Jalandhar, July 27
Authorities of various schools, which are under the radar of the traffic police, owing to traffic rule violations by school students for the past few days, have squarely blamed parents for allowing their wards to ride two-wheelers to educational institutes in violation of traffic laws.

This is contrary to the opinion of the traffic police, which says both parents and schools are equally responsible for failing to imbibe civic values and respect for law among students.

So much so that ACP (traffic) Daljinder Singh Dhillon had talked about pressing for disaffiliation of errant schools.

The traffic police has been on a challaning spree for the past few days and has so far challaned approximately 100 offenders, mainly under-age drivers.

Though the school authorities welcomed the campaign launched by the traffic police, they, in unison, refute the claims of traffic authorities that school authorities, along with parents, are equally responsible for the gross violation.

Satwant Gakhal, Principal, MGN Senior Secondary School, said there is no question of disaffiliation of schools by holding managements responsible for traffic violation by students.

“School authorities have a limited role to play in this context. All we can do is to instruct students and their parents. Even if we try to impose it on students, we are approached by parents to do nothing in the matter,” she added.

“We have even tried to ban parking inside the school premises, but students create a chaos outside by parking their two-wheelers on road berms and side-lanes around the schools”, she said.

Meera Javed, Principal, Apeejay School, said not school authorities but parents are solely responsible for the traffic rules violations by school students.

“Parents give extra liberty to their wards. Primarily, it is not ours but the parents’ job to restrain students in this regard,” she said.

On the other hand, taking the school managements to task over shirking their responsibility, Daljinder Singh Dhillon, ACP (traffic) said how can the schools abdicate their responsibility when the lives of children are at stake?

“The claim of the school authorities, that they discourage the violation of traffic rules, hardly holds truth. It can be gauged from the fact that some schools provide parking space to students within the campus,” said Dhillon.

“The approach of the school authorities can be ascertained from the fact that not even a single school principal turned up in the seminar organised by us in this regard,” he added.

Phagwara, July 27
Punjab Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia has announced to introduce e-tendering system in all nagar councils and panchayats to bring transparency in the department.

Talking to newsmen at the sideline of state-level workshop of all BJP councillors here yesterday, Kalia said all tenders above Rs 10 lakhs could be filed online from the month of September. Replying to a question, he said no new tax would now be imposed on the people.

Speaking about solid waste treatment plants in the state, Kalia said the Local Bodies Department had made eight clusters, including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, Pathankot, Ferozepur and GMADA, and the work on solid waste management will start from December this year.

“It will be completed by May 2011. Kalia said the department will soon make arrangements for garbage collections from the residential and commercial establishments and garbage collection fee would be fixed for it.” Kalia said adding the department would soon be made “online” and all municipal committees and improvement trusts would be interconnected online and the performances of all committees and trusts could be monitored from state headquarter of Chandigarh.

When asked to comment upon the increasing numbers of the construction of illegal colonies and encroachments on municipal lands, Kalia said nothing illegal would be tolerated and violators should be booked.

Replying a question about some cracks appearing between SAD and BJP, Kalia strongly denied the reports and claimed that both alliance parties were working in a strong manner to serve the state and moreover SAD-BJP alliance which is the dire need of the hour, is also symbolising communal harmony.

Punjab BJP President Ashwini Sharma, on this occasion claimed that 80% BJP Councillors attended today’s workshop of BJP Councillors. Replying some querries of media about ongoing factionalism in BJP, Sharma quipped and said that indiscipiline in BJP could not be tolerated at any cost. He described the SAD-BJP alliance as strong as rock and most co-ordiall relations between both alliance partners. When his attention was drawn towards some media reports of the possibility of SAD for joining hands with BahujanSamaj Party, BJP President Sharma said that it was much more before the time,but he reiterated that BJP is working with SAD with strong and deep relations.

