Raekot, December 12
Celebrations turned sour for a family of Madheke village after three of its members, along with one other, were killed in a head-on collision near Chakar village on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur road near Jagraon.

The victims, who were returning home after attending a wedding, have been identified as Gurmel Singh of Madhoke, his wife Seeto and Sukhdev Singh. The fourth occupant of the car is yet to be identified.

Five persons of the Madheke family were returning to their village after attending a wedding at a local marriage palace when their Maruti car collided with an Indica coming from the opposite side late this evening.

The impact was so powerful that both vehicles were badly damaged and the police and passersby had to drag out the victims, three of whom died on the spot.

The injured have been identified as Jaswinder Singh and Kuldip Kaur. 

Ludhiana, December 12
In a step that will provide a major relief from waterlogging to residents, the municipal corporation plans to begin work on installing a stormwater drainage system in the inner areas of the city.

Those residing in these localities, which include Chaura Bazaar, Gur Mandi, Butey Shah Mandi, Namak Mandi, Saraafan Bazaar, Chawal Bazaar, Talaab Mandir, Kitaab Bazaar and Pratap Bazaar, have been complaining about the poor civic amenities, particularly sewerage problem and the lack of stormwater drains, for a long time. The situation gets aggravated during the rainy season when waterlogging makes it extremely impossible for vehicles to move on the streets. As most of the city’s commercial areas are also located in the inner areas the waterlogging causes huge financial losses in the monsoon.

Area residents have been demanding installation of stormwater drains in the inner areas to ease the problem of waterlogging. After area councillor Parminder Mehta put up the matter before mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura the latter ordered the MC’s operation & maintenance (O&M) branch to prepare cost estimates on the project. Subsequently the matter was sent for approval of the civic body’s finance & contracts committee (F&CC), which had cleared the project at a cost of Rs 1 crore.

Confirming the development, VP Singh, superintendent engineer of the O&M branch, said the F&CC had approved the cost estimates and the civic body would soon begin the process of floating tenders for the project. “Work on the project will kick off shortly to ensure no waterlogging takes place in these areas,” he added.

Welcoming the MC’s decision, Parminder Mehta said that the stormwater drain project would resolve one of the biggest problems faced by residents of the city’s inner areas. He said that it was a long pending demand of the area residents which is going to be fulfilled now. “Though the civic body largely focuses on newly developed areas this part of the city is still being ignored” he added.

Ludhiana, December 12
The policy of acting first, thinking later has again landed the Municipal Corporation (MC) in trouble as it has deferred its proposal of starting work on the down ramp to be constructed along the controversial Gill Chowk flyover after a protest by residents.

The flyover that had been in controversy umpteenth times for its faulty design has now irked the residents of Baazigar Mohalla who claimed that the down ramp would block their entry and exit points. The residents had met the Chief Parliamentary Secretary of the local bodies department and MLA Harish Rai Dhanda in this regard. They said they would face a lot of inconvenience if the MC went ahead with the project.

Sources said Dhanda took up the matter with the MC and told officials to work out another solution so that the traffic moving from the Dhuri railway overbridge to Vishkarma Chowk was not made to cover a long distance by travelling from Pratap Chowk.

Dhanda said the MC had deferred work after residents of Baazigar Mohalla protested against the down ramp. Putting a question mark on the working of the civic body, he said due to the present design of the flyover, traffic congestion was being transferred from one chowk to another and it was not a permanent solution.

There was no way of going towards Millerganj or Vishkarma Chowk because of the faulty design, he stated. “I have suggested the MC to construct underpasses at the same point so that the problem can be resolved,” he added.

Dakha (Ludhiana), December 12
With pall of gloom descending on this region after the tragic end of a local youth, Prabhjot Singh alias King, in Bathinda yesterday, area residents are unable to fathom how could a man could fire a bullet into his head after having pumped two into the chest.

While his parents are still in a state of shock, the villagers have demanded an investigation into the sequence of events leading up to the youth’s reported suicide and his alleged murder of Jagdip Kaur of Kheeva Kalan village near Bhikhi. The Bathinda police filed an FIR under section 302 of the IPC in the incident Sunday night.

