Ludhiana, October 18
Plastic Surgeons from India and abroad attended the first day of 5th Annual Conference of the NZAPSI (North Zone Association of Plastic Surgeons of India) at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.

Dr Vijay Obed, the President of the NZAPSI and the organising chairman of the conference said, "Plastic surgery is no more a dream for the common man as it is being performed at a large number of institutes in northern India."

Speaking from his personal experience, the surgeon said, "Cosmetic surgery is no more a rage amongst celebrities but it has been widely accepted in professionals as the surgeons during their follow-ups come across a positive change in the psychology of the patients operated upon."

Dr R N Bindra, director Sunflag Hospital Faridabad and former Professor and Head, Department of Plastic Surgery, CMCH, Ludhiana spoke at length about plastic surgery in modern India.

Sir Peter Morris; honorary consultant surgeon and director, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, UK, who specialises in transplant surgery and Dr Sunil Thomas; consultant plastic urgeon, University Hospital, Selly Oak, Birmingham, UK were amongst the keynote speakers today.

Surgeons discussed various aspects of plastic surgery, including microsurgery, hand surgery, burns, cleft surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Ludhiana, October 18
Recent studies based on random trials have confirmed that surgeons can do without steroids in organ transplantation as there is a higher risk of acute rejection after withdrawal of steroids, but this does not affect the graft survival, said Sir Peter Morris, director of the Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, England.

The surgeon was in the city to address the surgeons at the 19th Annual Conference of Indian Society of Organ Transplantation (ISOT), jointly organised by ISOT and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana.

Dr Morris also addressed the surgeons on composite tissue transplantation at the 5th Annual Conference of plastic surgeons of India at the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) today.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Morris said that the role of pharmaceuticals is important as they support the medical system by sponsoring studies, research and by bringing new drugs in the market. The cost to bring a single drug in the market costs between 250-800 million dollars.

“The doctors should not ignore the monetary interests of pharmaceuticals which are influencing medical literature. The medical literature funded by these companies is based on selective reporting and does not report trials which need to be taken care of,” Dr Morris added.

Sir Peter Morris, an Australian, is Nuffield Professor of Surgery Emeritus at the University of Oxford, who was conferred Knighthood for his services to medicine in 1996, feels promotion of electronic libraries followed by generation of systematic reviews can enable the surgeons get better results in organ transplants.

Dialysis is more expensive and even life expectancy is less in patients as compared to transplantation. "But there is a need to motivate people for organ donation which is culturally unacceptable even in advanced nations. International Transplant Society is also pursuing the matter with governments of different countries,” said Dr Morris.

The expert, in his capacity of a true professional, admitted to the “dexterity” of Indian surgeons saying, "They are doing a commendable work in their respective fields as their procedures are the best within the given facilities." 

The cause needs to  be promoted by govt: Badal
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 18
Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal promised support of the state government to promote the cause of organ donation from bain-dead patients. Badal was addressing surgeons from India and abroad during the inaugural function of “19th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Organ Transplantation (ISOT)” yesterday evening.

He lauded the effort of the organising committee in holding this conference for the first time in Punjab.The Chief Minister said that the country faces a crises due to shortage of organ donation, mainly from brain-dead patients. He said that for around 1,25.000 patients suffering from end-stage renal diseases, only 3,000-4,000 donors are available in the country. He called upon the NGOs and medical fraternity to come forward to promote the cause of organ  donation.

Professor RVS Yadav gave a memorial oration on “Cadaver Transplantation,” followed by guest lectures on “Stem cells and potential use in clinical practice” by Dr.Shimon Slavin”, on the second day of the conference.

Minimising surgical complication after pancreas transplant by Dr Abhinav Kumar and other lectures on topics varying from acute graft dysfunction, BK Virus Nephropathy and Post Transplant Allograft Monitoring were amongst the significant scientific sessions held today.

Among those present on the inaugural ceremony were president managing society DMCH Sunil Kant Munjal, secretary Prem Gupta and organising secretary of the conference Dr.Baldev Singh Aulakh (Professor of urology and transplant unit and Head of transplant unit at DMCH). 

