Amritsar, May 3
If it was power yoga last year, its zumba, kick boxing and pilates for fitness freaks this year. Several fitness programmes to shed the extra weight are attracting many fighting the battle of the bulge.

"Losing weight does seem difficult but not if done in a fun way," says Rahul Sharma, a fitness counsellor. "We have some popular alternate fitness programmes that focus on losing maximum calories and making workout entertaining. These include kickboxing and the increasingly popular dance form of hip hop. "Apart from weight and circuit training, these fitness programmes are popular because of their effectiveness. An hour of hip hop dancing will make you loose 900 calories, more than twice of the usual exercise regime," he says. The regime is catching up in popularity among all age groups as they have a full house with each session, he says. "We have premium trainers who plan and train to help participants achieve maximum benefit," says Rahul.

Martial arts mixed with dance routines are also the latest to join the fitness industry's inventions. We are already familiar with Zumba's celebrity status, a Latin dance form that make you loose weight while getting the curves right. And Amritsar is also smitten. "People are enrolling for martial arts programmes as it is also a self defence art. Apart from losing weight, it also builds strength and tones up the muscles. Fitness is not just physical but mental and martial art regimes make you tough from inside," says Jyoti Sharma, a fitness consultant. They have number programmes like pilates, power yoga and spinning that take care of the calories while building endurance and core strength. "Also there is less scope for injuries with these alternate fitness programmes," says Jyoti.

Apart from working out in the gym, group exercises are also becoming popular. "It includes, cycling, running, swimming and yoga. It's a good way of working out in a group, out in the fresh air," says Rahul.

Natasha Shergill, who runs a gym at Kennedy Avenue, believes nothing can beat a powerful session of aerobics when it comes to losing weight and keep fighting fit.

"I am a fitness freak myself and I have clients who are high on aerobics. It's an excellent way to keep your waist line in check and build strength. My programme combines aerobics with circuit training and muscle training. And it has amazing results."

Amritsar, May 3
Beneficiaries of the essential eatable commodities like wheat and cereals under the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) are a harried lot as they have not received ration for nearly a month due to the ongoing strike by fair deal shop holders.

A blue card holder Pritam Sharma of the Railway colony rued that the fair deal shops and the government have not resumed the supply of subsidised grains and cereals for the last one month. He said his family of three has to purchase wheat and cereals from the open market. He said there is a stark difference in the rates which has disturbed their budget.

Sawinder Singh, a resident of Gate Khazana said, procuring essential commodities from the open market has left a hole in his pocket. He said his two children are school going and he has a family of six. He said things have become worse because of the start of the new academic session. Stopping subsidised ration is a big jolt to them. Ration depot holders are on a strike against the central government decision to slash the kerosene quota of Punjab by 63 per cent. Besides, the Kerosene Wholesalers Association had also gone on an indefinite strike and refused to lift kerosene. The depot holders held a meeting with the state industries minister Anil Joshi at the Circuit House and apprised him about their decision and current situation prevailing in the district. Joshi has assured them that he will take up the issue with the CM Parkash Singh Badal.

Sanjiv Laddi, district president of ration depot holders association, said they get no commission in kerosene being distributed to below poverty line (BPL) families. "With the reduction in the kerosene quota, the ration depot holders will be in trouble. Only 25 per cent of ration card holders depend on kerosene and we supply to the beneficiaries with whatever supply (of kerosene) we get. But with this reduction, every cardholder will get only one and half litre of kerosene." 

Amritsar, May 3
Stagnant rainwater greets visitors at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here. People have to wade through it to reach the hospital though it rained in the city two days ago. Even as visitors trying to save their clothes from getting wet are for anyone to see, the hospital administration seems to have turned a blind eye to the problem.

Hardayal Singh, a visitor said, “If the place can see water logging even after mild showers what will happen during monsoons.” He said the hospital administration should take notice of the problem.

The visitors rue that even as doctors and senior officials use the same path to reach their respective offices, none have shown any concern to solve the problem.

Kapil Sharma, another visitor said, “The rainwater has collected even at other open places adjoining the building. It can easily become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.” He said the hospital authorities should take corrective measures immediately.

The water logged entrance is also damaging the grass in the lawns. Regular visitors say they have been facing the problem for past three days.

