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One-way traffic mantra to make vehicle owners behave
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Download forms, pay bills, obtain birth and death certificates on the net
3rd CT half marathon on March 7
PIMS society ‘fails’ to pay instalment
Wheat flour, onion prices come down
Young World
Calligraphy workshop at LPU
KMV lecturer’s paper adjudged best
Satta clash leaves one injured
Sagar Ratna opens in city
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One-way traffic mantra to make vehicle owners behave
Jalandhar, March 4 MC Commissioner Viney Bublani, Mayor Rakesh Rathour and Additional Police Commissioner P.K. Rai held a meeting during which it was decided that the road from Madan Flour Mill Chowk to railway station be declared one way. “Only rickshaws and two-wheelers will be allowed to return from the station on that road, while the four-wheelers will have to take back a longer route either from the left or right side. The idea is to ensure a smooth ride and a clear passage to all those hurrying to catch a train,” they said. The passage from Dolphin Hotel to Jalandhar Central Jail has been made one way to decongest the narrow old grain market area. The vehicles coming from the jail side would have to take a left turn along the jail walls and then right to meet the same road. The road in front of the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Town, has also been made one way with those intending to enter the Model Town market to take a left turn along the boundary walls of the Niku Park and then right in front of the Geeta Mandir. Entry of all four-wheelers has been banned inside Rainak Bazaar from either of the leading roads, including Jyoti Chowk or the one opposite the Civil Hospital gate. However, rickshaws and two-wheelers will be allowed to move in. It was decided that the implementation of the decisions would be taken care of by the police, while the MC would provide machinery for the same. The police would implement no-parking rule on three designated tow-away zones, Skylark Hotel to Geeta Mandir, Model Town, BMC Chowk to Lyallpur Khalsa College and PNB Chowk to HMV College, it was decided. Meanwhile, the new traffic regulations were made effective from today itself with the traffic police personnel putting up signboards of “one-way movement” and “no parking” at all designated sites. They were even seen guiding the motorists in this regard. |
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Footpath encroachments: Triggered by complaint, SIC issues notice to MCJ
RTI query seeks info
on:
Jalandhar, March 4 The SIC had directed the MCJ’s Public Information Officer (PIO) to be present in the court of the State Information Commissioner Darbara Singh Kahlon
son March 4. The PIO was directed either to be present in person or to send any authorised representative, having knowledge of the facts about the information sought on the fixed date. The one-page notice sent by the SIC sub-registrar stated that if the PIO or his representative is not present on March 4, the decision would be pronounced ex parte. RTI activist Rajinder Bhatia filed a complaint with SIC under section 18 of the RTI Act on December 24 last year as the MCJ could not provide any information sought by him regarding encroachments on different footpaths of the city, on his application submitted on November 3. In his three-page application filed with the MCJ, Bhatia stated that most of the footpaths of the city, including the area located in front of Government Senior Secondary Girls School, at a stone’s throw from the MCJ office, are encroached upon by shopkeepers. The encroachments on the footpaths have deprived to the residents right to walk without fear of any accident in the city, he added. Bhatia sought information about the records maintained by the MCJ, regarding encroachments on footpaths falling under its jurisdiction. If such record is not available, the reason should be stated for not doing so. The RTI activist also sought information about the places of encroachments where the MCJ failed to get them removed and the reasons thereof. Bhatia asked the MCJ to provide information about the penalties recovered by it, since January 2007, from the offenders and the amount, including the salaries of the staff concerned spent by it for making footpaths encroachment-free. Bhatia further asked by what time the MCJ will make footpaths free of encroachments. He also sought information “If any accident takes place on the road due to encroachment on the footpaths, to what extent the MCJ is liable for the same under the law.” The RTI activist stated that most of the footpaths on the road from Football Chowk to Kapurthala Chowk, Ladowali Road to BSF Chowk, Lyallpur Khalsa Boys School on Nakodar Road to Jyoti Chowk are encroached by shopkeepers and
rehriwalas. |
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Grading system: First exam springs no surprises
Jalandhar, March 4 While some were still ignorant of the change, others had strong opinions about the system, but none complained of any change in the format of the paper. A kind of tension prevailed among parents and students as nothing had been said about any possible changes in the paper format. While the board had issued guidelines about the working of the grading system and its advantages, it had kept silent on the question paper pattern. But with the students of the science stream (first to sit through exams) giving a go-ahead, the apprehensions have been put to an end. However, the grading system has incurred a mixed response from the public. While some hail the new system as stress-free, others dub it as a hindrance in the development of competitive skills of the students. “Evaluation is an important yardstick to judge a student’s performance. Also, it provides a sense of purpose to teachers and students by setting goals. An evaluation system envisaged to assess the students on their daily classroom activities was much required and introduction of grading scheme is a welcome change as