The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Himachal Pradesh Edition

	Govt proposes central university for Bathinda S.P.Sharma Tribune News Service Bathinda, January 13 Sukhbir Singh Badal, working president of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), today patiently listened to the problems being faced by residents of the town and made a commitment not only to remove these within a time-frame but also announced that the Punjab government has sent a proposal to the human resource development ministry for setting up a central university here. Sukhbir Badal, who came here from Muktsar after participating in the Maghi Fair celebrations, convened a meeting of a cross-section of the local residents to acquaint him of the problems. He told the TNS that the SAD government proposed to beautify all towns of Punjab, but emphasis was being laid on Bathinda that has become the focus of big industry. He said that a number of beautification schemes for the town were in the pipeline and by the end of the year, people will begin feeling the impact, as the town will be developed into a model city. He said that a central inspection team would visit here within a fortnight to examine setting up of a domestic terminal that would enable regular flights of civil aircraft to Delhi and other places. An academy to train pilots will be established near Talwandi Sabo near here. Sukhbir laid emphasis on the cleanliness of the town and asked K.K.Yadav, municipal commissioner, to take steps for outsourcing the cleanliness work. About 50,000 trees would be planted within the town to make the city clean and green. The entry points to the town will be beautified. Responding to the burning problem of the chimneys of the thermal power station causing pollution by emitting fly ash, he said that steps would be taken to rectify the hazard. He said that work on setting up a modern hospital here either by the Ranbaxy or the MAX group would begin within the next five months. Responding to the demand of the participants, he said that a de-addiction centre would be established in view of the growing tendency of drug addiction in the Malwa region. He said that the general bus stand is being air-conditioned and more parking places will be built within the main town. Construction of a ring road was in the pipeline to remove congestion on the main road. Sukhbir asked the people to cooperate with the authorities in this direction to make Bathinda a tourist destination. The lakes would be developed into a place of recreation and a good hotel would be constructed so that the visiting cricket teams could stay there. Residents of the areas across the rail line brought to his notice the peculiar problems, including absence of sewerage, proper drinking water supply and lack of LPG agency, faced by them. Efforts on for... Beautification of city Aerodrome Pilot academy Modern hospitals De-addiction centre Air-conditioned bus terminus Ring road Development of lakes Parking areas Hotels Cricket stadium
	Lohri celebrations changing with time Puneet Pal Singh Gill Tribune News Service Bathinda, January 13 The festival of Lohri, once celebrated in village lanes and homes in cities, has now entered big hotels and marriage palaces. From being a homely affair, in which only close relatives, neighbours and family friends took part, the festival has now become a mega affair and the participation of politicians and bureaucrat in it is considered a status symbol. The daylong festival has now also become a prolonged affair. These days, celebrations for Lohri start with the distribution of costly invitation cards, sweets and gifts, sometimes even by people one is not acquainted with. One aspect of the celebrations these days is that the girl child, on whose birth Lohri was not celebrated, has now become the `RSVP’ on the invitation card. Sometimes, the cost of celebrations goes into lakhs. Guests are greeted, the way they are greeted during marriage celebrations. The gur (jaggery), til, peanuts, revari are gradually making way for pao bhaji, chicken, fish, dosa stalls while Lohri songs are being replaced by pop songs to the accompaniment of DJ tunes. Even liquor has become an `integral’ part of Lohri celebrations these days. Lohri was a festival of creation and was marked by the worship of fire. It was celebrated by the whole family whenever there was a marriage or birth of a male child. But these days, the worship of fire has just become a ritual. Hero of Lohri celebrations, `Dulla Bhatti’, is now fading into memory children, especially in cities, rarely sing `sunder mundriey…’ on the streets. Eminent Punjabi poet and president of Punjabi Sahit Academy, Dr Surjit Patar said, ``I always appeal to writers, singers, painters, academicians and social activists to mobilise public opinion against lavish spending on social occasions, including marriages and Lohri.” Raj Gupta, principal, Swami Vivekananda Girls College, feels that in a male dominated society, celebrating Lohri on the birth of a girl child in the family, is the need of the hour. ``By doing this, a feeling of equality will be instilled in children,’’ she said.
	Lohri fair in Mansa Our Correspondent Mansa, January 13 The Sabhyachar Chetna Manch of Mansa held a 'Lohri mela' with an aim to bridge the gap between predilection of the parents for boys than girls, on Saturday. This 'mela' exhorted people to start efforts, beginning from their homes, for removing the patriarchal system. DC Surjit Singh Dhillon inaugurated this 'mela'. SSP Mansa, M.F. Farooqi, ex-MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh and SDM Gurjit Singh Pannu praised the efforts of the Sabhyachar Chetna Manch, who had taken the initiative in fight against social evils. Noted singers and artistes, Mohammad Sadeek, Bhajna Amli, Albel Brar , Baba Kansi Nath, Bibi Santi, Gurmukh Singh, Nainsi, Vijay Sharma and Maninder Meenu enthralled the audience. Baba Kansi Nath sang songs in favour of the girl child and Sadeek and Sukhjit sang 'Kimma Malki' and 'Ek Tara Vajda'.
