Jasmine Singh

Twenty-seven-year-old Rana is a busy man today. He lifts the 7 kilo instrument, slips the belt over his shoulders, wears a broad smile, and Rana is all set to hit it hard…Chak de dholiya, he bucks himself up. Rana, like other dholis in Chandigarh, along with the tri-city and Punjab, is stocked with the list of houses where he is invited to play. It is Lohri, and to sing the songs of the highway robber Dulha Bhatti without the high sound of dhol doesn’t sound exciting.Even though the modern day DJs scratching new notes on a Lohri party is a common practice these days, but you certainly cannot ignore a dholi and the sound of the dhol.

Hit it hard

Surinder or Bhindi Dholiwala, as he is known professionally, from sector-48 Chandigarh, has a good number of invites for Lohri. Unlike the marriage and other functions that he is regularly invited to, Lohri is more rushed. “I have more houses to visit on Lohri, sometimes people call us for 20 minutes, but they keep dancing for hours,” he shifts the weight of his dhol from right to left shoulder.

Play it on

Lohri is an occasion when the dholis seem to be most in demand, and they are expected to play the traditional notes. As Rana from 38 West Chandigarh, who has been playing dhol for almost 17 years now, adds, “I play whatever the guests ask me to, but mostly, it is the traditional Punjabi dhol which is played in Bhangra.” Rana plays the dhol with professional singers like Gippy Grewal and he can vouch on the magic that the sound of the dhol creates when it is played at any occasion, especially Lohri.Jagtar, another dholi from Chandigarh, can play anything that you want. His expertise however lies in Punjabi music on dhol, as he puts across confidently, “Sharat rahi, ek waar main dhol wajaaya, jisnu nahi nachna aanda oh vi nach paveyga.”The bookings for Lohri happen two days in advance. “On Lohri, especially we get random calls from people asking us to reach a venue immediately, and they would pay whatever we ask for. They have a deejay playing, but they want a dholi to build the tempo for the party.”

Creating the magic

Kartar Singh, international dholi from Chandigarh Sector-48, prepares bhangra-giddha troupes in school, colleges and universities. On Lohri, he already has his bookings. “The time that we are expected to play depends on how much time one has booked me for.”Kartar zeroes in on the trend which is boli and combination of dhol goes well. “Lohri is an occasion when everyone wants to dance, it is fun-filled day which people celebrate for various reasons, and we add to this celebration,” he adds but not clarifying whether he likes to play on Lohri or other occasions. “Dhol ta dhol hai ji, jithey wajao dhamaal paa dinda hai.”

FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY

Lohri is linked with Dulla Bhatti. I will share about this great man in this posting. Dulla’s full name was:Abdulla Khan Bhatti; Born dxxuring Akbar’s regime in 1569; Mother’s name: Ladhi; Father’s name Rai Farid Khan Bhatti; Grand father’s name Sadil Khan Bhatti; were Muslim rajput; Area Pindi Bhattia, near Faisalabad in Pakistan; Dulla’s father and grandfather protested Akbar’s policy of collection of land revenue (mamla) and were hanged; Dulla was very bold and revenged against Mughal Raj; the money looted by him was distributed amongest poor and on marriages of poor girls; Dulla had great love for Hindu, as well; he freed two Hindu sisters, Sundri and Mundri from the clutches of a landlord (jagirdar) and got them married and played the role of real father; people used to worship Dulla because of his love and affection for one and all; Dulla was a big enemy of Akbar, who was fed up from because of his bravery; in a compromise bid, Akbar’s men overpowered him by mixing poison in his food/nasha and was hanged in 1599; he was just 30 years when hanged; his last rites were performed by a sufi saint Shah Hussain; his kabar is in Miania Sahib near Lahore.
How do you like this information..? Happy Lohri.
Dulla is immortal. Sundariae ne mundariae tera kon bachera, Dulla Bhattiawala……..?
More history about Dulla Bhatti. From the history worth reading and knowing from a book written by Harjit Singh Bhatti a retd SP from Vigilance Deptt. Named “Ravals and Royals” Bhattis of Greater Punjab. Book worth reading for Rs 399/- only

A BOOK FOR THOSE HAVE HISTORICAL iNTREST IN THE PUNJAB HISTORY OF THRONE AND DYNASTY OF BHATTIS,INCLUDING MAHARAJA OF PATIALA ASSOCIATION CAN BE PURCHASED

