Ludhiana, August 23
Following the death of a man suffering from gastroenteritis in Giaspura, the health authorities swang into action and provided medical aid to ailing residents in various localities.

Suffering from acute diarrohea, high fever and severe stomach pain the man was diagnosed as suffering from gastroenteritis and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital.

This is the second gastro death in a week as another man suffering from gastroenteritis had died in Ambedkar Nagar on August 21.

Poor sanitation and unclean potable water have lead to increase in number of gastro cases in the slums in Giaspura and Ambedkar Nagar.

Increasing number of gastroenteritis cases in Giaspura has become a matter of concern for the doctors in private hospitals.

The area is full rotting garbage, there is no provision of potable water, pits are full of water thus a perfect breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes thereby flooding the small and big hospitals with patients suffering from viral infections, dengue, malaria and gastroenteritis.

Dr Rajesh Kumar Gupta told The Tribune that there was a gradual increase in the number of gastro cases in various hospitals. “Presently, we have five patients, including kids, suffering from acute gastroenteritis and there is increase in number of diarrhea cases as well. We also had a dengue and jaundice cases in recent past but the patients were cured and discharged,” the doctor added.

Dr S.S. Solanki said the situation was under control but it would worsen if preventive measures were not taken at the earliest. “There have been a patient or two suffering from gastro at regular intervals but each one was cured and discharged. Yesterday night, I admitted Vijay Kumar with severe gastroenteritis whose condition is stable now,” the doctor went on to add.

Shamsher Singh, a shopkeeper, said the area councillor had failed to get the area cleaned. “Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura has completely ignored his ward completely,” he added. 

Ludhiana, August 23
In majority of the boys’ hostels in the city, the hostellers turn violent due to “outsiders interference”. Recently a few uncalled-for incidents that had taken place in the colleges or university campuses not only claimed one life (Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College) but also left many others seriously injured. Such happenings have raised a question as to why the authorities have “failed” to keep a check on the “outsiders” in the hostels? The students, too, holds authorities responsible for security lapses in campuses to some extent.

If sources are to be believed then in majority of boys’ hostels at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) and SCD Government College and Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC), about 10 to 15 per cent of the occupants happen to be outsiders, who have been staying with their friends or relatives for more than two to three months.

A final year student of computer science at GNDEC Aman Inder Singh lodged an FIR against a few persons at the Sadar Police Station yesterday after a few outsiders forcibly entered his room with iron rods and thrashed him. “No action has been taken against those persons”, he complained.

Rajwant (name changed) a student at GADVASU, who lives in the hostel, said majority of the hostellers obliged their influential friends. There are a few, who were not on the university roll, but were staying with their friends in the hostels. “There is no virtually no check on the outsiders. We, being students, can’t stop them from entering the premises. The guests come, consume liquor with friends, disturb others and create nuisance. He, who tries to object, is either beaten up or threatened. It is the authorities that can curb such unethical activities”, he added.

One of the pass-out students of the PAU disclosed that this practice was normal in boys’ hostels. “I have been staying with my friend for the past one month as I got a job here. Nobody has raised any objection. I know it is not justified but I will vacate as soon as I get a good accommodation in the city”, he added.

Dr Dulcha Singh Brar, director, Students’ Welfare, PAU, however, said the authorities conduct raids in the hostels. “We always try to keep a tab on outsiders. But, we cannot do everything on our own. The students must cooperate. They should lodge complaint against the defaulters. In case any student is found guilty, the university, as per its rules takes action against erring students”, he said.

Ludhiana, August 23
The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has initiated roll out of state wide area network (PSEB-WAN) for data communication and other IT applications in collaboration with M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. T.K. Wali, general manager (Telecom), M/s Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, inaugurated the Ludhiana city network here today

Ludhiana, August 23
Dr Amritpal Singh Sekhon, who recently passed out of GADVASU and against whom teachers had lodged a complaint yesterday, has said that he will file a defamation suit against Dr B.S.Sandhu, warden, who had leveled “false” allegations against him.

Dr Sekhon, while talking to mediapersons at hostel No. 8,said the lock of his hostel room was broken open in his absence. I alone was targeted in this entire episode as the warden had some personal problems against me, he added. “Till date five to six hostel rooms have been occupied by former university students or the outsiders but their rooms are not being vacated. Why was my luggage and belongings thrown out”, he asked?

