Bathinda, February 17
City lads have won laurels for the nation in far away Doha!

Two students of the local Malwa College have bagged silver medals at the third Asian Indoor Athletics Championship at the Aspire Academy in Doha on Saturday.

Om Parkash, a student of BA final year, clinched the second place in the shotput event with a throw of 18.37 meters. He missed the gold by just 19 cms, which was grabbed by Ahmed Gholoum of Kuwait.

Gurvinder Pal, who is studying in BA second year of the college, was part of the 4x400m relay team that won the silver medal. The team, which also comprised T. Aboobacker, Vinay Chaudhary and Virender Kumar Pankaj, clocked 3:16.53 and were just behind Saudi Arabia.

While speaking exclusively to TNS on the phone from Doha, Om Parkash said it always felt nice to win at a big level and gave the credit for the victory to his coach Bahadur Singh. This feat has not made him complacent, he said. “The next goal will be to qualify for the Olympics.”

His father, Basant Singh, said his son had made him proud and was planning a grand welcome party for him.

The 20-year-old shotput specialist hails from a middle class family. Sukhvinder Singh, a coach in the Army School of Bathinda, noticed his talent when he was just 13-year-old. Since then, he has been nurtured to compete at the highest level. Sukhvinder Singh was elated at his success, but said that he could throw longer than that.

The expression of satisfaction on the face of K.P.S. Brar, who has been promoting these athletes for a long time, was clearly visible. Brar himself is general secretary of the Bathinda District Athletics Association. He said that with only six months left for the Beijing Olympics, you could bet on these guys to win a medal for the country.

Meanwhile, Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari has congratulated Om Parkash and Gurvinder Pal on their achievements and said they would be felicitated after they return.

Bathinda, February 17
Going by the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission that was approved by the Union cabinet recently, Bathinda will no longer be a reserved Lok Sabha constituency. And, the Badal family, it seems has girded up its loins to retain the seat at any cost. The SAD top brass have been visiting to the area frequently, announcing a plethora of projects in an apparent attempt to woo the voters of the area.

Bathinda and its surrounding areas have started feeling the fervour as hardly a day passes when VIPs do not visit the area.

As per the schedule, procured from SAD workers, Sukhbir Badal, the SAD president, would visit the city on Monday to lay 23 foundation stones, including two of PSEB grids and 14 for the recarpeting and renovation of roads.

Analyzing these activities, people of the area have started assuming that the prospective SAD candidate for the parliamentary elections may well be from the Badal family as the seat has become general.

The name of Sukhbir Badal, observers say, is on top of the list, in case he is not made the acting chief minister of the state. The name of his wife is also doing the rounds, as people have started giving out her photographs in the congratulatory billboards and in newspapers. Some have started speculating that Parkash Singh Badal himself may contest, in case he abdicates his throne in favour of his son, Sukhbir. Though there many conflicting statements have been made by finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal, but his name is also being touted for the SAD Lok Sabha ticket from Bathinda.

In the same way, the Bathinda Municipal Corporation polls are near. The ruling SAD-BJP combine does not want to leave any stone unturned to ensure victory it. So, the laying of a large number of foundation stones is being linked with the polls.

The Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) and the district administration have chalked out a plan for Sukhbir’s schedule for the laying of 23 foundation stones in the city on Monday. The laying of foundation stones is also being termed as hype, as of the 23 stones to be laid, 14 are the part of just one scheme—the Rs 40-crore worth beautification project for the city.

When BDA administrator K.K. Yadav was asked, he said, “These foundation stones are for the main roads, which have their own importance. So, we have chalked out a programme to get the stones laid by SAD chief.”

It may be mentioned that Monday will be a happening day for Bathinda as Sukhbir Badal would arrive in the city at 11 am and stay till late in the evening. He would remain busy in laying of foundation stones. The district police has stepped up vigil and police personnel have been deputed in large numbers in and around the city to maintain tight security.

Bathinda, February 17
If one were to describe the annual day function of the R.B.D.A.V. Senior Secondary Public School in a sentence, it would be, “Let me return back to the days of innocence.” The function, titled, “Udgam, The Beginning”, was organised here today.

The function started with a ‘yagya’, followed by the lighting of the lamp. Those who had secured top positions were awarded at the function.

