Monthly Archives: August 2018

More than 250 people have been killed in ethnic violence since May last year

At least two persons, including a policeman, were injured in a gunfight with armed men in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Friday, police said.

Armed men from the hills launched gun-and-bomb attacks in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in the district, to which security forces retaliated, leading to a fierce encounter, a senior police officer said.

Two persons suffered injuries in the gunfight in Sanasabi village. The policeman, identified as 37-year-old K Haridash, suffered bullet injuries on his left shoulder and was rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences around 3.30 pm, the officer said.

He will undergo a minor surgery, officials at the hospital said.

Another ‘village volunteer’ suffered minor injuries on his hands during the gun battle was also taken to a private hospital, where his condition is out of danger. The village volunteers had joined the security forces in the gun battle against the armed men from the hills.

“Armed men from the hilltops started firing indiscriminately and hurling bombs around 10.45 am at Sanasabi village and adjacent areas, forcing security personnel to retaliate,” the officer said.

Locals ran helter-skelter as the gunfight broke out.

“Armed men also launched attacks at Thamnapokpi village around 11.30 am, creating panic among the residents,” the officer said.

Security forces, including CRPF personnel, rescued several women, children and elderly people, who were caught in the crossfire.

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur since May last year.

Meanwhile, unidentified persons left a hand grenade in the compound of the house of a doctor in Chingmeirong area in Imphal West district, another police officer said.

A note stating ‘KCP (PWG) last warning’ was also found along with the grenade, the officer said, adding that the threat could be related to extortion demands and an investigation is underway.

Banned militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) is allegedly involved in extortion across Imphal Valley.

Police later removed the grenade from the spot.

At least two persons, including a policeman, were injured in a gunfight with armed men in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Friday, the police said. Armed men launched gun-and-bomb attacks at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in the district, to which…

At least two persons, including a policeman, were injured in a gunfight with armed men in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Friday, the police said. Armed men launched gun-and-bomb attacks at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in the district, to which security forces retaliated, leading to an encounter, the police said.

Manmohan Singh shot to prominence as Finance Minister in Narasimha Rao govt in early 1990s, bringing sweeping reforms | Ushered in an era of liberalisation that is widely believed to have changed the course of India’s economic trajectory | Known for his simple lifestyle, he served as PM for two terms in the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2014 | In 2008, his govt clinched a landmark nuke energy deal with the US, paving the way for strong ties with Washington

Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service

Curtains fell on Thursday on the illustrious life and times of Manmohan Singh, India’s 14th Prime Minister and the first from the Sikh community, who put the country on the path to progress by unleashing economic reforms as the Union Finance Minister in 1991.

Manmohan Singh breathed his last at the age of 92 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where he was brought in a critical condition at 8.06 pm. He was declared dead at 9.51 pm. Doctors said he was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had a sudden loss of consciousness at home today. He could not be resuscitated.

Manmohan Singh is survived by wife Gursharan Kaur, whom he married in 1958 and his three daughters — Upinder Singh, Daman Singh and Amrit Singh.The government has announced the cancellation of all official events on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning and pass a condolence resolution to honour the legacy of Manmohan Singh. The former PM, sources said, would be cremated with full state honours.

Aptly called “the father of reforms” by the late Pranab Mukherjee, his senior Cabinet colleague and once his competitor for the position of Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh will be remembered most for his role in the 1991 financial liberalisation.

It was the time when India was on the verge of default and he showed the courage to take a strong corrective.

Backed by then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh initiated a restructuring process eventually abolishing industrial licensing, opening up the private sector and cutting down on obstacles in the path of foreign investments.

As the late President and former Congress veteran, Pranab Mukherjee, recalls of Manmohan Singh in his memoirs of the Congress-led UPA years, “In an instant, the economic landscape was transformed, laying the ground work for an economically sound India in an increasingly global world. It was due to this legacy and in-depth experience that Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister. Notwithstanding the debate regarding his appointment as Prime Minister, there could have been no one more experienced in economic policy-making than Manmohan Singh. A political person, he held national interests above all else….a strong nationalist, a man of courage and conviction, Manmohan Singh was certainly not an accidental Prime Minister. I’m convinced that the future will judge Manmohan Singh in a different light as PV is assessed today.”

Generous praises of Manmohan Singh from Mukherjee, who in May 2004 lost the PM race when then Congress chief Sonia Gandhi chose the former to lead the UPA coalition, stand a testament to his abilities. Though often accused of being a “weak PM”, Manmohan Singh had his moments of glory and courage. The firmness with which he handled the Indo-US nuclear deal will stand out among the highest points in Manmohan Singh’s 33-year-old parliamentary career, which began in 1991 when he became the Finance Minister and entered the Rajya Sabha.