Ludhiana, October 18
It is a story straight out of fiction. The high walls of central jail, Ludhiana could not stop the two hearts from beating for each other. A girl from Hoshiarpur surprised everyone by announcing that she would marry an undertrial in a murder case. He is presently lodged in central jail, Ludhiana.

In a real-life love story revolving around a young girl and a murder accused, Navraj Nagra, a 22-year-old resident of Hoshiarpur left everybody wondering at the power of love that has spurred the girl to tie the knot with a boy whose future is uncertain till the court's decision.

She appeared before the court of additional session judge A.S Grewal to file an application for releasing of the accused for a day, so that the ceremony can be solemnised. The man of her Navraj’s dreams is Gurpreet Singh, a 25 year-old wrestler from Rahon village who was accused in Ninder murder case that had rocked district courts a year ago.

"I know mine is a difficult decision. But I am committed to him. I will wait for him till his trial is over. I will pray to all gods and goddesses that he is proved innocent and we can live happily ever after," said an enthusiastic Navjot, not ready to be cowed down by the pressure of her parents.

The unusual love story started way back in 2006 when they both met during a wrestling match at Hoshiarpur. She was cheering him and it turned into an undying love.

Life changed for both of them when he was named an accused a year ago. But she resisted all attempts of her parents to marry her off to another man. If all goes well, both will get married on October 25.

While legal experts feel it can just be a ploy to get out of jail, the case would be interesting to watch since nobody knows whether the accused would return to jail or not. The proposal has brought back cheers on the disappointed faces of Gurpreet’s parents.

“I cannot find any way to thank her. Despite knowing everything she is determined to marry Gurpreet," said Kartar Singh, Gurpreet’s father. Navraj had declared her love in front of a packed court. She had filed her application last week. It came up for hearing today but the judge was not present. The court will decide the matter on October 21.

Ludhiana, October 18
While the city police is busy providing security to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other VVIPs, thieves and snatchers are having a field day. A majority of the cases are not even being reported as the police officers are not available at the police stations.

A number gangs of chain snatchers are operating from Dugri and Civil Lines areas. Also, there has been a rise in the vehicle theft cases in the recent past. The cases of eve teasing have also seen steep rise in the surrounding areas of Dugri I. Recently, a group of boys driving a Maruti car tried to abduct a girl. It was after the intervention of some residents that the youths were forced to leave the spot.

Narrating one such incident occurred on the Pakhowal raod, Prof Jagtar Dhiman said he was returning home after inquiring about her mother’s health who was undergoing treatment at DMC Hospital when two smartly dressed youths came from behind on a motor cycle and snatched his wife’s chain.

He tried his best to chase them but they managed to escape. "I even requested PCR officers Surinder Singh and Roop Lal on duty to help him nab the accused but instead of chasing the accused, they told him to inform the control room as they were deputed on the VIP duty. Ultimately, he called SP (D) Gurpreet Singh but by that time, the accused had fled the spot.

In another case, a scooter was stolen from Feroze Gandhi Market in broad daylight.

The victim, Nitish, said when he went to the Kochar Market police station to lodge the complaint, instead of registering the case, the cops started chiding him saying he should have parked the vehicle in the parking.

Ludhiana, October 18
In the absence of a clear-cut policy to promote the small-scale industry of kite-making, a number of kite manufacturers in Punjab have been forced to shut their business.

Kite manufacturers of the state complain that following imposition of 12.5 per cent VAT on their finished goods, sale of kites has dipped considerably as retailers have starting procuring the same from the neighbouring states.

Negligible profit margins which are not enough to sustain production has forced many manufacturers to close down their units or switch over to other vocations.

Gulshan, vice-president of the Kite and Dor Association, Punjab, said: "Kite is a hand-made item and since there is no VAT on such goods, kite makers and wholesalers of all the other states, including Maharashtra, UP, Kolkata, are exempted from the tax. However, the kite makers in Punjab are being charged VAT which is unfair.”

Ludhiana, October 18
The inability of the municipal corporation, especially the higher officials, to check functioning of its contractors once again came to fore during the re-carpeting being done on the Gill road.

