Ludhiana, October 2
The government may have chosen Gandhi Jayanti as the most appropriate occasion to bring in its ban on smoking in public places, but it was hardly implemented in the city today and no one was challaned for the offence.

The efforts of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to make people aware of the law through advertisements in newspapers and television, too, seemed a wasteful exercise.

People were easily spotted having puffs at public places like railway station, bus stand, complexes, Rose Garden and Rakh Bagh, as they said they were not aware of the law. People in uniform were also seen smoking, raising a question mark over the implementation of the law.

When Vineet, a passenger who was smoking and waiting at the railway station, was asked was he aware of the law, he replied in negative and said no one had raised an objection on his smoking. He pointed out at another person and some coolies and said even they were smoking. "First stop them and then ask me not to smoke at a public place," he added.

Similarly, a cop, who was spotted smoking at the mini-secretariat, said rules are made to be broken. "Every third person in India smokes and you can not challan everyone. What would you do to them who smoke beedis and don't have enough money to pay the fine,” he questioned.

Interestingly, this is not for the first time. According to information, moves were also made earlier to ban smoking in the city, but failed as no one was ready to take the responsibility to check the menace.

Talking to The Tribune, SP (Headquarters) Harish Kumar said, "At present we have not challaned anyone, but we would start it soon." He added that if some police official was found smoking in duty hours, he would be punished.

When contacted, deputy commissioner S.S. Gurjar said if there had been some shortcomings in the implementation of law, we would see to it. He, however, said it was not possible to run after every person as the administration had limited resources.

Meanwhile, Guinness World Records holder Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury claimed to have invented a device "Cigavaccine" which could help a smoker to quit the habit. The vaccination is scheduled to be launched by November 15 this year. 

Phillaur, October 2
As the entire country was observing a dry day to mark Gandhi Jayanti, it was a boozer’s day out at the Gandhi memorial situated on the banks of Satluj in Phillaur here today.

However, a sweeper tried his best to clear the liquor bottles from the Gandhi memorial before the local leader’s visit, but as soon as the politician left the venue it was again swarmed by anti-social elements.

The smokers were seen enjoying the puff despite the ban imposed by the Central government on smoking at public places from today.

Dharminder Kumar, who works in a school and is also a caretaker of the shrine situated close to the Gandhi memorial, rued over the desecrations of the memorial.

“There is no one to look after the memorial of such a historic significance. However, we sometimes shoo away the drinkers with the help of the police, but as soon as we leave the place more such people gather for drinking liquor,” he added.

The memorial, situated a furlong from the GT Road, is at present home to urchin and anti-social elements.

Mani Dhaliwal, a resident of Phillaur, said”While politicians, officials and self-proclaimed followers of Gandhiji pay tributes to him at a memorial situated on the banks of the Sutlej, the place is ignored for the rest of the year and provides a safe shelter to all kind of anti-social elements.”

Ludhiana, October 2
The city police nabbed the hoax caller, who created panic in the city by making calls about bombs being planted at crowded places of the city.

The Jodhewal police arrested Pardeep Kumar, hoax caller, from the Ram Nagar Chowk near Tibba Road late last night.

This sent the alarm bells ringing and the people and the administration were on their toes.

The police traced the mobile number of the accused and nabbed him. During the interrogation he admitted having committed the crime.

The accused also created panic among residents by claiming that he has alleged links with a terrorist.

Ludhiana can boast of such photo-artists as can blend the beauty of form and truth of existence in their creations. Earlier T.P.S. Sandhu and Ranjodh Singh had captured the varied moods of nature in their photographs.

Over the period of seven years, both these photo-artists have held four exhibitions, under the logo of “Drishtikon”, in Ludhiana. In a way they have changed the scenario of this mega city, which has otherwise been caught in the process of manufacturing, advertising and marketing.

The exhibition of paintings, photographs and handicrafts, from time to time, creates an aura that is not easily blurred by the din and noise as well as smoky landscape and hazy skyscrapers of the city. Of course, it is not pertinent to assert that the world of capital is insensitive to the spectacles of the artistic forms. In fact persons, who are holding the strings of the purse too crave for a glimpse of the ethereal beauty that the artists create in their works.

