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Drug smugglers held
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yearender crime
Red Ribbon Express arrives in city
Factionalism mars BJP function to celebrate Vajpayee’s birthday
Purpose defeated
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Drug smugglers held
Nakodar, December 25 This was confirmed by SP(D), Jalandhar, Rural, Rajinder Singh, while talking to this correspondent here today. He said the police had impounded their two vehicles, including truck (PB-08-BZ-7457), and a Scorpio (PB-37F-7676) in which they were coming and were nabbed at a naka. The arrested drug smugglers were identified as Harbans Lal, alias Lali of Saifabad village under the Phillaur police station, Kulwinder Singh of Ravidasspura Phillaur, Harjit Singh of Rasulpur village (Scorpio owner), Pinder Singh of Sanghdhesian village (truck owner) and Stephen of Nurpur village, Nawanshahr district (truck cleaner). Narrating the gang's modus operandi, the SP said the arrested drug smugglers were bringing opium by filling it in an empty battery of the truck, kept in the vehicle and going to sell in various districts of Punjab, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Moga, Nawanshahr etc. The SP said some of the opium was recovered from the belts tied by the accused. He said the arrested accused had confessed to their involvement in various criminal incidents, including drugs smuggling. He further disclosed that they brought the consignments of drugs from Indore and entered Punjab via Chitodgarh, Hanumangarh, Raikot, Moga, Ludhiana, Phillaur, Nawanshahar, Phagwara, Nakodar and Jalandhar to sell these at higher rates. The accused had confessed that they had brought three big consignments of opium from Indore and had sold these in Punjab. Investigations were still on, said the SP. |
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Several feathers added to Science City’s cap in 2012
Dharmendra Joshi Tribune News Service
Kapurthala, December 25 A 100-kw Solar Power Plant was inaugurated by Punjab Chief Secretary Punjab on September 27, which demonstrates the use of solar energy. This plant is designed in such a way that it directly feeds power to the main grid and does not make use of a battery bank. With this, no cost will be incurred in future for maintaining this power plant. The plant has been set up with the total investment of Rs1.50 crore, out of which Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources has contributed Rs 40 lakh as subsidy. With the successful operation of this plant, the PGSC proposes to add more solar energy-based power generation capacity in the Science City. Another achievement of the year 2012 was the opening of “Life through the Ages” panorama to the public. The panorama, formally inaugurated by Punjab education minister Sikander Singh Malooka, on July 12 provides an insight into as to how the earth and life on it has evolved. The events have been demonstrated through panorama consisting of 2D, 3D and half-relief models along with landscape merging with the background panels. The panorama also provides the visitors a wide-angled and indepth view related to each of the major events that occurred in the evolution of life on the earth. PGSC director-general Dr RS Khandpur said the panorama had become very popular with the visiting public. Besides in an effort to promote creativity and innovation among the young school students, the PGSC provides ample opportunities to the young innovators to demonstrate their innovative works. Competitions are held twice a year for the display of projects and models in which heavy cash prizes are given to the winning teams. Science Fest 2012 for school students of various schools and INNO-TECH 2012 for engineering students were the two major events which attracted tremendous response from the student community. The Central department of Science and Technology has sponsored the Regional Incubation Science Hub for Innovators (RISHI) project. Under this project, two camps were organised in the Science City to provide a platform to the students to further develop their innovative ideas. The total cost of their lodging and boarding along with their fellowship amount is borne by the Science City under the project. The PGSC celebrated a number of socially and scientifically important days throughout the year such as Technology Day, Science Day, Akshay Urja Diwas and Earth Day etc. During these celebrations, competitions such as quiz, model display, caption writing, essay writing and science plays were organised relating to the theme of the day. The PGSC received an overwhelming response from the public. The Punjab Education Department sponsored visits of more than 25,000 students to the Science City. Under this scheme, students were provided free entry to the Science City. Their travel and expenses on meals were also met from the Punjab Government grant. The Department of Education, Punjab, also sponsored the visit of more than 30000 students to the PGSC under the central Rashtriya Madhmik Sikhiya Abhiyaan (RAMSA). During the year, the Science City lost its mentor in the death of former Prime Minister IK Gujral. He had laid the foundation stone of the project on October 17, 1997. Punjab owes a lot to late IK Gujral for bringing this magnificent project to the state and guiding its development from time to time.
