Ludhiana, April 7
With nearly 2,000 out of 4,500 1984 Sikh riot victims queuing up outside Bachat Bhawan today for seeking Red Cards being issued to them, a new chapter has begun in the struggle of providing compensation and justice to scores of victims besides the political repercussions of such a sensitive issue.

Nearly 25 years after the riots shook the world and destroyed thousands of homes, the emergence of new claimants has come as a shock. The SAD-BJP government had made the compensation controversy a poll issue claiming that the Congress government had not nursed the wounds of the victims.

One, they have still not been compensated despite two and a half decades of the struggle allegedly due to insensitive bureaucracy. Secondly, the claims are false and made by a few who want to cash in on the sentiments and bring bad name to the factual cases.

Already, the administration had rejected nearly 400 claims of Rs 2 lakh. Most of those had red cards issued but their cases were not found up to the mark.

According to officials, the cases either lacked documentary proof or were fabricated.

Today was the first day of a three-day drive for issuing fresh red cards to the victims.

People began queuing up outside the bhawan since morning. There are 4,500 new applicants out of which 2000 came today for getting their documents verified.

Danga peerat welfare association’s vice-president Harcharan Singh Channi said these persons were denied their right earlier and the administration had on the directions of the SAD-BJP government decided to give them another chance.

He said though the association appreciated the move, the victims were not happy at the manner in which the procedure was being followed. He complained that the administration should have called up a few people instead of calling everyone.

This led to chaos as many waited for hours only to learn they would have come again tomorrow. Though, they were aware that many victims were false but assured no help would be extended to such persons, he added.

SDM Devinder Kumar, who is also in charge of the verification committee, said all applicants would be heard in three days even if the officials would have to sit for long hours.

The administration has approved 13 cases till 3 p.m. However, 67 applications were rejected during this period. 

Ludhiana, April 7
Agitating municipal corporation employees today threatened to go on strike from Wednesday onwards, if the local bodies department failed to withdraw FIR registered against their colleagues within 48 hours.

The employees of all municipal corporation branches held a rally outside the main office and raised slogans against the Vigilance Bureau. The rally was addressed by BJP councillor Gurdeep Singh Neetu, former councillor Pran Nath Bhatia, Congress councillor Parminder Mehta and municipal corporation employees’ union president Vijay Danav.

They promised full support to the agitating employees and criticised the Vigilance Bureau’s action against MTP S.S. Bhatia and Mohinder Pal and Nirmal Singh, both draftsmen, who were arrested in a case of building bylaw violation in Gulchaman Gali here.

They added that the corporation employees had to pay for personal enmity between two neighbours. Meanwhile, the agitating employees formed a sangharsh committee for intensifying their agitation. Members of each branch were nominated as its office- bearers.

The issue refuses to die down as the Vigilance Bureau has decided not to withdraw the action taken against employees. On the other hand the employees have decided not to give up till they get the FIR quashed.

They have sent several representations to the local bodies department in the past. As the stalemate continues, the public suffers. 

Ludhiana, April 7
Their household budgets going haywire, women from various areas of the city came out on streets protesting against rapidly rising inflation.

Raising slogans against the government, the protesters, who banged plates, said even salt, that was the cheapest commodity used in the kitchen, was not available for less than Rs 15 a packet, while the daily income of many workers was less than Rs 20.

“Vegetables, pulses, flour and fruits were all beyond the reach of the middle class. Prices have been rising rapidly but the government has been unable to control them. If this is not kept under check, people in lower income group will soon starve to death,” said BJP Mahila Morcha district president Poonam Ratra.

Around 300 women took part in a procession that started from Clock Tower and went through Akalgarh Market, Girja Ghar Chowk before culminating at Clock Tower.

“The government should have taken effective measures to curb price rise, as it is affecting the common man. However, nothing much has been done on this front and people are suffering,” said a housewife, Kavita Mago, who participated in the protest.

BJP state unit president Rajinder Bhandari also addressed the protesters.

Condemning the central government, he said prices of essential commodities had increased by over 30 per cent within a short span, dealing a severe blow to the common man.

“Not just daily use products, even steel prices are rising uncontrollably putting small and medium enterprises on the verge of closure. Continual hike in petrol and diesel prices has been adding to the woe of people.”

He said growing inflation was hitting the salaried class and daily wage earners hard.

“The nation is suffering due to inflation and the government’s failure to curb it is only worsening things.”

