Ludhiana, September 13
Besides bearing the burden of the ever-increasing prices of essential commodities, now, the parents of schoolchildren will have to pay extra even for the transport facility for their wards.

Reason behind this is that almost all school bus operators in the city have hiked the fares due to the recent rise in the prices of diesel.

Confirming this, Lakhowalia, whose buses ply for Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, said, “Fuel prices are sky rocketing. What can we do if not hike the bus fares? Diesel prices have increased by Rs 3 per litre so we had to hiked the fares from Rs 25 to Rs 50 depending upon the distance. Students coming from far off places will be charged Rs 50 extra and those coming from nearby places are being charged Rs 25.”

He further said, “This much hike, I think, is justified, after all we also have to earn. However, a few parents don’t understand our problem. They keep cribbing about frequent price hikes in fares ignoring the fact that fuel prices go up after every few months.”

Another transporter Raju, who runs buses for Scared Heart Convent, Sarabha Nagar, says, “We have increased the bus fare from Rs 475 to Rs 500. Frequent rise in the prices of fuel has forced us to hike the fares, which a lot of parents protest against. In fact, many parents have started dropping and picking up their kids from the school themselves and this is adversely affecting our business. But we are helpless.”

The ever-increasing school bus fares has surely left the parents of schoolchildren complaining.

Sukhjeet Kaur, mother of two kids studying in Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, says, “Besides the frequent rise in the school fee, bus fares are also being hiked after every few months. This puts an extra burden on our pockets. The school bus fares are raised by Rs 50 every two to three months and it’s too much of a burden for people belonging to the service class.”

Ashish Bansal, whose two children study in Sacred Heart Convent, Sarabha Nagar, says, “The ever-increasing school bus fares have forced us to drop this facility. We have opted for a pool-in system, wherein two-three families in the neighbourhood pool in for picking and dropping their wards to the school. Alternatively, each parent takes up the responsibility of dropping and picking the kids to and from the school. It is much easier on the pocket and is safer too for the kids.” 

Khanna, September 13
At least 28 children sustained injuries when a school van they were travelling in overturned near Muskhabad village in Samrala on Friday afternoon.Five of the children are stated to be serious and are undergoing treatment at CMC,Ludhiana.

The accident took place when the rashly-driven school van was on its way from MAM Public School to drop children in front of their respective homes.

The parents of the injured children said the van was driven at a breakneck speed and it overturned about 8 km away from the school.

Residents of the area resdients said passers by pulled out the injured students. At least 35 children were travelling in the van when the accident took place.

Those who sustained serious head injuries are Gurziz Singh, Anmolpreet, Manveer Singh, Rupalpreet Kaur and Fatehkaran Singh. All of them were rushed to a private hospital in Samrala after which they were referred to CMC, Ludhiana. One of the students is yet to regain consciousness, said police officials.

The police officials said the driver of van seemed to be under the influence of intoxicant. He was arrested after an FIR was lodged against him at the Samrala police station.

Ludhiana, September 13
Duty magistrate Sandeep S.Josan has sent the alleged heroin smuggler for two-day departmental custody in connection with the smuggling heroin aboard through a private courier.

Rabjeet Singh and Gurpreet Singh, both accused, were produced before the duty magistrate at 12.30 pm yesterday night.

Amritsar resident Rabjeet Singh, who happens to be the son of the owner of M/s Chattar Singh- Jeewan Singh, 133- year-old publishing house and Gurpreet Singh, a resident of the Ludhiana were remanded in two-day departmental custody in connection with the recent seizure of the about 5 kg heroin, concealed in packets of CDs/ DVDs of Gurbani, which was seized by the team of directorate of revenue intelligence officials on September 11.

According to an intelligence officer of DRI, the department has sought time for interrogating the accused for extracting more information about the seizure.

The officer further said the accused were arrested on the charges of sending heroin to Canada through the private courier.

Sources said the seizure of the drugs might be a tip of the iceberg because many publishing houses had been sending devotional material to foreign countries, especially Canada, the USA and the UK, for the past many years. The heroin was found concealed in three packets. The devotional material was booked through DHL, a courier company.

Ludhiana, September 13
Despite clear-cut directions from the state government, revenue officials are still insisting on the payment of stamp duty on the rates of land fixed by respective collectors for registration of conveyance deeds of all government lands, including those allotted by the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority and Improvement Trusts.

Through a circular, the Revenue and Resettlement Department had issued instructions to the collectors (deputy commissioners) to register the conveyance deeds of the lands on the payment of stamp duty at the rates fixed by the state government. These orders were also meant to be applied in the cases where the allottees make the land payment in instalments to the government agency concerned.

