Bathinda, October 26
In an attempt to check pollution on Diwali, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has decided to honour the village that would abstain from crackers. The PPCB announced that the village would be honoured on the World Environment Day that falls on June 5.

The announcement was made by Dr Charanjeet Singh Nabha, scientific officer, PPCB.

The urban areas have also been included in the list. It has been decided that if a municipal councillor helps curtail pollution in his respective ward on Diwali then he would be honoured on the Environment Day.

It may be mentioned here that there has been a noticeable decline in noise pollution level in Bathinda, Faridkot and Sangrur districts on Diwali night with each passing year.

In 2007, the noise pollution on Diwali night as recorded by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) was 87.4 decibel while in 2006 it was 89.3 decibel. The reason for this decline is the efforts put in by the authorities concerned in checking pollution by convincing kids of the Malwa region about the hazards of crackers.

Dr Nabha said, "There is notable improvement among people concerning Diwali pollution. They seem to be more aware and a major credit goes to children. There are schools that have put in efforts by explaining problems caused by the crackers and it has shown good results."

The local vendors selling crackers have also noticed a sharp decline in the sale of crackers. Sunil and Kamal Kumar, said, “Our income has reduced on Diwali as compared to last year.”

Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu, president of the environment awareness organisation, also made similar announcements about villages being honoured for celebrating green Diwali. 

Bathinda, October 26
Like everything, the way of celebrating festival of lights, Diwali, has also changed with time. Candles are replacing diyas, chocolates are scoring over sweets and flowers are witnessing record sale. Homes wear an illuminated look across the city with many kinds of fancy lights flooding the market.

Shopkeepers have put up goods for sale outside their shops and there is no dearth of buyers. A local shopkeeper said, "Gift packs for Diwali are over a few days before the festival because of great demand as the gift trend is catching up fast." There is shortage of goodies on Diwali and the most sought-after gift this season seems to be chocolates unlike a few years back when Indian sweets took the lead. Raghav, a confectionary shop owner, said, “People have become health conscious and sugar free sweets have replaced sweets made up of refined sugar.”

Buying gold during Diwali was a traditional act but a majority of people are shying away from gold because of the soaring prices. The sale of clothes and shoes during this time of the year remains as it was last year. The electronic gadgets record maximum sales during this season because of various offers given by known companies.

The trend of celebrating a green Diwali was introduced a few years back when environmentalists noticed the amount of pollution caused on this day and school children did more than just agreeing to what they said. They refused to burst crackers on Diwali and many households still believe in following this change. According to experts, crackers cause numerous health hazards. The smoke emitted causes respiratory problems and allergies. A comparative study of pollution levels before, during and after Diwali indicated that there is a considerable increase in nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide levels. Besides, noise pollution levels hit a high of up to 120 decibels, which is much more than the normal range.

There might be any number of changes in the way we celebrate Diwali but the essence of this festival remains the same. We still get clad in our best for the evening ‘puja’ and experience the spirit of celebration on this day. 

• Wear cotton or khadi clothes while bursting crackers.
• Do not light the cracker in your hand. Keep it away at a safe distance and then light it.
• Light crackers in open spaces only.
• Avoid using tins, bottles and empty pipes for bursting crackers.
• Keep a bucket of water with you while lighting crackers, if you get burns, keep the affected part under cold water and call the doctor immediately. 

Bathinda, October 26
The number of dengue patients in Bathinda is increasing as 75 cases have so far been confirmed while 69 are believed to be suspected cases.

Besides, sources in the Civil Hospital said that there were a number of patients who, due to undisclosed reasons, had not been mentioned in the list.

The dengue outbreak has become alarming stage with a policeman, suffering from it, reported to have died on Saturday. As far as the police department is concerned, at least three of the Punjab Police personnel, including a DSP ranked officer, have been declared as confirmed cases of dengue.

As per the details available, the deceased policeman, Gurcharan Singh (35), was an SPO appointed at the Civil Lines police post in Bathinda. He was suffering from fever and was diagnosed as suffering from dengue at a local hospital. He was then referred to DMCH, Ludhiana. He died there on Saturday and his last rites were performed at his native village Kaljharani on Sunday. The deceased is survived by two sons.

