Ludhiana, December 10
Once again political pressures have started casting their shadows on development works in the city.

This time the target is streetlight maintenance contract.

A contractor waits in front of SE Dharam Singh’s office, which was locked before the official timing of 5 pm. Photo: Inderjeet Verma

According to information, today was the last date for submitting tenders for the maintenance of the streetlights of the whole city, work for which has been divided into 11 groups. The total amount of all projects is said to be around Rs 8 crore and was valid for two years.

Talking to The Tribune, some contractors, on the condition of anonymity, said that ideally the tenders should have been opened in contractors’ presence today itself. However, as soon as the deadline was finished at 3 pm, the employees took the tender box, sealed it and placed it in a room without disclosing the further course of action.

They added that the room of SE Dharam, too, was locked and they had been kept waiting till 5 pm, but no one responded.

Smelling something fishy, they alleged that a few contractors were hand in glove with some SAD politicians and might misuse the time period till the tenders were opened. They alleged that everything about the tenders had been pre-planned and those associated with SAD politicians have pooled in single tenders and distributed work among them.

Interestingly, the tenders for the streetlight maintenance were called by the municipal corporation earlier too, but the advertisement was cancelled, citing change in terms and conditions as the reasons. The new terms and conditions had a clause that no contractor from outside the city would be eligible for it.

Higher placed sources in the municipal corporation revealed that there were irregularities in form-giving process, too, and many contractors had alleged that they were not being given tender forms even on the last day i.e. Monday.

Meanwhile, tender cell in charge SE Dharam Singh could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Ludhiana, December 10
The IMA district body elections once again took an interesting turn as D Narotam Dewan (the contestant for the post of president) approached his opponent Dr Arun Mitra to give up all differences and work in favour of the IMA at large.

The elections are scheduled for December 21.

With just 12 days to go for the elections, the doctors of the Unity Front comprising Dr Narotam Dewan, Dr S Ohri, Dr Hardip Singh, Dr S Nauhria and Dr H Singh (the candidates for various posts), in an open letter written to Dr Arun Mitra, stated that the Unity Front was for the proper working of the IMA. The doctors have also written, "We are even ready to sweep the floor of IMA house if it contributes towards healthy and harmonious relations amongst doctors of Ludhiana."

Interestingly, the Unity Front and Dr Arun Mitra were in the same group and had recently split owing to their differences on the issue of contesting district body elections.

Khanna, December 10
Pradeep Kaur (26) was shot dead by her drunk brother-in-law during a marriage party at Dau Majra village last night.

The accused was firing in the air during the marriage and one of the bullets pierced through the neck of Pradeep Kaur. She died on the spot.

Pradeep Kaur, mother of two, was married to Nirbhay Singh, a resident of Dadheri village in Fatehgarh Sahib. They had come to attend the marriage party of Nirbhay aunt’s daughter.

The incident took place at around 10 pm when the women were singing songs.

The accused was firing gun shots in air with a rifle and revolver when gun’s barrel turned towards Pradeep Kaur.

The accused has been identified as Gurdeep Singh of Ranon village. A case under Section 304 of the IPC has been registered against him at the Sadar police station.

Ludhiana, December 10
The municipal corporation, which has been trying new methods to earn revenue, has come up with yet another proposal of hiking fire tender charges.

According to information, the proposal of hiking fire tender fees from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 for the use in the areas outside the Ludhiana municipal limits would be discussed during the municipal house meeting tomorrow.

Presently, the department has been charging Rs 300 per hour for each fire tender for giving services in areas like Mullanpur, Raikot, Sudhar, Sidhwan Bet, Hambra, Macchiwara and many more which fall beyond the MC limit.

If the proposal is approved, the fee would be hike almost more than thrice and the fund-crunched municipal corporation would find a good way of earning more revenue.

Interestingly, after New Delhi, Ludhiana is the most fire-prone city. The fire department of the municipal corporation extinguishes fire in the MC limits free of cost and is often called for VIP duties and rescue calls that too again without any payment.

