Ludhiana, January 7
Threat of a bomb blast led the police to evacuate students and staff in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Senior Secondary School, Millergunj, and thorough search of BCM School Model Town school this morning.

Hundreds of panic-stricken students and staff of Shastri School rushed out after an unidentified caller phoned at 9:30 pm to a school clerk that a bomb has been planted in the school building.

With the word spreading around, large number of alarmed parents reached the school to ensure their child was safe. The police said a woman, who lived in the neighbourhood of a family that rushed to Shastri School, spread the panic further when she called up the BCM school to ascertain if everything was safe there. The BCM school was not evacuated.

The police announced the school was safe after four hours of frentic search by the anti-sabotage squad and the sniffer dog squad. SHO Surinder Mohan and SHO Warryam Singh said the calls were a hoax.

"We are trying to trace the caller, who phoned at the Shastri school" said SHO Mohan. The woman who called up at the BCM school was identified and questioned. SHO Warryam Singh said she was just panicky that the bomb may have been planted in that school also.

The police said there was no need to evacuate the BCM school and the search went on while the school functioned normally after a short break. On the other hand, the Shastri school authorities declared an early closure today as most of school hours were already because of the hoax call.

SSP R K Jaiswal has appealed to the public to immediately call up the police instead of pressing panic buttons. He said the police was quite vigilant and there was no need to fear.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 7
The observance of road safety week served a dual purpose today, when a few police parties successfully kept activists of SAD (A) from stopping buses, owned by the Badals.

A few teams of policemen from police stations at Dehlon, Payal, Raikot, Sudhar, Jagraon and the local town had been deployed at various places on highways, where public transport was plying. No incident of buses being stopped was reported from the area.

Though the purpose of special deployment of the police was apparently in response to the statewide call given by leaders of SAD (A), in charges of various teams termed the deployment as a routine exercise.

Paramajit Singh Goraya, DSP Dakha, who had come to check a naka organised under the supervision of Prem Singh at Jagera, claimed that the exercise was part of the road safety week. “Though we are primarily trying to educate people about the hazards of reckless driving, the cops will also stop anybody interfering in plying of public transport or other vehicles on the roads,” said Gorayan while talking to the Ludhiana Tribune.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 7
Terming revival of terrorism in the border state as perilous for strengthening of bonds of Punjabi NRIs with their roots, Dr Ruby Dhalla, Member of Parliament for Brampton Springdale in Canada’s Parliament, claimed that she would impress upon the Canadian Government to help the Indian and Punjab governments to deal with extremism with an iron hand.

An organised step to help Indian women, being exploited by a few NRIs, will also be taken, she asserted.

Dr Dhalla, the first South Asian woman to be elected to federal parliament in the western world and the youngest woman in Canadian Parliament, was talking to the Ludhiana Tribune after being felicitated by a few social and constitutional organisations of the area at Pohir village, near here, today.

“As the official Opposition critic for social development and vice-chairperson of the standing committee for human resources and social development in my country, I along with my colleagues will impress upon the Canadian Government to help India curb terrorism with an iron hand,” said Dr Dhalla, apprehending that revival of terrorism would disappoint the NRIs who had made up their mind to invest in northern India.

Dr Dhalla said she would soon meet Canadian High Commissioner in India to discuss measures to safeguard interests of women being exploited by a few NRIs on the pretext of marriage. She said the phenomenon of “cross marriage” was a blot on society, both in Canada and Punjab as well.

Appreciating the role played by Sukhbir Singh Badal in launching a move to defend interests of NRIs, the Canadian MP said promises made by the state government should be kept in letter and in spirit.

Warning the Punjabi youth against the trend of going abroad by illegal means, Dr Dhalla claimed that the procedure for legal entry had been simplified. “With persistent efforts of representatives of our party, youths immigrating on student visa had been allowed to work and sponsor their parents also,” said Dr Dhalla.

