 |
|
| Monday, October 30, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
High Priests must quit: Tohra No violation of Sikh
‘maryada’: Langah PAC to decide on
new SGPC chief More global flights from Amritsar HP, Punjab must
resolve old issues: Dhumal Teachers’ demand
justified: Mohan Lal |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steps taken for paddy storage: Mittal
Sustaining the yield of wheat Cracks appear in
houses Panel to review
SCs’ condition Underground water harming teeth Two killed as gas
cylinder bursts Tributes paid to
Maj Sikanderjit Badal’s foreign
tour put off
Wife, paramour held
for murder
Results of Punjabi literary
contest
|
|
High Priests must quit: Tohra AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) has decided to mobilise public opinion for seeking the resignation of all five Sikh High Priests, including Jathedar, Akal Takht, for having “failed” to safeguard
“Sikh maryada”. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, said here that the amendment in the “hukamnama” on the “langar” issue was unfortunate and unprecedented in the 397-year history of Akal Takht. He said a joint “Panthic convention” had been convened at Ludhiana on November 15 to decide on the future course of action to safeguard Sikh traditions. Leaders of other Akali factions, including Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, Mr Kuldip Singh Wadala, Mr Jasbir Singh Rode and the Sant Samaj had been invited to the convention. Mr Tohra, who was accompanied by Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, a former Akali minister, and Mr Onkar Singh Arora, city president, SHSAD, demanded that all five Sikh High Priests quit on “moral” grounds. “They did not have any right to amend the hukmanamas issued by Akal Takht”, he said. He expressed surprise that four Jathedars had been party to the “hukmanama” issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh on April 20, 1998, on the “langar” issue. He alleged that the Jathedars had “no guts to protect the Sikh maryada”. Describing Prof Manjit Singh as a “coward”, Mr Tohra alleged that he was responsible for “denigrating” Akal Takht as he had not taken action against Mr Parkash Singh Badal when he (Mr Badal) refused to appear before Akal Takht. Mr Tohra said being an SGPC member, Mr Sucha Singh Langah, PWD Minister, could not propagate any religion. He said Mr Langah had organised 501 Ramayan paths in his Assembly constituency, Dhariwal, with an eye on the vote bank. Mr Tohra ruled out the possibility of unity with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal which had taken “anti-Panthic” decisions. Mr Tohra said neither he nor his nominee would contest the forthcoming election of President, SGPC, to be held in November. He said his faction did not have adequate majority for contesting the election. “So far as Mr Badal is in power, we cannot contest the President’s election”, he said. |
|
No violation of Sikh
‘maryada’: Langah GURDASPUR, Oct 29 — Mr Sucha Singh Langah, PWD minister and member of the SGPC, talking to mediapersons at Dhariwal today said the performance of 501 paths of Ramayana by a cross-section of people, including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians did not involve violation of the Sikh
“rehat maryada” as claimed by his adversaries. The paths were held in accordance with his pledge at Anandpur Sahib during the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa for promotion of peace and prosperity in Punjab. Mr Langah said as a true Sikh he was dutybound to implement his pledge. Meanwhile, the Bhog of 501 paths of Ramayana was performed today with religious fervour. Religious leaders from 70 institutions of Hindus from Brindaban, Haridwar, Chamba, Jammu, Mumbai and the USA participated, including Sant Kashmira Singh, president, Sant Samaj, Sant Parmanand (Haridwar) Sant Arvindra Nath (USA) and Sant Parkashan (Chamba). Mr Balramji Das Tandon, Local bodies Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Revenue Minister, and Mr Natha Singh Dalam, Public Relations Minister, also participated. Three SGPC members — Darshan Singh Kaunta, Mr Bakhshish Singh Dharowali and Mr Dilbagh Singh — also attended the bhog. The paths were performed under the aegis of religious leaders who undertook padyatra from Hazoor Sahib to Anandpur Sahib during tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa. A langar was organised on the occasion by citizens of Dhariwal and the district unit of the Akali Dal. All speakers praised the PWD Minister for having organised the event which they said, would contribute towards the promotion of unity and integrity of the country. This would also promote peace and harmony in the state. Members of the VHP, the Bajrang Dal, the Shiva Sena, the Durga Vahini and workers of the BJP and the SAD took active part in making the event a success. |
|
PAC to decide on
