Jalandhar, September 11
Even as his opponents have dubbed him a novice in politics, Jalandhar municipal corporation’s fourth mayor Rakesh Rathore aims at defying the notion and is determined to strike a chord with the masses. And if he plans to start his innings with a word of advice from his mentor and man of mass appeal Navjot Singh Sidhu, MP, with whose support he is said to have become the first citizen of Jalandhar, he might even be successful. In fact, Rathore is said to have started his career as a cricketer for Punjab with Sidhu as both were part of the team that played Ranji Trophy in 1984.

While Sidhu made long strides thereafter, Rathore could not go too far. Instead, he has been serving as vice-president of the Jalandhar District Cricket Association for the past many years and is also president of the Veteran Cricket Association Punjab. Alongside, Rathore has been into export of hand tools and owns Sant Valves based at Focal Point here. His partner in the business is Anurag, a son of Prem Kumar Dhumal, MP and former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, who is also said to have played a vital role in getting him to the hot seat. The families have close association as Dhumal is his mother’s cousin.

Even as the new mayor seems to be somewhat lacking in leadership skills, he does have a sound sense of communication and a pleasing personality. Since he represents the alliance in the MC, there certainly would be tougher challenges in store for him. Infighting within the BJP, especially before the MC poll and during nomination of the mayor is also likely to cast a shadow on his ffor redress of the civic problems,” he added.

But like a seasoned politician, he has shown much restraint in taking critical questions. “My only target is to make the city beautiful and progressive in every respect. A provision of clean drinking water, solving traffic problems, improving the condition of roads and check on encroachments will be my main agenda”, he gave a much generalised statement.

“I am not here for any dirty politics. My working will be very clean and I want others too to give up their corrupt practices. Everyone will be free to call me at any time in case they have any complaint. I would be readily available to the common man for redress of the civic problems,” he added.

Regarding his stand on BOT projects, he said, “It is not a bad scheme unless it is done with a good intent and without going in for any self-interest.” Asked if he would revoke any previous BOT works, he replied, “I am yet to study the ongoing projects. In case, I can smell anything fishy anywhere, I may get it aborted after due inquiry”.

Phagwara, September 11
In pursuance of the Punjab government’s directives, a new drug policy to streamline and simplify the procedure for renewal of licences to the chemists in the state has been announced.

Stating this today, health and family welfare minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla said according to the new policy approximately 6,000 applications had been entertained for the renewal of licences to chemists across the state. “After completing all the formalities and verifying required norms, the licences would be renewed for a period of five years.

This was, perhaps, for the first time that the renewal of licences was done at the doorsteps of the chemists and that too in a stipulated time frame of two months,” she added. It may be recalled that drug controller Bhag Singh along with his team of officers had been asked to expedite the backlog of the renewal of pending licences within a stipulated time from July 1, 2007, to August 31, 2007.

Adding further the minister reiterated that intensive and aggressive campaign against the sale of habit forming drugs, adulterated food items and other spurious drugs would continue.

“Nearly 30 licences have been cancelled in the state out of which 19 were cancelled due to sale of habit forming drugs. Twenty-eight unlicensed godowns have been detected at various places in the state and legal proceedings under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, have been initiated against godowns owners,” said the minister. “Drugs amounting to Rs 87 lakh have been seized from different places in Punjab,” she added.

Phagwara, September 11
The Punjab government would soon launch a statewide programme to widen and strengthen the link roads situated in the periphery of all urban areas and major cities of the state, said PWD (B&R) minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa.

The minister Dhindsa, who was here to preside over a meeting of the PWD (B&R), said the cave-in rate of link roads, especially those near urban areas, was very high because of the increasing traffic load. “Moreover, in the absence of proper sewerage a large quantity of effluents are often discharged on these roads,” he said. The minister asked the secretary to coordinate with the Punjab Mandi Board regarding the upkeep of these roads.

PWD (B&R) secretary Karan Avtar Singh informed the minister that a statewide survey carried out by the department on such roads had pointed out that over 2000 km of link roads needed immediate upgradation.

He said a subcommittee consisting of members of the PWD and the Punjab Mandi Board would identify these roads and the department would request to the board to hand over maintenance of these roads to the PWD. The department would also coordinate with the local government department to solve the problem of waterlogging on these roads.

Eleventh September has hutched itself in the memoirs of those persons who have suffered terribly because of the ghoulish terrorism. This date reminds us of the macabre face of the communal powers which have been working incessantly to distort the otherwise peaceful scenario of the world. But should this date be remembered as a day of terrorism only? Perhaps not! If we unearth the history we will see the other facet of this date i.e. September 11, 1893. That, too, was a remarkably treasured day not only for America, but also for India, for this day carries the imperishable imprint of intellectual towering genius Swami Vivekananda whose luminous personality cast an unprecedented spell upon the minds and souls of innumerable savants and erudite figures.

Even after hundred and eight years of that historical address at the Parliament of Religion in Chicago, the magic of those thunderous words has not ceased a bit.

