Bathinda, February 13
Altogether 13 trains passing through Bathinda would be suspended for 13 days i.e. between March 8 and 20, as the Asia's biggest railway junction here is about to undergo a major upgradation exercise.

Movement of as many as 36 trains would be affected, in terms of route diversion and short termination, due to the upgradation work that involves remodelling of yards and commissioning of Route Relay Interlocking (RRI) system at the station.

The Ambala Division of the Northern Railway has planned to remodel the yards besides commissioning of RRI system at Bathinda to ensure safety and better punctuality of trains.

Over 800 men would be pressed into action to carry out the upgradation exercise that would begin on February 24 and would complete on March 20, sources in the railway said.

Sources said that it was a major exercise akin to the work carried out at New Delhi station last year.

Sources added that the upgradation exercise would involve conversion of tracks from small to big and vice-versa, proper connection among tracks, track setting and others besides remodelling of yards. The existing cabin would be dismantled, all the signalling gears would also be removed and installed at new power cabin, sources said, adding that considering the nature of work cancellation of trains was mandatory.

As per the railway sources, 13 trains would remain cancelled from March 8 to March 20. The trains include 1BD Dhuri-Bathinda, 1SHB Bathinda-Sriganganagar, 4SHB Sriganganagar-Bathinda, 2SHB Sriganganagar-Bathinda, 3SHB Bathinda-Sriganganagar, 345 Jind-Ferozepur, 346 Ferozepur-Jind, 341 Delhi-Ferozepur, 342 Ferozepur-Delhi, 343 Jind-Hisar, 344 Hisar-Jind, 1RB Bathinda-Rewari and 2 RB Rewari-Bathinda.

Besides, four trains have been diverted in view of the work. The trains including 5609/5610 which runs between Guwahati and Lalgarh will pass via Katar Singh Wala, Bathinda bye pass avoiding the Bathinda station. And the trains 4887/4888 which runs between Barmer and Haridwar/Kalka would also take the above-mentioned route during the period.

Meanwhile, the railway has requested the district administration to provide alternate arrangement of public transport at Katar Singh Wala station at the timing of these trains.

In addition to this, 19 trains which pass through Bathinda station have been chosen for short termination. The 4731-4732 which run between Delhi and Bathinda would run between Delhi and Dhuri for the period.

The 4UB Bathinda-Ambala would run between Ambala-Dhuri. The 4519/4520 Kisan Express which runs between Delhi and Bathinda would run between Delhi and Sirsa. The 9225/9226 runs between Bathinda and Jammu Tawi would run between Jammu Tawi and Ferozepur. The 1FKB, 2FKB, 3FKB and 4 FKB which run between Bathinda and Fazilka would run between Fazilka and Kotkapura. The 2 FB/3 FB which runs between Bathinda-Ferozepur would run between Ferozepur and Kotkapura. The 1BSB/2BSB which runs between Suratgarh and Bathinda would run between Suratgarh and Hanumangarh.

The 338 that runs between Lalgarh and Abohar would run between Lalgarh and Haumangarh while 337 Bathinda Lalgarh would run between Lalgarh and Hanumangarh. The 339/340 runs between Abohar and Bikaner-Jodhpur would also terminate at Hanumangarh.

Bathinda, February 13
Suspecting that his wife was having illicit relations, a head constable of the Bathinda police along with three others today killed her at her paternal house in village Mandi Kalan of this district. Her father, who intervened, was also killed on the spot.

The head constable in question, Raghbir Singh of village Jassi, was posted at Bhucho police post. He married Jeewan Kaur about 18 years ago and was blessed with a daughter and a son. After marriage, the couple started living in Bathinda.

Villagers informed that both used to accuse each other of having extra-marital affairs.

Many times, Panchayats from Jassi and Mandi Kalan villages intervened to resolve the matter. Once, following a dispute, Jeewan had left for her paternal house also. It was also said that Jeewan wanted divorce from Raghbir. Her father used to support her decision but mother did not.

Sources in the village informed that today at about 4 pm, Raghbir along with three of his friends, brandishing swords and lathis, reached the house of Raghbir’s in-laws in a jeep, but did not find Jeewan there, as she had gone to attend a wedding ceremony in the village.

Calling her back home, Raghbir and his accomplices attacked her with sharp-edged weapons. Meanwhile, Jagga Singh, father of Jeewan Kaur, intervened to rescue her. But he was hit on his head. He succumbed to the injury.

