शहीदों की समाधि के बदले पाकिस्तान ने ली थी फाजिल्का की चौकी व 12 गांव

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/punjab/4_2_3776687.html

Sep 28, 11:15 pm
फाजिल्का -शहीद भगत सिंह की जन्म शताब्दी पंजाब व देशभर में मनाई गई। इस दौरान बाघा, हुसैनी वाला, खटकड़ कलां सहित भगत सिंह से जुड़ी हर छोटी बड़ी जगह पर जश्न व सरकार मेहरबान रही। इन सब में एक ऐसी भी जगह है, जिसने इस अमर शहीद के लिए अपने एक अहम हिस्से की कुर्बानी दी लेकिन बदले में मिला पिछड़ापन व सरकारी नजरंदाजी।
शहीद भगत सिंह को याद करने में जुटे राजनीतिक जमावड़े में शायद ही किसी नेता को याद होगा कि भगत सिंह, राजगुरु व सुखदेव का हुसैनीवाला स्थित समाधि स्थल 1960 से पहले पाकिस्तान के कब्जे में था। जन भावनाओं को देखते हुए 1950 में नेहरू-नून-मुहाइदे के तहत फैसला लिया गया कि इन तीनों शहीदों की समाधि स्थल पाक से लिया जाए व इसके बदले में कोई अन्य हिस्सा पाकिस्तान को दिया जाए। करीब एक दशक चली ऊहापोह के बाद पाकिस्तान ने इसके बदले भारत से फाजिल्का सेक्टर का एक अहम हिस्सा मांगा। सैन्य दृष्टि से इसे देना भारत के लिए कतई मुनासिब नहीं था, लेकिन हुसैनीवाला से जुड़ी जनभावनाओं के मद्देनजर 1961 में स्वर्ण-शेख समझौते के बाद फाजिल्का के 12 गांव व सुलेमानकी हेड व‌र्क्स पाकिस्तान को सौंप दिया गया। इस समझौते के बाद शहीद त्रीमूर्ति से जुड़ा समाधि स्थल तो भारत को मिल गया, लेकिन फाजिल्का सेक्टर सैन्य दृष्टि से पूरी पश्चिमी सीमा के सबसे कमजोर सेक्टरों में शामिल हो गया। 1971 के युद्ध में पाकिस्तान ने फाजिल्का सेक्टर के लगभग पूरे इलाके पर कब्जा कर लिया था। इसी कमजोर स्थिति के चलते फाजिल्का औद्योगिक व व्यापारिक रूप से ऐसा पिछड़ा कि फिर कभी नहीं उभर पाया, जबकि 1960 से पहले फाजिल्का की गिनती उत्तर भारत के प्रमुख व्यापारिक केंद्रों में होती थी। इसी महत्व के चलते कभी फाजिल्का से सीधा कराची तक गोल्डन रेल ट्रैक के नाम से रेल संपर्क भी बिछा हुआ था।
ऐसे में जब शहीद भगत सिंह की जन्म शताब्दी मनाई गई, तो क्षेत्र के लोगों की इच्छा है कि सरकार कुछ ऐसा करे कि अमर शहीद के साथ-साथ फाजिल्का की कुर्बानी को भी याद किया जाए। फाजिल्का के विधायक सुरजीत ज्याणी, रुड़कीके भूपिंदर सिंह सहित क्षेत्र की पूरी जनता भी इस पक्ष में है कि इलाके को भी भगत सिंह की याद से जुड़े स्मृति स्थलों जैसा मान दिया जाए।

जब मिट गई सरहद की दूरियां

फाजिल्का। कुछ पल के लिए दिलों के रिश्ते सरहदों के अंतर पर हावी हो गए। नजारा था, भारत-पाक सीमा की फाजिल्का सेक्टर की सादकी चौकी का। भारत की आजादी की पूर्व संध्या और पाकिस्तान के स्थापना दिवस के मौके पर यहां एक समारोह का आयोजन किया गया। इस मौके पर दोनों ओर के सैन्य अधिकारियों और रेजर्स को मिठाई भेंट की गई। जैसे ही बीएसएफ कमांडेट अजीत कुमार सादकी चौकी पहुंचे जवानों की सलामी की आवाज से सारा माहौल गूंज उठा। पाक रेजर्स ने भी कड़क आवाज में बीएसएफ अधिकारी को सलामी दी, तभी पाक सेना के विंग कमांडर गुलाम मुर्तजा और बीएसएफ के अधिकारी जीरो लाइन आ गए। दोनों ने एक-दूसरे को बधाई दी, फिर गले मिले। मिठाई के आदान-प्रदान के बाद शुभकामनाएं देकर वे अपनी-अपनी सरहद में लौट गए।
http://loktej.com/pages/article.php?news_id=433&cat_no=7

First "Club Fazilka" Get-get-together in NCR, Delhi - Invitation

INVITATION
First get-together of Club Fazilka in NCR

Club Fazilka in NCR

To relive some magical moments and to celebrate 160h year of our city Fazilka's establishment, first time in NCR we are introducing club Fazilka meet. We extend our invitation to all Fazilites, their friends and families for join us to celebrate the evening full of fun and nostalgia. A common platform, where all Fazilites can meet up and share their experiences, a platform to strengthen our relationship, where together we all can work and think for the development of our city beautiful Fazilka. Please shoot an email or call immediately to the following to confirm your participation. The tentative dates are Saturday evening of 14 th or 20 th October, 2007 and venue will be decided based upon the availability and comfort of majority participants. Please join Fazilka family to make this evening unforgettable.

