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Rajdeep’s Murder Anshu Seth Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 17 Protesting students said the police had detained just one boy in the case, who, after seeing the gravity of the injuries, rushed Rajdeep to hospital. "It is inefficiency on the part of the police as despite having detained an accomplice of the assailants, it has failed to nab the culprits," the students rued. The students were adamant that they would boycott their practical exams but when approached by college authorities, they decided to delay the decision by an hour. The college has suspended Laddi, a college student involved in the crime, and a committee has been constituted to inquire into the matter. Rajdeep Singh and his classmate Sukhmanipal Singh were seriously injured on May 14 owing to a scuffle between two groups on the college premises. Amaninder, a close friend of the deceased while talking to The Tribune said that Rajdeep and Sukhmanipal Singh were not even involved in the brawl but became the victims of outsiders who were accompanying Laddi, the college student. "It was rather unfortunate as both our friends were innocent and just happened to be on the spot where the incident took place. They were mistaken to be a part of the rival group," Amaninder added. SHO, Sadar Police Station, Jangjeet Singh, said investigations were on and the police was conducting raids to nab the absconding boys. Gurdarshan Singh, the victim's cousin, blamed the college authorities for having delayed getting medical aid for Rajdeep. The college ambulance was not put to use and he was taken to Gill village on a scooter from where he was rushed to Oswal Hospital and thereafter referred to DMCH.
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MC sleeps over much-hyped
sealing drive
Ludhiana, May 17 The mayor had in a press conference in March announced that the MC would start the sealing drive from April onwards. He had even named several influential and affluent establishments in the city stating that these were already issued notices and their buildings would be sealed if they failed to follow rules. A public notice was issued in the newspapers asking all commercial establishments to provide parking space a few days later on March 21. It was to be considered as one month notice to follow rules otherwise the sealing was to be started. Even after two months of the notice, the MC seems to be sitting over the sealing drive. Not even a single building has been sealed. The MC has failed to follow up on its announcement and prefers to sleep over the issue. None of the establishments have followed the parking rules and yet they are not facing any action. Senior functionaries in the MC said as of now, the civic body authorities are not willing to take any action against anybody. Residents feel that the mayor's announcements fizzled out as the leadership failed to stand up for the cause strongly. They added that political pressure was being exerted from all sides and the functionaries were buckling under it. ‘‘We already knew that sealing would not be possible unless there was a directive from a court like in Delhi. Otherwise nobody is going to take such a strong action against anybody. It would come as a surprise to Three months ago, the MC had sealed Vishal Mega Mart, VLCC outlet and several other complexes in a similar drive. The drive was stalled midway but already sealed outlets were allowed to open after they provided the space. After that nobody tried to follow the parking restrictions. Many outlets were still using service lanes and several malls were using roadsides for parking. The chaos on roads in front of these malls including Flames and Ansal Plaza was manifold on weekends but there was no solution.
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English news channels go off air in Rajguru Nagar
Ludhiana, May 17 Residents of the area rue that the entry of a new cable-service provider has worsened things. Several complaints to the cable operator have yielded no result, they said. "For almost a month, we are getting only Hindi and Punjabi channels; English news channels are missing. We even complained to our cable operator about this but to no avail. What is the use of paying a monthly subscription of Rs 250 if there is nobody to listen to us," said Prithipal Singh Kapoor, a resident of the area. Residents said services had deteriorated only after a new service provider took over. Residents are now unable to get their complaints redressed. "When we contacted our cable operator, he asked us to get in touch with company officials. Initially they told us that the services would be improved but nothing happened. For the last few weeks, no one even picks up the phone," another resident said.
