Saffron March

Well, holy Birth Anniversary of the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji is coming on 5 Jan 2008 and today local Gurudwara devotees organised a Nagar Kirtan, a holy procession in the town, seeking the blessings of the holy Guru. Devotees wore blue and saffron turbans and dresses, enchanting hymns.

Seminar or 'Say Me Nots'

This time Punjab Govt has chosen a wrong time for teacher training seminars, its winter break! Last time such seminars were organised during the Summer Break! So, teachers of the state launched a wide agitaion against SSA Seminars. Effigies of Punjab Govt. burnt everywhere. Teachers remained in their seminar centers but did not attend any lectures to show their resentments. There was also statelevel traffic jams. But the EM seldom uttered a single word on the issue. However some harsh-toned higher official tried their 'best' to get rid of agitating teachers and not less than 9 teachers are suspended for not obeying govt orders. But all is well that ends well. CM has assured that there will not be any seminars during vacations nxt year and after his statement Edu. Deptt. also rolled back the winter seminar programs.

Adieu Sir!

Principal Gulzar Singh Azad passed away last week and left behind him a treasure of his sweet memoires. Whenever I met him I found him always busy with his students, books, studies, social work, literary society .. He remaind calm but full of vigour making everyone feel good. He inspired many young writers, students with his enlightened speeches. His teachings used to be great and moving. He heaved his last sigh on 3 Dec 2007 at the age of 72.

His brief bio is given here...

Date of birth: 31 Aug 1935/Marriage;12 Feb 1960

Wife: Smt. Tarvinder Kaur

Sons : Manpreet Singh Scietist in Defence and KP Singh Engineer in Public Works Deptt.

• joined Edu Dept. 1955 Retired on 31 Aug 1993


• Principal at Govt Secondary School Kamahi Devi 1988 to 2003(till retirement)


• Principal at Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School Talwara 1993 to 2002

He will be always remembered for his great contributions to the Educational, Social fields.

Govt Model High School Talwara sweeps Science Fair

The Sub Division Level Science Fair was organised in Mukerian. Govt. Model High School Talwara swept maximum events there. Mr. Deepak Sharma the Head of the school told TT here that the students perfomed brilliantly in the SF. The Scientific Drama 'Sukka Khuh' written, directed by the SS Master Samarjeet Singh grabed 1st prize. It was based on the water scracity problem.....

Other events were Chart Making Junior also gor 1st prize. The students also got prizes in the events of Quiz, Models etc. He appreciated the efforts of teachers Raj Kumar, Ravi Sharda, Suresh Mehta for preparing the teams. He added that the winners will have to participate in the oncoming Dist. Level Competitions.

Just Passing By to Tell you more......

SAD-BJP alliance befooling people

Talwara: The rulling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharti Janta Party (BJP) alliance is just befooling the people of the Punjab state with false and hollow statements, Mr. Ramesh Chander Dogra Ex-cabinet minister of Punjab and senior Congress leader expressed these views here while talking to local mediapersons in BBMB Guest House Talwara. He alleged that the ruling party has stepped back from its election manifesto and trying to allure general public with useless statements which may never be realised. He explained that the alliance had promised to provide cheap ration i. e. flour for Rs. 4/- per kg and pulses for Rs. 20/- per kg to all but when they took charge they start chaniging colours by fixing new conditions and redifining this most propagated scheme. Now they limited this to the BPL Below Powery Line people which already have been given such benefits even more lesser rates by the then Cong govt. He asserted that the Punjab govt. should immidiatly provide wheat and pulses on that rate to all the citizens of Punjab regardless of their income.
Mr. RC Dogra who had been Minister for Health & Family Welfare and then afterwards Minister for Technical Education Punjab in the previous Cong govt. added that Akalis and BJP are behaving like as if they are living in a fool's paradise and they are aimlessly firing daily new statements for this or that work to be done in Punjab but in reality they are failed to manage the govt. so far in the state. He said the govt. teachers are waiting for their salaries for many months and the CM is talking about new educational projects.
He said that Cong has always been keen for the overall development of the nation and in Punjab Cong has great dev projects and some of our projects are being completed now, of which Akalis are trying to be credited just by inagurating these projects.
He said the people of Dasuya legislative assembly area are coming to him telling many stories of dictatorship of the sitting MLA who is looking much busy distributing the Center Govt's welfare and dev cheques and the Blue Card for BPL public in villages here. He said the Cong party will never tolerate any dictatorship or falsehood in the state and keen in the true welfare of the public.

