Martyrdom day with an environment message

Promotion of healthy environment through conservation of biodiversity and to maintain ecological balance is the need of the hour not only to save human life but all the flora and fauna around. This was said by Dr Arun Mitra General Secretary of the Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha (BJGVJ) at a public function on the occasion of 83^rd martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rajguru Sukhdev organized by the BJGVJ in collaboration with Punjab Istri Sabha and Voice of Youth foundation. The event was organized under the auspices of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST)Chandigarh under the National Environment Awareness Campaign. Mrs Manpreet Kaur graced the occasion as representative of the PSCST.  Sh Krishan Lal Malik Vice President of the Jatha presided over the function.

On this occasion a  Free Medical Checkup Camp was held  at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Public School, Haqiqat Nagar, Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana. Over 200 patients were examined by Dr Arun Mitra ENT Surgeon, Dr.Narjeet Kaur-Gynaecologist and Dr Anup Jain Dental Surgeon. The patients were given free medicines. Other who addressed the gathering include Sh.M.S.Bhatia, Mrs.Gurcharan Kocher, Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulakh, S. Ranjit singh,. Mrs Kusum Lata, Com D P Maur, Com Naval Chhiber, Sh.Sanjeev Kumar – President of Voice of Youth Foundation spoke on female feoticide. Mrs.Rajinder Kaur Bhatia – Principal of the school in her thanks giving address appreciated the help extended by various organizations and assured that such like camps will be organized in the future also.

Others who worked hard to make the function success included Sh.Bhajan Singh, Sh.Avtar Chibber, Sh.Rajesh Verma, Sh.Gulshan Gaba, Sh.Ramadhar Singh, Sh.Anod Kumar, Sh.Ashish Moliry, Dinesh, Rajeev Kumar, Ashutosh, Veersukhpal, Anil Kumar. 

52nd Anniversary Celebrations of UNI

21-March-2013 18:05 IST
Need for more wire News Agencies in Media Sector 
-I&B Minister Tewari Participates in the celebrations

Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari has said that taking into account the potential of the growing media sector and the flow of information in the news segment, there existed a case for more wire news agencies being established across the media landscape in the country. The potential was tremendous as these agencies facilitated information flow at the sub regional, regional and national level. The increase in number of news agencies would not only enable local based news being highlighted at the national level, it would also enable such agencies to balance news dissemination at the national and local level. Taking into account the diversity of information dissemination, such mechanisms would enable local issues being highlighted as prominently as those at the national level. The Minister stated this while speaking at the 52nd Anniversary Celebrations of United News of India, here today. 

Elaborating further, Shri Tewari said that there was an urgent need to outline sustainable revenue models. Quoting the instance of the digitization process the Minister said it was an attempt to bring about transparency and a long term sustainable process in the broadcasting sector which would help all stakeholders. The revenue models would also have to take into account the parameters that were addressing different audiences with the emergence of new media platforms and instant communication mechanisms.   
52nd Anniversary Celebrations of UNI
CP/ST

The Addams Family

Music and Theatre Workshop by the CMC students
Ludhiana, 13th March 2013:(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):The Music and Theatre Workshop (MTW), a venture by the students of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana to raise funds for poor patients is back with a new musical – The Addams Family, to capture the audience .The MTW and its works are not something new to the people of Ludhiana. It officially launched its first work – Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat,a dazzling musical, in 1994 under the leadership of Dr.Ashish Abraham, then a humble medical student. From then on a series of works followed; The Sound of Music, Prince of Egypt, Anastasia, Little Mermaid, Hunch back of Notredame, Wicked..........on goes the long list. With the students from medical, dental, nursing and physiotherapy colleges working together, the next musical in line is The Addams Family.

For those of us who grew up watching cartoons, The Addams Family is a familiar name. The musical presents a different side of this fun loving, weird family. It is the story of how one normal night turns out to be a life changing experience. The way it is said might be different but in the end the musical is all about family and love: the secret to a love-filled family life being the ability to find good in even the worst of situations.

The Musical, under the patronage of Dr.Abraham G.Thomas,Director of Christian Medical College and Hospital, has Sajin Sunny Mathew and Angelo Christopher as its co-ordinators ; Mariya Jacob in charge of acting , Dr.Jerin Kuruvilla in charge of music and a choreography team headed by Swetha Alexander and Susan Daniel. An efficient team of students and faculty of CMC is working day and night to bring out an awesome musical, to be remembered down the lane, this March.

Join the family and be a part of The Addams Family to be staged at the Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan on March 20th, 21st and 22nd; your valuable contributions will make a difference to the lives of a number of poor patients!