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Suicide by men on the rise: GRP
Ludhiana, May 17 The Jassian village patch of the Delhi-Amritsar twin tracks and the Ludhiana-Ferozepore rail line seems to be a favourite with persons ending their lives in such a manner. More than 60 per cent of the incidents took place on these tracks only. Only 12 women had committed suicide on the tracks in 2006 compared to 62 men. In 2007, only seven females ended their lives in this manner whereas 52 men committed suicide. According to Gurbhej Singh, a senior officer with the GRP, more than 50-60 per cent bodies were found from Jassian and Jagraon sidetrack areas, while around 40 per cent of suicide deaths were reported from different areas of the district. Not all committing suicide leave behind a note to explain the reason. Railway sources said common causes deduced from cases with suicide notes reveal marital discord, debts or unsccuessful love to be the major reasons.
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2 CAs from city make it to Civil Services
Ludhiana, May 17 Ravneet Singh secured the 330th all-India rank while Sachin Kapoor has secured the 440th rank in the Civil Services, the results of which were declared last night. Happily married for the past few years, both the men believe in hard work, consistency and determination. It was Ravneet's fourth and last attempt while Sachin got success in his third attempt. Sharing his journey of success, Ravneet said his parents, wife and in-laws had played a great role in shaping his career. "They have been supportive throughout. My wife Parampreet Kaur never let me feel disappointed. I have great regards for my mentor Monu Puri, who runs an academy at Randhir Singh Nagar. He had faith in me that I would definitely make it this time", said a jubilant Ravneet Singh, a pass-out from Guru Nanak Public School and a graduate from SCD College here. He opted for public administration and commerce in the examination. His father, Kanwarinder Singh Khurana, senior manager, Punjab and Sind Bank, said his son used to study for at least 10-12 hours a day. He was under a lot of pressure since this was his last attempt. His late grandfather, Jathedar Ranjit Singh “Naaz”, always wanted him to be an IAS officer. “It is his blessings that paid and Ravneet came out successful this time”, he said.Sachin Kapoor, who has recently been blessed with a baby girl, said his parents, sister and wife had always been encouraging and supporting. At present providing coaching to budding CAs in the city, he said, “My sister used to prepare notes for me while my wife provided moral support throughout my preparations. You are bound to get a smooth ride if you are cautious and determined”, he said, adding that in the first attempt, he was “under-prepared” while in the second chance, there were many flaws. “But I was lucky the third time”, he said. Dr Shivani, wife of Sachin, said it was his hard work, dedication and luck that he achieved the goal at last. “Many of his concepts were cleared after joining the coaching academy here. He never deterred from his aim, not even when he was unsuccessful twice”, she added.
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RTI Act Our Correspondent
Doraha, May17 Sethi had filed an application under the RTI before the deputy director, urban local bodies, Ludhiana, vide application no. November 29, 2007, for seeking information regarding the 8.36 feet road that was encroached upon. He forwarded the application to the State Information Commission, Chandigarh, on January 14. Sethi said the state information commission, Chandigarh, had fixed three dates for hearing ie February 29, 2008, April 11 and finally on May 2.But nothing came out of it as the information commissioner closed the file by commenting that it appears that the information has been substantially supplied to the complainant and his grievance does not appear to be well founded. Sethi also alleged that it was surprising that as per the para 12 of the order,the commission has taken on record unsigned and unstamped written statement submitted by Surjit Singh, superintendent-cum-APIO, office of the deputy director, urban local bodies,Ludhiana, which puts a question mark on the performance of the latter as well. He added that on the one hand the commission had closed the file without providing the required information, on the other it had issued a direction on May 5 to the PIO to submit an affidavit to the complainant of whatever had been stated in the one-page statement that the APIO had submitted to the commission within seven working days and the copy of the same might be sent to the commission. Sethi said 12 days had passed but no affidavit had been issued by the PIO till date Tarlochan Singh complained that since it was a clear case of encroachment, the authorities concerned should take immediate step for its removal. He also alleged that the main gate of Government Secondary School had been closed down just for the sake of encroachment, which is really shocking.
