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Embers leave jhuggis gutted
Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 23 Four buffaloes received burn injuries in the incident. The Sudhar police station has registered a report. About 100 members of 15 families, including those headed by Raju Chaudhary, Moran Paswan, Lakhe Ram and Raj Kumar, escaped unhurt as a majority of them had left for routine work. Four buffaloes belonging to Surjit Singh and Gurmel Singh were injured in the incident. The fire broke at about 10 am when embers kept under a heap of ash blew away due to wind. This blazed agricultural wastes and the fire spread to a chain of jhuggis. The labourers had proceeded on their routine harvesting jobs. One of the children had, as usual, buried embers under ash to save on matchsticks. This resulted in the fire that engulfed household goods worth thousands. “As a majority of the members had left for their work before the fire broke out, friends and relatives of the victims feel that they had a narrow escape,” said Mr Shawinder Singh, SHO, Sudhar, who claimed to have reached the spot shortly after a villager informed him on the telephone. Though children present intended saving their belongings, villagers and the police stopped them from doing so, for obvious reasons. The labourers had set up jhuggis on the outskirts of the village a few months ago. The loss could have been much more, had the incident taken place during night hours. The fire was put out by villagers with the help of water carried in buckets. No fire fighter was called for.
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Follow orders in letter and spirit, DEOs told
Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 23 Meanwhile, the move launched by him to rejuvenate working at these offices has received overwhelming response in Ludhiana, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. Dr Maghar Singh, CEO, Nabha, said he had directed the respective officers to follow instructions received from the higher authorities from time to time. He claimed to have launched a move to supervise working of DEO offices to ensure speedy implementation of various schemes. “The DEOs have been asked to maintain pending record registers which would reflect the efficacy of the office and avoid harassment of the heads and teachers on flimsy grounds,” said Dr Maghar Singh. Similarly, the heads of various schools have been asked to make the maximum use of resources available with them and create resources by inspiring philanthropists and social workers of their areas. “Besides looking after the daily working, the heads will be preparing a record of item-wise performance of each teacher. The efficiency of each official will be gauged from the results and the attendance register,” he said. “Instead of asking the DEO to pass on instructions to the heads, I chose to interact with them, an exercise that generated prompt and positive results,” maintained the CEO. The heads of various government schools in Sangrur district had been asked to attend the meeting scheduled to take place at the district headquarters on Monday. Meanwhile, the move launched by the CEO has received a positive response in Ludhiana district. Terming the move as novel, Ms Krishana Sharda, Principal, Shaheed Kartar Singh Dukki Senior Secondary School, said she had instructed her staff to act according to the directions received from the CEO.
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Badal does balancing act
to please Tohra loyalists
Ludhiana, April 23 Mr Badal had reiterated that Mr Grewal had been removed from the Trust by SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, without his knowledge. However, nobody believed him. Mr Grewal's return has also sent out a positive signal to Tohra loyalists that they are not unwanted. One of the main reasons why Mr Badal has been handling Tohra loyalists cautiously is probably the proactive approach of splinter groups led by Mr Jaswant Singh Mann, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Pramjit Singh Sarna to wean disillusioned and alienated leaders from the SAD. They have been keenly watching the developments within the SAD. Mr Badal did not want Mr Grewal to adopt the way that Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, another Tohra loyalist, has
adopted. Mr Grewal had reportedly spurned the offers of the splinter groups after he was removed. His proximity and unfailing loyalty to Mr Badal is learnt to have been the main reason for his return to the trust. During meetings with party leaders in the aftermath of his removal, Mr Grewal had made it clear that his differences with Mr Makkar must not be seen as differences with the party or Mr Badal. He had even told Mr Badal that he (Badal) was his undisputed leader. The return of Mr Grewal has been hailed by the party rank and file.
