Amritsar, November 12
A day before Divali, the Amritsar rural police launched a major crackdown against drug peddlers and bootleggers and seized a huge quantity of illicit liquor and intoxicants from their possession.

The police has booked over 50 persons in connection with bootlegging.

It is pertinent to mention here that illicit liquor is manufactured in many parts of the rural areas and before Divali, manufacturing increases manifolds.

The Mehta police seized over 500 grams of narcotics from Paramjit Singh of Gaggarbhana and Bhupinder Singh of Buttar Sivia village. Paramjit was nabbed with 300 grams of intoxicant powder while Bhupinder was arrested with 250 grams of narcotic substances. The police also seized habit-forming drugs from the possession of Jagjit Singh of Talwandi Dasaunda Singh.

Preetpaul Virk, SSP, Amritsar rural, said during the Divali season, the manufacturing of liquor increases significantly. Keeping this in mind, the police officials were directed to launch a special drive against the bootleggers.

During the drive, over 50 persons were arrested with a huge quantity of illicit liquor.

Majority of persons were released on bail. A number of manufacturers of illicit liquor escaped from spot on seeing the raiding party. The police also found an illegal distillery at Nangal Pannua village. Satpal Singh, the owner of the property fled. The police seized 1,750 of lahan from the spot. The SSP said the drive would continue during the festive season.

The police has booked over 50 persons in connection with bootlegging

A number of manufacturers of illicit liquor escaped from spot on seeing the raiding party. The police also found an illegal distillery at Nangal Pannua village

The drive was launched as manufacturing of illicit liquor increases manifolds during Divali

Amritsar, November 12 
The famous saying, 'Dal roti ghar ki, te Divali Amritsar di', (There's nothing like food cooked at home and there's no comparison of Divali celebrations at Amritsar), might hold significance for the common Amritsarians who despite inflation leave no chance to make it a memorable occasion, but there are few who just work round the clock so as to ensure a happy Divali for every inhabitant of the city.

The Tribune team catches up with some of the professionals deployed on emergency duties like 108 ambulance, fire brigade, police and the healthcare services, who would celebrate the festival away from their families. 

108 ambulance service: 

The 108 ambulance squad has planned to celebrate the occasion in their office only. They have decorated their office located on the circular road in Amritsar with specially designed 'rangoli'. All the arrangements were in place to perform special Divali puja and the plans are there to burst crackers too. 

As many as 48 employees would be on duty in three 8-hour shifts. 

Jatinder Sharma, Punjab head, said their two emergency medical technicians and two pilots would be on their toes. "Our whole fleet of 240 ambulances would be on the road round the clock, as per our routine schedule. Besides this, our administrative staff, consisting of 48 employees, including me, would be just a call away. 

Premdeep Singh, who would be on duty in the control room said, "We are proud to serve the people." The driver of an ambulance felt that he was always happy to sacrifice the fun of festivals for the sake of those unfortunate people who suffer injuries.

Fire brigade: 

Sub-Fire Officer KK Rana (57) who has been in fire fighting service for the past 30 years could never celebrate Divali with his family due to his work. But he is certain to celebrate the festival with his family next year, as he would retire in 2013. 
His wife Sushma Kumari said, "His absence has been a regular thing on every Divali for the past many years and we are accustomed to it." KK Rana said, "I could not even spare time to accompany my two sons to the market to buy Divali items or crackers." 

Fire Officer Tarlochan Singh said in his 34-year career, he, too, could never celebrate Divali at home. 

A circular has been issued in the department for not taking any leave three days before Divali and two days after the festival. Our teams would be on the job for 24 hours and our staff is putting in extra hours to deal with any untoward incident in the city and the adjoining Tarn Taran district. 

Police: 

Head constable Harjeet Singh did not remember a single instance when he was with his family to celebrate Divali. "I joined the police 24 years back and all I can say is that I had never got the opportunity to celebrate Divali with my family. But duty is supreme. Our duty becomes more significant during festival seasons when there are more chances of untoward incidents," he said. His children Robinpreet Singh and Parneet Kaur said, "It has now become a routine for us to celebrate the occasion without him". His wife Kulwant Kaur said, "Still, I expect him to join us after midnight after he is done with his duty", she said. 

