Dental Health Education workshop concludes
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 13
A two-day programme for imparting training in dental health education to schoolteachers and community leaders was concluded yesterday at Christian Dental College (CDC). More than 200 schoolteachers and community leaders attended the programme which was inaugurated by Dr T.M. Jaison, Acting Director of Christian Medical College and Hospital here yesterday.

Dr J.L. Joshi, Principal CDC, in a statement today said that there was a need for educating the schoolteachers in oral health. He announced that a special dental health mela would be organised in the college from September 1-15, 2002. In addition to providing of free dental treatment to all patients during that period, a special campaign would be launched to educate people about the importance of oral health during this time. As a part of the campaign, an on-the-spot poster competition on oral health among schoolchildren would also be organised. Special rallies would be held to educate the public about the importance of oral hygiene and the dangerous effects of the use of tobacco products such as gutkha, chutki, pan-masala, cigarette and bidis etc.

Dr Basant Pawar, Deputy Director, CMC, stressed that teachers should play a leading role in propagating positive oral health. Dr J.L. Joshi highlighted the role of teachers in the development of children. He called upon the teachers to provide better guidance to young children for their future development. Dr N.C. Mann, Senior Consultant, CDC, sought the cooperation of the participants in imparting general health and particularly oral health education to children so that the children could develop healthy oral hygiene habits.

KVM students back from foreign trip
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 13
“It was paradise”, said the 50 students after coming back from their educational trip to Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur recently. The students enjoyed visiting the Golden Buddha Temple, the reclining Buddha Temple and the King’s Palace at Bangkok. It was their maiden trip to Sentosa Island, the Underwater World, the Musical Fountain Show, the Bird Museum, the Dolphin Show and the zoo at Singapore.

At Kualalumpur, the students had a glimpse of the twin tower, the pewter factory and Genting Highlands. They would never forget their visit to Paltaya Beach where they had a time of their life in the clean, clear waters of Paltaya. They did boating, para-sailing and enjoyed a steamer ride there. They learnt a lot about natural condition and culture of these places. According to them, the cable car ride from Kula Lumpur to Genting Highlands was fascinating. This is the longest and the highest cable car ride in Asia. Magnificent buildings at Kualalumpur and Singapore left the students spellbound. They caught glimpses of these fabulous sights in their cameras.

The students have come back not only with a longing to visit these places again, but also with token gifts and souvenirs for their near and dear ones. Parents of these students have praised the Principal, Ms Neena Khanna, and the school management for organising such an educational trip.

COURTS

Steel company directed to pay interest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 13
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed M/s Jindal Vijaynagar Steel Limited, a Bellary (Karnataka)-based company, to pay the amount of overdue interest on debentures, along with interest for delayed payment of the redemption amount, to a complainant, Mr Prem Kumar Gupta.

In an ex parte order, the forum held that the company had defaulted in payment of half-yearly interest which had become due from October 1, 2000, onwards against 18,600 debentures, held by Mr Prem Kumar Gupta. The amount of interest, at the rate of 15 per cent, worked out to Rs 26,040 which the company failed to pay in spite of repeated reminders by the debenture holder.

According to the complainant, the debentures were to be redeemed in 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th year of purchase at the rate of Rs 5 per debenture and the first redemption was due on March 6, 2001. Although the company had admitted in writing that it was liable to pay interest on the debentures, but it stated that the payment would be made at a later date. The company payed the redemption amount of Rs 93,000 to the complainant.

The forum directed the company to make payment of overdue interest of Rs 52,080 with interest till the actual date of payment and also to pay interest on the redemption amount of Rs 93,000 at the rate of 14 per cent.

Three men get 12-year rigorous imprisonment
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 13
Hansraj, Bhajna Ram and Mohan Chand of Lattodana village under the Sahnewal police station, have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of 12 years on charge of illegally possessing poppy husk, under the NDPS Act. A fine of Rs 1 lakh each has also been imposed on them.

Delivering the verdict, Mr G. R. Banyal, Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana held that prosecution had successfully proved that the accused were possessing 15 bags (40 kg each) of poppy husk, for which they had no permit or licence.

The judge declined the plea of leniency raised by the accused with the remarks, "Recovery in question is of commercial quantity. Keeping it in view the accused do not deserve any leniency.”

An FIR was registered against the accused on November 24,1999, at the Division no. 5 police station under Section 15 of the NDPS Act.

According to the prosecution the then SHO, Model Town police station Ludhiana, Mr Jatinder Singh Khaira along with ASI Abdul Rashid, ASI Harjit Singh and others, were present in front of the bus stand in connection with some case. They got an information that the accused were bringing poppy husk in a Truck (PB-10-D-9976). The police party blocked the road near the Bhai Wala chowk. Truck was stopped and driver, Hans Raj was apprehended. Two other accused, however, managed to escape. Fifteen bags of poppy husk were seized from the truck.