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System in place but no men to fight fire
Playing with health
Project Hangs in Balance |
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National Tourney
Deserted NRI brides cry for attention, is govt
Govt lands ‘turning’ into junk yards
Poor healthcare at hospital alleged
NDA block at Sainik Welfare Office
Veggies down, pulses on a high
Consumer samiti writes to MC
Police co-op society likely in Jalandhar
Computerisaton of land
records by next year: DC
No headway in Sunaina murder case
Young World
A space of one’s own
Jamsher Dairy Complex likely to get biogas plant, separate STP
Punjabi lies ignored in its own land
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System in place but no men to fight fire
Jalandhar, November 12 Experts state that the running of the system, installed at a cost of nearly Rs 28 lakh, needs a team of trained firemen to operate it. “Usually for large buildings, ex-servicemen are employed for this purpose as owing to their Army background they have some experience to tackle these kinds of incidents. This team must go through an obligatory training and regular refresher courses,” said a senior fireman, on the condition of anonymity. Moreover, a large number of hose pipes, needed to deliver water at the spot of incident, are missing or yet to be installed. As fitting these pipes to the main channels usually takes plenty of time, it is difficult to anticipate whether it would be possible in the absence of an expert fireman to connect these pipes to main channels. Gas-filled fire extinguishers, which always play additive role to control fire, are non-existent in the building, except at one or two places. On the other hand, officials claim that the job to control fire is only meant to be handled by the staff of the fire brigade. “Though we are going to recruit security personnel, only regular firemen will attend to the possible fire incident. As the system is controlled automatically, we need not recruit manpower specially for this purpose. Even the installation of fire extinguishers is not needed as the system already installed is sufficient to control fire,” said a senior official of the corporation who was closely attached to the construction of the building.
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Playing with health
Jalandhar, November 12 Eight community health centres (CHC) in the district were converted into first referral units (FRUs), which are meant to provide basic care to mother and newborn child under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY). According to norms of Indian public health standards, all five specialists --- paediatrician, gynaecologist, anaesthetist, surgeon and general physician --- should be posted in FRU. However, not even a single FRU in the district is running according to this basic norm. There is no paediatrician, anaesthetist and general physician on rolls in CHC Bara Pind. General surgeon visits the centre only for two days a week. Similarly, CHC Appra is working only with a surgeon. Posts of gynaecologist, paediatrician, anaesthetist and general physician are vacant. No permanent paediatrician, anaesthetist and surgeon is posted in CHC Kala Bakra. CHC Shahkot is running without the post of anaesthetist and with a vacant post of paediatrician. Posts of surgeon, physician and anaesthetist are lying vacant in CHC Shankar. CHC Lohia has no anaesthetist and paediatrician. Similarly, post of paediatrician and general physician are lying vacant in CHC Bundala and Kartarpur, respectively. Recently upgraded, CHC Adampur is running only with two medical officers. As many as 12 primary health centres (PHCs) in district were converted into 24x7 units. Seven of these units are running without female medical officer. Even the brief abstract document, prepared by the Health Department, which discussed moot issues before the final drafting of District Health Action Plan for 2009-12, itself narrates the trailing saga of this mission in the district. Regarding delivery of Mother Child Health Services, documents reads, “We are not able to give proper care to pregnant mothers as we are failing to achieve 100 per cent registration of pregnant mothers, which is mandatory under Janani Suraksha Yojana. With the present pace, we may fail in future to achieve the targets, aimed to reduce infant and mother mortality rate.” This abstract also revealed that the district is lagging behind proper and timely utilisation of untied funds allocated under the mission. According to abstract, there is no convergence between the functioning of Health and other departments and reports of community participation and motivation campaigns are not satisfactory. “Gigantic propaganda campaigns are planned only at peak times. For instance, propaganda against polio gains momentum only two weeks before polio round. This compromises the quality of community participation and sensitisation of masses. There should be continuous campaigns for protracted programmes like NRHM,” said senior official associated with the mission.The abstract also reads that there is no provision to provide security to staff and patients in PHCs converted into 24x7. There is no boundary wall around some buildings and staff is not secure in these PHCs during emergency hours.
