The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Stray dogs devour 5-year-old boy
Jalalabad, January 23
In a shocking incident, a boy (5) was killed by a group of stray dogs near the dead animals dumping place of Phallianwala village of this sub-division late on Friday night. The stray dogs first killed the boy and then ate up many parts of his body.

Convocation Day: Meritorious students felicitated
Abohar, January 23
While speaking at the convocation of Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College on Saturday, Punjab finance and planning minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, observed that economic disparity haunts the largest democracy in the world, India, even after 63 years of the independence.

Birth Anniversary
Rich tributes paid to Netaji
Abohar, January 23
While remembering the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 113th birth anniversary on Saturday, the residents of Subhash Nagar here remembered his favourite slogan "Give me blood and I will give you freedom" but they regretted that the municipal council had failed to give them freedom from pollution that was promised last year.

People offering floral tributes to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose during a function held on the occasion of his birth anniversary in Abohar on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

Synthetic milk seized
Barnala, January 23
The CIA staff accompanied with health authorities seized more than four quintals of synthetic milk and booked the owner of the milk factory from Sekha village in Barnala district on Saturday morning. Sources in the health department said that the CIA staff accompanied by the health authorities raided the milk factory of Tarseem Chand, son of Prakash Chand of Sekha village this morning and recovered four quintals and forty kilograms of synthetic milk.

NCC cadets gearing up for full-dress rehearsal for the Repulic Day celebrations at the Sports Stadium in Bathinda on Saturday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

Inter-college quiz contest held
Bathinda, January 23
An inter-college quiz contest - 2010 was organised at the Punjabi University Guru Kashi College, Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo), on Friday. As many as 10 teams from various institutions of the region participated in the contest.

State-level R-Day function
Chandigarh: The state-level Republic Day celebrations will be held at Fatehgarh Sahib where the Governor of Punjab will unfurl the National Flag and take the salute. CM Parkash Singh Badal will unfurl the flag in Ludhiana, deputy CM Sukhbir Badal in Amritsar and Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha Nirmal Singh Kahlon in Patiala.

Dalits’ hutments torched in Bhagwanpura; member of State SC Commission visits village
Admn told to submit report in 7 days
Rajay Deep/TNS

Bhagwanpura (Bathinda), January 23
Taking note of Bhagwanpura's incident of Wednesday night when some landlords along with their armed men allegedly torched the hutments of Dalits of the village and opened fire on them, the Punjab State SC Commission today asked the district administration to file a detailed report in this regard in seven days.

According to information available, the land (87 kanal and 14 marla), where the huts were located, was in dispute as the landlord were claiming it of belonging to them, while Dalits, who were in possession of it, had been terming it as "Shamlat" land.

As per the police report and also according to affected Dalits, the farmers with their men attempted to dispose them from the land by torching their huts, opening fires and damaging a temple, located there.

Airing their grievances to the member of the Punjab State SC Commission, Dalip Singh Pandhi, who visited the spot today, the victim families attributed the police's alleged lackadaisical attitude as the reason for the atrocities committed upon them. “Had the policemen, who witnessed the accused setting our huts on arson and opening bullet fires, instead of running away acted in responsible manner, the situation could have been controlled,”alleged the victims.

Narrating the incident, some of the leaders among them sought the transfer of SSP Bathinda Ashish Chaudhary, accusing him for putting no action in the previously lodged two complaints of atrocities upon them.

Assuring the aggrieved Dalits of action in the case, Pandhi asked the deputy commissioner, Rahul Tewari and senior police officials to submit a detailed report of the incident as well as the action taken in this regard, within seven days.

Pandhi directed the district administration to ensure security to the victim families, issuance of BPL and ration cards, medical assistant and also issue arms license to aggrieved families as they all faced such atrocities earlier too.

As per the details of the incident, some Dalits of village Bhagwanpura accused more than two dozen persons led by Jagtar Singh and Gurmeet Singh, who had been claiming their ownership upon the land, for visiting their hutments on Wednesday night in various vehicles including some bearing hooters and red beacon atop and attempting to dispose them. They accused that their men for damaging their temple and also taking away all their households in trolleys. Further they alleged that two of their kin Chamkaur Singh and Harmander Singh were missing from the day.

