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Pomp, gaiety mark Dasehra celebrations
MC continues awareness drive on property tax even on a holiday
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Politicos from different parties mark their presence on festive occasion
Dengue spreads tentacles in city; 33 cases found positive
City shopaholics to get customised luxury for feet
Grand Trunk road stretch a pain for commuters
zonal youth festival
Tenders for solid waste plant not floated again
Two killed in road mishaps
Man robbed of Rs 1 lakh
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Pomp, gaiety mark Dasehra celebrations
Amitsar, October 13 Colourful, magnificent and huge effigies of Raavana, Meghnada and Kumbhkarana at the Kila Parade Ground occupied the attention of hundreds of onlookers. Special celebrations were held at Ranjit Avenue where Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi attended the Dusehra celebrations. Political cavalcades were seen moving around, thus causing road blocks and huge traffic snarls. Children dressed as langoors and wearing traditional outfits were enjoying the spirit of the festival. Several religious organisations held functions in the city and performed community service. Langars were organised at temples and gurdwaras. Dressed as Lord Hanuman, five-year-old Uma Shankar remained the centre attraction for many. “He is playing the role of Lord Hanuman since when he was two years old,” said Sat Raghunath, his grandfather. Raghunath is associated with the Shankar Dramatic Club and plays the role of adult Hanuman. “Lord Hanuman is a source of inspiration for Uma. His dedication has impressed many. People now recognise him as Bal Hanuman,” added Raghunath. Discarded paper plates and wrappers were seen all around. The All India Pingalwara Charitable Society held its annual workshops and activities with special children on the occasion of Dasehra. Handcrafted Diwali artifacts and goods were prepared at the workshops. Prepared by special children and destitute women, the items include painted bedcovers, cushions, toys made of plaster of Paris, coloured candles, sketches and garlands, which would later be put on for exhibition and sale before Diwali. All India Pingalwara Charitable Society chairperson Inderjit Kaur said the money collected from the annual event would be spent to buy raw material for the young artistes. The trust organises two exhibitions every year to highlight the creative skills of its inmates. "The children and women inmates work very hard and the response from the visitors has been very encouraging. Every year, the success of the exhibition encourages them to do better next year,” Inderjit Kaur said. Ibadat, a school for special children, involves its inmates in such creative pursuit during the festival season. Students make diyas, candles and Diwali goodies for exhibitions. “This is the best possible way to celebrate the festival spirit with our special kids. We encourage their talent. We have good sales as the goods made by our children are picked up during the festival season,” says Shilpi Ganguly, in-charge,
IBadat.
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MC continues awareness drive on property tax even on a holiday
Amritsar, October 13 The efforts seem to bear results as around 160 residents deposited their property tax while exercising the self-assessment of tax norms. The team comprised superintendents Shushant Bhatia and Daljeet Singh, inspectors Sunil Bhatia, Babbar and Ashish. “We collected around Rs 3.5 lakh. The residents are voluntarily coming up to deposit their taxes on the spot. We would be conducting similar camps in other constituencies in days to come,” a civic body official said. This is second such camp as a camp was organised in a different locality of the area on October 8 wherein 200 residents had deposited their property tax. “With such camps, the residents get awareness about property tax and secondly, it creates cordial relations between the officials and residents,” the official added. The MC has starting holding a series of sessions to spread awareness to achieve targets. In the first session of the series, they interacted with hotel owners of the walled city. The MC has also put up hoardings to sensitise people on the issue. Four officials of the Local Bodies Department have been nominated by the government to monitor the property tax realisation in the state. In Amritsar city, Local Bodies secretary Ashok Gupta is overseeing the whole process. Municipal Commissioner DPS Kharbanda said the MC would try to meet the target as the deadline of depositing the property tax is November 30. The civic authorities are hopeful of garnering Rs 40-50 crore a year by way of realisation through property tax alone. Amritsar has been divided into eight zones, consisting of 557 localities.
