Ludhiana, June 12
After suffering from constant disturbance for nearly three years, residents of Sarabha Nagar and Rakh Bagh road are having a “good night” sleep after the closure of “troublesome” cafeterias at midnight.

The action was taken following The Tribune report about shots being fired at as rival groups clashed near a café on June 11.

Sources said the police immediately took the action and ordered owners of the cafeterias not to open their outlets till late night.

Following the orders from the officials to regulate the timing of these cafes, The Tribune conducted a survey of the area and found these outlets closed.

Further PCR cops were also stationed near these outlets. Heavy police posse was made in the Sarabha Nagar market, Hero Bakery Chowk, Bharat Nagar Chowk and Fountain Chowk.

Residents of the locality, where these cafes are situated, were all praise for the police. The residents complained that these cafés were becoming a source of nuisance for the area residents. Brawls and use of firearms had become common in the area.

Sources said the police had tightened night vigil following reports of the shots being fired at in the Sarabha Nagar area on the intervening night of June 9-10.

“After a long time, the city road seemed safe for woman during late nights. The police need to remain on its toes in order to curb the crime rate in the city,” said Palak Thapar, who was returning home from the railway station at 1 am.

However, the decision of closing the outlets has not gone down well with a section of people, a majority of them suffering from insomnia.

While those working late nights were also complaining that the order of the police has been harsh on their late night hunger for food.

Ludhiana, June 12
Masaba Gupta, also known as India's first celebrity love child, found her calling by fluke. What followed was a successful streak with fashion and instant fame, which convinced her."

"I got into fashion by chance. There wasn't even an interest, I just applied for the course at SNDT for fun and got along with a friend and then enjoyed the journey. So far, it has been great," says the fashion designer, daughter of famous actress Neena Gupta and legendary West Indies cricketer Viv Richards.

A multi-talented personality, Masaba has been a state-level tennis player, has tried her vocals in music and was trained as a dancer before she decided on design. Interestingly, Masaba always wanted to be a singer and even spent three months in London learning music.

"Till second year in college, I didn’t want to be a designer, as I had found myself struggling to learn even the basics of the course, but designer Wendell Rodriques inspired me and pushed me to go for it," Masaba said.

All set to dress up the future, Masaba is already a known name in the Indian fashion circles. The young girl is being touted as the most promising GenNext designer to hit the Indian fashion scene in the recent years.

The 21-year-old walked away with the coveted “Most Promising Designer” title right at her debut at the Lakme Fashion Week, 2009. Her vibrant creations did create a wave with their bold hues and patterns.

"Fashion in our country is largely inspired by Bollywood. But for me, fashion is about the right mix of art and business," Masaba said adding that she would never create anything that is commercially non-viable.

Inspired by labourer women, Masaba thinks that "street" women are the ones who really represent design. "They will continue to inspire all my creations," she asserts.

A self-confessed tomboy, Masaba was never inclined towards acting like her mother and neither did she want to be a sportswoman. "But it was not the desire to be different from my parents that made me choose this profession. It was my inclination towards design," she reveals.

"Contrary to the popular belief about an over-protected childhood, I have had the most normal upbringing and never felt out of place because of who I am," added the girl, who conceded being greatly touched by racism at one point in her life.

Masaba once wrote about being a "Negress", born to a black father and white mother. "That happened when I was 19. Today I don't feel like that," she says.

Ludhiana, June 12
With the department of health and family welfare giving a clean chit to “expired” sugar confiscated from Seehra village in September last year, the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs today auctioned 8,500 quintals of sugar to 17 sugar traders from various parts of the state.

The department had kept Rs 2,700 as the reserve price for per quintal of sugar.

DFSC (East) KR Singla asked the traders to lift sugar within a week’s time and announced June 17 as the date for the auction of remaining 59,000 quintals of sugar.

