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Tribune Special Part-I
These are the findings of a traffic survey conducted by the city police, which are helplessly looking towards the municipal corporation, district transport office and the state government for providing them with the infrastructure to bring the mortality rate down. The roads can’t be widened. The flyovers are yet to be constructed. And even if they have been constructed, faulty designs are causing more deaths in accidents. One can cite the example of the elevated road where a curve near the Kapoor hospital has led to 10 persons death. Municipal commissioner Vikas Partap cited funds shortage as the main reason behind the lack of infrastructure. “But we are planning to make adjustments here and there for arranging the funds,” he added. However, district transport officer Chander Gaind failed to respond to queries put forward to him by The Tribune. The absence of infrastructure has often led to major accidents. There used to be traffic cones all along the Ferozepur road from the Bharat Nagar Chowk to Agar Nagar. The four-laned road has numerous intersections. Traffic lights regulate the traffic where four roads intersect. But, at many points only three roads meet. These cones divided the road in such a manner the fast-moving vehicles towards Ferozepur or coming from that direction never used to stop at these lights. The cones disappeared a few years ago but people still follow the same rule. Result, a mini bus crushed a 16-year-old girl who thought the bus would stop at the light. Irate mob than torched the bus triggering a major law and order problem. Road accidents in the country consume more lives than terror acts. The city is no exception. Apart from approximately 20 lakh vehicles (excluding rickshaws, bicycles, rehras) about 3,200 buses pass through the city daily. The ever-increasing number of vehicles, roads getting narrower due to encroachments or the volume of traffic plying on these is leading to loss of valuable lives in road accidents. Many of those killed in the road accidents were children. Most of them were orphaned when their parents died due to rash, negligent driving or after being hit by someone coming from the opposite direction. The SSP lists rash driving, lane jumping, lack of road safety signs and shortage of traffic police staff as the main reasons. “If the government gives the penalty amount to the police for providing the infrastructure, I will completely change the outlook of the city.”
To be continued
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Civil hospitals fail to stock ORS, anti-diarrhoea tablets
Ludhiana, August 9 The OPDs of civil hospitals, ESI hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), government dispensaries, private nursing homes and charitable hospitals are full with patients suffering from diarrhoea, fever, mild jaundice, stomach disorders and other water-borne diseases. But the Punjab health department has failed to ensure the supply of most essential medicines to the hospitals and dispensaries. A majority of the hospitals in the district, including civil hospitals, Khanna, Ludhiana, Raikot, Samrala and Jagraon, are not getting supplies of ORS and anti-diarrhoea tablets. The solution is the most essential mixture in the season. It is administered to people suffering from acute diarrhoea. A senior employee at the civil hospital, Khanna, said on condition of anonymity that the hospital had not received any supply of ORS and anti-diarrhoea tablets in this season. "Even needy patients have to buy the medicines from private drug stores. Many a time, the hospital staff pay from their own pocket to get necessary medicines for patients who can't afford to buy these," stated the employee. However, health authorities claim that senior medical officers at hospitals have the authority to buy necessary medicines for emergency. Dr S.P. Sharma, civil surgeon, Ludhiana, however, denied the reports about shortage of essential medicines, adding that the department was fully equipped to deal with any emergency situation. "We have enough supply of ORS and anti-diarrhoea medicines. The department has sufficient supply to deal with any outbreak of disease," the civil surgeon went on to add. Jasmit Singh from Jagraon while complaining against the health department said that he was unable to get a single tablet from the civil hospital. "The medicine despite being mandatory to store is not available in the hospital," he said. |
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Industrial workers to join nationwide strike
Ludhiana, August 9 Leaders of the Moulder and Steel Workers Union, Hosiery Workers Union and Lok Sangharsh Committee, Jassowal Soodan, and Mazdoor Union from Khanna-Samrala today said that they had already started preparations like holding workers’ meetings, distributing pamphlets, etc to make the strike a success. "Bad economic policies of the government, contractual system, privatisation and spiralling inflation have made survival tough for the working class. We want labourers to join the struggle," said leaders of these unions, Harjinder Singh, C. S. Jauhri, Ramesh Kumar, Jagtar Singh, Malkit Singh and Charanjit Singh. Terming the government's policy as "anti-labour" they said they would continue with their struggle. Talking about the agitation on August 20, the union leaders said it would involve participation by farmers, employees, women workers and others. "From low wages to shunting out of employees, poor working conditions and economic problems due to inflation are some of the factors due to which people from all categories are finding a smooth existence tough. To make the agitation a success, we have already started rallies, flag marches and are distributing handouts," they added. |
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GADVASU storekeepers resign
Ludhiana, August 9 The selected storekeepers were in the dock for producing “fake certificates” at the time of their interview. Those who could not be selected had questioned the veracity of the entire selection process. Through the Right to Information Act (RTI), the “unsuccessful” candidates lodged a complaint about the “irregularities committed in the selection process of the storekeepers,” to the university authorities. According to sources, the firms, whose experience certificates were shown at the time of interview, had refused that the two had ever worked with them. An enquiry was initiated for verifying their credentials following which the two storekeepers resigned. |
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Two hurt in group clash
Ludhiana, August 9 The clash between groups of alleged local goons took place near the chowk when one group, allegedly headed by one Jimmi, came in five jeeps and cars and attacked some youths standing near the carts. Both groups opened fire at each other. Police sources said one of the youths, Ricky, was injured while juice vendor Pappa was caught in cross-firing. Heavy police force was rushed to the spot. The clash took place just at a stone's throw from the Basti Jodhewal police station. |
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Tribune Impact
Ludhiana, August 9 Giving this information, assistant education officer Rupinder Singh Ravi said, "I have written a letter to the higher authorities requesting them to depute the required staff for proper maintenance of the hockey ground at Government Senior Secondary School, Bharat Nagar
Chowk.”
