 |
|
|
Election Talk
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
BJP should apologise to minorities: Khaira
Price Watch
PPP raises problems of ex-servicemen
Young World
Kalia, Bublani pay tributes to MTP
RCF wins all-India hockey tourney
The RCF team with the cup. A Tribune photo
Wrestling meet not allowed, villagers flay admn
|
|
Young voters evince least interest
u About parties they know: “Ek Vajpayee ki party hai aur ek Sonia ki party hai.” u Another says: “My father knows the best about politics.” u “Elections or no elections. Nothing is going to change here.” u On how many seats in Punjab: “I think there are 46 seats.” Kusum Arora Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 26 While some do not want to cast vote, others are not much interested in the elections. A majority of the youngsters are not even aware of the number of candidates and political parties that are in the fray. The Tribune spoke to a cross section of first-time voters and youngsters and found some surprising facts. Bhavna Sharma (21), a first-time voter, was not even aware of the number of candidates in the fray from her city. “Ek Vajpayee ki party hai aur ek Sonia ki party hai,” she giggled. On being asked about when are elections taking place she maintained confidently, “Yeh April-May mai hai.” Another noticeable fact with the youngsters was that they too believed in family lineage towards a particular party. And a majority were found saying that since the father has been casting vote for a particular party, therefore, they will also follow the practice. “Politics ke bare mein to papa ko hi pata hai. He knows the best,” was the common reply. Rohit, a student of BSc (IT-IInd year) of Apeejay College, maintained, “Elections or no elections. Nothing is going to change here. Governments come and go but the basic problems remain the same. Look at the condition of roads, streetlights, potable water, health facilities and government schools. Is anybody bothered enough to work for the common man?” Another surprising answer came from Sandhya Sharma, also a first-time voter. She was also not aware of the number of candidates contesting the Lok Sabha elections. When asked about the number of Lok Sabha seats from Punjab, she added, “I think there are 46 seats.” Some of the youngsters even maintained that there should be an option of “no vote” as well so that the politicians should come to know their actual worth. “Political parties work for their vested interests,” said another student.
|
|
BJP should apologise to minorities: Khaira
Jalandhar, March 26 He said by going against the advice of the Election Commission of India against nominating Gandhi, who is the party nominee from Pilibhit parliamentary constituency, the party has shown its anti-minority stance and indicates the dangerous trend of communal and divisive politics being perpetuated by them. Instead of pulling up Varun for his utterances, the BJP had sought to trash the contributions of the valiant Sikhs in its Independence struggle by naming him as their candidate, he said adding perhaps, they have forgotten the hard work put in by the Punjabi farmers in making the country self sufficient in food grains. In view of the seriousness of the incident, the Sikhs expect an apology from BJP chief Rajnath Singh and Prime Ministerial candidate L.K. Advani, he said. Khaira said what hurt the people of the state was the silence maintained by the SAD on the whole issue. This despite the fact that the Akalis leave no chance in claiming to be the sole representative of the Sikhs across the globe, he added. It was also shocking to read the SAD chief‘s statement that he was not fully aware of the controversy, he pointed out. “I demand that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal should clarify their stand on the matter and if they are true to their word in the past, they should snap ties with the BJP at the outset. Otherwise they will be labeled as hypocrites by the masses,” he added. It was heartening to note that SAD leaders Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and S.S. Bhaur have condemned Varun’s utterances and have demanded appropriate action against him, he said. I also appeal to all self respecting Sikhs not to vote for such elements that stoke communal fires in the country, he said.— TNS |
|
Navratras on, fruits get costlier
Kusum Arora Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 26 Right from banana, which is being brought from Nasik, to grapes and apples, almost every fruit will witness an increase of Rs 10 each in its prices. Banana, which was available at a price of Rs 20 will be available at Rs 30 per dozen. This also includes grapes, which will be available at Rs 50 per kg. Since these fruits are used in large quantities during the Navratras. Meanwhile, king of fruits - mango - has also arrived in the market. The consumers can tickle their taste buds with Sindhuri mango, which is being brought from Nasik and is available at Rs 70 per kg. Even apple will be available at an approximate increased price of Rs 70 per kg as compared to its previous price of Rs 60. On the other hand, the prices of most of the vegetables have witnessed a decline over the past some time. Beans, which was available at Rs 25 per kg till last week, is now available at Rs 20. The price of tomato has witnessed a cut of Rs 3 and is now available at Rs 15 per kg. Traders also maintain that there has been a decline in the prices of pulses as well. Dal chana, which was available at Rs 34 per kg, is now available at Rs 28. Refined oils have witnessed a decline in its prices. Groundnut oil is available at Rs 50 per kg, whereas till some days back it was available at Rs 65 per litre.
