PU zonal festival vibrates with young talent
Our Correspondent

From Schools
Entertaining evening at Guru Harkrishan school
Tribune Reporters

Doraha, November 29
The annual day function of the local Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, was held on Sunday evening. Dr Inderpal Singh, former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The traditional lamp was lit by Dr Inderpal Singh and the cultural programme commenced with shabad recitation followed by a play, “Cinderella,” which took the audience to the land of fantasy. The junior girls presented a pahari dance which was followed by an English comedy, “Cox and Box”. The scintillating Rajasthani dance performed by senior girls and the western dance by junior girls kept the audience spellbound. Puppet show, choreography and bhangara performances were also appreciated by the audience.

Prizes were awarded to students who had excelled in academics and co-curricular activities by the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion the chief guest appreciated the efforts of the school management in giving exposure to the students in different fields of activity. He asked the students to display a high level of discipline in every area.

Mr Mathew Verghese, Principal of the school, presented the annual report highlighting the achievements made by the students in the year 2003-04.

A vote of thanks was presented by Ms Amrit Gurm, president of the trust.

Ludhiana
Unique party: Unique parties are arranged to celebrate birthdays of children. For enhanced freedom, expression and sociability in kindergarten of KVM Civil Lines, Ludhiana, a party was held here yesterday using the colour theme.

Each section was decorated in a particular colour using balloons, dupattas, crepe papers etc. Children and teachers of that section too were dressed in that colour. If one was completely red, the other was completely blue. Birthday children were given gifts and other children return gifts.

Mr S.C. Saxena applied tilak on the forehead of all birthday children and blessed them.

Mandi Gobindgarh
Play staged: Gobindgarh Public School here celebrated its annual prize distribution function at the school auditorium today. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha, was the chief guest.

The function, which opened with shabad gayan, included group song, orchestra, ghoomar dance, English play “To Find a Wife”, Punjabi play “Akhir Kyun”, Krishna “maharaas” and a Jassi Nandu show. The Principal, Mr Bahadur Singh, presented the annual report, highlighting the achievements of the school.

The school organised cluster-VI Punjab CBSE volleyball tournament for the second time in the district in September this year. Students of the school also participated in the Punjab School Zonal Competition and seven students qualified for district participation. In the under-17 (boys) category Gurpreet Singh of Class IX got the first position in long jump and second in 200m and 400m. In under-19, Harkamal Singh of Class XI bagged the first position in high jump and second in triple jump. Volleyball, football, handball and badminton teams also got positions in the zonal and district competitions.

At today’s function, the chief guest released the school magazine, “Beacon”, and gave away prizes to students. He also inaugurated a building of the Gobindgarh Training College of Education. Mr Swaranjit Singh Bagli, secretary of the Gobindgarh Educational and Social Welfare Trust, thanked the chief guest. Mr Sandeep Hans, SDM, Amloh, and Mr Chaman Lal Garg, chairman, school management committee, also addressed the function.

Annual day at Dukki govt school
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 29
The annual prize distribution function of Shaheed Kartar Singh Dukki Government Senior Secondary School, Latala, was held on the school premises on Sunday. The function was presided over by Mr Jagpal Singh Khangura, and Dr Sukhdev Singh, an NRI was the chief guest.

While appreciating the role of teachers in restructuring the rural society Mr Khangura said the pace of development in the rural areas had been slow due to illiteracy. He called upon the teachers to be more concerned about the students.

Mr Garry Grewal, Mr Mohinder Singh, Ms Kuldeep Kaur and Mr Jagdish Singh (all NRIs) gave Rs 1 lakh each for the hall being constructed at the school. Capt Talwinder presented one computer to the school.

Among other items presented by the students , choreography 'Dhee Dee Pukar' and 'Zalwa' and poem 'Kujh Kyha Tan….' presented by Amanpreet, Preety and others, were appreciated much by the audience.

Meritorious students were honoured with prizes sponsored by Mr Jagpal Singh, son of martyr Kartar Singh Dukki. Gurjit Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Prabhjot Kaur and Ravinder Singh were honoured for their academic achievements.

Poll process bares rift in Bar association
Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 29
Continuing with its history of conflict and confrontation, the District Bar Association (DBA), Ludhiana, was vertically divided on the very first day of the electoral process of the Bar here today, with the two rivals factions led by the sitting President, Mr B.K. Goel, and the former president, Mr Harish Rai Dhanda, appointed their own nominees as returning officers and assistant returning officers for the forthcoming elections.

Amidst the allegations, counter-allegations, rowdy scenes, scuffles and use of filthy language by the lawyers, the District Bar Association president, Mr Goel announced the appointment of Mr S.K. Pathak as Returning Officer for conducting the annual elections of DBA scheduled to be held on December 20. Mr P.S. Batra was appointed as Assistant Returning Officer.

The group led by Mr Harish Rai Dhanda and his supporters termed and entire proceedings as unconstitutional. They appointed Mr Ashok Mittal as Returning Officer and Mr P.C. Garg, president of the Sales Tax Bar Association, as the Assistant Returning Officer for conducting the annual elections.

Mr Harish Narang, Ms Kamaljyoti, Mr Pardeep Sharma alleged that the president had announced the names of the persons for the post of RO and ARO in a haste and had then left the meeting place alongwith the cordless mike and his supporters. No proper procedure had been adopted for the appointments.

When the present executive left the meeting, it was continued by the Dhanda faction. Speaking on this occasion, Ms Kamal Jyoti criticised the Bar president, Mr Goel and said his attitude was dictatorial. She said, “Enough is enough and now we will not tolerate it any more”.

