Bathinda, February 8
Elections for the Shri Sanatan Dharm Mahabir Dal, Bathinda, turned into a free for all at the Mahabir Ashram here this morning.

The situation was brought under control only after senior police officers intervened and got the elections to be postponed.

Receiving information that former SAD (B) minister Charanji Lal Garg and his councillor son Rajan Garg were involved in creating a ruckus, a number of Congress leaders including local MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, Tehal Singh Sandhu and K.K. Aggarwal reached the spot and accused the SAD (B) leaders of creating hurdles in the election.

While lodging protest outside the Mahabir Ashram, members of the Dal said that sensing the gravity of the situation, they had approached the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, on Friday, for providing security for the elections. They alleged that despite being in their knowledge, the police reached the spot late.

Levelling allegations against the former minister, his son and a nephew, the agitating members said they had come along with a number of 'goons' and had chrged some members with corruption. They also accused them of manhandling, thrashing and threatening Dal members.

Among others, Banarasi Dass Goyal, general secretary of the Dal, Kharaiti Lal, office secretary and Mangat Ram, member, alleged that the former minister, who was also a member of the Dal, had thrashed them.

A member, Amar Chand Goyal, claimed that Charanji Lal Garg had falsely accused him of corruption.

About the reason for the violence, the members claimed that the Dal was going to hold elections after 11 years. This time, out of the total 28 members, 22 were against Garg, which he could not tolerate.

They alleged that while leaving, Garg took away the proceedings file, attendance register and many document along with him.

On the other hand, Garg refuted the allegations and claimed 22 Dal members were with him. He accused general secretary Banarasi Dass of having dictatorial attitude and expelling three members.

In his version, Garg said, "Banarsi Dass and some others were indulging in corruption. When I asked them to produce the register and other document, they behaved rashly. Then I said that till the documents are produced, I will not let the elections to take place."

When asked about the presence of goons, he said, "Sensing the activities of the opponents, my son Rajan took some of his friends along with him but we did not thrash any one."

Bathinda, February 8
As part of a collaborative anti-polythene campaign initiated by the Wildlife Department authorities to educate visitors about the ill-effects of polythene bags, plastic bottles and other plastic packaging materials, a group of 25 students from different rural government schools of the district visited the Deer Park here today.

Addressing the students, R.K. Loona, chief wildlife warden, Punjab, said that polythene and plastics are not only harmful to animals' health but also to children's health and the environment.

He informed that 'phthalic acid' that leach into the soil from widely used plastics, the PVCs, could have ill-effects on liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and reproductive health of animals and human beings by entering into the food chain.

He said since most visitors who come to the park might find it hard to be receptive to a student (volunteer) teaching them about polythene, volunteers from schools would be trained to act as park-guides through visits around the park.

These volunteers, assisted by the park staff, would mingle with groups and families, especially on weekends, and organise free guided tours for visitors who opt for it, he added.

He further added that as a first step towards orienting them to act as park guides, the students were taken to the feed store, animal kitchen and veterinary hospital to show them what different animals like to eat and how they are treated when they fall sick.

Bathinda, February 8
Despite the recession in the US and the global financial crisis, Indian markets 
are comparatively safe and still present extensive opportunities for entrepreneurs, experts say.

A global organisation working for promoting entrepreneurship throughout the world feels that there is no dearth of scope for entrepreneurs in India, especially in Punjab which still possesses a huge potential for them.

Addressing the entrepreneurs here today, Suren Dutia, chief executive officer (global), The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a non-government organisation focused on promoting entrepreneurship, said that entrepreneurs in Punjab have an excellent scope in the fields of life sciences, automotives, leather industry and eco-tourism.

Starting from Silicon Valley in the US, TiE has now over 50 chapters in 11 countries. Dutia said he had observed that many people are returning to Punjab from different developed countries and are using their experience to establish their own business here. Asked about his views on global meltdown, he said: "It had an immense impact on the industry all over the world. In Silicon Valley, most of the companies were adopting various cost cutting measures and it had certainly affect their business."

"However, it can be a blessing in disguise for the both budding and established entrepreneurs all over the world. As now they have a chance to capitalise on the situation, by creating new ventures and by bringing out novel and innovative ideas", he added. About their further planning for Punjab, Shivneet Singh, executive director, TiE, Punjab and Chandigarh said they had currently 55 members from the state.

"We are catering to their needs and assisting them from our Chandigarh office only. On the basis of response, we are planning to open two-three chapters of TiE in some districts of Punjab," he added.

