‘Dhol’ beats: Boys perform bhangra during a rehearsal for the Independence Day celebrations at Guru Nanak Stadium in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

MBA passout chooses to run canteen at alma mater
Amritsar, August 13
In the wake of global recession, when there are scant job opportunities, a city-based girl has set an example for others to follow.



Ridhima Mehra tries her hand in cooking , while her mother helps her at the Guru Nanak Dev University canteen in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Woman strangled for dowry
Amritsar, August 13
The police has booked a family for allegedly murdering their pregnant daughter-in-law for bringing inadequate dowry. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint registered by the victim’s brother Suresh Kumar.

Amritsar boy in Indian hockey squad
Amritsar, August 13
Residents of Meeka village, about 30 km from Amritsar, were euphoric over the selection Ramandeep Singh in the Indian national hockey team. He would figure in the ninth Asia Cup in Malaysia, starting from August 24.

All work, no play for cops till I-day
Amritsar, August 13
In view of the Independence Day celebrations, the police department has reportedly cancelled the leaves of police personnel while it has also put the administrative staff on duty for holding security check ups.

A policeman keeps vigil during the Independence Day rehearsal at Guru Nanak Stadium in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Actor carries forward the legacy of her family
Amritsar, August 13
Carrying forward the legacy of her family in her own way, city-based actor Charoo Kapoor was taken by surprise when she was honoured at the same platform where her father performed.

5 held with narcotics, illicit liquor 
Amritsar, August 13
The police has arrested five persons for possessing drugs and illicit liquor in separate instances.

Amritsar, August 13
A group of eunuchs killed a man after he refused to "associate himself with them" after he got married.

The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Kumar, a 26-year-old man, who was recently married, but used to work with the eunuchs in the past.

A case has been registered under Sections 304, 148, 149 and 506 of the IPC. The accused have been identified as Rajji Baba, resident of Mira Kot, Dimple Baba, Monika Baba and Lara Baba, all residents of Wadda Haripura, Amritsar.

According to the deceased's brother Ashok Kumar, they both had gone to take back their SIM card from the eunuchs, which they had forcibly taken along.

"On August 11 at about 5 pm, when me and my brother went to take the SIM card, they all started quarrelling with us. Before we could understand their intentions, they all attacked us, made my brother fall down and kicked in his stomach, which ultimately proved to be fatal. Next day, my brother complained of acute stomach pain and we got him admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, where he died," he said.

Ashok said his brother used to accompany the eunuchs, but stopped working with them after he got married a few days ago. "But they had been compelling him to rejoin them, which was not acceptable to my brother. We have got a case registered with the Islamabad police station," he said.

The SHO, Islamabad police station, Rajinder Kumar, said all the accused had been absconding. "We are raiding at their hideouts constantly. A case under Sections 304, 148, 149 and 506 of the IPC has been registered in this regard," he said.

Amritsar, August 13
A Health Department team seized around 1,100 bottles of soft drink from a dealer which had expired way back in 2012. The team also collected samples of the soft drinks.

The matter of expired soft drinks being sold in the city came to light after a local resident complained about finding a dead fly in a bottle. District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said when the team raided a shop, "Apna Ahata," on the Sultanwind road, it found insects and flies in other bottles too.

He said samples of cold drinks were sealed and the name of the dealer who had supplied these soft drinks was asked from the shop owner and an instant raid was conducted at Drink Master Cold Drink Store.

Dr Kahlon said the stock had a number of large-size bottles, which had expired. He said the expired soft drinks were sealed and samples were collected.

Dr Kahlon said people must check the expiry date on each and every food item they buy from the market. He said the general public should report the Health Department about the shops which sell expired food products.

He also warned shopkeepers against selling substandard and expired goods. “Its not about earning some money (by the shopkeepers), it’s about health and they must not indulge in such practices,” said Kahlon, adding that strict action would be taken against the store owners.

Amritsar, August 13
Ram Nagar Colony on Majitha Road, where the Health Department has set up a temporary dispensary after instructions from the Deputy Commissioner, is full of garbage dumps, besides having a choked sewerage system.

