Bathinda, October 25
The District Legal Services Authority, Bathinda, celebrated the World Mental Health Day, at Mahant Gurbanta Das School for Deaf and Dumb Children by distributing sports goods and fruits among kids. The programme was sponsored by the Oriental Bank of Commerce. The district and sessions judge Kuldeep Singh interacted with the kids of almost all classes and saw their notebooks, it seemed that these kids were much bright than normal kids, he remarked.

The children welcomed the district sessions judge and interacted with sign language.

Various courses are being imparted to benefit these students. Beautician course, dress making, screen printing and motor maintenance related courses are taught to the students.

There is an activity room and library-cum-sports hall to develop related interests among students.

After distributing fruits the kids asked questions from the judge. Gurdeep Singh who had come to pick up his son Kulbir, who is eight years old said, "Kulbir has started understanding the sign language. He has no problems in interacting with us".

Another kid, Jagseer, who is 13 years old and has been studying here for four years now, was to go home with his mother Manjeet who seemed delighted to take her son home and said, "Jagseer has shown a lot of improvement after joining this school.

Chander Prakash, who had come to pick his daughter Neetu Bala, said, "We have only one request to make. The buses which ply on this route do not stop in front of this school which causes inconvenience to our kids.

Rakesh Soni, additional district attorney, told The Tribune that these kids were entitled to receive free legal aid at any point of time in their life from courts in Bathinda up to the Supreme Court. 

Bathinda, October 25
The water depletion in the district has reached at alarming stage because of the absence of any check over the menace. The survey reports of this “cancer-prone” district also states that the ground water of more than half of the area is absolutely unfit for consumption.

As per the survey of the Ground Water Cell (GWC) of the district, paddy grown blocks in the district namely Nathana, Phul, Maur and Rampura are the worst hit. On the other hand, cotton growing blocks, where the problem had started being stabilized in past years, have also started facing the same problem again.

The details provided by the officials of the Ground Water Cell states that at the depth of 50 meters (according to shallow tube wells), the water depletion level in paddy sowing blocks has been on its rampant speed.

As per the data of such blocks, in 1980 the depletion level was 3.80 meters, in 1985-3.66 m, in 1990-6.05 m, in 1995-7.24 m and in 2000-8.56 metres. Then, the department recorded a steep fall as in 2005 it was 12.93 meters, which remained same till 2008. On the other hand, the graph of cotton growing blocks—Sangat, Bathinda and Talwandi Sabo, which was improving till 2000, has also starting falling flat.

In 1980 in these blocks, water depletion level was recorded at 20.85 meters. In 1985-16.00 m, in 1990-13.03 m, in 1995-10.58 m, in 2005 a fall of 12.93 m was recorded and in 2008, it increased to 15.22 meters.

Further speaking about the water quality, the officials said under the electricity conductivity (EC) and residuary sodium carbonate (RSC) tests, water quality of Nathana is fit, Bathinda is marginal, Sangat is unfit, Rampura has variation in the quality of water, Phul is unfit, Talwandi is unfit and Maur is marginal.

An official of agricultural department, seeking anonymity said, “The department has already been running under acute shortage of staff, we cannot even do proper village-to-village survey for the quality and level of ground water, which otherwise is must.”

“Moreover, after analysing the circumstances, there is a dire need of change in the route and supply of canal water distribution channels,” he added.

Bathinda, October 25
To make the three-day stay of the Red Ribbon Express (RRE) in Bathinda from October 27, a grand success, the district administration in association with the health department and the Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) has made elaborate arrangements.

At a press meet held at the circuit house here today, ADC (D) Shruti Singh, civil surgeon, Neelam Bajaj, district coordinator NYK, SS Sandhu and others informed the media persons about the preparations.

Neelam Bajaj said that main objective of RRE was to create awareness about the ways of prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Shruti said that a function would be held in this connection at Gandhi Market on October 27, which would be inaugurated by the MP Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan.

