L U D H I A N A

 

Strike paralyses work in banks LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The banking services remained paralysed today as the employees observed a strike in response to the call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions. The strike was observed to protest against the Central Government move to privatise the nationalised banks.

Bank employees participate in a rally near Bharat Nagar Chowk, Ludhiana, on Wednesday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Policemen beat up man
KHANNA, Nov 15 — Panic was created among the patients and their relatives at the local Civil Hospital when some police personnel allegedly beat up a young man, Mr Ajmer Singh, who had come to see his father, Mr Maghar Singh, a burns patient admitted to the hospital.

Police party returns empty-handed
Ludhiana, Nov 15 — A police party led by an Assistant Sub-Inspector of police, that had been sent to arrest a doctor of the rank of a Captain in the Army, allegedly at the behest of a police officer of the rank of a Superintendent of Police attached with the CM's security, has finally returned empty-handed. 

Panthic unity move by Tohra fails to take off
Ludhiana, Nov 15 — A panthic convention organised by the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), headed by former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, at Gurudwara Sabzi Mandi complex here today, practically failed to achieve its objective of bringing all Akali factions on one platform under the supremacy of Akal Takht. 

Abduction scare in family
Ludhiana, Nov 15 — A young girl's alleged kidnapping by a car-borne youth early in the morning today turned out to be a nightmare for the police. The parents of the girl have, however, refused to get a case registered.

Research fellows face bleak future
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — A large number of young scientists who are working as research fellows in different departments of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), face an uncertain future. Though they possess MSc /Phd degrees in agriculture and allied sciences, some of them have been working for a pittance in the form of a consolidated salary for a number of years.

Martyr cremated in native village
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — Havildar Devinder Singh of 22 Rashtriya Rifles was cremated with full military honours at Takhran, his native village, in the Samrala subdivision of this district.

Pardesi charms the native audience
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — He is called Mohammad Rafi of Punjab. His voice is well recognised throughout Kenya, where he went at the age of 14. Not a single Indian in Kenya is unfamiliar with his voice. In London too, Sunrise Radio and Radio Sabras in Leister have made him a darling of all Indians. His melodious voice charmed the audience in the Government College Auditorium last evening. 

Student factions clash
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — Two factions of students at the Arya College for Boys are on a collision course over the fee hike issue.

Youth fest from today
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The three-day zonal youth festival of Panjab University will begin at the Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, tomorrow.

COMMUNITY

Govt urged to go soft on rice 
Ludhiana, Nov 15 — Farmers of Punjab are happy after the Union Government has relaxed the quality standards for the procurement of paddy, from a 3 per cent damage to an 8 per cent damage, without lowering the minimum support price (MSP). 

Farmers demand agriculture channel 
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — Punjab farmers are usually futuristic. An exclusive T.V. channel on agriculture is on their mind. The idea was mooted at the monthly meeting of the Agriculture Production Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu here today.

62 pc of paddy was purchased by govt
MACHHIWARA, Nov 15 — About 9.13 lakh quintals of paddy arrived in the local grain market as compared to 8.9 lakh quintals last year. Out of it, 62 per cent paddy was purchased by the government agencies, whereas, the remaining was purchased by private traders. 

A cosmopolitan look for your home
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — This is a city of the rich and the famous. Residents here, believe in doing everything with pizazz and style. Be it their lifestyle, their cars, or their homes, everything has to be unique and “neighbour’s envy.”

Pensioners seek Jacob’s assistance
Ludhiana, Nov 15 — Members of the Government Pensioners Association have urged the Punjab Governor to help them in getting the recommendations of the fourth Punjab Pay Commission implemented.

Litter dumps dot cityscape
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The shaded area under the flyover near the Dhole Wal Chowk stinks with decomposing waste. Rotten vegetables, tiny pieces of rags, scattered paper litter the area. Recycled polythene bags give the place a bad look. Pigs have a field day going through the refuge. 

Animal welfare day observed
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension of PAU observed an animal welfare day at Kotli village (Ludhiana) on November 13, in collaboration with Milkfed.

• A clarification
  
  

EDUCATION

Mixed response to computer education
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The recent scheme of the state government to introduce computer education in government colleges of the state at nominal charges has received a mixed response in this city.

DAV library induces reading habits
Ludhiana, Nov 15 — The DAV School library is well stocked with 27,500 books on its shelves. The library subscribes to 40 journals and magazines that kindle interest of the students. According to Japinderjit of Class XI the library has latest books for the competitive exams like IIT and MBBS. We also get DAV journal, Young World, a quarterly magazine, he said.

• Conference on pharmacology
  
  

Water purifier company told to refund amount
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum today directed M/s Gauri Marketing Company Limited, Gurdev Nagar here, to refund an amount of Rs 5,842 along with interest of 12 per cent per annum to a resident of a colony near Cheema Chowk for supplying a sub-standard water purifier to him.

PSEB told to refund Rs 60,000
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum here today quashed a bill amount of about Rs 61,000, including surcharge, wrongly raised by the PSEB against a resident of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar here. The PSEB has also been directed to pay a compensation of Rs 7000 to the consumer for deficiency in service.

HEALTH

‘Epilepsy is curable’ 
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — “Generally, people have misconceptions about epilepsy and consider this as a result of evil spirits or some supernatural powers. The reality is that it is a disease which is easily curable by taking regular drugs.”

National Thalassaemic Day celebrated 
LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The District Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Association, in association with the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital yesterday organised a blood donation camp at the bar room to celebrate National Thalasemia Day. Mr S.S. Arora, District and Sessions Judge, inaugurated the camp in which more than 100 people donated blood for thalasemic patients.

Mobile dispensary scheme to be launched
FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 15 — The government has decided to introduce mobile dispensary scheme in the state, so that the people in remote rural areas may get medical facilities. This scheme would be completed within two years. 

SPORT

• District Boxing Championship