R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

REGIONAL POTPOURRI

• “Sachin no 2” going places

• Unique well

• Farmers agitated

AMRITSAR
COMPUTER CENTRES: The Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Dr Hari Gautam, has claimed that of the 256 universities in the country, more than 120 have established state-of-the-art computer centres. He was talking to newspersons here after addressing the annual convocation at BBK DAV College for Women.

DORAHA
BODY RECOVERED: The body of a new-born baby was recovered from near the pond of Rauni village, on Tuesday. According to a case registered at the Payal police station under Section 318, 201 of IPC, Bharpoor Singh of Rauni village saw some dogs digging sand from near the pond. On investigating he found the dead body of a newly-born hidden under the sand. The matter was reported to the police, who, in turn took the body in custody and conducted a postmortem of the same.

ONE KILLED: A cyclist was crushed to death by a speeding bus near Somalkheri village, last evening. According to a report, Gurpreet Singh of Somalkheri village was going on his cycle at 5.40 in the evening, when a bus (No. PB10A-9759) driven by Manjit Singh of Timberwal in Payal, crushed him to death. A case has however been registered against the accused under Sections 304-A and 279 of IPC.

ROBBERS ARRESTED: The Payal Police claims to have arrested three of the four robbers involved in a robbery that had taken place on the intervening night of 23 and 24 February. According to a press note released by Mr R.N. Dhoke, SSP Khanna, Harnek Singh, Avtar Singh and Kala, three of the miscreants have been arrested by the police. Jarnail Singh however, is still at large. It may be recalled that these robbers had entered the labour colony in the periphery of Bilaspur village and absconded with a cash amount of Rs 15,300, a rickshaw, a cycle, two radios and four watches. A case had since then been registered against the accused against Sections 382 and 34 of IPC at Payal Police Station.

FARIDKOT
OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of Rotaract Club (Main), Faridkot: president — Dr Kulwinder Singh; vice-president — Mr Sanjiv Mittal; secretary — Mr Rishu Gupta; and treasurer — Mr Sanjeev Bansal.

SHOP RAIDED: The district administration in collaboration with the Health Department has launched a campaign to check the sale of intoxicants in the district. This was stated here on Tuesday by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr A. Venu Prasad. He said a team of senior officers led by Mr Mohan Lal, SDM, on Tuesday raided a local chemists shop near Talwandi Chowk and seized a large number of intoxicants not carrying authorised bills.

FAZILKA
REGULARISATION: Mr Ravinder Luthra, secretary of the Ferozepore unit of the Punjab State Pharmacists Association on Wednesday urged the Punjab Chief Minister to regularise the services of pharmacists working on an 89-day basis in the Health Department, Punjab. Mr Luthra said hundreds of pharmacists had been working on an 89-day basis for the past five years and they had to seek extension on the expiry of each term.

GURDASPUR
RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among five primary school teachers who have been asked to refund the amount drawn by them under the time promotion scheme. According to official sources, the step was being taken because the teachers were wrongly covered under the scheme.

HEALTH SERVICES: Resentment prevails among residents of Kahnuwan village, 15 km from here, and its surrounding villages over the alleged failure of the government to streamline health services at Community Health Centre, Kahnuwan. It is alleged that Dr Chetna Digra, Dr Jatinder Singh and Hardial Singh, all employees of the health centre, and Dr Upinder Singh, Medical Officer, have been deputed to work at Ujagar Singh Memorial Charitable Hospital, Sekhwan.

JAGRAON
TRADER MURDERED: Rakesh Goyal, a trader, son of Mr Sharn Lal, was found murdered in his house at Lajpat Rai Road, Jagraon. According to Mr Yash Pal Goel, his brother, when the maid servant came to the house for work, she found the doors open and his brother dead in his bed. The local police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC and is investigating the case. Ms Sonali Goel, wife of the deceased was away to Amritsar.

JALANDHAR
WHEAT PROCUREMENT: Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, reviewed the wheat procurement arrangements during a meeting with officials of state government agencies here on Tuesday. Later, talking to reporters at the local circuit house, Mr Mittal said the state government had earmarked Rs 5,500 crore for the procurement of wheat during the coming season.

