 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Mystery shrouds death of hospital inmate
Ludhiana, August 27 Savitri Devi, a resident of Bindra Colony on the Jalandhar bypass, was suffering from anaemia and had been admitted in the hospital since August 23. While she was admitted in the female ward on first floor, her body was found on the ground floor. Her body was sent for a post-mortem. While the hospital authorities said the cause of death would be ascertained after the post-mortem that would be conducted tomorrow, her relatives said she had fallen from a duct through which sewer pipes cross, which did not have grills or other protection. Kamlesh Rani, her daughter-in-law, said she was attending to her when Savitri had left her bed to take water. She did not return to her bed. Kamlesh kept on looking for her throughout the night, but she could not find her. In the morning, her body was located by security guards, who took her to the emergency ward where she was declared brought dead. She was bleeding from her nose and mouth. Kamlesh said the old woman had died due to a fall and doctors were trying to suppress this fact. She further said it was the negligence of the hospital authorities that she had fallen from unguarded duct. At the same time, doctors said had she died due to a fall she would have developed some fractures or any other injury. But there was no sign of any injury on the body. Contradicting another theory rife in the hospital that she had committed suicide, Kamlesh said she was feeling allright mentally and she had no reason to commit suicide. She had only left her bed to drink water.
|
|
Liquor contractors’ henchmen ‘harass’ people
Ludhiana, August 27 After the liquor trade was grabbed by a single contractor, harassment became more pronounced. The liquor contractors have hired people who stop vehicles and check these for liquor. The practice is common along the Ludhiana- Chandigarh Road. Even the vehicles entering from other parts of the state like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are also subjected to intense search. The henchmen of the contractors are accompanied by the officials of the Excise and Taxation Department and also the police. The excise officials have been maintaining that they do not hire any private people for checking liquor smuggling. They claim that liquor smuggling causes loss of excise collections. The department has to take measures to prevent illegal manufacturing, trade and the smuggling of liquor. The officials argue, those who bag liquor contracts pay hefty money to the government. Obviously their interest has to be safeguarded otherwise it will lead to the revenue loss to the state. Moreover, if the department does not cooperate with the authorised contractors, nobody willcome forward at auction. While the officials have been trying to defend the liquor contractors, it is common people who are made to suffer harassment and even humiliation. Supported by the police and the excise officials, the henchmen of the contractors stop vehicles on
and search for diverse. Mr Sudershan Lal, a businessman, said, recently while returning from Chandigarh he was stopped on the outskirts of the city and his vehicle was checked. “They do not even tell why they are stopping the vehicles and start searching them in the presence of police officials”, he alleged. The liquor contractors were worried over the smuggling of liquor from Chandigarh. But after the rates went up there also, the extent of smuggling had relatively come down, but it has not stopped. But did it mean that the common man should be harassed and that too at odd hours along the highways, Mr Lal asked.
|
|
Doctors against diluting
MCI autonomy
Ludhiana, August 27 If Passed in Parliament, this would lead to bureaucratic control over this highly technical body . Such a move would completely jeopardise the functioning of the MCI and affect the standard of medical education in the country. The Medical Council of India was the premier body to look into the affairs of medical education in the country. According to Dr Arun Mitra, secretary of the IDPD, the MCI had been working as an autonomous body with medical professionals as members. Despite certain shortcomings, it had discharged its duties satisfactorily on several matters. What was needed was coordination between the government and the MCI so that medical education could be improved further. This could be done by involving highly placed academicians form
prestigious institutes of the country like the AIMS AFMC, ICMR and PGI. But the move to exercise bureaucratic
control was highly objectionable. Dr Mitra said the Bill should not be rushed through in present session of the Parliament. He said the government must ensure that the autonomy of the MCI was maintained and preserved. Bureaucrats must not have anything to do with the MCI. State medical councils should also be strengthened. He said the IDPD had appealed to the members of Parliament to take a serious view of this amendment and to see
to it was not passed in its present form. He appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene
to save the Medical Council of India and ensure its autonomy.