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Three brothers held for robbery
Ludhiana, April 23 Disclosing this at a press conference here today, SSP A. S. Rai said the three brothers — Surinder Handa, Gagan Handa and Devinder Handa — were involved in criminal activities like their father who was also booked in some criminal cases earlier. He said the three were involved in theft cases earlier also. They had formed a gang with another wanted criminal Amarjit Singh, alias Gunga, and committed a robbery of 500 gm of gold and Rs 5 lakh from the house of a transporter, Subash Chander, on March 20 last. The police said Gunga, along with four other accomplices, executed the robbery while the three brothers had planned it. The police has recovered gold and cash from the three brothers who had taken a heavy share of the booty. The SSP said a team, led by DSP Satvir Atwal and Inspector Gursewak Singh Brar, arrested the accused. The police has recovered a revolver from the brothers and booked them under the Arms Act also. Mr Rai said Gagan Handa ran a shop near the house of the victim. He carried out a recce of the house and made maps of the house that helped Gunga and his accomplices to commit the crime easily. The police said the other accused had been identified.
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“Sahnu vote dena Zee”
Ludhiana, April 23 Prajakta and Hrishikesh from Pune, Maharashtra, are among the seven star couples. But unfortunately they were in the borderline last week. As per the concept, every week borderline participants /couples will go to the city from where they got the least votes. Of the nine couples, the only married one are Prajakta and Rishikesh. They were in Ludhiana yesterday to seek votes of residents by interacting with them. Talking to the media, they said,“We were skeptical in the beginning as how we would get across our message to Punjabis as we are Maharashtrians and do not know any Punjabi. So we wondered whether we would be able to communicate with the families. We had mugged one sentence in Punjabi “Tusi sahnu vote dena”. Our quaint way of saying this sentence broke the ice for us. We like Punjabis and feel that they exude warmth.” Mr Jatinder Anand, who is accompanying them, said Hrishikesh had won a couple of awards earlier too. Both of them said Mr Anand Sharma, the music director of the programme, has honed their talent. Even Mr Hariharan gave them tips about “riaz”. They hope that their visit to Ludhiana will prove to be fruitful.
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Ban abortion, says Swami Agnivesh
Ludhiana, April 23 Stating this here today, the president of the World Council of the Arya Samaj, Swami Agnivesh, said the samaj had carried on several movements against foeticide. He said when Parliament legalised abortion, the samaj had opposed it as it was being misused. He said they would seek a ban on abortion as it would help in curbing foeticide. They would also identify hospitals, nursing homes and doctors who were carrying on with sex determination tests and abortions. He said earlier campaigns had drawn a massive response.
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Ludhiana Calling
When the newly appointed city SSP was holding his press conference about the unique sales tax evasion in the sale and purchase of 300 cars, the Haibowal cops, who had exposed the scandal, were boasting of the success for another reason. The cops were claiming that their police station was lucky for the city SSPs. The predecessor had held his first press conference about the success of the Haibowal police three years ago, and the Haibowal police has again emerged as the first police station to form the basis for the first press conference of the new SSP. Police circles consider the police station as a good omen and a fruitful beginning for an SSP. They quote that earlier also some SSPs had made their beginning with the same police station's press conference and had had a successful tenure as compared to others. Teach one
It is a beautiful feeling to help an uneducated adult to read or write. A city resident experienced it when he made his domestic help learn to sign her name. His joy knew no bounds when she signed while accepting a document from the postman. Habitual of getting her thumb impression after delivering registered letters at this man's house, the postman asked the woman to show her thumb. Not anymore, she said, she could sign. She picked up a pen and signed on the document. If only we all could teach at least one! Shun rice, save water
It is very difficult to make farmers listen to agricultural experts on sowing paddy during the second week of June to reduce pressure on underground water. One wonders if this year too the farmers will listen to the advice or throw all the caution to winds. Whether they listen or not, there is an environment lover in the city who has vowed not to have rice in his life. ‘‘Every kilogramme of rice consumes 5 litres of water. On every kg I will save this much of water. Good feeling, isn't it?’’ he says. Cool mats
