Anand Marriage Bill introduced in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, May 7
The government today brought before Parliament a Bill to amend the 103-year-old statute that hitherto allowed solemnisation of Sikh marriages but not their legal validation.
The Anand Marriage Amendment Bill:2012, introduced in the Rajya Sabha today by Law Minister Salman Khurshid, amends the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, by inserting a new Section enabling registration of marriages performed as per the Sikh rituals (Anand Karaj).
The amendment Bill defines the Sikh marriage ceremony as “Anand Karaj” instead of “Anand” as in the old law. Once passed by both Houses of Parliament, it will give the Sikhs the liberty to register their marriages separately and will exempt them from registering these under the Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths Act, 1969 (which the government plans to amend to provide for religion neutral registration of marriages across India).
The Sikhs would continue to have the option of registering their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, as before. It was registration under this Act that had been causing confusion about their religious identity abroad with their marriage certificates describing them as Hindus.
Importantly, the amendment Bill doesn’t provide for divorce among Sikh couples. For a divorce, they would have to use the Hindu Marriage Act.
Senior Supreme Court lawyer HS Phoolka, commenting on the matter, said: “Because the amendment Bill serves a limited purpose of giving Sikh religion a separate identity by allowing marriage registration under a pre-existing law, it is not a complete marriage law.
“Any religion to be recognised must have its separate ceremony of births, deaths and marriages. Sikhs didn’t have a separate marriage law so far and they wanted the Anand Marriage Act amended for the purpose. For divorce, Sikhs can use the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.”
The amendment Bill clearly states that “parties whose marriage has been registered under this Act won’t be required to get marriage registered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, after the enactment of the proposed amendments in this Bill.” “Today we have won the battle for a separate identity as a religion,” said former MP Tarlochan Singh who led the movement for the Bill. “The SGPC is also against any divorce provision under the Anand Marriage Amendment Bill,” he said. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law had approved these amendments in 2007 when Veerappa Moily was Law Minister. “The Bill need not go again to the standing committee and can be simply taken up and passed,” Tarlochan Singh added.

No provision of divorce in the new BillFor seeking divorce, Sikhs would have to use the Hindu Marriage Act. The Union Cabinet had approved amendment to the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, on April 12 this year.

Renowned Environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna unveils two books

Dehradun, May 6
Keeping up with the tradition of coming up with a book every year, author Chamanlal Pradyot did not disappoint his fans as environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna today released two books titled ‘Atam Bodh’ and ‘Uttarakhand Key Shilapkar’ penned by him.
The book Atam Bodh, written in a diary form, is the 12th book penned by Pradyot, who had been an Additional DGP. “The book would prove handy for readers who are constantly looking for introspection and take an insight into their behaviour. I have tried to share my innermost thoughts with the readers through the book,” said the author.
The other book, Uttarakhand Key Shilpkar, sheds light on the life of craftsmen of Uttarakhand. An article by Captain Shoorveer Singh Panwar also tries to sketch the profile of different craftsmen and their contribution to the Uttarakhand society.

Theft bid at Turner Road ATM

Dehradun, May 6
The Uttarakhand police on early Saturday morning foiled an attempt by three youths to rob an ATM machine. They were caught red-handed with the gas cutter equipment.
The three youths in their mid-thirties and hailing from Ludhiana were caught red-handed by the night police on duty on Turner Road. “The youths, who have been charged under section 398, IPC, and jailed, had come in a Lancer (carrying Delhi number plate) car. They were caught while attempting to break the ATM of Axis Bank located on Turner Road,” said Lalit Joshi, Head Constable, Patel Nagar.
Had it not been for the night duty Uttarakhand Police officer, another ATM at Turner Road would have been robbed. Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the three had earlier been booked for different crimes, including theft, robbery and possession of drugs.

Buddha Purnima celebrated

People pay obeisance at the statue of Lord Buddha on the
occasion of Buddha Purnima in Dehradun on Sunday.


Dehradun, May 6
Lord Buddha was worshipped on the occasion of Buddha Purnima today.
A programme was organised at Tikona Budha Park under the aegis of the Triratna Buddha Mahasabha. Earlier in the day, Bhanwar Lal Bodh Dham Mitra and Pratap Singh offered prayers which was followed by songs based on Lord Buddha's life, a cultural programme and community kitchen.
Founder of the mahasabha RL Kardam, president Bodhi Sagar Gujrowali and secretary Sant Lal were present.

Spring Hills School celebrates annual day

Dehradun, May 6
Spring Hills School, situated at Ajabpur Kalan, celebrated its annual day today. Lokayukta Justice MM Ghildiyal (retd), chief guest, graced the occasion. Students of the school presented a series of cultural programmes which included song "Chanda Mama", display of tae kwon do for self-defence, Rajasthani dance form, Kawwali based on inflation, play on corruption titled "Bhola Ram ki Atamkatha" and English play "Seven Cream Jugs" and lastly a medley of Garhwali and hip-hop dance.
Enthralled by the talent of the students, Ghildiyal said , "All children must study as the Right to Education is a fundamental right of children these days but due to shortage of resources, the state governments are not able to take the message across to each household."
He also stressed on the quality of education while giving advice to teachers that they must work with a sense of uplifting society rather than earning monthly salary.
Bar Council member Chander Shekhar Tiwari and principle of the school Sushma Farsi was also present.

