Ludhiana, February 13
This Valentine’s Day, the spirit of love has gripped young and old alike. There was a mad rush at gift shops here today. "Customers want their gifts to be exclusive. Besides flowers, soft toys are popular,” said Rakesh Sood of Green Florists on Pakhowal road.

Roses, real and artificial, top the demand list. A bud priced at Rs 8 is being sold for Rs 15-Rs 20 at most shops. The cost is likely to go by tomorrow. Cash-rich Ludhianavis, however, do not mind paying. "It is worth it.

When you are buying a gift for someone special, price is no criterion," said college-going Sonia, who bought a perfume bottle wrapped in a heart-shaped box.

Most are ready to spend up to Rs 1,500 on the special occasion.Roses, especially--metallic and goldplated--in heart-shaped baskets carrying chocolates, teddies and red candles are in great demand.Perfumes and bags are popular too.

"I have planned a candlelight dinner with my wife at a hotel. I bought a dress for her and am expecting a gift too," said Avinash Verma, a businessman.

College-goers are opting for low-budget items."A majority of buyers are in their mid-twenties.

All set to look their best for the occasion, unusual rush was seen at most beauty parlours today. The parlours had launched packages specially for the Valentine’s.

For shopkeepers, after Divali, Valentine’s Day is the occasion when sales go soaring. "The business community is a happy lot with a three-time rise in our sales,” said a shopkeeper.

Ludhiana,February 12
Having failed to curb V-Day enthusiasm among the young, an organisation has decided to make the occasion indigenous and name it "Mata, Pita Pujan Divas".

A seminar was held by representatives of Shri Yog Vedant Sewa Samiti Sant Shri Asha Ram Bapu Ashram at Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Moti Nagar, here today.

The seminar was chaired by K.K. Sharma, Mangat Rai, Jatinder Sachdeva, Rameshwar Dutt, Rajinder Singh and Yogita Behan.

Students were told about the importance of Indian culture and instructed to adopt the ideals set by Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and ancient sages.

Said principal Rajinder Sharma, the Yoga Vedant Samiti enlightened the students on the ills of Valentine’s Day.

"This is a corrupt practice and is spoiling our culture. The West has always looked East to quench their thurst for spirituality. But the irony now is that the East is blindly following the western culture.”

Tomorrow, activist of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) will stage a dharna outside Kamla Lohtia College against Valentine's Day celebrations.

“The day has no significance for Indian culture and it is only polluting the minds of our youth. the youth should be involved in more fruitful ventures,” said parishad leader Sahil here today.

Samrala, February 13
Supporting a student in a dispute with a conductor of a private bus cost a youth his life. Gurmukh Singh (20) of Mushkabad in Ludhiana district succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Samrala last evening.

Gurmukh was run over by a minibus at Ajlaud village, near here. He had slipped from the bus when the driver allegedly sped it with an intention to evade damage by an enraged group of youths.

Investigations revealed that Gurmukh had lost his life while supporting Sat Pal Singh, a student of a private college, in a dispute with the conductor of a minibus.

According to a complaint lodged on the statement of Sat Pal Singh, Gurmukh was run over by the bus when the driver sped it recklessly.

Tinku, the conductor, had allegedly beaten Sat Pal following a dispute in the morning. Feeling offended, Sat Pal called his associates from Bondli, Toderpur and Mushkabad villages. Gurmukh was among his supporters.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that supporters of Sat Pal had intercepted the bus near Ajnaud village. Apprehending danger, the driver decided to speed up the vehicle, resulting in the fall of Gurmukh.

The police is yet to ascertain whether the windowpanes of the bus were damaged before the incident or after it.

The police has registered an FIR under Sections 279 and 304 A of the IPC against the driver of the bus. No arrest has been made yet.

Ludhiana, February 13
Though the elections to the Panjab University, Chandigarh, senate are slated for September, campaigning has already begun here with the city having a strong lobby of contenders.

For mustering support, the date of which has not been finalised yet, a majority of contestants are targeting graduate and post-graduate students of the university by filling out their forms for enrollment as registered graduate.

Of the total 90 senate members, including nominated as well as elected members, 15 are reserved for graduate constituency.

These 15 members are elected by graduates (have passed in 2003 or before) or postgraduate (anytime) students of Panjab University or its affiliated college or institution.

