Bathinda, February 4
Tight checking was witnessed in the city on Monday. The police set up as many as 17 check-posts at all exit points and important places in the city. People were seen standing in queues with documents in their hands to get them checked by the cops.

People with vehicles whose documents were not satisfactory were promptly issued tickets (challans) by the policemen.

While the entire exercise was seen as an effort to curb road rage in the city, yet some attributed the stepped up vigilance to the simmering tension after the attack on the Dera chief a couple of days back.

The main focus of the traffic cops was was on Maruti 800 and Maruti zen cars. Documents of two-wheelers were also thoroughly checked. Bikers had to face a tought time as more than one pillion rider was not alowed by the policemen on two-wheelers.

SHO Nahianwala, Boota Singh, deputed at a check-post set up at the ITI Chowk, said, “All the SHOs are here in the city as every Monday we are supposed to attend a parade at the Police Lines. After completing the parade, the officers ordered us to check the violators of traffic rules. During the checking, many vehicles were found without registration documents and four motorcycles have been impounded.”

A car driver, Deepak Kumar, of Ganesha Basti, lamented, “It is harassment as we are getting late for our appointments. I have all the documents, but they are just wasting our time as there is a long queue to get the documents checked.”

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Parminder Pal Singh, said, “It was just an experimental checking as we wanted to know the efficiency of the check-posts in case of an emergency. About 200 vehicles have been challaned and some cars and motorcycles were impounded.”

Bathinda, February 4
Along with plans for beautification, efforts for a clean and green Bathinda are also underway. Civic agencies and other institutions have been contributing to this cause in their own way.

The DAV College here had started a campaign to plant on lakh saplings to encourage afforestation some time back Inspired by the Punjabi saying, ‘Ik chup, sau sukh,’ the campaign involved roping in college and school students, doctors, banks as well as NGOs to plant trees.

Explaining the philosophy behind the scheme, DAV College principal J. S. Anand said he has jotted down a list of 100 advantages derived from the trees and characteristically, he has termed it as ‘Ik rukh, sau sukh’ (one tree, hundred boons).

The college principal has categorised the benefits of the trees into four categories: physical, social, philosophical and spiritual.

Speaking to TNS about his concept, Anand, said, “I want to plant love for trees in the minds of the people. The tree cover is decreasing with every passing day and that is why we are facing extreme weather conditions.”

Physical benefits of the trees include greenery, fighting pollution, natural habitat, flora and fauna, among other things. Social messages include co-existence, selfless living, help to mankind, etc while philosophical benefits include its depiction as symbol of patience, peace, cycle of birth and decay and enlightenment for Buddha under the Bodhi tree, etc. Spiritual aspect of the trees is reflected in its suitability for meditation and worship.

“I just wish that every person takes care of at least one tree in his life. This can help in resolving so many problems,” he added.

Bathinda, February 4
Come ‘Basant’ and the blue sky over Bathinda would be covered with the gaiety and colour of paper kites of all hues, shapes and sizes. Kite flying is one of the most colourful sports and recreations in Punjab, associated with Basant Panchmi – the onset of spring.

Lohri, marking the end of severe winter sets the tone for kite flying competitions held at the local fort every year and colours of spring are visible in kites flying high in the skies. Like other towns in Punjab, kite flying is a rooftop sport in Bathinda also and besides the main kite flying competition at the fort, the rooftops of inner cities turn into virtual arenas of aerial tug-of-war on Basant Panchmi.

In fact, kite flying gathers a frenzied momentum from January 13, also celebrated as Lohri or Makar Sankranti and people of all ages, including children and the old prepare for the kite-flying season. The excitement of colours and flying high is so intense that people talk nothing but just three words — patangs, majhas and chakris (kite, thread and reel).

On Basant Panchami, it is a spectacle in the town and continues even during the night with competitors trying to cut each other’s thread with unmatched passion and zeal. The streets, parks and the rooftops especially are filled with cheers of “Bo Kata or Kithe Gira”, followed by drum rolls. The doars are symbolically named as Zakir Hussain, Tipu Sultan, Mehendi Hasan, Golden Eye. The kites are of different shapes like owl, spiderman or ship and the price ranges from Re 1 to Rs 80, says Ashok a kite-seller on Bhagu road. But polythene and plastic kites are speedily replacing the old traditional paper kites, he adds.

Sounds like ‘Tipu chhadi na, cut de, khinch’ echo all around and people identify themselves with the flying kites. “I feel so excited when I cut the kite of others but feel sad when it’s the other way round,” says Aman Deep, an 11-year-old preparing for Basant.

