Bathinda, January 30
A patient of swine flu died at Adesh Hospital early this morning.

The 30-year-old female patient was a resident of Gobind Colony of the Cantonment area. She had been undergoing treatment at the Adesh Hospital since January 23. The patient had returned from her native place in Bihar and had taken ill. She was put on ventilator a few days ago.

Medical superintendent of Adesh Hospital, Dr Gurpreet Singh Gill, said the patient breathed her last at 5:30 am today. The district health authorities were informed of the swine flu death by 7 am.

District health officer, Dr Raghubir Singh Randhawa, said following the guidelines of state health department, the body was wrapped in a plastic cover before being handed over to the family for cremation.

Bodies of swine flu patients are not allowed to be taken home. Instead, it is directly sent to the cremation ground from the hospital. Dr Randhawa said the doctors of the Military Hospital were told about the precautions to be taken while cremation. In case of a death of a civilian swine flu patient, the district health authorities ensure that cremation is monitored. It is done to contain further spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, four more swine flu positive cases are undergoing treatment at various places. Health authorities said all the patients were responding well to the treatment. Around 16 swine flu suspected cases have been examined so far. Of these, five tested positive for the infection.

Bathinda, January 30
A new beginning seems to have been made, with an increased participation of women in police force.

Known for being male bastion for long in the backwaters of Bathinda, the district police now has a large number of female cops.

The district currently has 280 female cops including one superintendent of police, one deputy superintendent of police, four sub-inspectors, nine head constables and 265 newly-recruited constables.

With the Superintendent of Police, Alka Meena, district has got its first ever female IPS officer. A 2010 batch IPS officer, Alka joined at Bathinda around 15 days ago after the former SP, Patil Ketan Baliram was transferred. A native of Rajasthan, she is married to SDM Gidderbaha, Kumar Amit.

“This is my first posting with an independent charge. I look forward to working in Bathinda,” Alka told Bathinda Tribune, who is the first from her family to join civil services.

The young DSP Avneet Kaur Sidhu, known for her shooting prowess, is posted in Bathinda during her trainee period. Married to the captain of Indian hockey team, Rajpal Singh, Avneet belongs to Bathinda.

“It seems nice to be policing the same streets where I grew up. Being a woman, I can associate myself closely with the causes of females,” she added.

Besides the two officers, the district police also has four sub inspectors, nine head constables and 265 newly-recruited constables. 181 constables were recruited in 2011 and nine were recruited in 2012. Most of the new recruits are well-qualified post graduates with degrees in science, arts and computer sciences.

Most of the newly-recruited constables have now been deputed as members of the Women Armed Special Protection Squad (WASPS), the recently-formed squad which promises to keep a tab on eve teasers, rein in crimes against women and offer help to women in distress besides manning traffic.

With the state government planning to deploy an additional woman station house officer (SHO) at every police station, the men in uniform will have more female counterparts to rub their shoulders with.

During his visit to the city recently, the Supreme Court advocate HS Phoolka had said the rape cases should be handled by females, and females should be made to communicate with the victims to make the latter feel more comfortable.

Fact file One superintendent of police One deputy superintendent of police Four sub-inspectors Nine head constables 265 newly-recruited constables

Bathinda, January 30
Punjab's education department has begun to act tough with the teachers who have been involved in criminal activities in the past.

The department has shot off letters of termination of services, till further notice, to teachers in various districts.

The move has been taken after the education department took cognisance of a rule laid down by the Supreme Court of India which grants the appointing authority the authority to terminate the services of teachers in case they have been involved in any kind of social crimes.

Service of Surinder Kumar, a science teacher in a government school in Nihalsinghwala village in the Bathinda district has been terminated with immediate effect. An FIR, dated March 29, 2009, was filed against him at the Gidderbaha police station.

A case under Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against him. A sentence of seven years in jail and a fine of Rs 10,000 was pronounced in the case.

As per list issued by the Secretary School Education a few days back, as many as eight teachers from different districts of the state have been put under suspension.

This includes teachers from Bathinda, Fazilka, Jalandhar, Moga, Mansa and Fatehgarh Saheb.

The suspended teachers, however, expressed their anger and accused the education department of taking the step in haste. "The department just took note of what the court had ordered a couple of years back. “The department did not deem it necessary to take our version. One of the teachers has been serving for only two years and his service has been terminated. We have requested the education department to take note of our versions and then reach a conclusion," said Gurwinder Singh, a teacher from Fazilka who has also been handed a suspension letter for having a criminal case against him.

