Jalandhar, March 12
The violation of the model election code of conduct is continuing in some parts of the city despite strictness by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer (DRO) Ajit Singh Pannu and his staff.

The Tribune team found on Thursday that a hoarding containing photographs of Punjab Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia, BJP MLAs Bhagat Chunni Lal and K.D. Bhandari and Mayor Rakesh Rathour were put up in the JP Nagar locality.

Interestingly, the hoarding was tied with two BSNL poles located on the road in front of MLA Bhagat Chunni Lal’s house.

The hoarding also carried the photographs of Chunni’s son and the Chairman of the Medium Industries Development Board Mohinder Bhagat, district BJP president Ravi Mohindru, district BJYM leader K.L. Sharma and several other local leaders.

When contacted, Mohinder Bhagat said the BJP workers might have put up this hoarding much before the code came into force and he would direct them to remove it immediately.

Meanwhile, when Pannu’s attention was drawn towards the hoarding, he said he would direct his staff to get it removed immediately.

Jalandhar, March 12
You may have had to undergo the bumpy experience a number of times owing to the unscientific and wildcat speed breakers in different parts of the city, but the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, at least so far does not think it wise to pay heed to these humps.

Forget about removing them, the MC hasn’t even maintained a record of such unauthorised speed breakers.

Corporation engineer (bridges and roads)-I-cum-assistant public information officer of the MC has provided this information to city advocate Rajinder Bhatia who had sought information about unauthorised speed breakers and other relevant issues from the MC under the RTI Act.

In the two-page information provided to Bhatia, the corporation engineer further stated that the junior engineer and the assistant corporation engineer of the B&R wing (posted in zonal officers of the MC) are directly responsible for the maintenance of speed breakers and removing unauthorised humps.

Interestingly, the corporation engineer admitted that sometimes action against erring officials could not be taken due to political interference.

Further, the MC official said the measurement, including the height and width, of speed breakers varies as per the intensity of traffic on the road.

However, signboards showing the “speed breaker ahead” have been put up by the MC near the speed breakers and they are also painted periodically by the MC, the official claimed.

Admitting that unscientifically built humps may cause harm to the man and property, the corporation engineer stated that no record of authorised as well unauthorised speed breakers was available with the MC.

However, the MC official claimed that whenever any complaint was received, the MC took action to remove the speed breakers.

It is worth mentioning here that a majority of the speed breakers are the major cause of accidents because they were built in violation of the approved specifications of the Indian Road Congress.

Scientifically, speed breakers should be erected at least in pairs and separated by approximately three and a half feet so that vehicles are forced to slow down but are not damaged.

Whereas some authorities have not followed such norms in constructing speed breakers at different places, including near an unmanned level crossing near Karol Bagh, several private men have also got built such humps on the road near their buildings.

Jalandhar, March 12
More than 25 years after the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) got the Urban Estate developed here, the residents have been still awaiting for some common facilities.

The residents complain that they have been undergoing hellish experiences each day, for the sewerage often gets clogged, the drainage pipes are yet to be installed, garbage remains littered in all the vacant plots and the roads are in bad shape.

One of the major problems they are facing is the need to get the sewerage cleaned frequently. “Since no proper sewerage network had been laid out in the colony, clogging is common. Also PUDA does not have advanced machines like the MC to pull out the choking material from within the manholes. The employees simply use Kirloskar engines to siphon out the waste from manholes right outside the entry gates of their houses. They leave the filth there as it is letting it dry out naturally before making an effort to get it lifted up after a day or two. The stink and the sight of it makes us all sick,” rued Amrik Singh Multani, a resident of Urban Estate, Phase-I.

The residents said their toilets often got blocked because of the sewerage problem. “We then need to call up the PUDA office urging them to get the sewerage cleaned up. But since the men drill out the filth from the underground system and leave on the roads in front of our houses, we start feeling all the more uncomfortable,” lamented Amarjit, another resident.

He added that the colony was yet to get the drainage system. “The rainwater is more than knee deep in our lanes whenever it pours heavily.

There is no exit route to it till the time it dries out naturally,” he complained.

The residents also complain of bad condition of the road on either side of the level crossing connecting Urban Estate Phases-1 and II. “The road has deep potholes owing to which two-wheeler drivers often tend to fall off and get hurt,” they said.

PUDA SDO Jodha Singh said the process of laying the drainage pipes had just begun. “We aim to lay down pipes across the colony before the road construction work gets started. This will resolve the problem of rainwater clogging,” he explained.

