Amritsar, February 8
The cyber cell of the district police has come to the rescue of the victims of objectionable SMSes and phone calls meant to harass hapless victims around Valentines Day. A simple e-mail to the cell would ensure that the miscreants are taken to task.

Interestingly, in most cases dealt by the police so far, most of the accused were those indulging in harassing their colleagues by making annoying and sometimes threatening mobile phone calls or by sending SMSes of a similar nature.

SSP Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh says, “Do not encourage a return call. If the calls persist to the point of harassment then report it to the police. You can e-mail the complaints at policehelp100@gmail.com or one can drop his complaints in the nearest police complaint box.”

“Objectionable calls and SMSs represent abnormal behaviour that could potentially be dangerous and should not be taken lightly. Persons making such calls seek gratification from the response of the victims. The best reaction is to hang up immediately,” he said.

“If such calls and SMSs persist, the police will launch a thorough investigation. An important preliminary step in the investigation is to establish a time pattern for the calls. This will assist the police in apprehending the caller,” he said.

“Even though such incidents of annoying mobile calls and SMSs are not a new phenomenon, people are slowly realising the need to nip the evil in the bud by taking pre-emptive steps before the matter goes out of hand,” he said.

The police has received several complaints about obscene, annoying, threatening and blank calls in the past few months. Cases of objectionable SMSs are also on the rise in the city.

“The accused are usually youngsters who target girls known to them, either at the workplace or on the campus. The police promises to maintain anonymity of the victim in taking strict action against the accused,” he said.

“Do not hesitate to report such victimisation to the police, otherwise it will be more dangerous for you and your family. The police has set up a dedicated cyber cell to investigate such cases. The caller line identification (caller ID) service is available on your landline phone as well as your cellphone that people may find helpful,” he said.

The cyber cell has also been lately getting complaints about threats received through e-mail. Cases of fake e-mail identity cards of profiles on community sites have also picked up in the city. “Depending on the gravity of the crime, a case is registered under the cyber laws, which can land an accused behind bars for up to seven years,” said the SSP.

Amritsar, February 8
Putting to rest speculations about the timely completion of the Rs 173-crore elevated road project, the union ministry of urban development has today sanctioned the second instalment for the project worth Rs 18.68 crore, which would have a matching grant of Rs 7.47 crore from the state government.

Talking to The Tribune on telephone from Delhi, municipal commissioner D.P.S. Kharbanda said a detailed presentation was given to a committee, headed by the secretary, ministry of urban development, about the project today, which was followed by a question-answer session.

“Thoroughly convinced, the ministry has agreed in principle to sanction the second instalment for the project, which comes to Rs 25 crore, after adding the state government’s share. Since the project is being implemented under the Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (NURM), the corporation would also bear its share as per the laid-down norms,” he said.

Municipal commissioners from various cities of  the country, which have major projects funded  under the NURM, attended the meeting.

The elevated road project, being carried out by Gammon India Ltd, would provide a direct and easy route to the Golden Temple from the entry point to the city for the convenience of tourists and visitors.

The local municipal corporation started the construction of four-lane elevated road from Maqboolpura Chowk to Bhandari Bridge, about 3.25 km in length and 17.2 meter in width on a single pier, and two-lane elevated road from Ram Talai Chowk to the Golden Temple, 0.9 km in length and 8.50 meter to 12.5 meter width, with a cost of Rs 210 crore.

The union and state governments have already released their first instalments of Rs 18.68 crore and Rs 7.47 crore, respectively, to the municipal corporation. About 30 per cent of the work of the elevated road is complete at site and about Rs 59 crore have been spent and it is expected that the work will be completed by December 21.

The elevated road is one of the most talked about projects planned for Amritsar. During his visit to Amritsar in April, 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced 50 per cent central grants for the project. As per the original plan, the elevated road project was to be funded by the municipal corporation, improvement trust and Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) giving 20 per cent of the total budget. The remaining 40 per cent was to be borne by the state government.

The project had also invoked criticism from certain environmentalists that the elevated road project could pose a threat to  the heritage buildings in  the area.

The district administration, however, says that the elevated road will end at the multi-level parking coming up under the Galiara scheme, which is more than 500 meter away from the Golden Temple, and poses no threat to any heritage structure.

Amritsar, February 8
The distinguished scientists of international repute, who participated in the two-day national seminar on applications of radioisotopes and radiation technology which concluded at Guru Nanak Dev University on Friday, were of the unanimous view that Punjab government needs to focus more on radiation processing technology.

They added the government could adopt sewage-sludge, a radiator for the management of sewage and production of high nutrient pathogen free-organic manure, which would also nourish the soil.

The government should promote it by providing subsidies, they said.

