Ludhiana, August 27
Mixing of sewage in potable water pipeline has resulted in another gastroenteritis outbreak in Sherpur and adjoining areas which has claimed seven lives since yesterday.

Mahinder Thakur (50), Suraj (5), Guddi (17), Bharat Prasad Yadav (22), Sandeep (4) and two more residents of Sherpur and Dashmesh Nagar were admitted to nearby private hospitals following acute gastroenteritis, but could not be saved.

More than 200 residents of Laxmi Nagar, Sherpur Nagar, Jivan Nagar, Dashmesh Nagar and other areas falling under Ward Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16 had fallen sick after drinking contaminated water. A large number of residents have been admitted to various hospitals.

The irony of the situation is that some affected areas fall under the ward of the Mayor, Hakam Singh Giaspura, who the people allege, has turned a deaf ear to their pleas to clear the area of “open dumps”.

Accusing the municipal corporation (MC) and the department of health and family welfare of negligence, AN Mishra, president of the All India Purvanchal Vikas Parishad, said: “I am going to file a public interest litigation against the above departments as they have ignored the interests of the labourers living in the slum areas.”

He also referred to the agitation staged by migrant workers against the MC for having failed to remove the open dumps from Deep Nagar and Fauji Colony. “MC officials have not bothered to pay a single visit to the area. They have neither challaned a single ‘vehra’ owner nor bothered to chlorinate water,” he stated.

In these slum areas, five-10 persons each stay in one ‘vehra’ (small room) and there are about 1,000 vehras that have a common toilet. Illegal water connections have been taken from the main water pipelines that result in leakage of sewage, causing health concerns.

Also, the fish market in Sherpur has added to the problem. The mangoor fish, which is unfit for consumption, is openly sold in the market and the authorities have not done anything to check it. Fish seeds are smuggled from other states to be bred for this slum market.

Four deaths were reported from slums on the Tibba road, New Kundan Puri, Dabba road, Shankar Colony, Puneet Nagar, National Colony and Indira Colony during the outbreak of gastroenteritis a month ago. 

The district epidemiologist, Dr GP Mangla, said the department could not confirm the deaths until they had the reports from all hospitals where the patients were undergoing treatment. He said the sanitary conditions were bad in the slum areas. “But the situation is under control as medical teams along with a mobile unit are examining patients and dispensing medicines,” he added.

Ludhiana, August 27
The municipal corporation has failed to deliver water and sewerage bills on time and residents are being forced to pay fine. The bills have not been delivered since 2008.

A resident of Raghunath Enclave, HS Saluja, said they had not been receiving bills since 2008 and on top of it, the MC was not pay any heed to their request for delivering the bills on time. “Every time we have to pay extra money in the form of fine for no fault of ours. I did not receive the bill for April-September 2008 and ended up paying Rs 183 as fine,” he said, adding that he did not even receive bills for 2009 and 2010.

“The last date for the payment of the bills is not always the same else we could have kept a tab on the bills ourselves,” he said.

“Since I do not receive bills, I requested them to take my bill in lump sum for the whole year, but even that was refused by the authorities. I can’t understand what the problem is,” another resident stated.

Yet another resident of Barewal area said like telecom companies, the MC could at least give a reminder call for the payment of bill or start updating the due date for particular areas online. “It is difficult to keep making rounds of the offices to get the bills,” he said.

Jagwant Kaur of Raghunath Enclave said it was the duty of the MC to deliver the bills on time. “If the bill is deposited late, consumers are fined, but there are no rules for the MC authorities. They should ensure the delivery of bills on time,” she said.

Ludhiana, August 27
Panic gripped residents living in villages on the banks of the Sutlej near the Nakodar-Jalandhar road following the detection of a fresh 200-metre trench at the dhussi bundh in Madepura village last evening.

However, officials on duty averted a crisis with timely intervention. Workers were deployed to secure the trench with trees and sand bags. Villagers also helped the labourers.

