Let us join hands in fighting COVID-19. A few days of caution and co - operation can save us from a lifetime of regret. We owe it to ourselves and our children to take all precautions against the deadly virus. My government is depending on you to help us take Punjab out of this cri - sis. And you can, in turn, depend on us to ensure that you do not face unnecessary hardship in getting timely medical help and access to es - sential goods and services during this difficult period
Capt Amarinder Singh Chief Minister, Punjab
2 Punjab Advance April-2020 Editorial Capt Amarinder Singh stands tall as a true leader in these trying times. Like a true fauji the Punjab Chief Minister played the role of a perfect com - manding officer. Without bothering about what the critics would say he was the first one to clamp curfew and close borders, visualizing the disastrous implications the Covid-19 would have on the border state. The curfew in Punjab came one day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a 21-day nation-wide lockdown. After the declaration of the curfew Capt Amarinder Singh took several key steps well in time and showed the guts and gumption to strongly en - force his decisions The Captain’s team went into a crisis management mode, focusing on tracing an odd number of missing NRIs, preparing contingency plans for har - vesting and procurement of a whopping 137 lakh tonnes of wheat crop and finding ways to endure the pandemic’s debilitating effect on the state’s economy. It was a tall order, but the Chief Minister and his dedicated team assessed the challenges ahead and chalked out an action plan. As of now now, there has been no apparent community transmission in Punjab. However, as the danger still looms, escalation cannot be ruled out in the coming days. Capt Amarinder Singh was again among the front-runners when he ex - tended the lockdown and clamped a curfew up to May 1. The fresh spell of lockdown and curfew would avoid overcrowding at mandis thus facilitating smooth procurement of wheat across the state. 137 lakh metric tonnes of wheat is expected to be procured which would go a long way in contributing to the food basket of the nation.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 3 s
t 20 22 Stage set for procuring Tax-free budget Simranjit K n 137 MT of wheat Tokyo e t n o C
06 Covid-19 battle
4 Punjab Advance April-2020 32 42 44 Kaur qualifies for At 103, she is still the Knee arthritis o Olympics fastest centenarian early cure can prevent knee-replacement Punjab www.punjabadvanceonline.com April - 2020 Advance LVOL›4 L ISSUE›7 Room No. 1, 5 th Floor, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh-160001, Ph. : 0172-2740668, Email Id: [email protected] C.E.O. - Anindita Mitra (IAS) Editor - Donald Banerjee Designer - Karan Kumar Content Writer - Ravee Pandher Publisher - Information & Public Relations Department, Punjab
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 jurisdiction will lie in Chandigarh based courts.Published and Edited by Ms. Anindita Mitra (IAS) on behalf of the Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab at Room No. 1, 5th Floor, Civil Sectt., Chandigarh
April-2020 Punjab Advance 5 Cover Story Covid-19 battle v Capt Amarinder Singh leads from the front v Extends lockdown to tame killer virus v Clamps curfew for smooth wheat procurement
Donald Banerjee
Covid-19, the killer virus that has transcended boundaries separating countries, is sparing none. manmade barriers of caste and creed and The global death count touched 1,10,000 on
6 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story
Easter (April 12) with the USA crossing the 20,000 mark. Comparatively India is better placed 10 lakh rapid testing kits with 242 deaths and a positive count of 7,500. The state govern - But for the nation the Punjab Chief Minister, ment has ramped Capt Amarinder Singh has become the role up its Covid-19 model, earning the praise of Prime Minister testing capability Narendra Modi, for his positive steps to revive in - by ten times with dustry in these trying times. Ever since the Coro - the procurement navirus outbreak raised its ugly head, the Fauji of 5 RTPCR and 4 Chief Minister put on his battle dress to deal with RNA extraction the looming public health emergency. Leading machines (with automation) at a cost of Rs. from the front he became the first head of state 2.31 crore. to clamp curfew on March 23 -- a day before the While 10 lakh Rapid Testing Kits, already or - Prime Minister declared a 21-day nationwide dered from ICMR, are awaited, the state gov - lockdown – to slow down the virus spread. ernment has also floated inquiry in the open Capt Amarinder Singh was again among the market for another 10000 kits, according to Ad - front-runners when he extended the lockdown ditional Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, adding and clamped a curfew up to May 1. that antibody testing through Rapid Testing Kits The state government went into a crisis man - has also now been allowed by ICMR in hotspots agement mode, focusing on tracing 1300 odd to check community spread of the coronavirus. missing NRIs, preparing contingency plans for With the new equipment, the testing ca - pacity of the Viral Research Diagnostic Labs harvesting and procurement of a whopping 135 (VRDL) in Government Medical Colleges at Pa - lakh tonnes of wheat crop and finding ways to tiala and Amritsar has gone up to 400 each endure the pandemic’s debilitating effect on the from the existing 40.Together these two labs state’s economy. have so far tested 1958 samples.In addition, It was a tall order, but the Chief Minister and the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hos - his dedicated team assessed the challenges pital Faridkot has been put on fast-track for ahead and chalked out an action plan. testing approval. It will have initial capacity of To begin with the main focus was on pre - 40 tests per day. venting the spread of the disease and ramping up Apart from state’s own labs, PGI Chandigarh the health infrastructure to meet any eventual - has also been carrying out about 40 tests daily ity. The Chief Minister personally monitored the of samples from Punjab. About 650 tests have situation. He was aware of the uphill task, and in been carried out by PGI till date. his words:” The impact of the outbreak is likely The state government has also sought ur - to be an extended one, though it is not possible gent approvals from the Government of India to put any timeline. Also, I do not think any sec - for allowing similar testing facilities at DMC and tion of society will remain untouched by the cri - CMC Ludhiana. Both the Ludhiana hospitals sis. But we, Punjabis, are resilient, and will have already acquired the necessary equip - undoubtedly come through this crisis eventu - ment and applied for the NABL certification ally”. after which ICMR approval would be sought. As of now now, there has been no apparent Samples are being collected by the Health De - community transmission in Punjab. However, as partment teams from various districts of Pun - the danger still looms, escalation cannot be ruled jab, which now has 106 confirmed COVID-19 out in the coming days. cases.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 7 Cover Story
Care centres The state went in for three levels of care cen - Replicate Punjab tres: i) critical care where all Covid-19 patients model: PM with HDU (High Dependence Units) and ICU (In - A few days after the Chief Minister Capt tensive Care Units) requirement would go to Amarinder Singh allowed the industry in Pun - Government Medical Colleges (GMCs); ii) Pa - jab to function provided the industrialists tients with mild symptoms would be admitted to provided food and shelter to the labourers, isolation facilities created in government hospi - Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the tals with total bed capacity of 5,000 at present; states to follow the same model. and iii) In case of broad spread of Covid-19, hos - The state government had allowed the in - tel buildings of colleges would be converted into dustry to operate if they could provide food care centres. This plan would enable the author - and shelter to the migrant labourers inside ities to take care of more than 25,000 positive pa - their premises. This was to enable the indus - tients at any given point of time. tries to function and take care of the labour - The total number of coronavirus cases in India ers who were collecting at the state’s jumped to 7529 on April 11. The death toll from borders. Taking a cue from this announce - Covid-19 rose to 242 while 652 patients were ment, the Prime Minister asked the other cured of the virus or discharged. Maharashtra re - states to follow this example. mained the worst affected state with 1,761 pos - itive cases, followed by Delhi at 1069, Tamil Nadu Amritsar and Mansa (11 each), Ludhiana (10). at 969, Rajasthan at 700. About the history of NRIs and other persons Compared to these figures, upto April 11, Pun - with history of foreign travel who are still to be jab reported only 158 positive cases out of the traced, the Chief Minister said: “When reports of total of 3909 samples sent The death count stood the outbreak started coming in, we screened at 12. SAS reported 50 positive cases, followed more than 95,000 passengers who had arrived at by SBS Nagar (19), Pathankot (16), Jalandhar (15),
8 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story the two international airports at SAS Nagar and premises without compromising on the safety Amritsar, and two land ports at Wagah and Kar - protocol. They have been allowed to run their tarpur Sahib. Subsequently, we received a list of 55,000 international passengers from govern - Crackdown on fake ment of India. We have put these passengers under home quarantine of 14 days and are keep - news: 34 booked ing a strong vigil. It is true all Covid-19 positive Cracking down cases in Punjab have been traced back to persons heavily on spread with history of foreign travel, but it would be un - of rumours and fair to say that NRIs pose a special danger of panic in the light Covid-19 because if we consider the total per - of COVID-19 cri - centage of persons who came from abroad and sis, the Punjab Po - showed symptoms of the virus, then we’ll see lice has registered that it is a very small percentage”. cases against 34 persons for spreading fake We have already shared a detailed list of steps news on social media, while also taking needed urgently to be taken by the Centre to strong action against those targeting a par - help us out of this crisis. These include immediate ticular community in an attempt to disturb release of our GST compensation, payment of the state’s peace. dues under MGNREGA, deferment of industrial As many as 27 of the 34 cases registered and agriculture/crop loan instalments by com - between March 21 and April 6, 2020, relate mercial banks, special insurance for police and to WhatsApp forwards and misinformation, sanitary workers in line with the one announced according to DGP Dinkar Gupta. by the Centre for health workers and incentives The police is also taking stern action for farmers to ensure staggered transport of against attempts to use social media to wheat grain into mandis. spread communal strife, he said, adding that When this problem started, the state relied on a sedition case was registered on Friday testing facilities at PGIMER with capacity of 40 against a Ludhiana resident Covid cases per day. But with the approval for Among the prominent cases that have testing facilities at GMCs in Patiala, Amritsar and come to light are a FB post by a Ludhiana res - Faridkot there was a big rise in the testing capac - ident, seeking to mislead the people about ity rising to 850 cases a day. availability of critical medical equipment, and Migrant labourers are mainly concentrated in to spread hatred against the state govern - Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Sangrur and Fate - ment. A sedition case has been registered hgarh Sahib, with Ludhiana alone accounting for against the person. more than 50 per cent (12 lakh). Apart from seal - Fake Tik Tok vidoes, unsubstantiated ing the state borders, we are engaging with the audio messages, forwards of provocative and labourers to persuade them to stay back. Senior false news are all under the scanner of the officials across districts are working in close co - Punjab Police, which is keeping a close eye on ordination to ensure they are provided shelter all such attempts. The DGP had earlier this and food. Shelter homes have been built and ra - month constituted a special team headed by tions are being supplied. Religious organisations, a ADGP ranked officer to monitor all social NGOs and industry owners are pitching in. Radha media platforms to check any instance of Saomi centres have been identified for housing fake news or rumour affecting citizens during the labourers.We have asked the industry and lockdown. brickkiln owners to shelter the migrants on their
April-2020 Punjab Advance 9 Cover Story
units with the help of these labourers. district, with District Rapid Response teams to As far as industry is concerned, the state has maintain a 24X7 strict vigil. These were in addi - deferred payment of electricity and water bills tion to the state-level control room (phone num - and property tax. The government has already bers 88720-90029/0172-2920074) to respond to notified Industrial and Business Development any complaint/crisis. Policy, 2017, which provides attractive incen - The Deputy Commissioners were directed to tives. State GST refunds will be cleared on time instruct the field staff in their respective districts so that the industry has the necessary finances to assist the health department in its mass for revival. awareness campaign. Twentytwo district hospitals and three Gov - 24x7 health vigil ernment Medical Colleges have been identified The Chief Minister ordered the health depart - to deal with any emergency. ment to gear up, in mission mode, to deal with Isolation wards with bed strength of 649 had the virus. A State Rapid Response Team was con - also been set up in these hospitals, and 24 venti - stituted, with four senior doctors, for the pur - lators were made available, of which 14 are in pose. A control room was established in every district hospitals and 10 in Government Medical
Fighting the virus digitally Punjab shows the way information about available hospitals and doc - tors. People can also get their curfew passes for emergencies and can also report mass gather - ings. COVA also has bots built into the app that al - lows people to get their queries resolved in an instant. Taking this application one step ahead is its feature 'mark yourself as quarantine'. The ap - plications allow citizens to mark their profile if An app developed by the Punjab State Govern - they have self isolated themselves. This helps ment is now being adopted by 11 state gov - fellow citizens with the medical information ernments as a means to fight coronavirus and about their neighborhood. It also carries a spread awareness. Over 4.5 lakh citizens are al - dashboard that gives information about con - ready hooked on to it. firmed cases, fatal cases along with other im - To help its citizens amid the lockdown, the portant details. State government has found a solution in digi - While the App is up and running in Haryana, tal technologies. The government has been Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, work on adoption working on an application that has all the in - of this application is in progress in other states formation that a citizen might need while the as well. A total of 11 State Governments have lockdown continues. requested access to the COVA Application and The application called "COVA" provides for dashboard for their respective states and dis - booking groceries and essentials while giving tricts.
