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10 villages under Sutlej threat
Ludhiana, August 26 More than 20,000 acres of agricultural land and 1,800 houses at Parjiyan, Kaniya, Hussaini, Abupura, Madepura, Giddarwindi and Sidhwan Bet are under the threat of floods as the water level has reduced the width of the bundh to less than five feet. The villagers, after seeing the rising water level last evening, informed the administration, which immediately sprung into action. The drainage department deployed 20 workers to fortify the bundh, which were inadequate to carry out the work on the damaged stretch. Seeing that the workers were insufficient, 500 villagers volunteered to help the administration in carrying out the repair work. Local MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhani said, “The villagers had been requesting the district administration to mend the worn-out part of the bundh for the last six months, but it had always been giving the excuse of shortage of funds. Ideally, the bundh should have been repaired during winter.” Drainage department JE Jagdish Chander said he had been on the spot for the past two weeks, but was helpless due to unavailability of funds. “The velocity of the water is high and sand bags alone will serve the purpose. Still, we are doing our best to avert any further damage in the given resources,” he said. At the same time, farmers from Kaniya and Hussaini villages rued that 1,200 acres of paddy fields were under Sutlej water, but administrative officials said it was water from a nearby drain that had flowed into the fields.
‘Under Control’
Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari was on the spot for almost two hours to supervise the repair work. “The river hits the bundh in a V-shape here, which has washed away studs, but we have managed to control the situation for the time being. Since we do not have the post of drainage SE, I have requested the drainage SE at Jalandhar for supervision and he will be here shortly. I have asked the PWD and the municipal corporation for additional resources,” he said. |
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Respite in sight: No rain forecast for next 2-3 days
Ludhiana, August 26 PAU agrometeorologist KK Gill observed that the prevailing situation was the result of the ineffective drainage system and not because of excessive rainfall. “The average rainfall recorded in Punjab was 342.2 mm from June 1, 2010 till August 18, 2010, which is nearly normal”, she added. Discussing the rainfall trends this year, Gill said the monsoon set over the Andaman Sea around May 17 - three days before its normal date, reached Kerala on May 31, only a day early, and further advanced over the northeastern states by June 2. “Around June 6 the monsoon again got activated and by mid-June it covered nearly half of the country. It reached Punjab well in time on July 5 as compared to June 30 last year”, she stated. Gill elaborated that the El Niño conditions over the equatorial Pacific Ocean that began in mid-June 2009 peaked in December and dissipated during May, 2010. “Since then ENSO neutral conditions are prevailing with negative SST anomalies observed over the equatorial Pacific from the middle of May. This continued till mid-June when weak La Niña conditions emerged”, she said. "The latest model forecasts from a majority of the dynamical and statistical models indicate very high probability for the La Niña conditions to continue during remaining part of the monsoon season. The La Niña conditions in general are associated with the normal or above normal rainfall during the monsoon season as a whole," she added. On the monsoon rainfall in the city, Gill stated during June Ludhiana received 33.2 mm of rainfall this year while last year it was 110.6 mm against the normal of 66.4 mm. “In July the southwest monsoon continuing a rapid revival after falling 50 per cent short of normal in June and the city recorded 381.7 mm of rainfall against the normal of 232 mm and 17 days of rainfall were recorded against the normal of nine days in this month”, she observed. Gill added in the month of August till date 106 mm of rainfall had been recorded against the normal of 180 mm. “Good monsoon rainfall has raised the water level in the country’s reservoirs to 49 per cent of their capacity and have also recharged the watertable. There’s no doubt rainfall during the monsoon is the principal source of water for summer crops and also provides some relief from power cuts,” she remarked. According to Gill, the heavy downpour has also brought down the mercury sharply. “In June the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 38.7 and 25.9 degrees Celsius against the normal of 38.9 C and 25.6 C, respectively. Similarly, in July and August the temperatures remained at near normal”, she added.
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Shrine under knee-deep water
Phillaur, August 26 Devotees struggled to reach the idols in the Shani Mandir after water entered its premises. Some of them were seen working on a pump to drain out the water. |
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Liquor vend owner killed; cop suspended
Ludhiana, August 26 Tension brew at around 5 pm when Kuldeep Singh went to a liquor vend in Gopal Nagar and had a fight with the vend owner, Raju Nakodria, who later allegedly damaged Kuldeep Singh’s car. Fuming, Kuldeep Singh left the spot. Meanwhile, area residents went to the police station to lodge a complaint, but the constable did not take any action. At midnight, Kuldeep Singh returned to the area with his accomplices, who are reported to be members of a gang involved in criminal activities. They assaulted Raju (40) with sharp-edged weapons. Raju was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered against Kuldeep Singh, Kaka Sam, Jindi, Ravi, Chhota Raju and some others. Police sources said it was a case of gang war and the assailants and the victim had old enmity. The victim also had a criminal record, they claimed.
