Ludhiana, June 25
When Parvinder Singh, a physically challenged resident of the city’s Fatehganj locality, booked a journey-cum-reservation ticket for travelling from Moradabad to Ludhiana by the 3307 Ganga Sutlej Express on June 23, he had no inkling this particular journey would turn out to be a painful experience that he would not forget for the rest of his life.

The journey-cum-reservation ticket of Parvinder Singh, showing a confirmed booking.

As Parvinder, along with his son Inderjit Singh, arrived at Moradabad station to board the train at its scheduled departure time of 21:30 hrs last Tuesday, he was unable to locate the coach (SD 1 - sleeper disabled) mentioned on his reservation ticket. After a frantic search, the duo enquired from the sleeper coach’s conductor. The latter confirmed the reservation chart did show the booking with berth numbers 1 and 2, but added the SD-1 coach had not been attached to the train on that particular day.

Desperate to board the train before it left them stranded at the station, the harassed passengers went to the guard accompanying the train, who did not care much for the predicament of the disabled passenger and his son. "The guard told us to search for the coach adding if we couldn’t find it may be it wasn’t attached to the train," said Parvinder.

In stark contrast to the extreme apathy shown by the railway staff to the handicapped passenger and his son, a passenger travelling to Ferozepur by that train, Amritpal, offered a berth to both of them just as the train was about to leave the station. "It was solely due to an act of kindness and compassion by a co-passenger that the two of us could undertake the journey, albeit with some discomfort during the night," Parvinder stated.

When contacted, Moradabad train station superintendent RK Sharma said the reservation chart did show that coach SD-1 was attached to the train that arrived in the city on the morning of June 24. "The guard who had gone with the train from Ludhiana to Ferozepur had also confirmed the coach was there. It was just the insensitivity and carelessness on the part of the railway staff that the bona fide passengers, one of them physically challenged, had to suffer”, he said.

Parvinder has filed a formal complaint with the Northern Railway divisional headquarters at Ferozepur demanding action against the railway employees, who he said had caused mental agony and physical discomfort to him and his son.

Ludhiana, June 25
Failure of government agencies to implement Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Act has resulted in manifold increase in number of drug addiction cases among youth. Establishing the fact, city-based psychiatrists and de-addiction centres termed the "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking" a farce, while pointing towards the increase in number of "young patients" coming to them for counselling and de-addiction.

Professionals alleged that "working" of drug inspectors in the department of health and family welfare, Punjab, and narcotic commissioner at district-level is an eyewash.

MS Gill, president of a city-based NGO further alleged: "Conducting raids on the retail chemists and confiscating small quantity of scheduled H drugs is an eyewash, as the drug control authorities give a free hand to wholesalers to sell drugs worth crores every day. Those who are booked under Drug and Cosmetics Act one day, next day they are back on their counters making money in drug trade," alleged Gill.

Dr SK Prabhakar, a neuro psychiatrist, said: "It’s impossible to end the problem by targeting chemists, as drug nexus is run by politicians, along with criminals and cops. The vulnerable, unemployed youth fall prey to the nexus as they are given drugs free initially and gradually they become a part of the mafia," said Dr Prabhakar.

Another psychiatrist Dr PS Khurana said doctors/psychiatrists were working on "demand reduction" but the easy accessibility of drugs zeroes the efforts made by professionals, thus it is must to implement the above acts. "No drug should be sold without medical practitioner’s prescription and a short course should be prescribed by the doctor concerned," Dr Khurana added.

Ludhiana, June 25
Not only men but women also are getting addicted to psychotropic and pharmaceutical drugs.The startling fact came to the fore recently when the number of women outnumbered their counterparts at different camps against drug abuse organised by the city police.

During the six camps organised by the police at different places, many women confessed to the doctors that they were hooked on to drugs and needed help.

It came to the fore that majority of the women were addicted to shoe-polish smell, nail paint while others were taking cough syrups and even capsules.

"I am addicted to shoe polish. Its fumes give me high. When I am at home I even apply it on my nose. In a week, I finish three to five small sachets of shoe polish," said a woman while requesting anonymity, who wanted a remedy for it from the doctor.