10 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story
Colleges. Delhi. Participating in Prime Minister Narendra Alert at airports Modi’s Video Conference with all the Chief Min - The Amritsar Airport and Mohali International isters, Captain Amarinder pointed out that there Airport has sounded an alert, with advisories was huge uncertainty about the likely incidence prominently displayed for information of pas - of disease and the nation was in for a long fight. sengers. He said the state government had already de - Announcements are also being made for the cided to go for curfew/complete lockdown till information of self-declaration of passengers. May 1. All educational institutions have been Similarly, screening of passengers has also been closed till June 30, with state Board examinations started at Wagah/Attari Border check-post in also deferred till further orders. Section 144 re - Amritsar and Dera Baba Nanak check post at Gur - mains in place, along with prohibition of public daspur. Non-contact thermometers have also service vehicles till May 1. been made available for screening of passengers at these check posts, besides displaying advi - Special risk insurance sories and IEC material. Captain Amarinder sought a Special Risk In - As per the information available, 70106 pas - surance for all government employees, including sengers have so far been screened at the air - police personnel, sanitation workers and all other ports/border check posts. These included 47671 employees, who are working day and night to at Amritsar Airport, 4943 at International Airport help ameliorate the miseries and stress of com - Mohali, 5401 Amritsar Wagah/Attari border mon man in these trying times. It was important check-post and 12091 at Dera Baba Nanak check- for the Centre and States to keep the morale of post. Daily reporting is being done from State people and frontline workers (Health staff, po - Headquarters to the central surveillance unit, In - lice. Sanitation workers, etc) high, he stressed. tegrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) Underlining the need to substantially increase
April-2020 Punjab Advance 11 Cover Story
the number of tests being done and go for rapid ments could not continue to look after their testing, at least in the state’s hotspot areas of workers, and even pay their salaries for the pe - Nawanshahar, Dera Bassi and Mohali, the Chief riod of lockdown, for a long time, he asked the Minister said the Central Government should Centre to think of some innovative solutions for hasten supplies of required testing kits. It may be Relief to Daily Wage Workers and Industrial noted that the state has ordered 10 lakh such kits Labour either through ESIC funds or under MN - from ICMR, while raising inquiry about another REGA. The Government of India may allow village 10000 in the open market. He also asked for early Panchayats and Municipalities to utilize the 14th permission for testing in DMC and CMC Ludhiana, Finance Commission Grants for emergency relief as already requested to the Union Health Minis - including food and medicines for the poor and ter. needy, he further suggested. The Chief Minister further requested Rs 500 Captain Amarinder also asked for a one-time crore for quick upgradation of infrastructure of increase in borrowing limit from 3 per cent to 4 government hospitals in Punjab, which is cur - per cent of State's GDP by amending the Fiscal rently at stage 2 of the pandemic and has a large Responsibility and Budget Amendment Act NRI population. He also called for speedy ap - (FRBM Act), 2003. His government, said Captain proval, on priority basis, by the Centre to the Amarinder, was sending a complete proposal in state’s proposal for Rs 550 crore project to set up this regard as desired by the Ministry of Finance, an Advanced Centre for Virology in Punjab. Government of India. The Chief Minister urged the Government of India to defer recovery, and waiver of interest Bonus to farmers and penalties, on industrial loans for six months. The Chief Minister reiterated his demand for Emphasising that the industrial establish - bonus to farmers to incentivize staggered/ de -
12 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story
Montek may head panel for economic revival The Punjab Cabi - 10 days. The task force will comprise of about net has ap - 15 members representing trade, business, in - proved the dustry, agriculture, civil society and health care establishment of professionals. The Chief Minister has been au - a high-powered thorized to decide on the composition of the committee to task force. suggest a road The Council Ministers also resolved to urge map for the the Government of India to establish an Ad - State's economic vance Center of Virology in Punjab with an an - revival in post- ticipated investment of Rs 500 crore, with the COVID era once state government offering land free of cost for the crisis softens and normal working is re - the project. stored. For the quick upgradation of the state’s The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh health infrastructure to combat the current cri - said he would request former Planning Com - sis, the Cabinet set up a task force under the mission deputy chairman Montek Ahluwalia to Principal Secretary, PWD, to look into it. Princi - head the committee. pal, Secretary, TCA and MD, Punjab Health Sys - On a proposal by the Chief Minister, the tems Corporation will be other members of the Council of Ministers also decided to set up a task force, which will carry out the task of quick multi-disciplinary task force to formulate an upgradation of health infrastructure in a time- exit strategy for gradual relaxation of bound manner. The Chief Minister asked the curfew/lockdown. Health Department to submit a detailed pro - The task force will submit its report within posal for this. layed procurement of wheat. He also called for along with 1000 additional 1000 beds in govern - quicker movement of food grains lying in FCI ment facilities. These will be operationalized godowns in Punjab, along with waiver of three when 50% of Phase One occupancy is achieved. months' interest on crop loans and deferment of Phase 3 would entail creation of 20,000 beds fa - recovery of crops loans by commercial banks. cility in COVID Care & Isolation Centres (CCICs), Thanking the Centre for releasing substantial along with Temporary Hospitals for non-critical funds since the last meeting, Captain Amarinder COVIF care. Should the need arise, this will be stressed the need for early release of pending ar - scaled up to 1 lakh beds as CCICs in Phase 4. rears of GST on priority to help the state. In terms of logistics, there are currently 76 On the preparedness of the state, he said a ventilators in government hospitals and 358 in total of 52 isolation hospitals had been set up so private, with 8 of another 93 ordered received so far and the state had developed a 3-phase model far. The current availability of PPE kits, N-95 to handle the pandemic. The model proposes masks and Triple Layer masks stands at 16000, 2558 beds in 20 independent COVID Isolation fa - 66490 and 35,11,300, while orders have been cilities in the first phase. For Phase 2, the state placed, respectively, for 200,000, 270,000 and has identified 1600 beds, along with manpower, 200,000.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 13 Cover Story CM writes to PM Seeks release of GST arrears
Punmedia Bureau
The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has Chief Secretary and senior officials of the State written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking Government to review day-to-day issues and for the immediate release of the state’s GST ar - measures being taken to manage and contain rears of Rs 6752 crore for effective management COVID-19. of the crisis triggered by the unprecedented “You would appreciate that huge resources Covid-19 outbreak. are required to fight this disease, especially as the In a similar letter to Union Home Minister lockdown, in one form or another, may well turn Amit Shah, the Chief Minister also called for a res - out to be longer than is currently being antici - olution of other pending issues. pated,” said the Chief Minister, adding that he Capt Amarinder Singh wrote: “Early action on had also spoken to the Union Finance Minister as these issues will help in effective management of well as written to her articulating Punjab’s re - COVID-19 as also to provide requisite relief to all quirements and giving certain suggestions at the those who are adversely affected by this crisis.” national level. “The release of our GST arrears is of paramount In a detailed list of issues pending with the importance as we are facing serious financial con - Centre for urgent attention, sent along with the straints.” letter, the Chief Minister pointed out that the “The COVID-19 crisis presents a challenge of state government’s GST arrears amounted to Rs great magnitude, which has ramifications across 6752.83 crore. He urged immediate action by the all strata of people and all sectors of the econ - Union Finance Ministry for the release of the ar - omy, though the poor will be the worst affected.” rears, besides seeking increase in borrowing limit The Chief Minister pointed out that the chal - under FRBM Act from 3 to 4%, deferment of In - lenges were naturally more operational in the dustrial Loans by Commercial Banks, and defer - states, which needed to contain and prevent the ment of agricultural/ crop loans by Commercial spread of the disease at one level, and to work Banks and waiver of 3 months interest thereon. to mitigate the economic hardship and suffering Referring to other issues that needed to be caused by the outbreak of the disease on the addressed by the Finance Ministry, the Chief other. Minister sought permission for utilisation of His government, said Capt Amarinder Singh, 14th Finance Commission Grants by ULBs and had been working closely with the Ministry of PRIs for emergency relief, including food and Health & Family Welfare, and the Union Cabinet medicines for rural poor, as well as use of 25% Secretary had been in regular contact with the flexi funds under CSSs in the battle against
14 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story
COVID-19, along with its enhancement to and marginal farmers to defray labour costs.The 50%.Captain Amarinder also reiterated the state wants the Ministries of Agriculture and state’s demand for Special risk insurance of po - Food & Consumer Affairs to immediately an - lice personnel & sanitary workers engaged in nounce bonus to farmers to incentivise staggered fight against COVID-19, seeking the Home Min - procurement of produce, which was necessary in istry’s urgent attention to the matter. order to prevent overcrowding at the Mandis. Further, he urged the Ministry of Rural Devel - Captain Amarinder further reiterated that the opment, GoI, to pay 15 days’ Unemployment Al - Ministry of Corporate Affairs should allow con - lowance per month for 3 months under tribution to CM Relief Fund as a fit charge under MGNREGS to mitigate distress of rural poor, and CSR on the lines of the PM Relief Fund. to allow 10 days' wages under MGNREGS to small Power charges reduced
Punmedia Bureau
To mitigate the hardships faced by the people given to the consumers (exclusive of any previ - amid the COVID-19 crisis and clampdown, the ous arrears) who will pay electricity bills online Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has an - through digital modes by the original due nounced reduction in fixed charges for electric - date.The same applies to all electricity bills ity consumers, along with deferment of deadline payable on or after 20th March, 2020 of all the for payment of bills, while instructing the Power Industrial consumers – Medium Supply (MS) and department to provide uninterrupted 24x7 sup - Large Supply (LS) Industrial Consumers. ply to all Health Care Institutions. The PSPCL will The fixed charges of the industrial consumers have to bear additional burden of Rs.350 crore will also be exempted for the next two months, due to the various reliefs announced for the con - w.e.f 23.3.2020, and Energy Charges may be fixed sumers. in commensurate with reduction in Fixed Charges The Chief Minister also lauded the employees (single rate). Since the Revised Energy Charges of PSPCL and PSTCL for their untiring efforts in will be paid by consumers and will not be con - maintaining continuous supply of power in this sidered for subsidy, the MS and LS Industrial Con - time of crisis.No new disconnection shall be car - sumers whose units remained closed during this ried out against non-payment till restrictions are period will not be required to pay any electricity withdrawn by the Authority. dues. As per the Chief Minister’s directives, due date Captain Amarinder has also ordered uninter - of electricity bills of all the Domestic & Commer - rupted 24x7 power supply to all Health Care In - cial consumers, having current monthly/bi - stitutions such as Medical Colleges, Hospitals, monthly bills up to Rs. 10000/- payable on or after 20th March, 2020, has been extended up to Dispensaries and other Medical Establishments 20th April, 2020, without levy of late payment and Quarantine Centres across the States for surcharge. Besides, 1 per cent rebate will be their smooth functioning.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 15 Cover Story 7842 villages go into self-isolation
Punmedia Bureau
In Punjab, villages have shown the way to tack - isolation. ling the COVID-19 crisis amid the stringent cur - Villagers have joined hands with the police in few restrictions in place through `self-isolation’, this bold measure of voluntary lockdown, and are while ensuring smooth movement of essentials. also assisting police patrolling parties in restrict - In a big boost to the state government’s battle ing movement and preventing the entry of any against COVID-19, as many as 7842 villages of unauthorised person. Only those carrying valid Punjab’s 13240 villages have self-isolated them - passes or essential services are allowed into the selves, to check further spread of the deadly pan - villages, which have constituted special isolation demic. The Village Police Officers (VPOs), recently teams that helped the police force in the initial appointed by the Punjab Police as part of its stage of curfew to sensitise the rural masses on unique 'One Cop for One Village' scheme, are the need for tight restrictions in the prevailing sit - playing a pivotal role in the facilitating the self- uation.
