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Carrying of Firearms
Marriage palace owners to face action
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, November 25
Following the death of a youth during firing at a marriage celebration at Dehlon village, near here, the administration has decided to come down heavily on the owners of marriage palaces and the organisers of social functions who allow participants carry weapons and fire shots in the air.

The authorities have also called upon the office-bearers of social organisations to educate residents of their respective area about the consequences of violating the provisions of the Arms Act and relevant sections of the CrPC regarding carrying of firearms.

Families of the bride and the groom will have to be more vigilant henceforth as the authorities have taken a strict note of carrying of weapons at the marriage functions. Failing to do so, the family members would be booked along with the erring persons and the owner of the marriage place.

DSP Dakha Paramjit Singh Goraya said the relatives and guests present at the functions resort to firing in the air to express joy, which, at times, lead to accidents.

Rakhjiwan Singh, a youth of Mullanpur, was killed during one such incident at Dehlon on Saturday.

The DSP said that though the district administration had imposed a ban on carrying of weapons inside the marriage halls or parties, people were not abiding by it.

“We have already asked the owners of marriage palaces to ensure that weapons are not carried inside their premises. Now, we have directed our officials to take action against those who carry and brandish weapons during celebrations," said Gorayan.

Investigations by the Ludhiana Tribune revealed that many valuable lives had been lost due to firing by revellers in recent times.

Mohinder Singh, a branch postmaster of Barundi village, had died in a firing incident at a marriage palace at Dhulkot Road. Beant Singh and Bhagwant Singh, both residents of Ludhiana, had died when a cop celebrating his son's birthday had fired on them at Ludhiana a few years ago. Naresh Kumar of Sidhwan Bet was killed in a similar incident. Amandeep Singh of Ghuman village, who had come to attend a marriage function at Andloo, was shot at by a villager who could not control nerves on being kept waiting.

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Ferozepur road proving fatal for wedding guests
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
The stretch along the marriage palaces at Ferozepur road has turned into a virtual death trap during this marriage season. An average of 25 to 35 cases of accidents are reported everyday on the 14 km killer stretch, starting from West End Mall to Mullanpur. Interestingly, several accident cases are left unreported.

With around 90 marriage palaces situated on this stretch alone, the police is feeling helpless to keep a check on the violations by the marriage palaces. A majority of the victims are the wedding party visitors, who are either in a hurry to reach the wedding venue or returning after attending the party, met with accident.

To add to the woes, the poor visibility on the roadside and the frequent flow of trucks carrying rice husk have made the matter worst for the wedding visitors.

The marriage palace owners, who are not at all affected by the global meltdown, are busy minting money and give scant regards to provide proper parking space to the people.

"However, the marriage palace owners have provided security guards to regulate traffic outside the marriage palace, but instead of regulating traffic, they are usually found busy seeking tips from the vehicle owners for parking," said Gaurav Gupta, a guest at a wedding party.

With no blinker on the roadside, it has become difficult for commuters to spot the road in the dark. With winter having set in, fog in the coming months will further create serious problems for the commuters.

A cop remarked that during rains, the road became a killer stretch as it got slippery and resulted in increased number accidents.

"Eight accidents took place on one such rainy day at this killer stretch three months ago, which left four persons dead. In the coming days, fog will create similar slippery road conditions and there is a fear of increase in number of accidents in coming days," he added.

The two-wheeler drivers and the pedestrians are the worst hit as majority of them have been victims of the accidents.

Last evening, a youth was crushed to death and his father and sister suffered serious injuries by an over speeding car. The trio was returning home after attending a wedding party. Drunk wedding guests further aggravate the problem as they not only indulge in rash driving but also engage in road rages.

R. K Jaiswal, SSP, Ludhiana, said: "We have sensitised the marriage palace owners to provide adequate parking space. We have also directed them to equip themselves with enough manpower to regulate traffic on road during functions."

Meanwhile, one more death case was reported on this killer stretch.

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Pay Commission
Ex-servicemen take to streets
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Hundreds of ex-servicemen, along with war widows from all over Punjab, including Chandigarh, gathered here today to be a part of the protest rally being organised under the banner of the Indian Ex-Services League.

The agitators, which included senior citizens, were upset from the attitude of the Central government and said they never wanted to stand against the nation for which they had fought. But the discrimination being meted out to them by the Sixth Pay Commission and the Centre had forced them to take the extreme step.

