Bathinda, February 3
As many as 50 to 60 per cent of cancer patients in Bathinda visit doctors, only after having visited quacks or godmen who claim to cure the disease. By the time these patients are brought to hospitals, most of them have reached the untreatable stage of cancer, say city-based oncologists.

The World Cancer Day (February 4) this year is dedicated to dispelling myths about cancer and creating awareness amongst the masses.

Oncologist Dr Arun Bansal says a disease like cancer requires urgent intervention so that it can be treated at the earliest stage itself. “Sadly, more than 50 per cent of cases we receive are the ones who are aware of being cancer ridden but prefer to seek ‘desi’ medicine from quacks instead of visiting a specialist. At times, these patients get too late in getting the right treatment. Cancer treatment has no second chance," he says.

However, radiation oncologist, Dr Rajesh Vashisht feels that these quacks and self-proclaimed cancer experts have too strong a nexus. "The desi doctors have a close-knit network of followers that falsely propagate the ‘treated’ cases. People don’t realise that an uneducated and untrained person cannot treat any disease in any way," he says.

Dr Vashisht adds that many a time, patients come to them seeking scans and other diagnostic techniques that the desi doctors have sought. "To prove themselves right, these desi doctors often ask patients to get diagnostic tests conducted in order to know the results of treatment. However, how well these tests are deciphered by the quacks and desi doctors, remains a debatable issue," he says.

At the Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Center opened at the Civil Hospital, the doctors get a large number of such patients. An oncologist at the NCD centre, Dr Vandana Middha reveals that not only patients from the rural areas, but even well-educated ones from urban areas fall prey to myths.

“A large number of patients give the reference of some desi doctors in Moradabad area of Uttar Pradesh. They claim that the ‘doctors’ there diagnose cancer by simply checking the pulse rate, which is impossible," she says.

She adds that by the time a cancer patient reaches the right doctor for treatment, he or she has lost a substantial amount of savings, faith and health to the quacks. "A lot of convincing is required for the cancer patients to make them visit the right doctor. Emphasis should be laid on spreading awareness," she says.

Even the state-wide door-to-door cancer detection campaign has reported 1,627 cancer cases, 2,058 cancer deaths in the last five years and 3,521 people have been found suffering from cancer symptoms.

Creating awareness about cancer detection and early treatment is most important, say the doctors

Cancer survey figures for Bathinda:

Number of houses covered: 2,61,827

Population covered: 12,93,628

Census population 2011: 13,88,859

Per cent of population covered: 93.14 per cent

Number of cases reported: 1,627

Number of cancer deaths reported in the last five years: 2,058

Number of people found suffering from symptoms: 3,521

Prevalence of cancer (per lakh): 125.8 per cent

Cancer deaths (per lakh): 159.1 per cent

Persons complaining of cancer symptoms (per lakh): 272.2 per cent

Bathinda, February 3
The second spell of rains this winter has put the farmers in a fix and has forced them to keep their fingers crossed.

The farmers said if the humidity level crosses 85 per cent and the minimum temperature remains above 10 degree Celsius for the next 50 hours, then the late blight of potato (LBP) may immensely affect the crop.

The total area under potato cultivation in Bathinda is around 6,000 hectares and the maximum area falls in Rampura and Bathinda blocks.

Farmers said the humidity caused by rains is harmfull for potato crop. They would be keenly watching the weather’s mood over the next few days.

A section of the farmers from nearby villages said the rains are beneficial for all the crops. Rains prove to be beneficial for the gram and mustard crops.

Rains are good for the overall performance of crops and vegetables grown around this time. “But the benefits depend upon the continuity of the rains. If it rains for more than two or three days, then it may also prove harmful for these crops,” said Jagtar Brar, a progressive farmer from the Mehma Sarja village near Goniana.

Also a member of the Indian Potato Association, Brar said that LBP is quite harmful for the potato crop and the conditions become favourable for the spread of the disease with the onset of rains.

LBP affects the per acre yield of potato as the number of bacteria grows on potato leaves and it also damages the tuber and seed.

The websites of various meteorological departments revealed that intermittent rains may continue for the next 24 hours, which may prove harmful for the crops.

During the rains, farmers can not spray any curative fungicides, as it should be done ahead of the onset of the monsoon.

Agriculture experts said the potato farmers should remain vigilant during rains and if they spray proper fungicides then it may be possible for them to save at least 50 per cent of their crops.

Chief Agriculture Officer, Rajinder Brar, also agreed that rains are quite beneficial for the overall performance of all the crops including potato.

“So far, there seems to have been no effect of the late blight on the crop in the district and farmers have been advised to keep a close watch of their crop and consult the experts in case of any damage comes to fore,” Brar told Tribune News Service.

Bathinda, February 3
“Theatre is a form of art and art that doesn’t connect to people is useless," says Balraj Sagar, Bathinda-based thespian, writer and director.

“And that is why I don't believe in presenting light-hearted comedies and stories when I am on stage," he adds.

