Ludhiana, June 22
Joining Sikh organisations in their fresh outburst against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, the Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid, Ludhiana, today issued a fatwa prohibiting any Muslim to visit his dera or bow before the dera chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Maulana Habib ur Rehmann Ludhianvi, the Shahi Imam of the historical Jama Masjid, also issued a fatwa against the dera head, asking him to stop using "Rahim" in his name.

A large number of Muslims also carried out a protest march from Jama Masjid to Jagraon bridge, shouting slogans against the dera head and carrying posters denouncing him.

"We are with our Sikh brethren in their protest against the dera head. But especially after the recent violent incident in Mumbai, we are forced to go on the offensive against the dera head, " said the Shahi Imam.

He said a true Muslim objects to any person who makes others slave to his ideology and forces them to worship him. "Any Muslim bowing before such self-styled godman will be ex-communicated," he said.

He said under the Shariat Law, a Muslim worshipping someone else would no longer be considered a true Muslim and a member of the community.

He charged the dera head of bringing disrepute to the glorious names like Ram and Rahim through his controversial activities.

The group of protesters blocked traffic for nearly half an hour at the bridge, disrupting the smooth flow of vehicles. Fortunately it being a Sunday, there was no heavy rush or many commuters would have been stranded.

The police and commando battalions remained deployed on the road to prevent deterioration of law and order.

The Muslim community has issued a fatwa against the dera head for the first time. In the earlier agitation against the dera chief, Muslims only supported Sikh organisations without joining the protest on the roads.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 22
Two persons, including a child, were killed and five injured when the Indica car they were travelling in collided with an oil tanker, stranded near Gopalpur village on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road, near here, this morning.

The victims were going to pay obeisance at Vaishno Devi shrine. Poor visibility due to drizzling was reported to be the reason behind the mishap.

The deceased were identified as Sharanjit Singh (driver) of Lehra and eight-month- old Gannu. Sharda Devi, her son Vikas Sharma, Pooja Sharma (daughter-in-law), Suman Sharma (daughter) and Rahul (grandson) were among the injured.

The Dehlon police has registered an FIR against the unknown driver and owner of the tanker.

According to Jiwan Lal Sharma, six members of his family had left the town in a taxi for Vaishno Devi temple to pay obeisance at about 5 am. Hardly had the car travelled a distance of about 5 km when it collided with the oil tanker.

A jatha of pilgrims, heading for Shree Amar Nath, shifted six of the occupants to Sood Hospital here, where Gannu was declared brought dead.

Sharnajit died on the spot. Bodies of the deceased were handed over to their kin after postmortems at civil hospital, Dehlon. 

Ludhiana, June 22
The Arthritis Foundation of India, in its attempt to create awareness among people on arthritis, organised a 'walk meet' today at the local Nehru Sidhant Kender. The panel of orthopaedic surgeons held an interactive session with arthritis patients wherein patients discussed their apprehensions on joint replacements followed by counselling from doctors.

Dr HS Gill from Apollo Hospital highlighted the availability of latest technologies like high flex rotating platform knee, gender- specific knees followed by a detailed description of conventional v ASR System in hip surgery.

Joginder Pal Jindal from Moga, while speaking to The Tribune, said that he was consuming painkillers for the past five years. "I plan to discontinue the painkillers from today and go for a thorough check-up, followed by complete shoulder surgery," he added.

Dr Manoj Wadhwa from Fortis Hospital talked about treatment plans and recommendations which differ for each patient. The doctors referred to India being number 1 in osteoarthritis, thereby calling upon the patients to start with proper treatment without further delay. The surgeons also gave some handy tips to the aggrieved patients suffering from osteoarthritis.

The outcry by a Ludhiana resident, Mangat Rai, against the surgical treatment of arthritis obstructed the session for some time. Levelling allegations against a renowned orthopaedic surgeon at DMCH, Mangat Rai said, "The doctor did not diagnose my problem and performed the surgery, as a result of which I lost even the partial movement of my knees."

The doctors on stage called him for a check-up soon after the meeting, promising to deal with his problem.

Ludhiana, June 22
Residents of one of the posh localities of the city, Sham Singh Road near Mall Road, cleaned the sewerage of their locality as the municipal corporation workers shied away from the job.

The residents had to cancel their weekend plans to clean the sewage. All this happened in the presence of Tarun Jain, husband of Ward No. 52 councillor Ruchi Jain.

