R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

FUNCTION: The administrator of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, Mr Prithipal Singh Kapur has exhorted students to work hard to achieve success in life, Mr Kapur made these remarks while presiding over the annual prize distribution function of Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary School here.

KHANNA
YOUTH DIES: A youth died after consuming a poisonous substance here on Wednesday. According to information, P.R. Thapar (22) who was reportedly under depression consumed some poisonous substance. He was rushed to a hospital from where he was referred to a Ludhiana hospital but he died on the way.

LUDHIANA
ELECTED: The Judicial Employees Welfare Association on Thursday released the list of nominated office-bearers for the year 2004: president — Mr Jagdev Singh; vice-president — Mr Daljit Singh; general secretary — Mr Joginder Singh Kang; secretary — Mr Jayant Malhotra; joint secretary — Mr Manmohan Singh; propaganda secretary — Mr Kasturi Lal; press secretary — Gurinder Singh; and advisors — Mr Sarabjit Singh and Sukhwinder Singh.

ANNUAL DAY: Members of the Aar Cee Ladies Club celebrated annual day on Thursday. The members were specially dressed for the occasion wearing long skirts, trendy jeans, evening gowns etc. The club also completed its 10 years, said Dr Gurmit Kaur, one of the club members. A cultural programme was organised and the main item was a dance drama based on theme ‘Yesteryears to present’ by members of the club.

SEMINAR: A seminar on ‘Human rights and women rights’ was organised at the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, here on Thursday. Dr Anoop Kaur Bansal, Principal of the college, welcomed the resource persons, Ms Preeti Kansal and Ms Manmeet Grewal. Ms Preeti delivered a lecture on human rights focusing on women problems like rape, social insecurity and sexual harassment at work place.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION: The annual prize distribution function of the GMT Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar Bypass Chowk, Ludhiana, will be held on February 22 from 5 pm onwards. Giving this information, the school directors, Mr Kashmir Singh Thind and Mr Jasbir Singh, said Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, would be the chief guest while Dr Tajinder Pal Singh, Dean, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, would be the guest of honour on the occasion.

TOPPER: Ms Harpreet Kaur, has topped the PPSC English lecturers (college cadre) examination of the 2001 batch. She is presently working as a lecturer at MTSM College, Ludhiana.

CHANDIGARH

MOHALI
BLOOD DONATION: Sixty-one persons, including 20 women, donated blood at a camp organised by the Baba Sheikh Farid Blood Donors Council on Wednesday. The camp was held at Gobindgarh village. It aimed at spreading the blood donation movement in rural areas. All blood donors were given mementoes. A cultural programme was also organised. Ms Jaswant Kaur, president of the council, and Mr Hakam Singh Jawanda, general secretary, thanked the donors.

INTELLECTUAL MEET: An annual intellectual meet, “Pratibha-04”, was organised at the Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology here on Tuesday Ms Amar Deepika, General Manager, HR, Punjab Tractors Limited, who was the chief guest, made the students aware about the challenges of the corporate world and asked them to get prepared by developing right knowledge, skill and attitude. Students from different institutes of the region participated in the event.

PANCHKULA
FUNCTION: A farewell party was organised for Class XII students at Hansraj Public School here. The blessing ceremonies with the traditional ‘havan’ and ‘tilak’ was followed by a party organised by the students. Vivek Setia and Mehak Gupta were chosen Mr and Ms personality, while Kunal Saroha and Karishma Gupta were chosen Mr and Ms Hansraj, respectively.

HARYANA

AMBALA
GATE MEETING: The Northern Railwaymen’s Union on Thursday convened a gate meeting at the Divisional Railway Manager office complex. Branch secretaries and other members participated in the meeting. According to the divisional secretary, Mr C.S. Bajwa, the issues that were deliberated upon included delay in appointing 6th Pay Commission, modification in the proposed pension scheme, arbitrary decision to implement the new contributor pension scheme, anti-labour policy, ban on fresh recruitment despite staff shortage, unemployment and removal of maximum limit of bonus. It was pointed out that the government was pursuing “hire and fire” policy and no effort was being made to enforce the minimum wages act in the states.

DEMAND: The Haryana Punjabi Pratinidhi Sabha on Thursday demanded provision of proper place for vegetable vendors by the district administration. Mr Uttam Singh Batra, organisation secretary of the sabha, said ever since vegetable vendors had been removed from Manav Chowk, local people had been facing problem in getting vegetables. He said earmarking of an area would prevent harassment to vegetable vendors.

CELEBRATIONS: Swami Dayanand Bodhratri was celebrated at Arya Girls College, Ambala Cantonment, on Wednesday. A havan was performed, which was followed by a cultural programme. Students from various Arya institutions expressed their views. Dr Naresh Dhiman of Doaba College, Jalandhar, was the chief guest. He highlighted the importance of positive thinking, self analysis and the study of Vedas. He inaugurated Vedic and Dayanand Study Centre. Among others, Mr K.K. Trehan, Mr Jagdish Chander, Mr Bhushan Oberoi and Mr Randhir Chaudhary were present.

POWER CONNECTIONS: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr H.S. Malik, said on Tuesday that 557 new power connections had been allotted in January. Mr Malik said the Uttari Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam allotted 427 ordinary connections, 14 industrial connections and 116 tubewell connections, a press note said.

SCHOOL FUNCTION: The annual day function of SMV Public School, Ambala City, was held here on Tuesday. Army School Principal Bushra Ahuja was the chief guest, while Ms Shobha Jaglian and Ms Shalini Singh were the guests of honour. The students presented Marathi dance, patriotic songs, puppet show, western dances, fancy dress show and other items. School Principal O. Purewal presented the annual report of the school. Mr Ajay Jain, Mr Subhash Jain, Mr Rajinder Jain and Mr Manish Jain were also present.

HELPLINE: Prajapita Brahm Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Ambala Cantonment, has started ‘Om Shanti Helpline’. A press note said the helpline would help depressed people. It will bring about positivity, courage and enthusiasm in people. One can listen to inspiring ‘divine thoughts’ for the day. The phone number is 2663071.

KAITHAL
BODY FOUND: The body of Raghbir, a resident of Manas village, who was missing since February 10, was found on the banks of a pond at Magho Mazri village on Wednesday. The body bore injury marks and the villagers suspect foul play in his death.

YAMUNANAGAR
NOMINATED: Mr Bhupinder Singh Jauhar, a leading industrialist, has been nominated member of the Regional Committee of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation for three years. According to information the Central Provident Fund Commissioner, Mr Ajay Singh, has issued a notification nominating Mr Jauhar of Yamunanagar, a member of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation for the Haryana region.