Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day (July 31)

2 Punjab Advance July-2020 Editorial At a time when the nation is fighting the Corona virus, and the Punjab farmers have been sweating it out in the fields recording Asia’s largest and longest wheat procurement exercise and busy in direct sowing of rice to keep the nation fed, the Central Government has fired an anti-farmer salvo which may end the MSP regime. In one stroke the Modi government has passed three agri and marketing ordi - nances usurping Agriculture, which is a state subjectunder the Seventh Sched - ule. The ordinances are against the spirit of Cooperative Federalism enshrined in the Constitution. What was the emergency that forced the Central Government to enforce the new farm ordinances.It has been enforced at a time when the nation is in the middle of the Covid battle and a face-off with China, with economy in a state of shambles. Most of the farmers’ organisations, unions and, with the possible exception of BJP’s own BharatiyaKisanSangh, are against the the government’s three laws on agri-marketing. The Chief Minister, CaptAmarinder Singh, has been quick to reject the Central ordinances asking the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi for an immediate re - view of the ordinances which he called anti-farmer and which would ruin the state’s economy. He saw it as a precursor to the elimination of the MSP regime. The Ordinances appear to be part of the process started in 2014, when the Shanta Kumar committee recommended dismantling of MSP and FCI, and reduc - tion of distribution of foodgrains under the PDS scheme. It is an effort to pro - mote corporate culture for the benefit of private business houses. The move could lead to exploitation of the farmers, who will be reduced to becoming labourers with the corporate houses becoming owners of agriculture without paying a penny for it. PPCC president Sunil Jakhar has dubbed the ordinances a conspiracy to ruin Punjab. The Chief Minister did not waste time. He summoned an all-party meeting and got all opposition parties under one roof. Barring the BJP all the parties saw it as an attempt to do away with the MSP.However one day after the meeting the Shi - romani Akali Dal tried to distance itself from the decisions taken at the all-party meeting. Unperturbed by the political slugfest, the farmer bodies have united against the anti-farmer ordinances and have decided to take to the streets for a long- drawn state-wide agitation until the anti-farmer laws are withdrawn. The ball is now in Modi’s court.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 3 s

t 16 21 New farm ordinance Switch over to direct Empower so n aims at ending MSP sowing of rice sa e t n o C

06 ‘Mission Fateh’ is Captain’s battle cry

4 Punjab Advance July-2020 24 32 38 ldiers to open fire, London road may be renamed Remembering 3 Punjabi ays CM after Sri Guru Nanak Devji gems of Bollywood

Punjab www.punjabadvanceonline.com July - 2020 Advance LVOL›7 L ISSUE›7 Room No. 1, 5 th Floor, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh-160001 Ph.: 0172-2740668, Email Id: [email protected] C.E.O. - Ravi Bhagat (IAS) Editor - Donald Banerjee Content Writer - Harleen Walia Designer - Karan Kumar Publisher - Information & Public Relations Department, Punjab

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors in the articles published in PUNJAB AD - VANCE are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Punjab Govern - ment 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 Chandi - garh based courts.Published and Edited by Ms. Anindita Mitra (IAS) on behalf of the In - formation and Public Relations Department, Punjab at Room No. 1, 5th Floor, Civil Sectt., Chandigarh

July-2020 Punjab Advance 5 Cover Story

‘Mission Fateh’ is Captain’s battle cry v CM takes battle to every doorstep v Stricter curbs on weekends and holidays

Donald Banerjee

ission Fateh’, is Capt Amarinder Singh’s jiChief Minister has launched a month-long ‘M battle cry as he takes the state’s battle drive, as part of `Mission Fateh’, to spread mass against Covid to every doorstep. Yes, the Fau - awareness about the pandemic.

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The campaign, has broadened the ambit of Mission Fateh beyond the frontline workers, making it a people’s movement, bringing the PM asks states to people of Punjab into its fold and making it a battle of the people, by the people and for the emulate Punjab people. Appreciating Punjab’s Covid micro-con - In another first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at tainment and house-to-house surveillance checking the community spread of the killer strategy, the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra virus, the state has launched a mobile-based Modi, has asked all other states to adopt the app - ‘GharGharNigrani’, to undertake house model, which was helping Punjab in success - to house surveillance in the state in an fully controlling the spread of the pandemic ongoing process, till the elimination of the pan - to a significant extent. The Prime Minister intervened as the Chief demic. Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was de - Mission Fateh is a symbol of the resolve of scribing the state’s model to combat Covid the people of Punjab to check the spread of the and suggested that all states should follow deadly virus through discipline, cooperation the same strategic approach to effectively and compassion.The Chief Minister stressed counter Covid. the need for adherence to all safety protocols, The Prime Minister was conducting a cooperation with the state government Video Conference meeting with chief minis - through compliance with the lockdown restric - ters of Punjab and some other states, as part tions, and compassion towards the poor. It is a of his scheduled 2-day interactions to review true reflection of the Punjabi spirit that can the Covid situation and management strate - overcome all odds to emerge victorious, he gies of all the states. added. All the state government departments are working in unison to create a positive atmos - holders. phere in the state, enabling the people to push All citizens, except medical staff and essen - forward and make Mission Fateha success. tial service providers, would be required to Other focus areas include create awareness download e-passes from the COVA app, the on the importance of home quarantine, symp - Chief Minister directed at a Video Conference toms of flu and actions thereafter, restrictions meeting to review the pandemic situation and during Lockdown 5.0 and penalties/fines in the state’s preparedness to handle further case of violations, community mobilisation to spread. jointly fight against the pandemic. Industry, however, will be allowed to func - tion normally on all days, said the Chief Minis - Tighter curbs on weekends ter, while asking DGP Dinkar Gupta to ensure Amid apprehensions of community spread strict implementation of these directives to of Covidand projections indicating that the pan - prevent gathering of large crowds. demic peak in the state was still two months The Chief Minister said such tough measures away, the state government has clamped a were necessitated on account of the spiralling - stricter lockdown on weekends and public hol - Covid cases across the world. Stringent curbs idays, restricting movement to only to e-pass could help delay the peak for as long as possi -

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ble, he added, pointing out that with no early 22 on May 31 to 15 on June 10, showing a pro - vaccine or treatment in sight, strict protocols gressive decline day by day. Though signifi - was the only way to fight the pandemic. cantly longer than the national average, the Even as he warned of the pandemic wors - doubling period decline was a matter of anxi - ening in the coming days and weeks, the Chief ety, said the Chief Minister. Minister also asked medical and health experts Expressing concern over the large number to consider imposition of strict conditions, in - of people coming from outside the state, even cluding mandatory testing certification, for en - though the positive cases among them were trants from Delhi, where the situation had not many, the Chief Minister said there was no assumed alarming proportions. On an average, scope for complacency in the state’s battle 500-800 vehicles are coming to Punjab from against Covid. The state government’s efforts the national capital every day, the DGP in - would need to be scaled up further, particularly formed the meeting. in view of the Health Department’s projections A decision on stricter curbs on those coming suggesting that the peak of the pandemic had from Delhi will be taken after a review by the yet to hit Punjab, and it could happen towards experts, an official spokesperson said after the the end of August if the doubling period meeting. continues to come down as per the current Pointing out that many of those who had trend. come from outside had behaved irresponsibly Early diagnosis and increased testing was and had not reported to the health authorities, the key to tackling the crisis under Mission the Chief Minister said tough measures would Fateh, the Health Department officials said at have to be taken where needed, as the spike the meeting, underlining the need for doubling was still continuing and was expected to esca - of testing in the next one month and close late in the days ahead. monitoring of the densely populated areas. The Chief Minister suggested that since it Four more testing labs were in the pipeline for normally takes 3-4 days for the virus to show being operationalised, the Chief Minister was up, those coming from outside should be informed. tested after a week and in the meantime they should be strictly asked to home quarantine ‘Ghar Ghar Nigrani’ themselves. He also directed the DGP to ensure In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at check - strict implementation of the home quarantine. ing the community spread of the killer virus, The DGP disclosed that 550 flying squads of the the Chief Minister has launched a mobile based Punjab Police were enforcing the same. app - ‘Ghar Ghar Nigrani’, to undertake Referring to complaints received on social house to house surveillance in the state in an media, and through other channels, of private ongoing process, till the elimination of the hospitals charging exorbitant sums for Covid - pandemic. hospitalisation and care, the Chief Minister di - Launching the app through video confer - rected the Health Department to ensure strict ence in the presence of Health & Family Wel - application of CGHS rates. All data on availabil - fare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, the Chief ity of beds etc should be put in public domain, Minister described the Health Department ini - he added. tiative, encompassing ASHA workers/Commu - The Chief Minister’s directions came even as nity Volunteers, as a tool for early detection the doubling rate in the state worsened from

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and testing of the coronavirus, and preventing ing ides for MIS based monitoring. its community spread. The user-friendly app had been developed The entire rural and urban population of and designed in-house by the Health Depart - Punjab above 30 years of age would be sur - ment, and had been field-tested in Patiala and veyed as part of the drive, which would also Mansa. Around 20,628 persons were surveyed, cover persons below the age of 30 having co- of whom 9045 were found to be asymptomatic morbidity or Influenza like Illness/Severe Acute and 1583 with symptoms of cough/fever/sore Respiratory Illness. This would not be a one- throat/breathlessness etc. time activity but an ongoing process till the The ASHA worker/community volunteers containment of COVID. are being paid Rs. 4 per head incentive/hono - The survey would capture full medical con - rarium for every person surveyed and shall ditions of a person for the previous one week cover 500 households. A supervisor will over - and complete details of his/her co-morbidity. see the work of ASHA/Community Volunteers, This would help in developing an extremely im - and would be engaged on voluntary basis @ Rs portant database to further plan the state’s 5000 per month. The supervisor would be di - COVID containment strategy and make tar - rectly responsible for quality check of data fed geted interventions for the community. Apart by the volunteers, monitoring their daily from this, the survey would give better direc - progress and ensuring COVID testing of those tion to all state Health programmes by provid - found to be symptomatic.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 9 Cover Story CM for more coordination between Centre and states

Punmedia Bureau

uring the video conference meeting with Centre should work closely with the states to Dthe Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, ease the distress caused by the pandemic and the Capt. Amarinder Singh asked Mr Narendra Modi subsequent lockdown. to set up a Group, which should include a few While living with Covid was the new normal chief ministers, to discuss and formulate a coor - since the lockdown could not continue indefi - dinated Centre-State response to the devastating nitely as the cycle of economy, once broken, impact of Covid on the economy and govern - takes a long time to restart, the need of the hour ments across the country. He requested that the was to take care of both lives and livelihoods, as

