Ludhiana, December 9
The building branch of the municipal corporation has issued notice to five-star hotel Park Plaza for following the parking restrictions failing which the building will be sealed.

According to the commissioner, MC, G.S. Ghuman, the hotel had got the site plan with basement parking approved from the MC but was not using it for parking. It was instead using the service lane for the purpose.

Ghuman said the basement of the hotel was now being used for staff night rooms, strong rooms, staff offices and boxes. ‘‘We have asked them to follow the rules immediately. Otherwise, we will seal the building. Action will be taken on December 12.’’

The MC had started sealing buildings a few months ago also. Some buildings were sealed also for flouting bylaws. Then the MC had to buckle under political pressure and drive was stalled. The civic body is starting it again with the five-star hotel that belongs to a Congress MLA.

Late last night, the civic body had even demolished a structure on the service lane in front of the hotel. A demolition squad preferred a midnight operation by swooping down on the hotel at 2:30 a.m.

Ghuman said the hotel had constructed a wall to block the service lane on Ferozepore road. The building and roads wing of the MC had removed the structure some days ago that came up again.

"A wall was constructed and painted afresh also. We got the structure removed and opened the lane for slow traffic. We have also put up a board on the place now telling residents that service lane is opened for public,’’ said Ghuman.

Ludhiana, December 9
The Mumbai terror attack cast its shadow on the festivities of Id-ul-Juha as the celebrations remained largely sombre here today.

Expressing solidarity towards the victims and the martyrs of the attack, Shahi Imam, Punjab, Maulana Habib-ur-Rehman-Sani, had appealed to members of the community to observe a silent Id this time.

Consequently, the local Jama Masjid was not lit up as earlier. The stage set up to address devotees was not decorated with floral arrangements.

On a peace call given by the Shahi Imam, the devotees offered prayers for the peace of the victims and the martyrs and also for the world.

Though no fear was found among devotees, who came in numbers to offer namaaz, they said they had not illuminated their houses this time. ‘‘It was an appeal by the Shahi Imam that many people were killed in the terror attacks. So we could not have celebrated it with pomp and show,’’ said Mohammad Must Keem, an activist of the All-India Majilis Ahrar Islam Hind.

While addressing a state-level function at Jama Masjid here, Maulana Habib said by observing a silent Id and just offering prayers, we want to convey to those behind the terrorism that we will not tolerate attacks against India.

He said the history had it that Muslims had never tolerated violence. They had laid their lives to help the victims of inhumanly acts. ‘‘Even today the Muslims of India will not think twice before laying down their lives for the country. The entire country is observing a silent Id this time. It is nothing less than a slap on the faces of terrorists,’’ he remarked.

Stating that Indians were winners against the terrorism, the Shahi Imam said they were united in all circumstances and no force, be it communal or political, could make them part.

‘‘I have a message for all Indians, politicians, religious leaders, freedom fighters to fight back any attempt that is made against humanity, ’’ he said.

Speakers criticised the terrorism on the occasion. Deputy speaker, Lok Sabha, Charanjit Singh Atwal, cabinet minister Hira Singh Gabria, Hans Raj Hans and chief parliamentary secretary Harish Rai Dhanda were present on the occasion. Gabria announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the madrasa Jamimia Habibia being run from the Jama Masjid.

With not enough space for devotees to offer their namaaz, they paid obeisance while standing on the roads in front of Jama Masjid here today. Last year, cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia had announced that the devotees would offer prayers from a new Idgah next year. The Chief Minister Parkash SIngh Badal had also announced land for an Idgah. He had directed PUDA officials to provide the land. ‘‘The promise remains unkept as the PUDA authorities say there is no land that can be provided, ’’ said Must Keem.

Raikot, December 9
A mob blocked the state highway for more than five hours after a man was mowed down by a private bus.

In order to accommodate more passengers, Sukhjit Singh, a resident of Jaiton,who was driving the bus entered the one-way road and mowed down Mukand Singh (70), a resident of Rattowal village, who was standing about 10 ft away from the road.

