Bathinda, September 19
Renovation of the Bathinda-Goniana road at a snail's pace has so far claimed two lives and left many others wounded in a series of accidents during the past few days. This is a result of the pot-holes on the road and laying of sewerage pipe for which ditches have been dug, particularly around the Fauji Chowk.

Considering the fanfare with which the project was launched and the way it has moved on amid allegations of causing problems galore for the commuters, it is being hoped that these incidents would serve as an eye opener for the officials concerned.

The work, termed as one of the best gifts to the Bathinda residents, was scheduled to be completed by the end of August. But after observing the slow pace of the ongoing work, it can well be said that the completion of the project is nowhere in sight. The development project has rather become an irritant for the residents of the town.

In an attempt to infuse a feel-good factor among the electorate at the time of the BMC elections, the Improvement Trust had launched work to revamp the the road, considered to be the artery of the city, in such a "frantic and frenetic" manner that it took its toll on the civic amenities as well as the lives of the people.

Putting a blemish on the authorities, a person was killed when his car plunged from an incomplete railway over-bridge on September 4. Shamefully, there was no signboard to alert the commuters. Then on September 18, again in the absence of any warning signboard, a car fell in a ditch near Fauji Chowk resulting in the death of the driver.

Earlier, during the rainy season, a motorcyclist fell in a ditch near Tinkoni and sustained severe injuries. Many such other accidents have gone unreported. All these incidents had happened late in the evening or at night. The poor system of illumination and reflection and the absence of traffic policemen or PCR cops are the major reasons for such mishaps.

It may be mentioned that the ruling party chief, Sukhbir Badal, who speaks at length about the development projects, had once said that it would be a time-bound project. But finding that the work was far from being accomplished, he started saying that the work had been delayed as some international landscapist is being roped in to design the model for the city.

His statement has been raising the hackles of citizens as they have been pointing out, "Was the pros and con not observed at the time of launching the project?"

Members of the Joint Action Committee, which has been formed for raising public grievances, blame the civil and the police administration for all incidents taking place on the road. They alleged that besides the major accidents, a number of incidents, which go unreported, regularly take place but the officials are not bothered about it.

When contacted, K.K. Yadav, who holds charge of a number of departments, namely BMC, PUDA and Improvement Trust, said, "The delay took place as the PSEB had to lay underground wires due to which power disruption took place. But because of the hue and cry raised by the residents, the project was delayed, but now, it has been resumed. The whole project would be completed by November 31."

"We are not insensitive towards the casualties taking place on the road. Moreover, I have ordered an inquiry to find the cause for the lapse," Yadav added.

Bathinda, September 19
A single teacher is providing free education for pre-primary classes to over 40 kids from slums (in the 4-13 years age-group) sans books, chairs or desks at an open air school running from a park in the Kamla Nehru colony here for the past seven months now. All the students are taught in a single group at the school that is exposed to rain or rough weather for want of a cover. It runs six days a week from 8 am to 12 noon (no other holiday), has improvised blackboard (a wall painted in black) and just mats for students to sit upon. And if any of the students does not turn up, the teacher does not mind going to his/her jhuggi to enquire about the reason. The person behind the arduous attempt is yet again a woman.

Swarna Devi, who runs the school, may not be a trained teacher but she is doing what most trained teachers would not. She has resolved to educate these unprivileged kids so that they could know how to sign or to count the money they earn when they grow up. “Most importantly, I want to keep them away from the bad habits like abusing stealing, duping and drug addiction that slum kids are prone to.”

The school, which have not been christened till date, was started with over 20 students in February this year and has the names of 44 students on its attendance register today.

“I could not see these kids living in jhuggis adjacent to my house whiling away their time. I felt an urge to teach them and it all just started. I did not want to see them indulging in petty crimes. I love them. I feel proud that my students reciprocate and study with extreme interest despite the fact that there is no motivation, like mid-day meal or games, for them here,” said the teacher.

