Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 13

To showcase its history and role, the Border Security Force (BSF) is setting up a hi-tech interpretation centre at the joint check post at Attari on the border with Pakistan.

The Retreat at Attari attracts about 15,000 visitors from across the country and abroad on weekdays and up to 25,000 on weekends or holidays. This, the BSF believes, is an ideal venue to project its activities.

“The process of setting up an interpretation centre has commenced and the entire work of conceptualisation, designing, construction and installation of display items will be outsourced on a turnkey basis,” a BSF officer said. “The project is expected to complete in about two years,” he said.

The centre will have several galleries with different themes, such as the history of the force, its role and allocated tasks, deployment on the eastern and western theatres, counter-insurgency and internal security duties, international peace-keeping missions, organisation and rank structure, achievers and martyrs. There will be a separate gallery for displaying weapons, surveillance equipment and communication gadgets used by the border guarding force. Another gallery will be dedicated to BSF’s specialised wings, such artillery, air wing, marine wing, commando wing, camel squads and dog squads.

Feats on display

• The centre will have several galleries with different themes, such as the history of the force, allocated tasks and deployment on the eastern and western theatres among others
• There will be a separate gallery for displaying weapons, surveillance equipment and communication gadgets used by the force

Manohar Singh Gill

I was born in Aldinpur, a kilometre from Tarn Taran, Punjab. The township was founded by Guru Arjan, the fifth Guru, who stayed there for 25 years, till tortured and martyred by Emperor Jahangir in Lahore. I believe Guru Nanak is the daata of everything in Sikhism, but Guru Nanak and Sikhism would have disappeared a century after him but for the compiling of Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan. His father, Guru Ram Das, initiated the construction of Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, but died soon after. Guru Arjan compiled Guru Granth Sahib, completed the Darbar Sahib, and installed Guru Granth Sahib there. If there were no Guru Arjan and Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak’s teachings would have faded.

His field of action was West Punjab, beyond the Ravi, in a pre-dominant Muslim population. I prefer to call him Baba Nanak, a more loving and affectionate term. None of the later Gurus were so addressed. I said in Parliament and repeat, that the partition was not of India, but of Punjab. We lost all the rich canal colonies and were cleaned out from the West. The Sikhs with their fortitude made a new life in the East, in poor and limited land.

What was the Muslim feeling for Baba Nanak? I have been to Pakistan a number of times. I asked to be taken to Kartarpur. It was not open to the Sikhs and there was no keenness on either side to do so. On my visit, I travelled alone, with no security, just a friend, to Kartarpur. I asked the local MP that I wanted to meet at least 400 people from the surrounding villages. He was happy to oblige. I believed that Baba Nanak was for the masses, most of all the poor. Therefore, I wanted to meet the Muslim population. The gurdwara was small, in a few acres; it had five Sikhs for service and stood in isolation away from any village. The villagers had come in large numbers; pilao had been made and charpais laid out. I wanted some singers of Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah and others. Three men sang for me. Baba Nanak, without the Sikhs, still had his shardhalus. They came regularly, in large numbers, to seek his solace. Baba’s dwar continued to have raunaq.

When I became MP in 2004, I went for the first time to Dera Baba Nanak, on our side, in Gurdaspur. I was shocked. People came, bowed in the dust, cried and went home. In the Punjab Government, officers like me, and all ministers simply ignored Dera Baba Nanak. Once I realised what I had missed, I began to make continuous propaganda in all language papers and in any other way. I demanded that the 4-km path be opened, with security wire put on the sides, and police on duty on either side. The Sikhs should be allowed, without passports or visas, to walk across, pray and come back. There was indifferent silence on both sides. When I went to Pakistan, I was interviewed as a former Chief Election Commissioner. I always asked to speak on Kartarpur. I put it to them that the Indian Government was sending Muslim pilgrims to Mecca at state cost and deliberately said that all world faiths can visit there “Meccas” and why then were they not allowing Sikhs to walk over to Kartarpur, our ‘Mecca’. As it happens, Baba Nanak’s main shrines, Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur and Panja Sahib are all in Pakistan. I believed this was an issue even for the UN, as we were the only people so punished.

I am giving this past not to claim anything. I believe Baba Nanak is doing this for us, in this year of remembrance. Our prayers have been heard. I thank the people of Pakistan for finally seeing the light. The work on both sides and the tremendous world interest will only promote what Baba Nanak preached. First, “Naa koi Hindu, Naa Musalman”, we see no other. “Sabna jiyan kaa ik daata”, let me not ever forget, says Baba Nanak. In our morning, evening prayers, in our ardas, our final prayer, is, “Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Daa Bhala.” Remembering your Name and your highest being, I pray for the benefit of all.