The department had seized 97,500 quintals of “expired” sugar hoarded by Khubi Ram Johari Mal, 8,516 quintals from a godown belonging to Yashika International and 9,780 quintals from a godown owned by Chandi Mal Roshan Das in Seehra. This was stated to be one of the biggest seizures in Punjab.

The hoarders had specially rented godowns in the city to stock sugar. Following the raids, the city police filed a case against them under the Essential Commodities Act.

Meanwhile, following demand of the traders and city residents to send sugar samples for lab test, Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari had asked the Ludhiana Civil Surgeon to get sugar tested. There was a commotion during the auction, as some traders alleged that the department allowed some traders to make a bid for more than 1,000 bags of sugar, the maximum limit fixed for the auction.

Arvind Sharma, a social activist from the city, alleged that the officials of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department facilitated the hoarders to make the bid in today's auction. “Allowing the sugar hoarders, violators of the Essential Commodities Act, to make the bid in the auction is against the public interest as such black sheeps should be blacklisted,” Arvind Sharma stated. He said he would call upon the Deputy Commissioner to order an investigation into the matter.

Ludhiana, June 12
In what could be termed as a fine example of religious tolerance, the Sikh community at Sarwarpur village restored a demolished mosque and handed over the mosque keys to the lone Muslim survivor at the village.

The historical mosque was destroyed during the Partition in 1947, but the efforts of Joga Singh and his NRI brother Sajjan Singh made it possible for Tuffail Mohammad to offer prayers in the mosque this Friday after a gap of 63 years.

The brothers drew the inspiration from the affinity between first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev and his Muslim follower Bhai Mardana, who are remembered for their combined efforts to bring together the warring communities.

A small yet complete structure in bright green and sparkling white, the mosque, which was in a shambles 18 months ago, is now an emblem of brotherhood.

Braving tough resistance from a large number of families at the village, Joga Singh and Sajjan Singh were helped by SGPC member Kirpal Singh Khirnia who successfully convinced the Hindu and Sikh communities to set an example by allowing peaceful refurbishment of the mosque.

Imam Maulana Habib-Ur-Rahman while offering prayers at the mosque appreciated the initiative of the brothers, stating that they had written a new chapter of love and religious tolerance.

The Sikh brothers have expressed enthusiasm to carry on with their good work, as they have offered to restore more such mosques in the state.

Ludhiana, June 12
More than 12 per cent of the pregnant women, who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the year-long clinical study conducted at three hospitals in Ludhiana, points towards the possibility of Vitamin B12 deficiency,” observes Dr Allan Vaag from Denmark, doing a combined research in India and Denmark.

The doctor was in the city to hold a special clinic for diabetic patients at Deep hospital.

As many as 80 pregnant women were diagnosed with diabetes following the screening of 600 women at Deep hospital, Dr Iqbal nursing home and Rama Charitable hospital in Ludhiana under the ongoing research project. These pregnant women belonged to Khanna, Moga, Jagraon and adjoining villages.

Dr Allan Vaag while pointing towards the increase in cases of Type 1 diabetes (which is genetic) in Punjab and India at large said, “According to a research done by me, I can’t rule out the possibility of malnutrition in Indian women being one of the major factors contributing to diabetes which is why the diagnosis is necessary in pregnant women so as to prevent the incidence in newborns.”

Dr Vaag further stated that diabetes Type 1 could be managed but not cured.

However, the diabetologist expressed shock over the negligence of the diabetics in Punjab, adding, “They are reluctant to take insulin, as they believe the myth that they would get addicted to it which is not the case. On the contrary, it is very safe to control the blood sugar level,” Dr Vaag went on to add.

The expert recommended diabetes test for pregnant women, stating that if the father is a diabetic, the child has about 5-6 per cent risk of inheriting the disease and if the mother is a diabetic, the risk is 4 per cent but if both the parents are diabetic, then the risk increases to 15 per cent.

Dr Geeti Puri Arora, a diabetologist at Deep hospital, said, “The rate of abortions is high among women suffering from diabetes as was evident from the clinical records of some women who have a history of repeated miscarriages.”

