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On the ISC Front
– Annual General Meeting –
Lt Gen Kartar Singh*
The AGM of the ISC was held at the Conference Hall of the
Shivalik Public School, SAS Nagar on Saturday 26th Apr,
2008 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Members from Chandigarh, Panchkula,
SAS Nagar attended in strength. Our Ludhiana and Jalandhar
Chapter were represented by their delegations. The Delhi
and Amritsar Chapters sent goodwill messages.
The agenda included a welcome address by the Convenor Dr
Kharak Singh, Review of Events 2007-08 by Lt Gen Kartar
Singh and presentations by Heads of Advisory Councils, namely,
Dr Sardara Singh Johl, Giani Harinder Singh, Dr Charan Kamal
Singh and S Malkiet Singh Rahi. ISC Chapters at Ludhiana
and Jalandhar held their presentations accompanied by a
film on the efforts being made by the Vanjara Trust for
their uplift of downtrodden Vanjaras. The CEO and his staff
presented the budget for the year 2007-08 followed by Guru
Ka Langar. The afternoon session was opened to members with
their comments and suggestions followed by the ISC Advisory
Councils charting out their programmes for 2008-09. Their
session was concluded with a summing up and a vote of thanks
by Lt Gen Kartar Singh.
Unfortunately, Dr Kharak Singh, our respected convenor was
indisposed and could not attend the Seminar. However, he
sent an inspiring message which was read out to the audience
by Gen Kartar Singh. It is also being published separately
in this issue.
The presentations by Heads of Advisory Councils covered
their activities in the past one year and visualized the
activities for the coming year. These were debated by the
audience during the time allotted as Members' Forum. Useful
suggestions that emerged may be summed up as below:
Coaching Schemes
All members felt that we should raise more funds for these
schemes and open more coaching centres. They highly appreciated
the success of the two schemes at Mukandpur and Khant Manpur.
Dr S S Johl felt that very few of our boys are successful
in competing for the IAS and IIT examinations. He suggested
that we start coaching in this direction too.
TV Channel
Dr Charan Kamal Singh spelt out in great detail
the Project Report he has formulated to enable the ISC to
launch its own TV Channel. The financial outplay too has
been clearly spelt. He felt that with an initial outlay
of approximately three and half crore, we could launch this
project, which, he felt, would thereafter be self-financing.
He recommended the names of some Sikh experts whom he had
contacted and could be included as members of our project.
The audience felt that this was well within our reach as
funds could be raised from our members once the CEO has
obtained permission from the Home Ministry to raise funds
from foreign countries. In fact. S Bhupinder Singh, an NRI
member from the UK who was attending the AGM volunteered
to start the project once we were ready.
Follow-up of Sansar Sikh Convention of 15 Dec, 2007
The Advisory Council on Religious Affairs would need to
follow up the Resolution passed during the above convention
for tackling the menace of drugs/liquor vends, female foeticide,
casteism in our gurudwaras and preservation of Sikh identity,
especially amongst the youth. A call was given by Gen Kartar
Singh for volunteers from amongst members of the ISC to
take up field work in their respective districts. These
field workers could work with the babajis and sants who
attended our meeting. Gen Kartar Singh felt that Babaji
Sewa Singh was doing an excellent job at Khadoor Sahib in
this direction and we could study his model so as to render
assistance to others.
The following policy matters were presented to the House
by the CEO for formal approval:
(a) The present Executive Committee, which is drawn from
various sections of society has done a commendable job so
far. It is therefore recommended that the House extend the
tenure of the present EC by one more year with the inclusion
of Col Jagtar Singh Multani as an additional member. He
has already performed devotedly as Assistant CEO and would
be officiating as acting CEO during out-of-station visits
of the CEO.
Resolution - 1
The august house at this AGM held at Shivalik Public School
on Saturday 26 April 2008 hereby approves unanimously the
continuance of the present Executive Committee of the ISC
for one more year. It also approves the inclusion of Col
J S Multani as a member of the Executive Committee.