Recently two photo-artists have emerged on the horizon of the city with aplomb. They are basically poets and have received appreciation for their contribution to Punjabi literature. But the poetic urge can take recourse to other mediums for expression besides, metaphors and images, which are the products of words.

This is what Swarnjit Savi and Jaswant Zafar have done in their individualistic way.

Swarnjit Savi is a painter-artist par excellence. Now he has created a new image of "the city by night" through the lens of his camera. His photo-exhibition, “The Dancing Line”, was held at Gallery Artmosphere, Ludhiana, from September 17 to 27. What prompted him to put aside, even for a short while, his pen and brush so as to catch the every-evolving patterns of decorative lights during night?

"Traditionally, photography is based on an object that already exists. But in my case the object is not pre-existing. I have tried to catch the glowing colours of light, which have no pre-eminent existence. At nightfall a city like Ludhiana dons a different kind of apparel, which bewitches the viewer.”

Does he intend to blend poetry, painting and photography in such a manner so as to reveal three dimensions of a thing of beauty?

"Basically all arts are complementary to one another. For example, poetry, painting, photography, sculpturing and music converge on the same human quest for harmony and poise at the heart of the universe. On my part, I try to dig my own path and explore the unexplored so far.”

Jaswant Singh Zafar, in an earlier period, tried to seek the hidden reality of life in caricatures. His exhibition of cartoons in PAU, a long time ago, is still fresh in memory. But now he has viewed historic monuments and natural objects through the lens of the camera. He held his photo-exhibition “Picturesque” in PSEB Hall, Ludhiana, from September 27 to 29. Now the same has been shifted to Gallery Artmosphere, Ludhiana, where it will be open till October 13.

What has he to say about his creative work in the field of photo art?

"My quest for the immediate reality of human existence has led me to the camera. In my opinion life is not static or linear but cyclic. The universe is in the process of rejection, renewal and acceptance. This process ultimately leads to the aesthetic vision of life. Beauteous forms are the outcome of artistic endeavours.”

His creativity seems to be focused on the display of chiaroscuro. These photographs can be termed as a study in light and shade. From his deep involvement in the interplay of words and drawing sketches, he has emerged as a photo-artist. What are his future plans?

"In my poems and prose writings I have tried to comprehend the mystique of the metaphors and symbols. Now camera is my constant companion and I may be considered a dilettante in photography. But I know that camera can reveal to me such beauteous forms as are palpable and abstract at the same time.”

— N.S. Tasneem 

Ludhiana, October 2
Resentment prevailed among hundreds of visitors who had been standing in long queues since morning as there was no sign of work at the sub-registrar West and East offices here yesterday till 1.30 pm.

People rued that there was no official to address their apathies or intimidate them whether someone would be coming to pursue the work or they should return.

Besides, the hot weather added to their woes, as there was no shade or place to sit and potable water to drink. Even a few senior citizens fainted after waiting in long queues.

As per information, the work has been suffering since sub-registrar (W) A.P. Verma was held in a graft case by the vigilance bureau.

Prem (70) said she had been waiting since 5 am along with her daughters. “We pay so much revenue to the government and even then they are not bothered to give us good service,” she said adding that even tomorrow was a holiday.

Amarjit Singh, who had come from Delhi, said,” I was asked to appear on September 30 which was a holiday in Punjab. The office didn’t even bother to check whether they are calling people on a state holiday.”

He said he had been standing in the queue since 8 am and was doubtful whether his sale deed work would be done today or not. He added that even October 2 was a holiday and the work would be once again postponed if the official do not return.

Similarly, 75-year-old Nirmal Singh, who had come from Gujjran near Ladowal, said he had been coming for the past six days. It was not possible for him to make frequent rounds of the government offices at this age. Besides, there were all women in his family, he added.

NRI Sukhdev Singh, who had come from the USA said, “My wife is sick but her presence is required for signing the deed. We had been coming to the sub-registrar office since Friday but could not find any respite.”

When an official sitting in the office was asked whether someone was coming or not he replied in negative and said he knows nothing.

Talking to The Tribune, district revenue officer Inderjeet Kahlon said the sub-registrar who was deputed for today’s work was on a leave and she had submitted her application at the Samarala office. “We came to know about it in the morning only and would be sending someone to do the work,” he added.

