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Rajasthan polls
Voters waiting for their turn to exercise their franchise in village Kotha on Thursday.
Photo: Raj Sadosh |
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Khetari Pashudhan Show-2008 kicks off Nihang Maghar Singh (left) performing at the animal fair near the Bathinda-Goniana road on Thursday; A student of Krishna Vatika School during a cultural programme. Tribune photos: Kulbir Beera
Six killed in road mishap
Open Admission Policy
Justice awareness march in Jan
Owners just love the animals
‘Our system is root cause of all evils’
‘Govt may recruit docs from other states to meet shortage’
Traders meet MC chief
In memory of Mumbai martyrs
Suspension of Toofan Express criticised
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Peaceful, brisk polling in twin dists
Raj Sadosh
Hanumangarh/Sriganganagar/
Abohar, December 4 There were sporadic incidents besides blame game by the arch rivals alleging that money mattered much in influencing the electorates. But the authorities claimed in the evening that none of the complaints carried much weight. Bright weather prompted brisk polling right in the morning hours. Long queues were seen almost everywhere including village Pucca Sarna and Jandawali in Hanumangarh, Tibbi in Sangria and Sardarpur Kharta in Suratgarh. Some tension mounted in Suratgarh as a BJP supporter dressed in saffron party symbol saree was found inside a polling booth. She argued with a senior police officer when asked to leave the booth and finally was taken away by the women police in a jeep. Till 4 pm, about 62 per cent of the voters had exercised franchise in district Sriganganagar and 65 per cent in Hanumangarh, sources in the control room said. Mamkauri (90) in Pucca Sarna, Tulsi Devi ((95) in Hanumangarh town, Joginder Kaur (92) in Jandawali besides 105 years old Jeema Mal were among the senior most citizens who could be identified casting votes. Roop Chand Garg was used wheel chair to move from the hospital in Hanumangarh junction to exercise his right to vote. The residents of the twin village Kotha-Pakki today exercised their franchise with patience and peace. Most of them had to wait for an hour or so to cast the vote. Kotha village is located on the Punjab-Rajasthan border on this side of the railway line. Panchayat Samiti director Kaur Singh told this correspondent outside the Government High School located near a narrow lane that voters had started thronging both booths right in the morning but polling was slow at one of these. None of the candidates had erected shamiana this time, only a table and some chairs at prescribed distance were kept to assist the voters who did not carry with them the slips. Women were found outnumbering men on the polling booth when this correspondent visited the complex at 2.30 pm. Some of them preferred to take rest on a platform after one hour wait. A few were carrying children with them also. They were expecting that it would be quiet easy to poll vote in the afternoon but felt dismayed, however, all looked determined to not return without exercising franchise, Balwinder Kaur exhorted. The situation was different when this correspondent visited Hindumalkot located very close to the international border. Only a dozen persons were waiting in the Government Senior Secondary School to cast their votes in the afternoon. Security personnel who tried to prevent The Tribune team from catching the scene on camera said brisk polling was seen in the morning hours. Here too none of the candidate had erected a shamiana. The area is close to Sriganganagar but delimitation made it a part of Sadulshehar segment erroneously. Santosh Saharan of the Congress and firebrand former CPI (M) legislator Het Ram Beniwal are also in the fray.
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Khetari Pashudhan Show-2008 kicks off Rajay Deep Tribune News Service
Bathinda, December 4 The movement of people at the event provided the ambience of a rural fair. Besides watching the competitions, visitors were seen asking the owners about the details of the competing animals. According to officials of the Animal Husbandry Department, persons retired from various departments were among the jury so as to ensure that the judgements were fair. Before choosing a winner, the jury members were found analysing the quality and standard of animals in detail. Talking to TNS, some judges said they considered the character of the animal’s breed, its built, body structure, health, skin, limbs, general appearance and gait among others. A number of departments attached to the Animal Husbandry had also set up their stalls to create awareness among the visitors. The stalls included that of dairy department, fisheries, agriculture, milk products and tools. Staff present there was found promoting the schemes of their respective departments. Former agriculture minister Balwinder Singh Bhunder, who is also the general secretary of the SAD (B), inaugurated the event while Sarup Chand Singla, Bathinda constituency in-charge of the SAD (B), Gura Singh Tungwali, Nathana constituency in-charge, and Baljeet Singh Bir Behman, Mayor, Bathinda Municipal Corporation, were the special guests. In their speeches, the speakers, including director of the Animal Husbandry Baljeet Singh Sidhu, urged the farmers to adopt animal husbandry as their second main occupation. Providing them with a reason, he said agriculture alone would not help them upgrade their living standard. Meanwhile, Sidhu said the department had been trying to sensitise the people of the state to switch over to other professions also. For spreading awareness, these fairs were playing an important role, he added. Hailing the crowd gathered at the fair, Sidhu said, “Though I have conducted three such fairs in the state but the craze among the people here was unmatched. It is the best of all.” Meanwhile, schoolchildren and stage artistes performed cultural events like dances, singing and poems at the fair.