it is a more reliable means of measuring behavioural potential than the grading system. Though, both the parties are required to work harder, the system has the potential to focus on better all-round learning,” opines Meera Javed, Principal, Apeejay School. But not everybody is happy with the change. “To be honest, grading system makes no sense to me. It will decrease the spirit of competition among students as the one scoring 91 marks will be graded equal to the one scoring 100. Students wouldn’t study as hard as they used to,” said Seema, a student of Montgomery Guru Nanak Public School. “In my opinion, Kapil Sibal has taken a laudable initiative by introducing grading system as it would eliminate the cut-throat competition among high achievers and would also reduce societal pressure by providing the learner more flexibility. It would also help develop “out of box” and “rational” thinking among the students and teachers alike,” said a teacher of MGN. While some parents were apprehensive that it might lead to dilution in the standard of education, most have come to embrace it after seeing no difference in the paper format and the level of difficulty in the class XII physics paper, conducted on March 3. “Actually it is not dilution of the syllabus, but addition. The board, as in previous years, will design question papers, only evaluation will be done by the schools. It is good to hear that the board is taking measures to ensure objectivity in the marking system. We are a bit worried since some teachers nurture biases,” shared Dalbir Singh, father of a class XII student. |
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Download forms, pay bills, obtain birth and death certificates on the net
Jalandhar, March 4 A road map of the city can also be viewed on the site by anyone visiting here for the first time. The site gives the names and contact numbers of officials of all concerned departments. Profiles and photographs of councilors of all the 60 wards, along with the areas they represent, can also be viewed on the site. The website also has the download facility for various forms such as those for applying for sanction of the site map and getting birth and death certificates. Even the tenders for various projects are being uploaded on the site so that anyone across the country could understand the details and apply for the same. Further, the site includes the agenda of the house meeting and finance committee meetings and the proposals passed during the course. It also includes the details of the MC’s budget which includes sources of income and heads for various expenditures involved. One can even lodge an online complaint through a separate section listed on the site. The MC is also in the process of networking of all computer systems put up in various departments and even zones. This will help residents to get all details related to water supply bills and house tax bills from their respective zonal offices saving their time and fuel for visiting the main office, said SE AS Dhariwal, involved in the e-governance project. The MC officials also plan to take the billing process online. Those depositing their bills will be able to get receipts of payment online. Dhariwal added that while the facility was currently available a week after making the payment, it would be done on a daily basis soon, he said, adding that the site would be officially inaugurated by the local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia soon. |
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3rd CT half marathon on March 7
Jalandhar, March 4 Addressing a press conference, renowned Bollywood singer Master Saleem said earlier the concept of marathons was confined to metro cities of the country and abroad only. “It is a humane initiative which will help the deprived sections of the society and the city people should participate actively,” he added. The marathon route would be CT Shahpur Campus, Dulhan Palace Urban Estate, Cool Road, Aggarwal Dhaba, Masand Chowk, Mission Chowk, Nakodar Chowk, Football Chowk, Workshop Chowk, DAV College, CT Group of Institutions Maqsudan. This event will be held with the cooperation of the district administration, including mobile medical assistance teams and NGOs. It was also disclosed that proper arrangements would be made for energy drinks, water and rest shelters en route the marathon. Cash awards of Rs 21,000, Rs 11,000, Rs 5,100 would be given to the first, second and third position holders, respectively, for different male and female categories. The next seven position holders would get a cash prize of Rs 1,100 each. While each participant of the marathon would get a free T-shirt. The CT Institution would also organise a special race for the students of Prayaas School. The special race would be organised in the playground of the CT Group of Institutions, Maqsudan Campus. Chairman of CT Institutions Charanjit Singh Channi said the institution had successfully organised the CT Half Marathon in the past two years. “The half marathon has always remained a special event with celebrities taking part in it. This time Master Saleem would run for this social cause,” he maintained. |
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Programme For Education of Disabled Children