10 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story the Prime Minister had himself said in his VC in were ready in Government Level 2 & 3 facilities, April, the Chief Minister pointed out. in addition to 10-15,000 beds in Level 1 Covid Captain Amarinder recalled that when, in early Care Centres for mild patients. These Level 1 April, he had said that Covid could go on till Sep - beds can be scaled to 30,000, if the need arises, tember, he had been called an alarmist by some he said, adding that for tertiary level care, people. But with experts now warning that the the state government had also secured the par - pandemic could continue even beyond Septem - ticipation of private hospitals for tertiary ber, it was important to learnt to co-exist with it level care. and cope with it better, he stressed, underlining Captain Amarinder said the state government the need for the central and state governments was working on a multi-pronged strategy to fight to work in close coordination for this. the pandemic. Some restrictions had been im - Calling for urgent steps to mitigate Punjab’s fi - posed over the weekends and holidays, and strict nancial stress, the Chief Minister said a detailed enforcement of all protocols was being ensured memorandum had already been sent to the Gov - through fines. The focus was currently on micro- ernment of India, listing out the impact of Covid- containment strategy to isolate small mohallas or 19 and also seeking fiscal and non-fiscal village wards rather than close down larger areas, assistance. Even as he thanked the Prime Minis - he said, adding that a special app had also been ter and Finance Minister for the release of GST launched for house-to-house surveillance to de - payment of around Rs 2800 crore in early June, tect any possible cases and persons with co-mor - Captain Amarinder said while he appreciated that bidities to catch high-risk patients early. Captain the Government of India (GoI) was also under fi - Amarinder also spoke about the Mission Fateh nancial stress, he had to request for release of launched to generate public awareness and the the state’s pending share of taxes to tide over the focus on facilitating a behavioural change fiscal crisis. The crisis in Punjab was likely to be through celebrity endorsements, videos, on- acute with around Rs. 25,000-30,000 crore short - ground activities and through fines. fall in revenue collection on various counts, he The Chief Minister reiterated his request for said. extension of the free foodgrain scheme for the Even though Punjab’s contribution to the all- poor by six months, and expressed the hope that India cases was less than 1% (at 3140 cases) at the Centre would take note of his earlier sugges - present, with a mortality rate of 2.1% and recov - tion on providing revenue grants to the States for ery rate of 75%, the curve was rising as a result of 3 months to meet shortfall in revenue and to the inbound travellers and the easing of restric - fund expenditure on Covid-19. The 15th Finance tions and more mixing of people, the Chief Min - Commission should also review its report for the ister said, giving a status update on the Covid current year as situation has completely changed situation prevailing in the state. Emphasising the due to COVID-19, as proposed earlier, he added. need for more tests, despite the current 5527 Pointing to the GoI’s decision to allow increase tests per million in Punjab being higher than the in borrowing limits under FRBM Act from 3 to 5%, all India average of 4088, Captain Amarinder re - which required 3 of the 4 conditions to be ful - iterated his request to the Prime Minister to di - filled to avail full 2% additional borrowing, the rect GoI institutions in Chandigarh and Punjab to Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to relook increase testing capacity. some of the conditionalities, given the situation On the state’s preparedness to tackle further on the ground. He pointed out that the borrow - spread of the pandemic, the Chief Minister in - ing was a loan that States have to repay and not formed the meeting that 5000 isolation beds a grant by GoI.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 11 Cover Story

s part of state’s battle against Covid, the hands regularly to achieve Fateh over Covid19. Astate government has released a 'Mission Soha Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda and Rannvijay Fateh' song featuring Bollywood megastar besides the who's who of Punjabi film and music Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Gurdass - industry, including Gippy Grewal, Ammy Virk, Maan and Harbhajan Singh besides a star-stud - Jazzy B, Binnu Dhillon, Pammi Bai, Jasbir Jassi, Ra - ded line up of personalities from sports and jwirJawanda, Rubina Bajwa, Kulwinder Billa, Punjabi cinema, with message of resilience, re - Karamjit Anmol, Singga, Tarsem Jassar, solve and discipline to defeat the virus and save Lakhwinder Wadali, Harjit Harman, Gurnazar, Punjab. Babbal Rai, Jaani, Kulraj Randhawa, Shivjot, Urging everyone to come forward and com - Happy Raikoti, Afsana Khan, Ninja, Aatish, Tan - plement state efforts to save precious lives by ishq Kaur and Aarushi. disseminating information about preventive The song which has also been uploaded on the measures, the Chief Minister said with the coop - Facebook page of Captain Amarinder Singh also eration of everyone Punjab has been successful features prominent sports personalities, includ - in controlling the spread of the virus to a great ing cricketer Harbhajan Singh, AnjumMoudgill extent. The war has not ended, he underlined and Avneet Sidhu. Praak has already won hearts urging people to remain vigilant and keep fol - of the nation for his patriotic song Teri Mitti. lowing all social distancing norms. The song is also being broadcast on various The song which also features local boy Sonu - television and radio channels so that the message Sood alongside braveheart Punjab Police poster of collectively fighting against Covid19 reaches boy ASI Harjit Singh and TikTok sensation Noor everyone in Punjab. Apart from this the message has been sung by Punjabi music director and of maintaining social distancing, washing hands singer B. Praak. The song is a unique initiative to regularly and wearing masks while going out give the message of maintaining social distanc - have also been spread through hoardings and ing, wearing mask while going out and washing newspaper advertisements across various cities

12 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story Focus on urban slums he state government has chalked out a ‘City tees, a State level committee comprising of Di - TPreparedness Plan’ in its efforts to curtail the rector, Health Services, Executive Director, SHSRC spread of corona virus in urban slums of five dis - and State Epidemiologist would decide about tricts where the maximum cases of Corona virus sample collection, testing & reporting with a view have been reported. to reducing turnaround time to less than 24 hrs More than 54 percent of COVID-19 cases have (from collection of sample to report receipt by been reported from Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jaland - patient)”. har, SAS Nagar and Patiala districts. To take quick To ensure the ‘City Preparedness Plan’ in action to control the virus in specific areas, a sub- urban slums of cities, the Minister further ex - committee of District Disaster Management plained that the house to house surveillance Committee has now included the Community campaign and testing process would also be daily Medicine Faculty from Medical College, WHO, reviewed especially conducted in containment NPSP staff and a prominent NGO. This committee and Micro containment zones. would assist the City Administration in preparing According to the Minister more than 2,15,000 the epidemic preparedness plans,its implemen - samples have been taken so far. To enhance the tation, monitoring and reporting in consultation capacity of sample collection, special training is with the help of Health Department. being imparted to the CHOs, RMOs and other Health Minister Balbir Singh said: “After get - technical staff who are competent to collect the ting the significant inputs from these commit - samples. Private treatment rationalised he state government will soon rationalize charges, if needed, for Rs 6000 a day. Tthe private treatment cost for COVID pa - Compared to this some private hospitals were tients to make it affordable. He urged the private charging Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 per day from hospital managements to rise to the occasion the patients which was unacceptable. “If one and come forward with rational and reasonable hospital can provide treatment at Rs 50,000 for a cost of the treatment for the COVID-19 patients. week, how can another hospital charge Rs 30,000 Health Minister Balbir Sidhu said: “This is an for a single day?” he asked. unforeseen and unprecedented situation and He was hopeful that private hospitals would everyone, including the private hospital man - see reason and cooperate with the government agements and promoters, owe a responsibility in charging reasonable money from the patients. towards society”. He was hopeful that private The final decision on fixing the price will be taken hospitals would soon see reason and not charge in a day or two. He reiterated that the govern - exorbitantly from COVID-19 patients. ment had no intention of making private The Sri Guru Ram Das Charitable Hospital hospitals suffer any losses, but at the same time, Trust, Amritsar, had recently fixed Rs 50,000 as it would not allow the loot of the helpless the rate for a seven-day package for twin sharing patients by being slapped bills to the tune of AC rooms for COVID treatment, and Rs 35000 a lakhs of rupees for a few days of stay in the week for non-AC rooms and also ventilator hospital.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 13 Cover Story CM writes to PM, seeks Rs 80,845 cr fiscal aid Presses for waiver of long term CCL debt

Punmedia Bureau

n the wake of the Ilarge-scale devas - tation and distress caused to the state due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Chief Minister Cap - tAmarinder Singh has written to the Prime Minister,Mr Narendra Modi seeking fiscal aid to the tune of Rs 80,845 crore, along with non-fiscal as - sistance on various counts, in order to save lives and secure livelihoods. to avert any major socio-economic upheaval in The non-fiscal component of the aid sought by the coming future, as also to assure our next gen - the Chief Minister includes waiver of long-term erations of safe living and security of livelihood CCL debt, upward revision of capital outlay and in the country, said the Chief Minister. targets under MGNREGA, and other major flag - CaptAmarinderSingh further pointed out that ship programmes of the Union Government such “The Government of Punjab, despite all-out ef - as Smart City Programme, AMRUT, a new Na - forts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in keep - tional Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme, ing with the guidelines issued by the Government etc, in addition to revamping of Inter-state Mi - of India from time to time, feels that States alone grant Workers Act and amendments to Labour cannot meet the new challenges, and therefore Reforms to ensure full protection of civil liberties in the true spirit of cooperative federalism, needs and basic rights of agriculture and industrial the Union Government to aid and assist them in labourers. an unusually big way, which the country has The Centre’s urgent intervention was needed never seen since independence in 1947.”

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Listing out the detailed support measures outlay of Rs. 3,200 crore would be required. He needed to revive the state’s economy while en - has also solicited additional capital outlay of Rs suring protection of life amid the continuing pan - 6,670 crore under Schemes like AMRUT, Smart demic spread, the Chief Minister said a direct City, PMAY etc., with certain relaxations, along fiscal stimulus of Rs 26,400 crore and the waiver with a grant of Rs. 1,137 crore on account of rev - of the long-term CCL debt was extremely neces - enue loss is solicited. sary for the fiscal recovery of the state govern - To meet the post-Covid online and other edu - ment. Additionally, all central schemes should be cational needs, the state has sought assistance of 100% funded by the Government of India in FY Rs. 3,080 crore, with another Rs 8 crore for on - 2020-21, he has further requested in the memo - line training and stipend at Rs 1000 per month randum. for students during the lockdown period. Listing out the areas in which assistance was A total financial assistance of Rs. 575 crore urgently required, the Chief Minister said im - would be required to boost the new and renew - provement in the state’s public health infra - able energy sector in Punjab, in addition to cer - structure from a long-term perspective had been tain policy interventions, the Chief Minister estimated at a cost of Rs 6603 crore. pointed out. Further, the State would need an estimated Rs Further, financial assistance of Rs 2,571 crore 15,975 crore for up-gradation of farming infra - has been solicited for Border Area Development structure, one-time farm debt waiver, providing in an integrated manner, with acquisition of farm income support, interest subvention, etc. Captain land beyond the border fencing or adequate Amarinder said, proposing that for far debt compensation to farmers for frequent disrup - waiver, the present agricultural borrowings of tions in those areas. the farmers should be frozen and taken over by To allow the transport sector to provide the the Government of India by converting these as services while maintaining social distancing a long term debt to be paid to the banks in 10-15 norms and other precautionary measures, a total equal instalments by the Government of India. fiscal stimulus of ₹326 crore would be required, For the future, the farmers should be given pro - as per the memorandum, which has also esti - duction linked credit fully reflecting upon their mated Rs 5040 crore as total fiscal stimulus need paying capacity. Additionally, he has sought Rs. for the welfare of migrant labourers. In addition, 1,161 crore for the animal husbandry and dairy the Inter-State Migrant Workers Act should be sectors. revamped to safeguard interest and basic rights To contain the COVID-19 contagion in the of these workers, said the Chief Minister. rural areas, Rs. 5,068 crore would be required for Also, trade, business and Industry, specifically liquid and solid waste management in the vil - MSMEs, need strong support from the Govern - lages, in addition to upward revision of capital ment of India, including interest waiver, broader outlay and targets under MGNREGA from Rs 767 ESI/ EPF contribution, higher interest subvention Crore to Rs 2,413 Crore, as per the state govern - and expeditious GST refunds, the Chief Minister ment estimates, said the Chief Minister, adding has underlined in the memorandum. Similarly, that total fiscal assistance of Rs.6,714 Crore was the Power sector needs several policy interven - required for this sector. tions by the Government of India, he stressed, For Housing and Urban Affairs, Captain adding that labour process reforms would be re - Amarinder has proposed a National Urban Em - quired to facilitate quicker recovery of the indus - ployment Guarantee Act (NUEGA), to guarantee trial sector without causing damage to civil employment in urban areas, or which an annual liberties and basic rights of the workers.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 15 Cover Story New farm ordinance aims at ending MSP l The move is anti-farmer and anti-Punjab l CM promises to protect farmers’ interests