JE Public Health Randhir Singh admitted that the filth was being left on the roads before clearing it out in a day or two. He gave the reason, “It was very difficult to pick up the moist waste.”

Additional chief administrator-cum-estate officer Harbir Singh said the road construction work was under way as the weather had just become conducive for it. 

Jalandhar, March 12
Demand for bulletproof cars has gone up in India ahead of the general election. The increasing terror attacks have now forced political leaders to seek shelter behind bulletproof cars.

The bulletproof vehicle makers are cashing in on the fear among the politicians of terror attracks. They are making a good business ahead of the general election. The makers are expecting a double increase in their business this year.

The Sobtis in Jalandhar are armouring cars of politicians in their Laggar Industries. This year comparatively they are armouring more cars than the last elections. Some cars have already been delivered, whereas some are still under the process of getting armoured in the workshop.

“In the last elections, we armoured nearly seven cars, whereas this year we have already done 10 of them. As more and more people are getting to know about these bulletproof cars, the demands are increasing,” said Sanchit Sobti, owner of Sobti Steels, Jalandhar.

The vehicles initially were mainly Ambassador cars but gradually these have given way to more expensive models like Mitsubishi Pajeros, Scorpios, Monteros and Land Cruisers.

Before a car gets armoured, one needs to take permission from the Intelligence Bureau. Although getting a vehicle armoured is quite costly, yet for the politicians the prices are affordable. Mostly those politicians who are slightly prone to political violence demand these bulletproof cars.

“The demands are mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Chattisgarh. These are the main states from where we have received cars. The political background of these states is comparatively strong. Therefore, demands would be more from such states,” Sobti added. The armouring process itself is no mean task. It involves ripping up a vehicle, down to the undercarriage, and rebuilding it after armouring it with steel plates. Bulletproofing a vehicle can take two to three months. — ANI

Kapurthala, March 12
A drunken man, Dev Chand, hacked his wife Amarjit Kaur with an axe at their house at Kaulpur village falling under the Sadar police station here on Tuesday night.

Dev Chand was later arrested from the bus stop of the village.

The deceased’s brother Gurpreet Singh stated in his complaint, submitted to the police, that Dev was married to Amarjit Kaur about 12 years ago. He was a drunkard and Amarjit used to object to his drinking habit.

The complainant further stated that when Dev Chand came to his house on Tuesday night in a drunken condition, she again objected to it. Subsequently, Dev killed her in a fit of rage and fled from the spot.

Later, the police arrested him and an FIR was registered against him. The accused reportedly claimed that he had killed his wife on the suspicion of her alleged illicit relations.

Jalandhar, March 12
Consumers can expect good times ahead. With the decline in the prices of the vegetables and essential commodities especially edible oils, consumers can heave a sigh of relief.

Whether it is pricey onion or the sugar, which turned sour due to a steep hike in its prices, the prices of these commodities is witnessing a decline. Traders maintain that the ensuing elections are one big reason for a fall in the prices of various commodities.

Onion, that was available at Rs 18 per kg last week, is now available at Rs 15. At present, the traders are procuring onion from Nasik in Maharashatra. Even tomato is available at same price of Rs 10 per kg, the price at which it was selling last week.

On the other hand potato is also available at a reduced price of Rs 5 per kg. Last week it sold at Rs 5.50. “Due to record production of potato there has been slump in its prices and this will continue in the days to come,” said Rajiv, a potato trader.

Bottleguard, which was available at Rs 14 per kg last week, is now available at Rs 11. Fresh orange is available at Rs 60 per kg whereas kinnow’s supply has come to an end. Grapes are available at Rs 30 per kg where as about two weeks ago, their price was Rs 35-40.

Price of mustard oil has witnessed a sharp fall. It has come down to Rs 60 per kg from its previous price of Rs 74 about two weeks ago. There is no significant change in the price of other edible oils.

Sugar price has come down to Rs 25 from Rs 26 that was last week. Green peas, which is being procured from Himachal Pradesh is being sold at Rs 22 per kg.

Jalandhar, March 12
With an aim to promote academia, research and culture, a group of students from Derby College, Derby (UK), is here in India to visit its counterparts in the CT Group of Institutions. The initiative has been taken under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between both the educational institutes.

The value addition programme was launched keeping in mind the changing market scenario across the world.

Jubilant over the successful implementation of the curriculum in the field of leadership management and entrepreneurship, students said the innovative programme had opened new vistas for them in this globally competitive environment. “In this second year of our course we have been exposed to various soft skills required in the emerging markets. At present we are focusing on e-learning under this programme,” said project coordinator Oliver of Derby College.

