Ludhiana, October 26
The colour of henna on her palms is still fresh but no one knows whose wife, daughter, sister or mother she was. Was she married or not remains a mystery, but the charred remains of the unidentified woman thought to be in her mid 20s have created panic in the city’s Kirti Nagar locality.

The incident came to light when Raj Kumar, a resident of nearby Moti Nagar, raised an alarm after noticing the partially burnt corpse of what appeared to be a woman early today morning. According to him the body was lying in a vacant plot near the municipal corporation's water tank in Kirti Nagar.

Except some parts of the hands and legs, the entire body was charred. The police suspect the woman was murdered and then her body was burnt to eliminate any physical evidence.

A large quantity of kerosene was used to burn the body. Residents of the locality said they thought someone had set the huge pile of garbage littered in the area on fire. However, the police officer investigating the case said they did not notice any outsider visiting the area.

The condition of the skin of the hands and legs indicated the woman might have been killed last night. The cops reached the conclusion she was killed before being set on fire from the fact that the victim might have possibly screamed. Area residents gave credence to the police’s theory and claimed they did not hear any screams.

The police has also spotted bloodstains near the body, which it said indicated the victim suffered a fatal wound.

Assistant police commissioner Bhupinder Singh, who arrived at the scene after the charred body was discovered, said the suspect or suspects behind the murder was likely to be someone residing in the vicinity and who must have been familiar with the area.

“Soon after the woman’s remains were found the division no 7 police station SHO flashed a message to all police stations in the state, asking them to send details about any girl or woman reported missing recently. The CID was also informed about the matter.

The police visited the colonies located in the vicinity and questioned residents about any woman disappearing lately.

"The victim was 5 foot 2 inches tall and had a dark complexion. We’ll conduct a DNA test on the woman’s body. If need be we’ll also conduct a facial reconstruction of the victim," said Bhupinder.

Ludhiana, October 26
High drama was witnessed at the city’s Christian Medical College & Hospital after attendants accompanying a female patient who was operated upon recently staged protest against members of the operating room staff for reportedly leaving a pair of scissors in her abdomen.

Alleging "negligence" on the part the hospital staff, the patient’s husband and his relatives demanded immediate termination of the operating room team of doctors/staff nurses.

Renu, 28, a resident of Hoshiarpur, underwent surgery for an entopic pregnancy surgery at the hospital on October 3 and remained in postoperative care for 15 days. Thereafter, having been pronounced fit, she was discharged from the hospital. However, even three weeks after the surgery she experienced discomfort and acute pain in her abdomen.

Accompanied by her husband, Bhanu, she went to CMCH on October 25 for a checkup. The attending doctor asked them to get an x-ray and ultrasound scan conducted on Renu. Much to the shock of the patient and her husband, the x-ray report said there was a pair of scissors in the abdomen, about which the operating doctor had apparently forgotten during the surgery.

Bhanu, who runs a medical store in Hoshiarpur, said: "We’d not have protested had the surgeon and the doctors concerned admitted their mistake. But it was shocking when the hospital staff tried to take away the x-ray and scan reports instead of readmitting my wife and taking care of the problem. Despite having promised further treatment the hospital officials didn’t even admitted my wife”.

The patient and his wife were waiting in the reception for the hospital to provide them a room till the filing of this report.

Ludhiana, October 26
Two sisters, who were abandoned near a temple located in New Aggar Nagar near Barewal, about two days ago, were adopted by an NGO here today. Both girls were taken by members of an orphanage in Talwandi Dham near Mullanpur.

The matter came to light when Satwir Shamra, a resident of New Aggar Nagar, spotted the two girls sitting near the temple’s door.

The girls, identified as Puja (eight) and Aarti (six), claimed that they had been abandoned by their father.

Sharma enquired about the parents from the girls. Meanwhile, the Barrewal police reached the spot and started locating the girls’ kin. The elder girl told the police that her father’s name was Mohanto, a rickshaw puller by profession, who hails from Bihar.

She further told the police that her mother identified as Urmi had eloped with a man recently, following which their father was looking after them.

She told the police that her father took her and his younger daughter Aarti on the pretext of visiting a market. On reaching near a temple he told both of them to alight from the rickshaw and left them on the pretext of buying an ice cream. He did not return.

