"People can approach the Health Department round the clock on the helpline number 2444193 in case of any emergency," Dr Sharma said.

Ludhiana, August 8
Want to learn hockey? Cut the grass first. The offer sounds absurd and yet it holds true in case of girls who are selected in the hockey wing being run by the Punjab education department at Government Senior Secondary School for Girls at Bharat Nagar Chowk here.

"Questions have always been raised on the poor performance of the hockey player at the international level but no one ever has looked into the kind infrastructure that has been provided to these players at the grassroot level", a girl said wiping loads of sweat on her forehead.

The players who were selected on the basis of their hockey skills were made to cut the grass with a sword as ground man has not been provided by the department.

The girls complained that despite their repeated requests, no ground man had been provided by the school authorities. In absence of any response, the players decided to clear the ground by themselves.

One of the players said every time they had to clear the ground in order to make it fit for practice.

When the Tribune correspondent reached the ground, a staffer of the school, said, "The school groundsmen are usually absent from their duties and the hockey players have to bear the brunt for the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities."

A hockey player, who was cutting the wild grass said, "The authorities always blame the players for the poor performance but have they ever thought what kind of facilities they are providing to us?"

Another hockey player on the condition of anonymity said, "We have been kept away from basic facilities. We do not ask for expensive astroturf. The only demand we have made is to provide us a proper playing field and that too has not been provided by the government."

"What is the use of providing hostel facilities to the player when a ground is not being provided by the government. We did not know that we are recruited to cut the grass and not to play hockey," a player said.

Kamaljit Kaur, principal, Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, said, "The grass cutting machine suddenly broke down and the girls in order to finish the work quickly helped the grounds man."

While, a teacher on the condition of anonymity, said, "Such situation was bound to happen as no permanent ground man has been provide by the department to look after the institution. The school authorities have made repeated requests to the education department but no action has been taken so far."

Ludhiana, August 8
Two bodies recovered from Sidhwan Canal near Issewal village three days ago have turned out to be of two local youths who, confronted with problems arising out of matrimony, chose to commit suicide.

Belonging to different parts of the city and struggling with their problems, both lay dead together stuck under the bridge of the Sidhwan canal.

One of them was Pardeep Kumar, a dalit youth of old Bazaar, Sahnewal. His burden was the guilt of lying to his Brahmin wife about his caste.

His family told the Hambran police, Pardeep, an insurance agent, was under depression when his wife and her parents learnt the fact. Though his wife did not desert him, she was hurt.

He began staying away from the home and often wept before his wife about his guilt. He was missing for five days.

DSP Paramjit Singh Goraya told Ludhiana Tribune the family did not approach the police as it had become quite common for him to reach home after staying away for many days.

The second youth, Suresh Kumar, a three-wheeler driver of New Subash Nagar, Basti Jodhewal, here, was fighting loneliness. His wife had divorced him and taken away their 10-year-old son.

Suresh was often staying away from his home. DSP Goraya said his family revealed Suresh was unhappy for the past couple of months and rarely spent a night home.

The postmortem examination conducted by doctors in Jagraon civil hospital reported the two had died of drowning. There were no injury marks to suggest foul play.

Ludhiana, August 8
Fissures within SAD leaders in the municipal corporation's general house came to the fore today when several party councillors, owing allegiance to Simarjit Singh Bains group, celebrated the first anniversary of the house among themselves here.

Mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura was, however, not present. Sources said he was not invited on the occasion.

The development washed away all assertions that Gyaspura and Bains were now together and they had buried all difference following intervention by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

While Bains maintained that the function was not pre-organised as just an assistant of a councillor arranged for the cake and called them up.

Interestingly, all councillors close to Bains, including Jagbir Singh Sokhi, Parminder Soma, Jaspal Sandhu, Kamaljit Singh Karwal, Swaranjit Chahal and Satpal Singh Lohara, were present on the occasion.

Bains was a strong contender for the post of the city's mayor when the SAD-BJP was elected to the house. He had the support of a number of councillors and was being projected as a young and energetic candidate for the post.

