Ludhiana, July 6
The movement of trains on the Ludhiana-Delhi trunk route was thrown out of gear since today morning after the rail tracks near Ambala Cantt station were submerged under two feet of water. Keeping the safety of passengers in view rail traffic on this section was suspended till the water could be drained out.

According to Northern Railway officials, a number of ‘up’ and ‘down’ trains on the route were either detained at Ambala or diverted via Kurukshetra, Narwana, Jakhal, Dhuri and Ludhiana for their onward journey to Amritsar or Jammu Tawi. With the result that most of the trains were running late from anything between four and six hours. A number of trains that reached Ambala from Saharanpur were short terminated.

Ludhiana railway station superintendent RK Sharma told The Tribune the 1057 Dadar-Amritsar Express, 2919 Indore-Jammu Tawi Malwa Express and 4037 Delhi-Pathankot Express coming from Delhi were diverted via Kurukshetra and Dhuri and arrived at Ludhiana nearly four hours behind schedule. Similarly, many of the ‘down’ trains that included the 4674 Flying Mail and 2929 Malwa Express also proceeded to Delhi via the same route, which would cause a delay of several hours.

Quite a few other trains including the 2471 Bandra-Amritsar, 2019 New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express and 2487 New Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab Express were detained at Ambala Cantt station till the tracks could be cleared of water. These trains will arrive at Ludhiana and then proceed on to Amritsar, running late by five to seven hours, or else might be short terminated at Ambala if the tracks were not considered safe enough for train movement.

Railway officials had already short-terminated the 5209 Saharsa-Amritsar Jansewa Express and 5097 Barauni-Jammu Amarnath Express at Ambala Cantt, both of which had arrived via Saharanpur.

Thousands of travellers were stranded due to the trains running late, short-termination and cancellation of corresponding trains between Jammu-Delhi and Amritsar-Delhi all through the day. There was a heavy rush of passengers both at the enquiry counter for getting status of trains and also at the reservation centre for cancellation of reserved tickets.

Amrik Singh, who was waiting at the city’s railway station to take a train to Delhi for his onward journey to Chennai, said the trains were running so late due to diversion to a different and longer route that he might miss his connecting train even though he had allowed for a margin of some four hours. Senior railway officials were continuously monitoring the situation at Ambala Cantt station. However, as things stand now, it will take some more time before the trains begin running normally," Sharma added.

Ludhiana, July 6
Putting to end the possibility of undertrials giving police the slip during court hearings, the video conferencing facility was launched in the Ludhiana Central Jail at Tajpur here today. While the judge remained present inside the courtroom, the inmates in jail presented themselves before him through video conferencing.

The police has hailed the government's decision of launching the facility as the undertrials will not be taken out of the jail premises. Several cases have been reported in the past where dreaded criminals had managed to give police the slip while being taken to court complex.

Appreciating the effort of the government, Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh said the video conferencing would ensure safety. “Now, the dreaded criminals would be left with no chance to escape,” he said.

It may be recalled here that seven members of notorious Bangal gang fled from the police custody while they were being taken to a jail following a court hearing two year back. None of the accused has been nabbed so far.

Similarly, serial killer Rajiv Raja also escaped from police custody while he was being taken to the city from the Moga jail. Though, Chandigarh police later nabbed him.

The Police Commissioner said the video-conferencing facility was the only remedy to restrict criminals from escaping. “The facility will also save time and resources as the police will not be required to transport the undertrials to courts for every hearing. The move will also spare a large number of policemen who were deployed to escort the prisoners to the court and back,” added the Police Commissioner.

Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabria said the President had already given her assent to an amendment in the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) under which the persons in judicial custody could be produced before the courts either in "person" or through "video-linkage."

The President had given her nod to the facility nearly a year back, but the sate government was going lax on the installation of the equipment in jails.

Jagraon, July 6
A young man reportedly set his wife on fire on their very first wedding anniversary. The woman, who was admitted in a critical condition to Deep Hospital, Ludhiana, is now said to be in a stable condition.

