Bathinda, October 1
Just a week after it was inaugurated with much fanfare by Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) here has hit turbulence with four women employees of the IHM today accusing the principal-cum-secretary of the institute of sexually harassing them.

The complaint signed by four women employees of the institute accused SK Banerjee, the principal-cum-secretary of the IHM of pressurizing them to stay with him in the institute till late in the evening and also to attend the office on holidays. Further, the principal was accused of insisting that the women employees accompany him for lunch at his house located in the Civil Station area, where he stays alone.

Lashing out at the principal, the women staff specifically mentioned, "On the holidays, first, he starts unnecessary personal gossip with female staff, then starts keeping erotic story-books on the table, clicks their photographs in his mobile phone, browses erotic websites on the internet in presence of female staff in the official computer and finally forces her to go to his lonely residence."

They mentioned that any woman who avoid accompanying him in his official car is harassed by him. Elaborating on the issue, the complainants said the principal kept offering lift to the women employees just for the sake of personal interaction. They complained of severe mental trauma and distress as the workplace was proving to be unsafe for them.

The complainants have sent the letter to principal secretary of the department of tourism, National Human Rights Commission NHRC), National Commission for Women, Punjab State Commission for Women, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh and Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda. In the letter, the complainants have requested the officials to take immediate action, failing which some of them could become a victim of rape or commit suicide.

Immediately after receiving the letter, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari formed an investigation committee comprising three women officials-the ADC (General) Shruti Chaudhary as chairperson, Civil Surgeon Neelam Bajaj and District Revenue Officer Kiran Jain as members.

Confirming the details, the DC said, "The allegations are very serious. So a committee has been formed immediately which would submit its report within a week. If the accused is found guilty, a criminal case would definitely be lodged against him."

On his part, SK Banerjee, the principal-cum-secretary of the institute, refuted all allegations, saying, "It is a new institute, so to make it successful, we all work till late hours. None of the women staff are being forced to do work after 5.30 pm."

He denied any malafide intention towards the women staff. Pleading that the news be not published, he said, "You please come to meet me in person, we will sort out the issue as there is nothing as serious as you are making it out to be."

Bathinda, October 1
During the recent Navratra period, Sahara Jan Seva volunteers found two girls-one four-year-old and the other two-month-old, who were reportedly abandoned by their family members.

Giving information, president of the Sahara Jan Seva, Vijay Goyal said the four-year-old girl was recovered from the Bathinda railway station about a week back. Despite their best efforts, they could even get her name, whereabouts or other details which could give clue to help trace her parents. He said the girl was mum ever since she was found.

About the two-month-old baby girl, he said that about three days back, some passengers and staff of the Punjab Mail train informed him that a girl wrapped in a blanket was lying on seat number 58 of the B-5 air-conditioned coach of the train. Reacting to his request, the train staff handed over the baby to the GRP staff at Jakhal, from where she was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Jakhal.

After registering a case under section 317 of the IPC against the unidentified mother of the child, GRP Jakhal gave her custody to the Sahara volunteers, who took her to Bathinda.

Goyal informed that volunteers of the NGO had taken both girls to their homes and are taking care of them. They were also trying to trace the family members of the girls.

Bathinda, October 1
Having worked with dedication for the cause of blood donation for almost 15 years now the United Welfare Society, Bathinda, was honoured for doing a commendable job at a function in Delhi today.

Bathinda outnumbers other districts of Punjab in blood donation which was proved again at an event organized by NACO and the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) on the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day today in New Delhi where Vijay Bhatt, founder president of the society, was honoured.

The society was also acknowledged at a state-level function at Sangrur today.

The society had also organised a blood donation bank at Faridkot where around 33 units were collected. Another camp was organized at the Civil Hospital, Bathinda, where 32 units were collected.

A 'jaago', awareness rally, was also carried out at village Jodhpur Romana near Bathinda which was flagged off by assistant civil surgeon, Bathinda, Dr I.B. Aggarwal.

Some donors from the United Welfare Society were also honored by the Government Medical College, Patiala, yesterday. These included Jugal Kishore Arora, Baljeet Nagpal, Jagjeet Kumar and Bhupinder Mann.

Donors who were honoured today at Sangrur were Prempal Mittal, Rajinder Singh, Parveen Maheshwari, Hardeep Singh and Mahaveer Prasad. 

Bathinda, October 1
"Yeah, walking is a passion for me," Dhindsa said, adding that the ultimate aim is being fit. "Live and live beautifully, that in fact is the purpose of being fit," he explained to The Tribune today evening on the occasion of the International Seniors’ Day.

Just five months back, Dhindsa had won laurels for Punjab by securing second position in the 5 km walk in 60 plus group at the 30th Masters National Athletics Championship held in Hisar. He represented Punjab in the championship organised by the Masters Athletics Federation of India. He completed the walk in just 30.25 minutes which is a record in itself.

A retired chief engineer of the PSEB, Patiala, Dhindsa, has been bringing laurels to the state in several veterans' athletic meets in the past.