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Rural police busted 22 gangs of drug smugglers
Dharmendra Joshi Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 25 Huge quantities of various drugs have also been recovered from the smugglers during the period, which include 34 kg Ice, 14 kg ephedrine, 12 kg heroin, 2.5 kg cocaine, 210 quintal poppy husk, 2 kg smack and 2.5 kg charas. The SSP, Yurinder Singh Hayer, said most of the drug smugglers were nabbed from the Nakodar, Phillaur and Goraya areas, falling under the jurisdiction of the Jalandhar (Rural) police. The SP (Detective), Rajinder Singh, said, "Our investigating officers (IOs) leave no stone unturned to solve the cases, especially related to drug smuggling registered under various sections of the NDPS Act." Apart from ensuring their conviction by providing concrete evidence in the courts after thorough investigation of the cases, the process for attaching their properties would be initiated, which would sent a strong message and have a deterrent effect in the society against drug smuggling, Hayer added. In reply to a question, the SSP said the police might ask for review if sample of any seized drug failed during its examination in a laboratory. Appreciating his entire team for working hard in the fight against drug addiction, Hayer urged the youth to stay away from drug addiction for creating a better society. Apart from drug smugglers, the rural police also succeeded in nabbing as many as 300 snatchers from various areas falling in its jurisdiction.
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One-way traffic rule not followed strictly
Jalandhar, December 25 Though some traffic policemen remain deployed at the place, they turn a blind eye towards the auto-rickshaws which thwart the very purpose of declaring the road for one-way traffic. A Tribune team noticed during its visit to the area that auto-rickshaw drivers coming towards the city railway station tell passengers to alight a few yards before the barricade put up for implementing the one-way traffic rule. After the passengers get down from the autos, they park their vehicles for several minutes there in wait of passengers who want to go to the bus stand and other places, which creates hindrance in the flow of the vehicles, thwarting the very purpose of declaring the road for one-way traffic. Also, policemen deployed at the barricade do not ask them to move. Apart from auto-rickshaw drivers, a number of shop-keepers have also created hindrance in the smooth flow of traffic on this road by encroaching the road by putting up their various items there. A social activist Rajat Mohindru said, “The traffic police should strictly implement the one-way rule, as despite declaring the road as one-way, a number of passengers still miss their trains, as they fail to reach their destination in time after being stuck in the traffic snarls.”€¯ “The MC should also clear the encroachments by several shopkeepers on this road for ensuring the smooth flow of traffic,”€¯ he added. The road had been declared one-way for traffic several months ago, as a number of passengers failed to reach the station on time due to traffic snarls on the road and several of them missed their trains. |
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Red Ribbon Express arrives in city
Jalandhar, December 25 Arriving at the platform number 1 of the city railway station, the train had eight coaches, each of which provided vital information about various diseases. As many as 5,500 persons, along with students and dignitaries visited the train during the first day of its stop at the city railway station. The train, which will stay for two days in Jalandhar, has coaches informing about HIV, TB, dengue and malaria along with other diseases. One of the coaches had been reserved to run tests and checks for various diseases and another was an auditorium meant to disseminate information among students and common people. While many people were checked on the occasion, no case of AIDS was detected. However, 65 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were identified on the train. The train had signboards, neon signs and interactive screens which displayed messages and ran quizzes on ailments. Many government students also visited the train and gathered valuable information. On the occasion, Chief Parliamentary Secretary KD Bhandari, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Sunil Jyoti, Civil Surgeon Dr RL Bassan, SDM Isha Kalia, District Health Officer Ashwini Kumar, District Education Officer (secondary), Neelam Kumari, President, PAHAL NGO Professor Lakhbir Singh among others were present. Dignitaries appealed to citizens to visit the train in large numbers to make the most of the opportunity. Notably, presently there are 57,000 AIDS patients in the state.
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Factionalism mars BJP function to celebrate Vajpayee’s birthday
Jalandhar, December 25 The district BJP did not call its national executive member Manoranjan Kalia's confidant Ravi Mohindru on the stage to speak on the occasion. Taking strong exception to this, BJP state secretary Ravi Mohindru took up the matter with acting BJP district president Subash Sood soon after the function. Later talking to The Tribune, Mohindru said the district BJP had defied the protocol by not calling him on the dais to speak. “I should have been called to speak according to the party protocol. The district party president should work raising himself above the factionalism in the party. I took up the matter with Sood but his reply was unsatisfactory.” Ravi Mohindru, who was aspirant for becoming Mayor and district party president, said he would bring the matter to the notice of party state president Ashwani Sharma. When contacted, acting BJP district president Subash Sood said, “Just due to time-constraint Ravi Mohindru was not called on the dais to speak.” Sood said, “District general secretary Raju Mago was conducting the stage and there was no ulterior motive behind not calling Ravi on the dais.” He claimed that there was no difference in the party. “We have taken a pledge today to work taking all the leaders along as Vajpayee had done by uniting over 20 constituents of the NDA during his rule,” he said. Similarly, Raju Mago claimed “There is no groupism in the party. Ravi is a respected leader. Actually I called BJP state vice-president Mohinder Bhagat for presenting vote of thanks, that is why Ravi was not called to speak.” Earlier expressing their views, Punjab Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Jalandhar (North) MLA KD Bhandari, Mayor Sunil Jyoti, acting district president Subash Sood, former district president Krishan Lal Dhal and Mohinder Bhagat highlighted the achievements of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Former Punjab minister and Jalandhar (Central) MLA Manoranjan Kalia could not attend the function as he was reportedly gone out of state. A yajna was organised on the occasion for Vajpayee’s long life. A number of BJP workers were present at its district office in Sheetla Mandir to pray for long life of their leader. |