No doubt then that the first film that he created is based on two most important social ills plaguing the state – drug addiction and female foeticide.

“In one of my plays, I took up these issues to sensitise the audience about the cause and solution of these problems. Dhuri based Malwa Friends Welfare Society asked me to turn the drama into a film," he says.

And that is how the film, "Lagi Nazar Punjab Nu" was conceptualised. Talking about the film, he says, "Drug addiction and female foeticide are the two major problems that the state is grappling with. Youngsters, both from the rural and urban areas, are being lured towards drug and this is affecting the future of the state. While the love for a male child is driving many towards committing the crime of female foeticide. I have tried to address the problems in my first film."

He clarifies that an artiste is responsible for showcasing the problems but not for resolving them.

“I took the onus of sensitising the audience about the problems. The film ends on a positive note. But it is not our job to tell people the solutions to these problems. People will have to take strong steps to end the problems. They will have to speak up," he says.

Sagar says he has also shown that one of the reasons for the free flow of drugs in the state is the fact that it serves many political purposes.

“I have shown it symbolically instead of making a direct comment on any political figure or party. As an artiste, I have the right to express myself and no one can scare me from doing so. Truth can't be hidden, subdued or subsided," he says.

He is also nonchalant about the commercial success of the film. "When we were making the film, we decided not to rope in any bigwigs from the film industry and signed on theatre artistes since we didn't think about the film from a commercial angle. The primary purpose of the film is to spread awareness, especially among women. If the film makes money as well, I would be glad," he says.

"I didn't want to make people laugh like the other filmmakers do. Art holds a mirror to the society and I wanted to show society its face. If I wanted to mint money, I would have made a comic or romantic film. Light-hearted stuff is not for me since I'm inclined towards the hard-hitting facts of life," he signs off.

Bathinda, February 3
A pedestrian was seriously injured after he was hit by a speeding car near Hanuman Chowk in the city today.

Some bystanders informed the city-based NGO, Sahara Jan Sewa. The volunteers of the NGO rushed the injured, identified as Gajdeep Singh, to the Civil Hospital.

Gajdeep was admitted to the emergency ward of the hospital.

In another incident, the volunteers of the NGO shifted a 50-year-old man to the hospital after he was injured by stray cattle near railway cross, adjoining the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant.

The volunteers said the injured has been identified as Ibattu Ram.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man was seriously injured after he fell off a train.

The injured has been identified as Suresh Kumar, a labourer.

As per the information, he was travelling in a train and was injured near Jaipur.

After being administered first aid on the way, he was brought all the way to Bathinda where the volunteers of the NGO offered him medical help.

Bathinda, February 3
At the recently held public hearing of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), a city-based retired power engineer has proposed the replacement of the present tariff with the new pattern of setting up a system based on the time of day (TOD).

Retired deputy chief engineer from the Power Engineer Associates, HS Khurmi, has proposed the setting up of different tariff plans for energy consumption during different hours of the day.

He said that broadly on the basis of the pattern being followed in Delhi and some other parts of the country as well as Canada, power should be cheaper during the off peak hours, costlier during the mid peaks hours and costliest during the peak hours.

"The consumers will try to consume more power during the off peak hours to get the incentive if tariff is cheaper during that period," he said. He stated that with the TOD pattern of tariff, the maximum demand for electricity will also come down. At present, most industrial and commercial load is run during the day time whereas lighting and water heating load is used early in the morning and in the evening.

As a result, the maximum demand of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) during morning and the evening reaches its peak (5100 MW) while the maximum demand at night reduces drastically (3000 MW).

Discussing the issue, member, PSERC, Varinder Singh had said that imposing TOD would be of great use if the industry agreed to the proposal. He asked the rice millers present at the meeting whether they would be able to run the industry at night when power is available in abundance. Rice millers had agreed to the proposal and said there would be little inhibition amongst the industrialists to run their units during the night.

Meanwhile, a senior PSPCL officer said the power is equally available during the day and night but the consumption differs. TOD would give consumers the option to utilize power as per the demand in sync with the tariff they choose to avail.

In the industrial sector, power supply has already been divided into slots. "But most of the industries in the state run one or two shifts only. This means that before going ahead with the TOD idea, we will have to take the industrial sector into confidence," he said. With the introduction of the time of day system, 70 per cent of the work could be done during the night shifts.

He added that since the system requires strong IT back-up too, smart meters having advanced and sophisticated software would be required for the purpose. "If the PSERC gives the green signal, it will not only help in solving a major problem, but also help in checking power theft," he added.

Bathinda, February 3
Police today registered a case against two persons for committing fraud in a bank.

In his complaint to the police, chief manager of the State Bank of Patiala, Ashok Kand said the accused, identified as Kuldip Singh and Rajinder Singh, both residents of Goniana, were supposed to refund the loan amount of Rs 2.4 lakhs after they failed to get the allotment of a piece of plot in Mohali.

The accused, however, refused to return the amount despite repeated reminders from the bank.