The first sentence Vivekananda spoke out, inaugurated a new epoch of amiable relations between the two nations, “Sisters and brothers of America, I greet the youngest nation in the name of the oldest nation in the world.” Those words stirred a long forgotten sense of spiritual unity in the hearts of the people present there and the result was a deafening applause for two minutes.

In his sonorous voice, Vivekananda cited beautiful illustrations from the Bhagvadgita - “Whosoever comes to me, through whatsoever form, I reach him, all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me.” He hoped to end all sorts of religious fanaticism, bigotry and sectarianism. His electrifying discourse on the subtleties of Hinduism and Buddhism took the Parliament and America by storm. He never preached the superiority of one religion over the other, for he believed that each religion must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve its individuality and grow according to its own law of growth.

A great visionary as he was, he could foresee the tribulations and upheavals in various religious sects that were to ruffle the placid atmosphere of the world for ever. We cannot deny the negative impact of communal forces lurking behind the veil of so-called religious sects and groups. Today, the greatest threat to the world peace is from these highly sensitive, vociferous and satanic organisations. Six years ago, on September 11, 2001, the whole world witnessed the brazen attempt of these communal forces when they attacked World Trade Center and Pentagon to mark their powerful presence. Is not it the result of what Swami Vivekananda calls - religious intolerance? Today, we need to discard all sort of parochialism as it is detrimental to the growth of healthy understanding among different religions.

Strangely, it was exactly 108 years after the sermon of Swami Vivekananda was delivered that the attack on World Trade Center took place. “108” is considered a very auspicious number and the link between the two dates makes us ponder over the prophetic vision of Vivekananda.

In the final address at the Parliament of Religion on September 27, 1893, Vivekananda concluded his lecture with these inspirational words, “If anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance: ‘help and not fight’, ‘assimilation and not destruction’, ‘harmony and peace and not dissension’.” Let this golden uttering enter into the mechanism of our minds and stir up a new electric fire to extinguish the impurities of the negative thoughts forever so that the deadly occurrence of September 11 may never take place again.

Jalandhar, September 11
Thermal technologies for processing and packaging food would soon be a passe as scientists are looking for other ways that could increase the shelf life of food while also ensuring minimal loss of nutrients. Head of the department of food science and technology at Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr D.S. Sogi, elaborated on various new non-thermal techniques that were being introduced for the purpose while delivering the keynote address at a seminar on “Impact of food technology in present scenario” here today. The seminar was organised by the department of home science at the Apeejay College of Fine Arts.

Sogi said some of the advanced techniques for de-activating microbial content that were coming up included pulsed light technology, high voltage arc discharge, ultrasound and oscillating magnetic fields.

Jalandhar, September 11
IndusInd Bank inaugurated its first offsite ATM at Municipal Corporation Park, Jyoti Chowk, here on Monday. SDM-I Bhupinder Singh was the chief guest.

Regional head (Punjab) of the bank H.S. Thakral said the bank was making available “multi-delivery channels” for better reach and convenience of its customers and the off-site ATM facility was another step towards this end.

The bank recently announced its first quarter results for 2007-08, posting a growth of 65 per cent over the previous year. The gross income of the bank was Rs 495.60 crore. The total business touched Rs 28,798 crore.

As part of its expanding bouquet of retail products and services, IndusInd Bank has announced its tie-up with Religare Securities, offering a value-added three-in-one savings accounts-linked package to the customers. The bank also provides products and services to meet the needs of retail, corporate and NRI clients. It has a network of 170 branches all over India.

Madaar (Jalandhar), September 11
Farmers of Madaar and surrounding villages, falling under Adampur subdivision of the district, showed keen interest in the agricultural machinery demonstrated by the engineering wing of the agricultural department today.

Three new improved agricultural machines - laser leveller, rotavator, and bed planter - were demonstrated to farmers in a field camp organised with the help of Madaar Cooperative Multipurpose Agricultural Society.

Agricultural engineer (implements), Jalandhar circle, Manmohan Kaila told the farmers about the benefits of the machines, including saving water and increasing production of different crops. The farmers were also taught how to run these machines in the presence of experts of the engineering wing.

Kalia said a number of camps had already been organised in different districts of Jalandhar circle, including Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur, under the directions of agricultural director B.S. Sidhu and joint director of the engineering wing D.R. Kataria.

A young farmer, Gurpreet Singh, told The Tribune that he had already been using laser leveller and rotavator in his fields for the last some months, whereas he learnt a lot about the benefits of bed planter in the camp.

Peasants Gurbaksh Singh Lally and Pawanjot Singh of Dhogri village said they would be benefited with the information provided in the camp by the engineering wing about the importance of using these machines.

While most of the farmers cannot buy these costly machines, the Madaar Cooperative Agricultural Society helps its member farmers by providingthese machines on rent to them after purchasing them on subsidy.

President of the society Joginder Singh and its secretary Malkiat Singh said these machines were provided to the members of the society at lesser rent as compared to non-members.

Jalandhar, September 11
Naturopathy has always drawn attention, no matter as a home remedy or a professional treatment. People, who have been relieved through it, find no other match to this science of treatment.