new SGPC chief PATIALA, Oct 29 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Shiromani Akali Dal Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC ) would decide the party candidate for election to the post of president of the SGPC. Talking to newsmen here where he had come to attend a seminar on’ Science and engineering for holistic development organised by the Brahm Kumari organisation, the Chief Minister said the PAC would meet to decide the issue before the elections scheduled for November end. Mr Badal, however, denied there was any pressure on him to seek the resignation of SGPC chief Jagir Kaur in the light of the FIR registered against her in the Harpreet death case . He said there was no question of removing Jagir Kaur from her post due to a case being registered against her. “Registration of a criminal case does not make anybody a criminal ”, he added . The Chief Minister said there was no request from the CBI requesting the state Home Ministry to trace Nishan Singh, a driver of the SGPC chief who is wanted by the investigating authority in the case. He said the police was trying to trace Nishan Singh. He declined to comment on whether senior Akali leader Surjit Singh Barnala was being made Governor of Uttaranchal . Earlier, while addressing a congregation of Brahm Kumaris, Mr Badal said despite rapid development in the scientific arena there was a decline in ethical values in society which needed to be remedified . He said all reliegions preached values of truth and brotherhood and people belonging to different religions should translate the teachings of their saints and gurus in their day-to- day life. The Chief Minister lamented that corruption had become all pervading and that politicians and bureucrats were not fulfiling their duties properly. He said the country was facing a social crisis due to this . Brahm Kumari training camp director Manohar Indra while speaking on the occasion said spirituality was the art and science of human life and was not limited to any one religion. He said this was a way to link oneself with god and that it brought peace, happiness and purity in ones life . Brahm Kumari science and engineering section national convenor
B.K. Mohan Singhal said spirituality and science complimented each other. He said without spirituality science remained incomplete. He said it was unfortunate that this aspect was being ignored in present day society. |
More global flights from Amritsar AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — The Principal Secretary to the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Ramesh Inder Singh, has reiterated the government’s commitment to put the historic city of Amritsar on the global air map by providing the direct connectivity to further explore avenues of trade, commerce and information technology. Mr Ramesh Inder Singh, who is also the Secretary for Industries and Commerce, was reacting to a news item published in a section of the press quoting the Amritsar Vikas Manch that there is no international airport in the state. He denied that he has given any such statement. What he had said was that if we want to give a boost to information technology in Punjab, we must have direct access with the leading IT centres of Silicon Valley, Europe, Canada, the secretary clarified. He had suggested that direct flights should start from the Amritsar international airport to these places to give a philip to IT in Punjab from where an exchange of latest knowhow and infrastructure could be effected. He further said the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had discussed with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and officials of the Airport Authority of India the ways and means to upgrade and modernise the Amritsar international airport which is coming up as Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport. He stressed that efforts were afoot to negotiate with the British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada and other leading international airlines to start more direct flights from Amritsar.  |
|
HP, Punjab must
resolve old issues: Dhumal JALANDHAR, Oct
29 — The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof P.K. Dhumal, today
said that a new era of cooperation could be ushered between Himachal
Pradesh and Punjab, provided some long-pending issues between the two
states were resolved. Prof Dhumal, addressing a press conference,
said though a number of issues had been resolved during the past few
years, there were a few outstanding problems which were a stumbling
block in the way of improvement of relations between the two
states. He said though the Bhakra Dam was constructed on land
belonging to Himachal Pradesh, the hill state was not provided with
the benefits according to the inter-state norms. “According to law,
we have the right over 12 per cent of the power generated from the
dam, but we are neither getting power nor water,” he said. Hundreds
of people who got displaced from their hands had not been
rehabilitated. Moreover, Himachal had no representation in the
Bhakra-Beas management Board (BBMB) and had yet to get a share of land
in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation
Act. Prof Dhumal said even non-agriculturist Himachali's could not
purchase agricultural land, but efforts were being made to open the
state for non-Himachalis by way of inviting them to set-up industry or
tea gardens. “At some places, residential flats have been sold to
