Amritsar, June 21
Over 12 persons were injured when a rashly driven private bus overturned following a head-on collision with a car that was going towards Batala. The passengers and onlookers said the bus was coming from the wrong side, resulting in the accident. The mishap occurred on the Batala-Amritsar bypass.

Though no casualty was reported, 15 passengers travelling in the bus sustained injuries and were rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. Gurnam Singh, an advocate and a resident of Jalandhar, narrowly escaped as he sustained minor injuries. However, his Alto car was badly damaged in the accident.

The driver of the bus, identified as Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of Ajnala, fled following the accident. The police have impounded the bus. Those who were injured in the accident include Kajal (8), her mother Neelam Kumari and brother. The other injured persons were identified as Rajwinder Kaur, Lakhwinder Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Prem Lal, all residents of Batala, Usha Devi of Talwara, Parveen Singh of Gurdaspur, Tarsem Singh of Adliwal, Kulwant Singh of Tarn Taran, Rajwinder Singh of Tarn Taran and Roshni Devi of Talwara.

Rajwinder Kaur, a passenger, said the driver was driving the bus rashly and they had even objected to this but he did not listen. Tarsem Singh said that driver lost control over the bus after it hit the car.

The police said the initial investigation revealed that the driver of the bus was at fault as he was driving rashly. He first hit the car after which he lost control over the bus, which overturned a few meters away. The police said barring a couple of persons, a majority of the passengers sustained minor injuries.

Amritsar, June 21
The hike of 14.2 per cent in rail fares and 6.5 per cent increase in freight charges have not gone down well with the residents. The common man, already reeling under inflation, has been severely hit. As per estimates, over 30,000 passengers visit the city railway station everyday. Over 130 trains halt at the railway station daily and the number of passengers and trains is on the rise.

Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHARA) president APS Chatha said," The holy city is among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world. The city railway station is woefully short of basic amenities."

It was a long time ago that the local railway station was mooted to provide a world-class infrastructure. However, the work on the project is progressing at a snail’s pace. Chatha said the hike would hit the hospitality sector and tourists hard. He said the hospitality sector was already suffering from higher taxes.

Dr AL Adlakha, a resident, said he was not averse to the hike in rail fares but the railway authorities should also look into to the needs of passengers. "There is no word on the rampant encroachment of the railway land, which can turn the fortunes of the Railway Department," he added. A step-motherly treatment is being meted out to Punjab in terms of the rail connectivity. "The Malwa region of Punjab and Ferozepur still remain unconnected with Amritsar. A superfast express is being run between Amritsar and Chandigarh but the demand to extend it to Kalka has not been fulfilled,"Adlaka said.

Gunbir Singh, a member of the CII National Council on Public Policy, said, " The hike would adversely impact the tour and travel industry. Besides, the hike in freight charges would impact the business prospects." 

The travel between Amritsar and Mumbai will cost Rs 4,596 to first-AC passengers while second AC passengers will have to shell out Rs 2,672. Similarly, the journey between Amritsar and New Delhi will cost Rs 1,635 for first AC. The travel to Delhi in the Shatabdi chair car will cost Rs 799 while the journey between Amritsar and Kolkata will cost Rs 4,727 for the first-AC passengers while the second-AC passengers will have to spend Rs 2,746. The charges for sleeper class have been raised from Rs 610 to Rs 695

Amritsar, June 21
As the city gets ready to celebrate its 437th year of existance with Foundation Day celebrations to be held on June 27, Eco-Amritsar, under the aegis of Eco-Sikh, based in Washington, will collaborate with various stakeholders of this great city to celebrate its foundation day as one of its major awareness projects generating awareness among the residents of the city towards a safe environment among the residents of the city with a focus on eco activities.

At a press conference, members of Eco-Sikh, Eco-Amritsar and various other conglomerates presented an itinerary of activities to be held to commemorate the day. Gunbir Singh, Chairman, Eco-Amritsar, said, "Amritsar is our city and our pride. As a city that hosts over 25 million tourists and pilgrims annually, we have responsibilities as well. The resurgence of activity by city interest groups, stakeholders and citizens is heartening. The city's time for renaissance and revival depends on each resident and their collective responsibility. We see this change happening."

Dr Rajwant Singh from Eco-Sikh will participate in activities, involving residents. He believes, "The Eco-Amritsar programme has led to excellent initiatives in the cities of Nanded, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and elsewhere. Our aim is to achieve a few objectives like sustaining a green cover, audit and conservation of natural energy, reducing and utilising waste and beautification of the city.

