R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

WOMEN’S DAY: A special programme will be organised at the local public library on Saturday in connection with the International Women’s Day during which problems being faced by women will be discussed. 

FATEHGARH SAHIB
SEMINAR: The NSS unit of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College here celebrated the International Women’s Day by organising a seminar “Shifted role of a woman”, on the college campus on Friday. A play, “Need to encourage girls”, was also staged. The college Principal, Dr Dilbag Singh Hera, spoke on the occasion. Thirty four participants spoke on the changing role of women in society. Harninder Kaur and Daljeet Singh got the first prize, Jaspreet Kaur won the second prize and Arshiya and Madhu Jain came third in the contest.

CONVOCATION: Prof K. N. Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, distributed degrees among 110 graduates and 170 prizes at the annual convocation and prize distribution function of the Mai Bhago College for Women, Ramgarh. College Principal Prem Lata Singla read out the annual report of the college. The function began with “Shabad gayan” by students, who later presented a cultural programme.

LUDHIANA
PROTEST: The Government Primary Teachers’ Association has decided to hold a series of dharnas from March 23 in protest against the implementation of new education policy by the government. Stating this in a press note, Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, president, said the state government had blocked the promotion channel of 50,000 primary teachers by implementing its new education policy. He said three division-level protest marches would begin from March 23 at Company Bagh, Jalandhar. The second dharna would be held at Kot Kapura on March 30, while the third dharna would be held on April 18 at Mini Secretariat, Ludhiana.

CONVERSIONS CRITICISED: Taking serious note of religious conversions reported in the area of Goindwal Sahib, the Khalsa Panchayat has observed that religious leadership of the Sikh community is responsible for this blatant attack on “panth”. In a statement here on Friday, Mr Bhupinder Singh Nimana, an activist of the body, said members of the Khalsa panchayat had been deployed in sensitive areas to keep a vigil on such activities and a detailed report would soon be placed before the Sikh masses. He said the matter of conversions would also be taken up with the National Minorities Commission, seeking its intervention in the menace.

MASS MARRIAGE: The Nishkam Sewa Ashram will hold mass marriage of 25 poor and needy girls at Nishkam Sewa Ashram, Pakhowal Road, on Sunday. Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sudhershan Bakshi, president, Janta Sewak Society, Canada, will be present on the occasion. The programme will start with “Amritvani satsang” at 10.30 am followed by a discourse.

‘ECTOPIA-03’: The students of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) will organise a three-day-long cultural bonanza, “Ectopia-03”, from March 11 to 13 at the Dumra Auditorium. During the festival, various talent hunt competitions will be organised. On the first day, ad fads, quiz, solo dance and mono acting competitions will be organised. Just a minute, debate, painting, solo songs and choreography contests will take place on the second day. The last day will be devoted to dramatics and music, according to Dr Daljit Singh, Dean Academics, DMCH.

MEETING: The National Students Union of India (NSUI) held a meeting at Maujpura Bazaar on Friday. The general secretary of the local unit of the NSUI, Mr Vikram Luthra, said they had initiated a programme against drugs. Addressing the students, he said the young people were increasingly tempted to see drugs. He also gave details of the programme. A memento was presented to Mr Surinder Dawar, a special guest.

EXHIBITION: A diamond jewellery exhibition was inaugurated at Park Plaza here on Friday. The three-day exhibition has been organised by SVJ Jewellers. Mr Subhash Jain, president SVJ Jewellers, said the designs had been created by India’s top designers.

MEETING: The general body meeting of the local unit of Jaycees was held in the honour of Mr Sudesh Borkar, executive vice-president of Indian Jaycees, here on Thursday. Members and presidents from four chapters of Ludhiana Jaycees i.e. city, midtown, elite and central were present on the occasion. Addressing the members, Mr Borkar said the youth must be trained under the Jaycees programme “Leadership 21st century”. He stressed the need for taking up special public relations programmes to generate awareness among general public about the programmes being provided by the Jaycees. Those present were Mr Rahwan Nayyar, Mr Dinesh Kapila, Mr Upenderbir Singh, Mr Inderbir Singh Nanda, Mr Rajiv Choudhry and Dr Jasbir Bawa.