While an uneasy calm prevailed in the village till after noon, many residents shed tears when Prabhjot’s body arrived here. Many questions regarding the incident remain unanswered.

Prabhjot, a former student of Guru Nanak College, Ludhiana, was working as welder for a combine harvester manufacturer to help his parents run the large household. He valued the sacrifices made by his mother who had enabled her two sons and daughter to study at prestigious educational institutions by sewing clothes.

Though the family members feigned ignorance about Prabhjot’s relationships with any girls, sources said he had become close to Jagdip, a BSc (biotech) student at his institute. He reportedly remained upset since he came to know her impending marriage with a Faridkot boy, which was scheduled for December 26.

On Sunday Prabhjot left home for work as usual in the morning but did not to return alive. His mobile phone conked out in the afternoon but his friends who were trying to contact him presumed it was a network problem. His family members were shocked when they received a phone call from the Bathinda police late in the evening, informing them of Prabhjot’s death.

Suspecting foul play the villagers apprehend the deaths of the couple could be “honour” killings and have demanded a probe into the incident.

Some said the fact of Prabhjot and Jagdip meeting at a relative’s home could not be a coincidence, suspecting the former had been asked to come to Bathinda on some pretext.

Jatinder Singh, the village ‘sarpanch’, said he would support the villagers’ demand for an investigation to be conducted in Prabhjot’s parents agreed. “As the family is still in shock we can not talk with them on this issue. However we will stand by the aggrieved family in case demand a probe into the case,” Jatinder Singh told the Ludhiana Tribune after the youth’s body was cremated.

Waterlogging in streets eroding foundations of houses at GSB Apartments in Ludhiana. A Tribune photograph

"As if this wasn’t enough, the boundary wall erected around the colony for security purposes has been demolished for reasons unknown to any one, and illegal construction and extensions are also being undertaken in the colony in clear violation of the provisions of the Punjab Apartment & Property Regulation Act as well as the conditions laid down in the license granted to the builder," the residents alleged.

According to Love Kumar Sarin, Devinder Kumar Mishra and other residents of the colony, the builder has been evasive in responding to their persistent pleas for providing promised amenities and facilities. "The builder has not only been playing games with the residents but is also misrepresenting facts to the regulatory officials of GLADA."

When contacted, GLADA additional chief administrator Indu Malhotra said a complaint received from residents of GSB Apartments was being “looked into”. "Officials of the authority’s engineering and regulatory branches have been asked to submit a report on the matter. Necessary action according to the rules will be taken against the developer for any violations or failure to provide the promised amenities”, she stated.

Ludhiana, December 12
After designer homes, swank cars and hi-end luxury brands, it is now the turn of premier boarding schools to capture the hearts of affluent Punjabi families to become the latest status symbol. A number of such families could be seen queuing up at a two-day school exhibition for “buying” opulent schooling opportunities for their children.

The exhibition that concluded here today witnessed a fervent mélange of eager parents and their unsuspecting kids flanking school representatives with child-like enthusiasm with a view to grabbing a seat in the “most expensive” school.

“We are here to create awareness about our presence among the city's parents and were expecting a good response. The response was good, but unfortunately, most parents were only interested in enhancing their self-esteem with the tag of an expensive boarding school to go with their children,” disclosed a school’s counsellor, requesting anonymity.

The snob value attached to sending a child to elite boarding schools was more than evident at the exhibition. Most parents were seeing crowding around stalls of those schools the fee of which ran into lakhs, while those with comparatively “lower” fee structures were given a clear thumbs down.

A parent, perhaps in a statement that summed up the general feeling prevalent in the room, was heard saying: “That school’s fee structure is only Rs 1.5 lakh per annum. Must not be a good school. We should check something better.”

Another one said to an accompanying friend: “Packing off the kids to boarding schools is all-too English literature. I have fancied it for so long. Guess my dream will come true now.”

In a reply to a polite question by a participant school’s counsellor as to why she wanted to send her children to a boarding, a mother of two teenagers remarked: “All my friends’ kids are studying in boarding schools. I don’t want my children to lag behind in any which way.”

The trend has saddened experts. “The participant schools have myriad opportunities to offer to children and their parents, but parents seem to be besotted with the idea of sending their kids to boarding to enhance their esteem among their peers,” remarked an educationist who was visiting the exhibition.

