Ludhiana, September 6
A thunderstorm yesterday evening damaged electricity poles and insulators, thereby plunging the city and its suburbs into darkness.

Residents in many parts of the city had remained without power and water for more than 15 hours, while there are some areas where power could be restored today after 3 pm.

There are 26 grid substations having 358 feeders that supply power in Ludhiana and its suburbs and the abnormal weather conditions resulted in the collapse of almost 80 per cent of feeders.

A large number of trees were uprooted and many of them fell on electricity wires that disrupted the power supply. But what irked residents in urban as well as suburban areas was the slow restoration process.

Weary of the attitude of complaint centres, a resident of Model Town stated that nobody responded on the complaint number in PSEB office in Model Town Extension from 8 pm till 9 am.

Dapinder, a resident of Urban Estate Dugri, pointing towards the conduct of the PSEB staff, said, "Having failed to contact the PSEB staff on telephone at a complaint centre, I went to register the complaint at 10 am but the person on duty was rude enough to tell me that the complaint would be attended only when the linemen would have time."

Maintaining anonymity, a lineman said scarcity of field staff had added to the workload of existing employees as they had to work up to 15 hours during emergency situations.

Deputy chief engineer, Ludhiana (central), HS Randhawa, said it was the felling of trees on some main lines and 11 kv feeders that resulted in the total collapse of the system. The board has suffered loss of Rs 1 lakh as 50 poles were damaged but the revenue loss worth lakhs with disrupted power supply is a matter of concern, said Randhawa.

A total of nine lines, including four in Focal Point, three in the Old Sabzi Mandi area, one in Balloke substation and one in south city, are still under repair. The field staff is on duty trying to detect the faults and rectify them. The authorities are hopeful of restoring the supply to the areas by late evening.

Ludhiana, September 6
With mid-term exams just round the corner, thousands of students of government schools, affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), are worried as to how they will clear their computer science examination as books are not provided by the education department.

When teachers raised the issue with the district education officer (DEO) recently, she directed them not to conduct the computer science exam, said the teachers.

The eduction department provides these books free of cost to the students. The students, who opt for computer science, pay a nominal fee of Rs 120 for six months, which includes the cost of the course material. Moreover, the students studying in these schools belong to the lower strata and could not afford to buy books from outside.

"Syllabus of computer science changes every year. This year, till now, we have been teaching as per the old syllabus because we have not got books of the new syllabus. When some teachers visited the DEO office to bring the matter to her notice, she directed us not to conduct the examination. But nothing has been given to us in writing till now," said a computer science teacher at Government Senior Secondary School.

“In spite of the absence of books, we have managed to teach our students according to the new syllabus by buying help books from our pockets," said another computer teacher at Government Model School, PAU, Ludhiana. "In fact, we will hold the exam as well. Why should students suffer due to the government’s apathy. We have done what we could have to help our students," she added.

Another computer teacher at Government High School for Girls, Dakha, said the government had no funds to upgrade the schools and supply the requisite material. The infrastructure of schools all over Punjab is in a bad state, he said.

Most of the schools in the state have, however, decided to hold the
examination. "The students have paid the computer science fee and if we don't hold the exam, we will have to face the ire of parents," said a school principal. However, the DEO could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Ludhiana, September 6
After being severely hit due to lack of demand from Jammu and Kashmir this year, Ludhiana's hosiery industry is now making attempts to bear the shock of reduced orders from West Bengal, another important market, post-Singur problem.

At a time when this industry attains a peak in business, under normal circumstances, production has reduced by 30-50 per cent in most units, particularly in the small and medium category, with supplies to J and K, on which industry relies heavily, nearly stopped.

To add to their woes, the Singur problem hit demand from West Bengal which is another important market. Many tiny units are on the verge of closure as a result of steep fall in demand.

"After the J and K problem, manufacturers were trying to tap other important markets. The Singur problem has lowered the demand from West Bengal," said Vinod K. Thapar, president of Knitwear Club.

Industrialists said domestic production has lowered drastically this time. The situation was unexpected as the industry was looking forward to a booming business after recording remarkably high sales last year.

"Last year, the business was good and all previous stocks got cleared. It had happened after several years that we recorded such a boom and were hoping it to continue. However, lowered demand has been shocking. The demand from West Bengal now has come to a halt and we are unable to decide which markets to focus on," said Raj Arora, a trader.

With payments of many having got stuck due to problems in J and K, conducting smooth business was proving tough.

