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Amarinder Singh unveils decades-old family ties with Imran Khan

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Chandigarh, November 11

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday had a five-minute bus ride with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on way to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara during which the two discussed cricket and Singh recalled how Khan’s uncle played cricket for Patiala and India under his father’s captaincy in 1934-35.

Singh, who was part of the first ‘jatha’ that went to pay obeisance at historic Gurdwara, shared the five-minute bus ride with Khan after he was received by the Pakistan premier and his foreign minister at the Zero Point of the International Border of the Kartarpur corridor.

Kartarpur Corridor was the focal point of the connect between Imran Khan, who was also Pakistan cricket team’s captain once, and Amarinder Singh when they met on Saturday, said an official statement from the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.

“But there was another, equally interesting, subject of common interest they discovered and talked about during the short bus ride from the Pak side of the Zero Line to Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara,” the statement added.

“Cricket, of course, is always a common thread between every Indian and Pakistani,” the statement said.

“It bonds as well as it fires passions between the two sides. But this bus ride was one of bonding, with Captain Amarinder Singh helping Imran (Khan) discover a special connect between their families, even though the two had not met before and did not know each other personally,” it said.

During the short journey, Singh told Khan that he had seen the Pakistani prime minister play in his cricketing days.

The cricketing connect, however, went deeper, the chief minister recalled.

“During his conversation with Imran, Captain Amarinder told the latter that his uncle, Jahangir Khan had played for Patiala, along with Mohd Nisar, Lala Amarnath, fast bowler Amar Singh and the two Ali batsmen (Wazir Ali and Amir Ali).

“These seven players were part of the team captained by Captain Amarinder’s father, Maharaja Yadvinder Singh (the ruler of the erstwhile Patiala state) in 1934-35, for India and for Patiala – a fascinating bit of information that Imran enjoyed hearing from the Chief Minister”.

Imran Khan’s uncle Jahangir Khan was married to Pakistan PM’s maternal aunt Mubarak and was a cricketer during the British era, the statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said, putting the historical links in perspective.

“The bus ride lasted less than five minutes, but, thanks to the cricket, it was enough to break the ice between Imran and Captain Amarinder,” it said.

Incidentally, Amarinder Singh shared the bus ride with Pakistan PM along with his bete-noire and former Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu. Also present on the bus was Pakistan’s foreign minister.

Amarinder hoped “the journey through Kartarpur Corridor, which culminated for him in the realisation of a cherished dream, would continue in the future to build a stronger connect between the two countries – one that is as powerful as cricket,” which he hoped the two sides will try to play in the true spirit of the sport in future.

The Punjab chief minister was part of the first batch of over 550 Indian pilgrims who entered Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor, which was thrown open days ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev on November 12.

The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Indian section of the Kartarpur Corridor and flagged of the first group of pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.

The portion of the Corridor falling on the Pakistani side was thrown open by the neighbouring nation’s Prime Minister Imran Khan. PTI