— The writer is a former MP and CEC

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Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 6

The special commemorative session of the Vidhan Sabha, convened to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, saw the Congress taking “Panthic hues” and the party’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talking of how Punjab was moving away from the Guru’s philosophy, as its youth were getting addicted to drugs, air and water were polluted and culture being eroded.

The session was attended by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Governors of Punjab and Haryana VP Singh Badnore and Satyadeo Narain Arya and Chief Ministers Capt Amarinder Singh and ML Khattar. The session also saw legislators from both Punjab and Haryana sit in the Vidhan Sabha hall after more than 50 years.

Raising “jaikaras” and chanting hymns, five Congress MLAs — Parminder Singh Pinky, Kulbir Singh Zira, Fatehjung Bajwa, Varindermeet Singh Pahra, and Darshan Brar — came barefoot, wearing siropas and chanted hymns, even as Aam Aadmi Party and Akali-BJP MLAs looked on. The five MLAs were joined by other Congress MLAs who stood there and raised the “jaikara” with them, just as the VIP guests came in.

Naidu began his speech in chaste Punjabi and used several quotes of the first Sikh Guru on creating an ideal society. Incidentally, he was the only one to have also addressed former CM and Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal before he beginning his speech, even as Manmohan Singh, Capt Amarinder and Speaker Rana KP chose to ignore him in their addresses.

Naidu hoped that the opening of the corridor would be a sign of peace, harmony and humanism, and contribute to the realisation of Guru Nanak’s vision of an ideal society. “In a world that is increasingly fragmented with narrow tunnel vision, bigotry and dogmatism, we needall the strength to dispelthe darkness that constantly threatens to envelop individuals, communities and nations,” he added.

Manmohan Singh said the Kartarpur model should be replicated in the future too as a lasting resolution of conflicts. “I appeal to you all to spread Guru Nanak’s message of love and respect to ensure an equitable society. Guru’s eternal message of oneness of God, religious tolerance and peace could pave the way to end sectarian violence, which was the biggest challenge facing the world,” he said.

Capt Amarinder gave a call for the protection of nature to save the future generations from the devastating effects of environmental pollution. Recalling the Guru’s ideology “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat” (Air is the guru, water the father, and earth the mother), he underlined the intrinsic bond between nature and mankind.

Bills passed

The House unanimously passed a Bill to establish Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University in Patiala. However, opposition MLAs raised question as to why another university was being set up in the royal city. Parminder Dhindsa said it should be established at Sultanpur Lodhi.

Lunch diplomacy

• At the special lunch after the session, Capt Amarinder and his bete noire Parkash S Badal sat on the same table, though at a distance. Haryana Dy CM Dushyant Chautala sat next to Badal
• Sukhdev Dhindsa sat close to the CM, while Bikram Majithia at the other corner
• After the lunch, Amarinder’s wife Preneet Kaur walked up to Badal and enquired about his well-being
• Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, former PM Manmohan Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and both Punjab and Haryana Governors did not stay back for lunch

• Chhatra’, ‘rumala’ for Kartarpur Sahib handed over to Manmohan Singh

• 
• A delegation of Delhi Congress leaders led by DPCC President Subhash Chopra felicitate former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of his visit to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan through Kartarpur corridor, at formers residence in New Delhi, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (PTI Photo)

Family members and officials pay their last respects to Sepoy Randeep Singh at Dera Hariyoli village.

Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 4

Sepoy Randeep Singh, a resident of Dera Hariyoli in Ambala, was cremated with state honours at his native village on Monday. Randeep died of heart attack in Sikkim while on duty in the wee hours on Saturday.

Commanding Officer Rajat Sehrawat, Subedar Major Haripal, Mullana MLA Varun Chaudhary, DSP Amit Bhatia, Tehsildar Punyadeep Sharma and a large number of other people laid wreaths and paid their tributes as a mark of respect to the deceased Army man.

Randeep (33) of the 27th Rajput Regiment was posted at Nathu La Pass. He is survived by wife Anjali and two minor daughters Manvi (6) and Riya (3). He joined Army in 2005.

Randeep felt pain in his chest on Friday and then again on Saturday, following which he was taken to the military hospital for treatment where he breathed his last.

Meanwhile, kin of the Army man marked their resentment after not finding any senior district official or government representative at the cremation. They said no senior official has visited the family yet.

However, the district administration maintained that representatives from the administration, Zila Sainik Board and the police attended the last rites of the Army man.

Ex-serviceman Shripal Singh, Randeep’s uncle-in-law, said, “We were told that Randeep is unwell and has been taken to military hospital, but there was no official information about his demise. We came to know about his death only after my niece read a status on social media, which was posted by Randeep’s colleague on Saturday morning.”

“We were told that Randeep died due to heart attack. He was on duty at Nathu La Pass when experienced chest pain. It is sad that no senior official has visited the family even after three days of his demise.”