The circular says that it has been brought to the notice of the state government that revenue officials tell land allottees to pay stamp duty for the registration of the conveyance deeds at the land rates fixed by the collector for that particular area.

“In this context, the government has decided that collector rates of all government lands allotted under various policies from time to time be considered the same that have been fixed for allotment by the government,” the circular issued under the signatures of the deputy secretary revenue stated.

The directions issued to the deputy commissioners with copies marked to divisional commissioners were sought to be implemented within a week, and a compliance report was also sought in this regard.

However, the revenue officials here said they were not aware of any such orders.

Arvind Parkash Verma, sub-registrar (West), confirmed while talking to The Tribune that conveyance deeds of all lands, including those allotted by the government agencies, were being registered on the collector’s rate.

Ludhiana, September 13
A major fire broke at a storeroom containing sanitation material at the Ferozepur road here this afternoon.

The stockroom belonging to Anup Jindal told that the fire was caused due to shot circuit.

As many as four fire engines were pressed into service to douse the fire.

Material worth lakhs were reduced to ashes. Kartar Singh, additional division fire officer, said the fire brigade vehicle reached the spot at around 4 pm and doused the fire. Now the situation is under control.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
Mela Chhapar, a village fair that originated as a small gathering of locals for worshipping snakes embodiment of the Guga over 150 years ago has emerged as a mega festival in the past three decades.

The legend narrates a story of a boy and a snake born together in an agricultural family of Chhapar village. The serpent and the boy were so intimate that if one suffered a pain the other used to cry. The mother of the child had gone away in the fields after laying him on a small cot. To save him from scorching sun the snake stretched its hood. Mistaking the snake to be ready to bite, a passer by killed it with his stick. The child died immediately after the death of the snake that left the family in sorrow.

The family was advised by the elders to worship Guga and Sidh and a he-goat was left free to mark the place of worship by striking at a particular place.

The place was recognised as Mari Guga where people from all walks of life had been worshipping the Guga on fourth day of the month of Bhadas every year.

The farmers of the Malwa recognise the fair to the extent that they change the agricultural chores according to the dates of the mela.

People also narrate another story regarding second fair known as ‘minor Mela Chhapar’.

During the beginning of the 20-century, then Maharaja of Patiala state was told to have banned the mela on the complaint by a few farmers. When a large number of his horses died due to mysterious disease, the king announced to arrange ‘chhota mela’ after a month of the main event.

According to another story, a faqir had anchored a twig after cleaning his teeth. A local person uprooted the twig in a fun.

The faqir had then cursed the people of the local area that the place would witness a huge gathering, which would then be followed by a deserted look.

Though originally the fair had started a small congregation of the devotees of Guga it has now transformed into a big festival.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
Thousands of devotees thronged Guga Mari Mandir at Chhapar village, near here, to worship snake, the embodiment of “nag devta”.

The first day, known as “chowkis”, saw a large number of men and women attending the religious fair. The police faced difficulty in controlling the unexpectedly large gathering.

Being one of the largest fairs of the North India, Chhapar Mela started attracting a large number of devotees since early morning. Till noon, women outnumbered men.

Organisers of joy rides, “maut ka kuan”, magic shows and mini circuses did brisk business on the first day as children and women had come in large numbers. The cops have to make special arrangements near these stalls.

The SSP, Ludhiana (Rural) and in charge of the mela, said about 1,700 policemen had been deputed to ensure proper security for the devotees.

To keep a check on the sale and use of liquor, special teams had been constituted. Policemen in plainclothes, including women, had been deputed at sensitive points.

The police would be assisted by cameras, which would keep an eye on anti-social elements.

Bhullar said a limited number of four-wheelers would be issued passes to enter the mela area. This, he said, would restrict the carrying of weapons and wine.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
The Ludhiana (rural) police has urged organisers of the SAD conference at Chhapar mela to impress upon activists of their party to adopt specific routes to reach the venue on Monday.

This will minimise inconvenience to devotees visiting the fair, claimed authorities.

According to SSP Ludhiana (rural) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, five parking areas had been established to accommodate vehicles coming from various constituencies.

Activists from Raikot and Jagraon constituencies have been asked to adopt Lohatbaddi, Rachhin and Rasulpur route to reach the parking near Guga Mari.

Another parking behind Mari will accommodate vehicles of those coming from Dakha and Pakhowal segments through Latala, Rasulpur and Chhapar.

Khanna, Payal, Malaudh and Samrala people have been advised to adopt Rara Sahib, Jandali, Chhanna and Dehliz route to reach the parking near Ravidass Gurdwara, near the conference venue.

The same parking will accommodate vehicles of activists coming from Koom Kalan, Ludhiana (rural) and Dehlon segments via Pohir, Ahmedgarh, and Ram Talai road.

