Woman among two arrested with drugs
Amritsar, April 9
City police arrested two persons, including a woman, for allegedly possessing narcotic powder.

Wearing black badges, jewellers call off strike
Amritsar, April 9
Protesting jewellers resumed their trade today but continued with their agitation. They wore black badges to work and also put black flags outside their shops. All India Swarnakar Sangh executive member Satnam Singh Kanda said jewellers will stage protest on every holiday and will also submit a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner.

Amritsar, April 9
One of the members of a gang of snatchers was killed while two of his accomplices were injured today while trying to flee after snatching the mobile phone of a cook on Dasundha Singh Road here.

The deceased has been identified as Prince, alias Sajan Singh, (16), a resident of Adarsh Nagar, Chheharta. The injured include Ajay (16), a resident of Kirpal Colony and Bunti (17) of Tagore Avenue on Majitha Road here. The speeding motorcycle they were riding on collided with an electricity pole.

The accused allegedly snatched the mobile phone from Mahesh Kumar, who works as a cook, at 10 PM.

“The accused tried to speed away after committing the crime. Mahesh resisted them and raised an alarm following which people started coming out of their houses. As a result the accused panicked and lost balance of their bike (bearing number PB-02-BR-3889) which hit an electricity pole," eyewitnesses said. Sajan collided with the pole head on due to which he sustained serious head injuries and died on way to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. Ajay and Bunti also sustained injuries on their legs and head. The police has seized a sharp-edged weapon from the spot.

"However, their injuries were not of a serious kind the doctors said," said Surinder Singh, the investigating officer and in-charge Majitha Road police post. He said the remaining two accused will be produced in the court after the doctors declare them fit. A case has been registered.

Amritsar, April 9
City police arrested two persons, including a woman, for allegedly possessing narcotic powder.

Nisha, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, Kot Khalsa, was caught red handed allegedly while selling the narcotic powder, Harjit Singh, investigating officers said.

The police also seized 100 gram of narcotic powder from her possession. He said the police are also looking into her previous records if any.

In another incident, Sadar police arrested Satpal Singh of Dhillon Market, Majitha Road, and seized 250 gram of intoxicant powder from his possession. 

Amritsar, April 9
Protesting jewellers resumed their trade today but continued with their agitation. They wore black badges to work and also put black flags outside their shops. All India Swarnakar Sangh executive member Satnam Singh Kanda said jewellers will stage protest on every holiday and will also submit a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner.

He said the protest will continue as long as the UPA government does not withdraw the hiked taxes. “Jewellers will go to work with black badges pinned on their shirts and black flags outside their shops to lodge protest against the government,” he said.

After a 23-day long strike, trade resumed at Guru Bazaar, a traditional gold market with hundreds of showrooms and workshops. Customers returned to the markets to buy ornaments.

Amritsar, April 9
Even as the authorities try to lure tourists from around the world to appreciate city’s heritage, some residents seem to care the least about the treasure they own. Call it ignorance or compulsion, residents continue to demolish the old structures and plaster them burying their old world charm forever.

This also defeats the purpose behind the much talked about Heritage Walk launched just six months back.

Importance of the two-and-a-half century old Udasi cult Chitta Akhara, near Harmandar Sahib, has been undermined as one of its walls made of Nanakshahi bricks has been rebuilt. The present head of the cult Mahant Damodar Das said the main wall had developed cracks and could have fallen any time. He said to avoid loss to men and material the construction was carried out.

Already, a considerable damage has been done to the frescoes of the Akhara as they have been painted. Intricately-carved doors and windows have also been brightened up with green paint.

A demolished portion of Qila Ahluwalia situated at its entrance sends a wrong message to the tourists. A third key spot on the route of the heritage walk, the fort has had several shops and residential apartments with contemporary outlook being constructed around it.

Amritsar, April 9
The Focal Point, which houses 435 industrial units, has failed to get the government's attention since it was set up two and half decades back.

Importantly, there are many proposed facilities, which were specified in the blueprint, that have not been set up till date.