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Docs for abolition of nuclear weapons
Ludhiana, August 9 In a joint statement issued today on the 63rd anniversary of atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Dr L.S. Chawla, vice-president, International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), and Dr Arun Mitra, general secretary, IDPD, said the need of the hour was to become imperative on nuclear disarmament. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) had become defunct due to the non-cooperative attitude of the US administration, the doctors said. The IPPNW has launched an international campaign to abolish nuclear weapons as part of its movement wherein leaders of the organisation are meeting international political leaders, including the UNO, to impress upon this viewpoint. They had also met the President and Prime Minister of India during the 18th World Congress of IPPNW held at Delhi in March 2008. Dr Mitra, pointing at the impending danger, said, "We have witnessed the miseries of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which were atom-bombarded by the US on August 6 and 9 in 1945. We do not want to see a similar tragedy again for which it is necessary to destroy over 27,000 nuclear weapons from the world." As per a hypothetical study, up to eight lakh people could be killed and 20 lakh injured if a nuclear bomb falls on Mumbai. The biggest challenge is that even if the states decide against using nuclear weapons, the danger of these weapons being used by the non-state actors is very grave in the present-day world. “Their accidental use in case of a natural calamity is also real and false alarms can play havoc,” stated the doctors. “These weapons can spell disaster for India and Pakistan as it is a matter of 5-10 minutes before either country decides to launch a nuclear attack on the other, hence abolition of weapons is the only way to prevent such a catastrophe,” the doctors added. 
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Insurance surveyors hold meeting
Ludhiana, August 9 It was unanimously decided to boycott TPA in insurance claims, to accept survey fee as per the GIPSA fee schedule and to discourage private insurers from in-house survey beyond Rs 20,000, said a spokesperson. The surveyors also urged the Indian Institute of Insurance Surveyors and Loss
Assessors, floated by the IRDA, to take the issue of categorisation of the surveyors. They also stressed the need to bring transparency in working and development of pending issues.
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Kang releases book
Ludhiana, August 9 The book is based on his play. PAU vice-chancellor Manjit Singh Kang and director of Doordarshan, Jalandhar, Daljeet Singh, jointly released the book. The PAU vice-chancellor said, “It is the duty of intelligentsia to write on contemporary social evils.” Daljeet Singh observed that Jaura, in his play, focused on specific social problems in the contemporary society of Punjab.
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Quit India anniversary observed
Ludhiana, August 9 Jagmohan Sharma, president of the urban unit, and Bhalinder Singh, president of the rural unit, highlighted the importance of the movement which eventually led to the country’s independence. Manish Tiwari, secretary, AICC, was the chief
guest. — TNS
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Ghuman is MC commissioner
Ludhiana, August 9
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Blank callers
A large number of people, especially youngsters, are in the habit of harassing others by making blank calls. Youngsters usually find new ways to harass others. The process of making blank calls starts once they get know about someone’s number. This becomes a routine affair if the listener happens to be a girl or a lady. City residents are totally fed up of such callers and want to get rid of them. Recently, due to confusion I called up a number. And after a short while, I received a call from that number. I felt sorry to the caller. But, now, I am flooded with a large number of blank calls. It’s pity that our youngsters, instead of concentrating on their studies are wasting their time in such futile activities. The police must keep a tab on such callers as are intruding into someone’s privacy without permission. 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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Steel price hike hits industry hard
Ludhiana, August 9 “We have learnt from secondary steel producers that SAIL wants them to supply steel against a purchase term contract of Rs 48, 068 per metric tonne for the next two months. It is contradictory to the steel minister’s announcement and misleading the industry which has been hit hard due to rise in steel prices,” said Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma, president, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association. Steel prices which have recorded a steep rise in the past one year have affected industries like auto parts, hand tools, cycle and cycle parts and engineering. Prices were relatively stable in the past few weeks and industry had heaved a sigh of relief after the announcement that SAIL would not increase the rates. “The burden due to continual price rise has made it impossible for us to run our units smoothly. We are unable to supply material to our buyers on previously agreed rates,” said Varinder Kapoor of Mallik Industries.