	Thousands throng Army recruitment rally Bhanu P. Lohumi Tribune News Service Bathinda, January 13 The Army authorities had a tough time controlling the large number of aspirants who converged here this morning for the recruitment rally being held for six adjoining districts. The number of youth who arrived for the rally was estimated at 12,000. The streets in Bathinda that wear a deserted look during the chilly winter nights were abuzz even in the wee hours today as these youth thronged the town for the recruitment rally. There was hardly any space at the Government Rajindera College, the venue of the rally, where Armymen had a tough time and repeatedly resorted to ‘dandas’ to push back them back. The recruitment rally was being held for Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Mansa, Muktsar and Moga districts and the candidates arriving today were from three districts— Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar while the aspirants from the other three districts would reach here tomorrow. For technical and clerical posts, the recruitment is open to all people of the state. Recruitment Officer, Col. Azimuddin, who has come from Ludhiana, informed that over 12,000 youth had already arrived and tokens were being issued for physical fitness tests to candidates who had passed the height test and produced the required certificates. He also said that the recruitments would be made on regiment basis and not on caste or other considerations. A large number of the aspirants had come for the second or third time to fulfill their cherished dream to serve the nation through the Army. Baleet Singh (20), son of Gurajant Singh from a village in Mansa had come for the third time. He said he cleared the physical and medical tests last time but could not clear the written test. “I have worked hard and hope to make it this time,” he added. Another candidate, Karan Singh Lamba, son of ex-subedar Darshan Singh from Datewal village, was also trying his luck for the second time. He could not clear the medical test last time and got his fingers in the feet operated to measure up to the required standards.. Amandeep Singh, another aspirant, rued that the Army authorities had not asked for certificate about the marital status. Prithpal Singh, who had come with his sons, Gurvinder Singh and Joginder Singh (both twins), for the second time, said that he saw the Army as the only hope. ‘My only dream is to see both my sons in the Army,” he said, hope and expectations showing in his eyes. About 15 to 25 youth had come from almost every village in the area with the common dream of serving the Army. Public notaries have field day The public notaries, attesting various documents had a field day, as candidates for the Army recruitment rally made a beeline before them to get their certificates attested. A minor hiccup on the part of the Army authorities, who did not specifically ask the candidates to bring their marital status certificate, added to their hassles and made them queue up before the public notaries. —TNS
	Govt failed to provide jobs to youths: Mann Prabhjit Singh Tribune News Service Muktsar, January 13 Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann today accused the senior Punjab police officers of being “ hand-in-glove with the ruling politicians and drug smugglers” which, he said, was hazardous to the young generation. During his party programme on the occasion of ‘Maghi mela’ here, Mann said he would soon launch a drive through his party cadres to expose the “influential lobbies who are killing the young generation of Punjab as the intoxicants like heroin are being supplied unchecked”. He said the Badal regime had failed to check the supply of drugs from across the borders despite the presence of the BSF and state police personnel. He said the government also failed to provide employment to the educated youth, hence, not meeting its electoral promises. “Corruption is prevailing in the Badal regime as he himself is gaining with the help of the corrupt bureaucracy,” he said, while pointing out the large-scale fleet of buses allegedly owned by the Badals under the name of Orbit Transport. On the other hand, the Dal Khalsa today stated at its congregation that it would make a move through the Khalsa Action Committee for the proposed ‘Khalsa march’ in the periphery of Salabatpura on Februray 10. It may be recalled that Dera Saccha Sauda chief Ram Raheem Singh was denied to hold a congregation at Salabatpura by administration recently. In another resolution, the Dal Khalsa described the Punjab government as “inefficient and weak for surrendering the state’s interests before Haryana in the case of the Mohali Airport Project”.
	Proper road to district courts in Mansa demanded Our Correspondent Mansa, January 13 Roads leading to the district courts in Mansa are in a dilapidated condition, which causes a lot of problems to the visitors. In fact, there is no proper road leading to the courts. All roads are muddy and due to the absence of a drainage system, water accumulates near the court adding to woes. Ajit Singh Bhangu, president of the District Bar Assocation, Mansa, said that due to the absence of a proper road, visitors enter the courts through the muddy path. He said that going by the plan, a road to the district courts should have constructed through the Ambedkar Bhawan. Advocates Rajindra Sharma and Rekha Sharma rued that it was astonishing to know that the road leading to the district courts could not be metalled even after 13 years of Mansa becoming a district. They said the sewerage and water from the nearby areas accumulate in front of the chambers, as there was no proper drainage system. During rains, the condition becomes unbearable. Ajit Singh Bhangu and other advocates demanded an approachable road to the courts and a permanent solution to the sewerage problems.