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One killed, 3 hurt as
boiler bursts
Ludhiana, August 19 The blast allegedly occurred in a boiler of the factory, Poddar Tyres, at about 6:40 am today. According to the injured labourers, the safety valve of the boiler did not work when the steam pressure had built up in the boiler. The whistle indicating danger did not blow. The blast ripped off the boiler and its parts hit the labourers standing in proximity. The in charge of Dhandari police post, Mr Jatinder Kumar, said the police had inspected the site and registered a case of negligence against three officials of the factory. They were Mr J.N. Pandey, production manager, Mr Arvind Mishra, supervisor and Mr Amarnath, shift in charge. They have been booked under Sections, 304-A, 337 and 338 of the IPC. The HRD manager, Mr Chander Shekhar, said the exact cause of the blast was being investigated and adequate compensation would also be given to the deceased and the injured. Terming it as an unfortunate incident, he said the factory took safeguards against such incidents and would further strengthen the measures. The deceased labourer has been identified as Dev Anand. He was 35 years of age and was working in the factory for the past over 15 years. The injured labourers were Dinesh , who was serious, Chandan (19) and Mukhtiar (20). All were admitted to the local DMC hospital. The deceased as well as the injured suffered heads injuries mainly. The rear part of their head was blown off. Chandan and Mukhtiar told the police and mediapersons that they had just reported for their duty when steam welled up in the boiler and without any warning it exploded. They said the whistle of the boiler did not blow to warn that steam pressure in the boiler had exceeded the danger sign. Mr Chander Shekhar, HRD Manager, of the factory, said they had made special arrangements for providing medical facilities to the labourers especially in case of such industrial accidents. He said timely medical help had saved the three injured.
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SBI waives limit on tourism loans
Ludhiana, August 19 “Any project, regardless of its size, can be financed now,” the bank said in a press note issued here today. The limit has been waived under a new product called Prayatan Plus, introduced by the bank. Under the scheme, loans can be availed for construction, renovation, modernisation or addition to hotels , dharamsalas or yatri niwas. Travel agents can avail loans for construction of office premises or purchase of equipment. The scheme also applies to purchase of luxury buses, coaches and cars. Besides, it is applicable for renovation or setting up of restaurants, fast food centres, coffee houses, ice cream parlours, health clubs, amusement parks, etc, the bank stated,. “The idea is to contribute towards improvement in tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and even other tourism centres. Besides, the measure is expected to give a fillip to lending in the tourism sector. Loans can be repaid in instalments, ranging from three years to seven years,” the bank said.
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Not easy to enact Gandhi: Lillette
Ludhiana, August 19 “Sammy” depicts the life of the Father of the Nation. It revolves round Gandhi’s personality amidst the sound and fury of the freedom struggle. Lillette said it was not easy to enact Gandhi. She has adopted the historic play of Partap Sharma. Probably for the first time the play on Gandhi has avoided controversy. Her cast in the play is wide and varied. Her husband, Ravi Dubey, who has returned to the theatre after about two decades, plays the role of the Mahatama. The main role of Mohan Dass, who ultimately becomes the Mahatama, is being played by Joy Sengupta. Jinnah’s role is performed by Vikrant Chaturvedi. He also plays the role of Godse. Kasturba’s role is performed by Neha Dubey, while that of Jawaharlal Nehru is played by Zafar Karachiwala.
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Teachers’ group to boycott PAUTA poll
Ludhiana, August 19 The teachers who decided to boycott the elections said, “the present constitution of the PAUTA was not valid as it needed redrafting in view of the carving out of the separate Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary Sciences of the PAU. The teachers were also annoyed that the amendment to the PAUTA constitution regarding the enhanced term of the PAUTA executive to two years in the general body meeting held on August 2, 2005 had not been notified as yet.
