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District traffic police on challaning spree, violators of traffic rules not to be spared
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‘Sanjivni health scheme a boon for seriously ill’
Keeping Punjabi culture alive is
the aim of Kapurthala’s sabhyachar forum
Seminar on role of army schools
AIDing lives, empowering people
Panthers Division organises medical camp
Press Club honours Tribune lensman
Hard work is the key to success for this topper
YOUNG WORLD
MARKET UZZ
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District traffic police on challaning spree,
violators of traffic rules not to be spared
On Thursday, the Jalandhar Traffic Police took the employees of administration and the visitors to the District Administrative Complex by surprise. For the first time in the last few years, a drive to check violation of the Motor Vehicle Act was conducted in the complex premises, wherein three cars and nearly 20 two-wheelers were impounded, and owners of several others vehicles were challaned.
No one was spared, not even the police employees. A police constable was also challaned, as the number plate of his bike did not conform to the prescribed pattern. The DSP (Traffic), Mr Gautam Singal, even took away his Punjab Police I-card and asked him to show clearance of his challan before getting it back. “You are expected to be role models for the society instead of flouting the rules yourself,” he told the constable. The traffic police took a round of the parking lots around the complex and issued challans for driving vehicles without number plates, wrong number plate patterns and the use of pressure horns. A number of drivers who failed to furnish driving licences, registration certificate (RC) and pollution control certificates were also issued challans. During the drive that lasted for three hours, the police officials also found drivers making serious offences such as superimposing a new number plate atop an old one. The officials tore off such number plates and towed away the vehicles. A number of cars that had black films on the windows or even curtains were challaned. The vehicles of all those drivers who came down to take their challans were not towed away, but the vehicles of all those who were unaware of the drive were towed away to Traffic Police Station in the Police Lines. Most of these were motorcycles, besides a Maruti 800 car and a Wagon R. Many vehicles had plates that did not just bear the registration numbers but also the names of children or the driver himself. While challaning them, the traffic police officials were heard telling the drivers, “Number plates are meant for numbers only, not your names. Write them elsewhere if you want to”. Many motorcycles and scooters also had numbers written in very small size. The motorists were told to get these changed to 3-cm size in frontal portion, using simple fonts. The recommended size, as per Rule 51 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, for alphabets on the rear side is 3.5 cm, and 4 cm for the last four-digit numbers, they were told. Even as the drive had just started, the traffic police employees were seen getting calls from higher officials in the administration who were being approached by the challaned drivers. The vehicle owners were also seen getting into arguments with the officials carrying the drive. DSP Singal said the drive had been conducted to educate drivers about traffic rules, check incidents related to vehicle thefts, keep a tab on crimes like chain or purse snatching by motorcyclists, and ensure security after the recent Mumbai blasts. While such a drive had already been conducted outside Traffic Police Station, he said that it was also being conducted in parking lots of district courts, bus stand, railway station and cinema halls. On Saturday, the traffic police impounded four cars run by four private driving schools in the city. The DSP ( Traffic) said these cars were flouting over a dozen rules. “The trainees did not have learner’s licence. The trainers did not possess regular licence. Two of the cars were being run on LPG that is unauthorised. They could not immediately provide documents, including registration, insurance and pollution control certificates. Even as the vehicles were being driven here for the last many years, the registration numbers were those of outside state, mostly Delhi. Very old models of Maruti cars that have long been condemned were being used. The number plates did not conform to the rules. Indicators, lights and silencers were broken. Drivers and trainers were not wearing seat belts. Two of the cars did not have mandatory L-plates. Top one-third portion of headlights was not black as per the rules,” explained DSP Singal, wondering how the schools could teach driving rules to trainees, as they themselves were violating the rules.
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‘Sanjivni health scheme a boon for seriously ill’
The Punjab government-sponsored ‘Sanjivni’ health scheme card reportedly saved the life of one Sukhwant Singh from Tarn Taran. The chief neurologist of a private hospital in Amritsar, Dr Ashok Uppal, told media persons recently that Sukhwant Singh was suffering from brain Anerysm and required immediate brain surgery. According to Dr Uppal, this Anerysm (small balloon of distend brain artery) occurs where the two arteries meet and creates a hemorrhage, which requires immediate treatment. He said that the fatality rate of this disease was around 30-40 per cent and around 2 to 5 per cent of the population got affected by this. He said that after Anerysm was diagnosed in Sukhwant Singh, his family members showed hesitation due to the higher costs involved in the operation. But fortunately, the patient had the Sanjivni Card. As per the scheme, the government would meet the entire cost of the treatment of the card-holder. Dr Uppal claimed that Sukhwant Singh was successfully operated upon by the team of specialist doctors, who took seven hours to carry out the operation.
