British Deputy High Commissioner releases book

PRESS RELEASE
UK Deputy High Commssioner releases
Col Harisimran Singh's book on Baba Deep Singh
 
8 May 2022, Chandigarh: UK Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh Caroline Rowett released a book on legendary 18th centuy spiritual and military warrior, Baba Deep Singh whose tales of valour permeates through the Sikh culture and history.
Published by Speaking Tiger Books,  "Deep Singh Shaheed: The Man in the Legend", is the first detailed biography of one of the foremost cultural icons of all time in the Punjab – Baba Deep Singh Shaheed, one of the most revered heroes of Sikh history who transcends religious boundaries to resonate with Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike with totemic appeal.
The author Harisimran Singh retired in the rank of Colonel after a full career of thirty-one years in the Indian Army, is an alumnus of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and did his masters at King's College, London, while on a sabbatical from the Army.
He said that this biography is based on many years of research spent examining a wide range of Persian, Punjabi and English sources alongside genealogical records, oral traditions and a thorough battlefield study,
This work tends to eschew hagiography to ground all research on this spiritual-cum-military leader whose life story interweaves through the turbulence of 18th-century Punjab, often referred to as the 'heroic century', he said.
After the release, author and former associate editor of The Tribune Roopinder Singh explored the nuances of Sikh history with the author along with  Brigadier Sukhjit Singh [MVC (Retd)], Dr Harjeet Singh Gill (Professor Emeritus, JNU, New Delhi), Dr Iqbal Judge [Professor of English (Retd)], Chandigarh)
Several other experts joined online including Gordon Corrigan (MBE, Military Historian and author, UK), Tony McClenaghan (Military Historian and author, UK), Peter Stanley (Military Historian and author, Australia), Sqn Ldr RTS Chhina [MBE (Retd), Secretary and Editor, USI Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies, New Delhi.
In partial fulfilment of the Master's program, his dissertation focused on Frederic Manning and Henri Barbusse, two soldier writers of the Great War. Since retirement in 2011, he divides his time between Chandigarh, where he is settled, and Pahuwind, near Tarn Taran his native village. Besides military history, he enjoys music and poetry as well as trekking in the mountains.

The book is available at all bookstores, www.speakingtigerbooks.com, and Amazon and Flipkart.
Price: INR 799 | Format: Hardback/Demy | Pages: 392 + 4 pp colour photo insert

caption: (L-$) Maj Gen Kulwant Singh (retd), Author Col Harisimran Singh,  British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh Caroline Rowett, former HoD English GCG College Dr Iqbal Judge, and Sikh historian and author Roopinder Singh

12th Baba Saheb Phalke National Award for Panjabi Documentary

PRESS RELEASE 

12^th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2022.

Punjabi Documentary 'The Saviour: Brig Pritam Singh" got Best Documentary Award

A docu-drama based on the life of the hero of the first war in Poonch area, Brig. Pritam Singh, has been adjudged as the Best Punjabi Documentary to win 12^th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2022 held yesterday evening at Noida.

'The Saviour: Brig Pritam Singh" has been produced by Chandigarh based Karanvir Singh Sibia and has been written and directed by Dr. Paramjeet Singh Kattu.

The 80-minute docu-drama captures the bravery of Indian army under the leadership of then Col. Pritam Singh who led the 1 PARA Kumaon regiment and fought the first battle with Pakistan Army battle of Shelatang on 7^th November 1947 and they were able to recapture Baramullah, Uri, and later moved to Poonch with just 419 troops and liberated 600 miles of area, from invaders from across the border, and saved the lives of over 55,000 refugees.

Brig Pritam Singh is an unsung, little-known hero of the first Indian war the true savior of Poonch, whose story needed to be shared with our generation and the future one, says Karanvir Singh Sibia.

The film also briefly covers world's greatest escape when during World War II, as Captain in the British Army, was captured in Singapore, from where he escaped and treaded treacherous 3300 miles for six months on foot through Malaya, Thailand and Burma to reach Indian border and was adorned with Military Cross.

In recognition of his services to the nation the Sikh high priests at Akal Takhts Golden Temple unveil his portrait at the Sikh Museum on 12^th April 2022.

The prestigious award as Best Documentary in Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival is perhaps the greatest tribute to this 'Sher Putar', Added Dr. Paramjeet Singh Kattu.

The role of Brig Pritam Singh is acted in the film by very talented actor Dhanveer Singh. The Festival is also attended by the renowned Painter Sidharth, Executive Producer Ms Shiwani Sokhey & Preetinder Kaur from the team of 'The Saviour'

The producer, Karanvir Singh Sibia who is closely associated with preserving the Punjabi heritage and culture and had been curating heritage festival in Sangrur, said that there is need for more support from the government authorities and private financers to fund such public-service documentation of such events and personalities of historical and cultural importance for our prosperity.