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Theme destination mall to come up
by March
Ludhiana, August 9 Addressing a press conference here, chairman and promoter Olive Vidal said Festival City, which would soon be open to public, would offer malls within a mall. "It would come up on 11.33 acres.There would be various sections that would cater to different categories.From the kids sections to cinema hall to shopping areas, it would have all," he said. While the built-up area would be nearly 2 million sq feet, the mall will have a hyper market of 1.44 lakh sq feet and a multiplex with six screens. Located 8 km from the city, the mall is designed by a UK-based international firm. Festivals like Holi, Baisakhi, Divali and Makar Sankranti will inspire the interiors,say the officials. It would constitute a kids mall, a fashion and lifestyle mall, an interiors mall,an ampitheatre, an entertainment zone for kids and other attractions.The mall would also have a theme-based food court.
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Best Dealer Award for Dada Motors
Ludhiana, August 9
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Students suffer in absence of labs, staff
Ludhiana, August 9 Classes in the college commenced on July 21 but the department has not been able to impart practical training to students in labs till date. Sore over the "dilly-dallying" attitude of the management in providing the required facilities, the students alleged that their parents had to shell out huge amount as admission fee but the authorities were not able to provide them quality education. Talking to The Tribune, a number of BCA I students said the department even lacked qualified staff. "We don’t have a regular teacher. Besides, they have started taking our classes in the physics laboratory where we are made to sit on plastic chairs as there are no classrooms and desks. We have to pay approximately Rs 30,000 per year and we have the right to get the required facilities. We have complained many times to the teachers but they seem to be helpless," said a student of BCA I on condition of anonymity. Another BCA I student of the college complained that their classes were now conducted in the girls’ section where there was no lab. She added that there were four-five computers, which too, were outdated. "The college is running courses like BCA, PGDCA and MSc (IT). They have recently been sanctioned to run two units of BCA I, each comprising 50 students. When the management takes huge amounts during admissions, it must provide us with the facilities as well. The practical (training) paper consists of 100 marks, we have still not been given any practical knowledge on computers," she complained. Dr S.M. Sharma, principal of Arya College, said 24 new computers in two labs had recently been installed on the campus. Their networking process had to be completed. Within a week, both the labs would start functioning. "As far as qualified teachers are concerned, they move out as they get better pay packages outside and we can not compete on that front. But the students are not suffering," said Dr Sharma.
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Teej celebrated with fervour
Doraha, August 9 The whole atmosphere added colour and variety to the show. The college wore a bridal look with the girls dressed at their best and performing ‘suhaag’, ‘tappe’, ‘sithanian’, lok geet and typically Punjabi numbers on
the stage. The swings gave a symbolic touch to the festival. The girls performing ‘kikli’ made others dance to their rhythmic
movement. A variety of stalls, selling ornaments and cosmetic items such as bangles, rings, ‘parandas’, earrings, mehndi, etc gave a natural touch to the function. Kheer pudas, the special gift of Teej, were also served. Various ancient and unique articles including bagh, phulkari, charkha, pakhiyan, nalas, old utensils, embroidered bedsheets and crochet items were displayed at an exhibition especially organised on the occasion of Teej. Various competitions, including mehndi, embroidery, median-making, knitting, nala-making, crochet, saag cutting, etc were organised off
the stage. On the stage items included folk songs, ‘tappe’, ‘ghorian’, ‘suhag’, ‘sithnian’, ‘bolian’, gidda etc. Jasdeep Kaur of BA III was declared ‘Teej Di Rani’. Tarandeep Kaur of BCA II was declared the first runner-up and Manmeet Kaur of BA II was Miss Well-Dressed. Meanwhile, tiny tots of Green Land Senior Secondary School celebrated Teej on the school
premises today.
