Bathinda, January 19
People of Malwa are all set to celebrate Basant Panchami — the festival of kites in Punjab — with full enthusiasm on Wednesday.

Marking the beginning of spring season, the festival has brought hustle bustle in the city as markets are flooded with stalls and people are busy negotiating with shopkeepers for kites and threads.

To celebrate the festival in an enthusiastic way, people have booked loud music systems, including DJs, in advance to be installed over the roofs of houses. Further, filled with festival spirit, groups have come up in localities to challenge another in kite flying competitions. Further, some organisations have been organising competition carrying prizes for winners.

During a random survey of the market today, it was observed that sellers had increased the prices of kites and threads in comparison to past couple of days. The regular size kites sold at Rs 150-200 for 100 units earlier, were today costing about Rs 250.

Different sizes of kites varying from regular to huge sizes are on offer. Threads of different qualities, including country-made and “Chinese”, were also being sold.

Though all are eagerly waiting for the day, doctors and PSEB officials have been finding the sale of “Chinese thread as a cause of worry because it is a mixture of nylon and plastic. The representations to the district level bureaucrats failed to check the sale of the unsafe and injurious thread. Being cheaper, people prefer to buy the Chinese thread. The thread not only inflicts deep cuts on the fingres of the kite-fliers but is also dangerous when it touches high-voltage electricity wires.

During the previous Basant celebrations, the Chinese thread had kept the PSEB on toes for the whole day as the power supply tripped everytime the Chinese thread of a defeated kite touched the 11-KV wires.

Bathinda, January 19
Creating an awareness among school children, activists of the Asra Welfare Society today distributed nearly 1000 kites bearing messages to check swine flu, in different schools.

While giving information, Ramesh Mehta and Vijay Goyal of the society said the movement was appreciated by all schools. — TNS

Ferozepur, January 19
The Basant Panchami, which symbolises the beginning of the end of the winter season and is marked with the flying of kites, is celebrated with more zeal than Diwali by the people in this border town of Punjab.

The level of zeal among the residents to celebrate Basant Panchami by flying kites could be gauged from the fact that hundreds of business establishments remained closed and the presence of students in schools and officials in government offices remained thin today as they remained busy in making necessary preparations for the occasion.

Though the Basant Panchami is to be observed formally on January 20, the residents of this town belonging to all castes and creed and from all walks of life started flying the kites this evening today to mark the formal beginning of the festival.

The kites fitted with burning candles will dominate the darkness of the sky for whole of tonight and this would continue till the morning of January 21. To add colour to this 24-hour long festival, a large section of the populace of this town, who went over to the rooftops of their respective dwellings, have also been using DJs and 'dhol beaters'.

Not only this, a large section of people, who had left Ferozepur town decades ago, have already reached here to participate in the festival. The relatives and friends of locals, belonging to far off places, have also reached the town to enjoy the event.

Krishan Lal Sachdeva, a businessman-based at Chandigarh, said that he would come to this town every year to enjoy Basant Panchami with his friends despite the fact that he had left the town many years ago. He added that streets, lanes and bylanes of this town would wear a deserted look tomorrow as almost all the residents would be on their rooftops.

In the hope of doing brisk business, traders from far off places like Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Sri Ganganagar, Aligarh, Lucknow and even from Bareilly (UP) descended on this town about a month ago and took small kiosk and shops on rent to sell their products, including chemically coated strings and kites of various hues with special designs.

The main hubs where kites are being sold by these traders in this city included Arya Samaj chowk, Delhi Gate and the main bazaar. Their shops are specially decorated for the occasion. They have been playing loud music to attract the attention of the people.

Ashwani Mehta, president, Beopar Mandal, said that the festival generated business worth crores in this border town, which otherwise did not hold a good ranking due to its economical backwardness. He added that those who had been running DJ and music system shops, had also been doing brisk business. Some of the residents had hired DJ system from neighbouring towns like Faridkot and Moga.

A cross-section of residents, to whom TNS spoke to, pointed out that invasion of Chinese-made string, which has a heavy coating of glass and chemicals, was dangerous for the people as it would cause serious injuries to them. They demanded that the district administration must impose a ban on the sale and use of Chinese-made string to save people. 