Email at
clubfazilka@lovefazilka.com or call to confirm your participation with preferred location/date to the following;

•Fazilites Yuvraj Kukkar (Noida) - 9971078886
•Fazilite Subhash Dahuja (East Delhi) - 9891868424
•Fazilite Navdeep Asija (East Delhi) - 9891266323
•Fazilite Varun Kataria (Gurgaon) - 9350183680
•Fazilite Amit Sachdeva (Gurgaon) - 9811693836
•Fazilite Rajesh Babbar (Gurgaon) - 9891960806

•Fazilite Gaurav Chopra (Gurgaon) – 9873112550
•Fazilite Nitin Setia (South Delhi) – 9876460079
Fazilite Varun Jhamb (Manesar) - 09999086100

PS: Please do circulate this email/attachment or call to extend this invitation to your other known fazilites friends/families circle, for their participation.

Road to border ‘encroached’ :Akali Leader’s Project Comes In Way; Army To Prob

Times of India : 30th August, 2007 : Chandigarh Edition

Chandigarh: It seems to be testing time for the Akali leader Sandeep Singh Galotra as his Silver City project in Fazilka has come under Army’s scanner, for grabbing the land meant for road connecting the Maujam international border. Sources in Army told TOI that the road, which connects Fazilka with Maujam border, is taken over by Galotra and it has been alleged that the local authorities have changed the path, and made the road turn along with the boundary of his 21-acre piece of land, instead of going according to the plan.

The changes in the original plan — the maps and satellite images of which are in possession of TOI — has made it difficult for the tanks and other Army vehicles to take such sharp turns in one go. Maujam border is strategically important for the Indian Army, as this front was lost to Pakistani in 1965 war. “In an extreme situation, it would be hard for the ammunition support the reach the destination,” sources said. According to the Army plan, they wanted almost straight road from Fazilka to Maujam. They had to cross a Badha Cannal by constructing new bridge, but the old bridge was widened. “Instead of going into the plot, it seems that the favour was given to the coloniser,” sources said. In fact, the coloniser has placed a big gate where the road touches the plot and takes the unwanted turn.

“We have received a complaint recently, and this is a serious matter, we cannot let it go like this,” said a senior Army officer, on condition of anonymity. He confirmed that the investigation was on. Known as the freedom fighter road, on which this project is placed, is 7 km away from the border. “We cannot change the project even an inch, be it anyone,” said the officer. However, when contacted, Galotra said he would welcome the investigation. “We have not encroached upon any road,” he asserted. He added that he was planning to approach the chief minister to ask the authorities to make the road pass from his plot. “I agree that this road is important and will apprise the CM of its importance. I have even suspended my silver city project and is working to convert it into a farm.”

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOICG/2007/08/30/TOICG_2007_8_30_4.pdf

In Fazilka, farmer is a VIP retail consumer : INDIA’S FIRST FARM MACHINERY RENTAL SERVICE

Yamini Dhall FAZILKA : 27th March, 2006 : Economics Times

PRINCE Charles may not travel down to Fazilka, but he will certainly hear about the Punjab town’s experiments with silk, castor, multiplexes and imported farm equipment. This backward border district of Punjab is now a venue of some exciting experiments in rural retail and agriculture. Tucked away in the dusty folds of this faraway place on the southern tip of Punjab, is an unlikely farm equipment rental outlet, the first of its kind in the country run by local entrepreneur and farmer Vikram Ahuja, that offers a fleet of expensive and sophisticated farm tilling, sowing and harvesting machinery. Another upcoming project is an agri park that apart from helping to promote crop diversification through a novel unknown product by introducing Eri silk weaving to the area. “We already have a seed processing unit, expellers, solvent extraction unit, oil refinery, cotton ginning unit and a demo farm for Castor/Hyola cultivation and silk worm rearing,” says Mr Sanjeev Nagpal, who is heading the NASA Agro park project for Fazilka and is an ardent supporter of farm innovation in the area.


Meanwhile, Mr Ahuja’s Zamindara Engineering and Auto private Limited, inspired by US car rental models, now has four branches. “It is the first farm equipment rental firm in India,” he claims pointing to a fleet of branded tractors, locked safely in the shed. They would be out working 24x7 a month from now when the ‘season’ starts, as would the other equipment for tilling, harvesting, sowing etc. Mr Ahuja has already tied up with another national rural retail store chain to test drive this new farm service model even as he talks about extending the current business that also hosts a farmer support centre, into something more improbable; India’s first rural multiplex-mall for the small farmer at Fazilka. Mr Nagpal, who is also a convener, Agriculture Panel, CII Punjab State Council, adds a voice of belief to Mr Ahuja’s ambitions by making detail sketch of a rural hub that would provide, integrated farm services, entertainment and advice to the farmers of the surrounding areas. “This could all come together here with different counters for say vermin-compost, fertilizer, seeds and a Punjab Agriculture University advisor on the premises and maybe a small screen multiplex on the top,” he says describing the newly inaugurated Zamindara Farmer Help Centre in the district

Ten degrees of separation : Border Town Fazilka Cries For A Rail Link With Amruka In Pakistan

