J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Their dream of higher studies in Canada crashes
Jalandhar, July 25
Two postgraduate passouts from Apeejay College of Fine Arts have lodged a complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum here against an immigration consultant, alleging issuing of a misleading advertisement “claiming no IELTS required” and submitting wrong papers for their higher studies in Canada.

Farmer washed away in village drain
Tarn Taran, July 25
Sarabjit Singh (45), a farmer of Kang village, was feared washed away in the village drain which had been overflowing following heavy rains. The deceased was also working as a sub-inspector in the Market Committee, Gehri Mandi, falling under the Jandiala Guru block.

Amritsar lad cracks IES exam
Amritsar, July 25
Gaurav Bhatia, a PhD student of Guru Nanak Dev University, has stood third in the Indian Economic Services (IES) examination. Gaurav gave the credit to his mother Kamlesh Bhatia, Prof Paramjit Nanda and his friend Raj Rishi Mehra, who inspired and helped him in the preparation.

Their dream of higher studies in Canada crashes
Deepkamal Kaur/TNS

Jalandhar, July 25
Two postgraduate passouts from Apeejay College of Fine Arts have lodged a complaint with the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum here against an immigration consultant, alleging issuing of a misleading advertisement “claiming no IELTS required” and submitting wrong papers for their higher studies in Canada.

The girls, who had passed out in Masters in Computer Sciences with the first division, have deposed that they had to face disqualification from getting visa in future of any kind from the Canadian embassy for no fault of theirs that too at the cost of losing their precious one and a half years and hard-earned money of their parents.

The complaints filed by the girls have been admitted by the forum and a case has been fixed for hearing on August 25.

The girls said they had come across an advertisement in a vernacular daily by a firm, based on the GT Road near bus stand, which claimed, “Study in Canada - No interview, no IELTS, free air ticket to Canada, free airport pick up and free three months accommodation”.

The girls said they were told by the consultants that theirs was fit case for a PG diploma in computer programme or its equivalent. They said that they deposited all necessary documents and Rs 22,000 on November 12, 2007 for getting registered with Sheridan International College Institute of Technology and Advance Learning for admission in January 2008. They said the consultant remained elusive and again was told in the first week of January 2008 to bring all original documents, a draft of Rs 5,080 in the name of Canadian High Commission, Rs 5000 as cash and Rs 610 cash as file charges.

The complainants said on January 15, 2008, they were shown a letter of acceptance from the college with admission status mentioned as “conditional” from September 2008 with requirements of IELTS 6. The girls said they argued that earlier there was no pre-condition to qualify IELTS and that they had sought admission for January 2008.

At this, they said that they were assured of a rectification assuring admission in February 2008 and without embargo of IELTS clearance.

The girls said their parents were called by the consultant on February 4, 2008 and were told that the Canadian Embassy had refused student visa to them. They said when they went to the office the next day for collecting refusal letter, they found that the reasons for the same were wrong.

In their separate claims, the girls have called for refund of Rs 32,690 paid to the consultants, reimbursement of Rs 5,000 paid on their directions along with interest at the rate of 18 per cent per annum up to date of payment, award of compensation to the tune of Rs 7 lakh and cost of proceedings expected to be around Rs 10,000. The girls also demanded that the consultants should accept that disqualification from getting visa for admission was due to their misrepresentation of facts. They have also called for directions to the opposite parties for issuing a corrective advertisement.

Farmer washed away in village drain

Tarn Taran, July 25
Sarabjit Singh (45), a farmer of Kang village, was feared washed away in the village drain which had been overflowing following heavy rains. The deceased was also working as a sub-inspector in the Market Committee, Gehri Mandi, falling under the Jandiala Guru block.

Subash Chander, SDM Khadur Sahib, and other officials of the district administration led the rescue operations. However, the best efforts of the area residents and the administration, for about 12 hours, proved futile.

According to information, Sarabjit had gone to the fields to collect fodder. When he put his feet in the overflowing drain, he lost his balance. As soon as his shrieks were heard, some people nearby immediately jumped into the drain but could not save him as he was already washed away.

The residents blocked traffic by staging dharna on the road, protesting against the administration. — OC

Amritsar lad cracks IES exam
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 25
Gaurav Bhatia, a PhD student of Guru Nanak Dev University, has stood third in the Indian Economic Services (IES) examination.

Gaurav gave the credit to his mother Kamlesh Bhatia, Prof Paramjit Nanda and his friend Raj Rishi Mehra, who inspired and helped him in the preparation.

Unlike others, he completely relied on self-study. Gaurav says, “I decided not to join any coaching centre at Delhi as such institutes were only hankering after money. Hard work is the key to success.”

He is the only one from Punjab to clear this examination.

Belonging to a middle class family, Bhatia was also selected as Assistant Commandant in 2005 and later as statistical investigator but because of his IES dream, he did not take up the posts.