Rash Bndan Greetings
August 26
2 Punjab Advance August 2016 Editorial
he people’s Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, is going Twhole hog with his dream project of making Punjab drug free. His war cry is loud and clear “Death for the drug mafia who have ruined the health of Punjab youth.” The war cry has been picked up by Punjabis from all sections of society, be they artistes, youth, sportspersons, villagers, who are pooling in to make it a mass movement. Yes, the fight has begun. Hurdles are coming his way, but the Fauji CM is determined to end the drug menace. Seventeen months after taking oath in March, 2017, drug abuse has become the main focus of attention. The priorities have changed, from water to drugs, in the wake of the widespread impact of the drug menace. Punjab being a border state faces a big challenge from narcotics terrorism, a proxy war being waged by Pakistan to weaken the youth of this once robust border state. Yes, drug abuse prevails more in border districts like Fer - ozepur, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Amritsar. The youth are be - coming victims of narco-terrorism, which is impacting the economic growth of the state. The state is entitled to the Special Category Status under the National Health Protection Scheme which will enhance central funding for the state. Special category states such as Jammu and Kashmir, hilly and northeastern states get 90 per cent Union Gov - ernment funding in central schemes as against 60 per cent for gen - eral category states.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 3 Contents Punjab Advance www.punjabadvanceonline.com Death for the drug mafia LAUGUST - 2018 LVOL-5 L ISSUE-8
C.E.O. N Anindita Mitra (IAS)
Editor N Donald Banerjee
Designer N Arun Kumar Sharma
Publisher N Information & Public Relations Department, Punjab 06
Contact address N Rush at deaddiction PUNJAB ADVANCE, Room No. 1, 5th Floor, centres Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh-160001 Ph. : 0172-2740668 [email protected]
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors in the articles published in PUNJAB ADVANCE are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Punjab Government or the organization they work for. Editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or expand the articles submitted. In case of any dispute, legal 9 jurisdiction will lie in Chandigarh based courts.
Published and Edited by Ms. Anindita Mitra (IAS) on behalf of the Information and Public Voice of the common man Relations Department, Punjab at Room No. 1, 5th Floor, Civil Sectt., Chandigarh. Gurdial Singh (1933-2016)
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4 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Rs 32,82 cr relief Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh for crop damage returns
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16 Villagers convert garbage dumps into green parks Organic farming gaining ground in Punjab
35
Govt primary schools wear a new look 20
Prevent great toe deformity
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August- 2018 Punjab Advance 5 Cover Death for the drug mafia l CM’s war cry turns into a mass movement l Village fields become keep-fit parks l Punjabi artistes join the crusade l ‘Theekri Pehras’ keep peddlers at bay
Donald Banerjee
nough is enough” is focused. “E The Captain has taken the war against drugs into “Death for the drug mafia who have the Centre’s court demanding death for drug smug - ruined the health of Punjab youth”….. glers and peddlers for the very first offence. And the The Chief Minister’s war cry is loud entire cabinet has backed the Chief Minister’s death and clear as he sets his sights on a drug- penalty recommendation. free and ‘Tandrust Punjab’. He is deter - The war against drugs was second on the priority mined to end the drug menace. Yes, 17 list after water when the government took charge, but months after taking oath last year drug the priorities have changed in the wake of the wide - abuse has become the single point spread impact of the drug abuse in the state. around which the entire state machinery The Captain’s anti-drug war cry has been picked up by Punjabis from all sections of so - ciety, be they artistes, youth, sportsper - sons, villagers, who are pooling in to make it a mass movement. Not to be left behind actors, singers, directors and producers of Pollywood (Punjabi Cinema) have joined the cru - sade along with their legion of fans. A group of Punjabi artistes met the Chief Minister and assured him of their total support in his dream mission of a drug- free and robust Punjab. Being a Fauji himself, Capt
6 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover
Amarinder Singh took the disciplined cadets of the NCC into his fold. During a high-level meeting with Drug awareness in schools senior NCC officers, he underlined the scope for har - nessing the massive potential of the disciplined NCC To make school students aware about the drug cadets in the government’s fight against drug abuse. menace, the state Education Department has incor - Reports are being received from all over the state porated chapters on ill-effects of drugs in school textbooks. It has been done as part of a special how villagers have taken upon themselves to end the health awareness campaign for the students of gov - drug menace. In several far flung areas the villagers ernment schools in the state. have started taking out ‘Theekri Pehras’ to nab drug An official spokesperson said, “School students peddlers and drug addicts. The Chief Minister has wel - must be aware about the health issues because if comed the involvement of the people, but has told the they are healthy, they will concentrate on their stud - authorities to see that the ‘pehredaars’ do not take the ies and attend their classes regularly.” law into their hands. He added that the school curriculum had been Planting of saplings and conversion of vast open revised and contents on ill-effects of drugs have fields into green parks is the order of the day in several been incorporated in the books. villages of Bathinda, Tarn Taran, Patiala and Mansa. Essay reading and poem recitation by students These parks have become ‘keep fit’ areas for the youth and small lectures by teachers are held in the morn - and the elderly. ing assembly to generate awareness among students In one village in Bathinda, the district authorities against drugs and other health issues. along with the help of the villagers have converted a The spokesperson said students of Classes IX to XII were also educated about the adverse effects of large marshy pond into a treated water reservoir. drugs and harm caused by intoxicants. The good news on the sports front is the inclusion of eight robust Punjab youth into the 18-member India hockey team for the Asian Games to be held in In -
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 7 Cover donesia in August. This is clear evidence of the state “We have come to this conclusion after a compre - regaining its status of being the Mecca of hockey. hensive discussion and feel that resultant deterrence of Believing that it is a widespread problem cutting provisions of death penalty in the Act ibid, will help us across social and other strata, the people’s Chief Min - in effectively containing if not eliminating the drug ister decided that all government employees and po - peddlers and mafia operating not only in Punjab, but lice personnel should undergo a dope test periodically. also in other parts of the country,” he elaborated. The mandatory dope test will be for all government “Given the magnitude of the problem, which had been employees, including po - denied during the last many lice personnel, from the years, these enforcement time of recruitment measures though yielding through every stage of results, need to be further their service. It will also strengthened. In this direc - be part of the annual med - tion, it is felt that the exist - ical exam that certain em - ing drug prevention and ployees are required to control laws should be re - undergo in accordance visited to provide for more with the nature of their deterrent punishment to the duties. offenders,” Capt Amarinder Leading from the Singh wrote. front, like a true Fauji, he He mentioned the meas - offered to take the dope ures already taken by his test, a challenge flung at government to enforce the him by political rivals, but hastened to add that he existing laws to prevent drug abuse as also to ensure would leave it to the conscience of other elected rep - rehabilitation and de-addiction of those who indulge resentatives to take their own decision. in it. “The intensive action plan unfolded and executed The Punjab cabinet called for stronger laws against by us during the last over a year has resulted in arrest drug peddlers and smugglers by the Centre. It unani - of 18,977 drug peddlers and treatment of more than 2 mously decided to seek the Centre's help to tackle the lakh drug victims,” he has pointed out. The chief min - menace. Later the chief minister wrote to Union Home min - ister said more than 3,977 NDPS convicts and 5,610 ister Rajnath Singh, communicating the cabinet's rec - NDPS undertrials were in different prisons of the state. ommendation, and sought amendment of the Narcotic He also mentioned the Drug Abuse Prevention Of - Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which ficers’ Prevention (DAPOs) Programme, which is while providing death penalty for a second time of - aimed at effective participation of civil society in pre - fence, lets off the first time offenders. “This means that vention of drug abuse in the state. a person can indulge in these nefarious activities and The chief minister also pointed out that drug deal - get away at least once, causing substantial damage to ing and peddling has caused serious strains on the the youth and society,” he lamented. His government, state’s human and economic resources. “These are said Captain Amarinder Singh, felt that this should not being realised as major obstacles in the state’s socio- be allowed to happen and even first-time offenders economic development. The menace of drugs is af - should be awarded death penalty for offences that are fecting the present generation of youth not only in clearly elaborated under Section 31A of the NDPS Punjab, but also in the neighbouring states.” Act, 1985.
