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Out but not down Avneet Sidhu at the Great Wall of China. File photo
Electrocution of cow fails to wake up BMC
Fight against terror |
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City soaks in Janmashtmi celebrations
SAD to capitalise on Captain’s absence
‘Amarinder has lost his following’
Brar ends speculations, to contest from Ferozepur
Cong men join SAD
Jobless teachers to stage protest on Teachers’ Day
Floodwaters cause skin disorders among villagers
Seminar on teaching, learning
Students dwell on human relationships at seminar
Punjabi poet Mann dead
‘Main Hoon Don’ staged in Abohar
Dadi Prakashmani remembered
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Out but not down
Bathinda, August 24 The Bathinda girl returned home after making her Olympics debut at Beijing recently. She participated in two shooting events - 10-metre air rifle and 50 metre .22 rifle - and finished disappointingly 39th. When asked if she did not have a mental trainer or personal motivator along, she replied in the negative. "Out of the six shooters, only Abhinav Bindra had a personal mental trainer. Gagan Narang, Sanjeev Rajput, Samresh Jung and Anjali Bhagwat, besides me, were accompanied by two foreign coaches and one national coach." "However, the experience was good. I am rich with international experience today and more aware about the pressure that one feels while representing one's country,” said Avneet. "The environment at the Olympic village was quite lively. I got to see those who I had longed to see and of whom I am a big fan," she laughed while referring to the tennis stars, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Abhinav is lucky to have come from a rich family. Barring him, what is the future of shooters in Punjab? "There is plenty of talent. And it is endorsed by foreign coaches. But we do not have a specific programme to find and nurture the talent. It is high time the government pondered over it. To start with, it could choose four-five districts." There are just four shooting ranges in the state. The one at Badal village is the best and that too is for girls only. Those at Mohali, Chandigarh and Jalandhar are good for nothing, informed the ace shooter. Any financial support from the government? "After I qualified for the Olympics I was expecting financial support from the state government for which I had even asked for in writing. But I am still awaiting a response," she said. "Nevertheless, I was lucky to have support from my personal sponsors besides the sports ministry and the Air India, where I am working at present." Now, that India has won three medals at the Olympics, does she foresee things shaping up for the better in the country. "Frankly speaking, I am sure that the hype and the jubilation in the country would die down in another few months. And the sportsmen would be left on their own again, fending for themselves and struggling with the system." "After a month's break, I would be back for training. My prime focus would be to qualify for the Olympics 2012. I hope to win a medal for my country and realise my dream," disclosed Avneet, who was recently chosen for the Arjuna Award. |
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Electrocution of cow fails to wake up BMC
Bathinda, August 24 The death of the cow, it seems, has failed to make an impact on the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), which maintains streetlights in the town. The cow had been electrocuted when it stopped to cross the road on its way to Shakti Nagar. Most of the junction boxes along the path towards Railway Road are broken and live wires dangle out of holders and junction boxes. The incident has once again brought into focus the threat posed by open junction boxes of streetlights. The Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) looks after streetlights. A visit to various other localities here revealed that lids of the junction boxes of a majority of streetlights were missing. It is learnt that these have never been repaired since their installation. At many places, the lids were open, exposing the live wires. When contacted, K.S. Mann, PSEB executive engineer, said that the Bathinda Municipal Corporation looked after the streetlights. If the open junction boxes in the city are a threat to human life, the open junction boxes of streetlights in almost all localities have often resulted in electrocution of stray animals. In markets, including Amrik Singh market, the uncovered junction boxes pose a threat to human life. Though the BMC has reportedly allocated funds for the replacement of damaged junction boxes of streetlights, the work has not yet been undertaken. Kamal Kant, executive engineer, BMC, despite repeated calls, could not be contacted for comments. |
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Fight against terror
