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Holy city honkers finally under pressure
Nurturing the little ones
Staff absent from emergency ward |
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Austrian delegation mulls tie-up with GND varsity
Rallying around for cycle tracks
Seeking help of Dera Sacha Sauda chief in poll
SGPC honours Jallianwala Bagh landscapist Randhawa
Campus Buzz
In-service training for anganwari workers
‘Harit Vasundhra’ organised
Business Buzz Annual distributors’ conference
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Holy city honkers finally under pressure
The traffic police team, led by DSP (Traffic) Gurmit Singh and in charge traffic, conducted special checks against traffic violators at Majitha Road, near Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The traffic police seized all the pressure horns removed from the buses. It is pertinent to mention here that despite a ban on the use of pressure horns for bus and truck operators within the corporation limits, the drivers continue to flout the norms leading to inconvenience to the pedestrians. The pressure horns have become bane for the residents of the holy city as they were not only fitted in almost all heavy vehicles, including buses and trucks, but also in two-wheelers even as it was banned under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. But the ban order on pressure horns was only on paper. The police said all the bus operators were given three days’ time to remove pressure horns from their vehicles, failing which they would have to face action. They said keeping in view the sensitivity of some areas where there were hospitals, schools, etc. special drives would be conducted to reduce noise pollution in the city. Gurmit Singh, who has been entrusted with the job to check this nuisance, said more such campaigns would
be carried out to curb this menace. |
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Nurturing the little ones
Amritsar, April 21 Jaspal Singh Sandhu, head of the Physiotherapy Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, is not only a busy man with his research work and frequent visits across the globe but he also manages to take time out to land at the nearest available nursery to study flowers during his academic tours. One of his visits to Thailand made him know about euphorbia milli, commonly known as the crown of thorns, eight years ago. His attraction for the plant grew because of its range and pattern of growth. Normally, a group of eight flowers grow together on a branch. Also known as polician plant, he possesses about 30 of its varieties. Considered an auspicious plant for being associated with Christ, its availability in myriad colours attracted him. Polician plants do not grow more than two and a half feet, yet it is widely used as a hedge in several countries. Sandhu’s close contact with a Goa-based nursery owner helped him to manage import of a rare kind of polician plants as he keeps him (Sandhu) informed about the new varieties hitting the nurseries abroad. A sensitive plant, polician easily falls prey to fungus with surplus watering while lack of water makes it wither. Its sap being poisonous, it needs special attention from growers. In order to make them grow, he first places the dried stems along with rooting material in sand and transplants them in normal soil later. Its flowers remain in blossom all the year round. In summers their colour fades while in winters they are at their best. Initially, its flowers used to be found red in colour. Sandhu grows a number of varieties of domesticated bamboo, palm, bigonia, and cactus. With a view to saving the depleting groundwater, he has planted countless ground cover plants to prolong the moisture in soil and reduce consumption of water. Leaves of chinar, brought from Kashmir, keep his memory of the picturesque valley fresh. According to him, maintaining a good garden provides him inner satisfaction and de-stresses him.