A stretch of almost 300 metres had been “trenched” on the same bundh on Wednesday. The Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM), Jagraon, Mukand Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Joginder Singh and the BDPO of Sidhwan Bet, Amarjit Singh, were present at the bundh site till the wee hours.

The sarpanch of Sherewal village, Prem Singh, said the officials were on a round-the-clock vigil. Though the work of strengthening the bundhs should have been done before the rains, it would be unfair to ignore the efforts put in by the officials in the last 48 hours, he said.

A senior official from the drainage department stated that a “cunnette system” that provided sufficient velocity with aeration due to turbulence in water was the ideal solution to deal with the rainwater and avert a flood-like situation.

Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari convened a meeting of the officials from all the departments and instructions pertaining to necessary action were issued. 

Ludhiana, August 27
The Delhi police booked a “dead man” from Ludhiana for fraud yesterday. Joginder Singh (60), a resident of Sham Nagar got himself declared dead seven years ago to escape legal proceedings in a maintenance case registered against him by his second wife.

The accused was arrested by the police from Mongolpuri area in Delhi on Thursday for committing fraud and misleading the court.

The police said after the accused’s first wife, Surinder Kaur, died several years ago, he married Sukhwinder Kaur of Karnal. She had four children from Joginder and lives in the Tilak Nagar area.

According to the police, eight years after the marriage, the relations between the couple strained and they decided to end the marriage. Sukhwinder Kaur slapped a maintenance case against him. To avoid paying the maintenance, he started shifting locations frequently.

In the meantime, Joginder married Kulwant Kaur, a resident of Yamuna Nagar.

A few years later, he shifted to the city and started living in Sham Nagar and Dugri area. Here too he kept receiving court notices from his second wife.

It was in 2003 that fortune turned in his favour. According to the Division No 5 police, a drug peddler named Joginder Singh, who was also from Bappa village in Yamuna Nagar, was booked under the NDPS Act on October 10, 2003. He was sent to the jail where he fell ill and died.

Joginder, who had lived in Bappa village with his third wife, came to know about the death of his namesake.

He hatched a conspiracy along with his wife. He got himself registered as dead at a hospital and sent the details of his “death” to Sukhwinder Kaur in Delhi.

Subsequently, the court cancelled the maintenance case filed by her. The matter came to light when Sukhwinder Kaur filed an eviction case against Joginder Singh’s niece Avinash Kaur, to whom he had given a house at Mongolpuri in Delhi. It was then that the police learnt that he was alive.

Police sources said Avinash Kaur had provided crucial lead to the police in solving the case.

Ludhiana, August 27
Jaswinderpal Singh, who was behind the unearthing of the bogus firm scam, met with an accident under mysterious circumstances here today.

Jaswinderpal Singh, a clerk with the excise and taxation department, was instrumental in preparing files against bogus firms. His family suspects foul play behind the accident.

Jaswinderpal and his wife were going for morning walk when the incident took place at Sudhar. Jaswinderpal, who was hit by a speeding tractor trailer from behind, sustained severe injuries on the head. He was admitted to hospital and later shifted to the CMCH.

Sources close to the family said Jaswinderpal was the one behind the unearthing of bogus bills and prepared the files against the firms.

Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner Rishipal Singh said an FIR had been registered at the Jagraon police station. “There is a possibility of foul play. It can also be an accident. Let the police investigate into the matter and reach a conclusion,” he stated.

Value added tax of 350 firms have been cancelled and more than 100 firms from Ludhiana are under the department’s scanner. Department officials are preparing a list of bogus firms in the city. — TNS

Ludhiana, August 27
Yet to release their album, singer Sherry Mann and lyricist Babbu are already making waves with their song based on college life. All geared up to release their debut album, the two experimented and released their song on You Tube and the fan following they received through the site was a testament to their promising career ahead.

Sherry says he has been fond of singing since childhood and won many competitions in college. “My singing talent is innate and I have never received any formal training. It is a God’s gift and now I am all set to turn my hobby into a career,” quips Sherry, who currently works in an immigration firm.

