Bathinda, August 6
The plans and claims of the Municipal Corporation, Bathinda (MCB), remained on paper once again while the city first got drenched and then sank in downpour today.

water woes: (Anti-clockwise from above) Vehicles make their way through a waterlogged Mall Road; a view of the inundated Mall road; women rush for cover from rain in the city on Tuesday. Tribune photos: Pawan Sharma

Several areas were inundated with rainwater once again as incessant rain lashed the city. Interestingly, while residents of areas like Power House Road, Amrik Singh Road, Parasram Nagar, Balla Ram Nagar, Kamla Nehru Colony, Namdev Marg., Prajapat Colony, Green Avenue, Nai Basti, Kothe Amarpura, Sirki Bazar and Dhobi Bazar have resigned to fate and take the deluge in their stride, the rain packed a surprise for the residents of several other areas which were also waterlogged on Tuesday.

The incessant rain from 10:30 in the morning till 5:30 in the evening washed away the repeated claims made by the MCB that it was prepared to tackle waterlogging problem if there is a downpour.

Areas like Vishal Nagar, Panchavati Nagar, Ganpati Enclave, Bathinda-Goniana Road, Model Town and several other places in the city too remained waterlogged for hours.

Complaints kept pouring in about the inefficient functioning of the drainage and sewerage systems in the city. The sewers in several commercial and residential areas regurgitated thereby emanating foul smell.

As per the agri-met department of the PAU Regional Station, Bathinda, the city received 60.2 mm of rainfall till 3.30 pm. The rainfall also plummeted the maximum temperature by 11 degree Celsius and provided relief from hot and humid weather.

While on Monday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 37.6 degree Celsius, it was 26.8 degree Celsius today. The minimum temperature also dipped from 28.3 degree Celsius on Monday to 25.6 degree Celsius today.

The weathermen predict the region may experience moderate to heavy widespread rainfall over the next two-three days as well.

Mansa RUB open

The Municipal Corporation, Bathinda (MCB), however, managed to save the day by keeping the railway under bridge (RUB) on the Bathinda- Mansa road, open for vehicular traffic despite the incessant rain. While on several earlier instances, the administration chose to keep the RUB closed for vehicular traffic as a preventive measure, pumping motors were put to work today to keep the RUB from getting waterlogged.

Bathinda, August 6
While today's rain brought cheers to paddy and cotton farmers, it left the vegetable growers worried.

Farmers in the adjoining areas of the city who have grown cauliflower, capsicum, lady finger and other vegetables are complaining about the damages caused to their crops due to the rain. On the other hand, paddy and cotton growers are quite pleased with the showers.

Vegetable traders in the wholesale market said the prices of vegetables might rise due to the rain as vegetables were prone to rotting.

"We purchase peas, tomato, cauliflower, capsicum, beans and few others from Himachal Pradesh and the consignments of vegetables may be caught up on the way due to rain. So far, there are no reports of increase in prices of vegetables but if rain continues the prices would surely rise," said Prem Kalra, a commission agent (arthiya) at the local vegetable market.

Jagtar Singh Brar, a progressive farmer from nearby Mehma Sarja village said the rain has brought down farmers' spending on diesel to pump out water for irrigation purposes. He said the rain pattern was changing. "While 140 mm of rainfall was recorded in Goniana on June 15, the area recorded 80 mm of rainfall since then till yesterday," Jagtar said.

"Not a long time back, we used to witness rain mostly in the month of July but of late, the region is experiencing rain after or before July," Brar added. He said 35 mm of rainfall was recorded in Goniana today.

Debi Singh from Lehra Saunda village near Rampura said farmers in some villages were complaining about pest attack. "The possibility of attack by sucking pests like Jassid (Hara Tella) and Thrip is likely to increase if level of humidity increases after the rain. Farmers should use the PAU-recommended agro-chemicals to get rid of these pests," he said.

Bathinda, August 6
The water pumping motors installed at various places in the city ran overtime as the city received downpour today.

The motors ran full throttle ever since it started raining, pumping out water from low-lying areas into the sewerage system. The operations were hampered for a while at Thandi Sarak pumping stations due to power failure but were resumed soon after by making use of gensets installed for purpose.

Barricades were installed on the Power House road disallowing traffic to move on the stretch that was submerged in waist-deep water. Traffic was diverted towards the Jalebi Wala Chowk.

Assistant municipal commissioner Kamal Kant Goyal said if it did not rain at night, water would be pumped out of the city by tomorrow morning.

School students suffered the most as it was raining when their schools were closed for the day. However, some schools had ensured that school vans and buses are parked on the school premises and students board the vehicles under supervision of the staff. Some schools also kept back the bags of children to ensure that the books do not get wet.