The contractor, who has been assigned the work of recarpeting the road, was found functioning according to his own will today. Though the contractor was to recarpet the road at Gill Chowk as per the municipal schedule, he started working near Vishkarma Chowk.

Terming it as a political allegation, XEN H.S. Khussa said: "We came to know around 10 pm that the contractor was working at Vishkarma Chowk. We immediately asked him to stop the work at the site." Probably there was a misunderstanding as the contractor had appointed a new site in charge, Major Singh, he added.

He said he immediately directed the contractor to initiate work at Gill Chowk which was the sanctioned site for today. He added that the work on the site had been going on for the past four months and not even a single patch had come off.

Interestingly, the reporter was at the site from 11.30 am to 12 pm and the work was going on. Besides, none of the four municipal officials - junior engineer Verma, SDO Rajesh Sharma, XEN H.S. Khussa and SE Arun Sharma - who are heading the work, was at the site.

Earlier, the municipal commissioner had requested suspension of JE Verma and SDO Rajesh Sharma to the local bodies department, but no decision has been taken till date.

Site in charge Major Singh, who is an employee of the contractor, too, was not at the site. The laboureres were found working on their own without any direction.

Sources in the municipal corporation revealed that recarpeting on the road cost around Rs 5 crore 65 lakh. "The contractor who has been given the project had quoted 1.5 less per cent than the CSR, whereas there were tenders who were ready to take the work at 25 per cent less value."

Mandi Ahmedgarh,  October 18
Two years after the foundation stone of grain market at the Jagera road was laid, commission agents have been forced to hire plots for procuring paddy from farmers. Besides eroding their profit by way of rent, they fear the contamination would degrade the quality of the  produce too.

The farmers will also suffer loss due to deduction in prices due to feared degradation during dumping of their produce in open.

Commission agents are also arranging PVC sheets for protecting the produce from contamination and probable rains.

The commission agents and the farmers have urged higher authorities, including the Chief Minister and Punjab Mandi Board chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, to either get the project completed or remove the foundation stone.

Usha Sood, president, municipal council, and Ravinder Puri, councillor, said they had taken up the issue with senior SAD and BJP leaders and they had assured them to get all pending demands, including construction of the grain market, fulfilled.

The stone for the grain market, proposed to be constructed on 40 acres at Rs 25 crore, was laid by then Mandi Board chairman Sukhwinder Singh Sarkaria along with then parliamentary secretary Razia Sultana about two years ago.

The event had renewed hope among residents of this area, who had been demanding shifting of the old grain market to a more spacious place for over past three decades.

Though the district administration had forwarded the plan to the colonisation department before lying of the foundation stone, nothing had been done after SAD came to power in the state.

Local leaders had played an important role in convincing plot owners to exchange their land with the government.

Office-bearers of a few political parties, including nominee of SAD secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, had also participated in final discussion about the project.

The management of the Gaushala Committee had also given their consent to exchange land with the government as per the needs of the farmers and commission agents.

Though it is responsibility of officials of the market committee to provide cleaned pacca plots for dumping produce being brought by farmers, workers of commission agents were seen preparing open plots for the purpose. 

Ludhiana, October 18
Alarmed over the rise in dengue cases in the state, Punjab health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla today said the health department would purchase platelet separator machines worth Rs 1.75 crore for different hospitals in the state.

The minister, who was in the city today to take stock of dengue situation and chair a meeting with the district administration, health department and municipal corporation officials, said no head would roll in the health department for the 1,501 dengue cases in the state as the municipal corporation was responsible for checking breeding of mosquitoes.

She said Ludhiana topped the list with 908 cases of dengue reported so far.

She said the problem was prevalent in the low-lying areas of the city. In future, the government will ensure there were no such cases, the minister added. 

Ludhiana, October 18
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched scathing attack on economic policies of the Congress-led UPA government at the centre, charging it with weakening the basic fundamentals of the country’s economy by adopting wrong policies.

In a statement here today, Suraj Jyoti, state convener of the economic cell of the party, said steps taken by the government to curb inflation had resulted in total disaster of the national economy. Industrial growth has come down to 1.3 per cent in comparison to 10.9 per cent last year while agricultural growth has dropped from 4.4 to 3 per cent.