The exhibition saw 15 schools from various cities, including Pune, Jaipur, Dehra Dun, Noida, Faridabad, Lavasa and Ambala.

Ludhiana, December 12
Come winters and scarfs and stoles are the best buddies of girls to make their fashion statements.From celebrities to housewives scarfs and stoles can be found in almost everyone’s wardrobe these days. These clothing accessories instantly raise the glamour quotient of the entire attire.

Wrap them up in style and let the fashionable you make its mark.

Fur accessories are a must have for winter season. Fur capelets that are long and narrow piece of clothing act as a shoulder and sleeve cover.

It is often worn over revealing gowns in winters to keep the body warm. In fact, capelet stoles look classy with a dress or a gown. The softness and fluffiness of the stole defines its beauty hence, while shopping for them be sure that they are warm enough to wear.

Other favourite winter stoles of women include Cashmere stole, Pashmina stole and casual woolen stoles.

Traditional Indian stoles like Cashmere and Pashminas are hand woven stoles with exceptional embroidery work. Stoles are available in a wide range, fabrics, colours and patterns.

Silk stoles and Pashmina stoles are quite popular. Cotton and chiffon stoles are also quite a rage in summer season. Winters see an increased demand for wool knitted stoles. Scarves if worn well make a fashion statement like no other accessory. With social figures Michelle Obama and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai is seen wearing scarves.

“In winters, wearing scarves becomes more of a necessity than a fashion statement. Wearing scarves with turtlenecks and sweaters provides adequate winter protection,” said Swati, a city based fashion-designing student.

Both guys and girls can try out the classic European way of wearing scarves with sweaters. All you need to don this stylish look is a long scarf, fold it lengthwise into half and then hold it in such a manner that the loose ends are in one hand and folded ends in the other. Now drape the scarf around your neck and slip the loose ends of the scarf through the folded end to make a knot.

Ludhiana, December 12
A Management and Research Centre (MDRC) will be set up at the University Business School, Panjab University Regional Centre, here. A centre for undertaking continuing education for the faculty and managers in commerce, as also advanced cutting-edge research, would be established.

Educational and research programmes as per the needs of the local industry will also be introduced.

Dr Deepak Kapoor, Dean of the Faculty of Business Management and Commerce, PU, Chandigarh, recently discussed the proposal with the MP, Manish Tewari after the valedictory function of the International Conference on Strategic Marketing of Consumer and Technology Products (ICSMCTP).

Dr Kapoor said: “A demand for the first instalment of Rs 50 lakh was made by us. The MP has fundamentally agreed to the proposal. Time had come for management institutes to work proactively to train teachers and managers. We have been told to prepare a blueprint of the project.”

The MDRC will be well equipped with books, journals and statistical tools to undertake research and consultancy in management and commerce. “The centre will also be a pioneer in undertaking and offering doctoral programmes of Panjab University in Ludhiana,” he said.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 12
Hundreds of graduates and postgraduates who have been debarred from applying for the posts of English teachers by the Sarav Sikhya Abhyan Authority, Punjab, have urged the higher authorities, including the Chief Minister and education minister, to impress upon the authorities to withdraw the reduction in age limit from 42 to 37 years.

Maintaining that they were earlier disallowed to apply for these posts on grounds that they did not have English as a teaching subject in BEd, aspirants claimed that the eligibility criteria had changed.

Those teaching in private schools are upset over the changing policies of the government.

Terming reduction of age limit an attack on their future, aspirants rued that defective policies of the government had axed carrier of thousands of highly qualified persons.

Burying decades’ long tendency of getting English taught to students of lower classes by social studies teachers, the education department had started advertising separate posts of English teachers a few years ago.

Interestingly, postgraduates in English and those having cleared the language as elective subject, were not allowed to apply. Those opting English as teaching subject in the BEd were declared eligible. Thus hundreds of trained teachers having done BA or MA in English as elective subject were debarred from appearing in interview for posts advertised from time to time.

As age limit for various posts advertised and filled earlier was 42, most of the aspirants expected to get a government job before reaching the above said age.

A majority of aspirants, who had turned 37 by now, were shocked to learn that the administration had reduced the upper age limit from 42 to 37, while 
advertising for more than 1,400 posts of English teachers recently.

