Ludhiana, February 24
Political will, it seems, has reigned supreme over the law of land with mayor Hakam Singh Gyaspura stalling the sealing drive of the MC just after four showrooms were sealed recently.

Though residents had welcomed the drive, Gyaspura called a meeting of the core committee yesterday and directed officials not to seal more showrooms. He even asked them to “unseal” showrooms.

Gyaspura, who had been against encroachments, suddenly changed his stand yesterday. Officials, however, refused to open outlets like Vishal Mega Mart, VLCC, Davindras and National Cranes, saying that these would be opened only after the outlets ensured proper parking for customers.

But Davindras, belonging to a BJP leader, and National Cranes, being supported by SAD leader Simarjit Singh Bains, were opened last evening only, cocking a snook at the orders of officials.

On the day National Cranes was sealed, its owners held a dharna on the road. They were reportedly assured by Bains himself that the showroom would be opened.

Bains took up the matter with Gyaspura, who rose above the high court orders and immediately asked officials to toe his line “as he was the representative of people” in the MC house.

No outlet was sealed in the city today. Joint commissioner Ashok Bajaj, who has been spearheading the drive, said despite the orders, he was out on the roads today.

Samrala, February 24
The initiative taken by the SDM to ensure the safety of students travelling by schools buses took a beating with the crushing of a five-year-old child by his school bus yesterday.

The administration would take action against the school authorities who had ignored the directions of the SDM.

Hardeep Kaur (5), UKG student of Punjab Public School, Behlolpur village, was run over by the school bus. She was declared brought dead at a private hospital.

The police handed over the body to the family after a postmortem today.

Though preliminary investigations revealed that the conductor had not helped students get off the bus, the police did not register a case as the victim’s family did not want action against any one.

“As the driver did not run over my daughter knowingly, we do not want action against anyone,” the girl’s father, Jaswinder Singh, stated before the police.

The incident is being viewed as contempt of the orders of the SDM who had directed schools and colleges to ensure the safety of students.

The SDM had said that parents of students, with an intention to ensure the safety of their wards, had been paying high fare, but a majority of school management committees were compromising with their safety by not complying with the directions.

He had said erring institutes would be served notices. Drivers of some school buses had informed him that their “masters” had allegedly been forcing them to drive fast in order to increase trip frequency.

Sahnewal, February 24
Four labourers, sitting along a furnace being shifted on a trailer from a factory in Ludhiana to another at Jugiana village, had a miraculous escape when the furnace fell on them today.

The injured have been identified as Vishno, Lalan, Santokhi and Ramparsad. They were rescued by people and taken to a hospital in Ludhiana.

The incident occurred when the tractor was crossing a speed-breaker at Jugiana. The ropes with which the furnace had been tied to the trailer loosened and it fell on the labourers.

They sustained injuries and fractures. One of them is still unconscious.

While some people said the victims were employed at Gianson Industries, Gurcharan Singh, owner of Gianson Industries, said they had been hired to bring the furnace from Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, February 24
The only son of an aged couple of Jai Gurdev Nagar, near Mundian Kalan village, has been missing for nearly two years, but the police has not been able to trace him.

Mukesh Kumar (24), son of Tilak Raj and Shakuntla Rani, had gone missing under mysterious circumstances from his rented house in Guru Nanak Colony, Dhandari Kalan, in 2006.

His wife had left him a few weeks before he disappeared. He even took a room on rent to live away from his parents to convince his wife to return.

In a DDR filed in July 2006, Tilak Raj said despite living away, their son was very dutiful. “He was always in touch with us and helped us financially. When he did not meet us for 20 days, we went to his room only to discover that he was not seen for two weeks,” he said.

The couple said his clothes, furniture and other things were lying intact in the room. “He could not have started living somewhere else. We inquired from his in-laws and searched on our own, but he was not found anywhere.

“We thought the police would help us, but nothing has happened. The police just took down the missing person report in a register and forgot about it.”

