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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Demeaning, disrespectful for poor, middle-class': Amritsar MP objects to name of Garib Rath trains in LS
Asserting that the nomenclature 'Garib Rath', translating to 'poor people's chariot' was against the 'dignity and self-respect of the poor and middle-class people who work hard to fulfil their dreams and aspirations', Congress's Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla Wednesday questioned the railways if they were aware of the 'public sentiment' and if there was any plan to rename these trains. Garib Rath Express trains — operated by the Indian Railways — offer affordable travel with air-conditioned coaches, connecting several cities across states. In his question to the Ministry of Railways, Aujla wrote: 'Whether the (central) government is aware of the increasing public sentiment/appeals to change the name of the Garib Rath Express due to concerns regarding the dignity and self-respect of passengers'. He further asked the ministry: 'Whether the government acknowledges that the term Garib Rath, once symbolic of affordable AC travel, now risks being perceived as patronising and inconsistent with the aspirations of the emerging middle class especially the hardworking population of Amritsar who frequently use this service'. The Amritsar MP further asked: 'Whether there is any proposal to rename the train in a way that better reflects values of empowerment, inclusion and national pride'. Speaking to The Indian Express, Aujla said that he had only tried to convey the on-ground public sentiment on the name of these Express trains. 'The name Garib Rath is disrespectful and demeaning for the poor and middle-class people who work hard to fulfil their aspirations and dreams. They are the primary beneficiaries of this service. Somehow, this terminology is not correct to convey that affordable services are being provided to poor and middle-class people. A delegation also met me to convey their resentment against this name so I decided to raise it in Lok Sabha. The word 'Garib' and 'Rath' do not match and there were several other names which might have been opted for to befittingly convey that these were economical trains to provide AC facility at affordable prices,' the MP said. Responding to Amritsar MP's query, the Ministry of Railways said that there was no plan as of now to rename Garib Rath trains. Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in his reply said: 'Bharatiya Rail is focussed on providing affordable, good quality services to all sections of society. No requests have been received to rename Garib Rath trains'. The minister further wrote: 'Indian Railways have introduced Vande Bharat services which are semi-high speed trains and are aimed to provide better travel experience and improved safety to the passengers. To provide affordable means of transportation to the low and middle income families, Indian Railways have introduced Amrit Bharat services that are fully non-AC modern trains. Already 14 services are in operation'. Divya Goyal is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Punjab. Her interest lies in exploring both news and feature stories, with an effort to reflect human interest at the heart of each piece. She writes on gender issues, education, politics, Sikh diaspora, heritage, the Partition among other subjects. She has also extensively covered issues of minority communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She also explores the legacy of India's partition and distinct stories from both West and East Punjab. She is a gold medalist from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, the most revered government institute for media studies in India, from where she pursued English Journalism (Print). Her research work on 'Role of micro-blogging platform Twitter in content generation in newspapers' had won accolades at IIMC. She had started her career in print journalism with Hindustan Times before switching to The Indian Express in 2012. Her investigative report in 2019 on gender disparity while treating women drug addicts in Punjab won her the Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity in 2020. She won another Laadli for her ground report on the struggle of two girls who ride a boat to reach their school in the border village of Punjab. ... Read More
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Desi mango goes global: Fruit's exports via Amritsar climb despite grounded flights
Chandigarh: Exports of fresh mangoes from Amritsar's Air Cargo Complex surged to 1.4 lakh kg in the year 2024-25, valued at $3.3 lakh (almost ₹2.9 crore), marking a sharp rebound from zero exports the previous year, despite prolonged licensing suspensions and curtailed international flights. Data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Thursday revealed that the mango consignments, mainly Alphonso and Kesar varieties, were shipped to the UK via Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport. The country exported 70,000 kg of mangoes worth $2.25 lakh (more than ₹1.9 core) exported in the financial year 2022-23. An official at the cargo complex said exporters from Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh favoured Amritsar over Delhi due to lower costs and smoother operations. "Even after trucking produce from distant states, exporters found the overall costs lower in Amritsar," the official claimed. The mangoes were flown primarily on Air India's direct Amritsar-London Gatwick route, which commenced in March 2023. A separate Air India service also connects Amritsar with Birmingham. A clearing house agent (CHA) noted that London Gatwick had emerged as the preferred export hub for mango consignments. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo However, the Gatwick service was suspended until Sept 30 following Air India's June 12 aircraft crash en route from Ahmedabad to London, killing 260 people. The airline cited a "safety pause" to conduct checks on its Boeing 787 fleet amid airspace disruptions over Pakistan and the Middle East. The Amritsar–Birmingham service was also reduced to twice weekly, with full service set to resume from Sept 1. Exports from Amritsar had already resumed in May after a nine-month halt triggered by the suspension of the RA3 certification required for EU-bound air cargo. Officials said despite the 2024 suspension, most of the season's mangoes had already been exported between April and July. Azad Singh, officer in charge of Air Cargo Amritsar, said the cargo terminal could handle 80 metric tonnes of perishable goods daily and needed increased flight frequency to unlock its full export potential. "At least four to five weekly flights to Gatwick and Birmingham are needed," he said. He also pushed for a third weekly wide-body Qatar Airways flight to Doha. Aside from mangoes, baby corn is another key export to the UK. Beyond perishables, the facility can process 50 MT each of general exports and imports. Azad Singh's comments followed questions that Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla had raised regarding the integration of the airport and cargo terminal to boost agro-processing exports and local employment. Govt data showed processed vegetable exports from the cargo complex totalled $5.2 lakh (more than ₹4.5 crore) in 2024-25, down from $10.24 lakh (more than ₹8.9 crore) the year before but up from $2.9 lakh (more than ₹2.5 crore) in 2022-23. Exports of "other fresh vegetables" also rose modestly to $1.5 lakh (₹1.3 crore) in 2024-25, though still below 2022-23 levels ($5.76 lakh or ₹5 crore). A rice trader suggested the low volume of Basmati rice indicated they were likely sample shipments. Responding to Aujla's questions, Union minister of state for food processing industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, said the govt had approved three food processing projects worth ₹51.6 crore in Amritsar under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, including ₹12.1 crore in grant aid. Another 34 micro-processing projects were sanctioned under the PMFME scheme, with subsidies totalling ₹2.2 crore.
Mint
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Embassy of Khalistan in Surrey gurdwara? BJP, Cong leaders flag Canada's ‘free speech', claim ‘…is weakening Sikhs'
A new controversy has erupted between India and Canada following the reported appearance of a so-called 'Embassy of Khalistan' signboard on the premises of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The makeshift installation, allegedly supported by the separatist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has reignited diplomatic and political tensions, with Indian MPs urging New Delhi and Ottawa to act decisively. According to a report by News18, a building within the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara complex in Surrey now bears signage labelling it as the 'Embassy of Khalistan', purportedly representing the 'Republic of Khalistan'. The board is said to have been installed by the banned organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), known for its separatist agenda and repeated attempts to revive the Khalistan movement from foreign soil. The structure, which locals claim also functions as a community centre, reportedly received $150,000 in funding from the British Columbia government for infrastructure upgrades, including an elevator. Its repurposing as a 'Khalistani outpost' has sparked outrage and concerns over misuse of public funds and foreign interference. Reacting to the development, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla highlighted the broad scope of free speech in Canada but called on the Indian government to raise the issue with Canadian authorities. 'There is a lot of freedom of speech there. Our government should raise this issue with the Canadian government,' Aujla said. BJP leader Tarwinder Singh Marwaha took a firmer stance, criticising diaspora-based Khalistan supporters. 'Those living abroad talking about Khalistan are weakening the Sikhs. I appeal to the Canadian government to take action. I would like to say to the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to take appropriate action,' he stated. The latest development comes weeks after Canada's top intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), confirmed in its annual report that Khalistani extremists continue to operate from Canadian soil. Released in June, the CSIS report acknowledged for the first time that such elements are actively involved in fundraising, advocacy, and plotting violence — primarily targeting India. The CSIS stated: 'Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising, or planning of violence primarily in India.' India and Canada have had strained diplomatic ties since September 2023, when tensions flared following a series of provocations by Khalistani groups and perceived inaction by Canadian authorities. The setting up of what is being described as a symbolic 'Khalistani embassy' adds to the list of grievances New Delhi has with Ottawa's handling of politically motivated violent extremism. New Delhi has consistently urged the Canadian government to crack down on Khalistani sympathisers operating from its territory. The Ministry of External Affairs has previously raised objections to anti-India protests and processions held under the banner of Khalistan, which often coincide with Indian diplomatic missions being targeted or disrupted. The presence of Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) has long been a contentious issue. Since the 1980s, Canada has faced criticism for offering a permissive environment for such groups under the guise of democratic freedoms. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an advocate for Khalistan, was shot and killed on 18 June 2023 in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. His assassination has sparked a major diplomatic dispute between Canada and India, with Canada accusing Indian government agents of involvement, a claim strongly denied by India. Experts argue that a lack of stringent enforcement has allowed radical outfits to gain ground, often under the radar of mainstream Canadian politics.
