Martyr Suresh Kumar

Our Correspondent

Kangra, July 15

The state government is committed to help the families of the martyrs who lay down their lives for the safety and security of the nation.Stating this here yesterday, Kangra Deputy Commissioner CP Verma said on compassionate grounds the state government had decided to pay Rs 20 lakh to the family of Suresh Kumar of the CRPF, who attained martyrdom at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 this year.The Deputy Commissioner said he would visit the martyr’s family at Sunni village in Nagrota Bagwan and will hand over a cheque for Rs 20 lakh to his family. He said the district administration was also at the beck and call of the families of martyrs.The story, “Sacrifice of martyr being ignored: Kin”, was carried in these columns on June 8. It highlighted that the family of martyr Suresh Kumar had alleged disparity by the state government and politicians who ignored his great sacrifice.Martyr Suresh Kumar, who was attached to 219 Battalion of the CRPF, popularly known as Cobra Battalion, was part of the patrolling party for road opening at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 when Maoists attacked them and he died while fighting the Maoists. He is survived by his 27-year-old wife Neena Devi, a year-old daughter Navya and his aged parents.Suresh was the only bread-earner for his , which is not economically well-off.The Deputy Commissioner presented a cheque for Rs 1.50 lakh to the family on the day of cremation. Mast Ram, father of the martyr, was anguished and pained to see disparity between martyrs of the same CRPF force, who attained martyrdom under same circumstances and at the same situation and location.Mast Ram, 65, alleged his son was given Rs 1.5 lakh as ex gratia financial support whereas the state government gave Rs 20 lakh each to Surender Kumar of Nehar Chowk and Sanjay Kumar of Nagri Chachian of 74 Battalion of CRPF who too attained the martyrdom at Sukma on April 24 this year under the same circumstances.Yesterday, his demand was accepted by the state government.Killed in Sukma attackMartyr Suresh Kumar, who was attached to 219 Battalion of the CRPF, popularly known as Cobra Battalion, was part of the patrolling party for road opening at Sukma in Chhattisgarh on March 11 when Maoists attacked them and he died while fighting the Maoists.

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 12

China today offered to play a “constructive”’ role in improving ties between India and Pakistan. With the standoff in Sikkim nearing almost a month and the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the statement is bound to aggravate India and the situation further. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)India has always maintained that Kashmir issue is a bilateral one. China’s statement comes a day after its media suggested that a “third” country’s army could enter Jammu and Kashmir on Pakistan’s request, using the same logic that India has to stop  Chinese troops from constructing a road in Doklam. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said: “The conflict occurred near the Line of Control in Kashmir. This will not only harm peace and stability in the two countries, but also of the region.”He hoped the two sides would do more to prevent   escalating tensions and that China was willing to play a “constructive” role.Only yesterday Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had made a conciliatory statement, suggesting that India and China could manage their border disputes.

Burhan Wani. File photo

New Delhi, July 9

India on Sunday hit out at Pakistan for glorifying militant commander Burhan Wani, saying Islamabad’s terror support and sponsorship need to be condemned by ‘one and all’.

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In a strongly worded tweet, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Gopal Baglay said: ” First @ForeignOfficePk read frm banned LeT’s script. Now Pak COAS (Pakistan army chief) glorifies Burhan Wani. Pak’s terror support and sponsorship need to be condemned by one and all”.

Baglay’s comments came a day after Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa praised Wani, Hizbul Mujahideen commander who was killed in an encounter with Indian security forces last year.

Wani was responsible for several attacks against security personnel in Kashmir.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday paid tributes to Wani, saying his death “infused a new spirit in the struggle for freedom” in the Kashmir Valley. PTI

The IAF is likely to float a Request for Proposal (RFP) with the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) this December for purchasing homemade HTT-40 basic aircraft for training its pilots. Ahead of the proposed RFP, Chief of Air Staff Air C

Brig Jagbir Singh Grewal (retd) 

The sight of multitudes of devotees with hands folded in reverence, patiently awaiting their turn at the Dhussi Bundh at Dera Baba Nanak to pay obeisance from a distance to the holy shrine of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib used to inspire awe. Even in 1999, during Operation Parakram in the aftermath of Pakistan’s Kargil misadventure, when we were on the verge of the outbreak of hostilities, and manning our defences, the presence of undeterred worshippers remained.

Dera Baba Nanak was my sector of responsibility then. Moving along the International Border fencing, irrespective of our faith, we would bow before the shrine, located just across the Ravi. It evoked a feeling of onerous responsibility on us, of defending the sector at all costs, and one day secure the enclave that lay ahead of us, up to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. The troops’ resolve was further strengthened when our patrol moving along the border fencing was told by Pakistani personnel on their side that though there was a lot of development in India, ‘hamare paas Kartarpur Sahib hai’. The milky white domes and spires of Gurdwara Sahib evoked a benign assurance that all was well and that our prayers would be answered.