CONSTABLE DIES: Avtar Singh, a police constable posted at the local police lines, succumbed to injuries at DMC, Ludhiana, on Tuesday. According to the police, Avtar Singh, a resident of Jalbhen village under Adampur subdivision, sustained injuries when his scooter was hit by a truck near Kathar township on Friday. He was later shifted from the Adampur hospital to DMC, Ludhiana, where he died. In another incident, Umakant (22), a migrant labourer and resident of the local Vikaspuri Colony, committed suicide by handing himself in his house on Tuesday.

KHAMANO
DHARNA: The Revenue Patwar Union will organise a dharna on April 3 in the Court Complex against ‘misconduct’ by the local Tehsildar, Mr Satinder Kumar Khera. This was disclosed by the president of the Revenue Union, Mr Randhir Singh. When contacted, Mr Satinder Kumar denied the allegations.

CONFIRMATION DEMANDED: A meeting was held here on Monday under the presidentship of Mr Malagar Singh, in which a demand was put to the SAD and BJP alliance government for confirmation of employees who had completed three years of service as daily wagers. The approach towards the PWD field and workshop employees by the SE, Patiala, was criticised and all affected workers would launch a dharna at ‘his Patiala based office on March 19 in this connection.

KHARAR
ALLEGED: Ms Daljit Kaur, the local MLA, alleged on Tuesday that the administration was not implementing a compromise reached in Tehslil Complex, Kharar, about the Central Truck Union, Kurali. According to a press note, a meeting of truck operators was held in Kurali, in which the truck operators alleged that the administration was not implementing the compromise reached at in a meeting earlier. According to the press note, the terms of the compromise were that cases registered against both the groups would be withdrawn and the lock of the office of the union would be opened, but even after the three days no step has been taken to implement this compromise. She asked the administration to implement the compromise. 

COURT AUCTIONEER: The District and Sessions Judge, Rupnagar on Tuesday appointed Mr Kewal Kishore Sharma, advocate of Kharar, as court auctioneer of Kharar subdivision for 5 years, according to a copy of the order. 

ONE KILLED: Ranbir Singh of Chatamla village was killed and Jaswinder Singh was seriously injured when their scooter (CHM 5331) was hit by a Maruti van near here on Monday. The Kharar police has registered a case under sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC. 

LUDHIANA
PROTESTED: The PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC) and Technical Services Union took out a procession through the main bazaar here on Wednesday, against the attitude of the administration. They also submitted a memorandum to Mr Sandeep Hans, SDM Samrala, condemning the fiscal policy of the Centre. Earlier, both the unions staged a massive dharna in front of city subdivisional office, in which leaders of both unions condemned the PSEB administration. The leaders demanded withdrawal of false cases against PSEB employees of Bathinda and Ropar circles. Among others who addressed the rally were, Ranjeet Singh Neelon, Bhag Singh, Surjit Singh Vishad, Sikander Singh, Sangat Singh and Bharpoor Singh.

ELECTED: The following have been appointed office-bearers of the Association of Punjab School Education Board Affiliated Schools, Punjab: president, Mr Sukhpal Singh Khera; senior vice-president, Mr Prem Singh Soki; vice-president, Mr Kartar Singh and Mr P.R. Bhatt, general secretary. 

MALERKOTLA
MAHANT KILLED: Prem Dass, a mahant of the Tilla Baba Tehal Dass Shekhan, was killed when his car collided with a truck (HRX 7050) near Bhatian village on Tuesday. The truck driver managed to escape. The police has registered a case under Section 304A of the IPC.

MANSA
CRITICISM: The public distribution system (PDS) in the district is facing criticism from consumers. A large quantity of rationed levy sugar and kerosene oil supplied to the depot holders at fair-price shops is allegedly being sold on the black market. Consumers have been making complaints about the non-availability of rationed commodities, the poor quality of levy sugar, faulty weighing and fleecing by depot holders. Some members of the Depot Holders union have alleged that they are not getting the full supply of levy sugar and kerosene oil from the department concerned.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Brick-kiln Owners Association of Budhlada town in the district: patron — Mr Dev Raj Kath; president — Mr Sham Lal; vice-president — Mr Sumit Kumar; secretary — Mr Narinder Kumar; and treasurer — Mr Sudershan Kumar.

NAWANSHAHR
DOG SHOW: The Nawanshahr Kennel Club organised an all-breed dog show here on Tuesday. About 350 dogs participated in the show. The boxer of Prof G.S. Grewal was adjudged the best dog of the show by Lieut-Col Vinod Joshi. The German shepherd of Mr J.S. Toor was declared the best dog of Nawahshahr district. Dr Roshan Sunkaria, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the show.