Swarna informed that she had been running from pillar to post at the local Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) office so that her pupils could get the benefits under the scheme. “These students of mine want to study but the circumstances are not supportive,” she lamented.

The teacher does not know if she would get the pay or not from the Phulkari Club, an organisation that provided the students with copies, pencils, uniform and shoes, but her spirits are visibly high.

“I am haggling with the SSA not for my pay but for books and the teaching as well as study material besides food for the unprivileged students that the government takes pride in while showcasing its achievements,” she said.

“If there was a shed, we could arrange for evening classes for grown-up girls from the jhuggis so as to impart them training in knitting, painting or any other such vocation,” stated Ravinder Kaur, president of the club, but not before lauding the services of Swarna Devi.

“In case of rain, we dash to the market nearby for shelter. The least that the government can do is arrange for a shed,” rued the teacher.

Swarna Devi takes pre-primary classes in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Mathematics. She said she could teach till class VIII and claimed that one of her students getting class IV education from her was competent enough for class V.

‘We love our teacher’

Bathinda: Seven-year-old Kanchan’s writing can give a tough competition even to a privileged student. Furthermore, 11-year-old Kheti Ram, son of a labourer, has some other plans rather than joining the ancestral profession as he has learnt tables till 20 by heart. Jyoti (4) loves to study while Vijesh (12) enjoys Hindi a lot. Jatinder says that his teacher teaches them well.

“We like our teacher very much,” the students hollered in unison.

Over a dozen students at the school, including girls, are married! Those wedded are basically from Rajasthan. That they and their friends tell you the name of their spouse with a grin is a different matter altogether. Bablu (7) informs in haste that the names of his friends’ spouses are Pinky and Aarti. He wants to become an officer when he grows up. When Pooja was asked what she aimed to become in life, 10-year-old Narsee Ram chipped in, “Mummy ka haath batayegi gharon mein kaam kar ke, aur kya kar sakti hai bechari.”

The reply indicated the despair and awareness of the reality that stares them in the face despite the brave attempt to scale the stars on their broken wings. — TNS

Bathinda, September 19
The Chetak Corps would be hosting the South Western Command Athletics Championship from September 24 to September 27. Eight teams from various formations of the Chetak Corps would be participating in the grand meet. The championship would conduct track and field events, walk events and decathlon.

Each team would consist maximum of two competitors and one reserved for each individual event and four competitors and one reserved for each relay race.

Each team can field three runners for the marathon and walk events. In addition to relay races, an athlete can participate in any three individual events, track or field. The championship would be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Amateur Athletic Federation of India as followed by the SSCB.

The sports stadium where the meet would be organised is being given a new look. Athletes are being provided with every facility possible.

The South Western Command team would be selected during this championship. The athletes chosen would gather in Bathinda to undergo training. Only the authorised number of athletes would move to Hyderabad for the Army Championship scheduled later.

Athletes are busy preparing for the big day as this championship would be the deciding factor for constituting the command team.

Bathinda, September 19
Despite a ban on the use of pressure horns for bus and truck operators in the vicinity of the corporation limits and defying the Supreme Court orders, the drivers continue to flout the norms leading to near deafness to the pedestrians and causing irreparable physical ailment.

The district transport office and traffic police have failed to enforce ban orders on the use of pressure horns especially in the vicinity of schools and hospitals.

The pressure horns have become a bane for the residents of the city as this menacing gear was not only fitted in almost all heavy vehicles including buses and trucks, but also in two-wheelers while it was banned under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Central Government Rules. But the ban order on pressure horn was only on paper and ground reality is just opposite to it.

Pressure horns have become a major source of noise pollution. The truck and bus drivers gave scant regard to norms and blow horns as they were blowing some musical instruments.

The sudden and continuous blowing of horns is major health hazard especially to other commuters on the roads. This can damage ears permanently besides harming the heart, say medical experts.

