AMRITSAR
Bapuji remembered: There is a need for honest introspection and an analysis of our shortcomings and inadequacies to take the measures needed to strengthen the social fabric of our society. These views were expressed by Kahan Singh Pannu, DC, Amritsar, after paying tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his 60th martyrdom day organised at the Jallianwala Bagh on Wednesday. Pannu urged people to rise above self and dedicate their energies for resurrection of their motherland.

World Book Fair: Guru Nanak Dev University will participate in the 18th World Book Fair to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from February 2 to 12. The university spokesman said the varsity would allow 40 per cent special discount on its publications during the fair. The fair is being organised by the National Book Trust, an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, to develop the habit of reading among people.

BATHINDA
IMA hails health minister: The appeal of the union health minister to film superstars to quit smoking on screen has been welcomed by the Indian Medical Association, Punjab branch. The association claimed that these superstars had emerged as role models for the Indian youth and their smoking on and off the screen had deeply affected the young minds in the country.

Personality development: To enhance the skills of its students, DAV College, Bathinda, launched a personality development week on January 29. Giving details, principal J.S Anand, said, “Top class administrators from the corporate world are being invited to share their experiences with the students so that they acquire the right type of attitude to succeed in this competitive world.” On January 29, Ajit Jaitley, senior regional manager, Punjab National Bank, delivered a lecture on spirituality to the students. Today, Pooja Sharma, centre head, ICFAI, Bathinda, delivered a lecture on personality development. Coordinators of the personality development week, Satish Vohra and N.K. Gosain were also present on the occasion, along with Parveen Kumar, the staff secretary.

NSS camp: As part of its cleanliness drive, NSS unit of DAV College, Bathinda, organised a one-day NSS camp in its college campus. On the occasion, Raj Gupta, principal, Swami Vivekananda Girls College and a social activist delivered a lecture on AIDS awareness while Ashok Gupta, a NSS veteran, spoke on the theme of motivation amongst students. NSS programme officers Aman Malhotra, K.S. Mann and Sukhdeep Kaur were also present on  the occasion along with the  others.

Aid announced: A grant of Rs one lakh has been announced by Jagdeep Singh, chief secretary of Parli Mani, cooperative department, Punjab, for the treatment of accident victims in Rampura Phul.  A press note from the district public relations officer claimed that the district administration was in touch with the doctors and every possible help would be provided to the injured. Around 14 people including, school children and teachers were injured on Tuesday when their van collided with  a truck near Rampura  Phul.

Book exhibition: An exhibition of books, new ones as well as the ones donated by others, would be organised by Public Library, Bathinda, on February 2. According to Bachan Das Bansal, president, Public Library, “Chief guest on the occasion would be Kamal Kishore Yadav, commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Bathinda, while the function would be presided over by Amit Dhaka, IAS (under trainee). J. S. Anand, principal, DAV College, Bathinda, would give a lecture on book culture.”

Potable water: In the general meetings of the General Samaj Party organised at Azad Nagar and Amarpura, party president Suresh Kumar Goyal rued that the slums which come under the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation did have street lights and roads but not potable water. The slum-dwellers had to walk for at least two km to fetch water The party demanded immediate relief for them.

FATEHGARH SAHIB
E-tendering scheme: Minister for food and supplies Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon said on Tuesday that the state government would soon introduce e-tendering scheme for completion of new and old development works in the state. He said the new system would ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the development works across the state. He said once the scheme was put into action, it would ensure competition and quality of development works.

Hoshiarpur
Traffic disrupted: Vehicular traffic on the Hoshiarpur-Phagwara road remained suspended from 5 pm to 7.30 pm due to the closing of level crossing last evening causing inconvenience to the passengers. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on either side of the road at the rail crossing. According to railway sources, a DMU developed a snag, due to which the railway crossing gate remained closed for two and a half hours.

Tributes paid: To pay homage to the father of the nation and martyrs of the country, a meeting was organised at the local mini-secretariat on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner D.K. Tiwari, SSP Anita Punj and many others paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for attaining independence for the country.

Kapurthala
9.30 am new school timings: With the region in the grip of a cold wave, district magistrate J.M. Balamurugan has issued an order to all the government and private schools to open at 9.30 am. The order would be followed from February 1 to 15. While primary schools would be closed at 2.30 pm, all middle, high and senior secondary schools would close as per their usual timings.

PATIALA
Cultural programme: The National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS) organised a devotional cultural programme to mark International Leprosy Eradication Day at Padamshri Dr Khusdeva Singh leprosy patients’ colony. Dr Sawraj Singh, who was also the chief guest, presented a cash gift of Rs 5,100 to Kusht Ashram.

SANGRUR
14 bulls killed in road mishap: As many as 14 bulls were found killed in an overturned truck at Cheema Mandi (near Sunam) on Tuesday. Later, the bulls were buried there. There were 16 bulls in the truck which was coming from the Mansa side towards Cheema Mandi. During Monday night the truck overturned which led to the death of the animals. The truck driver fled from the scene.A case has been registered against the driver.

SRINAGAR
Gandhi remembered: A two-minute silence was observed in memory of Mahatma Gandhi and other people who laid down their lives during the freedom struggle of India in various parts of valley on Wednesday. Functions were held at the district headquarters of Pulwama and Kupwara under the chairmanship of respective deputy commissioners in which employees from various departments participated.

25 traders fined: A fine of Rs 7,000 was collected by the enforcement squad of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Legal Metrology Department from 25 traders on Wednesday. An FIR was also lodged against three shopkeepers.