Ludhiana, December 21
Over 60 per cent people involved in road accidents have to undergo prolonged trauma as the “golden hour” is lost due to the delay caused in transporting the injured to the hospital.

The delay in shifting the injured to the hospital has not helped bring down the mortality rate of accident victims despite the availability of best treatment and specialists in hospitals.

The doctors attending the continued medical education (CME) on peripheral vascular trauma update at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) today observed that the “traffic obstruction” of ambulances on roads in the city was a major reason behind the loss of the “golden hour”, which is crucial in saving the vital organs damaged in the accident.

Ambulances getting stuck in traffic jams is commonplace in the city but what is more shocking is the imperviousness of people on roads as they refuse to give way to the ambulances transporting accident victims. Ironic but true that even the people protesting on roads in the name of their “rights” fail to acknowledge the importance of giving way to ambulances.

Stuck in a similar situation, the driver of an ambulance in order to rush a critically injured person to the hospital even risked crossing over to the wrong side of the road.

The doctors also stated that the success rate in saving the accident victims reaching within six hours (the “golden hour”) was 85-90 per cent, which declined drastically in victims who were late in reaching to the hospitals.

First six hours are significant to saving the limbs of victims of accident, shooting, bomb blast or homicide, said Dr Sanjeev Uppal, professor and head of plastic surgery, DMCH.

Dr Uppal added: “At least 80-85 per cent victims of road accidents suffer from vascular injuries wherein the person should get medical attention within six hours to restore blood supply.”

Capt VS Bedi, noted vascular surgeon at R&R Army Hospital, New Delhi, and secretary of Vascular Society of India, accredited with extensive work in vascular surgeries emphasised the presence of team of specialists in the operating theatre.

A time period lasting from a few minutes to several hours following a traumatic injury sustained by a casualty, during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death if prompt medical treatment is given. The victim’s chances of survival are greatest if he receives care within a short period of time.

The incidence of vascular trauma has increased considerably during the past 40 years. Trauma has become a public health problem in many parts of the world, including India, and vascular trauma is an important component of this problem. Injuries caused with stab, gunshot wounds and road accidents are major causes of the trauma.

Ludhiana, December 21
It was close friends of SAD councillor Tanvir Singh Dhaliwal who attacked him on December 18. Four days after the incident, the firebrand youth leader and municipal councillor of ward No. 59 broke his silence and stated to the police that it was Harpreet Singh, alias Minkat, Jaswinder Singh, Raman and Kulwinder Singh, alias Kinda, and seven other unidentified persons, who attacked him and left him unconscious at Daheru village, near Khanna.

Following the complaint, the Khanna police has booked Minkat, Jaswinder, Raman, Kinda and seven others under Sections 307, 364, 325, 148, 149 and 120-B of the IPC.

Khanna SSP DP Singh said a case had been registered and the police had launched a manhunt for the accused.

Property feud was stated to be the reason behind the murderous attack. Ever since the assault, Tanvir remained tight-lipped about the incident and refused to name anyone behind the attack.

He sustained multiple fractures on the leg and underwent a surgery at the DMC Hospital. Rupinder Singh, elder brother of Tanvir, was informed about the incident by the police.

Tanvir was on his way to Khanna when the accused reportedly intercepted him and assaulted him with sharp-edged weapons. Tanvir is stated to be out of danger.

The statement and subsequent registration of criminal case against the four friends of Tanvir has shocked the real estate sector and political circle of the city.

However, people close to the councillor have raised doubt over Tanvir’s claim that it was property dispute that led to the murderous assault on him.

“There is something else to the story. I cannot believe that just because of a chunk of land, friends can turn foes. They were together for years and just like an extended family. Money had never been an issue between them. Something serious happened, which led to the attack,” said a youth wing leader while requesting anonymity.

Ludhiana, December 21
Although the Punjab government is understood to have issued a notification on approving unauthorized colonies in the state, and modalities for this purpose are being evolved by the local bodies and other development officials concerned, hundreds of thousands of homes in such colonies still do not have electricity, a basic necessity.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other senior government functionaries, including deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, have repeatedly announced during their ‘sangat darshan’ programmes and elsewhere that new domestic power connections would be issued to all residential colonies “on demand” without any consideration as to their status. However, these pledges remain on paper even while those having constructed their houses in hundreds of unapproved colonies are made to go from pillar to post for securing an electricity connection.