Due to frequent calls from the nearby areas and the VIP duties, fire staff was generally overburdened and were not being paid their overtime. The sources said the proposal has come in the wake of providing respite to these fire department staff.

The root cause of the problem is corruption. If the enforcement agencies play a fair role, this menace can easily be curbed. Even compulsory ISI mark is not going to check this adulteration as one can have this mark by bribing the officials.

Formation of alternate agency will only augment the corruption and unnecessary harassment. I think the existing authorities are capable enough to check adulteration if there is a will to do so.

As far as the role of citizen organisations is concerned, most of these are patronized by politicians. These organisations are formed to fulfill self interest and gain media attention. As far as the question of packaged products is concerned, even most of these products are spurious.

So, need of the hour is implement the law strictly. One thing I want to mention here is that people have become habitual of buying grocery items at a discount. As a result, departmental stores are selling standardised items at a discount and compromising the quality in case of non-standardised items to set off the benefits given to the customers.

Ludhiana, December 10
A ray of hope has been seen in the unplanned and congested streets of the old city, where it is "tough" to implement the building byelaws, as there is a proposal to have different byelaws for the old and new city areas.

According to information, the proposal has been included at number 16 in the agenda list of the municipal house-meeting, which is scheduled to be held here tomorrow.

The old city areas, which include Chaura Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Bijli Bazaar, Daresi, Basti Bazaar, Book Market, Ghas Mandi, Janak Puri and Sarafa Bazaar, are already in a mess. The narrow streets to enter these areas are not only a problem for the residents, but even for the visitors and the shopkeepers.

Talking to The Tribune, senior deputy mayor, Praveen Bansal, said: "With the coming up of different byelaws, development will be initiated in these areas, which are difficult to access."

Ludhiana, December 10
Though the municipal corporation has tightened its noose around Park Plaza for violating building bylaws, it has brought to the fore the fact that hundreds of other buildings in the city, too, are violating the bylaws.

The owner of Park Plaza happens to be a Congress MLA, who has been close to leaders in power during the Congress regime. He added ‘‘We will be happy if the corporation takes stringent action for making the residents stick to the norms. But this is clearly a case of political vendetta against the Congress.’’

The civic body has served notice on the hotel for not following the parking norms while other violators are being left scot-free. It has, in a notice served on the hotel management, given three days time to adhere to the bylaws or face sealing.

Knowing that it is too short a time for the hotel authorities to comply with the rules, the corporation is preparing to take action against it on December 12.

In its ‘‘selective action’’ the corporation has spared other buildings that are flouting the rules. Most of the commercial buildings in city are using the basement for purposes other than parking. But, notices have not been served on a single of them, the Congress leader added.

Almost all shops in Ghumar Mandi, Mall Road, Pakhowal Road and the Ferozepur Road are not using their basements for parking. These have even not been served on them. The corporation had sealed a few shops in Ghumar Mandi some time ago. Due to political pressure it had to be removed the same day.

Officials had also claimed they would give a month’s time to violators but these establishments have not complied with the rules.

Before this, the local body had sealed Vishal Mart, VLCC and another outlet. The seals of these outlets were removed after owners complied with the rules.

Arun Jaiee, general manager, Park Plaza, said he had made hotel owners aware of the latest happening. ‘‘They would decide the future course of action,’’ he said while refusing to comment anything about the issue. 

Ludhiana, December 10
Even as the winter season has set in, and the demand for power has considerably gone down, both in the domestic and agricultural sectors, there has been no respite from prolonged power cuts, which were continued rather regularly during peak of the summers.

The urban and mixed feeders in the city are subject to anything from five to seven hours every day, and minor relaxations are allowed in power cuts by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) top management from day-to-day basis, which is almost rare. In most of the city localities, the power remains off from 10 am to 4 pm or 11 am to 5 pm.

The long duration of the outage has been adversely affecting the business and trade activities while the industry is also suffering huge loss of production.

