Jalandhar, June 2
Rohit of Arya Model High School, Kartarpur, bagged the 11th position in the state and first in the district in the PSEB Xth standard exams, the results of which were declared today.

Rakhi and Pallavi being congratulated by their mothers and teachers. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Thirteen students of the district have made it to major merit positions in the district.

A number of previously prevalent trends were broken with the results. While the most refreshing development has been that the top spot was bagged by a boy, all other major exam results in the district had girls on the top slot.

The second was that not a single government school made it to the state merit list this year - a development which shall give the Education Department some serious introspection to do.

Rohit, son of a carpenter, scored over numerous toppers and is a rare success story given his modest background. His school, Arya Model High School, in Kartarpur gave the district five positions in the state merit list. Rohit bagged 622 marks and 95.60 percentage in the Xth exams.

Speaking to The Tribune Rohit said, “I had worked really hard, but never thought I would bag the top slot. All thanks to my parents and teachers all of whom worked very hard for me.”

With an income of a mere Rs 10,000 to 12,000 per month, his father supports a family of four people. Rohit said the efforts and dedication of his parents to see his children educated had finally paid off.

“Even in times when there has been a shortage of funds for the month, my parents’ foremost consideration has been my education. Their priority was to pay my fees and then make arrangements for the other aspects of the home budget. They have been my constant support,” he said.

Rohit has two sisters. While one of them is pursuing a computer course, another is teaching at an IT institute.

He credited his mother mother Nisha (a housewife), who despite the odds, never let him work and put up a brave face even in the face of financial constraints.

He also credited his school staff with the way they taught students.

“Our teachers made sure from the very beginning that we stay on top. Regular revisions were done and regular tests were taken to make sure students learnt well. After-school coaching was also held to prepare students better for the exams. While I studied long and hard for the exams, the regularity of class work has also paid off.”

Although he said he was in a bit of a fix over straightaway pursuing a diploma or opting for plus one non-medical, Rohit dreams of being a mechanical engineer.

Meanwhile, it’s aided and/or private schools all the way in the results this year. While the Arya Model School bagged five positions in the state (11th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th), Shiv Devi Girls High School bagged two state positions (15th and 17th), Vinayak Public School bagged two state positions (23rd and 27th), and Mata Gujri Public School, Kartarpur (23rd), New St. New St. Soldier Senior Secondary Public School (24th), Doaba Khalsa Model Senior Secondary School (25th) bagged one state position each.

Six of the positions in the district top 10 were bagged by Kartarpur-based schools and two by a Goraya-based school. 

Jalandhar, June 2
In what may be termed as an interesting development, after the police crackdown to control the increasing drug menace in the state, the president of the Jalandhar unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD Urban) Gurcharan Singh Channi has instructed all Akali activists and office-bearers of the Jalandhar unit of the party not to extend any help to those involved in drug trade.

In a statement issued, Channi has categorically said, "No Akali worker or office-bearer will approach any police official or police station with the intent to help anyone who is involved in sale of drugs." Channi went on further stating that the Akali's would not become any hindrance in the drive against the drug menace initiated by the police.

Interestingly, when asked whether earlier the Akali leaders and activists were coming to the rescue of those involved in the drug trade, Channi failed to give any straight reply. "I request you not to take my initiative in a negative manner. It is a reality that the Akali Dal had suffered in the recently held general elections on the issue of the drug menace in the state. We must respect the sentiments of the people and our motive is to make sure that youth of the state should not fall prey to drugs," he said.

Channi has also instructed the district unit to extend its cooperation to the Jalandhar police in its drive against the menace of drugs. "All Akali workers who have any information about anti-social elements involved in the drug trade in their respective areas should share the same with the police authorities," he told The Tribune. 

Jalandhar, June 2
Members of the Forest Workers Union and Punjab PWD Employees Union, under the leadership of Balbir Singh Siviya and Nanak Das, today held a dharna outside the residence of Forest Minister Bhagat Chubbi Lal here.

They alleged that despite a policy on the issue, the services of the contractual staff of the Forest Department were not bneing regularised by the government.

State president of the Forest Workers Union, Balraj Singh Bhakhra, Mulazam Manch Punjab's Germanjit Singh, DEF state president Bhupinder Singh Waraich, Makhan Singh Faridkot and Harinder Singh Dosanjh said despite a policy made by the Punjab Government to regularise workers who had completed their 10 years of service by 2006, about 800 workers of the Forest Department had not been regularised. 

