R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
CONFERENCE: The three-day conference on the inner dynamics of Sri Guru Granth Sahib organised by the Department of Guru Nanak Studies of Guru Nanak Dev University, in collaboration with the Academy of Guru Granth Studies, USA, concluded here on Saturday.

ADOPT A GRANNY: The All-India women’s conference, with programme to ‘adopt a granny’ distributed winter clothing and other utility items and Divali material on Sunday to old women here.

DEPARTMENT OPEN: The Cash Department of Guru Nanak Dev University will remain open on Monday so that students can deposit their admission forms and fees.

PENSIONERS ASSN: The Punjab State Pensioners and Senior Citizen’s Welfare Association on Sunday threatened to launch a protest dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here allegedly against the callous attitude of the state government on October 25.

WORKSHOP ENDS: A two-day workshop on national dairy development which started from Thursday concluded on Saturday at Hotel Royal Castle here. This was stated in a press note issued by the General Manager of Milk Point Verka.

PUNJABI PLAY: A Punjabi play, ‘License’, based on a story of great short story writer, Sadat Hassan Monto was enacted by students of BBK DAV College for Women on Sunday. The play, adapted and directed by Punjabi playwright Jardish Sachdeva.

BATHINDA
GK COMPETITION: Ms Surinder Kataria, District Education Officer, on Sunday said administration and education institutions should pay more attention towards holding extra-curricular activities so that the students get practical knowledge in addition to their academic course. Ms Kataria was speaking at the local SSD Public School where a general knowledge competition was organised by the local Rotaract Club.

HOSHIARPUR
BANNED: Mr Kirandeep Singh Bhullar, District Magistrate, Hoshiarpur, has again extended Section 144 of the CrPC throughout the district.

NGOs URGED: NGOs should come forward to cover inhabitants of far flung and slum areas under the modern health programme. This was stated by Mr Romesh Chander Dogra, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, at the inauguration of a dispensary set up by the Manav Sewa Trust at the local Zaimal Singh Nagar here on Saturday.

CASE REGISTERED: On a complaint lodged by Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies here, by the Garshankar police registered a case under Section 409 of the IPC against Mohinder Singh, former secretary of the Agriculture Cooperative Society on Friday. According to FIR Mohinder Singh had allegedly embezzled Rs 1,87,336 of the society.

KAPURTHALA
TRIBUTES PAID: Tributes were paid to Nawab Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Sikh General and founder of Kapurthala princely state on his 219th death anniversary observed in the local state gurdwara on Sunday organised by Guru Ka Lal Sultan-ul-quam Nawab Jassa Ahluwalia Memorial Trust.

KHANNA
RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among farmers over the non-payment of paddy bonus declared by the Chief Minister Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, before the Assembly election and the relief announced for the drought-hit by the Centre. The farmers said both the governments were not keen on watching the interest of the farmers who were already under debt. They expressed their concern over the delay in the release of the relief announced for the drought-hit by the Centre, especially when Haryana had started giving the relief of Rs 20 per quintal to its farmers. Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, national general secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) has urged the government to release the payments to the farmers.

LUDHIANA
BLOOD DONATION CAMP: Lions Club Supreme, Mandi Gobindgarh district 321-F, organised a blood donation camp in collaboration with the Regional Institute of Management and Technology. Ninetytwo units of blood were collected by blood bank of the Red Cross Society, Ludhiana as stated by Lion Dr Manmohan Kaushal, president of the club here on Sunday.

MEDITATION: Swami Anand Yaragiya, one of the oldest disciples of Osho from Osho Commune International, is in the city to make the people aware about the benefits of the meditation. Swamiji joined Osho commune in 1974. Talking to mediapersons at a press conference at the residence of Mr Prem Nath Gupta, heading the Osho Ashram, Ludhiana. Swami ji said in the stressful life meditation had become more relevant.

EYES DONATED: Eyes of Bakshinder Kaur were donated by her family after her death in an accident to Puranjot Eye Bank, Punjab. According to a press release, the deceased was 24 years old and was working as a teacher in Radha Vatika Senior Secondary School, Khanna. Gurmeet Singh, husband of the deceased, said the family was motivated by the Principal and Chairman of the school. Both the corneas have been transplanted to the needy patients free of cost, said Dr Ramesh, director of the eye bank.

EMBROIDERY CONTEST: On-the-spot embroidery contest was held at BCM Arya Model School on Saturday. The contest was organised by Madura Coats Ltd to encourage the students to take up embroidery in an easy manner. The students were divided into junior and senior groups. In junior group, 120 students participated whereas in the senior group 90 students took part. The pre-printed canvas and needles were provided to the contestants by Anchor Threads. The winners of the junior group are Sanya Syal of V11A, (1), Karuna Taneja of V11B, (2), Manpreet Kaur, V11 A, (3) and consolation prize went to Aakriti and Shina of V11 B and Vishakha of V1C. In the senior section, Kirat Anand-1X D, 1; Bhavana-V111B, 2; Pallavi-1X D, 3 and consolation prize went to Sarishma, Ravneet Kaur and Inderpreet, all students of Class 1X.

EXHIBITION: Green Land Senior Secondary Public School organised an inter-house art and craft exhibition on Saturday. The students of classes 1V to X11 exhibited their creations. Around 2,000 articles were on display. They ranged from bangles, paintings, artificial flowers, embossed paintings to oil and fabric paintings. Jagriti House was adjudged the best house as they had depicted through paintings , the changing face of the woman’. Shakti House and Kirti House bagged second and third positions, respectively. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr.& Mrs Rudra, chairpersons of the Sant Kirpal Vidayak Mission.

QUIZ CONTEST: An inter-class quiz competition ‘Inquisitive minds’ was organised at the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Gujarkhan, on Saturday. Five teams participated in the contest. The questions were based on business matters, advertisements, current affairs, politics, general knowledge etc. The team comprising Preeti and Jasmine of BBA III year stood first, followed by team of Rajbir and Nidhi Gupta of MCA III. The audience too won special prizes.

NSS CAMP: The Ministry of Culture Youth Affairs and Sports and Punjabi University, Patiala, had jointly organised a 10-day NSS training and orientation camp at the Pratap College of Education, Ludhiana, which concluded on Saturday. The programme officers from different schools, colleges and polytechnic colleges attended this camp. All the programme officers were given certificates on the concluding day of the camp.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

CHAMBA
RESIGNED: Mr Roshan Lal Sharma, senior vice-president of the Himachal Pradesh PWD Ministerial Staff Association, has resigned from the post of Superintendent and joined the Congress. Announcing this here on Saturday, Mr Sharma said leaders of the Congress high command had assured him a ticket from Bharmour tribal Assembly constituency in the ensuing Assembly elections.

HAMIRPUR
VHP LEADER: NSUI has decided to burn the effigy of VHP leader Praveen Togria in all colleges of the state on Tuesday. Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, president of the state unit of the NSUI, said this at Nadaun on Sunday.

KHOKHA OWNERS: A deputation of Khokha owners of the main bus stand complex met the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, on Sunday and apprised him of their problems. They told the Chief Minister that it would be difficult for them to pay the heavy price of shops following the decision of the district administration due to their poor fiscal condition. The Chief Minister assured them that he would discuss the issue with the district administration.

NAHAN
FUNCTION CONCLUDES: The function of zonal tournaments of high schools at Moginand, near Nahan, concluded on Saturday. The function was presided over by the vice-chairperson of the state Planning Board, Ms Shyama Sharma.