The condition of roads in Ludhiana is alarming. Who is to blame for this? Of course, those in power. Both the Congress and the SAD-BJP combine should stop blaming one another and start working with honesty. The government must own up the responsibility and make contractors use good material while laying roads. The roads of the city were never so bad around 40 years ago. The then contractors used to use quality material. Government officials used to supervise work till its completion and were held accountable to the government in case of complaint. Today’s system has gone corrupt.

Ludhiana, October 2
Prolonged power cuts have reduced industrial production to half here. Unscheduled cuts of two-three hours, along with two compulsory offs in a week and daily six hours of cuts in residential-cum-industrial areas, have badly hit the functioning of all categories of enterprises.

Unable to cope up, a few industrial units in engineering segment are even planning to set their base in other states, said industrial sources.

As diesel costs, too, have increased in the recent past, manufacturing enterprises are finding it unaffordable to even run generator sets for long hours.

“Peak hour cuts, unscheduled power cuts and weekly offs have reduced our working hours to 50 per cent. It is not possible to incur costs on generators for such a long period. Production is suffering badly and industry will not be able to cope up if the situation continues to remain the same,” rued S.C. Ralhan, regional chairman, Engineering Export Promotion Council.

While residential areas with heavy concentration of industry are facing six hours of cuts on a daily basis apart from unscheduled cuts, enterprises with more than 100 kW of sanctioned load face peak load restrictions of three hours daily.

Industries like auto part manufacturers; hand tools, cycle and cycle part units have been bearing the brunt of fluctuations in steel rates and insufficient labour as well. Even as prices of steel have remained stable for the past few weeks and the problem of labour shortage also tackled, industry has been unable to function smoothly on account of an erratic power supply.

“Power crisis should have been dealt on a priority by the government but the situation is only worsening. The overall performance would be hit and given the situation we fear we may not be able to cover up for the past losses in production. Worse is, now that labour is available they are forced to stay idle due to power cuts. Costs are rising but business is deteriorating,” said Charanjit Singh Vishwakarma, president, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association.

Ludhiana, October 2
Adequate security arrangements have been made in the city in view of Dussehra celebrations after the serial blasts that rocked New Delhi and other states. The local police is on alert in and around the Dussehra venues in the town.

Ishwar Singh, DIG, Ludhiana range, told The Tribune that SSP R.K.Jaiswal met the representatives of the Ramlila and Dussehra committees on September 28. They were briefed about necessary steps to be taken for guarding their venues. They were advised not to enact anything that could arouse communal hatred. The DIG further said the organisers were asked to enrol intelligent workers or volunteers who should man the entry and exit point of the venues.

“Two companies of armed commandos and one company of IRB (Indian Reserve Battalion) have been deployed to man the venues around the city. Another 200 police personnel had been deputed to maintain the law and order,” the SSP added.

The SSP further stated that the organisers had been asked to ensure that vehicles were parked 500 mt away from the venue. The Women and men must be segregated.

“All Ramlila and Dussehra committees have been provided with the door frame metal detectors and hand held metal detectors for frisking people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the temples in the city are all decked up to celebrate Navratras and Dussehra.

Krishen Bawa, Mahant, Thakur Dwara Nauhrian Temple, said, “My forefathers have been taking out the “Dola”, depicting the various facets of Lord Rama’s life for the past 150 years. It starts from the temple everyday and passes through the main roads and ends at Daresi Ground where Dussehra celebrations had been place before the Partition. The “Dola” returns from Daresi Ground to the temple on the same day.

K.K.Marwaha, chairman, Ramlila committee, Daresi Ground, said “There is great rush in the evening particularly after 8 pm. We have all arrangements for people’s entertainment, eating out and amusements. We have our own security, supplemented by 50 policemen deployed by the administration. We have recruited 20 private security guards as well. The other major Dussehra grounds attracting crowd are Focal Point, Urban Estate, Jamalpur Sector - 32, Upkaar Nagar, Rishi Nagar and Aggar Nagar.

Ludhiana, October 2
Mahindra Renault has launched the new collection Logan, a new line-up of its popular passenger cars.

