atBye-Election to the Faridkot Parliamentary Constituency, 1977. – Bye-Election to the Parliamentary Constituency Faridkot was held on 18 December 1977 as the sitting member from this constituency resigned. The total number of electors in the constituency was 7,22,779. From this constituency Shiromany Akali Dal candidate was declared elected. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of the each contesting party in given hereunder:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,02,653 |
62.89 |
|
Indian National Congress |
1,11,138 |
34.49 |
|
Independents |
8,457 |
2.62 |
|
Total |
3,22,248 |
100.00 |
(Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab)
Seventh Midterm Lok
Sabha Election, 1980. – The Janata Government
formed in 1977 did not remain stable as the party had been formed with the merger
of four major political parties, its members reverted to their previous
loyalities. This led to differences within the janata party resulting in
defection by many MPs who formed a new group which ultimately led to the fall
of janata Government at the centre. The group of MPs who had defected from the
janat party was able to form a new government with the support of Congress (I).
However, the relationship between the new Government and the Congress (I) did
not remain smooth for long. With the result that the Congress (I) withdrew its
support and the Government fell without facing the parliament even once. The
Lok Sabha was dissolved by the President under Sub clause (b), of Clause (2) of
Article 85 of the Constitution on 22 August 1979, but the Government was
allowed to continue as caretaker Government till the elections were held for
constituting the new Parliament.
The Seventh Midterm General Elections were held in the country on 3 January 1980. Faridkot was only Lok Sabha Constituency in the district in these elections. The total number of electors in the district was 7,72,846. Indian National Congress (I) candidate was declared elected from this constituency. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party in the district was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian National Congress (I) |
2,38,659 |
50.43 |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,17,998 |
46.06 |
|
Independents |
16,612 |
3.51 |
|
Total |
4,73,269 |
100.00 |
Seventh (Midterm)
Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1980. –
The term of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in June 1977 was due to expire
in 1982. However, after the Lok Sabha elections held in January 1980, which
resulted in the change of Government at the Centre, it was felt tat the climate
of uncertainty had come to prevail in the States which were not ruled by the
Congress (I). The Government at the Centre decided to go for fresh elections in
such States, including Punjab. Accordingly the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was dissolved
by the President under Article 356 of the Constitution on 17 February 1980. The
elections to the Vidhan Sabha were held on 30 May 1980 and completed on the
same day. The Congress (I) won majority of seats defeating the Akali Dal and
other contesting parties and formed its Government in the State
For these elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha there were 10 Assembly
constituencies in the district viz. Moga, Bagha Purana, Nihalsnghwala
(Scheduled Castes), Panjgirain (Scheduled Castes), Kot Kapura, Faridkot,
Muktsar, Giddarbaha, Malaut (Scheduled Castes) and Lambi. The total number of
electors in the district was 8,69,751 out of which 5,57,579 voted. From these constituencies 5 Shiromani Akali Dal,
3 Indian National congress (I), 1 Communist Party of India and 1 Independent
candidate were declared elected. The total number of valid votes polled by each
contesting party is given below :
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian National Congress (I) |
2,22,695 |
39.94 |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
1,91,332 |
34.32 |
|
Independents |
77,859 |
13.97 |
|
Communist party of India |
44,725 |
8.02 |
|
JNP (SC) |
18,029 |
3.23 |
|
Bhartiya janata party |
2,295 |
0.41 |
|
Republican Party of India |
475 |
0.09 |
|
Indian National congress (U) |
109 |
0.02 |
|
Total |
5,57,519 |
100.00 |
Bye-elections to the
Faridkot Punjab legislative Assembly Constituency, 1982. – Bye-Election to the Faridkot Legislative Assembly was
held on 19 May 1982. It was necessitated due to the demise of the sitting
member. The total number of electors in this constituency was 91,030. From this
constituency Shiromani Akali Dal candidate was declared elected. The total
number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting parties is given here
under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Akali Dal (L) |
34,996 |
53.16 |
|
Congress |
28,399 |
42.33 |
|
Independents |
1,475 |
2.20 |
|
Communist party of India |
2,218 |
3.31 |
|
Total |
67,088 |
100.00 |
Eighth General Elections
to the Lok Sabha, 1985. –The term of the
Seventh (midterm) Lok Sabha constituted in January 1980 was due to expire on 20
January 1985. Consequently, general elections were held in India on 24 and 27
December 1984 to constitute a new (Eighth) Lok Sabha excepting the
Parliamentary constituencies falling in the States of Assam and Punjab.
Elections in the States of Assam and Punjab could not be held due to
unavoidable circumstances. In order to remove any doubt and to avoid
litigation, a new Section 73(a) was inserted in the Representation of the
People Act, 1951, by an ordinance issued on 20 November 1984. The elections to
the Eighth Lok Sabha were held in Punjab on 25 September 1985.