As per the statement of the victims, police registered case under sections 447, 511, 427, 436, 307, 148, 149, 295-A, 506 of the IPC and 25 and 27 of the Arms Act against 25 persons, including 15 identified.

Giving his version, DSP DS Brar apprised that seven accused had been arrested and during interrogation they admitted that fire was opened to threaten the Dalits. Meanwhile, he added that police could not find even a single shell of the fired cartridge.

On his part DC Rahul Tewari said, “We have formed a special committee to investigate the matter. Moreover, we have been providing ration, blankets and tents to the victim families from Red cross funds.”

Be active partner in state economy: Sukhbir to NRIs
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 23
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave a call to NRIs to return to roots and become active partner in the economic development of the state.

Inaugurating a conference “Making Punjab The Skill Capital of the World” organised by the International Punjabi Chamber for Service Industries (IPCSI) in collaboration with the Institute of Technology and Future Management Trends (ITFT) here today, Sukhbir said with Punjab emerging the main centre of the world to train and export skilled human resource to the world, time has come for NRIs to exploit this strength of Punjab by investing in the state. Presiding over the conference, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister for NRI Affairs, explored Punjabi NRIs to rejuvenate their inherent strengths of hard work, entrepreneurial qualities and dedication.

Sukhbir said Punjab was investing in developing human resource according to the changing needs of the industry.

He said to provide quality human resource back up to the upcoming industry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, had already started classes. Moreover, Indian Institute of Information & Technology (IIIT) would be set up soon.

The Deputy Chief Minister said with the setting up of World Class Indian School of Business (ISB), second of the country, Punjab was all set for education revolution in the state.

Sukhbir said the setting up of the Central University at Bathinda and World-Class University at Amritsar and record investment of Rs 104 crore on 13 new degree colleges show the focus and sincerity of the state government.

Describing NRIs as ambassadors of peace and goodwill, he added that the time had come when sun would actually rise in the east with India emerging as No 1 economic power of the World.

Inviting NRIs to invest in renewable energy ventures, Sukhbir Badal said that Punjab was targeting to produce 140 MW from mini-hydel plants, 500 MW from 28 upcoming baggase-based power plants, 200 MW from solar power plants, 208 MW from co-generation plants, besides saving 1,850 MW power by replacing traditional bulbs of 48 lakh households with CFL bulbs.

Punjab has emerged as pioneer state in implementation of non-conventional energy projects and had unique distinction of commissioning country’s first solar power plant in the state, he added.

Distance Education
PU told to limit purview
Neha Miglani
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 23
Directions by the Distant Education Council (DEC) for universities to restrict its jurisdiction of private education to their region, has compelled the Panjab University (PU) authorities to look for a road map, as nearly one lakh students appear as private candidates from the varsity each year.

After the issue of deteriorating academic standards of several varsities in South India caught the attention of the regulatory body that monitors private education, the varsities across the country were asked to limit their purview.

Though the issue was raised in a recent syndicate meeting, consensus is yet to be arrived and the decision is pending on the matter. Confirming that the DEC has proposed such a restriction, the Vice-Chancellor said the modalities were yet to be worked out.

Notably, the Chandigarh Tribune highlighted the case of black-marketing of hundreds of admission forms in Panjab University (on November 11).

The practice of buying forms in bulk by private academies, which are reportedly running business worth hundreds of crores, has been a known fact since a long time.

The PU has also been considering the proposal to offer the private candidates to pay more and appear as students of the University School of Open Learning (correspondence department), although the consensus on the issue is awaited in the syndicate meeting.

“The issue was discussed in the syndicate meeting, but the members are yet to arrive at a consensus on the issue,” said Kuldeep Singh, a fellow.

Currently, the private candidates pay Rs 1,500 as examination fee and the students of the correspondence department pay between Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000, which includes selective classes and course material.

Stray dogs devour 5-year-old boy
Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

Jalalabad, January 23
In a shocking incident, a boy (5) was killed by a group of stray dogs near the dead animals dumping place of Phallianwala village of this sub-division late on Friday night. The stray dogs first killed the boy and then ate up many parts of his body.

