Ludhiana, January 23
Owing to the bone-chilling winter, the District Administration has decided to change the school timing from tomorrow. From the usual winter timing of 8:30 am, the administration has delayed the timing to 9:30 am.

Sumer Singh Gurjar, deputy commissioner, has directed to all education institutions not to open their school before 9:30 am.

The decision has been welcomed by the government teaching department.

Lakhwinder Singh, a government schoolteacher, said, "As the winter breaking all its past records, the care of little children was a matter of concern for us as at some villages surrounding the city, the mercury has dipped to as low as -5 degree Celsius.

Even some schools have no benches available for students and they have to sit on the floor.

Kiran Sharma, teacher of Sanatan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, said, "The last few days have been the coldest as far as I can remember. It's just unbearable for the small kids as even the grown-ups are find it difficult to come out of the quilts in the morning hours."

Though when asked whether primary children should be given a winter vacation in this unbearable cold, she quips " I think it’s impossible to give winter holidays at this time of the year as their examinations are round the corner and they will not be able to complete remaining syllabus."

Ludhiana, January 23
The long-awaited Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at Bhattian Bet village has not been able to treat industrial effluents as the samples of treated water tested by the Punjab Agricultural University have shown presence of heavy metals.

The treated water can thus not be supplied to the fields for irrigation.

The Sutlej river, where the sewers are being emptied into would also continue to get heavy metals posing a threat to the residents of Bathinda and Mansa, who are dependent on the river for drinking water and aquatic life in Harike wetlands, supplied by the river.

These facts came to light during a research project on the Sutlej Pollution, under the aegis of Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. Inquiries revealed that the samples of water tested by Microbiology Department of PAU had heavy metals like lead and nickel.

Confirming this, Director of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Dr N.S. Tiwana, said that the first samples of water treated by the plant had shown the heavy metals and the farmers of nearby villages, who were to be supplied this water for irrigation, were showing reservations on accepting it.

He added that the presence of these metals was due to the effluents discharged into Budda Nullah.

The Bhattian Bet STP was being fed partly by the nullah water where electroplating and dyeing industry was discharging its effluents.

Tiwana said they were studying more samples to find out if the heavy metals were consistent. ‘’The first lot of water that was treated was collected in the plant for quite some time. Maybe the next samples are better. Moreover we are asking the industry not to discharge untreated chemicals. We would go strict in the coming days.’’

SDO, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Tarsem Singh said that they had tied up with the Soils Department that had chalked out a comprehensive plan for irrigating fields with treated water. They were studying the samples for the time being and the experts would find out whether this could be given to the fields or not. 

Ludhiana, January 23
The federation of pollution and parks management committees has charged the municipal corporation of Ludhiana with not implementing the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the maintenance of parks in the city.

S. S. Channa, president of the federation, who has spearheaded the campaign for the maintenance of the parks in the town and has filed a petition in the high court, has claimed that the Punjab and Haryana High Court has passed two orders directing the municipal corporation to make payment to the park management committees at the rate of Rs 1 per sq metre for the maintenance of the parks.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Vijender Jain and comprising Justice Mahesh Grover in its order of May 10, 2007, observed the organisation, namely the park management committee, has done commendable work in maintaining green parks in Ludhiana with the participation of the general public.

It has been stated by the petitioner that from 1991 to 2002, the municipal corporation of Ludhiana was paying to the park management committees at the rate of Rs 1 per sq. metre for maintenance per park, irrespective of size. Seemingly it is not possible to maintain a park at Rs 1,000.

Channa has alleged that even the general house of the municipal corporation, Ludhiana, passed a resolution on December 12, 2007, approving the rate of Rs 1 per sq metre for the maintenance of the parks in view of the orders of the high court.

He regretted that the municipal corporation had not implemented the orders of the high court so far and that he would be constrained to move a contempt petition against the municipal corporation authorities.

Channa has also written to the minister for local bodies Manoranjan Kalia and met the commissioner of the municipal corporation and other political leaders of the ruling party for the implementation of the high court order and cleaning of the parks. He said the parks were in a very bad shape and needed immediate attention.

Vikas Pratap, commissioner of the municipal corporation, said the general house of the corporation had approved the rate and the same had been sent to the state government for approval. But he added that the municipal corporation would be implementing the high court order very soon.

The commissioner promised that all steps were being taken to maintain the parks well. 

Ludhiana, January 23
Jails and tourism affairs minister Hira Singh Gabria handed over cheques among poor families at Government Middle School, Dholewal, here today.

