Fazilite Honored in US : Vinod Gupta’s work with homeless honored by City

IDOT PRO TECH SPREADS PEACE IN SPRINGFIELD
Vinod Gupta’s work with homeless honored by City

Vinod Gupta’s personal philosophy is that we are all born debtors and spend our lives repaying that debt. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it paraphrases one of the most famous of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes – “we are debtors all our lives and thus for ever bound to serve the universe.”

“Vinnie” Gupta has read volumes about the spiritual leader of his native India and proudly admits that Gandhi’s ideologies guide him. The IDOT Pro Tech has been a well known figure at Helping Hands homeless shelter in Springfield for years as well as at the Springfield Overflow Shelter run by the Salvation Army. His work at the latter earned him a special recognition by Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin who thanked him for his “tireless dedication” in volunteering.

“I was surprised by the award,” said Gupta. “I enjoy serving meals and talking with the people staying at the shelter.” Archie Ford is the director of the Salvation Army in Springfield and said volunteers like Gupta are the reason the Shelter can survive.

“In the last four years, we’ve had to purchase about three meals ourselves, thanks to the volunteers,” said Ford. That’s saying a lot, Ford says, considering the Shelter houses between 40 and 60 people every night between November and March.

“He is truly what I would call a champion for the homeless,” said Brenda Johnson, executive director of Helping Hands, where Gupta serves meals twice a month and regularly emails her with praise and encouragement. “He tells me we are doing God’s work. He sees his contribution as what he should be doing as a human.”

For Gupta, it’s all in a day’s work, except that day doesn’t start until he’s finished his own job at IDOT. The Operations

Coordinator review excess land plats and right-of-way plans for local roads projects utilizing federal funds. He coordinates the environmental process for contaminated parcels, reviews requests for prequalifying consultants, and more.

Born in Fazilka, India, he came to the U.S. with his wife, Anjna, in 1995. The two were college students at the University of Iowa, where Gupta graduated with a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. Their two sons have followed their father’s example of public service. Rohit lives and works in India and Sundeep is a doctor with the Centers for Disease Control, working with HIV patients in Uganda.

Gupta is proud of his sons and has a bit of advice to other young people. “Spend less time on TV and video games and, instead, try to help people,” said Gupta. “There is no greater joy than cheerfulness. Even on your deathbed, you can serve by offering a smile.”

aluuc.org/uploads/Newsletterweb_October2008.pdf

Fazilite Honoured in US : Vinod Gupta’s work with homeless honored by City

IDOT PRO TECH SPREADS PEACE IN SPRINGFIELD

Vinod Gupta’s work with homeless honored by City

Vinod Gupta’s personal philosophy is that we are all born debtors and spend our lives repaying that debt. If it sounds familiar, that’s because it paraphrases one of the most famous of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes – “we are debtors all our lives and thus for ever bound to serve the universe.”

“Vinnie” Gupta has read volumes about the spiritual leader of his native India and proudly admits that Gandhi’s ideologies guide him. The IDOT Pro Tech has been a well known figure at Helping Hands homeless shelter in Springfield for years as well as at the Springfield Overflow Shelter run by the Salvation Army. His work at the latter earned him a special recognition by Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin who thanked him for his “tireless dedication” in volunteering.

“I was surprised by the award,” said Gupta. “I enjoy serving meals and talking with the people staying at the shelter.” Archie Ford is the director of the Salvation Army in Springfield and said volunteers like Gupta are the reason the Shelter can survive.

“In the last four years, we’ve had to purchase about three meals ourselves, thanks to the volunteers,” said Ford. That’s saying a lot, Ford says, considering the Shelter houses between 40 and 60 people every night between November and March.

“He is truly what I would call a champion for the homeless,” said Brenda Johnson, executive director of Helping Hands, where Gupta serves meals twice a month and regularly emails her with praise and encouragement. “He tells me we are doing God’s work. He sees his contribution as what he should be doing as a human.”

For Gupta, it’s all in a day’s work, except that day doesn’t start until he’s finished his own job at IDOT. The Operations

Coordinator review excess land plats and right-of-way plans for local roads projects utilizing federal funds. He coordinates the environmental process for contaminated parcels, reviews requests for prequalifying consultants, and more.

