Ludhiana, September 19
Rains played spoilsport on the concluding day of Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)grounds today. Due to intermittent showers since morning, there was a low turnout of farmers both at PAU and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) grounds.

Though the organisers made efforts to attract the farmers who had come from far-off places, the latter preferred to leave early due to the rain.

A farmer from Mukerian, Sardool Singh, said it was difficult to take a round of all stalls and exhibitions due to the slush. "We started in the morning today hoping that there will be less rush but the rain dampened our spirits. We cannot even move around properly. Already, many of the stalls have been vacated and tents removed. We have decided to go back early, as there is no point in wasting time," he said.

Gurpreet Singh, a farmer at GADVASU, said dairy farming had a lot of scope. "A farmer feels satisfied till the product is in his hands. The farmer faces problems while marketing his product. The government or authorities concerned must ensure good marketing for dairy farmers. We all believe in diversification of agriculture but till the time we are satisfied, we are reluctant to switch over from traditional farming," he said, adding that Pashu Palan Mela at GADVASU always remained an attraction for dairy farmers.

Due to the downpour, the farmers were seen going back in trolleys, buses and private vehicles from PAU and GADVASU early during the day. Both melas concluded with a note to meet again after six months with new researches and more information for farmers.

Talking to The Tribune, GADVASU VC V.K.Taneja said the aim of Pashu Palan Mela was to make the farming community aware of livestock professions. People were interested in adopting fish farming as profession, he added.

“There is a need to provide farmers with updated information. Our college of fisheries displayed different varieties of fish like corp fish, cat fish and ornamental fish. The farmers have indicated that fish farming is more beneficial than agriculture as it gives a better return and its marketing is also easy,” said Dr Taneja.

Despite the rain, certain farmers were seen purchasing mineral mixture and uromin lick prepared by the animal nutrition department of GADVASU. “These products are very beneficial for animals’ health and are available at a nominal price here,” Darpan Singh, a dairy farmer from Rurka Kalan village said, adding that university publications entitled Dairy Farming, Package of Practices and Vigyanak Pashu Palan were of immense help to farmers.

Khanna, September 19
Continuous rain since last night lashed the city and many low-lying areas were flooded with water today. Water also entered houses at many low-lying streets in various localities situated on Lalheri road.

People remain busy pumping out water and the shopkeepers sat idle without customer the whole day. Traffic moved at snail’s pace and around a dozen minor accidents were also reported on the GT Road due to non-functioning of traffic lights.

Water entered in GTB Nagar, Preet Nagar, Subhash Bazaar, Main Bazaar and Books Market.

"One fails to detect the vehicle coming from the opposite direction at various T-points of the city due to heavy rain.

The four-wheelers were seen banging against each other at light points and at sharp turns near the grain market and adjoining the vegetable market," said Hari Datt, a resident of Lalheri road.

Rainwater also flooded shops in various markets.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 19
Sunita Rani of Sukhdev Singh Nagar here was killed by her husband at Barnala. She was living with her parents but went to meet her husband ignoring her parent's warning and reached Barnala to meet him on Wednesday night.

Her husband Yogesh Kumar dragged her to a street and hacked her to death with a sword.

Inadequate dowry and alleged infertility of the victim were reported to be the reason behind the family discord leading to tragic end of the five-year long marriage.

According to Rakesh Kumar Kala, her daughter Sunita Rani was married to Yogesh Kumar of Barnala about five years ago. Kala, a fruit vendor, had spent thousands on the marriage of his daughter but Yogesh Kumar and other members of his family started harassing Sunita on pretext of bringing meager dowry. Their behaviour had worsened when no child was born to the couple for many years.

"When we showed our inability to meet their demands, Yogesh started torturing my daughter and ultimately threw her out of her house," alleged Rakesh.

During this period, Yogesh showed his inclination to arrive at a compromise with Sunita many times. But every time a meeting was fixed, he insisted that she should come for discussion to either Barnala, Tapa or Dhuri towns.

"In fact, he wanted to get her eliminated by some contract killers. When we did not let Sunita go to these places, he called her to Barnala and hacked her to death," sobbed Rakesh adding he had warned his daughter of consequences of her visit to Barnala. Two persons, including a woman, were also injured in the attack.

