The Tribune – After route change, Personal Rapid Transport System (PRTS) tenders open today

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 20. Fresh tender bids for the state government’s ambitious personal rapid transport system (PRTS) project will be opened tomorrow.

The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) had invited fresh bids in view of the alterations in the PRTS route following apprehensions by heritage lovers that the then design may take a toll on the walled city’s architecture and its historic landmarks.

Sources said the PIDB had invited bids for the project through an advertisement dated February 22, 2013.

They said the last date for receiving the bids was April 26, which was later extended till May 21. This means it may take another few months for the work to begin on the ground.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said the tenders will be opened tomorrow and the work will be awarded after a comparative analysis of the bids, which may take a month or so. He said the due process had to be followed once the PRTS route was changed.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had laid the foundation stone of the project amid much fanfare in December 2011, but the project has made a little headway ever since.

In July last, The Tribune had highlighted the concerns of the heritage lovers that the project will eclipse the view of the holy city’s landmarks like the Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple. The government later changed the route plan from the railway station to the Golden Temple.

Altered route

Under the new plan, the guideway for the PRTS will not enter the walled city through Hall Gate. Instead, it will take a left turn towards Chitra Cinema and get into the city through Rambagh Chowk

From there, it will pass through Bijliwala Chowk to reach Katra Jaimal Singh before heading towards the Golden Temple

There is also a plan that the guideway will span across the approach road to the Jallianwalla Bagh and the Golden Temple to facilitate the clear view of these landmarks

The height of the guideway will be raised to 30 feet on both these stretches, as against the height of 20 feet in other sections of the route

Similarly, the other route from the Inter State Bus Terminal to the Golden Temple will pass through Maha Singh Gate to reach the Saragarhi Parking before heading towards the Golden Temple

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130521/punjab.htm#6

The Hindu – Two more held over attack on General Brar

Hasan Suroor

London, 23 November 2012. Two more persons, including a woman, have been arrested in connection with the murderous attack on Lt. General (retired) K.S. Brar in central London two months ago.

Police did not disclose their names or nationalities, identifying them only as “R” (36) and “S” (55), both from London.

The man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, and the woman on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Two men — Barjinder Singh Sangha (33) and Mandeep Singh Sandhu (34) — have already been charged with “wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm” to General Brar and are to stand trial. Sangha is also charged with “common assault” on General Brar’s wife, Meena, who was with him when the attack took place.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/two-more-held-over-attack-on-general-brar/article4124075.ece

The Tribune – To cut smoke, fewer fireworks at Golden Temple

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 14. To give a message to the Sikh Sangat to save environment and to check pollution around the Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) displayed fireworks for only 10 minutes on the occasion of Bandi Chhod Diwas (Divali) last night.

Golden Temple manager Harbans Singh Malhi said the SGPC incurred Rs 1.60 lakh on the fireworks, the actual cost of which was much higher. He said four city-based dealers supplied the fireworks every year. They were given Rs 35,000 each last year, but due to high inflationary trend, they were given a hike of Rs 5,000 each this year, he said.

The fireworks took place at four spots in the Golden Temple complex, two locations close to Ghanta Ghar and one each near Sikh Reference Library and Darshani Deodhi.

Last Divali, the Golden Temple had witnessed fireworks for 15 minutes, which was half as compared to previous years.

Earlier, there used to be a half-an-hour show of fireworks on occasions like Guru Ram Das’s birth anniversary and Bandi Chhod Diwas.

Malhi said: “We have gradually reduced the duration from 30 minutes to 10 minutes”. He said they had been looking for an alternative to high-altitude fireworks. “We are in touch with various Sikh organisations abroad and they are helping us explore options that will ensure minimum pollution,” he said.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board had last year advised the SGPC to ban bursting of firecrackers at the Golden Temple complex. However, the SGPC had said it could not discontinue fireworks altogether as it was the traditional way to celebrate the occasion and the sentiments of devotees were attached to it.

The move to reduce the duration of fireworks was hailed by environmentalists and concerned citizens.

Major Mahinder Singh Sarkaria (retd), a local resident, welcomed the move and said it was an exemplary way to tell the people to celebrate pollution-free Divali.