Affected by the decision, they have now urged the CM and education minister to intervene in the matter.

Ludhiana, December 12
‘Main pal do pal ka shayar hun, pal do pal meri kahani hai’, famous lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, were replaced with ‘Tum har pal ke shayar ho, har pal tumhari kahani hai’ by a ‘shayar’ at Jashn-e-Sahir, the 38th international ‘mushaira’ organised at the Nehru Sidhant Kender here yesterday.

Every Urdu poet present at the ‘mushaira’ relived moments of Sahir’s poetry as they recited their verses from the podium. Noted poets from various parts of India had come to participate in the ‘mushaira’.

Rahat Indori, a big name in Urdu poetry, was the show-stealer as he lived up to the expectatations of the audience with his pun-packed ‘shayari’.

Taking a jibe at the changed values in political , social and intellectual circles of India, the poet was at his humorous best as he referred to Raj Thackeray’s campaign in favour of Marathi.

“Even the most threatening sea storm that was to hit the shores of Mumbai took a U-turn when denied permission to enter the Maharashtra capital without knowing Marathi language,” said Indori.

His best was ‘Ek hukumat hai jo inaam bhi de sakta hai, hai jo inkaar bhi ek kalandar jo inkaar bhi kar sakta hai’.

Other poets, including Shakeel Azmi, MF Farooqui, Sagar Sialkoti, Moin Shdaab and Sardar Panchi, enthralled the audience. Mehek Bharti, an emerging name among woman poets, mesmerised the listeners.

Punjab Minister for Local Bodies, Industries and Commerce Manoranjan Kalia, Bharti-Airtel vice-chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal and Hero Cycles chairman OP Munjal were present on the occasion.

Kalia announced a grant of Rs 3 lakh for the Sahir Cultural Academy. Chief organiser Kewal Dheer said, “Sahir is immortal, as is evident from the love with which both the older and younger generations remember him.”

Ludhiana, December 12
Noted novelist Mitter Sain Meet, winner of Bharatiya Sahit Academy award, termed “Jangal Di Akh”, the book written by Pritam Pandher, a treasure of Punjabi literature. The book was released during a function organised yesterday at Punjabi Bhawan.

Dr Sukhdev Singh, general secretary, Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana, and general secretary of Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha Dr Rajneesh Bahdur Singh, Karmjit Singh Aujla, professor, Mohinderdeep Grewal and Amarjit Sufi were also present on the occasion.

Vishav Punjabi Sahit Vichaar Manch, Ludhiana, in collaboration with Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana, and Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha organised the function.

Dr Surjit Brar presented a research paper on the book. Dr Gulzar Pandher said “Jangal Di Akh” was all about truthfulness of life, while Prof Mohinderdeep Grewal appreciated the author for his bold description of social evils prevailing in society.

Dr Sukhdev Singh said the author had well presented corruption and bribery.

Dr Rajneesh Bahadur Singh described Pandher’s poetry for his sensibility and presentation of life on global basis.

Pritam Pandher thanked the intellectuals for their observations on the book.

A “kavi darbar” was also organised.

Among others present on the occasion included Sardar Pancchi, Janmeja Johl, Dr Sarup Singh Alag, Dr SN Sewak, Surinder Rampuri, Harbhajan Dharna, Satish Gulati, Dr Kulwinder Kaur Minhas, Joginder Singh Kang, Satish Gulati, Prof Ravinder Bhatal, Dr Tarsem Singh Grewal and Navdeep Kaur Grewal.

Phillaur, December 12
Former minister Santokh Singh, Punjab Youth Congress president Ravneet Singh Bittu and district Youth Congress Jalandhar (rural) president Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary have alleged that the SAD-BJP alliance is feeling frustrated on watching the success of the ‘Jan Inquilab Yatra’ of the Youth Congress, initiated on inspiration from AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference on the second day of the ‘yatra’ here today, they criticised the corrupt, selfish and anti-people policies of the combine and alleged that almost every section of society, including farmers, industrialists, employees, traders and small shopkeepers, besides Dalits, were fed up with the policies. They encouraged Congress workers, especially youth activists, to come forward against social evils like drug abuse, female foeticide, dowry and pollution. They urged youths to take a pledge to revive the glory of Punjab, which could only be restored by eradicating all socio-economic evils.

