Ludhiana, May 4
Frantic search is on for a man who had planted a “fake bomb” in Kala Nursing Home, Kotchar Market, late last night. The man had even threatened to blow it up, if he was not paid Rs 10 lakh as ransom.

The police today claimed it had got vital clues about the “unidentified caller”, who had kept it and the hospital staff on their toes throughout the night. It hopes to catch him soon with a few teams of detective wing on his trail.

Much to their relief, a bomb diffusing squad of the state police, that reached here today morning announced the bunch of wires connected to a small battery along with a clock found from the hospital, was not a bomb.

“The man had just fixed the wires to a battery that looked like a pager and tied a small watch on one of the wires to make it appear as a time bomb.”

With this report the police has zeroed in to the person who had called up the hospital, demanded Rs 10 lakh as ransom and had even threatened to blow up the hospital.

Sources said the man called up at the landline number of the hospital at about 9 pm. Dr Sukhwinder Kala received the phone.

The caller said he had got information that the hospital had become a perfect place for hiding drugs like heroin. Dr Kala confronted him saying there was no such thing.

The caller then told him to search the hospital and even promised to direct him to the place where the drugs were stored.

The police said Dr Kala told him to call on his mobile phone as he could not move around with land line phone in his hand.

The person then called him on his mobile phone and told him to go towards the bathroom. Dr Kala told the police he found some gadget hidden under a sink.

By the time, the caller told him it was a bomb; Dr Kala had already pulled it out. He later threw it out taking it to be the bomb.

The police said the caller then told him there were a few such bombs hidden in the hospital. Then, he demanded Rs 10 lakh from Dr Kala if he wanted the hospital and patients to be safe.

Panic gripped the place immediately. The police was called at which SSP R.K.Jaiswal rushed to the site. The entire hospital was evacuated but decided against it after taking a close look at the bomb.

Meanwhile, as directed by the caller Dr Kala went to the Chandigarh road to pay the ransom. The man did not turn up.

Later, when the gadget was found by chance, they called a number from which most of the calls had come.

A woman answering the call said the number was dialled by mistake. The police is investigating the matter.

Ludhiana, May 4
Living up to her reputation of being a compulsive charmer, the singing sensation Raageshwari took the Ludhianavis in her stride during the launch of a new range of clothes and jewellery at Roop Square.

Dressed in simple white attire, the singer-cum- actress expressed her disinterest for anchoring the reality shows. Singing and music is in my soul and I am already doing a few songs for mature genre as today’s music and lyrics are not for their ears, said Raageshwari.

“It’s a blend of spiritual and Sufi style as my aim is to win hearts and not roll
the eyeballs.”

Like a true Punjabi, Raageshwari expressed her elation on revisiting Punjab. “I hail from Batala and miss my close encounters with rustic life especially going to village well and eating fresh butter and jaggery.”

Despite her not-so-perfect dialect, Raageshwari eagerly spoke a few sentences not forgetting to call upon people to join her as she raised her voice with conventional greeting “Bole Sau Nihal, Sat Siri Akal”.

I am selective when it comes to singing as I believe in doing quality work and so does my father who is a musician in all my albums pronounced the singer when asked about her long gaps between release of her songs.

Tirlok, Raageshwari’s father is an accomplished musician, who was conferred with the National Award in 1972.

The name, Raageshwari, means “queen of ragas” is an unusual name for a Punjabi girl but my father had finalised it even before I was born the singer informed. “Initially I protested but gradually I learnt to love the name and its significance” the singer added.

Terming the songs from her album “Mere Mehboob” as special, the singer said it was unfortunate as they were not received well by the listeners.

But, I like it when people sway on my greatest hit, “Maine dekhe hain sabhi rang duniyan ke, yeh duniyan bari rangeeli.”

Though people liked me “Main Khiladi Tu Anari” and “Aanken” but I never liked receiving big cheques for my small appearances in movies so I prefer being a singer than actor concluded the artiste answering to the queries about her acting career.

Ludhiana, May 4
The district council elections of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) were held at various district headquarters today.

Differing on their statements on the results of elections, the factions headed by union’s general secretary Kuldip Singh and president S.S. Hundal gave different figures of the votes polled at Moga, Jalandhar and some other districts.

Interestingly, Kuldip Singh while talking to The Tribune claimed that elections went on smoothly in Ludhiana, Moga, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Jalandhar adding that they had won with roaring majority. On the contrary Hundal claimed that it was their group that had won in almost all districts.