Mission Aggaaz, Earth and Resources Care group, general secretary Gurbhej also welcomed the move.

An illuminated Golden Temple complex was a cynosure of all eyes. A large number of people from the country and abroad visited the shrine.

The SGPC used to foot a bill of Rs 20 lakh per annum to illuminate the holy complex with fancy electric bulbs on auspicious occasions.

“With the contribution from sangat, the management procured the entire electric illuminating apparatus for Rs 35 lakh last year. Now, barring the electricity consumption, no other expense was incurred on illumination, he added.

Though the local administration in the past had initiated various measures like banning coal-run hearths used by goldsmiths around the Golden Temple, a lot still needs to be done to make the vicinity of the shrine smoke-free.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121115/punjab.htm#6

The Tribune – This Divali, a cracker of an eco step at Golden Temple; To curb pollution, SGPC cuts duration of fireworks to a mere 10 minutes

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 10. Aiming to check pollution around the Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to reduce the duration of fireworks to a mere 10 minutes to celebrate Bandi Chhod Diwas and Divali on November 13.

The move came after the SGPC failed to find an alternative to the high-altitude fireworks. This is the second successive year when the SGPC has curtailed the duration of fireworks so as to protect the holy shrine from pollution.

Last year, the Golden Temple had witnessed fireworks for only 15 minutes on Divali, which was half as compared to previous years. It was for the first time that the SGPC had reduced the duration. Earlier, there used to be a half-an-hour show of fireworks on occasions like Guru Ram Das’s birth anniversary and Bandi Chhod Diwas.

Confirming the development, Golden Temple manager Harbans Singh Malhi said, “We have gradually reduced the duration from half an hour to 15 minutes and now to 10 minutes.” He said the fireworks will take place at four spots: two locations close to Ghanta Ghar and one each near Sikh Reference Library and Darshani Deodhi.

Malhi, however, clarified that their attempt to look for a better alternative to high-altitude fireworks was still on. “We are in touch with various Sikh organisations abroad and they are helping us in exploring options that will ensure minimum pollution,” he added.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board had last year advised the SGPC to ban bursting of firecrackers at the Golden Temple Complex. However, the SGPC had said that they could not discontinue fireworks altogether as it was the traditional way to celebrate the occasion and the devotees sentiments were attached to it.

Though the local administration in the past had initiated various measures like banning coal-run hearths being used by goldsmiths around the shrine and providing LPG connections to them, a lot still needs to be done to make the vicinity of the shrine smoke-free.

While the number of private vehicles plying in the area is also high, the rickety auto-rickshaws running on adulterated fuel also pose a severe threat to the Golden Temple. The SGPC too is initiating measures like modernising its ‘langar’ facility in a bid to curb pollution.

Paintings at risk

A study conducted by the PPCB had put the respirable suspended particulate matter level around the Golden Temple at a maximum of 227 and a minimum of 124, though it should not be more than 100 microgram/cubic metre around heritage sites. The high level of pollution is causing harm to miniature paintings and gold plating at the shrine, besides leading to corrosion and blackening of white marble. Its adverse effect can be seen on the gold plating on the outer walls of the Akal Takht.

Main pollutants

Coal-run hearths being used by goldsmiths around the shrine

The rising number of private vehicles plying in the area

Rickety auto-rickshaws running on adulterated fuel

Gradual decline

In 2011, the duration of bursting crackers was 15 minutes

Earlier, the duration of the activity was half an hour

The PPCB had last year advised the SGPC to ban the activity

The SGPC, however, cited devotees’ sentiments and turned down the suggestion

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121111/punjab.htm#3

BBC News – Indian general who led Golden Temple raid stabbed in London

Monday, 1 October 2012. The Indian general who led a 1984 raid on Sikh militants in Amritsar’s Golden Temple has been stabbed in London.

Lt-General Kuldeep Singh Brar sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries when four men attacked him.

The 78-year-old is thought to still be a target for extremist Sikhs, but there has been no suggestion yet as to the identity of his attackers.

Lt General Brar’s Operation Bluestar left around 1,000 people dead.

The army raided the Golden Temple in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar in June 1984 to flush out armed Sikh militants who were fighting for an independent homeland of Khalistan.

