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2 GNDEC students land in hospital
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 23
The strike in Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College here took a serious turn today with two of the fasting students landing in hospital. One of the students had fainted. The two students, Akaljot Singh and Vikram Singh, were admitted in Civil Hospital. At the time of reporting, the doctors had examined Akaljot, but he had not been brought back to consciousness.

Meanwhile, with the elections of the SGPC being finally over, students of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College are awaiting the decision of the SGPC President, head of the college managing committee.

Mr Maheshinder Singh, general secretary, SGPC, told Ludhiana Tribune that Bibi Jagir Kaur, newly elected SGPC President, would take a decision regarding the strike as soon as possible.

In a bid to defuse the tension, the college management has summoned a meeting of parents of students for the second time. The parents have been called on Sunday to discuss solutions.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Mr R.P. Singh, Principal of the GNDEC said, “Truth will finally prevail. The facts are coming before the public and soon the entire story would be out. It is the politicisation of the strike that pains me. Companies are visiting the campus for placements, and the strike has to end for the good of the students.”

The principal is facing charges of misappropriation of college funds.

Yesterday, students had met SAD President Parkash Singh Badal when a bus load of students had gone to Amritsar. He said the final decision regarding the matter would taken once the SGPC elections were over.

Students said they would give some more time to the management to dismiss the principal, or the agitation would be intensified.

Today the students of Arya College also went on strike in support of Gurinderpal Singh Vicky, a student leader who has been asked by Punjab Technical University why he should not be rusticated from the university.

Teachers have been sitting on dharna as they want their colleague, Dr Jha, back reinstated as the inquiry committee had suspended him arbitrarily, they alleged.

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Rs 2.5 cr seized from jewellers
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
Simultaneous survey operations on four jewellers in the city by the Income Tax (IT) Department on Tuesday has led to the seizure of undisclosed income of over Rs 2.5 crore. The survey, which continued for over 24 hours, led to the seizure of incriminating documents and unaccounted jewellery stocks.

An IT official said, “The department has become richer by the tax collection due on income of about Rs 2.5 crore after going through the records, balance sheets and inventories of the jewellers.” The official added that the department would proceed against these jewellers formally after completing its investigation report. Besides the recovery due from them, the jewellers would have to pay a penalty.

These jewellers are Ganpati Jewellers on Mall Road, Jain Diamond and Jagannath Ram Sahai and Sons on College Road and Jain Jewellers on Rani Jhansi Road. The IT officials also raided business establishments run by some relatives of one jeweller.

Black money to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore was found at six places. Out of this amount, about Rs 1.2 crore was found at Ganpati Jewellers and an industrial unit in the Focal Point area of the same family. The other three surrendered jewellery and cash to the tune of Rs 60 lakh each.

The survey operations were conducted by six teams, comprising around 60 IT officials. Each team was headed by an official of the rank of Joint Commissioner. The survey teams were accompanied by police personnel to avoid any untoward incident.

The officials refused to name an Excise and Customs official who allegedly owed one of the jewellers Rs 10 lakh. His name figured in the list of debtors recovered from the jewellery shop on Mall Road.

An IT official did not rule out more action against jewellers in the city, saying many of them were stocking more gold and ornaments than they could explain. The department had chosen the period before Divali for the operation as most jewellers had brought out their hoarded stocks in anticipation of a boost in sales.

The official said between 30 and 33 per cent of the amount surrendered would have to be deposited as income tax while the remainder would become white money after the payment of tax. He added that based on individual cases, some penalty might be imposed on the jewellers.

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Kang opens kisan mela, suggests diversification
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
The Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development and Tourism, Punjab, Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, today praised farmers of Punjab for being hard-working and playing an important role in the agricultural development of the state by adopting new scientific research technologies. They were instrumental in increasing foodgrain productivity, which made the country self-sufficient, he said.

The minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the kisan mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today. He expressed concern over the condition of farmers because of shrinking land holdings, decline in ground water level, deteriorating soil health and expenditure on agricultural machinery.

Mr Kang said farmers produced crops, but could not fix the prices, as a result of which his economical condition was not good. He advised farmers to go in for diversification in agriculture. He said he would try to make efforts for the benefit of farmers.

He praised Dr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of the university, for his guidance to farmers and keen interest in solving their problems. A highlight of the fair was the participation of 14 delegates from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. They were delighted at being part of such an event and evinced interest in the latest farm technologies and products on display.

The special guest, Mr Raghuveera Reddy, Minister for Agriculture, Andhra Pradesh, said the PAU was the temple of agriculture and expressed pleasure over the participation of maximum farmers in the mela. Thanking Dr Aulakh for extending the invitation to the mela, he appreciated the PAU for efforts to make farmers aware of new techniques of agriculture. He showed interest in agricultural practices while interacting with farmers.