Another competitor, 13-year-old Prince Grewaal said, “It is a hilarious game and I gauge the success with by number of kites cut. I chase the kites falling on roads, rooftops and trees”.

For a day, the city witnesses thousands of kite runners as kids and adults race on the streets to catch the fallen kites.

Men’s inherent wish to fly high and reach the sky would have surely made him invent the kite and fly it high, somewhere giving him the feeling and the satisfaction that he can fly and touch the sky as high as he wants, said an old man remembering his youth when he used to fly high.

The spirit of the festival is a living example of secularism as kites in the sky see no boundaries and people of different religions share the joy of the occasion making Basant a true secular festival.

Bathinda, February 4
Kites, which used to be a source of recreation and entertainment for all age-groups is gradually turning into a nuisance for people.

As per the recent reports, people have even lodged complaints with the police against roadside kite flyers as they have suffered injuries in eyes, lips and ears because of the thread used in kite flying.

Kites, being an inexpensive mode of entertainment, are liked by all, but carelessness on the part of fliers results in harm to the passersby. “I was on my way to Bibi Wala road on a two-wheeler, when suddenly, a sharp and thin thread pierced into my upper lip and ear. For a moment, I was unable to react and lost control over the vehicle. After gasping for breath, I looked into the rear view mirror and found that my lip was bleeding,” said Jeet Singh Mann, an ex-Subedar Major of Model Town. “The reason for the mishap was that the thread used in flying kites came before my vehicle and children standing on the roadside pulledit,” Mann added. Mann disclosed that he had complained at the Civil Lines police post.

On Monday, a lady Sukhmani Kaur of Naamdev Nagar was seen getting a similar complaint typed outside the mini-secretariat for the injury received due to the thread used in kite flying.

When contacted, assistant superintendent of police (city), Harsh Kumar Bansal, said, “Some cases of injuries caused by the kite thread have came to our notice. But there is no law mentioned for such offences. So, we have given special instructions to the patrolling staff to check the problem. In the meantime, parents should also play their role by keeping a watch on their children.”

Faridkot, February 4
The proposed changes in the assembly segments in the yet to be officially reserved Faridkot parliamentary seat may well make way for adjustments among the political parties.

If the proposal is implemented, it will alter the pattern in the area that has existed since the formation of the district. Traditionally, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and former Congress CM Harcharan Singh Brar and their family members have contested from the seat.

If the report of the Delimitation Commission is implemented, then the two leading parties, the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), will have to search for suitable candidates in an area which has traditionally been the fiefdom of the Badals and the Brars, both belonging to the powerful Jat community.

Otherwise, Brar and his family members have contested elections from the Muktsar assembly seat while Badal contests from the Lambi assembly segment.

It may be mentioned that nine assembly segments of the Faridkot parliamentary constituency transcend two of its neighbouring districts, Moga and Muktsar. They are Faridkot, Kotkapura, Panjgrahin, Moga, Baghapurana, Muktsar, Malout, Lambi and Gidderbaha.

According to the proposal, the Faridkot parliamentary constituency would lose Muktsar and Malout which would then form a part of the Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat. On the other hand, the Lambi constituency, from where Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal contests, would be attached to the Bathinda parliamentary constituency.

In return, Nihal Singhwala and Dharamkot, both from the adjoining Moga district, would form its part. However, at present, Nihal Singhwala and Dharamkot are parts of Sangrur and Ferozepur Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively.

If the proposal is implemented, Panjgrahin would cease to exist as an assembly segment and Jaito would then be the new assembly constituency.

Harcharan Brar’s wife, Gurminder Kaur and daughter Kanwalkit Kaur alias Babli Brar, has contested this Lok Sabha seat from time to time.

Parkash Singh Badal’s brother Gurdas Badal contested from this seat while his son, the newly-elected president of SAD, Sukhbir Singh Badal, is a member of parliament from this seat at present.

Attachment of Lambi from the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat to the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat could also trigger changes as SAD MP Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, represents the Bathinda reserved constituency in parliament as of now. If the delimitation proposals are implemented, then Bathinda would be converted into a general parliamentary constituency.

Shifting of the Muktsar assembly segment to the Ferozepur parliamentary constituency would prove conducive for the Congress.

Kanwarjit Singh is the MLA from this seat, which would then form part of Ferozepur parliamentary seat whose present MP is Akali Dal’s Zora Singh Maan.

The Akali Dal would have choice between Paramjit Kaur and Gurdev Singh Badal for the Faridkot seat. A local resident, Gurdev Badal lost from the reserved Panjgrahin seat in the assembly elections held last year.