Within two days of uploading the video, they have received 55,000 hits.

“The song has struck a chord with youngsters, as it is based on the golden days of college life. Everyone who has listened to the song has gone nostalgic,” adds Babbu.

“Yaar Anmulle” is based on the carefree college life — bunking classes, going to canteen, group fights, flaunting of branded clothes and accessories et al.

They have been receiving calls not only from fans but also from music companies. “We are just awaiting the right opportunity and then there will be no looking back,” they add. Nik has given the music while Babbu has written the lyrics for the song sung by Sherry.

When it comes to Sherry’s family, it is his sister and mother who have been encouraging him to pursue his passion.

“My father has given me freedom to do whatever I want but hasn’t shown much interest in my music. But yesterday when one of my uncles came over and told my father that my song has already become a hit, he was very pleased. I want to see that smile on my father’s face again once my album is released,” he smiles.

Sherry’s reveres Gurdas Mann and wants to sing songs with a message.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27
To voice anger against the rising prices of essential commodities, office-bearers and activists of the CPI and CPM took out a protest march.

The Forward Block, RSP, besides the CPI and CPI(M) launched the movement.

Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, secretary, CPI (M), Kartar Singh Buani, secretary, CPI, Sikandar Singh Jartoli, secretary, Punjab Kissan Sabha, and Baldev Latala, general secretary, Punjab Kissan Sabha, led their respective jathas during the march.

Speakers said the prices of essential commodities like pulses, flour and others were increasing rapidly and it had become difficult for the common man to survive.

They said Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had claimed to provide relief to the “aam admi” (the common man), but had failed to keep their promise. They alleged that the government was busy looking after the interest of corporate houses.

The activists also expressed concern over the rising unemployment in the region.

The organisers claimed that the campaign against rising prices had received a warm response from people of the area.

Harnek Singh Sarabha, Bagga Singh Dhulkot, Harjinder Singh Grewal, Jagwinder Singh Chhappar, Karamjit Singh Jodhan, Mukand Singh Latala and Gurdev Singh, office-bearers of various units, were present. Rallies were held at 12 villages, including Chhapar, Latala, Jurahan, Gujjarwal, Chaminda, Rattanan, Jodhan, Dhaepaie and Sarabha. 

Ludhiana, August 27
Congress workers led by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Sarbjit Bunty today staged a protest in front of the mini-secretariat against “loot” by the cooking gas (LPG) distributors and petrol stations in the city while alleging that district food and supplies officials had failed to keep a check on it.

Bunty and other speakers said the LPG distributors were harassing the consumers by demanding ration cards and other documents from them and those failing to produce one or the other document were denied refills. “Even documents like PAN cards, voter cards or bank pass books, issued by competent authorities, are not being accepted as ID proofs by the LPG distributors.”

Levelling allegations of short measure of petrol and diesel as also overcharging against petrol stations, the protesting Congress functionaries said mobil oil was being sold at double the price. Not only this, a few petrol stations were charging customers for checking tyre pressure against the guidelines of the oil companies to provide this service free of charge.

The protesters called for strict action against the erring LPG and petrol distributors and holding the officials of food and supplies department accountable for the slack regulation and enforcement. 

Ludhiana, August 27
Congress councillors have decided to stage a dharna for one hour every day in front of the Zone-D office in protest against the filing of tenders for upcoming MC projects by a contractor, Varinder Kumar, involved in the fake bill scam.

Addressing a press conference, opposition leader Hemraj Aggarwal said the contractor should have been blacklisted but was still allowed to file tenders.

In the fake bill scam, Rs 75 lakh was fraudulently claimed by three contractors who had submitted forged bills.

Aggarwal said they had sought the resignation of local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia, accusing him of working hand in glove with such contractors.

Though 11 MC officials were suspended, no action was taken against contractors and surprisingly one of the three contractors involved in the scam was again allowed to file tenders, said Aggarwal.

