Major Amarjeet Singh Batth (retd) explains his photographs to a visitor at the Art Gallery in Amritsar. A Tribune photo

City-based Paramjeet, Vinod emerge ‘Voice of Punjab’ 
Amritsar, September 21
It was a dual occasion for the city to rejoice. The top slots of ‘Voice of Punjab’ male and female categories were bagged by Amritsar-based Paramjeet Kaur and Vinod Kumar.



The winners of the ‘Voice of Punjab’ contest along with the judges after the grand finale at Khalsa College in Amritsar. A Tribune photo

5 dozen fish found dead in Golden Temple sarovar
Amritsar, September 21
More than five dozen fish were found dead in the sarovar of Golden Temple today.

Birth, death certification goes hi-tech
Amritsar, September 21
Now, the people of rural areas would not have to stand in long queues for hours and wait for months for registration and issuance of birth and death certificates.

HIV test centre to be set up at TB hospital 
Amritsar, September 21
The Punjab AIDS Control Society has agreed to set up an Integrated Counseling and Test Centre (ICTC) at the local TB hospital here, in order to identify HIV positive patients.

GMC spreads awareness on dementia 
Amritsar, September 21
The Department of Neurology in the Government Medical College today celebrated World Alzheimer’s Day by organising health checkup and awareness camp to make people aware about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

‘Govt not doing enough to promote homoeopathy’
Amritsar, September 21
Although the homoeopathy system of medication and treatment is growing at a brisk pace all over the world, the governments are not doing enough to promote it or other systems of medication and treatment.

Dr Ushma Batra 

Lecture on Guru Nanak and early Sikhs
Amritsar, September 21
Prof Gurinder Singh Mann, an eminent scholar of the Sikh studies, from the University of California (US), delivered a thought provoking lecture on “Guru Nanak and Early Sikhs: New Perspectives”.

21 Youth Cong leaders get bail
Amritsar, September 21
Ravneet Singh Bittu, President, Punjab Youth Congress and MP, yesterday visited the Central Jail, Gumtala, Amritsar, to meet his 21 detained colleagues, who later were bailed out.

PSMDTA elections
Amritsar, September 21
Dr RS Sidhu was unanimously elected as president of the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association, the elections for which were held here today. Dr HS Sohal and Dr SS Sood were nominated as vice-presidents while Dr Shiv Charan was elected as general secretary of the association.

Max launches store in city
Amritsar, September 21
Max has launched its first store in the city. The new Max store would provide latest fashion of apparels, footwear and accessories for men, women and kids.




Children look at garments in the newly opened Max store in Amritsar. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Blood donation 
Amritsar, September 21
As many as 45 persons, including staff and students, of Baba Kuma Singh Engineering College, today donated blood at the Janta Hospital, in association with the blood bank of the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The blood donation camp was organised in the memory of late Dr Parminder Singh Pannu, whose death anniversary falls today.

Two abducted, five booked
Tarn Taran, September 21
Two case of abduction were reported in the area.

No govt aid for golden karate kid
Amritsar, September 21
Spain recognised her talent after watching her perform during the All India talent hunt tourney held at New Delhi, last month. But she hardly finds any recognition here, apparently, not even in the much touted “sports policy”. Nevertheless, Amritsar-based 12-year-old Shivani has received invitation from the International Sport Karate and Kickboxing Association to compete in the world championship in Alecante, Spain. Though Shivani is busy in preparations to give her best at the meet, her father Swaran Singh, a class IV employee with the Punjab State Power Corporation, is worried about arranging the expenses of his daughter’s trip. Shivani’s boarding, lodging and travel expenses would come to be approximately Rs 1.5 lakh.

Amritsar, September 21
Families of politicians, industrialists and businessmen have encroached upon the service lane on the posh Mall Road with the civic authorities hardly ever taking any notice.

The Mall, literal meaning --- the shady passage --- built nearly 120 years ago by the British after the annexation of Punjab following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, seems to have lost its splendour. It was replete with history as ancestral house of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was also located here.

However, it has become a concrete jungle. The first step towards its commercialisation was started by a former Akali minister who converted a part of his splendid residence into office and shops by using political clout during hey days of militancy. Later, big hotels, hospitals, restaurants besides commercial complexes and many kiosks - dotted the beautiful landscape of the Mall.