Manmohan Singh himself stated later, “The best moment for me was when we were able to strike a nuclear deal with the US to end the nuclear apartheid which had sought to stifle the process of social and economic change and technical progress of our country in many ways.” In 2008, Manmohan Singh not only handled stiff opposition from the Left, which was supporting the UPA, but also faced and won a no-confidence vote after the Left partners pulled back support over the issue. Manmohan Singh firmly refused to go back on the international commitment and was ready to risk his government though the victory in the vote was marred by the cash-for-vote allegations.

Another highlight of Manmohan Singh’s term in the PMO — 2004 to 2014 — was that he presided over 8.5 per cent GDP growth for most of the decade.

Right to education, right to information, the NREGA and farm loan waiver in Manmohan Singh’s first term in the PMO powered him to a second term in May 2009. It was, however, in his second term that Manmohan Singh faced flak for presiding over a “corrupt government”, with social activist Anna Hazare leading a massive anti-corrpution movement over a host of scams, including the Commonwealth Games, 2G and coal block allegations.

Manmohan Singh was also accused by rivals of deferring too much to the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council, which the BJP called a “super cabinet” that suggested and steered policy reforms.

His strongest critique came in March 2013 when he chose to stay in the PMO even after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi publicly tore up an ordinance passed by the Cabinet humiliating the PM. Sources said Manmohan Singh was close to resigning at the time but stayed on after Sonia intervened and Rahul apologised to him.

That apart, Manmohan Singh’s life was dotted by highs from 1991 when he entered the RS as a member from Assam until April 2024 when he hung his boots.

Manmohan Singh’s regret, however, was he could never win an LS election. He lost the 1998 LS poll he fought from South Delhi. Manmohan Singh’s daughter Daman Singh was to later disclose in her book “Strictly Personal” that her mother Gursharan Kaur had advised Manmohan Singh against fighting that election.

While Manmohan Singh’s political career began in 1991 when he became the Finance Minister, he was initially a quintessential academic.

Born on September 26, 1932, at Gah village in Punjab province of undivided India, Manmohan Singh did his matric from Punjab University in 1948 and had an illustrious academic career before he became the PM in May 2004.

Manmohan Singh went to the University of Cambridge, UK, to secure a first class honours degree in economics in 1957; got a D Phil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962; his book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” was an early critique of India’s inward-oriented trade policy — something he would go on to challenge himself in the 1990s as the Union Finance Minister.

A suave academic, bureaucrat, politician and PM Manmohan Singh had his academic credentials burnished by the years he spent on the faculty of Panjab University, Chandigarh, and the Delhi School of Economics. He had a brief stint at the UNCTAD Secretariat as well during these years. This presaged a subsequent appointment as Secretary General of the South Commission in Geneva between 1987 and 1990.

It was only in 1971 that Manmohan Singh joined the Government of India as Economic Adviser in the Commerce Ministry. He was handpicked by then PM Indira Gandhi.

He then became Chief Economic Adviser in the Ministry of Finance in 1972 and went on to handle several major governmental positions, including Secretary in the Ministry of Finance; Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission; Governor of the Reserve Bank of India; Adviser of the Prime Minister; and Chairman of the University Grants Commission.

Then as Finance Minister, he spent five years between 1991 and 1996 in the role and ushered a comprehensive policy of economic reforms — the most abiding legacy of his term.

TRIBUTES POUR IN

His passing is a great loss to all of us. I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers. — Droupadi Murmu, President

India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders — Manmohan Singh. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. — Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

A man of action rather than words, his immense contribution to nation-building will forever be etched in the annals of history. — M Kharge, Congress Chief

Architect of india’s  economic reforms

1954: Completed Master’s in Economics from Panjab University

1957: Economic Tripos (3-yr degree) from Cambridge University

1962: DPhil in Economics

from Oxford University

1971: Joins as Economic Adviser in Commerce Ministry

1972: Appointed Chief Economic Adviser in Finance Ministry

1980-82: Member, Planning Commission

1982-1985: Governor of the RBI

1985-87: Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission

1987-90: Secretary General of South Commission in Geneva

1990: Appointed Adviser to Prime Minister on Economic Affairs

1991: Appointed UGC chairman

1991: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam, re-elected in 1995, 2001, 2007 and 2013 1991-96: Finance Minister under PV Narasimha Rao government

1998-2004: Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha

2004-2014: Prime Minister

Dr Manmohan Singh, a person whose silence spoke more than most speeches.