"We were heavily relying on the Jammu and Kashmir market. Payments are stuck and production is on an all-time low. With markets like West Bengal too being hit, we are unsure whether we would even be able to recover costs," said Sunil Dutt, a hosiery manufacturer and trader.

Those in the industry said it was markets of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana now that they would be pinning hopes on. However, it would still take a few weeks for them to gauge the demand scenario from these places with some certainty.

Ludhiana, September 6
In its initiative to provide better services to its landline subscribers Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) would be covering the entire city under the pole less service. Though, a few areas have been covered under this project but it would still take another two-three years to provide this service to the entire city.

Instead of poles, the distribution point would be installed near the house of the subscriber. With this, the problem of poles and wires would be solved and the subscribers would enjoy the hassle-free services even during the rainy seasons.

The areas where the pole less service has been started are Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, a few parts of Dugri, Rishi Nagar, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Chandigarh Road, Transport Nagar and Focal Point.

Mohal Lal, DGM (telecom), said they plan to cover the entire city under the project. “Some areas have already been covered while others have partially been covered under the pole less service. Subscribers would enjoy better quality services,” he added.

Samarpreet Kaur, a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, said, “Initially we use to face a lot of problem during monsoon but now this problem has been resolved”, she added. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 6
Residents of Mandi Ahmedgarh and its surrounding villages have opposed the move to shift the local bus stand near the Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway as announced by the transport minister.

However, BJP leaders of the area are divided on the issue. While former president Ramesh Chand Ghai opposed the move, president of the local unit Vijay Kumar Goyal justified the decision.

We will have to walk at least 4 kms for boarding a bus, besides spending more on auto-rickshaws to reach the bus stand. — A Maholi resident

Apprehending that travelling will become expensive and troublesome after shifting of the bus stand, the residents of the town and surrounding villages have threatened to launch an agitation if the administration fails to revoke the decision.

Accusing the government of trying to appease the people of other constituencies, the residents alleged that the town and about 24 villages situated on its western side would be isolated from Ludhiana and Malerkotla as no long route bus would enter the town.

“We will have to cover an extra distance of about four kilometres to board a bus, besides spending more on auto-rickshaws to reach the bus stand,” rued Nachhtar Singh of Maholi village, who commutes daily between his village and Ludhiana.

President of Kalgidhar Federation Jagjit Singh Jajjie said the elderly and women would be the worst affected in case the bus stand was shifted.

The decision to shift the bus stand was taken after the authorities failed to make the drivers of private buses reach the bus stand instead of returning from Pohir village.

The dilapidated condition of the bus stand, owned by the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), was cited as another factor for the development. After spending lakhs to repair the bus stand building, the authorities have now decided to set up a business mall here.

Ludhiana, September 6
When one talks about ward no. 1 in the city, the first thing that strikes mind is two garbage dumps emitting foul smell. The sites have become the new identity of the area.

Interestingly, one of these dumpyards is on the GT road and that, too, along a green belt. The site does have a dustbin, but it is kept at a little distance and as a result, rubbish is dumped outside.

Similarly, the huge dumping ground at Dana Mandi narrates the woeful tale of people living in unhygienic conditions.

When residents were asked why they didn’t complain about it, they said their voices went unheard.

Mahesh, a resident of the area, said, "The rubbish dumped here mainly consists of perishable vegetables and grains which emit a foul smell on decaying." Sometimes it was impossible to cross the stretch, he rued.

Similarly, Sarla, a migrant labourer, who had been residing here for the past few years, said since there was no proper site for dumping, people disposed of their waste in these open lands. Sometimes the place was also being used for defecation, she added.

A mobile toilet van at the dumpyard in Dana Mandi is also an eyesore. The van is owned by the municipal corporation and goes to prove that even the authorities are using the dumping site as a junkyard.

Talking to The Tribune, municipal councillor Rattanjit Kaur said the MC was not responsible for the cleanliness of the dumpyard at Dana Mandi as it came under the market committee. However, she said: "We have submitted a memorandum to the area market committee to clean the dump as it was causing inconvenience to the residents."

Ludhiana, September 6
Need for potable water, which is suppose to be a lifeline, seems to have taken a backseat in ward Nos. 29 and 30 as residents had been getting contaminated water for the past three days.

Comrade Hansraj said: “With small children and senior citizens in our houses it’s not possible to boil water every time. Everyday new cases of diarrohea are being reported.” He added that residents had made several representations to the authorities and councillors but to no avail.