8 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover Rush at deaddiction centres
he multi-pronged approach of the Pun - glers and the seizure of drugs and harmful con - T jab Government to eradicate the drug coctions causing deaths. menace in the state has begun to yield results with DGP Arora said there had been a sharp rise in a “remarkable” increase in the footfall/number of the number of drug addicts going to rehabilitation patients at Punjab’s Outpatient Opioid-Assisted and deaddiction centres ever since the Capt Treatment (OOAT) centres in June-July. Amarinder government took over. Giving details, an official spokesperson said He said the large seizure of illegal heroin the average registration in OOAT centres had in - stocks, could have resulted in a shortage of drugs creased from 70 new patients per day in June to in the market, forcing the addicts to take adulter - 408 new patients per day in July. On July 14, the ated drugs. This could be the cause of the recent number at the OOAT centres had touched 681. deaths, but this can be ascertained only by a chem - Further, the average footfall in the OOATs had ical examiner. increased from 2,345 patients per day (old and Involving ‘Guardians of Governance’ to edu - new) in June to 4,408 patients per day (old and cate the youth on the ill-effects of drugs and a spe - new) in July. “The total footfall at the OOATs on cial cadre of at least 15 trained prosecutors to July 14 stood at 6,673,” said an official and secure the conviction of drug offenders were some claimed that the number would go up substan - of the other suggestions. tially over the next two weeks. Announcing a slew of measures to check the drug mafia, the Chief Minister has made it clear that any form of violence, such as lynching, to tackle the prob - lem will not be tolerated. Reiterating his appeal, the CM on Sunday urged the people to aid the police and other agencies by providing information that could lead to the arrest of drug smug - Rush at deaddiction centres
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 9 Cover Punjabi film celebs join crusade
Noted Punjabi comedians Jaswinder Bhalla, Karamjit Anmol and Bal Mukund Sharma with the Chief Minister
ctors and singers from the across the state artistes are either joining forces with the government A have started gathering in various cities to or are rallying around the cause in various cities. raise awareness about drug abuse. While interacting with noted Punjabi comedians This awareness campaign comes on the heels of Cap - Jaswinder Bhalla, Karamjit Anmol and Bal Mukund tain Amarinder Singh’s appeal to artistes, singers, and Sharma, the Chief Minister asked them to use their filmmakers to play a proactive role in complementing popularity with people to bring about the much-needed the state government’s efforts to combat the drug men - change on this count. ace. These artistes, being the heartthrobs of millions of In what is gradually becoming a movement the viewers who follow them on social media platforms
10 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover like Facebook and Whatsapp, could help in changing the people’s perception towards drugs Reformed teenager by leveraging their massive outreach, the Chief walks free Minister asserted. Reiterating his firm commitment to combat the Fifteen-year-old Kulbir (name changed) who challenge posed by drug abuse, Captain was addicted to drugs for almost two years, Amarinder Singh stated that the role of the walked out of the Red Cross Deaddiction Centre artiste fraternity was of paramount significance in Sangrur a reformed teenager. Determination as they were capable of prevailing upon the com - was writ large on his young face as he promised mon man in an emotional and persuasive man - to get good marks in the two subjects he had ner, especially at a critical juncture when several failed in the Class X exams because of his ad - innocent youth were falling prey to drugs.Their diction to drugs. massive potential and people connect could be “I do not know exactly when I started taking effectively used to positively influence the youth habit-forming tablets. But I had been in the trap and create awareness about the ill effects of of drugs for around two years. I want to go back drugs, said the Chief Minister. home at the earliest because after staying here I Expressing concern over the alarming trend of have learnt the value of time and I want to clear violence cult in Punjabi songs, the Chief Minis - the two subjects in which I failed during the ter suggested that a healthy and positive content Class X board exams,” he added. should be encouraged on the social media to dis - Kulbir who hails from Gujran village, ini - courage such negative propaganda. He exhorted tially started taking “zarda” (flavoured tobacco) the artistes and singers to evolve a consensus after stealing it from his father’s pockets. Later amongst themselves not to promote gun culture, he started smoking “sulfa” for almost one year. obscenity and vulgarity in songs and videos He fell into the trap of habit-forming tablets which allure the innocent impressionable minds around one year back. Though the family noticed towards crime and hatred. his abnormal behaviour, they could not do any - To overcome this problem, the Chief Minister thing as Kulbir misbehaved with his parents advised the artistes to create jingles, promos, many times whenever they tried to get him short films and documentaries to imbibe the treated. spirit of goodwill, love, compassion, and broth - Sukhpal Kaur, an aunt of Kulbir, learnt about erhood in society. Such a move would go a long Kulbir’s plight and convinced him to get admit - way in changing the cultural mindset of the peo - ted to the deaddiction centre. ple, he added. Director of the centre Mohan Sharma said Over the weekend singer and actor Harbhajan Kulbir was admitted to the centre on May 18 and Mann joined the concluding day of a week-long within days he responded well to the treatment. rally by several artistes, including singer-writer He recovered fast during the treatment and was Raj Kakra, ‘Maro Ya Virodh Karo’, which was sent back home fully cured. also launched on social media. “So many peo - “I have given him my mobile number and ple joined us at Bharat Nagar chowk in Ludhi - asked him to stay in touch. He has promised me ana, it was encouraging,” he added. Singer Jasbir Jassi, who is starting a 15-day to inform me if he sees any addict of his age in movement on August 1 for the cause, said: We his village,” Sharma added. are talking with various sectors like health care
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 11 Cover Beas revival on cards l Five-year project to cost Rs 3.6 crore l To create buffer zone between river and land
PUNMEDIA BUREAU
n keeping with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder The action plan is to be implemented over a period Singh’s promise to keep the river waters clean, of five years so that sustainable results can be tIhe state government has launched an action plan to achieved. As per the plan, Rs 3.6 crore is needed to re - revive the ecology of the Beas river which had faced plenish the prey base by releasing fish seedlings into water contamination following the leakage of molasses the river. by a sugar mill. The Department of Forest and Wildlife Preserva - Prepared by experts from the Departments of For - tion will “create a buffer zone between the river and est and Wildlife Preservation, and Water Resources, land, removing plastic and other waste matter”, in ad - the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and World dition to map and record species of aquatic wildlife Wildlife Fund (WWF) the action plan report has been present in the river till the Harike downstream. submitted to the PPCB. The report has earmarked a separate budget for
12 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover each to be spent to replenish the river base and “special efforts to ensure gharial and CM writes to PM dolphin survival”. The plan is to replenish the prey base of Seeks funds under National birds and other animals by restocking 20,000-kg fish seedlings. “In five years, River Conservation Plan about Rs50 lakh will be spent on releasing fish seedlings at Rs 250 per kg,” the report Clean water in the rivers is high on Capt Amarinder reads. Singh’s Tandrust Punjab agenda, but the pollution level is The experts have also recommended con - so high that he has written to Prime Miniser Narendra Modi asking for urgent help in solving the problem. servation through planting trees and shrubs The Punjab Water Resources Department has got into for healthy and stable river banks and better action spelling out the vast deteriorating river water situ - fish and wildlife habitat and to provide a ation in the state in a proposal to the Union Ministry of buffer zone between river and land use. “In River Waters, River Development and Ganga Rejuvena - an area of 20 hectares, 1,000 plants per tion. It has sought expertise and the requisite funds under hectare will be planted in Ferozepur and the National River Conservation Programme or any other Hoshiarpur wildlife areas from where the scheme to clean the rivers of the state. river passes through,” it states. Punjab Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sarkaria said in certain parts of the state ground water was and Wildlife Kuldip Kumar said: “The not fit for human consumption and the residents had to ecosystem of the river cannot be restored in use river and canal water for their daily needs. There is a a few months, considering the catastrophe spurt in the increase in incidence of cancer and other that took place two months ago. Experts says chronic diseases in south-western part of the state, which it will take five years do undo the damage — could be attributed to the poor quality of water. fishes that were killed and birds that fled due Expressing grave concern over discharge of untreated to the molasses flow — caused by the leak - Municipal waste and industrial effluents into the rivers, age of molasses,” he said. Mr. Sarkaria said in such a situation nobody can be al - According to PPCB chief Kahan Singh lowed to pollute the rivers and canals. “Throwing waste Pannu the board would examine every rec - and untreated water into the rivers is not acceptable,” he ommendation made by the experts. “I have added. received the report and it will be forwarded Directing the officials to monitor the situation and to the government for action,” he added. check the river water pollution, the Minister ordered strict It may be recalled that on May 17, a large penal action against the water polluters so that the others number of fish were found dead in the Beas, do not dare to repeat the mistake. Urging the people to join hands with the State Gov - following which Chadha Sugar Mill at Kiri ernment to save the rivers from pollution, the Minister Afghana in Gurdaspur district was sealed asked the officials to be vigilant to control the pollution of and fined Rs 5 crore. The mill owners have rivers. deposited Rs1 crore. The department is considering the use of treated waste Later, the state government had asked a water for irrigation purposes and a mass campaign to sen - committee of experts to recommend steps to sitise people about saving water. revive the Beas.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 13 Cover Mining operations on river beds stopped
ll mining operations on the river beds of Besides, auction would be held for 47 gravel quar - Punjab have been stopped because of the ries soon. With the auction of these quarries the Amonsoon. Crusher industry will receive raw material easily and Ordering strict monitoring of the operation Mining supply of gravel will also increase. and Geology Minister Sukhbir Singh Sarkaria has di - He said on the directive of of the Chief Minister rected the officers to remove all machines from the Capt Amarinder Singh, the Mines and Geology De - river bed. “Any laxity on the part of the officers in the partment had been established separately in the state. implementation of the prohibitory orders will not be Six Executive Engineer Rank Officers have been tolerated,” he added. deployed as a District Mining Officers in the depart - Assuring the people of hassle-free supply of sand, ment and 28 Officers have been deployed as Assistant the Minister said mining operations would continue on Mining Officers at sub-divisional level. Apart from 12 quarries in the districts of Moga, Hoshiarpur, Fer - them, Junior Engineers and other office staff will be ozepur, Jalandhar, Fazilka and Faridkot. deployed soon in the districts.
14 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover Thikri Pehra against drug-abuse
gged on by their people’s Chief Minister’s call cial media. to make Punjab drug-free, people in Punjab, This community policing is gaining ground partic - Especially the border districts have taken upon them - ularly in the border districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar, selves to catch drug peddlers and smugglers in order to Moga, Jalandhar and Fategarh Sahib. In Taran Taran, stop the supply of ‘chitta’ to the youth. after a video of a young boy taking drugs went viral, In villages across several districts, people are re - the thikri pehra volunteers tracked down the peddler, sorting to thikri pehra, or who was a girl in her twen - community policing. ties, caught her and handed Even the police and gov - This community policing is gaining her over to the police. ernment authorities have ground particularly in the border “We give thikri pehra in approved the idea of districts of Tarn Taran, Amritsar, our village day and night. We community patrolling. have formed teams and each The reason is simple: the Moga, Jalandhar and Fategarh and every individual who locals are aware who the Sahib. In Taran Taran, after a video comes to the village is veri - addicts and the peddlers of a young boy taking drugs went fied. If someone unknown are. viral, the thikri pehra volunteers comes to the village, the an - The idea is not new. tracked down the peddler, who was tecedents of the individual Since the 1960s, people are verified. If we are satis - of the state, particularly a girl in her twenties, caught her fied, then the person is let in in villages, have been and handed her over to the police. the village. Such to the strict doing thikri pehra to checking, now the peddlers protect themselves from are not taking the risk to anti-social elements and securing their locality. enter our village and this is the story of many other vil - Such community patrolling gained prominence lages also,” said one youth. about a decade ago when robbers of the dreaded Kala Extending support to the initiative, Additional DGP Kachha gangs operating in Punjab and Haryana used Harpreet Singh Sidhu, who is the chief of Special Task to strike in the villages and semi-urban areas, looted Force on Drugs, said, “We welcome public support in and killed people. Then, people started patrolling their the efforts of the state government in its comprehen - localities at night and at times caught these robbers sive action against drug abuse. We also request them to and handed them over to the police. provide information to the police. Now, the same has been started to catch drug ped - “However, their action should not go beyond the dlers and now technology is also being used by the law to vigilantism or taking law into their own hands. group of volunteers doing thikri pehra. They are using Any person caught committing an offence in front of mobile phones to communicate and when they catch a the public should be handed over to the local police drug peddler, they make a video and put it on the so - immediately,” Sidhu added.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 15 Cover Rs 32,82 cr relief for crop damage
