R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Amritsar
SALES TAX LAWYERS: The following were elected office-bearers of the Sales Tax Practioners Association on Sunday: Mr Manmohan Singh Arora- president; Mr M.L.Bhopali-vice-president; Mr Rajneesh Sharma and Mr Ranjit Kumar Sharma were elected secretary and joint secretary, respectively.

YOUTH CONGRESS PANEL: Punjab Youth Congress President Raminder Singh Awla constituted a five-member Disciplinary Committee of the Punjab Youth Congress and appointed Mr Manjeet Singh Sidhu of Rampura Phul its chairman.

LUDHIANA
Buddhist function: The Punjab Buddhist Society observed 113th birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at a function organised at Kadian village on the G.T. Road near here on Sunday. Mahapanth Mahanthero laid the foundation stone for a complex which would house Buddh Vihar, bhikshu nivas, a library and a multi-purpose hall. Preachers of the bhikshu sangh delivered a discourse on ‘panchsheel’. Addressing the congregation, Bhante Rantan Jyoti observed that Buddhism had a scientific and reformatory approach. “Dr Ambedkar was thoroughly impressed by the teachings of Lord Buddha and that made him adopt this religion way back in 1959.” He asked the Buddhists to follow the teachings of Lord Buddha which were based on truth, love and non-violence.

Souvenir released: Prof Paramjit Singh, Registrar, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has released a souvenir on “Education for peace-our main priority” at Chandigarh in a brief ceremony held at the Registrar’s Office. The seminar was organised by the Malwa Central College of Education for Women, Civil Lines, here in March, 2004 in which more than 100 teachers from all over Punjab had participated. The seminar was sponsored by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore.

Jaycees celebrated: City Jaycees celebrated Masti-2004, Baisakhi celebration, on Saturday evening at City Walk in a lively atmosphere. Beside doing social projects, Ludhiana City Jaycees provides entertainment programmes for its members. The general body meeting of the chapter of Zone-I is a regular feature every month. The celebrations started with the JC creed. Members played a lot of games which included one-minute game, skipping rope, made for each other contest, paper dance etc. Winners of the games were given prizes.

Salad competition: A salad and sandwich competition, sponsored by Bonn Bread was organised by the Gayatri Ladies Club here on Monday. Around 30 participants took part in the competition. The judges on the occasion were Ms V.R.Dhanda and Dr (Ms) S.Verma, Head of the College of Home Science, PAU. The winners in the salad category were Ms Aprajita (first) for Konkan Coast salad, Ms Anjala Jain (second) for rice salad and Ms Jasleen Thakkar (third) for ‘potato and bread’ salad. Ms Tina got first prize in sandwich making while Jyotsna and Madhu came second and third.

SAMRALA
annual meeting: The annual meeting of the general body of the Malwa Education Council will be held on April 25 on the college campus, according to the council president, Mr Shivdev Singh Kang. Mr Kang said the financial report of the council for the year 2003-2004, review of the constitution of the council and plans for the development of the college will be discussed. Mr Kang appealed all members of the council to ensure their presence.

Meeting: A meeting of the Alumni Association of the Malwa College Bondli-Samrala will be held on the college campus on Saturday, according to Prof Baldeep Singh, convener of the association. Expressing satisfaction at the overall improvement in the college during the past one year, Mr Kamaljeet Ratten, president of the association and political adviser to the British High Commission in Delhi, said new plans will be chalked out in the meeting for its development. Besides, the executive committee of the association will also be constituted, he added. Mr Kamaljeet Rattan appealed old students of the college to attend the meeting.

Phagwara
Robber held: The police has reportedly arrested one of the four persons who had allegedly robbed of two couples, including an NRI family, of valuables worth lakhs near Palahi village on March 5. The alleged robber has been identified as Gurjit Singh. He reportedly has links with the Shital Rana gang of robbers.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

BILASPUR
RECORD SAVINGS: Deputy Commissioner Subhasheesh Panda said on Sunday that in Bilaspur district Rs 58.38 crore was deposited in small savings schemes.

PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS HELD: The police has arrested three proclaimed offenders. They were identified as Amar Singh son of Baggaram of Missewal Village under Anandpur Sahib police station in Ropar district, Anilk Kumar son of Balwant Singh of Jol village ( Sandot) under Sarkaghat police station in Mandi district, Narvinder Singh son of Ajay Singh of Gajpur village under Bela police station in Ropar district.

NURPUR
DEPLORED: The Press Club here on Sunday deplored remarks of a Congress leader against newsmen. Members of the Club decided to boycott meetings of the Congress party in Kangra. An apology was also sought from the leader.