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Former Army nurse, a rag-picker now Ludhiana, May 31 Having won an award of All-Round Good Worker, presented to her by former President Fakhrudin Ali Ahmed, Ms Welseley now mops the floors of city residents to earn her livelihood. At times she even takes to rag-picking. She was thrown out of her rented house by the landlord a year ago and since then she is homeless. She is fighting a legal battle in a local court and is pleading her own case. She was allowed to stay in a room at the Old Courts complex by an official on compassionate grounds. But she has now been told to vacate the room. Lieutinent Welseley was appointed with the MNS as a nurse in 1985 at Agra. She worked with the Army till 1992. She had to resign due to medical reasons. She said she was not given any pension as she had not put in minimum years of services required for availing pension. Whatever money was given to her at the time of relieving was spent on court cases. Fluent in English, Ms Welseley recalls the time when she used to wear her uniform and serve the ailing in Army hospitals. ‘‘Now things have come to such a pass that I sometimes even pick up rags to make a little money. The other day I went to mop the floor of an acquaintance. But I could not bend as my back was hurting. I came back. Now I do not have the resources to arrange for my two square meals.’’ she said. She depends on her friends to make both ends meet. She is often seen riding a bicycle in the city. Some people even mistake her for a beggar and offer money. ‘‘I do not accept alms. As long as I can work, I will not beg,” she said. She has written to the Chief Minister asking him to intervene in the matter and let her stay in the room, which she shares with several stray dogs. |
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Harmful,
fatal, restricted, but tobacoo use continues Ludhiana, May 31 In India, 60 per cent of men smoke while only 3 per cent of women smoke. When it comes to chewing tobacco, 51 per cent men and 30 per cent women are consumers, according to a survey. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), if the number of smokers continues to rise at this rate, tobacco will become number one killer by 2020. By 2030 more than 50 lakh persons will die of diseases related to tobacco. Tobacco can give rise to 25 kinds of disease as it has 40 cancer-inducing substances. The WHO has asked 102 countries to ban on advertisements of tobacco products. All this has failed to deter people from smoking. The warning that ‘cigarette smoking is injurious to health’ does not mean anything to smokers. The non-governmental organisations — the Guru Nanak Study Circle, Youth Engaged in Services, Jaycees and the Art of Living — held a press conference here yesterday to voice concern over the ban on smoking going up in smoke. They submitted a memorandum to the police and the district authorities for implementing a ban on consumption of tobacco in public places. Dr Deepinder Singh, of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle said, “We plan to implement a programme to stop consumption of tobacco in public places. We will take the help of NGOs in this endeavour. We will disseminate information about tobacco products and deface tobacco advertisements.” Dr Manvinder Kataria of Jaycees said they would send a proposal to the NCERT and the CBSE to include a chapter on tobacco in textbooks. The chapter would discuss in length the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products. Mr Sumeet Mahajan of the Art of Living said they would join the anti- tobacco campaign. Dr Pushpinder Singh of the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital said according to an estimate, the Central Government earned 6,000 crore from the sale of tobacco products whereas Rs 27,000 crore was spent on the treatment of patients suffering from tobacco-induced diseases. |
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Water supply normal, claims MC chief Ludhiana, May 31 Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, the MC Commissioner, Mr S.K. Sharma, said the MC had created adequate infrastructure to provide water supply to declared localities in the city limit. With a network of 360 tubewells, 76 of which were installed during the last year, the MC was providing water for over 10 hours everyday and the volume was above the national norm. He said the MC tubewells were drawing power from domestic or industrial feeders, depending on their location, and in case of power shut down, the water supply was also affected. Mr Sharma said the matter had been taken up with the PSEB authorities to ensure that no power cut was imposed during the time was supplied, particularly in the morning. To overcome the problem of low pressure, the water supply from tubewells was augmented with submersible pumps and to cut down the dependence on a single tubewell for a particular area, inter-connected grids of 25 tubewells had been formed. In the case of a failure of a particular tubewell due to electrical of mechanical reasons, the area was fed through other connected tubewells with a marginal drop in the water pressure. He said a few tubewells, which had outlived their lives or were not generating enough water due to dropping water table, would be replaced. The MC had also made arrangements for sufficient quantity of spare electric motors for the tubewells
