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Cold wave stings city, claims second life
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Rana’s relatives arrested for supplying him cartridges in jail
Inferior bricks being used to raise health centre
‘Need to boost music culture to produce another Rafi’
SBI told to refund Rs 3.5 lakh
Accident leads to attack on two; 12 booked
National Youth Exchange Programme begins
Army pre-recruitment course from Dec 24
Milk producers to hold protest on Jan 10
Molestation victim in serious condition
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Cold wave stings city, claims second life
Amritsar, December 23 With lots of homeless people in the city, the cold wave may take more toll in the coming months. Even as the district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the homeless or destitute, there are few takers for the administration’s hospitality due to absence of concrete policy on the issue. There have numerous deaths in the past few years. The Amritsar administration faces multi-dimensional problems when it comes to put in to practice the Supreme Court’s recent orders to provide adequate night shelters for the homeless during the peak winter months. Though hit by infrastructure and fund crunch, the Amritsar administration had made a temporary arrangement at a defunct building of Old Karam Singh Medical Ward (also known as Raain Basera) to provide shelter to the homeless. But, there were few takers for this hospitality. Reasons for poor response
Destitute, mostly from other states, prefer to stay near religious shrines where they get free food and alms. The Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir, Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib, Hall Gate Dargah, Panj Peer Dargah etc are the common places where most of the homeless could be found. Another reason, as per the district administration, for the poor response to the night shelter is drug addiction among the homeless. They don’t like to stay at Raain Basera as they are kept under vigil and not allowed to indulge in addiction. Officials, on the condition of anonymity, said the administration, through the District Red Cross Society, submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Social Welfare Department in Chandigarh about arranging jobs for those homeless people, who are physically fit, at factories and other places, but the proposal has been caught in official rigmarole. Taking a toll
No stopping begging
Official speak
The Red Cross staff helps provide hygienic living to the homeless, but the problem is that they do not show willingness to stay at Raain Basera. Though we ensure proper water and sanitary conditions besides regular food, the destitute do not accept it as their home. Even those who want to go back to their native states are provided railway and bus tickets. Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner The problem exists because most of these people are found to be mentally upset and drug addicts. As they are not allowed to indulge in addiction at Karam Singh Ward, they prefer to go away. At present, we have around 60 homeless people at the ward. Randhir Singh, official, Red Cross Society
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Rana’s relatives arrested for supplying him cartridges in jail
Those arrested have been identified as Harjinder Singh of Chawinda Kalan village and Fuman Singh of Bhangupur village, father-in-law and paternal uncle of Rana, respectively. Soon after two visitors left the jail premises after meeting Rana, jail employees searched him and found two .12 bore bullets from his possession. Later, the jail authorities shot a complaint to the Cantonment police asking them to register a case in this regard. From the visitors’ record book, the jail authorities found the names and addresses of Fuman Singh and Harjinder Singh, following which a case registered under Sections 420 of the IPC, 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act and 42 of the Prisoner Act was registered against three. Prabhjot Singh, in charge Gumtala police chowki and investigating officer in the case, said preliminary probe points out that the two visitors apparently supplied the live cartridges. He said the motive behind the incident is not clear.
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Inferior bricks being used to raise health centre
Amritsar, December 23 The work of the building was initiated around a fortnight back. “It is unfortunate that the contractor is using substandard material from the very beginning. Bricks, which are yellow instead of red, are in the use,” said Satwinder Singh, a visitor. The hospital administration too has taken notice of substandard bricks. Senior Medical Officer Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon said, “The proposed centre is a project overseen by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. Though we are not involved in the construction at any stage, we have pointed out poor quality of the construction material.” He said the matter had been reported to the authorities concerned. “We hope that the authorities will look into the matter,” he added. He said he personally visited the construction site and talked to workers about the bricks. Endangering act
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‘Need to boost music culture to produce another Rafi’
Amritsar, December 23 Mohammad Rafi was born at Kotla Sultan Singh village, about 25 kms from the holy city. Son of a village barber, Rafi whose nickname was Pheeko had a fairy tale rise from rag to riches thanks to his golden voice. His father Hajji Ali Mohammad lived in the village with six sons and two daughters. Majority of the family members had gone to Pakistan following the Partition. Living in penury
45-year-old
Aziz, son of Rafi’s sister Noora, lives a life of penury and oblivion. Though he rendered some songs to a couple of Punjabi movies under the tutelage of his legendary uncle, Rafi’s death closed several doors for Aziz when he was merely 12. Currently, he lives with his wife Suman and 12-year-old daughter
Soniya. The family ekes out a living by performing at functions mainly
‘jagratas’. His desire, to get that elusive chance to sing in the Bollywood industry, remains unfulfilled. But adverse financial and domestic conditions have not affected his passion for singing. He said hundreds of groups of Mohammad Rafi’s fans and societies organise programmes in his memory, but few acknowledges him. He said only a
Mumbai-based group dedicated to Rafi invites him to participate in his birth anniversary celebration in
Mumbai. However, no society had ever supported me to overcome financial constraints and I am not even given a chance to offer a song from the podium, said
Aziz. Recalling memories of Rafi
It was sometime in 1970 when Mohammad Rafi was at peak of his career had come to Amritsar. “Uncle was very helpful. He invited me to Mumbai and trained me in music. He even introduced me to Bollywood through some Punjabi films,” he said. However, luck chose to elude Aziz as he had to leave Rafi Mansion immediately after the death of Mohd Rafi on July 31, 1980. Aziz even pulled a rickshaw for some time in Mumbai before he returned to his native place in Amritsar, where he did menial jobs to make both ends meet. “I was amazed to see his skill as a kite flyer and a badminton player. Rafi used to play badminton for over an hour daily,” recalled Mohammed Aziz
Rafi. During his one-and-a-half-year association with Rafi, he got chance to sing two songs each in two Punjabi films namely ‘Punjabi
Munda’ and ‘Jatt Yamla’. Unable to find much success, Aziz returned here in 1990 and married
Suman, an actor, in 1996. With a view to try luck, both of them went to
Mumbai. Suman performed a role of sister of Shahrukh Khan in Mirch
Masala, directed by Surinder Sharma. He sang a solo and was also a participant in chorus of
qawwali. However, unable to find much success both of them returned to Amritsar.
