Over a year after its creation was announced, the management of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Wednesday said the institution would start functioning from the March 2011 session.
The Sikh religious university is being set up at Fatehgarh Sahib, 60 km from here.
The decision to start the academic session of the university was taken Wednesday at a meeting of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Memorial Trust, held here under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
University vice-chancellor Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia said the construction work of the buildings of the university, which was being funded by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), was in full swing and about 80 percent of the work has been completed. He added that the rest of the work would be completed by the end of March 2010.
The fee structure of the new university has been proposed to be nominal and lower than in the private sector institutions imparting education, Ahluwalia said.
The new university would focus on imparting education in most modern technologies such as nano-technology, bio-technology, information technology and business management besides comparative study of different religions.
The university would also house faculties of schools of emerging technologies, basic sciences, management, social sciences, arts, languages, engineering, architecture, law and social justice.
with thanks : source : http://sify.com/news/granth-sahib-university-to-commence-session-march-2011-news-education-jmqrucbjicf.html
SikhsIndia
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Sikhs removed from US Airways flight reach settlement
PTI 16 December 2009, 03:45pm IST
WASHINGTON: Three Sikh musicians, removed from a flight at the Sacramento airport in California about a year ago, have received an apology and an undisclosed amount from the US Airways under a settlement with the airlines.
Sikh organisations had termed the incident as a case of racial profiling and discrimination.
The three eminent Sikh musicians are, Davinder Singh, Gulbag Singh and Iqbal Singh - known as classical religious performers.
The incident is reported to have occurred on November 15, 2008 when they were ordered to leave the plane they had boarded at the Sacramento airport for Salt Lake City for a performance.
"However, airline employees did not provide any explanation as to why they were being removed, but they were told, through a Punjabi interpreter, that the pilot would not fly with them on board," a media release said.
"After suffering humiliation in front of other passengers, the musicians were each handed a USD 5 meal voucher and forced to delay their travel until the next day. They experienced no problems boarding the Delta flight on which they were rebooked," it said.
"To date, the airline has failed to provide any legitimate security concerns justifying the removal. The removal was apparently sparked by passengers' and crew- members' fears of the musicians' based on their ethnic and religious appearance," the United Sikh said in a statement.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sikhs-removed-from-US-Airways-flight-reach-settlement/articleshow/5343701.cms
SikhsIndia
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www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
WASHINGTON: Three Sikh musicians, removed from a flight at the Sacramento airport in California about a year ago, have received an apology and an undisclosed amount from the US Airways under a settlement with the airlines.
Sikh organisations had termed the incident as a case of racial profiling and discrimination.
The three eminent Sikh musicians are, Davinder Singh, Gulbag Singh and Iqbal Singh - known as classical religious performers.
The incident is reported to have occurred on November 15, 2008 when they were ordered to leave the plane they had boarded at the Sacramento airport for Salt Lake City for a performance.
"However, airline employees did not provide any explanation as to why they were being removed, but they were told, through a Punjabi interpreter, that the pilot would not fly with them on board," a media release said.
"After suffering humiliation in front of other passengers, the musicians were each handed a USD 5 meal voucher and forced to delay their travel until the next day. They experienced no problems boarding the Delta flight on which they were rebooked," it said.
"To date, the airline has failed to provide any legitimate security concerns justifying the removal. The removal was apparently sparked by passengers' and crew- members' fears of the musicians' based on their ethnic and religious appearance," the United Sikh said in a statement.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sikhs-removed-from-US-Airways-flight-reach-settlement/articleshow/5343701.cms
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Golf Ball .............
When things in your life seem , almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented..
The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
with best wishes
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family,
children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented..
The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
with best wishes
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
At Bhog, Darshan’s Kin Given Rs 40 Lakh
LOHARA (LUDHIANA): It was a somber occasion for the family of Darshan Singh, who died in police firing suring the December 5 protest by Sikh activists in Ludhiana. But before the Bhog function held here on Monday ended, there was nearly Rs 40 lakh in compensation paid to the family of the poor auto-rickshaw driver.