Kala alleged that Yogesh had tried to kill Sunita by electrocuting her over two years back too.

Meanwhile, sources at Barnala police station revealed that the accused was arrested when he trying to leave the area today.

Ludhiana, September 19
The passengers at railway station here are, nowadays, facing problems as with just a fraction of the required licenced porters available, the rail travellers are made to carry their luggage themselves while boarding the trains.

At times, some of the passengers, carrying heavy pieces of luggage, have to make several rounds between the platforms and main gate of the railway station. There have been instances when passengers commencing their journey from the local railway station have missed their trains for not being able to locate their coaches and board the train in time, a task that porters are well trained to perform.

A couple of months back, the railway station had strength of 160 licenced porters. But after the railways offered regular jobs of gangmen to the porters, majority of them opted for the secure jobs and were recruited. With this, the number of licensed porters at the railway station was reduced to around 25. Working in day or night shifts, not more than a dozen porters are available at the railway station at any given time.

According to railway officials, more than 120 mail, express or passenger trains pass through Ludhiana and around 25,000 people undertake railway journey everyday. Even if most of the rail passengers travel with an overnight bag or light luggage, which they can carry themselves, there are quite a few other long-route travellers, including elderly and sick people, who need to have their luggage carried by the porters.

The divisional railway authorities at Ferozepur had initiated the process of recruiting 60 new licensed porters for Ludhiana and for other major railway stations in the division a couple of months back. However, for several reasons, the process could not be completed till now and the applicants are still waiting for their enlistment.

While the senior divisional commercial manager of the Northern Railway, Dharmendra Kumar, could not be contacted in spite of repeated attempts, reliable sources at the divisional headquarters told The Tribune that the entire exercise of recruitment of new licensed porters had run into trouble and the file had been sent to New Delhi, where a decision would be taken shortly.

If sources are to be believed, the railway authorities have stalled the process of enlistment of licensed porters altogether for the time being as to their surprise, many of those recruited as railway gangmen, were said to have been keen on quitting, have their licenses back and go back to the job of porters. "Even though the porters do not have a secure job, but they make more money than the salary of a gangman."

It was learnt that in order to avoid complications and litigation in future, the railway authorities were thinking in terms of giving all newly recruited gangmen the option of retaining their jobs or going back as licenced porters. "Once this exercise is over, fresh licenced porters will be enlisted wherever required in the railways," the sources added.

Ludhiana, September 19
All-India Congress Committee Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Sangathan today staged a protest against Ludhiana civil surgeon alleging him of “underplaying” dengue, gastro and diarrhoea cases in the district.

Members of the committee accompanied by some villagers from the Dakha constituency raised slogans against civil surgeon Dr S.P. Sharma at the DC office. Kimti Rawal, the committee spokesperson, stated that there were nine deaths in Valipur village from above diseases but the district health department reported only two deaths, thereby depriving seven families from compensation by the government.

The committee members called the SAD-BJP government to pay Rs 5 lakh as the compensation to the families of the deceased.

Ludhiana, September 19
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has expressed serious concern over the housing problem in the city.

The executive committee of the party, which met here yesterday, observed that the unprecedented and unwarranted rise in prices of land had made it impossible for the common man to purchase a plot and to build a house in the city.

"Earlier the government agencies like the Improvement Trust and Punjab Housing Board floated housing schemes for economically weaker sections of society. But now no such scheme has been launched for a long time.

"The government seems to be hand in glove with the land mafia in jacking up the prices of land and agencies like GLADA have made matters worse. Rather than selling land at reasonable and affordable rates, they are putting residential and commercial sites on auction, thereby raising land prices," the party said.

According to Dr Arun Mitra, assistant secretary of the district unit of the CPI, the party called upon the government to formulate and launch special housing schemes for the poor and middle classes. Further, that allotment of land, especially in designated residential colonies, ought to be made through draw of lots and not by auction. The government agencies should come out with schemes for construction of residential flats in order to reduce burden on agriculture land.

The party wanted that an assessment should be made of the yearly migration of population to the city so that adequate provision of housing accommodation could be made for migrants. At the same time, special housing provisions ought to be made for industrial workers.

Ludhiana, September 19
Asia Motor Works (AMW) launched Global Truck series, a trucking centre in the heavy commercial vehicle segment, here today.