“It took just three-four minutes. Before we reached the spot, the accused had fled,” said a villager.

Acting upon the statement of Jeewan’s mother, the Balianwali police registered a case of murder against Raghbir Singh and three unidentified persons, who had come with covered faces.

Till the filing of report, the accused were at large.

Staff at the Bhucho police post, where accused Raghbir Singh was posted, informed that he was on leave for past over fortnight.

SSP Ashish Chaudhary said, “Two persons, including the head constable, have been identified so far and we are hopeful to nab all accused very soon.”

Ludhiana, February 13
Giving a major relief to parking woes across the state, Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia today announced Punjab Parking Policy under which vacant land and plots could be put to use.

Kalia said: “Under the policy, the vacant plots and land owners within the municipal corporation and committee limits would be eligible to turn their lands into public parking. No tax would be charged from them for the purpose.” Apart from it, the land owners would not pay change of land use charges for converting their lands into public parking, the minister added.

Another important part of the parking policy would be multi-level parking. Those who want to construct multi-level parking on their plots would be exempted from house-tax for 10 years. Apart from it, the policy also allows display of advertisements on vacant plots and lands.

He said: “Under the system, the land owners would be allowed to charge money from vehicle owners to park their means of transportation. It would not only generate employment but would also help in saving empty lands from encroachments.”

The policy has come as a major relief to the traffic police. SP (Traffic), Ludhiana, Rupinder Singh, said: “In our city alone, there are over 10 lakh registered vehicles. With limited parking spaces, we have been facing hardships in mobilising traffic. However, the policy would give a boost to easier traffic management”. — TNS

Bathinda, February 13
Reacting to the CBI’s report filed with the court that recommends closure of cases against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, an accused of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, president of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) Karnail Singh Pirmohammad on Saturday flayed the CBI for its alleged dubious role in shielding the accused.

In a press release, Pirmohammad stated that the AISSF and Sikhs for Justice had decided to challenge the CBI’s report in court. — TNS

Bathinda, February 13
It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in air! But people think differently about the celebrations that surrounds Valentine’s Day.

On the one hand, a few wait for the whole year for this day to celebrate a special bond, propose to their crushes and lock some wonderful memories forever into their heart. On the other, some wonder, could the expression of an emotion be confined to a calendar day.

V Day is a special day which is solely devoted to love warmth, affection and togetherness. Especially to raise a toast to a relationship that means the world to you, opined Abhinav who is pursuing CA.

On the contrary, Karan Verma, BPO employee, Gurgaon said, “It is like the other day for me as I do not think that I would actually love my near and dear one more on this hyped-up day than I did the previous day or would do the other day.

Sandy Rajput, jeweller, Chandigarh has been eagerly waiting for this day to say three golden words to his girl friend with a belief that relationship would be everlasting.

Love is building a relationship over time, which stand the test of time and has to be nurtured all through. No matter, how many calendar days one marks for it, said Ritu Dutta, director/producer, Sri Auro Vision, Delhi.

Anyways, it is the day for the shopkeepers to make profits. Markets are stocked with mushy greeting cards, chocolates, cute stuffed toys and other goodies with lovey-dovey messages. The sale of gift items is on the rise, said Amit, owner, Paris Cards Collection, Bathinda.

“Gifts are the ways to express our feeling to those whom we love,” said Beena Rao, principal, Millennium School, Bathinda.

“Presents are probably the order of the day. However, could a beautiful emotion or feelings be expressed through fragrance of flowers or mesmerising words on a card,” questioned Prof. DR Sharma, Bathinda.

Redders have bloomed expensive for the lovers. The cost of rose goes up to Rs 25-30 on V Day but it does not make any difference to sale, said Laddi Rahi, florist, Bathinda. Big Cinemas, Bathinda is getting equally good response, said Vishal, supervisor.

Thanks to our human ways, the beauty of the day is lost somewhere in commercialisation. Can somone’s wallet measure the depth of love one has for someone? asked Ravi Dahiya, Asst. general manager, software company, Delhi.

While Dr Kashish Gupta, Dabwali opined differently, “Commercialisation is there and at times youngsters tend to go beyond their monetary means in an effort to woo and win their dear ones but it adds colours to this wonderful day. It does not mean measuring the depth of someone’s love in material terms.

