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City going to the dogs
Chaos rule outside bus stand |
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Positive Side Effect
High-tech dairy farming becoming a rage
Govt lends a helping hand to rural games
Vegetables, fruits become dearer
PSMDTA opposes transfer of Prof Bhatia
Sidhu’s self-imposed exile flayed Ashok Sharma, Gurvinder Singh
DPS signs MoU with Canadian varsity
National Radiology Conference concludes
Time for bangles, mehndi
Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, shows her mehndi-applied hands on the Karvachauth eve in Amritsar. Photo: Vishal Kumar
NSS camp held at Qila Jiwan Singh village
Wanted Indo-Pak smuggler nabbed
No trace of their roots Gunga Ram and Rishipal at the Pingalwara Society. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Patwari held for graft
Honour for theatre artiste
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City going to the dogs
Amritsar, October 6 It takes not more than a round randomly in any part of the city to prove the point. The burning of garbage and residue of trees, filthy streets and refuse erupted out of rehris fail to catch the fancy of the authorities. Ironically, the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar has recently communicated to the Chief Engineer, Punjab State Electricity Board, for disconnecting electricity supply of those farmers who were engaged in burning of the paddy stubble, the remains after harvesting the crop. It is evident to mention that the administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the city to prevent this “act” and the noncompliance of these orders even could land the violators in prison under section 188 of the IPC. Questions are being raised over the relevance of these orders and the rationale behind preserving the environment through this way. Ironically, for cleaning the city, the local corporation, after spending Rs 12 crore has recently introduced 150 new rag-picking trucks and 500 waste collection trolley in the city and claims to induct 90 rag-pickup tractor trolleys, 9 compactors, 10 dumper placers, four road sweeping machines, 60 hand driven rehris and 60 rickshaw rehris daily in an endeavour to make the city “neat and clean”. The Tribune team took rounds of various corners of the city to observe the cleanliness, only to find that even this “heavy loaded” mechanism to deal with the garbage problem of the city has failed miserably. “It is virtually a nightmare to walk through the pedestrian paths along our shops. The clients hesitate to come to our shop because of the loads of filth. We have brought it to the notice of the authorities many a time but in vain,” rued a shopkeeper of a renowned market, preferring anonymity. Rattan Singh, a regular morning walker, who pointed towards Ram Bagh area near the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to show burning of tree leaves. “This garbage in this trolley is being spilling over but no one is bothered to take stock of this. No efforts are being initiated to have a check on the burning of garbage and tree leaves which has severely spoiled the green belts,” said Rattan Singh.
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Chaos rule outside bus stand
Amritsar, October 6 A visit to the bus stand revealed that it was also without security cover as no policemen was seen inside and outside of the terminal, which was constructed over a cost of Rs 22 crore nearly four years ago. However, the public at large is facing inconvenience like pressure horns, traffic hazards at entry and exit points of the bus stand. The construction of elevated road has thrown untold problems for passengers in reaching the bus stand. Equipped with a water treatment plant for purifying and reusing it for drinking purpose, the terminal is also equipped with a rain harvesting system so that the rainwater could be used for drinking and other purposes in the complex itself. However, the place around toilet sets is invariably found to be slippery as people splatter water which needed to be cleaned frequently. Spread over an area of about eight and a half acre, counters for eateries, cold drinks, tea vendors, newspapers and magazines greet the passengers under the covered area of the platform, which is surrounded by buses from all sides. A visit to the bus stand illustrates the fact that despite instructions people don’t use dustbins. Though the dustbins and spittoons have been set up at all vantage points, people spit at poles and other places. Officials of the private concern, which is managing the bus stand, said though they had deployed the cleaners for removing the garbage in enough numbers and adequate number of spittoons and dustbins were set up yet people did not bother to throw refuse in them. The people without realising the consequences spit and throw garbage on platform and especially road around it, which could prove dangerous for passengers themselves. The officials claimed that the terminal has the capacity of sixty buses entering and leaving simultaneously for different destinations. At a time 200 buses could be parked in the open area of the modern bus terminal. For optimum utilisation of the space, a basement area of more than 4,000 square metre is being used for the parking of cycles, scooters and other two-wheelers. Besides, it has office rooms earmarked for transport companies and also offers room for stay of passengers and pilgrims.