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Gurdwara Singh Sabha’s governing body poll Our Correspondent
Mandi Ahmedgarh May 17 While the group led by Kuldip Singh Bhullar unanimously re-elected former president Ajit Singh Ahluwalia. The other group led by Jagwant Singh Jaggie and Kuldip Singh Karwal sought security for the election meeting scheduled to be held on Sunday. Jagdev Singh Boparai is the official nominee of the second group. The Sangrur deputy commissioner had deputed Manjit Singh, naib tehsildar, as duty magistrate on the occasion. The atmosphere turned politically volatile when a group of SAD activists, led by Jaggie and Karwal announced to arrange a meeting for electing president tomorrow. The two groups had confronted each other on the issue of control over the religious place last years as well. Ajit Singh Ahluwalia was unanimously declared elected during this period. As his term expired on May 16, Ahluwalia announced to hold fresh elections. Aspirants were asked to file nomination papers by May 16 and polling (if required) was scheduled to take place on May 31 after scrutinizing the papers on May 20. The Jaggie and Karwal group, however, announced that the election would be held on May 18 and urged the administration to provide security cover to them. Meanwhile, the group led by Bhullar announced that Ahluwalia was re-elected president yesterday. According to Bhullar, three persons Nirmal Singh, Ajaib Singh and Sinder Pal Singh had filed nominations besides Ahluwalia for the post of the president. Ahluwalia was declared elected when the other three contestants withdrew their nominations yesterday. Apprehending tension, Gurpreet Singh Sikand, Malerkotla DSP directed Sukhdev Singh, SHO City and Maghar Singh SHO Sadar to keep vigil on the situation.
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Parties barring SAD decide to boycott civic poll
Lamme Jattpura, May 17 They have also decided to protest against the indifferent attitude of the civil administration and the state election commission towards the complaints of booth capturing by goons of the SAD during the civic poll held on Monday last. At least five persons, including kin of Congress candidate, were injured during the violent clashes then. This village is historically important, as the 10th Guru Gobind Singh stayed here for 21 days. Activists of a few Opposition parties led by Iqbal Singh (Congress), Jarnail Singh (CPM) and Harjinder Singh Billu, SAD (A) decided to boycott the panchayat elections at the meeting held here yesterday evening. A few speakers alleged that the administration and the election commission had failed to preserve sanctity of democracy during the recent civic elections. A returning officer had ignored objections raised by Opposition leaders against SAD block samiti candidate Gurmit Kaur, they alleged. “Though we had produced copies of audit report according to which Gurmit Kaur was supposed to deposit over Rs 70,000 with the department, the Jagraon SDM refused to reject Gurmit’s nomination papers. Instead he threatened to reject nomination papers of our candidate Maya Devi in case we insisted on the issue,” alleged Iqbal Singh. He further added that the SAD goons had captured the polling booth and injured at least five activists namely Tej Parkash Sharma, former sarpanch, Kulwant Singh, Jatinder Kumar and Kiran Bala. But, the police instead of registering a case against the assaulters booked the complainants. “Though we had to save our lives by fleeing from the scene, we were shocked to learn that the Jagraon police had registered a case of causing injuries to SAD activist Paritam Singh against us,” Tej Parkash Sharma added. Besides bringing the matter to notice of the state election commissioner, deputy commissioner, Ludhiana, and SSP, Ludhiana (Rural), the activists had staged protests at Jagraon and Noorpura as well. But no action had been taken against the erring officials.
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Woman dies of burn injuries
Ludhiana, May 17 The neighbour noticed the fumes coming out of the entrance of the house and broke open the door. Sulekha scummed to her burn injuries while she was being taken to a hospital for treatment. Her children were discharged after the first aid. Her husband, Pinku Goswami, who works as a labourer in the grain market was not present when the incident took place. The police has registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC.
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Female foeticide common in
north, say experts
Ludhiana, May 17 Dr P.S. Jassi, former director, health and family welfare, Chandigarh, in his keynote address reiterated that female foeticide was a very common problem in developing countries. Dr B.S. Dahiya, former director general of health services, Haryana, said the declining sex ratio indicated that the number of females was disproportionately lower in northern India. Sandhya Bajaj, member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Government of India, New Delhi, lamented on protection of child’s rights in Northern India. During this workshop, 300 participants representing students community, teaching faculty of various institutions, medical and para medical staff of different health institutions, representatives of various NGO’s, media experts, social scientists, research scholars, lawyers etc took part in the deliberations and shared their experiences. CMC director Dr A.G Thomas highlighted the magnitude of missing girl child problem in the northern region of India and stressed on the importance of prevention of pre-birth elimination of females at the grass-root level.
