Bathinda, January 3
The region’s date with harsh weather conditions continued on Sunday as drizzle came to add to the woes caused by fog and cold waves.

Dense fog that wreaked havoc on Saturday, however, relented on Sunday, the rain coupled with chill spoilt the holiday of the residents of Bathinda and the adjoining areas by forcing them to remain indoor almost throughout the day.

The region experienced intermittent drizzle between late on yesterday night and Sunday afternoon. The Sun appeared today around 3 pm but it proved insufficient to give residents the much-needed respite from chill and cold waves.

In the meantime, the region experienced 2.2 mm downpour, as recorded today by the Agro-met advisory services, PAU regional station, Bathinda.

Besides, the region also witnessed vagaries of weather in terms of mercury’s mood swing as hitherto South-bound mercury took a U-turn today in the morning and jumped considerably to reach at 9.5 degrees Celsius, almost 6 degrees Celsius high than yesterday.

While the day’s maximum was 10.8 degrees Celsius, almost equal to yesterday.

In this way, the difference between day’s minimum and maximum temperatures became negligible making chill to intensify.

Weathermen attributed clouds and rain to the reasons behind such behaviour of mercury.

Bathinda, January 3
Mild it may have been, yet the first rainfall of the season brought smiles on the faces of Malwa farmers, who, for the last so many days, were afraid about their Rabi crops with rainy clouds no where to be seen in this part of the state.

It has been couple of weeks that sowing of wheat, potato, barley, grams, mustard and other crops was completed and the farmers were eagerly waiting for showers.

According to agriculture experts as well as farmers, intermittent drizzling and rain washed out various problems related to irrigation and frost accretion. Besides other benefits, the drought-like situation has also been cleared and moisture rose to the required level. The rain may also prolong the winter season and stretch the duration of crop life.

Director of the Regional Research Station of the PAU at Bathinda GS Buttar said, "Besides wheat, the rain will be a boon for potato and kinnows. Plants and flowers sensitive to frost would also be benefited."

Wheat, the major crop of the state, has been sown on about 35 lakh hectares of agro-fields. Major varieties of wheat sowed were PBW 343, PBW 502 and the recently-launched DBW 17.

Meanwhile, district agricultural officer Paramjit Singh Sandhu said, "Earlier, we feared adverse effects because even as the climate was fluctuating it was not meeting the agro-requirements. However, the rain, despite being mild, has brought relief to farmers."

It would also increase the crop yield as the grains would grow bigger in size, added Sandhu.

Bathinda, January 3
Driving vehicles within the prescribed speed limits is mandatory. And signboards mentioning the speed limits have been installed at roads but due to apparent lack of interest of the regulatory authorities, hardly anyone cares for them.

This week is Road Safety Week, which the district traffic cops are observing in a “scheduled” manner, but they are also seemingly unaware about the fixed speed limit at different roads of the city.

Various signboards to direct drivers concerning speed limits have been installed on the Bathinda-Goniana road.

But neither the drivers bother to have a look at the boards before accelerating their vehicles, nor the cops put efforts to make people abide the directives.

During a random survey conducted by this correspondent, hardly a few people were found aware about the sign boards. Ironically, who were aware about the boards appeared least bothered to follow the speed limit.

“I can slow down my scooter but the ignorance of society and the callous attitude of traffic cops towards their duty, has made my mind set as these boards are mere formality, so no need to follow them,” said Prabh Karan Singh, a retired bank employee.

Prabh Karan was not alone, who had this reply, there were some others who said, “This is Bathinda, where cops, instead of making people aware about traffic rules, remain busy in achieving their monthly targets of issuing challans.”

The fact was confirmed by some traffic cops deputed at Rose Garden Chowk and Hanuman Chowk. They said, “Last month our collective target was of 1000 challans but now, we have been informed that it has been revised to 1100.”

About the awareness movement, they said, it is the social NGOs in the city, which keep on carrying such initiatives we are just to formally stand besides them.”

When contacted the officiating traffic in charge Bharpur Singh, was also found unaware about the fixed speed limits. Parrying the query he said, “It is a duty of highway patrolling staff to check the speed limits. Moreover, we are not equipped with the devices to check the speed of vehicles.”

It may be mentioned that when the target of issuing challan was discussed with a senior cop, denied to divulge in details, saying, “It was the departmental issue.”

