38th Prof. Mohan Singh Mela held with great fanfare

Five eminent personalities were honoured

Ludhiana: 20 October 2016: (Punjab Screen Bureau):

Ludhiana (October 20): Organized jointly by Prof Mohan Singh Foundation (Regd) and Jagdev Singh Jassowal Trust (Regd) in collaboration with Punjabi Sahit Akademi (PSA), the 38th Prof Mohan Singh Mela took-off today with the garlanding of the statue of Prof Mohan Singh at Arti Chowk by a huge gathering of enthusiasts of Punjabi culture. The formal inauguration of the mela was held in the Punjabi Bhawan where a big gathering of people including litterateurs, singers, dhadis, acrobats, students, farmers and culture enthusiasts were present. The mela was dedicated to the memory of S. Jagdev Singh Jassowal.

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਗੰਭੀਰ ਮਸਲਿਆਂ ’ਤੇ ਚਿੰਤਨ ਮੰਥਨ ਮਗਰੋਂ 38ਵਾਂ ਪ੍ਰੋ. ਮੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੇਲਾ ਸੰਪਨ

The Chairman of Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation (Regd) Inderjit Singh Grewal, President, Pargat Singh Grewal, Senior Vice President Gurnam Singh Dhaliwal, the PSA President, Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa, Dr Surjit Singh, were in the presidium. Five eminent personalities were honoured for their outstanding contribution in their area of activity and for promoting Punjabi language, heritage and culture.  A citation, a shawl, a portrait of Prof Mohan Singh,  some books on Prof Mohan Singh were presented to each.

ਮੇਲਾ ਲਾਉਂਦਾ ਸੀ ਜਸੋਵਾਲ/ਜਨਮੇਜਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਜੌਹਲ

Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, a well-known litterateur, translator and agricultural scientist was honoured with Dr Mohinder Singh Randhawa Puruskar for his efforts in promoting Punjabiat through translation and serving the cause of farmers.

Shri Jatinder Pannu, a senior journalist was honoured with Dr Sadhu Singh Hamdard Memorial Puruskar, in recognition of his journalistic excellence.

Shri Sahib Thind, an NRI culture connoisseur was honoured with Mahan Parvasi Puruskar,

Shri Palwinder Singh Cheema, Arjuna Awardee was honoured with Zaildar Kartar Singh Jassowal Puruskar and Mrs Jasmin Toor was honoured with Punjab da Maan Award for her achievements in singing and cultural activities.

ਅਸੀਂ ਇਨਸਾਫ ਮੰਗ ਰਹੇ ਹਾਂ ਕੋਈ ਭੀਖ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੰਗ ਰਹੇ--ਜੈਨ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ

Dr Sukhpal Singh and Dr Nahar Singh delivered talks on ‘Agrarian Crisis, Causes and Remedial Measures’ and ‘Cultural Decline in Punjab’, respectively, which was followed by lively discussion. It was highlighted that the corporate model was influencing both agriculture and culture. Dr Swaraj Singh highlighted that philosophy was ‘the science of the sciences’ and that the prevailing crisis in both culture and agriculture could be addressed by intellectual stimulation but lamented that there was dearth of intellectual leadership in the state.  Dr Anup Singh Batala said that a ray of hope always existed.

ਵਿਦਿਆਰਥੀ ਆਗੂ ਕਨ੍ਹਈਆ ਕੁਮਾਰ 23 ਨੂੰ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਵਿੱਚ

Several other activities including a Kavi Darbar dedicated to Prof Mohan Singh, Dhadhi and Kavishari Session, Qawaali by Anwar Rehmat Qawaal of Malerkotla and a play “Sunney khoohaan di daastan” by Aks Manch Samrala. Dr Surjit Patar presided over Kavi Darbar wherein poets including Trailochan Lochi, Swaranjit Savi, Jaswant Zaffar, Sukhvinder Amrit, Bhupinder, Ajit Pyasa, Sukhdev Premi, Chann Belowalia, Sandhu Batalvi, Manjinder Dhanoa, Kulwinder Kiran, Bhagwan Dhillon, among others enthralled the audience.  A booklet, “Saave Pattraan Di Daastan” , carrying some selected poems of Professor Mohan Singh translated in English and Hindi by Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman was issued on the occasion.

ਆਰਥਿਕ ਪੱਖ ਤੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦਾ ਸਰਬੋਤਮ ਸੂਬਾ--ਸੁਖਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਾਦਲ

Pargat Singh Grewal told that the Prof Mohan Singh Mela will organize several activities in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala in conjunction with the 350th Janam Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh at Patna (Bihar) on November 19-20, which will mark the culmination of the mela.

ਇੰਦੌਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਪਟਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਮਲੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਲਗਾਤਾਰ ਤਿੱਖਾ ਰੋਸ ਅਤੇ ਰੋਹ

Prominent persons who addressed the audience included Prof Gurbhajan Gill, Shri D.R. Bhatti (DGP, Retd), Dr Jasmel  Singh Dhaliwal, Harinder Singh Chahal (DIG, Retd), Prithipal Singh Batala, Rajiv Lovely, Photo artist T.P.S. Sandhu, Kanwaljit Shanker, and others.

ਇਸ ਬਿਮਾਰ ਮਾਨਸਿੱਕਤਾ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਮਾਜ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਸਰਜੀਕਲ ਓਪਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ

Pargat Singh Grewal and Gurnam Singh Dhaliwal, Amrinder Jassowal expressed their vote of thanks in different sessions.

Convention of Istri Sabha raised the voice for women rights

Sat, Jan 18, 2014 at 5:19 PM

Convention was  attended by over 200 persons

Ludhiana: 18 Jan 2014: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab screen):

Women must come forward to know their rights and to get them implemented in various spheres of life whether they are working in education, health, law, banking, agriculture, domestic or any other sector. They must involve more and more in socio political activities and assert to be in the decision making bodies. This is essential to check rise in the crime against women. This was said by Ms Amarjeet Kaur national convener AIWWF and national secretary AITUC while giving Keynote address at the convention on ROLE OF WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT AND DECISION MAKING-CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES organised jointly by the Pragatisheel Lekhak Sangh, Punjab Istri Sabha and All India Working Women Forum –AITUC Ludhiana at Punjabi Bhawan here today with Dr Chanchal Gupta in chair. Convention was  attended by over 200 persons from different sectors viz education, health, law, agriculture, home based workers and domestic workers etc. Ms Amarjeet Kaur, said that women have a glorious history in building the society. They played significant role in freedom movement of the country and thereafter in national building with all their might. But their participation in the decision making bodies has been very little. That is why it is important that we come forward and effectively make use of changing laws and also to have more laws to raise the status of women especially pertaining to the laws at work place.

Speaking on Status of Women during different phases of evolution of Human civilization said that patriarchy has been institutionalized through various stages of development after ancient periods of human history when men and women had no difference. But later in the feudal ages women were subjugated to men. Capitalism has tried to use them as a commodity. Our struggle is not for domination on male gender but a struggle for equality,  social and economic justice. Therefore we must strive for a socio economic order based on justice and equality.

Mrs Gurcharan Kochar, President Punjab Istri Sabha Ludhiana said  that there are certain forces in the society who still harp on the obsolete obscurantist ideas and do not recognise the changing role of women. There is need to change mindset in the society. Dr Narjit Kaur, convener of the AIWWF Ludhiana said that there is need to work jointly with right thinking men to bring about change in the mindset. Teen aged boys have to be taught in the family to give due respect to the women.  Moreover, she said, safe environment is essential at the work place. Barring a few essential sectors, women should not be put on night duties in the present scenario. Mrs Jeet Kumari, Secreraty Punjab Istri Sbha Ludhiana  said that implementation of law is very slow and te criminals get benefit of this. A woman who is the victim of the crime is also made accused on several accounts. Large number of participants narrated their experiences at the convention. Prominent among those who participated actively include Mrs Ramandeep Kaur, Mrs Kulwant Kaur, Miss Veena student, Mrs Prem Maur, Veena Kalia Advocate, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhatia, Dr Arun Mitra, Shri M S Bhatia, Shri D P Maur, Shri Gurnam Sidhu. Rajwant Kaur - EGSAI Union of Teachers of Serv Sikhya Abhiyan and Harpreet Kaur. Teachers and  Students from GMT college for education, G N Khalsa college for women, Nursing students from GTB  hospital, Govt. College for Girls, staff from ESI hospital Ludhiana. In his message Shri Mitter Sen Meet  from Pragati Sheel Lekhak Sangh said that the struggle for the rights of women is not just of women alone. Both men and women have to wage this struggle of justice and equality jointly.