As per the schedule, a welcome ceremony would be organised when the train would reach Bathinda. The exhibition would be held on the platform. Cultural performances would also be held to mark the occasion.

Awareness campaign would be through the performances of cultural troupes. These performers clubbed in six groups would visit 72 villages in the district on bicycles or jeeps. Anganwari workers, Gram Panchayats, NYK would lend all possible support to them.

A convoy of two buses, which will come with the RRE, will tour the periphery of the district covering two to four villages a day. The campaign would include film shows at nights.

In reply to a query, Neelam Bajaj said that exhibition would include audio-visuals, auditorium facility for training and counselling and medical services.

She said that if anyone found HIV positive would be referred to the civil hospital, Bathinda for consultation and future course of treatment. 

Bathinda, October 25
Why human rights are being violated, who is responsible and how can the violation be contained? These were the questions that the district administration officials along with few eminent lawyers of the district attempted to answer during the day-long training human rights awareness programme organised here today. The programme was organised under the directions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The DC Rahul Tewari in his inaugural address said the programme was an effort to educate the police officials about the human rights as they had to deal with people directly.

S.K. Gaur, a speaker, said as many as 90 per cent of the human rights' violation cases received by the NHRC were against police officials. The police need to be sensitised so that they do not violate rights of the innocent while discharging their duties.

SP Iqbal Singh said in absence of awareness, the police had been violating human rights for which they had been fined also. But the situation remained the same with violations unabated. He said the reason was ever-increasing population while the number of cops remains the same. "Work overload led to violation, may be inadvertently," he added.

J.R. Khattar, said the rights of the Bathinda residents were being violated as they were prone to health problems because of the fly ash billowing from the chimneys of the thermal plant besides the NFL. He rued that the politicians too were not far behind in committing excesses as they had announced two more plants in the region, at Baniawali and Gidderbaha.

Khattar said female foeticide, third degree torture in police custody and lakhs of pending cases in the courts for decades also tantamount to human rights' violation.

Bansi Lal, another speaker, said implementation of laws was poor in India as compared to the western countries. He said many of the police and political leaders besides government and health officials were corrupt. “Then, who would check the violations,” he asked.

The speakers condemned Raj Thackeray and his men for violating human rights on large scale. They rued that he was out on anticipatory bail in several cases. "There are several loopholes in our laws, which lead to rights' violation. Awakening is the need of the hour," they agreed.

ADC Upjeet Singh Brar and Sibin C., additional chief administrator, BDA, besides teachers and students were also present on the occasion.

Abohar, October 25
Rajinder Singh Bajwa vice -chairman of the Punjab School Education Board used an urdu poet’s couplet to sum up his key address in the DAV College auditorium here today.

Revenue minister Ajit Singh Kohar, during the state level seminar on “Exploring Historical Perspectives on Pluralistic Society and Polity in Punjab” observed that the politicians have been drawing dividing lines between people of different faiths to achieve the vested goals. Bajwa summed up his address by quoting: “Jillat ke kis mukam par aa pahuncha hai hum andhon ka hajoom Na jaane kis gali pe yeh karvan girne ko hai.”

Referring to Bajwa’s assertions Kohar said the great Gurus had given a specific message by inviting Mian Meer to lay the foundation stone for the Golden Temple. The devotees visiting Harmandir Sahib were not identified by their religion. It is the vested politicians, who draw lines between them to play the spoil sport and cook political meals. He exhorted the packed auditorium to discard such politicians who create wedge on caste, creed and religion. Kohar announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the institution. He also complimented that Gurraj Singh Chahal for nicely conducting the session.

Principal B B Sharma and Rajnish Ahuja, president of the Alumni Association honoured the chief guest by presenting a memento and shawl. Rekha Sood convener of the seminar got a souvenir released by the chief guest on the occasion.

Ahuja regretted that Punjab did not lack only in education but in the other fields of prosperity as well.

Joginder Singh, head of the Namdhari chair in the Guru Nanak Dev University said that under the colonial rule, Punjabis witnessed a demographic revolution effecting the Punjabi pluralistic society and polity. It was on the basis of demographic status that the imperialists partitioned the Punjab province. 