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Project Hangs in Balance
Phagwara, November 12 Nagar Council President Balbhadhar Sein Duggal confirmed this while talking to The Tribune on Thursday. He said the MC had been instructed by the state government to sell its vacant land to contribute its share to materialise the prestigious project. Duggal said such lands would soon be identified and a resolution for their sale would soon be brought in next meeting of the MC. Meanwhile, Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary and Phagwara SDM Amarjeet Paul hold a meeting with the Chief Engineer Sewerage Board, Superintending Engineer, XEN of the Board, MC President BS Duggal and other officials concerned at Phagwara today and discussed the project in detail. The DC and SDM said under the Sutlej Action Plan, Directorate of National River Conservations and Union Ministry of Environment have agreed to launch Water Treatment Plant Phase-II in Hadiabad, for which 70 per cent share would be contributed by Union Government and 15 per cent share would be contributed by each state government and Phagwara Municipal Council. Meanwhile, the SDM said present water treatment plant near Palahai village would soon be extended on two more acres of land.
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National Tourney
Jalandhar, November 12 A student of MA (English), she has been looking forward to create her own niche in the sport. “It has been four years since I took up shooting as a sport. Abhinav’s impressive marksmanship definitely motivates us to perform better. We look forward to him as a role model,” she quipped. Even ace shooters like Gagan Narang, Samresh Jung, Suma Shirur, Sanjeev Rajput, P.T. Raghunath and Vijay Kumar would be participating in the rifle and pistol events in the coming days. “Initially, I was not confident but in the past some time I have witnessed a change in my concentration level. It has been just a year since I took up this sport and my performance has been improving. I am sure of a good show during this championship,” said Ayushi Dixit from Dehradun, who participated in the 10 metre air pistol event. It is for the first time that the championship has been sponsored by the Sahara group. Secretary-General of the PAP shooting range, Commandant Rakesh Kaushal, said, “Sahara India would be giving a cash prize of Rs 25,000 to the winners of ‘Sahara champion of champions’ in the air rifle and air pistol events.” The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) would give a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each in the rifle and air pistol events. “Shooters from both men and women categories would be awarded by the NRAI,” he added. Although a fair amount for the winners, a majority of the shooters rued lack of good sponsors in the game. “It is good that winners would be awarded but what about shooters who come from a mediocre families. Shooting is quite expensive and one requires good money to excel in the game,” said Saurav from Haryana, who is here to participate in the 10 metre air pistol event. “The state governments too did not provide us any support to sustain in this game. It is only after you make some mark in the sport that politicians and officials wake up to provide monetary assistance,” he added.
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Deserted NRI brides cry for attention, is govt
Jalandhar, November 12 According to the complaints received by the NRI Sabha since 1996, only 60 women who married non-resident Indians have had problems. Then, if all is going so good, what is the fuss about the problems of hapless brides who are abandoned by unscrupulous grooms every year? And from where has the Lok Bhalai Party (LBP) taken more than 1,100 cases of deserted wives from Punjab alone to the court of law? And how did Ramoowalia get 45 such complaints from Jalandhar and Ludhiana in just two days? There are a number of cases where young Punjabi girls marry ‘eligible’ NRI grooms and face the burnt of abandonment and torture at the hands of the husband and in-laws. With the increasing penchant for foreign shores and increasing Indian Diaspora, such cases have only seen a rise. After much hullabaloo, the government woke up to take some measures like constituting NRI Cell under NCW, women help cells in every district, NRI police stations in six districts of Punjab, and then went back to hibernation without verifying their credibility. “They don’t entertain the victims to register any grievances. That’s the reason, the NRI police station has zero cases. Girls grow old doing the rounds of women help cells, but to no avail,” said LBP chief Balwant Singh Ramoowalia. “Instead of resolving our issues, these women cells treat us like cattle, to be sold and compensated for,” said Rajwinder Kaur. Married at the age of 21 to one Vachiter Singh (then 36-year-old and a ‘divorcee’), she spent one month with her husband and the following four years at her parental home, waiting in vain for him to take her along. Rajwinder’s poor family spent Rs 8 lakh on her marriage. Now, she curses the day she was born and abhors the hour she tied the knot with “dishonest” Vachiter. According to the figures given by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, 55 cases were registered against NRIs for abandoning their wives in 2008. Ramoowalia puts the total number of such women in Punjab at around 15,000. Despite all the efforts to generate awareness about this malaise, girls and their families, in there greed for ‘greener pastures’, turn a blind eye to the risks involved in marrying a holidaying NRI. In their eagerness not to let go off lucrative