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Duplicate products threaten reputed trade marks Ludhiana, January 13 Industry and trade sources disclosed that the problem of duplicate products and the violations of the copyright and branding rights was so rampant in Ludhiana that the original brands suffer phenomenal losses. Recently, a leading hosiery brand which manufactures and exports sweaters, jackets, sweat shirts and thermals throughout the world issued a public notice announcing that there was no discount sale of its product. Using the name of the owners of the brand, a trading house announced “heavy discount sale”. Although one could make out the difference between the original and the brand sold at the sale, but that could only be possible when the customer sees it for himself. Otherwise they are misled by the advertisements, disclosed the owner of the brand on the condition of anonymity. In most of the cases it is difficult to point out the difference between the duplicate and the original brands. The problem is not limited to the hosiery products. Even the machine, auto and cycle parts face the similar problem and to a large extent. In fact for the cycle and auto part manufacturers the problem is more serious as their customers are mostly illiterate who cannot easily make out the difference. Recently the police registered a case against a manufacturer of cycle parts. It was based on a specific complaint. In this case the person making duplicate products was not mentioning anything on the product, but had used the packaging pattern of a reputed brand. In fact it was stupendous task for the original brand owner to convince the courts that he had a genuine case. Because intelligently enough, the duplicate manufacturer was using his own brand name and trade mark on the products and was only copying the packaging pattern and colour scheme. It is learnt that more than half of the goods sold in Ludhiana, be those of hosiery or machinery parts, are duplicate. Like in the recent instance, where the police registered and FIR and arrested one person, while three others are on the run, the violator had used the pattern in such a manner that even the original owner of the brand could not make out the difference from a close distance. Although the problem is so serious, the victims are feeling helpless as it is “very difficult” to locate the duplicate products and initiate action against the violators. Even the police cannot act unless there is a specific complaint. In order to check this menace leading brands are mooting the idea of setting up their own task force to ensure that no duplicate products are sold. In the recent case, it was by a sting operation that the violator was nabbed. |
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Residents celebrate Lohri
in traditional way Ludhiana, January 13 Mr N.K. Khanna, Chairman, PIMT, Mr Chaman Lal Garg, Mr S.P. Saggar, and other members of the trust blessed the students and staff on this occasion. Their presence provided encouragement to the young minds to work religiously and to contribute in the development of various areas of society. Mr O.P. Sahni, Director, said that all should enjoy the festivals as they gave the message of happiness and togetherness. The teachers and students also resolved to perform with complete dedication and commitment in their professional fields. Lohri was celebrated with full dhamaka at Love Dale Montessori Home here today. Traditional Lohri songs were sung by the staff and students. The students were told about the story of ‘dulha-bhatti’. Kite flying was enjoyed by the students and reoris, gachhak and groundnuts were relished on this occasion. The festival of Lohri was celebrated in the Central Tool Room by trainees, which is a government of India Society, an Indo-German project, and is working under the control of Ministry of Small Scale Industry since 1980. The centre is running a four-year diploma course in tool and
While welcoming the guests and trainees on this occasion, Mr Narinder Singh, hostel warden, informed about the religious aspect of Lohri celebrations all over India and its main significance in Punjab. Dr Satish Nauria, who provides medical facilities to the residents of hostel, in his address said that youngsters should shun drugs and should know the ill-effects of harmful drugs. The students entertained the guests by performing a cultural programme, including bhangra. Prizes were given to the performers in the cultural items. Malwa Sabhyacharak Manch held a Lohri mela at the open air theatre of Punjabi Bhavan. Pagri-tying competition, healthy baby show etc were organised on this occasion. People congratulated each other and reori, bhugga, gachchak were distributed amongst people. Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, chairman, and Mr Pawan Dewan, president of the manch, presented a vote of thanks. Bharat Vikas Parishad, Shiva ji branch honoured 21 students who secured more than 75 per cent marks to celebrate the festival of Lohri. The programme started with vande-mataram followed by lighting of gyan jyoti. A cultural programme was held to celebrate the festival. Punjabi folk songs were presented and girls and boys sang many lohri songs on this occasion. The Asian Club organised a programme to celebrate Lohri here today at Sarabha Nagar branch. The children were distributed many eatables and gift items. People gathered around the bonfire to celebrate the festival. The club also gave gift items to the inmates of Bal Bhawan. The organisers said that Basant Panchmi would be celebrated by the club by flying kites with spastic children on January 25. Civil City Welfare Society today celebrated the festival of Lohri, which was inaugurated by Director R.K. Colonisers limited, Mr Kanwaljit Singh. Mr Singh appreciated the efforts of the society and presented Rs 11,000 for its welfare projects on this occasion.