Further, according to sources in the police department, DSP Talwandi Sabo, Surender Pal Singh who was suffering from dengue, has now been referred to Mohali for further treatment.

In addition to this, the volunteer of a local NGO, Naujwan Welfare Society, disclosed that Harbans Singh, the gunman of the DSP Talwandi Sabo, is also suffering from dengue. Jeet Singh, a sub-inspector with city traffic police, has also been admitted to a city hospital. The volunteer further said that the NGO had donated blood for the admitted patients.

About the delayed process in updating the number of dengue patients, District Malaria Officer Malkit Singh said, "We have to take the report from Ludhiana, where the doctors first give information to their civil surgeon, who then provide it to us. So the process creates some delay."

When asked about steps being taken to check the menace, Civil Surgeon Bathinda Neelam Bajaj said, "To check the problem, the only was is for people to become aware of the disease. Despite our repeated requests, people do not remove the stagnant water near their houses. It is because of this that larva is still being found in houses."

"No doubt, the district administration has been carrying out fogging in the streets but people themselves must take the initiative to maintain cleanliness indoors," she added.

Mansa, October 26
The awkward situation in civil hospitals in Punjab has compelled the dengue patients to go to private hospitals. Unfortunately, many of the poor patients cannot afford to pay the high charges levied by private hospitals. Although the Punjab government announced free treatment for dengue patients in government hospitals but no heed has been paid in this direction.

Civil surgeon, Mansa, Dr G.S. Nagi said nearly seven dengue cases have been reported in Mansa till date (one confirmed and seven suspected). According to the information available from health department, most of the patients are going to the private hospitals of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Makhan Singh of Sardulgarh, a confirmed dengue patient, underwent treatment at DMC at Ludhiana. Another suspected dengue patient, Soma Rani of Mansa, got treatment at a private hospital in Delhi. Tejpal, also of Mansa, was admitted to the DMC for treatment. Ajaib Singh of Khiala Kalan, Alambir of Sardulagarh and Satish Kumar of Budhlada also received treatment at the DMC and Appollo hospitals in Ludhiana.

Sources in health department revealed that the civil hospitals of Punjab lack proper diagnostic system. Some social organizations emphasized that the government should take steps to provide medical care at civil hospitals.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, October 26
The citizens of Sriganganagar remembered Maharaja Ganga Singh, the founder of this city. The border district town has more than thousands of Punjabi families as well.

Most of the Punjabi families migrated from Amritsar and other adjoining areas during the black days of militancy. Sriganganagar, once known for deserts, has been converted into an agricultural and archaeological area.

The Maharaja wanted a city based on the design of Paris and hence the map of the old Ganganagar city gives a glimpse of the map of Paris.

District collector Bhawani Singh Detha along with Gurpreet Singh, executive engineer, irrigation, Prem Chaudhary manager of the Lila Charitable Trust and Subhash Sehgal spokesman of the Rajasthan Kisan Sangharsh Samiti organised a "Saray Dharma" prayer for prosperity, communal harmony and multifaceted development of the city.

Earlier, the foundation day function was organised by the municipal corporation at Ganga Singh Chowk.

Deputy commissioner Bhawani Singh Detha, sub-divisional magistrate Arvind Sarswat, council chairman Yash Pal Kaler, working collector Daljit Singh and other eminent citizens offered garalands and flower petals at Maharaja Ganga Singh's life size statue.

The citizens recalled Sriganganagar was a part of Bikaner state before Independence. Ganga Singh persevered and raised a loan of 15 million for his irrigation scheme. Gang canal, one of the longest concrete lined canals in the world has changed the face of the desert in Sriganganagar. Bumper crops of wheat, cotton, mustard and citrus fruit have generated industry and a building boom. Sriganganagar has a large population of Sikhs based on major military.

Captain Subhash Sehgal, retired, pioneer of farmers' rights said "It's a testimony to land transformation that desert land was converted to a lush green town. Credit goes to the Maharaja to bring the Gang canal that carries the excess water of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the region, making Ganganagar known as "the food basket of Rajasthan".