'Caste question amd Marxism' debate at Chd

Emancipation of Indian Society is impossible 

without finding a solution to the Caste question

Chandigarh, 12 March. The dicussion involving the various intellectuals and social activists arrived here from different corners of the country on the subject 'Caste question amd Marxism' has started in the Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar that has commenced in Bhakna Bhavan today.

At the very beginning of the seminar, it was clearly stated that no project of eliminating exploitation in Indian Society can be put forward without giving due consideration to the caste question. In this five-day seminar, various historians, social scientists, writers, social activities from states like Punjab, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Bihar etc. are participating. In addition, senior leaders from both the main political parties of Nepal are also participating along with the intellectuals from the Britain and Germany.

            In the commencing session of the seminar, Satyam from Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies said that in the seminar, issues like relation between Marxism and Ambedkarism, political ideas of Dr. Ambedkar, Marxist Understanding of the caste qusetion, historiographic writing of the caste question, caste question and dalit literature & aesthetics etc. will be thoroughly debated so that the obtacles to the social change can be removed. He said that in last few years the mechanical thinking prevalent in Marxist circles has undergone a change and in Dalitists also, questions are being raised regarding the ideas of Dr. Ambedkar.

            Satyam also said that there has been a trend to bring a compromise between the Marxixm & Ambedkarism, and a trend of subaltern & identity politics. Analysis of these trends from Marxist perspective is also the need of the hour.

              Managing trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust, Meenakashi said that a national level seminar on the important issues concerning the communist movement of India is organized every year in the memory of Com. Arvind. Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies has been founded to carry out the research and study on the theoretical and practical issues faced by the communist movement of India.

            While welcoming the various guests reached for the seminar, Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi magazine Pratibadh said that left movement in Punjab has a distinct history and the
 caste question has also always remained here in its peculiar form. It has been a big thing for us that such a seminar is being organized here in Chandigarh.

            The commencing session was presided over by the politbureau member of Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and famous literary critic Ninu Chapagai, senior tradeunionist from Mumbai Deepati, Trustee of Arvind Memorial Trust Meenakshi, and editor of Magazine 'Ahwan' Abhinav. The stage was conducted by poetess Katyayani.

            The program started after paying homage to Comrade Arvind. Then the team from 'Vihaan' cultural group presented revolutionary songs.

            Overall, 14 papers and write-ups will be presented in the seminar on different aspects of the subject. The base paper of the seminar 'Caste Question and its solution: A Marxist Viewpoint' is prepared by the research team of Arvind Institute of Marxist Studies.   Other papers include 'Ambedkarism and Dalit Liberation' by Sukhwinder, editor of Punjabi journal Pratibaddh;  'Historiography of Caste' by Abhinav, editor, Aahvan; 'Class, Caste and Identity Politics' by Shivani, Delhi University; 'Caste and Politics in West Bengal' by Praskanva Sinharay, CSSS, Kolkata; 'Caste and Sex in Marxist Traditions' by Dr. Rajarshi Dasgupta, JNU; Marxism and the caste question' by Asit Das, Researcher and Activist, New Delhi;  'On Identity Politics' by Prashant Gupta, B.R. Ambedkar College, Delhi University; On Conjoint Relevance of Marxism and Ambedkarism by Sukhdev Singh Janagal, Punjab and on the limitations of caste and identity politics by Jai Prakash of the 'Jati Virodhi Andolan'.

Eminent historian Prof. Irfan Habib will send a background note on caste in India, Ninu Chapagain, Politburo Member and in charge of the Cultural Division of UCPN (M) will present a write-up on 'The Dalit Question and Aesthetics' and a paper 'Towards A Programme for Abolition of Material Basis of Casteist Hierarchy' by Dr. Anant Phadke, Shramik Mukti Dal (Democratic), Pune will be presented. Prof. William Paul Cockshott, University of Glasgow will make a presentation through internet linkup and his paper 'Dr. Ambedkar or Dr. Marx' will be circulated as a background note.

