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malwa diary
Doctor wields pen to diagnose ills plaguing society

In an era, where a large section of society from different walks of life have been pursuing selfish interests, a medical professional of Makhu town of this district has authored a book on the plight of society and the country.
Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh and Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans at the pre-release function of the book of Dr Satish Thukral. A Tribune photograph

Arniwala sub-tehsil inaugurated
Fazilka, January 24
Irrigation Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Ferozepur MP, Sher Singh Ghubaya and Fazilka MLA, Surjit Kumar Jyani, inaugurated the newly-constructed building of Arniwala sub-tehsil. 


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50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE
TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS


Sukhbir-Kalia committee report irks small traders
Bathinda, January 24
Madan Lal Kapoor, chairman of the Small Scale Traders’ Board, Punjab, today expressed his disappointment over the much-hyped Sukhbir-Kalia committee report, saying, “It is painful that the report, which has issues related to taxes on traders, was formed without even consulting the Small Scale Traders’ Board of the state.”

Jaipur-Durg weekly train resumes run
Sriganganagar/Abohar, January 24
The commencement of Jaipur-Durg-Jaipur (Weekly) train is expected to boost business in Rajasthan, said Lalit Bohra, chief PRO of the North Western Railway.

Literacy contest held
Mansa, January 24
Sarv Siksha Abhiyan in Punjab has been making sincere efforts to encourage the subjects of science and mathematics among the students of government schools in the rural areas.

School holds workshop
Bathinda, January 24
The Millennium School authorities, today, organised a motivational workshop for parents of the students titled “The making of next generation Whiz-Kids” at a local resort.

Arrested man not spy: Police
Bathinda, January 24
After overnight interrogation, Bathinda police today gave a clean chit to the man who was arrested on the suspicion of being a foreign spy on Saturday from near the oil depot, located near the outskirts of the city.

Kabaddi Cup on Jan 31
Bathinda, January 24
The 5th Indo-Canadian Kabbadi Cup would be organised at the Sports Stadium in Bathinda on January 31.






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malwa diary
Doctor wields pen to diagnose ills plaguing society

In an era, where a large section of society from different walks of life have been pursuing selfish interests, a medical professional of Makhu town of this district has authored a book on the plight of society and the country.

The purpose of the book titled “Zehar Da Dariya” (River of poison) authored by Satish Thukral Soni, a paediatrician, is to caution the countrymen about the ill-effects of drug addiction.

The pre-release function of book was attended by renowned ghazal singer Jagjit Singh and renowned Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans in the recent past.

In another play titled “Karz Saheedan Da” (Debt of martyrs), Thukral has pointed out that incidents like Mumbai attack were reflection of a weak political system in the country. He also suggested that media had also played a weak role in the whole episode.

“The main aim behind writing plays carrying different kind of messages is that I want to attract the attention of people towards menace of drug addiction and terrorism prevailing in the country. I tried to expose the shortcomings of ruling politicians, who are not protecting the interests of the country,” said Thukral.

— Chander Parkash

Work on engg college restarts 

The construction of engineering college at village Chauwarinawali, which had been withheld for about a decade, has been restarted. The foundation stone of the college was laid in piece of 25 acres of land by the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in his previous tenure with the initiative of Jain saint Acharya Jayanand Suri.

Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Charitable Trust had decided to spend Rs five crores on the construction of this college. The construction work was stopped following litigation by some villagers.

Trust secretary, Anil Jain, while talking to The Tribune said that the construction activity of the first floor comprising six halls, three classrooms have been completed. About 240 eligible students would be able to take admission in Bachelor of technology (B.Tech). He said the college would go a long way in providing technical education to residence of this border town and surrounding rural areas.

— Praful Chander Nagpal

Showing the way to others

Satish Kumar Chhokra (45), who used to sell sugarcane juice for the last 15 years in the main bazaar of Abohar, would be remembered as the first elderly body donor of the town.

The family of Satish Kumar Chhokra donated his body as per the pledge form that he had signed in response the call given by Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, during a religious congregation at village Gurusar Modian in district Sriganganagar a few months back.

Since then, half-a-dozen bodies in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar had so far been donated to different medical institutions. This time eyes were donated to the Sirsa-based Dera Hospital while rest of the body was handed over to the Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences for research.

Notably, a few years back scout trainer Darshan Lal Chugh had donated body of his minor son for which pledge was taken during the treatment at the hospital run by Sathya Sai Baba's organisation near Bangalore.

