Jalandhar, December 23
Four persons, including three students, were injured in a clash at a private school in Karol Bagh last evening.

Aniket’s uncle alleged that a few days ago his nephew had heated arguments with Vishal and Karan. He alleged that both the students had manhandled his nephew. “We have also complained to the school principal about it and he assured us to take strict action against them.”

He alleged that when he and his nephew were on their way to meet the principal, Vishal and Karan with a group go boys attaxcked them with sharp-edged weapons.

Vishal and his friend Karan, who also sustained injuries and were hospitalised, alleged that Aniket had been levelling false charges on them. Vishal alleged that on Thursday, Aniket and his uncle, who were carrying sharp-edged weapons, attacked them.

Investigating officer of the New Baradari police station said they had recorded the statements of both the parties. He said as the conflicting parties have been levelling allegations against each other and all were injured, the police would register a cross FIR against both the groups.

Jalandhar December 23
A high drama was witnessed today near Company Bagh Chowk when a man allegedly beat up a woman in full public view.

The man reportedly ill-treated the woman as he suffered huge loss the share market and he was holding the latter responsible for it.

In a statement to the police, the victim, Poonam, a resident of Ali Mohalla, alleged that a few months ago she used to work at a share market office at Namdev Chowk, but later quit the job due to some personal reasons.

The woman alleged that a Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Sultanpur, who owns a share broking office, had invested lakhs of rupees in the share market. The woman alleged that due to the sudden slump in the market, Bhupinder suffered a huge loss.

“When I was going to the market today, Bhupinder came and asked me to compensate the loss which he had suffered in the share market, the victim alleged. She alleged that Bhupinder started abusing her and even tried to manhandle her.

When she protested, the youth slapped her and started beating her up in full public view. The victim alleged that the accused, who claimed to have lost Rs 5 lakh in the share market, held her responsible for the loss. “The accused claimed that I had given him advice to invest in the share market,” the woman said.

The police took the victim and the accused to the New Baradari police station. Station house officer Beant Juneja said the woman sustained minor injuries on her face.

“We have sent the girl for medical examination to the Civil Hospital,” the SHO said. The police is awaiting the medical report to confirm the extent of injuries, he added.

Jalandhar, December 23
It was batch of 1962 of Sainik School, Kapurthala, when a group of young boys joined this institution to embark on the journey of the prestigious Indian armed forces.

The boys, a majority of who were from modest family backgrounds, apart from being from the same batch, shared a common destiny too. They all went on to become Lieutenant Generals and equivalents (Air Marshal), adding a glorious chapter in the history of the school.

Today, the boys-turned-officers Lt Gen AC Soneja, Lt Gen Gurdeep Singh, Lt Gen DS Thakur and Air Marshal Anil Chopra, besides other senior Army, Air Force, civil services, and police officers, were together for the golden jubilee celebrations of the Old Boys; Association of Sainik School, Kapurthala.

Enjoying their reunion under the sun and amidst an impressive band presentation, these officers were all nostalgic. The discussion of fond memories started from getting accustomed to English language, the strict punishments and the charm of daring adventures coupled with crushes.

“We were indeed a luxurious batch as we got to stay in the palace constructed by the Maharaja of Kapurthala. In fact we used to enjoy a certain amount of royal culture associated with it.” said Lt Gen Gurdeep Singh, who is presently Commandant, School of Artillery, Deolali (Pune).

The batch of 1962 was the last one to have stayed in the palace as later separate houses were constructed for boys. “When we joined the school, the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars took place and joining the armed forces was the only dream. And surprisingly, we never knew that there were ranks after Lt Col in the Army. Our knowledge was confined to this rank only,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra, Air Officer-in-charge-Personnel.

And how was the experience of studying and facing the harsh punishments? Lt Gen AC Soneja said: “We got the best education, discipline, sporting culture, traditions, values and punishment too. Our teachers would make us stand on one leg and with the passage of time we achieved perfection in that too.”

The officers said leave punishments, every single day spent in this institution paved way for us in the armed forces. “Initially for the first six months, we failed in majority of the subjects and English was a big problem,” said Lt Gen Gurdeep Singh, who came from a rural school.

Even Gen Soneja said that picking up English language was the most difficult work. “I had come from the Government School, Rainik Bazaar, Jalandhar. Then the big shift to Sainik School took place, but we coped well and scaled new heights,” he added.

Amid these nostalgic moments, the officers did not forget to mention their crushes and the charm of watching girls whenever they got a chance. “Oh yes. How can we forget our favourite teacher Mrs Chhachi who was amazingly cute. We used to enjoy her lectures a lot as her mere presence would make us feel so happy,” they added.

