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Man killed over bucket of water
ludhiana, September 23 According to reports, Maan Singh, a resident of Gorhar in Uttar Pradesh and presently residing in Lal Singh colony in Dhandhari Khurd in the city, had gone to a community tap in the area early in the morning on Thursday to fill his bucket with water. Two brothers, Raju Singh and Varinder Singh, thought to be in their mid-twenties, also arrived there to do the same. After a heated argument over who would fill his bucket first the latter picked up a bamboo stick and struck Maan twice on the head, rendering him unconscious. Both suspects fled the scene while Maan was taken to his dwelling by a roommate who gave him medicines and then left to attend to his work. However, he found the victim dead when he returned home at night. The matter was reported to the police who filed a criminal case against Raju and Varinder under sections 302 & 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Police station house officer Gurcharan Singh said the suspects along with their families had gone underground since Thursday, adding the police had already begun investigations. “I’ve made enquiries about the two suspects at their workplace, Suman Industries and have also managed to get a contact phone number but it doesn’t appear to be valid. We’re searching for them and expect to nab them in a day or two. Both suspects are from Uttar Pradesh and were presently residing near the victim’s dwelling”, Gurcharan added.
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Childless woman ends life
Ludhiana, September 23 Investigation officer Budh Singh said Vandana married Raman Sharma, a local resident, 13 years ago, but the couple had no child. They brought Sonia, a resident of Haibowal, to bear a baby for them. About a year ago, she gave birth to a boy. “Vandana asked the woman to leave her home after the delivery, but she refused to move out. Even her husband got attached to Sonia. There were frequent fights and last night, Vandana consumed poison,”he said. Vandana’s family in Himachal Pradesh has been informed about the incident. Her father is a priest at Chintpurni Temple. The postmortem will be conducted tomorrow. A case has been registered.
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Contractor will have to foot bill
Ludhiana, September 23 MC officials said as recovery of damages, the contractor “responsible” for the cave-in would be sent a bill of Rs 35,000, which was spent on the repair of the road. MC officiating commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi said the operations and maintenance department of the civic body had suffered a loss of Rs 25,000 while the bridges and roads department incurred a loss of Rs 10,000. “We have prepared the bill and will give it to the contractor. It’s time private contractors hire trained people to execute jobs which require technical knowhow. The cave-in took place only due to the negligence of the workers who used a machine to dig up a portion of the road. In the process, they damaged a sewerage line. Water started seeping from the area, resulting in the caving in of the road,” said Jaggi. A portion of the road had caved-in due to the laying of cables by a contractor of a private company yesterday. Even on September 19, a portion of this road near Vikas Nagar had caved in and in both cases, the roads caved in due to the seepage of water. In Vikas Nagar, it was rainwater while near Feroze Gandhi Market, it was water from the sewerage line. Road cave-in Rs
35,000 bill
y MC officials said as recovery of damages, the contractor “responsible” for the cave-in would be sent a bill of Rs 35,000, which was spent for repairing the road. Private contractors should hire trained people to execute jobs requiring technical
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Girl students refuse to accept ‘alms’ from govt
Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 23 “We appreciate the government’s concern for fulfilling our needs. But that does not mean that we should be forced to facilitate their political campaigns,” said Sunita and Bhawna, both residents of Hargobindpura village. Maintaining that it was the constitutional duty of the government to provide free education to children near their place of residence, they pointed out that facilities being provided to them were coming from public funds and not from an individual’s pocket. “If it is a matter of paying gratitude, then we will have to publish photographs of all ministers,” the girls added. Parents and teachers are also supporting the stand taken by them on the issue. A government schoolteacher said if sensitive girls were forced to carry photographs of any individual on the baskets of their cycles, this would lead to inferiority complex among them. The state government had under the Mai Bhago Vidya scheme decided to provide bicycles free of cost to girls living in villages, which don’t have any middle, high or senior secondary schools. The government’s intention was to make them study in schools at adjoining villages. It was also decided that photograph of the Chief Minister will be displayed on the bicycles. The government has also decided that the distribution of cycles will become part of the sangat darshan itinerary of the Chief Minister. During one such function, scheduled to be held in the Chief Minister’s home district on Saturday, at least 3,000 girl students will be receiving free bicycles, probably carrying photos of senior Badal. Residents of Narangwal village and surrounding localities remember gesture of Joginder Singh Grewal, who had donated a truckload of bicycles from Ludhiana for girl students of GGN Khalsa College, Narangwal, three decades ago. These girls handed over the same to college authorities after completing their studies, said Balwinder Singh, a resident of Gujjarwal village. |
