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Tribune News Service
Sultanpur Lodhi, November 5

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the week-long main celebrations of the 550th Parkash Purb at the historic Sultanpur Lodhi.

At the event, which is held to mark the 550th birthday anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, Captain said there should be no “politics” played at the auspicious event—referring to the controversy surrounding the celebrations.

There are two events scheduled at Sultanpur Lodhi to mark the day—one to be held by the state government under Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the other being organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

The chief minister asked people to follow the Guru’s teachings of tolerance and harmony to counter the growing instances religious intolerance in the country. He invited the participants to the main function on November 12, and also to visit the Kartarpur Corridor, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 9 at Dera Baba Nanak.

On this occasion, the Captain announced a new administrative complex, and Rs 150 crore ring roads, around the heritage city of Sultanour Lodhi, to enhance its connectivity with other cities. The iconic, Quila Sarai, at present doubling up as the Tehsil administrative office, would be preserved by the state government as heritage building, he said.

Amarinder, along with Cabinet Minister Charnjit Singh Channi, also released four books related with Guru Nanak’s philosophy penned and edited by acclaimed Punjabi writers including Surjit Patar.

The books—Guru Nanak’s ‘Blessed Trail’, ‘Guru Nanak Bani’, Sone Ka Birkh’ (The Golden Tree) and Guru Nanak Dev Ji Life and Relics’—have been printed by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

Besides, the Captain inaugurated two exhibitions containing relics, manuscripts and rare books associated with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life.

One, put up by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, showcases 53 panels depicting the life of the first Sikh Guru, while the other has been curated by the Punjab Small Industries Export Corporation.

Upgrading and widening of roads, besides construction of new bridges and improvement of hospitals, had been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 235 crores, the Captian pointed out, adding that a Rs. 100 Crores project to develop all 70-odd Pahli Patshahi de Charan Chhoe Prapt Pind as model villages with proper amenities has also been initiated.

The Chief Minister announced that cleaning and lining of the right bank of the Holy Bein had been completed in the Sultanpur Lodhi section at a cost of Rs. 11 crores, in partnership with Sant Seechewal.

The State Government, said Captain Amarinder, had also secured approval from the Centre for its proposal to develop Sultanpur Lodhi as a Heritage Town for Rs. 271 crore on 50:50 sharing basis, and to set up a Centre for Inter-Faith Studies at GNDU Amritsar at a cost of Rs. 175 crores.

It had also proposed establishment of a Pind Babe Nanak Da (Museum in around 75-80 acres of land) at a cost of Rs. 300 crores, he added.

Widening of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Marg from Sultanpur Lodhi to Dera Baba Nanak Road via Beas and Raiyya had been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 102 Crores, the Chief Minister said.

Highlighting the world class arrangements made for pilgrims, the Chief Minister said that a tented city,  spread across 277 acres, for 35,000 people had been erected a cost of Rs. 53 Crores, with 2200 temporary toilets and 10 water vending machines, besides 18 parking sites spread over 542 acres to facilitate the devotees.

Special trains, including Prakash Purab Express from Delhi to Sultanpur Lodhi, had also being made operational. Punjab had also made efficient arrangements for running of special buses and mini buses as well as e-rickshaws, free of cost for the devotees in Sultanpur Lodhi, said the Chief Minister.

To mark the historic occasion, the Captain’s government has convened a Special Vidhan Sabha Session on Wednesday, which is to be addressed by Vice President of India M. Venkiah Naidu and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

A Conference of scholars on peace and amity would also be organised at Chandigarh on November 7th and 8th besides Ik Noor Inter-Faith Conclave on November 9th at Amritsar, to be attended by many personalities including the Dalai Lama.

The Dera Baba Nanak Utsav would attract devotees from around the world from 8th to 11th November, while eminent Punjabis would be honoured at PTU Kapurthala on 10th, he added.

Capt launches week-long function, flags fears on Pak’s corridor moveword of caution Says ISI will use corridor to promote ‘Referendum 2020’, rejects claim that Modi is seeking credit for project

Jatinder Mahal

jatinder@htlive.com

Sultanpur Lodhi : Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the week-long celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary (Parkash Purb) of Guru Nanak at the historic town of Sultanpur Lodhi, with a word of caution against Pakistan’s move to open the Kartarpur corridor by terming it “suspicious”.