Jalandhar, March 4 As many as 8,025 children up to 14 years of age and 2,832 between 14 to 21 years, were identified in the survey, which was conducted by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) with the help of doctors, NGOs and Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Company, Kanpur. But, there remain apprehensions that still there are many unidentified children in remote pockets of the district. The centrally-sponsored SSA provides support for inclusion of children with disabilities in general schools at the elementary level in a time-bound manner. Countrywide, over 20 lakh children have been identified and 15 lakh enrolled in general schools at the primary level till now. But in Jalandhar, only 4,200 children could be found till early 2009, which was less than 1 per cent of the total population of children in the district. The administration could not provide the needed assistance to all of them even. The actual purpose of the initiative seems to have been lost to maintaining the project’s infrastructure. A look on the statistics would substantiate the fact that while only Rs 22 lakh have been used towards payment of staff salaries only Rs 6 lakh were used for conducting surveys, assessment camps and towards the treatment needs of the children. The government had issued a grant of Rs 42 lakh for the welfare of 4200 children, of which Rs 28 lakh have been used. While about Rs 2.2 lakh were spent on the surgery of 32 ortho-impaired children and 1.40 lakh on operation of 10 children suffering from cerebral palsy and some on physiotherapy of 65 children, the rest Rs 22 lakh were used for paying salaries of 19 Integrated Education Resource Teachers (IERT) and 80 volunteers. Furthermore, the SSA had a target of Universal retention in elementary education till 2010. With ‘zero rejection’ as its cornerstone, the SSA had envisaged on the IED project. But even eight years after the implementation of the scheme, only 20/109 suffering from varying degrees of cerebral palsy, 542/1119 from hearing impairment, 194/913 from mental retardation and 51/289 with multiple disabilities have been enrolled in schools. Enactment of Persons with Disabilities Act 1995 makes it statutory responsibility of the government to provide free education to such children in normal school up to 18 years of age. Otherwise a laudable initiative, the IED program is marred by certain problems like lack of sufficient resources and imperfect implementation.“Although, flaws are an inseparable part of any scheme, constant efforts should be made to eliminate the gap between the goals and actual achievements. No system is perfect. Monitoring and honest implementation would make one good. There are certain discrepancies, despite the best of our efforts, which need to be looked into… we are working on them too,” concluded an SSA official. |
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Vajra Corps’ diamond jubilee celebrations end
Jalandhar, March 4 Lt-Gen S.R. Ghosh, Army Commander of the Western Command, released a special cover and information brochure to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Vajra Corps. Vajra Corps had entered its diamond jubilee year on March 1 last year. Many events were conducted during the past year, which included adventure activities, equipment display, horse show, motorcycle display, silent drill and other welfare activities. Vajra Corps was the first corps raised in India after independence in 1950 by Lt-Gen Kulwant Singh at Ambala. The corps headquarters were later relocated at Jalandhar in 1951. |
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PIMS society ‘fails’ to pay instalment
Jalandhar, March 4 The society, which got the possession of the institute in the first week of January, had made a commitment to the authorities concerned to pay the instalment by the due date. Institute Director Dr A.S. Padda said, “Owing to some technical reasons, the society has not deposited the pending amount.” Asked whether the society management has sought any extension to pay second instalment, Dr Padda said he was not aware of it. Official sources said as per the concession agreement, which was signed on August 28, 2009, between the society and the institute, the former was to clear the due amount within six month of its signing. “We will take up the case in the next meeting of the governing body of the institute as it is the apex authority to decide the issue,” said Dr Padda when asked about the implications of non-payment of the instalment. Sources said the society was reluctant to deposit the pending amount as some issues related to “substitute agreement”, which was to be signed by both parties, remained to be resolved. Meanwhile, COO of the society Rajshekhar said Feb 28 was not the last date to deposit the pending
instalment. |
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Wheat flour, onion prices come down
Jalandhar, March 4 Potato remained at same price (Rs 6 per kg) as that of last week. Carrot price stood at Rs 10 per kg this week, same as that of last week. Prices of peas also remained unchanged (Rs 16 per kg) this week The vegetables which increase in prices were tomato, ginger, lemon and capsicum. Tomato became dearer by Rs 1 per kg and was available at Rs 14 per kg this week. Ginger and lemon were available at Rs 70 and Rs 65 per kg, respectively, this week against Rs 60 and Rs 40 per kg last week. Capsicum witnessed an increase of Rs 15 per kg this week. Capsicum price stood at Rs 50 per kg this week against Rs 35 per kg of last week. |
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Tackling Addiction
Jalandhar, March 4 YAAD was launched by environmentalist Baba
Sewa Singh Kar Sewa Khadoor Sahib who was conferred the Padma Shree for social work in the border belt of
Amritsar. The foundation was launched with the social message, “Say no to drugs, yes to life”. Launching the campaign, Baba Sewa Singh motivated parents to inculcate values in their wards to make them productive citizens to serve society. “Alcoholism is the root cause of all social evils and degradation of human values. Even world religions teach humanity to abstain from drugs,” Baba Sewa Singh said. Further elaborating the ill-effects of drug addiction, Dr Bains said drugs were the worst enemy of society as countless addicts across the world suffered from physical, mental, economic and social problems. “Drugs give rise to crime like murder, suicide, rape, prostitution, domestic violence and AIDS. And it is high time that social reformers join hands against such anti-social practices,” he added. He also emphasised on the need to create awareness among the youth through educational institutions, media and by holding seminars. Earlier, YAAD also presented a video of a song sung by Punjabi singer Jasbir
Jassi, which depicted the moving tale of female foeticide in the state.