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2-day Kisan Mela draws record over 1 lakh visitors
Ludhiana, September 23 If PAU officials or the farmers who have attended the event for the past several decades are to be believed this year the fair drew the largest number of visitors. Though the number of visitors on Friday was no more than 10,000, most of the farmers obtained the seeds, plants and knowhow on the very first day itself. MS Grewal, a farmer from Kanganwal village who has won several state, national and international awards in agriculture, said ever since the fair was launched at PAU in 1967 he had never seen such a huge rush before. "It has been more than 40 years that I’ve been visiting the ‘Kisan Mela’, but this time the response was overwhelming. The farming community wants to update itself by visiting the agricultural varsity during the fair when the latest techniques and technologies are on display", he added. Another farmer, Surjit Singh from Faridkot district, said the main reason behind the huge rush was the newly introduced PBW wheat variety. "Last year it wasn’t available in bulk quantity but this time farmers from all over the region flocked here to get the seeds, which were sold till 9 pm on Thursday evening. Every time PAU comes up with some good crop variety farmers prefer to get the seeds from the varsity itself", he noted. Meanwhile, the fair concluded with a prize distribution function in which Arvind Kumar, deputy director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi was the chief guest. “Food security issues were most important for the nation and the country required 5.5 million tonnes more foodgrains every year”, he said. PAU vice chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon urged the farmers to adopt technologies that would conserve natural resources such as water and soil.
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Getting roll numbers a Herculean task
Ludhiana, September 23 School representatives who came to collect roll numbers were asked to search for roll numbers from piles of envelopes belonging to different schools on their own on the stage floor of the open theatre adjoining the depot at Punjabi Bhawan. There was nobody to help or assist them. Moreover, most of the envelopes were not sealed. School representatives were seen searching the envelopes on the stage floor. Some were squatting, while some were thronging the table of the staff members having a list of schools. “Earlier, we used to receive the roll numbers at the school. But this ridiculous decision was taken to distribute the roll numbers at the depot a few years ago. They are reducing their workload and increasing our headache by distributing everything in unorganised manner," rued a school principal. The board staff members were asking representatives to show school letter pad, but as the numbers grew, they started asking them to search the envelopes and inform them about the school name. There was no check on the unsealed envelopes. Anybody could just pick up an envelope and walk away. "I saw a person taking away six envelopes without informing any of the members saying that who is checking in this chaos, as he will distribute the envelopes in the schools he knows about," said a school principal requesting anonymity. Another schoolteacher said the roll numbers should be sent to schools directly. "Higher authorities of schools are forced to search the roll numbers like peons," he said. Avinash Kaur from a school in Jagraon said that she had been looking for the envelope belonging to her school for three hours, but could find it only in the afternoon after four hours. Sukhwinder Singh from another school said he had asked the staff members about the serial number in the list, but that too turned out to be wrong, taking him even longer to find his file. “We have no choice. We have to find the roll numbers ourselves. If any of the roll numbers get lost, parents of students will blame us. School authorities or students will have to make rounds of Mohali office of the board to get the roll numbers again. So, we have to go through the mill in any condition," said 66-year-old Karam Chand, who found his envelope after over an hour of search. PSEB district manager Anil Sharma said: “There were packets of about 386 centres and we are facing staff shortage at the depot." Suresh Tondon, vice-chairman, PSEB, said the decision to send roll numbers, detailed marksheets at district depots was taken only to ease the schools. It is difficult to send the roll numbers to every school and this step was taken only for their convenience. However, if the schools are facing difficulty, we will re-consider the decision.”