Ludhiana, April 7
Close on heels of solving a rivalry case between paramours, which led to the murder Vishal, last year, the Government Railway Police (GRP) team lead by SI Balbir Singh Ghuman has nabbed the accused Baldev Singh, alias Sukkha, from his residence at Karnail Singh Nagar yesterday night. The accused has been remanded till April 10.

The police has arrested three accused in the murder case so far. The rivalry between two lovers of married women had allegedly led to Vishal’s murder, a resident of Gurpal Nagar, Dabba road, whose body was found near the Dhuri railway line in Himmat Singh Nagar on Children’s Day last year.

After nearly four months, the GRP police cracked the case with the arrest of the accused, Avtar Singh, and the woman, Paramjit Kaur.

SI Balbir Singh said raids were being conducted to nab another accused.

Ludhiana, April 7
The Sanehwal police has arrested two persons and seized 500 fake currency notes worth Rs 1.75 lakh from their possession. Both accused identified as Gursewak Singh, alias Laddi, and Bhupinder Singh were arrested from their residence at Bhani Sahib yesterday evening. The police has also recovered a sophisticated scanner and fine quality paper from the accused.

Sanehwal DSP said both accused confessed having committed the crime. During interrogation the accused revealed that they had received training from Gurnam Singh, a resident of Phagwara, who was arrested by the Phillaur police on March 19.

One of the accused, Bhupinder Singh, who complained of sickness yesterday night, was undergoing treatment at the civil hospital where his condition was stated to be stable. Both of them have been remanded in the police custody for four days.

Sahnewal, April 7
Panjab University has postponed its examination scheduled for April 8 following a call given by the PCCTU and the GCTA for a boycott in protest against “anti-higher education policies” of the Punjab government.

The fresh dates for its conduct have been circulated to the colleges.

Also, Guru Nanak Dev University has postponed its tomorrow’s examination, while Punjabi University will give its final decision in this regard in the evening.

In a joint note, PCCTU general secretary Kuldip Singh and GCTA president Jaipal Singh said they had been forced to resort to protest due to callous attitude of the government towards higher education in the state.

They added that it was their first step towards coordinated agitation. He added that they might give an indefinite call for boycotting examination as also evaluation work in the near future.

Prof Jaipal Singh condemned the rationalisation policy of the government. He said in spite of assurances, accepted demands like feeder grade, total service benefits, relaxation of refresher courses up to June, 2007, etc. had not been implemented yet.

He said as the chief minister had assured them of implementing the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in toto, he should also accept 5 per cent interim relief.

Prof Jaipal Singh argued that on the one hand around 700 posts of lecture were lying vacant in 54 government colleges, on the other the government was planning to abolish 150 posts of lecturer.

Dr Kuldip Singh said even seven months after their demands like CAS for DPEs and librarians, full 95 per cent grant-in-aid, lifting of ban on recruitments and conversion of posts, HRA for rural colleges, arreares of DA merger, difference of allowances worth 55 crores, relaxation of refresher courses, etc. were accepted these had not been implemented.

“The Punjab budget (2008-09) has failed to give due attention to higher education and non-government colleges. Also, the Service Security Act, governing the service conditions of employees working in non-government colleges, had been amended in such a way that the security of service of over 2,000 teachers working against un-aided posts had been snatched away. Under such adverse circumstances the union has no other option but to begin agitation,” the general secretary added.

Ludhiana, April 7
The Canadian University Application Centre opened its office in Ludhiana today.

Mel Briotman, director, Canadian University Application Centre, said: “We are delighted to be in the industrial centre of Punjab, where there are thousands of families looking for responsible and reputed guidance on how to apply and attend Canadian universities.”

The centre, through University of Windsor, Saint Mary’s University and the University of Guelph, will provide counselling to aspiring candidates.

The centre claims to assist around a hundred Punjabi students every year to go to Canada for bachelor and master’s programmes at these universities.

COURTS

RDX case: Ghumman surrenders
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 7
Sarabhjit Singh Ghumman, one of the suspects in a case relating to the recovery of RDX, surrendered today before the court of Judicial Magistrate Randhir Verma. The court remanded him in judicial custody till April 21.

Only a few days ago, the police had obtained arrest warrants against him. At the time of surrender, Sarabhjit Singh was accompanied by Dal Khalsa’s general secretary Kanwar Pal Singh and SGPC executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli. while talking to mediapersons, Kanwar Pal Singh claimed that Sarabhjit was innocent. He was being falsely implicated in the case as he had filed a writ petition in the High Court against the local police, which was still pending.