The cases are on the rise in Punjab and while looking at the gravity of situation, we have approached Punjab Minister for Medical Education and Research Tikashan Sud to include diabetes diagnostic test in the state health programme for pregnant women.

“The test costs Rs 20 but it will fortify the government’s campaign in favour of healthy mothers and infants,” said Dr Geeti Puri Arora.

The rise in diabetes among pregnant women can also be attributed to the Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Ludhiana, June 12
Even though fresh cultivation of paddy has started in the state, rice millers are yet to clear stocks from storage spaces.

The issue was raised at a three-day exhibition on rice processing technology that was inaugurated at Sahnewal near here today.

Large number of rice millers and traders participated in the exhibition. Tarsem Saini, president of the Federation of Rice Millers Association inaugurated the event.

Saini said there was a need to create more storage capacity and government should think of creating modern storage to maintain proper food inventory system.

He said several companies from Spain and Germany that could provide a wide solution to our storage problem had visited the exhibition.

While interacting with the media, Saini said rice millers need to upgrade their milling units. Such exhibitions were an opportunity for rice millers to experience latest trends.

It would help them control their losses and produce quality rice. Stating the need that the government should help rice millers to upgrade their units, he also expressed concern over the poor condition of rice millers all over India.

Saini said rice millers of Punjab and Haryana would hold a state-wide meeting tomorrow where they would discuss their issues.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 12
Though state-run schools have registered a substantial increase in the number of admissions this year, students have yet to receive textbooks being provided to them free of cost by the state government.

In the absence of proper reading material, a majority of students are either unable to read during the summer vacations or turning to reading books of previous class.

Resenting indifferent attitude of official concerned, parents of the affected students have urged the higher authorities to ensure availability of books before reopening of the schools.

The education department has, meanwhile, directed all DEOs (district education officers) to ensure that extra books needed for the students should be collected from the district-level book depots during the vacation.

Investigations by the Tribune revealed that a large number of students studying in government schools were yet to receive free textbooks being provided by the state government and Sarav Sikhya Abhiyan.

Though normally the students are allocated homework for the vacation, this year teachers have been asked to start teaching syllabus books only after reopening of the schools.

During the last academic session also, the students had to face a lot of problems in procuring the books.

Sources said some students had purchased books on their own, but a majority of them were waiting for free of cost books.

Perusal or records revealed that the chairman, Punjab School Education Board, had assured the supply of textbooks during vacation. After receiving information about increased strength, the authorities had directed heads of all schools to depute members of non-teaching staff to collect adequate number of sets of books from their respective book depots at the district headquarters.

The books when procured should be preferably delivered to the students at their houses, the heads have been directed.

Raikot, June 12
Baljinder Kaur, a resident of Sudhar village, here has been running from pillar to post to get the possession of a 22-kanal land that has been illegally occupied by the brothers of her late husband.

Her several complaints have fallen on deaf ears and she has accused her brothers-in-law of harassing and threatening her.

Baljinder alleged that after the death of her husband Sukhwinder Singh, her brothers-in-law took the forcible possession of 22-kanal land owned by her husband.

The accused were against the transfer of land in the name of Baljinder’s children.

She, however, got the mutation transferred in the name of her minor children, but the accused refused to vacate the land and threatened her of dire consequences.

To make both ends meet, Baljinder Kaur started working as an anganwari worker.

Whenever she leaves for work, the accused harass her.

Baljinder, along with Gurcharan Singh, president, Kirti Kissan Union, Raikot, Sudhar block president Sarabjit Singh and Jasbinder Singh, secretary of the Anganwari Workers Union, met the DSP Raikot.

The union leaders urged the police to take action against the culprits.

They said they would launch an agitation if the authorities failed to bring the culprits to book.

Raikot DSP Prithipal Singh is said to have instructed SHO Jasbinder Singh to look into the matter

and submit a report within a week.

