 |
|
|
Big screen bonanza for football fans
The favourite
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Forum restrains cable
operators from hike
NIT placed 18th among engineering institutes
Princely town of snacks
Taking summer by caps
Water
tanks — decorations top houses
Entrance symbols of status
Magic of flowers
Young World
Dr Sucharita new member of Punjab Arts Council
|
|
Big screen bonanza for football fans
Big screen, the big games and an even bigger beer mug in hand is the combination the sports lovers in Jalandhar are ready with during this season of football World Cup mania. The growing interest in the game of pace is evident as the city pubs, restaurants and hotels are busy installing big television screens to make the game available for the fans. So, the change the city would witness would be in the daily routine of these fans who are likely to wake up in the night and sleep through the day. Not to be missed is the sports capital’s contribution to the Football World Cup itself. The city has exported promotional balls manufactured here worth crores of rupees to the cities holding the sporting extravaganza. The Football Clubs and centers like the nearby Mahalpur stand witness to the rich and ever growing interest in the game. The season has also seen a rise in the orders for football. The game has taken the fancy of even hockey Olympians like Sanjiv Kumar, who say that the month has been an off season for hockey. Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, where the hockey players used to do practice in the mornings since some days back, has now become a centre for football lovers. Olympian Baljit Dhillon shares the same passion, he and his brother Daljit Dhillon play the game at the PAP grounds. The nearby Mahalpur has also become a venue for football activity this month. Head of the Department at the Khalsa College and a footballer himself, Jaspal Singh says like the last year, the city will once again bring the excitement of watching the big game on the big television screen in the city’s popular pub “Glassy Junction”. The fever is going to pour onto many such screens being put up in major hotels like Lilly and Radisson, he adds. “While last time, we had to make efforts for making available a channel telecasting the games, this time things are easier as the game would be broadcast by the channels,” he says. The change would be in the thinning of crowds during the day, as the football fans will snore through the day to watch the game in the night. As for Jaspal Singh, who says “I am going on a leave to sleep in the day with my mobile switched off and watch the game in the night.” He says he has not missed a single major football event since the year 1987 and this is his sixth World Cup. On the football fever prevailing in the city, he says it is football conversation all around, as even the league matches do not incite such responses. Certainly, the sale of footballs doubles as the month of June is an off-season for other sports and also because the 90-minute game of pulsating rhythm has taken over other games. The Arjuna awardee for Indian Football Captain, Inder Singh, working with the JCT Mills, Phagwara, says the workers of the mills are on long leave, so they can watch the games. The player who inaugurated a big screen worth Rs 2 lakh in Ludhiana for the World Cup some days back, says the Mill has installed TVs in every common room for the workers. Gurinder Gill whose visit to Germany to watch the world had to be cancelled despite all clearances on account of family responsibility, says the Prime Minister has invited Football greats from the country to participate in a special programme on Doordarshan. Besides him, three other persons who are invited are Sukhwinder Singh, Inder Singh, and Parminder Singh. The Indian Football Association president, Priya Ranjan Das Munshi, would watch the Germany vs Costa Rica game with the footballers in Delhi on the first day. Rise in football production The export orders from the city to send promotional footballs to the FIFA World Cup in Germany led to the production figures touching crores in number, throwing the football manufacturing industry in an upbeat mode. The city has registered 30 per cent increase in production figures, with at least a lakh of footballs being manufactured in the city every day over the past few months as compared to a usual production of 35,000, according to Sports Goods Promotional Council sources.
|
|
The favourite
About the competition to his favourite, he says he can comment only after watching a few matches of the World Cup. The team has achieved huge successes in the game and my admiration for the team is its fair play and the zeal to perform. “I like all the players of the team and their game is admirable.”
|
|
Forum restrains cable
operators from hike
The District Consumer Disputes’ Redressal Forum has issued a notice to the Jalandhar Citi Cable and Win Cable restraining them from disconnecting the television cable transmission connection and charging the increased monthly subscription rate of Rs 300 from the members of Vasant Vihar Housing Building Cooperative Society till further orders.