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Politicos from different parties mark their presence on festive occasion
Amritsar, October 13 Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections, political leaders, it seems, do not want to lose any opportunity to be in the limelight and earn maximum attention of people. Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi held a programme to commemorate the occasion at Ranjit Avenue. It was perhaps for the first time that the effigies were burnt in the locality. Like every year, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Inderbir Singh Bularia held a similar function at Bhadarkali temple. Two stages were set by Congress leaders and senior BJP leader Lakshmi Kanta Chawla at the open ground near Durgiana Temple. The Congress leaders-supported stage witnessed the presence of MLA OP Soni, former Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Darbari Lal, Vice-President of National SC/ST Commission Raj Kumar, Harpratap Singh Ajnala and District Congress Committee (urban) president Jugal Kishore Sharma. Former Mayor Sunil Dutti held a programme at Khandwala. Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Akali leader Amarpal Singh Bony took part as chief guests at Dasehra functions held at their constituencies in Majitha and Ajnala respectively. Apart from the said places, the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhakarna were held at various locations in the city. Meanwhile, the burning of effigies irked environmentalists as they feared that it would add to pollution. Deepak Babbar and Gurbhej Singh Sandhu of Mission Aagaaz, an NGO working for the cause of environment, said the practice of effigy burning at a few places in the city was alright. But effigy burning virtually at all the available open spaces was dangerous to the environment, they said. Material such as bamboo, fabric, paper sheets, crackers etc are used to prepare effigies and burning these causes pollution. Even as the city is bursting at its seams due to rapid urbanization, the administration must chip in by restructuring the practice of burning effigies at certain open places, they added. Dasehra celebrations also added to the traffic woes of commuters at different places in the city. Traffic jams were rampant on roads around the venue of celebrations. Missing no occasion
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Dengue spreads tentacles in city; 33 cases found positive
Amritsar, October 13 The department has also advised the residents to remove water accumulated in air-coolers, pots or nearby areas. Dr Yash Mitra, Civil Surgeon, said the Health Department had received 96 suspected cases of dengue so far. After the mandatory tests, 33 have been found confirmed while the final reports of several patients were still awaited, he added. The Civil Surgeon said the residents should take precautions till November end. The mosquitoes responsible for the dengue can not survive in extreme cold conditions. The residents, therefore, should take necessary precautions, such as covering their body to avoid mosquito bites. "Dengue spreads through mosquito bites during the day time. Residents should clean and then dry their coolers at least once in a fortnight. They should also remove water from flower pots and open water tanks as these mosquitoes breed in fresh water," said Dr Mitra. The Civil Surgeon further said the department had already identified the high risk zones and got the anti-larva spray done in such areas. He said a timely action taken by the department had checked the breeding of mosquitoes and subsequent spreading of the disease.
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AMRITSAR-LALKUAN AC EXPRESS
Amritsar, October 13 Keshav Kumar Passi, a resident of Bazpur area in Udham Singh Nagar of the hilly state, alleged that
long halts and slow speed prolonged the distance between the two destinations by atleast
1.55 hours. In a communiqué to the railway authorities Passi alleged that the train is named as ‘Express’ but it is being run at an
average speed of about 45 km per hour. “Whereas as per the rules of the railways the average speed of an express train must
be around 50 km per hour,” he said. He elaborated that Lalkuan, Muradabad and Kashipur are situated on a stretch of 109 km and
normally express trains take 2.35 hours to cover it but this train is covering the same distance in
3.35 hours. Similarly, the AC Express train gobbles up 1.45 hours to cover
the stretch between Jalandhar and Ludhiana whereas other trains cover the same distance in about an hour. Besides, the AC express train does not have stoppage at Bazpur, which has the maximum number of Punjabi population. “By alighting at
Bazpur, passengers could reach Nainital an hour before than by traveling via Lalkuan,” he said. On the other hand, Lalkuan is a Nagar Panchayat whereas Bazpur is comparatively a big town where passengers could get varied choice for further travel to the popular hill station or for overnight stay. He hit out at the railway administration for charging fares of express train while pressing in rakes of the Garib Rath train.
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City shopaholics to get customised luxury for feet
Amritsar, October 13 Apart from its stores in all major cities of the country, the brand is already present in Dubai, Japan, the UK, the USA and Canada. With the launch in Amritsar, Swati says she is just filling up the gap between Delhi and Punjab market. “I have a lot of clientele who buys from my Delhi outlets. I tried opening in Ludhiana but chose Amritsar instead as there is a lot of scope and market for designer shoe wear in
the city,” says the celebrated designer whose client list includes JJ Vallaya, Rahul Gandhi and many bollywood stars. The store offers shoes even for your pets. “There are some people who are passionate about their pet’s grooming and demand shoe wear for them. We provide the services as required,” she says. Elaborating more about her services, Swati shares, “Everyone who is updated with latest trends, indulges and invests in good shoes. But it’s also important to maintain and keep their exclusivity. From providing those services to educating about maintaining the
hi-end shoes, we are here to help. ” The shoe-spa and shoe wardrobe management services would be customised but the collection starts from Rs 1800 onwards. Franchise owner Rishabh Chudhary too expressed the need for
an exclusive innovative shoe store. “It’s a reputed brand and the designer too is an established name in the international market. I am sure the brand will set a new statement in city’s fashion circuit,” he said.