Most women who were addicted to drugs belonged to the lower-middle class families and lived in densely populated areas, where narcotics were very common. They got hooked on to drugs seeing the youths in their neighbourhood.

Darshan Lal, a labourers’ leader in Jawahar Nagar camp, who brought many people from his area to the de-addiction camps said unabated supply of pharmaceutical drugs plagued his area. He said capsules like proxyvon could be spotted in almost every household in Jawahar Nagar.

While narrating the tragic story of one family, which perished due to drug addiction, he said, “An auto rickshaw driver in our acquaintance was addicted to psychotropic drugs and eventually died. He wife too got addicted and succumbed sometime ago. Their two daughters are now living with their maternal grandparents in Jagadari. What future has is store for them you can well imagine.”

ACP (East) Bhupinder Singh said, “These are minor problems which can be handled through awareness camps. Right now, the major challenge before us is to keep a tab on the spread of HIV. As the addicts generally share syringes which result in the spreading of dangerous viruses like HIV. These viruses are further transmitted to their wives and their offspring. We are trying to spread awareness through the medium of plays and de- addiction camps.”

He further said that addiction is the root cause behind the petty crimes like chain snatching and vehicle lifting.

Ludhiana, June 25
District health department, private hospitals and NGOs organised lecturers against drug abuse on the eve of International day against drug abuse at Civil Lines here today.

A lecture against drug abuse was organised at Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, which was attended by hospital staff, patients and their attendants.

Dr NK Kaushal, Dr Sushil Jain and Dr Pradeep Sharma were keynote speakers who called upon people to be cautious, while observing the habits of their adolescent children who were falling prey to the menace.

The lecture was organised on the directions of civil surgeon Dr Satwant Kaur Bhalla.

Rising Youth Association also organised a lecture against drug abuse at Civil Lines, wherein Dr Naresh Bansal and Dr Anooj Chatley delivered a lecture.

Dr Naresh Bansal said: "Drug abuse is the single largest factor in the spread of HIV and Hepatitis infections. Research done by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has shown that drugs and alcohol use interfere with judgment about sexual behaviour thereby engaging in unplanned and unprotected sex. This increases the risk for contracting HIV from infected sex partners, the doctor added.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis of HIV surveillance, data reveals that 25 per cent were among injection drug users (IDUs). Non-injection drugs such as "crack" cocaine also contribute to the spread of HIV when users trade sex for money, said Dr Bansal.

Dr Anooj Chatley said teenage depression was one of the important signs of substance abuse. He referred to studies, which have established that, more than half, and possibly up to 80 per cent of property offences have some drug involvement.

Preet Kamal Grewal, Gaurav Sharma, Vaneet Behal, Prem Grover, Baljit Sharma, Surinderpal Singh, Sanjay Dhanda, Darshan, Raman, Sumesh, Sandeep Thapar, Simran Chahal, Bir Sukhpal Singh and JB Singh, were also present. — TNS

Ludhiana, June 25
The ‘big fat’ Punjabi weddings can never be complete without the tasteless show of opulence. Among other things Punjabis love to flaunt is their wealth through garlands made of Indian currency bills that the bridegrooms are overloaded with. The denomination of the notes is directly proportional to the prosperity of the groom’s relatives.

This ritual that has been an indispensable part of north Indian weddings has left the Reserve Bank of India fuming as the practice is a clear violation of its regulations, which prohibit folding and stapling of currency notes. However, this has not deterred the penchant of Punjabis to show off.

Garlands made of currency notes worth Rs 501 to Rs 5,001 are presented to bridegrooms with bills of denominations between Rs 10, Rs 50 and Rs 100. ‘‘People don’t use Rs 500 notes as they want the garland to look heavier. So they ask us to use smaller denominations”, said Rajesh Kumar, a shopkeeper.

These garlands are used by affluent, middle class and lower middle class people depending upon their budget. The rich want garlands made of bills worth Rs 5,001 and at times even more. The middle class makes do with Rs 2001 and 1001 and the lower middle class goes for Rs 501.

"I’m not aware there is a ban on this practice. It’s an important ritual in a Punjabi wedding and giving garlands made of currency notes is considered auspicious on the wedding day. To demonstrate our love and affection towards the newlywed couple, we prefer to present these garlands to them," said Shallu Kawatra, who recently attended her brother's wedding.