“This is a keenly contested constituency where degree-holders cast their votes. Those who are not registered as voters are being targeted by contestants. Applications or forms are being sent personally through postal services and courier by contestants so that others cannot target fresh voters. Students have to deposit Rs 15 as fee to become a voter. All pains to fill out forms are being taken by contestants themselves,” said a local senator, adding that the city had a strong lobby of senate and syndicate members.

Also, some of contestants have chalked out their plans should they be elected senators.

A contestant distributing pamphlets and application forms claimed that if he became the senator, he would ask the university to give fee concession, reserve seats of teachers’ wards and ensure speedy university redressal system to check victimisation of teachers, etc.

He said there was a need to improve the academic standards of Panjab University and service conditions of teachers.

“I can prove my worth only if I am elected. As senate elections are held every four years, there is a need to do planned campaigning and many people have already filled out fresh voters’ forms,” he claimed.

Apart from graduate constituency (15), senators are elected from lecturers constituency (eight), principal constituency (eight), professional technical college lecturers (three), professional technical college principals (three), major faculty constituency (one), readers/professors’ constituency and people from political background (two), etc.

Between 25-30 senators are nominated by the Vice-President of India on basis of merit and previous records.

Ludhiana, February 13
The Punjab government established Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in April, 2006 to give boost to the livestock sector in the state.

In the 11th five year plan, the Planning Commission of Government of India as well as the state are targeting higher growth rate of the sector due to stagnation in the crop sector.

For dissemination of animal husbandry technologies to farmers, GADVASU will organise Pashu Palan Mela on March 13 and 14 on its campus.

According to Dr O.S. Parmar, director of extension education, GADVASU, the university had decided to honour three innovative animal husbandry farmers of the rural areas of the state with the Chief Minister’s Award in the fields of dairy, poultry and fishery on the eve of the mela.

Earlier, just one award was given, but at the insistence of vice chancellor Dr V.K. Taneja, poultry and fishery farmers will also be honoured.

Applications forms can be obtained from the office of the director of extension education or deputy directors of animal husbandry/dairy development department/ fisheries department or general managers of milk plants.

Also, the forms can be obtained from Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the districts.

Interested animal husbandry farmers of rural areas of the state can apply on the prescribed proforma up to February 29.

The committee constituted by the university will visit the livestock farms for evaluation and final selection will be made after inspection of the livestock unit.

Ludhiana, February 13
Condemning Valentine’s Day, the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a dharna outside Kamla Lohtia College here this morning. “The day has no significance for Indian culture and it is only polluting the minds of our youth, which should be indulged in more fruitful ventures,” said parishad leader Sahil.

Parishad members also burned posters and shouted slogans against the day.

They said the day had become an occasion that provoked vulgarity and crime. Companies were creating unnecessary hype around the day only to earn money, said the members.

Demanding a ban on the Valentine’s Day celebrations, student leader Chandan Batish said youths resorted to eve-teasing and vulgarity on the pretext of celebrating the day and its banning would be a solution to the problem.

Ludhiana, February 13
Foundation stone of Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Rajguru Nagar, was laid in C block here. The Panj Piaras led by Surinder Singh Badowal, SGPC member, performed the ardas.

Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, former pro vice- chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University laid the foundation stone.

He called upon the audience to follow the teachings of the Gurus.

Under the Sikh tenets gurdwara meant, a school for illiterate, shelter for destitutes and kitchen for hungry.

Sikhism, he said, gave the message of universal brotherhood “Sarbat da Bhala” and no ill will against one another.A.S.Chawla, president, Singh Sabha, Rajguru Nagar, also spoke on the occasion. Rs 1.5 lakh was collected as voluntary donations on the occasion.

Ludhiana, February 13
The Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College and Hospital organised a dental check-up camp at Gurdwara Katana Sahib, Neelon, Chandigarh Road today. A large number village elders, women and children took part in the camp to avail the benefits of comprehensive dental check-up extended by a team headed by Dr Ashish Kumar and Dr Hardeep Singh. The camp was a part of the ongoing rural dental health campaign initiated by the hospital.

Disparity was seen in the survey carried out in the urban and rural areas, revealing that dental caries was prevalent among children and adults.

The causes of the oral health disparity between urban and rural areas could be traced to a few factors, including access to dental care and utilization, socio-economic nature of rural people (poverty, low educational attainment, cultural differences, and lack of transportation) and the absence of a coordinated screening and referral network.