Ludhiana, October 26
The Municipal Corporation has finally signed an agreement with an NGO for providing a shelter to abandoned bovines.

Ludhiana, October 26
As the times are changing, so are the rituals and with the advancement of technology, the methods of celebrating Karva Chauth are also evolving. The hi-tech “bahus” whose spouses are settled abroad found an innovative way to break their fast.

A majority of women were logging on to Skype and Yahoo Messenger since morning and were busy chatting with their soul mates.

They said after seeing the moon they would chat with their husband and then would break their daylong fast.

Manju Mehan, a sexagenarian, who was keeping fast for her husband’s long life for the last 35 years, was helped by her daughter-in-law to do video conferencing.

Manju, who is an American resident, is visiting India for the “mundan” ceremony of her grandson.

“Since the time I got married, I always broke my fast after seeing my husband. This time I was worried about the fact that I had to break my fast without seeing my husband. But my daughter-in-law solved my problem. She called my daughter in America and made arrangements for video conferencing. I am chatting with my husband since morning and would break my fast after seeing my husband,” said Manju.

Mandeep Kaur Bhullar, who got engaged earlier this year, was also excited about Karva Chauth.

“My fiancé lives is Australia. So we decided to see each other through video conferencing. He is also keeping fast for me. We would break our fast after seeing the moon and each others’ faces this evening. Really technology has made a difference in my life,” said Mandeep Kaur.

The hi-tech wives were also seen checking the time of the appearance of the moon on the Internet.

Ludhiana, October 26
Karva Chauth- fast kept for the well-being and long life of husbands by women- was celebrated with religious fervour in the city. Women dressed in bright coloured clothes with reds and pinks dominating the scene celebrated the festival with great enthusiasm.

In the wee hours today, women ate sargi. Some of them were accompanied by their mother-in-laws and kids, while others enjoyed sargi with their better halves. To keep themselves busy till evening, they made several programmes, which included playing of games like tambola, cards, etc.

Even many unmarried girls kept the fast to get “good and understanding” husband. On asking, a college student, Dikshita said, “This is for the first time, I am keeping the fast. My grandmother asked me to keep the fast if I wanted to get an understanding husband.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 26
Cough syrups are not only being used as suppressant by those suffering from chronic bronchitis and other upper respiratory tract infections, but are being also used by the youth as neurological opiates as they contain codeine, an alkaloid of opium.

Thousands of youths have fallen prey to the addiction of cough syrups. Thus, serving standard syrups is fast emerging as a fashion during celebrations.

Time is not far when youngsters of flourishing families will impress upon their parents to organise stalls serving bottles of cough syrups during marriage celebrations too.

Though authorities, responsible for checking abuse of the pharmaceutical, denied bulk sale of cough syrups, empty bottles of popular brands-‘opiate’-near educational institutes, public places, hostels and canals contradicts their claim.

Increase in the abuse of cough syrup by youth had virtually made it unavailable for being used as suppressant. Corex, Rexcoff and Phensdyl, which are frequently prescribed as suppressants by the physicians, are either not available to genuine patients or they had to pay premium price for the same. Reason behind this tendency is that the addicts are ready to pay double and triple price for purchasing these brands.

Unlike earlier trend when the youth used to gulp the syrup hurriedly without being noticed, groups of youths relish the narcotic in leisure time. These youths can be seen enjoying near bridges, banks of canals and other picnic spots.

A wholesaler dealing in medicines disclosed that youths had been approaching him for supplying standard brands of cough syrups in bulk. These were to be served to young guests during birthdays and marriage anniversaries.

Choked sewerages, empty bottles floating on surface of water bodies and rag pickers separating empty plastic and glass bottles substantiate the findings.

Drowsiness, initial euphoria, papillary constriction, apathy or dysphoria, slurred speech, impaired judgment, slow respiration, impaired performance, slow pulse, psycho-motor agitation, impaired attention, pupillary and memory dilation (anoxic), illusions or hallucinations were cited as manifestations of the prolonged use of cough syrups.

Showing concern over the increase in abuse of the codeine containing preparations, Dr Bhupinder Singh Bedi, former district Ayurvedic officer, said the prolonged abuse might lead to impotency in males and other reproductive physiological disorders in females.

Sources in the police disclosed that majority of the suspects in criminal cases registered during past months, had committed crime after consuming cough syrup. 