The accident took place at the Rattowal Chowk near AD Halwara. The Ludhiana-bound bus of Dhillon bus service (PB 19 D 4307) was coming from Raikot when the accident took place. The victim was bought to Sudhar civil hospital where he was declared bought dead. At least 200 odd people from the local market and Rattowal and Tusa villages blocked the Ludhiana-Bathinda highway.

The blocked was lifted at around 4 pm after Sudhar SHO and SHO Raikot managed to pacify the protesters.

Earlier, a few local leaders tried to pacify the crowd and had offered money but the protesters refused and instead demanded Rs 5 lakh for the victim who belonged to a poor family.This demand,however,was declined the owners of the bus service.

An investigation by Ludhiana Tribune revealed that another person, Sohan Singh Birdi, was mowed down by the same bus a few months ago. At that time also Sukhjit Singh was driving the bus. He was presently out on bail. The driver has been booked and bus impounded. A case under Sections 289 and 304 of the IPC has been registered against the bus driver.

Ludhiana, December 9
Lawyers withdrew their call for indefinite strike after the assurance of officiating SSP Harish Kumar to cancel the FIR registered against a city lawyer who was accused of stealing the service revolver of a serving DSP.

Terming it to a victory, the president of District Bar Association (DBA) Parupkar Singh Ghumman said it was the result of unity of the legal fraternity.

He claimed that the officiating SSP had assured that no enquiry would be conducted against a lawyer below the rank of gazzetted officer of the police. He said he had also been assured that the dignity of the legal fraternity would be ensured and necessary instructions would be issued to all police station.

Negotiations were held between the lawyers and the local police officers at office of the District Bar Association in new courts. At this time, SP(D) Gurpreet Singh Toor, DSP Sarabha Nagar Bhupinder Singh, SHO Sarabha Nagar and Division No: 5 were also present.

Earlier, in the morning the agitated lawyers blocked the traffic at Ferozepur Road for about half an hour. They marched towards the SSP office raising slogans against the police. Since the SSP was on leave, officiating SSP Harish Kumar met them and agreed to reach office of the DBA for negotiations.

A large number of lawyers sat on dharna, inclduing Stevon Soni, Naval Kishore Chhiber, Nitin Kapila, Gagandeep Saini, Wazir Singh, Rohit Thapar, Amarvir Singh Pahwa. 

Ludhiana, December 9
A project entitled "Improving vegetable production and consumption for sustainable rural livelihoods in Jharkhand and Punjab, India" was undertaken in April by the World Vegetable Centre and Punjab Agricultural University for which grant has been provided by the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT).

Under this project, promoting safer vegetable production and protected cultivation in nethouses were being encouraged. This helped to produce vegetables with minimum use of pesticides and it played a better role in improving quality, advancing maturity as well as increasing fruit span and productivity.

According to Dr. D.S.Cheema, head, department of vegetable crops, PAU, some Punjab farmers had evinced interest in this technology and they grew capsicum, brinjal and tomato in the nethouses. However, this technology received a setback on account of the unstable structure of the nethouses, he said. In order to make this technology sustainable, a need was felt for designing a stable and economically viable structure of the nethouses.

Dr. K.G. Singh, senior research engineer, was provided an opportunity to get training in the nethouse designing at Taiwan under this project. Dr. Singh proposed a new design for Punjab conditions. It was thought appropriate to discuss this design with the various stakeholders for which a meeting was attended by 20 nethouse growers and representatives from the directorate of horticulture, Punjab, The Punjab State Farmers Commission, KVKs, regional stations, scientist from the department of vegetable crops, plant pathology, entomology and soil and water engineering under the chairmanship of Dr.P.S. Minhas, director of research, recently.

