Amritsar, October 27
In a damage-control exercise, the Amritsar administration has geared up to cope with the ragging menace in educational institutions, despite the fact that so far negligible cases of ragging have been reported in the district.

Nevertheless, complying with Supreme Court guidelines on the anti-ragging problem, especially in higher educational institutions, the administration today formed anti-ragging squads.

A state-level meeting, with heads or representatives of various educational institutions, focusing on the ragging menace, was conducted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner K.S. Pannu here.

While talking to The Tribune, Pannu said, “All the higher educational institutions in the district have already been apprised of the Supreme Court’s guidelines regarding the eradication of ragging by a notification.” Though, during the meeting, it was discovered that for the past one year not even a single case of ragging had come to light in educational institutions, technical institutes or universities falling in the district.

Meanwhile, the administration has instructed all the heads of institutions to display anti-ragging posters on noticeboards of their institutions.

“Besides this, the heads have been told that from the next session all students taking admissions should be told to give in writing that their admission should be terminated without any delay if they indulge in subjecting their junior or fellow students to any kind of atrocities. Some of the institutes have already complied with these instructions,” said Pannu.

It has been decided that in case any ragging incident comes to light, the heads should immediately bring it to the notice of the subdivisional magistrates (SDMs) or the deputy superintendents of police (DSPs). Those who attended the meeting included SP (City) P. Yadav and representative heads of Guru Nanak Dev University, Khalsa College, BEd College, Khalsa College of Education for Women, Dental College, SR Government College for Women and BBK DAV College.

Amritsar, October 27
In a significant development, the X-ray centres would now have to obtain licences from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Mumbai, after taking requisite no-objection certificate from the authorities concerned before setting up an X-ray centre.

In an order received by the Health Department, the board has imposed a condition that persons interested in establishing X-ray centres have to take NOC from the Civil Surgeon of the district, the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, the Pollution Control Board and the Housing Society Board who would provide an NOC after inspecting the site.

They would investigate whether the norms laid down by the board have been fulfilled during the construction of the centre.

Civil Surgeon Dr Lehmbar Singh said the department would initiate action against erring X-ray centres. The existing X-ray centres would also have to take licences after fulfilling the norms of the board.

Nearly 200 X-rays centres are reportedly operating in the holy city and a majority of these are run without the necessary safety measures issued by the AERB. However, the Health Department does not have any record pertaining to these centres.

These alleged unauthorised centres, running in semi-commercial and residential areas, pose a grave health threat not only to a large number of employees working in them but the radiation also affects residents living next to these centres, which also include the centres run in private nursing homes and those run by various sewa samitis.

Despite the fact that the apex court has directed the government to establish a regulatory authority in view of the invisible danger to the health of a large section of people, the health authorities have been looking the other way on the pretext that they were not empowered to check them.

It may be recalled that a two-member team from the radiological safety division of AERB which had visited the city to inspect the X-ray centres, had found glaring violations of the norms regarding registration, infrastructure, radiation monitoring, prevalence of radiation detection system, etc. which were regulated by the board after the Supreme Court’s directions.

The team had given a month’s time to all X-ray centres to comply with the norms, failing which they would have to face stringent action. In 2003, the apex court had reportedly issued directions for establishing some radiation protection authority such as the directorate of radiation safety in every state which would directly be associated with the AERB and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to check centres violating norms.

Amritsar, October 27
Hundreds of farmers today gheraoed the office of the Deputy Commissioner here to protest against the non-fixing of the minimum support price (MSP) for Pusa 1121, a variety of paddy, depriving them of their due bonus, and atrocities on the farmers by procurement officials.

Condemning the authorities’ move, the farmers’ representatives also alleged strong nexus between private firms and traders, who were exploiting the farmers by lifting the paddy at the rate which suited to them.

The farmers demanded rates prescribed under the Dr MM Swaminathan Committee recommendations, which had fixed Rs 1,500 per quintal for paddy, Rs 3,500 per quintal for Basmati Pusa and Rs 4,000 per quintal for Basmati 370 and 386, relaxation of up to 22 per cent in the moisture content and abolition of the conditions for discoloured crop.

“Since the government agencies refuse to lift certain qualities of paddy like PAU 201, we have been left on the whims and fancy of the private agents who leave no stone unturned to exploit us,” opined Rattan Singh Randhawa, a representative of a farmers’ organisation, while addressing from the platform shared by seven farmers’ organisations.

“The condition of 18 per cent moisture contents last year has been lowered to 17 per cent this year, which is hard to achieve. This is where the authorities make excuse for not lifting our paddy and we are left with no option but to bear the brunt of agents of private firms. Similarly, the 4 per cent condition of the moisture content for broken and discoloured paddy is also not a valid one,” Balwinder Singh Bhindi, a farmer, said.

