Bathinda, December 16
Changes in the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, after the proposed delimitation comes into effect, has generated much speculation on which way the political stream in the region will flow.

The new proposal is awaiting the Presidential nod. If one goes by its suggestions, Phul assembly constituency has been de-linked from the Faridkot Lok Sabha constituency. The home turf of Badal family, Lambi, has been added to Bathinda. Much interest has been generated over the change in the status of Bathinda from a reserved constituency to a general one.

Bathinda has been divided into two parts: urban and rural. In rural areas, some villages of Bathinda assembly segment and some from Pakka Kalan have been added and will remain a part of the proposed Faridkot reserved constituency. They will no longer be a part of the Bathinda constituency. Nathana has been merged with Bhucho which will be an assembly constituency. It will be a part of Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency.

It has been learnt that the draft proposals on delimitation had witnessed strong objections from various quarters over the inclusion of Lambi assembly segment in Bathinda parliamentary constituency and the making of Rampura Phul assembly seat a part of the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat.

The proposed changes have also fuelled speculation over the possibility of SAD (A) working president Sukhbir Badal contesting from this area.

It is being alleged that all development programmes launched in the region and the importance given to the area by the ruling party was a corollary of this. The international cricket stadium, birthday celebrations of CM Parkash Singh Badal, the formation of district grievance redressal committee and district planning and development board and also the chairmanship of the board and the committee, given to the brother-in-law of Sukhbir Badal and the religious programmes of Surinder Kaur Badal in the area, are being seen in this light now.

Some people in the area are of the view that the ruling party is paying more concern to this area as it lost almost every seat here in the assembly elections.

Sources said the SAD (B) would now benefit the most from the inclusion of Lambi in Bathinda, as it is the SAD (B) supremo’s home turf.

When contacted, Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, Member of Parliament from Bathinda, said, “The delimitation is purely based on the guidelines laid down for the commission.”

She also said that the delimitation exercise was aimed at strengthening democracy and redrawing lines on the basis of the census.

About her choice of constituency, she said, “I am a worker of SAD (B). Whatever the party would decide, I will obey that.”

Bathinda, December 16
It’s very easy to spot him on the dusty roads of this fast developing city of Malwa. Clad in a colourful kurta, with messages related to eradication of polio and other deadly diseases written on it, the man, Lal Chand Singh (47), has literally dedicated half a century to this mission. He is a lone crusader waging a battle to save the infants.

His clothes have messages, urging people to protect themselves from polio, measles, hepatitis and AIDS, printed on them. Now he is also educating people about the need to maintain a pollution free environment, which is the need of the hour.

``Ever since I joined the Punjab health department in 1984 as a class IV employee, I decided to make eradication of polio and other such diseases a mission of my life. So I got kutras stitched and the messages relating to timely vaccination as preventive measures, written on them,’’ he informed.

Hailing from a poor family of village Chughe Khurd, Lal Chand pedals from village to village, in this chilly winter as well as when the mercury is rising, spreading the message to keep tiny-tots in good health. People get attracted to him due to his dress and innovative method of disseminating vital information to the rural folks. ``As I have volunteered for this cause, so there is no TA or DA for the same,’’ he smiles.

``After matriculation, I did a course in stenography from ITI, Bathinda. Despite that course, I could not find an appropriate job. So I decided to work as a class IV employee in the health department to make both ends meet,’’ he said.

He does not need any vehicle or public address system to disseminate the information. ``Sometimes, I even visit the villages on foot,’’ he added.

Ask him about the fancy clothes he wears and he waves his hands, ``Don’t go by my attire, focus on my aim.’’

Bathinda, December 16
To ensure that the daughters of Gurjant Singh, the cop from Behman Jassa Singh village in the district, who set himself on fire along with members of his family in September, get their justice, the Agni Kand Insaaf Devao Action Committee, has reiterated its call for a ‘gherao’ of the sub-divisional magistrate, Talwandi Sabo, on December 19.

Representatives of the BSP, CPI, CPM, Lok Bhalai Party and SAD (A) held a meeting at Gurudwara Haji Rattan Sahib, to chalk out a strategy.

Convener of the committee, Jagjit Singh Joga, said in a press note that the matter had been raised at a meeting of the district grivences redressal committee held under the chairmanship of Bikram Singh Majithia on December 12.

He further alleged that the district police has been performing a negative role in the case as despite the registering of a case, it has been trying to effect a compromise in the case. Itmay be recalled that Gurjant had been declared a proclaimed offender by the police.

Bathinda, December 16
Condemning the act of miscreants who damaged the statue of Valmiki in the wee hours on Sunday, the bathinda District Congress Committee issued a press release here today.

