MC staff demolish illegal structures
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 2
Close on the heels of inspection by the Chief Vigilance Officer of the Local Government Department, Mr A.K. Kansal, of some commercial complexes constructed in violation of the building bylaws and other unlawful structures in the city on Tuesday, a team, headed by the Municipal Town Planner (MTP), Mr P.K. Garg, razed a substantial portion of a commercial building in Patel Nagar on Old DMC Road late last evening.

Two bulldozers employed by the MC team, comprising officials of the Building Branch and a strong police posse, pulled down the structure, which was being raised on the side parking area. Some part of the complex was demolished by the MC staff a few months back but the owner of the building had resumed the construction. The Chief Vigilance Officer had directed to stop the construction and demolish the portion being raised on the parking area.

Earlier, the MC officials of Zone D demolished almost 50 illegal structures that were standing in the way of the ongoing work for widening of the road in Kitchlu Nagar. The razed structures include cemented extensions, fencing of kitchen gardens and raised platforms towards the roadside. Some of the residents tried to resist the MC operation but they were prevailed upon.

Tributes paid to Mahatma
Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, October 2
Rich tributes were paid to the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary by people from all sections of the society here today. Industries Parliamentary Secretary Gurbinder Singh Atwal, accompanied by several Congress leaders and workers, paid floral tributes at Gandhi Dham, Phillaur, where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in the Sutlej in 1948.

Addressing those present, Mr Atwal said Mahatma Gandhi had dedicated his life to the nation and to securing freedom for millions of enslaved Indians. He also fought to eradicate untouchability, violence and other social evils from the society. Besides, he preached to stand up to any kind of discrimination, he said.

Commenting on the paddy procurement process, he said the government had stood by its commitment to the people of starting procurement from October 1. He said the CM had issued strict instructions to the field staff to ensure the smooth purchase of the produce and release of dues to the farmers across the state. Any employee found guilty of misconduct would be severely punished, he added.

Mr Atwal appealed the farmers to stay away from rumours regarding the stopping of procurement midway and asked them to only bring ripe paddy to mandis so that it could be purchased on the spot. All the produce of the farmers would be procured, he assured.

Referring to the general election, he said the Congress under the leadership of Ms Sonia Gandhi and Capt Amarinder Singh would win all seats in Punjab. People were happy with the performance of the government, as corruption had been checked and numerous development projects had been initiated all over the state, he added.

Those present on the occasion were P.S. Khaira, Rajinder Singh Baba, Varinder Bhaini, Varinder Neeta, Paramjit Singh Atwal, Satnam Singh Begumpur, Jaspal Jassi, R.K. Sandhu and Rajpal Singh Atwal.

Elsewhere, glowing tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi by political, social and other bodies at various functions held in the city today.

Congress activists, led by Jagmohan Sharma, president, District Congress Committee (Urban), marched from the Congress Bhavan to MC Headquarters where floral tributes were paid at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi amid chanting of bhajans by party workers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sharma emphasised the need for practising truth, communal harmony and tolerance — the cherished ideals of Mahatma Gandhi — which, he said, were even more relevant in the prevailing scenario. He exhorted the party workers to strive for creating an equal and just society to fulfil the dreams of the great leader. Later, the Congress functionaries marched to Daresi Ground and garlanded the statue of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and paid homage to him on his birth anniversary.

Prominent among those present were veteran party functionary and freedom fighter Dewan Jagdish Chander; Ashwani Sharma and Parminder Mehta, both secretaries of the PPCC; Vinod Gogi, Sanjay Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Gurmukh Mithu, Sat Pal Lamba, Gurmel Pardesi, Baldev Sharma, Inderjit, Brij Mohan Sharma, all block presidents; Kuldip Batra, Jitendra Nanda and Kulbhushan Sharma.

Congress workers held a prayer meeting at Upkar Nagar. Presiding over the meeting, PPCC secretary Ramesh Joshi observed that Mahatma Gandhi had spread the message of truth, brotherhood, religious tolerance and mutual trust. He said the countrymen should be prepared to defend the motherland.

The party activists later marched to the MC Headquarters, where flowers were offered at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. They also took a pledge to serve the country and follow the path shown by him. G.S. Bhatia, Ramesh Mahajan, Pushpinder Bhanot, Mohan Lal Chadha, Vijay Sharma and Purshottam Bhalla were also present.

Workers of the Divya Shakti Sena, led by Bharat Bhushan and Ramesh Nanchahal, organised a peace march in the city from Durga Mata Mandir to Town Hall, passing through Jagraon Bridge, railway station and Clock Tower chowk. The party workers poured milk on the statue of Gandhiji, offered garlands and vowed to follow in his footsteps.