|
|
Spurt of thefts in lawyers’ chambers
Ludhiana, August 27 Burglars entered three chambers of lawyers last night. They broke open doors and took away money from drawers. The incident came to notice this morning when lawyers came to attend the courts. They were stunned to see the locks of their chambers broken. The burglars had decamped with the money kept by the persons running photostat machines in their drawers. The District Bar Association (DBA) President, Mr Balwinder Goel, said there are 14 outlets to the complex. Before fixing iron gates on these outlets, no useful purpose would be served even if we hire private security services. “The DBA had already placed order for 14 iron gates to be installed on these outlets. After affixing iron gates, private security services would he hired and only then the thefts can be stopped effectively. A number of times the matter has been brought to the notice of the SP City-I and SSP Ludhiana but to no avail,” added Mr Goel. A senior lawyer Mr Ashok Mittal. He has convened a meeting of the allottees of the chambers on August 29 at 11.30 am at Bar Room in the complex to discuss the issue. Last week, burglars took away a newly purchased computer from chamber No 536.
|
|
Case against imposter, two more
Khanna, August 27 On Thursday night, a man came to a brickkiln of Mr. Vijay Aggarwal near Navan Pind Ramgarh at Lalheri Road near Khanna. The man asked the munshi of the brickkiln to load 350 bricks onto the tractor-trailer brought by him. After loading the bricks the Munshi demanded payment and asked for the man’s name to make the cash memo. But the man snatched the cash memo from the munshi and told him that he was Inspector of Food and Supply. He ordered him to send the owner of the brickkiln to his office the next day. He left the brickkiln with the
loaded tractor-trailer. The owner of the brickkiln visited the office of the Food Supply Department but there was no such employee in the office. He lodged a complaint with the Sadar police station, Khanna. Following the complaint the police started investigations. A team led by ASI Balbir Singh searched for the tractor-trailer and the scooter used in the incident. The police party located the vehicles at Majra village. A case against the accused, identified as Balbir Singh, his cousin Jaswant Singh and tractor owner Bittu was registered.
|
|
Rs 11,000 snatched
Ludhiana, August 27 While none of the police officials confirmed the incident, the employees of the agency said at 2 p.m., a worker, Kateshwar, was collecting cash in the godown when two persons with a gun asked him to hand over the cash to them. When he refused, they pointed a revolver at him. Scared, Kateshwar gave away the cash and informed the owner. The SHO, Sadar, Mr Sandeep Sharma, reached the site following the incident. He said this was a strange case with workers giving different versions of the incident. One of them was saying that Rs 35,000 was snatched while another was saying Rs 11,000 was gone. He said they were investigating the matter thoroughly. The police had not registered a case till the filing of this report.
|
|
|
Meet demands of Dalit teachers, Dullo told
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27 Addressing a meeting of union activists organised at the local Municipal Children’s Park, leaders of the union said successive leaderships in the Congress had been ignoring their demands. But with the appointment of Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo as
party chief, the Dalits see a ray of hope. “Otherwise also the Congress has appointed Mr Dullo as president of the PPCC in the expectation that the step will go a long way in mobilising the votebank in the favour of the party,” argued Mr Bhagwan Singh, president of the block establishment.
|
|
Passing Thru
Do you think Indians have become brand conscious?