Ludhiana, June 12
The green belt alongside the Ludhiana-Mullapur Highway is fast turning into a garbage dump, thanks to marriage palaces that are dumping their waste in the forest area.

According to sources, deterioration of forest land is just a tip of the iceberg, as backyards of these marriage palaces are no less than a dumping ground. A visit to the area is full of foul stink emanating from heaps of garbage. Huge piles of waste is scattered alongside the Ferozepur road.

Some village residents even complained that it was becoming a curse for them to stay in the area, which was once considered the cleanest.

Marriage palace owners were busy minting money not caring much about the environment.

At several places, waste, including plastic bags and disposable plates and other containers, was set on fire, harming the environment. Thick smoke spreading on the highway could easily be spotted.

Residents said marriage palaces were even creating noise pollution by playing loud music till midnight and crackers were also being burst flouting the rules. ‘‘Marriage palaces must dispose garbage at a proper place. They just fill sacks of it and dump it in their backyard amidst trees. Sometimes they set the waste on fire. Many trees have died in the past and many more would die if this continues,’’ said Davinder Singh, resident of Gohar village.”

“Marriage palaces conveniently throw the waste here. We have complained to forest authorities several times, but no one really cares,” he added.

Ludhiana, June 12
As vehicle thefts are at their all-time high, the police seems to be shrugging off responsibility by expressing its helplessness to safeguard vehicles.

Though the police is claiming that it is doing its best to bring down vehicle thefts, the graph is constantly rising.

Recently, the police launched a massive awareness drive and pasted hoardings and posters all around the city, cautioning people about the risk involved in parking vehicles at public places.

Such notice boards have been placed outside busy markets, public parks, outside shopping malls and cinemas, warning people about the theft-prone areas.

Cops have even conducted challan drives to discourage people from parking their vehicles near such places but even these efforts do not seem to bear fruit.

In March alone, 70 cases of vehicle thefts were reported and a majority of the vehicles were lifted from posh colonies like Civil Lines, Ghumar Mandi, Feroze Gandh Market and Sarabha Nagar Market.

If the police sources are to be believed, gangs are operating in the city which quickly dismantle vehicles, especially motorbikes and scooters, so that these could not be traced.

The police had its last major success two years ago when they arrested Vijay Toppi, who had stolen over 500 vehicles. Since then, they caught small-time vehicle lifters.

Ludhiana, June 12
The Ludhiana Ex-Servicemen Welfare Society today demanded that Sainik Samachar, a fortnightly magazine of the Sainik Welfare Department which was becoming a mouthpiece for higher-ups and ministers, must carry news concerning the Army.

During a general body meeting of the society, Retd Col Harbakhash said the Sainik Samachar, a widely read fortnightly magazine among soldiers, should be made a source of information, rather than carrying news of ceremonial lightning of a lamp by a minister. It should provide information related to government schemes benefiting the Armed forces, he said.

Quoting example of an ex-servicemen, the Colonel said ex-servicemen living in the far-flung villages of the state were ignorant of their rights and new government's packages under the Sixth Pay Commission.

Retd Major SS Aulakh said the ex- servicemen had to run from pillar to post to receive the benefits of the government.

He said government launched a special scheme for the upliftment of soldiers, but the information never reached them.

President of the society, Col RS Sohi, welcomed the guest for attending the meeting.

Ludhiana, June 12
Last evening saw beautiful girls and handsome boys on the ramp for Mr and Miss Ludhiana titles.

Out of 21 contestants, Jasmeet Kaur walked away with Miss Ludhiana crown, while Arjun Vinayak was crowned Mr Ludhiana beating 20 others.

The beauty pageant, no less than a mélange of colours and glamour, attracted huge crowd from all walks of life.

Contestants were judged on the basis of their beauty as well as intelligence.

They went through four rounds - introduction round, western round, traditional round and question-answer round.

