TIRATH YATRA SCHEME: Pilgrims’ selection criteria questioned

TIRATH YATRA SCHEME

Pilgrims’ selection criteria questioned

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 22

The state government’s “Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme” for providing free-of-cost pilgrimage to sacred cities of Sri Nanded Sahib, Varanasi, Katra (Mata Vaishno Devi), Chintpurni, Salasar and Ajmer Sharif has left many people harried than those heading for the pilgrimage.

A train carrying 1,000 people left for Sri Nanded Sahib from the Muktsar railway station this morning. However, a number of people challenged the criterion of selection of pilgrims. They even alleged that most of the people headed for the pilgrimage were Akalis.

“The lists of pilgrims have been prepared by SAD leaders, who have sent their own people. The state government should have acted in a fair manner and make public announcement in villages and towns to get applications from genuine people who otherwise can’t go on their own,” said an elderly man.

Jagjit Singh ‘Honey Fattanwala’, a Congress leader from Muktsar, said, “This is a good step taken by the state government, but the selection criterion of pilgrims is wrong. It should have been kept away from politics.”

On being asked the exact number of people who had applied for the pilgrimage, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kuljit Pal Singh Mahi and District Transport Officer-cum-Nodal Officer for the special train Hardeep Singh failed to give any satisfactory reply.

Courtesy: The Tribune

FIELD REPORTS: Finished dreams, and their unfinished house

FIELD REPORTS

Finished dreams, and their unfinished house

Ranjit Singh sits with Sukhjit Kaur holding a picture of Jagmeet Singh Juggi. Photo by writer

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Shekh (Muktsar), January 21    

Cement bags have been placed one above the other as a protection against the chill entering Jagmeet Singh Juggi’s half-built house. There is no money left to buy bricks, no desire too. Juggi’s gone, his room-for-each-one project along with it. Why the 25-year-old borrowed Rs 7 lakh to construct it defies logic when he knew he could only repay with the earnings from his 4-acre cotton crop. The crop failed, Juggi’s big plan as well. So, why did he borrow?

    The answer to that I don’t know. The counter to that, I do. Why should Juggi not have dreamt big? What is wrong with dreaming, especially at 25? Is that not how the urban economy functions? Is that not how the RBI Governor’s rate cut, and its effect on loan payments, makes headlines?

Juggi’s under-construction house is located on the periphery of Shekh village in Gidderbaha sub-division. Juggi was 24, full of life, filled with a desire to uplift the way his family — he, his younger brother Ranjit Singh and mother Sukhjit Kaur — lived. Eight months later, and having attained the milestone of 25 years under the sun, Sukhjit Kaur’s son hanged himself from a tree, the debt just too much for him to handle.

Sukhjit Kaur only mumbles now. She has little to say. When Ranjit, two years younger to Juggi, speaks, his voice trembles. “He was hanging with the same cloth that he used to tie around his neck or on the head,” says Ranjit, recollecting the painful scene.

Their neighbour Kulvir Singh consoles him: “Ranjit and his mother are unable to get financial help from the government. They fear the police may go after  their relatives, who lent them money and wanted it  back.”

“Both the brothers were good natured. We never heard of any wrongdoing by the elder one. Even the younger one is just like him. Both used to be happy with their work,” says a villager.

The elder one had started working as a carpenter and the younger as an electrician, in addition to farming.

The family has two buffaloes and a bull. “One buffalo has almost dried up and the other is out of lactation. They only get a litre or two milk a day,” says their neighbour.

Sukhjit Kaur, whose husband Baldev Singh passed away about 10 years ago, prefers to remain confined within the four walls.

“We own 3 acres; 1 acre we brothers had got on contract from our grandfather, for which we pay him. He lives with my tayaji,” says Ranjit. The two families are apparently not on talking terms.

The road ahead? Ranjit has no answer. Why did Juggi have to commit suicide? Again, no answer. Even if it was a momentary lapse of reason, it still does not make sense. Why would suicide cross his mind at all? Why has suicide become a convenient arragement in rural Punjab? 

Courtesy: The Tribune

Can’t kill weeds, farmers blame herbicide

Farmers spraying herbicides on their wheat crop at Gurusar village in Muktsar district. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 19

The rapid growth of weeds in wheat fields has become a cause for concern for farmers these days. With herbicides reportedly proving ineffective, farmers are once again questioning the quality of these chemicals. Recently, farmers couldn’t prevent whitefly from devouring the cotton crop because the insecticides sprayed were spurious.

A visit to the fields revealed that most farmers were busy spraying herbicides to kill the weeds. “The weeds are nearly 15 per cent more than last year. We have sprayed twice the usual amount of herbicides to kill ‘gulli-danda’ (phalaris minor) and other weeds, but to no avail,” said Ranjit Singh, a farmer from Gurusar village.

