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| Monday,
December 23, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Case against former Speaker, 40 others Ludhiana, December 22 According to the FIR, the sit-in caused a traffic jam and burning of the effigy put lives in danger. The case has been registered under Sections 268, 283, 285 and 290 of the IPC. The Sections deal with causing danger, obstruction or injury in a public way, fire to endanger human life and public nuisance, respectively — all bailable offences. Mr Satpal Gosain, who has thrice before been elected to the Assembly from Ludhiana, said the BJP would stage more such protests in future and even fill jails to fight the “oppressive tactics” of the Congress government. “The Congress government is hellbent on registering cases against former legislators and leaders of the
Opposition. The action does not intimidate us,” said Mr Gosain. He said the BJP had been protesting peacefully against the conduct of three Congress leaders in Gujarat and such protests had not been organised for the first time. He said it seemed that the Chief Minister was upset at the burning of his effigy. “The BJP is not the only party to have staged a sit-in. No one else has been charged with this offence,” said Mr Gosain. Meanwhile, the police is finding out who all had took part in the protest rally. The police said the registration of the case was not politically motivated. It had made a policy decision not to allow anyone to stage sit-ins at places where these could disturb normal life in the city. It said cases for such offences had been registered in the past as well, without fear or favour. |
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Cultural
bonanza at Sur-Taal 2002 Ludhiana, December 22 The second day was the day of folk songs.Out of 31 participants,
five singers were short listed. These five are Ravneet Jalal (1),
Harbir Kaur (2), Nitesh Benson (3), Ranjit Rana (4), Jasleen Akhtar
(5). The team of Ramgariha Girls College, Ludhiana, won the first
prize in traditional singing.
Nine teams participated in giddha. Khalsa College for Women,
Sidhwan Khurd, bagged the first position followed by giddha team of
Malwa Central College of Education, Ludhiana, and Ramgarhia Girls
College that were placed second and third, respectively. The winners
would be participating in the finals to be held in Patiala on January
19.
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Magic of Gurbani that cured cancer Ludhiana, December 22 The person who thought the countdown to the end had started after the
diagnosis revealed cancer, feels hale and hearty today. He said: “A visit to Darbar Sahib and a sermon of Guru Granth Sahib has saved me from the dreaded disease. I have been a student of science, but, now, I believe that God can make impossible things possible.” The Sarab Rog Ka Aukhad Nam Mission (SRKANM) made it possible for him. Mr Bharadwaj was advised by his wife and a friend to visit the Golden Temple and listen to Gurbani. He stayed there for three days, listening continuously to the sermon of Guru Granth Sahib; and the results were
miraculous — within three days, he felt a total change in his body. He has got Gurbani recorded on audio tape and he listens to it every day. He is not the only one to have had this experience; there are hundreds others like him, who have been getting treated at the mission camps. The mission established in 1983 by Mr Hardial Singh, a retired IAS officer, has its philosophy rooted in Gurubani. “Sarab Rog Ka Aukhad Nam” (that divine name heals every disease) — the name of the mission has been derived from it. The mission has, so far, organised hundreds of free camps, providing thousands of patients across the globe with cure. Dr Balwant Singh, a physician who conducts camps for the mission, says that the name of the divine has worked wonders with thousands of patients. He cites several examples and says: “The success rate at the mission camps is over 90 per cent, though no cumbersome surgery is involved. Simple recitation of seven hymns leads to cultivation of faith, which, ultimately, heals the person.” “The mission is a non-religious body devoted to social work and its medical successes are open to scientific verification. The documents are available to all. The mission has cured diseases like thyroid cancer, cancer of the bones, stomach cancer, pemphigus vulgaris, reinitis pigmentosa, brain tumour and several other deadly diseases,” Dr Balwant Singh said. |