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Staff absent from emergency ward
Amritsar, April 21 Dr Vidhi met with an accident near Beas when her car collided with a police vehicle. She suffered injuries on her chest and jaw besides her both legs were fractured. However, staff members including fourth-class employees at the emergency ward were absent from their duty, it is alleged. Even as there was facility of portable X-ray, yet she had to go through a
lot of hurdles for getting the X-ray done. The incident had put a question mark on the functioning of the hospital as the doctors treating on her had to go “out of way” for the treatment of the accident victim. The team of doctors, led by Dr A.S. Bhatia, head surgery unit no 3, treating on her even had to face problems in getting blood as the blood bank authorities allegedly asked for a donor to give the blood. Boparai said from now on a senior resident doctor would always be present in the emergency ward. Earlier, PG students used to present in the ward for treating emergency patients. The head of various departments reached in the
ward after getting information, he added. |
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Austrian delegation mulls tie-up with GND varsity
Amritsar, April 21 Dr Raghbir Singh and Dr S.S. Chahal, Director Research, apprised the delegation about the various engineering and technology courses and other academic programmes being run by the university and state-of-the-art infrastructure available at the university campus. Prof Martin Kimmel apart from basic programmes of the University of Vienna discussed the possibilities of dual degree programme and faculty-students exchange programmes. The other members of the delegation were Prof. Peter Balog, Dean, Department of Embedded Systems, Prof. Peter Franz, Dean, Department of Renewable Energy Technology, Prof. Alexander Hofmann, Dean, Master Studies Game Engineering and Simulation Technology, Prof. Martin Horauer, Dean, Bachelor Degree Program Elect. Engg., Prof. Erich Markl, Department Head Quality Management and Florian Morrenth, Lecturer, Microsoft Certified Independent Software Consultant. From the University, Dr. M.L. Singh, Head of the Department of Electronics Technology, Dr. Jaswinder Singh from Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. M.S. Dhillon, Dean, College Development Council and Dr. A.K. Thukral, Dean, Students' Welfare, were also present on this occasion. |
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Rallying around for cycle tracks
Amritsar, April 21 Commencing from a chowk near Sant Singh Sukha Singh Senior Secondary School, the rally culminated at the Deputy Commissioner’s office after passing through the Mall Road area. The club, in association with Dr Inderjit Kaur, chairperson of the All-India Pingalwara Charitable Society, presented a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Bhagwant Singh demanding separate cycling tracks on roads for cycle users on the pattern of China. Dr Inderjit Kaur said the main aim of the rally was to motivate schoolchildren to use bicycles instead of motorcycles or scooters which added to traffic chaos as well as environment pollution. She said use of cycles would ensure a pollution-free environment, besides cutting cost of petrol and diesel. She said the people should follow the path shown by Bhagat Puran Singh for saving environment, which was deteriorating day by day due to irresponsible attitude of the people. Dr N.S. Neki, Professor of Medicine, Government Medical College and president of the club, said besides environment friendly, cycling was also beneficial for physical, mental and social health. He said the club also donated bicycles and tricycles to the needy and handicapped people. He said use of bicycles should also be promoted in the city to curb vehicular pollution and encourage fitness. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh promised to provide all possible help and added that after the elections he would take up the issue with the Municipal Corporation and other authorities concerned in this regard. |
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Seeking help of Dera Sacha Sauda chief in poll
Amritsar, April 21 Spokesperson for the Dal Khalsa Kanwarpal Singh alleged that the leaders violated edicts issued on May 17 and May 20 as they had debarred Sikhs from having any relations with the excommunicated religious head. Bhai Mokham Singh, convener, Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), and Kanwar Pal Singh also rubbished the offer of Dera Sacha Sauda chief to offer conditional apology to Akal Takht. They alleged that the offer to apologise for his action to dress like Guru Gobind Singh came near the general election, which spoke volumes of his intention. Objecting to the language and manner used by the dera head, they claimed that it amounted to denigrating the age-old Sikh institution. They said the dera head was guilty of committing sacrilege which hurt sentiments of the Sikh community and triggered widespread protests. “Being guilty, he could seek pardon for his past blunders only by personally appearing before Akal Takht and should tender an assurance that the same would not be repeated in future,” they said.