“Its agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is going to make full use of the corridor to promote pro-Khalistan campaign ‘Referendum 2020’ besides its own agenda. They want the sympathy of the Sikh community to back up ‘2020 Referendum’. Everyone is happy with the religious part but the neighbouring country’s political strategy is different and the situation is worse than before,” he said responding to a question on the sidelines of the inauguration of an exhibition as part of the celebrations.

Earlier also, the CM has blamed Pakistan for helping hardliner Sikh groups to disrupt peace and harmony in Punjab.

Amarinder rejected the claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking credit for the Kartarpur corridor saying, “It happened this time that the corridor is opening and he will inaugurate it being the PM. The project was in the pipeline for decades. During my previous term as CM, former prime minister Manmohan Singh had also taken the corridor issue with Pakistan.”

Modi on November 9 will formally inaugurate the Indian side of the corridor that will connect with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.

‘Appeals against indulging in politics’

The CM appealed to one and all not to indulge in politics or one-upmanship and commemorate the auspicious event in the spirit of universal brotherhood as propagated by the first Sikh master.

Earlier, he launched the celebrations by performing ‘sewa’ (service) of Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, before start of ‘Sehaj Path’ jointly organised by the state government, religious organisations and Sant Samaj at the main podium of the function.

He also announced a new administrative complex and ₹150 crore ring road around the heritage city of Sultanpur Lodhi to enhance its connectivity with other cities.

He also announced that iconic Quila Serai to be preserved as heritage building.

He released four books on Guru Nanak’s philosophy penned and edited by acclaimed Punjabi writers, including Surjit Patar. The books ‘Guru Nanak’s Blessed Trail’, ‘Guru Nanak Bani’, ‘Sone Ka Birkh’ (the Golden Tree) and ‘Guru Nanak Dev’s Life and Relics’ have been printed by the state department of tourism and cultural affairs.

Exhibitions on relics, manuscripts

Later, he inaugurated two exhibitions containing relics, manuscripts and rare books associated with Guru Nanak’s life.

The first, put up by the tourism and cultural affairs department, showcases 53 panels depicting the life of the first Guru, while the other is curated by the Punjab Small Industries Export Corporation.

Amarinder said repair and widening of roads and construction of new bridges besides upgrade of hospitals was undertaken at ₹235 crore.

A ₹100 crore project to develop all 70-odd ‘Pehli Patshahi de Charan Chhoe Prapt Pind’ as model villages with all amenities was also initiated, he added.

The state government, the CM said, will convene a special Vidhan Sabha session on Wednesday to be addressed by Vice President M Venkiah Naidu and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

A conference of scholars on peace and amity will also be organised in Chandigarh on November 7 and 8 besides ‘Ik Noor Inter-Faith Conclave’ on November 9 in Amritsar to be attended by distinguished personalities, including the Dalai Lama.

Women camping in city to serve langar to devotees

Women preparing food at a langar in Sultanpur Lodhi. Ht photo

Gagandeep Jassowal

gagandeep@htlive.com

SULTANPUR LODHI : Women from various parts of Punjab besides states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Haryana are camping in Sultanpur Lodhi to serve meal at various langars (community kitchens) to lakhs of devotees visiting the town as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak.

More than 70 large langars are set up here. Also, women from nearby areas are offering sewa (service) from morning till late evening. The langar organisers have arranged transportation service for those coming from nearby villages.

At ‘Bebe Nanaki Langar’, Sandeep Kaur, a resident of Sherpur Sadda village of Kapurthala district, said she along with 10 other women comes at 10am and stays here till evening. “Being from the surrounding area, it is our duty to host the pilgrims in a better way. Secondly, it’s a lifetime opportunity,” she says.

Gurmeet Kaur from Bilaspur town in Uttar Pradesh came with a jatha of 10 women on November 1. “We all belong to Bilaspur. It’s all about devotion to Guru Nanak”, she says. Veer Kaur, 75, who came with five women from Kashipur town in Uttarakhand, says, “It was like dream come true to attend the celebrations and contribute to the same by performing sewa.”