Based on the inputs from the participants, the nethouse design was suggested to be updated. The suggestions which emerged from the discussion include testing of simulated mode/prototype of the newly designed nethouse, provision of wires for tightening the net, provision of central supports, installation of better air flow system so as to mitigate the wind pressure and provision of windbreaks on northern side. 

Ludhiana, December 9
Manpreet Singh Badal, minister for finance, Punjab, has assured all sorts of assistance to the sports department, Punjab, to uplift the standard of sports in the state.

Addressing a seminar of coaches of the department at Pal Auditorium, Punjab Agricultural University, here yesterday, the minister announced that the diet allowance for the players had been enhanced from Rs 60 to Rs 120 per day.

He readily agreed to give a blank cheque to the Punjab sports department provided the state players finish at the top during the National Games. He recited many couplets by the famous poets and literary figures to motivate the coaches to prepare the bunch of players who could bring laurels to the state in the national and international competitions.

Dr M.S. Kang, vice-chancellor, PAU, Dr V.K.Taneja, vice-chancellor, GADVASU, B.S. Sandhu, secretary, finance, Punjab, L.S. Ranawat, executive director (academics), NIS, Patiala, besides Pargat Singh, director, sports, Punjab, were present on the occasion.

The coaches and former national and international sportsperons were felicitated for their contributions in the field of sports. They included, Varinder Singh, Balbir Singh Randhawa (hockey), Gurmeet Singh Panther (gymnastics), Chanchal Singh (volleyball), Sajjan Singh Cheema, Ramandeep Singh Grewal, Sulhvir Grewal, Daljinder Kaur, Ramandeep Kaur, Tara Singh (weightlifting), Jai Pal Singh, Col Balbir Singh, Hardeep Singh (kabaddi) and Kuwinder Singh. 

Ludhiana, December 9
Lok Sabha deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal said today that the SAD-BJP government would spend Rs 468 crore for constructing new link roads in the state. Funds worth Rs 4 crore would be spent on constructing 40 km new roads in each constituency.

Atwal said this while addressing a gathering at Koom Kallan 30 km from here. He was there to distribute cheques for development works to be carried out of MP LAD quota of Sharanjit Singh, the local MP. Cheques worth Rs 70 lakh were distributed among panchayats.

Atwal said the government had also accorded top priority for improving the existing road network and two independent expressways were being constructed from Mohali to Jalandhar and Pathankot to Ajmer. The government has also planned four power projects of 6,600 MW capacity, out of which the work on two projects , Talwandi Sabo (1980 MW) and at Govindwal Sahib (500 MW) had already been started. The other two at Rajpura (1,500 MW) and at Giderwaha (2640 MW) would be taken up shortly, he added.

The deputy speaker also added that two international airports, one at Amritsar and other at Mohali, were being made operational. Besides this, three AIR ports for domestic flights were also being made functional at Sahnewal in Ludhiana, Bathinda and at Pathankot.

Atwal said the UPA government had always adopted discriminatory attitude towards Punjab while releasing grants for development from the Central quota.

Earlier, Atwal and Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, chairman, Punjab Mandi Board, laid the foundation stone of a project worth Rs 12 lakh for the constructing a periphery at Machhian Kallan village. 

Ludhiana, December 9
People residing in seleniferous (selenium dominating) areas of Punjab and consuming Se-rich grains and vegetables produced at their farms, have started developing typical symptoms of selenium poisoning.

Most of the generations living in the areas have shown loss of hair, particularly of heads, malformation of fingers as well as toe nails and deterioration of general health.

Others complained of occasional sever headache and nausea. In some of affected humans, fingernails got completely detached and blood kept oozing out from the finger tips. Apart from this, other symptoms included tooth decay, black or brown stains on teeth and nails and brittleness.

K.S.Dhillon, emeritus scientist, department of soils,Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), who has seen a sea-change in the past two decades, informed that periodic surveys had been conducted to access the status of selenium in soils, fodder, cereals and grasses commonly grown in Punjab and selenium-related disorders in animals and human beings.

