Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Sandiji Pholai-a collection of devotional songs (CD) of Mr Abhilash was released in a simple but impressive function at Krishna Satsang Bhawan (Gareeb Dham) Wazir Bagh Bohri.
Sandiji Pholai-a collection of seven devotional songs composed by Badri Nath Abhilash was released by Anand Swami Pran Nath Bhat (Gareeb) and other dignatries present on the occasion. The function started amid singing of devotional songs and hymns.
While speaking on the occasion Swami Ji highlighted the importance of spirituality and religion in a man’s life. He also threw light on the significance of Guru-Shishya relationship in the spiritual development of a man.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Prof S N Pandita, Prof C L Raina, Prof G L Koul, Chunni Razdan, Tosha Raina, B L Pandita, M L Pandita
M K Tiku from Bhagwan Gopi Nath Ashram Bohri was guest of honour. Ex corporator Sheela Handoo also graced the occasion.
Sh. P K Raina compered the function.

Baisakhi festival organized at border town

Lalit Gupta
SUCHETGARH, Apr 13:
The border town of Suchetgarh reverberated with beats of drums and rhythmic steps of dancers to mark the Baisakhi festival celebrations and also the laying of foundation of the Tourist Facility Center, which is being seen by the locals as a boost towards developing the border town as a tourist destination.
Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and culture, has said that Suchetgarh would be developed a mega Border tourist destination for pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi and other holy shrines of Jammu division, adding that in this regard a project of Rs. 6.39 crore is under implementation for creation of tourist related infrastructure in the area.
Laying foundation of restoration and conservation work of historical Ragunath temple at Suchetgarh in presence of R S Chib, Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports and Ch Sham Lall, MLA Suchetgarh, Jora said that conservation work of this temple would be completed at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. He said an amphitheatre would be also constructed in Suchetgarh and instructed concerned authorities to evict the encroached land at the temple site at the earliest for the purpose and celebration of Baisakhi festival would be now made an annual feature in Suchetgarh.
R S Chib said that opening border tourism in Suchetgarh is a remarkable step of the State Government, adding that this would not only boost local economy but also a source of inspiration for coming generation.
He said for promotion of border tourism in Suchetgarh and R S Pura a prestigious project of Rs 6.39 crore is being implemented for creation of different tourist infrastructure facilities. He said under the project several works are being executed which included construction of road to BSF, dormitory, pick and chose restaurant, watch towers, tourist facilitation centre, installation of fountains, landscaping, pathways, shelter places at temple and Peer Baba, development of children parks at R S Pura, improvement of track up to Gharana bird sanctuary, toilet block of old Railway Station R S Pura and Suchetgarh.
Former Minister, Gharu Ram, R S Mehta, Director Tourism Jammu, Arvinder Singh Aman, additional secretary, Cultural Academy, were among others present on the occasion.
Later, the Ministers inaugurated celebration of Baisakhi festival at Suchetgarh. The festival organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy, was participated by hundreds of people of the area who witnessed cultural programs, which were presented by local artists of the division.
The cultural program ably anchored by Jag Mohan, started with Kud dance by Krishan Singh and Party from Reasi. It was followed by Bhangra dance item by artistes of Navrang Dance Academy, Udhampur. The all female dancers’ item was a mix of modern and traditional dance steps. The next presentation was Dogri folk Geetru, which was performed by Ram Prakash and party from Ramnagar. After Manvir Singh Lali and group sang and danced on Punjabi song ‘Jamla Jat’, Dogri Bhaakh was presented by Bishan Singh and party. The other items, which were highly appreciated by the audience, included Geetru, Bhangra performances by Navrang Dance Academy and Manvir Singh Lali and group.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Baisakhi, which marks the beginning of New Bikrami year, birth anniversary of Khalsa Panth and harvesting season was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across the Jammu region today.
While religious congregations were held in various Gurudwaras to celebrate the Baisakhi festival, a grand Baisakhi mela was as usual held at Canal in which a large number of people including men, women and children drawn from different parts of the city participated.
The rush in Baisakhi Mela at Canal continued till late in the evening.
The children attired in colorful dresses were busy in purchasing toys and balloons, enjoying fun and fare, eatables, confectionary, fruit chat and other special dishes. There were countless stalls of eatables, toys, sports items, hosiery items, confectionery items etc.
