Ludhiana, November 23
Rail traffic on the Ludhiana-Ambala section went haywire with a few Amritsar and Jammu-bound trains getting delayed for hours together as a goods train developed a technical snag on the Sirhind railway station this morning. As the second track on the Amritsar-New Delhi section remained unavailable during the period the fault was being rectified by the engineering staff of the Northern Railway, as a large number of trains that had left Ambala, were halted at different stations.

Senior officials of the Northern Railway told The Tribune that a worn out coupling of one of the wagons of the goods train had broken down near Sirhind with the result that a portion of the train was left stranded on the track. It took more than three hours for the technical staff of the Railways to repair the coupling and clear the track.

In the intervening period, a number of Amritsar and Jammu-bound trains had to be stopped at different places and arrived at the Ludhiana railway station at least one-and-a-half to three hours behind schedule.

According to Railway officials, 2029 New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express and 2498 New Delhi-Amritsar Shane-Punjab were late by one- and-a-half hour while 2919 Indore-Jammu Tawi Malwa Express, 2355 Rajinder Nagar (Bihar)-Amritsar Archana Express and 3049 Duplicate Howrah Express arrived three hours behind schedule.

By noon, the faulty coupling of the goods train was repaired after which the train left for its destination and the rail traffic was restored, the officials added.

The late arrival of trains on the section caused a lot of inconvenience to the commuters as many of them missed their connecting trains while a few were delayed for family or other social functions in the city. Kulwant Singh, a businessman from Delhi, who was travelling on the Shatabdi Express, said he had to attend a function at a marriage palace and had return the same evening. "Now that I have arrived two hours late, I can either attend the function which also might be over by the time I reach there and miss my train in the process, or else catch the evening Shatabdi without attending the function."

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 23
Craze for carrying weapons and firing shots during celebrations lead to the death of a youth of Mullanpur village while condition of another is stated to be critical after both of them sustained gunshots at a marriage palace in Dehlon near here yesterday evening.

Taking it to be a case of culpable homicide, the Dehlon police has registered an FIR under Sections 304 and 308 of the IPC and 27/54/59 of the Arms Act against the suspect, identified as Bitta of Sangat Pura.

Marriage celebrations of Harman Vir Singh a resident of Halwara, taking place at a marriage place at Dehlon, turned sour when a bullet allegedly fired by Bitta pierced Rakhjiwan Singh (19) and Jatinder Singh of Mullanpur village. Rakhjiwan succumbed to his injuries at a tertiary medical institute in Ludhiana, while Jatinder is stated to be critical at another multi-specialty hospital in the city.

Investigations revealed that another Baitta shot Rakhjiwan Singh and Jatinder Singh, members of a marriage party from Halwara. It seems that a bullet, which after piercing Jatinder Singh’s shoulder, entered the chest of Rakhiwan Singh who was standing behind him (Jatinder).

The DSP disclosed that the suspect had fired more than one shot from his weapon during celebrations. Firsts he fired while dancing near the stage and then in air after coming out of the hall. He ultimately fired fatal shot, just outside the marriage palace, at the time of bride’s departure.

"Though the relatives are now saying that they had stopped Bantti from firing shots we wonder why not they could use force to seize the weapon from him," commented Gorayan.

Rakhjiwan Singh was a one of twin sons of Darshan Singh of Mullanpur. He was pursuing his degree in engineering at a college in Jitwal near Moga. Though he hesitated from attending the marriage his parents had persuaded him to come.

"Now we curse the moment when we insisted on his participation,” Sadhu Singh one of Bantti’s relative said. The accused is also a relative of the groom's family. He is son-in-law of an aunt of groom's father.

The body was handed over to his relatives after conducting the postmortem at the Dehlon civil hospital. 

Ludhiana, November 23
Alarmed by lower-rung cops’ writ petition praying for the implementation of the original seniority list, the Police Department is making last-ditch efforts to save approximately 700 sportsmen holding key posts.

