Ludhiana, September 28
Congress party MP and All India Congress Committee spokesman Manish Tewari has said Indian Railways will speed up efforts to upgrade the infrastructure as well as provide more amenities for passengers at the city’s train station.

Talking to reporters after a review meeting with Northern Railway divisional railway manager Vishlesh Chaubey, senior divisional commercial manager Dharmendra Kumar and other railway officials at the train station today, he said the main issues discussed included lack of cleanliness on train platforms, inadequate public conveniences, encroachments and congestion at the station’s entrance. He added the meeting also took up providing better amenities, facilities and infrastructure to passengers.

According to Tewari, railway officials had told him a new contract for mechanised cleaning at the station had been awarded and the agency would soon commence its operations to spruce up the entire station. In order to provide more public conveniences for the nearly 60,000 passengers visiting the station every day, sites were being identified for to construct ‘pay and use toilet blocks, he added.

Tewari stated Northern Railway plans to spend Rs 90.62 crore during the next two years for upgrade of train stations in Ferozepur division. "A 20-foot wide footbridge is being fabricated to replace the existing one from platform no 1 to the Civil Lines side by June 2011. The motorable rail overbridge in place of Lakkar Pul (now dismantled) will become operational in December 2011. a sum of Rs 31.62 crore has been spent on various development projects in and around the city”.

The railway officials told Tewari that other projects included extension of platform nos 4, 5, 6 and 7 at the railway station to take 24 coaches, construction of washable aprons and upgrade of the diesel electric loco shed.

Further, work had been taken in hand to provide a foot overbridge at Dhandari station on the periphery of the city after which Uttar Pradesh and Bihar bound trains will be provided a stoppage for migrant labourers, which will help in easing the load of load on the city’s train station.

Tewari said while final technical sanction was awaited for construction of underbridges in Shastri Nagar and near Lodhi Club, and overbridges in Dana Mandi and on Pakhowal Road, a financial allocation of around Rs 16.84 crore had already been made for this purpose.

Ludhiana, September 28
Moved by the plight of Parvati and her three kids, Congress MP from Ludhiana Manish Tewari has promised to take up the matter for providing a job in the Railways to the widow of Santosh- a tea vendor at the local railway station, who had fallen to the bullets of Babbar Khalsa terrorist Balbir Singh Bhootna in August 2009 when the latter, surrounded by cops at the railway station, was trying to escape from the spot.

Tewari visited the railway station to hold a review meeting for providing better passenger facilities and amenities with Divisional Railway Manager Vishlesh Chaubey, senior divisional commercial manager Dharmendra Kumar and other senior officials of the Northern Railway from divisional headquarters at Ferozepur.

While taking up the case of Parvati with the senior railway officials, Tewari lauded the valiant act of Santosh, who, he observed, had shown exceptional courage and presence of mind in catching hold of the fleeing terrorist at the cost of his life. “The family of the brave tea vendor should not have to suffer for the sacrifice made by the sole bread winner.”

Tewari was told that the state government had provided a financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh to the family of the deceased but the Railways, despite having made a commitment for a job to Parvati at the bhog ceremony of her husband, had done nothing in this regard so far.

Chaubey and other railway officials expressed their inability to process the case for employment of Parvati on compassionate grounds, at least at the divisional-level, since the tea vendor was not a regular railway employee.

Offering to take up the case of Parvati with Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerji, the Congress MP asked an aide to get a representation from Santosh’s widow seeking a job to support her family. “I will vigorously pursue the case with the railway ministry and do everything possible to mitigate the suffering of the family of brave man who died fighting against the terrorist.”

Khanna, September 28
A woman gave birth to a baby boy with the help of some women and railway police personnel late in the night yesterday at Khanna train station. Bela Devi, a brick kiln worker in a village near Kohara, was on her way to Ludhiana in the Shaheed Express along with her husband, Kailash, when she suddenly went into labour at about 9 pm.

As the train came to a halt at Khanna station, Bela's condition worsened. Sensing her labour pains might have begun, Kailash acted swiftly and alighted from the train along with his pregnant wife. He immediately rushed to some women sitting on the platform to seek assistance.