Describing the ‘yatra’ as a message of peace, they claimed that people were supporting the Congress and its policies. They said Punjab had suffered enough under the SAD-BJP government’s tyranny. They stated that the state was diseased, not because of drugs and social problems, but because of the SAD-BJP government.

The execution agency engaged by the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) for the ambitious signage project (putting direction boards) on all major roads in the city is apparently doing its job at the desired pace and a lot many direction boards, indicating important places and landmarks, are already in place, but as far as restoration of dug-out portions is concerned, it leaves much to be desired.

At most of the places where dividers have been dug out and fencing pulled down to lay foundation pillars for signboards, the debris still lies scattered all around on the roads and broken pieces of dividing fences have been left in a careless manner, with broken fences of dividers not restored to their original condition.

Doraha, December 12
There seems to be no end to the miseries of commuters plying on the NH-1. Throwing all norms to the winds, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the private company involved in the process, has thrown open the Rajgarh bridge without solid support on either side of the bridge.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 12
With migrant labourers returning to the region, farmers and industrialists have heaved a sigh of relief.A majority of the employers had to pay advance wages to labourers.Marriage of kin and medical treatment of ailing parents were cited as major reasons for demanding advance payment by labourers.

Farmers, dairy farm owners and industrialists of the region felt relieved after migrant labourers from Bihar returned.

Employers even agreed to deposit advance wages for a few months in bank accounts of labourers. Salary of three to six months was demanded by labourers.

Balwinder Singh, a farmer of Baurhai village, said he had to deposit three months salary in account of two labourers who had gone to Bihar a few weeks ago. While one of the labourers demanded money for his brother’s wedding, the other wanted money for treatment of his ailing mother.

“But we are glad that they have come back,” said Balwinder.

Surinder Singh, owner of a dairy farm, said he had to deposit Rs 2,000 in account of one of the labourers. Shiva, leader of a group of migrants, claimed that they had rejected offers of higher wages made by some industrialists of Ludhiana, as they had already received advance payment from their employers.

Ludhiana, December 12
Generally areas adjoining key commercial hubs get the benefit of development, but at Karta Ram Gali, big bazaars have only worsened the situation.The area owes a large number of its civic problems to the adjoining markets.

Once touted as a sleepy residential area adjoining the famous Chaura Bazaar of the city, Karta Ram Gali has emerged as a major commercial hub, where yarn traders and cloth embroiders contribute a major share to the blooming hosiery business.

Residents of the area find it an uphill task to commute on roads of the Gali.

Being at the Centre of the city, it is difficult to reach the market due to the heavy flow of traffic, which largely affects the business prospects of traders. Similarly, narrow lane of the market also witnesses a heavy flow of traffic, as it acts as a slip road for people, who find it difficulty to commute on roads due to traffic congestion.

Adding to the miseries of residents, shopkeepers from the adjoining bazaars park their vehicles on streets and block the passage.

Though the condition of sewerage and streetlights is not that bad, residents rue that the municipal corporation (MC) has not bothered to cover manholes after a new line was laid.

They also pointed towards the poor quality of water being supplied to them, despite the fact that they had sent a number of complaints to the MC. Similarly, high tension wires passing through the area have also become a cause of worry for residents.

But the biggest problem that haunts shopkeepers is a vacant plot on which an unsafe residential building was demolished by the MC about a year back. The vacant plot has become a garbage dumping site.

Moreover, in the absence of public toilets in the area, a large number of shopkeepers from the adjoining bazaars come to the plot to answer the nature’s call.

Ludhiana, December 12
What can more explicitly illustrate the poor working of the municipal corporation (MC) than the fact that the audit wing of the state government has highlighted that civic body officials have entered Rs 52 lakh in their income record without having received a single penny.

The copy of the audit report obtained by RTI activist Rohit Sabharwal reveals that in the report for 2008-2009, the audit branch had raised objection that the MC received Rs 52,32,226 through cheques from April 2008 to March 2009.

Of this, Rs 45,78,751 was of general branches whereas Rs 6,53,475 was of operation and maintenance (O&M) branch. However, these cheques were never encashed as banks had dishonoured those. But without looking at this fact, MC officers removed it from their record by marking that the payment had been received.

