A Bond to Remember- Fazilka Diary

Evacuation and Setting up of relief camps in Border District of Fazilka in wake of Surgical Strikes

Isha Kalia, IAS
Former Deputy Commissioner, Fazilka

Living on the Edge... School Chale Hum...Mohar Jamsher Village School Flooded

School Children of Mohar Jamsher. Mohar Jamsher is Last Indian village on India Pakistan Border. Their School is flooded with water and now they are moving to some other place for Classes./Home. Hats of to the Students and Teachers of this School. We must learn lesson of Unity and Discipline from these Kids... 

Every year during monsoon they have to shift their school, celebrating 67 years of Freedom..every years few crores are being spent under emergency flood protection measures..rest is a story...(Few dams which are protecting cities, were made during British Time, Post Independence only repair)..

No matter what, we have dedicated teachers like Savikar ; you have won the heart of many of Us. Trust me, country needs dedicated Teachers like you....

किस्मत काबू में : दुनिया की पहली डायल - ए - रिक्शा सर्विस : Rasrang Sunday Dainik Bhaskar Magazine : 25 August 2012

Rasrang Sunday Dainik Bhaskar Magazine : 25 August 2012

सातवें दिन हटे दुश्मन के कदम

Laxman Dost, 8th December 2010, Dainik Bhaskar
साबूणा नहर पर स्थित गांव बेरीवाला के पास लेफ्टिनेंट केजे फिलिप्स मोर्चा संभाल कर रहे थे। दुश्मन को पिछे धकेलने के लिए उन्होंने सीधा अटैक करने की योजना बनाई। उन्होंने 3-असाम के कुछ जवानों के साथ नहर को पा किया और पाक रेंजरों पर धावा बोल दिया। यहां पर भीषण युद्ध हुआ, लेकिन इस बीच लेफ्टिनेंट फिलिप्स को तीन गोलियां लग गई। यह उनकी बहादुरी थी कि उन्होंने साथी सैनिकों को गोलियों पता भी नहीं चलने दिया और आगे बढ़ते रहे। 

अन्य सैनिकों को इस का पता तब चला जब वे अचेत होकर गिर गए। इस पर उन्हें उठा कर वापस मोर्चे में लाया गया। वहां उन्हें चिकित्सा मुहैया करवाई गई, लेकिन वह वीरगति को प्राप्त हो गए। इस मुठभेड़ में उनके साथ लड़ रहे सिपाही गुरमीत सिंह, सुमित्र सिंह, अर्जुन सिंह, जोरा सिंह, धर्म सिंह, सिपाही देवराज, हवालदार रामफूल सिंह ने भी अपने प्राणों की आहुति दी। साबूणा नहर के दौनों किनरे इस समय रक्त और बारूद से रंजित हो गए थे। इस जगह का कतरा कतरा अब भातरीय शूरवीरता की गाथा गा रहा था।

इस दिन पाक सेना से आग्रिम मोर्चे पर लड़ रहे एमएल भाटिया शहीद हुए। उन्होंने अपनी टुकड़ी के साथ कई पाकिस्तानी टेंकों को नष्ट किया और भारी संख्या में पाकिस्तानी सैनिकों को मौत के घाट उतारा। उन्हें मरणोप्रांत महावीर चक्र से सम्मानित किया गया। इस दिन चली भीषण लड़ाई में मेजर के एस राणा, मैजर ऐके घोष कैप्टन वीके सिंह, कैप्टन वीएस कैरा, कैप्टन बी स्वामी ने भी शहीदी प्राप्त की। इन सभी की योद में सर्वत्र विजय स्तम्भ की स्थापना की गई।

मरणोपरांत वीरचक्र से सम्मानित: युद्ध में तोपची हरबंस सिंह का जिक्र किए बिना युद्ध गाथा अधूरी रह जाती है। हरबंस सिंह भारतीय सेना द्वारा सबुना नहर के बिलकुल करीब स्थापित की गई तोप पर तैनात थे। वे यहां युद्ध केक दूसरे दिन ही मोर्चा संभालने पहुंच गये थे और सात दिनों तक लगातार गोले दाग रहे थे। उनकी आंखें दिन से इतनी लाल हो चुकी थी कि अब खून बहने लगा था, लेकिन वे पिछले हटने का नाम नहीं ले रहे थे। 9 दिसंबर को उनके मोर्चा पर पाक सेना द्वारा दागा गया एक गोला फटा और भारत माता का यह बेटा शहीदी को प्राप्त हुआ। उन्हें मरणोप्रांत वीरचक्र से सम्मानित किया गया। बताया जाता है कि अगर पाक सेना ने भारतीय क्षेत्र के आठ गांवों के सैकड़ों ग्रामीणों को बंधक न बनाया होता तो यहां पर लड़ाई इतनी लंबी नहीं चलनी थी। पाक सेना के पास बंधक बने भारतीय सबसे बड़ा हथियार थे जो भारतीय सेना को सीधे हमले के लिए रोक रही थी। इस बीच बंधक बने ग्रामीणों की हालत भी खराब होने लगी थी। पाक सैनिकों ने गांवों में चिकित्सा के अलावा अन्य सभी सुविधाएं बंद कर दी थी। यहां तक कि रात को घरों में कुछ भी जलाने या पकाने की मनाही थी। उस समय में गुजारे दिनों को याद कर आज भी ग्रामीण सिहर उठते हैं।

http://www.bhaskar.com/article/PUN-OTH-1035489-1631104.html

Eco-friendly rickshaws to give passengers a musical ride-Fazilka Ecocab Experiment

Chandigarh. Indian Express, 3rd October 2010,

Rajni Shaleen Chopra

To be launched this year, new rickshaws will have FM radio, seatbelt, first-aid box, reading material, dustbin and fire extinguisher

The new Amritsar rickshaw, which will be launched in the holy city within this year, is going to offer passengers a musical ride. In a first-of-its-kind feature, the rickshaw will be fitted with a small FM radio on the roof, with the control panel for the channels within easy reach of passengers. In addition, it has also been provided with a seat belt for the comfort of small children or aged persons who may use the rickshaw.