Some railway police officials noticed the couple's plight and immediately brought the matter to the notice of the station police post in charge, ASI Harjinder Singh.

"When I realised the woman's condition was worsening, I immediately sent a constable to a nearby locality to call for women to help in the delivery," said Harjinder.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Kailash said: "Everything happened within minutes. The women arrived and took over the responsibility of medics. As though a miracle was happening in front of my eyes, the seemingly uneducated women turned into obstetricians."

"Within no time my baby was born. Fortunately, the process was very smooth and the mother and baby are both fine," he added with a smile on his face.

Kailash said his wife's delivery was expected within a few days' time. “However, we were not expecting it to happen so early and like this. We were caught unawares," he added.

Among the women who rushed to the scene was nurse Jagtar Kaur who helped Bela deliver the baby. She also provided the required medical aid and injections to the mother and child. Harjinder helped the couple financially and also arranged for medicines and eatables for Bela. Passersby, too, came forward to collect money for her, which was handed over to Kailash in the ASI’s presence.

Immediately after the delivery, Harjinder arranged for taking the mother and newborn to the local Civil Hospital.

Ludhiana, September 28
Efforts by the World Health Organization’s Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria (GFATM) to combat the diseases in the district have largely been ineffective when it comes to application of the project’s guidelines. A majority of the private medical practitioners working under the aegis of the Indian Medical Association have failed to participate in the public-private mix project, which is designed specially to curb the growing incidence of the three diseases.

State consultant for TB Dr KK Bansal, when contacted, said; “We’re doing our best to sensitise doctors in the private healthcare sector on adopting directly observed therapy (DOT) for treatment of tuberculosis patients. However, there’s still a long way to go”.

Interestingly, a large number of private practitioners are oblivious of WHO’s recent guidelines on treating TB, with new cases and previously treated cases having been brought under the new schedule.

There are only two categories for treatment of TB, that is, 1 and 2, which have new cases and previously treated cases, respectively. The sputum negative and extra pulmonary cases that were previously being treated under category 3 have been combined with category 2.

Bansal further said Ethambutol is an additional drug added to the treatment of category 2 TB patients.

During the past two years doctors working in the private health sector have registered less than 500 TB cases (of the total of 35,000 cases reported in the state) for this therapy, according to a state level workshop on review of RNTCP in Punjab held in the city.

In what could be termed as a paradox, approximately 40 private practitioners in Ludhiana have been trained for administration of TB medicine under the DOT programme but the centres are not yet operational.

Meanwhile, Dr Surinder Gupta, a senior ‘ayurveda’ practitioner and president of the Asha TB project, stated some ‘ayurvedacharyas’ in the city had already taken up the matter of relapse in the category 3 (sputum negative and extra pulmonary cases) with health officials and TB experts.

"With WHO bringing category 3 cases under previously treated patients, we feel there would be negligible relapses. This will help in curbing the disease," she added.

Ludhiana, September 28
Last evening saw an event, initiated by the British East India Company, being hosted at the Ludhiana military station here.

The event was the celebration of the 183rd Gunners' Day, led by Major General SS Jawandha, VSM, at Ludhiana Defence Officers Institute.

Gunners’ Day commemorates the birth of the first artillery unit, the Bombay Battery, on this day in 1827 and is celebrated with great zest in the Indian Army every year.

Last evening’s event saw the participation from several retired Army officers and their wives, including Brig RK Gupta, Station Commander.

While former gunners from various artillery regiments exchanged notes from the past and relived the glorious moments spent in the Indian Army, serving the motherland, many an eye went moist with pride and honour.

The officers raised a toast to celebrate the day. It was a great occasion for the retired officers to reunite. One could sense the feeling of brotherhood. Immaculately dressed former officers presented a perfect picture of gallantry, pride and patriotism.

The proud wives, too, shared the emotions of their valiant husbands as they met their old friends.

About 70 retired gunners from different artillery regiments were invited for the celebration with their families.