In 1970-72, only 1 per cent of plant samples or soil collected from different blocks of Punjab contained selenium in toxic levels whereas regular follow-up surveys indicate that selenium toxic sites have been found in districts like Hoshiarpur, Nawanshehr and entire Kandi region of Punjab.

Dhillon further added that selenium was not an essential element for plants growth, but its concentration in fodder and crops was important for animals and human health. Not only humans, regular consumption of selenium-rich fodder for a few days was seriously affecting the animal health and farmers had suffered heavy economic losses due to frequent animal deaths in the seleniferous region of Punjab.

For proper nutrition of both human and domestic animals, it is desirable to keep the selenium concentration in daily diet between 0.1 and 1.0 mg kg-1, said the professor emeritus. The minimum nutritional requirement of animals was about 0.05-0.10 mg Se kg-1 in dry forage feed and intake below that might cause severe deficiency diseases.Higher levels of 0.1-1.0 mg Se kg-1 feed seem to offer protection against some diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases and exposure to still higher levels, 2-5 mg Se kg-1 feed results in toxic effects. 

Ludhiana, December 9
The Centre for Communication and International Linkages (CCIL), PAU, and the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) will organise the 16th State-level Children Science Congress-2008 at PAU on December 10-11.

Giving details, Dr. K.S. Bath, principal scientific officer of the PSCST, said the Science Congress would have focal theme on “Planet Earth”.

Selected projects of students from all districts of Punjab (80 teams) would be presented at the state-level and 16 best projects (8 from junior and senior teams each) would be selected for the participation at the forthcoming National Children Science Congress-2008 to be held in Nagaland.

The project presentation will be held on December 10 in Cycling Velodrome of PAU. The chief organiser of the event Dr. Jagtar Singh Dhiman said at the science congress a play “rishtey” depicting the family fabric would be staged in Pal Auditorium for the participants.

Ludhiana, December 9
The Federation of Associations of Small Industries of India has requested the government to take a sympathetic approach towards the industry as bicycle and its parts are manufactured by poor industries for the people. The federation demanded that the industrial sector should be treated on a par with the agricultural sector.

Badish K Jindal, chairman of Punjab chapter in a release issued here, said in the era of recession when the Central government was doing efforts to ease the industry, the state government had become a silent spectator and just waiting for the final shutdown.

Adding he said the average supply of the industry during working hours was not more than 20 hours a week and the industry could not afford to use the costly diesel gensets to maintain its production.

Further the association added that the bicycle industry was giving a direct and indirect employment to around 5 lakh families in Punjab and if the recession remained the same, around 2 lakh would lose their jobs up to the end of this financial year.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 9
In order to reach near target of replacing ordinary lamps with CFLs, the PSEB authorities here have launched an awareness campaign. Various teams led by subdivision officers and junior engineers tried to spread the message through students by delivering lectures and organising paper-reading contests on the subject.

Speakers appealed the students to impress upon their parents and relatives to replace ordinary bulbs installed at their residences, offices and agricultural establishments with CFLs. This besides conserving energy would save residents from air pollution, claimed the speakers.

Senior executive engineer Gurjant Singh saidd various teams of PSEB officials had organised seminars and contests at educational institutes situated in areas falling under jurisdiction of City, Rural 1 and 2, Sihar and Malaudh subdivisions.

Good response was received from students at GHG Khalsa Senior School, Bahadurgarh, Government High School, Pohir, Government Elementary School, Khera, and Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Malaudh, and MGMN Senior Secondary School at local town, claimed Gurjant Singh. Gurjant Singh claimed that the move would help in peak load reduction and would give relief from power cuts in the area.

The awareness drive was launched as a part of the board's plan to save substantial quantum of power by persuading consumers, particularly in rural areas, to replace their ordinary bulbs with CFLs through a high-voltage "save energy" campaign. 