Of Rains and Floods

• In India the Monsoon has become quite unpredicted. The month of Sawan or July/August is usualy rainy season in Punjab and other neighbouring states, but this time the story is different. We have mearge rainfalls and on the other hand, there are floods in Bihar state. It seems the monsoons are emptying rainy clauds en-route and it is causing prolonged summer season here.
• Badals (literal meaning 'clouds') come and go, we have little showers in the name of rains. Sweating, viral fever and suffocating climate is prevailing here.
• And news are also violent and bloody.... a youth in Hoshiarpur Govt. College stabbed a girl whom he wanted to be his beloved. This one sided 'love' appeared naked hullingaism in the city. The eve-teasers are becoming more and more violent. The ill-fated girl was a promising student of B. A. Final year.
• In GTU (Govt. Teacher Union Punjab) is going to held demonstration in the hometown of the Education Minister Punjab Mrs. Upinderjit Kaur on 11 August 2007. They have a 3-point demands ie 1. to stop engaging govt. teachers for non-teaching tasks, 2. to stop political interferance in teachers' transfers, 3. to ensure regular monthy salaries of teachers etc. There are other demands also. The Union's Gen. Scy state Mr. Shiv Kumar told mediapersons that all negotiations with govt. officials failed and they are left with no other option than to stage demonstration in from the residence of the EM.
• People are worried for the deteriorating condition of almost 700 residencial quarters of BBMB colony in Sector 3 and Sector 2. It's been more than a year passed after the deptt had abandoned there well built quarters. Still there is no visible policy for the welfare of BBMB colony. Would that the Energy Minister India and the Chairman of BBMB turn up and heal the township!

Badals to visit Talwara

Sukhbir Singh Badal the working President Shiromani Akali Dal Badal and Bikramjit Singh Majithia the Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Public Relations, Science & Tech, and Environmet Punjab will inagurate two water supply schemes respectively in village Beh Nangal and Haler. They will address a public meeting in Talwara 11:30 am. Local MLA Amarjit Singh Sahi told this to mediapersons today. He further added the a wave of zest and jeal in visible among SAD-BJP workers of Dasuya legistlative assemble area.
However apart from the workers enthusiasm, govt. machinery is also active to recieve the duo. Deputy Commissionar Hoshiarpur DK Tiwari visited variour venues in Talwara and nearby places to insure the arrangement. Obivisiouly he was accompanied by all top officials of the district.
The prople, police and civil administration are ready for the major events.

Free Music Online

There we are!
The Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed Yadgari Society Talwara has launched its first musical album 'Raj Khalsa' exclusively on its official portal www.folkist.com
So, Music is on now. According to the society's President Baba Surinder Singh and Vice President Mr. Kulwant Singh told today that this album is dedicated to the Tenth master Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's life and phillosophy. This is the debut album of Bhai Gurjit Singh Bhamra and music is from the famous ghazal singer and music director Mr. Gurdeep Singh.
The album has 8 tracks and the title song Raj Khalsa shows the majestic era of the Sikh Raj i. e. the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Empire and its glory.
Another special feature is, this album will not be sold on CDs or cassettes and be available only on www.folkist.com

Terror Of Crows and Trees

Talwara: This is strange to know that the crows having their nests on the eucalyptus tree are attacking the passers-bye. The crow attacking incidants remained serious today as they attacked little children; who were playing outside in the open, crows also attacked with sharp beaks on some people crossing roads. A wave of terror is visible among the children and residents of Talwara.
Another incidents of falling of the dead trees. Such an incident happened today near the new Post Office. A sheesham tree fell on the road all of a sudden but it strucked in the wires and thus some passers bye managed to escape any accident. This is not for the first time when an old and dead tree fell, such incidents have tolled lives of many Talwara citizens. People have coined a nickname for such trees i e 'the killer trees'! But the administration of BBMB and the Forest Dept. seems seldom care for this problem. They rather wait for a tree to fell itself. The people have raised a strong demand to clear all such deadwood trees and insure the safty of general public.