to cut down the replacement time. Meanwhile, responding to complaint of water supply failure in A and D blocks of the Sarabha Nagar locality, officials of O and M wing of the MC said the motor of a tubewell near Guru Nanak Public School had burnt, which was in the process of being replaced and the water supply in
the area would be restored by the evening. |
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Smile on their faces says it all Ludhiana, May 31 The trust is a recognised NGO and gets financial aid from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Dr Gurmail Singh Deol, general secretary said the trust holds a function on every last Sunday of the month for distribution of several types of aids. At a function held at Gurmat Bhavan today, five disabled persons were given tri-cycles while one physically challenged person received a gift of a ‘wheelchair’. Twenty persons received artificial legs while five persons received arms. Dr Deol said these people give measurements of limbs to the limb maker and try them out. Then they receive them at a function on a pre-arranged date. Twentyfour persons afflicted with polio received calipers and five persons were happy to get crutches. Hearing aids were given to 15 individuals and surgical shoes were provided to three needy persons. The chief guest was Dr Iqbal Singh Ahuja, of Iqbal Singh Nursing Home, Ludhiana. He gifted 14 hospital beds to the trust as it runs a de-addiction centre also. Dr Ahuja gave a Rs 11,000 to the trust. |
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Rise in crime worries traders Ludhiana, May 31 Mr Inderjit Singh Pradhan, president, and Mr Avtar Singh, general secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, today expressed concern over the rise in the incidents of looting in the industrial areas. They have urged the police to take immediate steps to put an end to such incidents and ensure the safety of life and property of residents. Mr Tulsidas Jaitwani, president, Punjab Beopar Mandal, said the police had failed to protect the life and property of the people and it was the duty of the state government to provide adequate security to residents. |
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Sarao joins as DIG Ludhiana, May 31 He is the brother of Mr Bir Devinder Singh, Deputy Speaker and senior Congress leader. Mr Sarao was recently in the centre of a controversy surrounding the reinstatement of controversial cop Shamsher Singh Guddu, who had been retired from service by SSP V. Neerja. |
‘Cong govt at Centre a boon for minorities’ Ludhiana, May 31 In a resolution adopted at the meeting of state- level office -bearers, district and subdivision unit presidents and functionaries of the central body, held here last evening, the mahamandal observed that with the Congress taking the reins, the minorities were now feeling secure. It also placed on record the spirit of sacrifice exhibited by the AICC President Ms Sonia Gandhi. Mr Krishan Kumar Bawa, national president of the Bairagi Mahamandal, who presided over the meeting, lauded the role played by the general secretary of the CPI (M), Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet, in bringing unity among all secular and democratic parties. Reviewing the preparations for the state -level function at Guru Nanak Bhavan here on June 9 to observe the 288th martyrdom day of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Mr Bawa assigned specific duties to respective district presidents and office- bearers of Assembly segment units to make the function, a grand success. He said in a bid to strengthen the organisation and consolidate its base, the mahamandal would hold district- level Bairagi Chetna (awareness) camps from July 24 onwards all over the state. A trust, with Mr Hari Das Bawa as its chairman, had also been set up by the mahamandal to meet the various needs of the community. Mr Ravinder Nandi, general secretary, Dr Rajinder Pal Bairagi and Mr Rajinder Kumar Jayantipur also addressed the meeting. Prominent among others present were Mr Hari Das Bawa (Ludhiana), Vaid Swarn Das Bawa (Khanna), Mahant Gian Das, Mahant Devinder Das Bawa, Mr Sukhwinder Bawa, Mr Tara Das Bawa, Dr Gurcharan Das, Mr Ram Saran Mansoorvi, Mahant Raja Ram, Dr Krishan Baldev Rangian, Dr Charan Das, Mr Pritam Das Bawa, Mr Mohinder Bawa, Mr Baldev Raj Bawa, Ms Kanchan Bawa, Ms Neelam Bawa, Mr Kewal Das, Mahant Suraj Mani and Mr Paramjit Singh Bawa. |