Bathinda, January 19
The scene of the organisational elections of the BJP has warmed up with its general secretary Kamal Sharma emerging as one of the frontrunners for heading the Punjab unit of the party.

Elections for the post of president of the state BJP is scheduled in the first week of February as incumbent Rajinder Bhandari completes his three-year term. Two other senior leaders of the BJP Vijay Sampla and Narottam Dev Ratti are also in the race for the post.

BJP activists point out that Sampla and Ratti had already been adjusted in official positions by the party leadership, but Sharma had been making efforts to refurbish the dented image of the party.

Sharma also played a key role in finalising the election strategy of the party during the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. It is to be seen whether or not the party leadership decides to back Sampla or Ratti for the organisational post.

They point out that Sharma has exposure of functioning at the national level, as he has been the secretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Moreover, sources in the BJP claim that senior leaders, including Tikshan Sood, Manoranjan Kalia, Rajinder Bhandari, Balramji Dass Tandon and Madan Mohan Mittal, were backing Sharma.

Organisational poll process for Hoshiarpur was completed yesterday and is expected to be held in the other 31 party districts during the next couple of days to pave the way for electing the state party chief.

The BJP activists are upbeat following the visit of the party chief Nitin Gadkari to Amritsar where certain leaders, belonging to the Malwa region in particular, brought to his notice the shortcomings in the Punjab unit. They are also learnt to have informed Gadkari about the unresponsive attitude of certain BJP ministers towards the issues brought to their notice by party activists.

Bathinda, January 19
As many as 11 panches have been elected unopposed in 11 villages of this district while by-elections were today held in 10 villages of the district to elect 23 panches.

According to information the 11 panches, who have been elected unopposed, are Simranjit Kaur (Goniana Khurd village), Gurmeet Singh (Multania), Manjit Singh (Khemuana), Beant Singh (Kothe Lakhi Jangal), Rafiq (Chak Ruldu Singh Wala), Kuldip Kaur (Kalyan Sukha), Avtar Singh (Dhapali Khurd), Bhupinder Singh (Salabatpura), Ranjit Kaur (Dugran), Paramjit Kaur (Sadhana) and Sukhjeet Kaur (Mahi Nangal).

The names of the villages in which the by-elections were today held for electing 23 panches are Mahi Nangal, Ghuda, Rattangarh (Kanakwal), Gulabgarh, Buraj Kahan Singh Wala, Kotli Khurd, Kamalu, Aklia Jalal, Bhagwanpura and Malkana.

The Bathinda SDM K.P.S. Mahi said this evening that Natha Singh and Jasvir Kaur had been elected panches from Gulabgarh and Burj Kahan Singh Wala respectively.

Subhash Singh Mittal, Duty Magistrate for Ghuda village's (Bathinda) by-elections, said the names of seven panches, who had been elected today, were Sukhwinder Kaur, Harbans Kaur, Surjit Singh, Karamjit Singh, Ranjodh Singh, Lakha Singh and Ninder Kumar.

The SDM Phul Umashankar Gupta said that Jaswinder Kaur had been elected from Aklia Jalal village for the post of panch in today's by-election.

The SDM Talwandi Sabo Manmohan Singh Kang told this reporter that the following seven panches had been elected from Mahi Nangal village during today's by-elections: Surjit Kaur, Sukhmander Singh, Ginda Singh, Gurjant Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Darshan Singh and Balbir Kaur. Surinder Singh and Tej Kaur had been elected from Kotli Khurd and Kamalu villages respectively.

Kang further said Sukhpreet Kaur and Bikar Singh had been elected from Kanakwal village while Balwant Singh and Malkeet Kaur had been elected from Bhagwanpura and Malkana villages, respectively.

Mansa, January 19
CPI (ML) and Mazdoor Mukti Morcha today staged a dharna in front of the Bhikhi police station against the arrest and registration of case against the activists of both outfits.

The leaders of both the outfits alleged that police had registered a false case on the statement of the former MP's son.