Bathinda, August 24 The fact that most cyber cafe owners continue to turn a blind eye to a police directive that had made it mandatory for all to produce a identification proof before being allowed to use the facilities have enabled terrorists to exploit cyberspace for their needs. Now, the Central government has issued notification to the police authorities of different states like Punjab, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan etc to ensure that the rules governing cyber cafes are strictly being enforced. Their respective cyber crime cells have also been placed on high alert. NPS Aulakh, DGP, Punjab, has issued a notification that requires cyber cafe owners to register themselves with the licensing branch of police department within the next one month. According to the notification, cyber cafe owners will have to give an undertaking on a Rs 100 stamp paper for getting registered. Each Internet user will have to produce identity proof and provide name, address and e-mail IDs at the cafe. In case, a user does not comply with proper identity proof, then the cyber cafe administrator will have to take the user's photo on a web-cam before allowing him to surf. |
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City soaks in Janmashtmi celebrations
Bathinda, August 24 Special discourses were arranged on the life of Lord Krishna on this occasion at Sanatan Dharam Sabha temples. Flower bedecked cradles were set up at all temples to rock the Lord. Special poojas were held under the supervision of pandits and were attended by people from all walks of life. People formed long queues to have their turn at rocking the cradle of the newly-born Lord. Apart from langars, delicacies like "malpua" and "kheer" were also served to the gatherings at several temples. Heavy rush of devotees at the Gita Bhawan temple was reported from the region. Besides making elaborate security arrangements outside temples, the police had intensified patrolling in areas around the temples to ensure hassle-free passage to the devout returning home well past midnight. No untoward incident was reported. Among the temples where Janmashtmi was celebrated were Krishna Mandir in Model Town, Shakti Peeth temple in Shakti Nagar, Krishan Sarovar on GT Road, Annapurna Mandir on Amrik Singh road, Hanuman Mandir in Post Office Bazaar and Puratan Shiv Mandir on Mehna Chowk area besides others. |
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SAD to capitalise on Captain’s absence
Bathinda, August 24 During a random survey of Bathinda and Muktsar districts, it was observed that Congress activists, from sloganeers to MLAs, all have been trying to persuade people to attend the rally, which would take place at Lambi, home turf of the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, on September 1. Though the reports of Congress men making preparations for the rally are coming from all around, the fact that Amarinder Singh did not take first-hand information about the flood victims, may just give the SAD (B) a stick to beat the Congress with. Not to be left behind, the SAD (B), is trying to make political capital out of it. Disclosing plans about the rally, which SAD (B) is going to hold in Banawala village near Talwandi Sabo on September 2, a stalwart of the SAD (B) said that speakers of the party would get the credit while addressing the gathering. Speaking to the Congress MLAs of Bathinda district, Makhan Singh and Gurpreet Singh Kangar, regarded as close confidants of the Captain, what emerged was that the party men had been making their best efforts to make the rally a big success. When asked about Amarinder’s absence in the flood-hit areas, they said, “This job was assigned to the party officiating chief, Mohinder Singh Kaypee, who along with other party men visited the affected areas. He was busy in meetings with the central high command of party.” Kangar, however, claimed that the “people of Malwa are rooting for Amarinder for the first time. They are themselves arranging transportation for the rally and also assuring of making the rally an –eye-opener for the Badal family.” Both the MLAs flayed the Badals saying they had been exposed due to their “brutalities” in the recent urban and rural polls and people would give them a befitting reply in the parliamentary polls. On the other hand, SAD (B) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, talking over the phone, lashed out at the former CM saying, “The Captain has lived life like a king which he is not ready to give up. It is because of this that he did not bother to feel the pain of the flood victims.” “The show of strength, which SAD (B) would present at Talwandi Sabo on September 2, would be enough to tell the Congress men what the ground reality is,” he added. |
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‘Amarinder has lost his following’