Shivraj Singh of Tharajwala village said, “Weeds are proving hard to control. These have grown and if we spray herbicide now, it will also change the crop’s colour and affect its yield.”

Farmers demanded that the quality of herbicides available in the open market be checked. “The presence of weeds in the fields is not a new phenomenon. Every year, we spray herbicides to check the growth of weeds. But this year, we are unable to kill the weeds. We have used 12 pouches of herbicides on an acre, but in vain,” said the farmers.

Beant Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar, said, “Farmers should not worry about the weeds as the herbicides available in the market are effective. They should spray the herbicides as per the recommendations of the department. Most farmers use the spray nozzle that is recommended for the cotton crop. They must use the nozzle recommended for the wheat crop.”

“Farmers can’t question the quality of herbicides as the department began taking samples from the beginning of the wheat season,” he added.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Cotton crop loss: Farm labourers yet to get aid

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 18

Despite the fact that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had announced on December 24 last year during his Sangat Darshan programme here that 10 per cent of the total compensation amount given to a village for the loss of cotton crop would be given to panchayats to disburse it among farm labourers/cotton pickers, neither the money has so far been released nor the beneficiaries identified.

Badal had said if a village got Rs 1.8 crore as compensation against cotton crop loss to farmers, the state government would give its 10 per cent amount to farm labourers in the village.

He had even directed Special Principal Secretary KJS Cheema to get the amount released to the districts at the earliest and start the disbursement work. However, as per the representatives of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, panchayat secretaries and sarpanches were still doing the survey to identify farm labourers and that too on the basis of electricity connection.

“A survey is underway in villages where panchayat secretaries and sarpanches are noting down the details of those having power connection, bank account and Aadhaar card. This is, however, not the right way to identify farm labourers. A common village meeting must be called where labourers should be identified,” said Tarsem Singh, general secretary, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Muktsar. Kuljit Pal Singh Mahi, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Muktsar, said, “We are yet to get the notification of the government for the disbursal of compensation among farm labourers.”

Notably, the state government had in October announced a compensation of Rs 64 crore for farm labourers, mainly cotton pickers, but in the absence of any policy, the compensation could not be disbursed till date. A team led by Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Suresh Kumar and Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Karan Avtar Singh too had recently visited the cotton belt of the state to get suggestions from villagers in this regard.

Now, farmers and farm labourer unions have announced to gherao Badal village from January 22 to 24 seeking Rs 40,000 per acre compensation for the loss of cotton growers and Rs 20,000 per acre for the loss of cotton pickers. Besides, they are demanding compensation amount for suicide victims, waiver of electricity bills of farm labourers and resumption of atta dal scheme.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Murrah buffalo sets record with 26.33 kg milk

Dairy farmer Sherbaj Singh with his buffalo in Muktsar. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 16

A Murrah buffalo belonging from Fazilka has set a new record by producing 26.335 kg milk in a single day during the five-day National Livestock Championship and Expo that concluded on January 12.

‘Rani’, the buffalo, belongs to Sherbaj Singh of Chak Vairo Ke village in Jalalabad sub-division. Sherbaj also won other prizes besides over Rs 7 lakh in prize money.

“We have 70 buffaloes of Murrah breed. We take special care of them. In the first edition of the championship, my buffalo had come first. Thereafter, once again my Murrah buffalo had got the same position. Now, Rani has created a record. The record last year was 24 kg,” he added.

Dr HS Sandha, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, said, “Sherbaj’s buffalo has set a record in Punjab, but I am not sure whether any Murrah buffalo in Haryana has a better record.”

Earlier, a Holstein Friesian (HF) cow from Noorpur Hakima village in Moga district has set a national record of 66.713 kg milk in a day.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Manpreet not first Badal to join Cong

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 15

Former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, who today merged his People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) with the Congress, is not the first one from the Badal clan to join the Congress.

Earlier Maheshinder Singh Badal and Paramjit Singh ‘Lali’ Badal – both cousins of Parkash Singh Badal – had joined the Congress.

Lali returned to the SAD fold within two-three years and was accommodated as member of the PPSC. Maheshinder not just remained with the Congress but also contested the assembly elections thrice against the elderly Badal from Lambi – once as an independent and twice on Congress ticket. He has now retired from the politics.

No easy-going for Manpreet

Since the PPP’s merger with the Congress has AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s approval, no party leader has come out openly against it. But most of them have expressed reservations over the matter.

“Manpreet and his brother-in-law Jojo had slapped false cases against a number of Congress men in Gidderbaha during their tenure in SAD government,” said a Congress leader from Gidderbaha.

Badal saw it coming

When Manpreet formed PPP, Badal had said one day Manpreet would join the Congress.

