Ludhiana, August 27
Residents of Gyaspura have failed to get respite from gastroenteritis as nine new patients have been admitted to a local private hospital since yesterday, followed by two cases of dehydration at another hospital.

At the same time, health officials have registered four cases of diarrhoea in Gyaspura and seven in Sherpur Kalan during special OPDs conducted in both areas.

Dr S.S. Solanki of the hospital said it was important for the corporation authorities to take necessary measures to supply potable water. “A large number of patients are coming with acute diarrhoea and stomach disorders, which leads to fever followed by vomiting.”

Doctors at the other hospital said if the authorities concerned did not take proper measures to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis, the problem could aggravate post-monsoon.

Expressing concern over stagnant water in the area, which helps larvae develop into mosquitoes, the doctors stressed the need for regular sprays.

There have been stray cases of dengue and malaria but the authorities should not ignore the probability of having group cases from particular areas, stated a doctor running a small clinic in Gyaspura.

However, the doctors in the area feel that it is necessary for the administration to initiate some programmes to bring about awareness on sanitation amongst slum-dwellers.

“It is their own ignorance about hygienic conditions that results in outbreak of these fatal diseases. But what is more shocking is that the administration has failed to take preventive measures against gastroenteritis in Gyaspura for the past five years,” doctors went on to add.

The authorities at the civil hospital, Ludhiana, however, denied having received any fresh case of gastroenteritis, stating that the situation was under control.

“Two out of six patients undergoing treatment at the hospital were discharged today and the remaining four are also recovering,” said Dr Harvinder Singh, SMO, civil hospital, Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, August 27
In spite of gastroenteritis gripping Gyaspura, the ward of city mayor, no cleaning operation has been carried out in the area much to the chagrin of residents.

This, even five days after a girl died of the water-borne disease. The death seems to have done little to wake up the authorities, who instead of launching a cleanliness drive have given a clean chit to the municipal corporation.

Even today, garbage was found littered in the area, sewer overflowing and mosquitoes breeding in puddles of water. Stench had enveloped the area.

Mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura had made a round of the area four days ago and stated that the corporation was not at fault. The water supplied by corporation was fit for drinking.

Ludhiana, August 27
A local family has won a yearlong battle against Russian airlines Aeroflot for causing delay in delivery of luggage to them.

Penalising the airlines, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum awarded the local couple — Jasbir Singh Bindra and Poonam Bindra — of Rani Jhansi Road Rs 1 lakh in compensation due to the harassment suffered by them.

Forum president T.N. Vaidya and members pronounced the order while deciding two complaints filed by the couple. Jasbir Bindra is a lawyer and wife a columnist. In its decision, the forum held that the negligence of the airlines was clearly reflected in the handing of the luggage to the couple 56 hours after the scheduled time.

The couple had complained to the forum that they had booked return air ticket with the airlines through its local agent Ludhiana Travels Private Limited. They boarded the flight on June 15, 2007.

On return, they took a flight from Los Angeles on July 4, 2007 for Moscow. They had to face a lot of harassment at Los Angeles due to rush. None of the officials from the airlines assisted or guided them, they had alleged.

While boarding at Los Angeles, four baggages against receipts were booked with Aeroflot. Their baggage contained various apparel, gifts and jewellery handed over to them by their hosts for delivery at Ludhiana.

The baggages were assured to be delivered on landing at New Delhi. After reaching Moscow, they boarded another flight.

However, when they reached Delhi, the baggages were not delivered.

When they enquired from the officials of the airlines, they did not co-operate.

They instead told them that they would have to wait for the next day or till the arrival of the next flight from Moscow, added the complainant.

After a lot of efforts, they were given in writing that the luggage was not delivered. They returned to Ludhiana and broke open the locks of the house to gain access, as the keys were in the luggage.

Their luggage was delivered to them at their house after 56 hours. On the other hand, the airlines said it had happened due to unforeseen reasons. But the forum found it to be a case of negligence and told them to compensate the couple.

Ludhiana, August 27
Panjab University, Chandigarh, has reportedly rejected the nomination papers of two candidates from the city representing lecturer/principal constituencies in the senate elections.

According to sources, the nomination papers were rejected as the candidates did not mention the name of the registrar on the envelope.

The candidates have already written to vice-chancellor Dr R.C. Sobti urging him to take a lenient view of the anomaly.

In case their names are not considered, they may represent their case in the court, said one of the candidates.