If the seniority list is implemented, these 700 cops are likely to face demotions.

The sub-inspector (SI) faction, which has not been promoted for the past 17 years, claimed that if the seniority list was implemented, it would benefit about 20,000 cops.

According to police sources, a communiqué has been sent to the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters in Jalandhar asking them to provide the list of those players who have won medals at the Police Games and on the national and international levels. The department has also asked the cops to send the copy of the certificate. Points will be added in the list according to their achievements.

The department will also consider the merit of the certificate that will ensure the claim of the sportsmen to their ranks.

“A sportsman needs at least 60 points to attain the post of an inspector. The move will only delay the proceeding of the seniority list and shield about 50 sportsmen occupying gazetted posts and 659 sportsmen on other posts,” said an SI-rank officer.

He further alleged that the officers constituted for the committee, chaired by ADGP (Administration) H.R Chadha and members, including Harpreet Sidhu, Kapil Dev and sports secretary (PAP) Shivdev Singh, are not linked with the matter any more and the department would just waste time of the court and the SIs who are waiting in anticipation of their promotions.

Ludhiana, November 23
In what may potentially be an eye opener for the government and enforcement agencies, a study at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has found that 60 per cent of coriander powder in the market is adulterated with sand and 53 per cent chilli samples with brick powder.

The findings of the study are an indicator to wide prevalence of easy adulteration techniques in other food items as well.

Heavy adulterations have also been reported in black pepper, jaggery, desi ghee, honey and turmeric. The findings have been reported in the study “Prevalent fraudulent practices in food items and their testing for adulteration” carried out by Indu Karki for her research in department of family resource management at PAU.

The research carried out under the guidance of Dr Neelam Mehrotra found that papaya seeds were found as adulterant in 56 per cent of black pepper samples.

Thirty per cent of milk samples were found to be adulterated with water. As many as 30 per cent of pure ghee samples were mixed with vanaspati, while 23 per cent of mustard oil was found mixed with argemone oil.

At least 68 per cent jaggery samples were found mixed with metanil yellow and 48 per cent samples of honey samples were found to be mixed with invert sugar. Turmeric powder was found adulterated with metanil yellow.

Prof Manjit Kaur Virk, head of the department, said: “The results of the study pointed out a disturbing truth present in the market. The adulterated food is a major health hazard. The law enforcement agencies, particularly the department of food and supplies, needs to give exemplary punishments to curb the practice.”

The study is based on response from a cross-section of residents spread into four zones all over the city. The samples have been taken from at least 15 different respondents in each of the two centres. The city has been broadly divided into eight different areas comprising BRS Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, PAU, Haibowal, Jamalpur Colony, Vishwakarma colony, Sundernagar and Jodhewal. At least 40 samples of each food item under study were collected randomly.

The study indicated that market was flooded with adulterated food where the food quality was lowered by adding harmful substances.

It can also be adulterated by removing certain ingredients that are vital to human health. Colourful adulteration by mixing banned colours is also a major health hazard.

Mullanpur Dakha, November 23
A railway bridge being constructed at Mullanpur is playing havoc with the health of residents. For the past over six months, the life of those residing near the construction site has become a hell.

The company behind the construction, Rohan Rajdeep Private Ltd, has been entrusted with the task of constructing numerous bridges and roads in the state.

However, the company has bypassed many rules that are to be followed while carrying out the construction activity. It has failed to provide a service road for the convenience of residents prior to the starting of construction.

The water supply and sewage system has been damaged due to digging 
of roadsides without informing the departments concerned.

People of the area have now been forced to drink water contaminated with sewage.

Employees of the company are also engaged in power theft by using “kundi” connections.

Area residents have many a time complained about the matter to the departments concerned but to no avail, say a few residents.

They said though the construction of the bridge and the Raikot road had not yet been completed, the company had started raising toll barrier on the road.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 23
Rajinder Singh, a social activist of Payal town, near here, on whose complaint a health department team led by deputy director had initiated action against the organiser of a private clinic for allegedly violating norms of the PNDT Act, has allegedly been threatened of dire consequences by sympathisers of the erring “lady doctor”.