Those coming from Kilaraipur, Jodhan and Gujjarwal have been asked to adopt Jartoli-Ghungrana route to reach Ram Talai road.

Ludhiana, September 13
Senior ministers and several leaders of the SAD today described Capt Amarinder Singh’s repeated flights to foreign countries, reportedly to be with controversial Pakistan journalist, Aroosa Alam, a cause for security concern and a subject for central agencies to look into.

The leaders asked the central government and security agencies to track down the former chief minister who had left the country in mysterious circumstances.

“In these times of war on terror, we caution the political circles, the people at large and particularly the civil society not to ignore the aspect of this threat to national security by a man who was declaring his love and emotions for friends of the ISI of the neighboring country,” said Akali leaders including Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Hira Singh Gabria, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Iqbal Inder Singh Atwal and Bikram Jit Singh Khalsa.

“While Capt Amarinder has run away to the UK with booty of crores, his associate Choudhry Jagjit Singh has gone underground and efforts are on to challenge the will of the house of the people. People need a categorical assurance that every single one of the guilty will be brought to book. It is time for Congress president Sonia Gandhi to rise above party lines and direct her Punjab partymen to hand over Capt Amarinder to people of the state,” the Akali leaders from Majha, including many ministers and MLAs, said.

Ludhiana, September 13
The proposal of the Maoist government to introduce states in Nepal will not only hinder development of the nation but also affect democracy, former MP (Nepal) and Rashtriya Jan Morcha, Nepal, secretary Hari Acharaya, while addressing mediapersons here today.

Acharaya is in the city to participate in a conference being organised by the Moolprawha Akhil Bharat Nepal Ekta Samaj (MABNES) scheduled for tomorrow.

He said the Maoist government had proposed to demarcate states on the basis of caste, which was not a requirement in a small territory like Nepal.

He added that instead of introducing federalism, the Nepal government should try to systemise democracy, which was the reason why they were brought to power.

He said the Rashtriya Jan Morcha had given a Nepal-bandh call on September 28 against the Maoist government’s policy of introducing states in the nation.

Under the bandh call, processions and marches would be taken out in Nepal and India, added Hari.

Talking about foreign policy, Acharaya said the presence of the UN and the USA in Nepal was a threat to the country’s foreign policy, as their presence was not allowing the government to take independent decisions.

He added that the attitude of Maoists remained the same even after coming to power.

The former MP alleged that Nepalese in India were not getting their rights as promised by the Indian government in a pact signed between the two countries in 1950.

He added that the aim of his visit also included creating awareness among the Nepalese about their rights in India.

Acharaya said: “Nepalese residing in India are generally illiterate and poor, so our party along with MABNES will try to organise them so that they can be made aware of their rights.”

He expressed resentment over the way Nepalese were being presented by the media. He said: “Whenever a Nepalese commits crime, the press should call the culprit by his name and not bring disgrace to a nationality, which has nothing to do with the criminal.”

Ludhiana, September 13
Radiant models and spirited gathering teamed up with Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhary to drive the audience crazy at a city hotel last evening.

Clad in a silver designer wear, Mahima with her disarming smile and doleful eyes, set the mobile cameras of youngsters on the click mode as they wrestled with the squad of bodyguards to get a glimpse.

Taking pride in her motherhood, the actress, while talking to The Tribune, said: “For now I am happy being a full-time mother as becoming a ‘Ma’ from ‘Mahima’ made me complete. Though I am going through some scripts, I have yet to decide on signing a film as it’s the role with a substance that I am looking for.”

Head held high, the actress said a straight “No” to “item numbers” for a successful comeback, adding that it is neither her style nor her preference.

“I will work on my terms and conditions. There is nothing unpleasant about ‘item numbers’ but they certainly are not on my priority list as an actor,” pronounced Mahima.

Ecstatic to be here on her birthday, the Bollywood diva cut her cake after midnight. Raising a toast to spirited Ludhianavis, she went on to add: “I have always related to Punjab through the age-old saying of ‘Patiala peg’ and am amazed to see the passion of Punjabis.”

Punjabi beats, according to the actress, are well received by listeners the world over and have become a success mantra for Punjabi singers.

Sharing her aspirations to work with the new genre of directors, Mahima said “Jab We Met” and “Mumbai Meri Jaan” had rekindled the spirits in not-so-young actors in Bollywood.

Young boys and girls working in different spheres of film-making have opened up new avenues for younger generation at the same time getting international accreditation for Indian cinema.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
Various local religious organisations celebrated Ganesh Mahotsav and immersed idols of their deity amidst drumbeats and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Moriya” in the Sirhind Canal, near here, yesterday.