16 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story
Interestingly, drug peddling in these villages has reduced significantly due to the presence of village watchers – an incidental but welcome side-effect of the self-isolation. This is because the villagers recognize one another and can im - mediately identify any trouble-makers, according to DGP Dinkar Gupta. The self-isolation exercise began in the early stages of the lockdown when village panchayats were motivated by DSPs, SDs & SHOs to enforce the curfew restrictions. They were apprised about the benefit of voluntary village sealing in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Responding positively to the persuasion, villagers started tain Amarinder from Amritsar in February. blocking the entry points and setting up nakas to The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh has extended his appreciation for the role played by the VPOs in ensuring self-isolation of these vil - Self-isolation exercise lages, which have formed committees to effec - began in the early stages tively manage the self-isolation. The committees include the Sarpanch, Pradhan and Ward Panch of the lockdown when vil - of the village, with the VPOs staying in regular contact with the houses through a Whatsapp lage panchayats were mo - group that includes village/ward committee members. tivated by DSPs, SDs & On the directives of the DGP, war rooms have SHOs to enforce the cur - been set up at the district level, and regular con - tact is maintained with the villages to assess the few restrictions. They ground situation and ascertain any paucity of es - sential supplies. were apprised about the In Amritsar City, all 25 villages have voluntar - ily locked down while in Amritsar Rural, 158 of benefit of voluntary vil - 840 villages are in self-isolation. The numbers for lage sealing in controlling other districts are: Barnala (92 of 142), Bathinda (all 302), Faridkot (125/176), Fatehgarh Sahib the spread of COVID-19. (178/437), Fazilka (82/369), Ferozepur (490/699), Gurdaspur (382/665), Hoshiarpur (40/1639), Jalanadhar City (17/61), Jalandhar Rural control movement. Social media campaigns also (840/840), Kapurthala (538/554), Khanna helped in motivating self-isolation. (266/374), Ludhiana City (156/287), Ludhiana The VPOs then took over to become the Rural (157/279), with Mansa (all 241), Moga (all bridge between the villagers and the supply chain 324), Patiala (666/966), Pathankot (347/443), of essential items and urgent medical services, Ropar (618/667), Sangrur (571/599), SAS Nagar according to the DGP, who had launched the (all 420), SBS Nagar (479/493), Sri Muktsar Sahib scheme on the directives of Chief Minister Cap - (225/235), and TaranTaran (103/550).
April-2020 Punjab Advance 17 Cover Story Polio-hit nurse leads from the front
Punmedia Bureau
Pathlawa centre, she has been juggling with a family of four with long duty hours and also maintaining social dis - tance with her own family members. How - ever, all this while she has been cooking for her family to provide them with nutritious and healthy food. Ask her what has been the trickiest part of her job and pat comes the reply: “To Come hail or sunshine, a polio-hit 42-year-old ensure that my sons, aged 8 and 15, remain un - Parmila Devi has been going from door to door affected.” She has been practicing social distanc - in Pathlawa village for the past over a month in ing at home too. “I don’t hold them in my her crusade against Covid-19. The village is the embrace, nor do I meet them. I keep away as a first Covid-19 hotspot in Jalandhar. precautionary measure. Of course, I cook meals A mother of two, polio in one leg, the auxiliary for my family, but barring that my engagement nurse midwife (ANM) knows hundreds of homes with my family is minimal. Also, I’m clear that I in Pathalwa. Putting her own life at stake, she has will continue to practice social distancing as long been reaching out to locals and carrying out a as my campaign demands it,” she said. campaign against Covid-19 much before sanitiz - Asked if she ever felt scared, she says: “It was ers or masks were distributed among grass-root tricky at first. In the beginning, it was difficult to level health workers. convince the locals, because they were ill-in - Among the first to reach out to Baldev Singh’s formed. However, slowly things began to fall into family, way before he tested positive, Devi, who place and the locals started understanding. Since has been working with the Health Department normalcy is slowly returning at Pathlawa, I have for the past 12 years, says this has been one of now been deputed at Paddi Matwali village.” her most challenging assignments. Deputed at
18 Punjab Advance April-2020 Cover Story First COVID victim recovers Shares his determination to fight the trauma
Punmedia Bureau
by the guidelines issued by the government, health department and the administration re - garding precautionary and preventive measures to check the spread of the epidemic. "Moreover, a strong will power as well as the faith in the Almighty has helped me to swim through the trauma currents,” said Fateh Singh while sharing his experiences during treatment in the isolation ward. Because of his faith in the Almighty and also in the doctors and the staff of the local civil hos - pital, he was sure that he and his family mem - bers would recover from the disease. Hence, he didn’t panic but kept himself in high spirits and abided by the preventive measures. I It is worthwhile to mention here that Fateh Singh S/O Baldev Singh R/O Pathlawa, had been diagnosed as Covid-19 Positive on 20th March and housed in the Isolation Ward of the District Hospital at Nawanshahar He was tested negative Fateh Singh (35), son of Baba Baldev Singh, the for COVID-19 on 4th April and again tested neg - first victim of COVID-19 in Puniab, has success - ative for the 2nd time on 5th April. On 6th April fully braved the trauma as well as the dreaded he was shifted out of the Isolation Ward housing disease after being tested positive along with his all COVID-19 patients to the Quarantine Ward, family members for the COVID - 19 after the from where he would be discharged soon. death of his father. A person is declared cured aftet two samples Having recovered from the disease, the brave - taken a day apart test negative. Such persons no heart, has made an emotive appeal to the peo - longer infect any one else. It is strongly appealed ple of the state from the quarantine ward of the that cured persons should be welcomed back by local civil hospital. communities and resume their day to day activi - He has urged the people to meticulously abide ties like any normal person.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 19 Agriculture Stage set for procuring 137 MT of wheat l 3691 purchase centres set up l Mandis designed to ensure social distancing l Staggered wheat arrivals to avoid crowding
PUNMEDIA BUREAU
The State Government has made elaborate that every single grain is procured in compliance preparations to ensure smooth and hassle-free with the Chief Minister’s commitment, Additional procurement of wheat during Rabi Marketing Chief Secretary Development Viswajeet Khanna Season-2020-21 amid trying circumstances due said all the requisite arrangements have been to Covid-19. made by the Mandi Board well in advance for the Taking stock of the arrangements to ensure procurement which will begin from April 15 and
20 Punjab Advance April-2020 Agriculture continue till May 31 and if need be, till June 15. pending on space in the purchase centre in order Giving details Khanna said the Cash Credit to avoid rush in the mandis. About 27 lakh such Limit of Rs. 22,900 crore has already been ap - coupons would be issued by market committees proved by the Centre to ensure prompt and to Arthiyas. seamless procurement operations in the state. Emphasising the need to strictly observe nec - To ensure procurement of wheat in all 22 dis - essary safety and sanitary protocols to curb the tricts in the wake of the Coronavirus a vast in - spread of coronavirus, observance of social dis - frastructure of 3691 purchase centres has been tancing norms, wearing of masks and use of sani - created which includes 153 main yards, 280 sub tisers will be ensured. The mandi yards are being yards, 1434 purchase centres besides adding marked with 30×30 feet lines to accommodate a 1824 yards of rice mills specially during this sea - heap of about 50 quintals and maintain sufficient son. Nearly 137 lakh MT of wheat is expected to arrive in the mandis, of which 135 lakh MT would To ensure procurement of wheat be purchased by government agencies while two in all 22 districts in the wake of lakh MT is likely to be bought by private traders. The Centre has fixed the MSP of wheat at Rs the Coronavirus a vast infra - 1925 per quintal for the current RMS against Rs structure of 3691 purchase centres 1840 MSP fixed last year. has been created which includes Nearly 182 Lakh MT of total produce is ex - pected and 17,500 combine harvesters would be 153 main yards, 280 sub yards, operating for harvesting the wheat crop in the 1434 purchase centres besides state. adding 1824 yards of rice mills Against the total requirement of 4.82 lakh gunny bales, 3.05 lakh have already been made specially during this season. available. Likewise, the arrangements for the 47000 tarpaulins against a total demand of distance from the adjoining one. 52,570 and 29,261 mesh nets against 32805 have Harvesting operations by combines have been already been made. Similarly, required wooden allowed between 6 am and 7 pm. crates for storing the bagged wheat are also Provision for clean drinking water, fumigation, being arranged in time. cleaning and disinfection of Mandis and Mandi Amendment of APMC Act has been notified to yards is being ensured. Over one lakh masks and make payment electronically to farmers through 25,000 litres of sanitizer has been received for Arthiyas within 48 hours after the lifting of pro - use in each of these purchase centres. duce. Apart from these the DCs have also been man - To avoid crowding, maintain safe social dis - dated to review storage point labour for unload - tance norms and ensure smooth procurement, a ing, mandi wise transport arrangements, detailed action plan has been chalked out to un - maintaining cleanliness and sanitation of mandis, dertake procurement by staggering the arrival of storage point, Arthiya shops besides lifting of sold produce in the mandis by issuing coupons fixed wheat within 48 hours, revealed Khanna. with holograms to the farmers through Arthiyas. Notably, a 30-member control room has been With each coupon a farmer will be entitled to set up in the Mandi Board head office and in each bring one trolley of about 50 to 70 quintals of of the designated purchase agencies to meticu - wheat. A farmer shall be entitled to take multi - lously coordinate procurement operations and ple coupons each day or in different days de - logistics with each district 24X7.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 21 Budget Tax-free budget l Retiring age reduced from 60 to 58 l Free education up to Class XII for all l Debt waiver for landless farmers
Punmedia Bureau
Reducing government employees' retirement Fulfilling one of the main poll promises of the age from 60 to 58, providing free education to all Capt Amarinder Singh Government, the budget students up to Class 12 and waiving debt for land - earmarked Rs 100 crore for giving 10 lakh free less farmers were some of the major announce - smartphones to youth. However the delivery of ments made by Punjab Finance Minister the smartphones has been delayed because of Manpreet Singh Badal in the 2020-21 budget. the coronavirus outbreak in China. Presenting a Rs 1,54,805 crore budget in the Asserting that the state's finances were "back state Assembly the FM decided against levying on track", Badal said the state had reached the any fresh taxes. , point where there is no funding gap in 2020-21 Badal also announced a waiver of Change of because of the government's sustained efforts to Land Use (CLU) charges for two years for new in - bringing in fiscal prudence. dustries coming up outside municipal limits and In a major announcement, Badal said the re - slashed 'mandi' fee on vegetables from 4 per cent tirement age of government employees has been to 1 per cent. reduced from 60 to 58. "With this, we will be able