Born in Fazilka, India, he came to the U.S. with his wife, Anjna, in 1995. The two were college students at the University of Iowa, where Gupta graduated with a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. Their two sons have followed their father’s example of public service. Rohit lives and works in India and Sundeep is a doctor with the Centers for Disease Control, working with HIV patients in Uganda.

Gupta is proud of his sons and has a bit of advice to other young people. “Spend less time on TV and video games and, instead, try to help people,” said Gupta. “There is no greater joy than cheerfulness. Even on your deathbed, you can serve by offering a smile.”

---

IDOT : Illinois Department of Transportation, USA

Reference: aluuc.org/uploads/Newsletterweb_October2008.pdf

Fazilite Mr Vinod Gupta is a Son of First MBBS doctor of Fazilka Mr Brajlal Aggarwal

फ्लाईओवर निर्माण संबंधी सूचना देर से देने का कड़ा नोटिस

फाजिल्का-फाजिल्का में बनाए जा रहे फ्लाईओवर के निर्माण संबंधी सूचना देर से देने के मामले में राज्य सूचना आयोग ने कड़ा नोटिस लेते हुए प्रदेश के पीडब्ल्यूडी (बीएंडआर) को जुर्माना लगाया है। उसने दो दिसंबर तक पुन: पेशी पर उपस्थित होकर जुर्माना भरने अथवा देरी का जायज कारण बताने का आदेश दिया है।

उल्लेखनीय है कि यहां के युवा इंजीनियर नवदीप असीजा ने आरटीआई एक्ट के तहत चार अक्टूबर, 2007 को फाजिल्का में फ्लाईओवर के निर्माण संबंधी जानकारी विभाग से मांगी गई थी। असीजा के अनुसार, उनको शक था कि जनता से ज्यादा टोल टैक्स वसूलने के लिए पुल का निर्माण कर रही चेतक कंस्ट्रक्शंस कंपनी पुल को जरूरत से ज्यादा लंबा बना रही है। आमतौर पर फ्लाईओवर की लंबाई साढ़े छह सौ मीटर होती है, लेकिन कंपनी ढाई सौ मीटर ज्यादा लंबा पुल बनाना चाहती है। पुल का निर्माण भले ही प्राइवेट कंपनी करवा रही है, लेकिन उसके निर्माण व मानकों की देखरेख की जिम्मेदारी पीडब्ल्यूडी (बीएंडआर) की है। कंपनी ने मांगी गई सूचना से घबराकर एक साल तक सूचना देने के बजाय सीधे ही पुल का निर्माण शुरू कर दिया। यहां तक कि उसने रेलवे से लिखित अनुमति भी नहीं ली, क्योंकि फ्लाईओवर का कुछ हिस्सा रेलवे की जमीन में पड़ता है।

इंजीनियर असीजा ने बताया कि पुल के नक्शे बाबत भी उन्होंने विभाग से सूचना मांगी थी, ताकि पता चल सके कि पुल के रास्ते शहर में प्रवेश करने का रास्ता क्या होगा। अब जबकि पुल बनना शुरू हो गया है तो पता चला कि पुल बनने के बाद उसका फायदा सिर्फ शहर में प्रवेश न करने वाले वाहनों को होगा, क्योंकि पुल सीधा बनाया जा रहा है। उससे शहर में उतरने के लिए कोई ब्रांच नहीं निकाली जा रही है। इसके चलते शहरवासियों को पुल बनने का कोई फायदा होना तो दूर, बल्कि बिना पुल का प्रयोग किए ही उन पर साढ़े आठ रुपये टोल टैक्स लगना शुरू हो जाएगा।

असीजा ने बताया कि पुल सीधा बनाए जाने का पता चलने पर उन्होंने राज्य सूचना आयोग से पुन: शिकायत की तो आयोग के सूचना आयुक्त सुरेद्र सिंह ने