Dental experts apprised people of the fatal oral cancer disease which was spreading like a plague in this industrial city.

Patients were given a “dental camp card” which was basically a summary of the problems diagnosed and the treatment recommended. 

Hundreds of labourers in the city lose their daily income at the hands of lottery vendors. While some labourers sell their lunch boxes to buy lottery tickets, there are rich industrialists who lose lakhs of rupees in their desire to pocket more money by gambling on paper receipts.

Rising prices on one hand and careless spending on lottery tickets on the other are only aggravating the problem. The administration should initiate steps to regulate, curb or even ban the trade with the help of the state as well as the central governments.

CRIME

Theft cases on rise in Domoria market
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 13
The Domoria bridge market seems to have become a haven for thieves in the past few months, but the police has yet to get into the action mode.

A large number of scooters and motorcycles have been stolen, apart from the routine theft of goods and accessories from cars.

A motorcycle was stolen from outside an advertising agency yesterday.

A few days ago, a scooter was lifted from the same place.

Munish Dhiman, a sales executive, said his Bajaj Discovery mobike (PB 10 BT 8043) was lifted within minutes after he had parked it in the market.

A Bajaj scooter (PB-10 BP 5065) was lifted from the same area a few days ago.

Ashwani Joshi, owner of the agency, said the market seemed to be a “comfortable ground” for thieves as dozens of cycles of salesmen and customers had been stolen from the market, apart from two-wheelers, but the police had failed to solve a single case.

The police had also not been able to solve three major burglaries in the area. A bakery was burgled twice and an advertising agency once.

A police official responded to the request of lodging FIRs with a plea of not persisting for the registration of FIRs. “We would catch the cuplrits and ensure your losses are compensated,” shopkeepers were told. But nothing has come of it yet.

The only time the police does their duty here is when some VIP has to pass from here, they alleged.

The SHO Division No 8, SI Ravinder Singh, said the police had been promptly registering cases and trying to keep vigil in the area. “But it is not possible for us to secure each shop or office.

We have a huge shortage of staff and the available force is often summoned for duty elsewhere.

Still, we would try our best to check the crime,” he said.

Ludhiana, February 13
King Bio-Pro, a chip, that would prevent hazards of electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phones, was launched here recently.

“The electromagnetic radiation emitted from mobile phones is not beneficial for health. It can be used by mobile users and helps in protecting users from harmful radiation,” said Karan Goel of King Multitech Global, the company that introduced the product here.

Goel said the technology was invented by Dr Igor Smironv, US scientist, who had also patented the technology that activates noise field by the electromagnetic field itself. This passive noise field technology had been used in this chip.

It is made of special polymer compound.

Ludhiana, February 13
The sports day of Eurokids concluded here today. The function was presided over by former athlete Nirmal Singh Grewal. He had won a silver medal in hammer throw in Asian Games.

Kids recited prayers and took part in sports and fun events like pick up the litter, dress like maa, wild animal race, obstacle race, balance the book race, threading the beads, crawl race, lemon race, stitch the button on the dress (mothers race), couples race for parents.

Around 100 students participated in the events. School principal Anuja Sood congratulated the kids on their achievements.

Results: Bake the cake (girls): 1 Tanya, 2 Punya; block the building (boys): 1 Kabir, 2 Parth; thread and beads (girls): 1 Himanshi, 2 Maitri, 3 Ananya; thread and beads (boys) 1 Pranay, 2 Shivam; cap race (boys): 1 Soumil; block race (girls): 1 Amrita; block race (boys): 1 Zorawar.

Farewell party: A farewell party was organised by students of class IX for outgoing batch of class X at Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad, Pakhowal Road.

A cultural programme was organised in which students presented various items.

Navjeet Kaur was adjudged Miss GGSPS, whereas Harsimran Singh was adjudged Mr GGSPS. Navneet Kaur got the Miss Elegant crown.

Speech competition: KG Students of Kundan Vidya Mandir took part in an English speech competition. They presented their views on various topics.

In LKG section, Madhavi Bansal of bagged first prize, while Jessica Singh of and Swapnil Mahajan shared the second prize.

In UKG section, Deepti got the first prize, while Manya and Muskaan Narula shared the second prize.

Principal S.C. Saxena appreciated the efforts of the children.

Visit: A delegation of educationists from Sheffield and Havering, UK, visited GRD Academy here today.

