Jalandhar, December 31
The Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, today launched another drive to clear encroachments made in the interior areas of the city. After forcing the shopkeepers of Sheikhan Bazaar to clear encroachments of their own, the MCJ today cleared encroachments made by the shopkeepers settled along the stretch from the Jyoti Chowk to the Central Jail.

The team, which was formed to clear the area of encroachments, was constituted of Joint Commissioner Rahul Gupta, Assistant Commissioner DP Bhardwaj and SP (traffic) SK Agnihotri. The team was also accompanied by a battery of 150 police 
personnel.

“We have intimated all the shopkeepers of the area to clear the temporary encroachments, but to no avail. Today’s action became essential as there was no positive development from the other side”, said Assistant Commissioner DP Bhardwaj.

However, nearly 200-shopowners staged a protest by burning tyres and blocked the Jail Road for nearly an hour. All of them are of the view that anti-encroachment action has been delivered without prior notice to any of the shopkeepers.

Shopkeepers also claimed that they do pay Rs 500-1000 every month per shop to the employees of the corporation and do get the receipts imprinted with the word “Tehbazaari Coupon” on them.

“The corporation didn’t serve any notice to us in advance. Men from the corporation told us to clear the front of our shops. But they also damaged projections atop some of the shops. We fail to understand how these projections were creating a hindrance in the free flow of traffic”, said one of the shop owners Rajiv Gora.

On the other hand, Joint Commissioner Rahul Gupta strongly refuted this claim. “According to law, the corporation doesn’t need to serve any written notice to clear permanent encroachments. Even so, we intimate the shopkeepers repeatedly. We made repeated announcements before starting our drive today too. We demolished the establishments of only those shopkeepers who didn’t have any alternative but to encroach upon the road again,” said Gupta. 

Kapurthala, December 31
The Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) on the Jalandhar-Kapurthala road touched new heights in 2009 with remarkable achievements by setting up new exhibit galleries and visitor-oriented facilities. It has also planned several new measures for its expansion in 2010.

The Pushpa Gujral Science City introduced many new and interesting  projects in the year 2009.

The PGSC launched the membership scheme to enable visitors to enjoy repeated visits at economical rates and also made accommodation arrangements for overnight stay of students coming from far-off places to visit the Science City.

PGSC Director-General Dr R.S. Khandpur said among the new galleries, the most prominent was the health gallery (amazing living machine) and virtual reality gallery. A modern digital planetarium system has been set up for the first time in the country.

The PGSC has a multi-channel digital planetarium system (Digistar 3) for projection of 3-dimensional colour night sky created by real time graphic generator and full-dome video playback system in the 23-metre dia dome theatre. The dome is covered with breathtaking images along with a 5.1 channel surround sound system.

The most amazing experience in the planetarium is to see the night skies and to get a guided tour through the planets, constellations, and their enchanting dance through the seasons. The planetarium offers this experience each and every time with astronomy shows, imparting their sense of wonder, and increasing everyone’s awareness and understanding of astronomy.

The planetarium shows are displayed in a Space Theatre with a seating capacity of 325 persons.

Similarly, the amazing living machine was opened to the public in May 2009. The gallery, established at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, has been set up to create awareness of the human body, understand the measures to keep good health and to value the body system and life. The gallery deals with the various aspects of the human body from the embryonic development to the growth of humans and aging and demonstrating anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, genetics and socially relevant subjects responsible for the sex of the child and HIV/AIDS through interactive and attractive exhibits.

Right at the entrance, the visitors are greeted by the transparent man set up in the unique theatre, who tells the story of his various organs in an interesting and captivating way.

The working of the various systems of the body, cover subjects like how the body gets its energy and distribution, how one moves from here and there, getting rid of waste, growing and ageing, making sense and know about the teeth. The next major area in the gallery is dedicated to create awareness of HIV/AIDS. The bio-technology gallery tells the story about basic unit of life-cell, of which all our organs and body parts are made.

