Tribuneindia...Regional Briefs

	REGIONAL BRIEFS	Thursday, April 22, 1999
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AMRITSAR
Condemned: The Class IV Government Employees Union, Punjab, has condemned the termination of services of over 100 workers by the Officer Commanding, Drain Mint Company (GREF). Thakur Hari Singh, president of the union, urged the authorities concerned to withdraw the termination orders immediately.

Family health week: The Health Department has decided to observe family health awareness week from April 26 to May 1 in four districts, including Amritsar. The Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajinder Singh, said here on Tuesday that the objective of the campaign was to reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive tract infection which have a direct bearing on HIV (AIDS) infection.

IMA election: The annual meeting-cum-election of the local branch of the Indian Medical Association was held here on Monday. Dr Amrik Singh Arora was elected president and Dr Jagdish Goswami was elected honorary secretary.

GURDASPUR
Bribery: Mr Subhash Chander, Finance Manager District Industry Centre, posted at Pathankot was caught red-handed in his office while accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 from Pargat Singh, a resident of Kotli village, 13 km from Pathankot, for setting up a saw mill. Mr Pinder Singh, DSP (Vigilance), conducted the raid at his office on Monday and recovered currency notes from his possession which he had accepted as bribe.

HOSHIARPUR
Youth Congress: Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, president of the Punjab Youth Congress, has appointed Mr Arun Dogra, Municipal Councillor, as president of the District Youth Congress. In a joint press note issued here today Mr Rajesh Bhatia, Mr Surinder Shinda, Mr Vishva Nath, Mr Pyare Lal Saini and Mr Rajeev Sud, all local leaders of Youth Congress, thanked Mr Munish Tiwari, president of the All-India Youth Congress and Mr Babbu, for appointing Mr Dogra as president of the committee.

Condemned: Members of the District Revenue Patwari Union staged a dharna and organised a rally at Tehsil Complex here on Tuesday in protest against the state government for non-implementation of their already accepted demands. Addressing the rally Mr Tajinder Singh and Mr Shivdarshan Singh, president and general secretary respectively of the union and other leaders strongly condemned the government.

Deputation: A deputation of Katcha Arhtiya Association led by Mr Tikshan Sud, MLA, and some leaders of the association met Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, MP and president of the state unit of the BJP, at Phagwara on Monday and apprised him of the recent change in the Agriculture Produce Act 1961, by the state government. They alleged that the government was insensitive to the interests of 25,000 commission agents in the state. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the changes in the act.

JALANDHAR
Muharram: The Muharram celebrations started here at Dargah Baba Qadri on April 18. The main function will be held on April 27. Noted scholars and speakers from different school of thought will participate in these celebrations. The programme is being organised by the Muslim National Front, Punjab.

Office-bearers: The following have been elected office-bearers of the All-India Megh Sabha (Jalandhar Unit): chairman — Mr Viresh Bhagat; president — Mr Dwarka Dass Bhagar; senior vice-president — Dr Shivdayal; vice-president — Mrs Sneh Bhagat; and General Secretary — Mr Raj Kumar.

LUDHIANA
Nominated: Dr Mruthyunjaya, ADG, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has been nominated a representative of the ICAR on the Board of Management of Punjab Agricultural University. Dr Mruthyunjaya will act as liaison officer between the PAU and ICAR. He will also be an ICAR representative on various selection committees of the university.

Selected: Dr Surjit Pattar, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Journalism, Languages and Culture, Punjab Agricultural University, has been selected for representing the country at the world poetic symposium scheduled to be held from June 18 at Columbia. An eminent poet and winner of Sahit Academy Award, Dr Surjit Pattar has been selected for this honour by the Indian Sahit Academy.

Awarded: Dr Hari Mohan Saxena, an Associate Professor of Immunology, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, has won the ISHEE Award 1998 in the field of veterinary science for his original research work in comparative and developmental biology. The award, which is given annually in various subjects by the Indian Society for Health, Environment, Education and Research (ISHEER), consists of a silver medal, a memento and a citation.

Seized: The police has arrested Kuldip Singh, a resident of Janakpuri, for preparing duplicate furnace oil at his godown in Industrial Area-B, and selling it in market. The police raided the godown on April 18 and seized 1600 litres of duplicate furnace oil from the godown and later sealed the godown.

Small savings: The district has set a new record, by mobilising net collection of over Rs 385 crore during 1998-99 under various small saving schemes against the set target of Rs 207 crore. The district had also been adjudged number one for the past two years, mobilising the highest net collections of Rs 252 crore in the year 1997-98 and Rs 158 crore in 1996-97. Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, appreciated the efforts made by officials and agents in the district to set this record.

