Ludhiana, August 21
Violating the Municipal Commissioner's orders to be present on demolition drives, STP B.S. Brar, along with ATPs S.S. Bindra, Kamaljeet Kaur and Ramesh Chabbra, gave the drive a miss.

A few days ago at the review meeting, Municipal Commissioner G.S. Ghuman had directed all officers to be present on demolition drives, but none of the officer was found today.

The directions had come to boost the morale of the officers during the demolition drives as political pressure is witnessed quite often.

However, the demolition drive at Cheema Chowk where around 250 shanties under the bridge were razed today was held all alone by ATP C-zone Harpreet Ghai. The structures were razed following the Punjab and Haryana High Court directions.

These shanties were on the list of encroachments provided by the Municipal Corporation to the High Court.

The team, which continued for around one-and-a-half hour, removed kiosks despite resistance by residents, who pleaded to give them last chance.

ATP Ghai said, "We did face some resistance, but since it was the High Court orders, they were to be complied." When Ghai was questioned about the presence of other officers, he preferred to be mum.

Interestingly, at the same time ATP Ramesh Chabbra is stated to be conducting demolition drives at Sham Nagar and Chandigarh Road. When Chabbra was asked about it, he said, "I was directed by the commissioner to hold demolitions in Industrial Area - A, Dholewal Chowk, Tibba Road and Model Town. As far as the Cheema Chowk demolition was concerned, I went there but was called back by the commissioner."

Notably, encroachments have been giving sleepless nights to the Municipal Corporation as it has been criticised several times for it. Apart from it, most of the time demolition drives are left in middle, succumbing to political pressure. 

Ludhiana, August 21
A bloody brawl was witnessed in the court complex today around 4.15 pm when three undertrials tried to escape from the police custody. According to information, three undertrials, Jagroop Singh, Dharmendar and Amritpal, belonging to the Jagraon-based Rangi gang, were brought for a court hearing.

While the trio was locked inside the bakshi khana with other undertrials, they started fighting and abusing them. The trio created such a ruckus that the police had to intervene and when the bakshi khana was opened to stop them, the trio thrashed policemen and managed to flee.

Ludhiana, August 21
Hostels of one of the country's finest agriculture universities are in a shambles. Dingy rooms with roofs that leak during rains, stinking kitchen basins, dirty washrooms and moisture-laden walls welcome one to the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) hostels.

A visit to various PAU hostels by a team of Ludhiana Tribune revealed that most of the hostels on the PAU campus, housing over 1,500 students, are in a dilapidated state.

"As it is, the cubicles are too small where a cot and a chair barely fit, making one feel claustrophobic. Too add to it, broken doors and windowpanes, cupboards without panels, non-functional washrooms with broken fittings make life all the more difficult for us," said a BSc (agriculture) final year student who lives in hostel number 2 of the university.

Another student added that for over 150 hostellers putting up in the hostel, there was just one water cooler, that too "surrounded by dirt and filth, where one does not feel like having water", he said, adding that the water purifier attached to the water cooler was just a "show piece".

The situation is no better in the rest of the eight hostels on the PAU campus, out of which two are for girls and seven for boys, besides a separate hostel for the girl students of the College of Home Science.

"The mess and the kitchen area of our hostel are dirty and full of rats and the condition gets worse during rainfall when the entire kitchen is flooded with rain water. The condition of most of the boys' hostels is the same," said a student, who lives in hostel number 1.

The worst condition is perhaps of hostel numbers 1 and 2, the occupants of which complain that stray dogs are common visitors to the hostel premises. "Very often, we find dogs under our cots and even in the kitchen area, licking the utensils we eat from," said a distraught hosteller.

While boys complain of lack of basic amenities in the hostels, girl hostellers have been forced to share their rooms with more than the specified number of occupants.

"A room meant for two is being shared by three and a room for three is being shared by four girls," revealed a girl, requesting anonymity. Students also complained that while food in all hostels is similar, mess charges vary. "We are made to pay exorbitant bills for regular meals," a student remarked.

Interestingly, most of the hostel wardens and caretakers were found missing from duty during working hours. When asked, students complained that this was a regular feature.

Mullanpur Dakha, August 21
Congress workers yesterday protested against the deletion of 720 votes out of 930 allegedly by the sarpanch of Purain village to seize control of the Agriculture Co-operative Society of the village.

The society is a joint venture of three villages - Bharowal Khurd, Purain and Aliwal.

