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Teachers on strike, senior students take classes
Ludhiana, September 28 The college started functioning yesterday despite an order of the principal on its closure and suspending teaching work. But not caring much for the directive as Principal Dr R. P. Singh himself has been under suspension, it has dawned upon the students that they should not waste time, so seniors have come to the aid of the junior students. Guru Nanak Dev Polytechnic College, run by the same management (i.e. SGPC) that has closed GNDEC following the strike could not resume normal functioning despite the students calling off the strike as the teachers of the polytechnic are supporting the agitating GNDEC teachers and most of them remained on dharna that has entered second week The GNDEC Teachers Association is nevertheless beginning to show a sign of fatigue and dissidence has begun to show after its General Secretary Deepinder Singh and two other teachers took classes yesterday. They were restrained from teaching today, but the association leaders were working to a way out to strengthen the teacher’s agitation. The teachers are agitating over the suspension of Dr J.N Jha, Dean Academics, who was placed under suspension allegedly for slapping a student. The SGPC that manages this prestigious college has so far failed to appoint any acting principal after the suspension of Principal Dr R.P Singh. Meanwhile, there is resentment among the students and their parents over the manner in which the newly formed SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur is handling the situation at the GNDEC. Many parents feel that law and order and discipline was restored in the college with great difficulty and it of confrontational mood in the college was not corrected immediately, it could cause indiscipline for a long time to come. Though, technically the orders for vacation of the hostels still stand, but looking at the ground situation the Dean Hostel, Professor N.S. Grewal said that he had taken a decision to allow the students o return to the hostels. Mess in various hostels have started functioning and every day sees return of more students to the campus. The manner in which the SGPC is handling the college affair, it seems that the strike of the teachers is bound to continue for a long time. It is only once the teachers return to the class rooms that the normal functioning of the college would be restored. At present the students have only returned to mark a symbolic functioning of the college. Today, the students criticised the use of the college official website to put up statements of former alumni in favour of the management and against the students. Some students who did into wish to be named said that if the alumni had anything to say, they could put up their opinion on the alumni website. They criticised the college management for allowing outsiders the use of the college website.
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Chhapar Mela a low-key affair
Chhapar (Ludhiana), September 28 Though the two main political parties tried to put up a brave front to ensure that the absence of the crowd pullers was not felt. The Congress rally was addressed by the Deputy Chief Minister, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, the AICC secretary, Mr Manish Tewari, Mr Jagpal Singh and Mr Jassi Khangura. The main target of the attack, at the Congress rally, appeared to be the sitting MLA from the area, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha. Ms Bhattal said during her tenure as the Minister for Technical Education (when Mr Beant Singh was the Chief Minister), she had opened ITI institutes everywhere and the moment Mr Garcha took over, he ensured the closure of these institutions. Instead, he started encouraging private institutions. The local leader, Mr Jagpal Singh Khanugra, lauded the efforts of the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for providing a clean and transparent government. He hoped that during the remaining period the government will
fulfil all its promises. The impact of the absence of Mr Badal at the Akali Dal rally was too visible. There were not many people at the rally, although a galaxy of second-rung leaders, like Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal,
Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder and others were present. Mr Grewal also moved a resolution at the rally suggesting that a high level delegation led by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, comprising senior political leaders and SGPC office-bearers should go to Pakistan and assess the damage caused to the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara there. The delegation, the resolution said, should also impress upon the Pakistan Government to take steps to ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not happen again. Most of the leaders were present in the Panthic Morcha rally. They included Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, Mr Jasbir Singh Rhode and Mr Charan Singh Lohara. The speakers condemned Mr Badal for “foisting” Bibi Jagir Kaur, despite allegations against her, as the SGPC President.
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Couple jailed for life in murder case
Ludhiana, September 28 The convicts are: Hardeep Singh (44) and his wife, Jasbir Kaur (32) of Ajitsar Colony, Raikot Road, Mullanpur. They were facing the charge of murdering Yadwinder Singh alias Rimpy (25), owner of Kohli Auto Centre, Mullanpur. They have been also ordered to pay fine of Rs 10,000 each under different offences. Mr D.R. Arora, Additonal Sessions Judge held that the prosecution has brought home the charges levelled against the accused, without doubt. The Judge declined the plea of leniency raised by the accused. An FIR was registered against the accused under Section 302 and 201 of the IPC, in November 2001, following the complaint of Jarnail Singh, father of deceased. The complainant had raised the suspicion towards the accused. Narrating the sequence of events, he had stated that on November 17, his son had gone to attend a function of his friend Jagga but he did not returned. The next day, he tried to trace him. Even his shop was also lying closed. Then he went to the house of the person, where his son had gone to attend the function. There he came to know that last time his son was seen in the company of accused. But when he went to the house of Hardeep Singh, the same was found locked, which raised suspicion in his mind, added the complainant. The police arrested Hardeep Singh. He admitted to
have committed the crime. Thereafter, cops got recovered body of deceased, after digging a pit in the courtyard of accused, in the presence of the then Tehsildar of Raikot, Mr Gurdev Singh. A .32bore pistol alongwith cartridges was also recovered from the house of accused.