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Amritsar has some of the finest architectural marvels of India. But most of these historical monuments have fallen into disrepair, thanks to the indifference of those at the helm of affairs. Varinder Walia reports
Many visitors who come to Amritsar do not realise that some of the finest architectural marvels and Sikh religious places are being steadily defaced. Amritsar is replete with a number of historical, archaeological, religious and scenic places, which have not been given their due attention. Most of the ancient buildings lost their heritage value during kar seva. It is shocking to learn that some “wonders” that once existed in Punjab have disappeared now. One such “wonder” on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road is Jhulna Mahal Gurdwara. It is situated about six km from Tarn Taran, in the old village of Thathi Khara, near Doburji. The shaking arcade, popularly known as “Gurdwara Jhulna Mahal”, an important monument connected with the visit of Guru Arjun Dev, has been whitewashed without caring for the historicity of the monument. The arcade is an important monument of the medieval period that could not be preserved in its original shape. A modern structure — the Dera of Kar Sewa Wale — has been constructed in the vicinity of the gurdwara. The kar seva is being carried out by Baba Hira Singh these days. It is a common belief that Guru Arjun Dev used to stay at this place when the new city in Majha region was being founded with the construction of Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran. Unfortunately, the place is being neglected today. The Babas of Kar Sewa Wale have started constructing a new gurdwara around the double pillars, symbolising the meeting of Guru Arjun Dev with his son Guru Hargobind Sahib. Surprisingly, the pillars remain covered with a saffron cloth and devotees can’t have look at them. The masonry work done in the vicinity of Jhulna Mahal Gurdwara has also caused considerable damage to its unique architectural features. The well, made of small Nanakshahi bricks, has been broadened with new construction. As a result, it has lost its sheen. The municipal taps have been attached to the modern construction around the ancient well. And it was the imagination of the Guru and masons of the period that blended all these elements together to produce one of the great wonders. The place attracted visitors and worshippers from far-flung areas. Instead of carrying out the repairs of the aging structures by getting the opinion of experts, a modern look is being given to some parts of the ancient structure. Guru Arjun Dev made Amritsar the headquarters of his pontificate. He completed the digging of the tank, and a new town began to grow up around the sacred pool. In the centre of the tank, he built the Hari Mandir. In 1590, he built another Sikh shrine with a tank at Tarn Taran. The Guru was himself a man of fame and wealth, and his influence extended over Hindus and Muslims to such an extent that he incurred the wrath of Emperor Jahangir. Hearing a report that the Guru had shown sympathy towards Prince Khusru who had rebelled against him, Jahangir ordered him to be thrown into prison and, according to the account given in Tuzak-I-Jahangiri, the Guru’s death was caused directly by the orders of the Emperor in 1606. A sevadar, while giving description of Jhulna Mahal Gurdwara, claims that when Emperor Jehangir was passing through the nearby road with bedecked elephants swaying, the curious Sikh sangat went up to the road to see the royal procession. It is said that Guru Arjun Dev blessed the magnificent place to “swing like an elephant”. Another shaking arcade — Jhulna Mahal — is situated in the adjoining district of Gurdaspur. This Jhulna Mahal is also crying for immediate preservation. The arcade is an important monument connected with the medieval history of Gurdaspur town. The town is named after Guriaji who had bought the village and named it after himself. The construction of this Jhulna Mahal in Gurdaspur district began in the middle of the eighteenth century and was meant to be the residence of Narain Dass, one of Guriaji’s grandsons. However, the construction could not progress beyond a wide wall comprising a set of arches. The wall came to be known as “Jhulna Mahal”, as it used to vibrate considerably if someone touched it. A document (dated 1839) of a Mahant stated that Rang Mahal, the residence of Narain Dass’ brother, Saran Dass, was built in 1737. It is believed that the Jhulna Mahal of Gurdaspur also belongs to that period. Some people here attribute the shaking of the wall to mystical powers. The damage caused to many heritage buildings in the border belt has already drawn flak from heritage lovers. Even in 2003, the kar seva at the Golden Temple came in for severe criticism. The SGPC and the Akal Takht secretariat was flooded with objections raised over the alleged damage to the magnificent old structures in the past, but the vandalism of heritage continued. “We Sikhs are either too naive or do not care for our past,” read a letter written by an SGPC member and President, Akali Dal (Amritsar), Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, addressed to the then SGPC Chief, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar. He saw a “conspiracy to finish the Sikh heritage through the Babas of Kar Seva Wale” and had held Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra (who remained the SGPC Chief for 25 years) and his successors, “responsible” for this colossal damage. Earlier, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, a former general secretary, had written to the SGPC to stop the ongoing gilding of the interiors of the Golden Temple, stating that it was not being done as per recommendations of experts. There are many such sites in Amritsar district, which, though quite ancient and associated with history, have neither been included in tourist circuits nor mentioned adequately in tourist literature.