An eminent nuclear scientist AK Kohli, chief executive, BRIT said radioisotopes produced in Dhruva and CIRUS at Trombay and many of the PHWRs of NPCIL find extensive application in the areas of healthcare, industry &agriculture.

He remarked that a large number of radioisotopes have been identified. Already radiation and radioisotopes have become inseparable part of our day- to-day life. There is lot of potential for expansion of radioisotope applications in our country, he added.

Another scientist Dr SK Malhotra of department of atomic energy, Mumbai, while delivering his special lecture on “public perceptions about atomic energy” said nuclear route is inevitable for long term sustainable development of the nation as demand for electricity is going to increase rapidly, especially in the developing countries. Prof Malhotra said the public acceptance of nuclear energy as a source of electricity and also for its non-electricity applications was an important factor for its implementation. The fear psychosis in the minds of people, which originates from certain myths not based on facts, needs to be removed by putting forward the scientific picture before them and that too in a language they can understand and appreciate. He said the media can play the role of knowledge facilitator and contribute its bit to remove the above mentioned myths from the people’s minds.

Meanwhile, Dr Jai Rup Singh, vice-chancellor while presiding over the function said the deliberations during the seminar would help dispel myths and misconceptions about radiation besides creating awareness among the students, research scholars, teachers, scientists, medical professionals and entrepreneurs. The seminar was organised by the department of Physics, GNDU, in collaboration with national association for applications of radioisotopes and radiation in industry, (NAARI), Mumbai and board of  radiation and isotope technology (BRIT), Mumbai. 

Amritsar, February 8
Local resident Sharanjit Kaur has been running from pillar to post for more than a month to get possession of her house which has been allegedly locked by some of her neighbours.

Sharanjit, who owns an apartment in the Ranjitpura Ganga building, interacted with mediapersons here on Thursday. She said though a complaint had been registered against the accused on January 30, the police had failed to take any action against them. She alleged that accused were threatening her to take back her complaint or they would kill her.

Giving details, Sharanjit said, “On December 14 last year, I went to my relatives and when I returned on December 14, I found another lock put up on the door of my house. After opening my lock I broke the second lock to enter my house. But soon, my neighbours, including Harinder Singh Randhawa, Kuldeep Singh Randhawa, Sukhwinder Singh, alias Jangi, Happy, Raman and Balwinder Singh, arrived at my residence and started threatening me not to enter the house.”

Sharanjit said after the incident she tried to lodge a complaint at the Islamabad police station but the police did not witness her plea. “It was only when I contacted the Chief Minister and the DIG, border range, that the police lodged a complaint on January 30.” However, she maintained the police was not taking any action against the accused.

The complainant further alleged that the accused had also taken many household items, including two colour TV sets, a double-door fridge, two double beds, two gas cylinders and two Godrej almirahs along with some cash and jewellery. Sharanjit said, “I am not even allowed to enter my house and as a result I am forced to live with my relatives.”

Meanwhile, SSP Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh said an FIR had already been registered and the police was taking action in the case.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarv Sanjhi Party president Avtar Singh, who was accompanying Sharanjit, said if the police failed to take action against the accused within a week they would be forced to launch an agitation against them.

Amritsar, February 8
The Punjab government would soon urge the central government for an amendment to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for registering a case against the mobile phone users in various jails of the state.

Disclosing this, SSP Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh said he took up the issue with the state government at a meeting held recently. He said at present there was no provision for registering a case against jail inmates for using cell phones. He said notorious smugglers in jails are easily making calls to their counterparts outside.

The police had recently recovered 16 kg of heroin from a notorious smuggler of the Amritsar central jail who was imprisoned for various offences registered against him. The police had also seized mobile sets from inmates, besides arresting jail warden and pharmacists who were involved in drug trafficking. The SSP said the government was also considering jammers inside the jails so that the inmates could not make any call to their men outside. He said there was some problem in installing these due to the close proximity of the houses located near the jails. He said with the installation of jammers, the cell phones of the residents near the jails would also get affected. 

Amritsar, February 8
Keeping an eye on the parliamentary elections to be held next year, the National Students Union of India (NSUI), student wing of the Congress, has launched cadre building in the state.

This was disclosed by the NSUI general secretary Ragini Nayak here today. Ragini, who is also in charge of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, said the process of nominating 10 members and 20 activists of the union in the state at the college level was 60 per cent complete.

She said, “The union has shortlisted 138 colleges in Punjab and after completing the nomination the report would be submitted to Indian National Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi by February end.”

Ragini said she had come to the city to monitor the working of the NSUI members who had been nominated recently and was satisfied with their working. Urging the college girls to come forward in college politics, she said, “The girl students should actively participate in the union to fight for their rights.” However, she maintained that the girls were now showing interest in the working of the union and its policies.