A complaint in this regard had been filed by Mr B.N. Sharma, secretary of the society, who had said that the charges had been raised by the cable operators from Rs 100 to Rs 300 and the members were warned that in case the enhanced payment was not made, their connections would be snapped. In his complaint, Mr Sharma had said that the charges had been enhanced from June 1, 2006, and subscriber residents of the society approached him for intervention. He said that executive members of the society had met the cable operators who refused to budge without specifying the reasons for the enhancement of charges. Mr Sharma said that the members had been making regular payments and such an act on the part of cable operators amounted to “unfair trade practice”. He has asked the operators to make a compensation of Rs 50,000 for causing harassment and inconvenience, besides Rs 5,500 as litigation expenses. After giving a hearing to the complaints, the forum represented by Mr M.M. Bhalla, President, Ms Rakesh Kumari and Mr Surinder Mittal, both members of the forum, passed orders for the registration of the complaint and issued notices to cable operators. Meanwhile in another case, the forum imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on MRF Ltd for wrong repudiation and deficiency in service. Mr Brij Mohan, a resident of the RCF, had filed a case against District Manager, MRF Ltd, Jalandhar and M/s Chadha Tyres, Jalandhar, as radial tyre of his vehicle was badly burst due to manufacturing defect. In his complaint, Mr Mohan alleged that the MRF Ltd did not pay heed to his complaint, even as the defective tyre was deposited in its office on June 14, 2003. Mr M.M. Bhalla, the president of the forum, in his decision said that the defective tyre was with the accused and they did not produce it before the forum. This clearly indicated that the accused were deficient in rendering its service, he added. He ordered that the complainant be awarded with Rs 5000 in all, including the price of the tyre and the costs and compensation for wrong repudiation, by the company.
|
|
NIT placed 18th among engineering institutes
In a recent survey conducted by a team of the AC NIELSON-ORG-MARG that has appeared in the last week issue of India Today, Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, has ranked fourth among 20 NITs and 18th among all engineering institutes in the country including IITs.
Dr Moin Uddin, Director of the institute, held a press conference in this regard here on Thursday in the campus. He said that he felt proud as the NIT, Jalandhar, was the youngest among all the NITs and had achieved that credit in a shorter span compared to other institutes who had been there for over 40 years. He said that the institute had plans for further expansion by increasing seats manifolds this time by adding a number of new courses, strengthening academician-industry tie-ups, foreign tie-ups for faculty and student exchange, and consultancy. Talking about the survey, he said that it was based on seven vital parameters such as curriculum, quality of academic input, student care, admission procedure, infrastructure, job prospectus and placements. He claimed that the value of overall infrastructure available with the institute was over Rs 480 million, with Rs 140 million for equipment alone. Dr Moin Uddin said that the NIT had received a grant to the tune of Rs 20.79 crore from the World Bank under Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) last year.
|
|
Princely town of snacks
The snack bars attract youngsters and evening strollers with ice creams, cold drinks, ‘aloo tikki’, ‘pav bhaji’ and ‘gol gappas’. The rehris on the Sultanpur Lodhi road are a favourite with all. One can relish a ‘masala dosa’ for Rs 10, while pizza is available for Rs 20. One can savour ‘pav baji’ in front of the Jagatjit Cinema by shelling out Rs 13 only. The vendors here also provide ‘chat’, burgers, ‘kulfi’, ‘faluda’, and several non-vegetarian dishes at economical prices. The shops and rehris on the Kachehri Chowk offer butter-soaked ‘Amritsari naan’ with ‘chanas’, which make your mouth water. Though Nayyar Sweets in Dana Mandi is famous for its ‘chana bhatura’, the Oberoi Special at the Red Cross market had been successful in making inroads in this delicacy by introducing ‘paneer bhatura’ and ‘pindi chana’. But there is no competition to Bhola Sweets for its ‘dahi bhalla’. The new Sajan Bakers boast of egg-free pastries and patties, with an exclusive clientele.
|
|
Taking summer by caps
Caps, hats and bandanas are a rage among youth in Phagwara during summers, as they help not only in protecting one from heat but also add to one’s personality.
