It was a dream come true for Hardip Kaur’s family after she delivered a baby boy on 11.11.11 at 11 seconds and 11 minutes past 11 at Dr Ranjit Khanna's Khanna Nursing Home in Khanna today. The ecstatic maternal uncle of the baby said it was a sweet gift which they would cherish their lifetime. For Balbir Singh, whose daughter delivered a baby boy today, it was yet another reminder of this magic of numbers. His daughter, who delivered a baby on 11.11.11 had got married on 9.9.9 (November 9, 2009). It sounds auspicious, he said. The best part was that the "triple 11 birthday" was not planned at all, he added.

A brilliant stopper, he slipped while stopping a raider from the opposite team and ruptured his spinal cord during a local kabaddi tournament held on February 2008.

Though the organisers had admitted him to a multi-specialty hospital in Ludhiana, nobody bothered to enquire about his fate after the doctors declared that a huge amount of money would be needed for his surgery and post-operative treatment.

The family was shocked when doctors told them that he would not be able to move either of his limbs if he wasn’t operated upon immediately. It was not possible for the family to arrange Rs 6 lakh required for the surgery.

Hailing from Dhatta village near Mullapur, Keepa’s family is looking for financial help to bail him out of the crisis.

“I don’t know how would I be able repay my wife Baljit Kaur and father Amar Singh, who are looking after me like a child,” added Keepa.

He said, “I along with my wife and two daughters will camp a few meters away from the stadium to grab the attention of onlookers at the plight of a kabaddi player. I know, I will be putting my life at risk, but I never thought of spending rest of my life on a wheelchair,” said Keepa. 

Ludhiana, November 11
The controversial cop SI Dilpreet Singh, who was already facing a disciplinary action for firing in the air at hill resort near Shimla during the new year eve celebrations, has courted yet another controversy after he was booked by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) police for allegedly assaulting his wife and snatching her gold ornaments.

The case was registered on the complaint of his wife Hardeep Kaur, who is a resident of Adarsh Nagar.

Hardeep, who was married to Dilpreet for nearly eight years, stated that on Novermber 8, Dilpreet assaulted her and snatched her gold ornaments.

She alleged that Dilpreet thrashed her at the behest of another woman, with whom he was having an extramarital affair.

Relatives said that the couple was doing fine till the time Dilpreet started a relationship with another woman.

"But ever since that woman entered the life of the cop, he not only suffered an ailment due to overdrinking but his professional career also saw a drastic decline and he was involved in one or the other controversy," said a close relative.

SHO PAU police station said a case under section 323, 341 and 382 of the IPC was registered on the complaints. 

Ludhiana, November 11
Sole thing that keeps them going is their never say die attitude. Disability is their worst enemy. They have to wage a battle against it everyday they wake up with and win over.

When the special children arrived at the Sutlej Club after the Olympic Torch Rally at Guru Nanak Public School, the welcome band was playing the tunes of “Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Ehe,” epitomizing the courageous smiles of their faces as they trudged forward. The 14th State three-day Special Olympics began at Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, today.

At least 500 special children from special schools like Ashirwaad, Ek Prayas and others are taking part in the event. A contingent of special athletes from Jammu and Kashmir is also participating in the games.

They are going to play games like races, badminton, handball, basketball, bocce, power lifting, football and cycling. Today about 14 groups of children participated in 50-meter race.

Harshveer, who walks on crutches, will take part in the wheelchair race. Rupinder Kaur is happy that her 11-year-old child Gurnoor Singh is participating in these games. “It is a good initiative,” she said.

“It is not easy for these children to participate in games. Despite this, they are doing their best,” said Ravi Bhushan, area director, Special Olympics, in the state. But through their willpower and training, they can do things, as some of them are able to even swim and dive, he added.

Pushpinder Sodhi from Ashirwaad School is proud of her students. “They have cleared numerous hurdles despite difficulties,” she said.

Jagraon, November 11
Tall claims by Gulzar Singh Ranike, Punjab minister for animal husbandry, fisheries, dairy development and welfare of schedule castes and backward classes; for improvement in the infrastructure of veterinary hospitals, Jagraon, fall flat as the hospitl still lacks basic facilities required for treatment of animals.