However, the official pressnote issued by the DBA claimed that Mr Pathak and Mr Batra had been appointed with thumping majority. Mr Goel claimed that a few supporters of the rival group were responsible for creating nuisance and chaos in the General House meetings “But a majority of the lawyers know the reality and I am not worried at all,” added Mr Goel.

Plays mark concluding day of Punjabi week
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 29
Two plays ‘Eh Lahoo Kisda Hai’ and ‘Bal Bhagwan’ were staged today by the Punjab Sahit Sabha of the Government College for Boys on the college premises to mark the concluding day of the Punjabi week.

The plays were directed by Samuel Johnson. The first play dealt with the teachings of Guru Nanak while Bal Bhagwan dealt with the fake babas and politicians who take the innocent and illiterate people for a ride. The play depicted how the fakirs play on the superstitions of the common man and not only extract money from them but also incite them to commit heinous crimes.

Principal Indra Bhatia presided over the function while Prof. Nachittar Singh, head of the Punjabi Department proposed a vote of thanks.

HEALTH

12-day dental care camp begins
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 29
The local and Hargobindpur branches of the Bharat Vikas Parishad today started a 12-day dental care camp at the Civil Hospital here. It was inaugurated by Dr Sunit Hind, while Dr K.C. Goel, District Health Officer, Sangrur, was the chief guest. While addressing the gathering, Dr Goel and Dr Hind said oral hygiene was most important for maintaining good health. The local unit of the Lions Club Greater organised an eye care camp at the Civil Hospital yesterday.

According to Mr Birbal Goel, an office-bearer of the club, Dr Navjot Singh Chugh and Dr Shawinder Singh examined nearly 400 patients. As many as 94 patients were operated upon.

A general check-up and dental care camp was organised at Government Senior Secondary School, Pohir, yesterday. It was inaugurated by Mr Jagpal Singh Khangura, a Congress leader. 

Rs 2 crore for sports infrastructure in schools
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, November 29
Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Education Minister, Punjab, said a comprehensive plan to provide sports facilities from the primary level has been chalked out by the government in the state and Rs 2 crore would be spent for this purpose this year.

Mr Johar was addressing inaugural function of 23rd Punjab Primary School Inter- District Games being organised by the Department of Education (Primary) at Guru Nanak Stadium, here today. Around 700 students will be competing in five disciplines including wrestling, kabaddi, kho-kho, gymnastics and athletics at this three-day meet.

Mr Johar said to create sports environment in the schools, the Education Department has decided to lay stress on the sports in primary schools, as the spirit of sports and competitions among the students at lower age would help them to give positive results, when they participate in senior competitions.

He said the government has decided to enhance the present share of the schools in sports fund being collected in the schools from 15 per cent to 25 per cent. The Education Minister also announced that the primary schools of participating students would remain closed on November 30.

Mr Jagtar Singh Khatra, DPI (P), while addressing the function said yoga and gymnastics would be started in all primary schools on the direction of the Education Minister and more competitions would be conducted to strengthen the sports base from the primary level.

Later presiding over a meeting of the officers of the Education Department, Mr Johar directed them to ensure discipline and punctuality in all schools to improve the quality of education in the state. He said the vacant posts in all schools would be filled shortly and required infrastructure for education and sports would be provided to the students.

Mr Gian Singh DPI (S) and Mr Jagtar Singh Khatra DPI (P) assured that the directions of the Education Minister would be implemented in all schools.

Atal Partapi meet from Dec 13
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, November 29
The 5th edition of the Atal Partapi Tournament will be organised by the Namdhari Sports Club in association with Nagar Panchayat of Bhaini Sahib at Bhaini Sahib village, headquarters of the Namdhari sect from December 13 to 17.

According to Mr Amar Singh and Paramjit Singh, president and general secretary, respectively, of the organising club, during this five-day sports festival, competition in football, volleyball (smashing and shooting), kabaddi (one village), kabaddi ( 57 and 62 kg ) and cart races will be conducted. The winners will be given cash prizes.

Mr H.S. Hanspal, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, will inaugurate the tournament on December 13 at 10 am while Chowdhary Jagjit Singh, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab will be the chief guest on the concluding day, they added.

DORAHA
Cricket meet: The Youth Welfare Club, Gagar Majra, will organise a cricket tournament from November 30 to December 5 at the village. Mr Jagroop Singh, press secretary of the club, said the meet will be inaugurated by Mr Gopal Kumar, president of the club. Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, Member Parliament, will preside over the function on the concluding day. Twenty five teams from different villages will participate in the tournament.

ADMINISTRATION

13 challaned for using LPG in vehicles
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 29
The district transport authorities have challaned 13 vehicles for using LPG meant for domestic use to run their vehicles. This was done following orders of Deputy Commissioner Anurag Verma to take action against such persons. Mr Tarlochan Singh, Assistant District Transport Officer, challaned 13 vehicles, which were using 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinders in their automobiles.

Mr Kuldip Singh, District Transport Officer, said since this was the first checking in this connection, the vehicles were only challaned. In subsequent checking, the registration certificate of the vehicles would also be suspended because vehicle owners could not change the means of propulsion.

Mr Verma said now onward the checking would be done by a joint team of the transport and food supplies departments. Ms Simarjot Kaur, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller, said wherever an LPG cylinder was found being used in automobiles, the cylinder would be seized and proceedings under Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act would be initiated. Inquiries would also be made regarding the source of the cylinder. If it was found that a gas agency had sold the cylinder for use in an automobile, action would be taken against the agency also.

Mr Verma said the steps had been taken in view of the shortage of LPG for domestic use in the district.

The Deputy Commissioner said such checking would continue and subsequently the drive would also target industrial units that used domestic LPG supply.