Ludhiana, October 3
A man and his parents and younger brother have been sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment for dowry death.

All were facing charges of setting ablaze Babita of Puneet Nagar, Tajpur Road,
Ludhiana, just seven months after the marriage, as she failed to fulfil their
greed of more dowry.

Those convicted include Surinder Kumar (husband), Parveen Kumari(mother-in-law), Ashok Kumar (father-in-law) and Mohinder Kumar alias Vicky (brother-in-law) all residents of Sheera colony, Tibba Road.

Pronouncing the verdict, Additional Sessions Judge G S Sran held that the prosecution had succeeded in proving the guilt of the accused beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt.

However, the court acquitted the married sister of the main accused Mamta and her husband Naresh Kumar of New Model Town, Amritsar, with the observation that no charges against them were proved.

A case under Section 304-B (dowry death) of the IPC was registered against them at Basti Jodhewal police station on July 9, 2002, on the complaint of Jai Kumar, father of the victim woman.

The complainant had stated to the police that her daughter was married with the main accused on November 25, 2001.

A sufficient dowry was given at the time of marriage. But in-laws family of her daughter was not satisfied.

They used to maltreat and harass her on the pretext of bring less dowry. They received a telephonic message that her daughter had met with an accident.

When they reached Civil Hospital, her daughter told them her husband tried to strangulate her while rest of the accused poured kerosene and set her ablaze.

She could not survive following grievious burn injuries, he further added. On the other hand, the accused persons pleaded innocence and claimed false implication.

Ludhiana, October 3
Around half a dozen residential localities around Subhani Building in old city, including the wool market in Mochpura Bazar, were plunged into darkness after a 1000 KV transformer developed a snag around midnight on Wednesday.

The entire area fed by the transformer remained without power for more than 24 hours when power was partially restored by load shedding.

The 1000 KV transformer feeding the area was burnt a couple of days back as well and the area residents, as also the shopkeepers and traders, had to go without power and water for more than 36 hours.

The delay caused in replacement of the faulty transformer had led to angry protests by the affected people and the staff, manning the complaint office in Subhani Building subdivision, were under threat of being manhandled.

A functionary of the Mochpura Traders Association said it was reprehensible that officials of the Punjab State Electricity Board were being insensitive to the suffering caused to thousands of consumers on account of power failure for such a long duration in the hot and humid weather conditions.

"Not only the residents were made to sweat it out during the day and spent sleepless nights, the traders are suffering huge loss of business."

H.S. Randhawa, deputy chief engineer, City East circle, told The Tribune that the transformer installed in the Subhani Building area was quite old and the PSEB was no longer using such transformers.

The faulty transformers was replaced with the one taken on loan for a short duration from a private firm but unfortunately it also developed a snag and could not take the desired load.

"We are arranging two transformers of 500 KV each which should become functional by this evening when uninterrupted power supply will be provided to the affected localities," he claimed.

Ludhiana, October 3
Villagers from Katani Kalan staged a dharna inside CMCH today following the refusal of the hospital authorities to release the body of Najjar Singh (42), who died in the hospital on Monday.

The hospital authorities, after a prolonged discussion with the villagers and police officials, released the body this afternoon thereby waiving the unpaid bill.

Dr AG Thomas, director, CMCH, said, "Though it was a huge loss to the institution but we had no alternative other than releasing the body without taking the money. However, such practices are unfavourable for the working of medical institutions and doctors as they can't survive after bearing such losses."

Patients at CMCH are admitted on humanitarian grounds as the bills are secondary to treatment but such incidents are uncalled for, the director went on to add.

Having been seriously injured in a scuffle, Najjar Singh was admitted to CMCH on July 16 and was undergoing treatment at ICU.

Baljinder Singh, deceased's younger brother, sold off his property to deposit Rs 1.14 for his brother's treatment.

Keeping in mind the poor economic status of the family, the villagers volunteered to bear the daily medical expenditure varying between Rs 6,000- 8,000.

The problem started after Najjar Singh's death on Monday when the villagers led by former sarpanch Sat Pal called upon the hospital authorities to waive the hospital dues worth Rs 2.18 lakh to which the hospital authorities refused.

Ludhiana, October 3
Punjab’s only Braille Bhawan at Jamallpur is in a shambles though Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had about two months ago to get it upgraded, thanks to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities.

