Khatkar Kalan (Punjab), Feb 23 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday termed Pakistan as the epicenter of terrorism in the world, and said Islamabad has been forced by the Indian policy to admit that its soil was being used for terrorist attacks on India.

Khatkar Kalan (Punjab)/ New Delhi, Feb 23 : Congratulating the team of ''Slumdog Millionaire'' for its resounding success at the Oscars, Home Minister P. Chidambaram today said he would ask the Finance Ministry to exempt from taxation all cash prizes won by A R Rahman at the Oscars.

"If the Oscars carry any cash award, I would recommend to the Finance Minister that it should be exempt from taxation," Chidambaram said while addressing a public function at Khatkar Kalan in Punjab today.

Amritsar, Feb 22 : A three-day cultural extravaganza, featuring the rich heritage of Amritsar, got underway with a colourful procession.

People from all walks of life in the city are participating in the annual heritage festival.

The festival is a major draw with caparisoned elephants, camels and horses, Bhangra and Giddha groups.

Authorities say that the festival helps in reviving the link between youngsters and their heritage.

Fazilika (Punjab), Feb. 20: Phulkari, the traditional art of floral designs on fabric, has been a synonym of Punjabi culture and a major charm among Punjabi women for centuries. However, a number of resident women in Fazilika town here have earned recognition for themselves through a special embroidery work.

Several resident women, some of whom initially received training from migrant Muslim craftsmen families of Uttar Pradesh, have today made the specialized embroidery work their occupation.

Ludhiana, Feb. 16 : Having contributed his bit as an Olympian, Hardeep Singh Grewal, who used to play as India''s center-half in the team, is helping a new crop of youngsters to rise in hockey.

Hardeep believes the success of Indian hockey at the international stage depends training a new crop of motivated youngsters.

Amritsar, Feb 16 : To mark the Saka Nankana Sahib anniversary on February 21, a Sikh Jatha (group) comprising nearly 150 devotees left for Pakistan this morning.

Chatin Singh, Former MP and member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) is leading the Jatha.

The event is being held to commemorate the anniversary of a movement launched in 1920 to free Gurdwaras from the control of Mahants who were supported by the British.

Singh said that this is for the first time that an SGPC-led Jatha is going to Pakistan to mark the Saka Nankana Sahib anniversary.