Bhushan Sharma, convener, Citizens Forum, an NGO, said that the violators have become more powerful as administrators are least bothered about this menace and public health. "The DTO should slap a hefty fine on the owners of the vehicles whether two-wheelers or heavy vehicles," he added. However, the department had turned a blind eye to these violators for reasons best known to them.

Meanwhile, when this reporter visited some of the intersections of the city, more than 50 per cent of the commercial vehicles here use pressure horns due to laxity on the part of the traffic police.

However, Manish Kumar, DTO, had asked the entire field staff to carry out the Supreme Court orders in toto.

Bharpur Singh, traffic in-charge, said. "We also want people's cooperation in this. But at the same time, I want to warn all offenders that nobody would be spared if found using pressure horns in the city as drive against it would be intensified in the coming days."

Bathinda, September 19
To maintain law and order, additional district magistrate Upjeet Singh Brar has imposed section 144 of the CrPC in the district from September 18 to November 11.

The section will prohibit a gathering of five or more persons at one place, carrying of arms, organisation of rallies and processions, meetings and sloganeering at public places during the period.

Under special circumstances, public meetings and rallies could be organised but only after taking prior approval in writing from the sub-divisional magistrates concerned.

However, the order would not be applicable to marriages or condolence meetings held.

Bathinda, September 19
Aasha, Wishwas, Aastha is how the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) terms itself and Rashmi Sujlana, president, Chetak AWWA, has added much more to it.

Ten months of dedication, commitment and keenness to do better was what AWWA learnt from her as she leaves behind a trail of 10 fruitful months. She will leave Bathinda later this month to take fresh guard in the Doon valley.

It was a pleasure to sit and listen to her describe how her tenure as the president of Chetak AWWA had unfolded. A mature, warm and gracious person, it was a friendly and relaxed experience to share her experience at the helm.

"AWWA was initially described as a fraud with all kinds of adjectives used for it. But with sheer hard work and sincerity, the Army wives have proved it otherwise. AWWA is all about caring, sharing and understanding," declared Rashmi Sujlana. She proudly said that gone were the days when PBOR families were not aware and educated enough. Now, they are aware, smart and talented, so things had to be upgraded to make them feel better.

An array of events took place during her tenure, which proved to be a learning platform for everyone staying in the cantonment, especially the Army wives. This year, AAWA month was celebrated instead of the common practice of celebrating AWWA week. The theme was 'women empowerment'.

Women awareness programmes like cancer detection camp and talks on various medical subjects were organised. To tap talent, various contests like painting competition, best out of waste competition and alike were organised. Tree plantation was conducted as part of the AWWA month celebrations.

"You might be holding any amount of degrees but English is the need of the hour and I am all for it," voiced Rashmi Sujlana, who initiated English speaking classes for PBOR couples.

She strongly believes in giving her hundred per cent to everything she undertakes to bring out the best.

"I gave my best here and I expect everyone to do so to take AWWA to new heights," she said, wrapping up the conversation with a smile.

Bathinda, September 19
The Punjab Government is providing free vocational training in computer hardware, electrician, welder and plumber courses at Baba Farid ITC, Kotshamir in Bathinda district.

The essential qualifications for the said courses are matriculation, class VIII and class V, respectively. Similarly, free courses in refrigeration and air-conditioners would begin at Dashmesh Senior Secondary Public School, Talwandi Sabo, and the minimum qualification for the same is class V.

The forms would be accepted at District Employment office, Bathinda, from September 22 to October 1 between 11 am and 1 pm. The courses would begin in October first week . This was stated by Harpal Singh, deputy director, Employment Generation & Training, Bathinda.

Bathinda, September 19
Vexed with frequent increase in cable TV charges, poor transmission and power cuts? Bid adieu to all those problems. The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is trying to come out with a new facility for its fixed phone services by entering the cable TV business in Punjab. The company will first try out its phone-based cable TV venture in Punjab by this year-end.

