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Mahants to go to court against temple kar seva Ram Tirath (Amritsar), April 11 Mr Panna Lal Tambe, chairman, National Safai Karamchari Commission, flagged off the procession from Balmiki Temple. On his visit to the temple site Mr Tambe assured Valmiki organisations that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to hand over the temple reins to the Valmikis. However, the national office-bearers of the commission also sat with the mahants in their dera on the temple premises even as police personnel were deputed in strength in and around the site. While a senior member of the Bhartiya Valmiki Dharm Samaj openly castigated the government-formed Ram Tirath Development Board in front of Deputy Mayor Om Parkash Gabbar (who claims to be a member). The activist went to the extent of offering representation to Mahant Baldev Giri, who engaged in a legal battle with them, in the new non-political board proposed for the temple. However, the latter promptly declined the offer. The Deputy Mayor, got angry with a woman devotee, who openly accused him of amassing wealth instead of building a Valmiki temple. A large number of personnel posted on the premises, including Mr Gurbachan Lal, chowki in charge Ram Tirath, silenced the warring sides and prevented the situation from taking an ugly turn. Meanwhile, Darshana Ratna
Ravana, head of the Adi Dharma Samaj, said that the “kar seva is not in good hands” as political persons had joined it and the development board should be disbanded. He said they would hold a national level meet in Amritsar or Jalandhar on April 17 to decide steps to get the control of the tirath to the Valmikis from the mahants and disband the development board. He said a proposal to enact a Valmiki Tirath Act on the pattern of the Sikh Gurdwara Act should be mooted. He also hinted at boycotting elections if their demands were not met. |
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Poll officer issues notice to Takht manager Talwandi Sabo, April 11 Though Mr K.A.P. Sinha, Deputy Commissioner-cum-district election officer, said if the Takht management allowed the conference of April 14, the matter would be reported to the Election Commission for action, Bhai Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, said the SAD would hold the conference in the diwan hall. He said the issuance of a written notice to the Takht manager, Mr Bharpur Singh, by the ARO was a direct interference of the Congress government in the religious affairs of Sikhs. He said the hall was being looked after by the SGPC and it had passed a resolution about 15 years ago, permitting in SAD to hold its conferences there. A formal complaint had been lodged with Mr Sinha by the district leadership of the SAD (A) yesterday in which it demanded that the SAD should not be allowed to hold the conference in the diwan hall. After several years, the Congress and the CPI, which had fielded a candidate from the Bathinda (Reserved) parliamentary constituency, will hold a joint conference on Baisakhi. The other parties which were likely to hold conferences on the same day included the General Samaj Party, the SAD (A) and the BSP. The SAD was also likely to release its manifesto on the occasion. For the convenience of devotees who are expected to pay their obeisance at the Takht, the district administration has made elaborate arrangements, including security and medicare. |
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Kala Afghana raps SGPC for award to Tohra Declaring a war against the SGPC on the occasion of a Sikh conclave called in support of the excommunicated Chief Editor of the Spokesman, Mr Joginder Singh, Kala Afghana said the Sikh Panth was “displeased” by the move of the SGPC. Speaking to The Tribune, the writer, who invited the wrath of the Sikh clergy for his controversial work on the Sixth Guru of the Sikhs, said the SGPC’s decision to honour a late politician was wrong, especially on the day of his “bhog”. Unsparing in his tone while criticising the Sikh clergy’s authority to summon people on Akal Takht, Kala Afghana said, “This is a wrong way of conferring titles, that too on a politician who expired recently. This is nothing but emotional blackmailing of the mourners”. The gathered Sikhs also resolved that they would resort to legal measures to rid the
Challenging the SGPC’s decision to honour the former
jathedar, Afghana said a proper analysis of a dead person’s contribution to the society can only be guaged five years after his death. Referring to the Christians who confer the
title of sainthood on a person only after 10 years of his/her death, he said, “The same was done in the case of
Mother Teresa. Conferring the title of Panth Ratan on a politician 10 days after his death is nothing but a political gesture”, he said. Kala Afghana also rued that Tohra had been responsible for the demolition of the historical original sites connected with Sikh religion. Calling him a renegade, he said, “Tohra destroyed the heritage of the Sikhs. All the buildings established under the guidance of the Sikh gurus lost their character due to the ornamental alterations made with Tohra’s consent. This is against the tenet of Sikh religion, which takes pride in simplicity and decries ostentation”. Kala Afghana said the issue should be re examined after the expiry of five years and a decision should be taken on whether or not it was right to confer this title on
jathedar Tohra. He also said that the entire Sikh conclave annualed the edict issued against Mr Joginder Singh by the Sikh priests. “The so called edict is violative of the basic tenets of Sikhism and has been issued by those who have not been vested with any powers to do so under the Sikh Gurdwara Act and the Sikh Rehat
Maryada.” Afghana also challenged the priests to confront him on this very issue in full