Established in the early 80s with mixed-use industrial units, it doesn't have a power station, fire station and more importantly an ESI Hospital.

Kamal Dalmia, who runs a thread mill in the area, said there are plots earmarked for these facilities but these have not been constructed.

Employees of these units and their families face umpteen problems in getting medical aid as they have to cover a long distance to reach the ESI Hospital on Majitha road, said Rajbir Singh, a mechanic.

Spread over 175 acres, the industrial area has as many as six gardens which are lying abandoned. Dalmia said there was no attempt to raise the green cover in the area. Unattended, these plots have become a source of dust. And when it rains, these turn into a puddle.

Rajinder Singh Marwaha, running a cold storage in the Focal Point, said as per the norms of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, an industrial plot could get only single power connection. He said but the state government has allowed subletting a portion of the plot. Hence, he demanded subletting of power connection too.

Marwaha also demanded an overbridge over Mehta road railway crossing connecting the Focal Point with wholesale vegetable market at Vallah.

Another industrialist Sandeep Khosla, owner of a plastic-moulding unit, said industrialists were not allowed to raise the height of their units above 35 feet. He said the norms were as old as the industrial area and hence needed to be reviewed keeping in view the demands.

Darshan Singh Goraya, president, Focal Point Industries Association, said industrialists of the area request Punjab Industry Minister Anil Joshi to take stock of the prevalent scenario at the Focal Point and fulfil demands to improve its condition.

Amritsar, April 9
There is no end to the deadlock between the Guru Nanak Dev University teachers and the authorities. The teachers continued to stage a dharna in the university to lodge their protest over several issues on Monday.

Though the teachers' executive body and Vice Chancellor Prof AS Brar reached a verbal agreement over some prime issues during a meeting on Thursday, the teachers demanded the agreement in writing.

Balwinder Singh, president of GND University Teachers Association, said the authorities assured us to provide a written agreement on some issues raised during the meeting.

"We waited till evening, but no written document in this regard was given to us, which by all means amount to breach of trust. That's why we will continue with our agitation," he said.

Reacting over this teachers' stand, Prof Brar said whatever agreement we reached with the teachers would be fulfilled as promised.

"There is no need of giving anything in black and white in this regard. In my opinion, every discrepancy was resolved and there was no point of showing resentment. I again make it clear that the university will fulfil the agreement reached with the executive body of the teachers, irrespective of the fact whether they continue with their agitation or lift the dharna," he said.

"Most of the demands of the teachers have been accepted," he said while clarifying that the university does not have any overriding powers to change/modify the rules and regulations mandated by the UGC or the AICTE.

The VC said the arrears as per the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission would be released soon. "In this regard, 80 per cent has to be paid by the Centre and 20 per cent by the state government. I am in touch with my counterparts of other universities. I have met the CM in this regard. I am trying my earnest efforts to get the arrears released as soon as possible," he said.

Similarly, the university is seeking clarification regarding mobile phone allowance and wi-fi connectivity with the audit wing. The counting of previous and ad-hoc services of teachers has already been counted as per the norms and over 85 per cent of teachers have been promoted.

Nevertheless, on some issues like date of eligibility of teachers for promotion, appointment of Dr Lakhwinder Singh as secretary of the university teachers union, the VC said UGC/AICTE guidelines and the university norms cannot be ignored. 

Amritsar, April 9
Gurrien Kaur Madan, a 16-year-old student of Delhi Public School here, gave the final presentation on a research project --- Global Energy 2025: Challenging Tomorrow's Leaders --- initiated by University of Warwick during Planet Under Pressure International Conference in London recently.

School principal Sangeeta Singh said Gurrien became the first Indian to present the final report of the project. She said 
Gurrien was the sole 'junior commissioner from India' among 10 students selected worldwide fro the project.

Commissioned by the University of Warwick in collaboration with New York University, USA, the findings and recommendations of the year-long project were presented in the form of a short video film which was edited by 10 students. This report would be forwarded to the United Nations.