Punmedia Bureau
xtending a big relief to farmers the state proved. Similarly, Rs. 2,27,63248 has been ap - E government has sanctioned Rs 32.82 crore proved for 4150-acre crop damage in Sangrur dis - as compensation for crop damage due to natural trict, Rs 2,80,74978 for 3843-acre crop damage in calamity during the year SBS Nagar and Rs 2,92,29289 for 5412-acre crop Giving this information Revenue Minister damage in Barnala district. Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria said the farmers had The districts of Kapurthala (8446 acre), Am - suffered heavy loss due to rain and hailstorm for ritsar (753), Faridkot (54) and Bathinda (7 acre) which the Capt Amarinder Singh-led government suffered 9260-acre crop loss during 2018-19 for approved Rs. 32,82,43,328 for 51788-acre crop which a compensation of Rs. 7,28,66913 has been damage from June 2017 to July 2018. approved. Giving a breakup he said 29120-acre crop was Review meetings were held at the district and damaged in Patiala district during 2017-18 for state level to ensure timely disbursal of compen - which a compensation of Rs. 17,53,08900 was ap - sation to the affected farmers. He demanded that the Centre should immedi - ately implement the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission so as to ensure remu - nerative prices to the farmers of their produce on the one hand and make agriculture economically viable on the other. Rs 1,19 cr as fire damage relief
The state government has also approved more than Rs 1.19 crore compensation for crop damage in fire incidents. A relief of Rs 1,19,36,666 for 1491-acre crop
16 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover damage due to fire during 2017-18 and 2018-19, has been issued to the Deputy Big drop in stubble Commissioners and they will dispense it to the affected farmers. burning cases The Minister said that farmers had suffered heavy loss due to crop damage Punjab seeks Centre’s help to end the menace in fire incidents. In such a condition, the compensation would prove a big relief There has been a 45 per cent drop in stubble burn - for the farmers. He said Capt ing cases in Punjab during the 2017 paddy har - Amarinder's government was fully com - vesting season as compared to the 2016 figures. mitted to stand firmly with farmers of the This is the result of the Chief Minister Capt state. Amarinder Singh’s strenuous efforts to check pol - Giving details about the compensa - lution. tion, an official spokesperson of the de - This fact came to light at a high-level meeting partment said that 270-acre crop was damaged during 2017-18 for which Rs under the chairmanship of the Union Environment 21,65, 400 had been approved and sanc - Secretary C.K.Mishra. tioned for districts Mansa, Tarn Taran, During the meeting, Officers of the Agriculture Fatehgarh Sahib, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Environment departments said that there were Faridkot, Roopnagar, Bathinda, SBS 15,378 cases of stubble burning during the 2017 Nagar and Moga. wheat harvesting season. A sum of Rs 97,71,266 has been ap - The 2018 season was even better, when 11,095 proved as compensation for 1221-acre cases of stubble burning came into light. This fig - crop damage in fire incidents during ure is 28 per cent less than the 2017 figure. 2018-19. Of this amount, Rs 539350 has They said this change has happened due to the been approved for Mansa districts, Rs state government's efforts to sensitise people 396100 for Tarn Taran, Rs 162700 for against pollution with seminars and meetings with Fatehgarh Sahib, Rs 166900 for Sri farmers. They also applauded the farmers for join - Muktsar Sahib, Rs 3,101,150 for Patiala, ing the state government's endeavour to curb this Rs 8000 for SAS Nagar (Mohali), Rs menace. 78800 for Faridkot and Rs 1787500 for The state authorities asked the Central Govern - Gurdaspur. ment to provide financial help to the state's be - Similarly, Rs 63500 has been sanc - tioned for Pathankot, Rs 131250 for leaguered farmers to further control the hazardous Roopnagar, Rs 319000 for Ferozepur, Rs straw burning trend. They said there was a legal 83150 for Sangrur, Rs 52400 for Bar - mechanism in place against residue burning but nala, Rs 120000 for Bathinda, Rs the state government is sensitising farmers against 875250 for Fazilka, Rs 518850 for Lud - stubble burning. hiana, Rs 102866 for SBS Nagar, Rs They also informed that besides providing sub - 364500 for Moga, Rs 511000 for Ja - sidiary machinery, the government was also landhar, Rs 233900 for Kapurthala and setting up dust collector machines in grain Rs 155100 for Hoshiarpur district. markets.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 17 Cover
PSPCL among 5 best in redressal of complaints
Disha Monga
he Punjab State Power Control Limited power-load during peak summer and the paddy (PSPCL) has transformed the electricity season comes to an all time high.Just like last year cTomplaint redressal system into an efficient which was a tough challenge to meet , but has process in the state. This has been taken note of by been met successfully by arranging power from the Urban Jyoti Abhiyan, a programme under the all the available sources optimally. This year a Union Ministry of Power, which has singled out maximum demand of 12290 MW per day is Punjab amongst the five best states in India in highly anticipated. He said various arrangements electricity complaint redressal. had been strengthened with a robust complaint re - This year ahead of the paddy season the dressal system. During summer season and in the PSPCL opened special paddy control rooms to paddy plantation period as the peak demand of help farmers and promised to provide eight hours electricity skyrockets so do supply related com - of power supply to them during the entire paddy plaints . season. PSPCL has a canonical customer care system Apart from the two call centres in Ludhiana in place reachable on a single number (1912) all and Mohali , the farmers can contact the PSPCL across the state. Consumers can call 1912 or SMS officials concerned in the case of an emergency ‘No Supply’ on 1912 to register complaints.Be - during the paddy season. sides , 98 Nodal Complaint Centers have been es - With the start of the paddy season in Punjab, tablished to monitor resolution of complaints to the demand for electricity has gone up by 33 per the satisfaction of consumers and five zonal con - cent as compared to last year. PSPCL Chairman- trol rooms in all zones across the state coupled cum-Managing Director Baldev Singh Sran said with one , at head office level . the peak demand on June 21, this year was 10,832 Digital communication MW whereas the peak demand on June 21 last With the proliferation of smart phones, cus - year was 8,819 MW. Despite the constraints the tomer service will become easier and increasingly PSPCL had been able to meet the energy require - be centered on mobile experience. The key to ments of the State. meeting the evolving needs of customers will be Power Minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar said customer service-centric mobile apps. said Punjab is an agrarian state , wherein the PSPCL now has an advanced and facilitated
18 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover
customer care system which is supplemented by: an immense mode of transformation on the gov - Social media platforms(Facebook ernment’s part of service providing in India. It is ,Twitter,Whatsapp,e-mail) operational in the office of Director/Distribution Public dashboard& and handles all types of complaints received via Complaint redressal feedback center. Phone Calls, SMS, Whatsapp, email, Facebook, PSPCL mobile app Twitter etc. on the digital interface. The mobile app used for registering complaints To make note of the area-specific complaints is available on Android and iOS App Store. 100% lodged by consumers in Punjab you can simply complaints related to supply and billing are now check the graph given on the PSPCL website. being registered and monitored through the sys - In the graph one can clearly see the overview tem. of complaints in last seven days in Punjab which Since its roll-out in 2014 more than 1 Cr com - is weekly updated. plaints have been resolved with average of 8000 This graph also shows the status of the number complaints per day and a peak of more than 30000 of complaints registered in Punjab and further if complaints in a single day being handled through the complaints registered is resolved or pending . the system. A public dashboard is available at: Also by clicking on this given link you can also https://distribution.pspcl.in/dashboard Though there has always been a customer care analyse the state wise lodging of complaints in a number for electrical supply services at PSPCL. table format and the exact number of resolved But now PSPCL has curbed various difficulties and pending complaints in all district areas of observed on both consumer and receiver’s end . It Punjab and see all the related details of the com - has opened ways in various forms in the era of so - plaint. cial media and has installed a devoted Social http://distribution.pspcl.in/returns/module.php?to Media and Paddy Control Room .This has been =NCC.nccStatus
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 19 Cover Organic farming gaining ground in Punjab
PUNMEDIA BUREAU
n keeping with the Chief Minister Capt vegetables, jaggery and fruits. The products are rap - Amarinder Singh’s ‘Tandrust Punjab’ mis - idly finding consumers in urban markets. sIion, the state is all set to achieve another farm revo - What has made Punjab’s organic farming story a lution: organic farming. Yes, the state today is setting success is the swiftness with which the state has per - a trend in organic farming which can be emulated by suaded farmers. Punjab figures among states which, other states. apart from training farmers in production technologies, Today, around 1,500 Punjabi farmers have taken also facilitates processing and marketing of the organic to organic farming across 4,500 acres. They produce a stuff. range of eatables and food ingredients — organic In the layman’s language, organic farming means wheat flour, basmati, turmeric, pulses, ajwain, saunf, replacing most of chemical fertilizers for crops with
20 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Cover
natural resources to live longer, healthier and more ables me to sell the output on the market for a modest contented. price of Rs 70 per kg. to traders, my word is guaran - Manjeet Singh Bhullar, a former top executive of a tee." private telecom giant, would vouch for it, sitting at his Bhullar also produces worm manure, which is in Dadiana (Fatehgarh Sahib) farmhouse with a glass of great demand and takes minimal space to grow. Of his lassi to offer. “I didn’t spray even a drop of insecti - 8 acres, he has grown organic vegetables on 2.5." cide/pesticide or other nutritional inputs. I spent Rs 22,000 on labourers that I hired for de-weeding. I School of Organic farming earned Rs 1 lakh from 1.5 acre. One can’t generate that Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has set up a much profit following modern-day agricultural prac - School of Organic Farming in the university under tices,” he says. College of Agriculture. “Today, my kids breathe the air I breathed in my R.S. Sidhu, Registrar, said the school aims at car - childhood. Whenever they come over, they play in a rying out multidisciplinary research, training and ex - land free of insecticides. What else can make you hap - tension for the development and dissemination of pier? My life as a small-time organic farmer is far scientific knowledge on organic and integrated agri - more contented than what it was as a top executive,” culture. It also aims to develop and disseminate inte - says Manjeet. grated nutrient management (INM) and integrate pest It is because of people like him that Punjab is management (IPM) strategies for production of safe springing back from decades of excessive fertilizer- food and for improvement of natural resources, he based agriculture to a more meaningful ways to feed - added. The objective is also to empower human re - ing the country. sources for promotion of organic and integrated agri - Punjab figured prominently in a review meeting of culture in the state so as to minimize the use of Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in Delhi last chemicals, he said. year. Representatives of all states and union territories, S.S. Kukal, Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU, is signatory to National Mission of Sustainable Agricul - ture (NMSA), were told to learn from the state: how to the Director, School of Organic Farming. sustain insecticide/pesticide-free agriculture and how What is organic farming to devise marketing strategies for organic products. Organic farming, a holistic way of farming, is one “The NMSA advisory came as a big surprise: How of the alternate forms that are aimed at sustainable can a state, notorious for overusing chemical fertiliz - agricultural production. It relies on crop rotations, ers, be a role model for organic farm practices?” said green manures, organic manures, biofertilizers, com - a senior official of Punjab Agri Export Corporation posts and biological pest management for crop pro - Limited (PEGREXCO), a state-managed corporation duction excluding or strictly limiting the use of responsible for implementing the Yojana in Punjab. synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, plant growth While governments have their way to do the paper regulators and livestock feed additives. No doubt, the work, it is farmers like Manjit Singh who do farming advantages of organic farming outweigh its disadvan - with a mind of their own. “I may sound a bit philo - tages but in practical it has several constraints viz. sophical: I think our best gift to our children can be threat to national food security, limited availability of cleaner air, a much healthier soil, and chirping birds!” organic manures, profitability to farmers and afford - says Manjeet. This from a man, who seeks to separate ability of organic produce by consumers. Thus, a com - profits from promises. plete shift to organic farming is neither desirable nor Farmer Angrej Singh Bhullar of Muktsar's Bhullar possible in high input use areas which are the major village is into " harvest to marketing" of organic crop. contributors of food grains to central pool. Systematic He says: "Organic farming has benefited me a lot, I phasing out of agrochemicals and synthetic fertilizers have my own plant to pack organic paddy, which en - in these areas may be a step in right direction.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 21 PUNJAB DIARY
