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Rescued youths’ tales of woe in Malaysia
Ludhiana, December 19
Hundreds of Indian workers, especially from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, are being forced to work under
life-threatening conditions in various
chemical-manufacturing units in Malaysia, alleged four Punjabi youths who were rescued from a chemical factory in Malaysia, where they were allegedly made to work like bonded labourers.

(From left) Charanjit Singh, Karnail Singh, Parmod Kumar and Surinder Singh, who were rescued from Malaysia in Ludhiana on Monday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

Homeless, they are out in the cold

Ludhiana, December 19 Night temperatures stay below 4 degree C and there are thousands of migrants and poor people who are houseless and homeless in the city. These people due to such force of circumstances have to sleep on pavements in the extreme cold weather. While lucky people are under quilts and sleep snugly in their beds. Migrants brave low temperature while sleeping on pavements in different parts of Ludhiana on Monday. — Tribune photo by Sayeed Ahmed

Regeneration scheme for traditional industries
Ludhiana, December 19
Viewing the potential of growth in production and export by traditional industry, the government has launched Centre Sponsored Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries under which clusters based upon around 500 beneficiaries would be set up in different areas.

PAU refused permission to sign MoU with Pak varsity
Ludhiana, December 19
The Union Government has refused to allow Punjab Agricultural University to sign a memorandum of understanding with the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan due to security reasons. However, the Union Government has permitted PAU to have exchange of non-sensitive teaching materials and other related literature.

Ex-teachers allege harassment in getting dues
Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 19
Accusing the staff at the local Block Primary Education Office of harassing them in getting their post-retirement dues, a number of retired teachers have urged the higher authorities, including the Education Minister, to institute an inquiry and take stern action against the erring employees.

• College staff body withdraws protest call

COMMUNITY

Parcel mafia rules the roost Ludhiana, December 19 The notorious parcel mafia of the city, which specialises in getting illegal hosiery parcels booked at the local railway station for various destinations throughout the country, continues to rule the roost. Efforts by the Excise and Taxation Department to curb the activities of this mafia have failed miserably, as a result of which strong mafia, which enjoys protection of a city-based Congress leader and connivance of railway and police officials, is thriving under the very nose of the administration. Barricades put up at the old Lakkar bridge site to discourage vehicles carrying “illegal” parcels for booking at the Ludhiana railway station. — Tribune photo by Sayeed Ahmed

Akalis protest against hike in water, sewerage charges
Ludhiana, December 19
Protesting against hike in sewerage and water charges and house tax, some Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and councillors staged a dharna in front of the Zone-D office of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation today.

Dullo honoured
Khanna, December 19
Mr Sahmsher Singh Dullo, president of the Punajb Pradesh Congress Committee, was honoured at Rotary Bhavan on Sunday by Block Congress Committee Khanna. Dullo was honoured by three known religious personalities of the area, Peer Gobind Nath of Kurukshetra, Swami Sachida Nand of Gaunci Di Khuhi, and Swami Matang Muni of Tukrianwala Mandir.

Prof Kapoor backs SGPC chief’s stand
Ludhiana, December 19
Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, former Pro-Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University and President, Master Tara Singh Institute of Studies in Contemporary Sikh Politics, said here today that he welcomed the statement of Mr Avtar Singh Makker, president of the SGPC, advising Mr Joginder Singh, Editor, spokesman, to not to drag the institution of Akal Takht and the Jathedar of the Akal Takht to courts.

Parking lots auctioned
Ludhiana, December 19
The parking lots in Feroze Gandhi Market were finally auctioned for Rs 40 lakh with the final bidder, Mr Tarlochan Singh Safri, getting the contract here today. There were seven bidders in the auction and the lots finally went to Mr Safri. The reserve price fixed for the lots was Rs 32 lakh.

CRIME

Booked for assault
Jagraon, December 19
Kuldip Kumar, Surpal Singh, Udham Singh, Ramdip Singh and Hardev Singh were booked for assaulting Balwinder Kumar of Jagraon. The injured has been admitted to the Civil Hospital.

AGRICULTURE

Eradicate weeds manually, says expert
Ludhiana, December 19
The Directorate of Wheat Research and Development, Government of India, today organised a training programme at PAU for scientists working at Kisan Call Centres. The Director of Extension Education, Dr S.S. Gill, who addressed the scientists, said weedicides not only polluted the environment but also increased agricultural cost.

EDUCATION

Christmas fervour in schools Ludhiana, December 19 Bishop Joel V. Mel of Saint Thomas School and St Thomas Education Research Society was facilitated by the staff and students of the school at a Christmas function held here today. As moderator of the Church of North India, he gave away prizes to meritorious students for the year 2004-05. Santa Claus distributes sweets to students of St Thomas School at a Christmas function on Monday. — Photo by I.V.

200 students take part in contests
Ludhiana, December 19
The Punjab Pollution Control Board organised essay writing, declamation and painting competitions in Sacred Heart Convent School, Urban Estate, Sector 39, here yesterday.

Free education for kids in slums
Ludhiana, December 19
Education Minister Harnam Dass Johar today informed that the under Sarb Sikhya Abhiyan all children falling in the 4-14 age group who were not attending schools would be provided basic education free of cost by setting up schools in the slum areas.

PAU to hold workshop on fisheries
Ludhiana, December 19
Fish farming in Punjab is becoming popular as a number of farmers have adopted fish farming as a subsidiary occupation. The steadily increasing demand for fish and meat products in the world offers great scope for fish farming.

Cultural show by special children
Ludhiana, December 19 Bharat Vikas Parishad, Dr Kitchlu Nagar Branch, Ludhiana, in association with ‘Geetanjali Club,’ Ludhiana, organised a ‘cultural programme by special children’ here today at Geetanjali Club, Humbran Road. Students of the School for the Deaf and Dumb in a happy mood after presenting a cultural show at Gitanjali Club in Ludhiana on Monday. — A Tribune photograph

Education, health facilities free in Sri Lanka
Ludhiana, December 19
Educational and health facilities are free in Sri Lanka and the literacy rate is 97 per cent both for males and females. This was stated today by Dr Livtar Singh Chawla, National President of the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development on his return from Sri Lanka.

Inter-school quiz contest
Ludhiana, December 19
BCM Senior Secondary School organised the first Inter School Aryan Quiz Contest today. Mr Satyanand Munjal was the chief guest. He was accorded a warm welcome by the Principal, Mr S.D.Kalia and others. A total of 14 teams participated in the contest.

Health staff vow to fight privatisation
Ludhiana, December 19
The fifth delegate session of the coordination committee of para-medical and health employees, Punjab, has resolved to continue its struggle against policies of privatisation of health care and government health institutions, contractual recruitment and seek other demands like increase in interest on provident fund, creation of promotion channels and adequate supply of medicines and equipment to government hospitals.

Aiimsonians to form Punjab chapter
Ludhiana, December 19
The Alumni Association of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, known as Aiimsonians, is all set to form its Punjab chapter soon. Dr Gautam Ahluwalia, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, is coordinating the formation of the Punjab chapter which will have its meeting here next month.