Jalandhar, May 24
Longing for peace and amity between different communities and religious groups of Punjab, people from all walks of life, including women, took out Punjab’s first ‘Peace march’ from Sri Devi Talaab temple here today.

The march began with the of lighting of candles and releasing of pigeons.

Amidst shouting of slogans like “Hamein kya chahiye-shanti, shanti,” the participants carried placards, white flags with an impression of a dove inscribed on them and huge candles.

The march concluded at the Company Bagh Chowk here with hundreds of men and women resolving to fight out any violent posture with peaceful measures.

Workers of different political parties, shopkeepers, businessmen and traders also took part in the march”.

The march passed through the different bazaars of the city. “Our sole wish is that Punjab’s peace should not be disturbed at any cost.

We are ready to give any sacrifice for this,” said Narinder Singh, a local industrialist and president of the Focal Point Association. Sudarshan Mongia, a BJP leader, said the peace march was the need of the hour and such marches should be taken out in every nook and corner of the state.

Participants maintained that people of Punjab and that of the country were fed up with violence and communal tension. “It is the time to march ahead.” said Rajesh, a participant.

While shouting slogans, people in the march also released pigeons en route.

“Religion teaches love and not hatred. We need to realise this and instead of resorting to conspiracies we should work for spreading of message of love and unity.

“All religious and social issues should be resolved by consensus and not by violence and age old methods,” said Narinder Singh.

Jalandhar, May 24
In a rare chance, twins Manjit Singh and Taranjit Singh have secured top two consecutive ranks in the Punjab School Education Board Class VIII examination, the merit list of which was declared today. While Manjit has stood third, Taranjit immediately follows him on fourth position.

The twosome do not just look similar, they have much in common. They wear same clothes. They go to the same school - Rabindra Day Boarding Senior Secondary School. They study together at home and have a common aim to become police officers. The duo and their parents were caught by surprise when media persons reached their home at Mota Singh Nagar congratulating them on the success. Even as the board is to release the gazette tomorrow, the list of toppers was declared today.

Shy boys, they could not contain their happiness as they kept on beaming all the time. When asked about their reaction, they murmured: “We are happy. We had put in the same quantum of effort and have achieved the similar results.”

Their father Ravinder Singh, however, was more articulate. “My sons have not taken tuition from anywhere. I gave them my personal attention with more focus on mathematics, for I am a teacher in the subject at Government Senior Secondary School, Nehru Garden.”

Mother Kamaljit Kaur, too, boasted: “Both my sons have made me proud by giving exceptional results. My daughter Sonia, too, had stood second in the Class VIII examination four years back.”

“My children have never bothered me about their studies as they set their schedules on their own. They have remained very particular in studying accordingly. I have never had to wake them up early or stay awake with them till late night,” she said with pride.

Batala, May 24
Students of R.R. Bawa D.A.V College for Girls have brought laurels for their college and the industrial town of Batala.

Monica Verma has made it to the merit list of the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Amritsar scoring 74 per cent marks in M. Sc Computer Science course. She got 9th position in University merit and got Ist position in District Gurdaspur and Batala.

The students of the college have brought laurels in the M.Sc (Computer Science) first semester course of the university.

The results were declared on Wednesday. Monica Verma got 442 marks (74 %) out of total 600 marks and is placed 9th in the university merit list.

Shikha Bansal stood 2nd in district Batlala and Gurdaspur with 417 marks out of a total of 600. More than 50 % students got more than 60 % marks. Principal Veena Wanti congratulated successful candidates, faculty members, parents of the students.