The protest was led by former MLA Malkait Singh Dakha, Gurpreet Singh Khangura, Manjit Singh, Pargat Singh Aliwal, Surinderpal Singh Purain, Bhupinder Singh Sidhu and others.

Dakha said the society had 930 members but in order to seize control of the society, Purain village sarpanch Jaswant Singh Purain and his accomplices managed to delete the names of 720 members from the list of the society, the maximum of whom were Congress workers.

With only 220 members remaining, all posts of the society were bagged by the supporters of the sarpanch in the election held on August 13.

In fact, the society remained inoperative for a long time and many of its member were made defaulters after the suspension of the secretary of Jagir Singh on frivolous grounds. They also alleged that though the department had reinstated the secretary, Purain was not allowing him to join back.

The villagers tried to bring the matter to the note of departments concerned, but to no avail. Finally, they approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which granted a stay on the election till further orders on August 12. Jaswant Singh, however, refuted the allegations. He said there were only 624 members out of which 15 died and 195 were defaulters and had no right to vote in the election.

He alleged that the Congress was lending a political colour to the issue for vested interest.

Registrar (societies), Punjab, however is said to have dissolved the society and soon an administrator will be appointed for the society and the secretary will also join his job again. 

Ludhiana, August 21
With political activity for the bypoll in ward No. 57 in full swing, the district administration has completed all preparations to ensure fair elections for the municipal councillor scheduled for Sunday.

Talking to The Tribune, SDM-cum-returning officer Prem Chand said, “During the bypoll, 24,461 people are going to exercise their franchise. We have established 22 polling booths at various places, including Guru Nanak International School, BRS Nagar, DAV Public School, Baba Isher Singh Public School and Government Middle School, Sunet.” Besides, electronic voting machines, too, were tested today.

He said the ward residents would be able to cast their ballot from 8 am to 4 pm.

“Till date, we have not received any complaint either from the public or the political parties regarding any violations. Even the Election Commission has not noted any discrepancy. However, I have already instructed the officers deputed for the duty to be strict and have regular rounds of the area,” said SDM Prem Chand, who also visited the ward today.

The official said the counting would be conducted the same day as soon as the polls get over, and by August 25, the election process would be completed formally.

There are just three candidates in the fray, two from the political parties and one fighting as independent. These are SAD candidate Harpreet Singh Bedi, Congress candidate Dr Hari Singh Brar and independent Suresh Jindal.

With all candidates Making development as their poll plank, political gurus have kept their fingers crossed, as it’s going to be a tough fight between the Congress and SAD, as both parties are claiming the seat and are elated over their wins in the recently held Lok Sabha elections and Punjab bypolls.

The seat had fallen vacant following the death of SAD municipal councillor K.L. Chabbra this year.

Amloh, August 21
The community health centre of this sub-division has been running from an unsafe building of the erstwhile Nabha State. While the building has witnessed repairs several times, leakage in water pipes in the walls is still visible. This poses a grave risk to the lives of staff as well as patients as there is a perpetual threat of leakage of electricity in walls.

A tree rests on power lines at the gate of community health centre in Amloh. Photo by writer

The condition of the labour room is no different, as there is water leakage in the roof.

At the main gate of the hospital, a tree inclines precariously towards the electric supply line, hindering not only vehicular traffic but also risking the lives of those visiting the hospital.

Senior medical officer Dr Jagdish Kaur said she had brought the matter to the notice of SDM Poonamdeep Kaur and deputy director-cum-civil surgeon Dr Satwant Kaur Bhalla, who later visited the hospital and assured of taking up the matter with the forest department.

The numerous visits of minister for health and family welfare Laxmi Kanta Chawla to the hospital have improved the health services at the hospital to some extent in terms of filling of posts of doctor. However, shortage of class IV employees still remains.

The hospital has no sweeper as out of the two posts, one person has been absent, while the other is nearing retirement and remains on leave.

Also, two posts of X-ray operator are lying vacant. As a result, patients have to get these done from private centres at higher costs.

Block samiti member Baljit Singh Anian said at least four posts of class IV employees and one post of clerk with computer were needed at the hospital for it to function properly as the number of OPD patients has increased manifold.

Also, at least four retired army men are needed to be employed as watchmen for round-the-clock duty at the hospital gate, he said.

Much needs to be done to provide safe and healthy atmosphere to those visiting the hospital or receiving treatment, he added.

