Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum

Maharaja Ranjit Singh museum in the Company Bagh is a treasure house of the history, art and architecture of the Sikhs of the 18th and the 19th century. There are Matchless collection of paintings, arms and armours. One can find wide collection of manuscripts and coins of 18th and 19th Century.

Formerly the summer residence of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a famous Sikh king of the 19th century the palace now has been converted into the museum. It was built in 1818 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh as his summer resi-dence and he stayed here till 1837. The building was in Arabic style.

Dr. Hidayat Ullah, Vice-presi-dent of India, inaugurated the museum in 1977. Efforts have been made to collect all the relevant material from the 18th and 19th cen-turies to provide visitors and scholars with glimpses of the cultural history of this period.

There are three Art Galleries too, in the city one attached to the Golden Temple, the other to Jallianwala Bagh and the third named after the city's famous artist, Thakar Singh.

Fort of Bhatinda- Punjab

Bhatinda is one of the oldest towns in Punjab. It is very famous for its historical importance. The fort was built by a Hindu Raja, named Dab in the second century of the Christian era. It is built by large archaic type of brick, which was used for construction long before the advent of Islam.

The fort of Bhatinda constituted the twin capital with Lahore of the well-know Brahman dynasty of the Pals, of which Jai Pal and Anand Pal were among the last scions.

The fort of Bhatinda still alive in its lordly vaunt of having shared for ages a notable part in the schematic plan of India's defence. The walls of the fort which slope from base upwards are of extraordinary massiveness and strength. These length of these walls are upwards from 53 feet below to 35 feet at the top.

The tower of burj is 120 feet above the ground level and is still in a wonderful state of preservation. In addition, there are four large tombs one at each corner . It is one of the hard structures in its line built nobly and well.

Punjab increased prices of sugarcane to Rs 115 per quintal

The prices of sugarcane is increased to Rs 115 per quintal by the Punjab Government , a hike of Rs 15 per quintal.

This decision was taken at a meeting of Sugarcane Control Board. The prices of mid varieties and late varieties of the sugarcane have been hiked to Rs 113 and Rs 111 per quintal. The cane growers would be benefited by Rs 60.50 crore with this hike.

The farmers and the sugar mills had been demanding hike in the sugarcane prices for long so that the cane growers could get the remunerative prices.

With the increase in the prices of sugarcane, the area under sugarcane cultivation in spring season would be more and in this way the sugar mills would get more cane as per their requirement.

Punjab slips to the 5th position in per capita income

Haryana , long used to being dubbed the poor cousin of Punjab, has finally shaken off the tag by coming third in the per capita income ranking of the country, with Punjab slipping to the fifth position.

The new figures issued by the Central Statistical Organisation for 2003-04 have come as a shot in the arm for Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who’s had more than his share of trouble since coming to power this year.

Haryana’s surge in per capita income is mainly due to its wooing of global auto, pharma and IT investors, and exports worth Rs 16,000 crore last year.

Gurudwara Shrimanji Sahib (Alamgir)

Gurudwara Shrimanji Sahib is situated 10 Km from Ludhiana. Gurudwara commemorates the place where the Muslim devotees Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan had carried Guru Gobind Singh to safety during the battle.

Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708), the last of the Sikh Gurus , transformed the pacifist Sikh sect into a martial community. He introduced rites of initiation into well-organised Sikh army known as the 'Khalsa'.

In the Gurudwara , there is a tank where it is believed that the Guruji had shot an arrow into the parched earth to pierce a sub-terrain stream of water. A fair is held there in every December. Thundreds of devotees take part in the fair.

Punjab's Art and Craft

Punjab has the distinguished tradition of art and craft which its people have maintained in spite of vicissitudes of time.

Needle work of Punjab is unique. Weaving of Durries i.e. cotton bed or floor spreads, in myriad motifes and designs especially by young girls in the villages has been a long tradition in Punjab.

