The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Woman ‘illegally’ detained
SHO accused of high-handedness
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — A one-and-half-yearlong dispute between two parties over a plot at Gurpreet Nagar Colony in the city took a curious turn today when Mr Petambar Singh Jolly, one of the party involved, alleged in a complaint letter to the Senior Superintendent of Police here that a police party, not accompanied by a police woman, from the Salem Tabri police station illegally picked up his wife , beat her at his residence and kept her in illegal detention in the police station.

The complainant later named Jaswinder Singh, SHO of the police station, Jarnail Singh, ASI, and other police force of the station of barging into their house on 9.00 p.m. last night. He said the police party lifted his wife Harjinder Kaur, pulled and pushed her as if she was a hardcore criminal.

SHO Jaswinder Singh, when contacted, today late evening denied all charges. He claimed that the complaint was false and woman police staff had accompanied them. He admitted that the police had gone to the house as the woman was wanted in a case. He said she was booked under Section 7 of the Protection of Civil Right Act, 1955, and Section 3 of the SC and ST Act, 1989, and a court of law had recently lifted the stay order on her arrest.

The complainant, on the other hand, claimed that the SHO was resorting to such measures to put pressure on the family to give a statement in his favour in a departmental inquiry initiated against the officer in his earlier high-handedness activities against the family.

The complaint also demanded that a medical examination of his wife be taken immediately and proper action be taken against the SHO for ill-treatment meted out to his wife and the family. He alleged that no member of the family was allowed to meet his wife in the police station also.

DMC comes to aid of Kargil victim
By Surbhi Bhalla

JANGPUR (LUDHIANA), Nov 22 — The management of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital has acknowledged the services of a brave soldier of the nation in the Kargil conflict. The management of the hospital have given a substantial financial help along with several other facilities to L/Nk Jatinder Singh and the other members of the family.

At a function organised at Jatinder Singh’s, native village, the management of the hospital today gave Rs. 50,000, to him in the form of Kisan Vikas Patras. Apart from this, they have decided to meet the medical expenses incurred on his own treatment and on the treatment of his wife, Mrs Jasbir Kaur, Tejbir Singh( son), Mr Gian Singh (father), Mr Jagroop Singh ( brother) and Mrs Amanpreet Kaur (sister in law).

It may be recalled L/Nk Jatinder Singh and his family were allegedly attacked by decoits at their village house on the night of September 24. His mother Gurdev Kaur and his sister Rupinder Jeet Kaur were killed and the other members, referred to above, were seriously injured in the attack.

It is important to mention that this function which was earlier scheduled on September 27,was postponed because of the tragedy.

L/Nk Jatinder Singh, who had lost both his legs in the Kargil war was grievously injured. All seven injured were admitted to DMC on September 24. There Jatinder Singh remained under treatment till October 30.

Fifty per cent of the hospital charges which came to Rs 1,06,000 were waived by the hospital. Speaking on the occasion, Dr G.S. Wander, said these funds had been raised through the contribution from the two days salary of the employees of the hospital. The balance of Rs 53,000 was to be paid by the office of Deputy Commissioner. Out of this, a sum of Rs 10,000 had already been paid.

The management of the hospital has offered certain other concessions to the family of L/Nk Jatinder Singh. His sister has been offered admission to the school of nursing of DMC. Besides, all members of the family have been given I-cards on the basis of which they can get free treatment from the hospital at any time they needed.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, L/Nk Jatinder Singh felt proud of the services he had rendered to the nation. He affirmed that he had absolutely no regrets over the loss of his legs while he was on duty. He also disclosed that he had an offer of appointment as Inspector in the Punjab police. He was already expecting a letter of appointment from the Police Department.

He wished that his son Tejbir Singh, who is only a year and a half year old, should also join the Army, like him, when he comes of age.

Dr S.C. Ahuja, Principal, DMCH and Dr P. N. Gupta informed that DMC had already honoured eight jawans and would continue the trend.

Four persons dupe motor agency
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — Four persons, including one girl, have been booked by the city police today for duping the owners of Nihal Motors Agency here by giving them 15 fake cheques amounting to Rs 42,065 as payment of a new Hero Honda motor cycle.