The money came in from the government as well as radical Sikh organizations, both trying to woo the family caught in a sensitive situation ahead of the upcoming SGPC elections.
While the Sikh organizations want the family’s support to carry on their tirade against the SAD government, the latter would like to silence the whole issue as early as possible.
A day after Darshan Singh’s funeral, his son Gurmeet Singh joined the Punjab Police as a constable on December 7. Even as he did not meet the physical requirements, those were waived by the DGP in accordance with government orders to offers him a job. He is currently home on leave.
Over the past few days, there has been a stream of government officials as well as high-profile radical Sikh leaders visiting the family house in this village.
Om Monday morning, a battery of government officials and SAD leaders visited the house ahead of the Bhog ceremony . While Minister Hira Singh Gabria gave Rs 5 lakh, the SGPC handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh and promised “any other help needed.”
In the afternoon, Sikh leaders walked in. The UK cell of Dal Khalsa, Akand Kirtani Jatha and the Sikh Federation together contributed Rs 5 lakh; Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna gave Rs 2.5 lakh; Damdami Taksal Rs 50,000; Ranjit Singh Dardriana Rs 1 lakh; and a France-based Sikh body gave Rs1 lakh. There were also many other organizations that gave varying amounts of money to Darshan Singh’s family.
Akand Kirtni Jatha leader R.P Singh declared Darshan Singh was a martyr of the Sikh community. “I, on behalf of UK-based Sikhs, announce that if the family does not accept the government job, and remains with us, we will settle the whole family in any foreign country or anywhere in India they want. We will weigh the family against currency, but they should follow the path Darshan Singh took,” he said.
Among the speaker at the Bhog ceremony were Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Khalsa, former Akal Takht Jathedars Ranjit Singh and Jasbir Singh Rode, DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna, SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, Dal Khalsa leader Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib, Sant Samaj head Sarbajot Singh Bedi, and Khalsa Action Committee convenor Mohkam Singh. All of them condemned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal as “anti-Pathic”.
SOURCE-HT
taken from : punjabnews.org
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
The money came in from the government as well as radical Sikh organizations, both trying to woo the family caught in a sensitive situation ahead of the upcoming SGPC elections.
While the Sikh organizations want the family’s support to carry on their tirade against the SAD government, the latter would like to silence the whole issue as early as possible.
A day after Darshan Singh’s funeral, his son Gurmeet Singh joined the Punjab Police as a constable on December 7. Even as he did not meet the physical requirements, those were waived by the DGP in accordance with government orders to offers him a job. He is currently home on leave.
Over the past few days, there has been a stream of government officials as well as high-profile radical Sikh leaders visiting the family house in this village.
Om Monday morning, a battery of government officials and SAD leaders visited the house ahead of the Bhog ceremony . While Minister Hira Singh Gabria gave Rs 5 lakh, the SGPC handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh and promised “any other help needed.”
In the afternoon, Sikh leaders walked in. The UK cell of Dal Khalsa, Akand Kirtani Jatha and the Sikh Federation together contributed Rs 5 lakh; Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna gave Rs 2.5 lakh; Damdami Taksal Rs 50,000; Ranjit Singh Dardriana Rs 1 lakh; and a France-based Sikh body gave Rs1 lakh. There were also many other organizations that gave varying amounts of money to Darshan Singh’s family.
Akand Kirtni Jatha leader R.P Singh declared Darshan Singh was a martyr of the Sikh community. “I, on behalf of UK-based Sikhs, announce that if the family does not accept the government job, and remains with us, we will settle the whole family in any foreign country or anywhere in India they want. We will weigh the family against currency, but they should follow the path Darshan Singh took,” he said.
Among the speaker at the Bhog ceremony were Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Khalsa, former Akal Takht Jathedars Ranjit Singh and Jasbir Singh Rode, DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna, SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, Dal Khalsa leader Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib, Sant Samaj head Sarbajot Singh Bedi, and Khalsa Action Committee convenor Mohkam Singh. All of them condemned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal as “anti-Pathic”.