22 Punjab Advance April-2020 Budget to provide employment to three to four times the 21, he said. number of people who retire. We will also be In another important announcement, the min - able to get more talented pool of young people ister said under the new assessment policy of the to serve Punjab," he later told reporters. excise and taxation department, the number of The number of employees who are going to pending and old VAT assessment cases would be affected by this move is yet to be worked out. come down from 1.24 lakh to about 30,000. The decision will be implemented in two phases. The budget proposes revenue receipts of Rs Those who have turned 59 will retire on March 88,004 crore and revenue expenditure of Rs 31 this year and those who are 58 will retire from 95,716 crore for 2020-21. The revenue deficit for September 30. Currently, 3.50 lakh government 2020-21 will be Rs 7,712 crore (1.20% of GSDP) employees are working in the state departments and the fiscal deficit will be Rs 18,828 crore and the attrition rate is 5 to 9 per cent. Asked (2.92% of GSDP). The Budget projects an out - about the financial implications, Badal said he standing debt of Rs 2,48,236 crore for 2020-21 as was expecting that the financial outgo on ac - against 2019-20 revised estimates of Rs 2,28,906 count of reducing the retirement age would be crore. Rs 3,500 crore. The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh Allocating Rs 12,488 crore for promotion of lauded the budget "With his futuristic budget schools and higher education, the minister an - projections, the finance minister laid down a pro - nounced free education for all students in gov - gressive roadmap that will chart the way for the ernment schools up to Class 12. Currently, state's holistic growth and development, with all education is free for all students up to Class 8 and sections of the society set to be benefitted," said it is free up to Class 12 only for girls. Free trans - Amarinder Singh in a statement here. portation facility for primary schools students will Badal also proposed capital expenditure of Rs also be provided and for this Rs 10 crore has been 10,280 crore. He said the state would get higher allocated. share from the central taxes as has been pro - Rs 4,000 crore was earmarked in the budget posed by the 15th Finance Commission. He said for the 6th Pay Commission which is expected to the state government proposes to set up two submit its recommendations in the near future. agriculture colleges at Gurdaspur and Balachaur. He also announced payment of 6 per cent Dearness Allowance arrears to employees next Key highlights month which would involve a financial outgo of l Three industrial parks to be set up at Matte - Rs 1,000 crore. The government employees have wara, Bathinda and Rajpura been seeking release of their pending DA. l Power subsidy of Rs 8,275 cr to farmers Badal also announced allocation of Rs 2,000 l ‘Paani bachao paisa kamao’ scheme to be ex - crore including Rs 520 crore especially for waiv - tended ing loans of landless farm workers under its flag - l Agriculture sector allotted Rs 12,526 cr, Edu - ship programme of crop loan waiver scheme. The cation sector Rs 13,092 cr. government has already waived crop loans of all l Expenditure on salaries, pensions increased small and marginal farmers (up to 5 acres) who by Rs 4,000 cr have loans of up to Rs 2 lakh. Later, Badal also l School education in govt schools free for all said the compensation to families of farmers who students till class 12. committed suicide would be ensured within 60 l Ludhiana, Amritsar get Rs 104 cr and Rs 76 cr days. The allocation for free power subsidy for under smart city project farmers has been kept at Rs 8,275 crore for 2020- l 5,000 EWS houses to be built for urban poor
April-2020 Punjab Advance 23 Budget 17,500 staff to retire Govt creates 50,000 job avenues for youth
Punmedia Bureau
In its quest to generate thousands of jobs for two years. Employees of all categories of services youth the Capt Amarinder Singh-led State Gov - were eligible to apply. An employee would con - ernment has lowered the retiring age of its em - tinue to draw his/her last pay, but pensionary ployees to 58 years by scrapping its eight year old and other retirement benefits would become scheme that allowed the employees to get a two- available only after the end of the extension pe - year extension in service. riod. This scheme will go a long way in creating job Scrapping the scheme was among the first opportunities for the jobless youth within six cabinet decisions made by the Amarinder Singh- months. Under this new scheme, about 6 per run Congress government which came to power cent of the 3.5 lakh state employees are expected in 2017. However, at the time, the state couldn’t to retire . According to sources at least 17,500 afford to retire thousands of employees at one will retire from their government posting. Ac - go. cording to Finance Minister Manpreet Singh The state is expected to incur a cost of about Badal, who announced the decision during his Rs 3,500 crore in retiring these employees, but Budget speech, in six months we will have a huge the two-phase retirement plan will ease the bur - number of jobs available for the youth. den on the state exchequer. The Amarinder Singh The retirement of 17,500 employees in the government, which came to power on the slogan highest slab of their payscales will open the job ‘ghar ghar rozgaar’ (jobs for all), has been facing avenue door to 50,000 unemployed youth of the severe criticism for failing to fulfill its promise. state. The budget highlights the government’s com - The move comes as Punjab readies for its next mitment to providing jobs to every household in state election, slated for early 2022. The offer will 2020-21. not be available to those who retire after March “We aim to organise over 800 placement 31. Employees who have already sought the ex - camps and help 1,50,000 applicants in gaining tension or are currently serving their extended employment and provide assistance to 69,600 period will be retired in two phases. unemployed applicants through career coun - The first set of employees — those above the selling. To support the activities of Employment age of 59 — will be retired forthwith on March Generation and Training department, I propose 31, while the remaining will retire by October 1. an outlay of Rs 324 crore for this year. This is The service extension scheme was started about 20 times increase over the Budget Esti - during the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government mates of Rs 17.52 crore in 2016-17, the last year in 2012. Employees were initially offered only a of the previous government,” the Finance Minis - one-year extension, which was later increased to ter said.
24 Punjab Advance April-2020 Budget Free education for all up to Class XII 3.63 boys to benefit from this scheme
Punmedia Bureau
With the aim of providing free education to all education to all students up to class VIII and to 23.50 lakh students studying in government girl students up to Class XII. As part of the state’s schools, the state government has decided to endeavour to educate all children, it has been de - provide free education to all students. At present cided to grant free education in government 7.12 lakh boys and girls are studying in classes schools to all students up to Class XII. from ninth to 12th. On free transport facility, he said: “In order to This revolutionary step will enable 3.63 lakh give a further impetus to primary education in boys to benefit from the decision. More than the state and with a view to increase the out - 3.49 lakh girl students are already availing of this reach of the primary schools, I propose an allo - free education benefit. cation of Rs 10 crore in the year 2020-21 for free Admission fee of Rs 10, tution fee of Rs 10 and transportation facility for the students.” computer fee of Rs 30 are charged from boy stu - For the promotion of school education, an al - dents of Class ninth and 10th at present while Ad - location of Rs.12,488 crore which accounts for 8 mission fee of Rs 10, tuition fee of Rs 10 and per cent of total expenditure has been provided computer fee of Rs 35 are charged from boys for the year 2020-21. This amount is 23 per cent studying in Class 11th and 12th, which will now higher than the budgetary allocations for this sec - be totally free for all students up to Class XII. tor in the year 2016-17. A total number of 1,11,635 students are The state government has specifically focused studying in Class 10th, 91,846 are studying in on the primary education in the state following Class 11tth and 69,988 are studying in Class 12th the motto of “Catch them Young”. To give a fur - across the state. Now all these students will ther impetus to primary education in the state come under the free education scheme. and with a view to increasing the outreach of the This free education facility has come after primary schools, an allocation of Rs.10 crore was Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal proposed for free-transportation facility for the presented the state budget, making education students. free up to Class XII for all in the state. In addtion, A budgetary provision of Rs.100 crore for con - in the aftermath of fire in a school van killing four struction of 4,150 additional classrooms has also students in Sangrur this month, an allocation of been made. Besides this, the government is also Rs 10 crore has been made for free transport fa - focusing on the mmaintenance of school build - cility to students. ings to provide a healthy and congenial atmos - Currently, the state government provides free phere to the students.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 25 26 Punjab Advance April-2020 Baisakhi Greetings April 13
April-2020 Punjab Advance 27 Diversification Mansa shows the way Organic vegetable gardens in schools
Punmedia Bureau
For years, water-guzzling paddy and wheat have established in at least 32, and more are being set dominated the fields of Punjab, pushing ground - up. We have trained at least 500 students to water levels down and spreading worry lines grow mushrooms using crop stubble,” he across farms. But now, one district is witnessing says.“The purpose is not just to teach children to the first shoots of hope. Guided by experts from grow organic vegetables and make their mid-day the state horticulture department, children in meals nutritious but also to stop them from stub - Mansa district are learning to grow their own or - ble-burning and divert their interest towards hor - ganic, chemical-free vegetables in kitchen gar - ticulture to break the wheat-paddy cycle,” says dens at government schools.The students are Garg.At the government senior secondary school part of the ‘Edible Gardens’ programme started by the government in Budhlada block last August to help them stay connected with their roots. And these days, their mid-day meals include fresh vegetables — from spinach, lettuce, co - riander, radish, spring onions and brinjals to sar - son da saag (mustard greens) — that are grown by the children themselves.It’s not just the “reg - ular veggies”. The students have started growing oyster mushrooms and broccoli, too. They use green waste for composting and wheat and paddy straw, which their parents would other - wise burn in the fields, for mulching the gardens and growing oyster mushrooms. Officials and teachers say the kitchen gardens have become a part of their science practical ses - sions and will help the children develop skills that could firm up employment prospects.“The results have been heartening,” says Vipesh Garg, Horti - culture Development Officer (HDO), Budhlada, who is the lead initiator of the project. “Of the 87 villages in Budhlada, kitchen gardens have been