Punmedia Bureau

hen Chief Minister CaptAmarinder Singh which will lead to the Essential Commodities Act Wtermed the Centre’s move to end the of 1955 being amended, and is aimed at lifting Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee restrictions on key commodities such as cereals, (APMC) monopoly through an ordinance as “a pulses, onion and potato, and giving farmers the brazen attempt to erode and destabilise the freedom to sell their produce directly or country’s federal structure,” he was only giving through e-trading platforms without being con - voice to fears being raised by farm experts, who fined to state mandis. The ordinances will also besides calling the Union Cabinet’s move “anti- enable farmers to enter into an “agreement” farmer and anti consumer”, say that it will land with private sector players on pricing and pur - a huge blow on the state coffers. chase. The Union Cabinet cleared three ordinances, Farm experts, however, say that an agrarian

16 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story state like Punjab will end up as loser once the the buyers, not by the farmers. new measures are implemented. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce The Chief Minister, CaptAmarinder Singh has (Promotion & Facilitation) Ordinance 2020, no - already declared that the state government tified by Centre allows barrier-free trade in agri - would take tough measures to counter the culture produce but proposes to bar state move to obstruct the smooth agricultural mar - governments from imposing taxes on sale and keting processes that had worked successfully purchase of farm produce undertaken outside for 60 years. the mandis. "We will deal strictly with this issue," he said “Fund earned from the market fee or RDF by during his Facebook Live edition of #AskCaptain. PMB, are like a six-monthly recharge for the The chief minister expressed concern over state’s economy as crops are sold in the APMCs the Centre's intent to do away with the mini - every six months. The new law will hit APMCs mum support pricw (MSP) regime. badly and big corporate houses will purchase "Talks are going on that the MSP system will farmers’ produce in their own premises and be stopped," he said, adding the Punjab gov - mint money without doing any welfare work for ernment would fight any such move tooth and the state,” said Kesar Singh Bhangu, professor nail, and would not allow the interests of its of economics at Patiala University. farmers, who had given the nation its food se - He termed the Centre’s move anti-farmer curity, to be compromised in any manner. and anti-Punjab and Haryana. He also dubbed the ordinance on allowing Prof (retd) Gian Singh, an expert on agricul - barrier-free trade in the agriculture sector as ture and economic issues, said the move allow - "violative" of the federal structure.He had also ing sale of crops outside the regulated markets warned that could pave the way for disbanding is a step towards abolishing the MSP and the the minimum support price regime as well as worst sufferers will be farmers with non-MSP the foodgrain procurement regime, triggering crops. “The major implication of selling outside unrest among the state's farmers. the non-regulated markets would be control of The ordinance proposes to bar state govern - the big players on the agriculture sector who ments from imposing taxes on sale and pur - will hoard the produce,” he said, adding that 85 chase of farm produce undertaken outside the per cent of farmers in India have small and mar - mandis and give farmers the freedom to sell ginal landholdings and not enough produce to their produce at remunerative prices. take to mandis. “Why would they go to other The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) states to sell their crop,” he asked, adding that Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Serv - amendment in the ECA is a move to finish the ices Ordinance 2020 empowers farmers to en - federal structure of the country. gage with processors, aggregators, wholesalers, “How will small and marginal farmers, ma - large retailers and exporters through advanced jority of whom are illiterate and lack knowledge agreements on pre-agreed prices. or information about distant markets, seek bet - Punjab, they say, currently earns about Rs ter prices for their produce,” asked Jagmohan 3500 crore annually in the form of market fee Singh, general secretary, BhartiyaKisan Union and rural development fund (RDF) (at the rate (BKU) Dakaunda, adding that there is no evi - of 3 per cent each) for providing its yards for dence to show that deregulation of markets, as selling wheat, paddy, Basmati and cotton crops was done on Bihar or Kerala, has actually en - in the APMC premises. Such taxes are paid by sured remunerative prices for farmers.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 17 Cover Story

Former PMB chief and president of BKU- Fix MSP at 3 times the Lakhowal, Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said that with the amendment in the APMC ACT, Punjab and cost price Haryana states will face a major loss and thou - In a recent order, the Punjab and Haryana sands of employees at Mandi boards will be ren - High Court said the minimum support price dered jobless. He added that they will fight new (MSP) in agriculture should be three times the amendments and ordinances tooth and nail. cost of production of major crops to save farm - “Farmers have no time to go searching for ers from distress. It asked the Government of new markets. Earlier, the ‘ApniMandi’ scheme India and the state government that MSP was launched for farmers where they could sell should be provided legal status, by coming up their produce directly, but farmers could not with a suitable legislation. find time to do that,” said Ravinder Singh But the question is: Would these or a slew Cheema, president, Punjab Arhtuya Association. of other measures suggested address the He said that earlier the government had also agrarian crisis? brought E-NAM under which farmers could have According to experts, there are many im - sold their products in any mandi across the portant implications of the the court order, country but it was not much beneficial for a which was made while considering the Punjab state like Punjab where 96 per cent crop is sold State Cooperative Agricultural Development under the MSP regime and only a small per - Bank’s move to discontinue a pension scheme centage of farmers are into commercial farm - citing lack of funds owing to loan waivers. ing. The two-member High Court bench of Jus - “These reforms will encourage multinational tices Rajiv Sharma and Harinder Singh Sidhu companies to enter the farming sector. Scrap - also took up the all-important issue of non-im - ping of APMC in Bihar brought no benefits to plementation of the Prohibition of Private the farmers, but led to their exploitation at the Money Lending Act, 2007, saying, small and hands of big traders,” said Cheema. marginal farmers are compelled to raise loans All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) also demanded from non-institutional sources. to scrap the ordinances and amendments in “As far as agriculture is concerned, MSP ECA. It said that it will burn the copies of these should be three times above the cost of pro - anti-farmers Ordinances on June 10. The APMC duction of major crops to save farmers from Act, it said, was introduced in the 1960s and distress and also to procure food grains for 1970s to put a check on the monopoly of large public distribution considering the cost includ - traders and big buyers who historically used ing actual expenses in cash and kind, the loan their economic means to buy grain from poor on lease land, impeding the cost of labour, own farmers at low prices. capital assets, interest on valuable capital etc,” “If the intention of the government was gen - read the court order. uine then it should ensure MSP for all crops at Announced since 1965, MSP has failed to C2+50 per cent with guaranteed procurement boost farmers’ income. “Time has come when and a minimum wage of Rs 600 per day to all the MSP should be given legal force by granting agricultural workers said Dr Ashish Mital, mem - legal rights to farmers to get fair value for their ber, All Indian KisanSangarsh Coordination Com - crops,” the order insisted. mittee (AIKSCC).

18 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story CM asks PM to review farm ordinances

Punmedia Bureau

xpressing Punjab’s reservations on the of this policy, observed Captain Amarinder, were Eamendments, the Chief Minister CaptA - most visible in the recent past when the country marinder Singh has asked the Prime Minister to was able to face the unprecedented crisis ema - review the three recently issued central govern - nating from the Covid-19 pandemic with confi - ment ordinances related to the farming sector, dence, with no threat of hunger and food in the interest of the farmers, and taking into ac - deprivation. count the spirit of `cooperative federalism’ which Further, the Chief Minister pointed that Agri - the latter has always strongly championed. culture was a subject entrusted to States by the Underlining the need for the Centre and makers of the Indian Constitution and featured States to work together to secure the collective at entry 14 on the State List. On the other hand, good of the people of the country, who reside in Trade and Commerce featured in entry 33 of the the States, the Chief Minister has, in a letter to Concurrent List, which enables both the Union Modi, sought a reconsideration of the three or - and States to legislate on the subject provided dinances - for permitting trade in agricultural pro - the State legislation, is not repugnant to the leg - duce outside the physical boundaries of the islation of the Union. set-up of the agricultural market under APMC Referring to the specific ordinances, the Chief Act, easing of restrictions under the Essential Minister said the Agriculture Produce Marketing Commodities Act, and facilitating contract farm - System in Punjab had stood the test of time and ing. All three should be revisited keeping in view served the State and the country well over the the concerns and the interests of the farmers, last 60 years. It had in fact been an important said Captain Amarinder, seeking protection of contributor to the success of the ‘Green Revolu - the farmers’ interests at all times. tion’, he said, adding that it had helped in ensur - The Chief Minister pointed out that Punjab ing food security on the one hand and securing had been at the forefront of ensuring food secu - livelihoods of millions of farmers and farm work - rity for the country. The development of crop ers on the other. Besides, a well-developed in - production technology for wheat and paddy as frastructure had also been created in Punjab, well as its dissemination, supported by the as - both for open marketing and storage of produce sured procurement at minimum support price and seamless transportation of produce from (MSP) by FCI in the notified markets, had played farm-gate to mandis and godowns. The State a key role in building up buffer stocks and making Government was in the process of further up - the country self-reliant, he stressed The results grading this infrastructure to support modern

July-2020 Punjab Advance 19 Cover Story

farming and agri-marketing practices, he added. oilseeds, etc., which are industrial raw materials However, the changes as per the Ordinance and not to food grains, fruits, and vegetables, he dated June 5, 2020, in the agricultural marketing said, adding that there thus appears to be no ra - system, had led to widespread apprehension tionale to infringe upon the APMC Act or for that among the farmers of the State that the Union matter, the autonomy of the States enshrined in Government was planning to withdraw from the the Constitution within the time-tested federal assured procurement of foodgrains produced by framework. them. There was also another apprehension that Further, leaving the millions of small and mar - the proposed barrier-free nation-wide markets ginal farmers in the country, who could neither for farmers would really come to mean a nation- hold their produce for a long time after harvest wide market for traders, possibly to the detri - for the market to be favourable nor had the bar - ment of the already debt-ridden and beleaguered gaining power to best realize a remunerative farmers of the state. Coming as it does in the price in a free market, the Chief Minister said times of the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis, leaving such famers at the mercy of organized it would further exacerbate the socio-economic trade would only increase the possibility of their tensions among the farmers of the State, said exploitation by the traders. the Chief Minister, adding that this would not at On the easing of regulation of food-grains all be conducive to the peace and development under the Essential Commodities Act, Captain of the region, which was facing serious chal - Amarinder said it would further allow the ex - lenges of public order due to a live international porters, processors or traders to hold large stocks border. of farm produce without limits, except in certain Drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to 'The grave situations of war, natural calamity, famine, Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promo - and extra-ordinary price rise. The amendment tion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020', Captain would allow the private players to buy the pro - AmarinderSingh said: “Itpermits new marketing duce in harvest season, when prices are gener - channels outside the APMC domain and has, ally lower, and release it later when prices firm thus, far-reaching implications for the States, par - up. He stated that in the absence of any regula - ticularly Punjab”. He asserted that Punjab had al - tion, States would also have no information ready amended its APMC Act, 1961 to provide for about the availability of stocks of commodities a single unified license and setting-up of private within the State. market yards for direct purchase from farmers. Captain Amarinder Singh further pointed out Further, the State APMC Act deals only with the that ‘The Farmers (Empowerment and Protec - first transaction between farmers and the buyer tion) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm and does not interfere with trade in any manner. Services Ordinance, 2020’ provides for engage - He said that the levies/fees charged by APMCs ment of farmers with processors, exporters, and were being used for the development and man - large retailers for farm services and sale of future agement of mandis, creation of rural marketing, production at a mutually agreed remunerative and supporting infrastructure, as well as for the price. But, it largely pertains to contract farming welfare of rural farming and non-farming com - and provision of services. As these services and munities. It is a matter of common understanding contracts relate to agricultural produce, it is cov - that entry 33 of the Concurrent List i.e. “trade ered under entry 14 read along with entry 26 and and commerce in, and the production, supply 27 of the State List and cannot be treated simply and distribution of the products…”, is applicable as a matter of trade and commerce under entry only to foodstuffs such as raw cotton, jute, 33 of the Concurrent List.