SOURCE-HT
taken from : punjabnews.org
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Allahabad HC upholds life term to cop for killing 5 Sikhs in 1984
Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday upheld the life sentence awarded to a constable for killing five Sikhs at a police station in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination.
A division bench comprising Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice A K Roopanwal dismissed the appeal of Tilak Ram, who had challenged the punishment awarded to him by sessions court in Meerut on July 30, 2007. He had claimed that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.
Ram had opened fire on a group of Sikhs who had gathered at Badaut police station (now in Baghpat district) in the early hours of Nov 5, 1984 and had even threatened fellow police personnel when they tried to stop him from doing so.
In his appeal, Ram had pleaded that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident and was incapable of knowing the nature of his act and hence incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong.
The court, however, dismissed his plea saying it was "not a schizophrenic act" but "an instance of Sikh killing, the like of which had happened and was happening at that time because of assassination of Indira Gandhi".
PTI
with thanks from : http://www.zeenews.com/news587706.html
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
A division bench comprising Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice A K Roopanwal dismissed the appeal of Tilak Ram, who had challenged the punishment awarded to him by sessions court in Meerut on July 30, 2007. He had claimed that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.
Ram had opened fire on a group of Sikhs who had gathered at Badaut police station (now in Baghpat district) in the early hours of Nov 5, 1984 and had even threatened fellow police personnel when they tried to stop him from doing so.
In his appeal, Ram had pleaded that he was of unsound mind at the time of the incident and was incapable of knowing the nature of his act and hence incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong.
The court, however, dismissed his plea saying it was "not a schizophrenic act" but "an instance of Sikh killing, the like of which had happened and was happening at that time because of assassination of Indira Gandhi".
PTI
with thanks from : http://www.zeenews.com/news587706.html
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Try to save the Sikhi
Those who paid gold coins, in Mughal rules, for a sikh head, could not finish the Sikhs. But today, our kids are paying, from our own pockets for trimming the beards, for cutting hairs, for buying caps, for eating tambaku and for consuming liquor. They can not speak Punjabi. They can not recite Gurbani. Ask any trimmer and he will give a dozen explanations to prove, that, he is more than a sikh.
It's a wake up call for all of us.We can atleast try our best to save the Sikhi. We are looking for persons who can join us in this endeavour. Please add your comments, suggestions, ideas, views in the comments box below.
best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sikhsindia
It's a wake up call for all of us.We can atleast try our best to save the Sikhi. We are looking for persons who can join us in this endeavour. Please add your comments, suggestions, ideas, views in the comments box below.
best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sikhsindia
Monday, December 14, 2009
Gurmat Samagam : Sri Guru Nanak Sewak Jatha
You can also upload details of Gurmat Samagam in your Gurdwara on our Sikh Blog as well sikh web portal with over one lakh hits per month. Please mail us the details, pics, posters, cards etc. for uploading without any obligation.
SikhsIndia
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Sd. Arvinder singh Lovely
Arvinder Singh Lovely is the Minister for Education, Tourism, Languages, Gurudwara election & Gurudwara Administration in the current cabinet of the elected Indian National Congress (INC) Government being headed by Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, Delhi.
Arvinder Singh Lovely was born on 11 December 1968 to Sd. Balvinder Singh. He pursued his graduation from SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi in Political Science. He was elected to the Students' Union of the college. He was also elected as the General Secretary of the National Student Union of India during 1992-1996. He was elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1998. He was made a Minister in the cabinet in 2003.
He has again been won in Delhi Legislative Assembly elections 2008 consecutively third time. He is now the education and transport minister in the cabinet.
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvinder_Singh_LovelySikhsIndia www.sohnijodi.com www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
CBI for prosecuting Tytler, Sajjan Kumar for 1984 riots
Responding to a calling attention motion in the Rajya Sabha, on the progress of relief and steps taken to punish the guilty involved in the anti-Sikh riots, Chidanbaram said: "The CBI has completed investigation or re-investigation of seven cases against Tytler, Kumar and late Dharam Das Shastri."