“What to talk of, even the weight of the sack is not complied with as per the prescribed norms fixed at 665 grams. The private firms dupe us by deducting enhanced weight of sacks,” rued the farmers.

The farmers later submitted a memorandum to the DC.

Amritsar, October 27
In view of the scarcity of forest area the Divisional Forest Department is eyeing private public land and encouraging community participation for meeting the green belt target in the state. “We will give you income generation sources of your choice, give us cooperation in conserving and establishing green belts,” that’s what is the latest mantra adopted by the Divisional Forest Department, Amritsar, to preserve the trees.

The Forest Department, after getting the survey done at some of the identified areas, offered the natives employment opportunities of their choice while asking them to plant and raise saplings in their areas. Elaborating further, Nirmaljeet Singh Randhawa, Divisional Forest Officer, said the idea worked wonders as a lot of response could be generated from the community in planning, executing and monitoring the project of saplings’ plantation. “At Rakh Ghagrewal in Taran Taran district, which is situated on the Beas river, we came to know that people need a boat to go across the river. So we provided them with one. In lieu, they became part of our drive for preserving the forest area,” he said.

It is evident to mention that the Divisional Forest Department, under the National Afforestation Programme (NAP), has adopted 34 villages around Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts. The state government has initiated various skill development programmes in these areas to secure the future of the rural youth and women, thereby alluring them into joining its afforestation programme.

At present, six week to six month-duration skill development programmes have been designed for the unemployed educated youth, which included tailoring, embroidery, welding, AC and refrigeration, computer hardware, bakery, etc. It is important to mention that there are hardly any regular forests in the district with exception of four “rakhs”, the old reserved forests covering 9.64 sq km.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department has been given the task of developing these four rock forest areas into wildlife conservation resources. The Rakh Gaghrewal is one among them. The other three forests are Serai Amanat Kahn, Rakh Bhoru, both in Tarn Taran district, and Rakh Sarai Mand in the Kamaalpur forest area.

“The idea behind is to protect wildlife treasure, which is going to get extinct for want of proper planning and conservation policies. After identifying these four forest areas as rock forest areas, plans are afoot to preserve and make conducive atmosphere for wildlife,” said Randhawa.

Amritsar, October 27
The five-day Indo-Pak (Sanjh) festival saw an exhibition of paintings at the Virsa Vihar. The exhibition was organised by Bhupinder Nanda, vice-president Art Gallery in collaboration with contemporary artists of Amritsar.

Young artist Narinder Singh displayed artworks like woman with the pot (wood). Another work which attracted people was titled ‘flame’ made of the root of wood.

All the walls of two rooms were decorated with the various artistic works.

Sukhpal Singh was another national artist. He worked on theme of poverty. His work ‘freedom’ demonstrated the scene of a developing nation with a people still ridden by poverty.

Kulwant Singh Gill’s paintings talked of the Punjabi cultural scene.

Mala Chawla, with her abstract art depicts the pain of female feticide. Her cubic style enhanced her works.

Dr. Baldev Gambhir also created works in abstract style. Neeta Mohindra also a famous actress, in her paintings devoted her attention to the different facets of women.

Dharminder Sharma, member of the Indian Academy of Fine Art was another genius whose work was highly applauded. His painting vision of nature depicted two eyes watching the different sides of nature. How nature destroys itself and again re-constructs itself.

Atul Sharma’s artistic work emphasised on discrimination between the rich and poor. The other works were by Preety Gill, Jyoti Khanna, Gulshan Kumar, Sadna and Kamaljit Kaur. 

Amritsar, October 27
As many as 18 contestants from the North Zone's zonal contest of Mr Singh International managed to qualify for the pre-final round after passing through a grueling array of personality tests in the auditorium of Sri Guru Ramdas Institute of Medical Sciences yesterday. The pre-final round of Mr Singh International would be held at Raipur (Chhatisgarh) on November 8.

A total of 70 Sikh youths sporting colourful and smart turbans walked the ramp.

This year edition of Mr Singh Internatiional would be the third attempt by its organiser Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj (APKF) while the earlier editions were held in 2005 and 2007.

All the contestants hailed from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh besides Punjab. The opening round was physique round in which the contestants showed their muscle power while wearing black turbans and the same colour jeans.

It was followed by formal wear round in which the contestants walked the ramp in three piece and two peace suits.

They displayed their mind and creative power in the talent round in which they spellbound the audience with various performances. They rendered shabds, songs and self-written poems. Some of them performed bhangra and western dance.