The controversy had taken place between the grandson of former MP Chetan Singh Sammaon and a worker of the Morcha. Both the outfits held a demonstration in Sammaon village and alleged that the grandson of the former MP had beaten up a Morcha activist.

Malkeet Singh, son of Chetan Singh Sammaon, had lodged a complaint with the Bhikhi police alleging that the workers of the above organisations had attacked his house. On the basis of his statement, police registered a case against 30 persons and arrested four of them including Nika Singh and Harbhagan Singh Bhikhi.

State secretary of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha Bhagwant Singh Sammaon, Democratic Employees Front leader Sukhdarshan Singh Natt and farmer leader Bholla Singh addressed the dharna and alleged that the police was registering false cases by favouring SAD leaders. They demanded the rejection of false cases and release of the arrested leaders.

Bathinda, January 19
The biting chill coupled with fog and mist that made a comeback on Sunday continued to disrupt normal life in Bathinda and its nearby places on third consecutive day today.

Although the sun appeared on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, its feeble presence failed to provide a much-needed respite to the residents from the cold conditions.

More importantly, the eagerly-awaited respite from the cold conditions is not in sight as the prevailing chill may likely to continue in the next two days in the region, the news emanated from weather room indicated.

As far as the mercury’s move in the last two days is concerned, the region recorded 12.2 degrees Celsius at maximum level, about 2 degrees lower than Monday, as per the agro-met advisory services, PAU regional station, Bathinda. The day’s low was 5.6 degrees Celsius.

According to the weather forecast made by the IMD, Chandigarh for Bathinda region on Tuesday and received by the agro-met advisory PAU regional station here, the weather is likely to dry with fog and mist in the morning and evening in the next two to three days. The day temperature is likely to rise while the night temperature may continue to hover around its existing range. There is a possibility of overcast sky after two days, weathermen added.

Bathinda, January 19
Baljeet Singh Daduwal, a hardliner Sikh leader of the Sant Samaj, along with six of his followers met with a road accident near Kot Shamir village of this district today. However, none of them was reported to have sustained a major injury.

The vehicle they were boarding (white Innova PB03S-1313) was badly damaged as it overturned twice after hitting a tree.

The accident occurred when Daduwal along with his followers was going towards Bhure Kubbe village near Dhanuala to attend a Khalsa Diwan.

Driver of the vehicle Sukhpal Singh said they left Gurudwara Jandalisar in Bathinda to attend the Diwan Sahib programme in Barnala district. They were following a Pajero on the Bathinda-Mansa road when the driver of the Pajero took a sudden deep cut to avert an accident with a car coming from the opposite direction.

“To avert colliding with the Pajero, I took my vehicle off road. Being on a bit high speed, it went out of control and hit a roadside tree. Although I tried to control, but it turned turtle on the road,” added Sukhpal Singh.

Receiving the information about the accident, some social volunteers of the Kotshamir village reached the spot and rushed the injured to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda. Soon after Daduwal and his followers were admitted, people belonging to Sikh groups thronged the hospital to inquire about their health.

The doctors said except one Harjinder Singh, whose jaw was fractured, all sustained minor injuries and abrasions. After receiving first-aid for head and arm injuries, Baljeet Singh Daduwal left the hospital while others were still at the hospital.

Till the filing of the report, no police action had been initiated.

Ferozepur, January 19
The Ferozpur police has busted a gang involved in the theft of motorcycles and arrested four persons in this connection.

As per information, the arrested persons have been identified as Inderjit Singh alias Kali alias Pappu, Ramesh Sahota, Manjit Singh and Kishore Singh. The police has also recovered eight motorcycles from their custody which had been stolen from various places in Ferozepur and Ludhiana.

Police sources said that Inderjit used to allegedly lift bikes from Ludhiana and then sell it off to Ramesh, who in turn, used to pass on the same to Manjit and Kishore for further sale. Out of the recovered bikes, four were without any registration number. Police sources said they were expecting several vital leads from the arrested persons which will be helpful in more recoveries. The four persons were arrested from Dhobi Ghat area in the cantonment following a specific input about their movement, revealed police sources. — OC

Abohar, January 19
Processing of cotton was badly affected due to erratic power supply today. Most of the 16 cotton ginning and pressing factories came to a grinding halt as the PSEB authorities failed to supply electricity as per schedule.