YAAD President Jaswinder Singh, along with its members, distributed pamphlets highlighting the ill-effects of drugs on the occasion. The launch function of YAAD was also attended by students of Sikh Missionary College, Basti
Nau, who expressed their desire to work for this social cause. Harvinder Singh, a member of the foundation, said in the coming days, they would distribute these pamphlets at public places. An exhibition by the National Rural Health Mission
(NRHM), in association with the National AIDS Control Society (NACO), was also held. |
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Young World
Jalandhar, March 4 Meanwhile, the PG Department of Commerce of the Kamla Nehru College for Women, Phagwara, organised an educational tour to the holy city. During the visit, students visited the Golden Temple, Ram Tirath and Durgiana Mandir. The students also visited the Wagah Border and attended the retreat ceremony at the crossing between India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the students of the Computer Science Department organised a trip to Wonderland. Farewell party
The local Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya organised Farewell Party for the final year students. On the occasion, students presented cultural items, which included dance, song, modelling, and other items. The Prize of jodi no. 1 after a Dosti Test was given to Gagandeep and Pawandeep of final year. As per the tradition of the college, the Vidya Jyoti was passed on to second year students by final year outgoing students. Meanwhile, the Apeejay College of Fine Arts bid adieu to final year students of all streams of the college on March 3. Students enjoyed cultural programmes and special games on the occasion. Ujjwal of BBA-III year and Gurpreet Kaur of B.Com (professional)-III were adjudged Mr. and Miss Apeejay. Harkirat was selected as Mr. Dashing and Priya Kanda was crowned Miss Charming. Cricket tourney
The local DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology (DAVIET) emerged runners-up at the PTU Inter College Cricket Tournament held at SUSCET, Tangori. As many as 108 teams from various colleges
affiliated to the Punjab Technical University (PTU), Jalandhar, took part in the tournament. In the final of the tournament, DAVIET lost to GGSCET, Kharar, in a close contest. Earlier, in the semifinal, DAVIET beat Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology as the batsmen displayed some immense hitting by scoring 192 runs in the allotted 15 overs. MGN winners
The model of ‘Management of Waste Material for Human Welfare’ of the local MGN College of Education won the first position in the ‘On the
Spot Teaching Aids Competition’ held at the Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala, on National Science Day on February 26. The model based on the management of waste material for human welfare had won the first prize at the zonal youth of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The model was prepared by Manish, Rajpreet, Inderpreet, Neelam, Maninder and Aman Sharma. While, Dr. Suman Beri from the department of Physics of Panjab University, Chandigarh, presided over the function. Quiz contest
The department of economics of the Kanya Maha Vidyalaya organised a quiz contest in which the team of B.Com (regular) bagged the first prize followed by B. Com (professional) and BBA-II team. The winning teams were later awarded. English play
In an event at the State Public School, Shahkot, students of class nursery to II presented English plays. The plays were based on themes like ‘save trees save earth’, ‘eat healthy think healthy’, ‘good manners’ and much more. Annual day The Police DAV Pubic School organised annual day of the pre-primary wing entitled ‘Children of the World’. It had a message that we should dissolve narrow parochial discriminations which divide our society and bond together through affection and affinity. The function started with the lighting of the lamp by chief guest DGP Shashi Kant along with the
Principal of the school Rashmi Vij. Tiny tots gave an invocation to goddess Saraswati. In a modeling show, children showcased dresses of various countries like China, Vietnam, Thailand, Canada, Russia, Japan etc. The audience was mesmerised by their sheer beauty and grace. Tiny tots presented beautiful rhythmic dances to the tunes of songs from various countries. Rhythmic yoga was also presented by the children, to spread the message of love and peace. As many as 250 kids participated in the function. Prizes were distributed to academics, sports and co-curricular activities. Sports meet Darshan Academy has organised the annual sports meet-cum-prize distribution function on their school playground. The function started with the welcome of chief guest Mohinder Bhagat, Chairman, Medium Industries Development Board,
and guests of honour, which included SP Dr Surinder Kalia and Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia. The guests congratulated the students on the occasion and expressed hope that the school flourished to greater heights. They praised the principal and the teaching faculty for imparting high-standard education to the students in a dynamic manner. Education officer of the school K.K. Sharma thanked the dignitaries for attending the function. 50-m race, 30-m race, one-leg race, frog jump and kangaroo race were conducted. Dumbbell and mass drills were performed by students, followed by cultural programme. It was followed by
aerobic dance and prize distribution. The prizes were given to the students for their excellent performance in academics and various events of sports. |
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Calligraphy workshop at LPU
Jalandhar, March 4 Siddique in his address to the learners said calligraphy is acquiring occupational dimensions also, with demand of calligraphers going up for designing wedding and event invitations, font design/typography, original hand-lettered logo design, religious art, announcements, graphic design, cut stone inscriptions and memorial documents. It is also being used for props and moving images for film and television, testimonials, birth and death certificates, maps and other works involving writing.