Indian Ex-Service League president Col Bhag Singh said the bureaucratic lobby of the nation has given a step-motherly treatment to soldiers, who performed their duties in extreme conditions. "The bureaucrats, who work in air-conditioned offices. How they will know what soldiers have been suffering through. As they have failed to address our grievances, the league has demanded for a separate pay commission for the armed forces," he said, adding that the IAS and PCS officers failed to understand rank structures of defence forces.

He said: “Our demands like one-rank, one pension , acceptance of four demands submitted by three chiefs of the armed forces and 80 per cent weightage in pension to PBORs are justified. Keeping our services and sacrifices in mind, the government should take our demands seriously, failing which we will be forced to intensify our stir," he said, adding that the march today was just a trailer and real movie would be witnessed at India Gate, New Delhi.

A young war widow, who requested not to disclose her identity, said, "My husband died when my elder son was just 2 and I was expecting my second child. We have a joint family and I have my in-laws to look after." It's really tough to get meals for everyone from the pension I receive and the pension amount too would be reduced by 40 per cent when my husband death completes seven years, she added, wiping her tears.

The protesters submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh through the office of Ludhiana deputy commissioner.

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Despite ban, catching of mangoor fish continues
Charu Chhibber
Tribune News Service


Mangoor fish being buried by govt officials

Ludhiana, November 25
Large quantities of mangoor fish were seized by the department of fisheries in Ludhiana and Jalandhar recently. This, despite the ban on its sale and breeding.

Despite ban, catching of mangoor fish continues unabated with the authorities concerned preferring to look the other way. Recently, Considered a delicacy, the fish is being served at weddings and other parties across the city. The reason behind its popularity is that it comes cheap as compared to other varieties and is boneless. The fish is in great demand among the migrants, who comprise almost 50 per cent of the city's population.

The manager of a city-based banquet hall said the mangoor fish is very popular among the city residents. As the wedding season is on and winters already setting in, mangoor fish “pakoras” seem to have caught the fancy of caterers who include it in the menu of the wedding party.

Sunny Singh, a local businessman, who organised his birthday party at his farmhouse near Ludhiana where mangoor was served, said: “Till date, no case of death by consuming mangoor fish has been reported, so what’s the need to worry?"

Kamaljeet Singh, president, Punjab Fish Farmers' Association, said, "The fish is served at small or medium-budget parties across the city. It is very popular among the migrant population because it is economical as compared to other varieties. The administration should keep a check on its sale and try to contain its breeding by killing the fish in the ponds itself.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court had banned the breeding, sale and sorting of mangoor fish as it had been labelled as being dangerous to aquatic life. It is also said to cause cancer in humans but there is no scientific study to prove the fact.

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Woman robbed of jewellery
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Three armed youths robbed a woman of her jewellery at a house in Aggar Nagar here today.
The incident took place this morning when the three men, with their faces covered with cloth, entered the house of Mukta Goel (40), in Part-A, Aggar Nagar, at around 9:45 a.m.

According to the police, it was a planned robbery, as Mukta's husband Avinash Goel was away to office and she was alone at home.

The youths entered the house and overpowered Mukta, who was standing in lobby.

One of them trained a pistol on her forehead and threatened her to remove her necklace and bangles. When she handed over the gold jewellery, the youths again beat her up and threatened her not to scream. The youths then fled from the scene. The woman got so frightened that she did not tell anyone about the incident till afternoon.

It was after she narrated the incident to her husband Avinash Goel that the matter came to light. He then informed the police about the incident.

Rajesh Kumar, ASI, reached the spot and registered a case against the unknown accused.

He said the family was reluctant to speak anything about the incident and it was only after much persuasion that she narrated the incident.

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Consumer Courts
Bank fined Rs 80,000
Rajneesh Lakhanpal

Ludhiana, November 25
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has ordered the Centurion Bank of Punjab (CBoP) to pay a compensation of Rs 80,000 for deficiency in services.

Pronouncing the decision, president of the Forum T.N. Vaidya and its members D.S. Bakshi and Puja Dewan also directed the bank to pay cost of Rs 2,000 to the complainant. The orders came on a complaint filed by Jatinder Singh, a resident of Tagore Nagar in Ludhiana.

The Forum held that the bank officials sold a truck to the consumer without its registration with the Licensing Authority. Due to which the consumer could not ply truck for eight months.