28 Punjab Advance April-2020 Diversification for boys in Boha, a garden has been set up using plants. “Other schools have started asking for straw bales as chairs — the design won the first fresh vegetables from our garden,” he says. prize under ‘Sustainable Agricultural Practices’ at At the government senior secondary school in the district science competition. Budhlada, Class 11-12 students have grown oys - Parmal Singh, the school principal, says ter mushrooms using stubble. “It also helps them around 100 students from Class 9-12 grow mush - in their biology practicals. They are easy to grow rooms, garlic, coriander and onions. “The stu - and we use them in our mid-day meals. Most of dents are also being taught mushroom the students are from low-income families and processing, which will help them prepare for the they can pursue mushroom cultivation for better National Skills Qualification Framework.” The income after schooling,” says Jasbir Singh, a biol - NSQF facilitates certification for skills compe - ogy teacher.According to the latest assessment tency through formal, non-formal or informal of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), learning.Jagdeep Kaur, a teacher from the gov - Budhlada is among five blocks in Mansa that fall ernment middle school in Chak Bhai Ke, says stu - in the “over-exploited” category. This is the most dents from Class 6-8 “enjoy working in the severe category, which means groundwater ex - kitchen garden”.“Whenever the kids feel stressed traction is more than net availability with a sig - or bored, they tell teachers to take them to the nificant long-term decline in levels. The 2017 garden. They grow spinach, lettuce, coriander, report also notes that the groundwater quality is radish and onions using manure prepared after “alkaline, brackish and not fit for composting,” she says.Naveen Kumar, the pro - irrigation”.“These are big issues in Mansa and we ject’s coordinator at the government middle have to catch students young to make them school in Ram Nagar Bhatal, says they are also aware. We are suggesting garden designs that setting up a garden for medicinal and herbal use less water, and encourage the use of paddy and wheat straw,” says Garg, the HDO. The official, however, acknowledges that the programme, which is being promoted under Pun - jab Tandrust Mission, is facing challenges on the ground. “There is a lack of trained and motivated staff in the Horticulture Department to regularly visit schools. We try to provide mushroom seeds (spawns) free of cost, but lack of funding is an issue,” he says.Yet, senior district officials are happy with the results so far. “In Mansa, ground - water levels are depleting, wheat-paddy still dominates fields and chemicals are used inces - santly. We thought a change could start with young farmers and their organic kitchen gardens in schools. Besides, kids in Punjab hardly stay connected to agriculture these days. They just want to go abroad. This is an effort to connect them again to their roots,” says Gurmeet Singh Sidhu, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mansa.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 29 Awareness DISHA shows the way m Awareness guide to distressed women m ADGP moots skill training for women
Ravi Makkar
ADGP Gurpreet Deo releases ‘DISHA’, a booklet on Women’s Safety
Nawanshahr: ADGP (Community Affairs and in spite of a number of provisions in law to pun - Crime Against Women and Children ) Gurpreet ish the offenders, lack of information resulted Kaur Deo has lauded the initiative of the SBS in the offenders getting away scot free. Nagar Police for spreading awareness about She said ‘DISHA` would definitly make the crime against women and minors. She said that people aware about the preventive steps that
30 Punjab Advance April-2020 Awareness
could be taken to thwart any untoward hap - women to reach their homes safely in odd penings. hours, was getting a good response in five Releasing the booklet on ‘DISHA’ she said by major cities. Besides, the 523 Saanjh Kendras implementing these awareness activities at the were also instrumental in redressing the prob - ground level the crime rate against women and lems of women. children could be reduced. Earlier while interacting with the Rayat Col - She gave a list of helpline numbers where lege Management, she mooted the idea of a distressed women could ring up in case of any skill course for distressed women to make emergency. These included 181 (Non Emer - them independent. She even suggested the gency), 112 (Emergency) and 1091 (Women signing of an MoU to give the course practical shape. To help women deal with unknown phone calls from bad elements the victims could ap - proach the Cyber Crime Cell set up at each dis - trict. She also solicited help from Rayat Faculty for the next level of training for Punjab Police Cyber Crime Cell Personnel. DSP Deepika Singh gave a presentation on the awareness programme DISHA. She said the booklet contained every aspect of information related to safety of women and children. It ex - plains in detail about the IPC Sections, the Do’s and Don’ts, kinds of harassment, Good Touch and Bad Touch, Use of Pepper Spray and how to prepare at home, self defence techniques. Interestingly, ADGP Gurpreet Deo and SSP Alka Meena answered all the queries of stu - dents, especially girls/women, present there regarding the safety of women and children. ADGP Gurpreet Deo releases ‘DISHA’, a booklet on Women’s Safety Prominent amongst the others present on the occasion, included SSP Roopnagar Swapan Helpline) in the mobiles. Sharma, Nirmal Singh Chairman Rayat Group, Similarly mobile apps SHAKTI and KNOW Dr. Sandeep Singh Kaura MD, SP (H) Balwinder YOUR POLICE are must have apps in the mo - Singh Bhikhi, DSPs Navneet Kaur and Jatinder - biles of women especially, she added. jit Singh besides Director (Admin) of Rayat She said the police initiative to help the Campus Satbir Singh Bajwa. The writer is an APRO, SBS Nagar
April-2020 Punjab Advance 31 Sports Simranjit Kaur qualifies for Tokyo Olympics Punjab female boxer scores a first
Ravee Pandher
World Championship bronze medallist Sim - feating third seed Chinese Taipei’s Shih-Yi Wu ranjit Kaur (60kg) from Chakar village in Lud - 4-0 in the 60 kg weight category semi-final. hiana, has become the first female boxer from ”I had only thought, I had to qualify for Punjab to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. She Tokyo no matter what. The pressure had been defeated second seed Mongolian boxer by a building, after many months of training, and unanimous 5-0 verdict to storm into the semi- when I finally achieved it the feeling was in - finals of the ongoing Asian/Oceanian Boxing credible. I was fighting a second seed so I Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan. started attacking from the very beginning. The One day later she o made it to the finals de - credit for my achievement goes to my family,
32 Punjab Advance April-2020 Sports coaches and every single person who sup - ported me so far,” said Kaur after qualifying for Tokyo Olympic in a video message to Box - CM gives Rs 5 lakh ing Federation of India. The Punjab Chief Minister announced a Simranjit is the family’s sole breadwinner Rs 5 lakh prize for boxer Simranjit Kaur. and has been struggling to hold her family to - gether after her father passed away in 2018. A bronze medallist at the 2018 World Champi - onship and a silver medallist at the 2019 Asian Championship,Simranjit Kaur is responsible for a family of five. She is currently unem - ployed and has to take care of her family’s fi - nancial crunch. The 24-year-old has two younger brothers, who are still studying, an elder sister who is employed with the BSF and is married, and their mother. Simranjit Kaur (60 kg) dedicated the win to her mother, saying: “I dedicate this win to my mother who hasn't slept properly for days. This win is for India." The bout was fought at a frenetic pace with Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi both boxers throwing a flurry of punches at accompanied by Simranjit Kaur and her each other. But it was Simranjit who got the family members met Capt Amarinder better of the exchanges using her right jabs to Singh. telling effect. She won both the first two The Chief Minister said she had really rounds with a unanimous 5-0 verdict, all the 5 made Punjab and every Punjabi proud and judges scoring both the rounds 10-9 in the In - wished her the best of luck for the 2020 dian's favour. Tokyo Olympics.He said the State govern - Aware that she had almost sealed the bout, ment would extend all possible support Simranjit took it a little easy in the final round and cooperation to her in the future as but never let her guard down to allow her op - well. ponent to make a comeback. Even though she Sodhi also assured her that the Sports won the final round with a split 3-2 verdict Department would provide a suitable Gov - with 3 judges scoring the round 10-9 in her ernment job as per her eligibility.After se - favour and the other 2 judges scoring it 10-9 curing a berth in the quadrennial event, for her opponent, it was enough to win the Simranjit Kaur became the first-ever Pun - bout with a unanimous 5-0 verdict. The final jabi woman boxer to have qualified for the judges' scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, Olympics. 29-28, 29-28 in the Indian's favour.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 33 Career n Competition A career in Merchant Navy
Bureau Report
The opportunity to travel around the world and a screening test and a main written examination. the lure of adventure on the high seas, besides the After clearing the test, there is an interview and a possibility of high remunerations attracts many medical test. You also need to complete a ship- youngsters to make a career in the Merchant training course prior to the employment. Navy. Merchant Navy is different from the navy in The course is generally short-term where the the sense that it offers commercial services, as op - candidates are taught basic security concerns of posed to the navy, which is largely involved in the voyaging. There are some private institutes, which defence of a nation. offer training for merchant navy as well. These in - Merchant Navy is the backbone of interna - stitutes prepare students for jobs such as deck tional trade, carrying cargo all over the world. cadets and marine engineering jobs. Merchant ships employ a huge number of workers How to Join Merchant Navy After 12th to carry and deliver goods from one country to an - After Class 12, you are eligible to study the fol - other. Without the merchant navy, much of the lowing merchant navy courses:B.Sc. Nautical Sci - import-export business would come to a grinding ence, B.E. Marine Engineering, B.E. Naval halt! Architecture and Offshore Engineering, B.E. Pe - A career in the merchant navy is considered a troleum Engineering, B.E. Mechanical Engineer - glamorous job, especially by the people who have ing, B.E. Harbour & Ocean Engineering, B.E. Civil been bitten by the travel bug. It offers an oppor - Engineering, B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engi - tunity to visit new and exotic places all around the neering, B.Sc. Marine Catering Electro Technical globe. Merchant Navy career is not only mone - Officer Course. tarily rewarding but also satisfying and a quite How to Join Merchant Navy After 10th challenging. Merchant navy courses that you can pursue Eligibility Criteria after 10th include:Near Coastal Voyage The eligibility for joining Merchant Navy is fin - (NCV)Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS)Commer - ishing Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Math - cial DivingG.P. RatingEntrance Exams for Mer - ematics. chant NavyAfter completion of 12th class, Candidates have to be unmarried Indian citi - interested candidates can appear for the Indian zens (male or female).Normal vision is required Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMU but glasses up to plus or minus 2.5 may be al - CET) or the All India Merchant Navy Entrance lowed. Exam. This exam is generally conducted in the Admission is through an entrance followed by month of May.