Patiala, January 3
As a part of membership drive, initiated by the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) to enrol new members in the Congress, the Patiala Congress claimed to have made 99,200 members- the maximum in any parliamentary constituency of the state.

Minister of State for External Affairs and Congress MP from Patiala Preneet Kaur submitted 99,200 enrolment forms at the PPCC headquarters in Chandigarh today.

Speaking to media here, Preneet said, “Hopefully, we will be submitting one lakh more forms in coming days.” She asserted that all the district presidents of the Congress have been working hard for providing entry to “hardworking” and “sincere” people in the party fold.

Besides forms, Preneet also deposited the requisite fee of Rs 2.97 lakh (approximately) for the forms. Notably, the enrolment drive initiated by the PPCC concluded on December 31. The cost of a membership application form was fixed at Rs 3. Besides attaining age of 18 years, the applicants had to give declaration in writing for being non-alcoholic and habitual wearer of Khadi.

Bathinda, January 3
Dark clouds hung like a thick canopy for the entire day today forcing the umpires to call off proceedings on the second day of the final match of the North Zone Inter-university Cricket Tournament being played between the Punjabi University, Patiala, and the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar.

The umpires conducted three inspections and decided to call it a day after their fourth visit to the pitch. There were some damp patches on the pitch and the outfield was soggy rendering the ground unfit to play.

At the draw of stumps yesterday, the GNDU were wobbling at a not too comfortable 78 for 3 and the hosts, taking advantage of the early morning dew, may well be looking for a couple of wickets before lunch tomorrow.

The organisers clarified that an extra day may be added to the match if the weather does not improve tomorrow, the third day of the match. 

Shri Arorvansh Geeta Bhawan Asahai Hitkarni Sabha is providing succour to the families of poor widows and needy women for the last 39 years at the local Geeta Bhawan Temple Complex. The sabha is also running a free charitable dispensary there.

Widows are provided wheat, rice, pulses, soap, spices and household goods. During winters, they are also given shoes, socks and woollens. The needy ones are too provided with financial aid as per requirement. The aid is provided on the first Sunday of every month.

The Sabha had initiated the noble gesture in the year 1971 with offering aid to 10 widows. The number has gradually swollen to 130 at present. Philanthropists of the town voluntarily contribute in form of cash, food-grains and other articles.

The dedicated members go to different shops in the town and collect donations every month and provide receipts to them. They collect wheat and rice from the grain market and distribute amongst the widows and also provide educational and medical facilities to the children of the needy and widows.

The office-bearers and members including Surinder Kumar Ahuja, Des Raj Dhuria, Tek Chand Dhuria, KK Grover, Rakesh Dhuria, Balraj Kamra, Dharminder Puri, Girdhari Lal, Prem Chand Khunger, Tek Chand Watts and others are helping in providing aid.

The sabha also organises langar in the afternoon daily to about 100 persons in the temple complex for the last about two decades. — Praful Chander Nagpal

Shree Jagdamba Seva Sansthan, founded by eminent physician Dr Prahlad Gupta at Sriganganagar in 2008, has so far organised 57 free medical camps. The turning point in Dr Gupta's professional life came in 1995, when he was admitted to a super-specialty hospital at New Delhi and the specialists said they were feeling helpless in curing him.

Alumni of the PGI Chandigarh, Dr Gupta then prayed to God to extend his life to serve the ailing humanity. Miraculously, he not only survived but returned to his hometown and resumed work at the clinic that was rated top in the district town then. He has now become a symbol of spirituality and service to the mankind.

He fixed last Sunday of each month to offer free medical services that include check-up, medicines and clinical tests while the indoor patients are provided with food also during the treatment period.

Initially, it looked difficult as some of the needy patients required expensive medicines but with the cooperation of some social activists, the problem was solved.

Living with only one kidney, Dr Gupta (64) begins the day with meditation and light exercises seeking blessings from the almighty to enhance the ambit of social service. There may be many, who would organise free kitchen (langar) for the poor once a while and distribute clothes also but to provide relief to a patient suffering of pain, matters more for Dr Gupta.

Over 70 per cent of the population in our country seldom get sufficient food twice a day, they cannot afford medical facilities that are becoming costlier day by day. The blessings of such few patients are my asset now, he politely said. — Raj Sadosh

Fazilka, January 3
A head constable and one Punjab Home Guard jawan have been booked under section 223/224 by the city police of Fazilka on Sunday as a nominated accused managed to escape from their custody on Saturday evening.

