Ludhiana, August 25
In the wake of ever-rising population and proliferation of the number of vehicles with far too inadequate parking spaces in the industrial capital of the state, there is good news for city residents. The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has chalked out an ambitious plan to provide a multi-level parking facility-cum-commercial complex in the upmarket commercial and business centre of the Feroze Gandhi market.

To be constructed on 0.68 acre (2,529 square metres) on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis, the parking lot will have automated parking facility for 250 cars along with sufficient parking space — at least 450 square metre — for two-wheelers and an integrated commercial complex. Officials said the MC had received technical bids for the project and the process for shortlisting bidders was on.

Stating the aims and objects while inviting proposals from technically and financially sound experienced companies, the RPF (request for proposal) document of the MC said like many other metropolitan cities of the country, the largest city in the state of Punjab (Ludhiana) is also under constant pressure to manage the existing infrastructure services and provide for the best of these services for its increasing population.

It was emphasised that amongst these services, the management of traffic and transportation in the city as well as catering to the parking demand is one of the crucial segments.

“Lack of planned shopping centres with organised parking arrangements has given birth to the mushrooming of commercial activities along the frontage of important roads, streets and the spillover of related parking to the main roads, creating conditions of chaos and mismanagement,” the RPF document stated. In the Feroze Gandhi market, there are four parking lots available along with on-road surface parking. However, the capacity of the parking lots is not sufficient to cater to the present demand which results in parking of vehicles along the roads, thereby creating a major bottleneck in the smooth flow of traffic, the RPF document stated.

Officials of the MC said multi-level parking lot at a strategic location along with a rational parking fee was an inevitable solution towards providing a relative parking space for the growing number of vehicles in the market.

That the MC is now inclined towards encouraging PPP (public-private partnership) is evident from the offer in the bid document which says that in addition to the proposed facilities (multi-level parking-cum-commercial complex) to be developed, the successful developer will also be required to operate and maintain other surface parking facilities in the Feroze Gandhi market currently being maintained by the MC itself.

As per the bid document, the proposed multi-level parking project along with existing surface parking lots were being offered for maintenance and operation for a period of 40 years from commencement. The tentative parking fee structure proposed in the RPF for four-wheelers is Rs 20 up to a period of three hours, Rs 30 for three to six hours and Rs 40 for six to 12 hours. For two-wheelers, the parking fee would be 50 per cent of that to be charged from four-wheelers.

Ludhiana, August 25
A 12-year-old boy was crushed to death by a speeding tractor trolley-trailer near Chhabra Colony on Pakhowal road today.

The victim, a Class VI student of DAV Public School, Sarabha Nagar Extension, was identified as Tripatjit Singh. He was a resident of Basant Nagar.

The incident took place this afternoon when he was riding pillion on his father Satwinder Singh’s scooter.

Eyewitness said the tractor-trailer hit the scooter from the rear. Satwinder lost control and both of them fell on the road.

Before Tirpatjit could react, he was crushed under the wheels of the tractor-trailer.

Tirpatjit was rushed to the DMCH where doctors declared him brought dead.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Balvir Singh, a resident of Sangrur, fled leaving behind the vehicle.

A police official said hunt was on to nab the accused.

Satwinder Singh, who was inconsolable, said he was taking his son for tuition classes.

Around a month ago, Mansimran, a medical student of DAV School, BRS Nagar, was killed in a freak incident while she was riding a scooter to attend her tuition classes.

Ludhiana, August 25
It has been nearly 10 days since Namdhari sect chief Thakur Uday Singh was attacked in the UK, but the controversy refuses to die down.

The International Namdhari Sangat, the faction supported by Thakur Dalip Singh, today dragged senior Congress leader HS Hanspal into the controversy.

The faction has accused the senior leader of indulging in divisionary politics.

Hanspal had recently written letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid urging them to increase security cover to sect chief Satguru Uday Singh following the attack.

The International Namdhari Sangat today wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, the copy of which is with The Tribune, in which they have accused Hanspal of creating fissures in the sect.

Jaswinder Singh and Navtej Singh, chairman and president of the International Namdhari Sangat, said Thakur Uday Singh had no threat from external forces, rather internal forces were conspiring against him.