Area residents had earlier complained of a resident’s death because of the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the area. A visit to the area revealed that the locality on the outskirts of the city has very bad sanitary conditions.

The area has a number of dairy farmers, who are flushing the animal waste into the sewerage system. The waste has choked the system and as a result dirty water has accumulated in streets.

Even as plastic bags are being collected by a few of the residents for selling to the recycling industry, the waste is often thrown into the nearby gandha nullah, which, too, was seen blocked.

Area residents say water supply pipes in the area are broken at many places, as a result of which drinking water gets mixed with sewerage water and causes health problems for the residents.

“The government has not cared to mend the broken pipes. We are getting unclean drinking water. While rich people can sink tubewells in their homes, poor residents have no option,” said Surinder Singh, a local resident.

Residents said dairy farmers should be strictly warned against flushing garbage into the sewerage system. It was also noticed that a few farmers had illegally broken sewerage pipes near their farms to flush the waste easily.

Hardev Singh, another resident, said, “When the administration had forced dairy farms out of the city area, most of them came to this place. They do not dispose of their wastes in a proper manner, which has caused the problem.”

Meanwhile, a team of the Health Department continued providing medical services and distributing free chlorine tablets for treating water. Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra said they were keeping a close watch on the area.

Amritsar, August 13
Students of various city schools today performed the final rehearsal for the Independence Day function at Guru Nanak stadium. Dressed up in colourful apparels, they danced and performed at the music being played in the background.

In a separate function, Amritsar Sahodaya Schools Complex organised an Inter-School Fancy Dress competition at Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School, GT Road, to start the Independence Day celebrations. About 50 students of class V and VI of different sahodaya schools participated in the programme. The chief guest for the programme was Satinderbir Singh, DEO (Secondary).

Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society president Charanjit Singh Chadda said the programme began with a welcome dance by the students of primary section, followed by a welcome address by Director Dr Dharam Veer Singh.

The judges for the fancy dress competition were Davinderpal Singh, registrar, Khalsa College and Kavita Kahlon, assistant professor at Institute of Management and Technology.

The students, dressed up as Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chander Bose, Rana Partap, Rani Jhansi, Prithvi Raj Chouhan, Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Tipu Sultan and other freedom fighters, revived the history. The programme culminated with recitation of National Anthem. Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Nirmaljit Singh, President, Santokh Singh Sethi, Honorary Secretary, Harminder Singh and Pritpal Singh Sethi.

Amritsar, August 13
In the wake of global recession, when there are scant job opportunities, a city-based girl has set an example for others to follow.

Instead of running after jobs, Ridhima Mehra (23) decided to set up her own food venture on the premises of GNDU, from where she did her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree.

She attended various placement drives and applied to multinational companies but it all turned out to be a futile exercise. Then, an opportunity knocked at her door when GNDU invited bids to run its canteen.

“I have done specialisation in Human Resource field in MBA. I had experienced that there were very less number of companies which hired freshers or offered appropriate packages. The ones who offered such opportunities were located far away from my home town. Instead of wasting my time and energy, I thought of using my skill in initiating my own business, where I would be my own boss. Then, I came across GNDU’s call for running its canteen. I jumped at the opportunity and was successful in grabbing it too. That is how it all started”, she said.

Her father Sanjay Mehra, who runs a restaurant ‘Tasty Bite’ near the Golden Temple and her mother Sapan Mehra were supportive of their daughter’s strive to achieve her goal.

“She could have absorbed herself in the already established family business, but she opted to start her own venture. Earlier, I was a bit hesitant to give her permission but seeing her confidence, I had to give in”, said Sanjay.

And not to forget the contribution of Ridhima’s siblings, younger sister Vani and brother Rishab, who too helped her in realising her dream.

Ridhima now aims at starting her chain of food items. “At present, it is a small canteen to run. I sell fast food items like burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and Chinese food items, but on subsidized rates as I know my larger clientele would be students. Even as our prices are three-fourth of the market price, yet there is no room for any compromise on quality of food”, she expressed.