Barnala, August 24 The Punjab government has demanded a package of Rs 500 crore for the flood affected victims. The state government has met the survey team of the Centre that is on a visit to Punjab to survey the exact losses occurred due to the floods. The SAD is hopeful that Centre government will sanction the money to Punjab to provide immediate relief to the victims. Sukhbir was here in the city to mobilise party workers for the September 2 rally to mark the foundation laying ceremony of a thermal power plant at Talwandi Sabo. Speaking to media persons here today, Sukhbir said he is of the view that Captain Amarinder Singh has lost his following. So, his rally can not compared with Amarinder’s rally at Lambi. Later, Sukhbir also held a meeting of party workers at Baba Gandha Singh gurudwara. SAD MLA Balbeer Singh Ghunus, Baldev Mann, Gobind Singh Khanjla, both ex-ministers, were also present on the occasion. |
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Brar ends speculations, to contest from Ferozepur
Ferozepur, August 24 He said he would contest the Lok Sabha elections only from Ferozepur parliamentary seat in case the party high command gives him a ticket for the same. Otherwise, he would not like to contest. Rather, he would work for garnering support for the party. Brar was here to visit the flood-affected villages in Fazilka, Jalalabad, Ferozepur and Makhu areas. While interacting with media persons at PWD Rest House, Brar alleged that the Akali-BJP government was directly responsible for the current situation of floods in the state as it failed to provide adequate funds to the districts for preventive measures. He further alleged that the officials of the drainage department siphon off the public funds every year on account of reinforcing the embankments but nothing was done in reality. Brar said Congress volunteers from Gidderbaha, Kot Kapura and Muktsar areas are providing help to the flood victims. He also demanded that some immediate interim relief should be provided to the affected families. About the issue regarding separate SGPC in Haryana, Brar said the Congress had never meddled with religious matters nor did it ever politicised religion for any gain. While lauding the statement released by the PMO, Brar said Manmohan Singh was a visionary and statesman par excellence and he would never allow any politics on the issue. About Captain Amarinder Singh being appointed as chairman of the Election Committee, Brar said the step would strengthen the party ahead of Parliamentary elections in the state. He said the Congress would win atleast 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state. |
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Cong men join SAD
Bathinda, August 24 SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal welcomed the Congress activists, including Dalip Singh, organising secretary, district Congress committee, Naveen Kumar, joint secretary and Gurjant Singh, general secretary, Congress youth wing, in the party fold. |
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Jobless teachers to stage protest on Teachers’ Day
Bathinda, August 24 State president of the front, Sukhdarshan Singh, said this after holding a meeting with the activists of the Front at the Teachers' Home, here today. Criticising CM Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhdarshan Singh said that none of their demands had been fulfilled. The fulfilment of these demands had been assured in the election manifesto of the SAD (B) during the last assembly polls. The patience of the teachers was being tested and from now onwards, dilly-dallying by the government would not be tolerated, he added. District president of the Front, Harjeet Singh Jeeda said the vacancies for 14,000 teachers was advertised more than a year back, but till date, they had got nothing except for verbal assurances. Lashing out at the government, the leaders said that a former press secretary of the Front, Davinder Singh, had committed suicide after a bout of depression, as he was unable to bear the "injustice." Further, they alleged that the state government had now adopted a new policy under which persons without professional qualification in the field of education had been appointed as teachers on a salary of Rs 1,800-3,500. Meanwhile, the B.Ed qualified teachers were still awaiting the implementation of promises made to them. They expressed their concern saying that if the promises are not fulfilled, the state would soon be relegated to the bottom in education. |
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Floodwaters cause skin disorders among villagers