विभाग को 25 हजार रुपये जुर्माने के साथ मांगे गए नक्शे बिना फीस के ही देने का आदेश दिया है। उसने मामले की आगामी पेशी पर 25 हजार अदा करने या फिर सूचना में देरी का जायज कारण बताने का आदेश दिया है। दूसरी तरफ विभाग ने एक आदेश का पालन करते हुए नक्शे की प्रतियां इंजीनियर असीजा को भेज दी है।

127 सरहदी गांवों में नहीं जलते दीवाली के चिराग

फाजिल्का-वह गांव, कस्बा या शहर ही क्या जहां कोई व्यक्ति न रहता हो। यह हकीकत है कि प्रदेश में ऐसे 127 गांवों है, जिनमें कोई व्यक्ति नहीं रहता। इन गांवों की अपनी जमीन है, पानी की बारी है। यहां तक कि राजस्व रिकार्ड में भी इन गांवों के नाम व हदबंदी दर्ज है।

दरअसल राज्य के सरहदी जिलों फिरोजपुर, अमृतसर व गुरदासपुर के इन गांवों का आबादी वाला हिस्सा विभाजन के बाद तो पाकिस्तान के हिस्से चला गया और भारत के हिस्से सिर्फ कृषि योग्य जमीन ही आई।

आजादी से पहले सभी खुशहाल गांव थे। विभाजन ने उन्हे ऐसे मोड़ पर लाकर खड़ा किया कि वहां आज तक दीवाली पर दीये नहीं जलाए गए और न ही कोई दूसरा त्योहार ही मना।

इंडियन इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ टेक्नोलॉजी के रिटायर्ड प्रो. भूपेंद्र सिंह के अनुसार, विभाजन से पहले इन गांवों में काफी आबादी थी। वहां रक्षाबंधन, होली, दीवाली के साथ कई मेले भी लगते थे। विभाजन के बाद इन गांवों में दीये तो क्या, जलने के लिए लोगों के दिल भी नहीं है। भारत में इन गांवों को बेचिराग गांव कहा जाता है। इनमें फिरोजपुर के 39, अमृतसर के 13 और गुरदासपुर के 75 गांव शामिल हैं।

प्रो. सिंह ने बताया कि जब भारत-पाकिस्तान के विभाजन में हदबंदी करने के लिए रेड क्लिफ पहंचे तो हदबंदी के दौरान जनसंख्या वाले गांव पाकिस्तान में चले गए और कृषियोग्य जमीन भारत के हिस्से आ गई। यहां 1887 में अंग्रेजों द्वारा बनाया गया हदबस्त नंबर आज भी लागू है।

बेचिराग गांवों में फिरोजपुर जिले के खोखर, कंदर के, जीवनपुरा, मोहम्मद उस्मान, मोहम्मद इस्मान, गुलशाह, लक्खे हसली, लक्खे के हिठाड़, किल्ली, दोना सिकंदरी, बहक हस्ता हिठाड़, झंगड़ गज बख्सानी गांव इत्यादि शामिल है जो फाजिल्का सीमा में आते है।

The Spirit of Fazilka

Writer is a Guest Professor at IIT Delhi and Retired Prof from Mechanical Engineering Department IIT Delhi. He is also a Chairman of Hukmi Devi Pujara Trust and Practicing Acoustic Consultant.

If you have lived in Fazilka and then lived in other places,you tend to compare and only then realize that Fazilka has a distinct spirit.The overall impression is that there is a kind of harmony and integration of people.As in other towns , Fazilka has its own rich and poor,its own educated and uneducated,its own sophisticated and unsophiticated , but the distinction is that in Fazilka your group is not isolated from other groups.In the rich there is no special odour of richness.If there is any unlikely arrogance,it must be too deep to be seen or felt.Similarly the rural hinterland of Fazilka is in intimate and constant contact with the town and its people.

Another hallmark of the town is an intense desire to get education.I recently met a retired person of the town studying for a higher degree.He does not need it but he will still have it for his own satisfaction.And there have been always countless young people constantly improving their qualifications.

May be because of its proximity to the border Fazilka young men have always had fascination to get to the Army.The two Dhawan brothers who retired as Lt. Generals are only two outstanding examples.

