MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2016 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior Guru Nanak Dev ji Message of peace Established 1965 S.Charandeep Singh sought every chance of slipping par with men. He says Mehak Kaur Sodhi declared his clear and primary interest not Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra away from them to reach out "So Kiyu Manda Akhiye Jit in any metaphysical doctrine but only in uru Nanak Dev Ji,the first towards that great God. Guru ji's Jamme Rajaan", uru Nanak the founder of the Sikh of the ten Gurus of man and his fate. It means love your neigh- heart was already seeking God "Bhandho He Bhand Upjaay religion was born to Kalyan Chand bor as yourself. Sikhs,the founder of G whom he had begun to love with Bhanda Baaj Na Koye". G Mehta and Mata Tripta on 15 April Nanak's travel in Jammu & Kashmir Sikhism was born on 15th April, Abandoned Ratle project fiery longing. (So why call her bad? From 1469 AD in a small village called Rai Bhoe (References "Historical Sikh Shrines of 1469 in the house of Mehta Kalyan Guru Nanak Dev Ji made four her, kings are born. From women, di Talwandi near Lahore. However, for the Jammu and Kashmir" and " Ladakh and e claim that our State is gifted with huge Das, more popularly known as great journeys commonly known women is born; without sake of convenience his birth anniversary is Nanak Rinpoche by Commodore DS Sodhi) water resources and we are capable of Mehta Kalu ji, and Mata Tripta ji as Udasis, travelling to all parts of women,there would be none at being observed on the occasion of the full Guru Nanak traveled extensively within moon in the month of Kartik(Oct-Nov). The producing 20,000 MW of electricity if we at Rai-Bhoi-Di Talwandi in the India, and into Arabia and Persia; all.) the country and as far as Ceylon and Bagh- W present district of Sheikhpura first cry of the child was like the laughter of visiting Mecca and Baghdad. Dur- After the last of his great jour- dad. Guru Nanak's first travel has been put all the water resources to use. There is a big a wise grown up person joining a social gath- (Pakistan), now called Nanakana ing the four long journeys,Guru neys, Guru Nanak acquired a piece recorded to east , the second to south , the gap between what one may aspire and what actu- ering. Pundit Hardyal, the family's Brahmin Sahib. Guru Ji came to this world- Nanak visited different religious of land on the banks of the river third to north and finally the fourth to west priest was asked to make the horoscope of ally is achievable. Just possessing large water ly existence at a time when oppres- Ravi (in Punjab) where he taught including Mecca and Medina. Commodore places and had discussions with the child . The pundit and the midwife resource does not mean that we have to be self sion and chaos was prevailing and for another fifteen years, there he Sodhi in his work after perusing the work religious philosophers. The real (Daulatan) agreed that the child had an when the real spirit of religion was established a town in 1522 and of various historians and scholars has drawn sufficient. Building a hydroelectric power station aim of the Udasis was awakening exceptional aura. The horoscope prepared crushed by ritualism, when the called it Kartarpur (The Place of a probable route of Guru Nanak in jammu has many pre-requisites. We have power deficit the general masses to realize the by pundit Hardyal predicted that the Hindus hearts of the people were filled God). Followers from all over and kashmir. The probable route to his truth about God.He established a and the Muslims alike would acknowl- and we purchase power from the national power with falsehood, cunningness, self- came to settle in Kar- appreciation emerges as entering Ladakh , network of preaching centres of edge Nanak as a philosopher- grid. But at the same time we need to steadily ishness and greed, when there was tapur to listen, travelling to Leh, Kargil (Skardu, Gilgit Sikhism which were called "Man- teacher and that he in turn decline of righteousness and reli- and sing, and now in POK), Harimukat (Harmukh ganga build our capacity for becoming self-sufficient at jis". He spoke before Hindus, to be with would make no distinction gious persecution was prevailing. Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Mus- near Gangbal lake), Srinagar (Hari parbat, some point of time. This needs determination and Bhai Gurdas ji, the scribe of Guru him. It between them. lims. He spoke in the temples and Nanak was strongly shankracharya), Awantipur, Bij Behara, perseverance. The State cannot claim that it is Granth Sahib ji, says was mosques, and at various pilgrim- opposed to the caste Ananat Nag, Mattan, Amarnath, Kishtawar pursuing power generating policy in an effective "Sounee Poukaar Daataar age sites. Wherever he went, Guru distinction which (Gulab Garh Padder), Badherwa (Sidhan Di Prabh Guru Nanak Jag Maah manner. Take the case of 850 Mega Watt Ratle Nanak spoke out against empty was very prominent Bageechi), Chenani, Ramnagar, Lakes Pathaaia". Hydroelectric Project on river Chenab in Kishtwar religious rituals,pilgrimages, the at that time in the Surinsar and Mansar, Vaishnodevi (Garb (''The Bounteous Lord heard caste system, the sacrifice of wid- Indian culture. Yoni), Jammu (Jamvant Guffa now called district, which was supposed to be the first ever the anguished cry and so, Guru Peer Kho), Ma Kali Mandir Bahu Fort , Pur- power project in Jammu and Kashmir to be com- ows, of depending on books to Nanak was of very Nanak he sent to this world of learn the true religion, and of all firm belief that mandal and Jasrota. The Bani recited by Guru Nanak at some of these revered pleted in shortest possible time because of varied woe.'') the other tenets that were showy the grace of God shrines is an integral part of Shri Guru reasons. It was planned to be developed as a run- Guru ji was an extra-ordinary and irrational. But he never asked may come to a Granth Sahib. Beautiful Gurdwaras com- child having contemplative mind his listeners to follow him. His per- scholar or to an of-the river project and this was the first power memorating the visit of Guru Nanak to some and rational thinking. He had start- manent companions were Bhai illiterate, high or project in the country which was awarded on tariff of these places stand tall and are frequent- ed questioning the basics of rituals Bala,a Hindu and Bhai Mardana, low, rich or poor. based international competitive bidding process at a very young age. Little Nanak A missionary in ly visited by the pilgrims. It is heartening to a Muslim. He wanted Muslims to know that the people of village Bakhta (Jas- for development on Built-Own-Operate-Transfer began to talk of God, and his prat- be true Muslims and the Hindus to the true sense, he tling words were admired by all. traveled extensive- rota) donated the land (where Guru Nanak (BOOT) basis for a period of 25 years. The foun- be true Hindus.Guru ji invariably is supposed to have sat and given discours- He was sent to the village primary showered grace on the poor, the ly and interfaced and dation stone of this project was laid by the then school under one Pandit ji for interacted with peo- es and blessed the people) for construction Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on June 25, sick, the low. He recognized no here of a Gurdwara to commemorate Nanak's schooling at the age of six where distinction between Muslims and ple of different faiths that preaching Universal visit to that area. 2013, to be completed by February 2018. Three he learned what his teacher knew, Hindus, between rich and poor, his fol- brotherhood, purity, jus- Since the present-day tensions have years have gone by, the project remains neglect- but was said to have often embar- between high caste and low caste. lowers tice and goodness. He did not developed uncontrollably across our bor- rassed them by raising questions Guru Nanak founded and for- ed. The more painful thing is that even in two into the background and reality began to refer set out to impose a new set of ders, there is an urgent need to create bonds malized the three pillars of to him as Guru. years of PDP-BJP Government, the Power behind all things. He learnt Hindi doctrines but reverted back to the of mutual respect and love between all com- Sikhism: Naam Japna, (Meditat- The Guru told his follow- truths and wisdom forgotten by strife torn Minister did not find time to pay even a cursory from his teacher Gopal Pandit. At ing God through reciting, chanti- ers that they were to be household- munities, and a firm resolve to avoid strife visit to the site and examine what had gone wrong the age of thirteen, he learned Per- world. He set out to build a community of and disharmony. We have all to work ng, singing and constant remem- ers and could not live apart from men and women devoted to God and filled with this vital project which was thought to become sian from Maulvi Qutabdin and brance followed by deep study and the world and there were to be no towards attaining this goal in our personal Sanskrit from Pandit Brij Lal. He with a sense of love equality, and mutual and public lives. No one can accomplish the source of progress and change in the entire comprehension of God's name and hermits, thus furthering his teach- respect, since he believed that God's lan- surprised his teachers with the sub- ings of Sikh faith. Faith in one God these goals better and faster than the virtues), Kirat Karna (To live as guage is love - for all creatures. He believed Chenab Valley. The main contractors of the project limity of his