Doctors: 

Dr Amit Verma, who would be in the government hospital on emergency duty during late hours on Divali, said though he would miss the charm of celebrating the occasion with his brother and parents at home, but duty comes first. "There is no question of rejoicing and celebrating when we have so many patients lined up for treatment on Divali. 

Accompanied him would be Dr Puneet and Dr Sudesh. "Just think about those patients who are completely bedridden and just can't get up. Sharing the festivities with them would be an immense pleasure for us", they viewed. 

Emergency numbers 
Fire stations
Fire helpline: 101
Town Hall fire station- 0183-2557366, 2541111
Dhab Basti Ram: 2545555
Gilwali Gate: 0183-2527000
Putli Ghar: 0183-2566212
Beri Gate. 0183-2566212

Alternate numbers for 108 ambulance: 7307475522 (not toll free) and 0183- 5055255
Police Control Room: 100, 2225054, 2225056, 9781130666
Medical assistance 
Guru Nanak Dev Hospital: 2422560, 2573928, 2422345,
Guru Ram Das Hospital: 2553668, 
Blood Bank GNDH: 2400937; 
Escorts Fortis Hospital: 3012222, 991513330

Amritsar, November 12
While most contestants and evictees of reality show Bigg Boss leave a trail of scandals and confrontations behind them, MP Navjot Sidhu was quite a different story. 

The former cricketer-turned-politician, who made headlines with his participation in the popularly notorious reality show, is back after holding his ground firm inside the house. After landing in Amritsar, he was glad to be back with his family to celebrate Divali. 

Spilling the beans post his stint on the show, Sidhu was his usual self, sharing his best and worst from the experience. 

"To begin with, it was difficult inside the Bigg Boss house. Despite the fact, I did meet some wonderful people inside and feel proud of the fact that I was able to pass the litmus test," said Sidhu. While some call his sudden exit from the show a 'planned' event, Sidhu says, "Nothing was planned. When I went inside the house, the dates for the campaign were not fixed and so I went ahead as a participant. But my wife got a letter from Nitin Gadkari that I would be needed for the Gujarat campaign and so she appealed to the channel to let me go. It was a surprise for me as well."

Living in front of the camera for over a month, Sidhu is glad that he was able to be himself on the show. "I am a very calm and relaxed person and I maintained that even on the show. I came to Bigg Boss with an intention of changing the face of the show and I am certain that I was able to do this to an extent. I am glad that people were able to see my real side on the show," he said.

But as much comfortable as he seemed with the inmates, it was the tasks that were a bit of a problem. "Not at all. I took each task as challenge and was a team player. I developed bonding with Niketan, Sapna, Delnaaz, Urvashi and Karishma. I never gave in to the anger and kept my cool and composure.' 

"Everyone has a breaking point and Bigg Boss is like a litmus test. I am glad that I passed it and now I am back home with my family," he concluded.

Amritsar, November 12
The All-India Pingalwara Charitable Society organised an exhibition-cum-sale of artifacts prepared by special children and destitute women on Divali.

The items including painted bedcovers, cushions, toys made of plaster of Paris, coloured candles, sketches and garlands, were put up on exhibit here.

Pingalwara society chairperson Dr Inderjit Kaur said the money collected from the event would be spent to buy the raw-material for young artistes. The Pingalwara Trust organises two exhibitions every year to highlight the creative skills of the inmates.

She said, "The children and women inmates had worked very hard and the response from the visitors had proved very encouraging for them. The success of the exhibition made it a big day for them."

She said looking at the encouraging response from the public, another sale-cum-exhibition show would be organised soon. These exhibitions-cum-sale would encourage special children and also help collect funds which would be used for their further promotion of skills, she added. — TNS

Amritsar, November 12
The aided college teachers today observed a candlelight march to protest against the non-implementation of pension and gratuity scheme. Earlier in the day, they went on strike for two periods to protest against “anti-teacher” policies of the Khalsa College managing committee.

On the call given by the PCCTU, the teachers working in the colleges affiliated to GNDU observed strike for two periods and demanded immediate withdrawal of false and fabricated FIR against 22 teachers.

