 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Housing scheme launched on R-Day
Ludhiana, January 27 Ch. Jagjit Singh, Minister for Local Government, Labour and Employment, Punjab, hoisted the National Flag and took salute from the parade comprising contingents of the Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, girl guides, scouts and ex-servicemen. Addressing the function, Ch. Jagjit Singh paid tributes to the martyrs and freedom fighters, who had sacrificed their lives to liberate the country and laid the foundation of democracy. He said in the past 55 years, the country had made enormous achievements and become the biggest successful democracy of the world. He said the Punjab Government had implemented the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and handed over the control of six departments to the panchayats. The minister said the government had created a corpus fund of Rs 450 crore to ensure regular pension for the old-age people, widows and dependent children and launched a new scheme ‘Ashirwad’ to give shagun of Rs 6,100 on the marriages of two daughters of Scheduled Caste families and poor widows. The minister said the state government had submitted a comprehensive plan costing Rs 1,900 crore for rural water supply with the World Bank for approval and chalked out another plan of Rs 1,640 crore for providing drinking water and sewerage in the urban areas. He said to boost the industry in the state, the government had brought 27 new industrial projects costing more than Rs 10000 crore in the past three years, which would also produce their own power and give the surplus power to the government. The minister formally launched a housing scheme of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust. in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Maharishi Balmik Nagar. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the students, who participated in the programmes. Amloh:
The 56th Republic Day of the Amloh sub-division was celebrated at the grain market here. Mr Sandeep Hans, SDM, Amloh, unfurled the National Flag. Speaking about the importance of this day, he said the people should pledge to maintain peace, communal harmony and strengthen the democratic values of our country for which freedom fighters had sacrificed their lives .
A number of tricycles and woollens were distributed to the needy, the SDM distributed prizes among the meritorious participants, from the Amloh assembly constituency. Mr Hukum Chand Bansal and Ms Shalini Gupta from Mandi Gobindgarh were honoured at the district function for their excellent services in the field of education.
Jagraon: Freedom fighters were honoured at the function and some needy women were provided sewing machines. A number of dependents of those killed in accidents were given monetary help. Mr Rajiv Ahir, SSP, Mr B.S. Deol Judicial Magistrate, Ms Jitender Walia, Subdivisional Judicial Magistrate, Dr H.S. Singla, SMO, were among the those present on this occasion. The parade was followed by a cultural programme.c Khanna:
A subdivision-level function was organised at the Local Government Girls Senior Secondary School yesterday. The Sub-divisional Magistrate, Khanna, Mr Jaspal Mittal, hoisted the Tricolour. A cultural programme was organised on the occasion. Freedom fighters and sports men were also honoured. A function to celebrate Republic Day was also organised at the Improvement Trust building. Mr Ashok Jindal, Chairman of the trust, hoisted the flag on the occasion. Mandi Ahmedgarh: Mandi Gobindgarh: Payal: Raikot:
Mr Prem Gupta, SDM, Raikot, unfurled the Tricolour at the subdivision-level function here. Besides honouring the freedom fighters of the area and the relatives of the martyrs of the Kargil War, the administration recognised the services of Mr Jasbir Singh, Major Singh, both residents of Buraj Hakima village, and Sanjiv Kumar, a JCB driver, for their outstanding contribution during rescue operations undertaken to recover bodies of labourers who were buried while digging well at Siloani village near Raikot. Samrala:
Mr Malkiat Singh Birmi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Jails, unfurled the Tricolour at subdivision-level Republic Day function at Grain Market, Samrala. Addressing the function, Mr Birmi claimed that a crash programme had been launched for the repair of all link roads in the state, for which funds amounting to more than Rs 450 crore were being spent . He said the government had also decided to set up two new modern jails at Nabha and Jalandhar. The minister honoured 10 freedom fighters on the occasion. He announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the school building and Rs 25,000 for schoolchildren, who participated in the Republic Day function. |
|
CM donates
Rs10 lakh to man for children’s
education
Ludhiana, January 27The unrelenting struggle of Gurnam Singh, a daily wage worker, to get his children educated, finally bore fruit with the Chief Minister providing him a grant of Rs 10 lakh at the Republic Day function here yesterday.