Explained: India’s submarine story in deep waters, long way to go

submarine

During his recent visit to Russia, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is reported to have discussed the lease of an Akula class nuclear submarine to India. Meanwhile, the Kalvari submarine started harbour trials in Mumbai this month. Suddenly, there seems to be a lot of movement on the submarine front.
Submarines are of two types: conventional and nuclear. Conventional submarines (SSK) use a diesel-electric engine as their power source, and have to surface daily to get oxygen for fuel combustion. Nuclear submarines are powered by a nuclear reactor, and they can continue to function submerged for months without having to surface.
submarine, submarine, submarine indian navy, indian navy, indian navy submarine, india news, latest news
The nuclear powered attack submarines (SSN) are different from those that carry ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads (SSBN) — the latter have a bigger size and more stealth features. Capable of staying underwater undetected for long periods, SSBNs are supposed to be the best guarantor of a second strike capability in a nuclear exchange.But the SSKs score over the SSNs and SSBNs in littoral waters where effectiveness in relatively shallow water is a critical requirement. SSKs are optimised for stealth, and their weapons and sensors provide for effective operations close to the shore, both in offensive and defensive roles. A navy thus needs a mix of SSKs, SSNs and SSBNs in its fleet. A force level of three to five SSBNs, six SSNs and 20 SSKs is required for the Indian Navy to fulfill its mandate of a blue water navy. The guiding principle of submarines is to have one on patrol, one on transit to patrol and one in harbour for maintenance. For adequate strategic deterrence, one SSBN should be underwater at any given time, needing a minimum of three SSBNs in the fleet. The three aircraft carrier battle groups, as envisaged for potent force projection and expeditionary capacity, will need two SSNs each. Assuming a 60 per cent operational availability, 12 out of 20 SSKs will be available for both the coasts, the minimum required for India to maintain a credible tactical and operational presence in the littoral. The Navy currently has no SSBNs — under construction INS Arihant is undergoing sea trials — and one SSN, a Russian Akula class submarine taken on lease in 2012 for 10 years. The Navy has only 13 SSKs: nine Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo class) and four Shishumar class (German Type 209) submarines. The first eight Sindhughosh class SSKs were acquired from the Soviet Union between 1986 and 1991, while the ninth and tenth were acquired from Russia in 1999 and 2000 respectively. The tenth submarine, INS Sindhushastra was the first Indian submarine to be fitted with the Torpedo Tube launched anti-ship Klub missile. The ninth submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, was lost in an accident in Mumbai in 2013. The first two of the four Shishumar class submarines were acquired from HDW in Germany in 1986. The remaining two were built in India under licence at Mazagon Docks Ltd, Mumbai: INS Shalki in 1992 and INS Shankul in 1994. The saga of India’s submarine acquisition has been one of fits and starts, resulting in the waxing and waning of capability. In 1957, the Defence Minister requested Lord Mountbatten, then the First Sea Lord, to provide India a target submarine which could be the oldest and cheapest available. It didn’t materialize. In 1959, the Navy asked the UK for three operational submarines, but it refused the soft credit terms sought by India.

submarine-graph

The Navy’s submarine arm finally came into being on 8 December 1967 with the commissioning of INS Kalvari, a Foxtrot class (Type 641) submarine, at Riga in the Soviet Union. Eight submarines were acquired from the Soviet Union between 1967 and 1974 — four till 1969, which participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. All of them have been decommissioned now. The Navy first gained experience in operating technologically complex nuclear submarines when it leased a Charlie-I class SSN from the Soviet Union between 1988 and 1991. In 2006, India and Russia signed an MoU for the lease of two Akula class SSNs for a period of 10 years. India got the first one in 2012, and if Parrikar’s negotiations succeed, the second one could reach India by 2017. India’s indigenously built SSBN, INS Arihant is undergoing sea trials, following which it will be inducted into service. Two other SSBNs, S-3 and S-4, are under construction now, and plans for a much bigger S-5 submarine have also been approved. When it comes to conventional submarines, the Navy’s problems are not due to lack of a plan. A ‘30-Year Plan for Indigenous Submarine Construction’ was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in early 1999. This plan envisaged the development of two production lines on which six submarines apiece — christened Project 75 and Project 75 (I) — would be built in collaboration with two separate foreign submarine builders. The Navy would, in the meantime, develop an indigenous submarine design which would then produce 12 SSKs on these two production lines. By 2030, the Navy would then have about 24 modern SSKs. The six Scorpene submarines being made at MDL are under Project 75 — INS Kalvari which went for harbour trials recently is the first one, and will be inducted by 2017. The balance five will then be inducted by 2021. No contracts were issued under Project 75 (I), which was amended in 2010 by the DAC to allow two SSKs to be purchased on outright basis, and four to be made in India. This was done under pressure from the then Navy chief, considering the alarming state of SSKs. Late last year, the DAC chaired by Parrikar reverted to the original plan with all six 75(I) being produced under Make in India. A committee formed to examine the existing shipyards and shortlist them submitted its report in eight weeks but no decision has been taken so far. Furthermore, the 12 indigenous SSKs to be produced under the second phase of the 30 year plan have been amended to six SSKs and six SSNs in a decision taken this year by the DAC. With only 13 SSKs in its fleet, and 10 of them of pre-1990 vintage, the government has decided to go for a refit of four Sindhughosh and two Shishumar submarines to extend their life. Even with extended life, the SSKs will suffer from performance degradation during operations. India’s maritime neighbourhood has navies with increasing submarine and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. China currently has 5 SSNs, 4 SSBNs and 53 SSKs, while Pakistan is acquiring 8 submarines from China. – See more at:


