Latest news with #RanjitSingh
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's summer palace faces monumental neglect
While travelling, I make it a point to explore local museums for an enriching experience. The excitement and curiosity peaks even before one steps in. Last August, as I bought a ticket of the Nobel Peace Centre, dedicated to Alfred Nobel in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, the young receptionist said beaming, 'Today you can also meet the children of Mohammadi Narges, an imprisoned Iranian women's rights advocate, who was the winner of 2023 Peace Prize. They will shortly give a presentation.' Two months later, as I showed my ticket to enter the Titanic museum in Northern Ireland's capital, Belfast, the official alerted me about the guided tour. 'In just three minutes, you can also be part of the free guided tour which will take 45 minutes but you will appreciate the richness of it. Then you are free to explore the museum on your own,' he said. This March, when my elderly uncle and aunt from Chicago stayed with us in Amritsar, my brother and I took them to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Summer Palace Museum at Ram Bagh, also built by him. It's where the Maharaja resided in summer. Spotting our arrival in the hot afternoon, the museum official, who was sitting under a tree, came to open the door for us and directed us to the ticket counter. Due to the high ceiling, it was quite cool but also dark. We were the only ones inside and expected the lights to be switched on as we proceeded towards the first gallery, but darkness continued to follow us. My aunt suggested: 'It seems there's no electricity at the moment. You can switch on your phone torches.' 'What about the generator,' she asked the official, who replied nonchalantly: 'We don't have one.' My brother requested for a guide and pat came the response, 'There's none either.' We laughed at our helplessness and held up our phones to read the texts with the artefacts. We admired the rich collection from coins to weapons from the Maharaja's reign but the mannequins on display, though looking authentic, were enveloped in dust. When we looked out from the first-floor windows, overgrown grass and weed greeted us in all directions. Many historic structures around were also in a state of neglect. The staircase we took had a loose rope attached for support instead of a fixed railing, which was confusing for the elderly couple. After taking a round of the place, we approached the official about the light and sound show timings and his reply made us laugh again: 'It depends on when the power is back and if there is a sizeable audience for it.' A few days later, as I received an assignment from one of the inflight magazines for the Amritsar tourism column, I discovered news reports that in January 2015, seven daggers of Maharaja Ranjit Singh had been stolen from a nearby panorama dedicated to the founder of the Sikh empire. Such is the state of affairs. Recently, I received a call from my uncle in Chicago and we had a hearty laugh remembering our visit to the museum, particularly the dark welcome. Does the government really care about this museum and its visitors? Small steps can make a big difference. The writer is an Amritsar-based freelance contributor.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan invites Sikh pilgrims to attend two events in Lahore this month
Pakistan has invited Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including India, to attend two Sikh events in Lahore this month, an official said on Monday, amid tensions between the two countries. 'Death anniversaries of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Jor Mela) and Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be observed on June 16 and 29, respectively, in Lahore,' Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Ghulam Mohayuddin said. 'For both events, Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including India, are invited,' he added. The EPTB is a statutory board that manages religious properties and shrines of Hindus and Sikhs who had migrated to India following the partition. According to the schedule the ETPB issued, the main religious ceremony, including the Bhog Akhand Path Sahib ritual, will be held on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore. The main ceremony at the samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be held on June 29. Last year, over 800 and 450 Sikhs had come to Pakistan to attend the two events, respectively. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ETPB announces Sikh pilgrimage schedule despite Pakistan-India tensions
