The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Traders protest against killing of Amarnath pilgrims
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — Traders at Circular road in the city today organised an angry protest against the killing of 26 Amarnath Yatra pilgrims by militants at Pahalgam base camp in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Led by Mr Des Raj Pahwa, president of the Circular Road Shopkeepers Association and former general secretary of the Punjab Youth Congress, Mr Sumit Batish, the traders burnt an effigy of Pakistan’s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf and later observed two minutes’ silence to pay homage to the slain devotees.

Mr Batish and other speakers, including Mr Bachan Singh, Mr Dhayan Singh Mehta and Mr Manmohan Singh, called upon the Union Government to firmly deal with the proxy war waged by Pakistan and demanded resignation of the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, on moral grounds for the government’s failure to provide adequate security to Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has observed that the indiscriminate firing by terrorists on Amarnath yatris in Pahalgam yesterday was a direct result of soft attitude adopted by the central government towards separatist moves of J and K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.

The district president of the party, Mr Rashpal Singh, said in a statement that the Union Government had persistently failed to come to terms with cunningness and deceptive postures of Pakistan and had, time and again, been found wanting at the crucial time. The party asked the Centre to immediately dismiss the National Conference government headed by Dr Abdullah and to impose President’s rule in the state to prevent the already explosive situation in J and K from deteriorating further.

Industrialists plan stir against power hike
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — The confrontation between industrialists of the state and the Punjab Government over the issue of power tariff hike effected recently has picked up further with two different associations of industrialists today announcing separate programmes of agitation demanding immediate withdrawal of the hike.

While the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association has announced to sit on a one-day fast at Vishavkarma Chowk here on August 8 , the second group, the Industries and Trade Forum Punjab has made a call for Punjab bandh on August 23.

Addressing separate press conferences, the industrialists though had different plans of agitation but there grievances against the state government and PSEB were same. The industrialists when quizzed about the apparent division between them they said they were separate but the cause and aim was one. Both groups blamed each other for trying to damage the agitation against the power hike. But also claimed that if the other group was sincere in its fight, then they would support it.

Mr V.B. Chopra, president of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association, addressing reporters in the morning said the hike would prove to the last straw on the industry’s back in the state. He said already reeling under recession the industries were looking for support from the government and had instead got anti-industries policies.

He said the industrialists had been forced to adopt the path of agitation as the government has not responded positively to their peaceful way of demanding withdrawal or at least deferment to the hike. He said every sector of the state, including the state wing of the BJP, had openly criticised the hike and the free power facility given to the farmers, but the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had remained unmoved.

Mr Chopra called upon PSEB to introspect on its internal causes of suffering huge losses and demanded immediate retrenchment of the surplus staff. He said PSEB should also got a survey done by an international company about the real causes behind its losses instead of making the industrialists pay for it.

Addressing another press conference in the afternoon, Mr Harish Khanna, president of the Industries and Trade Forum, said a meeting of industrialists and traders of Punjab had unanimously decided to observe a Punjab bandh on August 23 to protest against the hike. He said Mr Badal had promised the industrialists that if they increase the revenue of the state then the government would take care of their needs.

Doctor told to refund amount
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — The District Consumer Redressal Forum here has directed a city- based eye hospital and a doctor serving as a consultant with it to compensate the legal heirs of a blind ex-serviceman who had come for treatment at the hospital and was no longer alive.

The president of the forum, Mr Hardial Singh, and members, Mr Tilak Raj Arora and Shashi Saini, have directed Jain Eye Hospital and its consultant, Dr Umesh Jain, to refund Rs 21,000 and to pay Rs 10,000 on account of deficiency in services and damages to the heirs of the late Balwant Singh.

The forum also directed that the order should be complied within two months of the receipt of the order copy and an interest of 12 per cent would be charged if there is any delay in compliance.

According to the orders, four legal heirs of the late Balwant Singh which include his wife, a son and two daughters had contended before the court that Balwant Singh, a resident of Gobindgarh in this district, was suffering from blindness of both eyes. He had approached the hospital for treatment. His complaint claimed that he was given treatment and paid all charges demanded from him. He was even operated upon and told that the left pupil of his eye had changed. All expenses were duly paid by the patient. However, his eyesight did not return.

The complainant then checked up from an other eye specialist and claimed before the forum that the eye specialist told him that his pupil has not been changed and nor it can be.

However, the hospital and the doctor denied all charges levelled against them before the forum. The denials even included that the patient had never visited the hospital and that he was given deficient service.