The humble rickshaw has caught the fancy of civic developers in Punjab. The lightweight version of the environment-friendly transport is one of the pet projects of Punjab Tourism and the district administration of Amritsar. And Patiala Foundation, an NGO based in the aristocratic city of Punjab, is readying to launch the 'Patiala Green Cab', with plans to introduce the dial-a-rickshaw facility in the city.

Meanwhile, 10 Amritsar rickshaws designed and made by a Delhi-based firm reached the holy city today. The back canopy of the rickshaw has been given the shape of the arch of Khalsa College. The arch is a major feature of Sikh architecture. Deputy Commissioner Amritsar K S Pannu told The Indian Express that with the help of the Red Cross, the district administration is identifying the 10 rickshaw-pullers who will be given new rickshaws manufactured for the city.

"The lightweight rickshaws that we will introduce in the city will be functionally better and will have an aesthetic appeal too. People will start demanding these rickshaws, and we want the local manufacturers to start making more and more of these for the city," he said.

Sandeep Arora, the Delhi-based manufacturer of these rickshaws, said that he has provided a first-aid box, space for keeping newspapers or magazines, and a small dustbin on the side so that passengers do not litter the city roads. A small fire-extinguisher has been provided too. Navdeep Asija, who has been actively working with the Amritsar administration on this project, added that the colour of the new Amritsar rickshaw is green, to reflect that it is an environment-friendly vehicle.

Arora stated that while the cost of the lightweight rickshaw in Delhi is Rs 8,000, the Amritsar rickshaw may be priced about 15 per cent higher because of the added features. Punjab Principal Secretary (Tourism) Geetika Kalha told The Indian Express that while the budget for the new rickshaw is Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000, it would be better if the cost worked out closer to the bottom level, so that it would be easy for the rickshaw-puller to repay the loan taken from the bank to buy it.

Meanwhile, the Patiala Foundation is working on the introduction of the green cab in the city. Foundation General Secretary Ravee Aahluwalia told The Indian Express that the dial-a-rickshaw facility will be introduced in October. "We have divided the city into 12 zones for the purpose. We are talking to banks for micro-financing of the lightweight rickshaws that we want to introduce here. But our welfare measures will extend to all rickshaw-pullers," he said.

On the pattern of the work done in Fazilka, the Patiala Foundation has decided to issue identity cards to all rickshaw-pullers. Aahluwalia said that tie-ups have been made with doctors to offer free consultancy and subsidised treatment facility to rickshaw-pullers. "Our effort is to work for the benefit of the rickshaw-pullers. We also want to offer an organised, efficient service to the residents of the city so that we are able to reduce both pollution and congestion on roads," said Aahluwalia.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/ecofriendly-rickshaws-to-give-passengers-a-musical-ride/692090/

GRAVE CONCERNS - 1965, 1971 war cemetery untended for decades

Amit Sharma, 21st August 2010

Fazilka

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh Edition

Every September and December, political leaders and governments file in to pay homage at Aasifwala, but this unremarkable cemetery has never received any such visitors Navdeep Asija, Graduates welfare body chief..

The milestone reads Sania road. Travel down from the border with Pakistan and a magnificent memorial to largely Hindu and Sikh soldiers of 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars comes into view. Further up, barely 3 km, is an untended cemetery where lie the abandoned graves of nearly 36 Christian and Muslim soldiers martyred in the same wars.

Soldiers from the Northeast and South India were laid to rest here. The cemetery is now overrun by weed, the graves have been dug up and the area serves as a public facility where locals living in vicinity come to relieve themselves.

In the past three decades, neither the administration, army nor political leaders have visited the site to lay wreaths or acknowledge their sacrifice. Village elders say they have tried to take up the issue with the district authorities, in person, and through the local media, time and time again. "Army officials shrug off blame saying that graveyard upkeep does not fall within their purview".

The administration has only doled out false assurances, says Raj Kishore Kalra, president, Social Welfare Society. Raj Kumari, who lives nearby, said during the initial years post-1971, locals took care of the graves, but in time, the martyrs and their sacrifices faded in memory. No one in the village, not even the caretakers of the cemetery, can recall the exact numbers of the buried. More than 17 maybe, says Kumari.

Graduates Welfare Association, a non-profit body from Fazilka, had researched the issue a few years back and learnt from army archives that more than 200 soldiers from various regiments, including 4 Jat, 15 Rajput and 3 Assam, lost their lives in Fazilka sector in the two wars with Pakistan and were cremated or buried in nearby villages.

Since the majority casualties were from 4 Jat and 15 Rajput Regiments, they were cremated en masse at Aasifwala, where now stands a war memorial to them and three Musilms from the Horse Riders Regiment (Ashvarohi). The remaining victims, mostly Christians and Muslims, were buried at Gharumi village or at a graveyard on Sania road, they learnt.

