Fact file

The gun was snatched by some unscrupulous elements who successfully executed a plan to make a jail inmate, Gurwinder Bindu, flee from the Civil Hospital

Bathinda, March 24
Interlocking tiles are being laid in the city even as it was banned by the Punjab Government in December last year.

The laying of such tiles was reported from Ravidass Dharamshala Wali Gali of Parasram Nagar area (ward number 41). Notably, a cement store of the local municipal councillor (MC is located in the street.

Similarly, tiles were found stacked near Tungwali gurdwara in Alam Basti area.

Residents said the tiles were unloaded on Friday and would be used to lay a road in the area.

However, the area municipal councillor of SAD, Nirmal Singh Sandhu, said the work that was undertaken today was against tenders that had already been allotted. "It was only some unfinished work that was carried out now. Only a portion of the street was remaining, which was finished today."

Meanwhile, assistant commissioner Kamal Kant said he would inquire into the matter.

It may be mentioned that in the first week of December 2012, the state government had issued strict orders directing that laying of interlocking tiles have to be stopped due to technical reasons. Another directive followed which stated that the ongoing works too should be immediately suspended, said a Congress MC Jagrup Singh Gill.

In the last general house meeting, the Congress MCs mentioned that stacks of interlocking tiles were lifted off their wards despite the fact that work orders had been passed. Few ruling party MCs also complained about the similar problem.

The MC officials, however, had responded saying that everything was being done under the government's directives and that no such work could be continued anywhere in the city.

Congress councillors today said the tiles were being laid on only in the areas having SAD representatives in the local civic body. "We don't want that work in anybody's ward should stop. We want that our wards should also be included in the to-do list. We are being discriminated against," said Gill.

Interlocking tiles are being laid in areas within the municipal limits and nearby villages for the past 8 to 10 years. The tiles are easier to handle. The maintenance cost of roads where these tiles are laid is comparatively low.

The pavers are also said to be more eco-friendly. As compared to the bitumen roads, which repel water thereby forming puddles during rains, interlocking pavers allow seepage of water. The pavers are also known to be more durable.

Bathinda, March 24
From the next year onwards, the Natyam Manch may start ticketing their shows.

The Manch is organising the ongoing theatre festival in the city. This is the third year of the festival and till now, all the plays have been staged for free at the Balwant Gargi Open Air Theatre in the Rose Garden.

Kirti Kripal of the Manch said, “In the first year, we suffered a loss of Rs 80,000. In the second year, we managed to reach the break even. This year's profit or loss is yet to be assessed. A lot of money goes into holding a festival.”

“We pay for the teams of actors that perform at the festival. We also pay for their food and accommodation, costumes and props and several other things. And our only source of funds is donations. This year, the estimated cost of the festival is around Rs 4 lakh,” he added.

"If shows are ticketed, we will be able to cover at least some part of the cost. We do not desire to make profit but want to cover the costs so that we continue staging plays for theatre connoisseurs. Many theatre groups in the state want to perform at the festival for free. But we want to offer quality theatre to our audience and hence, invite good teams and pay them too. If the shows are not ticketed, anyone (and everyone) comes to watch the play and some of them leave while the play is still on," he said. Kripal added that ticketed plays were staged only in Abohar and Amritsar and he was hopeful that theatre lovers in Bathinda would be willing to pay for to watch their favourite plays.

"If the shows are ticketed, we can also contemplate taking a venue on rent instead of staging plays at an open air theatre. It will also enhance the quality of sound and light systems," said Kripal.

Bathinda, March 24
An unemployed youth committed suicide at his residence in Gopal Nagar.

Pankaj Kumar Kaka (22) was upset as he was unable to find a job for himself for the past some time. His body was found hanging from the ceiling by his family members

Officials from the Canal Colony police station said the youth's family members were planning to arrange his marriage. The police said the exact reason behind of the suicide could not be ascertained. However, preliminary reports indicated that the youth took the extreme step as he was upset for being jobless and other reasons.

The police said probe was on to ascertain the reason behind suicide.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old girl residing in Partap Nagar also ended life by hanging herself to death from a ceiling fan. Canal Colony SHO Karamjit Singh said the girl was upset after she could not do well in her English exam yesterday. She was a BA-second year student. The SHO said the family members disclosed that the girl could not sleep last night as she was afraid she might flunk the exam. Her father is a sweetmeat maker. The family members said the girl was depressed as her father had worked hard to arrange money for her education.

Inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC would be initiated at the Canal Colony police station, the police said. — TNS

Bathinda, March 24
The police rounded up as many as 200 members of the Unaided Staff of Aided Schools Front, Punjab, who were holding a protest at the Bhai Ghanaiya Chowk on the Bathinda-Goniana road here today.