Courtesy: The Tribune

SAD, Congress mull reasons for AAP’s grand show

AAP supporters at a rally during Maghi Mela in Muktsar. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 15

Success of the AAPs rally here has forced leaders of both the SAD and the Congress to introspect on the fledgling party’s grand show in Punjab.

While the SAD leaders found that holding a political conference about five-six km away from the town and not arranging langar for the public went against them, the Congress found that lengthy speeches of some leaders and unexpected vibrant speech of a youth leader just ahead of the main speakers had dispersed the crowd.

However, no party leader admitted that their show was any lesser than the others.

On the other hand, people being ferried to the venue by these parties either went to pay obeisance at the gurdwara or ended up attending the AAP rally.

A senior SAD leader, preferring anonymity, said, “Our pandal was the biggest, but changing the rally venue went against us. The people had to go to the gurdwara and they started moving towards the town. In the past, people went to the gurdwara after attending the rally. Further, we had called party workers from just five districts, whereas the other two parties brought people from far flung areas too,” he added.

Similarly, a Congress leader, who was part of the organizers, said, “Some of our leaders delivered lengthy speeches as a result of which the public left the venue. The weather too was cold yesterday and despite changing the mats in the pandal, some of them were still wet and uncomfortable. The youth also left after listening to their favourite leader.”

On the other hand, AAP leaders had just a night before had reduced the area of their pandal which helped them to present an impressive show. Further, the AAP leadership also served langar to the people. Besides, it is a fact that people had come to listen to AAP’s national convenor-cum-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. They were even more charged than the SAD and the Congress workers, and continued waving AAP flags and raising anti-government slogans, said another leader.

Courtesy: The Tribune

AAP holds centrestage, even at Cong, Akali Maghi stages; Kejriwal says 100 seats within reach; Sukhbir, Capt ridicule

AAP holds centrestage, even at Cong, Akali Maghi stages

Kejriwal says 100 seats within reach; Sukhbir, Capt ridicule

On the sidelines...

• Enthusiastic AAP workers arrive at 7 am
• AAP workers began arriving at the rally venue at 7 am. Party volunteers, walkie-talkie sets in hand, were seen managing the crowds. They all wore pink and green mufflers.

Kejriwal pays obeisance at gurdwara

• Before arriving at the rally site, Kejriwal paid obeisance at the historic gurdwara. He ate bread pakora at a langar being served near the local bus stand.

AAP cut shorts pandal size:

• With no space at the AAP pandal, a large number of people were seen sitting atop buses. Twelve giant LED screens were put up at the rally for the convenience of the audience.

Social media team remained active

• AAP's social media team of 10 remained busy, posting updates on the Facebook and Twitter. The team started a hashtag “HopeofPunjabKejriwal”.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with MP Bhagwant Mann, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sukhpal Khaira and MP Sadhu Singh wave at crowds during a rally at Maghi Mela in Muktsar on Thursday. Pawan sharma

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 14

The Maghi Mela today proved to be an Aam Aadmi Party show with surging crowds at the party rally seemingly unnerving the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal. Even as the Congress and SAD dismissed AAP as a party of no consequence in Punjab, leaders of both the parties launched a vitriolic attack on AAP, and kept their focus on it during their speeches.

Edit: A brutal opening

Enthused by the large turnout, a buoyant Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s national convener, announced that Punjab was his party’s next stop after the conquest of Delhi last year. Donning a yellow turban,  presented to him by Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, he said as of now the party was sure to win 100 of the 117 seats in Punjab, but with some effort, this number could rise.

 Kejriwal did not name anyone as the CM candidate for the 2017 Assembly elections. He said he would be in Punjab for 15-20 days in March, visiting villages and towns.

In his 33-minute speech in Hindi, Kejriwal appealed to the people to end family politics. “Once a progressive state, Punjab is now on the brink of ruin. The Badals have destroyed it in 10 years. Known to feed the entire country, farmers are being pushed to suicide,” he said.

  Accusing Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia  of running a drug trade, Kejriwal assured the gathering that upon forming the government in Punjab, he would send Majithia to jail.

 “The entire Punjab says Majithia is running the drugs trade, but the Badal government is not acting against him,” said Kejriwal.

  Calling the Badals goons, Kejriwal said he did not fear them. “When Badals’ tau ji Modi could not harm me, despite a CBI raid on my office, why should I be afraid of the Badals? Some people fear that the Badals will lodge fake cases against them, but I tell you that they have just a year in office and we will cancel all fake cases after coming to power,” Kejriwal announced.

  Each time he lashed out at the Badals, the applause was thunderous. “The Badals will be punished for  their misdeeds and misrule. A probe commission will be set up to expose them and they will be sent to jail,” the AAP convener said.

Kejriwal started his speech with serious issues such as suicide by farmers, drugs, cancer, corruption, incidents of sacrilege, lawlessness and atrocities on Dalits.

“Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh are two sides of the same coin. They are eyeing the elections only to loot Punjab. Why did Capt Amarinder oppose the demand for a CBI probe against Majithia in the drugs case? What is his connection with the Badals? Why has he protected Majithia,” Kejriwal asked.

Greeting the people with "Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal," he time and again referred to the sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus. On the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he said: “Our government in Delhi gave Rs 5 lakh to each of the victim’s family. But the governments in the past have only played politics on the issue."

Claiming that the Badals and Capt Amarinder were not 'true' Sikhs, he said: “A real Sikh sacrifices even his family for the welfare of others. Real Sikhs are in our party. They have sacrificed their careers to serve the people." He took the names of Bhagwant Mann, Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh in this regard.

Kejriwal announced that the families of security personnel killed in the Pathankot terror attack would be given Rs 1 crore each within a month of the AAP forming the government in Punjab. He pledged to send to jail those behind incidents of sacrilege as well as those who had fired at unarmed protesters at Behbal Kalan village. 

He announced to open a cancer hospital in Muktsar, if the AAP was voted to power.

AAP’s Punjab affairs in charge Sanjay Singh, against whom Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia has filed a defamation case in Ludhiana, said: “ I want to say that I am not afraid. I will continue my fight against Majithia and send him to jail.”

Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, in his 20-minute speech, spoke about rising unemployment. He accused the Badals of turning the state bankrupt and mortgaging properties to pay employees. Faridkot MP Prof Sadhu Singh, advocate HS Phoolka and former MLA Sukhpal Khaira also spoke.

Courtesy: The Tribune

MAGHI MELA RALLIES TODAY: Parties work overtime to outdo each other; Badal, Amarinder, Kejriwal set to spell out agenda for 2017 polls

MAGHI MELA RALLIES TODAY

Parties work overtime to outdo each other

Badal, Amarinder, Kejriwal set to spell out agenda for 2017 polls

Day’s importance

• Maghi Mela is held every year on January 14 to pay tributes to 40 "Muktas" (liberated ones) who laid down their lives while fighting the last battle of Sikhs against the Mughals in 1705 at Khidrane di dhab, now known as Sri Muktsar Sahib.

Impact of rallies

• The political rallies this year assume importance since the Assembly elections are due next year and there will be no such programmes due to the model code of conduct. All parties will spell out their poll agenda.

Weather worries

• A sudden change in the weather, with the town getting witnessing light showers last light, has left the rally organisers worried.

Cops on toes

• The police are on their toes, especially after the Pathankot terror attack. IGP Bathinda zone JK Jain is overseeing the security arrangement in the area.

AAP activists upbeat

• Aam Aadmi Party activists are coming from as far as Pune. A Twitter user from Pune uploaded his selfie, saying, "Travelled 2,000 km to attend Maghi Mela rally." Udey Bhan of UP came from Ludhiana by foot. "I covered 150 km journey in three days,” he said.

Preparations afoot at a political rally venue in Muktsar on Wednesday. tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 13

The stage is set for a fight of political one-upmanship between the SAD, Congress and AAP on the occasion of Maghi Mela tomorrow. 

The political rallies this year assume importance due to the Assembly elections next year when there will be no such programmes due to model code of conduct. All major parties will spell out their poll agenda tomorrow.

SAD patron and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh will take on each other at their respective rallies.

The Akali Dal will hold its rally at Rupana village on the Muktsar-Malout road, AAP on the Bathinda road opposite the Police Lines and the Congress on the Kotkapura-Bathinda bypass road.

So far as the size of the rally venue is concerned, AAP seems to have an upper hand. Though all parties have created hype over the size of their venue, the area is ranging between 10 and 13 acres each. 

The SAD has put up its "pandal" in party colours - blue and saffron. AAP's tent is of yellow colour while the Congress' venue sports the Tri-colour.

Kejriwal's visit and last Maghi Mela rallies before the 2017 Assembly elections have added importance to this year's events.

Meanwhile, a sudden change in the weather, with the town witnessing light showers last night, has left the rally organisers worried. 

While all parties have made the dais waterproof, the area for the public has not been covered fully. Last year, the rain had caused trouble for the political outfits forcing them to make special arrangements overnight.

SAD chief and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal will arrive at the rally venue by road in a procession. Amarinder is expected to reach Sarainaga village at the residence of local MLA Karan Kaur Brar tonight. Kejriwal who visited Gurdaspur today will arrive here tomorrow.

The police are on their toes, especially after the Pathankot terror attack. IGP Bathinda zone JK Jain is overseeing the security arrangement in the area.

Some outfits such as SAD (Amritsar) and Sikh hardliner groups are holding their conference on the Dera Bhai Mastan Singh road. The Bharti Kisan Union (Rajowal) will meet on the Bathinda-Malout bypass road and the Tarksheel Society will hold a programme on the Bhai Mastan Singh Dera road.