A resident of the area, Surinder Singh said service lanes were in use nearly a decade ago. However, he does not remember how long ago, but is certain that a political family, had set the wrong precedent by gobbling upon the service lane in front of 
the house.

The suit was gradually followed by almost all the plush houses. The worst came when one hospital after another was opened on the Mall. Majority of them turned the service lane in front of their clinics into parking lots.

Going a step ahead some of the hospitals had installed barbed wires to earmark the parking and had even deployed a guard or two to man the spot.

Interestingly, all these are being done despite the fact that mansions of Commissioners of Police and Municipal Corporation are located on the same road.

Amritsar, September 21
After months of uncertainty, the DAV College Managing Committee shifted the Principal of JC DAV College, Dasuya (Hoshiarpur), Kailash Nath Kaul, to DAV College, Amritsar.

A PhD in chemistry, Kaul has about 33-year experience, including five years of heading the college. The seat here had fallen vacant after his predecessor Satish Kumar Sharma was transferred.

Kaul had completed his post graduation from DAV College, Jalandhar, in 1977 and had joined it as lecturer the same year. He served the same institute for the next 25 years.

During his teaching days, he had been associated with the NCC Army wing for 25 years. He had commanded the NCC unit of the DAV College for 15 years. Besides, he was a Major Officer Commanding for eight years.

Kaul, who is also an ardent lover of adventure sports, organised several cycling and motor-cycling competitions even for higher altitudes. Among others, motorcycling expeditions from the border village of Attari to the eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in 2003, was the longest, as it lasted for a month. It covered 8,000 km.

Excerpts of Kaul’s tete-a-tete with Amritsar Plus:

What are the new trends?

Youngsters are once again getting attracted to basic sciences. Intake in the non-medical course has picked up as it broadens job opportunities.

Computers and commerce are popular for their great demand. Industry of all hues needs commerce professionals while computer education is needed in all streams.

Do you plan to add more courses?

The college plans to have an M.Sc in chemistry and bio-technology from the next academic session. Presently, it has B.Sc bio-technology.

Do not you think youngsters prefer private engineering colleges to study science stream?

Undoubtedly, a number of private engineering colleges have mushroomed in the recent past. However, with the aim of churning out quality engineers, the need to have state-of-the-art laboratories and other costly paraphernalia is indispensable. Only a plush building isn’t sufficient.

On the other hand, jobs in the field are also limited.

How do you like to rate the education system in this part of the country?

There is a demand to incorporate new developments and to turn the curricula more dynamic to meet global standards. Only then, we would be able to churn out quality students.

Any plans for college expansion?

Augmenting of physical infrastructure of the college is a decision which rests with the management. Presently, the college is spread on about half an acre, imparts education to over 4,000 students with the assistance of about 400 staff members, including teaching and non-teaching staff.

Amritsar, September 21
It was a dual occasion for the city to rejoice. The top slots of ‘Voice of Punjab’ male and female categories were bagged by Amritsar-based Paramjeet Kaur and Vinod Kumar.

The winners got a Wagon R car along with other prizes during the concluding ceremony of the event organised by Punjab TV Channel PTC Punjab and Tata Docomo at College, Amritsar, late last evening.

There were 10 contestants for the grand finale from different pockets of the state, which included five girls and an equal number of boys. The final was held between four contestants - Vinod Kumar, Harwinder Harry, Mandeep Kaur and Paramjeet Kaur.

Paramjeet, a resident of Kot Khalsa area, Amritsar, is a graduate in music and wants to make her presence felt in the music field.

“Music is a talent gifted by God and I just want to thank my parents and teachers for their wholehearted support because of which I could earn this distinction”, she expressed after bagging the title.

Equally delighted was Vinod Kumar of Ramdas area, Amritsar.

In the first phase of the final round, six boys and girls moved to the second phase. In the final phase there were four contestants.

The runners up resented that it was a very close contest and they reached the final stage after defeating hordes of singers from all over Punjab but the organisers did not spare a thought for thenm as far as prizes were concerned.

The judges of the show were renowned singer Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Mann, Sarbjit Kaur, Miss Pooja and music director Jai Dev. 

Amritsar, September 21
More than five dozen fish were found dead in the sarovar of Golden Temple today.

The management of the holy shrine today called upon experts to ascertain the exact cause of the death of the fish.

According to information,  most of the dead ones were of black colour while the golden and white ones were found to be safe and sound.

Though the Fish Preservation Department officials confirmed that the incident did not occur due to any disease, they said sudden change in temperature due to change in weather conditions seem to be the cause of  their death.