Another visitor Ravinder Sharma said, “The area should have been cleared by the sweepers and if they are reluctant to perform their duty, senior officials must take notice.” He said the hospital should cater to the basic needs of the visitors.

GMC principal Dr SS Shergill said he will issue instructions to solve the problem. He said rainwater has collected at some low lying places.

Amritsar, May 3
Teachers of elementary and secondary schools here are a harried lot as they are yet to receive their salary for the past two months. They hold a knee-jerk approach on part of the state government responsible for the delay in salary for the teachers as well as the employees of the education department.

On the condition of anonymity, they hold withdrawal of the drawing and disbursal (DD) powers from the officiating principals and switching to the online release of salary as the reasons behind the delay in salary to the teachers.

As per the old format of releasing salaries, cheques will be issued against the submission of bills. It is being replaced with the online system in which three months of salaries of the entire staff of a school will be deposited into the account of that school, said DEO (S), Sukhwinder Singh. He said the process was almost over and the employees will soon receive their dues.

Sukhraj Singh Sarkaria of the Democratic Teachers Front said non-release of salary of 70,000 teachers working in secondary and elementary schools in the state has disturbed their domestic budget.

He said to avoid financial burden, the government had immediately withdrawn the DD powers from the officiating principals without establishing an alternative method.

He said instead of appointing regular principals and head masters in these schools, these have been clubbed with the nearest schools with regular principals.

He said this sudden change has left these schools headless.

He said this will lead to a lot of management and fiscal problem in several such schools as schools with regular principals are situated far away.

Amritsar, May 3
The city police has arrested four snatchers in separate incidents in the city. In the first case, the CIA staff yesterday claimed to have arrested two snatchers in as many cases of snatchings in the city. The accused include Badal Kumar alias Laddu of Bhagtanwala and Rishi Kumar of Guru Ram Das Nagar, Guruwali Gate, here. The police has also recovered 10 mobile phones, 215 gram of narcotic powder and a stolen motorcycle (PB-02-AQ-3681) from their possession.

At a press conference here yesterday, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Satpal Joshi, said the CIA staff on patrol duty at Jahajgarh firecracker market noticed suspicious movement of the two accused and intercepted them near the market.

After search the police seized 105 gram and 110 gram of narcotic powder from the possession of Badal and Rishu, respectively. Their interrogation led to the recovery of 10 mobile phones which they had allegedly snatched from the Bhagtanwala grain market, Anngarh, Nuri Mohalla, Gujjarpura and Sakatari Bagh areas.

Joshi said the accused had stolen the motorcycle from near Guru Shaheed Baba Deep Singh near Chatiwind Gate. A case under Section 379, 411, 382 IPC and 22/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against them in this connection. He said they were produced in the court and brought on a police remand.

The Maqboolpura police has arrested Prithipal Singh and Hargoind Singh, both residents of Rasulpura Kalar here and seized 100 gram of intoxicant powder besides a stolen motorcycle from them.

The arrests were made at New Golden Avenue area, DCP said. Seeing the police party, the two accused allegedly threw out some small packets from their pockets on the roadside and tried to flee but were caught. They were booked under the NDPS Act.

Amritsar, May 3
The breezy summer evenings in Amritsar are set to become breezier with Best Western Merrion’s Arabian Nights. Bringing the mystical romance of the desert, Best Western Merrion will organise a two-day event which will have specialised belly dancers entertaining the Amritsaris over some lavish mid-eastern delights.

The event focuses on Arabic themes with belly dance by professional Egyptian dancers along with a buffet dinner and complementary drinks. The guest list would be selective and only through passes.

Their lounge Allure will turn into Arabian fiesta on May 5 and 6, from 8pm onwards. So get ready to shake your belly to some Arabian tunes. 

Amritsar, May 3
Punjabi singer Jassi Jasraj has accused another singer of using vulgar lyrics in his songs with impunity. Addressing a press conference here today, Jassi said the lyrics are obscene in meaning. He said gullible and innocent people are dancing on its beats without sparing a thought on the meaning of such songs.

He said it was against the spirit of Punjabi culture and ethics which extends respect and decency to women. He said vulgarity in songs has a negative impact on youths. He urged the government to keep a tab on such activities.