presence of the media. Although in a bad state of health, Kala Afghana made it a point to be
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SAD, Cong pay joint tribute to Tohra Patiala, April 11 The Congress continued with its theme of projecting the “honesty” of Tohra and stressing that the “panth” did not belong to one particular group. The SAD maintained a completely subdued mode, only stressing the unique character of the late SGPC leader, with there being no Congress bashing in any form. The surprise came from the Akali Dal (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann, who took pot shots at everyone left right and centre, prompting even Mr Parkash Singh Badal to comment afterwards that some people were hell bent on taking political mileage out of any event however much they may be stopped. CPI leader Joginder Dayal stressed on the socialist thought of the late leader, for which he was snubbed. Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala stressed that the responsibility of following the ideals of Tohra had now fallen on Mr Badal. PPCC President H.S. Hanspal, and Capt Amarinder Singh spoke on behalf of the Congress, stated that the Sikh ‘panth’ was not the monopoly of a few people. He called for spreading Tohra’s message to people, which he said would be the real tribute to the late leader. Hanspal also took it upon himself to pay tributes to Tohra on behalf of the Namdhari sect, of which he talked about more than the Congress party. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh stressed on the “honest life” led by Tohra, a theme on which he has spoken many a time in the past 10 days since the death of the SGPC chief. He said Tohra had left an example for others to follow, asking how many politicians of today could set such an example. The Chief Minister also claimed that he had not announced facilities for Tohra’s widow Joginder Kaur hoping for any political reward. “This was done solely to pay tributes to the great man”, he added. He also highlighted the “parivarik sanjh” of his family with Tohra, saying “politics is not everything. Personal relations also matter”. The Akali Dal (Amritsar) President S.S. Mann took on the “special relation” of Tohra with the Congress, immediately after starting his lecture. He claimed that Tohra had acted as a shield for the Congress adding the real fight would start now with the shield being no more. He also took on the SAD for ousting Tohra from the SGPC. “We Sikhs bring our leaders on elephants when we are to crown them, but ensure an ignominious exit for them when they are to be dethroned”, he added. Mann went on to allege that many crocodile tears were being shed on the occasion. “People are professing they will die without Tohra, but friends this is farthest from the truth”. Speaking about his own closeness with the SGPC President, he said during their joint incarceration in the Nidampur guest house in 1992, Tohra had told him that he could never get the top post in the state due to the “landlord” and “feudal” lobbies. “The old feudal set-up has disappeared and a new one has been formed in the state”, he said, asking people how they would fight it when they were part of it. “Only the Amritsar Dal can fight this”, he added. SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal was all humility on the occasion. He even joined his hands when the Chief Minister and other Congress leaders were walking towards the stage. Later, he thanked all political parties for attending the “Bhog” ceremony. He also said it was unfortunate that politicians acted as politicians even on such occasions. “They are our guests”, he said, adding the people knew about the mission of the late SGPC President. Those who spoke on the occasion included Deputy Speaker Birdevinder Singh, who was most avidly listened to by the audience, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia of the Lok Bhalai Party, BJP state President Avinash Rai Khanna, Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and Akali leaders Manjit Singh Calcutta and Bibi Jagir Kaur. Punjab ministers Gurchet Singh Bhullar, Avtar Henry, Ashwini Sekhri, Choudhary Jagjit Singh, Lal Singh, Jasjit Singh Randhawa, Jagmohan Singh Kang, Malkit Singh Birmi and a few legislators were also present on the occasion. |
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No laxity in Tohra’s treatment, says doctor Amritsar, April 11 Dr Trehan said after Tohra was brought to the Escorts Heart Institute here on the evening of March 25 in a critical condition, a team of senior cardiologists and cardiac surgeons attended on him and gave him the best possible treatment. He said he along with another senior cardiologist were continuously monitoring his condition from Delhi on phone. |
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Surjeet sees
anti-NDA wave Nawanshahr, April 11 Accusing the BJP of maintaining double standards and dubbing it as a threat to social and communal harmony, Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet said though the BJP had been talking of bringing in an constitutional amendment to ensure holding of parliamentary election after the expiry of its full term, but it had put a burden of Rs 1,100 crore on the country by opting for early Lok Sabha poll. Besides, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, took out a ‘rath yatra’ again to befool people by raising communal issues as he did in 1989, alleged Mr Harkishen
Surjeet. He said it was evident from the poor public response to the ‘rath yatra’ of Mr Advani that people had made up their mind to teach the communal forces a lesson in the elections. He had experienced a strong
anti-NDA wave across the country. The secular forces would regain power at the Centre and Left Front would be a formidable force after the poll he claimed. Besides the