The Chief Minister had in July announced that the bhawan would soon be upgraded on the lines of the National Institute of Visually Impaired, Dehra Dun.

Punjab Association for Blind president Gurpreet Singh said, “Things have not changed since the Chief Minister’s visit. The condition remains the same.”

He further added that the projects which were forwarded by the Chief Minister
are still pending.

Giving details of the projects, Gurpreet Singh said, “Stray animals have on numerous occasions bitten students thus wild grass needs to be cut. The animals enter the boundary wall that is broken at various places. As per the Chief Minister’s direction it was to be repaired but nothing has been done so far.”

Since the posts of nine teachers are lying vacant in the high school, the
students are being taught in two groups, he added. Students are even being
deprived of potable water.

The monthly diet allowance for students was to be increased from Rs 600 to Rs 1,200 per student and the existing high school in the institute needs to be upgraded to the plus two level from the next academic year as per the Chief Minister’s orders.

A flyover for the convenience of the students was also to be constructed opposite the bhawan for which the mayor was given charge, he added.

Moreover, the Chief Minister had also given forwarded the proposal for upgrading sports infrastructure in the institute and laying a sports ground.

The audiocassette library was also to be upgraded to a CD/ DVD library for which a budget of Rs 40 lakh had been approved.

However, all projects are hanging fire due to one reason or another, he said.

The state-of-the-art auditorium is still under construction for the past 12 years
and so is the tubewell.

The auditorium was supposed to be completed within 15 days following Badal’s
visit in July this year.

Gurpreet Singh further said the charge of the bhawan should be given to a superintendent instead of the district social security welfare officer, who is overburdened as he is already looking after five departments.

When a team of Ludhiana Tribune visited the bhawan to probe into the matter, the officials present there denied them entry. They refused to talk to The Tribune team.

When contacted, district social security officer Inderpreet Kaur said she would be able to provide details only after “consulting senior officials.”

Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura said all projects of the Braille Bhawan assigned to the municipal councillor by the Chief Minister were under process and the funds for the same would be cleared within a week.

Ludhiana, October 3
City's special children are busy making our festive season special. Making an extra effort by fixing a mirror here or pasting a lace there, the kids are busy during school hours to come out with something special.

This, they are doing along with their regular classes. Their disability notwithstanding, the kids are putting their heart and soul into making decorative items, proceeds from the sales of which will be used for running their institutions.

A visit to city's schools for special children revealed that like every year, this time, too, these children are preparing items for Diwali.

Their art and craft rooms are full of colourful items like candles, envelopes, bags, idols and diyas.

Students of Nirdosh, a school for challenged children, make candles, both normal as well as floating ones, gift-wrapping sheets, envelopes, Ganesha idols, diyas, mud huts, hand bags and rangoli colours every year for Diwali.

They put up stalls at exhibitions, carnivals, clubs, shopping malls and local markets to sell their goods.

"We get these stalls free of cost and the children manage them with the help of the school staff," said Kitty Bakshi, a member of Nirdosh.

Bakshi maintained that in the absence of government grants, the school depends on private donations, charity and proceeds from the sale of goods made by children.

"We give these children vocational training, which is in addition to their formal education. The goods made by the kids in the vocational training class during the session are sold off during Diwali," she added.

Similarly, students of Ashirwad, a school for children suffering from cerebral palsy, learn to make hand-printed duppatas and scarves, bags, aprons, napkins, envelopes, idols and diyas in their art and craft class round the year.

During Diwali, these items are put on display for sale in schools, colleges and banks.

The proceeds go towards raising facilities for the children, said Harjit Kaur,
member, Ashirwad. Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre for Blind also has
similar plans for their students.

Ludhiana, October 3
Jaspreet Virk (20) has dreams in her eyes. Dreams to make her parents proud just like any other girl her age.

But, what makes this BA Part I student of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujjarkhan Campus, different from others is her disability.

Jaspreet is suffering from cerebral palsy since the age of one. Born normal, Jaspreet suffered from high fever when she was one. This had resulted in a stroke and 75 per cent disability.

Though she can now walk with the support of a walker, till two years back she was completely confined to her wheelchair.

She still has problem writing and doing normal chores with her hands. Jaspreet had to fight several odds to take admission in college.

With no institution ready to give admission in regular classes, Jaspreet completed her education till Class XII privately with the help of a writer even as she went to Ashirwad Ek Prayas, a school and daycare centre for physically challenged children.