The complainant had submitted before the forum that he had purchased a second-hand truck from the banker for Rs 6 lakh. He made the payment of Rs 1 lakh on July 31, 2006, and remaining payment of Rs 5 lakh on August 9, 2006.

The truck was purchased after raising loan from other bank. He got the truck insured from August 4, 2006, to August 3, 2007. He urged the banker to provide all the required documents, including the registration certificate, of the truck to enable him to ply the same, but in vain, added the complainant.

Later, he came to know that the truck was never registered with the Licensing Authority though it was a 2004 model. The complainant had to pay the expenses of Rs 14,970 for getting the vehicle registered in the name of the previous owner and then it was transferred in his name on January 24, 2007. After this, he got the requisite route permit and started plying the truck, he added.

On the other hand, the bank officials refuted the charges levelled against it. After appreciating the evidence on record, the court found that there was no fault of the consumer, who suffered much on account of deficiency in services on the part of the banker.

The forum ordered the banker to pay Rs 80,000 as compensation to the consumer as he could not ply the truck on road, Rs 14,970 paid by consumer for getting the vehicle registered and Rs 9,945 insurance charges for eight months.

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NRIs sterilise stray dogs in village
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
The menace of stray dogs in the city has been increasing with each passing day, with the authorities concerned failing to tackle the problem.

However, two NRIs, alumni of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), recently decided to contribute their mite towards solving the problem by sterilising over three dozen dogs during their short stay in the city.

Ajay Jain, president, People For Animals (PFA), local chapter, said that Dr Rajdeep Singh, who runs a veterinary hospital in California, and Dr Amandeep Singh Mundi from Toronto, who have strong roots in the city, were perturbed to see the stray dog menace in the city during their recent visit. They contacted the local PFA and asked if they could do something for the local residents.

Both animal lovers, under the Animal Birth Control Programme (WHO project), took the initiative and performed surgeries on about 35-40 dogs. "Not only did they perform surgeries but also arranged for the necessary medication and stay after the post-operative period of surgery. They sterilised almost all dogs in Mangat village near here," said Jain.

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13-yr-old run over by tractor-trolley
Our Correspondent

Mullanpur Dakha, November 25
A pall of gloom descended on Talwandi Khurd village near Mullanpur Dakha today when a teenager died after being run over by a tractor-trolley.

The deceased, Pawan (13), the only son of Dilvir Singh, was a student of class VII at Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur. He was going with his father to a nearby village when he fell off the tractor-trolley and was run over by it. He died at the spot.

Dakha police has registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC.

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COMMUNITY
 

IMA Polls
New rules disappoint many aspirants
Anshu Seth
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
With an objective to refrain the “delinquents” among doctors from contesting the IMA elections, the election commission of the district unit of IMA has designed a detailed nomination-cum-oath form for the elections scheduled for December 21.

The specifically designed “manuscript” has dashed the hopes of many aspirants for the coveted posts in district body of the IMA. The “oath” categorically mentions that candidature of doctors, who are guilty of PNDT violation or conviction by any court of law, are liable to be cancelled by the commission.

Also, the election commission has asked the doctors filing the nominations to submit their agenda to be taken up in the coming year.

Another interesting undertaking in the oath is the words “severing by the name of God”, which is something similar to the “hypocritic oath” taken by the doctors while getting their degrees at convocation. The dual oath would be “dual commitment” towards the profession pronounced, said a contender for one of the posts.

A senior doctor, while referring to the most vital and important undertaking, said: "The election commission has put a condition of getting a no-due certificate from the past president or secretary of the IMA, Ludhiana branch, which will be a reason enough for various candidates to withdraw. However, this will set up a good precedent for other district units of the IMA and even the state body," the doctor added.

Dr Iqbal Singh Ahuja, chief election commissioner of IMA, said the election commission was trying to find out the right candidates, who could think above petty politics and act maturely to benefit the association. "This is the time for members of the association to come together to benefit of medical profession and safeguard the interests of poor and needy patients, which will be ensured through free and fair elections of genuine members," he said.

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Sanitation staff in agitation mood
Jyotika Sood
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Though mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura has assured employees of the Mohalla Sanitation Committee that they will be regularised by November 28, it seems the mayor has forgotten his promise.