Satish could not get much of education but always inspired his two daughters and a son and all have become graduates.

Hundreds of citizens joined the funeral procession as body of Satish Kumar was taken out through the main roads of Abohar town.

The shops in the main bazaar were kept closed. Nar Seva Narayan Seva (NGO) provided its van to carry the body.

The members of the bereaved family were joined by hundred of volunteers of the Shah Satnam Ji Green Social Welfare Force in full uniform besides other citizens to bid final adieu to the deceased.

— Raj Sadosh

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Arniwala sub-tehsil inaugurated
Our Correspondent

Fazilka, January 24
Irrigation Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Ferozepur MP, Sher Singh Ghubaya and Fazilka MLA, Surjit Kumar Jyani, inaugurated the newly-constructed building of Arniwala sub-tehsil.

The building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 32 lakhs. These leaders also laid the foundation stone of the model school at village Korianwali in Fazilka sub-division. The school building would be constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crores in ten acres of panchayat land. The education would be imparted in both English and Punjabi medium.

While addressing the gathering at village Arniwala, Sekhon said the record of Arniwals sub-tehsil would be computerised up to June this year.

The Irrigation Minister said model schools in six blocks of the district Ferozepur, which are considered backward, would be constructed. These schools would be constructed in village Giddranwali of Khuiansarvar block, village Dharangwala of Abohar block, village Korianwali of Fazilka block, Chack Mohanwala of Jalalabad block, Guddardhandi in Mamdot block and village Usmanwala in Ferozepur block.

He said in the district 13 middle schools would be upgraded to high school and 16 high schools to senior secondary schools. Six hostels for girls would be constructed in senior secondary schools of the district, he said. The Punjab government proposes to renovate distributaries in the district at a cost of Rs 14 crores, added irrigation minister.

Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya said more link roads shall be laid in the district at a cost of Rs 40 crore during the current year.

While highlighting development projects, local MLA Jyani said that on completion of the 100 years of the Civil Hospital in Fazilka, the construction of new OPD block has been completed which would be inaugurated soon.

Besides, the canal-based drinking water project would be connected with perennial canal to provide pure drinking water to the town residents. More than Rs six crores has already been spent on this project, added Jyani.

Ferozepur DC KK Yadav, SGPC executive member Suba Singh, members of the executive committee of SAD Sandeep Gilhotra and Gurpal Singh Grewal and other SAD and BJP leaders were present on the occasion. 

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Sukhbir-Kalia committee report irks small traders
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 24
Madan Lal Kapoor, chairman of the Small Scale Traders’ Board, Punjab, today expressed his disappointment over the much-hyped Sukhbir-Kalia committee report, saying, “It is painful that the report, which has issues related to taxes on traders, was formed without even consulting the Small Scale Traders’ Board of the state.”

Clarifying that he was not totally against the report, Kapoor said it could have been better if the views of the board had been incorporated.

“It was the responsibility of those who prepared the report to have taken us in confidence to avoid any resentment, while imposing the recommended taxes,” he said.

About the further course of action, Kapoor said, “As the report is yet to be notified, we will discuss it with the traders in detail and then submit the report to the chief minister.”

Talking to the TNS at the Circuit House, Bathinda, Kapoor was in anguish as he accused the bureaucracy of being unwilling in allowing the board to survive.

Lashing out at the Financial Commissioner and Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, Punjab, who are the convener and the coordinator of the board, respectively, Kapoor said, “It was clearly mentioned in the constitution of the board that it would meet at least once in three months but ever since its constitution in July 2008, we have held only three meetings. Moreover, the decisions we took in the past meetings too were not bothered about.”

“The board is in pathetic state as the CM held not even a single meeting with the board members. Moreover, in the absence of patronage, we have been at the receiving end as many a time, we took decisions, the government gave its nod but the officials did not let it be implemented,” Kapoor lamented.

Talking about the demands, chairman of the 12-member traders’ board, Kapoor said, “First of all, the government must always consult us before imposing any new tax or amending legislations in this regard. Further, the tax system should be simplified as the traders, who do not fall in the tax slab, should be relieved from unnecessary worries of filing quarterly returns.”