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 30

In a decision that will come as a major relief to military pensioners, the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled that the pension payable to such individuals should be calculated on the basis of actual length of service rendered by them, not as per the theoretical ‘maximum terms of engagement’ prescribed for their rank.

Allowing the petition of a 96-yrear-old IAF veteran, Master Warrant Officer Chander Bhan, the AFT’s Chandigarh Bench comprising Justice Virender Singh and Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal has ruled that the master policy of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), as approved by the Cabinet, is clear on the point that pension is now to be regulated as per the rank and length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement.

Bhan, who had joined the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force in 1944 and was released from service in 1980, had contended that while he had served for 36 years, he was being paid the pension applicable to 28 years of service under the One Rank One Pension on the pretext that though he had served longer, the maximum terms of engagement mentioned in rules for his rank was only 28 years. Hence, in accordance with the implementation instructions issued by the MoD, pension was to be restricted as per maximum terms applicable for the rank held by a person at the time of retirement.

The Bench held that the implementation instructions could not pose any additional impediment since it would amount  to dividing pensioners based upon the maximum terms of engagement applicable at different dates of retirement. The Bench also observed that the earlier accepted recommendations of pay commissions had pegged pension to a maximum term of 33 years and the same could not be reduced through administrative instructions. It added that it was also arbitrary to pay pension for a lesser length of service when he was made to serve much longer.

Incidentally, this was the last judgment by Justice Virender Singh who retired this month after having served as the AFT chairperson. The AFT is currently functioning with only two judicial members against the sanctioned strength of 17. The remaining two members are scheduled to retire in December this year. Though the MoD has advertised vacancies, the appointments would be subject to the outcome of a case challenging AFT rules that is pending before the Supreme Court.

Win for 96-year-old

• Allowing the petition of a 96-yrear-old IAF veteran, Master Warrant Officer Chander Bhan, the AFT’s Chandigarh Bench has ruled that the master policy of the Ministry of Defence is clear on the point that pension is now to be regulated as per the rank and length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after inaugurating ‘Col Chewang Rinchen’ bridge connecting Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldie in Eastern Ladakh. PTI

Leh-Ladakh, October 21  

The government on Monday announced that Siachen area, the world’s highest battlefield, is now open to tourists.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the government has decided to open the entire area from Siachen base camp to Kumar Post for tourism purposes.

The step has been taken to boost tourism in Ladakh and give people a window to appreciate the tough work done by Army jawans and engineers in extreme weather and inhospitable terrains, he said.

Singh was addressing a function in eastern Ladakh to inaugurate Col Chewang Rinchin Bridge on Shyok River, located about 45 km from the county’s border with China.

“The Ladakh MP in his address, mentioned about opening this area to tourism. And, I am happy to share that the government has decided to open a route from Siachen Base Camp to Kumar Post for tourists,” the minister said.

“This step will make them appreciate the efforts put in by jawans, engineers and other workers,” he said.

Singh later tweeted, “The Siachen area is now open for tourists and tourism. From Siachen Base to Kumar Post, the entire area has been opened for tourism purposes.”

The Siachen Glacier, at a height of around 20,000 ft in the Karakoram Range, is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

Avalanches and landslides are common at the glacier during the winters and temperatures can drop to as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius

At the bridge inauguration, Singh said only steel and concrete have not gone into its making, but “sweat and valour” of the engineers and workers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) too.

They have toiled hard and people should know their stories, Singh said.

The 1400-ft long bridge is the highest altitude permanent bridge that will connect Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldi and reduce travel time by about half.

The Indian Army had moved a proposal for opening up Siachen to tourists with a focus to showcase the working conditions of troops serving in the sector, and the government gave its nod, according to sources.

According to official figures, the Army lost 163 personnel at the world’s highest battlefield during the last 10 years.

India and Pakistan started deploying troops at the strategically key glacier in 1984 and mountaineering expeditions were allowed till then.

The glacier came under the strategic control of India in 1984 following ‘Operation Meghdoot’.

Former northern command chief Lt Gen (retd) BS Jaswal, however, feels that environmental issues will be a matter of concern.

“Tourism and other activities will see a surge in waste dumping. This will hasten glacier retreat. Due to the presence of the Army, a lot of non-biodegradable waste is already present there and every day, about 1,000 kg is being added,” Lt Gen Jaswal said.

He said that while opportunities will open up the doors for revenue generation for locals as also the government, keeping the security in view, red lines will have to be drawn to restrict areas for visits.

This being a very sensitive area, security issues, especially concerning foreigners, will have to be factored in, he added.

At the same time, the former army commander said, it will also motivate the youngsters to join the Army.

“They will learn that the forces can operate and sustain in extreme climate and very hostile terrain….  It will be a capability demonstration to our countrymen,” he added. — PTI