Govt will discipline erring institutions: Bhattal
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 24
The Deputy Chief Minister, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, today expressed the state government's plan to 'discipline' the erring technical institutions in Punjab, while announcing that exploitation of the students would not be tolerated.

Addressing the annual sports and cultural function of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha Ayurvedic College at Sarabha village, about 25 km from here, she said it would be ensured that the institutions imparting technical and professional education fulfilled all norms and necessary infrastructure and other facilities were made available to students.

Ms Bhattal, who also holds the portfolio of medical education, maintained that government was keeping a close watch on such institutions that were circumventing the laws with the collusion of certain corrupt elements. "No body should have any misgiving about it. The government is committed to provide quality education and surprise checks might be conducted at random to make the institutions fall in line with the government directions."

The minister pointed out that with the liberalisation of economy and improved level of professional education available in the state, the Punjabi youth could carve a place for themselves in the huge number of job opportunities in the IT and other technology sectors all over the world. However, to enable them to face the global challenges, the young professionals had to achieve professional excellence and work hard with focused attention.

Paying tributes to martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha, she said he was one of the youngest martyrs of the freedom movement and was known as ideologue for his contemporary revolutionaries and inspired thousands of youth through his writings.

Ms Bhattal later inaugurated the new girls hostel in the college and announced a grant of Rs 3 lakh for the development of village as a 'model village'.

Among others, Mr Jagpal Singh Khangura and Mr Avtar Singh addressed the function, while, Mr Harmohinder Singh, president, DCC (rural), Mr Paramjit Singh Ghawaddi and Mr Parminder Singh Latala were also present at the function.

From Schools
Students decorate diyas at contest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 24
Competitions in making greeting cards and decoration of diyas were held at Baba Isher Singh (N) Senior Secondary School here today. These were classified in three different groups: IV and V Class, VI and VII Class IX and XI Class Students of these classes displayed their skill by making beautiful greeting cards and decorating diyas in different colours and designs.

The results of diya making competitions are as follows: Category IV & V Standard — Anmolpreet Kaur (first), Manpreet Kaur (Second), Harnoor Kaur (third), and Amanpreet Kaur (Consolation) (VI and VII standard) Gurleen Kaur (first), Gursimran Kaur (second), Gurpreet Kaur (third), and Kirandeep Kaur (Consolation) (IX and XI standard) Navdeep Singh (first), Pushpinder Kaur (second), Avneet Kaur (third), and Sanana (Consolation) Greetings card competition winners were: IV and V — Palky, (first) 1, Jagjit Singh (second) 2, Agamdeep Singh (third) and Harsang Preet and Pushkar (consolation) VI and VII — Guleen Kaur (first), Gurpinder Singh (second) 2, Rashmeen Kaur (third), 3, Gurmanjot Kaur (consolation) IX and XI — Pushpinder Kaur (first), Vikramjeet Singh, (second), Kirtipreet Kaur (third).

Annual function of Shastri school

A colourful cultural programme was presented by students of Lal Bhadur Shastri Public High School here yesterday. The function started with a welcome song which was appreciated a lot by the guests. The students presented bhartnatyam, bhangra, gidda and folk dances.

The principal, Mr Ram Ratan, read out the annual report and around 200 students were given awards for their excellent performance in academics. The chief guest, Mr Vijay Kumar, praised the school for giving cent percent results.

The school had collected Rs 11,000 for the victims of earthquake and their action was appreciated by Mr Vijay Kumar as many as 51 blankets were also donated for Shaheed Parivar Fund. 

Stress laid on reading habits
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 24
Book week was celebrated at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School with fervour and enthusiasm. Various activities were organised to enhance the literary skills of the students. The primary section students made beautiful illustrative book jackets and folders. Quiz programmes and skits were also organised.

The secondary and senior secondary section students observed the Book Week in an innovative and educative manner. Various competitions such as extempore speech, show and tell, story narration and creative writing were conducted. English elocution contest was the highlight of the programmes.

Throughout the week, stress was laid on the importance of reading and the entire school, students, staff and even the workers put away everything and read for half an hour.

COURTS

Preparations for lok adalat reviewed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 24
Mr Justice H.S. Bedi, Executive Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority, today, claimed that though the concept of lok-adalat is gaining momentum day by day, still a lot is required to be done to provide speedy justice to the litigants.

He asked the Judicial Officers to persuade the litigants to resolve their disputes through lok-adalats, as it would save their precious time, energy and money also. He stressed upon the need to create more awareness among the masses about this beneficial concept. He appealed to the lawyers and social organisations to play more active role in settling cases through lok-adalats.

Justice Bedi was addressing a meeting of top administrative, judicial and police officials to review the preparations for the state level lok-adalat scheduled to be held in Ludhiana on November 26 for settling criminal compoundable cases.

Mr R.L. Kalsia, Secretary, Social Security Department, Punjab, disclosed that over 6,600 cases involving disputes relating to children and women were pending in the courts. He stressed upon the need to organise a special lok-adalat for resolving such cases also.

Earlier, Justice Bedi was accorded a warm welcome by the District and Sessions Judge, Mr Harbans Lal, Additional Sessions Judges, Mr S.P. Bangarh, Mr Sanjeev Berry, Mr Satvinder Singh, Mr S.S. Dhaliwal, Secretary of the District. Legal Services Authority, Mr H.P.S. Mahal; Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority and judicial officers. 

