Gita Mahotsav’s arrangements collapsed on concluding day

Photo—Hema Malini performing ‘Dropadi’ dance at Kurukshetra 

2) Raj Nath Singh and Haryana CM lighting lamps for ‘Aarti’ at Brahma Sarovar

3) Deep Daan by Raj Nath Singh at Brahma Sarovar 

Kurukshetra December 11---The police arrangements made for the five days Gita Mahotsav virtually collapsed on the concluding day yesterday as the vehicular traffic throughout the town remained jammed due to lack of traffic police at the crossings starting from outer-roads to the destination at Brahma Sarovar.

While the traffic around Brahma Sarovar remained chocked since 3 pm, the traffic was bumper to bumper from GT road to Brahma Sarovar. It was moving on snare speed and a distance of over 5 kms took over 2 hours. All most all the police force was deployed inside and around Brahma Sarovar inview of the visit of Union Home Minister Raj Nath Singh and other dignitaries including Haryana Chief Minister for participating in the ‘Deep Daan’ ceremony at the Brahma Sarovar.

Being the concluding day as well as the attraction of Hema Malini dance drama in the evening it drew great rush of visitors since morning. Over three lakh people are reported to have reached at Brahma Sarovar yesterday. It was anti-climax for many who could not reach Parshoutam Pura Bagh at the Brahma Sarovar to see the last cultural programme presented by Hema Malini.

Looking to the rush at the ‘pandal’ the main gate towards Parshoutam Pura Bagh were closed by the police about 5.30 PM, half an hour before the ‘Deep Daan’ ceremony. Even many journalists could not reach at the venue. These infuriated thousands of visitors who were maltreated and pushed back from the main gate by using force by the police. Visitors alleged that the cultural functions at the Purshoutam Pura Bagh had become reserved for the family members of the politicians and the officers. Many asked why the administration was inviting the public through advertisement if they could not make arrangements for them.

Superintendent of Police, Simardeep Singh said that the main doors were closed to control rush at the venue of Hema Malini’s dance, to prevent any chaos.

The people who could manage to reach the ‘Pandal’ were also disappointed as the well-advertised 'Dropadi’ dance by Hema Malini started 2 hours late than the schedule time of 6.30 pm. Chief Minister Haryana and other dignitaries kept on waiting for the dance. Mismanagement came to fore when she wanted the make the stage dry as it had got wet due to dew due to open stage. Five minutes after starting the dance, Hema stopped the dance again, as chorographer announcing that the stage is not perfect for dance and needed to be dried again so that it may not cause injury to any artist. It took another ten minutes to dry the stage and lay a carpet on it that dance could start.

Though the two and half hour Dance drama depicting the life of Dropadi from beginning to end of Mahabharta was splendid but still it left bad taste for many due to mismanagement.   

Earlier, what may pass as a rare event, global chanting of verses from Shrimad Bhagvad Gita was done simultaneously in 25 countries from 6 pm to 6.15 pm today to spread the eternal message of Gita in the entire world.
          The countries where the verses were chanted include India, Canberra-Australia, Bahrain, Vancover-Canada, Paris-France, Hong Kong, Jakarta-Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, UAE, UK, California, Arizona, Chicago and New York in USA
          Earlier, Union Home Minister Mr Rajnath Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal, Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Education Minister Mr Ram Bilas Sharma, Health Minister Mr Anil Vij, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Krishan Kumar Bedi, MLAs Mr Subhash Sudha and Mr Pawan Saini had participated in the global chanting and recited the verses from Bhagwad Gita with others at sacred Brahamsarover in Kurukshetra. 
          Deepdaan and Gita Aarti were also performed at sacred Brahamsarover. Later on, the Chief Minister Manohar Lal has visited the Jyotisar Tirath where the Lord Krishna had given the celestial message of Gita to Arjuna. He performed Deepdaan and Aarti at Jyotisar alongwith Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Krishan Kumar Bedi, MLAs Mr Subhash Sudha and Mr Pawan Saini.

Many old-timers are not amused with present style of Gita Jayanti

By Vijay Sabharwal

Kurukshetra, December 9 --- Though the Haryana Government have spent a huge amount of Rs. 18 crores in organising the Gita Jayanati this year as ‘International Gita Mahotsav’ at Kurukshetra, where lord Krishna is believed to have delivered the immortal message of holy Gita before the beginning of Mahabharta, from December 6 to 10, many old timers especially the associates of late Prime Minister Gulzari Lal Nanda are not amused.

82-year-old Avnashi Lal Arora, a leader of Vipar Mandal and an associate of Gulzari Lal Nanda, is one such person who is cribbing that though Nanda was responsible for the restoration of holy Brahma Sarovar and other religious places in and around Kurukshetra, the present-day rulers totally ignored to remember him and are singing tunes for themselves only.

Photo- Avnashi Lal Arora sitting at the ‘Prikarma’ of Brahma Sarovar 

Avnashi Lal recalled that when they came here in the year 1947 after partition of the country the Brahma Sarovar was just like a pond where the people used to wash their cloths and cattle used to take bath. The situation remained the same till Nanda decided to shift his parliamentary constituency from Ahmadabad in Gujrat to Kaithal (as Kurukshetra Constituency was called then) to contest election here in 1967.