FREE CAMP: A free medical check-up camp will be organised at Bassi Nursing Home, near Rajpura Road, on Sunday. Patients will be examined by a team of expert doctors, including paediatricians, gynaecologists, general surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons.

EYES DONATED: The family members of late Amarnath Aggarwal, a resident of Urban Estate Dugri, donated his eyes to Punarjot Eye Bank. Also, the sons of late Jaswant Singh also donated their father’s eyes to the bank. Dr Ramesh, Director Eye Bank Mansuran, transplanted the cornea to four needy patients free of cost.

MACHHIWARA
ORDER DECRIED: The state government’s new order to reduce commission on stamp papers by 2 per cent has evoked a sharp reaction among stamp vendors. Earlier, the commission on stamp papers was 3 per cent, which was increased to 4 per cent and 5 per cent for tehsils and sub-tehsils, respectively, during the SAD-BJP government. Aggrieved stamp vendors have accused the government of encouraging unemployment by implementing the new decision. They said 2 per cent of the total cost had to be deducted as tax on source (TDS). They have warned the government that they would be forced to quit the business if the government did not meet their demands. 

SAMRALA
FAREWELL PARTY: A farewell party was given to Mr Nachhattar Singh Mangat, president of the Samrala Block Teachers Union, on Friday at Government Primary School, Bharthala, 3 km from here, on his superannuation after putting in more than 35 years of service. Union leaders, prominent personalities, serving and retired teachers participated. He was also given a party in his native village Ghulal and was attended by politicians and artistes.

TWO-MINUTE SILENCE: A two-minute silence was observed by members of the local Bar Association on the demise of Ms Soma Devi, aunt of senior advocate Mr S.K. Vashisht, at the old bar room on Friday.

POLL CAMPAIGN: Campaign for the nagar council poll is in full swing here. Ms Malkiat Kaur Dhillon, wife of MLA Amrik Singh Dhillon, along with her supporters, went from door to door in support of Congress candidates, while supporters of the Akali-BJP combine distributed pamphlets in the city on Thursday.

HARYANA

AMBALA
POLIO CAMP: A polio surgery camp is being organised by the Manav Sewa Mandal in Ambala Cantt on Saturday. Members of the mandal said on Friday that the two-day camp would be held at the Kumari Rukmani Devi hall. The operations would be carried out by a team of doctors, headed by Dr Adinarayan Rao, free of cost. Various organisations, including the Rotary Club of Ambala, Shri Hari Prachar Katha Samiti, Shri Krishan Bhavnamrit Samiti, the Nirankari Satsang Mandal and the Shiv Kavad Sewa Sangh, would help organise the camp.

BOOK RELEASED: A book on poetry, authored by Punjabi poet Sudarshan Gasso’s, was released at a function held in Government college, Ambala Cantt, on Friday. The book “Khushbuan De Kangan” was released by Dr Surjeet Patar. Presenting a paper, Dr Gurdev Singh said Dr Gasso had made a mark in the Haryana literature. He said Dr Gasso’s work was based on social and human aspects.

HONOURED: Gandhi Memorial National College student Pooja Chauhan was honoured for her achievements in gymnastics on Friday. She had stood first in rhythmic gymnastics in an all-India inter university meet, third in ball event in National Games in Hyderabad and stood third in 32nd Senior National Ball and Ribbon Event. She was welcomed by Principal of the college, Dr R.R. Malik, college management committee president Bhupinder Singh Jauhar and vice-president Mr Laxmi Sagar.

DOG SHOW: The Young Haryana Pet Society will be organising a dog show in DAV College, Ambala City, on Sunday. The general secretary of the society, Mr Vishal Chibber, in a press note issued here on Friday, said dogs from Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Sharanpur and Dehra Dun would participate in the show. The SP, Mr Hardeep Singh Doon, will preside over the function.

FATEHABAD
EXAM CENTRES: The District Magistrate, Dr R.B. Langyaan, has promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the vicinity of 200 metres of the examination centres in view of the middle, matriculation and senior secondary examinations in the state. The orders shall remain in force till April 23.