In her statement to the Sidhwan Bet police, the victim, Amandeep Kaur (28) of Purain village said she married Amandeep Singh on July 4 last year. She said a valid visa she was holding at that time for some European countries had expired about six months ago. This upset her husband as, according to her, he had married her only for the sake of going abroad though she herself wanted to remain in India.

Kaur said her husband thereafter began harassing her over petty issues. “On our wedding anniversary on July 4 I wished him but, instead of reciprocating, he threatened to beat me with his shoe. He caught hold of me by the arm and took me to the kitchen and began pouring kerosene oil on me”, she alleged.

Kaur said she resisted but in the mean time her husband had lit a match and set her on fire. “On hearing my cries the neighbours gathered at our house and, after dousing the fire, took me to Deep Hospital in Ludhiana”, she added.

Though brought to the hospital in a critical condition Kaur is in a stable condition now. She has also stated to the police her mother-in-law, Sukhwinder Kaur, who was at home at the time of the incident, was innocent as she did not know what her son was doing.

Following his wife’s statement the cops booked Amandeep Singh, who fled after the incident, under section 307 of the IPC. 

Ludhiana, July 6
“Jab bhii aatii hai terii yaad kabhii shaam ke baad, aur barh jaatii hai afsurdaadilii shaam ke baad,” the couplet written by the noted poet Krishan Adeeb is still fresh in the minds of his fans, who remember his found memories even after 11 years of his death. The poet's death anniversary falls on July 7.

But, the state government has failed to acknowledge the contribution of this great poet as is evident from the fact that even after 11 years of his death, the government has not made any move to give a suitable pension to his widow residing in Ludhiana.

Having served as a photographer at communication department in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, from 1965-1985, Adeeb was recognised for his poetic works, including “Phool Patte aur Khushboo”,

“Awaaz Ki Parchayeen”, “Sahir Khwabon Ka Shehzada” and “Sham ke baad”. 

Winner of the Shiromani Sahitkaar Award, Adeeb was a close associate of Sahir Ludhianavi who worked in Mumbai for some years. Mohammad Rafi, Jagjit Singh and Mehdi Hassan sang his songs and nazms.

"My husband breathed his last on July 7, 1999, and all these years I have been hoping that government will compensate me," laments Shabnam, widow of Krishan Adeeb.

"It’s not just the financial support that I am referring to as my three sons take good care of me, but it disappoints that government is not giving any recognition to my husband," she added. The poet was re-employed for three years after his retirement in 1985 but did not qualify for pension as the pension scheme was introduced in 1986. Thereafter, he was given a PCO on rent on the PAU campus, but it gradually went out of business.

"I am thankful to the present PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr MS Kang who waived-off the PCO rent from Rs 900 to Rs 250 per month," said Shabnam. Adeeb's youngest son Rishabh said government organisations even failed to organise a function in the memory of his father.

Ludhiana, July 6
Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, has undertaken an initiative to instruct the newly admitted as well as old students of the College of Veterinary Science, College of Dairy Science and Technology and College of Fisheries to furnish an undertaking against ragging, along with their parents.

It will be mandatory for all students of the three academic programmes of the university.

GADVASU Registrar, Dr PD Juyal revealed that according to the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, this undertaking is mandatory from the last session throughout the country. He said a number of incidents of ragging had happened in the country in the recent past. On witnessing these incidents, the Supreme Court of India passed on strong comments and orders.

The UGC also issued the guidelines to curb the menace of ragging to all universities and colleges.

Under these guidelines, a student involved in such type of activities may be rusticated from the institute and affiliation of the institute may be cancelled. Dr Juyal said if the students/parents failed to supply the relevant documents till the second counselling, the chance would be given to the next aspirant in the waiting list. The old students would also submit the undertaking as notified by the deans of the respective colleges.

Dr KS Sandhu, director, Students’ Welfare, said the university had constituted an anti-ragging committee and vowed to implement recommendations of the Raghvan Committee as per the UGC guidelines. “The university authorities are vigilant to smell anything foul. We are guiding and counselling new and old students to develop a cordial and harmonious atmosphere. A stern action against mischievous students will be taken,” he added.