The visit was part of the “Indo British Teachers Exchange Project” undertaken by the department for education and skills, UK.

The Commonwealth Council in association with Patiala and Mohali-based Art and Education Institute.

The project aimed at providing opportunities to teachers, artistes and young students to understand and do creative work.

Annual day: The annual day function was organised by Sacred Soul Convent School Dugri, Dhandra road, here today.

Councillor Sukh Dev Singh Gill was the chief guest. The programme started with the recitation of shabad.

Students from nursery to class 10 took part in the function.

Ludhiana, February 13
Students of Pinnacle Institute of Fashion Technology, including FDDR (fashion design domestic detail), KDT (knitwear design technology), TD (textile design) and IEDT (interior exterior design technology), went on a two-day trip to Surajkund craft mela, near Faridabad, recently.

As West Bengal was the theme state this year, a range of masks, terra cotta, dhokra, rag dolls, wood carvings, jute, textile, cane and bamboo articles were exhibited.

Also, craftsmen from Brazil, Bangladesh, Thailand, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were also present.

The acrobats, magicians and puppeteers from across the country performed in open yards.

The mixed strength of 90 students from all design departments along with their faculties experienced a new look of traditional crafts.

Students got to know about embroideries, potters, weavers, wood carvers, sculptors and kite makers. The new innovative designs and patterns were shown to students to inculcate new ideas in their minds.

This trip is vital part of their curriculum to enhance their artistic approach.

The trip also gave an insight into the working of the Indian crafts and helped students develop further their portfolios for future purpose. Students also interacted with craftsmen.

Ludhiana, February 13
World-renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Antonio Maria Calafiore will visit Hero DMC Heart Institute later this month. This was stated in a press note issued here today. Dr Calafiore is the director of school of specialization in cardiac surgery at University of Catania, Italy. 

He is regarded as one of the pioneers of advanced cardiac surgery and is known for his expertise in high-risk surgery. At DMC, he will assist team of surgeons comprising Dr V.K. Sharma, Dr Sarju Ralhan, Dr Rajeev Gupta, Dr Sameer Goyal and Dr Paresh Shah.

Elaborating further, Dr G.S. Wander, chief cardiologist and coordinator of the hospital said: “An aneurysm is a bulge in a blood vessel, much like a bulge on an over-inflated tube. Aneurysms are dangerous because they may burst. The aorta, the main artery, leading away from the heart, can sometimes develop an aneurysm which has to be treated by carrying out high-risk surgery. Dr Calafiore will assist surgeons who will focus on cases which require much advanced surgical skills.”

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 13
Holding organisers of Kila Raipur rural sports responsible for “losing status” of national sports festival, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal stated that the government would organise a mega event if residents of the area so wanted.

Talking to The Tribune, Badal contended that the organisers failed to maintain the national festival status due to their “own negligence”. The government would take up the issue with the union tourism ministry and organise the event under its supervision if residents of the Kila Raipur constituency wanted.

“It is on record that we had facilitated a move to get the event declared a national festival by the ministry during our previous term. It is sheer negligence on the part of the organisers that they could not maintain the status,” he said.

Meanwhile, a group of sports enthusiasts urged Jagdish Singh Garcha, former minister and in charge of the Kila Raipur constituency, to impress upon the CM to direct the sports department to organise rural sports festival again.

The rural games have emerged as a global event during the past four decades. Participation of sportspersons from across the world and contribution by a large number of NRIs fetched it the epithet of mini Olympics.

Recognising its global fame, the union tourism ministry had declared the even a national festival about a decade ago.

With majority of members being associated with the Congress, SAD leaders and activists were distanced from the arena this year. Though organisers have been inviting dignitaries, including the CM, irrespective of their political alliances, Badal and senior SAD or BJP leaders were not invited this year.

A few SAD leaders, who had reportedly consented to grace the occasion, chose to keep away from the controversy.

Patiala, February 13 
The decks were cleared for the last four stage of the 2nd All India Gurcharan Singh Tohra Memorial Football Tournament with seeded outfits like RCF, Kapurthala, Mehar Football Academy, PSEB and BSF making the semifinal cut.

On Monday, Mehar Academy boys clipped the wings of Malerkotla XI 5-2, with the winners netting through Manpreet, Pushpinder and Bawa Singh. In the other match played on a windy day, RCF downed Jarnail Sports Club, Gharshanker, by a solitary goal margin.