A file photo of the seven historic daggers recovered in Amritsar.

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service,Amritsar, January 28

A year has passed since the incident of theft of historical daggers from the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, located in historic Ram Bagh here, but the police have failed to crack the case and arrest the culprits, who stole the artifacts. The daggers were later left at a gurdwara few days after the incident.Police officials are banking upon the finger prints taken from the glass box and the room from where it the daggers were stolen. As many as 80 persons are suspects in the case. The finger prints were sent to forensic science laboratories in Mumbai, besides Chandigarh and Finger Print Bureau in Phillaur. The reports are yet to be received by the Police Department.Investigating officer Parveen Kumar, in charge Lawrence Road police chowki said, “We are awaiting the final reports.” He said finger prints of nearly 24 persons were not clear. These finger prints were taken and sent to these laboratories again, he added. He said the report was likely to arrive in the next few days. “It will be clear, who has stolen the daggers,” he added.Till now, officials of the Police Department are groping in dark as to who stole these daggers and what was the motive behind the theft. Around seven historical daggers belonging to Sikh warriors of the 19th century were stolen from the first floor of the panorama. These daggers were in the possession of the Department of Punjab Cultural Affairs, Archaeological and Museum. These artifacts were displayed in a room, which was opened only during VIPs visit.Therefore, taking the advantage of the lax of security arrangements and defunct CCTV cameras, unidentified robbers decamped with the seven daggers. These daggers are beautifully carved and have ivory handles. Since the theft, the police were suspecting the involvement on an insider.The police also took fingerprints of all the staff members of the Department of Punjab Cultural Affairs, Archaeological and Museum and employees of the Municipal Corporation, who are deputed for the upkeep of the panorama.Incidentally, these daggers were later recovered after an unidentified woman left these at a gurdwara with a note that no insider was involved in the crime and the artifacts should be showcased to the general public also.

Awards go up in public esteem if given on merit, and decline if extraneous considerations prevail. Of all the Padma awardees this year the most controversial is the choice of veteran actor Anupam Kher.  That his wife is a BJP MP can be ignored. What cannot be forgotten and forgiven is his doublespeak. In 2010 he said, “Awards in our country have become a mockery of our system. There is no authenticity left in any one of them. Be it films, national or now Padma.” After getting a Republic Day award this year, he tweeted: “Happy, Humbled & Honoured to share that i have been awarded The PADMA BHUSHAN by the Govt. of India. Greatest news of my life:) #JaiHind” (sic). Anupam Kher is a hugely talented actor who fully deserves the award. But the timing is wrong. Getting awarded soon after leading a pro-BJP drive to counter the political fallout of the nationwide debate on intolerance and the return of awards by distinguished citizens from various fields reduces the significance of the honour. The impression has gained ground that he has been rewarded for the political services he has rendered rather than for his acting talent. The Modi government could have escaped the charge of politicisation of awards had it also chosen one of its critics in the intolerance debate — be it Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan or Karan Johar instead of say Madhur Bhandarkar, the maker of “Calendar Girls”. A once secular, highly professional film industry stands divided today — those who see India as a tolerant nation under Modi and those who do not. The “Incredible India” campaign has been taken away from Aamir Khan and handed over to Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra. Whether newspaper owners, journalists, retired bureaucrats and CAGs should accept awards is debatable. There are some who do not feel any sense of guilt in being partial towards a politician or a party, or flaunting their political connections and lobbying for favours, while others — and their number is shrinking — maintain a distance from politicians and governments in a bid to remain independent and objective.

ribune News Service,Dehradun, January 24

Security has been stepped up at all sensitive places in the city ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.Additional police force has been deployed at busy markets, crowded places and near the Parade Ground to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the celebrations.Four DSPs, nine SHOs, 17 sub-inspectors, 10 head constables, 85 constables and 23 women constables have been deployed in the Parade Ground while one DSP, two SHOs, 11 sub-inspectors, 30 constables, three women constables and 2.5 section of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed outside the Parade Ground.A bomb disposal squad, two quick-reaction teams and a dog squad have also been deployed.Vehicles entering Dehradun from the neighbouring states are being checked. Barricades have been installed at the Asharodi check post, Natraj Chowk (Rishikesh), Jogiwala, Raiwala, Premnagar, Kulhal, Bhaniyawala, Naogaon, Mussoorie diversion, Ranipokhri and Sahastradhara for checking.IGP, Garhwal, Sanjay Gunjyal said inter-state borders would be sealed on Monday night. Patrolling had been intensified at railway stations, main bus stations, markets and tourist destinations to keep an eye on suspected activities.SSP Sadanand Datte said SHOs had been instructed to carry out a verification drive in slums, hotels and inns and immediately detain if anyone found suspicious. The road leading to the Parade Ground is under high security surveillance. The police would thoroughly check vehicles passing near the Parade Ground area.Datte said vehicles parked at places other than parking lots would be towed away to avoid traffic jams near the Parade Ground. Private and commercial vehicles would be diverted at Kanak Chowk, Orient crossing, Ashley Hall Chowk, Lansdowne Chowk, Buddha Chowk, CJM Chowk and Survey Chowk to avoid congestion before and after the Repuublic Day celebrations at the Parade Ground.The vehicles of spectators would be parked at the Pavilion ground, Parade Ground, Rangers Ground, and Mangla Devi Inter College in the city.Meanwhile, Dehradun District Magistrate Ravinath Raman along with senior police officials visited the Parade Ground, the venue of the RD parade, and reviewed the security arrangements.