Punjab goes digital in property registration
unjab became the first state to go digital in prop - Additional Chief Secretary Revenue-cum-FCR Mrs. erty registration on June 27, when the Chief Vini Mahajan said so far 90486 documents had been reg - PMinister, Capt Amarinder Singh, launched the National istered through the cloud-based National Generic Docu - Generic Document Registration System in Amritsar ment Registration System (NGDRS). through video conferencing from Chandigarh. She said the online property registration facility had Barely eight months after its launch at Moga and been created in the NGDRS portal, which had been run - Adampur in November last the Chief Minister’s pilot ning successfully in 21 districts of SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh project of giving a transparent and corruption-free gov - Sahib, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Pathankot, Kapurthala, ernance in online property registration has been success - Bathinda, Fazilka, Patiala, SBS Nagar, Sri Muktsar fully implemented Sahib, Ferozepur, Mansa, Barnala, Gurdaspur, Moga, in 21 districts (162 Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran and Ludhi - sub-registrar of - ana. fices). The consumers can reach the department's web - The Revenue sitewww.revenue.punjab.gov.in for online registration. Minister Mr. The Online Property Registration System is very sim - Sukhbinder Singh ple and citizen-friendly, which provides an online inter - Sarkaria said: face to the citizens to enter data related to Registration “This people- and uploading of property documents 24X7, enables au - friendly paperless tomatic calculation of Stamp Duty, Registration fees and transaction has other fees based on Collector Rates. The citizens receive been lapped up by the people as it increases transparency SMS alerts at Data Submission, Appointment and Com - in the property registration process. It is also a clear in - pletion of Registration, eliminating the scope of fraud. dication of the people’s faith in the Chief Minister’s The online appointment system also gives flexibility promise to provide hassle-free services to them.” to the citizens to choose their date of appointment for the The 'Tatkal' system of appointment would also be registration. Template documents are placed online to re - launched soon. duce dependency on Deed Writers. Crackdown on canal water thefts In a crackdown on canal water thieves the Punjab Water Sirhind Canal Division, Ludhiana, which included Farid - Resources Department has reported 191 such thefts in the kot Canal Division (15 cases), Sidhwan Canal Division current paddy season. (19), Ropar Head works Division (03) and Bathinda Water Resources Minister Sukhbindr Singh Sarkaria Canal Division (08). Eleven cases of theft were reported said monitoring of the canals would continue to stop any in Mansa division of I.B. Circle, Patiala and 17 cases in water thefts and warned that anyone found guilty would Devigarh Division of BML Circle, Patiala. not be spared. He directed the officials of his department Mr. Sarkaria assured the farmers of sufficient Canal to take stern action against the water thieves and added water supply for paddy and other Kharif crops. that any dereliction of duty would not be tolerated. He said the state government was fully committed to Giving details about the water thefts an official ensuring the welfare of the farmers. He mentioned that spokesperson said that 118 cases of water theft had been the Punjab Government had already launched debt registered in Ferozepur Canal Circle, Ferozepur. The waiver scheme for farmers. He appealed to the farmers to breakup is as follows Eastern Canal Division (26 case), decrease the dependency on ground water and cultivate Harike Canal Division (4) and Abohar Canal Division (88 such crop varieties that need less water and mature early. case). Besides 45 cases of water thefts were reported in
22 Punjab Advance August- 2018 PUNJAB DIARY 107 schools get smart boards
ll the 107 senior secondary schools of Patiala Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit the smart district are getting smart board-enabled boards were being installed under the ‘Beti bachao, Ascreens and 56 primary schools are getting labs where Beti Parhao’ scheme so that girl students get more kids can play and learn. awairness about society around them and get inspira - These are the modern means adopted by the Capt tion from lives of achievers through films that will be Amarinder Singh-led state government to give wings shown to them. It will introduce students to a new to government schools. realm of studies that are IT enabled. Giving this information former Union Minister Talking about the labs in primary schools, he said Preneet Kaur said the smart boards would enable the the facility will make the children computer savvy at children to learn better and help them clear their con - a very early age and help them to acquire knowledge cepts on various subjects using the latest technology. in a better manner. The computer-assisted technology will be a milestone ADC Development Shauqat Ahmed said the proj - in improving the standard of education and act as a cat - ect would children at par with students of private alyst in developing self confidence in children. This schools and added that lab had already been set up at would also help parents of government school students Sidhuwal school which was working successfully. to feel confident that their wards were receiving all the Soon the other primary schools would be equipped facilities which were so far the available only in private with similar labs. schools. IPS officer’s memoirs on drug addicts
llarh Umran Talakh Sunehe’, a Punjabi book Lauding the unique initiative of the senior police ‘A penned by IPS officer Gurpreet Singh Toor officer, the Chief Minister hoped the book would in - based on his experiences with drug addicts has been spire the youth who had fallen prey to drugs to lead a released by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. normal life with self-respect and dignity. The book was based on Toor’s per - sonal experience and interactions with the youth involved in drug cases during his various field postings in the Police Department. Currently posted as AIG (Counter Intelligence) at Ludhiana, Gurpreet Singh said his book primarily focuses on his personal interactions with drug addicts and their families, besides visits to the vulnerable areas, jail premises and de-addiction centres to have an in - side view of the problem. Toor said that he had written this book with the ob - jective of creating awareness against drug abuse.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 23 PUNJABIS OVERSEAS Gill on Singapore apex court
edar Singh Gill, a prominent Indian-origin intellectual property (IP) litigators, representing cor - intellectual property lawyer in Singapore has porate clients who are household names. Dbeen appointed as judicial commissioner of Singa - He is former president of the Asian Patent Attor - pore’s Supreme Court. neys Association (Singapore Group) and was also ap - Gill, 59, has been appointed by pointed as deputy president of the President Halimah Yacob as the apex Copyright Tribunal. court’s judicial commissioner for a pe - He is also a member of the Law So - riod of two years. ciety of Singapore, the Singapore Acad - A graduate of National University emy of Law and the International of Singapore (1983), Gill was previ - Trademark Association. He will be the ously managing director of intellectual fourth judicial commissioner to be ap - property department of the law firm pointed since February. Drew and Napier LLC, where he spent With Gill’s appointment, the most of his career since graduation. Supreme Court, headed by Indian-ori - A lawyer with over 30 years of ex - gin Chief Justice Sundresh Menon, will perience, he is one of Singapore’s top now have a total of 21 judges.
Lessons on Sikhism in New York schools
ith over 70 per cent of Americans ignorant At the end of this past school year, Sikhism was about Sikhism, schools in the US state of being taught in 70 per cent of fifth- and sixth-grade WNew York will now include lessons on the minority classrooms. The department of education will continue community in their curriculum to educate students to roll out the curriculum to the remaining schools over about Sikh religion and its tradition. the next several years, the report said. A non-profit Sikh organisation, the United Sikhs, Last year in April, National Sikh Campaign, a non- in collaboration with New York City's Department of profit organisation, launched a million-dollar aware - Education, have taken this initiative to educate Amer - ness campaign to inform Americans about their ican students about Sikhism. religion amid a spike in hate crimes against the mi - They came together in Jamaica, Queens, to cele - nority community. brate a new curriculum for fifth and sixth graders in The month-long "We are Sikhs" ad campaign was all five boroughs. launched by the organisation on April 14 on the occa - Pritpal Singh, United Sikhs' senior policy advisor, sion of Vaisakhi, a holy day for the community. said 70 per cent of Americans his group surveyed do Four American States namely New Jersey, Indiana, not recognise Sikhs. American students are not aware Delaware and Oregon have declared the month of about their Sikh classmates, who are subject to bully - April for Sikhism. According to a survey conducted ing and ignorance which breeds animosity. by the Sikh Coalition, a community-based organisa - "They have no idea who we are, what our origins tion that defends Sikh civil rights, it was found that up are, where we come from or what country we come to 67 per cent of Sikh children have said they experi - from," Singh was quoted as saying. "The fact that we enced bullying at school because of their religion. come from India is not understood," he added. Some reported instances of physical violence, includ - The curriculum actually first started in some city ing removal of their turbans by force. An estimated classrooms in September 2016. five lakh Sikhs live in the United States.
24 Punjab Advance August- 2018 PUNJABIS OVERSEAS Twin city of Amritsar in UK Maharaja Duleep Singh’s 125th death anniversary
small UK town in the East Anglia region of shooting parties that were once held here. England has become the twin city of Amritsar “It was a place where he was most at home and at Aas it celebrates the 125th death anniversary of Ma - peace, away from the politics of Punjab and the pup - haraja Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh peteers of Whitehall [British government]. This place Empire, with a two-week-long Punjabi festival. was in fact, where he was at his happiest.” Thetford in Norfolk was home to Duleep Singh and The festival will involve a procession through the the organisers of the Festival of Thetford and Punjab town centre as a collaboration between Bhangra and believe the town has strong resonance with the lush Morris dancers and Dhol Drummers and will include fields, intense farming activity and livestock grazing Punjabi food stalls, Sikh martial arts Gatka, henna of the Indian state. painting and storytelling activities along the River Ouse, encompassing the town’s annual River Festival. “The cultural legacy of Duleep Singh is as significant for Thetford as it is for Pun - jab. The festival provides an opportunity for audiences to learn more about his fas - cinating story, and get involved in a range of activities, talks and events. It is also a chance for us all to further explore the under-appreciated links between Thetford and Punjab due to this shared heritage,” says Festival Director Indi Sandhu. The organisers believe that the story of Duleep Singh, the youngest son of Ma - haraja Ranjit Singh who arrived in Britain in forced exile in 1849 during the British Raj, is complex and requires a degree of critical engagement which can be achieved through poetry, readings and talks. “For the rest of the world, the name of Duleep Singh conjures up the ‘Koh-i- “Elveden Manor in Thetford was home to the last Noor’, ‘British Empire’, stories of imperial occupa - Maharaja of Punjab for many years and Thetfordians tion. It is imbedded with negative connotations. But are extremely proud of their unusual resident,” ex - for the people of Thetford, he holds wonderful mem - plains Seema Anand, a historian and storyteller behind ories,” adds Anand, who will also be coordinating a special ‘Punjab to Thetford’ film. some of the talks at the festival. Peter Bance, historian and author of ‘Sovereign, Duleep Singh’s former home, Elveden Estate, has Squire & Rebel: Maharajah Duleep Singh & the Heirs an Indian-inspired hall and a churchyard where he is of a Lost Kingdom’, explains: “Thetford and Elveden buried with his wife and teenage son. The Festival of was where the Maharaja had his most cherished mem - Thetford & Punjab is aimed at popularising the history ories, from the birth of his children to the extravagant of the place as a site of significance for British Sikhs.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 25 Captions Page 8: . Page 13 . Page 18 . Page 20 Page 21 . Page 22.
