L U D H I A N A

Old couple found murdered
Migrant labourer main suspect
MACHHIWARA, Nov 21 — In yet another incident of heinous crime allegedly involving a migrant labourer, an old couple, Mr Surat Singh (70) and his wife, Ms. Gurcharan Kaur (65) , was reportedly done to death on Monday night at Ramgarh village, near here. The servant of the slain couple, Raju, a migrant from UP, is suspected to be the main culprit behind the crime. He had absconded.

Sepoy cremated with military honours
NURPUR BET (LUDHIANA), Nov 21 — The mortal remains of Gurpal Singh of the 6 Sikh Light Infantry were consigned to flames with full military honours in his native village here today, with thousands of persons, including Lieut-Gen Surjit Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command, Mr S.R. Kaler, Additional Deputy Commissioner, and Mr Kuldip Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, attending his funeral.

Two arrested in Roopak murder case LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — “He screamed when I tried to strangulate him. I got scared and let go of him for a split second, but immediately decided to finish the job. I tied the cloth around his neck with all my force and in a few minutes — he was dead.

The two accused involved in the kidnapping and murder of Roopak Kumar. — Photo by Rajesh Bhambi

Will renaming serve any aim?
HAIBOWAL (Ludhiana), Nov 21 — Haibowal Kalan will be rechristened as Shankarcharya Nagar on November 23. This renaming has had a mixed response from the residents. Some of them feel the renaming will stimulate positive feelings and a sense of belonging among the residents.

Class IV employees clash over protest; 6 hurt
Ludhiana, Nov 21 — Class IV employees of the Irrigation department, who were protesting against the transfer of eight of their colleagues by XEN H. S. Dhaliwal in front of his office here today, were subjected to violence by employees loyal to the officer.

Civil Hospital sans water
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — The recent decision of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation to stop water supply during day has already had its impact on the civic life in the city. However, the Civil Hospital appears to be faced with acute crisis.

Gang of thieves busted; 5 held
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — The Focal Point police claims to have busted a gang of robbers while they were planning to commit a few heinous crimes in the locality. The police has also recovered some arms and ammunition from them.

Rival groups clash; case registered
SAHNEWAL, Nov 21 — A case has been registered by the Sahnewal police regarding a feud that took place between the two groups running audio cassette shops.

Chance arrest of murderer
KHANNA, Nov 21 — The police today arrested a Bihar resident, Ajab Lal, from Saloudi village near here. During interrogation, he admitted that he, along with two others, had killed Sant Faqir Mohammad in Bhattian village on September 30. He is also wanted in two cases of murder in Bihar.

Study recommends neem-based insecticides
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Recent research conducted by a scholar from the Department of Entomology of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has revealed that the whitefly, a dangerous insect of the cotton crop, can be effectively controlled by using neem-based insecticides.

 

LUDHIANA CALLING THE widening of roads, construction of flyovers and medians notwithstanding, traffic bottlenecks within the city continue to multiply. The worst traffic bottlenecks are between Jagraon Bridge and Old Subzi Mandi chowk; the entire old or walled city; from Mata Rani Chowk to Fountain Chowk and from Fountain Chowk to Old District Courts Chowk and Domorhia Bridge.

COMMUNITY

Janata Dal (S) to protest against govt policies
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Lashing out at the Centre and the state government for pursuing such policies that are detrimental to the interests of farmers, trade and industry and the people, the Janata Dal (S) has announced to launch a mass agitation throughout the country, which will commence with gherao of Parliament in Delhi on December 14. Besides, senior leaders of the party, former Prime Ministers H. D. Deve Gowda, V. P .Singh, I. K. Gujral and Chandra Shekhar will join the protest and address the rally.

Babies up for adoption
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Mr and Mrs C. A. Anand (names changed) were without a child even 10 years after their marriage. Mrs Anand was keen to adopt a child but her husband was not too sure. Finally, they decided to adopt an infant daughter of their cousin who already had three daughters. The little girl brought sunshine into the lonely couple’s life.

The unwanted girl child
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Child adoption brings into focus the state of affairs in our male-dominated society. Male infants are rarely given away for adoption. A majority of the babies that are offered are females.

Khanna police launches women, child helpline
KHANNA, Nov 21 — The Khanna police has launched a women and child helpline, the first of its type in Punjab, at a function held at the local Improvement Trust Building, here today. This was inaugurated by Justice V. K. Khanna, Chairman, Human Rights Commission, Punjab.

YC flays stoppage of water supply
Ludhiana, Nov 21 — The District Youth Congress (DYC), has strongly criticised the civic body’s move to discontinue water supply during the day and has called upon the municipal administration to immediately withdraw this ‘anti-people’ decision.

Accident victims remembered
DORAHA, Nov 21 — A Bhog ceremony in memory of the accident victims of Kauri village was performed here yesterday. The accident had taken place on the night of November 26, 1998, in which about 220 persons were killed.

BUSINESS

For them, winter means good business
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Most of the rehriwalas selling omelette spell omelette as “aamlate’, but it does not matter. The only thing that matters is that it should be delicious. A number of rehriwalas making omelettes outside the District Courts are doing good business as winter has set in. Most of them have been there from many years.

EDUCATION

Music contests at youth fest
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Contests for shabads, ghazals, geets, Indian classical singing, ghazals, vaar, and folk songs marked the third day of the Panjab University youth festival of Zone-A at Khalsa College for Women here today.

A modern day kanya gurukul?
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Would like to know what a modern-day gurukul is all about ? Then perhaps a visit to the Arya Kanya Gurukul in Shastri Nagar, which is the only one of its kind in the city, will surely enlighten you. And if you happen to be a devout Arya Samaji or to have a Vedic bent of mind, you may even get tempted to get your little daughter admitted in there.

Fill posts on regular basis, say teachers
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — The Government School Teachers Union, Punjab, has demanded that all the vacant posts of teachers be filled on regular basis. They also said they would not tolerate teachers’ appointments on contract basis or on fixed salary of Rs 2000.

Striking students meet management
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — To diffuse tense atmosphere created in the college following three days of strike, the Principal and the members of the management held a meeting with the students of Arya College for Boys here today.

PCCTU objects to PU Senate nominations
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — In a letter addressed to the Chancellor of Panjab University, Mr Krishan Kant, the Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) has demanded renewal of nominations made to the university Senate.

HEALTH

IMA censures doctors’ advertising
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — The Punjab unit of Indian Medical Association has unanimously opposed advertising by doctors and urged newspaper managements to refuse displaying their advertisements. A resolution to this effect was passed at the state working council meeting of the IMA held here under the chairmanship of its president, Dr O. P. S. Kande.

Homoeopathy gradually gaining ground
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — With more and more people turning to natural cures for various ailments, homoeopathy is fast gaining ground in the city and many local homoeopaths are becoming known for treating various ailments.

Heart centre coming up in DMC
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Dayanand Medical College and Hospital will shortly start a Hero DMC Heart Centre - a unique tertiary cardiac care centre in Ludhiana. This biggest heart centre of north India will be operational in the last week of January 2001.

SPORT

Geeta best athlete 
LUDHIANA, Nov 21 — Geeta Rani of Class VIII was crowned best athlete in the inter-house athletics meet of Ramgarhia Girls Senior Secondary School, here today. Geeta bagged a gold medal and a bronze medal in the shot put (junior) and 100m (sub-junior) categories, respectively.

Football tourney postponed