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| Thursday,
September 13, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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Panic grips city as people run for information Ludhiana, September 12 The panic became more acute and grave particularly when all the telephone lines to these two cities were jammed. People were seen queuing up outside the public call offices to make telephone calls. Since all the telephone lines to these two places were down, it was an absolute atmosphere of fear ridden uncertainty. People did not sleep for the entire night. Mr Harinder Pal Singh Bhogal, one of the leading exporters of the city said that he could not get connected to any of the cities in the United States. He then contacted one of his friends in Switzerland, who informed him about the welfare of some friends. It was only today that some people received telephone calls from Washington and New York. For Mr Rajbinder Singh and his wife, it was a nightmare to pass last night till they received a telephone call from their son, who is working in Washington. They said, the people, particularly the Asians were more fear stricken. Similarly, Mr Yoginder Walia, a hosiery exporter, whose sister is settled in Washington, said he was not worried about his business, but about the welfare of his sister as her office was quite close to the WTC. It was only in the morning today when he received a call from her that she along with other family members was sound and safe that he could feel relieved. Mr Bhogal said he received a phone call today from one of his friends. He disclosed that the non-Americans, particularly the Arabs, were being viewed with suspicion. Since the Americans are not able to distinguish between the Arabs and Asians, it is becoming very difficult for them to face the hostility of the natives. The Asians, they said, were doubly fear stricken. First, it is the common fear prevailing everywhere about the apprehension of anything happening anytime anywhere. And for the unfortunate Asians, it is the additional fear of repercussions. They are being viewed with suspicion even by the intelligence and security agencies. Some people who had called up there relatives here said they were worried and wished that they could move out of the country at least for some time. “Everyone seems to have turned hostile against us”, a US resident of Indian origin was quoted having said. It is not only the common people in Ludhiana who are worried. Big business houses exporting cycles, hosiery and other spare parts to the US are also a worried lot. The hosiery manufacturers have already dispatched their consignment to that country. Similar is the case with the cycle and spare part manufacturers, who are also worried. Their worries are more about the total destruction of the WTC, which houses the headquarters of the Bank of America. An exporter said all financial transactions are made through the BOA. Since the entire record has already been destroyed, it will be difficult for exporters to realise their payments. Even if they are able to, it may take them a long time to trace the records from different sources and get their payments realised. |
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Docs,
lawyers flay attacks in USA Ludhiana, September 12 Dr Arun MitraP, its general secretary, in a press note stated that the IDPD as a part of the worldwide peace movement had always been against aiding and abetting all sorts of terrorism whether by certain groups or by the state. Problems
of the world should be solved through mutual dialogue and confidence
building amongst nations. He said, “Yesterday’s events have
further vindicated the stand of the IDPD that nuclear weapons should
be eliminated from the earth, if humanity has to be saved. These
events have sent a clear signal to the whole world as to what could
happen if nuclear weapons fall into the hands of terrorists”. Meanwhile,
lawyers also condemned the attack and abstained from work. Rich
tributes were paid to the persons who died without any fault, at a
meeting of the District Bar Association held under the presidentship
of Mr Harish Rai Dhanda. |
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Miraculous escape Samrala, September 12 |
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Pvt college teachers strike work Ludhiana, September 12 SAMRALA Lecturers of Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, struck work and took out a protest rally, on the call of the Punjab and Chandigarh Teachers’ Union. They condemned the arrest of PCCTU leaders in Ludhiana and the objectionable behaviour of government officials. Addressing the rally, Prof Harinderjit Singh Kler, secretary of the union, said the government would be responsible for any consequences in case the accepted demands of PCCTU were not implemented. While all private colleges remained open, the teachers did not take classes. They were protesting against the rude behaviour of the police and district administration officials with the striking teachers and their arrest yesterday. The teachers were arrested after they held a demonstration in front of the Mini-Secretariat as they ended their eight-day relay fast demanding implementation of pension-cum-gratuity scheme, release of arrears, extension of 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme to unaided colleges, revised UGC scales to principals and teachers and lecturer designation for DPEs and librarians. The PCCTU unit of the Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College observed a complete bandh