As the 10-day Ganesh festival drew to a close, idols of the God of Wisdom, were taken to the nearby Sirhind Canal under the banners of the Bhartia Mahabir Dal, Ganpati Seva Sangh, Shri Ram Mandir, Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Har Har Maha Dev, and Bajrang Dal for ‘visarjan’.

Hundreds of devotees joined the religious procession led by MC president Usha Rani Sood.

According to Bimal Kumar Sharma, Yogesh Goyal and Deepak Sharma, office-bearers of various organisations, puja was performed at various temples during the past 10 days. Men, women and children joined the puja and procession yesterday.

Keeping in view the need to avoid water pollution in the canal, small idols were made, claimed the organisers.

Ludhiana, September 13
At least 20,988 cases were settled at a special lok adalat held at district courts here today. Compensation worth over Rs 18 crore was awarded to the litigants. Thousands of people attended the lok adalat.

Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and executive chairman of the State Legal Services Authority, presided over the lok adalat.

He along with sessions judge G.K. Rai, additional sessions judge Kishore Kumar, civil judge (senior division) Rajinder Aggarwal, CJM Lachhman Singh, additional civil judge (senior division) inspected the working of different benches of the lok adalat.

He also stressed on persuading litigants to resolve their disputes through amicable settlement. Justice Gill also highlighted the need to strengthen the lok adalat movement.

He said the State Legal Services Authority had conducted 4,797 lok adalats in which a record 3,88,728 cases had been settled and Rs 1135,14,69,756 had been disbursed to litigants so far.

He appealed to the litigants to resolve their disputes through lok adalats. He claimed that both parties felt winners after the settlement at lok adalat.

Moreover, this alternative system of dispute redressal was the only way to get speedy justice.

Lok adalats not only provided speedy justice to litigants but also helped reduce pendency of cases in courts, he added.

The State Legal Services Authority had provided free legal aid to 32,200 persons, which included 3,914 persons belonging to SC/ST community, 16,302 persons in custody, 4,017 women and children and 7,967 poor persons, added Justice Gill.

Sessions judge G.K. Rai said the district authority had held 292 lok adalats in which 64,728 cases had been settled. An amount of Rs 103,71,81,163 had been disbursed to the litigants.

In the labour lok adalat held under the supervision of additional sessions judge H.P.S. Mahal, over 150 cases were settled. Compensation worth Rs 4,67,848 was awarded on the spot.

PSLSA member secretary G.S. Bakhshi, additional session judges M.S. Virdi, A.K. Mehta, P.S. Dhanoa, A.S. Grewal, Kishore Kumar, Manjinder Singh, G.S. Saran were also present.

Khanna, September 13
A large number of residents of different localities here have decided to launch a stir against the Punjab government for unscheduled power cuts of more then five hours every day. The residents have been reeling under unscheduled power cuts for the past many days.

Alleging lackadaisical attitude of the Punjab government in dealing with the crises, the residents alleged that they had been forced to use generator sets in various markets and residential areas, thus resulting in pollution.

Patients in different hospitals of the town, including the government hospital, had been suffering on account of power cuts, alleged the residents.

Kuldeep Singh, a local resident, said they would resort to agitation, dharna and burning of effigies of leaders soon.

“If the problem persists, we will be forced to come out on roads. We will not hesitate to block the GT Road by staging dharnas and rallies,” he said.

In spite of numerous complaints, nothing had been done in this regard, alleged another resident, Kuldeep Singh.

He said all political parties, including the SAD, had been fooling the masses for their vested interest.

“Once coming into power, they always try to fulfil their own desires instead of taking care of people’s problems,” he lamented.

Paramjit Kaur, another resident, said children and elderly were forced spend hours together in the sweltering heat. People were facing breathing problems during night on account of pollution caused by diesel generator sets installed illegally in residential areas, she alleged.

PSEB SDO Kans Raj said the problem of power shortage was being witnessed in all districts of the state.

Ludhiana, September 13
Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, today at the parents-teacher meeting of Drishti Dr R.C Jain Innovative Public School, organised an interactive session in which child health related issues were discussed in a question-answer format. The main stress was laid on environmental health, nutrition and immunisation. Hazards of smoking, keeping away chemicals, pesticides or sprays from the reach of children at home were discussed in depth. It is extremely difficult to remove obesity once it gets established.

The parents were given advice to take proper care of their child, who is becoming obese from his childhood. Mothers of such children should keep complete information regarding a balanced diet and should take care to ensure that their children develop right habits of eating and living. The parents also showed a lot of interest and they asked about the need for vaccination against typhoid and hepatitis A and the type of food the children should eat.

Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Bhat, assistant professor of pediatrics, DMCH, said inclusion of certain essential food in regular diet was of utmost importance. It was extremely important to include fruits, vegetables, dairy products and reduction in eating packaged food would surely help in bringing down the percentage of obesity among children.