Yes. Because of media explosion, the thinking of Indians has changed. There has been a sea change in the thinking of Indian women. They want jewellery which is wearable. They do not rely on family jewellers anymore. Today trendy, elegant and sophisticated jewellery is in demand and branded jewellery serves the purpose. Where do you grade Ludhiana as business proposition? Ludhiana is the fastest growing market in the North. People have plenty of money and they live in style. They go for branded products. There is great visibility of diamond jewellery here. With so many shopping malls coming to the city, there is no denying the fact that people have a good buying capacity. Should gold be considered outdated now? The yellow metal is not absolutely outdated, but woman’s perception towards jewellery has changed. They have enough gold to keep in lockers. Earlier, people used to think that diamonds were very expensive and everyone could not afford them. But with branded jewellery even a middle-class person can buy diamonds for his wife. They are not only affordable, but come in a lot of
variety. — Shivani Bhakoo
|
Janmashtami celebrated with fervour
Ludhiana, August 27 Flower bedecked cradles were set up at all temples to rock the Lord. Special poojas were held under the supervision of pandits and were attended by people from all walks of life. People formed long queues to have their turn at rocking the cradle of the newly-born Lord. Apart from langars, delicacies like “malpua” and “khir” were also served to the gatherings at several temples. Besides making elaborate security arrangements outside temples, the police had intensified patrolling in areas around the temples to ensure hassle-free passage to the devout returning home well past midnight. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the city. Among the temples where Janmashtmi was celebrated were Krishna Mandir in Model Town extension, Shri Siddh Peeth at Dandi Swami Chowk, Sanglan Wala Shivala, Shri Sanatan Dharam Ved Mandir in Atam Nagar, Shri Raghunath Mandir in Aggar Nagar, Shri Ram Bhakt Haunman Mandir in New Madho Puri, Shri Durga Mata Mandir, Urban Estate, Dugri, Shri Krishan Balram Gaushala on Pakhowal Road, Shri Ved Mandir, Daresi, Shri Vishnu Mandir, Shri Haridev Mandir, Bagh Wali Gali, Shri Radha-Krishan Mandir, Shri Prem Kutia, Radha Krishan Mandir in Tagore Nagar besides others. Though all temples celebrated the festival on Friday, ISKCON will celebrate Janmashtmi today with a function slated to be held from 7 pm till midnight at the grounds of Arya School.
|
|
Annual Khullar Kul Devi
celebrations
Samrala, August 27 As per Kuldeep Khullar, president, Khullar Dharamshala Welfare Society Manupur, and Raman Khullar, press secretary, a number of health camps will be organised at the fair. While JP and AP Hospitals, Samrala, will take blood sugar test, ECG, and check blood pressure, Benipal Dental Clinic, Samrala, will hold a dental camp for the patients. Eye drops and medicines will be distributed among the needy. Vanamahotsava would also be held in which 500 saplings will be planted. Kargil war widows and other riot victims will also be honoured. Toppers in education and sports, Freedom fighters, literary figures and journalists will also be honoured. PPCC President Shamsher Singh Dullo, Parliamentary Secretary Harbans Kaur Dullo, MP Sukhdev Singh Libra, SGPC member Kirpal Singh Khirnian, former MLA Bachan Singh Cheema, SGPC member Devinder Singh Cheema, BJP president (rural) Hans Raj Sood, MLA Amrik Singh Dillon, Parliamentary Secretary Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, joint secretary PPCC Bhupinder Singh Benipal, former Deputy Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Sat Pal Gosain and SDM Baldev Singh will be among those present on the occasion. A community kitchen will be organised for the congregation.
|
|
Senior citizens seek IT rebate
Ludhiana, August 27 A core committee meeting of the members of the organisation was held at the Swarankar Bhavan here yesterday, where issues of public interest were discussed. The general secretary of the organisation said the decision of the State Education Minister who said teachers, supposed to retire on August 31, 2005 and on last date of subsequent months till January 31, 2006, would retire on March 31,2006 was appreciable, but the facility needed to be extended to government-aided private schools also. Mr Suresh Verma, vice-president of the organisation, said the pensions withheld after May 31 in government-aided private schools needed to be released immediately as no notification had been passed by the state Assembly with a two-thirds majority. The members also said appointments for vacant posts in government, private, colleges and schools must be done. The senior citizens said octroi must be abolished with immediate effect to give relief to the trader community and middle class people.