in the college. Stating this in a press note, Prof Bimlesh Gupta, president, and Prof Dinesh Malik, general secretary, condemned the incident. They said the teachers should be allowed to protest against the anti-education policies of the Punjab Government. They said the unaided colleges of the state had been betrayed as the government did not fulfil its commitment of implementing the grant-in-aid scheme made in the election manifesto of the SAD-BJP combine. The PCCTU unit of Guru Hargobind Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar, said work ceased in protest against the highhandedness of the police at a teachers’ rally yesterday. Stating this, Mr Gurdev Singh, joint secretary, said the students of the college were apprised of the callous attitude of the government and the administration. Principal Manjit Singh Khattra expressed his sympathy with the striking teachers and criticised the police action. The teachers of the Malwa Central College of Education for Women also boycotted their classes. Ms R. Sandhu, president, and Ms D. Sandhu, general secretary, criticised the illegal detention of 10 members of the PCCTU for three hours at police division number 5 yesterday. Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, president of the union, who was among the arrested teachers, said the police maltreated the teachers yesterday. He said the anti-teacher policy of the government was forcing them to resort to rallies and demonstrations. He added that an executive meeting to decide the further course of action would be held on September 16. Till then, the teachers would observe strike from September 12 to 22, in which teaching work would be suspended for two hours a day, Professor Sodhi said. Prof Jaipal Singh, president, Government College Teachers’ Association, condemned yesterday’s incident. He urged the government to implement the accepted demands of private college teachers. |
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Garg murder case: Is fear behind witnesses’ denial? Ludhiana, September 12 The key witnesses in the Garg murder case thus seem to have gone back not only on their statement regarding the sequence of events of the murder but have also given statements contrary to some sworn affidavits submitted earlier. According to documents with the Ludhiana Tribune, one of the witnesses who turned hostile, Amritpal Singh, a resident of Pavittar Nagar Haibowal Kalan had through a sworn affidavit complained to the police in May, earlier this year, that he was receiving threats from some relatives of the accused Nirdosh Dhand. He had alleged that the relatives of the accused had threatened him with dire consequences if he gave evidence against Nirdosh Dhand in the case. In his signed affidavit, Amritpal said not only his life but property was also in danger. The statement of Amritpal Singh was crucial to the case. In his statement before the police he had said on January 17, 2001, the accused Nirdosh Dhand had come to him for some work and had made
extra-judicial confession about the murder of Tirath Ram Garg. However, yesterday, while deposing before the court, he said he never made any such statement and did not even know . According to sources, the other witnesses have also received similar threats but now they have changed their statements for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, Mr B.S. Mehndiratta, Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, adjourned the infamous murder trial of Tirath Ram Garg of Jagraon, after recording statements of three witnesses, on October 5, 2001. Evidence was recorded in the presence of the accused Nirdosh Dhand, accused of committing the murder. The prosecution today examined DSP Manjit Singh, Inspector Paramjit Singh, the then SHO, Police Station Division No. 6, where the FIR was lodged and also examined one Gurnam Singh, who had prepared the site plan of place. Till today seven witnesses have been examined by the prosecution out of the list of 20 witnesses already submitted in the court. |
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FCI appeals to farmers to bring dry paddy to mandis Ludhiana, September 12 He said the FCI was all set to procure paddy in Punjab mandis at 560 purchase centres out of 1598 centres in the state. The corporation has made sufficient arrangements for its storage. Contracts have been given to private parties to store paddy since there was no vacant space available to store paddy on the raised scientific plinths. Mr V.K. Singh admitted that the 2 per cent increase in moisture in the paddy would actually result in more than 10 per cent moisture at the final stage due to corrupt inspectors, middle men and other vested interests in the paddy procurement chain. He said: “The FCI is not an efficient agency and there are many limitations in the storage and procurement, besides highly unionised labour, which results in high costs of storage.” He said the government had decided to handle paddy procurement at seven places in the state in a mechanised manner. It would save the post-procurement costs. Denying the charge of accountability of the corporation in the starvation deaths in Orissa, he said: “There is enough stored rice but the actual problem is of accessibility to the foodgrains. Commenting upon the role of politicians in the paddy procurement, he said they were harming the long-term interests of the farmers by demanding lowering of the moisture specifications, that had caused bad publicity for the paddy purchased last year. However, during the current season due to good weather conditions, the situation would be better as compared to the past year. Mr V.K. Singh admitted that 80 per cent of the procured paddy would have to be stored on kutcha grounds only. Field officers had been asked to prepare these yards properly by using brick layers and double wooden crates to save the stocks from any damage. The state government had also promised to the FCI to provide marketing yards wherever possible and also panchayat lands to store FCI paddy. He disclosed that the FCI in Punjab would procure 30 per cent of marketable arrivals. Arrangements