Unemployed linemen have already announced to disrupt the SAD rally. They had been staging a protest for the past several years. Last year, a protester had tried to immolate himself near the SAD rally venue.

Maghi Mela: Muktsar turns fortress ahead of Maghi rallies; 6,000 cops deployed | 100 high-resolution CCTV cameras installed | Parties review arrangements

Muktsar turns fortress ahead of Maghi rallies

6,000 cops deployed | 100 high-resolution CCTV cameras installed | Parties review arrangements

Keep shops shut, traders told

• Muktsar: In view of the Maghi Mela political rallies, the police on Tuesday told all traders on Bank Road here to shut down their shops for the next two days. This road is located in the heart of the town. This move has irked the shopkeepers. “We wait for the Maghi Mela for a whole year, expecting to make lots of money. Instead of asking us to close our shops, the police should tighten security,” the traders said.

Call from Kejriwal

• Faridkot: Two days before the rallies at Maghi Mela, thousands of local residents on Tuesday received a phone call from Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. In the recorded clip, Kejriwal invites people to the party’s rally.

Policemen search a vehicle on the Muktsar-Bathinda road in Muktsar on Tuesday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 12

In the light of the Pathankot terror attack, the state police have converted Muktsar town into a fortress ahead of the Maghi Mela rallies to be held here on January 14. Nearly 6,000 police personnel have been deployed in the town and 100 high resolution CCTV cameras set up.

Muktsar SSP Kudeep Chahal said, “Along with the Muktsar police, nearly 3,800 policemen from other districts will be deployed in the town. We have also installed nearly 100 high resolution cameras at different locations.”

The police have set up a control room at the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School on Bathinda Road here. Meanwhile, all policemen have been told that no leave would be sanctioned in the next two days.

JK Jain, IGP, Bathinda zone, and Ranbir Singh Khatra, DIG, Bathinda range, today visited the rally sites and reviewed the security arrangements.

“Every policeman has been briefed about his duties. Besides, we appeal to the public to cooperate with the police and not touch any abandoned object. In case of any doubt, they must inform the police,” said the SSP.

At the sites, the police noted down the names and addresses of all workers setting up the tents of political parties. Meanwhile, leaders of AAP and SAD visited their respective rally venues to take stock of the situation.

SAD Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal reached the rally site on Muktsar-Malout road in Rupana village and directed SAD’s Muktsar district president Dyal Kolianwali to increase the pandal size. The SAD had earlier set up a pandal with an area of 400x800 square feet.

“I have told party leaders to increase the pandal size. Our pandal will be the biggest,” said Sukhbir. Later, Sukhbir met JK Jain, IGP, Bathinda zone, at the venue.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said, “This is a political rally and not a competition. Every year, all political parties organise rallies on this day.”

Sanjay Singh, AAP’s Punjab affairs in charge, state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur also reviewed the arrangements at the party’s rally venue on Bathinda road here.

Former MLA Sukhpal Khaira held meetings in villages to mobilise people for the party’s rally. AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal will visit Muktsar for the first time to attend the Maghi Mela rally. Last year, the main speakers at AAP’s rally were Bhagwant Mann, Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Faridkot MP Prof Sadhu Singh.

PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh will arrive here on Wednesday, a day before the rally. He will stay at local MLA Karan Kaur Brar’s house in Sarainaga village. The party’s pandal size is 400x1200 square feet. Barnala MLA Kewal Dhillon, who is party’s Maghi Mela in charge, said, “Party workers are upbeat. We will have a massive crowd at the rally.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Moga man’s cow sets another national record; Holstein Friesian cow gives yield of 66.7 kg milk a day

Moga man’s cow sets another national record

Holstein Friesian cow gives yield of 66.7 kg milk a day

Owners get Rs 1.5 lakh prize money

• A Holstein Friesian (HF) cow had set the last national record in a competition in Jagraon on December 7 last year, yielding 66 kg milk in a day
• The state govt has given Rs 1.5 lakh prize money to cow owners Harpreet Singh Hundal and his younger brother Harmanpreet Singh
• In the competition, their one more cow got second position with 58 kg yield and another got seventh position in the same category

The cow which set a yield record by producing 66.713 kg milk in a single day at the milking competition held during the National Livestock Championship in Muktsar on Monday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 11

Breaking its own previous national record of 66 kg milk yield a day, a Holstein Friesian (HF) cow from Noorpur Hakima village in Moga district today set a new milk yield record by producing 66.713 kg milk in a single day at the milking competition held on the penultimate day of the Eighth National Livestock Championship here.

This cow had set the last national record in the competition organised by the Progressive Dairy Farmers’ Association (PDFA) in Jagraon on December 7 last year.

The cow owners, Harpreet Singh Hundal and his younger brother Harmanpreet Singh, often participate in various cattle fairs and win trophies.