Ludhiana, August 21
The District Legal Services held a pre-lok adalat here today. The aim of the adalat was to persuade litigants to settle their disputes through lok adalat scheduled for August 29 at the district courts complex.

Additional Sessions Judge Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Munish Singal, Mohd Gulzar, Manjinder Singh and Fast Track Court Judge AS Narula interacted with litigants, lawyers and officials of different insurance companies and raised awareness among litigants.

United India Insurance Company was represented by officers SK Takyar, AS Ghumman and KG Sharma; New India Insurance Company by Kesar Dass, RK Talwar and Sukhram Meena; National Insurance Company by MM Bhatia and Manmohan Kalsi; and Oriental Insurance Company by senior divisional manager Jagmohan Singh.

Ludhiana, August 21
Master Mohan Lal, Transport Minister, said today that the BJP and the RSS were jointly celebrating the centenary of Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra from August 17 for one year, a press note said.

Master Mohan Lal was addressing a function organised by village panchayat of Bhairomuna to pay homage to Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra. Paying rich tributes to Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra, Master Mohan Lal said Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra had sacrificed at the young age in 1809 for the freedom of the country.

He said the Punjab Government had decided to celebrate the days relating to martyrs at the state level and the “shaheedi divas” of Madan Lal Dhingra was observed on August 17 at Amritsar. He said this brave son of the country, had been a great source of inspiration for the patriots, struggling during freedom movement to liberate the country from British rulers.

He said the freedom fighters of Punjab had made major contribution in the freedom movement and the Punjabis had always remained in the fore front to make sacrifices for the country. He announced a grant of Rs 4 lakh for the development of the village.

After the function Master Mohan Lal, interacting with mediapersons, said to facilitate the passengers, at least 10 new deluxe buses had been introduced, connecting to the historical and religious places and big cities in India and 35 buses of PRTC had been introduced.

Ludhiana, August 21
In response to the call given by the PSEB Employees Federation (AITUC), employees of the Punjab State Electricity Board today held a gate rally at City West Division near Fountain Chowk here to protest against the delay in the revision of pay scales and press for other pending demands.

Addressing the rally, the trade union leaders, including Kewal Singh, Mohinder Pal, Balwinder Singh, Daljit Singh Bedi, Kulbhushan Sharma, Mushtaq Masih and Sohan Singh charged the PSEB management with deliberately delaying the announcement of revised pay scales much to the resentment among the employees. Activists of the federation alleged that the wage formulation committee was not set up properly, employees were not given due representation on this committee and norms for wage revision were not explicitly fixed, which had created apprehension among the employees that the report expected to be submitted by the committee will have many anomalies.

They further said that new recruitment continued to be under a blanket ban and even vacant posts were not being filled up despite the fact that the workload of the PSEB had increased manifold since 1996.

Speakers at the rally made scathing attacks on the PSEB management and the state government on the proposed unbundling and privatisation. "The government is hell bent on unbundling the board even though it has been established that the exercise, wherever carried out, has failed to achieve the desired results. On the contrary, the services have deteriorated and consumers have suffered where private companies have replaced the state electricity boards." The trade unionists attributed the severe power crisis facing the state to incompetence of the PSEB management and evasive policies of the state government.

Ludhiana, August 21
A unique and cutting-edge technology will shortly be used to cure varicose veins at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). A state-of-the-art laser and radio frequency ablation technique is being introduced at the hospital.

With this, it will be the first hospital in the region to be equipped with the technique. Dr Harinder Singh Bedi, head of cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery, said varicose veins was on the rise in India.

Around 40 per cent women and 20 per cent men were suffering from the condition in the country, he said.

According to studies, as many as 3.75 crore persons were suffering from the condition, which created weakness in the leg veins.

The valve deficiency caused feeling of tiredness, cramps and pains in the leg and calf.

If left untreated for long, the patient could even be unable to walk in the long run, said Dr Bedi.

It created a serious cosmetic problem as the enlarged and dilated veins created an unsightly area.

They could also be life threatening, as bleeding was difficult to control.

Conventionally, a surgical procedure was involved to remove the damaged vein. However, surgery was painful, left multiple scars and entailed longer hospital stay and longer recovery time.

However, the new technique would give immediate relief to patients from heaviness and fatigue in leg, severe pain and swollen limbs and other symptoms associated with the disease.

The treatment is a gentle and quick solution to varicose veins as against the traditional surgical procedure that is painful.