He was said to be close to Sukhbir Badal. But then Gyaspura was named the Mayor. This had left Bains very angry. He had expressed his displeasure publicly also.

Ludhiana, August 8
Two persons, including a constable, were crushed inside a car which collided head on with a truck near Kothari Resorts, Ludhiana-Ferozepore road, last midnight.

The car went under the truck. The two, identifed as constable Jugraj Singh and driver Gurpreet Singh, were attached with SDM, Mansa.

The accident caused traffic jam and a police crane, called to lift the truck, could not reach the spot.

Ludhiana, August 8
“The journey from Khanna to Mumbai was a wisdom trip as it helped me evolve as an individual and a singer,” said Labh Janjua, renowned Bollywood singer from Punjab.

Keeping up with his reputation of being a performer, Labh held on to the mike entertaining people with his all-time hits.

The singer was in the city for the premiere of Akshay Kumar starrer 'Singh is King' held at PVR Cinema. “Ji karda mera ji karda”, a track from the same movie, is already a hit among his fans.

Accredited with 48 catchy numbers in Hindi movies, the singer is all set to establish himself as a lyricist. Witty yet poised, Labh defined himself as a versatile performer as he regaled the audience with “Pyar mein kya mila”, a high-pitched Hindi song.

"I have penned this song for Salman Khan's forthcoming film which has made me confident to keep up with my writing spree. The song has helped me clear the doubts about my diction in Hindi language," the singer said.

Giving a glimpse of his versatility, Labh has sung a song for a Bhojpuri song "Aag
lage sayian".

"I have a special regard for famous Hindi film music director Pritam known for his Punjabi beats as we have given some biggest hits to the industry," revealed Labh.

“Bhape Pyar Kar ke pachtaya”, “Soni de nakhre sone lagde”, “Yaara dhol baja ke” are amongst my favourite numbers,” the singer adds.

The singer, recounting his most memorable moments in the film industry, said, "Time came to a standstill when I was given the harmonium used by Lata Mangeshkarji for one of my songs. It was the biggest reward of my life."

The star singer called upon the people of Punjab to participate in the campaign against female foeticide initiated by city-based NGO Aadhar Foundation.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 8
The Pepsu Road Transport Corporation has urged the regional transport authority, Patiala, to initiate legal action against those private transporters whose drivers and conductors had been violating norms by not entering the local bus stand during trips between Ludhiana and Malerkotla towns.

The regional transport authorities had tried to shield the erring transporters on the plea that they (transporters), as a token of arrival at bus stand, had produced receipts for adda fee, purportedly issued by outsourcing contractor.

Undertaking by office-bearers of a few social and political organisation of the area, led by Ved Parkash was also presented as evidence in favour of transporters.

Taking cognisance of alleged scam, involving issue of adda fee receipts without arrival of buses at bus stop, the corporation authorities have also cancelled outsourcing contract and taken up the control of the stop in their own hands.

Perusal of records revealed that the GM, PRTC, Sangrur, has urged the regional transport authority secretary, Patiala, to initiate action against the private transporters for violating norms by dropping passengers at Pohir village and not entering the local bus stand.

The action had been initiated on complaints lodged by Sikander Singh of Chhappar. In a communication addressed to the transport authority and Sikander Singh, the general manager alleged that the staff of a large number of buses used to procure adda fee receipts from the contractor without reaching the bus stop.

Referring to weekly reports submitted to district transport officer at Sangrur, the PRTC authorities regretted that private transporters caused financial loss to corporation and state-run buses.

Ludhiana, August 8
Charging the Union government with adopting double standard on the issue of the land allotment to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board in Srinagar, Shri Amarnath Yatra Welfare Organisation has urged the President of India to intervene and find out an amicable solution to the imbroglio.

In a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil, forwarded through SAD (B) Lok Sabha member Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, functionaries of the body alleged that the then Jammu and Kashmir government had revoked the allotment order of the land to the shrine board after nine days of agitation.

