GNDU takes police help to conduct interviews for profs’ promotions
Amritsar, December 22
With the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) threatening to disrupt the interviews for promotions of professors, the university administration today took police support to conduct the same.

Crime against women
NGO makes people seek solutions
Amritsar, December 22
At a time when the media, common people, the Twitteratti and FB junta have been constantly active and agitated over the recent Delhi rape case, Punjabi Samvaad, a cultural NGO from the city, organised a discussion and cultural programme to address safety and security issues of women.


Children perform during a programme, organised by NGO Punjabi Samvaad at Punjab Natshala.

Amritsar, December 22
Stalled work of flyover at Saifuddin Kitchlew Chowk, popularly known as court chowk, is set to resume soon as the state government has permitted the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) to axe around 30 trees after the AIT provides a chunk of land and pays nearly Rs three lakh to the Forest Department.

Billed as the holy city’s solution to the traffic mess around the District Courts Complex, the ambitious flyover project over Saifuddin Kitchlew Chowk had hit a wall as the Forest Department did not allow the AIT to uproot trees.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Superintendent Engineer, AIT, said his office had received the approval from the Local Bodies Department, Chandigarh. The AIT has begun to do the needful to resume the flyover work in a minimum possible time.

He said the Trust had decided in principle to hand over about 5,000 square yards of land in New Amritsar and give nearly Rs three lakh to the Forest Department in exchange for the trees to be axed.

The flyover at Kitchlew chowk was conceptualised at an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore. The work for this 900-meter-long elevated road was awarded to SP Singla Company in September 2011 and it was supposed to be completed in 15 months. However, objections by the Forest Department besides scarce supply of sand and gravel slowed down the work.

It is learnt that over two dozen century-old eucalyptus trees would have to be axed to pave way for the proposed flyover. The entire stretch of the flyover land comes under the Forest Department and it is obligatory on the part of the Improvement Trust to seek 'due permission' from the Divisional Forest Office before axing the trees.

He said the Trust had enacted a resolution on April 16 deciding in principle not to chop off about 90 small and big trees coming in the way of the flyover at Kitchlew Chowk. The Trust had sought permission from the Local Bodies office at Chandigarh in this regard.

Officials of the construction company said the firm had incurred losses on account of paying rent for giant machines stationed at the site and wages to labourers.

The flyover to be built on central verge of the road would stand on 14 pillars. Further, each pillar would rest on five piles for which 90 per cent of the work has been finished. Besides, 5.5-metre wide stretch will be available on both sides of the road along the flyover.

The work after it got stalled caused a lot of problems for commuters.

A visit to the site revealed that the giant machines and other materials of the construction company had encroached upon 10-foot portion of the road the past several months.

The bunch of electricity wires, water and sewerage pipes uprooted for the project further added to the woes of commuters.

District Forest Officer Nirmaljit Singh Randhawa said in principal, the AIT has been allowed to axe the trees. “The Forest Department would take over the land at New Amritsar and would plant more saplings,” he added.

Interestingly, to attain political mileage, the flyover project was inaugurated twice (once the Deputy CM inaugurated it just prior to the Assembly elections). This flyover was being projected to be the lifeline of the city to relieve the commuters from traffic snarls at this busiest spot. 

Amritsar, December 22
With the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) threatening to disrupt the interviews for promotions of professors, the university administration today took police support to conduct the same.

The GNDUTA had alleged that the authorities had tampered with the proceedings during interviews for promotions held in 2011.

During the earlier held interview, they had alleged that four teachers were denied promotions as their dates of eligibility were changed during the interview proceedings.

On Saturday, interviews for promotion of a professor from open category; one under Career Advancement Scheme (CAS); one for assistant professor and all three from the human genetics department were carried out smoothly.

GNDUTA president Dr Davinder Singh and secretary Dr Lakhwinder Singh Kang said even as the university had called in the police, they never intended to make the struggle a violent one.

To substantiate their allegations on tampering, representatives of the teachers’ association handed over documents to the visiting members of the interviewing panel.