Ludhiana, December 9
Every variety of carpet has landed in the city during the carpet exhibition at Sutlej Club. The exhibition has been put up by Maharaja Arts, New Delhi. The array of carpets includes every variety like machine made, hand tuffed, shaggy, real Afghani, Kashmiri, Persian, hand-knitted and durries. While some of the carpets have been made by the company there are others, who are especially crafted by the traditional artists.

"The shaggy variety of the carpets is not easily available but at the exhibition we have a huge choice of the same," adds one of the visitors at the exhibition. 

Ludhiana, December 9
Pakistan MP Bushra Rehman, Akil Rubi, scriptwriter, Pakistan film industry, and Rukhsana Noor, poetess, in their message to the organisers of Jashn-e-Sahir, the international mushaira, accentuated on the need to keep alive the camaraderie through the poetry.

The 36 international mushaira is scheduled to be organised on December 13.

Kewal Dheer, general secretary, Adeeb International (Sahir Cultural Academy), while talking to The Tribune said, "Bushra Rehman is a regular visitor to the mushaira. She said that nothing should dissuade the academy's efforts in bringing people of two countries closer."

The mushaira in the memory of Sahir Ludhianavi is a common platform for the poets of India, Pakistan, the USA, the UK and Canada, which is popularly referred to as 'Mecca of Urdu poetry'.

Putting in words the sentiments of Akil Rubi, the renowned scriptwriter in Pakistani film industry, Dheer said: "He is also making a movie on Benazir's death. While condemning the attack on Mumbai he added that terrorist acts are a loss for nationals of both countries. The poetry is the best way to recount the horror and also the medium to heal the wounds," added the writer.

Mehfil-e-Mousiqui, the musical event based on Sahir's poetry and Sufiana kalam, will be the new addition to the mushaira followed by conventional sessions of the poets from different countries.

Ludhiana, December 9
Although known as a city of traders and industrialists people here are gradually developing the taste for art. Though it has taken long, but the art is finally finding its rightful place in the hearts of the city's youngsters. Paintings have become one of the most recognised forms of artistic expressions today. Now, people are willing to step into this mesmerising world, look, and find what their heart has been yearning for.

Youngsters have also found a platform in the city to exhibit their skills. Besides,this art galleries have finally found their way into the city.

TAC Art Gallery was the first one to be opened in the city about four years ago.Karuna Mahindra,director of the gallery, says,“I have been keenly observing the city for the past four years and it has really grown in its outlook towards the art. Even the abstract form of art is being appreciated by those with a refined taste.”

Karuna also teaches art and has students from all walks of lives. "It’s a sign of growing society,”she opines.

"Though I have done MBA but I am a great admirer of art. I take out time from my busy schedule for my passion -art. I love to learn its new forms. Putting my feelings on canvas takes the stress off my head," adds one of her students.

Keeping this in view, Samita Munjal, who runs Art Bounty, brings exquisite pieces of art for satisfying the growing appetite of the art lovers. Selecting a painting to be included in the exhibition is not an easy task and Samita has to keep in mind lots of things while doing this job.“People in the city have a very different taste. This year all paintings to be included in the exhibition are in bright colours.

Another art lover, Ranjeet Grewal,an artist by profession once, is today satisfying her passion through her newly opened Aafreen Art Gallery. She once held a brush to relive the stress, but today her weariness goes away once she have a look at the varied expressions through the eyes of various artists. However, very soon she would once again revive her zeal to paint and would be depicting her ideas on canvas.

"I recently held my exhibition at Sutlej Club and many more are in the pipeline. It was a slow process but people are gradually developing a taste for art. Since art galleries in Punjab are limited so I would love to provide a platform for the budding artists so that they can get proper exposure through the medium created by me," quips she.

Ashina, a student of textile designing at the Pearl Institute of Fashion Designing, organised her first exhibition at Sutlej Club recently. She finds huge difference in the appreciation of art when it comes to Ludhiana and other metros. "No doubt the taste has been developed, but they are yet to understand this form. I am happy that people have started appreciating and loving the art," adds Ashina.