Last year, the inquiry report prepared by Additional Commissioner KP Brar had indicted three contractors — Varinder Kumar, Kulbir Singh and Sunny, grandson of Punjab Assembly deputy speaker Satpal Gosain.

Besides, several MC officials were found guilty. They include SEs Arun Sharma and Dharam Singh; XENs Karamjit Singh, HS Khossa, PK Chaddha; SDOs Rahul Gagneja, Rakesh Sharma, Deepak Kocchar; and JEs Raghubir Singh, Harjit Singh, Rakesh Singla, along with DCFA Gupta and DCLA Sukhdev Brar.

Ludhiana, August 27
Trade union activists here are all set for a nationwide strike and “chakka jam” on September 7 in response to a call given by the Central trade unions. To assess the preparations and mobilise the workers for the agitation, a convention was jointly organised by the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Centre of Trade Unions (CTU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and the National Trade Unions of India (NTUI) here today.

More than 500 activists and workers, representing 50 organisations of industrial workers, transport, electricity, Food Corporation of India, banks, brick kiln workers, railways, hospitals, educational institutions and government employees attended the convention which was presided over by a presidium comprising OP Mehta (AITUC), Jatinder Pal Singh (CITU), Paramjit Singh (CTU), Swarn Singh (INTUC), Parkash Singh Hissowal (NTUI).

Lashing out at the government for pursuing policies of privatisation of its departments and disinvestments of the public sector undertakings, and failure to fill up lakhs of vacant posts in various departments, speakers at the convention charged it with closing their eyes to the poor plight of working classes.

They demanded a complete end to outsourcing and contractual recruitment, government scales for anganwari and ASHA workers, strict implementation of labour laws and dispensation of justice to workers, safeguarding of trade union rights, enhancement in minimum wages for skilled and unskilled labour, check on rising prices of essential commodities and strengthening public distribution system.

Ludhiana, August 27
Workers and management of the power loom units at Shakti Nagar failed to break the deadlock even on the third day of their protest today.

While workers were adamant on getting their demands accepted, the unit owners were not ready to listen to them. The workers protested outside their units and were not ready to return to work.

The main demands of workers include increment in wages and implementation of labour laws at industrial units. Yesterday, they had handed over their charter of demands to the Labour Commissioner. 

Ludhiana, August 27
“Prevention is better than cure,” said veterinary experts of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, at the monthly meeting of the Progressive Pig Farmers’ Association (PPFA) today.

A special lecture was delivered by Dr Rajnish Sharma, assistant professor, Public Health Department.

Dr Sharma said H1N1 flu was a respiratory disease and contagious too. He said pork or pig meat should be cooked properly. One should clean hands properly, use handkerchief while sneezing and consult a doctor on time, he added.

“Clean and hygienic measures should be adopted at pig farms,” he said.

Dr Suresh K Devatkal, senior scientist, CIPHET, delivered a lecture on “Value addition of pork”. Lal Singh from Allahabad Bank apprised farmers about loan facilities provided by the bank.

Dr HK Verma, professor and head, department of veterinary and animal husbandry extension, said the association held a meeting on fourth Thursday of every month.

Pig farmers from various parts of Punjab attended the meeting. The association has around 250 members.

Dr Verma said pig farming was gaining popularity in the state and pig farmers should follow scientific guidelines of the veterinary university for achieving maximum profit. 

Ludhiana, August 27
International Institute of Fashion Design organised a workshop on interior designing here today.

Aman Aggarwal, the brain behind Charged Voids-a leading architectural consultancy, was invited to share the nuances of fine design and render valuable tips to budding interior designers of the institute. He conducted a day-long workshop on design development and research and methodology.

Aggarwal is a qualified architectural graduate from Chandigarh College of Architecture. He has worked on various prestigious projects such as Bhuj Memorial, IIM, Ahmadabad Housing.

