City at 67.

On 7th October 1953, the city of Chandigarh came into being, officially.

Having lost the spirit of celebrations in the long pandemic, just as a 67 years old won't have interest in its celebrations, Chandigarh too, perhaps, let go of it. 

No one celebrated this historic moment.  

Even from amongst the media, The Tribune did carry a story remembering its formation and formal inauguration by the then President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad.

However, the city remains a favourite destination for travellers.  The winters are the best time when the city wrapped in morning fogs unravels the blooming flora as the day proceeds.  It delightfully captures the heart of the people who have made it their home.  Many chose to stay put despite the career opportunities outside; and those leave its boundaries, look forward to returning, even for a brief holiday, to go around the 'geri' route, eat at Hot Millions, enjoy the coffee at University's students centre, or do some shopping in Sector 19 and 22 markets. 

Cheers. 

Do you know, Burail is an 18th Century habitat established by Mughals?

For Chandigarhians, Burail has remained an intriguing place. When we shifted to the city in 1969, Burail was the place where the students arriving in the seat for further studies would find an easy-on-pocket tenement accommodation.

Later it became a haven for the cottage industry and today it is a place where you can get most of the hardware that you won't find in many of the stores in the city, and at a much affordable price. 

But I was surprised to know that this this tenement right in the middle of the city, growing haphazardly, is an 18th century wonder.  The Fort inside, only the few ramanants of its glorious past remain amidst new constructions around it, 

At one time it had acquired a bad reputation and was feared the most.  Mughal Faujdar controlled this fort till 1712, who was more of a tyrant, and was notorious for abducting and keeping every newly married women with him before returning her to her husband. 

The wales of the destitutes reached the fearless Sikh general, Banda Singh Bahadur, he immediately sent an army of Khalsa, who fought the mughal army, killed Faujdar and captured the Burail Fort. 

This fort is also known as 'shaheedi' fort also, where brother of Banda Bahadur's great warrior general and Governor of Sirhind, Baba Baaj Singh's brother, Bhai Sukha Singh, laid down his life while valiantly fighting the mughal army in 1769. 

When you get the time to visit Sector 45, park your car outside in the parking, and explore the labrynth of small streets (galis) on foot. 

 

Health Safety Guidelines to create #SafeEvents: EEMA

 EEMA releases COVID safety guidelines for the events industry

Punjab's Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, and Punjab Health Minister Sardar Balbir Singh Sidhu, commended the efforts of the Events and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) for formulating a comprehensive 300 page Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the events and entertainment industry. 

At a special showcase event organised by the newly formed Chandigarh and Punjab regional chapter of EEMA at JW Marriott, the COVID safety guidelines were presented to both the Ministers by EEMA's founder member Ankur Kalra from Delhi. 

While Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi said it is time that the events and entertainment industry which employs nearly 1 crore people with a turnover of Rs.5 lakh crore, must open up to revive the economy. 

Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu appreciated that EEMA's efforts to train and introduce the COVID safety guidelines shall assure the government, the corporate and the participating guests that it is safe to be a part of social and corporate events, though there is a greater need for every individual to inculcate this discipline and remain responsible by themselves taking all the precautions. 

Ankur Kalra, a founder member of EEMA,  appreciated the Government’s decision to open up the event industry allowing the gathering of a maximum of 100 people for social, religious, cultural, and corporate events in most parts of the country under Unlock 4.0.

 

The  SOPs are for the event organisers and other stakeholders including hotels to ensure complete safety of the guests, which in fact can be used by any organization, informed Vijay Arora.

 

Earlier, the local representatives of EEMA presented a copy of the 300-page document  to the Punjab’s Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, who hoped that events conducted under strict supervision as per the health guidelines shall ensure the safety of organisers and the guests.

 

Ankur Kalra said that the lockdown has taken away the jobs and earnings of the people engaged in this industry impacting their families and it is industry's responsibility to revive events by assuring safe events. 

EEMA's President Roshan Abbas in his recorded message from Delhi welcomed the government's decision to allow 100 people gatherings which would definitely be incased provided we are able to demonstrate complete safety in events that we create. 

The event partner, JW Marriott's safety officer assured how the hotel was taking care of its guests through extensive health safety measures they have undertaken at all their establishments. 

  

A simulated corporate event titled “India is an Event: We’re ready for Safe Events” was also held in the evening for invited guests, event organisers and other industry leaders and government representatives to experience its efficacy.  

 

One of the region’s biggest wedding planner, Tony Singh, hoped that the same zeal and zest that Punjabis represent during their social and wedding events, would return to herald the prosperity in this region.

 

Another well-known name in corporate events and advertising field Shaleen Kapoor, said that the return of the business gathering would help businesses of all sizes to the network again and revive their closed enterprises through collaboration in this region.

 

Hardeep Singh, another leader in the trade fairs domain felt that there is a greater need to have more and more exhibitions where businesses and trade can find opportunities to grow.   

Punjab Chapter Chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Karan Girhotra said that EEMA's safety guidelines shall definitely help the industry in this region grow and hopefully tradefairs and exhibitions shall also be organised soon to benefit the trade and business.

 

Present on the occasion were EEMA’s local representatives Binay Pal Singh, Bharat Dhiman, Daman Preet Singh, Vikramjit Singh, Angat Walia & Deepak Kumar besides representatives of the hospitality and tourism industry.

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