Haryana Government constituted Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) with Nanda as its Chairman for life in 1968 and the restoration work for Braham Sarovar, Sanehit Sarovar and other religious places was taken into hand. Avnashi recalled that grants were limited and still Nanda managed to get the work done by using his political acumen ship.

He recalled that he was made incharge of preparing food for over ten thousand persons when the ducts to put water into the newly constructed Braham Sarovar were opened by the holy Shankracharya after performing a ‘yajana’. Every effort was made to spent the world with great care. He bemoaned that now nobody bothered to even invite him and many others who remained involved in the restoration work here during 20 years of Nanda ji’s control over KDB.

He said that Nanda ji was so much vigilant about the sanctity of the place that he virtually wept when a cemented grill of Brahma Sarovar was broken to make the then Chief Minister Bhajan Lal to go into deep waters for swimming. Later, Bhajan Lal apologised for his mistake. However, now entire ‘Parkarma’ of the Brahma Sarovar have been converted into a road like by establishing over 800 stalls including eatables over it. People come here to have picnic and throw wastes after eating hither and thither. Where is the sanctity of the place left now, he asked?

He alleged that no body mentioned Nanda ji’s name at any level by the present time politicians who come here daily to use this place for their own image making. Chief Minister remembered to even highlight the name of late Vice-President of India, Bharo Singh Shekhawat for just coming here once to be chief guest at Gita Jayanti celebrations, but no mention of Nanda ji, who created it.

Former member of Rajya Sabha and Member of National Commission for Schedule Castes, Dr. Ishwar Singh said that Nanda’s dream would remain unfulfilled till the masses follow the teachings of holy Gita. He asked whether chanting of Gita Shalokas by children to make a world record and then forgetting it would bring world peace?

He regretted that the present dispensation had converted Gita Jayanti into some political rallies only by inviting BJP President Amit Shah and others. They are using this land for their own glorification. If they are really interested in making Kurukshetra a world class place they should have made an airport here instead of at Hissar, besides increasing the 100-bedded hospital to 500 beds so that pilgrims coming here do not face any inconvenience. He said that the Brahma Sarovar and Sanihit Sarovar in present form is an all-time gift by Nanda ji not only to Haryana but entire mankind.           

  

Did Haryana Minister misguided Haryana Assembly?

Kurukshetra, December 5 ---Confusion still persists over the shifting of Educational Collages of Kurukshetra University (KU) back to it from Ch. Ranbir Singh University (CRSU), Jind, while the last date for depositing the crores of University fees of the admitted students by the B.Ed Collages at CRSU, Jind is fast approaching on December 7, next.

When the Education Minister Haryana, Rambilas Sharma, was confronted by the media persons here on Friday evening about the status of 170 Educational Colleges of KU which were shifted to Jind University in July last, said that the Colleges have been shifted back to Kurukshetra University. He said that a letter in this regard had already been sent to Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University and it could be confirmed from him.

However, when contacted KU Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Kailash Chandra Sharma said that neither any such letter nor any information have been received by the University from Department of Education or Haryana Government in this regard yet.

It may be mentioned here that the last date for submitting the list of admitted students for regular two year course of B.Ed in the over 500 colleges in Haryana at CRSU, Jind and the depositing of University fees is fixed for December 7. An amount of Rs. 4000/- per admitted student is charged by the Colleges at the time of giving admission from the students as University charges. The amount comes to Rs. 20 crores for 50 thousand students. CRSU, Jind had already collected over Rs 7 crores as counselling charges from the students.  

It may be recalled that great resentment prevailed not only amongst Kurukshetra University community but the public at large here over the move of Haryana Government to shift self-finance educational Institutions from last academic session in the month of July.

After sending many delegations including Member of Parliament and MLAs to Haryana Chief Minister to reverse back the order, the residents and social organisations constituted a Kurukshetra University Bachao Manch and threatened to launch a mass agitation to get the order reversed.

Haryana Education Minister, Rambilas Sharma, assured the Haryana Assembly on August 27, last that no college from Kurukshetra University would be shifted to any other University. Later about a month back, Sharma reiterated at a College function here that a notification about the shifting back of Colleges would be issued by the State government at the earliest. However, people here are upset that nothing concrete had yet been done in this matter.

Former Member of Rajya Sabha, and at present Member of National Commission of Schedule castes, said that either the Haryana Education Minister does not know what is happening in his ministry or he is telling lies about the reversal of Colleges to Kurukshetra University. He said that he has not seen in his political carrier that nothing was done to implement an assurance given by the Minister in the Assembly. He said that Haryana government believes only in publicity and falsehood. He asked how the Chief Minister could fulfil his announcements to bring Kurukshetra to International level after shifting affiliation of 170 colleges from here to CRSU, Jind, and proposal to construct an airport to Hissar.