Heavy Rains

It is raining heavily today since morning. It is almost raining cats and dogs. As usual, the roads are looking mini-canals, drainage system fails to drain rain waters. Of course, people welcome this cool shower. It had been very very hot, perspiring days for 2 yesterdays ;)
It is still raining outside. Dark clauds have covered the Sun completely. Ram Nangal side's hill is almost invisilbe and perhaps it is veiled behind the rain. The Khuds are becoming alive. They are overflowing over cause-ways. However, in this area, the natural drainage system is more efficient and doing well by driving all waters to the mighty Beas River.
Water Level in the Partap Sagar Lake is quite low. It is very strange. It is in spite of good rains that there is hardly any up levels seen in the lake. Even the floors of the spillway are naked and water is lower than the floors! Hope it will soon rise.

Rains and Pots

Monsoon is in and green is the dominant color all around. Here these pots also go green ...

Monsoon Showers

At last gone are the days of scorching heat and lo! here are the monsoons.
Rainy season is in now. Talwara is looking fresh, green these days. The forest area around Talwara are seeming more dense now. Small green plants are growing everywhere. However, polythenium is causing health threats.
BBMB has to repair its township roads which are in bad shape. Roads become canals even during slightest rainfalls. It is difficult for people to cross these roads by foot or even by cars as cars get choked amidst such water logged roads.
The colour of Mukerian Hydel Canal water is muddish. Both reservoirs, the Maharan Partap Lake and the Shah Nehar Barrage lake are full upto brims.
However, the real rainy season is yet to come. It is just begining. Mango crop is sending frangrances all around.

Summer Vacations Over

Another update is from the temples of education. Summer Vacations are over. Today was the first day of schools. Attendence was quite low due to heavy rains in morning that coninued even till mid day. Most of students did not attend their schools. Dark clouds have covered the mighty Sun. Humidity is unbearable and intermittant cool breeze refreshen burning souls.

Waiting for Godot

In Talwara people seem to reach the cult of the 'Waiting for Godot'. They are waiting for the golden days to come again. Those days, when Talwara used to be a densly populated urban dwelling. Those days, when all streets were rough, powdering and full of its people. Those people are gone now. And gone is the glory of Talwara. It is shrinking in many layers.
Apart from deserted BBMB quarters, people are facing economic setbacks. Though land rates are soaring to sky and many people who dont want to leave Talwara at any cost and who have no contact with their native villages, are buying expensive plots. They are constructing new house, shops. Old Talwara area is increasing and grasping nearby villages like Dohar, Bhera, Changerwan, Dosarka, Nagar, Sandpur, Ram Nangal, Fatehpur, Sri Panden. They are rapidly become one.
The Achillies Heal lies in the township area controlled by BBMB. The deptt. is too slow to change the scene. The high officials are seeming to just pass time in any way. They are making people feel at home with their lies. But somehow people nowadays are expecting a silver lining in this thick clouding. That is the annoucement of making Talwara a notified area committee.

Making seminars useful

Seminar is a useful activity. It is interactive. In Punjab (India) bulk seminars meant for school teachers serving in govt schools, are on for last couple of years. They are also useful. However, Govt can make them more useful. It is so easy.

• In these seminars, students' participations should be must with teachers.
• Resouce persons should be highly learned person, not mere timepassers.
• If such activity is for a long period, as it is for 2010 in Punjab, at least a well planned syllabus, agenda for each day must be there in advance.
• There should be equal chances for the seminarians to speak on their ground realities, problems and solutions.
• This must not be a one-sided and time killing activity in any circumstance.
• Govt must not change or alter pre planned school calendar of leaves and activities.
• Seminars should be people friendly and result oriented
• A such magnetic force must be there in this program of organising seminars, teachers, student and public should feel strong craving to attend.