CENTRESPREAD pic: Page 29 (Pl remove the pic of Education Minister)
Back cover pic:
Mansa sets the trend
l 3450 saplings planted, 25 village ponds cleaned l Fight against plastic in full swing
Gurdip Mann
trict guidelines are being followed in every district All the government departments have initiated dif - Sof Punjab with all the departments pooling their ferent activities with the District Administration as - efforts to make the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder signing different tasks to officers Singh’s Tandrust Punjab mission a reality. Mansa ADC (d) Gurmeet Sidhu said that under the The District Administration of Mansa is marching MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Em - ahead towards the goal of making the people of Pun - ployment Guarantee Act) at different block levels their jab healthy. department has undertaken many activities to clean the
28 Punjab Advance August- 2018 atmosphere. the follow-up visit after one week. "So far, we have dug 21613 pits with the help of Speaking about the health of the people, Civil Sur - MGNREGA labour to plant saplings," the ADC (d) geon Lal Chand Thukral said special health checkup said, claiming that 3450 saplings had been planted so camps are being organized in the district wherein fruits far. and vegetable vends and shops are checked on a daily Besides, work on cleaning 25 village ponds across basis. the district was also going on. Renovation of one Seminars are also organized to sensitise people Sports Stadium and the upkeep of 19 parks in the vil - about dengue and malaria diseases. "We have also in - lages too are going on at a war footing. tensified the campaign against the use of tobacco prod - Mansa SDM Abhijeet Kaplish said the fight against ucts which leads to innumerable diseases," Thukral plastic has been initiated with the help of 70 employ - added. ees and officials of different departments. To reduce the level of pollution in the district, the "We are encouraging the people, especially the PPCB (Punjab Pollution Control Board) has honoured shopkeepers, not to use the non-biodegradable plastic those farmers who have not burnt paddy or wheat stub - bags which had wrecked havoc on our environment," ble in their respective farms. Kaplish said. The use of such plastic bags, chokes the sewers resulting in sewage flowing onto the roads. Also with the help of the city traffic police, 511 ve - Government servants are visiting shops in their re - hicles were checked and 100 vehicles were issued spective areas everyday to make the shopkeepers challan for emitting pollution. Their department is also aware of the ongoing drive against the plastic. collecting samples from the Sewerage Treatment Plant The checking teams take notes of their conversa - and checking of Pollution Check Centers has also been tion with the shopkeeper in a prescribed form and do done.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 29 Sports
Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh returns 8 robust Punjab boys in Asiad hockey team
Donald Banerjee
ce drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh has returned Singh have been named in the squad. along with seven other Punjab players who have The team's defence will be strengthened with the Amade it to the 18-member India team for the 18th return of experienced dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh Asian Games. Yes, the state has once again proved to who was rested for the Champions Trophy. The back - be the mecca of hockey, thus keeping up its robust line will also see three other dragflickers Harmanpreet youth image of Tandrust Punjab. Singh, Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas apart from the Beginning in Indonesia on August 18, the defend - experienced Surender Kumar and Birendra Lakra. ing champions India, led by skipper P.R Sreejesh, had Speaking about the team composition, chief coach beaten Pakistan in the final at the 2014 Asiad in In - Harendra Singh said: "We have a great mix of players cheon Korea. who have shown their abilities in the recent tourna - The inclusion of two Punjab players, ace drag- ments. Though it is unfortunate we will be missing out flicker Rupinder Pal Singh and striker Akashdeep on Ramandeep Singh's experience as he is ruled out of Singh are the only two changes from the team that won the silver medal at the Champions Trophy, in Breda, the Netherlands, recently. While Rupinder, who was rested for the Champions Trophy, returned to the side in place of Jarmanpreet Singh, Akashdeep re - placed an injured Ramandeep Singh. The ex - clusion of Ramandeep (also from Punjab) because of injury will definitely have an im - pact on the team’s performance. Midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has been named as the vice captain for the tournament and he will be joined by the ex - perienced Sardar Singh, Manpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad in the midfield. The forwardline will see Akashdeep Singh return to the squad. Experienced SV Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Dilpreet the Asian Games due to a recent knee surgery he un -
30 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Sports derwent. But it is good to have Akashdeep Singh back in the mix. Both Rupinder and Akashdeep have re - mained in the camp when the team was away in Breda and have had good match practice against Bangladesh over the past week and are rar - ing to go." The 18-members who returned from Breda, the Netherlands have joined the rest of the core group at on - drag-flickers of the world and a great penalty corner going National Camp in Sports Authority of India, expert. Born on November 11, 1990. Rupinder is a Bengaluru after a short five-day break. The next three professional hockey player and and he had represented weeks in camp will see a mix of players take on the India in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, Korean National team in five practice matches and the 2014 Asian Games at Incheon and the Summer New Zealand national team in three matches ahead of Olympic Games of 2016 at Rio de Janeiro. the all-important Asian Games. "While the practice Even though Rupinder is the best drag-flicker yet matches against Korea will have a mix of players from the athlete has one more image in the minds of his the core group, the matches against New Zealand will fans. Rupinder is also the king of social media in the be played by the 18 members who are selected for the Indian hockey team. Rupinder is quite active on dif - Asian Games. I believe this will be good for the team ferent social media networking sites. He often inter - in their preparation for the Asian Games where we will acts with his fans on with the help of different social certainly go for the Gold to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo media platform. On Twitter, 1,80,867 people follow Olympics," stated an assertive Harendra Singh. Rupinder on micro-blogging site Twitter. Squad: Goalkeepers--PR Sreejesh (Captain), Kris - Born in a Sikh family. Rupinder started playing han B Pathak. Defenders-Harmanpreet Singh, Varun hockey at the age of 11. He got selected in Indian Kumar, Birendra Lakra, Surender Kumar, Rupinder Hockey team in the year 2010. There has been no look - Pal Singh, Amit Rohidas. Midfielders: Manpreet ing back after. Singh, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (Vice-Captain), Simranjeet Singh, Sardar Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad. Rupinder started playing professional hockey in Forwards : S V Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep 2010.He also participated in the 'Sultan Azlan Shah Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Dilpreet Singh. Cup', in which the Indian Hockey team won the Gold Best drag-flicker medal. Rupinder, who was included in the team as a Rupinder Pal Singh, who has made it to the Indian replacement for Sandeep Singh, made his mark, by squad for the 2018 Asian Games, is one of the best scoring a hat-trick of goals against Britain.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 31 Bathinda village show the way Marshy pond turns into treated water reservoir
Megha Mann
ir Behman village in Bathinda has shown the tremely efficient and can easily achieve biological way in waste water management. It has con - oxygen demand at the threshold and remove more than vBerted a foul-smell-emitting pond spread over 5 acres, 90 per cent of suspended solids. It also removes am - into a site that will treat 21000 litres of village waste monia to an equal extent. These are particularly effi - water daily and supply it to the fields for irrigation. cient in removing excreted pathogens in contrast to all Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra said that other treatment processes requiring a tertiary treatment using the Waste Stabilization Pond (WSP) technology, process such as chlorination to achieve destruction of the waste water of the entire village as well as rain the bacteria. water will soon find its way into the fields after being Earlier the waste water used to accumulate in 5 scientifically treated. acres of land, which had become marshy. “So bad was This technology is the most simple and cheap the condition of the pond that if any animal fell into it, it took a lot of efforts to drag it out alive,” says sarpanch Sandeep Singh. In September last year, after the government cleared the use of WSP technology for revamping the pond, vil - lagers worked under NREGA and took up the mammoth task of cleaning the source of the stench in village, which shares bound - ary wall with government school. The ADC (D) Mrs Sakshi Sawhney was hopeful that the village, having a popula - tion of 2500, is now looking forward to the completion of method of treating waste water in rural areas. It is ex - the project within three months. Apart from a clean
32 Punjab Advance August- 2018 environment, giving villagers respite, providing clean The first well i.e. anaerobic well has a screening water for irrigation and managing village waste, the chamber that will bring in waste water from the vil - front portion of project will be used to construct shops lage. A screen has been installed to separate plastic and under rural haat project from where village panchayat other solid waste. can earn some income and the green strip will be uti - The second well is sludge separator. lized to develop park with swings and open gym ap - The third pond will separate the oil residue from paratus installed for villagers. water. SDO Mahesh Garg and JE Gurtej Singh, who have The fourth well will contain decanted water from been associated with the project for quite some time, which 9 feet wide diameter pipe will take the treated say that the villagers will get a new lease of life with water to one of the four ponds. this project. The structures built under the new technology will The water collected in these ponds will percolate clean 21000 liters of water in 24 hours. The waste sta - underground to raise the water level and will also be bilization plant comprises of four wells. carry water to the fields for irrigation purposes.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 33 Park-route to fitness Mansa to have 25 village parks by 2019
Gurdip Mann
unjab Government's scheme of introducing Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), spent Rs parks in villages can be showcased in Mansa 21 lakh last year to raise the park. wPhere 12 village parks have been built across the dis - "The daily footfall in this park is around 200 peo - trict, and work on eight more parks is nearing com - ple, including the elderly, children and youth," he pletition. The district is likely to touch the 25-park added. The walking track of 1 kilometer is preferred by mark by 2019. the elderly and youth, while the chil - The villagers are happy at the cre - dren come to enjoy slide, swings and The following is the list of vil - ation of such parks."It's not just the other games. lages where parks have been beautification of the villages but also Additional Deputy Commis - built in Mansa: Matti-, Hero the fitness of the villagers who are sioner (Development) Gurmeet Kalan, Khokhar Kalan, Bhai eager to go for fitness walks,” said Sidhu said the demand for more such Desa, Kulana, Hakamwal, Purshottam Garg, Sarpanch of Matti parks in other villages is gaining mo - Makha Chahlan, Burj village which is having one of the mentum. "We are likely to cross the Harike, Banawala, Gurthari biggest parks. figure of 25 parks by 2019," he and Jivan-Nagar Spread over an area of 3 acres, the added. DPRO at Mansa panchayat of this village, with funds “The panchayats are playing a from Mahatma Gandhi National Rural major role in raising these parks as is has become the need of hour because of the reducing area in village households due to the trend of nuclear families," Sidhu further said. Apart from this, now people in villages too feel the need of recreational activities and youngsters are also spending time in gyms ad - jacent to some of these parks. Mandeep Sidhu, District Coordinator of MGNREGA, said officers of the state govern - ment's played a major role in bringing a change in these 12 villages by releasing funds for this purpose. "In few villages we have clubbed the funds meant for the cremation ground by setting up park in the cremation ground itself to kill two birds with one stone," Mandeep added. The village panchayat of Mussa got five parks built from its own resources while 2.5- acre park area within the Gaushala of Khokhar village is built at a cost of Rs 22.36 lakh.
