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People prefer dry
fruits to sweets this Divali Ludhiana, October 22 Growing health concern among people which prevents them from taking anything sweet has been having its impact on the sale of sweets. The halwais maintained that they had noted “quite low” sales this year compared to the previous year. Divali happens to be the top most festival for halwais as the sale of sweets is the highest. However, this may not be the case this year. A leading halwai of Chaura Bazar, whose sweets are known all over the region, maintained that it was not just health consciousness among people that prevented them from purchasing
sweets, but some “wrong notions” also. He strongly denied that the sweets were prepared weeks and months ahead of Divali. He admitted that although the volume of sales is several times more than on routine days, yet the halwais start preparing sweets only a few days in advance and employ extra work force. It is estimated that on every Divali at least 10 lakh sweet boxes (of one kg each) are sold in Ludhiana. Besides, some halwais also export sweets to other states. With such a huge demand, the halwais reportedly start preparing sweets in advance. In the process, it is also apprehended that the quality also gets compromised. With growing awareness among the public, most of them prefer to avoid sweets and instead have switched over to fruits. Only last year around the Divali festival, Ludhiana police had busted a racket which was involved in importing adulterated ‘khoya’ to Ludhiana, which was to be used in the preparation of sweets. Huge quantity of ‘khoya’, which had been imported from Uttar Pradesh, was destroyed by the health authorities. The sweet sellers are strongly trying to counter the “false propaganda” and clear the “wrong notions”. One of the sweet sellers claimed that each and every piece can be tested anytime. He challenged that in case it was found that his products were adulterated, he was prepared to face any legal action. However, the argument does not seem to go well with the people, who feel that there were many alternatives to sweets. On the other hand, the sale of fruits, particularly dry fruits, has increased manifold. Even the halwais have started selling dry fruits along with the sweets. They said they had found that people presented dry fruits since these can be preserved for longer durations than the sweets which have to be consumed within a couple of days only. |
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Cops take it easy as traffic chaos prevails Ludhiana, October 22 Even though the police had, apparently, stepped up the vigil to check any untoward incident during the festivities and checking of vehicles at various points in the city had been intensified, the movement of traffic on city roads has rather become more difficult and prolonged traffic jams on several key roads has become a daily affair. At times, the unimaginative traffic cops set up the check barrier on busy roads in such a way that it further adds to congestion and obstructs the free flow of traffic. To top it all, the cops, more busy with indiscriminately issuing
challans, even for minor violations, turn a blind eye to the disruption of traffic caused either due to their own check barriers or for other reasons like temporary encroachments or wrong parking of vehicles. For the past few days, the stretch from Kailash Cinema Chowk to Deepak Cinema Chowk has literally turned into a nightmare for motorists. During peak hours in the morning, afternoon and evening, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, mini buses, cycle rickshaws and cyclists, many of them carrying schoolchildren, are stuck for long periods and traffic cops remain elusive most of the time, particularly when needed the most. On Wednesday, this section of the road witnessed more than half a dozen traffic jams for a period ranging between 15 to 40 minutes, says a shopkeeper located at Deepak Cinema
Chowk. With the closing of one side of Jagraon Bridge approach from the railway station side for the ongoing work on elevated road project, the Old G.T. Road from Jagraon Bridge to Old Sabzi Mandi has become another problem area as far as traffic movement is concerned. As both way traffic on the bridge is made to use the single lane, vehicles move at a snail’s pace and prolonged traffic obstructions test the patience of the drivers and other road users. This portion of Old G.T. Road being the only access to the railway station from the old city, those who had to travel by trains, particularly during day time, were occasionally delayed on the way and at times, missed their trains. The situation in other congested commercial centres like Chaura Bazar, Lakkar Bazar, Kesar Ganj Road, Saban Bazar, Model Town or for that matter upmarket shopping area like Ghumar Mandi and Mall Road is no better. Acute shortage of parking spaces, rampant encroachments by shopkeepers,
coupled with indifferent and evasive traffic management have converted these areas into major traffic bottlenecks with no immediate solution in sight. The city traffic police, responsible for management of traffic, seem to have written off the problem of chaotic traffic on the city roads. But mere closing eyes to the crucial matter of regulation and enforcement will not be of any help and the problem would further aggravate if neglected. The prevailing situation of traffic, being chaotic to say the least, calls for drastic steps, in addition to several short term and long term measures. |