|
|
PPP raises problems of ex-servicemen
Jalandhar, March 26 The PPP is a political wing of the Life Awareness Movement. A large number of ex-servicemen and people from the Kandi area in the belt spanning from Talwara to Hoshiarpur participated in a convention held at Adhiyatam Niketan at Kukanet Dehrian. Different problems faced by ex-servicemen and their families popped up in the discussion held under the leadership of PPP chairman Sardara Singh Johl and Ex-serivcemen League president Col Channan Singh Dhillon (retd). Dr Johl asked the participants to rise against the entrance of criminals in politics, Parliament, assemblies and even Panchayati Raj institutions. He said the apathy of the government towards the Kandi area of Punjab was evident from the fact that there was no pucca road to link Dehrian and Kukanet areas. Environmentalist Ram Singh Dhesi advised people against cutting trees in the area. His book was released by Dr S.S. Johl.
|
|
Know Your
Artiste/Balwinder Vicky Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 26 na koi vachha hona si na katta (on female foeticide, from a stand-up act of his) He is the common man’s comedian. His “Raunak Mela” was the comic relief for the stressed masses of Punjab during militancy days. His parents named him Balwinder Singh Vicky but Punjab knows him as Chacha Raunki Ram. It has been quite some time since “Raunak Mela” went off air but Punjab still knows and respects him as the rustic old man with the fat, black-rimmed spectacles and starched turban, who excoriated corruption and lashes out at wrongdoers through his pure, rural humour. Born and brought up in Jalandhar, Vicky, as a child, did not know he could do comedy. Back then, cricket was more like his cup of tea. A student of Senior Secondary School, Ladowali Road, he played as an all-rounder in his school cricket team captained by Mohinder Singh Kaypee. Later, in Doaba College he became the captain of the cricket team. Mentored by Principal O.P. Mohan, Vicky was deft at aping the mannerisms and the Multani accent of Mohan. Mohan even wrote a play “Taayi Da Sudhar” in which Vicky was asked to play the lead (as the principal). Thus began his journey in acting. “I was selected as the best actor in inter-college and inter-state youth festivals.” He had, however, found a way to keep his love for cricket alive. In 1980 he got approved as a Hindi commentator in radio and served as a commentator for many international cricket matches. After completing his B. Com, he did several plays like “Bakri”, “Solution X”, “Ek Tha Gadha Urf Aladad Khan”, “Gilotin”, “Pagla Ghoda” and “Vallabhpur Ki Roopkatha” which he rehearsed for but the play couldn’t be staged because section 144, CrPC, was enforced in the area. Meanwhile, he had started doing a radio programme. It was here that he was named Raunki Ram by co-artiste Pt Hemraj Sharma (bhaiyaji). In 1988 he was selected as programme executive (sports) for Doordarshan. Soon after, Raunki Ram found way to television. Prefixed Chacha by producer-director Harjit Singh, Raunki Ram soon gained a status that none else enjoyed. “The programme ran for six years and I worked on about 700 scripts. I remember a cop taking a criminal near an Amritsar court and both the cop and the criminal screamed Chacha on seeing me. I can just thank God for the profound love that I have received from the people.” A man who boasts of students like Gurpreet Ghuggi, Jaswant Singh and Nishant, Vicky also worked as producer-director for the live telecast of Davis Cup, the ATP Tour and international live telecast of hockey and soccer matches. He was sent by the government to cover the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics. He worked for popular serials like “Ulta-Pulta”, “Kach Diyan Churian”, “Pitari”, “Supne De Parchhavein (first DD serial) and “Safar”. Dramatic ventures on DD and other places lack the past quality? What do you think is the reason and what's the solution? The youth these days look for shortcuts. There is no substitute to hard work. Solution to the problem might be in clean, unbiased panels for the selection of artistes. Upcoming projects? I do stage shows regularly. Except that I would like to release a CD on cops. Vicky presently lives with his wife and sons Harnoor Singh and Gunraj Singh. Vicky will be felicitated in the KL Saigal Memorial Hall on World Theatre Day.