The ward councillor's husband was a mere spectator to the cleaning process, undertaken by the residents, who had had enough of assurances by 'babus'.

Despite repeated calls made by Tarun Jain, no junior engineer (JE) came to the spot. After waiting for hours, the residents took up the task of cleaning the choked sewerage themselves. Many noted industrialists and prominent personalities reside in this area.

Residents of Kahnna Bhawan at Sham Singh Road complained that they intimated the MC authorities many times about the choked sewerage, but the 'babus' paid no heed to their complaints. It was after the intervention of the councillor Ruchi Jain that the MC workers came to clear the choked sewerage.

However, the MC staff that came to clear the choked sewerage left the work half done and the problem resurfaced much to the agony of the affected residents.

The problem came up yet again and sewerage water started overflowing and created nuisance for the residents on Sunday. What was more embarrassing for the residents was that their own servants refused to help them in the cleaning process.

An industrialist, who did not disclose his identity to avoid embarrassment, said, "For how long do we keep on waiting for the MC workers. I visited their office thrice and only two days ago, we had received respite from the prolonged sewerage problem. But no sooner did the MC workers leave, the problem resurfaced. So we decided to handle it on our own."

Another resident said, "The area councillor's husband was standing there and watching us cleaning the sewerage."

Better sense seems to have prevailed on Tarun Jain, the husband of the councillor, who assured the residents that tomorrow two JE's would visit the area and settle their problems. The sewerage water has entered the swimming pool of another noted industrialist’s home.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 22
Inefficient sewage disposal system and inadequate water supply are the major issues being highlighted by the candidates for election of municipal council here. While the past incumbents claim that the situation arose due to withdrawal of sewage project by the SAD-BJP government, supporters of new faces allege that the councillors had ignored development of their respective areas.

Frequent overflow of sewerage and stagnation of water at many places, including entry roads and schools, had led to pathogens breeding in the low-lying areas. The condition was worse in front of Islamia High School, Dehliz road, Bajrang Akhara road, Jagera road, Jawahar Nagar, Guru Nanak Pura Mohalla, Amarpura and railway road areas.

Pre-monsoon rains have compounded problems for the former councillors, trying their luck from their respective wards. When residents of their areas are forced to walk through stinking sewage water, the candidates pretend to call disposal squads to speed up the removal of stagnant water.

Perusal of records revealed that the municipal council had received grants worth over Rs 5 crore for a project for laying main drains that was supposed to be undertaken by the Punjab Sewerage and Water Supply Board.

As the foundation stone for the scheme was laid by then parliamentary secretary Razia Sultana, the SAD government, after its organisations, withdrew the grant.

Observations by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that some low-lying roads and streets were usually flooded with sewage water. Pedestrians, especially students, women and labourers are the worst sufferers. Religious places are no exception and night soils floating in dirty stagnant water near such places spoil the mood of the devotees.

Voters loose no chance to question candidates if they would be able to keep the tall promises they are making with the residents this time.

Ludhiana, June 22
A bid to steal a sewerline connection by residents of Aman Park, an unauthorised colony, has annoyed the residents of Rajguru Nagar.

The residents of Aman Park colony, which even lacks basic amenities, are digging a private sewerage at the behest of a senior functionary of water supply and sewerage board and plan to connect it to Rajguru Nagar sewerline. This has led to the residents of Rajguru Nagar developed by the Improvement Trust, see red.

The work of digging is on for past many days and a 500-feet pipe has already been laid. It will require just a few more feet long pipe to connect it to the main sewer. Residents of Rajguru Nagar allege that Aman Park residents were just waiting for the right opportunity and would connect the pipes with their system and sewage would start flowing.

“This would led to the choking of our system as it is adequate for only Rajguru Nagar residents. If more lines are attached, it would crash,” said Prof Pirthipal Singh Kapoor, president of People’s Awareness Forum.

He added that they complained to administrator, Improvement Trust, also and he visited the area. He got the work stopped. However, after his visit, the residents of Aman Park constructed two pucca manholes.

“Everything is in place now. They will just get the line connected in the dark of the night when nobody sees them. Then we will not be able to do anything,” said Prof Gurcharan Singh, general secretary of PAF.

They added that the residents had paid a whopping price for buying land in Trust Developed Colony and how could the residents of an unauthorised colony get connected to their system. “We have paid development charges. Unlike those residents, we pay water supply and sewerage bills.

How can we allow them to connect to our lines?” they questioned.

They demanded that the privately laid pipes be dismantled immediately. They had taken up the matter with the higher authorities at Chandigarh.