Scorching sun leaves many with no scope of wearing extra accessories. So, in order to get that X factor in one’s personality in summers, hats, caps and bandanas are happening. Apart from adding zing to one’s appearance, the headwear protects one from the simmering heat. Their increasing demand in summer season satisfactorily provides a proof of their increasing popularity. “Summer season has a direct effect on sales of caps. One can easily guess the popularity level of hats in city from the fact that the moment we get limited stock of hats, they are sold like hot cakes. Within a week, the entire stock gets exhausted. The demand for caps is equally high; we sell five to six caps on an average daily,” says Jasbir Singh of Cute Collection. Bollywood styles are a craze among those purchasing caps. With gals asking for Preity Zinta’s caps worn in ‘Salaam Namaste,’ guys go in for Jazzy B one. “As compared to winters, sale of caps heads northward. We sell 10 to 15 caps daily. People, who get inspired by Bollywood trends, ask for caps worn by their favourite stars. Caps worn by Jazzy B and Preity Zinta are hot among consumers,” says Naresh, owner of Kids Wear. If wearing hats and caps symbolise a cool attitude, then bandanas are an ‘in-thing.’ Representing the chic look, bandanas are a rage with youngsters. “Along with being trendy, they act as a fashion statement among youngsters. As compared to caps, they provide more head coverage in summers. Nearly, we sell 150 to 200 bandanas in summers. Ranging between Rs 25 to Rs 70, there are regular customers for bandanas, who purchase them year after year,” says Ashok Arora of Cute Centre on Gaushala Road.
|
|
Water tanks — decorations top houses
If you are in Doaba, you may stand anywhere and look above the roof tops of houses around you. You will certainly note something peculiar to the region – cemented water tanks mostly in the shapes of aeroplanes, though you may also find a few in the shapes of birds, cars, horses, elephants, lions, umbrella and footballs.
The tanks particularly in the shapes of aeroplanes and birds clearly denote the penchant of the people of the region for moving abroad. While most of the residents keep the tanks with cemented finish, many have also got these painted in different shades. These water tanks are quite common in urban areas, but these are even more popular in rural areas where these become indicators for first time visitors. Houses with aeroplane-shaped water tanks can be seen on either side of the Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway as well as on Jandiala Road. These are also very common in towns like Kartarpur, Shahkot and Malsian. Water tank in the shape of a Maruti van can be seen on the left side of the highway, while one moves from Phagwara bypass towards Chandigarh. The van that has been painted maroon with white windowpanes and headlights looks very real. There is another peculiar water tank in the shape of a hawk on the right side of the highway almost 10 kms before Banga. Tank in the shape of a huge lion can be seen on the same side as one moves on further. The inclination of the Doabias to get such tanks atop their houses has become a source of livelihood for many people here. Though there are hardly any water tank manufacturers within the city area, they can be commonly seen displaying their designs along Nakodar Road, Jandiala Road, sub-urban and rural areas. Mr Avtar Singh, a water tank manufacturer in Badshahpur village on the Nakodar Road, has been into the business for more than 60 years. He said that he had opened his business before Partition when he hardly had any competitors. He tells that he had been into making different designs of tanks, including those in the shapes of hawks, horses, aeroplanes, lions and umbrella. He claimed that he was getting customers from all across the region. Explaining the manufacturing technique, Mr Kulbir Singh, also into the same business, showed that he completed two halves of the object separately and gave it a smooth finish from inside. “The two halves are then joined from outside. The joint has to be done very neatly so that it does not get noticed,” Mr Avtar Singh said. He added that since he was not using sand in the cement mixture, the water stored in his tank did not get hot even in summers.
|
|
Entrance symbols of status
The concept of entrance gates has undergone a sea change. No more is it restricted to security concerns only. Now, the gates are a symbol of economic status and reputation, besides imparting a lavish, regal look to a bungalow. With this change in the rationale, the market of designer gates has witnessed an unprecedented boom.