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HARJIT SINGH BHATTI

WRITER

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New Delhi, January 11

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday asserted that any individual or organisation causing pain to India should be paid back in the same coin but how, when and where “should be of our choice”, remarks which come in the backdrop of the Pathankot terror attack.Addressing an audience, which consisted of top brass of the Army, including its Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, the Minister said that history tells us that until those who inflict damage on others experience the same pain, they don’t change.”I am of the opinion, it should not be taken as a government thinking, I always believe that if anyone harms you, he understands the same language.”How, when and place should be of your choice but if someone is harming this country, then that particular individual or organisation, I purposely used the words individual and organisation, should also receive the pain of such activities,” he said at a seminar organised by the Army here.Asked to elaborate, Parrikar later said, “Basic principle is that until we give them pain, whoever they may be, until then, such incidents will not reduce”.Without referring to the Pathankot attack, the Minister said the country was proud of its seven soldiers who laid down their lives but he is pained by the loss.”I don’t appreciate it. I have said that it is time we tell our soldiers that it is inevitable that we will lose some soldiers, and in this incident we lost one person in actual combat.”We should tell them to think of the concept of taking life of your enemy, enemy of the country, instead of giving your life. This is an important aspect,” he said.He said that while sacrifice is respected, what nation needs is to neutralise the enemy.Asked if that means there is a change in policy from the previous UPA government, Parrikar retorted, “If someone comes and hammers you, you should keep quite? Was that the policy?”What I am saying is basically that history tells you that those who damage you, if they don’t realise what pain they inflict, then they don’t change”. —PTI

Ravi Dhaliwal,Tribune News Service,Pathankot, January 3

The possibility of the terrorists carrying any RDX or rocket launchers has been ruled out. “No RDX is being carried. The firing had stopped late last evening and we thought we had killed all the five. However, sporadic firing was again heard in the morning. When we checked out the origin of the fire, we came to know that there may be more terrorists lurking in the complex,” disclosed a senior police officer.A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team reached Pathankot early in the morning. The members left for Bamyal immediately after in a cavalcade of private cars. Sources said that the team was accompanied by senior police officials. Amid rumours that RDX or any other explosives might have been planted on the railway line passing through the city, the police made an elaborate check on both sides of the track leading to and from the city. However, after an early morning exercise, no explosives were found planted anywhere on the tracks.The agencies widened their search and the cops and Army personnel could be seen in populated areas of the towns of Pathankot and Gurdaspur. There was a heavy deployment of cops on the Pathankot-Gurdaspur and Pathankot-Jammu National Highways as well.Poignant scenes could be witnessed when a private car, in which wreaths meant for the deceased were being taken, entered the air base.  The crowd immediately turned into an orderly one and people stood on both sides.

JeM militants planning attacks in Delhi?

Tribune news Service,New Delhi, January 3

A day after the Pathankot attack began, two Jaish-e-Mohammad militants are suspected to have sneaked into the national capital and planning high-profile attacks, including taking hostages. The Delhi Police received specific intelligence input about the presence of militants.Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi today held a meeting with his senior officers and discussed the matter, said the police. The Delhi Police has sought the assistance of paramilitary forces in securing vital installations in the national capital. The police have been given companies of paramilitary forces in this regard.Security has been strengthened at the Delhi airport, railway stations, bus stands, markets in south and central Delhi and VIP areas. Delhi Police’s special units, Crime Branch and Special Cell, have also been made part of the security arrangements.Bassi also took to Twitter to request the citizens of Delhi to be alert. He tweeted, “Citizens’ vigil against suspicious persons/ objects/ activities is vital to counter terrorism. Report anything amiss at no. 100 or helpline 1090.”Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi district) MK Meena said, “We have given instructions to ensure round-the-clock checking. Officers’ leave have been cancelled. Counter-terrorism measures have been put in place. Security around railway and metro stations has also been beefed up.”Earlier today, the Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi train was stopped for a search in Ghaziabad and other trains were also halted after the northern Railways was alerted about a possible bomb threat to trains running between Delhi and Kanpur.“We received a call from the railway control room in the morning in which they said that they had received information about a potential bomb threat on a train plying between Delhi and Kanpur,” a police official said.Several security personnel are checking passengers and their luggage at the entry points and the platforms of the railway stations. Extra vigilance has been placed at the areas, where the parcels to be transported by trains are kept.