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Reforms sought in gurdwara elections Ludhiana, May 31 In a press note issued here today, Professor Kapoor said the Central Election Commission had, in its endeavour to introduce reforms, made the registration of political parties compulsory and had asked them to make certain amendments in their constitutions. No political party could be organised on the basis of being of a religious minority community. The Shiromani Akali Dal and the Muslim League had to make amendments in their constitutions. Professor Kapoor maintained that gurdwara elections were held under the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, and the Sikhs with specific qualifications could be registered as voters. The matter concerned the religious affairs of the Sikhs and no secular political party could take part in these elections. Only those parties concerned with the religious affairs and betterment of Sikhs were to take part in gurdwara elections, he asserted. Professor Kapoor questioned the meeting of political parties with the Gurdwara Election Commission and said the commission had made a mistake by inviting political parties. The parties and Sikh groups taking part in gurdwara elections should affirm in the name of the Guru that they were concerned only about the Sikh religion, its sanctity and Sikh traditions. The Gurdwara Election Commission should formulate a code of conduct for the elections, he said. Provision for expenditure on elections and qualifications and reputation of candidates should be taken into consideration, he added. Professor Kapoor cautioned that if gurdwara elections were held in conditions as these prevailed now, it would tend to destroy Sikh institutions. He appealed to Sikh thinkers, the intelligentsia and well-meaning Sikhs to join hands and see that gurdwara elections were held only after the necessary changes were in place. |
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Scooter rally marks World No Tobacco Day Ludhiana, May 31 The district health administration observed the ‘no tobacco day’ in the Central Jail here in which the inmates were educated about the harmful affects of tobacco and other addictions. Speaking at the occasion, the civil surgeon Dr S.N. Tiwari, said the use of tobacco led to diseases like cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and jaundice, many of which could prove fatal. Other speakers, including Dr Ajit Singh Chawla, epidemiologist and Ms Santosh Bhatia, District Mass Education and Information Officer, explained that almost 84 per cent population in developing nations used tobacco in one or the other form whereas in developed countries, the people were giving up this habit to maintain good health. Mr S.P. Khanna, Deputy Superintendent of Central Jail also addressed the function. Mr Chand Singh, Deputy Zonal Manager of Punjab National Bank distributed banners, trophies and books among the inmates. In an attempt to encourage the staff of Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI) here to eradicate the menace of smoking from society by creating awareness about its ill effects, the anti-tobacco day was elaborately observed today. Dr Shailesh Kumbhkarni, In charge Anti-Smoking Clinic, Mr Talabgaar and Dr J.S. Bindra, Head, Department of Dentistry, DMCH were among the main speakers. Cardiac nurses Ms Kanwaljit, Ms Gagandeep and Ms Kamlesh delivered enlightening talks on the ill effects of tobacco on health and therapies available to get rid of this habit. Kanwaljit was adjudged as the best orator, followed by Gagandeep and Kamlesh, who were placed on second and third positions. In his address, Dr Kumbhkarni encouraged the hospital staff to act as heath educators in all spheres of life. Talking about the anti-smoking clinic of HDHI, he said the aim behind starting this clinic was to encourage people to adopt a healthier lifestyle as smoking was one of the major triggers of heart disease and various cancers. Under this project, a special clinic was organised on every second and fourth Saturday in the OPD area of HDHI, where a tam of experts provides their precious consultation to people desirous of getting rid of smoking. Dr G.S. Wander, chief cardiologist revealed that while treating the patient, counselling remained the first priority and treatment through drugs came later as research had shown that counselling could be helpful in 60 per cent of the patients. There was another goods news for the people desirous of quitting smoking in the form of new therapies like drugs, nicotine patches, nicotine chewing gums and sprays. Addressing the World No Tobacco Day function in Christian Medical College and Hospital here, Dr P.K. Dandona, Professor and unit head for chest and infectious diseases, remarked that the use of tobacco was not only associated with much higher risk of cancer but it also caused increased incidences of ischaemic heart diseases, hypertension and blockage of peripheral blood vessels. “Smoking tobacco also causes lung infections and breathing difficulty. Due to the addictive nature of tobacco, the user needs proper counselling, psychological support and medicines to treat the withdrawal symptoms.” A daily anti-smoking and tobacco usage clinic was run by the CMCH to give support to such patients in addition to treating tobacco related diseases, he added. The Bharatiya Yuva Maitry Sangh organised a seminar in which stress was laid on educating people, particularly the youth about the killing effects of tobacco and scrupulous implementation of the law against smoking at public places. |