— TNS |
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SGPC honours Jallianwala Bagh landscapist Randhawa
Amritsar, April 21 Randhawa, a former Director, Horticulture, of the Central Public Works Department, who played a major role in the greening of the national capital, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and many countries
of the world was honoured with Padma Bhushan by the President of India. Senior SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur and secretary Joginder Singh honoured the distinguished horticulturist with a siropa (robe of honour) at the Golden Temple’s Information Office. After receiving the honour, Randhawa told The Tribune that he was the one who had done landscaping of the Jallianwala Bagh in early seventies. In order to acquire the Jallianwala Bagh and raise a memorial, a committee was formed with Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya as president and Dr S.C. Mukherji as its secretary. The Jallianwala Bagh was purchased from its 34 individual owners for Rs 50,000, raised by national subscription, and
consecrated as an Indian national memorial. The National Memorial Trust of which Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru became the Chairman, took some years to select a suitable design for the Jallianwala Bagh memorial from the thousands submitted by Indian and foreign architects. The design chosen in 1956 was jointly prepared by T.R. Mahendra, a Delhi architect, and Benjamin Polk, also working in Delhi. Its construction began in November, 1957, and was completed at a cost of Rs 9,25,000. Later, Randhawa, who was Director, Horticulture, was entrusted the task to do landscaping of the historic garden. Randhawa also had a stint as Adviser to the Government of Nepal for six years. It was with his relentless efforts that Nepal, world’s youngest republic, became a famous fruit-exporting country. Similarly, he was invited to promote horticulture of the hilly
state of Bhutan. During the interaction, Randhawa said he was busy in developing a resort in Karla where one could get healed by walking through the herbal plants. This was very ambitious project which would be a pioneering effort, he said. |
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The key to peoples’
hearts
Amritsar, April 21 Key chains with Congress flags in the background and pictures of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Congress candidate OP Soni, along with Congress supporters, do the rounds. Main contestants Navjot Singh Sidhu of the BJP and Soni are devising ways to closely interact with the influential people of different localities. With this they aim at putting forward their development plans and past records to woo the people to vote for them. Besides, the candidates are of the view that meeting a small number of influential people would get their ideas through to the people who would spread their thoughts through their contacts in society. Although the day of reckoning is almost three weeks away, they want to outclass each other with promises of turning the holy city into a model one. Nukkad meetings and small gatherings are being organised from morning till late in the evening to attract the attention of voters. |
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UV Cover Must
Amritsar, April 21 As the youth want to imitate superstars, who wear designer sunglasses that would probably cost more than a month’s salary, so they are going in for the replica sunglasses as they could not afford to spend huge amounts on original ones. One of the wayside vendors near the Hall Gate here said he had got range from Rs 50 to Rs 350 to meet the needs of everyone. He said as the sun has gone brighter to the eyes, people, especially the rural youth, were visiting him to get a protection for their eyes and to look like their favourite stars. However, Dr Baljit Dhillon, a senior ophthalmologist at Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Vallah, said the goggles sold by the vendors were general coloured window glasses and had no power to absorb the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. He said the rays pass through these glasses which caused pain and allergy to the eyes besides created light distortions which were also harmful for the eyes. He said even though the sunglasses of the MNCs like Ray Ban or Bosch and Lamb were costlier but they were very effective in absorbing the UV rays. Dr Dhillon said coated glasses of reputed make were also available in the market which were good for the eyes. He said photo-chromatic lenses in various colours were also available which automatically adjusted to the light and one didn’t feel uncomfortable while wearing them in dark rooms. Some of the welders also use sunglasses while doing their job but that was not safe these were unable to protect the eyes from the intense light sources, including tanning lights, snowfields or gazing directly at the sun, especially during the solar eclipse. Looking at any of these light sources without adequate protection could cause damage to the retina, causing a permanent loss of central vision |
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Campus Buzz
Amritsar, April 21 Prof Avinash Nagpal and Bhupinderpal Singh chaired the third session, while Prof Thukral gave an overview of bio-plastics which were derived from the renewable biomass sources. He said bio-plastics were non-toxic whereas petroleum-based plastics were highly toxic. Dr Mini Bajaj from Technical University of Karlsruhe, Germany, discussed about the current techniques of solid waste management in Germany. She compared different methods being used in Germany with those of our country. The fourth session was chaired by Dr A.S. Soodan and M.S. Bhatti. Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology project director Ishwar Singh discussed the different methods of recycling of plastic waste and impressed on the use of a large number of products like carpets, waste bins, flowerpots, trash bags and video, CD boxes, obtained from recycling of plastic waste. Dr Jatinder Kaur discussed eco-friendly technologies of solid waste management leading to power generation. HRD Foundation chairman K.P. Verma presented mementos to speakers and chairpersons. The participants were taken to the CIPET to demonstrate the various laboratories and sections working on plastic use and management in the city. Workshop coordinator Dr Adarsh Pal Vig insisted on leaving the habit of use and throw culture and stressed on vermi composting of organic waste segregated at the doorstep. Certificates were awarded to the participants Centre of excellence
