The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

	Badal ducks issue of Anand Karaj Act Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 16 Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday admitted that several Sikhs were facing problems in getting their marriages registered in India and abroad. But he remained non-committal on the introduction of Anand Karaj Act in the state. Talking to mediapersons at Gurdwara Sukhchain Sahib here on Sunday afternoon, the CM said marriage registration was necessary for all and the state government will take necessary steps in this regard. However, when asked, he could not give a clear reply that whether the government was planning to introduce such a bill in the state assembly in near future. Former union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who was also present on the occasion, said Punjabi MPs have urged the Prime Minister to bring a bill for the Anand Karaj Act in the parliament. Replying to a question on migration of industry from Punjab, the CM urged the union government to provide facilities to the traders and industrialists of the state on the pattern of some neighbouring states. When asked about any possibilities of resurgence of terrorism in Punjab, Badal openly ruled out any such possibility. He said the police had done an appreciable role by controlling the situation during the bandh call and alleged that some elements were working to disturb the peace of the state, which could not be allowed at any cost. When his attention was drawn towards the ongoing power crisis in the state, Badal said the previous (Congress) government did nothing for the development of the state and it could not initiate even a single project during its five year long tenure. He said the SAD-BJP government was working on a long term plan to provide 24 hours uninterrupted power supply, but nothing could be done instantly. “Production of 500 mw power would be ready in Lehra Mohabbat by March next year, while foundation stones of five more thermal plants would be laid soon” said the CM. He, however, gave a green signal to the proposal of setting up an atomic power plant. The CM alleged that the previous government had left the state under loans of more than fifty thousand crores and did nothing in the education sector. He claimed that his government would soon appoint 17,000 teachers. Badal said every possible step would be initiated for the development of the state. Replying to another question, the CM clarified that the state government had no plans to introduce the police commissionerate system. He said the new Police Act would soon be implemented.
	Tragedy On Tracks Year on, families await ex-gratia Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 16 More than a year has gone by since families of four students of PTM Arya Girls’ College, Noormahal, lost their daughters when their college bus collided with Dhanbad Express at an unmanned railway crossing at Gumtala village here on November 23, 2006. The grieving families are however, yet to receive the ex-gratia grant of Rs 5 lakh, announced at the time. Families of the four girls, Ashiya, Diljinder and Kirandeep Kaur from Pasla villages and Rajvir Kaur of Gumtala village, have say they were assured of a compensation of Rs 5 lakh by the then minister for revenue and rehabilitation, Amarjit Singh Samra, but they have not received any relief for the past one year. The families, who are yet to come to terms with the incident, have said their memories were rekindled when they heard about a similar mishap at Moga this morning. “I did not have the courage to stand before my TV and watch news reports being repeatedly telecast on various channels. All I know is that it is all promises and no help for the poor families who lost precious young lives because of the carelessness of others,” says Dalbir Kaur, mother of Ashiya, with tears rolling down her eyes. Ashiya’s father works in Saudi Arabia. Families of the other girls also belong to the lower middle class. “We sent our daughters for higher studies hoping for a better future for them. We thought that the ex-gratia could be of some help for re-building the future of our children but that too has eluded us,” say parents of Diljinder and Kirandeep Kaur. The families have knocked the doors of MLAs and college management time and again but in vain. “They sent us back with mere assurances and no monetary relief,” they rue. MLA Nakodar and the then revenue and rehabilitation minister Samra confirmed that he had announced the compensation and raised the matter a number of times in the assembly. MLA Noormahal, Gurdeep Singh Bhullar, blamed it on the previous government for not helping the aggrieved families and said he will try to help them.
