Ludhiana, January 27
The city police has in an early morning swoop rescued a seven-year-old child from the clutches of alleged eight-member gang of abductors, who had kept him captive in inhuman conditions for six days near Noorpur.

They had even sought a ransom of Rs 7 lakhs for rescuing him.

Besides abducting the child Deepak, whose father Amarjit Singh is a property dealer and runs a shop of electrical appliances in Basti Jodhewal, the gang had already done the ground work for abducting a few other children in the city.

Kingpin of the gang was Ranjit Chaurasia of Begusarai in Bihar. The gang was split into three groups for abducting children. Almost all of them lived in rented accommodation near the victim’s house for carrying out the abduction.

Quite happy at the success IG Sanjeev Kalra told mediapersons that no police operation could be more sensitive than saving an abducted child. He said the gang members had made the child sleep on the floor with few woolens in this freezing temperature. Had he been not rescued, he would have died, the IG added.

Kalra said it was on January 21 that the child was abducted from outside his house. The gang members kept him at an isolated house in the forest area near Noorpur village, while Ranjit and accomplice Zia-ul-Rehmann made calls from Delhi seeking ransom worth Rs 8 lakh but agreed to take Rs 7 lakh at the instance of the parents.

A police team under the supervision of SSP R.K.Jaiswal worked day and night with special groups to trace the calls and eventually rescue the child.

SSP Jaiswal said the gangsters tried to mislead the police by making calls from Chennai as well but cops outsmarted them.

Other gang members arrested in the case have been identified as Anil Kumar, Zia-ul-Rehmann, Tun Tun Saha, Wasim Akram, Raju, Kalua and Parmeshwar Prasad.

The police has seized two pistols, a knife, sickle, sword, an axe and an auto-rickshaw from their possession.

Ludhiana, January 27
While the Gurgaon Kidney racket with international clients is making headlines all over the world, the main accused in the Ludhiana kidney racket that took the lid off a statewide organised racket bringing groups of Nepali migrants for illegal kidney donations here is at large after destroying many a lives.

About six years ago, the city police had booked an agent, Rajesh, for luring three Nepali migrants into donating their kidneys using fake identities and wrong age proofs even though they were below 18 years. Rajesh was arrested but further investigation revealed that he was just a pawn in the hand of main accused, Amritpal, who used to bring the potential victims in groups from Nepal.

Amritpal could not be arrested. He was well known in hospitals doing kidney transplantation. He used to operate from a hotel near one of the hospitals. The police laid traps for him but he always proved to be better. He was said to be seen in Rajasthan later but cops could not lay hands on him.

His arrest was of immense importance for getting to the bottom of the racket. The victims could not have gone through the verification of antecedent’s process if they did not have backing of a politician, officials of the municipal corporation and the police.

The police investigation had revealed that Amritpal used to bring at least 25 persons, mostly Nepalese, from Delhi every six months or so for kidney transplantation. A few of them, however, escaped on discovering about the racket, while others were lured either by money or force.

Another charge that has come up against the police is that the police gave a report to the government screening committee in each case of kidney transplantation, stating that no transaction of money had taken place. The police officials were never hauled up.

Interestingly, while the police department had not interrogated the three victims who had approached them for justice, The Tribune found six such victims, whose photographs and tale of woe was carried prominently in these columns.

Amritpal was the key to the kidney racket. A few police officials said he could be out somewhere living under assumed identity and luring victims. The police sources said names of a few influential persons, mainly bureaucrats, cops, politicians and doctors had cropped up as suspects that it would have been a major controversy to bring it all on record and take action against them.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 27
It was a Republic Day celebration with a difference at Maherna village near here on Saturday. Unlike functions organised at other places in the state, celebrations here commenced in the afternoon and continued till evening with national flags of India and Canada held high equally on a banner put on the main stage.

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union minister, presided over the function and Michael de Jong, minister in the government of British Columbia, Canada, was the chief guest. Besides other dignitaries, around two-dozen NRIs were present on the occasion.