— Meenakshy (Managing Trustee), Anand Singh (Secretary)

Arvind Memorial Trust

For more information, please contact:

Katyayani – 09936650658, Satyam – 9910462009, Namita (Chandigarh) –  9780724125

The Caste Question and Marxism

Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar started

The Caste Question and Marxism

Fourth Arvind Memorial Seminar
Details of write-ups and some of the participants

By Satyam Varma
The Caste Question and Marxism
12–16 March, 2013, ChandigarhPapers and background notes:

1. जाति प्रश्‍न और उसका समाधान: एक मार्क्‍सवादी दृष्टिकोण - अरविन्‍द स्‍मृति न्‍यास (Caste Question and its solution: A Marxist Viewpoint — Arvind Memorial Trust)

2. अम्‍बेडकरवाद और दलित मुक्ति - सुखविन्‍दर, सम्‍पादक, प्रतिबद्ध, पंजाब (Ambedkarism and Dalit Liberation – Sukhwinder, editor, Pratibaddh, Punjab)

3. जाति का इतिहासलेखन : कुछ आलोचनात्‍मक प्रेक्षण - अभिनव, सम्‍पादक, मुक्तिकामी छात्रों-युवाओं का आह्वान, दिल्‍ली (The Historiography of Caste: Some critical observations — Abhinav, editor, Muktikami Chhatron-Yuvaon ka Aahvan)

4. Background note on caste in India — Prof. Irfan Habib, Aligarh

5. Towards A Programme for Abolition of Material Basis of Casteist Hierarchy — Anant Phadke, Shramik Mukti Dal (Democratic), Pune

6. वर्ग, जाति और अस्मितावादी राजनीति - शिवानी, दिल्‍ली विश्‍वविद्यालय (Class, Caste and Identity Politics — Shivani, Delhi University)

7. दलित समस्या और सौंदर्यशास्‍त्र - निनु चपागाईं, यूसीपीएन (एम) के पोलित ब्‍यूरो सदस्‍य तथा पार्टी के सांस्‍कृतिक विभाग के प्रभारी (The Dalit Question and Aesthetics — Ninu Chapagain, Politburo Member and in charge of the Cultural Division of UCPN (M)

8. Caste and Politics in West Bengal: The Changing Face of the Left Front — Praskanva Sinharay, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta

9. What is to be undone: Caste and Sex in Marxist Traditions — Dr. Rajarshi Dasgupta, Centre for Political Studies, JNU

10. Marxism and the caste question - Based on Anuradha Gandhi's book 'Caste Question in India' — Asit Das, Researcher and Activist, New Delhi

11. Distinctiveness as Ideology or Pain and the Politics of Specificity — Prashant Gupta, B.R. Ambedkar College, Delhi University

12. Caste-class symbiosis and conjoint relevance of Marx(ism) and Ambedkar(ism) — Sukhdev Singh Janagal, Punjab

13. Dr. Ambedkar or Dr. Marx — by Prof. William Paul Cockshott, University of Glasgow
(The paper will be circulated as a background note and Prof. Cockshott will make a presentation through skype from London.)

SOME OF THE OTHER CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS: 
1. Prof. DN Jha, Marxist Historian, Delhi 
2. Prof. Satish Deshpande, Deptt of Sociology, Delhi University 
3. Prof. Tulsiram, Hindi writer, JNU
4. Prof. (Mrs.) Vimal Thorat, IGNOU
5. Anand Teltumbde
6. Sangeet Srota (Nepali poet and activist)
7. Two representatives from Dalit Mukti Morcha, Nepal 
8. Prof. PK Vijayan, Delhi University
9. Namdev Laghve, Nagpur 
10. Dr. S.B. Rai and Aditya Narayan Singh (Granthashilpi), Delhi
11. Arjun Prasad Singh, PDFI 
12. Jai Prakash and Sudhakar, Jati Virodhi Aandolan
13. Anant Acharya , DAFODWAM, Kolkata
14. Uttamrao Jagirdar + 4 (one woman participant), Republican Panthers, Mumbai
15. Sukhdeo Singh Janagal, Fatehgarh Sahib 
16. Hargopal Singh, Solan, Himachal Pradesh
17. Prof. Manjit Singh, Chandigarh University
18. Representatives from 'Mazdoor Patrika', Patna
19. Ajay Sinha. Patna, Bihar
20. Deepti, International Airports Employees Union, Mumbai
21. Prabhakar, Reliance Energy Employees Union, Mumbai
22. Santokh Singh Virdi, Writer, Punjab
23. Varinderpal, Inqualbi Vidyarthi Sabha, Bathinda
24. Ch. Premchandra Singh, Manipur
25. Jitendra Bharti, Dehradun
26. Vijay Prakash Singh, Journalist, Mumbai
27. Fabian Dsouza, Researcher, Delhi
28. Representatives from several groups from Punjab.
29. Activists from various mass organisations from UP, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana & Maharashtra.

Representatives from some groups from Bihar, UP and Maharashtra have not yet confirmed but they may come.
We are expecting that several individuals and people from some groups may reach Chandigarh directly.
We request all those who are coming for the seminar to intimate us about your travel plans so we can receive you at the station and make arrangements for your comfortable stay.