IAF to begin fresh hunt for mid-air refuelling aircraft

The IAF currently operates a fleet of six Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 tankers that are plagued by maintenance problems and more refuellers are required to stay prepared to counter China in the eastern sector.The Indian Air Force is (IAF) preparing to begin a fresh hunt for new-generation mid-air refuelling planes to extend the reach of its fighter jets

After two failed attempts to induct new tankers during the last 12 years, the Indian Air Force is (IAF) preparing to begin a fresh hunt for new-generation mid-air refuelling planes to extend the reach of its fighter jets, two senior IAF officers said on condition of anonymity on Wednesday.

The official process to buy tankers is expected to begin within two months with the IAF seeking acceptance of necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) — the defence ministry’s apex procurement body — to take the proposal forward, said one of the officers cited above.

Under India’s defence procurement rules, the AoN by the council (headed by the defence minister) is the first step towards buying a weapon or platform. “We plan to seek the AoN for six new tankers in November-December. It will clear the way for sending request for proposals (RFPs) to foreign military contractors,” the second officer said. The refuellers could cost more than $2 billion.

The IAF currently operates a fleet of six Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 tankers that are plagued by maintenance problems and more refuellers are required to stay prepared to counter China in the eastern sector.

According to an August 2017 Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report, the desired serviceability of the Il-78 fleet should be 70% by IAF’s own standards but it stood at 49% during 2010-16 — barely half of the planes were available for missions at any given time.

Experts said it was imperative for the IAF to strengthen its refuelling capabilities to allow fighter jets to stay airborne longer.

“Flight refuelling aircraft are vital combat enablers. The IAF has just six, and two previous attempts at procurement faltered due to lack of funds, despite an aircraft being shortlisted both times. We have lost more than 10 years. Hopefully, wiser counsel will prevail this time,” said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

This will be the third tender for air-to-air refuelling planes since 2007, with Il-78 and Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) offered by European aerospace company EADS, competing in the previous contests that failed to end up as contracts due to price complications.

American (Boeing KC-46A), Russian (Il-78) and European (A330 MRTT) military contractors are expected to compete for the upcoming tender, industry executives said. Israel Aerospace Industries’ Bedek Aviation Group could also participate in the contest with its Boeing 767-200 multi-mission tanker transport –a conversion of the Boeing aircraft by Bedek Aviation.

In August 2017, the national auditor found that the refuelling pods of the Il-78s were dogged by failures and the tanker’s airworthiness was questionable. The comprehensive audit of the tanker fleet also revealed that tanking them up on the ground was a problem, dedicated refuelling corridors were missing and there weren’t enough hangars for the aircraft.


Army recruitment rally from Nov 25

Jalandhar, November 10
112 Infantry Battalion (TA) Dogra will organise a recruitment rally for Soldier General Duty and Clerk (Staff Duty) at Dogra Ground, Jalandhar Cantonment, from November 25-30.
This rally is being held on large scale in Jalandhar as candidates from various parts from North India will take part. The Army spokesperson said candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh will take part in this rally. He said, “The candidates from Punjab will be screened on November 25 while the candidates from Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh will be screened on November 26. Candidates from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir will be screened on November 27.” He said, “The preference will be given to good shooters, computer literate, vehicle mechanic, sportsmen and musicians.”—TNS


Modi opens corridor, thanks Imran for move Flags off first jatha to Kartarpur shrine

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Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Shikhaar Masiahan(Gurdaspur), November 9

It could not have got any bigger than this as the two warring nations finally joined hands to ensure that the 4-km-long cross-border corridor to the Kartarpur shrine, located across the wire fencing, got operational after Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally dedicated it to the public at a rally held here, 8 km away from the passage, amid the chanting of hymns.

Later, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Integrated Check Post and flagged off the first jatha (batch) of pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.

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Modi said  with today’s inauguration, a seven-decade-old demand of the Sikhs now stood fulfilled. The PM was fulsome in his praise of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Mein wazir-e-azam Imran Khan Niazi ka abhaari hun jinhone hame yeh raasta diya.” (I am indebted to PM Imran Khan for having given us this passage). After the Punjab Government cancelled its part of the festivities, apparently not wanting to send the protocol for a toss, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh joined the PM, Governor VP Singh Badnore, former CM Parkash Singh Badal, Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Puri, MPs Sunny Deol and Sukhbir Singh Badal on the dais. The stage was managed jointly by the SAD and the SGPC.

