The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Industry portfolio thrust on me, says Jagir
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — The Punjab Industry Minister Prof Jagir Singh, has no interest in industry. He is doing the job, just because he was told to do so by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He wanted to be the Minister for Education.

These are no vague charges made against the minister by his critics or opponents, but his own frank admission he made at a function organised by the Fastener Manufacturers Association of India in connection with the Fastener Expo-2000 being held in Bombay from November 3 to November 6.

The minister admitted that the industry in Punjab was under tremendous pressure and it had suffered a lot. He claimed, he could do little about it, since he had taken the charge of the ministry only recently as the portfolio was held by Mr Badal himself for over three years. He agreed that the Chief Minister could not give sufficient time and attention to industry, pre-occupation which complicated the problem.

However, the minister assured that he would soon come out with some positive and remedial measures. Prof Singh asked the industrialists to brief him about their problems so that he could raise them at the meeting with the Prime Minister scheduled to be held on August 30 and 31. He hoped that the industry would come out of the difficult recessionary phase it was passing through and said, the government would come out with all possible support and help.

Referring to the Fastener Expo- 2000 being organised in Bombay in November, the minister promised all help from the Punjab Government. He appreciated the cooperation and assistance provided to the organisers of the show by the Maharahstra and Karnataka Governments.

Fastener Expo-2000 Millennium is the first ever international exhibition in India for the fastener and fastener related industry .

According to Mr Mohinder Pal Jain, the president of the association, one of the important objectives of this event was to help increase the pace of upgradation and modernisation of the fastener and related industry. The Expo will try to bring various players in industry like manufacturers and users together and offer the right business opportunity through a common platform.

The launch function for the expo was held at Amritsar on August 19. The launch function mostly focussed on the fastener industry in Punjab.

The expo at Bombay will display a range of the fasteners for different application, raw material and machinery for making fasteners, precision turned components, press part and tools. The response to the expo was claimed to quite positive and encouraging . The organisers claimed, about 70 per cent of the space had already been booked and the companies from the USA, Italy and Spain had already confirmed their participation.

‘Nehru forced the Army to withdraw in 1948’
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — Had the politicians not interfered at a critical stage of the Pakistan aggression in Kashmir in December 1948, the Indian Army, which was in a strong position, would have wrested several strategic areas in the current Pakistan occupied Kashmir and there would not have been any Pakistan-backed insurgency problem in the troubled valley.

This was claimed here today by Brig ( retd) Hukam Singh Yadav, who was ADC to Lord Mountbatten, the last Governor-General of British India. Brigadier Yadav was on a visit to the city in connection with his position as the president of the All India Ex- Servicemen Association.

Claiming rare insight into the developments just before the country’s independence, he said the selfish motives of the political leaders of those times led to the country’s partition and gave birth to the Jammu and Kashmir problem.

“We were sitting pretty on the night of December 31, 1948, when the Indian Government declared a ceasefire”, he recalled, adding that the Army pleaded for a time of three months or at least upto February in order to capture key positions in the present PoK to cut off any chance of the enemy’s influence in the region.

However, according to him, the adamant stand of Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, banked on his blind faith in Kashmiris backing him, forced the Army to call off operations. He said had the politicians understood the Army’s point of view, Pakistan would have been in a much weaker position and the root cause of the Kashmir problem would also have been obliterated.

The former Brigadier also contested the generally accepted view that Mahatma Gandhi and other political leaders won freedom for the country. “No, it was the Army which forced the Britishers to flee”, he stressed. Elaborating, he said in early 1947, many Armymen refused to obey the orders of the British officers and when riots broke out, Lord Mountbatten said to him that now the time had come to leave India as they were no longer safe in a situation where the soldiers were against them.

No headway in Aman murder case
From Our Correspondent

KHANNA, Aug 27 — Even after 27 days of the murder of master Aman Sood the police still appears to be clueless and groping in the dark about the case. Although it claims to have identified the main culprits responsible for the crime, they still continue to be at large.

Anger and resentment is brewing up among people here over the failure of the police. The coordination committee formed by people here to monitor the case met the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and sought his intervention in getting the culprits punished.

Master Aman Sood was kidnapped on August 1, while returning from school near his house. After six days his body was found from a sugarcane field in village Kalalmajra village on August 7.

The police arrested certain persons, including a neighbour of the Soods, Budh Parkash, whom the police claims to be the main accused.