According to information, an agenda has to be issued before 72-hours of the municipal house meeting but various councillors confirmed that they had not received any information regarding the house meeting.

With November 28 set as deadline by the department of local bodies, Punjab, it seems the municipal corporation would not be able to comply with the directions of the department.

Sources revealed that the mayor had asked for an extension of one month to take up the matter, but has not received any approval from the local bodies department about it yet. They added that the matter could not be decided unless municipal councillors clear it in the municipal house meeting.

Interestingly, the department of local bodies had issued direction to the municipal corporation to dissolve mohalla sanitation committees and regularise all employees on August 28 this year.

The department had given a time limit of three months to implement the orders but nothing much was done by the mayor to resolve the issue.

Municipal Karamchari Dal spokesperson Ashwani Sahota said they would hold a gate rally at municipal corporation's Zone - A office on December 2 and would decide their further course of action.

Similarly, Vijay Danav of the Municipal Karamchari Dal, Punjab, said, “if the municipal corporation fails to implement directions by November 28, we would go to Chief Minister and than hold a meeting of the outfit to take decision on how to proceed”.

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Over 36,000 apply for voter I-cards
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
The booths set up by the district administration for filling of forms for new voter identity cards witnessed a huge rush on the last day today.

Though some termed it a futile exercise, the authorities said that it was not a door-to-door survey and the willing voters needed to approach the officers/booths for getting their voter cards made.

The process of making new cards and removing discrepancies in the voters’ lists that started on November 10 concluded today. Labh Singh, tehsildar-cum-electoral officer, told The Tribune that till yesterday, the booths had received over 36,000 new forms. “The response has been excellent this year. The information on the issue was regularly being given in various sections of media by the concerned department,” he said.

“It was not a door-to-door survey which is held after every 4-5 years. A total of 2,063 booths were set up by the administration in the district. Fresh voters, who will turn 18 as on January 1, 2009, will be able to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming polls,” he added.

However, some residents of Rishi Nagar have condemned the way the process was being carried out. Rajiv Kapila, president Rishi Nagar F-Block Welfare Association told The Tribune that the voter list of 2009 (Part Number 040) of 064-Ludhiana West, needed corrections. "A number of voters will not be able to cast their votes due to no fault of theirs,” alleged Kapila.

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19-yr-old heart patient needs help
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Having failed to collect the amount told by local doctors to operate Balwinder (19), his desperate family and friends have finally approached the authorities at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who have agreed to operate upon him at half the price.

Following the diagnosis of two dysfunctional valves in his heart, Balwinder approached almost every competent doctor in the city for his operation, but nobody was ready to charge anything less than Rs 3 lakh.

The mother of this fatherless boy, a resident of Jawahar Nagar camp, works as a domestic help in adjoining areas, and barely makes both ends meet.

"My elder sons too are daily wagers, who are supporting their own families, and I have no relations to bank my hopes on," said Swarna Rani, boy's mother.

Expressing her gratitude to her neighbours, the mother said it was because of their efforts that she was able to take her son to AIIMS and get the treatment. "The institute is not charging anything, but we want an amount of approximate 1.5 lakh, the cost of the artificial valves, which is a huge sum for me to collect on my own."

As an example of benevolence and compassion, the area residents are doing their best to raise funds. "But it is our race against time, as Balwinder's condition is deteriorating with every passing day," aggrieved Rahul and Ashish, young neighbourers of Balwinder.

Balwinder was a brilliant student of Class VIII, who had to quit his studies following the breathlessness attack two years ago. Thereafter, he is making relentless efforts to get back on his feet to resume his studies, but all in vain.

The family and friends have appealed to the city NGOs and philanthropists to come forward for the help of the boy.

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Probe against Davar soon: Gosain
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Lashing out at former Congress MLA Surinder Davar, deputy speaker Satpal Gosain said, "He has asked for a vigilance inquiry against Davar and the process could be initiated anytime after which the latter would be booked on corruption charges."

Talking to mediaperson here yesterday, Gosain said the Rs 16-crore project of covering Ganda Nullah was passed in 2001 when he was in power. But after elections when Davar took over the reigns of the Ludhiana (East) constituency, the municipal corporation allotted a budget of Rs 16 crore for covering the nullah. However, the work initiated but not according to the box-type design which was approved earlier.

When public, including the area councillor Gurdeep Singh Neetu, noticed that the contractor was not working according to the design approved by the SE Ashok, they immediately got the work stopped.