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Records favour police in land row Jagraon, January 13 A row has erupted between the district Health Department and Jagraon police over the ownership of the 15 kanal and 3 marlas of land housing an anti-larva centre of the district Health Department on the Raikot road here till last evening. A heavy posse of policemen led by senior officers occupied the land last evening and established a police post there. The police claims that the land and the dilapidated building has been given to it by the Jagraon Municipal Council that passed a resolution to this effect recently. The Health Department claims that neither the MC nor the police has any claim over the land as it belong to the department. SMO Dr Balbir Singh has written letters to the Deputy Commissioner, state health officials, and SDM, Jagraon, demanding restoration of the land to the Health Department. But the revenue records shown to Ludhiana Tribune by SDM Gurmeet Singh state that the land may legally be in the possession of the police as the records state that land was categorised as ‘aabadi de’ meaning, whosoever has the occupation is the owner since 1966. The SDM said though he was yet to receive any formal
complaint from the Health Department, he got the records checked after learning about the last evening's incident. He said the Health Department claimed that land was transferred to it through a notification by the government but it was strange that the revenue records remained unchanged since 1966. Mr Gurmeet Singh stressed that he could not say who was the rightful owner and what the records said. He said the ownership could only be decided after an official inquiry ordered by the government. Sources revealed to the police that the land would otherwise might not have remained for long with the Health Department as it was being encroached upon and was a haven for anti-social elements. The building was in ruins. A police official, wishing not to be quoted, claimed that they had not misused the ‘police power’ and had acted in confidence with the MC. He said the police post would remain there temporarily as the original building was under renovation. The sources, however, said the police explanation was being made just to buy time. The land had remained controversial as the police had earlier also tried to occupy it. Some land grabbers and encroachers also tried to do so some years ago. The Health Department has argued that its anti-larva programme and health activities in the region would be affected for want of space to set up the offices. |
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Let bygones be bygones, Cong men tell each other Ludhiana, January 13 Mr Harnam Dass Johar, the Minister for Higher Education, who was so far at the forefront of the dissident campaign against the Chief Minister would frequently enter into verbal dual with the Mayor, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, a known Chief Minister loyalist. Whatever the issues would be, the minister and the Mayor would take diagonally opposite positions. And everything seems to be a thing of the past now. While not many people are too optimistic about the new found love between the leaders of the rival factions, but the political expediency seems to have made them close in the ranks. Right now all the Congress leaders are working “overtime” to ensure that the rally bing addressed by the party president, Ms Sonia Gandhi at Bathinda on Thursday is a grand success. The Congress sources maintained that the dissidents could not afford to “sabotage” the rally as it would directly be attributed to them. In fact the dissidents are believed to be putting in extra efforts to make their presence felts and efforts noticed. Only the other day Mr Harnam Dass Johar held a meeting of the workers and office bearers of the party in connection with Ms Gandhi’s visit. Mr Johar of late has been maintaining that the Congress workers and leaders need to work together and fight unitedly. He said that it was not only the ensuing visit of Ms Gandhi, but also the general elections which by all indications were not even two months away. On the other hand the Mayor, Mr Gill and the MLA from Ludhiana East, Mr Surinder Dawer are also exhorting their workers to ensure “maximum participation” at Bathinda. The party sources revealed that Ms Gandhi’s rally at Bathinda will “virtually mark the beginning of the Congress campaign in the state”. |
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Mayor to review