Moga/Ferozepur, August 24 Three-year-old Paramjit Kaur and five-year-old Hardeep are distraught and want to go home. Taking them in her arms, Sheelo Devi tries to assuage them. But her four older children refuse to see reason and venture out every now and then to watch their home marooned in the flood waters. All children are suffering from severe skin infections and undergoing treatment at a camp set up by the health department and the Army. This is not the story of one family or one village. In almost all 150-odd villages and settlements in Moga and Ferozepur districts under flood waters, thousands of children face the risk of being infected with various water-borne diseases. In Burj Mohammad, Bhinder tries hard to stop her children from entering the flood waters. “With schools closed in affected villages, they can’t be expected to sit idle the whole day. But I’m afraid they will catch infection in the dirty water.” In most villages, children are seen playing in the flood waters, oblivious of the lurking dangers. The situation gets worse during the day with the tarpaulin huts heating up and causing itching. It’s more than a week now that thousands of people are braving hardships of a displaced life. Most are suffering from skin disorders because of long-term exposure to the filthy water. No official from the social welfare or women and child development departments have reached out to these people. Pregnant and lactating women and children remain without the requisite diet, adversely affecting their health. Sanitation and hygiene remain major problems. Medical officer G.S. Dhillon supervising health conditions in Makhu area says fogging or spraying insecticides is a must to prevent the outbreak of diseases. |
Seminar on teaching, learning
Bathinda, August 24 G. Balasubramanian, director, academics, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, G. Balasubramanian delivered a lecture on the topic of “Leadership for Global Education.” He stressed on brain-based learning and teaching through emotional and multiple intelligence. In his concluding topic, "Creativity in Classroom" he said that it was very important to hold the attention of the students in creative arts. Teachers of the school attended the |
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Students dwell on human relationships at seminar
Ferozepur, August 24 Students of the college — Poonam Bhardwaj, Pushpinder, Rupinder, Sonam Kanika and Dawinderjeet — highlighted the issues related to love marriages besides the issues of honour killings and khap panchayats, which are quite popular in the state of Haryana. They criticised these practices and demanded severe punishment against the guilty. In the context of marriage, principal Madhu Prashar raised her concern towards a mutual dialogue of parents and their children. She also suggested for increasing the minimum age of marriage for both genders. Among others who addressed the participants were Sudesh Sharma, M.R. Manchanda, Rajinder Kaur, Namrata Gupta, Bhumida Sharma, Ambuj Sharma and Manish. |
Bathinda: Noted Punjabi poet, Rupinder Mann, 40, died in a road accident on Sunday evening. He was the author of works like “Kis Suniye, Kis Kahiye” and “Inkar Swikar.” Mann who originally hailed from Jaito in Bathinda district was killed when his car collided with a canter on the Mansa-Sirsa road near village Tibbe Hari Singh. He was teaching at the government co-education college in Ludhiana. — TNS |
‘Main Hoon Don’ staged in Abohar
Abohar, August 24 It was non-stop comedy for two hours after Sparsh product Anjum Batra, who plays a villain in Anurag Kashyap's incoming Bollywood movie "Dev D" appeared on the stage for the opening remarks. Director Gaurav Vij played the role of the SHO with two versatile constables, Kalu (Vimal Midha) and Gore Lal (Ruby Sharma), who keep taunting each other on their facial look. Sonu Babbar plays the role of a Don who had to learn much more as a perfect criminal after the death of his brother (Maneesh Madaan) due to accidental firing inside the police station. Comedy king Ashish Gagneja has an important role as the barber. Other artists included Shalu Dawra, Arun Phutela and Sudhir. How the police handle the situation on different occasions makes viewers laugh besides giving food for thought. Sparsh secretary Ashish Makkar said previous presentations such as "Sara System Hi Bimar Hai Sahab", "Mamla Gadbad Hai", "Jad Kamla Hove Vehra" and "Chandan De Ohle" had addressed a variety of social issues. “Our commitment is not only to fight against the stinking system but also to promote theatre as well as the real artists.” |
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Dadi Prakashmani remembered
Bathinda, August 24 Speaking on the occasion, B.K. Kamlesh, head of the Bathinda unit of Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishva Vidyalaya, said Dadi Prakashmani had dedicated her life for the spiritual upliftment of humanity. Dadiji's main concerns have been to promote the development of women's potential within society, creating opportunity for young people, researching the hidden resources of the mind, transforming consciousness through meditation, reactivating moral and humanitarian values and working to bring unity among people for world peace, she added. Dadiji was chosen as one of its original eight trustees and was given the divine name Prakashmani meaning the 'jewel of light'. |
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