Despite the RBI prohibition on stapling currency notes a number of dealers in the city are openly selling garlands made from Indian currency notes. These shopkeepers are least concerned about deforming currency notes. Some of them are not even aware of the RBI regulations and say no official had approached them to stop selling these garlands.

People involved in selling currency note garlands have been engaged in this traditional activity for the past several decades and are doing business as usual in the city’s the busy Basati Bazar, Field Gunj, Ghumar Mandi and Model Town markets.

Rajesh Kumar, a shopkeeper at Basati Bazar, said, "I’m doing this business for the past many decades and no one has come here to stop us. I purchase new currency notes from banks by paying 5 per cent extra”.

"We’re making several efforts to make people aware stapling or folding of currency notes is prohibited. But no one seems to be paying heed as in most weddings, especially in north India, the use of such garlands is a prerequisite," said a senior bank official.

Ludhiana, June 25
Taking a cue from the age-old adage about wearing one's love on the sleeve, enterprising brides-to-be are going all out to make the men in their lives feel special by wearing their love, quite literally, around their delicate wrists.

So the next time you spot "Rahul", "Amit", "Sumit" or "Saurabh" and the likes, shimmering among the red and white bangles adorning the new bride's wrists, don't be surprised! That is her husband's name, written beautifully in stones to match and become an important part of her bridal "choora".

Yes, getting the name of one's beloved engraved in precious and semi-precious stones in the bridal 'choora' is the latest fad among the young girls on the brink of holy matrimony.

Confirming this, Rahul Bunti, owner, Laxmi Store, reveals, "With every wedding season, come a number of trends. This year, it is the innovative 'naami choora' that has taken the wedding scene by storm. Every bride-to-be wants her husband's name engraved in the red and white bangles of her 'choora'."

"Some girls are more experimenting. Along with their would-be husband's name on one side of the middle bangle of the 'choora', they get their own name, too, engraved on the other side," informed Surinder, a local artisan involved in making designer 'chooras'.

A specialist in made-to-order bridal 'chooras', Rahul revealed that the latest style 'choora' comes with an additional broad bangle on which the names can be engraved in stones.

"A pair of these bangles are made to order and added to any normal trendy 'choora'

that the clients select,” he remarked. The best part about these bangles is that they come for as less as Rs 900 a pair.

The ‘naami choora’ surely has caught the fancy of one and all. Its exclusivity is what sets it apart from the rest.

“Moreover, the thought of wearing her (husband’s) name in ‘choora’, the age-old symbol of love and eternal bond of holy matrimony, is so exciting. I can’t wait to see my would-be husband’s surprised expression when he sees his name in my ‘choora’. I am sure he will be very happy,” smiles soon-to-be-bride Jasmeet Kaur, who has ordered for a ‘naami choora’ in semi-precious stones.

Ludhiana, June 25
The common man, already suffering due to the steep increase in the prices of essential commodities, has got another blow with the UPA government’s decision to inflict a steep rise in the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas.

The price of petrol has gone up by Rs 3.50 per litre, diesel by Rs 2 per litre, kerosene by Rs 3 per litre and cooking gas by Rs 35 per cylinder.

“The food inflation rate is around 17 per cent and with the increase in prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas will prove disastrous for the public. Now that the government is going to decontrol prices of all petroleum products, including diesel, it will prove disastrous for the economy and the country,” said Sant Singh, a retired government employee.

The prices of petrol and diesel were increased by Rs 3 per litre at the time of the Union Budget. International oil prices had not risen substantially in this period.

“But the prices in India has been increasing like anything. An increase of Rs 35 for an LPG cyclinder is too much,” said Monika, a housewife.

“By increasing the price of diesel and kerosene, farmers and poor sections will be badly hit. The LPG price hike will further burden the middle class. Petrol has become an essential commodity and nobody can live a day without it as everybody commutes through their own vehicles,” said Kanwalpreet, a bank employee.

