Incentive to farmer for installing micro irrigation system

By Punjabnewswire4

CHANDIGARH, DEC  29

In a bid to save the underground water table by promoting Micro Irrigation (MI) system in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has granted approval for slew of incentives to the farmer for installing the MI pumps in their farms.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of Chief Minister's Office said that the step aims at ensuring the optimum utilization of the water resources in the state by promoting this less water intensive technique. The Chief Minister has given his nod to enhance the incentives under MI Scheme from the existing 50% to 80% of the actual market cost for the General Category farmers and 90% for the women farmers and those belonging to Scheduled Caste communities. Likewise in another significant decision Mr. Badal has decided to remove the cap in terms of area for availing the subsidy. As per the decision, the state government would now provide subsidy to the farmers across the board and there would be no limit in terms of area.

As per the norms of Government of India subsidy was provided to beneficiaries having land up to five hectares per beneficiary but the state government has decided to amend it by asserting that there would be no limit in terms of area. Consequently, the additional burden meted out on the scheme by including the farmers with more than five hectares of land would be borne by the state government. In order to encourage the use of MI pumps, Mr. Badal has also given nod to give 100% subsidy to the Government farms/ nurseries for exhibiting these systems whereas 90% subsidy would be given if progressive farmers/ trusts/ cooperative societies install them for exhibition. 

Punjab to be soon made ‘cancer free state’

 By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, DEC  29

Reiterating his firm commitment to eliminate cancer from the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that due to the concerted efforts of the SAD-BJP alliance government, the state would soon emerge as a hub of quality cancer treatment in the country.

Presiding over a meeting with the Director of Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) Dr. RA Badwe and his team, for reviewing the ongoing joint projects to wean away cancer from the state here at his residence, the Chief Minister said that with the starting of all these projects Punjab would become a cancer free state in the country. He said that the state government was committed for providing fulsome support and cooperation to the TMC for imparting quality treatment of this fatal disease in the state. Mr. Badal also informed the team about the key steps initiated by the state government to provide early diagnostic and treatment facilities to the cancer patients in the state.

   During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised the team about the efforts undertaken by state government to upgrade the infra structure for cancer treatment in the Government Medical colleges of Amritsar, Faridkot and Patiala. He also asked Dr. Badwe to impart training to the Medical and para-medical staff in these hospitals and colleges at TMC to upgrade their expertise in providing quality treatment to the patients inflicted with cancer. Mr. Badal told the team that the state government was helping the cancer patients to avail the medical benefits under the Mukh Mantri Raahat Kosh adding that soon the state government would provide cashless cancer treatment to the patients under this scheme.

The Chief Minister said that the 100-bedded advance cancer hospital at Bathinda would soon become operational and he sought the support of Dr. Badwe to provide ultra modern machinery to this centre. Likewise, he said that latest cancer diagnostic and treatment centre has been established at Government Medical College in Faridkot, which has been equipped with ultra modern machinery to provide quality cancer treatment. Mr. Badal said that patients from not only Punjab but from Haryana and Rajasthan were also turning up getting the quality treatment in this centre. 

On the occasion Mr. Badal also assured Director of TMC that the state government would provide every possible help to them for the upcoming Homi Bhabha Cancer Treatment and Research Centre at Mullanpur.

During the meeting Principal Secretary Health Mrs. Vinnie Mahajan also laid thrust on making the people aware about this fatal disease.

Lauding the efforts made by state government for cancer eradication, Dr. Badwe apprised the Chief Minister that TMC was setting up Cancer facility centre at Civil Hospital Sangrur, which would be operational soon. He said that the TMC was also successfully carrying out the work of Population based registry of cancer in the state in which the best report was of Mansa district. Dr. Badwe also apprised the Chief Minister that the TMC would give specialized training to the Doctors of the state through short term courses so as to update their expertise.  

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Health Mrs. Vinnie Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Director Punjab Health System Corporation Mr. Hussan Lal.  

CM slams UPA for denying OBC status to Jat Sikhs of Punjab

By Punjabnewswire4u

LUDHIANA, DEC  24

          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today slammed the Congress led UPA government at the centre for deliberately denying the OBC status to the Jatt Sikhs of the state.

          Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the death anniversary of mother and father of his Advisor Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal here today, the Chief Minister said that the Union government has recently included the Jatts of the northern region in the OBC list whereas the Jatt Sikhs of Punjab have been denied this status, which reflected the step motherly treatment meted out to state by the Congress governments at the centre. He said that this was another instance of the discrimination with the state, which had been denied its capital, legitimate share in river waters and even Punjabi speaking areas in the past. Mr. Badal said that it was on record that the Union government has always ignored the matters pertaining to Punjab in general and Sikhs in particular.

          Training his guns against the Congress party, the Chief Minister said that it was pursuing the politics of divide and rule, which was not in the interest of the nation.  He said that the discriminatory policies of the Union government were not in the interest of the country as it gives fatal blow to communal harmony and peace. Appealing the Punjabis to uphold the ethos of peace and brotherhood in the state, Mr. Badal said that some forces inimical to the prosperity of Punjab were trying to disrupt hard earned peace in the state. “People of Punjab have grave responsibility of safeguarding the peace and communal harmony to ensure the progress of the state” he added.

