R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar
COLLEGE FUNCTION: Mr H.R. Gandhar Director DAV Public Schools, New Delhi said poverty and illiteracy were behind increase in crime. He was speaking at a function of old students of DAV College here on Sunday. He said the educational institutions should not honour those who did not deserve it. Foreign influences were weakening India by misleading the young generation, he said. Teachers like (late) Satya Prakash, Swadesh Chander Nanda, P.L. Trakru, M.L. Sekhri and of course founder of the college Principal Narayan Dass Grover were remembered. Rajneesh Ahuja from Ludhiana donated Rs 5 lakh for construction of Postgraduate Block. Principal D.B. Josan welcomed members of the staff.

ACCIDENT: Mrs Sukhwinder Kaur wife of Mr Gurdas Singh of Muradwala Dalsingh village here was injured seriously after a bullet hit her on Saturday in an accidental fire from a rifle owned by her husband. She was taken to a Ludhiana hospital. Her condition was stated to be serious.

Amritsar
KAR SEVA: The kar seva to desilt Ram Tirath temple sarovar, which started here on Sunday received lukewarm response. Mr Sardool Singh Bhandala, Minister for Excise and Taxation and Chairman, Ram Tirath Development Trust and Deputy Commissioner Raminder Singh reportedly did not arrive for the event. The yajna was performed in the presence of Mr Ganga Ram Teja, member, National Safai Karamchari Commission.

Batala
VIKAS PATRAS: Resentment prevails among the local residents over the non-availability of Kisan Vikas Patras (KVP) at post offices here. Mr Ram Murti, Post Master of the Batala Post Office, when contacted on Saturday said he had not received the kisan patras of denomination of more than Rs 1000.

Ludhiana
Death anniversary: The 13th death anniversary of Baba Bhagwan Dass was celebrated with full religious fervour at the Baba Shri Chand Akhara near the Military Camp, Sherpur Chowk, on Saturday. Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Transport Minister, and Mr Malkit Singh Birmi, Minister for Jails, made offerings at his samadhi.

Lectures: The Commerce Department of SDP College for Women organised an extension lecture on ‘Scope after MBA’ here on Monday. Resource person Dharminder Sharma, Director, Career Launcher, talked about the possible prospects for the students doing MBA. Addressing the students, he said MBA had proved to be a rewarding career, offering splendid opportunities for growth, stimulating work profile and inspiring remunerations. Mr Sharma highlighted various job opportunities in the field of advertising, brand management, financial analysis, human resource management and strategic planning.

Moga
Health camp: Deputy Commissioner G Ramesh Kumar on Monday inaugurated the first health care camp organised jointly by the government and non-government organisations (NGOS) under the Vande Mataram Yojna. The scheme is free check-up would be organised on the 9th day of every month all over the state. The Yojna aims at bringing down mortality among pregnant women from 407 per lakh to 200 by 2007.

PATIALA
NSS PROGRAMME: The Punjab College of Education, Raipur, organised a one-day NSS camp here on Monday. The Director-Principal of the College, Dr Agyajit Singh inaugurated the camp. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Agyajit, urged the students to participate in the NSS activities as it helps in the overall development of the students. On the occasion a cultural programme was also organised by the NSS volunteers. The Programme was conducted under the supervision of Nisha Duggal and Mr Charanjit Singh, programme officers of the NSS unit of the college. 

HARYANA

AMBALA
LOK SABHA POLL: BJP Ambala Sadar mandal president Shish Pal Bhola on Monday said they were gearing up for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mr Bhola said they had already requested the party high command to allow them to contest the Lok Sabha elections alone. He said the alliance between the BJP and the INLD has faced rough weather since INLD did not keep its promise. He did not rule out the possibility of a tie up with the HVP. “However, the decision of the party high command is final. We do not want any alliance with the INLD,” he said. 

MDSD GIRLS COLLEGE: Haryanvi group dance team of MDSD Girls College was recommended at the inter-varsity national youth festival. The college Principal Dr Kiran Angra said the national youth festival was held at Jiwaji University, Gwalior. She said the team represented Kurukshetra University. “The team has been maintaining its excellence by winning in zonal, inter-zonal and inter varsity youth festival,” she said. This year, the team won and got recommended in zonal youth festival held at GMN College Ambala Cantonment, and then it got recommended at inter- zonal youth festival held at Kurukshetra University. 

ANNUAL DAY: Annual day cum- prize-distribution function was held at Bell Toll Public High School, Ambala city, on Sunday. The school Principal, Mr HK Partal said children presented a colourful cultural programme. The Haryanvi dance and bhangra was appreciated by the audience. The students also performed group and solo dances.

Fatehabad
GRANT FOR DEVELOPMENT: Haryana Finance Minister Sampat Singh addressed villagers at Khabra Kalan, Dhabi Kalan, Thuian and Kirdhan in this district on Sunday. He distributed cheques for rupees 5.25 lakh for paving streets in villages.

Sirsa
JOINS INLD: Former district president of the BJP Krishan lal Saini and councillor Ratan Bala, along with about 50 supporters, joined the INLD at a public function in Ramnagaria village late on Saturday evening.

LOOTED: At least 12 armed men broke into the house of Meharchand, a resident of Jamal village and injured him with sharp-edged weapons. They also looted Rs 40,000 and 200 gm of gold. Meharchand was admitted to the local civil hospital and the police has registered a case.