Actually, he was regularly called by the police for joining investigation after huge quantity of RDX was seized.

When he was harassed, we met the DGP Punjab and apprised him of the fact that Sarabhjit was innocent. A written request was submitted for re-investigating the Sarabhjit’s involvement. Then he asked us to meet DIG Ludhiana range. He only once called the suspect on March 15. But, now we came to know from the media reports that the police had taken arrest warrants. In order to avoid harassment and planting of false recoveries, we opted to ensure the surrender of Sarabhjit Ghumman, Dal Khalsa secretary added.

Ludhiana, April 7
The Shaheed Memorial Sewa Society celebrated Punjabi Day today. Addressing the gathering, chief parliamentary secretary Harish Rai Dhanda, said the government’s decision to use Punjabi in office, would be implemented in letter and in spirit. He said the country’s youth must know its mother tongue and at the same time prepare itself for global competition by learning other skills and languages.

Dhanda appreciated the society for its commendable work done towards social welfare.

Society’s president Radha Krishan and general secretary Vajinder Singh were present on the occasion.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 7
Thousands of devotees paid obeisance to Goddess Bhagwati amid chanting of bhajans by singers Rajan Chanchal and Satnam Satta at the annual “jagran” at grain market here last night.

The programme was organised by the Shri Luxmi Narayan Sewa Dal.

Choreographic presentations of bhajans and some religious plays, including Hanuman devotion, Krishan Sudama and Shiv marriage were well-received by devotees.

Addressing the congregation, Chanchal and Satta claimed that religious functions were the only occasions where leaders of various parties interacted with each other irrespective of their faith or differences.

“Observations have shown that ceremonies like ‘jagran’ and nagar kirtan brought people from all sections of society closer. This is contrary to the common belief that religion causes widening of gap among various communities,” the singers said.

Representatives of various Hindu, Sikh and Muslim organisations attended the “jagran”.

Ludhiana, April 7
The local branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has been adjudged best in the state along with Hoshiarpur. Branch president Dr Arun Mitra and joint secretary Dr D.P. Singh Arora received the award at the Punjab state conference of the IMA held at Bathinda yesterday.

It was a double honour for Dr Mitra, who not only brought the association among the front ranks but was also declared best president among district units of the IMA in the state.

According to Dr Mitra, the efforts of the body to make the IMA House functional and other academic and clinical activities were lauded at the state conference.

Ludhiana, April 7
A seminar on “Protecting health from climate changes” was organised at the College of Nursing at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital as part of the World Health Day celebrations here today.

College Principal Dr Jasbir Kaur, vice-principal Suresh K. Sharma and lecturer Manmeet Kaur focussed on the theme and the role of healthcare professionals.

DMCH managing society treasurer Satish Sanwalka, professor and head of community medicine Dr G.P.I. Singh, vice-principal Dr J. Whig and Dr B.S. Shah were also present.

Nursing students displayed posters and charts to highlight the theme and made presentations of issues like global warming, green house effect and impact of climate change on food, agriculture and environment.

In another seminar, medical experts discussed the impact of climate change and measures to be taken to protect the health of the community at SPS Apollo Hospital here today.

Transfusion medicine consultant Dr Hitish Narang said the physical effects of climate change would vary in different geographical locations.

The human health impacts from climate change were further modified by such conditions as level of development, poverty and education, public health infrastructure and land use practices.

Initially, developing countries would be hit the hardest. Countries with high levels of poverty and malnutrition and weak health infrastructure, would be least able to cope.

He emphasised the need for providing near zero-risk blood transfusions and proper disposal of empty blood bags as well as biomedical waste.

Chief operating officer Dr S.P. Singh asserted that clean water and sanitation; safe and adequate food; immunisation; disease surveillance and response; safe and effective disease vector control; and disaster preparedness were all critical components of public health practices that had to be adapted to climate change.

Director medical services Dr G. Awasthi cautioned that scientific uncertainty persisted about the possibility and timing of abrupt and catastrophic climate change if temperatures continued to rise.

“This made it urgent for action to begin now to stabilise climate through strong and effective mitigation undertaken simultaneously with adaptation activities to prevent increases in foreseeable climate-related illnesses.”

The day marks the founding of the WHO and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year.

This year it focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change.

Exhibition at PAU

The food and nutrition department of College of Home Science, Punjab Agricultural University, celebrated the World Health Day by organising an exhibition on “Balance and Therapeutic Diets” and giving diet counselling here today.