20 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story

Farmers turn tech savvy Switch over to direct sowing of rice

Donald Banerjee

ith the scarcity of migrant labour staring For nearly a decade, the state has been advo - Wthem in the face in the wake of the Covid- cating to put an end to the age-old method of 19 pandemic, more and more Punjab farmers are transplanting water-guzzling way -- the puddle gradually switching over to the Direct Sowing of method -- with the mechanical method of paddy Rice (DSR) technology instead of the water-guz - plantation. zling traditional paddy transplantation method. With the large migration of labourers to their Yes, the farmers are branching out to become home states amid the lockdown, agriculture ex - tech savvy, paving the way for the government perts believe circumstances have changed the to sow the seeds of less water-intensive mecha - mindset of a large number of farmers to opt for nised technology in the kharif season. the new mechanized method rather than stick -

July-2020 Punjab Advance 21 Cover Story

ing to the traditional way of sowing saplings in nique during the current year but given the puddle fields. labour shortage and keen interest shown by Government estimates this time around 25 farmers to adopt the advance technology, 6 to 7 per cent of the total area of paddy will be lakh hectares of area is expected to come under brought through the direct seeding of rice (DSR) this technology , which is roughly 25% of paddy technique -- a method that saves water and grown in Punjab. labour.Punjab has a target to sow paddy on 26 He further stated that the DSR technique lakh hectares, including around seven lakh would be instrumental in saving about 30 percent hectares under highly remunerative basmati rice, of water besides cutting the cost of paddy culti - this season. vation by nearly Rs. 6000 per acre. The Secretary For this, the state needs at least 6 lakh labour - further mentioned that as per reports and re - ers to transplant paddy if it goes by the tradi - search of Punjab Agriculture University experts, tional method. the yield of paddy from DSR is at par with paddy To promote the technology of DSR and moti - crop grown by conventional technique of trans - vate the farmers to adopt it in a big way, the planting. State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Depart - Pannu further said that paddy transplantation ment sanctioned 4000 DSR machines and 800 is the only farm operation which is labour inten - paddy transplanting machines to farmers on sub - sive and due to shortage of labour this year sidy ranging from 40% to 50%. caused by Covid-19 pandemic, the Agriculture According to the Secretary Agriculture Mr KS Department had advised the farmers to sow the Pannu, Punjab had earlier fixed the target to paddy crop by DSR as per the recommendations bring around 5 lakh hectares under DSR tech - made by PAU recently. The departmental officials

22 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story have been guiding the farmers in the field about machine.Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in the best ways to undertake new technology . He Ludhiana has developed 'Lucky Seeder' which not also appealed to the farmers that most critical el - only sows paddy directly but also sprays weedi - ement in new technology is the control of weeds cides."Nearly 25 per cent of the area under and as such farmers must be careful that prior to paddy sowing is expected to come under the undertaking DSR they must procure weedicide mechanized way as it will help slashing cultiva - and spray the same within 24 hours of sowing the tion costs," Agriculture Secretary K.S. Pannu told crop. IANS.

Progressive farmer Uninterrupted power supply Progressive farmer Shubkarman Singh of Zira The Chief Minister assured the farmers of un - village in Ferozepur district said last year he had interrupted 8-hour power supply for the tube - done a successful experimentation of DSR tech - wells, as well as regular water supply needed for nique in half of his fields."This time there is a successful transplantation. huge shortage of labourer. So we have decided He appealed to the farmers to wear face to go for the DSR technique for paddy plantation mask, and diligently follow all health protocols in the entire 12 acres," he added. .According to advised by the authorities from time to time. him, the mechanical plantation not only saves With Corona cases rising across the world, espe - money but also saves time."Almost a week-long cially in India, Punjab could not remain isolated, exercise of plantation has been reduced to a few he warned. days," he added. He was confident of another bumper Kharif An elated farmer Ramandeep Gill of Khanna crop by the state’s farmers, who had delivered in town said: "When the government's drives have tough conditions in the recently concluded Rabi failed to motivate the farmers, it is the pandemic season. Amid the Covid crisis, Punjab had suc - that has forced them to optfor the less labour in - cessfully completed procurement of 128 Lakh tensive technique." Metric Tonnes (LMT) without a single instance of He said owing to the migrant labour shortage Corona infection reported from as many as 4000 and abnormally high rates demanded by the local mandis across the state. This, said the Chief Min - labourers, the local farmers were forced to go for ister, had demonstrated the successful imple - the mechanized method that saves irrigation mentation of social distancing norms during the water and power."If the yields are comparable intricate 40-day process, which the farmers had good, in the next season the DSR acreage will managed against all odds. double," he added. In the previous season, the Captain Amarinder Singh expressed satisfac - average rate for paddy transplantation on an tion at the initial results of the unique direct sow - acre was Rs 2,500-3,000. This time it rose up to Rs ing method, for which state government has 5,000 per acre. provided machines to farmers this season. The Also, the normal paddy transplantation is results have been encouraging, with paddy need - labour-intensive and time consuming.The farm - ing less water, he said, adding that the technique ers first prepare a nursery and then replant the is also less labour-intensive. The state govern - saplings after 25-30 days in a puddled field. ment has been encouraging the use of these ma - The DSR technique does not require nursery chines in the light of the reduced migrant worker or sapling transplantation. The paddy seeds are availability and the pandemic dangers involved in directly drilled into the field by a tractor-powered manual sowing.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 23 Cover Story Empower soldiers to open fire, says CM l Asks Centre to change policy l Sanctions Rs 50 lakh to each martyr’s kin

Punmedia Bureau

he Fauji Chief Minister of Punjab, CaptA - all kinds of weapons. Tmarinder Singh has asked the Centre to “We are in the nuclear era and we are carrying changes its policy to allow soldiers at the borders and being beaten by dandas!” quipped the Chief to open fire in self defence and for protecting the Minister, expressing shock at the fact that 20 In - nation’s territorial integrity. dian soldiers, including four from Punjab, had lost Making it clear that he did not support send - their lives in an attack by lathi wielding and stone ing soldiers to the LAC without weapons, the throwing Chinese, who he asserted simply could Chief Minister said in his Facebook Live 7th edi - not be trusted. tion of #AskCaptain that the Centre’s policy Lamenting the demise of four Punjabi soldiers should be that “if they kill one of ours, we should in the Galwan Valley barbarism, the Chief Minis - kill 5 of theirs.” It was absolutely wrong to send ter said it was extremely unfortunate, even soldiers unarmed or not to allow them to defend though “as army men we are always prepared to themselves, he said, adding that when he and his take the bullet.” Besides increasing the compen - Army colleagues used to go patrolling, during his sation for their next of kin from Rs 12 lakh to Rs posting along the LAC for two years, they carried 50 lakh, his government has decided to name

24 Punjab Advance July-2020 Cover Story schools after the martyrs, said the Chief Minister, to issue an ultimatum to Beijing to vacate the oc - adding that he had spoken to two of the families cupied land immediately, with a clear warning so far. that failure to do so would lead to serious conse - Terming as horrendous and barbaric the bru - quences for them. tality with which 20 Indian soldiers were killed by Captain Amarinder Singh laid wreaths on the the Chinese in Galwan Valley, CaptAmarinder mortal remains of SepoysGurbinder Singh from Singh demanded accountability for the loss of Sangrur, Gurtej Singh from Mansa and Ankush precious lives in the violent clash. from Hamirpur (HP) which were flown in from Questioning why no orders to fire at the Chi - Galwan Valley. nese were given in the face of the brutal attack Capt warns of larger Chinese on the Indian soldiers, the Chief Minister said “somebody failed to do his job out there, and we design need to find out who that was.” Terming the Galwan Valley violence as part of If the unit was armed, as is being claimed now, a larger design on the part of China, Punjab Chief the second-in-command should have ordered fir - Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ing the moment the commanding officer fell to said India should not make the mistake of dis - the Chinese treachery, said the Chief Minister missing the incident as a patrol clash but should who saw action during the 1965 war. take a firm stand against any Chinese incursions China knows we are capable of taking them into the Indian territory. on, said the Chief Minister, pointing out that the The amount of build-up in Galwan Valley Indian Army is a highly professional force, fully showed that the Chinese were working on a plan, capable of taking on any enemy. The Chinese just said Captain Amarinder, adding that India could cannot be trusted, he remarked, pointing out not afford to lose even an inch of its land in the that several Indian territories are in their occu - area, which is of huge strategic importance for pation since 1962 and they were clearly now try - both sides. “We have all seen clashes in our time, ing to take more. with Pakistan and even with Chinese, and this is Martyrs cremated with full definitely not a patrol clash,” he stressed. Referring to the map of the area, the Chief state honours Minister said the Chinese had reached right half Mortal remains of two Galwan martyrs, Naib - way through to the Siachen Glacier after Pakistan SubedarMandip Singh, and NaibSubedarSatnam ceded the northern part of Shaksgam Valley in Singh were laid to rest with full state and military PoK in 1963. Beyond that there is an area that is honours at their native villages. any case belongs to China, he explained, adding Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot paid that “there is a little gap between the glacier and respects to the martyr on behalf of state govern - the Aksai Chin area, which is the Daulat Beg gap, ment at funeral of NaibSubedarMandip Singh at which they are trying to close.” his native village Seel in Ghanour, while Cabinet “We have to take a strong position, and we Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa should be clear that if we lose even an inch of attended the funeral of NaibSubedarSatnam land we must hold them responsible,” he said at Singh at his native village Bhojraj of Dera Baba the the Congress Working Committee (CWC) Nanak. video conference convened by the party’s in - Advocating aggressive steps to take back the terim president Sonia Gandhi, with former Prime Galwan Valley territory seized by the Chinese, the Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi Chief Minister has urged the Government of India among the participants.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 25 26 Punjab Advance July-2020 Salute to the Heroes Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26)

July-2020 Punjab Advance 27 Initiative

De-addiction centres on wheels

Treating addicts at doorstep Mobile OOAT clinics a big draw

Punmedia Bureau

eaddiction centres on wheels is the latest the first week Dmantra of the state government. Launched to 617 patients as a pilot project, the mobile Outpatient Opioid in the seventh Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinic carries the week — almost treatment to the doorstep of the addicts.This has a five-hold in - proved to be a god-send for the addicts who had crease. deserted treatment midway and gotten sucked Under this pilot project, the government in its back into the vicious cycle of drug abuse. mobile clinic has been conducting screening and The mobile OOAT vans provide consultations, providing de-addiction drugs after consultations conduct screening and distribute de-addiction with a team of expert doctors. Four days a week, drugs to addicts. the mobile clinic has been visiting various vil - Every day since it was launched in Kapurthala lages, where a large number of fugitive addicts the mobile clinic has been covering several vil - have gotten themselves registered again. lages. In seven weeks, over 2,300 old patients, “This facility was created not only to decrease who had abandoned treatment, have returned. the heavy rush at OOAT centres but to relocate The Covid-19 lockdown resulted in snapping of all those addicts who have left their treatment drug supply chains in various areas, due to which midway and had again gotten hooked to deadly thousands of new addicts got registered with drugs,” said Dr Sandeep Bhola, who is in charge (OOAT) centres across the state. of this project as well as the drug de-addiction The weekly footfall to the mobile clinic has in - and rehabilitation society ‘Navkiran’, located in creased from 133 already registered patients in civil hospital premises in Kapurthala.