Madan Gopal, President of Kurukshetra University Pensioner’s Association regretted the non-fulfilment of assurance given by Haryana Education Minister in the Haryana Assembly over the shifting back of these colleges. He said that the move of disaffiliating Educational colleges had so much adversely affected the financial position of Kurukshetra University that pensions and salaries are being delayed. He said that financial position of KU would further deteriorate if State government failed to reverse back these collages beside increasing annual grants to Kurukshetra University.     

President, Indian National Lok Dal Haryana, Ashok Arora accused the ruling BJP for coming to power by telling lies and now trying to mislead the Vidhan Sabha also by uttering lies. He said that as the Education Minister had given the assurance in Assembly on the calling attention by INLD MLA from Pehowa, Jasvinder Singh, his party would raise the issue before the ‘Assurance Committee’ of Vidhan sabha soon before moving a privilege motion in the next session of Assembly against the Minister for misleading the house. 

Martyred's body reached new home on ‘Greh Parvesh’ day

Kurukshetra, October 31 --- Mortal remains of Mandeep Singh (27), who was killed at the border of Machhil sector of Kupwara, in Jammu & Kashmir on Friday evening was cremated at his home village Aantehri, 20 kms from here with full state honour on Sunday.

Earlier, his body was brought from Ambala cantonment on a helicopter at the helipad of Kurukshetra University from where it was carried by the armymen in a convey to his village with full state honour.

As luck would have been, his body was placed at a newly constructed house, in which he had planned to shift on Diwali day. His elder brother Sandeep said that Mandeep had started the construction of his new house in the village last year and had planned to shift here on the Diwali day. A ‘puja’ had started at the house on Thursday, and Mandeep had rang up to inform that he would not be able to come home as his leave have been cancelled. He asked us to go ahead with the ‘greh parvesh’ ceremonies and shift to the new house. Now his dead body is lying there, he bemoaned.

Mandeep was cremated adjoining to his new house, and his elder brother Sandeep lit the pyre.

Mandeep’s wife Parerna got fainted when the pyre was lit, and a few army men came to her help. Thousands of people including political leaders attended his funeral. Slogans like ‘Mandeep Amar Rahe’, ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ and ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ continued to echo the area. Atmosphere got more surcharged when hundreds of women also joined slogan raising.  

Earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal visited the house of martyr and expressed his condolences to the family. He announced a grant of Rs. 50 lakh and one government job for the family member. He said that Mandeep sacrifice would not be forgotten and government would always be there to help the family. He said that his sacrifice would not be waisted and our soldiers would give befitting reply to the enemy.

Mandeep had joined 17 Sikh regiment about 8 years back. He got married to Parerna, who is working with Haryana Police, two years back and have no issue yet.

An atmosphere of gloom is prevailed in the village. Sarpanch Subhash Chander said that no body in the village illuminated their house or celebrating Diwali. They however, burned one ‘diya’ (earthen lamp) in each house in memory of Mandeep Singh.   

Geeta Jyanti to be celebrated on pattern of Yog Diwas

Brahmasarovar, which would be the epi-centre of ‘Geeta Jyanti’ celebrations.Add caption

Kurukshetra, October 27—Haryana government with the help of union government would celebrate ‘Geeta Jyanti’ on the pattern of ‘Yog Diwas’ at International level throughout the world, on December 10, next.

Though Yog Diwas have been recognised by UNO and the people all over the world celebrateed it as international day. Getting recognition from UNO for ‘Geeta Jyanti’ is difficult this year due to shortage of time, so it would be celebrated with the involvement and help of Indian Embassies, various religious organisations and wings of RSS (Rashtrya Swey Sangh) spread all over the world. A CD with selected ‘shalokas’ from holy Geeta would be prepared by November 7, next for this purpose.

This programme have been chalked out by Deputy Commissioner, Kurukshetra, Sumedha Kataria, and ‘Geeta Manishi’ Swami Gyana Nand Maharaj. Various committees associated with the Geeta Jayanti celebrations and State government had already approved the programme. As against Rs. One crore annual fund earlier, the state government had sanctioned an amount of Rs. 14 cores for this year celebrations. 

 Ms Kataria told that this programme would be sponsored by Government, but in foreign countries it would be organised with the help and support from Embassies, and religious organisations like Ramkrishan Mission, Chinmay Ashram, Shri Shri Ravishankar Art of living, Maa Amritmay, Maa Anandmay, Godiamath, ISKCON, Pantanjali, Swami Avdeshanand, Baba Ram Dev, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, and various wings of RSS spread all over the world. The programme would be of 15 minutes’ duration and committees formed by the government would coordinate.

The programme would be organised at important places in the world like Times Square (US) and on the banks of Tams river by the followers of these organisations. Selfi with Geeta would be taken.

Geeta Jyanti falls on December 10 next, and ‘deep daan’ ceremony with ‘Aarti’ would be performed on that day at 6.30 at Brahmasarovar here. Before this 6.15 to 6.30, selected ‘shalokas’ from 18 chapters of Geeta would be recited and recoding made. This would be relayed on You-tube and live on TV so that people in other countries could join. Those who do not know Sanskrit may pray during this time.

