Bathinda, September 20
The police today foiled the farmers’ bid to hold road blockade in the district and rounded up 16 farmers.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugraha) had announced to block road traffic to protest against the arrest of farmers in Amritsar a few days ago. They had been demanding release of the arrested activists.

Last evening too, the police had arrested 11 farmers, including a woman.

As a precautionary measure, police force was deployed in strength at all the entry points of Bathinda district and senior police functionaries were keeping an eye over the movement of farmers.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravcharan Brar said 250 more farmers have been identified who have gone into hiding in Lehra Mohabbat, Lehra Dhoorkut and in a gurudwara near Maisarkhana. “We have cordoned off the area around these places and rounding up of more activists was possible late in the evening today,” the SSP said.

He added that the farmers bid to protest against the state government would be foiled and no untoward incident would be allowed to happen. Public safety and convenience at public places, especially on the roads, would not be compromised, the SSP said. 

Bathinda, September 20
The tussle between a private transporter and students from villages around Bhucho Mandi took an ugly turn today when there was a clash between the two leaving a BA-first year student of Government Rajindra College seriously injured.

The injured student, Gurpreet, a resident of Burj Kahan Singhwala adjoining Bhucho Mandi, has been admitted to the Civil Hospital with serious injuries inflicted with sharp-edged weapons and pistol butts.

While students claim that they had permission to travel in private buses with passes issued by the PRTC, the transporters refuse to let them board their buses for free. Even the PRTC general manager denies having allowed them to travel on private buses.

“At least five students could travel in a private bus but the influential private transporters do not cooperate with us,” said Sandeep Kumar, one of the students and a member of the Shaheed Randhawa Club and the Punjab Students Union. He said at present, there was no regular PRTC bus service from Bhucho bus stand to Bathinda and students were forced to travel by private buses despite having government bus passes.

The students and the transporter had been exchanging heated arguments for the past few days and today, the bus conductor of a private transporter, the Jalal Bus Service, Bathinda, called up his colleagues with an aim to assault a student travelling from Bhucho Mandi to Bathinda along with four others.

Gurpreet has accused the transporter of targeting him for taking up the issue of not allowing college students to travel by private buses despite having PRTC bus passes. The clash left Gurpreet with his right eye injured badly. Besides, he received bruises on face, head and legs.

Of the five students, three were students of Government Rajindra College while two were of DAV College. “We boarded the bus at 8.45 am and nobody asked for ticket when we showed our bus passes. But after the ticket checker boarded the bus, the bus conductor called someone and the bus was stopped by a private car ahead of Bibiwala Chowk,” claimed Hardeep, one of the students accompanying Gurpreet.

The transporter and his men took Gurpreet aside and beat him up badly, he alleged.

“We had boarded the private bus since we were getting late for the youth festival in Rajindra College due to irregular PRTC bus service on the route,” Hardeep said.

The police was informed and Cantonment SHO Paramjit Doad recorded the statements of the injured.

A case under Sections 341, 323, 394 and 506 of the IPC and the Arms Act has been registered against four or five unidentified persons besides one identified as Beera.

Sandeep, a student leader, said students would hold a meeting at DAV College tomorrow to chalk out further strategy to pressurise the authorities concerned to accept students’ demand of granting permission to travel by private buses.

He said students had to travel nearly two and a half km from Bhucho bus stand to Bhucho Kenchiyan to get PRTC buses for Bathinda, as there is no PRTC bus service from Bhucho bus stand.

When contacted, Vinod Jindal, general manager, PRTC, Bathinda, corroborated the claims of private transporters. He said that legally, the private transporters were not bound to let students travel in their bus even if students carry PRTC passes. “But transporters should be compassionate enough to allow students to travel if there is no PRTC bus service on the route,” the GM added.

He pointed out that the PRTC was making every effort to accommodate as many students as it could. “During the past year, there had been a 30 per cent increase in number of students every semester. At present, we are issuing passes to 2,500 students after every three months,” he said.

Pirthi Jalal, the owner of Jalal Bus Service, said most of the times, students board the bus in groups of more than five and at times, even youngsters who are not even students enter along with them and occupy seats. “Even though students do not have to travel a long distance they occupy seats while other passengers either fail to board the bus or are forced to keep standing,” he said.

He added that when there were clear cut instructions for students not to board private buses even if they have PRTC passes, they should knock the doors of either the PRTC or the state government.

“Earlier too, students had a clash with us. Even as a written complaint in this regard was lodged at Bhucho Mandi police post, no action was initiated in this regard,” he said.

Bathinda, September 20
A large number of farmers, women, children and youngsters’ thronged a mela at the PAU regional research station on Dabwali Road here today.

As compared to previous Kisan mela’s, women and youngsters were seen in a significant number.