There was only one Lok Sabha constituency in the district viz. Faridkot. The Shiromani Akali Dal candidate was declared electors, 5,64,588 persons cast their votes. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,68,221 |
51.09 |
|
Indian National Congress (I) |
2,32,960 |
44.38 |
|
Independents |
23,770 |
4.53 |
|
Total |
5,24,951 |
100.00 |
Eighth General Elections
to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1985. –The Punjab
Vidhan Sabha was constituted in June 1980. President’s Rule was imposed in the State
with effect from 6 October 1983 and the Legislative Assembly was kept in
suspended animation. Under the 48th Amendment of the Constitution,
President’s Rule could have been continued only upto a maximum period of 2
years, i.e. upto 5 October 1985. Under the circumstances, elations to the
Punjab Legislative Assembly had to be held and a new house constituted before
that date. In the meantime, on the expiry of 5 years term the assembly stood
automatically dissolved with effect from 26 June 1945. The elections to the
eighth Vidhan Sabha were held on 25 September 1985. The elections to the Eighth
Vidhan Sabha were held on 25 September 1985.
There were 10 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the district, viz. Moga, Bagha Purana, Nihalsinghwala (Scheduled Castes), Panjgirain (Scheduled Castes), Kot Kapura, Faridkot, Muktsar, Giddarbaha, Malaut (Scheduled Castes) and Lambi. The total number of electors in the district was 9,33,538, out of which 5,76,587 exercised in their right. From these constituencies 6 Shiromani Akali Dal, 3 Congress (I) and 1 Independent candidate were declared elected. The number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,48,390 |
43.08 |
|
Indian National Congress (I) |
2,15,334 |
37.35 |
|
Independents |
69,365 |
12.03 |
|
Communist party of India |
20,102 |
3.49 |
|
Janata Party |
19,848 |
3.44 |
|
Communist Party of India (M) |
3,548 |
100.00 |
|
Total |
5,76,687 |
100.00 |
Ninth General Elections
to the Lok Sabha, 1989. – The Ninth General
Elections to the Lok Sabha were held in November of 1989 excepting the State of
Assam.
There was only one Lok Sabha constituency in the district viz.
Faridkot. The Akali Dal (M) candidate was declared elected. The total number of
electors in the district was 10,00,795. The total number of valid votes poled
by each of the contesting party is given below:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
||
|
Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) |
3,05,521 |
48.63 |
||
|
Indian National Congress (I) |
1,48,138 |
23.58 |
||
|
Bahujan Samaj Party |
60,879 |
9.69 |
||
|
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) |
52,967 |
8.43 |
||
|
Communist Party of India |
24,038 |
3.83 |
||
|
Independents |
23,805 |
3.79 |
||
|
Republican party of India |
12,878 |
2.05 |
||
|
Total |
6,28,226 |
100.00 |
||
Medterm General Elections
to the Lok Sabha and General Elections to Punjab Vidhan Sabha. – The
elections to the Ninth Lok Sabha were held in the State on 26 November 1989.
The Ninth Lok Sabha could not complete its full term and was dissolved. The
president of India issued notification on 19 April 1991 calling upon all
Parliamentary constituencies other than those within the State of Jammu and
Kashmir to elect members to the House of the People. The date of poll for
Punjab State was fixed as 20 May 1991 which was later on changed to 22 June
1991 and thereafter 25 September 1991. The elections in Punjab were cancelled
vide Bill No. 156 CM of 1991, i.e. “the Cancellation of General Elections in
Punjab 1991”. Thereafter the poll in Punjab State was held on 19 February 1992.
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha was constituted on 29 September 1985, but the
President’s Rule was imposed in the State with effect from 4 may 1987 and the
Assembly remained in suspended animation. On 6 March 1988, the Punjab Vidhan
Sabha was dissolved and the State remained under President’s Rule for a period
of 4 years, 9 Months and 15 days.
Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections were held simultaneously in all
the 13 Parliamentary and 117 Assembly Constituencies on 19 February 1992. The
Results were declared on 20 and 21 February 1992.
The President’s Rule was revoked on 25 February 1992 and a new assembly
was constituted on that date.
Lok Sabha Constituencies
There was only Lok Sabha constituency in the district, viz. Faridkot. The
Congress (I) candidate was declared elected. The total number of electors in
this constituency was 10,06,497. The total number of valid polled by each of
the contesting party is given below:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian National Congress |
1,44,958 |
58.59 |
|
Bahujan Samaj Party |
67,262 |
27.20 |
|
Janto Dal |
17,785 |
7.18 |
|
Bhartiya Janta Party |
17,383 |
7.03 |
|
Total |
2,47,388 |
100.00 |
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
There were 10 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the district viz. Moga,
Bagha Purana, Nihalsinghwala (Scheduled Castes), Panjgirain (Scheduled Castes),
Kot Kapura, Faridkot, Muktsar, Giddarbaha, Malaut (Scheduled Castes) and Lambi.