The National Youth Club organised a function at New Nanda Colony in Kailash Nagar. President of the club Ranjit Singh Uppal and other functionaries offered garlands at the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi. Mr Uppal asked the workers to propagate the path of peace and non-violence, as shown by Mahatma Gandhi, so that the senseless killing of innocent persons by misguided elements could be put to an end.

Volunteers of the District Congress Sewa Dal paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at a function organised in Basti Abdullapur here.

Opinions differ over Gandhi’s relevance today
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, October 2
The nation celebrated 134th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today. But the celebrations have become more or less a ritual. A holiday is declared in schools, colleges and offices and that is it. There is conflict between older and younger generations over the relevance of Gandhian philosophy today.

Elders admire unique sacrifices made by him to remove India from shackles of slavery but the younger generation thinks otherwise and feels that Gandhi’s ideas may have proved wonderful during that period but they are no longer relevant in the fast-paced world of today.

The younger generation feels how could his policy of non-violence be practical in this time. Ashok, a college student says, “the USA and Britain attacked Iraq over having weapons of mass destruction. Both the countries have reduced Iraq to a rubble. But they have not found WMDs yet.

The Iraqis had food, money and petrol before war but now the entire population has become refugees. How can we preach non- violence in this scenario.”

His friend Vikram said, “Israelis have publicly declared that they will get rid of Yasser Arafat as he has become a headache for the Israelis. When such statements are made openly without getting much rebuked for such audacity, then there is no room for non-violence in the world.”

“The country is passing through a critical phase with moral values crumbling. Therefore, Gandhi is still relevant today as he was a very sagacious man and measured human actions in strict morality. He firmly believed that only right means could achieve right ends.

In the present scene of corruption, nepotism, breakdown of law and order, the saner advice of Gandhi is the only thing that can save us from further degradation,” says Mr Arun Dogra, a businessman.

“I would rather have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour rather than to remain a helpless witness to her dishonour”, says Mahatma Gandhi .

This means that his philosophy about non-violence is misunderstood. A great man like Gandhi will remain relevant for all times,” says Prof M.S. Cheema.

Kids celebrate Gandhi Jayanti
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 2
Patriotic songs and painting contests marked the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at Greenland Senior Secondary Public School and S.K.N. Model High School here today. At Greenland School, students spoke on the life and contribution of Mahatma Gandhi towards the freedom of the country. The Principal of the school and teachers enlightened the students regarding values Gandhiji lived for. The students were told to practice truthfulness, simplicity, non-violence and compassion, the ideals which were dear to Gandhiji.

Respects were also paid to Lal Bahadur Shastri and students were also told about his life. An inter-house painting contest was also held in which the students expressed their thoughts through paint and brush. Painting of Sartaj from Class XII was adjudged the best, followed by Alka of Class XII and Shivpartap Singh of Class XI. Students of S.K.N. Model High School celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Speaking on the occasion, Mr K.D. Arora, Principal, told the students to inculcate the teachings of great leaders and follow their footsteps. A cultural programme was organised by the students as well as teachers. Students recited songs and poems on Mahatma Gandhi which included ‘De di hamein azadi’ and ‘Bapu mujhe bana de Ram’. Saksham of Class I played the role of Mahatma Gandhi. The students also took a pledge to follow the principles of non-violence and truth as advocated by Gandhiji.

Seminar on drug abuse marks Gandhi Jayanti
Our Correspondent

Amloh, October 2
The Punjab Health Systems Corporation celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at Maghi Memorial Girls College here on today. A seminar on the drug menace was organised and tributes were paid to Mahatma Gandhi and late Prime Minister Lal Bahadar Shastri on the occasion.

Mandeep Kaur and Indu Bala, both students of BA (part I), presented a poem and talk on the drug addicts. Mandeep Kaur, a student of BA (part II) gave an impressive talk on female foeticide and highlighted the fact that Fatehgarh Sahib district has the lowest female sex ratio in the state.

The chief guest Dr S.K. Bansal Deputy Medical Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, asked the youngsters to shun the bad company. A blood donation week was being celebrated at two blood banks of Mandi Gobindgarh and Fatehgarh Sahib, he said. Congratulating all members of the Manav Bhilai Manch, who have achieved a distinction in the district through their service to society by organising medical camps in the remote villages of the district and services provided to the patients in the hospitals.