Security strengthened

• Security has been strengthened at the Delhi airport, railway stations, bus stands, markets in south and central Delhi and VIP areas. Delhi Police’s special units, Crime Branch and Special Cell, have also been made part of the security arrangements
• Vigil was also heightened in several areas, including popular market places, in south Delhi, central Delhi and the VIP movement zone in Lutyens’ Delhi.
• The Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi train was stopped for a search in Ghaziabad and other trains were also halted after the northern Railways was alerted about a possible bomb threat to trains running between Delhi and Kanpur

Jupinderjit Singh,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 2

Security forces and Intelligence agencies are strongly suspecting involvement of a local political leader for helping the group of terrorists who attacked the Pathankot Air Force station.It is suspected that about 10 terrorists had managed to infiltrate on the intervening night of December 31-January 1 from across the border, but the exact entry point is yet to be ascertained.The security establishment is suspecting the joint involvement of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad and Babbar Khalsa in the attack, with the active support of local handlers.Though five terrorists have been killed so far, sources said they had sound information that about 10 terrorists had managed to sneak into India. This is corroborated by reports that some handlers arranged a taxi for them.They said RAW and IB were questioning Punjab Police SP Salwinder Singh, who was “unusually” let off by the terrorists. “Agencies are zeroing on the local handlers,” said an official.He said the hand of Jaish- e-Mohammad was suspected as they had an expertise in targeting defence bases. Where were five who attacked for 24 hours?If the route taken and exact motive of the three terrorists involved in the July 27 attack at Dinanagar are still unclear, Saturday’s attack raises another key question: where were the terrorists between 3 am on January 1 when a Punjab SP claims to have seen them and 3:30 am on January 2 when they attacked the Air Force station? And why and how did they go untraced?Although the defence spokespersons claimed having intelligence alert about the attack and 140 NSG commandos were in Pathankot by January 1 morning, besides Punjab Police officials led by ADGP (Law and Order) HS Dhillon, yet the terrorists remained untraced and managed to attack the Air Force station.Sources said initially the police and other forces were sceptical of the claims of SP Salwinder Singh that he and two others were kidnapped by terrorists. ADGP Dhillon was deputed to question him and prepare for any eventuality.Sources said the terrorists had carefully chosen the Air Force station as it is considered a soft target compared to attacking a military installation. The station, it is learnt, has several vulnerable points in its fenced and walled area.

Calls to Pak alerted agencies

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 2

Indian agencies monitoring telephone calls to Pakistan intercepted a series of calls between an India-registered mobile number and persons based in Bahawalpur in Pakistan, alerting them about the plan to attack the Pathankot air base.The calls were made in the wee hours of January 1. More  than 24 hours later, the air base was attacked by a group of terrorists at 3.30 pm.Phone calls of Pakistan-based operatives of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), a banned terror organisation,  were intercepted, asking the terrorists why the attack had not been carried out so far.The India-registered mobile phone was reportedly ‘snatched’ by terrorists from Salwinder Singh, an SP-rank officer of the Punjab Police on January 1. The SP claims he was kidnapped by armed terrorists who took away his SUV and cellphone.  The SUV was found abandoned at 3.15 am on January 1.  The IAF base was attacked a good 24 hours later, leading to the question if  the JeM had a hideout. The JeM is headed by Maulana Masood Azhar, who was released from prison in exchange of passengers of Indian Airlines flight IC 814  which was hijacked in December 1999. Agencies have found that Pak-based operatives arranged a taxi (Toyota Innova) for the terrorists by calling from a Pakistan number. Security agencies are questioning the driver to find out if he had been serving Pakistan-based smugglers who have links with terrorists.It was after these calls were intercepted that the Army was alerted on the impending threat and its units located near Pathankot took up positions at the IAF base. The National Security Guard (NSG) unit in  Delhi was rushed to Punjab and so were IAF’s own special forces, the ‘Garuds’, deployed in Naxal-hit areas.An IAF spokesperson said: “A group of  terrorists was detected by aerial surveillance platforms as soon as they entered the Air Force station. The infiltrators were contained within a limited area, thus preventing them from entering the Technical Zone”.Later in the evening, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar met the three Service Chiefs and the NSA.

On a suicide mission, terrorist told mother

• “I am out on a suicide mission. (Silence from the other end.)…I’m on a suicide mission and Allah will take care of all of us”A terrorist to his mother over phone

No intel or security failure, says Rajnath

Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 2

Rejecting suggestions that intelligence and security failure led to the terror attack on the air base in Pathankot, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Had that been the case, such an attempt could not be thwarted.”He, however, said that the role of Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) could not be denied and asserted that India would hit back in an equal proportion, if there was any terror attack on its soil. The entire operation to neutralise the terrorists was closely monitored by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval. Sources said that the five terrorists belonged to Pakistan’s Bahawalpur-based Al Rehman Trust, as they were continuously being directed by their handlers Maulana Ashfaq Ahmad and Hazi Abdul Shqur.Talking to reporters here, the Home Minister — who attended a high-level security meeting at the Ministry of Defence which was attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the NSA and three Chiefs of the armed forces — said, “Pakistan is our neighbouring country. We want good relations with not just Pakistan, but also with all our neighbours. We also want peace, but if there is any terror attack on India, we will give a befitting reply. We will hit hard.”Meanwhile, intelligence sources said that inputs had been given after the Gurdaspur SP was kidnapped.