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Beautiful Rose Park
makes residential area popular
Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 6 Unlike other parks in the city, it has dense growth of shrubs, plants and lines of trees in order which attracts even a casual visitor in the colony. Proper pruning and well laid out plants give it a semblance of green cover all around. The residential area outclasses other colonies in the posh areas in this respect. The park is a bright spot for people living in the small colony behind the intersection of Maqbool area and the Mall Road. Rose Park Avenue was developed as a small 50-odd-house colony in the seventies. However, well planned landscaping and green park has become a place for everyone to relax, play and enjoy the colorful blooming flowers. A riot of colours and greenery, much to the delight of people living in this posh, add not only beauty to their dwellings but has made their properties expensive as well, said a resident Jugal Kishore Khanna. He said the people longed to possess their dwellings in the colony but the residents were reluctant to sell off their houses. It’s a shining example of the community effort, Khanna said, the residents contribute monthly to maintain the park. Each house contributes Rs 300 per month. As many as six gardeners and three watchmen are engaged for its upkeep. Three gardeners along with their families reside in the same park. Earlier, the welfare association of the locality used to rent out the park for marriage and other ceremonies but dropped the practice in order to develop and maintain the park. Presently, the entire landscaping, greenery and flowering of the area has been handed over to a homemaker Reva Khanna. She had undertaken a major project to green the sidewalks and the welfare association spends more than Rs 2 lakh annually to maintain the park and for its irrigation. Apart from fix monthly charges from the members, voluntary donations are another way of collecting the finance for its upkeep.
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High-tech dairy farming becoming a rage
Amritsar, October 6 As many as 250 such state-of-the-art units have come up in the district and its adjoining villages in less than two years and more persons are coming forward for adopting dairy farming. Under the high-tech dairy farming special machines are provided and special fans installed. Besides these, dairies are fitted with sprinklers to control temperature. Jagdev Singh, an entrepreneur and resident of Kila Jiwan Singh Wala village, while expressing his views pointed out that the production of wheat and paddy had become nonviable for small and marginal farmers due to high input cost and shortage of power. Opting for high-tech dairy farming had helped in generating more revenue. Punjab, a leader in agriculture sector, is now ready to usher in white revolution on the lines of Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited), a dairy cooperative movement set up in 1946 producing milk and other dairy products in Gujarat. Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner, who took initiative to develop dairy with modern techniques to shore up the production to meet the growing milk and its products need besides helping farmers to improve their economic conditions through diversification, said the administration was committed to provide opportunities to the farmers to make optimum use of the resources by going into high-tech dairy farming. He said the administration was organising camps and seminars for making aware the unemployed youth, besides providing training to interested ones. He said for encouraging dairy farming, the dairy farmers were being provided with Rs 1.5 lakh of subsidy for constructing modern high-tech cattle sheds. The government had also provided the facility of insurance for the milch cattle, besides financial assistance to the farmers. Meanwhile, Pannu distributed checques for Rs 1.5 lakh each to 11 youths for constructing high-tech cattle sheds.
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Govt lends a helping hand to rural games
Amritsar, October 6 The government has earmarked Rs 45 crore for developing world class sports infrastructure in the state, with special emphasis on the rural sports, which includes kabaddi, wrestling, hockey and football. The sports policy also specified that to secure the future of the sportsperson involved in these games, special schemes would be launched to create new job opportunities for them. According to officials, a grant of Rs 1 lakh to each village Panchayat would be released instantly. It is evident to mention that around 1,200 villages have been shortlisted to be covered under this programme in the first phase. Besides this, another amount of Rs 10,000 has been sanctioned for the sports clubs of each village for the purchase of sports equipment to encourage them to take to sports. Nevertheless, to garnish their sports skills, the state government is also planning to introduce modern infrastructure, scientific training programmes and organising regular tournaments. Elaborating it further, MLA Bikram Singh Majithia, also the patron of the Youth Akali Dal, said, “It is the need of the hour to develop modern sports infrastructure in the state besides imparting training to the youth in different sports disciplines. Their future needs to be made safe and sound if we expect good product in sports. For the purpose, the state government is planning special job opportunities reserved for sportspersons who are proficient in any discipline. Moreover, this move was necessary to put a cap on the sports drain to other states, too. The state is also inducting loads of money enabling the sportspersons of the state to have international exposure.” It is relevant to mention here the state government is organising a World Kabaddi League with prize money of Rs 1 crore for the winning team and Rs 50 lakh and Rs 25 lakh for the runners-up teams, respectively. In an immediate move, four existing international hockey stadia with latest astro turf facility is being upgraded besides constructing another three state-of-the-art stadiums in the state.
