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Refused to be cured
106 new leprosy cases in district
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Brush with NSD
Theatre has some hope
Now, chips will be on everybody’s lips
City lives in fear, authorities do nothing
Stray dogs near Milap Chowk in the densely populated Central Town area of Jalandhar. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
Government school student bags honours
Beant college is first to get accredited with NBA
Valuable information on police website
SSP Ram Singh flags off four motorcycles for highway patrolling.
Free dental check-up camp
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Refused to be cured
Jalandhar, July 21
Dr Sharma and Dr Miglani said they spent at least one hour at the ashram to persuade them to undergo screening test but to no avail. “The consent of the patient for conducting surgery is necessary as special exercise is to be done by the patient for three weeks for proper cure,” they added. The disease made these patients earn their livelihood by begging and this was the main reason why they were not ready for screening test because they feared that if they were cured after their surgery they would not get much in begging, said Dr Sharma and Dr Miglani. A total of 64 leprosy patients attended the screening camp but none of them was from the ashram. Seventeen of them were found fit for surgery for correcting deformity and reducing disability in them. However, only seven of them turned up for the surgery held at Civil Hospital on Sunday, he added. Of the seven who were operated upon, three were from Amritsar, two each from Jalandhar and Dasuya. The surgery camp was held under the aegis of the Union Government in association with Mumbai-based NGO Novartis Comprehensive Leprosy Care Association (NCLCA). Mumbai-based plastic surgeon Dr Atul Shah, who headed the team which conducted surgeries, said the seven patients who were operated upon would be fully fit after six weeks. Their plasters would be removed after three weeks and they would have to do special exercise for three weeks thereafter. Dr Sharma and Dr Miglani said the cured patients would be their ambassador for motivating other leprosy patients to undergo surgery. When they started living normal life, the other leprosy patients would automatically be motivated, they added.
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106 new leprosy cases in district
Leprosy is easily curable if detected at an early stage. District Leprosy Officer Dr Ashwini Gupta said 106 new cases of leprosy were detected in Jalandhar district in 2008-09. Similarly, 92 cases were detected in 2007-08. Most of them are migrants from Bihar.
If anyone sees any senseless light coloured patch on any part of his skin without any itching, sweat and pain, that person should immediately contact the District Leprosy Officer at his office located at the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar. They would be provided free of cost medicines to be taken for six to 12 months. Dr Miglani said though leprosy is a communicable disease but mostly persons with less immunity suffer from it. |
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Brush with NSD
Jalandhar, July 21 Theatre exercises and improvisations kicked off things at the 40-day theatre workshop organised by theatre group Dastak in collaboration with the National School of Drama, Delhi, at Lovely Professional University. The workshop, began on June 22, is past 29 days of hectic activity. Dealing with head injuries and battling muscle pulls, they’ve shaken it all off like cobwebs. The days, which began with a gatka class at 7 am and ended with the theatre improvisation class at 6 pm, have now gotten longer with practice sessions already spanning to late nights with the students practising for their production - the desi, improvised version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, which is slated to be staged at Amritsar Naatshala on August 2. Coming from all over Punjab, the students have had an amazing and gruelling time with them doing everything from matching their voices with an electric taanpura (music class), getting introduced to the roots of the art with lessons ranging from the period Greek, Roman and Church theatre to the more individualistic details of theatre legends like Grotowski, Stanislavsky and Brecht. Camp director and acting teacher Rajinder Singh, while talking to The Tribune, says he planned on a workshop in Jalandhar since never earlier had an NSD workshop taken place here and the mood seemed ripe for a theatrical experience. “I looked to instilling aspects of not just acting in the students but also technical details like lighting, set design, costumes and movements. But have been disappointed on the front that Jalandhar’s still doesn’t seem enthusiastic enough for theatre.” Just seven or eight Jalandhar-based students out of a total 30, probably make him say that. Gaurav, a student from Jalandhar, goes gaga about the workshop, “It’s my first experience in theatre and sitting in Jalandhar, I couldn’t have asked for anything better than this.” Dinesh, a student who has also attended workshops with Dastak earlier, says, “This time what was new was that the thrust was laid on the technical aspects of productions and our inner creativity. We focused on the study of aspects other than acting too.” Gurdas, who is from Chandigarh, says, “The history of theatre and music lessons were eye openers.” However, some students, on condition of anonymity say, they have attended workshops in the state earlier and they expected something better out of an NSD workshop. The other faculty members Gurbhej Singh (gatka), Ravi Nandan (music), Kanhaiya Da (lighting), and P.S. Maltiyar (set design), Babita Pandey (costume) and Amit Saxena (movements), the latter three arriving just on July 15, provided valuable lessons to the students. The good news: Jalandhar has a brush with NSD. Performances by Kavishri artsistes and bhands keep students alive the folk element of Punjab. The bad news: Some blame it on to bad publicity, some to lack of enthusiasm by the city.