Even after the Civil Animal Hospital, Jagraon, got a new building when Gulzar Singh inaugurated it during a function held here yesterday, no new equipment was found as far as the facilities at the local veterinary hospital are concerned.

The state government has spent Rs 40 lakh on the construction of the building but not even a single penny was spent for providing other basic facilities and necessary equipments.

During a visit to hospital, it was found that though there was a separate X-ray, a sterilization, a pharmacy room and a laboratory but there was no X-ray machine, the sterilization room was full of bags of white cement stored in it and pharmacy room was full of boxes of paints and broken furniture.

“It is a good thing that the government has constructed a new building for the local veterinary hospital but if there are no equipments available at the hospital, the new building too is not of any use. If the government is really serious about improving the infrastructure in the veterinary hospitals, it should also provide necessary equipments. After all it is the equipments and latest machines which really count,” said Upkar Singh, a dairy farmer, present during the inauguration ceremony of the new building yesterday.

Another dairy farmer Pinku termed the construction of new building mere wastage of money in the absence of modern equipments. “The new building will serve no purpose if the new equipments and machines are not available. The building is not going to play any role in the treatment of animals, it is the availability of expert doctors which are crucial and if the government fails to provide all these facilities, the new building will be of no use, said he.

Deputy director animal husbandry department Dr Joginder Singh, when contacted, said the department will be installing new machines in the hospital soon will also provide latest equipments and other material required for the treatment of the animals to the hospital in the near future, he added.

Ludhiana, November 11
The Nehru Sidhant Kendre Trust, an NGO, today distributed an amount of Rs 15 lakh among 1,008 meritorious students of various schools and colleges of Ludhiana in a function here today.

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory Chandigarh, Shivraj V Patil was the chief guest on the occasion.

While addressing the gathering, Patil said Pt Nehru was an apostle of peace and architect of modern India. He appreciated the role of Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust for propagating ideologies of the late Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and in providing help to the poor and weaker sections of society irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

He said Pt Nehru encouraged the development of science and technology and his wide vision and policies led to a sizeable growth in agriculture and industrial production. He stressed upon imbibing principles of Pt Nehru in a true spirit to create a healthy society.

Patil conferred Sat Pal Mittal National Award-2011 for outstanding service to humanity to Dr Ibrahim G Thomas, director CMC Ludhiana, and A Balakrishanan, vice-president of Vivekanand Rock Memorial Kendra, Kanyakumari.

Earlier, Patil visited Field Fresh Foods Private Limited at Ludhiana and interacted with farmers.

He also visited all sections of the processing unit of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence, right from raw material section to the packaging unit of baby corn processing plant.

Rakesh Bharti Mittal explained at length to the Governor regarding the working, production and export of the excellence centre.

Patil also visited Sat Pal Mittal School in Ludhiana and visited all classrooms and interacted with the students. He appreciated the efforts of the school director, Col DB Sharma.

Ludhiana, November 11
It has been two days since the police booked a doctor in a medical negligence case, which resulted in the death of a 45-year-woman, and the cops are still groping in the dark.

Except doctor’s name and that he was an MD and came from the USA, investigating official has nothing at hand. “How will the police identify the doctor, as they do not have his picture?” asked Lakhbir Singh, husband of deceased Narinder Kaur, while accusing the investigation process.

Investigating official Sarabjit Singh said, “We have issued a lookout notice to the airport authorities and conducted raids at two-three places where the accused was suspected to be hiding. Yes, we do not have the photo of the doctor, but we are sure the accused would be nabbed soon.”

On the other hand, Lakhbir Singh claimed that the US-based doctor fled back following the incident.

Narinder Kaur was suffering from knee pain. On November 6 during a medical check-up camp organised by the Bhai Kanhaiya Charitable Trust on the Hambran road near Shamrock School, Narinder Kaur was given an injection for knee pain by Ranjit Singh, who according to the police is a US-based doctor.

“Within few minutes after being administered injection my wife died. Medical camp organisers and doctor fled from the scene,” said Lakhbir Singh.

