The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, November 16, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
FORUM FORMED: The Department of Blood Transfusion formed the Thalassemia Welfare Forum here on Tuesday. As many as 984 units of blood were given to the needy on the occasion. More than 310 units of blood were given to 42 registered Thalasemic children.

BATHINDA
EYE CAMP: The local Divine Eye Research Foundation organised an eye camp at Sema village in this district. As many as 410 persons were examined and 25 cataract operations performed at the camp.

FEROZEPORE
ARRESTED: The Vigilance Bureau, has arrested Randhir Singh, a senior assistant with the Oriental Insurance Company, allegedly while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 from Daljit Singh of Muktsar. A case has been registered in this regard.

HOSHIARPUR
RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among members of the Rajput and Balmik communities of the district for not giving representation to them in the PPCC. A member of the Rajput community urged Capt Amarinder Singh, President of the PPCC, to give due representation to the community.

MEETING: A delegation of the Punjab Revenue Officers Association headed by Mr Iqbal Singh Sandhu, president of the association, met Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Revenue Minister, Punjab, and discussed their long-pending demands with him. In a press note issued here on Tuesday, Mr Sandhu said the minister had agreed to soon accept their demands.

JALANDHAR
GANG BUSTED: The police has busted an inter-state gang of robbers with the arrest of Dadri of Madhya Pradesh, Babli of Guna, Sanwali of Hoshiarpur and Gabra of Phagwara. Mr Gaurav yadav, SSP, said 20 kg of poppy husk also seized from their possession.

KAPURTHALA
DEMONSTRATION: Employees of nationalised banks staged a demonstration in front of the local branch of Punjab and Sind Bank on Tuesday. They also held a rally in protest against the alleged anti-employee policies of the government.

KHARAR
KILLED: Pritpal Singh was killed in a road accident on Tuesday when his scooter on which he was returning home was knocked down by an unidentified vehicle. He was taken to the PGI where he died. The Kharar Police has registered a case under Section 279/304 A of the IPC.

Ludhiana
WITHDRAWN: Dr Ashok Kumar Sharma, acting president, Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association, has expressed his gratitude towards Dr Ratan Singh Ajnala, Animal Husbandry Minister, Mr V. N. Ozla, Financial Commissioner- cum- secretary and Dr Gurcharan Singh Chahal, Director, Animal Husbandry, Punjab, for withdrawing the increase of the purchase fees .The notification which was issued on November 7, stated that the subsidy for FMD vaccine was 50 percent and health certificate for poultry was 50 paisa per bird.

released: Reiki master and Vastu expert Mr Sunil Chadda released his cassette on Dhyan Sadhna. Mr Chadda informed that the cassette had been recorded in order to bring down the stress, tension and negative thoughts from the mind and to provide complete rest to the body.

Lok Adalat: With a view to dispose off the long pending cases in the courts, a quarterly Lok Adalat would be organised on November 18, 2000. Giving details, Mr S.S. Arora, District and Session Judge, informed that the Lok Adalat would be held in all the 21 courts in new and old judicial court complexes, in which cases of different kinds would be taken up with the consent of litigants and efforts would be made to amicably settle maximum number of cases. He said the special attention would be paid to dispose off maximum number of bank related cases, which in routine, dragged on for a long time. Mr Arora further informed that a special court would be conducted exclusively for clearing the large number of pending traffic challans. He appealed to the litigants to come forward to get their pending cases settled through mutual understanding.

stir: Bhagwan Parshu Ram Brahmin Sabha has vowed to continue its agitation against the vulgar and derogatory song bahmani glass vargi, saying that the apology tendered by the singer duo, Bagga Safri and Surinder Sapna, was meaningless. Dr Krishan Rai Sharma, president of the sabha, has maintained that the brahmin community will never forgive the singers till the stir was taken to its logical conclusions. Ms Asha Sharma, vice- president of the sabha, said the agitation will continue till every one concerned with the objectionable cassette, the singers, lyricist, designer and the audio cassette company, were proceeded against. According to senior vice-president of the sabha, Mr Dharm Pal Sharma, members of the brahmin community will stage a demonstration at mini-secretariat on November 16 and would submit a memorandum to district authorities for registration of a case against the offenders.

MOGA
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the district Rotary Club: president — Dr Ramesh Lal Goel; secretary — Dr Ram Singh Dhaliwal and treasurer — Mr Jagmohan Singh.