Smriti Bedi is a photo artist from the city. She is happy to make a place for herself in the male bastion. Smriti has three exhibitions to her credit in two years.

A student of Alliance Francaise she is passionate about photography. "I capture and emphasis the beauty in ordinary things in nature. Even a raindrop inspires to capture it in the shutterbug forever," says Smriti. 

Ludhiana, December 9
The fierce faction fighting in the Northern Railway Pensioners Welfare Association, which had witnessed a split in April, 2008, came to the fore once again as the faction led by K.L. Chitkara has decided to hold the annual general body meeting on December 14.

Terming the proposed meeting as illegal, Sher Singh, chairman of the association, said the move could face legal proceedings as the general body meeting had already been held in April this year. He claimed that Chitkara, along with some other members, had been expelled and they had no right to use the name of the body. He further maintained that bank account of the association was being operated by him along with chief cashier Gian Chand.

Chitkara, however, rebutted the charges levelled by Sher Singh, while also claiming that a majority of the members of the association were with him and supported the move of holding the meeting mainly to elect the new office-bearers.

He further said the group led by Sher Singh had been reduced to a minority with not more than a 12 members while more than 60 members supporting him were opposed to the style of functioning of the "former" chairman.

According to Chitkara, the bank where the association was maintaining its account had been intimated about the change in office-bearers and the fact that Sher Singh was no longer the chairman. "We will hold the meeting as scheduled, elect the new office-bearers and send the list of new functionaries to the bank, the railway administration and the registrar of societies, Punjab."

Sher Singh, on the contrary, stated that Chitkara was supported by a few disgruntled members who stood expelled, and asked the members of the body not to be misled by such elements.

Ludhiana, December 9
In the wake of heavy rush at the reservation centre at the railway station here, the Northern Railway authorities will open one or more public reservation counters in the city. For this purpose, suitable sites in Sarabha Nagar or other localities will be identified and matter taken up with railway headquarters.

This was stated by head of the Services Improvement Group (SIG) team Buta Singh after inspection of the facilities being made available to railway passengers here yesterday. The team went round the unreserved general ticket complex, waiting rooms, retiring rooms and the refreshment room at the railway station during the inspection which continued for more than two hours.

The inspection team asked railway officials to immediately set up a separate counter in the reservation complex for dealing with Army warrants, circular tickets and group booking so that those seeking reservation under these categories did not have to wait with other passengers at general counters. The matter of touts operating in the reservation centres and scarcity of licensed porters at the railway station was also brought to the notice of the team which assured to take it up with headquarters.

Buta Singh and other members of the team expressed dissatisfaction at the level of sanitation on platforms and quality of food and snacks being served in the trains.

"The local officials have been directed to ensure better cleanliness and keep a strict watch on the quality of food. Instructions have also been issued for better upkeep of the retiring room," the team leader informed.

The SIG team took strong notice at the inordinate delay in the construction of the proposed pay and use "Sulabh" toilets at the railway station even after the project had been cleared long back. The railway officials were asked to commence work on the project without any further delay and it was made clear that failure to do so would attract departmental action.

Buta Singh maintained that the Railways were committed to providing the best possible services and amenities to the travelling public and no compromise, whatsoever, would be made in this respect.

Raikot, December 9
Five persons have been booked for attempt to murder and abusing a person. Gurdev Singh, son of Maghar Singh, a resident of Johlan village, has in a complaint lodged with the police alleged that at around 9 pm on December 6 five persons- Jagmohan Singh, alias Raju, Tersem Singh, Kuldip Singh, alias Kadu, Gurmail Singh and Harpal Singh, alias Pali, all residents of Johlan village near here barged into his house and beat him up with intention to kill him. He complained that the accused had even abused him. They used iron rods and hand pump handles to kill him. Both parties were at loggerheads after this year’s panchayat elections. Jagmohan Singh is the son of sitting woman sarpanch of Andlu village. Most of the accused have dozens of criminal cases pending against them and are out on bail presently. The accused have been booked under Sections 307, 323, 120B, 148 and 149 IPC and Section ¾ of the SC and ST Act.