Besides appreciating the cultural items put on show, the guests enjoyed lively talks by various speakers from Punjab and Canada. While a majority of SAD leaders appreciated the role played by Jong and his associates in bridging the gap between NRIs and natives of Canada, Jong and Robert W Cott, a human resources consultant, said better job avenues awaited energetic youths if they reach Canada through a proper channel.

Meanwhile, students of the village school presented a cultural programme on the occasion. All appreciated a patriotic song presented by a blind student Gurbakhash Singh Jawandha.

Ludhiana, January 27
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) celebrated the Republic Day at the main building of the College of Veterinary Science.

Vice-chancellor Dr V.K. Taneja unfurled the national flag and highlighted the importance and spirit of the Constitution for development and prosperity of people.

Remount and Veterinary squadron NCC cadets of GADVASU presented the guard of honour.

Dr Taneja observed that livestock and fisheries sectors were playing a major role in eradicating poverty. Empowerment, especially of women, was also a major factor in boosting development.

He said concerns of animal welfare, human health and environment should be addressed, while suggesting technologies for enhancing livestock productivity.

He said priority should be to build manpower with requisite knowledge to manage emerging livestock problems and address these concerns through education and research system.

Diagnostic services and monitoring mechanism should be strengthened so as to check the ingress of diseases, he added.

Dr Taneja highlighted the achievements made by the university during the past year both in research, teaching and extension and said a new department of biotechnology had been created.

In addition, a four-year dairy technology programme was being introduced from current year.

The university was also pursuing a number of research projects under the National Agriculture Innovative Project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Some research proposals had been sanctioned while others were in the pipeline.

An important project proposal on “Sustainable livestock farming system for livelihood security in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab” was under the consideration for sanction.

The project was expected to cost Rs 9 crore for four years.

He added that the university had done well in sports and other activities. Dr Taneja complimented the faculty, staff and students for their achievements.

Ludhiana, January 27
The Taraksheel Society, Punjab, celebrated Republic Day by honouring residents who had pledged their eyes and bodies after their death for research.

Those honoured were Sant Singh, Ranjodh Singh, Ujagar Singh, Surjeet Singh Salana, Gurmel Singh and Sukhwinder Jartoli, according to Jaswant Jeerakh, an office-bearer of the society.

He added that a seminar on superstitions and astrology was also organised.

Meanwhile, All-India Congress Committee Secretary Manish Tiwari unfurled the national flag at various functions organised by Congress leaders at Mullanpur, Ghumar Mandi, Jamalpur, Shimlapuri and Salem Tabri yesterday.

Addressing a gathering at Mullanpur, Tiwari exhorted masses to striving for the eradication of social evils like drug addiction, female foeticide and illiteracy.

He said educated people must contribute in activities for spreading awareness regarding education and health.

Later, addressing a function organised by Congress councillor Gurpreet Gogi in his ward, Tiwari said the country was witnessing immense progress.

Ludhiana, January 27
Vyakti Vikas Kendra, run by the Art of Living Foundation, organised a blood donation camp in Model Town locality here yesterday to mark the Republic Day. Around 100 volunteers donated blood at the camp.

A team from blood transfusion department of Sri Krishna Hospital coordinated the camp. Dr A. Sekhon, Dr Savita Jain and Dr Gurpreet delivered lectures to promote voluntary blood donation while outlining its use in emergency medical situations.

The Art of Living Foundation also held a ‘mahakriya’ (group meditation) at Geetanjali Ladies Club in which hundreds of devotees participated. The foundation will organise a weeklong Sri Sri Yoga camp from March 1 to 6, 2008, which has been designed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the objective of relaxing the mind and body.

Ludhiana, January 27
The Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm at various schools of the city and neighbouring areas.

USPC Jain Public School, Chandigarh Road, celebrated the day with pomp and show on its campus.

The function was presided over by school management committee president Tarsem Kumar Jain, general secretary M.P. Jain and school principal Ratna Dhar.

The function started with singing of patriotic songs by students.

The principal and dignitaries hoisted the national flag. M.P. Jain underlined the importance of the day.

The function ended with the singing of the national anthem.