Ahead of R-Day, missing Santro raises security concern in Delhi

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 21
As India embarks on a journey to build another seaborne aircraft carrier, it’s looking at the very best in design and asked for international help in designing the 65,000-tonne warship that will be the frontline seagoing attack platform of the future.
The Navy has sought collaboration from the countries that have built warships of this size. Companies in the US, Russia, the UK, France and Italy are being asked if they would be keen to join hands. All these companies have made warships of this size.
“There are many issues in such warships that we don’t know of. Hence, this international collaboration,” sources said. A seagoing aircraft carrier has fighter jets, helicopters and UAVs on its deck to attack enemy targets and secure own interests. At present, India operates two carriers—one of British parentage and the other of Russia origin. An indigenous 40,000-tonne aircraft carrier is under construction at Cochin which was aided by a design of the Italian company Fincantieri. Targeted for completion by 2018-end, it will be the biggest warship ever built in India.
The international designs are now being sought for the second indigenous aircraft carrier that will be much bigger and could even be propelled by nuclear power although other options of diesel and gas turbines are being considered.
The warship will be jointly designed by the Indian Naval Design Bureau and the foreign collaborator. The Navy has set a target to decide on key elements of the next carrier by the end of 2016. India plans to have at least 80 per cent local content on the warship.
To speed up the matters, the warship could be built at two separate shipyards and then assembled at one place. A few companies do have such expertise.
Navy wants the carrier to be capable of speeds greater than 30 knots (56 km per hour), it wants to carry up to 35 fighter jets and 20 helicopters. It would have a catapult to launch fighter jets.
A US-India working group is looking to promote cooperation in aircraft carrier technology. New Delhi and Washington have discussed the matter under the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI).

80 pc warship parts to be made locally

• India has asked for international help in designing a 65,000-tonne warship to be used as a frontline seagoing attack platform
• The Navy wants the carrier to be capable of gaining speeds more than 30 knots (56 km per hour), carry up to 35 fighter jets and 20 helicopters
• The plan is to have at least 80 per cent local content on the warship

Tribune News Service,Haridwar, January 16

Major Avaneesh P Singh, a resident of Jagdeesh Nagar, Haridwar, has bagged the coveted Prime Minister’s Certificate of Excellence.The certificate has been given owing to development of an Artillery Fire Control Simulator software, developed for the training of Army personnel on firing shots with precision, without actual ammunition being used.The software is being used by artillery units of the Indian Army and has lessened, drastically the usage of ammunition used during training.On the occasion of 68th Army Day, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief of the Army Staff General Dalbeer Singh Suhag handed over a cash award of Rs 25,000 and a certificate to Major Avaneesh yesterday.Avaneesh said he developed the software after the hard work of six months. A total of 10 Army officers were selected from the country in the innovation category, including Avaneesh, for felicitation on the Army Day.

Private firm to handle work on China border road

Private firm to handle work on China border road

BD Kasniyal,Pithoragarh, January 16

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has decided to give the work of the 29 km hard rocky part of the Garbadhar to Gunji road to a private construction company. The BRO has been working on the road linking the last Indian post on the China border since 2008 and the private company is expected to complete it in next two years.“We have decided to give the work of this rocky portion of the road to a private company as the BRO has not been able to meet the deadline for its completion due to this hard stretch,” a BRO official said.“Though we have completed the construction of the road in the higher reaches between Gunji and Kalapani and Gunji and Kuti, we could not cut the hard rocky portion of over 29 km stretch between Garbadhar and Garbyang till date,” said Manish Narayan, a BRO officer at Dharchula.The private company will be duty bound to complete the road in two years from the date of allotment of the contract. “The decision has been taken considering the popular demand of local leaders and villagers,” said Narayan.

68th Army Day celebrated

Tribune News Service,Ludhiana, January 16

Indian Army Day was celebrated at Ryan School Dugri. The students of Montessori were taken to watch a movie on the Glory of Indian Army where they watched how soldiers fight to safeguard the lives of people of their country. The students of Class I and II participated in a fancy dress competition on the theme of “Army” and spoke a few lines related to Army men. The students of Class III made a Tricolour with flowers. The students of Class VI onwards participated in a declamation competition on Indian Army and its contribution towards the country. The students were told about the significance and outstanding contribution of the Indian Army.

Indo-Pak Foreign Secy-level talks unlikely this week; Swaraj discusses issue with Rajnath

New Delhi, January 11

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said any individual or organisation that hurts the country should be given the same pain but how, when and where should be India’s choice, remarks which come in the backdrop of the Pathankot terror attack.Addressing an audience which consisted of top Army brass, 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 the 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”.In a reference 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 quiet? 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 Cong targets govt for uncertainty over talksNew Delhi: Tearing into Modi government’s Pakistan policy, the Congress on Monday faulted it for continued uncertainty over Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary-level talks, saying the foreign policy is not conducted in such a way. “The talks with Pakistan are schdeuled in four days. Till today, it is not clear whether they will be held…it is not the way foreign policy is conducted,” party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said. TNSFix responsibility for Pathankot attack: CPI Hyderabad: The CPI wants that responsibility ‘at the top’ should be fixed for not deploying Army in the counter operation. “There should be a thorough probe to find out how the terrorists entered. Whose fault is it among top officials in refusing to use the Army? If necessary, such officials should be changed,” CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said. PTIModi’s tolerance to terror should end: SenaMumbai: Advocating a strong response to the Pathankot terror strike, the Shiv Sena on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘tolerance’ to such attacks should end. “Our tolerance to terror attacks is commendable. But there is a limit. We pray that the tolerance of Modi to such attacks should end,” an editorial in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana said. PTIArvind Kejriwal to visit Pathankot, GurdaspurChandigarh: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will visit Pathankot and Gurdaspur on January 13 and meet the families of the security personnel killed in the Pathankot attack. “He will meet the families of Havildar Kulwant Singh, Honorary Captain Fateh Singh and taxi driver Ikagar Singh,” Durgesh Pathak, national organisation-building head, AAP, said. PTI