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Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in 10 adults worldwide(about 5 million deaths each year ). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2025. Half the people who smoke today-that is about 650 million people-will eventually be killed by tobacco. Tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating . In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco- caused diseases. Tobacco kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy worksforce. Tobacco users are also less productive while they are living due to increased sickness. Tobacco smoke some 4,000 chemicals to the body when inhaled. Of these many chemicals are known to cause cancer. Much of the compounds present in tobacco are absorbed into the blood through the mouth or lungs . One of the most harmful substances in tobacco smoke is nicotine. When tobacco is burnt, nicotine is transferred to the smoke and attaches to the tiny droplets of tar. It takes seven seconds for the nicotine in the lungs to reach the brain. It is an odourless, colorless and highly poisonous substance. It first simulates and then dulls the brain . Nicotine is dangerous for the heart, blood vessels and nervous system. It makes the heart beat faster and causes blood pressure to increase. It also makes blood clot easily, increasing the risk of heart attack. Apart from this, tobacco smoke adds to the vast quantities of carbon monoxide which collects in the atmosphere, mostly from automobile emission. This highly toxic gascous substance enters the circulatory system and robs the blood of oxygen , causing breathlessness and lack of stamina. It damages the inner linning of blood vessels and increases deposits of fats resulting in a pathological condition known as atherpselerosis . This ultimately causes blockage of blood vessels leading to heart attacks. Hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, acrolein and acetaldehyde are other irritant gasses released by tobacco smoke. These cause stuffy noses and breathing problems increases mucus production, stop the cleaning process of the tiny hairs in the airpassage and damage the lining of the lungs. In India, tobacco related cancers constitute about half of the total cancers among males and about one-fifth of the total cancers among females. smokers undergoing coronary aetery bypass surgery have greater risk of death during surgery as compared to non-smokers . Smokers caught more, produce more phlegm and more respiratory problems than non-smokers. When smokers run a greater health risk than men. Smoking affects menstrual functions in women, resulting in menstrual irregularities, secondary amenorrhea and early menpause . During pregnancy smoking affects foetal growth and well being. Some complications are sometimes so grave as to risk the lives of both mother and child smoking leads to placental changes which can lead to the birth of a premature or low birth weight baby. The smoker’s reduced ability to conceive operates through the effect on tubal function, embryo transfer and endocrinecontrol of reproductive processes . Smokers are also 2-4 times at greater risk of having ectopic pregnancy. — Dr Anil Dheer
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Traffic refresher courses Ludhiana, May 31 Mr Mukand Singh Sandhu, District Transport Officer, said here today that a special training camp was being organised in the holidays in the Children’s Training Park, Model Town, where traffic missionary, Mr. Shyam Sunder Juneja, incharge of the traffic training park, with the cooperation of the local traffic police would impart training in groups over a three-day period. All aspects of safe driving and signals will be explained to the participants during the period. The DTO said that the training would start from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. He informed that the High Court has issued these directions in view of serious accidents of the vehicles in which many students have lost their lives. Mr Sandhu said he has written to the heads of all educational institutions in the district to furnish the names of the drivers and owners of the vehicles which ferry school children to their institutions to Mr Juneja so that the training, as per the directions of the court, could be imparted to them. He said that the heads of the schools and drivers/owners of the vehicles can visit or contact the staff at the traffic park between 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon on all working days or call mobile number 98158- 00701 for any kind of information regarding the training. |
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Your pug needs special care in summer Margot Kaufman once said pugs were a living proof that God has a sense of humour. And all pug owners will agree. Once you take a look at this wideeyed small dog, you will fall in love with him right away. Pugs have been popular all over the world. They were kept in Buddhist monasteries in Tibet before 400 BC and were much loved pets of royal courts in Japan and Europe including of Josephine, wife of Napoleon. The popularity of pugs in India was amplified first by Frank, the pug” from “Men in Black” and then the pug from the Hutch advertisement. Pugs mean lot of love and boundless enthusiasm in a small space. Pugs were used as guard dogs in ancient Chinese temples, but they are not at all aggressive on the contrary, pugs are an affectionate, loveable, even-tempered breed with great charm and pride. Pugs become miserable in hot or humid weather due to their short, square muzzles. They should not be left outside or in closed cars in summer