With the mercury rising with every passing day, city residents have started looking for options for cooling their immediate environs. Catering to this need of the residents are the sellers of room-cooler thatch mats, who have made their presence felt. While a number of them are finding employment by selling these, they have come up with more innovative ideas also. One of them is selling mats with dried rose petals just to add the fragrance of roses to the cool the room. He does not know how many takers his mats will have or if the fragrance will last long. (see photo) — Sentinel
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Ramgarhias vow to fight against social evils
Ludhiana, April 23 Addressing a state convention of the body here last evening, the acting president of the federation, Mr Surinder Singh GS, said the education of girls and providing financial assistance to the poor meritorious students would be among the top priorities of the federation. In its bid to lend a helping hand to the under-privileged sections, who could not afford costly medical treatment, the federation would organise free medical camps in collaboration with premier health institutions on a regular basis. The process for community health services would be set in motion with the first medical camp to be held in association with SPS Apollo Hospitals here next month. Addressing the convention, district Akali Jatha president and former legislator Hira Singh Gabria called upon the members of the Ramgarhia and Vishwakarma communities to join hands together and come on a single platform so that their common problems could be properly addressed. Mr Hari Singh, former Principal of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, remarked that education of children was a pre-requisite for social reforms and only educated youth could face the emerging challenges in the highly technical modern world. Mr Gurpargat Singh Kahlon, president, Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, while appreciating the contribution of the community towards industrial progress in Punjab, pointed out that the industrial community needed to keep pace with the latest technology to become competitive in the global market. Among others, Mr Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma, general secretary of the federation, Mr Ajit Singh Kular, senior vice-president, Ludhiana Engineering Association, Mr Jagtar Singh Bhanwra, district president of the federation, Mr Harcharan Singh Virson, Mr Harbhajan Singh Birdi, Mr Jaswinder Singh, Mr Devinder Singh Panesar, Mr Santokh Singh UK, Mr Jagjit Singh Rehal, Mr Iqbal Singh Koondi, Mr Sewa Singh Perfect, Mr Manmohan Singh Kular, Mr Sohan Singh Goga, Mr Swarn Singh Maholi, Mr Balbir Singh Mankoo, Mr Joga Singh, Mr Harminder Singh and Mr Onkar Singh Sandhu also addressed the convention.
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Differences in Congress surface
Ludhiana, April 23 Mr Birmi had been busy in mobilising Congress workers and other people for the rally for about two weeks after he reportedly got the approval of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh. Mr Birmi, who represents the Ludhiana (Rural) Vidhan Sabha segment, was keen on demonstrating his strength in his constituency and the Ludhiana town. The venue of the rally was the Grain Market, Ludhiana, which falls in his constituency. But the rally had to be cancelled allegedly because of pressure from local Congress leaders, including some MLAs, who did not want Mr Birmi to take the credit of launching the campaign for the February, 2007, Vidhan Sabha poll in the state. According to sources close to the Congress leaders opposed to Mr Birmi, the Congress leaders had the grouse that neither Mr Birmi took them into confidence before fixing the rally date, nor he sought their cooperation for the success of the rally. They reportedly pressed upon the Chief Minister not to preside over the rally, where the Punjab Pradesh Congress president, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, was also not expected to participate. Finally they succeeded in their mission and the rally was cancelled. But within less than 24 hours of the cancellation of the rally, the opponents of Mr Birmi had another shock and their joy of getting the rally cancelled was dashed to ground when Capt Amarinder Singh visited the residence of Mr Birmi on April 16 and spent an hour with him and his supporters. The Chief Minister also agreed to participate in the rally which would now be held on April 30 at the same venue. It is learnt that Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo was also not in favour of the Chief Minister’s participation in the rally on April 16 as he was not going to attend the same. The sources close to Mr Birmi allege that Mr Dullo was also opposed to the rally and played in the hands of his opponents. They maintain that Mr Birmi had contacted Mr Dullo for the rally and Mr Dullo expressed his inability to participate in the same as he was preoccupied with the celebrations of the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar on April 16. It is learnt that the Chief Minister had offered Mr Dullo his chopper to reach Ludhiana for the rally but he did not accept. The Ludhiana Congress is badly divided into different groups and a group comprising the Mayor of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, and Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA, are set against Mr Birmi and this trio claims to have