L U D H I A N A

A knockout victory for encroachment mafia
Traffic lights project still a distant dream
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — What can be murkier than this? Traffic lights installed years ago remain inactive, not for want of a proper power connection, but because these did not suit the personal economics of a handful of shopkeepers near the number 3 division chowk.

CBI buckles under pressure from traders
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Officials of the CBI and the Sale Tax Department were ultimately forced to reach a compromise under pressure of vociferous protests by traders.

Pursuing power single-mindedly
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — The pursuit for power appears to be making leaders of different political parties come out of hibernation. Although more than a year the next assembly elections in the state, leaders of the two main political parties, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress, have already started moblising their support base.

Man jumps from court roof after being convicted
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Minutes after he was sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for smuggling poppy husk, Sachin, a migrant labourer today jumped from the first floor of the court of Mr B.S. Mehndiratta in the new district courts complex today evening either in his bid to run away or to commit suicide.

Octroi contractors clash, 5 hurt
SAHNEWAL, Dec 8 — Five persons were injured in clashes between two octroi contractors. According to reports, trouble had been brewing between Tejwant Singh, an octroi contractor in Sahnewal and Sukhpal Singh, another octroi contractor.

AT THE CROSS ROADS

A teacher rediscovers himself
TO be associated with the educational institutions of Ludhiana in one form or the other is a rare privilege. I was a lecturer in the Department of English in the local Government College. Teaching postgraduate classes was a great experience. After superannuation, I was offered the post of Professor Emeritus at GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, where I served for five years. 

COMMUNITY

Gold does not glitter for them
Dec 8 — Gold, glitter and glamour — the words seem almost inseparable. But there is a flipside to the gold story, a side that is bereft of glitz and glamour. Just take a peep into the life of the gold collectors who earn their livelihood by collecting gold from the drains.

A club that needs no introduction
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Sutlej Club, Ludhiana, hardly needs any introduction in view of its 56 years old established credentials. The club was started as an officers’ club during the British with the Deputy Commissioner as its ex-officio president.

Postal services remain paralysed on fourth day
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Postal services remain paralysed for the fourth consecutive day here today due to the nationwide strike by postal employees to press their demands, including better pay scale and pensionary benefits.

Alternative crops, dairy farming stressed upon
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — A three-day ‘Indo-European workshop on dairy farming — present status and future prospects concluded here today. Presiding over the function, Dr. K.S. Aulakh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said, “There is no doubt that Punjab has made revolutionary achievements in agriculture.

10-year-old wins Maruti 800
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Master Akshay from Sarani district in Madhaya Pradesh was on cloud nine when the keys of a Maruti 800 were handed over to him by Mr K.K. Kapila, Income Tax Commissioner, Ludhiana. This young 10-year-old is the winner of Kaun Banega Hero Contest, which was run by world’s largest cycle manufacturing company, Hero Cycles Limited, in September.

Scientists suggest ways to check rat menace
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Scientists at Punjab Agricultural University here have suggested certain non-lethal, more eco-friendly and less harsh methods to check and curb the population of rats.

Bank VRS receives mixed response
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — The Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has received mixed response from bank employees. While some employees are in favour of the scheme, others have been opposing it vociferously. Talking to The Tribune, some of the bank employees revealed the merits and demerits of the scheme.

Telephone lines disrupted again
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — The telephone lines of Mata Rani Exchange were again disrupted for more than three hours today, causing much inconvenience to residents, traders and employees of the various offices located in the area.

Annual gurmat samagam
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — The three-day annual gurmat samagam at Gurdwara Nanaksar, Samrala Chowk, started here today with the commencing of ‘21 paaths of Guru Granth Sahib Ji’ .

• YC workers hold protest rally

• Hosiery items at throwaway prices

• Book released
  
  

CRIME

Missing driver case: complainants booked
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — An eight-year-old case of a missing truck driver of Haibowal colony here today took a curious turn when the police registered a case against his sister and brother-in-law on the allegations levelled by the wife of the driver that the two were involved in the disappearance of her husband.

One booked for embezzlement
KHANNA, Dec 8 — The police has registered a case against Harinder Singh, a former secretary of the Cooperative House Building Society, Machhi-wara, for embezzlement of funds of the society.

• One held with liquor

• Lovers commit suicide

Shopkeepers demand review of rates
KHANNA, Dec 8 — A delegation of local shopkeepers met the Local Government Minister of Punjab, Mr Balram Dass Tandon, to review the rates of Municipal Council (MC) shops that are to be sold to tenants. They also demanded the withdrawal of notices sent by MC regarding the new rent deed.

EDUCATION

CAMPUS SCENE
Examination fever grips PAU
WITH the onset of the examination season, fever has gripped the campus, with most of the students concentrating now more on studies than anything else. Examinations in various colleges started from December 6. Most of the extra-curricular activities have come to a halt and the campus presents a desolate look as students prefer to stay in to prepare for the examinations.

School gets enrolled in Interact Club
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Nearly 20 students from Classes IX to XII of New Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, got enrolled in Interact Club, a wing of the Rotary Club, here today.

Exam today, students teachers tense
LUDHIANA, Dec 8 — Owing to the disturbed academic atmosphere at Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, students and teachers of Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women still have their fingers crossed over the first examination scheduled to be held tomorrow.