Jalandhar, February 24
Whatever may be the Punjab poll outcome on February 27, the biggest gainers would be the gamblers or ‘sattebaazs’ who have bet a whopping sum of Rs. 500 crore on the results.

It is for the first time that such a big amount is at stake on the poll outcome in Punjab. This time the largest number of people, particularly youngsters, have betted through bookies based in all major cities, including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, and Phagwara. Since the cash-spinning ‘satta’ market has its epicenter in Jalandhar, the ‘sattewalas’ have more interest in city seats. Ironically, there is no bet on ‘sure-shot’ seats, where the big-wigs of state politics are likely to win easily.

Since ‘satta’ is illegal in India, the entire well-oiled network is being handled via Dubai, from where master ‘satta’ operators run the show through bookies.

Major betting is being done on the prospects of the two major political forces --the Congress and the SAD-BJP combine. Some prominent contestants also command good bets irrespective of party affiliations. However, the less keenly contested seats are not considered worth a bet.

Market sources revealed that for each side --the SAD-BJP and the Congress -- the ‘satta’ operators are running two sessions. For an example, if ‘satta’ operators have thrown the ‘72-74 session’ for the SAD-BJP combine in the market, it is the ‘34-36 session’ in case of the Congress. Suppose, if anyone bets for the 72-74 session, his money would be doubled in case the SAD-BJP combine manages to get more than 74 seats. Same is in the case for the Congress. But, if the seats are less than the session, the betting person will lose his money.

The candidates’ rates or ‘sessions’ keep changing daily. The ‘offer’ money is more alluring in case of betting on those candidates who, obviously have lower chances of winning. Suppose the candidate A is slightly lagging behind in public eye as a contestant and a person still bets Rs 10,000 on him, he will get an amount of Rs. 20,000 in case A manages to win. But, if candidate B has more apparent winning chances, a person betting Rs. 10,000 on him will get Rs. 8,000 in case of his victory. The prospective ‘reward’ amount varies from time to time and broadly on basis of public speculation.

The youngsters are participating in this sort of gambling have choosen a safe path. For example, if a person bets Rs 10,000 on Congress candidate from Jalandhar (North) Avtaar Henry, he would also bet Rs. 5,000 on his opponent Mr. Krishan Dev Bhandari (BJP-SAD) with a calculation that he does not lose much money in case of any ‘odd’ outcome.

Chandigarh, February 24
Retired Sikhs across the world are doing things they never imagined they would. They are overcoming depression, sharing ideas and retracing lives the way they always wanted to. And this change has come about fast, thanks to Chandigarh-based Amritpal Singh’s online intervention.

The effort is ingenuous as it promises retired Sikhs all the assistance they require. Whether it is about opening a bank account, getting a new passport, hiring a maid or seeking productive engagement, Amritpal Singh’s portal www.retiredsikhs.com offers every solution. All it requires is registration, following which a person’s profile becomes available on a global database which is being accessed every minute by a range of service providers, globally.

The website services are free of cost, its viability well-researched. The idea is to link retired Sikhs on this global platform as this year there will be 42 million internet users in India. The number will increase to 52 million by 2008 and to 100 million by 2010. “Imagine, when experienced people are connected with 100 million internet users in India alone, at least one out of them will appreciate their experience. I must admit I made the website only for my community because I feel it still lacks unity,”says Amritpal, who runs an international trading firm from Singapore.

Simply put, his website works to prevent retired individuals from wasting their talents and plunging into depression. Singh says, “I have contacted 2000 job placement companies all over the world and convinced them to hire people from my website which is free of cost. There is no commission, no profit. The effort is solely driven by the motive of helping the old engage constructively and go about their lives independently. My parents are my portal’s first beneficiaries. It feels good to help them and others like them.

Right now, the website is seen in 49 countries and has profiles of retired Sikhs from 21 countries and 75 cities. Interestingly, it is extremely equitable as it allows space to people from all categories from rich to poor. Where on the one hand, it has an air vice-marshall registered; on the other it has a junior commission officer. Details of both are available to anyone who wishes to connect, help or hire.

Jalandhar, February 24
Maruti Udyog Ltd celebrated the achievement of the 15,000 Zen Estilo cars sold as Provogue in alliance with Maxim, men’s lifestyle magazine, showcased their new ‘Bling-Bling’ collection dedicated to the car at Lilly Resorts here last evening.

Glam models scorched the ramp as they presented the summer- spring collection, most of it in white or a combination of white, red and silver. Hardly a half-an-hour show, it drew applause from hundreds of visitors. 

Jalandhar, February 24
A lady doctor was crushed under a car belonging to PAP officer Balwinder Singh Fidda.

The accident took place at Guru Gobind Singh Avenue here today. She was reportedly running to board a bus but dashed against the car.

The SHO of division number eight has registered an FIR under Sections 304 -A, 279 of the IPC against the driver of the car. The police officer was in the car at the time of the collision, the SHO added.

Nawanshahr, February 24
As many as 32 cases out of the 59 were settled at the district- level Lok Adalat organised by the District Legal Authority here at Judicial Complex on Saturday. As many as five benches headed by P.S. Virk additional district sessions judge, Tejwinder Singh additional district and sessions judge, Harbeen Bhardwaj chief judicial magistrate, D.P.Singla, civil judge, senior division, and Kewal Krishan, judge, junior division, were set up to hear the cases. Compensations of Rs 10,98325 were ordered.