The whistleblower, accusing the police of trying to shield the suspects, has sought protection for self and property.

SHO Payal Manjinder Singh Dhillon said the legal authorities had observed that the case was to be pursued by the health department only and no police action was needed. No complaint about alleged threat to the social activist or members of his family had been received at the police station, claimed the SHO.

In a communication addressed to SSP Khanna, Rajinder Singh has accused members of the family of the doctor of threatening him of dire consequences, in case he continued to pursue the case.

Investigations by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that a team of health department officials, led by deputy director B.S. Mohi and accompanied by policemen, had raided a private clinic being run by Raj Kumari on November 8.

Though the team failed to catch the medico staff undertaking procedure for medical termination of pregnancy of any women, equipment and materials, commonly used for the purpose, were seized from the clinic.

Stating the sequence of events leading to the raid and subsequent observations, the health authorities asked the Payal police to initiate action against the doctor.

Facts of the case were forwarded to the legal authorities in the Khanna district police, who directed the SHO Payal to inform the health authorities that necessary action should be taken at their (health authorities) end.

Disappointed over alleged inaction of the authorities in curbing the menace of female foeticide, Rajinder has decided to file a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana Court.

“Now when it has been proven that the sinners cannot be booked in normal course, I will file a PIL in the Punjab and Haryana Court. Though it will put me and my family in danger, I will still pursue the case,” he added.

Jagraon, November 23
On the complaint of Onkar Mal of Sangaria, Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan, the Delhon police has registered a case against a truck driver, Jaswinder Singh, for stealing pulse meant for the Atta Dal Scheme of the Punjab government. He alleged that the driver, who belongs to Dhurkot, had stolen a truck load of moong pulse.

He claimed that 140 quintal of the pulse, worth Rs 4.25 lakh, was loaded on to his truck (PB 13 Q 4717) from his shop M/s Goyal Trading Company at New Grain Market in Sangaria.

The pulse was to be delivered at Kharar and Morinda for distribution under the Punjab government’s scheme.

He said the driver disappeared along with truck and pulse and had been evasive since October 25. A case has been registered against the accused. The truck and the consignment are still missing. Preliminary investigation revealed that the pulse had been sold in small quantities to people of nearby villages.

Ludhiana November 23
The case of alleged sexual harassment of a woman employee by the director students’ welfare (DSW), Punjab Agricultural University, is getting murkier.

The Punjab government has intervened and in its enthusiasm sent two letters to the PAU authorities. In the first letter it has asked the authorities to get the matter probed into by a third agency and in another told them to it to the board of management of the university.

The letters that were issued from the office of financial commissioner (development) are signed by the superintendent. However, refusing to succumb to any pressure, the authorities are following the statutory guidelines laid by the Supreme Court.

Vice-chancellor Manjit Singh Kang, on receiving the complaint from the woman employee, who works in the DSW office, set up a committee headed by the dean, college of home science and comprising dean, postgraduate studies (women), a representative of an NGO and another person. There were four members in the committee.

As per the Supreme Court's direction, “The vice-chancellor shall constitute a complaint committee which should be headed by a woman and not less than half of its members should be women.”

Enquiries made by The Tribune show that the committee had recorded the statements of the employee and the witnesses. The director student’s welfare also appeared before the committee and sought copy of the complaint against him during his first appearance.

The DSW alleges that he was not supplied the authenticated copy of the complaint in the first meeting and later on he was given a vague copy without any date or time of the complaint lodged. After the first hearing, the DSW did not appear before the committee.

Meanwhile, the DSW in a letter to the vice-chancellor sought scrapping of the enquiry committee as he alleged that he had no faith in it. He sought a personal hearing from the vice-chancellor who called him on November 13. The DSW also sent letters to the members of the board.