From these constituencies 7 Indian National Congress (I), 1 Independent, 1
Janta Dal and 1 Communist Party of India candidates was declared elected. The
total number of electors in this constituency was 11,07,318. The total number
of valid votes polled by each of the contesting parties is given below:
|
Name of party |
Number of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
Indian National Congress (I) |
1,11,868 |
43.59 |
|
Bahujan Samaj Party |
57,386 |
22.36 |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
35,349 |
13.78 |
|
Bhartiya janta Party |
15,222 |
5.93 |
|
Janta Dal |
12,947 |
5.05 |
|
Independents |
11,987 |
4.67 |
|
Communist party of India |
10,123 |
3.95 |
|
Communist party of India (Marxist) |
1,719 |
0.67 |
|
Total |
2,56,601 |
100.00 |
(b)
Political Parties and Organizations
Political parties play a very important role in the working of the
modern democratic Government. Their main functions are to mobilize public
opinion on the issues before the Government, to resort to healthy criticism of the
Government policies and offer clear cut solution to social, economic and
political problems. Thus they create an atmosphere conducive to the efficient
and smooth functioning of the parliamentary form of Government. These fight
elections and establish a link between the Government and the people.
Prior to the Independence although political parties were in existence
in India yet these were not well organized. But all these political parties
aimed at achieving Independence.
After the achievement of Independence in 1947 India adopted the
parliamentary form of Government. As a result a number of political parties
came into existence. In the PEPSU Area now forming part of the Faridkot
District no well organized political party was in existence. However, praja
mandals played the role of political parties.
A brief description of political parties, which have their branches in
the Faridkot District is given below:
All India Parties
Indian National
Congress. –This party was founded in India in
1885. In the Princely State area now forming part of the district only the
Praja mandals were functioning which were formed in 1928. After the
Independence these praja mandals merged with Indian National Congress and
started functioning as its units.
The Congress has a secular and national outlook. The professed
objectives of the party have been to set up a socialistic Pattern of society.
The Indian National congress witnessed two splits since Independence. The first
split took place in 1969 and other in 1977.
Since the attainment of Independence, the party run the Government in
the State upto 1966-67, from 1972 to 1977, from 1980 to 1983 and again came in
to power in 1992. In PEPSU the party captured power in 1952 but it could not
complete its full term. Again it assumed power in 1954 till the merger of PEPSU
in Punjab.
Since the formation of the district, the party won lone lok Sabha seat
from the district in the 1980 and 1992 elections. The party won 4 Seats in
1972, 7 seats in 1977, 3 seats each in 1980 1985 election and 7 seats in 1992
elections to the PunjabVidhan Sabha.
Communist Party of India. – The Russian Revolution of 1997 left a deep
influence on the minds of the Indian youth and they came to believe in using
revolutionary methods to solve the political, economic and social problems of
India. As a result, many Organisations came into existence in India, which were
opposed to the methods adopted by the Indian National Congress for the
attainment of freedom and favoured the adoption of new methods based on Marxist
principles. These different organizations assembled together at kanpur in
December 1925 and formed the Communist party of India. The party actively
participated in national movement. After the Independence, it became one of the
major opposition parties in India. The party enjoys influence among the
laborers and small peasants. Thee was split in the party in 1964 and new party
viz. Communist party of India (Marxist) was formed.
Out of the ten Vidhan Sabha elections held in the State upto 1992, the
party won 2 seats each in 1962 and 1972 elections and 1 each in 1967, 1969,
1977, 1980 and 1992 elections in the District. It could to win any Lok Sabha
seat from the district.
Communist Party of India
(Marxist). – The Communist Party of India
(Marxist) was the result of the split which occurred in the Communist Party of
India in 1964. It stands for communism and socialism through the establishment
of State of dictatorship. State dictatorship of the proletariat in all its activities
the party is guided by the philosophy and principles of Marxism-Leninism. The
party contested the election in the district only in 1992, but could not win.
Janata Party. – This Party into being as an alternative to
Congress on 1 May 1977. The party was formed after the merger of major
opposition parties, viz. the Congress (O), the Jan Sangh, the Bhartiya Lok Dal
and the Socialist Party. Later on the Congress for Democracy also merged with
the Janata Party. The party won the Sixth General Elections to the Lok Sabha
and gained absolute majority. It captured only one Vidhan Sabha seat in 1977
elections in the district.
Bhartiya Janata Party. – Bhartiya Janata Party is a recognized national party. It came into existence in April 1980. It is in fact a revival of Jan Sangh which was merged in the Janata Party in 197. The party contested the 1985, 1989 and 1992 elections in the State. However, it could not win any seat from the district.
The Janta Dal. – Janta Dal emerged on the political map of India as
an alternative to Congress. Lok Dal, Janata Party and Jan Morcha together
formed this party in 1988. It stands for social and economic uplift of the
people. This party formed the Government at the Centre in December 1989 with
the outside support of Bhartiya Janta
Party and leftist groups. It remained into power up to November 1990. The party
got split in 1990. The party contested 1992 Vidhan Sabha elections and won 1
Seat from the district.
State Parties
Shiromani Akali Dal. – Shiromani Akali Dal is an important regional
party of Punjab. The party came into being in 1920 as a representative body of
the Sikhs. During the Gurudwara reforms Movement 1920-1925, it played a
significant role in bringing about major reforms in the management of Sikh
shrines and bringing them under the control of the Shiromani Gurudwara
Parbandhak Committee. It actively participated in the national freedom struggle
in collaboration with the Indian National Congress and emerged as a vanguard of
the non-operation Movement in the Punjab during 1931-32. It emerged as
full-fledged political party in the State during 1936-37 elections held under
the Government of India Act, 1935. The party continues to functions as a
religious and social organization.