Badal (Muktsar), February 4
Air Rifle national champion Avneet Sidhu and eight other upcoming international shooters from Punjab would be setting their targets amongst the 181 shooters from across the country at the 1st All India Women Air Weapons Championship beginning here tomorrow.

Avneet, who had an edge over her senior Anjali Bhagwat to win the Gold at the Ahmedabad Nationals last month, would be facing a direct challenge from the much-experienced Anuja Jung of the Railways and Pune girl Priya Agarwal tomorrow and the day after. Anjali Bhagwat would be missing the event probably because of her upcoming Sydney training schedule in February itself.

Another upcoming Indian hope, Anu Tomar, would also have a well-timed opportunity in the pistol event at her Badal home range.

The shooters had a four-hour practice session at the state-of- the- art Badal Shooting Range, which has been established with all the international standards required for the 10 metre events.

The eyes at this meet are also on the Tomar sisters, Ruby Tomar, Shefali Tomar, Preeti Tomar and Reshu Tomar, besides Lakhbir Kaur and Mandeep Kaur, as they had already won laurels overseas after their two-year rigorous training at the Dasmesh School of Shooting at Badal from Kolkata coach, Parimal Chaterjee .

The other star shooters who were seen dashing at the new shooting range today included, Purnima Janane and Rakhee Samant, and the upcoming Indian hope Heena Sidhu, Shilpi Singh, Sonia Rai and Amisa in Air Pistol.

Maharashtra, NCC and the Railways teams, who had won gold, silver and bronze respectively at the 51st Nationals at Ahmedabad last month, would be the tough squads along with Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Delhi.

Punjab Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur inaugurated the International Badal Shooting Range amidst the shooters, this morning, saying that the state government was all out to promote sports in terms of infrastructure as well as policy-making.

Bathinda, February 4
A colourful programme marked ‘Jhankar’, the annual day function of the R.B.DAV Senior Public School in the city. The captivating programme began in a traditional way as eminent personalities lighted the lamp to mark the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, principal Satwant Bhullar appealed to the parents to hone the talent of their kids. He also disclosed that the school had introduced multimedia-based education, which would be made compulsory for the students from the next academic session.

SAD (B) in-charge of Bathinda constituency, Saroop Singla was the chief guest at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Singla emphasied upon the need for the overall development of the personality of the students. Industrialist Pawan Jindal, who was the guest of honour, presented a cheque of Rs 51,000 and wished the students well in their future endeavours.

Bathinda, February 4
The body of a girl was recovered today from a pond at Santpra road, situated behind the DAV College here.

Sources said the body was found in the morning and Sahara Jan Seva volunteers and the Civil Lines police reached the spot after getting the news.

The body was pulled out of the pond and rushed to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda. After the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family members of the deceased and on the basis of the statement of family members, the inquest proceeding was initiated under section 174 of the IPC.

Bathinda, February 4
More than 4000 students from Bathinda and surrounding areas appeared in the mock test conducted by Harbhajan Institute for class X. Director of the institute, Harbhajan Singh said that the results would be announced in the third week of February.

He disclosed that apart from Bathinda, the test was also conducted in the schools at Rampura, Dhanola, Barnala, Maur mandi, Bhikhi, Sunam, Talwandi, Rama, Sirsa, Goniana, Jito, faridkot, Muktsar, Jalalbad, Fazilka, Gidbha, Mallout, and Abohar.

The main purpose of the test is to prepare students for the Board examination, he explained.

Barnala, February 4
With considerable efforts, Bhola Singh Virk, the arch-enemy of former MLA Malkeet Singh Keetu, finally managed to get the blessings of Akali stalwart Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who is considered to be the second in command after the Badals. 

Only some time back, Keetu was believed to enjoying the patronage of Dhindsa, but it seems that it is now Virk who is in command.

By organising a big rally today, under the aegis of the Public Welfare Trust, Virk demonstrated his strength, badly needed by Dhindsa for the next parliamentary elections. Inspired, Dhindsa probably thought of Virk as his favourite follower in Barnala.

Political observer says that tough times are expected for Malkeet Keetu, who was an ardent follower of Dhindsa for the past 10 years.

It may be recalled that Keetu, who served former CM Surjeet Singh Barnala for a long time, deserted him to join the Dhindsa camp. The rivalry of Barnala and Dhindsa camp is well-known in the region.

Virk’s stature in the party has grown considerably with today’s event.

The political observers feel that he will try to prove his supremacy and prove that it is a one-man show in Barnala.

Mansa, February 4
A dharna would be staged in front of the SDM offices at Mansa and Budhladha on February 5 against the proposed privatisation of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) and other public sector units to put pressure on the Shiromani Akali Dal (B)-Bharatiya Janta Party government, said Jaspal Singh Khokhar, district secretary of the Democratic Employees Front.