The audit branch had further asked the civic body to check the details and furnish the information to the branch. However, the sources revealed that the MC was yet to give the information regarding it to the audit branch.

Commenting on this, Sabharwal said the audit report was an example of how MC officers were wasting public money, causing a big loss to the civic body. He said as the MC did not have a proper monitoring system, lax employees were taking advantage, due to which taxpayers’ money was going down the drain. “Only an inquiry by some independent branch would be helpful in exposing MC’s irregularities”.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 12
Regretting that successive governments have failed to take adequate steps to check proliferation of carcinogenic factors in the state, the Cancer Council of India has urged the health and family welfare ministry to declare malignancy as a notifiable disease.

The demand was raised during a cancer awareness seminar organised at Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Charitable Hospital, Sarabha village, near here.

Dr SS Gill, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Science, Faridkot, inaugurated the seminar, while Dr Jai Krishan, director, research and medical education (DRME), was the chief guest.

Dr Davinder Singh Sandhu and Dr Karamvir Karan, executive chairman and secretary general of the national body of the CCI, said a majority of the oncologists, including office-bearers and members of the council, were upset over the failure of the successive governments to realise significance of tracking and consolidating history of suspected cases of cancer.

The officials’ apathy has resulted in a situation wherein the cancer patients are forced to go to quacks instead of availing a proper medical treatment. 

Ludhiana, December 12
The Ludhiana Basketball Academy (LBA) won all their encounters in the semi final league to emerge as champions in the men’s section in the 61st Senior Punjab State Basketball Championship at Hansraj Stadium, Jalandhar, which concluded yesterday.

The LBA squad comprising Nav Bharti Public School and Satish Chander Dhawan Government College sports wing, recorded victories to advance into the semi final league where they defeated Faridkot district 65-37; overwhelmed Jalandhar district 56-27 and beat Amritsar district 47-15 to secure full points and romp home as champions.

Faridkot district secured the second position and Jalandhar district had to content with the third position.

In the women’s section, Kapurthala district along with Ludhiana, last year’s winners, Jalandhar and Amritsar qualified for the semi final league.

Three teams, Kapurthala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, were tied with equal points and the first position was decided on the basis of points scored and points conceded in which Kapurthala district eves came out triumphant to lift the trophy.

Jalandhar district and Ludhiana district finished at second and third place, respectively.

The LBA players were accorded a warm welcome at Guru Nanak Stadium here today. Honorary general secretary, Ludhiana District Basketball Association, Teja Singh Dhaliwal, and chief coach, former director, NIS, Patiala, Dr S Subramanian, were present to receive the champions.

Ludhiana, December 12
Athletes from Jalandhar dominated the proceedings by securing two gold medals, while those from Ludhiana, along with Gurdaspur, Rup Nagar, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Muktsar, Amritsar, Patiala and Sangrur, annexed one gold medal each on the second day of the 56th Punjab State Schools Athletics Meet-2010 being organised by the Punjab Education Department at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In long jump for boys (U-17), Balwinder Singh of Jalandhar bagged a gold medal, while Vinod Kumar and Bikramjit Singh, both from Ludhiana, secured a silver and a bronze, respectively.

Another boy from Jalandhar, Pakhar Singh finished ahead of others in the 3,000m race to clinch gold, followed by Jugraj Singh of Gurdaspur and Lakhvir Singh from Hoshiarpur who secured the second and third positions, respectively.

The hosts, Ludhiana, opened their account when national athlete Arpinder Singh pocketed top honours in the long jump event for boys U-19. The second and third positions were bagged by Daljit Singh of Gurdaspur and Rohit Mehra of Jalandhar.

In the gruelling 5km walk, Rajesh Kumar of Mohali romped home winner. Maninder Singh and Jagwinder Singh, both from Patiala, secured second and third positions, respectively.

Rupinder Singh Ravi, assistant education officer, Ludhiana, was the chief guest today. Amarjeet Kaur, deputy director (sports), congratulated the position holders.

Jagroop Singh (PAU), Manjeet Singh Rurka, Jagdev Singh, Satnam Singh, Harpreet Kaur Alamgir, Surinder Kaur, Kulbir Singh Chakohi and Ramandeep Kaur supervised the events.