The drama unfolded when members of the union, who had come from almost all the districts of the state, assembled at the chowk, raised slogans against the state government and burnt an effigy of the promises made by the state government.

After burning the effigy, the agitating teachers tried to block the traffic on the road but the police prevented them from doing so.

The police rounded up all the protesters, bundled them into three vehicles and took them to the Nehianwala police station.

They were released at around 6 pm.

Speaking to Bathinda Tribune, the president of the union, Jagnam Singh, said, “Before the election, the state government had promised us that it would accept our all demands but it backtracked once the elections were over. Since November 24, we are being promised appointment with the Chief Minister but it has not happened so far.”

The number of female protesters outnumbered their male counterparts.

The protesters alleged that although the lady police was present at the spot, some women were forcefully bundled into vehicles by policemen. In the process, many female protesters sustained bruises, the union members alleged.

“We were pushed and dragged by male cops,” said Jasveer Kaur, block head, Talwandi Sabo.

Refuting the allegation, Nehianwala police station SHO Gurpreet Singh said, “None of the teachers was injured while they were being detained. It is not allowed to protest anywhere in the city except for the Transport Nagar, a designated site for holding agitations. When the protesters squatted to block the road, we had no option but to stop them from doing so.”

For a long time, the union has been demanding that the provisions of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan (SSA) be implemented in letter and spirit.

The members of the Front are also demanding that their jobs be regularised.

Bathinda, March 24
Yesterday's high velocity wind coupled with rainfall has affected the harvesting of potato crop and exposed the standing wheat in the fields to various diseases.

Farmers and agricultural experts said rains at this stage would prove detrimental to the crops of wheat, potato and vegetables.

Though only 2 mm of rainfall was received in Bathinda and its surrounding areas, wheat farmers, who have already irrigated their fields, fear damage to their crops.

"It is quite difficult to drain out the extra water from the fields. It may also lead to quarrels and heated arguments between farmers who accuse each other of draining water into their fields," said a farmer from nearby Chak Fateh Singhwala village, Gamdoor Singh.

Jagtar Brar, a leading potato grower from a village near Goniana, said it rained for the fifth time since the first week of February.

"Rains bring double trouble for potato growers. First, it affects the crop. Further, buyers shirk from purchasing potatoes for the fear that it could be inflicted with some disease," Jagtar said.

In Bathinda district, Rampura has the largest area of agricultural land under potato. Jagtar said weather experts have advised farmers not to irrigate their fields for the next couple of days as there was a forecast of cloudy weather. He said the present climatic conditions may increase the moisture content in wheat and potato crops, which was not good for these crops.

Bathinda, March 24
The Bathinda centre of the Institution of Engineers (India) organized a seminar to mark the World Water Day in Kartar Colony.

Honorary secretary and state executive member of the apex engineering body, Bhushan Kumar Jindal, welcomed the participants.

Head of the department of civil engineering, Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh campus, Dr Sanjiv Aggarwal, gave a presentation. He elaborated on the importance of fresh water, water cycle and reeled off figures about the limited water resources available.

Dr Aggarwal laid stress upon the need to conserve water for sustainable development. Dean, post-graduate studies, from PTUGZS campus, Dr Manjeet Bansal, gave a presentation on water pollution. He enlightened the audience about the dissolved salts in groundwater and the means of water purification. Purshotam P Diojode, architect planner, MES, gave a presentation on water-related issues concerning the Bathinda region. He stressed upon the need to conserve and manage water and stop its pilferage and misuse.

Additional superintending engineer, HS Sidhu, spoke on emerging techniques in water management in agriculture. Additional superintending engineer PK Singla gave a presentation on water cooperation. Chairman, IEI, Bathinda, Brigadier SS Kahlon, in his keynote address, emphasized upon the need for change in one's daily life for the judicious use of water and the positive effects of these changes on our lives. BK Jindal thanked those present for making the seminar a success.

Chief Engineer, MES, Bathinda, Brig SS Kahlon, general manager, NFL, Bathinda, SK Singhal, general manager (operation and maintenance), NFL, Bathinda, DS Ahuja, retired chief engineers Niranjan Singh, RS Dhillon and US Lucky, deputy chief engineers, GNDTP, Bathinda, Kuldeep Garg, AP Singh, TK Gupta and Prem Sagar, deputy chief engineer (operations), PSPCL, Inderjit Garg, were among those present.

Bathinda, March 24
The Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES) of Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh (PTU GZS) campus, Bathinda, celebrated its annual technical function, Sanrachna, 2013.