At last count (till the end of 2007), the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) had identified some 350 unapproved colonies in and around the city and, in the intervening period, an equal number - if not more - must have been developed. While the exact number of households without a power connection is not available with officials, it could be anything around 50,000 or even more.

In the absence of a clear cut policy on granting power connections in unauthorized colonies, certain unscrupulous elements along with a few corrupt employees of the Punjab State Power Corp (PSPC) have found a way to make easy money.

Sources close to PSPC revealed if one had the “right connection” and could cough up the desired amount of money by way of a bribe to subordinate government staff, getting a domestic power connection was just a matter of a couple of days.

“Once you make a deal and pay up, the touts or, at times, even PSPC employees themselves will fill out all forms, take the required documents (in some cases even forge them if necessary), get the security and service charges deposited and get you a power connection without any waiting period," the sources added.

On the other hand there are thousands of other residents in several unapproved colonies in the city who still keep waiting for new electricity connections in their newly constructed homes, just because the state government has failed to address the problem and frame a clear cut policy for this purpose.

"For such residents the only option is to get a ‘kundi’ (theft) connection or else draw a cable from a neighbour who has power supply," says Jaswant Singh, a resident of Raja Garden colony on Humbran Road here.

PSPC officials confirm power theft is rampant in slums and unauthorized colonies and hundreds of such connections are unearthed during spot checks conducted every now and then. However, the quantum of theft, officials say, is not very high simply because the installed power load of slum dwellers and the majority of residents of other unapproved colonies are very low.

When contacted PS Gill, chief engineer of PSPC’s central zone, told The Tribune: “As on date, the prevailing government directions say no to new power connections in residential category in unapproved colonies”. He, however, added the government was expected to issue revised instructions in this connection once the notification on approval of unauthorized colonies was in place, since the two issues were interlinked.

Ludhiana, December 21
It appears the municipal corporation is finally gearing up to remove encroachments at places of worship in the city after senior town planner (STP) Balkar Singh Brar asked officials of the MC’s building branch to submit a list of these illegal structures by Thursday. Also, the deputy commissioner has reportedly asked the branch to file a report on the action being taken against such encroachments.

Likewise, at a meeting of the city’s assistant town planners (ATPs) convened on Wednesday Brar sought a list of all illegal encroachments at places of worship. Sources said it was decided at the meeting action would be taken against such encroachments, especially those on streets that were causing inconvenience to commuters.

The sources added the meeting also discussed the matter of regularizing some encroachments at places of worship located on public property other than roads if they were over ten years old.

However some of the ATPs told Brar though they had prepared a list of such illegal structures they had received a number of objections regarding the latter after the MC’s building branch served notices to the encroachers. The STP then reportedly asked them look into all such cases and prepare a final list on the encroachments so that action could be initiated against those violating the law.

When contacted Brar confirmed he had asked the ATPs to submit a list of encroachments at places of worship by Thursday so that it could be forwarded to the DC for further action. "We’ve already identified all such illegal structures and we'll be submitting a list to the DC shortly" he added.

Ludhiana, December 21
“Had I been born in Haryana, the government would have felicitated me with 10 litre desi ghee, a swanky new car and a post of DSP for my achievement in sports. But I am in Punjab and even after 20 years of service, I am still a head constable in the police,” laments international bodybuilder Daljit Singh, who is serving in Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), Ladda Kothi, Sangrur.

The 41-year-old “pocket-size dynamite”, who looks much younger than his age, joined the force way back in 1992 as constable.

“I was a national-level gymnast before joining the force. In fact, I was recruited by the department under the sports quota. In 1996, I took to bodybuilding and there has been no looking back ever since,” says Daljit Singh, who has over 30 medals, including eight in international meets, to his credit. Daljit holds another distinction of remaining the all-India champion for 14 years in the 65 kg category.

Returning from Muscat following the Beach Asian Games, where he stood fourth in the competition, a dejected Daljit Singh says taking part in international competitions is burning a hole in his pocket.

A resident of Khanna, he was the only bodybuilder from the country to have participated in the competition after over five bodybuilders from the country failed to clear the dope test. “I spent around Rs 35,000 from my own pocket, while the rest of the money was funded by the Indian Bodybuilding Federation,” says Daljit Singh, whose two sons also aspire to follow in the footsteps of their father.

He regrets that the state provides little exposure to sportspersons. While players who enjoy proximity to politicians are given promotions and plum postings, players like him have been pushed back into oblivion.