For the last couple of days, the PSEB authorities have imposed one-hour power cut in the morning from 7.30 am in some localities whereas in some other areas, people had to go without power supply from 8 am to 9 am. During the power cut, the water supply is also disrupted, leading to the total dislocation of normal life for the students, office goers and the women.

The city residents were sore that the PSEB was resorting to morning power cuts without giving prior intimation to the consumers. "If one knows in advance about the power cut in the morning, it becomes easier to make necessary preparations to make sure that the morning routine is not disturbed. As the morning cut is being imposed without any prior notice for the last two days, no member of the family could take a bath. We had to fetch water from our neighbours to cook the food," said Asheesh Mehra, a businessman.

While the people in general, even though agitated and perturbed over erratic power supply, have been tolerating the apathetic attitude of the PSEB management towards their plight, the members of the industry have made it clear that they had had enough, and would no longer take it lying down.

A joint meeting of more than half a dozen associations of different segments of industry, held here last evening, decided to launch a mass agitation against the prolonged power cuts and indifference of the state government towards the crisis-like situation.

The members of the industry said they would hold a protest at the office of the chief engineer of the PSEB here on December 12.

"If the government or the PSEB authorities fail to listen to us and take corrective steps, we will have no other choice, but to intensify the agitation," a representative of the industry said.

In a memorandum to the textile ministry, the industry has pointed out that exports of $ 20 billion, which constitute 40 per cent of the textile production, and essentially this has to be protected.

Ludhiana, December 10
As the winter sets in with a nip in the air, everyone is on the look out for a footwear that is fashionable, yet substantial. While some prefer stylish high-heeled boots, others go in for light and comfortable ballerina, the market has it all to meet the style requirements.

The hot this season are the ballerinas, which girls find stylish and comfortable, while shoes are never out of trend. Gagan, a student of interior designing, said she was happy that ballerinas were back in fashion. "Earlier, nothing stylish was available in flats, but now ballerinas are on the list of every person who wants something stylish and comfortable. I have a good collection of ballerinas to match my winter outfits," she adds.

The hottest trends available at Momak for this winter include everything that is stylish and chic. From knee and ankle length boots, high-heeled shoes, to ballerinas, everything that is on the list of a youngster is available there. In addition to this, one can also pick from an array of designer styles, which include square toes, peep toes, mary jane, sling backs, pointed and toe. Toe styles are also available in diverse styles like patent leather, mock animal skins or satin.

The trends for boots this winter are knee-length boots and ankle boots, which will always remain a popular fashion trend. The boots are available in both patent leather and pure leather in varied darker hues of black, brown and purple. The ankle boots can be chosen from a variety of fur lined and wedge heels and can be teamed with leggings and slim pants.

"High-heeled lace-up shoes have become popular as winter has arrived. They are sleek and stylish. The stiletto will carry on, adding a touch of style to the winter skirts and dresses," adds Tamanna, another college student.

The trends for this winter are distinctly bold and are guaranteed to dress up even the most sedate cold weather fashion attire.

Ludhiana, December 10
The cotton textile industry in India is in a serious crisis as a result of global meltdown and the recession caused in the USA, Europe and Japan. This is definitely going to hit the industry hard and the units are bound to face closure.

S.P.Oswal, chairman, National Committee of Textile of the CII, has sounded this warning. This might led to retrenchment of five to seven lakh workers.

In an exclusive interview Oswal said here today that the current crisis being faced by the industry was so acute that if adequate steps were not taken it would leave a long-term impact on industry’s health.

Oswal pointed out that international prices of cotton had fallen by 30 per cent this year while the government had increased its MSP by 40 per cent with the result that the demand for cotton yarn and garments had fallen. The production of cotton yarn had also fallen by 15 per cent as against last year growth of 8 to 9 per cent. This clearly indicates that the textile export had declined. There were a few small export orders. A large number of retailers in the USA had closed their shops and the exporters were not sure if the buyers would make the payment. The foreign buyers, he said, were not making payments and the garment industry was in dilemma. "They may not get the payments for the goods already supplied.... and would have to seek the help of the export credit guarantee corporation," he added.