However, even as the agitation against the cancellation of allotment has been going on in Jammu region for the past 38 days and nine precious lives have also been lost so far, the Union government, which was ruling the state through the Governor, had failed to take strict actions for restoring normalcy in the strife-torn Jammu region.

Amar Pal Sharma, chairman, and Rajinder Sharma, president of the organisation, maintained that the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir had buckled under the pressure mounted by the fundamentalists and the land allotment to the shrine board was revoked at the instance of the PDP, which later went on to withdraw its support to the Congress.

Jagraon, August 8
Activists of the Pendu Mazdur Union staged a protest against the Punjab police for its inability to arrest two residents of Rasulpur village.

It is alleged that the duo had compelled a 17-year-old girl to commit suicide. Sandeep Kaur (17) of Rasulpur village was under tremendous pressure as Janta Singh and Nikka of Rasulpur village used to compel her to meet them.

However, she used to rebuff them. Ultimately she committed suicide by setting herself ablaze on July 27.

There were reports of violence over the movie in Amritsar. There was no report of any violence or protest over the movie in any part of the city.

Mandi Gobindgarh, August 8
The National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), Patiala, and the North Zone Cultural Centre, presented a satire “Kul Bartaant” at Gobindgarh Public School auditorium.

The society as a part of its “Tiranga Theatre Fortnight” will also stage this satire in Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur and Patiala districts.

According to the NTAS director Pran Sabharwal, the play is a Punjabi adaptation of Varindavan Dandvate’s Marathi play, depicting various sad and happy happenings in the life of a veteran duo.

Bahadur Singh, principal of the school, inaugurated the programme. Prizes were given to 30 participants and theatre workshop experts.

Khamano, August 8
An awareness camp on female foeticide was organised at Manpur village under the command of Khamano CDPO Sunita Rani.

In her address, the CDPO said people should come forward to stop foeticide to save the coming generations.

She said the government was working against this menace and social organisations should also come forward against it. She said women were leading on all fronts and they should be allowed to born and live.

Students of Guru Nanak Public School presented poems on female foeticide. Circle supervisor Santosh Rani, Kamla Kapil, teachers Amandeep Kaur and Gagandeep Singh expressed their views. Village sarpanch Manjit Kaur thanked the guests.

Ludhiana, August 8
Activists of the state unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) staged a dharna and blocked traffic for more than half-an-hour at Satluj toll plaza here yesterday.

They were demanding removal of toll plaza from Satluj bridge with immediate effect. The delegation headed by M.P. Singh Goraya, general secretary of the state unit of the BSP, submitted a memorandum to the SDM Phillaur in this regard.

M.P.Singh said the setting up of the toll plaza near Satluj Bridge would affect the dairy business of people residing at Phillaur and Goraya.

Ludhiana, August 8
In the course of its drive against power theft, the enforcement machinery of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has now turned its attention towards small towns and villages falling in the suburban and Khanna circles of the Central Zone.

Sukhjinder Singh Sidhu, a senior executive engineer, Doraha, said a team of officials carried out an inspection of the residential and commercial premises and also energy meters of more than 100 consumers in Doraha on Thursday.

At the end of the day, 13 cases of power theft were established and a penalty
of Rs 5.64 lakh was imposed on the defaulting consumers, who were from the
domestic category.

Sidhu said in almost all cases, power was being stolen through “kundis” hooked onto the joints in PVC feeder wires. The campaign against the power theft would continue and the defaulters would face the music, he added.

Ludhiana, August 8
Chander Shekhar Prabhakar, wax sculptor, unveiled the life-size statue of Baba Ramdev on his (Prabhakar’s) 62nd birthday today.

Statue of Ramdev is Chander Shekhar’s 30th creation. Earlier, he had moulded wax into beautiful statues of prominent personalities and many of them are exhibited at Hardy’s World here.

‘‘I was inspired to create Baba Ramdev’s statue as he is the one to take Yoga to every house in India. The Yoga became a household name only after he started listing its benefits. And the Indians needed it the most to keep ill affects of stressful life at bay,’’ said Prabhakar, while unveiling the baba’s statue in his characteristic saffron attire.