Badal said that for 18 long years, from Baisakhi 2001 till 2018, come rain, sunshine or sleet, late Akali leader Kuldeep Singh Wadala organised monthly prayer meetings at the Zero Line, urging the Almighty to pave a passage to the bordering country which would ensure that his Sikh brethren could pay obeisance at the very place where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last 18 years of his life.

Badal reminded the gathering that Wadala died in June 2018 and 17 months later the corridor sprang to life.

To commemorate his memory, the Punjab Government has named one of the roads leading to the corridor as Kuldeep Singh Wadala Marg.

“This is a just tribute to the man who made all this possible,” said Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia.

Interestingly, Capt Amarinder stuck to his stand on the corridor, which he has been viewing with scepticism, as he warned the neighbouring country against “misusing the passage to carry out its nefarious designs.”

At one point, Badal took everybody, including the PM, by surprise when he said Punjabi farmers were suffering as they were not being paid adequate MSP for wheat and paddy.

Capt warns Pakistan

Let me tell Pakistan that we, Punjabis, are not wearing bangles. The corridor should not be utilised by Pakistan for any other purpose other than what it is meant for Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab CM

PM Modi thanks Imran for Kartarpur; Khan harps on Jammu &Kashmir

Kartarpur corridor: Over 500 devotees cross over to Pak on inauguration day

Gautam Dheer
chandigarh, DHNS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday thanked his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan for respecting India’s sentiments on the Kartarpur Sahib issue, only inviting a strong reaction from Khan who unsparingly raked up the Kashmir issue calling for a “free Kashmir”.

Both Modi and Khan on Saturday inaugurated the historic Kartarpur Sahib corridor link on each side of the border as the first jatha (group of devotees) of over 500 people crossed over to Pakistan through the newly inaugurated passenger bus terminal in Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur to reach the revered Sikh shrine in Pakistan’s Kartarpur, just over three km from the Indian border.

As Modi expressed gratitude saying Khan understood and respected India’s feelings on the Kartarpur issue, Khan, during his speech before thousands of Indians in Kartarpur, asked Modi to give justice to Kashmir and its people freedom.

“I am sorry to say that today what is happening in Kashmir is beyond territorial issues. It’s a humanity issue. The human rights of 80 lakh Kashmiri people have been violated by the nine lakh Army there,” he said. Khan said the issue of Kashmir was not about land, it was about humanity. People are being kept as animals and their rights as per the UN resolution have also been taken away, he added.

Interestingly, former Punjab Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who spoke as a special guest in Pakistan ahead of Khan, sang paeans for his friend eloquently saying he (Khan) lives in the hearts of Sikhs.

Imbibe the preachings

Modi, addressing a gathering in Dera Baba Nanak on Saturday afternoon talked about imbibing the preaching of Guru Nanak. Modi advocated a drug-free environment and an environmentally aware society.

Khan, on the other side of the border, kept the Kashmir narrative alive. He said, “If PM Modi is listening, I say justice begets peace. Give justice to Kashmir. Give people of Kashmir freedom… France and Germany fought wars. Today, their borders are open. Once Kashmir issue is resolved and Kashmiri people are free, we will have peace. That day is not far away.”

Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is the place where the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. The corridor will facilitate visa-free movement with a passport to the Kartarpur shrine. Modi flagged off the first batch of pilgrims that was led by Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.


MANOHAR PARRIKAR

Defence minister
images

THE CORE ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. THE COMMISSION WILL LOOK INTO PROBLEMS IF ANY. THIS IS A DEMOCRACY, EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DEMAND. WE HAVE FULFILLED THE MAIN DEMAND, BUT WE CAN’T SATISFY EVERYONE… THEIR MAIN DEMAND FOR SAME PENSION FOR SAME RANK HAS BEEN GIVEN. REST IS EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD DECLARED [ON SEPTEMBER 5].


1965 Indo-Pak war hero remembered

1965 Indo-Pak war hero remembered

Floral tributes being paid to the 1965 Indo-Pak war hero, Major Surinder Prasad, at his memorial in Abohar. Tribune photo

Our Correspondent

Abohar, September 23

Representatives of various NGOs and some former Central and state government officials offered floral tributes at the Major Surinder Prasad memorial on Monday.