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Elevated road boon for encroachers
Ludhiana, August 19 Being the oldest hub of business in the city , Ghanta Ghar is already bursting at seams. So much so that there is a swelling number of those “businessmen” who remain on the move throughout the day, doing rounds of several inter-connected bazaars of the old city to earn a living. Reason: there is not any space left to be encroached upon! But this doesn’t dampen the high spirits of the encroachment mafia which is eyeing the space around the 87 pillars of the 2.7-km-long elevated road to generate an income of about Rs 5 lakh every month by letting out the same to all kinds of roadside businessmen. Since the elevated road has already been built from the Jagraon Bridge to the Minerva Market, it has provided plenty of space underneath it, particularly around the huge pillars. During a visit to this stretch of the old GT Road on Tuesday, this reporter came across a tea- shop operating right in the middle of the stretch between two pillars and also an auto-repairing shop with at least five autos parked in a row. The place is littered at several places with left-overs of the building material which would be cleared only after the elevated road is completed. Although the Municipal Corporation has proposed to use the space underneath the elevated road as parking for vehicles, observers of the encroachment scene said it was only a matter of time when all pillars would be surrounded by kiosks and stalls. In spite of these stalls and kiosks, there would be plenty of parking-space left . In fact, these would be ideal roadside shops having their ‘own parking’. According to political observers, supporters of Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, newly appointed president of the Punjab Congress, would be in the forefront to occupy vantage pillars under the elevated road. Since the polls are not far away, the Congress may allot these public pillars to the weaker sections of the society to garner their unstinted support and of course the very valuable votes, the observers say.
(Photo on page 2)
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What steps are required for the development of system of homeopathy in the state? After the completion of BHMS, one year internship is necessary in medical colleges and hospitals. But during visits to these institutions, it has been observed that the turnout of patients is on the lower side, due to which the interns get little practical knowledge. I am of the view that in order to promote the system of homeopathy, the state government should chalk out a strategy. What are your recommendations to the Central Government to raise the standard of education of homeopathy? Only those institutions should be given affiliation or recognition which strictly fulfil the norms prescribed by the Central Homeopathic Council and the council should not compromise on this issue at any cost. No affiliations should be given to deemed universities. Such institutions not only ruin the future of students but also play with the life of masses. — Rajneesh Lakhanpal
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Sisters tie rakhis on the statue of martyr
Ludhiana, August 19 As Baljit Kaur and Surjit Kaur, reached the statue of their brother, Shaheed Naik Paramjeet Singh, with rakhis in their hands, many womenfolk of the village broke down. ‘‘He sacrificed his life for his countrymen. He can never die for us. We come here every year from our in-law’s houses to express our love for him.’’ said Ms Baljit Kaur, elder sister of the martyr who visits Gill village every year to celebrate the festival that glorifies the brother-sister relationship. The martyr had laid down his life while fighting infiltrators in Kargil sector on January 12, 1999. ‘‘Although it is a very happy festival for the sisters all over the country, our happiness is always eclipsed with a feeling of grief. The truth that he is gone forever. But he is alive in our memories. After tying rakhis we feel he is there to protect us, ’’said Ms Surjit Kaur, his younger sister who is married in Bhattha Dhua village near Hambran. Soon after other girls of the village also followed suit and tied rakhis on the statue. ‘‘We come to him to thank him as he fought for the country and saved our honour,” said a young girl of the village. They added that they were feeling proud as their brother was the one who had laid down his life for the countrymen and he should be remembered on all such important days. Paramjeet Singh’s wife, Ms Kamaljit Kaur, who also witnessed the occasion with moist eyes said her husband’s sisters came there every year. She added that even as the family had suffered a setback after his death, she had decided to send her to son the defence service only. The martyr’s father, Mr Nachchattar Singh, had also worked in the Indian Army as a Sepoy and had retired in 1978, said he always wanted to sacrifice for his country but it was his son who had fulfilled his wishes and had became a hero. Although he expressed his dissatisfaction over the treatment meted out to him when he narrated how he had to spend Rs 50,000 from his pocket to install the statue of his son. ‘‘It was after my daughters’ insistence only that I agreed to put up the statue. Now I am happy that these girls are feeling some kind of satisfaction when they come here to tie rakhis.’’