development works Ludhiana, January 13 Disclosing this here today Mr Gill said he would review the ongoing development works, including the condition of the roads, sanitary and sewerage and water supply conditions. Four wards would be taken up daily and the councillors of the wards concerned and the party leaders in the corporation would be present along with the officers of the municipal corporation. The review would be conducted in the zonal offices of the corporation. The work would be completed in 17 days as there are 70 wards in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. Mr Gill said there were some complaints of delay in the completion of the works and future planning of the wards would also be undertaken during the review. He said that the general house of the municipal corporation would meet after the
competition of the review of works in the first week of February. The Mayor claimed that the councillors did not have any complaints. Mr Gill said work on
streetlights would also be completed in the covered area of the municipal corporation by the end of June and a sum of Rs. 30 crores would be spent on the same. He said that work on the completion of the elevated bridge from Jagraon bridge to Chand Cinema on the G T Road had been taken up as the PSEB had started removing the electric poles. The necessary funds for the removal of electric poles were also deposited with the PSEB. Regarding the flyover at the Dhandari railway crossing, Mr Gill said the Railways had been asked to provide the construction schedule.... since the track was electrified. The construction of the flyover over the LakkarBridge was also being taken up as an amount of Rs. 1 crore had been given to the PWD (B and R) for the same. The Mayor revealed that the municipal corporation had submitted plans to the National Highway Authority for constructing overbridges over Sherpur crossing, Samrala Chowk, Basti Jodhewal and Dhuri Line Extension. He said that the municipal corporation would also take up the construction of stadium in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and indoor stadium had been completed in front of the Sacred Heart Convent School near the Leisure Valley for skating. Referring to the hue and cry over the removal of encroachments, the Mayor said that the corporation was preparing the lists which would be scrutinised and the high court would be informed accordingly. The corporation was implementing the verdict of the high court. The encroachments had taken place during the SAD-BJP government and the authorities did not take any action at that time. He said that parks would also be developed in the slum areas. |
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Senior dissident leader and Higher Education Minister, Mr Harnam Dass Johar, has started tying a turban around his head in the midst of now resolved crisis in the state Congress. According to his son, Mr Ajay Johar, this is not for the first time that the senior Johar has started tying the turban. In fact he used to tie the turban earlier also. The senior Johar recalls that when he was young he used to wear it in routine. Once he was scolded by his mother when he had not tied his turban. But today’s turban of Mr Johar was believed to have political significance. Sources close to Mr Johar revealed that he had tied the turban in resolve to change the leadership of the Congress in the state. He was learnt to have resolved that he would not take it off till he got Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh removed from his chair. It may be recalled that Mr Johar was at the forefront of the dissident campaign in the Congress. While some people have been maintaining that Mr Johar had been ‘advised’ that he should start wearing a turban if he really wanted to become the Chief Minister of the state. Mr Johar’s Chief Ministerial ambitions were an open secret as he considered himself to emerge as a consensus candidate. Moreover, somebody had pointed out to him that in order to become the Chief Minster in Punjab one needed a turban on his head and Mr Johar seemed to have taken it literally. However, regretfully for Mr Johar, the Chief Minister continues to remain in chair and Mr Johar’s comrade-at-arms in rebellion, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, has already grabbed the chair of the Deputy Chief Minister, leaving little hope or scope for Mr Johar. So, for the time-being, he will need to continue to wear his turban. Best of luck, Mr Johar.