“I am motivating myself and sweating it out in the gym every day. Even my family has been asking me to leave the sport if the state government doesn’t recognise my achievements. Well they have a reason to complain, as neighbours and relatives have started mocking at them. Even after 18 years in service and winning so many international medals, I am still a head constable,” rues Daljit, whose entire salary is consumed in taking proper diet and food supplements. He says: “I live in a joint family and my parents foot the expenses incurred on the education of my children. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for me to pursue the game,” he says.

Humiliation is something he has often encountered during his tenure as a cop. He was recruited as constable in 1992. After six years of service, he was promoted to head constable in 1998. But that promotion lasted only two years and in 2000 he was again demoted to constable. In 2003, he was again promoted as head constable. He has been awaiting promotion ever since.

Ludhiana/Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 21
The State Bank of India (SBI) announced to support NGOs undertaking projects for the education of children of poor and downtrodden families of the region.

The Santushti Educational Trust, brainchild of renowned philanthropist, Dr Kamlesh Bala Manocha was among the list of beneficiaries under the community banking project of the NRI branch of the bank at Ludhiana.

Recognising it as a part of social responsibility of the organisation, Deepty Sahai, general manager (NW I) offered to extend help for enabling children of the poor and downtrodden families receive free quality education.

Appreciating the role of social organisations in sharing the responsibility of the administration in the field of education, Sahai held that imparting primary and elementary education was more important than higher education, as values and norms are imbibed during childhood.

During her visit to various branches of the bank, Sahai directed officials to associate themselves with the projects launched by various organisations to educate the poor children.

Anuradha Narayanan, assistant general manager, informed that each staff member at the NRI branch had adopted at least one student studying at the Santushti Vidya Sadan, Chandar Nagar, Ludhiana. The staff also provided woollens to all students studying there.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 21
Students and staff of Government College, Karamsar, Rara Sahib, vowed to obey traffic rules in all situations. The oath was taken in response to a call made by office-bearers of the Lions Club Smile, Ludhiana, and Road Safety Council of Punjab during a seminar on road safety organised at the college yesterday.

The seminar was presided over by principal Nirmal Singh and vice-chairman, Dr Kamal Soyee of the Road Safety Council of Punjab was the chief guest.

Students and staff led by Parkash Singh and Arun Kumar vowed to join hands with organisers in the crusade launched against factors taking heavy toll in road accidents in the region.

Various speakers regretted that the successive governments had failed to undertake any measures to check the rise in road accidents claiming precious lives daily.

Stressing on the need of educating rural masses about causes and consequences of vehicular accidents, the speakers maintained that pedestrians, cyclists and cart pullers were involved in a majority of road accidents.

“Unfortunately no attempt has been made to educate the pedestrians, cyclists and cart pullers about the traffic rules. Erroneously, it is presumed that training the drivers about road safety is enough,” argued Khangura claiming that the organisation had launched the coordinated movement against the tendency.

Besides organising seminars and workshops on the subject, the organisation will educate rural masses through road shows and publicity materials, claimed the office-bearers of the club. The College authorities felicitated the club office-bearers and council.

Ludhiana, December 21
The starting of much hyped e-tendering process failed to kick off as bowing before the pressure being exerted by the contractors against the processing fee charged by a private company the municipal corporation authorities have postponed it.

The MC authorities have called for the tenders of more then 150 developmental works in the city at the cost of Rs 40 crores for initiating the e-tendering process in the civic body. The MC had fixed December 22 for calling the tenders and opening them on the following day.

However, the contactors of the civic body had unfurled a banner of revolt against the decision of the local bodies department of paying a fee of 0.13 per cent to the private company that would be processing the e-tenders.

The contractors had lodged their protest with MC Commissioner AK Sinha and had requested him to look into the matter. As a result the MC has now decided to postpone the tendering process.

Sources revealed that as per the new schedule the tenders for developmental work and A and B zones would be called on January 3 and opened on January 4. For zone C and D they would be called on January 4 and opened on January 5.

When asked to comment on the matter MC Additional Commissioner MS Jaggi, in charge of building and roads branch, also confirmed that the e-tendering process had been postponed till January.

However, he said it had not been postponed due to the pressure of the contactors, but as they wanted to ensure more participation they had given more time to the contractors to understand the process.

Ludhiana, December 21
The derogatory message circulated in the medical fraternity against a group of doctors contesting district Indian Medical Association (IMA) elections has kick started a controversy, which has failed to die down even after the announcement of new executive of the IMA.