people not belonging to Himachal,” he said. Earlier, speaking at an
interaction, “Dreams of Building a Vibrant India,” organised by
local citizens last night, Prof Dhumal said it was the determination
of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, which made possible
for India to be a nuclear power. |
|
Teachers’ demand
justified: Mohan Lal GURDASPUR, Oct 29 — Mr Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, while talking to newspersons at Dhariwal today, justified the agitation launched by the teaching staff of 162 private colleges in the state regarding the grant of pension and gratuity. He added that in view of the financial crunch being faced by the Punjab Government it was unable to accept their demand in this regard. Mr Mohan Lal said the government had enacted the pension gratuity Act for private-aided colleges. But when the Bill was passed, the pay commission announced its recommendations. According to it, if the government granted gratuity and pension to lecturers of private-aided colleges, the government had to bear an additional 20 per cent burden which comes to about Rs 10 crore a year. Mr Mohan Lal said keeping in view the genuineness of the demand, the government was prepared to concede to their demand regarding pension from April 1, 2000, instead of April 1, 1996. But the teaching community is not prepared to give up the demand of arrears and are insisting the grant of pension and gratuity from April 1, 1996. Mr Mohan Lal said the UGC recommendations regarding the work culture in the colleges and universities of Punjab had been implemented. The universities and colleges henceforth would remain functional for 180 days a year against 73-77 days a year earlier. The deadline for the declaration of university’s results had also been fixed. Mr Mohan Lal said it was the effort of the government to minimise the tuition menace but added that the parents were not cooperating in this regard. The government would go to the extent of carrying on income raids on teachers conducting tuitions to check the menace. He said the teachers while taking up tuitions do not seek the permission of the respective principals which was binding in this regard. The minister for higher education said professional courses like computer application, information and technology, fashion designing and computer education had been introduced in government schools and colleges. Various computer manufacturing units had been contacted to provide computers in the colleges and schools to impart computer education. The minister added that the revision of the monthly stipend of ad hoc lecturers from Rs 4,000 per month of Rs 8,000 per month was in the offing and would be implemented after it was approved by the Cabinet sub-committee which was only a formality. The Chief Minister has already given the nod in this regard. As many as 600 ad hoc lecturers have been appointed in 48 government colleges in the state. |
Steps taken for paddy storage: Mittal ROPAR, Oct 29 — With just 10 days left for the completion of the paddy procurement process, the FCI is still to purchase its quota in various mandis of the state. The FCI till yesterday had procured just 24 per cent of the total paddy procured in the state. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, who was at Nangal till yesterday, said 91,73,360 tonnes of paddy had been procured in various mandis of the state so far. Out of this private traders had purchased 19,13,000 tonnes, state agencies 49,92,000 tonnes and the FCI just 22,68,000 tonnes. The procurement process would continue till November 10 and the purchase of paddy in the state was expected to cross 1 crore tonnes, he said. The incentive of Rs 30 per quintal had failed to encourage the millers to buy more paddy. Hence, the state agencies had been forced to bear the maximum burden of procurement and till yesterday these had procured about 55 of per cent of the total produce that had arrived in the mandis. Mr Mittal said all arrangements had been made for the storage of paddy. However, the real problem was the storage of levy rice. To solve this problem, a meeting has been fixed with Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shanta Kumar on November 8. Mr Mittal said the successful completion of the procurement the process in the state had “thwarted” the propaganda of the Congress. He visited Kalsehra, Adampur, Dobeta and Ghambirpur villages in his constituencies and held a workers’ meeting. |
|
Farm front: challenges ahead-II LUDHIANA: Some good always comes out of every bad situation. Take the present paddy procurement. It has brought into focus several problems related to Punjab agriculture and farmers. Not that these were unknown earlier. Only the focus is sharper. At Punjab Agricultural University here, scientists and specialists are sifting through piles of reports and data to “restructure and
reprioritise” problems and suggest plausible, practical ways out of the present impasse. Of immediate concern to these experts is how to sustain the present production and productivity levels, particularly in the case of wheat, the principal rabi crop. Area, production and yield trends in the past decade (taking 1990-91 as the base year) show that with slight fluctuation in the area under wheat, with the highest increase of 1.1 lakh hectares or 3.3 per cent, productivity increased from 3,715 kg per hectare to 4,704 kg per hectare, or 26.6 per cent, in 1999-2000. According to a wheat breeder, Dr