"Every September and December, political leaders and governments file in to pay homage at Aasifwala, but this unremarkable cemetery has never received such visitors," says association president Navdeep Asija. Army officials, who are in charge of Aasifwala war memorial, refused to come on record saying they are not authorised. Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Fazilka, Ajay Sood, said he was not aware, but would summon a report and take action if the matter fell within his purview.

Ministry grants in-principle approvals to three mega food parks

These proposed projects will come up in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab; new proposals to be examined for a similar venture in Uttar Pradesh.

August 09, 2010 12:29 PM
Pallabika Gangul

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) has given in-principle permissions to three food parks in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab. The government was in the process of approving four food parks (including the three which have already been approved) since the past four months. But the project proposal for the park in Uttar Pradesh had some lacunae, therefore, the in-principle approval has been granted only for the above-mentioned three food parks. The government will invite new proposals for the fourth food park in Uttar Pradesh this week.

Every food park will have a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising around three companies and representatives from banks, financial institutions and the food processing ministry. The Karnataka food park will be developed in Mandaya, Kolar. The three companies involved in this project are Capital Foods Ltd (which holds 40% share in the company); Pantaloon Retail (30% share) and Chordia Foods (30% share). Chordia is a Pune-based manufacturer and exporter of pickles.

The Maharashtra food park will come up in Sindhudurg (in the district of the same name) and the three companies in the strategic alliance are Temptation Foods Ltd (40% share); NNR Biofuels (40% share) and Valecha Engineering Ltd (10% share). A few other minor players are also part of this project.

In Punjab, the food park will be developed in Fazilka (Firozpur district) led by International Farm Fresh Ltd which will have 16% share in the company. Sukhinder Singh and Associate will hold 34% share; Narain Export Import Corporation (10% share) and Citrus State Tahliwala Jatta will hold 1% in the project. The promoters will decide on how to distribute the balance stake.

"We have given in-principle approval to three food parks. We were supposed to give approvals to four but we could not find relevant project proposals. We would be soon inviting proposals for the remaining project," said Ashok Sinha, secretary, MOFPI.

The final proposals for these three projects (which have obtained in-principle approvals) will have to be submitted in the next six months for a final nod from the government before these ventures are initiated. The SPV for each project will require an investment of around Rs120 crore-Rs150 crore, which includes the government's contribution of Rs50 crore.

Every food park will have around 27 processing and ancillary units which will process about 1,80,000 tonnes per annum of raw material-primarily comprising fruits, vegetables, rice and spices. MOFPI had received 37 proposals for the four mega food parks out of which 16 were for Maharashtra, 10 for Karnataka, six for Punjab and five for Uttar Pradesh. In Punjab, Mrs Bector's Food Specialties (a part of the Cremica Group), Brattle Foods Ltd, International Fresh Farm Products Ltd, Maninder Rice Mills, Kolkata-based LMJ Ltd, and an entrepreneur from the US have shown their interest.

In Karnataka, Capital Foods Ltd had shown interest in these food parks. In Maharashtra, Pantaloons Retail (India) Ltd, Paithan Mega Food Park, Temptation Foods Ltd, Dhoot Developers Pvt Ltd and Skil Infrastructure Ltd have shown their interest in these units. Temptation Foods Ltd is one of the applicants among the five with interest in the facilities in Uttar Pradesh.

The government is encouraging a public-private partnership model for setting up these food parks as these ventures will require huge investments. "We are encouraging three-four private players to come together to set up a food park so that the investments are shared. The government gives Rs50 crore as assistance for each food park, but that is not enough," said Mr Sinha.

http://www.moneylife.in/article/8/7980.html

Forest Dept begins to plant saplings - Ditch Drain

10000 saplings to be planted by Aug 15

Praful C Nagpal

Fazilka, August 1
The forest department, Punjab, has initiated an ambitious project to bring more area under afforestation in the Fazilka sub-division. Under the project, it has started planting saplings on the eastern bank of the Ditch Drain on the border road. So far, more than 6000 saplings have been planted on the vacant track on the bank of the seepage drain.

"We would achieve the target of planting 10000 saplings in the first phase till August 15," claimed Forest Range Official, Jasbir Singh Grewal.

The Tribune had highlighted in these columns more than a month ago that the forest department has turned a blind eye to the fact that a vast track of about 18.5 kilometers and about 100 feet wide from village Sabuana to village Dilawar Bhaini on the eastern bank of the Ditch Drain is lying vacant for the last 10 years and afforestation can easily be carried out there.

After the highlighting of these facts, the Deputy District Forest Officer, Ferozepur, Daljit Singh visited the Ditch Drain and worked out an ambitious project.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100802/bathinda.htm#8

Biking in India: What If Cycling Were Your Only Choice?

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Portraits of India on Two-Wheels - Images by Gregg Bleakney

Farmers get lesson in conservation agriculture

Rajni Shaleen Chopra, 20th May 2010

To break the tradition of burning wheat straw after every harvest season, which has proved harmful for soil nutrients, an initiative has been taken to teach farmers about straw management and conservation agriculture.

Fifty farmers of 14 blocks from rural Punjab have been a part of a classroom-cum-field training project programme, an initiative launched by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in collaboration with the Fazilka-based Jwalabai Nathu Ram Ahuja Trust, and Zamindara Farm Solutions.

Conservation agriculture, based on integrated practices such as zero tillage, crop rotations and permanent soil cover, is gaining ground internationally.
Under the programme, the farmers are being trained in ways through which straw burning can be avoided. In the first phase of the project, in March, groups of 30-35 farmers were given lessons on the ill-effects of burning straw and its devastating effect on the soil. The trust has now shortlisted 50 champion farmers, in whose fields demonstrations will be carried out on straw management.