The Junior Commission, formed by the University of Warwick in collaboration with New York University, USA, consisted of 10 students from across the world. They were from Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Italy, United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Botswana.

Her research comprised inputs collected from various NGO's, schools and universities as well as United Nations units working on the topic.

The principal informed that the sponsored trip was organised by the department of International Gateway for Gifted Youth (IGGY) of University of Warwick in collaboration with NY University.

"We were given the opportunity to consider energy management from the lens of history, science, economics, political science which helped develop an objective view of the scenario", Gurrien said.

In December, Gurrein had emerged as the regional 'Brain Bee' champion at the 5th Chandigarh Regional Brain Bee Championship, organised by Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, and Indian National Brain Bee (INBB), Hyderabad.

Amritsar, April 9
With the spurt in snatching incidents in the city, women fear from venturing out alone on roads. The Amritsar Tribune spoke to some women from different walks of life on the issue.

High number of incidents of snatching of ornaments and purses has frightened the fairer sex. I make sure nobody from my family wears any precious ornaments while going out. Instead, we make use of artificial and designer jewellery. It doesn't matter even these are stolen — Jaswinder Kaur, Housewife

Spurt in snatching incidents show the psychology of these bad elements who feel that women are vulnerable and could not retaliate. I feel that the police must evolve a plan to train women so that they could meet such a situation bravely. Working women cannot stay indoors and it is always also not possible for male family members to accompany them everywhere — Rekha Mahajan, government employee

Many of my friends have become victims of snatchers. Some of them have lost their precious jewellery and purses. I no longer keep purse and prefers to wear jeans in and I keep money, identity card and ATM card in pockets. Wearing gold jewellery is a strict no — Shaweta, MBA student

I feel the spurt in snatchings have highlighted the failure of the police in nabbing the culprits. Moreover, these bad elements are not hard criminals, but youngsters who take to nefarious activities to make quick bucks or to fund their drug addiction. The government must initiate counselling of youngsters held for these crimes so that they do not indulge in anti-social activities in future— Mannat, Housewife

Amritsar, April 9
Khalsa College has roped in none other than Olympian Balwinder Shami to train its hockey team. Known for having produced international players and strong hockey team, Khalsa College is all set to revive its hockey team with the move from the forthcoming academic session.

Noted hockey player and Olympian Balwinder Singh Shami, an alumni of the college, has been engaged by the college management to train its hockey team to compete in major sports events at the state and the national level.

Shami will oversee the daily practice sessions of the hockey players and motivate students to excel in the game. The Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) will also provide the basic infrastructure including boarding, lodging and even offer fee concessions to the deserving students to play the national game.

Khalsa College principal Dr Daljit Singh said the college has decided to go all out to boost sports. "In recent years, the college hockey team, which used to dominate the game, was not doing well.

We have engaged Shami who will coach with the help of other experts from the college and outside to revive the team," said Dr Daljit Singh. The move was part of the management's initiative to strengthen the sports infrastructure at the college.

He said the college has produced Olympians, including legendry Dharam Singh, Balbir Singh Senior, Harbinder Singh Chimni and Balwinder Shami himself. "We have huge playgrounds and sufficient funds to produce great hockey players," KCGC honourary secretary Rajindermohan Singh Chhina said.

He said sportspersons will practice rigorously under the able guidance of a team of hockey coaches led by Shami. Shami played in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and had been the shining star of hockey at Asia and India level earlier.

Chhina said Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has also agreed to provide its astro turf ground for practice thrice a week. "We are also trying to rope in the students at a much younger age from the school level for training to catch them young and hone their skills to turn them into promising hockey players,” he said.

College sports in-charge Bachan Pal Singh said the college will build a strong team in a short span of time.

Shami said he was proud to coach the Khalsa College team and will start practice sessions soon. 

I am proud to coach the Khalsa College team and will start practice sessions soon. The move will be a major boost to the game in Punjab as players from all over the state will be invited to make use of the infrastructure and expertise here 

— Olympian Balwinder Shami, Hockey Coach