Listen to article The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has announced the schedule for two major Sikh religious events to be held in Pakistan this month, despite ongoing tensions and the continued suspension of cross-border movement between India and Pakistan. According to the official schedule, the death anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Jor Mela) will be commemorated on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. The death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will be observed on June 29 at his samadhi, also located in Lahore. Sikh pilgrims from around the world, including India, have been invited to attend. However, due to strained diplomatic ties, India is unlikely to issue the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Indian pilgrims to travel to Pakistan, according to sources. Pakistan has expressed its readiness to facilitate cross-border pilgrimage. The ETPB has finalised all necessary arrangements for potential arrivals, including security, accommodation, and transportation across key religious sites. If India grants travel permissions, the first group of pilgrims is expected to arrive on foot via the Wagah Border on Monday, June 9. The group will begin their pilgrimage at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and visit local gurdwaras during a two-day stay. The pilgrims will then proceed to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad, followed by a visit to Hassan Abdal on June 11. They are scheduled to stay at Gurdwara Panja Sahib on June 12 and are expected to visit the nearby shrine of Muslim saint Baba Wali Qandhari. On June 13, the group will travel to Narowal to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, staying until June 14. They will proceed to Lahore via Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Eminabad on June 15. The main religious ceremony for Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom, including the Bhog Akhand Path Sahib ritual, will be held on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib. Pilgrims will remain in Lahore on June 17 and return to India via Wagah on June 18. A second group of Indian pilgrims is scheduled to arrive on Sunday, June 22, for the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. They will begin their visit in Nankana Sahib on June 23 before travelling to Hassan Abdal via Farooqabad on June 24. The group will stay at Gurdwara Panja Sahib on June 25, visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur on June 26–27, and travel to Lahore on June 28. The main ceremony at the samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh will take place on June 29, featuring the Bhog Akhand Path Sahib. Pilgrims will spend June 30 in Lahore and depart for India on July 1, 2025. ETPB officials said all arrangements have been made to ensure a secure, comfortable, and spiritually fulfilling experience for pilgrims, contingent on Indian approval for cross-border travel.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PLI-led food processing sector churns 2.5 L jobs
New Delhi: The Centre's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector has succeeded in attracting investments to the tune of Rs7,000 crore and creating over 2.5 lakh jobs so far, according to a senior official of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). 'Till date, the ministry has funded almost 1,600 projects leading to the creation of 41 lakh tonnes of food processing capacity and benefiting almost nine lakh farmers,' said Ranjit Singh, joint secretary, MoFPI, in his address at FICCI's 'Foodworld India' event here. He pointed out that food processing plays a pivotal role in agricultural diversification, value addition, reduction in post-harvest losses, and creation of surpluses for exports. Singh said, 'The immense untapped potential of the Indian farm sector highlights the important role that domestic manufacturing can play when adequately supported by enabling government policies.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
PLI scheme for food processing sector creates 2.5 lakh jobs, benefits nine lakh farmers
The Centre's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the food processing sector has succeeded in attracting investments to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore and creating over 2.5 lakh jobs so far, according to a senior official of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). "Till date, the ministry has funded almost 1,600 projects leading to the creation of 41 lakh tonnes of food processing capacity and benefiting almost nine lakh farmers," said Ranjit Singh, joint secretary, MoFPI, in his address at FICCI's 'Foodworld India' event here. He pointed out that food processing plays a pivotal role in agricultural diversification, value addition, reduction in post-harvest losses, and creation of surpluses for exports. Singh said, "The immense untapped potential of the Indian farm sector highlights the important role that domestic manufacturing can play when adequately supported by enabling government policies. With targeted interventions, this sector can contribute to India becoming self-reliant and a global food basket." He highlighted the food processing sector's role in enhancing the value of agricultural produce as well as driving favourable demand for Indian products in global markets. "Therefore, to realise its potential, we must continue to upgrade processing, packaging, storage and distribution, so that we're able to meet both domestic and international standards," he added. Singh further stated that the MoFPI is implementing initiatives, such as Kisan Sampada Yojana, an umbrella scheme to build cold chains, agro-processing clusters, food testing bodies, and support R&D in the sector. The ministry is also running the PM's formalisation of micro food processing enterprises (PMFME) scheme to promote infrastructure development, innovation and entrepreneurship in the food processing sector across the country. He said that these schemes have also helped transform many small companies into medium ones. The PMFME scheme has supported close to two lakh micro enterprises through credit-linked subsidies and infrastructure creation in the last five years.