Trustee Vikram Ahuja told The Indian Express the major issue in the state was paddy straw management. "The state produces approximately 175 million quintals of paddy straw, of which 90 per cent is burnt. The three options for usage of paddy straw are its use as raw material in power plants, sending it to other states as fodder, or conservation agriculture. This is a new concept, in which hi-tech farming equipment like the 'happy seeder' is used to sow wheat in standing paddy straw," he said.

The blocks where the project has been initiated are Muktsar, Malout, Lambi, Gidderbaha, Mamdot, Ferozepur, Zira, Gursarsahai, Jalalabad, Fazilka, Abohar, Khuian Sarwar, Makhu and Ghalkhurd.

Jagdeep Singh, a Sangrur-based farmer who has gone in for conservation agriculture, vouches for its "major benefits".
"Setting the field afire to burn straw kills the natural organisms in the soil that help plant growth and also leaves the land parched. Sowing wheat in standing paddy straw, hence, saves on multiple-irrigation, improves soil quality and increases the yield. Besides, farmers can save at least Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 per acre," he said.
An effort is also being made to educate farmers on not taking loans to buy farming equipment, but rent it.

Officials at NABARD's regional office in Chandigarh said the fields of these farmers where conservation agriculture is practised would act as demonstration units for other farmers in the area

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/farmers-get-lesson-in-conservation-agriculture/621191/2

सरकार, विधायक व नगर कौंसिल को नोटिस

चंडीगढ़ : पंजाब एवं हरियाणा हाईकोर्ट ने मंगलवार को एक जनहित याचिका पर सुनवाई करते हुए पंजाब सरकार, डीसी , फाजिल्का नगर कौंसिल एवं विधायक सुरजीत ज्याणी को 17 अगस्त के लिए नोटिस जारी किया है।

हाईकोर्ट ने यह आदेश फाजिल्का के निवासी नवदीप असीजा की याचिका पर सुनवाई करते हुए जारी किया।

नवदीप ने अपनी याचिका में कहा है कि उनके संगठन ने फाजिल्का में साइकिल रिक्शा चलाने वाले लोगों के लिए एक अनूठी स्कीम शुरू की है। इसके तहत पूरे फाजिल्का को पांच जोनों में बांटा गया है। हर जोन में रिक्शा खड़ा करने के लिए एक स्टैड़ उपलब्ध करवाया गया, जिसमें एक फोन भी मुहैया कराया गया। अगर किसी व्यक्ति को रिक्शा की जरूरत हो तो वह टेलीफोन कर रिक्शा मंगा सकता है। उसे रिक्शा स्टैंड पर आने की जरूरत नहीं पड़ती। इतना ही नहीं, उनके संगठन ने रिक्शा का वजन भी कम किया है।

याचिकाकर्ता ने अपनी याचिका में आरोप लगाया कि स्थानीय विधायक सुरजीत ज्याणी इस स्कीम को पंसद नहीं करते और उनके एक आदमी केवल कृष्ण ने रिक्शा स्टैंडो पर कब्जा कर किराये पर उठा दिया। संगठन ने इसकी नगर कौंसिल के अधिकारियों से की, जिन्होंने कोई कार्रवाई नहीं की। डीसी से भी शिकायत की गई। इसके बावजूद रिक्शा स्टैंडो से अवैध कब्जे नहीं हटे। याचिकाकर्ता ने कोर्ट से इस मामले में उचित कदम उठाने का आग्रह किया

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/punjab/4_2_6406229.html

आखिरकार जारी करना पड़ा नोटिस

भास्कर न्यूज, 2nd May 2010

साइकिल बाजार में नगर कौंसिल की जगह पर एक दुकानदार द्वारा किए गए अवैध कब्जे को हटाने को लेकर चल रहे विवाद पर आखिरकार कौंसिल को कदम उठाना ही पड़ा। कौंसिल की ओर से शुक्रवार को दुकानकार को अवैध कब्जा छोडऩे का नोटिस जारी कर दिया गया। कौंसिल ने दुकानदार को चेतावनी दी है कि अगर छह घंटे में अवैध कब्जा नहीं छोड़ा गया तो कौंसिल अमला कब्जा हटा देंगे। उधर अवैध कब्जा हटाने को लेकर संघर्ष कर रही रिक्शा यूनियन ने कौंसिल की सराहना करते कहा है कि यह कदम पहले ही उठाया जाना चाहिए था।

क्या है मामला

करीब दो माह पूर्व जब उक्त जगह पर कौंसिल शौचालय का निर्माण करवा रही थी तो रिक्शा यूनियन व केवल कुमार ने शौचालय बनाने का विरोध किया था। कौंसिल ने दोनों के लिए ही उक्त जगह पर अलग अलग स्थान रखने का बीच का रास्ता निकाला था। उस समय शौचालय के बाहर रिक्शा खड़े करने व तथा एक कॉर्नर पर केवल कुमार की पकौड़ों की दुकान लगाने का निर्णय लिया

