The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

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50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Insaaf rally
Congress accuses SAD for ‘misusing’ Gurdwara funds
Abohar, February 27
“Those who has been misusing gurdwara funds for organising political ‘tamashas’ are warning the central government against interfering in their religious matters. There can be no cruel mockery of the democracy”, said Sunil Jakhar, Congress legislator, here today, quoting reports that free kitchen was run at the Gurdwara ‘Majnu ka Teela’ in Delhi for thousands of workers who had been ferried for attending the rally.

Rampura Phul Bus Stand
A picture of neglect
Rampura (Bathinda), February 27
Despite the promise made by the state transport minister, Master Mohan Lal, to equip the bus stand with the state-of-the-art facilities, it is still lying in poor shape. The condition is worst than any bus stand in remote villages of the state. As a result, the bus operators and commuters are a harried lot.

Stray animals’ Lounge: The stray animals often find their way inside the Rampura Phul bus stand. — Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
Abohar student wins gold
Abohar , February 27
Raghav Sharda, a student of +2 in the LRS DAV Senior Secondary School here, has won the Gold medal under the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. He will be honoured in April during a function in New Delhi.

Raghav Sharda

Debt-suicides: Farmers’ agitation from March 5
Bathinda, February 27
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) Ugrahan group and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, in a meeting held here today, decided to launch a state-wide agitation against the government to demand for jobs and Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kins of the farmers and farm workers who had committed debt-suicides.

A cavalcade of the Sikhi Sidhak March beginning from Lambi, the constituency of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday. Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh

For setting up pulses, spices units
Assistance from CIPHET sought
Abohar, February 27
IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar today sought technical assistance from the Central Institute for Post Harvest Engineering Technology (CIPHET) to set up a pulses and spices processing unit in Panjkosi village in this sub-division.

Dhobiana Basti
Annoyed residents say ‘no’ to MC polls
Bathinda, February 27
Frustrated over the tall claims made by the politicians about legalisation of the Dhobiana Basti, the residents have threatened to boycott the forthcoming Municipal Corporation (MC) elections.

Mealy Bug
Awareness through infotainment
Bathinda, February 27
In the recently concluded ‘Kheti Chetna March’, the Punjabi comedy duo - Jaswinder Bhalla and Bal Mukand Sharma, used their art to deliver farming-related information to farmers in a novel way.

Trident starts seed distribution
Barnala, February 27
For its proposed sugar mill, which is to come up by December, the Trident group has started distributing seeds to farmers for sugarcane crops.

Moga sex scandal
CBI submits HC judgment
Moga, February 27
A five member team of the CBI visited here today and submitted before the court of the additional sessions judge B.S. Sandhu the judgment of the High Court, which stayed the proceeding of the Moga sex scandal case.