Wife of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, Lalita Shastri, inaugurated the memorial here in 1967. It was recently renovated by the Engineers Association with the help of Lions Club leader Naresh Khurana. Colonel (retd) Dilbagh Singh who participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars was also present to pay his tributes.

Chairman of Punjabi Sabhyachar Manch and former Sub-Divisional Magistrate BL Sikka said Surinder Prasad was the only son of former MLA and veteran Gandhian freedom fighter Master Teg Ram.

Alumnus of the local Municipal Board High School and DAV College, Jalandhar, Surinder Prasad was commissioned into 19 Maratha Light Infantry on December 17, 1961.

Manch president Gurcharan Singh Gill said in the 1965 Indo-Pak War, his battalion was given the responsibility of recapturing Thatti Jaimal village in the Khemkaran sector. As a company commander he succumbed to injuries sustained due to heavy shelling by the enemy. He was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously.

A prayer meeting was also held at the Samadhi Sthal in Major Surinder Park here.

 


Protesting against govt’s OROP provisions, defence veterans to start returning medals

The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for the over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country, which was rejected by the protesting ex-servicemen. – See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/protesting-against-govts-orop-provisions-defence-veterans-to-start-returning-medals/#sthash.pqZ6ER8Z.dpuf
War veterans will start returning their medals from tomorrow to protest the government notification on implementation of ‘one rank-one pension’, which they have rejected, and hit back at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for his comments that not all their demands can be met. “We have one and only demand and that is OROP. It was the government who inserted provisions that has made the issue complicated. We want OROP as per the definition. No junior should get more pension than his senior.
“In protest against the government notification, we will start returning our medals from tomorrow. On November 10-11, ex-servicemen across the country will start returning their medals. They have already informed the District Magistrates about this,” Group Captain V K Gandhi (retd), general secretary of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM), said. The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for the over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country, which was rejected by the protesting ex-servicemen. Parrikar had said earlier in the day that everyone has the right to make a demand in democracy but not all demands can be fulfilled. He said “maximum” demands of the veterans have been fulfilled and that the judicial commission to be set up by the government will look into their “problems”. In Delhi, the medals will be returned outside Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) tomorrow, Gandhi said, adding selecting crowded places for the purpose was meant to educate the common man about the issue. The protesting ex-servicemen also met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and briefed him about the OROP notification. “He called us today and asked us to brief him about the government notification. He has said in coming days he will take up the issue, address press conference and also visit the protesting ex-servicemen at Jantar Mantar,” Gandhi said after meeting Kejriwal. – See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/protesting-against-govts-orop-provisions-defence-veterans-to-start-returning-medals/#sthash.pqZ6ER8Z.dpuf


Sidhu given political clearance to visit Kartarpur; Pak issues him visa

The letter Navjot Singh Sidhu wrote on November 7.

The letter Navjot Singh Sidhu wrote on November 6.

Sandeep Dikshit & Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
New Delhi/Chandigarh/Islamabad, November 7

Hours after Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu was given political clearance by the Centre on Thursday to take part in the Kartarpur corridor inauguration ceremony on the other side of the border, Pakistan issued him visa.

Political clearance has been granted to Sidhu to travel through the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on November 9, the sources in New Delhi said.

The Pakistan government invited Punjab Congress leader Sidhu — who also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor — to attend Saturday’s inauguration.

A ruling party spokesperson had said that Sidhu, a personal friend of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan since old cricketing days, accepted the invitation.

“Sidhu has been issued a visa and we will warmly welcome him on the opening ceremony,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said during his weekly media briefing here.

The passport waiver for Kartarpur pilgrims would extend up to one year as a special gesture on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Faisal said.

Pakistan has also waived the USD 20 service charge per pilgrim per visit on November 9 and November 12, he said, adding that it has also waived the requirement of 10-day advance intimation for the mega ceremony.

Earlier in the day, Sidhu again wrote to the External Affairs Minister seeking permission to visit Kartarpur.

He said he would go to Pakistan as millions of devotees go on an eligible visa. He said since he has not got any response from the EAM, in spite of repeated reminders seeking permission, he would still go to Kartarpur.

