Good clean leadership is the need to achieve welfare of all: Governor of Punjab

Chandigarh, 28^th October 2017:  The Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Shri V P Singh Badnore released the book on the creation of a welfare state, “Ramrajaya” by Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju, a 1985 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS Officer here today at the Punjab Raj Bhavan.

Acknowledging the parameters defined by Dr Jagmohan Singh against which the success of achieving the welfare of the people, Shri Badnore said that the goals get achieved once these are measurable.

He said that the major stumbling block in the economic development of any state is the “C-factor” i.e. corruption which needs to be nipped to ensure nation’s growth, which also requires good leaders who are transparent and committed to create a nation of happy people.

Published by Excel Books, the function was organized in collaboration with the Chandigarh Literary Society, the book was released in the presence of Shri Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Minister for Rural Development Punjab and Justice Jatinder Chauhan of Punjab & Haryana High Court.

People’s welfare is state’s responsibility under the Constitution of India and Directive Principles, said Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju in his book, “Ramrajaya: The People’s Welfare State”, which was released here today by Shri V.P. Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh.

Responding to the panel of former Resident Editor of Indian Express Vipin Pubby and the Haryana’s Principal Secretary for Technical Education Dr Sumita Misra, IAS, Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju said that the purpose of the book is to stimulate a nation-wide debate on the concept of Indian welfare state, which is metaphorically referred to by the common man as “Ramrajya”.

The book is all about good governance and people’s aspirations for a welfare society where the basic needs as laid down in our Constitution are met, and where the state helps in creation of wealth and its equitable distribution, said Dr Jagmohan Singh.

People have the right to welfare state and it is imperative for policy-makers and planners to follow the basic parameters with measurable goals and a time frame to create the necessary ecosystem where people can enjoy life and are happy, he said.

Jagmohan Singh Raju is acknowledged practitioner of ethical public policy and administration, and avowedly subscribes to excellence, measurable outcomes and accountability in public service.

He steered Saakshar Bharat, the new variant of National Literacy Mission from 2009-14, making nearly twenty-five million adult women, dalits and rural people, literate which won India worldwide recognition with UNESCO KingSejong Literacy Prize in 2013.

Kamla Kapur's 'Rumi: Tales to Live By' released

Chandigarh, October 21: “Rumi: Tales to Live By” by India born American author, Kamla K Kapur was released here today at a function organized by the Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) at UT Guest House.

Dr Sumita Misra, CLS Chairperson, Padmashri Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry and noted journalist and author Roopinder Singh released the book.

The book is a series of stories about life’s trials and gifts from the famous Sufi poet Jalalud Din Rumi’s six volume work, “Mathnawi” written in Persian and later translated into English by Reynold Nicholson in 1926.

“I am a lover of author rather than a scholar,” says the author Kamla Kapur, who has recreated those stories for the modern reader ending with her commentary, her interpretation of each story and how it impacts our life.

Against the backdrop of modern times and the life’s challenges, Rumi’s sketches of humanity show a new generation of spiritual seekers illuminating even the darkest of the paths with divine light, explains Kamla Kapur.

Kamla Kapur read out a few select stories from the book while her husband Payson R Stevens, an equally multifaceted creative personality, read through the author’s commentary that accompanies each story.

Later Neelam Mansingh and Roopinder Singh interacted with the author to unveil the nuances of creativity and Rumi’s theme of stories from his vast repertoire.

Award-winning author Kamla Kapur further enhances the read with personal experiences from her own journey, making the narrative an enchanting mix of the real and the wondrous. Touching, passionate and sparkling, her commentary on these sometime forgotten but beloved stories clears the clouds of confusion and inspires in readers the strength to follow The Way.

Kamla K. Kapur is a bestselling poet, author of six books, and playwright. Kapur taught courses in play writing, poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, mythology, Shakespeare and women’s literature at Grossmont College in California for eighteen years. She and her husband divide their year living in the Kullu Valley in the Indian Himalayas and in Southern California.