|
|
Beant kin pin hopes on death anniversary
Ludhiana, August 27 The family members have been feeling sidelined. But with Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, known Beant Singh loyalist at the helm of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), the Beant Singh camp has a reason to feel optimistic. Last year Mr Dullo had publicly, speaking at the death anniversary function, lamented the plight of the Beant Singh Memorial at Chandigarh and the fact that the state had failed to pay the balance to the Chandigarh Administration for completion of the memorial. The money was recently released by the state. Mr Dullo is learnt to be advocating the inclusion of Mr Beant Singh’s son, Mr Tej Parkash Singh, into the ministry. The Punjab Government has already accorded Cabinet status to Mrs Jaswant Kaur, wife of Mr Beant Singh. But that remains a symbolic honour. The family is aggrieved over the sidelining of Mr Tej Parkash. Although Ms Harkanwal Kaur, daughter of Beant Singh, remains a minister, other family members and loyalists insist that it is Mr Tej Parkash who inherits his father’s political legacy. Ignoring him, they argue, amounts to negating the sacrifice made by Mr Beant Singh. While Mr Dullo is learnt to be trying to prevail upon the party high command to depute a senior party leader or a minister to make some announcement that should compensate the family of Mr Beant Singh for his great sacrifice. Mr Dullo has already gone on record saying there could be no another Chief Minister in Punjab like Mr Beant Singh.
|
|
Providing relief in the hour of crisis
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27 Having latest equipment required for rescue operations, the organisation has since saved many lives and property worth lakhs of rupees in the past. Observations reveal that the civil administration has been seeking the help of the base depot for management of disasters, including fire, accidents and caving in of wells. Wing Cdr Rajwant Singh, security in charge of the station, said the station provided services, including expertise and equipment, to civilians free of cost as a goodwill gesture. “Though it had been a practice in this part of the country to charge for the services rendered for controlling fire or dealing with emergency, we had been offering these services free of cost,” claimed the Wing Commander. He said the fire brigade of the Air Force station had fought major fires at 13 spots in the state during the past year. These included fire incidents at Ludhiana, Jagraon and here. Besides extinguishing fire, the authorities have sent earthmovers and cranes for rescue of victims buried under earth and those trapped in accidents. The station has four fire engines, out of which one has been kept as reserve, while the other three are used during emergency situations. The service can be reached through telephone via the police or civil administration. Though the power to approve the facilities lays with the AOC, the security in charge is authorised to render the services and get the approval later. Regrettably, hoax calls from the public have been disrupting the schedule of the defense organisation in the past. “That is why we have made it imperative for public to make the requests through the administration,” he said. Precise and timely information at telephone No. 01624-277317 would be dealt with immediately, he added.
|
|
Rowdyism becomes order of the day at Sutlej Club
Ludhiana, August 27 In the past one-and-a-half years more than 10 members were suspended and given show-cause notices by the president for creating “indiscipline” in the club premises. All members, however, were reinstated later. The membership of two members- Vicky Jain and Ravi Arora — was suspended yesterday for creating indiscipline while playing cards at the club premises. Sources on condition of anonymity said both members were drunk and fought over some money dispute while playing. They entered into a heated argument and came to blows. Resentment prevails among senior members over such “uncalled for” incidents taking place in the club. The members feel that “guilty members” took the show-cause notices and suspension orders lightly. “All are big shots and influential persons. They know by putting pressure, they will be reinstated sooner or later. Not going to club for two-three months is not a problem to them. They should be punished in a manner where they feel the pinch. They should be fined heavily for bringing disrepute to the club or they should not be reinstated before six months”, said one of the members. Some members have appreciated the efforts of the president for taking prompt action against the erring members. “What else can be done? They cannot be hanged. They are all responsible and educated persons. They should know how to behave in a club. All these cases have been reported because we want proper discipline here. There can be differences in the opinion, but that does not mean one starts fighting or creating a scene at a place where respectable families come”, said another member.