Dr Neeta Kang, head of innovation, Betty Cowen Centre for Research and Innovation, CMCH, inaugurated the exhibition.

The exhibits prepared by postgraduate students depicted therapeutic diets for diseases like diabetes, arthritis, peptic ulcers, heart disease and nephritis.

The nutrient profile of each diet and their nutrient related do’s and don’ts for these were also displayed.

Dr S. Verma, professor and head of the department of food and nutrition, said the department was emphasising on educating the masses about the utilisation of locally grown foods, their cooking methods to retain maximum nutrients.

Masses were also being made aware of the modifications needed to be made in normal diet to meet nutritional requirements of the patients.

PAU medical officer Dr Kamalpreet Kaur conducted the general medical check-up and consultant dietitian Dr Molly Joshi provided diet counselling to the visitors.

People were also shown the importance of normal body weight for their height in terms of BMI (body mass index).

The directorate of extension education in cooperation with the Indian Dietetic Association, Ludhiana chapter, and cooperative societies also celebrated the day at Partabpura village in Jalandhar district.

A large number of women and children participated.

Dr Neelam Mahajan, coordinator, home science training programmes, highlighted the importance of the day.

She emphasised the need for providing clean water and sanitation, safe and adequate food for all.

Oath by bodies

Mandi Ahmedgarh: Constituents of various social, educational and medical organisations vowed to help the state government in achieving target to strengthen surveillance and control infectious diseases, ensuring safer use of diminishing water supplies, and coordinating health action in emergencies.

The oath was taken at functions organised today in the area as part of the World Health Day.

Office-bearers and activists of organizations like Rotary Club, Lions Club, Lions Club Greater, Samay Seva Society, CB Welfare Association and the Bose Society for The Blind, pledged to aware people about hazardous affects of deteriorating environment on human health.

Terming inter-sectoral coordination as prerequisite for achieving goal to protect health from climate change (WHO theme of year), Sangrur district health officer (DHO) Dr K.C. Goel asserted that desired results could not be achieved without the active involvement of various sections of society, including the state health department, educational institutes, private hospitals, civic bodies and business entrepreneurs.

In his presidential address at a function at Hind Hospital, Dr Goel apprehended that climate change, if not checked, would cause massive global warming, depletion of water resources and food grains infestation and the poor would be worst hit by these factors.

Maintaining that steep rise in number of private vehicles had contributed the most to global warming and air pollution, the DHO urged people to use public transport instead of private vehicles. A similar function was organised at MGMN Senior Secondary School, where rotarians, led by Kedar Kapila, vowed towards the common goal of saving environment and providing healthy living.

Ludhiana, April 7
The Association of the Deaf, Punjab, affiliated with the All-India Federation of Deaf, New Delhi, will organise the 4th National Chess Championship for the Deaf at Samiti Kendra, Dr Sham Singh Road, here from April 8 to 10.

Chief parliamentary secretary, Punjab, Harish Rai Dhanda will inaugurate the championship on Tuesday at 9.30 am.

It is for the first time that such an event is being organised in the state. Twelve states will take part in the event. In all, 112 participants, of whom 32 are females, will participate in seven rounds on Swiss League basis.

Along with three best male, three best female participants and three best teams will be awarded.

The winners will be given cash prizes along with trophies.

After the conclusion of the event, the winning team will go for one-day excursion to Amritsar, where the members will visit Golden Temple besides undertaking sightseeing.

Members of Jaggo, an NGO, have been instrumental in provided support to the association of the deaf in organising the event.

Persons with a disability yearn to live with dignity and they want to be counted as productive members of the society. The event has been organised to enhance public awareness about the rights of the disabled and encourage them to face life boldly.

Ludhiana, April 7
Trainees of Rose Rock Taekwondo Training Centre, near Jalandhar bypass, had a brush with Satwinder Vohra, an international martial arts coach from the United Kingdom, who visited the centre during a camp yesterday.

Satwinder, 8th Dan, told the trainees about the importance of the art, which could be used as a tool for self-defence.

Over 100 boys and girls between 5 years to 35 years of age attended the camp.

The expert interacted with the trainees and gave them tips. He shared his experience with them and highlighted how the art had been gaining popularity across the globe.

He was satisfied with the keen interest shown by the trainees. He promised to visit the centre again in near future.

Camp organiser Pawan Tomar thanked Satwinder for sharing tips with his trainees and expressed hope that the trainees would benefit from his expertise.

He also complimented parents of trainees who were present there to watch their wards learn the art.