On August 24 the police produced Budh Parkash in the court and claimed him to be the main conspirator in the kidnapping of master Aman Sood and submitted to the court that it had proof against the accused under Sections 302, 365, 120-B and 34 of the IPC. The judge gave a two-day remand of Budh Parkash.

The police failed to make any further headway. Although it claimed that it had identified other co accused, no arrests had been made so far. On August 26, the judge refused to extend the police remand of Budh Parkash and ordered to send him to judicial lock up.

In the meanwhile, the action committee started to stage dharnas before city police station and met Mr Badal to transfer investigation to any other agency while the police was claiming to solve the case in one or two days with the arrest of two other accused.

The police has arrested the sarpanch of Kalalmajra village, from where the body of Aman Sood was found and he has been remanded to police custody till August 28.

On the other hand a meeting of action committee held recently formed a three-member committee to keep in touch with the SSP and monitor the the progress of the case.

Woman behind child’s disappearance
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — An exorcist landlady is alleged to be involved behind the sudden disappearance of the fourteen-year-old son of her tenant.

According to information, fourteen-year-old Vinod Kumar, the only son of an industrial labourer, has been missing since August 17. He had left behind a note stating that he had been told by a sadhu that a bad omen would befall upon him during the next 10 days and that he should get away from home in order to escape the wrath.

Says Mr Ashok Singh, father of the missing child, “Vinod was very attached with our landlady Rani and her husband Ramu. Rani is an exorcist. On the fateful day when my son went missing, he had spent a lot of time with the lady since the morning. He had gone to the school in the morning but had returned early. All of a sudden he left home around 5 p.m. and has not come back since then.”

Mr Ashok Singh also alleged that ever since Vinod has been missing, his landlady has been urging them to use her exorcist powers and get their son back. He alleged that since Rani and Ramu were childless, they had taken away his son.

Meanwhile, the parents of the child have already got a DDR registered with the police about the missing child.

COMMUNITY

Fight against corruption ‘need of the hour’
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — The former CBI Director, Mr Joginder Singh, has called for a mass movement to end corruption in the country. He said corruption was one of the worst problems the country was facing and it needed a sustained and integrated effort by all the countrymen.

Mr Joginder Singh was speaking at the installation ceremony of the Lions Club Ludhiana Goodwill. He said, it needed a resolve on part of every individual that he or she would neither take nor offer bribe. “Once all of us resolve to do it, we will definitely succeed”, he said. Appreciating the role of Lions Club in honouring teachers he suggested that the club should also honour honest government officials to eradicate corruption.

The former CBI Director recalled his association with Ludhiana, saying he had spent six precious years of his life here. He revealed that he had studies in Government College here from 1955 to 1961. He said a lot had changed in Ludhiana since then and felt happy that the city and its people had taken giant strides forward.

Mr Joginder Singh appreciated the social work being done by the Lions Club across the country. He emphasised the need for focussing on accountability and transparency in every job.

Earlier, the new team of the Lions Club Ludhiana Goodwill took over under the leadership of HPS Chawla, who was installed president of the club. The others included Mr Sanjeev Sood as secretary, Mr S.S. Din as treasurer, Mr B.S. Gill as first vice president, Dr P.S. Kohli as second vice president and Mr R.S. Channe as third vice president. Mr R.S. Duggal acted as the installation officer.

The club also honoured 16 teachers for their outstanding contribution in the field of education. The teachers were drawn from various government and private schools of the city. They included Mrs Roop Ranjan and Ms Sushma George from KVM, Mrs Giani Devi Gupta and Mrs Baljeet Sandhu from DAV, Mrs Gurcharan Kaur Lochar from Government School PAU, principal Harnik Chand and Mr Sukhdev Salipmpuri from Government School Humbra, Mr Ranjeet Singh from Government School Lapran, Mr Harikrishen Mayor from Multipurpose Ludhiana, Mrs Rita Mahajan and Mrs Gurveen Kaur from Sacred Heart, Mrs Gursharan Kaur and Mrs Hardayal Kaur Cheena Hairkrishen Public School, Mr Harish Chadhary and Mr Girja Lidoo from BCM and principal R.S. Patial from DAV Senior Secondary School Ludhiana.

Lecture on stress management
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — Dayanand Medical College and Hospital organised a lecture on stress management at the Dumra Auditorium here. The lecture was delivered by Mr Nityanand Trehan, Course Director of the Art of Living organisation. Dr S.C. Ahuja, Principal, DMCH, said that the motto of the lecture was to create awareness about how to remain happy and bring peace in life. Mr Ahuja said, "One should not exist, one should live life."