It’s an art Kite-flying is an art. On Lohri day you see several elderly as well as young struggling hard with the strings trying to keep the kite in control. From kite festivals in the past, kites are only seen for a short time around Lohri these days. But with almost everyone facing paucity of time, the manufacture and sale of kites has seen a downward trend. No wonder then, kites like ‘tukkal’, ‘guddi’, ‘chaj’, ‘patang’, ‘pari’, etc, all variants of the kite are becoming rarer to see every year.
The traditional way Lohri festival is fast losing its sheen. But this year some cultural organisations have taken upon themselves to infuse new life into the festival by celebrating it in the traditional Punjabi style with ‘giddah’ and ‘bhangra’ troupes performing around the bonfire. The giving away of ‘Lohri’, too, is more pronounced this year which has made a great season for peanuts, reori and gachak sellers.
Weather takes U-turn The weather has suddenly decided to take a U-turn from biting cold to sometimes uncomfortably warm. The shops and factories manufacturing and selling woollen garments that were unwilling to give small discounts till last week have suddenly decided to put everything on sale offering goods for nearly half the price. With weather playing truant, there are several deals in the offing for the city residents.
Sale or selling Some people think that they can fool all the people all the time. A furniture importer on the Pakhowal road has been advertising sale on furniture up to 80 per cent of the original price. But much to the amusement of many customers, small pieces of furniture like side tables and centre tables have been priced over Rs 10,000. Even though some people may have been conned into believing that they are getting great deals, but by and large disappointed customers have lowered the credibility of the shop in their minds. It’s perhaps an example for other people putting up sales and they must realise that short-term gains do not essentially lead to long-term benefits.
Succumbing to temptation When Maruti launched the new variant of its Zen model last month, a well to do city resident was trying to tell his spoilt brat son to learn to live within his means. “We’ll buy a small car that can easily take us through the city traffic without much bother”, he told his son who was somehow unwilling to accept that he will have a car that is smaller to those owned by his friends’ families. “What will I tell my friends?” he questioned. Going by the Zen ad campaign, the father said, “tell them you surrendered to the temptation”. But the son unwilling to soften his stand replied, “my friends already say that if you have to succumb to temptation, why not succumb to Mercedes or at least Skoda rather than just a Zen”.
Greeting card pictures Police work is known to be sloppy one more often than not. But don’t undermine their creative and decorative acumen. The problem is that the men in khaki usually use these skills at wrong places. So, recently, the police caught a gang and invited mediapersons. Due to busy schedule, the mediapersons requested the cops to send press notes and pictures and the latter should be different and not routine types with one criminal seated on the ground and dozens of cops standing behind him. And, lo behold! The pictures received were really different. The borders were decorated with designs and flowers seen in wedding pictures, especially those of the newly wedded couple. The angle remained the old one with one criminal and several policemen lined up.
Apni mandis Apni mandis seems to have lost track if the identity of the persons selling vegetables or fruits in these markets is any indication. The mandis introduced to eliminate middlemen and give proper price to the farmers of their produce were a place where farmers sold off the produce themselves. But now, migrant labourers have taken over the mandis. Very few Punjab farmers can be seen there. The farmers sell the produce to labourers through middlemen and the mandis have really become labourers’ mandis.