HONOURED: The Income Tax Commissioner (Ludhiana circle), Mr K.K. Kapila, honoured the highest income tax payers at a function held here. Dr P.N. Mahajan from the professional category, Mr Rajinder Singh from the business category and Mr S.S. Rana from the salaried category were honoured.

NAWANSHAHR
EYE CAMP: An eye-operation camp was organised in the memory of Pandit Dindyal Aeri at Jadla village, about 10 km from here, on Monday. Dr R.L. Sharma, Civil Surgeon, inaugurated the camp in which 500 patients were examined and 18 operations performed.

TRAINING CAMP: The district Agriculture Department organised a training camp for farmers and a seminar on oil seeds Malpur Arkan, about 5 km from here, on Monday. The farmers were advised to grow pulses, oil seeds and other cash crops.

DENTAL CAMP: The district Dental Health Department organised a dental camp at Civil Hospital, Banga, about 13 km from here, on Monday. Dr Gurdip Singh, SMO, inaugurated the camp. As many as 325 patients were examined and 18 denture-sets given to the needy patients on the occasion.

SEMINAR: The Punjab State Human Rights Commission, the Indo-British Project on Child Rights and Child Protection in Punjab and the Coordination Committee of NGOs jointly organised a seminar on “Child rights and child protection” at K.C. Public School here on Monday.

PHAGWARA
EYE CAMP: An eye camp was organised by the Lions Club (Royal) here on Tuesday. As many as 850 persons were examined and 110 operations performed. Mr Parminder Singh, president of the club, said medicines were provided free of cost.

SAHNEWAL
DECLARED: Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, general secretary, Youth Wing, Shromani Akali Dal, declared that the government school of Paddi village would be upgraded and named in the memory of constable Jasbir Singh ,who lost his life fighting the miscreants, while on duty. He also said that one member of Mr Jasbir Singh's family would be given employment by the government. Mr Heera Singh Gabaria, former MLA, promised to give Rs 1 lakh to the bereaved family of the constable. The family of Mr Jasbir was given Rs 50,000 each by Mr Kuldip Singh, District Police Officer, and Dr Arora.

SAMRALA
Banks observe strike: All banks in Samrala, Machhiwara, Panjgrayan, and Sherpur Bet remained closed today on account of strike, causing a great inconvenience to the public especially the farmers who had come to purchase the non-judicial papers for their sale deeds. Mr J.P Singh, Vice-President of the Punjab Banks Employees' Union ,and Mr N.P. Sharma, Branch Secretary, claimed that the bank strike was complete. They urged the government to implement their demands that had already been accepted.

camp organised: Mr Sushil Kumar , the local DSP, inaugurated a free dental check-up -cum - care camp at a Primary School, Balion , 2km from here on Wednesday. The camp was organised by the Lions Club , Samrala. The dentist, Mr Pritpal Singh Benipal, examined and treated more than 250 students and also explained them how to take care of their teeth. The club also distributed toothpastes and brushes among poor students. The club will organise an AIDs and drug awareness seminar in the month of December.

competition: The Dastarbandi competition will be held on November 18 in the premises of Nankana Sahib Public School. This is in continuation of the celebrations of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. According to Ms Kuldeep Kaur , Principal of the School, Kirtan and Akhandpath would also be held alongwith the cultural programme.

Boat becomes functional: Mr Kirpal Singh Khirnian , member SGPC, inaugurated a project related to a boat on the Sirhind Canal at Dhande village , 9 km from here, on Tuesday. This boat had been non - functional for more than 3 years. Ms Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal , a former MP, was also present on the occasion. The District Planning Board has spent Rs 2.5 lakh on the project.

SANGRUR
EYE CAMP: A three-day eye camp was organised by the Lions Club Sangrur (Greater), in collaboration with the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Bagh Sahib, at Kheri village, near here, from Sunday. Mr Mukesh Sharma, secretary of the club, said around 615 patients were examined and 60 operated upon during the camp.