The party got split into two groups in 1962 viz. Master Tara Singh
Group and Sant Fateh Singh Group. These groups reunited after the death of
Master Tara Singh in November 1967. In August 1980, the Akali Dal another
split. It was divided into two factions Akali Dal (Laungowal) and Akali Dal
(Talwandi). On 1 May 1985 both the factions of the Akali Dal were dissolved to
form Unified Akali Dal, but Akali Dal (Laungowal) did not agree to join it and
maintained its separate entity. On 8 May 1986 there was a split in the Akali
Dal (Laungowal) when some legislators formed new Akali Dal (Badal).
The district was allotted one Lok Sabha constituency by the
Delimitation Commission by order No. 41 dated 24 May 1975. The Akali Dal
captured the Lok Sabha seat in sixth, eight and ninth General Elections. It won
seats in 1977, 5 in 1980 and 6 in 1985 elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The position of different parties from the Faridkot District in the Lok
Sabha and in the PEPSU/Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the basis of General Elections
held from time to time is given in the following statement:
|
|
Number of seats won |
|||||
|
Name of the party |
Third General Elections 1962 |
Sixth General Elections 1977 |
Seventh General Electins 1980 |
Eightgh General Elections 1985 |
Ninth General Elections 1989 |
Tehth General Elections 1992 |
|
All India Parties |
||||||
|
Indian National Congress |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
--- |
1 |
|
Comuist party of India (Marxist) |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Bhartiya Jan Sangh |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Janata Party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
State Parties |
||||||
|
Akali Dal |
1 |
1 |
-- |
1 |
1 |
--- |
|
Independents |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Total |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
(Reports on General Elections, Punjab, 1962, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1989 and 1992)
Party Position in PEPSU and Punjab Vidhan Elections in the Faridkot District
|
Number of seats won |
||||||||||||
|
Name of party |
PEPSU Vidhan Sabha Punjab Vidhan Sabha |
|||||||||||
|
First General Elections 1951-52 |
Midterm Elections 1954 |
First General elections 1951-52 |
Second General Elections 1957 |
Third General Elections 1962 |
Forth General Elections 1967 |
Midterm Elections 1969 |
Fifth General Elections 1972 |
Sixth General Elections 1977 |
Seventh General Elections 1980 |
Eighth General Elections 1985 |
General Electio-ns 1992 |
|
|
All India parties |
||||||||||||
|
Indian National Congress |
--- |
2 |
--- |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
|
Communist Party of India |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
--- |
1 |
|
Communist party of India (Marxist) |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
---- |
--- |
--- |
|
Bhartiya jan Sangh |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Lal Communist Party |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|||
|
Janata party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|||
|
Janta Dal |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
|||
|
Samyukta Socialist Party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|||
|
State Parties |
|||||||||||||||
|
Akali Dal |
--- |
--- |
5 |
--- |
1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
--- |
|||
|
Independents including
other recognised parties |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
---1 |
--- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Independents including
other unrecognised parties |
--- |
1 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|||
|
Total |
--- |
3 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|||
(Reports on general Elections, PEPSU 1951-52 &
1954 and Reports on General Elections, Punjab 1951-52, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969,
1972, 1977, 1980, 1985 and 1992)
(c) Newspapers and Periodicals
The newspapers and periodicals play a very important role in the daily routine
of the people. Reading of newspapers has become a habit. The newspapers and
periodicals now not only publish news on political scene of the country, these
also disseminate international news. Besides, the newspapers also bring to the
reader all kind of other information on topics as history, economics, sports,
social, religious, etc. these also publish articles of other contributors
various topics.