During trial accused pleaded not guilty and claimed false implication in the case at the instance of some
persons who were inimical towards them. Jasbir Kaur had taken the plea of ablibi. She stated that she had gone to the house of his parents at Majri village, two-three days before the alleged incident. But no explanation was furnished by the accused, as how the body came in their courtyard. The prosecution also produced photographs on record, showing the accused extricating the body of deceased, in the presence of Tehsildar.
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Dalits block road traffic
Ludhiana, September 28 Dalits of the area brought the body of Nath Singh to the mini secretariat and urged the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Verma to intervene. They refused to remove the body and lift the traffic blockade till the administration allowed them to harvest the paddy in the 100 acres of panchayat land cultivated by them. The blockade continued for about two hours. It was only on the assurance of the Jagraon SDM, Mr Gurmit Singh and the DSP Sarabha Nagar, Mr Ravcharn Singh Brar, the Dalits lifted the blockade and the body was taken to the village for cremation. The SDM disclosed that a case of disputed possession of the land at Walipur Kalan village was pending in the court of Mr B.S. Deol, Civil Judge (Junior Division), Jagraon. But during the pendency of the case some people including Nath Singh, wanted to harvest the paddy that was objected to by the village sarpanch. The district administration had imposed Section 144 of the Cr.PC in the village. The SDM further said the administration had moved an application in the court of Mr Deol seeking direction as to who should be allowed to harvest the standing crop. The next date of hearing was September 30. He added that a solution to the tangle would only be possible after the court gave its verdict. Mr Deol, however, promised Dalits that he would personally appear before the court on the next date of hearing and plead their case. Meanwhile, Dalits alleged that there was a status quo order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court prohibiting the village panchayat from auctioning the land, but the panchayat in violation of the courts orders had auctioned the land and it was not the right of the tiller, who got tilling rights in the auction, to harvest the crop.
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‘Lack of understanding’ common cause of divorce
Ludhiana, September 28 A modern bride is educated, financially independent, assertive, career conscious and knows her worth in the new family set up. The word divorce is no longer considered socially bad or undesirable by young girls and the divorce rate is certainly showing an upward trend in the city. Ruchi, a post-graduate student, feels that today girls have their own ambitions and aspirations. They are well aware of their rights and role. “I agree that marriage is a social and a biological necessity but that does not mean that if one is married to an unsuitable guy and does not get anything out of the marriage, one should cling lifelong to such a relationship. It is far better to quit and reinvent yourself rather than suffer for rest of your life.” Ms Radhika Sharma, mother of two
college going girls, admits that the kind of freedom girls enjoy today was completely unheard of when she was in college. She said, “Today, everyone wants freedom. No one likes restrictions. In small families, girls are as important as boys and parents invest both emotionally and financially in educating and shaping careers of their daughters. Obviously, we will not prefer that our qualified daughters sit at homes and behave like traditional housewives”. She further added that if boys wanted educated, talented and career-oriented girls then they should make adjustments and try to come out of an old male chauvinistic world. They must learn to give and support their wives in
getting good positions in society. Ms Nirmal, a housewife in new Tagore Nagar, feels that lack of mutual understanding between couples was a common cause of divorce and in case of working couples, invariably husbands tried to dominate their wives and deny them a free hand in financial and other matters which led to frequent conflicts. She felt that growing intolerance among the spouses was often responsible for the widening gap in marital life. Dr Rajiv Gupta, a city-based psychiatrist, feels that media and modern rearing practices of pampering children had played a significant role. Today parents fulfil all demands of their children and when they grow up, they become intolerant. “The word no is not meant for them and if they face it, frustration is the result. The daily soap operas regularly show disrupted married life as a routine affair. Consciously or unconsciously one picks up wrong cues from such serials”, said Dr Gupta.