Another resident Rajesh said: “Potable water is a necessity and the authorities are responsible for providing clean water to us, but they hardly seems to be bothered. This problem has not cropped up for the first time.”

The list of complaints does not end here. A Dasehra ground is becoming another source of nuisance for the residents. They alleged that garbage from areas like New Upkaar Nagar, New Prem Nagar and New Deep Nagar was being dumped here thus making the entire area susceptible to diseases.

Ashwani said: “The ground is basically used for organising festivals, but now it has been converted into a dumping site. Garbage from areas like Police Lines and Deep Nagar are being dumped here. Besides this, the foul smell emanating from the garbage is making it impossible for the people to live and walk through the stretch.”

A shopkeeper near the ground added that the site had affected their business, too, as people are not willing to buy things just to avoid being exposed to the garbage.

Meanwhile, Sushil Raju Thapar, municipal councillor from Ward 29, said, “Potable water pipes might be leaking due to the laying of the telephone cables. Efforts were made to plug the loopholes.” However, he added that the garbage from the Dasehra ground would be shifted to the Kailash chowk.

Similarly, Avtar Krishan Tari, municipal councillor, ward No. 30, said he himself was supervising the work. As far as dumping ground was concerned he said people had been throwing waste here for the past 10 to 15 years and talks were on with the municipal authorities to shift the site.

Ludhiana, September 6
Poets from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana gathered at Punjabi Bhawan to take part in the two-day poetry recitation festival. The event was jointly organised by the Sahit Akademi, New Delhi, and Punjabi Sahit Akademy, Ludhiana.

Sukrita Pal Kumar, a poet (English) from Delhi University, was unable to hide her excitement as she said, “It is a bonanza to meet contemporary poets, listen to their latest creations and recite mine.”

Gender has always been a driving force for me as I feel woman gets inspiration from her role as a daughter, wife and mother.

Freedom of expression according to this poetess is what makes the poet breathe as she reveals, “It was my urge to seek freedom as a child that propelled me to pen my resistance in verses. I named it ‘Oscillations’ which later on became the title of my first anthology of poems.”

Vijaya Thakur, another poet from Jammu and Kashmir, known for “Is gulshan -e-hasti mein is tarah raha jaye” was also among the acclaimed poets who shared the stage today.

The poetess having written poetry in Urdu for almost a decade is now a name in ‘dogri’.

“The motivation came from my guru Rajindernath Rehbar known for his enigmatic personna,” she said. “Poetry for me initially was an outburst as I couldn’t bear to see the bloodshed, hatred and conspiracies in a land which is referred to as paradise on earth. My poems depict the serenity, splendour, sagacity of the land,” adds Vijaya Thakur.

Jagroan, September 6
The SAD-BJP coalition government has paved the way for the upgradition of major road networks with the inauguration of the Humbran-Sidhwan Bet Road by Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MP, Darshan Singh Shivalik, MLA, and Manpreet Singh Ayali, Zila Parishad chairman. This the first among 11 roads identified for upgradition at the cost of Rs 110.30 crore. The Humbran-Sidhwan Bet Road will be upgraded at the cost of Rs 18.17 crore.

These roads would be upgraded under the Prime Minister’s village road programme under Phase VII. 

Ludhiana, September 6
Expressing concern over the reduced credit flow, the local industry has urged the government to ensure sufficient credit for small and medium enterprises at reduced interest rates.

"Credit flow in our country to the private sector is already lower than others. Bank rates are also high. The RBI should ensure that credit, particularly to small and medium sector, flows easily and at a low rate of interest as there is slow down in the industrial economy," said P.D. Sharma, president, Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He said smooth credit flow was critical for the industry to function properly. However, banks, he added, were following old time consuming norms even for routine operations.

"Local cheque clearance still takes three days which is too much. As a matter of fact cheques should be cleared the same day so that the customer can avail the amount. The clearing system should be toned up to ensure this."

The high interest rates were further affecting small and medium enterprises,he added.

SMEs were highest employment generators and in order to retain this industry, the govenrment should take the issue of credit flow to this sector on a priority basis, he added.

Ludhiana, September 6
Although known as a city of traders and industrialists people here are gradually developing the taste for art. Paintings today have become the most recognised forms of artistic expressions.

Now, the residents of the city are ready to step into this mesmerising world and find what their heart is looking for.