It is amazing that the Army’s deployment along the International Border at Dera Baba Nanak always has a profound effect on the psyche of the jawans, which remains unprecedented, and perhaps a rare phenomenon in any other defended sector. This was realised when one day, the overwhelmed Commanding Officer of 8 Sikh Light Infantry Battalion informed me in good humour that the company deployed along Gurdwara Baba Budha at Ramdas had turned vegetarian and shunned the consumption of liquor, and that they visited the adjoining gurdwara whenever they had the time and opportunity. No wonder that despite the presence of a large number of pilgrims in the ancient town of Dera Baba Nanak, the Army personnel were never considered outsiders and encroachers on their amenities, but were gratefully accepted by the local hospitable people as equal partners in their ventures for managing the safety and security of the town and its precincts.

The prayers of the then Dera Baba Nanak railway station master, too, have been answered. He would nostalgically speak of the bygone imperial era and lament that the spacious, well-furnished first-class waiting room of the railway station, barely 2 km from the border, was the least used amenity. There being virtually no passengers at the terminal station, the considerate railway station master offered the waiting room to us as a suitable hall for our use, though we could never avail of his offer. Now, with the railway station being upgraded, it has brought the sheen back to the railway station as well.

Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 11

On the eve of the 550th Gurpurb, two Iran-based universities have desired to establish academic Chairs to conduct research on the life and teachings of the first Sikh Guru.

Another proposal from their side was to initiate the Sikh religious study programme in collaboration with the Iran-based universities.

University of Religion president Sayyid Abulhasan Navab and a representative of Al-Mustafa International University on Monday held a discussion with Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to work on the modalities of installing the Chairs.

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had also announced Chairs in Guru Nanak’s name to be set up in 11 universities, of which seven are in Punjab, three across the country and one (University of Religion) in Iran.

Giani Harpreet Singh said to arrange literature and reference material, they had tied up with the Punjabi University, Patiala.

“Besides this, the SGPC will be directed to assist the Iranian scholars in collecting the information on the life, philosophy and vision of Guru Nanak. It was an honour for the Sikh community that our Guru’s message was being spread on a global platform by installing a dedicated Chair,” he added.

Syed Afroz Nazvis, an Iranian delegate, said besides setting up Chairs by the universities under the patronage of the Government of Islamic Republic of Iran, a detailed discussion was also done with Akal Takht Jathedar over a religious study programme proposed to understand the concept of Sikhism. “We proposed that there should be a Sikh religious study programme for Indian and Iranian intellectuals. Once, the MoU in this regard is finalised, the proposal will be submitted to the Iran government and subsequently, to the Indian government for getting the final nod,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pervinder Singh Chandhok, a Sikh citizen of Iran, said though the Sikhs comprise a miniscule population of the country, the government had accorded them all rights to observe the Gurpurbs and other religious ethics. He said the Iran sangat had initiated 600 ‘akhand path’ non-stop to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the bhog of which would be performed on Tuesday.

“I can say that the ‘shaan’ (glory) of turban is there in Iran. There are around 60 Sikh families living in Iran. They visit two gurdwaras located in Tehran and Zahran. We are free to maintain the ‘maryada’ of Sikhism and the authorities never interfere in our religious occasions,” he said.

Thousands of devotees visit Sultanpur Lodhi during ongoing 550th Guru Nanak gurpurab celebrations on Saturday. Tribune Photo Sarabjit Singh

Sultanpur Lodhi (Punjab), November 10

Tens of thousands of devotees from across the globe are converging every day in this holy town associated with the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, whose 550th birth anniversary falls on Tuesday.

It is here that the Sikh first master gained enlightenment at the end of the 15th century.

Organisers say the desire of devotees is to pay obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Ber Sahib and to have a ‘ashnaan’ (dip) in Kali Bein. The devotees are feeling fortunate to have ‘choola’ (sip of water) from the holy Bein.

It is believed that Guru Nanak disappeared into the waters of the Bein rivulet, reappearing three days later as the enlightened Guru. The ground of Gurdwara Ber Sahib marks the spot, where Guru Nanak entered the rivulet.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning paid obeisance at the historic Ber Sahib Gurdwara, before heading for Dera Baba Nanak to inaugurate the Kartarpur Corridor and flag off the first lot of pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

The three-storey gurdwara was built by the ruler of Kapurthala in the mid 20th century and features slender octagonal pillars, a marble sanctum and stucco designs at the entrance.