Police sources said due to shortage of staff and priority cases like murders or kidnappings, it was not possible to dedicate a special team for this purpose. “We thought the youth may return on his own,” said an official.

He said the police had a system that if an unidentified body was found, all missing person cases are checked. “His description has not matched with anybody in these two years,” he said.

Ludhiana, February 24
The city police seems on the brink of busting a suspected national- level racket of fraudlently giving away franchisees of Symbiosis University.

Informed sources said the fake institute unearthed yesterday by Division No. 5 police with the arrest of its director Pranav Sahi could be one of several such units operating all over the country by a Bihar- based man, Rahul Singh, who claimed to be the administrator of Symbiosis University.

Sahi, an MBA and a LLB could eventually turn out to be a victim himself. He has produced documents which state he had paid Rs 6 lakh to Rahul Singh for opening the institute that claimed affiliation with the university.

Sahi said he had no intention to dupe anyone: " I opened the institute in my house. If I had planned to run away after duping students, I would have set up office somewhere else."

Sources said a police team would soon visit Bihar to find out if the documents provided by Sahi about transactions with Rahul were true.

The mobile number of Rahul Singh is inaccesible since Friday evening.

A police official said Rahul Singh may have taken money from many others in similar manner. He ,however, said Pranav may not escape blame as he was required to verify details from Symbiosis University, Pune, before opening the institute here.

Ludhiana, February 24
Railway passengers might not get food items, soft drinks and other articles at major railway stations in Punjab from tomorrow if the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) gives effect to closure orders served on over 60 defaulting contractors.

While station superintendent Ashok Salaria was unaware of any development in this regard till this evening, senior divisional commercial manager Brajesh Dharmani told The Tribune on phone that the railways had received closure orders from the IRCTC with regard to contractors in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and some other railway stations. The orders would be implemented tomorrow after the modalities were finalised.

Sources in the IRCTC revealed that railway contractors were not paying license fee since 1999 and several crores were outstanding against them.

When the IRCTC threatened the contractors with the cancellation of their licenses, the contractors went to court. However, the high court decision went in favour of the railways last year and the IRCTC told the contractors to clear their outstanding dues or else their vends would be closed.

Among the defaulting railway contractors, the highest number (18) are in Ludhiana, followed by 17 in Amritsar, 10 in Jalandhar and two each in Jalandhar cantonment and Phagwara.

The IRCTC officials had made it clear that in case of non-payments, the corporation will also initiate proceedings to attach their properties for recovery of dues.

Also, the IRCTC has already floated fresh tenders for stalls. The officials said existing contractors would be able to participate in the bidding process only after they obtained a no-dues certificate.

Ludhiana, February 24
With the Union Budget only a few days away, middlemen hope that this budget offers more relaxations in terms of tax slab, cheaper commodities and does not add undue burden on them, particularly in case of items like the LPG.

The salaried class’ topmost demand is to increase the minimum tax limit from existing Rs 1.1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. Besides, an increase in rebates to Rs 1.5 lakh and more deductions is what the salaried class feels would help it surviving amid spiralling inflation.

Particularly, the increase of petrol and diesel rates, including a recent hike of Rs 2, has added to common man’s woes.

“Fuel rates are constantly rising. This has hit us badly. The finance minister needs to show consideration for the middle class, which is suffering a lot,” said Gurprit Singh, a bank employee.

Another category, which sought exemption, is pensioners. “Income of pensioners should be exempted”, said Parmeshwar Singh, a senior citizen.

The tech-savvy ones are hoping that rates of household appliances, televisions, air conditioners, scooters and cars do not go up

Ludhiana, February 24
The Nishkam Sewa Ashram at Daad village, Pakhowal Road, organised a function here today in which 15 couples got married. Chairman Sarwan Kumar, K.K Sood and other members of the ashram welcomed the guests on the occasion.

About 33 articles were gifted to the newly-wed couples. Sarwan Kumar said the ashram had been organising mass marriages every year for the past three decades. “We want to make people aware of issues like female foeticide, AIDS, drinking, smoking and drugs,” Sarwan Kumar said.

