Bathinda, October 2
The Punjab government appears to be showering grants to the tune of crores in the Talwandi Sabo constituency ever since the victory in the bypoll. After announcing grants to the tune of nearly Rs 5 crore for the beautification of parks in Rama Mandi and Talwandi Sabo in the recent Sangat Darshans, the Chief Minister has now directed the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) to renovate a dilapidated Punjabi University Campus with Rs 4.5 crore.

It is perhaps for the first time that the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) has been assigned the task of renovating an educational institute which is directly under the control of the Punjabi University. The BDA, otherwise, is provided residential and commercial areas and spends money for its beautification and strengthen the road infrastructure in and around Bathinda.

The directions of renovating and raising the dilapidating infrastructure of Guru Kashi College—Regional Centre of Punjabi University, Talwandi Sabo, on the Rama Road, came after students raised a hue and cry in front of the Chief Minister a few days ago. Officials of the BDA are now busy in chalking out modalities to provide all the basic facilities, including sewerage, water, class rooms and laboratories for nearly 5,000 students in the college.

The officials stated that though the college premises is to be looked after by the university itself, the Chief Minister, however, accepted the demand of students to renovate the building.

The students lamented that there was no sewerage connection in the college and the septic tanks in the toilets were overflowing and disturbance created by snakes and also there is lack of drinking water, class rooms and the laboratories.

The CM directed the BDA to construct 18 rooms in the education block, 3 laboratories, 2 toilets, 8 faculty rooms, 1 room for the Head of the Department. The CM also ordered to lay sewerage pipes and provide clean drinking water to the students.

Unlike many other long-pending developmental works lying pending in the Bathinda city, the work of renovation in the college is likely to begin in the coming days. The officials said the design for the approval of the construction work has been sent to the Chief Architect, Punjab, and the construction would begin in November.

BDA, XEN, MP Singh, when contacted, admitted that the construction work has been assigned to the BDA at 84 acres on the college premises.

MP Singh, principal of Punjabi University, Guru Kashi College, Damdama Sahib, said there are three educational institutes on the campus of Punjabi University, Guru Kashi Campus, which includes Yadwindra College of Engineering, the University School of Business Studies, and Punjabi University, Guru Kashi College, Damdama Sahib.

He pointed out that the college is around 50 years old and lacks basic infrastructure. It offers BA, BSc (non-medical, medical computer science and agriculture), BCA (three years), MCom (five-year integrated course), PGDCA, MSc (IT), MA Punjabi and other courses.

Bathinda, October 2
While the city is preparing for festivals, the ongoing Dandiya nights, during the Navratras, have added a charm to its beauty. People from all age groups are participating in these events being organised at Moti Ram Kanya Mahavidyalaya for the last eight days. In the last days of Navratri, this fever is catching up even more.

The Gujarati Welfare Society organises festivities for Navratri every year. For us, the festival is not just about the puja here, but also to bring everybody together and making sure that everyone has a good time. We celebrate it on all the days of the Navratri and in the evenings, everyone gets together for the Dandiya, which is a favorite activity for everyone who comes here, said Govind Maheshwari, the Gujrati Welfare Society.

“For the past two years, I have been regular to Dandiya nights. Dandiya has become popular with city youngsters. I believe Dandiya and Garba have gained popularity due to the effect of popular soaps on TV channels, said Neha, a city resident.

Several members of the Gujarati and Punjabi communities on the other hand continue to celebrate Navratri in their traditional style at home by organising Garba and Dandiya gatherings. “We celebrate Navratri with our friends and relatives. We have organised a party in our house where we would also perform Garba and Dandiya,” said Kirti Madan, a Gujarati housewife in the city.

It is pertinent to mention that it is also called ‘Raas’ or ‘Dandiya Raas’ and most commonly Dandiya Nights or Dandiya Competition, this unique tradition is integral part of Gujarat state’s folk dance. It is a completely traditional folk dance form in the region that remains popular during the religious festival of Sharad Navratri. There is unique history behind this tradition and so has it attained such popularity. It is assumed that this traditional folk dance form prevails in the region since the ancient period when Lord Krishna had arrived at Vrindavan. It is an occasion to celebrate the arrival and the union of Lord Krishna and Radha to mark the amazing Holi festival scene.

As the original name of Dandiya Dances indicates through it being a Raas or Rasa in the Sanskrit language, it is a celebration time to remember the Rasa Lila which Lord Krishna performed with Radha. The dance form is, therefore, one of the playful dance traditions which followers of Lord Krishna organise during Sharad Navratri festival in the Western India. Dandiya Raas dance has now moved out of the Western India and remains a common trend in other parts of the country as well.