They had alleged that documents pertaining to the promotions of the teachers were tampered with by the university authorities. But the university officials have denied the claim.

The association also held a meeting today to plan its future course of action in its ongoing struggle against the “unlawful” working of the university authorities.

They said the information provided under the RTI makes it clear that the Vice Chancellor himself constitute the panel of experts.

The association demanded that promotions of teachers should be given as per the UGC rules and guidelines.

The association members also demanded revival of the committee, which was constituted by the Vice Chancellor on November 3, 2011, with the Dean, Academic Affairs, as the chairperson and president of the GNDUTA as one of the members, to work out the modalities for promotions of teachers.

The modalities were worked out in the meetings of the committee held on January 9, April 26 and May 21 this year.

They alleged that against the normal procedure, the proceedings of the committee were kept a secret. They claimed that this was done because the university authorities wanted to pursue with their pick and choose policy.

VC AS Brar said the police was called since the GNDUTA had threatened not to allow the interview proceedings today. He said there is no need to revive any committee as the interviews had been carried out as per UGC rules. 

Amritsar, December 22
At a time when the media, common people, the Twitteratti and FB junta have been constantly active and agitated over the recent Delhi rape case, Punjabi Samvaad, a cultural NGO from the city, organised a discussion and cultural programme to address safety and security issues of women.

The event had the intellect elite class of the city pondering and delving deep to come out with a possible solution to such crimes.

‘Victims of rape, acid attacks, eve-teasing, domestic violence, women have been crying out aloud with pain for a long time. They have been vulnerable to such crimes because of the lack of an effective justice system and constricted social mindsets. We, through our initiative and programme, are just trying to bring the message across that the change will start from home,” shared Jasmine Bawa, a member of Punjabi Samvaad.

The show had a special dance drama based on the theme of acid attacks on girls and its implications. “The contemporary dance format weaves the story of a girl, who each woman could relate too, falling prey to acid attack. The dance drama highlights the plight, social apathy, failure of law and its effects on the life of the victim,” said Bawa.

The dance was followed by a panel discussion on such crimes against women and finding possible solution to avert or fight such problems. “One has to realise that mere slogan shouting or candlelight marches will not solve the issue, but a strong conviction to change the social system and commitment of the law-enforcement agencies towards ensuring safety to women will end the fear they are forced to live in,” said Jasmine. 

Amritsar, December 22
Hit by parking blues, employees of Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital have come out against the contractor of parking lots at the hospital.

They have lodged a complaint with the Senior Medical Officer and Deputy Medical Commissioner of the Civil Hospital saying that they do not get sufficient space to park their vehicles.

Rakesh Kumar, chairman of the Employees Welfare Association of Civil Hospital, said, “The contractor allows private vehicles of nearby shopkeepers to be parked in the parking lots.”

He said as a result, employees are left with insufficient space or no space left for parking their vehicles. Even relatives of patients face parking problems.

He said patients and doctors had to park their vehicles outside the hospital premises, which is not safe.

Kumar demanded that the contractor should be directed not to allow private vehicles of nearby residents parked inside the hospital premises. “If he doesn’t mend his ways, his contract should be cancelled and a new man should be appointed,” he said.

A parking slot at the hospital is already occupied by workers, engaged to construct the new mother and child care centre in the hospital. As a result, there is already insufficient parking area in the hospital.

Kumar also accused the contractor of overcharging from the general public. As per rules, the contractor has to charge Rs 5 from owners of two wheelers and Rs 10 from owners of four wheelers. 

Amritsar, December 22
As many as 286 children were examined at Ranjit Avenue Satellite Hospital during the two-day eye check-up camp organised under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

During the examination of the schoolchildren from Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts, 102 children were found to be suffering from squint problem or cataract. “Two children had both the problems,” said ophthalmic officer Sanjeev Anand.

Of the total children checked, 58 with LVA (low visual aids) were provided free sight enhancers by NGO Sight Savers, said Digambar, a member of the NGO.