Dr Aulakh said agriculture was the lifeline of our economy. He said the global scenario was changing rapidly and the research, education and extension system had an important role to play in making agriculture more successful. Citing facts and figures, he described the gloomy scenario of agriculture.

He praised the farmers of Punjab for their efforts to raise the economic and social status of the people. He added that India was getting low subsidy as compared to Canada, the USA and Japan. He expressed concern over the decline in ground water level, which could make land in Punjab barren soon.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed to farmers to adopt methods of diversification to overcome the crises of water and electricity. He advised the farmers to adopt new technologies like bed planting and zero tillage, which could help in saving irrigation water and fertilisers and improving soil health.

Dr Amrik Singh Sandhu, Director, Extension Education, welcomed the delegates from the foreign countries. Mr Raghuveera Reddy and two MPs from Andhra Pradesh, Mr Vankat Rami Reddy and Mr Kalnal Nizamuddin, Dr Samra from the ICAR, Ms Sapinder Kaur Cheema and Mr Sant Singh Brar, members of the PAU Board of Management, and Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Gill from Pakistan were also present.

Dr Sandhu said the VIP visitors would be taken to the agro-industrial exhibition and PAU farms. Many companies put up stalls related to their newly developed agricultural machinery and pesticides. The Centre for Communication, Languages and Culture put up three stalls, from where farmers purchased agricultural literature published by the PAU. Fruit plants and medicinal plants were also put on for sale.

The guests were presented sets of PAU publications. The problems being faced by farmers were discussed by the subject experts in the question-answer session.

Dr G S Nanda, Director, Research, proposed the vote of thanks. He said PBW 502 had been developed and recommended in North India and PBW 509 had been recommended for late-sown rain-fed conditions.

He added that contract farming could prove beneficial for farmers. He appealed to farmers to read the agricultural literature published by PAU so that they might be able to implement the suggestions practically.

People gathered in a large number to see the kisan mela and purchased seeds of new varieties of wheat, vegetables, fruits and other crops from the stalls. Folk singers presented a cultural programme.

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Markfed godown looted
Our Correspondent

Doraha, September 23
Two security guards of a Markfed godown were injured in the wee hours today when nearly 10 persons entered the godown with an intention to steal wheat at Gurditpura village in Payal tehsil.

The security guards, Major Singh and Ram Singh, were on duty when miscreants, with covered faces, hit the duo with sticks and rods. Later they locked the two in a room and took away wheat bags in two trucks. The injured persons have been admitted to Sidhu Hospital, Doraha.

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BJP gears up for Tiranga Yatra
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
Stage is set for the “Tiranga Yatra” which will enter Punjab tomorrow and reach Ludhiana in the afternoon. Local BJP leaders and workers have made all arrangements to ensure that the rally being organised in honour of Ms Uma Bharti is successful. On the other hand, activists of the District Youth Congress announced that they would stage protests against Ms Bharti and waive black flags to the yatra.

The District BJP president, Dr Subash Verma, said here today that a rally would be held at Janakpuri. It would be addressed besides Ms Bharti by former ministers, Shahnawaz Hussain and Ananth Kumar, state BJP president Avinash Rai Khanna, Harjit Singh Grewal, Bibi Gurcharan Kaur and SAD leaders. However, the names of the SAD leaders could not be confirmed as they were busy today with the elections of the SGPC president in Amritsar.

The BJP leaders condemned the attempts of some Congress leaders to disrupt the yatra. They alleged that the Congress was feeling panicky over the “huge response” the yatra generated across the country. “Now they were trying to disrupt it in Punjab and Ludhiana which we would not allow at any cost”, the BJP leader said.

Meanwhile, the MCPI national general secretary, Mr Jagjit Singh Lyallpuri, and the state secretary, Mr Kuldip Singh, in a joint statement observed that the yatra was being organised to gain political mileage.

They maintianed that there was a similar pattern like that of the rath yatra of Mr L.K. Advani which only encouraged the Hindutva forces. They said the “Tiranga Yatra” was also aimed at encouraging the Hindutva forces again and spread majority communalism and fundamentalism in the country.

The MCPI leaders also condemned the role of Akali leaders like Mr Parkash Singh Badal and others for joining hands with such forces by becoming a party to the yatra, “which is nothing short of appeasing the fundamentalism of majority community and creating sense of insecurity and danger among the minorities in the country”.

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Civic amenities elude residents
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
Roads without carpeting, garbage littered in vacant plots, public parks in a bad condition and stray pigs in the locality are the problems in Sector 32-A, a colony of Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA).