Gosain added that once the vigilance probe kicked off, all those involved in the embezzlement which included some senior officials of the municipal corporation and the contractor would come to fore.

He also alleged that Davar didn't initiate any development works when he was in power.

"In my tenure of one-and-a-half years, I have initiated four big projects in my constituency which includes upgradation of civil hospital to 200 beds, children's park near old civil hospital and a 15-km elevated road from Sherpur Chowk to Salem Tabri," he said, adding that the proposal for elevated road has already been sent to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for approval.

The BJP MLA said he had written to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal about the enquiry five or six months ago and the probe could be initiated anytime.

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REPORTERS’ DIARY
Humbleness at its best

Humility is practiced and not preached. The adage is just right when we observe the mannerism of veteran educationists. Manjeet Sodhia, who retired as the principal of Government College for Women, caught the so-called elitist unawares during a flute recital at a recent function organised by SPIC MACAY (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth).

As the members of Ramgarhia Education Council bustled to acquire a seat in the front rows, Manjeet Sodhia quietly vacated a seat and voluntarily became a part of the student audience sitting on the floor.

She was at her modest best as she not only switched off her mobile phone, but also took off her footwear only to be followed by a senior musician from Bhaini Sahib and general secretary of Ludhiana chapter of SPIC MACAY.

Witty eve-teaser

A colleague of mine went to shopping to Ghumar Mandi recently. An eve-teaser, a college going student, without realising that she was married, passed an indecent remark. She was astonished to see the guts of the boy, who must be 10 years younger to her.

She stopped and asked the guy what did he say? He looked at her and smilingly replied, "Actually, that vegetable vendor was selling tomatoes for Rs 60 (sixty) a kilogram. I wonder why he is selling the product at such expensive rates. So I said ‘Hi Sixty’. The poor friend of mine had no answer and preferred to move ahead!

Novel ways

Jumping red light is a serious offence, but people today find out novel ways to deal with the same. I saw a woman from my locality jumping the red light last week. An alert cop tried to stop her. Knowing that stopping could land her in trouble, she made frantic signs of her brakes having failed. The poor cop hurriedly got out of her way to save his life. To my utter dismay, my neighbour sped away grinning.

Dentist feted

An eminent city dentist, Dr Vikas Jindal, a professor at Christian Medical College, was honoured recently during the national conference on dental research at Chennai. He was the scientific chairperson of the conference.

Dr Anil Kohli, president of the DCI, was the guest of honour along with minister of health Dr Ambumani Ramadoss. In his talk, Dr Jindal apprised the gathering about the latest techniques and researches in the field of peridontia and augmenting areas. He also talked about BMP (Bone Morphogenic Protein) approved by the FDI which is being introduced in the country for the correction of facial bony defects as in cleft lips and palates.

Not an emergency

The city recently witnessed a huge rush during the Jagannath Rath Yatra. The roads were chock-a-block with devotees and vehicles, waiting for their turn to move. Suddenly, a traffic cop sprung out of nowhere in the middle of the busy road to make way for an ambulance full of women that had stopped at one of the red signals. But when the ambulance driver signalled to the cop to let traffic move, a young journalist who was stranded on the same road, right next to the ambulance, asked the driver why he did not want to move. What the driver said astonished her. Surprisingly, the occupants of the ambulance were not accompanying a patient but had apparently got tired of walking with the yatra.

Rendered speechless

Recently, I got an opportunity to interact with juvenile delinquents and much to my astonishment, most of them, who belong to underprivileged class, were happy with their stay.

Though they miss freedom, but something they really enjoyed was a closed space that gives them a sense of security. One of them who was just nine said, "I used to sleep on the road, but here I have a bed, a blanket and three meals that too free of cost." He asked me a question which I couldn't answer. The question was: “Can you provide me a shelter, if not than don't take this away from me.”

Political promises

Spate of sangat darshans held by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in the city recently, and the follow-up action being taken by the civic body to give shape to ambitious development plans, as of now, seem to be an exercise in futility, or at best, political promises which are never meant to be fulfilled.

Making announcements for projects involving an expenditure of more than Rs 300 crore, the chief minister handed over a cheque for just Rs 40 crore to the municipal corporation, which is also a loan from the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board. The plans of the MC to raise funds from sale of prime land handed over by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust have also run into trouble after the prices of real estate tanked in the wake of recession. Even as the MC officials are busy in floating tenders for development projects announced by the chief minister, nobody knows from where the funds would come.