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PNB to open ‘no-frill’ accounts
Ludhiana, May 17 “Lack of financial services especially by those with low incomes, has increasingly become a concern for developmental and poverty eradication policies in not only developing countries but in developed ones as well. An inclusive financial sector is the one in which no segment of the population is excluded from accessing financial
services. This helps the hitherto excluded sections in integrating better into the economy by receiving the benefits of economic development of the country and protect themselves from the shocks. This leads the vulnerable sections of the society in graduating from one level to another and improving their standard of
living,” said bank officials.
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Shahi Imam meets Sukhbir
Ludhiana, May 17 The communique issued here stated that Sukhbir assured the Shahi Imam that problems faced by the Muslims would soon be sorted out at the government's level.
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Letters
Hero Group is managing a number of schools under the name ‘BCM’ in different parts of the city. One such school is running in Sector-32, Chandigarh Road, since many years. From this session, the school authorities have set up two different schedules for opening of school. For small children, they have fixed timing from 8.40 am to 12.10 pm whereas for classes from first onwards, its 7.50 am to 1.30 pm. This causes inconvenience to those whose wards are studying in two different classes. Parents have to round up to school twice a day, which causes consumption of more fuel. Besides this, duty hours of serving parents also get affected as the office timings generally begin at 9 am. Transporters who carry children daily to the schools have also increased the fares by more than 50 per cent, increasing economic burden on parents. Repeated requests to fix same timings of school for all students have been turned down by the school authorities. I request the managing committee as well as the Hero Group to look into the matter.
Ravi Chander Garg, Readers are invited to mail letters (not more than 200 words) at "ludhiana@tribunemail.com" or post the same to The Tribune, 1, 2 Improvement Trust Building, Badaur House, Clock Tower, Ludhiana.
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Insurance agent’s murder baffles police
Ludhiana, May 17 Three unidentified youths had shot Lokesh Garg twice from close range in the inner chamber of his office at about 8:30 pm, on April 17 late evening. They took away his car also. But after 30 days of investigation, the cops have got an idea about the description of one of the three accused only. A sketch of the youth was prepared but has not proved of any help so far. The police has probed all possible angles so far but none could lead it to the murderer. SP-Detective Gurpreet Singh, who is heading the investigations, said his team had inquired into all motives, including financial dispute, personal enmity. professional rivalry and any tension because of a woman, "but, so far, success has eluded us." He said the family members did share their suspicion but investigation did not lead to anything substantial. Robbery was already ruled out in the case. The assailants did not attempt to search the office, making the cops believe the youths had personal enmity with the deceased. "Personal enmity seems to be the only motive at this juncture," said SP-Detective Gurpreet Singh. Garg was a General Insurance agent representing various insurance companies. He had opened an office in Sant Ishar Nagar six months ago only.
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Bank of Maharashtra to open 26 branches in Punjab
Ludhiana, May 17 The bank today opened a foreign exchange centre here. Talking about expansion plans, Madhok said the bank would focus on the northern region and soon open branches in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Zirakpur. “We have a good presence in the South and North being a progressive region, we plan to lay special focus here. We will introduce more schemes, expand network and provide better facilities to our customers in this region.” The bank that has spent over Rs 70 crore for technological upgradation would soon offer internet, SMS and phone banking to its customers. He said efforts were on towards finding a partner for providing online trading facility to its customers.