Residents of the locality are up in arms against PUDA for not providing them with civic amenities. They complain that they had constructed houses in the colony thinking that the PUDA would provide them with the best civic amenities but it had failed to do so.

In a complaint to the PUDA Administrator, the residents have claimed that while the roads in the city have been recarpeted a number of times, they have had to do with kutcha roads.

The residents say the roads have not been carpeted since they have started living in the colony. They add that during the monsoon, rain water collects in the streets as there is no drainage.

“It seems as if we are living in a village. These days, even villages have good roads. Sanjay Gandhi Colony, meant for labourers, in the neighbourhood has metalled roads,” says Mr Ravinder Kumar, a resident of the colony.

He adds that public parks in the colony are in a bad shape and weeds and congress grass are growing there. Although PUDA has earmarked these with iron grills, no effort has been made to develop these into parks, he further says.

The residents claim that some vacant plots in the colony are being used as garbage dumps. They say these plots are a perfect breeding ground for germs. Pigs roam about in the plots and the stink emanating from the garbage is causing inconvenience to residents.

“We keep our windows and doors closed, lest our houses start stinking,” say residents. They have demanded that residents be banned from throwing garbage into vacant plots.

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Hospitals violate bylaws
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
In severe violation of building bylaws, certain private hospitals have violated zoning plans, causing encroachment on parking areas. The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has turned a blind eye to the violations. An order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court against such encroachments and building bylaws violations has gone unnoticed.

As per building bylaws, sufficient area has to be left vacant in the front of the plot. In case of commercial establishments and hospitals, adequate arrangements for parking have to be made.

Deep Hospital has its entrance right on the road. A patient brought in an ambulance has to be offloaded there only. This hampers the movement of traffic.

Similarly, a hospital in Gurdev Nagar has violated bylaws. It is located in a residential area and no space has been left in the front as well as back.

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Perceptions of social issues change with age: survey
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
Different age groups have different ideas and opinions about social issues, evils. The reaction to these evils, however, varies largely from youngsters to middle -aged to the senior citizens. These are some of the findings of a survey conducted by 60 students of the Department of Sociology of the local Khalsa College for Women.

For instance, in response to a question whether prostitution should be legalised, only 33 per cent of respondents in the age group of 11 to17 years were in favour. The number of respondents who felt that prostitution should be legalised rose to 62 per cent in the age group of 18-35 years but it dipped to 2 per cent only in the age group of 36 to 55. However, 38 per cent of respondents above the age of 55 responded in favour of legalisation.

The survey was conducted on various issues by different batches of BA part I, II and III students of sociology under the guidance of two teachers, Ms Harveen Kaur and Ms Paramjeet. According to them the survey was undertaken to arouse the interest and curiosity of the students towards social issues.

The survey found out that only about 62 per cent of respondents in the first two age groups thought that child labour was prevalent in the society while 100 per cent of respondents in the age group of 36-55 and above 55 years said it existed.

A question “who was responsible for extra-marital affairs in our society?’’ put forward to only married individuals had interesting responses. No one said that the wife was responsible. Fifty per cent said the husband was responsible while 50 per cent said both husband and wife were responsible.

This group made another interesting response to a question ‘’who was responsible mainly for dowry problem’’. Ten per cent said the girl was responsible. Another 10 per cent said girl's parents were responsible while 20 per cent said the boy (bridegroom) was responsible. But a whopping 60 per cent said boy’s parents were responsible for the menace of dowry.

People still seemed divided on the effect of TV on children. While 60 per cent said the effect was positive, 40 per cent said it was negative.

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Anjalika, a passionate designer
Asha Ahuja

Ludhiana, September 23
“I enjoyed doing the home of Dr Vijay Mallaya, a liquor baron,” says interior designer Anjalika Kriplani, who is in the city these days to showcase an exhibition on furniture. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Mayor, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, here today. It will continue till September 26.

Anjalika says: “People are choosing between classic and modern furniture. Actually it is a blend of the two that gives a lot of comfort, elegance and class to a room. Throws and rugs are not much in vogue, but Persian and Kashmiri carpets are placed on the marble floors to add warmth to the room. People prefer wooden floors these days. The lines of furniture are simple and elegant”.

She is an interior design graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York. She says she went to study it as she has passion for furniture and other accessories that go with it like crystal glass tops, paintings and clocks. She says before going to New York, she felt there was a need for good imported furniture. So after her studies she scouted for good furniture from different houses in the USA and Europe.