It took two months for Prabhakar to create the statue. “I collected his pictures
some time ago.

Ludhiana, August 8
World Senior Citizens’ Day was celebrated in a unique manner at BCM School, Dugri, here, today. A programme titled 'Dada Dadi ki Kahania' was organised in order to bring the students close to their grandparents and to make them understand their value in their lives.

To inculcate such values among the children, grandparents of students of KG section were invited. Teachers and students together enacted a one-act play with the theme which dealt with situation of the senior citizens.

RAKHI: Rakhi was celebrated at Baba Isher Singh Senior Secondary Public School , BRS Nagar, here today. Around 120 students from Classes nursery, LKG and UKG participated in this activity. Tinytots of the school tied rakhies on the wrists of their classmates and the school principal distributed sweets among the children.

CELEBRATED: The festival of Teej was celebrated on the premises of GMT Public School here today. Girls from Classes IX to XII participated in giddha and mehndi competition. "Sohni Mutiyar", a fashion show, was organised. Surinder Kaur Thind and Harpreet Kaur Thind were the chief guests.

TEEJ: The festival of Teej was celebrated with gaiety at Love Dale here today. School children were dressed up in colourful traditional attires. A picnic like atmosphere was created in the school as the children enjoyed swings and danced to the tunes of filmy numbers.

FUNCTION: A function was organised to install an English language lab at Kundan Vidya Mandir today. Eye-specialist Dr Lajpat Rai was the chief guest.

PLANTATION DRIVE: Ryan International School students have started a plantation drive in several parts of the city here today. This plantation drive will continue till August 24, the foundation day of the school.

Jayasheri, principal of the school said, “The need to save the environment and keep it clean is known to us. However, the fact is that in our busy lives and in our quest to acquire more and more material wealth, we are ignoring our environment.”

Students went to the Civil Hospital and E.S.l. Hospital, Bharat Nagar Chowk and planted 50 saplings in each hospital. The authorities were glad and appreciated the efforts of the school and students.

TALENT SEARCH: The primary students of K.V.M. conducted a talent search programme, at the city branch, here today. The function was presided over by the Headmistress, Namita Raj Singh. Solo Dance performance by Vanika of Nehru house created a unique atmosphere of festivity and fervour.

All were excited to see the sets of Mughal Darbar, as once again Birbal solved the difficult case with his wit and charm in the skit named ‘Akbar and Birbal’ by Tagore house. The actors were congratulated and were given prizes by the principal.

Doraha, August 8
Jaspreet Singh Nagi of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Doraha, has brought laurels to his school and town.

He bagged the first position at block-level and at district-level in the science seminar held at Government Senior Secondary School, PAU, Ludhiana, recently.

This seminar was organised by the district science department. The topic for this year was ‘Water Crisis on Earth - Problems and Remedies’. Jaspreet presented his topic through transparencies with the help of an OHP.

Surinder Kaushal, science teacher of SGHPS, guided Jaspreet in preparing the
topic. M. Vinayak, principal of SGHPS, congratulated Jaspreet and his parents
on his success.

This is the fourth time that a student of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Doraha, will represent Ludhiana district at the state-level science seminar that will be held later this month.

Ludhiana, August 8
Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, edged out Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanansu, 4-1 to lift the title in the Ludhiana District Inter-School Football Championship (u-19) organised by the District Football Association, Ludhiana, which concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium here yesterday.

The issue was resolved via penalty shoot out as the two teams were tied 1-all at the end of the stipulated period.

Earlier, in the second final played in the morning, Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, outclassed Government Senior Secondary School, Jandiali, 4-0 to set up the title clash with the PAU lads.

In first semifinal on Wednesday, Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanansu, defeated AS Senior Secondary School, Khanna, in an identical fashion 4-0.

Vijay Rai Dhanda, wife of Harish Rai Dhanda, chief parliamentary secretary, Punjab, was the chief guest.