By C Shamsher : TNN

Page 23, Times Chandigarh, 7th February, 2007

Chandigarh: The railway track from Fazilka to Amruka in Pakistan has been there for long. But there is no train to chug along the track to take you across the border. The residents, farmers in particular, say it's a ‘forgotten' silk route (Ludhiana-Fazilka-Karachi) on which this nondescript town prospered in the pre-independence era. So much so that old- timers don't mince words in saying that it was the most prosperous town of Punjab. But that is history. In 2006, any visitor to the town would not mind saying that this town near the Radcliffe Line dividing India and Pakistan is the most backward place in Punjab. To get back its past glory, Border Area Vikas Front, an organisation working for development in the area, has sent memorandums to the Prime Minister, the government of Punjab and the district administration. All that they need is a 10 km rail link between Fazilka and Amruka in Pakistan. Once approved it could be set up in a month's time. This will not only bring prosperity to the farmers of both countries but also give a big boost to business in Fazilka, which will help it regain its past glory. Baljinder Singh, the president of Border Area Vikas Front, said, ‘‘If other borders can be opened up, why not this one. If this is done we will be able to fetch a better price for our produce across the border.'' During the pre-independence days, the rail link passing through Fazilka used to handle goods from places as far off as Madhya Pradesh. Baljinder Singh argued that the same can happen once again. Fazilka exports wool and ‘Punjabi juttis', while rice and cotton are the important crops grown in the area. Residents of the area reason that if road, rail and air link can be established between other places on the two sides of the border, then why not between Fazilka and Amruka

Fazilka Visit by Mr. Benjamin Leclair-Paquet, an Urban Planner from University of Montreal, CANADA

Dear Fazilites,

In the month of June-07, Urban Planner Mr Benjamin Laclair Paquet, from University of Montreal, Montreal Canada visited Fazilka. He is a friend of mine. On special request, i took him to see our city and invited his suggestion to improve present urban infrastructure for future generations. He liked our "City of Hospitality" very much. He developed some beautiful conceptual plan to for Badha Lake and given his suggestion to improve present urban infrastructure of the city, like waste management, good parking policy etc..

later, he sent me a beautiful writeup about our city Fazilka and he claimed his weekend in Fazilka will be among the most important memories that I take back to Canada .Here, i am sharing the same writeup and 3-D model pictures of badha lake improvement by him.


Regards,
Navdeep Asija

"Fazilka Creative" by Benjamin Leclair-Paquet

THE DAY was still young when we reached the house for refreshments. For a Canadian, the heat was almost unbearable and it was nice to step inside for some time. I am told that the monsoons don’t fall too often on Fazilka, but they came down on that day. Even if the rain mellowed the heat by a few degrees, the water lemonade that Navdeep’s Janma prepared for us was certainly appreciated. Lying in the bedroom, the only area where an air conditioner made the heat bearable, we slowly drank from our glasses while looking over the pictures we had taken over the day. Frames of the local tailor with his sewing machine, the shoemaker surrounded by leather soles, the sweets vendors tempting our palettes, the city’s barber and the junior school classroom reminded me of the few hours that had just passed. I regretted that I was too shy to ask the local architect and the Fazilka Newspaper editors to also snap their pictures. . I obviously still remembered our day clearly, but I was scared that the memories would fade away and that no print would be there to remind me of this Saturday in a town of rural Punjab called Fazilka.

An hour had passed when The Doctor arrived at Navdeep’s house. ‘’Pani?, Chai? We all hurried in the living room and drank the dude wali chai still boiling in our glasses. Six o’clock was close so we quickly gulped down the hot drinks and climbed in The Doctor’s car. A few minutes later, we had reached the first barrier of the Indo-Pakistani boarder. Cars were not allowed in the last 500 meters so we walked from there. I had read about the ceremony between the two armies in my travel books, but I never imagined that I would get to experience it first hand. The music was blasting from the Pakistan side where solders dressed in a grey kurta pajamas were mimicking the ones standing few meters before my eyes. “Attention!” shouted the sergeant – and the soldiers snaped into formation. Standing 100 meters from one another, both armies were synchronized as though they had practiced this ritual for days and nights. They went on to demonstrate their skills as if it was a battle between the two clans. Before it ended, one soldier from each country allowed his country’s flag to slither down the post. A music that could have been composed for an army film’s credit title started and outlined the importance of this last portion of the event. Once down, both soldiers rushed to fold their flag to present them before their counterpart could. Raising their knees as high as they could, the two men marched away in a theatrical stride. The other soldiers followed.

The sun had almost set when we left the border zone. As we drove away, making our way through rice paddies where the sky’s reflection danced on the excess water, I saw villagers resting on tractors. The scenes of a busy day winding down made me smile. But the few bunkers hidden in this scene told a story of their own. We stopped at the War Memorial that was down the road. I went inside to sign the visitor’s book, but it was not there. On the walls stood pictures of some of the soldiers lost during the Indian-Pakistani War.
for a while, absorbing the weight of the lost lives. With a heavy heart, we climbed back in the car.

Our next stop was in front of a farm. A man wearing a lovely pressed shirt was waiting. Navdeep hopped out of the car and touched the man’s shoes. They chatted for a minute before the older man invited me to visit the land that was behind him. I think he was pleased to show a foreign visitor his vast farm, but it was I who felt lucky to have an opportunity to be shown his land. The golden pen sticking out of his pocket was a clue that he was the owner of the farm, but it was the pride with which he showed me around that gave it away. He explained me the origin of the kinnu fruits and walked me through the farm. The rains had made the farm muddy, and the man required new shoes, as the fine brown leather ones that he was wearing were not suitable to walk around.

The installations were very impressive - by any standards. Four solar panels powered the drip-by-drip irrigation system installed for the papaya trees. A large basin assured that no water was to be wasted or used at the wrong time on the farm. After some walking through the boggy paths, we headed back to

the car and reached the center of Fazilka. We stopped to grab refreshments and snacks before we headed back to the farm to use the small pool that had caught the corner of our eyes as we visited the man’s orchard. The night had fallen over the northern sky and the sun had taken most of the heat to bed, only bright stars lit our swim. Seeing so many stars in one single night made me realise me how far we were from Delhi – even if only 350 kilometers were standing between the two cities.