According to the FIR registered with the division no 5 police station here today, the incident occurred on November 17 but the fact that the cheques were fake was discovered only yesterday due to which the case was registered today.

Mr Baljit Singh, the owner of the showroom at Ferozepore Road, said in the FIR that on that day at about 11.00 a.m. three well-dressed youths and a girl came to their showroom in an Indica car (Pb-10-0438). They showed interest in purchasing a new motor cycle.

After the deal was struck, the four gave the owner 15 cheques of the Bank of Punjab’s Gurdwara Akalgarh Chaura Bazar for Rs 42,065. Each cheque was of Rs 2,871. They also furnished a photo copy of an electricity bill as evidence of their place of residence.

The two boys identified themselves as Harjinder Singh and Surinderpal Singh, while the name of the girl was told as Bhupinder Kaur.

However, on November 21, the bank replied to the owners that the cheques deposited by them were fake. The aggrieved party informed the police, which has registered a case under Sections 420,467,468,471 and 120-B, IPC, against the four.

The sources said raids at the residence addresses furnished by the accused had proved futile as no person bearing such name or having the description revealed by the employees of the motor agency was found at those addresses.

Woman with the smile is looking for new roles
By Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — There is a contradiction in her character. While Renuka Shahane, the ever smiling anchor of the TV serial Surbhi, can act as a brand ambassador, she "does not compromise" on the quality of films she would like to do. That is the reason she claims for having stopped acting in films while at the same time accepting the role of a "brand ambassador", a dignified euphemism for sales promotion. Last seen in the film Hum Apke Hain Kaun, Renuka is now the brand ambassador of a knitting company.

Renuka, who was here to launch the knitting product of a company, spent some time with the scribes as well. The meeting which literally centered round her unceasing smile lasted for about half an hour. And the smile never faded, not even for a fraction of a second.

Renuka showed no discomfiture no matter what she was asked. She did not refuse a reply even to a question as personal as that about her relationship with Ashutosh Rana. The only clarification she sought was to know whether it was necessary to reply to it or not, before saying, "Yes we share a good relationship that goes beyond and above the definitions of friendship".

Apparently Renuka wants to grow out of her own archetypal image of an ever smiling TV anchor. And if films cannot help her get out of it, then there is no fun accepting such films. This was evident from the explanation she furnished for opting out of films. "I am not getting a role to my liking", she said. And when asked, what did she thought was the ideal role for her, she revealed, "Anything that is different from what I have already done on television".

And did she want a lead role which she was not getting? Without giving a direct answer she remarked with instant wit, "Lead roles are not necessarily and always ideal and exciting". But was she ever offered one? She had no answers.

Renuka, originally a theatre artist, started her career at the young age of 15 in a play, Bombay Kay Kaway, by Satya Dev Dubey, in which she performed the role of a crow. "I started my career with crowing, literally", she said with her typical smile.

Although she enjoyed her role and performance in Hum Apke Hain Kaun as the elder sister and sister-in-law of Madhuri, she says she has been identifying herself with the character she is playing in the TV serial Imtihan. "I feel involved with my character, which makes me like it the most", she revealed.

Presently she plans to become a director. "That is my ultimate aim and I am already working on some scripts", she said.

And what about settling down in life? "Not for the time being", she retorted instantly, while adding in a lighter vein, "I feel I am already settled, comfortably".

School told to refund fee
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — In a rare case , the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, here to refund an amount of Rs 6320 along with costs of Rs 500 to a resident of the city, who had deposited the amount as fees for the admission of his daughter in nursery class of the school.

The resident, Mr Dalip Sareen of Model Town here had deposited an amount of Rs 6420 in the school for the admission of his daughter. However, later his daughter got admission in some other school also. He opted for admission in the second school and demanded refund of the fee deposited in the Arya school. The school refused to do so.

The decision was made ex-parte as the school did not contested the case.

In his complaint before the forum, Mr Sareen said he had applied for the admission of his daughter on the prescribed proforma. His daughter was selected but he informed the school authorities that he had also applied for admission in two other schools whose admission date was later on.