"It was such a nostalgic evening, replete with myriad emotions ranging from laughter, joy, nostalgia, to sorrow. But the common feeling among all present was of pride - the pride of being a gunner," remarked a proud Brig (retd) SS Gill, organising secretary.

Brig Gill added, "Great nostalgic moments were witnessed. It was an awesome evening."

"We have been organising Gunners’ Day here for the past three years. Though there is no Artillery unit in Ludhiana, all former officers get together to raise a toast to the gunners every year," Brig Gill added.

The most interesting part of the evening came when the senior-most member of the group, Brig Khanna, who was commissioned into the Army in 1950, met the old retired officers and shared his experiences in the Army.

Ninety-three-year old Major-General Gurdial Singh, too, found many fans among the officers as he narrated many interesting anecdotes from the wars.

Brig Gill briefed the gathering about the motto of gunners "Savatra Izzat-o-Iqbal" meaning omnipresence with honour and glory. The role played by artillery in wars was also highlighted, especially during the Kargil operations. Homage was paid to the officers who had passed away during the year.

Gallantry award winners Col HS Kahlon, Veer Chakra, and Capt SK Sood, Sena Medal, were felicitated.

The retired officers were seen busy exchanging their phone numbers and family news with each other and were generally reluctant to depart after dinner.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 28
Declaring holidays on martyrdom day and birth anniversaries of the freedom fighters carries no meaning till ideologies and principles propagated by them are adopted by masses, says Amarjyot Kaur Thind, a niece of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Accepting that majority of the members of Bhagat Singh’s clan had shifted to Haryana; Amarjyot regretted that a family, which has contributed towards freedom struggle consecutively for three generations, has remained unrecognised in its native state. Successive governments had failed to recognise the sacrifice of the clan.

She is desperate because benefits of the freedom achieved by sacrifices of patriots like Shaheed Bhagat Singh have been ignored. While talking to The Tribune, Thind said attitude of political parties towards the family during the post-Independence period had disappointed successors of the martyr, including her.

Krishan Singh (father), Swaran Singh and Ajit Singh (uncles) and Arjun Singh (grandfather) were all in jails when Bhagat Singh made his first post-natal cry. They were all released from the jail the same day; hence he was named Bhagat Singh (bhagan wala). As he grew, he decided to fight the British atrocities. When his grandfather commented that he (Bhagat Singh) had inherited patriotism from his forefathers, he declared that one day their family would be known by his name.

Thind states that her uncle (elder brother of his father) was a softhearted person. Bomb blast was a symbolic challenge to the British power by a genius statesman and not an outcome of a momentary emotional rage.

She maintains none of the family members had sought any assistance from the government, but there must be an attempt to recall the history of the family. Present generation must be told how the female members used to guard their kids during nights when the males were in the jail.

According to her, hero of the slogan ‘Pagri Sambhal Jatta’, Ajit Singh, had learnt patriotic alphabets from his father Arjun Singh and shared jails with his brother Kishan Singh (Bhagat Singh’s father) and Swaran Singh. People now remember the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh only and that, too, only on certain days.

Haryana has constructed a sepulcher of Ajit Singh, but his home state is probably without a wall calendar even. Disappointed over the attitude of the leadership of his native state, Kulbir Singh, a former BJP legislator from Ferozepur (Amarjot’s father), had spent last years of his life in Haryana. Not being recognised in Punjab, Kultar Singh shifted to Uttar Pradesh. He became a minister there. Had late Giani Zail Singh not got Bhagat Singh’s sister a title of Punjab Mata, nobody could have known their family in Punjab.

Amarjot’s father tried to work on history of the freedom fighters’ family but his sudden death left the things midway. Showing satisfaction over the publication of a diary on martyr’s life, Amarjyot stressed on the need for spreading his ideology among the masses.

Ludhiana, September 28
The Police Commissionerate system, introduced in the industrial capital of the state, has stabilised and residents are hoping that there will be further improvement in the crime situation and the traffic management will also become more smoother. There is already a drop in incidents of snatchings and robberies.