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Students regale audience on opening day
Our Correspondent
Raekot, September 23 Davinder Nath Sharma, president, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Punjab, inaugurated the function and Ramesh Kuara, general secretary, presided over the session. Dr Paramjit Singh Ranu, president Sehajdhari Sikh Federation, was the guest of honour. Appreciating role of teachers in preparing students for various events, speakers, including Dr Savita Uppal, principal, Surinder Kaur, convener and Kaura, called upon residents of the region to encourage their daughters take active part in cultural programmes, including youth festivals. Claiming that management committees of private colleges had started taking more interest in promoting culture at their institutes, Dr SM Kant, director, youth welfare department of the PU, appreciated that more than 500 students from various colleges of the zone had reported for participation in the function. Results Shabad/bhajan: Swami Ganga Giri Janta College for Women Raekot 1, SD College for Women Moga 2, Dev Samaj College for Women Ferozepur 3. Bhajanpreet Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur and Khushpreet Kaur of these colleges bagged individual prizes in the event. Quiz contest: Khalsa College For Women, Sidhwan Khurad 1, Swami Ganga Giri Janta College for Women Raekot 2, DAV College for Women Ferozepur 3. Geet/ gazal: Gurpreet Kaur of SD College for Women Moga 1, Rajwinder Kaur of Sant Darbara College for Women Lopon 2, Rajdeep Kaur of GGS College for Women Kamalpura 3. Classical vocal: Bhajanpreet Kaur of SGG Janta College for Women Raekot1, Jasmeet Kaur of Dev Samaj College for Women Ferozepur 2, Simranjeet Kaur of DAV College for Women Ferozepur 3. Essay writing: Jaspreet Kaur of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurad 1, Manpreet Kaur of Sant Darbara Singh College for Women Lopon 2, Gurwinder Kaur of SGG Janta College for Women Raekot 3. Story writing: Amanpreet Kaur of GGS Khalsa College for Women Kamalpur 1, Veerpal Kaur of Sant Darbara Singh College for Women Lopon 2, Parminder Kaur of SD College for Women Moga 3. Poem writing: Veeran Kaur of SGG Janta College for Women Raekot 1, Dimpy of SD College for Women Moga 2, Sanpreet Kaur of SD College for Women, Moga.
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Fest showcases talent
Ludhiana, September 23 Folk orchestra, folk instrumental, quiz, mime, skit, histrionics, elocution, poetry-recitation, mimicry, drama and debate events marked the third day of the festival. Saloni Sharma from Government College, who won the first prize in debate, spoke for the motion on development proving detrimental to the environment, while a group from Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, which was declared the winner in the mime category, tried to convince the audience that everybody had some quality or the other. The results of the competitions held on day three for first second and third positions are as follows: Folk orchestra: AS College for Girls Khanna, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Government College for Women and also Khalsa College for Women. Individual prizes for folk orchestra: Shipra Jain: AS College for Girls Khanna, Harpreet Kaur: Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Sakshi and Kavita Rani: AS College for Girls Khanna. Folk instrumental: Amrit Kaur: Ramgarhia Girls College, Tarandeep Kaur: Mata Ganga Khalsa College Kottan, Shilpa Jain: AS College for Women and also Harpreet Kaur: Government College for Women. Non-percussion: Kulwinder Kaur: Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, Ramandeep Kaur: Ramgarhia Girls College, Inderpreet Kaur: Government College for Women. Quiz: Khalsa College for Women, Guru Nanak Girls College, Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women.
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Lecture on leadership today
Ludhiana, September 23 Medical camp
The Niharika Ladies Club organised a complete health check-up camp here today. Speaking on the occasion, club president Shaheen Rang emphasised that the club had been working for the welfare of the society at large. During the camp, free tests, including the bone density test, blood test, blood sugar level and blood pressure test were conducted and counselling was provided for acupressure. Noted cosmetic surgeon Dr Ravinder Tah conducted a small session on complete skin treatment and skin care regimen. He also answered queries on skincare raised by the members.