Dr Sandhu further mentioned that GADVASU is trying its best to check this heinous act in the campus. 

LUDHIANA: The PAU College of Home Science will organise a one-year certificate training programme for matriculate farm women of less than 28 years.

The course will cover home science and selected agricultural practices for 2010-11. Dean, College of Home Science, Dr Neelam Grewal, said there would be 25 seats for this programme and the last date for applying which was June 28 has been extended to July 13.

Doraha, July 6
The admission to various city and rural colleges shot up today with more and more students applying under various courses such as BCom, BCA, BBA, BA, BSc, PGDCA, MA, MCom, etc.

Although the admission was scheduled to start from yesterday, due to the Bharat Bandh call given by the BJP-led NDA, the response was lukewarm, whereas a lot of activity was witnessed in the colleges today with the students queuing up in the admission lines.

Although the clear preference for commerce is being revealed from the fact that a huge number of applicants have applied in various institutions and an equally good number sat for the counselling as well, at the same time, the preference for BCA, too, cannot be demeaned.

According to Dr Narinder Kaur Sandhu, principal, Ramgarhia Girls’ College, Ludhiana, “In spite of the bandh call yesterday, the students were inquisitive enough to take the admission, it being the first day.

Further, the admission to BCom has been centralised for the city colleges, the response to BCA as well as BA is quiet good this time. We have been able to fill the first unit of BCA and moving towards the second.”

Dr Swaranjit Singh, principal, GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sudhar, shared that although the response to the arts and commerce streams was not more than the previous years, the response towards science stream has shown an upward trend as compared to the past two years.

“The normal dates for the admission are from July 5 to 15, while that from July 16 to July 29 are with the permission of the principal accompanied with a late fee of Rs 300. From July 30 to August 31, the admissions will be done with the permission of the Vice-Chancellor. Further, at the time of the admission, the students are supposed to attach their birth certificate, certificate of the last exam passed, character certificate, migration certificate and scheduled caste and backward class certificate (if applicable), along with four recent size photographs at the time of the admission,” shared Dr Narinder Singh Sidhu, principal, GNN College, Doraha.

“In case of BCA, BBA, BCom, BSc, PGDCA, MCom, MSc (IT), the last date of the receipt of the admission forms was June 30. The merit list of the candidates was put up on July 4. The selected candidates were required to appear for the interview yesterday and also deposit the fee on the same day,” he added.

Ludhiana, July 6
City colleges witnessed a huge rush today as admissions to the first year of various undergraduate courses began.Most colleges displayed their cut-off percentage lists today, as yesterday's Bharat Bandh delayed the admission process by a day.

Hundreds of students made a beeline for the admissions amid rainfall lashing the region.

Continuing with the years-old trend, Khalsa College for Women (KCW) and Government College for Women (GCW) remained the most sought-after colleges among students even this year, as other hot favourite of the students, SCD Government College is yet to release its cut-off list. The college will display its list tomorrow.

At GCW, the cut-off percentage for the admission to BBA is 88.33 per cent and for BSc (non-medical), it is 80.80 per cent. The cut-off for BSc (medical) is 66.2 per cent. At KCW, the cut-off for BBA is 74 per cent, while for BCA it is 76 per cent, for MSc (maths) it is 75 per cent and for MCom is 74 per cent. Other city colleges have opened admissions for the first year, while counselling for the admissions to BCom is scheduled to be held from July 10-13.

Ludhiana, July 6
Frequent breakdowns in power supply, voltage fluctuation and inordinate delay in rectification of faults in several colonies in Rishi Nagar area has become a routine, causing harassment to thousands of residents.

Most of the transformers installed in the locality are overloaded and some new transformers, in the process of being erected, are still to become operational.

Stating this, Thaman Satish, chairman of the Rishi Nagar Citizens Council said officials and the line staff of the Punjab State Power Corporation (Powercom) was insensitive and unresponsive to the woes of 
the residents.

"Repeated pleas and representations made to Powercom officials had failed to bring any relief to the residents of Rishi Nagar," he alleged.