Jagraon, December 9
Rimpledeep Kaur from Punjab and trainee of the Harvest Tennis Academy had easy win over Sumeera Kamil of Delhi in under-14 and Sayesha B. Dlala of Delhi in the ongoing AITA Super Series Tennis Tournament being played on the eleven synthetic courts on the sprawling campus of the Harvest Tennis Academy at Jassowal, Ludhiana.

It was easy win for the seeds today. In the boys Under-16 event, Suraj Beniwal of Haryana upset the second seed Garry S. Amor of Chandigarh in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

The quarterfinal round matches for boys and girls Under-14 & Under-16 will start tomorrow.

The results of the final qualifying matches played today are as follows:

Girls Singles Under-14 : Pre-quarters Round: Parminder Kaur (1)(Chd) beat Charvi Saxena (Chd) 6-0, 6-0; Rajbir Kaur (6)(Pb) beat Shivani Dabas (Dli) 6-3, 6-4; Rimpledeep Kaur (3)(Pb) beat Sumeera Kaur (Dli) 6-1, 6-0; Shreya Pasricha (7)(Dli) beat Devki Pande (TN) 6-0, 6-3; 6-0, 6-3; Rinisha (Dli) beat Sayesha B Dalal (8)(Dli) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5; Rutuja Bhosale (4)(Mah) beat Ambika Pande (TN) 6-1, 6-1; Nehal Sahni (5)(Dli) beat SG Abhinanya (Kar) 6-2, 6-2; K Bhuvana (AP) beat Vasundara Raju (Dli) 6-1, 6-1.

Girls Singles Under-16 : Pre-Quarters Round : Smriti Joon (1)(Dli) beat Ambika Pande (TN) 6-1, 6-2; Gundeep Kaur (Pb) beat Rajbir Kaur (8)(Pb) 6-3,6-0; Rutuja Bhosale (Mah) beat Harnoor Kaur Maan (4)(Chd) 6-1, 5-4 (retd.); Nehal Sahni (7)(Dli) beat SG Abhinaya (Kar) 6-4, 6-1; Rimpledeep Kaur (5)(Pb) beat Sayesha B. Dalal (Dli) 6-1, 6-3; Parminder Kaur (3)(Chd) beat Shreya Pasricha (Dli) 7-6(8), 6-1; Jaspreet Kaur (6)(Pb) beat Rinisha (Dli) 6-2, 6-2; K Bhuvana (2)(AP) beat Anshuka Rajkumar (Dli) 6-2, 6-2.

Boys Singles Under-14 : Pre-quarters Round : Vishal Passi (1)(Mah) beat Manish Kumar (Dli) 6-4, 6-1; Shashank Nautiyal (Dli) beat Basil Khuma (7)(Miz) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3; Dhruv Agarwal (UP) beat A. Nikhit Prasad (AP) 7-6(4), 6-4; Rishab Dev (5)(Pb) beat Nishant A Rebello (Kar) 6-1, 6-1; Madhurjya Dutta (6)(Asm) beat Manish Drall (Dli) 6-3, 6-2; Vilasier Khate (3)(Har) beat Kuwar S. Tater (Asm) 6-0, 6-3; Abhimanyu Singh (Dli) beat SK Mukund (8)(AP) 6-2, 6-3; SM Abdullah (2)(AP) beat Sushanta Mohanty (Har) 6-1, 6-3.

