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Eye on polls, leaders seek to take development credit
Move closer to nature is farmers’ message from organic bazaar
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Disability no bar for this academician
Students flee with question papers after spat with invigilator
Voluntary donors stir the blood to provide succour to needy
Revival of Bird Hospital on the cards in Bathinda
Hike in Verka milk price by Rs 2 per lt
Baba Farid College to host zonal youth festival
Protesting Farad Kendra employees clean road in protest
Local lad puts focus on preserving state’s heritage
Gandhi Jayanti observed
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Eye on polls, leaders seek to take development credit
Bathinda, October 1 Terming the construction of streets, roads etc as development work, they also address the people and laud the efforts of the state government. Today, Bathinda Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman visited the Model Town Phase-III area along with SAD leader Sarup Singla. Residents of the area welcomed the leaders with garlands and also raised slogans in their favour for initiating the project for recarpeting the roads. Residents said the roads were not repaired during the last five years and now it is being done because of the 'efforts' of the Mayor and the SAD leader. The project for laying road in the Model Town-Phase-III area has, however, been initiated by the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) that will spend nearly Rs 70 lakhs on it. "It will take at least seven to ten days to begin as the work orders for the project have been received only yesterday," said Junior Engineer (JE) of the BDA, Prem Kumar. Kumar said that only two or three patches were fixed today near the Civil Lines police station and the work of laying premix would be started after about a week. The level of roads in the area would be raised by an inch and rough patches would be levelled. He added that the project has been initiated by the BDA and he has no idea about the work being started by the political leaders. The Mayor also visited the streets in Dhobiana Basti and enquired about the problems being faced by the residents. He assured of connecting the sewerage system upto the cantonment road to drain out water. Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman said the re-carpeting of road was indeed a project under the BDA but he had gone there to inaugurate a cleanliness drive before the start of the re- carpeting. SAD leader Sarup Singla said he had gone there to enquire into the actual problems of the people. "Even if it was the work of the BDA, we had visited the place to ensure fair execution of the project,” he said. BDA Administrator Uma Shankar Gupta, however, said that construction work initiated by the Bathinda Development Authority have been taken up as per the instructions and funds provided by the state government. "Any political leader may turn up to claim credit for the developmental work and it can not be stopped," Gupta said.
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Move closer to nature is farmers’ message from organic bazaar
Bathinda, October 1 An initiative of the Kheti Virasat Mission under the Kudrati Aahar Parivar, a unit of the farmers selling organic produce, the organizers expect more farmers to join and turn this weekly market into a daily one. Farmers Amarjeet Sharma from Chaina, Gora Singh from Jaito, Gurmail Singh Dhillon, also from Jaito, Hartej Singh from village Mehta, Harjant Singh from Raike Kalan, Swarn Singh from Karamgarh Chhatran and Harmeet Singh from Goniana Mandi participated on the opening day of the market today. They had brought organic wheat (in dalia as well as flour form), basmati rice, black gram, fenugreek, mustard oil, moong dal and mulatthi. In vegetables, organically grown ladyfingers, ridge gourd (tori), garlic and tori were up for grabs. "These things have been grown without using even a single chemical. The dalia is so tasty that it can be eaten without adding any sugar and has a complete profile of the necessary nutrients and oils found in it," said Umendra Dutt, the director of Kheti Virasat Mission. Today, a sale of Rs 10,000 was registered and buyers sought out most the vegetables. The rates were 10 per cent to 40 per cent more than the usual rates of inorganic commodities in the market. The farmers with smallest land holdings included Amarjeet with six acres of land and Gora Singh with five acres of land. Harjant Singh has the largest land holding of 37 acres and he grows organic crops in his entire field. All the participating farmers have been growing food organically at least for the last five years. Dutt added that the use of organic products gains larger significance as the Bathinda region is reeling under the high incidence of cancer. While over use of pesticides is considered as a reasons for the high rate of cancer, consuming organic foods is considered to be a step closer towards the natural diet.
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Disability no bar for this academician
Bathinda, October 1 A resident of Bathinda, Prithpal is currently assistant professor, Rajiv Gandi National Law University, Patiala, teaching constitutional law and human rights for the underprivileged. “Disability is a misnomer. Such people have special ability. We need opportunities and not sympathy," says Prithpal who is thankful to her husband Jagdev Singh, brother and mother who have stood by her. At the young age of 33, she has penned two books. "I had this itch to be different. All we need is little support,” she said. She demanded that besides providing quota to the disabled, the government make its offices buildings disabled-friendly.
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Students flee with question papers after spat with invigilator
Bathinda, October 1 In a complaint to the police, exam superintendent Sikandar Dhillon said that some students appearing in the English exam of class XII were warned for carrying chits. The students, however, threatened the teachers with dire consequences and said they will qualify in the exams by cheating. The superintendent said a case of cheating would be slapped on them and the police would be informed about their conduct. The students fled after taking their question papers along with the answer sheets. Sikandar Dhillon said the students were allowed to read the question papers at 2 pm and the incident took place just a few minutes after the distribution of question paper and the answer sheets. He said only six students were missing out of the 131 present during the exams. Though a DDR has been lodged in this regard, no case has been registered by the police at the Civil Lines police station. Police officials said they are inquiring into the matter and a case would be registered.