28 Punjab Advance July-2020 Initiative

Due to the lockdown, these patients were not According to the mobile clinic’s records, the getting supplies and when the mobile vans number of patients has increased very fast. In the reached their doorstep they again came and re- first week, 133 old patients got registered, which started their treatment which is free of cost. went up to 228, 282, 300, 316, 450 and 617, in Most of these addicts are aged between 18 and second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh 25 years and engaged in various labour works weeks, respectively. A total of 2,346 patients and hooked to ‘chitta’ (heroin). were registered within seven weeks. An addict from Sandhu Chatha village said he Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala Deepti had been getting treatment till last year, but Uppal said the project was launched under the stopped because he was getting a regular supply District De-addiction and Rehabilitation Society of ‘chitta’. But that supply stopped due to the Kapurthala. “It got a huge response and in seven lockdown. “Whatever I was earning I was spend - weeks we could manage to bring back around ing only on drugs and my family was facing a hard 2300 patients in the line of treatment when they time,” he added. had left midway,” she said, adding that no new Success in numbers patients were registered under the mobile

July-2020 Punjab Advance 29 Initiative

clinic.Meanwhile, OOAT clinics across the state diction centres. Based on response, the plan is to has been registering several new patients implement the de-addiction on wheels strategy Owing to the restriction of movement and in - across the state. creased police presence, drug peddling has de - Rush in Patiala also creased considerably in the state, pushing addicts As many as 2,170 drugs addicts are being to queue in front of OOAT centres for cure. The treated in 12 outdoor opioid assisted treatment total number of people registered for OOAT has (OOAT) clinics in Patiala. The clinics provide easy risen to around three lakh. and free-of-cost treatment to patients, without With this initiative, the district has found a them having to get admitted into the de-addic - perfect way to put to use government vehicles tion or rehabilitation centres. lying around unused during the lockdown period. About 255 patients registered with Saket hos - pital, Patiala, are getting treatment in the centre as out - door patients. The hospital also has the facility for the patients to get admitted for rehabilitation. With the Patiala central jail OOAT clinic, 285 patients have been registered. While the Nabha centre has 350 patients registered with it, in Samana, 457 pa - tients are receiving "With sudden rush, social distancing is chal - treatment. In Rajpura, 306 patients have lenge at these centres and we want to take no been treated so far. This centre is also a risk. So, to keep patients safe at home, we not de-addiction centre catering to drug addicts only started giving dosage for 21 days to those who want to get admitted and receive registered earlier, but will also be reaching out to treatment. post-lockdown registrations through these vans. Similarly, patients are registered with seven As of now, it will operate four times a week and community health centres (CHCs) in Patiala. A the schedule will be revised as per response," total of 24 patients have registered themselves said Kapurthala deputy commissioner Deepti with the Model Town CHC, while at the Tripuri Uppal. CHC, 51 patients are registered. As many as 42 Kapurthala has nine government and three patients are registered at Kalo Majra CHC, 122 at private de-addiction/OOAT centres, while the Bhadson CHC, 113 patients at Ghanaur CHC, 58 state has 198 OOAT clinics, 35 government de- patients registered at Dudhan Sadha CHC and addiction centres and 108 licensed private de-ad - 107 patients at Patran CHC.

30 Punjab Advance July-2020 Agriculture Area under cotton touches 7-year high

Punmedia Bureau

he area under cotton Tin Punjab, which is the state’s second biggest kharif (summer sown) crop, has touched a seven- year high this season. The cotton acreage touched 5 lakh hectares as the sowing season came to an end on June 10, sur - passing the seven-year high of 4.45 lakh hectares in 2013-14. Data compiled by the state agriculture depart - ment suggests that cotton sowing this year was up from 3.23 lakh hectares in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib, though in smaller 2019-20 with a growth of over 22 per cent. acreage. In 2014-15, cotton was sown over 4.21 lakh Officials attribute the higher area under the hectares. In 2015-16, area under the crop went crop in Punjab due to the increase in the mini - down to 3.35 lakh hectares and over 60 per cent mum support price (MSP) of cotton, Cotton Cor - of the crop was damaged due to the whitefly at - poration of India (CCI) making purchases in the tack. In 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, cotton ongoing season after four years and efforts of the was sown over 2.85 lakh hectares, 2.91 lakh state government to reduce the area under hectares and 2.83 lakh hectares, respectively. In paddy. 2012-13, cotton acreage stood at 4.81 lakh “The state government was worried about hectares in Punjab. achieving the target of sowing cotton on 5 lakh The fibre crop has been sown in three more hectares. For that, the department made a lot of districts this year, taking the number of districts efforts to prevail upon farmers to shift from under cotton to 11 in the state.Earlier, cotton was paddy to cotton. Farmers got good returns from being sown in eight districts. Over 95 per cent of cotton in the last few years and decided to bring the area under cotton in Punjab falls in the dis - more area under it this year from paddy. These tricts of Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka and Muktsar. efforts will continue in the years to come,” Pun - This year, cotton has been sown in Ludhiana, jab agriculture secretary Kahan Singh Pannu said.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 31 Diversity London road may be renamed after Sri Guru Nanak Devji

Punmedia Bureau

road in West London, named after the ABritish Army general who ruthlessly put down the Revolt of 1857 is all set to be re - named after the founder of Sikhism, Sri Guru Nanak Devji, as part of a wider push to recog - nize UK's diversity and address the more perni - cious aspects of Britain's colonial past. Havelock Road in Southall is named after Sir Henry Havelock who is widely considered a mil - itary visionary for his systematic dismantling of the Revolt of 1857, also known as first Indian war of Independence from the rapacious rule of the East India Company. Southall is home to a large Sikh community and Havelock Road is home to the Sri Guru Singh Sabha, which is considered the largest Gurdwara in the world outside India. The renaming of the roaod is part of a wider process, launched this week by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, to re-evaluate memorials - including statues and public spaces - that com - memorate British colonialism sparked by the global Black Lives Matter protests. Several statues of British slave traders have been removed in the UK whilst protestors de - faced a statue of Winston Churchill - revered by some for his role in defeating Nazism and re - viled by others for his part in tragedies such as the Bengal Famine of the early 1940's as well as his opposition to Indian independence. MP and senior Labour leader Virendra Sharma said: “I welcome the decision by Ealing Council to finally rename Havelock Road - de - colonising our streets. As the Member of Par -

32 Punjab Advance July-2020 Diversity

liament for Ealing Southall and a councillor for 25 public spaces in London represent the city in the years before that I have often been ashamed the present day. names of empire still pervade our streets”.“I He said: “Our diversity is our strength and we have long campaigned for schools to teach more need to make sure that our public realm, our about our Imperial past, not just the great strides statues, our road names, our buildings, reflect made but also the shameful thuggery and vio - our diversity and do not reflect a frozen past lence, names like Havelock belong in books, class - where colonialism, racism and the slave trade rooms and museums, not on the streets to be were present and celebrated.” celebrated”. “Havelock Road is where the largest Sikh gur - “The community should come together to de - dwara in western Europe is cited and as part of its cide how we rename this road, but celebrating 550-year celebrations of the birth of Guru Nanak Guru Nanak Dev Ji in his 550th anniversary, and this year, we want to make this name change to erasing a white man who killed Sikhs, Muslims Havelock Road to Guru Nanak Road”. and Hindus, would be a sign of our multicultural - “This will symbolise the huge contribution of ism and our diversity,” he added. our Sikh community in Ealing and also diversity London mayor Sadiq Khan (Labour) has also as a borough, and also it will represent our unity called for a review of statues and other public as a borough too,” he added. spaces in the capital following growing protests Two years ago a Sikh radical group, National in the UK linked to the killing of George Floyd in Sikh Youth Federation, had raised its ugly head the US. Some statues of individuals historically demanding renaming of Havelock Road as Jarnail linked to slave trade have been removed. Singh Marg, the defacto leader of terrorist groups Julian Bell, leader of the Labour-controlled Eal - in Punjab. The group’s petition before the Ealing ing council, said in a video message to residents Council could muster only 2000 signatures in two that he welcomed Khan’s plans to look at how years.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 33 Career n Competition Focus on photography Photography has come a long way and careers are now booming in the field.

Punmedia Bureau

e live in a world of instant photography, Now however, gone are those days when peo - Wwhere devices like smartphones are able ple had to rush to photo labs to get their memo - to freeze multiple cherishable moments at the ries printed into an album. The birth of digital click of a button. Think about the same a decade cameras has made the process much faster and or two ago. In the past, clicking an image was easier, where images can be stored in a com - restricted to the privileged and people had to puter, viewed on the screen immediately, and spend a fortune in order to buy a camera or even printed as per a person's selection. get a high-quality picture clicked. Now, tens of These days, with further technological ad - hundreds of digital images and videos can be cap - vancements, most of the cameras are equipped tured saved, processed and printed within min - with WiFi and GPS that enable quick transferring utes. of images along with registering the location of Thanks to smartphones that are equipped with the photographs as well. superlative cameras, smartphone photography A good career to pursue now has become an inextricable part of our lives. In a report titled 'Digital Photography Market What was once deemed to be an expensive pas - (Photo Processing Equipment, Interchangeable sion has now become an affordable and friendly Lenses, Camera Cell Phones, Non Reflex and Oth - hobby with these handheld smart devices. ers) for Photography Software, Photo Looks, From cameras to polaroids Photo Processing and Others Applications: Global From pinhole cameras, daguerreotype cam - Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis eras, box cameras, flashbulbs, 35mm cameras to and Forecast, 2015-2021', Zion Market Research polaroids, the evolution of photography as a stated that the global demand for digital photog - medium of expression has been immense. Sev - raphy is expected to reach approximately USD eral inventors worked on the chemicals, parts and 110.79 billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of processes to reproduce pictures, but it was in the slightly above 6.1 per cent between 2016 and 19th century that the modern camera came into 2021. existence. Until then, it was a tedious task to carry Imagine being able to freeze the motion of a spare photo films, batteries and then wait for speeding leopard in a forest or a butterfly days or weeks to get the shots processed into feeding on a flower or being able to capture the prints. sun and stars from a distance. Photography A traditional camera meant that a film must be not only has the ability to inspire your imagina - developed before viewing, which meant a pho - tion but can also document your journey through tographer had to very careful about his clicks or life. else he would end up developing poor images. People are able to see more, learn more and

34 Punjab Advance July-2020 Career n Competition

enhance their knowledge by gaining access to im - about just having one's image captured while ages drawn from several places across the world. tying the knot. Nobody is keen to pose in the For instance, a lot of historic moments since the same predictable manner or fill their albums with birth of the camera have been captured with the images of jewellery, decor and random faces. help of photography. This has helped us under - Couples are travelling to picture-perfect loca - stand matters of social progress mankind has tions, making use of props and are experimenting made along with evoking a sense of nostalgia in with different lights to capture their special mo - them. ments. Need for good photographers: Increasing career options, rising competition • The need for instant photo solutions and The professional photography market is turn - the ease at which photographs can be taken has ing out to be a competitive place for young and given a boost to the photography market. People budding photographers with a rise in public in - are keen to share their experiences of whatever terest in various types of photography. The pho - they do or see through images or videos. Photog - tography and print industry have grown raphy has become the most powerful tool to substantially with photography being seen as an communicate and express oneself elite profession. This has also led to the growth • While smartphones are helping to capture of high-end camera phones and photography an image, edit it, and upload it within minutes, equipments. DSLRs have changed the way people perceive Photography has undergone an amazing meta - photography with companies such as Canon, morphosis; there are umpteen career options Nikon, and Fuji offering a myriad of ever-evolving within the photography industry that exist now lenses for telephoto shoots, close-up photogra - unlike five to 10 years ago. There is a steady busi - phy, sports photography, food photography, etc ness proposition for those who have the knack • These days, photographs have become a and interest in beautifully capturing everything vital part of social media accounts, newspapers, from wildlife and events to birthday parties and magazines and even television house-warming functions. • New photographs are taken every day Digital cameras have made it easier for people and most of the well-known photo-sharing plat - to start a photography business of their own. forms such as Instagram, Flickr and Tumbler are What is required of an enthusiast is to invest in a inundated with images. With several applications high-end camera, learn the nitty-gritties of pho - and services to edit photographs and beautify tography and then start clicking pictures as per them, consumers are able to create quality pho - the likes of a customer. tos themselves anytime, anywhere. Keep looking at and learning from the work of Photos reflect social status world famous photographers as it will help train The advent of digital cameras and the rising your eye in the aesthetic appeal of photographs. need for good photographers has paved the way That is something no trainer or photography for many to choose photography as a career op - course can teach you. The professional photogra - tion. Reason: High-quality photographs help to phy market is turning out to be a competitive one. determine the social image of a person and make Thus every photographer needs the drive and tal - them popular icons in the social stratosphere. ent in abundance in order to stand out from the For instance, wedding photography is no more crowd.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 35 Current Events COVID-19