Tagore Public School celebrated the day with patriotic fervour. The function was presided over by BJP state president Prof Rajinder Bhandri and Sarabjit Singh Sandhu.

Co-operative societies, Ludhiana (west), assistant registrar Dharmadesh was the special guest.

The dignitaries were accorded a warm welcome by principal Amrita Gakhar, staff and students.

The chief guest hoisted the national flag while students sang the national anthem.

A march-past by four houses and contingent of NCC boys and girls was also held. A cultural event was also organised.

GAD Public School, New Shimla Puri, celebrated the day amid patriotic spirit here.

The programme began with shabad gayan by Tajinder Kaur, Mandeep Kaur and Ravneet Kaur.

Principal Rajinder Singh Gill exhorted students to understand the importance of national festivals.

Bhartiya Vidya Mandir also celebrated the day on the school premises.

BVM trust secretary K.C. Maini lighted the ceremonial lamp and unfurled the national flag.

Staff took the oath to maintain unity and integrity of the nation.

Principal Santosh Mehra congratulated those present.

Small Wonders Nursery School, Civil Lines, celebrated the day by organising its annual sports meet.

The school was decorated with flags, frills and balloons. A patriotic song competition was also organised. Children took part in track and field events.

Principal Neeti Dewan highlighted the importance of sports in the overall development of children.

Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar bypass, and Green Land Convent School, Chandigarh Road, also celebrated the day with patriotic zeal.

Guest of honour John Mooney (principal, Emerson School, Victoria, Australia) along with Green Land Schools director Rajesh Rudhra hoisted the Tricolour at Green Land school.

It being the national day of Australia, the national flag of Australia was also hoisted on the school premises.

A play on Independence struggle was staged. It also depicted the present scenario wherein the nation was still enslaved by social vices.Children took pledge to eradicate all evils.

The day was also celebrated at Gupta Model High School with great enthusiasm.

Sahnewal

Tagore International Senior Secondary School celebrated the day with enthusiasm. The national flag was unfurled by school chairman Harbans Lal Aneja.

School director B.K. Aneja congratulated those present. A march past was followed by cultural programme by students.

Fancy dress competition was also organised for students of the nursery wing.

Tribune Reporters

Ludhiana, January 27
The 59th Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm by staff and students of Govt College for Women here today.

Principal R.K. Aulakh unfurled the national flag and paid tributes to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country.

She also congratulated staff and students on the occasion. Sweets were distributed among them.

GHG Khalsa College of Education, Gurusar Sadhar, celebrated the day with patriotic fervour. The function was organised by social vision club of the college and the chief guest was Olympic hockey player and college managing committee member Col Jaswant Singh Gill. Colonel Gill hoisted the national flag.

A cultural programme comprising of patriotic songs and dances added festive fervour to the day.

Colonel Gill exhorted students to imbibe patriotic spirit and serve for the uplift of the society.

The club headed by its patron, principal Dr H.S. Brar, and teachers honoured the chief guest with a memento.

SDP College for Women celebrated the day by paying tributes to the freedom fighters who fought for the freedom, honour and glory of the nation.

Addressing the audience on the college campus, chief guest Balraj Bhasin said terrorism, communalism and insurgency were spreading their tentacles in various parts of the country.

He called upon the youth to work towards eradicating the evils. He also urged students to inculcate moral and ethical values. Other SDP institutions also joined the celebrations.

More than 5,000 students of SDP institutions marched through the streets carrying Tricolour and raising patriotic slogans.

Upon reaching the venue of the celebrations, they where received by the school band.

Students presented a cultural bonanza of folk songs, patriotic songs and gidda and bhangra.

Principal Dr Geeta Bhandari thanked the gathering.

Patriotic spirit also prevailed at Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women where rich tributes were paid to freedom fighters at a function.

Principal Dr Madanjit Kaur Sahota paid tributes to freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country.

College managing committee president Swaran Singh, who was the chief guest, took salute and unfurled the national flag. He took salute from NSS and NCC cadets.

Students later took part in a cultural programme in which patriotic songs, skits and speeches were presented.