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Indian beauties not given right guidance: Diana Hayden
Ludhiana, August 19 Ms Hayden was in the city today to “add sparkle to the launch of D’damas Identity Korner” at College Road. Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, she said she won Miss World crown because of her own personality and she had not acquired anything from outside. “Because you have to be your own self there...you cannot be a copy of others”, she remarked. When asked how she got into anchoring biographies of famous personalities, she said History Channel had approached her. “Three names were being considered to present the show, but by consensus I was chosen for the job. I liked the programme profile. It’s a great feeling to anchor for distinguished personalities. The subject of the programme provides endless opportunities, you come to know about people in depth. And it is altogether a different experience”, said Diana. She said, she was trying to establish herself in Bollywood. “After doing “Ab bus”, I am doing another movie “Ada” with a Gladrags model from Jaipur. I am a brand ambassador for many products and I am compering some good shows, too. I started working at the age of 14. I am a workaholic”, she observed about herself. Diana has been doing a lot of charity work also. On the occasion of Rakhi, she visited various stalls of rakhi, put up at leading Malls in the country by some charity organisation. “The money generated would be spent on spastic children”,a noble cause”. The embodiment of spirit of modern woman, spelling class and refinement, Diana said marriage, for the time being was on hold. “I have no marriage plans at this moment. I want a person, who is genuine, honest and does not cheat others”, she said. She felt great to be in the city for the first time and found Ludhianvis to be very sweet, friendly and warm-hearted. She promised to visit again if she was invited again.
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Cong keen on commission for safai workers
Ludhiana, August 19 Indicating this in a seminar on problems of member of Dalit and Valmiki communities, organised jointly by Dr Ambedkar Youth federation and Akhil Bhartiya Valmiki Samaj Vikas Parishad here Wednesday, Mr Dullo said the ruling Congress was aware of the problems of contract system of labour in local bodies, ban on new recruitment, backlog in providing desired reservation to the Scheduled Castes and lack of education and employment opportunities for the children belonging to Dalit community. He said he would take up the matter of setting up a state commission for safai workers with the government at the highest level so that all these issues could be appropriately taken up by the commission and justice be dispensed to the members of weaker and under-privileged sections of society. Mr Dullo admitted that the benefits of scores of welfare schemes initiated by the government were not reaching the targeted beneficiaries. He, however, attributed this gap to the lack of awareness among the poor. The PPCC president, however, maintained that the government was committed to the emancipation and empowerment of Dalit community and the economically weaker sections and several welfare measures like “shagun scheme” and providing free text books and exercise books to the children belonging to the Scheduled Castes, had been launched for this purpose. “The government intended to put such a mechanism in place which would ensure that the deserving persons derived intended benefits from these schemes,” he said. Mr Dullo cautioned the administrative heads of different government departments and other officials to redress the grievances of the poor and Dalits on top priority failing which strict action would be taken against them. He made it clear that any slackness in implementation of different welfare schemes would be considered as dereliction of duty and the guilty officers would have to face the consequences. Mr Chander Shekhar Sahota, president, Dr Ambedkar Youth Federation and Mr Jasbir Johny, president Akhil Bhartiya Valmiki Samaj Parishad, while speaking on the occasion demanded that the government should provide subsidised education in engineering and medical colleges to the students from dalit community. They also called for the restoration of the gazetted holiday on the birthday of Dr Ambedkar and representation to dalits in district-level grievance committees. Mr Harnam Das Johar, Education Minister, Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, both legislators and Dr Harbans Kaur, member, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board, also addressed the function. Among others, Mr Roshan Pala, Mr Parminder Mehta, Mr Jagtar Singh Dhanaula, Mr Ashok Parashar Pappi, Ms Shila Masih, Mr Ashok Sarin, Mr Surinder Gill, Mr Kanwal Kuamr, Mr Sudesh Gharu, Mr Kala Hans, Mr Som Dutt Sahota, Mr Sarbjit Bhatti, Mr Harwinder Gill, Mr Deepak Bittu, Mr Rehman Shah, Mr Janak Raj Bhagat, Mr Ranjit Kala, Mr Rakesh Likhi, Mr Ajay Sharma, Mr Devinder Singh and Mr Rakesh Goldy were present on the occasion.