MLA from Bathinda, Harmander Singh Jassi, accused the ruling party for being responsible for all acts that endanger peace and brotherhood among people.

He further alleged that the incident was not a minor one but was part of a larger game plan by unscrupulous elements. 

Bathinda, December 16
The mishap near Moga in which the Sutluj Express rammed into a mini-bus killing 16 people has also put the focus on railway crossings. The incident was not an isolated one because accidents at railway crossings, especially unmanned ones, are frequently heard of. It was on November 23, 2006 that three girls were killed and 16 injured near Jalandhar when the Dhanbad Express had rammed into a bus. That accident also took place due to poor visibility arising out of dense fog.

Unmanned railway crossings are always an open invitation for mishaps as people tend to ignore the warnings knowing full well the dangers inherent in it.

The answer to unstarred question number 659 in Lok Sabha, on August 16, 2007, stated that there are total of 16,600 manned and 18,297 unmanned level crossings in the country. It also clearly stated that the country has 10 per cent more unmanned crossings than manned railway crossings.

The railway authorities have been trying to man all railway crossing but the process is slow. The (e) part of the answer states that during the year 2004-05 as many as 190 unmanned railway crossings were upgraded to the manned status. The figure was 291 for 2005-06 and 236 for 2006-07. The target for this year has been settled at 447.

If we talk about the Northern Railway, then, as per the answer to the starred question, there are 2,333 manned and 2,021 unmanned level crossings. In the year 2004-05, only 10, in 2005-06 as many as 43 and in the year 2006-07, 24 unmanned level crossings were converted into manned rail crossings. The target for the year 2006-07 has been fixed at 100.

As per a report, there have been 106 consequential train accidents in Indian Railways during the period from January to July 2007 in which 128 persons lost their lives. Loss of railway property on account of these accidents has been estimated at Rs. 26.53 crores (approximately) as ex-gratia has been paid in cases where admissible. Compensation, however, is payable after the claim cases are filed and awarded by the claim tribunals.

The problem at railway crossings gets worse on foggy days as the speeding train is difficult to sight as is believed to be the case in Moga.

The presence of round-the-clock gatekeepers, options like static warning boards near the gate and blowing of horns by train drivers while approaching a railway gate are all options that have been tested.

But nothing is a substitute for alertness on one’s own part. Lowering the guard and ignoring safety norms can prove fatal and the Moga incident as come as a grisly reminder of it. 

Moga, December 16
The railways today paid a compensation of Rs 44.75 lakh to the families of the victims of the ghastly accident that occurred at Chuhad Chak village on Friday, in which a train and mini-bus collided at the railway crossing due to the negligence of a railway employee.

According to railway officials, Punam Chand Dubi, Assistant Commercial Manager, Ferozepur range, distributed the cheques to the families of the victims.

Following the announcement from railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, cheques were distributed to the aggrieved families within 48 hours of the
accident.

As many as eight cheques valued at Rs 5 lakh each were given to the families who lost their members while the same number of cheques of Rs 50,000 each were given to those who sustained injuries. Five persons who received minor injuries received Rs 15,000 each.

Meanwhile, three cheques of Rs 5 lakh each were withheld as they bore incorrect names of the beneficiaries. The new cheques with correct names would be issued on Monday. The Punjab government has already announced that it will bear the cost of treatment.

Abohar, December 16
Close on the heels of a deadly mishap in Moga, another rail mishap was averted when an employee, after spotting a crack in a railway track joint, indicated red signal to the driver of the Intercity Express on Saturday, sources said.

According to available information, a railway employee noticed a crack in a railway track when the Sriganganagar-New Delhi Intercity Express was about to pass through Bahawalbassi railway station.

He waved the red flag signalling the driver of the train to halt. The driver, after getting the signal, slowed the train to avert derailment.

On learning about the technical snag, the technicians from the Abohar railway station rushed to the spot and welded the crack in the railway track.

The employees also thanked their luck as the Sriganganagar-Haridwar Intercity Express had passed safely on the same track just an hour before the New Delhi bound train was to cross. — OC

Bathinda, December 16
War heroes of the India Army who demonstrated exceptional valour during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which resulted in the creation of Bangaladesh, were remembered at a solemn function here on Sunday.

The ‘Vijay Diwas’ held to commemorate the victory of 1971 war was celebrated by the Chetek Corps here by organising a meeting that was graced by over 200 war veterans from Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar districts.

On the occasion, a wreath was laid at ‘Yodha Yaadgar’ memorial by Lt General R.S Sujlana, GOC, Chetak Corps and other senior serving and retired officers in the memory of the valiant martyrs.