Ludhiana, October 2
The authorities at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here may have constituted a committee to probe into the alleged sexual harassment case against the Director, Students Welfare, Dr Dulcha Singh Brar, but those attached with the farm varsity feel that there needs to be a quick investigation into the matter to end the ongoing controversy.

On September 26, Vice- Chancellor M.S.Kang had constituted a new committee to look into the matter. The earlier standing committee had Dr Dulcha Singh Brar as one of its members. Dr Neelam Grewal, dean, College of Home Science has been made the chairperson of the new committee.

When asked about the inquiry, Dr Neelam Grewal said: "We have started the process. It is difficult to say how long it will take but we will try to submit the report as soon as possible". She however refused to name the other members of the committee or the details attached to the inquiry.

Eminent economist S.S.Johl, while talking to The Tribune, said complaint of this nature was never filed during his tenure at the farm varsity. He said the authorities must not linger on. "The reputation of two individuals is involved in the case. If there’s any doubt, it must be cleared at the earliest. Justice must be given to the female employee. Any delay will be torturous to the victim", said Dr Johl.

According to sources, though the written complaint against the DSW was filed on September 14, the authorities were told about the "misbehaviour" by much before that. One of the senior faculty members disclosed that the case had become the topic of discussion in PAU circles. 

Ludhiana, October 2
A group of three scientists from Cornell University visited the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and held discussions with the varsity scientists on wheat crop.

The group included Dr Ronnie Coffman, international professor of plant breeding and director of international programmes at Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dr K. Vijayraghavan and Dr Robert Tripp from Surrey, UK. The team held discussions with V-C Dr Manjit Singh Kang, director of research Dr P.S. Minhas and additional director of communication and inter-disciplinary team of wheat scientists Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman. The V-C said that PAU seeds were in great demand during the recently held kisan melas. Over 12,000 quintals of seed of the new variety PBW-550 were supplied to farmers.

Dr Coffman highlighted the global efforts in view of the UG-99, a new race of wheat rust and expressed that global research community was not fully mobilised to deal with the new race. He said that the Gates Foundation had a focus on Africa and off late, it was considering South-Asia in a faced manner. 

Doraha, October 2
Students pursuing graduate and postgraduate degree in various streams in the colleges affiliated to Punjab University have demanded scrapping of September examinations as they term it to be a sheer wastage of time and energy.

The university has based internal assessment of these classes on lectures and house examinations held in September and December. The assessment is 10 per cent of the total marks of the written and theory examinations. The weightage of this assessment is 30 per cent of the September and 50 per cent of the December examinations and 20 per cent will be based on the attendance.

“Teachers feel that the whole session passes in the oragnisation, conduct and preparation of the examinations, which continue for the whole session and teaching actually receives a back seat”, views a senior lecturer.

The students feel that the September tests can be easily scraped and they should be taken once in December, as was the practice earlier. “By that time maximum syllabus is covered and the students too would take these examinations seriously as compared to the September examinations”, remarks another college lecturer.

Ludhiana, October 2
The beginning of festive season has failed to bring the desired buoyancy in business. Retailers, who recorded a heavy turnout of customers on the first day of Navratras on Tuesday, were disappointed with the significant decline in the number of buyers on the second day.

Traders said sales were reduced to 50 per cent of what they were last year on the festival of Eid.

Jewellers, another segment that had been waiting for the festive season due to a major decline in their business, too are sceptical this time. The impact of inflation, feel entrepreneurs, may hamper the expected growth.

"On the first Navratra, we recorded nearly 100 per cent rise in the number of customers but the scenario was pretty disappointing yesterday as the number reduced to less than half. We are quite worried as inflation has already hit our business in a major way. There was a decline of more than 60 per cent. We had been banking on the festive season but now the uncertainty has added to our worries," said Gurvinder Singh, president of the Akalgarh Market Shopkeepers Association.

Tightening of money market along with inflation has led to a decline in business in most segments. Among the worst-hit segments are retail, textiles and hosiery. As festival season is expected to give a jump of even more than 100 per cent in sales, most sectors have been hoping that the season would help cover up the previous slowdown.

The impact was multiplied for hosiery industry which got a setback on account of fall in orders from Jammu and Kashmir this year. Jewellers, on the other hand, suffered due to the continually rising gold rates.