He also confirmed that the divorce rate had definitely increased in recent times because of all these reasons. Ms Simarjeet Kaur, a teacher, feels that adjustment problems had increased since girls were more educated. She added, “When they get married to less educated boys, their mental levels do not match with their spouses. No
one wants to be dominated by one whose caliber does not match hers”.
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Ever seen law enforcers breaking the law? The other day a cop was seen jumping the red light near the Kacheri Chowk in broad daylight. While other commuters were waiting for the green light, a policeman in uniform, came on a scooter and jumped the light without even thinking twice. And surprisingly the traffic cops posted on the chowk did not stop him. Law breakers or law enforcers? Thankless beings
No office for them Several employees who used to attend office in the old city after having to pass through the Do Moria Bridge are having a great time these days. Many of them are using the excuse of traffic jams to skip office, while others have a legitimate excuse to arrive late. Almost every approach to the old city, may it be from the Jagroan Bridge, Do Moria Bridge or the Chaura Bazaar or Sabzi mandi side the traffic situation is the same. As work in offices has begun to suffer, a particular office has told its employees to fill half day’s leave if they are to arrive late for whatever reason. This office expects to have total attendance, perhaps others too can follow suit. Traffic chaos Whenever there is a power cut in the city, traffic goes haywire on the roads as the traffic lights are also switched off. Interestingly while many streetlights are seen switched on even during the day time, the municipal corporation cannot do anything to keep traffic lights on so that the traffic flow is smooth. Many times residents have suggested that the municipal corporation can provide generators for these lights, no such step has been taken by the authorities. When there are power cuts of around eight hours and even more, the traffic in the city becomes uncontrollable. Big queues of vehicles are seen waiting for the regulation but to no avail. Speed kills Speed thrills but kills is an old dictum but seldom followed. The bus and truck drivers in the state often press the accelerator too hard to reach the destination in time or well before the competitor. The competition aimed at making more money had taken a precedence over human life as more and more accidents involving these drivers are happening. A few weeks ago a student was crushed under a bus in Jagraon and this week two brothers were killed by a bus. The drivers argue that if they are even one minute late, they don’t get the schedule slot at the bus stands and thus lose passengers. Smoking The Union Government has launched a massive drive to check the use of tobacco products, but more and more teenaged girls of the city are falling prey to smoking. Call it peer pressure or their desire to try everything in life many girls can be seen smoking outside the city colleges. Whenever the college is over and the gate opens some girls are seen buying cigarettes from nearby kiosks and then smoking it in public. They don’t shy from inviting their counterparts to try a puff. The curious ones do not realise that there is always a first time when you catch a bad habit. Taken for a ride! Ever heard men in khaki taken for a ride? The cops including a senior officer of the Jagraon police were duped by a self-styled informer who told the cops that he would provide them with a valuable information about criminals active in the subdivision. The temptation of catching criminals was so much that the cops even paid him thousands of rupees in advance. They could understand his trick only after the man took them to various places and could not find a single criminal. After some days, when he accepted Rs 1,000 from a senior official and took him here and there on an unfruitful tour that the cop ordered his arrest. Even in the custody the man promised them to get the criminals nabbed. The police is still in a fix whether to trust him or not. Career or carrier Not only do people pronounce these two words wrong but they use them in an incorrect manner in written English too. The wrong spellings of the word can cause comic situations as the connotations of two words are totally different. The other day an advertiser wanted to advertise for a ‘Course in Spoken English’ and it said in the advertisement.............Academy — for Spoken English — for carrier advancement. He did not know that ‘career’ spelt as ‘carrier’ would make no sense. When he was told of his error, he felt very sheepish and grateful too. Mannequins that distract A number of mannequins are placed on the pavement as we turn to right for the Bhaiwala Chowk from Civil Lines. Since it is elegant shopping area, it is very crowded. To make matters worse, the shopkeepers dress up these mannequins with Barbie doll figures in provocative clothes like swimsuits or very revealing clothes. Naturally they distract the drivers. One feels the sidewalks are meant for pedestrians and not to be occupied by mannequins that can cause diversion for drivers and can cause accidents. They should be moved from the pavements as they pose traffic
hazard. — Sentinel
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Demonstration by PSEB
staff
Ludhiana, September 28 A rally was also held which was addressed by a number of union leaders who warned the state government that the employees of the PSEB would not allow privatisation of the board as announced by Finance Minister Surinder Singla recently. The speakers also said that a two-hour tool-down protest would be observed on October 6 to oppose privatisation move of the board. The union will organise a demonstration outside the office of Chief Engineer (Central) on October 19. Mr Subhash Chander and Mr Som Nath addressed the rally.