CPM-Congress nominee, Mr Darshan Singh Matoo, and senior CPM leaders — Prof Balwant Singh, Mr Raghunath Singh, Mr Ram Singh
Nurpuri, Mr Rakesh Nayyar, a number of Congress leaders, including Ms Santosh Kataria, chairperson, Zila Parishad, Mr Bhagat Ram Chauhan, PPCC member Mr Dilbagh
Baghi, general secretary, PPCC (Legal Cell), Mr Om Parkash Khepar, chairman, Block
Samiti, Mr Harjinder Lally, also addressed the rally. The Congress leaders flayed the sitting Congress MP, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi for deserting the Congress and contesting the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha seat as a BSP candidate. |
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Unrest among Cong workers persists Ferozepore, April 11 The supporters of Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, MLA and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, a keen aspirant for the Lok Sabha ticket had openly rebelled against the candidature of Mr Brar earlier, are still raising voices of dissent publicly. Though Mr Brar and Mr Sodhi publicly buried their differences but insiders reveal that differences still persist. Rana Sodhi group tried hard to get the party ticket for him but the party high command and its way and fielded Mr Brar. Initially, there were indications that Mr Hira Sodhi, a son of Mr Rana Sodhi, might contest as an Independent candidate. Mr Zora Singh Mann, sitting MP and SAD-BJP candidate from this constituency is also facing dissidence from within the party. His rivalry with Mr Sher Singh
Ghubhaya, ex-MLA from Jalalabad, who has lot of influence among the Rai Sikh community is an open secret but after the intervention of Mr Badal, he has been able to persuade Mr Sher Singh. Likewise, the BJP MLA from
Ferozepore, Mr Sukhpal Singh who were at loggerheads with Mr Mann has started canvassing. The rebel Akali leader. Mr Mohan Singh
Phalianwala, two time MP is again trying his luck on the BSP ticket. He is likely to get good support from the Rai Sikh community of the border belt but lack of resources and manpower are his weak links. He is likely to affect the prospects of Mr Brar as Rai Sikh voters have been traditionally associated with the Congress. |
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Rift in Congress comes to fore Faridkot, April 11 It was learnt that Mrs Karan Brar accompanied by her husband Mr Kanwaljit Singh Brar ex-MLA, Muktsar, went to the houses of Mr Sharma and Mr Gupta and discussed with them various matters related to the elections. Both Brars sought the support of the senior district Congress leaders in the poll. Later talking to his reporter denying any kind of infighting among the district party leaders. Mr Karan Brar affirmed that she had received overwhelming support from all workers and the senior leaders for the poll. She said she was also meeting members of the District Bar Association to redress their grievances generated following the trifurcation of Faridkot district into Moga and Muktsar in 1995 by her father-in-law. Being a close relative of the state Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, she has already discussed the issue in detail with him. The Chief Minister it is learnt has assured to revive the past glory of Faridkot district after the completion of poll process. She said her priorities were to ensure potable water supply, removal of waterlogging etc. She also promised to work for the development of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences here. |
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Groupism in Cong comes to fore Barnala, April 11 Mr Harinder Singh Seera Dhillon, former vice-president of the Punjab Youth Congress, and Mr Surinderpal Singh Sibia, former Chairman of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation, organised separate functions to display their strength. Mr Bachan Singh Pakho, Congress leader (Sangrur), Mr Bharat Bhushan Menon, vice-president of the district Sangrur Congress, and Mr Charan Kaushal, member of the local Improvement Trust were not seen at both the functions. Addressing a press conference, Mr Khanna said the Congress in Punjab was waging a battle against corruption. He flayed Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, MP and the Akali Dal (Amritsar) nominee from Sangrur, for playing with the sentiments of voters. |
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Congress leader backs BSP candidate Hoshiarpur, April 11 In a press release here today, he said that the decision of the Congress not to field its candidate from the Hoshiarpur segment was unfortunate. He said out of 14 elections to Parliament, including one by-election held in Hoshiarpur so far, Congress candidates had emerged victorious 10 times. Mr Jimpa said he was extending his support to Mr Channi only on the basis of development works undertaken by him during his tenure as MP. He appealed to the electorate not to vote on the basis of caste, class, race or religion and only vote in the name of development of the area. |
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Christian Front to support Congress Amritsar, April 11 He said feel good factor of the BJP was an illusion as far as Punjab farmers were concerned who received nothing while neighbouring states had been given Rs 614 crore package for payment for sugarcane supplied. |
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Lakha predicts BSP’s rout in LS poll Phagwara, April 11 Talking to newsmen after being nominated as candidate of the state Samta Party and the Lok Janshakti Party from Phillaur reserved Lok Sabha constituency in the presence of the state presidents of both outfits, Mr Darshan Singh Jethumajra and Mr Amar Singh Mehmi, respectively, here, Mr Lakha said the BSP was not finding candidates for the Lok Sabha poll in Punjab. He alleged that Ms Mayawati was blinded by “satta, sukh and paisa”. She had made BSP supremo Kanshi Ram her captive and nobody knew about this plight, he said. In case something happened to Mr Kanshi Ram then Ms Mayawati would alone be responsible for it. Earlier, addressing a Bahujan Chetna rally here, both Mr Jethumajra and Mr Mehmi alleged that the interests of the Bahujan Samaj were being ignored by the BSP. |
