BADAL MOURNS THE
DEMISE OF NOTED US EDUCATED SIKH
SCHOLAR,
DR.KHARAK SINGH
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 7, 2008
Sham Sharma
Dr Kharak Singh, a Sikh scholar, passed away at Mohali today
after a prolonged illness. He was 86. He will be cremated tomorrow
at Mohali. Author of many books, Dr Kharak Singh, was a founder
member of the Institute of Sikh Studies. He also worked as adviser
in the FAO at Rome.
Dr Kharak Singh did doctorate in agriculture economics
from Ohio University in the USA. Dr Kharak Singh was
known as an authority on Sikhism. He was also convener of the
International Sikh Confederation. He is survived by his wife,
two sons and two daughters.
According to press report of Badal's office, Punjab Chief Minister
Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow
over the sad demise of the celeberated Sikh scholar Dr Kharak
Singh.
In a condolence message, Mr. Badal said that Dr Kharak Singh
was an Institution in himself and would be remembered by one and
all for his outstanding services towards Sikh scholary works and
research studies. In his death a void has been created in the
Sikh intellectual and literary circles which was difficult to
be filled.
Mr. Badal also shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members
of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace
to the departed soul and give strength and courage to them to
bear this irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal
also mourned the death of Sikh scholar Dr. Kharak Singh and described
him as 'an authority on Sikhism'.
In Nov. 2006, according to Tribune report, "Don’t
politicise Akal Takht" he wrote"
He traced the history of Akal Takht. He said with constitution
of the SGPC in 1925, Akal Takht and its jathedar became subservient
to the SGPC administration. “This downward slide in the
image and role of Akal Takht and near absence of its underlying
all inclusive philosophy of Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Panth or
“piri and miri” has reached its nadir today with the
Akal Takht jathedar being a puppet in the hands of ruling political
party governing the SGPC and Akal Takht merely a paper tiger whose
edicts are being followed more in their breach than in compliance,”
he said. Giani Gurbachan Singh, Head Granthi, Sri Harmandar Sahib,
who inaugurated the seminar recommended that the spiritually and
intellectually strongest person among the Sikhs should occupy
the seat of the Jathedar of Akal Takht in the tradition of Guru
Hargobind who appointed Bhai Gurdas as the first jathedar of Akal
Takht.
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR STATE LEVEL TALENT
SEARCH EXAMINATION
Chandigarh Aug 7, 2008
State institute of Science Education (SCERT) Punjab, would conduct
the State Level Talent Search Examination for the Year 2008-09
on 16-11-08 to select 95 students from class 8th in the state.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the education department
said that National level Examination would be conducted by NCERT
New Delhi in May 2009. Students studying in 8th Class in State
Govt, Kendriya Vidyalyas, Navodaya Vidalyas or any other type
of recognized, affiliated schools situated in Punjab, securing
minimum 70% marks for general category and 55 % marks for SC/ST/Physically
challenged students in 7th class annual examination, annual examination
would be eligible. The medium of examination would be Punjabi/English.
He added that there would be two question papers Mental Ability
Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for 90 marks each.
Time would be 90 minutes for each paper. Under SAT there are seven
subjects namely Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, History, Geography,
Civics.
All these seven subjects are compulsory. He further added that
admission forms could be down loaded from the website www.punjabeducation.gov.in.
The Admission forms duly filled in and complete in all respects
should reach the Principal of the school (center) as given in
the admission form by 30.8.08. Where examination center in the
concerned District is situated. No forms/ request would be entertained
at the State Institute of Science Education, Punjab, and Chandigarh.
It is necessary for the candidate belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled
tribe Category to attach the attested copy of the certificate
regarding reserved caste issued by SDM/Tehsildar with the admission
form. There would be 3% reservation for Physically challenged
candidates i.e 1% for each namely hearing, physically, impaired
and visually challenged irrespective of caste category (General,
SC, ST) Candidates belonging to physically challenged category
must attach one attested copy of certificate issued by the competent
authority stating that the child suffer from 40% or more as per
the PWD Act, 1995 disability and that the disability is of permanent/temporary
nature. The candidate would be considered in general category
if the above permanent/temporary nature. The candidate would be
considered in general category if the above-mentioned certificate
does not reach up till 30-8-08 attached with the admission form.
No admission fee is charged for this examination.
EXPRESSION OF INTREST FOR DESTINATION
BRAND IMAGE PUNJAB
Chandigarh august 7, 2008
Keeping in view to take advantage of rich cultural heritage and
natural resources, as well as the opening up of international
air gateways through Amritsar and (shortly) Chandigarh and its
relatively close proximity to the Greater Delhi Conurbation, Punjab
needs to design and communicate a destination brand image on which
it would build its future product development and marketing strategies
and actions.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that the
Punjab Tourism Department invites applications from well established
and professional and brand development agencies to assist in the
preparations of a Destination Punjab Brand Image. For further
details to know minimum technical requirements and other clarifications,
contact Archives Bhawan Plot No-3 Sector 38-A Chandigarh, Email
phtpb@rediffmail.com
MOBILE HEALTH FACILITIES FOR RURAL PUNJAB
Chandigarh August 7, 2008
Shikha Nehra
In order to provide better health care facilities in rural areas,
the Punjab government has launched a special scheme under National
Rural Health Mission Programme in which one fully equipped mobile
van would be provided to each district.
Disclosing this here today, Prof.Lakshmi Kanta Chawla Health
and Family Welfare Minister Punjab said that to initiate this
scheme one such van has been sent to District Mansa while remaining
districts would be covered under this scheme by 15th of August
2008. She further said that each mobile van costing Rs.37 Lakh
would be fully equipped with medicines, labs facilities etc. and
other required material along with medical and Para medical staff.