Education for Elite only

In India education is no more everybody's cup of tea. For general citizen it is almost impossible to educate their wards to become doctor, engineer etc. It is now rich society's property.
In Punjab the fee structure at high, secondary and higher level classes is soaring to sky. If a student gets a compartment in 10+2 class in one subject, he is made to pay Rs. 500/- fee, not only this, the two page form to appear in such exam is costed at Rs. 50/-. Then the student cant send this form by post. He must submit it at dist. level office of Punjab School Education Board.
If a student of Panjab University wants to migrate to another university, the fee is more than 400/-
However, there are Universities which have a very genuine fee structure. But there is not such university in Punjab today, which may be called a student friendly. They are selling education at a big price. Who will mend them....

Teachers seminar in full swing

These days teachers of Govt. schools are attending special seminars. These seminars are organised by Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan in Indian States. Here in Talwara 62 Social Studies teachers are attending this 12 days seminar at Govt Sr. Sec. School Talwara Township Sector 1.
Here Mr. Vinod Kumar is the incharge, managing all things very well. The teachers are from Block Talwara's Govt. Secondary, Middle, High schools.
However, this is summer season and schools are off. Student enjoy summer vacations but teacher are made to attend such seminars. Some teacher organisations pointed at this but then everything became normal. Now there are no complaints.
In this seminars there are sessions on Social Studies, English Teaching and Computer Training.

;)

Whats happening on folkist.com....

Yeah!

Folkist.com is the official portal of Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed Yadgari Society (Regd) Talwara. In the month of July 2007 for the first time, this portal is going to release debut music album of Bhai Gurjeet Singh Bhamra and Party titled 'Raj Khalsa'

This information is given by the President of the society Baba Surinder Singh Talwara.

Here's the title of the album

Talwara Calling

Beauty is a thing of joy forvever. This tiny place on the earth is blessed with beauty and spledour of nature. On one side is the Beas river and on other side are the Shiwalik hills. Surrounded by a river and hills Talwara is a place space once having dense forests. Those forests are still visible in its two forest ranges. Talwara is divided roughly into two parts, one is the township area, created and maintained by Bhakra Beas Management Board; other is private area comprising Subhash Nagar, Indra Colony, Sandpur Mohalla etc and main bazaar. The township area is inhabited with people from various parts of Indian States. They are employees of BBMB, Shah Nehar, Mukerian Hydle Project and various other govt. departments viz education, health, forest, local bodies etc.
Talwara Township area is divided into four sectors following the pattern of Chandigarh. Luckily, the architechts of this township were also the same who designed the City Beautiful Chandigarh. This township was built to provide accomodation for the Dam workers. The dam, Pong Dam is situated 8 kms from here in the Kangra District of neihbouring state Himacha Pardesh.
Well, this beautiful place is waiting for friendly visitors from all over the world.
When will they come, God knows!
I'll keep updating talwaranews...
c u soon

Fiery Sun

Its hot here. Sun is looking furuios. It is perhaps the peak of the Summer season. Mercury is roaring above 45.
Schools are off but teachers are attending Sarv Siksha Seminars.
Unemloyed Teachers were thrashed in Kapurthala. They were protesting Govt. policies for not starting employment process for 45 vacant posts of teachers.
Education Minister has reminded the famous saying, 'rome is burning and Nero is playing flute...'
All is well for Govts and people's sufferings seems no end.
Lets hope for cool breeze of good moments to come...

Talwara looking Green, feeling Yellow

Talwara is looking green these days. God knows why it is feeling yellow...
Sickness Feeling is prevailing everywhere. In the Rock Garden (still waiting for visitor..), Vacated quarters (waiting for the BBMB's action...), traders, businessmen, residents all having pale face effect...
Vacant quarters are haunting the nearby residents...
The Rock Garden is looking a wild garden...
Energy Minister is busy..
BBMB is looking here and there... getting nowhere.. perhaps!
Talwara people are feeling just helpless.
MLA, MP's promises ended into smoke.
Now what nxt...
All eyes are on blue sky...
Lots of colours but no joy, what a fate..

Voices, Voices, Voices

BBMB has created The Rock Garden in Sector 4. The sector 4 is no more as there are no residencial units available now after grand demolishion. However, all eyes are on the fate of Sector 3 and Sector 2 houses.

A lot of ground realities are voiced regularily in print media. Here's a story on Rock Garden Talwara appeared in The Tribune...