PATIALA
SEMINAR ORGANISED: Punjabi culture has become stagnant and it can be revived only if changing cultural values are recognised and an endeavour made to inculcate them in modern day society. This was disclosed by Mr Bhagat Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, during a seminar on Globalisation and Punjabi Culture organised by the International Punjabi Virasat Sanstha here on Tuesday. He said the changes prevalent in the culture and in human behaviour needed to be welcomed rather than being condemned. Mr Baldev Singh Dhaliwal, reader in Punjabi University, said the materialistic approach towards life was damaging human values. Dr Kulwant Kaur, mourned the present scenario where the rich cultural values were almost on the verge of extinction. Mr Shamsher Singh Boparai, president of the sanstha, expressed his grief over the fact that the present problem was well known but no one took the initiative to implement them or come out with a better solution.

PHAGWARA
BODY FOUND: The decomposed body of Gian Kaur (61), who was missing since February 24, was recovered from a village well of Rampura Sunra, it was reported on Tuesday night.

APPOINTED: Mr Parvesh Gupta, a former president of the Bharat Vikas Parishad’s Phagwara branch, has been appointed member of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Kapurthala.

BURGLARY: Valuables worth Rs 1 lakh, including 22 tolas of gold ornaments were looted from the house of Inder Kalra in Kotrani village. The Kalras, who had gone to attend a marriage, came to know about the burglary when they returned on Tuesday.

SAHNEWAL
SEIZED: Eight bottles of illicit liquor were seized from a PCO owner Amrik Singh of Nandpur village near Sahnewal. A case has been registered by Sahnewal police under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of Excise Act.

SAMRALA
ORGANISED: The local ladies Club organised a flower arrangement competition at the residence of the SDM here on Tuesday which was appreciated by visitors. The flower arrangements, accompanied by respective titles, were creative and eye-catching. ‘Harmony’ by Ms Parminder Kaur and ‘Feather Gurve’ by Ms Vandana Gupta bagged the first and second prizes respectively. Ms Manjot Hans, the SDM’s, wife, gave tips on flower arrangement, presentation and title-selection. She also gave away the prizes to the winners.

SPORT COMPETITION: On the second day in the sports competition at Khirnian village, 7 km from here, the youth Akali leader, Jathedar Joginder Singh Seh and the Chairman of the Land Mortgage Bank, Jathedar Jagjiwan Singh Khirnian, were special guests. In the cart races, Darshan Singh Khabra stood first while Sukhpal Singh Gill stood second. Earlier, in the race of 4 acre, where 10 bullock cart owners participated, Darshan Singh stood first and Dalbara Singh Gharuen was declared second. This match was inaugurated by Mr Darshan Singh Lopon, director of Milk Plant, Ludhiana, and presided over by Avtar Singh of USA.

CHANDIGARH

CULTURAL PROGRAMME: The Divya Anand Cultural Organisation organised a cultural programme at Bal Niketan, Sector 15, on Wednesday. Apart from various cultural items, arrangements were also made for distribution of food, fruits and sweets. Prayers were also offered. 

HARYANA

CASE SOLVED: With the arrest of two persons, the Rai police on Wednesday claimed to have solved the murder of a truck driver, Raghbir on February 20. According to the police, the arrested have been identified as Rajesh of Lalehri village and Herjeet of Jatheri village. Both have confessed to the crime and they have been remanded in judicial custody by a local court.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

KASAULI
FOREST FIRES: The Forest Range Officer of Parwanoo, Mr H.K. Sharma, organised a meeting on Tuesday at the forest guest-house at Garkhal, about 5 km from here, at which he gave information to the locals, including panchayat chiefs, about the safety measures to be adopted regarding forest fires. The Forest Conservator of the Nahan circle, Mr S.B. Islam, had convened a meeting of Forest Department officials last week to deal with the imminent danger of forest fires.

NURPUR
RELAY FAST: The Kisan Vikas Sabha, which has been protesting since February 14 for lifting of the ban on the export of Khair wood to neighbouring states, intensified its stir on Wednesday when five members of the sabha sat on a relay fast before the office of the SDM, Mr Ajaib Singh.