A grand light and sound show that uses ultra modern techniques to narrate the life and philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev is the star attraction for the thousands of devotees attending the commemoration.

Medical lounges at Sultanpur Lodhi, some 200 km from the state capital Chandigarh, have been proving a boon for the pilgrims with more than 7,800 patients getting out-patient department treatment, officials said.

A team comprising 1,000 paramedical staff and doctors working round-the-clock to ensure quality health services to the pilgrims.

An exhibition showcasing the life and teachings of the first Sikh Guru setup near Guru Nanak Darbar ‘pandal’ by the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, in collaboration with the Punjab Digital Library, has become one of the main attractions.

It exhibits coins related to the Sacha Sauda period, coins and more than 150-year-old utensils related to Baba Banda Singh Bahadar and Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sakhi’s related to Guru Sahib, miniature and other paintings, and photographs related to Guru Nanak Dev.

Special functions here were dedicated to Bebe Nanki, sister of Guru Nanak, on Saturday considering the respect accorded to women in ‘Gurbani’ by Guru Nanak Dev.

The other highlight is the Punjab School Education Board’s exhibition of paintings and calligraphy by students from government schools to emulate the philosophy and life of Guru Nanak Dev.

Harpreet Singh, a Class XI student of Government Senior Secondary School at Sukhpur in Barnala district, has focussed on the greatness of ‘Japji Sahib’ through his calligraphy.

Another student, Kuldeep Singh of Class IX of Government High School at Mauran in Barnala, has sought to attract attention towards the voice raised by Guru Sahib against social evils.

The students have also highlighted Guru Nanak Dev’s preaching and the universal principle of “Kirt karo, naam japo, wand chhako”, which means “earning an honest living, chanting the holy name and sharing with others”.

The state had secured an approval from the Centre for its Rs 271-crore proposal to develop Sultanpur Lodhi as a heritage town in a 50:50 partnership, a government spokesperson told IANS.

The Centre has also cleared a proposal for setting up a Centre for Inter-Faith Studies at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar at a cost of Rs 175 crore.

The state has also proposed establishment of a Pind Babe Nanak Da museum in around 75-80 acres, at a cost of Rs 300 crore, he added.

For the pilgrims visiting Sultanpur Lodhi, a tented city, spread across 277 acres, for 35,000 people has been erected at a cost of Rs 53 crore. The tented city has 2,200 temporary toilets and 10 water vending machines, besides 18 parking sites.

Special trains, including Prakash Purab Express from Delhi to Sultanpur Lodhi, has also been made operational.

Punjab has also made efficient arrangements for the running of special buses as well as e-rickshaws free of cost for the visitors to Sultanpur Lodhi.

Sultanpur Lodhi is dotted with gurdwaras commemorating events from Guru Nanak’s life.

Along with Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki, built to honour Guru Nanak’s sister, is the Gurdwara Sant Ghat, about two km upstream of Ber Sahib, where he emerged from his three-day immersion in the Bein.

Hatt Sahib honours the grain store, where Guru Nanak was employed; and the 13 weights, used by the Guru Nanak to measure provisions are preserved here.

The prison cell, where the Guru was imprisoned under false charges is Gurdwara Kothri Sahib; and Guru ka Bagh is where Guru Nanak lived with his wife, Sulakhni, and their two sons, Baba Sri Chand and Baba Lakhmi Chand.—IANS

Mukesh Ranjan
Tribune News Service
Karatarpur, November 9

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday indicated that talks with India can be initiated provided the Indian government lifts curfew from Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at inauguration of Kartarpur corridor in Narowal district of Punjab in Pakistan, Khan said, things in J&K has gone beyond territorial issue between the two countries and now the Human Rights of people are being violated due to curfew imposed in state since August. Revoking curfew will at least allow the countries to think about a dialogue, he noted.

The PM said a leader is always known by qualities of bring people together and not dividing them. He focused that a good leader and person always talks about peace and humanity.

The inauguration ceremony which was attended by several dignitaries from India and Pakistan saw a gathering of over 7,000 people.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said, “It’s a historic day that brings peace and religious tolerance together. Kartarpur corridor is opened for Sikhs all over the world and those who have come from Canada, Australia, Europe, UK. It’s Pakistan’s love and they can feel it by coming to holy shrine.”

Amid the inauguration ceremony, Navjot Singh Sidhu turned out to be “Man of the Match” with the Pakistan government and Sikh devotees applauding his initiative and commitment.

Joginder Kaur, a devotee who had come from Canada, said, “It shows a Sikh’s commitment and the fact that Pakistan is ready to take a lead to strengthen the relationship between the two nations. Now it’s time for India to reciprocate.” She added that for Sikhs all over the world are one — be it this or the other side of the border.