The company also announced the appointment of Alliance Motors as dealers for the Punjab region.

R. C. Mangal, senior vice-president, sales and marketing, said the company expected to gain a market share of around 20 per cent. He added that the AMW had sold over 7,500 vehicles in the heavy commercial vehicle segment and within two years, had gained a significant market share. The company also planned to introduce the 3118 goods vehicles.

Rajkumar Sahi and Parminder Singh Goldi, partners, Alliance Motors, said they were confident that the association would benefit the customers in the region.

Ludhiana, September 19
Rahul Gandhi will not help the Congress to win the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.

This was revealed by Student Organisation of India (SOI) national president Gurmeet Singh Raju, while addressing a gathering in Khanna today.

He said SAD, under the leadership of Sukhbir Badal, was trying to strengthen the SOI so that the party youth could go to every nook and corner and tell people about the SAD's achievements. Motivating organisation workers, he said the SOI could play an important role for the SAD-BJP alliance to win the Lok Sabha elections.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 19
The building housing the local police station here has become unsafe for the inmates as well as the staff as the walls have developed cracks and roofs of some of the rooms have already caved in.

The walls of two lockups have developed huge cracks, making it easy for inmates to flee. The plaster on the walls and bricks keep on falling, putting at risk the lives of cops, inmates and people visiting the police station to register their complaints.

The condition of the SHO’s room, munshi hall, maalkhana and the barracks is worst. According to sources, the building has not been repaired for over past 20 years. Social workers and leaders of various political parties said the condition of rooms and verandas had started deteriorating a long time back. “The waiting hall and the SHO’s room were constructed after the old rooms gave way," claimed municipal councillor Bimal Sharma.

Surprisingly, senior officers up to the rank of inspector general have been visiting this police station, but it is still awaiting renovation.

Sources said that besides accommodating anti-social elements during annual events like Chhapar mela, the police station also housed a number of hardcore militants whose escape could have invited trouble.

When contacted, deputy superintendent of police, Malerkotla, Gurpreet Singh Sikand said a proposal for the repair of the building had already been sent to the authorities concerned. “Though a communication in this regard is still awaited, we are hopeful that its renovation would start soon.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 19
Terming government's unconcern towards welfare of freedom fighters and kin of martyrs as major cause behind reluctance of the Punjabi youth to join the armed forces, an INA veteran, Gurdeep Singh Khangura, of Latala village called upon social leaders and teachers to inculcate patriotic traits in today’s youth.

"Had the government cared to give due respect to freedom fighters, ex-servicemen and kin of the martyrs, more youths would have come forward to join the defence forces," reacted Khangura who is convalescing after undergoing treatment for a heart ailment at Hind Hospital here. He conveyed to the youth that serving the nation on border was more dignified that any other job they would get.

Khangura was upset that despite his entitlement to get free treatment at the state-run hospitals, his children had to admit him to private hospitals.

"Though we do not mind spending a few thousand rupees on private treatment of our revered parents, the administration should make sufficient arrangements, at least for those freedom fighters, who could not afford expensive treatment," said Paramjit Kaur, daughter-in-law of Khangura.

Born in 1920, Khangura had joined Neta Ji Subhash Chander Bose-led INA in 1940 and had remained in various jails of Germany and Italy for several years. Presuming him dead, his parents had performed his religious rites, but his wife Nihal Kaur (now dead) had refused to remarry any other person. Then the British government, on his release, along with his other companions, had branded them as 'dus numbri'. It was in 1972 that he succeeded in getting himself declared a freedom fighter. Former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had felicitated him with citations and Tamar Patras.

Ludhiana, September 19
After giving sleepless nights to city residents during this monsoon season, the Municipal Corporation has finally woke up and decided to undertake desilting of sewers.

The decision came during the Finance and Contract Committee meeting held here today under the leadership of mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura.

"The corporation has decided to spend Rs 5 crore to 6 crore for undertaking the desilting which had given a rough time to the city residents," said senior deputy mayor Parveen Bansal, adding that the work would be started from the D-zone and would be completed in one go.

Committee member Simarjit Bains said the corporation has also decided to recall tenders for flats for the below poverty line families announced by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during his visit.

"We have decided to give advertisements for tenders in the newspapers so that we get tenders from big companies. Besides these, short-term tenders had been invited so that ground and first floor of the accommodations are ready by December end,” he added.