Some names come to mind.Of course they will be different according to who remembers.I remember L. Sunam Rai ,the Gandhian idealist who would try to speak to the people into discipiline to promote cleanliness (not a hall mark of Fazilka inspite of the current efforts of Fazilka Graduates Association).I remember the more practical Congressman L. Nand Lal Soni who in earlier days helped Hindus in Okara to shift to India in 1947.They walked to Fazilka in a kafla starting Septembe 3 and reaching Fazilka on Sept 5,1947.In fact these refugees have been responsible for some present day characteristics of Fazilka.

I remember politician Hare Kishen Surjeet impressing the people with his oratory from the clock tower.He recited examples of his persecution by the Govt.Even as a school boy I could see that examples were always the same.Now I realize that revising lessons always helps in classrooms or outside.

I remember Headmaster M R Chopra of Govt High School who inspite of being in the Govt was able to spruce up the place.Teacher Harcharan Singh who made learning Hygiene & Physiology effortless because of his examples from real life.Master Ashwini Kumar whose handsome physical presence and oratory impressed me.I recently noticed that the Hons. Board of the fifties which had Harpreet Singh (now Prof in USA) on it as having demolished previous records including mine, was nowhere to be seen.Fazilka has history but a sense of history ,well, is a different matter.Are Bhupinder and Navdeep listening?Bhupinder was my classmate in school who preferred learning by writing .No wonder he wrote a poster on Enviroment for Pakistan and pushed it through the border on 2008 independence day through Sadki post.I remember athlete Nathaniel walking from his village on Bikaner Road side.

I remember Om Parkash Tarana who in his school days wrote afsanas in Urdu .These were published in Beeswin Sadi.I wonder where he is now.

I remember advocate Gokal Chand who spoke so kindly to school boys.Smart advocate Nand Lal Dhingra 's son Ashwini was my classmate.Once I went to his his house.The senior Dhingra brought a large jug of milk.I thought it was my duty to finish it single handedly.Sorry.

iiremember Ram Lal Angi who rose because of his extreme hard work.

While talking of sons of Fazilka, I have not ignored the daughters.I shall give an example to keep my narrative short.Once I was responsible for inviting eminent persons to speak to IIT Delhi students.I invited Jagdish Dhingra, a very successful engineer entrepreneur.He is only 4 years younger to me but carries the burden of having been briefly taught by me.He obliged.His lecture was indeed impressive and students wanted to know the secret of his success.Before I let him answer,I said the secret was that he married a girl from my town.As you can guess all the young man wanted the name of this town.

I remember Dr. Brij Lal who was the first MBBS doctor in town and his compounder who later set up his independent practice.He worked hard to send his brother out for specialisation in Opthalmology.Then there was Dr. Sadhu Ram the popular doctor and Dr. Mohan Singh the effective doctor.Dr. Mohan Singh's children are doing him great honour.

Fazilka has grown over years.Now it needs more organisation than ever before.

I might end this narrative by citing an example of thoughtfulness of Fazilka people.An old couple from the town went to the hills on a trip.Unfortunately the man died in the hill village and the villagers were thinking of buying supplies required for his last rites.The wife then told them that they always travelled with these supplies which were then used.Then after two more days the wife died and the villagers knew where to look.A great couple indeed!

Researching the name of this couple should be a rewarding exercise.

Prof Dr. K.K Pujara

M.D.(AM), Ph.D.(UK),FIE,MISME,FASI,MISTE,FSSI.
75,South Park,Kalkaji,
NEW DELHI 110019

Visit www.drspujara.com

Fazilka: Upcoming Energy Hub of Punjab

Fazilka: Many might not have even thought about this, but this small town confronted with political ignorance from the state government would now be able to regain its lost glory, all thanks to the new addition to its geography named, Energy. In future this town would be known as "Energy hub of Punjab". Something knowingly and unknowingly which had happened over the past five years is going to make this possible.

The border city of Fazilka first shot into prominence form a period of oblivion when it was selected as the first Asian town for adopting the best energy saving practices to fight against global warming by Czech Republic Magazine Magazine[1] "Carbuster" in its 32nd issue. The focus of the magazine centering around 'faith and environment' mentioned how in order to curb the effect of global warming, religious messages quoted in Sri Guru Granth Sahib were installed at various palces.