Prof Kuldeep Singh from the lecturer constituency said his papers were rejected as he had not written the name of the registrar on the envelope. He said according to the calender notification, the papers must be addressed to the PU registrar by name under registered post or handed over personally.

“The papers were personally handed over to the authority concerned for which I was issued a receipt. The list of candidates released after the nominations was also displayed on the board. I had also received a letter regarding scrutiny and was asked to be present at the time of scrutiny,” said Prof Kuldeep Singh.

He added that he had sent a letter addressed to the vice-chancellor seeking a lenient view on the matter.

“I hope that our nominations will be considered. The nominations papers of 18 other members have also been rejected on similar grounds. In case the authorities fail to oblige, we may move court for shelter,” he said.

The other nomination paper that had reportedly been rejected is that of principal of Sri Ram College, Dalla, near Jagraon.

Ludhiana, August 27
Monkey menace continues to haunt residents of Phase I, Dugri, here. Even after 15 days of regular making complaints, the district forest department has failed to catch monkeys that have created a panic in the area.

To top it all, certain residents in the area have started feeding these monkeys, thus compounding the problem. A monkey caught in a trap laid by the forest department here today was released by two youths, who had come in a Maruti car.

“We are fed up with the nuisance. Residents are feeling helpless. We have to carry bars and hockey sticks most of the times to protect ourselves,” said Raminder Singh, a resident.

K.K.Thapar, another complainant, said a monkey was caught in the trap this morning. The trap was laid by the forest department officials in the area a few days ago.

Department officials were told about the development in the morning. “But we were told to wait till other monkeys were also caught. We are shocked at the callous attitude of the authorities,” he said, adding that two youths in a Maruti car pulled the trap to release the monkey when the family was inside the house at 9.40 am.

Another resident alleged that one of the residents of a nearby locality was shielding monkeys.

He said: “We have learned that the family worships monkeys. They regularly feed these monkeys with bananas, milk, bread and buns and refuse to listen to anybody’s request.” Monkeys have already bitten several area residents, including a school student recently.

The forest department had expressed helplessness in the absence of sufficient traps and nets. 

Khanna, August 27
The three trained dogs of the police department are only being deputed during VIP duties. Instead of being used to sniff out criminals, these dogs end up protecting VIPs during their visit to the city.

The dog squad was commissioned in the police department about two years ago and since then they are yet to get any credit for catching criminals. “The tracker dog managed to solve a theft case a few months ago, leading to arrest of two migrant laborers in Machhiwara. The other two are deployed to ensure the safety of the ministers and VIP’s”, said the caretakers of these dogs.

Three dogs-Noddy (for explosives detection), Blacky (for narcotics detection) and Highway (for tracking) were trained for nine months at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur.

Caretakers claim that the dogs are given healthy food, which includes milk with chapatti in the morning and with feed in the evening. In the scorching summer these dogs are provided with fans only.

“There was also a cooler, which we use time and again for three dogs, kept in separate rooms”, said the cops. These dogs are put on complete vegetarian diet during summers and are provided meat only during the winters.

Ludhiana, August 27
The department of ophthalmology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, conducted an orientation workshop on childhood eye disorders for the general practioners of the city.

Doctors from the NIMA (National integrated medicine association) who were invited for the workshop were sensitised to the eye disorders commonly prevalent in children, some of which can lead to permanent blindness if not diagnosed and treated on time.

The topics covered were paediatric cataract, squint, amblyopia, retinopathy of pre-maturity and low vision aids.

The faculty of CMC eye department Dr Harpreet Kapoor, Dr Satish Thomas, Dr Rupali Chopra and Dr Sandeep Anand conducted the scientific session.

Dr AG Thomas, director CMCH and medical superintendent Dr Kanwal Masih, principal Dr Sunil Singh, deputy director Dr Kim Mammen and deputy MS Dr V.P. Singh were also present on the occasion.

Dr Harpreet Kapoor while giving the welcome address stated that department of ophthalmology in its endeavour to alleviate childhood blindness from this region has taken many new initiatives. A child friendly paediatric eye clinic is already under construction and will soon be functional. A trained paediatric ophthalmology team comprising a doctor, optometrist, orthoptist, ophthalmic nurse and community worker is already providing quality service to the children visiting CMC.

The hospital is also observing eye donation fortnight, which would conclude on September 8. 