Instant hit

Various Indian football clubs had been hiring the services of the foreign players like those from Brazil, Kenya and other countries. Some leading football teams, including JCT Mills, Phagwara, Mohammdan Sporting Club, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and many others, have many players to boost the prospects of their team. Usually, these teams have three to four such players, which is the maximum permissible limit.

However, this time the JCT has only one foreign player, Edu, from Brazil. During the last match the JCT played with the formidable East Bengal, it was a solitary goal from Edu which saw the team through. Edu became an instant star in the city as JCT is considered to be as good as a home team in the city.

Contributed by Anshu Seth, Shivani Bhakoo, Manav Ghuman, Sanjeev Bariana, Charu Chhibber, Jyotika, Kuldip Bhatia, Rajesh Bhambi

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Former PAU VC cremated
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Dr Sukhdev Singh, a renowned agricultural scientist and former vice-chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), passed away yesterday. He was 89.

Dr Sukhdev Singh is survived by his widow, two sons and a daughter. He got his higher education from Agricultural College, Lyalpur. He joined as VC PAU on November 22, 1981, and served there till October 31, 1989. He had a great vision and during his tenure, the farm varsity reached new heights.

PAU VC Dr Manjit Singh Kang, former VC Guru Nanak Dev University Dr S.P.Singh and Jagdev Singh Jassowal, chairman, Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, have expressed grief over the demise of great scientist. Dr Sukhdev Singh was also a member of the Punjabi Sahit Academi, Ludhiana.

His cremation was largely attended by people from all walks of life today. A condolence meeting to mourn the demise of Dr Sukhdev Singh was also held in Pal Auditorium of PAU. It was attended by Dr Manjit Singh Kang, VC, deans, directors, officers, heads of the department, faculty, staff and students.

Dr Kang said Dr Sukhdev Singh served PAU with distinction as he provided outstanding leadership in agricultural research, teaching and administration in various capacities. He was instrumental in sugarcane variety development programme and strengthening regional capability of PAU, said Dr Kang, adding that the passing away of Dr Sukhdev Singh was a great loss to PAU in particular and to Punjab agriculture in general.

A two-minute silence was observed in reverence of the departed soul. The university functioning was suspended for the rest of the day. A resolution read out on the occasion was sent to the bereaved family.

Tributes paid

Ludhiana: Tributes were paid to Dr Sukhdev Singh, former vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, at a condolence meeting organised by Panjabi Sahitya Akademi here on Tuesday. Sukhdev Singh served two terms as the vice-chancellor of PAU. He was always a supporter of the Punjabi Sahitya Akademi.

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‘Insight’ at Khalsa college
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
The psychology and sociology departments of Khalsa College for Women organised a psycho-sociological testing fair "Insight" on the college campus today. This innovative idea, under the guidance of the college principal Dr Varinder Kaur Thind, was aimed at providing an opportunity to students of the college to know and develop themselves according to various psychological principles.

This fair evoked a tremendous response among the students who participated enthusiastically and were seen to be very keen to know about various aspects of their personality.

A wide variety of psycho-and sociological test, including I Q, R Q, memory, self-concept, stress, depression, personality aptitude, interpersonal relationship, etc. were administered to the student and they were also given their scores on these respective tests. Further an interpretation was made for them and they were provided tips for improvement in these various aspects of their personalities.

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Blood donation camp organised
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Quest Infosys, regional centre of PTU, Jalandhar, under distance education programme, organised a blood donation camp at PTU Learning Centre, Cyberstar, Sunder Nagar Ludhiana. The manager, business development of PTU centre, Amarendra Singh, and senior faculty members of PTU centre welcomed the team of doctors and supporting staff led by Dr Hitish Narang from Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana, who carried out blood donation camp.

The camp was conducted under the direct medical supervision of able team of doctors and their staff from Apollo hospital. Jasspreet Singh, regional manager, Quest Infosys, coordinated the activities related to blood donation camp. 

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Exhibition by special kids
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Students of various city NGOs, including the Aashirwaad, the VRTC, the Ek Prayas, the Nishkam School and the School for Deaf and Dumb held an exhibition of abilities of disabled people at RS Model School. The function was organised in the wake of world disability day on December 1.