It was good to see that the parents were asking questions on obesity, vaccination and environmental hygiene. He said the parents should always encourage their children to participate in sports and other physical activities. This would help them in shedding extra fat.

Principal of Drishti Dr R.C Jain Innovative Public School, Puri lauded the efforts of the hospital and said in future such interactive session would go a long way in establishing healthy lifestyle practices at home. 

Ludhiana, September 13
The Punjab Networking of Positive People (PNPP) Society today collaborated with the Lawyer Collective HIV/AIDS Unit to protect people living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination in private sector. The activists met here to pressure the government to table and pass the long-pending HIV/AIDS Bill at the earliest, a press note said here today.

The PLHA groups have been demanding the passing of the Bill for the past two years.

Jagjeet Singh Mann from the PNPP said: “We have no law in our country to prevent HIV-related discrimination in private sector. This Bill is central to that effort. It should be tabled and passed in Parliament at the earliest. The Bill, which aims to protect people living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination in both public and private sectors, has been pending with the ministry of law and justice since November, 2007.”

The Bill was drafted by the Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit in consultation with stakeholders, including PLHA groups, vulnerable communities, doctors, lawyers and civil society organisations working in the field of HIV.

“It is based on the rights perspective and aims to prevent and control the epidemic while protecting the rights of those infected and affected, said Anand Grover, director of the Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit.

Discrimination against HIV+ve people was common in a variety of settings education, health care and employment. This, in turn, prevented people, especially in those communities at high risk of contracting HIV, from accessing healthcare services for fear of further stigmatisation.

Consequently, the epidemic is driven further underground.

Although the government currently provides first-line treatment to HIV +ve people, there are few options available to the growing numbers in need of second-line drugs.

Addressing the issue of treatment access, the Bill obligates the government to provide people in need with free and complete HIV treatment, which includes second-line drugs and diagnostics.

HIV positive people and social activists of Punjab have urged the government to table and pass the Bill in the upcoming session of Parliament.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 13
Terming guidelines on semester system for 10+ 2 classes as against the interest of students, educationists of the area have urged the authorities in Punjab School Education Board to organise a comprehensive discussion on the subject before implementing the system.

The new system would promote tuition culture and exploitation of open school system by private academies, besides being more expensive and exhaustive for the students.

Contradicting claims made by the board authorities at a meeting held yesterday, office bearers of a few educational institutes contended that the present guidelines, if implemented without making amendments, would degrade the standard of education in schools affiliated to the board.

The educationists apprehended that the teachers would not be able to complete syllabus as conducting examinations twice a year will reduce the number of teaching days.

Claiming that a lot of energy and time was spent on filling of examination forms and other preparations for examinations, Dharma Pal Sharma, member of the Ahmedgarh Vidya Parcharak Sabha, maintained that teaching programme during the first semester would be more upset due to procedural complications of admissions. Lengthy vacations and sports competitions during the first semester will worsen the things.

Councillor Bimal Sharma lamented that it would be difficult for the poor to pay for examination forms and the fee twice a year. “Moreover, the authorities have mentioned that the fee might be hiked,” rued Sharma.

It was also apprehended that the system would increase chances of students being exploited by some teachers. As a student has to obtain 33 per cent marks in aggregate of two semesters, fate of examination conducted in September will become clear after commencement of the third semester. By this time he will be left on mercy of academies exploiting students in name of open school system.

According to Pardeep Sharda, principal of MGMN Senior Secondary School, the PSEB authorities had announced implementation of semester system in pursuance of guidelines of the National Education Policy and National Framework 2005.

It was claimed that the new system would reduce the burden on students and make learning more interesting. Classroom behaviour and regularity being given weightage in internal assessment, the system will foster discipline besides checking dropout rate in the state, claimed the proponents of the system.

Ludhiana, September 13
The ministry of cultural affairs, Punjab, organised a women festival "mela dhiyan da" at Ramgarhia Girls College here, today. The organisers did successful efforts to create an ambience of Punjabi lifestyle, culture and traditions at the college campus.

The mela was not restricted to the students of the college but their counterparts from other colleges as well took keen interest in the festival and participated in various competitions organised by the college. The state-level inter-college competitions in mehandi, doll making, poster making, embroidery, traditional folk songs, Punjabi dress and giddha were organised to make the event more colourful and meaningful.

The winners were awarded with cash prizes. The daylong festivities were presided by Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, an MP, and Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of Sukhbir Badal. Education minister Upinderjit Kaur was chief guest on the occasion. 

Ludhiana, September 13
A three-day assessment camp for disabled children, under the aegis of the Sarva Shikhsha Abhiyan, commenced at Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Bharat Nagar Chowk, here today.