Oswal disclosed that despite fall in the cotton production worldwide the prices of cotton had fallen by 30 per cent in the international market "contrary phenomenon has occurred in India, the government has increased the MSP by 40 per cent in its efforts to boost agriculture. This has aggravated the crisis. The textile industry does not contest the prosperity of the government, but in the face of international prices, this works out to be very high. The government has not evolved a phenomenon on pricing policy, which should ensure the Cotton Corporation of India sells cotton to mills on international related comparative prices. The relationship between the prices of cotton in India and the international prices could be gauged from cotton cotlook index-A. Last year the prices of Indian cotton shankar-6 and J-34 were lower by 6 to 7 cents per pound and this year because of the MSP prevailing prices are 5 to 6 cents per pound higher. We are compelled to bear high cost of cotton which will prove fatal to the industry."

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 10
Apprehending threat to his life and property, Manjit Singh one of whose sons had allegedly killed his another son and his accomplice about eight months ago, has urged the administration to either provide security or issue an arms license to him.

Manjit apprehends threat from henchmen of the suspect who had been remanded in judicial custody after being booked. His elder son Sanjit Singh is one of the accused.

In communiqué addressed to higher authorities, including DGP Manjit Singh alleged that a few henchmen of the suspects had been threatening him to withdraw the case he had got registered against the accused.

Alleging that the district authorities had refused to grant him an arms license for keeping a 12 bore gun, Manjit Singh apprehended that the accused would get him eliminated by a contract killer.

"As my wife and parents have already died I live alone in my house. My elder son and his accomplice, who earlier killed my younger son, can also kill to grab my property," apprehended Manjit Singh, alleging that the suspects had sent their relatives to pressurise him to withdraw the case.

Manjit Singh alleged that a few persons had threatened him of dire consequences in case he pursued the murder case registered against three persons.

Sanjit Singh, elder son of Manjit Singh, Pardeep Singh, a local resident, and Harvinder Kaur of Chandigarh were booked for allegedly murdering Jaskaran Singh (Sanjit's brother) and destroying his body on March 11.

Resistance of Jaskaran to the alleged immoral activities of the suspects was reported to be the cause behind the rivalry. Though the complainant and his relatives had noticed injury marks on Jaskaran’s body on the same day, they allowed cremation on Sanjit Singh's insistence. Manjit Singh became suspicious about the role of Sanjit Singh when he, instead of feeling concerned about the death of his brother, started enquiring about transfer of the property in his name.

The case was registered after about a month of the incident.

Ludhiana, December 10
A senior lawyer Stevon Soni today filed nomination papers staking claim for the post of the District Bar Association’s president. His is directly contesting with sitting Bar chief Parupkar Singh Ghumman, who had filed the nomination papers yesterday.

Chairman of the Bar Council of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Balwinder Goel, Harpreet Singh Garcha, member, Bar Council, Former Bar presidents, Hemant Kalia, K R Sikri, Rajneesh Gupta, Ravinder Singh Grewal (former DBA secretaries), Sandeep Kapoor, R.P.S. Bhatti, B.K.Rampal, Naginder Gora and Parwinder Pari also accompanied Soni at the time of filing nomination papers to show their support.

With the fear of rejection of nomination papers, majority of candidates today removed their posters, banners and banters following directions from returning officer Ashok Mittal. He had warned the contestants against rejecting their nomination papers, if they failed to clean the defaced walls. An undertaking to this effect was also taken by the returning officer at the filing of nomination papers by contenders.

It was the last day of filing nomination papers. The number of aspirant have gone up to 25 with the filing of nomination papers by 10 more contestants for different posts of DBA, in the coming annual elections scheduled for December 20.

For the post of Vice President Vishal Gupta filed nomination papers. Earlier two lawyers have filed nominations for the same post.