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DSP accused of molesting lady constable Ludhiana, October 22 According to available information, the said DSP as per the complaint of the lady constable made advances towards her during a function of a Punjabi pop singer. When she tried to snub him, he called her aside and allegedly tore her clothes in an attempt to rape her. The lady constable has written to the SSP saying that the said DSP called her to his residence the subsequent day, but she refused to oblige and instead has written a complaint against him. The SSP, Mr Narinder Pal Singh, has marked the inquiry to SP (City), Mr Arun Pal Singh, with the instruction to investigate the matter fairly and quickly. While no police official was willing to make any comment on the incident, an officer who did not wish to be quoted said: “If any police personnel has any complaint against a brother officer, it will be dealt with internally in a fair manner”. The lady constable has, however, taken up cudgels and said that she would fight for justice at all cost, accepting that a lot of pressure was being mounted upon her to withdraw the complaint. It may be mentioned that the allegations of misbehaviour under a ‘drunken state’ against the said DSP are not new. In the past, too the said DSP is also reported to have attended meetings of his superiors in an inebriated state. He
also reportedly slapped an ASI in the police mess but was bailed out by a former district police chief. The current inquiry against the DSP has also seen the recording of some statements and it is learnt that the investigating officer has summoned a group of lady police personnel to appear before him on Thursday to ascertain if the accused had been misbehaving with other lady police women, too. Senior district police officers said that it would be unfair to make any
comments. Meanwhile, the incident has spread like wild fire in police circles. Several cases of sexual harassment are expected to come to light based on the kind of response the current inquiry gets. Some lady police personnel without willing to come on record said that cases of sexual harassment in the force are common. |
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Let Divali be cracker-free Ludhiana, October 22 Ludhiana Tribune spoke to school and college students on how they would be celebrating Divali. Anirudh , a class IX student of Spring Dales, said he and his class mates felt that Divali should not be so noisy. He said, “Last year we decided to burn less crackers to check noise pollution. But this year we have decided that we will celebrate cracker-free Divali.” Mankur, Shruti and Nivedita of BA I, Government College for Women, said their families believed in a quiet Divali. Shruti said, “We celebrate cracker-free Divali. Burning crackers is literally burning your money for momentary pleasure. We have to learn to be responsible citizens.” Mankur said,“ Basically, I am scared of crackers. It is high time people become considerate to others too.” Nivedita also joined in and said, “Our family has banned noisy crackers since 1997. Hospitals get filled with patients having burns. What is the fun of such a Divali which brings misery to hundreds.” Vishaka Sood , a student of class VI of BCM School, says,“Our lanes get filled with pollution after the people are through with burning of crackers. It becomes very difficult to breathe, especially the sick and the elderly.” Nafeez, Sakshi, Shipra, Neha, Aika and Rinchi of B.Com II said crackers bring to mind kids engaged in making crackers. “We do not want to add to their miseries. Why cannot we pool in money to be spent on crackers to buy sweets and gifts for the poor and destitute and light up their lives?” Meanwhile, Spring Dale Public Senior Secondary School, Sherpur road, organised a rally for educating the public on celebrating pollution-free Divali. The students of middle and senior sections took a round of the city areas, carrying placards and banners. On the occasion an exhibition was held at the school’s multipurpose hall in which paintings, drawings and posters against crackers were displayed. The art and crafts students demonstrated their skills by exhibiting decorated candles, flower pots,
thalis, torans, matkis and other attractive items. The tiny tots recited poems and some students delivered speeches on the festival of lights. Ms Avinash Kaur Walia, director and founder Principal, advised the students against the use of crackers and stressed the need of growing trees. |
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Woman duping youths in name of matrimony Khanna, October 22 Sukhdev Singh alleged that Ravneet Kaur got engaged to him in July. They were to marry within a few months. She reportedly took Rs 3 lakh from him but kept on postponing the marriage. Sukhdev Singh claimed that when he tried to sort out the matter with her she refused to marry him and did not return the money. In his complaint he has stated that the marriage had been arranged by a boutique owner of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar here. He has named several other persons allegedly involved in the racket. Meanwhile, the SSP stated that he had ordered an investigation. |
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Chinese lights
flood market Ludhiana, October 22 Mr