गया था। दुकानदार ने 19-20 मार्च की रात दुकान पर शटर लगाकर कब्जा जमा लिया। जिसका रिक्शा यूनियन ने जमकर विरोध किया। यूनियन सदस्यों का कहना था कि उक्त जगह पर वह रिक्शा खड़ी करते थे, जबकि शटर लग जाने से यहां पर रिक्शा खड़ी नहीं की जा सकती है। इस विरोध के बाद चौक पर पकौड़े लगाने वाले केवल कुमार को उक्त शटर को उखाडऩे को कहा गया। लेकिन उसने ऐसा नहीं किया। इसी के विरोध में रिक्शा यूनियन ने चौक पर कई बार धरना प्रदर्शन किया और शटर को उखाडऩे की मांग लगातार करते रहे।

दुकान पर चिपकाया नोटिस

नगर कौंसिल की ओर से जारी नोटिस को लेने पर जब दुकानदार ने इंकार कर दिया तो कौंसिल कर्मचारी की ओर से दुकान पर नोटिस चिपका दिया गया। कार्यकारी अधिकारी तिलक राज वर्मा ने बताया कि कौंसिल की ओर से दुकानदार केवल कुमार को अवैध कब्जा छोडऩे का नोटिस जारी कर दिया गया है, अगर दुकानदार ने छह घंटे में अवैध कब्जा नहीं छोड़ा तो कौंसिल की ओर से कब्जा हटा दिया जायेगा।

मंत्री से होगी शिकायत

रिक्शा यूनियन के सचिव अशोक कुमार ने बताया कि चंद सियासी नेताओं की शह पर दुकानदार ने अवैध कब्जा किया है, जिस कारण कई दिन तक दुकानदार के खिलाफ कार्रवाही नहीं की गई। उन्होंने कहा कि दुकानदार और उक्त सियासी नेताओं के बीच हुई बातचीत उनके पास मौजूद है, जिसका खुलासा सोमवार को जनता के सामने किया जायेगा। उधर ग्रेजूऐटस वैलफेयर एसोसिऐशन फाजिल्का के सचिव नवदीप असीजा ने बताया कि हाईकोर्ट के आदेश से फाजिल्का ईको कैब की तर्ज पर पंजाब भर में शुरू किए जा रहे प्रोजेक्ट पर अगले सप्ताह स्थानीय निकाय मंत्री मनोरंजन कालीया के साथ बैठक है, जिसमें रिक्शा चालकों के सामने मुश्किलें पैदा कर रहे नेताओं की पोल खोली जाएगी।

http://www.bhaskar.com/2010/05/01/500427-927481.html

GWAF launches save birds project-Protecting man’s feathered friends

Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service


Fazilka, April 17
The Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF), a voluntary organisation of this border town, has launched 'Save Birds' project. Under this project, the members of GWAF would motivate the residents to make water arrangements for the birds.


"Every year lakhs of birds die due to unavailability of water during the summers and it has been affecting the biodiversity adversely. Hence, the GWAF has taken up the task to save birds by providing them with water constantly during the summer season," said Navdeep Asija, secretary (Administration), GWAF.


"In due course of time, Fazilka's urban green belt has been reduced to less than 0.2% and no major afforestation plan is being implemented by the local authorities. It has become a major reason for the birds going away from this area as they have lost their nesting places," added Asija.


"We would distribute pamphlets to make out mission popular and acceptable among a large section of populace of this town and its neighbouring rural areas. About 25 members of the GWAF have already started this exercise," Asija added.


"I hope that our efforts would bring desirable results and would save number of birds from falling prey to scorching sun during summers with the availability of water in nook and corner of the town," he claimed.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100418/bathinda.htm#5

Homing in on farmhouses to boost rural tourism

Rajni Shaleen Chopra
9th April 2010
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/homing-in-on-farmhouses-to-boost-rural-tourism/602074/1

Encouraged by the success of rural tourism in other parts of the country, Punjab has decided to rejuvenate its initiatives in this field and promote its plush farmhouses as a destination for tourists tired of city life. The Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mahindra Homestays to professionally train owners of the farmhouses identified by it. The training will be on how to bring their premises on par with the expectations of tourists. These 23 farmhouses had been approved by the board last year as part of its efforts to promote farm tourism.

The company boasts of a partnership with nearly 140 homestays — its 'boutique hotels' — across the country. It has now joined hands with the owners of four farmhouses in Punjab and will provide them marketing support to ensure better business. A homestay is an accommodation provided in a private residence for tourists and is run by the house owner.

Razit Bhandari, Manager (Marketing) of the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, said the board approached Mahindra Homestays to seek help in marketing the farmhouses in a better manner. "We want to promote farm tourism in Punjab. The state's rural appeal is a major selling point among domestic and international tourists, and we wanted the support of a professional concern in helping us seek our objective," he said.

The four farmhouses taken on board by the company are Citrus County near Hoshiarpur, The Retreat near Ropar, Mann Farm House near Fatehgarh Sahib and Jyani Natural Farm near Fazilka. Talking to The Indian Express, Vimla Dorairaju of Mahindra Homestays said: "We had conducted an extensive study in the UK and India about the kind of places that people would like to visit as tourists. In both countries, we found that people had a distinct preference for rural or plantation homes."

Kanwaljit Singh Brar, owner of The Retreat, said he was hoping the tie-up with Mahindra Homestays would give them better business. "We are looking for overseas business, as homestays are very popular in Europe and America."

Vinod Jyani of Jyani Natural Farm and Nartesh Kaur Mann of Mann Farm House, too, agreed that the tie-up would give their properties more exposure.

