L U D H I A N A

Aged couple commits suicide
Cops, factory owners charged with harassment
Ludhiana, April 6
In a shocking case of police high-handedness, an old couple living in Chotti Haibowal committed suicide today early morning by consuming some poisonous substance after they were allegedly harassed by the focal point police and owners of a factory.

Chinese goods capture Ludhiana market Ludhiana, April 6 After capturing the western markets, Chinese goods are all set to give Indian products a run for their money — all thanks to the opening up of imports as part of the GATT agreement. Chinese dolls and 'luck sets' on display in an exhibition in Ludhiana on Friday. — Photo Rajesh Bhambi

Kiddies’ clubs keep mums happy!
Ludhiana, April 6
In Ludhiana, it is not just the parents who need to move out to clubs to get relieved of day-to-day stress, even tiny tots have formed clubs where they interact, dance, paint and have lots of fun.

Mob gheraoes police post
Ludhiana, April 6
A mob comprising residents of Kirti Nagar here gheraoed the Vardhman police post last night and also blocked traffic for about half an hour in protest against the alleged delay by the police in registering a case against a man, who was allegedly forcibly injecting some drug into another man’s arm at a nearby tea shop.

As prosperous as their masters
BULGING stomachs of Ludhiana domestic servants is the index of the prosperity of the households where they work. Coming from far off places from Nepal, Bihar, UP and other states, thousands of servants have become an integral part of the city. No one can even imagine a city life if all these household servants decide to call it a day.

COMMUNITY

Cong gearing up for April 11 rally
Ludhiana, April 6
A former Punjab Minister and Vice-President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Mr Lal Singh, has claimed that the party rally to be held here on April 11 will be a historic event with the participation of party ranks and members of public from all over the state.

Warring club factions compromise
Ludhiana, April 6
After several hours of a heated debate, the election of the Lakshmi Ladies Club was scrapped after the two warring groups agreed to have their representatives take turns on the post of chairperson.

Punjabi folk songs of love and mirth
WHEN there is mirth and laughter, common people in the countryside express their emotions in the form of folk songs. Popularly known as Bolian in Punjab, these folk songs provide an index to the domestic situation and social condition. Much is left unsaid in human relations, mostly due to inhibition and reticence.

Effigies of Vajpayee, Badal, Bangaroo burnt
Doraha, April 6
The congress party held a rally against the NDA government headed by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, at Doraha under the presidentship of Mr Gurkirat Singh Kotli, vice-president of youth wing of the Congress . The leaders not only criticised and charged the existing government with corrupt and wrong policies, but also burnt the effigies of Mr Vajpayee, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and BJP President, Mr Bangaroo Lakshman.

Using bonus years of life
Ludhiana, April 6
“I feel like using bonus years of my life for serving society by working in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. After my retirement as District and Sessions Judge from Faridkot, I have been gifted by God with an opportunity to serve the people. I consider this job more than a job and my work is as sacred as worship of the God.” said Mr Hardial Singh, President of the forum.

Flavour of the week
SUFI traditions are one of the richest ingredients of India’s composite cultural heritage. The study of Sufism has become all the more necessary in today’s strife-torn world.

‘Animals are our friends, not food’
Ludhiana, April 6
“Cruelty towards animals amounts to sinning. Every human being should be kind to animals which are not meant for eating. Animals are our friends, not our food (Hain jeev manav ke mittar, aahar nahin hain)”.

Tight security for Karbla conference
Ludhiana, April 6
Mr Kuldeep Singh, SSP, has assured tight security for the Shaheed-e-Karbla conference which is being held for the first time in the state here tomorrow.

• Good Samaritan

CRIME

Cheating case against cycle dealer
Ludhiana, April 6
The Focal Point police has registered a case against Mr R.S. Bhatia and his son, Mr Sanjeev Bhatia, dealers of Avon Cycles, for not paying an amount worth more than Rs 2 lakh and issuing a cheque that was bounced by the bank.

BUSINESS

A potter makes pots in preparation for summer sale.  —  Photo Rajesh Bhambi

Potters gear up for summers Ludhiana, April 6 Come summer and people flock to potters to buy earthen pots or gharas, matkas and surahis. Though a mind boggling range of refrigerators is available in the market, yet the cool water of earthen pitchers is more satisfying than that of the fridge. The earthen pitcher has been used since ages and has certain romance about it. Remember the importance of a ‘ghara’ in the love story of Sohni and Mahiwal.

LSE trade recovering from Parekh effect
Ludhiana, April 6
The trade at the Ludhiana Stock Exchange (LSE) appears to be slowly limping back after six consecutive black Fridays in the share market. The market seems to be recovering from the impact of Ketan Parekh’s arrest by the CBI for manipulating the market and the panic caused due to the raids of income tax officials on about 30 brokers here for disclosing their income.

AGRICULTURE

Bed plantation more rewarding
Laddowal (Ludhiana), April 6
While Punjab Agricultural University is yet to recommend bed planting, a system of cultivation of wheat, three progressive farmers of this village have already proved that bed plantation can be more rewarding than traditional farming.

NCP criticises PAU
Ludhiana, April 6
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expressed concern over the “continuous deterioration” of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

CULTURE

Recreating the Sufi movement
Phillaur (Ludhiana), April 6
A few years ago a “thinking policeman” decided to do something more constructive than just training cops for the tough job of wielding stick for maintaining law and order. So he ventured into the abstract realm of philosophy — the philosophy that is so close and relevant today as it was centuries ago.

HEALTH

World Health Day dedicated to mental health
Ludhiana, April 6
All over the world, health of not only the individual but the entire society is of prime importance as the development of any nation depends on its healthy work force. Keeping this in view, the UNO has declared April 7 as World Health Day and have made ‘mental health’ the main focus this year.