Manjit maintained that he had heard the DSW and offered him an authenticated copy of the complaint against him. But he refused to accept it. Kang further said he sent the authenticated copy of the complaint to the DSW along with a response to his letter.

The DSW appeared before the enquiry committee yesterday and submitted the statement seeking the disbanding of the enquiry committee and did not make any further statement.

The vice-chancellor said he was waiting for the report of the enquiry committee and further action would be taken as per its findings.

Asked if the intervention of the state government was not an encroachment on the autonomy of the university, he said, “We are examining the issue if the state government has any jurisdiction over the matter.”

He further said finally all matters were referred to the board of management of the university.

K.S. Aulakh, former vice-chancellor, PAU, and D.R. Bhumbla, former vice-chancellor, Haryana Agricultural University, have assailed the Punjab government for interfering in the affairs of the university thereby eroding its autonomy.

They said rules regarding the enquiry and punishment in cases of sexual harassment are very clear and no intervention of the government was warranted. The university should be allowed to function independently.

Ludhiana, November 23
Mushroom, the all time favourite, have a significant place in the Indian dietary habits of a predominantly vegetarian population. Of the estimated production of about 1 lakh tonne of mushroom in the country, about half of it is produced in Punjab.

In spite of predominantly tropical and sub-tropical climate in India, it is the temperate button mushrooms, which occupy a predominant place in the country. The present production of white button mushroom is about 85,000 tonne, out of which 55 per cent is produced in Punjab. Mushroom, growing in the state, is in the hands of 400 seasonal growers.

Informing this to The Tribune, Dr P. K. Khanna, coordinator of research and head, department of microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, said the PAU, over the past 35 years, had established and transferred the cultivation technology of four varieties of mushrooms, namely white button, paddy straw, oyster or dhingri and milky, which are being cultivated by the growers of the state and the adjoining areas under the prevailing indoor environmental conditions. Using the technology, a grower can get two crops of white button mushroom and three crops of dhingri from October to March, four crops of paddy straw mushroom and three crops of milky mushrooms from April to September without resorting to heating or cooling of the mushroom house. This has made the mushroom growing a round-the-year activity in Punjab and adjoining areas.

Mushrooms are excellent source of high quality proteins, vitamins and minerals, low in fat with high proportions of unsaturated fatty acids and calories, and contain no cholesterol.

According to Dr Khanna, there is an enormous scope and potential of further development of mushroom farming in the state as a self-employment subsidiary occupation. To help the growers, PAU supplies quality spawn (seed) of four varieties through the department of microbiology during the respective season and a number of specialised training courses are conducted every year for farmers.

It is hoped that in the near future some medicinally important speciality mushroom will also be included in the list of cultivated mushrooms. This is expected that in the near future, mushroom industry will make rapid strides as a lucrative international trade under the government policy of liberalisation and globalisation.

Ludhiana, November 23
A Delhi-based company, International Traceability Systems, under the National Horticulture Mission, has taken up the task to encourage farmers to adopt organic farming and minimise the ill-effects of chemical fertilisers and pesticides on environment as well as health.

Dr J.S.Kanwar, senior scientist and former head, department of vegetable crops, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), who has been appointed as consultant for the company, told The Tribune that through the e-organic agriculture management system, the cost of production has come down. Besides, the soil fertility is being revived and the organic vegetables and fruits are also good for human consumption, he added.

"Under this programme, organic farming is being practised on 3,500 hectares in the state (in first phase). We have received tremendous response from the farmers as approximately 1,900 of them in 10 districts have already adopted organic farming. Vegetables like potato, cauliflower, tomato, onion, garlic, brinjal and cabbage are being grown successfully by the farmers in Punjab,” said Dr Kanwar, adding that the farmers were given training by the company representatives to promote farming free from chemical insecticides/pesticides.

"We are asking farmers to make use of cow dung and cow urine as a substitute for various fertilisers. Cow urine contains all the 16 necessary micro and macro nutrients and it has the ability to fight several fungal and bacterial diseases,” he said.

