 |
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| Tuesday, February 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India   |
Has
university violated Medical Council norms? Bank
staff under stress to detect fake notes Punjabis
abroad face identity crisis: study Mann for Sikh member in CRC
Govt
accused of using unfair means
A mandi plagued by insanitation |
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| 'Sikhs failed to cash in on Cripps
plan' PATIALA, Feb 14 — The Sikhs did not back the wrong horse (Congress) in the pre-partition days. that was the only horse available. however, they did not take advantage of the Cripps proposals which gave them a chance to act as a balancing force between Hindus and Muslims to extract the maximum benefits for themselves. they also failed to mobilise the community intensely which left them little option. ‘Declare’ Pak terrorist
State Attorneys’
plea to Punjab Govt Reservation
policy extension flayed Youth
throng markets, discos Impressive
photos on display Pensioners'
meeting
Campaign
to check drunken driving
‘Negligence’
leads to prisoner's death 9
more cows found dead One
dead, 3 hurt as roof caves in Three
arrested in looting case 160
kg of poppy husk seized
Aided
college staff hold rallies Strike
by college staff Superintendents
protest Seminar
on graphology
|
Has university violated
Medical Council norms? AMRITSAR, Feb 14 — Has the newly established Baba Farid University of Health Services (BFUHS) violated the academic calendar while declaring its first ever MBBS result? The correspondence between the Government Medical College here and university has revealed that it allegedly violated the guidelines of the Medical Council of India, while declaring some students as passed. The university conducted MBBS final year examination in December 1999 and some students failed to pass in certain subjects. One of the students made a representation to the university which reviewed the case and declared her passed. Four more students who presented their cases on similar grounds were declared as passed by the university despite opposition from the representatives of the Medical College in Amritsar. In a letter addressed to the Registrar of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Principal, Medical College has urged him to go through the university calendar. Quoting from the academic calendar of Guru Nanak Dev University. Page 304, item number 24 and section 2.1 (page 448 the letter reads: “The medical college has made it clear that where the candidate does not clear the clinical examination, grace marks cannot be given to that part of examination, and hence the candidate having failed in clinical test, fails in the subject”. However, Dr R.K. Raina,
said the students who were earlier declared failed in
some subjects were later passed on the recommendation of
the Board of Studies. It is interesting, the university
had refused to oblige the medical college when it
forwarded the representation of four students. In the
January 22 letter addressed to the Principal of the
Medical College in Amritsar, the Registrar had stated:
“It has been decided that no further action is
needed and the result already announced by the university
in respect of these candidates (four in number) in
subjects of eye and ENT remains unchanged”. However,
in a volte face, the corrigendum was issued by the
university on February 10, declaring them passed. |
Bank staff under stress to
detect fake notes BATHINDA, Feb 14 — Even as the ISI has been pumping fake currency in the country, employees of the banks located in Punjab have been under pressure to detect the same while handling cash receipt counters. The bank employees have approached higher authorities to equip them with the latest machines for the detection of counterfeit currency. So far the employees handling cash counters in banks depend upon their eyes to detect fake currency. However, this does not help in banks where huge transactions take place. Mr Chander Parkash, chief head cashier, State Bank of Patiala, here said employees handling cash counters had requested the bank authorities to deploy additional staff for the purpose. A senior manager of a bank said generally they did not report the matter regarding seizure of fake currency to the police. In the era of competitive banking no bank could afford to make its relation sour with its customers. He added that whenever a fake note was detected it was destroyed immediately. Though the procedure of destroying fake currency in certain banks was in violation of the guidelines of the RBI but by following the guidelines in toto, the bank would certainly lose its customers. Apart from it, the inflow of fake currency has made the note-counting machines installed at big banks useless. The staff handling cash are now counting notes manually instead of counting machines. Mr J.K. Jain, AGM, State Bank of Patiala, here said he had told managers of all their branches to purchase ultra-violet lamps and pencils for detecting fake notes so that no employee should be under any kind of stress. He claimed that their branches were free from the menace of fake currency so far. However, employees
manning cash counters of banks told on the condition of
anonymity that bank authorities should provide them with
adequate protection in case they received fake notes from
any customer as they might lose their job the moment the
fake note reached the currency chest. |
PSEB counters not accepting