"While in four cases, the CBI has sought permission under criminal procedure code (Cr PC) Section 196 from the Competent Authority to prosecute the accused persons, in one case the closure has been filed and accepted by the court," he added. (ANI)
with thanks : source :http://sify.com/news/CBI-for-prosecuting-Tytler-Sajjan-Kumar-for-1984-riots-news-jmopkdfgbab.html
SikhsIndia www.sohnijodi.com www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sikh with turban taken back in US Army
Campaign by Sikhs in America has resulted in the US Army accepting another Sikh recruit for active duty with his religious identity intact. It will be for the first time in 23 years that Sikhs will serve in the US Army with their turbans and unshorn hair.
Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, and Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, a doctor, were asked by the army to remove their turbans and cut hair before they could be allowed to join active duty earlier this year. The two Sikhs had just completed an army programme that paid for their medical education in return for military service.
Both they refused to remove their turbans and shave their hair, leading to protests and petitions by the community.
After a signature and lobbying campaign launched by Sikh organizations, including the Sikh Coalition, on Vaisakhi day, the US Army first announced in October to accept Captain Kalsi back with his turban.
Now it has also decided to accept Captain Rattan.
The army had banned “conspicuous” religious articles of faith for its members in 1981. However, some Sikhs who had joined before that date were allowed to practice their religious identity.
But the authorities have made only one-time exception for the two Sikh officers, without announcing any change in its overall recruitment policy. It is, however, willing to review its general policy of excluding Sikhs from future service.
“The individual accommodations for Captain Tejdeep Singh and Captain Kamaljeet Singh have significant implications for Sikh employees,” said Sikh Coalition in a statement Friday.
“Ending discrimination in the US Army sends a message to all other employers, both private and public, that discrimination against Sikhs who maintain their articles of faith is not acceptable,” it said.
Thousands of Sikhs had sent petitions to the army to take the two recruits back with their religious identity.
by IANS
Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/sikh-with-turban-taken-back-in-us-army_100288046.html
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, and Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, a doctor, were asked by the army to remove their turbans and cut hair before they could be allowed to join active duty earlier this year. The two Sikhs had just completed an army programme that paid for their medical education in return for military service.
Both they refused to remove their turbans and shave their hair, leading to protests and petitions by the community.
After a signature and lobbying campaign launched by Sikh organizations, including the Sikh Coalition, on Vaisakhi day, the US Army first announced in October to accept Captain Kalsi back with his turban.
Now it has also decided to accept Captain Rattan.
The army had banned “conspicuous” religious articles of faith for its members in 1981. However, some Sikhs who had joined before that date were allowed to practice their religious identity.
But the authorities have made only one-time exception for the two Sikh officers, without announcing any change in its overall recruitment policy. It is, however, willing to review its general policy of excluding Sikhs from future service.
“The individual accommodations for Captain Tejdeep Singh and Captain Kamaljeet Singh have significant implications for Sikh employees,” said Sikh Coalition in a statement Friday.
“Ending discrimination in the US Army sends a message to all other employers, both private and public, that discrimination against Sikhs who maintain their articles of faith is not acceptable,” it said.
Thousands of Sikhs had sent petitions to the army to take the two recruits back with their religious identity.
by IANS
Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/sikh-with-turban-taken-back-in-us-army_100288046.html
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
No "heritage city" status for Amritsar: Govt
NEW DELHI: A forceful demand for declaring Amritsar a 'heritage city' was rejected in the Lok Sabha, with the government saying there was no legal provision to do so either in India or under the UNESCO rules.
The government on Friday rejected heritage city status to Amritsar on grounds that its population was less than one million, the cut off for classifying a city as “mission”.
Amritsar houses 10.03 lakh people (2001 census), 3000 more than the technical requirement for shifting it from Category B to C, the category which lists 28 cities on the basis of their religious, historical and tourist importance. These cities get greater financial contribution on the patter of 80:20 to develop their infrastructure.