“People now want to spend more on the fancy gates to make their houses more attractive,” says Inderpal Singh, owner of a shop which deals in such gates. Of course, such fancy trimmings come for a price. If you have necessary wads of money in the pocket then there is more to gates than iron and wood. Besides the traditional materials, diverse work of mirror, pipes and fibre are also being utilised in their designing. There are many residents, who buy iron gates and then get wooden or fibre works done on these by designers, spending lakhs of rupees, he adds. Designers apply the latest techniques and modern designs on the making of these gates. “There are materials that add to the charm of huge gates, besides giving durability. Iron pipes, with a wood finish, impart ethnic look to the buildings. Similarly, fibre and mirror work on these also make them very attractive,” says Mohan Lal, a designer at a gates’ shop. “Paints in various colours are also used. Golden colour gives a royal look, while silver looks fancy. Similarly, some specific colours are used for particular buildings, like green in hospitals and blue in schools,” he adds. With the glut of money, one simple gate doesn’t fit the bill for many. A huge bungalow in New Model Town, belonging to a non-resident Indian, displays a set of three gates at the entrance. “The owner of this house, who stays abroad, has spent Rs 1.15 lakh on this gate. They bought it from Chandigarh,” says Rajinder Singh, a shopkeeper in the neighbourhood of the palatial house. “The gates ranging from Rs 6,000 to more than Rs 1 lakh are available in the market. “Besides other material, varieties of raw iron, cast and wrought iron are the most popular. These are sold at the rate of Rs 35 to Rs 50 per kg. “The price of iron gate depends upon the amount of raw material used in its manufacturing,” says Amrik Singh, owner of Sunder Welding works. With new colonies mushrooming up in Jalandhar, residents are paying more attention to the set-up and maintenance of their houses, besides acquiring gates with latest designs. “I live in a posh area, where people spend as much as they can afford on the buildings and gates, as these things represent their economic status. I have also spent Rs 50,000 on two gates on two sides of my house,” says Kulwinder Singh Sandhu, a resident of Urban Estate, Phase I.
|
|
Magic of flowers
Who is not enchanted by the sweet scents of flowers? The magic of the aroma of flowers like jasmine and ‘raat ki rani’ weave an ideal midsummer dream. Those who love to sit under the open sky during the long summer nights find these natural fragrances calming and soothing.
“Aromatic plants like sandalwood, jasmine and ‘raat ki rani’ are the most sought after in summers. During this season, every plant is in full boom. The scent in the air leaves a soothing and cooling effect in the ambience. Those planted in personal gardens are not only pleasing to the eyes, but help in reducing mental stress,” says R.K. Sharma, a city-based environmentalist. The city-based nurseries are witnessing a rush by many residents for samples of these aromatic flower plants. Ruling the demand charts of these plants is ‘raat ki rani’. “Sales of these plants increase as more and more people want them for their gardens. ‘Raat ki rani’ is the most asked for and sees the highest sale,” says Bahadur from a local plant and flower nursery on Banga Road. Apart from pleasant smelling flowers, aromatic plants have some good uses. Apart from being used in the manufacturing of oils and perfumes, these plants also play important part in aromatherapy. “The aromas of motia, jasmine and genia impart a freshness and calm feeling,” says Shivani, a housewife. For Rajan Malhotra, a student, these plants not only attract human beings, but birds too. “Not only are these plants pleasing to the eyes and good to smell, but they also attract many species of birds and butterflies. The chirping of these birds during summer mornings makes the early walks more enjoyable.”
|
|
Young World
Students of Hansraj Mahila Mahavidyalaya have topped BA-I examination conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University this year. Shivani has stood first with 658 marks out of 800. The second position has gone to Priyanka Gera with 615 marks.
A student from the Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Priyanka Vij is third with 612 marks. In BSc-II, Aeny Arora of HMV College has stood second in the university with 654 marks out of 800. Students of Lyallpur Khalsa College have attained top two ranks in B.Sc (computer science)-II examination conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University this year. Abha Sodhi has secured 654 marks out of 800 and stood first, while Anupama is second with 653 marks.
