Six days later, Another Central jail inmate dies
Bathinda, February 19
There seems to be no let-up in deaths of the inmates of Bathinda Central Jail. Following four deaths reported last year, two deaths of the inmates have already been reported this year. Most of the inmates, who had died, were said to be ailing due to old age and because of failure to get proper medical treatment due to overcrowding and lack of other basic amenities.

Tehsildar Avtar Singh Makkar along with relatives of the jail inmate who died at the Civil Hospital in Bathinda on Sunday. Photo: Bhupinder Dhillon

Floodlights change Bathinda’s skyline, bring the city in limelight
Bathinda, February 19
The ‘city of sand dunes’ has been undergoing a change, rather a pleasant change. From the landscape to the skyline, nothing has been left untouched by the undercurrent that is bringing in a fresh outlook to the city, which was, hitherto, famous or perhaps ‘infamous’ as the ‘city of sand dunes’ because those were the only elevation the city’s landscape had in the past.

canine care Dog lovers join hands to take care of the faithful animal on city streets

Bathinda, February 19 A group of young boys in the city have taken it upon themselves to provide care to stray dogs in the city. Six months ago, three boys joined hands to work in this direction and since then, the group has grown to have as many as 25 members. Boys volunteer and pick up the stray dogs from the city and provide them with food and shelter at an open place on the Goniana road. Members of the Street Dog Club feed stray dogs at a shelter raised on a land on the Bathinda-Goniana road. Photo: Bhupinder Dhillon

Booths set up in the city, pulse polio drive begins Bathinda, February 19 The three-day pulse polio campaign was launched today in Bathinda district. Under the campaign, children below the age of five years will be administered polio drops. Deputy Commissioner, Kamal Kishore Yadav, inaugurated the campaign by giving polio drops to children at a polio booth in Ganesha Basti. He urged the parents to bring their children to the polio booths.

Deputy Commissioner, Kamal Kishore Yadav, administering polio drops to a child at a pulse polio booth set up in Ganesha Basti in Bathinda on Sunday. Photo: Bhupinder Dhillon

Seminar to throw light on social and cultural changes
Bathinda, February 19
The Department of Philosophy, Government Rajindra College is organising a UGC-sponsored national conference on ‘Social and Cultural Changes: Prospects and Challenges for Youth’ on February 21 and 22.

JAC concerned over the use of phosphate fertiliser
Bathinda, February 19
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), Bathinda has expressed concern over the recent report of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) indicating that the use of phosphate fertilizer having high concentration of uranium (70-100 PPM) could be a reason for groundwater contamination in the Malwa region.

More than 5,000 students appear for the BFGI scholarship exam Bathinda, February 19 The scholarship test organised by Baba Farid Group of Institutions here today got a huge response as more than 5,000 students appeared for it. The test was held under the ‘BFGI Scholarship & Concession Policy-2012’ which aims to offer scholarships and fee concessions worth Rs 1 crore to meritorious students of class X and class XII.

Students of classes X and XII line up on the premises of Baba Farid Group of Institutions before the scholarship exam in Bathinda on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

City to wear festive look on Mahashivratri today
Bathinda, February 19
City is all set to wear a festive look on Monday to celebrate the Mahashivratri, an important festival according to Hindu mythology. Temples across the city have been decked up to mark the festival. As per the priest of a Gonina Road temple, Shivaratri is celebrated on the night of the dark ‘phalgun’ in the month of February or March every year.

IIFS honours Adesh professor
Bathinda, February 19
Dr Jagjit Singh Bahia, associate professor (medicine) at Adesh Medical College, was honoured by the Indian International Friendship Society (IIFS) during a function held in New Delhi for extending help to the poor and under-privileged patients.

Revisiting childhood
Grandparents of students of the junior wing of DPS participate in activities during the celebration of Granparents Day in the school in Bathinda on Saturday. Tribune photographs	Tiny tots from the junior wing of DPS perform a skit during the celebration of Grandparents Day in their school.