extra-ordinary knowl- and devotion for humanity are the honorable householders, to hon- that without practicing truthful conduct, all younger generation - of every religious per- edge about divine things and, he basic pillars which laid the foun- M/s GVK Power and sub-contractor Larsen and estly earn by ones physical and pilgrimages, penances and alms -giving suasion and nationality - for Guru Nanak became the most learned young dation of Sikhism. Toubro brought many complaints to the notice of mental effort while accepting both bring little merit. It is difficult to believe broke all barriers, social as well as geo- man in the region at the age of 16. On September 22, 1539 AD pains and pleasures and to stay that God, who is both loving and powerful, graphical, to disseminate this spirit of uni- the Government that concerned agencies were Guru Nanak used to have discourse Guru ji left this world at Kartarpur. truthful at all times and, fear none would make any such discrimination versal brotherhood. In an era when the peo- not cooperating, but the bureaucracy took no on religious philosophies with the Guru ji's followers who had been but the Eternal ) and Vand Chakna amongst His people. Such discriminations ple of diverse faiths live in mortal fear of notice, ultimately forcing the contractors to wind holymen who used to visit ( Share and Consume together). raised as Hindus or Muslims argued whether Guru ji's earthly are made by man to serve his own selfish clash of cultures, and the so-called civilized Chuharkana, the main marketing Guru Nanak Dev Ji, eradicat- up and abandon the project. We recognize the remains should be cremated or purpose, said Guru Nanak. nations compete in the clandestine manufac- centre of the region and also a rest- ed the existing distinctions role of bureaucracy in running the administration buried. But when the cloth sheet He restored women to their rightful ture of destructive weaponry, the rousing ing place for holymen moving on between people of different castes, of the State, but bureaucracy is not the organ that was removed from Guru ji's body equal place in society and regarded them as message of Guru Nanak for peaceful co- pilgrimage tours. Guru Nanak Dev creeds or religion by instituting man's companion on the spiritual plane. decides the future plans and programme of vital Ji used to help every needy person only two flowers were found existence and mutual trust acquires a special and advocating two most impor- below the cloth. The two commu- Guru Nanak's moral laws are written on the he saw, particularly, giving food urgency. Our Prime Minister in his recent- developmental projects of the State. That is the job tant teachings of Sikh faith, a com- nities then divided the cloth sheet tablets of eternity. He turned people from and money to the travelling holy- ly aired " Maan Ki Baat" said Guru Nanak's of the Council of Ministers and the people's repre- mon mode of worship called 'San- together with the flowers which the violence to peace; converted tyrants into men passing through teachings are the guiding principles not only sentatives. Abandoning the vital project of Ratle is gat' and a common social institu- Muslims buried and the Hindus compassionate beings; and changed painful Chuharkana.In those days he spent tion called "Pangat", the former consigned that to fire. Therefore, societies into blissful communities. People for Indians but for the entire humanity, most unfortunate and at the same time, also a much time in the fields in grazing meaning a gathering of good and both a samadh (Hindu tradition of all faiths listened to his message and Finally on the Birth anniversary of Guru reflection on the dedication of the elected repre- buffaloes, and there is a legend that noble people in a religious dis- monument of remembrance) and a gained from his wise and sacred words. Dur- Nanak let us pray and hope that the message sentatives. We learn there are vested interests in shade of a tree under which he course and later signifying people grave (according to Muslim tradi- ing one of his early morning ablutions by of Guru Nanak "Let universal brotherhood would rest used to move round be the highest aspiration of your religious the area that have made the project a source of sitting and eating tions) were made in the Gurudwara the river, Nanak had his first mystic expe- against sun so as to give him cool- together(Langer) in the same row at Kartarpur which lies there as a rience (communion with God) wherein he order. He who grasps this truth realises that pecuniary benefit to them and that political inter- ness always.He found less interest irrespective of their caste, creed or reminder of this joint claim to Guru was taken in a vision to God's presence. there is the one religion of all mankind" is ference in the construction