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Rights body decries Cong role in ’84 riots
Ludhiana, August 19 This decision was taken at a meeting of the senior leaders of the outfit held here today. Those who attended the meeting included Mr D. S. Gill, Prof. Jagmohan Singh, Mr Charan Singh Lohara, Mr Kanwarpal Singh, Mr Satnam Singh (Paonta Sahib) Mr Surinder Pal Singh, Mr Mandhir Singh, Mr Jaspal Singh Dhillon and Mr Rajinder Singh. “Though the Nanavati Commission has exonerated Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao and many other Congress leaders of that time for their role in the massacre of thousands of Sikhs in Delhi, it was necessary to expose their nefarious role,” they observed. The forum said the widely reported remarks of Rajiv Gandhi, when he told Congress workers and the media assembled around the dead body of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, that “when a big tree falls, the earth shakes”, leaves no one in doubt about his involvement in the carnage, they pointed out. The leaders also took PM Manmohan Singh to task for absolving the Congress high command of the anti-Sikh carnage, as they believed that he did so in lieu of the Gandhi family elevating him to the office of the PM. They criticised the political parties which were going to observe the death anniversary of Harchand Singh Longowal who had betrayed the Sikh Nation and the people of Punjab, especially on river waters. Elaborating on their programme, they said the activists of SAD (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Panchayat, Shiromani Khalsa Dal, SAD (1920), Damdami Taksal, Sikh Students Federation, IHRO and PHRO would start their protest march from Gurdwara Sahib, Dugri, towards District Courts, where a rally would be held later in the day.
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Badal never visited terror victims: Dullo
Ludhiana, August 19 Talking to The Tribune he said he stood by his demand for setting up of a commission to inquire into the terrorist killings in the state. Reacting to the remarks by the Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, that the role of Capt Amarinder Singh, who remained in Akali Dal during militancy, will also come under scanner, Mr Dullo asserted, “just being in Akali Dal does not mean that Capt Amarinder was party to everything the other Akalis like Mr Badal did”. Mr Dullo pointed out it was Mr Badal and not Capt Amarinder who used to go to the bhog ceremonies of the slain terrorists. “He (Mr Badal) never visited a terrorist victim and now he is trying to become their champion”, Mr Dullo said. Defending the Chief Minister, he said, “Capt Amarinder would ensure a visit to the terrorist victims and had never been to the bhog ceremony of any of the militants”. The PCC president said, “Nobody can question the nationalism of the Chief Minister”.
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Brahman sabha office-bearers
Ludhiana, August 19 Mr Sanjay Kumar Moudgil (Ludhiana), Ashwani Vaid (Jalandhar), Mr Ashwani Kumar (Pathankot) and Mr Jatinder Sharma (Patiala). While Mr Bans Raj Sharma from the city has been appointed as the finance secretary, The sabha would have seven vice-presidents in Mr. Ashwani Kumar (Phagwara), Mr Harjinder Sharma (Amritsar), Mr Nand Lal Sharma (Patiala), Mr Vishnu Sharma (Patiala), Mr Sanatan Kumar Pathak (Khanna), Mr Om Parkash Sharma (Gurdaspur) and Mr Parshotam Lal Sharma (Pathankot). The post of auditor has gone to Mr Jagan Nath Bhardwaj (Jagraon). The four secretaries and the executive committee members are Mr Som Nath Sharma (Jalandhar), Mr Manmohan Sharma (Ludhiana), Mr Vijay Kumar Sharma (Amritsar) and Mr Hari Chand Sharma (Patiala). Following are the executive members Mr Ravi Shankar Sharma, (Jalandhar), Dr Rita Sharma (Amritsar), Mr T.K. Sharma ( Chandigarh), Mr Rishi Sharma (Chandigarh), Mr Mehar Chand Shastri (Ahmedgarh), Mr Sohan Lal Joshi (Kharar), Mr Satish Pathak and Mr Varinder Dutta (Nawan Shahr), Mr Megh Raj Sharma (Mansa), Mr Kuldeep Sharma , Mr R.P. Sharma and Mr Ved Parkash Sharma.