Swami Gyana Nand said that efforts are being made to invite Prime Minister Narinder Modi to participate in ‘Deep daan’ ceremony here. However, if he could not come here, he would join the ‘shaloka’ recitation for 15 minutes wherever he would be. He said that he would personally meet President of India and Prime Minister to inform them about the details of the programme. President of India, Pranab Mukerji had already accepted the invitation to inaugurate the ‘Geeta Jyanti’ Utsav here on December 6 next.

Confluence of arts on Day 3 of Ratnawali

Photo- O.P. Dhankar (second from left) receiving memento from KU VC

Add caption

Confluence of arts on Day 3 of Ratnawali

Benchmark Haryanvi art with Punjab art and global audience

 

Kurukshetra October 26-- While speaking as Chief Guest on Day 3 of Ratnawali, the state level cultural festival, O.P. Dhankar, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Haryana exhorted upon the artists of Haryana to learn from the success of the artists of Punjab and benchmark their performances in terms of content and presentation to reach out to the global audience.

 

There is a lot of progress that has been made in the art and he applauded the contribution of Ratnawali in this regards, but he observed that a lot more has to be done. Tremendous opportunities lie in the hybrid art forms emerging from the fusion of Indian and Western art forms and Haryanvi artists should work on these possibilities.

 

Welcoming the Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Kailash Chandra Sharma said that Ratnawali arouses lot of enthusiasm in the minds of the people and by organizing and participating in such events, overall personality is developed. Ratnawali has become a hallmark of the culture of Haryana.

The events organized on the third day were Chaupal, Duet Ragini, Folk Song, Haryanvi Group Song, Quiz, Declamation. Turban adorned the participants and organizers of the event, which gave the look of a confluence of colours and music beats.

Middle in The Tribune: These Bonds Mustn't Break

Read my middle in the Tribune dated 4th October, 2016:

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/musings/these-bonds-mustn-t-break/304427.html

(Screenshot below)

My memories published in Daily Post on September 15, 2016

One youth killed while another serious following clash amongst students

Kurukshetra, September 9 --- Proposed student’s union elections in Haryana had its first victim here today when one youth was killed and many others were injured following a clash between two groups of college students outside Bhagwan Parshuram College here today.

The clash was reported today afternoon when some students were pasting posters in favour of one group near the main gate of the college.

According to Superintendent of Police, Simardeep Singh the clash which started with hurling of abuses amongst students soon converted into free use of lathies as other students rushed in support of their group. Few students who came later with fire-arms fired which hit Hardeep Kumar. Hardeep, a resident of village Chhijarpura was rushed to local hospital where he was declared brought dead.

He said police is yet to ascertain whether the cause of clash has origin from proposed student’s election or some old enmity amongst the two groups is the reason.    

Principle of College, Yogeshwar Joshi said that the dead youth was not student of his college and most of the 25 to 30 youths involved in the clash were outsiders. He said that gate of the college was closed today due to talent show. Some outsiders tried to enter the college premises in spite of security men deployed there. Meanwhile some youths came in a jeep and started firing on the youths who were fighting with lathies. Policemen on duty at talent show rushed to spot and controled the situation.

He said that proposed student’s union elections had created groupism amongst the students and they had clashed earlier also near the college gate few days back.

Negligence on the part of college management came to light when most of 28 CCTV cameras installed in the campus of college including near the site of clash were found by the police out of order.  

People living near the college including Jasvinder Singh and Rashmi were in shock following the incident and demanded that ban on student’s union elections should not be lifted as the students in this young age do not understand the implications of their actions and many time they indulge into violence on any minor provocation.

It may be mentioned here that the BJP government had announced recently to allow student’s union elections from this academic session as per their election manifesto. The student’s union elections were ban about 20 years back by then Chief Minister Bansi Lal following a large number of violent incidents in the Colleges and Universities.   

Photo- Police deployed outside the gate of College after the clash

2) police with dead body of youth in hospital  

Jubilation at Kurukshetra over acceptance of their demand

Kurukshetra, August 29--- The Kurukshetra University community and people of Kurukshetra town were jubilant over the statement made by Haryana education minister Rambilas Sharma today in the Haryana Assembly that no college affiliated with Kurukshetra University would be shifted to any other University in the State, and government would ensure that stature of Kurukshetra is not curtailed.

It is pertinent to mention here that the people of Kurukshetra were protesting against the shifting of educational and engineering colleges to Ch. Ranbir Singh University, Jind and Dinbandhu Sir Chhautu Ram university of Engineering, Murthal respectively. While 159 colleges of Education had already been shifted to Jind University on July 4, last, the process of shifting engineering colleges was still in the pipeline.

While people of Kurukshetra drawn from various social and religious organisations, irrespective of their political affiliations had constituted a ‘Kurukshetra University Bachao Manch’ and had threatened to start an agitation including to go on fast unto death if the government failed to announce shifting back of the educational colleges during the ongoing monsoon session of Haryana Assembly.