“The claims of opposition groups are baseless as a few places they went ahead with the elections without the presence of full house,” informed Hundal.

The warring factions differed over the venue of elections of the state body executive. Their recent meeting at PAU over the election issue too ended in a deadlock.

The predicament prevails for the delegates over the venue and date of elections as both factions are terming their decision as the final verdict.

Gurmeet Singh Hundal from GHG College, Gurusar Sadhar, of the Hundal’s group was elected as the president of the PCCTU district council. He won by a margin of 13 votes.

Ludhiana, May 4
Growth of the state depends on the choice people make while choosing their leaders and passing pressure on them to address certain development issues of the state through policy making.

Quality of human resource is also required to be improved on a war footing for development of the state, said Ramesh Inder Singh, chief secretary, Punjab, while addressing members and guests of the Ludhiana Management Association (LMA) during a seminar on “Economic development of Punjab — Way forward”.

To give boost to economic development there was a need to encourage private entrepreneurship, improve quality of human resource through high standard of education and soft skills development apart from making infrastructure like road, transportation, super markets, telecommunication, power sector, air connectivity better, he added.

He said though the 5.9 per cent annual growth rate of Punjab was lower than that of the nation, it was certainly more than the growth of certain developed western countries. Apart from framing good policies, an effective implementation was equally important.

LMA president Anil Kumar, senior vice-president V.K. Goyal, vice president J.R. Singhal and general secretary K.N.S. Kang were also present.

Ludhiana, May 4
Ward No. 59 councillor Amrit Varsha Rampal today inaugurated the work on laying premix in I-block market of Sarabha Nagar.

The work would be completed at the cost of Rs 15 lakh. Addressing the gathering, Varsha said many more projects were in the pipeline.

These include widening of roads in Gurdev Nagar, Sarabha Nagar and installation of sodium vapour lamps in main market of Sarabha Nagar and a tubewell in B-block of Sarabha Nagar.

She said more projects were under way but there was a serious shortage of funds. The mayor and commissioner had assured all cooperation, she added.

Ludhiana, May 4
Activists of the minority cell of the Punjab unit of the Samajwadi Party staged a protest against the Jharkhand Chief Minister for terming Hazrat Mohammad as an invader in the history paper set by Ranchi University.

Led by Mohammad Naseem Ansari, the agitators raised slogans against the Jharkhand government and burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Madhu Gowda near the Old Kacheri Chowk.

The activists urged the Jharkhand government to take stern action against those responsible for committing such a blunder. They also sought the arrest of the paper setter so that nobody repeats the mistake again.

‘‘It seems that a few anti-social elements want to spoil the peace in our country. Hazrat Mohammad was a God's messenger of peace and he is being called an invader now, ’’ said Ansari adding that it had not gone down well with Muslims the world over.

They said Lalu had every right to organise Chath Puja in Mumbai as thousands of people from different parts would take part in the programme.

Among others who were present at the meeting were T.L. Thapar, patron of the association, Harbans Singh, senior vice-president, Jatinder Mittal, joint secretary, Amarjit Singh Bhurjee, general secretary, Hira Singh, vice-president and Avtar Singh Sond, finance secretary.

Ludhiana, May 4
A function to mark the 30th death anniversary of Punjabi poet Prof Mohan Singh was organised by the Dhan Pothohar Brotherhood, Punjab, at Hotel Nanda, Ludhiana.

The function was presided over by president of the brotherhood N.S. Nanda. A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of Saravashri Kulwant Jagraon, Professor Soz and Professor Safri, who left for their heavenly abodes a few days ago.

Paying tributes to Professor Mohan Singh, Nanda said a ‘smriti granth’ would be published by Dhan Pothohar Brotherhood.

He announced that the granth would consist of articles of Mohan Singh about Punjabi culture and literature.

He added that a large volume of poetry and other writings of the poet, which were lying unprinted with his family, would also be printed and published.

Nanda also congratulated Dalip Kaur Tiwana and Dr Sukhdev Singh on their election as president and general secretary, respectively, of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana, respectively.

The brotherhood congratulated Punjab education minister Dr Upinderjit Kaur and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on getting a bill passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for making Punjabi language compulsory up to Class X in government schools and offices.

Nanda also requested the Chief Minister to take measures for the implementation of the Act. Nanda announced that a cultural conference would be held at Ludhiana in June.