Exactly four decades ago, I was shifted from Govt. College, Tanda to Govt. College, Faridkot, much to my consternation. But once there, I found a kindred soul in professor Manjit Singh Sidhu who invited me to stay with him till my family joined me. Like a commune, there were already two of his colleagues with him in a lonely bungalow, so we the foursome had a strange connection with one another. It was like tourists taking shelter under a shed, at a hill station, when the rain lashed around. Soon there developed a sort of fellowship, particularly when the sun was down and the spirits were high.

In Prof Sidhu I found an indomitable soul. In those days he was fighting election to the College Teachers Constituency of Panjab University Senate. When we wanted to have a wink of sleep in the afternoon, he goaded the three of us to write postcards to our acquaintances to vote for him. As we prepared ourselves to do the needful, he would be already busy writing letters to all and sundry. He was single-minded in the attainment of his goal. Simply by dint of hard work, so to say, he succeeded in his aim. He taught the subject of economics in the classes but outside the college, he was deeply concerned with the economic disparity among the classes of the society.

We drifted apart for a number of years, but in 1987 we were together again in Govt. College, Ludhiana. In 1988, shortly after retirement, he went to Calgary (Canada) and settled there. For sometime he felt like a shipwrecked sailor. Then he took up the pen to express his ideas when time hung heavy on his hands.

His articles appeared in the newspapers and journals of Canada. He discovered in himself a writer who could convey his views without mincing the words. His narration of events was breathtaking while the delineation of characters resembled portrait painting. He was guileless in his views and spontaneous in their expression. The publication of his book ‘Vann-Swann’ in 2006 established him as a writer who could communicate effortlessly with his compatriots settled abroad.

Now the publication of his second volume of journalistic venture, under the title ‘Meri patarkari de rung’, has revealed a person who has been moving abreast with the time. Even as a college lecturer he had been in touch with the newspapers for the publication of the reports of the functions and the events. Being an activist he took prominent part in the struggles of the teaching community for the redressal of their grievances.

With the passage of time, he was associated as a reporter with the newspapers and journals, such as ‘Indo-Canadian Times’, ‘Indian Journal’, ‘Des Pardes Times’, ‘Des Punjab Times’, ‘Charhdi Kala’ and ‘Hamdard’. He had to face some resistance from the individuals who had the monopoly in this field. His past experience as a journalist stood him in good stead and he was accepted as an intrepid reporter and commentator.

A time came when he received recognition in the social and political circles. On the Canadian scene too, he emerged as a force to be reckoned with. In 2003, he was honoured for his contribution to Indo-Canadian journalism with $ 1,000 and a plaque. In 2005, he was conferred a gold medal by Ujjal Dosanjh, the former premier of British Columbia. Again in 2006, the Calgary branch of Gerintological Association of Alberta bestowed on him ‘Outstanding Calgary Senior Award’.

In his eightieth year, Prof Sidhu is still active in life. He is in touch with the changing world around him. In the country of adoption, he is now a person who has a well-defined identity. He is not merely an onlooker but deeply involved in literary and cultural functions held in Calgary. He has also a bird’s-eye view of what is happening in Canada.

All along, he has been concerned with the changing scenario of his motherland. He is still linked with his roots. His forte is vivid imagination and sharp memory. He never loses sight of details when he narrates an episode. Nor does he waver a bit while giving description of a person. His heart still beats for a better tomorrow.

— N.S. Tasneem

Raikot, August 27
Development works in this town, that had been put on halt for several months, are expected to restart with the election of municipal council president here today.

The election also ended the ongoing political tussle between local SAD and BJP leaders.

Councillors here unanimously elected Vijay Jain from the Bharatiya Janata Party as president and Mulkh Raj of the Shromani Akali Dal the vice-president.

Elections to the council were held on June 30. Uncertainty over the election of leaders prevailed and meetings to elect the president and vice-president were postponed twice.

Amandeep Singh, joint secretary SAD (youth wing), and councillors supporting him were persuaded to vote for the panel on the assurance that he would be elected chief after two and half years.

Veteran SAD leader Jagdev Singh Talwandi played a key role in ending the political stalemate. SDM Mukand Singh Sandhu convened the election meeting.

The name of Jain was proposed by Raj Kumar Raju, while Charanjit Singh seconded the proposal.

Harpal Singh proposed Raj’s name for the post of vice-president.

Fourteen out of 15 candidates backed by the SAD and the BJP had won the election.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27
Ludhiana deputy commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar gave away a cheque for Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the family of Garja Singh, a victim of Naina Devi stampede.

