The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Unending stitch pain
Vishal Gulati
Tribune News Service

For nine-year-old Shiba no work means no food. She loves to stitch rubber pieces round the clock rather than attending school. For her Children’s Day is like other days.

She is one among thousands of children, who continue to work in households, restaurants, factories and hotels. Their childhood is not a period of enjoyment, but rather it is spent in trying to make both ends meet.

Sitting near a heap of coal, Bahadur describes the aches and pains he gets from long hours working in a dhaba in Jalandhar.

Unlike Bahadur and Shiba, thousands of schoolchildren participated in functions to mark Children’s Day in their schools.

The functions provided ample opportunities to them to showcase their talents.

Child rights activists say the government is not doing enough for the rehabilitation of child labourers, who they say are in most of the cases the only breadwinners for their families.

Even the law prohibits employing children up to the age of 14 in households, eating joints, tea shops, hotels, catering units, hostels, clubs, spas and recreation centres.

Thousands of children continue to be employed for stitching footballs on the outskirts of the city like Basti Danishmandan, Basti Nau and Basti Guja.

Shenu, a 10-year-old girl, who helps her family in sewing footballs, says she has to work after school.

Four years of stitching rubber pieces into a football have bruised her tender fingers.

“Childhood is our right. Why should we be forced to work? My right is decided not by me but by my parents,” asserts child worker Goldy.

India is the second largest football producer in the world after Pakistan. Most of the footballs in India are made in Jalandhar, Batala and Ludhiana.

According to a report of the Global March: “The Dark Side of Football”, there are still more than 10,000 children involved in football stitching in Punjab. The organisation works for the eradication of child labour.

Since, football stitching is a home-based industry, it becomes difficult for the administration to detect and eradicate child labour in the industry.

Upwardly mobile
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

The city youth is fast emerging more conscious about securing their career in the field they desire. With specific targets set on their minds, they are moving in a much planned way keeping marriage as their secondary issue.

But they make it a point that the work pressure does not become too much as they often ease themselves out by partying, going on a “geri” route, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends or watching a movie with them in a theatre. The youth is also slightly getting more conscious of their personality and dressing sense.

Career

A media hub for the past many years, the city youth seem to have more penchant of choosing a career in the media.

Simer Sethi, an M.Com student of Lyallpur Khalsa College, has planned to take entrance examination tests of a few journalism schools, including Panjab University, next year.

“I have always loved mingling with people and knowing them closely, for which I think becoming a journo is the best choice”, she explains.

Having won accolades for making a documentary on suicide cases of farmers in Punjab, Mehboob Pal Singh Brar, a passout mass communication student from Regional Campus of Guru Nanak Dev University, Ladhewali, aspires to become a film-maker.

“Being a Punjabi, I feel for the people here and I wish to help them out with my documentaries. I have tried to project the problems of farmers while also providing them possible solutions,” he makes a point.

Kamal Mittal, an MBA student at Lovely Institutes, however, has chosen the traditional way. He wants to carry on his father’s business in petrol pumps.

“I will off course try to expand it further in a planned way”, he says.

Marriage

“I am much more enthusiastic about securing my career. I am not for getting married so soon. Even my parents are not pressuring me for it. People keep on coming to them coaxing them to get me married but so far they have been able to withstand these pressures and kept me out of it”, says Simer adamantly.

Marriage is quite far for Mehboob as well.

“How can I even think of running in for matrimony without being able to settle down with my career? I am still learning the art of making films at the Films and TV Institute of India, Pune, taking up various projects there. At this point of time, my expenses are soaring high and my dividends are far too low. After everything stabilises, only then will I be able to think of marriage,” he tells.

Even Kamal Mittal believes that he is too young to get married. “Though money is flowing in smoothly and the business I am involved in with my father is also quite settled, I believe that the right time for marriage is still far off,” he opines.

But Kamal Pramar, a teacher and a counsellor at Apeejay School, has a rather unconventional belief. “I am with my parents. I will get married at the time and with a guy whom my parents choose for me,” he tells affirmatively.