यूनिकोड ने हल की कंप्यूटर फोंट्स की समस्या

March 28, 11:22 pm

फाजिल्का-आज का युग कंप्यूटर व इटरनेट का युग है। यह दोनों चीजें हर किसी के जीवन में अपना स्थान बना चुकी है। ऐसे में मीडिया से जुड़े लोगों के लिए तो यह अभिन्न अंग बन चुकी है। लेकिन उन्हे कंप्यूटर साफ्टवेयर व फोंट्स की भिन्नता के कारण काफी परेशानियों का सामना करना पड़ता है। इन्हीं परेशानियों का समाधान बताने के लिए मूल रूप से फाजिल्का निवासी और पंजाबी यूनिवर्सिटी पटियाला के कम्प्यूटर खोज विभाग के प्रो. सीपी कंबोज ने यूनिवर्सिटी द्वारा पंजाब भर में शुरू किए जा रहे विशेष सेमिनारों की शुरूआत अपनी गृह नगर से की।

फाजिल्का में ग्रेजुएट वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन के सहयोग से करवाए सेमिनार में प्रो. कंबोज ने मीडिया से जुड़े लोगों को विभिन्न प्रकार के साफ्टवेयर समझने खासकर फोंट्स से संबंधित समस्याओं के हल बताए गए। प्रो. कंबोज ने बताया कि जब हम एक कंप्यूटर पर कुछ टाइप करते है, जब हम उसे दूसरे कंप्यूटर पर उस फाइल को पढ़ने के लिए खोलते है तो हम लिखे हुए शब्दों को सही ढग से नहीं पढ़ सकते, क्योंकि हमारे कम्प्यूटर में वो फोंटस नहीं होते जिन में हमारा डॉटा होता है।

उन्होंने बताया कि इस मुश्किल को दूर करने के लिए पंजाबी यूनिवर्सिटी पटियाला की तरफ से यूनीकोड साफ्टवेयर तैयार किया गया है, जो एक भाषा में लिखे गए शब्दों को अन्य कई भाषाओं में सीधा बदल सकता है। उन्होंने बताया कि इस साफ्टवेयर का प्रयोग करके काफी समय बचाया जा सकता है। यूनिकोड साफ्टवेयर की खास बात ये है कि यह किसी भी भाषा में लिखे मैटर को हमारी भाषा में पढ़ने लायक बना सकता है। सेमिनार में प्रो. कंबोज ने नए साफ्टवेयर प्रयोग संबंधी जानकारी भी दी। इस अवसर पर प्रो. भूपेन्द्र सिंह ने भी अपने विचार रखे। एसोसिएशन के संरक्षक प्रो. भूपेन्द्र सिंह, सचिव नवदीप असीजा व प्रफुल्ल नागपाल ने प्रो. कंबोज को सम्मानित किया

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/punjab/4_2_6292768_1.html

Fazilka: Come Without Your Car-Carbuster

Fazilka: Come Without Your Car

Fazilka is a small, 162 year old town on the India-Pakistan border. Its unkempt, garbage-strewn congested streets with small, bustling shops are nothing out of the ordinary. But this town of about 68,000 people – and about 45,000 vehicles on its narrow lanes – has removed one source of congestion: cars.

On November 21, 2008, the city made history, when it became the first in the region to implement the "Carfree City" concept. The main market area around the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) was declared a "Car Free Zone" – the entry of cars was banned between 10am, when most shops open, and 7pm, when the shopkeepers head home – despite initial opposition, especially from shopkeepers who feared losing clientele. Only two wheelers (bikes and motorbikes) are allowed, but the town plans to remove them gradually.

Fazilka continues to build on its carfree success, by placing special emphasis on traffic calming devices and installing permanent barriers in a few locations, in addition to the introduction of other alternative ways of getting from A to B (such as "Ecocabs" or dial-a-rickshaw service), all helping to make the city centre more sustainable, pedestrian and cycle friendly.

Fazilka Finding its Feet

Fazilka's unusual story began with a festival in 2006. In the last week of March that year, a citizens' group of about 250 people, called the Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF) organised the Fazilka Heritage Festival. A stretch of 300 metres on the Sadhu Ashram Road, not far from the current carfree zone, was converted into a pedestrian street. GWAF used this event as a case study to conduct an experiment to keep the same city central zone as a carfree zone. By remaining free of cars, the study revealed not just an improvement in the quality of social life, but also in the law and order, environment through less air pollution from car emissions, economy and road safety of the residents.

"The festival was a success," said Bhupender Singh, a retired professor of mechanical engineering and an architect of this project. "Without cars, there was a lot of road space for everybody. There were stalls selling everything from food to handicrafts and people danced on the streets without the fear of being run over," he added.

The festival was held again next year, though at a different location: the Salem Shah East West Corridor, which crosses the Ghanta Ghar. This time, the carfree zone extended about a kilometre. Again, the festival was well received by residents and set the tone for a dedicated carfree zone.

"It is only logical that first the most congested area of the town should be freed from traffic," said Navdeep Asija, project manager of the Punjab Roads and Bridges Development Board. Asija had been studying the town's traffic problems since 2006. "Fazilka is approximately 10.29 sq km big with each side spanning just a little over three kilometres. It can easily become a pedestrian city, with motorised vehicles used primarily for transportation of goods."

Market Matters

Festivals can change cities. However, these festivals alone did not ensure a permanent carfree zone. GWAF was trying to convince the municipality to designate a carfree zone. This did not come up without initial resistance. Initially, shopkeepers were not too keen on the idea as they thought it would drive away customers, said Asija, adding that the municipality feared protests.

