L U D H I A N A

Top stories | Community | Crime | Agriculture

Education | Courts | Sports

TOP STORIES

Rs 1.5 cr ST evasion detected
Ludhiana, January 3
The Excise and Taxation Department here has come across unaccounted business transactions worth Rs 13 crore involving sales tax evasion of nearly Rs 1.5 cr from an oil trader at Mandi Mullanpur in this district.

Thousands take part in nagar kirtan
Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 3
Thousands of devotees from the town and surrounding villages participated in a 'nagar kirtan' organised by Sikh religious organisations today in various parts of the town.

Panj Pyaras lead a religious procession in connection with Guru Gobind Singh's birthday in Mandi Ahmedgarh on Tuesday. — Photo by Mahesh Sharma

Union members vote for decision on strike Ludhiana, January 3 In an action much unlike unions, a railway employees’ union here has resorted to secret voting to decide whether it should go in for a strike. The All-India Railway Mens Federation opted for a “democratic way” instead of imposing the decision. Railway employees cast their ballots in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — Photo by I.V.

2 fires in city, loss put at Rs 80 lakh Ludhiana, January 3 Property, tyres and alloy wheels worth Rs 70 lakh were gutted in a major fire that broke out at R.K. Tyre Company in Cheema Chowk here today. At around 12.30 pm, the four-storeyed building caught fire and all goods, including expensive alloy wheels, melted and were reduced to ashes. Firemen fight the flames at a tyre company in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — A Tribune photograph

Industry seeks protection
Ludhiana, January 3
Expressing concern over the rising incidents of theft and dacoity in factories, the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association has demanded security from the administration. "An atmosphere of fear is prevailing among industrialists due to the rise in theft.

Three youths beaten up
Ludhiana, January 3
Showing scant respect for law, three youths were beaten up by some groups in broad daylight at different places in the city today. Hinting the return of "gang war" at Shahi Mohalla, Ajay Kumar was beaten up by a group of youths armed with rods and sharp-edged weapons when he was passing through a market with a relative.

COMMUNITY

Freedom fighter’s son sees govt apathy over statue

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 3 Criticising successive governments for their “indifferent attitude” towards freedom fighters, Mr Devki Nandan Sharma, son of Devi Dyal of Lohatbaddi, a freedom fighter, has once again pursued the case for installing a statue of his father at one of the chowks in the town. Mr Jatinder Bhola, president of the Ahmedgarh Municipal Council, listens to the grievances of a dependant of a freedom fighter. — Photo by the writer

With a dip in mercury, workers gather around a fire to keep themselves warm in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — Photo by I.V.

Akali Dal launches poll campaign
Ludhiana, January 3
The Shiromani Akali Dal yesterday launched its election campaign for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections in 2007 from Raikot Vidhan Sabha segment represented by Mr Ranjit Singh Talwandi.

Awareness forum hails MPs’ expulsion
Ludhiana, January 3
The peoples awareness forum, an NGO, today hailed the expulsion of 11 members of parliament for their alleged involvement in the cash for questions scam.

Sutluj Club fire loss put at Rs 4 lakh
Ludhiana, January 3
While mystery still shrouds the cause of the fire that broke out in the sauna bath section of the Sutluj Club last night, the damage to property has been estimated at over Rs 4 lakh.

Telecom staff protest continues
Ludhiana, January 3
The indefinite fast by the district secretary of the National Federation of Telecom Employees, Mr Mohinder Parshad, against the alleged vindictive attitude of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited administration continued for the second day here today even as the General Manager of Ludhiana Telecom termed the agitation as unwarranted and unlawful.

Rally by Class IV staff on Jan 25
Ludhiana, January 3
The Class IV Government Employees and Workers Union has decided to intensify its agitation in support of their demands by staging a district-level dharna at Civil Surgeon office here on January 25.

Rotarians celebrate New Year
Ludhiana, January 3
Rotarians celebrated New Year with a cultural programme presented by student artistes from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. They started with their humourous presentation “Bhaji da Viah” (marriage of cricketer Harbajan Singh) giving the audience peals of laughter.

Singing semifinals held Ludhiana, January 3 The semifinals of a competition to find melodious voices among budding singers was held here today under the presidentship of Mr Ravinandan Sharma. The competition was organised by the Kishore Memorial Society. A singer performs during a competition in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — Photo by I.V.

CRIME

Cyclist killed in mishap
Jagraon, January 3
A cyclist was killed when a car and a three-wheeler hit his cycle. The police has registered a case under Sections 304-A, 279, 337, 338 and 423, IPC. Rakesh Kumar of Jodha was going on his cycle when a car and a three-wheeler hit the cycle. He was crushed to death.

AGRICULTURE

New help desk for farmers at PAU gate
Ludhiana, January 3
Punjab Agricultural University will establish an enquiry-cum-help desk at gate No. 2 for visiting farmers and other persons who come to the university. This was stated by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, during a meeting with Deans and Directors of the university today.

PAU to provide disease-free kinnow plants to farmers
Ludhiana, January 3
Punjab Agricultural University will provide disease-free kinnow plants to orchardists of the state, according to Dr S.S.Gill, Director of Extension Education. Talking with Ludhiana Tribune today, he said money would shortly be available to the state under the National Horticulture Mission to spruce up and strengthen horticultural nurseries.

PAU to develop model farms at KVKs
Ludhiana, January 3
All the 15 Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in different parts of the state will be developed as “model farms”. Farm technologies developed by the university scientists will be applied in these farms to show farmers successful ways of farming.

EDUCATION

Send kids to school, Johar urges slum-dwellers
Ludhiana, January 3
Education Minister Harnam Dass Johar has said the state government has chalked out a plan for the uplift of Scheduled Castes and weaker sections of society. A Dedicated Social Security Fund of Rs 450 crore has been set up to ensure regular and timely pension/financial assistance to 10,07,386 beneficiaries.

Private schools’ plea on centres
Ludhiana, January 3
To accommodate students appearing in the 8th, 10th and 12th standard examinations, respectively, the Association of Private Schools, here, has asked the Education Minister, Punjab, to allot them centre near their respective schools.

2-day dental workshop begins Ludhiana, January 3 To create awareness about dental care and hygiene, the NSS unit of the D D Jain Memorial College for Women under the guidance of Ms Ratika Gupta and Ms Seema Soni is organising a two-day dental care workshop, which began here today.
Students of DD Jain College being apprised of oral hygiene in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — Photo by I.V.

COURTS

Lawyers celebrate Dhanda’s election as Bar chief Ludhiana, January 3 Jubilation and celebrations marked the unanimous election of local advocate Harish Rai Dhanda as chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, held in Chandigarh today. Dhanda is the second advocate from the city to occupy the post after more than 20 years.
Ms Vijay Rai, wife of Mr Harish Dhanda, newly elected chairman of the Bar Council, Punjab and Haryana, being offered sweets by her father-in-law, Mr Kulbhushan Rai, in Ludhiana on Tuesday. — Photo by Inderjit Verma

SPORTS

United Cricket Club enter quarterfinals
Ludhiana, January 3
The United Cricket Club recorded an 11-run win over the Unique Club to advance into the last eight stage of the inaugural edition of the Twenty-Twenty Ludhiana District Cricket Championship being held here on the Bharat Box Factory ground, Tajpur Road.

Cycling meet on Jan 5
Ludhiana, January 3
The Ludhiana District Cycling Association will organise the Ludhiana District Open Cycling Championship here at the Punjab Agricultural University velodrome  on  January 5.