Asked about her opinion about politics, Dr Dhalla commented, “Politics is not about power, but about empowerment in which all people have a voice. Politics is about people... their hopes, dreams, and desires. It’s about working together to create a society in which equality, acceptance, and respect continue to be nation’s hallmarks.”

Ludhiana, January 7
Dr R.K.Mahey, Registrar, PAU, in its 233rd Board of Management meeting held today at Mohali, said appointments to key posts of director (Research), dean (College of Agriculture), dean (College of Home Science) and seven heads of departments were approved.

Dr P.S.Minhas, assistant director-general, Irrigation Water Management (ICAR), has been appointed as the director (Research). Dr Minhas has worked in the area of soil water plant interactions in the saline environment and development of management strategies for the judicious use of the low quality water.

He coordinated operational research programme on the saline irrigation techniques and has received prestigious awards, including Su Kumar Basu Award by IARI (1997-98), Hari Om Ashram Trust Award by ICAR (2002-03), CSSEI Excellence Award on the Soil Salinity and Water Management by CSSRI, Karnal (2004).

He has been honoured with the fellowship of the NAAS, New Delhi (2001), and the Indian Society of Soil Sciences (2002). Dr Minhas has 158 publications to his credit.

He has earlier served as scientist S-I, S-II/senior scientist, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, and the project coordinator CSSRI, Karnal.

Dr Milkha Singh Aulakh, additional director of research (agriculture) has been appointed as the dean, college of Agriculture w.e.f. February 1, 2008. He has worked on different aspects of the fertiliser sources.

He has been associated with the research leading to the field methodology for measuring denitrification losses, nitrous oxides and methane emission in crops,developed integrated nutrient management for the rice-wheat system.

He has served PAU in various capacities as the research assistant, Assistant Soil Chemist, Soil Chemist and Senior Soil Chemist.

He has been awarded with Fulbright Research and Lecturing Award (CIES), International Crop Nutrition Award by DIA France, Pierre Becker Memorial Award (FIBS,UK), TSI-FAI Award by Sulphur Institute, USA, IMPHOS-FAI Award, Morrocco, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize (2001-2002), Hari Om Ashram Trust Award, FAI Silver Jubilee Award, NFL Award, Plauqe by the Government of India, Dhiru Morarji Memorial Award (FAI), IPNI Award and he has been Editor of the Journal, Biology and Fertility of Soils. Dr Aulakh has 133 publications to his credit.

Dr Neelam Grewal has been appointed as dean, college of Home Science. She has served PAU as assistant scientist, associate professor, professor and head of the department of clothing and textiles and has worked on various aspects of clothing and textiles, handled various research projects and strengthened linkages with industry/private sector. She is co-inventor of the first patent filed by the PAU. She has 88 publications to her credit.

The Board of Management also approved appointments of heads of seven departments, including Dr H.P.S.Nagi, as head, department of Food Science and Technology, Dr Jarnail Singh as head,Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Dr U.S.Walia as head, department of Agronomy, Dr Ajmer Singh Sidhu as head,department of Soils,Dr Rajinder Singh Sidhu as head, department of Economics and Sociology, Dr S.C.Sharma as head, department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Dr Davinder Singh Cheema as head, Department of Vegetable Crops.

Ludhiana, January 7
The police has tightened the security outside all girls colleges in the city following brutal killing of principal of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya (KMV), Jalandhar, Rita Bawa yesterday.

SSP R.K.Jaiswal told The Tribune that police personnel had already been on duty outside these colleges but now they were given instructions to be more vigilant. He said, "There is no fun deputing policemen in their uniforms. We have asked policemen to be on duty in plain clothes so that the moves of anti-social elements are watched minutely".

Meanwhile, the educationists in the city have condemned the barbaric killing of principal Rita Bawa and three other people. They said killing innocent in such inhumane manner had sent shock waves in the educational circles of Punjab.

Tarsem Bahia, president, Punjab Educationists Forum, said this was a shameful act. Killing innocents was not a problem to any solution. He demanded that a high-level probe should be initiated by the government and the guilty should be booked to law. He also asked government to provide proper security to the principals, wardens, students and other staff to the colleges.