Under pressure from the public, Member of Parliament, Kurukshetra Raj Kumar Saini had led a delegation of two ministers and four MLAS from this region to Haryana Chief Minister to impress upon the need to review Haryana Government’s earlier decision to shift colleges from Kurukshetra University.   

Kurukshetra University Teachers Association and students organisations had also condemned the shifting of these colleges and members of Kurukshetra University Non-Teaching Employees Association (KUNTEA) has went on a strike for ten days in support of their demands including demand of shifting back of education colleges to Kurukshetra University.   

Patron and Convener of Kurukshetra University Bachao Manch, Vijay Sabharwal and Madan Gopal Sharma, respectively who had spearheaded the campaign welcomed the statement made by Education minister in the vidhan sabha today. In a press statement issued here today, they thanked the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal and Education Minister Rambilas Sharma for listening to the sentiments of people of religious and historic town of Kurukshetra. They hoped that appropriate steps would be taken soon to shift the education colleges back to Kurukshetra University from Jind University at the earliest.

Member of University Executive Council, Dr. Vivek Chawala, and General Secretary of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Pawan Garg were amongst those who appreciated the assurance made by Haryana Education Minister and described it as a sensible decision on the part of Haryana government.   

Fast-Unto-Death threatened if Colleges are not re-affiliated back to Kurukshetra University

Kurukshetra, August 18 ---- ‘Kurukshetra University Bachao Manch’ was constituted by various NGOs, social and religious organisations here today to lead a campaign to protest against the shifting of 169 Educational Institutes and 50 Engineering Institutes of Kurukshetra University (KU) to Ch. Ranbir Singh (CRS) University, Jind and Dinbandhu Chhotu Ram University, Murthal, respectively, and ensure their return back affiliation to KU.

                                         Photo- Madan Gopal Sharma addressing the meeting

President of Kurukshetra University Pensioner Association, Madan Gopal Sharma, who was elected as Convener of the ‘Manch’ told representatives of various organisation at a meeting held at the Non-Teaching Employees Club, at Kurukshetra University (KU) campus here today that the oldest University of Haryana-Kurukshetra University- is being ruined financially under a conspiracy.   

Sharma announced that if the Haryana government failed to make amends in the CRS University Act, to affiliate back the Educational Collages from CRS University, Jind to KU during the next Haryana Assembly session starting from August 26, the ‘Manch’ would start an agitation by organising ‘bundh’ in the town.

 He announced that he would even sit on fast unto death if the government failed to heed their demand. He said that Kurukshetra University is the originator of almost all present Universities in Haryana as these were established by first making its Regional centres with the money from Kurukshetra University. He said that previous Congress government had transferred all medical Institutes affiliated with KU during its tenure to Pt. Bhagwatdyal University Rohtak and now BJP government bent upon to close down the Kurukshetra University by shifting Educational and engineering colleges.     

He said that Kurukshetra University was getting 88% grant which had been reduced to 28% of Plan and Non-Plan budget, and state government asking University to generate its own resources. He asked from where KU would generate this revenue if all the self-financial Colleges are shifted from here.

Vijay Sabharwal, a social activist and Member of KU Court (Highest decision making Body of KU) alleged that Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal was sympathetic to their demands when they had met him, but some IAS officers misguided him on the matter. He alleged that the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister on behalf of Chief Minister had ordered on June 24, last, that educational colleges may be shifted in phases, ie. Colleges of only one district out of a Division be shifted, but the file remained pending with Educational Commissioner till July 14, to let Jind University to complete the process of affiliation. He demanded from the Chief Minister to take strict action against such officers who refused to obey his order.    

Jai Narain Mishra, former President of Brahman and Tirath Sudhar Sabha, Kurukshetra, criticised Haryana government for its ‘double talk’. On one hand it is claiming credit for its announcement to celebrate ‘Geeta jyanti’ at Kurukshetra this year in December at ‘International level’ but on other hand curtailing the status of Kurukshetra University to only Kurukshetra itself. He said that if Haryana Chief Minister is genuine in promoting Kurukshetra to International level, he must atleast bring all Colleges of Haryana under Kurukshetra University to make it complete State University. Assuring full support to the demand for re-shifting back of these Colleges, he recalled that Chautala Government had tried to re-name Kurukshetra University, but proposal was dropped only following massive protest from the people here.

Babu Ram Gupta, former President Kurukshetra University Non-Teaching Association (KUNTEA) called upon the people of area and various organisations to prepare for struggle if they want to save Kurukshetra University. He said that people of this area are peace loving which is considered as their weakness. Alleging deep political conspiracy in the move, Gupta said that earlier B.S. Hooda took all Institutions to Rohtak and now Union Minister Birender Singh is taking everything to Jind.  He said that this government listens only to those who show their strength not otherwise. He said that people from Jat community destroyed the establishments of peace-loving Punjabi community in Rohtak and Jind area few months back, and Government awarded them by Jat reservations. He called upon to make it such a mass agitation that government had to come here to accept their demand rather than hovering around politicians. He expressed surprise that three Members of Parliament and 27 MLAs which represent this part of Haryana are keeping silent when the oldest University of the State is being ruined. May be that they are politically weak and Chief Minister do not listen to them, he added.