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Theatre has some hope
Jalandhar, July 21 On from July 13, Kalaa, a theatre workshop in memory of Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga and theatre legend Habib Tanvir at Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall by the Navchintan Kala Manch, Beas, sure does get you an insight into the grassroots of theatre. Camp director Kranti Pal hasn’t had things easy for him. Holding the workshop in the auditorium of the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall, they have no ACs (and have to struggle with power cuts, too), no hostels to stay at (a gallery and washrooms provided by the hall authorities does the needful for the students) and food comes through a tiffin service (paid for by Pal). But guess what? They are still having a rocking time, everyone who visits them is witness to the fact. Theatre exercises, improvisations, designs, lessons in theatre legends, on the surface its all pretty much similar to what happens at the other
work shops but deep-down its the no-nonsense and NGOesque (without any sponsors, of course) approach which makes one think this is one effort which makes everyone hail the effort. It’s pretty evident on the lit-up faces of the participants. However, the teeny-weeny, but important, bit put in by some of the city personalities and organisations, in the form of lectures and advertising bits which makes the camp director see some hope. Anil Malawat, a B.Com (final) student from Phagwara, says, “The workshop is teaching us the finer nuances of acting, lighting, stage design and more. It’s a pleasure to be a part of it.” Zorawar, a Jalandhar-based student says, “I feel blessed to be here. I think everyone who loves art should attend this workshop.” Sumati Sharma says, “The workshop has taught us the technical aspects of theatre and has brought
put the best of our creative sides.” On its ninth day, the workshop has seen lectures by Dr Srinivas, Jagdish Garg, Maninder Kang, Amit Sharma, Neeraj Kaushik, Sukhwinder Sukhi, Rajkumar Tulli, Sufi Hartjit Singh, Daljinder Basran, Desraj Kali, Dilabahar, Dr Balraj Gupta and Dr D.R. Vij. Kranti Pal says, “There would be three productions at the end of the workshop. One by me, another by Parveer Guha (NSD) from West Bengal and the third one would be a musical.” The Good news: Jalandhar participates enthusiastically here. Open for all art lovers, free-of-cost. The Bad News: Efforts sincere but no sponsors. |
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These girls strive to become thanedars
Jalandhar, July 21 With dreams of becoming a “thanedar” in the Punjab Police, girl candidates from Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Ferozepur, Mansa, Moga and Muktsar districts have been undertaking various physical fitness tests, including race (800m), long jump (3m) and high jump (.95 m), the first step towards their success. Though a majority of the job seekers are unmarried yet certain newlyweds and pregnant ones have also been camping on the ground of the PAP here along with their spouses. The drive is being carried out to recruit woman constables against 466 vacancies in the state. Against the sanctioned vacancies, 6,267 applications have been shortlisted. Surprisingly, the vacancy:applicants ratio is 1:500, which clearly shows the hight of unemployment in the state or enthusiasm for a government job among the job seekers. Enquiries by The Tribune team at the venue revealed that a majority of the candidates were from rural background and performing good in the physical tests. Some Class XII passout girls with sports background from cities and townships were more determined and hopeful of availing themselves of the opportunity of a government job. Accompanied by her husband, hopes of a eight-month-pregnant candidate dashed to the ground when a team of doctors did not permit her to participate in the race due to health reasons. Harjinder Kaur, a newlywed from Nasran village, near Chabbewal, in Hoshiarpur district, claimed, “The opportunity for which I had been waiting for a long time, has arrived. I will do the best possible in the field as well as in the written test to fulfil my dream to be a thanedar.” She smiled when asked if being a newlywed could she be able to perform her duty as a constable. Harpreet Kaur, a candidate from Moga, claimed that she was inspired by her father, who in an Army officer, to participate in the test and join the police. Talking to The Tribune, Commander Arun Pal Singh of 7 Battalion of the PAP revealed that the drive was being led by the DIG, Border Range, Gurpreet Deo, who is taking personal interest in inducting suitable and fit candidates to be deployed on general duty after a probation period of two years. He claimed that adequate arrangements had been made to provide on-the-spot medical assistant to the candidates. He said 606 candidates appeared in the physical tests on Monday and 1,000 on Tuesday. The drive would continue till July 27. The candidates who would qualify the physical tests would have to clear a written test on August 9 before the final interview with a panel of judges.