Speaking to TNS, principal Satwant Bhullar said over 100 students, from pre-nursery to primary classes, participated in various events as she was of the view that each and every student was special and to instill confidence in them, their participation was a must.

Besides, senior students also performed and enthralled the audience in their own way and were seen virtually organising the function. They guided the guests to their seats and were available for help.

Chief guest on the occasion, J.P. Shoor along with regional director of the DAV institutions, Bathinda zone, B.C. Josan and Jethu Ram, presented mementos and certificates to the young achievers. The chief guest appreciated the efforts of the teachers in moulding the students.

The guest of honour on the occasion, K.K. Yadav, commissioner, MC Bathinda, said, “Considering the growing western influence on society, the duty of the schools today is not only to help the intellectual development of students but also to imbibe in them ethics, social and cultural values.”

It was the joint duty of the parents and the teachers to mould the students’ lives so as to make them a better citizen and a strong pillar of society, he added.

The cultural programmes held at the function ranged from Kathak performance to a Rajasthani dance that left the audience applauding.

Qawwali ‘Main sahib teri bandi haan’ conveyed a mystic and religious message. The tiny-tots did not forget to pay a tribute to the Father of the Nation. Bhangra to the tune of “Rangla Punjab” turned, for a while, the formal function into an informal one as some of those in the audience could not resist dancing.

The students of class I showcased Indian culture in their presentation, ‘Unity in diversity’. The most enthralling performance was that of the UKG students, who danced to a song from the latest flick “Chak De!” that left the audience applauding for long.

There were fillers in the form of short skits aimed at conveying social messages, including afforestation, eye donation and conservation of water and electricity.

In the end, the principal extended a vote of thanks.

Bathinda, February 17
A 25-year-old woman, Jyoti, died due to asphyxiation caused by the leakage of LPG from the pipe of gas geyser, while taking bath at her house in Goniana, this morning.

Sources said the leaking gas made it difficult for her to breathe and Jyoti fainted. Her family members informed the volunteers of Sahara Jan Seva, who rushed her to the civil hospital, but the doctors declared her brought dead.

Jyoti’s family members said they had requested the police not to initiate further proceedings. However, Nahianwala SHO Boota Singh said the family members had not intimated about it. — TNS

Bathinda, February 17
A couple died while their three-year-old son sustained serious injuries in a road mishap at the Bathinda-Gidderbaha road, 25 kms from here, today.

Sources said the couple was on their way to Gidderbaha, when all of a sudden, a truck coming from the opposite direction hit the motorcycle. The two were killed on the spot.

Soon after receiving the information, volunteers of the Sahara Jan Seva rushed to the spot and rushed them to the civil hospital here. The deceased was identified as Maghar Singh and Harmanjit Kaur of village Fakharsar. The truck has been seized by the police and further investigations are on. It may be mentioned that road mishaps in the area have increased of late.

Mansa, February 17
The Commmunist Party of India (CPI) held an impressive rally at village Matti on Saturday. “The centre and the state governments haven’t passed any legislation for the rights of the unorganised labour,” said Bant Singh Brar, CPI leader and general secretary of the Punjab All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), while addressing the rally. He also opposed the government’s move to privatise the public sector units.

On the same issue, CPI national council member and former member of legislative assembly (MLA), Hardev Singh Arsi, emphasised that privatisation was not a solution to the financial crisis and the government should mobilise its resources and cut extra expenses like allowances and salaries of MLA’s and ministers.

For the gloom in agriculture, he suggested waiver of loans taken by farmers and sought reduction in rates of the agricultural inputs.

Buta Singh, former MLA, said that the government should provide a guarantee of loan at 4 per cent interest to farmers.

The CPI leaders also raised the issue of drinking water especially in the Malwa region, where ground water has been polluted.

Abohar, February 17
G.L. Nagpal, who had put in 50 years of service in the field of education as a language teacher, principal of colleges, advisor to academies and now serves as coordinator at the Swami Keshwanand Mahila College here, was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the valedictory session of a state-level seminar held at the DAV College of Education here last night.

He gave the credit for his achievements to his 
educationist wife Saroj Miglani while receiving the memento from the chief guest, SDM N.S. Brar.

Muktsar, February 17
The Lok Sabha member and the newly-appointed president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Singh Badal, announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh from his MP fund for Guru Nanak Girls College here today.