"You can save the sect chief from external forces, but what about the enemies within the sect," questioned Navtej. The International Namdhari Sangat said the sect needs to be protected from people like HS Hanspal, who are playing divisionary politics and created problem between two brother, i;e Thakur Uday Singh and Thakur Dalip Singh.

HS Hanspal, who is in Banguluru with Satguru Thakur Uday Singh, refused to comment.

"These people (Navtej and Jaswinder) always indulge in petty politics and try to drag people into controversy. I do not want to comment. Let them say whatever they want to. I am currently with the Satguru in Banguluru," said Hanspal. 

Ludhiana, August 25
In a shocking incident a 42-year-old man committed suicide by jumping off the fourth floor of a multi-specialty hospital located at Shepur Chowk.

The deceased was identified as Jagtar Singh, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh. He had come to the hospital to enquire about his father-in-law’s health.

The victim’s wife Gurmeet Kaur said Jagtar was under depression crashed himself against a window in the hospital.

The window shattered into pieces and Jagtar fell from the fourth floor.

The police has initiated inquest proceeding under Section 174 of the CrPC.

This is second such incident in past one month. Earlier, a man had jumped off the third floor of a hospital in Haibowal and had died.

Ludhiana, August 25
Students of Punjab Agricultural University continued with their chain hunger strike against the university authorities even during the weekend.

However, the number of protesting students was very less on Saturday and Sunday as most them left for their respective villages. A number of girl hostellers also participated in the hunger strike.

Dilpreet Singh, Harpreet Singh, Jasandeep Singh, who were rusticated from the university, were seen studying and making notes during the hunger strike.

Harpreet Singh, one of the rusticated students, said: "I love to read in the free time. We are sitting free so I decided to complete my work. We hope that the Vice-Chancellor reviews his decision and allows us to sit in class.”

The authorities have called the parents of the protesting students to the university on Monday. Sources said the university authorities were planning to show the pictures of students which were clicked by morning walkers on July 22 morning.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor mailed the photographs to media houses to convince them that the students have consumed liquor.

Karmavir Singh, vice-president of PAUSA, said: “We have already told our parents about the intention of the authorities. The allegations of the authorities are baseless. The photographs do not tell that the students had consumed liquor.” 

Ludhiana, August 25
The next time you reach out for imported apples, oranges and kiwis, you may want to think twice. The price of imported fruits has shot up, thanks to the weakening rupee.

Imports have become more expensive and fruit sales have dropped.

As the prices of imported fruits have doubled, residents are left with no option but to cut down on consumption.

Apples imported from Washington which available at Rs 100 per kilogram are now priced at Rs 200 per kg. The California grapes now cost Rs 350 per kg instead of Rs 200 per kg.

The price of cherry has gone up to Rs 1,600 per kg from Rs 1,100 per kg, while imported guavas are now available at Rs 300 per kg instead of Rs 200 per kg.

“Since the value of rupee is depreciating, the price of imported fruits has gone up. Consumers now prefer Indian fruits to imported ones till the prices stabilise," said Mohammad Ahmed, a fruit vendor from Civil Lines.

"Opting for canned fruit juice is a better option than buying raw fruits. Since my children are in their growing years, I make it sure that they consume fruits. But going by the price of fruits, I have substituted them with canned fruit juices for the time being,” said Shikha Dhawan, a city resident.

Krutika, who is fond of imported fruits, especially apples, is finding it difficult to adjust with the taste of local apples. “I have not stopped buying imported apples. But I have cut down on consumption. I hope the prices come down soon," she added.

Ludhiana, August 25
Punjab-based industrialists will be attending a mega conclave, Invest North, being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at New Delhi on August 27.

Minister for Industries and Commerce, Punjab, Anil Joshi, along with principal secretary Karan A Singh, will address domestic and global businessmen in an endeavour to invite investments to the state.

The conclave will showcase various pioneering projects from the state of Punjab in diverse fields including manufacturing and industrial infrastructure; IT hardware; plastics; jewellery; agro-processing; light engineering hubs; export promotion industrial, textile and apparel and multi-modal logistics parks; country-dedicated investment zones; knowledge-based industry; IT and bio-technology parks; centres of excellence on education; R&D hubs; recreation, sports and stadiums; and hydel energy projects.