Describing about naturopathy, Dr Devraj Tyagi termed it as a system where diagnosis and treatment is done using natural elements, mainly 5 in number - Aakash, Jal, Vayu, Agni and Prithvi. “This treatment, unlike others, has no side effects,” he added.

Citing the reason for diseases, Dr Tyagi said people generally unknowingly consume toxins, which lead to diseases. “In naturopathy we just take out these toxic substances and help body to maintain its equilibrium. Where all treatments fail, naturopathy comes to rescue,” he added.

Dr Tyagi, who has been practising it for the last five years at Sarvodya Bhawan, near Maiheera Gate in the city, feels the naturopathy treatment has no match especially for chronic ailments. Besides, treatment cost is also cheap and the science has cure for even severe problems.

Giving an example, Dr Tyagi told when 12-year-old Hitesh came to me he was suffering from acute asthma, but now he is completely fine. Talking to The Tribune, Hitesh’s mother Sunita said, “We have taken treatment from many hospitals and Hitesh got relief only till the time he was taking medicines.

However, he could not get a permanent relief. We came to know about naturopathy just 6months ago and got him treated from here. After treatment we have found really a great change in him.”

Talking about Yoga Dr Tyagi said, “Even yoga is a component of naturopathy and the way it has been revived by Indians, its really commendable. Not only India but naturopathy and yog have taken even the western countries into its grip.” Criticising the recent ban on yoga in US, Dr Tyagi said, “Yoga is not a religion but just a way of keeping fit. Associating it with any religion is banning humanity to be fit.”

Similarly, Dr Ajay Sharma, a Naturopath said, “Banning yoga in US is completely unfair as people over there were never forced to follow yoga. People were finding it to be useful and that was the reason why they were following it.” Revealing about the costs involved in the treatment, Dr Sharma said, “Being the only centre of naturopathy in the city, the fees is very nominal. We charge around Rs 50 per day for the treatment.”

Agreeing that science is not so famous, as compared to others, Dr Sharma said, “The results are not immediately seen due to which people feel that the science is not useful. However, the results in this treatment are gradual and slow and that is the reason why they have long lasting effect as compared to other treatments.”

Talking about the treatment, Dr Ajay said, diet is very important in Naturopathy. While practising it one has to be very careful as far as diet is concerned because it is an essential component to keep fit. The various treatments of Naturopathy include fasting, massages, steam baths, yog and mud theraphy, etc.

Attributing rise in ailments to the changing lifestyles, both the doctors said, “Present lifestyle may be associated with development, but daily diet in this life style is not one you can consider to be health. The food people take nowadays is not balanced by their physical activity, due to which they suffer from diseases.”

In early times simple food use to balance physical activity and this was the reason why people during that time were not much prone to diseases, he added.

Get bewitched by the mazy motion of marvellous mathematics. You must have got acquainted with the patterns of catchy calculation by now. Here is one more for you.

1012 = 10201

101012 = 02030201

10101012 = 1020304030201

1010101012 = 10203040504030201

101010101012 = 102030405060504030201

10101010101012 = 1020304050607060504030201

1010101010101012 = 10203040506070807060504030201

101010101010101012 = 102030405060708090807060504030201

See the symmetry of the results. What a spectacular pattern it is..! Just look at the left hand side. It contains only two numbers “1” and “0” appearing alternately and to calculate the square of numbers on the right hand side, you need not use calculator, rather you can answer it with great spontaneity without calculator. To write the answer on the right hand side, first count the number of times “1” is used on the left hand side and then in order to write the right hand side numbers, start writing natural numbers in the ascending order i.e. 1, 2, 3 and so on at the alternate digit places till the number of times “1” is written on the left hand side. After that write them in the descending order till you get “1”. Now fill the remaining digit places by placing zeros in between.

Learn it with the help of illustrations:

1) If you want to write the square of numbers with digits “1” and “0” at alternate places, say 10101, just write 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 and so on at the alternate digit places and write zeros at the remaining digit places and you’ll get the result 102030201.

2) Similarly, learn how to write the result of (1010101)2. First count the numbers of times “1” appears in it i.e. four times. So for the answer, write 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1 at the alternate digit places and zeros in between and hence you’ll readily get the answer as 1020304030201.

Now you can write the square of numbers like 101, 10101, 1010101, etc. in seconds.

bansalvanadana@yahoo.com

This has reference to an editorial “Generally Scandalous” in The Tribune on September 7. There was time when men in uniform were the most honest, sincere and dedicated, and were looked at with great respect by all the country men. People had an impression that men in uniform had very high moral character and the power of money could not lower their dignity. But now you will not find a day when the news of corruption or character assassination by men in uniform is not there. The character of the so-called leaders in uniform has gone so low that they don’t hesitate from smuggling ration, medicines, liquor, etc meant for soldiers. Now officers occupying high posts indulge in this kind of anti-social activities and sexual harassment of women officers. There was a time when there were a few black sheep in our forces, but the number today is very high as per the reports in the media. it is high time for the ministry of defence for thorough screening of all the officers in responsible positions. Officers or any person in uniform with tainted character should be given exemplary punishment.