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Keeping Punjabi culture alive is
the aim of Kapurthala’s sabhyachar forum
One generally lives for oneself throughout one’s life in this materialistic world. However, there are some groups of individuals who unite to do something for the betterment of the society.
A Kapurthala-based Non Government Organisation (NGO) Punjabi Sabhyachar Forum is also one of them that has been working for the betterment of the society in one or the other way in the district for the last five years. It is not only making the new generation aware of our rich culture but also it is working for the eradication of the social evils. Besides, it also honours those persons who do something for the betterment of the society. This is to encourage others to follow their path. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh himself praised the cultural item “trinjan” presented attractively by its members during the state-level function at Guru Nanak Stadium in Kapurthala to mark Independence Day in 2003. The members of the forum trained students of various schools and colleges in Kapurthala in giddha and bhangra, said its chairman B.N. Gupta, adding that a special camp was organised to train children of policemen during the recent summer vacations. Likewise, the forum organised the first Miss School Punjaban contest on August 6, 2005. While Miss Isha Kapoor won the contest, Miss Jaswinder Kaur and Miss Shaeen had to satisfy themselves with being the first and the second runners-up. Apart from this, the forum tries to make the public aware about the social problems. The members of the forum, with the help of the students, carried out a rally some months ago in the city to make the public aware about the adverse effects of the alarmingly depleting water level in the region and to request them to stop misusing the precious water. Besides, the forum specially organised a function in 2000 to honour two policemen, Head Constable Jhilmil Singh and Constable Tarsem Singh, who had not only done the praiseworthy task of taking 25 persons injured in an accident to the Civil Hospital from Fattudhinga village in time but also saved the lives of the seriously injured by donating their own blood. Similarly, the Forum honoured in 2003, Constables Ashok Kumar and Harjinder Singh for showing exemplary honesty. The forum honoured in 2004 Constables Kulwinder Singh and Dilbagh Singh for showing bravery in catching a thief who had fled from the Civil Hospital after snatching the purse of a nurse on duty. In 2005, Head Constable Kuldeep Singh and Constable Tilak Raj were honoured. |
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Seminar on role of army schools A seminar and interactive session on the “Role of army schools in growth and development of children” was conducted by the Vajra Corps in Jalandhar Cantonment on Thursday. Lt-Gen Noble Thamburaj, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, presided over the function. The seminar was attended by all principals, teachers and senior army officers. The GOC implored the school heads to improve the results, while complimenting them for bringing a noticeable betterment. He promised all assistance for automation and computerisation of learning process. — TNS
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AIDing lives, empowering people
Knowledge uplifts and service ennobles. Ashu, an HIV positive patient, has been feeling that way ever since he took it upon himself to talk to others like him — helping, counseling, empathising. Nails polished and arms waxed, Ankit could be mistaken for a woman. In fact, he thinks he is a woman trapped in a man’s body. Eyelids aflutter, he is all self-confident and assured, no more hiding behind his illness for him. Now a counsellor for homosexuals in the State AIDS Control Society (SACS), he says, “I have gained respectability in my social circle. I walk with my head held high. This is all thanks to my new role. It has changed my life for ever.” But as he goes back in the dark alleys of his past, the smile vanishes and the triumphant youth suddenly turns into a whimpering child. “I was raped at the age of ten by my cousin, but I couldn’t confide into anyone as my family was already troubled by poverty. And there was my step-mother to handle. It went on like this, one exploitation after the other. First it was the tenant at home, then a lawyer’s son who abducted me and sexually assaulted me for more than a week. As tears roll down Ankit’s cheek, Rohit, another HIV positive man, offers him solace. A school drop-out, Rohit’s tale is as tragic. A recent medical report showed him with the deadly virus and his life went haywire. “After I came to know of my status in one of the tests, I was aghast. But the role as a counsellor for HIV positive people has come as a silver lining in my bleak life.” Bashir, a shopkeeper, also feels both empowered and ennobled in his role as counsellor. “I not only know the importance of safety in such relations, but also disseminate urgently required information to others in our community,” he says. SACS, which stood like a rock and instilled self-esteem in all three men, has transformed their lives in more ways than one. Through a project called ‘Targeted Intervention”, funded by SACS and implemented by Servants of People’s Society, such embattled groups have been made self-reliant. Project coordinator Gaurav Awasthi said, “The plan to allocate them a place where they can make and sell their products is in the final stages. We also are moving towards creating Self Help Groups amongst them, something that will aid in the empowerment, Soon, they will be allocated free ‘poor card’, where they will be paid for transportation and counselling.” (Names changed on the request of counsellors)