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Vegetables, fruits become dearer
Amritsar, October 6 Prices of fruits were especially high as its consumption saw an increased during the festival. Banana, which was earlier priced at Rs 25 to Rs 30 a dozen, was sold nearly at Rs 40. Similarly, apple became dearer by Rs 20. The prices which were Rs 60 shot up to Rs 80. A week before tomato was selling at Rs 10 a kg, is now Rs 25 a kg. Onion, which was available at Rs 11 a kg during Navratras, stood at Rs 22 per kg this week. Much to the dismay of common man, price of lady’s finger stood at Rs 30 per kg, cauliflower Rs 25 per kg and raddish at Rs 10 a kg, methi Rs 40 a kg, capsicum Rs 25 per kg. |
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PSMDTA opposes transfer of Prof Bhatia
Amritsar, October 6 Strongly condemning the transfer of Dr Bhatia, who is also president of the association, the medical teachers in its general body meeting expressed resentment. The association felt that he was being victimised as he was continuously demanding better facilities and working conditions for the patients, medical and paramedical staff. It is pertinent to mention here that piqued over the transfer orders, Dr Bhatia immediately submitted the three-month notice of his resignation to Principal Secretary Health Services leading to jeopardizing of medical services in the department. While the several professors of one premier medical institute are on verge of retirement, some of teachers have reportedly applied for resignation. The association led by Dr Karamjit Singh, general secretary of the association, demanded immediately cancellation of transfer orders. Dr Karamjit Singh pointed out that the association was of the view that all the problems of the medical teachers were due to total failure of administration and ad-hocism prevailing in the medical education department. The association also sought that the pay and pending allowances of the medical teachers should be released without any delay.
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Sidhu’s self-imposed exile flayed
Amritsar, October 6 He had gone out of the city in protest against the appointment of Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina as Improvement Trust chairman. Most of the residents are of the view that Sidhu may be a star or had differences with Chhina but he should have acted maturely since he represents lakhs of people. Ashok Sharma, running a computer shop, says whatever may be the reason of the rift, his absence was a loss to the constituency and its people besides revealing that the BJP was a divided house in the state as well. Rickshaw puller Rama Nand says people like him see celebrity leaders like Sidhu either in photographs or during election time holding rallies. “It does not make difference for us whether he remains out of the constituency for three months or three years.” Attari resident Gurvinder Singh said Sidhu had done creditable work for the holy city and raised its concerns in Parliament. However, his taking umbrage at Chhina’s elevation and remaining out of the constituency had not gone down well with the people. He felt that the issue could have been solved in a better way. Moreover, the matter was internal affairs of the party which was brought in full public glare, he added. Sidhu had announced that Chhina had failed to keep his electorates intact in his constituency. Hence, he should not have been given the coveted post. He stressed that the positions must be given on merit only.