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Festive treat for foodies to indulge their taste buds
Amritsar, October 13 “Our festival’s last edition was highly successful and there was a consistent demand from our guests for another global cuisine fest. Also, the fact that during the evening time the climate is neither too cold, nor too hot in Amritsar, making our dining venue an ideal place for our patrons to dine. Also, considering the fact that the “Aroma of Arabia ’’will be supported by Arabian aesthetics as well and a platform across the pool performances, setting the mood right,” shared Vandana Kumar, operations manager at the hotel. The festival will be held till October 27. The menu will feature delicacies, including Chicken Swarma, Barbeque Dumba, Dejaj Bruschetta, Khudra Bruschetta, Falafel, Zomato, Kapsa and more varieties of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights accompanied by a variety of breads, desserts and much more. A ‘buy one get one’ offer on beverages and refreshing cocktails and mocktails is an eye-catcher. On the other hand, treat comes from another city restaurant with their Dum Pukth festival. The cuisine of Awadh, which introduced Dum Pukht to the world, will be the highlight of the festival. Mughlai, Punjabi and Hyderabadi style of cooking will feature on the menu. “Dum Pukht cooking uses a round, heavy-bottomed pot and a handi, in which food is tightly sealed and cooked over a slow flame. There are two main aspects to this style of cooking- bhunao and dum, or ‘roasting’ and ‘maturing’ of a prepared dish. In this style of cuisine, herbs and spices sears through the slow cooking process. It’s an extremely popular and meticulously prepared cuisine,” shares Shashi Kant Goshal, manager of the restaurant. Sizzler festival too is on with the Dum Pukht festival and the series of events, including happy hours, live bar, musical evenings and candle lights completes the mood.
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Grand Trunk road stretch a pain for commuters
Jalandhar, October 13 The dilapidated road has not only been leaving a bad impression on foreign tourists but also hampering the tourism industry. While the SAD-BJP alliance has been claiming to have undertaken various development works in the state, the grassroots realities are different. The badly damaged PAP-Rama Mandi stretch of the GT Road presents the actual picture of the development works undertaken in the district. Tall claims of the Punjab Government to reduce traffic congestion at various intersections on the busy GT Road seem to have fallen flat, with the widening and repair work of this section hanging in balance for the past many years. The stretch that falls under the Jalandhar municipal limits and is a gateway to the city has turned an eyesore for tourists who come from across the world to visit holy shrines in Amritsar and Jammu and Kashmir. Though the widening of the GT road could not be carried out because of a tug-of-war between the National Highways Authorities of India (NHAI) and the Union Defence Ministry over the transfer of land for a long time, the steep rise in the construction material following the ban on mining has further come a major blow to the company, to which the contract for the widening of the road was allotted. Unable to execute the project because of court cases and steep hike and non-availability of construction material, the company was reportedly forced to abandon the job. This rainy season further worsened the condition of the road, as huge pits have developed on its surface and the layer of bitumen is missing at many places. The unfinished widening of the road has further made travelling on the stretch a cumbersome job. The volume of vehicles has increased many folds in the past decade and the rate of fatal accidents has also reached new heights. The "killer" stretch has claimed many lives in the past, but the state government and the officials concerned seem to have no heart towards the frequent loss of human lives, claimed Surinder Mittal, a New Green Model Town, who commutes to Phagwara daily. Mittal pointed out that providing basic civic amenities, including roads to the public, is the duty of the government towards which it has turned a blind eye. He warned to file a public interest litigation (PIL) in the court if the road was not repaired for public convenience. The city police, however, claimed that the shortage of staff had been hindering the traffic regulation, as a large number of policemen often remain busy in escorting VVIPs, VIPs, bureaucrats and politicians daily. Officials of the local civic body were unavailable for comments.
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zonal youth festival
Amritsar, October 13 GDN University Campus, Amritsar, occupied the second place whereas Khalsa College, Amritsar, stood third. In the B division, the overall championship trophy was lifted by SDSPM College for Women, Rayya, while Shehjada Nand College, Amritsar, remained second and SSSS College of Commerce for Women, Amritsar stood third. Satish Kumar, Commandant, BSF, 50 Battalion, presided over the valedictory function. The Bureau Chief of PTC News Channel, Rajesh Gill, was the guest of honour. Satish Kumar encouraged students to perform better in every field for a successful life, including studies.
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Tenders for solid waste plant not floated again
Amritsar, October 13 After examining the tendering format, shortcomings came to the fore, they claimed. The tenders would now be floated on Tuesday, they said. A meeting chaired by minister Anil Joshi was conducted yesterday to finalise the tendering bid norms during which several modifications were made.
— TNS
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Two killed in road mishaps
Amritsar, October 13 His son-in-law identified as Baldev Singh of Lohgarh area was also accompanying him on a separate motorcycle.
Baldev stated to police that when they reached near Thothia village, a Swift car bearing number PB-08-BR-9506 hit his motorcycle. The car was being driven by Meenu
Madan, a resident of Jalandhar. He said he immediately rushed Hardev to Baba Bakala Civil Hospital but to no avail. The police has registered a case under Sections 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC while no arrest has been made so far. Meanwhile, an unidentified person was crushed to death by an unknown vehicle near Taran Wala Bridge located on the main GT road. The police has registered a case under Section 304-A of the IPC.
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Man robbed of Rs 1 lakh
Amritsar, October 13 Two motorcycle-borne youths intercepted the victim's car at Vrindavan Colony telling him that petrol was leaking from his vehicle. As soon as he stopped his car and came out, the two overpowered him and snatched away Rs1 lakh and fled. The CCTV cameras fitted in the locality are yet to be operational, said Vavinder Kumar, SHO Sadar police station. A case under Section 382 of the IPC has been registered against unidentified persons.
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