The new treatment uses laser thermal energy to treat the affected vein. This technique is quick, minimally invasive, causes minimal discomfort, gives encouraging cosmetic results and enables the patients to quickly return to normal activities, added the doctor.

The look of the leg becomes normal and all normal activities could be resumed shortly.

Khamano, August 21
A health welfare camp was organised by Verka Milk Plant, Ludhiana, at Women Milk Producers’ Society, Baghour. Verka plant chairman Ajmer Singh Bhagpura was the chief guest.

A team from BL Kapoor Hospital, Ludhiana, examined over 300 persons and distributed medicines free of cost to them.

After inaugurating the camp, Bhagpura apprised people of the welfare schemes launched by the state government through Verka.

He said Verka was introducing new schemes for the welfare of women involved in the profession.

He urged the central government to announce a bail-out package for milk producers of the state to save them and their families.

He said due to poor rains, farmers had to spend more on their crops, as a result of which the cost of milk production went up.

Plant deputy manager Surjit Singh and area in-charge Gurmail Singh Sekhon were also present.

Milk society president Jaswinder Kaur thanked the chief guest, doctors and those who attended the camp.

Ludhiana, August 21
Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading killer, accounting for 16.7 million or 29.2 per cent of total global deaths. In India in the past five decades, rates of coronary disease among urban populations have risen from 4 per cent to 11 per cent. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 60 per cent of the world's cardiac patients will be Indian by 2010. In Punjab, the mortality rate due to heart diseases is comparatively higher than recorded in other parts of the country, accounting for about 49 per cent of all deaths.

In order to address this alarming trend and showcase the availability of latest technological advancements in the field of interventional cardiology, Satguru Partap Singh Apollo Hospital will organise a National Cardiology Update Conference 2009 on August 23. Leading cardiologists from all over Punjab will participate in this conference.

Padmashree and Dr B C Roy laureate, Dr Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, known as the father of interventional cardiology in India, will be the chief guest.

According to Dr RP Singh, senior consultant cardiologist and co-ordinator, SPS Apollo Hospitals, the increasing prevalence of heart disease among the youth is becoming a serious concern. Nearly 50 per cent of heart-related deaths in India occur below the age of 70, compared with just 22 per cent in the West. This trend is alarming because of its potential impact on one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.

Dr KC Mukherjee, consultant cardiac surgeon said intelligent living and intelligent eating could reduce the burden of disease by 70 per cent as the heart ailment not only kills but also cripples people socially and financially. People with controlled diets and proper physical exercise have three-time less risk of cardiac diseases than those who do not. Similarly, Dr Chetan Sharma, consultant cardiologist, SPS Apollo Hospitals, stated that Punjabi diet was very rich as compared to the diet of the population living in southern part of the country. It is for this reason that people at young age are getting heart attacks.

Ludhiana , August 21
A delegation of homoeopathy teachers led by president of the Association of Teaching Staff (ATS) of Lord Mahavira Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, has met vice-chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. The delegation went to the university to apprise the VC of its miserable plight and handed over him a memorandum of their problems and demands.

President of the association V K Thukral said the staff was being paid meager salaries which amounted to just 16 per cent to 20 per cent of the amount recommended by their statutory body University Grant Commission and Punjab Government. He said there were no policies of promotion, study leave, maternity leave and pay scales of the institution. The secretary of the ATS, Dr Parmod Kumar, said the VC of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences gave a positive response.

Dr Parmod reiterated that it was very difficult to meet both ends with the existing salaries in the present time when prices of all essential commodities, school fee of children and cost of living were skyrocketing. He further disclosed that they had not been given any enhancement after 2007 and they were working under protest since then. They had even refused one increment offered by the management.

Ludhiana, August 21
In comparison to international theatre, Indian theatre is lagging far behind, observed Paresh Rawal in his capacity as a theatre director and artiste. The actor is in the city to stage his famous play “Shaadi@barbaadi.com” which is an adaptation of a Marathi play.The play will be performed at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan tomorrow.

A lot need to be done as far as Indian theatre is concerned and it is must to bring new artistes at the forefront so as to evolve a whole new world of theatre, the actor said.

The crew of Shaadi@barbaadi.com includes Vaishali Thapar, Rinku, Sheetal, who received rave reviews for their respective portrayals in India as well as overseas.

The play has been staged in America, London and Dubai . The play has also been performed in Gujarati.