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Every farmer gets hold of 10 kg of PBW 621 wheat seed
Ludhiana, September 23 Mukvir Singh, a farmer from Pakhoke Kanchian village in Barnala district, told The Tribune: "A bag of only 10 kilos of seeds is useless for farmers as it’s very hard to sow them in a separate field for multiplying for the next year.” Another farmer who was the waiting in the line, Gurdita Singh from Dhotian village near Tarn Taran, remarked: "I’m feeling exhausted. It’s a new grain seed variety so I want to sow at least an acre with it. One of my neighbors and two close relatives also wanted the same seed but how can I meet their request? The varsity should allow farmers to purchase seeds according to their requirements”. However PAU director of seeds HS Randhawa stated: "It’s true farmers had to stand in long lines three to four times to collect more bags of seeds. But we were helpless in this matter. Farmers don’t cooperate with each other - if they collectively sow an acre of land in one village it’ll be more convenient for them”. Meanwhile, about 1,200 farmers registered for subscribing to PAU’s monthly magazine, Changi Kheti. Varsity publications worth Rs 4.5 lakh were sold at stalls put up at the fair with ‘Package of Practices for Crops of Punjab (‘Rabi’ Season)’ the best selling book. Women flock in large numbers
A large number of female visitors, including a group from Mallapur village in Nawanshahr district, turned up on the last day of the ‘Kisan Mela’ following the PAU vice chancellor’s appeal to women to participate in the fair. Sukhwinder Kaur from Phillaur said she came because she wanted to learn more about dairy farming. Mukhtar Kaur, a 55-year-old housewife, who was also there, said: "Our menfolk have regularly attended the fair over the years and talk about stalls and exhibitions. Farming isn’t just a man’s job the entire family takes part”, she remarked. Imported farm machines were a major draw at the fair.
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Pashu Palan Mela concludes with value-addition tips
Ludhiana, September 23 Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director-General, ICAR, visited the mela ground today and said the veterinary university should work towards patents of products like bypass fat and delicacies. Dr BS Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, was also present. Dr VK Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, said: “Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University is contributing in the field of education and research and also promoting livestock professions with its extension activities. To develop livestock professions, the university is extending its support, knowhow and training to every economic category. Besides delivering services to commercial farmers, it is also disseminating techniques to medium and lower category of livestock community to provide equal opportunities to farmers. It helps them to earn benefits with their limited resources.” Farmers said the Pashu Palan Mela was a good platform to meet experts of animal husbandry departments of the state, scientists of the PAU, technical experts of different companies and financial institution representatives. Highlights
250 farmers subscribed for the monthly magazine, Vigyanak Pashu Palan. Publications worth one lakh were sold in two days. A stall was put up to exhibit various activities of the National Agricultural Innovation Project. The Unati Cooperative Society displayed a variety of products made from ‘amla’. A self-help group from Ramgarh Sikri showcased homemade products A pet product brand sold record products
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City bus service project hits roadblock yet again
Ludhiana, September 23 Tata Motors was to deliver 10 low-floor non-AC buses to the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) by September 24. However, this now seems far from reality as the Union Ministry of Urban Development has made it clear that the multiplex wiring, which Tata is offering in the buses is not recommended. Now, the MC has written to Tata to deliver buses with the recommended multiplex wiring only, which means further delay in the launch of this project. Due to the delay in the launch of the project, the MC would impose a penalty on Tata motors. Conforming the development, Mohinder Pal Gupta, CEO, Ludhiana City Bus Service Limited, said the company (Tata) would be penalised for the delay in delivery of the buses. “The penalty would be charged as per the terms and conditions of the contract. More the delay, more would be the penalty,” he said. The board of directors of the Ludhiana City Bus Service Limited had written to the Union Ministry of Urban Development asking if the buses with “master slave” multiplex wiring, as offered by Tata Motors, were to be purchased or not. MC officials had conducted the survey of 40 low-floor non-AC buses at Tata’s factory in Lucknow last month. The company is offering “master slave” type of multiplex wiring in their buses, whereas the Ministry of Urban Development has recommended master master wiring. MC officials had asked the company to address the issue, to which the company had replied that there was hardly any difference between master slave and master master wiring. But technical experts of the MC had expressed displeasure over the reply and the matter was taken up with the board of directors. “We had sent a letter to the ministry asking their approval, to which the ministry said that only “master master” multiplex wiring was recommended. We have now put this thing in writing and have sent it to the company officials,” said Mohinder Pal Gupta. The company is to deliver 40 low-floor non-AC buses by September 24 and a contract in this regard was signed in May. The company officials have quoted a price of Rs 48 lakh per bus. Another obstacle y This is not the first time that the project has been delayed on one pretext or the other. Ever since the project was announced in 2002 and later in 2008, it had remained in controversy. The MC officials had first announced that the project would start from August 2010, then December 2010 and later March 31 and now September 24. However, the city bus service remained a distant dream for the city residents. The residents have been hoping for the start of the bus service ever since a trial run of the bus was conducted on January 18.
