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January 30, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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Sekhon’s hamlet to be ‘adarsh village’ Issewal (Ludhiana), January 29 This was announced today by MLA Malkiat Singh Dakha, while addressing a function organised in the village to commemorate the martyrdom day of Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, who had laid down his life fighting the enemy in the 1971 war. Mr Dakha also said that two major connecting roads of the village would be constructed. Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik, an Akali leader, also announced an aid of Rs 50,000 for the development of the village. The village known for sending its sons for the honour of the nation has not forgotten its war heroes. Men, women and children of this village paid glaring tributes to the two martyrs — Nirmaljit and Sarup Singh Sekhon. Nirmaljit was a Flying Officer with the Indian Air Force when he became a martyred on December 14, 1971, fighting the enemy, and Sarup Singh was a sepoy and he also laid down his life in the same war. Even 30 years after the late Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh sacrificed his life, these villagers have always kept his memory dear to their hearts. The commemoration of his day at the village school named after him revealed that the hero was still living in each nook and corner of the village. Infact the villagers say that Issewal is known in the region as Shaheed Sekhon’s village . He is the only officer of the Air Force to be decorated with the prestigious Param Vir Chakra posthumously. It is said it was after the sacrifice of the martyr that the sense of patriotism was embedded deep inside the minds of the residents of this village. Talking to the village children and youths one learns that even after 30 years of his sacrifice, he still acts as a role model for the succeeding generations. The village takes pride in saying that even during the day of militancy in Punjab, when the Khalistan movement had swept many a youth, this village created a record where not even a single youth, was attracted to the movement. As the sarpanch of the village, Mr Gurdial Singh, rightly
says, "Our village is the only one in the region that produced maximum number of decorated soldiers in the whole country. How can the spirit of patriotism and terrorism go together? Our people crave to give away their lives for the country.” Another hero of the village, Air Marshal, Manjeet Singh Sekhon (retd), who was also born in this village, decorated with Veer Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Air Force medal, paid rich tributes to the martyr by recalling his contribution and his exemplary feat in which he had shot
Recalling his days with the martyr, Air Marshal Sekhon said that he was very energetic, pushing, dynamic, aggressive and yet a very wonderful person. He said that on the fateful day he had engaged six aircraft of the enemy and had injured his right arm which had become limp. He kept flying his aircraft with his left hand for some time. When he ejected his parachute did not open , and he smashed his head on the ground that killed him. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Agarwal, who was chief guest on the occasion was conspicuous by his absence. It was communicated to the village in the noon that he was away to Chandigarh on some urgent appointment and ADC (Development) Mr Sumer Singh Gujjar was to attend the function. But he also did not reach the village till 1:30 p.m. |
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Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon The sublime heroism, supreme gallantry, flying skill and determination above and beyond the call of duty displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon in the face of certain death had set new heights in the Air Force traditions. He was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the air defence of the valley against Pakistani air attacks. On December 14, 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by Sabre aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon was on duty at that time. Immediately, nearly six enemy aircraft were overhead and they began bombing he airfield. In spite of the danger of attempting to take off during the attack, Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that ensued, he secured hits on one aircraft and set another on fire. By this time an other Sabre aircraft came to the aid of their hard-pressed companions and Flying Officer Sekhon’s Gnat was again outnumbered, this time by four to one. Even though alone, the Flying Officer engaged the enemy in an unequal combat. In the fight that followed, at treetop height, he almost held his own, but was eventually overcome by the sheer weight of numbers. His aircraft crashed and he was killed. |
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DCC seeks action against local MLAs Ludhiana, January 29 the DCC (urban) president, Mr K
K Bawa, said here today that he had been asked by the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, Mr HS
Hanspal, to submit a report in this connection. Mr Bawa said according to an earlier programme it had been decided that the PCC would organise a function on the Republic Day at Ludhiana which would be attended by all local legislators and office- bearers. The function was to be presided over by the PCC president, Mr Hanspal. The decision had been taken at a meeting held at Chandigarh which was attended by all legislators and the two district presidents, besides the PCC president. A joint programme was planned to