“My religious sentiments are also hurt. I am a doctor; they should have informed me before taking such stern action. I did argue with the warden but never manhandled him. These are all baseless allegations to defame me”, added Sekhon.

Recently, all hostel wardens had submitted their resignations and the teachers, too, had refused to accept this responsibility unless the varsity their safety. The faculty members had demanded to lodge an FIR against former student Dr Amritpal Singh Sekhon.

Dr S.S.Randhawa, general secretary, GADVASU Teachers’ Association, said Dr Sekhon was not targeted alone. The warden had to evacuate other rooms as well which were occupied by former students. This was the first step in the direction. Dr Sekhon passed out on July 31, he should have vacated the room after that.” We are to go by the varsity rules and regulations”, he said. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 23
Volunteers of a few social and religious organisations will coordinate with the local police in controlling eve teasing and other petty crimes during Janamashtami celebrations scheduled to be held on tomorrow night.

The decision was taken in response to a call made by Malerkotla DSP Gurpreet Singh Sikand.

According to Bimal Kumar Sharma, councillor and president of Shri Ram Mandir committee, volunteers of a few religious and social organisations, including Lakhshami Sewa Dal, Bhartya Mahavir Dal and Har Har Mahadev Sewa Dal, will coordinate with the local police in maintaining law and order situation at temples where Janamashtami will be celebrated tomorrow.

Sikand claimed that the association of local volunteers with the cops would help the police identify eve teasers and anti-social elements so that action could be taken against them.

"We have directed our officials to follow tips of social policing given to them during refresher courses drafted by our former SSP Arun Pal Singh. Techniques of investigation and surveillance envisaged by Singh have already proved to be better than the traditional methods," said Sikand while talking to Ludhiana Tribune.

The police used to face difficulty in controlling the menace of eve teasing during celebrations of religious functions in the past. Anti-social elements from the surrounding areas used to mix with locals and the cops found it difficult to distinguish them from genuine devotees.

Local leaders had brought the problem to the notice of the circle officer, who, besides alerting his force, sought the cooperation of social organisations.

Ludhiana, August 23
Punjab Agricultural University vice-chancellor Manjit Singh Kang has in an SOS to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal urged him to immediately implement the Johl Committee Report. The panel in its report had suggested 50 paise cess per Rs 100 on the sale of farmers’ produce for enabling the university to meet its financial requirements.

The committee that was headed by Dr S.S. Johl, former vice-chancellor, Punjabi University, had recommended levying of 50 paise per Rs 100 as cess on the sale of the agricultural produce to meet the financial crisis being faced by Punjab and for undertaking research and other governmental activities.

The committee’s report was discussed at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on June 17 at Chandigarh. The members agreed to implement the guidelines suggested in the report from the ensuing kharif season. As per experts’ committee estimates, this way the university would have been able to generate Rs 150 crore every year for meeting its financial needs, including the payment of the pension to the retirees. Those who retired from the university have been agitating against the non-payment of pension. They had even knocked at the door of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had on May 27 directed the vice-chancellor to identity, the pensioners and pay their dues within a month. Though they had received pensions up to June but were yet to receive their dues for the months of July and August.

The vice-chancellor has impressed upon the Chief Minister to implement the report without any further delay and to also issue funds worth Rs 3.70 crore every month for disbursing pension to the retirees. According to the vice-chancellor, the state government had agreed to continue paying the pension fund till the January 2009 on the month-to-month basis. This amount would be returned after the receipt of cess money from the state mandi board. Enquiries made by The Tribune reveal that the university authorities have paid Rs 27 crore as pension to the retirees from November 2007 to June 2008. The university has exhausted all its FDRs. It’s left with only one FDR that would mature in August 2009.

BKU led by Balbir Singh Rajewal has opposed the levying of the cess on agricultural produce. However, Dr Johl maintains that the university has been serving the farming community for the past 40 years and the scientists have developed 75 per cent of the varieties being sown by the farmer. The cess of 50 paise per Rs 100 was not a big amount and they should pay this without any remorse.

Ludhiana, August 23
The 26-acre City Centre commercial complex in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar on the Pakhowal Road here, work on which was abandoned after an alleged scam of Rs 3,000 crore came to light and a vigilance probe prima facie established the charges, has become a permanent source of nuisance for those residing in this posh colony, developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT).