While addressing the gathering, he said the government would spend Rs 400 crore for streamlining the educational system in the state. Adarsh public schools were being opened in all blocks for educating the brilliant poor children who were unable to pay the fees.

He said at least 15,000 teachers would be recruited till March 31. Grants worth Rs 1.10 crore had been distributed in the Ludhiana rural constituency for adding new blocks in the government schools. Besides this, grants worth Rs 75 lakh had already been distributed among panchayats for developmental works, he added.

Gabria further informed that the government was spending Rs 15 crore for implementing water supply and sanitation schemes and for improving the village ponds projects. These projects will be executed through the village-level water supply and sanitation committees being constituted in these villages.

Gabria urged the panchayats to submit the resolutions for implementing the projects for providing potable drinking water.

Later, he presided over a function after laying the foundation stone of new block in the Government Senior Secondary School at Khanpur village and distributed cheques among 12 panchayats of the nearby villages.

Ludhiana, January 23
The Shahi Imam of the local Jama Masjid, Maulana Habib Ur Rehman Sani, today met the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, over the issue of burial grounds in different parts of the state.

The Muslim leader briefed him about the situation in some villages and cities where the Muslims had no burial grounds and were facing problems in burying their dead.

Later in a press note here today, the Shahi Imam claimed that the CM had agreed to direct all the district chiefs to provide land or buy land for setting up burial grounds.

He added that the CM had stated that they would soon issue a notification in this regard. He took up several other issues concerning Muslims with the CM. The Shahi Imam expressed pleasure at the CM's approval and said that the Muslims were feeling secure in the tenure of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP. 

Ludhiana, January 23
Jagjit Singh, a resident of Gurdev Nagar, today alleged that the local SDM had circumvented the law by announcing mutation of a prime property in the colony.

Addressing a press conference here this evening, Gurdev Singh said SDM S.M. Sharma had not followed proper procedure in deciding the case.

He said he had to file an appeal before the district magistrate who ordered a stay on the proceedings.

However, the SDM said the charges were baseless. "I am not the final authority on the matter," he said.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 23
Three motorcycle-borne miscreants robbed Rs 50,000 from the staff of a petrol station on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road near Alamgir village, near here, on Monday night and damaged office furniture and a TV installed there.

As the case was reported late in the afternoon, on Tuesday, the Ludhiana Sadar police initiated investigations after registering a case under Section 392 of the IPC.

According to a complaint, lodged on the statement of Sudhir Verma, a salesman at the petrol pump, three motorcycle-borne miscreants entered the office when he along with two other employees was watching a TV programme at about 11 pm that day. The intruders were armed with sharp-edged weapons. One of the robbers attacked Verma with a knife when he refused to hand over cash to them. Verma fell unconscious and the robbers decamped with cash worth over 50,000. The matter was reported to the police later in the day.

Though some persons were rounded up on the basis of information provided by the staff, no clue about the robbers was found.

Mandi Gobindgarh, January 23
The state government would give preference to the Punjab-based steel and iron industry for bulk purchase of steel items.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced this during a special interactive session with traders and industrialists of Gobindgarh organised to redress their grievances.

To put Punjab on high trajectory of economic growth, Badal said the state government was trying to create a congenial atmosphere to facilitate the existing industrial units besides attracting new investments from outside in the industrial sector.

The CM assured the industrialists that their problems related to power, conversion charges, rationalisation of VAT, single window system and excise duty would be sorted out. He also directed the excise and taxation department to clear the VAT refund backlog by March 31.

Badal asked the industrialists to propose a new model to enhance tax realisation to the advantage of both, the industry as well the state exchequer.

The Chief Minister also ordered that a joint committee of traders, industrialists and sales tax department be constituted under the chairmanship of excise and taxation commissioner to resolve the day-to-day problems of the industrialists.

He assured full support and cooperation to the industrial sector for initiating new ventures.

Referring to a major relief to industry and small and medium investors in the real estate sector, the Chief Minister said the government had already slashed the existing rates of external development charges (EDC) and change of land use (CLU) within the state. He said with the view to expand the industry in Mandi Gobindgarh area, the link and approach roads would be strengthened accordingly.

He mentioned that the state government had envisaged setting up three thermal plants in the state with a total installed capacity of 6000 MWs and Punjab would become a power surplus state by 2010.