Who is Comrade Arvind ?                           Please also click Seven Seas News

'Caste question amd Marxism' debate at Chd

Remembering Sahir Ludhianvi

08-March-2013 14:34 IST
President releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee releasing the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Shri Sahir Ludhianvi, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 08, 2013. The Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal is also seen.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on late Shri Sahir Ludhianvi on the occasion of his birth anniversary today (March 8, 2013) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, the President said late Shri Sahir Ludhianvi was widely acclaimed as a people’s poet who wrote on the trials and tribulations of the everyday life of the common man with great intensity and deep empathy. He was recognised as the poet of the young because of his writings on love and beauty. He wrote with great sensitivity on the values and social concerns of the contemporary period.
The President said one of Sahir’s greatest contributions was to converge Urdu poetry into film songs. He also fought for recognition for lyric writers through the Film Writers Association. The fact that his birth day is being commemorated 33 years after his death with the release of the stamp is proof that he lives - through his poetry and his songs – in people’s hearts. 

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Kapil Sibal and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari. (PIB)
*****

2.5 cms stone removed at CMC

Wed, Mar 6, 2013 at 11:59 AM 
A 3 year old Girl Child was suffering from pain

Ludhiana, 6th March, 2013:(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):A 3 year old girl child, daughter of a labourer was suffering, with continuous pain in the lower abdomen and urinary infection for past threemonths. She was referred to the Department of Paediatric Surgery CMC and Hospital Ludhiana for further management. Investigations revealed that there was a 2.5 cms. long and 1.5 cms. thick,stone which was completely  obstructing the flow of urine from left kidney to urinary bladder and causing urinary infection and abdominal pain. Since there was no free flow of urine from kidney, there wasswelling and deterioration of kidney function with continuous abdominal pain.

Dr William Bhatti Professor &Head, Department of Paediatric Surgery and his teamdoctors, Dr N Bedi, Dr A Gupta and Dr S Dhuria, successfully performed laparoscopic removal of stone from the ureter. Theparents are happy as their daughter does not have a big operative scar on her abdomen and she ispain free because of the laparoscopic surgery. This type of operation, where the impacted stone at lower ureterovesical junction in a 3 year old child,was removed by laparoscopic operationis the first to be performed in India. So far this type of surgery has been done by open procedures which results in long scar marks and prolongedhospital stay. In laparoscopic surgery,the child will have 2-3 tiny scars of 5mm on their abdomen, with  less pain and shorter hospital stay as compared to open surgeries.

Dr William Bhatti further mentioned that presence of stones in urinary system is a common problem in children and it can be managed safely with laparoscopic operations. Parents should not ignore if their child complains of continuous abdominal pain and paediatric surgeons should be consulted immediately to prevent further complications.

Sangharsh Sandesh by CPI(M)

Northern Jatha Flagged Off from Jallianwala Bagh

The third of the CPI(M)'s Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha – the Northern Jatha – began its journey from historic city Amritsar today. Earlier, Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) paid tributes to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh before embarking on the Jatha.

The Jatha team was received at Jallianwala Bagh with warmth from hundreds of people assembled there from across the state. Led by Vijay Mishra, the coordinator for the Jatha in Punjab and member of the State secretariat of the CPI (M) Punjab, Brinda Karat laid a wreath at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
Davinder Singh Josh, son of Sohan Singh Josh, one of the founders of communist movement in Punjab, handed over the Jatha flag to Brinda Karat.
Addressing the media afterwards, Ms Karat said that the people of India are in search of a better alternative, which is completely different from the Congress and BJP who are representing corporate interests rather those of people. She said that the message of these Jathas is to invite the public to consider the alternatives that are being presented by CPI(M).
Replying to a question on “with whom the CPI(M) will fight the next elections”, she said that the party will be representing the people’s interests and will fight the elections for safeguarding their interests. She dismissed Modi’s claim that BJP is the only alternative to Congress. She termed both the Congress and BJP as two different sides of the same coin and when they are power in Delhi, they will toe the neo-liberal policies in the interest of foreign and national monopoly capitalist.
She expressed anguish about the condition of people living in border districts. She said that their sources of livelihood and opportunities are continuously under threat from the border disputes. She reminded the gathering about the history of Amritsar which was a centre for cross border trade till the border disputes set in and ousted lakhs of people.
Brinda Karat called up on the public to participate in the party’s Sangharsh Sandesh Jatha in big numbers and make success the March 19th public meeting that is going to be held in Delhi marking the culmination of the four nationwide Jathas.
Members of the Central Committee of the party, Hannan Mollah, Inderjeet Singh, Charan Singh Vridhi and Rajender Sharma, participated in this flag handing over ceremony. Memoona Mollah, Vijay Mishra and other leaders too were present.