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Look into assets declared by candidates: Bitta Amritsar April 11 Addressing a press conference here today, he said those with criminal background and having anti-India stand should be banned from contesting elections. Mr Bitta said those Congressmen, who were saying that any leader or leaders leaving the party would not affect party’s prospects, need to introspect about the future of the party instead of pursuing personal gains. The front declared to honour the sole eyewitness and survivor of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, 108-year-old Bapu Shingara Singh at the historical bagh with a model of Jallianwala Bagh near the Amar Jyoti “eternal flame’ tomorrow. Mr Bitta said he would take up with the President of India the government’s financial promises and other benefits made to Bapu Shingara Singh and his family. He would also present a memorandum to the President on framing a law to counter terrorism and set up special military courts to hold prompt trials against terrorists. |
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Brar alleges misuse of funds by Zora Singh Abohar, April 11 The Congress candidate, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, campaigned in most villages falling under the Abohar Assembly constituency represented by Mr Sunil Jakhar yesterday. Other candidates, including former BSP MP Mohan Singh Phalianwala, SAD leader Inderjit Singh Zira and SAD (A) candidate Dhian Singh Mand have been virtually missing from the election scenario so far. Mr Brar has levelled allegations regarding the amassing of property disproportionate to the known sources of income by Mr Zora Singh Mann. Mr Brar said Mr Mann was a small farmer but had financial interests in godowns and rice milling units valued at crores of rupees. He said Mr Mann had misused his position and funds from the MP Local Area Fund for raising a posh model school at Sohelewala village. Mr Sajjan Kumar
Jakhar, PPCC vice-president, blamed SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal for allegedly depriving farmers of Abohar sub-division of 800 cusecs of canal water by sanctioning special pumping units to his loyalists in Muktsar district when he was the Chief Minister. |
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Kalia seeks central forces
for LS poll Phillaur, April 11 Mr Kalia claimed that people of the state were fed up with the anti-people policies of the Congress. He said the SAD-BJP alliance would win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Mr Kalia alleged that the Congress had not fullfilled any of its poll promises. People of the state were experiencing acute power shortage and were having to pay octroi. |
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Training camp for women Abohar, April 11 They were dressed in white with a saffron strip on the shirts. Former BJP MLA Dr Ram Kumar Goyal, his wife Mrs Suman Goyal and Mrs Saraswati Rinwa, wife of the former state BJP President, Prof Brij Lal Rinwa, accompanied the silent procession. Krishna Dahri to enter
fray Patiala, April 11 |
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Rebellion bane of Akalis in Sangrur
Sangrur, April 11 CPM (Punjab) nominee Sukhdev Singh Bari and BSP nominee Mangat Rai Bansal have also started campaigning, though the process of filing of nominations is to commence on April 16. Mann is working hard to retain the seat while Dhindsa is moving from pillar to post to win the seat again for SAD, led by former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Badal held parleys recently with Dhindsa’s rival Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Andhra Pradesh and his wife Surjit Kaur to bury the hatchet. Surjit Kaur reportedly opposed Dhindsa’s candidature, accusing him for the defeat of Barnala in the 1999 LS elections. Despite campaigning by Badal, the dissidence against Dhindsa does not seem to have died down. His own lieutenant Parkash Chand Garg, former Chairman Punjab Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (PLRDC), has refused to campaign with the rebel former minister Ranjit Singh Balian who recently rejoined the party. Similarly, Barnala’s protege Baldev Singh Mann, general secretary of SAD, has refused to campaign with Dhindsa’s supporter former Administrative Member of PSEB Gurbachan Singh Bachi. Baldev accused Bachi of being instrumental in the defeat of Barnala in 1999 Lok Sabha elections and for his loss in last assembly elections from Dirba seat, a segment of Sangrur seat. The reinstatement of Bachi, who was expelled by Badal from the party for life time for opposing Mann, was treated by Barnala faction as rubbing of salt on their wounds. He accuses Dhindsa for his dismal performance as partner in the NDA government to press for long pending demands of Punjab. Mann also accuses Dhindsa for step motherly treatment in distributing MPLAD grants and his failure to set up any industrial project to create employment avenues. The sudden announcement of Congress ticket to Khanna despite the Chief Minister’s repeated denials caused flutter in the Akali vote bank. Khanna’s candidature was welcomed by all the splinter groups of the Congress for his sizeable influence due to his voluntary organisation’s free medical assistance at doorstep in about 500 villages besides work in fields of women empowerment and education and skills development training to the rural poor.