As far as the proposed expansion of the PGSC in 2010 is concerned, the heritage gallery, climate change show, life through ages panorama will be set up here, Dr Khandpur added.

Jalandhar, December 31
New Year resolutions - although considered clichéd statements and prone to be forgotten easily, they do make everybody ponder for a while. And whether accomplished or not, resolutions are meant to be made at least once at the start of New Year, making a promising start.

As we step in on the first day of New Year, 2010, The Tribune speaks to some leading personalities of the city who share with us their resolutions for the year ahead.

Mohinder Singh Kaypee: The Jalandhar MP and Punjab Pradesh Congress President witnessed major achievements in his political career. With busy schedules, Kaypee extended his greetings to all the countrymen, especially Punjabis and city residents, on the eve of 2010.

The MP, while praying for the all-round development of the state, wellbeing of Punjabis, peace, mutual trust and prosperity of one and all, expressed the hope that New Year would open new vistas of progress and prosperity for one and all.

Hans Raj Hans: The Sufi singer who tried his luck in politics, considers himself a bad planner of events and instead finds bliss as a follower of the Almighty. “I don’t plan anything for the future, rather accept whatever comes my way,” he says.

The singer maintains that as a singer it is his earnest desire to spread the message of peace and love in the world through his songs. Sharing his New Year resolution, he said he wants to shun the habit of “lai lag”, meaning recklessly following someone. It was due to this habit that I opted to step in the political arena. “An artist should never join politics,” he quipped.

Balbir Singh Seechewal: The renowned environmentalist, who recently returned from the Copenhagen climate summit, has no resolutions rather plans for a green and clean environment.

Baba Seechewal said in his never-ending crusade to educate the masses about environment, he would take the youth from the local schools and colleges along to participate in his campaign.

“A nation cannot think of progress without the participation of its youth power. We would take up cleanliness drives at Chitti Bein, Budha Nullah (Ludhiana) and plant more trees for a better earth,” he maintained.

Harbhajan Singh: The off-spinner, who is presently in the city, said New Year is like just any other day of the year for him. So no celebrations and no resolutions at all. “I have no plans to celebrate New Year,” he said. Any bad habits he would like to get rid of this year, Bhajji quipped, “I don’t have any such bad habit which needs to 
be shunned.”

Parineeta Chaudhary: The Jalandhar-based model-cum-former Miss India runners-up, 2006, has been a show stealer. Presently working as a computer engineer in a US-based MNC at Noida, she has resolutions and plans lined up for New Year.

As always, I have just one resolution - to live life king size and whenever possible, spend quality time with my family. “I always try to accomplish these two aims, making things good,” she said.

Apart from her busy schedule, she is also looking forward to some endorsements and modelling assignments with Fashion Week and Satya Paul. “Fingers crossed! Although tired of office work, I am trying to balance my modelling career well with my job,” she maintained.

Jalandhar, December 31
As far as the performance and achievement of the Municipal Corporation of Jalandhar is concerned, the year 2009 was something of a mixed package.

The issue of all five railway over bridges remained much-hyped even this year as the projects are still lagging behind, given the earlier-fixed schedule.

The project of route expansion of the City Bus Service is still suspended due to pending formalities with the state government. In addition to this, ban on the use of diesel-run vehicles also caused delay in this expansion as the corporation required CNG-run buses for the expansion, which is not available yet in the city.

The corporation also failed to start work on the Burlton Park project due to the intervention of Punjab and Haryana Court. Members of the Save Burlton Park Action Committee filed a PIL, on the basis of the loss of green cover, even before the beginning of this project.

Similarly, Global Environment Friendly project still waiting to be materialised due to some pending formalities by the state government.

However, the entry of offices into the new building can be marked as an achievement for the MCJ.