Besides the doctor, Amarjit Singh Chawla, a resident of Vallipur Khurd and chairman of the Bhai Kanhaiya Charitable Trust, were also booked by the Ladowal police under Section 304 A of the IPC here yesterday.

Jagraon, November 11
At a time when there was a rat race among couples to have a baby born on this special day i.e. November 11, here was a couple that was blessed with a girl child on this special day. What makes the birth of this girl child more special is the fact that the baby was born at 11.11 am today.

Another co-incidence to the birth of this child, which makes this moment special, is the fact that the couple was blessed with the girl child after 11 years of the birth of their first child. The couple had given birth to their first child, a boy, 11 years ago.

Quite interestingly, at a time when the couples all over the world were keen to give birth to a child on this special day and some of them were even requesting doctors to get the baby delivered through operation, the parents and family members of this special girl child were not even aware of this strange co-incidence even during the birth of the child.

Hailing from Pone De Kothe, a small village on the outskirts of Jagraon, the family members of the newly born child came to know about the importance of the day when mediapersons rushed to Sanjeevani Maternity Home situated on the Malak road, Jagraon, where the baby was born this morning.

Dr Preeti Gupta, the gynaecologist, said the girl child was born with a normal delivery. According to Dr Preeti, even she was not aware of this strange co-incidence.

“I was not aware of the importance of this day and when Daljit Kaur, mother of the newly born child, was brought to my hospital this morning, I was just thinking of a safe and comfortable birth of the child. I, too, came to know about the importance of the day when some mediapersons arrived here and asked me about the baby,” said the excited doctor.

Jang Singh, father of this newly born baby, said, “Till morning he was not aware of the importance of the day.”

Meanwhile, another couple from nearby Manuke village also gave birth to a baby boy on this special day. Amritpal Singh Sandhu and his wife Manvinder Kaur were blessed with a boy today at a Ludhiana hospital at 11.59 am.

Ludhiana, November 11
Although I have received many awards for my achievements, the prestigious “Sat Pal Mittal National Award-2011” has come up as a big surprise to me. This was said by Dr Abrahim G Thomas, director CMC, Ludhiana, after receiving this award here today at the Nehru Sidhant Kender, which was conferred upon him by the Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust.

Dr Abraham, a professor of plastic surgery and microsurgery, hails from Calicut, Kerala. He has been in the city since 1968 when he came to the CMC for MBBS. He excelled in specialised training in hand surgery and microsurgery in the USA and Ljubljania in Yugoslavia under Dr Marko Godino. He set up microsurgery department at the CMCH in 1983 and since then it has been the pioneering centre of reattachment of amputated fingers, hands, limbs, scalp and other organs in addition to composite tissue transfer like toes to make fingers, etc.

Dr Thomas who has trained more than 40 surgeons, besides taking reconstructive surgical expertise to the villages in Punjab and adjacent regions said, “My dream is to provide my best of the services to people through CMCH, irrespective of caste and creed."

Dr Thomas, who acted as principal from 1992 to 2001, became director of the CMCH in 2008.

While A Balakrishanan, vice-president of Vivekanand Rock Memorial Kendra, Kanyakumari, who was also conferred with the “Sat Pal Mittal National Award- 2011” for outstanding services to humanity said, “2013-2014 will be the 150th birth anniversary year of Swami Vivekanand.

Balakrishnan said, “By next year, we will involve youngsters and people from all walks of life to celebrate the year based on the ideals and teaching of Swami Vivekanand. We will focus on tribes, rural areas, villages, women and youth.” 

A Balakrishanan, vice-president of Vivekanand Rock Memorial Kendra, Kanyakumari, was also conferred with the “Sat Pal Mittal National Award- 2011” for outstanding services to humanity. He said, “The year 2013-2014 will be celebrated as the 150th birth anniversary year of Swami Vivekanand. Balakrishnan further added, “We will involve youngsters and people from all walks of life to celebrate the year based on the ideals and teaching of Swami Vivekanand.