Bathinda, August 6
The controversy regarding the alleged theft of power by Goniana Senior Medical Officer, Dr Avtar Dhillon, refuses to die with the Enforcement Wing of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) taking a strong exception to his statement to the media that he was framed in the case.

A senior official of the Enforcement Directorate said they had video-recorded the proceedings under which action was taken against the doctor. "We registered an FIR on solid evidence and the doctor paid the compounding fee also. As per the rules, a consumer need not be arrested for his first offence of power theft. However, if the consumer is caught again, he is liable to be arrested."

Dr Dhillon had claimed that he was falsely implicated in the case at the behest of his professional rivals. He had argued that his power bill was already in thousands which should be far less if he had been stealing power.

PSPCL officials said they have launched a drive against power theft and no person, irrespective of his position, would be spared.

The case
The Senior Medical Officer Dr Avtar Singh Dhillon was charged with power theft after the Enforcement Wing of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited raided his residence on 100-ft road on Saturday and found a ‘kundi’ connection.

Bathinda, August 6
The students of Government Nursing School being run on the premises of the Civil Hospital today demanded better facilities of food and drinking water while lodging a protest against the college management.

Accompanied by their parents, the students alleged that they were not being provided proper food.

Parents Sukhmandar Singh and Bhupinder Singh from Faridkot, Baghel Singh from Ferozepur and others said their daughters were paying Rs 1,800 per month as hostel mess charges but were not being provided with good food. They added that there was no proper arrangement for drinking water.

There is a water cooler and an RO system but they are lying defunct.

Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni met the agitating parents and assured them that students would be provided with quality food and water.

The college principal, Anjali James, said the mess was run as a cooperative venture by the students themselves. "The contractor can always be asked to improve the quality of food or else the contract could be terminated," she said.

She added that the problem of drinking water was being faced as the water cooler was out of order. "We have asked the company concerned several times to repair it, but to no avail. Students are being given water procured from RO systems," she claimed.

Bathinda, August 6
On National Organ Donation Day today, an appeal was made to the people to donate their organs, which can help others live long after they are gone.

Forty-year-old Saroj Goyal, who donated kidney to her husband Arun Kumar, a city-based businessman on Bhagu Road, said the donation does not make any difference to the life of donors. "It is just that the donor has to be a little careful and lead a healthy life," she said.

Having an O positive blood group, Saroj was the first choice for donating kidney to her husband who was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Arun was operated upon in May last year. Arun and Saroj have been leading a healthy life.

In another case, Mahesh Kumar, the owner of a soda making factory in the city, went for a kidney transplant. His wife's kidney was swapped with that of the wife of another patient from Ferozepur three years ago. "Today, I am happy and healthy and so is my wife. The donation has forged our bond and I will forever remain indebted to her," he said. Both Arun and Mahesh are performing well under the care of nephrologist Dr Jagatjit Singh.

Similarly, nephrologist Dr Swarnjit Kaur Gill has been treating patients who have undergone kidney transplant. Her patient Jaswinder Singh from Muktsar was donated kidney by his wife. "Had we looked for kidney donation outside our home, we would never have got it. It was my mother who stepped in and donated kidney to my father,"said their son Sukhcharan Singh.

Dr Jagatjit Singh said organ donation is yet to pick up pace in North India as it has done in South India. States like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra (especially Mumbai) are the pioneers in organ donation, which has saved a number of lives, he said. He called for a government initiative to create awareness among the people.

Dr Swarnjit Kaur Gill said donation should be promoted urgently to meet the increasing demand for organs. "One man can give a new life to eight people by donating liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and at the same time, cornea, ear ossicles, heart valves, ligaments and tissues," she added.

Gastroenterologist Dr Gursewak Singh added that with the rising number of Hepatitis C cases in north India, society will require a large number of liver transplants after 10 years. "We should gear up to educate people on aspects of organ donation. In the case of liver, only live donors can donate a portion of their liver, which regenerates into a full grown one in the donor as well as the recipient," he added.

Bathinda, August 6
When Renu Kumari began learning tae kwon do around six months back, she had not thought that she would be chosen to attend a competition in New Delhi. And winning a gold medal was not even in her dreams. But she achieved all that and how!

Renu, a student of B.Com (final year) at the Government Rajindra College and a resident of Parasram Nagar, returned to Bathinda on Tuesday after winning a gold medal in the 49 kg category of the Open North Zone Tae kwon do Tournament held at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. Contestants from as many as nine states participated in the tournament.

Flashing the medal around her neck, Renu said, "I started training in tae kwon do only five-six months back at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School. I am very happy that in such a short span of time, I managed to do my trainer, my college and my parents proud."

She also agreed that taking out time for training after college was tough. "I had a hard time juggling between college lecturers, tuitions, training and other chores. But where there's a will, there's a way. I succeeded in doing everything. I'm thankful to my parents who supported me throughout and never discriminated between me and my two brothers," she said.