On the occasion of Fazilka heritage festival 2007, another feather got adorned in the cap of this city when Fazilka pioneereed and promoted the use of CFL lamps in the city. The entire CFL electric dealer decided to sell CFL on no profit and no loss basis[2].

Within a year of this biggest international recognition the U.S.-backed $3.5 billion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project deal signed in Pakistan got a fillip too. Infact it was on this historic day that the 10th steering committee of oil ministers from Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India agreed to start construction work on the much-delayed TAPI pipeline project in 2010. The pipeline which will be 1,420 mm in diameter will have a capacity of 33 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas annually to fulfill the energy needs of the country.

However, this is not where it ended all. After adopting best energy saving practices in all spheres of life, how could agriculture be ignored? And the answers to this speculation were put to rest with the setting up of first agriculture call centre[3] by a group of wise farmers of Fazilka where farmers could discuss their agriculture related problems to increase their profitability. To improve the condition of farmes further, another son of the soil, Mr Vikram Ahuja is credited with establishing the first agricultural equipment bank facility here. The bank provides state of the art international facility in the form of agriculture equipment like laser leveler, soil tensiometer especially for small farmers, who cannot afford to buy all these equipments. Malwa Water Management System developed by Mr Ahuja is going to save 7.5 billion liter of fresh water in agriculture.

Indian Defense forces have also played an important role in the prosperity of this town. Indian Army last year planted more than 10,000 trees along with the progressive farmers of this region, who also gifted more than 3000 'sheesham' samplings.

After agriculture, it was time to dare something new with the painstaking Transportation system. Fazilka showcased to the world a unique public transport system through the erstwhile cycle rickshaw[4]. This system was designed to promote the use of rickshaw as mode of public transport system, where the average trip length in the city is less than 3 km. Call centers were installed across the city to make rickshaw phone call away named ECOCABS. This concept was perfect amalgamation of tradition and digital empowerment which was indeed well taken by the rest of the world.

Within couple of years, citizen of this small town made thier importance on international map. This further attracted some global players when Moser Baer Photovoltaic Ltd[5] who in association with The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) made an announcement to install 5 MW solar energy plant in Fazilka.

Couple of years and India's smallest big town made its appearance in all the areas of energy saving like transportation, religion, agriculture, electric and solar energy. Indeed "where there is a will, there is way' can be at best suited to Fazilka and its people. While the government was busy developing a few cities of Punjab like Mohali, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar, this small township of backward region of Fazilka was being empowered by its residents setting new trends for many Indian cities who are still looking forward for help after independence from their state governments.