WHO warns of dangerous phase COVID command strategy. Following reports of relaxation in lockdown Phase III trial of Covid drug by various major economies around the world, The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) on 19th has received approval for carrying out phase June 2020, III trial of antiviral drug Umifenovir. CDRI is the the World constituent lab of the Council of Scientific and Health Or - Industrial Research (CSIR). The clinical trials ganization will be carried out at Kind George’s Medical (WHO) has University (KGMU), ERA’s Lucknow Medical warned that College and Hospital, Lucknow, and Dr. Ram this could Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences lead to a (RMLIMS). The drug will be helpful for COVID- new and 19 treatment as it prevents the virus from en - dangerous tering the human cells and also acts by priming phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. As people the immune system. and governments across the world are tired of ICMR clears Navrakshak PPE kit lockdowns, the WHO reminded that the Covid- Within a month, user-friendly Personal Pro - 19 virus spread has accelerated. This warning tective Equipment (PPE) Kit known by the comes after reports from two cities in Italy name ‘NavRakshak’ are expected to be avail - about traces of Covid 19 virus being found in able in the Indian market as the Indian Council samples of sewage water collected on Decem - of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved it ber 18, 2019. The first case in Italy was re - earlier this week for mass production and use ported in mid-February, which means the virus in the country. One of the nine authorized was already present 2 months before the first NABL accredited laboratories for PPE proto - case was detected. This study was conducted type sample testing, the Institute of Nuclear at the National Health Institute Body (ISS).A Medicine & Allied Sciences (a DRDO labora - similar study in Spain was conducted in which tory) has also certified the PPE Kit after testing. traces of the Covid-19 virus were found in Oscar award ceremony put off sewage water samples collected from The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Barcelona in the month of January. Sciences and the ABC Television Network on First mobile testing lab June 15 announced that the 93rd Oscars has Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan been postponed and will now be held on April launched India’s first mobile lab for COVID-19 25, 2021. The prestigious Academy Award was testing to promote last mile testing access in earlier scheduled to be held on February 28, rural India. The mobile lab will be deployed in 2021.The shift in the date is due to the ongo - the interior and inaccessible parts of the coun - ing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the try. The lab has the capability to perform 25 Hollywood movie industry. This is the first time RT-PCR and 300 ELISA tests per day. The Infec - in 40 years that the ceremony has been tious Disease Diagnostics Lab is supported by rescheduled. The Oscars have been postponed the Department of Biotechnology under the earlier but never this far in advance.

36 Punjab Advance July-2020 Current Events NATIONAL & GLOBAL

Relief for depositors bers in turn for one month following the al - The Union Cabinet approved an ordinance phabetical order.As per the office of the to bring Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) and United Nations spokesperson, India will have multi-state cooperative banks (MSCBs) under a rotating presidency of the Council for August RBI’s supervision.This decision to bring these 2021. It will again preside over a council for a banks under the RBI supervision process ap - month in 2022. For a two-year term beginning plicable to scheduled commercial banks will on January 1, 2021, India, Norway, Mexico, Ire - give added protection and comfort to deposi - land, and Kenya were elected as a non-perma - tors of the UCBs and MSCBs. Union Informa - nent member of the United Nations Security tion & Broadcasting MinisterPrakeshJavadekar Council (UNSC) on June 17, 2020. said “Depositors will get protection and bene - Nepal approves controversial map fit out of this.” As on date, there are 1,540 Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on UCBs and MSCBs in India with customer base June 18 approved the Constitution Amend - of 8.6 crore and deposits of nearly ₹5 lakh- ment Bill that seeks to update the nation's po - crore. litical map by including areas claimed by India. Global Economy in bad shape The bill was passed earlier in the day by The Global Economy is predicted to shrink Nepal's upper house of the Parliament, Na - by 5.2 percent in 2020, which is the deepest tional Assembly with unanimous support. All plunge since the Second World War, according 57 members of the house voted in favour of to the forecasts of the World Bank. The severe the bill. The New Map Amendment Bill(Coat of contraction in the global economy is a result Arms) was approved by Nepal's House of Rep - of the massive shutdown measures evoked resentatives last week. The lower house had across the world to contain the coronavirus also given its unanimous approval to the bill. pandemic. According to World Bank’s June The controversial bill proposes to include three 2020 Global Economic Prospects, the largest Indian territories in Nepal's revised map. fraction of economies will see a decline this Cabinet clears farm ordinance year in their per capita output since 1870. Mil - The Union Cabinet on June 3approved an lions are expected to fall into extreme poverty ordinance that will pave the way for the cre - this year. The economic blow is expected to hit ation of 'One India, One Agriculture Market'. the hardest in countries worst-affected by the The cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister COVID-19 pandemic and those which heavily Narendra Modi. The ordinance is titled Farm - rely on global trade, tourism, commodity ex - ing Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion ports and external financing. and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020. India to head UNSC in Aug 2021 Trump signs police reform order India will be serving as president of the US President Donald Trump has signed a power 15 nation United Nations Security new executive order seeking police reforms. Council (UNSC) for August 2021. India has re - The order seeks to improve the treatment of cently been elected as a non-permanent mem - African Americans and others by police officers ber of the Security Council. The council by improving credentialing, training and men - presidency has been held by each of the mem - tal health resources.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 37 Tribute Remembering 3 Punjabi gems of Bollywood

Villain of the millennium Pran, Jubilee star Rajendra Kumar and Dara Singh share their death anniversary on July 12

Harleen Walia

uly 12 is a black letter day. It Jwas on this date that the coun - try lost three Punjabi gems of the Bollywood film industry.Yes three of India’s most favourite talents share their death anniversary on this day, albeit in different years. Jubilee star Rajendra Kumar died of cancer in 1999, just eight days before his 70th birthday, leg - endary wrestler turned actor Dara Singh died in 2012 at the age of 83 and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Pran Sikand bid adieu in 2013 at the age of 93. Born on February 12, 1920, Pran Krishan Sikand was the ‘Pran,’ the eternal enigmatic, vil - lainous personality that many a times shaped the character of the Pran Sikand hero, and plot of the story, in Hindi movies. Bollywood's most He worked in a wide range of movies in Pun - loved villain, passed away at Lilavati Hospital in jabi, Hindi and Bengali, delivering spectacular, Mumbai at 8.30 pm due to prolonged illness. He performances from 1940s to 2007 for which he was 93.

38 Punjab Advance July-2020 Tribute won numerous accolades and multiple BFJA and drama because of Pran’s presence. It was the Filmfare awards. Pathan who hosted the legendary Amitabh In 2001, he was honoured by Government of Bachchan to stardom, for it was the camaraderie India with the Padma Bhushan. Then in 2013 the between the police inspector and the Pathan in Dadasaheb Phalke Award, one of the most pres - Zanjeer that went on to making it an iconic film. tigious movie awards, was conferred upon him. Pran was a natural choice for young and old He was the bad guy whom the audience loved directors for the role of a villain and he has the to hate! distinction of having acted with the three stal - Pran’s journey started from the gallis (lanes) warts of Bollywood namely, Dilip Kumar, Dev of Balliamaran in old Delhi, famous for the haveli Anand and Raj Kapoor in the 1950s-60s-70s. (home) of legendary poet Mirza Ghalib. He was As is widely known, he commanded a price one of the seven children of a wealthy Punjabi higher than the heroes of his movies from 1969 engineer and contractor. to 1980s except for Rajesh Khanna who man - Good at academics, the young man was train - aged to carve his position as the first superstar ing to become a photographer when a chance of the Hindi movie industry. meeting with a movie writer in Lahore became However, not known to many, Pran was an the turning point of his life and he was offered extremely affable and soft-spoken man, much his first movie role in 1940. removed form his screen image, a connoisseur Pran was in Pakistan till 1947 when he got to of Urdu poetry, literature, and avid lover of play the lead roles in Punjabi movies and later sports, which led him to own and sponsor the donned the role of a villain in 1947 when he Dynamos Football Club Team. shifted to India’s tinsel town of Bombay. He was also an active member of various as - The villain of the century used to enter the sociations like the Punjab Association, the Press screen with a swagger, unleasing his charm and Club of India, Chelmsford Club in New Delhi, Ot - fear. Yes, the audience used to go into a trance ters Club, CCI Club, Bombay Provincial Hockey the moment he made his appearance for they Association, all dedicated to sports or charitable knew that there would now be a twist in the activities. story. Most famous for the way he rendered his His charitable inclination is apparent in his dialogues, he used to be the most handsome vil - help in organizing various charity shows for dis - lain around. abled and blind children and Bangladesh He had his own style and dialogue delivery. refugees after the 1971 war. These went a long way to making him a great star. Whether it was the one legged man in Jubilee Kumar Amar Akbar Anthony or the Pathan in Zanjeer, If you were to tell modern cinegoers that the villain in Badi Behen or the other roles he there was a time when Hindi films ran houseful played in movies like a bandit in Jis Desh Mein for several months, it is possible that you may Ganga Behti Hai, Azaad, Johny Mera Naam, Half be termed a liar! And if you were to add that hits Ticket, Pran left an impression in the movie. The were assured if there was just a particular hero menacing manner in which he used to exagger - in the cast, they'd think you need your brains ate his role is what made him really popular and checked. In an era when film successes are famous. measured by days and not months, such reac - Audiences used to come to watch a movie tions wouldn't be out of place, though it's true with the conviction that there would be lot of that there was once a star in Bollywood who was

July-2020 Punjab Advance 39 Tribute

his enormous cinematic grace and charisma to captivate audiences but was unfairly labelled a “Dilip Kumar clone”. Born in a well to do Punjabi family of Sialkot, Rajendra Kumar underwent pangs of Partition and did a long stint as H.S. Rawail's directorial assistant before he made a tiny debut in “Jogan”. After sev - eral small roles in films like “Mother India”, “Vachan” and “Toofan aur Diya”, his major success came with Vijay Bhatt's musical “Goonj Uthi Shehnai”, stamping him as a genial, self-sacrificing romantic and an everlasting darling of the masses. Though serious and emotionally gripping roles suited him well, it is unfortunate that film makers didn't tap his comic potential which he frequently exhibited in humor - ous scenes. Rajendra Kumar His turbulent experiences of the Partition made Rajendra Kumar a discreet spender synonymous for silver and golden jubilee hits but he always helped people in distress as well and so strong was his box office hold that he was as contributed hugely to national causes. Having nicknamed Jubilee Kumar. Rajendra Kumar was learnt the worth of money, he developed a deep the man with a Midas touch who ensured ser - aversion to filthy display of wealth and invested pentine queues outside cinema halls in the wisely to emerge as one of the wealthiest per - 1960s, with several cities simultaneously playing sons in film industry. Despite his phenomenal two or more of his films for months. success, he remained a humble man who never He blossomed in an era when there were no lost his amiable, fun loving attitude of a hos - tabloids, magazines or radio and television net - pitable Punjabi who loved having writers for a works to promote or sell an identity to the feast. Not only would he overwhelm them with masses. In contrast to Rajesh Khanna and goodies but unabashedly suggest names of his Amitabh Bachchan, his meteoric rise was not rivals when he felt he wasn't appropriate for a built on advertising campaigns but borne out of particular role and many a time, he'd even ring sheer public adulation on the basis of his emo - his fellow stars about the strength of character tional bonding with the cinema viewers. and story to promote their projects. Perhaps no actor has been so underrated as Rajendra Kumar who, apart from several anti- From the ring to the screen hero films, played exemplary roles in “Goonj Wrestling king, original muscle man of Bolly - Uthi Shehnai”, “Kanoon”, “Talaaq”, “Mere wood, Hanuman of teleserial Ramayana, and Mehboob”, “Gehra Daag”, “Dil Ek Mandir”, last but not the least a great human being could “Sangam”, “Arzoo”, “Zindagi” and others. Acting be one of the many ways of describing this great with remarkable restrain, he repeatedly proved

