Jalandhar, May 31
Despite all financial odds, daughter of a daily wage labourer has won laurels for her school and district in Class XII Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) results declared today.

Preeti, a student of Devi Sahai S.D. Girls Senior Secondary School, bagged the first position in the district and sixth position in the state.

The topper, hailing from a humble background, has once again proved that hard work eventually pays whatever may be the circumstances.

The district topper had taken up mathematics, economics and computer science as subjects in Class XII. And further she has plans to pursue bachelors in computer application (BCA). “Although it would be difficult for my family to bear the expenses of my further studies. I don’t want that my studies should suffer at the cost of my humble background. God has been great enough to help me in fulfilling my aspirations. And I am sure I would be able to fulfil my dreams,” she added.

The topper got to know about her result from mediapersons when she received calls regarding her aggregate in the exams. “My hard work has finally paid off. All thanks to the Almighty,” she quipped.

Principal of the school Asha Sharma said the hard work of the students, coupled with sustained efforts of the teachers, had brought such a wonderful result. “We are proud of our students who have bagged the top merit positions in the state,” she added.

It might be noted that the students of the local aided schools in the district emerged with flying colours as girls bagged the top positions in the Class XII results.

The second position in the district has been bagged by Avtar Kaur, a student of humanities group of the local Prem Chand Markanda S.D. Collegiate Senior Secondary School. Avtar secured twelfth rank in the state.

While the third position in the district was bagged by Ramanpreet, also a student of Devi Sahai S.D. Girls Senior Secondary School. She secured the 14th position in the state.

Among other toppers are Pallavi Nanda, a student of the local Dev Raj Girls Senior Secondary School, who bagged the fourth rank in the district and the 26th position in the state. Saraj Singh, a student of the local DAV Collegiate Senior Secondary School, bagged the fifth position in the district.

Bhumika, a student of the local Devi Sahai S.D. Girls Senior Secondary School, bagged the sixth position in the district and 30th position in the district.

However, none of the students from the local government schools in the district reached the top slot in the merit list.

Hoshiarpur, May 31
Sandeep Kaur was poisoned to death, while her husband Anil Kumar of Ward 7, Randhawa Colony, Mukerian, was found lying unconscious in the car in which both were returning from Chandigarh near Pulpukhta, 38 km from here, near Tanda, last night.

Anil Kumar was admitted in the Civil Hospital, Tanda.

According to police sources, Sandeep Kaur’s mother Gurdip Kaur stated that her daughter, along with her husband Anil, was returning from Chandigarh yesterday in a car. When they reached near the Phagwara-Chandigarh bypass road, an unidentified couple hitched a lift. On the way the hitchhikers offered them Frooty. As soon as Sandip Kaur and Anil Kumar consumed the drink, both fell unconscious.

The hitchhikers escaped after leaving them in the car at Pulpukhta.

Later, some person rang up Gurdip Kaur and informed her that her daughter and son-in-law were lying unconscious in the car. When she, along with some persons, reached there, she found Sandeep Kaur dead and Anil Kumar lying unconscious.

They shifted Anil Kumar to the Civil Hospital, Tanda, where he was under treatment.

Duty official at Tanda police station Malkiat Singh said that an FIR under sections 302, 307, 328, 324 and 34 of the IPC had been registered in this connection and the investigation was going on. It had yet to be ascertained if the hitchhikers had looted cash, jewellery, etc., from them.

Jalandhar, May 31
A petty fight due to a water shortage led to the murder of a middle-aged man in Ujala Nagar, near Basti Sheikh, this morning.

Nand Lal (47) was allegedly done to death by his neighbourer Vishal Vicky (33) by punching him hard in the chest and then kicking him as he fell down. Nand Lal was rushed to a private hospital where he was declared brought dead. The accused has been booked under section 302, IPC, and arrested by the police.

The colony had reportedly not been getting adequate water supply since the onset of summers. Tempers flared up this morning as the women of the area were queuing up for their turn to get water from a tanker of the Municipal Corporation there.

As one of them tried to enter into the queue in between, a verbal duel ensued. Since the families of the accused and the victim were also involved, both of them also came out and got involved. In a fit of rage, Vicky took on Nand Lal whom he then reportedly thrashed to death. The victim was said to be making small earning for his poor family by selling goods on a cart.Councillor Manjit Titu said the area had been facing an acute water shortage every summers.