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City eagerly awaits completion of sewerage project
Semester system scrapped: Schools wait for official confirmation
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Theatre workshop
Kutcha roads, water on their mind
International research award for city lad
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City eagerly awaits completion of sewerage project
Amritsar, June 26 Even as the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB), in collaboration with Japan International Corporation Agency (JAICA), has undertaken a job to revamp the existing sewerage system under the JNNURM, the project work needs to be expedited in view of the health threat and inconvenience to residents. It is learnt that the project would be completed in another two years. The project
The JAICA and PWSSB under the project, divided the city into three zones north, south and south east. According to PWSSB chairman Dr Baldev Raj Chawla, a sum of Rs 160 crore in the north zone, Rs 70 crore in the south zone and Rs 113 crore in the south east zone were to be spent on revamping the system. Besides this, two sewage treatment plants too were to be set under the project. At present, around 141-km-long sewerage line worth Rs 69 crore in south east zone is underway. Around 18,000 houses would be connected in this zone. The second leg of the project was recently inaugurated by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu in Verka and Vallah areas. Chawla said Rs 30 crore would be spent on laying the sewerage system in Verka and Vallah area only. Besides providing sewerage disposal facility, the project includes setting up of two sewage treatment plants - one each at Ghausabad and Khapper Keri. The project is expected to ensure better disposal of sewage, which is presently being flushed into the Tung Dhab drain, which further connects with the Hudiara drain, which joins the Ravi that flows into Pakistan. Residents living in a number of localities along this drain have often complained of insanitation, unbearable stench and water contamination resulting into water-borne diseases. Areas like Sultanwind, Jawaharnagar, Mustafabad, Kundian Wala Khuh, Havelian, Karampura, Faizpura, Dhupai, Bhagtanwala (outside), Gilwali gate, Anngarh, Mohkampura, Daburgi, Rasulpur Kallar and Rose Nagar and Indira Colony on the Batala Road (near Verka), have been crying for attention. Prevailing situation in the walled city area
The walled city area, from where over 60 per cent of the total waste water of the entire city emerges, has the same obsolete public underground piped sewerage system, which had been laid during the British era in India. Few sewer segments of the system are older than 50 years, some are even more. There is no existing sewage treatment plant and the untreated wastewater is At present, the already congested walled city lanes have become narrower as these have been dug up at several points with a view to lay sewerage pipes. Consequently, the piles of earth rubbles have chocked the drains. The slippery roads further lead to many accidents. At Katra Jaimal Singh, traders rued that due to collapsing of sewerage system, water remains stagnated opposite their shops which hamper their business. Key issues
Absence of sewerage treatment plant and recycling of waste water Inadequate capacity of the existing network leading to overflow of sullage Large scale usage of soak pits, septic tanks and open drains for sullage disposal High degree of water pollution in ganda nullah, Tung Dhab drain and Hudiara drain Project’s case history
JAICA was engaged on a consultation fee of US $ 7 lakh in 2005 for executing the augmentation and revamping the sewerage project of the entire city estimated to cost Rs 360 crore. According to a pact, a major part of this amount (Rs 276 crore) was to be financed by JAICA whereas the rest of the amount was to be borne jointly by the Punjab government and Amritsar Municipal Corporation. But the project could not see light of the day for six years. The first phase of the project (worth Rs 80 crore) was started from the Guru Ki Wadali area in July 2011. But this delay resulted in raising the project cost. The revised cost of the project now is estimated to be over Rs 450 crore for sewerage network spread in an area of over 870 kms.