|
|
City lensman wins award
Ludhiana, August 27 Mr Sayal started clicking pictures in 1989 with his Nikon camera. But pressures of printing business would not leave him with much time to pursue his hobby . Yet he carried on. He said, “Till last year, I was an amateur photographer and sent my entries to national and international competitions in that category. The first award that I received was in 1989 from Concept Photographic Society. Pictures that I have sent abroad are “happy pictures” and do not show India’s squalor or poverty . I want people to know that India is beautiful.” “Photographer Rakesh Syal of Ludhiana, Punjab, has won the second place in the prestigious photography contest sponsored by Better Photo.com,” the site’s founder, Jim Miotke, announced recently. More than 20,100 entries were submitted for the online photography contest, which attracted contestants from around the world and featured 10 separate categories. Syal’s stunning image, “Velvet Black”, garnered top honours in the “Elements of Design category.” “Now I also use digital camera for sending photographs for the contest. But for portfolios and pictures that one wants to keep, I am a diehard Nikonian. I choose pretty subjects but handle them differently,” said Syal. For a good photograph one has to have a keen eye and the ability to convert an ordinary subject into extraordinary one,” said Syal. |
|
Woman takes insecticide by mistake
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27 The Sudhar police registered a report under Section 174 of Cr P C and handed over the body after conducting a post mortem. Renu, wife of Ajhodhi, a resident of Samastipur in Bihar, used to live at a farmhouse near Ghuman village in Ludhiana district. According to Ajhodhi she had consumed some poisonous substance at about 12.15 am yesterday by mistake. She later died at a private hospital in Ludhiana. Renu was taken to a private practitioner at Sudhar village who gave two doses of medicine. She took a dose in the evening and kept the other for future use. “It was around midnight that she started feeling uneasy. She mistakenly consumed an insecticide that was lying by her bed,” reported Ajhodhi to the police. Ajhodhi did not smell any foul play. Renu was taken to a private hospital at Ludhiana, where she died this morning today.
|
|
SAD rules out formation of third front
Ludhiana, August 27 Stating this here today, former Chief Minister and SAD-B president Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said party, workers were being moblised for this purpose. Mr Badal reiterated his commitment towards the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He ruled out the formation of a third front in the country. He said at least the SAD-B would not be a part of it. Referring to his meeting with the Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandarababu Naidu, Mr Badal said it was a routine meeting. He pointed out that Mr Naidu had also been a staunch supporter of the NDA although his party was not part of the government.
|
|
|
LJP team meets Paswan
Ludhiana, August 27 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Patna said Mr Paswan had appointed Mr Harbalwinder Singh Boparai as the working president of the state youth wing of the party since the incumbent president was not in good health.
|
|
Vanamahotsava organised
Ludhiana, August 27 Twenty saplings arranged by the club were planted by
rotarians, Principal Dr H.S. Gosal and staff on the college premises. This was part of the ongoing project for planting 300 trees by the club. Continuing with its project of tree plantation as part of the Environmental Protection Programme, the first tree plantation function was held on July 22, 2005. The following rotarians attended the programme: president
A.S. Bindra, secretary S.P. Karkara, president elect Sarbjit Singh, past president Balbir Singh, past president S.P. Puri, past president Harbhajan Singh,
M.N. Sharma.
|
Dowry victim demands arrest of accused
Ludhiana, August 27 The college lecturer, Ms Inderveer Channa, whose parents live in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, has accused the city police of not arresting the accused, her husband Dr Simarjit Singh Lyall, her father-in-law, Dr Jarnail Singh, mother-in-law Narinder Kaur and brother-in-law Jarnail Singh. The city police, however, claims that the accused have not been arrested as a re-investigation was being conducted in the case. The SSP, Ludhiana, Narinderpal Singh, said there was a need to re-examine the case. He said certain new facts had come to light after the registration of the FIR and he could not allow any innocent person behind bars. He said a DSP- ranked officer was conducting the re-investigations. The Civil Lines police had booked the four for harassing her for dowry on July 16. Additional Sessions Judge, Gurbir Singh had rejected the anticipatory bail of the accused on August 4. Dr Jarnail Singh, however, claimed that the allegations against him were false. The local women’s cell and the crime branch had already found the family innocent in an earlier inquiry. He said they were surprised at the FIR registered against them.