Rs 500 notes FEROZEPORE, Feb 14 — Officials of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) are reportedly not accepting 500-rupee notes from electricity consumers because of the fear of fake currency. Talking to The Tribune today the officials said they did not want to take risk by accepting such notes. The officials added that such notes if found fake at the bank were destroyed by bank officials has causing financial loss to them. Officials of the PSEB said they did not know how to examine the authenticity of the notes. Moreover, they had to pay from their own pockets in lieu of the fake notes detected by the bank, they added. Of the three cash counters, both in the cantonment and the municipal areas, an official at one counter stated that 500-rupee notes, irrespective of being old or new, were accepted only after obtaining the signature and account number of the respective electricity consumer on such notes. The officials said they would soon write to the authorities concerned to provide them with tools to examine the authenticity of the notes. Mr B.D. Sharma, Superintending Engineer, PSEB here, said so far no complaints had reached him regarding PSEB officials denying the acceptance of 500-rupee notes. He, however, added that if it was true the officials must be doing that at their own level. He categorically said
none of the officials had been directed to deny accepting
500-rupee notes. Regarding the demand of providing tools
to examine the authenticity of notes, Mr Sharma said
nothing could be done at the local level. |
Punjabis abroad face identity
crisis : study AMRITSAR, Feb 14 — Parvas: Sabhiacharak Sankat (immigration: a study in cultural crisis) a research study report by Dr Paramjit Singh Judge, professor, Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, reveals a startling condition especially of Punjabi women, majority of whom are the worst sufferers of social groups of immigrants. Often they face violence forced to marry boys of parents’ choice. Wives are discouraged to gain economic independence. These cases are generally are of the girls who emigrate on marriage basis. Consequently, a higher divorce rate is observed among the Punjabis. The central theme of the study is that the way the socio-cultural life of Punjabis has been evolving is leading to a crisis of identity. The author visited three countries of multicultural background viz Canada, USA and UK and conducted a study on Punjabis living there. The Punjabis, predominantly Jat Sikhs of rural backgrounds, migrate to a hub of a multicultural society. The crisis of identity emerges largely due to the family’s role in creating positive self-images and negative other-images other-host society. Hence, Arranged marriages become a forced reality in which region, religion and caste identities are maintained and perpetuated. The host societies are perceived as morally loose and form a reference group of negation. Considerable problems emerge due to this cultural clash. Many problems emanate from the above-mentioned attempts of the Punjabis abroad. To sustain ethnic purity, the new generation is forced to marry according to the rules of the arranged marriage under the authority of the parents. These boys and girls, born and brought up in these countries, learn from the host society to exercise their own choice in matters related to their life. This creates conflict between the two generations. It is interesting, the new generation returns to the ethnic fold, not because of its strength, but mainly due to discrimination and racism in the host societies. The much-talked about respect to elders in the Indian tradition has turned into a web in which the Punjabis are trapped. Social and working conditions in these countries are such that anyone who migrates in old age gets alienated from his family. The married couple has only one reason to sponsor the parents, to look after their children when they are away to work. It is generally believed that the elderly do not have any human needs. Therefore, food and clothing needs should be taken into account, for the elderly men as compared to women, the experience is one of powerlessness. It is interesting to note that whatever might be the social and educational features of migrants to each country, but within 20 years was hardly any distinction among the Punjabis settled in different countries. Starting from the migration of the educated to Canada and the USA the process culminated in the migration of other family members most of whom were uneducated. On the other hand, relatively less educated migrated to England but, later on, they were not different from those of Canada. The Punjabis have worked
hard and some of them have become very successful in
Canada, England and the USA. As a result they have become
economically heterogeneous and thus classes have emerged
among them. Even then a majority of them belong to the
working class. They are politically active and in Canada
some of them occupy ministerial positions both are
provincial and federal levels. However, ethnic
discrimination still persists. |
Mann for Sikh member in CRC CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — The President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, said here today that a Sikh politician should also be taken as a member of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC). He said Justice R.S. Sarkaria (retd) had been taken as a member of the committee as a constitutional expert but he "did not understand the political requirement of the Sikhs". Mr Mann urged the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to intervene in the "Water" controversy. He said the silence being maintained by the Prime Minister had caused, frustration and panic among art lovers. He said if any person or film producer wanted to highlight some social evil through the medium of cinema, he or she should not stopped from doing so. Mr Mann also said, the RSS should not interfere in the religious matters of Sikhs and it had no right to oppose the implementation of the Nanakshahi calendar. On the forthcoming visit of the US President to Pakistan, he said Mr Clinton should visit Pakistan as his visit to that country would strengthen the democratic forces and subdue the fundamentalist forces there. Mr Mann also urged the Union Government to take up the cause of Afghan Sikhs with the authorities concerned in that country. Talking about Kashmir, Mr Mann said Article 370 should not be deleted and pre-1953 situation should be restored in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed regret over
the fact that the authorities concerned had not
adequately recognised the sacrifices made by Punjabi
jawans in the Kargil sector during 'Operation Vijay'.