Ludhiana, June 22
In protest against fuel price hike, transporters have decided to bring operations to a complete halt on July 2. Transporters said there would be no bookings or deliveries on that day and they would also block traffic to mark their protest.

"We want the government to immediately withdraw the fuel price hike as it is causing heavy losses to the industry," said Prithvi Raj Sharma, chairman of Ludhiana Transporters’ Welfare Association, at a meeting of the transporters held here today.

Members of the association said the steep hike in fuel prices had hit their business and a withdrawal in rates was the only way to save the industry.

They said in order to make the protest successful across the state, they would ensure participation of not only large scale but even small transporters. "We are supporting the call for this protest given by Charan Singh Lohara of All-India Motor Transport Congress and would continue with our agitation," added Sharma.

Among others present at the meeting were president of the association Manmohar Lal Kaushal, vice-president Hari Kishan and patron Iqbal Singh.

Ludhiana, June 22
Residents of the 256-acre Rishi Nagar scheme of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) on Humbran road here are rueing lack of amenities, failure of the LIT to develop green belts, inordinate delay in execution of development works in the colony and poor power supply.

In a memorandum submitted to the administrator, the Rishi Nagar (F-block) Welfare Association has pointed out that a number of manholes in the locality were lying uncovered posing a grave danger to the lives of residents besides causing frequent accidents. Also, most of the sewer lines kept overflowing.

According to society president Satish Thamman, sanitation level of the area was pathetic because the mohalla sanitation committees had not been put in place by the trust. At the same time, development and maintenance of green belts in the colony was in a state of neglect as the authorities had not been providing funds to the park management committees as per decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The memorandum further pointed out that 18 tenders for different development works in the colony were pending approval of the state government since October, 2007, as a result of which works related to carpeting of roads, streetlights, parks, sewerage and water supply had been on the hold for nearly eight months. The body further asked the LIT to develop a rose garden-cum-community centre at a 1.34-acre plot in F-block earmarked for a primary school since there was no need for a primary school at this location. It also called for taking up the matter with the Punjab State Electricity Board to get the power load of the colony increased.

Ludhiana, June 22
Rich tributes were paid to Master Tara Singh during his birth anniversary celebrations. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha, presided over the function at GGN Khalsa College here.

Atwal said Master Tara Singh was the greatest ever leader of the Sikhs, who had led the Punjabis for a long time as president of SAD and SGPC and won many important struggles (morchas) launched under his leadership for the cause of Sikhs and Punjab.

Atwal said he was a patriotic leader, who in spite of many tempting proposals from the Muslim League for keeping Punjab with Pakistan, had taken a wise decision of aligning Punjab with India.

He said real tribute to great leader would be to follow his steps to ensure the fast development of Punjab.

State education minister Dr Upinderjit Kaur assured that the process to create a chair on the name of Master Tara Singh, in one of the universities of state, will be initiated. She appealed the people to extend full cooperation in shaping a new and modern Punjab envisioned by Master Tara Singh.

Granddaughter of Master Tara Singh, Bibi Kiranjit Kaur was also honoured.

In the darkness of the mind, memory acts like searchlight. At a time one spot is illuminated but, before long, another spot comes in the limelight. At times one enjoys the presence of a number of shifting images on the screen of the mind. Still their recurrence at odd hours, without any relevance, seems irksome. Perhaps this phenomenon, like the method in madness, is the product of inchoate ideas. As such one witnesses the pageant of flashbacks off and on.

Train to New Delhi, with a cycle in the van. There after daylong roaming on the roads in search of a job. Evenings were somewhat pleasant in the university camp college on the Reading Road. The cosiness of the canteen provided the much-needed relief to the mind. Nothing seemed to be impossible, although nothing was at that time within reach. The nights invited fitful sleep,without extending any promise for a better tomorrow.

In that scenario could be seen long queues of job-seekers, holding tight their portfolio full of certificates and degrees. False hopes were generated from time to time to ward off depression and insomnia. The long stay at the friend's place was not exactly unwelcome but it was, at the same time, like straining at the leash. There was no escape from the drudgery that was more or less a part of the daily routine. It took me 21 days to cross the tunnel,full of smoke,fumes and dampness. At long last a flickering light appeared at the end of the tunnel.