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Tributes paid to Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Ludhiana, September 28 About 150 students from 80 schools participated in the debate organised on the life and sacrifice of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The speakers recalled his great sense of patriotism that made him sacrifice his life for the country. Dr Sandhu exhorted upon the students to follow the path shown by Bhagat Singh. She observed, the best tribute to the great martyr would be to ensure that his sacrifice did not go waste. The programme was organised by the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Vichar Manch.
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Book on moral values released
Ludhiana, September 28 Mr Nagpal further said that though society had progressed in every field in the 21st century, moral values had been declining. Dr Randhawa had done well to draw the attention of the people towards this aspect by writing this book. Dr Randhawa, talking to Ludhiana Tribune, said, “During my teaching career spanning over two decades, I realised that our moral fabric was coming apart. No importance is being given to value-based education in educational institutions. I noticed from students’ behaviour that they were getting very casual in every respect. They did not accord the same respect to their teachers that we gave them. Hence I thought of writing a book based on values. I hope our policy makers include moral education in the school as the well as college curriculum.” Dr Randhawa said it was time that ethics were taught in our schools and colleges, including professional colleges.
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40 kg poppy husk
seized, 1 held
Ludhiana, September 28 Surinder Pal, who was accompanying Harchand Singh, managed to give a slip to the police. Woman assaulted: The complainant had stated that the accused had forced their way into her house and beat her up on Monday night. The accused also abused her and tried to outrage her modesty. The accused locked her up in her house, added the complainant. No arrest has been made so far. Conductor beaten: The complainant had stated to the police that the accused stopped his bus in front of the college, beat him up and also tore up his uniform on Monday morning. The accused also snatched his cash bag containing Rs 4,500 before going away, added the complainant. No arrest has been made so far. Man beaten: The complainant had stated that the accused forced their way into his house on Sunday night and attacked Mr Charan Singh. When he tried to pacify the intruders, they attacked him as well and abused him. The intruders also broke the panes of his Gypsy vehicle before running away, added the complainant. No arrest has been made so far. Sleepers stolen: The Army officer had stated that the accused had stolen 73 sleepers from the Baddowal Cantonment railway track near the ammunition depot sometime before Sunday last. The accused caused a loss of about Rs 8,000 by stealing the sleepers, added the officer. No arrest has been made so far. Injured:
The Civil Lines police yesterday registered a case under Sections 279, 477, 337 and 338 of the IPC on the statement of Mr Arun Kumar Sethi against Gurpreet Singh.
The complainant had stated that while he was driving his Indica car on his way from Moga to Delhi, the accused hit his vehicle with his Maruti car near Bharat Nagar chowk on Monday morning. As a rsesult of the mishap, his brother-in-law Mr. Parkash Chand, who was travelling in his car, sustained injuries and he became unconscious. He was admitted to the CMC Hospital, added the complainant. No arrest has been made so far. Gamblers held:
The Division No 4 police yesterday arrested Sunil Kumar, who lives in Qilla Mohalla, Rakesh Kumar, who lives in Mohalla Kartar Nagar in Salem Tabri, Deepak Bhatti, who lives in Aman Nagar in Salem Tabri and Gogi, a resident of Mohalla Toba Chet Singh at Patiala now living in Chhawni Mohalla, and regsitered a case against them under the Gambling Act.
The police said today that the accused were gambling at Malli Ganj chowk on Monday evening and Rs 650 and a deck of playing cards were seized from their possession. The accused were later bailed out, added the police. Bookie held: The Model Town police yesterday arrested Naresh Kumar, a resident of Jawahar Nagar Camp, and booked him under the Gambling Act. The police said today that the accused was openly indulging in booking ‘satta’ and ‘darra’ near the bridge close to the bus stand. Rs 5,150 and some incriminating slips were recovered from the possession of the accused, added the police. Liquor seized: The Jodhewal police yesterday arrested Rajinder Singh, who lives in street number 1 of mohalla Ajit Nagar, and recovered 12 bottles of whisky from his possession and booked him under the Excise Act.
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Life is not a bed of roses for all, but this is not something that everybody realises. There are those who have palaces to live in, while there are others who have to make do with on the footpath or a road divider. In a materialistic world we have stopped thanking God for small mercies, perhaps the photo will make our readers introspect and send out their silent prayers of appreciation to the Almighty when they cross such a family at a traffic intersection next time.