It was also reliably learnt that the filtration plant of the sarovar was not made operational for past few months and the department officials also pointed it out to be the reason for contamination in the water.

The experts advocated releasing the flow of water from river  upper Bari Doab canal through ‘hansli’, the cemented  pipes through which water comes into the sarovar, after five  days and the filter plant should  be operational continuously  these days.

The manager of the Golden Temple, Harbans Singh, confirmed that the dead fish were found on the surface of water for last few weeks.

Meanwhile, it was not the only instance, the similar kind of incidents were reported earlier also.

Amritsar, September 21
The Punjab AIDS Control Society has agreed to set up an Integrated Counseling and Test Centre (ICTC) at the local TB hospital here, in order to identify HIV positive patients.

Revealing this, Dr Naresh Chawla, District TB Officer, said the society, in principal, has agreed to the demand of the hospital with its programme officer, Dr NM Sharma, assuring to provide a team of trained staff to the hospital.

It is pertinent to mention here that the TB officer has written to Dr SS Basra, State Nodal Officer for establishing the centre, as there is no facility in the hospital premises for conducting HIV tests on patients suffering from TB.

Dr Chawla said according to data, there is a high prevalence of TB in HIV patients. He said approximately 40-50 per cent HIV patients are found to be suffering from TB too. Dr Chawla said from January to now, as many as 3,000 patients have visited the TB hospital.

Recently, the government has launched a scheme TB/HIV intensified package, to make the HIV test mandatory for TB patients.

“Usually, we counsel patients coming to the hospital and advise them to go for the HIV test and refer them to the civil hospital or other hospitals having ICTC center facility. But patients either ignore the advice or hardly show any interest in this. Therefore, we wrote to the Punjab AIDS control society to set up the centre here in the hospital complex,” said Dr Chawla.

At present, there are about 14 centres running at seven civil hospitals including Amritsar, Baba Bakala and Ajnala, ESI, department of microbiology, Government Medical College and Guru Ram Das Hospital besides Majitha, Tarsika, Lopoke and Manawala.

Amritsar, September 21
The Department of Neurology in the Government Medical College today celebrated World Alzheimer’s Day by organising health checkup and awareness camp to make people aware about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The day is celebrated on every year on September 21 all over the world in the memory of Dr Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who first discovered the disease in 1906.

Dr Rajneesh Sharma, HoD of Neurology, said the theme of World Alzheimer’s Day 2010 was “Dementia: It’s time for action”.

Quoting some data, he said there were 35 million people all over the world who are suffering from dementia and as many as 4.6 million new cases of dementia are  reported to be occurring every year while number of people with dementia is projected to be over 100 million by 2050 worldwide.

Detailing further, he added that according to estimates there are over 3.2 million elderly people in the country are suffering from various forms of dementia while the number likely to increase to 6 million by 2050.

Every third person over 90 years suffers from moderate to severe Dementia ie progressive brain dysfunction leading to restriction of daily activities. There are many forms of dementia, most common one being Alzheimer’s disease while the second most common cause of dementia is vascular dementia.

Dr Sharma pointed out that Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs after 65 years of age and accounts for 60 per cent of all cases of dementia. It is the 4th leading cause of death among the older adults in the developed world.

Answering the queries, he said despite the vast numbers, dementia remains a grossly unrecognised public health problem in our country and there is gross ignorance of this mind crippling illness even among people who are educated. The only way to improve the situation is by raising the awareness level among the general  public about this disease. 

Amritsar, September 21
Although the homoeopathy system of medication and treatment is growing at a brisk pace all over the world, the governments are not doing enough to promote it or other systems of medication and treatment.

This was stated by Dr Ushma Batra, vice-president and Head of Department of Trichology of Dr Batra’s Homoeopathic Healthcare Corporate, which launched its second clinic in Punjab here today.

Interacting with The Tribune, she pointed out that as per the World Health Organisation data, homoeopathy is the second largest way of medication and treatment of the people in the world. She said the government should take steps for promoting homoeopathy, which is not only affordable but also having very good records in treating patients without any side effects.

She said the government should channelise homoeopathy and stem the problem of quacks that were ruling the roost and playing havoc with the lives of people.