Mr Vishwanath Dheeri, in charge of the Ludhiana branch of Art of Living and President of the Ludhiana Stock Market, introduced the chief guest, a practising chartered accountant and a member of Art of Living.

In his lecture, Mr Trehan said, "There used to be art in living but unfortunately, during our life time, no one teaches us this art. As a result everyone has different levels of quality of life, which further depend upon physical, psychological and social harmony".

The main cause of conflict in life, he pointed out, was failure of the intellect to interpret the fact as such. "Our perceptions are clouded by our superiority complex, inferiority complex, anxiety, depression and other negative instincts. The aim of our actions should be to attain peace and happiness, which we keep seeking in the outside world, but which exists within our soul. The cleansing of the internal mind could be done through universal brotherhood and devotion to whatever work we do", he said.

Yogic exercises like Sudarshan Kriya has shown superb results in the treatment of physical and psychological ailments, he revealed. He added that one should remain in the present, as oscillation of the mind between past and future brings anxiety.

Mr Balraj, Vice-President, DMCH Managing Society, gave a memento to Mr Trehan on this occasion. Those present on the occasion included, Dr G. S. Wander, Medical Superintendent, DMCH; Dr Sandeep Puri, Deputy Medical Superintendent and Dr Daljit Singh, Dean Academics.

Blood donation camp organised by SBI
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — The State Bank Of India, Zonal Office, today celebrated the second anniversary of its establishment. A blood donation and medical check-up camp was organised on the occasion. Mr Deepak Shantaram Bengali, Deputy General Manager, inaugurated the camp.

According to a press note, a number of SBI pensioners gathered to revive old memories. More than 50 staff members donated blood. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bengali highlighted the achievements of Ludhiana module, comprising of nine districts of Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Nawanshehar, Bhatinda, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot and Mansa.

Mr Bengali disclosed that the bank would soon operationalise the Depository Participant Services at Civil Lines, for sale and purchase of shares. Another achievement of Ludhiana Module during the last year had been launching of the Gold Sale and Gold Deposit schemes through the Civil Lines branch, he added.

Dwelling upon the role of the bank, Mr Bengali revealed that Ludhiana Module bagged the Chief General Manager's trophy last year for holding the maximum number of community services banking activities. He said during the current financial year, the module had so far conducted 282 activities comprising of 4 blood donation camps, 50 medical check-up camps, 10 tree plantation drives and several other activities.

Mr D. C. Handa and Mr Vijay Kalia, Deputy General Secretaries of SBI Staff Association and SBI Officers Association respectivel, congratulated their colleagues and expressed satisfaction that establishment of the zonal office at Ludhiana had facilitated speedier decisions in all spheres.

The kindness of Doctor Bibi
by M.S.Cheema

We know that the world is changing fast; but Ludhiana is changing even faster. With the migration of three-fourth of the city’s population, the demography looks different. The influx of migrants has further affected the character and composition of its population.

I am not a social historian, but I have been watching the graph of a few communities critically. The presence of Grewals elicits interest. Although they comprise a small part of Ludhiana’s population, their presence is effective. They are noticeable in all walks of life. They are a blessed tribe, perhaps a doubly blessed one. One from amongst them was herself not blessed, but she blessed others manifold. I talk of a rare lady. To her lot fell more thorns than roses, but the thorns she picked out one by one.

This lady was Dr. Shivdev Kaur, M.B.B.S. She obtained her degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. Shivdev Kaur was the daughter of an eminent physician and surgeon, Dr Hira Singh, who hailed from Gujjarwal, which is the nursery of Grewals who later spread to 52 villages in the present district. Dr Hira Singh’s status can be judged from the fact that a important road linking (Government) College road with Rani Jhansi Road carries his name. It is strange that this educated and progressive family married its daughter even before she was in her teens. Cruel fate resulted in the early death of her husband.

The true story of her courage, efforts and determination started after she passed her matriculation and then academically qualified for joining a medical college. Shivdev Kaur is an example to those who want to fight misfortune.

The most glorious chapter of her life includes her concern for the down-trodden. She adopted, educated and married off many girls. The wife of a well-known Cabinet Minister, Prithvi Singh, was looked after by Bibiji.