Dr B.S. Bedi, director of the institute, Mr Sohan Lal Puri, chairperson, Manav Bhilai Manch, Amloh, Mr Avtar Singh Bhullar, Senior Medical Officer, Mr Manohar Lal Verma, secretary of the manch, and Professor O.P. Singh of Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic Medical College, Mandi Gobindgarh, touched various aspects of society which require improvement through seminars. An exhibition was also organised in the college hall.

The chief guest presented mementos to the organisers. Mr Sohan Lal Puri thanked the participants for the success of the function. He further assured that the manch would further extend its services in the coming days.

Textile service centre for city soon 
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 2
The Apparel Exporters Association of India (Appeal) has signed an MoU with the Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) for training in human resource development, project consultancy, testing and research and development for textile industry by setting up a textile service centre in the city.

It was proposed that a tripartite agreement would be signed between Appeal, NITRA and the government polytechnic in which the college would provide the required space for the centre, NITRA would bring in the machinery, while Appeal would substantiate the efforts of both by creating linkages with the industry.

NITRA Director J.V. Rao said the proposed centre would procure machines (processing and weaving) worth Rs 40 lakh in November this year.

He said under the agreement, NITRA would impart skills to new trainees in different area of operations. Its functions would include product development and diversification of products with new fibers and blends, creation and development of new designs in woven and knit fabrics through CAD to meet the demands of the industry, process optimisation on newer technology, attending shop floor problems of the industry for carrying out systematic studies in the pilot plant, testing input/output for the small and medium enterprises to optimise cost and achieve consistent quality, undertaking R and D Project of Ludhiana cluster after carrying out survey of the industry and assessing performance of fabric for automated garment manufacturing through Kawabata system by undertaking low-stress mechanical and surface properties etc.

APPEAL chief Sanjiv Gupta said the body and Government College for Polytechnic has already singed an MoU for developing skilled work force for the garment industry.

Others present on the occasion included Reliance vice-president A.K. Dadoo, SISI Director R.C. Chopra, president of Bahadurke Dyers’ Association Lalit Jain, general secretary of Ludhiana Dyeing association (Cotton Division) Rajat Sood.

Birmi announces financial aid
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 2
Punjab Minister for Jails, Housing and Urban Development Malkiat Singh Birmi has announced a financial assistance of Rs 25, 000 each to the next of the kin of the four victims of gastroenteritis in Giaspura village who died last Wednesday.

He visited the Civil Hospital yesterday to inquire about the well-being and treatment being given to the gastroenteritis patients of Giaspura village admitted in the Civil Hospital today.

Mr Birmi also visited Giaspura village and consoled deaths with the families of the victims and expressed his sympathies. He appreciated the services of the Health Department, who have set up a permanent medical camp immediately after the incident and saved the lives of more than 50 patients who were severely suffering from gastroenteritis.

The minister claimed that the situation was fully under control now and that there was substantial decline in the new cases. He said that he had also directed the administration and municipal authorities to check all slum colonies and ensure proper cleanliness and safe drinking water positively within 15 days.

He appealed to the people to immediately report in the medical camp, in case of loose motions or vomiting, so that they could be properly treated. He also called upon the people to cooperate with the authorities in improving the sanitation conditions in their colonies and keep their houses properly clean. The ministers also directed the doctors to give full treatment to the patients free of cost.

Good Samaritans save a precious life
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 2
Urmila, a 25-year-old woman suffering from cervix cancer at the Mohan Dai Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation after being successfully operated upon, would be able to lead a normal life now. Thanks to the hospital management and good samaritans in the city, who provided timely treatment and financial assistance to this poor and needy patient.

Dr Veena Jain, head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mohan Dai Hospital, said,”I am thankful to the people who have contributed generously and the management of the hospital with whose help it has been possible to treat Urmila. She was admitted at the hospital in a serious condition. She was severely anemic and was profusely bleeding when we admitted her here”.

A resident of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, Urmila’s is husband Santosh is a migrant labourer, who works in a factory near here. Santosh, while expressing his gratitude said,”God has been kind to us. The city has no dearth of philanthropists, who have saved my wife. I am thankful to the doctors and hospital management, who never let me loose my morale”.

He further added,” We had migrated from UP in search of a good fortune. We were leading a happy life till a few months back when Urmila complained of excessive bleeding. One of my friends suggested me to take her to this hospital. We came to know about the disease only when test reports came out to be positive. Due to limited resources, I could not bear the cost of treatment. But some good samaritans came to our rescue and Urmila has been saved”.