Boys Singles Under-16 : Pre-quarters Round: Saurabh Patil (1)(Mah) beat Madhurjya Dutta (Asm) 6-1, 6-1; Shikhar Kumar (8)(Dli) beat Nishcay Rawal (Chd) 6-1, 6-1; SM Abdullah (AP) beat Sushanta Mohanty (Har) 6-3, 6-1; Resham Singh (Har) beat Harry Jindal (7)(Pb) 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3; Hardarshan S. Gill (6)(Raj) beat Abhimanyu Singh (Dli) 6-2, 6-4; Nikhit Prasad (3)(AP) beat Tushar Mandalekar (Chd) 6-1, 6-1; Vilasier Khate (5)(Har) beat Digvijay Naruka (Chd) 6-1, 6-2; Suraj Beniwal (Har) beat Garry S Amor (2)(Chd) 6-2, 6-3.

Ludhiana, December 9
The Punjab Basketball Association (PBA) has roped in David John Petroziello, a senior basketball coach from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver in Canada, to train the Punjab cagers.

A coaching camp-cum-clinic for the Punjab junior and youth boys was inaugurated at Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, near here today. R. S. Gill, DGP-cum-director of the academy, who is also the president of the PBA, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The PBA president informed that David is a well-known and highly qualified coach, who has agreed to provide voluntary coaching to the Punjab players. As many as 30 players and seven coaches have attended the camp.

David will also provide technical advice to the Punjab senior players, who are currently attending the camp prior to their participation in the forthcoming Senior National Basketball Championship to be held from December 31 to Janurary 7 at Surat in Gujarat.

The visiting coach will share the latest techniques and tactics with the young cagers and also inform about the latest methods of coaching and physical fitness/ development to the Punjab coaches, Gill added.

Ludhiana, December 9
Hosts Ludhiana in the boys’ section while Sangrur in the girls’ section proved their superiority over others to emerge overall champions in the five-day 54th Punjab State Schools’ Athletics Meet that concluded at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Similarly, in the under-17 age group, Ludhiana and Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre, Badal, bagged top honours in the boys’ and girls’ sections, respectively, and in the under-14 category, Gurdaspur lads won top honours while Sangrur romped home victors.

Rupinder Singh Ravi, assistant education officer (sports), Ludhiana, gave away prizes to the winners.

Results:

Boys’ (u-19): 200m race: Jasu Ram of Ludhiana 1, Mandeep Singh of Taran Tarn 2 and Ajay Tandon of Ludhiana 3; (u-17): 200m race- Harjinder Singh of Panjgrahi 1, Dalerbaj of Amritsar 2 and Jatin Jain of Patiala 3; (u-14) 200m race- Ajay Kumar of Gurdaspur 1, Parminder Kumar of Ludhiana 2 and Harjeet Singh of Gurdaspur 3; (u-14): 80m hurdles- Navjot Singh of Gurdaspur 1, Mandeep Singh of Gurdaspur 2 and Jog Raj of Taran Tarn 3; (u-17): 100m hurdles- Harjinder Singh of Panjgrahi 1, Manbir Singh of Gurdaspur 2 and Amritpal Singh of Ludhiana 3; (u-19): 110m hurdles- Parminder Singh of Sports School, Jalandhar, 1, Jagdeep Singh of Amritsar 2 and Paramveer of Ludhiana 3.

Girls’ (u-19): 200m race- Harpal Kaur of Sangrur 1; (u-17): 200m race- Supreet Kaur of STC, Badal, 1; (u-14): 200m race- Kamal Kaur of Sangrur 1; (u-14): 80m hurdles- Harpreet Kaur of Sangrur 1; (u-19): 100m race- Jaspreet Kaur 1; (u-17) 100m hurdles- Sumandeep Kaur of Gurdaspur 1; (u-19): 400m hurdles- Jaspreet Kaur of STC, Badal, 1; (u-19): Triple jump- Kulwinder Kaur of Sangrur 1; (u-17): Triple jump- Taranjit Kaur of Muktsar 1; (u-19): Hammer throw- Amandeep Kaur of Kairon Wing 1; (u-19): 4x400m relay race- Jalandahr district 1; (u-19): cross country race- Hoshiarpur 1, Ludhiana 2 and Taran Tarn 3.