Train to Shimla, with a trunk in the van. The rarefied air calmed down the agitated mind. The steps became steady,whereas moving up and down the hill was cheerful and vivacious. Soon the like-minded persons formed a literary group that helped the members to attend to creative work with verve and vigour. Coffee house became the rallying point where conversational skill was put to test. On the mall, life presented a colourful spectacle that bewitched the eyes and gladdened the hearts. Else, one could have a glimpse of the undulating waves in the sea of humanity.

In rain or sunshine, new images cropped up on the horizon where haziness prevailed all the time. Snowfall was like manna that enlivened the sagging spirits of the young and the old. Bliss it was to be young at that time but to enter into wedlock,during such a period of time, was heaven. The early years of my stay at that hill-station were memorable for the joy that ensued while commuting daily from Summer hill to Shimla.

Train to Ludhiana, with a wagon load of domestic goods. It was like straying, for a brief while, into wilderness where strangers dominated the scene. Everything was in plenty except the fellow-feelings. The rented house made a dent in the budget and the following years dragged life mercilessly. But then there was thaw in the frozen labyrinths of existence. Books provided the much-needed anchor, while teaching restored self-confidence and spared time for self-appraisal. Before long, the pace of life picked up speed and the air started moving like the wind.

The sophistication of the society appealed to me as that was a sure sign of the refinement of manners. But the sophistry of some of my colleagues in the college seemed out rightly repulsive. The pedagogic attitude was out of tune with the changing patterns of education. At an another plane, the fellow travellers in 'the realms of gold' at first asserted their one-upmanship but then the better sense prevailed. Indeed that time has receded into the background and is on the verge of oblivion. Now the feeling of fullness and fruition prevails. Shakespeare was right when he said - 'Ripeness is all'.

— N.S. Tasneem

The city is not only afflicted with the menace of stray dogs, but also added to it is the nuisance of pet dogs. The owners of these well-fed pets of high breeds, can be seen taking them out with or without a chord every morning to litter the city with more stink and filth. Among these pets some are ferocious and they create a sense of insecurity and scare the passers by, including school children and ladies.

Their owners are the ones who criticise and condemn municipal authorities for poor cleanliness and improper sanitary conditions. But they themselves have scant civic sense and are least concerned about cleanliness around the dwellings of their brethrens.

It is unfortunate that our administration continues to sleep over this chronic nuisance.

Ludhiana municipal authorities are urged to make it mandatory for all dog owners to have licenses for keeping pets and pay an annual tax to maintain cleanliness in the city being ravished by their pets.

Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, Ludhiana

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.

CRIME

One held with poppy husk
Tribune News Service

Khanna, June 22
The Khanna police has arrested a resident of Lalheri road with 15 kg poppy husk. The accused has been identified as Bhupinder Singh.

A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against him at Sadar police station. Police officials said Bhupinder had been into the illegal trade of selling bhukki for the past few months and was arrested from near Rahon village. Investigations in the case are on.

Ludhiana, June 22
KEI Industries has launched 'homecab', its new range of flame retardant PVC insulated wires for domestic household applications.

These multi-strand flexible house wires with fire resistant properties were equipped with specially formulated insulation, with a high oxygen and temperature index, that enabled the cable to withstand overloads preventing electric mishaps, the company said in a press note issued here today.

It added that the insulation process was carried out on modern high-speed extrusion lines, which ensured high accuracy and consistency in performance. Flame retardant properties enabled these cables to withstand overloads. The insulation was resistant to boiling water, steam and vapours. This prevented ageing and cracking in bathroom, kitchen damp walls and chemical industries, the company said.

Ludhiana, June 22
State government is all set to bring substantial improvement in education system. If the new policies adopted by government are any indication, then education in Punjab will definitely get a boost in coming few months.

Dr Upinderjit Kaur, education minister, Punjab, has informed that 351 government high/ higher secondary schools were being modernised at a cost of Rs 142 crores. In all these schools, four streams including science, humanities, vocational education and commerce had been added.

Dr Upinderjit Kaur was in city today to receive an honour for her excellent services for the state during 124th birth anniversary of Panth Rattan Master Tara Singh at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College.

On asked about government's criteria to fill the vacant posts in schools, she said to ensure quality education, 14,000 new teachers against the vacant posts had been recruited purely on merit in a transparent process.

"As many as 4800 teachers, officials have been promoted as centre head teachers, head teachers and principals," she said, adding that with a view to induct multimedia techniques in teaching system, an education satellite with 300 terminals in different parts of the state had been launched by the government.