Salaam alaikum – Ultra replies to call on abducted SP’s phone

Pathankot, January 2

“Salaam alaikum” was the reply when the gunman of the Superintendent of Police, who was thrashed by suspected Pakistani terrorists, called up on his mobile number after the news of the SP’s abduction along with his associates spread. However, after the gunman told the call receiver that the mobile phone belonged to SP Salwinder Singh, the call was disconnected. It was the last conversation which was made on the SP’s phone, which is believed to be used by the terrorists to make calls to Pakistan. “After we got alert about the incident (SP’s abduction), I tried making call on SP sahib’s number. Around 3.26 am, the call got connected. When I said ‘hello’, the reply from other side came ‘Salaam alaikum’. I asked ‘aap kaun’ (who are you)? The receiver said ‘aap kaun’? Then I told him this is my SP sahib’s number. The call receiver said ‘SP sahib kaun’ (who SP sahib?). Then he disconnected the line,” said SP’s gunman Kulwinder Singh. “I continued to say ‘hello, hello’ but the phone line  was disconnected,” Singh said. “It was the last call made on SP sahib’s phone number,” said Singh, who is SP Salwinder Singh’s gunman for the last  about five years.SP’s driver Rajpal Singh said, “After I got information from the control room about the incident, I also tried calling SP sahib’s both mobile numbers. But I failed to connect it.” Yesterday, Punjab Police had not ruled out the possibility that suspected militants had used SP’s mobile to make a call to Pakistan.Suspected Pakistani terrorists in Army uniform had  abducted and thrashed the Superintendent of Police and his two associates before dumping them some distance away and speeding away in his vehicle in the wee hours of Friday near Kathlore bridge here. SP Salwinder Singh, who was recently transferred as  Assistant Commandant, 75th Battalion, Punjab Armed Police  (PAP), said he and his friend Rajesh Verma, along with his cook Mohan Lal, were coming back after paying obeisance at Narot Jaimal Singh last night when four-five men signalled them to stop their vehicle.The SP added that they were overpowered by the suspected militants who drove away with them in their SUV.  The SP and Lal were dumped after some distance while Verma was thrown off the vehicle after some time with injury marks on his body.  — PTI

Amit Sharma,Tribune News Service,In the wake of recent terrorists attack in Pathankot where the “fidayeens” were wearing Army fatigues, the District Magistrate (DM) on the request made by the Chandigarh Police, has decided that no shopkeeper in the city is permitted to sell uniforms, sticker, logos and flags related to the police or defence forces to customer without keeping the photocopy of their identity proofs. The orders that came into force on January 23 will be effective for a period of 60 days.Sources in the UT police said after the Pathankot attack in which the terrorists were found wearing Army uniforms, a proposal was sent to the District Magistrate for prohibiting the sale of uniforms and other products related to defence forces to the customers if they failed to furnish the photocopy of their identity cards.District Magistrate Ajit Balaji Joshi passed an order that some check should be put on sale of items belonging to these government forces so that anti-social elements in the guise of the Army, police or paramilitary personnel may not pose a threat to the citizens. The order further reads that the sale of uniforms, stickers and any kind of logos or any item belonging to the Army, police, paramilitary forces should only be sold after taking an identity proof of the buyer.The breach of District Magistrate’s order will lead to action against the seller under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).A senior police official said that even if police personnel want to purchase something related to the uniform than he or she will also have to furnish an identity proof. “Even the civilians are advised to avoid wearing Army pattern dresses”, said the police official.

NEW DELHI: The armed forces are preparing to kick off a bold experiment to test claims made in favour of alternative medicine by throwing open the doors of some top military hospitals to doctors specialising in these remedies, India’s top military doctor has said.

For the first time, the military is giving a chance to specialists in different forms of alternative medicine, ranging from ayurveda and naturopathy to unani and homeopathy, to treat severely-ill soldiers, veterans and their dependents who have not responded to conventional treatment. “Mainstream doctors have traditionally resisted alternative medicine treatment. But let’s be frank, we really don’t have the domain knowledge to dismiss it. The idea behind the experiment is to see if alternative medicine can work where allopathy has no answers,” said Lieutenant General BK Chopra, director general, Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).

The AFMS, a cadre consisting of more than 6,000 doctors, is tying up with the ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) to kick-start the experiment.