SOLAN
SCOOTERIST KILLED: Sohan Lal of Dharghat under Barotiwala police station died on the spot after a truck (HPA 8486) allegedly hit his scooter near Diggal on the Ramshahar-Kunihar road on Monday. The police has registered cases under Sections 279, 394-A and 201 of the IPC against the truck driver.

“Sachin no 2” going places

Balbir Chand, a resident of Sahlon village in Nawanshahr district, steals the limelight wherever he goes: The reason, his uncanny resemblance to Sachin Tendulkar.

Balbir, who was working as a ward boy in Dayanand Hospital, Ludhiana, resigned from the job in 1999 as he was signed by the Hero group of companies as a model for their advertisement campaign. The company also sponsored his tour to England during the last Cricket World Cup.

Since then he has been struggling to give the right direction to his career as a model, In his bid to try his luck, he moved to Mumbai in October 2000. As soon as he reached Mumbai Railway station, people started gazing at him. And among them was Mr Amar Dogra, Art Director of the Famous Studio, Mumbai. He invited him to Famous Studio where he met cine stars — Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Akshaya Kumar, who also got taken in by his resemblance with Sachin Tendulkar. Mr Amar Dogra took him home and guided him how to contact advertisement agencies, serial producers etc.

Balbir Chand’s struggle has started bearing fruit. he has been signed for a TV serial ‘Ladkewale, Ladkiwale’ being produced by Ashco Media under the direction of Ajay Mehra. In this serial Balbir plays the role of ‘Sachin Tendulkar (see picture — extreme left). The story of the serial revolves around a girl who is mad after Sachin Tendulkar and wants to marry him.

Balbir, who has come here to meet his family members, shared his experiences with ‘The Tribune’, saying he was quite nervous while acting before the camera in the beginning. But now he had learnt a lot and has been doing a lot of home-work to improve his pronunciation, face expressions and body language etc.

Unique well

While ploughing his field Gurdas Ram of Kot village in Balh valley in Himachal has struck a unique eight-corner well. Built in stone masonry the well is filled with stones and bricks. The curiosity of hidden wealth has engaged Gurdas Ram in excavating the well. He had emptied it upto 20 ft when media persons visited the village which is located about 25 km from here. It is a sprawling tract of land spread over 500 bighas where farmers keep on coming across ancient copper, silver or even gold coins while digging land. The discovery of the well has, therefore, raised new hopes and a stream of people is converging on the village.

Ten years ago when Irrigation and Public Health People were constructing a canal across the village, coins had been found. Mr B.D. Thakur, Executive Engineer, Nahan, when contacted on the phone confirmed that he was executing the canal work at Kot when coins of irregular shape had been found. Beautiful baked tiles had also been found in the village.

It is believed that Ranas ruled this area in the 8th century when Bahu Sen estranged from his brother Sahu Sen and had established his capital here. He built the famous temple of Hateshwari Devi and his small kingdom was called Hatgarh.

The local Panchayat Pradhan Ravinder Rana, who claims to be the descendant of the Ranas, says many remnants of the former Rana rulers are traced here from time to time. “Our ancestors used to engage farm labour without any wages with the undertaking that anything discovered in the field would be theirs”, he said.

Farmers agitated

Lack of coordination between the Forest Department and the district police of Gurdaspur has made the life of farmers of Dhar Block miserable. The police has put several farmers behind bars and registered criminal cases against them for cutting trees on permits given to them by the Forest Department.

More than 50 farmers, sarpanches, and panches of Dhar block led by Mr Kartar Singh and Mr Jagdish Sharma, president and general secretary, respectively, of the BJP Dehati Mandal, Pathankot, met Mr Mohan Lal, Higher Education Minister, Punjab, and apprised him of the situation. The farmers alleged that the police had registered false cases against Mr Attar Singh and Shubash Chander of Bhangoori village for felling khair trees and their export to outstation destinations. They said the police not only detained two wood-laden trucks but also booked them.

Later on they told this correspondent that the state government had given permits to farmers to cut and sell khair trees on their land under a 10-year tree felling programme. But the police had become a big hindrance in this act for which they had been provided with valid permits issued by the Forest Department.

They threatened that if justice was not done to them they would be forced to start an indefinite fast in front of the office of the SSP, Gurdaspur.

Contributed by Parmod Bharti, Kishori Lal and Bharat Bhushan Dogra