Abohar, October 26
The historical remains, antiques, coins, stamps and religious documents, including the holy “Janam Sakhi” that was printed during the last century, attracted hundreds of outsiders besides the locals at the Shashi Ahuja memorial exhibition titled “Aryavratiya Continuities” in the DAV College here.

Revenue minister Ajit Singh Kohar lighted a lamp before Shashi Ahuja’s portrait and paid floral tributes to her.

Principal B.B. Sharma and convener Rekha Sood accompanied Kohar to a variety of stalls to share views on the collections, which included bronze and brass made utensils belonging to the period 1725-1800, over a century-old phulkari and bagh, hukkas and silver trays that were in use in 1801, coins and other Indian currency released during pre-partition days.           

Many of the Muslim families during partition could not carry along the century-old utensils and other belongings of historical importance. Besides, there are families, who inherited antiques and stood by the word given to their forefathers for not selling them even when the same were priced high in the international market.

Abohar, October 26
The state government has earmarked Rs 115 crore for reconstruction and repair of watercourses in Abohar, Balluana, Fazilka and Jalalabad assembly segments, informed Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, SAD legislator from the Balluana assembly constituency.

While laying the foundation stone for construction of watercourses in Chanan-khera village, 12 km from here, Ghuriana said Balluana had got the lion's share of Rs 60 crore in the scheme that was approved by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

A provision for 800 km-long watercourses has been made in the new project, which would be executed by the Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation.

K.C. Goyal, XEN of the corporation, was also present at the function held in Chanankhera.

Bathinda, October 26
The ongoing dispute between the students of three villages of Bathinda and the mini-bus operators has been causing inconvenience to the commuters for the last three days. Altogether four mini-bus operators, including Brar bus service, Sra bus service, Golden bus service and Baba Kala bus service, have decided to boycott the three villages, namely Mehma Sarja, Mehma Swai and Mehma Sarkari.

The students of the villages alleged that buses did not follow the scheduled time-table which causes a lot of inconvenience to all, including them. On several days, the buses failed to arrive, they added.

Whereas the transporters alleged that the students did not buy tickets which causes financial loss to them. That was the reason behind our decision to boycott these villages, they added.

The transporters also said that they had requested the students to board only 5-6 of them a bus at a time but the students preferred not to heed to their appeal. Around 12 students board a bus at a time which hampered profits, they added.

The students, on the other hand, said due to buses not coming at the scheduled time, they were forced to travel by a single bus.

The students had gheroed two buses a few days back in two villages which had infuriated the transporters.

The transporters conducted a meeting with the sarpanches of these villages and discussed their problems which led the sarpanches to take the decision. It was decided at the meeting that students would be given 50 per cent discount but they turned down the decision.

Sra bus service’s owner Kashmir Singh said, “Students are adamant and do not understand our problem. We expressed clearly at the village panchayats that we are facing losses due to students and this has led us to boycott the services to these villages. We have written to the police department in this regard and a reply is awaited.”

Village Mehma Swai’s sarpanch Jaswant Singh said, “All the sarpanches jointly to the decision but our decision was not accepted by the students and the transporters also did not want to relent. Due to no bus service to our villages, apart from the students, the elderly lot and women are suffering.”

Mansa, October 26
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has started the purchasing of cotton from 22 stations in Punjab but four stations are still lying in wait.

According to sources in the Punjab Mandi Board, sincere efforts were being made to speed up the purchasing by the CCI. However, four main stations, namely Bhikhi, Barnala, Lehragaga and Sunam, had been left at the mercy of private traders.

Mandi officials expressed hope that the CCI would start purchasing at these centres soon. They informed that nearly 13.63 lakh quintals of cotton arrived in the markets of the state, out of which, the CCI purchased 4.62 lakh quintals.

It is notable that last year, total arrival of cotton during the corresponding period was 20.62 lakh quintals. The arrivals this year had plummeted by 38 per cent.

According to sources, the main reasons of low turnout could be shifting of produce to the markets in Haryana and Rajasthan, direct purchasing from the farmers and the reduced area under cotton production.