34 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Villagers convert garbage dumps into green parks Bhokhra village wears a new look
Megha Mann
illage Bhokhra's six parks are a perfect exam - money from its own funds to bring up these parks and ple of concerted efforts of villagers that has constructed boundary wall, installed interlocking tiles, Vconverted cow-dung dumping places and garbage fixed benches for sitting, planted saplings etc. dumps into beautiful and lush green parks. Started in Even the village youth have come forward to de - 2014, the campaign to turn vacant panchayat land into sign these parks on the lines of parks of Chandigarh. parks has not only given new and clean look to the vil - At present there are six parks in the village and three lage, albeit it has also increased the green cover. more are on the anvil. Appreciating the efforts of villagers, Bathinda Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar said people from other vil - Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra stated that more lages visit Bhokhra to see these parks. Panchayats villages should adopt this strategy and gift their vil - from other villages frequently ask questions on devel - lage clean and green environment. The Bhokhra is an oping similar parks in their villages. example for others to follow wherein villagers have themselves taken the initiative and have come out with excellent results. District Development and Panchayat Officer Rajinder Singh Jassal and BDPO Kavita Garg stated that the village sarpanch Mahinder Kaur's son Jagmeet Singh Brar, nambardar Baljinder Singh, panchayat secretary Arvind Garg and other villagers had worked hard in bring - ing up these parks. The garbage and cow dung dumping yards of the village have been replaced with green parks. Every park in the village covers around 2 to 4 kanals of land. Of the total 3000 acres of land covered by village, around 2.5 acres is under the parks. The village panchayat has spent
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 35 Career n Competition Tips for the gruelling personality test
PUNMEDIA BUREAU
he Kothari Committee of the UPSC, has rect’, ‘of course’, ‘indeed’, ‘obviously’. T listed the following qualities that should 3. Avoid technical jargon.. However if the mem - be rated in the interview: ''Clarity of expression, ber continues to probe you in any technical grasp of narrative and argument, reasoning abil - field, you can use technical expressions. ity, appreciation of different points of view, aware - 4. Maintain a cheerful disposition. Now andthen ness and concern for socio-economic problems, you can appear serious, but most of the time ranges and depth of interests and personal attrib - keep smiling or look cheerful and composed. utes relevant to interaction with people.'' One caution here, if the board laught, you The Interview for the civil services examina - should only smile. It is only when you main - tion also known as the Personality Test is exactly tain some sort of distance that the board be - that. It is aimed at assessing the candidate's per - gins to wonder about the depth of your sonality, whether he is suitable to be a competent personality. administrator or not. The candidate is tested not 5. Do not give long introductions. Come straight only for his/her intelligence but also for his/her to the heart of the matter. overall personality development, his/her atten - 6. Show human concern whenever possible in tiveness, balance of judgement and qualities of your answers.. honesty, integrity and leadership. Therefore prepa - 7. Try to be logically consistent and analyse ration for the Interview requires proper planning. things rationally while talking. You are sup - Interview tips posed to defend what you say, but with due 1. Have a positive body language. respect to the views of the board. Stop trying 2. Have a good personal turnout and ensure the to defend an answer if it becomes difficult to right posture. do so logically and fairly. 3. Answer questions clearly and confidently. 8. Do not make hasty or sweeping generaliza - 4. Remain calm and composed, even when tions.. faced with provocative questions. Types of questions expected 5. Try not to get into long-winded explanations 1. Relating to your name. Any famous person - and answer to the point. ality who has a similar or same name or sur - Things to be avoided name. 1. Avoid the expression ‘I am sorry’. 2. Your career choice. Why you want to opt for 2. Avoid clichés like ‘as you know’, ‘that’s cor - the civilservices.
36 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Career n Competition
3. Your Hobbies. Why you pursue such a hobby malady that afflicts our country, that creates so or questions related to your hobby. So many poor in India. As a doctor I can treat only reasearch well on your hobby. secondary maladies." She even came up with 4. Hot topics of recent days. Keep reading and exact statistics and suggestions on a rubber watching the news. If the recent headlines plantation for poverty alleviation indicating have something to do with your subject then that she had spent considerable time and specially revise those portions. thoughts on her future plans. She was awarded 5. How you are going to use your specific knowledge(like if you are a doc - tor, lawyer, en - gineer etc) in the services. 6. Situational questions. Like If you were the collector/SP of Varanasi, what would you do after a Bomb Blast? 7. Choice of serv - ices. The order of your choice of services can a score of 85 per cent. raise questions too. 2. "What are the problems faced by wheat culti - 8. About your institution and related.If you have vators in your state?" This question was posed studied at IIM you may be asked about the ris - to an M.Sc. (Agriculture) student from Palan - ing salaries, if from IGNOU then even about pur. Indira Gandhi and so on. He replied: "The problem is not so much to do 9. From your form. You must go through the form with agronomy but with the lack of a seed bank you have filled because most questions will arise from there. If you have changed subjects, in Palanpur." The candidate walked away with mentioned anything out of the way, watch out an 80 per cent score. for questions on them. Interviewers take cue 3. "Is there a law in physics, which is relevant from the form you have filled. to administration?" a law graduate was asked. Some actual questions asked "Yes. Newton's third law of motion: for every 1. Don't you think you can serve your country bet - action there is an equal and opposite reaction," he ter by remaining a doctor and treating poor pa - replied, and scored a cool 80 per cent. tients? Why do you want to be a civil servant?" The above questions can give you an idea of This question was posed to a doctor from Ker - how relevant questions are asked from your sub - ala. jects even as they are not directly from the syl - She replied:: "Because I want to treat the primary labus.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 37 Career n Competition
National Curren Events BrahMos missile test fired a scale of 0 to 9 according to average the yatra routes. CRPF personnel of DRDO has successfully test-fired wave height.The test was conducted Saathi mobile help centre will be vis - supersonic on the heels of earlier two trials con - iting various camps in Jammu and ap - cruise mis - ducted on May 21 and 22, 2018 in prise pilgrims about security sile under which the major sub-systems manu - measures to be kept in mind. They extreme factured indigenously under the will provide other relevant informa - weather ‘Make in India’ campaign were suc - tion to yatris. conditions, cessfully tested to increase missile’s JEE (Main), NEET exam as part of the service life extension life from 10 to 15 years. Union Ministry of Human Re - programme for Indian Army. The ‘Saathi’ mobile help for Yatris source Development (HRD) has an - missile was fired from a mobile au - The Central Reserve Police Force nounced that two of India’s most tonomous launcher from the Inte - (CRPF) has launched Saathi, a mo - popular competitive exams, Joint En - grated Test Range at Balasore, bile help centre to reach out to peo - trance Examination (JEE) (Main) and Odisha. During the test the BrahMos ple undertaking annual pilgrimage to National Eligibility and Entrance Test missile followed the designated tra - 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine of (NEET), will now be held twice a jectory and its key components func - Amarnath. It will provide help and year and over multiple days. Both tioned perfectly. It again proved its information to yatris staying in camps exams will be conducted by newly all-weather capability, flying in sea outside the Bhagwati Nagar base state 7, with waves as high as nine formed National Testing Agency camp in Jammu. This will be in addi - metres. Sea state is the degree of tur - (NTA). It will also conduct National tion to security provided by CRPF on bulence at sea, generally measured on Eligibility Test (NET).Key Facts.
Punjab ‘i-Hariyali’ app’ to increase has also been decided, under a new where posts of Sub Inspectors are green cover transfer policy, that no SHO incharge sanctioned for SHOs, and police of - Punjab government has launched of a police station shall be posted in ficers not below the rank of regular ‘i-Hariyali’ his home Sub Division. No Upper or Inspectors shall be posted as SHOs mobile appli - Lower Subordinate shall remain where posts of Inspectors are sanc - cation under posted in the same district after reg - tioned for SHOs. ‘Mission istration of a criminal case against 22 Zila Parishads dissolved Tandarust him/her in the district. The Range Tne Punjab Government has dis - Punjab’ IG/DIG shall immediately post him solved all the 22 Zila Prishads , 150 aimed at in - to anther district in the Range. Under Block Samitis and 13000 Gram Pan - creasing the state’s green cover. It the new policy, the minimum tenure chayats of the state. Deputy Com - will enable app users to order free of an SHO incharge of a police sta - missioners have been appointed plant saplings and help to save the en - tion shall be one year, which can be administrators for Zila Prishads, vironment from pollution. extended upto three years by the DDPOs will be the the administrators New transfer policy for cops SSP/CP concerned for reasons to be of the Block Samitis. Director Rural The Punjab Police has decided to recorded in writing (Section 15.1, Development and Panchayats has cap the tenure of an SHO and a Mun - Punjab Police Act, 2007). It further been authorized to appoint the offi - shi at a police station to a maximum provides that police officers not cers of the Rural Development de - of three years, and that of Constables below the rank of regular Sub In - partment. as administrators of the & Head Constables to five years.It spectors shall be posted as SHOs Panchayats .
38 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Career n Competition
Curren Events International First 3-D colour X-ray on works like a camera detecting and founder Jack Ma.The panel will have human counting individual sub-atomic parti - 20 members in total and include lead - Scientists from New Zealand have cles as they collide with pixels while ers from technology, public policy, performed its shutter is open. This allows for science and academia etc. Senior In - the world’s high-resolution, high-contrast pic - dian diplomat Amandeep Singh Gill first 3-D, tures. Its small pixels and accurate en - along with former diplomat Jovan colour X- ergy resolution makes this new Kurbalija will be executive directors ray on imaging tool able to get images that of panel’s secretariat. human. It no other imaging tool can achieve. UN arms embargo has poten - Cyber security The United Nations Security tial to im - United Nations (UN) Secretary- Council (UNSC) has adopted Resolu - prove the field of medical diagnostics. General Antonio Guterres has estab - tion 2428 (2018) to impose an arms The new device is based on the tradi - lished first-of-its-kind panel on digital embargo on South Sudan, almost five tional black-and-white X-ray but in - cooperation aimed at addressing con - years after ruinous civil war was corporates particle-tracking cerns of cybersecurity threats and rise started in infant country. The resolu - technology called Medipix developed in hate speech. The high-level panel tion was drafted by United States and by European Organization for Nu - on digital cooperation will be co- won minimum nine votes needed in clear Research (CERN). The Medipix chaired by US philanthropist Melinda favour to none against with 6 absten - technology developed by CERN Gates and China-based Alibaba tions.