Damanpreet, a housewife, said her house budget would go haywire after the hike in the prices. “Every other day prices of essesntial commodities are hiked. Sometimes it is milk, then vegetables and pulses, and now, it is the turn of petro products. The hike of Rs 35 for a cylinder is too much. The government should roll back the hike as the inflation rate in the country is already too high,” she said.

Ludhiana, June 25
The passport office here is all set to become functional within a fortnight as all the infrastructure and other arrangements have been put in place for the same at Gian Singh Rarewala Market, adjacent to the General Bus Stand here.

Ludhiana MP and the national spokesperson of the All-India Congress Committee Manish Tewari accompanied by the Chandigarh Regional Passport Officer Vithul Kumar today reviewed the final arrangements being made before the formal inauguration of the passport office.

The officials told Tewari that the passport office here would be operated by the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and would be headed by a passport officer from the Ministry Of External Affairs. The passport office will provide all services to the applicants under one roof. Tewari went around the office and inquired about all the services to be provided to the people.

He was told that the whole process for an applicant to submit his or her application would take about an hour and there would not be much waiting. The entire passport office is centrally air conditioned with a lot of waiting area and comfortable seating arrangements.

The refreshments are also available within the office premises.

Besides, the MP was told, a special escalating chair has been arranged for the old and differently abled.

Briefing Tewari, Kumar and the TCS officials maintained that the Ludhiana office would cater to the people of entire Punjab. It will be their discretion to apply for a passport at Ludhiana office or Chandigarh. "Once Ludhiana passport office becomes functional, it will take a lot of load off the Chandigarh office," Kumar said.

Talking to reporters at the passport office after reviewing the arrangements, Tewari said, it was a long pending demand of the people, not only from Ludhiana, but the surrounding areas as well, that there should be a passport office in the city. 

Ludhiana, June 25
The Australian Trade Commission and the Australian trade and investment development agency of the Australian federal government presented business and investment opportunities with Australia for businesses based in Punjab at the seminar on "Doing Business with Australia".

The seminar showcased the potential business and investment opportunities in Australia and potential joint venture partnership and investments.

The seminar specifically highlighted Australian expertise in wool, textiles, fashion; food and beverage; agri business; hospitality; infrastructure, building and construction; clean energy; financial services; health and medical; machinery, manufacturing and nanotechnology; urban infrastructure; automotive; water management and waste disposal; film and television; professional and business services (legal and HR services), education and training, franchising and sports services of Australian companies to businesses in Punjab.

Speaking at the seminar, Michael Carter, Trade Commissioner, North India, Australian High Commission said, "Punjab is a very significant business destination for Australian companies. Australia can provide value-added competitive solutions and expertise both in traditional and emerging sectors for businesses in Punjab".

Speaking at the seminar, Akshay Bector, chairman, CII, Punjab State Council, mentioned "There is immense untapped potential for trade and commerce between North India and Australia, which could be leveraged through people to people contacts. The MoU between the CII, Northern Region, and The Australian Trade Commission encourages bilateral trade and investments and facilitates business opportunities to the industry in North India.

The CII looks forward to working closely with Australia in realising the potential that exists for two-way trade and investments and strategic partnerships for the benefit of both. Some of the sectors which could gain considerably from enhanced engagement with Australia include agriculture and food processing, tourism, education and clean energy. This seminar is an important step to opening up potential areas of cooperation between Northern India and Australia."

Ludhiana, June 25
Music lovers in the city observed the first death anniversary of ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson today in their own different ways.

While some lit candles in their hero's memory, others sang and danced to his immortal melodies and some others narrated his life story, as known to the world, to the young ones, with an aim to keep the Moonwalker alive in their hearts, forever.

One thing common to all events marked to observe Jackson's death anniversary was the reverence with which his fans remembered him.

Their emotions pouring out almost bordered on hero worship, gave one a feeling that the greatest of the world's singers is still alive, as much in his songs as in his millions of fans' hearts.

Talking to The Tribune, Harpreet Happy, director, Happy Beat 'n' Dance Academy, said: "Staff members and students observed the day at our academy with lighting of candles."

Happy added that during the day, he narrated the life story of Michael Jackson to his students with his songs playing in the backdrop at the academy throughout.