They should have been given highest military honours.
More than 100 jawans had sacrificed their lives in Kargil
war, he claimed. |
Govt accused of using unfair means CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — Senior Congress leaders, including Mr Avtar Singh Joga, a Director of Markfed, Mr Harminder Singh Jassi, MLA, and Col C.D. Singh (retd) and Rana Gurjit Singh Sodhi, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Party, said today that the Badal government was using all sorts of unfair means to influence voters in the Nawanshahr constituency. Mr Avtar Singh said official machinery was being misused and government officers were being made to campaign for the ruling party. He said the Congress leaders were keeping watch on the activities of the Badal government in the byelection and that the matter had been reported to the Election Commission of India. The Congress leaders
have requested the Election Commission to ask Akali and
BJP ministers to leave the constituency as they were
misusing their official position and threatening Congress
supporters. |
'Sikhs failed to cash in on Cripps
plan' PATIALA, Feb 14 — The Sikhs did not back the wrong horse (Congress) in the pre-partition days. that was the only horse available. however, they did not take advantage of the Cripps proposals which gave them a chance to act as a balancing force between Hindus and Muslims to extract the maximum benefits for themselves. they also failed to mobilise the community intensely which left them little option. these were the views expressed by an eminent historian and partition expert, Prof v.n. Datta, during the course of a special lecture on Partition of Punjab and Sikh leadership held at Punjabi University under its millennium lecture series here today. professor Datta said the Sikhs rejected the Cripps proposals which stated that a province had the right to opt out of the Indian union in which they saw the seeds of Pakistan and their own subjugation to Muslim rule. the historian said this was despite the fact that Cripps told the Sikhs that they enjoyed an advantageous position under the proposals and could use them to extract benefits from both Hindus and Muslims. professor Datta said this was more of a sort of defence mechanism designed to offset the move to create Pakistan. he said the Sikh leadership again opposed the cabinet mission proposal on similar grounds initially. he said all this happened because the entire Sikh politics was contingent to the creation of Pakistan. this, he said, was bad politics. professor Datta said the Sikhs also could not charter an independent course as Jinnah did not promise them anything concrete. he said though Sikh leader Baldev Singh tried to hobnob with Jinnah in England even in 1946, he was not successful. he said Giani Kartar Singh described plans to start dialogue with the Muslim League as breaking his head against a wall. He said the matter was fully closed after the congress convinced Mr Baldev Singh of the necessity of siding with the party and the breaking out of riots in Rawalpindi. Following the riots the Sikhs decided that they could not continue with the Muslims any longer, he added. He said the Sikhs also failed vis-a-vis the Muslim League in creating the right amount of pressure in favour of their demands as they did not indulge in intense mobilisation of the entire community. He said the Sikh community relied heavily on the British and the Congress to give them a fair deal. He said, besides, different leaders sang different tunes making the entire issue more complex. He said when the Sikh leadership threatened the British saying they would be obliged to fight, kill officials and derail trains if their demands were not met. The British said they would take appropriate measures to meet the challenge. Lord Mountbatten told a delegation that he would ''crush them with all the force, with all the power, at my disposal, and turn out the army and the air force to fight them''. He said this left the Sikhs with little scope to avert Partition. Speaking on the occasion the university vice-chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, criticised the pre-partition Sikh leadership for its ideological poverty, political naivety and weakness towards the Congress. he said the Sikhs foreclosed their political options at every stage which was the reason why they were nowhere in the reckoning during the Partition era. Dr Ahluwalia said the Sikhs should have bargained for autonomous status under Section B of the cabinet mission plan. He said the point was not in getting a Sikh state but in getting something substantial through constitutional guarantee. He said Sikhs should have played a bridging role between Hinduism and Islam, saying the Brahmanical tradition espoused by Maharaja Singh and the anti-Muslim syndrome created by the Sikh leadership during the pre-Partition days proved costly to them. he described Sikh leader Master Tara Singh as a poor reader of history, saying the Sikh leadership could not conduct any dialogue with the Muslim League even for the sake of bargaining. Introducing the theme of