In the Faridkot District only 27 periodicals were published during 1991, out of the 1,059 newspapers and periodicals published in the States. Most of the publications were broughtout from Moga. No daily newspaper was published in the district. The particulars of the newspapers and periodicals published in the district on 31 December 1991 are given below:
|
S. No |
Name of periodical |
Year when started |
Place of publication |
Language |
Circul-lation |
Classifi-cation |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
|
Weeklies |
||||||
|
1 |
Jaagi Manukhta |
1977 |
Faridkot |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
2 |
Nawan Rah |
1972 |
Moga |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
3 |
Nagar palika worker |
1973 |
Moga |
Urdu |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
4 |
Tapasiya |
1975 |
Faridkot |
Urdu |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
5 |
Surkh Sham |
1982 |
Moga |
Bilingual |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
6 |
Badnaam Kuche |
1977 |
Moga |
Multilingual |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
7 |
Surakh Sawera |
1967 |
Moga |
Multilingual |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
8 |
Sutlej De kande |
1979 |
Moga |
Multilingual |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
9 |
Lakhtia Times |
1986 |
Kot Kapura |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
10 |
Sanjh Sawer |
1987 |
Faridkot |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
11 |
Hakh-E-Mazdoor |
1972 |
Kot Kapura |
Urdu |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
Fortnight lies
|
||||||
|
12 |
Vijay Express |
1987 |
Moga |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
NCA |
|
13 |
Sabh-E- |
1972 |
Mattawali (Moga |
Punjabi |
N. S |
NCA |
|
14 |
Moga News |
1977 |
Moga |
Bilingual |
N. S |
Literary |
|
15 |
Plashvam |
1980 |
Moga |
Bilingual |
N. S |
Literary |
|
16 |
Suchetana |
1970 |
Faridkot |
Bilingual |
N. S |
Literary and cultural |
|
Bio-Monthlies And Half Yearly, Etc. |
||||||
|
17 |
Brinjindra |
1957 |
Faridkot |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College |
|
18 |
Nankjot |
1958 |
Killian Wali (Faridkot) |
|
N. S |
|
|
19 |
Veena Vadini |
1968 |
Moga |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College |
|
20 |
Blooming Buds |
1978 |
Moga |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
21 |
Arrita |
1970 |
Malaut |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
22 |
Fareed |
1966 |
Faridkot |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
23 |
The Light |
1960 |
Faridkot |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
24 |
Roop Mani |
1972 |
Muktsar |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
25 |
Saveeta |
1977 |
Giddarbaha |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
26 |
Vichar Vitika |
1963 |
Faridkot |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
27 |
Vision |
1929 |
Moga |
Multilingual |
N. S |
College
magazine |
|
N. S. = Not specified
NCA= News and Current Affairs |
||||||
(Press in India 1991, Report of
the Registrar of Newspapers for India under the Press and
Registration of Books Act Part-II
Volume-I, New Delhi, pp. 875-938)
(d) Voluntary Social Service Organisations
The voluntary social service Organisations play a
major role in the development of the community life and also help to increase
the social solidarity of the State. These organizations are self-governing
bodies of people working together for the betterment of the society and the
community life as a whole.
There are a number of voluntary social service Organisations functioning in the district serving the social needs of the people in a variety of ways. These organizations play an important role in educational, social and cultural development of the community. These also provide welfare activities for children, women, aged and infirms, handicapped and other deserving sections of the society. A brief account of some of the important organizations is given below:
General Welfare Institutions
Bharat
Sewak Samaj, Faridkot. – It is a non-political social wing of the Indian
National Congress and is affiliated to the Punjab State Branch of Bharat Sewak
Samaj, Chandigarh. It also helps in the implementation of Government programmes
and policies.
The Samaj especially works for the benefit of the poor section of society. It organizes social service camps in rural areas and works for securing co-operation in various fields of rural development, family planning, setting up of balwadis, etc. it also renders assistance to the people during natural calamities like flood, famine etc.
Bharat
Vikas Parishad. – It is another voluntary
organization functioning in the district. It organizes various social welfare
activities viz. medical check-up camps, blood donation camps and solemnizing
mass marriages of poor girls. It has branches at Kot Kapura, Muktsar, Moga and
Giddarbaha.
Organizations of National or International Repute
There are a number of organizations of national or
international repute which are established elsewhere but have their branches in
the district. Some of such organizations are described below:
The
Indian Red Cross Society, District Branch, Faridkot. – This branch was set up at Faridkot in 1972 when this district was
created. The Society actively participates in the relief work. It provides
assistance to the poor and needy persons in the form of medical aid, clothes
and cash assistance, etc. it also provides sewing machines to poor widows and
tri-cycles, artificial limbs, clippers, crutches, etc. to the handicapped
persons. The society also liberally contributes to other social welfare
institutions. This in the district through its branches functioning at the sub
divisional level.
The District Red Cross Society, Faridkot is running
25 bedded hospitals at Guru Sar Madhir (tahsil Giddarbaha) and Malianwala
(tahsil Moga). It is also running 6 Homoeopathic dispensaries to make available
medicines at reasonable rates in hospital premises in various hospitals. A limb
Fitting Centre was started by the Society in May 1992. This Centre caters to
the demands of handicapped persons of the districts of Faridkot, Firozpur,
Bathinda and Mansa. A leprosy colony at Moga was also established by this
branch, besides providing relief items to such colonies already functioning at
Faridkot, Muktsar and Malaut.
The society is also running 3 Bhojan Bhandars and 4
Red Cross Canteens and various places in the district to provide eatables at
reasonable rates. It is also running a crèche for the children of the working
couples. Craft centers are also being run by this branch in which training is
imparted in cutting, tailoring and toy making. This branch of Red Cross Society
has also established a Red Cross Amar Ashram to provide facilities for social
functions, meetings/conferences and other cultural activities.
St.
John Ambulance Association, District Centre , Faridkot. – St. John Ambulance District Centre
Provides ambulance service for shifting patients and accident cases.
Trained St. John Brigade volunteers provide first-aid and him nursing services
during fairs and natural calamities. It provides first-aid and home nursing
training to students, industry workers, drivers, conductors and teachers.
The main sources of income of the Red Cross Society,
Faridkot, are membership subscription, contributions, collection from lucky
bags, funds, etc. and income from medical stores, bhojan bhandars and canteens.