On the first day of the camp, a team of four doctors from Ludhiana Civil Hospital assessed around 60 kids for the type and percentage of disability, so that the kind of aids and facilities required by them can be ascertained. The camp was open for children in the age group of 0-14 years.

The children and one of their guardians who participated in the camp were given fare to and from the camp to their homes, besides refreshments, by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

These children will later be given aids that they require as per their disability during a camp to be held in December. They will also be provided wheelchair, hearing aids, tricyles etc.

Ludhiana, September 13
The students and staff of SCD Government College organised vanamahotsava (a tree plantation programme) in college campus as a part of the “Nanni Chhaan”, a project initiated by the state government. The students and teachers planted around 300 saplings at various corners of the college. The programme was inaugurated by Sharan Jeet Singh Dhillon, Member Parliament.

Dhillon, in his address, called upon office-bearers of social, educational and religious organisations to launch coordinated movement to make people aware about the benefits of growing trees. Showing concern over fast deteriorating environment, Dhillon said celebrating vanamahotsava would be meaningless if the saplings were not looked after. He urged the students and teachers to continue growing plants.

Dr Malkiat Singh, principal, applauded the role of the staff and students in maintaining healthy environment on the college campus. He urged the teachers to plant at least one tree in the college campus and take care of it during their tenure in the college. Dhillon also inaugurated the newly constructed block of the PTA building which will be used for professional courses like BCA and PGDCA.

Dr P.S. Sohi, dean (students welfare), M.S. Grewal, vice-principal of the college, the faculty members and students of the college were present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, September 13
The idea of conducting one-year workshops in various villages to make physically challenged people independent by imparting them various skills is one of the small initiatives of the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre (VRTC).

Besides, conducting these workshops, the VRTC also tries to place them either by providing jobs or by helping them to start their own enterprise through micro-credit.

A vision of late Dr E.M. Johnson, the NGO has been working for the physically challenged for the past four decades.

Presently running four workshops in Alamgir, Chat Kalan, Hasanpur and Mandiale villages, along with a school for blind up to Class XII in Ludhiana, the NGO also offers courses in computers, telephone operation and reception to the physically challenged.

Jaswinder Kaur, a field worker in Hasanpur village, said she had been working with the NGO for the past 15 years. “We impart skills like tailoring, crocheting, working with handlooms, etc to the physically challenged so that they could earn for themselves,” she added.

Disclosing about these workshops, VRTC executive director Sara Johnson said there were 25 students in each workshop and the infrastructure was provided by the village panchayats. “These places are not fixed. Once we feel that the workshop has served the purpose in around 10 villages, we shift it to another place,” said Sara, adding that workshops were earlier held at Rampus, Chamunda, Rakka, among other places.

C.S. Ravindaram, who took the charge as placement officer in the NGO about two months ago, said six people have been recently placed at Easy Day. In addition, we place students in departments like packaging in various industries as the work does not involve much movement.

Sara Johnson said, “Physically challenged are either neglected or are overprotected in the rural areas. We just try to inculcate a confidence in them so that they make an attempt to be self-dependent and can carry the burden of their living.” She added that community participation was very important for introducing the physically challenged to the mainstream.

Khanna, September 13
Non-functional traffic lights in the city have led to chaos and added to woes of city’s commuters.

There are five traffic lights in the city, near bus stand, the Lalheri road chowk, the railway road chowk, the Malerkotla road chowk and near grain market. None of the traffic lights is functional in the area.

The municipal committee, which is supposed to look after the maintenance of these lights, has failed to maintain their upkeep.

"While these lights don't work, it is the responsibility of the traffic police to ensure proper navigation of the traffic. But there is hardly any traffic police official deployed at these intersections.

Heavy vehicles could be seen crossing the intersections at a break neck speed", said Karnail Singh, a resident of the Lalheri road. He revealed that many accidents have taken place due to rash and negligent driving.

Drivers of luxury vehicles, buses and trucks are the ones often found driving rashly with no one to keep a check on them. A bus recently hit a 55-year-old man in the city and a teenager was also mowed down by a speeding truck.

Despite these fatal incidents nothing has been done to make the roads moveable for pedestrians and small-vehicle owners.

The buses, trucks and SUV’s never bother about the pedestrians and two-wheelers and drive rashly even in front of the traffic police officials.

Encroachments too are galore on the G.T. road and roadside vendors add to the problem. None of these encroachments are removed or even fined.

Sources say that these vendors cannot put their makeshift arrangements without connivance of the MC and the police officials.

The authorities, it seems, are hand in glove with those, who encroach upon the roads, which lead to minor accidents everyday.

The traffic police officials deployed on the G.T. road revealed that they are witnessing nearly a dozen accidents everyday due to the lack of the traffic lights.

MC president Iqbal Singh said these lights have been non-functional for the past two-and-a-half year.