He claimed that transformers in the area were overloaded which led to frequent blowing of fuses and other technical snags with the result that power supply was disrupted for hours together. To make the matters worse, loosely connected PVC cables also cause power failure and add to the misery of the people.

Powercom officials, Thaman maintained, had installed a new transformer near a park (179-F), which was still to become operational. Similarly, another transformer was put up on 100 feet road in front of house numbers 222-F and 223-F, but later shifted elsewhere.

Senior executive engineer, Aggar Nagar division of Powercom, MP Singh, however, claimed that allegations of the Rishi Nagar residents were not based on facts. Talking to The Tribune on phone, he said the work order for making the transformers operational has already been given to contractors as this job was being outsourced by Powercom and new transformers would also be shortly erected in Ashok Vihar and KVM colony to reduce the load on existing transformers. The transformer proposed to be installed on 100 feet road was shifted to Surya Vihar and made operational which had led to underloading of existing transformers and improvement in quality of power supply.

"All the ongoing and proposed work for expansion and strengthening of power distribution network in Rishi Nagar will be completed by the end of this month and the residents will get better power supply," Singh claimed.

Ludhiana, July 6
The municipal corporation has hired about 50 workers to dig out the thick weeds along the Buddha Nullah running along Tajpur Road here to prevent the seasonal water stream from overflowing in the monsoon. Though civic officials had claimed there was no threat from flooding, they later decided to remove the weeds that had multiplied in the rainy season, obstructing the flow of water in the nullah.

A team of MC officials headed by joint commissioner MS Jaggi went to the site today to take stock of the situation. One JCB and a tipper machine have been installed permanently during the rains to remove the weeds dug out by manual labour.

Kamlesh Bansal, executive engineer of the civic body’s O &M cell, told The Tribune the problem occurred every year during the monsoon season. "The rainwater flows directly into the Buddha Nullah from Balle village, near Macchiwara, through all the channels. From the village there is a slope towards Tajpur Road. The MC has made every effort to stop the direct discharge of rainwater from the village into the nullah but without any success. We’ve hired extra labourers to dig out the thick weed along the nullah from the particular stretch so that water flows normally without any obstruction".

The men at work have also put plastic bags along the nullah to avoid the water overflowing during heavy rainfall. The manual labour has been working to extract thick weed, which is kept on sides to be removed by JCBs and tippers. The thick weed causes no harm but obstructs the normal flow of the nullah.

"If there is any obstruction the nullah will overflow, causing damage particularly in localities falling under ‘Zone A’ (Doka mohalla, Gaushala, area near Shingar Cinema etc). Sharp small iron rods (kind of net) attached to about 20 feet long bamboos are being used to remove the weed by manual labour ", said another official, who visited the site today.

"Residents had been eagerly waiting for the monsoon to arrive in the region. However, with the heavy showers problems have increased for the civic body, which is now faced with the task to prevent a flood-like situation in the city", the official added. 

Ludhiana, July 6
Veterinary officers of the State Animal Husbandry Department staged a district-level dharna here today on the premises of Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Office, to get the delayed notification of Non-Practising Allowance (NPA).

This dharna was first of the series of protests to be staged at all districts.

The dharna was organised by the Punjab State Veterinary Officers' Association to press the state government for issuing of NPA notification for the state vets.

Dr Ashok Sharma, state president of the association, lambasted the Punjab government for its dilly-dallying attitude towards their “justified demand”, which has also been strongly recommended by the fifth Punjab Pay Commission."

"Earlier, protests were suspended for a month after the State Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and principal secretary of the department GS Sandhu grave assurance to fulfill this burning demand within a month. But nothing concrete has been done so far," Dr Sharma added.

Dr Paramjeet Singh, press secretary of the association, asked for justice from the state government. He said the NPA to the vets was already given by the other adjoining states like HP, Haryana etc, even in the GADVASU, in defense services, Chandigarh and in Central government.

Despite their contribution in generating employment in the rural Punjab and progressively increasing the GDP of the state, step-motherly treatment was being meted out to the vets, said Sharma.

Dr Darshan Kheri, district president of the association, urged all vets to come forward to get this disparity abolished.