Jalandhar, June 2
A day after the arrest of BJP worker Harpal Mintu followed by the alleged lathicharge on supporters of Mintu, Jalandhar BJP MLA Manoranjan Kalia today issued a statement in which he alleged that the Jalandhar police had arrested Harpal Mintu without verifying the allegations levelled against him.

“So far as the case of Harpal Mintu is concerned, he has been arrested in a corruption case on the basis of an affidavit of the father of the thief that Harpal Mintu, along with two persons, got cash withdrawn through the ATM from the account of the thief’s father. The police arrested Harpal Mintu without verifying the CCTV footage of the ATM from where the cash was alleged to have been withdrawn,” Kalia said.

Even now if Harpal Mintu figures in the cctv footage of the ATM, he must be dealt with in a strict manner. If not, the father of the thief must be proceeded against, Kalia said, adding that the male policemen lathicharged the women, men and minors who went to the police station at night. Keeping in view the police action, the Commissioner of Police has marked an inquiry to know the truth.

Kalia also said that the menace of drugs was a crime against society and must be dealt with an iron hand. Any person howsoever big he may be or having any affiliation with any political party and found involved in drug trade, must be dealt with harshly.

Police Commissioner Jalandhar Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh said apart from Mintu, one of his accomplices Dheeraj Baba also figured in the FIR and the police were conducting raids to nab him. — TNS

Jalandhar, June 2
The public transport system is supposed to be the backbone of every city. Without a proper public transport system, the development of a city cannot be envisaged as all people cannot afford their own means of transportation. If everyone starts using his own vehicle, there would be congestion on the roads, which would be impossible to control. Therefore, it is essential that the public transport system is strengthened by the authorities. A city can come to a halt if the public transport system collapses.

Nearly 1.25 lakh people visit the Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Inter-State Bus Terminal, Jalandhar, everyday and more than 60,000 travel in mini-buses. Therefore, mini-buses play a vital role in the public transport system of the city. Mini- buses ply in the 25 km radius of the city, serving the people living in different parts of the city and surrounding villages. Besides, there are only 15 large buses that are being run by the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation (JMC). The city bus service covers only four routes in the city. Ironically, the state of public transport system is worrisome.

City bus service in a shambles

The condition of the city bus service is not very satisfactory. It seems that the buses have never been repaired. During our investigation, many buses were found with broken indicators and windowpanes. Moreover, their seat covers were also found decaying. Floors of the buses were dusty. Moreover, the most of the buses did not have first-aid boxes and there was no facility of air-conditioners during summer. Speaking to Jalandhar Tribune, a commuter said the condition of the buses remained same for the past several years. "The authorities need to repair the buses before it gets too late. I believe the condition of roads in the city is one of the reasons behind the poor state of the buses," he added.

JMC Joint Commissioner Gurmeet Singh, who is also the managing director of the city bus service said due to the success of the city bus service, they were going to add 128 new buses, including 40 AC and 88 non-AC buses, in the city bus service fleet. "We are waiting for the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict on a writ petition, in which it has been contended that the buses should be run on CNG," he added. Sushil Kumar, manager of the city bus service, said he was not authorised to speak to the media.

State of mini-buses

There are around 100 mini buses in the city. Ironically, these buses are running without basic facilities like first-aid boxes. These buses are in a dilapidated condition. You can have nightmarish experience while travelling in these buses. When a mini-bus conductor was asked about his training and licence, he refused to talk.

Meanwhile, Jarnail Singh, president of the Mini-Bus Operator Association, said there were some problems that needed to be addressed. Mini-bus operators face losses due to which nearly 20 buses went off the road. "We are paying Rs 50,000 tax per annum, which was Rs 30,000 per annum in 2001. Moreover, we are paying Rs 25 per trip as bus stand fee, which should be abolished. I had written to the state government about our problems on various occasions but all in vain," he added.

Auto-rickshaw menace

Auto-rickshaw do not follow safety regulations. They are often seen overloaded with commuters. As per sources, around 3,300 auto-rickshaws have permits but hundreds of auto-rickshaws are plying illegally in the city without any check by the authorities. Auto-rickshaw operators charge at their will. A commuter said," Many a time, auto-rickshaw operators ask for Rs 50 for a few kilometres, which is sheer exploitation. Due to the lack of a proper city bus service, we are forced to use auto-rickshaws."