offers, parents sometimes do not even pause to properly check the groom’s background. They bend to the unjust and copious demands of NRI grooms. Often living marginalised lives abroad, these men see such marriages as an opportunity to pocket cash and dowry and exploit beautiful girls. In many instances, like Bhano, the protagonist of Dilip Kaur Tiwana’s novel ‘Eho Hamara Jeevana’, girls are used as sacrificial goat for assuring passports for the whole clan.For instance, in Rajwinder’s case, the family was aware of the boy’s marital status but hoped his divorce would come through. They put their daughter’s future at stake. “Girls are being used as a commodity to be exchanged for an upwardly mobile and privileged life,” says the LBP chief. But the above trend is no permit for the laxity in law. Why do dodgy grooms go scot-free? Why are there no deadlines to tackle such deliberate, heinous and premeditated act of betrayal in the court of law? Why are there no fingers pointing at the empty registers of the NRI police stations? And why do victim brides feel helpless at the specials cells constructed for their assistance? There are bleak chances of getting an FIR registered against the groom, if he enjoys the backing of an influential person. Sukhwinder Kaur, daughter of Rawail Singh, married one Sukhpreet Singh, son of Surat Singh Arthaiya, in December 2005. One year into the marriage and her husband left for Canada. Never again did he contact Sukhwinder or their son that she gave birth to a child after his departure. She was allegedly poisoned and thrown out of her marital house by her in-laws. Officers at the Begowal police station allegedly refused to file an FIR as her father-in-law had political connections. When contacted, Seva Singh Sekhwan, PRO NRI Affairs, said, “I am new to the job and busy with my daughter’s marriage. I shall look into the matter once I get time. I can’t comment now,” said. “We transfer the complaints received to the Ministry of Overseas Affairs who then look into the matter. We, then, only get the reports of the final outcome…. But, we haven’t received any as yet,” said an official in the NRI Sabha on the condition of anonymity. Nobody picked up the phone at the special cell for deserted NRI brides in Delhi.
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Govt lands ‘turning’ into junk yards
Jalandhar, November 12 Owners of junk yards, who are running out of space in their dumping yards, ultimately find government lands to dump their junk in open spaces. Right under the nose of the authorities, grounds of PUDA Complex, which is situated in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner and just few metres away from the PUDA office, are occupied by the junk of damaged vehicles. Dumping of junked vehicles in open spaces owned by PUDA is prohibited, but no official ever bothered to take firm steps to make these grounds and parks clear of junk. Though these encroachers has been served notices by the authorities in the past. But encroachers hardly paid attention to these notices. Encroachers used to free the land only for few days after getting notices but only to be occupy again. “Owing to the absence of any provision under the law, we are not in a position to take any stern action against these encroachers. It becomes routine that when we issue them showcause notice, they clear the space and then again occupy them,” said senior officer of the PUDA.
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Poor healthcare at hospital alleged
Phagwara, November 12 Asha’s husband Khem Chand, who works as a mason in his complaint lodged with SDM Amarjeet Paul on Thursday evening, said that his wife was beaten up by a few assailants on November 7 in his Satnampura house and was admitted in the local Civil Hospital. Khem Chand alleged careless treatment in the hospital and told the SDM that he requested the hospital staff to take care of his wife but he was told that his wife had been discharged from the hospital on papers on November 9. Khem Chand alleged that when he urged the doctors that his wife had blunt injuries and could not even move, the hospital staff kept mum and did not bother about his problem. When the SDM when made a phone call to Senior Medical Officer Dr Rajiv Gupta, he claimed that the patient was fit to be discharged. After giving patience hearing the SDM instructed the Satnampura police to investigate the matter.
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NDA block at Sainik Welfare Office
Jalandhar, November 12 The DSWO had been looking forward to a separate building with hostel facilities for the coaching of armed forces aspirants, especially those seeking admission to the NDA and CDS. Talking to The Tribune, Deputy Director of the DSWO, Lt-Col Manmohan Singh, said they had been pursuing the project of NDA block for the past one year. “The estimates have been made and construction work will begin soon,” he added. The three-storey NDA block will be constructed in an area of 2,100 sq feet and have a library, hostel, classrooms and computer labs. “As students, especially girls, come from across the state for the coaching of NDA and CDS, therefore we felt the need to have a separate hostel and classrooms for them. Finally, with the timely availability of grant from the Finance Minister we would be able to accomplish this task,” he said. Earlier, the NDA coaching classes were held in two separate rooms on the premises of the DSWO. “Raising funds was a big issue and we had been looking forward to the state government for financial assistance in this regard. This initiative would help us in yielding better results in the times to come,” he maintained.
