R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Amritsar
OBJECTION: The Dal Khalsa has objected to the exhibition of paintings of the Sikh Gurus. The exhibition was organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. Mr Kanwarpal Singh, spokesperson, Dal Khalsa, said here on Thursday that the paintings were highly objectionable. The Dal demanded that Mr P.S. Chandok, DSGMC chief, must tender his apology on the matter.

BLESSED: Bhai Ranjit Singh, former jathedaar of Akal Takht, was blessed with a son here on Thursday. The former jathedar was married in his late forties.

DOCUMENTARY: An hour-long documentary showing the heritage and architecture of the holy city will be shown during the Amritsar Heritage Festival to be held from November 18 to 23. Mr Raminder Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said here on Thursday that Mr Amarjit Singh of Cine India International had produced it with the help of INTACH.

Batala
GRANT RELEASED: The Punjab Government has released a grant of Rs 18.68 crore for government aided private colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh. It was one of the main demands of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union. Mr Ashwani Kansra, general secretary of local unit of the PCCTU, said the grant would be released to colleges before Divali.

Malerkotla
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local Bar Association: president-Mr Karamjeet Singh Sohi; vice-president-Mr Mohinder Pal Goyal; secretary-Mr Ayaz Mohammad; and joint secretary-Mr Vikas Kapila.

COMPETITION: An essay competition on Jal Jeevan Amrit was organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Bhogiwal, near here on Thursday. Mr Bimal Kumar Hans, science master, said Amandeep Kaur stood first, Amanpreet Kaur, second and Kamaljeet Singh, third in high school group, Jeenat Mohindru stood first, Gurwinder Kaur, second and Karan Bhalla third in the senior secondary group in the competition.

PATIALA
LECTURE: Multani Mal Modi College recently organised a lecture on “Bio-technology and its scope” as part of National Environment Awareness Campaign which saw, Dr Aruna Bhatia, head of the Department of Bio-technology of Punjabi University, speaking on the subject. College Principal V.K. Sharma welcomed the guest and spoke about the achievements of the college on the occasion.

VARIETY SHOW: The annual variety show of the British Co-ed School on Friday saw children performing skits, dances and a mock Parliament session. School board chairman Amar Singh Kamboj presided over the function. 

LANGAR HELD: A langar was organised by the Shiv Sena (Hindustan) on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti in the Lahori Gate area. It was inaugurated by party supremo Pawan Kumar Gupta and general secretary Harish Singhal.

STRIKE: On a call by the All-India Insurance Employees Association employees of Life Insurance Company went on a two-hour strike in front of the company’s Chhoti Baradari office, according to Northern Zone Insurance Employees Ass ciation secretary Pushpinder Kaur.

TRIBUTES PAID: Tributes were paid to Gurcharan Singh Chetan, father of Times of India Patiala Correspondent Gurkirpal Singh Ashk, at a bhog ceremony held at Mandi Gobindgarh on Friday. Ropar MP Shamsher Singh Dullo, Parliamentary Secretary Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation Chairman Ved Prakash Gupta and former ministers Madan Mohan Mittal and Dalip Singh Pandhi were among those present. A condolence message from Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was also read out on the occasion. 

Phagwara
SEIZED: A police party headed by Sub-Inspector Gurwinder Singh raided Bholi Music Centre here on Wednesday. As many as 200 pirated CDs were seized. Mr Pal Singh, alias Pataka, was arrested in this connection. A case has been registered.

CELEBRATED: The Pargat Divas of Balmikiji was celebrated with traditional fervour here on Thursday. Various religious functions were held. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, and Mr Joginder Singh Mann, chairman, Punjab Agro Foods, paid tributes to Balmikiji.

CONFERENCE: The 24th three-day biennial academic conference of the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation will be held at J.N. Vyas University, Jodhpur, in Rajasthan from November 1 to 3. This was stated by Dr V.K. Tewari, national secretary, AIFUCTO, here on Friday. The theme of the conference will be "Quality education for all young people-trends, challenges and prospects", he added.

CHANDIGARH

PANCHKULA
SEMINAR: The Food Corporation of India organised a seminar on stress management at its regional office in Sector 4 here on Friday. Mr V.K. Kapoor, an authority on the subject advised employees to regulate their lives by taking a balanced diet, besides exercise, meditation and yoga.

HARYANA

Jhajjar
KILLED: Manju, a student of Vaish College of Girls of Bahadurgarh, was crushed to death by a goods train here on Thursday.

RAPED: A woman was allegedly raped by a youth in Suloda village of the district here on Thursday. The police has registered a case against Naveen, a resident of the same village.

Kaithal
NABBED: A police party led by CIA Inspector Amrik Singh has nabbed members of a gang of motor cycle thieves and recovered eight motor cycles from them. This was stated by Mr Ranbir Sharma, Superintendent of police, here on Friday.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Chamba
SANCTIONED: Ms Pratibha Singh, member of Parliament, has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for the construction of a government college building at Bharmaur. She promised to allocate more funds for the construction of the college building, according to a press note here on Friday.

Dharamsala
LOANS: As many as 91 customers were given loans worth Rs 4 crore at a marketing campaign-cum-loan mela organised by the State Bank of India at Hotel Dhauladar here on Thursday. Mr S.N. Mahajan, deputy general manager, zonal office, Shimla presided.