Addressing the war veterans, Brig Bant Singh (retd.) who is also the vice-president of the Zila Sainik Welfare Board informed the veterans about the various programmes launched for their welfare.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt. General R S Sujlana lauded the war veterans for the sacrifices made by them and assured that they would continue to be a part of the Army.

He underlined the need to keep pace with the modern world and said that CSD smart   card for canteen would be beneficial for all as everything would be computerised.

Presenting gifts to them, he said that efforts were being made to address their grievances.

Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, who is also the president of the Zila Sainik Welfare Board said that the war veterans were the real life national heroes and urged them not to lose faith in the democratic system.

During the meet, the war veterans were also briefed on the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and informed that they, as well as their dependents, were eligible for its membership.

The Defence Pension Disbursement Officer (DPDO) and representatives of ex-servicemen helpline interacted with the war veterans to resolve their problems.

The war veterans were also provided canteen and dental care and the GOC Chetak Corps felicitated the veterans and hosted a barakhana. 

Fazilka, December 16
The Indian Army and the Shaheedon Ki Samadh Sabha, Asafwala, jointly celebrated Vijay Diwas in solemn manner at the 1971 Indo-Pak war memorial in village Asafwala, 7 km from here, today.

Senior army officers led by General officer commanding (GOC) Major-General B.S.Daulta paid tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Army, who sacrificed their lives in Fazilka sector while defending the town and its surrounding areas during the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

The GOC placed a wreath on the memorial followed by Brigadier Rajiv Bhutani, commander of infantry brigade, Rajiv Prashar, SDM Fazilka and Sandeep Gilhotra and Rattan Lal Thakral, patron and president respectively of the Shaheedon Ki Samadh Sabha.

The Sabha has been managing the memorial ever since its construction. Contingents of the infantry brigade, present on the occasion, saluted the martyrs.

While addressing the army officers, civil administration and civilians, the GOC described the war memorial as an “alive memorial”.

He said that he had seen many memorials in his career but he was proud to see the Fazilka memorial, as it was raised by the civilians and was one of the well-maintained memorials. He lauded the efforts of the committee in expanding and maintaining the memorial.

Daulta said that such monuments assured the army men that their sacrifice would remain alive.

Fazilka based author Shashi Kant presented a booklet on the memorial to Major-General Daulta.

Rattan Lal Thakral, president of the Sabha, briefly traced the history of the monument, its expansion and its development over 35 years.

The memorial was initially raised in the memory of martyr army jawans of 4 Jat Regiment, who were cremated collectively at the present site of the monument. The ashes of some army jawans were also preserved in the monument. With the passage of time, the sphere of the memorial was widened and the memorial pillars of 15 Rajput and 3 Assam Regiments were also raised on the complex. The photographs of the killed army men are displayed along with a citation of the memorial in the museum.

The Artiya Association here announced to provide a digital inverter for the memorial complex.

Bathinda, December 16
The three-day 150th year celebrations of the Central India Horse (CIH) here that concluded on Saturday provided vignettes that were both memorable and inspirational. The three-day celebrations in Bathinda saw officers past and present assemble and exchange notes of nostalgia. Among those present was Lt Col Peter Blaker, 80, whose grandfather Sir John Watson VC was the first commandant of the CIH in 1875.

Lt Col Blaker has a distinguished record against his name. He drove his Morris Mini car 200 miles a day on rough and bumpy roads, snaking through forests, marshy lands and deserts consecutively for 40 days in 1964 from Madras to London to save the huge cost of shipping the vehicle. Of course, the adventurous spirit of the officer who was then 27 years old and was posted in Malaysia with the Royal Green Jackets motivated him to take the plunge.

Blaker purchased a Marris Mini car during his posting at Malaysia in 1964 and was so obsessed with the vehicle that he decided to take the car to London. Finding that the cost of shipping the car was exorbitant, he decided to follow the land route, driving through Asia, Gulf countries and Europe to reach London after five and a half weeks.

Blaker, here in connection with the 150th Raising Day celebrations of the CIH regiment, remembers every day and night of his thrilling adventure.

Starting his journey from Madras, he made his first halt at Bangalore only to find that there was some problem with the clutch of the car.

However, a local mechanic helped him out free of cost. During his drive, he slept mostly in the back seat of the car.

He drove past Indore and Pune and made a departure to include Guna in the itinerary as it had special significance for him, being the place where his grandfather and grandmother got married in 1908.