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TNS Cricket tourney
Jalandhar: First Country Cup, organised by Hotel Country Inn at PAP grounds, ended on February 26. It started on February 18, in which eight cricket teams of different hotels participated. The teams belonged to Hotel Sekhon Grand, Hotel Radisson, Hotel Country Inn, Hotel Maya, Hotel Regent Park, Country Inn 2, Rangla Vehra and Hotel Maharaja. Finals were played between Sekhon Grand and Country Inn with the latter emerging as the champion. —
TNS New DDEO
Jalandhar: Parminder Singh has been promoted as the Deputy District Education Officer (Primary). Parminder Singh took the charge on March 2. Earlier, he worked as the principal of Udhopur Barsal Senior Secondary School. He also served as a headmaster of Government High School
Patara. — TNS Apeejay Principal awarded
Jalandhar: Dr Sucharita Sharma, principal of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, has been awarded by Nishkam Sewa Bharti Trust,
Jalandhar, for her contribution in the field of art, culture and education. Dr Sucharita said the
honour would motivate her to work further. — TNS |
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Heritage festival brings music to ears Technical Education Minister Swarna Ram with Sangeet Maha Sabha President-cum-Phagwara SDM Amarjit Paul and a large audience were mesmerised by the performances of classical artistes Dr Nivedita Singh, Santosh Nahar, Manu Seen, Tarun Bhattacharya, Prof Hari Dev and Prof B.S. Narang at Phagwara Heritage Festival. — OC Safai karamcharis fight for right Hundreds of safai karamcharis belonging to the Safai Karamchari Union staged a dharna in front of the SDM office against the state government for not accepting their demands. They also took out a protest rally Union leaders alleged that despite assurances given by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during a meeting with the union in Phagwara on February 16 last year, no initiative was taken by the government even after one year. Their demands included minimum wages fixed by the Labour Department, regularisation of temporary safai karamcharis and imposition of labour laws on Mohalla Sanitation Committees. The demonstrators later submitted a memorandum to Phagwara SDM Amarjit Paul. — OC MSc topper of PTU Mehar Preet Singh got 1st position (78.7 per cent) in the Punjab Technical University in MSc (Clinical Microbiology). He was awarded a gold medal, merit certificate and the degree at the convocation at PTU campus. — OC
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KMV lecturer’s paper adjudged best
Jalandhar, March 4 Prof Madhumeet has earlier penned down two books and her translation of
K.S. Duggal’s anthology of short stories “Mitti Musalman Ki” had fetched her “Yuva
Puraskar” by the Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad, Kolkata, last year. She was also invited by the Central Institute of Indian Language,
Mysore, to speak on Dalip Kaur Tiwana’s ‘Gone are the rivers’. The Professor has also to her credit the honour of writing an introduction to Dr
K.S. Duggal’s latest anthology of short stories “The Guru’s Gift and other stories”. Principal of the college Dr Atima Sharma congratulated her for the achievement. |
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Satta clash leaves one injured
Jalandhar, March 4 Eyewitnesses revealed that armed with sharp-edged weapons, Anoop and his men attacked their counterpart Gagan, leaving him critically injured. Gagan has been hospitalised with serious injuries. Illegal trade is going on unchecked in shops beneath the flyover in Rama Mandi, allegedly in connivance with certain police personnel. Moreover, the trade has become a major source of easy money for the cops of the area, enquiries revealed. The police said an investigation has been initiated into the incident. No case was registered in this regard till late in the evening. |
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Sagar Ratna opens in city
Jalandhar, March 4 The eating joint situated at Shakti Mall opposite the local Gymkhana Club and specialises in South Indian snacks like dosas, uthapam, idli, vadas and much more. The foodies can also enjoy north Indian snacks, rice pulao and Chinese
eatables. — TNS |
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