The AYUSH had mooted a proposal to integrate the alternative medicine system with the conventional system, but the army suggested that a pilot project be undertaken first. The project will begin with 10 alternative medicine specialists being assigned to four army hospitals — Base Hospital in Delhi Cantt, Military Hospital in Jalandhar and Command Hospitals at Chandimandir and Pune. AYUSH secretary Ajit M Sharan said some forms of alternative medicine had a legacy of more than 3,000 years but had not been exploited to their full potential. “These systems can be used to supplement conventional medicine for treating different types of cancers and TB, as standalone treatment for diseases like arthritis and dementia and also as food supplements. The tie-up will benefit soldiers,” Sharan added.

As part of the experiment, the specialists will be assigned to terminally-ill patients and those with some form of cancer. General Chopra said, “We don’t have much to offer to such patients and perhaps some other treatment could work for them. Alternative medicine systems shouldn’t be written off as they have evolved over centuries.”

The scope of the project could be expanded if alternative medicine treatment proves to be effective. This would give alternative medicine practitioners a bigger platform for research and could help address some myths about the systems they practice, Chopra said. “These traditional medicine practitioners will work under the supervision of army doctors to provide the best medical care to patients,” he added.

Tribune News Service,Chandigarh/Jammu, January 22

Even as there is no trace of a Pathankot-bound taxi (HP 01D 2440) hired from Gaggal  in Kangra district eight days ago, the body of the driver, Vijay Kumar, has been found in Kangra. The photos of the three suspects, caught on CCTV cameras at Gaggal Chowk, are with the police and security personnel.The Delhi Police sounded an alert on the missing taxi this morning and released the photos of suspects to the media. It may be recalled that taxi driver  Ikaagar Singh was found murdered hours before the Pathankot air base attack earlier this month. Security in Punjab and Chandigarh has been further beefed up in view of French President Francois Hollande’s visit to Chandigarh on Sunday.Murdered taxi driver Vijay Kumar belonged to Gurdaspur but was residing in Gaggal near Kangra with his maternal uncle, who also runs a taxi. RK Bakshi, Pathankot SSP, said the three suspects spoke in Punjabi. They had hired the taxi in Pathankot, as had been confirmed by the taxi union. No police check post had any record about the stolen car, the officer said.Sapna, wife of the deceased driver, told the police that  she called up her husband several times on January 14 but there was no response. The next day, Vijay’s maternal uncle, Vipin Kumar, approached the Gaggal police. A search was launched  and  Vijay’s body found was near Kotla bridge on the Kangra-Pathankot road on January 20.  A security alert has also been sounded across Jammu and Kashmir. Agencies have sealed the state’s border with Himachal Pradesh at Lakhanpur and more personnel have been deployed to guard the newly constructed cable-stayed bridge on Ranjeet Sagar Lake.In Kathua, the police have put up additional check posts along the highway. “Security was already tight in the border areas in view of the Republic Day celebrations, but the taxi hijack in Pathankot has heightened the alert. We have sealed all routes leading to Jammu and Kashmir,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Neeva Jain.

BSF moves three more battalions to Punjab

• In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Punjab, the Border Security Force has decided to deploy three additional battalions in the state to boost its strength for guarding the International Border (IB) with Pakistan.
• “At least three battalions from North Bengal, South Bengal and Guwahati are being moved immediately to Punjab on a permanent basis. This is in addition to some other measures being implemented to secure the border,” a senior BSF officer said.
• The BSF’s Punjab Frontier is responsible for peace-time management of the 553-km stretch of the IB falling in the state. The frontier is further divided into four sectors,having three battalions each. — Vijay Mohan

Pathankot-bound taxi’s driver killed

Security agencies get caught up in a tussle among themselves

TURF WARS AND RED TAPE

Multi Agency Centre (MAC) functions under Intelligence Bureau (IB). More often, other agencies such as R&AW, Military Intelligence, etc, are reluctant to share information with IB. State police departments don’t share full interrogation reports on time. Lacks personnel strength in analysing intelligence inputs State police forces reluctant to let central agencies into their probes. Most recent example is that of Punjab police denying IB permission to question SP Salwinder Singh, whose car was hijacked by militants. IB finally questioned him at NIA office in Delhi NSG’s weapons and equipment division and operations branch manned by Army officers, who make requests for weapon upgradation with an IPS officer heading provisioning. Army officers often question the technical competence of civilian officers. NSG forwards requests to police modernisation division in home ministry (MHA) headed by IAS and other services. In absence of technical managers, MHA often delays NSG’s requisition files.