prevailed upon the Chief Minister to cancel the rally. The Chief Minister visited Ludhiana on April 16 to participate in a function organised by the Christians. These Congress leaders were present in the function. The venue of the function falls in the Ludhiana (East) Vidhan Sabha segment, which is represented by Mr Surinder Dawar. The Mayor of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, is a contender for the Congress ticket from Ludhiana (Rural) segment, which is represented by Mr Birmi, and hence animosity between the two. Similarly, Mr Harnam Das Johar, Education Minister, who represents Ludhiana (West), Mr Surinder Dawar and Mr Rakesh Pandey, Minister of State for Technical Education, who represents Ludhiana (North) do not see eye to eye with one another. Mr Harnam Das Johar has now become active in this constituency as the Vidhan Sabha elections are approaching and he has lately organised medical camps in his constituency for the first time. He is also raising his son to succeed him in view of his failing health. Mr Rakesh Pandey is a mute spectator to all happenings in the town. The residents have a grouse against him that he is not bothered about the lack of civic amenities in his constituency. He is aligned with the Bhathal group. There is no doubt that differences among the Congressmen have come to the surface as the elections to the Vidhan Sabha are nearing. Meanwhile, the local residents have a strong grouse against the functioning of the Congress-led Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, which has failed to serve the interests of the residents notwithstanding the tall claims of the party of making huge progress and raising big financial budget. A senior administrator of the Punjab Government has put the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation in the dock and observed: “Politically the state government has suffered with the performance of the municipal corporation.”
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World Earth Day celebrated
Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 23 According to Mr Virender Kumar Sharma, District Science Supervisor, Ludhiana, various programmes were organised at around 50 government and private schools in the district. “Though volunteers of eco clubs of about 150 schools had been taking up projects on environment conservation during the preceding academic session, certain institutes organised formal functions also,” said Mr Sharma while talking to this correspondent at Shaheed Kartar Singh Dukki Government Senior Secondary School, Latala village. Earlier, Mr Sharma had urged heads of schools and those in charge of eco clubs to create awareness among students and their parents about the benefits of plants. He suggested that students should be asked to adopt plants for nurturing and “outstanding adopters” should be felicitated. Ms Krishan Sharda, Principal of the school, said students had extended their efforts to the streets and vacant places around their house. Formal functions were organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Dehlon, and Government Senior Secondary School, Talwandi village. Postal staff plant saplings
Ludhiana: Saplings were planted at several post office buildings in the city to mark World Earth Day here yesterday. The main function was organised at Head Post Office where Ms Manisha Bansal Badal, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, planted two saplings. According to Ms Badal, tree plantation drives were carried out at other post offices at Miller Ganj, Model Town, Central Post Office on Mata Rani Road and Old Courts. In some of the other rented post office buildings in Ludhiana City Division, flower pots were placed to give a green and fresh look to the post offices. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Badal emphasised the need for conservation of environment and maintenance of green cover on earth to combat the alarming rise in pollution. She said the Department of Posts would continue its drive to save the ecological balance on a regular basis. The department, she added, was making all-out efforts to synchronise its function and operations with environment protection.
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CPI supports restoration of democracy in Nepal
Ludhiana, April 23 The district unit of the party observed in a press note here today that the statement given by the Nepal King yesterday was nothing more than a gimmick and it had rightly been rejected by the agitating people who were demanding the restoration of the constituent assembly with no place for monarchy. The CPI functionaries, Mr Kartar Singh Bowani, district secretary, and Dr Arun Mitra, assistant secretary, said it was indeed a matter of great concern that when the people of Nepal wanted to get rid of the King, the Indian Government was out to save him, albeit in a subtle manner. They maintained that since India itself had done away with monarchy, and even the privy purses had been abolished, the Indian Government should not adopt double standards and ought to side with the people's movement. "The government must read the writing on the wall and show respect to the wishes of the people of Nepal. It will do well not to pursue any kind of rescue route for the oppressive King.