The grant would enable Gurnam Singh to help
his meritorious children continue with their studies and pay the loans taken from various banks. The donation comes from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. His two daughters, Gurinder Kaur and Rajinder Kaur, are doing MBBS and engineering
in Electronics and Mass Communications, respectively, while his son, |Hargobind Partap, is
pursuing a career in engineering from the Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET). Impressed with his eldest daughter’s results, the authorities of Rajindra Medical College, Patiala, had waived her fee and hostel charges earlier. ‘’With the money my condition will become better. I was worried about my debts. The grant has taken the load off my poor shoulders now,’’ said the overjoyed father. The others who were honoured at the function included Gagandeep Singh, city based cricketer who was selected for the Indian team for a match against Bangladesh. Malkiat Singh, who bagged the first prize in the Junior Athletic Championship and the National School Games, and Satinder Singh, another young athlete who won the first prize in the 1100 metre hurdle race in the Junior Athletic Championship, also got awards. Harpreet Kaur of the Guru Nanak Khalsa
College for Women, Gujjarkhan campus, who bagged the first prize in the All-India Inter-Varsity Athletic Meet, and Neelam Khosla, a singer, were given awards. Among those honoured were NCC cadets Astha Garg, Jasmeen Kaur, Vibhuti Jain and Sukhwinder Kaur; Dr Surinder Kumar Bhatia, a veterinary scientist; and Sangeeta Sharma, a student for her
outstanding performance in a play.
|
|
|
Divers return empty-handed from R-Day function
Ludhiana, January 27 Disappointment was in store for Satyen Sahni and Rutal Mahato when they reached the venue only to find out that their names were not in the list of awardees. A great deal of confusion was created at the function when the duo appeared at the venue just after the function, claiming that they were told by a cop that they would be given awards on the Republic Day function. Both divers had helped the police in recovering the badly damaged body of an undertrial lodged in Central Jail on October 2. The undertrial Mohinder Singh had escaped from the jail and his body was spotted in Buddha Nullah. While the body was badly mutilated and stinking badly, nobody came forward to help the police in recovering it. Finally, the police called these divers, who helped in recovering the body. Both divers showed the cuttings of news reports about their act of bravery and appreciation letter by the Basti Jodhewal police issued on January 16. They were given a cash prize of Rs 1000 each also at that time. The duo claimed that a cop had asked them to be present on the Republic Day function so that they could be awarded. ‘‘When we reached there, we were told our names were not in the list. We went to the cop concerned, who asked us to visit the police station in the evening to receive the award, but there also, they said that the award would
reach us at our house only,’’ said Satyen Sahni. ‘‘I do not think that they would be giving us any award. They are just trying to befool us. Otherwise there is no award which reaches home. They think we are poor and illiterate and can be taken for a ride,’’ said
Rutal. Both divers were promised a job by a former Municipal Commissioner also when they had recovered bodies of some labourers, who were buried while digging a well in Ludhiana. The administration had failed to recover the bodies and the city had witnessed a big protest at that time. Then these divers had volunteered and recovered the bodies. Happy with their work, the officials had promised them a job. The promise still eludes them.
|
|
Republic Day celebrated in schools
Ludhiana, January 27 Group songs and fancy dress competition showcased the talent and spirit of patriotism of the students. On this occasion prizes were also given to the winners of Pragati 2004 by members of the managing committee. The chief guest of the day Mr Govind Ram Bansal and Principal Mrs Amrita Gakhar addressed the students highlighting the importance of the day. The manager of the school, Mr Shiv Kumar Mittal, proposed the vote of thanks. The celebrations came to an end with the National Anthem. Gupta Model High School: The students, management and staff members of Gupta Model High School, Club Road, organised a function yesterday to celebrate the Republic Day. The chief guest, Mr Ramesh Kapoor, hoisted the flag. The students presented a cultural programme, which included dance, songs like, ‘Suno gaur se duniyan walo’, ‘Kasam lee hai hamne’ etc. While addressing the gathering, the chief guest appreciated the sincere efforts of the staff and management of the school for cultivating the spirit of nationalism among the students. Greenland Senior Secondary School: The Republic Day was celebrated with great fervour and gaiety at Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, here yesterday. The director-cum-chairman of the school, Mr Rajesh Rudhra, was the guest of honour. The function started with the hoisting of the National Flag by Mr Rajesh Rudhra, followed by the school prayer. To mark the occasion, a poetry recitation competition was organised. The students recited patriotic poems. Ek Prayas:
The Republic Day was celebrated in Ek Prayas (an institute for the children with special needs), near the Octroi post, Ferozepur Road. The Principal, Ms N. Mannan, welcomed parents, guests and members of the management. The children presented a cultural programme. Starting with a patriotic song they presented action song ‘Rang de basanti chola’, which reminded the audience about the sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat SIngh. Ms Samira Bector, president of the school, thanked the parents and other guests. Golden Time Pre-Nursery School:
Tiny tots of Golden Time Pre-Nursery School celebrated the Republic Day. The children dressed up as freedom fighters, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, Chacha Nehru and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The Principal, Ms Jaswinder Kaur told them the story of freedom fighters. Saraswati Modern School: Students of Saraswati Modern School, Hambaran Road, celebrated the Republic Day. The National Flag was hoisted by the principal, Ms Kamla Jain. The students sang a number of patriotic songs. The students played games like cricket and kho-kho. Bhartiya Vidya Mandir: Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Dugri, started the Republic Day Function with an oath taking ceremony, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. The young budding artistes of the school presented patriotic songs and dances. Ms Anu Gupta, headmistress of the school, talked about the significance of the day. GAD Public School:
GAD Public School, Tehdi Road, celebrated the Republic Day by unfurling the National Flag. It was unfurled by Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA. The students presented patriotic
songs. Mr Palwinder Singh Taggar, Mr Rajinder Singh Bajwa, both councilors, were also present on the occasion. Mr Rajinder Singh Gill, principal told the significance of the day to the students.
|
|
SDP institutions celebrate R-Day
Ludhiana, January 27 More than 5,000 students from SDP Senior Secondary School, Hazuri road, SDP Senior secondary School, Basti
Jodhewal, and SDP Model Senior Secondary School, carrying flags in their hands and singing patriotic songs and slogans entered the SDP College playground. Teachers, lecturers, members of managing committee and students of the SDP institutions gave a warm welcome to the chief guest. Mr Bhasin hoisted the Tricolour to mark the beginning of celebrations. A march-past was done by cadets of 3 Punjab Girls Battalion. Students presented a cultural programme on the occasion. In his address, the chief guest made the students aware about the importance of Republic Day and their responsibilities towards the nation. He administered the oath to the youth to dedicate themselves to the national reconstruction. Ms S. Verma, Principal of the college, paid tributes to the martyrs and inspired the students to follow their footsteps. Members of the SDP Sabha and college managing committee — Mr Lekh Raj Arora, Mr Parminder Mehta, Mr Ved Jain and Mr
H.K. Chugh attended the function.
|
|
Republic Day celebrated with fervour
Ludhiana, January 27 Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, addressed more than a dozen Republic Day functions. At the function held at Sita Mata Mandir in Daresi Ground, a large number of senior citizens of the locality felicitated Mr Dawar for taking up their problems with the district administration. Mr Dawar exhorted the people to channelise their energy for constructive purposes and to lend a helping hand in the development of the country. Mr Harnam Das Johar, Education Minister, Punjab, hoisted the National Flag at functions held at Campa Cola Chowk, Jawahar Nagar Camp and Ghumar Mandi areas. Speaking at these functions, he said the martyrs and patriots had paid a heavy price to attain freedom of the country and to establish democratic system of governance. Unfurling the flag at the Congress Bhavan at a function organised by the District Congress Committee (Urban), its president Jagmohan Sharma, along with the party workers, took a pledge to work for unity and integrity of the country. He called upon the party workers to strengthen the organisation and to dedicate themselves to the cause of national reconstruction. At the Republic Day function organised by the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) at its dental college compound, the contingents of the college and hospital security staff, students of medical, dental and nursing students saluted the National Flag. Father John, Catholic priest of Kidwai Nagar church, chief guest of the function, paid homage to revolutionaries, who gifted freedom to this generation. Dr John Pramod, acting director of the CMCH, also addressed the function and students of the institution presented a colourful cultural programme at this occasion.
|
|
Pensioners celebrate Republic
Day
Ludhiana, January 27 Wing Commander Paramjit S. Sibia, Chairman Improvement Trust, Ludhiana, was the chief guest and hoisted the tricolour on this occasion. He announced that a separate counter at the Ludhiana Improvement Trust Office would be set up for senior citizens. He said he had been greatly impressed by the efforts of the pensioners in having such a magnificent pensioners bhavan equipped with all the modern facilities wherein pensioners are receiving information regarding pension and other benefits. Mr B.R. Kaushal, Chairman, Pensioners Bhawan Management Committee, welcomed the chief guest and said the bhavan is being maintained by the pensioners on self sustaining basis.