	Chill Factor Adampur shivers at 1.4 degrees Anuradha Shukla/TNS Jalandhar, December 16 The city today witnessed the coldest day of the season as minimum temperature recorded at Adampur air force station was 1.4 degrees celsius, lowest among the plain areas in the region. While Amritsar recorded a low of 1.8 degrees, Halwara stood at 3.2 degrees. Similarly, at Pathankot, Chandigarh and Bathinda, the mercury plummeted to 5.4 degrees, 4.4 degrees and 5.4 degrees, respectively. At Ambala air force station, the lowest temperature was recorded as 3 degrees today, while Srinagar and Jammu shivered at 5.4 and 5.6 degrees, respectively. However, the residents can hope for some respite from the cold as the Adampur Met Station has predicted sunny weather over the next 24 hours. “It will be mainly sunny. Occasional fog and mist is likely to occur in the morning. The temperatures have recorded a variation of 2 to 3 degrees at all the places,” says Naresh Vig, Army and met station’s spokesperson. Adampur recorded 3.4 degrees yesterday. While at Halwara, Chandigarh, Bathinda and Ambala recorded a low of 6.2 and 6.4 degrees, respectively. Residents have resorted to blowers, hot water bottles, heaters, to ward off the winter chill. The special ‘chikk’ curtains used in verandas, usually in summers, are also being used as a cover from cold winds. “Closing windows does not help much. The traditional chikk come in handy,” says A.S. Singh, a resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar. Jyoti, a student, says hot water bottles are inseparable part of hostel life during winters. Sikander Singh says he uses double curtains to cover the windows. “I am taking special care to protect my two young sons from cold,” he added. Many residents are also opting for electric blankets, which are becoming rage this winter. The deputy commissioner Ajeet Singh Pannu says so far there have been no deaths reported due to the inclement weather, but the administration was closely monitoring the situation. “So far there has been no demand for any kind of help from residents,” adds Pannu. Dr Rajiv Sharma from the civil hospital has a word of advice for residnets to fight the cold. “Contrary to the popular belief, consuming alcohol or cigarettes results in loss of body heat. Those using blowers or heaters must keep water in an open container because these gadgets tend to absorb water from the atmosphere. The dry air can cause problems to people with allergies,” he added. Breathing problems also increase during the winters. “Children and elderly are most vunerable and need extra care. Chances of paralysis, pneumonia, stroke or heart attack increase as our body works overtime to keep itself warm,” says Sharma. Layering can greatly help, he further says, adding that burning angithis or kangris in a closed room can lead to death due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
	Parmeet Singh is Mr Singh International Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 16 Parmeet Singh of Dehradun walked away with the coveted title of Frankfinn Mr Singh International at the glittering final which saw as many as 29 contestants strutting their stuff for the mega crown. The event was held at Khalsa College grounds here on Saturday night. Danandeep Singh of Pathankot and Tejinder Singh from Baroda were adjudged first and second runners-up, respectively. The programme started one-and-a-half hour late and the results were declared at 11.45 pm. The organisers and the police had a tough time in controlling the huge crowd which had gathered in huge numbers. Despite biting cold, the stands were jam packed. Harpreet Singh was declared Mr Singh Sparkling Smile, while Gurdev Singh from Jammu got the Mr Singh ‘Catchy Eyes award’. The best artistic performance title was given to Gurjinder Singh from Chennai, while Manpreet Singh of Faridabad won the photogenic face award. Best attitude award was bagged by Balwinder Singh of Bangalore, while Princejit Singh of Kapurthala got the ‘Gurmat’ awareness award. Rocking physique title was won by Mandeep Singh, whereas Nanak Singh won the impressive turban award. The best costume award and general awareness awards were won by Prabhjot Singh from Nasik and Gurneet Singh of Patiala, respectively. Selected from 2,000 participants, the 29 finalists had toiled hard during their three-month long training session where they learned skills of ‘gatka,’ ‘theatre performance’ and table manners before the grand finale. In spite of the fact that organisers failed to provide background music to the Bollywood singer turned actor Himesh Reshamiya, the latter enthralled the audience with his famous numbers ‘Ashiq banaya apne’ and ‘Jhalak dikhlaja’. Even the performance by the star voice of India winner Ishmeet Singh made audience.dance to his tunes. Among other present were Bollywood actors Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Raj Babbar. Earlier, addressing the gathering, Randhir Kapoor said, “The Sikh youth should feel pride in turban and such events should be organised regularly.” A documentary on Maharaja Ranjit Singh produced by Raj Babbar was also screened during the event. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab minister for information Bikram Singh Majithia and agriculture minister Gulzar Singh Ranike jointly announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh on behalf of the state government for the organisers Akal Purakh Ki Fauj (APKF). Virsa Singh Valtoha, DC Kahan Singh Pannu were also present on the occasion.
	Vajra Corps celebrate Vijay Diwas Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 16 Vajra Corps celebrated Vijay Diwas on Sunday signaling India’s comprehensive military victory over Pakistan 36 years ago. Paying rich tributes to the martyrs, GOC-in-C of the corps Lt Gen S S Kumar assured families of all support. The army has launched many projects for the welfare of families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. He also stressed on the importance of operational preparedness and exhorted all ranks of the corps to be fully prepared for any eventuality and to master all skills required to achieve such victories in future, in case the need arises. He said December 16 was an historic day for the forces because 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army at consequent to the creation of Bangladesh, the erstwhile East Pakistan. The corps proved its mettle in the war and the grateful nation conferred 8 MVCs, 47 VCs and numerous other awards on the valiant men. The corps were also bestowed with the Theatre honour Punjab and battle honours Sehjra and Dera Baba Nanak.
	Devp works: Residents felicitate MC chief Our Correspondent Nawanshahr, December 16 The Teachers Colony Welfare Society (TCWS) organised a function here on Sunday to honour municipal council president, Lalit Mohan Pathak alias Ballu and councillor Prem Lata Markanda. The event was organised to express gratitude towards them for fulfilling their promises of providing basic civic amenities made by them last year. In December last year, the society virtually practiced 'Gandhigiri' by inviting MC president, Lalit Mohan Pathak on a 'preeti bhoj' at which the residents made him aware of the lack of basic civic amenities in the oldest planned colony of the town. Then, the MC president had assured them of speedy development. As he kept his word, the residents this year specially organised a thanks-giving function. Vivek Markanda, Daljit Singh Sian, Dharam Pal, Anita Pal Gupta, Balram Chadha, president and members of the society, while expressing their gratitude for fulfilling the promises, made the MC president and councillor aware of a few remaining problems.