34 Punjab Advance April-2020 Career n Competition
The other exams that can also serve as a gate - skilled seafarers who help all the officers with way for Marine Engineering are JEE, MERI En - daily tasksCatering & hospitality crew (pursers, trance Exam, TIMSAT.Eligibility Criteria:10th for stewards, chef, housekeeper etc.) GP rating Course.For Deck cadet and Engine Merchant Navy - Pay Package cadet: 10+2 with PCM 60%.Application for the In Merchant Navy, the salary can range from exam can be done online. Along with the applica - anywhere between Rs.12000 to Rs.8 lakh per tion form, applicants have to submit a brief sum - month though the pay structure differ from com - mary of 100 words that states why they wish to pany to company, city to city, the export-import apply for Merchant Navy.This exam is an MCQ needs, seniority etc. All crew members and offi - pattern test spanning over subjects like Physics, cers are given free meals on board and senior offi - Chemistry, Mathematics, English, General Knowl - cers can take along their wives for the voyage. edge and Reasoning. A Junior Engineer on a ship can earn around Rs. Merchant Navy - Job Prospects 30,000 per month with free board and lodging There are enormous employment opportuni - while signed on board the vessel. The next level is ties in this field. Candidates who have finished the of Second Engineer and finally, Chief Engineer on basic course in merchant navy can get jobs very a ship. As you keep getting promoted, your salary easily through various consultants and placement increases substantially. A Chief Engineer at sea agencies. Merchant Navy fleet consist of cargo earns Rs. 1.5 lakh per month or more net of taxes. ships, container ships, barge carrying ships, It takes about 6-7 years for a Junior Engineer Offi - tankers, bulk carriers, refrigerators ships, passen - cer to get promoted to the rank of Chief Engineer, ger ships, as well as roll off/roll on ships. The pos - depending on individual capabilities and job op - sibility of finding employment in cargo ships is portunities available. more as compared to the others. A Third Officer's salary is around Rs. 50,000 per Companies that run merchant ships require month plus free board and lodging while on trained people who can operate and maintain the board.Next levels in increasing order of seniority ships. Some of these companies are: Chevron and are Second Officer, a Chief Officer and Captain of Mobil of USA, Wallem Ship Management of Hong a ship. A Captain's pay package is Rs. 2 lakh per Kong, Denholm of UK, K Line, Bibby Ship Manage - month or more net of taxes. It takes about 8 years ment, d'Amico etc. India too has its shipping com - for a Third Officer to get promoted to the rank of panies, such as the Shipping Corporation of India, Captain, depending on individual capabilities and Great Eastern Shipping, Essar and Chowgule Ship - the job opportunities available. ping. Besides this, imported liquor, cigarettes, Trained people are required for the three main canned foods, cosmetics are available on board departments of the ship: the deck, the engine and duty free. They are also entitled to four month the service department.In India, job opportunities leave every year. The interesting fact is that there are also available in government and private ship - is no income tax return imposed on the earnings ping companies like Shipping Corporation of India, of a merchant navy professional. Life in merchant clearing houses, del credere agents etc. navy can be adventurous for all those with wan - Merchant navy job profiles derlust. The long periods of solitude notwith - Deck officer (navigation officer)Electro-techni - standing, the opportunity to see the world and get cal officer (ETO)EngineerRatings - ratings are paid while doing so, just cannot be argued with.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 35 Current Events NATIONAL End of rail level crossings The Supreme Court has lifted the RBI ban The Central Government will replace all on trading in virtual currencies such as Bit - level crossings on National Highways with coin. The order comes as a major relief for road over-bridges or under-bridges under the traders in this sector.The apex court the Setu Bharatam scheme before the end read out its judgement while hearing a plea from the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI) challenging the RBI ban. The IMAI petition claimed that by banning vir - tual currencies, RBI had effectively banned legitimate business activity through virtual currencies.
Curbs on pharma exports India has restricted the export of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines including paracetamol as the threat of coro - navirus looms larger across the nation. India of the year 2020.The Setu Bharatam is the world's key supplier of generic Scheme is being implemented by the Union drugs.The listed 26 active pharmaceutical Road Transport and Highways Ministry to ingredients (APIs) and medicines account ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the na - for almost 10 percent of all Indian medical tional highways and reduce road accidents exports. Besides common pain reliever by at least 50 percent by 2020. paracetamol, the list includes erythromycin, SC lifts RBI ban on cryptocurrency Vitamin B12 and tinidazole.
PUNJAB Retirement age reduced to 58 Education free till Class 12: Education till Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Class 12 will be free. Education gets the Badal presented the state govt Budget 2020 highest budget allocoation of Rs 13,092 of Rs 1.54 lakh crore on February 28, 2020. crore. One of the key announcement made by the Rs 2000 crore has been proposed for Punjab Finance Minister is reducing the re - crop loan waiver and Rs 520 crore for farm tirement age of government employees to labourers Rs 100 crore has been allocated 58 and releasing 6 per cent pending DA ar - for smartphones under Punjab govern - rears in a week's time. ment's youth scheme.
36 Punjab Advance April-2020 Current Events INTERNATIONAL China assumes UNSC presidency embourg's inhabitants to use it and curb the China has assumed the Presidency of the continued traffic problems the country is United Nations Security Council for March experiencing. 2020. While taking on the role, China vowed to advance solidarity and cooperation Nuclear plant in UAE among the members.China’s permanent The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a representative to the UN, Zhang Jun said his licence for a reactor at its Barakah nuclear country attached great importance to the power plant on February 17, 2020. The in - work during its presidency and would act formation was given by Hamad al-Kaabi, the responsibly and constructively. UAE representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The move is in line Luxembourg makes travel free with the UAE's vision to build a peaceful nu - Luxembourg has become the first gov - clear energy programme to cater to the fu - ernment to make public transport free. The ture needs of energy in the country. With move came with effect from March 1. As this approval, the UAE becomes the first per the move, buses, trams, and trains in the country have become completely free Arab country in the region to operate a nu - of charge. The move aims to encourage Lux - clear power plant.
SPORTS India 4th in FIH rankings the Board of Control for Cricket in India The Indian men’s hockey team has se - (BCCI) appointed Sunil Joshi as the new cured an all-time high spot in the FIH rank - Chief Selector of team India. The BCCI has ings. Team India attained the fourth also appointed Harvinder Singh as a selec - position since the inception of FIH world tor apart from Sunil Joshi. rankings in 2003. The Indian team has got The name of Sunil Joshi was finalized by this ranking because of its performance in the Cricket Advisory Committee of BCCI. FIH Hockey Pro League. The Indian team is The advisory committee consists of former fourth with 10 points. Belgium is first with cricketers RP Singh, Sulakshana Naik and 14 points, followed by Holland (11) and Aus - Madan Lal. Member of the Advisory Com - tralia (10) in third in Pro League. mittee, Madan Lal said BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had given him a free hand Anil Joshi is chief cricket selector to elect new selectors. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of
April-2020 Punjab Advance 37 Tribute
Balraj Sahni's 47th death anniversary falls on April 13 The most gifted--- yet, 'misfit' actor
Donald Banerjee
It is the early fifties, the fast-moving pavements of old Calcutta come to a sudden halt. The crowd is awe-struck as a fast-moving hand-driven rick - shaw chases a horse-driven open carriage carry - ing a beautiful damsel. The rickshaw puller pushes himself to the limit. The balding occupant of the rickshaw offers him more money to run faster so that he can catch up with his estranged girlfriend. The temptation works, the high wooden wheels move faster. It is the ultimate en - durance test for the rickshaw puller, but the wealthy customer is not worried about his plight. This scene is a straight lift from Bimal Roy’s highly acclaimed and awarded movie ‘Do Bigha Zameen’ (1953). The rickshaw-puller is not a dou - ble, but Balraj Sahni himself. His talent as an actor cannot be forgotten by those who have seen him act. Such were his skills that he used to get into the skin of the character. Balraj Sahni, whose 47th death anniversary falls on April 13, was a well educated person, a teacher and a writer. But it was his stint as an actor that made him the name he is today. Many Hindi Film Industry. present-day personalities from the film world Born as Yudhishthir Sahni in Rawalpindi (now consider him to be the greatest actor ever in the Pakistan) on May 1, 1913 to a Punjabi family, he
38 Punjab Advance April-2020 Tribute
completed his graduation in Bachelor of Arts Chidiya" (1958) respectively. These films further (Hindi), and post graduation in Masters of Arts established his position as a versatile actor. In (English Literature), both from Panjab University (then University of the Punjab, Lahore). He got His talents as an actor cannot be married to Dayamanti and the two moved to Bengal to join Rabindra Nath Tagore's Visva forgotten by those who have seen Bharati University in Shantiniketan as English and him act. Such were his skills that he Hindi teacher. In 1938, Sahni went to work with used to get into the skin of the char - Mahatma Gandhi for a year and the very next acter. Balraj Sahni, whose 47th death year went to England to join the British Broad - casting Network's Hindi service as a radio an - anniversary falls on April 13, was a nouncer. well educated person, a teacher and In 1943, he returned to India.However, it was a writer. But it was his stint as an "Do Bigha Zameen" that established his strengths as an actor. It also won the international prize at actor that made him the name he is the Cannes Film Festival. In the years that fol - today. Many present-day personali - lowed, he played many leading roles in commer - ties from the film world consider him cial films opposite actresses like Nargis, Meena to be the greatest actor ever in the Kumari, Vyjayanthimala, and Nutan in films "La - jwanti" (1958), "Ghar Sansar" (1958), "Satta Hindi Film Industry. Bazar" (1959), "Kathputli" (1957), and "Sone Ki
April-2020 Punjab Advance 39 Tribute
1961, film "Kabuliwala", written by Tagore, went ‘open’ as well as ‘hidden’, without any holding on to become another of his classics. back or hesitation of any sort. His character roles in films like "Haqeeqat" (1964), "Waqt" (1965), "Do Raaste" (1969), "Ek The following are some interesting excerpts Phool Do Mali" (1969), and "Mere Humsafar" from the book: (1970) further left an indelible mark in the film Excerpt 1: “This meeting of four years ago fraternity and fans alike. The legendary song "Ae with the versatile V. Shantaram was very much Meri Zohra Jabeen" from the film "Waqt", pic - in my thoughts when I went to see ‘Shakuntala’. turized on Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev is still That a man of Shantaram’s calibre should be di - etched deep in peoples' recting a film based on memories and is loved Balraj Sahni is the most gifted, yet Kalidas’s classic drama by the current genera - was, I felt, a unique com - misfit personalities of Hindi Cin - tion as well. bination. You can well Along with success - ema.The term ‘Most Gifted’ doesn’t imagine then the high fully proving his acting need any explanation to anyone who hopes I must have enter - prowess, he also dis - is even vaguely familiar with the tained, when I went to played exceptional di - see that film. But, Shan - recting skills through the Golden Era of Hindi films. And ‘Yet taram let me down film Lal Batti (1957), A Misfit’ is added, because that’s badly, very badly in - where passengers are what the maestro reveals in his auto - deed! At one stroke he forced to spend a night shattered all the confi - biography "Meri Filmi Atmakatha" together at the railway dence and faith I had platform at the time of which was published by Hind Pocket come to place in him, India's independence. Books in the 70s.His personal expe - the supreme artiste! Balraj co-directed this riences in the field, as written by Shakuntala jarred on my movie along with Kris - nerves so very thor - han Chopra. His per - himself, unveil the many new facets oughly that my soul formance in the film of Hindi Cinema which are both cried out in anguish!” "Garm Hava" (1973) is ‘dark’ as well as ‘bright’, ‘open’ as considered to be the Excerpt 2: “Finally, well as ‘hidden’, without any holding best, till date. Sadly, this I hit upon a novel idea was his last film before back or hesitation of any sort. which I explained care - his death. fully to Badru. The next Balraj Sahni is the most gifted, yet misfit per - day, as we – Chetan Anand, Dev Anand, Guru sonalities of Hindi Cinema.The term ‘Most Gifted’ Dutt and I--- sat in Chetan’s cabin, discussing “the doesn’t need any explanation to anyone who is script of Baazi, there was a commotion in the even vaguely familiar with the Golden Era of outer office.Apparently, a drunkard had forcibly Hindi films. And ‘Yet A Misfit’ is added, because entered the office and was bothering the clerks. that’s what the maestro reveals in his autobiog - Presently, the intruder appeared at the door of raphy "Meri Filmi Atmakatha" which was pub - the cabin. Walking right in, he went straight to lished by Hind Pocket Books in the 70s.His Dev Anand and started talking nonsense to him. personal experiences in the field, as written by All of us there found the way the man was himself, unveil the many new facets of Hindi Cin - making a fool of himself excruciatingly funny and ema which are both ‘dark’ as well as ‘bright’, we burst out laughing For well over half an hour
40 Punjab Advance April-2020 Tribute he entertained us and the rest of the office staff films which championed the cause of the toiling with his pranks.At last, Chetan decided that masses.‘Look,’ they said, ‘here is a millionaire’s enough was enough. He ordered that the man be son, who has taken to acting, not for making thrown out bodily! At that point, I asked Badru to money but out of sympathy for the poor.’ In - offer a ‘salaam’ to his ‘audience’!And lo! The terestingly enough, I began modeling myself on Sharabi sobered down instantly! The change in this image of mine, built up by the press!The the man was so sudden that my colleagues could truth is, as in the case of the earlier ‘Hum Log’, hardly believe their eyes! It is a measure of ‘Do Bigha Zamin’ too did not exactly improve my Badru’s acting talent that he keeps the bottle, financial position. I remained as ‘broke’ as ever.I which is such an inseparable companion of his on was jobless for the following six months.”The the screen, miles away from him in private life! I above excerpts are just the tip of the ice-berg (a found Chetan looking askance at me! When I told really hot ice-berg indeed) as the book contains him that Badru’s performance was a ‘make-be - many more ‘at-the-face’ truths not only about lieve’ and that the whole thing was ‘stage-man - the film-world but also about the pre and post in - aged’ by me, he gave the role to Badru without dependence era of India, the changing social the slightest hesitation. That was the beginning structure of the country before the 60s and much of Badru’s glorious screen career.His millions of more. fans, however, know him by the name Johnny Walker!”