Renu Kumari further added that her habit of not sitting idle any time helped her bag the medal.

"Whenever I got free time during the tournament, I didn't while it away and instead chose to practice," she said.

With a medal in her kitty, Renu wants to pursue the sport further. "After completing my degree course, I want to do Masters in Business Administration and eventually work in a bank. I have also made up my mind that I will pursue the sport as well," she said. 

Bathinda, August 6
Yadwinder Pal Sharma, a faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Guru Kashi University (GKU), was given the best teacher award by the Indian Society for Technical Education. ISTE is a national level organisation which takes care of the quality of technical education in India since 1968. The convention was organised at the Rayat-Bahara College of Engineering and Nano-Technology at Hoshiarpur.

Dr R Murugsan, president of the ISTE, Delhi, and Dr S Basil Gannappa, gave away the prizes to the teachers from different colleges.

GKU chairman Gurlabh Singh Sidhu said technical events help in producing quality engineers. Dr NS Malhi, VC, GKU, also appreciated the hard work put in by the teachers. 

Bathinda, August 6
Issuing a marriage certificate to a youth from another community has cost a head granthi dear. He has been booked by the police under sections 420, 465, 467, 471 and 120-B of the IPC at the Thermal police station. Police has also booked the boy, Sikandar Khan, and his father.

The granthi had given the certificate of marriage at Gurudwara Nanak Wari Sahi located in Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, in which he mentioned that 21-year-old Sikandar Khan had married Parwinder Kaur. The marriage took place against the wishes of the girl's parents. The girl's family members got a case of abduction (under section 365 of the IPC) besides other sections registered at Mauli Jagran police station, Panchkula, when they found their girl missing.

The girl's father, Gurdeep Singh, moved a petition in the court against the claims of the marriage of his daughter. The father allege that the boy had mentioned in the petition that he solemnized the marriage at Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Partap Nagar, but had produced the certificate of marriage from Gurudwara Nanak Wari Sahi situated at Guru Gobind Singh Nagar.

The youth, however, managed to get police security after producing the marriage certificate in the court. He allegedly obtained the certificate from granthi Hardeep Singh.

The boy and the girl's family members were earlier residing in the MES Colony in Bathinda cantonment where they came to know each other.

The counsel for the girl's father, advocate Sukhdarshan Sharma said the boy got the fake marriage certificate after paying money to the granthi. "The certificate also bears the signatures of gurudwara president Darshan Singh and head granthi Hardeep Singh," Sharma said.

Harjinder Sidhu, president of Khalsa Diwan Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Bathinda, said the granthi has already been sacked by a sub-committee of the gurudwara. "He must have clandestinely taken away some marriage certificates from the gurudwara and issued them with fake signature for money," Sidhu said. DSP (D) Ranjeet Singh, who is investigating the matter, said efforts are on to nab the accused.

Bathinda, August 6
A 35-year- old female patient, with a gauze inside her nose cavity for the last seven months, was successfully operated upon at the Max Superspeciality Hospital.

Gurdeep Kaur, a resident of Nachatar Nagar in Bathinda, visited the Max Hospital for the first time during an ENT camp organized in June where she was examined by an ENT consultant Dr Rohit Goyal. Dr Goyal advised her to undergo an MRI and other routine blood investigations. Her reports revealed that there was a piece of gauze in her left nasal cavity, which was causing trouble. Her entire left nasal cavity was filled with granulation tissue and she was admitted for further treatment.

Dr Goyal said the patient complained of a foul smell and discharge along with some obstruction in the left nasal cavity which was causing bleeding occasionally. She had been suffering from this problem for the last seven months. On examining her medical history, it was found that she had met with an accident eight months ago in Ludhiana and was operated upon for a fracture in the nasal bone for which plating was done. "Since then, the patient complained of nasal obstruction and foul smell from the left nasal cavity. When this problem aggravated, she approached us," said Dr Goyal.

With the help of nasal endoscopy, the gauze piece and granulation tissue was removed. After the endoscopy, discharge from the left nasal cavity was observed. "This was the cerebro spinal fluid which cushions the brain. On examination, it was found that there was a small defect in the wall that separates the brain from nose, which was causing the fluid to flow out of the brain. The focus of our treatment was on resolving this defect without touching the brain," he said.

The doctors then decided to seal the brain defect with help of a three layer tissue comprising a graft taken from the right thigh, fat and cartilage from nasal cavity. It was then sealed with another graft to give support to the previous graft. After five days, she was examined and discharged.

Bathinda, August 6
A car parked outside the Mittal Mall was stolen on Sunday. In a complaint to the police, a city resident SS Kohli said he had parked his Hyundai Verna car outside the mall and some unidentified persons had stolen it. He said the estimated value of the vehicle was Rs 5 lakhs.