone & Joint Centre, Arora Eye Hospital & Retina Centre, Heart Hospital and Homeopathic will attend the patients. Alongside a lady doctor will be available for ladies for consultation.

Punjab revokes ban on sceening of Aarakshan

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, AUG 14

The Punjab Government today decided to revoke ban on the screening of movie Aarakshan accepting the  recommendation of the 7-member Committee  and permitted  the exhibition of Hindi Film ‘Aarakshan’ in its revised version of deleted/cut dialogues and scenes, which were earlier found objectionable.
 According to an official, the Punjab Government had suspended the exhibition of Hindi Film ‘Aarakshan” in the Cinemas Theaters in the State under Section 6 of the Punjab Cinemas (Regulation Act, 1952) on the basis of the intelligence reports received that the movie Aarakshan’ has certain scenes/dialogue which may hurt the sentiments
of some communities in Punjab, with immediate effect.
 In this context a Committee comprising of 7 members was constituted.The Committee vide its report dated 12.8.2011 submitted to Government of Punjab reported that there are certain incriminating objections dialogues/ scenes which may hurt the sentiments of Dalits in Punjab. As such the ban imposed was continued till the objectionable scenes pointed out by the committee were removed.
 Principal Secretary Home Punjab wrote a D.O. letter to Prakash Jha, Producer of the M/s Prakash Jha Productions  pointing out the incriminating objections. M/s Prakash Jha Productions replied that all those objectionable scenes/ dialogue have been cut from the movie. The Committee constituted for the purpose reviewed once again the banned
movie ‘Aarakshan’ on 14.8.2011 and was satisfied to find out that all those objectionable dialogues/ scenes have been cut/ deleted from the movie.
Government after careful consideration of the matter have accepted the recommendation of the Committee  and hereby permit the exhibition of Hindi Film ‘Aarakshan’ in its revised version of deleted/cut dialogues and scenes, which were earlier found objectionable. Accordingly the orders issued vide S.O.78/P.S.11/1952/S.6/2011 dt. 11.8.2011
are hereby revoked with immediate effect.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Golden Bells celebrate Independence Day

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
MOHALI, AUG 12
Independence Day was celebrated with all joys and cheers throughout the week in Golden Bells Public School, Sector 77 here. The children participated with full enthusiasm in the programme.
Number of competitions were held on this occasion. Students displayed their emotions through dance, Bhangra, paintings. They wrote slogans and poems on Independence Day. They participated in debate competition and collage making. This is how they gave tribute to martyrs.
Students of Kindergarten sections assumed the role of true patriots like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Rani of Jhansi and also Smt. Indira Gandhi. They fascinated everybody’s heart.
Prizes were distributed to 1st, 2nd and 3rd position holders.
In the end, Director of the school, Mrs. Gurjit Bawa gave warm wishes to children and she advised them to walk on the footsteps of patriots and freedom fighters who were responsible for getting us independece.
She further said that we should do our duties and become ideal citizens.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Screeing of Aarakhshan banned in Punjab

by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)
CHANDIGARH, AUG 11
  The Punjab Government has imposed the ban on screening of movie Aarakhshan in the state of Punjab, till screening committee constituted by the state previews the movie and submits its report.
          According to an official spokesman the Punjab Government took this decision after receiving Intelligence Reports that the movie Aarakhshan has certain scenes/dialogues which may inflame the passion of some communities in Punjab. Reports to this affect have also been collected by the intelligence agencies from some other states also. 
          Accordingly the State Government constituted a seven-member committee consisting of  Mr. Samir Kumar, IAS , Secretary Home, Mr. Raj Kumar Atihai, Chairman Safai Karamchari Board, Punjab, Mr. Vijay Danav, Chairman, Scheduled Caste Welfare  Board, Punjab,  a member of Punjab Scheduled Caste Commission, Mr. V.K. Bhawra, IG, Intelligence, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University, Patiala and Vice Chancellor Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar to  view the movie and to take a final decision in the matter.
           The spokesman said that the Screening Committee would meet at Paras Down Town Cinemas, Zirakpur on August  11at 5.00 PM sharp to view the movie and give its report after viewing the movie on August 12. He said that till than the screening of movie Aarakhshan would remain banned in  Punjab.