The patterns of needle work done on the bed spreads, chunnis, dupattas and shirts and Salvars, are still different. Punjabi hands fans like the Japenese are almost typical and their leaves are made in much the same way as phulkaris etc. are made.

Mud walls of the rural houses in Punjab are painted on festive occasions like Dushera, Karva chauth, Holi, Diwali etc.

Punjabi juttis, the shoes made of self cured leather and embroidered all over with gold and silver wires, are famous in the world for their unique designs and high quality.

The wood work of Punjab has also been traditionally famous. Artistic beds with comfortable, skillfully made, back rests fitted with mirrors and carved colourful legs called Pawas, low seats called Peeras.

Pharmacy Colleges in Punjab

Pharmacy Colleges in Punjab

1) Institute of Post-Graduate Homeopathic Medical Education and Research, Mohali
2) Homeopathic Medical College, Abohar
3) Government Medical College, Chandigrah
4) Government Medical College, Gurunanak University, Amritsar
5) Lord Mahavira Homeopathic Medical College, Ludhiana
6) Christain Dental College, Ludhiana
7) Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana
8) Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Chandigrah

Jallianwala Bagh (A saga of sacrifice)

Jallianwala Bagh, a garden belonging to the Jalla, derives name from that of the owners of this piece of land in Sikh times.

On April 13, 1919, some 10,000 or more unarmed men, women, and children gathered in Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh to attend a protest meeting, despite a ban on public assemblies. It was a Sunday, and many neighbouring village peasants also came to Amritsar to celebrate the Hindu Baisakhi Spring. A majority of them, visitors from the nearby villages, had come to Amritsar to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi.

When British Leader, General Dyer came to know about this protest, he ordered to block the entrance to the Bagh. When the meeting was on and General Dyer, without warning, ordered his soldiers to open fire. Nearly 400 persons were killed and over thousand were wounded. On that day, British troops had killed hundreds of innocents.

Now, Jallianvala Bagh became a national place of pilgrimage. Soon after the tragedy, a committee was formed with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya as president to raise a befitting memorial to perpetuate the memory of the martyrs. The Bagh was acquired by the nation on 1 August 1920 at a cost of 5,60,472 rupees but the actual construction of the memorial had to wait until after Independence.

Swaran Mandir of Punjab

Sri Harmandir Sahib, which is also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or Golden Temple is situated in Amritsar city of Punjab. In Hindi translation, it can also be called as Swaran Mandir. Guru Arjan Dev ji, the fifth guru of Sikhs, himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Guru Arjan Dev ji got its foundation laid by a muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh (December,1588).

The word 'Amrit' means the drink of Gods. Golden Temple is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of Sikhs. The foundation of Sri Harmandir Sahib is the most significant achievement of Sikh Gurus as a centre of inspiration and action for the Sikhs.

Harmandir is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of Sikhs. Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank of nactar). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square and has a door each on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. The Brigde is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.

With the construction of Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar attained the status of great holy place.

Sikh mission to hire copters to send quake relief

Sikh mission to hire copters to send quake relief

“True to Sikh traditions, we will do everything possible to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked North India and Pakistan on October 8. If we have to hire helicopters to reach the victims with relief supplies, we will do it,” says Baba Daljit Singh, founder-president of the International Human Welfare Sikh Mission.

Landlords can evict tenants

SC ruling on non-residential premises

In a judgment that brings cheer to property owners in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and might compound the problems of tenants, the Supreme Court has ruled that landlords in the city can evict tenants from leased out non-residential buildings on the ground of personal needs as the existing law does not provide them any protection.

Politicians have lost trust of people, says MP

Politicians have lost trust of people, says MP

Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP said that due to their false promises and un-accountability, Indian politicians had lost trust of people and it had widened gap between them and had encouraged opportunists to come to the forefront. Mr Sidhu was talking to reporters here this afternoon. He said this situation could prove to be a disaster for the country.