Excerpt 3: “I shall always look upon my role in “Do Bigha Zamin” with a sense of pride. Indeed, I shall cherish the memory of that role till I breathe my last. After having made this confes - sion, I become entitled to air my views on a few points of a technical nature. The film was based on Rabindranath Tagore’s well-known poem of the same name, and yet nowhere has Bimal Roy expressed his gratitude to the poet. I feel that in the name of justice and fair - play, such an acknowledgement was called for.“’Do Bigha Zamin’ gave me too a good deal of fame and publicity. All of a sudden people woke up to the fact that I had been a professor at Shan - tiniketan and an announcer on the B.B.C. A few wise men even went to the extent of decking me in revolutionary plumage. They put about that I was out to lead the Indian Cinema on a revolu - tionary path! They hailed me as an actor, who chose to work only in those
April-2020 Punjab Advance 41 Sports At 103, she is still the fastest centenarian
Ravee Pandher
held on International Women’s Day at the Rash - trapati Bhawan by President Ram Nath Kovind amid the presence of Union Women and Child De - velopment Minister Smriti Irani, and Finance Min - ister Nirmala Sitharaman.Besides Mann Kaur, A 93-year old athlete from Chandigarh, a woman mason, Jharkhand's lady Tarzan and a "mushroom mahila" were among the women who were given the award. Totally, averse to junk food, Mann Kaur said if girls eat healthy food in the formative years, they will not have any health issues in the later part of life. Fit as a fiddle, she has no chronic ailment and Life began at 93 for legendary athlete Mann Kaur. her HB count is 13 plus. Motivated by her octoge - At 103, she still clocks a little over a minute, to narian son Gurdev Singh (83), who was an athlete complete the 100-metre sprint, giving many and now a regular in the Masters meet (veterans), younger than her a tough time to the finishing she took to athletics at the age of 93. According line. to her, there is no age limit in trying out some - Meet Mann Kaur (born March 1, 1916) the old - thing new. est and the fastest centenarian woman athlete in “I have started running and throwing javelin at the country, who still does India proud by winning the age of 93,” she added. Breaking records has medals in the World Masters Athletics Champi - been her unique feature, beams her son Gur - onships and is a World Record holder in many dev.“In 2016 at the American Masters Meet, she events in the above-100-year age category. In clocked 1.21 minutes in the 100 metres sprint. In Poland this year, she won gold medals in 100 me - 2017, at New Zealand she bettered it to 1.17 min - tres, 200 metres, javelin throw and shot put. utes,” said Gurdev.For Mann Kaur, her son is not In her career so far, Mann Kaur, a resident of Pa - only an inspirational figure, but also her coach and tiala, has won 31 international gold medals and trainer who also takes care of her diet and train - over 13 national golds. And there is no stopping ing. “My son accompanies me wherever I go, and her. he cooks for me. People should learn from him "Changa daud rahi hoon, rukna kyun bhai” (I how to take care of their parents,” she said. am running well, why should I stop?) she said. Mann Kaur presides over a large family of two “Mujhe sports pasand hai, aur har kudi ko accha sons and a number of grandchildren and great khana khana hai aur khel khud me bhag lena hai” grandchildren, but there is no stopping (I like sports and every girl child should eat healthy her zeal to push herself to the limits of food and participate in sporting activity), avers the physical endurance and be a role model worth legendary athlete. emulating for others thus proving convincingly No wonder, Mann Kaur was among 15 women that age is after all just a number and life can very awarded Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019 at an event well begin at 93.
42 Punjab Advance April-2020 Maharaja Ranjit Singh greatest leader
Beats Churchill, Lincoln in BBC poll
Punmedia Bureau
Maharaja Ranjit legacy". Singh, the founder Taking and ruler of Sikh more than 38 per empire during the cent of the vote, early 19th cen - Maharaja Ranjit tury, has defeated Singh was de - Winston Churchill scribed by nomi - and Abraham Lin - nating historian coln to be voted Matthew Lock - as the greatest wood as a mod - leader of all times. ernising and In a poll con - uniting force, ducted by BBC whose reign World Histories "marked a golden magazine, Ma - age for Punjab haraja Ranjit and northwest Singh was voted the greatest leader in world his - India". tory by 38 per cent of the more than 5,000 read - The second place went to African independ - ers of the magazine. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was ence fighter Amílcar Cabral who is credited with nominated by historian Matthew Lockwood - as - uniting over a million Guineans to free them - sistant professor of history at the University of selves from Portuguese occupation. He is also Alabama - for establishing "modern empire of tol - credited for inspiring many other colonised eration". African countries to rise and fight for independ - The Greatest leader of all times poll BBC ence. Amílcar Cabral was voted the greatest World Histories Magazine had asked its readers leader by 25 per cent readers. to vote for the greatest leader from the names British Prime minister Winston Churchill is in nominated by several renowned historians. The the third position with 7 per cent of the vote for readers were asked to choose a leader who "ex - his contributions to Britain during world war. ercised power and had a positive impact on hu - American president Abraham Lincoln was voted manity and to explore their achievements and fourth.
April-2020 Punjab Advance 43 Health Knee arthritis ---early cure can prevent knee-replacement
Dr Ravinder Chadha
Knee arthritis sets in with advancing age; those bones. affected usually initiate treatment with anal - gesics to alleviate pain. This is also supplemented Symptoms with cartilage rebuilding drugs vis-a-vis glu - * Pain/swelling and restricted movement. cosamine/diacerein. However, the effect of these * Crackling sound in the joint. drugs tapers off after some time and may pro - * ”Gel phenomenon” i.e. stiffness with rest and duce side effects like hyperacidity. As is the trend, inactivity that resolves within a few minutes of individuals have a tendency to live with pain activity. post-arthritis rather than taking appropriate * Locking due to intra-articuclar loose bodies measures in time. from degenerative pieces of cartilage shed into Knee arthritis occurs due to degenerative the joint. changes in the cartilage, bones, synovium etc. * Deformities like bow legs Cartilage becomes thin and roughens, synovium * Pain increases just before rains as nerve-end - swells producing extra fluid thereby swelling the ings are sensitive to pressure i.e. respond to drop joint. Muscles weaken/thin out and get wasted of pressure which occurs before rain. Patient leading to a feeling of give away. with knee arthritis can predict rain. Due to the changes the space between the bones, particularly on the inner side of the joint, Treatment decreases leading to reduction in mobility of the * Reduction in body weight is an extremely de - knee joint, This results in crackling sound of the sirable component in alleviating pain in knee joint, locking etc. arthritis. Increase of body weight of one kilogram Pain in knee arthritis is due to inflammation of puts six times more load on the knee joint. the synovium, from diminished blood flow, * Knee braces/supports to provide stability to stretching of the nerve endings, small fractures the joint. under cartilage etc. * Sports shoes, which can absorb impact shock. Obese females are more vulnerable to knee * Walking on soft regular surface with aid e.g. arthritis. Fat gets accumulated in the hips re - cane in the opposite hand. sulting in increase in the angle between the hip * Hyaluronic acid injections dramatically allevi - and knee joint. This exerts more load on the ate the symptoms of pain, stiffness etc. Mecha - knee. To make matters worse osteoporosis sets nism of action is by cushioning of the knee joints, in after menopause, increasing the fragility of the by anti inflammatory role and stimulation of pro -
44 Punjab Advance April-2020 Health
duction of Hyaluronan. These injections are avail - under the knee. Press the knee downwards. Re - able in pre-filled syringes and the recommended peat 15 times. dose is one injection per week for three or five * Calf stretch: While sitting, loop a towel around injections. the ball of the foot. Putt the towel towards the * Individuals having knee pain, difficulty in walk - body while keeping the knee straight. Hold this ing/jogging should switch over to non weight position for a count of 10, then relax. Repeat five bearing activities like cycling, swimming etc. times. Muscles and ligaments hold the knee to - Osteoarthritis of the knee, if not managed gether, therefore it is mandatory to stretch and early and properly, can lead to disability and de - strengthen the muscles on the front and back of pression. Treatment is effective if initiated dur - the thigh vis-a-vis quadriceps and hamstring. ing the early stage of arthritis and exercise regime conscientiously adhered to. Total knee re - The following exercises are very useful: placement is becoming popular as most of the * Knee to chest: Sitting against the wall, place patients neglect the early signs of arthritis and try hands over the shin and bend the leg towards the to treat it with medication only. Working out, chest. Repeat 10 times using it and staying active seems to be the key. * Sitting against the wall, lift the affected leg six These symptoms, of course, are exacerbated inches above the floor and stay for a count of 10. by excess weight that is so easy to put on as the Repeat 10 times. years go by. Age has an effect on unused mus - * Hamstring stretch: Lying on the back, raise cles. As one gets older, muscles can get smaller one leg and hold back of knee with both hands. and weaker. Pull the thigh and feel the stretch at the back of the thigh. Hold for a count of 20. Repeat 10 Dr Ravinder Chadha is a former physio-therapist of times. the Indian cricke team. * Knee press: Place a pillow or a rolled towel Email: [email protected] (phone 2702929)
April-2020 Punjab Advance 45 Children’s World
Hi kids,
This is the time of the year when you will be mov - The only thing that travels fast enough to make ing into the next grade in school. It will be a one- the Sun appear to move in the sky is the Earth it - month introductory session before the summer self. vacation. All the best and keep smiling—Uncle Don Whether it is the first day preschool or start of the fifth grade, there are always new challenges. But I am sure you are one of those kids who take the challenge confidently, breezing into the class - room with a quick goodbye to the previous class. But then there must be some among you who take time to adjust to the new environment. Re - member, always carry a smile as you take your first step into the next grade. According to a child expert and family coordi - Why does the Sun nator, “all kids have a lot to adjust to when they are going to a new school or moving up a new follow you grade: their reactions vary. One of the big ad - Have you ever noticed that when you are in justments is separating from their parents a car, or a bus, travelling on a straight road, (preschool) and creating a bond with their new the Sun appears to move right along with teacher.” you? Most teachers kick off the school year by in - While telephone poles and trees close to troducing themselves and talking about all the the road, whiz past in the blink of an eye, stuff you will be doing that year. Some teachers the Sun is always visible throughout the give students a chance to tell something about journey. No matter how fast Daddy drives, themselves to the rest of the class. you just cannot leave the Sun behind. When teachers do the talking on the first day, Strangely enough, the trees nearer the they often go over classroom rules so that you road disappear from your range of vision know what’s allowed and what’s not. Pay close more quickly than the trees further off. Why attention so that you know if you need to raise is this so? your hand to ask a question. Our eyes have a certain ‘range’ of vision. You will have a feel of your new environment You can see things only within that range. for a month before the summer vacation begins. For instance, you cannot see objects behind So put in your best so that you enjoy the big sum - your head. This field of vision widens out mer break. from the point where you are. Objects fur - We also carry a kids science piece on why the ther away are visible for a longer period, Sun seems to follow us. It is because the Sun is even as your car whizzes by. 149,597,870 km away from the earth. At this huge distance the Sun appears to be at the same place no matter how fast you travel on your car.
