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Manhole claims another life
Ludhiana, January 11 The deceased has been identified as Surinder Kumar, who was a daily wage earner with the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana. The incident took place at around 4 pm when Surinder Kumar (35), along with Raj Kumar (25) and Viney (24), were clearing a choked sewer on the main road in the Basti Abdulapur area. According to eyewitnesses, Surinder went inside the manhole first. After some time Raj Kumar and Viney, who were standing outside the manhole, realised that he was taking too long and they entered the manhole to help him out. Raju, another worker of the MC, noticed Raj Kumar and Viney were asking for help inside the manhole. He alerted other workers, who managed to get them out. They were rushed to a private hospital at Model Town where Surinder Kumar was declared dead on arrival. The others two were referred at the
Apollo hospital. Meanwhile, Irked residents and activists of Dalit organisations staged a protest outside the hospital and demanded compensation for the family of the deceased and the others. Lakshman Dravid, leader of a Dalit organisation said: “It is very tragic that manholes claim two or three lives of workers every year. The MC officials do not provide them with safety kits. Now, the government should give a job to the deceased's dependants and provide them compensation. Otherwise we will be forced to intensify the protest”. CM announces Rs 1 lakh for deceased’s family
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, has announced
Rs 1 lakh for the deceased’s family from the Chief Minister Rahat Fund. Dalit bodies reject MC relief, seek job for kin
The Municipal Corporation also offered
Rs 2 lakh to the deceased’s family but the Dalit organisations denied the relief and demanded a job and
Rs 10 lakh as compensation for his family and Rs 5 lakh for the two other workers.
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PAU all set to host 18th National Youth Festival
Ludhiana, January 11 Participants from all over the country will take part in the festival. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said Rs 2 crore would be contributed by the Central Government while Rs 4 crore will be spent by the Punjab Government on the festival. "It is a matter of pride that the state government again volunteered to hold such a mega event after the one held in 2009. The event will provide a chance to the residents of Ludhiana to witness varied cultures as around 4,000 participants, volunteers, group leaders from all over India will be showcasing their cultures. We are trying our best to take care of the participants in every possible way," said Aggarwal. Participants all praise for Punjabi hospitality
The participants were all praise for Punjabi hospitality, especially the food being served to them. Around 11 women volunteers from Mizoram, with Lal Nunpuii as their leader, had taken five-day journey to reach here. "It is very cold here but we are happy to be in Punjab. The food and stay is pretty comfortable for us," said Nunpuii. Parimal Debarmma from Tripura said it would have been better if beds were arranged. "We do understand that it is very difficult to accommodate so many participants but it's being too cold here, it would have been better if beds were arranged," said Debarmma. The participants, however, said the organisers had provided them with enough blankets and quilts. "It was a long journey during which we changed trains and buses but to be in Punjab gives a refreshing feeling," said Debarmma. 16 committees to take care of participants
As many as 16 committees, headed by higher officials, including ADCs, SDMs, police and youth services department officials, will take care of facilities like board and lodging, transport, sightseeing, etc, for the participants. Tight security in place
A number of CCTV cameras have been installed at the entry and exit points of the PAU. Besides, each contingent will be taken care of by a team of five policemen, including two women police personnel. |
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No stopping thieves
Ludhiana, January 11 The mobile shop is located at the Mintgumri chowk in the Model Town area. Shop owner Satvir Singh said the thieves made good with around 200 mobile phones, tablets and cameras worth 35 lakh. The showroom owner had installed CCTV cameras inside the shop. Satvir Singh said there movement of three thieves had been captured in the cameras between 5am and 6 am. The thieves broke the middle lock of shutter with an iron road and entered the shop. “I closed the shop on 9:30 pm on Friday. Today, I came to the shop at 10 am and found the lock on the shutter broken. We have deputed a security guard in the market,” he said. After getting information, the Model Town police reached the spot and initiated investigation. Gurdev Singh, Station House Officer, said: “We are analysing the CCTV camera footage. A team of experts also visited the spot. We are investigating the matter and will get a clue about the miscreants soon. The continuing incidents of theft in the last one week have raised a question over the working of the city police which has failed to crack a single case. Past incidents of theft
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A Lohri mela dedicated to girls