Fashion

“Since most students of my college come from a rural background, they are clad in suits but I feel most comfortable in jeans. But this season, I have purchased a few shrugs which I love to wear with T-shirts in bright colours,” tells Simer. While till recently, wearing accessories and jewellery had been common among boys here but Kamal Mittal prefers doing without it.

Freaking out

Barista, a coffee shop near Milk Bar Chowk, has off late become the most happening place in the city. Says Mittal: “Headquarters and Café Coffee Day have become too crowded at times.” Partying is also common among girls here.

“Few days back, we got a hall and a DJ booked at Hotel President. All those friends in our group who contributed Rs 350 each had a rocking party there. A ‘geri’ route with friends from Model Town, Jawahar Nagar to Lajpat Nagar is a must though we used to do that more often while we were in Plus One and Two,” Simer explains.

Going abroad

The opinion remains divided on the issue. Despite a strong wave on moving abroad, Kamal Pramar is of the opposite opinion.

“I am not leaving India by any means. I have certain charm about my motherland and I am attached to it emotionally,” she tells.

Likewise, Mehboob too tells that he will settle down in India only.

“I wish to work here with my loved ones instead of going to an alien land,” he believes.

But Simer tells that she was trying to convince her parents to send her abroad for higher studies. Even Mittal wishes to settle down in the UK and Australia.

Bhoor Mandi in grip of disease fear
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Sewage pools in front of a government dispensary in Bhoor Mandi, Jalandhar. — Photo by S.S. Chopra

People of Bhoor Mandi in the Jalandhar Cantonment area are forced to live in extremely unhygienic conditions, which have led to prevalence of skin ailments.

Wide open drains run on both sides of the road in the colony, which overflow most of the time. The result is spilling over of sewage water onto the road, the houses and even the government dispensary every morning. The clogged filthy water then clears out in about two hours during which the residents have no other option but to step into it and move out for work.

From cases of bacterial infections like scabies to fungal diseases like athlete’s foot, the government dispensary here is getting numerous patients every day. While the poor patients of the colony are able to get free anti-scabies ointments from the dispensary, they have to shell out a few hundred rupees to avail a treatment of the more common athlete’s foot for which the dispensary does not get any medication from the government.

The staff of the dispensary informed that many patients were not getting rid of the infection for months owing to the filthy surroundings. Since the colony is largely inhabited by animal slaughterers, pigs and poultry animals keep on running around the roads discharging faecal matter everywhere.

The residents of this area close to Rama Mandi showed that the sewage channels merge into a huge drain that flows across the GT Road into the army land again where a pump installed is used to siphon out the dirty water. They said the gate near the pump falling on the highway had been closed owing to which the board employees had to take a long U-turn, cross a few barricades to reach the pump to switch it on.

The residents also showed a board erected outside the colony bearing the name of MLA of the area, Ms Gurkanwal Kaur, declaring that the sewage work in the area had begun and funds for the purpose had been received. The board had been installed nearly five months back but no work had started in the area as yet.

The area falling in ward No 5 of the Cantonment Board does not have a councillor for the past few years ever since the elections were barred. Mr Sudesh Somkar, a former councillor, said he too had learnt that the funds had reached the Cantonment Board for laying sewage pipes and installing a treatment plant but there was some delay in starting the project owing to which the residents were suffering a lot.

Mr Somkar said the sewage of the area was laid in 1984 at a depth as that of other cantonment colonies. Since Bhoor Mandi was set up at a level four feet deeper than the rest of the area, overflow became a common problem. He added that the residents of the area were also to be partly blamed as they often threw away animal carcasses into the drains causing blockage.

Brig B.B. Patil, Sub Area Commander, 11 corps, said he was looking for an experienced contractor who could solve the technically difficult problem. He added that he was also looking forward to a help from the Municipal Corporation on the matter.