He said the steps taken by the government could not even slow down the wholesale price index which was still at 11.8 per cent and the rupee had depreciated from Rs 37 last year to Rs 49 per US dollar. As an overall impact of the erratic economic policies, the Sensex had also tumbled below 10,000 level.

The BJP leader expressed shock over the adamant attitude of the government in not passing on the benefit of fall in crude oil prices which had gone down by more than 100 per cent from $147 to 71 per barrel.

Jyoti asserted that extraordinary circumstances called for extraordinary actions from the government, which, unfortunately was not happening. "Reserve Bank of India seems to be acting in a piecemeal manner by cutting the CRR for banks in an attempt to ease the worsening credit crunch in the money market."

Maintaining that the Indian economy was in deep distress and the trend was likely to continue, he attributed all this to lack of will and capacity of the UPA government to take corrective steps in order to check the decline.

In a word of caution to the general public, he remarked: "Relying on the government will aggravate the woes. To tide through these tough waters, people ought to cut down their expenses on items which are not absolutely necessary. Wisdom lies in keeping the strings of purses tight, celebrate festivals in a simple manner and save for a rainy day."

Ludhiana, October 18
Increasing responsibilities with the transfer of 29 additional functions and no manpower to undertake these duties was the one of the grievances discussed during the meeting of the Rural Development Officers Association, Punjab, held here today.

Talking to The Tribune, association president Bahadur Singh, who is deputy director of the department of rural development and panchayat, Chandigarh, said: “The department has transferred 29 functions to the BDOs, DDPOs and other officers in the department without recruiting any employees for these duties. As a result, functioning of the officers was being affected. "We don't want to protest as it interrupts regular functioning, but urge the Punjab government to address our grievances failing which we would be forced to stop work," he added.

Giving details about various grievances of the staff, Bahadur Singh revealed that the department had made no recruitments for the past eight years. "The present staff is already overloaded with work and in case there is some problem, they are immediately suspended," he added.

Citing example, he said Ram Lubhia, BDPO (Pathankot), was working in his office when the block samiti chairperson's husband asked him to come to his office. Since Ram was busy with his work, he got late and they ordered his suspension on charges of misbehaviour.

He alleged that IAS and PCS officers were being accommodated at the posts which were reserved for the ADCs of the department. "The Punjab government adjusts bureaucrats by declaring the posts as vacant and uprooting ADCs from the department. Giving examples of ADCs Gurdaspur, Muktsar, Ropar and Hoshiarpur, he said the officers from the department of rural development and panchayats were removed from these posts just to accommodate IAS and PCS officers.

Bahadur Singh said: "All officers from BDOs to additional directors will go on protest leave on October 22. In case, the government fails to redress our grievances till November 7, we would be forced to chalk out our next course of action on November 8."

Ludhiana, October 18
Even as officials of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) here had launched a drive to recover arrears of energy bills and the outstanding amount in all four circles of the Ludhiana district (Central zone) had been cut down by nearly 8 per cent during two quarters of the current financial year, the government departments continue to be in default with the Punjab police being the front-runner.

Whereas the PSEB officials have been able to reduce the total outstanding amount in the district from Rs 17.78 crore on March 31, 2008 to Rs 16.49 crore on September 30, 2009, the arrears of the Punjab police have gone up from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 53 lakh during the same period.

Among other departments for whom payment of energy bills was least of the priorities were hospitals and dispensaries of the state health department that owed an amount of Rs 35 lakh (Rs 18 lakh as on 31-3-08) and public health department that owed Rs 21 lakh (Rs 14 lakh as on 31-3-08).

Talking to The Tribune, H.S. Randhawa, deputy chief engineer, City East circle, said the government departments, including those of the central government in the city and elsewhere in the district, had a total unpaid energy bills of Rs 1.63 crore till the end of September 2008 as against Rs 1.41 crore at the end of the last financial year.

"When pressed for payment, the government departments have a stock reply that grants are awaited and bills will be cleared as and when funds are received from the government," he added saying that unlike other consumers, the PSEB could not disconnect the power supply to the government offices most of which were of public utility nature.