Jagraon, November 11
A delegation of Ecuador artistes put up a spectacular display of folk traditions from South America, leaving students and spectators spellbound with their mesmerising dancing skills and artistic reflections during the Punjab International Folk Festival (PIFF) organised by the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC) at GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, near Jagraon yesterday.

Ecuador’s folk artistes led by director Carlos Jonathan Minota of the Tierra-Nagra International Folk Group depicted the folk traditions of Ecuador, displaying world famous “Marimba” and other folk instruments from Ecuador. Carlos enthralled the audience with his songs, whereas foot-tapping dances by Jackson lssac, Fedcrico Fernando, Silvano Alfredo, Miguel Angel, Johny Miguel and female performers Diana Karolina, Monica Katherine and Maria Elizabeth were the cynosure of all eyes.

Ludhiana, November 11
The Punjab Technical University (PTU) organised Inter-Zonal Youth Festival at a management college here today.

PTU has more than 400 colleges affiliated to it throughout Punjab that are divided into four zones and after completion of the inter-college youth festivals, all zones will send first and runners-up teams for the final Inter-Zonal Youth Festival.

The festival was inaugurated by Dr SS Johl, former deputy chairman, Planning Commission, Punjab, and Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala. During his inaugural address, the chief guest exhorted the students to take part in the cultural activities. He emphasised that music has got no language, but it unites the nations with its universal appeal.

The chief guest also expressed regrets that he left learning tabla in the middle and would like to learn music even today. He commended the students’ performance in classical dance.

Surinder Singh Sodhi, IPS, DIG, PAP Jalandhar, and former Olympian was the chief guest for prize distribution function. While addressing the students, he emphasised that the students must work hard to achieve success in their future career. In this era of computerisation, they have to keep pace with the changing technologies. Harsimarjit Singh Bains, councillor and member Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was the guest of honour.

The results:

Rangoli: 1st R Srujitha from DAVIT, Jalandhar; 2nd Jiwanjot Kaur from BBSBEC, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Aditi Sharma from MIMIT, Malout.

Classical dance: 1st Navleen Kaur from DAVIET; 2nd Amritpal Kaur from RIET.

Indian light vocal group: 1st Navleen Kaur from DAVIET, Jalandhar; 2nd RIET.

Elocution: 1st Sumel Kamal from DAVIET, Jalandhar; 2nd Saloni Sharma from APJIM, Jalandhar.

Pasta making: 1st Shewta Kalia from DAVIET; 2nd Shayna Singh from RIET.

Skit: Ist DAVIET, 2nd BBSBEC.

Indian light vocal solo: 1st Harsharandeep Singh, DAVIET; 2nd Mafia from MIMIT.

Folk song: 1st Mafia from MIMIT, 2nd Gursharan Singh, DAVIET, and Amrit Kaur from SCP (Nangal).

Bhangra: 1st GNIMT; 2nd DAVIET, Jalandhar, RIET, Rail Majra.

Vaar singing: 1st RIET; 2nd DAVIET and GNDEC.

Ludhiana, November 11
The growth of city-based textile industries has close linkage between use of advanced technology, cluster development, favourable socio-economic environment and work culture, including easy accessibility of unskilled and skilled labour. At the same time, success of a majority of local textile-based industrial units is also attributable to good environment practices.

This was revealed in the preliminary findings of a study conducted by the Ludhiana Citizens’ Health Council under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. The motive behind it was to identify the factors behind the success of textile-based industries. The overall objective of this study was to ascertain the causes of success of technology-based textile unites and their contribution to the national economy.

“This policy has lead them to achieve high success rate with good environmental practices,” the study stated.

In view of the well-established fact that the industrial capital of the state contributes almost 80 per cent of the total woollen and acrylic output of the economy, it is interesting to note that nearly 40 per cent of the large-scale units are using in-house training and research and development facilities for increasing the production and reducing the cost in international markets for their product’s sale. Almost without exception, the large-scale units were found to be following eco-friendly policies.