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Man killed at wedding
Ludhiana, August 26 Janak Raj (40), a resident of Lehra Gagga, was excited to be a part of his brother-in-law Sandeep Kumar’s wedding last evening. Little did he know that the wedding would cost him his life. Trouble began late last evening when Sandeep’s “barat” arrived at a resort on the Jalandhar bypass. Guests were celebrating when some youths, stated to be guests of Sandeep’s family, arrived at the venue. The youths starts dancing close to where a group of women were dancing. They reportedly started misbehaving with the women. Janak Raj, who was witnessing the goings-on from a distance, intervened. This enraged the youths, who assaulted him with sharp-edged weapons on his head and forehead. The victim was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at around 1.30 am. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered against Satinder Singh, his brother Gurjant Singh, Pankaj and two others at the Laddowal police station. |
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Rapist gets life term for murder of 4-yr-old
Ludhiana, August 26 Pronouncing the verdict, the court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Manjinder Singh, held that the prosecution had proved the charges levelled against the accused. A fine of Rs 2,000 was also imposed on him. “There is no ground for sympathy in the circumstances of the case,” remarked the court while dismissing the plea of leniency raised by the accused. The accused was booked under Sections 302, 201 and 376 of the IPC on May 19, 2004, following the statement of a rickshaw puller and father of the girl. The complainant had stated to the police that he returned home at night to be told by his wife that their daughter had been missing since 2 pm. They started searching for her and a neighbour told them that she was seen with the accused at around 2 pm. They went to the house of the accused, who was drunk and told them that he had left the girl on the street. However, they noticed blood on the sheet. When they searched the house, her body was found in a bag of fertilisers. She had been strangled with a rope. |
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Baba Sehgal to open dance academy today
Ludhiana, August 26 Why did he pick the city for opening his first academy? "Ludhiana is my lucky charm and I’ve some fond memories associated with the city as well. My first live show was held here. I’ve also mentioned Ludhiana in one of the songs, which became an instant hit. Then I have many dear friends living in the city," quips the Indipop singer, whose real name is Harjit Singh Sehgal and who was born in Chandigarh. After Ludhiana he intends to set up academies in Indore and Poona. "Tomorrow I’ll give some useful tips on rap as well. I’ll be visiting the city every month to hold seminars and workshops. It's not only dance that will be taught at the institute. Patience and respect, which are important facets of any artiste, will also be taught at the academy," he said. Sehgal is ready with his album that will be released shortly. He has also been working in TV serials. Talking about his experience on the small screen, he averred, “Television is the best medium to reach the masses. One gets instant recognition as it’s more close to the public than films”. The singer is all set to enter the new venture and that too with a new hairstyle. "I’ve grown my hair as change is the law of nature, and I’m loving my new style statement," he signs off.
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Govt lax: Villagers
Ludhiana, August 26 Inadequate funds to strengthen dhussi bundhs tops their list of grievances at present.
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Quota to
Valmikis, Mazhabi Sikhs
Ludhiana, August 26 In the wake of certain sections of the Dalit community being opposed to the move, Rajesh Daitya, state president of the body, presiding over a meeting here, said members of the Scheduled Caste, especially those involved in trading, processing and manufacture of leather and leather goods, who had become financially strong over the period, should be taken out of the purview of reservation. Serving an ultimatum on the government not to bow to the pressure tactics of vested interest, the functionaries of the manch decided to stage a day-long token hunger strike in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner if the proposed reservation for Valmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs was not granted. Making a strong case for reservation to Valmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, manch chairman Shiv Kumar Soni asked the government to conduct a survey of Scheduled Caste families in the state to ascertain their economic, social and education status to identify those sections that really needed reservation benefits. “The provision for reservation was made in the Constitution on the basis of backwardness and extreme poverty of people belonging to Scheduled Caste. But the issue has been so much politicised that all parties are now misusing it to draw political mileage. The government ought to take a firm decision, once and for all, to deny benefit of reservation to the creamy layer, irrespective of their caste,” Soni demanded.