The project manager, V.P.Paul, said that the record of farmers was maintained by the company which was also available on Internet. "This is being done so the farmers don’t face any problem while marketing their produce. The buyers, exporters, retail chains can directly contact with farmers through Internet. Those, who have adopted it, have increased their area of production. The French agency-Society for General Surveillance is the certifying agency for the organic produce,” he said.

Bhupinder Singh, a young farmer near Samrala, said the people had become health conscious in recent times as contaminated vegetables had already shown its ill-effects in the Malwa region. "We have to adhere to the approved input list. The produce has to be good as farmer is not allowed to use any off-farm inputs without getting prior permission on internal control system,” he added. 

Ludhiana, November 23
The peaceful proceedings of the general house meeting of district unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA) ended the ongoing speculations of the medical fraternity in the city. As many as 60 senior doctors from the city attended the meeting held here yesterday night.

Giving the details of general body meeting, district president of IMA Dr Arun Mitra said, “The election process was formally announced and the nominations would be made from December 1-8. Thereafter, the election commission would do the screening of the applications, followed by voting on December 21.”

However, Dr Mitra refused to comment when asked about the allegations levelled by a section of doctors on the former president of the association. He said that these are the issues that can be dealt with separately without disturbing the forthcoming elections.

It is pertinent to mention that following the announcement of elections of IMA, the medical fraternity had started levelling allegations and counter allegations against each other. Senior doctors, who are the contenders for the coveted posts in district unit, are raking up old controversies against their adversaries.

A senior doctor termed the announcement of elections by Dr Iqbal Singh Ahuja as “unconstitutional” and also alleged former district president Dr Gursharan for illegally renting out IMA house to a tent house owner.

Meanwhile, former state presidents of IMA - Dr O.P.S. Kande, Dr J.S. Gill and Dr R.C. Garg - in a joint statement issued yesterday, negated the allegations levelled against Dr Gursharan. "IMA house was rented out well before Dr Gursharan Singh was the member of IMA. He was given the membership of Ludhiana IMA after he shifted to here from Samrala," the doctors stated.

They mentioned in the statement that IMA Punjab state council meeting held at IMA house in 2001 passed a unanimous resolution authorising Dr Gursharan Singh to get the land vacated. Later, Gurbachan Singh, owner of the marriage palace, filed a case against Dr Gursharan Singh and the then secretary Dr Ashwini Goyal.

The IMA house was handed over to IMA Punjab which was subsequently refurbished, the doctors added.

Ludhiana, November 23
NSS team of Khalsa College for Women (KCW) has launched a communal harmony campaign and is observing a fund-raising week as per the guidelines issued by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous organisation with the ministry of home affairs, Government of India.

The main objective of this foundation is to provide assistance to the physical and psychological rehabilitation to child victims of communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence with special reference to their care, education and training besides promoting communal harmony, fraternity and national integration.

NSS volunteers of the college are motivating students and teachers to donate generously to help the children rendered destitute and orphan in violence. Students are also motivated to take flags for the Flag Day to be observed on November 25. To convey the message and sensitize the students regarding communal harmony and non-violence, NSS volunteers also organised a special programme and staged a choreography “Adhoorey Shagan” and a skit "Kaun hai Jimevar" on the college campus.

College principal Dr Varinder Kaur Thind appreciated the efforts of the NSS team and congratulated NSS programme officers Dr Khushdip Kaur, Harminder and Manbir Dhaliwal. 

Ludhiana, November 23
Harmanpreet Kaur is living her father’s dream. Daughter of a sportsperson, she is determined to make the dream of her father come true for it was always his desire to represent India in the Commonwealth Games, which he could not achieve. Now, his daughter is striving hard to realise the dream.

She won two silver and one gold medals during the 16th IBSA National Sports Meet, which concluded recently. Harmanpreet belongs to B3 category.

A student of class VI, Harmanpreet studies at Harjas Public School, Maachiwara. Though her mother never wanted her to join sports, she was inspired by the sight of her father practising.