46 Punjab Advance April-2020 Children’s World
Appearances are deceptive
Manisha Deveshvar
One day Bina the ant was scurrying about in trapped in your shell. All you can do is move your search of food. Summer was almost over and au - tail around a bit.” tumn was approaching. Soon it would be winter But there was no answer from the chrysalis. and food would be difficult to find. Bina knew it So Bina went on, “Even ant children can run was necessary to stock as much as possible so around and do as much as we can. They are free, that her ant colony could have enough to eat dur - you are all bound up and can’t even move. What ing the difficult months ahead. a life you must have.” And she walked away with She had collected her piece of pastry. quite a bit already. A few days later, Now she was on the Bina came that way lookout for bits of again hoping to find sweetmeats that more pastry or biscuit younger members of lying around. It was her colony loved to unusually hot that munch on after their day and she was meal. sweating. Suddenly, a Darting to and fro cloud seemed to between trees and come over her and shrubs, Bina suddenly she felt a soft cool smelt the sweet breeze. She looked aroma of pastry. She up. What did she see quickly went around this time? the bush and there Why, one of the she saw it – a large bit of pastry with a whole most beautiful butterflies she had ever laid eyes raisin in it! on! Light blue spotted with light pink and yellow Just then she looked up and saw something dots. How beautiful and how lucky to be able to hanging from the leaf of a bush. Looking closer, fly around free, thought Bina, as she stared at the she saw that it was a tiny tail. It seemed to be all beauty. wrapped up in something, as if bandaged. “Look at me,” said Sundri the butterfly. “I am Bina did not know it, but the ‘thing’ was a your much-pitied friend. You boasted of being chrysalis, the pupa of a butterfly. able to run around and climb mountains. But now “Oh you poor thing,” exclaimed Bina. She had try to get me to listen.” And with a graceful flap no idea what a chrysalis was. “What a sad fate of her wings, Sundari flew away. Like a soft sigh you have! I can run anywhere I wish, climb trees of the breeze… or go over mountains. And look at you, you are
Punjab Advance 47 April-2020 What the stars foretell Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma (Astrologer, Palmist, Numerologist & Vastu Consultant) email: [email protected]
Aries: (March 21-April 20): Good Leo: (July 23-August 23): This is a Sagittarius: (November 23-December planning will see you through even good time to begin something on the 21): You may have to remain in a sup - in the most difficult situations. Possi - home front that you had been con - portive role, but your role will cer - bility of getting a property at a good templating for long. Remaining in tainly be appreciated. Differences with price can be ruled out. You may find touch with others will be important, lover may put paid to your plans for an yourself struggling on the academic as networking helps! Good financial evening out. Disagreements and argu - management will help save money front, but will come out unscathed. ments will mark the family front, if Family support at work will help you for spending on other major require - you are not careful. Efficiency and in focussing in a different direction. ments. Despite spending a good Those facing health problems are amount on investments, you will not sense of responsibility is your strength likely to find their condition improv - get the kind of returns you expect on that makes seniors repose trust in you. ing. the financial front. You will have enough to spend.
Taurus: (April 21-May 20):): A big Virgo: (August 24-September 23): Capricorn: (December 22-January 21): break can be expected on the finan - Following the home budget strictly is A fresh avenue is likely to open up and cial front. This is the right time to put important at this juncture. You will add to your earnings. Someone is your ideas into action. Complacency need to take a chance on the profes - likely to test your patience at work and on the academic front may affect sional front. A support you expect on make you do something impulsive. A your performance adversely. Keep the academic front may not materi - vacation that you had been contem - your eyes and ears open while in - alise and put you in dire straits. Those plating may have to be postponed. On vesting, as what is told may not be with money to invest may still be the academic front, you will find your - the whole truth. Don’t argue with looking for some good options. A self fully prepared and in full form! anyone at work, as it can rebound on showdown with spouse is possible, as Love is in the air and you are likely to you. you are in no mood to give in! make the most of it.
Gemini: (May 21-June 21): There is a Libra: (September 24-October 23): A Aquarius: (January 22-February 19): good chance of meeting someone in - big achievement on the professional This is an excellent time to multiply front is on the cards and promises to your assets on the financial front. De - fluential. Those facing health prob - get you on to the forefront. Chance spite this, someone from the opposite lems are likely to find their condition to spend quality time with lover is camp may exercise a strong pull on the improving. Serious differences possible. Expect the unexpected on romantic front that you may find hard threaten to crop up in a relationship, the academic front. A medical check- up is likely to put your fears at rest to resist! A satisfactory performance on so be careful. Overconfidence on the regarding health. You may be roped the academic front is likely. Someone’s academic front may be your undoing, in to organise something on the so - achievement on the family front will so don’t let that happen. You remain cial front. Keep a property issue on make you proud. Prevent wasteful ex - comfortable on the monetary front. the hold. penditure.
Cancer: (June22-July 22): Inheriting Scorpio: (October 24-November 22): Pisces: (February 20-March 20): or buying property is on the cards. This month seems auspicious for Taking a break from work for a short Some adjustments may need to be earning big bucks. Construction work vacation is possible. Sharing someone’s responsibilities at work cannot be made in a relationship. You will be initiated by you threatens to stall, so able to achieve peace and tranquillity ruled out. Keeping in control on the give personal attention to it. Recent professional or academic front will not on the home front. On the profes - developments are likely to play on be difficult, but you may no longer sional front, you may need to observe your health, so take things easy. have that diehard attitude to succeed. the performance of a subordinate be - Your initiative on the social front is fore contemplating any action. Hunting talent to expand your pro - likely to be appreciated by all. An in - Adding to the wealth will not be too fessional ambit will be a step in the corrigible romantic that you are, difficult as profits from various right direction. You remain in top expect the love front to be most hap - sources accrue. physical condition. pening.
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April-2020 Punjab Advance 49 LAST WORD Tendua, tendua !
Donald Banerjee
It was a warm winter afternoon about 20 years This was the first time I had heard about a back. “galloping” leopard. A person rang up from Sector 30. A jumbled To allay the fears of the residents, the Chhat voice shouting “tendua!”, “tendua!” was enough Bir Zoo Director and the Chief Wildlife Warden, to send goose pimples up one’s body. Yes, he had UT, ventured into the CSIO forest where there spotted a leopard in a house in the sector. was a thick undergrowth. No pugmarks were vis - A telephone call to Chhat Bir Zoo confirmed ible. that they had received an SOS about the beast “Go deeper”, shouted the residents. The panic having been spotted somewhere near the CSIO on the campus could not be ignored. They in Sector 30. launched a “haka” to drive out the beast. Special By the time Cameraman Karam Singh and I armed policemen stood on standby as drummers reached the spot, the men in khaki had already beat up a tempo and shouted their heads out. arrived. Armed with self-loading rifles they were The 90-minute operation was of no avail. No standing near the forest area of the CSIO. Also at beast could be spotted. Thorns and shrubs had hand were forest officials with tranquiliser guns. to be removed from the winterwear of the offi - The most vociferous person in the crowd kept on cials. repeating: “I saw big, big eyes. They were glaring But the vast gathering of residents urged the at me. I beat a hasty retreat”. officials to continue the operation. They refused A forest official also chipped in: “I also saw to move away from the location. “The left side of those deadly eyes.” the forest area has not been covered,” they said Some students of the Indo-Swiss Training Cen - in unison. tre also claimed having sighted the leopard at The tired officials asked the drummers to build 8.30 the previous night. up a tempo as they tried once again to go deep One of the students even claimed having seen into the forest area on the left side. But all these the spotted big cat baring its fangs. And he said it attempts were in vain. in such a way as if he had spotted a pre-historic As the “operation imaginary leopard” came to sabre-toothed tiger. One of the eyewitnesses an end, a donkey across the street brayed, dis - said: “ I saw the beast galloping like a horse.” playing its teeth and then virtually “galloped” This statement put at rest the theory that the away into the vast maidan ahead. It was ulti - animal was a leopard. mately the donkey who had the last laugh.
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April-2020 Punjab Advance 51 Postal Registration No.CHD/0161/2013-2015 Actual date of posting 10 to 15-10-2017
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (April 14)