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Mother Teresa remembered
Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 26 Responding to call given by the management committees of the Bhutta Group of Educational Institutes and the Bhutta and Baba Khajan Das Colleges of Technology, teachers and students of the institutes swore to adopt philanthropic ideologies advocated by Mother Teresa. Recollecting her contribution, various speakers, including former minister Jagdish Singh Garcha, RS Gupta and DS Grewal, said Indians should not forget that Mother Teresa, despite being born in Albania, had adopted Indian citizenship to serve the poorest of the poor without any distinction of caste, creed or colour. Winner of many prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize and the Bharat Ratna, Mother Teresa had emerged as one of the most powerful women of the world due to selfless service rendered by her, they said. Pardeep Sharda, principal of MGMN Senior Secondary School, Kartar Singh, principal of Anand Isher Secondary School and Kusam Mediretta, principal of DAV School, exhorted students and staff of their respective schools to adopt ideologies of Mother Teresa.
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Free orthopaedic surgeries for poor
Ludhiana, August 26 Dr Mohammad Yamin, professor and head of orthopaedics, said “Operation Walk” was a private, non-profit, volunteer medical service organisation that provided free surgical treatment to patients with disabling arthritis or other debilitating bone and joint conditions in developing countries. Orthopaedic surgeons of the DMCH and a team of Rubin Institute would update themselves in advanced surgical techniques, treatment for diseases and recovery procedures for hip and knee joint conditions. The organisation has so far operated on more than 3,000 patients in Russia, Cuba, Nepal, China, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador and the US. The DMCH has started registering poor patients for free hip and knee replacement surgeries. The DMCH will regularly organise awareness camps with the help of charitable organisations in various parts of the state. Knee and hip replacements are among the most cost-effective medical procedures, which greatly enhance the quality of life of those suffering with arthritic pain and thus, enabling them to be more active members of their community, added Dr Pankaj Mahindra, assistant professor of orthopaedics. The collaboration will involve joint activities in areas of research and training including video-conferencing and telemedicine, clinical fellowship and lecturer exchange programme, joint clinical studies and establishing charity care. Earlier this year, Dr Paul Khanuja, director of hip and knee replacement surgery, Rubin Institute, and medical director of “Operation Walk”, Maryland, visited the DMCH and examined various medical facilities, including outpatient department, operation theatre complex and supportive services, at the hospital. Cancer
detection camp
Ludhiana: A 10-member team of the Christian Medical College Ludhiana organised a screening camp for detection of breast and cervical cancer at Giana village in Bathinda district. Edwina Mountbatten Trust (UK) through Friends of Ludhiana (UK) had granted funds to Betty Cowan Research and Innovation Centre at the CMCH. The project was initiated to cover rural women in select villages where cases of death due to cancer had been reported. Women teachers of the village were roped in to spread awareness about the project. Tests were conducted free of cost and the samples will be tested at the CMCH.
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Farmers get tips on micro-irrigation
Ludhiana, August 26 In his welcome address, Dr JS Brar, deputy director, said training on micro-irrigation helped educate farmers about the efficient use of water and checking of lowering water table in the state. Nilesh Biwalkar discussed drip irrigation system and explained the handling and maintenance of the system. He also explained the modalities for efficient use of fertilisers with the help of drip irrigation. Farmers were also told about the field problems of the system and their remedy. Dr Mukesh Siag elaborated on vegetable production using the drip irrigation system. He said it was advantageous if farmers cultivated vegetable using drip irrigation system because it would not only increase yield but also improve the quality of produce. Dr Rakesh Sharda, principal investigator of the PFDC, said 50 farmers participated in the one-day training programme. Crisis mgmt
Discussing the impact of natural calamities on agriculture, an eminent agronomist and member of PAU board of management, Dr Baldev Singh
Boparai, said the PAU had always come to the rescue of farmers in the event of crisis. He was referring to the contingent plan for farmers that the university had proposed in the wake of flood-like situation developing in some areas of the state due to incessant rains in the recent past. Dr Boparai said due to urbanisation and constructions in “mand” areas, the water flow had got obstructed and in the event of influx of water in water channels, the adjoining areas got inundated to the disadvantage of residents. He said in cities, there was a tendency of having pucca floors and the kutcha areas available for percolation of rainwater were far too less with the result that stagnating water damaged the roads. There were around 15,000 ponds in Punjab and, if properly managed, could help recharge the land with water. The PAU had a need-based focus on developing technologies aimed at efficient use of water and other resources. The
tensiometer-aided irrigation in paddy and the use of laser land leveler, which the university had recommended, were able to save irrigation water to the tune of 20 to 25 per cent. Dr Boparai added that the rainfall received in the recent days had been variable — scanty at one place and heavy at another. There might be several factors for it. To understand weather better, more observatories should be set up at different places of the state, he suggested. Further, the advice of PAU scientists should be followed about rooftop rainwater harvesting.