"Our aim is to make a visible difference within the 2017 time frame when Amritsar becomes 440 years old," says he.

Challanges regarding sanitation, health, public transport, air and water pollution were the main problems to combat. Under their initiative,

"Amritsar — My city, My pride, My responsibility," Eco-Amritsar has already accomplished a few of their projects. Achieving night sanitation, putting dust bins in place and cleaning operations by Baba Kulwant Singh ji and his daily jathas from 64 villages bordering Ajnala, installation of dustbins by the Voice of Amritsar at Basant Avenue, Eco Clubs and ecological activities at educational institutions, recognising and exhibiting works of 22 national artists on Amritsar at the International Airport departure lounge through the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, partnerships and MOUs with various educational and other organisations. Increasing the green cover and plantations at gurdwaras, the Hall Bazar mosque, schools, are among the few initiatives.

Eco-Amritsar is also striving to enter into partnerships globally under the Green Pilgrimage Network (GPN) to bring in technical expertise and investment partners to deliver renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure projects to the city. Sustaining two Zero Disposal Parks, SGPC contribution in spreading awareness through religious discourses, plantations at gurdwaras and on properties, educational seminars, incorporating solar energy and other energy-saving techniques, green Nagar Kirtans and green Chhabils.

This time, activities include installation of zero-disposal parks, nature walks, cleaning drives, citizens' meetings, recycling projects, seminars and programmes on keeping the city clean.

"On the day, a Foundation Day procession will be flagged off by Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Gate at 7am. The procession will reach the Company Bagh and gather at the New Parking Lot near the skating rink at 8.30 am," said Gunbir.

Tarundeep Singh, project administrator, EcoAmritsar, also appreciated the huge contributions made by the media, social, educational and religious organisations and individuals. 

Amritsar, June 21
The local authorities have submitted a proposal for the renovation of the Municipality Jenana Hospital at Dhab Khatika. Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Prabhdeep Kaur said a proposal regarding the renovation of the hospital was sought by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. The hospital was originally named Princess of Wales Jenana Hospital and was inaugurated by Lady Chelmsford on April 17, 1917.

The spacious double-storey building of the hospital near Hindu College has only one medical officer and some supporting staff. The apathy of the government has discouraged patients from visiting the hospital. Its OPD is visited by 10 to 20 patients daily.

Considering the spacious building with residential quarters for the staff, it can be converted into a well-equipped hospital for the residents of the walled city if the building of the hospital is repaired.

With the passage of time various parts of the hospital building has started wearing out due to the lack of upkeep.

Sources said the hospital was not on priority of the authorities as the basic facilities and free medicines were not provided. As most of the rooms in the hospital have been locked for decades, the furniture inside the rooms has worn out.

A corner of the building is being used as an immunisation centre for newly born children, but this is also in a deplorable condition.

Amritsar, June 21
The sale of sand by the roadside continues despite a ban by the local administration. The administration had designated markets for the sale of sand with an aim to monitor its price.

Trolleys loaded with sand can be seen parked at several roads in the city. The prominent places where sand is being sold are the market near Guru Nanak Dev University and the Jhahajgarh market. Sand is being sold at a number of places on the GT Road. The administration had banned its sale along the roads as it caused inconvenience to commuters. The administration also wanted to regulate its price.

While setting up designated markets for the sale of sand, the administration had fixed its price at Rs 2,470 per 100-cubic feet. However, the buyers did not take notice of the move due to higher cost of transportation charged by contractors.

The administration had set up designated sand sale counters at the grain markets in Tagra, Harsha Chinna, Mudhal and Chamiari. The other sale counters were set up at Mall Mandi and the sabzi mandi, Vallah. The residents were even given the option of booking the required quantity of sand over phone.

The in-charge of a sale counter said they hardly received any call for the purchase of said. He said people prefer buying sand from the shops selling other construction material. 

Amritsar, June 21
A 195-member SGPC jatha left for Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh today. SGPC secretaries Manjeet Singh and Satbir Singh flagged off the jatha from the SGPC headquarters at Teja Singh Samundari Hall this morning.

The jatha will visit historic gurdwaras in Pakistan and observe the birth anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Dehra Sahib gurdwara in Lahore on June 29.

They will return on June 30. SGPC member Gurmeet Singh said the pilgrims would pay obeisance at various historic shrines such as Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Sacha Sauda Sahib.