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2 robbers nabbed after encounter Amritsar, April 11 They were members of a six-member gang of robbers and were wanted in many criminal cases. A former police constable was also a member of the gang. While four of their accomplices managed to escape under the cover of darkness, the police recovered two rifles and a number of cartridges besides two motor cycles from them. The police had registered a case under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 25 of the Arms Act and was conducting raids at various places to nab the other members of the gang. The four have been identified as Harjot Singh of Bishniwal village, Ajmer Singh of Dabawala village, Ranjit Singh of Udanwal village and Kanwaljit Singh of Duloana village. Mr R.P.S. Bajwa, SSP, in a press conference here today revealed that the accused had confessed that they had committed three murders and were involved in about 70-80 looting incidents, some of the cases were registered at various police stations in Batala, Majitha and Amritsar police district while some others had gone unreported. Interestingly, both the accused had a large chunks of agriculture land in their names and seemed to be habitual offenders, said the SSP. Satnam Singh has 25 acres of land in his village and in UP while Jagtar Singh has 16 acres of land, he added. Mr Bajwa said the police laid a naka at T-point near Sialka village after a tip off. At about 10.30 pm the police signalled to six persons on two motor cycles to stop but they started firing. The police retaliated and two persons were arrested while others managed to escape. Mr Bajwa said Satnam Singh had been a close associate of Kewal Singh Kanjala, an extremist-turned-police cat, whose weapons were being used by them. The SSP said the culprits had committed three murders in the past one year and used to sell jeweller etc to a jeweller in Batala who has also been arrested by the police. The accused Jagtar Singh had also admitted having murdered his grandmother for agriculture land. |
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Another
breakthrough in blast case Jalandhar, April 11 Alaf Deen, a hardcore Lashkar militant who was arrested along with four other terrorists on March 30 for his alleged involvement in the case, has confessed that he was also involved in the Chattisingpura massacre. The Army had earlier claimed that all terrorists involved in massacre were, later, killed in an encounter. The district police chief Mr G.P.S.Bhullar, addressing a press conference here today said following the interrogation of the five Lashkar terrorists, it had been established that Roshni, sister of Alaf Deen and wife of Ghulam Hussain who was an accomplice in planting the explosive for blowing off the track, was still living in Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir. Alaf Deen, had revealed that he had received a large consignment of arms and explosives in October 2003 from Abdul Mazid, a Pakistani national and an area commander of the Lashkar. The cache was stored in a forest of Danabi near Banihal. A special police party was dispatched to the place on April 4 and Roshni was arrested from the Banihal bus stand. The
district police team along with 23 Rashtriya Rifles personnel launched
a search operation in Danabi on April 7 and a huge cache of explosives
was seized from a natural cave. The coach include 4 kg of RDX, a
rocket propelling grenade launcher (RPG-7), five rounds of RPG, four
booster charger, and two solar RCIED. |
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Indo-Pak doctors to work for healthcare for all by 2010 Amritsar, April 11 The joint declaration was announced by the Patron Escorts Hospital Dr Naresh Trehan and Prof Javed Sajid Khan, head of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, here today. Talking to mediapersons Dr Trehan said leading cardiologists from both the countries would set up an Indo-Pak group of doctors to work in unison to prepare an action plan to achieve the ambitious “Healthcare for all by 2010”. He said the two-day summit had provided them with the right platform to involve the people of both the countries to work in close coordination to eradicate dreaded diseases and work for the welfare of the masses. Expressing his delight over the success of conference Prof Khan said it had given Pakistani doctors an opportunity to learn from the experiances of the doctors who had achieved world class standards in the medical health care particularly in the field of cardiology. Briefing mediapersons at the conclusion of summit, the Chairman of the organising committee and chief cardiologist Dr T. S. Kler said the Indian and Pakistani doctors had decided to strive for world class healthcare centres in both the countries for the benefit of the ailing. He said the cardiologists had decided to pool their medical knowledge to produce highly effective medical care system which would be available to the common man suffering from coronary heart diseases. Articulating his views about the easing of visa restrictions especially for doctors and patients Dr Kler said the patients should benefit from these formalities. He said heart patients should be given travel documents immediately in order to save precious time. Talking about his personal example of treating two serious patients in Lahore during his visit last