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From Colleges
The premises of SDP College for Women came alive when an “open darbar” was organised by administrative officer Inderjeet Kohli and director S Verma assisted by principal Meenu Sharma for students. The aim was to resolve the grievances on the spot and provide an open and healthy atmosphere to students. Most grievances of students were resolved on the spot. Problems pertaining to rooms, fans and water were taken care of on priority basis. The principal said requisite arrangements would be made for baseball coach and functional Hindi job training programme. Freshers’ day The campus of Guru Nanak Girls’ College dazzled with colour amid freshers’ day celebration today. Senior students of commerce, management and computer science organised a cultural show to welcome newcomers. Gurbir Singh, president of Guru Nanak Education Trust, inaugurated the function, which commenced with a speech by principal Dr Charanjit Mahal. She welcomed new students on behalf of staff and students. A cultural show was also organised by senior students. “Miss Freshers’ Contest” was the highlight of the day. Sandeep Kaur of BCA I was declared “Miss Fresher”. In the evening, a freshers’ party was held for new students of MSc (fashion designing), MA (English), MA (Punjabi), MA (history), MA (political science), MA (sociology), PGDMC, BA, BSc (fashion designing), diplomas (fashion designing, beauty and culture, IDD and dance). Savipreet was crowned Miss Fresher. Laurels
Students MA II (music) of Mater Tara Singh Memorial College for Women have brought laurels to the college in the examination conducted by Panjab University. Harmeet Kaur stood third in the university with 77.87 per cent marks and Harmeen Kaur bagged fifth position with 76 per cent marks. Sonia of MA I stood fifth in the university with 76.75 per cent marks and Satbir Kaur bagged the seventh spot with 75.7 per cent marks. Rally
NCC unit of Guru Nanak College for Women, Gujarkhan campus, Model Town, organised a “Save energy rally” to create awareness among people about optimum use of energy. The rally was taken out in Model Town and adjoining areas. College vice-principal Gursharan Kaur flagged off the rally in which 53 cadets participated. NCC in-charge Sandeep Khurana organised the rally. Mother Teresa remembered
Teachers and students of Bhutta College of Engineering and Technology, Bhutta College of Education and Baba Khajan Das College of Technologies celebrated the birth centenary of Mother Teresa today. Coordinators of the celebrations exhorted students to follow her ideals in their day-to-day life. Jagdish Singh Garcha, former technical education minister, Punjab, congratulated the members of faculty and students for spreading the message of love for mankind. Placement drive
Final and pre-final year students of RIMT Engineering Institutes, Mandi Gobindgarh, took part in joint campus placement drive organised by Indian Navy to recruit engineering students as short service commissioned officers in technical and executive branches under 19th University Entry Scheme with a package of Rs 6.75 lakh per annum. Commander Ajit Singh Sethi his team organised the placement drive. He said the Indian defence forces were pride of the nation and promised both professional and personal growth at every stage of the career. Later, during the pre-placement talk, Commander Seth showed a video and addressed student’s queries. He added that the adventure and extra-curricular activities in the Navy ensured all-round development of individuals. Over 300 eligible students appeared for group discussion, which was followed by interview. The placement process comprised pre-placement talks followed by group discussion, the result of which was expected in the coming months. Job fair
At least 70 students took part in a job fair organised by Reliance Group at the PTU Learning Centre, Khamano. Senior territory manager Nagjinder Singh and sales manager Mangal Singh of the company interviewed the participants and shortlisted 30 students. The company officials said another interview of shortlisted candidates would be conducted and 15 would be offered jobs. They said the candidates would be offered part-time and full-time jobs in the fields of marketing, counselling
and sales.— TNS |
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From Schools
An inter-house Hindi poetry recitation contest was organised by the Sub-Junior Humanities Forum for students of primary section at Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, today.
The aim was to provide them with a platform to use the language confidently and generate interest in reading and poetry. The participants recited poems like “Mera Sapna”, “Agni Pariksha”, “Pachtava”, etc. The function was presided over by school principal Rajiv Nagalia along with Annu Sehra, in-charge, primary section. The judges were Mamta and Chander Sharma. Dance and song presentations by class IV and III students, respectively, mesmerised the audience. The principal exhorted students to cultivate reading habit and interest in poems. The first prize was bagged by Kartikay Phull of Raman House, while the second prize went to Tanisha Gaur of Patel House and Manya Jain of Tagore House. The third prize was received by Vaibhav Sharma of Tagore House. Aastha Sharma of Gandhi House was given appreciation award. Divinity test
Around 1,300 students of Spring Dale Senior Secondary School, Sherpur, took part in a divinity test held by “Chauthi Lehar — 300 Saal Sikh Itehaas De Naal” under the aegis of Mata Kaula Ji Bhalai Kendra Trust, Amritsar. Questions related to Sikh Gurus, Sikh history and gurbani were asked wherein 1,000 coupons were won by students. Director and founder-principal Avinash Kaur Walia welcomed the guests from the trust and appreciated their role in imparting moral and religious education to children in their formative years. Members of the trust gave a memento to the principal.