Dr. Paramjeet Singh Kattu is an award winning writer and director and Professor of Punjabi at LPU Jalandhar. With his PhD in Punjabi literature, Dr Paramjeet has made four award winning films Projects as ADDA KHADDA, STRAY STAR & TEASEAILURE and Docu-Drama THE SAVIOUR: BRIG PRITAM SINGH.  

Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival had been celebrating the birth anniversary of legendary film maker and father of Indian cinema on 30^th April every year for the last 12 years, recognizing the new age cinema and experienced film makers, with representation from over 110 nations of the world. 

 

For further information:

Mr. Karanvir Singh Sibia: Producer, M 98888 83311 / ksibia54@gmail.com

Dr. Paramjeet Singh Kattu, Director, 'The Saviour'
M +91 7087320578, paramjeetsinghkattu@gmail.com

 

 

Encls:

Film Poster and
File Photo of Brig Pritam Singh

 

Earlier Awards and Festival Participation of THE SAVIOUR: BRIG PRITAM SINGH

 

2022: Award Winner

12^th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2022

Black Hat Film Festival Award

 

2021: Award Winner

Los Angeles Film Award

World Film Carnival Award, Singapre

New Delhi Film Festival – NDFF (International) Award

Crown Wood International Film Festival

Indo French International Film Festival

Tagore International Film Festival

Best Direction Award, Great Message International Film Festival

Cult Critic Movie Award

Port Blair International Film Festival

Paris International Film Award

Rameshwaram International Film Festival

Crown Wood International Film Festival

Kashmir International Film and Cultural Festival

ARG  International Film Festival

Semi-Finalist Sweden Film Award

Semi Filnalist, Rome Prisma Film Award

Nominated, Best Golden Sheel Awards

Nominated, Golden Yazhi Awards

Vivek Atray releases Alka Kansra's "Blue Eyed Ocean"

 

 

Chandigarh, April 27:  Vivek Atray, former IAS, author, TEDx Speaker, released Alka Kansra's book of English poetry, "Blue-Eyed Ocean" at the Chandigarh Press Club. 

At the book launch function organised by Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS), Vivek Atray along with Dr Balram Gupta, Hindi writer Nirmal Jaswal Rana, Jas K Shan, CJ Singh, unveiled the book.  

He complimented Prof Alka Kansra for immersing herself into writing after her retirement as head of the Chemistry Department in MCM DAV College, and bringing out brilliant works in Hindi and now in English. 

Writing is a self-less activity that adds divinity to your life and where the process itself becomes a creative pursuit to spread happiness, he said. 

'Blue-Eyed Ocean' is the English rendition of the Hindi poems by celebrated poet Dr Nirmal Jaswal Rana, and it had been a tough calling to communicate the very essence of the emotions and reflections expressed in Hindi in an altogether different language, said Alka Kansra. 

Dr Nirmal Jaswal said that Alka has done full justice to her poetry and this would help reach out to her readers in Canada where she spends more time.   

 

Another renowned life coach and modern dance exponent Jas K Shan conversed with both the authors, Alka Kansra and Nirmal Jaswal and probed deep into their interpretation of life in its varied form of romance, love, pain, and longing. 

Some of the city's dignitaries present on the occasion included legal luminary and author Dr Balram Gupta, Indian Express Resident Editor  Manraj Grewal, Jatin Salwan, Col D.S.Cheema, Shakuntla Devi, Lily Swaran,   well known Hindi writer Vijay Kapoor, Kailash Ahluwalia, Prem Vij,  Vinod Khanna, Parminder Soni, Renuka Salwan, CLS representative CJ Singh, Simran Kaur, Bharat Kansra, among others. 

PR professionals observe 18th PRCI Foundation Day

Chandigarh, 4 April:  Communicators from diverse organisations got together at Hotel Aroma today to observe the 18th Foundation Day of Public Relations Council of India. (PRCI) 

Senior National Vice President CJ Singh informed that PRCI is an apex organisation of PR practitioners in the country with 50 chapters in the country, which was founded in 2004 for continued education and capacity building through regular professional workshops and conferences. 

He informed that very soon PRCI would be launching a special awareness programme to identify and curb fake news and would be sending plans to the Ministry of Information and Guidelines with its recommendations for the accreditation of web news portals. 

North Zonal Head Renuka Salwan said that PRCI is expanding its presence in the northern region to provide a platform to the PR practitioners. 

Mr. Vivek Atray, PRCI Chairman, in his video message said that each communicator must be vigilant and dynamic keeping abreast with the happenings around us.

Prof Jayanth Pethkar, Vice Chairman of PRCI, presided over the meeting with nearly 20 members of Chandigarh Chapter participating in the meet, especially from DPR Punjab, IIT Ropar and the corporate sectors. 