As per official sources, Punjab Police, head constable, Joginder Singh and Punjab Home Guard jawan, Harbans Singh, posted at the city police Jalalabad had come to Fazilka to lodge one nominated accused Mohinder Singh in the sub-jail on Saturday evening.

Mohinder Singh was arrested by Jalalabad police under excide Act on January 1.

He was produced before the judicial magistrate Jalalabad on Saturday, who ordered him to be sent in the judicial custody.

When Joginder Singh and Harbans Singh reached the main gate of the sub-jail Fazilka and knocked the door of the jail, accused Mohinder Singh while taking advantage fled away, who had reportedly not been handcuffed.

Both the officials reportedly tried to chase him outside the sub-jail and court complex but he fled away.

Taking serious note of negligence of the police officials, city police of Fazilka have registered a case against the head constable and the Home Guard jawan. 

Ferozepur, January 3
The Baba Shershahwali Police Public Welfare Trust organised an eye check-up camp on the premises of the Baba Shershahwali Dargah. More than 350 patients were checked by the team of eye specialists led by Dr Vikas Jain.

Gurnaib Brar, ex-MLA, member of the trust said during the eye check-up camp, 50 operations were performed wherein the patients were provided with eyesight lens besides free medicines and spectacles were provided to all of them. Master Chanan Ram said the operations would continue for two more days and more such camps would also be organised . — OC

Mansa, January 3
The Sabhyachar Chetna Manch, Mansa, would organised 5th Lohri fair (Dhian Di Lohri) on January 9 at Gaushalla Bhahan, Mansa.

Informing about this, president of Manch, Kamaljeet Malwa said that the Lohri fair aimed at changing the mindset of people regarding the girl child. He said there are just 927 girls for 1000 boys in country and in Punjab, the ratio is 798. The prime aim of the club is to create awareness and encourage people to celebrate Lohri for their daughters.

On this occasion, a cultural programme would also be conducted by noted Punjabi folk singers Bibi Parminder Sandu, Manpreet Akhtar, comedian Bhotu Shah and Kaka Shah and TV anchor Vimpi Sandhu.

Mauch would honour girls of Mansa district for bringing laurels to Mansa.

Earlier, the Manch had honoured famous singers like Hakam Sufi, Surinder Shinda, Mohammad Sadique, Baba Kashi Nath Jogi, comedian Bhajna Amli, Ajmer Singh Aulakh, Darshan Mitwa, Kuldeep deep, song writer Albel Brar and Jagdev Singh Jassowal besides other well known personalities.

Jagdeep Singh Nakkai, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, would be the chief guest, Sukhminder Singh Aulakh, ex -MLA would ignite the Lohari.

Fazilka, January 3
The sub-divisional Administrative Complex (mini-secretariat) at Fazilka, which was constructed amid controversies during the previous Congress regime, is reportedly in row again. This time over the shifting of offices in the newly constructed complex.

The building of mini-secretariat was completed about one year back. It was constructed with the motive of better administrative facilities under one roof to the common people.

However, this proposal could not be materialised even after completion of complex, mainly due to the reason that the complex was raised on 46 kanals of land. The construction of the complex remained disputed.

Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), which had constructed the complex, had raised the building allegedly by encroaching upon the council land, for which even as foundation stone of the complex was laid by the then chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

PUDA did not pay a single rupee towards the cost of the land to the council, which is owner of the land. Since dispute arises between the PUDA and council authorities, no office was shifted to the complex.

However, the issue of cost of the land came to an end with the intervention of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. PUDA paid an amount of Rs five crores towards the cost of land some time back. Since then, it was imminent that the administrative offices were to be shifted in the new complex.

The ruling party was keen for formal inauguration of the complex. However, in the meantime, the SDM of Fazilka reportedly issued instructions to his and Tehsil offices to shift the offices in the new complex two days back. The officials started shifting the establishments in the new complex.

This reportedly caused restlessness amongst the ruling party. Moreover, the advocates and document writers have not been allotted any space for their chambers. Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur, KK Yadav visited Fazilka on Saturday.

Now, it has allegedly been decided by the Deputy Commissioner and the local MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani, who was also present on the premises of the mini-secretariat that shifting process be withheld for the time being till the inauguration of the complex.

MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani said that keeping in view the sentiments of the people, Deputy Chief Minister would inaugurate the complex within two weeks time. He said that arrangements for chambers of advocates and document writers would also be made in six weeks.