AITUC convention held at Punjabi Bhawan Ludhiana

Com Gurudas Das Gupta–MP was the main speaker

Ludhiana: 22 November 2013: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen): The workers in our country have to meet dual challenge of saving the social fabric of the society by fighting against the communal & divisive forces as well as to save the country from economic onslaught by the multinational corporations, this was said by Com Gurudas Das Gupta–MP and General Secretary All Indian Trade Union Congress (AITUC) while addressing a convention here at Punjabi Bhawan today. The UPA-II Govt. is increasingly working in the interest of big corporate business houses of India and the international cartels undermining the national interest. Latest decisions of the Govt. are enough indicators of the rightist shift in the policies detrimental to Indian growth and progress based on justice and equality. These are against the basic spirit of the Indian constitution which speaks of justice and equality as its mainstay.  The Govt. is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and the MNCs while hitting the common man hard, even denying them basic amenities like food, shelter, health and education. Therefore there is an urgent need for the working people to unite in strength to lead the struggle against these policies so as to meet the goal of sustainable development in the interest of all the people of the country, he said. On that score, the job insecurity and the job losses on the one hand and increased trends of contractorization and outsourcing,  contractualisation and casualisation of labour is norm of the day. There is attack on unionization itself and pressure on existing unions to suppress and intimidate them to contain their activities. Bringing in FDI  in retail trade will be big blow to more than 4 crore small traders, shopkeepers, marginal and poor farmers, other small producers of goods in home based and small scale industries etc. The government has been responsible for unprecedented rise in corruption at higher places with loss to national revenue and denial of rightful share of common people in the wealth being produced in the country. He further deplored that accumulation of wealth in the hands of few, whereas the vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees whereas 70% Indians are forced to live on meager spending of Rs.16.60 paise per day. With the policies being pursued will further hasten these gaps. 

He said, the govt. continues to act in ruthless manner against the common people and the response to people’s agitations by the Prime minister and some of his ministers are arrogant to the core. Corruption at the higher places has become rampant which is obvious  from the scandal like 2-G Spectrum. The Gas price hike in connivance with the Ambanis will cost a loss of nearly 2.20 lakh crores to the exchequer, he highlighted.

Taking advantage of this situation the rabidly communal RSS and BJP have floated Modi as their Prime ministerial candidate. This is a very serious danger before the nation which the workers have to fight back tooth and nail.

In this background the Trade Unions have decided to intensify their joint agitations and march to Parliament on 12th December 2013 on the charter of demands which includes seeking check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract labour, steady regularization of them and equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector/ govt. sector enterprises and resources, national minimum wage to be raised to not less that Rs. 10,000, universal entitlement of maternity benefit to working women etc.

Addressing the gathering Com Bant Singh Brar - President  and Com Nirmal Dhaliwal - General Secretary of Punjab unit of AITUC said that the state govt. of Punjab is not following a different course as regards the economic policies in general are concerned. Rather it has been taking anti labour and anti farmer measures. They informed that several more conventions will be held in the state on these issues, where Com Gurudas Dass Gupta MP, General Secretary AITUC will address.

Today’s convention was attended by representatives of various organisations of workers and employees from Construction, Hosiery, Roadways, PRTC, Banks, Power sector, FCI Palledar, University, PSSF, Govt. Class 4 employees, Corporation, BSNL, ASHA workers  and unorganized sector.

Com Kartar Singh Bowani – Vice President Punjab Kisan Sabha also addressed the gathering.

Com O P Mehta General Secretary AITUC Ludhiana and Com D P Maur, General Secretary Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana assured that they will participate in large number in the march to parliament at Delhi on 12th December 2013.

Seminar on rising crime given clear hints

Causes and Solutions were also discussed in detail 

Citizens decry political patronage to the criminals

Sh. Shashi Kant IPS

Ludhiana 19 October 2013: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen)The participants in the SEMINAR ON RISING CRIME RATE-CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS  organized by SOCIAL THINKERS FORUM and LOK SAHIT MANCH decried the rise in all sorts of crime in the state which has made the life of common peace loving citizens unsafe. Women, children and elderly have become highly vulnerable. All sorts of crime is on the rise, right from petty crimes like road rage, chain snatchings, petty thefts to bigger crimes like burglaries, dacoities and heinous ones like  kidnapping, rape and murder. Patronage by a section of politicians, police and the bureaucracy has given ground to the mafia to strengthen itself. Speaking on the occasion Sh. Shashi Kant IPS, former DGP Prisons Punjab, warned that the drug mafia in particular has become very powerful and is responsible for ruining life of innumerable number of youth and has become one of the major causes of rise in the crime rate in the state. Such sort of mafia cannot flourish without political patronage, he affirmed. It is apathetic that he has given in writing to the government about involvement of several influential and other high-ups in drug paddling, but no cognizance has been taken about it, he said. That maximum drug trade is through Punjab – has been admitted by several US and European agencies.   With the entry of criminals in politics, use of muscle & money power, use of communal, cast and parochial slogans to win the elections, the democratic institutions have been weakened. This is shaking the faith of people in democracy which can prove to be unhealthy for society and dangerous for the nation.