Doraha, October 26
Drama dominated the scene while histrionics, orchestra, folk instruments, fine arts items, including collage making, cartooning, still life drawing and rangoli, went side by side on the third day of Panjab University Inter-Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival, being organised at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha.

Avinash Rai Khanna, member, Rajya Sabha, was the chief guest.

Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu, principal of the college, welcomed the guests and participants.

The results:

Shabad/bhajan: Code-G (Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, Ludhiana)-1, Code-L (Govt College, Hoshiarpur)-2, Code-I (DAV College, Sec-10, Chandigarh)-3.

Individual: Kirandeep Kaur (DAV College of Education, Hoshiarpur)-1, Neelam Kaur (GGS Khalsa College for Women, Jhar Sahib)-2, Gurpreet Kaur (SD College for Women, Moga)-3.

Group song: Code G (MTS College for Women, Ludhiana)-1, Code D (GNN College, Doraha)-2, Code C (SGG Janta Girls College, Raikot), Code J (MCM DAV College, Sec-36, Chandigarh)-3.

Individual: Mandeep Kaur (MTS Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana)-1, Shauki (GNN College, Doraha)-2, Jaspinder Kaur (MCM DAV College, Sec-36, Chandigarh)-3.

Classical music (vocal): Harvinder Singh (Panjab University Campus)-1, Santa Singh (GNN College, Doraha), Ravneet Kaur (MTS Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana)-2, Satninder Singh (Govt College,

Hoshiarpur)-3.

Percussion: Harjeet Singh (GCCBA, Sec-42, Chandigarh)-1, Jayant Patnayak (SCD Govt College, Ludhiana)-2, Manvir Singh (Govt College, Hoshiarpur)-3.

Non-Percussion: Isher Singh (GNN College, Doraha)-1, Sargam (Khalsa College for Women, Civil Lines, Ludhiana)-2, Gurdial Singh (Panjab University Campus)-3.

Geet/ghazal: Tanvir Thapar (DAV College of Education, Hoshiarpur)-1, Lovedeep Kaur (Govt College, Hoshiarpur), Bhuvan (PGGC, Sec 11, Chandigarh)-2, Satwinder Kaur (PGGCG, Sec-42, Chandigarh)-3.

Folk song: Mandeep Kaur (MTS Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana)-1, Navdeep Mohammed (GPC, Alour), Manjit Singh (Govt College, Hoshiarpur)-2, Mohan Lal (Postgraduate Govt College, Sec-46,

Chandigarh), Jaswinder Romana (MCM DAV College, Chandigarh)-3.

Debate: Rohit Kapoor (SCD Govt College, Ludhiana)-1, Prachi Priyanka (Gopichand Arya Mahila College, Abohar)-2, Tanya (Guru Gobind Singh College for Women, Sec-26, Chandigarh)-3.

Elocution: Swati Thapar (Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce & Management, Ludhiana)-1, Leena Saini (MTS Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana)-2, Manpreet Kaur (Guru Nanak College, Moga)-3.

Poem recitation: Payal Rana (Panjab University Campus)-1, Ramanpreet Kaur (Guru Nanak College, Moga)-2, Tavleen Suman (GPC Alour, Khanna)-3.

Phulkari - Bagh: Jaspal Kaur (SDS College of Education for Women, Lopon)-1, Amandeep Kaur (Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana)-2, Daljit Kaur (Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City)-3.

Dasuti or cross stitch: Gurmeet Kaur (Satyam College of Education, Ghall Kalan, Moga)-1, Manpreet Kaur (National College for Women, Machhiwara)-2, Susham Rani (Bhag Singh Hayer Khalsa College for Women, Kala Tibba)-3.

Pakkhi making: Seema Rani (Bhag Singh Hayer Khalsa College for Women, Kala Tibba)-1, Harpreet Kaur (Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, Ludhiana)-2, Harpreet Kaur (LLRM College of Education, Dhudike, Moga)-3.

Crochet work: Charankamal Kaur (GNN College, Doraha)-1, Manita (DAV College of Education, Abohar)-2, Navpreet Kaur (Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, Ludhiana)-3.

Knitting: Sukhbans Kaur (Bhag Singh Hayer Khalsa College for Women, Kala Tibba)-1, Priyanka (Surjeet Memorial College of Education, Ferozepur)-2, Harpreet Kaur (Dev Samaj College for Women, Ferozepur City)-3.