The membership of the society as on 31 March 1993 was 2,260 life members and
486 regular members.
Lions
Clubs, Faridkot. Constituted in March 1975 the
main activities of the club are: to organize blood donation camps, medical
check-up camps, eye operation camps, diabetes detection camps, immunization
camps, etc. it also runs a vocational training and community centre at
Faridkot. Its membership as on 31 March 1993 was 27. Besides, the Lions Club,
Faridkot, a few branches of Lions Club are functioning at Kot Kapura, Muktsar,
Moga, Bagha Purana and Jaito performing almost similar welfare activities in
their respective areas.
Rotary
Club. – It is a world wide organization with
its headquarters in the United State of America. Its Motto is `Service Above
Self`. Main activities of the Rotary Club are to organize: blood Donation
camps, free eye check-up camps, free medical check-up camps, de-addiction
camps, traffic awareness camps, etc. The Club also serves the people during
natural calamities.
Rotary Club, Faridkot. – It was set up in 1976. The membership of the club as on 31 March 1993 was 35. Two branches of the club were also functioning at Moga viz. Rotary Club, Moga and Moga North. The membership of these clubs as on 31 March 1993 was 25 and 36 respectively.
Rotract
Club, Moga. – The Rotract Club Moga is Junior
wing of the Rotary Club. The persons below 18 years are eligible to become its
members. This wing renders to welfare services under the guidance of its senior
wing. The membership of the club as on 31 March 1993 was 25.
Inner
Wheel Club, Moga. – The Inner Wheel Club is
another wing of the Rotary Club exclusively managed by the lady members, this
wing looks after the welfare of the females in the society. Two branches of
this club viz. Moga administration Moga North were functioning during 1992-93
at Moga. Membership of these as on 31 March 1993 was 20 and 25 respectively.
PLACES OF INTEREST
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In Faridkot District, there is hardly
any place of tourist attraction, though there are a good number of places or
historical, religious and local Importance in this area which are described
below:
Dhudike. – The village Dhudike
lies 3 km from Ajitwal Railway Station on the Ludhiana-Firozpur railway line,
and is linked with a Pucka road between Moga and Jagraon, some 16 km from
either town. The people here are politically conscious having taken part in the
`Gaddar Movement` and Guru-Ka-Bagh Agitation.
Lala Lajpat Rai (1965-1928), the great national leader was born in this village. His birthday, celebrated in the village, attracts a large number of persons. A Lajpat Rai Birth place Memorial Committee was formed in 1956 and it bought a plot of about one acre of land in the village abadi including the house where he was born. A memorial has been erected here in the memory of the great freedom fighter.
Faridkot. – This town is about
32 km south of Firozpur and 65 km north of Bathinda. It is connected by
metalled roads with Firozpur, Zira, Kot Kapura, Moga (Via Kot Kapura and
Talwandi Bhai), Muktsar, haito and Bathinda. It is a railway station on the
Bathinda-Firozpur railway line. Its population was 42,423 persons in 1941 which
rose to 58,525 in 1991.
Faridkot town is stated to have been founded by Raja
Mokalsi more than 700 years ago. He named it Mokal Har and built a fort here.
There is another versions according to which the fort existed long before even
Rai Hem Hel, and ancestor of Mokalsi under whom the Bhattis overrun the area
for the first time from the south. Mokalsi was erecting the fort or perhaps
carrying out its repairs, when Baba Farid, the saint, was forced to work on it
as a labourer. The story goes that it was noticed that the basket full of mud
which the saint was supposed to carry on his head did not rest on the head but
kept about a foot higher, thereby giving no burden to the saint. This miracle
brought the Raja to his knees and he begged pardon of the saint made. It is
since that the saint made the following observations at that time.
(I have seen thy Mokal Har, outwardly there is
prosperity but inwardly fear regns)
The name of the place was, however, changed to
Faridkot after the name of Bahai Farid, and it continued as capital during the times
of Mokalsi’s sons and LATER ON Barars ever since the princely State of Faridkot
took its shape in the time of Raja Pahar Singh after the conclusion of the
First Sikh War.
This desert stronghold remained a bone of contention
between rival chieftains for centuries. Raja Ranjit Singh regarded Faridkot as
a place of some strategical importance, and when the British Government
demanded the restitution of all Sikh conquests made during the years 1808 and
1809 on the left bank of the Satluj, this was the place he surrendered most
unwillingly. It was not until the 1837 that the town expanded beyond the
confines of 1837 that the town expanded beyond the confines of the
fortifications. For the valuable services of the Ruling Chief of Faridkot in
the second Sikh War he was elevated with the title of Raja and created the new
princely State of Faridkot. The modern town of Faridkot was made the capital of
this new State. Several substantial buildings were built during Raja Pahar
Singh’s time. Little away from the capital town a cantonment was established by
Raja Balbir.
The people of Faridkot at
first used to live in the fort, but in 1937, a town was laid beyond its walls
and the people were settled there. In 1885, broad and well paved bazaar were
built on an improved plan and the town assumed a fine look. The succeeding
rulers made improvements and additions more or less in a planned way so that
the town today presents the appearance of a planned town. The Fort and the dera
of Baba Farid are the main places of historical importance in the town.