Khokhar said that the Akali government had promised during the last Assembly elections that it wouldnot dismantle the PSEB, but now it had been justifying privatisation by finding faults with the Central government.

He further said that the state government was also ignoring the genuine demands of the employees and hence, they would continue their struggle.

Barnala, February 4
The play Ath Shri Kinnar Katha” enacted by MLN College, Yamunanagar, bagged the first prize at the 30th Sham Lal Lyalpuri Memorial Inter-State Natt Mela held at Maha Shakti Kalan Mandir here.

The play mesmerised the audience with its story line that described the birth of a Kinnar (eunuch) in a family and displayed what the parents went through as they surrendered their child to the eunuchs.

The play bagged the maximum of five prizes. Sanjeev Kumar won the best director’s prize for while Kulbhushan bagged the second prize in the best male artist category for playing the role of the eunuch. Rubby Kamboj, who played the mother of the eunuch child, got the second prize for the best female artist. The play also received the best make-up director’s prize.

Meanwhile, Lal Bahdur Shastri Arya Mahila College, Barnala, won the prize for the best play in women’s category for “Atte diyan chirrya”. The play narrated the problems related to the girl child, beginning from her birth to marriage and death.

In other disciplines, Dev Samaj College of Girls, Ferozepur, won the first prize in ‘Giddha’ and group dance category.

The 30th fest concluded on Sunday evening amidst much fanfare. Anil Dutt Sharma, president of the Maha Shakti Kalan Mandir, informed that the fest was dedicated to propagating the rich cultural heritage of the state.

Abohar, February 4
By winning the overall trophy at the festival that concluded yesterday, Abohar could now be placed next to Amritsar in dramatics, experts said in Abohar today.

Young directors of this town, Gaurav Vij of the Sparsh Theatre Society and Vikas Batra of the Natrang Youth Club, received a warm welcome as they returned home along with other artists today.

Interestingly, the organisers Mahashakti Kala Kendra, who had been holding the competitions annually, had for the first time considered “Main Hoon Don”, a comedy, presented by the Sparsh boys in general category. The play was adjudged third.

In the Nukkad Natak category, the Sirjana Art Group, Raikot, presented “Jagat Janani” which was adjudged the best while Sparsh Theatre Society’s “Raftar Naal, Sidhi Gal Sarkar Naal” won the second prize. Palwinder Singh, who played the role of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, was called to the dais to receive a special prize, a release said.

Sanjay Chanana, press secretary of the Natrang, said this evening that 12 prizes won by the team members helped the club in clinching the overall trophy.

A dozen artists, led by Vinay Gandhi, posed as statues with make-up done by Atul Khungar and Sukhjinder Chahal. Khungar has won the prize for his art for the eleventh term.

Sunil Verma was adjudged the best in mimicry. In choreography, Mayank and Puneet won the second and third prizes, respectively.

Abohar, February 4
The police stations in this sub-division organised a flag march in their respective areas to instil confidence among the people and maintain peace following the attack on the Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s cavalcade, deputy superintendent of police Parampal Singh informed this evening.

The DSP warned that anybody found creating law and order problems in the sub-division would be dealt with firmly. He further said the physically fit youth and 
ex-servicemen would be recruited as community police officers during a camp to be held at the Nehru Stadium here on February 7.

This would help in checking crime, he added.

Mansa, February 4
Members of the Dera Sacha Sauda from different blocks of the district today submitted memorandums to the DC and SSP of Mansa for making security arrangements following the attack on the Dera chief’s cavalcade. They included Ramjit Singh, Balwinder Singh, Amarnath Singh Arora, Shyam Lal and Jasbir Singh Jawahrke.

It is notable that among the accused, who were arrested after the attack on the Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s cavalcade on Saturday near Karna, was Swarn Singh of Kot Dharmu village of Mansa district.

Swarn’s parents said that he was religious minded and does not believe in violence.

M.F. Farooqi, SSP, Mansa, informed that the police conducted a search at Swarn’s house but did not find anything objectionable. 

Abohar, February 4
An orthodontist, Gautam Munjal, has been honoured with the Best Clinical Paper Award, at the recently held 42nd Indian Orthodontic Conference at Nagpur. Rotarians and other social activists felicitated him at a brief function here on Sunday.

Munjal, who also specialises in cleft lip and palate orthodontics, interceptive orthodontics, biomechanics and inter-disciplinary approach, had earlier been conferred with fellowships of the Pierre Fauchard Academy (1998), Academy Dentistry International (1999), World Federation of Orthodontics (2001), and International College of Dentists (2002). — OC