Bathinda, February 13
Security has been beefed up in Bathinda in view of Valentine’s Day celebrations. Activists of the Vishav Hindu Parishad (VHP) along with their ally organisations are claiming to check the Valentine’s Day celebrations in Bathinda on Sunday.

Secretary of the Vishav Hindu Parishad Sukhpal Saran said the Valentine’s Day was nothing else than a blot on the Indian culture. “We have been urging people not to allow their kids to celebrate the day. Despite that, if unmarried couples were found celebrating the day in parks, hotels and markets, we will blacken their face and make them apologise in public,” he warned.

“We have reports that some of the local hoteliers are going to organise functions on the day, which will not be allowed at any cost. Our volunteers have informed them about it. If they did not cancel the events, they will have to face the consequences,” added Saran.

Replying a query, Saran said, “This time, we are not going to submit a memorandum to the administration as it is their duty to check such celebrations.”

On the other hand, owners of hotels, banquet halls and eating joints, criticised the VHP warning. A renowned hotelier, seeking anonymity, said, “It is dictatorship of handful of persons, who bluntly take law into their hands, and the authorities concerned do nothing more that standing as mute spectators.”

“Market is already going through slump. Whenever such occasion comes, unfortunately, these men, who have no other business other than gaining publicity by creating hooliganism, start objecting the celebrations,” said the owner of a gift shop located in Dhobi Bazar.

“It is the duty of the Punjab police to protect us just like Maharashtra police gave cover to all theatres at the time of release of movie “My Name Is Khan,” demanded a renowned bakery owner.

SHO Kotwali Gujeet Singh Romana said, “We are going to beef up the security arrangements to ensure people enjoying the day in a peaceful manner. Anyone, who tried to take law and order into his hand, would be dealt with strict hand.”

Patiala, February 13
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab, in association with the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), New Delhi, will be organising a five-day training programme on “Role of Police and Criminal Justice”, for the Station House Officers (SHOs) of the Punjab Police, posted at different police stations across the state.

The main objective of the programme, scheduled to get underway on February 15, is to brush up the knowledge of the SHO’s of the Punjab police with regard to emerging crime scenario, recent law enactments relating to criminal law, investigation and the judicial directives and guidelines.

The programme would focus on themes, including that of “important criminal laws enacted since 2000”, “focus on penal provisions and the role of police”, “important rulings of the Supreme Court and the High Courts relating to arrest, bail, search and seizure, hostile witnesses” and “procedures to be followed when arresting a person outside the state”. — TNS

Muktsar, February 13
A 35-year-old doctor, Gur Rai Singh, who had died of Swine Flu on Friday at DMCH, Ludhiana, got cremated here today.

The doctor was posted at a government hospital located at village Goriwala near Dabwali in Haryana but his family was settled at Muktsar.

Sources in the health department said the doctor had complained about cough and sneeze during his duty in pulse polio drive on February 7. Suspecting a case of H1N1, he was admitted to a private hospital in Bathinda on February 9.

Observing his health getting deteriorated, doctors referred him to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana on February 11.

Immediate after admitting the patient, doctors took his swab and sent for laboratory test to PGIMER, Chandigarh. Before the test reports arrived, the doctor Gur Rai Singh succumbed to the H1N1 virus on Friday at about 3 pm.

Immediate after, wrapping the body in a specified manner, the DMCH authorities dispatched the body, which reached here in the late last evening and the kin cremated it this morning.

Confirming the facts, Dr JP Mangla, posted at DMCH, Ludhiana said the patient had reached them in a critical stage and could not be saved.The deceased is survived by wife, son and daughter.

Bathinda, February 13
A large number of youth and elderly persons thronged the “Arogya Mela” of the Indian system of medicines here today. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal inaugurated the four-day “mela” yesterday.

Patients from the town and surrounding villages queued up at the stalls to get themselves examined by doctors of Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani and Naturopathy.

Hundreds of students from various schools and colleges from various parts of Punjab also thronged the fair to know about “desi” medicines, which have been curing people of the country for the centuries.

The mela is being organised by the Department of AYUSH, Punjab, in assistance with the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on the premises of the Government Rajindra College here.

Punjab health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla has been showing keen interest in the mela as for the second consecutive day, she was seen interacting with the visitors to the fair.

About 150 students from the Shivalik Public School, Jaito (Faridkot), along with their teachers visited the fair to acquaint themselves with the Ayurveda and Homeopathy.