Three more aspirants, including Gurvinder Singh Sodhi, Rakesh Bhatia, and Amandeep Bhanot have jumped into election fray for the post of secretary.

For the post of joint secretary Yadwinder Sharma filed nomination papers. Whereas for the six posts of executive members four more aspirants, including Baljeet Singh Sidhu, Ajay Dogra, Sunil Kumar Chawla, Balraj Kaur have filed nomination papers. Six persons had already filed their nominations staking claim for the same posts.

Giving the information, returning officer Ashok Mittal, assistant returning officers Darshan Gupta, N.P.S.Gahir said the scrutiny of nominations would be done on December 11. The final list of contenders would be displayed on December 12. The last date of withdrawal of nomination papers has been fixed as December 13.

Ludhiana, December 10
The vocational courses started by the Punjab Education Department in Government senior secondary schools are gaining popularity among students of classes XI and XII.

These job-oriented courses were started with the motive to produce more skilled labour. Parents who can't afford the hefty fees of non-medical, medical and commerce streams, prefer their wards to go in for these technical trainings.

Baldeep Singh, vocational master, Government Senior Secondary School for Boys, Jawahar Nagar camp, said they were having five trades (vocational courses) - knitting technology, textile designing and printing, commercial garment making and designing, mechanical servicing general and mechanical servicing automobile.

In class XI, they are having 145 students and in class XII they are having 99 students. Baldeep Singh further added that all these vocational courses were in Punjabi medium and students find it easy to understand. Admission to these courses is done on merit basis after class X.

"Ludhiana being the industrial hub, is the centre of hosiery and textile industry. Students opting for knitting and textile courses have the job opportunities in the city. The major reason of going in for these courses is that students get direct admission in the third semester of diploma in polytechnic institutes after passing out XII," stated Baldeep Singh.

H.K.Mayer, principal, Government Multipurpose Senior Secondary School, said that they were having 200 students in class XI and XII vocational courses - knitting, mechanical servicing, automobile and computers. They are having 25 students in each trade. From the next session, they are going to add secretarial practice (typing). "For the last two years, the demand for these courses is on the increase, as the students who want to join diploma are exempted from entrance test," said Mayer. They have got well-equipped labs and workshops to train the students.

Government Senior Secondary Model School, PAU, is having 297 students in vocational courses - horticulture, knitting technology, mechanical automobile, home science — food preservation and computers. 

Ludhiana, December 10
The Centre for Communication and International Linkages (CCIL) PAU and the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) organised the 16th state-level Children Science Congress-2008 at PAU today with the focal theme "Planet Earth-our Home: Explore Share and Care".

The event was supported by the Rashtriya Vigyan Pradyogiki Sanchar Parishad (RVPSP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Dr Neelam Gulati Sharma, additional director, PSCST, said this annual event was becoming popular among state schools and served as a potential way to inculcate scientific temper among students.

Dr Tejwant Singh, dean, College of Basic Sciences, said that scientific thought with imagination and innovation were vital for any progress. He said holding of science congresses provided opportunity to students to showcase their talent.

Selected projects (101) of students from all 20 districts of Punjab were presented and 16 best projects were short listed for participation at the forthcoming National Children Science Congress-2008 to be held in Nagaland.

The chief organiser of the event Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman, additional director of communication, CCIL, said that the selected teams would be awarded prizes and certificates on December 11. He gave an outline of the event and welcomed the participants and their teachers.

He appreciated the scientific talent and inquisitiveness of students, adding that providing the required motivation could train them to excel in scientific pursuits. More than 450 students and their teachers from different parts of Punjab were participating in the Congress.