HEALTH

Nurses elect office-bearers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 24
The civil hospital unit of the Punjab Government Nurses Association held a general body meeting here yesterday, in which new office-bearers were elected for a term of five years.

According to a press note issued by the association, Ms Raj Mohini and Ms Darshana Sharma were elected president and general secretary of the association, respectively. The office-bearers are Ms Parveen Kahlon — vice-president, Ms Jameela — joint secretary, Ms Indu Bala — treasurer, Ms Ramanjeet Kaur — press secretary, Ms Motia — organising secretary. Ms Easter Rani Gill, Ms Veer Pal and Ms Surinder Pal were elected members of the executive committee.

Ms Paramjit Kaur Litt, member of the state committee, who presided over the meeting, emphasised that the proposed reorganisation of the Punjab Nurses Registration Council should have representatives of the nurses only and should not be dominated by other medical professionals.

The nurses also raised other demands like restoration of the pay scale of Rs 5800, reservation of sea green colour exclusively for government nurses.

SPORTS

Saraswati school players excel in kick-boxing meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 24
Hosts Saraswati Modern School, Rajpura Road, won five gold, six silver and five bronze medals in the inaugural Ludhiana District Kick Boxing Championship held yesterday.

As many as 95 participants took part in this one-day meet. Mr Mohinder Kumar Chopra, president of the District Kick Boxing Association, gave cash prize worth Rs 1,000 each to Vidhu and Dishu, students of Class V of the Saraswati Modern School who gave a sterling performance.

Results: (boys) (Under-12 years and below 32 kg) — Nikhil (first); Manish Verma (second) and Vidhu (third).

32-36 kg — Jatin (first); Dishu Dewan (second) and Pritpal Singh (third). 36-40 kg — Tarun Sharma (first); Raghav Kochhar (second); and Manav Puri (third). 40-45 kg — Guddu Verma (first); Jaspreet (second); and Sahil Dutta (third). Above 45 kg — Padam Bali (first); Ankush (second); and Amit Bisht (third).

Boys (u-16 years) below 45 kg — Harsimran Singh (first); Surinder Kumar (second); and Sahil Sharma (third). 46-48 kg — Deepak Singh (first); Rohan (second); and Kuljeet Singh (third). 49-53 kg — Danish (first); Nikhil (second); and Amit Kumar (third). 54-56 kg — Karan Sharma (first); Krishandeep Puri (second); and Varun Malhotra (third). 57-60 kg — Gopal Singh (first) and Rahul Arora (second).

Boys (u-18 years) below 45 kg — Ravinder Singh (first); Gulab Singh (second); 46-49 kg — Umesh Kumar (first); Mukesh (second); 50-53 kg — Rajiv Kumar (first); Vicky (second); and Deepak Kumar (third). 54-57 kg — Harjit (first); Raj Kumar (second); and Sahil Puri (third). 58-61 kg — Gurwinder Singh (first); Ganesh Kumar (second); 61-64 kg — Manoj Gupta (first); Mandeep (second); and Resham Singh (third). Above 64 kg — Vikrant (first); and Nimish (second).

Senior boys-below 45 kg — Naushad (first); Joginder Singh (second); and Manish Sehgal (third). 46-49 kg — Beer Pal (first); Salesh (second); and Jatinder (third). 50-53 kg — Laxman (first); Vinay (second); and Manjeet (third). 54-57 kg — Sunil Kumar (first); Vishal Kumar (second); and Sahil Kumar (third). 58-61 kg — Kaman Madaan (first); Mukesh Kumar (second); and Mohinder Singh (third). above 62 kg — Deepak Thakur (first); Vishal (second); and Gurdeep Singh (third).

Girls u-12 years — Kirandeep (first); and Sukhmeet Sandhu (second). U-16 years 30-33 kg — Sonia (first). 40-42 kg — Nisha (first); Priyanka (second). Above 60 kg — Saloni (first); and Kanika Kataria (second). Senior Girls Rajni (first); Navi (second); and Parveen (third). 

MPS women's hockey meet from Oct 27
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, October 24
As many as 16 major teams of the country have confirmed their participation in the IXth All-India Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Memorial Women’s Hockey Tournament to be held here at the Prithipal Singh Stadium, Punjab Agricultural University from October 27 to 31.

According to Mr D.S Grewal, working president, MPSG Memorial Charitable Trust, the teams include last year’s champions Northern Railway (Delhi) besides Central Railway, Mumbai, North Eastern Railway, Gorakhpur, South Eastern Railway, Kolkata, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Jharkhand XI, Orissa XI, Air India, Mumbai, Punjab XI, Pepsu XI, SAI, Chandigarh, Delhi XI, Ludhiana XI, Haryana XI and one team consisting of players from Ludhiana district.

Meanwhile, the Indian Women Hockey Federation has appointed Ms Saroj Bansal as tournament director and Pritpal Kohli, Sharnjit Kaur and Arunjit Kaur will be judges for the tournament.

Madhu Yadav, Suman Lata, Bimla Kujur, Asrita Lakra and Shamshad Begum have been appointed umpires for this tournament.

The winners and runners-up will be given cash prizes and trophies while best goalkeeper, best full back, best half back and the best player of the tournament will also be given prizes.

Doordarshan will telecast the live coverage of the final match on October 31 from 2 pm onwards, Mr Grewal added.