"There was no increase in business on the first day of Navratras as gold rate kept fluctuating. We have no option but to wait and watch. We hope the coming days will reverse the slowdown," said Vinit Dhanda of the Ludhiana Jewellers Association.

Ludhiana, October 2
After 30 days of fasting, today was time for the Muslims to feast on the occasion of Id. The sweet fragrance of “sewiyaan” captivated everybody. Muslims in lakhs offered prayers outside the Jama Masjid today morning.

Nearly one lakh Muslims offered namaz, which was read out by Punjab Maulana Habib ul Rehman Sanhi Ludhianvi.

After offering the namaz, Id Milan programme was organised in which people from all walks of life congratulated their Muslim brethrens. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also congratulated them over the phone.

“Sewiyaan” were distributed among those present. While speaking on the occasion Punjab Maulana said Id stands for brotherhood. “At present terrorists are trying to split the people on the basis of religion but we would not allow them to do so,” he added.

Mandi Ahmedgarh: EId-ul-Fitr was celebrated with fervour in the city here and the surrounding villages. Leaders of various Hindu and Sikh organisations also greeted their Muslim brethren on the occasion.

Clad in colourful garments, Muslims gathered in the morning at idgahs on the Dehliz road, and in the surrounding villages of Dehliz Kalan, Rohira, Kanganwal and Rasoolpur.

Before performing "namaz" at the idgahs, members of the Muslim community gave alms to the poor.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal visited the Malerkotla Jama Masjid and greeted the Muslims, who had come in large numbers to offer prayers there. The prayers were led by the Imam of the masjid Hafiz Mohammad Unis.

Addressing the devotees, Mohammad Ibrahim, chief of the Ahmedgarh Jama Maszid, said Eid reaffirmed the belief of sacrifice among human beings. He said Islam preached peace and brotherhood among different communities. He condemned certain vested interests which were trying to identify Islam with violence and terrorism. 

Doraha, October 2
A security guard, who was on a night duty at a Cooperative Society bank, was found murdered outside the bank at Kaddon village, 2 km from here, yesterday.

Menga Singh (65), who belonged to the same village, was working as a security guard for the past couple of years. Villagers found his body lying in the pool of blood and informed Maghar Singh, bank manager, who in turn informed the police.

The villagers said the outer lock of the safe room was broken, but the once inside was intact.

According to them, Menga Singh might have resisted after recognising the suspects who in a hurry killed him.

Gurjit Singh, president, Cooperative Bank Society, said the suspects might have used a sharp edged tool, which was recovered from the spot, as the neck, arm and head of the deceased bore deep cut marks.

According to him, iron wire recovered from the spot reveals that the security guard might have been strangulated during the scuffle with the suspects. The sources affirm that the loot might have been the motive behind the guard’s blind murder.

Police officials, including the SSP, DSP Payal, SHO Payal and station in charge of Doraha reached the spot to probe into the murder.

However, the SSP Khanna said it was, too, early to ascertain the actual reason behind the gruesome murder and detailed investigations could alone throw a light on the actual facts.

Ludhiana, October 2
With the onset of the festive season, cases of gambling have witnessed a spurt in the city with the police registering as many as 14 cases on the first Navaratra, most of them from Division Number 6.

The police claims to have arrested several people and recovered lakhs of rupees during the raids.

During the festival season, gambling in the city reaches its peak and the police faces tough time to nab the gamblers. It is not always the habitual gamblers who try their luck during the festive season, but most of the city residents, including women, indulge in gambling. Money worth several lakhs of rupees gets exchanged in a single day, say police. 

Ludhiana, October 2
More than 300 aspirants (boys and girls’ u-16, u-18 and u-20) attended the trials conducted here today at the Guru Nanak Stadium to select the Punjab contingent for the Junior National Athletics Championship slated to be held at Mysore from November 12 to 16, said Ishar Singh Deol, honorary general secretary, Punjab Amateur Athletics Association.

The qualifying mark set for attending the trials was the timings recorded by the participants during the last edition of the national meet. The selected boys and girls will attend a preparatory camp prior to their participation in the upcoming national championship, Deol said.

Besides, Ishar Singh Deol, Kanwalpreet Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Gurcharan Singh Maan and Sanjay Kumar and other athletic coaches were present during the trials.