Increase in duration of power cuts also affected hundreds of small industrial units in and around the sub-divisional town.

As per details gathered by this correspondent, electricity supply remained suspended from 7 am to 8.15 am. Routine cut was imposed from 11 am to 1 pm but the same was extended later to 2 pm. Power was supplied till 2.45 only and again restored at 5 pm but tripped and remain suspended for another 25 minutes. This virtually paralysed business activities during the peak evening hours. 

Sriganganagar/Abohar, January 19
Thousands of delegates from 70 countries have thronged the Pandav Bhawan and Shantivan complex of Brahmakumaris organisation at Mount Abu to attend the prayer meetings being held to celebrate World Peace Day commemorating the 41st death anniversary of the founder of the NGO fondly remembered as Brahma Baba. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal also air dashed to the only hill station of Rajasthan located close to the Gujarat border for the function.

Prayers in silence started art 4 am simultaneously at 8,500 centres of the organisations spread over 112 countries, chief spokesman BK Karuna said. Later, at 9 am, senior functionaries of the NGO including the chief administrator, 94 years old Dadi Janaki, Dadi Hridaymohini, Dadi Ratanmohini and secretary general BK Nirwair, led the prayers for peace in the world and relief for people of Haiti who were facing worst ever calamity.

A message received from Rona Schweitz, coordinator of the Brahma Kumari activities in the Dominican Republic, was read out. The coordinator, after visiting Haiti twice, said the family of humanity is passing through some extremely challenging times, and “we will be able to go through that turmoil of change by strengthening our internal spiritual potential and by accessing the power and wisdom that come from God.”

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal addressed a largely attended meeting at Shantivan.

He said science, spirituality and governments should join hands in ensuring peace across the world. He was amazed to find that a large solar cooking range had been installed at the Shantivan to prepare meals for 15,000 persons twice in the day. Dadi Ratanmohini honoured Dhumal by presenting a memento. 

Bathinda, January 19
DIG of Police, Faridkot Range, Dr Jatinder Jain today released “Sandli Hawa”, an audio CD, at a simple but impressive literary and cultural function held at the Civil Lines Club here. The audio CD comprises eight Punjabi songs taken from Dr JS Anand’s book “Saarian Pauna Saari Chanani” with themes based on love, joy, pain and ecstasy.

Dr Jain also released a poster carrying photograph of Miss Varinder Vimmy, the singer, and other information. Local Sufi Arts Foundation organised the function with assistance from a news portal, the punjabinewsonline.com.

Dr Anand and others also presented a memento to the DIG as a mark of respect while the latter presented a “Sanmaan Patra” to the former on behalf of the news portal.

Congratulating Dr Anand for his first audio CD, the DIG, who was the chief guest at the function, said he expected that the coming generations would follow the path shown by Dr Anand as he had contributed a lot towards the society through his writings. He said there was a dire need of introspection as society had been facing deterioration day after day.

Among others present on the occasion included noted Punjabi author Prof Brahm Jagdish, chief editor of the news portal Sukhnaib Singh Sidhu, Swami Surya Dev and deputy director of Employment Generation, Bathinda, Harpal Singh.

Earlier, Varinder Vimmy began her performance with a religious song “Sache Patshah Reham Karin, Sade Devin Tu Bakhsh Gunah” and later sang other songs that were well-received by the gathering. 

Bathinda, January 19
Hosts Rajindra College, Bathinda, entered the semi-final of the two-day Inter College Punjabi University Circle Style Kabbadi Championship. Altogether 16 teams are vying for the top slot in the contest which began today.

The hosts trounced Government College, Kotkapura, by 30 points to 8 in the quarter-final to secure its berth in the semis. In the other quarterfinals, National College, Bhiki, defeated Physical College, Mastuana Sahib 31-26; Guru Kashi College, Damdama Sahib, defeated Government College, Nial Patra 22-15; and the University Campus, Rampura Phul beat DAV College, Bathinda 29-22. — TNS