Govt Model-21 girls and DAVSSS-8 boys win titles


by sportswire4u.blogspot.com (Balbir)     
CHANDIGARH, AUG 10
Government Model Senior Secondary School-21 and DAV Senior Secondary School Sector 8 won the girls and boys titles, respectively, in the  Chandigarh Sports Department organized Inter School Handball Tournament (U-19) at Handball Coaching Center in Sector -42 here today.
 Joint Director Sports JPS Sidhu presided distributed the prizes.
Results: Girls (finals): Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School-21 bt Sacred heart School-26 by 19-6 (HT 10-4).
Boys (final): D.A.V. Sr. Sec. School Sec-8 bt Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School-23 by 15-13. (HT 13-6).
For 3rd place (boys): P.M.L.S.D. Public School -32 bt Guru Nanak Khalsa Sr. Sec. School-30 by 27-15                  (HT 11-6). Girls:  Govt. Model High School Sec-35 bt Guru Nanak Public School Sec-36 by 18-2                   (HT 10-1)
Semi –finals: D.A.V.Sr. Sec. School-8 bt P.M.L.S.D. Public School-32 by 21-17 (HT 11-5),  Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School-23 bt Guru Nanak Khalsa Sr. Sec. School-30 by 25-24 (HT 18-18)
Semi-finals (girls):  Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School-21 bt Guru Nanak Public School -36 by 16-0,                           Sacred heart Sr. Sec. School Sec-26 bt Govt. High School Sec-35 by 15-11 (HT  9-4).

Strengthening of State Apex Training Institutions


Mr.B.K.Srivastva, Director General of Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration Punjab interacting with Joint Secretary Personal and Training Govt of India during 1st meeting to examine and recommend measures for strengthening of State Apex Training Institutions through the country held here today in Punjab Bhawan New Delhi.



by Punjabnewswire4u
 NEW DELHI, AUG 10
The Ministry of Personnel and Training recently constituted a committee to examine and recommend measures for strengthening of State Apex Training Institutions throughout the country so that quality of public administration is improved to meet the benchmarks of good governance. Every state in India has an apex state training institute engaged in administrative research and training. Even though some of such institutions have come up well, the Ministry felt that much more is required to be done to shift the paradigm of governance to the new imperatives of SMART governance. Mr. B.K. Srivastava, Director General, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (Punjab State ATI) welcomed this visionary initiative of the Ministry.
Heads of six Administrative Training Institutes of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab and Rajasthan and an officer of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances  are represented on this committee headed by the Joint Secretary (Training),  Mrs. Upama Srivastava. Its first meeting was held today with an ambitious agenda of moulding the state ATIs as ‘ Centres of Excellence’ and turning them as ‘Think Tanks’ playing proactive role in policymaking, programme formulation and implementation.
Mr. B.K. Srivastava said that world over, it has been experienced that quality imperatives of modern governance cannot be achieved without proper emphasis on and investment in training and development of government personnel. Infusion of funds for ambitious programmes has to be accompanied by commensurate research and training inputs. With this concern, the Ministry set up this committee so that the standards of governance are upgraded uniformly across the states using the state Apex Training Institutes as the main catalyst, with an overarching role, in this process of change.
Apart from the basic issues of lack of infrastructure, manpower and funds, the discussions in the meeting revolved around creation of administrative research and training facilities at the regional and district levels, autonomy to the heads of ATIs in all administrative decisions including selection of faculty and the problem of lack of coordination between the various ministries of Government of India and the nodal ministry of Personnel and Training.
Heads of the state ATIs felt that there should be a permanent coordinating forum consisting of the state ATIs and representatives of the Central Ministries which deal with State and Concurrent subjects through the mediation of Department of Personnel & Training and the Planning Commission.  The state ATIs committee viewed with concern the fragmentation of training by the creation of separate institutions by different ministries without linking them to the state ATIs thereby entailing duplication of expenditure, creating parallel structures and not taking advantage of possible synergies.
Mr. Ajoyendra Pyal, Addl. Director General, ATI Andhra Pradesh said that the seeds of change through research and training were sown by the second Administrative Reforms Commission which underscored the importance of state Administrative Training Institutions in catalyzing the whole process. The Commission had strongly recommended the overarching role of the state ATIs in fulfilling this task. The Commission had felt that the centres of Good Governance should be embedded in all such institutes and it must have to do with all sectors of governance in a holistic perspective.
Dr. Bala Prasad, Director General, Bihar State ATI added that the Sixth Pay Commission has mandated compulsory mid-career training for all employees of the government as a prerequisite for promotion for which the state ATIs are not well-equipped, as of now. It may be noted that the Pay Commission has also enhanced the special allowance for training faculty to thirty percent of emoluments.
Dr. Amita Prasad, Director General, ATI Karnataka, suggested that the Department of Personnel & Training and Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances should together share the financial burden of strengthening of the state ATIs so that reform and training go hand-in-hand in achieving the objective of good governance.

Golden Bells raksha bandhan with slum children

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)
MOHALI, AUG 10
Golden Bells Public School, Sector-77, Mohali celebrated Raksha Bandhan in a novel way. The students were taken to a slum area with the aim to share happiness with under privileged children. They tied rakhis on the wrists of the children of their same age. On this occasion sweets were distributed to all slum children and they were enthralled to enjoy with school children.
The boys were made to understand their responsibilities towards their sisters and advised to maintain the sacred relationship of brothers and sisters.
On this occasion Rakhi making competition was also held in school premises and prizes were given to the students who ranked secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.
At the end, Chairman of the school, Col. C.S. Bawa congratulated all the students and gave the message to keep the importance of this festival.