Punjabi divas celebrations in Punjab
Chandigarh November 16:
Mrs. Surinder Kaur Badal wife of Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Parkash
Singh Badal said that it was a matter of pride that the Punjab government
has determined to actively pursue the implement the use of mother
tongue in other Punjabi speaking states as a second language and
give it due status as a second language.
Presiding over a Punjabi Divas celebration day organised here at
Shivalak Public School last night, she called upon the Punjabi diaspora
settled in India and abroad to promote Punjabi language and culture
in a big way. "It is our moral and social obligation to work
together to glorify our rich cultural and heritage," she added.
Congratulating the Language department for organising week long
Punjabi divas celebrations in Punjab, she emphasised the need to
strengthen the bonds of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat through organising
such seminars and conferences outside Punjab also.
Speaking on the occasion of Punjabi Divas celebrations here today,
Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Education and Languages Minister, Punjab, said
that for the preservation, promotion and optimum use of Punjabi
language and to accord the mother tongue its due status in the state,
the Punjab Government would act tough in the form of legal/departmental
action with educational institutions, officials, bureaucrats, employees
etc. if they fail to comply with the directives enshrined in the
recently amended Punjabi Language Act.
The Minister categorically said that State Language and Education
departments would initiate harsh steps against non-users of Punjabi
language in their office work as well as in the schools, colleges
and universities. The SAD-BJP government was committed to ensure
the implementation of use of Punjabi language in the government
offices at all levels, she added.
Presenting a thanks vote to the chief guest Mrs. Surinder Kaur
Badal the Minister said that the motive of the week-long celebrations
was to promote Punjabi language and culture as well as to create
interest among the new generation in mother tongue and to acquaint
them with rich Punjabi culture. She said that it was good to learn
other languages but not at the cost of one's mother tongue.
The Languages Minister said that the bold steps had to be taken
to implement the compulsory use of mother tongue as present generations
were going away from their rich culture and tradition. "It
is unfortunate that people settled abroad are keen to adopt and
preserve the rich heritage of Punjab, while our own generations
here feel inferior while using their mother-tongue. I am sure our
future generations will be indebted to Chief Minister Punjab Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal for initiating this step," she said.
Expressing concern at the falling standard of Punjabi language,
art and culture, the Minister said that neighbouring states of Haryana,
Himachal, U.T Chandigarh, Rajsthan, New Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir
had turned a blind eye towards accepting Punjabi as a second language.
She pointed out that undoubtedly English was universally accepted
as a link language and Hindi was the national language and we should
give due recognition to both these languages, but not at the cost
and status of our mother tongue.
She lamented that the Punjabi language continued to be denied its
due recognition as an official language of the UT Chandigarh which
was settled on the 30,000 acres of land belonging to Punjab after
uprooting 28 Punjabi speaking villages of the state but it is miserable
that the 'babus' of Chandigarh had accorded the status of second
language to English after Hindi.
On the occasion noted writer Dr. Ravinder Ravi attended the function
as a special invitee. Bhai Baldeep Singh Delhi and Dr. Alankar Singh
Uppal recited the shabads in ragas and Dr. Madan Gopal enthralled
the audience with sufi gazals. Among others Mrs. Anjali Bhawra Secretay
Higher Education and Languages, Mr. Rahul Bhandari DC, Mr. Jatinder
Singh Aulakh SSP, Mrs. Raghbir Kaur Khaira SDM, Mrs. Balbir Kaur
Director Languages and Dr. Gulzar Singh Sandhu were also present.
Guru
Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji celebrated at Sukhbir Singh
Badal's resident
Chandigarh . 15 November 2008
Celebration of Guru Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was held here
at the residence of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal
President with full religious fervors enthusiasm and gaiety at New
Delhi on Friday.
Hundreds of devotees from different walks of life attended the
day long progrmme of Shabad Kirtan (Gurbani recitation) performed
by the eminent Huzari Ragi Jathas of Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar on
the occasion. A community kitchen (Langar) was also organized on
the occasion which was served by Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal, alongwith
his family members to the devotes.