A group of about 50 students from the Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, also visited the fair along with three teachers, including Dr Rakesh Pawar, Head of Department of Medicine of the college.

These students not only visited the stalls but also collected medicines-related literature and purchased medical products.

Manisha Bharti and Madhuri Bhanot, students of Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, said they would now submit a report about the fair to their teachers.

However, Dr Pawar resented that the organisers of the fair had not sent invitations even to eminent Ayurveda physicians.

The students also witnessed live yoga demonstration and display of herbal plants.

A contingent of 43 girl students from the Mai Bhago Ayurvedic Medical College, Muktsar, also visited the fair. Students Rajbir Sason and Neelam Kumari said they had attended a lecture on Ayurveda here and learnt a lot. Students from the Government Rajindra College here also visited the fair. 

Ferozepur, February 13
In a move to express anguish over the self immolation by Kirandeep Kaur in Kapurthala last week, the ETT teachers union supported by some other unions held a massive protest against the SAD-BJP government to express their anguish over the non-fulfillment of their demands.

The protestors raised slogans against the state government and burnt its effigy.

Dozens of education volunteers gathered at Gurudwara Sargarhi and took out a procession, which culminated at the bus stand.

The protesting teachers also submitted a memorandum to the tehsildar.

Hanumangarh, February 13
In a bizarre incident, a young man residing in Dabli Rathan village of this district set himself on fire last evening after he exchanged heated arguments with his wife and brother-in-law over some monetary matters.

Information gathered by TNS revealed that Ashok Kumar (25) put kerosene on his body and set himself on fire in his house last evening. Ashok Kumar was admitted to the nearby hospital with 80 per cent burn injuries and he was subsequently referred to the Bikaner-based hospital late night.

Information revealed that Ashok Kumar along with his wife attended the marriage of his brother-in-law yesterday. The marriage was solemnised in their village.

Ashok Kumar indulged into verbal duel with his wife and brother-in-law when he asked for some money from them and it was not given to him.Laxmi Bai, her brother and other kin from her parental side left for Bathinda and did not take Ashok Kumar along with them.

Ashok Kumar, who was forced to stay in his village Dabli Rathan village, went back home and set himself on fire.

His condition is stated to be serious and doctors attending on him had put him under observation for 48 hours, sources said. Ranbir Beniwal, SHO, police station, Hanumangarh Sadar, said that a case under section 309 of the IPC was registered against Ashok Kumar as Ashok Kumar in his statement recorded by the police, had stated that he had set himself on fire on his own. 

Abohar, February 13
Scores of farmers staged a dharna and gheraoed a private hospital here under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Ekta-Ugrahan to express resentment over alleged discrepancies in the treatment of a woman, Paramjit Kaur, who had died of cancer about six months back.

While addressing the protesters, the BKU district secretary, Sukhdarshan Singh said that the doctor here had been treating the woman asserted that a small tumor had developed at her neck.

As her condition continued to deteriorate, she was taken to Bikaner where the doctors diagnosed that she had been suffering from cancer and almost time for the treatment was over allegedly due to incorrect diagnosing.

The BKU activists further alleged that the in-charge of the private hospital here had refused to hand over the OPD file to her family fearing detection of lapses on her part even when the Bikaner hospital urgently needed the file. The family had not only lost her life but also over burdened with heavy medical expenses.

Members of the medico fraternity rushed to the hospital and Indian Medical Association came out with a statement alleging that the BKU was trying to blackmail the doctor concerned, who had given fair treatment to the patient to the best of his knowledge.

However sensing trouble, former MLA, Dr Ram Kumar Goyal intervened. He tendered unconditional apology on behalf of the doctor and assured that the affected family would be adequately compensated. This prompted lifting of the dharna in the afternoon. 

Abohar, February 13
The IFFCO Kisan Sewa Trust has launched a mega eye care project in Abohar region. As per the project sculpted by the IFFCO chairman, Surinder Kumar Jakhar and MD Dr

US Awasthi, a series of free eye check-up and cataract operation camps would be organised in more than 12 villages.

The organisation has availed the services of two well-qualified surgeons, Dr SL Chalana and Dr Gagan Chalana. They examined more than 500 persons during the inaugural camp that was held at village Killianwali near Abohar yesterday.