The SMS containing “vulgar remarks” against the group of doctors led by Dr Hardeep Singh was circulated to a large number of doctors in the city on December 19, the day of the IMA elections.

Reacting to the offensive language used in the SMS, the doctors concerned alleged their opponents for having overstepped the limits of decency.

The doctors had given a formal complaint to the Ludhiana Police Commissioner along with the mobile number from which the SMS had been circulated.

However, the faction led by Dr Kulwant Singh and Dr Arun Mitra (former district IMA president) that stood victorious in the district IMA elections refuted the allegations.

The e-mail forwarded by Dr Arun Mitra on behalf of his colleagues read, “We strongly condemn the mischievous SMS circulated by some unscrupulous element with derogatory remarks against our fellow colleagues. We stand united with our doctor fraternity against the circulated SMS.”

The e-mail further states that the doctors from their faction had immediately condemned the SMS by sending another message.

Dr Mitra further stated, “We are united to find the main culprit who sent the messages, as the person responsible should be brought under the law and proper action to be taken against him. No person should try to take any advantage by defaming the medical community. Together we have to fight against the mischief doer,” Dr Mitra went on to add.

The mail also bears the names of Dr MK Sobti, secretary state IMA, and district IMA executive for 2011, including Dr Kulwant Singh, Dr DPS Arora, Dr RK Sharma, Dr Balwant S Hunjan, Dr Karam Vir Goyal, Dr Ashish Saxena and Dr Narjit Kaur.

Several big names from the glamour world descended upon the city, which enjoyed every bit of the star dust settled on its streets this year.

While Bollywood sizzler Katrina Kaif and ‘khiladi’ Akshay Kumar had their star-struck fans queued up on Punjab Agricultural University grounds for hours recently; ‘Munni’ Malaika Arora Khan sneaked in and out of Ludhiana after a brief performance at the wedding of a prominent industrialist’s daughter.

‘Punjab da puttar’ Dharmendra, too, visited his hometown, but was highly disappointed by the rude behaviour of his fans, who almost mauled him outside a city mall. However, city girl Divya Dutta loved coming back home.

Others from Bollywood, who kept their dates with the city, included Jimmy Shergill, Neetu Chandra and Juhi Babbar.

Ace choreographers Saroj Khan and Remo, along with rapper Baba Sehgal, gave the city a reason to dance by opening their dance academies.

Tele stars Abhinav Shukla, Sugandha Mishra, Kritika Desia, Jas Arora, Amit Ranjan came, along with veteran TV anchor Anu Kapoor and former super cop and famous TV personality Kiran Bedi.

For Punjabi artistes Gurdas Mann, Harbhajan Mann, Babbu Mann, Sherry Mann, Amrinder Gill, Pammi Bai, Miss Pooja, Aman Dhaliwal, Jazzy B, Stereo Nation’s Taz, Satinder Sartaj and film maker director Ish Amitoj Kaur, it was more like homecoming. The city also hosted the coveted ‘Pecha Bhangre Da’ finals wherein bigwigs of the Punjabi music industry cast their spell and more recently, it hosted the Miss World Punjaban contest, which brought along world interest.

The year 2010 has been very eventful as well as fruitful for the city when it came to its tryst with fashion.

While the city got a rare chance to host the first-ever Punjab International Fashion Week, it played a gracious host to several titans from the fashion industry.

As part of the fashion week, Bollywood actor Mahie Gill came to town along with another actor Mrinalini Sharma, well-known designers Mona-Pali, Asha and Gautham Gupta, Riyaz Gangji, Himmat Singh, Aslam Khan, Archana Kocchar, Meera and Muzaffar Ali, among others.

While designers impressed, supermodels set the stage on fire -- be it model Priyanka Shah, actor Gavi Chahal, actors Shawar Ali and Syed Zulfi, or national shooter-model Souhrab Gill. Each one left an indelible mark on the city residents.

In this one year, the city had its fair share of lifestyle exhibitions, which again, brought along, an array of fashion designers and models from around the globe.

Wedding Asia, along with Woman 2010, and Luxury Lifestyle, attracted the who’s who of the fashion industry. Designers Kapil and Monica, Amit Talwar, Parul-Ashie, Barkha-Sonzal went back with a deep desire to return to the “Manchester of India” soon, as did Amit Kashyap, Abdul Halder and Masaba Gupta, Maheep Sandhu Kapoor and Anuj Sharma who came on a brief visit. Models Indrani Dasgupta, Jonita Doda, Shiraz Khan were happy to be in city as were the city residents.