Even in today’s competition, their one more cow got second position with 58 kg yield and another got seventh position in the same category. The state government has given Rs 1.5 lakh prize money to the owners of this national record breaker cow.

Elated Harpreet Singh Hundal, who is a graduate in humanities with a simple farming background, said, “This is a proud moment for us as our cow has made the village famous at the national level, which is otherwise infamous for drugs.”

Speaking further about this record-breaking cow, he said, “This cow is just six-year old and in its fourth lactation year. This is just like our family member and we will not sell it at any cost, but produce more cows from it using sexed semen.”

“We are into the dairy business for the past 10 years and set up an automatic dairy unit about five years ago by investing nearly Rs 3 crore, where we now have 140 cows. All cows have chips inserted in their legs, connected to the computer through a software, which monitors their activity like their intake, milk yield per day and one lactation year and of throughout life,” added Harpreet Singh.

However, on being asked about what kind of feed is given to the cow, Harpreet did not reveal the secret. He simply said, “We have hired services of a private feed manufacturing company and their officials provide us some special feed as per their formulation. Besides, we give green fodder, wheat straw and maize silage to cows. I can only say that this cow is expected to give 17,000-kg milk in one lactation year of 305 days.”

This cow owner is, however, not satisfied with the assistance being provided by the state government.

“Holding such championships is not sufficient. The state government must act tough with those selling spurious milk to promote dairy farming. Further, the role of middlemen must come to an end. The government only provides subsidy of Rs 1.5 lakh on making cow shed of 40x60 ft, which is not enough,” said Harpreet.

At present, he is selling milk to Nestle at Rs28 per kg.

Inderjit Singh, Director, Dairy Development Department, Punjab, said, “This HF cow has set another milk yield record by breaking its own previous national record. The department is doing enough to promote dairies. We give 50 per cent subsidy on indigenous cows and 25 per cent subsidy on exotic breeds, but up to 10 cows. Further, there is 50 per cent subsidy available on milking machine.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

MAGHI MELA: Battle for political liberation

Archit Watts in Muktsar

Battle for political liberation

In the run-up to Maghi Mela on January 14, the historic town of Muktsar is getting ready more for political rallies than for any religious purpose. Major political parties have planned big rallies though Punjab polls are more than a year away

Next Image

A Nihang shows his warrior instinct during Maghi Mela. Tribune File Photo

It’s that time of the year again in Muktsar, where the story of liberation of human soul is more than 300 years old. Those looking for miracles at Maghi Mela find nothing new here except sheer joy of life, and those expecting political fortunes turn the town into rival camps haranguing for space in the battle for correctness in the political quicksand. Which way you go the Mela would let you decide, but in the run-up to January 14, the big day, the town, it’d seem, is talking to itself as tents are pitched and people, parties and government machinery vie to find a new meaning in the spectacle that it will be.

Previous Image

With Punjab polls more than a year away, the flavour of the Mela this year seems pre-decided. The Sikh high priests’ appeal asking politicians to avoid politicizing religious functions seems lost to one-upmanship. Listen in:

• AAP’s national convener-cum-Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is coming to address a rally in an 11-acre area. AAP leaders expect 5 lakh people to attend.
• The Congress is also putting up a ‘pandal’ in the same area, where Capt Amarinder Singh will roar after becoming the state party chief. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, party’s Muktsar district president, said: “We’ll take up lawlessness, corruption, drugs, sand and mining mafia and the transport cabal in our rally.”
• The ruling SAD will put up a ‘pandal’ in a 22-acre area, extending it from the 4-acre ground of the SGPC. Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal has already visited the site and is scheduled to address party workers. Duties have already been assigned to SAD leaders, particularly about the number of buses to ferry the crowds. The SAD theme: development agenda, making the state “power surplus” and a host of populist schemes.

Past versus present

As per tradition, people visited the historic gurdwara for a holy bath on the day of Maghi and spend about a week here. Today, people return just after attending political conferences. Most politicians don’t pay obeisance at gurdwara and come looking for votes. “It is just a political affair. You will not hear anybody talking about historic or religious importance of it. People generally discuss the arrangements and the expected crowd count,” says Sham Lal, a social activist.

This year the administration has charged Rs 29 lakh from a private company allowing it to install swings, stalls and circus shows. The show will begin around January 12 and end around the month-end. Roadside stalls haven’t yet come up, as the road leading to the main gurdwara is under construction. 

The Congress government in 2005 had built Mukte Minar (Martyrs’ Memorial) along the District Administrative Complex, having 81-ft tall ‘khanda’ (double-edged sword), which is getting rusted. The then SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and the then SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal  had laid the foundation stone of a martyrs’ memorial on Tibbi Sahib Road. But not even a single brick has been laid. The foundation stone itself lies dismantled. Memorial gates built on all entrances of the town need repairs and so does the Mai Bhago Heritage Park near the Red Cross complex.

