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Events leading to Operation Bluestar relived during discussion in Amritsar

Events leading to Operation Bluestar relived during discussion in Amritsar


Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 5

Holding a discussion on the events leading to and after Operation Bluestar in 1984, Majha House invited bureaucrat-turned-author Ramesh Inder and senior journalist Barkha Dutt for its ongoing series on 75 years of Independence.

Held at Punjab Naatshala, Preeti Gill, founder of Majha House, felicitated the guests and thanked them for accepting the invitation.

The events that happened in the aftermath of the 1984 turmoil, the atmosphere before the fateful day and after Operation Bluestar have had a long-lasting impact on the socio-political atmosphere of Punjab.

Ramesh Inder, who was the Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar when Operation Bluestar happened, had also served as the Chief Secretary, Punjab. He has written a tell-all book on the entire series of events that happened during the time, titled “Turmoil in Punjab: Before and after Operation Bluestar, An Insider’s Account”.

“The events were politically motivated, there is no doubt in that, but there were several other elements that added to the turmoil,” he opined. During the conversation, Ramesh Inder talked about how the military action in the Golden Temple was done without any special thinking and some alternate solution to resolve the situation was possible. He said this attack was reprehensible but the dignity of the holy place was first violated by the terrorists by taking arms.

During the course of conversation, Barkha Dutt was asked about the role of Pakistan in all this, she said that the money, weapons and training were given to the militants by Pakistan.

As the DC during the time, Ramesh Inder also discussed how he tried to exercise as much damage control in the aftermath of the military action. “I tried to get the shop owners, residents in the area surrounding Darbar Sahib to vacate the premises, but it was not successful, due to which many people lost their livelihood,” he said.

He termed the attack worse than the one on Jallianwala Bagh. Talking about newspapers and journalists, he said due to their efforts people had a major chunk of news, that is why the exact death toll could not be assessed. Many journalists lost their lives while covering the incident.

The second part of the programme was attended by Sarabjot Behl, Sandeep Singh, Rashmi Talwar, Narendra Sharma, Kulbir Singh and Rattijit from Preet Nagar. Sharing stories and eye-witness accounts of the time and heart-wrenching stories about the loss of lives and belongings gave an emotional ending to the entire session. Barkha Dutt also talked about her book “Humans of Covid”, which is based on her experiences collected on a road trip across the country, talking to people who were at the frontlines and understanding the plight of the masses as the raging pandemic claimed lots of lives.


#Golden Temple Amritsar
#operation bluestar

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Operation Trackshoes returns with scaled-back event at University of Victoria – Victoria News

Operation Trackshoes returns with scaled-back event at University of Victoria - Victoria News


Competitors pull hard in the tug-of-war event during a past Operation Trackshoes at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium. The scaled-down 2022 version of the event celebrating those with developmental disabilities happens Saturday, June 11. (Courtesy Operation Trackshoes)

Competitors pull hard in the tug-of-war event during a past Operation Trackshoes at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium. The scaled-down 2022 version of the event celebrating those with developmental disabilities happens Saturday, June 11. (Courtesy Operation Trackshoes)

Operation Trackshoes returns with scaled-back event at University of Victoria

June 11 games, barbecue brings together athletes, spectators, supporters



An annual sporting event that draws hundreds of athletes and supporters to the University of Victoria each spring returns this weekend with a scaled-back day of fun.

Operation Trackshoes is an annual sports festival for B.C. residents of all ages with developmental disabilities. It’s usually a three-day event at UVic that draws more than 500 athletes to compete in events such as ball throw, high jump, bocce, and running races.

After two years of postponement due to the pandemic, Operation Trackshoes returns Saturday for an informal afternoon for volunteers, competitors, families and supporters to reconnect and enjoy sporting games and a barbecue.

More than 300 people have registered to attend and celebrate the spirit of Operation Trackshoes on June 11, at Centennial Stadium, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Learn more about the organization at trackshoes.ca.


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