40 Punjab Advance July-2020 Tribute persona. The great Dara Singh passed away on the morning of July 12 at his res - idence. He was suffering from acute in - flammatory degenerative polyneuropathy. Dara Singh was born in a Jat Sikh family to Balwant Kaur and Surat Singh Rand - hawa in November 19, 1928 in Dhar - muchak village of Amritsar district in Punjab. Due to his cult physique he took upon wrestling. Apart from wrestling in tournaments, he wrestled on invitation of kings of Indian princely states in fairs and carnivals. In the world of wrestling, he competed against some of the greatest names like King Kong, George Gordienko, John Desilva, and others. Singh won the title of Rustam-e-Punjab and Rustam-e- Hind for his wrestling dexterity. He be - came the Commonwealth Champion in 1959. He also won the world wrestling Dara Singh championship in 1968. In 1983 he retired from wrestling. In 1996 he was inducted whom he acted in 16 Hindi films and had 10 of into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of them as box office hits. He tasted commercial Fame. Dara Singh had over 500 professional success as a hero from the film King Kong in fights to his credit, all undefeated. He was the 1962. Some of his famous Hindi films in the 60s first sports person to be nominated to Rajya were Veer Bhimsen, Samson, Hercules, Tarzan Sabha by BJP in 2003. Comes to Delhi, Sikandar The wrestling king started his career as an E Azam, Rustom-E-Hind, Raaka, Boxer, etc. actor in 1952 with Sangdil. He is still known as He then went on to do television in the late the first action king of Bollywood and was ex - 1980s, where he played the role of Hanuman in tremely successful as an action hero in the 1960s the television adaptation of Ramayan which and 70s in Hindi Films and in Punjabi films in the made him a household name. His last memo - 1970s and 80s. He could be credited as the first rable Hindi movie was Jab We Met. Dara Singh Indian hero who started the trend of packed abs was also the owner of prestigious Dara and taking shirt off. He appeared in approxi - Studio at Mohali, Punjab. Dara Film Studio mately 120 Hindi feature films and nearly 20 was founded in 1978. Punjabi films. The great Dara Singh not only Apart from his list of achievements and suc - proved his prowess with his action scenes but cess he will always be remembered as a down also in acting by playing character roles in many to earth, simple, modest, and great human memorable Hindi and Punjabi blockbusters. He being. From the ring to screen, he won the turned a producer, director and writer when he hearts of generations. My heartfelt tributes to made Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar in 1970. One of Rustam-e-Hind Dara Singh. May his soul rest in his notable friends was actress Mumtaz with peace.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 41 Literature The eyes have it

Short story by Ruskin Bond

had the train com - registers tellingly on Ipartment to myself their remaining senses. up to Rohana. Then a “I didn’t see you girl got in. The couple either”, I said, “but I who saw her off were heard you come in”. probably her parents. I wondered if I They seemed very anx - would be able to pre - ious about her comfort vent her from discover - and the woman gave ing that I was blind. the girl detailed in - Provided I keep to my structions as to where seat, I thought, it to keep her things, shouldn’t be too diffi - when not to lean out of cult. The girl said: “I am the window, and how getting off at Saharan - to avoid speaking to pur. My aunt is meet - strangers. ing me there”. They called their “Then I had better goodbyes and the train pulled out of the station. not get too familiar”, I replied, “aunts are usually As I was totally blind at the time, my eyes sensi - formidable creatures”. tive only to light and darkness, I was unable to “Where are you going”, she asked. tell what the girl looked like. But I knew she wore “To Dehra and then to Mussoorie”, I replied. slippers from the way they slapped against her “Oh how lucky you are. I wish I were going to heels. Mussoorie.I love the hills, especially in October”, It would take me some time to discover some - she added. thing about her looks and perhaps I never would. “Yes, this is the best time’, I said, calling on my But I liked the sound of her voice, and even the memories. “The hills are covered with wild sound of her slippers. dahlias, the sun is delicious and at night you can “Are you going all the way to Dehra?” I asked. sit in front of a log fire and drink a little brandy. I must have been sitting in a dark corner, be - Most of the tourists have gone and the roads are cause by voice startled her. She gave a little ex - quiet and almost deserted. Yes, October is the clamation and said: “I didn’t know anyone else best time”. was here” She was silent. I wondered if my words had Well it often happens that people with good touched her or whether she thought me a ro - eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them. mantic fool. They have too much to take in, I suppose. Then I made a mistake. “What is it like out - Whereas people who cannot see (or see very lit - side”, I asked. tle) have to take in only the essentials, whatever She seemed to find nothing strange in the

42 Punjab Advance July-2020 Literature question. Had she noticed already that I could brief encounter. But it would stay with me for the not see ! But her next question removed my rest of the journey and for some time after. doubts. The engine’s whistle shrieked, the carriage “Why don’t you look out of the window”, she wheels changed their sound and rhythm. The girl asked. got up and began to collect her things. I won - I moved easily along the berth and felt for the dered if she wore her hair in a bun or it was window ledge. The window was open and I faced plaite. Perhaps, it was hanging loose over her it, making a pretence of studying the landscape. shoulders. Or was it cut very short ? I heard the panting of the engine, the rumble of The train drew slowly into the station. Out - the wheels and, in my mind’s eye, I could see side, there was the shouting of porters and ven - telegraph posts flashing by. dors and a high-pitched female voice near the “Have you noticed”, I ventured, “that the trees carriage door. The voice must have belonged to seem to be moving while we seem to be standing the girl’s aunt. still.” “Goodbye”, the girl said. “That always happens”, she said, “but do you She was standing very close to me, so close see any animals”. that the perfume from her hair was tantalizing. I No, I answered quite confidently. I knew that wanted to raise my hand and touch her hair. But there were hardly any animals left in the forests she moved away. Only the scent of perfume still near Dehra. lingered where she had stood. I turned from the window and faced the girl There was some confusion in the doorway. A and for a while we sat in silence. man getting into the compartment stammered “You have an interesting face”, I remarked. I an apology. Then the door banged and the world was becoming quite daring, but it was a safe re - was shut out again. I returned to my berth. The mark. Few girls can resist flattery. She laughed guard blew his whistle and we moved off. Once pleasantly---a clear ringing laugh. again I had a game to play and a new fellow trav - “It’s nice to be told I have an interesting face. eler. I’m tired of people telling me I have a pretty The train gathered speed, wheels took up face”, she said. their song, the carriage groaned and shook. I Oh, so you do have a pretty face, thought I, found the window and sat in front of it, staring and aloud I said: “Well an interesting face can into the daylight that was darkness for me. So also be pretty”. many things were happening outside the win - “You are a very gallant young man”, she said. dow. It could be a fascinating game guessing “But why are you so serious ?” what went on out there. I thought , then that I would try to laugh for The man who had entered the compartment her. But the thought of laughter only made me broke into my reverie. “You must be disap - feel troubled and lonely. pointed,” he said. “I’m not nearly as attractive a “We’ll soon be at your station”, I said. traveling companion as the one who just left”. “Thank goodness it’s a short journey. I can’t “She was an interesting girl”, I said. Can you bear to sit in a train for more than two or three tell me---did she keep her hair long or short ?” hours”, she replied. “I don’t remember”, he said, sounding puz - Yet, I was prepared to sit there for almost any zled. “It was her eyes, I noticed, not her hair. She length of time, just to listen to her talking. Her had beautiful eyes, but they were of no use to voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream. As her. She was completely blind. Didn’t you soon as she left the train she would forget our notice !”

July-2020 Punjab Advance 43 Health Modern Yoga increases injury worries

Dr Ravinder Chadha

n my daily practice, I cient times Yoga-pos - Iadvise many Yoga exer - ture was considered to cises (Yoga Asanas) for be the first and fore - back pain, neck pain and most part, which over for sports injury rehabili - years of practice of tation. The awareness Pranayam/ controlled about Yoga has increased respiration led to due to widespread public - Samadhi opening the ity and also convenience door to awakening and to practice these asanas enlightenment. Only either at home or in the few people understand nearest yoga centre. that Yoga Science is Yoga asanas help in im - complete in itself and proving flexibility of the involves Body, Mind muscles and joints, and and Spirit. Commercial also in increasing blood exploitation by the circulation with improve - West has reduced Yoga ment in the concentration (Dhayan) and sense of to a mere physical exercise programme well being. Many Yoga teachers have made it a mission to Since ancient times, yoga has been an integral spread Yoga awareness. They are encouraging part of our rich Indian culture and has been prac - one and all to practice yoga asanas on a regular ticed by sadhus. Yoga is a spiritual system with a basis. Some of them have achieved quite a suc - small physical component in order to maintain cess in their mission. Indiscriminate and un - physical and mental fitness. Yoga can be suc - guided practice of yoga asanas leaves behind cessfully practiced only with a healthy body and people suffering neck stiffness, back pain, mus - mind. However, in the modern era, Yoga is con - cle sprain etc. The obvious reason that without sidered primarily a Physical system with a spiri - proper guidance one should not practice Yoga tual component. In the present times, Yoga asanas. Delivering lectures on yoga asanas is one denotes “Physical Posture” or “Asana” and the thing but their implementation in practicality is a primary goal is physical fitness whereas In an - tedious job.

44 Punjab Advance July-2020 Health

Many people are seen rubbing their nails with Correct practice of Yoga asanas leads to phys - the hope that their hair will grow and baldness ical and mental well being, but if done without will disappear. Such things without any medical proper guidance can result in injury. evidence defy logic. The assertion made by cer - Chakra Asana (Wheel Posture) improves tain Yoga experts that there is marked Weight strength and suppleness of spine but hyperex - loss with Yoga exercises is not entirely true. Most tend the ligaments and muscles of spine may of the Yoga exercises can burn up to 40 Calories cause injury. in 20 minutes, which is far less than the Calories Hala Asana stretches the muscles of the Calf burnt in aerobic activities. Even simple activities and thigh and gives relief from leg cramps. Peo - like walking at moderate speed can burn 100 ple who are not supple can hyperextend the lig - Calories in less than 30 minutes. If Yoga is com - aments of the lower back resulting in pain and bined with aerobic activity like walking, jogging, discomfort. cycling etc. can lead to dual benefit of weight loss Vrikshchika Asana (Scorpion Posture) helps in and increase in flexibility. stretching the neck, spine and chest but should In Therapeutic Yoga body postures and tech - not be attempted by the beginners as it can cause niques are used for improving flexibility, cor - back injury. recting posture and strengthening spine. Dhanura Asana (Bow Posture) improves flexi - Therapeutic Yoga is practised by busy people for bility of the spine, corrects digestive disorders managing stress in their hectic life, by sportsmen and relieves back strain. This Asana, improperly for improving their performance and even by done can cause injury to the muscles and liga - pregnant ladies for easy delivery. ments of the back. Warming up is essential prior to performing- Secondly, aged patients suffering from back Yoga- asanas, otherwise it can lead to injuries to problem due to Osteoporosis should not attempt muscle’s ligaments etc. In the morning as one this Asana. gets up blood circulation to skeletal muscles is Total fitness is possible by yoga exercises com - only 10 per cent and after warming up for only 5 bined with aerobic activity & strength training. minutes, it increases to 70-80 per cent. This im - Dr.Ravinder Chadha is a former physiotherapist of the Indan cricket team. proves flexibility, suppleness of muscles thereby e-mail: [email protected] (telephone 0172-2702929) reducing chances of injury. In the initial stages simple yoga asanas be at - tempted like Bad - dha Kona Asana, Balaasana,Naga Asana(Cobra pos - ture), Padma- Asana(Lotus posture),Pavan- Mukta- Asana, Trikone Asana,Surya Namaskar,Vajr- asana etc.