Workshop
Hans Raj Collegiate Senior Secondary School organised a 15-day theatre workshop from May 19 to June 2. During its valedictory function, the students presented a play entitled ‘Chakkar society ka’ and exhibited various aspects of theatre that they learnt from the workshop director, Mr Sumer Sharma. Students also presented ghazals, folk songs and shared their experiences during the workshop. Chief guest of the function, Ms P.P. Sharma, Principal of HMV College, appreciated the efforts of the students.
Free camp for kids
Guru Amar Dass Public School, Model Town, organised a week-long free summer camp from May 29 to June 5 during which the kids participated in yoga classes, art and craft, dance and computer classes. Ms Bhawna Bhandari, teacher, helped the students make crafty items. Mr Tarlochan Singh, principal, and Ms Maninder Kaur, vice-principal, supervised the camp.
Summer camp
Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, organised a nine-day summer camp on its premises. Some students were trained in singing Western and Indian numbers, while others learnt instrumental music. Young artists explored creative ideas in art and craft. To freshen up the minds of the students, aerobic classes were held regularly. During personality development sessions, students learnt about personally hygiene, keeping surroundings clean, maintaining discipline, time management, punctuality and hospitality. They were given certain situations for telephonic conversation, attending guests, sharing, caring and handling difficult situations. Kids also enjoyed indoor games like chess, carom, table tennis and badminton. They were also served refreshment daily. On the last day, parents were invited to school and a programme was organised during which the students displayed items made by them in art and craft classes. Mr R.K. Walia, principal, appreciated the efforts of the students of the school.
Prize distribution
Management and staff of the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Public Senior Secondary School, Bulandpur village, organised a prize distribution function on Tuesday. On the occasion, a new computer block was also inaugurated by Mr Mohan Lal Sampla, president of Dr Ambedkar Mission Society. Mr Mahinder Singh Kainth, Additional Deputy Commissioner, released a souvenir ‘Ambedkar darpan’. Students presented group songs and skits. The top three position holders in each class were given prizes.
|
|
Dr Sucharita new member of Punjab Arts Council
Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh, has honoured Dr Sucharita, Principal of the Apeejay College of Fine Arts, by appointing her as a member of the council for a period of three years from 2006 to 2009. The membership has been bestowed on her considering her contribution to the Punjabi art and culture. The council is working for the promotion of Punjabi art and culture under Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, Minister, PWD (B&R), Cultural Affairs, Archives and Museums, and Mr Kewal Singh Dhillon as its chairman.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
For him, the Brazil team is the best. The Brazillians play the game with utmost skill, he says..jpg)
Brazil is all-time favourite for this die-hard fan. “The team is one, which plays the game with great skill, and with complete team work. Also it belongs to the Latin American race, their climate and socio-economic conditions are akin to India.” Brazil will face stiff competition from teams like Germany, Holland, England Argentina, he says. “My favourite players are Ronaldinio in the mid-field and Ronaldo and Adriano as strikers. The Brazillians play with sportsman spirit and this is the main reason for my support to them, he adds. .jpg)
He has his list of favourites ready with the team of Brazil on the top, followed by Argentina and France. The fighting spirit of these football giants makes them his favourites. The world class players like Pele, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Babeto, Ronaldinio and Roberto Carlos are my favourite. At second place, he likes Argentia which has good mid-fielders Ricalme and Leonelo Messy. The aggressive play by Messy is sure to bag him the golden ball or the golden boat. .jpg)
Though the former princely state of Kapurthala cannot boast of many royal delicacies, snack bars on the town’s Mall Road, the rehris in front of the lone cinema hall, the Oberoi Special and the brand new Sajan Baker on the bus stand road have been successful in catering to the taste buds of the residents and the visitors alike.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Be it a bungalow in a posh colony, a hospital or an office building, entrance gates in city buildings have become centre of attraction for the visitors.