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Encroachments make traffic crawl
Jagraon, September 23 Old city market, Lajpat Rai and the College roads are a traffic bottlenecks. Here, the shopkeepers have encroached upon 3 to 5-foot space on both sides of the roads. Officials of the local municipal council, too, are helpless as majority of the shopkeepers enjoy political patronage. . A perfect example of this came to fore a few days ago when a shopkeeper in the old city market encroached upon 3-foot space by the roadside, but no municipal official bothered to take action against him due to the backing of a councillor and a few politicians. According to city residents, the municipal officials dither to take action against such shopkeepers fearing wrath of political leaders. The residents blame not only shopkeepers, but municipal officials as well as politicians are equally responsible for this problem. “Municipal officials don’t bother to take action against encroachers and even if they do, the local politicians and councillors stop them from doing so. The situation is worsening with each passing day,” said Jagroop Singh, a resident of the Lajpat Rai Road. A municipal official, however, say, “Though we are well aware of the problem. But whenever we dare to remove encroachments, the politicians come to protect them.” Residents have requested politicians and councillors to stop protecting such shopkeepers for resolving the issue once for all. They have also urged the officials of the local bodies department to direct municipal officials to take strict action against the encroachers. President of the local municipal council Baldev Krishan Dhir admitted that a large number of shopkeepers had encroached upon the roads in various parts of the city. But, he refused to comment on the issue of councillors protecting such shopkeepers.
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Resident societies form joint front
Ludhiana, September 23 Explaining the need for bringing all welfare societies on a common platform, Dhaliwal said it would facilitate expeditious execution of development works, fixing priorities for development projects in the colony and better coordination between the welfare societies and the LIT authorities. In a memorandum submitted to LIT chairman MM Vyas, the newly formed body apprised him of pending works of sewage disposal, sanitation, carpeting of roads, water supply, streetlights and development of parks. Dhaliwal said the LIT chairman assured that the process would soon be set in motion for carrying out need-based development works in the colony and the ongoing development works will also be speeded up. Other office-bearers of the association include Parminder Singh senior vice-president, Mohan Singh vice president, Subhash Verma general secretary, Japnam Singh secretary, Harpreet Singh Guram cashier, Madanjit Singh, Harpal Singh, Arvind Sharma, Ajit Singh, Jasbir Singh, Sudarshan Jindal and Sandeep Dahia members of executive committee
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200 get training in skincare
Ludhiana, September 23 Dr Shikha Aggarwal, a skin specialist and cosmetologist, delivered a talk on the occasion followed by training session for girls. There are three basic skin types - oily, dry and combination. Oily skin does not require moisturising as it contains oil while moisturising is needed in dry skin. In combination skin, a mix of oily and dry, some parts tend to have more oil in skin layer and appear shinier.