CHANDIGARH

alleged: The local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has taken strong notice of the horse-trading techniques adopted by the contenders for the elections of chairman of the market committee. In a joint statement acting president of the morcha Mr Satinder singh, ex general secretary Mr Shakti Prakash Devshali and ex- district president Mr Sashi Shankar Tiwari alleged that the contenders were using illegal means to get the votes of the directors of the market committee. The morcha also demanded that the contenders should declare their assets before the poll which was scheduled for November 20.

resignation sought: The Anti-Corruption Crime Cell of Chandigarh Nationalist Congress Party (CNCP) on Wednesday demanded immediate resignation of Bibi Jagir Kaur from the post of the president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar. In a joint statement issued by Mr Maninderjit Singh Goldy, chairman, Mr Jagjit Singh Oberoi, president and Mr Ravinder Singh Tony senior vice president of the Anti Corruption Crime Cell, CNCP, and Mr Gurbachan Singh, president, Mr Sham Lal Kanoujia, secretary and Mr G.S. Sidhu, general secretary of the Chandigarh Nationalist Congress Party said the post of the president of the SGPC was an important one and if arrested Bibi Jagir Kaur was likely to hurt the religious sentiments of the people here.

blankets DISTRIBUTED: Chandigarh Territorial Congress Committee (CTCC) celebrated the 111th Birth Anniversary of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru by distributing blankets among the poor at the Sector 26, here on Tuesday. Mr B.B. Bahl, president of the CTCC also payed homage to Panditji.

celebrations: The Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM) is celebrating 47th All India Cooperative week from November 14 to November 20 on its premises. Issuing a press note here on Wednesday the Regional Director of the institute Dr N. Pasricha said the main objective of the celebration was to assess the achievements of different streams of cooperative activities and also to chalk out strategies for further improvement. The function will be chaired by Thakur Davendra Singh, chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Cooperative Union and also chairman of the local committee of the RICM.

ELECTED: In a meeting organised by the Dhobi Welfare Society at Labour Chowk here on Wednesday following office-bearers were elected to the society-chief patron of the society, Mr Gurbachan singh; chairperson: Mrs Rani Chauhan; vice chairman: Mr Sham Lal Kanoujia and adviser: Mr Kulbir Singh Karnal.

Athletics meet: The second Annual Athletics meet of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sector 40-C was inaugurated by Mr Harinder Singh Giani here on Tuesday. About 300 students participated in various events including Taekwon-do, javelin throw, short put, long jump, high jump and races. Stressing the need of such events, Mr Giani encouraged the children to take part in sports and athletics. He also gave away the prizes to the winners.

Nagar kirtan: Nagar kirtan in connection with the shaheedi divas Guru Teg Bahadur would be held on November 29. According to a press note issued by Mr Sardool Singh Vikhu, convener of the Nagar kirtan talmel committee here on Wednesday the kirtan will start at 12.30 pm from Gurdwara Sahib at Sector 22 and pass through Sector 17 bus stand to Sectors 7, 8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, Gurdwara Sahib and terminate at Gurdwara Sahib at Sector 37 at around 7.30 p.m.

rally: On the call given by National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers, the employees and engineers of the state electricity board under the banner of various unions and federations of employees and engineers held a massive rally at the Parade Ground here on Wednesday. The demand of the employees included the scrapping of the Electricity Bill 2000, to stop privatising of electricity boards and withdrawal of the unaffordable power rates imposed on the agriculture and industrial sectors as well as domestic consumers.

plea: A former local MP, Mr Satya Pal Jain, has asked the Muslims and other minority communities of the country to come closer to the BJP after the call given by the BJP national President , Mr Bangaru Laxman. He was addressing a gathering of Muslim leaders in the city yesterday. He asked the Muslims to appreciate the role of the BJP.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

KANGRA
CAMP ORGANISED: A unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad( ABVP) at MCM DAV College here in collaboration with the NIIT organised a blood donation camp at the local DAV college in memory of late Sunil Upadhyay, founder of the ABVP. About 50 students donated blood on the occasion.

KASAULI
AWARENESS CAMP: An awareness camp was organised by the Town and Country Planning Department at Circuit House here on Tuesday regarding misconceptions among people about the rules and regulations of the Town and Country Planning Act.

Solan
WATER SUPPLY SCHEME: A Rs 48.06-crore scheme for the augmentation of drinking water supply has been sent to the government for sanction, according to Dr Rajiv Bindal, local MLA.

Regional Potpourri

Entering adulthood? Donate blood

A novel way to enter adulthood came to light when an undergraduate BA student along with a student of an engineering college celebrated their 18th birthday by donating blood. With this first blood donation their cherished dream was fulfilled.