week, Dr Kler said he would expect that both the countries would work together to help such patients. Dr Kler said in view of overwhelming response the Pakistani cardiologist had decided to host a similar heart summit in Lahore in October this year and added that the Indian doctors had accepted their invitation in the second conference. He said Indian and Pakistani doctors had agreed upon a joint protocol on research to be conducted at Escorts for Heart Institute New Delhi and Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore. The work for this project would begin soon as they would exchange their research papers for the joint protocol. Earlier, Dr Khan gave a detailed talk on the status of Cardiac surgery in Pakistan with a slide presentation. A senior cardiologist from Pakistan, Dr Mahmood Dar, spoke on “Cardiac epidemic — a Pakistani perspective” while Dr Nadeem Hayat Malik spoke about “Primary Percutanious Intervention”. Dr Kler said more than 375 delegates attended the summit. Last evening the delegates were entertained by Sufi singers Wadali brothers. |
Pak couple in Jalandhar for infertility treatment Jalandhar, April 11 Mohammed Sandhu, a former kabaddi player who remarried in 2001 after his first marriage failed to give him a child, saw a ray of hope after viewing “Doctor Nu Milo,” a health-related programme aired by Jalandhar Doordarshan. A team of doctors led by Dr S.P.S. Virk admitted them to hospital on Saturday. As a goodwill gesture, the board of directors of the hospital has decided to forego the treatment charges, estimated to be around Rs 1 lakh. “Since, it is the first couple which has been granted visa on infertility grounds and we too want to contribute to the ongoing efforts of peace between the two countries,
we have decided to treat the couple free of cost,” Dr Virk said. “All we can do is to pray. The rest is in the hands of God and doctors here, who have been very helpful. I married again only because I did not have a child,” said Mohammed Sandhu. Dr Virk, who has put up the couple in his house, said it was for the first time that a couple had been granted visa for treatment in a North India-based hospital. Asked how they came to know about the availability
of treatment facilities at Jalandhar, the couple said: “Actually, it was a long and difficult process. As the scroll was moving fast, we were unsuccessful in noting down the hospital’s phone numbers. We recorded it on a VCR and played it in slow motion and then contacted Dr Virk who faxed us the requisite papers. Dr Virk said preliminary reports had revealed that both husband and wife have some problems. “We are awaiting the final results which might take about 10 days,” he said. |
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‘Yes, I had changed my name after baptism’, says Poohla Poohla (Tarn Taran), April 11 The Nihang chief claimed that his name was ‘Ajit Singh’ when he had met the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during Emergency along with Baba Kahan Singh, the then Nihang chief. The meeting, he said, had been arranged by Giani Zail Singh. He said it was shocking to read the allegations levelled by Colonel Sandhu that he (Baba Ajit Singh Poohla) was clean shaven before 1980s and had changed his identity at the behest of the then district police chief, Ludhiana, after committing a certain crime. He claimed that he belonged to a family of ‘Gursikhs’ and had never got his hair cut. He, however, said he would file a defamation case against Colonel Sandhu for levelling ‘baseless charges’ shortly. He said a noted lawyer of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Rajan Lakhanpal, had promised him to contest his case without charging any money. He alleged that Colonel Sandhu had indulged in character assassination which could not be tolerated. He said he was ready to face any probe ordered by any agency. The Nihang chief said he would also demand a high level probe against Colonel Sandhu. Baba Poohla said if he had committed any crime in the past then he would not have enjoyed close proximity with the Chief Minister, including Beant Singh, Surjit Singh Barnala and a number of senior politicians and bureaucrats. |
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Guru Angad Dev’s village gets facelift Sarai Naga (Muktsar), April 11 Guru Angad Dev came in contact with Guru Nanak Dev at Kartarpur and started living with Guru Nanak. He was bestowed with “gurudom” by Guru Nanak when he came to know that his end was coming near. Mr B.R. Banga, Deputy Commissioner, said the celebrations would start on Baisakhi and would continue till April 18. Religious functions pertaining to the organisation of Dhadhi darbars, kavi darbars, shabad recitation and gatka would be held. On April 18, a nagar kirtan would be taken out from Gurdwara Tutu Gandi Sahib which would culminate at Sarai Naga village. Gurdwara Sarai Naga had been linked with the Muktsar-Kotkapura road and the road had been named as Guru Angad Marg. A big gate was also being constructed on the link road by the SGPC at the cost of Rs 25 lakh. The district administration had made arrangements for drinking water, toilets, security, transportation and medicare for those who wished to visit the village. |