|
|
Boy dies after getting ‘wrong’
injection
Ludhiana, January 27 The victim, Mukesh, was suffering from pneumonia for the past one month and was taking treatment from the RMP of that area. The condition of the boy, however, did not improve. He died after the RMP gave him an injection. The accused has been arrested. The police said they were awaiting the post-mortem examination report for further investigation. The victim’s parents live in Bihar. He had come to the city two years ago and was working as a labourer.
|
|
Som Ranchan — a versatile writer
Ludhiana, January 27 A former Head of the Department of English, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Prof Ranchan, was here on Tuesday to attend the national seminar on ‘Modern English Literature between 1900-1970, organised at the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Model Town. Prof Ranchan is known for his epics on holy figures like the Christ, Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Bahullah, Manjushri and others. Currently he is writing an epic cycle titled “Shri Devi Nigamas of the Age”. He has also written an epic on America, “America with Love”. He also writes on love and friendship using the Greek and Indian mythology. He is one of the reputed and respected critics of the modern times. His critical reviews on subjects like literature, religion, folklore, mythology, psychology and political theory have been widely sought after. Prof Ranchan claims that meditation takes the second priority in life after reading. He said he started writing quite early in life. “My affair with literature has started since my college days and it continues throughout my life”, he remarks. A globetrotter, Prof Ranchan derives experiences from his travels and transcribes them into literary masterpieces for the generations to read. Though retired from the active university service, his literary pursuit continues without a break.
|
|
Parking site auctioned
Khanna, January 27 Twenty bidders had participated in the auction. However, the reserve price was fixed for Rs 1 lakh. The auction, however, went for a higher price. The parking fee for three hours for a car has been fixed at Rs 10, while for scooter and cycle it would be Rs 5 for three hours. No fee would be charged from the shopkeepers of the area for parking their vehicles.
|
|
Industry protests against service tax, VAT
Ludhiana, January 27 Later, the protesting industrialists staged a demonstration at the Mini- Secretariat against the proposed introduction of value- added tax (VAT) by the state government from April. In a memorandum submitted to the Commissioner of Central Excise, Mr G.L. Pahwa, president, and Mr Varinder Kapoor, general secretary of UCPMA, maintained that the decision to impose service tax on processes like electroplating, zinc plating, anealing, heat treatment, painting, auto black, powder coating, wire rod drawing, forging, threading, turning, grinding and cutting was discriminatory to those units performing these works on a job basis for other manufacturers simply because the same processes performed by the manufacturers at their own level and within their own premises, did not attract any service tax. They were of the view that if the government had a different view with regard to such job work services as not amounting to manufacture, then these should be specifically excluded from the purview of service tax, or be brought on a par with agriculture, printing, textile processing and education. The industrialists termed service tax slapped on business auxiliary services, rendered by commission agents as arbitrary and unimaginative. “While their margin of profit is hardly around 10 per cent of the gross amount of commission, they are liable to pay service tax on the entire amount. It would be only in fairness to allow them an abatement of 90 per cent of the gross amount of commission.” The protesting members of industry were critical over shifting of liability to pay service tax on transport services to consignor or consignee of the goods. Describing it as total discrimination, they called for shifting back the liability to pay tax on the service providers as was being done in the case of other categories. In a separate memorandum submitted to the Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, the UCPMA demanded withdrawal of arbitrary and harsh provisions from the state VAT Act, through which the officials of the department had been given sweeping powers. They further asked the government to bring a uniform and rational mode of VAT throughout the country and scrap all other local taxes and levies before introduction of the new tax regime.
|
|
Bank of India opens extension counter
Ludhiana, January 27
The bank recently introduced depository services and ATM facility in the city and would provide these services in other cities as well, he said.
The bank will also introduce core banking solutions (anywhere-anytime banking), named Star Shakti, by connecting over 750 branches by
next year in a phased manner across the country. Among others present on the occasion were Mr Sushil Kumar Dhawan, assistant general manager, Mr H.S. Mangat, chief manager, Bharat Nagar Chowk branch, Mr J.S. Arora, officer in charge, extension counter, and Mr Kartar Singh, director-principal of the academy.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