According to Principal Investigator Dr SC Gupta, who is also the secretary general of the Ludhiana Citizens’ Health Council, the study was carried out under the guidance and technical support of a “Local Project Advisory Committee” consisting of prominent textile industrialists, textile engineers, chartered accountant, management experts and representatives of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

“This study is based on multi-stage sampling procedure under which initially a sample of 1,500 textile units was taken. The samples was drawn through stratified random sampling procedure from one of the zones of the Municipal Corporation out of the two zones predominantly consisting of textile industries. At the second stage, 200 technology-based industries having substantial growth in-terms of production, sale, manpower, research and development were identified.

In order to facilitate the screening of the 20-best textile industries, a technology- based industrial index was prepared. Separate scores were assigned to different factors such as use of technology, infrastructure development, productivity, turnover rate and profit etc.

Ludhiana, November 11
Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner, Rahul Tewari, suspended a clerk working at Sub- Registrar (Central) office today.

He said, “ A clerk named Vikas has been found guilty of not depositing the registration fee on the same day. He kept the fees with himself for three to four days. Any clerk or employee handling registration fee is supposed to deposit it by evening or next morning. A Tehsildar informed me that Vikas failed to deposit the fees on the same day. So I suspended and charge sheeted him. He will have to explain as why he filed to deposit the amount within fixed timeframe.” 

Doraha, November 11
Four members of Kaushal family of Doraha celebrated their birthday today i.e. 11/11/11.

Neeraj Kaushal, who has turned 20, celebrated his birthday with Surita, his aunt, who has turned 40 and Sunidhi Kaushal, his cousin who has turned six today.

All three shared their special moments with their relative, Amit Kaushal, who is presently in New Zealand and turned 24 today.

Amit shared, “I was simply enamoured with the feeling of my birthday falling on such a special date, but at the same time I was nostalgic about my separation from my parents and relatives.”

Every year, Surita, the aunt of three, who is married at Mandi Gobindgarh, comes to Kaushal house to celebrate her birthday with her nephews and niece. “But this time it was a rare occasion and we were eagerly waiting for the day. This day has really become an unforgettable one and we shall recall it year after year,” shared Surita.

Ludhiana
Literary symposium: A symposium was organised on new poetry collection of Ravindra Aggarwal “Fana Hoti Zindagi”. Speaking at the occasion, participant said the poet had successfully portrayed the pain and agony of the society at large. “Especially his barbs against the social evils are commendable,” he said. — OC

LUDHIANA
Career counselling: Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, organised a career-counselling seminar for students of the senior section. The seminar was aimed at acquainting students with the career options after Class XII. Experts from the field of science, commerce and management and defence were the resource persons.

Ludhiana, November 11
A few city-based gymnasiums have stopped concentrating on weight training as part of a daily regimen of exercise and added activities like power yoga and kickboxing to spice up our lives.

Though aerobics have long been part of the fitness regimen of a large number of people, a few fitness experts, in their training programmes, have also adopted the improvised forms of boot camp.

Boot camp derives it name and workout pattern from military training camp. The module of training may vary according to person’s requirement, but most of them club running, interval training and other exercises together. Weight-training exercises helps in reducing the body fat, increase cardiovascular efficiency, build endurance and stamina. All this has been keeping in mind that frequent visit to a gymnasium and following similar schedule every week can be boring for people. Boot-camp training if performed in groups can help people get into habit of exercising regularly. “It can also be performed outdoors,” says Amanjot Singh, a resident of Dev Nagar.

Pilates is more of an endurance workout. It comprises resistance bands, large exercise balls and rotating disks. It requires more focus, precise and perfect movements and concentration.

“Fitness can only be achieved through a combination of regular exercises, balanced diet and rest,” says Rajesh Jolly, a fitness trainer at a gymnasium in Ghumar Mandi. “If one of these elements is missing, you can’t be declared fit,” he adds.

“Changing the routine is essential. Combining different sets of workouts gives a good change to people,” says another fitness expert.

A few gymnasiums are providing massage, spa and steam bath in addition to other facilities. “These help in relaxing and rejuvenating after the workout, which is equally important,” said Priyanka of a gym on the Mall Road.

“We regularly get members of our club to perform power yoga and aerobics,” says an expert at Libra Health Club.

“A training programme can only be good if it aims at giving good cardio workout and also building endurance and flexibility,” says Jolly.