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‘Ruksat’ at GGNIMT Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, May 17 More than 300 students today gathered in the auditorium of the institute to celebrate. This year, instead of walking down the old and traditional ramp, the outgoing batches rolled up their sleeves to give a tough competition to their friends in other classes from the same batch in various indoor sports and one-minute games. The fun-filled one-minute games, including bursting maximum balloons, managing tongue twisters, straw games and audio quiz busted the audience into roars of laughter. Students of BCA-4th semester put up a comic choreography. The scintillating song performances by the students of BBA-4th semester created magic amongst the audience. The outgoing batch of BBA-6th semester showcased their talent through a play ‘Kya aap BBA-6th se tez hain’. The students of the outgoing batches proposed a vote of thanks to their teachers, expressed their nostalgia and bid goodbye to their juniors. The director of the institute, Kuldip Singh, addressed the students and motivated them to emerge winners in whatever area they choose in life. In order to inculcate sense of satisfaction, professionalism and enhanced career in students, the coordinator Gunwant Singh Dua advised them to work with commitment and sincerity. While the students were playing and enjoying themselves, the judges were keeping an eye on the well-dressed students. Gagandeep S. Bedi and Geetanjali were adjudged Mr and Ms Well dressed .The interactive and entertaining event concluded with a dance party. The students went back home with fond memories and mementoes as token of love.
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PAU ropes in jobless youth
Ludhiana, May 17 The cotton whitefly, which resurged on account of the excessive use of synthetic pyrethroids as pesticides, has also declined. However, new pests like tobacco caterpillar and mealy bug appeared as key pests of cotton. Mealy bug appeared in serious proportion and damaged cotton crop in new areas. Dr Malhi said for creating awareness among farmers about the new pests, their management technology were taken up, wherein the PAU organised trainings of unemployed educated youth to work as scouts in cotton belt of the state to educate farmers about the newly developed and recommended PAU technology. In line with these, extensive trainings, each of 4 days duration, were arranged on cotton production and protection technology with emphasis on the eco-friendly management of mealy bug using non-chemical methods, covering 220 villages adopted by state department of agriculture. The participants for training were selected from Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Muktsar areas and also from Taran Taran, Patiala, Moga, Sangrur and Barnala districts where cotton was being extensively grown. While concluding these training programmes, Dr Malhi advised the trainees to help the farmers in proper adoption of IPM technology. The scientific trainings provided by PAU would help the farmers in increasing the seed cotton yield by reducing the cost of production, said Malhi.
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Home science education ‘ideal’ for girls
Ludhiana, May 17 She said it was the ideal education for girls and helped them to be independent. Recently, the college had introduced another BSc (home science) degree programme for the students with matriculation qualification so as to enroll maximum students from rural areas, she added. At present, three undergraduate programmes, including BSc home Science honours (4-year programme), BSc fashion designing (3-year programme after 10+2) and BSc Home Science (6-year programme after matriculation), in addition to four diploma programmes of one year duration such as interior decoration, fashion designing, food preservation and cooking and management of crèche and nursery school are being offered by the college, said Dr Grewal. Being a professional degree, the home science education prepares students for varied jobs in public and private sector such as teachers, research scientists and extension scientists at school, college and university level. It also prepares students for the jobs of field functionaries in rural development department, food industries, textiles industries, hospitals, health centres, hotels etc. Home science education enlightens and motivates students to own the responsibilities of family and society, said Dr Grewal.
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Dance classes for hearing impaired
Ludhiana, May 17 The classes commenced on May 12 and would continue till May 30 wherein Happy would teach the students Jazz, Bhangra, semi-Classical and dance on popular Hindi numbers. “Having spent an year at Shamak Dawar’s dance school in Mumbai who is doing a commendable work with physically handicapped children, I too was inspired to do the same”, revealed Happy. He said he learnt sign language to train all these students, who would perform formally at a function on June 1. Harpreet has trained numerous children and adults while working as a trainer at a leading dance school in the city but it was only after starting his own school in the name of Happy Beats and Tons that he decided to do something for the suffering
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World Hypertension Day celebrated
Ludhiana, May 17 He said more than 50 per cent of the deaths due to stroke and about 25 per cent of deaths due to heart disease were directly attributable to hypertension. “This condition often goes hand in hand with diabetes which makes it even more debilitating. Besides diabetes, high cholesterol and central obesity are also more prevalent in patients with hypertension and all these are known factors of heart disease”, he said adding that there was a need to keep a check on one’s BP on regular basis. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion coordinated by medical superintendent Dr Sandeep Puri, wherein the students and faculty of DMCH shared their views on the subject. In the panel discussion, principal of DMCH said, “Although the incidence of hypertension in children is quite low, yet after the age of three years, BP should be monitored once in a year.” Dr H.S. Pannu spoke on the incidence of hypertension in cases of pregnancy and the latest developments in the field.