Replying another question, Sharma also indicated that all vacant posts of the BJP in Improvement Trusts,and appointments of the, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, will be filled by next week. Medical Education Minister Tikshan Sood and Technical Education Minister Swarna Ram were also present on the occasion.

Phagwara, July 27
After BSNL, now it is the turn of the Phagwara Nagar Council to send a notice to the National Highway Authorities of India for the recovery of Rs 4.25 crore damages to the green belt along the national highway during the construction work for the widening of the highway for its six laning.

A notice in this regard has been sent to the project manager of Soma Enterprises, a construction company engaged for the widening of the national highway, by the Phagwara Nagar Council executive officer (EO) Adarsh Sharma.

When contacted, EO Sharma confirmed this and told The Tribune that this company, during its construction work of the national highway, had caused a loss to the tune of Rs 4.25 crore by destroying the entire green belt, duly maintained by the municipal committee, Phagwara.

The NC has warned the construction company to adopt a legal path, if the company failed to give damages to the council, the EO confirmed.

Different Deputy Commissioners, along with other dignitaries, had planted saplings in the green belt several times, for a better environment.

It may also be recalled that the BSNL department had already served a notice to the construction company for the recovery of damages of 1.74 crore for the cutting of more than 23 km of telephone cables in the Phagwara sub-division last month, while the Nagar Council has sent a notice on July 22.

Phagwara, July 27
In a unique way of service to humanity, the Helping Hands Organisation, Punjab, headed by Harminder Singh Basra, yesterday announced to adopt 1,000 poor schoolchildren by taking the entire responsibility of their education.

To begin with the organisation provided school kits, including school fees for one year, uniforms, schoolbags, books and other stationery and shoes to 118 such children at a brief function here. Technical Education Minister Ch Swarana Ram was the chief guest at the function. He announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh from his discretionary fund. Punjab Radio London director Surjit Singh Ghumman, who was the honorary guest, announced to adopt 50 such children. NRI Sabha Punjab president Kamaljit Singh Hayer and Tek Chand Punni also addressed the function.

Basra said the organisation would work for the uplift of the poor and needy persons.

Jalandhar, July 27
Principal of the local Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, J Kackria has been elevated to the post of Director (public schools) by the DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi. A function in this regard was organised in the college on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering, Kackria expressed gratitude to DAV CMC for shouldering this responsibility. Officiating principal, Sarita Khullar as well as the teaching and non-teaching staff of the college accorded warm wishes to her to Kackria. A cultural programme was also organised on the occasion.

Jalandhar, July 27
Religious and social activist Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi released a book on the life of Jaswant Singh Kanwal, an eminent Punjabi novelist and story writer. The book has been written by Rajinder Rahi, who has also penned a few books on the life history of revolutionary Punjabi poets.

Baba Bedi said that Kanwal’s contribution to the Punjabi literature had not been acknowledged and this book is an attempt to put things in the right perspective.

Rahi said the book was an attempt to clear all misconceptions regarding the personality and writings of Kanwal by a section of literati and Leftists.

Rahi said through the prism of his novels, the book would throw light on the various personal and political phases of the life of 92-year-old writer and his vision regarding the contemporary struggles ranging from Muzaara movement up to Khalistan movement.

Identified as Gursimranpal Singh of Anand Nagar Patiala and Harminderjit Singh of local Dashmesh Nagar, they have been booked under sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. — TNS

Jalandhar, July 27
Neeraj Kaushik’s loved Aman Kumar staged a comeback with the play Ek Sawaal, which was staged at the Desh Bhagat Yaadgaar Hall this weekend, in the weekend theatre that Kaushik’s been so ardently holding on to.

We first saw Aman in Navrang. So a comparison was inevitable. But the results disappointing.

It seems like the film bug has bitten the city’s theatre.

Kaushik was doing amazingly well with his confused, guilty-conscientious playwright. Characters like Aman Kumar (as far as art is concerned) belong to minimalistic, theatrical surroundings. The over-the-top filmy treatment of Ek Sawaal ruined the charm that has mostly been associated with Kaushik’s plays.