MP Tarlochan Singh will be the chief guest and MP Naresh Gujral will be the guest of honour. Eleven prominent persons, including five women, will be honoured for meritorious services in their respective fields.

The members also expressed resentment over the discrimination against Gulab Singh of Pakistan, lone sikh traffic warden who was not being treated on a par with his colleagues. The Pakistan Government was requested to do the needful in this regard.

A cultural programme was also presented in which famous amateur artistes Neelam Khosla, Suman Bala, Jaswinder Singh regaled the audience with their items and poems of Prof Mohan Singh.

Jagraon, May 4
Tara Singh, his brother Ujjagar Singh, and Tara’s son Davinder Singh of Rajoana Khurd, along with 10 others entered Sohan Singh’s house at Buraj Naklian village and fired at Jaswant Kaur.

They also stole Rs 20,000 in cash, a few gold jewellery and damaged household goods. They were armed with a pistol, rifles and sticks.

A case under sections 452, 307, 336, 380, 427, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC and 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the suspects.

Jaswant Kaur is being treated at DMC, Ludhiana. They fought over a combine harvester. Meanwhile, a few persons allegedly entered into the house of Mohinder Kaur of Rajoana Khurd, assaulted and threatened her.

Ludhiana, May 4
A science exhibition was inaugurated at Guru Nanak Public School to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jagat Singh, founder secretary of the school management committee, on the school premises here yesterday.

Students from at least 20 schools put up their charts and models, including the working ones.

As many as 40 models on a number of subjects like agriculture, water management, energy resources and mathematics found display.

Kuldip Singh Grewal, Malinder Singh, Inderjit Grewal, J. Mankoo, Arminder Kaur and Manjit Kaur were the judges.

The winners were: Agriculture: Harjot Kanwal Toor and Parminder Kaur-GNI Public School; energy resources: Anantpreet Singh and Ashish Arora-Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School; water management: Javin Garg and Nitesh Sharma, Sita Grammar School; maths and teaching aids: Anoothi and Garima Bhandari-Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Avneet Kaur and Samanpreet Kaur of Sant Isher Singh Memorial Public School.

Seminar: Sat Paul Mittal School organised a seminar on behavioural problems in children and role of parents in dealing with these problems. The seminar was conducted by Dr B.P. Mishra, professor, Clinical Psychology, DMC, Ludhiana.

Lt Col Dr D.B. Sharma (retd), director, Sat Paul Mittal School, talked about various problems faced by the school and parents in tackling the present-generation children. He also talked about major physical and psychological developments in adolescents and requested Dr Mishra to brief the parents and teachers as to how best to deal with them.

Dr Mishra focused on the fact that bombardment of information, media and high expectations of parents were great factors that went a long way in generating problems in children.

Dr Mishra suggested that the parents needed to handle children with love and understanding.

Parents should not give way to frustration when children did not listen to them, he added. “They learn what they hear, see and understand and thus the parents should act as their role model,” said Dr Mishra. Suneet Sidhu, head, Junior School, proposed a vote of thanks.

Khamano
dancE CONTEST: Students of Uma Rana Public School, Sanghol, participated in 'Kisme Kitna Hai Dum', a dance competition held by the CIPA, an acting school of Chandigarh, at Kala Gram in Chandigarh.

The students gave an excellent performance in the face of tough competition and bagged the third position. Principal N. Bella congratulated the winners and their teacher Deepak.

Meanwhile, tiny tots of the school visited a vegetable and fruit shop and Sanghol post office along with their teachers. The trip aimed at providing practical knowledge to the tiny tots.

Mandi Gobindgarh, May 4
Students of the RIMT Institute of Management and Computer Technology organised a farewell party for their seniors here yesterday.

Dressed in the colourful outfits, the student matched the ambience of the venue. RIMT group of educational institutes chairman Hukam Chand Bansal inaugurated the party with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp.

Bansal asked students to hone their skills and knowledge about the corporate world. Neena Bansal, co-chairperson of the RIMT group, was the guest of honour.

Institute’s director B.S. Bhatia was also present on the occasion. A cultural programme was also presented in which Nisha, Jaswinder (both of BCA) and Sandeep (MBA) presented solo songs.

Ketan’s group (BBA), Mohit and group (MBA), Meenakshi and Gurvinder (BCA) and Manmeet and group (MBA) presented group dances depicting various aspects of life.

The most amazing event of the party remained the Bhangra performed the Jaskaran and the Johnny groups.