But the government today steered clear of BJP member Navjot Sidhu’s persistent and emotional appeals to not bury the significant issue under the debris of technicalities, and instead spare a thought for the legacy of Amritsar.
Calling the attention of the government to the urgent need to grant “heritage city status” to Amritsar, and classify it as Category C under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Sidhu recounted the pride of place which Harmandar Sahib enjoyed in the world, with top international leaders making time to offer prayers there, including Queen Elizabeth and the Canadian PM.
“The SGPC says two lakh people daily offer prayers at the Golden Temple,” Sidhu said, in the House, most members uniting behind him, including the Congress MPs from Punjab.
“The Prime Minister has twice promised heritage status to Amritsar,” said the Amritsar MP, beseeching the PM to honour his word.
“Can we negate the history of Amritsar, the fact that it houses the temporal seat of Sikh religion, it is a birthplace of Luv and Kush; it is a historical treasure?” Sidhu asked. He rued the fact that while Lahore is a world heritage site, Amritsar is struggling for heritage tag in India.
The opposition, led by Deputy Leader of the BJP Sushma Swaraj, backed Sidhu’s demands. She requested leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee, whose birthday it was, to gift to the nation the heritage status for Amritsar. Pranab was silent but did not appear opposed to the appeals.
Minister of State for Urban Development Sugata Ray, however, made matters queer when he said there was no provision for declaration of a city as a heritage city under the ministry.
“Punjab has a balance of Rs 145 crore under the JNNURM. Amritsar can use these funds to take up projects for development of heritage areas,” he said to agitated BJP members, who said they were asking for recognition, not alms.
The House saw a brief disruption on the matter, especially so when Sidhu referred to an urban reform which empowers national steering group under the JNNURM to delete and add cities to Category C, on the basis of suggestions from states.
with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/21735/38/
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
The government on Friday rejected heritage city status to Amritsar on grounds that its population was less than one million, the cut off for classifying a city as “mission”.
Amritsar houses 10.03 lakh people (2001 census), 3000 more than the technical requirement for shifting it from Category B to C, the category which lists 28 cities on the basis of their religious, historical and tourist importance. These cities get greater financial contribution on the patter of 80:20 to develop their infrastructure.
But the government today steered clear of BJP member Navjot Sidhu’s persistent and emotional appeals to not bury the significant issue under the debris of technicalities, and instead spare a thought for the legacy of Amritsar.
Calling the attention of the government to the urgent need to grant “heritage city status” to Amritsar, and classify it as Category C under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Sidhu recounted the pride of place which Harmandar Sahib enjoyed in the world, with top international leaders making time to offer prayers there, including Queen Elizabeth and the Canadian PM.
“The SGPC says two lakh people daily offer prayers at the Golden Temple,” Sidhu said, in the House, most members uniting behind him, including the Congress MPs from Punjab.
“The Prime Minister has twice promised heritage status to Amritsar,” said the Amritsar MP, beseeching the PM to honour his word.
“Can we negate the history of Amritsar, the fact that it houses the temporal seat of Sikh religion, it is a birthplace of Luv and Kush; it is a historical treasure?” Sidhu asked. He rued the fact that while Lahore is a world heritage site, Amritsar is struggling for heritage tag in India.
The opposition, led by Deputy Leader of the BJP Sushma Swaraj, backed Sidhu’s demands. She requested leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee, whose birthday it was, to gift to the nation the heritage status for Amritsar. Pranab was silent but did not appear opposed to the appeals.
Minister of State for Urban Development Sugata Ray, however, made matters queer when he said there was no provision for declaration of a city as a heritage city under the ministry.
“Punjab has a balance of Rs 145 crore under the JNNURM. Amritsar can use these funds to take up projects for development of heritage areas,” he said to agitated BJP members, who said they were asking for recognition, not alms.
The House saw a brief disruption on the matter, especially so when Sidhu referred to an urban reform which empowers national steering group under the JNNURM to delete and add cities to Category C, on the basis of suggestions from states.
with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/21735/38/
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
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