President, Punjab Government College Teachers' Association (PGCTA), Prof Jaipal Singh, said the incident had shattered the teaching community.

They felt insecure as anyone could target them anytime. The police should work hard to trace the killers and they must not be spared by law, added Jaipal.

Principal, Arya College, Dr S.M.Sharma, said all teaching community condemned this act of violence. "We can only pray to Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls and strength enough to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss. The teaching work in the college has been suspended to protest against the brutal killings", he informed. Even the principal of Guru Nanak Girls College Dr Charanjit Mahal, announced a half-day off today to pay respect to Rita Bawa and three others, killed mercilessly yesterday in Jalandhar.

She termed the event to be deplorable. She said a wide vacuum had been created by the death of Rita Bawa, an able administrator, whose contribution in the field of education was unforgettable.

She also added that security outside girls colleges should be tightened as anti-social elements always looked for an opportunity to barge into girls' colleges.

Jagraon, January 7
Members of the Aganwari Mulazam Union Punjab Jagraon branch today burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Tehsil Road, Jagraon, in protest against their long-pending demands which have not been yet met with by the state.

They demanded ICDS Scheme to be converted into government department. Workers and helpers should be given the grade of third and fourth grade employees and till this is not met, the minimum Rs 3,000 to workers and Rs 2,000 to helpers be given. They demanded Rs 1,000 and Rs. 500 as pension for the workers and helpers along with provident fund by implementing the scheme of welfare fund. They demanded fixed TA/DA to the workers and helpers of anganwari for attending circle meetings and other official work outside the headquarters and maternity leave benefits like others, reservation in the village level ANM and ETT Teachers. They also protested against the overtime work being taken by officials.

Ludhiana, January7
Residents of Aman Nagar are up in arms against a dairy farmer who has been dumping dung on the streets in their area.

The residents said Vishwa Mitter, a dairy owner, was requested several times not to throw dung on the street itself as it raised stench and was a breeding ground for many germs.

But the dairy owner did not listen to anybody's requests. ‘‘Instead he threatens us that his relatives were employed in the municipal corporation and nobody could do anything to stop him,’’ said the residents.

They added that they had even complained to the MC and a team of employees had even visited the area to take stock of the situation.

But nobody did anything. ‘‘They came, went inside their house and returned. We do not know what to do now,’’ said the hapless residents.

Ludhiana, January 7
A free bone and bone mineral density check-up camp was organised at an ortho clinic here in collaboration with Shri Sai Sewa Trust and Kindex Company on Sunday. Test for bone calcium evaluation was conducted on latest bone scanning machine and more than 100 patients were examined by orthopaedic surgeon Dr Jagdip Madaan and his team. Some 80 per cent of the persons were found to be having weak bones in the form of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Interacting with the patients at the camp, Dr Madaan said around 58 per cent of total population in the country had osteoporosis as per the latest data released by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Another survey had revealed that the Punjabis consumed more milk and milk products, which led to a higher incidence of kidney stones.

"Further, 80 per cent hip fractures in India are because of osteoporotic bones as compared to the western world where only 20 per cent hip fractures are attributable to this condition. All these fractures need some kind of surgery, adding up to a huge amount of national money which, otherwise, can be used for providing healthcare to the people.

According to Dr Madaan, if osteoporosis was detected well in time, the outcome of the treatment was far better. He pointed out that detection of osteoporosis by simple blood tests and X-rays was not possible and the standard procedure was bone ultrasound, which being a costly test, was out of the reach of common man. That was where such free bone check-up camps came in handy to the people to detect osteoporosis.

Emphasising the need for better health education and awareness among the people, he said those having a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, woman after menopause, diabetics, those in the habit of drinking and smoking, patients on medicines for asthma, thyroid and heart problems were more prone to have osteoporosis.

Therefore, such persons ought to undergo bone ultrasound and if needed, go for calcium therapy. Some kind of physical activity, regular intake of milk, regular walk, decreasing alcohol consumption, controlling body weight could help significantly in keeping bones in good form, added Dr Madaan.