The complainant also submitted an affidavit claiming that the school authorities assured him that he should first deposit the fee and in case later on his daughter was granted admission by some other school the amount would be refunded.

However, when the girl got admission in some other school, the school authorities refused to do so at which the harassed father approached the forum.

While deciding the case in the favour of the complainant, the forum said the complainant had submitted receipts of fee deposited by him. The evidence it said was not rebutted as the opposite party has not challenged it. It said that as the daughter of the complainant did not study in the school , the fee should be refunded.

Directing the school authorities Mrs Paramjit Kaur, Principal and Capt Vijay Sehgal, Manager, to refund the amount the forum also directed them to pay Rs 500 as costs to the complainant. The payment has to be made within a month of the receipt of the order.

SPEAKING OUT
‘Restore daytime water supply’
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — The decision of the local Municipal Corporation to withdraw afternoon water supply has created resentment among residents in the city. Most people have vehemently opposed the corporation’s decision. Not only the domestic but the commercial and industrial sectors are also affected by the cutting off of the afternoon water supply. The housewives seemed to be annoyed over the “uncalled for” move of the corporation.

Mrs Veena Bhatia has been running a boutique in her house. She said that since she had more than 10 persons working at her boutique, there had been a continuous drinking water shortage. Though they store much water in their tanks but the tanks too get empty after two-three hours because of so much water consumption. She informed, “By the time our maid come, there is either no water or very little water left for her to do cleaning. Sometimes there is acute water shortage. We have the tanks but think about the people who are dependant on water supplied by the corporation.”

Rani, who stays at Dugri, works as a sweeper in the houses around. She complained that she had three children to look after. All of them are school going. Sometimes there is not even a single drop of water left for them. Earlier they used to take bath daily but now they just wash their face and go to school.

Mr Dev Raj Gupta, who runs a shop in Ghumar Mandi, said that the steps taken for water conservation were good but it could have been better if the authorities had reduced the time of water supply in the afternoon. He pointed out that no doubt in winters the water consumption was comparatively less, but what about summers? Mr Gupta added, “We do not have motor here. If there is no stored water, we rush to other shopkeepers in search of water. And sometimes they refuse too, which is disgusting”.

There has been a continuous debate on the issue. Some of the residents alleged that the MC was not able to supply adequate water to even 60 per cent of the residents. Mrs Nirmal Kaur, who has a beauty parlour on the Kailash Cinema road, said that her work was such that she needed water every moment. She said, “No doubt I have got two huge tanks for water storage. But yesterday somehow because of some leakage, the tanks got empty. My customer had to sit down for almost 20 minutes as I could not arrange water for her”.

Mrs Shalini Gambhir, another housewife, said that the decision should be reviewed and the afternoon water supply should be restored. Some of the employees complained that by the time they reached their work places, the morning water supply was over and there was no water supply during the working hours.

Ms Nidhi Chatley, who hails from the city and studies in Shimla, said that their family had never faced any problem of water shortage, but revealed, “My mother always screams at the servants to use water with great caution. If it is not done, she gets upset on seeing the empty water tanks”.

WOMAN POWER

Sticking to her roots and surging ahead with the times
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, Asa to ma Sad gamaya

Tama so ma Jyotir gamaya

Mrityor ma Amritam gramaya

(Lead me from untruth to truth from Darkness to Light; from Mortality to Immortality)

This is the guiding principle for a well known educationist and principal of a leading local college, Ms Harinder Dhillon. For a person who saw a lot of turbulence at the home front during her teens, the lady appears to be at peace with everything within, as well as around her.

With a teaching carrer spanning more than three decades, Ms Dhillon feels that she can now look back and proudly proclaim that she has finally managed to reach the height that her parents had envisioned for her . She says that it is not just her love for knowledge that has helped her achieve success in her profession, but the fact that she thoroughly enjoys teaching.

“I think that teaching is the best profession for women as it gives you an the opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds — one gets to enjoy the profession without facing the guilt of having to do so at the cost of one’s home and hearth. Moreover, in this over-populated, over- industrialized, machine-oriented set up, it is only through providing the right education that one can teach the coming generations about moral, ethical and spiritual values — an effort that I have been making for all these years,” she says.