The theme of this year’s programme was World Water Day. The chief guest at the function was professor, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, Dr NK Khullar, an eminent scholar in the field of water and water power engineering.

In his key-note presentation, Dr Khullar deliberated upon the issue of clean water for good health. He also touched upon the sensitive issue of non-availability of clean drinking water to a large population of the world.

Officiating director of the campus and head of the applied chemistry department, Dr Gursharan Singh, motivated the students to take part in such programmes. In his inaugural address, Dr Sanjiv Aggarwal, head of the department of civil engineering, dwelt upon the importance of World Water Day. He said the World Water Day is being observed every year on March 22 since 1993 with a new theme related to water given by the United Nations.

Faculty coordinator Prof Rakesh Singla spoke about the functioning of the ACES over the last two decades and outlined the various competitive events at the function. “If water is the most used commodity in the world, the second position is occupied by the use of cement concrete which has now become synonymous with civil engineering activities worldwide,” said Chief Manager (Technical) of the ACC Ltd. Rajiv Rampal , who also captivated the students with his animated presentation of the manufacturing of cement.

A large number of students participated in various competitive events organized on the occasion. Abhijeet Kalsi and Hitesh Katoch won the first prize in technical paper presentation, whereas the second prize was shared by Chandresh Goyal, Sahil Bansal, Devyani and Badal.

In the model making contest, the first position was bagged by Rahul Anand and Ramandeep Singh and Harsimran Kaur and Manpreet Kaur of 2009 batch. The second position was won by Dewayani, Badal, Gautam and Ayush.

The general knowledge quiz competition was won by Rahul Anand and Ramandeep Singh while Hitesh Katoch and Himanshu Goyal were placed second.

The technical quiz competition was won by Gurkirtan Sharma and Dharmendra, followed by Rahul Anand and Ramandeep Singh. Chandresh Goyal won the group discussion event with Nawal Sweet Singh being declared a close second. Chandresh Goyal also won the poster-making competition while Swati Sharma and Rohit secured the second position.

In the evening, officiating director of the PTU GZS Dr Gursharan Singh gave away the prizes to the winners at the closing ceremony.

Bathinda, March 24
As part of the ongoing theatre festival in the city, the play, 'Minus Zero Zero Zero Zero Zero' was staged at the Balwant Gargi Open Air Theatre at the Rose Garden here today. The play was directed by Kirti Kripal of the Natyam Manch.

The play drives home the message that it is by controlling our wrath, greed, sloth, pride and lust that one can achieve peace. It is set in the clinic of a doctor where different characters come to have their hearts changed. "A worker wants his heart to be changed since he is in search of peace. A housewife wants her husband's heart to be changed so that he starts obeying and loving her, a girl wants her heart changed to lose the habit of breaking others' hearts," said Kripal.

"The protagonist is a madman who explains how by turning the five feelings of wrath, greed, pride, sloth and lust to zero, we can be at peace with oneself," added Kripal. — TNS

Bathinda, March 24
Aklia College of Education for Women, Jaito-Goniana Road, organised its annual athletic meet in the college campus. Dr Rajwinder Kaur, principal of Bhai Asa Singh Girls College, Goniana Mandi, was the chief guest on the occasion.

College chairman, Gurtej Singh Brar welcomed the chief guest. The students of various houses presented the march past. This was followed by the torch lighting ceremony. While Rajpreet bagged the first position in the 100 metre race, Aman and Kulbir won the fist place in the three legged race. In the long jump competition Aman was adjudged the winner while Veerpal won the first place in the chatti race.

While Aman won the sack race, Rajpreet and Aman stood first in shotput. In the 200 metre race Rajdeep bagged the first prize. Rajdeep won the first place in the 400 metre race. — TNS

Bathinda, March 24
Foreseeing trouble during the visit of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, controversial head of Sirsa's Dera Sacha Sauda, to the court here on April 6, the Basketball Association of Bathinda has postponed the basketball tournament which was to be organised at the Khalsa Senior Secondary School here on April 6-7.

The Basketball Association, Bathinda, is yet to chalk out a new schedule for the tournament. Surjeet Singh Bopa Rai, president of the association, said, "Earlier, the tournament was scheduled for April 6-7. Later, we got to know that the hearing in the Sacha Sauda case had been postponed to April 6. We don't want any trouble for the basketball players coming from various districts.”

"We could have scheduled it after two-three days but the State Basketball Association is organising a tournament from April 10-13. We will speak to the state association," said Gurjant Singh Brar, general secretary. Brar also added that the association was yet to decide about teams that are to be invited.