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Officers’ club opened; civilians kept out Ludhiana, December 22 Lieut-Gen K. Nagaraj, GOC 11 Corps, inaugurated the institute in a simple ceremony. To begin with, the club has got 100 members; and the membership can be increased, if need be. This institute is centrally located, at Camping Ground near Jagraon Bridge. The inauguration was done with traditional military pomp and show. There were hot debates on whether to enroll civilians as members or not. The members arrived at a consensus that civilians should not be made members, as the past experience showed that they, soon, took over defence clubs. Air Marshal M.S. Sekhon, who triggered the debate, said the success of the club would depend on the efforts put in by the members. He said civilians should be kept out of the show, as past experience showed that they ruined it. Major General S.S. Jawanda talked about how earlier efforts to set up the institute had failed. He supported the move that civilians be kept out. Lieut-Gen K. Nagaraj, in his inaugural address, praised the local Army officers for setting up the institute. He, however, said civilians should be allowed to have temporary membership and the club should organise some regular programmes in collaboration with civilians. Col T.P.S. Gill, Commanding Officer 152 TA Battallion, said the institute was much needed. He said it would function temporarily from the mess and have its own building soon. |
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Solar-powered rickshaw developed Ludhiana, December 22 This light-weight rickshaw is equipped with a solar panel that will power the rickshaw to function on road. This is a unique model of a eco-friendly rickshaw and an example of ergonomics. This rickshaw has a weight carrying capacity of 150 kg with differential system for better manoeuvrability and stability. As per Mr Alexander Verghese, a representative of UNIDO, the rickshaw would be exported to six African countries (Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia, Ethopia, Nigeria and Keneya), free of cost. According to Mr B.S. Sangha, general manager of the centre, the commercial production of the rickshaw will now cost around Rs 6000. Another version of the rickshaw meant for goods carriage will cost around Rs 15,000. |
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Shops decked up with Xmas goodies Ludhiana, December 22 Mr Rajesh, a shopkeeper in Ghumar Mandi, said the schoolchildren were the ‘main buyers’ of these
products. "The schoolchildren demand decorative items for decorating their
classrooms. The Xmas trees too are in much demand. These trees are available for Rs 30 to 1,000 depending on the size and stuff of the tree. Some of these trees are fully decorated. We have Christmas cards also. The small huts too are very attractive as these show the birthplace of Jesus Christ”, said Mr Rajesh. Mr Gulbir Garewal of Gary’s collection at Rani Jhansi Road said Father Xmas, Santa Claus and other soft toys too were hot favourites this year. We have Christmas bags also which cost about Rs 150. “Though people have started buying these items, sales would pick up two to three days before Christmas”, said Mr Gulbir. Ms Ashima John, a student of Christian Medical College and Hospital, said Christmas is the time for us to put multicoloured baubles, to bake plum cakes, hang mistletoe on doors, put colourful streamers and place nicely wrapped gifts at the base of Christmas tree. “We hold a series of celebrations. We enjoy, have lots of fun, sing carols, pray to Jesus and spread the message of love, peace and joy”, said Ashima. Sister Helima of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School said in the school, students had already celebrated Christmas. “We had made a beautiful crib depicting the birth of Jesus. On Christmas eve, we offer prayers at midnight and spread the message of Lord Jesus”. Mr V. Abraham, a student, said Christmas was the time to celebrate the end of the year and start of a new year, to greet the light of new century and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. |
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NSSO conference concludes Ludhiana, December 22 The concluding session was presided over by Mr S.L. Minasia, Deputy Director, North Zone, NSSO. Mr Minasia said that a situation assessment survey (SAS), a millennium study of Indian farmers, would also be conducted along with the 59th round on behalf of the Union Ministry of Agriculture. Taking part in the deliberations, the experts emphasised the need for exercising utmost care while canvassing the schedule in the field. Mr Pandey made an appeal to the people to extend their cooperation for the survey since the data and the results would be used by the policy makers to suitably amend the policies on need basis and ensure thorough implementation. |
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Action against Tangri deplored Ludhiana, December 22 In a statement here yesterday, Mr Harbans Lal Sethi, district president, BJP, observed that the police and the administration had thrown all democratic norms and traditions to the wind to keep Tangri behind bars on false and frivolous charges. “Not only this the traders and his party workers have also been booked on various charges”. |