During the protest, two women vets came forward to sit on chain fast if the situation worsens. Dr Sukhdev Singh, general secretary of the association, threatened to protest at district levels for a month and would intensify their agitation if the need be.

State president of the rural veterinary officers Dr Abdul Masjid also addressed the rally. Prominent among others present were Dr Joginder Singh, deputy director. Dr Harbans Dhalla, district patron, Dr Chatinder Singh, vice-president, Dr Charanjeet Pandher, district secretary, and Dr Parshotam Singh, district president of rural veterinary officers.

Ludhiana, July 6
It's not gold, but silver which is glittering these days. The metal, often considered gold's cousin that never succeeded in grabbing the attention, is today in the limelight after the gold prices are moving towards North.

An eclectic range of jewellery is available in silver with or without a combination of stones and beads.

Silver jewellery is cheaper than gold, diamond and platinum jewellery, but it looks as expensive and brilliant as any other metal.

"With gold prices touching Rs 19,000 per 10 grams, it’s surely is out of common man’s reach. People are now turning to silver, which looks as scintillating and dazzling as gold. Internationally also silver is preferred over gold," said Harish Verma, a jeweller at Sarafan Bazaar.

Swati, who is getting married next month, is opting to buy silver jewellery. "Earlier, I thought of wearing a red lengha with gold jewellery, but it’s out of reach now and I think it’s wise to turn to silver," she smiled.

Intricate designs of silver bangles, rings, earrings, nose pins, cufflinks and other jewellery articles ranging from traditional to modern are available in the market. Silver has a unique luster, which makes jewellery items more glamorous and sensational. "Designers now-a-days are also using silver to make exotic jewellery designs. They make gold and diamond designs available in silver as well to facilitate the customers," said another jeweller.

Raikot, July 6
A youth was assaulted by a gang of eight members at busy market of Raikot here this morning.The assaulters, on motorcycles equipped with sharp-edged and blunt weapon, reached victim’s shop, identified as Kapil Goyal, when he was alone there. The attack was so sudden that before anyone could realise what was happening, the assaulters fled leaving behind the youth with both the hands fractured and wounds inflicted by sharp-edged weapon on his thighs.

Kapil has identified two of the assaulters as Jora Singh and Pardeep Kumar.

Kapil, who is under supervision at Life Care Hospital said around five months ago, his friend Sethi had thrashed Pardeep Singh. Since then Pardeep was accusing him of helping Sethi in the assault case. He said at the time of assault, Pardeep had stated that he was being rewarded for taking Sethi’s side.

The Raikot police has registered a case against both the accused and their accomplices on the basis of the statement given by Kapil.

No arrests have been made so far.

Ludhiana, July 6
Participants from Jalandhar dominated the proceedings and bagged maximum titles in the Punjab Hot Weather Bodybuilding Championship organised by the Punjab Amateur Bodybuilding Association (PABBA) at the Tara’s Institute on Chaheru in Jalandhar district on Sunday. Dr Deepak Prashar, vice-president, PABBA, said over 200 participants participated.

Results: Beginners group (below 55 kg): 1st Samir Kumar of Jalandhar, 2nd Tirath of Moga and 3rd Rajinder Kumar of Sangrur; 55 to 60 kg: 1st Pawan Sharma of Jalandhar, 2nd Sujan Singh of Jalandhar and 3rd Sandip Kumar of Jalandhar; 60 to 65 kg: 1st Arjun of Jalandhar, 2nd Jagmohan of Sangrur and 3rd Anurag of Nawanshahr; 65 to 70 kg: 1st Gaurav Mehra of Gurdaspur, 2nd Amrik Singh of Amritsar and 3rd Dharminder of Barnala; 70 to 75 kg: 1st Vikas Khanna of Jalandhar, 2nd Sat Pal Singh of Taran Tarn and 3rd Prabhjot Singh of Sangrur; above 75 kg: 1st Biswajit of Jalandhar, 2nd Sanjay Kumar of Barnala and 3rd Balwinder Singh of Sangrur.