have been made to procure 31.5 lakh tonnes of paddy against 28.32 lakh tonnes procured during last season. However, in view of rice millers not coming forward to participate whole-heartedly for paddy purchases, the FCI was finalising arrangements to procure 34-35 lakh tonnes of paddy in the state. |
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Prediction comes true Ludhiana, September 12 He had earlier predicted the victory of George W. Bush in the presidential election. The problem the President was likely to face during his tenure was to result from transport accidents. In the annual oath-taking horoscope of Mr Bush from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2002, Mercury in the 12th house aspects Ketu in the 6th house. Mercury stands for deserts and Ketu stands for transport, friends and colleagues, which clearly implies that there may be some Arabian connection to the disaster. Arab billionaire Osama bin Laden is already being suspected of having masterminded the operation. In the annual horoscope of Mr Bush from July 6, 2001 to July 6 2002, Mercury in the 2nd house, which stands for deserts, gives a setback to the respect and honour of the USA. The President’s father may also face health problems. During this period, Rahu in the 12th house disturbs the peace and night sleep of Mr Bush to a large extent. But Mars in the third house indicates that he will bring the culprits to book. He had also predicted that the economy of the USA would suffer a setback. With the WTC disaster, it was not only the US economy, but also the world economy that had suffered. |
Control diet, be free from heart diseases Ludhiana, September 12 According to recent reports, nine out of every 100 persons in cities and five out of every 100 persons in rural areas are suffering from heart diseases. The aetiology of heart diseases is multifactorial, no single factor is an absolute cause. Hypertension, obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, sedentary habits, stress and family history are some of the important causes of heat diseases. A research was conducted by Ms Parneet Baring, under the guidance of Dr Jaswinder Sangha, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The effect of some commonly consumed food items was like garlic, onion, tomato, amala and alsi, observed on the blood lipid profiles of 35 subjects belonging to legal profession in Ludhiana. It was observed that increase in body weight and blood lipids and the development of arterioscelerosis and thrombosis were in fact the end results of prolonged faulty dietary habits including excess consumption of refined cereals like flour used in bakery products, high fat and cholesterol rich foods like red meat, egg yolk, fats, sweets, puddings etc. By adopting a diet of protective foods like fruits and vegetables, ensuring less sugar and oil consumption, taking cereals and pulses and by supplementing the diet with extra doses of garlic, onions, tomatoes, amalas and alsi etc., one can reduce the chances of heart diseases. Strategies based on dietary modifications, if implemented can reduce the chances of heart diseases. Usually, dietary modifications are the first line of treatment and drug treatment follows only if there is an inadequate response to these. Physical activities like walking, yoga and meditation helps in relieving tension and hence preventing heart diseases. Diet control, regular exercise, no smoking and reduction in alcohol consumption help in reducing the risk of coronary heart diseases.  |
CHILD CARE Ludhiana, September 12 Solid foods may be started at the age of three to four months. When the first solid food is given, a small amount is offered and placed well behind on the tongue. The mother should expect some spitting until the baby gets used to swallowing solid foods. The amount of food that is given should be increased gradually. Solid food is given preferably before the breast milk when the baby is hungry. When new solid foods are introduced some change in the consistency, colour and frequency of motion occurs. Often this is mistaken for diarrhoea. The consistency of solid may be gradually thickened. Thoroughly cooked and soft food and cereals may be given mixed with a little milk at first. Vegetables, fruits, meal etc should be thoroughly mashed and preferably stained in the beginning. Baby can be given mashed banana to start with. Initially a small amount is given and later it is gradually increased till the baby is able to taken one whole banana in about a month’s time. Other foods like boiled potato, suji kheer, boiled rice, vegetables and fruit juices, dalia, khichri can be given to the child. Fruits, papaya, chikoo, mango and other seasonal fruits can also be given. Cereals like rice, suji, wheat and cholam are not only excellent sources of carbohydrates but also contain significant quantities of protein. Vegetable are good sources of pro-vitamin A, vitamin V-Complex, minerals and if properly prepared even Vitamin C. Fruits are also good sources of pro-vitamin A and vitamin C. In five to six months