Six days later, Another Central jail inmate dies
No let-up in deaths of the Bathinda Central Jail inmates; third death reported this year; official denies lack of facilities in the jail
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
There seems to be no let-up in deaths of the inmates of Bathinda Central Jail. Following four deaths reported last year, two deaths of the inmates have already been reported this year. Most of the inmates, who had died, were said to be ailing due to old age and because of failure to get proper medical treatment due to overcrowding and lack of other basic amenities.

A 72-year-old Balwant Singh undergoing life imprisonment in a murder case died at the Civil Hospital today. This the second death during the past one week.

Jail authorities said Balwant was suffering from tuberculosis, and he was also treated for asthma.

The doctors on the jail premises offered him medicines but he could not survive.

Tehsildar Avtar Singh Makkar, who was present during the post-mortem of the body, said the deceased fell unconscious in one of the toilets of the jail last evening. He was referred to the Civil Hospital by doctors in the jail. He died at the hospital.

The inmate along with his two young sons was lodged in the jail since 1998 in connection with a murder case.

Makkar said as per the guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission, a three-member committee should monitor the post-mortem and probe the reasons behind the death of the inmates in jail.

Makkar pointed out that overcrowding could be one of the reasons behind a large number of deaths taking place on the jail premises.

“There is every possibility of spread of infection as the inmates seldom wash their clothes and use blankets of each other and also use common toilets and huddle together while sleeping,” he said.

Makkar pointed out that the inmates who died in the recent past in the jail were above 60 years. “It is quite difficult to keep elderly people in the jail that lacks basic facilities, including the health facilities. The state and Centre governments must intervene to look into such problems,” he said.

Bathinda Jail Superintendent Prem Kumar Garg, however, said there seemed to be no lack of basic facilities and medical assistance.

“Most of the inmates died due to old age and other ailments. There is no overcrowding reported in Bathinda jail these days as 200 to 300 inmates were shifted to the Mansa jail two months ago,” the jail superintendent said.

The date-line

• 19 May, 2011: Sukhdev (35) alias Bedi died after his condition deteriorated. He was booked under the NDPS Act.
• 9 October, 2011: Bikar Singh, 90, of Chotian village in Muktsar died after his condition deteriorated in the jail. He was undergoing life imprisonment under Section 302 of the IPC.
• 13 October, 2011: Ajaib Singh (65) of Yatri village died in the Civil Hospital. He was accused of rape bid on a minor.
• 28 September, 2011: Major Singh (34) tried to commit suicide by cutting the veins of his arm. He reportedly took the extreme step due to the monotonous life in jail.
• 11 February, 2012: A teenager, Ashwini Kumar, a resident of Model Town, was an undertrial in a case pertaining to looting. He died in the PGIMER, Chandigarh, after he reportedly consumed an intoxicant.
• 13 February, 2012: Pritam Singh (85), a resident of Kothe Guru Ke who was undergoing imprisonment under a case of cheating, died.

Floodlights change Bathinda’s skyline, bring the city in limelight
Sudhanshu Verma
Tribune News Service

A floodlight installed at the Sports Stadium in Bathinda. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

Bathinda, February 19
The ‘city of sand dunes’ has been undergoing a change, rather a pleasant change. From the landscape to the skyline, nothing has been left untouched by the undercurrent that is bringing in a fresh outlook to the city, which was, hitherto, famous or perhaps ‘infamous’ as the ‘city of sand dunes’ because those were the only elevation the city’s landscape had in the past.

Now the changes in Bathinda have started affecting all, even the skyline.

Apart from others, which have played a crucial role in transforming the skyline are the floodlights installed at the two stadiums here to make sports events possible in the nights.

As one approaches the city’s landmark Hanuman Chowk, he or she could be greeted by the four 45-feet tall poles carrying floodlights, probably urging all to see the city in the new light.

Installed at the multipurpose stadium here, these four floodlights when switched on to kick start the second edition of the world cup kabbadi on November 1 last year, the city suddenly came in to limelight.