Interestingly, according to the directions of the state government, the F&CC is not allowed to take more than 100 items during the meeting. However, sources revealed that the MC took more than the prescribed items by adding annexure.

The sources said this was not for the first time that the MC had violated the government's direction. It has been going on for past few years. He added that since there were 75 wards in the city, it was not possible to hold discussions on all matters in one meeting and suggested that the F&CC meeting should be held weekly.

Ludhiana, September 19
Amalgamating the ancient art and craft with contemporary look, fashion design students of the Sportking Institute of Fashion Technology (SIFT), put up a gala exhibition “Varsagat” followed by their 22-day visit to Gujarat.

The students, who have undertaken a formal training from craftsmen in Kutch, produced replicas thereby displaying them in today's exhibition.

Neha, a group leader from the institute, while explaining the uniqueness of embroidery forms stated that the work involving minuteness are done by young women in Kutch while older women stick to patchwork and easy stitch work.

The exhibition was an arena of bright colourful crafts of wall hangings, stoles, woodwork, fashion accessories and garments. Excited to have met the “only family” in Bhuj that is carrying with the dying craft “rogan”, a student said, " We were privileged to learn the art of specific embroidery from the family members, who have been bestowed with a national award."

Sunil Puri, executjve director of the SIFT, termed the programme as the need of the students to enrich themselves with the ancient craft and culture so as to bring them to the global forefront with designing and creativity.

It also increases the commercial viability of certain crafts, which are limited to the interiors of regional areas of Kutch and Gujarat.

Ludhiana, September 19
The department of business management, Punjab Agricultural University, organised a lecture by Benjamin Mathew, a senior consultant in distribution strategy with "MART", India's leading rural marketing consulting organisation, here today.

An official press release said the lecture had a focus on the “Bottom of Pyramid Segment of the Economy”. Outlining the trend in rural India, Benjamin said though direct employment in agricultural sector was expected to decline but disposable income of population was expected to grow due to increased involvement of the population in the sectors other than the agriculture. At the same time he asserted that the picture was not as bright as it seemed due to infrastructure and other critical problems in tapping the rural market effectively. Dr Y.P. Sachdeva, head of the department of business management, also spoke on the occasion.

Ludhiana, September 19
For a city that claims to be an educational hub does not have a district library of its own. People relate reading to academic context only. The Municipal Corporation has a couple of libraries to its credit but having lost sheen, these libraries are not only lying in a deplorable condition but also facing the problem of maintenance and shortage of books.

However, the city has progressed by leaps and bounds and have come up as major industrial hub on the world map but people here are not in the habit of reading books. Only students pay a visit to the libraries in the city but that too while preparing notes. When asked about the habit of reading books, Surinder Singh, a businessman from Model Town, adds that he has finished up his studies so why to waste time on reading books now.

The oldest library in the city dates back to 1878 but it has only a few visitors left today. This library was called Municipal Public Library and was founded by G.E. Wakefield, the then DC and president of the Municipal Committee. It housed 9,197 books on diverse subjects. Earlier located at Mata Rani Chowk, it was then shifted to Rose Garden. The condition of the library has only deteriorated with the passage of time. Today old books are placed on an aged stand.

The number of members has decreased with the passage of time and now people come here for reading newspaper only. Dharam Singh, a retired employee from PSEB, who is a regular visitor to Rose Garden, said no books have been added into the stock from the last almost eight years. "I come here now to read newspaper only. No latest edition of the books are available with the library", he said.

Though the MC's libraries are in the pathetic condition but the Reference Library at Punjabi Bhawan boasts of being one of the best libraries in the region in terms of collection of books, documents and papers. Only students pay a visit to this library for preparing notes. It houses 42,000 books and are rich in study material for the Ph.D students of various universities, including Delhi University.

Reference library was founded in 1955 at a private residence and was then shifted to its present building in 1966. It houses 44,000 books on diverse subjects and proves a great help to the students. "We get no funds for the books and grants are given only for the building of the library. From the last 15 years, we have collected 34,000 books from the families of writers, guides and PhD fellows", said Prem Singh Bajaj, director of Reference Library.