His consultancy Charged Voids was recently awarded the prestigious IIID-MK Award in Bangalore in two categories- The Emerging Interior Design Practice of The Year and The Best Workspace Design-a rare feat for a single firm.

The workshop commenced with an introductory session.

He also provided rational solutions to curious interior design students.

Aggarwal utilised the opportunity to discuss design ideas and methodology of presentation of designs.

The session created a lot of enthusiasm among students.

Aggarwal said the most essential element was the freedom to think logically. He motivated students to establish their own firms if they wished to make their dreams come true.

He also shared his experiences and challenges that he had had to face in life.

On his design inspirations, Aggarwal said, “An interior designer or architect need not move out of India to look for inspiration, designs or materials. The historical monuments of India are epitomes of highly appreciable designs and are enough evidence that craftsmen here are unique and unmatched.”

The interaction motivated students and provided solutions to most of their problems. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27
Thirteen years after the death of her husband, a widow of Aloona Tola in Payal is hopeful of receiving a family pension in lieu of her husband’s service as a watchman in the Department of the District Food and Civil Supplies Controller in Ludhiana.

Had Batta Bagh, a social activist, not supported her in seeking justice from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, she could have been forced to live the rest of her life without being recognised as a legally wedded wife, besides being deprived of the pension.

Nasib Kaur had to wait for 13 years for availing the status of the legally wedded widow of Jiwan Singh, who was posted as the watchman in the department of the District Food and Civil Supplies, Ludhiana. Jiwan served in this department till April 10, 1990, and continued to draw pension till his death on August 28, 1997.

Nasib Kaur was yet to come to terms with her fate after the death of Jiwan Singh that officials told her that she was not entitled for the family pension, as her name was not mentioned in the records maintained by the office.

All appeals and requests made by Nasib Kaur before the authorities at various levels proved futile. At this juncture Tarsem Kumar Sharma, a social activist, Batta Bagh, supported her in seeking justice from the Punjab and Haryana High Court through Advocate Birjesh Kumar Sharma.

A petition for the issuance of the writ in nature of mandamus directing the state government to release family pension to Nasib Kaur, widow of Jiwan Singh, was filed by Sharma was decided recently in favour of the petitioner.

According to Sharma, the respondents had tried to misguide the court that Jiwan Singh was only a temporary employee and he had not mentioned name of the petitioner as his wife. So Nasib Kaur could not claim the family pension, as she, in eyes of the department, was not legally wedded spouse of the deceased employee.

Convinced by the arguments of advocate for the petitioner, Justice Ajay Lamba directed the respondents to release family pension to Nasib Kaur after holding an enquiry to verify whether the petitioner is the widow of Jiwan Singh or not.

It was directed that inquiry should be completed within four months and pension be released within two months of establishing genuineness of the claim.

Though Nasib Kaur was yet to receive any orders by the department, officials at the office concerned maintained that the accountant General, Punjab, vide his communication number pensions/2 / j-59/94/95/8803-5 had directed the treasury office in Ludhiana to pay pension to Nasib Kaur. 

Ludhiana, August 27
Dharam Pal of Pathankot and his wife were in a difficult situation as their only daughter — Gurmukhi (12) — had a hole in her heart, technically know as a ventricular septal defect (VSD).

What was further complicating the matter was that the long standing abnormal flow of blood had damaged Gurmukhi’s lungs, a condition called Eisenmenger’s complex. Due to this, surgery was considered very risky.

When the child was brought to Dr Harinder Singh Bedi, head of cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here, Dr Bedi realised that there was a tremendous strain on the heart and lungs.

During investigations, it was found that Gurmukhi was not growing as her body was not getting enough blood. She would turn blue on slightest exertion.

After being put on strong medication to reverse her lung damage, a re-study showed only a minimal improvement.

The dilemma was whether to operate with a high risk or leave Gurmukhi alone with the knowledge that she would live just for a few months more.

“The problem with the surgery was that if the hole was closed then the pressure would build up, and the heart would have no place to decompress, which could be fatal.”