Order

	Beyond ‘chalk & talk’ Future teachers showcase hidden skills Prabhjit Singh Tribune News Service Badal (Muktsar), February 27 Making the pupils recognise the primary colours, explaining our solar system and contribution of farmers and industrial workers in the country’s economy were some of the themes opted by nearly one hundred students of different B.Ed colleges, who gathered here today to outshine each other in teaching skills with the help of display-models and other methodologies. The event- Panjab University Inter-Zonal Skill-Teaching and on the spot Teaching Aids competition -was organised at Dasmesh Girls College of Education here. Hailing from the B.Ed colleges of Ferozepur, Abohar, Moga, Sidhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh and other places, they had come with models to make everyone realise that the methodology of teaching could be beyond the blackboard and verbal lectures with the help of display models, as the live visuals in classrooms could attract the children. The Pythagoras theorem, algebra, and other such concepts could very well be taught in a play way manner, and this event held great significance in this regard, said Mathematics lecturer Dr Khushwinder, who had accompanied his students from the BCM College of Education, Ludhiana, at the event. Dr Khushwinder, who has the credit of creating the first ever Mathematics lab in a Punjab school along with his colleague Sarabjit Singh Tur in 2002, said that the Punjab School Education Board was now deliberating on the concept of introducing practical exams in Math subject as well. “You could see here how playful it is to make the pupils understand certain theorems and formulae through these teaching aids,” he added, pointing to one such simple model, which consisted of just wooden sticks to explain angles and shapes. Dr Tirlok Bandhu of Ludhiana’s Malwa College of Education opined that teaching aids in the form of working models could be helpful in binding together the children of different behavioral attitudes, who came from different social and economic strata and varied medical histories. The competition was held categorically in the teaching of subjects like Commerce, Math, Economics, History/Geography, Social Studies, Computer Science and Fine Arts The Bharatiya Sahitya Academy’s Punjabi wing convener Dr Deepak Manmohan, who presided over the event, stressed on the occasion that language, culture and literature were the essential part for any civilization to grow and flourish. “The human values and creative natural activities like letter-writing have declined drastically due to growth and availability of technology. The humans should effectively use the science and technology instead of the situation where the man is now losing his own self and values and becoming a tool in the hands of technology-based gadgets,” he said. Muktsar DC Vikas Garg was the guest of honour, while the academicians including, Dr Jagdish Kaur Bains, principal of Ferozepur B. Ed College, Ravi Kumar from the University’s Muktsar regional centre, Varinder Singh of the Government College, Muktsar, and Principal S.S. Brar of the Khalsa B.Ed. College, Muktsar, graced the occasion. Badal’s Dasmesh College principal Dr S.S. Sangha thanked the academicians and the participants in making the event a success.
	Insaaf rally Congress accuses SAD for ‘misusing’ Gurdwara funds Our Correspondent Abohar, February 27 “Those who has been misusing gurdwara funds for organising political ‘tamashas’ are warning the central government against interfering in their religious matters. There can be no cruel mockery of the democracy”, said Sunil Jakhar, Congress legislator, here today, quoting reports that free kitchen was run at the Gurdwara ‘Majnu ka Teela’ in Delhi for thousands of workers who had been ferried for attending the rally. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at his residence, the MLA said the SAD-BJP alliance had organised the ‘Insaaf’ (justice) rally to divert attention of millions of people from their failures during the one-year rule in Punjab. He added that CM Parkash Singh Badal, throughout his political career, had played gimmicks in the name of the religion and had tried to poison the people against the Congress- led governments to meet political ends. It was like writing on the wall that farmers, traders, urbane and employees, who voted for the SAD-BJP in the last Assembly elections, were now feeling cheated. Coming down heavily on the state government for the alleged discriminatory attitude towards the Assembly segments which had voted in favour of Congress candidates last February, Jakhar said the Punjab State Electricity Board(PSEB) had switched off around 2,000 street lights besides temporarily disconnecting supply of drinking water and sewerage disposal units for the non-payment of dues by the municipal council. In fact the present government had not released sufficient funds to the Congress-led council during the financial year. He said that CM Parkash Singh Badal had boasted of taking up renovation of canals at Rs 3,100 crore which had been released by the central government on the recommendation of the Amrinder Singh-led government in 2006. He criticised the SAD (B) MP Zora Singh Maan for claiming credit for the schemes, which were planned in 2006, and funds were sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Sadak and Rozgar Yojna. He also criticised the administration for encroaching upon the Constitutional freedom of the Dera Sacha Sauda followers by preventing them to carry weekly Naam Charcha in the region.
	Rampura Phul Bus Stand A picture of neglect Rajay Deep Tribune News Service Rampura (Bathinda), February 27 Despite the promise made by the state transport minister, Master Mohan Lal, to equip the bus stand with the state-of-the-art facilities, it is still lying in poor shape. The condition is worst than any bus stand in remote villages of the state. As a result, the bus operators and commuters are a harried lot. Stray animals, potholes, dust, weeds and filthiness in and around the bus stand shows its pathetic condition. The movement of private vehicles inside the bus stand goes unchecked too. Buses departing from this bus stand are destined for the places as far as the state capital besides the surrounding districts of Malwa. The callousness of the authorities has forced the visitors to pass through the ever-present mud at the bus stand. The unhygienic conditions, including foul smell emanating from lavatories, scattered filth and allergic weed at this place make the commuters vulnerable to diseases. The place virtually turns into a lake on rainy days. Knee-deep waterlogged potholes at the bus stand suggest that the authorities were waiting for an epidemic to occur before taking any action. It may be mentioned here that during the Congress regime, the renovation of the bus stand was initiated. But while the project was in its first phase it was put on hold as the code of conduct came into force for the legislative elections. A sum of Rs 66.35 lakh was sanctioned for the project, out of which only Rs 17 lakh was spent. The remaining amount was sent back to the department concerned at that time. According to the information available, the authorities have received the amount again. Giving the details, Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Phul, Uma Shankar said, “With our repeated efforts, the remaining amount has been released and within few days the work will be started. The formalities have been completed except one or two.”
	Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Abohar student wins gold Raj Sadosh Abohar , February 27 Raghav Sharda, a student of +2 in the LRS DAV Senior Secondary School here, has won the Gold medal under the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. He will be honoured in April during a function in New Delhi. Principal Kusum Khungar informed that the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme was presently renowned as an international award for young people. To enhance the inner self of an individual, the scheme was founded by H.R.H the Duke of Edinburgh KGKT to develop the personality of a student or to better say a teenager. Raghav said, “This is an opportunity which should be grabbed by all. There are three award levels—Bronze is for those who are over thirteen, Silver for those ageing over fifteen and Gold for those who are between 16-25. For each award, young people have to complete the requirements for different sections; service, skills, physical recreation and expedition. There is an additional requirement for the Gold level- a residential project. It was in 2001 that I was enrolled for the bronze level. I trekked to Nachiketa Tal with all my friends from my previous school, the Scindia School, Gwalior. For the Silver Award I scaled a peak 14000 ft high called the Patalsu Peak, and as social service I literally picked up dirt and filth of house owners in a colony in Gwalior. I also enjoyed an expedition of 600 km, cycling in six days from Gwalior to Pachmarhi with 12 friends and three teachers. I was in fact one of the youngest to receive the Silver award at the age of 14”. Raghav further stated, “In 2007 I started my venture again to attain the Gold award. I pursued an expedition to peak B. Shvling (19,000 ft), which was some where in the Gangotri region. I experienced the extreme conditions of survival there. Finally, all my efforts have been rewarded. I am receiving the Gold in April in Delhi by the secretary general herself. This award would help me learn life in a deeper sense and would make me aware of the fact that we belong to the world not just communities. This helps me to learn new skills of music and art. I cannot stop thanking the IAYP for the opportunities they have provided me to explore within myself and test my endurance to the fullest”.
	Debt-suicides: Farmers’ agitation from March 5 Puneet Pal Singh Gill Tribune News Service Bathinda, February 27 The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta) Ugrahan group and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, in a meeting held here today, decided to launch a state-wide agitation against the government to demand for jobs and Rs 5 lakh compensation for the kins of the farmers and farm workers who had committed debt-suicides. Recently, the BKU and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union conducted a survey in 79 villages of Bathinda and found that 682 farmers of these villages had committed suicide as they were unable to repay their loans. According to the Punjab State Farmers Commission report ‘Flow of funds to farmers and Indebtedness in Punjab’ presented in February 2007, it was found that the farmers of the state were under a debt of Rs 21,000 crore. Talking to the TNS, the president of the BKU Ugrahan group, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, said, “For this cause, we would hold dharnas in front of deputy commissioner (DC) offices across the state, in which even the family members of the farmers, who committed debt-suicide, would take part.” Giving details, Ugrahan said, “On March 5, we would hold sit-ins outside the DC offices at Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot and Gurdaspur; on March 7 at Sangrur, Barnala, Ludhiana and Ferozepur; and on March 10 at Moga, Amritsar and Muktsar.” He alleged that the present state government and the previous Congress regime did nothing for the families of these farmers. “Now, with parliamentary elections drawing near, both the Akalis and the Congress have started shedding crocodile tears by visiting Delhi to get a package for the Punjab farmers”. Zora Singh Nasrali, president of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, said, “During the dharnas, application forms would also be filled by the families of such farmers, so that they could be forwarded to the government, when needed. A memorandum would also be sent to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, demanding waiver for the loans taken by farmers of the state.”
	For setting up pulses, spices units Assistance from CIPHET sought Our Correspondent Abohar, February 27 IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar today sought technical assistance from the Central Institute for Post Harvest Engineering Technology (CIPHET) to set up a pulses and spices processing unit in Panjkosi village in this sub-division. He also inaugurated a four-day training and visit programme organised by the Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited for farming women in the Government Senior Secondary School of the village. Jakhar informed that the union agricultural secretary, who is a trustee in the IFFCO Foundation, also might visit the village in March to explore avenues for such projects. The IFFCO intended to involve self-help groups formed by women from farmers’ families, who had been imparted training in food processing and preparation of other goods of day-to-day use in the past. He added that such women would be offered Rs 25,000 each as a loan without furnishing any guarantee from the Fazilka Central Cooperative Bank for carrying on the business. R.K. Gupta, in-charge of the CIPHET said the processing of local produce like Guava and pomegranate could be promoted well. He offered to impart training to the farming women in this institute. Forty-one women including some students are participating in the camp.