the lecture, the Head of the History department, Dr Shiv
Kumar Gupta, said if the Sikhs at one stage raised their
demand for separate representation for them it was the
Sikh leadership's politics of counter-blast against the
Muslim League's demand for Pakistan. |
A mandi plagued by
insanitation BATHINDA: Gone are the days when vegetable and fruits went directly from the fields to homes. Everything from the fields now comes to the market and then goes to consumers. The market thus plays a key role and has a large infrastructure. But when this correspondent visited the local Subzi Mandi, the picture was vastly different. The Subzi Mandi is very big and caters to the needs of the town, a cantonment as well as surrounding villages. But it is in such a bad condition and in utter neglect as far as infrastructure and cleanliness is concerned. The site of the mandi and its surroundings are a cesspool. Almost all vendors sell their vegetables sitting on the ground. The cloud of dust raised by the vehicular traffic and passers-by settles on the vegetables throughout the day. Stray pigs, dogs and cattle roam about freely in the market and pigs dig into the heaps of garbage presenting a disgusting scene. Flies hover between heaps of filth and vegetables on the ground. During the rainy season,the insanitation multiplies thanks to the slush and the low level of the market. Vendors throw vegetable leaves, spoilt vegetables and other wastes some distance from their worksite. There is utter neglect of public services and utilities. The traders, vegetable sellers as well as buyers are sore at the performance of Punjab Marketing Board and the market committee which is entrusted with the job of maintaining the market. The vendors themselves feel fed up with the situation as they have to take care of stray cattle more than the customers. In the absence of a proper boundary wall and fence, the stray cattle rest in the auction sheds leaving heaps of dung by the time auction is carried out. Vegetables and fruits, being a perishable commodities cannot be stored for long as supplies come in large quantities. A large number of traders and customers gather at the mandi site daily. Lack of water, toilets and proper sewerage system add to the problems of traders. The area looks as if it is never cleaned. Stagnant water nearby has become a breeding place for mosquitoes and insects. There are no safai karamcharis. The Health Department seems to be non-existent. Mr Jaspal Singh, Deputy Commissioner, when contacted said it was never brought to his notice and promised to take steps to improve conditions at Subzi Mandi. Mr Avtar Singh Sidhu,
District Health Officer, was not available for comment. |
Colonel Gill cremated CHANDIGARH, Feb 14 — The Punjab Governor, Lt-Gen (Retd) JFR Jacob, today visited the farmhouse of Lt-Col Partap Singh Gill, a former Lt-Governor of Goa, to pay his last respects. Colonel Gill had expired here last night due to cardiac arrest. The Governor laid a wreath on the mortal remains of Colonel Gill and condoled the death with his wife, Ms Naranjan Kaur and his sons Mr M.S. Gill, Chief Election Commissioner, and Major-Gen Himmat Singh Gill, and daughter Billa Brar and son-in-law Mr S.S. Brar, IPS (retd.). The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, also expressed his profound grief over the sad demise of Colonel Gill. Describing him as a versatile personality, an able administrator and an eminent literary figure, Mr Badal said that Colonel Gill had made significant contribution to different facets of life. He had left an indelible print of his calibre and acumen in every office he occupied during his long career. “His demise is a personal loss to me. The void created in his death will be difficult to fill”, the Chief Minister added. The Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, laid a wreath on the body of Colonel Gill on behalf of the state government and Mr Ramesh Inder Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, on behalf of Mr Badal. His son Dr M.S. Gill, Chief Election Commissioner, lit the pyre today. People from different
walks of life attended the cremation. |
‘Declare’ Pak terrorist