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Semester system scrapped: Schools wait for official confirmation
Amritsar, June 26 Nitu Sharma, Principal, Shri Ram Ashram School, said confusion prevails among teachers, students, parents and school managements regarding the first semester examination, which is normally held in September. She said students and parents are constantly ringing her up to know about the semester system. She said it was a decision in the right direction, but it should have been announced before the announcement of the result. Introduced three years ago in Classes 9 to 12, semester system could not find favour with students and teachers as many external factors such as elections affected the examination schedule. DB Singh, Principal, Sant Singh Sukha Singh School, said the school has not received any communication from the PSEB in this regard. Welcoming the decision, he said it was not an efficient system. “About two months were gobbled up in holding examinations. Besides, there was a month-long summer vacation. Students got limited months to complete the syllabus and then revise it. Unaware about the decision, we had been covering the syllabus thinking that the first semester examination will be held in September. Any change in the examination system would mean less burden on students,” he quipped. Harjit Singh, a Class 12 student of a private school, said, “My parents contacted the school principal but she told them that she was herself not aware and advised to complete the syllabus accordingly,” she added. District Education Officer Sukhwinder Singh said his office had not received any communication from the PSEB on the matter. He said scrapping of the semester examination would mean that the PSEB would hold the final exams for Classes 10 and 12 in March-April, while schools will conduct their internal exams as usual.
Schools in view of the uncertainty covering the syllabus as per the semester system Official speak My office has not received any communication from the PSEB on the matter~ — Sukhwinder Singh, District Education officer
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Theatre workshop
Amritsar, June 26 The ongoing NSD theatre workshop at Virsa Vihar too explored the face behind a mask or otherwise, with 32 odd students representing their characters through masks created by them. Putting the phrase 'Mask is your face and face is your mask' to practice, these students used their creativity and theatrical sensibilities to mould a mask, they can relate to. "Mask making is not just a routine theatre exercise but an attempt to express creativity, visualising a character and bringing it alive on stage," shares Sanjog, a student from Amritsar, and a member of Theatre Wale group. "The features, expressions and shape of a mask are not ours, but that of the character we play on stage," he says. Well, the mask is an actor's best disguise. Out of all things these masks symbolise, they are also a part of the grooming process for some of them, especially the first timers. "It's my first theatre experience and I had come here with a lot of inhibitions tide to myself. But once I loosened up, it all came easy to me. I really enjoy performing with a mask on as relieves me of all my stage fear," shares Sachin Prasad, an aspiring theatre actor from Chandigarh. Creating these masks for their theatre production, Chakravyuh- the Pyramid, that is scheduled to staged on the concluding day of the workshop, these masks also symbolise the various faces of globalisation and the consequences to follow. While most students understand them as props, a few understand the technicality of it. "Masks are one of the most important set design elements in a production. Call them a costume, a prop or a character, they bring the character closer to the audience especially with exaggerated facial expressions and bring in a uniformity to the characters," says Sanjog, who wants to pursue a career in set designing. Another such aspiring costume designer is Jeetinder Sonu, student of fashion designing from Punjabi University, Patiala, who thinks masks are intense. "The more colourful they are, the more layers they add to the character. While making a mask, one has to keep in mind the physical and mental definition of a character it is to represent, which makes it an intensely creative and engrossing activity." Like we said - one mask, many faces or vice-versa. But the usually fun and colourful costume to normal eye acquires great meaning when put on. A creative workshop
The ongoing NSD theatre workshop at Virsa Vihar explores the face behind a mask. 32 students represent their characters through masks created by them A play ‘Chakravyuh- the Pyramid’ will be staged on the concluding day of the workshop
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Various functions were organised today to observe the World Drug De-addiction Day today. At a function at Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital, Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal asked the health department to take stringent steps against sale of drugs in the district. The district rural police also organised a play and a seminar at Majitha near here to create awareness among people. SSP Rural Pritpal Singh Virk warned officers against any leniency with the persons selling drugs. The Nehru Yuva Kendra also organised a function at Gharinda village near here. BSF jawans also organised a cycle rally as part of an awareness campaign at Khasa. The NCC cadets of First Punjab NCC and Second Punjab Naval Unit also organised rallies on the day. Photos: Sameer Sehgal