Senior plant visitor Dr Paramjit Singh at PAU research centre said crop and vegetable seeds worth Rs 25 lakh were sold during the mela which was considerably a good amount as compared to previous years.

Wheat variety HD-2967 was the most sought seed during the mela which was sold for Rs 15 lakh. Farmers purchased about 40 kg of this variety and paid Rs 960 per pack for the same. Other wheat varieties were sold for Rs 1 lakh.

About 5,000 vegetable seed kits worth Rs 6 lakh were sold with Rs 100 per pack, chhole (chickpea) was sold for Rs 1 lakh, mustard seeds for Rs 1 lakh, with a maximum sale of PVR-91. This variety alone was sold for Rs 60,000. Barley seeds were sold for Rs 1.25 lakh.

Farmers were made aware of the side effects of burning of paddy residue and were given tips of kitchen gardening by an award-winning farmer. They were offered advice on health benefits of mustard oil and reducing cholesterol level.

Farmers were also told to grow chhole (chickpea) in view of its nutrient value. On-the-spot queries were answered by the experts on growth of plants and its care.

Apart from crop seeds, saplings of all kinds, fruit seeds, ornamental saplings, edibles, pickle and other varieties, people purchased hand-stitched clothing prepared by a group of women trained at KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra).

Farmers from nearby areas brought their homemade edibles for sale during the mela. “I brought two quintal garlic and two quintal honey for sale. Though people purchased the entire stock of garlic at Rs 50 per kg, 1.5 quintal honey was still left behind,” said Gurcharan Singh, a progressive farmer from Tungwali village.

He added a discount of Rs 50 on garlic was offered at the mela. He said this was the right time to grow garlic. Modern farm tools and medicines were also on display during the mela.

Farm Advisory Service Scheme (FASS) in charge Dr Jatinder Brar said the thrust of the mela was to inform farmers about the advantages of not burning paddy stubble in their agricultural fields.

Seeds and saplings of carrot, radish, peas, different varieties of onion, turnip, spinach, fenugreek and others were displayed during the mela.

Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Bhundar urged farmers to reduce their expenses and advised them not to spend money on drugs. He accused the Government of India of not supporting Punjab Government.

PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, PAU Ludhiana Director Extension Dr Mukhtar Singh, Research Associate Director Dr Piara Singh, Regional Research Station Director Dr Jaspal Gill and PAU Management board member Karamjit Kaur Danewalia were among others present on the occasion.

Bathinda, September 20
The Central University of Punjab (CUPB) and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here today to promote cooperation in advanced research, technology and education between the two institutions.

The MoU is aimed at helping both the universities to synergise the efforts of the institutions in the field of education and research through working together and exchange of faculty and students.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-chancellor of the Punjab Agricultural University acknowledged the strengths of the two institutions which will get a synergetic effect through this understanding reached between the two institutions today. While interacting with the faculty and students at CUP, he recognised the advantages that both the institutions are going to accrue in the field of biological science.

CUP Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Jai Rup Singh appreciated the progress made by Punjab Agricultural University and its contributions to green revolution in this country and hoped that the CUPB would take leads in research from PAU.

Bathinda, September 20
‘Aaghaz-13’, a party to welcome the freshers was organised at the Guru Ram Dass Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lehra Bega, Bathinda today.

Chairman Prof Harbhajan Singh, was present as the chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the new students, he said the motive of the function was to welcome them to the folds of the institute and make them feel at home. The event started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and rendition of shabad-gurbani, followed by various talent hunt competitions like quiz, ramp walk, singing, solo dance, group dance, gidda and bhangra. — TNS

Bathinda, September 20
Renowned Punjabi singer Lehmber Hussainpuri added his name to the list of personalities who have given Bathinda city a miss during the promotional tours of their upcoming Punjabi films. The last one to do so was bollywood actress Aarti Chhabaria.

Lehmber, who is best known for his song ‘Saddi Gali’ featured in ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, was scheduled to visit the city to promote the film, ‘Aashiqui Not Allowed’. He was also scheduled to perform at the pre-zonal youth festival at the Government Rajindra College.

The rest of the cast, Aman Sutdhar, Gurpreet Kaur Sandhu, comedian Gurtej Chitarkar and the producer of the film Sikander were present during the promotional tour.

Gurpreet, who has had interesting journey in the entertainment world, said, “I wanted to be a director and even worked as an assistant director in ‘Rajneeti’. After that experience, I changed my mind and fate took me on the path to becoming an actress.”

Aman, who was earlier seen in music videos, said he had been in the industry for almost 10 years. Talking about his experience, he said, “In these ten years, I have seen the industry from close quarters. I have seen it growing by leaps and bounds. Through my experience I can also say that the Punjabi film industry has gained a firm foothold, directors and producers should try their hands at genres other than comedy. This would also give the audience some variety.” 