Dhindsa presents an apt example of the idiom - better late than never - as his desire of participating in sports had been under wraps for almost 43 years of his age when he first gave wings to his childhood's wish. "I wanted to participate in sports but due to some unavoidable circumstances, I could not do the same. I hit the track at the age of 43 years," he said. But after that there was no looking back.

A chat with Dhindsa also busted several myths. "Apart from a disciplined lifestyle, nothing else is required to be fit," he said. "I do not take any food supplement, no vitamins and any other thing," he said, adding, "Even during mild fever and cold, I avoid medicines. Moreover, I am a vegetarian and my preferred drink is nimboo pani."

He gets up at 5 o'clock in the morning, importantly, without any alarm. His day begins with meditation, yoga and some light exercise at the thermal stadium.

"I maintain a strict daily regime as far as diet is concerned. I start with milk, particularly during winter, some dates, almonds. My lunch comprises three to four chapatis, vegetable and some curd and dinner is again dal and chapatis," he said.

However, he has an appetite for reading, "I am curious, I read and read more, my domain of interest are books on technical subjects, people and places, geography etc."

But amid all these, the main thing remains the walk. A six km walk in the evening everyday at the local Rose Garden, opposite his house in the Green Avenue, is a must nowadays as he is nurturing the dream of winning glory for the nation at world veterans' championship. 

Bathinda, October 1
The International Seniors' Day was celebrated by the Senior Citizens Council, Bathinda, today under the guidance of its president Prof DS Mastana. 

As many as 50 seniors participated in different items. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Mastana said these participants had sailed the boat of their lives successfully and still have great vigour to carry forward. 

That is why they are taking part in the race and walk, he explained.

Results of the events held are as under: Brisk walk 400 m (above 70m years)-Mohan Lal Bansal 1st, OP Gupta and Nand Lal Monga IInd; 200m race (60-65 years)--- GS Dhindsa 1st, GC Goel IInd, JR Goel IIIrd; 100m race (66 to 70 years)--- Dr Jot Ram Jain 1st, Jawahar Lal Khurana IInd, Nachhattar Singh IIIrd.

District Sports Officer SS Buttar was honoured with siropa on the occasion. KN Gupta, secretary of the Council thanked the guests and participants for making the function a success. — TNS

Bathinda, October 1
Facing an acute shortage of funds, the 17-year-old Red Cross drug de-addiction centre located on Gonaina road was closed down on Wednesday but it reopened this evening after getting a month-long fresh extension.

According to information available, there were only two patients in the centre on Wednesday, when it was closed down. One of them was discharged while the other, Gurcharan Singh of UP, was shifted to the drug de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital, here.

This 15-bed centre was being run on a fixed grant of about Rs 7 lakh per annum, released by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. But for the past over two years, the centre could not get funds, failing which officials said no option was left but to close it down.

It may be mentioned that citing its inability to bear more expenses, the District Red Cross Society had already given an ultimatum to close it down.

On the other hand, the union ministry had objected to the action of the District Red Cross Society as it was charging for the building of the de-addiction centre, which is actually owned by the society itself. Further, the officials of the society were reportedly avoiding putting signature on some formal documents regarding further agreement. Due to these reasons, the union ministry had been reluctant in releasing further grants.

The centre had a debt of more than Rs 10 lakh, which was given on loan by the District Red Cross Society. With the hope of getting the matter sorted out soon, the staff at the center was providing services without any remuneration for the past couple of months.

To consider the pros and cons of closing down the centre, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, who is also the chairman of the District Red Cross Society, today held a meeting with the officials concerned and decided to reopen it for one more month and asked the officials to do their best to get the grant released, completing all related formalities.

Confirming the development, the DC said that he spoke to officials of the union ministry concerned, who assured him of releasing the grants by the end of this month. However, he added that till the grant is released, the staff employed there could not be given any remuneration.

Moga, October 1
Eminent educationist of the area Vasantha Abraham (75) breathed her last here on Tuesday. Vasantha migrated here from Tamil Nadu in the year 1970 with her husband and son and started running a small school with just five students in a rented accommodation in the year 1971-72. A landlord of the town offered her about three acres of land to construct a school of her own.

She raised loans from the local banks and constructed a building to run the school. Initially, the school was affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board but in the year 1983, she managed to get affiliation with the ICSE board.

Now, she has left the school with more than 3,000 students with a huge building imparting education at an affordable fee to the urban as well as rural students. Her last prayers would be performed on the school premises on October 3 at 11 am, revealed her son Rex Abraham. 

Bathinda, October 1
In a new development during this cotton season, labourers skilled in picking cotton directly out of the balls growing on plants have set a new trend by plucking the balls first and then picking cotton later on. Various reasons are being given for this change. First, labourers suffer itching while picking Bt cotton directly.

Secondly, the temperature is still above normal at this time of the year, which makes the labourers uncomfortable in the fields. Whatever be the reason, despite being arduous, labourers find the process to be beneficial as while plucking the cotton balls, they engage their family members too.

A farmer, Nachhatar Singh of Jassi Pau Wali village, who was present in the cotton market with his crop, said, “This season, labourers complained of high temperature due to what they first plucked the balls and then picked cotton out of it.