They also protested against the unwarranted delay in the implementation of pension and gratuity scheme of December 18, 1996 by the state government. 

Amritsar, November 12
Multi-national companies and even local retailers have initiated special offers to woo customers.

A banner installed in front of a computer shop announces a slew of gifts on purchase of desktops and laptops. The banner claimed that gifts worth Rs 10,000 like microwave oven, electric tea and coffee makers, Reebok sunglasses would be given on the purchase of desktop and laptop.

Companies from all sectors specially IT, telecom and jewellers are raining discounts and launching new and better products to capture the existing and potential client.

People bought utensils, gold coins and ornaments to celebrate Dhanteras and the jewellers offered a range of gifts to attract as many customers as possible. They offered free silver coins to lucky coupon winners. A jeweller Baljit Singh Nagi said the customers on purchase of at least Rs 10,000 jewellery would be given a lucky coupon to win a range of items, including, cars, jewellery, electronic goods, free holiday tours and others. He added that the response from customers has been very warm.

After witnessing low sales due to inflation, manufacturers are now out with more effective marketing schemes that are easy on the customers pocket and promise better quality and effective technology. These companies are out to exploit Diwali festival to jack up their sales.

Top TV manufacturing companies have introduced special products ahead of the festive season along with heavy discounts.

Several phone manufacturing companies are offering special travel vouchers on the purchase of products. 

Amritsar, November 12
With the increase in prices of desi ghee, sugar, milk and LPG cylinders, people have to shell out more to buy sweets this Divali.

Amitesh Singh, a proprietor of a famous sweetmeat shop on Lawrence Road, said there is at least 10 per cent rise in the prices of sweets as compared to prices during the previous Divali.

Hence, price of all varieties of sweetmeats --- moti choor ladoo, besan ladoo, mungi burfi, khoya burfi, chanderkala, sohan halwa, milk cake, anarkali, patisa and others --- have increased.

The price of a kilogram of desi ghee has shot up from Rs 250 to Rs 300 while cost of a kg of sugar has increased from Rs 31 to Rs 40.

The price of LPG cylinder was hiked by the government while labour cost was increased by about 20 per cent. Only respite for sweetmeat makers is almost unchanged prices of dry fruits.

Increase in prices of cereals, which are widely used in preparation of sweets, has also forced to revise the prices of sweets, said Aman Kumar of Mahajan Sweets at Katra Bhagian.

Rise in prices of key articles used in sweets has burnt a hole in people’s pockets.

Arshdeep Kaur, a customer at a leading sweetmeat shop, said rise in prices of essential commodities has hit the domestic budget hard forcing the families to curtail their expenditure on luxurious and non-essential items during Divali.

She said as per the tradition, families exchanged sweets on the festival of lights.

Taking cue from change in eating habits, many sweetmeat shops in the city have taken to selling ‘namkin’ (salt-based) eatables, cakes, chocolates, candies and other eatables.

Amritsar, November 12
With the arrest of three persons, the Amritsar rural police claimed to have busted a gang of robbers allegedly involved in the several incidents of loot and drug peddling.

The police seized a .32 bore country-made pistol besides two live cartridges and sharp-edged weapons from their possession.

Those arrested included Shamsher Singh of Chananke, Rashpal Singh of Mehta and Randhir Singh of Athwal village. Their two accomplices Balraj Singh of Khanpur and an unidentified person managed to escape.

Investigations revealed that the accused who are acute drug addicts had procured arms from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to execute their plans. The recent incident in which two pistols of 9mm, four magazines and 14 live cartridges of .32 bore were seized from the waiting hall of Ludhiana railway station also belonged to one of the accused, who had purchased the same from Bihar.

The accused had left the arms and bag at the railway station when they saw the Government Railway Police personnel conducting a search operation.

Randhir was also wanted in some robbery cases. He used to steal trucks and sell them after preparing fake documents. He was wanted by the police for quite some time.

It was also found that the accused was active in Mehta, Mattewal and Baba Bakala areas where he supplied drugs.

"They have named several drug peddlers based in the city and rural areas from whom they used to procure the intoxicants," said Preet Paul Singh Virk, SSP, Amritsar rural police.