The Police Commissionerate system was introduced in three municipal corporation towns of Punjab, namely Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar, in March. Ludhiana being the largest populated town has 27 police stations under the police commissioner, while the other two towns have 14 stations each.

With the introduction of this system, the expectations of the people were raised and they thought that things would improve overnight. Even police commissioner Ishwar Singh admits that the expectations of the people were raised. “We are making all efforts to come to the expectations of the residents of this city. At the same time, I seek cooperation of the citizens and their involvement in improving the things.”

In order to facilitate the residents and provide them better policing, the city has been divided into four zones and each zone is headed by an officer of the rank of additional deputy commissioner (ADCP). These are SP-rank officers under the traditional system and they all are now having their offices in their respective zones. They do not sit in the main office of the police commissioner. The police commissioner is being assisted by an IPS officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner Police who, along with the police commissioner, looks after the judicial work as magisterial powers have been granted to them under the police commissionerate system. There are 12 officers of the rank of Assistant Police Commissioners (DSP rank).

The inadequate police force in the industrial town has been so mobilised that there is more visibility of the force and response time for emergency calls has also been reduced considerably.

The town has got 14 new Tavera vehicles fitted with the latest GPS system, which responds to the calls of the people. The police control room has been modernised with such latest technology that police stations will also be recorded and even calls to the police stations will be recorded for any SOS. The caller will not get the standard answer “SHO gashat te gaye han” (the SHO is on patrol duty). The location of the SHO will be available.

As a matter of fact, some police officials have not relished the installation of such instruments in the control room.

Similarly, the PCR has been activated and there are as many as 87 motor bikes with the PCR teams who are now put on duty at the congested areas to man the vehicular traffic during the peak hours in the mornings and evenings.

The PCR teams are also busy in patrolling the sensitive points. Ludhiana has the largest SUVs and the management of the traffic is the daunting task before the police administration. There is a perceptible improvement in the management of the vehicular traffic and the police commissioner has involved voluntary organisations and NGOs and the educational institutions in this task. The traffic police has got a CD prepared to control the vehicular traffic. The police has also appointed local citizens as traffic marshals, who help the police in traffic management. The traffic education training parks have been activated and as many as 72 training camps have been held to impart training. The police administration has to some extent succeeded in curbing the activities of the “kakas” of the influential persons with political pull.

In order to check eve-teasing in front of educational institutions and main markets like Sarabha Nagar market, the police has put up public address system where the miscreants are produced before the public and reprimanded for their offences. This has gone well in the Sarabha Nagar market in particular.

The crime against women cell of the public which was centralised in the police lines has been activated and now there are four cells each working at the headquarters of the additional deputy commissioner police of the zone.

Another major achievement of the police commissionerate has been the change in the behaviour of the policemen. Now, a visitor to the police station is welcomed, not abused or threatened.

Ishwar Singh told The Tribune that 80 per cent of the snatchings have been traced and the robberies have also come down. In a number of major robberies where cash in lakhs was allegedly looted, the employees of the money laundering companies were found involved. “This is insured money and sometimes the employees indulge in this clandestine business because they will get the insured money,” said the police commissioner.

Ludhiana badly needs more police force, as the population has touched four million figure and with the present strength of 2,500 policemen, it is difficult to meet the growing demands of the people. The state government provided 150 policemen recently, but more are needed.

Avtar Singh, General Secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, maintains that there is no doubt that the crime situation has improved in the city. But there is need for more police patrolling in the industrial areas and focal points to ensure industrial peace and safety of the labour.

Ludhiana, September 28
Fear of clash between two communities in view of the Supreme Court’s hearing on the Ayodhya dispute kept a large number of families indoors today.

People working in localities dominated by two different communities proceeded on leave to avoid inconvenience due to the fear of clashes or restrictions imposed by the administration. A few families avoided sending their wards to schools and colleges even.

Commuters were among the most scared lots. Though this fear psychosis was neutralized in the afternoon when the Supreme Court cleared way for the Allahabad High to give verdict on Thursday, a few employees preferred extending their leaves.