Town needs care

Gurmeet Singh, an author on Sikh subjects, says Muktsar was famous as ‘Issar Sar’. “A detailed study should be done to find out the real importance of this place.” Despite having religious, political importance of giving two Chief Ministers – Harcharan Singh Brar of the Congress and incumbent Parkash Singh Badal—Muktsar presents a picture of neglect. A lot of work is yet to be done to give it a look of an urban town. Residents often complain of drinking water shortage and the lack of sewerage.

In tribute to Muktas

The event commemorates the 40 ‘Muktas’ (liberated ones) who are supposed to have laid down their lives while fighting the last battle of Sikhs against the Mughals in 1705 at ‘Khidrane di dhab’, now known as Muktsar/Sri Muktsar Sahib. As per the Sikh history, these 40 Sikhs of Majha region were those who had insisted that Guru Gobind Singh ji should leave the besieged Anandpur Sahib fort. Guruji had than asked these followers to leave him if they so desired, but they should give him in writing that he was not their guru and they are not his Sikhs. When these Sikhs returned to their homes in Majha region, they were not welcomed by their family members as they had left the Guru in trouble. They were overcome by shame.

On learning that Guruji was in the region of present Sri Muktsar Sahib, these 40 Sikhs led by Bhai Mahan Singh and accompanied by Mai Bhago, an illustrious woman in Sikh history, left their homes to help him. The Mughal army was searching for Guruji. A pitched battle was fought near a pond called Khidrane di dhab. These 40 Sikhs fought valiantly for Guruji and attained martyrdom. The outcome was in favour of Sikhs. Mughal forces failed to capture or harm Guruji and fled. After the battle was over, Guruji visited the battlefield. One of the 40 Sikhs, Sardar Mahan Singh, was about to die, Guruji took his head in his arms and asked him what he wanted. Sardar Mahan Singh requested Guruji to tear up the paper (Bedawa) they had given him at Anandpur Sahib, mentioning, “You are not our guru and we are not your followers”. Guruji then tore up the ‘bedawa’. These 40 Sikhs were henceforth called 40 Muktas. The city that grew at the site of the battle was called Muktsar/Sri Muktsar Sahib.

Courtesy: The Tribune

SGPC member ‘joins’ AAP

SGPC member Gurpal Singh ‘Gora’ is seen wearing an AAP muffler along with party’s state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur at Fakkarsar village in Muktsar on Friday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 8

Aam Aadmi Party's state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur claimed that a senior SAD leader and three-time SGPC member, Gurpal Singh ‘Gora’, from Fakkarsar village in the Gidderbaha Assembly segment joined the party in a meeting held in the latter's village today.

However, Gora denied of joining AAP. "Chhotepur had come to our village to hold a meeting this evening, where I had also gone. But I have not yet joined AAP," he added.

Asked whether he had any plans to join AAP, Gora said, "We may think about the future course of action. I have tendered my resignation from the SGPC membership in protest against the sacrilege incidents."

On the other hand, Chhotepur posted a picture on his Facebook page in which Gora is seen wearing a AAP muffler.

Supporting his claim, Chhotepur said, "Gora is wearing a muffler of AAP in the picture. If he has not joined AAP then why is he wearing it?"

Courtesy: The Tribune

Stopped for speeding, bus driver ‘abuses’ cop; The bus belongs to a SAD leader

Stopped for speeding, bus driver ‘abuses’ cop

The bus belongs to a SAD leader

The bus driver and the traffic policeman argue in Gidderbaha on Thursday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha, January 7

A driver of a SAD leader’s bus firm reportedly misbehaved with a traffic policeman when he was asked to stop the vehicle for rash driving in Gidderbaha today. Moreover, the accused was also backed by the staff of private buses, who then blocked the road to the vegetable market for an hour.

The bus belonged to Hargobind Transport that is owned by SAD leader Yadwinder Singh ‘Yadi Zaildar’, who is the president of Jaito Municipal Council and a close aide of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal.

Around 9.40 am, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Raj Kumar stopped the ‘speeding’ bus that was reportedly about to crush two persons riding a motorcycle.

“The speeding bus was about to hit a motorcycle near the bus stand. I immediately stopped the bus. When I asked the driver to produce his driving licence, he abused me,” he said.

He further said that he reported the matter to the DSP and the Gidderbaha SHO, who told him to take action against the guilty driver. “When I issued the challan, bus driver Jaswinder Singh, along with other drivers, parked the buses on the road in protest,” he added.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Maghi Mela: Nod given, but site not finalised

Will provide security, drinking water: Muktsar DC

IGP reviews security arrangements

• After Pathankot terrorist attack and reports that some Sikh hardliner groups may hold a conference on January 14 here, the police have made special security arrangements this year.
• JK Jain, IGP, Bathinda zone, held adetailed meeting regarding security arrangements with all senior police officers of the zone here on Wednesday.