It may be mentioned here that shifting of these colleges would cause an annual loss of Rs. 30 crores to KU which is already facing a loss annual budget of Rs. 70 crores  

         

KUTA opposed Government to shift B.Ed and Engineering colleges from KUK

Kurukshetra, August 3       ---------------          Kurukshetra University Teachers’ Association(KUTA) has opposed move of the government to shift educational and engineering colleges from Kurukshetra university to ch. Ranbir Singh University, Jind and CRUST, Murthal, respectively. The teacher body has criticised the decision as it will deteriorate the financial condition of the university.

Kurukshetra university teachers' association president Dr. Sanjeev Sharma in a press release said that government decision will create financial crises in the university. He said that government has already decided to affiliate all B.Ed colleges to Ch. Ranbir Singh University Jind. These move of government to shift engineering and B.Ed colleges from KU to other universities will badly affect the quality of education as KU being oldest university of the state has the largest experience to tackle problems of these colleges successfully.

He said that there is great resentment among colleges also because they are being shifted from an internationally known university to virtually unknown newly established inexperienced universities without sufficient staff to look after their own affairs.

He regretted that while they were fighting to get central university status to Kurukshetra University BJP government of Haryana preferred to curtail the existing status of Kurukshetra University even.

KUTA secretary Dr. Mahabir Singh Ranga said that KU is being subjected to step motherly treatment by the government for more than a decade. He said that university facing a deficit of Rs. 70crore and managing 75% of budgetary requirement from its own sources, including self-financed colleges. KU is the mother of most of Haryana Universities as they have become universities after being the regional centres of KU initially. Now the mother is being deprived of its minimum requirements.

KUTA has categorically demanded to restore the affiliation status of B.Ed and Engineering colleges with KUK and sufficient financial resources to meet its minimum requirements of imparting higher education and research.

Administrative work at KU remained paralysed due to strike by non-teaching employees

Kurukshetra, August 3 --- The administrative work at Kurukshetra University remained totally paralysed today causing great inconvenience to students as the indefinite strike by the members of Kurukshetra University Non-Teaching Employees Association (KUNTEA) entered second day today.

The members of KUNTEA went on indefinite strike on Tuesday in support of their demands including the demand that the education and engineering colleges which had been transferred to two other Universities in Haryana be affiliated back to Kurukshetra University.

While the President KUNTEA, Ram Kumar said that they were pushed for indefinite strike as earlier assurance remained unfulfilled, and that the strike would continue till their all demands are conceded, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. K.C. Sharma said that the major demand of the Association regarding staff ratio promotions has been taken up with the state government. He said that it is ticklish problem being faced here since the year 1988. He said that there are different orders in this regard by the state government.

Prof Sharma said that the previous Vice-Chancellor had introduced the old staff ratio system of one superintendent against three clerks in 2014, for promotions but audit department raised objections. The matter was referred to State government; but still promotes were continue to be paid salaries without getting it audited. The government sent a letter in the month of June this year that the new staff ration of one superintendent against six clerks must be followed. Still, the University is trying to pursue this matter at the level of state government as the neighbouring universities are following the old staff ratio system for promotions.   

With regards to the shifting of colleges to other Universities, he said that University had tried its best to resist it but the final decision was made by the state government. He hoped that the addition loss of over 30 crores annually to Kurukshetra University due to this shifting would be met by the state government. He said other small matters concerning individual issue of the non-teaching employees are being considered by a committee constituted some time back.

 He hoped that the KUNTEA would withdraw its strike and employees would join their duties by tomorrow, otherwise administration would thing about the alternatives so that administrative work could be handled.       

Protest against shifting of Education and Engineering Colleges from Kurukshetra University 

Kurukshetra, august 2 --- Great resentment prevails not only amongst Kurukshetra University community but the public at large here over the move of Haryana Government to shift self-finance educational and engineering Institutions to two other separate Universities in Haryana from this academic session.

169 Education Colleges and 50 Engineering Colleges affiliated with Kurukshetra University have been shifted to Ch. Ranbir Singh University, Jind and Ch. Chautu Ram Engineering University, Murthal following the orders by the Haryana government.

A large number of eminent persons from here had represented the Haryana Chief minster two months back against the move stating that it would curtail the status of Kuurkshetra University, which is the first and prime university of Haryana, besides causing hardship to students and financial loss to Kurukshetra University. Later, a delegation of five MLAS of norther part of Haryana including Haryana Minister Krishan Bedi and Karan Kamboj under the leadership of Kurukshetra Member of Parliament, Raj Kumar Saini met the Haryana Chief Minister, to convey the feelings of the public and demanded that the move must be curtailed.