He said visa norms should be relaxed for pilgrims and the issue was taken up by SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar with the Pakistan government during a visit to pakistan recently.

Additional SGPC secretary Diljeet Singh Bedi said they had sent a list of 215 pilgrims for the visa but the names of 20 persons were struck down by the Union Government and the Pakistan High Commission.

He said Pakistan should grant the maximum possible visas to the Sikh pilgrims from India. 

Amritsar, June 21
City-based designers, Sargun Seth and Kanika Madaan, will go to Europe with their new-wedding collection.

The designers will host an Indo-W\estern fashion exhibition in collaboration with Indian-origin designers in Switzerland. "We will be there for a month-long show," said Sargun Seth.

The homegrown label, a mix of ethnic and western clothes, has already been a part of fashion exhibitions in the region and fashion hubs like Delhi and Mumbai. "We will have lots of saris, suits and lehengas in our collection. With an increased demand for Indian clothes among NRIs and others, we are hopeful of presenting an impressive show," she said. The exhibition is a first for them on a global stage and will be organised in July.

Their summer specials include cool casuals, shorts, plazzos or skirts. "Bright colours like red, yellow, blue and hot pinks will be popular in this season. White will remain the summer basic, but with a generous splash of colours," said Sargun Seth.

"Lot of digital prints and minimum embroidery suits and bright colours suit the looks," she added. "Though light and flowy palazzo pants are stylish and cool summer clothes, ethnic chic, long ghagra-styled skirts are popular too," said Sargun.

Vibrant and colourful collections of silk, chiffons, georgettes and jute cotton seem to be a hit bang on in Amritsar. 

Amritsar, June 21
The city police have booked three persons for allegedly kidnapping three youths and keeping them under illegal detention for hours. Personal enmity between the two groups in stated to be the reason behind the incident.

Among those who were booked were Harpreet Singh, his brother, Gurpreet Singh, who is now living at Dashmesh Avenue and Lasho of Baba Mangat Singh Nagar besides several unidentified persons.

Resham Singh, a resident of the Maqboolpura area, stated to the police that he along with his friends, Rashpal Singh and Sandeep Singh, was going to a shrine when the suspects along with their accomplices came on six motorcycles and surrounded them. He alleged that they forced them to sit on their motorcycles by at pistol-point, adding that they took them to the 100-foot road and bundled them into a car. He further alleged that they took them to a room near the railway lines, near the Guru Arjun Dev Nagar area, situated on the Tarn Taran road. He said the accused took away their mobile phones and threatened to kill them.

He further said that seeing an opportunity in the midnight, they broke open the door and returned to their houses and narrated the whole incident to the members of their families. About the cause behind the incident, he said that Harpreet Singh had lodged a false case of physical assault on his brother, who was later acquitted during the investigations. He said a compromise in the case could not be reached.

Amritsar, June 21
The city police have nabbed Jagtar Singh, alias Kanshi, a police tout wanted in connection with the murder of Bikramjit Singh, an inmate of the Amritsar Central Jail. Bikramjit was tortured to death in police custody.

Besides Kanshi, the police have booked 12 cops in the case. Six of the accused cops, including Inspector Narang Singh, are yet to be arrested. They have been evading the arrest since their names figured in the probe.

He had confessed to his crime, the police said. Jagtar, along with six other cops, was evading the arrest for the past month. The police had even released the pictures of the tainted cops, but there is no trace of the accused. Bikramjit, a murder convict, was allegedly kidnapped by the policemen on May 5. Later, his body was recovered from a canal on May 8.

The police have booked 13 persons, including 12 cops, in the case while another person, identified as Deep Raj, a resident of Qadian, was arrested on the charge of criminal conspiracy. The accused policemen had used his building during the interrogation of Bikramjit Singh.

The police have arrested seven cops in the case so far while five other cops, including Inspector Narang Singh, are still out of the police reach. Besides Narang Singh, those who are yet to be arrested are ASI Baljit Singh, head constables Gupreet Singh, Jagjit Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, all attached with the Batala police. They have been booked on the charges of kidnapping, murder, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy.

The intersection that connects the Verka bypass (Amritsar- Batala road) with Verka-Jalandhar bypass is an invitation to accidents due to a flaw in its design. A speedy vehicle coming from the Batala road can meet with a deadly accident due to a faulty design.The authorities should think about this and make some arrangements to prevent accidents.