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Sachin’s retirement leaves fans heartbroken
Neha Saini Tribune News Service
Amritsar, December 23 The man, who is called the god of cricket, has finally called quits. Time stands frozen for the inspirational cricketer and tributes pour in. After making 18,426 runs in ODIs and scoring the first ever double hundred in the format, Tendulkar’s retirement is set to upset many of his fans and followers. We take a round from his followers in city on the end of an era. “He was a phenomenal player, who was a treat to watch in all formats of the game. The records he has made all these years are difficult to break. He will be greatly missed,” said Sahil Saini, a student from DAV College, Amritsar. It was just as an emotional moment for his fans as the master himself. “Who can forget Sachin’s celebrations at Wankhede after World Cup win. Though his retirement from the ODIs is a signal from him thinking to put his bat to rest, but at least we will watch him playing in whites,” shared Anshu Aggarwal, a businessman from the city. Rishi Jaitley, a cricket enthusiast and a healthcare professional, too feels disheartened, though he agrees it was expected. “He has been an inspiration for youth, on and off the field. His stature in world cricket cannot be challenged. But his retirement was around the corner and it should be appreciated. The man has done more than wonderful job in his game and the world will remember,” he says. “The world might not end in 2012, one day cricket certainly has with Sachin's retirement. Salute to the man who manifested how success could be handled so humbly both on and off the field. The game will never be the same again,” shared Ratinderpal Sandhu, another sports lover and businessman from the city. Residents Speak He was a phenomenal player, who was a treat to watch in all formats of the game. The records he has made all these years are difficult to break. He will be greatly missed. — Sahil Saini, A student He has been an inspiration for youth, on and off the field. His stature in world cricket cannot be challenged. — Rishi Jaitley, a healthcare professional
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SBI told to refund Rs 3.5 lakh
Amritsar, December 23 In his complaint before the forum, Harjit Singh had said on December 15, 2008, he came to know that some unknown person had withdrawn an amount of Rs 3.5 lakh from his account by forging his signatures on 13 cheques. He said the cheques were stolen from his chequebook. He said an inquiry was entrusted to Paramjit Singh, AGM, State Bank of India, who told him that fault lies with the bank and that the amount would be credited to his account. He said the police too registered an FIR after inquiry on June 11, 2009, against three persons who admitted of committing the crime. The forum found the bank at fault as forged signatures on all 13 cheques did not match with the complainant’s specimen signatures. The forum concluded that it is the first and foremost duty of the bank officials to correctly compare the signatures of the account holder with his specimen signatures available with the bank. “And if any person had withdrawn the amount by forging the signatures of the account holder of cheque/instrument which do not tally with the specimen signatures of the account holder, the bank is liable to compensate the account holder,” the forum further said. Forum orders
Consumer forum orders the bank to refund Rs 3.5 lakh to a resident from whose account the money was fraudulently withdrawn
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Accident leads to attack on two; 12 booked
Amritsar, December 23 Ashwani Kumar, the complainant, told the police that on Saturday evening his son Lokesh and his friend Sidakpartap Singh hurriedly entered the house as they were being chased by the accused, identified as Rembo of Amarkot, Hardeep Singh Gill of Sunder Nagar, Yanki and 10 others. The accused, armed with blunt weapons and hockey sticks, barged into the house and thrashed the two. They ran away after inflicting injuries to them, he alleged. Ashwani further said the accused also snatched the mobile and gold chain weighing 15 grams from his son. Harbans Singh, investigating officer, said a case under Sections 307, 452, 382, 427, 323, 148 and 149 of the IPC had been registered in this connection. He said no arrest has been made so far. Investigations were going on. He said a few days back, the victims riding a scoter and accused on motorcycle had an accident following which they had a heated argument. He said raids are being conducted to nab the accused.
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National Youth Exchange Programme begins
Amritsar, December 23 Volunteers of the Red Cross Society presented a programme showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage. Programme director Krishan Kumar Saini said it would be a learning experience for students, who would be taught about the basic principles of the Red Cross mission. An awareness rally would also be organised in this direction. Besides Punjab, participants have come from Haryana, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland and Pudducherry.
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Army pre-recruitment course from Dec 24
Amritsar, December 21 He said the interested candidates, who wish to enter the Army and were in the age group between 17 and 21, should have cleared their matriculation. He said the candidates could also report at the District Sainik Welfare Board office. — TNS
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Milk producers to hold protest on Jan 10
Amritsar, December 23 KSC leader Sukhwinder Singh Sabra demanded that the administration should also check the sale of synthetic milk in the market. He said if the milk plant did not fulfil their demand, they would begin a strong protest. aHe said the farmers are at a loss as they don’t get an apt price.
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Molestation victim in serious condition
Amritsar, December 23 The youths, whose friendship offer was turned down by the girl, allegedly molested her and later poured poison down her mouth on Friday. The condition of the girl, admitted to a local hospital, was said to be serious but stable. “The girl was under treatment and was not in the condition to give any statement,” said Preet Paul Singh Virk, SSP (Amritsar Rural). The two accused --- Sukhman of Cheecha village and Billu of Adliwal village (both 18 years old) --- had been arrested. They would be produced in the court tomorrow.
— TNS
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Amritsar, December 23