Dr Umesh also filed an affidavit denying the deceased was ever operated upon by him or he received any amount. However, the certificates admitted that the deceased did got his treatment from the hospital. Due to contradiction in the certificates the forum termed them as unreliable. As the respondents admitted to the receipt of Rs 21,000 from the deceased, the forum ruled that the deceased was given treatment. It also ruled that the respondents had indulged in unfare trade practice and is liable to be charged for deficiency of service.

Girl’s leg saved from being amputated
DMCH doctor performs plastic surgery
From Surbhi Bhalla

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — It was just another bright day for seven-year-old Riksha Goyal who was insisting to accompany her cousin to the market. But her request was turned down and her cousin left the home for the market all alone. However, unaware of disastrous moments waiting for her on the road she ran after her cousin with a hope that he might take her along with him. She was in the middle of the road when she saw a Jeep approaching her and within few seconds, it was all done. The Jeep had run over her.

The little girl found herself lying in a pool of blood, the entire skin of her right foot was ripped off and she could only see the bones and veins which were totally exposed. She screamed out in horror at the sight of her badly crushed foot. Within few minutes she was taken to a local orthopaedician who suggested amputation of the foot as the loss was irreparable.

But fortunately, Riksha's parents decided to make a last try and took her to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where Dr Sanjeev Uppal, a plastic surgeon performed a miraculous surgery by using his expertise and successfully accomplished the tough task of reconstructing her foot which transformed the life of the girl by preventing an amputation.

When on July 22, she was brought to DMCH where her dirty wound was washed and dressing was done though 24 hours had passed. For four days she was kept under basic treatment to control the infection and to make her condition stable. On July 26 an operation was carried out in the operating theatre of DMCH for three hours by Dr Sanjeev Uppal. A thick tissue called as flap from the other leg was shifted to cover the foot from the other leg. It will remain attached to the injured foot for three weeks. During this period the tissue will have blood supply from the right leg. Once the operated foot will be able to establish the regular blood supply, a minor operation will be done to separate the foot and the leg.

Today, while lying in her bed in the plastic surgery ward of DMCH, Riksha's eyes sparkle with joy and she is happy that once again her foot has become normal. All she wishes is to go to her school and to play with her school mates.

Dr Sanjeev Uppal says that such injuries are quite common in children and most of the time amputation can be prevented. But unfortunately people do not know that limbs can also be reconstructed with the help plastic surgery and mostly they unnecessarily go for amputation. So, it is advised that in such case the patient should approach the nearest qualified doctor. After proper washing, infection should be controlled and required surgery can be carried out by a qualified surgeon to reconstruct the limb.

COMMUNITY

Debates, contests on Teenagers’ Day
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — To celebrate the Teenagers’ Day as declared by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, the cultural committee of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here yesterday organised a poster-making competition and a declamation contest on topics related with teenage problems for medical students.

Undergraduate students and interns of DMC participated in the contests with a lot of enthusiasm. The theme of the competitions was — ‘An appeal for the teenagers’.

Ten students participated in the declamation contest. Each team consisted of two students from each batch, speaking on different topics i.e. Sex education for teenagers — need of the day, Substance abuse among teenagers — a real threat, Media — playing havoc with today’s teenagers, Adolescent health — nobody’s baby, Diet or dieting — what do the teenagers need?

The judges included Dr Surinder Likhi and Dr R.S. Sibia from Oswal Hospital who are members of Indian Academy of Paediatrics. The first prize was given to Ms Sapna, an intern, who was the only contestant who spoke in Hindi. Two runners- up prizes were given to Mr Umesh Goyal (batch 96), Ms Divya (batch 98). The running trophy was shared by batch 95 and 98.

In the poster-making competition, 11 contestants participated. Dr Vinita Malhotra, HOD, Pathology Department of DMC, was the judge. Mr Pushwaz Virk won the first prize with his poster, showing a handicapped boy climbing down the stairs with the help of crutches and with the support of elderly people and saying “I will conquer the world just show me the way”. The second prize went to Ms Amandeep Takkar, a first year student. A special prize was given to the youngest participant, 13-year-old school- going boy Mohd Zafar.

Mr Prem Nath Gupta, secretary, managing society of DMC & H, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to the winners and certificates of appreciation to participants.

Plan to enhance NCC strength
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — There is a good news for students of schools and colleges in the country who wanted to become an NCC cadet as the Centre has decided to enhance the strength of NCC cadets by 1 lakh.

Maj-Gen G.S. Sidhu, Additional Director- General, NCC, who was in the city today to inspect the Local Division NCC headquarter informed reporters that though the NCC was facing financial problems in some states yet the increase in cadet strength would go a long way in promoting the NCC activity.

