Engineers ‘rule’ Ludhiana
Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 23
Top administrative posts in Ludhiana are occupied by engineering graduates. It is also for the first time in the history of the city that couples are occupying coveted posts in the administration.

Starting with the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Mr Anurag Gupta, who is an engineering graduate from the IIT, Kanpur, both Additional Deputy Commissioners(ADCs), the two Subdivisional Magistrates (SDMs), the Assistant Commissioner (under training) and the General Assistant(GA) to the DC are engineering graduates.

The coveted posts of the ADCs, (Development and General) and the SDMs (East and West ) are occupied by couples.

The ADC (Development), Mr Rahul Bhandari, and the officiating ADC (General), Mr Sumer Singh Gujjar, are both alumni of Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh. The ADC(General), Ms Rakhi Gupta Bhandari, is on leave these days.

Both the SDMs, Mr Ajoy Sharma and Ms Bhawna Garg, are engineers and married to each other. The Assistant Commissioner (under training), Mr Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, and the GA to the DC, Mr M.S. Jaggi, have graduated from the PEC, Chandigarh, and Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, respectively.

Ludhiana Tribune spoke to some of them to find how they were faring, especially when they all wanted to be engineers first and later joined the administrative services.

Most of them feel that engineering gave them an analytical brain and the power to take decisions faster. Becoming an engineer was their childhood dream, but the present jobs gave them more satisfaction.

For Mr Gupta, his job in Ludhiana is particularly challenging. He says he has not forgotten the subjects he used to study during his college days and during his free time, he still reads the theory of relativity and follows it also.

According to ADC Rahul Bhandari, an electronic engineer, administration is a tough job. “You have to take strong decisions at times. Engineering provides you with an analytical mind and the courage to take decisions without thinking twice.” He has worked with PUNWIRE and the Telecom Department and later decided to sit for the IAS.

“I enjoy my work as it is all about authority and legal power. You can help people and at the same time work at the ground level while contributing towards the betterment of the society.” he adds.

Recalling the day he was offered a job by a leading MNC, he said he had no regrets even though he would have got a better salary, besides perks.

Having his wife in the same profession is no less exciting. The couple count on each other during difficult times and say they understand each other's demands better.

They are also happy for having broken the notion that officer-couples cannot run a family. “Rahul is a good husband, not at all chauvinistic. I enjoy bringing my work home as I know he will not nag me,” says Ms Bhandari.

Similar is the case of Mr Ajoy Sharma, SDM (West), who is an alumnus of Engineering College, Kota. He has worked with an MNC, but enjoys his stint as the SDM (West). His wife Bhawna Garg, SDM (East), is an IIT topper. They are happy being in the same job as they understand each other's problems better.

“When it comes to a technical point, engineers, at times, can make fools of administrative officers. But in our case they cannot do that. I am happy my education provides me to think scientifically and logically,” says Mr Jaggi, a mechanical engineering from the PEC, Chandigarh.

‘Mehak Punjab Di’ organised
Our Correspondent

Amloh, December 23
The twelfth annual cultural mela “Mehak Punjab Di” was organised at the ground of Government Senior Secondary School here by the local Punjab Sabhyacharak Club yesterday.

Mr Vikas Partap, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Fatehgarh Sahib, who was the guest of honour, inaugurated the mela by releasing balloons in the air. Addressing the gathering, the DC said the government was paying special attention to providing adequate educational facilities in government schools.

A de-addiction wing had been constituted in Civil Hospital, Fatehgarh Sahib. Polio drops would be administered to children upto five-year-old on January 5 and February 9 next year, he added.

The chief guest, Mr Sadhu Singh, MLA, Amloh, praised the social activities of the club, which has been launching the awareness campaigns for the past 12 years against social evils like drug menace, female foeticide, smoking, etc, through skits and plays.

He distributed woollens to the needy students of middle, high and senior secondary schools of Amloh block.

Ms Sudesh Kalyan, producer, Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar, and Mr Bela Singh, state Organising Commissioner (Scouts), Punjab, were honoured for their services to the society.

Mr Youdhveer Manak (son of Kuldeep Manak), Pannu Virk, Pavinder Singh Khera, Avtar Singh Azad, Harniak Dhira and Pargat Cahnnu presented folk songs, depicting the true picture of the Punjabi culture. 

Prize distribution function
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 23
The annual prize distribution function was celebrated at Daffodils Public School this morning. A grand cultural programme was presented by students. The students started the programme with rendering of a shabad.

The students presented Haryanavi, Bangla and Punjabi folk dances. A dance that displayed a jungle scene was well received by the audience. The puppet show was also presented.

The meritorious students were awarded prizes by Mr Rakesh Pandey, Minister of State for Printing and Stationery, Punjab. The show ended with bhangra and giddha performances by senior students.

Christmas celebrations, prayers in schools
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 23
Christmas was celebrated in Lily Buds Pre-Nursery and Nursery School, Sham Nagar, Ludhiana. A fancy dress competition was organised. The function was presided over by Mr Arun Arti, president, People for Common Cause. Manpreet dressed as Kashmiri girl won the first prize, Prachi dressed as Punjabi Girl won the second and Kajal dressed as a fairy won the third prize. In addition to that other entertainment activities were also performed by the little ones.

The tiny tots who took part in various activities were Aashi, Hitakshi, Arika, Yukta, Kashish, Mayank, Sidhart and Sidhanat etc. Prizes were given by the chief guest, Mr Arun Atri.

The director of the institution, Prof R.K. Gupta, and Principal, Ms Ravneet Kaur, thanked the audience and assured good performance of the school in the coming times.

Christmas celebrations at Kiddies’ Paradise. — Photo Inderjit Verma

Kiddies’ Paradise: Tiny tots of Kiddies’ Paradise, Kochar Market, Ludhiana, celebrated X-mas in a unique way starting with kids’ candle light procession, illuminating the world with brightness of sincerity, glow of honesty, radiance of purity and flame of innocence. The kids wanted to spread the message of love. Kids with fancy dresses Ibna as Shanni Devta, Banny as mobile store, Jaspreet as ghost Aniket as Bhole Shankar and Avi as Punjabi gabhru stole the show.

The audience was spellbound when Santa Claus danced to the tune of Jingle Bells with the kids. School Principal Gulshan Kaur encouraged the kids’ efforts and explained the significance of the occasion. All had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas.

Santa brings Christmas cheer to students of KVM School, city branch.

KVM city branch: On the auspicious morning of December 23, 2002, KVM city branch celebrated Christmas. It was celebrated in a cheerful and exciting manner. Many students spoke on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible.

There was a Santa from each class. They distributed gifts and sweets among children. An impressive speech was made by the Principal, telling children to respect their elders, parents and the teachers.

She also gave them the advice to choose the right path. The function was attended by all students with great enthusiasm.

Child Heart Day Boarding School: Students of Child Heart Day Boarding School celebrated Christmas at a function held this morning. The programme started with the colourful dance of tiny tots. A fancy dress show was organised by the children. Children came dressed up as Mother India, Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Father, Shri Ganesh. An open dance competition performed by the children also attracted all the audience. Sandeep Goswami, dressed as Santa Claus, gave sweets and gifts to children. Principal Neetu Gulati distributed the prizes.

Small Wonders Nursery School: Children of Small Wonders Nursery School, Sangat Road, Civil Lines, Ludhiana, celebrated Christmas today. Gaiety marked the occasion with school’s activity room specially decked up with Christmas trees, stars, bells, balloons and colourful buntings. Children were dressed up as Santa Claus, Baby Jesus, Father and Pope. Four of the kids dressed up as Santa Claus sat in a corner as if they were discussing how people could live peacefully and lovingly. Santa gave away gifts to all the children .

Girls dressed up in white costumes sang carols and all the gifts to all the children. An attractive Christmas tree had been placed in the corner. Each branch had been decked up with glittering decorations.

COURTS

Schedule for court vacation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 23
The District Courts will remain closed from December 25 to January 1, 2003. Mr Baldev Singh, District and Sessions Judge, has made arrangements for dealing with urgent matters during the period.

For urgent matters such as bail applications, injunctions and stays pertaining to the Sessions Court, Mr Baldev Singh, Sessions Judge, will be available on December 25.

Mr D.R. Arora, Additional District and Sessions Judge, will be present on December 26 and 27, Mr H.S. Madan, Additional District and Sessions Judge, on December 28 and 29, Mr G.R. Banyal, Additional District and Sessions Judge, on December 30, Mr Inderjit Kaushik, Additional District and Sessions Judge on December 31 and Mr S.M.S. Mahal on January 1, 2003.

Mr J.S. Chauhan, Civil Judge (Senior Division), Ludhiana, will take case of civil matters pertaining to jurisdiction of the lower courts from December 25 to 27, Mr Arunvir Vashisht, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) from December 28 to 30, Mr Sanjay Agnihotri, Civil Judge (Junior Division) on December 31 and January 1, 2003.

Mr R.K. Sharma, JMIC, Ludhiana will work as Duty Magistrate from December 25 to 27, Ms Anshul Berry, JMIC, from December 28 to 30, and Mr Ashok Kapoor, JMIC, Ludhiana on December 31 and January 1, 2003.

In Khanna, Mr G.S. Dhillon, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) will be available from December 25 to 28 and Mr Munish Arora, Civil Judge (Junior Division) from December 29 to January 1, 2003.

At Samrala, Mr R.K. Condal, Civil Judge (Junior Division) will dispose off urgent matters from December 25 to 28 and Ms Asha Condal, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) from December 29 to January 1, 2003.

In Jagraon, Mr H.S. Grewal, Civil Judge, Junior Division, will be available during the entire winter vacation.

Arrest warrants stayed
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 23
Six members of a Ludhiana family, accused of a fraud by a Ropar town resident, have got a reprieve with the High Court transferring the case from Ropar to Ludhiana and staying the proceedings till mid-January.

Amarjit Singh, a resident of Ropar, had alleged that the family of Paramjit Kaur of Ludhiana had played a fraud on him by marrying off an already married woman.

The High Court has, however, upheld the appeal of the accused family and transferred the case to Ludhiana. The proceedings of the Ropar court that had issued arrest warrants against the accused have also been stayed because of the transfer.