          On a query regarding the ongoing fast by Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, the Chief Minister said that though the state government has hardly any role to play in this matter but then also they were seriously contemplating to solve this issue. He said that they have already taken up this matter with the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh to solve the matter.

          Earlier paying floral tributes to late Mr. Avtar Singh Grewal and Bibi Sukhdev Kaur Grewal, the Chief Minister, while describing them as a light house, said that they had selflessly served the Panth and society during their lifetime. He said that there was hardly any family which gives preference to serve the people. Mr. Badal also lauded the services rendered to Shiromani Akali Dal and state by Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal and entire Grewal family.     

              The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, MLAs Mr. Manpreet Singh Aiyaali and Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillon, SGPC President Mr. Avtar Singh, Chairman of District Planning Committee Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria, Chairman of Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri and his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.  

Anita Lerche brings ‘Mini India’ to Indianapolis

by Punjabnewswire4u

INDIANAPOLIS: “Heer from Denmark  Anita Lerche, who kept the Punjabi spectators spell-bound during her recent concert in Indianapolis,  said “ it was a very memorable meeting Christel DeHaan, the lady with a big heart, who with Christel House helps and educates impoverished children through her schools around the world.

The Danish singer said “after my Charity concert Christel DeHaan, Founder and CEO of Christel House International  wrote this message: “Dear Friends, Thank you for sharing a magical evening with us last night. Anita Lerche’s talents brought a bit of India to Indianapolis—and we hope you enjoyed her performance.
“If you’d like to know more about our work in Bangalore, Lavasa and around the world, please peruse Christel House India’s annual report, available online .”

Starting with a welcome song in Punjabi  “Aaojee, Jee Aayan Noon, “Sadkay Punjab Toon” was the piece-de-resistance of the concert of Anita Lerche last week.

Anita Lerche shared Christel House International's album on Facebook and wrote” What an unforgettable night here in Indianapolis - performing and raising money for Christel House International. I want to thank Emmetts The Studio for stunning Hair & Makeup, Mendhi By Janni for the lovely Henna design and the talented Percussionist Shivanand ji from Chicago, who performed with me. The audience were just amazing and I cannot believe that one of my fans came all the way from New Jersey just to attend my concert - and he presented me with a beautiful Birthday gift as well - Thank you Sant Bawa ji:) Last but not least it was an honour to meet Christel De Haan, the founder of Christel House - and I was so impressed by her great Team, who did an excellent job yesterday.

Zohaib Hassan wrote on FB “Hey! Anita, I have listened your songs just as to check your Punjabi accent. I was hoping that you may be just good, but you are excellent. Great! Hats off to you. For: Maahiya - feat. Cheshi

Indianapolis Hyderabad Sister City Committee president Raju Chinthala was also joined by Sravan Patharla, Secretary of IHSCC, Ajay Ponugoti, Chairman of India Association of Indianapolis, Bharath Gali, President & CEO of GD InfoTech and Jane A. Gehlhausen Director of International & Cultural Affairs, Office of Mayor Greg Ballard - City of Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Hyderabad Sister City Committee feels privileged and honored to co-host ‘An Evening Celebrating Christel House India’. We are excited to be a part of the event and to host Danish singer-songwriter, composer and actress, Anita Lerche in Indianapolis,” Raju Chinthala has been quoted as saying.

Kanwal Prakash Singh, a prominent American Sikh, described the concert as a “tremendous success.”

A dazzling presentation by Danish Punjabi singer Anita Lerche

Photos supplied by KP Singh

by Kanwal Prakash Singh

INDIANAPOLIS:

“An Evening Celebrating Christel House India featuring Danish Punjabi Singer Anita Lerche” to raise funds for the Christel House Schools for underprivileged children in Bangalore and Lavasa in India was a tremendous success.  The star guest was the Danish Punjabi singer, songwriter and actress Anita Lerche, known in Punjabi circles as the “Heer from Denmark.”  Anita donated her time and talent to this worthy project of Christel DeHaan, the Founder of Christel House.  The setting for this very intimate performance by Anita Lerche was the Cook Theatre located in a renovated historic Indianapolis landmark, now the headquarters of Indiana Landmarks.

THE WORLD AS HER STAGE

Anita was born in Golstrup and grew up in Herlev, both suburbs of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.  In 2005, at the request of a friend, Gunar Muhlmann, she made a pilgrimage to the Kulu Valley and Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, India.  Something awakened deep inside her by the natural beauty- the sky, waterfalls, serenity, and spiritual aura of the place.  During this visit, Anita was introduced to Punjabi culture and music by Anurag Sood and the late Rattan Singh Rajput at Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar.  Anita discovered an instant connection and intense passion for Punjabi music and folklore: “this is what I have been looking for.”  Since then, Anita has made many trips to the Punjab to visit her teachers and friends and share her talents at Punjabi Melas, Sikh Temples, and festive presentations in India, Europe, Canada, and during this first visit to the USA.  Anita released her first Album “Heer from Denmark” in 2006 to rave reviews from critics and her fans.

