The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 21

 

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please – 21

1.   Dr. Such Singh Gill’s Talk on the Indian Economy in the context of Ambedkar’s Economic Thought – A renowned economist, Dr. Such Singh Gill delivered an informal talk at Ambedkar Bhawan Jalandhar on August 9 on the Indian economy with reference to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s economic thought. It was a well-planned and thoughtfully hosted event successively after the thought provoking interaction with Dr. Jag Mohan Singh, a scion of Shaheed Bhagat

Singh’s lineage held a couple of weeks ago. It is an appreciable activity, of late, started by Ambedkar Mission Society under the stewardship of Prof. Balbir Chander.  The session started with observing two minutes silence in the memory of students who committed suicide in the wake of the recent Neet paper leaks. Dr. Kulwant Singh Phull kick started with the function with his fully articulated presentation on the subject. He underlined the fact that the current economic situation in India was worrisome and under stress as the economic administrators did not pay attention to the economic needs of the country as visualized by Babasaheb Ambedkar and his likeminded intellectuals on the important aspects – State Socialism, agrarian reforms (collective farming), social security net, due priority to education, employment, health sectors. Dr. Such Singh Gill in his analytical talk lamented the dilution and erosion of public sector and also did not approve of the post 1991 so called economic reform, liberalization and integration f the economy. He termed the projected economic growth during PM Manmohan Singh’s stint as ‘Jobless Growth’ and post 2014 with PM Narendra Modi at the helm as ‘Job loss Growth’. While highlighting the neglect of education sector by the successive governments, he also did not approve of dismantling and restructuring of the Planning Commission and establishing Niti Aajog. The Executive Editor of the Ajit Group of publication, Satnam Manak also spoke briefly and lauded the initiatives of friends at Ambedkar Bhawan to hold and host such productive interactions for the larger good of the society. The interactive session, followed

by the expert talks, was all the more informative and educative. Prof. Balbir Chander in his brief remarks thanked the quality audience for their patience in listening to the expert talks and informed that they would plan and host such interactions more frequently for the advantage of the community. Charan Dass Sandhu, as usual, managed the show with aplomb as Master of Ceremonies. While sitting in audience, a thought repeatedly came to the back of mind that the talks and subsequent interaction was good and educative but nobody touched the prognosis as the way-out of the mess created by the successive administrations; it may come at some other occasion.  The function concluded with a working lunch of hot Langar.

Har Dardmand Dil Ko Rona Mera Rula De;

Behosh Jo Paden Hain Sayad Une Jagga De

 

2.   Mehfil-e-Maushiki at Jalandhar Virsa Vihar –

While I was still digesting the food for thought relished at the Ambedkar Bhawan in the morning, I joined the Mehfil-e-Maushiki; an evening of Gazals at Virsha Vihar for food of soul; courtesy Sangat Ram, a face of cultural life in and around Jalandhar to unwind and relax. Though generally they start such functions on time and I was there by 5.30 as a disciplined and protocol conscious diplomat but due to some reason or the other they stated quite late. Nevertheless, the evening turned out to be rewarding. My friend Lakhwinder Johal, who was one of Vishesh Mehmans, came early with a renowned cultural personality in the realm of music, Gurdip Singh and I got an opportunity to sit and learn the nuances of music for my own education. A known Gazal Singer of Jalandhar, Seema Bhagat set the ball rolling with her two sobering Gazals. Master Gazal Singer, Sunil Dogra took over and regaled the quality audience with Gazals written by Jaswant Bagla of Australia, Satnam Manak among others. It was a relaxing and enjoyable evening which was graced by Executive Editor of the Ajit Group of Publications, Satnam Manak as a Special Guest along with the Chief Guest of the evening, Chandan Grewal, Chairman of Safai

Sewaks Commission of Punjab and eminent socio-political activists of Jalandhar and beyond.  Cultural Advisor to the Punjab Government, Deepak Bali also graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.  Sangat Ram as usual was the Anchor Par Excellence who kept us attentive with his Shyari and assorted couplets befitting the occasion. Thanks Sangat Ram ji and his associates namely, Ramesh Mudgil and Gurmeet Singh at the Virsa Vihar who always treated me with kindness and magnanimity. I look forward to such occasions in the coming days. I was reminded of the Urdu poem ‘Shivala’ of Allma Iqbal -

Subha Uthke Gayein Mantar Woh Mithe Mithe

Sare Pujarion Ko Maey Peet Ki Pilan Den

Shakti Bhi Shanti Bhi Bhakton Ke Geet Mein Hai

Dharti Ke Wahion Ki Mukti Preet Mein Hai