Young World
Swami Sant Dass School wins maths quiz
Tribune News Service

Swami Sant Dass Public School won the maths quiz contest at science and maths project-cum-exhibition held at Shiv Jyoti Public School Deen Dayal Upadhaya Nagar, Jalandhar, under the aegis of the Jalandhar Independent Schools of Sahodya Complex.

While Delhi Public School remained victorious in the junior category of maths projects, whereas CT Public School and the host Shiv Jyoti Public School remained second and third place, respectively, in the same category.

In the same way, Innocent Hearts School won maths projects in the senior category, while Saint Soldier Public School and Police DAV Public School got second and third places, respectively.

In the junior category of science projects, Shiv Jyoti Public School bagged first position, whereas Delhi Public School and BSF Public School, Jalandhar, remained on second and third positions, respectively. Similarly in the senior category of science projects, Seth Hukam Chand Public School remained victorious, whereas Shiv Jyoti Public School and Lawrence International Public School had to satisfy with second and third places, respectively. Earlier Principal A. Pee Jay School and Ms Ranjana Sood inaugurated the function. She was welcomed by Ms Vibha Sharda.

Ms Krishna Jyoti, education adviser, Shiv Jyoti Public School, honoured the chief guest. Ms Vibha Sharda formally welcomed the chief guest and all 18 participating schools. She highlighted the importance of such kind of exhibitions saying that these kind of events enable the students to know about various scientists and their contributions in the fields of science and maths.

The chief guest, Ms Ranjana Sood, said the idea of organising such kind of events is to bring the scientists back to life from museums. At noon, maths oral quiz was started in which the schools that bagged first five positions in the written test participated.

In this quiz, Swami Sant Dass Public School bagged the first position.

Educational trip

The CT Institute of Management and IT organised an educational trip to the Raja Sansi airport, Amritsar, for students pursing their career in airlines, tourism and hospitality management.

The students were welcomed by Mr Kaushal Kumar, Assistant General Manger, also an in charge for communication and navigation at the airport.

The students were taught the functioning of various departments involved at the airport. They were delivered a lecture by Mr Kaushal Kumar for about an hour and all their queries were handled that include how the airline works, how and why are the forces looking after airport security and the kind of devices used in the aircrafts.

Celebrations

KV Suranussi celebrated cubs and bulbul utsav on Tuesday to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

As many 329 cubs and bulbuls along with 21 escorts of seven KVs of Jalandhar cluster participated in the festival. Ms Sophia Rana, wife of Col Binesh Rana, inaugurated the utsav.

Conference

The Saint Soldier College of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation bagged two prizes at the International Therapy Conference 2006 held in New Delhi. Physiotherapy colleges from all over India participated.

Two students, Ramandeep Kaur and Gagandeep Kaur, bagged first prize in the model display.

Poor, intelligent and needy students could avail scholarships awarded by the local Nishkam Sewa Bharti Trust. Dr Ravinder Verma, the secretary of the Trust, said any student desirous of seeking financial aid for studies in shape of scholarships, could get application forms from the trust’s office near Shahnai palace on Basti Sheikh Road or from November 11, Gujral Nagar, free of cost.

Toys distributed

On the occasion of Children’s Day, a function was held in the Chotti Baradari locality where slum children were given toys. The function was organised by Monty Sehgal.

Rahu, Saturn, Jupiter portend tough times
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

Kapurthala-based astrologer Mr G. S. Jaspal Ahluwalia has predicted far-reaching effects of transit of planets. Actually, after almost a decade all three slow- moving planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Rahu (which is a shadow planet) are changing signs within a span of 20 days. The stay of Saturn, Rahu and Jupiter in a sign is approximately for two and a half years, one and a half years and 13 months, respectively.

This predicts major changes in planetary influence and effects on almost the entire zodiac. Rahu entered Aquarius on October 12, 2006, Jupiter entered Scorpio on October 27, 2006, and Saturn entered Leo on November 1, 2006. The entry of Saturn into Leo casts sade-sati (strong saturnine influence of seven and a half years) on those with there natal moon in Cancer, Leo and Virgo. This also casts dhaiyya (evil saturnine influence of two and half years) on Taurus and Capricorn.