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Now, chips will be on everybody’s lips
Jalandhar, July 21 Principal scientist at the centre Dr R.S. Marwaha and his team members Dr Dinesh Kumar and Dr S.K. Pandey have developed four varieties of potato for manufacturing chips and another for use as French fries. The varieties have a high content of dry matter, low sugar and can absorb less oil while frying, meeting all the demands of the processing industry and the customers. The varieties, which had been approved by the Variety Release Committee of the Central government, include Kufri Chip Sona-1, 2 and 3, Kufri Him Sona and Kufri Fry Sona. Scientists revealed that the name “Kufri” came from the fact that the cross-breeding required for the purpose had to be done at Kufri for the plant flowers only in that area. The trio has also come up with a national potato map depicting locations in the country which could produce early maturing and late blight-resistant hybrid variety of potato suitable for the processing industry, especially from September to early December, when the shortage is usually felt. In recognition of their work, the scientists were honoured recently with the Hari Om Ashram Trust award instituted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). The award, carrying Rs 40,000 and a citation, was presented to them by Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Sources Farooq Abdullah. Dr Marwaha said potato usually remained available fresh for three months. For the next six months, it could be had from the cold storage. The industry usually faces problem for the remaining three months during which potato could be had from Chikmangalore and Hassan in Karnataka or Nagrota, near Chamba. The scientist had come up with better post-harvest technologies for producing superior quality potatoes for uninterrupted operation of the processing industry round the year. Armed with a 32 years of experience, a doctorate degree from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and a dissertation from Manila, Philippines, Dr Marwaha is also credited for having developed storage technologies for potato at slightly elevated temperature of 10 to 12 degree centigrade (unlike done traditionally at two to four degree centigrade). He had also come up with a fogging technique using a chemical BIPC that controlled increase in the sugar level of potato.
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Stray dog menace Bipin Bhardwaj Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, July 21 Stray dog menace has become a serious matter, especially during the nights when the canines pounce on pedestrians and commuters. The authorities have failed in curbing the problem even though the authorities concerned have been earmarking huge funds for the sterilisation and the vaccination of stay dogs in their annual budgets. According to information available with The Tribune, the district veterinary authorities and Municipal Corporation, in a joint drive last year could sterilise only 35 stray dogs. The authorities have not initiated the sterilization process this year in absence of adequate space in ‘recovery houses’ for the post-operated animals. Moreover, the veterinary department sans skilled animal-catchers and was completely dependant on the Municipal Corporation for the job, which has further delayed the drive. Sources in the department disclosed that the MC men often avoid catching the stray dogs even after being well-armed with the equipment for the cause. The MC authorities are often seen reluctant in conducting the drive strictly. Dr Amarjit Singh, deputy director, Animal and Husbandry, Jalandhar, when contacted, said the drive could be of much use only if the general public voluntarily comes forwards in eradicating the menace. He claimed that villagers often provide safe hideouts to their pets and stray dogs whenever the dog-catching teams visit the villages. “There is a desperate need to educate people about the ill-affects of keeping unsterilised and unvaccinated dogs,” he opined. The deputy director, however, admitted that the veterinary department sans manpower and equipment to catch the stray dogs. Dr Varinder Kalia, veterinary doctor of the Jalandhar MC, claimed that the drive could not be launched this year as the civil body has no space to keep the post operated animals. He, however, denied to provide more details as be was busy in some personal work. Dukha was severely injured by stray dogs rambling around a carcass dump in Sanghowal village near Nakodar on July 9. He was admitted to the local civil hospital. Boby Sehgal, a resident of Urban Estate Jalandhar, have demanded shifting of the centre from the present location to some other remote area. Sanitation is also one of the main reasons for the ever-growing problem. The authorities have turned a blind eye to the problem of garbage resulting in stray dogs crowding around uncleared garbage bins. Owners of mutton and chicken shops also dump animal waste in the drains which attracts the stray canines.