We are not able to do the job on our own, so ultimately their comfort cost us much higher. They have been charging about Rs 400 per quintal approximately, which could otherwise have cost us somewhere around Rs 250 per quintal.”

Confirming the facts, a labourer Ram Nath, who along with seven of his family members was busy plucking cotton balls on the Talwandi Sabo road, said, “Earlier, when the crop used to be ready for picking, temperature generally dipped. But this year, the mercury is still high. We have been reasonably charging about Rs 100 more for the extra labour in hot weather.”

“Till last season, we were four members who used to pick cotton directly from the balls, without separating them from the plants. That process was a bit tedious and children could not be deployed for the job. As a result, the total quantity of cotton picked used to remain low,” said, Jila Singh, a labourer.

His co-worker Prabhat Kumar said, “When farmers are ready to pay more, why would we do the tough task-picking cotton under the direct sun? Plucking cotton balls is a speedy process and then sitting in shade, we extract the cotton out of it.

Though it seems to consume more time, but by engaging the whole family, we pick more cotton in quantity than the traditional method of picking directly.” When contacted, Amrit Pal Singh Brar, associate professor at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda, said, “As per our reports, itching from which labourers suffered, is due to working in high temperature. Otherwise, Bt cotton does not create any such problem. It is the change in climate that has forced the labourers to adopt this way of picking cotton.”

Mansa, October 1
To continue their agitation for plots and job cards, Mazdoor Mukti Morcha and CPI (ML) held a rally and leaders of both the outfits called upon the labourers to intensify their struggle.

A rally in this regard was held on May 19 as well. During the rally, the district administration had assured the labourers to provide them with plots and job cards within three months time but on the contrary the leaders of both the outfits were sent to the jail.

Addressing the rally today, central committee member of CPI (ML), Swapan Mukherjee said agitation for plots would be launched at the national level as crores of people do not have houses to live in.

Vice-president of All India Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Krishna Adhikari, said it was very shameful that a majority of population was deprived of the basic facilities.

State secretary of CPI (ML) Rajwinder Singh Rana and state secretary of (MMM) Bhagwant Singh Sammaon criticised the district administration for not fulfilling their promise. A memorandum was given to the deputy commissioner, which was received by the SDM Mansa in the rally. 

Sangaria (Rajasthan), October 1
Agro-scientists have stressed upon the need to adopt the latest technology innovations to increase the production of crops in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, which is the main agricultural belt of the desert state.

A major portion of the farming community in this district comprise the Jats from Haryana and Punjab, who hold more than 50 per cent of the productive landholdings and had converted the desert into one of the most fertile lands in the state.

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Sangaria in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, which has taken up the task to raise the socio-economic status of the farming community in association with the State Agriculture University (Bikaner) celebrated a five-day agricultural technology week that concluded here recently.

During the week-long programme, the farmers were educated on drought management and various other latest technologies of agriculture and its allied fields.

Dr Anoop Kumar, programme coordinator of the KVK, inaugurated the technology week while AS Chhimpa, joint director agriculture posted at Ganganagar, chief guest of the programme addressed the farmers about drought management.

Dr CS Sharma, agronomist, delivered the lecture on kharif and rabi crops cultivation. Dr Umesh Kumar, entomologist, stressed upon pest management, especially, on seed treatment in rabi crops.

Dr Data Ram, plant pathologist, briefed about disease management, particularly, on safe use of pesticides. Dr SK Sharma, assistant director agriculture, imparted information to the farmers about different programmes of state government.

Dr Satbir Singh, animal scientist asked the farmers to also adopt allied professions of agriculture by practicing modern dairy farming, feed and fodder management, poultry and piggery farming that would enhance the economic condition of the rural folk.

Dr TC Meharada, deputy director of the animal husbandry department, imparted knowledge on vaccination and animal insurance scheme.

Dr AK Gupta, manager of the Gangmul Dairy (Hanumangarh) emphasised the need to start dairy units as an income generating activity. Randhir Singh, assistant fisheries development officer informed about the modern techniques to increase the fish production.

Interestingly, hundreds of women were also especially called during the week-long celebrations and on September 24. 'A women self-help group day' was celebrated on this occasion. Shumer Singh Sheoran, deputy director of the Women and Child Development Department informed the farmwomen about the self-help group and its activities. The women were also educated on financial and marketing subsidy schemes of NABARD in both the farming and non-farming sectors.

Senior horticulturist, Dr MK Kaul, addressed the participants on kinnow cultivation, role of fertilisers, packing and online marketing system of kinnow fruits. Learning a lesion from the adjoining Abohar area of Punjab, the Rajasthan government is also laying stress on this citrus fruit production.

The water saving programme and protective farming day was also celebrated. Dr CS Sharma, agronomist of the KVK described the use and importance of different irrigation systems like sprinkler, drip, flood irrigation, besides, cultivation of low water requirement varieties for rabi crops. Dr Mahavir Kaswan Horticulturist briefed the participants on protective farming like poly and green house techniques.