It is under her guidance that Khalsa College For Women has taken bold strides in the field of education. The college was earlier known as a conservative institute, but ever since she took over as Principal 16 years ago, it has become an epitome of modernity while retaining its traditions.

Ms Dhillon, who comes from a typical feudal family of a small village near Amritsar, Dera Baba Nanak, says it was because of her mother that she managed to have a wonderful education. “My father was in the army and died at a young age, while in action at Srinagar. At that time, my two younger sisters and I were studying at a convent school there. After his demise, my mother went back to our native village after making arrangements for our boarding there. My paternal family showed a lot of resistance to large sums of money being spent for our education, but my mother refused to relent.”

Besides excelling in academics, Ms Dhillon also won accolades in sports and dramatics. During her academic career, she twice won the Punjab University Colour for Sports and a gold medal in dramatics during the Tagore centenary celebrations in 1963.

Ms Dhillon feels that only strong men can complement strong women. So, men who try to subjugate their wives, sisters, daughters or mothers are not strong. She says she is lucky to have a supporting husband, who has helped bring out the latent talent in her.

She has always had love for her roots and tries best to inculcate the same in the college students. This is the reason for introducing the annual Tiranjan festival in her college that showcases girls participating in all rural activities like chullah and charkha, nala marking, dari making etc. “This helps us in ensuring that working with the 7,500 year old Punjabi culture remains popular among our youth.”

Is parking complex a white elephant ?
By Manoj Kumar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — People are moving here and there to park their scooters and cars. But there is no parking space. Interestingly, where there is a parking space, there are no vehicles parked. Sounds strange? What is the reason?

You do not have to view Kaun Banega Crorepati to answer this question. Just visit the multi-storey parking complex, recently constructed by the Municipal Corporation at the back of Chaura Bazar by spending crores of rupees.

There are lot of vehicles parked outside the complex as well as nearby parking areas, like Old Tehsil building and Bhadaur House. Most of the shopkeepers in Chaura Bazar and the surrounding markets have parked their vehicles just outside their shops, blocking the traffic and encroaching the public land.

Mr Raj Kumar, in charge of the parking in the complex, is of the view,‘‘We have spent about Rs 11 lakh to get the contract for a year. Is not it a farce that the people park their vehicles outside and pay Rs 10 while we charge Rs 5 for less than six hours per car. Parking is sheerly illegitimate there but no one stops them.’’

The charges in the complex are also reasonable. For six or less hours, the charges for a cycle, scooter and car are Rs two , three and five, respectively. Monthly pass is also available. The complex is open around the clock. In this six-storey complex, there is a capacity to park 435 cars and 620 scooters and other vehicles.

However, on an average 200-225 cars and 150 scooters are parked every day. At least four floors always remain empty. No one likes to park on the second or the third floor.

Mr Raminder Kumar, a car driver, echoes the voice of users, ‘‘I can pay even Rs 10 instead of parking at such a distance. The lifts are non-functional. There is just stink and filth in all toilets. Women are quite scared to park here for people are often urinating in the open and playing cards. Lights are not always functional on the secluded floors.’’

“Even in case of fire there is no guarantee that fire could be controlled. It is true that there is a problem of parking area but this area is also not very useful because it is far away from Chaura Bazar as well”, He adds.

Mr Bhopal Singh, an employee in the complex says, ‘‘People do not like to park their vehicles on the upper floors. Moreover, hundreds of the corporation employees park their vehicles without paying anything.’’ He disclosed that the contractor had even filed a case against the corporation demanding either the payment for the parking of employees' vehicles or decrease in the contract amount.

A restaurant has also been planned on the seventh floor. It is non functional for it is alleged the corporation is asking too big amount. No one has come forward so far to run it.

Mr Som Nath Grover, chairman, Chaura Bazar Shopkeepers' Association, feels,‘‘The rates for the parking are too high. The corporation should introduce special rates for the shopkeepers to attract them. It will not only increase the overall utilisation of the complex but also decrease the congestion in the market.’’

Citizens of the city feel the traffic police should strictly stop the parking outside the complex. The market associations should also encourage their members to utilise the complex. It will help them indirectly by attracting more customers.