Sidhu had on Wednesday also sought permission from the Centre for his clearance to visit Kartarpur. He had said he would visit Kartarpur via Wagah, if the approval to travel on Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s invite to him was not granted.

Sidhu has already missed the opportunity to be part of the official jatha. All Punjab MLAs were asked to apply, but Sidhu opted out. — With PTI inputs

Sidhu’s role can’t be overlooked, admit Cong leaders

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Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 6

Nearly four months after his unceremonious exit from the Cabinet and attempts to push him to political oblivion, Navjot Singh Sidhu found support and praise from some of his “old friends” in the party.Cooperatives Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and MLA Pargat Singh came out openly in support of Sidhu, while PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar was subdued while giving him credit for the opening of the corridor. Even as some senior Congress ministers and leaders raked up the issue of Sidhu’s stand of not participating in the special commemorative session of the Vidhan Sabha and seeking permission to go to Pakistan, the leaders spoke of his “contribution” in getting the project through.

CM Capt Amarinder Singh has so far refused to give credit to Sidhu. In fact, the rift between the CM and Sidhu began after the latter went to Pakistan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan PM Imran Khan, where Sidhu had claimed that Pakistan Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa had reportedly told him of the government proposal to construct the corridor. Sidhu was not present in the House today, and his name or his role over the matter was not mentioned during the session.

Randhawa told The Tribune that he gave credit to Sidhu for the construction of the corridor. “I, however, regret that Sidhu did not attend the session today. I would have loved to take him (Sidhu) along as part of the jatha to Kartarpur, and together we would have thanked Pak PM Imran Khan for fulfilling this long-pending demand of the Sikhs,” he said.

MLA Pargat Singh, who is among the few MLAs believed to be close to Sidhu, said the corridor was possible only because Guru Nanak had so desired. “But Sidhu and Imran Khan have played an important role. I would thank them and anyone else who has played a role in this,” he said. Even Jakhar said the contribution by Sidhu could not be ignored in getting the project through. “He played his part. But it is Baba Nanak who alone should get credit for the corridor,” he was quick to add.


A saint-soldier, one of the finest

SOLDIER’S CORNER
Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)
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LT Gen Hanut Singh retired more than two decades ago and moved into an ashram in Dehradun. He had cut himself from the world and spent his time in deep meditation. It is said that it was in a state of meditation that he gave up life.
I first came to know him when he was an instructor in the gunnery wing of the Armoured Corps School and I was in a gunnery course. He displayed complete mastery over the subject and in his lectures there was conviction, motivation and deep understanding of the power of the tank gun. There was nothing in tank gunnery worth knowing other than what he knew and would so convincingly put across.
The next I came in close contact with him was when he was commanding 14 Independent Armoured Brigade, where I was one of the unit commanders.
Earlier, he had taken part in the 1971 war and had made a name for himself in the famous battle of Basantar. He had put into practice what he had been so convincingly and forcefully advocating as Commander of the School of Armoured Warfare. The more remarkable part of his play was taking his regiment across a deep minefield to be with the infantry, which had already crossed the obstacle system and was nervously awaiting the onslaught of the enemy counter-attack.
Being deeply spiritual, and completely fearless, he had pushed his regiment through that deep enemy minefield without waiting for a safe lane to be cleared by the engineers. Since time was at a premium, he took the decision to wade through the minefield. It was indeed a miracle that no mine came in his way. Maybe, on that fateful night, the Lord was his charioteer as He was of Arjuna at Kurukshetra. When the enemy counter-attack materialised on the bridgehead, he was there to take it on and bring about its complete destruction. While he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, he earned from the enemy the sobriquet “Fakhr-e-Hind” for his regiment.
He had the moral courage to say what he thought was right, regardless of the fallout. An illustrious commander, he possessed the taste and feeling of the heritage of the human mind. At the root of his unimpeachable character and the courage of conviction was his self-realisation through long hours of meditation and religious beliefs. His sense of discipline and martial spirit had been passed down by his forefathers.
Lt Gen Hanut Singh was gentle of manner and stood by his officers and men. While he meditated for long hours, this spiritual digression never came in the way of his duties. He had an acutely discerning mind and few were the people that he misjudged. He led a simple soldier’s life, free from frills and follies. He exhibited all that goes into the making of a saint-soldier.
The writer resides in Chandigarh