NANGAL
Robbed: Mr Hussan Lal, a wholesale merchant was robbed of Rs 1 lakh by three miscreants near Bundlehri village. Mr Lal who was returning on a scooter after collection from villages near Nangal was followed by the three miscreants from Dher village and was stopped near Bundlehri by them on the pretext of making some inquiries. They threw red chilly powder in his eyes and snatched his bag containing Rs 1 lakh and fled. The SHO, Mr Parampal, said the culprits had been identified and would be nabbed very soon.

TARN TARAN
Medical camp: The Manav Manch, Punjab, and the Socio-Economic Development Programme jointly organised a medical camp at Sito-meh-jhugian village on Monday. The camp was inaugurated by Ms Ranjit Kaur, Sarpanch of the village. A team of specialists examined about 500 patients, who were given medicines free of cost.

Training camp: The State Agriculture Department, organised a district-level farmers training camp and oil-seed seminar on Tuesday at Khadoor Sahib under the presidentship of Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister. Mr Badal apprised the farmers of the various facilities provided by the state government. Nine farmers were given keys of tractors made available to them at a subsidy of Rs 30,000 per tractor.

Masjid Committee: The following were elected the office-bearers of the Ferdoos Masjid Committee, Sector 52-D: President — Mr Hanif; Vice-President — Mr Dildar; General Secretary — Mr Jamil Ahmed; Secretary — Mr Bachan Khan; Adviser — Mr Haider Ali; and Cashier — Mr Samsuddin.

Lions Club: The following have been nominated the office-bearers of the Lions Club Chandigarh Shivalik for the year 1999-2000: President — Mr J.S. Bhalla; Vice-Presidents — Mr I.J. Singh and Mr Rakesh Bansal; Secretary — Mr Balbir Singh; Treasurer — Mr Kewal Bansal; and Public Relations Officer (PRO) — Mr Anil Mehrotra.

Employees Union: The following have been elected the office-bearers of the Government College Employees Union, Sector 46: Chairman — Mr D.P. Sharma; President — Mr Mahavir Singh; General Secretary — Mr Kailash Chand; and Secretary — Mr Ram Lal.

AMBALA
Sentenced: Mr R.C. Bansal, Additional Sessions Judge, has sentenced Ramesh, alias Tony, of Pathreri village to life imprisonment for murdering Rajinder Pal of the same village on September 28,1996. The Judge also fined the accused Rs 1,000.

Scooterist killed: Dharam Pal was killed when the scooter he was driving was hit by a truck near the Devi Nagar barrier here on Monday. A case has been registered against the truck driver.

BHIWANI
Artificial limbs: The local Red Cross Society provided artificial limbs to 400 handicapped persons in the district at a cost of Rs 35 lakh last year, Mr K.S. Yadav, chairman of the society, said while addressing a camp organised at panchayat bhavan here. He distributed 40 tricycles on behalf of the society. He also distributed 36 artificial limbs provided by the Narval Viklang Seva Samiti, Rohtak.

FATEHABAD
Elected: The following have been elected office-bearers of the district unit of the Sarva Karamchari Sangh: president — Mr Sarbat Singh Poonia; senior vice-president — Mr Pritam Singh; vice-presidents — Mrs Ramesh Rani; and Mr Dharm Paul; secretary — Mr Madan Lal Gularia; press secretary — Mr Merender Rawat; and cashier — Mr Amar Singh.

HISAR
Killed: A man shot dead the wife of his son in Durjanpur village in the district on Monday. Ramji Lal allegedly fired on Roshni, 25-year-old wife of his son, while she was sleeping in her room. Ramji Lal was overpowered by other members of the family and handed over to the police. A case has been registered.

REWARI
Salaries: The teaching as well as non-teaching staff of the local Kishanlal Public College has not been paid their salaries for the past four months. Mr S.S. Yadav, president and Dr N.K. Chandel, secretary of the college unit of the Haryana College Teachers Union, said in spite of the assurances by the government, salaries had not been paid to the staff.

SONEPAT
Case registered: The city police has registered a case of murder and started an inquiry into the circumstances which led to the death of Sunil Mehra, a former gunner in the Indian Navy and a resident of Ashok Vihar Colony, here on December 10, 1997. This followed a directive issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court asking the city police to investigate the causes of the death of the victim.

Poor students: The Sarvjatiya Vikas Manch Haryana will organise a function on April 24 at dharamshala in Indira Colony here and distribute text books and stationery free of cost to the poor and destitute children of various educational institutions in the area. Mr Surinder Sharma, president of the manch, told mediapersons here on Tuesday that Mr Rajiv Jain, political press adviser to the Chief Minister, will be the chief guest on this occasion.

Brahmin Sabha: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Ganaur unit of the Haryana Brahmin Sabha: president — Mr Hari Ram Sharma; vice-presidents — Mr Bhayya Ram, Mr Mam Chand and Mr Surinder Tyagi; general secretary — Mr Krishan Kaushik, Mr Siri Bhagwan, Mr Ishwar Master and Mr Dharampal Kaushik; and treasurer — Mr Dayanand Kaushik.