“Whenever I used to see my father practice in the ground, I felt like becoming like him. So I started practising and took part in the games for the first time in 2005. I won two gold medals there and was further encouraged to work harder,” she said.

She has also won three gold and one silver during the games held at Delhi and three gold and one silver during the games held at Faridabad.

Her 9-year-old sister is also following in her footsteps and wants to become a sportsperson.

Harmanpreet also excels when it comes to participating in the general category. She has won medals not only in games meant for the blind but grabbed first position while competing with children of general category in her school.

“One day I will represent India in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. I am working hard to achieving and moving towards my goal. I want to make my father’s dream true,” she adds.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 23
As many as 167 students of Green Valley Public School were given prizes for their outstanding performance in academic and extracurricular fields at annual function organised here yesterday.

Tarsem Lal Gupta, chairman the Kaushalya Devi Memorial Educational Trust, presided over the function, and Jaspal Singh Jassi, SDM, Malerkotla, was chief guest.

The function started with saraswati vandana, wherein the students presented a prayer dance followed by a welcome song. A cultural programme was presented. The skits and dances kept the audience spell-bound. “Kuri-e Kismat Thuri-e Tainun Aina Pyar Dyan”, choreography on female foeticide was appreciated.

Jassi said the parents should focus their attention on the education of their wards instead of providing them luxuries. "Unfortunately, our share in the civil and allied services has been declining for the last two decades and the change in our priorities has emerged as the cause," said Jassi, adding that the rural areas were worst affected.

Principal Kavita Kapoor read out the annual report. Yash Bhusan Gupta, secretary, Madan Mohan Angrish, director, Ashok Joshi and the chief guest gave away the prizes.

Ludhiana, November 23
MGM Public School hosted the LSSC Inter-School Recitation Competition. As many as 11 teams from various schools participated in the event. The overall trophy was bagged by Gujranwala Public School. MGM school was first runner-up, and third position was bagged by GNIPS.

Ripanpreet Kaur of GNIPS won first position in English, and Jaspreet Kaur of GGN Public School secured first position in Hindi. Kirandeep Kaur of DAV Centenary School, Phillaur, won first position in Punjabi.

Ludhiana, November 23
The NCC week concluded today by organising "Run for Fun" on the GADVASU and PAU campuses. As many as 500 NCC cadets from all the units of Ludhiana group participated in the race. Group commander Col K. J. Singh flagged off the race.

Col Deol, Col R. P. Singh, Col Ranbir Singh and Wing Commander Bishnoi were also present, along with parents of the cadets.

In week-long activities, students participated in essay writing, declamation contest, mushaira and visits to old age home and orphanage. A cycle rally was also organised, which was flagged off by deputy general Brig Rajinder Singh at Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar.

In the concluding session, Col Ranbir Singh, Commanding Officer, motivated the cadets to take part in the physical and co-curricular activities, along with studies.

Ludhiana, November 23
Indian Ex-services League president Col Bhag Singh took up the problems for redressal with Sainik Welfare, Punjab, director Brig I.S. Gakhal during a meeting here.

The league demanded abolition of VAT on CSD items, release of tubewell connections on priority for ex-servicemen, hearing of problems of ex-servicemen by the DC and the SP on a stipulated day.

He also presented a memorandum addressed to Punjab chief minister seeking passage of resolution by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for one rank, one pension and increase of quota for enrollment of Punjabis in the armed forces.

Col Bhag Singh along with the ex-servicemen honoured Brig Gakhal with a memento. Hundreds of ex-servicemen were present.

Doraha (Ludhiana), November 23
In a nerve-wrecking final, Jarkhar Academy, after leading by one goal, squandered away the advantage to content with 1-1 outcome against Punjab and Sindh Bank Academy, Jalandhar, and shared the title in the All-India Gold Cup Hockey Tournament (Under-19) organised by the Doraha Hawks Club on Gurukul Mehta Academy ground here today.