Dhobiana Basti
Annoyed residents say ‘no’ to MC polls
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 27
Frustrated over the tall claims made by the politicians about legalisation of the Dhobiana Basti, the residents have threatened to boycott the forthcoming Municipal Corporation (MC) elections.

The residents are up in arms against the local politicians who have not fulfilled their promises and are determined to welcome the leaders with black flags during election campaign.

When the TNS team visited the locality, it observed that the land belongs neither to Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) nor to any other authority. But the PUDA has been trying its level best to get the order in favour of it. The people over there are a neglected lot.

According to the inhabitants of the locality, there were more than 600 houses and around 3,000 voters. At the time of elections, political leaders make hollow claims of registering the land on the name of the residents to woo the voters.

Raj Gill, a dhaba owner in the locality said, “The houses are constructed over two plots of the ‘Shamlat’ and some part of locality is on the land donated by a lady in the past.”

He added, “Before the MLA election in 2007, the SAD contestant Sarup Chand Singla and the MP Sukhbir Singh Badal visited the locality and promised that if the SAD government came in existence, the land would be purchased by the government and would be allotted to them at very nominal price.”

The MC of the area, Balkar Singh, who won the election as an independent candidate but later joined SAD (B) faction, when asked said, “I have done a lot for the inhabitants of the area but as the PUDA has been creating hurdles, they all are annoyed and not ready to understand my status, so I have planned to shift to some other ward.”

When the SAD ex-minister, Chiranji Lal Garg was contacted he said, “During my tenure, I got a letter from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the allotment to the inhabitants at nominal price, but then PUDA put some hurdle.”

“We can do anything for public welfare but now the PUDA has filed some petition, which we hope to get quashed on the base of time barred”, added Garg.

On his part Sarup Chand Singla said, “We have been pursuing the matter and trying our best to get the land allotted to the residents at some fixed price. We will make sure that the residents are not uprooted from the basti in any situation.”

But on the other hand, when the administrator, Bathinda Development Authority, K.K.Yadav was contacted, he said, “PUDA had lost the case in the Supreme Court but again a petition has been filed to get the acquisition order.”