Mehndi: Neha (BCM College of Education, Ludhiana)- 1, Rupali (Arya College, Ludhiana)-2, Silky Khurana (GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar, Sadhar)-3.

Ludhiana, October 26
Enthused students, peppy Punjabi numbers and smiling faces of faculty marked the day at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, the venue of live performance by noted singer Harbhajan Mann.

Clad in his conventional kurta, Mann was at his modest best as a singer. Obliging each one of his fans, the singer not only sang their preferred numbers but also signed their autograph books.

The number from his latest album “Waari Waari: Call Jalandhar ton” was an instant hit with the students. Not to miss the uproar in the audience, as he went on to sing “galan gorian” and “mirza”.

The singer-turned actor has become a “youth icon” after his successful sprint in the movies, including “Jee Aayan Nu”, “Asa Nu Mann Watna Da”, “Heer Ranjha” and “Jag Jeodeyan De Mele”, to which Sarabjit, a student at GNDEC said, “Despite being an engineering student, I respect Mann for making Punjabis proud by getting global recognition for Punjabi cinema.”

Mann said it was enjoyable yet difficult performing before the youth. “It is not just about entertainment but it is about controlling the youth and performing in a college is always a pleasure for me, as the effervescent college crowds adds to your strength.”

The singer further said inborn talent, ability, training from gurus and most importantly being a good live performer was the mantra for success in contemporary times.

“A good singer and a performer should do his/her homework on the audience, as the music aficionados differ from region to region and it is important to know about their taste and preference in terms of melody,” said the artiste.

Ludhiana, October 26
The Gurdwara Election Commission has extended the last date for receiving objections in the SGPC voters’ list by 15 days.

This was stated by Justice HS Brar, Gurdwara Election Commissioner, who was in the city today. Earlier, the last date for receiving the objections was October 28.

He said the SGPC voters’ list were pasted in the offices of the deputy commissioners, returning officers, notified gurdwaras and patwarkahanas in all districts so that the Sikh voters were able to register their objections and claims.

Brar said names of at least 56.03 lakh Sikh voters were included in the lists from Punjab, Haryana, Union Territory of Chandigarh out of which 52.36 lakh were from Punjab alone.

Brar met the deputy commissioners and the additional deputy commissioners of 13 districts and reviewed the arrangements. 

Ludhiana, October 26
Punjab Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harish Rai Dhanda has blamed the discriminatory policies of the Central government for deteriorating financial condition of the state.

“Only a small portion of taxes collected from the state are returned by the Centre, which is not adequate for development with the result that state has to borrow heavily and the debt burden keeps increasing,” he remarked while addressing the annual general meeting of the Auto Parts Manufacturers Association here last evening.

Responding to problems being faced by the auto parts sector, he assured them that all points raised in the memorandum, would be discussed with the Chief Minister and other ministers and officials concerned.

GS Kahlon, president of the association, urged the government to address issues like the delay in VAT refund, quarterly submission of Central sales tax C forms, octroi on electricity, high prices and non-availability of raw material for the auto parts sector.

Ranjodh Singh, secretary of the association, said the working conditions of the auto parts units were hard. Even though there was a boom in the market, the local units would only be able to take advantage of it if the Centre as well as the state governments adopted a supportive attitude and formulate policies that would boost production for domestic market and exports. There was a dire need to set up new focal points and evolve a mechanism to ensure priority treatment by government agencies/ departments for exporters.

Mandi Gobindgarh, October 26
Under the campaign launched by the National AIDS Control Board and Central Health Welfare Department to control the spread of HIV/AIDS across the country, Red Ribbon Express was given a warm welcome by MLA Didar Singh Bhatti, district planning board chairperson Bibi Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Punjab Youth Development Board chairman Gurpreet Singh Rajju Khanna, Amloh market committee chairman Randhir Singh Bhambri, SAD district chief Jagdeep Singh Cheema, ADV (general) Dharam Pal Gupta, National AIDS Control Board field chairman Daman Ahuja, additional project director Punjab State AIDS Control Society, Dr NM Sharma and SDM Poonamdeep Kaur yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner Yashveer Mahajan visited the exhibition showcased in Red Ribbon Express today at the local railway station and inaugurated the blood donation camp. As many as 63 volunteers donated blood and were awarded certificates by Mahajan.