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Wheat allergy: 97% cases not reported
Amritsar, June 26 “We have catered to around 12 cases of wheat allergy in the last two months. More and more children are being diagnosed with the problem,” said Child Specialist Dr Sandeep Aggarwal adding that about 97 per cent of the cases is not reported due to ignorance. The celiac disease is a condition where a person is allergic to gluten that is present in wheat. Wheat is a staple food in the area and it is hard for the people to believe that some one can be allergic to it, said Dr Sandeep Aggarwal. He said the parents must get their children tested for the disease if they observe any symptom. He said the gluten free foods which are available at a few shops in the city can be helpful for such children. He said if unchecked, the disease may give rise to other physical problems such as short height and weak physical structure. He said one out of every 100 children in India is suffering from the disease but because of lack of awareness only three per cent of the cases are reported. Senior Medical Officer Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon said the hospital has state of art telemedicine facility with the help of which the complicated cases are discussed with the experts at PGI, Chandigarh. He said the Civil Hospital has better facilities and efficient and qualified doctors to treat patients. Symptoms
Abdominal pain, bloating, gas or indigestion Constipation Decreased appetite Diarrhoea, either constant or on and off Lactose intolerance Nausea and vomiting Stools that float or stained with blood Unexplained weight loss (although patients can be overweight or normal as well)
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Kutcha roads, water on their mind Ward 38 Name: Harminder Kaur Party: SAD Water supply and kutcha roads are major problems in my ward. Water tubewells at Ganda Singh Colony and Kot Mit Singh, near Chattiwind canal, are not supplying water to the house. I have spoken to MLA Inder Bir Singh Bolaria and he has assured that these problems will be addressed. Power transformer at Shahid Udham Singh Nagar needs immediate repair Ward 41 Name: Harvinder Kaur Party: Independent My assessment of the area reveals that the residents of my ward need more funding for supply of potable water, sewerage system and streetlights. I will take up these projects in the meetings of the municipal corporation house besides lobbying for them among the ruling coalition parties to get them done Ward 42 Name: Manmohan Singh Party: Independent I found that water supply, sewerage and unpaved roads as major needs for the residents of this ward. However, there is an immediate need is to install tubewells to provide potable water to ward residents. I will put these demands in the MC house
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International research award for city lad
Amritsar, June 26 He is a student of Global Institute of Management and Emerging Technologies. The chairman of the institute, Dr BS Chandi, said it was a great achievement by an undergraduate student. Vishal designed and developed a full-fledged photosynthesis measurement system using a 16 bit microcontroller along with Carbon-Dioxide sensor, temperature sensor, and (PAR) Photosynthesis Active Radiation sensor. He said these sensors would be measuring various leaf parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity etcetera. The system will be used to measure crop growth and can be a wonderful tool for the agriculture sector in future, said the college sources.
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Garments exhibition inaugurated
Amritsar, June 26 Around 300 students of Dress Designing, Cutting and Tailoring, Textile Designing, Cosmetology, Computer Applications and Computer Hardware Maintenance participated and displayed their products in the exhibition. Dr Sarvjit Kaur Brar, Lady Vice-Chancellor of the University, inaugurated the exhibition. Prof Rajinderjit Kaur Pawar, Director of the Department, welcomed the chief guest and others. Dr Inderjit Singh, Registrar, Prof MS Hundal, Dean, College Development Council, Prof Raghbir Singh, Prof Hardeep Singh, Dean, Alumni Association, Satnam Kaur Sekhon, Former Assistant Director, Dr Sukhpal Singh, Coordinator NSS Deptt, Meenakshi and Vasundra, Warden Girls Hostel and number of students were also present on the occasion. Dr Brar said the Department of LifeLong Learning is playing a vital role in providing self employment to women.“Department should have active collaboration with manufacturing and designing units. She said the constructive activities of the students should always be encouraged. So far, the department has trained about 3,500 students in the vocational courses. Such courses are also run in Amritsar Central Jail.
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Amritsar, June 26
Theatre has a special place for masks. A symbol of its power of expression, a mask acquires various definitions when on stage- a face or disguise. "But each time an actor wears a mask he doesn't hide but expresses himself," says Kewal
Dhaliwal, theatre person and director, Virsa Vihar.
One-fourth of population has no sewerage connectivity. 
If the semester system remains in place, students will have to give exams in September