Keeping in view the burgeoning taste for art, Samita Munjal from Art Bounty is holding an art exhibition at the Sutlej Club from September 12 to 14.

The preview of the exhibition would be held at Westened Mall on September 11.

Selecting a painting to be included in the exhibition is not an easy job, says Samita. “People have a very different taste. This year, the paintings to be displayed in the exhibition are in bright colours. Bright yellow, orange, red are the colours of the season and people these days are really going in for the bright hues as these colours perfectly match with the contemporary houses that most Ludhianvis have.

Discussing further about her passion, Samita adds that in the whirlpool of the Indian contemporary art instinct and interest go hand in hand.

The post-Independence art today is at its zenith and calls out to the people. “Though some people might say that they don’t understand the contemporary style but for an artist it’s a blend of a few colours, which help him to narrate his story”, she puts forward a point.

A few artists use human figure as a singular form in their vocabulary for others line and colours exist in dynamic and intricate patterns, she adds.

A painting has its own compulsions, a language and a grammar developed by the artist. Samita feels that investing in art is like investing in one’s own sense of aesthetics. “It’s a possession from which you shall derive personal pleasure”, she says.

Samita’s art exhibition would be an electric mix of over 40 art works. Each one is unique in its style as there are works of 25 eminent artists. To name a few Shyamal Mukherjee, Asit Sarkar, Dilip Choudhary, Beena Pardhan, Asit Patnaik, Nishant Dange’s painting would be included in the exhibition. 

Ludhiana, September 6
Ludhianvis have a different taste when it comes to clothing and they always keep trying something new and innovative. To add some more variety to the wardrobes of the city's young brigade, Fabindia today launched a new range of chanderi silk. The range of clothing is a result of traditional methods of sizing and hand weaving of the fabric that have been perfected over the centuries and passed down through generations in Madhya Pradesh.

Due to the high weight quality and intricate designs, the collection is the favourite of women world over. The placement of motifs is a specialty in such garments as each weft is inserted individually.

Pooja Khurana, store manager, Fabindia, said: “We have made an effort to sustain the chanderi craft by using the traditional weaving skills and craftsmen to develop a contemporary range of garments for the people of Ludhiana. Our brand has something for everyone and the exclusive range is sure to catch the attention of all those on a lookout for clothes that are unique, chic and comfortable to wear.”

Ludhiana, September 6
The Punjab National Bank Officers Association has sought a ban on outsourcing of banking services. At a meeting of the association held here today, members said the outsourcing of the banking services was affecting employment opportunities in the banks. Roshan Lal Arya, president, raised demands like compassionate employment, wage revision and regulated working hours for the officers in the banking industry.

Among others present at the meeting was Ashok Arora general secretary, B.B. Goyal vice-president, V.K. Chopra assistant secretary and S.K. Sharma vice-president of the association.

Doraha, September 6
As per the call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU), the teachers of all private-aided colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh will proceed on mass casual leave in order to attend a rally in front of DPI (Colleges) at Chandigarh on September 7.

Dr Kuldip Singh, former general secretary of the PCCTU said the rally was being conducted in order to entreat upon the government for the restoration of full grant-in-aid, lifting of ban on recruitment and conversion of posts, pension and gratuity for college teachers.

A two-period strike was also observed by Doraha and Khanna units of the union in their respective colleges yesterday in order to protest against the alleged dilly-dallying attitude of the government in fulfillment of their demands. The union members, at the same time, welcomed the decision of the government to release a grant worth Rs 11 crore to the private aided colleges. The union demanded early release of the grant. 

Ludhiana, September 6
Ajit Singh, who has taught for about 37 years, was in for a rude shock on Teachers’ Day, this Friday, when his turban fell during a fistfight with his former student. The school students watched the fistfight as mute spectators at Shaheedgarh Public School, Sehora.

Following a long session of pushes and punches, the teacher seen trying to balance his turban and the student cupping his palm to hold his profusely bleeding nose. The managing committee will meet tomorrow to probe into the case.

The incident occurred when a special programme was being organised to pay respect to students on the school premises. While a new teacher was making announcement, Ajit Singh asked all teachers, including Sukhbir Singh, the mathematics teacher, standing in front of his room, to sit down. Everyone, except Sukhbir Singh, occupied the seat. When Ajit Singh asked Sukhbir to sit down, he refused. Hot words were exchanged and Ajit Singh pushed him out of the school complex.