Randhawa stated that total outstandings in the district as on September 30, 2008 against domestic consumers stood at Rs 11.45 crore (Rs 11.55 crore as on 31-3-08), non-residential supply, including commercial at Rs 3.63 crore (Rs 3.96 crore), industrial supply at Rs 0.70 crore (Rs 1.47 crore), agriculture at Rs 0.59 crore (Rs 0.61 crore) and others Rs 11 lakh (Rs 14 lakh).

Asked about rather high figure of outstanding bills against consumers from domestic category, he pointed out that most of the amount pertained to those cases which were under litigation or penalty for kundi connections against slum dwellers which was hard to recover since the defaulters often shifted elsewhere.

Ludhiana, October 18
Keeping in view the taste and love of luxury of the Ludhianvis, Mercedes-Benz India presented its brand show "Discover your Star" here today.

The event was a presentation of a complete portfolio of luxury cars from Mercedes-Benz available in India. The presentation featured C220 Avantgarde, as well as the high-performance exclusive AMG cars besides the other models.

Sanjiv Sahajwala, director, sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "The market in Ludhiana is more aggressive, mature and people here are more aware about technology than those in the rest of Punjab. The aim of this event is to let people have a feel of the luxury cars which have been showcased in India for the first time."

He further said Punjab was the third largest market of Mercedes-Benz cars, Delhi being on the top.

Sahajwala added that the emphasis right now was to have more technicians and provide spare parts, body repair, which were being done.

On the global economic crisis, he said, "It will surely affect our sales but so far things are speculative. September has been good and October is reasonable. January 2009 will be the deciding factor as to the effects of the recession on the sales."

An impressive line up of cars from Mercedes-Benz was showcased, including S 65 AMG, E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG, S 320 DI, C 220 CDI Avant Garde, E 230, ML 320 CDI, SLK 350, CLS 320 CDI, CLK 350 Coupe and Viano.

Ludhiana, October 18
Chinese goods have captured Indian fancy just for one solid reason — cheap prices.

China Bazaar has been set up at Sampuran Palace in the Kochar market here. There are various stalls of different items to cater to the needs of small and middle-income groups.

Interests of women and children have been specially taken care of. Beautiful Chinese toys, kitchen ware, sandals, purses, handbags, doormats, table mats, artificial flowers, pillow covers and electronics are available at an unimaginable price — just Rs 75 only.

The caretaker of the bazaar Sunil Kumar said: “Our items were being sold at very cheap rates whereas the same things in other markets are available at high rates.”

During a visit to the bazaar, this reporter found groups of women flocking to the bazaar by autos.

Amandeep Kaur and Sukhwinder Kaur, looking at the kitchen wares, told this reporter that the market was quite reasonable.

Renu, another shopper, commented that things of daily use were very good.

There is another market in the city known as electric market or Sadar Bazaar, adjacent to book market, which is flooded with Chinese lights.

The rates vary from Rs 50 per strip to Rs 2,500 for a roll.

Ludhiana, October 18
The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited under the brand name ‘Poompuhar’, an undertaking of the Tamil Nadu government, has displayed a wide range of craft objects, particularly from Tamil Nadu, at Nehru Sidhant Kender.

The handicrafts are unique in form and nature and the craftsmanship is richly reflected in bronze, brassware, stoneware, sandalwood and rosewood carvings. The collection comprises exclusive art objects like lamps, wall brackets, door handles, tableware, lamp shades, etc. Apart from this, the exhibition has cotton sarees from Kerala, tops from Bihar and real pearls from Hyderabad.

The spokesperson of the corporation said they had seven production centres and they also undertake projects like the manufacturing of wood, silver and golden chariots, bells and other items required for temples.

The exhibition will be a treat for the art lovers in the city as it is offering a variety of crafts in all mediums like bronze, brass, stone etc.

Ludhiana October 18
The students of Kundan Vidya Mandir (KVM) celebrated the founder's day of the school today with enthusiasm.

Vice-chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Dr Manjit Singh Kang was the chief guest on the occasion. Students paid rich tributes to Rai Sahib Kundan Lal - the founder of the school.