“As we have suffered a lot due to clashes between warring communities during the past years, my parents did not allow me attend office today. They stopped even us from sending our children to school,” said a resident of the Islam Ganj area, who works in a private company situated in the Bhadaur House area.

Suresh Kumar of Ahmedgarh town, who works in a Central government office near the Sherpur Chowk, and commutes by public transport, had to face rage of his boss for absenting without permission.

Islam Ganj, Rahon Road, Shiv Puri, Sunder Nagar, Field Ganj, Janak Puri and Sherpur were identified as affected localities besides Malkerkotla, Malaudh, Rohira, Dehliz and Kanganwal situated near the city.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 28
The administration has initiated the process for construction of Bara Ghallughara monument at Rohira village near here to commemorate sacrifice of 35,000 Sikhs, who were massacred by Ahmed Shah Abdali’s army on February 5, 1762. A pennant standing on a mound is all that stands as a testament to the brutality at present.

The foundation stone for Rs 9-crore project will be laid by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on October 18.

A delegation of ministers and bureaucrats inspected the site and directed officials concerned to complete preliminary preparations without further delay.

The delegation led by minister for jails, tourism and cultural affairs Hira Singh Gabria and PWD minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa today visited Rohira village near here where Bara Ghallughara (holocaust) took place in February 1762. Legislators Iqbal Singh Jhoondan and Darshan Singh Shivalik, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Harkesh Singh Sidhu and Sangrur SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar constituted the visiting team.

Addressing office-bearers and activists of various social and religious organisations of the area, speakers, including Gabria, Dhindsa and Badungar, said the decision to construct the memorial at the chosen site had been taken after considering suggestions put forward by residents of the region.

Maintaining that the memorial will be first of its kind, the speakers claimed all roads leading to the monument would be recarpeted.

Admitting delay in launching of the project, the SAD leaders argued difference of opinion regarding location of the site staggered the decision.

Amrik Singh Jandali, chairman market committee, Hardeep Khatra, chairman Improvement Trust, Jagwant Singh Jaggie SVP, Amar Singh Saraon president, Jagdeep Singh Bittu and Jagdev Singh Ghaloti were also present on the occasion.

The memorial was announced three years ago.

Investigations by The Tribune revealed that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had authorised the then Member of Parliament Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa to acquire land for the construction of the memorial at Rohira.

Before the administration could start the process of acquiring the land, a group led by organiser of a gurdwara started demanding a memorial at Kup da Tota, where 12 persons were killed during the “Rasta roko andolan” on April 4, 1983.

“Bara Ghallughara”, as is known in the local dialect, is situated at Rohira, 3 km from Ahmedgarh, towards the east. The monument stands concealed under a canopy of acacia trees. The successive governments led by the SAD and Congress have done little towards according it the status of a national monument.

Ludhiana, September 28
The department of physiology, DMCH, under the aegis of Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India (Ludhiana chapter) today organised a symposium on “Nutritional Anaemia”.

The symposium was inaugurated by Prem Kumar Gupta, secretary of DMCH managing society.

Principal, Dr Daljit Singh, vice-principal, Dr Jagdeep Whig, dean academics, Dr Rajoo Singh Chinna, medical superintendent, Dr Sandeep Puri, and Dr BS Shah were also present on the occasion.

The conference was attended by 120 delegates from the participating institutions.

Professor and head of physiology, Dr Lily Walia extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and participating delegates. In her inaugural address, she said nutritional anaemia was a public health problem. Although anaemia is widespread in the country, it especially affects women in the reproductive age group and young children.

It is estimated that over 50 per cent of pregnant women are anaemic due to iron and folic acid deficiency and is directly or indirectly responsible for about 20 per cent of maternal deaths.

Anaemia is also a major contributory cause of high incidence of premature births, low birth weight and perinatal mortality.

The causes of iron deficiency are little iron in diet, poor absorption of iron by the body and loss of blood (including heavy menstrual bleeding). Non-vegetarian dietary sources of iron are red meat, fish, liver, egg yolk and vegetarian sources include breast milk, beans, sprouting grains and products made from these foods.