India Today
21-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Amritsar airport receives bomb threat, days after Golden Temple scare
Amritsar Airport received a bomb threat after unknown callers informed airport authorities of a possible explosion. The threat call triggered security alarms, prompting police to register a case and initiate an are currently tracking the phone number used for the threat call. Security measures have been heightened in and around the threat came days after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) received been receiving emails over the past few days threatening to blow up the Golden Temple. The SGPC, the apex body responsible for Sikh religious affairs, has filed another complaint with the police and demanded a thorough Despite the series of threats, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his absence from Amritsar. 'Today is the sixth day of these threats, but Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has not come here even once,' Aujla said, highlighting concerns over the state's handling of the also stressed that securing the Golden Temple is a joint responsibility of both central and state governments. 'The security around the Golden Temple is the responsibility of the central and state governments,' he said to the news agency Friday, police detained a software engineer from Faridabad in connection with the threats. However, another threatening email has surfaced since, renewing concerns about the safety of one of Sikhism's holiest sites.- EndsWith inputs from Watch
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
MP report card:Opposition MPs must get more time during key debates, says MP Channi
As the 18th Lok Sabha completes its first year, Hindustan Times takes a look at the report card of Members of Parliament from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. MP report card:Opposition MPs must get more time during key debates, says MP Channi How would you describe your first-year experience ? Being a first-timer in the Lok Sabha, it has been an enriching experience for me as I managed to represent not only my constituency but also raised the issues concerning Punjab. I got a chance to get insights and gather knowledge on other key issues pertaining to the country. It's a very different experience than representing the constituency in the assembly. What was the high point of the year for you personally and your party in the House? It's a matter of pride for me that I have been nominated as chairperson of the standing committee on agriculture, animal husbandry and food processing. I was also among 17 MPs to be honoured with the prestigious Sansad Ratna Award- 2025 for my contributions to parliamentary work, including participation in debates, raising questions and involvement in legislative activities. Are you satisfied with the number of sittings of the Lok Sabha? The working days during the sessions in the past one year remained satisfactory but more sittings should be added in the years to come so that every MP gets ample time to raise the issues concerning their respective constituencies. Moreover, I feel more time should be given to the opposition during debates and discussions. Also, there should be more transparency and accountability among the treasury benches in answering questions raised by Opposition MPs. What is the most effective way to raise issues of public importance in the House? Clarity is the key here. An MP gets a very limited time to voice their (constituency's) issues, therefore it is imperative that the parliamentarians participating in the debates or raising questions must be equipped with knowledge and facts. What constituency-specific issues were raised by you and what are you plans ahead? I have taken up the problems faced by the leather industry which is on the verge of extinction due to the poor industrial policy. Also, I have pushed for more funds for Jalandhar under the smart city project. Under Members of Parliament Local Area Development scheme, more than 70 developmental projects, estimating ₹ 2.20 crore, have been recommended and the funds for the same will be released at the earliest. Next: Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Congress MP from Amritsar