Sports France lift FIFA World Cup country ever to reach final in the mod - Kerber (Germany) defeated Serena France has won 2018 FIFA World ern era.Goal Scores: For France, four Williams (United States) in straight Cup Football goals were scored by Mario sets 6–3, 6–3, in the finals. by defeating Mandžuki ć (Croatia’s self-goal at 18 Dipa wins gold Croatia by 4-2 min), Antoine Griezmann (38 min), India’s leading gymnasts Dipa goals in the Paul Pogba (59 min) and Kylian Karmakar created history by becom - final match Mbappe (65 min). For Croatia, two ing the first Indian gymnast to win a held at the goals were scored by Ivan Periši ć (28 gold medal in the vault event of FIG Luzhniki Sta - min), Mario Mandzukic (69 min). Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge dium in Djokovic, Kerber are champs Cup at Mersin, Turkey. This is her Moscow, Rus - Novak Djokovic of Serbia and An - first medal in World Challenge Cup. sia . It was gelique Kerber of Germany won the Dipa Karmakar scored 14.150 to France’s second World Cup crown men’s and women’s singles title in the clinch the gold medal. Indonesia’s after it had won it in 1998 (by defeat - 2018 Wimbledon Championships Rifda Irfanaluthfi won the silver ing Brazil) on home soil. With this, which concluded at Wimbledon, Lon - medal with 13.400 points followed by victory France joins Uruguay and Ar - don, on July 15. Novak Djokovic Turkey’s Goksu Uctas Sanli who gentina in winning the World Cup (World Number 21) defeated Kevin clinched bronze medal with score of twice. It was Croatia’s first World Anderson (South Africa) in straight 13.200. Dipa also topped qualification Cup final appearance and smallest sets 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, while Angelique with score of 13.400.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 39 Govt primary schools wear a new look
· Colourful train with bogies as classrooms · Scenery, cartoon characters lend colour to walls
Megha Mann
athinda: While the government is taking a lot government school buildings into pieces of beauty. of initiatives to improve health conditions To start with the buildings of Government Pri - Bunder Tandrust Punjab Mission, teachers of govern - mary School, Kaureana village, Government Pri - ment schools have taken the onus of transforming mary School, Inder Singh Wala village, and
40 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Government Primary School, Khokhar have been collected through donations and the remaining painted in such a way that they stand out in the vil - amount was paid by teacher Gaganpreet Kaur from lage environs. her own pocket. Jain Arts Bathinda did the painting At Government Primary School in Kaureana work. Gaganpreet Kaur added that the school now teacher Gurpreet Kaur and EGS volunteer Kiran - plans to open a library that will have dedicated cor - deep Kaur have converted the outer walls of the ners for Punjabi, maths and English. class rooms into a long train. The teachers got the Similarly at Government Primary School in classes painted during summer vacation giving a Kothe Inder Singh, teacher Rajinder Singh has pleasant surprise to 60 of its students who were painted scenery and cartoon characters. He did the thrilled to step in beautiful school premises. work during the summer vacations over a period of Former school committee chairman Tarsem 18 days wherein three rooms were painted. He Singh said village panchayat officer Baljinder added that the main motive of painting the classes Singh, Dr Paramjit Singh, Tara Singh president, Sat - was to make them attractive enough for the young bir Singh NRI, former sarpanch Gurcharan Singh minds. Like private schools, these government Dal Singh, Dr Rajinder Singh, Bhagwan Valmiki schools too are now centers of attraction for the stu - Welfare Youth Club, Hardeep Singh Sony and Bal - dents. winder Singh have helped get the class rooms Similarly, at Government Primary School village painted as train compartments. Rs 71000 has been Khokhar, the teachers have painted a train of knowl - spent on the project so far of which Rs 52000 was edge on outer walls of the school.
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 41 A tribute Voice of the common man Gurdial Singh (1933-2016)
PUNMEDIA BUREAU
he second Punjabi writer after Amrita novels and a collection of stories by Gurdial Singh Pritam to bag the Gnanpith Award, Gur - into English, says: “He radicalized the Punjabi Tdial Singh (83) has left behind a legacy of work novel or reinscribed its ideology and aesthetic that provides the readers an insight into the human space by infusing into it a new consciousness mind and its myriad manifestations. He scripted about the underprivileged and the oppressed. a life that translated the trials and tribulations of Malwa region remained the centre of his work. the oppressed, dispossessed and the marginalized, According to Rana, Gurdial Singh realised early into a language that went beyond boundaries. in life that the social milieu, locale and specific His life has been a story of a man whose spirit problems varied according to the cultural context could never be broken and whose writing and life and thus worked hard to hone his own distinctive were inseparable. literary voice. His own life and personal convic - The writer whose second death anniversary tions motivated him to identify himself with the falls on August 16, emerged as an ace before an poor and the marginalized. endless stream of odds: He started his literary career in 1957 with a 1. He had to drop out after Class VIII because of short story, Bhaganwale, which was published in lack of funds Panj Darya, a magazine edited by Mohan Singh. 2. He refused to step into his father’s shoes to His stories were also published in Preetlari, edited continue as a blacksmith by Gurbaksh Singh. 3. He became his own teacher and completed his He shot into fame in 1964 with his major work, basic education Marhi Da Deeva that established him as a novel - 4. He took up the job of a school teacher ist. He wrote ten novels, including Anhoe (1966), 5. He went on to become a professor at Regional Addh Chanani Raat (1972), Anhe Ghore Da Daan Centre of Punjabi University and finally (1976) and Parsa (1991); 12 collections of short emerged as a Punjabi writer. stories, including Saggi Phull (1962), Kutta Te Professor Rana Nayar, who has translated four Aadmi (1971), Begana Pind (1985) and Kareer Di
42 Punjab Advance August- 2018 A tribute
Dhingri (1991); and translated more than 30 worthy. But, after that, it has become a cult of books. sorts and I have no wish to jump on to the band - His novels Marhi Da Deeva and Addh Chanani wagon,” he had said in an interview to HT. Raat have been translated into English as The Last His message to the writers was, “They should Flicker (by Sahitya Akademi) and Night of the continue to write, pointing to the ills of politics, Half Moon (by Macmillan) respectively. The Na - social inequality and exploitation of all kinds, and tional Book Trust has also published an English raise awareness among the people.” translation of his novel Parsa. Apart from novels Sukhdev Singh Sirsa, president of the Punjabi and short stories he Sahit Akademi: “He also wrote three plays, was one of the last ones two prose works and in the Munshi Prem nine books for chil - Chand tradition of writ - dren. ing about the downtrod - He received approx - den. He brought alive imately 17 awards in - the struggle of the cluding the Jnanpith working classes of rural Award (in 1999), the Punjab. He leaves be - Padma Shri, the Shiro - hind a rich collection of mani Sahitkar Award, work and he was writ - the Punjab Sahitya ing to the very last. His Akademi Award death is a big loss.” (1979), the Soviet Land Krishna Sobti, Hindi Nehru Award (1986), novelist: “Gurdial the Bhai Veer Singh Singh’s talent was in the Fiction Award (1992), fact of bringing out the and others. He was extraordinary in an or - awarded Best Fiction dinary character in Award four times in keeping with the Sikh 1966, 1967, 1968 and religious philosophy. I 1972. was privileged that he He treaded his own translated my novel path in other ways too. When there was a spate of ‘Zindaginama’ into Punjabi in 1994.” returning awards in protest against “rising intol - Gurvinder Singh, film-maker who adapted erance” in 2015, with Punjab leading the way, ‘Anhe Ghore da Daan into an award winning Gurdial did not do so. “I will not return the Padma movie: “I was amazed by the structure of ‘Anhe Shri or any other award, even though I am pained Ghore da Daan’ in which events take place in less by the growing intolerance and more. I feel that than 24 hours and a Dalit family is pushed from the immediate response of writers, following the the village to the city. I found Gurdial Singh a killings of writers in Karnataka and the beef-re - very gentle person and was thrilled when he saw lated lynching in Dadri, was spontaneous and the film on DVD in Jaitu and liked it.”
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 43 Health Prevent great toe deformity
Dr.Ravinder Chadha
he foot is made up of bones, muscles and lig - A seemingly simple activity like walking puts im - aments. In order to perform the functions of mense pressure on the feet, which is approximately mTobility, flexibility and support all these three work two to three times the body weight. Most of the prob - together. The foot has to absorb the load, provide sup - lems afflicting the foot are not because of walking but port and assist during movement of the body. On an due to ill-fitting shoes. If the shoes are too tight, the average on a day-to-day basis a person spends several foot gets squeezed thus increasing pressure. Loose hours on his/her feet and takes several thousand steps. shoes make the foot slide and rub against the shoes causing friction. Bunion is a common deformity also referred to as Hallux Valgus. The great toe tilts over towards the other toes and a bony lump/swelling appears on the inner side of great toe. There is a lateral deviation of great toe over 20 degrees. The average deviation being 15 degrees approximately. The incidence is much higher in women than men. The cause could be the common use of high heels with narrow toed shoes worn by the fairer sex. Radiographic findings also cor - roborate the fact that wearing heels of 3” or more causes the greater toe to move towards the other toes of the foot. This deformity develops slowly and if ignored can lead to dislocation of the joint causing instability during walking. In advanced cases the big toe
44 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Health
4. Callus formation over the great toe, which may This deformity develops slowly and if ig - lead to ulceration. nored can lead to dislocation of the joint 5. Certain cases may present with a cyst or Bursa causing instability during walking. In ad - containing fluid. vanced cases the big toe can overlap the Treatment: The following conservative treat - second toe. The defect can initially be ments can limit the formation of bunion and relieve corrected with the help of orthotics / ex - pain.
ercises. Chronic deformity is difficult to l Apply a pad around the bunion to avoid formation treat and halting progression becomes of callus, corn formation.
impossible. In cases of intolerable pain, l Avoid high heel shoes. Wear shoes with wide and decreased ability to perform duties, deep toe box with low heel to reduce weight on the shoes are difficult to fit then the only forefoot.