Mr Vijay Simha

Mr Vijay Simha, New Delhi-based Sobriety Campaigner & Counselor, and former executive editor of Tehelka.com, said the youth of Punjab are taking to drugs because of five principal reasons: poor role models, tolerant society, poor money skills, high sense of victimhood in the state and low thinking skills. This is the result, he said, of state policy that targets and even eliminates those who speak and act against the drug mafia, and tolerates drug dealers. Mr Simha said a six-point action plan would help Punjab. The six points are: i) treat peddlers as public enemies, ii) have a chapter on addiction in textbooks, iii) educate the 6-10 age group, iv) have marks for not smoking, drinking or using drugs in schools, colleges and offices, v) reward performance in sport, art and music, vi) focus on behaviour awareness of parents. The state, he added, must go after drug dealers and their network, whoever it may include.

Mr. Mitter Sain Meet

Mr. Mitter Sain former District Attorney Ludhiana, in his address said that several lacuna in legal system help the criminals to go scot free in the absence of evidence. On the ‘role of criminal justice system in curbing the menace of drug peddling’ he pointed out that the first agency of this system i.e. Police, due to lack of knowledge of basic law and of procedure of investigation is not filing leak-proof charge-sheets in the Courts. Due to defective investigation, accused take benefit and procure acquittals.  Second agency i.e. Court is giving undue weightage to the principal of ‘Benefit of Doubt’ and liberally acquit accused even in heinous crimes merely on technical grounds. It encourages the professional criminals to repeat the offences with immunity. The third agency i.e. Jail is also not performing its duty properly. Jail manual is full of pro-accused facilities. Rich, professional and influential criminals are given VIP treatment. It defeats the purpose of confinement. He further stressed that drastic changes in the whole system is the need of the hour.

Dr. Arun Mitra

Dr. Arun Mitra in his address said that the introduction of neoliberal economic policies have added to the already existing economic gaps. There is job freeze, underemployment and insecurity of jobs. The socio economic environment affects society at various levels and in its various dimensions - social, political, economic and cultural. Economic crimes and other crimes as an after effect of the economic crimes are on the rise. In this free market driven society driving of profits is glorified. A very small section has become super rich. The super rich in this socio economic environment has developed extreme greed and lust for money. The middle income group is made to live in illusions and dream like the super rich. The rich commit crime for greed, the poor are forced to commit crime for needs as well as in desperation when their issues are not heard.

Dr L S Chawla former Founder Vice Chancellor Baba Farid University of Health Sciences presided over the function.    

Shri M S Bhatia compeered the session and initiated discussion where in several people participated.

The seminar made recommendations which include some immediate tasks and some long term steps.  

1. Change in Police Law - Police law has to be amended to make them accountable and behave in a manner that fits the present day society. The medieval methods used by the police have to be shed. The lower rung policemen have to be made sensitive towards the common man.
2. VIP Security - The security forces deployed to the service of the VIPs have to be taken off. Only the Governor and the Chief Minister should be given the security cover.
3. No Arms to Civilians - Arms licenses should not be issued to the civilians. Arms in the hands of the civilians are generally used to show the muscle power. It should be the duty of state to provide security to its people.
4. Change in Legal System - Active steps should be taken to bring about changes in the legal system to provide speedy justice. Free/cost effective legal aid should be ensured to the common citizens.
5. Economic Policies for Inclusive Growth - Equality of opportunity and accessibility to all for education, health and basic civic services etc. should be ensured through inclusive growth. An employed person is likely to fall prey to criminal activities as compared to the unemployed ones. More job opportunities have to be created. There is need for inclusive growth. Worldwide data shows that when the economic gaps are minimized, the crime rate comes down.  
6. Electoral Reforms - Electoral reforms to minimize the use of money should be taken up.

Among others who participated in the discussion include Dr.Ajit Singh, Randhir Singh Dheera,  Harpreet Singh Advocate, Dr.Gulzar Singh Pandher, Ranjit Singh, Maj Retd. S S Aulakh, Sunil Prabhakar, Dalbir Singh Ludhianvi, Col. Retd. Brar, Satish Sood, Commiker Singh, Dr Amarjit Singh, Com Bharpoor Singh, N K Chhibber Advocate, D P Maur, Dr.Rajinder Pal Singh Aulakh, Gurcharan Kaur Kocher, Ramesh Rattan, Davinder Singh Wahi, Avtar Chhibber, Kuldeep Singh Binder, Gurnam Singh Sidhu, Rajvinder Singh, Inderjit Singh Sodhi, Gurwant Singh, Er.Kuldeep Singh, Dr Narjit Kaur, Baldev Singh Walia, Manjeet Singh Buta.