Barnala, October 25
Expressing strong concern over the recent decision of the state government regarding the direct transportation of paddy by farmers from their field to rice mills, Malket Singh Keetu, Punjab truck operator union state president has said that this decision is detrimental for the truck operators.

Keetu, addressing a press conference here today said that Punjab state food supply minister Aadesh Partap Singh Kairon’s decision of direct transportation to sheller would ruin the transportation industry. The truck operators, who wait for the two seasons of wheat and paddy in the whole year, entirely depend upon this transportation.

“A truck is the source of income for three families to run their livelihood comprising of truck operators, truck drivers and conductors. The truck operators have purchased their trucks by taking loans on their houses. The truck operator cannot survive in the absence of the season transport on popularly known as galla,” he added.

So, Keetu said that being  the state president  of truck operators would take the matter to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to take the decision back. He also said that the truck operators are upset and restless because of the news today.

Mansa, October 25
Chandershekhar, senior trade union leader has expressed concern over the alleged non-serious steps taken by PRTC management on the eve of strike of PRTC workers in favour of their demands.

In a statement, he said that temporary workers of PRTC held a strike and dharna on October 24. He alleged that the PRTC management did not seriously consider their demands and some untrained drivers and conductors were deputed at every depot. He added that it led to road accidents at some places, including Mansa and Patiala.

Chandershekhar demanded a probe in the case and strict action against the guilty.

Meanwhile, general manager of the PRTC, Budhlada depot, claimed that the deputed staff had fulfilled terms and conditions. — OC

Abohar, October 25
The DAV College of education accorded a warm welcome to the students who had won 25 prizes in the PU Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival held at Jalalabad West exclusively, for the education colleges of the region.

Principal Venita Singh complimented the winners and the in charges of the Youth Services Club – Amandeep Kaur, Gurdeep Kaur, Ajay Khosla and Ashish Makkar for the glorious performance.

The principal informed that the team comprising of Gurvinder Singh, Brij Lal and Priyanka topped in quiz, Shilpa stood first in rangoli, Kiran Rani in clay modeling while Amandeep Kaur and Bharti got first position in kali singing.

Second prize winners included Brij Lal and Jaswinder (cartooning), Swaran Singh (on the spot painting), Rachna (histrionics and mimicry), Ishu Rani (classical dance) and Navinder Kaur (sammi).

Sriganganagar, October 25
The students and the staff of the Guru Harkrishan Public School celebrated its 22nd Foundation Day by organising a function titled “Octavo 2008” on Friday.

Major General A.K. Bakshi, SM, VSM, GOC, 16 Infantry Division, inaugurated the function that depicted eight themes, including national integration and moral values, with a unique blend of dance and music.

The function began with recitation of Gurbani. The “Mother’s Day’, a play in English language, that presented the respect for mother in the family was highly appreciated by the audience while “Jago India Jago”, a Hindi skit, portrayed the common man’s struggle with the social problems like poverty, corruption and violence was also received well. Earlier, principal M.S. Wig read out the annual report that highlighted the academics, co-curricular and sports achievements of the school. — TNS

Abohar, October 25
Concerned over high level of environment pollution, traffic bottlenecks and abusive use of fire works during the festival of lights, some school going students today formed “Students Revolutionary Association”.

During the introductory meeting they resolved to launch an awareness campaign on October 27 and 28. They will also arrange a stall of saplings on Tuesday at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk and try to pursuade the citizens to utilise the money earmarked for fire works on plantation.

 The nursing students while organising a function in Sardar Patel Medical Institute here today resolved to celebrate the festival by lighting the lamps on their houses and planting a sapling each at the nearest available place.

Chairman Sita Ram Sharma while speaking on the occasion flayed deforestation while 70 per cent of the agriculture depends on rain.

Various competitions were organised in Guru Nanak A V Model School and Sultej Public School today.