L U D H I A N A

From a countryside girl to Mayor
ISSOWAL (Ludhiana), Sept 30 — It has been a long odyssey of struggle, triumph and accomplishment for a countryside Jat Sikh girl who started as a nurse in early sixties here and became a Mayor in England.

Bibi Jagir Kaur Sekhon, Mayor of Greenwich, with her husband Mahan Singh Sekhon at her native village of Issowal near Ludhiana. — Photo by Rajesh Bhambi

PAU faculty opposes abolition of posts
LUDHIANA, Sept.30 — The teachers of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) are sore over the decision of the Board of Management of the varsity to abolish over 300 faculty positions. They say that such a decision would seriously impair the teaching, research and extension activities in the university.

Pin-pricking incidents baffle police
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — After causing terror in the Doaba region of the state, a gang indulging in pricking poison laced pins into the bodies of unsuspecting people is allegedly active in the city.

COMMUNITY

Residents resent hike in oil prices
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — The curtain has been finally raised to increase the prices of petro products, though not in the day light but at mid night. The Petroleum Minister, Mr Ram Naik, announced the hike in oil prices last night. The Government hopes to collect at least Rs 8000 crore through this measure.

Ramayana appeals as it is relevant
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — Ramlila pandals and stages dot the city nowadays for the 10-day performance narrating the Ramayana. There is a great deal of enthusiasm among residents of the city. Pandit Mahanand ji of Dandi Swami Tapowam Ashram informed that Ramlila starts with the birth of Rama, after the three queens of Dashrath — Kaushalya, Kaikayee and Sumitra take the prasaad of yagya and ends on Vijay Dashmi or Dasehra the symbol of victory of good over evil.

Dasehra on October 7
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — The Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar (east) Welfare Society will organise Dasehra on October 7.

Guarding against future shock
It is generally believed that the past is dead and the future uncertain. Such an attitude no doubt relieves the mind of much tension but it is more or less an illusion. The reality is that the past gnaws into the present and the future foreshadows the present. 

Flavour of the month
ANOTHER month of the new millennium is coming to an end. The atmosphere seems to be charged those who can feel it. The change in the atmosphere has been imperceptible, but there has been a definite change with the beginning of Navratras. This week a delegate of ISKCON from Kanal had come to see off people for the Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra to Puri.

CRIME

3 city residents arrested
KHANNA, Sept 30 — Under a special drive launched against anti-social elements, the police has arrested five persons, including two girls.

BUSINESS

‘Difficult phase for cycle industry’
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — The cycle industry is passing through a difficult phase. Hundreds of units have been forced to close down due government’s anti-industry policies as well as lack of changes in the industry, said Mr G.L. Pahawa, president of the United Cycle and Parts Association. He was speaking at the 33rd general body meeting of the association.

Wrought iron furniture is here to stay
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — Heavy furniture is a passe. And what is in fashion is the beautifully crafted wrought iron furniture. The trend which has its roots in Bangalore and has already picked up in Chandigarh, is the current rage here.

All set for NABARD Capital Gains Bond
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — All arrangements had been made for the floating of Capital Gains Bond to be issued by NABARD for absorbing the capital gains arising out of the transfer of long-term capital assets in term of new Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act,1961, consequent to the Government of India issuing an ordinance on September 26 last, according to Mr. M.G.Marwaha, Executive Director, NABARD.

Black market of kerosene alleged
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — Mr Joginder Kumar and Mr Man Mohan Singh Ubhi, president and secretary of the Ludhiana Electroplates Association, respectably, have lamented the decision of hiking the price of petroleum products. They alleged that the rates of petrol and diesel were fixed when the crude oil price was $ 20 but when the price of crude oil had come down to $ 10, the benefits were not passed on to the consumers. 

LSE poll results
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — Mr Jaspal Singh and Mr T.S. Thapar have been elected Directors in the Ludhiana Stock Exchange Management. The election was held today.

EDUCATION

An evening of fun, music
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — Yesterday was a night of fun, splendour, music, dance combined with lights and excitement of students of College of Veterinary, who celebrated ''vets night'' at Pal Auditorium, PAU, after a gap of over 15 years.

CULTURE

Environmental awareness through poster-making, fancy dress competitions
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — To bring about awareness on environmental pollution in children, inter-house poster-making and fancy dress competitions were held at BCM Arya Model School here today.

HEALTH

‘Cancer patients need moral support’
LUDHIANA, Sept 30 — The 18th Public Health Lecture on Breast Cancer was held at the Dumra Auditorium of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. Dr J.D. Wig, Department of Surgery, PGIMER, Chandigarh delivered the lecture, which was conducted by the health education cell of DMCH.