It was 10 o’clock when we realized how fast the time had flown by. We hurried to get going and reach a dinner some kilometers down the main road. The place was really more of a truck stop. But my hosts assured me that it was one of their favorites. The sugar cane field near by was releasing a strong smell but we were so hungry, we quickly came to put it past us. My friends were right, the restaurant’s fare was delicious, the best vegetarian mean I had eaten so far! After we finished our last drop of lassi we headed out. The Doctor dropped us home but we did not stay there for long. Instead, we walked to the end of the lane to join the wedding to which Navdeep’s family had been invited. I had only seen Indian weddings in Bollywood movies, and I was very excited to be invited to one.

As we got closer to the sound of the music we could see the lights sticking out from the sleeping city. The wedding was exactly how I expected it, just like in the movies! Over five hundred people were gathered around a vast garden decorated with round tables dressed in white and yellow clothes. As a belly dancer was moving to some remix of traditional Indian music on one stage, the bridegroom stood on a dais just next to it. Dressed in fine golden and burgundy fabrics, he was still waiting for the bride to fill the seat just next to him. As soon as the beautiful bride came into view, the crowd was silenced. She looked very elegant, almost like royalty, as she took her seat beside the groom.

My weekend in Fazilka will be among the most important memories that I take back to Canada. Thanks to the hospitality of my friend Navdeep, I was able to see a part of India few visitors can see. Thank you to everyone who showed me a special and enjoyable time in this wonderful town so rarely mentioned in travel books

Benjamin Leclair-Paquet

One Day Seminar on "Fazilka Vision-2047" by GWAF

A seminar entitled as VISION 2047 was held on August 13, 2007 as per the invitation issued to the Members of Press Club Fazilka and Founding members of Graduates Welfare Association Fazilka (GWAF).
The objective was to work on future plans for Fazilka region. The need arose due to general migration and brain drain from the region to National and International metros.

Mr. Devinder Pal Singh President Press Club Fazilka, Adv. Umesh Kukar, Mr. Devinder Aggarwal, Prof Dr. Bhupinder Singh were at the podium. Mr. Rajiv Prashar was the guest of honour.

About 50 people from two groups were invited to participate in the seminar and about 35 reported to make the Programme get going at 7-30 pm and the discussions were carried till 10.45 pm.
A short movie ‘Ek Bangla Bane Nyara” created by Er. Navdeep Asija was projected through LCD projector to apprise the participants of Seminar about the various aspects of life in Fazilka

The Programme was a complete success in lieu of the points focused by the speakers

Er. Nitin Setia conducted the stage management. Thanks giving were carried by Ad. Manoj Tripathi and the dinner was served by courtesy of Er. Navdeep Asija
The speakers who expressed their opinions are listed herein;
Adv. Umesh Kukar, President GWAF
Prof. Dr. Bhupinder Singh patron GWAF
Mr. Rajiv Prashar, SDM
Mr. Surinder Ahuja, Entrepreneur
Mr. Anilesh Mahajan, Journalist, Times of India
Mr. Vikram Ahuja, Entrepreneur
Mr. Manoj Tripathi
Dr. Amar Lal Baghla, Journalist, Dainik Jagran
Mr. Devinder Aggarwal
Mr. Bajrang Gupta
Er. Navdeep Asija

The deliberations at this seminar were a valuable contribution towards cultivating future programmes, which will enhance the 3Es objectives of the GWAF. The deliberations were made from local to national level problems.
Some comments, which need to be recorded, are outlined herein;

The brainpower of the region is of standards come across anywhere in the world and proper guidance will enable the youth of the area to show better performance and become achievers.
The resources in the form of better citizens by investing in Primary Education rather than Nuclear Power Plants will be a better project, so that children of 5 years age in 2007 can after another 4 years get transformed into well-cultured Indians. A start at Fazilka may be made even though the government has never cared for Human resource development for the last 60 years. India of 2047 should be inhabited by better homosapiens.

Tree Plantation in and around the town should be immediately undertaken. A belt of trees along the newly dug drain site where very large number of trees can be planted. The administrative machinery along with Forest department and Citizens of Fazilka should w3ork out the feasible plans for this venture.

Brand name in terms of products of Fazilka should be cultivated. Tosha and Sunehri Jutti have already made a mark in this direction. More effort is needed to develop call centers etc.

Global Warming is at the doors of Civilization and if left unchecked the life on the planet will be annihilated. Programmes like pedestrian, pedal power should be used.
The role of journalists was well recognized. Their responsibility was emphasized.

A Pedal Power Call Center may be installed so that citizens in residing at the periphery of the town can avail the services of pedal three wheelers (Rickshaw) by making a call. This service of Rick calling is very much desired as a very large number of senior citizens suffer from Osteo-arthritis due to Fluoride ridden ground water. This facility will of its kind in the world as with Mobile set available, the rickshaw pullers can be contactd. Some venturesome citizens have already issued Mobile sets to Rickshaw pullers to call them for movement in the town. Earlier its was done by making calls through epistles or verbal messengers

There is need for reviving the Badha Lake, which has grown dry.

The problems of citizens having lands across the Barbed Fence near Radcliff line should be sorted out at the administrative level.

The rail link to Karachi should be revived not only for the prosperity of Fazilka region, but also for the very poor people of Bahawalpur region of Pakistan.