It is advisable to take iron supplements orally, if the diet is deficient in iron. During periods of increased requirements such as pregnancy and lactation, dietary intake of iron should be increased and women should take iron supplements. Iron supplements are generally combined with folate or folic acid, since deficiencies in folate and iron can cause anaemia.

The scientific sessions during the symposium included physiology of nutritional anaemia by Dr Randeep Mann and epidemiology of nutritional anaemia by Dr Rupali Verma.

Dr Gurleen Kaur elaborated on supplementation therapy in nutritional anaemia, followed by management of nutritional anaemia by Dr Savita Jain.

Ludhiana, September 28
The Panjab University Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival of Ludhiana zone-B had a grand opening at Ramgarhia Girls College, Miller Ganj, today.

Eleven colleges from zone-B of Ludhiana are participating in the festival. The function was inaugurated by Hira Singh Gabria, cabinet minister, Punjab, tourism and cultural affairs.

Principal, Dr Narinder Sandhu extended a floral welcome to esteemed guests. The function commenced with the ceremonial lamp lighting performed by Ranjodh Singh, president Ramgarhia educational council; Jagtar Singh, general secretary; principal, Dr Sandhu, former principal Harmit Kaur and other guests.

The competitions for the first day began with the recitation of the college shabad. The events of the day included shabad/bhajan, ghazal/geet, group song, classical vocal and folk song. Apart from these, literary events of creative writing - story/essay /poem were also held.

Addressing the gathering, the chief guest said the youth festival was the best platform for budding artistes to exhibit their talent and to polish it with the help of doyens from the respective fields.

Ludhiana, September 28
The Ludhiana Management Association is going to organise a lecture on “Family driven business: Challenges and opportunities” tomorrow.

Dr Amarlal H Kalro, provost and dean, School of Management, Ahmedabad University and former director, Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, will be the speaker on the occasion.

Dr Kalro is an eminent academician and was presented the lifetime achievement award by the Indian Society of Operations Management and awards from Ahmedabad Management Association, Ahmedabad, and School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, for his contributions in the field.

Dr KNS Kang, general secretary, Ludhiana Management Association, said businesses in India were in the transition phase where business leaders needed to be careful in planning the succession of their business. Dr Kang said the biggest challenge in front of business leaders was to find the right educational fit for their successors who could bring professionalism and personal skills in the business.

VK Goyal, president, Ludhiana Management Association, informed that huge reservoir of talent and resources, better economic environment, strong educational system, technological advancements and fewer regulations are some of the opportunities in front of business leaders, which can be exploited by the family-run business houses to remain competitive in this dynamic business environment.

Ludhiana, September 28
Roads in the Miller Ganj area are in a pathetic state and passing from this area is a virtual hell. It is a testing time for nearby shopkeepers and workers to cross these muddy roads in the rainy season. The condition of the roads has been the same since years.

Tarlok Sharma, a businessman from the area, said the trade centre was on the main road and many important functions and events were being held here from time to time. Whenever any VIP visits the centre, patch work is done in no time, but the very next day, the original condition of the roads come fore.

Bhupinder Singh dealing in auto parts said, “I wish ministers come more often in these areas. At least the roads get clean, garbage is lifted and debris scattered on the roads are cleared for one day. Otherwise, we keep on making requests; neither councilors nor authorities pay attention to our pleas.”

Due to the miserable condition of all approach roads, people find it difficult to drive vehicles, especially in the rainy season. “It is dangerous for two-wheelers to pass through these slushy roads. We have been approaching the authorities for recapeting the roads, but to no avail,” said another shopkeeper of the area.

Jaspreet Singh, a shopkeeper, complained that for the past one decade, the roads had been in a pathetic condition. “The rates of property have increased manifold in the area, but people have not been provided the basic facilities. I fail to understand how long we will have to wait for the proper roads,” he rued.