Dutta, a shopkeeper, says that the Chinese always come up with some new designs and their lights are so reasonably priced as compared to lights made in India that the market for Indian lights is totally wiped out. Lights of earthen lamps used to light up the homes in previous years, but with people commercialising all the festivals, it was thought to be an expensive and time-consuming exercise to light lamps. So now brighten up their homes with fancy, charming and
electrifying Chinese electric lights. These are cheap and are being offered in a large variety. The lighted bunches of red, yellow and green grapes have taken the market by storm. The multi-colored lotus shaped lights are also attractive. The novelty of the season are small trees called ‘rice light trees’. As the name suggests , the lights are shaped like rice grains-long and thin. The trees are of one-and a half feet to three feet in height. Rope lights of 10 metres are exotic as the coloured bulbs are inside the pipe and when they light up , they look divine. Then there are music lights that produce some music of sorts. Then there are chasing lights that revolve and silky lights that have silk balls. The common string starts selling from
Rs 20 and no light is priced above Rs 200. So pick up the lights of your choice. |
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PAU alumni leave for Pak to attend meet Ludhiana, October 22 The delegation will also attend an international symposium on “Future of Agriculture in Punjab.” The College of Agriculture, Ludhiana, has its origin in the pre-Partition Government Agriculture College, Lyallpur (now Faislabad). After Partition the students and faculty of present Punjab, who were then either working or studying at Lyallpur College, started the classes in the building of Khalsa College, Amritsar, and then shifted to Ludhiana in the rented building of Malwa Khalsa High School, Ludhiana, before the present address. The alumni of both institutions has kept close contact with each other. Besides Dr Kalkat, the other members of the delegation include Dr S.S. Sokhi, acting Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr Hari Singh Brar, former President, Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ association, Dr H.N. Khajuria, Dr J.N. Kaul and Dr R.K. Mahe, secretary of the Alumni Association of College of Agriculture. |
Windfall awaits Ludhiana
villages Ludhiana, October 22 Earlier, the grant was Rs 35 lakh each for two villages chosen from each block of the district but the amount was later on whittled down to Rs 10 lakh so that more villages could be covered under the scheme. A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet last month and has been conveyed to the district authorities across the state. According to sources, a sum of Rs 8.4 crore was approved under the scheme for Ludhiana, and seven villages — Kila Raipur, Galib Kalan, Ghawaddi, Manak Majra, Dakha, Bilaspur and Bhaini Sahib — have already benefited by receiving Rs 30 lakh each. Some of the villages are the native places of several ruling party politicians. The remaining amount, Rs 6.3 crore, will be distributed among the villages in 12 blocks in consultation with the local MLA and ministers from the district. The amount sanctioned for each block is : Dehlon (Rs 10 lakh), Raikot (Rs 70 lakh), Sidhwan Bet (Rs 40 lakh), Samrala (Rs 70 lakh), Ludhiana-I (Rs 40 lakh), Ludhiana-II (Rs 40 lakh), Sudhar (Rs70 lakh), Pakhowal (Rs 70 lakh), Doraha (Rs 40 lakh), Macchhiwara (Rs 70 lakh), Jagraon (Rs 70 lakh) and Khanna (Rs 40 lakh). The sources said the number of villages had been increased so that more villages could be covered under the project. While only two villages benefited from the previous clause, now panchayats of seven chosen villages in each block would receive the money. The amount would be spent to complete or execute rural projects only. However, the villages which had already received the earlier amount and already floated tenders to get the works executed would retain the grant, the sources pointed out.
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LPG distributors
oppose new outlets Ludhiana, October 22 A meeting of LPG distributors from different parts of the state, held here last evening under the presidentship of Mr Chander Shekhar Azad decided that a memorandum opposing the ill-conceived move would be submitted to the Union Government. He said widespread resentment was already prevailing among the LPG distributors due to diminishing sales, and increase in the number of retail outlets would further worsen the situation. Mr Navin Talwar, general secretary of Punjab LPG Distributors Association expressed dismay that the government was going ahead to set up more distributorships while the present distributors were falling short of their assured sales quota. |
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READERS WRITE VERY