Proposed by: - Dr Sardara Singh Johl, M No 103
Seconded by: - Er. Tarlok Singh Nag, M No 355
Approved Unanimously
(b) Lt Gen Kartar Singh proposed that with a membership
reaching 380 members, it would be appropriate to compose
a Governing Council of 100 members. This may be done by
consensus in the Executive Committee. Members were also
requested to send in names of members who are able to devote
time for ISC activities on a regular basis.
Resolution – 2
The august house attending the AGM held on Saturday 26 April,
2008 at Shivalik Public School hereby approves the CEO’s
suggestion to form the Governing Council of the ISC with
100 members. This should be implemented by the Executive
Committee by consensus keeping in mind suggested names proposed
by members within two months. A meeting of the new Governing
Council may be convened at a convenient date thereafter.
Proposed by: Dr Tejpal Singh Chawla, M No 306
Seconded by: S Pritam Singh Kohli IAS (Retd.), M No 295
Approved Unanimously
(c) Accounts: The summaries of unaudited account for the
2007-08 were read out by Col J S Multani. These had already
been placed on the notice board for perusal by members.
Lt Gen Kartar Singh clarified the following policy matters:
(a) Income Tax laws lay down that we spend at least 85%
of the donation received in the GNEF and ISC funds at the
end of the financial year. Failing this we are liable to
pay income tax on the balance amount.
(b) On advice of our lawyers, we have opened a Corpus Fund
and are transferring all membership subscriptions to this
fund. In addition, a certain percentage of the GNEF is also
being transferred each year to the Corpus Fund towards a
future Building Fund. This is to enable us to build a Corpus
for the future projects and construction/acquisition of
an independent HQ organisation.
Resolution - 3
The August House of the ISC which met on Saturday 26 April
2008 at Shivalik Public School, Mohali and unanimously approved
the passing of the Accounts for the year 2007-08 as presented
by Col J S Multani. They highly appreciated the work done
by the ISC HQ and expressed confidence in the CEO and his
HQ staff. The House also approved the transfer of members’
subscriptions and an appropriate percentage of the GNEF
to the Corpus Fund to cater for future expansion of the
ISC HQ.
Proposed by: Bhai Ashok Singh, M No 6
Seconded by: Dr Kashmira Singh Sekhon, M No 308
Passed Unanimously
Conclusion
On the whole the AGM was a success as all members present
took an active part in various discussions on important
issues. We now have a good idea about members’ views
for initiating various projects, mentioned above, in the
coming year.
We would very much like to lay emphasis to start our own
TV Channel at the earliest besides strengthening our contacts
with other Sikh Organisations. We will reach out to all
Sikhs the world over with programmes relating to Gurbani,
Sikh culture, history and ethos, music, entertainment, sports,
etc. Our youth can be attracted by interesting programmes
which relate to our rich heritage and the heroic exploits
of our ancestors. As a follow up to the presentation in
the AGM by Dr Charan Kamal Singh, the Advisory Council IT,
Press and Publication met various experts and arrived at
the following concrete decisions:
(a) The ISC will apply for a license from Government of
India within the next quarter. The Government of India normally
takes 6 to 8 months to process applications.
(b) Meanwhile, the ISC Executive Committee along with the
Advisory Council will approach selected members to sponsor
our case with donationS. We need to raise Rupees Twenty
five lakhs initially which is well within our capacity to
achieve in this short period.
(c) Once FCRA permission is granted, the ISC will raise
the required Rupees Three & half crores to launch the
Channel. ISC is planning to send a delegation abroad for
this purpose. However, we are confident that Sikh Society
is so pro-active, that donors will be forthcoming even before
our delegation goes abroad.
An
Appeal
The Executive Committee of the ISC appeals to all members
in India and abroad to come forth and act as sponsors for
our vital need of an independent TV Channel. This step alone
will place us in a position where all Sikhs can take collective
decisions. We invite you all to join us in this venture.
Waheguru Ji is with us and we shall project Sikhism in its
true perspective for ‘Sarbat Da Bhalla’.
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