He always responded with grace, reacted with facts, stuck to the point, held press conferences, always put himself in a position to be answerable to people.

He was the most educated and accomplished leader that the world ever had. He was a politician that is not meant to be. India survived 1991 because Dr.Singh was born an Indian.

There hasn’t been and will ever be a more knowledgeable, dignified and a humble man to lead a nation than Dr Manmohan Singh.History will remember you with pride, sir…Maj Gen Harvijay Singh

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2. I had the honour of meeting him and his wife number of times at his residence
I have not met any one in my life as humble and down to earth like him. Mrs Gursharan Kaur was no less. She will bring the Tea tray herself and serve
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😞😞😞😞😞. Dr Sahib will drive his own Maruti 800 and will carry his files himself to come to the Congress Office—-ATS Col CDS Kamboj

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A doyen of an economist who made country proud . Om Shanti🙏🏼 ATS Tilak Raj Chaudhary

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An Ode to Most Respectable Ex Prime Minister Dear Dr Manmohan Singh,

Dear Dr Manmohan Singh Sir,
Politics, a domain of the highest order of Mafia, has not been kind to you. But History has a longer Memory than the Rulers of the Moment. You will be remembered more than ever, and ever after.You never wasted time and energy in criticizing anyone, anybody from the other Parties and anyone from the past Regimes. Silently and smoothly,
You achieved the in achievable Wonders, both as a FM initially,
and as a PM later, for two terms. The others who followed you, respect you and your Policies and were compelled to tow your Vision, and implemented what you had started, al biet, under a new Banner, their own Initiatives.They had to make things look like their own Vision. Thank God that they had atleast this much Vision that they implemented everything they opposed initially, as The Opposition.In their minds, It has become more important to blow their own Trumpet than doing anything worthwhile.

Salute to You, Dr Sahab.
Rest in Peace in Heavens.
All those who wasted their precious and productive professional time criticizing you will someday realise how wrong they were.

You were a True Nationalist.
Probably the last MAHARAJA of a dying Breed.
SALUTE TO YOU —————————————————Col Joginder Singh SS-15

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Very sad
He was a legend the country could be proud of —-Col Ramesh Sharma :Delhi

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Really sad to see ‘Godi Media and Andh Bhagats’ who are so badly brainwashed ( stinking ) that they CAN NOT THINK OF ANY THING ELSE !

Andh Bhagats & Godi Media were all the time calling this highly educated man as “ कठपुतली मौन सिंह “

Hear this Godi Media ‘Shweta Singh’ ( totally brain washed that she can not think of any thing other than Modi ).

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————————————–BRIG SS GILL -LDH

It is a deeply emotional moment for me to speak about Dr Manmohan Singh The life and work of Dr Manmohan Singh and the period from 1991 till 2014 will be a golden chapter in the history of India. I worked closely with him for many years. I have not met a person more humble and self-effacing than Dr Singh. He wore his scholarship lightly and never claimed credit for any of his historic achievements. The story of India turned after Dr Singh became Finance Minister. And the present middle class of India was virtually the creation of his policies as Finance Minister and Prime Minister. Throughout his tenure, he had great empathy for the poor. He did not hide the fact that many millions of India are poor and reminded us that government’s policies must lean in favour of the poor. Examples of his empathy are MGNREGA and the restructuring of PDS and the extension of the mid-day meal scheme His story has not been told fully. His achievements have not been recorded fully. I am sure when we look back upon the 23 years that Dr Singh was in active politics, we will realize his true contribution

…………………………………………………………..P. Chidambaram—–————————————-

They wandered through the jungle looking for shelter. “Grand-mother do you think we will see Guru Pita again?” “Even if we don’t see Pita ji again, it just matters that we remember God.” Mata Gujri always kept a spiritual mood, “My dear children, remember that your grandfather Guru Teg Bahadur was a brave saint! When his life was taken, he never forgot to meditate on God”

They came across another traveler in the jungle, “You must be lost, come with me, you will be safe with me! You remember me right!? I used to serve you in the Guru’s house. You recognize me.. Yes of coarse you do… You can trust me, come” They trusted him and stayed at his house, but very soon found out he lied and betrayed them for money.The young boys and Mata Gujri were captured and taken away. The situation was awful but Mata Gujri ji held a very sacred prayer. “Bless you my dear boys. Never forget the sacred tradition of the Gurus. May God bless you. May you be in high spirits!” The boys were fearless and kept having fun. The boys were fearless and kept having fun, “We will! haha” “We will never give up our faith! Haha!”