The corporation authorities were not available for the comments. However, some lower rank employees on the condition of anonymity said,‘‘It is the corporation's duty to make it functional by introducing innovative and attractive schemes. The public should also cooperate to get the benefits from this complex which has been made for the first time in the city.’’

Nishkam celebrates silver jubilee
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — Nishkam Seva Ashram, which was set-up in 1975 celebrated its silver jubilee function last evening at BCM Arya Model School. The function was well attended and well presented. Mr Sharvan Sharma was the anchor.

Many other people working for Nishkam had come from far off places like Bilaspur in Phagwara and Barnala. All of them spoke about the activities the ashram was carrying out in their regions. Mr Sharma from Phagwara quoting Sigmond Freud said that he wrote a letter to his friend one week before his death. He wrote: “I have come in contact with a number of people, but I feel sad that 99 per cent of the people do not know what they want. The one person who knows what he wants also wishes to take short cuts to achieve his ends. So what will happen to a nation whose people do not know their goals.”

Mr Sharma said: “The easiest way to get happiness is to sacrifice something of your own and that should be our goal.”

The programme had students showing the barbarism of the Britishs through a song enacted on the tune Main dharti Punjab di, main vasdi ujjad gayi through this song they showed the cruelty of Jalianwala Bagh and the partition.

Charandas from Barnala in a hard-hitting talk warned in makes of nishkam of megalomania which inevitably creeps in when a lot of praise is heaped on workers. He advised them to be beware of this pit fall. In Barnala, too, like Phagwara , a lot of social work was being done. The poor patients were being looked after. Three tailoring centres had started to make the girls financially independent and even marriages of poor girls were arranged. Dr Gurmeet, an eye specialist, a true loyal worker of nishkam from Mullanpur has also done commendable work. He has started sewing schools for the girls. Beggars were picked up from the streets and 300 of them were given food, clothing, shelter. Further, they are taught candle making, book binding, chalk-making so that they become financially independent. They have started ‘old-age day care centre’ where the old can spend their time. A gymnasium and akhara has been built for the young people. Dr Gurmeet said, “Our motto is Sewa and Simran”.

Later, the problems of the old were highlighted. Mr Sharvan Sharma said, Nishkam Sewa had spent over Rs 42 lakhs on the various institutes.

Fashion show a big draw
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — The Gayatri Ladies Club held a colorful fashion show, The Complete Woman, at Park Plaza here today. The participants from different age groups presented themselves as the 'new age woman' with all confidence, dignity, elegance, grace and glamour.

The show was inaugurated by Mrs Bubbly Sandhu and it was followed by prayer dance.

This was followed by a solo dance performance by five-year-old Navera, who danced to the tune of Suswagtam. There were a total of 18 participants which included both club members and guests.

Mrs Indira Wadhva, president of the club, said that such activities were being organised to explore the talent of the young women.

Among those present on the occasion were presidents of various ladies clubs, including Mrs Jaggi Walia, Mrs Sudha Goel, Mrs Asha Miglani, Mrs Rajni Bector and Mrs Avinash Singh.

Song lands singers in trouble
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — Public apology by folk singers Bagga Safri and Surinder Sapna for their songs in controversial cassette “Bahmani glass var gee” notwithstanding, the district police has decided to register a criminal case against the singers, the producer and the cassette company.

The case is being registered on the basis of the advice given by the District Attorney (Legal) who not only studied the representation given by the Bhagwan Parsu Ram Brahman Sabha to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sandhu, after a dharna outside his office on November 16 but also after listening to the cassette, certain songs of which were found to be “objectionable”.

A case under Sections 292, 293, 295-A and 296 of the Indian Penal Code is being registered against the singers — Bagga Safri and Surinder Sapna besides Baljit Angara, Sindi Jitwal and Jagga Chowundawala and the New Tarang Cassette Company.

The Brahmin sabhas throughout Punjab had threatened to launch a statewide agitation in case no action was taken against the singers, the producers and the cassette company.

Bagga Safri and Surinder Sapna, beside moving application for anticipatory bail in the court of the District and Sessions Judge here, also tendered a public apology through an advertisement in certain newspapers.