The boy had died before the residents of the village could reach to save him. However, a six-year-old girl, who was playing with the deceased boy, managed to run away from the spot.

Information gathered by TNS revealed that the boy was identified as Babbu and he had come to the parental house of his mother. A police party along with civil officials reached the village after getting the information. The body was sent to the local hospital for post-mortem. Rajiv Prashar, SDM, said that a comprehensive report was being prepared by the tehsildar, Jalalabad in connection with this incident after making on-the-spot inquiry. The report would be sent to the deputy commissioner for necessary action. He said that efforts were on to get compensation for the family of the deceased boy from the Punjab Mandi Board.

He claimed that he had already written to the municipal committees and veterinary clinics concerned to carry out the sterilisation of stray dogs.

Harsharanjit Singh, tehsildar, who got the post-mortem conducted and attended the cremation today, said that villagers had also demanded that boundary walls must be erected around the dead animal dumping places.

Convocation Day: Meritorious students felicitated

Abohar, January 23
While speaking at the convocation of Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College on Saturday, Punjab finance and planning minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, observed that economic disparity haunts the largest democracy in the world, India, even after 63 years of the independence.

Finance minister Manpreet Badal honouring PU toppers from Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College Abohar. A Tribune Photograph

Three hundred million of Indians still earn Rs 25 per day on average; every second child is a victim of pollution. “Most of the students of the Sainik School, Kapurthala opt to join the MNCs and not the Army. How can we think of another Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Teresa,” he questioned?

He administered oath to the degree holders for fighting social evils. He announced Rs three lakh grant for the library of the college. Parents of Ankush Kalra, who had recently made to the IAS, were honoured during the function.

The chief guest also awarded mementoes to the students including Rachna and Shaina who had topped in PU exams. Principal Dr Neelam Arun Mittu welcomed the chief guest. — OC

Birth Anniversary
Rich tributes paid to Netaji
Our Correspondent

Abohar, January 23
While remembering the great freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 113th birth anniversary on Saturday, the residents of Subhash Nagar here remembered his favourite slogan "Give me blood and I will give you freedom" but they regretted that the municipal council had failed to give them freedom from pollution that was promised last year.

Those attending the birthday function, including women, said Bose advocated complete freedom for India but here they have still to pass through stinking water that floods the street connecting the locality to the college road. Cremation ground is also located on the same road.

Noted homeopathy physician Dr NC Chatterji, who was instrumental in raising a Dharamshala in the locality in the name of Netaji, hoisted the national flag and garlanded the portrait of Netaji during the function. Dr Deepak Sarkar, patron, Feroze Khan, president of the Netaji Nagar Sudhar Sabha were followed by Kanta Aggarwal, principal of Ek Jot High School, Satwant Kaur, principal of Guru Gobind Singh High School, Sheela Sharma, principal of Swami Vivekanand School, teachers of Sunbeam High School and Mahatma Gandhi School in offering flower petals at the portrait amidst shouting of slogans like "Jai Hind" and "Netaji Amar Rahein". Dr Chatterji said the entire country is grateful to the hero of Indian Freedom movement.

Meanwhile,The birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was celebrated at many places in the twin districts of Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar today. Members of the Nagrik Suraksha Manch assembled at Subhash Chowk early in the morning. They garlanded the statue of Netaji, took out Prabhat Pheri carrying pictures of heroes of the freedom struggle and organised Kranti Gyan competition at the Guru Har Krishan Senior Secondary School. The teams of Sanskar International Academy, Ratandeep Model School and Beopar Mandal Balika Vidyalya got first three positions. Col (retd) Rajinder Prasad, TS Randhawa, Gopal Jha, Shankar Soni advocate and engineer Om Bishnoi spoke about the Indian National Army that was launched by Netaji.

Marwari Yuva Manch organised another GK test at Saraswati Convent School after offering flower petals on the portrait of Netaji.

Principal Seema Maheshwari and Raman Jhunthra addressed the gathering.

In Suratgarh function was held at Sharma Bal Mandir after garlanding the statue of Netaji at Subhash Chowk. In Rawatsar, 51 persons donated blood during the camp that was organised at Netaji Middle School today.

AIR anchor Rakesh Chaddha was the chief guest, Dhanpat Swami presided over the function.