She spent most of the money she earned in the service of the suffering ones. She was the medical superintendent of a number of institutions run by the Chief Khalsa Dewan. Thousands of students admired her healing touch.

Though essentially a lonely person, it was her fortitude and empathy that provided her company. She was respected as Bibiji or Doctor Bibi. Most of the Grewals addressed her as Bhuaji. She never wanted honours or awards, but they came to her in the form of sincere gratitude. Such was this daughter of Ludhiana.

Badal attends bhog of Makkar’s wife
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, was in the city, today on a social visit to console his associates in grief. He participated in a bhog of akhand path in memory of Mrs Mohinder Kaur, wife of Mr Avtar Singh Makkar, a senior SAD leader and one of the vice presidents of the district Akali jatha, at Model Town Extension here. He also went to the residence of Mr Yash Pal Choudhry, a prominent functionary of the Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj and general secretary of the district unit of the SAD, to mourn the death of his mother Mrs Krishna Devi.

Paying tributes to Mrs Mohinder Kaur, the Chief Minister described her as a deeply devoted religious personality, who during her whole life, remained active to serve the poor and the needy. He said the Makkar family was well-known for their selfless service in religious, social and political fields with valuable contribution in providing quality education to the students belonging to the weaker sections of the society with a view to provide them equal opportunities of competitions.

The Chief Minister said for an active social and political person, the untimely demise of the life partner, who had been completely shouldering the entire responsibilities of the household, was life shattering, not only for the surviving partner, but for the whole family. Expressing sympathies with the family, he prayed for the peace of the departed soul and courage to Mr Makkar and his family members to bear the irreparable loss.

On this occasion, prominent among others who paid tributes to Mrs Mohinder Kaur were Bhai Kewal Singh,jathedar of Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Technical Education Minister, Punjab, Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.S. Sandhu, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Mr Kuldip Singh, SSP, Mr Amarjit Singh Bhatia, senior vice president of district unit of SAD, Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, president, AISSF, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhilon, general secretary of the youth wing of SAD, Mr Bhag Singh Malha, chairman, PUNSUP, Mr Bachan Singh Cheema, MLA, Mr Satpal Gosain, MLA, Mr Gurmail Singh Sangowal and Mr Harsurinder Singh Gill, both SGPC members.

Earlier Mr Badal, accompanied by senior party functionaries and district officers, went to the residence of Mr Yash Pal Choudary, senior leader of Bhartya Valmiki Dharam Samaj and general secretary of district Akali Jatha (Urban) to mourn the death of his mother, Mrs Krishana Devi, who died early last week.

CRIME

1 kg of opium seized
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — The police has seized 1 kg of opium from a miscreant during a naka near the Jawaddi bridge, here last night.

Lallo, a resident of Kishanpura in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested by a police party led by Mr Jaswinder Singh, SHO, Model Town police station. A case under Sections 18, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused.

One injured: Sanjeev Kumar was injured when he was hit by a truck (PB10-F 0925) on August 23. A case under Section 279 of the IPC has been registered against the driver of the truck.

Rs 30,000 stolen: A purse containing Rs 30,000 and a credit card of Mrs Meenu Aggarwal have been stolen from outside New Durga Mata Mandir in Sarabha Nagar. It is learnt that the victim had gone to the temple along with other members of the Sarabha Ladies Club to participate in the Janamashtmi festivities. A case under Section 379 of the IPC has been registered.

BUSINESS

LSE ROUNDUP

The Ludhiana stock market index closed slightly higher at 132.95 points on 25.08.2000 ( the last day of current settlement) against the close of previous settlement at 132.15 ( 18.08. 2000). In all, the index gained .80 points this week. The market though opened with bullish trend, had volatility in all major scrips during all the days of this settlement and finally closed with bullish mood ruling all over the market. Especially infotech scrips were the most actively traded scrips with high volatility during this week. The major gainer at the end of this settlement against their previous closing prices were Zee Telefilms 488.95( 427.85), TELCO 95.05(89.75). Satyam 566.00(519.80), Silver Line 427.65(363.00), Reliance Capital 105.15(88.75) and the looser was Reliance Industries 334.66(337.15).

Vardhman Spinning and General Mills Limited, flagship company of Vardhman Group came out with the audited Balance Sheet recently. The turnover of the Company increased by 7.36% from Rs 428 crore for the year 1998-99 to Rs 459 crore for the year 1999-2000. Profit before depreciation, interest and tax increased from Rs 91 crore to Rs 98 crore reflecting an increase of Rs 7 crore in absolute terms and 7.69% in percentage terms. Profit after tax increased from Rs 30.80 crore to Rs 32.62 crore showing an increase of Rs 1.82 crore.