Ratna Thakur, DGM, (planning) BSNL, said the basic offer of 35 channels, five FM radio stations and Internet surfing will cost Rs 699 a month, which may fall in case of good response. “With our exchanges in all over Punjab equipped with broadband, residents will have no problem to start off with IPTV as set-top boxes will also be provided by a private company that has collaborated with BSNL for the same,” she said. If customers want to discontinue the service, they will have to surrender the STB to BSNL. “The priority will be given to existing subscribers,” she said.

With competition naturally coming, both cable and DTH services seem to have adopted a wait-and-watch attitude. Stating it was too early to talk of slashing rates, Sandeep Bansal of a leading cable company said, “Let them finalise the tariff and start the service first.”

Fazilka, September 19
The education department plan, under its Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), to conduct examinations for the ‘Certificate in Teaching of English’ correspondence course of the Indira Gandhi Open National University (IGNOU) appears to be a failure.

Teachers of social studies of government schools were to appear in the examination. The department had allegedly made the examination compulsory for the teachers. About six months back, the education department, during seminars of teachers under the SSA, directed the teachers of social studies, up to the age of 50 years, to fill up the forms for enrollment as an additional English subject.

Thereafter, the department went into hibernation. Most of the teachers did not receive any teaching material for the correspondence courses. The Personal Contact Programmes (PCP) considered mandatory for all correspondence course examinations were not held anywhere for any teacher. According to rules, such PCPs have to be held for a fortnight.

Suddenly, the department got up from its slumber and directed about 250 teachers of social studies in Fazilka, Abohar, Jalalabad and Guruharsahai areas to appear in the IGNOU examination on 15th, 17th, 19th and 21st September at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Fazilka.

The teachers were informed of the ensuing examinations just a day before. A majority of the teachers did not get their roll numbers in time, which caused resentment amongst the social studies teachers. They decided to boycott the examinations.

However, the angry teachers “appeared” in the examinations just to mark themselves present in the papers held on 15th and 17th September. Today also, the teachers left the paper of “Teaching Strategies” within 15 to 30 minutes after the exam began. They left their papers blank after marking their presence. The controllers at the exam centre remained mute spectators.

The teachers expressed their resentment by raising slogans against holding such examinations and described the examination as an arbitrary and discriminatory decision of the education department and SSA. They maintain that the social studies teachers in all schools of Punjab have already been teaching the English subject to the students for over decades. Compelling them to take the examination is whimsical, they alleged.

They also said only teachers up to the age of 50 years were compelled to appear in the examination while others were left out. They did not see any rationale behind this decision of the government and alleged that the decision is yet another step to squander funds under the SSA.

Faridkot/Bathinda, September 19
Devotional recitations marked inauguration of the five-day Baba Sheikh Farid Aagman Purb at the Gurdwara Tilla Baba Farid in Faridkot today.

Deputy commissioner V.K. Meena and Inderjeet Singh Khalsa, chairman Gurdwara Tilla Baba Farid were among those who participated in the congregation.

In his brief address, Meena said Baba Farid has conveyed the message of austerity, humanity, mutual love, goodwill and welfare of the entire mankind. “We should follow this message sincerely and consolidate the atmosphere of peace and tranquility.” Congratulating the people of the district, he urged them to participate in the festival wholeheartedly. On this occasion, the participants took the holy community lunch.

Meena also inaugurated a blood donation camp at Brijindra College that was organised by the NSS unit in cooperation with the Sahara Club and State Bank of India. Over 150 donors, including boys and girls, donated blood.

Appreciating the donors, Meena said the blood donors would be honoured in a special district level function. Kulwant Kaur Sandhu, Principal of Brijindra College, said the blood donation camp was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of “Guruta Gaddi Divas” of Shri Guru Granth Sahib and there was a target of 300 units of blood to be donated.