Cheemna: The Guru Nanak Charitable Trust, Glassgo, UK, in collaboration with Guru Nanak Sahara Society, Cheemna, and with the help of other donors performed mass marriages of 38 poor girls at gurdwara, Cheemna, where Bhai Nichhatar Singh Ragi of Gurdwara Nanaksar conducted anand karj ceremony.

All necessary articles were provided to the couples. Langar was also arranged for all the persons and relatives of the couples.

Ludhiana, February 24
A function was organised on the premises of Guru Nanak College to commemorate the 109th birth anniversary of Justice Gurnam Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab and founder of this college.

Principal Dr Charanjit K. Mahal highlighted the contributions of Justice Gurnam Singh in transforming the rural economy of Punjab, making it the most prosperous state in India and a model for other states to emulate. Chairman, Punjab Raj Mandi Board, Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, was the chief guest and Harish Rai Dhanda the guest of honour.

Former minister Tej Parkash Singh said during Justice Gurnam Singh’s tenure as the Chief Minister Punjab became the highest producer of wheat.

He took steps to develop projects like rural electrification, link roads and setting up of Guru Nanak Thermal plant at Bathinda.

A few prominent singers like Sardool Sikander, Ashok Masti, Surinder Shinda, Ishmeet Singh (Star Voice of India ), Balvir Boparai, Inderjit Nikku, Tania Gill, Angrej Ali, Ranjit Mani, Sabar Koti, Bhotu Shah, Tanvir Gogi,Happy Jaura,Veer Sukhwant, Surinder Maksoodpuri, Sukhbir Rana, Amar Arshi and G.S. Peter performed on this occasion.

BUSINESS

Technology Upgradation
Cycle makers firm on regaining market
Shveta Pathak
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 24
The attractive, long and colourful Chinese bicycles might have become the cynosure of all eyes, but the Ludhiana’s cycle manufacturers are firm on re-gaining their lost market share by giving the “foreign” manufacturers tough competition.

And to beat the dragon, the local manufacturers have found a novel way of adopting similar technologies so that they emerge cost effective and better looking.

The cycle and part manufacturing industry here has been hit after cheaper import from China ate up a major share of their market. Attracted by such goods, a lot of manufacturers started importing Chinese items like spokes, steel balls, baskets, pedals, lever and other plastic items. However, the industry has now realised the need to come up with its own production to beat the competition in the long run.

“Goods that are manufactured in China will not help us survive the competition. Now, we don’t want to lose our market share further. Thus, we have decided to adopt the technology that is being used by manufacturers in China,” said Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma of Vishwakarma Industries.

For Indian manufacturers, customer confidence due to good quality in comparison to Chinese goods remains a positive point which they think would help them re-gain their lost market.

“We too will manufacture in bulk which will help us come out with products as colourful and attractive as the ones manufactured in China. So far absence of economies has been a deterrent but as more industrialists change the pattern they have been following, things will change. What goes in our favour is the quality and customer confidence.”

Manufacturers also said measures like imposing anti-dumping duty on import of Chinese stuff by the government would help this industry perform better in coming days.

Ludhiana, February 24
"Gene technology holds the key to an ever-green revolution," remarked Dr G.S. Dhaliwal, a renowned ecologist and founder-president of the Indian Society for the Advancement of Insect Science, while delivering his keynote address to the participants of the second Congress of Insect Science at PAU.

He said during the "green revolution" era in the seventies, lush crop growth of high-yielding varieties attracted a variety of pests that called for the use of chemical pesticides. Their overuse and misuse created ecological problems like pest resistance, resurgence and outbreaks of secondary pests besides environmental pollution.

To counter these problems, biological control agents (BCAs) and genetically modified seeds or transgenic crops hold great promise.

Dr Dhaliwal said gene technology had added a new dimension to pest management strategies. In the recent past 20 transgenic crops had been introduced in 22 countries.