As per a High Court order on November 26, 2008, auto-rickshaws cannot cross the limits of the city municipal corporation. They need a special permit to ferry passengers beyond the limits. However, auto-rickshaw operators frequently violate the High Court order and ferry people beyond the jurisdiction of the JMC. District Transport Officer Paramjit Singh was unavailable for comments.

Poor condition of city bus stand

Despite tall claims of Welspun, the company that manages Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Inter-state Bus Terminal, garbage can be seen scattered on various platforms at the bus stand. Despite the onset of the summer season, the company is yet to install or repair the fire safety equipment. Most of the fire accidents occur in summer. Of the three fire extinguishers installed at the terminal, one has been missing for long. Hose pipes are also missing. Ironically, the condition of the bus stand is the same for the past two years. The company has failed to upgrade the fire safety system. The condition of roads near the bus stand is also miserable. However, some of them have been repaired after reports in the media. 

Jalandhar, June 2
Parents of a 17-year-old girl, who is missing for the past two days, suspected that their daughter was kidnapped by a Bulandpur village resident. The parents had submitted a complaint to the Maqsudan police station. Acting on the complaint, the police have registered a case against Harpreet Singh, alias Thanda, and launched a manhunt to nab him.

Raj Kumar, father of the girl and a resident of Punjabi Bagh, had told the police that on May 30, her daughter had gone to her school but didn't return home. After searching for two days, they came to know that a Bulandpur village resident had kidnapped her for his nefarious motives.

The girl is a student of Class XI at Gurunanak Senior Secondary School in the village. The police said the parents had alleged that the accused had kidnapped their daughter. 

Jalandhar, June 2
In two separate cases of loot from money changers, the Jalandhar rural police have released sketches of the suspected accused.

The accused had looted two money changers at Mand and Bhogpur villages, respectively. However, the police are yet to reach out to the accused.

Sketches were released by the rural police yesterday late in the evening. Initially, the police were suspecting that the loot might have been orchestrated by separate gangs, but during investigation, the police found that both incidents were engineered by one gang.

Last Friday, an owner of western union money changer was looted of Rs 55,000 by some armed youths. On the very next day, some unknown armed miscreants looted Dinesh Kumar and Sunit Dutt of Western Union money changers of Rs 2.5 lakh.— TNS 

Jalandhar, June 2
Dr RK Jaswal, a leading cardiologist and the director, cardiology, at Fortis Hospital, Mohali was honoured with the 2013 MIDI Management Excellence Award.

Dr SS Gill, vice-chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, along with Dr Inderjit Singh, Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, and Mohinder Bhagat, a BJP leader, presented the award to him during a ceremony organised by Management and Industrial Development Institute (MIDI) at Jalandhar.

A spokesperson of MIDI said Dr Jaswal had been chosen for his contributions in the field of medical sciences. Dr Jaswal, who has over 20 years of experience in interventional cardiology, had recently delivered a lecture on transradial intervention at Shanghai in China. He has many research papers to his credit. He has performed over 14,000 transradial invasive procedures.

Dr Jaswal said, "We always try to spread awareness about heart diseases among people. Transradial interventions have completely changed the way we treat patients. They are safer, promise better results and quicker recovery." He thanked MIDI for bestowing the award upon him. 

Jalandhar, June 2
Oxford Hospital, Jalandhar, organised a free camp for the treatment of shoulder-related problems from May 26 to June 1 at the hospital. According to Dr Pandher, the motive of organising the camp was to aware the weaker sections of society about the treatment of shoulder problems. He stressed the fact that shoulder problems were better treated by a specialist.

As many as 698 patients were examined at the camp. The patients were offered complete treatment at the camp. Twenty-nine surgeries were performed during the mega camp.

Dr Pandher said a set of exercises were designed for the different needs of the patients and it was made sure they learnt the right way of doing these exercises.

He said heat therapies played a minimum role in the treatment of shoulder- related problems.

Col Sikka , who visited the camp for treatment, said he was having a shoulder problem for the past two years and had tried many doctors for its cure but after treatment at the camp, he was feeling better.

On the concluding day of the camp, Dr Dilbans Singh Pandher said he screened the patients at the camp and it was not necessary that every shoulder problem required surgery. A majority of the problems can be treated by a proper exercise.