Ajit Singh, a retired physical education instructor, is currently handling the financial matters of the school. Talking to The Tribune Ajit said:” I have worked here for the past 37 year. Sukhbir is a former student. I had only requested him to take a seat and he did not comply. He used harsh words and I pushed him out”.

Ajit Singh said despite being mathematics teacher, Sukhbir Singh used to occupy the chair in his class while teaching. He had, earlier, quit the school twice. I have always supported him”.

Sukhbir Singh, on his part, said, “He is lying. There are scores of students and teachers who have witnessed the incident and can speak in my defence. There was a minor argument over my occupying the chair when he resorted to pushing me and punching me. I did nothing, at all, to provoke such a harsh reaction”.

Doraha, September 6
Ludhiana College of Engineering and Technology organised a seminar under the banner of synergy club of business management department on ‘Comparison between Indian and Foreign Education System’ by Pardeep Sayal and Umesh Sayal from Ireland were the resource persons.

The speakers expressed their views on issues like fee structure, grading, rules and regulations, cost of living, accommodation, acquisition of jobs for MBA students in Ireland vis-a-vis Indian economic growth and industrialisation. They emphasised on practical experience, importance of expression, discipline and self-motivation as key to success.

They were told that the students abroad were more responsible because they were not dependent on their parents for their fee.

Ludhiana, September 6
Malwa Academy, Ludhiana, registered an easy 5-0 win over Mehta Gurukul Academy, Doraha, to begin their campaign in a style in the boy's u-16 years section of the Punjab State Weekend Hockey Tournament (u-14) being organised by the Punjab Sports Department at Punjab Agricultural University campus, here today.

Johanpreet put his side ahead in the 6th minute and 10th minutes later, Nirmalpreet Singh sounded the board to make it 2-0. Amarjit increased the lead in the 38th minute while Gurbej Singh added two goals (45th and 46th minute) which completed the rout.

In the second match (u-14), Faridkot A survived many anxious moments against Mata Sahib Kaur Hockey Academy of Jarkhar before romping home victorious 3-2.

Jarkhar lads drew the first blood in the 18th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Jaspreet Singh. Thet consolidated the lead in the 38th minute when Gurbir Singh scored a fine field goal to read it 2-0.

Trailing by two goals, Faridkot lads reorganised themselves. They unleashed an array of attacks over the rival's citadel and finally managed to pierce through in the 40th minute as Gurbhej Singh found the target to reduce the margin 1-2.

Two minutes later, Harmanjit Singh of Faridkot weaved a good move, gave a parallel pass to Jagjeet Singh, who rolled the ball into the net to level the score 2-all.

Haramanjit Singh struck in the 48th minute to steer Faridkot to a narrow margin 3-2 win.

The third match played between Fardkot and Bathidna in the u-16 year's section turned out to be a lack luster affair with the former emerging victors without being challenged 11-0.

In the last match, Bahadurgarh XI scored a facile 7-0 win over Paatran (Patiala) in which Amandeep Singh scored a hat-trick while Mandeep Singh and Tejinder Pal Singh chipped in with two goals each.

Ludhiana, September 6
Defending a total of 214 runs, hosts Ludhiana survived a scare against Minor Districts XI (Ropar Zone) to curtail them to 159 run for 7 and shared one point each in the second match of the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield being organised by the Punjab Cricket Association on the Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

Overnight rain delayed start of the play today as the outfield was not fit to start the proceedings on time. The organisers toiled hard to make the ground playable.

Resuming at overnight total of 36 for 4 made in 13 overs, Minor Districts XI continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. They were struggling against the wall with five wickets down for 57.

Then, overnight not-out batsmen, Amrinder Brar and Hitesh Anand rose to the occasion and the pair gave many anxious moments to the Ludhiana bowlers. The duo added invaluable 99 runs for the sixth wicket before being separated. They took Ludhiana bowlers, particularly Ashish Sehgal to task, scoring 67 runs off his 13 overs.

The visitors were cruising well (159 for 7) after 50 overs when it was called a day. Amrinder contributed 65 runs while Hitesh made 59.

For Ludhiana, Deepak Bansal sent down 11 overs and took three wickets for just 12 runs while skipper Ankur Kakkar scalped one victim for 26 runs and Gaurav Marwaha accounted for one wicket for 20 runs.

In the third match slated to be played at Chandigarh on September 8 and 9, Ludhiana will take on Chandigarh.