Ludhiana, January 11 Singers, including Puran Shahkoti, Barkat Sidhu, Pammi Bai, Sarabjit Cheema, Sukhwinder Sukhi, Kler Kanth, Namrata Khaira, Labh Janjua, Jasbir Jassi and musician Tejwant Kittu, besides others were present on the occasion. Sufi singer Puran Shahkoti was presented with Baba Bulleshah Yadgari Award, swimmer Bhavjot Kaur with Kalpana Chawla Award and singer Jasbir Jassi with Waras Shah Award. Besides, journalist Usha Pawar got Inder Kumar Gujral Award, Rana Sidhu Bhai Bhag Singh Bhikhivind Yadgari Award, actor Rana Jang Bahadur and Gursimran Kaur got Prof Mahinder Singh Cheema Award. Pawan Dewan, KK Bawa, Malkit Singh Dakha and Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill presented the awards to them. The programme was dedicated to the girl child, said chairman of the Malwa Sabhyacharak Manch and girls were honoured on the occasion. The event started with the performance of Sufi singers Ravneet and Sarika. An orchestra from the Punjab Cultural Society also performed during the event. The traditional Lohri bonfire was lit in the evening and the traditional songs and dance were presented by artistes. Comedian Bhotu Shah and ‘Santa Banta’ regaled the audience with their comic acts and jokes. Talking about the need for saving the girl child, Dr Anoop Singh, senior vice-president, Punjabi Sahit Akademi, said as long as social and economic security was not provided to women, female foeticide would not stop. People related to the cultural fraternity, including president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi Gurbhajan Singh Gill, Director (Youth Welfare) at Panjab University Nirmal Jaura, were also present. |
PAU staff poll Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, January 11 Other contenders for the post of president were Baldev Singh Walia from the PAU Employees Forum (480 votes), Avtar Chand from the PAU Employees Democratic Manch (139) and Kewal Krishan Sachdeva from the PAU Employees Front (51). Lakhwinder Singh Sandhu, who left the PAU Employees Forum before the elections and contested for the post of senior vice-president as a part of the PAU Employees United Front, won by getting 600 votes. For Harbans Singh Mundi this will be the fourth term as president of the employees’ union. In 2007, he was elected president first time. After the declaration of results, Mundi expressed thanks to all the employees for their support. “I will start working from tomorrow for the welfare of employees. I stand by my promises made to the employees during the campaigning. My team will welcome suggestions from any of the employees group,” said Mundi. Meanwhile, all the other three rival candidates congratulated Mundi on his victory and assured him of their full support. Dr Gulzar Pandher, senior leader from PAU Employees Forum, said: “We will cooperate with the newly elected executive on every front.” Surinder Gujjar, chairman, PAU Employees Democratic Front, said: “The results are satisfactory. We were contesting the elections for the first time. We will improve our score in the next term.”
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On a drive to promote walking, cycling
Ludhiana, January 11 People will get an opportunity to rent and ride a bicycle for a cost of mere Rs 2 to Rs 5. They will also be able to socialise and participate in different activities such as karate, dance, judo and skating. Also, professional health experts will give fitness tips to residents, says the young crusader. Akriti, a Bharat Nagar resident, says walking and cycling could be the answer to the mounting health problems and rising traffic chaos in the city. “Earlier, people preferred to walk and cycle, but now even for travelling over short distances, people want their vehicles,” she says. Taking a cue form ‘Raahgiri’, an initiative taken by a Gurgaon-based NGO, the 14-year-old has been promoting the use of bicycles. “Motorised vehicles are causing air and noise pollution as well,” says Akriti. Acknowledging the lack of space to learn how to ride a bicycle in the presence of speeding vehicles, Akriti sought help from the traffic police. Though initially she faced resistance owing to her age, with constant support of her father, she made presentations before the traffic police officials. Finally, her idea found acceptance.
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Residents seek arrest of assailants
Our Correspondent
Amloh, January 11 Sarpanch Hardeep Singh, who was also present at the dharna, said: “Shinda was running a photography shop in Salana. On the basis of Shinda’s complaint, Lakhbinder and Jarnail joined the panchayat probe on January 4." Victim’s father Joginder Singh said they informed the gram panchayat, Faizullapur, that Randhir Singh, Lakhbinder Singh and Jarnail Singh had beaten him severely at his shop at the Salana village. Karnail Singh Nagra, a social worker, said the two accused admitted the alleged crime and assured for the treatment and compensation. The victim was admitted to Civil Hospital, Amloh, and was later referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, where he succumbed to his injuries on January 9. Nagra has further alleged that the victim’s family was neither given the copy of MLR nor the copy of statement of the deceased recorded by the police. The deceased's father is a Class IV retired employee of the Mandi Gobindgarh Municipal Council and the deceased was his only son. His mother Pushpa Devi said they belonged to a Scheduled Caste poor family and the deceased had left behind his wife, a son and a daughter. Panjab Karmachari Dal chief Karamjit Singh Bhagrana appealed the police to nab the accused. In case the police fail to nab the assailants, residents would stage a dharna in front of the SSP, Fatehgarh Sahib, on Monday and thereafter at the office of the Deputy Chief Minister. ASI Major Singh, who is the investigating officer, said the police was investigating the case and the guilty would be arrested soon.