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PU Sports Quota Scheme Anil Datt Our Sports Reporter
Ludhiana, May 17 Expressing satisfaction over a large number of players turning up for trials, officiating district sports officer, Ludhiana, Jasvinder Singh Bhandari,said at least 410 boys had enrolled themselves for the trials for the 15 disciplines and about 72 entries were received in football. Forty-three aspirants appeared in hockey while 25 boys turned up in basketball. Bhandari further said trials for girl aspirants was held yesterday and about 30 girls also appeared today who could not make it yesterday. They attended the trials in two disciplines- handball and weightlifting. Two day trials were held for the day scholars and the residential schemes in as many as 15 disciplines - athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, gymnastics, wrestling, handball, judo, kabaddi, volleyball, weightlifting, swimming, badminton and hockey. The selected players would be provided facilities as per the guidelines of the department. The selections panels which included coaches of the state sports department besides advisers, former and current sportspersons of national and international repute, deputed by the department supervised the aspirants. They would submit their report to the director, sports, Punjab, on his return from Malaysia. The final list of selected players for admission under the sports quota scheme would be prepared in the first week of July, the officiating DSO added.
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Former international footballer felicitated
Ludhiana, May 17 The Punjab Basketball Association (PBA) at a function organised at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, near here yesterday, honoured him. Gurdev retired last month as commandant, Punjab Police. DGP, Punjab, director of the academy and president of Basketball Federation of India, Rajdeep Singh Gill, along with other members of the association and sportspersons who brought laurels to the nation in different disciplines during the past were also present. Appreciating Gurdev’s achievements, Gill recalled his contribution as player, coach and sports organiser. R.S. Gill said Gurdev participated in the Asian Games in 1974 at Trehan and then in 1978 in Bangkok where he led the Indian team. Besides, Gurdev played in Asia Cup in 1970, Agha Khan Gold Cup Tournament held in 1978 in Dhaka where he was declared the best player of the meet. He also donned national colour in the pre-Olympics tournament, played at Rangoon in 1972. Gurdev was the member of the East Bengal Club squad in 1979 and then captained the Punjab football team for twelve consecutive years from 1976 to 1988. He also coached the state football team between 1990-94 and remained manager of the team for four years 1995-98. Gurdev Singh served as sports secretary, Punjab Police, from 2002 to 2004. He was decorated with the Arjuna award in 1978-79, with Maharaja Ranjit Singh award in 1984-85, footballer of the Millennium by Delhi Sports Journalists’ Association in 2000, besides police medal for meritorious services in 2000.
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BCM, Teja Singh eves set up title clash
Our Sports Reporter
Ludhiana, May 17 In the first semifinal, BCM Senior Secondary School defeated Teja Singh Swatantar School, 14-4, while in the second semifinal, Teja Singh Swatantar English Medium School thrashed Guru Nanak Model School, Dholewal Chowk, 10-0, to secure berth in the final. Earlier in the league matches, Teja Singh Swatantar English Medium School outnumbered RS Model Senior Secondary School, Model Town, 16-6; BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh Road, outclassed Jujhar Model School, 16-12, to advance into the semifinals. Eight teams in the boy’s section and six in the girl’s section are competing in this three-day tournament. The final in the girl’s section is slated for Monday while matches in the boy’s section will begin tomorrow.
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