Ludhiana, January 23
PAU soils scientists, Dr I.M. Chhibba and Dr A.S. Sidhu, has in an advisory after surveying a few areas where wheat crop is being cultivated, stated that these areas were deficient of manganese. Severe deficiency of this micronutrient has been recorded in wheat fields in districts of Faridkot and Ferozepur.

In a few fields this deficiency was so acute that there could yield a loss of 10-12 quintal per hectare, adding that the problem was not only confined to these two districts but was common in other districts of the state also, they added. This deficiency was mainly confined to wheat grown on coarse textured soils where wheat had been grown in rotation with rice for more than five years regularly.

The deficiency of manganese appears as streaks of grayish yellow, grey, brown or pinkish buff/brown colour in the inter-venial areas of the old and middle leaves. In severely affected plants, similar symptoms can be seen on the young mature leaves also. If not corrected, the crop gives a withering look and ultimately might die. The scientists have advised farmers to spray the wheat crop with 0.5 per cent solution of manganese sulphate (which can be prepared by dissolving 500 grams of manganese sulphate in 100 litres of water) at weekly intervals. Four sprays are necessary to rejuvenate the crop which has started showing signs of severe deficiency.

The scientists cautioned farmers against mixing of any other chemical, fertilizer, and weedicide with the manganese sulphate solution. Farmers were also advised not to use any micronutrient mixture/NPK mixtures etc. as these were not at all helpful in combating the manganese deficiency problem. The sprays must be carried out on sunny and calm days to make them completely effective, the experts said. 

Ludhiana, January 23
Nano-technology is emerging as one of the most innovative scientific field with immense commercial potential and is expected to be highly relevant for the future of agriculture. Established with a special grant from ICAR in the College of Agricultural University, the first state-of-the-art facility in Punjab is attracting numerous agricultural scientists from South India, too.

Dr V. R. Prasad, professor in charge of the lab, said this high-resolution imaging equipment had proved to be beneficial for doing agricultural, biological, biomedical and also for the industrial research.

“Research with this equipment definitely promotes the understanding of cellular and molecular properties, mechanisms and interactions in relation to a biotic and biotic stresses in crop plants. This knowledge would help in resolving problems in improving the agricultural production”, Dr Prasad said.

K.S. Subramaniam, professor, Tamil Nadu University, said their university had received Rs 100 crore grant and he had come to explore the use of nano-science in agriculture. He said the ultra structure of plant, animal and bacterial cells and cell organelle, study of viruses, nano-particles and material properties could be studied in detail. “It might take some time but this technology will certainly help agricultural scientists in ushering in second Green Revolution in the country”, he added.

I.P.S. Gill said there was a need to harness the possibilities of frontier technologies for enhancing the productivity and income from agriculture. Rs 3.5 crores nano-technology unit of the university has opened up new avenues to modulate gene expression through which plants can be converted into proficient varieties to be used for producing therapeutic molecules, nutritional compositions etc in an eco-environment friendly manner.

Ludhiana, January 23
On the spot painting competition titled “Little Images” was organised at Rising Stars at the Jassian Road here today. Principal Sonia Sharma said children between three to five years painted the beautiful pictures with the help of their teachers to give shapes to their creative imagination.

Rohan Sharma, Chirag,Jiya, Jashanpreet, Maher Kaur, Archita, Anurag, Vanshika, pooja and Reet celebrated Republic Day by drawing the National Emblem, the Tricolor, peacock and other pictures for spreading the messages like save water, save environment and follow traffic rules.

Commemoration ceremony: To commemorate Subash Chander Bose on his 111 birthday and Shahid Bhagat Singh on his 100 birth anniversary, programme was organized for children at Shifaly International School, Rahon road, by the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Janam Shatabadi Samaroh samiti here today.

The main objective of the programme was to infuse a feeling of devotion and dedication in younger generation, which is of great importance in modern world. Aviral from Class 3 narrated a few lines from the life of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Sukhdev, Class VI student, spoke on life of Sukhdev and Kawaipreet, Class VIth student, presented the life history of Bhagat Singh. Avneet and Shilpa recited patriotic Hindi poem “Sankaip” through which they expressed their willingness to do something for their motherland. Vishal, Helianthus School principal, inspired the teachers to be role model for their students. Teachers should take initiatives for inculcating the moral values among students. They should narrate life history of the freedom fighters for developing the patriotic feeling among youngster.

contest: Inter-school declamation contest was organised by the Ved Prachar Mandal to mark the 111th birth anniversary of Subash Chander Bose at Sanatan Vidya Mandir, Civil lines here today.S.C. Saxena, principal, KVM School, presided over the function.Harish Rai Dhanda, chief parliamentary secretary, was the chief guest.