Moga, February 8
A middle-aged widow was attacked with acid allegedly by her two brothers-in-law after she refused to have sex with them at village Rauwala near Kot-ise-Khan in this district. She was taken to the district hospital in a serious condition where she is undergoing treatment.

A senior police official, while revealing this to TNS, said they had arrested both the accused and registered a criminal case under sections 307 and 34 of the IPC in the Kot-ise-Khan police station.

In her statement to the police at the hospital, the widow said her husband Suba Singh had died two years back and she was presently living in her in-laws’ house along with her two children.

She alleged that her husband’s younger brother Joginder Singh, son of Krishan Singh, and her sister-in-law’s husband Surjit Singh, son of Harnam Singh, used to harass and torture her after her husband’s death. They had been unsuccessfully trying to sexually exploit her for the past many months, she said.

On Friday, they tried to rape her when other members of the family had gone out for some work. “I raised an alarm by shouting and crying and they fled the place,” she added in her statement.

In the afternoon, when she went out in the fields to get fodder for the cattle, both of them chased her. They allegedly threw acid on her and ran away from the spot. She shouted for help. Hearing her cries, some villagers working in the nearby fields rushed to her and took her to the district hospital here.

The villagers reported the incident to the police.

ASI Narinder Singh, who inquired the matter and recorded the statement of the victim, said, “We have arrested both the accused and produced them before a local court. The court has sent the accused on a day’s police remand for further investigations,” he said.

The doctors attending the victim stated that she was out of danger.

Meanwhile, she has demanded to add relevant sections of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, also in the FIR registered by the police. “I need protection available under the Act,” she added.

It may be mentioned that under the act, the court of chief judicial magistrate has the power to pass protection orders that ‘prevent the abuser from aiding or committing an act of domestic violence or any other specified act, entering a workplace or any other place frequented by the abused, attempting to communicate with the abused and isolating any assets used by both the parties’.

Mansa, February 8
One person was killed whie two, including MLA Ajitinder Singh Moffer, were injured, in a road mishap on Saturday night near Jatana on the Mansa-Sirsa road. A case has been registered against the MLA as his car hit the tractor-trailer in which the deceased was travelling. Following the collision, the victim fell on the ground and was killed. According to the details available, the car of the MLA was trying to overtake a tractor-trailer, which was coming from the Sirsa side. Suddenly, a youth (20) travelling on the tractor-trailer fell on the road and was killed on the spot in the accident, sources said.

The deceased was identified as Gurjinder Singh, son of Makhan Singh, a resident of Mallwala in district Bathinda.

The police has registered a case against Ajitinder Singh Moffer, MLA, under section 289, 304 A of the IPC on the statement of Kulwinder Singh, cousin of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Bikram Singh Moffer, MLA’s son, said that his father Ajitinder Singh sustained injuries and fracture and also his gunman was injured.

Abohar, February 8
Haryana minister for industries, commerce and mines Lachhman Dass Arora hoped that with substantial power generation projects in hand at present Haryana would be in a position to sell electricity to other states by the end of next year.

Arora, after attending a social function here drove to the residence of octogenarian environmentalist, Gauri Shanker Khatri to compliment him on planting and nourishing hundreds of valuable saplings in educational institutions, parks besides the cremation ground. 

Speaking to media, Arora said MNCs, while appreciating the Congress led state government for developing a friendly, congenial atmosphere, had shown expression of interest in investing a whopping Rs 20 thousand crore in setting new units in Gurgaon, Panipat and Sonepat. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has assured all of them of quick and one-window disposal of the files.

There would be no red-tapism, no illegal gratification at any stage, he firmly said.  

On being asked to comment on the hue and cry by the SAD-BJP alliance government that the Central government had offered more incentives to promote industries in Himachal Pradesh, Arora said Haryana was at par with Punjab but before blaming the UPA-led government, the alliance partners should have developed a congenial environment. “Punjab is unlikely to be self sufficient in power generation before 2012. Everyone knows things have not been going well on any front after the formation of the alliance government,” he alleged.

Claiming that the Congress government was ensuring unbiased development in the entire 90 Assembly segment in Haryana, Arora said law and order situation had been worst when the INLD-BJP alliance was in power.

“Their reunion is marriage of convenience. They must remember it is not possible to befool all the people all the times. The latest gimmick of “Jan Akrosh Yatra” by the Chautala family also stands exposed. People have confirmed that the Yatra lacked response and the INLD was managing small crowds from other parts of the state, Arora said, adding, “The Congress is going to record good win in the coming Lok Sabha elections also.”