often readers express through the print media their dissatisfaction about pot-holed roads requiring repair or resurfacing, garbage dumped on the roadside or open spaces being encroached upon by stray animals and scavenger kids, parks crying for urgent development and maintenance, encroachments hindering movements on the roads, etc. What use is saving the money and showing it as a surplus fiscal position for getting a pat from the higher-ups when the above-mentioned basic amenities are not being attended to on a regular basis. Apparently, the situation has deprived the public what was due to it long back. The Municipal Corporation (MC) should keep the funds available for various amenities on permanent basis. One hopes that the MC authorities would not hesitate in future in allocating required funds to achieve the avowed aim of keeping the city clean and green. Dr Iqbal Singh, Model Gram, Ludhiana An ageing city The holy city of Amritsar which used to be at its prime before partition of India is fast getting into the category of ageing cities. Those were the days when Amritsar was fast acquiring the status of the second best city in the whole of Punjab, only next to Lahore in undivided India. Its Khalsa College with its vast area, spacious classrooms, a grand Principal’s office, big hostels and wonderful location was comparable to any university in the country. The lawrence Garden bordering The Mall was a jewel of the city. Grassy lawns were regularly trimmed and on their sides enchanting flower-beds were laid which blossomed with seasonal flowers throughout the year. It was a treat to have a glance at them. It required a great effort to withdraw from such a paradise. The service club and two other clubs had their own charm. The members of the clubs and their guests would strictly abide by the strict discipline due to which there never was
rowdyism. Due to the decorum maintained by them there never was a chance of encroachments on the freedom of general public visiting the garden. After shifting from Amritsar and permanently settling at Ludhiana, I had a longing to pay a visit to the city in September, 2003, after a period of or than 40 years. the city where I lived for more than 12 years was now beyond recognition. Its charm had faded away. Sanitation was nowhere visible. Dirt and rubbish was lying here and there. Roads which had been dug for the laying of sewerage pipes were lying in neglect. Hall Bazaar, to which visit was a must whenever one went for shopping, was in a pitiable condition. The other bazaars were in no better condition. The Lawrence Garden had been divided into different blocks which had marred its beauty. One redeeming factor was a visit to the Golden Temple. With the very first step one felt that one had entered into an abode of peace. The vast parikarma and the rest of the premises were kept clean all the time by sewadars and devotees. It is rightly said that God resides in such a holy and clean environ. A visit to Durgiana Mandir also presented the similar ambience. The marble flooring had been swept clean. The devotees throng to pay their obeisance. But the approach road on the front side of the temple did not present a healthy look. It needed maintenance and proper cleanliness. S.L. Katyal, Tagore Nagar, Shocking ad I am attached with The Tribune, a family newspaper, from the time of my childhood and am 55 years old. My morning is not complete unless I go through all the pages. However, I was shocked on my breakfast table on October 18 to see an advertisement by
Blackberrys, an apparel company, on the back page. This ad was offensive and does not behove being carried in a newspaper like The Tribune which one associates with high ideals and morals. I will appreciate if the publishers stop publishing such ads or material which cannot be seen or read by the whole family. Yadwinder
Walia, Ludhiana Ludhiana parks
cry for help The Municipal Commissioner is aware that our Park Management Committees had maintained eight parks in Phase II (West) of Urban Estate Dhandari
Kalan, Ludhiana, up to June 30, 2002, according to the duly executed agreements as prescribed by the Municipal Corporation. But seven of these parks have not been maintained by the PMCs after June 30, 2002, when the corporation had refused to pay the maintenance grant at the agreed rate of Re 1 per sq meter per month
w.e.f. December 31, 2001, or so. The parks in question had been maintained to the satisfaction of the corporation and more than 400 trees had been planted by the
PMCs, and beautiful flower-beds had been developed, apart from various charming shrubs. Grass was regularly mowed and the parks were kept neat and clean and there was no congress grass in the parks which had become pollution free. The senior citizens of the Urban Estate and people form the neighbourhoods enjoyed the pleasant fragrance of flowers during their morning and evening walks. Now things have entirely changed for the
wort. The MC staff has never visited these parks during the past one and a half years. The parks have become garbage dumps where stray cattle are seen grazing with pigs and dogs roaming freely. The other day a snake entered house no. 1572 in Phase II (West) of Urban Estate, Dhandari
Kalan. Dogs defecate in the parks and more often than not some human beings also found urinating and defecating in the parks. The parks have become ugly and dirty with cow-dung etc. in every nook and
cornee. They stink and the senior citizens have stopped coming for morning and evening walks and kids have stopped playing. As a matter of fact, the quality of life has suffered. The Commissioner often makes false claims to the effect that the civic body is maintaining as many as 717 parks in the city. We know for sure that seven parks in Phase II (West), Phase II (E), and Phase I have been utterly neglected by the corporation. It is pertinent to mentioned here that the special park near Jain Hospital, along the Chandigarh road in Phase II (E) had been developed by PUDA at a cost of lakhs. The corporation has failed to maintain even the park in question and the funds spent by PUDA have gone waste. The MC has failed to comply with the suggestion of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission to maintain the parks properly for providing neat and clean atmosphere to the denizens of Ludhiana so as to improve the quality of life in the otherwise polluted city. The corporation has also failed to reimburse the expenditure incurred by various PMCs for the maintenance of parks with interest up to the date on which the agreements had expired so that they are not compelled to go to the civil court to recover the same. We, the senior citizens of Urban Estate, Dhandari