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Degrees conferred on 450 students
Ludhiana, January 11 Prithipal Singh Kapur, president, Gujranwala Khalsa Educational Council (GKEC), welcomed
the guests. Guwant Singh Dua, coordinator, GGNIMT, detailed out the college progress report. About 250 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate students received their degrees. Eleven students were given scholarships worth Rs 67,500 for bagging university positions in Punjab Technical University (PTU) examinations. MCA students Inderjeet Singh and Gian Singh were conferred with Achievers’ Award for representing the institute at the PTU in inter-varsity competitions in sports and cultural events. Tuli congratulated the students for their achievements and appreciated the efforts of the college. Later, two books were released. Dr SP Singh, former VC, GNDU, thanked the chief guest for sparing his precious time.
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Affordable smartphones launched
Ludhiana, January 11 Suneet Singh Tulli, CEO, Datawind, the firm known for its development of the Aakash tablet, while announcing its entry into the smartphone category with the launch of PocketSurfer5, a range of three smart-phones that not only deliver good voice quality, but also feature a large 5-inch screen for rich internet experience. Tulli said Ludhiana was a strong market in the state to launch the product. Fulfilling the aspirations of customers seeking to upgrade themselves to smartphone category at a lower price, the PocketSurfer 5 range aims at making it real by offering them the delight of world's cheapest smartphones at just Rs 3,499. Tulli said: "On the 10th anniversary of Datawind's PocketSurfer, we have launched this product. Our primary focus is to bridge the digital divide and deliver an affordable means to access the internet. The third and the final model in the range is priced at Rs 6,500.
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Punjabi singers see red in vulgar songs
Ludhiana, January 11 Punjabi singer Pammi Bai said with the changing times, everything was becoming hi-tech, but good lyrics were disappearing from Punjabi music. Modernity does not mean giving up on your culture and language. Foreigners, who look modern, stick to their culture and promote it, but it is unfortunate we are ignoring our own culture. People should be loyal to their mother tongue, he added. Another singer, Fakeer Chand Patanga, said there was a need for rooting out vulgarity from Punjabi music to make them culturally and socially relevant. Singer Sarbjit Cheema said the fact teenagers were being targeted as an audience for lewd and vulgar lyrics would have negative consequences for society as a whole. There is no need to use obscenity in the music business, as even clean music with social messages can win youngsters over, he said. Songs like "Rangla Punjab" are still popular even 17 years after these were released, he said. There is no need to resort to vulgarity, he said. Veteran singer Puran Shahkoti said new singers should think before singing that they also part of this culture. Youngsters must become conscious of the damage vulgar songs are causing to Punjabi culture, he added.
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Traffic awareness week kicks off
Ludhiana, January 11 Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Gurdeep Singh inaugurated the programme at the Bharat Nagar chowk. Gurdeep said road accidents were increasing day by day due to lack of awareness about the traffic rules among people. "Many lives were lost every year in road accidents. Only awareness about the traffic rules can save precious lives. The police will make people aware about driving carefully and obeying traffic rules”, he said. The ADCP said they would install reflectors on vehicles. Dhruman Nimbale, ACP, Traffic, said: "Ludhiana is industrial hub, hence, a huge number of factory workers commute daily on its roads. We have appealed factory owners to provide the jackets having reflectors to their workers who commute on cycles and two-wheelers”. "The police will take the help of NGOs to install reflector tapes on bicycles, rickshaws and autos to curb accidents.
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Issues related to knitwear industry discussed
Ludhiana, January 11 The major issue was exorbitant increase in the prices of yarn every year in the peak season. The main raw material of hosiery is yarn. The unilateral rise in prices by monopolising houses creates uncertainty in the market. “The worst sufferers are SME manufacturers who find it difficult to withstand the market pressure as their buying capacity is badly hampered,” said Vinod Thapar, chairman, Knitwear Club. During the meeting, it was decided that a yarn bank should be formed by the NSIC with the support of the Knitwear Club and it will play a vital role of facilitator. The NSIC will tie up with leading yarn manufacturers to produce different kinds of yarns as per the requirement of the latter. It was also decided that a committee of industrialists will also be formed to coordinate the activities related to the yarn bank.
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Faculty development programme begins
Mandi Gobindgarh, January 11 As many as 25 faculty members from engineering and management branches took part in the event. In the inaugural function, college director Harsh Sadawarti welcomed Geeta Tandon, a representative of NITCON. Dr Sadawarti said: “We are committed to provide the latest educational methodologies and technology to the faculty members to create world-class professional engineers and managers. RIMT group founder chairman Hukam Chand Bansal, in his inaugural address, emphasised upon the relevance of new innovations.