However, the solution was inspired from a structure called fossa ovalis (in a different area of the heart) with a flap valve-like design. High pressure forces the valve to open, leading to decompression. When the pressure falls the valve closes.

“We decided to copy this natural design. A flap valve was fashioned using an imported Gore Tex material and the patient’s own chemically treated covering of the heart (pericardium). A hole was made in the Gore Tex and a flap fashioned from the pericardium. This patch was used to close the hole in Gurmukhi’s heart after stopping the heart and putting it on ice. The flap would open till the lungs recovered. This design worked and Gurmukhi made a quick recovery,” said Dr Bedi.

The other members of the team involved in the surgery were Dr Allen, Dr Arun Gupta, Dr Vivek, Dr Negi, and Dr Melchi.

Gurmukhi is now doing well. According to Dr Bedi, she should now have an absolutely normal life span. She would be able to follow any profession of her choice as she was now fighting fit.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27
To protest against the apathetic attitude of the state government towards their genuine demands, activists of the Punjab State Recognised and Aided School Teachers Union have decided to wear black badges from September 1 to September 5.

Teachers rued that they had not received salaries for the past eight months.

Office-bearers of the organisation led by president Raja Singh, Rajinder Singh and Gian Singh said employees of the Punjab government private aided schools would observe September 5 as Black Day and would wear black badges for five days.

Referring to the decision taken at a meeting of office-bearers of the union convened at Ramgarhia Senior Secondary School Ludhiana on Thursday, Rajinder Singh of GHG Khalsa Senior School Bahadurgarh said the office-bearers, keeping in view the interests of students of private-aided schools, had launched a movement that would not affect studies. However, the agitation would be intensified if their demands were not met, he added.

Other demands of the union included resumption of the pension scheme, higher grades and lifting of ban on recruitment of teachers.

Having not received salaries for the past eight months, employees of private schools of the region are a harried lot.

With even grocers refusing to give ration on credit, they had started absenting themselves from social functions.

Lenders, including friends and relatives, besides ration and milk suppliers had also started squeezing them.

They had to borrow money to pay power, water and sewerage bills.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, August 27
What was construed as a suicide by a disappointed youth by the Railway police nine months ago has turned out to be cold-blooded murder of Sukhdev Singh, eldest son of Charnon of Satnam Nagar, whose entire family was eliminated by three youths of the area a week ago?

It was Sukhdev’s mother, who got him killed, after he objected to her’s immoral activities.

The Payal police, led by Jaswinder Singh Chahal, which cracked the shocking homicide case, has now written to the Railway police to lodge a murder case against the accused after verifying the facts about the youth who was found dead on a railway track somewhere between Kilaraipur and Gill station about nine months ago.

“It was Sukhdev Singh’s murder, which Charnon was exploiting for using us for her ulterior designs. She got rid of many of her enemies through us by threatening of getting us caught in an old murder case. Now when she asked us to eliminate one person whom she owed some money we decided to end the story for ever,” disclosed the homicide accused to Chahal during investigations.

The accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh Manga of Kilaraipur, Gurpreet Singh Gopi of Khanpur and Kulwinder Singh of Beggowal.

Investigations revealed that Sukhdev Singh, eldest son of Charnon along with the accused, used to work on a JCB.

The trio started coming to Sukhdev’s house and developed illicit relationship with his mother Charnon. She was allegedly involved in immoral activities with a few other persons too and Sukhdev used to object entry of those persons in the house.

Though Charnon had disowned Sukhdev Singh from her moveable and immovable property about nine months ago, he continued urging his relatives to impress upon his mother to mend her ways. This infuriated Charnon who got him killed by the trio in November last year.

The accused admitted having thrown Sukhdev Singh on the railway track after drugging him.

The police will take the accused to the railway track to ascertain exact place of Sukhdev’s murder.