The General said the country already possess the highest number of NCC cadets and with the latest increase more NCC camps and programmes would be planned.

Financial problems, however, continue to haunt the NCC officials as some states reeling under financial constraints. He said Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar topped the list of such states. He said due to paucity of funds complete NCC activities, including holding of all necessary camps, could not be taken out in the problem states. He said the latest problem being faced by them was managing training of NCC cadets in flying clubs as the rates of flying clubs had been hiked recently and the funds were proving short for the purpose.

He, however, added that they well understand the financial problems faced by the states but denied the allegation that the NCC was not on the priority list of these state governments.

Commenting on the ongoing debate on whether the NCC should be made compulsory for every student or not, the General said they had the will and the determination to handle any number of cadets but in his personal opinion the activity could produce better results if taken up voluntarily by the students.

Earlier, he held a meeting of NCC officials led by Group Commander Col P.S. Bedi. He reviewed the working of the NCC and also inspected reports of the recent exercises. He also inspected a guard of honour presented by NCC cadets.

Gagat vows to fight for justice
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — The district council Chairman of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Mr Hans Raj Gagat, was felicitated by the Valmiki Mohalla Sudhar Committee at a function organised in Maharaj Nagar here yesterday for his being elected as Chairman of the Punjab Municipal Employees Sangathan.

A former Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Mr Harnam Das Johar, speaking on this occasion described Mr Gagat as a true nationalist and a selfless trade union leader who had always championed the cause of the working classes and the weaker sections of society.

The general secretary of the INTUC, Punjab, Mr Shiv Kumar Gupta, lauded the services of Mr Gagat in the trade union movement and expressed confidence that after his new appointment, he would carry on the fight for the rights of municipal employees in the state.

Addressing the function, Mr Gagat assured that he would try his utmost to justify the confidence the municipal employees of the state had reposed in him and would continue a relentless battle to achieve the genuine demands and justice for the municipal employees. He condemned the state government for according its approval to the contract labour system in the civic bodies. The sweepers appointed under the contract system were being exploited and paid a meagre sum of Rs1200 per month as wages. The trade union leader demanded that the services of the safai workers should be regularised and paid minimum wages fixed by the government.

Mr Gagat also criticised the ban on recruitment and direct appointments in civic bodies from 'back-door'.

Farmers plan to gherao Assembly
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — A meeting of various farmers’ organisations was held here today to give final shape to the assembly-gherao programme by them in protest against the “anti-farmer” policies of the government.

The meeting was attended by Mr Buta Singh Chakar, Mr Trilochan Singh Jhorda, Master Jagjit Singh Hathoor, Mr Darshan Singh Bhammipura, Mr Naib Singh Manooke, Mr Sarabjit Singh Acharwal and Mr Buta Singh Bhammipura, on behalf of the Kirti Kisan Union; Mr Gurdev Singh, Mr Jagan Nath, Mr Rachhpal Singh, Mr Harnek Singh, Mr Hari Singh and Mr Surinder Singh, on behalf of the Kisan Sabha; and Mr Sadhu Singh and Mr Sudagar Singh on behalf of B.K.U. Ekta. State-level leaders, Mr Hardev Sandhu and Mr Lehmber Singh Taggar also participated.

It was decided to form three teams to hold village-level rallies in the areas of Raikot, Jagraon and Payal from August onwards. It was also resolved that farmers’ organisations would gherao the Punjab Assembly in the near future.

The meeting observed that policies like GATT, which were being followed under pressure from imperialistic powers, would lead to a debtload on the farmers that would encourage suicides among them. It was apprehended that in the absence of a kisan movement, an environment akin to terrorism may come to exist.

The meeting deplored the removal of ban on the import of 714 items, including agricultural products, milk and milk products.

The farmer leaders also took exception to the FCI decision against buying paddy from the Punjab mandis. They called upon the farmers to launch a joint struggle to prevent their paddy from rotting in the mandis.

CRIME

Spurious mineral water factory unearthed
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — The District Food and Health Department has unearthed a factory allegedly involved in making spurious mineral water and selling its products under the brand name, Kalsi Natural Mineral Water.

Giving this information, the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajinder Kaur, informed that a joint raid conducted by the department and the police led to the discovery of the factory owned by one Satnam Singh, a resident of Cheema Park, in the South Model Gram locality in the city. The accused was marketing the product in 15 litre pack which was a simple tap water drawn with the aid of Tullu pump.

The factory, Dr Rajinder Kaur added, did not have any license, nor did it possess any certificate from a laboratory about the fitness of its 'mineral water'. The factory owner has been arrested and the stocks were seized and sent for analysis.