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Health workers stage protest
Ludhiana, September 23 The health workers from all over the state gathered here and discussed their demands at length. Sonia Sharma, state press secretary, Multipurpose Health Workers’ Union, said, “We were holding a peaceful protest outside the Gosain’s residence yesterday, but the police used force to disperse us. A large number of workers were injured and nine others arrested. We urge the district administration and the government to take strict action against the guilty police officials and withdraw cases registered against the protesting workers.” Kiran Bala, state president of the union, said, “We also handed over a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari in this regard. He assured us to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Satpal Gosain on September 26 in Chandigarh. We are now pinning our hopes on the outcome of this meeting.” At least six female health workers alleged today that they sustained injuries during yesterday’s lathi charge outside Gosain’s residence. Sarabjeet Kaur, one of the union members, said, “Ranjeet Kaur from Bathinda, Surjeet Kaur from Ludhiana, Kanwaljeet Kaur from Moga, Kuljinder Kaur from Ludhiana sustained grievous injuries.” One of the health workers alleged that her spectacles fell and got crushed in the melee to go with Shivani's story on health workers/police level allegations.
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Police lodges case against nine
Ludhiana, September 23 Meanwhile, the health workers alleged that the ACP (Central) had ordered cane charge on the workers protesting in a peaceful manner outside the minister’s residence. Harinder Dosanjh, convener, Sehat Mulazim Manch, said a large number of health workers sustained internal and external injuries in the melee. Contrary to the health workers’ claim, Rana said the entire incident had been videographed and there was no evidence to prove that the workers were cane charged. “Since these workers had virtually attacked women cops, we were left with no choice other than saving them from 150-odd protestors. Both policemen and workers sustained injuries during the brawl, but no force was used on them. Instead, they were the ones who attacked the police (lady constables),” added Rana.
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Celebrations turn sour
Jagraon, September 23 As soon as this news spread, a pale of gloom descended at Bansipura village near Jagraon, the native village of Kulwinder Singh, who is also among the 17 Indians stuck up in Sharjah. The family members of Kulwinder Singh, who were busy celebrating his homecoming till yesterday, were shocked to hear about the stay in the release of the youths. Surinder Kaur, mother of Kulwinder, fainted after hearing the news. The other members of the family too were shell-shocked and remained glued to televison to keep them abreast of the latest about these youths. “We aren’t aware of the reason behind the stay on their release. Though we talked to SP Singh Oberoi, who was helping in getting our son released, but he too isn’t aware what went wrong and where,” said a worried Baldev Singh, father of Kulwinder.
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Excise officials seize three hosiery consignments
Ludhiana, September 23 Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (mobile wing) Tejbir Singh Sidhu said a light commercial vehicle was intercepted while two other vehicles were caught after a chase from inside the Transport Nagar complex. The three vehicles were carrying 108 packages of hosiery goods and knitwear. The vehicles have been impounded and the consignors directed to produce the record of sale invoices and payment of taxes to get the consignments released. The department also raided a plywood showroom at the Bharat Nagar Chowk yesterday. The trading firm was evading VAT. Officials inspected the purchase and sale records and the VAT returns filed by the firm and seized some incriminating documents.
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Amritsar lads win softball championship
Ludhiana, September 23 In the hard-line cup match, hosts Ludhiana managed to prevail upon Jalandhar 2-1 to content with the third position. Earlier, in the league encounters, Kapurthala district blanked Muktsar district 10-0 while Bathinda beat Barnala 11-5 and Amritsar district scored a facile 11-0 victory over Kapurthala district. In other matches, Ludhiana district beat Gurdaspur district 6-1; Jalandhar district outnumbered Bathinda district 20-12 and Sangrur district squeezed past Moga district 2-1. In the semi-final, Amritsar district and Sangrur district recorded emphatic wins to settle for the title clash match. Amritsar district trounced Ludhiana district 10-0 while Sangrur district scripted an identical victory against Jalandhar district to enter
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Hockey tournament postponed
Ludhiana, September 23 Tournament to be organised at Prithipal Singh Memorial Astro Turf Stadium of Punjab Agricultural University from October 17 to 23 has been postponed for an indefinite period. The new dates will be announced after the stadium is ready by October 30.
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