Intermediate group (below 55 kg): 1st Manmit Gill of Ludhiana, 2nd Surya Bahadur of Kapurthala and 3rd Mohd Akram of Sangrur; 55 to 60 kg: 1st Amanjot Singh of Sangrur, 2nd Manoj of Jalandhar and 3rd Sukhwinder Singh of Patiala; 60 to 65 kg: 1st Sukre Sware Kachari of Jalandhar, 2nd Malkit Kumar of Jalandhar and 3rd Faninder Bhatti of Hoshiarpur; 65 to 70 kg: 1st Jasprit Singh of Ludhiana, 2nd Dharminder Singh of Ludhiana and 3rd Baltej Singh of Faridkot; 70 to 75 kg: 1st Harpal Singh of Amritsar, 2nd Shashi Kapoor of Jalandhar and 3rd Mandip of Amritsar; 75 to 80 kg: 1st Kuldip of Jalandhar, 2nd Gaganjit Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurwinder Singh of Gurdaspur; above 80 kg: 1st Satbir Singh of Jalandhar, 2nd Supinder of Ludhiana and 3rd Gurdip Singh of Bathinda. Advanced group (below 70 kg): 1st Hira Lal of Amritsar, 2nd Inder Mohan Singh of Jalandhar and 3rd Bihari Lal of Amritsar; 70 to 80 kg: 1st Jagjit Singh of Jalandhar, 2nd Harpal Singh of Amritsar and 3rd Gurwinder Singh of Gurdaspur; above 80 kg: 1st Rohit Tankh of Amritsar, 2nd Ravinder Singh of Jalandhar and 3rd Navtej Singh of Jalandhar.

Jagraon, July 6
Top seed in men’s singles, Kunal Anand of Delhi was ousted by Deepinder Singh Bains of Chandigarh at the HTA - AITA Men's and Women’s Tournament.Deepinder won in straight sets 6-2 and 6-4. Harvest Tennis Academy trainee Vishwesh Sinha upset the seventh seed from Bengal Farid Alam in three sets. Vishwesh won 6-2, 3-6 and 6-4.

Three seeds were eliminated in the Women’s Singles. Seventh seed Gundeep Kaur lost to Rajbir Kaur after leading 5-2, 40-15 in the final set. Rajbir saved the two match points to book her place in quarterfinal.

The score line in her favour was 2-6,6-4 and 7-5. Saadgi Rajani from Gujarat defeated the fifth seed from Maharashtra, Shruti Archita 7-5 each. Wild Card Sharmada Balu of Karnataka beat the third seed Smriti Joon of Haryana 6-2 and 6-1.

Quarterfinal matches will be played tomorrow.

Results

Men’s singles pre-quarter finals: Deepinder Singh Bains (Chd) beat Kunal Anand (Dli) (1) 6-2,6-4; Suraj Beniwal (Har) (Q) beat Saurabh Dilip Patil (Mah) 6-4,6-3; Shantanu Rajput (Dli) (4) beat Rithvik Anand (TN) (LL) 6-4,6-2; Vishwesh Sinha (Mah) (WC) beat Farid Alam (WB) (7) 6-2,3-6,6-4.

Women’s singles pre-quarter final: Shweta C. Rana (HP) (1) beat Rimpledeep Kaur (Pb) (WC) 6-1,6-0; Shalaka Manjunath (Kar) beat Abhilasha Mehra (Dli) (WC) 6-3,6-2; Natasha Palha (Goa) (4) beat Bhuvana Kalva (AP) (WC) 6-4,6-3; Saadgi Rajani (Guj) beat Shruti Archita (Mah) (5) 7-5,7-5; Rajbir Kaur (Pb) beat Gundeep Kaur (Pb) (7) 2-6,6-4,7-5; Sharmada Balu (Kar) (WC) beat Smriti Joon (Har) (3) 6-2,6-1; Ravnoor Kaur (Chd) (6) beat Priyanka Rawat (Utr) 4-6,6-2,6-2; Nupur Kaul (Mah) (2) beat Bhavika Wadhwan (Chd) 6-1,6-0.