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DC’s assurance to Baba’s followers
Sihar (Ahmedgarh), August 19 Addressing a meeting of followers of Baba Harnek Singh, Mr Jagdev Singh Andloo, the spokesman for the faction, said Mr Anurag Verma, DC, Ludhiana, had assured them that the administration would not allow anybody to disrupt the peace at and around the Thath. “We had apprised the DC of the situation at the village where some persons who were supporters of the faction led by Baba Mann Singh, were planning to enter the thath. The villagers were made to understand that the civil authorities had transferred the rights of ownership in their name whereas a court at Ludhiana had already stayed day-to-day working by that group,” said Mr Jagdev Singh. The leaders alleged that three sons and a daughter of the founder of the sect had submitted a false affidavit that no stay orders had been passed in connection with a part of property of the thath. On the contrary, Mr Jasbir Singh, Civil Judge, Ludhiana, had stayed them from interfering the day to day working and administration of the thath. Meanwhile, the DC, Ludhiana has declined the application of Baba Mann Singh and his brothers submitted through the Finance Commissioner, Revenue, for the rectification of Zamabandi for 2001-2002. The applicants had asked to change the ownership in the name of deceased Baba Mihan Singh, their father. “As a civil suit is pending in the court of civil judge, no action can be taken at this stage,” read the orders. Mr Kamaljit Singh, husband of the village sarpanch and a senior Congress leader, admitted that there was a rumour that the faction led by Baba Mann Singh would take the possession of the thath property. “But I have no information regarding the reported patronage by any of the state level party leaders as claimed by the leaders of the other faction,” he claimed.
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Rakhi sparks shopping boom
Ludhiana, August 19 The traffic was so heavy today that in certain areas like Model Town, Kochar Market, Mall Road, Domoria Bridge, Civil Lines and Deepak Cinema Road, cars were moving at snail’s pace and the situation was worse near sweet shops. If women were busy selecting rakhis from a variety of rakhis on display and gifts for their brothers ranging from shirts, trousers, watches, wallets, after-shaves and belts brothers too were buying gifts for their sisters. Since each and every function has been commercialised, the market has been flooded with gifts which brothers can give to their sisters. Inder Chawla says, “I want to play safe so I give cash to my sister and she can buy what ever she likes. Many brothers do that as giving money is a safe bet.” Jewellers are doing a rollicking business. Both silver-studded jewellery with semi-precious stones, and diamond jewellery with stones are hot-selling pieces. Deepak, a jeweller in Haibowal, says, “We make all kinds of jewellery to suit different pockets. There are rings priced at Rs 1200 and go up, then small studs and matching pendent are also within the range of quite a lot of people. Earings, bangles studded with zarkons, are very popular. For married girls, if it is their first rakhi after marriage, jewellery piece is heavy.” “Silver jewellery in latest designs is very much in. It can be worn with western outfits. We have bracelets, rings, earrings, pendants and even anklets. Girls like to wear one with their capris,” said Aditya, who deals in silver jewellery . Exotic perfumes in lovely bottles are very much in demand. Stuffed toys for young girls, chocolates etc are available in mind-boggling variety. Designer watches or fancy watches with changeable straps to match every dress are available. Clothes are a universal favorites and the variety is amazing. One can buy western outfits or Indians. It seems the whole city is on sale. So the designer-wear clothes can be had at half its prize. The brothers never had it so good as there is a wide variety of gifts just waiting to be picked and given away. Mukesh says, “I take my sisters’ friends for shopping. They know all the shops and what all is available that my sister likes. Since there are lots of sales, I have been able to buy her many more gifts.” Sonu and Monu, sisters, said since we have no brothers, we tie rakhi to our servants and buy gifts instead.
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