‘Satyamev Jayate’: Truly Soul Stirring

Satyamev Jayate, a reality show anchored by Khan that dealt with the issue of female foeticide in its first episode, saw huge support from viewers on social networking websites within hours of its broadcast on Sunday morning.

The show, aired on television channels run by Star India Pvt. Ltd, including Star Plus and Star World and other regional channels in the Star bouquet, was among the top five trends in India on microblogging website Twitter.
Satyamev Jayate was also the top search in India on Google Trends.
“I am really touched and emotionally moved with the response,” Khan said. “I am glad people have liked it.”
Satyamev Jayate’s website received 42,000 likes on Facebook by around 9pm. On Twitter, at least 3,800 tweets were posted on the subject.
The debut episode of Satyamev Jayate was made available for viewing on its website soon after the telecast. “Our website crashed twice,” Khan’s spokesperson said.
Star India plans to upload the episodes on YouTube, a video website run by Google Inc.
Viewers lavishly praised the show, which also marked Khan’s television debut, on Facebook, the leading social networking website.
“Great show…and hope lots of other issues of importance would be covered,” said Rajan Sekhir. Another viewer, Ali Akbar Barodawala, said, “Great show and hosted it beautifully Aamir bhai. God bless and we are all with you supporting the cause.”
Satyamev Jayate aims to address India’s socioeconomic issues in 13 episodes, which will be aired every Sunday at 11am. The first episode dealt with the issue of female foeticide. The one-and-a-half-hour episode also featured a song, O Ri Chiraiya, performed by Swanand Kirkire and Ram Sampath.
The song, too, was well received by viewers. “A song that brings tears to the eyes,” Shweta Patil posted on Facebook.
Viewers outside India also praised the show. One such viewer, Ankit, tweeted, “I loved it and so did my entire family with whom I revived the lost Sunday morning tradition of watching TV. Thank you for that Satyamev Jayate.”
“A show which brings tears in our eyes and force us to think upon such a major issue,” another viewer, Raghib Khan, tweeted. “Hats off to Aamir and Satyamev Jayate team.”
Corporate India, social activists, and film and cricket celebrities also joined the praise bandwagon.
Anti-corruption campaigner Kiran Bedi tweeted, “Aamir’s Satyamev Jayate on Star Plus turned an idiot box into collective inspirational seeding, across professional cultural or age differences.”
Neeraj Roy, managing director and chief executive of Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, tweeted, “Stop being cynical and start acting. Watching Satyamev Jayate. Brilliant effort. Well done Aamir Khan and Satya. We can make a difference.”
Khan and his team have left no stone unturned in making sure viewers participate through phone messages. Satyamev Jayate’s tweet said, “Thanks. SMS Y to 5782711 if the Rajasthan govt should set up a fast track court to tackle female foeticide.”
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted, “If Aamir Khan provides the action promised, Satyamev Jayate will truly succeed. For that action, we too have to be involved. SMS for a start.”
Shabana Azmi tweeted, “Aamir Khan’s show can bring a revolution. Thoroughly researched, covers all aspects, touches emotional chord n forces us to re-examine ourselves.”
Bollywood actor Preity Zinta tweeted, “Watching Aamir Khan on Satyamev Jayate discussing female feticide. I love this effort from him and thank him as a woman.” Film-maker and actor Farhan Akhtar tweeted, “Satyamev Jayate. A show with a heart.”
Khan is earning Rs. 3 crore to anchor each episode, a record in Indian television, Mint had reported on 21 April.
The broadcaster Star India is betting big on the show. It hopes to earn Rs. 10 lakh per 10 seconds of commercials aired during the show. According to Kevin Vaz, president, advertising sales, Star India, each episode of the show has just 30 seconds of inventory still available for advertisers.
Bharti Airtel Ltd is the presenting sponsor of the show and has paid around Rs. 18 crore, while water purifier brand Aquaguard, another sponsor, has paid some Rs. 16 crore, according to media buyers and channel executives.
The six associate sponsors—Axis Bank Ltd, Coca-Cola India, Skoda Auto India, Berger Paints India Ltd, Dixcy Textiles Pvt. Ltd, and Johnson and Johnson Ltd—have paid between Rs. 6 crore and Rs. 7 crore each.

NRI from Nagpur help build school for special children in Sangrur village

SANGUR (India): It's not only the NRIs from Punjab are giving back to the state and helping the people.

An NRI from Nagpur, settled in Bad Homburg in Germany, has donated Rs 55 lakh for construction of a school for dumb and deaf children in Thalesa village of Sangrur district.

Prabhu Paramatma, belonging to Nagpur, had attended a school function  in 2010.

When Prabhu attended a function by these children and learned about the lack of basic amenities, he announced a donation to construct a special school for these children without any government help.

Prabhu, who has been working as a coordinator and consultant for Vision 4 Children NGO of Germany, said that helping poor and needy children is the mission of his life and he has been providing help in many countries to needy children.

"Children are a precious gift of God. Children live through us and with us. Therefore, we must help them if they need us," Prabhu told TOI from Germany.

Prabhu went to Germany around 25 years back after completing his LLB from Nagpur.

When this school started in 2006, there were only 16 special children, but now the number of children has grown to 38.

Children from Sangrur, Badrukhan, Ubhawal and many other villages have been admitted in the school and  authorities have been working hard to bring maximum children to their school so that they could help them improve their lives.