Abohar, February 8
The Rajputana Rifles' camel safari team reached Inderpura village this evening for its last night halt in Rajasthan area.

On its way, most of the sarpanches and elders in the villages informed the team members that poppy husk consumption in and around Sadulshehar had increased manifold. Even the tea stalls were using poppy husk in serving tea to their customers since it was not banned in Rajasthan and could be had easily from the licensed vendors, they said.

This prompted the in-charge of the team, Captain Pradeep Sheokand, to caution the gatherings during his lectures in educational institutions and 'chaupals' against drug abuse besides AIDS and dowry system.

The members of the village panchayats told visiting newspersons that Sadulshehar continued to be the most active supplier of poppy husk and smack to the neighboring areas of Punjab also.

The team visited Jorkiyan, Satipura, Kishanpura, Ruharianwali and Dholipal village also. Dholipal is known as nursery of volleyball and has three players in the national team.

On the way, Captain Sheokand honoured Suraji Devi, widow of Lieutenant Mam Raj of the World War II, by presenting her a shawl and a memento.

The team also played a friendly cricket match with locals in village Inderpura to encourage their involvement in sports.

The camel safari will enter Punjab on Monday and Rajpura will be its first destination.

Bathinda, February 8
Fabulous farmers and fearless fighters. Renowned for these qualities, the intrepid Sikhs who have evolved into a global community have also taken care to be in touch with the latest in fashion.

Today’s Singh is king. And so should be his turban. Yes indeed, turbans are not merely a head cover today, rather it has become a fashion statement. A new trend has started and brought in for front the otherwise used attire now showcased as accessory, the most trendy and decorative part of a male Sikh personality.

Gone is the time when people thought since turban remains paramount signifier of male Sikh identity, the concept of being modern remains impossible for Sikhs. It would not be surprising if soon one finds Beries and Bajajs of the world launching their own range of turbans.

The attires are changing, so are the headgears. Today “Pagris” come in mind boggling range of colours. The variety of colours include black, sea green, orange rust, yellow, onion pink, purple, bottle green, maroon and many other trendy colours within the range of Rs 5 per meter to Rs 20. Choice of colour may be as unique as individual.

Gurcharan Singh, owner of Sardar Pagri Centre at Dhobi Bazar here, said, “Turban has become more of a fashion symbol these days. Patrons are very choosy while picking the colour and style that suits them the best according to their complexion, height, facial structure and nature of work. Out of rubia, full voile, half voile and terri rubia, full voil is more in demand.”

Ramesh K. Jain, owner of Punjab Pagri Centre at Dhobi Bazar, said, “Sikhs have a charm for turban and it has been taken as a sign of royalty. The sale of turbans has just doubled. Mostly, youth tend to coordinate the colour of their turban with their outfit. Black and navy blue are the most popular with the younger generation and they prefer these colours especially at formal occasions, like dinner party. Customers come up with different colours demand. Moreover, companies are launching new colours with each passing day. Maroon is mostly used for weddings while orange and navy blue are traditional colours also worn for religious observances.”

Karishma Aggarwal, an engineering student, said it was a misconception among people that girls did not like turbaned boys. “Rather, turban is an integral part of the complete handsome look of a Sikh boy. However, the guys should know how to tie a perfect turban and what style would suit them.”

Arundhati Verma, a college student in Delhi, said that movies had a direct impact on society. “Singh is King had changed the women’s perception at large, turning an instant liking towards turbaned and bearded guys.” She takes pride in saying that the perfectly tied black turban gives her friend Navlinder Singh a royal look.

Another motivation comes from former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. His different turbans have gelled with his persona to make him popular not only in India but across the world. 

Abohar, February 8
The Punjab Non-gazetted Forest Officers Union has given a call to all its units to stage a sit-in (dharna) at the divisional headquarters all over the state on February 11.

Balwinder Singh Jhurarkhera, district president of the union said here that the Punjab Vidhan Sabha while passing a resolution to intensify campaign for strengthening the Department of Forests to meet challenges over afforestation.

The assembly had approved converting of some plan posts to non-plan category. Regretfully, the resolution was not implemented in letter and spirit due to hurdles created by the bureaucracy. This has hampered all efforts aimed at ecological betterment.

The union resented that many posts of forest guards are already lying vacant. Each guard has been assigned three to four beats, which means he would be responsible for preservation and security of forest area spread over 150 to 200 km.

The department deserves to be reorganised by filling up the vacancies but the top brass is indulging in reverting of the employees.

The union warned that state level dharna and demonstration would be held at Chandigarh on February 17, if the government remains adamant on pursuing its anti-employee policies.