It was the unique privilege
of the people of Faridkot that the first Prime Minister of India, late Jawahar
Lal Nehru, came to Faridkot in 1946 in support of Praja Mandal Movement
demanding a responsible Government in the State, which was then under the
autocratic rule of the Maharaja.
On the formation of PEPSU,
Faridkot, associated with the saint of that name after which the town and
district are named is a notable shrine in Faridkot. The saint is held in high
esteem by al residents of the town and they pay respect at the dera on evry
Thursday. A big fair is held here annually on the birthday of the saint on 8th
Asoj of Bikrami Samvat.
The fort (Quila Mubarak),
the palace (Raj Mahal), the guest house (Darbar Ganj), the smadhs of ruling
family, the secretariat of erstwhile Faridkot State in which now courts and
offices are housed, and the clock tower are other places of interest in the
town. There is also a stadium in front of Brijindra College, Faridkot known as
the Victory Stadium, which was constructed by the Maharaja, a few years before
the Independence. It has a seating capacity for over five lakhs and is provided
with a track of 400 metres and a special pucca cycle track.
The foundation stone of the
secretariat was laid by Sir James Fitzpatrick, Agent to the Punjab
Governor-General, on 23 December 1933, which was inaugurated by Raja Harinder
Singh Brar Bans Bahadur in October 1934. The contemporaries of Raja Harinder
Singh say that the secretariat, which now houses the District Courts and
offices of the Deputy Commissioner, was the centre of attraction at that time. A new Mini-Secretariat has been built
to accommodate all the Government offices at one place.
Giddarbaha.
– This town is about 34 km south of Muktsar. It is a railway station on
Bathinda Hidumalkot line and an important market of cotton and grains. It is
also connected by road with Bathinda. The place is known for snuff which is a
product of tobacco ground together with lime, ghee and some perfumes. Its population
was 39,866 persons as per 1991 Census. During 1992-3, there was one unit at
Giddarbaha in medium and large-scale sector, viz. markfed Cotton Seed
Processing Plant, Giddarbaha.
Jaito. – It lies 30026` north latitude and 75056`, east longitude, 32 km south of Kot Kapura and 40 km north of Bathinda. It has a railway station on the Bathinda-Firozpur section and is also connected by roads with Kot Kapura, Moga, Barnala and Bathinda. According to the 1991 Census the Population of the town was 28,850.
The town was founded by
Jaito, a hat of the Sidhu Clan. The mandi is very famous on account of Jaito
morcha, very well known in the freedom struggle which was launched as a protest
against dethroning of maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha by the Britishers in January
1923, mainly on account of his extremely patriotic feelings. This raised a wave
of popular resentment throughout his State, rather all over Punjab. Processions
and meetings were arranged at many places and Akhand paths started in
gurudwaras for the restoration of the gaddi of the maharaja. In these meetings
and prayers, the Britishers saw a challenge to their authority and unleashed a
reign of terror to suppress popular wave. The Gangsar was one of those
gurudwaras where such recitation of Guru Granth Sahib had started. All those
leading these gatherings were imprisoned but this flared the flames further.
Jathas of volunteers began to pour into the town to court arrest. A jatha of
500 was machine gunned on 21 February 1924, when they wanted to raise their
religious banner at the Tibbi Sahib Gurudwara at Jaito, Scores fell as martyrs
to the firing and to this many correspondents including Dr Saifu-ud-Din Kichlu
were witnesses. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mr Gidwani reached the spot to see
things for themselves. They too were arrested alonghwith Mr K. Santanam and
sentenced to rigorous imprisonment. Pandit Nehru was confined in the Nabha Jail
where several compatriots arrested in this connection perished under the iron
heel of the foreign rule.
The jaito owes its
importance to its grain market and famous cattle fair held in the month of
March.
Kot Kapura. – This town is 10 km south of Faridkot and 51 km north of Bathinda. It has a railway station on the Bathinda-Firozpur section, and is connected by metalled roads with Moga, Firozpur, Muktsar and Bathinda. The population of the town was 47,550 in 1981 which rose to 62,480 in 1991.
Kot Kapura town was founded
by Kapura one of the fore-father of the princely ruling family of Faridkot
State, at the suggestion of a famous Hindu ascetic, Bhai Bhagtu. Kapura had
succeeded to the Chaudriat bestowed on his on his family by the Mughal Darbar
at Delhi. When Guru Gobind Singh, before the battle of Muktsar, visited him and
asked for his assistance, Kapura was hesitant as he was afraid of reprisals at
the hands of the Mughals. The tradition goes that Guru Gobind Singh cursed
Kapura, saying that he would die at the hands of his friends, the Turks
(Mughals). Guru then stayed in the town at another place where now a Gurudwara
associated with the Guru stands. Kapura, however, allowed Guru’s family who was
following the Guru to stay with him family who was following the Guru to stay
with him for the night and entertained them. But this does not appear to have
much softened the curse of the Guru. Isa Khan, the owner of the fort and
village of that name who was Kapura’s great rival and enemy, but had failed to
make him yield. He then patched up with him and invited him to a banquet where
he treacherously assassinated him. Kapura’s sons avenged the murder of their
father with a heavy hand, killed Isa Khan and plundered his fort. Kapura’s
descendents held kot Kapura and Faridkot separately till the Britishers made
Pahar Singh the chief of Faridkot and bestowed koe Kapura Singh the chief of
Faridkot and bestowed Kot Kapura on him, as a reward for his assistance in the
First Anglo Sikh War of 1845.