The pageant was judged by a panel of judges, famous TV and film personalities, including lead pair of daily soap 12/24 Karol Bagh actress Smriti Kalra and actor Neil Bhat; stand up comedian and actor Deepak Raja; actress Pooja Tandon, producer-director Darshan Aulakh, Simple Khanna, Punjabi actress Mohitinder Bawa, Manisha, international choreographer Ravi Deep and make-up artist and choreographer Mangeshwar.

Khamano, June 12
An annual training camp for 500 NCC cadets (both boys and girls) was held at JNV, Farour, under the aegis of 19 Punjab Battalion NCC, Ludhiana, under the guidance of camp commandant Lt Col VK Singh.

The cadets from 35 institutes covering five districts attended the camp.

During the camp, the cadets were trained in the field of physical fitness, drill, map reading, weapons handling, firing and subjects like aid to civil authority. Besides this, guest lectures on blood donation, hygiene, sanitation and traffic control were also organised. At the end of the camp, 80 cadets were selected for the inter-battalion competition, thal sena camp and RDC camp, 2011.

Kesh Kumar of GNM College, Doraha, was adjudged the best cadet among boys and Akashdeep of JNV, Farour, was adjudged the best cadet from girls. The cadets also took out a rally to spread awareness against social evils.

Tiny tots have a blast with their dads in Ludhiana on Saturday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Preetima Bahl, school director, said: "Generally mothers are seen pampering their children by participating with them in various activities, but this time we included fathers, too."

Farewell

The seven-day NSS camp for boys organised by Youth Services, Punjab, concluded at RS Model Senior Secondary School today.

Principal ML Kalra welcomed chief guest Rajinderpal Sayal, vice-president of the school management. The programme started with recitation. Karanveer sang a patriotic song while Karamjeet sang a cultural song. Jasmeet spoke on national service and Gagan Gandhi shared his camp experience.

Kirpal inspired the volunteers to be positive.

Rajinderpal Sayal blessed volunteers for their efforts. Vice-principal Maninderjit Kaur thanked NSS officers and management members for their help during the camp.

Summer camp

Creativity, a summer camp with an aim to develop hidden talents and create awareness about moral values, was held at Spring Dale Senior Secondary Public School. The two-week long workshop witnessed participation of over 200 students. Children enjoyed exploring their talents. Spoken classes were also conducted in which students were taught to converse in English. They were taught computer basics, Punjabi and Hindi folk songs and various dance forms.

A session on moral values was also held by director and founder principal Avinash Kaur Walia. Another summer camp was inaugurated at Green Land Senior Secondary Public School today by Rajesh Ruddhra, chairman, Green Land Schools, along with other members of the managing committee and principal Baldeep Pandher.

The camp is being organised in collaboration with Punjab Arts International, Chandigarh, from June 12-19. A group of International artists will teach folk dances to boys and girls on school premises from 9 am to 1 pm. The students will get to learn giddha, jhummer, bhangra, sammi, laddi, Pakistani, Haryanavi and Rajasthani. — TNS

A five-day training programme on "Home scale preservation of fruits and vegetables" organised by directorate of extension education and department of food science and technology, PAU concluded, here today.

Addressing the participants, Dr Tejinder Singh, head of the department of food science and technology highlighted the need for preserving fruits and vegetables that suffer huge losses in the tropical and sub-tropical climate.

He suggested participants to take up fruits and vegetable processing and preservation as a commercial enterprise.

He said knowledge gained through interaction with experts would help them.

Ludhiana, June 12
The police has arrested two persons, who had committed a number of thefts outside shopping malls and busy market streets at Ghumar Mandi and Sarabha Nagar.

Further, a shopkeeper, who used to sell the stolen goods, was also nabbed by the police. Besides jewellery, the police seized six mobile phones, two laptops and a digital camera from the accused.

The accused have been identified as Arun Kumar, alias Bittu, a resident of Sham Nagar, Avtar Singh, alias Tittu, a resident of Phase II, Dugri, and Mukesh Kumar, alias Mintu, who runs a jewellery store in Kochar market. The accused, Arun Kumar, alias Bittu, and Avtar Singh, alias Tittu, were nabbed from Gurdev Nagar following a tip-off on Saturday.