Similarly, the drive to plant 500 saplings in each ward was also applauded by all quarters. The project for the beautification of the Company Bagh, worth Rs 3.28 crore, was also launched this year. Similarly, recruitment of 1,099 permanent workers of Mohalla Sanitation Committees was also a recognisable achievement of the MCJ. The year 2009 can be marked as a great leap forward on the environment front. The corporation sought suggestions from the Punjab Energy Development Authority for the construction of a biogas plant with the capacity of 0.5 MW at the Jamsher Dairy Complex.

Similarly, the corporation also planned to set up a new Solid Waste Treatment Plant at site near Jamsher. The corporation also agreed to enhance its capacity to treat polluted water up to 225 MLD. Previously, proposed capacity was 185 MLD per day.

The corporation also launched a project extension of sewerage, worth Rs 66 crore, in areas of Jalandhar Cantt. Though it is yet to be announced, officials of MCJ are also hoping that the city will soon be announced in JNNURM. Projects of Global Positioning System and e-governance were also passed this year. 

Phagwara, December 31
Coming New Year 2010 will bring special facilities for the residents of Phagwara town. This was claimed by SDM Amarjeet Paul while talking to newsmen on New Year Eve here today.

Paul said the first main demand of the residents had been fulfilled by constructing a railway overbridge near Satnampura level crossing and the second main demand of sewrage could be fulfilled in New Year. He claimed that Hadiabad, a sub-town of Phagwara, would be facilitated with sewerage facility with the installation of a water treatment plant under the Sutlej Action Plan by spending Rs 38 crore. The SDM said though the Nagar Council led by the SAD-BJP combine had refused to abide by the instructions of state government to sell its vacant land and has decided to adopt an alternative way to contribute its 15 per cent share of the total cost of Rs 38 crore to complete the two projects to install a water treatment plant at Hadiabad and extension of the existing Water Treatment Plant at nearby village.

NC President Balbhadhar Sein Duggal told The Tribune here today that a general body meeting of the council had unanimously passed resolutions to pledge some land of the council to make arrangements to raise the required funds and contribute its share.

SDM Paul said that under the Sutlej Action Plan, the Directorate of the National River Conservation and Environment had agreed to launch a Water Treatment Plant (Phase-II) at Hadiabad, for which 70 per cent share would be contributed by the Union Government and 15 per cent each by the state government and the Nagar Council.

He said that a Water Treatment Plant near Palahi village would also be extended on two more acres of land.

Paul said the state government had agreed to send the remaining Rs 3.26 crore to materialise the plans of laying sewer lines in slum localities like Sham Nagar, Onkar Nagar, Kirpa Nagar, Tibbi, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Shivpuri and Prempura.

He claimed that the administration had constructed the link roads in Phagwara subdivision at a cost of Rs 1.78 crore. When asked about the facilities of drinking water, the SDM said that 67 out of a total of 106 villages had been provided fresh drinking water, while the remaining villages would soon be covered.

Jalandhar, December 31
New Year’s eve, for some, is a time to party, for others it’s a time to pray for a better life, for yet others, it’s a time to make and break certain resolutions.

The previous year was full of hardships for the common man, supporting a small economy but with big responsibilities.

Now, all hopes are pinned on 2010 to pull the burdened commoner out of the quagmire of poverty, into happiness.

“We pray to god to give us sufficient food to eat and clothes to cover our bodies. We hope this year none of our family members will suffer from health-related problems and that our new-born ones will not die of starvation or lack of treatment,” said a disconsolate daily-wage labourer Jagpreet Singh.

His family of six lives in a rented dingy, small house of 9x9 dimensions. He has a mother, an unmarried younger brother, a wife and two kids. While his brother helps him in earning a living, the wife looks after the kids and the ailing mother.

“2009 was a difficult year. With the prices of essential goods like flour, pulses and vegetables skyrocketing, it became difficult for us to sustain our economy. Many a times, we have gone to bed at night with an empty stomach,” added his brother Gurinder Singh.

Suhkwinder Kaur, a brick-kiln labourer, wondered what difference the New Year would make in their monotonous lives, full of hardships. “We have been living in this hut sans doors or other basic amenities, for the past many years. Time has not brought any significant change, except that we are growing older and incapable of doing much work, which means that a bleak future is staring at us, ready to engulf us,” she rued.