The rail track linking Fazilka to Abohar will open up the passenger movement to Haridwar, Delhi and South India by express trains, yet it work progress is at a snail pace. However the Sri Ganga nagar-Hanuman Garh meter gauge need conversion to broad gauge so that the Rajasthan, Gujrat and Mahrashtra region is linked through rail movement.

The management of the garbage needs better tools for the scavengers. Some alert citizens have installed Vegetable waste collection through a rickshaw for disposal at Gowshalla so that it can be fed to animals.

The Ekta Udyan, Language Laboratory for Girl graduates, under guidance of Princiapl Pritam Kaur is under development and will be inaugurated soon.
News Paper Coverage:

1. Partap Kesri 15th August, 2007

2. Punjab Kesri, 15th August, 2007 (jalandhar Edition)

3. Sarhad Kesri, 15th August, 2007

Danik Jagran, Aug 14, 2007
फाजिल्का को आदर्श नगर बनाने की योजना पर जुटे माहीर

फाजिल्का-ग्रेजूएटस वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन ने फाजिल्का के विकास के लिए विजन 2047 के संबंध में सोमवार रात को लाला सुनाम राय मेमोरियल केंद्र में विचार गोष्ठी का आयोजन किया। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता उपमंडल अधिकारी राजीव पराशर ने की। गोष्ठी का शुभारंभ दीप प्रज्जवलित से किया गया। एसोसिएशन के अध्यक्ष एडवोकेट उमेश कुक्कड़ ने कहा कि भारत-पाक विभाजन से पूर्व फाजिल्का एशिया की सबसे बड़ी ऊन मंडी थी। सीमावर्ती इलाका होने के कारण 1947 के बाद यह शहर आर्थिक, शैक्षणिक, राजनैतिक दशा हर वर्ष बिगड़ती गई। श्री कुक्कड़ ने जीडब्लूए की स्थापना पर भी रोशनी डाली। उतरांचल के रूड़की इंजि. कालेज के सेवानिवृत्त डा. भूपिंदर सिंह ने फाजिल्का को ग्रीन बेल्ट में तबदील करने पर जोर दिया। उन्होंने हवा व जल के प्रदूषण से बचने के उपाय बताए। सूर्य व इंसान के ऊर्जा शक्तिके उचित उपयोग के लिए लोगों में जागृति पैदा करने के लिए कहा। उद्योगपति सुरिंदर आहूजा ने खेतों में नहर के किनारे व स्कूलों में अधिक से अधिक वृक्ष लगाने के लिए सुझाव दिया। उद्योग प्रति विक्रम आहूजा ने फाजिल्का की परंपरागत तिल्ले वाली जूती व तोशा मिठाई के कारोबार को बढ़ावा देकर देश व विदेशों में फाजिल्का ब्रांड को प्रसिद्ध करने का सुझाव दिया। डा. अमर लाल बाघला ने शिक्षा के फैलाव व विद्यार्थियों को उचित करने के लिए कहा। इंडियन एक्सप्रेस समाचार पत्र चंडीगढ़ के पत्रकार अखिलेश महाजन ने फाजिल्का की सुंदरता बढ़ाने पर जोर दिया। दिल्ली से आए इंजीनियर नवदीप असीजा ने फाजिल्का धरोहर घंटाघर, बाधा झील, शहीदों की समाधि व अन्य स्थानों के विकास के लिए सुझाव दिए। नगर परिषद के पूर्व अध्यक्ष बजरंग लाल गुप्ता, दविंद्र गुप्ता, प्रेस क्लब के अध्यक्ष दविंद्र पाल सिंह व अनेक गणमान्य व्यक्तियों ने गोष्ठी में भाग लिया। उप मंडल अधिकारी राजीव पराशर ने फाजिल्का विकास के लिए सरकार सहायता व सहयोग के लिए पूर्ण आश्वासन दिया। मंच संचालन एडवोकेट मनोज त्रिपाठी व नितिन सेतिया ने किया।

http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/punjab/4_2_3646453.html/print/

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Freedom still out of bounds : Surrounded By Pakistan Border On Three Sides, Village Has Fencing On Indian Side Too

Times of India, 15th August, 2007

Mohar Jamsher (Ferozepur): After 60 years, India has too much to boast about, but for this border village freedom is still out-of-bounds. Barbed wire on three sides demarcates it from Pakistan, but the fourth side facing India is also fenced and has a gate, which opens at 9 am and is closed by 5:30 pm, according to BSF norms. Having 750 residents, it’s the only village along the Western frontier which has fencing on all four sides.

Mohar Jamsher sarpanch Harbans Singh said the village is paying the price of Independence and Partition. “We are not free here,” he said. Now he resides outside the village, but at the time he lived in the village, life was hell, he added. Recently, Lal Bai (50) lost her daughter-in-law Sheela Bai, as she could not cross the gate on her way to hospital for delivery. She along with her baby died on the spot as the gate could not be opened on time. “This is enough for others to know what kind of freedom we enjoy,” she said. In fact the BSF officers told TOI that they have orders of opening the gate only in the case of emergency that too on the orders of a DIG rank officer.

This is not the only issue, villager are facing many more problems, which could be noticed as soon as one enters the village. There’s no electricity, no telephone, no roads, no drinking water, no police, no shop, poor education, no development schemes, but only troubles. The villagers said they have only three tractors as far as automobile are concerned.