Principal Rajiv Nagalia read the annual report highlighting the achievements of the school in the previous academic year.

Tiny tots of KG section glorified the vegetables in the item “power of the vegetables”. Students from city campus presented a thought-provoking choreography “Ganga-Yamuna ki pukar”.

The Hindi play “Sadak suraksha, jeevan raksha” forced the audience to think twice before handing over the keys of bikes and cars to their underage children. The students of higher section presented bhangra, “Rangla Punjab”. 

Doraha, October 18
Commissioner of the Linguistic Minority Commission and former member of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) Dr Harbhajan Singh Deol today inaugurated the second day of the Diamond Jubilee Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival, Ludhiana Zone-A, being held at Dr Ishwar Singh Memorial Hall of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Deol exhorted the students to work hard to achieve their goals and also develop the rich cultural heritage of the state.

The results of various events are as follows:

Group singing (Indian): GPC, Alour, GNN College, Doraha, Arya College, Ludhiana, SCD Govt College, Ludhiana, KLSD College, Ludhiana

Individual: Gulam Ali, GNN College, Doraha, Amandeep Verma, KLSD College, Ludhiana, Gurdev Singh, SCD Government College, Ludhiana.

Light music (ghazal/geet):- SCD Government College, Ludhiana, GNN College, Doraha, GPC, Alour, KLSD College, Ludhiana, AS College, Khanna.

Folk song: AS College, Khanna, MGKM, Shahi Sports College, Samrala, GNN College, Doraha, GGN Khalsa College, Ludhiana.

Classical music (vocal): GNN College, Doraha, SCD Government College, Ludhiana, GPC, Alour, MGKM Shahi Sports College, Samrala.

Collage-making: Vashally, AS College, Khanna, Sandeep Kaur, GPC Alour, Kulwant Singh, GGN Khalsa College, Ludhiana, Jagdeep Kaur GNN College, Doraha.

Clay modelling: Harleen Kaur, SCD Government College, Ludhiana, Gurpreet, GNN College, Doraha, Ritika Sharma, GPC, Alour.

Poster-making: Kamaljit Kaur, AS College, Khanna, Prince, Arya College, Ludhiana , Naveen Singla, GPC, Alour, Puneet Kaur, GNN College, Doraha.

Cartooning: Ila Jain, SCD Government College, Ludhiana, Puneet Rai, AS College, Khanna, Punit Bhardwaj, Arya College, Ludhiana and Jaspreet Kaur, GNN College, Doraha.

Rangoli: Nardeep Kaur, GNN. College, Doraha, Inderpreet Kaur, Arya College, Ludhiana, Sukhbir Singh, GPC, Alour.

On-the-spot painting: Gurpreet Kaur, SCD Govt College, Ludhiana, Kulwant Singh, GGN Khalsa College, Ludhiana, Snchita Duggal, SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana.

Still life: Dilbagh Singh, KLSD College, Ludhiana, Balraj Singh, KLSD College, Ludhiana, Shweta Sharma, SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana. 

Ludhiana october 18
Gaiety and zeal marked the inter-school group dance competition held today at the Partap Public School.

Punjab Agricultural University vice-chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang was the chief guest on the occasion.

Teams from 15 schools comprising 150 students performed dances, including bhangra, garbha, shekhwati, rajasthani, marathi and naga. The function showcased the rich and varied talent.

Dr Kang exhorted the students to make optimum utilisation of their formative years by making the best of their schooling.

Guru Nanak International Public School clinched the overall trophy. BCM, Chandigarh Road, and DAV Public School, Sarabha Nagar, were declared second and third, respectively. 

Ludhiana, October 18
Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management organised the 4th Inter-School Declamation Contest today. As many as 13 teams participated in the contest.

Dr Prem Kumar, principal, welcomed the participants and the accompanying faculty members to the college portals. Dr Y.P. Sachdeva, Col K.J. Singh and Prof Rajinder Singh were the judges. The topics for the contest were - nuclear deal, women empowerment, new world challenges, inflation, spiritualism, global warming, Olympics and mantras for success.