The residents complain that the builder entrusted with the construction work had been using the parks adjoining the complex for storing the building material and as offices, thereby keeping children and senior citizens away from these parks. Not only this, increased movement of heavy vehicles and earth-moving machinery when the construction work was on, had caused extensive damage to the roads.

“The dug-up sites for basements in the complex which remain filled with stagnant rain water had led to the collapse of a big portion of the road and creation of a huge crater on the road in H Block near BSNL building. While the caved-in portion has been temporarily repaired by the builder, another portion of the same road is also on the verge of collapse and can cause serious road accident at any time,” the area residents apprehend.

In a bid to bring these problems to the notice of the authorities concerned, Pran Nath Bhatia, vice-president of the local bodies cell of the Punjab state unit of the BJP, has in a letter written to local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia sought directions to the LIT officials for taking immediate remedial measures for redressing the grievances of those residing in  this colony.

He said the state government had done well in initiating the judicial process for bringing the guilty to the book. But, at the same time, the administration should not let the residents suffer for no fault of theirs. Drawing the attention of the minister to the poor upkeep of parks, pathetic condition of roads in F and H Blocks, non-functional street lights and stagnant water in the dug-up portions of the City Centre complex, which could lead to outbreak of dengue, Bhatia urged him to issue instructions to the LIT officials for taking immediate remedial measures for the benefit of the harassed residents.

Ludhiana, August 23
Industrialists from small and medium enterprises who had been opting for traditional business methods so far, are all set to get tech savvy now. Striving to get better equipped to meet global competition, entrepreneurs will learn computer basics and also make drawings of their products so as to present themselves well.

The change in attitude marks a transition in industrial moves.

To facilitate learning, a computer centre is being set up on the premises of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association here.

It was during various overseas visits, particularly to China, that industry representatives started realising that they were lagging behind their competitive neighbour in this sphere. So far, these manufacturers had been relying on demonstrations of products by large companies.

"Now they will be able to learn it and use it for the betterment of their business. The computer centre will offer special courses in these fields for industrialists. For the engineering industry in particular, it can make a big difference," said Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma, president of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association.

The centre is being established in the memory of founder of Bhogal Group of Industries, Karam Singh Bhogal.

While large companies have various departments and can afford to spend large amounts on IT for their ventures, small and medium entrepreneurs are unable to devote much on this front. As a result, most of them were unable to use IT as much to their advantage.

Vishwakarma said ever since industrialists learnt that such a centre was coming up, there had been frequent demands to start it at the earliest so that they could avail of its benefits.

"Most of them had been following methods being adopted by large corporates. For instance, if it were drawings, they would even use the existing drawings of products of the large-scale companies. But now, they can actually present what they are manufacturing. This means they will be able to communicate the features of their products more effectively and hence, stand a better chance to secure more buyers."

Besides, entrepreneurs will be encouraged to use IT to improve their business as well.

Ludhiana, August 23
Steel consuming industry today rued that large steel companies were charging high rates and at the same time portraying that they had not increased prices. The industry has also written to the Prime Minister to tackle the issue.

"We are surprised to hear statements from the government that steel prices have softened and there is a further scope of reduction in rates. The truth is entirely different. Main steel producers have taken an undertaking from secondary producers who convert hot rolled steel into cold rolled steel, further used by engineering industry. The large producer have asked secondary manufacturers to supply steel against a 'purchase term contract'. The contract means that they would supply the material after charging an additional Rs 6,000 per metric tonne as compared to the control rate," said Varinder Kapoor, general secretary of United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association.

Condemning the move, industrialists said the practice should be checked as it was encouraging black-marketing of steel.

Rise in steel prices was a major contributor to zooming inflation and such a practice will make all moves to curb price rise futile.

"They need to control the practice and conduct detailed investigations into the issue,"
he said. The industry also expressed its disappointment over the government's inaction on this front inspite of repeated requests.

Ludhiana,August 23
The Focal Point police has lodged two FIRs against Sanjay, Balraj Singh and at least 150 others, who had damaged the factory and a few of its vehicles. They had indulged in arson after a labourer working in a roller mill of the Hindustan Tyre Manufacturing unit died while working about two days ago.