Though the accused have admitted killing Charnon, her 14-year-old daughter Karamjit Kaur and four-year-old son Navdeep Navi, besides Sukhdev Singh, the police is yet to finalize list of persons who had been harassed by the accused. 

Ludhiana, August 27
The three-day Inter Block Games being organised under the Panchayat Yuva Krida and Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) began at Guru Nanak Sports Complex here today.

Tandeep Kaur from Pakhowal came out triumphant in the 100-m race, while Veerpal Kaur and Jaspreet Kaur, both of Sidhwan Bet, secured the second and third positions, respectively.

In the boy’s section (100m), Vinod Kumar of Khanna emerged the fastest runner, while Sukhdeep Singh of Ludhiana (I) and Joga Singh of Jagraon stood second and third, respectively.

In 800m race, Dharminder Kumar of Khanna, Paramdeep Singh of Raikot and Rakesh Kumar of Sidhwan Bet secured the first, second and third positions, respectively.

In the 800m, Gurmeet Kaur of Khanna finished ahead of others to bag the title, Harpreet Kaur of Samrala secured the second position, while Manmeet Kaur, also from Samrala, stood third.

In kho-kho (boys), Doraha beat Raikot; Sidhwan Bet defeated Ludhiana (II) and in the girl’s section, Ludhiana (I) outplayed Ludhiana (II).

In football (boys), Raikot drubbed Ludhiana (I ) 4-1 and in the girl’s section, Pakhowal prevailed over Ludhiana (I) 2-1.

In basketball (boys), Jagraon outnumbered Sidhwan Bet 41-32; Machhiwara beat Sidhwan Bet 2-1 in volleyball, while in hockey, Sudhar defeated Doraha 5-3.

In kabaddi (boys), Doraha outclassed Ludhiana 38-11; Sudhar trounced Ludhiana (II) 45-12. In wrestling (boys), Gurpret Singh of Ludhiana (I) emerged winner in the 42kg category, while Mandeep Singh of Dehlon finished as runner-up and Amandeep Singh of Jagraon secured the third position.

In the 46kg group, Alam of Pakhowal and Gurvinder Singh of Ludhiana (I) secured the first and second positions, respectively, while Jasvir Singh of Ludhiana (II) stood third. Earlier, Mohinder Singh Grewal, DDPO, Ludhiana, inaugurated the games, in which more than 700 boys and girls from different blocks of Ludhiana district are taking part. Sat Pal Singh, DSO, Ludhiana, along with Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association, former international hockey star Sukhvir Grewal, Harbans Singh, in charge, SAI Training Centre, Ludhiana, and coaches of the Punjab sports department were present on the occasion.

Ludhiana, August 27
The students of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir (BVM) Senior Secondary School branches hogged the limelight, bagging titles in the girls’ section in the Ludhiana Inter-School Judo Championship being organised by the education department at the Multipurpose Indoor Hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex here yesterday.

Girl judokas from BVM, Chandigarh road branch and those from Udham Singh Nagar branch, stamped their class to emerge champions in the u-17 and u-19 years categories, respectively, while students from BVM, Dugri branch and Chandigarh road branch, shared top honours in the u-14 years section.

In the u-14 group, BVM, Chandigarh road branch and Dugri branch, accumulated 16 points each to finish at top, while BVM, Udham Singh Nagar branch, secured 10 points to finish runners-up and Government Senior Secondary School, Madhopuri, collected eight points to content with third position.

In the u-17 years category, BVM, Chandigarh road, girls garnered 19 points to finish well ahead of others to romp home champions.

Judokas from BVM, Kitchlu Nagar branch, with 13 points secured second position, while Government Senior Senior Secondary School, Madhopuri, with as many points finished third.

Similarly, in the girls’ u-19 section, BVM, Udham Singh Nagar, judokas scored 19 points to emerge victors, Government Senior Secondary School, division No. 3, collected 19 points to finish second, while Guru Nanak Girls Senior Secondary School, Model Town, secured 15 points to end in the third place.