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Veggies down, pulses on a high
Jalandhar, November 12 The prices of commonly used pulses like moong, arhar, chana and maha have witnessed a massive increase last week. The prices of moong dhuli and arhar shot up to Rs 100 per kg from Rs 90 last week. Similarly, chana and maha dals witnessed an increase to Rs 40 and Rs 74, respectively. The prices of both these items remained around Rs 36 and Rs 66 last week. Wheat flour, which remained around Rs 16 per kg last week, witnessed an increase of Rs 2 per kg. Today’s retail price of this essential item is Rs 18 per kg. On the other hand, the prices of nearly all essential vegetables witnessed decline this week. Onion, which was around Rs 27 per kg last week, came down to Rs 25. Similarly, the prices of potato declined from Rs 20 to Rs 16 per kg. The prices of capsicum declined from Rs 60 to Rs 45 per kg. Lemon also witnessed decrease of Rs 4 per kg. Owing to the marriage season in the coming days, prices of items like peas are already at the peak. The prices of peas remained between Rs 90 and Rs 100 per kg. The prices of ginger and tomato remained the same as that of last week. The prices of non-vegetarian stuff remained nearly static. The price of chicken ranged from Rs 138-143 per kg this week also. Similarly, the prices of mutton were Rs 190-200 per kg, same as last week.
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Phagwara, November 12 “Industries, especially exporters, had been badly affected due to the wrong policies of the government,” said the MP while addressing industrialists, traders and exporters of Phagwara in the industrial area here on Wednesday evening. Several exporters, including R.L. Kohli, Sat Paul Sethi, Sudesh Sharma, Rajwant Singh Jhikka, Om Uppal and Ramesh Bhalla, urged the Congress MP to make arrangements for setting up a mini-special economic zone and industrial focal point in Phagwara to facilitate the exporters who were working hard to earn foreign currency for the country. They demanded immediate exemption of income tax. They urged the Congress MP to make efforts to provide better infrastructure and adequate sewerage, drainage and solar street lights for the industrial area. They also demanded stoppage of Hardwar-bound Jan Shatabdi Express at Phagwara. Chaudhary assured all help to the exporters. Block Congress Committee president Pawan Sharma Pappi and former Nagar Council president Malkiat Singh Ragbotra were also present on the occasion. — OC
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Jalandhar, November 12 Hoping for an early action, state samiti president Mukesh Verma said delayed construction of Domoria bridge is adding to the troubles especially during rainy season when both entry and exit points of under-bridge chocked with water. He said instead of providing facilities to the public, lavatories constructed near Bhagat Singh Chowk and Khingra gate are making the surroundings polluted and dirty as these lavatories are not properly maintained by the authorities concerned. — TNS
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Police co-op society likely in Jalandhar
Jalandhar, November 12 According to sources, these cooperative societies will be formed with a broad objective, including establishment of cooperative goods store, namely self-help centres for the provision of domestic use goods, including electronic items, small and medium vehicles, motor bikes, etc., at considerably lesser prices than those in the market. Thousands of cops will be benefited if the cooperative society is formed in Jalandhar too. The cooperative societies will also provide thrift and credit services for the urgent necessities of police personnel, making provisions of small loans at a nominal rate of interest, the sources said, adding that the cooperative will also provide facilities for academic and vocational education to the wards of police personnel. There is also a plan to augment and galvanise the existing police-public schools in all the districts. Giving the broad scope of cooperative societies, they will also provide health services by way of creating health establishments or availing services from private existing health establishments. Directions of forming cooperative societies were issued by the Police Personnel Welfare Cooperatives Directorate working under the leadership of ADGP (Rules) Rajinder Singh, the sources added. A state-level mechanism has also been evolved for monitoring, supervising and guiding such cooperative societies all over the state. As far as the police cooperative consumer goods store and self-help centre at 82 Battalion headquarters, Chandigarh, is concerned, it will provide domestic goods to police personnel at rates 25 to 30 per cent less than the market rate.