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Panthers Division organises medical camp
Field Regiment under the aegis of Panther Artillery Brigade organised a medical camp at Government School, Durgi Village, in Amritsar recently. Speaking on the occasion, Lieut-Gen Noble Thamburaj, G-O-C Vajra Corps, said the main objective behind organising the camp was to sensitise and create goodwill amongst the people of border villages, create awareness about AIDS and the increasing menace of drugs amongst the youth. He said the medical team from the Army provided free medical treatment and distributed medicines to the ailing people of the village. Lieut-Gen Noble Thamburaj said in addition, the Army authorities redressed the grievances of ex-servicemen of the border villages and provided on-the-spot advice and solutions to their problems through representatives of Zila Sainik Board, District Pension Division and office of the Deputy Commissioner. Lieut-Gen Noble Thamburaj also inaugurated the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic building. The ECHS polyclinic building would provide top class service to the ex-servicemen. Besides, the clinic would also provide and channelise the medical facilities, and other basic amenities. He said the scheme had recently been introduced to ensure comprehensive medical coverage to the ex-servicemen at a reasonable one-time payment at the time of their retirement from service. Lieut-Gen Noble Thamburaj said referrals of patients from the ECHS polyclinic whenever required would be made to the reputed medical institutes, keeping in view the requirements and convenience of the patients, the ex-servicemen, who have served the country during their service period.
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Press Club honours Tribune lensman
The Jalandhar Press Club today honoured Tribune lensman, Mr Pawan Sharma, for coming out with good pictures of an incident that occurred yesterday at Samastpur village on the Jalandhar-Pathankot Road.
Mr Pawan Kumar was presented a shawl and Rs 100 as token money. Mr R.N. Singh, the press club president, said that the photojournalist had taken pictures amidst violent incidents that erupted after the fatal accident of schoolchildren. Photojournalists, Mr Balwant Singh, Mr Karamveer Sandhu and Mr Sarabjit Singh were also honoured. The press club president said that local journalists and photographers would be honoured for the best story and best picture appearing every month in the second week. He also announced that a welfare fund was being created for the photographers getting injured during coverage. The fund amount would be given to the injured photographers for helping them financially. |
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Hard work is the key to success for this topper
A student of the Lovely Institute of Technology, Vishal Dheer, has not just topped in Punjab Technical University once, but for three successive semesters. Currently waiting for B.Tech (electronics and communication engineering) fourth semester results, he will be entering fifth semester classes in this session. Vishal has not just topped, but has achieved a high score each time. He got 90.2 per cent in the first semester, 89.7 per cent in the second semester and 90.1 per cent in the third semester. “I study not with an aim to stand first but to achieve a good percentage. When I will be looking for a job, the employee will not see my university position, but my percentage. Since my marks are good, position comes automatically”, said Vishal, who believes that hard work is the key to success. The bright young chap said that he would like to work for some software developing company for two to three years after completing his course. He said that during this period, he would try to assess the market requirements and options available. Thereafter, he would decide on doing MBA or M.Tech, he added. A Phagwara resident, he said that he would never like to work for a call centre where most youngsters were going. He said that he would prefer working for a small company and even compromise for joining on a lesser pay scale if he got an opportunity to work in some Research and Development Company. Son of a doctor, Vishal said that no one in his family had opted for engineering. “One of my cousins, now settled in Australia, did it. Unlike most students of my batch, my aim of doing engineering is not to go abroad or find a suitable matrimonial match. It was simply my curiosity to learn about working of electronic products that brought me here,” he said.
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School children enjoy a day at the farm
Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service To acquaint the children with traditional ways of life and to bring them closer to nature, Delhi Public School organised a visit for them to Aggarwal Farms in Jalandhar Cantonment on Thursday.