Ludhiana, January 7
The department of transfusion medicine at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here organised two voluntary blood donation camps with the help of Krantikari Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal at Haibowal Kalan here and Sant Baba Visakha Singh Sports Club, Kishanpura, at Moga in which 208 units of blood were collected.

Dr Amarjit Kaur, professor and head, department of transfusion medicine at the hospital, said education and motivation were the keys to making blood donation widespread. She urged each and every healthy person to donate blood at regular intervals or as and when needed and become a part of the mission to save fellow human beings from personal tragedies.

The donors at the camps, on their part, pledged to make blood donation a way of life as also motivate others to come forward for the noble deed.

She said the major concern of the department of transfusion medicine was to arrange adequate leuco-reduced blood for thalassemic children, needy patients and for certain conditions where life of the patient was dependent only on blood and blood components.

Ludhiana, January 7
Resentment prevails among cricket lovers over the gross umpiring errors during the Sydney Test which India lost by 122 runs.

The Tribune office here was flooded with calls from the cricket fans who wanted to express their anguish over the issue. A majority of them, to whom this correspondent talked, were of the view that India should call off the tour as the two umpires were “biased” and gave faulty decisions against the visitors which cost them match and almost the series.

Disappointed over the result of the Sydney Test, an ardent cricket fan, Sumit Verma, said the umpiring blunders was there for everyone to see and one could not believe his eyes that experienced umpires could go on committing such mistakes. In case of any doubt, they could have taken the help of the third umpire, he lamented.

Another cricket fan, Mandeep, was of the view that since the two umpires, Bucknor and Benson had gifted the second Test to the hosts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should call the Team back as in the present scenario, and there was no fun in continuing with it.

Supporting such views, others opined that in the era of advanced technology, there should be guidelines from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the officiating umpires to take the help of electronic gadgets before giving any verdict (doubtful).

Rajan Verma, a former cricketer, was of the view that at present, there were only eight umpires in the ICC panel which should be expanded because they were overburdened. He said with so many crickets being played these days, it was time to double the number of the umpires.

With the new excise policy coming into force for earning more revenues in the current fiscal, liquor has become a cheaper commodity and a few new liquor vends have been opened near schools, colleges, religious places, residential colonies as well as villages. If the government regards liquor as injurious for health, its frequent sale should be stopped and made costly by slashing the rates of essential commodities like gas, pulses, gold, silver, registry charges, diesel, petrol, mustard oil, desi ghee and building materials.

Jai Gopal Kusla, Ludhiana

Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana.

Khanna, January 7
The Khanna police has registered a case against an unidentified person and three employees of the Centurion Bank of Punjab on a complaint filed by a local resident, who alleged that someone forged his signatures and withdrew Rs 2.5 lakh from his account.

In his complaint, Hardev Singh stated that he had deposited Rs 5 lakh in his bank account in June. A few days after, someone forged his signatures and got a cheque book issued from the bank in his name. The following day, the person withdrew Rs 50,000 from his account and the very next day he withdrew Rs 2 lakh.

Following this, when Hardev Singh checked his bank account, he was surprised to note that Rs 2.5 lakh had been withdrawn from his account without his knowledge.

As he approached the bank authorities, they asked a handwriting expert to ascertain whether the signatures on the cheques, on which the amount was withdrawn, were of Hardev Singh or not. The handwriting expert reportedly confirmed that signatures on the cheques were not of Hardev Singh.

Thereafter the bank's manager lodged a complaint with the police on October 1 and the bank deposited Rs 2.5 lakh in Hardev Singh's account. However, after receiving the complaint, the SSP had marked an inquiry to the economic offense wing of the department, which after completing the inquiry, established that the bank employees concerned should be booked under the relevant section of the law even as the money had been given to Hardev Singh. Thereafter the police registered a case against three employees of the bank, including Meenakshi, Jaspreet and Sonia.