A state-level painting workshop and exhibition was inaugurated by Inderjit Singh Khalsa. He appreciated the arts society and offered an aid of Rs 10,000.

Students of Red Cross special schools and various other schools of different age groups participated in the painting competition.

Ferozepur, September 19
With an eye on the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the SAD in an apparent attempt to woo the traditional Congress vote bank comprising Dalits and SCs, has decided to organise Dalit Sammelans and establish Dalit Fronts in all districts of the state.

In a rally held here today at the Gurudwara Jamini Sahib, Bajidpur, Gulzar Singh Ranike, national president SAD (Dalit Wing) and animal husbandry, dairy development and sports minister, Punjab, said that the Congress had been exploiting Dalits since time immemorial for its own vested interests. However, now the SAD had decided to reach out to Dalits in the state and address their grievances by forming Dalit organisations at the district level.

Ranike said that it was imperative to understand the feelings of Dalits and SC families and make them aware about the various welfare measures being undertaken by the present Akali regime.

Ranike added that the state government would also embark on a special scheme for the education of the wards belonging to the Dalit community. He said a lot of Dalit intellectuals had remained associated with the Sikh Gurus, and they had no historic kinship with Congress.

On the occasion, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, irrigation minister, said that the Akali government had always put the interests of the Dalits foremost, the fact which had always been reflected in its election manifesto also. He said that several plans like Shagun, Atta-Dal and many others had been initiated by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal for the welfare of Dalits. Sekhon said the time had come for Dalits and SC families to think about their interests and join the SAD instead of getting duped by the false promises made by the Congress every time elections were round the corner.

The sammelan was also addressed by Gurdev Singh Badal, former minister, Jathedar Hari Singh Zira, Paramjit Singh Sandhu, both ex-MLAs, Avtar Singh Minna, president SAD (youth wing) besides several SGPC members and SAD leaders.

Abohar, September 19
The timely action taken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) helped the local authorities today in foiling the bid by some persons to exploit the sentiments of the Sikh community over demolition of a room while taking physical possession of the 3-km stretch owned by the state government.

According to information available, the SGPC had taken notice of the complaints on alleged demolition of a gurdwara and disrespect to the Nishan Sahib by railway contractors yesterday. A team from a gurdwara in Muktsar visited the government seed farm and Dhaani Kadala Singh and found that the said gurdwara was constructed only after the government completed the survey of acquiring the land for the Abohar-Fazilka rail project.

It indicated that the construction of room and its subsequent use as gurdwara had some ulterior motives. The SGPC was never informed about the construction of the gurdwara. Sources said enquiries confirmed that the ‘Sarup’ (Granth Sahib) was shifted ceremonially from the room being used as gurdwara to gurdwara Nanaksar Tobha before beginning the demolition process. However, the authorities did not show the similar respect to the Nishan Sahib for which they apologised today and arranged to shift it to Nanaksar Tobha.

Some elements had been trying to instigate the people by spreading mischievous information only to thwart the long pending rail link project, the authorities alleged.

Bathinda, September 19
Mushroom cultivation could be adopted as a main occupation as it is a popular subsidiary and income-generating venture. While stating this Vikas Mehta, owner of Vikas Mushroom Farms, Solan, says at present about 400 farmers of Punjab are growing mushrooms in the state by adopting a technology standardised and recommended by the National Research Centre for Mushroom, Solan and at Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Ludhiana.

He says four main varieties namely, button mushroom, dhingri, paddy straw mushroom and milky mushroom have been recommended for cultivation in the state. The first two varieties are cultivated during the period of September to March while the other two are cultivated from April to August, he adds.

Mehta says PAU provides quality spawn for cultivation of the said varieties, which is available in the centre.

Growers are recommended to purchase spawn from the university against prior booking, says Dr Mehta. Mushroom training courses are also organised throughout the year in different districts of the state in collaboration with NRCM, he adds.

Two specialised training courses each of five-day duration for farmers are conducted free of cost in September at the PAU in order to facilitate new growers to take up mushroom cultivation, says the doctor.