G.S. Nanda, there has been a significant shift in variety distribution in the past four years. It was the PBW 343 variety which took the north-western plains by storm. From a mere 9.09 per cent area in 1996-97, this variety covered 86.68 per cent area in 1999-2000. Its characteristics are a protein content of 11-12 per cent; disease resistant; does not lodge; and has a better grain and straw yield. A PAU variety, PBW 443, meant for irrigated tracts, has been particularly recommended for the north-eastern plains. For north-western rain-fed areas, it is PBW
396. PAU has a rich collection of wheat strains, around 12,000 lines. Research is now focused on the development of hybrid wheat varieties. Evolving a new high-yielding, quality variety is a tedious, painstaking process. It takes six to seven years before a variety is born, laboratory and field tested and released for general cultivation. This may not be so anymore, if what Dr Nanda reveals is any indication. To cut the process short, a “revolutionary” method is under trial crossing wheat and maize, adding relevant chemicals to get the homozygous stage activated in a much shorter duration. Homozygous is the stage whereafter there are no more changes in the intended cross-breed variety. A fair degree of success has already been achieved. Simultaneously, new agronomic techniques and practices are being tried out to cut down on the cost of cultivation and to obtain better yields. Dr Nanda mentions three such processes, including zero tillage. Sustainable production of foodgrains requires the application of new technology and investment. PAU needs both. Punjab agriculture lacks balance. The wheat and paddy rotation has adversely affected the ecology and natural resources: soil and water. Therefore, wheat breeders have to take this into account. Every variety cannot be recommended for sowing anywhere. Thus, breeders face a challenge finding suitable varieties as per the agronomic zones. Punjab has three distinct crop zones submontane (Gurdaspur,
Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala, constituting 4.6 lakh hectares; central plains (Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Ludhiana, and parts of Gurdaspur,
Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Sangrur accounting for 31.6 lakh hectares); and south-western
(Ferozepore, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa and Patiala with 14.1 lakh hectares). It is in these ecological and climatic zones that the focus has to be region and crop specific. Special crop belts, say for quality basmati, durum wheat, cotton and so on, have to be established and some of the zones kept exclusively for “export purposes”. This will also take care of “low” productivity blocks within each zone. For such blocks again specific technology and “farming models” that can be implemented will have to be designed to improve the financial status of the small peasantry. Punjab agricultural problems are essentially of these peasants. Dr Nanda refers to the “susceptibilities” of wheat to disease and the persistent problem of weeds, which compete for nutrients. The problem of “boom and burst” elements, harmful to wheat, also exists, making it necessary to keep evolving new varieties every five or six years to replace the old ones which fall a prey to smut and rust. The fear of Karnal bunt also persists. It is a cause of concern to wheat scientists. Primarily, research at PAU has been on “bread” wheat varieties, Though the yield of durum wheat is less, it fetches a higher price. It has “export qualities”. Therefore, research should also focus on durum wheat. The two durum varieties, PBW 34 and PDW 215, are equivalent to US Grade I
durum. Another PAU variety, PDW 233, has been found suitable for worldwide use by Nestle on the basis of quality analysis in Switzerland. This variety is highly recommended for sowing in the country. During the current wheat season, a new variety, PDW 274, is undergoing adaptive trials. The Research Evaluation Committee of the university has approved it. It should, hopefully, be available next year. But it is high time research was directed from purely “bread” wheat to “bakery” wheat keeping in view the demand in the international market. Punjab, perhaps, will do great service to agriculture if it can come up with legislation ensuring the cultivation of only the recommended crops in the given zones. This will provide economic succour to farmers, take care of low productivity blocks (where farmers can be compensated by other means) and solve the problem of plenty and related consequences. Increasing input efficiency is as important for higher production as lowering the cost of production. Dr Nanda is aware of the problem and paradox of “plenty” and “poverty” of 300 million poor who cannot afford to buy food. For them, food remains a luxury. But foodgrain production must go on; and at an accelerated rate to match the population growth. The only outlet for “surplus” wheat is exports and balancing demand and supply in the internal market. Of the five centres of advanced studies and training at