Rock Garden fails to attract visitors

Bipin Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service
Talwara: Even after two years of its establishment, Rock Garden in Talwara township here has failed to attract visitors, thanks to the authorities of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Talwara township, which boasts of developing Phase-I after clearing Sector 4 from illegal possession of some highly influential persons.
After removing many dwelling units in Sector 4, the “garden of waste” is being developed by the BBMB over 20 hectares under the guidance of Nek Chand, creator of Rock Garden in Chandigarh.
Though the authorities claim to have started proper utilisation of the board's land after removing encroachments, however, members of different unions of the BBMB employees alleged that senior officers had been using Rock Garden as a tool for minting money. Leaders of these employees unions alleged that the senior officers in the management had been allotting various types of work to contractors on higher rates despite using board’s own manpower.
They also alleged that the management had failed to develop the garden even after spending huge sums of money in the past two years.
A visit by The Tribune team to Rock Garden revealed that some of the creations made from the sanitary goods waste were damaged. A museum “Wonder drift woods” collected from the Beas had been lying in a deplorable condition with many items broken, including a glass of the main door of the museum.
The fountains had gathered moss. The unfenced lawns had virtually turned into a grazing ground for stray cattle. In the absence of any guard, Rock Garden has been proving a safe hideout for drug addicts and others.
When contacted Mr N.K Jasrai, Chief Engineer (Beas Dam), BBMB, Talwara township, denied the allegations. He, however, made it clear that Rock Garden was still in a developing stage. Mr Jasrai also added that the department had deputed keepers and guards for proper maintenance of the garden.

People welcome the idea

of the Rock Garden but not at the cost of grand demolishions..

Voice of Talwara People

Dear Minister of Power, India
This is the voice of common people of Talwara.
Talwara Township is on the national map of India. It has buitt Pong Dam. Now there are no workers. People are migrating to other places. Reason..
According to officials BBMB dont need 700+ quarters (residencial well built houses). They cant maintain them now. So, they tried to negotiate with PUDA to hand over the quarters but the talks could not be realized.
Now there is a deadlock situation.
The Board could not decide what to do with these quarters. They got an option. Demolish them. And earn some revenue. This is suuficiant to get rid of the issue. They has sold Sector 4 on the same lines. Rumors are common that BBMB is keen to keep only Sector 1..!
This will make Talwara a deserted place! Just one it had been prior to Pong Dam construction. A dreadful forest!
However there are several other options available ...

Allot them to the applicants meeting some fixed criteria, on rent of lease basis, generate handsome revenue too...

Voice of People

Dear Minister of Power, India

This is voice of people of Talwara.

This is not marely an issue of BBMB quarters, it is actually a matter of a small township' survival.

Talwara is a beautiful, peaceful place on this planet. With Pong Dam it is on the National Map now. BBMB's Rock Garden is also good effort. However, Rock Garden came on the cost of a huge Sector 4 residencial area. Now there are thousands of trees, not a single soul may be found to roam and appriciate this venture.

People got suspicions whether BBMB demolish Sector 3 and Sector 2 residencial quarters too. Now 700+ quarters have been waiting for some people friendly policy since 2006.

Ministry of Power can guide BBMB authorities on this issue.

People dont want huge jungle here. As this area is already surrounded with lush green shivalik forests.

Think BBMB

Picture of vacated T2 block waiting for BBMB action

This is for Ministry of Power India and its BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) . BBMB is great autonomous body working in north Indian states i. e. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Himachal Pardesh.. taking care of the most important Dams and power houses of India. The board is doing well and getting ISOs for quality and standards.

Howerer, on this blog, a short story of BBMBs one of the townships is narrated. It is about Talwara Township (Hsp) Punjab India. Here due to some official problems BBMB has abaondoned 700+ well built residencial houses (quarters) declaring them 'surplus'.

BBMB seems helpless on the issue due to involement of different states in the board. Perhaps that's why, the board is unable to decide the fate these quarters even after one year.

People suggest these points for the welfare of Talwara :

• BBMB should allot these surplus quarters to the employees working within 12 kms area around Talwara colony
• Quarter should be alloted to the retired employees, local businessmen, shopkeepers, traders, journalists etc. on rent or lease basis

People dont want the fate of these quarters like demolished Sector 4. They want it full of life, not deserted.

Will BBMB think again on the matter?

http://www.talwara.com