A case under Sections 406 and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the accused at the Kotwali police station.

Bathinda, February 3
The Inspector General of Police (Bathinda Zone), Nirmal Singh Dhillon, today flagged off a rally against China Dor in the city. The Bathinda Association of NGOs had organised the rally to spread awareness about the hazardous effects of using China-made string for flying kites.

The rally was flagged off at the Agrasen Park and went through Amrik Singh Road, Gol Diggi, Nai Basti main road, Bhana Mal Chowk, Mall Road, Arya Samaj Chowk, Bhagat Singh Chok and Qila Road before culminating at the old police station.

The IGP appreciated the efforts of the NGOs in spreading awareness about the dangerous kiteline.

He also extended all help to the NGOs in their noble cause. Volunteers of the NGOs — Bathinda Vikas Manch, Sri Hanuman Sewa Samiti, Swami Vivekananda Study Circle, Yog Sewa Samiti, Naujawan Welfare Society, Civil Defence Wardens Club and students from many school -- participated in the rally.

The students had also brought China Dor with them. They burnt the kiteline and vowed to never use it. The students also said that in case they had bought China Dor, they would give it either to their school principals or to the volunteers of the NGOs.

Meanwhile, the quick response team of the NGO, Naujawan Welfare Society, informed the police about the sale and purchase of China Dor by a shopkeeper. When a police party raided the shop, it recovered the many spools of the banned string.

The NGO received the information that a shopkeeper in Mata Rani Wali Gali had stock of China Dor. The volunteers reached the shop and also called the police.

Ashwini Kumar was booked by the police under section 188 of the IPC for selling China-made kite strings. Police also recovered 20 packets of the banned strings from the possession of the accused.

In another instance, police again registered a case for selling China Dor. In a complaint to the police, Amreek Singh said the accused Paras Chahal of Mehna Chowk and Sachin Bansal of Pujanwala Mohalla were selling China-made kite strings. A decoy customer was sent to the shop, which ascertained the fact that the accused were selling the China-made kite strings. Police recovered three packs of China-made strings from the possession of the accused. A case under section 188 of the IPC has been registered at the Kotwali police station.

Bathinda, February 3
The library and girls hostel of Jain Hem Kunwar Girls College at Raman Mandi was inaugurated today.

Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Avinash Rai Khanna, cabinet minister Surjit Kumar Jyani and chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) Sarup Chand Singla inaugurated the building.

The event was held with a religious function in memory of Hem Kunwar Jain by the Jain Samaj. Speaking to the media after inaugurating the library, Jyani said the religious leaders have played a significant role in the field of education.

CPS Sarup Chand Singla said the leaders always keep society before their own interests. He announced a donation of Rs 2 lakh for the organizers of the function.

Avinash Rai Khanna condemned the social evils that were spreading their tentacles in society. He said people should always work towards the betterment of human beings. "Instead of holding lavish birthday parties, we should pray to the almighty and distribute things to the needy on occasions like birthdays," he said.

He called upon the youngsters to discourage female foeticide and remove the rot from the system. Khanna also announced a donation of Rs 11 lakh for the organizers of the function.

A book on Hem Kunwar Jain was also released on the occasion.

Besides the leaders of the Jain Samaj, Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav, Mayor Baljit Singh Birbehman, SDM, Talwandi Sabo, Anil Garg were among those present.

Bathinda, February 3
Foreign dreams have turned sour for many as the number of cases of cheating are on the rise. The police here has booked seven persons in two separate cases for cheating and pocketing more than Rs 30 lakhs in connection with such offences. Police has registered three cases of cheating in which the accused tried to dupe the complainants by promising to send them abroad.

The economic offences wing (EOW) of the police has registered a case against three persons from Dabwali in Haryana for cheating a resident of Guru Ki Nagri. The complainant said the accused cheated him of Rs 6.26 lakhs by promising to send him abroad.

The EOW officials said people with small landholdings, who are illiterate, dream of greener pastures abroad. They are more prone to the nefarious designs of the fraudsters. Because of their gullibility, people have even sold off their entire landholdings to pay the fees of the agents who usually fail to help in fulfilling the dreams of their clients.

In a case of cheating registered at Nehianwala police station, the officials of the EOW have booked Harcharan Singh of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar for pocketing Rs 24.70 lakhs from two persons. In a complaint to the police, Satwant Singh of Mehma Sawai and Manmohan Singh of Rai Singh Nagar complained that the accused pocketed Rs 9.70 lakhs and Rs 24.70 lakhs from them, respectively.

The accused promised to send the complainants to Canada but neither was the promise fulfilled nor was the money returned.

Police said once a case is registered, the accused in such cases evade arrests and try to reach a compromise with the complainants. In most cases, the accused usually agree to pay back the money that has been pocketed and try to reach a compromise with the complainants.

The policemen said despite the registration of so many cases, there has been no let up. "Since people devise various ways to reach countries like Canada or the US by unfair means, they land in trouble after giving large amounts to such unscrupulous elements," the cops said.