PAU, one is in genetics and plant breeding. Dr Nanda, Head of the Department of Plant Breeding, says sustaining yield levels is a big challenge; so is incorporating alternative genetic sources for different disease patterns in the new varieties and improving quality. The Punjab economy is rooted in agriculture, in which wheat plays a pivotal role. It is sown over nearly 34 lakh hectares every rabi year with the state continuing to improve its track record in wheat procurement every year. The total value of wheat output in 1999-2000 was more than Rs 9,000 crore. Last year the wheat production was 159 lakh
tonnes, a record, thanks to timely sowing, favourable weather and the predominance of a high-yielding variety; PBW 343. One has to bear one thing in mind: wheat is sown at the cost of gram, lentil, barley, rapeseed and mustard in the sense that a large area has been shifted from these cash crops to wheat because of an assured market and price. (To be continued ) |
|
Farmers’ ‘rail roko’
stir continues AJITWAL (Moga), Oct 29 (UNI) — Rail traffic on Ferozepore Ludhiana section of Northern Railway remained suspended for the second day today. Several hundred farmers, including 100 women, continued their blockade of rail track here on Moga-Ludhiana railway line. Addressing the agitators at the railway track here, the Bharatiya Kisan Union
(Ekta) leaders said the blockade would continue till their four demands were met. |
|
Cracks appear in
houses KAPURTHALA, Oct 29 — Fear prevails among residents of the local Ram Gali near Jallowkhana over the cracks which have appeared in the walls and floors of their houses during the past one week. Residents of the locality stated that cracks had developed because of underground leaking pipes. The problem was more prevalent in old localities. They alleged that they had gone to meet the Executive Officer of the local municipal council to plug the leakages but she allegedly refused to meet them and asked them to contact her on phone. The residents also met Mr Ashok Aggarwal President of the local municipal council, who assured them that the repairs would be done soon, but no work has been done so far. |
|
Panel to review
SCs’ condition BATHINDA, Oct 29 — Mr Harinder Singh Khalsa, member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, said today that he along with Mr Dalip Singh Bhuria, chairman of the commission, would review the condition of people of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in Punjab and Haryana from October 31. Addressing a press conference here, Mr Khalsa said during their visit to these states, they would evaluate the results of special component plans of respective governments apart from the utilisation of funds earmarked for such plans. He said if any bungling in the use of funds was found, the matter would be reported to the President of India. They would meet the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Governor, Lieut-Gen (retd) J.R.F. Jacob, he added. He said the team would also look into the matter relating to the promotions of the employees belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It had come to the notice of the commission that the employees belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes were being denied promotions on flimsy grounds, he added. Citing an example, he said, recently the Punjab Government had promoted 600 teachers as lecturers but not a single Scheduled Castes candidate figured among them. The commission had taken notice of it. He alleged that caste based violence in Punjab was very high. The commission was also looking into cases where the victim belonged to the Scheduled Castes, he
added. |
|
Underground water harming teeth FEROZEPORE, Oct 29 — Higher fluoride content in underground water is causing tooth decay at an alarming rate among people of Fazilka and Jalalabad towns of this border district. Due to inadequate supply of canal water, large section of the population uses underground water for drinking and often complains of tooth decay. The administration and the medical authorities admit that the problem is acute in this part of the state and attribute it to the presence of high fluoride content in underground water. It is also causing joint pains among middle aged persons. The situation is worst in Fazilka, where the authorities put the fluoride content rate at six to12 part per million in the underground water. This rate is much above the normal rate of one part per million. Inquiries revealed that on an average seven persons suffering from fluorisis report at the Fazilka Civil Hospital every day. Confirming this, the Dental Officer, Dr Neeta Kataria, said the problem was on account of excessive fluoride in water. “Tooth decay has virtually affected the whole of the local population”, she said. While fluorisis had affected people of all age groups, middle aged persons were increasingly complaining of joint pains, she added. This has prompted the residents to purchase mineral water. Certain dealers of same popular brands allegedly take water from canals and bottle it for sale. A number of shops selling mineral water charge delivery costs. The Fazilka SDM, Mr S.K. Singla, said the government was aware of the problem and had chalked out a project to provide river water to the residents through the public health network. A Rs 5-crore project was in the pipeline and likely to be completed within a year, he said. |