A choreography depicting various phases of life was presented by Jasmeet’s group. Mohit Arora (MBA) and Ramanjot (BBA) sang melodious songs.

Four senior students were awarded prizes in the special category. Those who received this award were Falki (MCA) and Heena Bansal (BCA) for the title-technobrains- whereas Deepshikha (MBA) and Jatinder Kaur (BBA) got the title -management gurus.

Awards were also given to a few students for their special contribution in the field of cultural and sports activities.

Anupuam (MCA), Kavita (BCA), Nebh Raj (MBA) and Ketan (BBA) received awards in the field of cultural activities. Abhishek Tessu (MBA), Sheetal (BCA) for excelling in the field of sports.

A special prize was awarded to Preeti Walia (BCA) for her contribution towards the wall magazine of the institute.

Ludhiana, May 4
“Education, peace and development are closely related and development of any state depends on innovations,” said cabinet minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa.

He was addressing a seminar on “Education, Peace and Development” at Government Inservice Training Centre (GITC) yesterday.

Dhindsa appreciated the role of teachers in development works. He urged the teachers to impart innovative education to their students and appreciated the role of the GITC in teachers’ training programmes.

Dhindsa also promised to do the needful for the upkeep of the centre’s building and create more infrastructure at the GITC in the near future.

DEO (elementary) Varinder Sharma spoke about the role of education in keeping the communities together, hence enhancing peace and development process.

Principal of the centre Gurdeep Kaur welcomed Dhindsa and apprised him of the educational programmes being run at the centre.

Eminent writer and economist Prof Balvinder Pal Singh urged the teachers and students to do promote Punjabi language, literature and heritage.

Another speaker Sukhdev Singh Rana appealed to the teaching community to come forward to save the future generations from drug abuse by imparting healthy education.

Lecturer and anchor Davinder Singh Chhina spoke about EDUSAT programmes and importance of education in peace and development process.

Eminent international Sufi singer Dev Dildar spoke about the role of music and historical literature in educating the masses.

He regaled the audience with his hit songs “Dharti Panj Daryawan Di”, “Wah Nee Punjab Ne” and a number of other songs on drug abuse.

The students were also exposed to live on-line trading by the exchange staff. Their queries were also answered.

Ludhiana, May 4
Defying to join the ongoing commercialisation of Punjabi music by contemporary singers, budding singer G.S. Peter dreams of promoting the cause of Punjabi folk music.

While talking to The Tribune Peter said, "For me, making money is secondary as my aim is to resurrect the lost glory of great maestros of yesteryears, who shared a passion to evolve good and everlasting music."

The singer has already made a mark on the music industry with his peculiar singing style as his five albums have been well received by Punjabi music lovers across the state.

Ludhiana-based Finetone Cassette Industry has released five albums - Karman Mare Aashiq, Ghuriyan Pritan, Prem Kahani, Yaadan and Jaan to Pyara - wherein all songs have been sung by Peter.

Hailing from Moga district, the singer aspires to perform overseas but has reservations about settling abroad. "I want to stay close to my roots so that the soil of my land continues to inspire me throughout my career," maintains the singer.

Peter believes in 'customary riyaaz' stating that it is one thing that pays more than 'worldly pursuits'.

Determined to make it big, the singer is ready to struggle for longer time rather than compromising on the quality. "I want people to recognise me for my voice and not for the overbearing music in my albums," avers Peter.

Ludhiana, May 4
Mohit Khanna excelled with both bat and ball as Media XI recorded an eight-wicket victory over Railway Police Force (RPF) XI in a friendly cricket match played at Arya College ground here today.

He captured three wickets and then hammered 91 runs to steer his team to an emphatic win in just 11 overs.

In a 20 overs-a-side encounter, RPF XI, batting first, were bowled out for 149 runs. Their innings revolved around Kapil and Sarwan Singh who contributed 62 and 37 runs, respectively.

For Media XI, Mohit Khanna scalped three victims for 40 runs in four overs, while Neeraj grabbed three for 21 and Jupinderjit Singh claimed one for 35 runs. Media XI conceded 40 extra runs giving some respectability to the RPF XI’s total.

Media XI began their reply on a strong note with opener Mohit Khanna hoisting the very first delivery over the fence. He played a swashbuckling innings of 91 runs, which was studded with eight sixes and six hits to the fence.

Sunil Kumar made 15 and Samar chipped in with 12 runs as Media XI achieved the target after losing just two wickets in 10.4 overs.