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From Colleges
Ludhiana, August 9 CAMPUS INTERVIEW: Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC) organised a mega campus interview here today for BTech and IT students. The interview was conducted by MERCER, a leading global provider of consulting, out sourcing and investment services with over 25,000 clients worldwide. The company conducted campus interview for hiring analysts, senior analysts for semi-technical US-based process. The selection team comprised of senior HR manager Vincet Goklani, team manager Rajan Sood and HR manager Neha Walia. Students from GNDEC and other regular colleges/ institutes from city and PTU distance education programme students from various learning centres of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh were invited to participate in this interview. The shortlisted students will be called for the second round of interview in the company's office at Gurgaon shortly. WELCOME PARTY: A welcome and thanksgiving party was organised by the commerce department of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women in the college auditorium today. The day was full of fun and frolic for both newcomers as well as seniors. Dressed in their best, the participants looked confident and witty. Skits, classical and western dances were the main attraction of the day. Principal Gursharan Kaur addressed the students and said such functions provided a platform to newcomers to show their talent.
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Workshop on rabi crops
on Aug 11, 12
Ludhiana, August 9 The functionaries of the state department of agriculture and scientists working on different rabi crops would participate in the workshop to discuss the emerging research-based recommendations on the crops. The director of agriculture would present targets for different crops in the state. The subject-matter-specialists of the PAU would deliberate on the ongoing research programmes and the feedback received from the field-level functionaries. This is a pre-season workshop, a regular feature of the PAU, to discuss the package of practices for various crops.
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Overwhelming response to crash courses
Doraha, August 9 Dr R.K. Lekhi, director, DIMT, inaugurated the courses. In the personality development classes, students were trained to speak in English. The students also attended computer classes for two hours in which knowledge of basics, languages and Internet was imparted to them. Special training in bhangra and gidha was also given to the students. To make the students aware of the present scenario, guest lecturers Arvind Dhingra and Amandeep Singh Gill were invited. Dr Lekhi said the students’ response to the courses was overwhelming.
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Defamation case adjourned
Ludhiana, August 9 The case was fixed today in the court of Judicial Magistrate K.K. Bansal. Neither the complainant H.S. Phoolka, a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, nor the accused Tytler appeared before the court. Both sought exemption citing different reasons. The case was attended by their respective lawyers. Opposing the exemption application of Tytler, Phoolka’s lawyer, Harpreet Singh Makkar, requested the court to issue arrest warrants against the accused. He pleaded that after the dismissal of the transfer application, the accused was required to appear in court. On the other hand, Tytler's counsel submitted that a detailed order was yet to be received by them from the high court. Moreover, before passing of the order, Tytler had left for China to attend Beijing Olympics. After hearing the rival contentions, the judge exempted the personal presence of the complainant as well as accused for today. The case was adjourned till September 11. Justice Sham Sunder Gupta had dismissed Tytler's application seeking transfer of the case from Ludhiana to Haryana. Tytler had moved the transfer application after being summoned as an accused in a defamation case by a local court citing security reasons.
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Green Land students win chess titles
Ludhiana, August 9 In the three-day meet, students of schools from across the district competed with each other. Green Land School players bagged titles in the u-14 years’ boys and girls and finished runners-up in the girl’s u-17 years category. In the final (boys u-14), Green Land Senior Secondary School beat Kundan Vidya Mandir 2-1 while in the girl’s section, Green Land School eves got the better of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Bhai Randhri Singh Nagar, 2-1 to emerge champions. In the boy’s u-17 year’s section, Green Land School prevailed over BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar, 2-1 to bag the title. On the basis of their performance during the tournament, eight students of this school have been selected to take part in the Punjab State Chess Championship. They are Divanshu Jain, Manav Sharma (boys u-14), Tapsi Pahwa and Amanpreet Kaur (girls u-14), Saksham Jain and Rahul Lamba (boys u-17), Diksha and Sunakshi Batra (girls u-17). In the girl’s table tennis final (u-17), Green Land Senior Secondary School, representing the PAU zone overpowered the Khanna Zone 3-1 to romp home victorious and two paddlers from the school, Shipika and Jasmine, have been selected to take part
in the Punjab State Table Tennis Tournament.
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Arya school judokas
finish runners-up
Ludhiana, August 9 Government Senior Secondary School, Cemetery road, Civil Lines, secured the first position. In the u-14 years section (below 30 kg), Manish Kumar proved his mettle to bag the top honours while Lovdeep proved too good for his immediate opponents and clinched a gold in the below 55 kg category. In the below 45 kg category, Vikas and in the above 71 kg, Kulpreet finished runners-up and had to be content with silver medals while Nitish won a bronze medal in the below 40 kg category and guided their school to secure the second position. The school principal, R P Dhand, congratulated the boys and the team in charge, Inder Parkash, on securing the second position and bringing fame to the school.
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Ludhiana, August 9
“The figures speak for themselves. The police can only regulate the flow of the traffic. Without infrastructure like traffic cones, cat eyes, cameras, walkie-talkie sets, speed control signs, on-the-spot penalizing, vehicles for chasing the offenders, the police can’t do anything,” rues SSP R.K.Jaiswal, who conducted the survey.