Prominent among others who joined the commemoration of Guru Purb
of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji included Mrs.Kamla Advani,wife of Mr..L.K.Advani,
leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Mr.Bhairon Singh Shekhawat,former
Vice President of India, Mr.Om Parkash Singh Chautla, former Chief
Minster of Haryana, former Union Law Minister Mr. Arun Jaitely,
and Member Parliament and In charge Punjab BJP affairs Mr.Balbir
Punj, Mr.Avtar Singh Makkar President SGPC, Mrs. Maneka Gandhi,
former Union Minister, Mr.Bikram Singh Majithia Information and
Public Relations Minister Punjab Mr. Tarlochan Singh M.P. Mr.Prem
Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary SAD, Mr. Ajay Chautala, and
Mr. Guljar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry Minister Punjab Mrs. Mohinder
Kaur Josh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Education, Mr.Avtar Singh
Hit, former President DSGMC, Mr.Manjinder Singh Sirsa President
Delhi Youth (SAD) Delhi.Mr.Maninderjit Singh Bitta, President Anti
Terrorist Front. Besides the party leaders and workers of SAD-BJP
and member of SGPC were also attended the function.
On the occasion Mr. Avtar Singh Makkar, President Shiromani Gurduwara
Parbhandak Committee presented Siropas to Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal,
President SAD and Mr.Bikram Singh Majithia Information and Public
Relations Minister Punjab.
UPINDERJIT KAUR CONDOLES THE DEATH JATHEDAR
NALEENI
Chandigarh November 15:
The Education and Languages Minister Punjab Dr. Upinderjit Kaur
today expressed deep sorrow at the sad demise of Jathedar Amar Singh
Naleeni who expired after brief illnesses.
In a condolence message the Education Minister described him as
leader of masses who tirelessly worked hard for the upliftment of
unprivileged sections of society. She said that with their death,
the state has been devoid of the services of dedicated leader whose
contribution for sikh panth would be remembered.
Expressing her heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved family Dr.
Upinderjit Kaur prayed to God to give peace to the departed soul
and strength in this difficult hour to bear this irreparable loss.
GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS OATH
OF OFFICE TO NEWLY
APPOINTED MEMBER OF PPSC, MR. MAHAL
CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 14
The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh,
Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM administered the oath of office,
secrecy and allegiance to the Constitution of India, to Mr. Dalbir
Singh Mahal as a Member of the Punjab Public ServiceCommission,
at a brief but impressive ceremony in the Banquet Hall ofPunjab
Raj Bhavan, here today.
Earlier, the Chief Secretary, Mr. R.I. Singh sought the permission
of the Governor to start the swearing-in-ceremony. Soon after being
sworn in, Mr. Dalbir Singh Mahal, signed the oath, counter-signed
by the Governor.
Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal along with his cabinet
colleagues and Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon
graced the occasion.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
Chairman, PPSC, Mr. S.K. Sinha, Revenue Minister, Mr. Ajit Singh
Kohar, Mr. Sital Singh and Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaiya (both Chief Parliamentary
Secretary), Mr. M.P. Singh, Secretary to Governor, Mr. Balwinder
SinghBhundar and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra (both senior Akali leaders)
besides many Legislators and senior civil and police officers. The
family members, friends and well-wishers of Mr. Mahal also attended
the ceremony.
MARGRET ALVA 'S ALLEGATIONS HAVE EXPOSED
THE REAL
FACE OF CONGRESS -MAJITHIA
Chandigarh, November 14
Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia , Patron Youth Akali Dal today said
that the allegations of Senior Congress Leaders like Mrs. Margret
Alva, Mr. Yogendra Makwana and Jallapa regarding big money changing
hands for securing election tickets has exposed the murky and real
face of Congress Party before the public.
In a statement issued here Mr. Majithia said that Senior leader
incharge of many states like Mrs. Margret Alva and other host of
leaders by stating the obvious regarding 'suitcase culture' prevalent
in Congress Party, have paid a heavy price for speaking truth in
a thorough corrupt Congress Party. Mr. Majithia said that people
of India can well visualise the behaviour of such Congress Leaders
in the Parliament who are securing tickets by paying hundreds of
crores.