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Indo-Pak ties “crucial” for progress in South Asia
He urged the intelligentsia of the neighbouring countries to contribute in diluting the hostility in the region. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, he opined that permanent peace in South Asia could be possible only after the diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan improved. Terming intellectuals as the bridge between the two nations, he urged retired bureaucrats, educationists and thinkers of both nations to come forward and contribute in the process of normalisation of relations between the countries. On the vision of Indian economists, the former ambassador said: “Unfortunately, our economists and the public have been ignoring richer oceanic resources. Land resources are nearing exhaustion and are more difficult to harness as against underwater reserves,” he said. Successive governments had been ignoring tidal energy, oceanic thermal energy and the energy obtainable from hydrogen, he maintained. Mr Anand is a native of this town and has worked at the Indian Embassies in Teheran, Maldives, Romania, Bangkok, Armenia and New Zealand.
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A window to trouble
Ludhiana, April 23 Despite various efforts by Mr Varinder Aggarwal not to allow infringement on his privacy, the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) could not do anything in the case. A month ago, the PUDA had issued a notice to the house owner for constructing a window that opened into the house of his neighbour, but no action followed thereafter. After issuing the notice, the PUDA authorities had said action would soon follow against the defaulter. Senior officials of the authorities had gone on record saying that the junior engineer concerned was on the job to ensure that the building bylaws were not violated. But nothing has happened so far. “I have made a number of complaints to the PUDA officials. They assured me that they would get something done very soon. But my hope is diminishing with each passing day,” he said, adding that the window was being opened by his neighbour on the first floor of his house. “With that window we feel our privacy is being interfered with. We cannot sit on our terrace and cannot even sleep there. But nobody is listening to me. I want my right to privacy restored. Am I asking for too much? ” asked Mr Aggarwal. In his complaint the victim had stated that his neighbour was reconstructing his house without taking prior permission from the authorities concerned. “Officials of the PUDA had assured me that they would make sure that my privacy was not infringed upon by my neighbour by opening a window. But their promises seem false. I fail to understand what to do now,” he said.
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Seminar discusses Punjab Information Act
Jagraon, April 23 Students from various educational institutions, including Swami Roop Chand Public School, Spring Dew Public School and Sarv Hitkari Public School, gave arguments during speeches in the declamation contest held to make the younger generation aware of the provisions of the Act. Various speakers demanded certain amendments to make it more universal and acceptable. In his keynote address Mr V.K. Sharma said the implementation of the Act had enabled all in society to receive the latest information about various aspects of the working of the government. Appreciating the government move to make the relevant information accessible to the masses, Mr V.K. Sharma said, “Besides enabling the public to have a feel of the finer details of the democratic system, it will make the administration more transparent. Various speakers, including Mr Himmat Verma, president, Mr Sudarshan Sharma, secretary, Mr B.K. Garg, former director, science college, Jagraon, Mr Kulwant Singh, former DEO, and Mr Sham Lal Saini, retired administrator, stressed on the review of certain clauses of the Act.
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BJP workers pray for Mahajan
Ludhiana, April 23 Senior leaders, including Lala Lajpat Rai, Mr Rajinder Bhandari and Mr Subash Verma, offered prayers at the historic Shiv Temple in the old city in this regard.
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Craftsmen display wares
Ludhiana, April 23 Mr Iqbal Singh, president of the samiti, said these craftspersons had been recognised by the Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Ministry of Textile. “In the age of machinery and computerisation, these traditional handicrafts are like a breath of fresh air. It gives a chance of survival to people who have picked up traditional Indian arts like weaving, pottery and leather works. If these craftsmen are not given a chance to display their talents and earn their livelihood, they will wither. The samiti brings them and the buyers face to face by holding exhibitions periodically so that the middlemen can be kept away,” he said. One can find varieties of cool cottons in finely woven Mangalgiri cotton silk, Tamil Nadu kanchi cotton, Lucknavi chikan and Pune cotton. The other things on display are exotic Khurja pottery and terrakota, household linen, brocade curtains, table cloths and costume jewellery. If you find Kasish's earrings in the serial “Kahin Kisi Roz” fascinating, you can get them here. Suits, skirts and kurtis in beautiful Kutch embroidery are also on display, besides bamboo and wooden furniture from Saharanpur.
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Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 23