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Shooting for ‘Ghoom Taana’ starts Patiala, April 11 Ahmed drove to Quila Mubarak with Nandita in a grey car and immediately went to the roof of Durbar Hall there. Once up there, a scene was picturised in which Ahmed shows something to Nandita even as he has a video camera in his hand. A later shot shows the duo shifting attention to Rajasthani dancers who are gathered in the front lawn of Durbar Hall. Both come down the stairs from the roof following which Salman Ahmed hands over the camera to Nandita and joins the artisans in an impromptu dance. A few scenes involving both actors were shot in Quila Androon, which was earlier the residential quarters of the Patiala royalty also. During a very brief chat with a few reporters, Nandita said she had decided to do the album after Salman Ahmed made the offer to her as she liked the theme. Salman wants to join hearts across the sub-continent which I feel will only serve to further supplement the peace process which is being conducted at the political level,’ she explained. Ahmed said he had approached Nandita saying he needed her help for a noble cause and that there was no money in the proposal. “She agreed to it as Naseeruddin Shah is doing the voice-over for the album and other artistes”, he added. |
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Bangladesh delegation visits RCF Kapurthala, April 11 The RCF had already submitted its bids for the export of coaches to Bangladesh and other countries and the coach factory is expected to get export orders from Bangladesh. The high level delegation consisted of Additional Director-General
A.Z.M. Sazzadur Rahman, Additional Director-General Mohammad Abdullah and Chief Mechanical Engineer (West) Abdul Hussain accompanied by General Manager Anil
Handa. They were shown the different stages of coach manufacturing and the delegation took keen interest in the stainless less steel coaches being manufactured by the
RCF. RCF General Manager M. Sirajuddin in a presentation highlighted the factory ability to manufacture coaches of different types in broad gauge as well as meter gauge. |
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PSEB blamed for wheat loss in fire Jalandhar, April 11 Mr Hans Raj Pabwa, CPI (ML) candidate from Phillaur (Reserve) constituency, addressing a rally near here, alleged that PSEB authorities were indifferent towards the problems of the farmers who had to suffer due to loose joints of high tension wires, particularly those of transformers. Loose joints frequently lead to fire in fields, causing loss of wheat crop. He demanded that PSEB officials should take steps to avoid loss to the crop. |
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Bank staff union backs Preneet Patiala, April 11 The president of the All-India State Bank of Patiala Employee’s Federation, Mr Devinder Singh, and the general secretary, Mr N.K. Gaur in a joint statement said the union would support her as she had opposed the privatisation of banks during her tenure. She had also come out in support of public sector banks when the NDA government had tabled the Bill in Parliament to reduce the government equity in these banks. Speaking on the occasion Ms Preneet Kaur said the state coffers were empty when the Congress came to power two years ago. She added that the state was paying Rs 10 crore installment of the debt every day. She said her party had delivered what it had promised — be it an anti- corruption drive or the developmental work. She promised that all villages of the state would be provided round-the-clock electricity supply before June 30. Coming down heavily on the NDA government, she said they had done nothing concrete for the farming community. While the Congress has successfully procured the produce of the farmers for the last two consecutive years. Those who were present included President of the District Congress Committee (Rural) Hardyal Singh Kamboj, Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal of the IITUC and Manohar Lal Sharma of the Telephone Employees’ Union. |
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District to celebrate foundation day Fatehgarh Sahib, April 11 Mr S.K.Ahluwalia, Deputy Commissioner, said the administration was celebrating the 13th anniversary of the district as at a time when they were commemorating the 300 years of supreme sacrifice of Sahibjadas. A renowned artist, Pammi and his troupe would regale the audience at a function to be held at the Regional Institute of Management and Training at Mandi Gobindgarh tomorrow. Similar functions would also be organised at Amloh, Khamano and Bassi Pathana towns, where Pammi and folk dancers of the North Zone cultural centre, comedian Bhagwant Mann and other artists would perform. |
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Suspend
BDPO, demand sarpanches Patiala, April 11 The sarpanches have alleged that the BDPO openly demand bribe and if he is not obliged he takes action against them, implicating them in false cases. They said the BDPO had also booked Sarpanch of Waraichai Patti Palwinder Singh in a false case of misuse of funds granted for developmental work of the village. Palwinder Singh said when he contacted the BDPO for issuing the utilisation certificate of funds, he demanded Rs 20,000 and later he agreed to take Rs10,000 for issuing the certificate. Even after taking the amount he did not issue the certificate and implicated him in a false case of misuse of funds on April 1, he added.