Covering dusty tracks of Kanpur and Lucknow, he reached Agra where he saw the most beautiful thing of life, ‘Taj Mahal’, he fondly remembers. Reaching Delhi from Agra was a great relief as he slept in the bed for the first time after he started from Madras.

He took the Grand Trunk (GT) road from Delhi and reached Lahore enroute Amritsar encountering yet another problem in fuel pump of his car.

After a thrilling journey, Blaker reached Afghanistan via Kabul and Kandhar and was surprised to see the board which read ‘London 5671 miles’ which made him realise that home was still far away. He travelled through, Tehran and Tabriz to enter Europe.

His entry into Yugoslavia was marred by a storm but he managed to drive through Austria, Belgium and France. Finally he reached London but there again he was welcomed by a long ‘traffic jam’. He was to complete the journey in six weeks but he reached London three days ahead of schedule.

Bathinda, December 16
A passion for risky venture like horse riding at the age of six and competing with professionals at the age of 14 may sound astounding, but Vattan Jeet Bhullar has made it possible with sheer grit and determination.

A class IX student of Punjab Public School, Nabha, Vattan Jeet developed a penchant for riding horses at an early age because it was a tradition in the family. His father had five horses in his stable and his younger brother is also a keen rider. Unfortunately, their horses died due to some ailment but Vattan Jeet pledged to make his dreams come true by carving a niche for himself in the world of celebrated horse riders.

His father also inspired him to learn horse riding skills and got him admitted to the Punjab Public School, Nabha, the only institution in the area where facility for learning horse riding is available. Not only this, horse riding is compulsory for students in class IV and class V and a budding talent is nurtured specially.

The only son of his parents, Vattan Jeet has won a rich haul of medals and prizes in horse riding at the state-level and national championships. He won five gold medals at the Indian Public Schools Championship held in November this year.

He also bagged the gold medal at the Chandigarh and Delhi horse show last year. Besides other skills, Vattan Jeet is master of show jumping, a tricky and risky component of riding.

After winning 45 medals in different categories at the state and national level, his cherished dream is to win a gold for the country at the Olympics and is working hard to realise it.

Vatanjeet’s cousin, Navneet, a class XII students in the same school is also motivated by her younger brother’s obsession for riding. She also won six medals at different levels. The horse riding coach of the school, Saudagar Singh, is his main source of inspiration and strength and he gives all credit for his achievements to his coach.

Bathinda, December 16
The winter carnival organized at Delhi Public School here today turned out to be a big draw, winning accolades from one and all. The response to the programmes from parents and the guests was overwhelming and action-packed items won their loud appreciation.

Solo songs and dances, turtle race, balloon citto race and horse riding by kids in age group of 3-5 years were the highlights of the festival which mesmerised those present on the occasion.

Competitions for students in different age-groups were held and all participants were given prizes, gifts and refreshments by organisers of the function.

Vandana Talwar, member of DPS Society and pro vice chairman Romesh Talwar, inaugurated the carnival. Principal Arunjee thanked the parents and the children for their excellent response to the function.

Abohar, December 16
The father of a rape victim (a minor Dalit girl) yesterday committed suicide after a weeklong fight for justice in the neighbouring Sriganganagar region. The police arrested the alleged culprits after the incident, sources said today.

On December 9, the parents along with their minor girl had gone to the police station in Suratgarh area to register an FIR against a person, who happened to be the brother-in-law of the victim’s mother, the sources said.

The girl, a resident of ward 8, reported to the police that her “mausa” (maternal uncle) had come to their house when her parents were out. He persuaded her to accompany him to the fields where her parents were working. And on the way, he allegedly raped her and threatened her wityh dire consequences if she revealed the incident to her parents. But when her parents returned home, they grew suspicious as they found her in blood stained clothes. The police got the victim examined in a hospital and registered a case assuring that the culprit would be arrested soon.

However, the father, apparently frustrated over denial of justice, yesterday committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance.

The police swung into action after learning about his death and arrested Ram Lal alias Brij Lal. He was produced before a magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody, sources added.

Mansa, December 16
In the last fifteen days, the district police in Mansa has registered a total of 26 cases related to drug addiction.

Following the campaign against drug addiction, 49 litres of illegal liquor, 30 kg of bhuki and 20 gram of smack had been seized and 30 persons have been arrested in this connection.

Senior superintendent of police, Mansa, M.F. Farooqi informed that the police had been successful in the campaign against drug addiction.

Out of a total of 26 drug related cases, three cases were registered in Mansa city, 2 in Bhikhi, 5 in Jhunir, 5 in Mansa Sadar, 3 in Joga, 3 in Boha, 1 in Jaurkian, 2 in Sardulgarh and 2 in Bareta.