SPO Ramesh Kumar,who lodged the FIR, said the mob had also attacked a police team. The second FIR was lodged on a complaint lodged by SHO Gurdev Singh of the Focal Point police station.According to him, 500 people have also been booked 500 for attacking the police personnel over this issue. 

Ludhiana, August 23
Santosh Kumari from Himachal Pradesh who is admitted to Christian Medical College needs financial help for the treatment of cancer. Diagnosed with cancer of uterus, she underwent surgery and radiotherapy but the cancer recurred.

Her husband, a former BSF employee, is confined to bed . Santosh’s family has been running from pillar to post to arrange funds for her treatment but now is on the verge of giving up as all avenues have been closed.

The approximate cost of her treatment would be Rs 1.5 lakh. All those who wish to contribute can contact the hospital medical superintendent.

Jagraon, August 23
In two separate incidents, eight persons have been booked on the charges of assault. In the first incident, Satpal Singh of Sidhwan Khurd allegedly assaulted and threatened Ranjit Singh of his village with a sharp-edged weapon on August 19.

The local police yesterday registered a case under Sections 326 and 506 of the IPC.

The injured has been admitted to Deepak Hospital, Ludhiana. Some quarrel is said to be the reason behind the incident.

In the other incident, Ranjit Singh, Kuldeep Kaur, Simarjit, Satwinder Singh, Davinder Singh, Manjeet Singh and Sukhjeet Kaur of Chowkimann allegedly trespassed into the house of Gurmeet Singh of their village and assaulted him with a sharp-edged weapon, stick and iron rod on August 16.

The local police has registered a case against them under Sections 452, 341, 323, 506, 294, 148, 149 of the IPC. The injured have been admitted to Medicity Hospital, Ludhiana.

Some old dispute is said to be the reason behind the incident.

Ludhiana, August 23
A talent-hunt competition was organised at Khalsa College for women today. Sarbrinder Kaur Grewal, manager Khalsa College, was the chief guest on the occasion. Students participated in various competitions, including gidha, mehndi, embroidery, knitting, crafting, poem recitation and skit.

Blood donation camp: Jetking organised a blood donation camp at its premises under the guidance of Satbir Singh, centre manager, here today. As many as 80 persons, including students and teachers donated blood. The camp was organised by the CMC authorities. A team of doctors examined all the persons before taking their blood. Donors were also rewarded with certificates and badges for participating in the camp.

Ludhiana, August 23
To create awareness among children about environment, Ryan International School organised an inter-school competition ‘ECO Fest 2008’ on the school premises here today. As many as 15 schools participated in the fest. The competition comprised of poetry recitation, declamation and eco kite making contest. Theme of all contests was environment. The festival will conclude with an eco-cycle rally on August 28. Principal Gurpreet Kaur Sandhu said, "We should work whole heartedly to save our environment and it should be the goal of our lives to make this planet worth living.

Results: Poetry Recitation: 1. Aaradhyay Gupta (Ryan International School, Ludhiana), 2. Ankita (Ryan International School, Chandigarh), 3. Jappan (BCM Arya Model School, Ludhiana).

Kite making contest: 1. Pranav Aggarwal and Vaibhav Jain (DAV Public School), 2. Siddharath and Monika (Ryan International School, Ludhiana), 3. Harneet and Paras (St Thomas Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana).

English declamation contest: 1. Kevin (St Thomas Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana), 2. Ashima (B.C.M. Arya Model School, Ludhiana), 3. Gursimar (Guru Nanak Public School, Ludhiana).

Hindi declamation contest: 1. Ankita (St Thomas Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana), 2. Agam (Ryan International School, Chandigarh), 3 Sakshi (B.V.M, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana).

QUIZ: An inter-class quiz contest was held by the Junior Humanities Forum for the students of Classes I and II at Kundan Vidya Mandir. The quiz contest was specially organised to create the students’ interest in current affairs and improve their general awareness. The quiz was presided over by principal Rajiv Nagalia. There were many rounds such as monuments of India, cartoon characters, sports and visual round. Participants were divided into six teams. School principal appreciated the zest shown by little kids. The first position was bagged by Agam and Gaurika while Bhavya and Navya Jain were declared second and Bhavna and Ajitabh secured the third position.

Ludhiana, August 23
The youngest-ever baby in the recorded medical history of the country was born at SPS Apollo Hospital here. Jagjit Kaur, a resident of Khanna, had given birth to a premature baby girl after 24 weeks of pregnancy on June 13.