"Some NGO has installed these lights and handed to the MC for maintenance.

The municipal committee could do nothing for it. We will conduct a meeting with the police officials and get these lights working,” he said.

Ludhiana, September 13
Residents of the 256-acre Rishi Nagar scheme of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) on the Humbran road here are a harassed lot. Owing to the failure of the LIT to provide basic amenities, develop green belts and execute development works in the colony, the residents are facing a harrowing time. A meeting of the executive committee of the Rishi Nagar (F-Block) Welfare Association, held here yesterday, noted that a number of sewerage manholes in the locality had been lying uncovered, posing a threat to the residents.

Society president Satish Thamman pointed out that the sanitation level of the area was pathetic because the mohalla sanitation committees had not been put in place by the trust.

Also, green belts in the colony were in a state of neglect, as the LIT authorities had not been providing funds to the park management committees as per the decisions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

It was further stated that with 18 tenders of different development works in the colony still awaiting the final nod of the state government, had been put on hold for nearly a year now. The body urged the LIT authorities and the state local bodies department to improve the quality of civic services.

Government hospitals and private dispensaries, these days, are flooded with cases of gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other seasonal health problems. The major reasons are unattended heaps of garbage and other insanitary conditions, all over the city. Lack of staff and supervision, poor machinery and negligible citizen participation have all coupled into a complex situation of accepting to live with garbage as a part of life. This is what a cross-section of Ludhianavis has to say on the issue.

It’s an appalling to see filth lying unattended all over the city. Come monsoon and the stagnant water all around proves to be suitable breeding ground for diseases like gastroenteritis, malaria, diarrhoea etc. The garbage dump in front of the new Government College hostel, College Road, is just an example of careless handling of household waste, all over the city. People, too, instead of dumping the garbage at the assigned places, carelessly throw it at whatever vacant places available.

I know that only a few take part in the city’s upkeep. However, the municipal corporation and the health authorities seem to be doing nothing for cleaning the community garbage dumps at assigned places. This is not giving a clean chit to those who litter the place. Such offenders should be fined, which should increase with subsequent offence.

The government seems confused over starting sanitation committees in the city. While, it might sound reasonable to do away with the ineffective bodies, it is not very encouraging to hear that the existing machinery, minus the sanitation committees, would get crippled if we had no committees. With no government recruitment in sight, the administration could think of revamping the existing system instead of doing away with the possible workforce.

The area councillors should be given specific duties for managing garbage in their respective areas. A monthly report should be tabled in the house meetings to make them more accountable. It will also empower them better to question the shortcomings in the existing system.

Raikot, September 13
The police today claimed to solved the murder case of a youth, Ravinder Singh, whose body was found near his house yesterday morning.

Manjinder Kaur, the wife of Ravinder Singh, had suspected the involvement of Fateh Singh, the brother-in-law of Ravinder Singh, behind the murder.

The police had raided the houses of various friends and relatives of Fateh Singh. He was arrested around 2 pm today when he was on way to Dalla village (Jagraon) where his sister lived. He had gone to Dalla village to avoid detection.

During interrogation, Fateh Singh confessed to having committed the crime. He said he visited the village where his wife and two daughter lived with Ravinder Singh.

Ravinder refused to allow him enter the house until he got a job and promised to do away with bad habits and support his family. On this, he had a scuffle with Ravinder. During the scuffle, he stifled Ravinder Singh, who died on the spot. The accused then fled the scene.

Raikot DSP Narinder Pal Singh Ruby said they would seek police remand for Fateh Singh.

Fateh Singh used to live at Basram village before deserting his family and selling off his belongings.

A case under Section 302, IPC, was registered at the Raikot police station.

Ludhiana, September 13
Khanna block and Raikot block emerged champions in the boy's and girl's sections, respectively, in athletics in the annual Ludhiana district-level Inter-Block Tournament for boys and girls and the Ludhiana Panchayat Tournament for Men organised jointly by the Punjab sports department and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) simultaneously at Guru Nanak stadium and Prithipal Singh astroturf stadium of Punjab Agricultural University, which conluded here, today.

In the boy's section, Sidhwan Bet block while Khanna block in the girl's section secured second positions. In the men's section, top honours were bagged by Khanna block while Sidhwan Bet block finished as runners up.

In football (boys), Ludhiana I block and Sidhwan Bet block secured first and second position, respectively, while in the men's section, Sidhwan Bet block romped home champions and Ludhiana I block had to content with the second spot.

In hockey (boys), Dehlon block romped home victors while Pakhowal block won the title in the girl's section. Raikot block and Dehlon block finished as runners up in the boy's and girl's sections, respectivley.