A sea of light in the heart of the city glittering the skyline in the night was completely new to the city.

The state-of-the art facility was installed at the stadium at the cost of nearly Rs 3 crore. The 45 metres high metal halide floodlights worth Rs 3 crore were bought from the Shanghai in China. Altogether there are over are 190 lights, installed 48 lights per pole.

As per the officials of the electricity department, these halide lights are different from the other lights installed at different places.

These lights with two-phase power supply are superior in terms of technology as they could be up graded with new advances over a period of next three decades. As per officials a change in angle of reflectors in the lights could change the entire configuration.

Further, as one approaches the mini-secretariat, another four floodlights could be seen in the skyline, seemingly giving a sense of an advancing city.

These four are all set to hog the limelight just waiting to be switched on at the Hockey Stadium on the premises of Rajindra College.

Residents are considering the installation of these lights as new beginning capable of giving a modern touch to the city skyline.

They feel that before the installation of floodlights, the few dots in the skyline were chimney of power plants and the TV tower.

But these lights are better as they give the impression of the arrival of modernity in the city capable of helping the city to shed the tag of ‘back water’ of region besides serving as modern dots in skyline.

Influx, exodus of workforce bring about changes in Punjabi language
Nikhila Pant Dhawan
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
Many would agree that language, whether spoken, written or gesticulated, is the most powerful means of preserving one’s heritage. Keeping the same in mind, on May 16 2009, the United Nations General Assembly had called upon its member states “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world”.

Since 2000, February 21 is observed as the World Mother Tongue Day every year. The day aims “to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism”.

In the context of the changing social fabric, thanks to globalisation and economic changes, Punjabi has also been changing its nature. With an influx and exodus of workforce to and from the state, Punjabi has gone through numerous changes.

While the purists may frown upon the changes and may wish to keep intact the mother tongues to ensure awareness of culture, traditions and linguistics across the world, experts believe that change is the only thing constant.

Dr Paramjit Ramana, Dean, Language, Literature and Culture, Central University of Punjab, maintains that the changes in the society bring along their own mode of communication. “Mother tongue is a product of our birth place and is responsible for making our growth harmonious. But ever since globalisation became a dominant culture across the globe, the economic changes brought along with them their own modes of communication,” says Dr Ramana.

“Language and culture are dynamic and keep changing always. As a result of migration and international communications, languages are getting hybrid. Interaction between the languages is very important for their survival. There is no problem with the changing nature of mother tongues,” he adds.

Dr Jeet S Joshi, head, Department of Punjabi at the regional Centre of Punjabi University, concurs that although mother tongue plays a major role in the overall development of a human being, mother tongues, like all languages of the world, should give and take from other languages.

“Mother tongue is the language of the atmosphere where one is born. Our behaviour, use of symbols and words are all linked to our mother tongue. In short, mother tongue makes us the person we are and then we make the society. And as the society is constantly changing, the mother tongues also stand to be changed. In religion, culture and language the concept of purity are not applicable as in all three, interaction is of utmost importance.”

He also says that one should not look down upon changing Punjabi.

“The songs of today are targeted at youngsters. The youngsters’ idea of purity of a language may be different than ours. After a couple of years, when Punjabi will change a little more, these youngsters will also think that it is not pure anymore. The purity of a language depends on the tone, syntax, pronunciation and usage. And it may be different for different people,” he says.

Dr JS Anand, principal, DAV College, avers that since our mother tongue is the pillar on which our personality stands, its roots should not be changed. “Mother tongue is the very root of physical, emotional and intellectual being and our culture, and hence, it should be given the importance that it deserves. The nations which ignore their mother tongues and give in to the changes that globalisation brings along soon find their very identity under threat. In this globalised world, efforts must be made to save the mother tongue from erosion and foreign impressions. Hybridisation of mother tongue is unhealthy and should be fought against consciously and conscientiously,” he argues.

world mother tongue day on Feb 21

Fact file

canine care
Dog lovers join hands to take care of the faithful animal on city streets
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
A group of young boys in the city have taken it upon themselves to provide care to stray dogs in the city. Six months ago, three boys joined hands to work in this direction and since then, the group has grown to have as many as 25 members. Boys volunteer and pick up the stray dogs from the city and provide them with food and shelter at an open place on the Goniana road.