“May God give us strength to fight with the cruelties of life,” she prayed.

“I shall pray to god to help me save enough to buy a cycle-rickshaw this year. For the past three years I have been plying a rented one. I had thought of buying one the previous year but the inflation and my wife’s death during the delivery of our third baby made it impossible. My parents have arranged for a new match as the kids are too young. I have more responsibilities to shoulder in the coming year. May God give me strength,” shared Deena Nath, a rickshaw puller. He has been living in the city for the last five years, while his family stays in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Time has no divisions to mark its passage; there’s never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new year or a new century. “All these celebrations are the dramas of privileged mortals who find excuses to ring bells and fire off crackers and dance to the tunes of live bands. A common man’s concern is confined to ensuring three meals a day,” said Ashok, an auto-driver. “New Year is a time to pray for a better year ahead, nothing more” he said.

Jalandhar, December 31
As the current period is not auspicious for marriages, the prices of vegetables and fruits underwent a marked decline as compared to last week. However, the price of sugar witnessed an increase of Rs 2 per kg this week.

The prices of tomato and potato witnessed a decrease. Tomato remained nearly Rs 10-15 per kg as compared to Rs 15 last week. The prices of potato also witnessed a decrease of Rs 1-2 per kg. Potato had remained around Rs 8-10 per kg last week.

Peas, which remained around Rs 25 per kg last week, witnessed a decrease of Rs 5-7 per kg and remained near Rs 18-20.

The prices of ginger also saw a decline of nearly Rs 10 per kg. Ginger priced at Rs 60 per kg last week.

However, ginger remained between Rs 45 and Rs 50 a kg this week. The prices of onion also came down to Rs 25 per kg from Rs 30 last week.

The price of garlic saw a decrease. It remained at Rs 140 per kg last week, but came down to Rs 100-110 this week. The prices of capsicum and carrot remained around Rs 40 and Rs 10 per kg, respectively.

On the other hand, the prices of sugar increased by Rs 2 per kg as compared to last week. Sugar remained around Rs 40 per kg last week.

However, the price of sugar rose to Rs 42 per kg this week. On the contrary, prices of eggs decreased by Rs 2 per dozen this week and were selling at Rs 36 per dozen. 

Commodity Old Rate and New Rate

Jalandhar, December 31
Lovely Professional University held a mini job fest on its campus in which 60 students from the field of mechanical engineering, electronics engineering and marketing management got selected at an annual package of Rs 2.5 lakh each.

Among the various companies which participated in the fest were Advik Laboratories (pharmaceuticals), Deep Blue Express (logistics), Lakhani Footwears (lifestyle), Global Ventures (furniture exports) and Inter Biotech (biotech).

Jalandhar, December 31
The Pungarde Harf Socio-Cultural Society, which aims at promoting Punjabi culture, language and literature, released a book, “Sarghi De Phull” and a poster condemning female foeticide. The book, in which around 25 poets have contributed, was released by District Languages Officer Manpreet Singh Bal.

The literary journey of this organisation started with “Pungarde Harf”, a Punjabi poetry book, in which 12 national and international poets presented their views. Following the same path, the society has come up with “Sarghi De Phull”, which raises voice on issues like female foeticide, drug-addiction and dowry system.

Jalandhar, December 31
The 103 Infantry battalion of the Territorial Army (TA) Sikh LI would be organising a recruitment rally for the category of general duty soldier and tradesmen in Ludhiana on January 5.

The recruitment would be carried out only for the candidates belonging to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, NCR Delhi and Chandigarh.

The rally would be held at 103 Infantry Battalion 9 TA Sikh LI, GT Road, Millerganj, Ludhiana.

Preference would be given to ITI qualified, computer literate, drivers having licence to drive light and heavy vehicles. Sportsmen who have represented the district and state and cooks with prior experience would also get preference.