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Tributes paid to Shaurya Chakra winner Kharar, April 11 A “shrandhanjli samaroh” was organised by the officer’s family at Mundi Kharar. The officer, who belonged to 18 Grenadiers, was killed in an encounter with militants in Baramula district on April 13, 1999. He was injured in his arm but fought three heavily armed militants. He shot dead two of the militants but was shot through the temple by the third one. Maj H.P. Singh studied at Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar, and Government College, Mohali. He was commissioned in the Army in 1992. |
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60 pc north Indians suffer from heart diseases Pathankot, April 11 More than 400 patients were examined at the camp free of cost. |
Bar seeks judicial courts at Dera Bassi Lalru, April 11 In their representation, submitted through the District and Sessions Judge, Patiala, the Bar members highlighted the inconvenience which litigants and general public face in absence of the judicial courts in Dera Bassi. Mr Anmol Singh, president of the Dera Bassi Bar Association, said after awarding a status of subdivision to the township, the office of a Subdivisional Magistrate has been created but a court has not come up as yet. |
2 drug peddlers held, smack seized Jalandhar April 11 According to the police, following a tip-off, a special police party laid a naka near Dhina village on the outskirts of the city. A cyclist was stopped and his belongings were searched. This led to seizure of 250 gram of smack and he was arrested. The arrested person was later identified as Joginder Ram of Wajoohan Kalan village in Nakodar. Meanwhile, in another incident, the police arrested Krishna also of Wajoohan Kalan in Nakodar for possessing 130 gram of smack at a naka near Johl Bolina village, near here, today. The arrested persons during preliminary interrogation revealed that the smack was being brought from Rajasthan for Rs 200 to Rs 225 per gram and were being sold to customers, most of them youth, for Rs 300 to Rs 400 per gram. |
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Man poisoned to death, case registered Amritsar, April 11 Varinder Kaur, wife of the deceased, in a complaint lodged with the police alleged that the accused along with his wife and daughters poisoned her husband to death. She said her husband had lent more than Rs 7 lakh to the accused which he had failed to return. Her husband was demanding the money back, she said. The inquiry was entrusted to Mr Lakhbir Singh, DSP (Rural-I). The accused reportedly failed to come even after repeated calls, police sources said. A case under Section 302 and 34, IPC, has been registered. |
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One held for cheating
job-seekers Phagwara, April 11 On learning about his arrest there, a police party from here obtained his production warrants from a court and brought him here from Mumbai. Manjit Singh was produced here before a court which remanded him in judicial custody. |
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Petrol station owner, sons booked Bathinda, April 11 Police sources said the accused had been booked under Sections 406, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B, IPC. The case was registered against Mr Tirlochan Singh and his sons Birinder Singh and Sarjinder Singh on the
Mr Sethi, who is a kin of the accused, alleged in his complaint that by committing fraud and fabricating documents, Mr Tirlochan Singh became the sole proprietor. He also alleged that the accused had embezzled funds of the business firm that they had been running jointly. |
Academicians backbone of society Malout, April 11 Speaking on the concluding day of the two-day national-level workshop on industry institute partnership on training and development, which was started in the local Malout Institute of Management and Information Technology (MIMIT) yesterday, said that in today’s society, non-business issues had become insensitive against the business issue, which was an unfortunate trend. Dr M.S. Grewal, Registrar, Punjab Technical University (PTU), Jalandhar, stress that service industry should be explored to the maximum as it was fast growing and employment generating as compared to the manufacturing industry. He said there was a strong need for improving the quality of students and teachers as without such improvement, it was difficult to survive in today’s world. Mr J.S. Hazuria, CMD, Gitanjali Systems also laid stress on the exploration of service industry. A number of industrialists and academicians for Punjab and neighbouring states also addressed the workshop. |
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Chandigarh, April 11