Results: Shot put (girls U-14): Sukhvir Kaur of Rup Nagar 1, Ramandeep Kaur of Jalandhar 2 and Diljot Kaur of Ludhiana 3; discus throw (girls U-14): Parneet Kaur of Gurdaspur 1, Rupinder Kaur of Sangrur 2 and Harpreet Kaur of Ferozepur 3; 3,000m race (girls U-19): Harpreet Kaur of Hoshiarpur 1, Seema Devi of Gurdspur 2 and Jaspreet Kaur of Ludhiana 3;

discus throw (girls U-19): Suman Devi of Muktsar 1, Tajbir Kaur of Sangrur 2 and Priya of Ludhiana 3; 5km walk (girls U-19): Khushbir Kaur of Amritsar 1, Shanti Kumari of Patiala 2 and Sandep Kaur of Sangrur 3; shot put (boys U-14): Kamaljeet Singh of Patiala 1, Nishan Singh of Tarn Taran 2 and Gurbaj Singh of Batala 3; high jump (girls U-14): Amandeep Kaur of Sangrur 1, Manpreet Kaur of Jalandhar 2 and Harmanjot Kaur of Jalandhar 3.

Ludhiana, December 12
Parminder excelled with bat and ball (18 runs and 2 for 18) to help Punjab beat Chandigarh by three wickets in the final of All-India Twenty20 Cricket Tournament organised by the Association of T20 Cricket at MGM Public School, Dugri, here today.

Chandigarh won the toss and opted to bat. In the allotted 20 overs, they scored 99 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

The main contributors were Sunny, Pritam and Mohammed who chipped in 20, 13 and 12 runs, respectively. Punjab, Parminder and Piyush scalped two wickets each after conceding 18 and 10 runs, respectively.

Punjab made the required runs after losing seven wickets with four balls to spare. Parminder and Piyush contributed 18 runs each, while Ravi made 17 runs.

For the losers, Pritam grabbed three wickets for 16 runs and Rahul captured one wicket for nine runs.

Harish Rai Dhanda, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab, gave away prizes.

Ludhiana, December 12
Ludhiana won the overall trophy, while Patiala finished as runners-up in the JP Birdi Memorial Punjab State Tae kwon do Championship held at the Indoor Multipurpose Hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex here today.

Results: Junior girls (below 42kg); Meena Sharma of Ludhiana 1, Rupinder Kaur of Patiala 2, Anju and Nagma of Ludhiana 3; 42-44kg: Sonia of Ferozepur 1, Ayushi of Kapurthala 2 and Pavneet of Bathinda 3; 52- 55kg: Avneet Kaur of Bathinda 1, Ridhima Sharma of Ludhiana 2 and Roopsi Sharma and Parmjeet Kaur of Ludhiana 3; 59-63kg: Manor of Amritsar 1, Guneet of Patiala 2 and Kanishka of Patiala 3; senior women (57-63kg): Komal of Ferozepur 1, Inderjit Kaur of Kapurthala 2, Krishna Vaishnavi and Mamta of Ludhiana 3; 62-67kg: Shivani of Ferozepur 1, Simranjeet Kaur of Ludhiana 2 and Mannoor of Amritsar 3; junior boys (45-48kg): Arjun of Faridkot 1, Fatehjit Singh of Amritsar 2, Punit Pal of Patiala and Shubham of Jalandhar 3; 55-59kg: Lazar Maih of Ferozepur 1, Amandeep Chhinna of Amritsar 2, Davinder Singh of Ferozepur and Amritpal Singh of Kapurthala 3; 59-63kg: Amandeep Pannu of Amritsar 1, Rakesh Kumar of Patiala 2, Harsimranjit of Amritsar and Tarandeep of Amritsar 3; senior men (54-58kg): Shammi of Jalandhar 1, Alok Nath of Bathinda 2, Lakhwinder Singh of Ludhiana and Hardeep Singh of Bathinda 3; 63-68kg: Harjit Singh of Tarn Taran 1, Ajmer Singh of Amritsar 2, Palwinder Singh of Patiala and Baljit Singh of Ludhiana 3.