“Slowly, we all are leaving the village,” said the sarpanch. “Our village is like a jail, we have to get back at 5:30 pm,” said Balbir Singh, a local resident. The village elders said they would be happy if the village could be shifted to the neighbouring country. “Our children can’t go outside the village, our guest cannot stay over night, what freedom are we talking about,” said Lakshman Singh. “If guests come, they have to go through rigorous processes and then BSF people call us outside the village for identification,” said Balbir Singh. “Now, they have stopped coming to us. Moreover, we are finding it tough to get our sons married outside the village,” he said. “People are ready to marry our daughters but not sons,” he rued.

The Army sources said the village is located between the pillar number xxxx and xxxx and the village is cut by Sutlej river on the Indian side. For crossing the fence, on banks of the river, one needs permission of BSF and identification of the sarpanch. The BSF records of last 17 years show that local MLAs, MPs and the other opposition leaders only come here during election days. Meanwhile, SDM, Rajeev Prashar told TOI that the local administration has plans to ask Indian Army to construct roads in the village.


http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOICG/2007/08/15/TOICG_2007_8_15_2.pdf

Poor condition of martyrs’ graves-Fazilka

Anilehs Mahajan TNN

Asafwala Sadqi Indo-Pak Border (Ferozepur): The country has entered the sixty first year of its freedom, but after seeing the condition of the graveyard in village Sainia it seems that the nation has forgotten those who laid their lives for its security. Most of them Christians belonging to north east and a few Muslims from south India, these heroes lost their lives in 1965 and 71 wars.

The condition is so bad that TOI with the help of a social activist Roshan Lal Jain had to clear up the tablets which read the epitaph of the buried. Graves were littered with mud and cow dungs and were covered with grass. Only three soldiers belonging to 3 Assam Rifles could be identified, rest eight were impossible to be identified. A few kilometres away the memorial for Hindu and Sikh soldiers along with four Muslims of the Horse Riders Regiment (Ashvarohi) is well kept and is one of the tourist attractions. The three tablets identify Sepoy Jong Bhadur, Naik K Talawara and F Hrangziki. They were killed in 1971 war. This unconcern is also creating unrest in the Army as in Punjab most of the families have ties with defence forces and have a major presence in the Indian Army. Meanwhile, Major General (retired) Amarjit Singh Kahlon said it’s time that we should undo the damage done to the national pride. The regiment of these personnel should come up and act, he added. According to the records, in this sector 4 Jat lost 69 soldiers, 15 Rajput lost 70, 3 Assam lost 39 and others 28, out of them names of 10 martyrs are missing. These are the graves of those soldiers.

A few years back local social activists tried to raise the issue but the administration did not encourage them. ‘‘We informed the district administration but nothing has been done yet,’’ said Jain. Former Army Chief General (retired) VP Malik said this is a matter of national shame. “It does not matter where soldier died and what’s his background, citizens of the country should act responsibly and maintain the graves,’’ said the General. In British era there was a war grave commission, but now there is no such provision, Malik added. “It is the responsibility of local administration to maintain the graveyard,” he added.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOICG/2007/08/21/TOICG_2007_8_21_2.pdf

Fazilka Song by Dr Hapreet Singh, HOD, Department of E & C, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA

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सारे जहाँ से अच्छा है फाजिल्का हमारा,हम सभी हैं इस के वासी,यह बंगला हमारा,

इस शहर से हे सीखा, इंसानियत को प्यार करना ,मंदिर मस्जिद इस के, इस का हे गुरुद्वारा,

बाधा की झील प्यारी , और फूल बाघ इस के, आंखों में बस गया है, घंटा घर से नज़ारा,

दुनिया की आंखों में है, यह ऊन का व्यापारी,पंजाब राजस्थान पकिस्तान हरियाणा का यह जंक्शन हमारा,

विद्या जी इस से सीखी, दुनिया के काम लाना , सारे जहाँ मे रोशन इस का है अब सितारा,

सारे जहाँ से अच्छा फाजिल्का हमारा,हम सभी हैं इस के वासी,यह बंगला हमारा,
इस शहर से हे सीखा, इंसनिअत को प्यार करना ,मंदिर मस्जिद इस के, इस का हे गुरुद्वारा,

कुर्बानी अमर इस कि, इस की महिमान निवाजी , यह घर है प्यारा प्यारा,यह बंगला न्यारा।

By Prof. (Dr.) Harpreet Singh

Department of E & C,

Wayne State University,

Detroit, USA

Ek Bangla Bane Nyaara....Love Fazilka

This movie define the beauty of Fazilka. A Small Indian township near Indo Pak Border. Celebrating the spirit of togetherness

First Short Movie on Fazilka : "Ek Bangla Bane Nyaraa"

Posting here the link of my first short movie about our very own city "FAZILKA". Title of this movie is "एक बंगला बने न्यारा" (Ek Bangla Bane Nyara). In this movie I have tried to highlight different phases of beauty and style our city . I am sure you people will appreciate my first attempt. My aim behind this short movie is to keep the spirit of being Fazilite always high and especially for the Fazilite who are living away from Fazilka. So Fazilites, enjoy the movie; duration of this short movie is 9:45 minutes. This is fist cut and I need to add more details about souvenir of our city like our Tosha, Vange, and Tilla Jutti., Vaan and Mureh followed by problems of our city. Your comments are invited on this; please spare your time to watch this. Remember, keep the speaker on while watching, enjoy the backgroud music:-)

URL of Movie at Youtube is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps-QAD3_qmE
Graphic Design of the Movies is by Fazilite Gaurav Chopra
Digital Support and Screenplay : Fazilite Falak Angi, Studio Falak, Fazilka

Let the world should know what Fazilites are

Thanks

Proud Fazilite

Navdeep Asija

PS : Your valuable comments and review are very important to make it better. Pls dont mind spelling mistake at 2-3 places