The conclave aims to showcase and promote investment opportunities in the northern states and provide a platform to domestic and global investors to engage with various state governments.

Ludhiana, August 25
General body meeting of the association of the Punjab Senior Education Board (PSEB) affiliated schools was held at Shri Guru Gobind Singh Senior Secondary School. The meeting was presided over by Rajinder Sharma, the president of the association.

During the meeting it was decided that the schools must submit an application to the board by August 30, if they wanted to upgrade, as the board has passed an order to upgrade the affiliated schools from Classes VIII to X and from Classes X to XII. An official said the facility is only a one-time opportunity and only for those schools that cover an area measuring 2,000 square meter and are affiliated with the PSEB since 2009.

Schools had been allegedly unsuccessful in meeting the decision of the High Court regarding the basic pay and hence it was decided that the case should be discussed on proper forums viz. fee committee constituted by the Hon'ble High Court and the Punjab Government.

The president of the association has also sent a memorandum to the chairman, fee committee and Justice Ranjit Singh (retd.) and apprised the Justice of the functioning of the affiliated schools and the problems faced by them in running these schools. Another letter was also written which was to be sent to the chairman and fee committee. Both the letters were read in the meeting and all the members unanimously approved them.

The members were informed that a Joint Action Committee of all the three Associations of the Punjab has been formed. It will chalk out a strategy to take up the problems confronted by the affiliated schools of the state at a proper forum.

Members also urged the government to give due regard for their contribution to the field of education and excuse them from paying the commercial charges of various facilities such as electricity, water and sewerage.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 25
Hundreds of followers of Sant Isher Singh Rare Wale vowed to launch a coordinated move against drug addiction and various other social evils, such as female foeticide and illiteracy.

The oath was taken in response to a call given by the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during the commemoration of death anniversary of Sant Isher Singh, which concluded at Gurdwara Karamsar today.

Scores of Sikh devotees attended the three-day programme. A large number of persons were also baptised for imbibing tenets of Guru Granth Sahib. Recollecting contributions made by Sant Isher Singh and his followers, the Chief Minister said, “Besides motivating masses to live a pious life, the sect has been serving the society through various educational institutes and hospitals set up across the town.”

“The Punjab government has laid a special focus on the development of towns holding a historical significance and various religious institutions in the state to perpetuate the legacy of great religious leaders,” said the CM.

The Chief Minister also visited Bhora Sahib to seek the blessings of Baba Teja Singh. The organisers of the programme felicitated Parkash Singh Badal and presented him a memento and Siropa.

Khanna, August 25
In a shocking incident at a function in Khanna, a lizard was spotted in a bottle of a cold drink. The function of an opening of a new Chamber of Advocate Deepak Sahota was in progress, when the organisers of the show opened a box of cold drinks and found the reptile in a bottle which was half-filled.

Some social activists of Khanna area, including Advocates Jaspreet Singh and Narinder Sharma, had earlier demanded that the cold drinks and other materials should be checked properly before they are used for the consumption by the public.

The District Health Officer, Ludhiana, Dr Avinash, said, “I can initiate an action only after a written complaint is given to me in this regard.” While Chief Medical Officer, Ludhiana, was unavailable.

Ludhiana, August 25
The trend of gifting plants is on a rise in the city. Not only large, but dish-plants are also catching the fancy of residents for home decor as well as gifting purpose.

“Plants are increasingly being used for gifting purposes these days,” said Juhi Bakshi from the Technocare nursery. “People have started gifting dish-plants as well, as these combine the purpose of a plant, a show piece and serve as a beautiful gift as well,” she said.

These are also called table-top gardens, and may be grown in variety of trays, dishes or other containers. Water, gravel and other materials are used to create these plants. For dish-plants, any plant that is small, has slow growth and grows in shallow soil are generally used as a dish plant. Syngonium, Sansivaria dwarf varieties of grass, ferns, succulents and crotons are being used. For keeping in water, plants like black beauty serve well, said Bakshi. Plants that are rough and have a tough look like sansivera, adenium are used with gravel. Herbs are also used for table-top gardens, but for a limited period of time in our climate. Lavender, basil, oregano, camomile are generally used. Plants like asparus, dracaena, chlorophytum potula are used and can be covered with glass.