The running team trophy was bagged by DC Model International School, Ferozepur. Sonu Bhandari of the DC Model International School stood first, Anukriti of DAV Public School second and Niharika of Tagore Public School was adjudged third. Kiranjeet Kaur of the Gobindgarh Public School and Jasleen Walia of the DC Model International School won consolation prizes.

Ludhiana, October 18
Teasing a girl proved costly for two youths, who were later nabbed by Model town police today, when they were trying to escape from the spot.

The incident occurred around noon when two youth, driving an Endeavor car, stopped a girl near the Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Girls and allegedly teased her when she was returning home.

According to SHO Beant Juneja, the accused, Gurpreet Singh and Ranjit Singh, resident of Dhandri Kalan and Jaspal Bangar, respectively, intercepted the girl near the college premises and started teasing her. When the girl ignored, one of the youths got down from the vehicle and tried to grab her hand. The girl got frightened started screaming for help.

The youth tried to slip from the spot when they saw the residents gathering around the vehicle. However, they were nabbed by model town police near Mint Gumri Chowk.

Ludhiana, October 18
Sangrur Academy and Singhu Academy of Delhi registered victories in their respective league matches and advanced into the last four stages to join Jarkhar Acadmey and DAV Academy of Chandigarh on the penultimate day of the 9th All-India Mata Surjit Kaur Hockey League being held at the Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium, Jarkhar.

In the first match today, Singhu Academy of Delhi defeated Dalla Borthers-XI of Moga 4-1. Balwinder Singh (2), Pardeep Kumar and Ashok one goal each were the scorers for the winners while the lone goal for the losers came off Jatinder Singh's stick.

In the second match, DAV Academy of Chandigarh outplayed Jagtar-XI 4-1. The winners have already secured their berth in the semi finals.

The third match was played between Sangrur Academy and Ludhiana district in which the former came out victor 2-1. Harpreet Singh and Narinder Singh scored apiece for Sangrur Academy while Charanpreet Singh struck for Ludhiana district.

In the last match of the day, Jarkhar Academy prevailed over Jalandhar district 3-2. Sumit scored a brace for Jarkhar Academy and Prabhjeet Singh contributed one goal while Palwinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh reduced the margin for the losers.

Ludhiana, October 18
Trailing by a goal till midway through the second session, Mohali lads today fought valiantly to square it against Khaira Academy, Ludhiana, in a group-C match in the u-14 section of the ongoing Punjab State Weekend Hockey Tournament for Boys being organised by the Punjab sports department at Prithipal Singh Memorial AstroTurf Stadium of Punjab Agricultural University here.

Mandeep Singh of Khaira Academy put his side ahead in the 20th minute through a field goal. The academy lads enjoyed the lead till the 51st minute when Harpreet Singh found the target to level the score. Both teams tried hard to gain the lead but could not capitalise upon the chances which came their way thus the issue ended unresolved.

In the second match played between Moga A and Sangrur A in the u-16 section, the former came out triumphant without being challenged 8-0.

Moga A players surged ahead in the 4th minute when Gurikh Singh sounded the board. He again struck in the 7th minute to increase the lead 2-0. They added two more goals through Manpreet Singh (29th and 32nd minute) to further consolidate the lead.

After changing ends, Moga A lads continued with same vigour and power. With just two minutes into the second half, they enhanced the lead through a fine field goal which came off Gurikh Singh's stick to make it 5-0.

Manpreet Singh was again into his elements as he pumped in two goals in quick succession (50th and 53rd minute) to help his team gain 7-0 lead while Karnail Singh was on the target in the 57th minute which sealed Sangrur A lads' fate 8-0.

However, in the u-14 section, Sangrur managed to overpower Bathinda 2-0 in a group-C encounter. Both goals were scored by Akashdeep Singh. In the fourth match of the day, Kurali defeated Moga B 4-1 in a group-B match of the u-16 group.

Ranjeet Singh of Kurali struck in the very third minute while Palwinder Singh of Moga B restored parity in the 6th minute through a penalty-corner conversion.

Kurali lads went into the lead in the 22nd minute as Kiranpreet Singh sounded the board. They further cemented the lead through Darshan Singh who struck twice which saw them wrap up the issue 4-1.