Nanak Singh from Khanna mesmerised the viewers by playing flute and tabla. Audacious performance of traditional Sikh martial art Gatka and magic show by APKF's Gurdaspur unit entertained the participants. The APKF would also hold its international contests at Australia and England. The competition for Sikh youths for Australia would be held at Melbourne on November 2 while for the youth residing in Europe it would be organised at Ramgarhia Community Hall in London on November 7.

Inside the country, the APKF would hold its zonal contest for the Sikh youths hailing from southern and central India at Nagpur on November 1. While it has already held contest for the youth hailing from Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at Rudrapur (Uttarakhand) on October 25. Eventually, the top 20 contestants would be put through a grueling fortnight long personality development exercise before the grand finale which is scheduled to be held at Khalsa College here on November 28.

Jaswinder Singh of the APKF said the top contestent would undergo personality development course including spoken English, group discussion, dress sense, gesture making and much more.

Amritsar, October 27
The 35th Annual Convocation of Guru Nanak Dev University today turned out to be extraordinary event for many. But if you ask some of the recipients, who showed their immense grit and determination to achieve their doctorate degrees, their voices echoed the same feeling. “This is the most glorious achievement we have had in years,” they said.

The students and staff present in the Dashmesh Auditorium of GNDU gave a booming welcome as soon as these special recipients reached the stage while being escorted by their family members.

As many as three visually challenged and two physically handicapped persons were awarded with the PhD degrees during the convocation.

Kulwinder Kaur (34), physically challenged and a resident of Tarn Taran, who arrived on stage on a wheel chair was conferred upon with the PhD degree in Punjabi. She worked on the topic “Nit Nem De Sankalp”.

Sharing her difficult moments, she said, “It was only my faith in the God that fuelled me to face difficult times. Not to forget the enormous support I got from my family members who stood by me in hard circumstances.”

Kulwinder suffered from polio at the age of three and till Class 5th she studied privately at home. Emotionally chocked, Iqbal Singh, her father said his daughter has made his family proud. Very humble Kulwinder did not forget to thanks her mentor and guide Dr Jatinderpal Singh Jolly, Prof of School of Punjabi Studies, who recently passed away in a road mishap.

Another wonder siblings Yogesh Sharma and his sister Namita Sharma, both visually challenged, received doctorate degrees in music instrumental and musical vocal, respectively. Their handicap never came in their way to success and they took it in their stride to make their name in the field of music. Both appeared on the dias while being escorted by their mother to collect their prized possession.

Yogesh, assistant professor at Government College for Women, Ludhiana, who remained a gold medalist in post graduation, took five years to bag his dream title along with his sister, Namita on the same day.

And not the least, was Dr Gurcharn Singh Muhay, a 72-year-old man who despite his illness reached the venue to bag the title. He was escorted by his son Balwant Singh who said his father was so enthusiastic about the function that he urged to receive the degree with his own hands. “What more determination can be expected other than this that despite his lower portion being non-functional he managed to reach the spot”, said Balwant.

It is pertinent to mention that Dr Muhay himself is a homeopathic qualified besides a literary person with a number of books in Punjabi and Gurbani to his credit.

Tarn Taran, October 27
The students of the Sri Guru Angad Dev College, Khadur Sahib, 22 km from here, who lifted the trophy in the B-Division in the zonal youth festival, were given a warm welcome on their return to the college.

As many as 17 teams from Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts participated in the festival, organised by Guru Nanak Dev University, which concluded on Monday at the university campus.

The performers were received by the students, teachers and the known personalities of the area by drums and flowers.

The artistes of the college bagged first position in western vocal solo, group song, classical dance, one act play as well as in the bhangra item.

The college which is being run under the supervision of Baba Sewa Singh Head of Kar Sewa Sect, Khadur Sahib.

The bhangra team had already been invited several times to visit UK, Canada, China and other countries to take part in cultural competitions.

Amritsar, October 27
Carrying on with the tradition, the 62nd Infantry Day was celebrated today by the Panther Division at Dograi War Memorial, Khasa, near here, today.

A special Sainik Sammelan was also organised on the occasion. Major General Balbir Pamma, GOC, Panther Division, said on this very day in 1947, a squad of this division forced Pakistani intruders out of Srinagar.

The Army jawans observed two minute silence to pay homage to the departed souls. Those present on the occasion included Brigadier A.K. Gang, GOC, Brigadier Dilawar Singh, Commander Dugrai Brigade and other officers of the Army.

Meanwhile, discussions were held on global warming and sustainable development to mark International Day of Climate Action. The deliberations also focused on the holistic development of Amritsar on international lines. The members were critical about the lackadaisical attitude of the government and non-committal attitude for development of Amritsar International Airport. — TNS