J A L A N D H A R

Punjab lags behind in NGO movement: Expert
Phagwara, May 28
Charity begins at home, but how long can it sustain without the outside endorsement. There are around 3,000 registered NGOs in Punjab, but only a few have taken initiatives to get the Central government aid, besides support from other agencies providing financial assistance for community services, Dr A.S. Nagpal, the Punjab state President of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI), said this during his visit to the town some days back.

‘Kaanta laga girl’ bowled over by Punjabi hospitality

Jalandhar, May 28 Oozing sensuality, loads of attitude and no-holds-barred confidence, Shefali Zariwala, the “kaanta laga girl” who shot into limelight with her hot, sizzling remixes, feels that Mumbai has ample space for talent, irrespective of all that hype about the “casting couch”. Shefali Zariwala talks to mediapersons in Jalandhar on Saturday. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

Missing taxi driver found dead
Phagwara, May 28
The Phagwara police today claimed to have solved the murder of a taxi driver, who had been missing since February 19, when the family members of the deceased identified his shoes and clothes.

Teachers demand regularisation
Jalandhar, May 28
Members of the Computer Teachers’ Union today demanded regularisation with proper pay scales in government schools. The district presidents of the union today said the government had hired them on contract basis at meagre salaries.

Punjab lags behind in NGO movement: Expert
Anil Jerath
Tribune News Service

Phagwara, May 28
Charity begins at home, but how long can it sustain without the outside endorsement. There are around 3,000 registered NGOs in Punjab, but only a few have taken initiatives to get the Central government aid, besides support from other agencies providing financial assistance for community services, Dr A.S. Nagpal, the Punjab state President of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI), said this during his visit to the town some days back.

He said a majority of the NGOs were small organisations with few members, who have come together for a specific cause. “They can spare only some part of their time and money for this purpose and are hence unable to leave much impact on society,” Nagpal said. “It is a matter of concern that our NGOs are not showing interest in running their organisations in a professional manner by getting help from potential sources unlike their counterparts in the southern region, where the NGOs have changed the rural scenario with the help of government aid and potential sources.

Nagpal said Punjabis had the tradition of serving the society following the path shown by Bhai Ghanayaji, the one-man NGO, working for those injured in wars even before the concept of Red Cross was born.

“Volunteerism and charity is something the Punjabis are famous for, but somehow it is not being channelised in an organised manner”.

Nagpal said that unlike other states, the NGO movement has not picked up in Punjab.

“While other states do rely on government aid and endorsement from time to time, Punjab somehow has failed to do so,” he added.

“In several states, there are standing committees of government representatives and NGOs, which meet regularly to review the development schemes.”

He disclosed that the CNRI had written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister to form such a committee. Talking about the role of NGOs in the present set up, the CNRI State President said more than 50 per cent of the works were being done by NGOs in health section that, too, by organising free camps, running charitable hospitals, giving free medicines, artificial limbs et al.

‘Kaanta laga girl’ bowled over by Punjabi hospitality
Minna Zutshi
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 28
Oozing sensuality, loads of attitude and no-holds-barred confidence, Shefali Zariwala, the “kaanta laga girl” who shot into limelight with her hot, sizzling remixes, feels that Mumbai has ample space for talent, irrespective of all that hype about the “casting couch”.

In Jalandhar Cantonment for “Yaara Nach Le Live” that was organised at the Katoch Stadium here, this girl with a degree in computer engineering, wowed the audience with her chutzpah and charm.

Remixes may make puritans cringe, but for Shefali they are the staple food. “I would always be partial to the “kaanta laga” song, for it was this remix that changed the whole course of my life,” she pouts.

She says the showbiz just “happened” to her. She did not have even the slightest inkling that a video album that came her way by sheer chance would catapult her to fame. “I was at my geeky best when approached for “kaanta laga”. Surprisingly, the director found my face to be just right for the album. And I found my foothold in the glamour world,” she sallies, adding that her father, a CA, is her most honest critic. It’s not just the oomph factor that’s important in the showbiz, says Shefali. “Right team, right time and hard work are equally, if not more, important,” she avers. In fact, she considers her ability to “work hard” as her best asset.

Talking about her “less is more” philosophy, she says that she does not like to take up work just for the sake of it. The work should be sufficiently interesting and exciting. “There’s no point in lapping up assignments that are not worth a second thought,” she remarks. Interestingly, she finds Punjabi food immensely delectable. “If Punjabi food tickles your taste buds, Punjabi hospitality warms the cockles of your heart. And the combination of the two is simply overwhelming,” she signs off.

Missing taxi driver found dead
Tribune News Service

Phagwara, May 28
The Phagwara police today claimed to have solved the murder of a taxi driver, who had been missing since February 19, when the family members of the deceased identified his shoes and clothes.

The victim, Ranjit Singh, a resident of Bhagatpura locality in Phagwara, was reportedly abducted by some persons who hired the taxi on pretext of going to Chintpurni on February 19.

As per police sources, the abductors used the same taxi in a robbery in Centurion Bank of Punjab on March 1 at Jalandhar which was later found abandoned in Jalandhar.

When Ranjit Singh did not return to his home, the family members lodged a complaint of his missing with the Phagwara police.

“We got a message from the Himachal police that a decomposed body of a man was found from near Gagret in Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Pradesh Police, who could not identify the person, kept the clothes and shoes of the deceased with them. Later, the police sent the body for post-mortem and performed last rites,” the Phagwara ASP, Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, said. “We are at work to nab the abductors, who also committed the bank robbery later,” the ASP added.

Teachers demand regularisation

Jalandhar, May 28
Members of the Computer Teachers’ Union today demanded regularisation with proper pay scales in government schools. The district presidents of the union today said the government had hired them on contract basis at meagre salaries.

They rued that despite being qualified with masters degrees in technology and computer applications, they were not being given right salaries and instead were being overburdened, even with clerical work.

The teachers also complained that they were required to take medical leave without any pay. “We cannot not even fall sick,” Mr Gurpreet Singh, president of the union, said.

The teachers’ union, which had till now been holding district rallies, threatened to intensify their stir. — TNS