About 400 of them were found suffering from eye problems and were given medicines. IFFCO senior area manager RK Upveja informed today that the Trust would bear the expenses of surgeries and eligible persons would also be provided spectacles/lens free of cost. The Kisan Sewa Trust Fund was created with Rs 200 million funds, half of which was contributed by the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperatives Ltd. The same has now been renamed as “IFFCO Kisan Sewa Trust”. 

Fazilka, February 13
Eye donation campaign initiated by an NGO Social Welfare Society about two years back, has got 100 eye donor today.

Interestingly, a pair of eye was donated by Baby Ishika (8), a resident of Nehru Nagar localityn who passed away here today. Cornea transplant of the donated eyes is carried out at Andh Vidhalya in Sirganganagar.

The society has been able to provide sight to about 200 curable blinds, said Raj Kishore Kalra, president of the Society.

The society has made the eye donation a mass movement in this small border area. Kalra called upon the residents to come forward to meet the need of the curable blinds. 

Abohar, February 13
The Bhartiya Kissan Union Ekta-Ugrahan has urged the Central government to ensure that the proposed

Rs 800 crore, on account of drought relief to Punjab, is distributed exclusively among cotton growers in the state.

While speaking to the media here today, BKU state vice-president Surjit Singh Dhaban and other functionaries said that the state government had sanctioned Rs 2,600 crore subsidy on free electricity supply to the farmers, out of which about Rs 1700 crore benefitted paddy growers, who irrigated the fields by running tubewells.

This resulted in record a 140 lakh metric tonnes production- a major contribution in the food bowl of the country. But the cotton growers were not provided any relief.

Quoting official reports, he said that per hectare yield of processed cotton in Punjab had fallen from 565 kg to 507 kg within a year.

Besides, the state government charged four per cent VAT plus two per cent surcharge on cotton. This too burdened the pockets of cotton growers to the tune of Rs 280 crore.

The total loss suffered by the farmers on account of poor yield and tax comes roughly to about a thousand crore. The cotton growers need to be compensated by sanctioning Rs 1,000 per quintal as bonus, he said. 

Moga, February 13
The delivery of drugs through nanotechnology can improve the chances of surviving brain cancer by providing an alternative form of therapy that targets only cancer cells and does not affect other normal living cells and tissues of the body.

This has been stated by Prof. Ijeoma Uchegbu, director, Post Graduate Research Studies, department of Pharmaceutics, University of London, while addressing the post-graduate students of pharmacy in the Indo-Soviet Friendship College of Pharmacy during her visit here, today.

She said that there is a need for novel delivery system design for the drugs in the form of nano particles for the treatment of cancer, particularly, the brain tumours. She said that most of the anti-cancer drugs have very high toxicity and are not absorbed properly. "Nanotechnology is a real example of how nano and biological interfacing can be used for biomedical application," she said.

It may be mentioned that presently high doses of anti-cancer drugs are required to treat brain tumours, which cause heavy toxicity damaging the organs like kidney, liver, heart and some times because of this the anti-cancer drugs are discontinued during cancer therapy causing increase in the incidences of cancer and its metastasis..

Prof. Uchegbu said that the University of London, School of Pharmacy, has developed nano particulate systems based on dendrimers for improving the bioavailability and treatment efficacy of anti-cancer drugs in treating cancer.

Adding that the significance of this work lies in the ability to effectively target nano particles to specific cell-surface receptors expressed on brain cancer cells, she said that by doing so one can overcome a major limitation involving the application of nano particles in medicine- the potential of these agents to distribute throughout the body.

She said that this technology is much more significant because the anti-body targets only the cancer cells, unlike other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the surrounding healthy cells are not affected.

Professor Uchegbu while saying that nano particles have given a hope for recovery from brain cancer said that for practicing better drug delivery paths into the body, there is a need for more accurate protocols to eradicate cancer from the society.

While highlighting the methods of improving solubility and bio-availability of many drugs which suffer from low bio-availability, she appreciated the facilities of ISF College of Pharmacy, particularly the nano-medicine centre and its research activities.

She also appreciated the modern facilities created in the college for the purpose of industrial research and testing on drugs. She promised to extend collaborative programs of research and training of the students and faculty of the college at the University of London.

Earlier, Parveen Garg, chairman of the managing committee of the college, while welcoming here said that he has made efforts to raise the status of ISF College to international standards by collaborating with various international and national universities.