R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Batala
Bharat Gaurav Award: Principal Ghanshyam Singh of Adarsh College for Women and Adarsh Computers, Fatehgarh Churian, Gurdaspur has been honoured with ‘Bharat Gaurav Award’ in Mumbai. The award was conferred upon Ghanshyam Singh by S.C. Jamir, Governor of Maharashtra, for his meritorious achievements in recognition of his work in the field of education in the remote areas especially for the development of the girl child. The award was introduced by the Citizens’ Integration Peace Society, New Delhi.

Jalandhar
Awareness camp: The Rotary Club, Civil Lines, organised a two-day long awareness camp for the parents of the students of National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Schools at Dera Preet Nagar and Ladhewali. Avtar Singh, Field Officer of NCLP, Jalandhar, said the camp was held in association with Central Labour Education Board, Chandigarh. The camp was inaugurated by Assistant Labour Commissioner Inderjeet Singh. Rotary Club president Manmohan Singh gave away Rs 6,000 to 40 families.

UK Border Agency opens branch: The student agent of UK Border Agency in India, Icon, The Kundras, have opened its maiden branch in north India in Jalandhar in partnership with Ashutosh Anand of Touch Stone Educationals Pvt Ltd, Jalandhar. Addressing mediapersons today, Anil Kundra, who is Managing Director of Icon, said that the UK Border Agency was responsible for the regulation of entry to and settlement in the UK. “Studying in the UK and finding the right course and college is a labyrinth process and students need to take the help of councillors. We have affiliation with category A universities of the UK and we hold a professional development certification for promoting education in the UK,” he said. Ashutosh Anand, MD of Touch Stone Educationals, said the emphasis was on honest and transparent guidance of the student community which was being misled by unscrupulous agencies.

Labourer found murdered: A migrant labourer was found murdered in the Lohar Nangal area here today. The body of Nanku, hailing from Bihar, was found in a gunny sack dumped in a drain this morning. Nanku had been residing with his family in the Kuki Dhaba area for the last couple of years. His father Guhari Lal had lodged a complaint at Maqsudan police station about his disappearance. The family suspected that Nanku was killed by his friends. A case under sections 302 and 34 of the IPC has been registered. Some suspects have been rounded up in the case.

Ludhiana
Half day today: All state government offices, boards, corporations and educational institutions will close after half day on account of shobha yatra to be taken out on the eve of 633rd parkash utsav of Guru Ravidass here tomorrow, read a communique issued by Deputy Commissioner Vikas Garg.

Phagwara
1,780 cases solved: As many as 1,780 cases have been solved in 43 lok adalats organised in Phagwara, said Additional Civil Judge Arun Aggarwal while addressing a seminar which was aimed at educating women of their rights under the National Rural Employment Act. Judge Aggarwal said free legal aid was provided in 660 cases and compensation of Rs 4.32 crore was awarded to the victims. He disclosed that next seminar would be conducted in Sangatpur village on February 10.

CHANDIGARH

Workshop: Government College for Girls, Sector 42, today organised a five-day UGC-sponsored sensitisation, awareness and motivation workshop on “Capacity Building of Women Managers in Higher Education”. As many as 40 delegates from various colleges and universities of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K have come to attend the workshop. Ajoy Sharma, IAS, Director Higher Education, Chandigarh administration, was the chief guest on the occasion.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
Forum deputation meets Governor: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Forum for Peace and Reconciliation met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhavan here on Thursday and briefed him about activities of the organisation to strengthen communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, pluralistic ethos and high traditions of Kashmiriyat, for which the state had been known for centuries.

Leopard mauls 4 in Rajouri: A leopard mauled four persons in Rajouri district today. Official sources said a cub, who had intruded into Gagrota village in Kalakote tehsil of Rajouri was caught by the villagers. However, a leopard, attacked the villagers and after injuring four of them, fled. The cub was later handed over to Wildlife Department officials, they said.

Srinagar
Army holds mela in Kargil: A mela, ‘Know Your Army’, dedicated to people of Leh and Kargil districts of the Ladakh region was held at Batalik in Kargil on Wednesday. The mela was aimed at strengthening the bond between the locals and the Army. A defence spokesperson said the mela was also aimed at motivating the youth of the region to join the Army. The mela had a sadbhavana gallery showcasing various development activities of the battalions of the Tiger Hill Brigade and a gallery for showcasing the grit, determination and sacrifice of the Army men during ‘Operation Vijay’.