|
|
Students end session on happy note
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, March 26 Inter-college athletics
Students of the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology brought laurels to the institute by securing the runners-up trophy in both boys and girls categories at the PTU inter-college athletics championship held at the Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Tangori, which concluded on Sunday. Amarpal Singh of B. Tech (electronic and communication engineering) was declared the best athlete of the university. He became the record holder in javelin throw by securing a distance of 56.69 metres by beating the previous record of 48.2 metres. Apart from this, DAVIET won the best march-past trophy for the seventh consecutive year. Suhel Singh secured the gold medal in high jump, Amarpal Singh secured the gold medal in javelin throw, Isha secured the silver in 400m hurdles, 110m hurdles and 4x400m relay race. Ridhima secured the silver medal in high jump, 4x400m relay and the bronze medal in triple jump and in 100m. Naveen secured the bronze medal in 1500m and the silver in 4x400m relay. Aditi secured the silver medal in 4x400m relay. Paras secured the bronze medal in high jump. Prize distribution
The local DAV College organised its annual prize distribution function in which the meritorious students were given prizes and certificates. A colourful cultural programme was the highlight of the event. Vote awareness
To create awareness among the youth voters, the local St Soldier Law College organised an awareness programme under the name of “Apka Chunav Layega Badlav.” The programme was conducted with an aim to propagate the message of importance of votes. Advocate P.P.S. Ahluwalia, Ashok Sharma and Neeraj Luthra persuaded the students to exercise the right of vote for the socio-economic development of the country. Farewell party
The local Icfai National College organised a farewell party for the outgoing batch of the MBA students. On the occasion students presented a colourful cultural programme. Sourabh was declared “Mr INC” and Jyoti “Miss INC.” A health day was organised at St Soldier Nursing Training Institute, Khambra, under the guidence of vice-chairperson Sangeeta Chopra. Students of GNM prepared charts and posters to give message about the harmful effects of TB, diabetes and heart problems. The students also showed the diet chart to control many health problems. Gurpal Singh and Rupinder Kaur got the first and second positions in the poster-making competition, respectively, and Silky Sharma and Archana got the first and second positions in the chart-making health contest. Campus placement
JRK Siddha Research and Pharma Pvt Ltd., a Chennai-based ayurvedic medicine company, visited Lovely Professional University and conducted a placement programme for diploma (pharmacy) students and hired four students. The students will join the company in July. |
|
Kalia, Bublani pay tributes to MTP
Jalandhar, March 26 Sharma, who had been working with the MC for the past about 30 years and was originally an engineer, had succumbed to his injuries as the car he was travelling in had met with an accident. Known as a sober person, Sharma hailed from Himachal Pradesh and was putting up in Master Tara Singh Nagar. He was coming from Chandigarh after attending a case pertaining to illegal hospitals in Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Apart from a large number of residents and officials of the MC, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Commissioner Vinay Bublani, MLA K.D. Bhandari and the Mayor attended the cremation and paid tributes to the departed soul.
|
|
|
RCF wins all-India hockey tourney
Jalandhar, March 26 The RCF won the championship for the fourth time in a row. In the finals, RCF girls defeated Western Railway, Mumbai, 3-2. For the RCF, Vartika Singh, Anuradha Devi and Amandeep Kaur scored the goals in the ninth, 24th and 54th minute, respectively. On the other hand, Binita Toppo and Shangai Chanu scored for the Western Railway in the sixth and 11th minutes. The first semi-finals was won by the RCF by defeating the South- Eastern Railway, Kolkata, 3-2. The decision came through a penalty stroke. In the second semi-final, Western Railway defeated Northern Railway by virtue of a golden goal. The winners were awarded prizes by RCF General Manager Pardeep Kumar and RCF Women Welfare Organisation president Abha Kumar. — TNS
|
|
Wrestling meet not allowed, villagers flay admn
Jalandhar, March 26 Panch Surjeet Singh said the meet was scheduled from March 28 to 29. He said the meet was being organised at the village for over 115 years without any untoward incident. Reputed wrestlers from the country and abroad had been regularly participating in the meet but this time political considerations had come into play following which the permission had been refused. He alleged that the immediate provocation for not letting the panchayat host the event was because the sarpanch was a Dalit. “This is their way of showing us our space and keeping us from walking away with the credit of hosting this year’s fixture,” he alleged. Sarpanch Lakhvir Singh said a delegation met the SDM of Nakodar in this context but he refused to intervene in the matter, saying that there could be a law and order problem if the meet was held. “We will approach the SC/ST Commission in case the needful is not done,” he said. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Although the political parties and candidates are not leaving any stone unturned in wooing the voters for the forthcoming general election, it seems that they have failed to strike an instant chord with the youth.
Jalandhar, March 26
Know Your
Artiste/Balwinder Vicky
Nearly 374 students of the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology were awarded degrees at the annual convocation held on Wednesday. Madhya Pradesh Governor Dr Balram Jakhar was the chief guest. PTU Vice- Chancellor Dr Rajneesh Arora presided over the function.
Association at Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, here yesterday.
The RCF won the championship for the fourth time in a row. In the finals, RCF girls defeated Western Railway,
Mumbai, 3-2. For the RCF, Vartika Singh, Anuradha Devi and Amandeep Kaur scored the goals in the ninth, 24th and 54th minute, respectively. On the other hand, Binita Toppo and Shangai Chanu scored for the Western Railway in the sixth and 11th minutes.