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Voluntary donors stir the blood to provide succour to needy
Bathinda, October 1
There are reportedly about a dozen persons in Bathinda, who have donated blood voluntarily 40 times or more. The list includes Vinod Bansal of the Aasra Welfare Society (103 times), Vijay Bareja of the Goodwill Society (93 times), Hardeep Singh Sra of the United Welfare Society (82 times), Ramesh Mehta of the Aasra Welfare Society (60 times), Basant Bhatt of the Aasra Welfare Society (49 times), Amritpal Singh (45 times), Sonu Maheshwari of the Naujwan Welfare Society (40 times), Birbal Bansal of the United Welfare Society (40 times), Ajaib Singh (40 times) and Maan Singh (40 times). Speaking to the TNS, Vinod Bansal, whose blood group is B negative, said he runs a cattle feed shop. He has been donating blood since July 11, 1982. Bansal said he had donated blood for the first time at an NSS camp in Sivian village after his uncle Hazari Lal Bansal from Rampura Phul motivated him. Since then, he had motivated about 5,000 persons to donate blood. Vijay Bareja, who donated blood on October 2, 1982 for the first time, appealed to the people to make blood donation a habit. Hardeep Singh Sra, a physically disabled handicapped and an employee in the District Social Security Office here, donated blood for the first time in 1995 at the PGI, Chandigarh, voluntarily. He said till now he had donated blood for 33 times at the PGI, due to which he was a master card-holder of the PGI. He said he donates blood after every three months but on every February 29 he donates blood without fail. Ramesh Mehta, who donated blood for the first time in 1989 at the Government Hospital, Bathinda, said people should not hesitate in donating blood as after donating blood the donor does not face any type of weakness. Amritpal Singh, who is an operator in the Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited here, said he had been donating blood for the past 13 years. He asked the people to come forward for joining the blood donation campaign in a big way to serve the people for saving the lives of needy. Sonu Maheshwari said he started donating blood in 1999. Since then he had been donating blood as he was of the view that blood donation was a noble social cause and everyone should go for it at least once or twice in a year. And a noble social cause it is as it helps save the lives of others bringing joy on their faces and motivating others to make blod donation a mass campaign.
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Revival of Bird Hospital on the cards in Bathinda
Bathinda, October 1 Regarding closure of the Bird Hospital by the Sabha several years ago, president of the Sabha Umesh Jain revealed that the Sabha had closed the hospital as no injured or sick birds at that time were brought by the people. He said now some NGOs including 'People for Animal Society' (Bathinda) that had been working for the welfare of the birds and the Sabha were in touch. So, they had decided to revive the hospital. He said the NGOs lacked space for setting up a hospital while the Sabha had been facing problems in arranging manpower. Therefore, they would now join each other to ensure the welfare of the birds, he added. He said they had also some cages for the birds. Besides, the Sabha would also depute a veterinary doctor to treat the injured and the sick birds. However, in the absence of a Bird Hospital in Bathinda, a drive is being run in the city by the NGO 'People for Animal Society' (Bathinda) to save the birds. The NGO has so far reportedly treated 250 injured or sick birds during the last two years including pigeons, sparrows, white pigeons, parrots, Harhar and Maina. Besides, the NGO with the help of donors, has also got 100 small and big umbrellas installed for the birds. President of the 'People for Animal Society' (Bathinda) Gaurav Goyal revealed that the main problem, which they faced was that though they received phone calls almost daily from the people about the injured or sick birds from different areas of the city but they had no proper hospital for their treatment. So they themselves treated the birds and then allowed them to fly. He said they wanted that the ‘Bird Hospital’ should be revived immediately in the Pujaan Wala Mohalla here. Gaurav Goyal and his team have been treating the birds in a mobile Maruti van as of now. Gaurav’s father Ashok Chaudhary also treats the birds at his ration depot, situated in Harpal Nagar here. He also said they would launch a drive in December to save the birds from the Chinese kiteline on Basant festival. They would appeal to the people not to fly kites, he added.
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Hike in Verka milk price by Rs 2 per lt
Bathinda, October 1 Earlier, the prices were first hiked in March by Re 1 per litre on all milk variants and the other by Rs 2 per litre in May. The residents of the area are already suffering due to the shortage of Verka butter and ghee. "Everything from machinery fuel to milk is going out of common man's reach. The prices revised for the third time would again disturb the budget of some families," said Babita Sharma. “As we trust the Verka brand, we buy the milk despite the hike in the price. Though the rates have been increased by the cooperative, we cannot buy any other brand,” said Manoj. “The hike in the price may not affect the upper class. However, it makes a difference to the common consumers' budget. The price has been revised for the third time. Who knows if the price is revised again? Ultimately, the customers of Verka will have to turn towards the other private brand, if they provides milk for lesser prices than Verka,” said Gurpal Singh. On being asked, JK Gupta, general manager, Verka Milk Plant, Bathinda, said, “The prices were to be hiked earlier as the milk procurement rates for farmers have been increased. However, the customers would not shift to any private competitor in the market as they also increase their product rates accordingly. Moreover, the Verka is the most trusted brand among the customers.”