Both the teams exhibited fine stick work and the Punjab and Singh Bank forwards initiated the moves and swarmed the Jarkhar citadel. They also forced two penalty corners, but failed to capitalise on chances.

On the other hand, Jarkhar defence line played in cohesive, their wingers moved like a well-oiled machine to thwart every move, weaved by the rivals. Their custodian, Keshav, stood like a wall between PSB players and the goal post, which denied the latter, lead.

After the first barren half, Jarkhar lads reorganised themselves and descended on the ground with a different look. After making repeated forays into the PSB territory, they managed to score the much-needed goal in the 40th minute through Prabhjot Singh.

Stung at this, PSB players pulled up their socks, mounted pressure on the rivals. Their pressure tactics eventually paid dividents. In the dying minutes of the game, they earned two penalty corners in quick succession and off the later, Metab Singh sounded the board to level the score.

As the issue remained unresolved, the organisers decided to declare Jarkhar Academy and the Punjab and Sindh Bank Academy, Jalandhar, as joint winners. The spin of coin favoured Jarkhar Academy to keep the winners' trophy for the first six months.

Earlier, in the semi-finals, Jarkhar Academy edged out Punjab National Bank Academy of Delhi 5-2 in a tie-breaker to set for the title clash with Punjab and Sindh Bank Academy of Jalandhar, who outnumbered Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bhopal, 2-0.

The semi-final match played between Jarkhar Academy and Punjab National Bank Academy of Delhi rose to dizzy heights as players of both the teams dished out excellent hockey.

Jarkhar Academy, with players from rural schools of the nearby villages, gave many anxious moments to their opponents, who had a number of players in their ranks with international exposure. However, Jarkhar lads kept their composure till the end and eventually managed to overpower their experienced rivals.

Jarkhar Academy drew the first blood in the third minute, when Lovepreet Singh converted a penalty corner to put his side in to the lead. They continued to dominate the proceedings and made forays into the PNB Academy's citadel repeatedly, and forced three more penalty corners also, however the much-needed goal eluded them.

Punjab National Bank Academy boys too tried their best to tame their rivals and earned five penalty corners, which, however, went waste.

The eqauliser came off Ved Parkash's stick with just few seconds to go for the long whistle. As the two sides were locked 1-all at the end of the stipulated period, the tie breaker rule was applied in which Jarkhar Academy managed to avail four chances, while PNB Academy could score just one to make an exit from the tournament.

In the second semi final, Punjab and Sindh Bank Academy defeated SAI, Bhopal, 2-0. Both the goals were scored in the first half. Jaspreet Singh scored a field goal in the 9th minute, while Vikramjeet Singh struck in the 23rd minute to steer their side to victory and settle for the title-clash match.

The chief of the Ludhiana circle of Punjab National Bank, H. K. Mohla gave away the prizes.

Khamano, November 23
A two-day athletics meet was held at St Joseph’s school, in which the competitions of tug-of-war, 100m race, long jump, relay race, spoon race, frog jump and hoping race were held.

In 100m race, Sukhmanpreet of Class I came first and Milan got second position. In Class II, Dilpreet Singh bagged first position and Jaspreet got second position. In Class III, Prabhjot Singh stood first and Gurjinder bagged second position. In Class IV, Harsh came first and Narinder was second. In Class V, Robin Singh got first position and Sharandeep Kaur stood second. In Class VI, Kulwant Singh came first and Amanjot was second.

In long jump, Tejinder came first and Lovepreet Singh was second. In tug-of-war, Class VI team of Shivani, in Class V team of Jashanpreet Singh, and in Class IV, the team of Isherpreet Kaur won first positions.

In frog jump, Harmanpreet of LKG came first and Hasanpreet Singh was second. In UKG, Kamalpartap Singh came first and Balpreet was second. In slow cycle race, Danveer Singh of Class VI was first and Himansu Kakar was second.

The winners were given prizes by principal Shah G. A. Joseph.