While in Indianapolis, Anita visited the Sikh Temple (Acton Road) and sang the sacred Hymn: “Mil Mayray Preetma Jiyo, Main Tudh Bin Khree Nimani: O My beloved, come and meet me; without You I am weak and lost” in a hauntingly beautiful rendition.

 PUNJABI CULTURE AND DANISH GRACE

Anita looked radiant and carried an aura of a star.  She was thoughtful and friendly, gracious and charming.  She was dressed in bejeweled gold Punjabi outfit with attractive jewelry and stunning henna on her hands (MendhiByJanni).  Anita began the evening in English with “You Have a Friend” and graduated into the Punjabi music anthem “Aaojee, Jee Aayan Noon,” a song that invites the whole world to a dance and a warm Punjabi welcome.  Then she sang a few lines of a Punjabi favorite, “Luthhay Di Chadur Uttay Slatee Rung Mahiyya”; gave a moving rendition of Warish Shah’s epic ballad Heer-Ranja; and sang several popular Bhangra songs that gave us a glimpse of her talents and range across the spectrum of musical styles, languages, and dancing.  Singing in Punjabi seemed to reveal a deep connection with her own spirit and an affirming response from the predominantly invitation-only Punjabi audience of about 250 guests.  Shivajee from Chicago, a marvelous percussionist and Dholak player, provided live music for Anita during the Indianapolis Concert.

Anita identifies with exotic Punjabi culture, soil, folklore, and colorful people, much like a Punjaban, and engages the audience in Punjabi with ease and an innocent giggle, much like an accomplished performer.

Anita felt “a loving energy radiated and filled the space.”  Anita sees “all people with one heart… no boundaries… music has no boundaries” and thought “even non-Punjabis dressing in Punjabi outfits…and meeting and greeting as an excellent idea.”  Anita’s singing and dance embody joyous exuberance.

  With Anita, it is all spontaneous, natural, and from the heart.  Hands began to clap and feet began to tap as Anita sang with a delightful gusto from her already released albums and from her new album “Sadkay Punjab Toon,” a fusion album with three singles with videos that reflect the colors of India and Punjabi folklore that will delight 110-million Punjabis worldwide. 

Guests joined her on the stage for the Bhangra dance and she mingled with the audience and danced in the aisles.  We felt transported by the happy rhythms of Punjab and inspired to see someone from the West master the words, beat, and robust and exotic moves so beautifully.  The evening evoked many wonderful memories of our own childhood growing up in the Punjab.

AMBASSADOR FOR PUNJABI FOLK MUSIC AND CULTURE

Anita has captured the beat and rhythms of Punjabi heart and Bhangra dance like someone who has been a part of that culture for many lifetimes.  She has mastered the dance moves, gestures, and facial expressions and can deliver the celebrated favorites of Warish Shah’s Heer-Ranja composition and the popular Punjabi folksongs with wit, with deep sensitivity and seriousness, lightheartedness, unbound energy, and skills of an accomplished performer.  Anita loves to engage the audience and invite the audience to dance with her and be a part of the evening and build a personal memory.

FASCINATION WITH RUGGED PUNJABI SPIRIT

Anita is mesmerized by the raw energy, riot of colors, the undiscovered mystique of the Punjab and the ancient splendor and rich heritage of India.  Punjab has captured her heart, almost like a long-lost love at first sight.  Punjab: the land of five major rivers, is the Northwest Gateway to India that has witnessed and experienced the wind of cultures that came through that corridor beginning with Alexander the Great and on through the centuries with hordes of Muslims, Mongols, Moguls, and finally the British that annexed the Sikh Kingdom in 1845 into the British Empire.  These events left a lasting imprint on the soul of the Punjab and the visible influences that are reflected in Punjabi music and dance, cultural texture, heritage, creativity, and lifestyle.  From the repeated foreign invasions, conquests and occupation, and attempted subjugation emerged a rebellious and daring people who love freedom, cherish fun, work and play hard, and exude a sense of belonging and embracing of all humanity. 

We witness reflections of Punjabi boldness, openness, love and laughter, history and legends, and a deeply caring spirit in the sensational talent and persona of Anita Lerche, as if she had personally experienced and belonged to Punjabi culture and community in other lifetimes.  This is one invasion from the West or the East that Punjabis proudly welcome, for this showcases and celebrates what the Punjabi culture and music has to offer to the entire world.

A SALUTE TO PUNJABI CULTURE AND SPIRIT

Anita’s performance and interaction with the audience carried a spirit of genuineness, spontaneity, and an all-embracing spirit that has attracted the attention and admiration of Punjabis around the world.  Anita feels connected to Punjab, but through her music connected to the world.  She believes that “music is the universal language of all people and cultures.”

ABOUT ANITA LERCHE

The Evening’s Program states: “Anita graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London in 2001.  She has sung in 16 languages and was the first non-Asian woman from the West to release an album in Punjabi.  She has received many awards, including MH1 Punjabi Music Award for Best NRI Female Debut” and Danish World Music Award.