BUSINESS

Hero group to focus on IT services
From A.S.Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — The information technology (IT) sector has been targeted as the future growth area for the Ludhiana-based Hero group of industries which has combined turnover of Rs 4,000 crore.

This was stated here today by Mr Sunil Kant Munjal, Managing Director of the newly-floated company, Hero Corporate Services Ltd, in an interview with TNS. The company will focus on providing complete range of customer relationship management (CRM) services and software services solutions. As part of its investment initiative in the IT sector, the group has acquired a major stake of 30 per cent with an investment of approximately Rs 12.50 crore in FristRing Inc, a US-based company specialising in customer response centre, including call centres. The group plans further investments of up to Rs 150 crore in setting up customer response centres and software development centres.

The company has already established a unit at Bangalore and is in the process of setting up another one at Gurgaon. "We will be creating three more units for this purpose. Nearly half a dozen sites are under consideration. Of course, Punjab being our home state, is definitely one of the states where we will establish a unit", Mr Munjal said.

He noted that the Indian software development and export markets were growing at more than 50 per cent every year. India's strength as a quality IT services provider were now being increasingly recognised not only by USA but also by other countries in Europe, Japan and Australia. Exports by the IT software and services industry were expected to be $ 50 billion by the year 2008. With such a huge opportunity in the IT sector at the global level, it was but natural for the Hero group to expand and build its IT operations.

Elaborating on the expansion plans for it, he said a combination of in-house experiences, people-oriented approach and the Hero's track record of successful implementation of projects made it ideally placed to contribute significantly in this key area and give it the required edge in the IT sector.

The Hero group is a leading player in the automotive sector in India. Hero cycles, the flagship company, is the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world. Over four decades of working in manufacturing and distribution areas, the group has developed the domain knowledge and a deep understanding of processes in these areas.

The group today has 14 profit making companies and a dedicated work force of 17,000 people. The group also has a rich experience of working with several international global companies. Hero Corporation services Ltd was established by Hero group in 1995 to be the vehicle for leading the group to new business diversifications, to advise and be an in-house consultant to its existing group companies on growth strategies and information management systems. The expansion of the Hero group activities in IT services arena has also been done through Hero Corporate Services Ltd.

The company has established two separate divisions in Hero Corporate Services Ltd, namely enterprise plus solutions and customer plus solutions. Enterprise plus solutions will focus on e-business, web-enabled software development services, using leading edge technology tools such as XML and Java, for customers in the USA, Europe, Australia and Japan. Customer relationship management and supply chain management consultancy and implementation services for customers in the above countries. It would also offer ERP services for customers in India and abroad.

The customer plus solutions will offer a complete range of CRM services, including customer response centres for providing voice responses, e-mail based responses, electronic chat-based technical and other support, data warehousing and data mining services. The company planned to cover the entire range of CRM services through a network of CRM centres from different locations in India, for customers abroad.

Mr Munjal said that the Hero group in the last year few years had successfully implemented a variety of software development and ERP implementation projects with its group companies.

As part of its IT initiative, it was setting up a customer response centre in Bangalore. Another such centre, capable of handling almost 1000 customer service representatives, is being set up in Gurgaon and was expected to be operational before the end of this calendar year. As part of its expansion plans, the company is also in the process of setting up a software service centre to be operational Gurgaon by October, 2000.

"We hope to leverage our global alliances with Honda, Briggs & Stratton, Showa Siemens and our other customers grow our IT division to more than 5000 persons in three years".

‘Hosiery industry needs to be professional’
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 2 — Ludhiana is headed for a revolution in the garment and hosiery industry. Known all over the country for popular brands in hosiery products, the city appears to be taking a break from the tradition with new generation of entrepreneurs thinking and acting in new ways to popularise many brands.

According to Adish Oswal, an upcoming entrepreneur, Ludhiana, despite having tremendous potential, is yet to establish a name at the international level. He hopes to create world-class brands for not only international markets but also for local consumers.

He pointed out that most of the hosiery industry in Ludhiana fall in unorganised and small-scale sectors. He said the hosiery industry now needed a professional approach for competing in the international market.

Oswal believes in creating products “with a vision of creating fashion label which is truly Indian and yet at par with international standards”. After extensive travelling across the globe he is convinced that the market is ready to receive brands that will be “distinctive, classy and with character and personality.

The Amkryon unit of the company is targeting its clientele in terms of latest trends in fashion. Adish pointed out that the fashion changes every season. People no longer use ‘perennial’ clothes. The Amkryon claims that for the first time in India, they have launched cotton sweaters in the price range starting at Rs 1040.