Swaran Singh exhorted students to inculcate moral values and sense of responsibility to build up a dynamic and vibrant India.

Patriotism ruled Republic Day celebrations on Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) campus here yesterday.

The CMCH and its associate dental and nursing colleges came together at the dental college grounds to celebrate the day.

The ceremony started early morning with a special college chapel service and invocation by Rev Stanley Thomas.

It was followed by welcome of the chief guest, Dr J.S Dalal, director, research and medical education, Punjab.

Dr Dalal hoisted the national flag and presided over the march past by students of nursing, medical, physiotherapy, allied health sciences streams and security staff.

Institution director Dr John Pramod reiterated the commitment of the hospital to provide quality medical care to common people, besides training competent medical and allied professionals to serve all across the nation.

CMC principal Dr John Abraham, medical superintendent Dr Rajesh Paul and CDC principal Dr Abi M Thomas were also present.

A cultural programme, including dances and songs, was presented by students of different constituents of the CMC family. The highlight was a bhangra performance by the allied health students.

Ludhiana, January 27
In a thrilling final, Gurus XI overpowered Dynamos XI by four runs in the annual cricket tournament organised by Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, Alumni Association, at the school grounds here today. The third team was Young Bloods XI.

Batting first, Gurus XI scored 175 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. The main architect of their innings was Punjab Ranji player Ankur Kakkar who made a quick fire 85 of just 50 deliveries, which included five hits to the fence and four sixes. Akhil Mahajan contributed 46 runs with the help of seven boundaries and one six.

For the Dynamos XI, Mandeep Singh Khurana was the most successful bowler and claimed three wickets while Shavinder Sandhu and Dhiraj Malhi accounted for two wickets each. Chasing the target, the Dynamos XI scored 171 runs for the loss of four wickets, falling short by a paltry five runs. Varun Khullar's innings of 65 runs off 40 balls and Shavinder Sandhu's essay of 54 runs off 42 balls went in vain. Dhiraj Malhi faced 21 balls for his 26 runs. For the Gurus XI, Aman Bhalla captured two wickets.Ankur Kakkar was declared Man of the Match as well as player of the tournament.

Ludhiana, January 27
Ramandeep Kaur, student of BA I, won three titles and was adjudged the best athlete in the two-day 65th Annual Athletics Meet of the Government College for Women, Ludhiana, that concluded here on Friday. 

She bagged top honours in the long jump, 200m and 800m races. Navjot Kaur of BA II emerged victorious in discuss throw and cycle race. Gurdev Singh Badal, former minister, Punjab, gave away the prizes.

Congratulating the winners, he exhorted the students to take active part in sports as they keep an individual physically and mentally fit. Principal R.K. Aulakh thanked the chief guest. Prof Neelam Sharma, vice-principal, Sharanjit Kaur and Balbir Kumar, both professors in the physical education department, along with faculty members and students were present at the prize distribution ceremony. Fun games were also organised for guests.

Results:

Long jump: 1 Ramandeep Kaur, 2 Karamjit Kaur and 3 Kamaljit Kaur; 800m race: 1 Ramandeep Kaur, 2 Anuradha and 3 Karamjit Kaur; Cycle race: 1 Navjot Kaur, 2 Parul and 3 Sangeeta 3; Shot put: 1 Sarabjit Kaur, 2 Mandeep Kaur and 3 Arvinder Kaur.

Discuss throw: 1 Navjot Kaur, 2 Arvinder Kaur and 3 Mandeep Kaur; 100m hurdles race: 1 Anuradha, 2 Pooja and 3 Rupinderjit Kaur; 1500m race: 1 Kamaldeep Kaur, 2 Kamaljit Kaur and 3 Anuradha; 200 m race: 1 Ramadeep Kaur, 2 Anuradha and 3 Pawandeep kaur.

Javelin throw: 1 Jasbir Kaur, 2 Satwinderjit Kaur and 3 Navjot Kaur; Sack race: 1 Sandeep, 2 Manpreet Kaur and 3 Antarpreet.