The stalemate continued until September 2008, when Anil Sethi took over as the president of the municipal committee. A trader himself, Sethi heard GWAF's idea of a carfree zone, became interested, and set about implementing it. He considered such a scheme beneficial to Ghanta Ghar shopkeepers because it would decongest the area. Sethi's influence among the traders helped him convince them, through several meetings with traders and their associations in order to create consensus.

The Ghanta Ghar market has three roads jutting out of it in three different directions. The lane encircling the Ghanta Ghar is about 200 metres long and is now free of traffic, as the three roads were barricaded. A further 800 metres of the road connecting the Hotel Bazar in the north to Wool Bazar in the south has been blocked. Another 400 metres of road in the east has been barricaded, and a stretch of road in the west has been blocked by a temple.

Once apprehensive, the shopkeepers in the Ghanta Ghar market are now happy with the ban. There is no official monitoring of pollution in Fazilka, but shopkeepers claim the air is cleaner. "I used to keep a jug of water for my staff and customers. Before the car ban, I had to change the water every hour as it would turn dirty," said Vicky Chabbra, owner of a local utensils shop. "Now, it remains in the jug for an entire day and still looks clear." Chabbra said sales in his shop have increased 25 per cent since the ban.

Roshan Lal, who sells chaat (North Indian street food) a few metres away from the utensils shop. "People have more time now. They come and enjoy their food without being hassled about whether their cars are blocking the road," Lal said. Vikram Ahuja, another local shopkeeper, wants the concept replicated in other parts of the town. "Fazilka is small; one can easily walk from one corner to the other," he said.

The carfree zone has spurred many an ambitious dream. There are talks of converting the Ghanta Ghar market into a pedestrian mall, with brightly coloured shops selling everything from cotton handkerchiefs to LCD televisions.

Rickshaw Resurgence

GWAF went further than simply introducing a cafree zone. Recognising peoples need to be on the move and get somewhere fast, a popular dial-a-rickshaw service was initiated. The rickshaws, called "Ecocabs", were introduced as a new form of public transportation using intelligent transport tools, arriving at residents doorsteps following a phone call. The city has been divided into five zones and each has a different phone number.

"We didn't want the rickshaws to be considered a poor man's transport, therefore the name Ecocabs," explains Navneet Asija, a Delhi graduate. Initially, the scheme got a lukewarm response, but picked up when residents understood the utility. It's not just residents, even the rickshaw-pullers have benefited from fixed rates, which means their earnings have gone up.

Profits Following a Car Ban

Mayor Sethi plans to free most of the city of cars eventually. Sethi sees the carfree zone as a way to promote non-motorised transport and to build connections between the wealthy parts of town and the poorer parts. "The aim to create a car free zone and also to promote non-motorised modes of transport within the city is to build bridges between the prosperous sections of society in the city and the less well-off," said Sethi. He opposes the construction of new overpasses within the city, which is a courageous position in Indian politics today.

Fazilka has seen a change not just in the improved quality of social life and road safety for its people, but also in improved law and order, local economy and environment from reduced air pollution.

The successful projects making the city centre carfree have been beneficial in many ways, not simply by decongesting the market. With the carfree zone and the Ecocab initiative, Fazilka is perhaps the only Indian town with such simple yet effective schemes. And it is clear that with public transportation alternatives such as these, along with the introduction of carfree spaces, communities benefit from feeling safer and healthier, when free from cars. Fazilka can proudly show a new way to the rest of the country.

This is an updated and edited version of Fazilka: Come without your Car by Arnab Pratim Dutta available atwww.downtoearth.org

http://carbusters.org/2010/03/18/fazilka-come-without-your-car/

1st Fazilka Indo Farm Heritage Sports Festival

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Club (Regd) Fazilka

presents

1st Fazilka Indo Farm Heritage Sports Festival

ਪਹਿਲਾ ਫਾਜ਼ਿਲਕਾ ਦਾ ਇੰਡੋ-ਫਾਰਮ ਵਿਰਾਸਤੀ ਖੇਡ ਮੇਲਾ 

पहला फाजिल्का का इंडो फार्म विरासती खेल महोत्सव 

19-20 March 2010

Venue : M.R. Govt. College Stadium, Fazilka

Fazilka Cycling Club-Let's Cycle for better tomorrow - A GWAF Initiative

Fazilka Cycling Club, A GWAF Initiative

फाजिल्का साइकिल क्लब 

Fazilka residents have already showed their concern and care for the environment through various mechanisms of their daily lifestyle. To take one step further, we are launching our "Fazilka Cycling Club", a GWAF Initiative. So next time, whenever you visit Fazilka; during your weekends FCC will take you for a long memorable cycle joy ride.... Cycling is one of the efficient, fast and non-polluting modes of transport and in Fazilka, cycling is part of our culture not a just a cause. Our many sweet childhood memories are associated with cycling….so, its time to celebrate cycling. Soon, we will announce the date of our first Cycling Picnic....gearup for our next ride...You are requested to Register for the same.

Dedicating one song of Punjabi Legend Gurdass Mann on Cycling to our Fazilka Cycling Club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTGLZuCO8rU

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Fazilka’s pride: 5 Padma awardees

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100201/punjab.htm#7

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, January 31
Fazilka is perhaps the only sub-divisional headquarters whose citizens have got five Padma Awards. The residents proudly quote the name of Kanwar Surinder Singh Bedi — perhaps the only Indian Civil Services (now Indian Administrative Services) bureaucrat in the country who has been conferred with both Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his meritorious contribution in civil services during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

Belonging to a small village of Chack Bedi in Sahiwal town of Mintgomery district (now in Pakistan) Kanwar Surinder Singh Bedi was a tehsildar then. At the time of Partition, his family migrated to India and settled in Lalowali village of Fazilka subdivision.