“The dish-plants can be decorated with all kinds of interior design and decor,” said Vineet, a city-based interior designer.

Ludhiana, August 25
Office-bearers of the Laghu Udyog Bharti held a meeting to discuss about the rise in prices of goods and services. The members alleged a sheer failure on the part of the Central Government and said the government had failed to curb the depreciating value of rupee and the rising prices.

"The rise in the value of the US dollar in the last one month has shaken the Indian economy. With depreciating value of rupee, the prices of petrol, diesel, steel, rubber, carbon black and yarn have taken a hike as well, which has resulted in an increase in the production cost, leaving the country in the clutches of a high inflation," said Rajeev Jain, president of the Laghu Udyog Bharti.

The basic increase in freight has resulted in an increase in the food commodities. Steel prices have gone up which has affected the construction businesses. The basic needs for survival has become out of reach for the common man today," said Dinesh Lakra, state president.

Overseas buyers are also cancelling the orders and are demanding discounts on the items received or on items which are due for payments. Small and micro-industry which rely on big units are facing crunch due to heavy inflation and are finding themselves in dark future, said Rajeev Jain.

Ludhiana, August 25
Arya Club of Arya Samaj, Model Town, in association with Zindagi Live Foundation organised a blood donation camp on the concluding day of ‘Ved Saptah’ at Arya Samaj, Model Town, Ludhiana. The camp was organised with an aim to create awareness on the significance of blood donation and extend support to thalassemic patients.

Ludhiana, August 25
Ashvin Gidwani's play '2 to Tango, 3 to Jive' was staged at Guru Nanak Bhawan last evening. The play directed by Saurabh Shukla was attended by eminent city-based personalities. Organised by the Ludhiana Sanskritik Samagam, the play by Shukla was staged for the 41st time.

Saurabh Shukla, Preiti Mermaim, Achint Kaur, Sadia Siddiqui played different characters. This play shows how the equation of life changes when third person enters in the life of a married couple. Mundane life of Parminder Singh Sethi changes when another woman enters his life. The comedy play shows how an internal recess of mind yearns for a change, and how it turns into an endless search.

"Life becomes like a wilder dance form Jive from a smooth Tango, with the third person entering into a couple's life," said Shukla.

Ludhiana, August 25
Counter-narratives are documentary filmmaker Sanjay Kak’s forte. But for a man with over 25 years into filmmaking on social and political issues, the counter-narrative is not an ideological statement. It’s an argument meant to provoke, to stir up the public opinion.

In Ludhiana for the screening of his latest documentary film “Red Ant Dream”, he says as a filmmaker, he steers clear of a prescriptive role.

His brand of filmmaking is argumentative, provoking and it takes a definitive position. A disinterested documentation may be a virtue for some filmmakers, but Kak’s documentaries occupy a space that’s contrarian.

“A documentary film is not an opinion. It’s an argument. I don’t say that my argument is the gospel of truth. But I’ll work hard to make my argument incontrovertible. You can dismiss it. That’s the choice you have,” says the filmmaker.

There’s no such thing as “innocent viewing” (of films and documentaries). All viewing is trained by ideology, class and a multitude of other variables that factor in, he adds.

Do his documentaries have any message? “If I had to convey a message, I would put it on a piece of paper,” is the cryptic reply.

In our message-addled society, the audience keeps asking him about the message he wants to get across through the documentaries he makes. But this Delhi-based filmmaker, who is originally from Kashmir, is ever-reluctant to give the audience the comfort of delivering a “message” that could have been reassuring to them.

“I want the audience to return home troubled and thoughtful,” says the documentary filmmaker

The documentaries he makes are open-ended arguments, replete with ambiguities and complexities. He believes that this is a cogent way of engaging with the audience. “I see myself as a political filmmaker and not as a pamphleteer.”

Talking about his film “Jashn-e-Azadi” on Kashmir, he says the nearly three-hour film is not an easy viewing for the audience. Yet the viewers, even those from rural areas of Bihar and Odisha, have related to the film.