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Computerisaton of land
records by next year: DC
Phagwara, November 12 This was stated by Deputy Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary, while talking to newsmen after presiding over a meeting of patwaris and kanagos of Phagwara subdivision here on Thursday. SDM Amarjeet Paul, District System Manager Gagandeep Kaur, Tehsildar Harjinder Singh and Naib-Tehsildar Mulakh Raj attended the meeting. The DC said that pilot projects would be launched in the Dhilwan and Kabirpur kanango circles. The SDM said 40 per cent villages of Phagwara subdivision (42 villages) would be covered by the first week of December, while the remaining would be covered in next year to provide computerised fards to the people. Gagandeep Kaur disclosed that 98 per cent data entries had been fed in computers, but the screeing work was still pending. —
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No headway in Sunaina murder case
Jalandhar, November 12 SP (City-I) S.P. Kalia said that Mamta and certain other suspects had been rounded up for questioning. The police will solve the case shortly, he claimed. Sources in the police said that Mamta and her parents, who were missing after the incident, were nabbed by a police party this morning. The police has also sealed the STD booth from where Sunaina allegedly used to make phone calls generally. The police has also been in touch with telecommunication companies to retrieve phone calls made from the STD. A Class IX student of Government School, Qadian, Sunaina was murdered and her partially charred body was dumped in a residential colony at Qadian village, along the Kala Sanghia road, by certain unidentified assailants on Tuesday night.
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Young World
Jalandhar, November 12 The award-winning poster was made by Ramandeep Kaur, student of BSC Nursing 4th year. Distributing the prizes to the winner students, Dr S.S. Gill, Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences and Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, president GLDAS and head of transplant surgeries at the DMC, congratulated the institute for making the programme a success. Kids’ carnival A kids’ carnival would be organised from November 13 to 15, at the Easyday market, Police Lines Road, Jalandhar. The objective of the carnival, being organized by Easyday, is to promote ‘playful’ learning with a view to help the mental and physical development of children. Annual day The Cambridge International School for Girls celebrated its fifth annual day. The celebrations began on November 8 and concluded on November 11. During these days the students presented dances, plays, magic show, drill display, gymnastics, yoga, karate and much more. The students of Class X presented the annual school report during the event. Prize distribution Saffron Public School, Phagwara, celebrated its seventh prize distribution function under the theme “Saffron’s Vista” on November 8. Students excelling in academics and other events were awarded. A cultural programme was presented by students. Int’l Teacher Award Cinny Malhotra, a faculty member of Police DAV Public School, was awarded the International Teacher Award for outstanding development of the international dimension in the curriculum by the British Council. The award ceremony was held on November 9 in New Delhi. Blood donation A blood donation camp was held at St Soldier
College, Hadiabad. Fifty units of blood were gathered. The DSP, Phagwara, H.P.S. Khakh, was the chief guest. Science Day In order to keep up with the spirit of World Science Day, Lovely Professional University reiterated its commitment to support green education on its campus. The day is celebrated by UNESCO to reaffirm the virtues of scientific research for promoting development of nations and peoples. The LPU supported this endeavour by asking the students and teachers to take a pledge to stop wastage in terms of electricity, paper and fuel. The faculty and students had dressed up in green. The quiz contest was won by a team of Samriti Sharma, Sunil and Amandeep. A. Kishore won the “best painter award”. Seminar The Postgraduate Department of Commerce and Management of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya organised a seminar on “Emotional intelligence” under the faculty development programme action plan on November 7. Head of the Department of Commerce and Business Management, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Dr Lakhwinder Singh was the resource person. He highlighted the importance of emotional control in controlling social problems like drug abuse, divorce, rapes and much more.
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A space of one’s own
Jalandhar, November 12 “Many people feel that women are fickle-minded
and incompetent. We have had people telling us that plainly,” said Rita Arora, who runs a boutique
near Sikka Chowk, Jalandhar. The problem, many a time, is solved when people walk into their stores and check the quality of products. Besides, the general prejudice which women entrepreneurs face in society, there are other practical problems too. A small business brings along with it labour problems. “It is hard to get people with good skills. We sometimes get people and train them, but they lose interest or opt out for better jobs,” says Rita. While lack of sufficient space and finances are the other problems, opposition from the families is the most difficult part,” she adds. Having your workshop at home is generally considered the best thing as you can save travel time, energy and other expenses that come along with having a shop in the market. “It is more viable to work from home as you can look after the kids too,” says Aspreet Kaur, who holds cooking classes and runs a catering service in Rama Mandi. This kind of set-up also helps in keeping the prices low and your overhead charges minimal, she adds. These women have arranged their lives in such a way as they don’t have to feel guilty about neglecting their domestic or professional lives. They have come up with a schedule that suits them. It also helps them give the best of both worlds - that of being a career woman and a home-maker. These young women are, however, unanimous
about one thing, that their will and passion have helped them develop as individuals. “It’s very challenging
to balance your personal and professional lives. It’s creative and satisfying at the same time. My business
has given me a lot of confidence and independence,” adds Rita. But it is not just about that. It’s also about
having a room of one’s own.