In a “notarised affidavit”, they admitted their “terrible mistake” and “vowed not to repeat it in future”. A meeting of the Brahmin sabhas held here yesterday had accepted their apology.

However, the representation submitted by the Bhagwan Parsu Ram Brahmin Sabha to the Deputy Commissioner had been referred to the DA (Legal) whose opinion was received by the Police Department today.

The registration of case, however, neither suggests the imposition of any ban on the sale of the cassette or its immediate withdrawal from the marked by the cassette company itself. It is perhaps for the first time that a criminal case is being registered against folk singers, producer, music director, poet and the cassette company.

It may be recalled here that sometime ago, the All-India Sikh Students’ Federation had objected to certain clips is a video album of noted Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi, who in turn agreed to remove the “objectionable clips” besides tendering an unqualified “apology” for hurting the sentiments of a section of the society.

EEPC delegation meets minister
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — A delegation led by S.C. Ralhan, regional chairman (north) and Mr Satish Dhanda, vice-chairman, Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) respectively, met the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India on Monday. The delegation apprised him of the problems of the trade and the possibility of reducing the haulage charges charged by CONCOR. The meeting was also attended by Mr S.K. Sharma, Managing Director, CONCOR and senior officials of the railway board and the Ministry of Commerce.

Mr S.K. Sharma listened to the problems and discussed the possibility of increase in the traffic from Ludhiana by reducing the haulage charges. Mr Ralhan argued if the concor reduced the haulage charges, the entire hosiery export will be routed through CONCOR, Ludhiana. The hosiery exports from Ludhiana was as large as total engineering exports from Ludhiana.

He requested Mr Sharma to allow the Ludhiana CONCOR station to accept the payment of haulage charges by cheque instead of insisting for banker cheque or demand draft. Mr Sharma agreed in principal to allow this on receiving a request from the EEPC.

Mr Omar Abdullah also agreed to take up this issue with the Railway Ministry to have special rates for consignments going by volumes that were lower in weight. The delegation also requested the minister to take up the issue with the Railway Minister for permission to private agencies or Punjab State Warehousing Corporation on the same pattern as that of CONCOR so that there was a fair competition for haulage of cargo to Mumbai.

Mr D.K. Goel, Deputy Chairman, EEPC, Mr Vijay Munjal from Hero group of industries, Mr Onkar Singh, Avon Cycles, Mr Avinash Gupta, Mr Ravinder Gupta, Mr J.P. Mittal, Mr Jagdeep Singal, Mr Ravinder Bawa, Mr G.S. Kahlon and Mr Om Uppal along with the exporters of Delhi also participated in the deliberations as part of the delegation.

500 driving licences issued
From Our Correspondent

DORAHA, Nov 22 — A camp for the issuing of driving licences was held at Truck Union building, Doraha. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Sadhu Singh Ghudani, MLA, Payal.

A lot of enthusiasm was witnessed among the people for the same. Mr Amarjit Paul, SDM, Payal, said the endeavour had proved successful. Nearly 500 driving licences were issued. A similar type of camp held earlier in Maloud had borne good results. Mr Manjit Singh, Additional District Transport Officer, too, was present on the occasion. Mr Manjit Singh informed that the licences were being issued not only to the people of Payal but to the entire district.

“Follow tenets of Hinduism”
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — The Jagad Guru Shankaracharya of Hindu Dwarika Peeth was on his first visit to Ludhiana today. In an interview with Ludhiana Tribune, the Guru said that he had come here to talk about Hinduism. He said the Hinduism was the most tolerant religion. He further said that he wanted Hinduism to become strong so that it could protect other religions.

What is the message for young people?

I am happy that youngsters are becoming more inclined towards religion these days and I would advise them to follow the tenets of the Hindu religion.

What are the various activities of the math?

We are running four Sanskrit schools, gaushalas and schools for adivasis. We have built a hospital in Jharkhand. Our latest project is to start a centre for the abandoned women, widows and spinsters. This ashram will be named as Ubhey Bharti Mahila Ashram and will be opened on December 7 on the banks of the Narmada, a few yards away from where Adi Shankaracharya took sanyaas. We have to unite the Hindus or if we do not take any action, violence will start.