State MALOUT, Feb 14 — Mr Narsingh Das Chalana, Executive Member, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Beopar cell, today urged the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to declare Pakistan a terrorist state for its anti-India activities. In a letter written to Mr Vajpayee, copies of which were circulated to mediapersons here today, Mr Chalana has pointed out that the Indian government had been requesting the US Government to declare Pakistan a terrorist state, but it should shun all commercial relations with that country. He added that hijacking
of Indian Airlines plane, pumping in of counterfeit
currency, promotion of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir had
established the fact that the Pakistan Government was
patronising all these illegal activities to destabilise
India and Mr Vajpayee should act on his suggestions
promptly keeping in view such a situation. |
Attorneys’ plea to Punjab
Govt AMRITSAR, Feb 14 — The District Attorneys Services Association has urged the Punjab Government to fill vacancies at all levels, particularly of the Assistant District Attorneys in the Prosecution Department at the earliest. A meeting of the
association held here yesterday resolved that keeping in
view the similar service conditions of prosecuting staff
and that of judicial officers, pay scales recommended for
judicial officers by the Judicial Commission should also
be given to prosecutors. |
Reservation policy extension flayed LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — A meeting of the co-ordination committee of the General Category Welfare Forum (India) held here yesterday under the chairmanship of its convener, Mr Joginder Singh Mangat, condemned the passing of 79th Constitutional Amendment Act for extension of caste-based reservation policy for another 10 years “without any proper review or revaluation.” The forum also demanded that all Supreme Court judgements in respect of seniority and promotions in services be implemented. The forum demanded the
withdrawal of the Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha and
wanted the reservation policy should be referred to the
Constitution review panel set by the govt. |
Youth throng markets, discos JALANDHAR, Feb 14 — Even as the two-hour strike by aided college teachers and challans by the police dampened the spirits of youth a bit, dance parties and exchange of gifts marked Valentine’s Day here. Hordes of ‘love-struck’ girls and boys, attired in colourful best thronged discotheques, hotels. They exchanged memorabilia with their friends in and out of colleges and schools. Most college moved to the busy Model Town Market, the main shopping centre, as college staff observed Save Education Day. Another factor, which dipped their mood was the ‘police nakas’, set-up in different parts of the city. In Model Town Market, a large number of youths were challaned by a police party headed by SHO Harjinder Singh. All their pleas, to spare them for the day were ignored. Police personnel took a lenient view of girls violating traffic laws, particularly offences like triple-riding. Poor traffic management and lack of parking space in the market added to vows of the youth. However, in spite of all this, they managed to keep their valentine’s Day promises. Meanwhile, the Swadeshi
Jagran Manch and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
has dubbed the Valentine Day celebrations as
‘cultural pollution. In a memorandum, the Manch
demanded ban on functions related with the day. |
Valentine’s Day celebrated LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — A function was organised last night to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Sutlej Club here. Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, presided over the function. More than 1,200 members participated. People of various age groups danced continuously for three hours. Famous disc jockey Rammi
and his group from Delhi and Bhanu, a popular disc jockey
of Ludhiana, organised the evening. Besides lucky draw,
prizes were given to best dancing couple, best dancer boy
and best dancer girl. |
Impressive photos on display PATIALA, Feb 14 — Jagpreet’s exhibition here depicts an array of striking black and white photographs. The exhibition is being held at Banasar Art Gallery, Sheesh Mahal, and was inaugurated here today by Mr A.L. Paul, Station Director, AIR, Patiala. Jagpreet’s photography depicts nature in movement — a play of shadows, and sunlight besides things as small as staircase and chair. Many of his photographs had been taken in Jaipur. Jagpreet had gone on foot all over the city to click what he could find interesting. “Each photograph can be perceived in so many different ways,” he said, “I do not want to narrow down the spectators’ imagination to only one simple idea”. Jagpreet photos show simple day-to-day things. A ray of light entering through a window, a cycle standing in shadow or a Tulsi tree in a temple — all feast for the eye. Jagpreet says the variation of tone has an important role in art, which he is exploring. In his recent show, he has displayed 41 photographs in 2 sets. Jagpreet has already put