has been the main in the secular works his father put status. Guru Nanak Sahib also Nanak by both the communities.. Guru Ji's first statement after his prophetic understood by all of us and peace prevails cause of the contractors abandoning it. We would him to-working in a little shop, dig- upheld the cause of women and (The author is a KAS officer) communion with God was "There is no Hin- within and across the Borders. suggest that an inquiry is ordered into the case to ging in the fields and the like.He advocated treatment of women at [email protected] du, nor there is Mussalman." He also [email protected] show under which circumstances the contractors Sahildeep Singh Raina Nehru also played a major role in devel- had to abandon the project. This would be the first oping independent India's foreign poli- step in the revival of the project and would also hildren's day, in Hindi known as cy. He called for liquidation of colonial- "Bal Diwas", in India falls on ism in Asia and Africa and along with become the guideline for future. November 14th every year and Remembering Nehru C Tito and Nasser, was one of the chief for good reason. Children's day in India came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi British promulgated the Government of architects of the nonaligned movement. is celebrated on Pandit Nehru's birthday in 1919. At that time Mahatma Gandhi India Act 1935, the Congress Party He played a constructive, mediatory role as a day of fun and frolic, a celebration High-handedness of WB had launched a campaign against decided to contest elections. Nehru in bringing the Korean War to an end and of childhood, children and Nehruji's love Rowlatt Act. Nehru was instantly attract- stayed out of the elections, but cam- in resolving other international crises, for them. ll rivers in Northern India originate from the ed to Gandhi's commitment for active paigned vigorously nationwide for the such as those over the Suez Canal and Jawaharlal Nehru, also known as Himalayas. Five of them run through the Indian but peaceful, civil disobedience. Gand- party. The Congress formed Govern- the Congo, offering India's services for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was one of the hi himself saw promise and India's future ments in almost every province, and won conciliation and international policing. Territory and finally flow down Pakistan disgorg- foremost leaders of Indian freedom A in the young Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru the largest number of seats in the Cen- He contributed behind the scenes toward struggle. He was the favourite disciple ing in the Indian Ocean. Water being of immense family changed its family according to tral Assembly. Nehru was elected to the the solution of several other explosive of Mahatma Gandhi and later on went on importance, the two countries came to an agreement Mahatma Gandhi's teachings. Jawahar- Congress presidency in 1936, 1937, and issues, such as those of West Berlin, Aus- to become the first Prime Minister of lal and Motilal Nehru abandoned west- 1946, and came to occupy a position in tria, and Laos. over the sharing of water of these rivers with the medi- India. Jawahar Lal Nehru is widely ern clothes and tastes for expensive pos- the nationalist movement second only to He was a perfect blend of eastern regarded as the architect of modern ation of the World Bank in 1960. Some of our sessions and pastimes. They now wore a that of Gandhi. Jawaharlal Nehru was philosophical values and western scien- India. He was very fond of children and observers and commentators have raised a finger of Khadi Kurta and Gandhi cap. He was arrested in 1942 during Quit India Move- tific thinking and encouraged technolog- children used to affectionately call him released after few months. Jawaharlal ment. Released in 1945, he took a lead- ical progress. But he was also a man of accusation towards the then Prime Minister Chacha Nehru. Jawahar Lal Nehru was Nehru was elected President of the Alla- ing part in the negotiations that culmi- letters and a great poet and wrote some born on November 14, 1889. His father Jawaharlal Nehru for having given many concessions habad Municipal Corporation in 1924, nated in the emergence of the dominions famous works like, 'Glimpses of World Motilal Nehru was a famous Allahabad to Pakistan at the cost of national interests by signing and served for two years as the city's of India and Pakistan in August 1947. In History' and 'Discovery of India'. His let- based barrister. Jawaharlal Nehru's chief executive. 