After scoring good marks in Class XII board examination, she decided to join college but with her disability, no institution was ready to admit her, citing lack of facilities like a ramp for special students like her.

Jaspreet was keen on joining Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women. Looking at her grit and determination to study further, the college authorities not only gave her admission but also shifted the classes from the first floor to the ground floor for Jaspreet's convenience.

"The principal, staff and students are very helpful and cooperative and, thanks to them, my dream of studying in a college has been fulfilled," said Jaspreet.

"We had not thought she would be able to complete her higher studies. But it is all due to her own efforts that Jaspreet is today studying in a college," said the girl's father, Capt Gurcharanjit Singh Virk.

"We are very proud of her. She has gone through very difficult times, including
three surgeries and nine plasters, but our child never gave up. She is a brave
and happy child and is going strong because of her determination," said Sarabjeet,
the proud mother.

Jaspreet is fond of kids and plans to open a crèche after completing her graduation. Besides studies, she loves to paint, watch movies and is a big Harbhajan Mann fan, whom she idolises and yearns to meet some day.

Ludhiana, October 3
With the festive season ahead, Ludhianvis will witness a shopping bonanza in the form of Carnival of Lights-2008 to be held at Hotel Park Plaza from October 4-5.

While addressing a press conference here today, Divya Dhanda, organiser of the carnival, said it would prove to be a delight for the city people as they would get an opportunity to shop for the approaching festive season.

Mumbai-based Anu Chadha, who also runs her studio at Amritsar under the name “Jiewels by Aannu Chadha”, would be a part of this two-day carnival.

Her jewellery is marked by exclusive setting of precious stones and diamonds in gold.

"Quality and workmanship standards are the hallmark of my production. Classical
and Victorian designs in floral patterns are some of my outstanding creations,"
adds Annu.

Telling further about her range, she puts in that her designs exude feminine grace
and splendour.

"The studio caters to elite tastes. There is something for everyone from contemporary to ethnic, chic to heavy precious to semi precious, a variety of styles and most important budgets", adds Annu.

The carnival will be having 56 stalls with participants coming from all parts of India. "We have participants coming from Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, et al", she added.

In addition to this, the main attraction at the carnival will be the stall by the students of Nirdosh, a school for special children. They will be putting up their hand-made artefacts like candles, diyas, mud huts and other decorative objects.

Ludhiana, October 3
Vegetable prices that have already been
on a higher side for the last few months
have recorded another 20 to 50 per cent
rise with the beginning of “Navratras”.

The prices of vegetables have gone up,
thanks to the increased demand recorded
at the start of festive season.

The prevailing sky-rocketing prices are
giving middle class a tough time.

The vegetables like green peas are available at Rs 70 to 80 per kg in retail markets whereas the situation is no better in the case of tomatoes that are priced at Rs 25, cauliflower at Rs 30, ladyfingers at Rs 25, french beans at Rs 40, radish, onions and potatoes at Rs 15 per kg in the retail market of Ghumar Mandi.

Wholesale traders said the prices were expected to rise further with the demand.

While the demand for items like potatoes and radish goes up during Navratras, other vegetables too are expected to witness a rise in the demand with the beginning of wedding season.

"We are quite happy that the demand has increased. Even though the prices have risen, we are getting customers unlike a week ago when the business was not doing well," said Upendra Kumar, a grocery seller in Ghumar Mandi.

As market forces come into play, middle man, it seems would get no respite from the continual price hike.

"Rates are likely to go up further as demand will raise manifold," said Amarbir Singh, general secretary, Ludhiana Fruit and Vegetable Commission Agents Association.

Ludhiana, October 3
Jassi Khangura, a MLA, flagged off a truck full of relief supplies to the flood affected area of Bihar here today.

He said, “Despite the receding flood the state still faces immense problems. We
are sending the truck full of blankets, lunghis, children sweaters and clothes to
assist the needy people.”

He added, “The scale of any disaster often emerges a few weeks after the event. Devastation is on a massive scale.

“The requisite response is required from the government and the voluntary sector.

“We hope our contribution goes some way to alleviate the grief and the agony
suffered by many.”

Ludhiana, October 3
International Day for the Elderly on Wednesday was just another date in the calendar for senior citizens as there was no let-up in their share of problems at public counters in government departments.

From railway platform counters to ticket windows at the bus stand, elderly men and women had to wait for long in queues.