When asked about the mainstream Hindi cinema actors trying their hands at theatre, the artiste said a straight no, adding that, “Such experiments have failed badly as film actors can’t do justice in terms of perseverance, passion and commitment required for theatre. Only actors like Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah have the potential for real theatre.”

The actor expressed ignorance on the ban on staging of famous play “Charandass Chor”, however, he termed it as uncalled for in terms of freedom of thought and expression which is the essence of theatre.

Speaking on the new genre movies and directors, Paresh Rawal termed the present era as “golden period” in India cinema. “It’s the new thought, technique and wider perspective that has helped the younger professionals to do away with the monotony that ruled Indian cinema for decades. Looking at the work of Vishal Bhardwaj, Anuraag Kashyap and Diwakar Banerjee, I feel my future is safe,” Paresh Rawal went on to add. 

Ludhiana, August 21
Everything that is needed to make a dream wedding a wonderful occasion is available at the star-studded edition of Wedding Asia 09 exhibition that opened at Hotel Park Plaza today.

The exhibition showcases an amazing collection of wedding necessities from wedding trousseau to dazzling designer jewellery, from accessories to home décor interiors and furnishings and from wedding planners to honeymoon destinations. Some of the names worth mentioning are Satya Paul, Mona Lomba and Pali Sachdev of Monapali, Abdul Halder and Khalid.

By carefully combining jewellery with dress, women assert their individuality, creativity and good taste. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to view the brightest and best that the country has to offer.

In Indian marriages, gifting furniture is an everlasting tradition and is difficult job to select the trendy item at the same time useful furniture for newly weds and exhibition has the solution. Strot is the retail initiative of the Continental Group catering to a discerning few with a fine taste of living.

At the exhibition, visitors will get an opportunity to choose stylish and traditional saris, lenghas, suits, kaftans, tunics and traditional, modish and trendy jewel pieces.

Ludhiana, August 21
PAU Zone girls proved their mettle and emerged champions in the two of the three categories in the Inter-Zonal Table Tennis Tournament organised by the District Education Department at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar branch, here today.

Girl students of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School gave good account of themselves and helped the PAU Zone to wrap up the title in the under 14 category. In the final they outnumbered the Ludhiana II Zone 3-1.

In the first match, Yashi of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir prevailed over Amol 11-9, 11-8, 9-11 and 11-9 to put her team into the lead. Dhriti of BVM scored win in straight sets 11-7, 11-7 and 11-9 to consolidate the lead (2-0).

However, in the third match, Shubh from the Ludhiana II Zone proved too good for Gurleen of BVM and wrapped it up 11-7, 11-6 and 11-9 to reduce the lead (2-1).

In the fourth match, Yashi managed to beat Himani 11-7, 9-11, 11-8 and 11-8 which fetched the PAU Zone the title.

In the under-17 category, the PAU Zone beat the Khanna Zone 3-1 to bag top honours while the Khanna Zone outperformed the PAU Zone in similar fashion to win the title in the under-19 category.

Principal of the Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Udham Singh Nagar, Sunil Arora, gave away prizes to the winners. Baljeet Singh Gill, Director, Sports, thanked the participants and wished them good luck for the next session.

Ludhiana, August 21
After surviving anxious moments, seeded players managed to advance into the next round in the Punjab Open Snooker Tournament at Sutlej Club, here today. Top seed Dharminder Lilly quelled a strong resistance from Romy Malik before romping home victorious 3-1, while another seeded player Ashish Dhanda faced a Herculean task against Yash Mehan whom he eventually overpowered 3-2.

Results: Sunny b Deepak Hanspal 3-0; Ashish Dhanda b Yash Mehan 3-2; Deepu b Sandeep Jalota 2-0; Bharat Joshi b Inder 3-1; Vinay Chawla b Mishu 3-0; Dheeraj Soi b Punit Sharma 3-2.

Sahil Sharma b Rajat 2-1; Anmoldeep b Sursimar Singh 2-0; Ankit Jairath b Amit Chaudhary 2-1; Romy Malik b S Khullar 2-0; Sidharth Sharma b Rohit Gupta 2-1; Vivek Chopra b Ajay Goel 2-0; Dhruv Verma b Parul 3-1; Nitin Gupta b Anuj Nayyar 3-0; Vivek Chopra b Ajay Goel 2-0 and Aayush Kumar b Daanish 3-0.