In kho-kho, Khanna block and Jagraon block came out triumphant in the boy's and girl's sections, respectively, while Sudhar block finished as the runners up in both the sections.

In kabaddi (boys), Pakhowal block and Raikot block secured the first two places while in the girl's section, Pakhowal block and Dehlon block secured the first and second position, respectivley.

Khanna block got the better of Samrala block to emerge winners in tug-of-war event while in volleyball (boys), Khanna block and Raikot block got first and second place, respectively. In the girl's section, Raikot block won the title while Jagraon block finished as the runners up.

In the men's section (volleyball), Khanna block proved their superiority over others to come out triumphant while Ludhiana I block had to content with the second spot.

In weightlifting, Khanna block emerged champions in the boy's as well as the girl's section while Ludhiana II block in the boy's section and Samrala block in the girl's section finished as the runners up.

Khanna block boys proved too good for their rivals and came out winners in wrestling while Samrala block finished as the runners up.

Khanna block bagged overall championship. Priyank Bharti, additional deputy commissioner, Ludhiana, gave prizes to the winners. S. L. Lotey, joint director, sports, Punjab, J. S. Bhandari, district sports officer, Ludhiana along with other sports officers were present at the prize distribution function.

Ludhiana, September 13
Thanks to fine batting by Charanjit Singh (109) and Mayank Sharma (102), Amritsar, not only wiped out first innings deficit of 172 runs, but went on to set a target of 230 runs for Ludhiana on the penultimate day of the four-day semi-final match of the Punjab State Inter District Cricket Tournament for the Katoch Shield here today. The tourney is being organised by the Punjab Cricket Association at the PAU ground.

Amritsar were bowled out for 129 runs in the first innings. For Ludhiana, Deepak Bansal took five wickets while Gagandeep Singh claimed three wickets and Bharat Malhotra took two wickets.

In their first innings, Ludhiana scored 301 runs to gain a sizeable 172 runs lead in which skipper Ankur Kakkar contributed 96 runs and Bharat Malhotra chipped in with 81 runs. For Amritsar, Sumit Sharma grabbed three wickets for 72 runs while Bharat Loomba and Charanjit Singh claimed two wickets each for 65 and 57 runs, respectively.

Trailing by 172 runs, Amritsar began the proceedings today at 175 for 5 and went on to hoist a big total of 401 runs in 121.4 overs. Their second innings revolved around Mayank Sharma (102), Charanjit Singh (109), Munish Bhatia (40), Harman Bajwa (27), Sumit Sharma (31) and Tarun Sharma (58). Requiring 230 runs to win, Ludhiana began their chase on a shaky note by losing two early wickets. At draw of stumps, Ludhiana were 37 for 2. Geetansh Khera and Gaurav Marwaha were unbeaten on 14 and 13 runs, respectively.

Ludhiana, September 13
Navjot Singh scored as many as nine goals, including two hat-tricks, to guide his team, Jarkhar Academy, to an authentic 12-0 win over Sangrur, in the Punjab State Hockey League being organised by the Punjab sports department at the Prithipal Singh memorial astroturf stadium of Punjab Agricultural University campus here, today.

In the group A match (u-16), the Jarkhar Academy drew the first blood in the 7th minute through a field goal scored by Navjot Singh. He added three more goals (9th, 13th and 14th minutes) to increase the lead 4-0. In the 18th minute, Daljeet Singh converted a penalty corner to read the score 5-0 while Amarjot Singh consolidated the lead in the 25th minute.

In the very next minute, Navjot Singh was again at the centre stage, pumping in three field goals in a quick succession (26th, 27th and 30th minute) to further cement the lead 9-0. The tenth goal came off Gagandeep Singh's stick in the 35th minute.

Continuing with his superb stick work, Navjot Singh struck in the 37th minute and again scored in the 60th minute, which completed the rout 12-0, as Sangrur players looked clueless.

Earlier, in the first match of the day of group B (u-14), Mohali registered 3-0 victory over Amloh, after leading by one goal at the breather.

Sukhdeep Singh scored a field goal in the 18th minute while Sahil Davas scored a brace in the second half to help their team to romp home victorious.

However, in the u-14 section, Sangrur had a reason to rejoice as they defeated Fatehgarh Sahib 4-1 in the group C encounter. The winners were leading by four goals to nil at half time.

Raja Singh of Sangrur put his side into the lead in the 11th minute through a field goal and four minutes later, Gurdev Singh sounded the board to make it 2-0. Raja Singh found the target twice (17th and 23rd minute) to read the score sheet 4-0. After changing ends, Jagdeep Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib scored a field goal to reduce the margin 4-1 and salvaged some pride.

In the last match of the day (u-16), Amloh survived some anxious moments before prevailing over their spirited opponents, Roomi XI 2-1 in a group B match.