What was more shocking was the attitude of employees at government offices as their high-handed behaviour only added insult to the injury.

Far from being considerate towards the elderly, employees at the office of Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, did not refrain from shouting and shoving them aside.

Aggrieved over the callous attitude of the officials, Sita (name changed) said, "I have been trying to get the signatures of officials for completion of my documents for old age pension for the past six months but to no avail as I have no money to bribe the clerks concerned."

Further making a mockery of old age pension, the state government is paying only Rs 250 to old age pensioners, with 65 being the age limit for men and 60 for women.

"The amount is negligible looking at the inflation rate as we can't even buy a month's vegetables from the pension amount," rued Resham Singh (72).

Social security officer Inderjit Kaur said there were 8,754 old age pensioners
who were getting Rs 250 from the state which the government was planning to
revise at the earliest.

"In addition to the state pension, 4,600 pensioners are getting Rs 200 per month under the Indira Gandhi National old age pension scheme," the SSO said.

There is no end to the sad saga of old age homes across the city as every senior citizen is an example of the disintegration of social fabric.

It is an endless wait for the elderly men and women 'ousted' by their families.

Ludhiana, October 3
Expecting a low turnout during the festive season, the municipal corporation has decided to hold auction of the land which was formally transferred to it today by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) on November 3.

Talking to The Tribune, municipal commissioner G.S. Ghuman said, "The revenue records of 7.3 acre at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and 1.13 acre on the Ferozepore road were transferred to us today."

He said the municipal corporation had formally received revenue records of the land and would be now placing advertisements in various newspapers for their auction.

"Both the auctions would take place on the same day, starting with the Ferozepore land first," the municipal commissioner added.

Ghuman said, "Due to Diwali, we are a little reluctant to hold the auction before the festival as there are chances of getting less response."

However, he was optimistic that the auction in November would surely bring good news for the Ludhiana MC.

The auction, which is likely to fetch around Rs 250 crore, is expected to give a big relief to the municipal corporation as the local body has been permitted by the state government to retain Rs 150 crore out of the sale proceeds for development works.

The MC had been depending on the state government for funds and many development works of the municipal corporation are expected to begin once they receive the amount from the auction.

The decision came in the wake of the new policy adopted by the Punjab government that the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) and LIT would be contributing towards infrastructure development of the city.

Ludhiana, October 3
A monthly meeting of PAU Kisan Club was held today wherein PAU experts provided technical guidelines to club members to strive for scientific agriculture.

Key-speakers were Dr U.S. Walia, head, department of agronomy, who discussed various ways to manage weeds in rabi crops through an integrated approach.

Dr D.S. Cheema, head, the department of vegetable crops, highlighted the production technology of medicinal and aromatic plants saying that these crops can augment farmers’ income, besides promoting diversification in agriculture.

He said “suvidha kendra” for these crops had been set up at PAU with the support of the National Medicinal Plant Board.

He also spoke on the net-house technology for growing vegetables in a pesticide-free environment. Er C.S. Pannu discussed the benefits of happy seeder.

Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli, club president, highlighted various activities of the club.

Ludhiana, October 3
Dr G. Chinna Reddy, minister for rural development, Andhra Pradesh, today, paid an official visit to Punjab Agricultural University.

He was accompanied by P. Chinnathataiah, regional project director of the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), department of PR & RD.

The PAU registrar and acting vice-chancellor, Dr R.K.Mahey, highlighted the organisational set-up and research programmes of PAU.

Dr Reddy, who is a doctorate in plant breeding, showed keen interest in the research programmes of PAU.

Dr Reddy and P. Chinnathataiah also visited the Museum of Social History of Punjab on the PAU Campus.

They showed keen interest in the artefacts depicting social and rural life of Punjab.

He appreciated the vision and artistic acumen of Dr M.S.Randhawa, who was the man behind the creation of the Museum.

Dr Reddy said like Punjab, AP, also had a rich culture and heritage and he had a
plan to set up a similar museum at Hyderabad wherein culture and heritage would
be displayed artistically.

He said the very purpose of his visit to PAU was to study the Museum of Rural
Life of Punjab.

Dr Reddy explained that his government had started a number of projects and programmes aimed at women empowerment.

He was received by Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, additional director of communication, and the museum staff.

Arshpreet said she got a chance to participate in the state-level competition organised by the Sangam Kala Manch.

She was one of the four candidates selected out of 600 participants and got the third position in the finals and after that, there was no looking back.