The textile industry all over the world is witnessing unprecedented changes. The industry is going through sluggishness for the past five years. The restructuring and consolidation in the gloabal textile industry has affected the Indian textile industry also . The implementation of GATT agreement would bring out real heroes, who have worked hard in the past anticipating the likely changes in the international textile business. A unified textile chain is the logical objective of any company,which would want to withstand the threats posed by the blurring of international boundaries. The Government has done a commendable job in this direction by establishment of Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme, which is assisting the textile industry in modernisation of its operations and achieving cost and quality competitiveness.

The company is in field of production of yarn and fabric. During the year ended March 2000, production of yarn increased from 23,150 mt to 25,600 MT , showing an increase of 10.58%. However, the export of yarn decreased from Rs 80 crore to Rs 73 crore. The production of other product of the Company which is fabric, increased from 131 lakh metres to 156 lakh metres, registering an increase of 19%, as a result of increase in number of looms in Auro Weaving Mills, a unit of the Company at Baddi.

The Company has tied up Rs 63 crore from ICBI for setting up of a fabric process and for expansion of Auro Weaving Mills, a unit of the company at Baddi. The Company has also arranged a foreign currency loan of US Dollars 4 million for meeting capital expenditure requirement. The Company has initiated several marketing strategies. Till last year, the Company was only producing grey fabric. the Company has launched several value added variety of fabric including cotton lycra and yarn dyed fabric, mainly used in shirtings and bottom weights. In the product category of yarns, the Company continued introducing new varieties of grey, dyed and speciality fabric brands of the Company like Paragon, Harmony, Daffodil and Rainbow are well accepted in the market. The company moved another step further to meet the requirements of Indian consumers by introducing a ready to knit pack of hand knitting yarns with accessories such as buttons and zippers etc. This is a right step for the Company to move up the chain of value added products such as readymade pullovers and cardigans.

The Company has lined up several project expansions and projects for technological upgradation to enhance its competencies in the near future. The Company has completed its project in the name of Auro Textiles with an initial capacity of 20 million metres with an investment of Rs 80 crore. The project was commissioned on 01.12.99. Auro spinning Mills, the spinning unit of theCompany at Baddi was also technologically upgraded with an investment of Rs 27 crore. The Company has plans to set up a spinning unit with a capacity of 15,000 spindles and a weaving plant of 110 looms at Ludhiana at an estimated project cost of Rs 103 crore. The Company also was plans for expansion and technological upgradation of its spinning and dying units at Ludhiana.

During the year 1999-2000, the scrip touched a high of Rs 77 in the month of August 99 and a low of Rs 54 in the months of April 99 and March 2000. the recent hammering by bears has seen the scrip touching new lows. The scrip is hovering at Rs 47 at BSE.

The markets are witnessing a consolidation phase in the ICE sector in which the markets usually remain volatile. The undercurrent is strong, though the investors are booking profits at various levels due to the recent sharp fall in bourses. Currently, sectors like refinery and petroleum , fast moving consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are offering quality stocks at right prices. However, steel, power, cement and infrastructure related stocks would be of interest when the government starts implementing its massive project plans. In the ICE sector, the investors should pick up select stocks which have strong fundamentals and good track record.

Seminar on product diversification
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 27 — A seminar on product diversification and technology trends will be organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation in cooperation with National Institute of Fashion Technology and Knitwear Club here on August 29.

According to Mr Vinod K. Thapar, president, Knitwear Club, the seminar had been conceptualised keeping in mind the industry’s need for diversification into new products and technologies.The panel of experts would highlight these issues along with the current trend in knits, future technology for the knitwear industry, innovative fibres and innovative processing.

Technology is the buzzword in any part of the world that is moving ahead with time and technology upgradation and product diversifications are the need of the hour. The garment industry is no exception and has been upgrading itself both on technology as well as product diversification front ever since its inception.

The Indian garment industry has been known as manufacturers and suppliers of low value product mainly catering to overseas buyers mainly in the summer, which has very short period, thus giving Indian exporters a small market share.The debate to expand our fabric base and diversification into new product has been going on in various platforms.

Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, will be the chief guest at the seminar.