Women were also busy in purchasing cosmetics and hosiery and gift items from hawkers who had established stalls on the either side of link roads at canal on the occasion of Baisakhi festival today.
However there was a resentment among the visitors for not opening the Rajinder Park for general public on the special occasion of Baisakhi mela today.
In connection with celebration of Baisakhi festival a mammoth gathering of Sikh Sangat was held at Gurdwara Chathi Pathshai Talab Tillo near here to celebrate the birth anniversary of Khalsa Panth.
During the function Ragi Jatha of Bhai Balbir Singh Ji Ludhiana Wale recited the Shabad Kirtan. Parcharak Bahi Harjinder Singh Ji also Ludhana Wale threw light on history of Khalsa Panth and sacrifices of 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four beloved sons for the cause of humanity and religion.
The local Ragi Jathas of District Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee namely Ragi Jatha Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji, Ragi Jatha Bhai Mohidner Singh Ji (Khalsa) also recited Shabad Kirtan during the function.
The Sikh Sangat also adopted a resolution, which was read out by S Dalip Singh president DGPC Jammu highlighting the demands and discrimination meted out to the Sikhs living in the State.
It demanded posting of Punjabi teachers in colleges and schools, due place to be given to Punjabi language in the State, the road leading from Bikram Chowk to Railway Station, Jammu via Jammu University be named as Guru Gobind Singh Ji Marg and a chair be established in JU in honour of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, package be given to displaced Sikhs of 1947 from PoK at par with migrants from Kashmir, implementation of Ansari Commission recommendations, five percent reservation be given to Sikhs in the State and establishment of Minority Commission in the State.
The Baisakhi festival was celebrated in other parts of Jammu region like Udhampur, R S Pura, Samba, Kathua, Hiranagar and Kathua with great pomp and show.
The three- day long celebrations in connection with Basakhi festival came to and end at 158 TA Army today. The function, was organized by Sikh LI and Brig Hari Om Arya was the chief guest on the occasion while the function was also attended by Commandant C V Sharma.
Large number of people attended the Baisakhi mela at Billawar in Kathua district today.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13 : A deputation of the Sharda Mata Trust, Adarsh Nagar, Bantalab, Jammu, called on Governor N. N. Vohra at Raj Bhavan and presented to him a memorandum of their demands.
The demands presented by the delegation included, reviving the annual Yatra to the Maha Dyaneshwar Cave, located in Arin Daradpora area of Bandipore district, from this year.
While suggesting the 4-day Yatra from 31st July to 3rd August, 2012, the delegation urged for putting in place medicare, tents, security and other required facilities for the visiting pilgrims enroute at Sharda Mata Temple at Kalusa and Narayan Nag, besides at the Maha Dyaneshwar Cave.
The delegation led by Usman Majid, former Minister of State, comprised Shardanandan Bhat, Chairman, Sharda Mata Trust, Adarsh Nagar, Bantalab; Bharat Bhushan Pandita, Vice Chairman; Ashok Kumar Bhat, Secretary and Bansi Lal Bhat; Executive Member of the Trust.
The Governor gave patient hearing to the delegation and, assured timely support to the Sharda Mata Trust. He asked Navin Kumar Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, to urgently examine the demand of the Trust.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: After creating a new chapter in radio listening especially amongst the young generations, 92.7 BIG FM, India’s No. 1 FM Network, as part of its endeavor to develop and nurture a close relationship with its listeners, organized a Meet and Greet of BIG FM’s exclusive Dogri show “Khand Mithe Lok Dogre-season 2”, at Department of Computer Science Seminar Hall, University of Jammu, here today.
In the program held to pay tribute to the legendary Son of Soil and great writer Late Dinu Bhai Pant on the day of his birth anniversary, illustrious achievers of Dogri language, art, culture, literature, science and sports who have been on the BIG FM’s Dogri show were specially invited and honored on the occasion.
“Khand Mithe Lok Dogre-season 2”, the vernacular program has struck an instant chord with the local audience and became an instant hit with the Dogri audience of the State. The various segments of the program have been designed in such a manner that the listeners not only get to listen to the eminent achievers of the region, but also enrich their knowledge and at the same time listen to the old and new Dogri songs.