mobilise Congress workers from across the city. Mr Bawa said a rally of thousands of workers with the tricolour in hands would have created a Congress wave in the city. The Congress held a rally at Vishwakarma
Chowk. It was to be attended by local MLAs Milkiat Singh Dakha and Surinder Dawer. Mr Rakesh Pandey had to unfurl the flag at Samrala in his capacity as minister. He too could not attend the rally. The DCC president said since the two legislators had broken party discipline and flouted the directive of the PCC president, stern action against both of them was a must. He pointed out since the rally was important from the party point of view as its success or failure would have reflected upon the party's image, it was necessary for both of them to attend the programme. Instead, Mr Birmi organised a programme at Sahnewal and Gill Road, while Mr Johar organised two separate programmes at Ghumar Mandi and Jawahar Nagar camp. They did not participate in the official rally. Mr Johar and Mr Birmi said since the aspirations of the workers had to be respected, it was necessary to attend their functions. However, Mr Birmi said he had suggested that there should be some spacious venue for the programme. He pointed out the venue fixed by the DCC was too small as with 500 workers from each of the 12 constituencies, it would have got overcrowded. He observed there was nothing wrong in organising separate programmes. |
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Impounded
scooter given to fake owner Ludhiana, January 29 The man, who identified himself as Amit Kumar,
took away the scooter (PB-10 AA-2151) owned by Mr Daler Singh, a man who lives near Shahpur Road, by presenting forged orders of a district court. Connivance of some policemen and personnel of the traffic police in the theft has not been ruled out. The matter came to light two days ago when the real owner of the scooter visited the police post to take his vehicle back after paying the Rs 1,000 fine. The development has, sent the police in a tizzy, as the charge is serious. A senior police official said an internal inquiry was on in this case. The investigation has, however, hit a hurdle, as the accused gave somebody else’s address to the police when he took away the vehicle. He said he was Amit Kumar of 17, Street Number 1, Azad Nagar. No person with this name lives there. This is third embarrassment for the city police in less than a week. First, the traffic police fined a Sikh driver for not wearing a helmet while driving a car; then, three men of the traffic police, including an ASI and two constables, were placed under suspension for taking bribe from truck drivers to let them cross a police checkpost. Mr Daler Singh found it hard to believe that his vehicle had been stolen from a police post. He said his son-in-law, Mr Satnam Singh, had been driving the scooter when pulled over for violating a traffic rule in Dugri here on December 31 last year. He said he had paid Rs 1,000 fine, as per the orders of Mr D.P. Singla, Judicial Magistrate First Class, on January 18. He was shocked when told that the scooter had already been given to someone else. The police officials, first, suspected him of being a fake, but, on verification, found that his papers were genuine. He alleged that there was connivance of policemen in the incident. He said it had taken him long to visit the police post, as he had received the copy of the orders only recently. Mr Daler Singh wants a strict action to be taken against the erring policemen. |
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Once model village, now hell hole Ludhiana, January 29 The locality, though in a pathetic state at present ever since it came into the municipal limits in 1975, has a glorious past. Old-timers recall with pride that Bhaura was declared a model village in 1970. However, once it became a part of the city, there came in unpaved roads and streets, a lack of sewerage system, no streetlights and permanently choked open drains, that cannot even take waste discharged from households. With the sanitation of the locality being neglected, inhabitants of the colony have to live with garbage scattered all over and stray animals feeding on it. Even a little rain creates puddles of water everywhere and this water stagnates in the absence of disposal. It creates an unbearable stench that has, now become a permanent feature of the lives of the inhabitants. The main entrance to the locality from the GT Road is almost blocked by rampant encroachment. Commercial joints have been set up on both sides of the road, making the access to the colony difficult, if not impossible. The failure of the MC authorities to remove encroachment gives credence to the allegation that certain employees of the civic body are hand-in-glove with the defaulters. Though sources in the MC said development works costing Rs 42.38 lakh were executed in the locality this financial year with fresh work orders worth Rs 27.12 lakh having been issued after April 2002, the persons of the colony alleged that the funds might have been misappropriated or spent elsewhere, because that kind of work is visible nowhere in this area. The area councillor Ms Kashmir Kaur, could not be contacted. The persons of the area have formed a body called the Village Bhaura Development and Welfare Society and Mr Sikander Lal, its chairman, and Mr Gurmej Singh, its president have taken up the issue with the MC. A delegation of the society has already met the Zonal Commissioner (Zone A), Mr B.K. Gupta, in this regard. |
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Lecturer
reports theft; shifted Ludhiana, January 29 As a fallout of the controversy that originated after Mr Syal alleged that his briefcase had been stolen from the evening- wing office, he has been removed from the post of the officiating head of Evening College. Mr Rajdeep Singh Gill has been made the new head. Tension prevailed on the college premises late yesterday when a group of students boycotted classes and raised slogans against Mr Ashwani Syal. The students, allegedly, had planned to manhandle him, but were made to disperse by the other teachers. The college Principal, Mr V.P. Gaur, remained in the evening wing till the tension subsided. Angry at the developments, Mr Ashwani Syal has taken the battle to court. In a notice to the college Principal, the DPI Colleges, the Principal Secretary Higher Education and the Minister for Education in Punjab, Mr Syal has recounted a series of charges he has been making against the management in the college’s internal correspondence. Mr Syal said in the notice that all his complaints against employees and students had been either dismissed or ignored by the college management. In some cases, the culprits were given mild punishments, he has said. He said a peon had been regularly found to be drunk on duty; once, he had come to work semi-nude and smoked before him. The management, allegedly, let him off with a warning. Mr Syal had also complained that because of the college electrician, classes could not be held during power breakdowns. Mr Syal has also found several students guilty of misconduct and recommended action against them for not attending lectures, but they, too, were let off. Mr Syal said the management that had told him to adjust to the system had now, shifted him. He also alleged that his briefcase containing important documents had been stolen from the college, but the management had not given him permission to lodge a complaint with the police. The college Principal, Mr Gaur, has said in a report sent to the Panjab University and the sate government that Mr Syal is a “habitual complainant” and the management is not happy with him. He said Mr Syal had been transferred several times before, but he continued to make issues out of non-issues. |
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Jail guards on dharna demand uniforms Ludhiana, January 29 The jail guards said they had made representations to the top authorities, but in vain. Mr Jagdev Singh
Sarinh, circle president and Mr Raj Kumar Dogra, unit president of the association, said they would be forced to intensify their agitation if they were not provided with uniforms. They said the guards, most of whom belonged to the lower income group of society and were paid low salaries could not afford to buy good quality woollens on their own.
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Convict
found dead in jail temple Ludhiana, January 29 Jail sources said the incident had stunned the jail officials. The convict was to be released in a few months time and his case sent to the state government. His conduct was good and as a man of religious disposition , he used to console other convicts and undertrial. There were reports that the state government had not approved of his release as some objection had been raised by the local administration. Sources said the convict was upset with this development. The body of the deceased was sent to the civil hospital for a post-mortem examination. The police has registered a case and investigations are on. a controversy has arisen over how the deceased managed to arrange for a rope in the jail. |
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Disrespect to Tricolour alleged Ludhiana, January 29 The letter signed by Mr S.S. Ghuman, a retired PCS officer and the president of association, a copy of which has been sent to the
SSP, The DC, Ludhiana and the DGP, Punjab, alleges that the car dealers kept blowing horns and driving cars near the function venue even when the national anthem was being sung. The association has demanded stern action against them for showing disrespect to the national anthem. Mr Ghuman said that the participants at the function had a tough time parking their vehicles and reaching the venue of the function as the entire place was taken over by second-hand cars parked by the car dealers. The association has
demanded that their complaint be taken seriously and the erring punished. |
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Social
security for workers stressed Ludhiana, January 29 The speakers emphasised upon the need for social security of workers as a key to better industrial production. "Social security is not the output of the system, but the basic input", said Dr BP Dhaka, secretary general of the
PHDCCI. He pointed out that if the employees felt comfortable and secure, they would work more interest. Concurring with him, vice-president of the
PHDCCI, Mr Ravi Wig, said if the workers were better placed, their purchasing power would increase which would subsequently help the industry. Mr Wig said industrial progress could be achieved if the employers took responsibility to fulfil their obligations under various labour laws and at the same time trade unions and workers cooperated in improving
productivity. He said the employers, workmen and government had to reorient themselves and chalk out ways and means for a harmonious synthesis. He said changes in industrial relations law were overdue. He pointed out that keeping in view the sensitivity of the issue, the government was trying to evolve a consensus on the issue. He urged the state governments to take a lead in amending various labour laws. Giving details of the seminar, Mr Dhaka said it aimed at educating executives of the industry about the effective implementation of important labour laws and understanding the employers' obligations under these laws. Mr Dhaka also announced the formation of the Ludhiana chapter of the PHDCCI very soon. Addressing the seminar, Mr
N.S. Nanda, president of the Punjab Hotel and Restaurant Association, said there was an urgent need for redefining labour laws to make them more rational and reasonable. |
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READERS WRITE THE widespread corruption prevailing in different government departments is eating at the vitals of society and threatening the entire system. It appears that corruption is being accepted as a way of life. A number of reports being published in The Tribune reveal the rot in the system. There needs to be a sustained campaign at various levels to create awareness among the public against corruption. It is still not late. We can revive the system before it collapses and we need to own responsibility for this. It is not that there is dearth of honest people. They need to be encouraged. And a beginning has to be made right now. B.S. Saharan ‘Butchers in uniform’ Apropos a news item in Ludhiana Tribune, “Injustice after 10 yrs of probe”. (Jan. 7) it was a painful story. In fact, there are countless instances where families of deceased have never dared to tell the truth, especially to the Press. The family of the youth, Sukha, deserves appreciation. It is true that militants afflicted atrocities but most of them have paid a price for that by losing their lives or freedom. But what hurts most is that “butchers in uniform” still roam freely and that too with their coffers full and several medals and promotions under their belt. The ruthless murder of innocent people like Sukha has been applauded. Ludhiana Tribune and its reporters deserve a pat on the back for such courageous reporting. Manjit Inder Singh Johal
Kudos to teachers Profile of Government Model Senior Secondary School (Cemetery Road) needs more elaboration in the presentation of its historical details. The school was considered to be one of the best in Ludhiana in the sixties and seventies. Now the name of the school appears to have become obscure under the present day trend of public school education. The dedicated teaching staff comprising Master Huzur Saran Bedi, Ms Santosh Sood, Ms Daljit Thandi, Ms Kalra, and Ms Kamlesh deserves a special mention. Ms H.S. Bedi, in a these times, takes extra tutorial classes without any fee. Many of these teachers have been rewarded with President’s Medals. Lt Col. J.S. Garcha
Bad precedent Apropos “Facts-cum-comments” of Dr Gurkirpal Singh (Ludhiana Tribune dated Jan 16) regarding an illegal boundary wall raised by a house owner, I have to state that the “tossing of the case” by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has set a bad precedent and is against the interest of the affected party. Since there is no check on such illegal constructions, politicians and officials, among others, need to understand that the constructions are liable to be demolished. Therefore, they must respect building bylaws. I fail to understand that when the MC authorities had demolished a boundary wall of a nearby house in August 2000, why was this particular wall in question spared. It seems the building bylaws exist only on paper. Since the authorities concerned are still sitting on the issuance or reissuance of instructions on building control the Tribune, 28.12.2002, on the Local Bodies Minister should intervene in the matter. The MC authorities should take prompt action, which would deter people from violating building bylaws. Dr R.S. Gill |
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Good samaritans offer help Ludhiana, January 29 Following the publication of the news item in these columns, some Tribune readers called up at the Tribune Sub-Office here to offer help. However, the address of Kulwinder Singh of Lasare village, near Khanna, could not be located. Mr Harminder Singh, owner of Canadian Limos companies, offered help to the youth and said he could contact him on his mobile number 98141-00381. Mr Kushwant Uppal, an NRI from Vancouver, in an e-mail message, said he was moved after reading the plight of Kulwinder Singh. He added that he wanted to help him. |
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BSNL employees
stage dharna Ludhiana, January 29 A rally was also held on the occasion. Mr Balbir Singh, circle secretary of the union, said a protest march to the circle office would be organised on February 18. |
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Wine smuggling on the rise Machhiwara, January 29 To complete formalities, the police registers cases but does nothing to stop this malpractice because it is 'obliged' by the smugglers. Though local wine contractors are making every possible effort to stop the illegal sale of liquor, they do not have the courage to turn openly against the erring persons due to fear of any sort of personal enmity with rival politicians. The extent of political shelter can be well-estimated from the fact that a top leader of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee personally went to enquire the health of a leader of the wine mafia who was injured in a clash which took place a few days ago due to illegal smuggling of liquor. people of the area have urged the Punjab Government and the Excise Department to take serious view of this practice to prevent youngsters from ruining their future by joining this trade.
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Sisters-in-law commit suicide Ludhiana, January 29 Cyclist killed: Shavinder, of Pakhowal village was killed on the Nangal road when the cycle he was riding was hit by TATA-407 bearing registration No PB-10-R9766. A case has been registered. Ear rings snatched: Two scooter-borne youths snatched ear rings from an old lady at the local Bank Colony on Wednesday morning. According to Ranjit Khurana, owner of a cloth shop and son of the victim, his mother, Karamawali (63), was coming home after a satsang at 10 a.m. when she was attacked by the youths.
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In slump, slurp’s the king Ludhiana, January 29 The new restaurants that have come up here include Hotel Friends Regency, Saubhagiya Restaurant Sarabha Nagar, Citywalk and others. Besides, a few more are coming up, most of these along Ferozepore Road. According to Mr N.S. Nanda, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Punjab, Ludhianvis are known for their good taste. Ludhiana has a huge and affluent upper-middle-class population, with a massive purchasing power. Since there is not much in Ludhiana to spend on, people mostly spend money on food. Food joint Citywalk was inaugurated amid much fanfare. The joint is part of a chain of restaurants that offer a variety of food. It is owned by a young entrepreneur, Mr Amit Verma, who has returned from the United States, where he ran a restaurant. It was after a lot of thinking that he decided to return to India and use his expertise here. He hopes to do a good business, as his father, Mr Vijay Kumar, credited with introducing new concepts in food business in the city, is helping him. Friends Regency came up on the Ferozepore Road last year. Its owners are old hands in the food industry. Although they have set up a full-fledged hotel, the restaurant remains the prime attraction for customers. The Saubhagiya chain set up another restaurant in the Sarabha Nagar market. This is in spite of the presence of other restaurants like Yellow Chill of Sanjiv Kapoor, that are already doing a good business. Hotels like Park Plaza and Maharaja Regency are also running their restaurants to full capacity. |
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Streamline
LPG supply, DC told Ludhiana, January 29 In a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr C.S. Ahuja, president of the association, it was observed that LPG supplies from the respective bottling plants of the oil companies were normal but the practice of advance booking adopted by LPG distributors, had created chaos and further delayed home deliveries which had led to panic buying by the consumers. The tendency to hoard LPG cylinders by the consumers had worsened the situation. He said LPG distributors had misrepresented the facts before the District Food and Supplies Controller for reverting to advance booking system and taking advantage of the new arrangements, certain distributors were resorting to godown delivery of LPG cylinders without giving the due rebate of Rs 5 per cylinder for such deliveries. According to Mr Ahuja, most oil companies were providing adequate supply of cylinders to their respective distributors on the basis of their consumer strength and it was only the erratic distribution system of LPG distributors, which was to be blamed for the artificial scarcity and panic buying by the consumers. He urged the administration to intervene to ensure unrestricted and open sale of LPG cylinders and sought stern action against the defaulting distributors. He also advised the consumers against the purchase of extra cylinders since the availability of LPG was normal and was likely to improve in the next few days. |
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