UT Advisor inaugurates Rotary's project in General Hospital

UT Advisor to the Administrator inaugurates Rotary furnished ICU in General Hospital

Rotary Club Chandigarh provided Rs.25 lakh worth of equipment

Chandigarh: 4^th April :  The Advisor to the Administrator, Chandigarh, Mr Dharam Pal, inaugurated the ICU in General Hospital Sector 16, here today.

Rotary Club of Chandigarh had provided 16 mechanised beds with air mattresses, high-end monitors along with UPS systems at a cost of Rs.25 lakh, informed club President Jaspal Singh Sidhu.

Advisor to the Administrator Mr Dharam Pal appreciated the Rotary's support to the city in strengthening infrastructure through its continued participation and support.

Shri Vinod P. Kalve, Secretary Health, Dr Suman Singh, Director Health and Family Welfare, Dr. V.K. Nagpal, Medical Superintendent, Govt MultiSpeciality Hospital, Sector 16 were also present among other members of the staff, along with

Rotary Club Chandigarh President Jaspal Singh Sidhu informed that the Rotary club shall soon be launching special programme for the immunization of girls against cervical cancer.

 

Rotary Cosmopolitan Chandigarh receives Charter from Rotary International

New Rotary Club chartered today

Chandigarh, 30^th March: A new Rotary club was chartered in the city today at Rotary House.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chandigarh, the Rotary Club of Cosmopolitan Chandigarh was presented the Charter from Rotary International by the Rotary District Governor Ajay Madan.

Former Chief Secretary Punjab, Sarvesh Kaushal, IAS (retd) was installed as the first charter President of the new Club who said that it was a privilege to take up the responsibility of coming together for the good of society.

District Governor Ajay Madan informed that the District (comprising Chandigarh, part of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UP and Utrakhand) has achieved a world record in membership growth and for establishing new Clubs, and already 18 new clubs have been formed.

Former world President of Rotary International Rajendra K Saboo, congratulated the new team said that the members of the newly formed club shall bring in more of their respective professional knowledge, expertise and experience to work for the betterment of society through humanitarian projects.

Rotary Chandigarh's President Jaspal Singh Siddhu introduced the new charter president Sarvesh Kaushal and assured that more members joining the club would further strengthen its activities, and complimented the advisor to the new club, past district governor Praveen Chander Goyal for assisting in its formation.

Other office bearers who were inducted into Rotary included Vice President Hardeep Kumar IAS (retd) former Additional Chief Secretary Haryana, Col P.S. Randhawa as the Club Secretary, Mr. Yogesh Garg, Treasurer, Mr VK Singh as Joint Secretary.

The Board of Directors included Nick Ruppal for Club Service; G.S.Wason for Vocational Service, Dr Satbir Singh for Community Service, Mrs Saguna Jain International Service, and Gurdish Pal Singh for Youth Service, while Surinder Rihal to be the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Assistant Governor Salil Bali, District Editor M.P. Singh, Incoming Assistant Governor and Past President of Rotary Chandigarh A.P. Singh, and Past Presidents Charanjit Singh and Baldev Aggarwal, Incoming club president Vinod Kapoor, club secretary Rashi Adhlakha, Jagseer Singh Mann and Rotaract DAV President Anshuman Sharma and his team of Rotaractors attended the ceremony along with first lady Anita Kaushal, Principal of Post Graduate Girls College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, Basu Goyal, and others were present at the meeting. 

UT Advisor inaugurates rotary project in GMCH32

UT Advisor to the Administrator inaugurates High Dependency Unit in GMCH32

Rotary Club Chandigarh provided Rs.53 lakh worth of equipment

Chandigarh: 28^th February :  The Advisor to the Administrator, Chandigarh, Mr Dharam Pal, inaugurated the High Dependency Unit in Govt Medical College and Hospital today for which Rotary Club of Chandigarh furnished it at a cost of Rs.53 lakhs.

Mr Dharam Pal commended the Rotarians for their prompt response in providing an adequate facility for the patients in the hospital.

Rotary Club Chandigarh President Jaspal Singh Sidhu informed that the club had received the request from GMCH32 to refurbish the High Dependency Unit for Covid patients, and the Rotarians provided 16 completely mechanized beds with air mattresses, high-end monitors along with a compatible UPS system at a cost of Rs.53 lakh

The Club also provided portable endoscopic equipment to GMCH32.

The project is funded by Rotary Club Chandigarh with the support from The Rotary Foundation and an international partner Rotary Club of Greater Lake Charles in USA informed by Past Rotary International President Rajendra K Saboo.

Past District Governor Madhukar Malhotra the project coordinator along with the Director, GMCH32 and another team of doctors accompanied the advisor to the Administrator.