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Government school student bags honours
Jalandhar, July 21 The award was given by District Education Officer (Secondary) Joginder Dass in association with Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, Punjab President of the International Punjabi Welfare Council, USA. The man has been motivating many deserving students from financially weaker sections to excel in academics and make a name for themselves in society. A resident of the Garha locality, the girl has been a topper throughout. She secured 98 marks out of 100 in the mathematics examination to check the mental ability of the students. And the girl was a topper in the recently held class V examination in Jalandhar East-III block. Talking to The Tribune, Shikha, daughter of a gardener, said she owed her success to her teacher Kanchan Jain who helped her in achieving this feat. “My parents would not have been able to afford expenses of my
studies, thanks to my mentor Lakhwinder Singh Lakha who provided financial assistance to me,” said the girl. And this is not all. The girl has been adopted by Kanchan Jain who provided her free tuitions. Even the teacher was felicitated for her untiring efforts by the DEO (Secondary). Kanchan even got the girl’s admission done in class VI in government school. The teacher said intelligence and financially weaker background of this girl prompted her to help her. “Even I too came from a financially weaker family and knew the extent of the hardships faced by a common man. As a teacher, I did not want this deserving child to suffer due to poverty. I decided to help her out,” she said. |
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Young World Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, July 21 Varsity
toppers
Students of Apeejay College bagged merit positions in the recently declared results of Guru Nanak Dev University. Manreet Narula of BCom (Professional-II) stood second by scoring 80.13 per cent marks. In
BCA-II, Neha Chawla bagged 81.6 per cent marks and stood fifth. Merit holders
Vanisha Khosla of BCom (Professional-III) of the Kamla Nehru College for Women,
Phagwara, got the first position in Kapurthala district and secured 76 per cent marks followed by Rohini (74.72 per cent). The third position was achieved by Raj Rani by scoring 73.63 per cent marks. In BCom (Professional-II), Sukhjinder Kaur Somal stood first in the district by securing 74. 9 per cent marks, while the second position was achieved by Ramanpreet Kaur with 74.4 per cent. Meanwhile, Swati Sharma of
BSc-III (computer science) secured 80.95 per cent marks and got the second position in Guru Nanak Dev University. In
BSc-III, Tajbir Kaur secured the second position in the district by scoring 74.25 per cent marks. High flags
Jasbir Kaur of BCom (Professional-II) of the Prem Chand Markanda SD College for Women bagged the fourth place in Guru Nanak Dev University merit list. Ramandeep of BCom (Professional-III) bagged the fourth position in merit list and secured 79.5 per cent marks. Magic show
CT Public School organised a magic show. Students from kindergarten and primary classes attended the hour-long magic show performed by the magician.
GNA toppers
Students of GNA-IMT, Phagwara, bagged five university positions in
BCA-VI semester examinations conducted by Punjab Technical University. Gagandeep Kaur bagged the first position by scoring 94 per cent marks followed by Amit Sharma (93.4 per cent), Harpreet Kaur (93.2 per cent) and Rajdeep Kaur (93 per cent) marks. Navjot Kaur bagged the 10th position by scoring 92 per cent marks. Dance contest
To develop the taste of classical dance an inter- house solo dance competititon was organised at St Soldier Divine Public School, Mithu
Basti, under the guidence of vice-chairperson Sangeeta Chopra. As many as 24 students of Maharana Partap House, Shri Guru Gobind House, Shivaji House and Maharaja Ranjit Singh House participated. Maharana Partap House stood first and Guru Gobind Singh House second. Investiture ceremony
Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, celebrated the investiture ceremony to adorn the Prefectorial Board with badges. Arzoo Othwal ofclass XII (commerce) was chosen Head Boy and Ritika Sharma of class XII (non-medical) Head Girl of the school. Former DIG Mohinder Lal
Wason, who was the chief guest, adorned the students with badges. Principal R.K.Walia administered the oath to the students. Interactive session
The Mahila Club of DAV College organised a orientation-cum-interactive session for the girls on July 18 and 20. The programme was aimed at sharing the vision of the DAV with the girls and to make them aware of the college activities. Foundation Day
MGN Public School, Urban Estate-II, celebrated its sixth foundation day by reciting shabad gayan and bhog of Sehaj Path. The event was attended by members of the MGN Educational Trust. Later, everybody participated in a plantation drive and planted saplings. Kickboxer gets
medal
Sahil Kumar Papneja, a student of DAV College, has got the silver medal in the open category at the Seventh Punjab State Senior Kickboxing Championship held in Amritsar on July 18 and 19. A second year BCom (professional) student, he is now gearing up for the national event to be held in September. The kickboxer is also practising taekwondo and judo, for which inter-college events are scheduled in August and December, respectively. Job fair
Lovely Professional University
(LPU) is organising a job fair on July 24 and 25 on its campus wherein nearly 30 companies would participate. More than 5,000 students from northern region are expected to attend the event. Reputed names like Dell, Oracle,
Cipla, ICICI Prudential, HDFC Standard Life and Wipro would be present at the event.