Bedi then qualified for Indian Civil Services and was posted as DC of Amritsar in 1965. He showed rare administrative skills and helped the Army during the 1965 war. He was conferred with Padma Shri in 1966 for providing outstanding administration and health services towards the Army.

Later, he was promoted as commissioner and was posted in Jalandhar division in 1971. Again following his meritorious services during the 1971 war, Bedi was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1972.

Veteran Punjabi singer Pushpa Hans, who hails from the area, was given Padma Shri in 2007 for her outstanding performance in the fields of art and culture. A heartthrob of millions in the 40s and the 50s, Hans acted and sang in movies.

Her acting added dimensions to movies like V Shanta Ram's "Apna Desh" (1949), Sohrab Modi's "Sheesh Mahal" (1950). The melodious compositions like "Channa kithan guzari raat wey", "Gallan dilan diyaan dila vich reh gayiyaan" and "Tarean to puchh Chann wey" are still hold the public in awe. She has also been awarded Punjabi Bhushan Award by Punjabi Academy, Delhi, and Kalpana Chawla Excellence Awards - 2007.

World famous neurologist and former principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, Dr Jagjit Singh Chopra is also a resident of Fazilka. He is a member of American Academy of Neurology and editor of World Neurology - an International journal of World Federation of Neurology. He was awarded Padma Shri (correction : Bhushan) in 2008 for his contribution in the medical field.

It was the proud moment for Sikhs when Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa became the first Sikh kirtania to get Padma Shri in 2009. Bhai Nirmal Singh is the Hazoori Raagi of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar.

Bhai Nirmal Singh Khalsa is doing kirtan for the past 25 years and is one of the finest raagis having knowledge of all 31 raags in the Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. From 1979 he has been serving as a Hazoori Raagi, Sach Khand Harmandir Sahib. He has also performed kirtan at the five Takhts, historical gurdwaras in India and abroad.

A clarification
Chandigarh, February 1.2010
Dr JS Chopra, a top neurologist and founder Director-Principal of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, here was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2008 and not Padma Shri as erroneously mentioned in the report “Fazilka’s pride: 5 Padma awardees” today. — TNS

Fazilite Dr. Rajneesh Arora- Vice Chancellor, Punjab Technical University

Dr. Rajneesh Arora

Vice Chancellor, Punjab Technical University

Dr. Rajneesh Arora was born on 17 January 1958 at Fazilka, Distt. Ferozepur, Punjab. His Father Sh. Mathura Das Arora is a well Known educationist and social –worker in Amritsar. Dr Rajneesh, a Product of DAV School, Amritsar has an unbeaten record of winning Gold Medals in Matric as well as Higher Secondary of Punjab School Education Board Examination to his credit. Dr. Rajneesh Arora is currently Vice Chancellor Punjab Technical University Jalandhar.

Dr. Rajneesh Arora attained B.Tech in Electrical Engineering in 1979 and Ph.D. in 1989, both from prestigious IIT Delhi. His research work was on" Integrated Energy System" under the guidance of Prof. P.S.Satsangi, an internationally renowned expert on System Engineering.

Dr. Rajneesh Arora is member of Board of Governor IIT Delhi, Punjab State Council of Science & Technology, Board of Governor National Institute of Technical Teacher Training, Chandigarh, Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training, Chandigarh and Member Governing Body, Pushpa Gujral Science City, Chandigarh.

In 1982 he went to the tribal area of Bihar (now Jharkhand) and started a voluntary organization, Vikas Bharti, Bishunupur (Distt. Gumla) for application of Science and Technology for the development of tribal people .Here he successfully implemented many projects of Department of Science & Technology (DST) ,Ministry of non –Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council for Advanced People's Action and Rural Technology ( CAPART) and Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) as Coordinator.

For ten long years he along with his family, lived in a tribal village where there was no electricity and the nearest petrol pump was 60 kms away. In 1987, he went to the Netherlands on a Dutch Scholarship for advanced research. In 1994,he as Deputy General Manager , revived and rejuvenated a four-year-sick Sugar Mill in Khalilabad (Distt. Basti, Eastern UP).

Dr. Rajneesh Arora began teaching in Department of Electronics at GNDU, Amritsar in 1997. He was instrumental in establishing the Department of Placement in 1998 and was appointed its first Placement Officer. As a result of his tireless efforts, he has been successful in bringing many National and International Companies to the G.N.D.U Campus for the placement of students. Under his dynamic working the Placement Department played key role in getting five Star statuses for the G.N.D.U, Amritsar by NAAC. Later he worked as Director, Placement and took care of Placements for the student of all the three G.N.D.U campuses at Amritsar, Jalandhar and Gurdaspur. He was appointed as First Dean, Alumni at GND University in March 2007. He started organized old students of the University working in different parts of the country and world. GNDU alumni started contributing towards the development of the University.

Dr.Arora was nominated as member of National Standard Committee of Rural Technology and Chairman of Regional Committee, North Zone of CAPART (Council for people's Action and Rural Technology) by Ministry of Rural Development, Govt.of India, New Delhi.

He worked as Principal Amritsar College of Engineering & Technology from March 2008 to December 2008. He joined as Vice chancellor, Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar on 24 December 2008. We the Graduates of Fazilka congratulates him for his outstanding achievements and pray for his long and quality life Ahead.

Reference : Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar