R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

REGIONAL POTPOURRI

Rural sports mela a big draw
It was a treat to watch the old rural games during the International Rural Sports Mela organised at Patiala on February 18 and 19 in connection with the Patiala Heritage Festival.

• Promoting tourism

• Unusual exhibition

AMRITSAR
CONDEMNED: Mr Balbir Singh Sodhi, district president (urban), Akali Dal (Amritsar) has condemned the registration of a case against Mr Simranjit Singh Mann under TADA. Declaring a deep-rooted conspiracy of the Central Government, Mr Sodhi in a press statement issued here on Tuesday said it (Central Government) wanted to pave the way for the SAD and Tohra factions for an easy win in the next general elections for the SGPC.

LITERACY DRIVE: As many as three lakh illiterate would be imparted primary education under a project prepared by the state. It would be sent for approval by the Union Government. The proposed budget for the project is pegged at Rs 2.70 crore under the “100 per cent literacy” drive. This was disclosed by Mr Baljit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) at Jandiala Guru while presiding over a literacy awareness seminar on Tuesday.

LIST RELEASED: The following list of candidates has been released by Mr Inderjit Singh Basarke, President, District Congress Committee (Rural) for Nagar Council Majitha-1 and Ramdas here on Tuesday. The candidates for 13 wards for Nagar Council Majitha-1 are Mukhtiar Singh, Amarjit Kaur, Dilbagh Singh, Prabhdyal Singh, Sudesh, Durga Das (ward no 6), Mangat Singh, Balwinder Kaur, Gagir Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Surinder Kaur, Navdeep Singh and Durga Das (ward no 13). The candidates for nine wards for Nagar Council Ramdas are Surjit Singh Randhawa, Anju, Swarn Das, Rashpal Singh, Dalbir Kaur, Raj Kumar, Lal Chand, Anjubala Bhandari and Mohan Lal.

BATHINDA
URGED: Residents of the Green Avenue here have urged the authorities that the non-construction fee that they had deposited with the Improvement Trust should be refunded to them as they were not liable to pay such fee.

DERA BASSI
PLACEMENT: Dr Y.S Rajan, Vice- Chancellor , Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, who was on a visit to Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology, here laid stress on training and placement of students. While interacting with the students and the faculty, Dr Rajan said the placement date-graphs of students should be displayed prominently on college web-site and monitored on regular basis. The Vice- Chancellor also visited various laboratories, workshops, computer centre and library.

FATEHGARH SAHIB
FLOWER SHOW: The district administration will organise a ‘Flower Show’ on March 8 at Baba Fateh Singh Rose Garden, here to create interest among the people towards pollution-free environment, said Mr Vikas Partap, Deputy Commissioner, in a press issued, here on Wednesday. He said the district administration was making efforts to maintain the natural beauty of the district.

WORKSHOP: Ramgarhia Girls’ College has been holding workshops on personality for the students of the college from February 13 to 27. The workshop had been holding a series of interactive sessions inculcating confidence-building skills blended with strengthening the internal abilities through meditation.

FAZILKA
ARREARS: Sugarcane growers of several village of Fazilka, Abohar and Jalalabad subdivisions have not been paid for the cane suppled to the Fazilka co-operative sugar mill 11 months back. An amount of about Rs 3.5 crore is outstanding as arrears.

JALANDHAR
DHARNA HELD: Members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Municipal Corporation employees on Tuesday staged a dharna outside the office of the Commissioner of the civic body demanding the immediate withdrawal of the current duty charge from the XEN (B&R), Mr V.K. Talwar, who is presently working as Superintending Engineer. Members of the JAC in a memorandum to the Commissioner, Ms Sarojini Gautam, said the instructions of the state government with regard to current duty charge assignments were being flouted with impunity.

KHAMANO
YOUTH KILLED: Sukhwinder Singh of Favour village was crushed to death here on Tuesday by a private bus No. PB10AF 9601. The local police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 304 and impounded the mini-bus. According to sources Sukhwinder Singh was returning home from work. The body was sent to the Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

DEPOSITED: Nearly one lakh rupees have been deposited in the account of the local nagar panchayat by the candidates contesting here for separate wards. Sources added that 4.56 lakh of house tax had been pending towards shopkeepers as well as house owners.

ARRESTED: The Samrala police nabbed two persons for making obscene calls to certain subscribers. Sources said the police left them after confession. The accused belongs to Dialpura village, Ludhiana district.

KHANNA
SUICIDE BID: A local youth tried to commit suicide by consuming poison in his house here on Tuesday. Hardeep Singh, a resident of the local Kehar Singh colony, took some poison when some altercation took place with his wife. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital where he is under treatment. His condition is stated to be critical.

INJURED: Three persons were injured in a clash which took place in Krishna Nagar Colony on Tuesday following a quarrel between two PCO owners. The supporters of these PCO owners, Ravi Kumar and Daljit Singh started beating each other. Two persons injured one Sushil Kumar whose tooth was broken and Daljit Singh received injuries on his leg. A policeman, Devinder Singh, was injured while trying to pacify them. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital.

FAIR CONCLUDES: The three-day Roshni fair concluded on Wednesday. Thousands of devotees visited the dargah on Baba Mohkam Din and made offerings. The devotees also visited the “dargah” of Mai Dina which is at a little distance from the “dargah” of Baba Mohkam Din and during the fair circus, magic shows and cultural programmes remained a source of attraction for them.

KHARAR
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the local Bar Association: president— Mr Anil Kausal; vice-president—Mr Navdeep Singh Bitta; secretary—Mr Malkeet Singh Bala and treasurer—Mr Jagmohan Singh.

LUDHIANA
TOURED: Shri Gopal Mani Ji Maharaj toured Jeev Kalyan Kender set up by the People For Animals (PFA). He also visited Mahavir Abhyashala. He was accompanied by Mr Kamal Bassi, vice-president of the Ramlila Committee. The chief advisor, Mr Radhey Sham Gupta, apprised him of the activities of the PFA.

FUNCTION: A function is being held in the premises of Guru Nanak Girls College to commemorate the 104th birth anniversary of late Justice Gurnam Singh, a former Chief Minister of Punjab, on Friday. Mr Gurnam Singh, who served twice as Chief Minister, had added glorious chapters through selfless service. 

SHOBHA YATRA: A shobha yatra on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri will be taken out with enthusiasm and fervour on Friday. The yatra is being organised by the Shri Durga Mandir Committee, Dugri Road, Urban State. The yatra will start from the temple at 1pm and pass through Dugri, Urban Estate, Phase1 and Phase 2.

HONOURED: The Alag Shabad Yug Trust, Ludhiana, at a special function have honoured social worker and humanist, Mr Mota Singh Sarai, of Wallsall and Mr Kewal Singh Ghag of Birmingham for their selfless services towards humanity. Both these NRIs were honoured by Dr Sarup Singh Alag, chairman of the trust, and citations highlighting their activities were read by Prof Raminder Deep Singh Alag.

FAREWELL: The students of class XI of Malwa Khalsa Senior Secondary School organised a farewell party for their seniors on Tuesday. The programme comprised speeches, songs and skits. A shabad was also recited. Mr J.D. Madaan, Principal, wished them good luck for examination.

EFFICIENT BANKING: Infusing latest technology in fund movement system in banking and to facilitate the processing of clearing cheques with image facility, quicker realisation of cheques, improved customer service and more efficient house keeping at banks, Punjab National Bank set up MICR-CPC Centre at Chowk Bharat Nagar, Ludhiana, on January 13, 2001. This was stated by U.S. Bhargava, General Manager, Punjab National Bank, Punjab Zone, here on Wednesday.

MANSA
TAKES CHARGE: Mr Brij Mohan Sarup, DSP, who is facing a kidnap case in the court of Ms Jatinder Kaur Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Mansa, joined here as DSP, Vigilance Bureau on Monday. The above court had issued arrest warrants against him and he had applied for anticipatory bail in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Mansa, Mr Dharam Singh.

NAWANSHAHR
28 HURT IN MISHAP: At least 28 persons were injured when a private bus Janata Express (PB-09-0351) going to Ropar from Shakhot via Mukandpur tilted near Chakdana village, about 15 km from here, on Monday. The bus reportedly tilted when it hit a 33 kv electric pole.

PATIALA
DHARNA: The Council of Junior Engineers, PSEB (South Zone) on Tuesday staged a dharna in front of the office of the Chief Engineer of the board and warned the state government to desist from effecting any restructuring move failing which Junior Engineers would be compelled to intensify their agitation. Mr S.K. Dhawan, president of the council and Mr Rupinder Kumar, state finance secretary of the council, while addressing the gathering expressed their opposition to the steps initiated by the state government on the pretext of power reforms. Mr Kumar demanded that the state government should present a ‘white paper’ which should be debated among the stake holders of the board. Other leaders who addressed the gathering included Mr Bhupinder Singh and Mr Bhajan Singh.

SAHNEWAL
LIQUOR SEIZED: Vinod Kumar Yadav of Thabewal village from Sahibana have been arrested and eight bottles of illicit liquor were seized from his custody. A case under the Excise Act was registered against him on Tuesday.

MAN CRUSHED TO DEATH: A man was crushed to death under a vehicle near Godwin factory at Jandiali village on Monday. The body has been sent for a postmortem examination and a case registered under Section 304 of the IPC at the local police station.

CASE REGISTERED: The Sahnewal police has registered a case against Mohinderpal Singh of Barnala village for obstructing vehicular traffic at the Kohara chowk by parking his vehicle, Tata 407, number PB10AM-9252, incorrectly on Tuesday.

CHANDIGARH

PANCHKULA
INLD FLAYED: The Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee has accused the ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) of trying to stall its” adhikar “ rally scheduled for March 2. In a press conference, HPCC media in charge Rajinder Hooda, member Usha Sharma and former Panchkula Zila Parishad member Krishan Nanhe, all close confidantes of Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said the state government was trying to ensure that the Congress could not succeed in mobilising the masses. They said the government was not giving them permission to utilise the grounds and was even trying to divert people’s attention from the rally being organised by Congress MLA’s Raghbir Singh Qadian and Rao Inderjit Singh .

HARYANA

AMBALA
ESSAY WRITING: An essay writing competition was organised by Matrabhasha Vistar Manch at Ambala Cantt on Tuesday. In the first group, the winners were Anu Puri, Rani Tandon and Pankaj. In second position were Namrata Dayal, Sonika and Pratima. In third position were Rishabh and Neha Sharma. In the second group, Neha and Rajni were in the first position. Pooja Pawar and Divya Rana won the second prize while the third prize was won by Anuj Rastogi, Sunita and Charu Behl.

GRAMIN BANK: A training programme for employees of the local Kurukshetra Gramin Bank was organised at Panchayat Bhavan on Tuesday.The programme was organised to sensitise the bank’s staff towards the needs of the villagers. The objective of the programme was to bring an attitudinal change for helping the customers through various credit schemes. Mr B.R. Rathore, chairman, inaugurated the programme. He said the bank was performing well in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Yamuna Nagar, Kaithal and Panchkula. The programme was conducted by V.K. Bhan, Chander Shekhar, P.B.S.Bhatia and Harshi Miglani.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The installation ceremony of the Khatri Sabha office-bearers was organised on Monday. Prof Naveen Gulati and Mr R.R.Suri were elected president and secretary, respectively, of the sabha. Mr R.D.Gulati was the guest of honour and Prof V.K.Puri was the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Professor Gulati said the sabha would organise marriage of 11 poor girls, open a marriage bureau, impart free education to 50 poor students and construct a permanent building. Meanwhile, following were elected office-bearers: senior vice-president — Mr Anil Sharma; vice-presidents— Mr Sunil Chopra and Mr Janak Oberoi; joint secretary—Mr Gopinder Nayyer and treasurer—Mr Davinder Chadha.

FATEHABAD
CONVICTED: The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Mr Darshan Singh, on Tuesday convicted two brothers in a case of murder and awarded life imprisonment to the two. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 5000 each on the two.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

SHIMLA
CONVICTED: Special Judge (Forests), Shimla, has convicted Mr Padam Dev, the then pradhan of gram panchayat, Chebri, in Sunni for criminal breach of trust, cheating, falsification of accounts and criminal misconduct. He was held guilty of misappropriating Rs 2,68,268 in 10 different development schemes for the construction and repair of serais, primary school buildings, bridge, latrines and rural sanitation of the said panchayats by preparing false record during 1993-95.

REGIONAL POTPOURRI

Rural sports mela a big draw

It was a treat to watch the old rural games during the International Rural Sports Mela organised at Patiala on February 18 and 19 in connection with the Patiala Heritage Festival.

The two-day sports extravaganza included competitions in wrestling, kabaddi and tug of war and fine displays by gymnasts, paragliders, bazigars and motor-cyclists.

Kabaddi and bouts between international wrestlers drew the maximum crowds. In spite of the heavy rain many villagers from far off areas were seen at the Polo Ground watching the games. The winners were given cash incentives.

In kabaddi teams from the UK, the USA, Germany and Canada also participated.

The games, organised by the Punjab Sports Department, were inaugurated by Mr Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Irrigation Minister, while the Sports Minister, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang was the chief guest on the concluding day.

Mr Arun Goyal, Secretary, Sports, and Mr Kartar Singh, Director, Sports, took personal interest for the successful conduct of the games. In the photo are Mr Goyal and Mr Kartar Singh with two international kabaddi teams before the start of a match.

Promoting tourism

Pragati, an apolitical NGO, which has dedicated its heart and soul to the promotion of lesser known tourist pockets of Himachal Pradesh, is all set to create a history of sorts by bringing this hill state on the world map. The impassioned endeavour by this NGO, besides giving a quantum leap to the eco-tourism potential in the state, will generate ample employment avenues to the hardy highlanders of this hill heartland.

An association of professionals drawn from diverse fields, the formal launching of Pragati’s pilot project namely, the Narag-Sarahan valley circuit, at Narag, last year, had witnessed an optimum enthusiasm among the people from all walks of life joining in the race against time.

The project will bring the lesser-known tourist destinations in this valley out of obscurity. Mallah-Preet Nagar will be the gateway to Sarahan from the Chandigarh-Haryana side, and Narag to the Rajgarh valley. The next on its agenda is Rajgarh-Chandol-Baru Sahib-Nauradhar valley, followed by Nauradhar-Haripur Dhar-Mata Bhangani-Renukaji valley circuit. The last but not the least is the Nahan-Paonta Sahib-Mata Bhangani-Vikasnagar valley circuit.

Pragati has shortlisted a few tourist destinations, including Sirmaur, Shimla, Solan and Mandi under the much-hyped project. In the Mandi segment work is under way at vantage tourist centres like Tatapani, Shree Mahunag, Churag, Chindi, Karsog and the Jhanjheli valley. The last leg will include the Rampur and Kinnaur areas along the banks of the Sutlej.

The majestic Mangarh and Sarsu valleys nestling at 5250 feet from sea level, the highest point of the valley, will be converted into a eco-herbal-biotech park, which will be a great tourist attraction. Planting of herbal saplings and other ornamental plants will bring cheer to the farming fraternity, besides giving a big boost to local economy. “All will depend upon how we go about the public awareness campaign,” asserts Ravi Bali, President of Pragati.

Pragati is going the whole hog to win over hoteliers to set up hotels and provide better facilities to visiting tourists. “They have in principal agreed to go about it and give this proposal a concrete shape only after working out modalities in this regard, including the raising of bank loans etc”, says Mr Bali.

Pragati’s next mission is to launch the Narag-Sarahan valley circuit website, to be followed by other circuits. It has gingerly planned to raise six heritage gates at different vantage points, thus bringing one and all closer to the God’s own country by the miles.

With a view to paying rich tribute to late Dr YS Parmar, the architect of Himachal Pradesh, Pragati has decided to raise a memorial at his native place which will showcase the vision of this great architect of Himachal Pradesh of our dreams. Bhagthan, the birth-place of this son of the soil, which has seen the worst days in his passing away will be given a facelift. Similarity, beautification activity will be geared up in and around Bhurshig temple, Lord Swayamber, ancient Sahimbar temple built by the Pandavas, Naina Tikkar temple, Jodji temple and the gurdwara dotting this countryside destination.

Unusual exhibition

‘‘There is a famine for love’’ — this was the theme of an exhibition held at Infant Jesus School, Saharanpur. It was an exhibition with a difference.

Nineteen rooms were done up by students and staff to convey the special messages. They made models, drew and painted pictures and wrote verses to portray every problem under the sun.

But after presenting these difficult and dangerous problems they also showed an easy way to solve them by using love, mercy and forgiveness to break the chains of disharmony. The school choirs and the dance groups rendered numbers that had relevance to the theme.

The school sent out numerous invitations in Saharanpur and neighbouring cities. The exhibition remained open for four days.

Contributed by Gursharan Singh, Ramesh K. Dhiman and Deann Banerjee.