DAVIET students
The names of three recently passed-out students of the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology have been recommended for commission in the Indian Navy during joint campus interview held recently under the university entry scheme. Students are Abhishek Mehta and Rakesh Kumar from electronics and communication engineering and Ranbir Singh from electrical engineering. The Indian Navy will again visit the campus in September for campus selection of candidates who would pass-out in 2010. |
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PTU Notes Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, July 21 Principal Dr Nirmal Singh said an experts committee consisting of seven members from the board visited the campus in April and evaluated it on various parametres, including infrastructure, human resourses and teaching learning process. He said he had received a letter of approval from the AICTE for accreditation of three BTech courses, including computer science engineering, electronics, and communication engineering and mechanical engineering for the three years from July 10, 2009, onwards. The principal said the students would get an edge in placement for the MNCs in India and abroad. He added that it would also give a boost to the research activities of the students and staff as accredited institution gets lucrative funding from various government bodies like AICTE and UGC. New college
The Asra College of Engineering and Technology, Sangrur-Patiala highway, Bhawanigarh, has been added to the list of the new colleges of PTU. The college has been sanctioned 60 seats each in computer science and engineering, electronics and communication engineering, mechanical engineering and information technology. Course scrapped
While 17 colleges of PTU have received a nod from the AICTE for enhancement of seats in various courses, the Rayat Bahra College of Engineering and Nanotechnology for Women, Hoshiarpur, has got one of its courses scrapped. The college had last year applied for grant of 60 seats in applied electronics and instrumentation engineering which it has got cancelled this year. Principal Dr Yadon said the course did not receive a good response and consequently no admission was done in the stream. “Had we taken even a few students, we would have had to continue the batch till the end,” he explained. Most of the colleges have sought enhancement of seats in two most sought after streams, including computer science, engineering and electronics and communication engineering. The Banda Singh Bahadur College of Engineering, Fatehgarh Sahib, has got its computer engineering and mechanical engineering seats increased from 120 to 180 each. Three colleges, including CT Institute, Jalandhar, Aman Bhalla Institute, Pathankot, and the Adesh Institute of Engineering, Faridkot, have introduced civil engineering on their campuses. |
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Valuable information on police website
Kapurthala, July 21 SSP Ram Singh said information regarding untraced reports pertaining to other criminal cases for the past five years would also be added. People wanting copies of untraced reports may download them from the site. Data relating to passport verification and police clearance certificate status are also available on the website. Ram Singh said a list of POs, including NRI POs, was also there on the website. It would not only make public aware of the criminals but also let a person give an application for his innocence to the police, if he has been wrongly declared a PO. The site also contains detailed information about educational institutions, hospitals, banks, ATMs, cyber cafes and money changers.
— TNS |
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Patrolling on highway intensified
Kapurthala, July 21 The patrol men would be equipped with wireless sets, arms and ammunition, dragon lights, challan books and first-aid boxes, he said. These cops would ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the highway. Besides, they will also rush the injured in road accidents to nearby hospitals after providing first aid and even challan drivers violating traffic norms,
he added. Bholath DSP Mohinder Singh, Kapurthala DSP Bahadur Singh, DSP HQ Sukhdev Singh and special branch DSP Kulwant Singh were present on
the occasion. |
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Free dental check-up camp
Jalandhar, July 21 Dr Rinku Aggarwal said every day from 10 am to 2 pm, there would be a free dental check up and filling. All other specialised procedures like scaling, tooth polishing, whitening, root canal treatment and X-Ray would be done at nominal rates. Patients would be given education on dental procedures.
— TNS |
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New team of Innerwheel West installed
Jalandhar, July 21 |
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Jalandhar, July 21