Wazir Khan ordered, “Bring me the sons of that wretched Gobind Rai!” He was corrected, “Sir, I believe they call him Gobind Singh now-” “-I DON’T CARE WHAT THEY CALL HIM… just bring the children to me so I can convert them to be one of us!!!”

The two young boys were brought to the Governors court. A soldier told the boys, “You can not go through the normal door. You will have to go through this…. special tiny…. door here.” You see he was trying to trick the Guru’s sons. But the boys saw through the trap! “They are trying to get us to bow to the governor!” “Haha, than let’s go in feet first!” 

They boys laughed and crawled through the little door backwards with their feet first! Then they called out: 

“Wahiguru ji ka Khalsa Wahiguru ji ki Fateh!”

Everyone in the court was surprised at their bold spirit! They thought, “It will be great to have them with us…. once they embrace our religion, of course.” One of them said, “You should have some respect for your ruler. Bow to him like a proper subject.” The boys boldly responded, “We are Sikhs of Guru Nanak.” “We do not bow to any man, we bow only to the Guru.”

Governor Wazir Khan saw how fearless and bright these small ones were. He thought that history would see him as a great man if he could change them to be in his religion, “How sweet and brave they are. They will be great men one day! They will make excellent Muslims!… Ahem, my dear boys, our religion will be proud to have you. Recite our religious prayers and you will be welcomed as one of us. Land, wealth, wives, happiness, I will give you anything you ask for.“

The Sahibzade talked to each other for a moment, Zoravar said,“Little brother, the time has come to sacrifice our lives like our grand-father Guru Teg Bahadur. What do you think?” Fateh said, “Our grandfather gave his head but not his faith. We must follow his example.We have taken Amrit. We are blessed by spirit and by sword. Why should we worry about death? Let’s give our lives, Sikh Dharma will  grow and these tyrants will fall!”

The Sahibzade spoke to the wicked Wazir Khan, “We come from a virtuous family. Our father is Guru Gobind Singh, our grand-father is Guru Teg Bahadur and our great-grand-father is Guru Hargobind. We will follow their example!” “Our faith is more important than life. We don’t care for your wealth! You can not bribe us, you fool!! We will never give up the Sikh Dharma! When you killed our grand-father, you started a fire… and when you kill us that fire will explode! You will be destroyed and we will not lose our faith!!” “We won’t give up the Sikh Dharma no matter what. Death has no meaning for us.”

Governor Wazir Khan wasn’t used to being talked to like that especially from children! He said to his priest, “Did you hear these….WRETCHED MONSTERS??!! Don’t think they are just innocent children! These boys are just rebels like their father. WE MUST PUNISH THEM!!” The priest didn’t know what to say, “But your governorship, we can not punish them… they have not committed any crimes, it says in the law of our religion that-” Wazir Khan interrupted, “But they are a threat!! Haven’t you heard how…… RUDE they are!!!?”

He really had no good reason to punish these innocent and brave sons of the Guru, so he tried convincing them again, “Ahem, You are still so young, you should be enjoying life. If you listen to me you will get happiness in this life, and in the afterlife, you will live in paradise!” The Sahibzade laughed and said, “We do not fear death, we will sacrifice everything to keep our faith.”

The Governor was outraged that he couldn’t convince the boys in any way. He tried to taunt them, “Don’t you know that your older brothers are dead now. Your father also died on the battlefield.” The Governor was not right about that, and in their hearts, the boys knew the truth. They said, “Our father is a great man, no one can kill him, he is protected by the Immortal God! He will never fall into your hands. He could destroy all of you in a moment if he wanted to, but instead he follows the laws of the heavens.” 

They were so brave, the Governor was really impressed. He wanted to convert them to his religion even more. So instead of giving them a punishment right away he gave them another chance, “Why don’t you ask your grandmother if she would prefer you die at such a young age… or if she wants you to change your religion…. and live.”

When they got back to Mata Gujri ji, she kissed their precious foreheads. They told her everything. She blessed them, “You are in such high spirits, I’m very proud of you. You both have shown the greatest strength. You are the light of the Guru. Don’t forget the sacrifice of Guru Arjun Dev ji and Guru Teg Bahadur ji. Don’t ever give up. God’s love is always with you.”

That night they all slept in a freezing cold tower and in the morning they were taken to the court again. The boys listened to what their grandmother said and the whole day they didn’t give an inch. That night they again slept in the freezing tower with their gramma. On the third day they were given another chance to convert or die. They stood firm, “Until the end of our lives, we will stand up to those who manipulate and control others!!”