Sub-inspector Satpal Singh and sub-inspector Amarjeet Singh were suspended after allegation of indiscipline was levelled against him. They were sent to Police Lines. — OC

Barnala, December 16
The Dhanaula police has arrested one person of Sadhoheri village in Nabha and his uncle Amrit Singh for trying to kill the former’s wife.

One Sarbjeet Kaur was living at her parents’place as she was separated from her husband as her in-laws were torturing her for dowry.

But following the intervention of a panchayat, his husband reached a compromise and came along with his uncle Amrit Singh to her paternal house at Barnala on Saturday to take her along to Sadhoheri. On the way back to Sadhaheri at Harigarh canal, her husband, in connivance with his uncle, tried to throw her into the canal. She cried for help and people gathered at the site and rescued her from them. She then called her brother Gurcharan Singh, who took her back to her paternal home. The family reported the matter to the police.

A case has been registered under sections 307, 407 and 34 of the IPC. — OC

Abohar, December 16
The city police has registered a case against a man for abetting a woman to commit suicide, sources confirmed today.

Mandeep Kaur, a resident of Malout and a local schoolteacher, was found dead on Friday in the bathroom of a rented house in Sunder Nagari here. In a suicide note, she had blamed a person for betraying her. Earlier, it was believed that the person named in the handwritten paper was her husband but investigations, led to different revelations.

She had been married to one Saravjeet Singh of Bathinda in 2004 but they separated after developing strained relations. Their separation was under an agreement reached with the intervention of their relatives and friends.

Investigations further indicated that she had come into contact with Baljinder Singh of Malout area. Sources said he was already married. However, they managed to get a room on rent in Sunder Nagari here after introducing themselves as husband-wife.

A brother of her husband gave all the information to the police during the post-mortem of the victim yesterday, sources added.

The police has registered an FIR under section 306 of the IPC against Baljinder Singh of village Sham Khera. — OC

Muktsar, December 16
A ten-day National Service Scheme (NSS) camp was inaugurated by Vikas Garg, Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, at Dasmesh Girls College of Education, Badal, here on Sunday.

A blood donation camp was also organised under the supervision of Sulekha Goel and her team. The students and the staff donated 25 units of blood. Principal S.S. Sangha welcomed the chief guest and other distinguished guests.

In his welcome speech, he stressed upon the importance of the holding of such camps and threw light on the meaning of slogan and insignia of the NSS.

The students of the college also recited kwishiri and shabad. Speaking on the occasion, Vikas Garg congratulated the principal, staff and the students for organising such camps, which are the need of the hour to inculcate social and moral values.

Garg shared his experiences to explain the value of patience in professional life. Programme officer Lakhbir Singh and Simerjeet Kaur gave a brief account of the activities to be undertaken at the NSS camp.

They said that the main theme of the camp was “Healthy youth for healthy India” and said that during the camp, lectures on mental, general and spiritual health, medical check-up, AIDS awareness, environment awareness, tree plantation population education, extempore debates will be the main focus at the camp. On December 24, the NSS unit will organise a cultural function also. 

Abohar, December 16
Four persons were reported to have died in road mishaps while 10 persons were injured during the past 24 hours near Abohar.

According to information, a tempo carrying six family members collided head-on with a truck on the outskirts of Suratgarh town at 11 pm resulting in one Raju Singh Rajput’s death on the spot. His father Hanuman Singh Rajput, mother Krishna Kanwer, uncle Moti Singh and maternal uncle Surinder Singh sustained injuries.

On the same road, the driver of a truck, identified as Sukhdev Singh of Padampur, was killed while his brother Joginder Singh received injuries as two trucks collided head- on near village Piprain.

Meanwhile, a boy, Tara Chand (8), of village Paproda, who had been hit by an unidentified vehicle near Goluwala in the same region on Friday, succumbed to his injuries at civil hospital on Saturday, sources said.

In another incident, one Lilu Ram of village Jhurarpura also succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. A jeep had hit him near village Jattan, family sources said.

One Vishpreet Singh Brar received injuries when the motorcycle that he was riding, collided with a Mahindra jeep near village Alamgarh close to this sub-divisional town on Saturday. Witnesses reportedly told the police that the motorcycle rider was responding to a mobile call when the mishap occurred.

Harpal Singh of Mammukhera village along with pillion rider Kala Singh were injured as the motorcycle they were riding hit a Maruti car near Dangarkhera sub-canal, 7 km from here on the Fazilka road, on Saturday. An Army vehicle shifted them to the civil hospital in the evening.