Roshan Lal Arya, secretary, Ved Prachar Mandal, and Sadhna Sharma, principal, welcomed the dignitaries.Students from a few schools of the district enthusiastically took part in the declamation contest. Sophia Arora of KVM School stood first in the declamation contest while Sheeba of Ewing Christina School and Rajinder Pal Singh of Swami Vivekananda School stood second and third, respectively.

Ludhiana, January 23
SPS Apollo Hospital today conducted an advanced cardiac and trauma life-support training course as per the latest European Resuscitation Guidelines (ERG), for NCC students of Khalsa College for Women. The course was conducted by Dr Gaurav Kuthiala, senior consultant and in charge of the “life-savers programme” at the hospital.

The first batch of 45 students took part in the training programme which included an in-depth management of patients with cardio-respiratory arrest. Dr Kuthiala said, “Students should know how to give first aid to the victim of fits, choking, heart attack and accident cases.” The trainees were apprised with a few life saving techniques which included opening off the airway by head tilt, chin lift manoeuvre and the right method for chest compression.

Ludhiana, January 23
Renowned jewellery designer and socialite Queenie Dhody finds Ludhiana a rapidly growing fashion market. Dhody, who launched her collection named “Jewels by Queenie” at the Satya Paul outlet here, is keen to open her exclusive store in this industrial town soon.

Dressed in a black outfit and donning bold jewellery, Queenie looked every bit a style diva herself.

In an exclusive interview to The Tribune, she said she was glad to come across city women who moved in sync with the latest fashion and who knew what they wanted. "Even as the market for high-end fashion jewellery is yet to find many takers in cities beyond metros, I feel Ludhiana is one of the few places where people have money and also the knowledge of what is in vogue, apart from, of course, the willingness to spend."

Her jewellery, precious and semi-precious, that is made of gold, promises exclusivity and targets "women who want to make a statement". Talking about gold jewellery, Queenie said it never went out of fashion. "The demand never declined. Whether as an investment or as style statement, there never has been a dearth of people wanting to buy gold."

She derives her inspiration from almost everything around her- "nature, embroidery on clothes, people, everything." It is not that I am always thinking of designs; I look after my kids, am writing a weekly column for a newspaper and doing a host of other things. But the moment I get an idea, I make it a point to pen it down."

Ludhiana, January 23
Dr Mammen Chandy, pioneer in the filed of clinical haematology and haemato-oncology, based at Vellore, will visit Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here on February 15 and 16, to deliver a lecture on “What is possible in Clinical Haematology and Haemato-Oncology today?”

“This treatment, once offered only in the west, is now available in India also but the need for such facilities is increasing.” Stating this here today, Dr M. Joseph John, consultant in clinical haematology and haemato-oncology unit at CMCH, claimed that India offered such treatment at a fraction of the cost as compared to western countries.

Clinical haematology and haemato-oncology, he said, had progressed immensely over the last two decades. "New molecules are being introduced to cure most diseases once considered incurable. Imatinib for chronic myeloid leukaemia is one such example. Monoclonal antibodies for haematological malignancies have changed the way patients are treated."

Dr John further observed that genetic diseases like thalassaemia and haematological cancers like multiple myeloma and refractory lymphoma as well as leukaemia could be treated by stem cell transplantation. Stem cells were also being used to treat other conditions like cardiac and neurological diseases, and in future this might also lead the way in gene therapy. CMCH was also gearing up its facilities to offer similar services in the city, he added.

Ludhiana, January 23
Students of GMT Public School, Ludhiana, who represented Punjab in the third Inter-State Colour Belt Taekwondo Championship organised by the Indian Olympic Association at Delhi recently, gave excellent performances to bag eight medals.

According to a press note issued by the school principal here yesterday, students from the school trained by Pankaj Sahni of Aashiara Karate Federation, proved their mettle. The medal winners include Karamjit and Nitin (gold), Rohan, Rajbir, Sachin, Komal, Aryan and Atul (silver).

Principal of the school Amarjit Dhaliwal and school directors K.S. Thind and J.S. Thind congratulated the students for bringing laurels to the school.

Ludhiana, January 23
A nine-year-old child was reportedly kidnapped from New Kuldeep Nagar, Basti Jodhewal, here last evening.

The child was playing outside his house when some persons took him away. The parents of the child said they had received a ransom call, but refused to say any further.