Ludhiana, October 3
A common vision of "raising the humanity" and some informal meetings while waiting outside the offices of doctors brought the founders of this organisation together.

The Rising Youth Association (RYA), a brainchild of three pharmacists, is an example that your profession can help you to serve the society.

Started with limited resources and a spirit to contribute to the society, Gurinder Chahal, Varun Shridhar and Sukhpreet Sandhu, founder members of the RYA, are thriving to do much more than what they are doing today.

They initiated with small health camps last year with the help of some doctors, who were known to them and came with the organisation in February this year.

Association president Gurinder Chahal said, "Initially we were three so there was no question of forming an organisation as we were doing it for our satisfaction. But slowly our friends and company colleagues along with the doctors expressed their desire to be a part of the organisation and we formed the RYA."

He added that the organisation had around 100 members till date.

General secretary Varun Shridhar said the association had organised various health camps, including a mega camp, at Kohara where 1,100 persons were checked by a team of doctors from Apollo Hospital.

He said the age group of the association members varied from 22 to 40 years.

Expanding their focus from health to environment the RYA has been holding tree plantation drives too.

One of such drive was held at Cheema Chowk where hundreds of plants of different varieties were brought and planted by the organisation members.

Varun said their focus was to make slum areas eco-friendly and they would be holding plantation drives at Salem Tabri and Abdullahpur Basti to develop these areas into greener ones.

Describing the future plans, Sukhpreet Singh Sandhu said the RYA's aim was to involve youth in the developmental tasks.

Motivating them and creating awareness was one of the ways they could help in bringing a change in the society, he added.

Ludhiana, October 3
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Faridkot, was adjudged second in the zone at the zonal workshop of KVKs at Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, from September 29 to October 1, a press release of PAU, said here today.

According to Dr N.S. Malhi, director of extension education, KVK, Kapurthala, stood third while Hoshiarpur was awarded a consolation prize.

Dr. Jagdev Singh Brar, deputy director of KVK, Faridkot, informed that zone-I comprise KVKs of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.

Dr Malhi said KVKs played a great role in the transfer of technology through the organisation of training camps and holding camps to disseminate useful information to the farmers and farming women of their respective areas.

Ludhiana, October 3
The Punjab Istri Sabha will organise a state conference on Women Empowerment for Socio Economic Transformation from October 4 to 5.

It will be held at Pindi Dyal Dharmshala in Civil Lines. The event will be inaugurated by Communist Party of India national secretary Amarjeet Kaur.

This was stated in a press note issued by outfit president Gurcharan Kochher.

Ludhiana, October 3
The city police has nabbed two proclaimed offenders (POs) from different parts of the state. The accused were produced in court and sent to jail.

The accused, wanted in many cases of thefts and burglaries, had been on the run for a long time.

Ludhiana, October 3
Jalandhar girls won both their football matches in the U-17 while hosts Ludhiana too had an easy outing on the third day of the 54th Punjab Schools Inter-District Games here today.

The games are being held simultaneously at Guru Nanak Stadium, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University and Government Senior Secondary School, Bharat Nagar Chowk ground.

The games are being organised by the Punjab education department.

In the first match, Jalandhar eves had to toil hard against Ferozpur before emerging winners 1-0 and in the second encounter, they faced a little resistance from their opponents, Moga 5-0.

In other matches, Ludhiana routed Gurdaspur 5-0; Patiala blanked Moga 3-0; Barnala defeated Fatehgarh Sahib 6-0; Sangrur outplayed Mansa 2-0; Amritsar defeated Moga 1-0.

In football (u-19), two matches were played today in which Patiala outclassed Muktsar 3-1 while Jalandhar outnumbered Moga 4-0.

In handball (u-19), Jalandhar beat Mohali 11-3; Ludhiana sports wing defeated Fatehgarh Sahib 20-1; Ferozepur got the better of Muktsar 5-1; Kairon wing Taran Tarn overwhelmed Ludhiana 12-0; Ropar outplayed Ferozepur 11-1; Jalandhar beat Moga 14-4; Hoshiarpur beat Faridkot 19-2 and Kairon wing Taran Tarn blanked Hoshiarpur 8-0.

District education officer Sudesh Bajaj, assistant education officer (sports), Rupinder Singh Ravi, along with Ravinder Sharma, Gurbachan Singh, Ajit Pal Singh and Kulbir Singh were present during the matches today.