Bathinda, January 30
City-based siblings Sukhvir Singh and Sandeep Singh get up at 5 am everyday just to spend the early hours of the day with their lovely ladies — Chameli and Bijli. The duo massages their bodies for half an hour before taking them out for a long walk by the lake.

We are talking about the sheer love between these masters and their mares. The younger one, Chameli, is only a 15-month-old 'filly' (female baby mare). She is 61 inches tall and has deep-set eyes which can steal anyone's heart away. Recently, she won the second prize at the National Livestock Championship, 2013, held in Muktsar and bagged the first position at the district-level livestock competition, 2012.

The brothers share equal responsibility of their mares. Sukhvir Singh said, "We have two adult mares and two fillies. Sandeep selects and buys horses whereas I am responsible for taking care of them. Although we have Barbary breed of goats, love-birds, cocktails as well, we are really fond of horses."

Talking about their feed, he said, "We give them food four to five times a day. We give four-five kilograms of mixed grains (grams, millet, maize, barley and rice bran), four litres of milk, 100-150 grams of mineral supplement, liver tonic and green fodder to the fillies. For the adult mares, we increase the quantity of mixed grain to seven kgs and we give them 100 gms of ghee in winters," Sukhvir said.

Sandeep pointed out that timely vaccination of animals is very important to keep them in good health. "While the de-worming medicine is given every three months, tetanus vaccination is administered every six months," he said.

Chameli has won several awards for her well-groomed body. "Proper grooming of a horse is very important. We comb and massage our mares for at least two hours twice a day. It increases their blood circulation and is good for a shining skin. Their hooves are oiled to avoid cracks," he added

Daily exercise is also important to keep them healthy. "We take them out for a walk and they run for more than 12 kilometres everyday. It is a must for them, if you want to keep their muscles strong," he said.

Sandeep said, "When Chameli will be two years old, we will call a trainer for her proper grooming. She will be taught how to walk and give a ride."

Sandeep and Sukhvir's father, Sukhwinder Singh, said, "My younger son is gifted when it comes to selecting an animal. He takes his own time while purchasing a horse and the one selected by him always wins a prize."

Maintaining a horse costs the duo at least Rs 15,000 per month. "We never think about the cost we incur. We love horses, so we keep them," the duo said.

Bathinda, January 30
The Leprosy Colony in Bathinda is home to 80 people who once suffered from the disease. All of them are migrants from states like Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. All share a similar story of hatred and rejection by society.

Though looked down upon in their homeland, Punjab welcomed them with warmth and helped them drop anchor in their lives.

Mohan Lal is from Maharashtra but has been living in Bathinda since 1980. "I was diagnosed with leprosy at a young age and was treated at Ahmednagar hospital for three years. Though doctors gave me a certificate of wellness, society refused to accept me," he said.

He further said, "When I was returning home after treatment, the bus conductor did not allow me to board the bus. My society disowned me and I was left with no other option but to leave my homeland."

"In contrast to Maharashtra, people in Punjab are very helpful and nice. They give us a warm and special treatment. They do not hate us, but take good care of us," he said.

Abay Ram Tandon is from Bilaspur (Madhya Pradesh), and has been staying with his wife Subhadra Devi in the Leprosy Colony for the last 20-22 years.

"I left home after I was diagnosed with leprosy. I came here with my wife and have been living here. People of Punjab are merciful, they donate us eatables, clothes and other necessary things," he said.

"I have one son, he lives in Dehra Dun. I could not attend my only son's wedding because of the stigma attached with the disease," he added.

Chandrakant Junghare is from Nagpur, but has been staying in the city for the last 20 years.

"Society does not accept us. The stigma attached with the disease prevents us from leading a normal life. I tried to settle in my home town. I opened a grocery shop but nobody came to my shop. In the end, I had to leave my home and shift to Bathinda," said Junghare.

Most of those living here away from their children are elderly. When asked who takes care of them, Shanti Devi, 60, answered, "Bhole Nath (Lord Shiva) takes care of us."

Bathinda, January 30
The district health authorities observed Anti-leprosy Day at the Lepers' Colony near the multipurpose stadium today.

District Leprosy Control Officer Dr BS Gill and the members of his team visited the "kushth ashram" and informed them about the ways to control the diseases and save their limbs. The inmates of the ashram were given bandages, gauges and iodine tincture to deal with the wounds of leprosy patients.

Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni said starting from today a fortnight-long awareness programme has been charted out to create awareness on leprosy. The civil hospital, sub-divisional hospital and all community health centres would be covered during the fortnight.