At another langar, Raj Kaur of Ali Kalan village of Kapurthala district says, “I am part of a group of 40 women who are cleaning utensils so that the devotees have not to wait for long.”

Baba Nidhan Singh ‘Hazur Sahib Wale’, who is running the largest langar, said 500 women from various districts of Punjab are offering sewa and are playing a key role in the entire process.

Discussions for the creation of a Joint Services Act by the government featured in the Army Commanders’ conference along with talks on training in the fields of space, artificial intelligence and military education, keeping in mind modern warfare.

NEW DELHI: The need for a Joint Services Act to integrate the three armed forces, ahead of the creation of the post of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), was taken up during the ongoing Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Officials said discussions at the conference also featured around rollout of training for Army personnel in the fields of space, artificial intelligence and military education, keeping in mind the changing spectrums of war and conflicts.

Read more at:
//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/71626206.cms?from=mdr&utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Considered a bridge too far since Independence and despite the innumerable odds, the Kartarpur corridor — a 4.6-km border crossing to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan — would be thrown open to public on November 9

Work underway at the site of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur (Pakistan), which will be opened next month for pilgrims from India. 

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) officers will face court-martial for the Mi-17 chopper crash in which six of its personnel were killed due to friendly fire by own missile system on February 27 over Srinagar. As many as four other officers will also face administrative action in the case which includes two Air Commodores (equivalent to Army Brigadiers) and two Flight Lieutenants (Captain equivalents in Army) for their respective roles in the entire case. “Two officers including a Group Captain and a Wing Commander would be tried by a court-martial for their lapses in the case due to which six IAF personnel were killed in friendly fire,” defence sources told news agency ANI. On the morning of February 27, when Pakistan counter-attacked in response to the Balakot airstrike, an IAF Mi-17 chopper crashed over Budgam area near Srinagar killing all six of its occupants. It was revealed that the chopper was hit by its own air defence system SPYDER deployed in Srinagar. The chopper of the Srinagar-based 154 Helicopter Unit crashed within 10 minutes of taking off even as a dogfight raged over 100 kilometres away between intruding Pakistani jets and the IAF, in which Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was also involved. Six IAF personnel onboard and a civilian on the ground had lost their lives in the crash. Soon after taking over, newly-appointed IAF chief RKS Bhadauria had stated that the Mi-17 chopper crash on February 27 was a “big mistake” on part of the Air Force. Earlier, Bhadauria had said, “Court of Inquiry has completed and it was our mistake as our missile had hit our own chopper.” The fateful Mi-17 helicopter was shot down by an Indian missile when Indian air defences were on high alert following the February 26 Balakot airstrike that targetted a terrorist camp in Pakistan. The helicopter crashed near Budgam, killing all six Indian Air Force personnel on board. The helicopter was flown by squadron leader Siddharth Vashisht with other members squadron leader Ninad Mandvgane, Kumar Pandey, sergeant Vikrant Sehrawat, corporals Deepak Pandey and Pankaj Kumar.

idrw.org .Read more at India No 1 Defence News Website http://idrw.org/2-iaf-officers-face-court-martial-4-others-administrative-action-for-shooting-down-of-mi-17-chopper/ .

Coffee Table Book on Rezang La Battle likely to be released on 18 Nov 2019 on the Rezang La Day. Foreword written by Brig Jatar, senior most living veteran who was deployed ay Mugger Hill as OIC B & D Coys on thay fateful night.

About The Author

Col NN Bhatia, popularly known as Nini Bhatia in the army was commissioned in 13 Kumaon (Rezang La) in mid 1963 and retired in Sept 1995 after 32 years of distinguished service. He is a diehard Kumaoni & written four books-Kumaoni Nostalgia, Industrial & Infrastructure Security in two volumes & biography of legendary Kumaoni mountaineer Col Narinder Kumar ‘Bull’ of the international fame-‘Soldier Mountaineer’. He is prolific writer & has been columnist with ‘Lahore Times’ & ‘Turkey Tribune’. He regularly contributes articles on matters military, national, industrial and infrastructure security and is a free lance industrial security consultant of national repute. He is deeply involved for the repatriation of 54 Indian prisoners of war (POWs) languishing in the Pakistani jails since 1971 war and welfare of retired soldiers in distress, ‘Veer Naris’ and their families. He can be contacted on narindrabhatia@hotmail.com and 9818044762.