He said thick skinned Congress instead of being apologetic or
ordering independent inquiry regarding allegations has tried to
silence her by expelling her from party posts. Mr. Majithia said
that Margret Alva 'S allegations have opened can of worms in Congress
as more and more leaders like Yogendra Makwana and host of others
have come out in open in accusing the party of taking big money
for distributing tickets and this has exposed the real face of Congress
party. He said that electorate is now crystal clear that if Congress
MP is elected by paying money to the party, he would suck their
blood for next five years.
Mr. Majithia said that right from Bofors, Jharkhand MP bribery
case, cash for vote in parliament case recently, open auction of
assembly ticket for Amritsar (South) seat has proved the fact that
Congress Party has become a professional party as far as issue of
corruption is concerned. He said that if things continued this way,
Congress Party may opt for a stock exchange to quote daily rate
of tickets during election season, making mockery of total electoral
system.
The YAD leader said that Congress known for its slogan "Garibi
Hatao" is focusing this slogan more on its leaders by alleviating
their poverty and fulfilling their lust for money rather than of
poor people by launching pro-poor programmes.
Giving a call to reject corrupt Congress Party Mr. Majithia said
that time has come that electorate should exercise their right to
vote by unseating Congress from Lok Sabha in ensuing Lok Sabha Election
and decimating Congress party from the electoral scene in ongoing
elections in six States.
PUNJAB TO PAY OVER RS 650 CRORES PADDY BONUS
TO 10 MILLION FARMERS BY ONLINE BANKING SYSTEM - KAIRON
Chandigarh, November 14
The Punjab Government has chalked out a comprehensive programme
to credit over Rs. 650 crores paddy bonus to more than 10 million
beneficiaries' farmers directly in their accounts by online banking
system.
Disclosing this here today Food & Civil Supplies Minister Adesh
Partap Singh Kairon said that he had observed that previously there
was an inordinate delay in making payment of bonus and sometimes
dispute also occurred and cases remained pending for years together.
To improve this system and to make immediate payment, it has been
decided to make bonus payment direct to the farmers account by online
banking system, he added.
He said that he had called a meeting of General Managers of all
leading banks of the State and advised them to open no-frill, zero-balance
accounts free of cost for farmers. More over banks have also agreed
to not to impose any condition of minimum balance in the accounts
of farmers. The lead banks of various districts of Punjab have taken
the responsibility for extending full co-operation for making bonus
payment to the farmer's bank accounts. The District Food & Supplies
Controllers would render necessary help to the banks.
Mr. Kairon said that Food Supplies Department would compile a data
bank of account numbers of more than 10 million farmers in the state
and directly credit bonus @ Rs. 50 per quintal paddy in the bank
accounts of farmers.
He said that Union food Ministry has already approved the new
pro-farmer, hassle free and high-tech system of payment systems
evolved by the state Food & Civil Supplies Department.
PUNJAB PROPOSES RECORD 23% HIKE IN MINIMUM WAGES
–TIKSHAN SOOD
Chandigarh, November 14
The Minimum Wages Board under the Chairmanship of Mr. Tikshan
Sood, Labour Minister has proposed record 23% hike in Minimum Wages
in respect of 60 scheduled employments in the State. The Board has
proposed revision of minimum wage of unskilled workers to Rs. 123.12
against Rs. 100.51 being paid earlier.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Tikshan Sood, Labour Minister said
that the Minimum Wages in the State were being revised after a long
gap of 8 years as Congress government during its five years tenure
refused to revise minimum wages to protect the interests of rich
industrial lobby. He said that SAD-BJP government under the leadership
of S. Parkash Singh Badal took the first step to constitute minimum
wages board to revise minimum wages of poor labour class. The Minimum
wages Board held deliberations with employers and employees and
has now proposed minimum 23% hike in the Minimum Wages.
He said that notification has been issued to seek objections from
the concerned public, as required by the law and Minimum Wages would
be notified after processing the objections received, if any, after
two months.
Mr. Sood said that he had proposed to Union Government in the
recent meeting of Labour Ministers of States that it should be made
mandatory for the States to revise Minimum Wages after every two
years, so that interest of labour class could be protected.
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