up two solo shows in Chandigarh and has participated in
various exhibitions in the country. |
Pensioners' meeting LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — A meeting of the Punjab State Pensioners Confederation was held today. 165 delegates from all over Punjab participated. Mr B.R. Kaushal was
unanimously elected president for the second time. Mr
Mohinder Singh Parwana of Hoshiarpur was elected general
secretary of the confederation. |
Niranjan Noor remembered LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — The Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi and the Punjabi Sahitya Akademi organised a seminar at Punjabi Bhavan yesterday to mark the contribution of late Niranjan Singh Noor to Punjabi culture and literature. Dr S.S. Narula inaugurated the seminar while Dr S.S. Johl presided. Mr Niranjan Singh
Dhillon, Noor’s friend and colleague in England,
highlighted the human angles of his life and works. A
memento on behalf of the Punjabi Sabhyachar Akademi was
presented to Noor’s nephew Jarnail Singh. |
Campaign to check drunken driving LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — To minimise road accidents due to drunken driving, a one month-long special campaign will be launched tomorrow by the traffic police and the District Transport Office. In this connection breath analysers have been provided to the traffic police of Ludhiana, Khanna and Jagraon. This decision was taken at a meeting of the Traffic Management Committee held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Ludhiana. The DC said traffic teams would regularly check the drivers in the evening hours and strict action would be taken against them. The DC also said unauthorised red lights atop the vehicles and black screens on glasses would also be strictly checked. The functioning of the newly-launched ambulance scheme was also reviewed. The DC said stickers would be pasted at prominent places to create awareness among the people regarding the scheme. He said in case of any accident, people should contact phone No. 100 or 102 for ambulance and the first-aid facility so that the victims could be shifted immediately to the nearest hospital. In the meeting, Mr S.S. Bhatti, SP, Traffic, of Ludhiana, said 5,080 vehicles were challaned for violating traffic norms and fine amounting to Rs 8.53 lakh were realised during January, 2000. Keeping in view the examination, he told the officers not to allow anybody to play loud-speakers at public or religious places throughout the district. If the police receives any complaint in this regard strict action would be taken. He also directed the police officers and BDPOs to implement these instructions in the villages. In another meeting of a District Development Committee, the DC announced that in Ludhiana district all primary, middle, high and senior secondary schools would be provided with toilets, ceiling fans and jute mats before the next academic session. He asked the DEOs to immediately submit the list of the schools without these facilities. At a meeting of revenue
officers it was decided to install video cameras in all
public dealing branches of mini-Secretariat to enhance
the efficiency. |
‘Negligence’ leads to
prisoner's death AMRITSAR, Feb 14 — The negligence of jail doctors has led to the death of Sangram Singh (40), a jail inmate. He was an undertrial in a murder case since 1997. He had developed high fever a month ago and was being treated by the jail doctors. Dr H.S. Gill, Medical Superintendent, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, said Sangram Singh was brought to the hospital on February 10. At that time the patient was unconscious because of high fever. The jail medical authorities had carried out no tests to diagnose the cause of the fever. Only a probable diagnosis was presented along with the patient's admission to the hospital. The provisionary diagnosis by the jail authorities stated that the patient was suspected to suffer from cerebral malaria. A lot of time was lost to conduct the blood-smear test or the blood film test and also a CT scan. These tests took time to diagnose the actual cause. "An early diagnosis could have saved the life of the patient" Dr Gill said. He further said the patient actually suffered from tuberculosis meningitis, TB where the brain is affected, and in many a cases patients recovered. It was only because of the last stage when the patient was brought in. He had very low resistance due to persistent fever and weak responses. Sangram Singh died three days after he was brought to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on February 13. Mr Jagjit Singh, Jail