In India, commercial cultivation of transgenic crops came in 2002 when Bt cotton was introduced on 50,000 hectares. Within five years, it increased to 6.2 million hectares, he informed.

Ludhiana, February 24
Surmayi sham, a musical evening of Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, with a view to revive and promote the rich cultural heritage was organised here last evening. Parvinder Singh Dhindsa, PWD minister, Punjab, was the chief guest. Dr Praminder Kaur Chauhan, joint director, UGC, New Delhi, was the guest of honour.

The programme started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the distinguished guests.

President of the college, Swaran Singh, welcomed the guests and stressed upon the need for celebrating functions to keep the rich traditions alive. Students of the college presented cultural songs and dances. Principal Dr Madanjit Kaur Sahota presented the vote of thanks.

Ludhiana, February 24
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union have complimented the state government for appointing administrators in private colleges of Punjab where either managing committees or principals managed the colleges.

Dr Kuldip Singh, general secretary, PCCTU, in a press statement today alleged that these privately managed aided colleges were throwing government norms to wind with impunity. “The decision to appoint SDM Barnala as the administrator of Guru Gobind Singh College, Sanghera, was a welcome step”, he said.

Kuldip Singh urged the Punjab higher education minister to appoint such administrators in other private colleges too on order to check that government as well as university calendar norms were not violated.

He urged the minister to implement other decisions taken in the meetings like restoration of 95 per cent grant-in-aid, lifting of ban on recruitment, grant of HRA for rural private college teachers and other long pending issues at the earliest. 

Ludhiana, February 24
The 11th Inter-Polytechnic College Youth Festival, organised by SRS Polytechnic College for Women, Rishi Nagar, concluded here today. Chaudhry Swarna Ram, minister of technical education, as the chief guest. He distributed prizes to the winners.

Swarna Ram said youth festivals provided a platform to students to come-out with their hidden talent. “Besides, they get attached to their rich culture and traditions”, he said adding that students must take part in extra-curricular activities in addition to their routine studies.

He asked girls to fight for their rights and spread awareness in society over the prevailing evils of dowry system, female foeticide, drug-addiction etc.

He further said that in today's era of competition, technical education had great importance.

During this three-days extravaganza, 800 students from over 50 polytechnic colleges took part in various competitions. Many competitions of mono acting, solo dance, folk-song, skit, fancy dress, choreography were held during the festival. 

Jagraon, February 24
The Lok Sewa Society, Jagraon, today organised a free medical check-up camp at Sikh Girls Senior Secondary School today. Dr Vishav Mohan, heart specialist, and his team examined 250 patients ailing with heart and ENT problems.

SHO Naveenpal, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the camp. Free medicines were provided to patients.

L.S.S. Gulshan Arora, chairman of the society, and L.S.S. Dr Rajpal, president, announced to perform mass marriages of 31 couples on April 6 at LRDAV College.

Ludhiana, February 24
A two-day workshop on cadaveric dissection and live endoscopic sinus surgery concluded here today. The workshop was jointly organised by the department of ENT and anatomy, DMCH. Prominent guest faculty and more than 100 delegates participated in the workshop.

Dr Kapil Dua, organising secretary of the workshop, welcomed the delegates. The professor and head of the ENT Dr Hemant Chopra, who was also the course director, stressed on the importance of cadaveric dissection and the need for conducting such workshops at regular intervals to minimise complications during the endoscopic sinus surgery.

In the course of deliberations, academic and surgical sessions on endoscopic management of nasal and sinus problem were elaborated upon by the guest speakers, which included Dr Ashok K. Gupta, professor of ENT at PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr Nitish Shah, ENT consultant from Mumbai, and Dr Hetal Patel, professor of ENT at KEM Hospital, Mumbai. 

Ludhiana, February 24
A guest lecture by Dr Ranjit Kaur Parshad, professor, department of zoology, PAU, was organised at CMCH auditorium here yesterday. Dr Parshad spoke on ‘Food and Environmental Toxicity: a public health challenge.’