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Six killed in road mishap
Mansa, December 4 According to sources, the incident took place when a Zen car which was going from Mansa side collided with a bus of the Ahluwalia Company that was coming from the Talwandi Sabo side. Six persons who were in the car died on the spot. The injured have been admitted to a hospital. The deceased have been identified as Tarsem Singh and Balwinder Singh, son of Jagsir Singh, a resident of village Tharaj under Kalian Wali police station in Haryana, Lakha Singh, son of Gurcharan Singh, a resident of village Hasnar under Gidderbaha police station, Kala Singh, resident of village Takhat Mal near village Kalian Wali in Haryana, Iqbal Singh, son of Surjeet Singh, a resident of village Dikh under Rampura police station. The sixth deceased is yet to be identified. The driver of the bus managed to escape from the accident site. Police had registered a case against the bus driver. The condition of the injured is said to be critical.
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B.Ed students up in arms
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, December 4 The students alleged that the rules of NCTE have been violated under this policy. Students with low percentage of 45 per cent also got the admission reportedly through other means, he said. The department is emphasizing on privatization of education. The students alleged that the main concern of the university is to make more profit. A student, Aman Deep Kumar said the deserving candidates are deprived of getting admission just because they are not financially sound. Most of the students, who got admission, either belong to rich classes or are from a political background, he said. Due to this policy, undeserving candidates have been able to get admission to the B.Ed course, which would lead to deterioration of quality, they said. Education would merely be a commodity of commerce and it would be beyond their reach. The students have protested against the policy of the government and demanded that the open admission system should be restricted and commercialisation of education should be stopped.
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Justice awareness march in Jan
Moga, December 4 A decision in this regard was taken by the federation in a meeting held here, today. The representative of the US-based human rights advocacy group and hundreds of victims of the anti-Sikh riots were also present in this meeting. Talking to The Tribune after the meeting, Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, president of the federation revealed that former head of the Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti would lead the justice awareness march in all the states. It may be mentioned that Jathedar Vedanti was the first religious leader who being head of the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs had addressed and personally interacted with the victims of anti-Sikh riots during the past 24 years on July 26 this year, here. However, he was unceremoniously removed from his post by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) just a few days after his meeting with the victims of anti-Sikh riots. Peer Mohammad said that the march beginning from Amritsar would pass through Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan before culminating at Delhi. He said that the federation has decided to celebrate the World Human Rights Day on December 18 and would hold a candle light march in Jalandhar. He said, "We are inviting representatives of all the religions in the candle march to show He said that the federation has also decided at today's meeting to celebrate 2009 as the 'Year of Justice' in the country and across the globe. He announced to observe November 1, 2009 as "Sikh Genocide Day" with the participation of human rights organizations and leaders of the minority communities all over the world. He said that members of the federation and few human rights organisations would record statements of eye witnesses and victims of the riots and gather proofs against the culprits. The federation that has long been demanding a CBI probe into the riots was preparing to file writ petitions in the high courts of all the affected states after gathering the proofs and other material required for the legal purpose. In another significant decision, the federation has decided to launch a campaign against growing drug addiction among the youth in the state. |
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Owners just love the animals
Bathinda, December 4 According to information available, in the category of horse, mare and their colts, 114 participants were from Bathinda, 85 from Muktsar, 26 from Mansa, 65 from Faridkot and 80 from
Ferozepur district. Jahanjeet, a rearer of ‘Nukra’ breed mare, said, “My animal is six years old and its value in the market is about Rs 10 lakh. However, the attachment that my family has with it never allowed me to think of selling it off.” In the category of bull and buffalo, 278 participants belonged to Bathinda, 32 to Muktsar, 61 to Mansa, 116 to Faridkot and 64 to Ferozepur district. The category comprised of ‘Murha’ breed, ‘Neeli Ravi’, non-descript and milch cattle. Gurmeet Singh of Mehraj Patti, who brought a ‘Murha’ breed male buffalo to the fair, said, “It is five years old and I am sure that it will fetch good amount in the market. But I have never thought of selling it. I have no idea of even its value. For me, it is priceless.” Further, in the category of cow and bull, 112 were from Bathinda, six from Muktsar, 12 from Mansa, 36 from Faridkot and 15 from Ferozepur district. Surjan Singh of Chak vairoke village also adored his animal, a ‘Sahiwal’ breed bull. He said, “I have enough agricultural land. I treat my cattle as my kids and pay proper attention to them. I can never think of selling any of my two cows and one bull.” According to information, a total of 1,338 animals would compete at the fair and the winners would be awarded on December 6, the concluding day of the fair. |
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‘Our system is root cause of all evils’