Aradhna Suri, who runs a dance school in NCR, said for her, Michael Jackson was the best. "There has never been nor will be, any singer and dancer greater than him," she said adding that his death was a shock to the entire world.

"Students back at my school will today see Jackson's various videos and pay tribute to him in the evening in a show named after the King of Pop himself," said Aradhna, who is in the city to meet her sister.

Aradhna added that she organised a get together for children in the vicinity of her sister's house in Model Town Extension wherein Jackson's famous numbers like "Bad", "Black or White", "Heel the World" and many more were played to commemorate his first death anniversary.

Renowned local DJ Bhanu, too, held a small solemn event to observe the immortal singer's first death anniversary. He, along with his team members, lit candles at his office, to pay homage to Michael Jackson.

Ludhiana, June 25
Mahua TV Channel organised its reality show audition in Punjab.

This has been after the successful conduct of the first season of TV reality show "Sur Sangram", Sai Baba Tele films, Mumbai, organised music auditions at Baba Ishar Singh Public School for the second season of "Sur Sangram".

Renowned music directors Sujeet Mishra and Satish Tripathi were the judges. Singers from Punjab and other states between 17 to 28 year participated. Shortlisted singers will be invited for auditions in Mumbai for the reality show "Sur Sangram" to be telecast on Mahua TV Channel. During Sur Sangram TV show, contestants would sing Hindi and Bhojpuri songs.

Executive producer of Mahua TV channel Urmika Rai and Sujit Singh of Sai Baba Tele Films were also present. Dr Charan Kamal Singh, director of upcoming Ishmeet Singh Music Institute is co-ordinating the auditions.

Ludhiana, June 25
"The election commission should not have made changes in the SGPC forms pertaining to prohibition of tobacco as the ban is not just restricted to smoking, but it is an embargo on consumption of tobacco in every form," said SGPC member Kiranjot Kaur, granddaughter of SGPC founder secretary, late master Tara Singh.

Kiranjot was in the city to attend state-level function on 126th birth anniversary of master Tara Singh. The function was organised by state government at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan, Ludhiana.

"A chair should be established in his name in one of the state universities wherein research should be done on the ideologies of Master Tara Singh," SGPC member said.

Punjab cabinet minister, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, referring to Master Tara Singh as "Panth Rattan" said he was a legendary who was born into a Hindu family and went on to become a true "Gursikh" thereby fighting for the rights of the community till his last breath. He said he would request the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to establish a chair in the name of Master Tara Singh soon.

Member Parliament in Rajya Sabha BS Bhunder recalled the lines of Master Tara Singh "Mein Maran Te Path Jeeve" adding that each SGPC member should follow his selflessness while serving the community.

Punjab minister for jails, tourism and cultural affairs minister Hira Singh Gabria said Master Tara Singh was a man of words who despite his simplicity was an able "leader" with a history of serving the path for five decades.

Chief parliamentary secretary Harsh Rai Dhanda, MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik, Prof Rajinder Bhandari and Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar were present. 

Ludhiana, June 25
Cyberstar Group of Institutions today organised a blood donation camp on its premises at Basti Jodhewal, Ludhiana.

Dr GP Mangla from the Red Cross Society in Ludhiana, along with his team collected the blood and motivated students to voluntarily donate blood.

Dr Mangla said proper care was being taken while scrutinising the donor as right from the medical history, the prospective donor was examined for ailments. The blood then collected was also screened for infectious agents such as Hepatitis B, C and HIV, he added.

The director of institution Umesh Sharma, Member of Parliament Manish Tewari and former parliamentary secretary Surinder Dawar also attended the camp.

Tewari asked students to donate blood, “Donating blood voluntarily shows responsibility towards society, which youth understands now.”

He shared his association with All-India Youth Congress during which he played a vital role to organise largest blood donation camp.

Ludhiana, June 25
The CIA-II police arrested two persons for vehicle theft and seized seven stolen motorcycles besides a scooter from their possession here today.

The accused, Munish Kumar and Shibu Kumar, both residents of Arjan Dev Nagar, were arrested from Basti Jodhwal Chowk.

There is a lot of confusion over the sizes of special Commonwealth T- shirts and lowers.

The players said that the kits would be handed over to them on the spot, which in turn could result in confusion.