Fazilite Opened United States Senate Session with Hindu prayers for the first time

Washington DC, USA: History was created today when Rajan Zed, Hindu chaplain from Reno, Nevada, opened the session of United States Senate here today with Gayatri Mantra from Rig-Veda, the oldest Hindu text composed around 1,500 BCE. According to reports, this was the first Hindu prayer ever delivered on the Senate floor since its formation in 1789.With his wife Shipa Zed watching from VIP Gallery of the Senate, he sprinkled few drops of water around the podium from Ganges River of India, which is considered holy in Hinduism and is used in the prayers, before the start of the Senate prayer. After Senator Robert P. Casey of Pennsylvania introduced Zed, three protesters in the visitor’s gallery tried to disrupt the prayer and were arrested. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, thanked Zed for the prayers and added that Gandhi was his hero.

People of Fazilka, a town of southwestern Punjab in India, have announced celebrations on July 12, which will include fireworks (at the same time as prayer is read in the Senate), hawan, fluttering of "Om" flags on rooftops, free langar (community lunch) in local Hanuman Temple, Ramayan Path (recitation), etc., in honor of Rajan Zed, who has worked in this town as Public Relations Officer for the Indian State of Punjab. The prestigious high school of the area, Sarvhitkari Vidya Mandir, has decided to honor Zed during his next visit. According to Lila Dhar Sharma, an area Hindu leader, the whole region is very thrilled by knowing that ancient Hindu scriptures will be read in the US Senate for the first time. Dharam Loonaa, a journalist activist in Zed's prayer included recitations from Brahadaranyakopanisad and Tattiriya Upanisad. Reading from third chapter of Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), the famous philosophical and spiritual poem often considered the epitome of Hinduism, he urged Senators to strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world, performing their duties with the welfare of others always in mind, because by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. May they work carefully and wisely, guided by compassion, and without thought for themselves, he added. Sporting saffron colored robe, rudraksh mala, sandal paste tilak, and Hare Ram Hare Krishan inscribed yellow shawl, he ended his prayers with the last mantra of Rig-Veda and his concluding line was "Peace, Peace, Peace be unto all", which is the English translation of "Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti." Although Zed wanted to recite the mantras in Sanskrit, Senate Chaplain's Office communiqué clearly stated, "It must be given exclusively and entirely in the English language."

The announcement of history making Hindu prayer created stir across the globe.and thrilled India where English, Hindi, and other regional languages media extensively covered it. Zed's unlisted phone and e-mail saw unusual activity during the last few weeks. City of Reno issued a proclamation to Zed during the City Council meeting on July five where Mayor Robert Cashell presented him with a plaque and declared July 05,2007, "as a day to recognize Rajan Zed" and "encourage all citizens to congratulate Rajan Zed on his latest professional accomplishment" mentioning the July 12 Senate prayer in the proclamation. Reno Police Chief, Michael Poehlman, presented him with "Chief'sCertificate of Commendation" on July 09 to recognize his good works in “promoting peace and tranquility for all, regardless of race or faith" and to commend him for continuing his work in promoting interfaith dialogue. Various other organizations in India and US are planning to honor him in the future. Chandigarh, when heard the news, immediately rushed to local Ganesh Temple to pray for its success. Besides Hindus, various Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Sikh media has carried the news, including Pakistan Christian Post, World Sikh News, Christian Post, etc. Blogs, with differing viewpoints, have flooded various sites. Lines from various blogs include "…Senate will break a new ground on religious diversity on July 12…", "strange but true", "…That is the nicest news God has given us for a long time…". Website of Institute for Public Affairs, public policy arm of the nation's largest Orthodox Jewish organization, commented, "…here's something noteworthy and positive…". Many were surprised to know that Senate had opening prayers. Harish Nevatia, an engineer in Mumbai, India, wrote in the blog "suite 101", "…When this event was reported in the Indian media, it evoked surprise and even shock. Religious prayers are not allowed in Indian Parliament and government events, because of the secular nature of the government…Another reason why this event has surprised many Indians, especially those of the younger generation, is that Indian society is slowly moving away from its original culture and adopting the culture of the west symbolized by MTV andMcDonalds. Hence the interest that Hinduism, with its ancient heritage, is creating in the west is something of a conundrum to many." Shiva Vishnu Temple of Lanham, Maryland, has invited Zed on July 12 evening to honor him for the feat. Dr. Nigel Subramaniam Siva, one of the Trustees of Murugan Temple of America, says, "This is a great moment in history for all Hindus."

Dr. Vedanand Thakur, retired trauma orthopedic surgeon from Lumberton, North Carolina, sent Zed congratulations "for this rare and great achievement for all of us" in his ten page note, besides sending letters to senators Edward Kennedy and Hilary Clinton concerning this event. Ishani Chaudhary, Executive Director of Hindu American Foundation of Kensington, Maryland, called it "a wonderful and momentous occasion." Sujata Shankar, Joint Secretary of the World Peace Centre of Maharashtra, India, in an e-mail to Zed, said, "You have rightly lit the lamp at the right time at the right place." Ann Shannon, President of Lokenath Divine Fellowship in Portland, Oregon, stated, "…it is a profoundly encouraging event…" Raghunandan Sharma, a community activist from Lorton, Virginia, and his wife Anita Sharma, remarked that it was a day of pride for all Americans in general and Indo-Americans in particular.