Ludhiana Tribune had appealed for the patient in April this year in which it was mentioned that the patient was in the first stage of cervix cancer and if timely treatment was provided to her, she could be saved. She had required at least Rs 50,000 for treatment. Fifty per cent of the contribution was made by the donors while remaining was contributed by the hospital management.

Dating scene changing
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 2
The dating scene in Ludhiana is changing with every passing year. The openness in the girl-boy relationship seems to be growing. Co-education, changing outlook of parents, media influence, proliferation of mobile phones and cars and growing confidence of teenagers have all redefined the relationship.

Latest brands of cars can be seen outside lonely places, fashionable eating joints and trendy shops etc.

‘Friendships’ are being made on phones. Some young girls, on condition of anonymity, said, “Generally boys get phone numbers of girls from their friends and keep calling. If a girl responds, the ‘friendship’ is struck and dating starts. Since there is little stigma attached to dating, the couples often meet after class or in clubs”.

Cyber cafes are other meeting places where boys and girls are seated together in small cabins. Some parents feel happy that their children are becoming computer savvy but are ignorant of the other activities of their children. Cinema halls also provide perfect setting for dating. The dark cinema halls are “safe havens”.

The spacious Rose Garden and the sprawling grounds of Punjab Agricultural University provide many secluded places to the dating couples from prying eyes.

Meanwhile, it has been observed that very few friendships blossom into marriages. A girl said that curiosity is one of the chief motives behind forming such friendships. She added that boys and girls do not want to “miss out on fun”.

Mentally challenged kids celebrate Dasehra
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 2
Dasehra was celebrated at Ek Prayas, an institute for the children with special needs, with great enthusiasm. The celebration started with the worshipping of Lord Rama and Sita, followed by devotional songs.

Teachers of the institute narrated the story of Ramayana and emphasised the moral of the story i.e. victory of good over evil. An effigy of Ravana, prepared by children, was set on fire.

Ms Radhika Jaitwani (secretary) and Ms Maninder Kaur (joint secretary) graced the occasion. The principal, Ms N. Mannan, distributed sweets to the students, staff, volunteers and parents.

CRIME

Married woman gang-raped
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 2
A resident of Shimlapuri was gang-raped by three persons late last night. According to sources, the 29-year-old was alone at her house when one of the accused called her out and told her that her husband had met with an accident and hospitalised. He told her that he had been asked by him to inform and bring her to the hospital.

Alarmed at the news, she gathered a few things and accompanied them in their car. All this while the other kept on sitting in the car. In her complaint, she alleged that they drove her towards the Sidhwan canal and parked the vehicle at a deserted spot along the bank and raped her. She tried to raise alarm but was threatened. Later on, they left her near the residence of her mother.

The accused have been identified as Sukhpal Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh. A case has been registered.

Two killed in mishaps
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 2
Motorcyclist Pinka Kumar, a resident of Jugiana village, was killed on the spot in an accident on the GT Road on Wednesday. The police has registered a case on the statement of his father, Mr Rajeshwar Parshad.

The police also registered a case on Wednesday on the statement of Mr Jasvir Singh, a resident of Sahnewal, against Gupta, manager of a tipper, who hit his motor cycle near Sani village when he was going along with his son, Avtar Singh, who died on the spot.

Man robbed:  The Focal Point police has registered a case under Section 392 of the IPC and Sections 35, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act on the statement of Mr Pankaj Jain, a resident of Jain Colony, against unknown persons. Mr Jain complained that the accused, who were driving a Maruti car, robbed him of cash at gunpoint on Wednesday.

Transformer damaged: The Division No. 6 police has registered a case under Sections 279 and 427 of the IPC on the statement of a Senior Executive Engineer, PSEB, against a driver who hit his vehicle against a pole in Industrial Area ‘A’ on Wednesday. A transformer installed on it was damaged.

Chain snatched: The Model Town police has registered a case under Sections 356 and 379 of the IPC on the statement of Ms Darshana Rani, a resident of Phase II, Urban Estate, Dugri, against a woman who snatched her chain on Wednesday.

Phillaur
Robberies: A gang of robbers entered the house of Captain Singh at Bilga village and decamped with a CD player, cash and gold ornaments. In another case, robbers took away valuables from the dera of Baba Prem Dass. The police has registered cases.

Bank takes over spinning mill

Ludhiana, October 2
The State Bank of India today took over the possession of M/s Takshila Spinner Ltd, a spinning mill, at Plot A-3, Focal Point, Dhandari Kalan, under the Securitisation Act.