The series of programmes are aimed to bring the children with special needs in the mainstream. The NGOs are making efforts to make the inclusive education a success not only in schools but also amongst children at large.

Dr Neelam Sodhi, director, Aashirwaad, said, "It was good to see the change of attitude of the normal children towards these special children as their feelings of sympathy, compassion and pity were replaced with admiration after seeing them exhibit their talents on stage."

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Expired drinks destroyed in school canteen
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 25
A team of health officials, led by assistant civil surgeon Dr Yash Pal Mehta today took seven samples of food items from different parts of the city.

According to sources, expired tetra packs of dairy-based drinks were destroyed in the canteen of a reputed convent school during the drive. Giving information, civil surgeon Dr Sat Pal Sharma said that samples of sodium monoglutamate, desi ghee and salted “mathi” were taken from provision stores and a dairy in Chander Nagar, while the officials took three other samples of wheat flour, chewing gum and patty from outlets at Pakhowal Road.

In the course of inspection at the canteen of Sacred Heart Convent School in Sarabha Nagar, 49 expired tetra packs of Milkmaid Fun Shake were detected which were got destroyed and samples were also taken.

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Theft at post office employee’s house
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 25
Thieves decamped with gold and cash worth Rs 2 lakh from a post office employee’s quarter at Bharat Nagar chowk here today. The thieves struck when the postal department employee Satpal Pahwa and his wife Darshna Pahwa were away for work.

They returned home during the afternoon and found every thing ransacked. The couple reported to the police which has started the investigation and registered a case of theft.

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Four-day Gurmat Samagam from tomorrow
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 25
The four-day annual Gurmat Samagam dedicated to tercentenary of "Gurgaddi Diwas" will commence at Gurudwara Nanaksar near Samrala bypass here on November 27.

Giving this information here today, Kirpal Singh, chief spokesperson for the Baba Jaswant Singh Trust, said the samagam would aim at propagating spiritual teachings of the great gurus, besides fostering universal brotherhood and world peace.

Among eminent religious and social personalities attending the samagam will be Giani Tarlochan Singh, jathedar, Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Singh Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh, head granthi, Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib, Avtar Singh Makkar, president, Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee, along with many other spiritual intellectuals from India and abroad, who will spread the eternal bliss of gurbani.

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Lecture on Gurta Gaddi Diwas

Ludhiana: A lecture was held on Tuesday at Master Tara Singh Memorial College to mark the 300 years of Gurta Gaddi Diwas. Views on spiritualism based on the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib were exchanged. — TNS

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CRIME
 

Two booked for illegal possession of plot
Our Correspondent

Jagraon, November 25
The Jagraon police on Sunday booked two persons involved in a bid to occupy a plot. Harnek Singh of Gureh village complained the police that his uncle Gurcharan Singh was owner of a plot measuring 1,250 sq yards on the village road, near Chowkiman village, for the last more than 30 years.

He had the mutation in his name. He said the foundations and the boundary wall had been laid long back on the plot. He said the accused, Gurbinder Singh of Pone village, near here, had tried to take possession of the plot forcibly on gunpoint.

When the complaint tried to stop them, the accused started beating him.

The police has registered a case against the accused.

The police has also registered a counter case against seven persons, including Gurcharan Singh, Harnek Singh, Darshan Singh, Jaggi, Kaka, Jaily and Karamjit Kaur on the statement of Gurbinder Singh. Gurbinder has alleged that these persons occupied his plot that he purchased this year.

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SPORTS
 

Harsh Preet wins 100m event

Mullanpur Dakha, November 25
Sixth annual athletics meet was held by Eastwood International School, Mullanpur Dakha. Chief guest Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP, Ludhiana (rural), took the salute from march past and hoisted tricolour.

In 100 m race of under-12 category, Harsh Preet Singh stood first, and in girls, Jasdeep Kaur bagged this position. In under-14 category, Harman Singh got first position, and Simran Kaur was declared first in girls.

In girls, Arshdeep was first in shotput, and Kamalpreet Kaur in discus throw. Hardev Singh bagged first position in long jump and discus throw. Harmanpreet Kaur was declared best athlete of the year.

The school band spell bounded the audience. As many as 41 students were also honoured for their meritorious performance in the academics in the session 2007-08. The chief guests gave away the prizes to the winner. — OC

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