Superintendent, who was away for a few days learnt of the
incident after he returned on the same day. He said the
post-mortem examination had already been conducted and
the report would be received shortly. He added that it
could be possible that the doctor in charge might not
have understood the problem. |
9 more cows found dead FAZILKA, Feb 14 — Tension has mounted in the town bordering Pakistan after the death of nine cows on February 12. The town had been tense since the killing of 12 cows allegedly by “hadda rori” contractors on February 10 on the Fazilka-Bikaner road for removing their hide for selling in the market. Of the 11 accused in the crime, nine were arrested by the police immediately after the incident took place. Mr Ajay Maluja, DSP, said the death of nine more cows under mysterious circumstances on February 12 had further heightened the tension. The carcasses were recovered from the Bikaner-Mehtabganj road, Ban Bazar and other spots in the city. A post-mortem examination was also conducted. To prevent any untoward incident and to keep the law and order situation under control, Mr Narinderpal Singh, SP, and Mr Manminder Singh, DSP, Jalalabad, visited the city and reviewed the situation. Mr Maluja said about 150 policemen had been deployed to keep watch on those areas during night where the cows generally rested. On the other hand, shopkeepers downed their shutters today in protest against the killing of the cows. They demanded that those guilty should be identified and arrested. Mr Maluja said the post-mortem examination conducted revealed that the cows might have been killed through slow poisoning. He added that polythene bags were also found in their bodies. He added that the
viscera of all dead cows had been sent to a laboratory at
Patiala for chemical examination and the reason behind
the deaths could be known only after the report was
received. |
One dead, 3 hurt as roof
caves in KAPURTHALA, Feb 14 — The local fire brigade and the police saved Anita and her two minor sons, while her minor daughter died under debris. According to police report roof of their rented room in Ranjit Avenue Mohalla, caved in on Saturday night while the family was watching television. The mother and three children were buried under the debris. On alarm by the mother and children neighbours reached the scene and informed the fire brigade and the police which pulled out Anita her two children Ranjit and Naresh while her daughter died due to suffocation. The mother and the saved
children have been admitted into the local civil hospital
where their condition is stated to be out of danger. |
Three arrested in looting case LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — The police has arrested the main suspects in a firing and looting incident which had taken place in the Model Town market area a few days ago. Incidentally, all three arrested have been identified as Avtar Singh Tari of Ludhiana, Avtar Singh Tari of Khuda, Patiala, and Avtar Singh Tari alias Fauji of Sahnewal, Ludhiana. Avtar Singh of Khuda had terrorist links and a case of murder was registered against him at Sirhind and another case of attempt to murder at Khanna. Avtar Singh of Ludhiana was involved in many cases of looting and snatching and one of the main accused in the Kashish Arora kidnapping case, last year. A case has been registered under Sections 307, 392 and 382, IPC, and 25, 54 and 59, Arms Act. They have been remanded
in police custody till February 16. |
160 kg of poppy husk seized FAZILKA, Feb 14 — The local police has arrested Puran Singh of Abohar subdivision and seized 160 kg of poppy husk packed in four gunny bags from him. Mr Ajay Maluja, DSP, in a press note here today, said on the directions of the SSP, Mr G.S. Pherurai, a special campaign had been launched in this area to check the smuggling of narcotics. He said Puran Singh had
brought the poppy husk from Rajasthan to sell it. He was
arrested near Mahuana village by ASI Iqbal Singh. |