The host of the show RJ Pallavi welcomed the dignitaries present and thanked the listeners making the Dogri show a grand success.
Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu Prof. Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, was the guest of honor on the occasion and Mrs Dinu Bhai Pant was special guest on the occasion.
Mementoes were presented to dignitaries and Ravnish Gulati, Promoter Master Cab Cables and Conductor, gave away prizes to the winners of the Sandukhri, a segment of the program based on a quiz on Dogri Vocabulary.
The dignitaries who were honored were Prof Vienna Gupta, Master Kartar Chand, Prof Ved Kumari Ghai, Suman Gupta, Dr Manoj Sharma, Mohan Singh, Mitali, Ravinder Jamwal, Jatinder Singh, Jatinder Kour, Chhatrapal, Khalid Hussain, Dr Rajinder Singh and Prof Champa Sharma.
Vote of thanks was presented by Sidarath Arora, Cluster Head J&K, BIG FM. The show sponsored by Mastercab, the hospitality partner being Spice Food Court and Logistics support was provided by Dee Dee Reprographix, was well coordinated by Vikrant Sharma, Programming Head BIG FM Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress (JKTUC), has extended full support to the PHE workers for their ongoing agitation for pending demands.
In a meeting of the JKTUC workers held here today, under the chairmanship of Deedar Singh, the members discussed the scenario of strike by the PHE workers under the banner of PHE Workers Welfare Association, which has already crossed five phases. The members expressed solidarity with the ongoing agitation of the of the PHE workers who are being victimized to satisfy the ego of few people at the helm of affairs in the Government.
The speakers in the meeting were of the opinion that the demand put forth by association, that is payment of daily wagers at the rate of Rs 125 per day to all sorts of PHE daily wagers on regular basis, regularization who have completed five years in service release of pending wages of CP workers etc. were genuine and justified. The members condemned the callous and indifferent attitude of the Government towards the lower class employees of the PHE department. The speakers impressed upon the Government to address the genuine demands of the agitating workers. They also assured full support to the agitating PHE workers.
Prominent among others present in the meeting included, Devanand Gill, Bhupinder Singh, Camras David, Sham Lal, Kirtan Singh, Om Parkash, Deepak Sharma and Mohan Lal.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: A delegation of Associated Chamber of Traders Federation (ACTF) met the new Income Tax Commissioner A K Thatai and felicitated him on his new assignment.
Led by president Yash Paul Gupta of this apex trading body, the delegation called on Mr Thatai and assured him full cooperation of the Federation to the department. Mr Gupta said that since the new Commissioner happens to be Commissioner Income Tax (Appeals) Jammu and Kashmir earlier also, therefore, he will be well versed with the psyche of the people of the region and trading community as well. It will help the trading community a big way, Mr Gupta maintained.
The delegation also highlighted some burning issues of the trading community. IT Commissioner gave patient hearing and assured the delegation that their genuine demands will be favourably considered.
Those who accompanied the delegation included Dinesh Gupta, Neeraj Anand, Chander Gulati, Dinesh Kumar, Ajay Mahajan, Surinder Mahajan, Vijay Saraf, Chandan Gupta and Amarjeet Singh.

Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Apr 13: Two persons were stabbed during clash over a minor issue at the border township of Ramgah in district Samba last night.
Reports said the incident took place at around 10.30 pm in Ward No. 4 of the town. Three persons namely Surjit Singh, son of Manjit Singh, Hardev Singh, son of Baljit Singh and Ajit Singh, son of late Surjit Singh, all residents of Ramgarh, took liquor together last night and kept sitting at a place in ward No. 4 for long.
During the process, they had a tiff over some minor issue and it was followed by a clash. One of the drunkard, Ajit Singh took out a sharp edged weapon (Kirch) and attacked Surjit and Hardev and inflicted serious injuries to them. Thereafter, he escaped from the spot. The injured raised alarm and the people rushed to the spot. Their family members also reached there after some time.
Both the victims were rushed to Ramgarh hospital where the Medical staff provided treatment. Surjit Singh was referred to GMC hospital, Jammu for deep stab wound in stomach. The matter was reported to police and a party led by SHO started investigation. The police failed to arrest the accused and during early morning, he was traced by victim’s family members and then handed over to cops.
The police also recovered the weapon of offence. A case was registered against the accused.