When contacted, Commissioner AK Sinha said, “We are aware of the fact that the roads in the Miller Ganj area are in the pathetic state. The work for recarpeting the roads will be started soon.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 28
Having accomplished their task of helping administration check crime at Chhapaar Mela, Senapati, alias Sultan, and Mystol are back to their stable at the equestrian wing of the Sidhwan Bet police station.

Sweety, Timmi and Kajal made their work easier by ruling out possibilities of sabotage by ruling out the possibilities of the presence of explosives and narcotic at the venue.

Though small in number, these specially trained horses and dogs remained the center of attraction for those visiting the fair.

Secret of their triumph lied in keeping the cops on alert all time. And their ability to access all corners of the venue and otherwise inaccessible fields and deserted building located on the outskirts of the venue.

In fact, the mounted cops served the purpose of mobile observation posts besides scaring away notorious elements from the venue. Eve teaser, pickpockets and snatchers were mostly kept at bay by these cops.

“As the mounted cop is located on a highest point in the gathering, he is in a best position to observe activities in widest range. He can keep close watch on maximum number of individuals simultaneously and track any intruder more successfully besides raising an alert for other cops,” said a cop.

According to SHO Kulwant Singh, horses and dogs have won accolades from seniors in the department.

Khanna, September 28
The condition of a main road of the city that falls in ward no. 8 is miserable. Several main offices, including court complex, tehsil complex, telephone exchange, are situated on this road. This road leads towards Chandigarh by passing through Ratanheri, Boothgarh, Kheri Naudh Singh and other villages.

Big potholes have developed in the road, making things worse for passersby.

Residents of the ward alleged that they had made repeated requests to nagar council vice-president Neeta Dhamija and its officials, but nothing has been done till date. When contacted, Neeta Dhamija said the work was pending due to the rains and it would soon be resumed.

Ranjit Singh, a resident of ward no 8, has demanded immediate repair of the road.

Raikot, September 28
Accusing the Punjab police of harassing party activists to appease their political masters, Youth Congress leaders have demanded strict action against those cops who had allegedly maltreated and arrested state president and MP Ravneet Singh Bittu recently.

Demand was raised during a protest rally organised in front of the office of the SDM here yesterday. The charter of demands was sent to the state government through Gurnam Singh, an executive magistrate.

Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, district president, Ludhiana (Rural), Sukhcharan Singh Mintu, general secretary, and Jugraj Singh Raja Jattpuri, president of the Youth Congress, alleged that the state government had left no stone unturned in harassing the activists of the Congress. False cases were being registered to pressurise the office-bearers to shift their loyalties.

To make residents aware of the alleged atrocities of the government, a protest march was also organised. — OC

Ludhiana, September 28
Nirdosh of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan campus, Model Town, and Manpreet Singh of Ludhiana registered victories to bag titles in the women and men’s sections, respectively, in the 21st Prithipal Singh Memorial Open Table Tennis Tournament held here at Punjab Agricultural University campus ground.

In the women’s final, Nirdosh got the better of Kritika of Alpine International School, whom she outplayed 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4 and in the men’s final, Manpreet defeated Dharminder of Ludhiana in straight sets 11-3, 11-9 and 13-11.

The final in the boy’s section saw an upset when Harnoor Singh of Darshan Academy dethroned last year’s champion Sandeep of Alpine International School in five sets 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10 and 11-8.

In the youth boys’ group, Bhavak of Alpine International School fought a pitched battle against Manpreet Singh whom he eventually managed to overpower in a marathon final, which lasted for five sets 11-9, 11-13, 12-14, 11-8 and 13-11.

In the junior girls’ section, Dhriti of Alpine International School beat her schoolmate, Kritika 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 511 and 11-9 to clinch the title.

The pair of Dharminder of Ludhiana and Gaurav Sharma of College of Veterinary Sciences, PAU, outclassed Sameer of GMT School and Shipila from Green Land School 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 and 11-5 to win the title in the lucky doubles’ section.

HR Malhotra, chairman, organising committee of this tournament, and Jaspreet Kaur, daughter of former hockey star, Prithipal Singh, gave away prizes to the winners.