Around 126 children have shown improvement with the use of glasses. One child was detected with retionoblastoma, a kind of eye cancer.

Sanjeev Anand said most of the eye problems could be avoided if there is regular and proper check-up at the tender age.

The camp was inaugurated by Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra. 

Amritsar, December 22
On Christmas and New Year's Eve, AlphaOne, Amritsar is abuzz with the festive spirit. The third Winter Carnival at the AlphaOne has begun and it means fun for the family.

The carnival which is open till January 5 has competitive activities like drawing, print and sell t-shirt making, snowman decoration, kids and parents fashion show, musical chairs, sing along karaoke, musical night, rock band performance and a treasure hunt.

Some fun and yummy competitions like pizza eating, 10-minute snack competition would take place at Flavours in the food court. Along with the various entertaining activities, there are numerous gifts to be won from AlphaOne's Winter Carnival and great offers on all the brands.

Dr Prodipta Sen, executive director, Alpha G Corp said, "We are extremely pleased to have the ongoing third Winter Carnival and festive extravaganza for the people. We look forward for their participation with great fervour and enthusiasm."

Amritsar, December 22
Drona Physiotherapy Centre, an Institute for Therapeutic Solutions, was inaugurated here today by Minister of Industries Anil Joshi. Others present on the occasion included Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra, former chairman industries and export corporation Rajinder Mohan Chinna.

Addressing the gathering, founder Jagan Mohan said the centre would provide treatment facilities with the state of art equipments. Yoga and meditation sessions, apart from an in-house diagnosis and evaluation, would also be provided at the centre.

Treatment using combination and laser therapy, apart from hydrotherapy, exercise and electro therapy for pain management and other treatments for patients with joint, bone or muscular pains or post-surgery rehabilitation would be a part of the services.

He said it would be beneficial for special children, sports persons, those of who were suffering from paralytic strokes and expectant mothers. He said that the centre would provide free treatment to the economically backward sections of society based on merits of the case. A rehabilitation gym for post surgical patients of strokes, paralysis and ortho surgeries would be its unique feature along with hydrotherapy. The centre would hold a free evaluation camp on December 23 at its premises. — TNS

Dr Arun K Chopra, Head Cardiology, addresses mediapersons after carrying out an operation on an 80-year-old woman at Fortis hospital in Amritsar. Dissolvable stent was planted in the woman during angioplasty. 

The soluble absorb heart stent is designed to avoid several problems which occur with metal stent. The Drug Controller of India has recently approved the bio-absorbable stent of multinational firm Abbott Vascular. 

Amritsar, December 22
An exhibition of paintings and sketches by city-based artist NK Oberoi opened at the Art Gallery by Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna, president, Indian Academy of Fine Arts.

Interestingly, Oberoi, an amateur artist, thought of becoming a painter while doodling. “I used to doodle a lot. I used to draw on tables, behind invitation cards or any given piece of paper. I decided to take a step ahead after I was encouraged by my friends and peers to take up the art professionally,” shared Oberoi, who works as the visiting faculty and dean, academics and CCA at DAV International School.

The paintings at the exhibition are contemporary in concept and technique. The sketches are in red and black colours. “I have experimented with other colours but this time I chose red and black for sketches as there are no brighter and energetic colours than these two.” His paintings create a rhythm and harmony on canvas.

Also nurturing a passion for music and poetry, NK Oberoi’s art pieces doodled behind invitation cards were first noticed by his friend renowned artist Baldev Gambhir. He can work on canvas, paper, a bath room tile, waste sunmica or even an abandoned car number plate and create it into an art piece. Never trained professionally in fine arts, Oberoi hoped that his works would be noticed and appreciated by art lovers.

Amritsar, December 22
A day after dentist Dr Ritu allegedly committed suicide at her residence in Jhujar Nagar, a police team found a suicide note from the spot.

In the suicide note, the deceased said she was committing suicide as she was very upset with the materialist world and nobody else was responsible for her act.

The police said no case has been registered in this connection as the family of Dr Ritu too had not raised any suspicion. — TNS