hope is surgery. l In case the bunion becomes painful and swollen can overlap the second toe. The defect can initially be then elevate the foot and apply ice. corrected with the help of orthotics / exercises. l In some cases Injection steroid is given to reduce Chronic deformity is difficult to treat and halting pro - the inflammation. gression becomes impossible. In cases of intolerable l Night splint/Taping helps in reducing pain. pain, decreased ability to perform duties, shoes are dif - l Use toe separators made of silicon. ficult to fit then the only hope is surgery. In the starting of the bunions, the following Exer - Causes: cises can help to increase the range of motion. 1. Family history of bunion – This does not mean 1. While sitting place foot on the floor, lift toes as that the siblings are bound to suffer. The connec - high as possible while holding the ball of the foot tion seems to be usually flexible joints (heredi - on the flat surface for a count of 5 followed by tary) that are more prone to suffer. bending toes downwards. Repeat 10-15 times 2. Abnormal foot function i.e. inward motion of the twice a day. foot particularly in people having short first 2. While sitting spread toes apart as far as possible. Metatarsal bone (Big toe) and flat feet. Use hands if required to hold the toes apart. Hold 3. Frequent use of high heels and narrow toed shoes. for four seconds. Repeat 10-15 times twice a day. 4. Rheumatoid / Osteoarthritis patients are more 3. Towel Curls: Place foot on the wet towel on the prone to develop Bunions. floor. Curl the towel towards the body with the Symptoms: help of toes. 1. Redness, swelling or pain at the great toe. For good health of one’s foot and prevention from 2. Discomfort/ pain on wearing shoes. Therefore suffering agonizing pain do not ignore great toe pain. more often in winters. If there is pain at night or Also avoid wearing high heel and narrow toed shoes in at rest then there may be arthritis of the great toe order to avoid deformity. Be more comfortable than also. The foot becomes so broad that it is diffi - fashionable. cult to get wide enough shoes. --Dr Ravinder Chadha is a former physio-ther - 3. Pain is predominantly on the upper part of great apist of the Indian cricket team toe when the toe rubs under the shoe or under sur - E-mail: [email protected] face of second toe due to pressure of great toe. (Tel 0172-2702929 )
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 45 Children’s world
Hi kids,
o, another Independence Day has come. Gone are the days when Independence Day and Re - Does it have any significance to the school public Day used to be celebrated like national festi - kSids of today. I overheard a conversation among vals. I remember my childhood in the fifties, when my teenaged kids in a city park. They were planning a trip papa used to hoist the national flag on the roof and we to Kasauli as an Independence Day treat. And surpris - eight brothers and sisters used to light candles and ingly the parents burst crackers. I of one of the boys cant forget the were accompany - taste of the spe - ing them on this cial kheer my trip. mama used to The schools make on that spe - also don’t take cial day. much interest in On August 15, celebrating this na - 1947, at the tional festival. Cer - stroke of mid - tain schools do call night, the Indian over the teachers flag replaced the and the students Union Jack of the for the flag-hoist - British Empire. ing ritual which in - And millions of cludes distribution Indians went to of ‘laddoos’ in sleep in a state of small packets. excitement. For, What can the they would liter - kids do when their ally wake up in a superiors are reluctant to make the national festival free country. celebration something to look forward to. I am sure The history behind Indian independence is very the kids would be eager to know about the heroes who painful and is full of sacrifices. It was an endless strug - sacrificed their lives to get freedom from British rule. gle of millions of faceless Indians, who made the in - The kids today are definitely more intelligent and habitants united and fought for the freedom of their are always craving for more. What a pity that they fall own country. prey to super heroes like superman, batman, spider - Children you are not to blame for the change. Most man. It is another thing that now the small screen has of our I-Day celebrations focus on fun games to attract exposed them to the new Indian heroes like Chhota children. No harm, but why not add a patriotic touch to Bheem. the function. I am sure there can be a way to celebrate But what about the original Indian Independence the day highlighting the heroics of our freedom fight - martyrs like Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Chandra ers, so that the kids remember it and feel proud of it. Shekhar Azad or Subhas Chandra Bose to name a few. Do write and let us have your ideas about how you These are the icons that need to get a face among the would like to celebrate the national festivals.. children’s comic heroes. All the best ------Uncle Don
46 Punjab Advance August- 2018 Children’s world Children are wiser than elders Short story by Leo Tolstoy
(Leo Tolstoy was a great writer. He was a Russian. He wrote many good stories. Each story has a valuable moral. The following is one of his stories. It is written in simple English for your sake.)
t was rainy season in Russia. In a certain At that time the grandmother of Akulya village in Russia the rain water was came out of the house. She told the men and Iflowing in streams in a street. Two little girls the women not to fight. “It is festival time. were playing in the street water. It People should not was festival time. They were wear - quarrel," she told them. ing new frocks. Malasha was the No one listened to younger of the two little girls. her. No one cared for Akulya was the older girl. her words. In the Malasha stamped her foot in the meantime Malasha and water. The muddy water fell on Akulya forgot about Akulya’s new frock. At that time their quarrel. They be - Akulya’s mother was walking that came friends again. way. She looked at her daughter’s They moved away dress. She scolded her daughter. from the fighting “Malasha splashed the water on crowd. They started me, mother," said Akulya. letting paper boats in Akulya’s mother gave two or the running water. Now three slaps on the back of Malasha. the old woman said to Malasha started weeping loudly. Malasha’s the fighting groups. mother heard her daughter’s weeping. She “Look at the children. They have forgotten came out in hurry. their quarrel. They have started playing again. “Why are you weeping?" asked her mother. They have become friends again. But you men “Akulya’s mother beat me on my back," and women still keep quarrelling. Are you not said Malasha. ashamed of your tendency?" Malasha’s mother turned to Akulya’s The men and the women looked at the little mother in an angry mood. Soon they started girls. They felt ashamed. They went back to quarrelling loudly. Other women joined them their houses quietly. soon. The two fighting groups became bigger (Children forget and forgive very easily. and bigger. The men also joined in the fight - The elders learnt this lesson from the little ing. girls)
Punjab Advance 47 August- 2018 Forecast
What the stars foretell Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma (Astrologer, Palmist, Numerologist & Vastu Consultant) email: [email protected]
Aries: Creative people can start some - Leo: New entrepreneurs will be able Sagittarius: It is best to keep your thing on the side and reap monetary to succeed in stabilising themselves fi - personal and professional lives sepa - rewards. Things will be totally in your nancially. A short and swift victory is rate, as it can create misunderstand - control as you establish your authority assured for those in a legal tangle. ings. Indications on the financial front at work. Peace and harmony on the Over familiarity with the one you love will be positive. Those eligible may home front can be achieved only threatens to make the relationship start the process of finding a suitable when you spend time in resolving is - stagnant, so find ways to keep it vi - life partner. You will be able to effec - sues that created problems in the past. brant. Some of you may shift residence tively counter a minor ailment Probably, it’s time to adapt some due to transfer, so expect a few posi - through some home remedies. Love changes on the health front for better - tive changes in your life. and concern of spouse will be most ment! touching.
Taurus: Stars advise those in the serv - Virgo: A hectic phase is indicated on Capricorn: A chance of getting ice sector not to get involved in con - the professional front this month, so picked up by a reputed company in flicts between colleagues as your prioritize your work, so that nothing campus recruitment becomes a reality actions could be misconstrued. Busi - important is left out. Daily exercise for some. Don’t let up on hard work on nessmen need to be little patient with routine promises to keep you fit and the academic front. Financial position their approach to nurture new con - energetic. A clash with spouse is to be remains strong, as you take necessary tacts. You need to be completely fo - guarded against, if you want to pre - steps to add to your wealth. Pending cused on improving your fitness levels. serve domestic harmony. Prospects of construction work of a property may Do review your expenses, and take im - getting a piece of property at bargain get initiated soon. Health remains mediate steps to limit them. price look bright. Avoid any kind of good, as you take all precautions. carelessness on the financial front.
Gemini: Situations on the work front Libra: Much pleasure is in store for Aquarius: Attitude of parents may be will not be easy to deal with and may those focussing on their love life. a bit restricting, but little you can do force you to take some impulsive deci - Those hoping for promotion may find about it. Expect a broad hint for re - sions. Keep a control over your tone the competition tough. Health poses turning a favour from someone who and handle the situation diplomati - no problems, as you remain regular in had helped you. Improvement will be cally. Businessmen should avoid sign - workouts. Someone may attempt to required on the academic front, so ing any documents this month. You pry into your private life, so steer clear start burning the midnight oil. Get - will find things progressing well on of nosey-parkers. You have the ting serious about someone on the ro - the fitness front. A lump sum of previ - money, but consider well before mantic front cannot be ruled out. You ous investments is likely to be received spending it on something expensive. spare no efforts to bring changes in by some. your lifestyle in order to achieve fit - ness goals.
Cancer: A changed attitude on the Scorpio: Chances of upsetting some - Pisces: Innovating something new to professional front will help you suc - one important on the academic front smoothen the things at work is likely ceed, so think about it. Being too cannot be ruled out. Some of you will to be appreciated. Planning for the fu - choosey on the romantic front may finally be able to buy a vehicle or an ture assumes much importance on the make you miss the bus, so go for inner expensive appliance. Expect a blissful career front at this juncture. Gear up beauty, rather than the looks. An ex - existence on the romantic front, as for a wonderful time ahead, as stars on hibition or event can have you on the sweetheart showers love! Earning will forefront on the social front. You will remain steady and make your financial the romantic front appear bright! You manage to get rid of a feeling of inad - front strong. Some of you can take a will manage to remain regular in your equacy to bounce back with short break to go for sightseeing with workout routine and come back in confidence on the academic front. family or friends. shape.
48 Punjab Advance August- 2018 - How do you like the magazine? - What do you like about the magazine? - What are your suggestions to make it more readable?
Suggestion:______
Please post your reply to the following address: Punmedia, Room No. 1, 5th Floor, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh-160001 or you can email: p [email protected]
August- 2018 Punjab Advance 49 Last Word The crucial catch Going down memory lane
Donald Banerjee
s the Cricket buffs are all eyes on the In - open the bottle, we will win.” We came rushing dian cricket tour of England playing three back, and were just in time to catch Vivian Richards AT-20s, three ODIs and five Test matches, my mind being caught by Kapil Dev at midwicket. Skipper goes down the memory lane. Clive Llyod followed soon after. After missing out It was June 25, 1983, the World Cup final at on that crucial catch, Doordarshan regained its sig - Lord’s, where Kapil’s "Devils" tamed the mighty nal. West Indians led by Clive Llyod, to clinch the cov - “We have still to win,” said DP Azad. “Nothing eted trophy. doing, we are going to win, let us say cheers to the We, a motely crowd of 10 sports journalists along victorious path,” we said in unison. Bonhomie fol - with their spouses had gathered at the Chandigarh lowed as we raised our glasses to the toast of the Press Club, to watch the final on Doordarshan. The evening---- Kapil’s Devils and DP. Thereafter the late Sushil Bali of the PTI came armed with a TV set wickets fell like a pack of cards and the West Indi - and a transistor. The transistor was a backup for an ans folded up for just 140 runs. errant Doordarshan and its faulty signals . It was a grand and historic evening----India win - The late Desh Prem Azad , who had coached ning the World Cup for the first time. What a pity Kapil, cosied up to the late Samuel Banerjee as we not one Indian, in India, watched, "live", the mo - all occupied our seats on that hot summer evening. ment that turned the match — Kapil Dev's catch to It was a bad start for India as our team was bowled get rid of Richards. out for 183 runs. Most of the faces in the dimly lit Later we saw clips of it. Buoyed by three bound - hall appeared glum. But Sam and D.P. Azad tried to aries in succession, Richards tried to hit a good inject hope into the gathering. The Caribbeans suf - length ball from Madan Lal through the on side. The fered jolts with Gordon Greenidge and Desmond ball caught the top part of the bat, but still soared Haynes being sent back to the pavilion high and beyond midwicket. The Indian captain The great Vivian Richards took the crease and hit sprinted back 20 yards to take the catch, smiling as two boundaries. As the ball travelled to the bound - he ran. The smile bespoke of an extraordinary self- ary, Doordarshan blinked losing its signal from Lon - confidence. For the swirling skier, for which you don. With Vivian Richards showing his true colours, have to run behind your back, is one of the most dif - four of us wandered out of the hall to get some fresh ficult catches in cricket, not least when you are air. The atmosphere inside was hot and tense. watched by 30,000 anxious pairs of eyes, and this is Sushil Bali and Samuel Banerjee were glued to the final of the most important tournament in the the transistor listening to the BBC broadcast. And world. But, the superb athlete that he is (or was), then one of the glorious uncertainties of the game Kapil knew as soon as the shot was struck that he happened. Sam’s voice boomed across the hall “DP had his man.
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August- 2018 RNI No. CHAENG/2013/53324 A Monthly Magazine MBU Chd.