seasonal vegetables like carrots, peas, greens can also be given. The vegetable must be well-boiled. Gradually, the quantity of fruit and cereals can be increased. An 8 to 9-month baby should be given khichri, dal, rice, daliya, curd , eggs, vegetables , bread etc. Boiled eggs may be given initially but later it can be cooked in any way the baby seems to like it. In 9 to 12 months, all the above foods should be given in increased amounts. The child will not be able to taken spices and hot heavy foods. It is important to give solid foods at least three times a day after milk feeds. A one-year-old child does not need more than 500 ml of milk a day. The child should be given multi -vitamin drops and iron drops to encourage rapid growth. If iron is not given the child may develop anaemia. Multi-vitamins drops should be started at the age of one month. Usually five drops a day of any good multi-vitamin drops are enough to supply the vitamin requirements of the child. Adequate amount of vitamin C is also needed. More particularly if the child is not getting breast milk. Iron can be started at three to four months of age. During this period every mother should be careful about her child. — Dr Anil Dheer |
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Camouflaged death trap Ludhiana, September 12 There is heavy flow of traffic on this subway during peak hours. In the morning, children use this route to go to school. The commuters coming from the Samrala Chowk and military camp also use this subway. This is also the only way to the Division No. 6 police station. A cycle stand worker, Mr Mahinder Pundit, says many accidents have taken place during the past two months. “This ditch is a traffic hazard and should be filled by the department concerned as soon as possible, otherwise someday a major tragedy may take place. A policeman of the area says nobody has come to check this ditch during the past two months. He adds that there is no streetlight on this subway and any major tragedy can take place on account of an error by any commuter. |
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Civic staff threaten peaceful stir Ludhiana, September 12 Giving this information, Mr Tarsem Lal, president, and Mr Sunder Lal Mehta, general secretary of the federation, said the federation had already submitted a memorandum to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, strongly urging him not to succumb to the pressure being mounted by his alliance partner — the BJP. The move for abolition of octroi, they remarked, was politically motivated and would prove disastrous for the local bodies. The abolition of octroi, according to the federation activists, would not only cause irreparable financial loss to the local government institutions, but would open floodgates for the members of trade and industry, who would be at liberty to import each and every commodity without proper bills, which in turn would result in massive evasion of Central sales tax, sales tax, excise and other duties. “The octroi checkposts are in a way additional checkpoints where every bill for import of goods has to be produced along with the consignment.” The federation further termed the proposal for octroi abolition as a ‘suicidal step’ for both the state government and the civic bodies as it was bound to hamper the development work in all towns and cities. Calling upon Mr Badal to put his foot down and sniff out the move for abolition of octroi, the federation observed that the BJP was under a misfounded belief that it could reclaim its eroded urban base through such political and populist gimmicks. “It is pertinent to note that even if the octroi is abolished, the public at large will not benefit in any manner whereas the people will feel the pinch of any additional tax intended to be imposed by the government to make up the financial loss.” |
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Agents
seek cut in security fees Ludhiana, September 12 Mr Sohan Singh Bains, an office-bearer of the committee, disclosed that in an advertisement published on July 20, 2001, the government had asked for applications to appoint young persons as the transport agents at all district and regional transport authority offices to facilitate the work of vehicle registration, route permits and driving licences. However, the government had fixed a non-refundable security of Rs 30,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 7,500 for the appointment of transport agents at regional, district and tehsil, offices respectively. In addition, the government had demanded a licence renewal fees of Rs 12,500, Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,500 after every three years from them. This could not be paid by the agents who are dependent on meagre commission from the customers. He pointed out that the agents of PUDA, passport, post office and insurance companies were paying nominal fees as compared to the proposed fees for them. He claimed that the PUDA, passport, post office agents were paying even less than Rs 1,000 as the security fees. The government should fix the security fees for transport agents on a par with them. He said some of the agents had already filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard. |
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Bee-keeping good for eco balance: expert Ludhiana, September 12 She is in Ludhiana at the invitation of Entomology Department of Punjab Agricultural University and is conducting workshops to help in the better production of honey. She has been operating large bee farms, helping in better production of honey, training apprentices, particularly women. At present she is running a company in apitherapy products, combining it with advisory work for the Netherlands Managers Corporation Programme sponsored by the government of Netherland. This is a senior expert programme and they give special advice to the applicants. In this regard, the Department of Entomology was the applicant besides Agro Products. Under this programme several representatives are working all over the country. With 35 years of bee-keeping experience behind her and having operated several large bee farms, producing honey , she is an authority on bee-keeping. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune she said foreign bees were introduced by the Department of Entomology as native bees do not produce as much honey. She said,” This is my second visit to India. Last time I had visited Kolkata and Assam. I am enjoying my visit to Punjab. I want bee-keepers to improve honey production and better the quality of product. I also aim in assisting new products for example-propolis. Bees collect raisins, gum and botanical waxes on their legs and carry it to their beehive. They add some of their products like bees’ wax and saliva and the mixture of all these ingredients forms propolis. The bees use propolis like putty to fill up the holes in the walls of beehives. They also smear propolis on the cells where brood is going to be reared. The propolis is very important in yielding better production of honey.” She is here to introduce and assist in the harvesting and processing of propolis. Honey quality can be improved by better seasonal bee-keeping methods and harvesting techniques and improved processing techniques. Honey , pollen, bee milk (royal jelly), bee venom, bees wax and propolis are well known hive products, as well as have nutritional value. They are used as food supplements in different forms, depending on the particular product: honey pure, pollen pure, royal jelly pure or added to honey, bee venom added to honey, propolis capsulated. For external use they are manufactured into salbe, ointment, cream, skin oil, massage oil. The therapeutical use of these products is called apitherapy after the zoological name of the honey bee
Apis. |
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Withdraw cases against cops, demands Shiv Sena Ludhiana, September 12 In a press note, Mr Krishan Sharma, general secretary of the party, said this was necessary in view of the current tussle between the security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir. He said it was necessary to boost the morale of the security personnel who were engaged in a war-like situation in Kashmir. Sena activists also organised a function at the Sita Mata Temple at Daresi Grounds. Addressing the workers, Mr Ravinder Arora, state general secretary, said state leaders from other parties were joining the Shiv Sena and the whole country was looking up to Mr Bal Thackeray for leadership. |
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Bias against migrant workers alleged Ludhiana, September 12 Addressing a labour rally at Rajiv Gandhi Colony here last evening, the DYC president, Mr Parminder Mehta, also blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for its attitude towards the problems of migrant workers, hailing from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other states. He alleged thousands of migrants, residing in Shahid Bhagat Singh Colony, Hira Nagar, Gajja Jain Colony, New Moti Nagar, Vishwakarma Colony, Deep Singh Nagar, Fauji Colony, Ranjit Nagar and Industrial Area (A), were being deprived of their constitutional rights like the right to own property, voting rights and facilities like ration cards. Mr Mehta said as a result of poor enforcement of labour laws, both industrial and farm workers were being exploited by their employers and their contribution to the economic development was being overlooked. |
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Professor dead Ludhiana, September 12 |
Family suffers double loss Ludhiana, September 12 Mr Balwant Singh is an accountant at a shop in Pakhowal. On Sunday night, his aged mother had gone to the fields to answer the call of nature, when some unidentified persons suddenly pounced on her and snatched the jewellery worn by her. The accused also beat her up and severely injured her while pulling her earrings, bangles and a gold chain. The family complained to the police in the morning. However, next afternoon, when Balwant Singh had gone to the bank to deposit about Rs 20,000, he discovered just at the time of depositing that a wad of Rs 10,000 was missing. He raised the alarm in the bank and the needle of suspicion pointed towards two children who were standing near him in the bank. According to Mr Balwant Singh, a tea stall owner outside the bank told him that he had saw two children coming out of the bank with a wad of currency notes in their hands. The children were seen running towards the Pakhowal bus stand, where they were seen boarding a bus. Mr Balwant Singh said he along with some other persons went to Jodhan, where the bus had gone, but could not find the children on the bus. He said he had complained to the police regarding the incident but nothing had been done so far. When contacted Mr G.S. Gulani, Manager, Punjab and Sind Bank, where the alleged incident took place, denied that the currency notes were stolen from the bank. He said he had heard about it but the complainant had lost the money in his home or on the way. |
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