About the Book
13 Kumaon became the first pure Ahir Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment prior to the 1962 Sino-Indian War. As there was no other Battalion with 100% Ahir composition, there were misgivings in some quarters. However, these were soon laid to rest when the Battalion faced its baptism of fire in Chushul in the 1962 Sino-Indian war and covered itself with glory. The gallant men of C Company of the Battalion under their redoubtable Company Commander, Late Major Shaitan Singh, PVC put up a fight at Rezang La, the like of which was never fought by any Unit in the Indian Army in its entire history and the nearest example perhaps could be ‘The Battle of Saragarhi’- both depicting bitterest irony of life that the greatest acts of the chivalry, bravery and sacrifice occur against the heaviest odds. Out of the 124 brave hearts, 120 were martyred pitched against overwhelming 4000-5000 Chinese hordes having superior weapons and logistic support!
Since 1962 Sino- Indian War has not been de-classified, many authors have written articles and books on the ‘Battle of Rezang La’ but most of these are factually incorrect and lack firsthand knowledge of the troops, the terrain and the conduct of the Battle. Col Bhatia was commissioned in 13 Kumaon located at Darbuk half way between Leh and Chushul after the Rezang La. He visited Chushul on the first anniversary of the Rezang La Battle and interacted with the few war survivors with whom he served for many years. He had for years discussed the epic Battle with late Lt Gen DD Saklani, PVSM, AVSM who was the Adjutant of 13 Kumaon during the war and Maj (later Brig) Raghunath V Jatar (Retd) who was deployed at Mugger Hill on that fateful night. He had access to the Battalion’s War Diary and rare photographs, maps and sketches of that period. According to author, ‘I hope this book written ‘straight from the heart’ of the soldier within me, will motivate our armed forces, youth and posterity. Reading the book with somewhat the same emotions that run in me, would eventually bind you to my writings -leaving you humming ‘Bedu Pako Bara Massa’ or ‘Attarah November Basath Ko’ synergizing your enjoyment while unfolding soul stirring Macaulay’s inscription on the Chushul Memorial constructed to commemorate the 114 fallen martyrs who fought against heavy odds on 18 November 1962 in the Rezang La Battle, replicating remarkable story of a valiant last stand on 12 September 1897 at the Battle of Saragarhi that would reverberate around forever.

‘Will you stand with me?
Fight and die if need be?
Hold against the hordes until the last man falls?
Will you sacrifice all you have gained in life?
Reject your comfort for a greater end?
Stand together never waiver,
Brave in the face of overwhelming odds,
For our future and for freedom,
We unite in liberty, or death’.

From When Myth and History Merged with Mystery.
Matti Frost

New Delhi, October 8

Pakistan has activated at least 20 terror camps and another 20 launch pads along the Line of Control with increased efforts to ensure infiltration of as many terrorists as it can into Jammu and Kashmir before the onset of winter, officials said on Tuesday.

The terror training camps and launch pads, with at least 50 terrorists in each, were activated after these were temporarily shut down following the bombing of a CRPF bus in Pulwama in February and subsequent retaliatory bombing of terror camps in Balakot by the Indian Air Force.

Pakistani agencies were desperately looking to carry out spectacular terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and even in the hinterlands following the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and its bifurcation into two Union Territories, a security official said quoting intelligence inputs.

Since the terrorists have not been able to carry out any major attack, the Pakistani agencies were trying hard to push as many terrorists as they can into Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have intelligence inputs that Pakistan has activated at least 20 terror training camps and another 20 launch pads with about 50 terrorists in each. All these terrorists will infiltrate through LoC wherever and whenever there are opportunities,” the official said.

Even though the security forces remain on high alert and have enhanced their vigil along the border, many terrorists have been able to infiltrate in recent weeks.