Kot Kapura is a flourishing
grain market and industrial centre . Among places of historical importance are
a fort, now in ruins, and the place where Raja Wazir Singh used to say his
prayers.
Malaut. –
Malaut is a new flourishing mandi and the subdivision located on
Bathinda-Hindumalkot railway line. It is 32 km from Fazilka and 47 km from
Bathinda. According to the 1991 Census its population was 56,858.
About one-fifth of the
entire cotton produced in Punjabis raised within a radious of 32 km from
Malaut. The old market being too small to accommodate the heavy arrivals, two
new markets have been built. During 1992-93, there were 3 Ginning and
Processing units working at Malaut in medium and large-scale sector.
Moga. –
Moga is the headquarters of the sub-division of the same name. It is 56 km east
of Firozpur, with a railway station and a number of pucca roads leading to
Ludhiana, Amritsar through harike, Dharmkot, Firozpur and Kot Kapura. According
to the 1991 Census its population was 1,10,958.
Moga is one of the biggest
market for agricultural produce in Punjab and an important livestock market. It
has quite a number of establishments manufacturing oil-engines, agricultural
implements like disc-harrows and ploughs, machine and wood screws, belt
fasteners and motor parts. Cotton ginning and pressing, rice husking and
oil-seed milling are among the usual types of processing industries.
This town has made rapid
progress in the recent past for various reasons. It is located in a fertile
tract and is of the most important primary assembling markets of the State. It
is bit removed from the border and many families from the western portions of the
district have shifted here. It an important centre for education and medical treatment. It is the hub of political
activities and has some new flourishing industries.
Besides being the most
important market for agricultural produce, the area produces ample quantities
of good quality milk. Taking advantage of this facility, a big concern under
the name of Food Specialties Lts., was established in 1961 by the Nestle
Company of Switzerland. Later on, its name was changed as Nestle India Ltd.
Besides, Moga is the most
important grain market in the country. Moga town had earned a unique distention
by earning foreign exchange by exporting coffee, auto spare parts, nuts,
extracts from rice bran and cotton-seeds, etc.
Muktsar.
– Muktsar, an important historical town and is situated at a distance of about
45 km from Faridkot. It is connected by rail as well as by road with Bathinda,
Kot Kapura, Malaut, Jalalabad and Fazilka. According to the 1991 Census its
population was 66,383 persons. It was the second largest town of the district
after Moga.
Muktsar is associated with
the visit of Guru Gobind Singh, when he reached here after leaving Anandpur
Sahib, Guru and his band of followers stood besieged in a fort by the Mughal
forces. The prolonged siege was demoralizing the Sikhs. They were running short
of food supplies and the prospects of starvation were staring them in the face.
Forty among them submitted to him a document (bedawa) formally disowning his
leadership and left for their homes. When they reached home they were taunted
and put to shame by their women folk for desertion when their leader wanted
them the most. One of these women named Bhago donned male attire and, taking a
vow, proceeded to join the Guru. The forty men followed her with a view to apologizing
to the Guru and rejoining his ranks. On their way to Khidrana, as Muktsar was
then known, they learnt that the Mughal army was chasing the Guru. They
intercepted the Mughals at a pond called khidrana di Dhab and gave them a
determined pitched battle. Guru Gobind Singh had in the meantime reached the
battlefield and fought it. With his own eyes he was the gallant forty
exhibiting superb heroism and bravery and meeting a martyr’s death one by one.
The last of them, their leader Bhai Mahan Singh of Rataul, was gasping his last
breaths when Guru Gobind Singh reached
hi. Sore with contrition and penitence, bhai, Mahan Singh requested Guru Gobind
Singh to pardon him and his men. In great compassion, the Guru tore off the
bedawa and blessed Mahan Singh and his jatha. Bhai Mahan Singh then breathed
his last peacefully. Guru Gobind Singh cremated these forty warriors at the
site where now Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj stands and proclaimed them as muktas
(delivers). He name the pond where they had died as mukti sar meaning the pond
of salvation, from which the town has since derived its name of Muktsar. On
this site a big Gurudwara Tutti Ganddhi and a tank were constructed during the
time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and which was completed later with the help of
the rulers of the Phulkian States. A big fair is held here every year on the
occasion of maghi when people converge here from far and wide to take a dip in
the dip in the holy tank.
Besides, there area few
more Gurudwaras associated with the visit of Guru Gobind Singh while fighting
with the Mugal army, viz. Gurudwara Shahid Ganj, Gurudwara Rakab Sar, Gurudwara
Tibbi Sahib, Gurudwara Tamboo Sahib, and Gurudwara DatanSar.
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