Bathinda, September 19
Students of several colleges today took out a procession to pay tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The march started at 11 am and culminated after hours at the Arya Samaj chowk here. Students of Rajindra College, ITI Regional Centre, Polytechnic College and Malwa College took part in the procession.

The students said that the march was also taken out to protest against the state government’s decision of not allowing bus passes to students in private buses. Manpreet, state general secretary of Punjab Students’ Union (Shaheed Randhawa) said, “We oppose the government’s decision and will fight till the government withdraws its decision.”

Pavel, state president of the union, said that the students wanted to put their demand concerning bus passes before the government on the occasion of Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary and expected a positive response from the government’s side.

Fazilka, September 19
How fresh is the mid-day meal? This question haunts the minds of the tiny tots, who get the meal, and their guardians.

According to the information, only three kitchens have been set up in the Ferozepur district for cooking the mid-day meals, i.e. at Zira, Guruharsahai and Abohar. The Ferozepur district is spread over a longitudinal distance of about 150 km.

The Naari Shakti, Mumbai, is the NGO that supplies the meal. It delivers the “cooked” food just when the schools start i.e. at 8 am. In many areas, their employees deliver the food even 15 minutes before.

There is a slight variation of time according to the distance and accessibility of the schools in far-flung areas.

The NGO has been entrusted with the job of providing mid-day meal to over 70,000 students in Ferozepur district. It claims that 14 vehicles have been deployed to deliver the mid-day meal to different schools. According to sources, the food is cooked at least about two hours prior to its packing and is packed about an hour and a half before its delivery.

Following reports of worms, poor quality and inadequate quantity, the education department has directed the block primary education officers (BPEOs) to monitor and check the quality of the meals.

In these circumstances, the only option left with these BPEOs is that they should inspect the food between 4 am and 6 am. Is it feasible? Or that these BPEOs are doing the additional job in the wee hours daily is anybody’s guess.

The parents of the majority of the poor students, who avail of the mid-day meal facility, alleged that the meals lack freshness.

They maintained that the earlier arrangement of mid-day meals cooked in schools was better than this.

Barnala, September 19
To assess the special needs of children belonging to 0-14 years age-group, assessment camps would be organised in the district. This camp would be held as per the directions issued by Krishan Kumar, director general, school education-cum-project director, Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan, Punjab. 

Giving this information, district education officer Roshan Lal said that for block Shaina and Mehalkalan, the assessment camp would be held on September 23 at the BPEO office, Shaina, while for Barnala block, the camp would be held at Government primary school, Sandhu Patti, on September 24.

Abohar, September 19
Senior officials of the Rajasthan police regretted that the Punjab police was not taking due cognisance of the bodies and the same reached the tail-ends floating unchecked in the canals of this sub-division. This continued to increase the burden of fishing out and disposing of the unclaimed bodies besides maintaining a record of identity proof on the police in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts.

As per information available, during a tripartite meeting of the police officers from Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana at Sadulshehar, about 31 km from here on the state highway, on Wednesday, senior officials from Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts observed that frequent flow of bodies from Punjab was leading to failure in solving blind murders on their side.

The officials agreed to exchange the list of the proclaimed offenders and history-sheeters, who had allegedly been taking refuge on the other side of the inter-state border after committing crime, the sources added.

Barnala, September 19
One person was killed while five others sustained injuries, two of them seriously, in a road mishap at village Mehalkalan today.

According to sources, the accident took place when Gurmeet Singh, who runs a sound service centre at Mehalkalan, along with his five staff was returning from Wazid Ke Khurd in his Mahindra pick-up van. The deceased has been identified as Malkeet Singh (20). The injured include Gurmeet Singh, Nirmal Singh, Vipin Kumar, Hardeep Singh and Karmjeet Singh. The condition of Hardeep and Nirmal is stated to be critical.