Bathinda, October 2
A number of drug addicts and those who allegedly got medicine tramadol as a substitute for drugs, have stopped coming to the Civil Hospital, thus decreasing the number of patients at the de-addiction centre in the city.

The demand for medicine tramadol, used for de-addiction treatment, too, has decreased by 50 per cent in the last one month. Having the capacity to accommodate 25 patients, the de-addiction centre is left with only 12 patients. Doctors, however, claim that many patients have been treated and others have left for homes ahead of the festival season.

There are a number of poor patients undergoing treatment for de-addiction at the Civil Hospital. They are being provided with free medical treatment at the hospital.

The demand for tramadol to treat the drug addicts, too, has also decreased up to 50 percent. The stock of tramadol tablets, which was supplied last month, was relatively higher.

Psychiatrists attend to 300 patients every day, but in September, the number of patients have decreased, besides the decrease in demand of tramadol at the Civil Hospital. However, the tramadol medicine is now available in the open market.

Tramadol tablets are supplied from the main centre in Bathinda in government-run hospitals to eight districts, including Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Barnala, Moga, Faridkot, Muktsar and Fazilka from the Drug Warehouse at the Civil Hospital.

The Drug Warehouse has supplied about 10 lakh tablets in the last three months while a fresh order was given in July with a demand of five lakh tramadol tablets to be supplied in all the eight districts.

“Earlier, the Drug Warehouse was supplying 5,000 tramadol tablets on an average to Bathinda, Mansa and Fazilka districts every day. But now, it has decreased more than 50 per cent,” said a pharmacist pleading anonymity.

“Even the number of patients has decreased by more than 60 per cent,” he added.

Tramadol is used to treat drug addicts, however, it has became a substitute for drugs. A number of patients had approached till August to get treatment for addiction of tramadol. “Earlier the state government had banned tramadol, but now the medicine is available easily in the market and sellers don’t even maintain a sale record,” said a doctor pleading anonymity.

A psychiatrist at the Civil Hospital, Dr Nidhi Gupta, said, “The number of patients has decreased and only genuine patients who really want to renounce drugs are coming for treatment. Earlier, we used to attend 300 patients every day but now the number has decreased.”

“Most of the patients were not genuine as they were repeaters but pretend as if they are newcomers, only to consume a high quantity of tramadol as a substitute for drugs. Many times, we identify them and do not prescribe the medicines,” said Nidhi. “The number of patients at the de-addiction centre have also decreased as some have completed the treatment while others have left ahead of the festivals,” said Nidhi.

Talwandi Sabo, October 2
The Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, on Thursday called upon the people to closely monitor the ongoing development works in their villages to ensure quality and transparency in these works on one hand and making the executing agency accountable on the other side.

Interacting with people on the concluding day of “sangat darshan” programme in Talwandi Sabo he said, “People have the right to inspect the quality of public works done. He called for the participation of public in running the government and asked the public neither to pay bribe nor take the same to get their works done.”

“Participation of the public in the policies and programmes of the state government would give impetus to the much-needed inclusive development in the state,” added the Chief Minister.

Calling upon the Opposition to join hands with the ruling party for good governance in the state, he invited the Opposition to play a proactive role in the development of the state.

“I have always believed that after the new government is formed, the Opposition can play a vital role by supporting the government to run the economy successfully,” said Badal.

At the sangat darshan held in different villages the Chief Minister directed the government officials concerned to soon get the approved works executed maintaining its quality.

He inquired about the status of works that were approved earlier and are yet to be completed.

The Chief Minister conducted the sangat darshan in villages of Shekhpura, Bhagwanpura, Jagaram Tirath, Jambar Basti, Sangat Khurd, Teona Pujarian and Tungwali.

Bathinda, October 2
As part of the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, launched nationwide by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi on occasion of “Gandhi Jayanti”, all ranks and families of Chetak Corps participated in an ‘awareness-cum-cleanliness’ drive. The drive was spearheaded by Chetak Corps Commander, Lieutenant General PM Hariz, SM, VSM.

The Army personnel and families of all ranks joined together and cleaned the premises of Bathinda Military Station and took the ‘Swachhta Shapath’ for keeping the country clean and pledged to spread this message to their homes, villages, work places and civil streets. Central events were organized at various places to spread awareness and take the oath.

Armed Forces take pride in cleaning and maintaining its cantonments 
and work hard towards their development. A detailed action plan to clean up military area and civil areas, adjoining the cantonment has been made. Many activities have also been planned involving various sections of the society, especially for school students, to raise awareness on cleanliness-related matters. This thought was reinforced by all and a roll on plan for further cleanliness of the area has been prepared.