“The exchange of students under this programme is virtually an eye opening experience for us. The MoU is an effort to bridge trade ties between both the countries. Since business ventures between both the nations are emerging remarkably, the course has become all the more interesting and practical,” maintained Sarah, Derby College student.

Both the colleges recently completed their first phase of the project, which was solely approved by the British Council. “The programme will enable the students to emerge as successful entrepreneurs in the various fields and raise jobs for others as well. Students are self-learners here and this is how we differ in our approach towards the monotonous long study schedules. The practical approach towards this knowledge programme will definitely take the students ahead,” said director of Corporate Relations Manhar Arora.

The course comprises entrepreneurial skills, study of the UK and Indian markets and soft skills. “Apart from this, we are equipped with on the hands training through the internet. This includes references, links and blogs,” maintained Jack, another student.

The Derby students were accompanied by their teacher Elfie, who is looking after the international links of Derby College. “Under this exchange programme, two students of the CT group would visit Derby College in April,” said Manhar Arora. 

Jalandhar, March 12
“Ghar seh da takla rahe gaddeya

Kade vekhe na sukh da saah lainde

Ghari sukh di bhaalde bhala kitthon

Jehre rehn begaanre bohar thalle”

(favourite lines from Aulakh’s Begaane Bohar Di Chaan)

In the 1980s when Punjab was steeped in the frenzy of terrorism, when armed men paraded the streets fighting for boundaries and blood and the ones left sat home holding onto their dear lives, he was busy fighting for a cause that his parents and people at large termed no less than stupid - theatre.

Born and brought up at Tarkhaan Vala village, director Dr Jagdish Garg started theatre 30 years back as a student at Government College, Muktsar. Participating in declamation contests, he moved on to mono-acting and histrionics.

He was just in BA II when he directed his first play, Sushil Kumar Singh’s “Singhaasan Khali Hai”.

In 1981 he shifted to Government College, Chandigarh. Working under Pakistani playwright Major Ishaaq Mohammad, he did his first play “Kuknus”, playing the lead as Dulha.

Back to Muktsar to do full-time theatre (1982-83), he did the plays “Begane Bohar Di Chaan”, “Arbad Narbad Dhundukhara”, “Turi Vala Kotha”, “Pagalkhana”, “Sukki Kukh”.

Nobody in Muktsar knew what theatre was until the silent revolution started by Garg. At a place where theatre was forbidden even for men, he succeeded in roping in women.

“We used to do plays either in schools or cinema halls in the 9-12 shows. Rs 5 or Rs 10 were collected from volunteers to gather the Rs 500 fee which had to be paid to the cinema hall owner. There were rare times when good officers from the administration used to pardon the fee.”

“In 1985-86 I was called by the Cultural Department of Panjab University.” During this time he did plays “Anne Nishanchi”, “Ik Ramayan Hor”, “Neehan Ch Morche” (written and directed by himself) and “Toba Tek Singh”.

An MA and M. Phil in Punjabi, he now pursued teaching and theatre side by side. In 1991 he came to Jalndhar as a lecturer at DAV College.

The first play he did in the city was “Ardh Narishwar”.

He then did plays like “Bechara Markari”, “Murti”, “Jalta Hua Rath”, “Aurat”, “Kinnar Katha”, “Kumar Swami” which were lapped up by the youth festival circuit.

Recently launching theatre magazine Rang-Sang (the first theatre magazine after 1992), he is the first one to provide a whiff of fresh air to the theatre starved people.

Now he is planning to showcase two plays for the city masses on March 27, “Jadon Main Sirf Aurat Hundi Haan” (based on partition) and “Gaani” (based on the emotional conflicts of a soldier and a common man when they have to deal with each other).

Why theatre in Punjab lags behind compared to other states?

The bhangra culture rules here, people are yet to wake up to theatre fully. Things have started to look up though. We are growing.

Your take on theatre in youth festivals.

The plays there are like masala movie. Professional directors rule the theatre scene. Student-teacher relationship is missing. The same judges make appearances at the zonal and state levels and even beyond that. I think youth festivals should be called youth competitions.

What are the problems theatre currently faces?

Lack of sponsors, bad sound systems (which is also due to bad finances). Budding actors face unemployment and sometimes partiality which snubs their talent while they are just growing.

Message to budding artists.

“Je aai patjhad taan fer ki hai

Tun agli rut ch yakeen rakhin

Mai labh ke kiteyon leaunnan kalma

Tu fullan jogi zameen rakhin”.