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Sidhu’s email account hacked
Amritsar, October 6 According to information, Sidhu’s email-id
(sidhunavjot@gmail.com) has been accessed unauthorisedly. Confirming this, a police official told that a complaint has been received on behalf of the local MP and the investigation is on. |
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DPS signs MoU with Canadian varsity
Amritsar, October 6 Director, DPS, Akash Khandewal and Principal Sangeeta Singh represented the school, while Dr Ian Andrews, Director, International Programmes, of the University, signed the MoU. Meanwhile, the school had already signed an MoU with Malaspina University, the first state-funded university of Canada. The Principal of the school said with Punjabi all set to become the fourth biggest language in Canada by 2011, the interest of Canadian universities in Punjab seemed to be growing by leaps and bounds. The Indian language was projected to surpass Italian and German languages in Canada in the next two years. As per the MoU, students of DPS, Amristar, would have direct access to courses in SF University, undergraduates from the Canadian university would be offered short-term internship, faculty-level linkages would be developed, which include the exchange of guest lecturers from each other’s institutions. Efforts would be made for specific points of learning to promote value-based education and culture-heritage between both the countries, besides having teachers and students exchange programme for sharing the rich heritage of India and Canada. Meanwhile, the school also became a part of the International Secondary School Forum, formed by the International Educational Exchange Centre (IEEC) in partnership with the Canadian Education Centre, Delhi. Trade Commissioner Consulate General of Canada G. Sobti launched the National Principals Forum and informed that the objective of the IEEC was “Share-learn-collaborate-grow” at the international level. The Canadian representatives were Karuna, Director, International Students Programme, British Colombia, Ann Calvary, Edmonton Public Schools, Alberta, besides Shiela McLead of Calgary of Education. “It would be a great opportunity to work with local schools, NGOs, and explore international approaches to education in Canada for students of DPS, Amritsar. In addition, students can participate in international exchanges around the globe,” commented the school Director. The Principal, DPS, Amritsar, informed that their special areas of interest would be learning about community service programmes in Canada to ingrain responsibility and participation among the students towards their social environment.
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National Radiology Conference concludes
Amritsar, October 6 President, IRIA, Dr K. Prabhakar Reddy, stated this on the concluding day of the two-day National Radiology Conference held at the Department of Radio Diagnosis and Imaging of the Sri Guru Ramdas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SGRDIMSAR). He informed that a corpus of over Rs 20 lakh had been created for financially helping practising radiologists, faculty and the students to attend international conventions and seminars. He said a statutory body had been constituted to select the candidates. Directions had also been issued to hold resident courses for postgraduate students in medical colleges. The president, IRIA, hoped that the delegates had enriched themselves with the knowledge of the latest in the field of radiology. Dr Bharat Parekh Chairman, ICRI, remarked that it was the endeavour of the Indian College of Radiology to promote specialisation in radiology and keep the radiologists abreast of the latest at the world stage. Over 300 delegates from India and abroad participated in the two-day seminar. The Punjab Medical Council conducted the conference under the patronage of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association and Indian College of Radiology and Imaging (ICRI). The Head, Department of Radio Diagnosis, SGRDIMSAR, Dr C.L. Thukral, also Organising Chairman, ICRI CME 2009, informed that as many as 28 luminaries from the field of radiology discussed the latest in the field of musculoskeletal and endocrinological radiology. There would be discussions on radiology of joints, thyroid, pancreas and prostate, which would immensely benefit the general public. Delegates from across the country with eminent speakers from the PGIMER Chandigarh, medical colleges of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra participated in it. The conference was inaugurated by Secretary, Sri Guru Ramdas Trust, Joginder Singh in the presence of Rajender Singh Mehta, member, SGPC executive committee, and Dr Geeta Sharma, Director Principal, SGRDIMSAR. The secretary of the trust said knowledge was a continuous process and it was only through these conferences that medical professionals could keep pace with the rapidly changing scenario of medicine. He said the Department of Radio Diagnosis and Imaging here was one of the most well-equipped centres in the region having latest digital subtraction angiography machine, besides a state-of-the-art MRI, CT, mammography, USG and other conventional modalities.
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NSS camp held at Qila Jiwan Singh village
Amritsar, October 6 On the first day, a medical camp was organised by the NSS unit of the college in collaboration with the Red Cross Society in which about 200 villagers were examined and provided medicines free of cost by the Red Cross. Hygienists made the villagers aware of the importance of the dental hygiene. A dress-designing workshop by the Department of Home Science was also organised at the camp. Harpreet, lecturer in the department, gave the stitching lessons to villagers. The village women showed keen interest in the workshop. NSS volunteers gave English-speaking lessons to the village children. Dr Neelam Kamra, Principal of the college, said it was just a small service to develop the villagers, but they would try to do many things for them. Neelam Prabha, Vice-Principal of the college, Anu Khanna, Uma Chug, Amit, Anil, Rajbeant, Sumit, Raji Sharma and Baljeet Kaur, sarpanch of the village, were also present.