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Baba Farid College to host zonal youth festival
Bathinda, October 1 Chief Engineer, PSPCL, Jaspal Singh would be the chief guest and Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon, Dean, Youth Development, Punjabi University, will preside over it. Ranbir Rana and Rupinder Honda are the special performers at the event. On the second day of the event, plays, mimicry, debate, poems, classical instrument, speech, western vocal solo, western group songs, cartooninng, clauses and poster competitions would be held in the morning session wherein Controller, Punjabi University, Dr Pawan Singla would be the chief guest. Additional controller Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu would preside over it. SDM Bathinda Sandeep Rishi would be the chief guest at the second session and Dr Paramvir Singh, Coordinator, NSS, would preside over it. Bhangra, mime and skit competitions would be held on the third day. Chief guest would be IG Bathinda Nirmal Singh Dhillion while Dr Jamsheed Ali Khan, Dean, College Development Council, would preside over it. The prize distribution function would be held in te second session wherein BDA Administrator Uma Shanker would be the chief guest. Pawan Garg, AETC, would preside over. Famous Punjabi singer Feroz Khan would perform on that day.
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Protesting Farad Kendra employees clean road in protest
Bathinda, October 1 During their protest from the Mini-secretariat to bus stand, the protesters also raised slogans against the state government and in support of their demand. Meanwhile, the fast-unto-death, started by the 13 employees of the Punjab Land Records Society outside the Mini-secretariat here, entered its second day today. However, the employees of the society, working in various Fard Kendras through out the state, have been staging dharna here since September 26. As per the information, Surinder Kaur, who began fast-unto-death along with 12 others here, today complained about her health. She was examined by a doctor. Gagandeep Singh, vice-president of the Association, said they had no alternative but to adopt methods such as cleaning the road, to convey their message to the state government, which had been turning a deaf ear towards their demand so far. He further said the fast-unto-death by the employees would continue until the acceptance of their demand. He said in case of any health problem of the employees observing fast-unto-death, the state government would be responsible.
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Local lad puts focus on preserving state’s heritage
Bathinda, October 1 Harbhajan said, “I never knew that one day, I would be able to play so many instruments. When I joined the Rajindra College, I was not even aware of folk instruments. Soon, I got attracted to music, which has become my passion now.” Harbhajan says he can play most of the folk instruments like Dhol, Tumbi, Algoza, Bhugdu, Ghara, Dhad, Dafli and Chimta. “My teacher Suresh Kumar, who was from Amritsar, taught me basics of playing flute and in just two days, I could play it properly.” Ask him if there was any one else in his family who is associated with the art of music, he replies: “The only link was that when my father was young, he wanted to learn singing but he could not fulfil his dream owing to family circumstances.” Harbhajan's father is a Class IV employee in postal department and the only breadwinner in the family. "I wanted to quit studies and do some job to help my father in meeting the financial needs of our family. But looking at my sincere efforts, my teachers forced me to learn more music and even paid my fees for post-graduation." Passionate for his instruments, he said, "After my parents, it is the music that I love and respect the most." These days, Harbhajan is training students of the Rajindra College for their competitions in the upcoming zonal youth festival.
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Gandhi Jayanti observed
Bathinda, October 1 A student of Class V, Lalita, threw a light on the life and principles of Mahatma. Saranjeet, a student of class VI sang a patriotic song. School in-charge Laxmi Deep Goyal and vice-principal Amandeepexhorted the students to work hard.
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With the Vidhan Sabha elections round the corner, local political leaders are leaving no opportunity to interact with the public and take credit for even providing the basic facilities to the residents of the area.
The organic (chemical-free) food has come nearer home with the weekly Kisan Organic Bazaar that started today.
Bathinda, October 1
The revival of the Bird Hospital, which was closed several years ago by the local SS Jain Sabha in the Pujaan Wala Mohalla here, is on the cards as the Sabha has decided to set up the same by the end of October, this year. For the purpose, the Sabha's office-bearers had already visited the bird hospitals at Jaitu and Delhi to learn as to how the natural atmosphere and care could be provided to the birds.
Bathinda, October 1
Bathinda, October 1
The voluntary blood donors on the occasion of the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day today exhorted the people to come forward in large numbers to donate blood voluntarily. Some of them were of the view that people should not be afraid of donating blood as it did not have any adverse effect on the health of the donor. One of them even asked the people to adopt the principle of 'donate blood at least once in a year'.