Wazir Khan asked them, “Boys… what will you do if I allow you to live?” They boldly responded, “We will dedicate our lives to ending tyrants like you!

Wazir Khan told his priest that he would have to punish the children for all the crimes they would commit in the future, “They will definitely be rebels against us when they grow up. You heard what they said! Priest! Tell me what is the punishment for being a rebel according to our religious laws?” The priest obeyed, “Yes sir…. crimes in the future… well… the most reasonable punishment for being rebels is… they should be… bricked alive inside a wall.“

Wazir Khan ordered that the children be brought out to be killed in the open so that everyone could see what happens to rebels. The torturer began building the bricks up The common people were surprised, “What a horrible thing to do to children!!!” “If the rulers end these precious young lives, it will mean the end of this empire.”

Mata Gujri ji couldn’t see what was happening to her precious and heroic grandchildren. Up in the cold tower she was praying for them constantly, “My precious children, may God and Guru continue to bless you with the sweetness of the holy Naam. May you live forever in deathlessness. May you continue with fearless hearts. Bless your precious souls……” Her prayer continued to hold them. 

They looked so beautiful even the torturers heart brightened to see them, “Psssst, kids… I have to do this to you, but… I don’t want to. Why don’t you reason with the Governor, you don’t have to die today!” The boys wouldn’t hear of it. They said, “Build the bricks fast and bury the Mughol Empire quickly! Do it as quick as possible.” The brave princes chanted and remembered the Naam, “Ik ongkaar, Satinaam, Karta Purkh, Nirbao, Nirvair, Akal Murat Ajooni, Saibhang, Gurprasad, Jap, Aad Sach, Jugaad Sach, Hai Bhi Sach, Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach…”

The bricks were being built higher, and higher, and higher… 

Zoraavar, the royal son of the Guru, started crying. His brother asked, “Why are you crying?” Zoraavar said, “…I’m crying…. because… I’m older and stronger than you right now.” Fateh was confused, “Why would this make you cry brother?” Zoraavar explained, “If you leave  your body first, you’ll be in the lap of Grandpa Guru Teg Bahadur…  you’ll be with God before I will…. I don’t want to be separate from God for one second.  I want to be merged, I want it so much…” 

People in the crowd began to cry too,  “They are like angels on earth. So beautiful, so brave, so precious.” 

The fearless sons of Guru Gobind Singh had gone through the worst. As they were being closed up inside a wall, they got lost in meditating on God. Finally the air inside ran out and they became unconscious. The torturer decided to end their pain and finished their lives. The two courageous, bright souls went to meet their true family with the angels. 

When Mata Gujri ji heard about the children, she knew that her purpose in life was also complete, so her graceful soul also left her body and joined them.

Later Guru Gobind Singh heard what happened. He was not sad but he knew what needed to happen. He took his arrow and pulled a plant from the ground with it. 

Then he said, 

“Oppression and injustice need to be taken out… from the root.”

Inspired by these young boys sacrifice, the Khalsa later swept across the land and wiped out Wazir Khan and many other tyrants. Eventually the Khalsa built a huge kingdom all throughout the land.

We always remember that as Khalsa, we are here to chase away the darkness and bring light to this world. We remember Mata Gujri for her sacred prayer… for her grace… her strength… and her love.

If you ever feel shy about standing out as a Sikh, remember these young princes and you will have courage. If you ever see a bully or a tyrant, remember the Sahibzade, their courage, and their happiness.

Let us always be fearless of death and always remember our sweetness. 

WAHIGURU JI KA KHALSA, WAHIGURU JI KI FATEH!!!

Guru Gobind Singh is a great light in the world. People who live in darkness do not like the light. Even though Guru ji never threatened or attacked anyone, many people had decided to become enemies of the Guru.

CLICK TO OPEN BELOW

BIR BALAK DIWAS

25 Dec, 11 Poh was the first day of appearance by younger Zahibzadas (Baba Zorawar Singh, 9 years, Baba Fateh Singh, 6 years ) in the Court of Wazir Khan, the Subedar of Sirhind.

During their apprehension period, Mata Gujri ji and young sahibzade were denied any warm clothing or food.

One devotee, by the name of Moti Ram Mehra, managed to supply warm milk to them. He and his family were later crushed in an oil mill/Kohlu.

In the Court, Sahibzadas bravely faced the Subedar and defiantly refused all offers of pardon and luxury if they converted.

Sahibzadas were given 24 hours to reconsider the offer and were sent back to Thanda Burj.
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Sahibzadas’ defiant stand against offer of convertion is beautifully described by Bhai Harjinder Singh ji in the poem below.