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh has said 200 to 300 terrorists are active in the state and Pakistan has intensified cross-border firing to push in as many of them as possible before the onset of winter.

“The number of active terrorists (in Jammu and Kashmir) is between 200 to 300… The figure usually does not remain static and goes up and down,” Singh told reporters during a visit to the border district of Poonch on Sunday.

Singh has also said a large number of ceasefire violations are taking place in both Kashmir and Jammu regions.

The ceasefire violations have been taking place in Kanachak, R S Pura and Hira Nagar (along the International Border) and quite frequently along the LoC in Poonch, Rajouri, Uri, Nambla, Karnah and Keran.

There have also been intelligence inputs that top terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad, operating in Jammu and Kashmir, have recently held a meeting and decided to intensify their attacks on security forces and other sensitive targets, another official said.

Following the central government’s August 5 announcement of the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has also intensified its diplomatic offensive against India, especial in the West.

In the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly in New York, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the situation in Kashmir would deteriorate once the restrictions imposed there is lifted.

“You hope for the best but be prepared for the worst,” he said.

Khan said once the curfew is lifted, “there will be a reaction” and India would blame Pakistan.

“Two nuclear-armed countries will come face to face, like we came in February,” he said, a reference to the stand-off between the two nations following the Pulwama terror attack and India’s subsequent air strikes on terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan.

The central government has been maintaining that there is no curfew or restriction in Jammu and Kashmir and Section 144 of the CrPC (banning unlawful assembly) is in force in only 10 police station areas of Kashmir, out of 196 police stations.

India would like to make itself useful to countries in the Indian Ocean Region, and leverage its size and advantages to help the economy and security of the countries in its vicinity, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has said. Doval, who was in Goa to attend the 2nd Goa Maritime Conclave for the Indian Ocean Region countries hosted by the Navy, reached out to countries of the Indian Ocean offering them the technological and infrastructural facilities that India has been able to build up.

“India has certain geographical advantages and also the advantage of size… and having initiated some of the things can add to the common goal,” Doval said. “The technological and infrastructural facilities that India has been able to build up, we would like to throw open and make it available for the best use of the countries of the region,” Ajit Doval said, pointing out that India had provided navigational warnings, and hydrographic surveys to the neighbouring countries.

“In our neighbourhood first policy, this is our commitment. That in fighting terror, organised crime, drug trafficking, narcotics, arms smuggling, we would like to cooperate with all of you,” he said.
“But India still lacks in many areas where we would like to develop and grow, but in a way where we would not only maximise our national benefits but also become more useful to countries in our neighbourhood,” Doval said.

Doval, however, underscored that the plan was only to cooperate and not become a naval alliance.

“I would like to underline that we are not part of any alliance. Our cooperation is not directed against any country. Our cooperation is truly intended and focussed on bringing about a change that will only add towards the prosperity of each country and region,” Doval said.
“There are many things that need to be done but none of us are in a position to do it alone but together we can do and contribute and that brings about the element of contra complementarity. It has got a much greater space because all of us have a non-contiguous relationships, we do not have any areas of strategic conflict. We consider that anything that is good for one country is going to contribute to the wellness of the rest,” Doval said.

The maritime conclave is being hosted by Karambir Singh, the Chief of Naval Staff and witnessed the naval chiefs of Indian Ocean littoral countries including the countries of Maldives, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Indonesia, Singapore, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Myanmar and others.

Earlier, Chief of Naval Staff Karambir Singh listed out the problems facing the Indian Ocean Region countries and the challenges the navies faced.
“Climate change, rising sea levels, natural calamities pose clear and present dangers. Maritime terror, drug smuggling IUU (illegal unreported unregulated) fishing, poaching, trafficking, etc, have increasingly occupied navies across the region,” Singh said in his inaugural speech.

“Thirdly, there is a recognition that no one nation can do it all alone. The vastness of the oceans is only contradicted by the inadequacy of our individual resources. No single entity can single-handedly requisition the full scale of assets, economics and expertise to tackle the gamut of challenges faced. This is also crucial, given the transnational nature of threats,” he added.