— OC
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NGOs honour 11 women
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, January 11 Balbir Kaur Pandher of Yug Parivartan said the women achievers were honoured for their outstanding work in their respective fields. Among the recipients were two women entrepreneurs Neelam Kapoor and Puja Singal; author of 25 books on environment Dr Avind Kaur Walia; artist and art curator Kamal Manku; principal of the Institute for Blind, Jamalpur, Jyoti Parmar; singer Arshpreet Kaur, dance coach Sangeet Khushwaha and Assistant Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Kaur. On this occasion, a play based on women empowerment was also staged. Free consultation for women patients
Inspired by the initiative of the two NGOs, city-based hospitals have come forward to provide free consultation to female patients on January 11 and 12. These are Sehat Hospital, Jamalpur; Dr Jagpal's Homoeopathic Centre, Kitchlu Nagar and Rattan Maternity Hospital, Samrala Chowk.
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AAP organises membership camp
Ludhiana, January 11 "Politicians ask for votes promising welfare of people, but betray them by looting them. People want an honest government, and in AAP, they see a
ray of light,” said Dr Sharma from Punjab Agricultural University. Sat Pal Sharma and Talvinder Singh from the farm university were also present at the membership camp.
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Remove encroachments or face the music, says MC tehbazari wing
Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, January 11 Giving details, Kamlesh Bansal said areas including Jiwan Nagar Chowk, Indra Park, main Focal Point road, Dhandari bridge and Metro Tyres were visited by the team. The encroachers were asked to remove the violations within two days; else action would be taken against them. Most of the encroachments include parked trucks by the roadside, rehris and vegetable vendors. Area cries for attention
As many as 31 stretches of road need to be repaired at the eight Focal Points. An industrialist, SC Ralhan, said the Focal Points needed immediate attention of the authorities, as most of the units were located in the area. “Our buyers come from abroad and have to bear with dilapidated and pot-holed roads. This needs to be taken care of as soon as possible,” said Ralhan. Meanwhile, coming to the rescue of the industrialists, the corporation has reportedly passed tenders worth Rs 3 crore for the cleaning and upgrading of the sewerage system at the Focal Points.
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I-T official stresses on need to file returns
Ludhiana, January 11 Nishi Singh said there was a symbiotic relationship between the industry and the Income Tax Department. She apprised the gathering of various measures taken by the department to increase tax compliance, such as simplification of the e-filling procedure and reduction in the compliance cost for the tax payers. Urging the tax payers to be ethical, the chief guest also stressed on the filing of income tax returns. While addressing queries, she said the focus was not on increasing the burden on the industries but to increase the number of tax payers. Earlier, in the welcome address, Dr Sandeep Kapur, general secretary, LMA, quoted words of Chanakya, who compared a tax collector with a honey bee which draws a small amount of nectar from a flower, not harming it but helping it to grow faster.
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Approach road in poor shape
Residents of Bulepur village in Khanna tehsil are a harried lot as the approach road, having a total length of 1.93 km, is in a bad state. The road has not been repaired since 2005. The road becomes worse during rains and needs urgent re-carpeting. Though as per a letter of the XEN (C), Punjab, Mandi Board, Ludhiana, a budget of Rs 22.55 lakh has been sanctioned and tender process is underway, now the authorities refuses to issue tender for want of new CSR rates. It is learnt that due to the infighting in the SAD, the work is not taken by the authorities seriously as the officers did not want to annoy any group of the party. Bharpur C Gupta, Filthy parking lot
The floors of the Municipal Corporation parking lot are in a bad shape with broken patches that are unsafe. The railings covered with a thick layer of dust are in a poor condition. The sanitary staff should clean the place on a regular basis. It is not difficult to maintain a minimum standard of cleanliness and repairs with a little promptness on the part of the officials of the Municipal Corporation. Surjit
Seekree, Readers can send their feedback at ludhiana.feedback@gmail.com
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Cash stolen from car
Ludhiana, January 11 He said he had parked his car outside the shop. When he returned, he found that a windowpane of the car was broken. His bag was also missing. The police have registered a case against unidentified persons. Two swindlers in police net The city police have arrested two swindlers who used to cheat people on the pretext of exchanging money. The accused have been identified as Niaaz and Rocky, both from Uttar
Pradesh, presently residing on Tibba Road. The division number 7 police recovered USD 85 and Rs 3,000 from their possession.
Satish Malhotra, ACP (East), said the miscreants used to lure people by telling them that they would get foreigner currency at cheaper rates. After making the deal, they used to deliver ordinary paper instead of the foreign currency, he said.
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Widow ends her life
Ludhiana, January 11 Harpal Singh, SHO, Sarabha Nagar police station, said the deceased's husband died a few months back, after which she was suffering from depression. No suicide note was found, said the police. The
deceased is survived by two sons. One of the sons was sleeping in
another room when she committed suicide.
— TNS
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