Though, as per Mr. Saini, Chief Minister assured to review the move and ordered that the colleges must be shifted in a phased manner, on experimental basis. However, the bureaucracy not only overlooked the note of Principal Secretary to Chief Minister but fast tracked the process of shifted and then took a stand that the Institutions had already been affiliated to Jind University, and nothing could be done now.

Kurukshetra University Teachers Association (KUTA), Kurukshetra Non-Teaching Employees Association (KUNTEA) and Pensioner Welfare Association Kurukshetra University had passed separate resolution to condemned the move stating that it would ruin the oldest University of Haryana.

While members of KUNTEA went on a token strike today to press their demands including to the demand of reversal of these colleges to KU, in a statement, President KUTA, Dr. Sanjiv Sharma condemned the move and announced that teachers would start an agitation if these colleges are not reversed back to Kurukshetra University. In a letter to Chief Minister, President of Pensioner Welfare Association, Madan Gopal said that the policies of the state government during last 20 years had ruined the prime university financially. He said that University needs Rs. 80 crores to meet its budget deficit but the State government is adamant to provide only 20 percent of it. He said that earlier Pharmacy colleges affiliated with KU were shifted to Pt. Bhagwat Dyal PGI at Rohtak, and now educational and engineering colleges have also been shifted.    

It has its political fallout also, as President, Indian National Lok Dal, Haryana, Ashok Arora accused the Haryana government for its adamant attitude which would ‘destroy’ the ‘existence’ of Kurukshetra University. Addressing a party members meeting here on Monday, Arora said that Haryana government is taking such decisions ‘intentionally’ which would cause financial crunch for Kurukshetra University. He said that the shifting of these colleges besides causing great hardship to the students would cause an annual loss of Rs. 30 crores to Kurukshetra University. He said that Kurukshetra University is already at a loss of Rs. 80 crores annually and many times employees are not paid their salaries for months together. The problem would further aggravate with this move. Describing it as injustice with this area, he hoped that good sense would prevail and that colleges would be reverted back here.

General secretary, Haryana Pradesh congress Committee (HPCC), Pawan Garg condemned the move and expressed surprise that on one hand Haryana Chief minister is making statements on daily basis that they would develop Kurukshetra to bring it on world map but his present move is to remove Kurukshetra from the map of State even. He said that Kurukshetra University is historic as Kurukshetra is known world over as land of holy Gita. Infact, Kurukshetra must be developed as a cluster of knowledge and learning rather than reducing the status of present University, he added.

He recalled that 20 years back engineering colleges affiliated with Kurukshetra University were shifted to newly established Guru Jambeshwar University at Hissar. However, the then Chief Minister Bhajan Lal ordered the reversal of the shifting following the resentment expressed over the move by the local people here. He urged the Chief minster to honour the opinion of the public here and ensure that these colleges are shifted back to their original University at the earliest.     

   Photo—KU main gate 

Shri M emphasised need for discussion to resolve people’s problem rather than indulgence in violence.

Kurukshetra, March 12 --- Shri M, who reached here today during his ‘walk of hope’ – a 7500kms long padayatra for peace and harmony to Kashmir, said that he does not blame any particular section of society in Haryana for the recent violence which the people of the state had witnessed.

70-year-old Shri M, spiritual guide, social reformer and educationist, is working under the aegis of Satsang Foundation towards the oneness of all humanity.

In reply to a question, while talking to media persons at the Kurukshetra University International guest house, here today, Shri M said that there is no need to indulge into violence for the people to get any of their demands accepted. He said that there must be some ulterior motives behind this violence. He was of the view that discussions must continue to ensure that no such violence erupts again in future. People must understand that they destroy properties either owned by them or meant for them in such violence, he added.

Photo- 1) Shri M and his accompanists, being received by local MLA, Subhash Sudha, outside the town limits.

2) Shri M (left) in an interview with writer (Vijay Sabharwal)

Born with name of Mumtaz Ali Khan, he is named by his associates and followers as Shri M-short form of Manav. He said that since his child hood he was interested in the mystic aspect of the country which took him to Himalayas at the age of 19 years, where he remained with his ‘Guru’ Maheshwar Nath at Badrinath for over three years.

In reply to the question of increasing intolerance amongst different communities at present, he said that the our country is multi-linguistic and composed of various religions and communities who had settled here from outside, so different opinions are bound to be there. He said that on the hole the country is very tolerant and difference of opinion should not be taken as ‘intolerance’. Infact, he added, the word of acceptance and non-acceptance may be used for difference of opinion rather that ‘intolerance’.

He was of the view that difference of opinion and ideology must be sorted out through discussion and no through violence. He said that national property and individual properties become casualty during violence which are mostly erupts at the instigation of some elements with self-interests. 

Describing his till now about 6000 kms long ‘padyatra’ as a success to great extent, as each day he alongwith about 60 others, halts at a village or town on the way. They have meetings with local communities of the place, which includes meaningful dialogues and inter-faith prayers. He said that they eat together and rest overnight in their homes in spirit of oneness. ‘we walk together, not as members of groups or parties, but as human beings.’  ‘we walk for a society where opportunity is given to all, regardless of caste, religion, language, religion or gender’, he added.  