Ludhiana, January 7
“Right to live” a crusade against the deadly HIV/ AIDS virus, but it’s not only about HIV/AIDS! With this endeavor by Ryan International School, Ludhianvis can soon boast of its own Rock band, a few film directors and a fashion designer.

In such a small age when children need care and affection of their parents, these students are directing films, performing at Rock concerts and street plays for promoting AIDS awareness among people.

Rishab Shukhija, Abhinandan Singh Gill, Joy Jacob, Divan Khosla, Parul Malhotra and Puja Sharma are among those who are trying to make people aware of this deadly disease in an innovative way.

Project head, Utkarsh, while addressing a press conference said, “We thought of sensitizing and making people aware of this disease by using a few visual and performing art forms.” He further said at 21 days workshop on filmmaking, ballet, fashion designing, rock music and street theater was organized by experts from all over India.

For the first time the school will have a children rock band that will sing for the cause of AIDS awareness and the school has also made a film scripted and directed by 25 children that will be premiered at PVR, Ludhiana. The school will also organise a fashion show “Positive” where models will display a range of garments designed by children on the theme of deadly virus.”

More then 10 schools across the city will be take part in a few events.Utkarsh said,” At Ryan we strongly believe there is no age restriction for leadership. This campaign by and large for the young people will strike the right chord, especially of today’s youth.

The students shared their experience with the media. Abhinandan Singh Gill was glad to disclose the fact that his designing rage “Positive” would be Punjab’s first on AIDS awareness that was created and designed by children. While the duo of Joy Jacob and Divan Khosla was ecstatic about their Rock band. Joy and Divan assured the power pack full throttle rock music evening with their song preview. 

Ludhiana, January 7
Dr G.S.Chahal, dean, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, said a national seminar-cum-training camp on high resolution imaging in the agricultural research would be organised by the college of agriculture from January 9 to 23. About 200 participants from a few universities and institutes would take part in the seminar.

It will be inaugurated by Dr P.S.Datta, project director, nuclear research laboratory, New Delhi, while Dr D.S.Kalha, finance secretary, Punjab, will be the chief guest. PAU vice-chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang will preside over the inaugural function.

Thirteen technical sessions will be organised. A film on nano-science and nano-technology will also be screened on January 23.

Ludhiana, January 7
The Malwa Sabhiacharak Manch will honour nine persons from different walks of life at the “Lohri Mela” to be organised at Punjabi Bhawan here on January 10. Those selected by a committee headed by Prof M.S.Cheema, will be presented a gold medal, a robe of honour and a citation each.

Addressing the meeting, Krishan Kumar Bawa, chairman, announced yesterday that A.S. Pannu, an IAS officer, will be honoured with Dr M.S. Randhawa memorial award for civil services, Rupa Saini, a hockey player will get the Dhyan Chand Olympian memorial award for sports, Inderjeet Hassanpuri will be honoured with Dr V.N. Tiwari memorial award for the Punjabi culture and literature and Dr H.M. Khosla with Dr Santokh Singh Anand memorial award for medicine.

Among other awardees at the mela will be Sukhwinder Sukhi, who will get Lal Chand Yanla Jat memorial award for the Punjabi folk singing, Sukhpal Singh Bhullar, who will be presented with P.N. Thapar Memorial award for agriculture, Jaswinder Bhalla and Bal Mukan Sharma will get I.S. Johar memorial award for satire and films and Labh Janjua will be presented with Mohammed Rafi memorial award for music and singing.

Bawa said the manch was celebrating Lohri festival for the girl child since the past 14 years with the objective of eradicating the bias for the male child in society. In the wake of skewed sex ratio in Punjab, it had become more important to wage a war against female feticide and give due respect to the girl child.

According to Pawan Diwan, president of the body, a seminar of female foeticide and drug addiction will be organised on January 9. Punjabi folk singers and artists will enthrall the gathering on January 10. Another highlight of the festival will be titles of “ghabru Punjab da” and “mutiar Punjab di” which would be awarded on the basis of voting by the audience.