The patients would be examined there and then and provided with
the medicines on the spot besides this malaria and other routine
blood tests would also be conducted in mobile vans. Patients suffering
from serious ailments would be referred to nearby hospitals.
Reiterating Punjab government's resolve to provide excellent
and affordable health care facilities to the people at their doorsteps,
the Minister said that these mobile vans would be closely monitored
by the senior officers of the department so that the public could
not be inconvenienced.
PUNJAB ALL SET TO EXPLORE IT POTENTIAL
OF TIER II AND III CITIES
Chandigarh August 7, 2008
Punjab would soon explore the IT potential of Tier II and III
cities like Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Bathinda as a long
term strategy after witnessing IT sector's impressive growth as
a cluster in Mohali in recent years.
The Government of Punjab today reached this consensus after
a high level meeting with top decision makers from the IT industry,
who are in Chandigarh to participate in e-Revolution 2008. The
breakfast meeting was hosted by the Government of Punjab and was
attended by several key ministers and other senior officials from
the Government. The meeting witnessed a very high level of participation
from noted CEOs and regional heads of top IT companies, including
organisations such as Dell, Infosys, QAI, Sopra, IDS, Annik Technology
Services, and Mobera System, among others. Also present at the
meeting was Mr. Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman, NASSCOM and Global
Head, Zensar Technology.
To convey the Punjab leadership's strong commitment to the cause
of the IT sector, the meeting was attended by Minister for Industries,
Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Minister for IT, Sardar Adaish Pratap Singh
Kairon and Minister of Finance, Sardar Manpreet Singh Badal, alongwith
the Chief Secretary, Mr. R.I. Singh besides the presence of Principal
Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Secretary, Housing &
Urban Development and Secretary, IT.
The industry leaders endorsed the State's holistic strategy to
create a favourable ecosystem for IT, which focuses on the four
pillars of infrastructure, human resources, policy framework and
investor relations. The formation of a core IT Vision Group for
the State of Punjab was also discussed at the forum. NASSCOM Chairman,
Mr. Ganesh Natarajan came out in strong support of such an initiative
and said that NASSCOM will provide all necessary facilitation
for the setting up of such a group which would meet at regular
intervals and drive the agenda for growth in the region
The 11 member delegation from industry then participated in an
open house discussion over breakfast, sharing their views on how
they see Punjab emerging as a significant player on the national
scene, with Mohali's impressive growth as a cluster in recent
years. They also supported the view that the Government of Punjab
should explore the IT potential of Tier II and III cities like
Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Bathinda as a long term strategy.
The industry participants strongly approved the State's pro-active
initiatives to develop world class infrastructure and human resources
in the State – the new IIT at Ropar, Knowledge City at Mohali
and Convention Centre in Mohali, key among them. Recent policy
initiatives which include the Super Mega Industrial Park Policy,
Industrial Facilitation Act, deemed approval for projects and
online submission of forms, were all believed to send out positive
signals to the investor community.
The Industry Minister, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, invited industry
to come and explore various locations in Punjab, including Kapurthala
which is being developed as a focal point, with an emphasis on
IT. The IT Minister, Mr., Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon, also assured
the industry leaders present in the room of extending whole hearted
support from the State Government to ensure that the IT sector
grows and prospers in Punjab. He requested leaders in the room
to reach out regularly to the Government with their feedback and
perspective. The meeting concluded with a strong message to industry
from the Finance Minister, Sardar Manpreet Singh Badal. He said
that "The Government of Punjab is keen to succeed in IT at
any cost. We should also see that no child is left behind, and
the benefit of IT industry trickles down to everybody in the State."
The purpose of the interaction was to initiate an informal discussion
with leaders from the IT industry and obtain their perspective
on the roadmap Punjab needs to chart out for the growth of the
IT sector in the State. A key objective of the Government was
also to set the course for a future dialogue with industry and
co-opt them as a stakeholder in Punjab's IT success.
The one hour conclave, started with a brief welcome note from
the Chief Secretary, Mr. RI Singh and a presentation on "Punjab's
Strategic Roadmap for IT/ITeS Investment" by Ernst &
Young's Partner and National Government Advisory Head, Mr. Utkarsh
Palnitkar.
PUNJAB CONSTITUTES DISTRICTS PLANNING
COMMITTEES
Chandigarh August 7, 2008
Punjab Government has decided to constitute District Planning
Committees in all the 20 districts. These Committees have been
constituted in pursuance of the 74th amendment of the Constitution
of India.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab Government said
that the members of the District Planning Committees vary from
15 to 40 depending upon the population of the district. Fatehgarh
Sahib, Faridkot, Nawan Shahar, Mansa, Kapurthala, Muktsar, Moga,
Mohali, Ropar, Tarn Taran and Barnala will have 15 members each,
Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Patiala, Jalandhar and Sangrur
will have 24 members each and the remaining 3 districts Gurdaspur,
Ludhiana and Amritsar will have 40 members each. 80% of these
members would be elected from amongst the members of Zila Parishads
and members of Municipal Bodies. Remaining 20% of the members
would be nominated by the State Government from amongst the MLAs
and other persons.
The spokesman further said that the chairman of the District
Planning Committee will also be nominated by the Punjab Government
from amongst the elected or nominated members of the District
Planning Committee. The Deputy Commissioner would be the ex-officio
Member Secretary of the Committee.
The District Planning Committee would prepare draft district
development plan and prioritise the schemes and programmes to
be implemented in the district. The Committee would also monitor
and review the progress of projects. The Deputy Commissioners
have been asked to hold elections for the District Planning Committees
by 25/8/2008. Once these Committees are constituted, the existing
District Planning & Development Boards would cease to function,
the spokesman added.