The cheque was presented to the Latala-based family at a function held at Capt Ravinder Singh Memorial Government Elementary School, Latala village, near here, today.

Former minister Jagdish Singh Garcha presided over the function.

Of the total compensation amount, Rs 1 lakh was given by the Punjab government while the remaining was given by the Himachal Pradesh government.

Ludhiana, August 27
Managing director of Bharti Enterprises Rakesh Bharti Mittal advised industry to educate next generation in order to emerge competitive amid global competition. Addressing members of the Ludhiana Management Association (LMA) on ways to create a competitive edge, Mittal said over 300 million Indians between the age group of six and sixteen years needed to get education. “They deserve to get world class education and educating them would make us competitive in all spheres in the coming decades,” said Mittal.

He added that creating competitive edge was generally interpreted as a cost advantage, which most companies had the capability and desire to attain. Cutting costs has become a regular activity for businesses and is also important for enterprises so as to sustain themselves in the market.

However, attaining competitive edge requires attaining differentiation, which can be a result of dedicated efforts, commitment and intellect of people, he said.

Asserting on the need to set benchmarks, he said as long as one sets benchmarks, he stands the possibility of increasing competitiveness and emerging a winner. Mittal also emphasised on conducting business operations efficiently, “Recently India has recorded 9 million plus addition in mobile phones, which is the highest ever globally. Efficient operations have helped mobile industry attain such targets.”

Strong distribution channels, a work-conducive environment and empowerment of human resource were other critical factors that can help a business emerge competitively stronger.

Presenting his remarks, Anil Kumar, president of the LMA, said strengthening human resource could help the organisation attain the targets. K.N.S Kang, general secretary, cited the example of China, where sustained efforts are paying off.

Ludhiana, August 27
The oversized retro look in sunglasses of 70s is back with a bang.

Only few rays of sunlight strike and the fashion conscious people all over the city get out with their new big sized shades to go for a stroll on the sunny side of the street. Modern eyewear continues to be heavily inspired by the past even today.

Unlike clothing, spectacles and sunglasses trends have undergone a major change and flux. Looking back over the past five years, it is only the re-emergence of the oversized sunglasses that have caused the biggest stir. Zeenat Aman made a style statement in the 70s with her oversized glasses and now they are considered fashionable once again. The revival of 70s fashion has been going on for sometime.

“Big sunglasses are the latest trend for everyone. The bigger the better, and not only celebrities but even the young brigade is following the style. The strangest styles are coming back into fashion. Angel sunglasses with their high fancy tops are back in vogue for women,” adds

Rajesh Kumar, a shop owner at Sarabha Nagar market.

Style mavens today find plenty of new shapes and coloured frames to choose from. The retro-trend is likely to be even stronger this year. Softer, more curvaceous shapes have come to the fore, with warm and natural colours like brown, red and maroon dominating the scene.

“Sunglasses not only protect your eyes from strong sunlight, they are a great fashion accessory. Sunglasses today have become a vital part of almost every youngster’s wardrobe,” quips Mehar, a fashion designing student.

Seeing your favourite rap artist out in his shades is the first step to falling for the craze wholesale.

Nowadays youngsters wear sunglasses not only to protect their eyesight, but as part of a fashion statement. They term sunglasses as a ‘cool’ fashion accessory.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27
To improve the standard of teaching in science and mathematics, the state education department has constituted special teams to identify government schools where additional teachers and volunteers would be deputed soon.

The additional staff will take special classes to supplement knowledge of students during extra classes. Additional funds required to arrange the staff and equipments would be provided by the union government under Sarav Sikhya Abhyan, informed the authorities.

Initially students of Classes VI to VIII will benefit from the project.

Observations by the Ludhiana Tribune revealed that the special teams supervised by the districts education officers and district science supervisors of Sangrur and Ludhiana districts had visited the state run schools in this part of the state during past few days.

Supplementary arrangements to teach science and mathematics would be made on the basis of appraisal reports to be submitted by these teams. According to Tej Partap Singh, district science supervisor, Sangrur, as many as four teams were out in the field to appraise the standard of teaching of technical subjects, including science and mathematics. In addition to thirty schools being studied by teams supervised by Tej Partap, Balwant Kaur, DEO Sangrur, had taken up twenty other government elementary schools.