The accused confessed to have committed thefts.

They added that they used to sell the stolen items to Mukesh Kumar, alias Mintu.

Following the revelation, cops sprung into action and conducted a raid at the jewellery store owned by Mintu.

The police recovered gold jewellery, including a gold necklace and a gold bangle, from Mukesh’s shop.

Divulging details about the modus operandi of the accused, Assistant Commissioner of Police Raj Kumar said the accused were apt at opening the locks of vehicles. They used to operate near shopping malls and busy market places.

The accused used to target women. They used to open the car and steal the valuables. The ACP appealed to the public to avoid leaving expensive valuables in their cars. The accused have been booked under Sections 379 and 782 of the IPC for stealing and snatching.

Ludhiana, June 12
An accurate and consistent bowling by Amrit Pal Singh enabled Ludhiana to overpower Bathinda in the second match of the Punjab State Inter-District U-19 Cricket Tournament for the Dhruv Pandove Trophy being organised by the Punjab Cricket Association at the Punjab Agricultural University campus ground here today.

Amrit Pal chipped in with five wickets, as Ludhiana emerged victorious on the basis of first innings lead of 29 runs. In reply to Ludhiana’s first innings total of 185 runs, Bathinda began the day’s proceeding at 62 for two made in 26 overs.

Bhatinda failed to cope up with Amrit Pal’s bowling and eventually caved in at 156 runs in 58 overs.

Harjeet Singh top scored with 36 runs, followed by Mahavir who made 28, while Dhruv and Sangram contributed 20 and 22 runs, respectively.

Amrit Pal Singh sent down 24 overs and took five wickets for 73 runs, while Abhishek Talwar captured two wickets and helped Ludhiana to defend a total of 185 runs.

In their second essay, Ludhiana was 94 for four after 46 overs when the umpires called it a day.

In their last encounter slated to be held on June 14 and 15 at Patiala, Ludhiana will take on Patiala.

Scores:

Ludhiana (first innings): 185 all out in 66.5 overs (Abhinav Bhatia 28, Vivek Chadha 28, Gurinder Hara 28, Abhishek Talwar 22, Jashanpreet Sidhu 28, Nitin Malhotra 12; Sukhminder Singh 2 for 22, Akshay Kaushik 1 for 11, Pawan Kumar 4 for 67, Sangram 2 for 25 and Manoj 1 for 19).

Bathinda (first innings): 156 all out in 58 overs (Dhruv 20, Sangram 22, Mahavir 28, Harjeet Singh 36, Pawan Kumar 10 n.o, Amrit Pal Singh 5 for 73, Jashan Preet Sidhu 1 for 27, Abhishek Talwar 2 for 16).

Ludhiana (second innings): 94 for 4 in 46 overs (Sunny Pandey 21, Akhil Aggarwal 19, Abhinav Bhatia 18 n.o, Gurinder Hara 18, Abhishek Talwar 9 n.o, Sangram 2 for 46, Akshay Kaushik 1 for 14 and Sukhminder Singh 1 for 4).

Ludhiana, June 12
Saurabh Sharma, a Class IX student of Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar bypass, hogged limelight in the recently-held Namwon Korea 2010 Roller Skating Championship in South Korea.

Around 145 students drawn from fifteen countries competed in the meet.

Saurabh, along with seven other participants from across the country, took part in the championship and gave a fine performance. In the 200m and 300m time trial event, Saurabh finished at the 10th place. However, he managed to stood second against participants from India.

In the National Roller Skating Meet held at Nagpur early this year, Saurabh secured the seventh position and earlier, in the state championship, he bagged eight medals, including two gold medals.

Baldeep Pandher, principal of Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, appreciated Saurabh’s achievement and congratulated his coach JS Dhaliwal.