Barnala, October 26
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, member of parliament and SAD secretary general, laid the foundation stone of Sant Ram Panna Lal S.D. College at Patti road here today.

Addressing the people, Dhindsa said Punjab was lagging behind the other states in education. To improve the literacy rate of the state, he said the state government was tying up with private companies to modernise the education.

Keeping an eye on Lok Sabha elections, Dhindsa said he was making efforts to establish a government college in the district. It is pertinent to note that the MP had promised the same to the electorate before last Lok Sabha elections also.

Meanwhile, Shiv Darshan Kumar Sharma, secretary of the SD Sabha, while welcoming the chief guest, said the sabha wanted to start a technical education college and sought help from the state government for the same.

Deputy commissioner R.L. Mehta and Baba Tek Singh, executive member SGPC, were among others present on the occasion.

Abohar, October 26
The Kenway College of Education here topped four competitions during the zonal youth and heritage festival that concluded recently at Lala Jagat Narain College of Education, Jalalabad west, about 60 km from here, principal S. Singh informed today.

The college team won in skit while Parveena topped in mehndi, Amit Kumar in mimicry, Kuldeep and Charanjit in vaar singing.

Gurjeet secured second prize in essay writing while Tejwinder took away the runners-up prize in mime competition. The college was also adjudged second in the group song contest. 

Bathinda, October 26
Recovery of half-burnt bodies of two youths this morning in Faridkot has panicked residents of the town that has witnessed a string of murders since yesterday.

Charred bodies of Kashmir Singh (20) and Rajinder Singh (22) were found in an isolated place near the new cantonment area early in the morning.

The police said Rajinder Singh, a carpenter and Kashmir Singh, a labourer, were missing since yesterday. They had left their respective homes at 7 am yesterday for work but did not return in the evening.

Their parents lodged complaint with the police and were shocked when they came to know of two unidentified bodies having been found near the cantonment. They rushed to the spot and identified the two boys whose faces were burnt.

Police said that bodies of the two boys bore injuries on the neck indicating that they were murdered before being burnt by pouring paint on them. However, the fire might have got extinguished leaving them half burnt.

The police has registered a case under section 302 IPC and initiated investigations in the murder. The bodies have been sent to the hospital for postmortem examination.

In another incident, Bikkar Singh was shot dead in the Machoki Malsingh village over a land dispute allegedly with Malkiat Singh. Hirelings, who accompanied Malkiat Singh, police said, wounded two persons due to indiscriminate firing.

A former Sarpanch yesterday shot a young boy dead in the Bishnandi village allegedly over some personal dispute.

Bathinda, October 26
The Bathinda Vikas Manch (BMC) will organise a free cancer check-up camp at the Swami Vivekanand Girls' College here on November 2.

Dr Jatin Sareen would examine the patients. Rakesh Narula of the BMC said that registration for the camp was going on and the same would be done also at the venue.

Mansa, October 26
Traffic problems in the city would end soon as the overbridge would be completed by November 15, Xen, B & R department, Joginder Singh said.

He added that the bridge was being constructed by the B & R department and the Railways. The construction began in 2006 and the cost was estimated at nearly Rs 17 crore. The 800-meter-long bridge would play help in solving the traffic problems of the city to a great extent.

Meanwhile, the official assured that the underbridge would also be completed by March 31.

President of the Sabhyachark Chetna Manch Kamaljeet Malwa and ex-MLA Butta Singh said residents of the city had been facing traffic problems due to the construction work of the bridges. Traffic jams and road accident had become quite a common sight.

Bathinda, October 26
The district police has booked several persons under the Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on Saturday. The accused were booked for possessing illicit liquor, poppy husk and opium.

As per information, three cases of illicit liquor were registered at the Nathana police station and police booked Ram Singh, Kala Singh and Jalour Singh, all residents of Tungwali village.

Further, Dyalpura police booked Manjit Singh of Kalian Sukha and Jaspal Singh of Rameaana village with 85 kg of poppy husk. The police registered one more case under the NDPS Act, in which two UP migrants, Phul Chand and Tej Pal Singh, were arrested with 1.5 kg opium. — TNS