|
Two killed as gas
cylinder bursts PHILLAUR, Oct 29 — Two persons were killed and five injured, when a balloon seller’s cylinder, meant for filling gas into balloons burst at Baba Sein Bhagat Mela at Partappura village here yesterday. The deceased included balloon-seller Kundan Singh of Bhinku village Baba Bakala tehsil, Amritsar, and a groundnut-seller Budha Singh of Ramgarh, village. The injured included Amandeep Singh, Saudagar Singh, Pardeep, Gagandeep, and Navroop, the police said. Budha Singh died on the spot while Kundan Singh succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Ludhiana on
Saturday evening. Amandeep and Saudagar Singh were admitted to a hospital here while Pardeep, Gagandeep, and Navroop were admitted to hospital in Ludhiana. |
|
Tributes paid to
Maj Sikanderjit NAWANSHAHR, Oct 29 — Tributes were paid to Major Sikanderjit Singh Sra who sacrificed his life while saving the lives of his six colleagues in the Poonch-Rajouri sector on October 20 at a “bhog” and “antim ardas” ceremony organised at his native village Aur, 10 km from here, today. The Welfare Minister, Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, paying tributes to the martyr, said Major Sikanderjit Singh Sra was a source of inspiration for the youth. He said Government Primary School at Aur would be named after the martyr and a stadium would be built and named after him. |
|
Badal’s foreign
tour put off CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The proposed foreign visit of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has been postponed for the time being on the advice of the Ministry of External Affairs. This was stated by the Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Sarvesh
Kaushal, here today. Mr Badal was set to leave for Canada on October 31. |
Wife, paramour held
for murder AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — The city police today claimed to have solved the mystery behind the murder of financer Navin Sachdeva (38) whose body was found in the fields on Dhupi Road a day after Divali. It bore the marks of a sharp-edged weapon. A rope was found around the neck. The wife of the deceased and his partner in a financial concern had planned the murder for which they had paid ‘supari’ to anti-social elements. On the night of the murder, Navin left his house at 7.30 p.m. following a phone call from his partner, Amit Kunar (25), to settle a major financial deal. He told his wife, Madhu Sachdeva (32), that he would return after two hours but never did. According to Mr Kewal Kumar, SP, city, and Mr Chaman Lal, DSP, Madhu and Amit both lodged an FIR with the police after the “disappearance” of Navin. Both are now under arrest. The police became suspicious when it was revealed by neighbours and servants during interrogation that the two were lovers. Madhu runs Shingar Beauty Parlour in Rani Ka Bagh area here. She has two children. She had been married to Navin for eight years. Four persons — Sachin Arora, Manga, Rajesh and another also by the name of Sachin — who were hired to murder Naveen had absconded, the police said. Amit, who was produced before mediapersons, claimed it was at the instance of Madhu, with whom he had had an affair for the past one year, that he had murdered his business partner. However, Madhu denied the charge and claimed that Amit had carried out the murder on his own and she had been implicated because of her affair with him. |
Results of Punjabi literary
contest PATIALA,
Oct 29 — The Language Department holds a Punjabi literary competition every year in story writing, essay writing and prose. The winners of first, second and third prizes are awarded Rs 500, Rs 300 and Rs 200, respectively. Apart from this a special prize of Rs 200 is given to the participants below the age of 21 to encourage them. The winners of this year in the category of story writing are T.R. Sharma (first) for Apraadh Bhavna; Raghubir Singh Mahimi (second) for Pachtava; and Rupakshi Bagga (third) for Sahatya. The winners in the category of essay writting are S.S. Bareta (first) for Ik kead to duji kead ho gaye; Khushkirat Singh Ghooman (second) for Apna Ghar; and Ikbal Singh (third) for Khalse da sirjna divas. The winners in the category of prose writing are Balraj Mann (first) for Dandean; second shared by two namely Sukhminder Sekhon for Goodbye Mummy, Papa and S.S. Bareta for Zakhmi Punjab. The third prize too is shared by two namely Mahima Singh Halwara for Jagat naal vibharna hi sundaram hai and Preet Mahinder Sekhon for Ithe kamal ogde han. The special prize was awarded to Harpreet Kaur for Bharisht vidyak
dhanda. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 120 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