1947, he becamethe first Prime Minister ters to his daughter, Indira, were also the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) under the aegis of the mother's name was Swaroop Rani. Jawa- This proved to be a valuable admin- of independent India. compiled into a book and reflects his harlal Nehru received education in some World Bank. The Treaty stipulates that differences istrative experience for stood him in gle for full, political independence. He effectively coped with the formi- philosophical outlook, his compassion of the finest schools and universities of good stead later on when he became the Nehru and Bose reduced the time of dable challenges of those times: the dis- and above all, his tender heart. between the two states on any aspect of water distri- the world. He did his schooling from prime minister of the country. He used opportunity to one year. The British did orders and mass exodus of minorities The Birth of Chacha Nehru bution will be referred to the World Bank and settled Harrow and completed his Law degree his tenure to expand public education, not respond. In December 1929, Con- across the new border with Pakistan, the Chacha Nehru was fond of both chil- from Trinity College, Cambridge. The through that agency, of course, procedures have been health care and sanitation. In 1928-29, gress's annual session was held in Lahore integration of 500-odd princely states dren and roses. In fact he often compared seven years he spent in England widened the Congress's annual session under and Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the into the Indian Union, the framing of a the two, saying that children were like laid down. Soon after signing the Treaty, Pakistan his horizons and he acquired a rational President Motilal Nehru was held. Dur- President of the Congress Party. During new constitution, and the establishment the buds in a garden. They should be slipped into the habit of raising unfounded objections and skeptical outlook and sampled Fabi- ing that session Jawaharlal Nehru and that sessions a resolution demanding of the political and administrative infra- carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they an socialism and Irish nationalism, at every step and invoking the decisions or arbitration Subhash Chandra Bose backed a call for India's independence was passed and on structure for a parliamentary democra- were the future of the nation and the cit- which added to his own patriotic dedi- full political independence, while Moti- January 26, 1930 in Lahore, Jawaharlal cy. Jawaharlal Nehru played a key role izens of tomorrow. He felt that children of the World Bank. More recently, she has rushed to cation. Jawaharlal Nehru returned to lal Nehru and others wanted dominion Nehru unfurled free India's flag. Gand- in building modern India. He set up a are the real strength of a country and the the WB with the complaint that India is utilizing the India in 1912 and started legal practice. status within the British Empire. To hiji gave a call for Civil Disobedience Planning Commission, encouraged very foundation of society. He was the He married Kamala Nehru in 1916. waters of Kishanganga and Chenab for constructing resolve the point, Gandhi said that the Movement in 1930. The movement was development of science and technology, 'beloved' of all the children who gave Jawahar Lal Nehru joined Home Rule British would be given two years to grant a great success and forced British Gov- and launched three successive five-year him the endearing name of 'Chacha hydroelectric power stations in violation of the IWT. League in 1917. His real initiation into India dominion status. If they did not, the ernment to acknowledge the need for plans. His policies led to a sizable growth Nehru'. India also brought the matter to the notice of the WB politics came two years later when he major political reforms. When the Congress would launch a national strug- in agricultural and industrial production. [email protected] and, following the procedures laid down in the Treaty, sought for the advice of Neutral Expert. The WB, act- ing arbitrarily, has taken up India's suggestion for To PMs of Pakistan, India Neutral Expert and at the same time has consented Sir, for the establishment of a Court of Arbitration demand- This letter is addressed to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I urge them GST implementation ed by Pakistan. In simple words, the WB is running not to push India and Pakistan people into war and a big war wherein innocent people on both the sides are getting killed, maimed and injured for no fault of theirs. They are victims because they are on borders, LoC and international borders. Farmers Sir, two approaches simultaneously, which, according to and hapless people are suffering. Think of common citizens of India and Pakistan. The future of present generations of both The far reaching and game changing indirect tax reforms-Goods and Services Tax us, is fraught with legal lacuna. The Court of Arbitration the countries lies in the hands of present politicians, bureaucrats, industrialists, businessmen