Talking about the symptoms of leprosy, Dr Gill said the skin develops light patches followed by numbness in the affected portion. These patches do not have hair growth and neither do they sweat. Loss of hair from eyebrows takes place and the shape of nose also gets distorted. Runny nose, wounds on fingers and toes are among the other symptoms of the disease.

He said the patients affected by leprosy are treated free of cost and their tests too are conducted free. He said for the last four years, no case of a Punjabi suffering from the disease has been reported in the district.

Bathinda, January 30
Rich tributes were paid to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary today.

A two-minute silence was observed by the officials at the District Administrative Complex as a mark of respect to the Father of the Nation on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

The officials and staff members in the offices located at the District Administrative Complex (DAC) observed a two-minute silence at 11 am. Punjab Police personnel reversed their arms as a mark of respect.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamal Kishore said the nation should not forget their contribution. He said it was the duty of the young generation to fulfill the dreams of freedom fighters.

SSP Ravcharan Brar, ADC (Development) Mohammad Tayyab, ADC (General) Rajiv Prashar and others were also present. Meanwhile, at the Government Senior Secondary School, Maiserkhana, teachers and students paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary. — TNS

Bathinda, January 30
The two-day inter-school Kala Mela started today at the Malwa College, Bathinda. Noted educationist, versatile writer and renowned literary critic Prof Brahm Jagdish Singh was the chief guest on the occasion and Jagjit Singh Maan, coordinator of the Nehru Yuva Kendra, Bathinda, presided over the function.

The function started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Principal NK Gosain welcomed the guests. He outlined the achievements of the college in the field of academics, culture and sports. Gosain urged the students to cultivate the sprit of healthy competition and love for their mother tongue, culture and literature.

Jagjit Singh Maan exhorted the students to shun drugs and adopt a positive and healthy attitude towards life.

Brahm Jagdish Singh appealed to the students to be ready to face the challenges of life. Apart from being competent professionals, students should also strive to become good human beings, he said.

Dean, Malwa College of Physical Education, Raghbir Chand Sharma proposed the vote of thanks. The panel of judges included Surinderpreet Ghania, Vinod Garg, Jaswinder Singh and Amarjeet Singh. The stage was conducted by Manpreet Tiwana, Chandanpreet Kaur and Inderpreet Kaur.

Prominent among others present on the occasion were college chairman Sewak Ram Singla, members of the management Rakesh Goyal, Raman Singla and Prof Darshan Singh, director of Malwa College of Physical Education.

In the poem recitation competition, Simran Kaur, Safia Khan and Harpreet Singh won the first, second and third positions, respectively. Sukhpreet Singh and Ishan won the first and the second places, respectively in the debate competition.

In the Shabad Gayan competition, the team of Anmolpreet Kaur, Sunidhi Chabra, Sukhpreet Kaur, Navjot Kaur and Harpreet Kaur won the first position. The second place went to the team of Jasjanpreet Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur, Preet Kaur, Gagandeep Kaur, Taranjeet Kaur and Rattan Kumari.

Safia Khan, Harpreet Singh and Gagandeep Kaur grabbed the first, second and third places, respectively, in the elocution competition. In the on-the-spot painting competition, the top three positions went to Karandeep Singh, Jagjeet Singh and Deepak Kumar.

Birbal Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Gurpreet Kaur won the top three positions in the poster making competition. In the traditional Lok Geet competition, the team of Ravneet Kaur, Sukhpreet Kaur, Veerpal Kaur, Kamalpreet Kaur and Harjinder Kaur won the first position. 

Bathinda, January 30
The Kotwali police have booked four people for instigating a girl to elope.

In his complaint to the police, the girl's father Raj Kumar, a resident of Awa Basti in Bathinda, stated that four people instigated his 23-year-old daughter to elope. The girl is married and has a child.

Police has booked Jagjit Singh, a resident of Guru Ki Nagri, Bathinda, Ramnit Kaur from Sikandarpura area near Khooni Fatak, Ranjit Singh from Deep Nagar and Jagga Singh from Madan Heri area near Landran, Kharar.

No arrests have been made so far.

In another incident, a minor girl has eloped from the Kheta Basti area. The Thermal police has booked Sukhwinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh, residents of street number 8 in Janata Nagar.

In his complaint to the police, the girl's father stated that his daughter used to work at a beauty parlour. The accused instigated her to elope on the pretext of marrying her. Further investigation is on.

Bathinda, January 30
The Basketball Association, Bathinda, held a meeting under Surjit Singh Boparai. The schedule of the district basketball championship was decided. The championship will be held on February 16-17.

A meeting in this regard will be held on February 9 at Khalsa Senior Secondary School. — TNS