Presiding over the college’s function this morning, Sukhbir said that he would also urge Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for a special financial package to the SGPC’s college for the cause of educating the girls of ‘Malwa’ region.

The SAD president appreciated the efforts of the SGPC’s Directorate of Education in bringing ‘education reforms’ in its institutions. “Efforts are on to involve prominent academicians in the functioning of the newly-established Directorate of Education of the SGPC,” Sukhbir said. The introduction of written test for the recruitment of teachers in SGPC institutions was an encouraging step to employ quality teachers, he added.

On the occasion, he unveiled the statue of Mai Bhago, raised on the porch of the college’s administrative block, carved by known sculptor Manjit Singh Sahoke, a product of the College of Arts, Chandigarh.

Badal also released a college magazine the ‘Roopmani’ on the occasion. 

Principal Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal, in her vote of thanks, said that the institution had been imparting higher education to the girls from around 125 villages of the ‘Malwa’ region.

Faridkot, February 17
To eradicate the menace of Mealy bug, the central government has provided Rs 1.30 crore and the Punjab government is also holding three-day awareness rallies starting from February 22 in eight districts of the Malwa region beginning with Talwandi Sabo.

The government revealed that around 1,000 villages were affected by the pest. Encouraged by the impressive production of 27 lakh bales of cotton during 2006-07, the area under the crop was increased in the next financial year. However, the produce came down to 23 lakh bales (2007-08), drawing flak for the government.

Sucha Singh Langah, agriculture minister, chairing a meeting of the administrative heads of the eight districts here today, said that the state government was committed to encouraging the crop as it could be a viable alternative to water guzzling paddy.

The eight most affected districts are Ferozepur, Barnala, Faridkot, Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Sangrur and Moga.

Fazilka, February 17
A father and his son were allegedly murdered by their relative in Rampura village on the outskirts of this town on Saturday night.

One Jagjit Singh in his FIR lodged with the Sadar police, Fazilka, said that his father Binder Singh (52) and brother Gurmit Singh (12) were allegedly murdered on Saturday night by one Baldev Singh, son of Basant Singh and resident of Abohar. Basant Singh was brother-in-law (wife’s brother) of Binder.

According to SHO Palvinder Singh, Binder reportedly objected to the presence of Baldev in his house as he had been an accused in a murder case and was discharged by the court about three months back.

However, Baldev and his father Basant continued to stay with them for past about two months. Meanwhile, tension built up between them and Baldev allegedly murdered Binder and his son by inflicting injuries on the mouth and neck with spade.

A case has been registered under the IPC against Baldev, who is yet to be arrested. — OC

Abohar, February 17
A long cherished dream of the students of the Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College here was fulfilled today with the inauguration of a computerised, air-conditioned library.

Sheila Chaudhary, daughter-in-law of former municipal committee president Shriram Chaudhary, who had contributed Rs 2.47 lakh for the renovation, inaugurated the library complex. Her daughter-in-law Rama Chaudhary was also present on the occasion. Principal Neelam Arun Mittu thanked the Chaudhary family for the gesture and announced that the college would offer admission in MA English and BCA from the coming academic session. No other college in the region had so far arranged classes for a master’s degree in English, she added. 

Abohar, February 17
Women and children joined scores of farmers of three villages in the indefinite sit-in (pucca morcha) on the Kundal-Bhangala roadside some 11 km from here, close to the Abohar-Panniwala road on Sunday. The Zameen Bachao Sangharsh Samiti formed by farmers from Kundal, Bhangala and Chanankhera villages has launched the agitation with active support from the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta-Ugrahan to oppose the proposed acquisition of 2050 acres land for setting up 1100-MW thermal plant in the private sector. The morcha entered its fifth day on Sunday. The agitating farmers said they plan to organise a protest march in Abohar along with female members of their families, children and livestock.

The farmer leaders that addressed the dharna reminded the SAD (B) of the Assembly election manifesto which clearly assured that no land would be acquired without the consent of the farmers.

“Unfortunately, some vested interests had falsely propagated that the farmers were willing to give land for the project. In fact, signatories to such small letters-of-consent were those who were unable to free their land from the possession of tenants for years together. Others demanded Rs 50 lakh per acre of land as compensation, which they knew would not get,” the speakers said. Sloganeering continued for the day. — OC