The children prepared projects on diverse scientific themes, including greenhouse (Govt High School, Kandhala, Mohali), industrial waste management (Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan SL Public School, Amritsar), solar reactors (Govt. Sr. Secondary School, Khasa, Amritsar), detoxification of waste water (Govt. Sr. Secondary School, Khasa, Amritsar), generating electricity from kitchen waste (Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan SL Public School, Amritsar), vermi-compost (St. Joseph Convent Punjabi High School, Bathinda), no-till-seeder (Govt. Girls Sen Sec School, Mandi Harji Ram, Malout) , toxic highways and free air carbondioxide enhancement system (Manav Public School, Amritsar), environmental impact of large power plants (St. Joseph Convent School, Bathinda), causes of pollution(Manav Public School, Amritsar), parking systems to regulate traffic (St. Joseph Convent School, Bathinda), sewerage treatment plants (Sri Guru Harkrishan Sen Sec School, Taran Taran, AIDS (Govt. Sen Sec Girls School, Panjgarain, Faridkot, usages of farm waste (Govt. Sen Sec School, Sri Hargobindpur, Gurdaspur), ozone hole (Saravhitkari Sen Sec School, Barnala) etc.

The children enthusiastically presented their projects and replied to queries by panel of judges.

On this occasion, a demonstration on "Manipulative device for visual understanding of theorems related to triangle" was held by Gurmeet Singh, science master from Government High School, Mehtan, district Kapurthala, that had been granted a patent by Government of India.

Another attraction was a stall put up by Rationalist Society Punjab wherein Sarjit Talwar explained to students about scientific truth behind tricks played 
by magicians. 

Doraha, December 10
An inter-school solo song competition was organised at Green Grove Public School recently.

The competition was categorised into two categories, ghazals and folk songs. Students from eight schools participated in the competition.

J. P. S. Jolly, president of the school, presided over the function. S. George, principal of the school, said it was a maiden attempt to offer the students a platform to showcase their talents in the field of music.

Other than enjoying the mesmerising English number of Aastha Mehta of Class IX and Oshin of Class X, the audience was treated to some musical feasts.

Result of the competition:

Ghazal competition: 1 Prabhjot Kaur, BCM School; 2 Rupinder Kaur, Geen Grove Public School; 3 Alaap Sikander, Radha Vatika; Consolation prize-Urmi Verma, DAV Public School.

Folk song: 1 Tanveer Kaur, Lala Sarkaru Mal; 2 Shivam Sharma, BCM School; 3 Navreen Kaur, Green Grove Public School; consolation prize-Gagandeep, Radha Vatika.

The overall trophy was won by BCM School.

Ludhiana, December 10
Dr Ravinder Kaur, principal, Malwa Central College of Education for Women, was elected as dean, faculty of education, Panjab University, Chandigarh, on December 8, for the term starting from the day to January 31, 2010. The faculty, besides the departments, includes colleges of education and colleges of physical education affiliated to the PU.

Mullanpur Dakha, December 10
A youth of Issewal village burnt his house under the influence of liquor. Rachpal Kaur, wife of Gurmeet Singh of Issewal village, complained to the police that her son Rajbant Singh (30) was a drug addict. Due to his habit of consuming intoxicants of various kinds, they had not married him so far. Her elder son was residing at Jadha village near Latala and she, along with her husband, was living with him.

Fed up with his habit and disobedience, they separated him. They actually gave him their house and themselves shifted to the cattleshed as a temporary settlement. Their household goods were still at their house.

Last afternoon he, under the influence of liquor, set the house on fire and burnt all the household goods. The Humbran police has registered a case against him under Sections 436, 506 and 427 of the IPC and arrested the accused.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 10
Reacting to the reports of alleged violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, a joint team of the health department and the police raided drug shops located at the local town and surrounding localities.

While owners of the drug stores, being run by proxy pharmacists, were warned by the authorities, rich haul of scheduled drugs was seized from a shop at Raikot Wala Adda here.

A joint team, led by district drug inspector Kamal Kamboj and SHO Harinder Singh, raided drug shops situated at local town and surrounding localities today.

Rich haul of 12 types of scheduled drugs that can be used as narcotics were seized from Khalsa Medical Store at the Raikot Wala Adda. The tablets and bottles of Momotil, Phenotil, Rexol syrup, hypotex, spasmo proxyvon and parvon, worth about Rs 25,000, were included in the seized drugs.