An Afghan Uniform Police

During training at Combat Outpost in Afghanistan

An Afghan Uniform Police (AUP) instructor, right, shows an AUP member where in a vehicle to search for weapons or explosives Feb. 25, 2013, during training at Combat Outpost Matun Hill in Khost province, Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Sgt. Kimberly Trumbull, U.S. Army/Released) 02/25/2013 -          VIRIN: 130225-A-PO167-087

Abhinandan of renowned thinker J S Anand

                                                                                                                                                            (photos by Rector Kathuria)

Book Released by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi

LUDHIANA,March 4,2013:(Rector Kathuria): An ‘Abhinandan Granth’ on renowned literateur, journalist, public figure and a thinker, S. Jagjit Singh Anand was released by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi(PSA), Ludhiana today. The first copy of the treatise was presented by the PSA President Gurbhajan Singh Gill and others including the NRI from America S. Roop Singh Roopa, PSA Senior Vice President, Dr Anup Singh Batala, Secretary Dr Gulzar Singh Pandher, Surinder Kailley, Members Er Janmeja Johl, Sukhdev Singh Premi and Manjinder Singh Dhanoa. S. Anand could not reach the PSA function to receive the publication, due to his indisposition. 
Dr Rajnish Bahadur Singh, the editor of the treatise, Mrs Urmila Anand wife of S. Anand, The Trustee of Nawan Zamana paper Jass Mand and S. Sukeerat Anand, son of S. Anand were also present. 

The function was presided over by Dr S.S.Johl, Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, while the Mayor of City of Ludhiana, S. H.S. Gohlwarhia, was the Guest of Honour. S. Roop Singh Roopa, Gurbhajan Gill and Gulzar Pandher were prominent among others who were present on the occasion. 
‘The factual information comprised in the treatise throws light on the multifarious aspects of the personality of S. Anand’, said Gurbhajan Gill, adding that the future generations would derive inspiration from the life and works of S. Anand. He declared that an Award in the name of S. Jagjit Singh Anand will be given every year by the PSA for which S. Roop Singh Roopa has provided sponsorship. 

S. Gohlwarhia and Dr Johl described S. Anand as a Yugpursh who always stood boldly for the righteous cause. Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa highlighted the nation-wide stature of S. Anand saying that he impressed people with his straightforwardness and bold voice even in the difficult times. 
S. Rajneesh Bahadur Singh said that he felt honoured in writing the Treatise that he said provided him opportunity to know the great personality, S. Jagjit Singh Anand. 

Conference of Indian Stroke Association

Health minister on inaugural day(photo;RK)

The conference had a major impact

                   Some  camera view   of  the  event  (Photos by Rector Kathuria)

Dr. A G Thomas (Photo by Rector Kathuria)

Ludhiana, 3rd March, 2013: The 8th National Conference of Indian Stroke Association organised by the department of Neurology, Christian Medical College, Ludhiana concluded today. There were 300 delegates who attended the conference from all over India including 18 International faculty members. Delegates also attended from the SAARC countries like Bangladesh. Yesterday there was a banquet for the delegates at the The Grand Pearl Resort. Mr Randhir Kanwal the famous Ghazal singer entertained the guests. The medical students also displayed their artistic talent with a Bhangra dance.
Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian, Professor and Head of Neurology at CMC Ludhiana, the organising Secretary mentioned that all the major advances in stroke diagnosis and treatments were discussed in the conference. On the last day a special session on research in stroke was held and delegates from across the world discussed about the on-going important stroke trials and projects. 

      Dr Jeyaraj D Pandian with media (Photo by Rector Kathuria)

A Skills workshop on the use of Botulinum toxin injection in treating stiffness of arms and legs following stroke was also held on the last day.
Dr Pandian said that for the first time a separate stroke rehabilitation skills workshop was held as a parallel meeting in CMC auditorium as part of the National stroke conference. More than 150 delegates attended this workshop which was organised by Dr Santosh Mathangi. One of the main highlights of the conference was the Teaching course on stroke which was held on Day 1 for MBBS students as a separate event at CMC. Medical students from three colleges in Punjab participated in this course.Dr Pandian stated that overall the conference had a major impact on the local doctors, neurologists, neurosurgeons, undergraduate medical students, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and allied health trainees from across the country. This would improve the care and treatment of stroke patients.  --Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria