Liquor on Department Stores' Shelves

Punjab Govt. has taken some radical changes in its Excise policy regarding sale of liquor. Foremost is that IMFL and imported liquor may be sold from large stores having an annual turnover of above Rs.100 crores. Annual licence fee has been fixed at Rs. 75 lakhs. ( Licence category - L2C ).

For Punjab Medium Liquor ( Non IMFL) category , pouches have been introduced. A pouch would contain 100ml , priced around Rs. 13. At times tipplers may not want to buy a whole pint ( 180 ml ), then pouches like shampoo sachets, would come in handy.

The Govt. has , also , decided to fix the maximum retail price ( MRP ) this time to check any over charging.

L.P.G. Pilferage Detected at Kukar Pind

Action was taken by the police against a gang of L.P.G. pilferers who were operating from a L.P.G. godown in Kukar Pind, near Jalandhar Cantt. According to D.S.P. ( Rural )-2 , Raj Jit Singh, swift action was taken by the police and the culprits have been booked and the instruments impounded which were being used in taking out a portion of gas from many
cylinders and filling them in to empty ones for their illegal sale.

Else where in the city, officials of the Food and Supply Department along with police raided many well known Hotels and Marriage Palaces to check the diversion of domestic L.P.G. gas ( which is heavily subsidised by the Govt.) for commercial p;urposes

The city is reeling under a heavy shortage of L.P.G. and actions taken by the administration should bring relief to the harried consumers.

Traffic Police Acts against Unauthorised Parkings

Led by S.P. ( Traffic ) Rakesh Kaushal and D.S.P. ( Traffic ) Inderjit Verma, police removed vehicles which were unauthorisedly parked in Tow away zones of the city to ease the flow of traffic. The sevice lanes in front of Hans Raj Stadium had many cars for sale parked there and action was taken there by the police. 14 vehicles were impounded and 22 owners challaned.

L.P.G. Pipeline to Jalandhar

To cater to the ever growing demand for L.P.G. and to eliminate the risks involved in its transport by road, Indianoil is in the process of laying a 275 km long L.P.G. dedicated under ground pipeline fropm Panipat Refinery to Suchi Pind ( Jalandhar ) bottling plant. The work is expeced to be completed by the year end. The pipeline route is via Nabha where also Indianoil has a bottling plant.

A large number of LP.G. cylinders would thus be freed because of this pipeline which would be a great relief to the harried consumers. Indian oil should consider laying intra city underground gas pipelines in important consuming localities so that gas is supplied like electricity and water.

Suvidha Kender- Nawnashahr-On Line

Punjab Government has opened Suvidha Kenders in the offices of Deputy Commissioners ( Mini Secretariats ) as a nodal point for the general public which approaches the various departments of the State Govt. with various types of work/ applications. . To help the general publc and taking a step forward in e-governance, the State Govt. is putting Suvidha Kenders on line. Then the Public would be able to check the status of their work, at a click of the mouse and that too from any where without having to go to the offices concerned. Such a step would greatly benefit N.R. I.s also. The first Suvidha Kender to go online is of Nawaanshhr.

Public takes action against Drug Addicts

Fed up with the nuisance created by drug addicts, residents of Gujja Peer, took initiaive to teach them a lesson. These addicts in the past had been indulging in hooliganism and thefts. The addicts were caught in their 'adda,' a vacant plot while they taking , interalia , 'chuppa' and 'badam' and were given a thrashing. Further, shops selling intoxicating drugs were targetted and promises taken from them that they would never again supply drugs.

Phagwara- Balachaur Road- Most Accident Prone

Phagwara- Ropar Road, particularly Phagwara-Balachaur stretch passes through big and prosperous towns of Banga, Nawanshahr, Behram , Khatkar Kalan etc carries a large traffic but the road is only double laned. All sorts of traffc runs on it. It needs to be upgaded to Four Laned on a war footing. Till then there should be strict implemenation of traffic regulations including a total ban on overtaking and over-speeding .
It is, now, a Toll Road. It is heartening to know that the Toll contractor is providing Trauma van and a Recovery Van, free of Cost

Baba Seechewal Launches Kala Sanghian Clean-Up

Environmentalists led by the renowned Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal ,to-day, went ahead, with missionary zeal , to put a bundh of sand bags on the Kala Sangian at Nahal village to block the inflow of highly polluted and toxic industrial and municipal waste which is playng havoc with the lives of residents of 80 villages on the banks of Kala Sangian and Chitti Baein.

Baba Seechewal is doing the work which the Govt. agencies have failed to do. Baba Seechewal deserves the gratitude of the general public for saving our scarce water resources.

Sant Seenchewal to the rescue of Chitti Baein

God bless Sant Seencewal who is devoting his energies to rescue the rivers of Punjab. Punjab ( Land of Five Rivers ) owes its name to the mighty rivers. But since independence all its rivers, wheher big or small. have been reduced to something of Ganda Nullahs. If our rivers vanish so would our Punjab.

Sant Seenchewal is starting a campaign to from 22/02/08 to clean Chitti Baein .The polluted waters of Leather Complex units fall in to Kala Singhia drain, then to Chitti Baein and Sutlej. The highly polluted waters of Sutlej are diverted to canals feeding Rajastan and Punjab at Harike Pattan.

Conserving water resources of Punjab needs attention on a war footing. Chhapars ( ponds ) in villages need to be revived. All our rivers whether small or big should be respected and not allowed to be polluted. We should keep in mind that the ground water level in Punjab is going down at an alarming rate and there is a danger of desertification.

Prakash Utsav of Guru Ravi Dass

The devout are celebrating the Prakash Utsav of Guru Ravi Dass with great devotion. Langars and Shoba Yatras have been taken out. A special train of pilgrims has,already, left for Kashi. An exquisite Palki worth crores has been donated for Kashi Mandir. N.R.I.s have sent large sums to the religious sabhas of their localities.

Special N.R.I. Police Stations soon.

According to Secretary , N.R.I. Sabha , Punjab, Kamaljit Singh Hayer, Punjab Govt. has taken a decision to open special N.R. I. Police stations in the districts of Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana. Fast Track Judicial Courts would be set up in two districts to ensure speedy justice to N.R.I.s.

Kamaljit Singh Hayer chaired the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the newN.R.I. Sabha which was also attended by Vice Chairman Giani Resham Singh, Zorawar Singh, Major Singh Sahota, Darbara Singh Parihar, Jagjit Singh Toor, Kewal Singh, Parminder Singh Hayer, Ravinder Guru, Jasbir Singh Pandal, S.K. Chopra, Kewal Dhillon, ( Nawanshahr ) Jagjit Sodhi,( Ropar ),Upinder Grewal ( Ludhiana ), Ramesh Mahajan, Bahadur Singh Sidhu, Harsimran Kaur, Col. R.S.Sohi, Major Singh and other dignitories.

Sabzi Mandi-Booths Mega Auction on 20-02-08

Over 95 plots/ booths would be put to auction on 20/02/08 morning, by District Mandi Board, Jalandhar, in New Sabzi Mandi, Maqsoodan's 29 acre land. To participate in the auction, which is open to all, bidders should have Bank Drafts, for Rs.10,000/- for shops and Rs.20,000/- for plots ,payable at Chandigarh, in favour of'' Marketing Deveolpment Fund'. ( Please do confirm the details with the Authorities).

This is an excellent real estate investment opportunity for businessmen in particular and investors, inlcuding N.R.I.s in general.

Remand Court in Central Jail

Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Judicial Authorities, Jalandhar to hold Remand Courts, thrice a week, for Judicial Custody Accused, with in the jail premises instead of bringing them to local courts for hearing their bail applications. Necessary amendments in the CRPC- Section 167 have been made. This move will prevent the increasing number of escapes by under trials from Court premises. Initially, the new arrangement would be implemented in Jalandhar till 31/05/08. If the results are positive, then the arrangement would be extended to other districts of Punjab and later, in Haryana also.

Dakhni Sarai-Jalandhar's Mughal Splendour

Whereas the Serai at Nurmahal is well known, a lesser known but equally exquisitve is the Dakhni Serai,on the Nakodar-Kapurthala Road ( 12 Km. from Nakodar ) near Village Mahlian Kalan.It is a fine example of Indo Persian style perfected during Mughal period. Constructed during the reign of Shah Jahan ( 1627-58) by Mughal mansabdar Ali Mardan Khan , the huge serai has124 rooms dotted all around its fortified rectangular enclosure. Two three storey high magnificient gates, Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate allow entry in to the Serai.
Nakodar along with Nurmahal were important towns along the old G.T. Road from Delhi to Lahore. The present route of G.T. from Ludhiana ( Lodhiana ) onwards to Lahore was redone during the British te to be placed on the main railway line and G.T.road highway connecting Delhi with Lahore and beyond to Kabul etc..

As a corollary the earlier important and historic towns of Nurmahal, Nakodar, Bundala, Dakni Serai etc. lost their importance and became satellite towns of Jullundur

February 02, 2009

Mughal Bridge near Dakhni Sarai at Village Jahangir (Jalandhar District)

imes to align with the Railway line.

Table Tennis Championship

15 th National Veterans Table Tennis Championship 2007-08, in Memory of Late Sunder Kheti, is being organised from 21 st February to 24 th February 2008, at Corporation Table Tennis Hall , Hans Raj Stadium, Jalandhar, organised by Punjab Table Tennis Association.

The tournament is sponsered by N.R.I. Sanjeev Kheti of Seven Seas Enterprises ( Div of M.K. Jewellery Inc. ), 22, Commerce Road, Suite E, Fairfield, N.J., U S A and co-operation of New Public High School, Banga Road, Phagwara.

Municipal Corporation clears Enchroachments

To ease congestion in popular markets, Municipal Corporation Jalandhar, under the supervision of its officer Harminder Kaur , got removed temporary enchroachments put up by shop keepers in front of their shops. Action was taken in Model Town Rainak Bazar anf G.T.B. Market.

L.P.G.-Pilferage Uncovered

A racket involving pilferage of L.P.G. gas from cylinders was uncovered at Abadpura by P.C.R. A case has been registered with Police Station No. 6. While there is a widespread shortage of L.P.G. inthe city, unscrupulous elements are cheating the hapless public by giving consumers under weight gas cylinders

Valentine's Day Celebrated

It was as much a celebraton of love as the freedom prevailing in Jalandhar and Punjab compared to the intolerance and violence threats from so called guardians of Indian Culture active in other states. The main attraction was in the amusement Park, Wonderland where an open air D.J. was organised. Similarly, a dance party was organised at Top In Town restaurant in Model Town and at various other places.

Balbir Singh Ex M.P. Passes Away

Balbir Singh, Chairman , Lyallpur Khalsa college, and eminent politician passed way . Balbir Singh was ex M.P. from Jalandhar. He had long remained in Congress before joining Akali Dal a few years ago. Balbir Singh was nephew of former Foreign Minister of India, Sawaran Singh.

G.T. Road Traffic Closed for 4 hours at Phagwara

In another incident of collective Road Rage and vandalism, traffic was obstructed for 4 hours and vehicles, especially Govt. buses damaged in Phagwara, causing immense inconvenience to thousands of vehicle owners. Holding innocent vehicle passengers, which includes emergency services to ransom to air one's grievances is highly deplorable and exempelary action should be taken against the perpetrators.

Special Court for Traffic Challans

To take the load off the normal courts , a Special Court, under a Retired Judge, has started functioning in Jalandhar Judicial Complex , which would deal exclusively with traffic offences/challans.

N.R.I s Help Native Villages

According to a survey conducted by a Jalandhar based organisation , Vichar Manch, there has been a spurt in philanthropic contributions from overseas Punjabis for religious and development purposes in their native villages during the past five years. In the Doaba region overseas Punjabis have almost doubled their contributions to the home villages during the past five years.

Half Marathon--24/ 02/ 08

A 21.0397 Km. long Marathon is being organised on 24 th February, 2008 by C.T. Group of Institutes for helping Pingalwara and Red Cross to raise funds.The registration fees is Rs. 50/- and the contact mobile no. is 9914504901 and C.T. Group offices. The Marathon would start from C.T. Institute, Shahpur, to Pratapura, Lambra, Guru Ravi Dass Chowk, Manbro Chowk, Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Nakodar Chowk, Football Chowk, Workshop Chowk, D.A.V. Chowk., to end at C.T. Institute, Maqsoodan.

Dharna By Industrialists in Company Bagh

Protesting against the steep rise in of steel prices, industrialists of Jalandhar are going to stage a protest rally in the Company Bagh. Steel is a basic raw material for major factories, especially hand tool manufacturers. Livelihood of many workers is, also, under threat. Industrialists want entry tax only on finished goods and not on raw materials.

Burlton Park To Be Upgraded For International Tournaments

Burlton Park Stadium , Jalandhar, will, again, be hosting International cricket matches. Initiative in ths regard has been taken by the Mayor Rakesh Rathore and 'Danik Bhaskar', Jalandhar. B.C.C.I. and Punjab Govt. would spend Rs. 55 crores. This action would do justice to Jalandhar's fame and status as the Sports City of India.

Municipal Corp Issues Auction Notices To House Tax Defaulters

As per Notices issued in Newspapers, by Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, Auction/ Selling Notice has been published for 98 properties, for which auction dates have , also,been fixed from 13-02-08 to 18-02-08. The Notice states that in case the owners of the properties failed to deposit the arrears of House Tax within 3 days from the issue of this notice, the properties shall be put on auction/sale on the date or after any time mentioned against each in order to recover the House Tax Bills/ Arrears.

Friends Cinema Closes

With the last show of Punjabi film 'Yaarien" Friends Cinema has closed down much to the dismay of Cine goers. Cinema's manager Kahan Chand cited heavy taxes and falling revenues as the reason for closure. Friends had started in 1975 with release of Big B starrer 'Deewaar'.

Sutlej Cinema , near Bus stand, Pritam in Basti Sheikh, Cine Payal and Lal Rattan , Mini Lal Rattan, Jyoti,on Nakodar Road, Hari and Krishna, on Railway Road ( Near Bhagat Singh Chowk and Punj Peer), Sant Cinema , opposite Domoria Pull, Naaz Cinema, near Civil Hospital and Seema ( Odeon) in Mai Hiran Gate have already closed.

All these cinema halls were Jalandhar's land marks . Their locations were always used while instructing rickshaw walahs or in postal addresses.

Tough Action By Municipal Corporation

Jalandhar Municipal Corporation authorities , in a team led by Municipal Town Planner Morari Dutt Sharma sealed three commercial complexes in the Upmarket shopping area of Model Town, for violating building bylaws.These buildings lacked adequate parking space and their FAR ( Floor Area Ratio ) also seemed to be incorrect.

Road Rage at BMC Chowk

On 05-02-08, a minor collision between two vehicles led to a massive traffic jam, for half an hour, at the busiest of Jalandhar's Intersections -BMC Chowk. No driver hits another vehicle intentionally. Are we becoming so intolerant that we cannot take such minor incidents lightly ? Exemplary action should be taken aganist those who hold traffic to ransom.

N,R,I. Bhavan--Top Priority of New President

The newly appointed President of the N.R.I. Sabha, Kamaljit Singh Hayer told a gathering of V.I.P.s that an early construction of the N.R.I. Bhavan and ensuring the fulfilment of promises given by the Govt., are his top priorities. For the new building the Sabha has 3 Kanals of land and adequate funds. Avinash Chander, M.L.A. Kartarpur, Gurcharan Singh Channi, President District Akali Jatha, Sujja Singh , Ex President of Sabha- Resham Singh Hayer, Paramjit Singh and many prominent N.R.I.s were present.

Golden Gate-a grand Banquet/ Marriage Resort

Golden Gate Resort is situated in acres of land on the Talhan-Dhilwan Road, near Talhan ( Jalandhar ). It has many acres of land which can hold the biggest of social events. Its Hall is magnificient . Parking is very spacious.Its bathrooms ,flooring ,Rooms give a five star ambience.

Images by gopal1035

Century old Mansion

This exquisite Mansion, situated at the Bus Stand-Kanjli Road, in Kapurthala,near Jalandhar, is around 100 years old. The perforated 'jaali' covering the storm drain, the cement railings, metal rain shade , narrow alley on sideway, Greek columns etc. indicate of a fine amalgamn of Mughal and European architures. This fine building, definitely, requires preservation.

Image credits:

1,2,3,4 by gopal1035

Talhan-Domeli road being Upgraded

Under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojna, Talhan -Domeli Road is being strengthened into a two lane mini highway.This road is running parallel to the Jalandhar- Phagwara G.T.Road, on the Hoshiarpur side.It connects important villages, including Kotli Than Singh. Work is in full swing these days.

Image by Gopal Aggarwal

Medical Consultants Association-Office Bearers

In the meeting of the newly formed Medical Consultants Association, Dr.S.P.S. Grover was elected, unanimously, as President and Dr.M.S.Bhutani as General Secretary. Dr. Bhutani said that the main objective of the Association was to educate the public and Doctors of Jalandhar about new technologies.

Forbidden Fruit-No Love Please

LOVE IS SWEET POISAN ( Poison )

Philosophical slogans are found at the back of trucks and,also on the sign boards of Rehris. A Rehri, which sells a delicious cocktail of fruits has this warning for lovers.

Image by Gopal Aggarwal

Kanha Dhesian

Kahna Dhesian, near Jalandhar Cantt, on the Goraya-Nurmahal Road, is a place where the devout congregate in very large numbers. It has magnificient premises where thousands can sit together.

Image credits: http://jalandharphotos.blogspot.com/2006/08/sangat-durbar-kahan-dhesian-distt.html

Phagwara - Nawanshahr Byepass Overbridge Ready ???

The prestigious Nawanshahr Byepass Over-bridge on the Jalandhar-Phagwara G.T. Road at Mehtian , is ready. But the underbridge connecting the Nawanshahr/ Chandigarh Byepass with G.T, Road ,although ready has not been made operational. It should be opened to traffic , without any delay. The overbridge has been constructed by the renouwned Mumbai based Infrastructure Company -Valecha Engineering Ltd.

Images by Gopal Aggarwal

Let's preserve our heritage

Located on present day Goraya-Nurmahal highway, one gets the feeling of deja vu of a temple or a religious court .Frescoes of Gods viz. Kali Ma, rulers etc are no less than a treasure and a peek into history.

A part of the compound serves as Govt. Vet Clinic.It has a Pre Independece Official Board,in Urdu.

The heritage value and tourist potential of the place, with water filled pond, stair case (like Haridwar's), deep wells, halls, frescoes is being lost.

Kind request to alert citizen, N.R.I., historians, academicians, Govt. officials and Archeological Survey of India (http://asi.nic.in/) in particular to consider aiding in justice to this magnificient court having marks of history.

Image credits: http://jalandharphotos.blogspot.com/2006/10/historical-judiciaryreligious-courtfor.html

A Unique Cup of Tea ( which twirls your mustache )

Muchh Maror Chai--being served at a Dhaba, on G.T. Road, near Jalandhar. ( For full qualities of the tea why not read the slogan in the picture.) Inputs by http://jalandharphotos.blogspot.com/2006/09/punjabi-dhaba-en-route-somewhere.html

Lucky Dhaba--'Jalandhar Di Shaan'

For thousands of travellers daily passsing Jalandhar, particularly, families in their cars, a stop at the hugely popular Lucky Dhaba( Khajurla, G.T. Road, Phagwara side ), is a must. Such is the popularity of this ' Pure Vegetarian' eating place ( open 24 hours ) that many staff members have been given the exclusive duty of arranging proper parking. Despite opening of numerous eating places nearby, Lucky Dhaba reigns supreme.

Image credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gopal1035/1958061347/

Mall Culture Comes To Jalandhar

The High End culture of Malls has come to Jalandhar with Ansals Plaza Shopping Mall at Khajurla ( Opp. Lucky Dhaba ) on the G.T. Road ( Phagwara side ). The Restaurant 'Chef ' is already operational and gaining popularity by each passing day. Many other Malls/ Multiplexes are in the pipeline,including one by Reliance Group in New Baradari ( Opposite Medical College, Garha Road). Jalandhar is fast becoming a mini Metro will all the attractions of a modern city.

Image credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gopal1035/1958903508/

Municipal Corporation-House Tax Arrears Collection Drive

After the abolition of Octroi, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar has been facing a big gap in its revenues. To overcome this defeciency it has gone in to an overdrive to collect arrears of House Tax. 3 shops in the up-market Model Town were sealed. Assistant Commissioner, D.P. Bhardwaj pointed out that the recovery had gained momentum ever since the Corporation had started taking strict action, owing to which the defaulters had started queuing up fearing an action against them,

Traffic Jam at Urban Estate Railway Crossing

Urban Estate Railway Crossing ( Ganda Nullah Phatak ) woulsd soon require a Over-bridge/Under-bridge. On 01-02-08, when some minor repairs were being carried out at the Crossing, very long lines of traffic, on both sides, led to Traffic Jam.

Climate Change or Canine Behaviour Change

These days, Jalandhar, like the rest of North India, is facing unprecedented Cold Wave. Some experts call this a climate change.

It seems Dogs are learning fast to adapt themselves. A 4 month old pup ' FLUFFY' soaks warmth from a room heater, as seen in these photos.

P.S. Other pet dog, from this house, namely 'NODDIE', in summers, rushes to the room from where he hears the air conditioner's drone.

Image credits: http://picasaweb.google.com/gopal1035aaa/Oh_My_Is_it_too_cold_here