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Harivallabh Sangeet Paratiyogita begins
Jalandhar, December 25 The vocal, percussion and non-percussion competitions in the junior category took place during the pratiyogita. The day began with the vocal strains of young talents from across the country and ended with the percussion contests. Many persons from Delhi appeared for the contests this year. In all, 30 contestants participated in the various competitons that took place today. In the vocal category, 13 students participated. In non-percussion two students participated and in the percussion category 15 students participated. In vocals, Bahnupratap Agnihotri (sung Raag Hansdhwani) stood first, Janvi Sangha (Raag Bahaar) second and Raghav Kapoor (Raag Malkauns) third. All three are from from Jalandhar. In the non-percussion category, Sushan Sathu (violin, Raag Bhairav) from Jammu stood first and Janvi Pal (sitar, Raag Des) from Jalandhar second. In the percussion category, Dinesh Kashyap (tabla, ektaal) from Yamuna Nagar stood first, Harneet Singh (tabla, teen taal) from Zeera second and Mohandeep Bawra (tabla, teen taal) from Jalandhar third. The contests in the senior vocal category will begin from tomorrow morning.
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Virsa Vihar better known for sales than art exhibitions
Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 25 Blame it on the fact that the responsibility of keeping art alive, in Jalandhar, always has been on just a handful of artists, who mostly do not get any political or financial backing. Or the fact that the few efforts to revive art by either the district administration or the Virsa Vihar authorities have not been backed by solid funding from the government or public support (too few genuine art lovers in the city). The outcome, in any case, is always the same. In October this year, myriad plans were announced for Virsa Vihar by the authorities. The plans included a fine art shop (a shop displaying works of artists registered with Virsa Vihar), regular pottery workshops by artists, a separate clay modelling section, an auditorium and some musical evenings to keep art lovers entertained. It’s now December, but so far not a single one of these proposals has taken practical shape. On top of this, the Virsa Vihar facade presently looks more like one announcing an entry into a commercial complex rather than a hub of artistic activity in the city. The posters of the single ongoing painting exhibition at Virsa Vihar have been dwarfed by posters of exhibitions of woollens and garments. While only the Satya Paul art gallery is housing an art exhibition, the basement of the building, room opposite the Satya Paul Gallery and a room on the first floor are all presently occupied for holding various winter sales. Ironically, the only good news in it is that the painting exhibition artists say that the footfall in their gallery has increased due to the customers coming for the sales. Rohit Kumar, an artist, says, “I have displayed my paintings here previously, but this time, due to the winter shopping frenzy, some shoppers are coming in to check our art too.” Defending the move to lend Virsa Vihar for commercial purposes, Channi JS Takulia, general secretary of the fund-starved Virsa Vihar, like always, says that it is the only way for them to generate funds to keep Virsa Vihar afloat. He assertively adds that the authorities, so far, have no plans to put a stop to the sales and commercial exhibitions. “We have not received any funds promised by the government and politicians and this is the only option for us to run things.” Talking about the plans that had been announced in October, Channi says, “The work is on track and within a couple of days, we will be making declarations regarding the musical gatherings and fine art shop.” Talking about the clay modelling and pottery workshop plans, he said, "Since I have had no communication with the artist who had proposed plans for the same, I cannot make any commitment regarding it right at the moment.” Talking to The Tribune, a city artist said, “Creatively envisioned, art-oriented activities, workshops and efforts in curating and selling outstanding works from city artists can also be turned into revenue-generating endeavours. That will retain the identity of the Vihar as an art hub and also bring in the funds. But no one in the city is willing to make that effort at least for the moment. Hence, Virsa Vihar languishes.”
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The police yesterday busted an inter-state gang of drug smugglers and seized 20 kg of opium, worth Rs 50 lakh, from its five
members.
The year 2012 was an exciting year for the Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC), as several new facilities and programmes were launched during the period.
The year, 2012, remained significant for the Jalandhar (Rural) police as it succeeded in arresting as many as 550 members of 22 gangs of drug smugglers operating in the region.
Huge quantities of various drugs have also been recovered from the smugglers during the period, which include 34 kg Ice, 14 kg ephedrine, 12 kg heroin, 2.5 kg cocaine, 210 quintal poppy husk, 2 kg smack and 2.5 kg
charas.
The year, 2012, remained significant for the Jalandhar (Rural) police as it succeeded in arresting as many as 550 members of 22 gangs of drug smugglers operating in the region.