Ludhiana, October 26
Celebrations broke in the Congress camp as soon as the news of Captain Amarinder Singh being appointed as the president of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee reached the city.

His supporters broke into revelry and danced to the tunes of bhangra, besides distributing ladoos in bulk as an expression of their happiness.

Reacting on the development, All-India Congress Committee spokesperson-cum-MP Manish Tiwari, PPCC general secretary Pawan Diwan, former chief parliamentary secretary Surinder Dawar, leader of opposition in Municipal Corporation Hem Raj Aggarwal said the announcement of appointment had spread a wave of enthusiasm among party workers.

District Youth Congress president Dimple Rana and youth workers distributed ladoos at the Congress Bhawan. It would certainly help in strengthening the party, claimed Rana.

Members of the Congress and residents from Dugri area (Ward No 60) gathered at the office of Dr Ajay Shahi, secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, to share their joyous moment. 

Ludhiana, October 26
World Bank team headed by Shyamal Sarkar, Piyush Dogra and Kiran Negi visited Ludhiana to review the ongoing water supply and sanitation projects here today.

Mohd Ishfaq, DSP-cum-executive engineer, District Programme Management Committee, gave a power-point presentation on the ongoing works in the district.

After reviewing, Shyamal Sarkar said the team was satisfied with the targets achieved by Ludhiana district.

Speaking on the occasion, AK Soni, district programme director-cum-superintending engineer, water supply and sanitation circle, Ludhiana, informed that the work on pond renovation in the district had been speeded up and presently in 42 villages, the pond renovation work was going on and in another 25 villages, it will be started shortly.

He urged the World Bank team to give more funds for the pond renovation work in Ludhiana district.

While welcoming the World Bank team, Soni informed that the water supply scheme work was going in 160 villages in the district and all villages will be provided safe and clean drinking water up to 2012.

The World Bank team visited Dewatwal, Jodhan and Narangwal villages to review the ongoing works. The team interacted with the village people and villagers appreciated the work done by the water supply and sanitation department. Others present on the occasion were Jaswinder Singh Chahal, NP Singh, Harinder Singh, Amritpal Singh and World Bank SDE Mandeep Singh Uppal.

Ludhiana, October 26
Ludhiana Member of Parliament and the national spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee Manish Tewari today demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) in Ludhiana.

He also sought central audit for all centrally sponsored schemes in the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency.

Tewari, who met Union Minister for Rural Development CP Joshi yesterday in New Delhi and submitted a letter to him, said it was highly condemnable that Rs 1.33 crore, meant for providing housing to Dalits and downtrodden, was siphoned off through a criminal conspiracy between corrupt officials ant their subordinate staff. He regretted that the state government was not doing anything about it, which only indicated its complicity in the dubious dealings.

Demanding a special central audit for all centrally sponsored schemes in Ludhiana, Tewari said the financial aspect must be looked into as to how much money had been received, what part of it had been spent and whether the funds had been spent properly.

Tewari reminded Joshi about his concern about the financial bungling in the IAY, during the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting, which he had attended. He said the funds meant for constructing houses for Dalits were misappropriated by officials and the state government had failed to take any concrete action.

The Congress MP pointed out that the state government had sought 20 days' time during the meeting held on September 28 to complete the investigation, but nothing had come up till now. Hence, he added, it was important that the facts be established and the culprits be brought to book and not rewarded.

Tewari urged the minister for urgent action to stop the wanton loot of public money by some unscrupulous officials under the patronage of the state government.

Ludhiana, October 26
The gatka team winning third position in the recently held India Got Talent competition was warmly welcomed and honoured by the Akal Market Shopkeepers’ Association here today.

On reaching Ghanta Ghar, the team was given a floral welcome by all shopkeepers. A jubilant procession took the gatka team members to the Akal market where a function in the team’s honour was organised.

Association chairman Gurdeep Singh Gosha said due to the martial arts (gatka) taught by Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikh community was recognised worldwide. He said the state government must spend money to promote this art.

Team’s coach Kanwaljeet Singh said it was unfortunate that a little was being done for the game in the state. If financial assistance was provided, this art will become world famous. “There is a need to do something for the game started by the Guru,” he stressed.