And then they also had those little golden chances of interacting with the day scholar girls, who all were the daughters of their teachers also residing on the school campus. “The girls were good and helpful. We still remember how they would help us in little attempts of cheating during our exams. The girls would conceal the answer slips to ensure that their friends pass with good percentage,” they said laughingly.

Yesterday, the officers held an interaction session with the students to motivate them to join the armed forces. Later, a formal dinner was also organised on the school premises for the officers, students and the faculty.

Jalandhar, December 23
The prevailing recession in the market is also taking its toll on the Christmas celebrations in the town.

As you move around in city markets, you can instantaneously make out preparations on the part of the shopkeepers for the gala festival, but shoppers somehow seem to be missing. The shops are decked up with huge X’mas trees, musical Santas, Christmas costumes, star-shaped lighting lamps, designer candles, hanging golden balls, bells, greetings and a variety of decoration material, but shopkeepers rue that there are hardly any buyers.

Gurdeep Singh Monga, who owns a gift shop in Model Town, says: “The Christmas season has been very low this year. It is worse than the last year as the festival-related sales have further dipped by 30 per cent. We have introduced a variety of new material this year to attract customers, but to no avail.”

City hotels have attractive Christmas décor in their reception lobbies, but there are hardly are any party plans. It’s just that they will have little elaborate buffets on the December 25 evening. Says Dimple, a senior sales executive at one of the city hotels: “There will be a dance party on New Year Eve, but not for the Christmas. We have an extensive buffet, which will include exotic cuisine. rum cake and unique desserts.”

Another restaurant that has been annually organising fancy dress and dance contests has also shelved off any plans this time. An event managing company, however, had organised a Christmas party tonight at its banquet. Another hotel is arranging a complimentary lunch buffet for families of its corporate clients wherein Santa would be giving gifts to children.

The bakers and confectioners also rue that there are no big orders this time. JS Arora, who has a bakery shop in Model Town, says: “We have already started laying plum cakes and black mousses which are in more demand. There, however, have been no big advance orders, but there of course are walk-in customers.” 

Jalandhar, December 23
In the wake of the BJP’s Jan Vishwas Rally, the city police claims to have made elaborated security arrangements. The rally is to be addressed by the top leadership of the BJP and Punjab Chief Minister at Rama Mandi on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road.

Addition security personnel have been deployed in and around the rally ground. Special police force has been put on duty to keep a close watch on every road leading to the venue.

Besides cops in civil dress, the police has also deployed additional force around the rally ground. Special metal detectors-equipped check posts have been set up at the entry and exit points at the venue and fire brigade vehicles, ambulances, dog squad and riot-control vehicles have been stationed at the spot.

A through screening of the ground was done with the help of metal detectors and sniffer dogs were also pressed into service today.

To regulate traffic, the police has earmarked routes for the vehicles ferrying supporters to the rally ground. Separate parking space has been made available for the vehicles coming from across the state.

The vehicles coming from the Ferozepur side to the venue via Nakodar have been asked to take Nakodar-Pratabhpur-Jamsher-Jalandhar Cantonment-Rama Mandi road, while the vehicles coming from the Amritsar side have been diverted from Lamba Pind Chowk to take the Jandu Singha road and reach the venue.

Those coming from the Kapurthala and Pathankot side have also been diverted from Lamba Pind Chowk to take the same route, while vehicles approaching from the Phagwara side may join the rally after taking a right turn from Rama Mandi Chowk on the GR Road.

The traffic police has appealed to the general public to follow the routes while coming and going back from the rally venue to avoid road blockades.

However, most of the senior police officials of the district (city and rural) today remained on their toes for making security arrangements for the arrival of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Nitin Gadkari, BJP’s national president to the city.

While Badal was on a visit to greet the Christian community on the eve of Christmas, Gadkari was here to launch his book in a hotel.

Meanwhile, Manoranjan Kalia, convener of the rally and spokesman of the Punjab BJP, said they were expecting a large turnout. Elaborated arrangements had been made for the parking, public utilities, meals, water, medical aid, etc.

Two stages have been set up for the rally - main stage for national leaders along with MLAS and core group leaders and the second stage for state office-bearers, chairmen and vice-chairmen of the state commission and boards. Three spacious parking places are in place for those attending the rally and packed lunch would be served at the venue. Three locations have been earmarked for langar.

There will be 10 toilet vans stationed at the venue.

The rally venue has been decorated with billboards detailing the government’s achievements and special area has been earmarked for women.