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 6

The district administration has charged Rs 29 lakh from the Maghi Mela organising company just to give permission to hold it. It will not even provide a site to hold the mela. The company will take the land on lease, install swings, circus, etc, and pay workers on its own. However, the amount of Rs 29 lakh would go to the District Red Cross Society, which is headed by the Deputy Commissioner.

The tendering process to hold the mela was done today at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here. As many as six companies had participated in it after depositing Rs 5 lakh as security amount and the tender was allotted to a local company.

The locals here said charging such a huge amount from the mela organiser would prove to be a burden on the pockets of those who would see the fair. “Had the administration charged some justifiable amount on the name of entertainment tax, the mela organising company would have given free access to those coming to see the fair. Now the company would not only charge entry fee but also hike tickets of swings, circus and food items,” said Gurdeep Singh, a local.

Some people had even brought this issue to the notice of the district administration that the mela be allowed to hold at minimal charges, so that the public has to pay less for enjoying it.

Jaskiran Singh, Deputy Commissioner-cum-chairman of the District Red Cross Society, Muktsar, said, “We did not force anyone to pay the money to hold the mela. The permission was allotted through the tendering system, which is not a new thing. This is just like entertainment tax.” The Deputy Commissioner said, “We will provide security at the mela site and arrangements of potable water for public.”

However, a former secretary of the District Red Cross Society, said, “The fee should not be such a hefty amount and that too to hold the mela on a religious occasion.”

Till the filing of this report, the site of mela could not be finalised. Sources said some politicians were trying to shift the mela from its previous location on the Malout road in the town to some other place close to their rally ground to attract more people for their rally.

Courtesy: The Tribune

MAGHI MELA: SAD to give a break to mega rallies

MAGHI MELA

SAD to give a break to mega rallies

Decision on cultural event likely today

• Usually, the permission for the cultural event is granted by January 1
• Sources claimed that the decision was pending as the SAD had shifted its rally to Rupana village and party leaders were “pressurising” the officers to hold the cultural fair close to its rally venue

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 5

After holding six back-to-back Sadbhavna Rallies in the state, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is now geared up to hold another mega rally on January 14 during Maghi Mela in Muktsar.

But after that, SAD has decided not to hold any other major political rally for the next three months — till Baisakhi Mela in Talwandi Sabo.

SAD chief-cum-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal told this to party leaders in a meeting held recently at Badal village to discuss the arrangements for the Maghi Mela rally, said a senior SAD leader of Malwa region who was also present at the meeting.

Cultural event takes backseat

This year, the annual cultural event — holding of Maghi Mela by installing swings — has taken a backseat. The district administration has so far not even permitted any site for the installation of swings, hold circus and other cultural events. Usually, the permission is granted by January 1 for this purpose.

However, sources claimed that the decision in this regard was pending just because the SAD shifted its rally venue to Rupana village from Muktsar town and the party leaders were now “pressurising” the officers to hold the cultural fair close to its rally venue.

When asked, Jaskiran Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, said, “The permission to hold the mela will be given tomorrow. We are trying to hold it inside the town, easily accessible to the public.”

Parties get ready

Sukhbir has also assigned them the task of bringing people in buses. For instance, the SAD leaders have been told to ferry people in 200 buses each from Lambi and Jalalabad Assembly segments, 150 buses each from Malout, Gidderbaha and Guruharsahai Assembly segments, 100 buses each from Abohar, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Maur, Bathinda, Talwandi Sabo and Zira Assembly segments, 50 buses from Fazilka Assembly segment. Besides the constituency incharges, key leaders have been told to bring people in minimum 10 vehicles.

Besides, the Youth Akali Dal (YAD) will bring in a large number of people by arranging hundreds of two wheelers and cars to take out a road show that will give a rousing welcome to Sukhbir.

On whether any Union Minister of the BJP was invited for the rally, Sukhbir said, “As of now, we have not invited any BJP leader from outside the state. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will be our main speaker.”

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state leadership has also started touring villages here to mobilise people for their Maghi Mela rally. AAP’s state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur yesterday visited Sukhna Ablu village where the party organised a ‘Jan Chetna’ rally to appeal to the public to come to their rally.

The rally will be addressed by Delhi Chief Minister-cum-AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. However, the party leadership here could not get a good response as more than half of the ‘pandal’ was vacant.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jagmeet Singh Brar too has made an announcement to hold a series of public meetings in Muktsar district from January 7 to 9.

Security arrangements

In the wake of the Pathankot terrorist attack, the state police have been making tight security arrangements for the Maghi Mela and the political conferences that will be attended by a large number of VVIPs.

Courtesy: The Tribune