who are dependent on farmers of has the potential to push up India's economic growth by at least two percentage points. option will be considered only when the Neutral Expert both the nations for their and their children's livelihood which is not money but the food stuff, milk, water and oxygen. These This means that India, which is currently the fastest growing economy at over 7.6 per fails to deliver the goods. Two measures that should people have to understand that if air, water and food items are present and grown for future generations and the present gener- cent annually will grow by 9.6 per cent or even in double-digit with a small and incre- ation only then the two nations would survive and exist. If we go on fighting as nations our human lives on both the sides would mental push in other areas of reforms like labour, ease of doing business, infrastructure normally follow in sequence cannot be taken up simul- perish ! We would have no future. There is need to think and think very rationally. It is not a question of prestige on either side in the next decade. taneously as that is in contravention of the procedure. of the borders of international border (LoC or IB). It is not Mr Modi and Mr Sharief who has to act. It is the team of Mr Modi But this push to GDP growth will not happen fully because of multiplicity of rates Quite naturally India has objected to WB's decision and the team of Mr Sharief who have to act and protect the citizens of both the countries. We would have to leave the culture proposed recently by the GST council. The actual increase in GDP growth as a result of of gun and rifles and dismantle all war structures everywhere in the world if human life has to exist and pass on to 2020 and five or six GST rates will not be more than 0.5 per cent and hence it may not be a game and conveyed her resentment. ahead. changing tax reforms. The WB has to remain within its limits that are pre- Help farmers to grow food for all. Let every citizen be 'the farmer first' and the last to be the fighter, if their need be. "If Mr But the rollout of GST from April 1, 2017 will certainly reform the tax structure to Modi made first attempt to involve Mr Sharief on oath taking ceremony, Mr Sharief had to stop all from raining bullets'' first some extent. It will simplify administration of indirect taxes thereby totally eliminating scribed by the Treaty. Just trying to keep both sides red tape, delays and better clarity on taxes. It will subsume all indirect taxes barring cus- from his side. If everything has gone in wrong hands it is the leadership in Pakistan and then in India. If Gandhi family had happy at the cost of legalities of the case is not at all toms like excise, service tax, entry tax, central sales tax, and state-level Value added tax. acted in time; these situations would have not arisen and killing on both the sides would have been a history of 1947. The big desirable. We hope the WB will see reason in what Of course, some indirect taxes like excise and other duties on petrol and petroleum prod- question is who should act and that too, act in time without any for and favour? My suggestion would be to Mr Sharief to act ucts, alcohol and tobacco will be outside the purview of GST at the moment. It will also India is saying and take a natural course of address- in time. Now it is his turn to respond to goodwill of India for the people of Pakistan. Let us be friends and use the soil of both bring about unified market making the country a single market as far as indirect taxes are ing the complaints. The question is what is the pres- the countries to grow food for both these nations with the help of waters from the heaven that flows through rivers on ground. concerned thereby reducing corruption to a great extent. One estimate suggests saving of sure on WB to ignore the procedural methodology and Let the resources of both the nations be not wasted on 'wars, but on growing food and life on this mother planet 'Earth'. Would over Rs 1.8 lakh crore due to more turnaround time for trucks and increased fuel cost due this call become a clarion call for all on both the sides of the borders which are now Pakistan and Hindustan teaming more to waiting at check posts. It will also widen the indirect tax net thereby increasing rev- jump on to an arbitrary decision that is not acceptable than 1.6 billion people ? Stop every bullet because it kills all without understanding of its own. enue of both the centre and states. These advantages and reforms will still fructify with to one of the two parties? WB cannot behave in a par- Yours etc.... the implementation of GST even with multiplicity of rates. tisan manner otherwise it will lose its credentials with Dr Bipan Chander Yours etc... Adarsh Colony K R Sudhaman disputing parties. Udhampur New Delhi