“We all have pets at our homes and we love them. We could not see the pitiable condition of street dogs and therefore, we decided to help them,” said the president of the Street Dog Club, Akshay Sharma.

“Initially, our parents objected when we offered milk and food to stray dogs. Later, more boys joined us and now, we have an office on the Ajit road where we meet and discuss the ways to help stray dogs. Now, the parents silently help us by donating money and food for dogs. Ironically, now people oppose us whenever we offer milk to these animals at roadside,” he said.

“I used to offer milk to stray dogs on the Ajit road and its adjoining localities in the wee hours, but people who are not aware about the functioning of our club oppose us. They fear that the canine may endanger the lives of people or their children,” Akshay said.

A final year student of civil engineering, Akshay said the district administration and the officials of the local Municipal Corporation were approached to rub shoulder with them, but to no avail.

“While the MC authorities told us to contact the deputy commissioner, the officials at the office of deputy commissioner asked us to meet the MC officials,” said Rajveer, another member of the club and a student of electronics and communication.

Honey Singh, a shopkeeper on the Ajit road and a member of the club, said the boys attend to the phone calls of the people to help the street dogs. He recounted the day when a pet lost his way near the 100-feet road and volunteers of the club helped in locating the owner of the dog.

The boys have borrowed a piece of land (around a half acre) on the Goniana road and have also roped in a veterinary doctor to diagnose the ailing dogs at the shelter.

The number of dogs that the club took care of increased to 40 at one time, but it has now reduced to 10, as the shelter requires proper fencing and other basic facilities.

“However, we have more than 50 dogs in the streets which get their food and milk, at least once in a day. We recently bought a jeep to carry the stray dogs and will soon shift the stray dogs at a shelter having more facilities,” Honey said.

He said the club members donate Rs 500 or more every month to provide succour to the street dogs and anyone wishing to help these animals may contact at the helpline numbers - 97803-00028 and 97804-81600.

Fact file

Booths set up in the city, pulse polio drive begins
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
The three-day pulse polio campaign was launched today in Bathinda district. Under the campaign, children below the age of five years will be administered polio drops. Deputy Commissioner, Kamal Kishore Yadav, inaugurated the campaign by giving polio drops to children at a polio booth in Ganesha Basti. He urged the parents to bring their children to the polio booths.

District family welfare officer, Dr Kundan K Pal, district immunisation officer Manpreet Kaur, district TB Officer Dr Ashok Monga, district mass media officer Usha Singla and members of the Rotary Club were present on the occasion. Pulse polio programme was also organised at Ghore Wala Chowk. District and sessions judge, SK Aggarwal, administered polio drops to children at the Urban Slum Health Centre in Beant Nagar. The volunteers and workers of the health department had started administering polio drops starting 5 in the morning at the Bathinda railway station.

Officials of the health department said the polio drops would be administered to children door to door on February 20 and 21.

Seminar to throw light on social and cultural changes
Experts to speak on topics pertaining to youth, women and society at large
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
The Department of Philosophy, Government Rajindra College is organising a UGC-sponsored national conference on ‘Social and Cultural Changes: Prospects and Challenges for Youth’ on February 21 and 22.

While the inaugural address will be delivered by Prof Bhuvan Chandel, member secretary, Centre for Studies in Civilization, New Delhi, the keynote address will be given by Dr Manjit Singh, director, Centre for Ambedkar Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

On Day 1, experts will speak on myriad subjects ranging from live-in relationships, the hour glass image, changing global socio-cultural scenario to atrocities against dalits in Rajasthan, morality in the present society to mall culture.

On Day 2, the speakers will touch upon subjects like social problems and their solutions in the light of Gurbani, role of parenting in channelising the youth, nation building through character building, effect of technology on youth in todays times, social problems faced by women, peer pressure, among many other topics concerning the youngsters.