|
|
2 held for stealing auto-rickshaws
Ludhiana, August 27 The police nabbed two brothers, Sohan Singh and Mohan Singh, at Chandigarh Road here last evening when both were trying to sell an auto-rickshaw stolen from Khanna. The police has also recovered two auto-rickshaws and two motor cycles from them. Addressing a press conference here today, SP (D) Gurpreet Singh Toor claimed that both belonged to Salempur village in Patiala and were of late living in Khanna. He claimed that they had confessed to having stolen at least six auto-rickshaws and two motor cycles and selling these to innocent buyers. Mr Toor said the police was investigating whether there were more gang members involved. The police has registered a theft case under Section 279 of the IPC against them. In another case, the PO wing of the Ludhiana police claimed to have nabbed a proclaimed offender, Mukri Singh, alias Sushil, who was wanted by the police under the Excise Act in 1998 and Arms Act in 1999. The accused had been absconding since 1998 and has provided a wrong address to the police. According to Mr Mukhtiar Singh, SHO, CIA-I, the accused, who was arrested by police and was bailed out subsequently, gave wrong information by stating that he was living in Gyaspura. He was arrested at Hoshiarpur yesterday.
|
Hotelier to visit UK
Ludhiana, August 27 Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Nanda said the Mayor of Leicester, Marry Draycott would also attend the function. He said he would participate in the function with a gesture of goodwill from the people of Punjab. This would also strengthen the mission of promoting cultural ties, Punjabi language, heritage and values. Mr Nanda informed that it was due to the efforts of Punjabi Culture Study Circle International, headed by Dr Jagtar Dhiman, chief coordinator, and Mrs Manu Sharma, Coordinator and Punjabi Listeners Club, Leicester, UK, headed by Mr Tarlochan Singh Virk, who have exchange of intelligentsia, under which he was visiting the UK Mr Nanda would meet leading hoteliers over there to see the infrastructure, latest kitchen equipments and housekeeping methods. He would also meet the officials of the ministry of tourism and cultural affairs to make the interaction for the development of tourism in both the countries, particularly in Punjab which is famous for pilgrimage tourism because of the Golden Temple.
|
|
Sehwag to open restaurant in city
Ludhiana, August 27 According to Mr Siddarth Dilawari, Director, Creative Stride, they have formed a strategic partnership with cricketer Virender Sehwag to bring out the “Sehwag Favourites”. The basic idea, of this partnership is to reach Sehwag’s fans through the medium of his favorite healthy food. He told The Tribune that after deliberations and exchange of ideas between industry experts and the batsan it was decided to go for a cuisine that matched his taste. Mr Dilawari said, “The trend today is to stay physically fit and possess a healthy mind. Therefore, the food provided at ‘Sehwag Favourites’ would be healthy as well as delicious to cater to one’s taste.” Apart from his all-time favourite, it was his idea to offer to people traditional Indian cuisine, in a splendid ambience, at the most economical prices. Mr Dilawri said ‘Sehwag Favourites’ would open shortly at TDI Fun Republic, Delhi, followed by Ansal Plaza, Ludhiana, and soon it will be witnessed all across the country. Creative Stride will have Sehwag Favourites on all its food courts. Menu for “Sehwag Favourites” has been chosen after consultations with Mr. Sehwag himself. Food on offer is totally vegetarian. Other attraction would be a ‘souvenirs zone’. It will have Sehwag’s autographed T-Shirts, balls, pens, and cricket kit. Mr Dilawri said, the ‘food court’ at Ansals Plaza, Ludhiana, would be the first food court in the first Mall of Punjab and would be among the biggest in India. Situated on the fourth floor, it will comprise a beautiful terrace garden that will give it a look of vibrant party all the time. Live music would be another attraction. To make sure that kids also enjoy, there would be a cricket pitch, where children can come and have a feel of real time cricket action. There would be electronic games also, Mr Dilawri added.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