BILASPUR
Ban: Mr Ramesh Kapil, Deputy Commissioner, has banned the sale of overripe fruits and vegetables and uncovered cut-fruits, sweets, fish, meat, and other perishable items. Ice candies, ice cream, locally manufactured drinks have also been banned till December 31.

Prices fixed: Mr Rakesh Kapil, Deputy Commissioner, has fixed the prices of eatables and foodstuff in the district and ordered all shopkeepers and traders to hang these price lists. Goat meat will cost Rs 80 a kg and cleaned broiler Rs 75, raw "A" grade fish Rs 34 and B-grade Rs 25, among other items.

Regional potpourri

He contributes by making Temple replica

The Khalsa tercentenary celebrations have not been confined to the organisation of marches, construction of memorials, religious congregations or seminars but also seem to have inspired the common man to contribute in any manner.

One such individual is Mr Jasbir Singh Birdi, an electrician who is employed with Milkfed Limited. He has built a replica of the Golden Temple using bamboo sticks to erect the structure and tin sheet to build the sarovar boundaries. He has rendered special effects of illuminating the replica with small colourful bulbs fitted inside the structure and six floodlights have also been installed on the boundaries.

"It took nearly one year to complete this replica. The work involved trial and error methods regarding the use of wood or some element which does not dampen or gather rust with the passage of time. After using many types of wood only bamboo proved equal to the task. In addition to suitability, the bamboo sticks, due to their natural golden colour, glow when rays coming from six floodlights fall directly on it," he points out.

The work also brought admiration when devotees participating in a nagar kirtan in connection with the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations, flocked to a shop of Mr Birdi's relative, where the model had been kept. However the crowd was disappointed as Mr Birdi had not put it up for sale but only as an exhibit as his contribution to the tercentenary celebrations.

Having a yen for social service

Mrs Vimla Sachdeva, a veteran social activist of this region, had made the social work as an integral part of her life. She came to this town with her husband, after giving up a government job, and they set up an industry here. The plight of patients at the local Civil Hospital in the early sixties , when she was in her twenties, shocked her and she started giving financial help to poor patients and decided to work for their welfare.

She persuaded women from well-to-do families to come forward and launch welfare programmes in the slum areas. Initially she did not get a positive response. But ultimately she succeeded in setting up a ladies club — the first of its kind — to start work in right earnest. She instilled in them a feeling of compassion, and sacrifice. Her area of work extended to every field, including eradication of illiteracy, arranging blood donation camps, providing financial and physical aid to the down-trodden and the handicapped.

She arranges foodstuffs and clothes for the poor patients at the Civil Hospital and helped in arranging funds for the construction of a blood bank building. She also arranges transportation for serious patients, referred to Delhi or Rohtak. In recognition of her services in this field, she had been made a member of the Hospital Welfare Society and the District Red Cross Society. She had organised many fetes for collecting funds for charitable causes.

She regularly visits slum areas in the town and creates an awareness among the people for taking proper care of their children. She personally takes children to immunisation camps and medical check-up centres and arranges medicines for them. She has adopted two patients suffering from cancer at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Mrs Sachdeva has already made more than two dozen persons literate both in her district.

She has been made a member of District Education Foundation and given the Paul Harris Fellowship of Rotary International, which works for creating an understanding among the people of various nations for peaceful coexistence.

She had adopted a government school in the Model Town area and provides books, clothes and other materials to the poor children, besides financial help.

Even now at the age of 67, she is active and does social work with the same fervour. She visits different areas of the town regularly and helps the needy persons. She says that the best prayer of God lies in the selfless service of humanity as it gives true happiness and satisfaction to the soul.

Medical device to treat cancers

The Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, is the first to introduce expandable metallic memory endoprosthesis for the treatment of oesophageal (food pipe), gall bladder and bile duct cancers.

The man behind this introduction is a young doctor, Sandeep Sidhu, consultant gastroenterologist at the DMCH. He has cured an 82-year-old patient suffering from a bile duct disorder. In additional he has coronary artery disease.

Dr Sidhu explained that owing to the extremely sick and moribund condition of the patient, surgery could not be performed. Following the blockage of the plastic stent placed initially, an expandable metallic stent was inserted and the patient was relieved immediately of his jaundice and his fever subsided. The patient has been free of all symptoms for a month following the metallic insertion. Besides, several patients with advanced oesphageal cancer have also been given similar expandable metallic oesphageal stents.

According to Dr Sidhu, gastrointestinal cancers are common in the northern region. Most of these cancers are diagnosed in an advanced and inoperable stage. Most patients are elderly and have heart, lung and kidney diseases too. The aim of the treatment of cancers in such patients is palliative meaning to provide relief and enhance the quality of life.

Contributed by Jupinderjit Singh, R.D. Sapra and TNS