How will the violence start?

If any Hindu group or an individual is found using derogatory terms for Hindu Gods and Goddesses, the punishment for the act of omission and commission will be issued from the Hindu Nyaye Peeth, Hardwar, or else people may take law in their hands and create ugly violent scenes.

Auto-finance firms face tough times
By Deepti Bhatia

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — A large number of brand new sleek cars criss-cross roads today. And people at the wheels are none other than the spoilt brats of the “stinkingly rich” Ludhianvis, who gift these four-wheelers to their offsprings, not only on their weddings, but also on their 21st birthdays. Thanks to the number of finance companies and banking schemes anyone can afford a car.

But the finance companies are facing an uphill task as far as auto- finance is concerned. “Earlier, we were into car finance, but now we have shifted to commercial vehicles like trucks and buses and earth machinery because we suffered some losses. Car financing is very risky and defaulters easily sell their cars in a chor bazaar”, says Mr Rajinder Singh Gill, branch manager of Escorts finance company. He further informed that they had quite a long list of defaulters, including a doctor, who cheated the company by financing many cars in the name of some unemployed youths, whom he used as his pawns in the fraud . A case had been registered against him.

“I have worked in many cities all over the country, but the percentage of defaulters is very high in Ludhiana. Even people with adequate means do not pay in time”, said Mr M.Giridharan, branch manager of Apple Finance. He further informed that sometimes, even if they repossess the car after six to eight months it has no resale value. No matter how cautious they are, nearly 10 per cent of the cases tend to default.

Mr Mewa Singh, of Elegant Finvest, said that they did not finance cars on a large scale and if they did, it was only if they knew the client personally. People showed fake RCs of house and vehicles. They also showed fake income tax papers and took the loan. Sometimes they got double loans on a same RC. It was very difficult to know who was geniune.

Mr Kareem Singh, in charge of auto sales at ICICI bank, said that they were very cautious and had a strong file-processing unit. They investigated the client thoroughly and had even enlisted previous defaulters on their computer network.

Almost all finance companies acknowledged having repossessed vehicles at one time or the other. Some inform the police before they repossess one, so that the defaulters do not report their vehicles stolen and create any further hassle. Some take court orders, but complained about the lengthy procedures. A few take the help of professional repossession agencies.

“Ludhianvis love to flaunt their wealth. People tend to compete with their neighbours, relatives and business rivals in showing off their material possessions. If their neighbour bought a new something they have to get one more costlier than that, even if they do not have the means to buy it. They take loans but cannot pay their instalments later on”, commented a senior resident.

Another resident remarked humorously that nowadays, bigger the size of the car, greater the debt.

Vardhman launches Aao Bune
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Nov 22 — The Vardhman group, today, launched two knit packs in the city — Aao Bune, a step- by -step knitting kit for the girl child and ‘‘ Cuddles 1-2-3,’’a pack, with patterns and needles for the 1-3 years age group. After launching these knitting packs yesterday in Chandigarh, Ms Renuka Shahane, the ever smiling celebrity of Hum Aap Ke Haen Kaun and Surbhi, announced the first winner of its Bunte Bunte Kismat Chamke contest. Ms Ranjita Gujral of Khanna won a Matiz car as the first prize in the contest.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr V.K. Goel, chief executive, Vardhman Spinning and General Mills, said,‘‘ Aao Bune is a humble contribution from the Vardhman group to boost the age-old art of hand-knitting. It is focused on the growing children who need something to express their creativity.’’ Knitting with one's own hands was one of the best ways to express individual creativity, emotional bonding and family values, he added.

He said the company's marketing research had revealed that there was a great demand for hand-knitted sweaters and other items. However, there was a lack of quality knitting packs in the market. By introducing these packs the company had tried to fill the gap in the market.

Interestingly, the company has successfully sold these packs on a no profit basis to the students of convent schools and colleges. These packs will be priced around Rs 40 per pack, weighing about 82 grams. Out of this Re 1 per pack will be donated for the welfare of physically challenged children.