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Jamsher Dairy Complex likely to get biogas plant, separate STP
Jalandhar, November 12 It becomes possible only after the repeated notices issued by the Punjab Pollution Control Board. The STP, located just a few kilometres upstream at Pholarhiwal and constructed under the Phase I of the Sutlej Action Plan, has been rendered useless as tones of cow dung and other refuses, generated in dairies of the complex, are being disposed off into the treated water of the drain unabated for the last few years. It is learnt that the corporation has forwarded a request to the Punjab Energy Development Authority for the supervision in the construction of the biogas plant with capacity of 1 MW and worth around Rs 10 crore. “As an estimate, there are 25,000 cattle in the complex and estimated production of cow dung will be around 2,50,000 kg per day. 20 kanals of land will be provided for the purpose,” said an engineer of the MC. Though different quarters, including the authorities of the Pollution Control Board and residents of nearby villages, have approached the corporation for proper utilisation of organic waste, the corporation authorities never paid heed to their requests. “We recognised this complex as an important centre as there is a great thrust to generate energy owing to massive availability of biomass. We have written number of demi-official letters to the officials of the corporation in the past years. However, they never responded positively. Now we received a letter from the MC. Though it is a good move, but it seems that instead of the corporation’s will, the dictum of the PPCB has played more to impart momentum to the project,” said a senior official of the Punjab Energy Development Authority. Unavailability of land may also hold back the project for some time as the corporation is offering only 20 kanal piece of land but as per official’s version, the PEDA requires approximately three acres of land for the construction and efficient functioning of plant of this magnitude. Similarly, it is also confirmed that the Municipal Corporation is going to invite expression of interest from different consultant firms for the construction of an STP with capacity to treat 0.5 million litres of water per day. According to sources, the cost of the project will be around Rs Rs 70-75 lakh and will be completed in March, 2010. It is important to note that residents of villages situated alongside the Garha drain and around Jamsher Dairy Complex have been in an agitated mood for the past few months due to deteriorating surroundings and underground water. Moreover, the recent plans of the government to construct a new solid waste management plant in 15 acres to treat 600 metric tones per day made the inhabitants more apprehensive.
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Punjabi lies ignored in its own land Jalandhar, November 12 Hanging there for God knows how long, it brings to the fore the miserable condition of Punjabi as our main language of communication. Some time back, a Punjabi newspaper carried an advertisement reading: “We lend ‘tavian’”. The word was mis-spelled as “tivian” which means women in Punjabi. Such blunders remind me of a Persian couplet: “Ek nukte ne hamein mehram se mujrim bana diya, hum dua likhte rahe vo daga padhte rahe”. Instead of “Sahoolat Kendar” all the government boards in Punjab carry “Suvidha Centre”. While it is necessary for the growth of a language to imbibe words from other languages, it should be a process of adoption and not of replacement. It is thus, inseparable from us as a community of human beings with a specific character, a specific history and a specific relationship to the world. And when we are taught that English is the only means of success, we are unconsciously separated from our heritage. When it comes to higher education, all our books of engineering or medical sciences are in English. A number of students from rural areas fail to pursue courses not because they are less intelligent, but because they are not good at the foreign language. It is not the case with developed countries. Students get the textbooks in their mother tongues, be it Germany, France, Japan, Spain or Russia. Even in Bihar, one can pursue engineering in Hindi. Why has there been no attempt at the Punjab government’s level to translate such books into Punjabi. Education Minister Dr Upinderjeet Kaur’s directions to all the educational institutions to teach Punjabi as a compulsory language till Class X is a commendable step.
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Jalandhar, November 12
Jalandhar, November 12
Jalandhar, November 12
Jalandhar, November 12