Edited By : Shivani Khanna

Chak 19 GD Haripur (Pakistan) -Fazilka Border Visit by Dr.K.K.Pujara

I was just 8 when in 1947 I with my parents had to leave our village Chak 19 GD Haripur in Okara, Pakistan. I lost everything including my friends and my colourful 'lattoos'. This resentment at being thrown out was suppressed because of struggles which like other refugees we had to undergo. Fortunately I was able to get good education. Sometimes I realize that my displacement was responsible for my increased awareness (among other factors) which made my higher education possible. Later in life, I had opportunities to interact with Pakistanis in various countries of the world and earlier resentment gave way to a desire to revisit my village or at least to know the present state of my village, my school and my house there. I knew the name of the village and that it was near Okara. I did not know how distant it was from Okara. I surfed the internet repeatedly and the only reference I could get was that it had a voter booth in its Govt primary School Chak 19 GD. No reference to Haripur. I was hooked on to get some picture of the village. I searched Haripur but the most known Haripur in Pakistan is elsewhere. Then it occurred to me that these chaks got established in the wake of irrigation canals in Okara. Then I searched irrigation canals in Okara. I was lucky. In the details of one of these channels there was a list of populated places in the vicinity. One of these places was Haripur. On clicking Haripur I could see Google satellite picture of the village. I could recognise the pond and the school and my house. What a great achievement and tribute to technology! I was greatly excited and a desire to talk to somebody in the village gripped me. I thought for many days to achieve this possible goal. I came across a website Yahoo Answers where you can ask questions and give answers. I asked appropriate questions and one Punjab da Jat gave me a mobile number where I could make enquiries. With great excitement I made a call and a kind old wise man answered. He told me about himself and that he was asked by a relation to answer my questions regarding my village. He was in an adjoining village. He invited me to go, stay with them. They would make me comfortable. Since then I have phoned him six times but my search to talk to a phone in my village could not be satisfied through this wise old man for whom I have developed great admiration. I have a great regard for school teachers. In villages they are the most informed people and ahead of other residents. I took a print of the satellite picture of the village and posted with it a letter to the Headmaster of the village. I did not know his name but after ten days a blank call was received. I immediately phoned him and we made a conversation very satisfying to me and I am sure to him. He verified that it was indeed the village I was looking for. He told me about himself, his family etc in the manner of a forthright Punjabi. I could hear children talking in the background and told him that I would call him in the evening. (The thought of sending toffees to these 170 children crossed my mind). This I did and he told me more about the village and about his brother who is to get married on Aug 24. Congratulations. Asaf Ali, BA, 30, Headmaster of my chak indeed impressed me. I told him that I am also a teacher and despatched to him by post a photo of the main building of IIT Delhi. He phoned to say he received it and said he liked it. A strong outcome of my quest for my village is the reinforcement of my belief that people on both sides of the line by Radcliff (May curse be on him!) are similar and everything should be done to satisfy their desire to enjoy their common cuture together. This belief of mine was further strengthened by my visit to the Fazilka border (recently on Aug 15) where people from the two sides of the border did their best to communicate in the no man land. As a modern unbiased man, I believe this communication can be further encouraged. At the border we must employ technology to enable people to communicate in dignity and enjoyment. Social interaction at the border can be televised live. In fact this offers a great opportunity waiting to be exploited by a dedicated channel. I mentioned this to the Indian DIG Border Security Force Sharma but then his chief concern is security. Others should come forward for other interests. He said this much and justifiably so. Both countries have made progress since independence. For many reasons India has advanced more in Technical Education. There is a talk of our setting up IIT like institutions in Middle East and Singapore. Why not in Pakistan? Advances in Technology are promoted by international interaction. India has gained by international interaction. And Pakistan also will. My old friend Dr. Bhupinder ex-Professor IIT Roorkee learns that Guru Nanak Trust in Pakistan (or such other organisation) is in a position to arrange land in Pakistan for an international university. India should help taking of course Pakistani sensitivities into account. People have talked of people to people interaction. All people are only grown (or overgrown) children. Asaf Ali Headmaster of my village in Pakistan would, I guess, like to interact with similar school here in Indian Panjab. Schools (and therefore children) in Indian Panjab and Pakistani Punjab must interact naturally. Then Radcliff (or whatever his name) would become irrelevant. Walls WILL come down. I would then be happier. I have talked above of my efforts to locate my village. I learnt from my further research that the kind person who referred me to the helpful mobile had in fact descended in some way from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Maharaja had married into the family which organised and commanded Nakai Misl. They were Jat Sikhs one of whom somewhere along the line had converted to Islam (thanks to the charms of a Muslim beauty). This Nakai family gave a chief minister to Pakistani Punjab in relatively recent times. The Maharaja and the chief minister obviously had some common genes. Some present Nakais are members of National and Provincial Assemblies. The governing experience it seems lasts quite a while. Even a nonbloodline Gandhi would testify to that. A sojourn in areas near my chak (yes, MY chak) should delight any intelligent tourist. The spirit of Heer and Ranjha should be alive. A German NGO is exporting locally made beautiful dolls. And there is Harappa! You can get a taxi from Okara to Chak 19 in two hundred rupees. Take me with you. I promise you a plot eminently suited for a Bollywood thriller. The local Raberas and Pirs will provide inexpensive but genuine and credible character actors. Any one?
Email: chak19@rediffmail.com

KK Pujara
http://www.centralchronicle.com/20080910/1009305.htm