Ek Sawaal languished under a Hindi-suspense-paperback-meets-play kind of a treatment.

To begin with, Aman was a principled, conscientious youth. But as the play proceeded and his morals went for a toss, Kaushik relied exceedingly on untheatrical, cliched antics (and storyline) to keep the audience entertained.

His conflict with Amit Khanna, his rags-to-riches story and the dressed-in-kitsch Sheena (Palak) felt time and again like a Bollywood 70s flick gone bad.

Some moments were so loud and unlike Kaushik’s usual stuff, you almost had trouble believing you were watching a Neeraj Kaushik play.

The gun fight in the blackmailing sequence, with Gaurav wielding a red toy gun, was clumsy almost funny. And a question...do blackmailers have to wear a black hat?

Only at some places in the sutradahar sequence did the theatrical elements surface - like the hovering black spirits and a guilty, introspecting Amit Khanna (Amit Jindal).

Some characters were limp. Kaushik and Gagandeep (who played Kannavi) were the only ones who really lifted the play.

Technical glitches - like a white-faced Kaushik in the beginning and lights fluctuating more than was necessary - also played spoilsport. Though, had the storyline been taut enough, they could have been ignored.

Bottomline - maybe it was quantity that killed. A much shorter Navrang was much more effective.

Jalandhar, July 27
A total of 1,080 complaints have been lodged with the Punjab State Commission for Women (PSCW) in the past two years. Though all these complaints are of a different nature, 198 relate to domestic violence, 55 against the Punjab police, 45 against government authorities (other than state police) and 47 are related to sexual harassment at the work place.

These details are official figures obtained from the commission in an RTI application filed by city-based lawyer Rajinder Bhatia.

Ludhiana shamefully tops the list in terms of number of complaints with 187 complaints in two years’ time.

Ferozepur comes next with 174 complaints while Amritsar got 98 complaints registered. There were 62 complaints from Jalandhar. Just six complaints poured in each from Tarn Taran and Nawanshahr.

The commission claims to have taken suo moto action in 22 cases based on the news reports published in various media. These relate to those against Punjab PRO, police and dowry deaths. The commission claims to have spent Rs 31,44,283 and 36,88,456 in the financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively.

Phagwara, July 27
In a pre-poll exercise for the preparation of next assembly elections, Punjab BJP hosted a state level workshop of all BJP Councilors of the state in Phagwara yesterday.

Punjab BJP President Ashwini Sharma, Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Medical Education Minister Tikshan Sood, Technical Education Minister Swarna Ram, BJP Vice-President Som Parkash addressed and educate the 257 out of total 323 BJP councillors from the different nagar councils of the state.

The Councillors were also told about their responsibilities, rights, and their spirit to serve the people.

Jalandhar, July 27
A total of 237 NCC cadets are taking part in the 10-day annual training camp of 2 Punjab (Girls) Battalion, NCC, being held at 19 Dogra Battalion in Jalandhar Cantonment.

The camp will conclude tomorrow.

Camp Commandant Col J.S. Sandhu said the girls were being trained in drill, firing, weapons training, map study, war skills while equal emphasis was laid on character building of the cadets.

Group Commander of the NCC Col Dharamvir encouraged the girls to develop good qualities and become officers in the Indian Army.

Phagwara, July 27
More than 2,000 residents of nearby Pipa Rangi village are facing inconvenience due to dirty water stagnated at several places including village pond, which is spreading panic due to possibilities of some diseases.

Phagwara SDM Amarjit Paul visited the village along with other officials and assured the villagers for early initiative to solve their problems.

The SDM instructed the officials to actively work for the early drainage of the stagnated water for the prevention of the diseases.

He, however, assured for early repair of the pump, meant for the drainage of the water from the vilage pond. — OC

A model displays a creation during a fashion show organised by LIDE. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Teej festival was celebrated at St. Soldier Divine Public School, Kapurthala Road. Students dressed up in traditional dresses and enjoyed colorful Jhoolaas. They also performed kikli and giddha and present folk culture.