Various Hindu leaders of from Fazilka, like Liladhar Sharma, Atma Ram Kamboj, Jagdish Kataria, as well organizations like Sadhu Ashram Sabha, Seva Bharati, Bharat Vikas Parishad, were thrilled to know about this event and sent offers of whole-hearted support to Zed.Rajan Zed states that more inclusive understanding of religion is needed. Bhagavad-Gita says (7:21)—whatever form (of the Divine) any devotee with faith wishes to worship, I make that faith of his steady. The challenge is for us all to learn to live together with our seriously different traditions, not only in peace but in some sort of trust and mutual loyalty. Existence of different faiths is positively willed by God, as a sign of God's bountifulness. We are all looking for the truth. With the help of dialogue, we shall attempt to overcome prejudices, caricatures, and stereotypes.

About thirteen percent of the world's population is Hindu. Currently there are about 800 Hindu religious centers in the United States of America, concentrated in California, New York, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey. Hinduism in North America began in 1830s with Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau studying Hindu scriptures like Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita. Vivekananda made a strong impression at World's Parliament of Religion in Chicago in 1893 and he then founded Vedanta Society, Protap Chunder Mozoomdar of Brahmo Samaj delivered his first American address on September 02, 1883 in Concord, Massachusetts.

When Zed delivered the first Hindu prayer in Nevada State Assembly and Nevada State Senate in March and May last, many clergy from various Christian denominations attended the prayers as a gesture of support for him. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has no datablebeginning but some scholars put it around 3,000 BCE. It has no founder, no one authoritative figure, no one deity worshipped by all, an no single prophet or holy book. One of its scriptures, Mahabharata, is the longest poem ever written, comprising over 100,000 couplets.

Rajan Zed, besides being Director of Public Affairs and Interfaith Relations of Hindu Temple of Northern Nevada, is also Public Relations Officer of India Association of Northern Nevada, affiliated with World Congress of Faiths-London, listed in "Who's Who in America" 2006, volunteers as a chaplain in various hospitals of northwestern Nevada and nearby California, and is active in interfaith dialogue in the region. He lives in Reno with wife Shipa Zed, a community volunteer; son Navgeet Zed, recipient of Nevada Peacemaker of the Year award; and daughter Palkin Zed, an accomplished author of two published books.

According to US Senate website, "…Throughout the years, the United States Senate has honored the historic separation of Church and State, but not the separation of God and State…During the past two hundred and seven years, all sessions of the Senate have been opened with prayer, strongly affirming the Senate's faith in God as Sovereign Lord of our Nation…" Usually the Senate Chaplain delivers the opening prayer, but sometimes guest chaplains are invited from all over the country to read the prayer. According to a Senate Chaplain Office communiqué, the purpose of the opening prayer is to seek God on behalf of, and for the Senators and the prayer should affirm our rich heritage as a Nation "under God".US Senate shares with the US House of Representatives responsibility for all lawmaking but is given important powers under the "advice and consent” provisions of the Constitution besides adjudicating impeachment proceedings.

Punjab town uses relegion to fight against Global Warming

Fazilka Residents To Put Up Banners With Gurbani Teachings
Times of India, Chandigarh Edition, 28th June, 2007
Times News Network

Chandigarh: There is a “divine” initiative, coated with religious messages, coming from Fazilka, a small town in the border belt of Punjab, in aid of global fight against environmental warming. The Graduate Welfare Association of Fazilka (GWAF) has made flexi banners with Guru Nanak’s shabad (holy words) from Gurbani (Sikhs’ book of hymns by the Gurus). These banners would be placed in or around temples and gurdwaras in the town. The shabads state: “Pawan guru pani pita mat dharat mahat, diwas raat dui dai daiyan khele sagal jagat” and “rati ruti thiti var, pawan pani agani patal tus wich dharti thapi dharm saal.” In gist, it ask the followers to keep the earth and environment intact for healthy living and to preserve the health of earth as that of any other member of the family. ‘‘There are many small steps suggested in Gurbani which can have a magnified impact on the lives of people,’’ believed Navdeep Asija, head of GWAF, and brain behind the campaign. The religious angle was given, as the sub-division has a low literacy rate and people are religious-minded, he said. ‘‘It was meant to reach out to the masses,’’ Asija added. An alumnus of IIT Delhi, Asija is doing his bit in his hometown in Fazilka. It could be a small initiative here, but could set an example for the rest of the world to follow. ‘‘It is not a big trouble for Fazilka, but our effort will have a global impact,’’ Asija said. His group would be observing an environment fortnight and would host a seminar conducted by IIT Rurkee’s retired professor Bhupinder Singh soon. Asija told TOI that the group has also registered 56 Fazilka residents who have promised to revert back to bicycle to travel shorter distances and would use fuelrun vehicles only when required urgently. The banners also ask people to use bicycles instead of fuel-run vehicles, solar energy instead of combustible fuels, and refrain from overexploitation of natural resources. In Punjab, where most of the damage to the environment came from the use of chemical fertilisers, vehicular pollution and illegal constructions, these messages seem well placed, as small towns like Fazilka are rapidly picking up the pace of globalisation and of course pollution.

Sikhs hail campaign Asija’s ideas have been well taken by Sikh scholars across the state. ‘‘Most of the words/ideas in Gurbani are still relevant and have a lasting impact in the present context,’’ said a Sikh scholar. Most of the Sikh leaders these days are busy building and breaking relations with Dera, but SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar praised the slogans and said, “Sikh scriptures are well thought out and foresee possible threats to human lives.”

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/TOICG/2007/06/28/TOICG_2007_6_28_22.pdf
http://trilochankaur.blogspot.com/2007/06/punjab-town-uses-religion-to-fight.html