— TNS
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Stir by power loom staff enters
Day Two
Ludhiana, August 26 The meeting started in the morning and lasted till the evening, but both parties failed to arrive at a decision. The main demands of the workers were increment in wages and enforcement of labour laws at industrial units. They handed over a charter of demands to the Labour Commissioner
yesterday. Karkhana Mazdoor Union president Rajwinder said they were also demanding that they should get identity cards, ESI cards and provident fund accounts. Workers were being grossly underpaid, he stated.
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Seminar for local garment industry
Ludhiana, August 26 Christine Gaussen from France gave a presentation on how Lectra could bring about changes in the conventional working systems in the garment industry. Its solutions to automate, streamline and accelerate design, development, manufacturing and management processes were highlighted. Sachin Chopra, regional head (north), Magnum Solutions, proposed the vote of thanks. He said similar seminars and workshops would be organised in the future to apprise the Ludhiana garment industry of latest technological advances to enhance productivity, efficiency and profitability of the industry.
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Workshop on urogynaecology
Ludhiana, August 26 Professor of urology and head of transplant unit Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, who is the organising secretary of the conference, said for patients suffering from urinary leakage, “mini-arc sling system” involved a simple, single incision procedure designed to reduce operative invasiveness and enhance patient recovery. It was designed for use in the operating room. However, its low profile design and simple procedure might also make it appropriate for in-office use. Organising chairperson Dr BK Gill, professor and head of obstetrics and gynaecology, said urinary incontinence (UI) impacted around 15 to 35 per cent female population. Patient usually complained of dribbling of urine with cough, sneeze or continuous. Involuntary loss of urine had multiple implications for the sufferer. Incontinence had been noted to be a major barrier to social interests, entertainment, or physical recreation. The workshop will demonstrate procedures that can be carried out under local anesthesia without many surgical or anaesthetic risks. DMCH managing society secretary Prem Kumar Gupta said the management had decided on discounted treatment of patients during the workshop. Those interested in availing of the benefit can get enrolled and contact Dr BK Gill (98155-47455) or Dr BS Aulakh (95010-66633).
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Focus on maximising growth opportunities
Ludhiana, August 26 Sawhny was addressing members of the Ludhiana Management Association (LMA) on “Maximizing growth opportunities”. Dr KNS Kang, LMA general secretary, said business organisations needed to have strong vision and focussed approach if they wanted to be the best in the market. He said companies were now focussing on increasing productivity by adding value at every step of their business operation. He further said India had a huge potential in the form of talent, resources and opportunities, therefore leaders needed strategic focus, determination, ability to visualise future and strong will power to maximise profits. Dr Kang said there was a need to channel energies within and outside organisations to get maximum benefit from the prevailing opportunities. Addressing LMA members, Vinod Sawhny said there was a need to be up and about all the time to stay at the top. He said congruence in goal, self-belief and trust were a must to built momentum. Personal consistency, group behaviour and zest for quest were prerequisite to every successful individual, he added. Selecting industry and business with growth potential was a must for its viability and growth, he said. He further said environment should be created where mediocre people got opportunity to rise in life. This could be done by creating interdependence among functions and people. He added that focus and passion at work was of utmost important to ensure growth. “We need to celebrate small achievements and try to break affordable barriers to maximise growth,” he added.
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Missing driver found dead
Ludhiana, August 26 Thirtytwo-year-old Jaswant Singh of Kapur Singh village had been working as driver with the SM Paper Mill. The body, bearing injury marks caused by sharp-edged weapons, was found from outside the mill. A case under Section 302 of the IPC was registered at the Laddowal police station.
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Valuables worth
Rs 10 lakh stolen
Phillaur, August 26 The burglars locked the bedroom of the woman from outside, before escaping with valuables worth Rs 10 lakh, including gold ornaments weighing 500 gm and Rs 55,000 in cash, the police said. The police has registered a case. Meanwhile, the Goraya police has arrested a woman, identified as Balbir Kaur, and recovered 5 kg puppy husk from her possession.
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