Tej Partap said the situation was not satisfactory at majority of schools. Though standard of teaching of these subjects was near average at some schools situated on the northern end of the district, situation at those situated in the southern part, surrounding Lehragaga and Moonak areas, was grave. There were some schools where mathematics and science were being taught by the physical education teachers. Observations further revealed that the director general, school education and state project director, Sarav Sikhya Abhiyan, Punjab, Krishan Kumar had convened meetings of DEOs and DSSs of the state and advised them to explore chances of improving the standard of teaching in these subjects at government schools.

“After coming to know that the standard of teaching in science and mathematics was not upto the desired level, the director general schools, advised us to make extra efforts to improve the quality of teaching. He promised to provide us separate kits for mathematics and science,” Tej Partap said.

Khamano, August 27
The Unemployed BEd Teachers Front, Fatehgarh Sahib, strongly opposed the decision of the Badal government to issue appointment letters only to the urban candidates. This was stated at a meeting of the Front at Gurdwara Sahib, Khamano. They alleged that rural candidates were being given step-motherly treatment by the Akali-BJP government by doing so. They also decided to file a petition in the high court against this move of the government. They said they would hold a rally at Lambi on September 5 against the decision of the state government.

They alleged that the Punjab government is trying to break the unity of the Front by presenting appointment letters to urban candidates. The meeting was attended by Ranjodh Singh, Lakhvir Singh, Jodh Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Jagjeet Kheri, Jaswinder Saidpur, Parmjeet Barwali, Shingara Singh Barwali, Sohan Bhambri, Raghvir Singh Bhamian, Dilraj Kaur, Narinder Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, Jagdeep Kaur and some other unemployed teachers.

Ludhiana, August 27
BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School provided the platform for meeting of principals of various CBSE schools of Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex.

The main agenda of the meeting was to appoint new director of Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex but also to divide it into three parts to enable principals to contribute significantly to revamp school activities with a clear thrust on excellence.

R.S. Gill, principal of Guru Nanak Public School, has been appointed as director of the Ludhiana Central in which 21 schools would be included while Paramjit Kaur, principal of BCM Arya School has been appointed as secretary. Bahadur Singh, principal of Gobindgarh Public School, has been appointed as director of Ludhiana East, which includes eighteen schools. Gurshaminder, principal of Partap Public School, has been appointed as director of Ludhiana West, which includes fifteen schools while Priyanka, principal of Saraswati Modern School, has been appointed as secretary.

Khamano, August 27
The 8th All-India Chess Tournament was held by the Khamano Chess Association with the help of the District Chess Association at Shri Shakti Dharmshala, Mandir Road, Khamano.

The tournament was held in the memory of Late Bhim Chand Verma and Pawan Kumar Billa.

About 200 players took part in this three-day tournament.

Ram Parkash of Ludhiana stood first, Hemal Gosain of Chandigarh came second, Arwinderpreet Singh of Ludhiana was third, Pardeep Arora of Amritsar was fourth, Jagpreet Singh came fifth and Rajesh Kumar Chamba took the sixth position. The above players were given cash prizes of Rs 5,100, 4,100, 3,100, 2,100, and 1,100, respectively, with trophies. Ujjal Mehra won first prize in the under 19 category.

In the under 15 category, Jaideep Singh stood first. The first place in old age category was won by J.S. of Ganga Nagar and five-year-old Meenakshi won in the youngest age category. The ‘best player of the district’ award went to B.K. Puri. Besides, blind players were also given prizes.

Ludhiana, August 27
Trainees of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre, Ludhiana, celebrated Sadbhavna Divas here today.

Players who have been enrolled here with the centre took an oath to maintain communal harmony at a function organised following the direction from the regional director, SAI centre, Sonepat, at the multi-purpose indoor hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex.

Sweets were distributed among players and others.

The players vowed to resolve all differences among various communities and religions through dialogue and constitutional means without resorting to violence.

Arjuna awardee and former international cager Sajjan Singh Cheema was the chief guest, while former international boxer Rajiv Verma was the guest of honour.

Under the sports promotion scheme of the SAI, 85 trainees (day boarding), including those from disciplines of athletics, basketball, handball, judo, volleyball and weightlifting, were handed over cheques of stipend worth Rs 1.75 lakh.

Addressing the trainees, Sajjan Singh said sports could play a vital role in marinating peace and harmony in the world. Players of all age groups and communities were examples of communal harmony, he added.

Officiating district sports officer, Ludhiana, Jaswinder Singh Bhandari, besides coaches of different games from SAI, sports department and prominent personalities were also present. Senior weightlifting coach and in charge of SAI Centre, Ludhiana, Harbans Singh expressed gratitude towards the persons for attending the function.