Trade, industry resent ‘unending’ tax surveys Ludhiana, December 22 In a memorandum submitted to the Union Finance Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh, the Punjab Arc Furnace Association alleged that even the genuine tax payers were being harassed and their records being seized. It alleged that even threats were issued, warning the non compliant parties of dire consequence in case they did not submit to the demands. The association alleged that recently a concern was let off only after it paid Rs 20 lakh as bribe as the concern’s assets were over estimated by the survey team and the owner was threatened and bullied. The association maintained that these surveys were being conducted on a pick-and-chose basis. It alleged that the surveys violated all laws. Even personal and bodily searches were conducted which was not allowed under the law. The association suggested that in case the IT Department wanted to increase its revenue it should use persuasive skills and not the coercive methods bordering on terror. The memorandum alleged, the aggrieved people were terrorised and huge sums were demanded from them. It was being claimed that the due share of the bribe money reached all officers. In case the party concerned failed to pay, the information was not retained by the department with itself, but was also passed on to other related departments leading to further trouble for the innocent tax payers. The association maintained that the unlimited number of surveys was all-time high with the Income Tax Department having crossed all limits. “More than 100 surveys were conducted in the last 15 days. Is it justified,” the association asked. It said, the industry was reeling under intense pressure on account of recession. Any further pressure and harassment to the industry or the trade may lead to total collapse of the economy. The association revealed that some leading businessmen had been made to part away with a few crores of rupees during these surveys under duress and pressure. It warned that in case the situation continued like this, the industry may have ultimately to wind up. |
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CICU flays PSEB for
transferring Padamjit Ludhiana, December 22 Mr Inderjit Singh Pardhan, president, and Mr Avtar Singh, general secretary, of the chamber said that was done allegedly under pressure from a powerful private firm and thus spoke volumes about the hollowness of the anti-corruption campaign of the state government. They said Mr Padamjit Singh was known and respected for his integrity, courage and remained a crusader against corruption. The officer was removed because he refused to buckle under pressure and refused to sign blindly an agreement with a firm without verifying the track record with regard to supply of power. The chamber has urged the Punjab Chief Minister, to look into the issue personally and identify the persons who are derailing his drive against corruption Meanwhile, in an interaction with Mr Ghanshyam Shukla, Revenue Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the chamber discussed the lack of uniformity in the rate of sales tax on bicycles and bicycles parts in Uttar Pradesh, in Punjab and other states. While it is 8.8 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, it is 4.4 per cent in Punjab and several other states. Mr Pardhan urged that the uniform rate of sales tax of 4.4 per cent should be charged in Uttar Pradesh also as the bicycles were used by the poor. It said the Union Finance Ministry should be approached by the Uttar Pradesh Government for the withdrawal of excise duty of 4 per cent on completed bicycles, which had enjoyed full exemption from duty till the last Budget. Mr Shukla, assured the chamber that he would arrange a meeting of the delegation of the chamber with the Prime Minister so that the Prime Minister could be requested for the withdrawal of excise duty on complete bicycles. |
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Exhibitions
galore in city Ludhiana, December 22 ‘Concepts Shopping Fest — 2002’, a three-day shopping extravaganza, was inaugurated in a hotel here yesterday. Mr Baljeet Singh, one of the organisers from New Delhi, said: “The exhibition will showcase some of the finest craftsmanship and products. We have chosen the city because we see a good business here”. The products to be displayed at the fest include clothing, footwear, jewellery, sarees, silk flowers, home linen, interior decor, cosmetics, soft toys, skin and beauty care products, leather items and shawls. To make the exhibition more crowd-pulling, the organisers have arranged fashion shows. Another four-day consumer exhibition —‘Lifestyle Exivision 2002’ — is held in the city these days. The exhibition, organised by Showman, of consumer products and services, include health-care systems, home accessories, kitchen products, exclusive crockery, designer clothes, gift items, handicrafts and glassware. ‘Consumer Pro’, another Christmas special four-day exhibition-cum-sale, is being held here. The organiser said the purpose behind organising the exhibition was to bring forth the products at an affordable price under one roof. To celebrate the golden jubilee of Handicrafts Resurgence in India, ‘Utsav’, an exhibition of the craft of Rajasthan, is being organised here these days. The exhibition includes Kota sarees, block printing, paintings, wooden work, marble craft, tie and dye and Barmeri embroidery. Ms Sheetal Malik, a visitor, said: “It is a good concept to organise the exhibitions. In Chandigarh the sales and exhibitions are routine but now these are picking up here”. |
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