July-2020 Punjab Advance 45 Children’s World

Hi kids,

rip drop drip drop. DCome July and this pleasant sound of the pit - ter patter of of rain drops, heralds the first showers of the monsoon. Sitting at her bedroom window, seven-year-old Sapna watched the welcome The met department has forecast a good mon - showers. She picked up the sound of the rain soon this season. But do you know children cer - drops as music and within minutes she was danc - tain people still rely on signs from nature to ing to the rhythmic beat. understand the weather. Here are a few: She ran to her Dadaji’s room. He was giving Watch out for the ants. If you see them busy last-minute folds to his paperboat. Sapna climbed moving in lines carrying their eggs, then take it up on the bed and hugged her Dadaji; after all that it might rain any time. They build their hills she was his little angel. The two walked towards with steep sides before rain and even cover up the door, where water from the roof had formed the entrance to keep the water out. a small drain which took a circuitous route before When you see a lizard sealing its burrow it is flowing into the garden. As Dadaji placed the sure to rain in the next 24 hours. boat in the drain it darted away where the cur - House sparrows bathe in dry oil and hens roll rent took it. Sapna ran after the boat with her around in dust, before it rains. Dadaji cautioning her against slipping. She picked If you spot toads in large numbers, you need up the paper boat and placed it again at the start - no further proof. ing point of the current. Before a storm or rain, you cannot spot any Her friend Ravi joined her soon and within 10 butterfly or bee on the flowers. When they know minutes they were a group of five busy playing rain is due, bees don't even leave their hives. with paper boats. Earthworms come out from their holes when The monsoon definitely brings relief from the it is about to rain. warm conditions. But these cool and breezy con - If you find cattle or horses stretching out their ditions come with a lot of children-related prob - necks and sniffing the air, then count on it that lems. The wet conditions are ideal for the spread rain is here. of bacteria and virus. Yes health problems are al - Everybody knows that peacocks love the rain ways on the rise during the rainy season, be it and when you hear their shrill call, be prepared cold and flu, viral fever etc for rain and storm. Be careful, common cold and influenza are The garden spiders abandon their cobwebs viral infections usually caused by viruses that when rain is almost there. enter the nose, throat, sinuses, or ears. Uncle Don

46 Punjab Advance July-2020 Children’s World

Mawsynram, wettest place on earth

hildren do you know that Mawsynram , a vil - cluster of about 1,000 homes is the custodian of Clage in the East Khasi Hills district of Megha - a rather grand title. It holds the Guinness Record laya state in north-eastern India, 65 km from for "the wettest place on earth", having nudged Shillong, receives one of the highest rainfalls in its neighbouring long-time champion Cherrapunji India. It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, from the podium. Around June, when most of with an average annual rainfall of 11,872 mil - India begins to look forward to the first weak limetres (467.4 in). According to the Guinness drizzles, Mawsynram locals are already well into Book of World Records, Mawsynram received their monsoon. 26,000 millimetres (1,000 in) of rainfall in 1985, For the kids of Mawsynram, though, the mon - the highest ever recorded. soon means two kinds of holidays. "There are Residents of Mawsynram are used to clouds times when it has been raining a great deal for a floating right into their homes. But once the week or more at a stretch so we decide to give monsoon is over, they have to queue up at taps the students a couple of days off," says former and fight for water village-headman and now grammar teacher RW It was the kind of rain you wouldn't see any - Rapsang, who teaches at the Mawsynram HSC where else. We could barely see four feet ahead School. "And then, there are times when the rain of us. We could touch the clouds, smell the stops for a bit, and we want the kids to enjoy the clouds, taste the clouds." good weather. It's a place where residents use grass to soften So, too much rain — holiday. No rain — also the sound of the deafening rain on their roofs, holiday!" Classes are cancelled on days when the dry their drenched clothes on chulhas as often as sound of deafening rain on the tin roof makes it thrice a day, and won't bat an eye when a mass impossible to hear the teacher. "So you can say of clouds floats right into their homes. this is quite a happy place for students!" Rapsang Nestled in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills, the adds, laughing.

Punjab Advance 47 July-2020 What the stars foretell Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma (Astrologer, Palmist, Numerologist & Vastu Consultant) email: [email protected]

Aries: (March 21-April 20): You will Leo: (July 23-August 23): A landed Sagittarius: (November 23-December 21): Setting out on a vacation is fore - do well to address some concerns of property is likely to give good re - told and will be most exciting. Your spouse or a family member on the turns. Good dietary habits will pre - success on the professional front is family front. Office politics may vent you from getting out of shape. foretold as you manage to handle com - prove mentally stressful. Busy sched - plicated situations all by yourself. An argument or dispute on the fam - ule may not allow you to spend as Those separated may yearn to join the much time with lover as you desire. ily front may leave a bad taste in the family. Domestic front will remain mouth. A senior may take you along tranquil and peaceful, and allow you You will manage to take a step closer to rest and recoup. Financial troubles to clinching the deal on the profes - for a meeting out of town, so remain for those in debt are set to be over sional front. prepared to proceed at short notice. soon.

Taurus: Taurus (April 21-May 20): Virgo: (August 24-September 23): Capricorn: Capricorn (December 22- Chances of owning a house of your Praise is in store on the professional January 21): Colleagues at work may own look bright for some. Nearness front for something that you have approach you to resolve their profes - achieved. Someone is waiting in the sional problems. Don’t let distractions to the one you love will keep your wings for a chance to express love for make you lose your focus. Family is spirits high. Money will pose no you. You may feel frustrated by not likely to go out of its way to ensure problems, but you must get into the being able to set things right on the your comfort. Your independent ways habit of saving. Those ailing are likely family front.You may go out of your can put a strain on romantic relation - way to help someone on the social ship. You manage to achieve perfect to be on the road to recovery. Things front, but reciprocation may be late health through self-motivation and may not go right on the professional in coming. An exciting journey is on hard work. Some good news can be ex - front this month, so be careful. the cards. pected on the property front.

Gemini: (May 21-July 21): Hectic Libra: (September 24-October 23): Aquarius: (January 22-February 19): Excellent showing on the academic time is foreseen, as much is expected This month enables you to overcome all hurdles on the professional as well front will put you on the forefront. Fi - out of you. Some of you can get em - nancially, you will be much better as personal fronts. You may have to broiled in a legal battle over property. poised than before. Your popularity is be prompt in seizing an initiative on Your love life promises to cruise set to rise on the social front. You will the career front to succeed. Those in along smoothly. You may need some have your say in a property matter. love are in for a memorable evening time out to relax and rejuvenate, so Positive steps to conserve money may in each other’s arms. Moderate exer - get encouraging results. Love is in the take a break! A change in lifestyle cises are likely to suit you better for air, so have a ball! You will need to put will do a whale of a good to your coming back in shape, so don’t go in in some more efforts to improve your health. for strenuous ones. performance.

Cancer: (July 22-July 22): Keeping fit Scorpio: (October 24-November 22): Pisces: (February 20-March 20): may become your mantra to begin in - This month, those in search for a suit - Distractions can make you lose focus able partner are likely to get lucky. on the academic front. A nice vacation dulging in healthy activities. Your can find you in a highly excited state. efforts are likely to bring positive re - Taking up an exercise regimen is pos - You will be able to make a good im - sults on the professional front. A sible. Opting for public transport over pression on a superior at work. family youngster is likely to do you personal vehicle is advisable. A good Unconditional love can be showered price is likely to be earned for a piece upon your by family. Romance for proud by his or her academic per - some may just be a phone call away! It formance. Some of you will resurrect of property. An interesting travelling may become difficult to fit a social your love life by stoking the embers companion will make a monotonous event in your work schedule, but you of passion! journey, exciting. will manage it somehow.

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July-2020 Punjab Advance 49 LAST WORD The crucial catch

Donald Banerjee

ith the cricket buffs all cooped up at their hall “DP open the bottle, we will win.” We came Wresidences because of Coronavirus, my rushing back, and were just in time to catch Vi - mind goes down the memory lane. vian Richards being caught by Kapil Dev at mid - It was June 25, 1983, the World Cup final at wicket. Skipper Clive Llyod followed soon after. Lord’s, where Kapil’s "Devils" tamed the mighty After missing out on that crucial catch, Doordar - West Indians led by Clive Llyod, to clinch the cov - shan regained its signal. eted trophy. “We have still to win,” said DP Azad. “Nothing We, a motely crowd of 10 sports journalists doing, we are going to win, let us say cheers to along with their spouses had gathered at the the victorious path,” we said in unison. Bonhomie Chandigarh Press Club, to watch the final on Do - followed as we raised our glasses to the toast of ordarshan. The late Sushil Bali of the PTI came the evening---- Kapil’s Devils and DP. Thereafter armed with a TV set and a transistor. The tran - the wickets fell like a pack of cards and the West sistor was a backup for an errant Doordarshan Indians folded up for just 140 runs. and its faulty signals . It was a grand and historic evening----India The late Desh Prem Azad , who had coached winning the World Cup for the first time. What a Kapil, cosied up to the late Samuel Banerjee as pity not one Indian, in India, watched, "live", the we all occupied our seats on that hot summer moment that turned the match — Kapil Dev's evening. It was a bad start for India as our team catch to get rid of Richards. was bowled out for 183 runs. Most of the faces in Later we saw clips of it. Buoyed by three the dimly lit hall appeared glum. But Sam and boundaries in succession, Richards tried to hit a D.P. Azad tried to inject hope into the gathering. good length ball from Madan Lal through the on The Caribbeans suffered jolts with Gordon side. The ball caught the top part of the bat, but Greenidge and Desmond Haynes being sent back still soared high and beyond midwicket. to the pavilion The Indian captain sprinted back 20 yards to The great Vivian Richards took the crease and take the catch, smiling as he ran. The smile be - hit two boundaries. As the ball travelled to the spoke of an extraordinary self-confidence. For boundary, Doordarshan blinked losing its signal the swirling skier, for which you have to run be - from London. With Vivian Richards showing his hind your back, is one of the most difficult true colours, four of us wandered out of the hall catches in cricket, not least when you are to get some fresh air. The atmosphere inside was watched by 30,000 anxious pairs of eyes, and this hot and tense. is the final of the most important tournament in Sushil Bali and Samuel Banerjee were glued to the world. the transistor listening to the BBC broadcast. And But, the superb athlete that he is (or was), then one of the glorious uncertainties of the Kapil knew as soon as the shot was struck that he game happened. Sam’s voice boomed across the had his man.

50 Punjab Advance July-2020 The Government of Punjab is now on Social media

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July-2020 Punjab Advance 51 Postal Registration No.CHD/0161/2013-2015 Actual date of posting 10 to 15-10-2017

Colourful moments at Butterfly Park