Bathinda, September 20
As a run-up to the youth festival of Punjabi University, Patiala, a pre-zonal youth festival was organised at Government Rajindra College here today.

The youth festival will be organised at Malwa College, Bathinda, from October 1 to October 3.

While the IG Counter Intelligence Dr Jatinder Jain was present as the chief guest, Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University campus director Dr Jasbir Singh Hundal was the special guest on the occasion.

Addressing the students, Dr Jain asked them to stay away from habit-forming substances. He also urged the students to fix and aim for their life and then work with determination towards achieving it.

Dr Hundal spoke to students about the importance of having an all-round personality to succeed in life. He exhorted the students to take part in co-curricular activities while excelling in the academic field.

The highlight of the pre-zonal youth festival was Bathinda’s very own singing sensation, Jazim Sharma, who regaled the audience with his rendition of popular Punjabi songs and ghazals. Jazim was among the top five contestants on a TV music reality show.

While principal of the college, Vijay Goyal welcomed the guests, youth coordinator Dr Gurjeet Singh Mann requested the students to participate in the festival with full zest.

“Such cultural activities bring us close to our heritage and helps in building of a strong character in us. If there is no character, there is no trust. In the absence of trust, one can’t talk about harmony and relationships and this may lead to degradation of the fabric of the society that we live in,” Dr Mann said.

Students participated in competitions such as shabad gayan, classical music, folk music, ghazal singing, group song, declamation, skit, fancy dress competition, western group song, bhangra and gidha during the festival.

Also present to entertain the crowd at the festival was the cast and crew of the upcoming Punjabi film, ‘Aashiqui Not Allowed’. Actors Amit Sutdhar, Gurpreet Kaur Sandhu, comedian Gurchet Chitarkar and Gurdeep Singh were present among the students.

Towards the end of the festival, vice-principal of the college, Roshan Singh proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Ramesh Chander Pasrija and Prof Sukhdeep Singh conducted the stage. Also present during the festival were Prof Jyoti Prakash, Jagjeevan Kaur, Surjeet Singh, Gurjeet Singh, Prof Ashok Singh Mittal, Prof Satvinderpal Singh, Balvir Kaur, Harjeet Kaur, Balwinder Chahal, Hardeep Kaur and others. 

Bathinda, September 20
Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University (GZS PTU) campus beat Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Ferozepur, by 23-16 in the ongoing two-day Punjab Technical University Inter-College Basketball Tournament (north-west zone) that got underway at the GZS PTU campus here today. The campus is hosting the tournament for the first time.

In other matches, Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology beat Malout Institute of Management and Information Technology by 25-24, CT Institute of Engineering Management and Technology, Jalandhar, thrashed Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chhapianwali, by 36-19.

Global College, Amritsar, beat Beant College of Engineering and Technology Gurdaspur by 40-20 and Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar, defeated Rayat-Bahra Institute of Engineering and Nano-Technology, Hoshiarpur, by 40-20.

As many as 15 teams from various engineering colleges of north-west zone of the university are participating in the mega event. Game in charge Dr Rajiv Varshney said over the two days, players would strive to win the prestigious Punjab Technical University Inter-College Basketball Tournament.

Kamal Kishore Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, presided over the inaugural function and highlighted the importance of sports in students’ life. He informed the audience about various upcoming sports facilities in and around Bathinda for the uplift of budding sports lovers, thus encouraging them to participate and excel in various sports.

Gurjant Singh, a national-level basketball player and general secretary of the District Basketball Association and Pavitar Pal Kaur, Assistant Education Officer, Bathinda, were the guests of honour on the occasion.

They also insisted that all institutes must understand the vital role of sports in grooming and development of students.

President (sports) and chief coordinator of the tournament, Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhot, welcomed the guests. He highlighted the achievements of students of the campus at the university and national-level sports events.

He also announced that the campus administration had made all necessary arrangements for the comfortable stay of the officials, team in charges and players for the smooth conduct of the tournament.

Addressing the audience, campus director Dr Jasbir Singh Hundal stressed that such competitions were a source of inspiration and teach the students to deal with the daily life hurdles with courage, patience and wisdom.

Dr Hundal and registrar GS Bath also handed over a cheque of Rs 1,51,850 collected from the one-day salary of all employees of the campus under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda towards the Uttarakhand Relief Fund.

Bathinda, September 20
State Bank of Patiala, mini Secretariat branch of Bathinda, today donated an RO water purifier system to Government Senior Secondary School, Jangi Rana, in the district. Branch manager Ramesh Futela updated students and staff 
members of the school about various schemes launched by the bank.

Also present on the occasion were assistant managers Chhinderpal Singh, Nishant Arora, Dipender Singh and others.