Mansa, December 4 Singh said that unemployment and illiteracy had been the reasons for evils in the society. He criticised political parties for not adopting the right approach to solve the problems of the people. Singh also said that terrorism, illiteracy, unemployment and drug addiction were the products of the wrong policies of the system. He praised the media for raising genuine problems but he criticised some TV channels for telecasting content which has been misleading youth. Prominent playwright Ajmer Singh Aulakh, also addressed the function and said that the print media could play a very constructive role in the development of any nation. Editor of the Punjabi Tribune Sidhu Damdami stressed upon the freshness and quality in the field of journalism. He pointed out that the youth could play a key role in the development of any nation. "They should be provided opportunities to express their views through different media. The main problems in the society are the creation of the views of the youth not finding an expression," he added. He also said that the "Naujwan Manch" column of the Punjabi Tribune was a big opportunity for the youth to express their views. Today’s function was organised on the basis of the above column at the Nehru Memorial College, Mansa. Some young writers were honoured on the occasion. Among others who attended the function included Parliamentary Secretary Jagdeep Singh Nakai, Chairman Zila Parishad Dilraj Singh Bhundar, DC Kumar Rahul, SSP Manwinder Singh, college principal and professor Jagtar Singh. |
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‘Govt may recruit docs from other states to meet shortage’
Bathinda, December 4 “Staff shortage is a major hurdle in the development of the Animal Husbandry Department. But to bridge the gap, not only the department but the state government itself is worried and considering all possible ways to overcome it,” said Baljeet Singh Sidhu, director, Animal Husbandry, Punjab. Sidhu was here to preside over the three-day animal fair titled “Khetari Pashudhan Show-2008”, which is being held near Gillpatti village on Bathinda-Goniana road. Replying to a query related to the problem of shortage of doctors, he said, “At present, we have only one medical college in the state, which produces only 40-45 doctors a year while the requirement is of around 100. To bridge the gap, we are planning to open two new colleges having 60 seats each.” On the issue of polyclinics, he said, “At present, there are only 10 such polyclinics but six are under construction. The new clinics are being set up in Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Fatehgarh, Amritsar, Mohali and Moga. Besides, we have chalked out a strategy, under which every district would have at least one well-equipped polyclinic.” He informed that not only veterinary doctors were in shortage but the number of pharmacists was also low. Sidhu disclosed that 400 posts of pharmacists were lying vacant, adding that 582 posts were shifted to the Zila Parishads, out of which only 382 were filled. “Proposals have been sent asking for amendments in rules and appointing the officers belonging to other states also. The matter is under consideration and hopefully, it will get a nod from the higher authorities,” he stated. |
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Traders meet MC chief
Fazilka, December 4 An issue of comprehensive regulation of traffic in the town was discussed at length during the meeting. The traders were represented by Ashok Gulbadhar, president of the mandal and general secretary Satish Dhingra. It was unanimously resolved that the traders having shops in Mehrian Bazaar, old Abohar road, Court road, Bus stand road, Gaushalla road and other busy roads would be allowed to display their material in an area of three and a half feet outside their shops. The space would be demarcated by a yellow line on the road. The material of any shopkeeper kept beyond the yellow line would be seized by the municipal council officials without any warning. Sethi sought cooperation of traders for the smooth traffic flow in markets of the town.
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IMA to hold peace march today
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, December 4 Speaking on the occasion, local IMA president Dr Shiv Dutta Gupta said it entailed huge responsibility on the intellectuals and they should awaken the masses about the looming threat instead of keeping quiet. Expressing their views, Dr Rajesh Maheshwari, Dr P.S. Rajpal, Dr Amrit Sethi, Dr K.K. Bajaj, Dr Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Dr R.K. Madan, Dr Surendra Garg, Dr Subhash Singla, Dr H.S. Narang and Dr Ajay Gupta unanimously suggested that social, cultural and voluntary organisations should be called upon to gather and pay homage to the martyrs. Accordingly, it has been decided to assemble near the Fire Brigade chowk at 7 pm tomorrow to take out a peace march and light candles to express solidarity with victims of the terror attacks.
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Suspension of Toofan Express criticised
Abohar, December 4 The computerised reservation centres were last night asked by the authorities not to entertain any booking from December 5 onwards. Hanuman Dass Goyal, joint secretary of the association, regretted that the train had been a victim of unfound assumption that fog would make its movement difficult. The region was yet to experience beginning of the winter season and none had predicted foggy weather. There appears to be no wisdom in cancelling the train that was the only mode of travel for passengers in Sriganganagar, Abohar, Malout and Gidderbaha for a comfortable journey to New Delhi and onwards states besides Chandigarh. Last year too, former Union minister Buta Singh had to speak to the chairman of the Railway Board to resume the service, Goyal said.
— OC |
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Tough measures taken under revised instruct- ions by the district magistrates facilitated peaceful polling in 11 segments of Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts today.
The students of the Punjabi University Regional Centre, Bathinda, protested against the open admission policy adopted by the state
government. Agitated students started to protest at gate of their college and demanded the abolition of the open system of admission for the B.Ed course even though the High Court had passed an order in November saying that admission for the B.Ed course would be conducted on merit basis.