University topper

Gurchetan Kaur, a student of BSc (Biotechnology)-II of the local Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, bagged first position in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

While the students of MSc (Bioinformatics)-II bagged the first four positions in the varsity. Harleen Kaur bagged first position by scoring 1221 marks out of 1400. Anshu Pabreja stood second position followed by Prabhjot Kaur who bagged third position. The fourth position was secured by Smriti Gulati.

Poem contest winner

Varsha Singh, a student of Class VIII, Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, stood first in the Junior category (Class V-VIII) poem recitation (English) competition held at Eklavya School, Jalandhar. As many as 76 students from 38 schools of the Jalandhar district participated in the competition.

Book exhibition

To enlighten the young minds and develop reading habits among the students, a book exhibition was arranged at Saint Soldier Inter-College Friends Colony. Different booksellers displayed novels, books of short stories, biographies and autobiographies for the students. Students showed keen interest in the books of famous writers Narinder Singh Kapoor, Sveat Marton, Dalip Kaur Tiwana and Surjit Paatar. Staff members also visited the stalls.

Excellent results

The students of Diploma in Stitching and Tailoring of the local Prem Chand Markanda S.D. College for Women bagged top positions in the GND University. Rajvir bagged the first position in the varsity and secured 347 marks out of 400 followed by Renu Sharma who scored 342 marks. The third position was achieved by Pooja Duggal who secured 340 marks out 400. The college achieved 100 per cent result in the examinations.

‘Style Splash’

Students of the Lovely Institute of Distance Education (LIDE) organised “Style Splash”, a fashion event, on Friday. The mega affair comprised 140 creations by 60 students.

Seep Taneja, Kingfisher model, sashayed on the ramp. Another attraction of the event was a live performance by D Magnet Group.

The best designers of the event in different categories were: Kids wear - Karan; casual round - Gagan; Indo-Western and saree round - Neeraj; suit round - Ruchi; and Western round - Gurpreet Kaur.

Samriti was adjudged the best female model, Vinay the best male model and Anureet best kid model kids.

Jalandhar, July 27
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has blamed the Badal government for not providing funds to the Irrigation Department for cleaning drains and rivulets leading to floods in the state.

Ashok Gupta, PPCC secretary, said the floods caused widespread destruction due to the inability of the department to release Rs 54 crore for desilting and cleaning drains, besides repairing the banks of small rivulets and rivers in the state. Of the estimated sum, only Rs 10 crore was passed, which, too, was not released in time before the monsoons resulting in the floods.

He said besides hundreds of villages getting marooned, more than 3,100 km of link and other roads were badly damaged or were washed away in the Malwa region. According to PWD estimates, the damage to roads alone was to the tune of Rs 100 crore.

The party has demanded immediate compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers, Rs 10 lakh to next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh each to the injured and Rs 50, 000 for each cattle head dead from the state government in addition to what has been announced by the Centre.

Jalandhar, July 27
The Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar, has agreed to introduce an elective course on the German language, in association with Hof University, Germany.

The Hof University has agreed in principle to provide the faculty. A delegation from the University recently visited the NIT campus in this regard. Professor Dr Jurgen Lehmann, Chairman, Board of Directors and Dr Daniel Werner Managing Director of Bavarian-Indian Centre for Business and University Cooperation, Alfons-Goppel, Hof Germany, visited the NIT campus to explore the possibilities of academic cooperation between NIT Jalandhar and Hof University, Germany.

Director of NIT, Jalandhar, Dr. Moin-Uddin said during their visit, both the institutes identified common areas like joint degree programmes, faculty and students exchange and research, especially Solar Thermal Technology and Bio-sciences for collaboration. “The academic cooperation between both the varsities would provide the best educational facilities for our students,” he added. — TNS