}Her in-laws mistreated her. They used to tease her and physically abuse her for bringing less dowry. I received a call from her father-in-law that she had been murdered under mysterious circumstances. When I reached there, I discovered that she was strangulated to death. The accused might have strangulated her~

— Suresh Kumar, victim's brother 

Amritsar, August 13
Residents of Meeka village, about 30 km from Amritsar, were euphoric over the selection Ramandeep Singh in the Indian national hockey team. He would figure in the ninth Asia Cup in Malaysia, starting from August 24.

A product of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy, Ramandeep joined it when he was studying in class VI in 2004. A student of Spring Dale School, he remained a steadfast player of the academy till he passed out of 10+2 in 2010.

His coach, Olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi, said “Ramandeep is a forward with his strong point being a reliable receiver of the ball in shooting circle. He is very swift in scoring a goal.” He plays for Jaypee Punjab Warriors in Hockey India League (HIL).

He comes from a family where hockey is a part of the culture. His elder brother Harmandeep Singh is also a hockey player and is employed with the Indian Overseas Bank, Madras. About seven of his cousins from the village are training at the academy.

Amritsar, August 13
In view of the Independence Day celebrations, the police department has reportedly cancelled the leaves of police personnel while it has also put the administrative staff on duty for holding security check ups.

The Punjab Police has sounded a red alert in the city in order to thwart any untoward incident .

The police officials can be seen holding nakas and checking vehicles at various chowks. Patrolling at various important tourist destinations, besides vital cross sections, has also been increased.

A police official, while confirming the developments, said the police staff was called on Sunday also. A close watch was being kept on anti-social elements and history sheeters. The administrative staff of the department has also been put on field job for security reasons.

Till the Independence Day celebrations, no stone would be left unturned, the police official added. 

Amritsar, August 13
Carrying forward the legacy of her family in her own way, city-based actor Charoo Kapoor was taken by surprise when she was honoured at the same platform where her father performed. Daughter of classical singer Ramesh Kapoor, from the Kirana gharana and a disciple of late Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Charoo was honoured along with her father by the artiste fraternity of the city to celebrate 100 years of cinema at Thakar Singh Art Gallery.

Carrying artistic genes since birth, Charoo grew up on a generous doses of dance, music and theatre. Her first step towards the goal was winning the title of May Queen at the annual beauty pageant held at Panthers Officer’s Club in Amritsar.

“I always pictured myself in front of the camera, doing something that I really enjoyed. I trained myself at NSD and did a lot of theatre before doing films,” said the young actor.

Her first break came with a Punjabi film, Rahe Chardi Kalan Punjab Di and since then, she has had a number of films to her credit. Her most memorable roles came with ‘Quissa’, starring Irrfan Khan and Tisca Chopra and ‘Tittoo MBA (Married But Available)’.

“Every actor wants to do quality work and so, I too believe that quality matters over quantity. Today, an actor does not come with a shelf life and so there is more room for everyone,” she added. Open to Punjabi film offers as well, Charoo is rooted 
to her home. “Amritsar has a legacy of producing great artistes like Mohd Rafi, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Akshay kumar, Deepti Naval and many more. I too aspire to follow in their footsteps and make my city and my parents proud.” 

Amritsar, August 13
The police has arrested five persons for possessing drugs and illicit liquor in separate instances.

During a naka near Hotel Raj Darbar, the police intercepted two motorcycle -borne youth who were involved in various looting instances.. They were identified as Manoj Kumar, a resident of Nirankari Colony and Anil Kumar, hailing from Panipat. The police recovered 300 intoxicant capsules from Anil and 200 capsules from Manoj. The motorcycle they were riding was found to be a stolen one. Sukhwinder Singh, SHO, kotwali, said “We recovered eight mobile phones from them”, he said.

In another instance, the A-Division police arrested two persons, Surinder Kumar and Kulbir Singh and recovered 2.7 kg charas from Surinder and 4 gm heroin from Kulbir. While Surinder is a resident of Rasulpur Kaller, Kulbir is a resident of Padhari village.

In the third case, the sadar police has recovered 22,500 ml of illicit liquor from Anil Kumar, a resident of Mustafabad. A case under the Excise Act had been registered against him.