"Not only this, government has recently filled 12 vacant posts of principals. Education has always been on priority list of government. We will also honour the outstanding students," she said.

She said to ensure the implementation of the resolution passed in Punjab Assembly to fully implement Punjabi in working of government offices and to make the teaching of Punjabi mandatory up to matriculation in all the schools in Punjab, an ordinance was being issued shortly. She said that provision of strict punishment to the violators of rules was also being made in the Act. "Besides, government will also form a screening committee to honour Punjabi laureates," she added.

HEALTH

Lecture on  plastic surgery
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 22
Dr Abraham G. Thomas, director, CMC Hospital, delivered a lecture on evolution of plastic surgery. He was invited to speak at a meeting of the Rotary Club, Ludhiana North.

Dr Thomas was given a standing ovation for his contribution to the society.

Ludhiana, June 22
Simranjit Singh (14), a resident of Sargodha Colony, Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana, was admitted at DMCH with renal disease. The patient needs to undergo a kidney transplant operation at the  earliest.

Jatinder Pal Singh, patient's father, has agreed to donate his kidney to the son, but the meager  financial resources of  family are hampering  the treatment.

According to the treating doctor, both the kidneys of the patient have got damaged due to renal failure and he has earlier been on the dialysis for last one year. He is also suffering from severe fever and infection.

All the monetary resources of the family have already been exhausted in Simranjeet's treatment.

DMCH, on behalf of the patient's family, has requested people to extend financial help to his family. All those who are willing to help can either contact medical superintendent office on 4687504 or PR Office on 4687514, 94178-06606 (Aayush Chaku) at DMCH.

All donations should be made in favour of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and "Treatment for Simranjeet Singh (C.R. No. 2008-6962)" written on backside of the cheque/DD or on the covering letter, said an official spokesperson. 

Ludhiana, June 22
Hosts Punjab along with neighbouring state Haryana began its campaign on a sound note by winning their respective matches on the inaugural day of the first Senior National 20 Cricket Tournament which started at Punjab Agricultural University campus grounds here today. Sixteen teams are taking part in this four-day tournament.

In the first match, Haryana defeated Madhya Pradesh by four wickets. Batting first, Madhya Pradesh scored 85 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Main scorer was Savinder who chipped in with 19 runs.

In reply, Haryana scored 87 runs for the loss of 6 wickets with 3.4 overs to spare. Their innings revolved around Sat Pal and Narinder who contributed 16 and 19 runs, respectively.

In the second match, hosts Punjab proved too good for Rajasthan whom they drubbed by 56 runs. Punjab made 122 runs with help of 26 runs scored by Navjeet.

Chasing the target, Rajasthan's essay culminated at 66 runs after 11.2 overs. Only Happy (19) put up some semblance of resistance but could not save his side from the inevitable.

For winners, Harpreet and Sony scalped two wickets each to steer their side to romp home victorious quite comfortably.

The third match was played between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in which the former came out triumphant with 12 runs.

Thanks to a fine knock by Rishab and Ashok who made 24 and 21 runs, respectively, Uttar Pradesh were all out for 112 runs in 19.1 overs.

Requiring 113 runs to win, Bihar's innings folded at 100 after 15.5 overs. For Uttar Pradesh, Arjun grabbed three wickets while Nitin and Pradeep Kumar scalped two each to enable their team to wrap up the issue by 12 runs.

In the fourth match of the day, Madhya Pradesh beat Chhattisgarh by four wickets. In reply to Chhattisgarh's total of 92 runs, Madhya Pradesh made 93 runs after losing six wickets to register first win.

Ludhiana, June 22
Ludhiana Under-19 Probables put up a brave show against Ludhiana Seniors XI scoring 247 runs on the first day of the two-day practice cricket match being organised by the Ludhiana District Cricket Association at Satish Chander Dhawan, Government College ground, here today.

The association has planned to hold some matches to give practice to the Under-19 Probables as the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (U-19) for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy to be organised by the Punjab Cricket Association has been postponed indefinately due to pre-set of monsoon.

Electing to bat first, after winning the toss, Ludhiana U-19 Probables scored 247 runs in 82 overs. The main architects of their innings were Geetansh Khera (48), Akhil Aggarwal (41) and Sanchit Gosain (40). Other notable contributors were Jashn Sidhu and Gurvinder Singh who made 28 and 16 runs, respectively. For the Seniors XI, Gagandeep Dhand was the main wicket-taker who captured seven wickets for 44 runs, while Gurdeep Singh took two for 25 runs.