Experts like Dr Paramjit Ramana, Dr HS Pannu, Dr Sumail Sidhu, Dr P Sheshadri, Dr Raj Bala, Dr Paramvir Singh and Dr Harish Sharma will be part of a panel discussion on Day 1.

JAC concerned over the use of phosphate fertiliser
BARC report hints at fertiliser polluting the groundwater in the Malwa region
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
The Joint Action Committee (JAC), Bathinda has expressed concern over the recent report of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) indicating that the use of phosphate fertilizer having high concentration of uranium (70-100 PPM) could be a reason for groundwater contamination in the Malwa region.

Convener of the JAC, MM Behal, said as the farmers were using fertilizer frequently to increase their production, Government should take steps to find out the reason why the cancer patients are increasing in our Malwa region.

He said cancer patients could be found in every locality and village of the Malwa region.

He added that many families in the region have lost lakhs of rupees, gold ornaments and even houses and lands to ensure complete treatment to the cancer patients.

Members of the JAC, including Janak Raj Garg, Raj Joshi, Sonu Oberoi, Dr RK Garga, demanded that the Government of Punjab and Government of India must ensure that the fertilizers which are supplied in the Malwa region and the entire state of Punjab should be free from Uranium.

Other members of the JAC, Anil Gargi, Bhishan Aggarwal, SP Mahajan, Dr Mohinder Singh Babbi, said the present RO systems installed at many places across the city to purify water was helping in checking the uranium and providing purified water to the residents.

They said on the same pattern, the suppliers of fertilizers should be instructed to supply fertilizer free of uranium.

Fact file

• A recent report by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) indicates that the use of phosphate fertilizer, having high concentration of uranium (70-100 PPM), could be a reason for groundwater contamination in the Malwa region.
• JAC wants the state and the central government to ensure that the fertilisers supplied in the Malwa and Punjab are free from uranium.

More than 5,000 students appear for the BFGI scholarship exam
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
The scholarship test organised by Baba Farid Group of Institutions here today got a huge response as more than 5,000 students appeared for it. The test was held under the ‘BFGI Scholarship & Concession Policy-2012’ which aims to offer scholarships and fee concessions worth Rs 1 crore to meritorious students of class X and class XII.

Students, not only from different districts of Punjab, but also from the neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan appeared for the test. The institute had also provided the students appearing for the exam a pick and drop facility within the radius of 100 km.

Under the policy, depending on the percentage marks by them, the students will be given 100, 50, 25 and 15 per cent concessions in the tuition fee.

Apart from the fee concession, the students getting the first position in the scholarship exam will also get a laptop, while a desktop computer will be given to the student coming second. These prizes will be announced separately for position holders from class X and XII.

City to wear festive look on Mahashivratri today
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
City is all set to wear a festive look on Monday to celebrate the Mahashivratri, an important festival according to Hindu mythology. Temples across the city have been decked up to mark the festival. As per the priest of a Gonina Road temple, Shivaratri is celebrated on the night of the dark ‘phalgun’ in the month of February or March every year.

On the day, devotees observe fast and keep vigil all night, he said, adding that Mahashivaratri marks the when Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati.

On this day, devotees offer fruits, flowers and bel leaves on Shiva Linga. Lord Shiva is believed to be fond of bel leaves.

Priest at another city temple said the day-long festival would see men and women make a beeline outside the temples across the city.

City women were seen making last minutes purchase for the festival.

IIFS honours Adesh professor
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19
Dr Jagjit Singh Bahia, associate professor (medicine) at Adesh Medical College, was honoured by the Indian International Friendship Society (IIFS) during a function held in New Delhi for extending help to the poor and under-privileged patients.

The society was formed by the former CBI director, Joginder Singh, who is the chairman of the IIFS.

BN Singh, former Governor of Assam, gave away the award to Dr Bahia. Bahia is among 20 people who were selected from all over India. The award comprises of a certificate of excellence and a memento.