Miss Poonam of Sirsa’s Bansal Colony was inspired by her parents, Mr Bhagirath and Mrs Bimla Devi, regular blood donors for the past two to three years. Mr Bhagirath has already donated blood 11 times while his wife has done so five times. Poonam was joined by her father in blood donation (see photo).

The fully teenager said she was awaiting this day to send a message to the youth to suspend all misconceptions about blood donation and drive home the point that it could save a life.

The other student, Kunal, a resident of Arya Samaj Road, said being a science student he wanted to set an example for the youth to celebrate occasion by joining in this noble cause. The holy books gave high priority to donations for a good cause. He has also pledged to donate his eyes, so that he could help the blind.

A third such example was set by Bhawna, daughter of the president of the local Shiv Shakti Blood Bank. She specifically came from Chandigarh to donate her blood and said her father’s dedication to this cause was a source of inspiration.

A spokesman of the blood bank, citing examples, said a bank employee, Gurbaksh Monga, had donated blood to celebrate her minor daughter’s birthday.

An office-bearer of the local Lions Club, Chander Shekhar, had also donated blood on the death anniversary of his brother, who had died in a road accident a few years back. Since then he had been donating blood every year.

The blood bank had prepared a list of regular blood donors and was organising different programmes to encourage people to come forward and give blood.

A haven for drug traffickers

Pathankot, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, has become a haven for drugs and illicit liquor traffickers. In the past month there has been an alarming rise in liquor smuggling cases, particularly by young women carried illicit liquor and “lahan”.

At present three courts are functioning and magistrates are dealing with excise and other cases pertaining to Pathankot subdivision. Over 300 excise cases are pending in the courts here.

The police authorities of Division No 2 have recently arrested Baby and Jogindero, residents of Sujanpur, and allegedly recovered from each of them 20 bottles of liquor.

Similarly the Sadar police arrested one Shakuntala and recovered from her possession 90 litres of “lahan”. Another woman, Raj Rani of Dholwan village was arrested by the police and 40 bottles of liquor recovered from her.

Besides, a number of women were arrested at different police stations. They were challaned under Section 61/1/14 of the Punjab Excise Act, and face trial.

The village of Chhani-Baley, situated on the Pathankot-Jalandhar highway, 15 km from here, is the basic source of liquor traffickers. A particular community is selling liquor and lahan on the roadside there. About 200 persons are carrying on this illegal trade. The government, in spite of claiming to be a social welfare state, has done nothing to rehabilitate this much-abused community and is satisfied only in involving them in criminal cases.

More foreigners for Manali-Leh highway

The opening of the Manali-Leh highway, one of the highest roads in the world, to foreigners has resulted in tremendous increase in foreign tourists. The road journey has become popular among visitors from the West.

According to reliable sources, 12,063 foreign tourists visited the Ladakh region through Lahaul and Spiti districts till October this year, whereas 6,700 foreign tourists had visited Ladakh in 1991.

The 475-km-long Manali-Leh highway winds its way over four high passes, namely Rohtang Pass (3978 mt), Baralacha La (4883 mt), Luchlung La (5065 mt) and Tanglung La (5328 mt). The drive from Manali to Leh is one of the most spectacular in the world. While driving to Leh, travellers are treated to magnificent, breath-taking views of barren mountains which change colour with the rising and setting sun.

Adventure lovers who do not want to complete this journey by luxury bus adopt different modes of transport. While some travel by jeep, others venture on motor-cycle. The more adventurous try to do this on bicycles.

With the massive efforts of the Border Roads Organisation, the 13,050-ft high Rohtang Pass was thrown open to vehicular traffic in the last week of April this year, whereas last year this pass was opened in the last week of May.

The early opening of the Manali-Leh highway also made it possible to carry food, arms and ammunition for the troops in Kargil, Dras and Batalik sectors. The early clearance of snow in the past two years, facilitated and enthused thousands of domestic visitors to see Rohtang pass covered under a thick blanket of white snow, which was a unique experience to many of them.

Keeping in view the increasing number of foreign and domestic tourists to Leh and the tribal belt of Lahaul-Spiti, Mr M.P. Bezbaruah, Union Tourism Secretary, paid a visit to Manali in the last week of August. Mr Bezbaruah met local travel agents, hotel associations, government officials and other non-government organisations to discuss ways and means to develop communications, medical and rescue facilities.

Contributed by Bhupender Dharmani, Ravi Bhushan Puri and MC Thakur.