The Sports Department of Guru Nanak Dev University under the “Centre of excellence in sports sciences” would organise training camps for selected boys of classes XI and XII from April 25 to May 4 in the university. Sports Director Dr Kanwaljeet Singh said selection of players would be held on April 25 at 10 am, adding that the camp for girls would be organised from May 6 to 15 and the selection of girls would be made on May 6 at 10 am. Class XII students were eligible for it, he added. He said specialised training would be given to the trainees by the coaches along with a scientific back-up. The university would provide free board and lodging to the selected boys and girls on the campus,
he added. He said the camps would be organised in the disciplines of athletics, basketball, netball, hockey, volleyball, football, swimming, kho-kho, kabaddi, weightlifting, judo, gymnastics and handball. Earlier, the university had organised a nine-day training camp to select youngsters from classes VI to X from March 24 to 30 under the project “Catch young programme” of the Centre of Excellence in Sports Sciences. Refresher course
Guru Nanak Dev University is going to organise a three-week refresher course in Punjabi from May 20 to June 9 under its Academic Staff College in collaboration with the School of Punjabi Studies. ASC director Dr H.S. Bhatia said lecturers of the colleges and universities in Punjabi may apply immediately for the course on the prescribed form available at Academic Staff College of the university or can be downloaded from the university website www.gndu.ac.in <http://www.gndu.ac.in>. |
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A call for harmony
Amritsar, April 21 The show, which held the audience spellbound, began with the depiction of the origin of the earth, followed by creation of man and his harmonious sustenance with nature. The balance was disturbed when man tried to etch his dominance over nature. The basic vices, pride, greed, lust, anger and envy, leading to devastation, were admirably depicted in various wars. The play concluded with a valuable message “Peace has to begin from inside”. The highlights of the programme were the mime prepared by Andreas Ceska from Austria and a special effort by Sudeep Gupta, a known puppeteer, who, with the help of students in a three-day workshop created dove, a symbol of peace. Dr Gudrun Hardiman, director, Austrian Cultural Forum, was the chief guest. |
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In-service training for anganwari workers
Amritsar, April 21 Motive of the training was to enhance the practical skills of the workers in making educational recreational material for the rural children belonging to poor families and update the existing knowledge of these workers about the nutritional status to be maintained. Shaminder Ghai, Assistant Professor, KVK, took the session. She told the workers to put their best in teaching young children about good food habits, hygiene and basic manners. He said their efforts would shape their personalities as early years of education were formative ground for a nice building for any student for better society. She trained them in making paper toys for children with little resources available to them, preparation of various nutrition games which could be at the same time informative also and gave them tips for preparation of diet plans for infants, school going children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women. The participants felt the training would help them in guiding the children with latest scientific techniques in improving their nutritional status. Dr B.S Dhillon, Deputy Director, KVK, also shared his views about the role of Anganwari workers in positive growth and development of young children. He also motivated them to take maximum benefits of such training sessions organised by the KVK from time to time to be aware of the latest developments in the field of child development. |
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‘Harit Vasundhra’ organised
Amritsar, April 21 Deepak Babbar, executive director, and K.S. Takkar, president, of the mission, apprised the students of the depleting environment and called for the protection of nature and mother Earth by planting more and more trees. Students enacted a play on environment protection and took a pledge to plant maximum trees. Ranjana Devgan of the school managed the stage while teachers Sulekha Arora, Jaswinder Kaur, Mamta Singh and Anita Grewal assisted her. A student of Class VII, Priyal, read out a message on saving electricity. Members of the Mission Aagaaz gave the message of environment protection. Madhu Gandhi, Principal, Army School, asked the students and teachers to learn from such environmental programmes besides taking steps to preserve and save the nature. |
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Business Buzz
Amritsar, April 21 Amway product
As everyone recognises that a balanced diet is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and the planned diet may not give the one all the nutrients, Amway has introduced Nutraceuticals. The Amway Nutrilite range of products takes care of specific needs of even athletes, kids and pregnant women by supplementing active phyto-nutrients.
— TNS |
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Amritsar, April 21