Mr Ahluwalia, life member of the Indian Council of Astrological Science, predicted political upheavals, growth in terrorist violence, especially Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and in Naxalite-affected states. There will be law and order problems and declining moral values.

The astrologer further predicted that the reputation of the country would grow with growth in computers and IT related sectors. There will be peace talks with Pakistan and inclination towards the USA will displease the Left parties. There will be obstacles in India’s bid for berth in UN Security Council. Over all, India will be looked at as a confident and growing power.

On economic front, macro-economic indicators will be sound with strong sensex. There will be inflationary conditions triggered by price rise of essential commodities. In Punjab there will be trying times for Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress Government. The conjunction of Saturn-Ketu in Leo foretells danger to the life of a prominent national leader.

The astrologer further predicted that Saturn’s transit in to Leo on November 1, 2006, would create sade-sati effects on those born with Moon in Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. For Cancer this is the last phase of sade sati and for Virgo this is the beginning of sade sati and those with Leo Moon it is the peak of sade sati. Saturn will remain in Leo for approximately two and half years.

The effects of sade sati and dhaiyya are predicted as poor results for students, lack of concentration waywardness among adolescents, for bachelors difficulty in getting married and jobs, loss of job, demotion false accusations and suspensions marital discords and divorces, proneness to chronic illness among elderly specially heart diseases, arthritis, accidents, fractures, death of grandparents or parents or near and dear one in the family, loss of wealth, status, reputation, theft, fires and bankruptcy.

Interestingly, the astrologer suggested some remedies to counter or lessen and mitigate the evil effects of Saturn, Jupiter and Rahu. For Saturn- recitation of shani stotra, shiva stotra, donation of satnaja ( wheat, barley, rise, black gram, urad, moong and kangani) tied in a black cloth measuring 1.4 mt, black pulse, mustard oil, black cows, black clothes, iron utensils, coconut, black or blue flowers, meals to old sick and elderly fasting on Saturday.

Similarly for Jupiter recitation of Jupiter’s Graha and Vedic mantras, donations of yellow rice turmeric powder, yellow clothes, papaya, mangoes, yellow metals, besan ladoos, fasting on Thursdays will be a remedy.

In the same way, for Rahu recitation of Rahu Vedic mantra, Rahu graha mantra, Mahamrityunjay mantra, donation of naag idol to a Brahmin, black til, black blankets, black clothes, buffaloes and wearing of gomed and feeding ants with tricholi (equal quantities black til, shakar and rice mixed).

475 NCC cadets participate in training camp
Dharmendra Joshi
Tribune News Service

A district-level combined annual training camp of NCC cadets was organised by 21 Punjab Battalion NCC, Kapurthala, at district police lines, Kapurthala, in which 475 NCC cadets of senior and junior division participated.

The NCC training included military drill, weapon training and rifle firing. The NCC cadets were motivated by way of lecture demonstrations to fight the social evil like drug addiction, AIDS/ HIV, female foeticide and human trafficking to foreign countries.

Special emphasis was devoted to train the NCC cadets to join the Armed Forces at different levels, personality development and interview facing techniques and coaching for appearing in various national-level competitive examinations were imparted to deserving cadets.

As part of the national drive to provide blood to dengue and thallaesemia patients, a blood donation camp was organised on October 31, 2006, at district police lines, Kapurthala, where 150 NCC boys and girls cadets participated.

The camp was inaugurated by Col AK Tyagi, Principal, Sainik School Kapurthala, and Mr Dharm Singh Uppal, DSP, Kapurthala, graced the occasion with his presence. During the camp, NCC boys and girl cadets donated blood under the guidance of Dr Savir Singh and Chaman Lal of Civil Hospital, Kapurthala.

Col Baldev Singh, Commanding Officer, 21 Punjab Battalion NCC, Kapurthala, exhorted all the present NCC cadets to participate in such social welfare activities regularly and wholeheartedly.