He hoped that together they would spread the massage, personally, to cover 10 million fellow countrymen along the way to Kashmir. He embarked on ‘walk of hope’ -a 7500 kms long padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir on January 12, 2015.

His accompanists include 80-year-old Air Commodore (retd.) Ravinder Nath from Trivandrum, 75 years old former Director General of Police, Karnataka, Dr. Ajay K Singh, and 74-year-old former Chief Secretary, Karnataka, Mrs Tara Singh.

Kartekeya temple at Pehowa where entry of women is prohibited.

Kurukshetra, January 27 --- Police action against a group of women trying to enter famous Shani shrine in Shingnapur village, 'breaching' the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women on Tuesday, have brought various legends to fore to ban women entry to various temples in the country.

However, it's not just the famous Shani temple where the entry of women is prohibited.

Across India, there are myths and legends to support the theory of restricting entry of women in certain religious places. One such temple belonging to Shiva’s son Kartekeya, situated on the ancient Saraswati rivar at Pehowa, 22kms from here, is where entry of women is prohibited.

This temple also celebrates Brahmachari (celibate) form of Lord Kartikeya which bars women from entering the temple. Situated near the Pehowa tirath, the ancient structure is said to be from the 5th century BC and legend states that any women visiting the shrine may be cursed even if they visit seeking blessings.

(Photos- Kartekeya temple at Pehowa)

According to one legend,when Lord Kartikeya was doing meditation Lord Indra gets jealous that Brahma might give him more power than himself. So he plans to distract Lord Kartikeya by sending the most beautiful Apsaras. Lord Kartikeya gets angry and cursed that "any woman who comes to his place to distract him from his meditation shall turn into stone."

However, an eminent ‘Purohit’ from Pehowa Tirath, Subhash Polsatya narrates another legend stating that Kartekeya got angry with his mother Parvati, when his brother Ganesha, was declared winner by riding rat around ‘Shiva’ to get the Shiva’s empire.  Angry Kartekeya stated that his father was donor of his bones while he drew 0nly his skin from his mother. Being angry over the help Parvati provided to Ganesha, Kartekeya removed his skin here and cursed that any women seeing him in this form would get widowed in her next seven births.

When asked about any objection ever received by them from any woman, Subhash said that women get frightened after hearing the legend that woman would get ‘widowed’ following ‘darshan’ of the deity. So no woman ever objected to their ban on entering the temple. He said that according to Hindu traditions, after offering ‘pind-dan’ of the dead person at Pehowa tirath, men are taken to the Kartekeya temple nearby to offer mustered oil to cool the deity, while accompanying woman wait at Pehowa tirath.  

It may be recalled that a  large number of women tried to enter famous Shani shrine in Shingnapur village, 'breaching' the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women on Tuesday, inviting police action.

Earlier, on Saturday, a woman in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district entered and offered prayers at a famous Shani shrine in Shingnapur village, 'breaching' the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women. This, obviously, didn't go well with the temple committee who suspended seven security men and carried out purification rituals the next.

Kurukshetra Police is yet to take action on suicide note left by a trader

Kurukshetra, January 8 --- Even five days after, a potato trader from village Umri, near here, Surinder Singh allegedly collapsed outside the office of Superintendent of Police, here after consuming poisonous substance, the local police is yet to take any further action on his suicide note.

Surinder Singh, who reached the office of SP on Monday evening and tried to meet the SP but collapsed in the waiting room, was rushed to a local private hospital where he died on Wednesday. The police station city Thanesar registered a case under section 309 IPC for attempt to suicide against Surinder Singh immediately after he was collapsed outside SP’s office.

It is learnt that Surinder Singh was carrying a written complaint against four persons including one commission agent and his son from Pipli grain market as well as one woman and her son-resident of sector 3, Urban Estate, here, alleging blackmailing and cheating. In his complaint he alleged that he owned Rs. 20 thousands of rupees in lieu of which the commission agent had taken a blank cheque from him. Later, they refused to hand over the blank cheque to him even after he gave them Rs. 20 thousands. He apprehended that they may misuse it against him.

When he could not meet the SP who was busy in a meeting, despite his telling the gate keeper that ‘veh kuchh he minto ka mehman hai’ (only few minutes are for him), he sat in the waiting room and wrote a five line note on the back side of the typed complaint being carried by him. In the note, which later turned out to be his suicide note he named a woman and her son from Sector-3 also holding them responsible for his death. 

Deceased’s brother, Sanjay Kumar told that Surinder Singh had made a complaint in this regard to the police station Sadar (Pipli) on January 1, last but the police did not took any action on it, which prompted him to visit SP’s office on Monday, where he consumed ‘sulphas’ in desperation when he was not allowed to meet SP.

When contacted, SP, Simardeep Singh, said that the police is veryfing the suicide note and investigating the allegation levelled by the deceased and his family. SHO, City, Ram Kumar said that the police had already taken the statements of the persons accused by the deceased and would investigate further before taking further action.