Another two libraries visited by students is MS Randhawa Library at Punjab Agricultural University and Extension Library at Fountain Chowk. Randhawa Library is one of the best libraries in the city and the first one in the country that has sophisticated equipment for documentation and microfilming. While students are not happy with the books and study material available at Extension Library as most times pages are teared from the books. 

Ludhiana, September 19
Taking a note of alleged misuse of money and manpower by some candidates contesting the Panjab University senate elections from graduate constituency, Prof K. B. S. Sodhi, former president of Punjab and Chnadigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU), has sought the intervention of chancellor of the university and Vice-President of India, Dr Hamid Ansari.

In a telegram to the chancellor, Prof Sodhi has complained against alleged brazen misuse of money and manpower by some candidates.

He has sought an imposition of expenditure limit and ban on engaging school and college staff for electioneering by the managements.

Urging the chancellor to ensure fair poll to academic bodies, Sodhi has sought a personal meeting with the chancellor.

Ludhiana, September 19
Jash-e-Baharan, an annual day function of College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, PAU, will be organised on September 20 in the Pal Auditorium. This was disclosed here today by Dr Tejwant Singh, dean of the college.

Dr Kulvinder Singh Saini, director, biotechnology and bio informatics, Ranbaxy Research Laboratories, Gurgaon, will be chief guest while Dr S.S. Marwaha, chief executive officer, Punjab Biotechnology Incubator, Mohali, will be a guest of honour and Dr Manjit Singh Kang, vice chancellor, PAU, will preside the function.

According to Dr B.S. Sohal, secretary, the Society for Advancement of Academics, Sports and Cultural Activities (SAASCA), apart from various cultural items, the SAASCA gold medals will be awarded to selected students for excellence in academics, sports and cultural activities. As many as 15 students, who secured a maximum overall credit point average (OCPA), will also be honoured on this occasion.

Ludhiana, September 19
Due to rain, not even a single ball could be bowled on the fourth and final day of the final match played in the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield organised by the Punjab Cricket Association at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, today. Ludhiana and Chandigarh, thus, were declared joint winners.

Though Ludhiana have made it to the final three times during the last five editions of the tournament, it is after more than two decades that the team have won the title.

Chandigarh restricted Ludhiana in the first innings to a paltry total of 141 runs and then were cruising well to overhaul the score. However, Ludhiana bounced back into the game as their bowlers used the heavy weather very meticulously, which forced Chandigarh batsmen on the back foot. They were struggling at 117 for 8 when the play was stopped following heavy downpour.

Brief Score: Ludhiana (Ist innings): 141 all out in 68.2 overs (Geetansh Khera 46, Bharat Malhotra 35, Karan Goel 22, Ankur Kakkar 15 n.o., Gagandeep Singh 5, Gagandeep Dhand 2, Deepak Bansal 1 and Sunny Kumar 1; Satnam Singh 5 for 35, Naresh Kumar 38 for 2, Gaurav Gambhir 2 for 39 and Gurvinder 1 for 6).

Chandigarh (Ist innings): 117 for 8 after 59.1 overs (Sarul Kanwar 12, Vishwas Bhalla 10, Simran Bawa 5, Gurkirat 28, Sidharth 9, Gaurav Gambhir 38, Anupam Gambhir 5, Gurinder Singh 6 n.o; Gagandeep Singh Toor 4 for 31, Sunny Kumar 3 for 32 and Deepak Bansal 1 for 39).

Ludhiana, September 19
As many as eight players from Ludhiana have been selected to present Punjab in the coming J P Atray Cricket Tournament on the basis of their performance during the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield in which Ludhiana shared top honours with Chandigarh as the final match could not be completed due to rain.

This tournament is slated to begin at the PCA Stadium, Mohali, from September 23.

Two of these cricketers have been chosen as extras.

According to president of the Ludhiana District Cricket Association Rajinder Nath Mahajan, two teams, the Punjab Cricket Club and the PCA Colts, have been fielded by the Punjab Cricket Association in this tournament.

Ankur Kakkar from Ludhiana will lead the PCA Colts while Deepak Bansal and Bharat Malhotra are the other two players to represent the team. Gaurav Marwaha and Gagandeep Dhand have been named as standby players.

Three local players chosen as members of the Punjab Cricket Club are Gagandeep Singh Toor, Karan Goel and Geetansh Khera, said Mahajan.