Kalan, request the Commissioner to heed the voice of the people. He should realise that it is not a wise to hoard funds and refuse to spend the same for development of the city for which they are meant. We also hope that the worthy Commissioner, being a public servant, will shun his inflexible and rigid attitude of having no respect for the popular voice of the people. We offer our co-operation in the matter. Satnam Singh Khera, Dhandari
Kalan, Ludhiana |
Man killed in mishap Ludhiana, October 22 The Sadar police registered another case under various sections of the IPC on the statement of Mr Adarsh Kumar, a resident of Pink Vihar near Old Sabzi Mandi, against Harish Kumar, a resident of Basti Sheikh , Jalandhar. The complainant had stated that the latter, who was driving a car, had hit a man, who has been admitted to a hospital at Phillaur and his condition is stated to be critical. House burgled Two arrested Gamblers held In other cases Raju of Jammu Colony, Harjit Singh of Jawaddi Kalan, Ashok Kumar, who lives near the Damoria bridge, Anil Kumar of Jassian chowk, Haibowal Kalan, Amarjit Singh of Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Shamsher Singh of Labour Colony in Dashmesh Nagar , Shimlapuri were also arrested under the Gambling Act. They were later bailed out. Eve-teaser booked Booked for damaging transformer Liquor seized Meanwhile, the Sadar police arrested Dalip Singh of Mazara Khurd village and recovered nine bottles of illicit liquor form him. He has been booked under the Excise Act.  |
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Third accused in Sunny murder case held Mandi Gobindgarh, October 22 Vinod (16) and Surjit, alias Chhotu (11), had been tenants of Gurdial Singh, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh, for the past five years. Gurdial Singh had no male child. He has six daughters. He adopted Sunny when he was only seven months old. Sunny was the elder son of his second daughter Sukhwinder Kaur. She was married at Hansali village near Fatehgarh Sahib. After the murder, the two accused consulted their third accomplice,
Mottoo, for further guidance. They made a call from a local PCO to Gurdial Singh and demanded Rs 2 lakh as ransom at 9.30 pm on October 14. With the help of the local telephone exchange, the PCO was traced. Soon after the accused went underground but were nabbed on October 20.
Mottoo was a worker in a factory here while the other two were unemployed. Gurdial Singh had earlier sold a plot of land about two weeks ago. The three accused hatched a conspiracy to abduct Sunny to get ransom in lieu of his life. The two accused Vinod and Chhotu carried Sunny on a bicycle near the Bhakhra canal. Finding no place to hide they murdered him and threw his body in the bushes below the bank of the canal. |
Bicycle finance launched Ludhiana, October 22 The scheme is likely to benefit students, labourers, small farmers, hawkers and others who cannot afford to purchase it with full payment. Announcing the launch of the scheme, the Co-Chairman and Managing Director of the company, Mr
O.P. Munjal, pointed out that since bicycle was the basic need of people belonging to the lower strata, who usually could not afford to make down payment, the company had reached an understanding with the bank. The specially formulated scheme is also aimed to help the needy to acquire a bicycle for personal travel and transportation of small quantity of commodities to earn their livelihood and become self-reliant. Mr Munjal maintained that apart from very low interest rates, the bank had also relaxed the margin and security norms to facilitate easy and affordable credit. For the women beneficiaries, the bank has offered special concession in the rate of interest. According to rough estimates, there are about 10 lakh labourers in Ludhiana. |
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Hotel industry a global employer: VC Mandi Gobindgarh, October 22 Earlier, he laid the stone for Desh Bhagat Engineering College. Mr
M.P. Arora, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), suggested that hotel management degree courses should be further categorised into smaller periods so that students could get specialisation in their separate courses according to their requirements. Mr Dinesh Partap Singh, ASP,
Amloh, was also present on the occasion. Dr Zora Singh, Chairman, Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes, welcomed the guest. Mrs Shalini Gupta, Director of the institute, said: “In today’s world every parent wants his child to be an all-rounder and one can survive only if one has the right knowledge and self-confidence”. Students of the institute presented a cultural programme which included classical dance, dandiya Malwai
giddha, face painting, Arabian dance, orchestra, Western dance, fancy dress, skit and funny games. The function concluded with a
bhangra. Mr S.N. Singh, Principal, Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic Medical College, Mrs Tajinder Kaur, Councillor, Mr Harinder Singh Bhambri, member, PPCC, and Mr Shahbaz Singh Dhillon were also present. |
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