While designing for her clients, space planning is foremost in her mind. She has a very versatile style and uses a varied range of furniture and accessories. She says: “I want to create a harmonious and a warm environment, reflecting and complementing the personality of her clients. I am happy that I got a chance to do homes of Mr Lalit Suri of Bharat Hotels, Dr Karan Singh, Spa and Health Club of Qutab Hotel as well as many other corporate houses”.

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Dogs need dental care too

When was the last time you forgot to brush your teeth? Remember the uneasiness and unclean feeling you had? Now think about the poor pet that cannot brush his teeth and has to face everyone complaining about his bad breath. Poor teeth in pets are the result of poor dental hygiene, diet, neglect and the ignorance of owners.

Bad breath is nothing to be ashamed of. Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most common problems noticed by veterinarians. Plaque, harbouring bacteria, builds up on the teeth of dogs and slowly infects the gum tissue and roots of teeth. With time and increasing severity of the infection tooth loss sets in.

Plaque is difficult to see unless stained, but tartar is a hard, brown or green deposit that is often seen on the outside of dogs’ molars.

If bacteria enter the bloodstream through the blood vessels in the gums and teeth, major organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys can become affected.

Often the first symptom an owner notices is persistent bad breath. Many come in complaining that the bark of their dog is worse than his bite!

Other symptoms seen with periodontal disease are loss of weight or appetite, difficulty in chewing food and pawing or rubbing at the mouth.

Once your veterinarian confirms a dental disease, he will recommend having an actual dental cleaning of the pet done.

Due to the fact that cleaning and scaling of the teeth require work both above and below the gum line, a general anaesthetic is used. Thanks to advancements in recent years, anaesthesia risks have lowered greatly. Even the extremely old dog can often be anaesthetised.

Preventative care after a professional dental cleaning includes a small soft toothbrush, oral paste or gel and often an antibacterial rinse. In severe cases antibiotics are also prescribed.

Prevention is always better than cure. It is best to start with a puppy on a preventative routine so he becomes used to having his teeth brushed. Older dogs may not ever become accustomed but will usually tolerate it. The key to being able to care for your dogs teeth is endurance, practice and generous praise. No other procedure performed on pets does more to help patients than periodic teeth cleaning and aftercare.

— Jaspreet Singh

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Celebrations of SBI conclude
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 23
The State Bank of India main branch in the Civil Lines celebrated its 80th anniversary by organising programmes for schoolchildren for a week, ending today.

They organised a quiz programme, a declamation contest and a cultural programme. The functions were presided over by the AGM, Mr S.K. Jain.

The cultural programme was inaugurated by the Deputy General Manager, Mr Samir Saran. The schools that participated in the programme were Harkrishan Public School, Ramgarhia School and New High School.

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Doc’s attendant injured in attack
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
Four armed assailants attacked the house of a doctor opposite Jain Hospital in the Civil Lines today and injured his attendant-cum-driver before fleeing. The motive of the attack was not known as the assailants did not loot anything from the house nor did they try to harm the skin specialist, Dr Y. S. Manocha or his wife. The house is 50m from the residence of Congress MLA Surinder Dawer.

The police suspects that the assailants, who were armed with sharp-edged weapons and a country-made pistol, seemed to have enmity with the attendant, Rinku Kumar, only. The assailants did not make any attempt to enter the residential area.

However, Rinku Kumar claimed he had no enmity with anyone and did not know why he had been attacked. He was admitted to Sahara Hospital in the Civil Lines. He had wounds on his right cheek and chest.

SHO, Division No. 5, R. S. Sohal said the attack was mysterious. He said the assailants, who were speaking Hindi, only targeted Rinku Kumar. He said a case would be registered after recording the statement of the injured attendant.

Dr Manocha also said he had no enmity with anyone.

The attack took place about 3.30 pm. Rinku told Ludhiana Tribune that three persons entered the gate of the house-cum-clinic and asked if the doctor was there. The assailants pounced on him when he told them the clinic was closed. He was stabbed and an assailant hit with the butt of the pistol several times on his back. He, however, managed to free himself and ran inside the house. He also succeeded in snatching the pistol.

The doctor had opened the door from which the attendant rushed in. The assailants then fled. Nobody could saw the vehicle in which they had come.

The police said the assailants had come with an unloaded pistol.

Rinku Kumar lives in Haibowal here.

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Firm launches safety campaign
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 23
Hero Honda Motors Limited today extended its “We Care” campaign launched a few years back for safe riding to Ludhiana. The campaign was first launched in New Delhi in October 1999. This second phase is now being taken forward by company dealers.

Mr Brijmohan Lal Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director of the company, said: “Our duty does not end by just selling motor cycle, as a caring company we have taken upon us the initiative to inculcate a sense of road and good riding habits among our riders. The Ride Safe and Good Rider programme is aimed towards this endeavour”.

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