L U D H I A N A

Top stories | Community | Crime | Business

Agriculture | Education | Health | Sports

TOP STORIES

Surya Kiran residents sitting on tinderbox
Ludhiana, March 17
Residents in the Surya Kiran building on the Mall Road are virtually sitting on a tinderbox. With the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation turning a blind eye to the 100-odd diesel-run generators installed by shopkeepers in the backyard of the building, the residents fear that a minor fire in the area could result in a major tragedy.

A network of wires and generators stored in the backyard of the Surya Kiran building pose a major fire risk in Ludhiana. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Doctors rally against downsizing
Ludhiana, March 17
In response to a call given by the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), PCMS doctors in the district today held a protest rally in front of the Civil Surgeon’s office here against the recent decision of the state government to downsize the existing strength of PCMS doctors and paramedical staff by handing over 1,193 government health institutions to zila parishads.

Kisan mela focuses on water conservation
Ludhiana, March 17
Thousands of farmers from Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Gurdaspur and Himachal thronged the kisan mela for the kandi area at Ballowal Saunkhri here today. The mela was organised under the aegis of the PAU. The theme was water conservation.

BKU for CBI probe into sale of wheat by FCI
Ludhiana, March 17
The Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) has demanded a high-level inquiry by the CBI into the manner in which the FCI had disposed of huge stocks of “defective” wheat at Rs 530 per quintal for use in cattle and poultry feed.

Caste poison kills lovers
Ludhiana, March 17
Unable to overcome the caste barrier, a lovelorn couple ended their lives in a suicide pact by consuming poison in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar here today. The couple — 22-year-old Bhanu Pratap and 18-year-old Anita, died at DMC Hospital this morning. They lived in closely-situated rented rooms in a partially constructed house in the colony.

COMMUNITY

Prerna rally taken out by Youth Congress workers

Ludhiana, March 17 Activists of the Youth Congress led by the state president, Mr Ravinder Amla, took out a prerna rally here today highlighting the various achievements of the state government. The rallyists walked around the city shouting slogans and displaying placards in support of the government. The Youth Congress president, Mr Ravinder Amla, leads a prerna rally in Ludhiana on Friday. — Photo by I.V.

Kidwai Nagar residents demand better amenities
Ludhiana, March 17
Residents of Kidwai Nagar are sore over the deplorable condition of parks, roads and streetlights in their area. They claim that despite repeated requests to the civic body and area councillor the conditions prevailing in their locality remain unchanged.

A policeman watches helplessly as an overloaded rickshaw ferries schoolchildren in Ludhiana on Friday. — Photo  by Inderjit Verma

National policy for the aged sought
Ludhiana, March 17
"The formulation of a model national policy for the aged and setting up of a national commission for the aged are needed", say members of Public Cause, an organisation of senior citizens.

Pensioners’ adalat on March 22
Ludhiana, March 17
The Accountant General , Punjab, will hold a pension adalat on March 22 at 9.30a.m. at the Circuit House, Ludhiana. All problems relating to pension will be addressed at the adalat. Any pensioner along with his complaint and required documents, including PPO, may put forth his case in the adalat, says Mr Yashpaul Ghai, general secretary of the Government Pensioners' Association. 

CRIME

Gang of four burglars busted Ludhiana, March 17 A key member of a gang of four burglars, which includes two brothers and their father, today startled police officials and mediapersons by claiming at a press conference that he had committed over 600 petty and major thefts in the past five years. Four burglars arrested along with the stolen goods. — A Tribune photograph

Normalcy returning to Oswal mills
Ludhiana, March 17
Even as the workers' representatives persisted with their demand to take "sacked workers back", the management of Oswal Woollen Mills said a majority of the workers had resumed their duty and the situation was getting back to normal. The management, however, expressed unhappiness over the prevailing "labour unrest plaguing the industry".

Sit-in by SBI staff
Ludhiana, March 17
The State Bank of India Staff Association held a dharna outside the zonal office of the bank in support of their demands here today. The demands include payment of overtime, reconsideration of the transfer and promotion policy, filling of vacancies in all categories and equal housing and medical benefits for all employees.

AGRICULTURE

Vegetables, flowers showcased
Samrala, March 17
The Department of Horticulture, Punjab, organised the 12th state- level flower and vegetable show and a seminar on March 13 and 14 at Aam Khas Bag, Sirhind.

EDUCATION

Dharna by teachers of aided colleges
Samrala, March 17
On the call of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, lecturers of non-government aided colleges held a dharna in their respective colleges today. Addressing teachers of Malwa College Bondli, the union president and state executive member, Prof Baldeep Singh, said they were upset over the non-acceptance of their demands like the implementation of pension and gratuity scheme which had been included in the state Congress manifesto.

Aurobindo college students awarded
Ludhiana, March 17
Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management organised the annual prize distribution function here yesterday. Prof Prabhjot Kaur, Principal, Government College for Women, was the chief guest. The function started with the lighting of a lamp, which was followed by Saraswati Vandana.

Tiny ‘graduates’ Ludhiana, March 17 A "graduation ceremony" of tiny tots was held at Sat Paul Mittal School today. The ceremonial lamp was lit by members of the Governing Council and the Academic Advisory Council of the school. The students came onstage and took the oath of allegiance to the school flag.  Tiny tots at their "graduation ceremony" at Sat Paul Mittal School in Ludhiana on Friday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

135 polio corrective surgeries performed

Ludhiana, March 17 The three-day free polio corrective surgery camp, jointly organised by the Swami Vivekanand Swarg Ashram Trust and the Rotary Club of Ludhiana (central), got a good response on the opening day more than 450 patients were examined and 135 corrective surgeries were performed. Nearly 2,500 patients from different places in the state and even neighbouring states had registered themselves for the camp. Doctors from Visakhapatnam examine a polio-stricken patient at a three-day polio corrective surgery camp at Swami Vivekanand Hospital in Ludhiana on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

SPORTS

Pak beat India 43-37 in kabaddi

Malerkotla, March 17 Defending champions India put up a spirited performance but could not stop Pakistan from taking away a 43-37 victory in the sixth match in the series organised by the Amateur All India Circle Kabaddi Federation and the Punjab Police at the Zakir Hussain Stadium here yesterday.

Pakistan kabaddi team, which won the match at the Zakir Hussain Stadium, Malerkotla, on Thursday, poses with dignitaries. — Photo by Mahesh Sharma

Dental college sports meet
Ludhiana, March 17
The annual sports meet at the Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College Hospital and Research Institute, Chandigarh road, here will be held from March 18 to 23.