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Wanted Indo-Pak smuggler nabbed
Amritsar, October 6 Sabir, an Indian national, was evading arrest for the last nine months. He was wanted in connection with the smuggling of 14.620 kgs of heroin through two passengers boarding Samjhauta Express in January. According to information received here, Sabir had entered India via Nepal after staying for over nine months in Pakistan. Sabir was staying in Delhi when he was nabbed by the Customs squad. Confirming it, V.K. Mahajan, Assistant Commissioner, Attari Rail, Amritsar, told The Tribune that the accused has been sent to judicial custody. “We had information that he is entering the country through Nepal after nine months, so a strict vigil was kept and he was nabbed in Delhi.” It may be recalled that in January last two passengers of Indian origin- Sadeeqan and Akhtar Abbas were arrested by the Customs wing at Attari railway station for possessing this contraband. The contraband was found to be concealed in specially made cavities in the packing of a wall clock and a set of rearview mirror of a vehicle. The Customs squads got suspicious about their activities and investigated them. “On investigation these passengers revealed names of some others involved in the smuggling of drugs from Pakistan. Three persons came under scanner and Sabir was one among them. The other two were arrested but Sabir managed to evade arrest by crossing to the Pakistan side,” told Mahajan. However, the fate of their counterparts of Pakistan national could not be ascertained yet.
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No trace of their roots
Amritsar, October 6 As there was no other place to keep them, they were kept in All India Pingalwara Charitable Society, a home of destitute, old age and helpless persons. However, as the district administration failed to locate their homes, the society adopted them. Two of these five persons were sent to their homes after lots of efforts put in by the society while one person, Gagru, died after prolonged illness. Gunga and Rishipal (38), who are now mentally disturbed due to alleged torture during their imprisonment in Pakistan jail, were still languishing in the society. Dr Inderjeet Kaur, president of the society, said the Government of Pakistan released about 40 prisoners in July 2006. Majority of the released persons were suffering from diseases and mental ailments and not were in the condition to reveal their identity or whereabouts. She said it was the duty of the government to give them a home but the Amritsar administration had no arrangements for them. She said Deputy Commissioner Amritsar requested her to keep them at their society for a night and sent five people with two security guards. But even after a week, no one came to take them. Then Pingalwara society decided to adopt them and after legal formalities they took their responsibility. DC Kahan Singh Pannu said the administration could not locate native places because they were not in position to give any information. He said the administration could do nothing about them. |
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Patwari held for graft
Amritsar, October 6 Harish demanded the money for making corrections in the transfer deed done in 2005, which was not incorporated in the revenue records. He was caught by a vigilance team, led by Gurnam Singh, DSP, in the presence of government witnesses. A case has been registered at the Vigilance Bureau office here under the Prevention of Corruption Act. |
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Honour for theatre artiste
Amritsar, October 6 The function was organised at the erstwhile literary hub of the joint India-Pakistan at Preet Nagar where eminent artistes, dramatists, play wrights and literally giants would congregate during pre-Partition days. |
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Amritsar administration has been adamant on preserving the environment and sanitary conditions by tightening the noose around the farmers for burning the crop waste, the ground realities cry for immediate attention.
kind in Asia, ultra-modern bus terminal of the holy city is grappling with menace of haphazard parking of auto wheelers, rickshaws and
rehris.
Amritsar, October 6
Can Karvachauth be complete without ehndi and bangles? No is the clear cut answer. The markets are crowded with women, some applying mehndi and others buying bangles.Shops of bangles,
mehndi, sweets and saloons saw a huge rush of women and the rates were hiked accordingly. Deepak Kumar, a mehndi
wala, said he had increased the rates of mehndi. The demand has increased as unmarried girls also apply mehndi on their hands, he added. 
Gunga Ram (36) does not know where to go and what future has in store for him. Thanks to the lackadaisical approach of the district administration that has failed to locate his native place even after three years of his homecoming from Pakistan.