Gulli danda to cricket Cricket mania is on a feverish pitch these days. Not only urban children but even villagers can be seen playing the game. In the rural area, any stretch of land used for agriculture or dry village ponds are serving as cricket grounds. The village children do not play with proper kit. Sentinel saw children playing in such a dry pond near Machchiwara. The batsman had a bat but the non-striker one was just holding a stick used in gulli-danda. The site was enough to say on its own how the tradition gulli-danda game has been taken over by cricket. |
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Samaritans help save kidney patient's life Ludhiana, January 13 "I had heard stories about the CMCH and philanthropists here, so I brought him here for transplant", said Poonam while talking to Ludhiana Tribune today. Dr Basant Pawar, his treating doctor
said, "David was very sick when he came to the CMCH. He needed dialyses three times a week and with their financial condition, the family would not have been able to continue it for a longer period and thus required immediate transplant. Keeping in view, the financial condition of the patient, a concessional treatment was offered to him by the institute. Renal transplant with conditions like that of David, generally requires Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh but he was charged only Rs 80,000 for complete treatment". The patient, after renal transplant was recovering well at the CMCH. Poonam said though her husband's sister had volunteered to donate one of her kidneys but they were unable to arrange money for kidney transplant, since she was the only bread winner in the family with old parents and small kids. "But with the help of generous donations made by the people of Ludhiana, the life of my husband was saved. The appeal in newspapers generated very good response and we got money within no time. I am very happy that David is recovering well in the hospital and after a few days, he will be discharged", said Poonam, while tears rolled down her cheeks. Ludhiana Tribune had appealed for David in the first week of November, 2003. “We had heard that people in this city have big hearts, but now I have seen that. May God bless all those, who came forward in saving life of my husband. I and my children are very grateful to the people of Ludhiana for this kind gesture”, said Poonam. |
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Kite mania hits city Ludhiana, January 13 It was a clear and pleasant day for the kite-lovers as bright sunshine greeted them in the morning in sharp contrast to yesterday's brief foggy spell. And to add to their joy , a mild eastward breeze continued throughout the day facilitating kite-flying . The oldest kite-centre of the town- the Daresi Grounds-, which had been full of makers of the special thread needed for kite-flying for the past fortnight or so, was packed with kite-flyers early in the morning to occupy vantage positions suited for ideal kite-flying. In the Focal Point area, vast open spaces and parks were occupied by groups of children and adults keen on having a joyful kite-flying experience. By noon, the city skies over various business and residential areas were full of colourful kites vying for honours. Kite mania ruled the city so much so that children were even using the vacant space along rail tracks behind Nalli Mohalla to prepare the special kite-flying thread this morning as supply seemed to fall short of the actual demand for the same. Liquor flowed like water as booze lovers started thronging their favourite wine shops early in the morning. All wine shops did brisk business throughout the day as tipsy men kept pouring in till late in the night . All wine shops near the railway station and chowk Ghanta Ghar witnessed a festive rush of buyers. People were drinking almost everywhere- by the roadside, at tea shops, at the dhabas and at the railway station as well. Though rowdyism remained under check due to extensive patrolling by PCR teams throughout the city, youngsters roamed in cars with loud music on through the streets of colonies in outer Ludhiana. In the evening , music was everywhere especially in homes celebrating the arrival of newly-born boys. Private functions were also held aplenty throughout the city which were attended by invited guests. Huge bonfire were lit at public functions held by various welfare societies in residential colonies where participants were offered free eatables to the accompaniment of dance and music. Breaking the barriers of age and custom , youngsters and elders danced together at these functions. Special roadside shops selling peanuts, reoris and varieties of special 'gachak' came up in several localities to cope with the festival demand. Meanwhile, Shree Ayyappa Sewa Sangam, a religious body running Shree Ayyappa Temple at Focal Point, said in a press release here today that it would be celebrating the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti tomorrow by taking out a religious and colourful procession in which artists , who have been specially invited from Kerala, would take part. |
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Congress wins Coop Bank elections Mandi Gobindgarh, January 13 Talking to mediapersons here today, Mr Sadhu Singh
Dharamsot, MLA, Amloh, said that it was a matter of joy for the Congress that it had succeeded in all the 9 zones which had proved that the people endorsed the Congress policies even in the rural belt. Block Congress chief Shangara Singh