According to Kamal Kamboj, an action was taken after receiving reports about alleged violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act at the hands of certain shopkeepers in the area. While owners of the shops, being run by proxy pharmacists, were left after giving warning, action was initiated against those who could not produce relevant records regarding sale and purchase of the scheduled drugs.

Referring to resumption of working of certain dealers, even after being caught, violating the Act, Kamboj claimed that records about the seizure of drugs had been sent to higher authorities for necessary action. She, talking to The Tribune, told some of the shops, which were suspected to be violating rules, remained closed during the raid.

The local authorities had tightened the noose around those petty shopkeepers at local town and surrounding villages of Ludhiana and Sangrur districts, who were suspected to be running their shops without holding valid licences.

The Tribune had carried stories on easy availability of scheduled drugs without prescription. The district health authorities, taking cognisance of these reports, directed the staff to tighten the noose around the violators.

Raikot, December 10
Five persons have been booked for forcibly ploughing the fields of Jagjiwan Singh, son of Sukhdev Singh of Walipur Kalan.

In his complaint lodged with the Sudhar police Jagjiwan alleged that Rajwinder Singh, son of Malkait Singh of Hissowal village along with Kaka and four others had entered his cultivated fields on December 7 and forcibly ploughed it as a result standing crops were damaged.

He had said the accused armed with .12 bore riffle and sticks came in a car and a tractor and threatened to eliminate him.

A case under Sections 447, 511, 427, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC has been registered against the accused. 

Ludhiana, December 10
P.N. Passi, honorary secretary, Punjab Softball Association, has selected boys and girls for representing Punjab in the 26th Junior National Softball Championship to be held at Warangal in Andhra Pradesh from December 17 to December 22.

The boys who have been selected are - Vikramjeet, Sunil Kumar, Balraj Dass and Atul of Ludhiana; Amit Bhogal and Rajvansh from Jalandhar; Mandeep Singh and Sikander Pal from Sangrur; Iqbal Singh from Moga; Simranjeet Singh, Ranjot Singh and Rishabh Bali from Amritsar; Manoj Kumar from Gurdaspur; Amandeep Singh and Arjun from Patiala.

Selected girls are- Amandeep Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Gagandeep kaur and Prabjit Kaur from Gurdaspur; Supreet Kaur, Amandeep Kaur and Jasleen Kaur from Sangrur; Jyoti Rani from Jalandhar; Rasmeet Kaur from Bathinda; Saima Gupta, Harnoor Kaur, Lovepreet Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur and Shweta Rai from Ludhiana.

Ludhiana, December 10
The young players in this part of the country are talented and keen to learn. This observation was made by David John Petrozziello, a basketball coach from Canada, who is in the city to impart training to the upcoming cagers, and also to interact with the coaches. David is a coach in various colleges and universities in Canada and USA.

David has been invited by the Punjab Basketball Association (PBA) to coach the young boys and girls for the forthcoming national and international tournaments. He imparts training at the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, in the morning, and in the evening session, he is occupied with the Punjab senior players at Guru Nanak Stadium here, who are preparing for the Senior National Basketball Championship, slated to be held at Surat from December 31 to January 7. He will stay here for five weeks, which include four weeks’ stint with the cagers.

Talking to this reporter, David said the players here are talented and good learners. But they have to master certain new techniques. “They need to work hard about the fundamentals if they want to play at the national level,” he said.

Certain players from the rural area could not understand his language, but they understood his actions, he added. The visiting coach appreciated their approach towards the game.

David said he liked India very much. “It's a nice country, and I am familiar with the Indian culture as my wife, Seema Shivanjli Singh, is also from this country,” expressed the coach, who is associated with a leading sports club of Canada, Vancouver Titans, as general manager.

David suggested that the players should work hard to overcome their shortcomings. They should set an objective, and focus on it to achieve the same.