Kids also saw underground water pumping out from tubewell. Most of them wanted to get into water and splash it around. Farm animals added to their attraction. Seeing a cow being milked, little hens running with mothers cooing over baby animals was a peep into a different world altogether. Uniforms distributed
The Social Welfare and Charitable Society of BD Arya Girls’ College organised a function on Monday during which uniforms were distributed among 35 poor school students. A cultural programme was also organised by the students during which they presented dance performances. Ms Neeru Sharma, incharge of the society, coordinated the event.
B.Tech admissions
The DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology has managed to fill all its seats for admission to
B.Tech, the counselling for which is being conducted by the PTU. The institute director, Mr
C.L. Kochher, said that he had surrendered 18 per cent of the allotted 33 per cent management quota seats to fill these by bright and meritorious students.
HMV toppers
Two students of Hansraj Mahila Mahavidyala (HMV) have got the first position in
MSc-I (Botany) Examination conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, the result of which was declared on Thursday. Both Daljeet Kaur and Loveleen Kaur have got 440 marks out of a total of 600, thereby bagging the first position. The principal and faculty have congratulated the toppers. Meanwhile,
Gurukul, a coaching centre for competitive examinations, organised a function to honour its top-ranking students of
IIT, AIEEE, AIPMT and Plus Two medical and non-medical streams. Mr Ashwini Kumar Sharma, vice-president of MBD House, was the chief guest on the occasion. |
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Spice launches emergency call service for subscribers
Tribune News Service Spice Telecom, the mobile phone service provider, has launched an emergency call service for its subscribers who could now make an urgent call even if their balance is zero or the outgoing calls is barred on their mobile. Commenting on the Emergency Call Service, Mr Sidharth Mehra, Senior Manager, Spice Telecom, Punjab said, “Spice has constantly endeavoured to deliver products and services that are designed to meet the diverse demands of each customer category. With the Emergency Call Service, subscribers can make outgoing calls to their family and friends, even with a zero balance or when outgoing is barred.” “To make an outgoing call, Spice pre-paid and post-paid subscribers need to dial 522 (toll free number). The subscriber needs to give the 10 digit number of the person to be called, who would be a spice subscriber, who will bear the cost of the call. The called subscriber (call receiver) will be told about the charges for receiving the call (Rs 3 per min)and will be asked to press 1 to accept the call, and agree to pay the charges,” a press release said. The line between the caller and the called subscriber will be connected if the call receiver presses 1 and upon the completion of the call, the charges are levied on the called party, the release added. In case, the called subscriber denies accepting the charges of the call, the caller will be communicated about the same charges, the release said. “Spice subscribers can activate Emergency Call service Pack, and make outgoing calls for a duration of 10 minutes every month. The called subscriber (call receiver) will not pay for the call, if the caller has subscribed to Spice Emergency Call Service Pack and is calling through 522 and to subscribe to this pack a nominal rate of Rs 10 will be charged,” the release said. Hawk showroom
Hawk Exports, a Jalandhar-based leather manufacturing unit, on Saturday announced the opening of its first factory outlet at Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar here. Mr S.P.S. Virk, a partner, said that various leather products including shoe, belts, jackets, wallets and bags would be available at the new store and customers would get a value for money. He said that the company would soon open more showrooms in the city.
Suzuki two-wheelers
Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited began sales of its new two-wheelers, Heat and Zeus Disc and Drum, from Friday onwards. Addressing a gathering at a hotel, Mr Vipul Goel, Service Head Suzuki, said that the new products had been introduced to give customers a refreshing new feel in 125 cc commuter segment. He said that while Heat is targetted towards excessive bike users, Zeus was targetted towards college students and young executives. |
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A student of the Lovely Institute of Technology, Vishal Dheer, has not just topped in Punjab Technical University once, but for three successive semesters.
Currently waiting for B.Tech (electronics and communication engineering) fourth semester results, he will be entering fifth semester classes in this session. Vishal has not just topped, but has achieved a high score each time. He got 90.2 per cent in the first semester, 89.7 per cent in the second semester and 90.1 per cent in the third semester.
Kids took a round of the farm riding on a tractor trolley. For most of them, it was a first time experience. They saw vegetables and cereal crops growing in the field. They enjoyed identifying the fruit laden trees. They took a closer look at the stems and leaves of plants with magnifying glass and were amazed to see things which were not otherwise visible to the naked eye.