Protest against delay in paddy procurement

Protest against delay in paddy procurement

Protesting against the non-procurement of paddy for the past several days in various grain markets and procurement centres of this district, farmers in large numbers today staged protest dharnas and blocked roads in various parts of the district.

Panthic parties for alliance against SAD

Panthic parties for alliance against SAD

The Panthic parties, especially the Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), led by Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra today desired to come on single platform to defeat the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in the next Assembly elections.

City readies for water amusement park

City readies for water amusement park

Residents of City Beautiful will soon enjoy a water amusement park. The Chandigarh Administration has tentatively earmarked 30 acres in Maloya village in the master plan for the project.

Earthquake In Punjab

The Punjab was rocked by big tremors on Saturday but there were no immediate reports of any damage, authorities and witnesses said. In Chandigarh People come out of the houses and there was fault in mobile phone at that time. Some Sector there was electricity problem also.

Tension resurfaces in Talhan

Tension resurfaces in Talhan

Tension has resurfaced in Talhan village after nearly about two years as one of two groups of the 20-member management committee of Gurdwara Shahidan Sant Baba Nihal Singh have apprehended that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee could make an effort to take control of the gurdwara forcibly.

City spruced up to host VIPs

Congress flags at Raj Bhavans evoke Opposition protest

The city is all geared to host the top Congress leadership of the country. Most VIPs on the “visitors’ list”, including several union ministers, chief ministers, party general secretaries and some top bureaucrats accompanying their political masters, have arrived here till late evening.

CM assures hassle-free paddy sale

CM assures hassle-free paddy sale

With the relaxation of specifications regarding the procurement of paddy in the state, the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, assured farmers today that their struggle to sell their produce was over and it would be a hassle-free process for them.

Challan filed against Hawara, 16 others

Challan filed against Hawara, 16 others

The Chandigarh police today filed supplementary challans against Jagtar Singh Hawara, alleged chief of Babbar Khalsa International and main accused in the Burail jailbreak case, and 16 others in the same case. In the challans, which were filed in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the police had prayed that the accused should be tried for waging war against the state under Sections 121 and 121-A of the IPC.

Another scam rocks Panjab University

Another scam rocks Panjab University

After the infamous sports scam that rocked Panjab University a few years ago, a financial bungling has once again been unearthed in the university, which, along with certain departments, also involves the State Bank of India.

Badal, Dayal shocked at farmer’s death

Badal, Dayal shocked at farmer’s death

The Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr Parkash Singh Badal and senior leader of the CPI, Dr Joginder Dayal, in separate statements have expressed shock over reports of suicide by a farmer Gurdev Singh in Nadala town of Kapurthala district over non-procurement of paddy by government agencies.

Cancer-afflicted kids take their maiden flight

Cancer-afflicted kids take their maiden flight

Thirtyfive underprivileged children from across the country took a joy trip aboard the Indian Airlines plane from Delhi to Chandigarh and back. Designed to bring cheer to the suffering children and also to shut their minds to hospital travails, the trip was successful in achieving its target.

Chandigarh will go to Punjab: Amarinder

Chandigarh will go to Punjab: Amarinder

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that as Chandigarh belonged to Punjab, any move to establish a Legislative Assembly for Chandigarh to provide it a status of state on the pattern of Delhi would be opposed. He also said that octroi would be abolished shortly.

CM approves proposal to hike sugarcane price

CM approves proposal to hike sugarcane price

While the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, has informally approved the proposal to increase the sugarcane price by Rs 15 to Rs 20 per quintal, there is also a move to expand the recently set up Kisan Commission and clearly define its role to avoid any duplication in the work of the Agriculture Department and the commission.

Ex-Akali minister’s house raided by CBI

Ex-Akali minister’s house raided by CBI

Sleuths of the CBI raided the house of Mr Nirmaljit Singh Kahlon, a former Akali Minister, in the posh Ranjit Avenue here this morning in connection with the recruitment of Panchayat Secretaries during the SAD-BJP government.