“We also seek that entry tax on sugar should be eliminated and the same tax on pulses should be reduced to one per cent. The state government should also take a decision about a lump sum being fixed as TOT, around Rs 3500 for traders whose sale is between Rs 5-20 lakh,” demanded Kapoor.

Speaking further, he alleged that most of the marginal traders were facing hardship as the government has made the e-filing of tax returns mandatory for all.

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Jaipur-Durg weekly train resumes run
Our Correspondent

Sriganganagar/Abohar, January 24
The commencement of Jaipur-Durg-Jaipur (Weekly) train is expected to boost business in Rajasthan, said Lalit Bohra, chief PRO of the North Western Railway.

Notably, the introduction of this train along with Phulera-Rewari-Phulera passenger train had been postponed due to demise of CPM leader Jyoti Basu but the same has now become functional. Bohra said Chattisgarh and Rajasthan share a very strong business relationship. Hundreds of Rajasthanis had settled in and around Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg and other cities of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. Jaipur-Durg-Jaipur (Weekly) train would facilitate connectivity to them with their native place. He further said Phulera and Rewari are two biggest junction stations of NWR. Phulera-Rewari-Phulera passenger train would provide a connection to the people living in small towns and villages. This would benefit passengers of Ringus, Neem Ka Thana, Narnaul towns. Jaipur is preferred for medical treatment. These trains would provide them connectivity to Jaipur at Ringus Station. 

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Literacy contest held
Our Correspondent

Mansa, January 24
Sarv Siksha Abhiyan in Punjab has been making sincere efforts to encourage the subjects of science and mathematics among the students of government schools in the rural areas.

In this regard, a competition of these subjects of class V and VIII was organised on January 8 and the result of the competition was announced today.

The students who got first, second and third positions at the district level would get Rs 2100, Rs 1500 and Rs 1000 respectively. District project coordinator of the Sarv Siksha Abhiyan Authority, Darshan Singh Dhilon and the district science supervisor Gurlabh Singh said that nearly 1000 students of class V and 1500 students of class VIII hailing from Mansa district had participated in this competition.

It is notable that the students, who had secured good positions in this competition, would also participate in another state-level competition, to be held at Patiala on February 10.

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School holds workshop

Bathinda, January 24
The Millennium School authorities, today, organised a motivational workshop for parents of the students titled “The making of next generation Whiz-Kids” at a local resort.

The workshop offered an insight into the multidimensional approach towards effective parenting, shedding light on the art of bringing up children through a synergized effort on the part of parents and teachers. Dr Bindu Rana, a noted child psychologist, listed parents’ responsibilities, like establishing routine in intermingling with children, limiting time on TV, newspaper and social obligations as essential for healthy upbringing from parental perspective.

It was followed by a skit ‘The Time Robber’ which drove home the point that the greatest gift that parents could give to their children was a commitment of time. Beena Rao, principal of the school, assured of adopting a multi-dimensional advanced learning system. — TNS

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Arrested man not spy: Police

Bathinda, January 24
After overnight interrogation, Bathinda police today gave a clean chit to the man who was arrested on the suspicion of being a foreign spy on Saturday from near the oil depot, located near the outskirts of the city.

SP (D) Ajay Maluja, who was unwilling to comment on the issue on Saturday, today claimed that the arrested man, Magan, was not a foreign spy but was mentally disturbed.

He said Magan belonged to Nimgana village in UP and had left his house about two-and-half years ago, after his parents and wife died. “We have booked him under section 109 of the IPC and informed his kin, who are on the way to get him released,” Maluja added. — TNS

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Kabaddi Cup on Jan 31
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 24
The 5th Indo-Canadian Kabbadi Cup would be organised at the Sports Stadium in Bathinda on January 31.

Altogether eight academies would vie for the top slot which carries a cash award for Rs one lakh along with the cup. The Indo-Canadian Punjabi Sports and Cultural Club, Toronto, would hold the free-style kabbadi championship, said president of the club Parvej Singh Dhillon at a press meet held here today evening.

The runner-up squad would win cash award for Rs 60,000, Parvej said, adding that Rs 20,000 would also be given to each participating team.

He said a special kabbadi match for girls besides a match for veteran kabbadi players (above 40) would also be organised during the day-long sport carnival.

He said a cultural programme schedule for the occasion would be another attraction for spectators.

As a part of the tourney, the club would also hold a free eye check-up camp at village Joganand near thermal on January 29. Woollens would also be distributed among needy students to mark the occasion.

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