“This reinforces my belief that documentaries do not necessarily have to be balanced. You can offer a spiky, provocative narrative and still the audience will engage in your narrative,” he says. 

Ludhiana, August 25
Fusion is the flavour of fashion these days. Pick up a pair of trousers and a matching kurti from your wardrobe and you have something that is quickly turning into the fashion statement this season, says Gurjit Kaur Sidhu, a teacher at the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD).

Fashion from the Victorian era is also lending a new touch to the Punjabi suits with leg of mutton sleeves being in fashion. Band necks and long slits are merging with traditional suits for making a great fashion statement, says Kuldeep Kaur, another faculty at the INIFD.

Adorn the lacy shrugs during the cooler weather to add oomph to your attire. Larger prints can combine with plain kurtis for a great look, says fashion designer Sonu Gandhi.

"Less is more this season. Minimum embroidery and appropriate placement is what matters," says designer Sonu Gandhi. 

Ludhiana, August 25
The cuts, designs and colours make all the difference to your persona if worn according to the latest trends. So whether the city residents hop into, slip into or wriggle into their outfits, they know how to reconcile their fashion statement with the need for comfort.

Young city residents become aware of the latest fashions through their peers on college campuses. Women even postpone their kitty parties in order to visit fashion exhibitions, organised regularly in the city, that help them in keeping abreast with the latest trends.

Open your eyes to the variety of colours and you will find neon shades make for the latest style statement.

"The bright and conspicuous colours make you stand out and more visible. Neon shades juxtaposed with soft pastels are the in thing these days," says city-based fashion designer Meenakshi.

In the Indian wear, Anarkali suits continue to rule the roost with light fabrics including georgette and net, she says.

Exquisite cuts of blouses in bright colours to go with sarees are also the latest fad. Wraparound sarees are much in vogue nowadays.

All you have to do is drape it around, rather than going through the hassle of having to tie it around. Although one can make out the difference, the ready-to-wear, drape-around saree is a hybrid of a suit and a saree, making it much more comfortable to wear while retaining the traditional look, says another fashion designer from the city.

In the western wear, basic silhouettes with no frills or slits are winning the hearts of girls and women alike.

"Simplicity is the key on the fashion scene these days," says Gurjit Kaur Sidhu, a teacher at the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD).

Checks and lines are making a comeback and are being used in newer and interesting ways to bring out a contemporary look, says Sidhu. Animal prints and tribal designs along with floral prints are equally popular this season, she says.

Jeggings are edging out jeans this fashion season, says Sidhu. These are light, stretchable, look light and are available in varieties of colour, says the fashion design teacher. 

"Have just one focal point through a rich or accentuated wear, whether it's your clutch, purse, shoes or neckpiece; the rest should be muted.

Too much of everything may make you look jarring or like a museum of accessories," says Gandhi.

Khanna August 25
Mystery shrouds the death of a 62-year-old man who was found murdered in a dhaba at Khanna under mysterious circumstances today morning. The deceased has been identified as Gurdev Singh, a resident of Amloh, Khanna.

As per the information, the victim was running the Nanda Punjabi dhaba on the Amloh road, Khanna. The dhaba had been opened recently. He was reportedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon while he was sleeping which resulted in his death.

According to Harjit Singh, the son of the deceased, his father had consumed alcohol with a cousin last night. On his complaint, the police has registered a case of murder against the cousin who has been absconding after the murder.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna, Sushil Kumar and Superintendent of Police (Detective) Rajwinder Singh, along with other police officials, reached the scene of the crime and took stock of the situation.

The body of the deceased has been handed over to his guardians after conducting a post-mortem. We are looking at other angles too, investigations are on to nab the culprit, said the SSP.

Ludhiana, August 25
The city police nabbed a woman drug peddler and seized 8-kg poppy husk from her possession.

The accused has been identified as Malkit Kaur, alias Malkito. She was arrested this afternoon by the Sadar police from Gill Bypass.

Station house office, Sadar, Amandeep Singh Brar said the accused was coming from the Gill railway station. She was carrying a sack containing the contraband on her head.

On seeing the police, she panicked and turned back. The policemen, however, got suspicious and intercepted her.