Even though chances of baby’s survival were remote but with proper medical care and doctors’ effort this two-and-half-month-old baby was discharged from the hospital yesterday. If one goes by the recorded medical history, the youngest premature baby to have survived was born to 40-year-old Sangeeta Shah in western India after 26 weeks of pregnancy in June 2005.

Claiming that the hospital had created a history of sorts by saving the life this premature baby, the doctors said the delivery of this kind poses serious problems to baby’s survival due to the associated immaturity of the organs and abnormal functioning of body systems. “The earlier the baby is born, more the problems.”

Jagjit Kaur said she was referred to SPS Apollo Hospital. Despite efforts being made to prolong the pregnancy period, a baby girl (850 grams) was born to her. The baby had to be placed on ventilator and fed intravenously for a week until she was given breast milk through feeding tubes. She was able to drink liquid from spoon after eight weeks. The baby was discharged after two months of stay in the hospital. The total weight of the baby was 2.3 kg.

Dr Ashwani Singal said she was perhaps, the smallest baby in terms of gestation to survive in India as per published reports. 

Ludhiana, August 23
PAU Zone managed to squeeze past Khanna Zone 2-1 to emerge zonal champions in the boy's U-17 section of the Ludhiana District Inter-Zonal Football Tournament for boys and girls organised by the education department which concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium and Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar grounds, here today.

The tie was resolved through penalty shoot out as the two sides were tied 0-0 at the end of the regular period. In the match for hard line cup, Raikot prevailed over Kila Raipur Zone 5-4 to secure the third spot. This encounter, too was decided via a tie breaker since the stipulated period could not produce any result as the scoreline read 1-all.

In the boy's final (U-14), Samrala Zone edged out Khanna Zone 3-2 in a penalty shoot out to emerge as champions. At the end of the stipulated period, the two sides were tied at 0-0.

In the boy's final (U-19), Khnana Zone proved too good for Ludhiana II Zone whom they defeated 2-0 to romp home as champions. In the match to decide the third position, Kila Raipur Zone quelled a strong challenge from PAU Zone and eventually overpowered their determined opponents 3-2.

Earlier, in the girls semi-finals (U-19), Ludhiana II Zone survived some anxious moments before romping home victorious 1-0 against PAU Zone while Khanna Zone scored win over Kila Raipur Zone in an identical fashion 1-0 to settle for the title clash.

In volleyball, Raikot Zone, PAU Zone and Jagraon Zone emerged victors in the girl's U-14, 19 and 17 sections, respectively.

In the U-14 section, Sahnewal Zone secured second position while Samrala Zone had to content with third spot. In the U-17 category, Sahnewal Zone and PAU Zone finished second and third, respectively. Sahnewal Zone finished second in the U-19 section and Raikot Zone secured third position.

Ludhiana, August 23
Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School, Miller Ganj, in the boy's section while Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School in the girl's section faced little resistance from their respective opponents and came out triumphant in the 11th Junior Ludhiana District Softball Championship held at Ramgarhia Girls College ground, here today.

In the boy's final, Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School lads, romped home winners against Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School without being challenged by registering an overwhelming 10-0 victory.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School defeated Guru Nanak International Public School 8-1 while Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School had to fight it to oust their spirited opponents from R S Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar. They won by a thin margin (9-8).

In the girl's section, Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School scored an easy 12-1 victory over R S Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar to clinch the title.

In the semi-finals, Teja Singh Swatantar Memorial School recorded a comfortable 14-1 win over Guru Nanak Public School and R S Model Senior Secondary School defeated Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School 13-10 to set up the title clash.

Principal of the host college, Raja Singh gave away prizes to the winners. Office bearers of the Ludhiana District Softball Association were also present on this occasion.

Ludhiana, August 23
The 19th Open Prithipal Singh Memorial Table Tennis Tournament will be held here at the indoor gymnasium hall of Punjab Agricultural University campus on August 30 and 31.

According to Ramadeep Singh, former captain of the Indian hockey team and deputy director, sports, players in the cadet, sub-junior, junior boys besides men and women's sections will be vying for top honours. There will be special events for the PAU and GADVASU students.

Entries will close on August 29 with Jaspal Singh, senior table tennis coach, and organising secretary of the tournament committee. Prizes will be given to the winners, said Ramandeep.