Salana, district planning board member, Joginder Singh Narayangarh, Mr. Baljinder Singh, advocate, Mr. Jarnail Singh, sarpanch
Kumbh, and Mr Parampal Singh Chanarthal (senior Congress men), who were present at the press meet, thanked the voters. Out of 9 zones Mr. Gurmeet Singh
Bhari, political secretary of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, Mr Nirmal Singh and Mr Sukhdev Singh returned unopposed from Mandi Gobindgarh, Bassi Pathana and Mulepur zones, respectively. Mr Kamal Deep Singh, returning officer of Sirhind zone, said that the counting in all the zones had been completed but officially the results will be declared after clearance from the High Court, which had issued stay orders on the declaration of the results. As such the elections of the district chairman will take place after the official declaration of results. However, hectic activities among the successful candidates have started for the post of the Chairman. In Amloh zone Mr Baljinder Singh Gurdhanpur got 11 votes out of 17 and his rival candidate Mr. Jora Singh, political secretary of the former Finance Minister, got 6 votes. |
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Stop issuing new permits, say bus operators Ludhiana, January 13 Its members expressed concern over the hike in diesel and petrol prices and flayed the Transport Department for granting permits liberally, thus creating unhealthy competition among old and new permit holders. Mr Charanjit Singh Gill, its general secretary, said the mini bus policy was formed to provide livelihood to unemployed, ex-servicemen and terrorist-affected persons and not for creating revenue for the government. But the government was increasing taxes indiscriminately. The president, Mr Harinder Sharma, appealed to the government to stop issuing new permits and frame a new policy. The president of the Rampura Phool unit, Mr Harmit Singh, requested the government to withdraw the powers from the police to challan the buses. Mr Charan Singh Dhami and Mr Lachhman Singh asked the government to stop collection of bus stand fee and to increase the routes to 35 km. Mr Jaswinder Singh Grewal requested the government to control the illegal operations of auto-rickshaws and other modes of travelling. The members requested the Chief Minister to redress their problems at the earliest. |
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VC seeks eradication of evils Ludhiana, January 13 He called upon social organisations, leaders and teachers to create mass awareness against female foeticide. He said the time had come when we should celebrate Lohri to rejoice over the birth of girl child in the same way as we do for the male child. The women of today were not second to their male counterparts in any field, including defence and space exploration. He called upon all Punjabis to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of national development, communal harmony and mutual co-existence. |
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Woollens given to needy Ludhiana, January 13 Mr Neel Kamal Sharma, the president of the society, said it worked for the welfare of the poor and needy. These students should study well and work hard as the future was full of challenges. Only capable students would be able to adjust themselves well in the society. Mr Gurbhej Singh Chabra and Mr Irvinderpal Singh appreciated the works done by society. They asked people belonging to the upper strata of society to come forward and help the needy. The principal of the school presented a vote of thanks on this occasion. |
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Principal
Secretary bereaved Ludhiana, January 13 His cremation would be held at his native village Khadoor (near Jodhan) on Wednesday. He is survived by two sons Mr. RPS Pawar IAS and Mr. Narinder Singh Pawar, ex Additional Advocate General, Punjab, and wife Mrs. Basant Kaur. Mr Anokh Singh Pawar after his superannuation as Additional Commissioner,
Ferozepore, in 1984 had settled in Ludhiana and was engaged in providing free education to the poor and deprived children. |
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Mayor denies differences with Johar Ludhiana, January 13 Mr Gill said he was ready to solve all problems of the constituency of Mr Johar with regard to the municipal corporation. “I have respect for Mr Johar,” he added. |
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Tej Prakash attends
function Amloh, January 13 Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, MP, who also attended the function, appealed to the people to stay away from Western culture and drug addiction. Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, MLA, Amloh, appealed to the people to celebrate Lohri of their daughters. |
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One killed Khamano, January 13 According to information available two youths riding a Hero Honda motor cycle Ekam Singh and Gurpal Singh were going towards Dulwan village, when a speeding tempo collided head on with the motor cycle resulting in the death of Ekam Singh and injuring Gurpal Singh. Gurpal Singh was rushed to the hospital where he is recovering. The police has registered a case in this connection against the tempo driver under Sections 279, 304-A of the IPC. |
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