Reports on the exact number of people killed vary but it is thought about 1,000 people were killed in the ensuing struggle, including women and children on pilgrimage and soldiers.

Lt General Kuldeep Singh Brar was one of the key architects of the operation.

He was attacked on Old Quebec Street in the Oxford Circus area of London on Sunday night by unknown assailants, with no suggestion so far that his attackers were Sikhs.

After spending the night in hospital he was released on Monday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19790926

The Tribune – Santa Singh’s portrait at museum; Will review decision, says Makkar

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 9. Taking note of protests from certain quarters, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar today said the SGPC will review its decision to install the portrait of Baba Santa Singh, former chief of Budha Dal, at the Central Sikh Museum.

Talking to mediapersons here, Makkar said the SGPC was aware of the objections being raised against installation of Santa Singh’s portrait and it had decided to review the move. He said they had also decided to constitute a sub-committee which would take a call in future regarding installation of portraits in the museum. Various Sikh outfits like Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Panthic Council had protested against the SGPC move.

Baba Santa Singh courted controversy when at the instance of the then Indira Gandhi government, he undertook “kar sewa” of the Akal Takht building in 1984 after the top temporal seat suffered extensive damage during the Army operation.

Subsequently, he was “excommunicated” from the Sikh Panth by Jathedar Kirpal Singh in July 1984. His “excommunication” was revoked by Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti in 2001 only after he admitted his “sin” and accepted the punishment for violating the “Sikh maryada”. He died on May 8, 2008.

Makkar also revealed that the SGPC would soon renovate the Central Sikh Museum.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120510/punjab.htm#7

The Tribune – Solar cooking system at Golden Temple soon

Neeraj Bagga, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 15. Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, has proposed a sophisticated solar cooking system to cook meals at Sri Guru Ram Das Langar hall at the Golden Temple complex where devotees partake of langar round-the-clock.

Stating this after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple here today, Dr Abdullah said under the new system, as many as 30 solar concentrating dishes would provide steam for cooking about a tonne of dal per day. Besides, the system would have a hybrid boiler to help generate steam during cloudy and rainy days. He said the project would halve the consumption of LPG cylinders from 100 per day now to 50.

He said such systems had already been installed at Tirupati temple, Sai Baba Temple at Shirdi and Brahma Kumari Ashram at Mount Abu.

Dr Abdullah said a team of experts would soon visit the Golden Temple and Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh to carry out a feasibility study.

Earlier, the minister accompanied by SGPC officials, Akali and Congress leaders observed functioning of the 5,000-LPD solar water heater system installed atop the langar hall building.

Besides the solar water system, the New and Renewable Energy Ministry has provided 25 kW solar photovoltaic power plant installed at Guru Ram Das Serai.

Punjab’s Non-Conventional Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said renewable power plants generating 504 MV of electricity had been set up in the state. Out of this, 362.50 MV was from biomass power and cogeneration projects, he said.

SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh, who had studied working of the solar cooking system at Sai Baba temple at Shridi, said the entire energy requirement of the Golden Temple was around 300 kW. He said the Union Minister had assured that the entire Rs 1.40 crore cost of the project would be borne by the Centre.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120416/punjab.htm#8

The Tribune – IIT-Delhi to help restore Harmandar Sahib sheen

Saurabh Malik, Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 13. The Golden Temple in Amritsar will soon get back its sheen. Dulled by pollution to an extent, its gold will get back its glitter with New Delhi-based Indian Institute of Technology carrying out a study in this regard.

As a petition based on a letter to the Prime Minister on the matter came up for hearing, the Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Mahesh Grover was informed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board that the IIT was being consulted on the issue.

The board, in its status report dated March 12, said it had consulted the IIT “for studying” the problem. “The IIT has agreed to undertake the study and suggest ways and means to restore the sheen”, the report said.

Taking up the affidavit, the Bench observed: “We have also noticed that the IIT has estimated that a period of six months will be required to undertake the study and submit a report”.

Fixing July 18 as the next date of hearing, the Bench added the progress “as may have been made by the IIT” be intimated to the court.

The havoc that environmental pollution is playing on the Golden Temple had come under judicial scanner about a year ago with the court calling for putting in place a mechanism to check pollution in the temple vicinity.

The matter was placed before the Bench after Justice Ranjit Singh took suo motu cognizance of the letter written by one Gursewak Singh to the Prime Minister, with a copy addressed to him.

Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “One Gursewak Singh has addressed a letter in Punjabi to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh…

“I have received a copy of this letter through post, which is enclosed in original. The letter says that industry in and around the area is causing pollution to the gold plates fixed on the domes of Gurdwara Sahib.

“There has also been discoloration of the white marble… some invaluable mural paintings are also getting spoiled.

“Considering the importance of the issue, I thought it appropriate to place it before the Chief Justice for taking notice in public interest, if considered appropriate”.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120314/punjab.htm#8

The Tribune – Leno sued over ‘racist’ Golden Temple remark

New York, January 25. US talk show host Jay Leno has been sued by an Indian-American in California for his “racist” comments on the Golden Temple and ridiculing the entire Sikh community by portraying the holy shrine as a vacation home.

According to court papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Randeep Dhillon claims that Leno “hurt the sentiments of all Sikh people in addition to those of the plaintiff” with his joke that the Golden Temple could be a possible summer home of Mitt Romney, a leading Republican presidential hopeful.

The celebrity website TMZ said Dhillon has filed a libel suit and is seeking unspecified damages.

The suit adds that Leno’s joke “clearly exposes plaintiff, other Sikhs and their religion to hatred, contempt, ridicule and obloquy because it falsely portrays the holiest place in the Sikh religion as a vacation resort owned by a non-Sikh.”

It said this is not the first time that Leno has ridiculed the Sikh community.

“Previously, in 2007 he called Sikhs ‘diaper heads.’ Clearly, Jay Leno’s racist comments need to be stopped right here,” the suit added.

In more trouble for the TV host, a Sikh rights group here has lodged a complaint with a federal agency demanding action be taken against Leno and NBC channel for airing the “racist and derogatory” depiction of the Golden Temple.

Sikhs for Justice has filed its complaint with regulator Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against Leno and NBC.

The FCC is tasked with regulating the broadcast of television programmes, analysing complaints and conducting investigations. (PTI)

SAD (Delhi) seeks action against Leno

New Delhi: The Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal has shot off a protest letter to US President Barack Obama, about a controversial television show which degraded the Golden Temple. “We are quite displeased and hurt with the remarks on the Golden Temple by a television show hosted by Jay Leno,” SAD’s Delhi unit President Manjit Singh GK said. (TNS)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120126/main5.htm

The Tribune – Golden Temple jibe: India takes up issue with US; US defends TV host’s right to free speech

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24. Strongly objecting to the remark on the Golden Temple by popular US television host Jay Leno, India has formally taken up the matter with the US authorities.

Arun K Singh, Deputy Chief of the Indian mission in Washington, met Robert Blake, a senior diplomat in the Obama administration dealing with South and Central Asia affairs, and conveyed New Delhi’s displeasure over Leno’s comment, official sources said.

Leno, the host of the popular ‘The Tonight Show’ on NBC channel, flashed a picture of the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of Sikhs, on his programme and termed it as a possible summer home of Republic presidential candidate Mitt Romney

“We have also written to the TV channel strongly objecting to Leno’s remark,” the sources added.

The US government has, meanwhile, cited freedom of speech enshrined in the US Constitution, to defend Leno. State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said Leno’s remarks appeared to be satirical in nature.

She said the US had absolute respect for all religions, including Sikhs, and that President Obama was the first President to celebrate the birthday Guru Nanak at the White House. “Our view is obviously that Sikh Americans have contributed greatly to the US,’’ she added. American Sikhs have, however, launched an online protest campaign against Leno.

Book Leno: SGPC to USA

Amritsar: The SGPC on Tuesday appealed the US government to register a case against the TV host. In a statement released here, SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar said it has hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs living across the globe, adding that this has brought to the fore the “communal mindset” of the TV host. He said the Golden Temple is the holiest shrine of Sikhs and thousands of people pay obeisance there daily, adding that the matter could not be taken lightly. (TNS)

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