months. Like all other dogs with a short nose, they require special care in summer. They are clever and mischievous with an outgoing temper and it is advised not to let this affect their health in summer. Indoors is the best place for pugs in summer. They have a sleek soft coat that comes in apricot, black, fawn and silver with as dark a mask as possible. Pugs have smooth, glossy hair that provides trouble-free grooming with a firm bristle brush and comb. You can bathe them when necessary and clean wrinkles on their forehead to prevent moisture accumulation and facial fold skin infections. Pugs are friendly companion house dogs, intelligent and easy to train. They make excellent watch dogs, mischievous companions for children and will happily curl up on your lap for a nap. Pugs love companionship and want to be everyone’s best friend but will be really hurt if left out of activities. They love being a part of the family like every other dog but need special care in such weather. Be a responsible owner and a loving friend to your pet. — Dr Jaspreet Singh |
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Artificial rain has Ludhianvis dancing Ludhiana, May 31 Said Mr Vijay
Singhania, a party goer, “I really enjoy partying. The showers of rain were like showers of blessing in the blistering heat of summer. After new year’s party, there has been no party. I and my family enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.” Mr Hitesh said,”The best part of parties nowadays is that it is not only young people who come out, but the entire families. We are so tired of routine stuff that these parties allow the little child inside us to come out. Music is also fast and catchy. Dancing in the rain brings back memories of
childhood. We really had fun.” |
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Applications invited for Kabir Puraskar Ludhiana, May 31 Mr Verma said this award had been instituted by the Centre. He added that the objective of the award was to commend acts of physical or moral courage and humanity exhibited by members of one community, caste or ethnic group in saving lives and property of the members of another community during communal, caste or ethnic violence. Indian citizens from all walks of life (other than members of the armed forces, police forces and of recognised fire services, and government servants, if the act performed by them falls in the sphere of their duty) would be eligible for this award. Mr Verma said the award would be announced on October 2 by the Centre and presented to the recipients by the Prime Minister at a function in New Delhi. He said the award would be given in three categories — Grade I, Grade II and Grade III — carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively, along with a citation. Mr Verma said the cash award was non-recurring. There would be no bar on a person receiving such an award for a second time on a subsequent occasion. Persons in receipt of any other award or citation for the same act so exhibited would not be eligible ordinarily for the Kabir Puraskar. There was no fixed number of awardees in any of the three grades. Mr Verma said nominations for the awards should be submitted within a week in his office or the office of Sub-divisional Magistrates concerned along with documents substantiating the exemplary act. |
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Sudeepa, Manish win Zee contest Ludhiana, May 31 In the first round, the number of contestants was reduced from 39 to 20. In the second round, the number was further reduced to eight. From among them, finalists and semifinalists were selected. The judges were Divya Dutta, Nadira Babbar, Sonu Sood and Sanjay Upadhya. The judges appreciated the performance of the participants. The dance group Zenith presented items on hit songs. |
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Workshops on quality parenting Ludhiana, May 31 During these workshops, is Sambhav assisting team was enrolled and trained by Mr Amarjit Singh and Mr Jatinderpal Singh for holding a kids camp. The camp is specially designed for children in the age group of seven to 13. During the camp two special sessions on quality parenting will also be conducted. |
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Doctor dead Jagraon, May 31 |
Seminar focuses on cutting cost Ludhiana, May 31 The theme of the seminar was cost cutting for survival and growth. The participants agreed that the biggest challenge before the industry today was to manufacture and supply high-quality products at low prices. As such, the survival of the industry depended upon its ability to effectively reduce the cost of manufacture by minimising wastage of resources. The speakers observed that waste was broadly seen as anything which added cost without adding value. The programme was designed to educate and train engineers and supervisors in techniques of waste minimisation and quality improvement. Mr B.S. Sangha, General Manager, Mr A.K. Walia, Manager and Mr T.P. Singh, Assistant Manager, R and D Centre, coordinated the seminar while Dr T.P. Singh and Mr Ajay Batish, representing the Thapar Institute, educated and trained the participants on various aspects of cost cutting. |
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