Aided college staff hold rallies AMRITSAR, Feb 14 — The aided colleges of Amritsar district remained closed today for two hours to observe “save higher education day” and to protest against the education policies of the State government. The protest rallies were organised jointly by the principals, teachers and non-teaching employees of the colleges, on the call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union. According to the union district president, Prof Gurnam Singh Kahlon and the district secretary, Prof H.S. Walia, the government wants the grants to be curtailed and offset the burden to students. The other demands include inter alia implementation of the pension gratuity scheme, updating of grants, pay revision notification for all colleges, Rs 14,940 grade for DPEs and librarians, rural area allowance, benefit of total service in pay fixation, house rent allowance for towns and villages. The district president of the union, Prof Gurnam Singh, threatened to boycott the forthcoming examinations if demands were not immediately accepted. Prof H.S. Walia, district secretary, said the future course of action included a rally on February 28 on the campus of Guru Nanak Dev University, dharna by the Punjab Federation of College Teachers at Matka Chowk, Chandigarh, march to the Punjab Assembly and boycott of examinations, if needed. There will also be a
nationwide dharna at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on March
3 to protest against the indifferent attitude of the
Central government towards the demands of teachers in
colleges and universities. |
Strike by college staff PHAGWARA, Feb 14 —
In response to a call by the Joint Action Committee of
teaching and non-teaching staff of the local Guru Nanak
College observed "Save higher education day"
today by striking work, and holding a rally against the
Punjab government at which Professor Jaswant Singh
criticised the government for running away from its
financial commitments creating a climate of uncertainty
in private colleges, most of which faced virtual closure
with staff not having been paid salary for the past six
months. |
Superintendents protest AMRITSAR, Feb 14 — The superintendents, working in various departments of Guru Nanak Dev University today lodged a protest with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, over the selection of Mr Rajesh Kalia as an assistant registrar. They claimed that Mr Kalia had no administrative experience and could not be appointed to the post. Mr Suvinderjit Singh,
President, Guru Nanak Dev University Employees Union
(non-teaching), has said the university had set a
‘wrong precedent’ by appointing an
‘inexperienced’ person as assistant registrar.
However, Dr Soch said the appointment was made purely on
merit. He claimed that Mr Kalia fulfilled all the
qualifications and was selected by a board comprising two
pro-vice chancellors, registrar, vice-chancellor, dean
academic affairs and dean colleges. |
Seminar on graphology LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — A seminar on graphology and graphotherapy was held at Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana, today. Noted graphologist Prof I.S. Chadha explained how these off-shoots of modern psychology gauge and improve the aptitude and efficiency of students. He explained how
existing techniques of graphology reveal special talents
and aptitudes. While graphology reveals talents,
graphotherapy improves the talents. Working on almost the
same principles as of Freud, Prof Chadha also spoke of
psychological processes being affected by psychological
changes brought about by graphotherapy. He also explained
how a graphologist besides providing guidance for
vocational choices can diagnose the problems in the
parent-child relationship and teacher-child relationship
and even remove the roots of contention and bring about
harmony in their life. He called upon teachers to notice
the changes in the adolescent growth and spot the real
juvenile delinquency and to treat each case separately.
All this is possible through the study of graphology
which conjures up the subconscious and unconscious which
ordinarily cannot be explored. |
Gender sensitisation course
begins LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — A five-day course on gender sensitisation was inaugurated today by Mr Chander Shekhar, IGP, at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur. It is being attended by
31 field police functionaries of gazetted and
non-gazetted rank. During the inaugural address, Mr
Shekhar said on the one hand, woman had been given the
status of “goddess” and on the other she was
maltreated with a status of second class citizen. There
was a need for the upliftment of women for over all
development of the nation. |
Workshop at PAU LUDHIANA, Feb 14 — Inaugurating a two-day agricultural officers workshop for kharif crops at Punjab Agricultural University, the Vice-Chancellor, Dr G.S. Kalkat, said with the implementation of WTO agreement in April 2001, only quality crops at competitive prizes would sell in the market. With the lifting of
import export sanctions, the produce would have to
complete in the international market and only those
farmers would survive whose produce would be of high
quality and at low rates, Dr Kalkat said. |
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