The NSUI general secretary said, “This time the union was giving prominence to the rural colleges in Punjab so that students residing in small towns and villages can come forward.” She said the union was planning to expand its base in the rural belts of the country to strengthen the Congress at the national level. Ragini said, “It is better to change the system than to become part of it. For this the country’s youth has to work as a catalyst.”

Speaking on the occasion, NSUI state president Gautam Majithia said, “The union has launched a protest against the recent revision of examination fee by Guru Nanak Dev University.” He said though the university had rolled back the hike to some extent, it was still high for the poor students. He said the university authorities should reconsider the decision of fee hike and roll back the migration fee hike.

Amritsar, February 8
A week-long art workshop concluded at Delhi Public School here recently. As many as 120 students from class I to X created exciting compositions at the workshop. The grand finale saw a wide-ranging exhibition of multiple “works of art” on the school premises. Gen J.S. Bawa (retd), chairman, school management committee, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Harveen Kaur portrayed harmony between India and Pakistan showing flags of the two countries and their peoples working in tandem in her painting using oil colours.

Noted sculptor and head of the department of arts at the APJ College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, Budhudev Biswas, demonstrated skills to make sculptures from clay and plaster of Paris into murals and relief art, using various techniques and textures.

Mahinder Kumar Mastana, another sculptor from the same college, demonstrated his skills with the three dimensional structures and figures, besides compositions in relief using materials, including thermocoal, cutters, adhesive, sandpaper, tooth-picks and colours to create simple works of art like masks, symbols of Ganesha, temples and flora and fauna to make colourful pieces at the exhibition.

Amritsar, February 8
The three-day 3rd National Congress of Indian Stroke Association, being held under the aegis of World Stroke Organisation, kicked off here on Friday. The event witnessed participation of more than 300 neurologists from across the world for discussing the latest trends of paralysis.

The event, which is being held at Golden View Resorts, includes lectures, discussions, stroke quiz and challenging thrombolytic cases. An exhibition showcasing various pharma manufacturers, distributors and surgical equipments is also planned for the event.

Welcoming the delegates Dr Ashok Uppal, director, Uppal Neuro Hospital, said, “Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage, complications and death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. It is the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States, Europe and India.”

The delegates participating in the event include Dr Geoffrey A Donnan, president, World Stroke Organisation, Australia; Dr J P Mohr, director, Stroke Programmes, New York; Dr Charles P Warlow, neurologist, England; Dr Gian Luigi Lenzi, professor, Italy; Dr Jose I Suarez, Houston; Dr Aneesh B Singhal, Boston; Dr T Ramachandran, vice-president, World Neurology Foundation and Dr Majaz Moonis, director, Stroke Services, Worcester. 

Amritsar, February 8
A delegation of eight poets from Pakistan arrived here to participate in the two-day poem festival being organised by Kendriya Punjabi Lekhak Sabha at Ferozepur from February 9. The group was welcomed by Talwinder Singh, vice-president KPLS and Amandeep Singh at the Wagah check post.

The leader of the delegation, poetess Imrana Mushtak, while talking to the media said after attending the function at Ferozepur they would participate in kavi darbars in Kapurthala and Moga on February 12 and 14, respectively. She said after that the delegation would move on to Chandigarh, Yamunanaga and Kurukshetra and return to Amritsar to participate in the “Ma Boli Divas” (Mother Tongue Day) to be held on February 21. 

Amritsar, February 8
A growing number of men are keener to get a facelift to look more attractive and are beauty enhancement techniques more than their female counterparts.

This was revealed by John Leehy from Ireland during a seminar held on plastic and cosmetic surgery at Fortis Escort hospital here.

The hospital also claimed to have performed the first facelift surgery in the city on a 70-year-old NRI man. The cosmetic surgeon of the hospital, Dr SK Chauhan, who performed the surgeries, while addressing the seminar further revealed that even though the trend of cosmetic surgery has still to catch up amongst the local populace, foreigners and NRI s are increasing seeking and reaping its benefits due to eight times less cost than in developed countries.

He said ‘males’ more than ‘females’ were coming forward for cosmetic and corrective surgeries for restoring beauty and youthfulness. 

Amritsar, February 8
An inter-college tech fest was organised at Khalsa College, Amritsar, by the department of computer science and application of the college. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr Raghubir Singh, dean, academic affairs, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU).

Addressing the students, college principal Dr Daljeet Singh said knowledge of computers was no longer an in-fashion thing but it has become a necessity. He said the college had constructed three computer laboratories at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. In the paper presentation contest, KMV College, Jalandhar won the first prize. BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar and Doaba College, Jalandhar won second and at third positions, respectively.