Dr Parshad said, “Our industrial city had witnessed a manifold increase in pollution in the recent times. This pollution had resulted in a significant increase in several diseases, including cancer. Toxicity affected reproduction, cardiovascular system, peripheral vascular system and causes hair fall, skin lesions, blackening of nails and several other ill effects and complications.” She said there were only small points to be taken care of, which if neglected could have serious implications.

Detailed discussions were held on toxic effects of food and environment. Dr Parshad answered all related queries of those present.

Ludhiana, February 24
Punjab won 26 medals, including 14 gold, four silver and eight bronze in the Xth Senior and Vth Junior National Athletics Meet for the Physically Handicapped, organised by the Paralympics Committee of Haryana at Faridabad from February 21 to 24. A 15 member (visually impaired) squad from Punjab took part in this four-day event and reaped a rich haul of medals.

According to Balwinder Singh Minhas, coach of the team, in the 100 m sprint, Balwinder Singh Machhiwara finished ahead of others to emerge the fastest runner. He also bagged top honours in 200m race and javelin throw.

Gurpreet Singh Machhiwara bagged gold medals in shot put and discus throw events besides winning a bronze medal in the javelin throw. In 800m race, Vivek Monga of Ludhiana finished runners up to content with a silver medal. He also annexed bronze medals in 400m and 1500m races, respectively.

Bikrampreet Singh clinched silver medals in javelin throw and shot put besides a bronze medal in shot put. In the girl’s section, Anu Monga proved her mettle in discus throw to win gold medal and also bagged a bronze medal in shot put.

In the junior section, Gurbinder Singh of Muktsar proved too good for his opponents to win gold medals in 100m and 200m races. He won a silver medal in shot put while Gurbir Singh of Dehlon won gold medals in 200m and 400m races and a bronze medal in the long jump.

Tripatpal Singh of Taran Tarn emerged winner in the shot put and discus throw events. Harmanpreet Kaur outpaced her rivals in 100m race and 200 m race to win gold medals and Sandeep Kaur won bronze medals in 100m and 200m races.

Gursahib Singh of Ferozepur emerged victorious in 1500m and 5000m races and also finished runners up in shot put while Sukhwinder Singh of Hoshiarpur bagged a bronze medal in 1500m and Hahabir Singh of Taran Tarn won silver medal in 100m race and long jump.

In the wheel-chair athletic events, Amarjit Singh bagged silver medals in the shot put and discus throw events.

Chandigarh, February 24
Local Dev Samaj College of Education for Women, Sector 36, moved ahead as the team beat DAV College, Malout, by 2-1 in the Panjab University Inter-College Badminton B-Division (women) Tournament being held at PU gymnasium hall here yesterday.

Tanya gave the lead to Dev Samaj with her win against Gagandeep (21-8, 21-18) in singles while Manjula of Dev Samaj lost to Kanu Priya from Malout (21-15, 18-21, 21-17).

In doubles, she along with Manjula, beat the duo of Kanu and Gagandeep (17-21, 21-18, 21-15).

In another match, BCM Khalsa College of Education, Ludhiana, lost to Shree Satya Sai BEd College, Karaiwala, 2-0.

The team consisting Mandeep and Sheelu guided the team to victory as Mandeep beat Navpreet (21-17, 2-16) in singles. The pair also outclassed the duo of Rajnish and Prabhjot (21-17, 15-21, 21-13).

Results:

MBBG RGC Girls College, Mansowal (Hoshiarpur), b GHGH College of Education, Sidhwan Khurd (Ludhiana), 2-0, (Baljinder b Swati 20-22, 21-12, 21-13; Baljinder and Parneet b Renu and Swati 21-19, 8-21, 21-16).

MBBG RGC Girls College, Mansowal, b Shree Satya Sai BEd College, Karaiwla, 2-0, (Baljinder b Mandeep 21-5, 21-8, Baljinder and Parneet b Mandeep and Sheelu 21-9, 21-14).