Quoting some data, Dr Batra said the homoeopathy is growing at a rate of 25 per cent as compared to other systems that are growing at the rate of 10 per cent. She said this has grown into a Rs 1,250 crore market in the country while there are more than 3 lakh homoeopaths practicing in India offering treatment to about 9.2 crore patients.

Amritsar, September 21
Prof Gurinder Singh Mann, an eminent scholar of the Sikh studies, from the University of California (US), delivered a thought provoking lecture on “Guru Nanak and Early Sikhs: New Perspectives”.

This lecture was organised by the Department of History of the Guru Nanak Dev University here today.

Dr B.S. Dhillon from Guru Nanak Studies Department of the university presided over.

Prof Maan emphasised on the need to start afresh with new approach or perspectives to understand Guru Nanak and his followers in the light of the extant contemporary sources.

He said W.H. McLeod could not properly appreciate the focus of the teachings of Guru Nanak. He advised the students and researchers to carefully read and understand nuances of the language of sources related to the history of Guru Nanak.

Dr Dhillon in his presidential remarks said there was need to understand many sources about the Guru Nanak Bani, which are known but yet to be explored to understand the philosophy of the founder of Sikhism in its own perspectives

Amritsar, September 21
As many as 45 persons, including staff and students, of Baba Kuma Singh Engineering College, today donated blood at the Janta Hospital, in association with the blood bank of the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. The blood donation camp was organised in the memory of late Dr Parminder Singh Pannu, whose death anniversary falls today.

Those present on the occasion include Dr Avtar Singh Uppal, principal of the college, Dr Jatinder Singh Pannu, chief consultant, Janta Hospital and Dr Mandeep Kaur Pannu, of GNDH blood bank.

Tarn Taran, September 21
Two case of abduction were reported in the area.

In the first incident, one schoolgirl of Marrimegha village, 35 kms from here, was abducted by three members of a family on the pretext of marriage. The family members, identified as Roshan Masih, his father Gulzar Masih and mother Narinder Kaur, have been booked under sections 363, 366 and 120B of the IPC.

The father of the girl in his statement alleged that Roshan abducted his daughter in connivance with his father and mother luring her to marry him. The girl was abducted while she was on her way to school in the village.

In another report, illicit relations of a boy with a married woman led to the abduction of his father Pargat Singh of Sabhra village, falling under police station Patti.

Pargat Singh’s wife Dalbir Kaur in her statement to the police alleged that her son Mandeep Singh had been having an illicit relation with a married woman, Lakhwinder Kaur, since the last eight years. Pargat had been restricting Mandeep. Lakhwinder in a fit of rage abducted Pargat Singh, she claimed. A case has been registered only last night.

Lakhwinder Kaur and her other unidentified associate have been booked under sections 364 and 34 of the IPC. — OC

Amritsar, September 21
Spain recognised her talent after watching her perform during the All India talent hunt tourney held at New Delhi, last month. But she hardly finds any recognition here, apparently, not even in the much touted “sports policy”.

Nevertheless, Amritsar-based 12-year-old Shivani has received invitation from the International Sport Karate and Kickboxing Association to compete in the world championship in Alecante, Spain.

Though Shivani is busy in preparations to give her best at the meet, her father Swaran Singh, a class IV employee with the Punjab State Power Corporation, is worried about arranging the expenses of his daughter’s trip. Shivani’s boarding, lodging and travel expenses would come to be approximately Rs 1.5 lakh.

Ironically, neither the Directorate of Sports Punjab, nor the Amritsar administration could support this talented child, even as reports of encouraging youth towards sports and formation of sports policies in the state hit the headlines daily.

“What’s the use of all this, when they cannot sponsor a child for the event. But I have decided not to give up so easily. I am going beyond my reach for my child’s interest in this sport. If she can make her life out of this sport, I will consider myself to be the luckiest person on earth”, Swaran said.

Shivani knew about her humble background, she would also make it a point to never let her parents’ hope die and had always made her presence felt in every single Karate event she had participated in. She represented Punjab during the All India Karate-do- championshipU-14 category and won gold in the Kata event held in August. Her favourite of all the events was her Nepal trip. She represented India twice in the 30-35 kg group event and won many accolades during the All India Shito-Ryu Karate Championship and Lumbin Lions Indo-Nepal Karate Championship held in Kathmandu this year. Despite being the first among all the representatives of other countries, she was also adjudged the best player of the tournament. Another event where she clinched gold was during the All-India Ken Eii Mabain Shito-Ryu Karate Championship, Dehradun, last year.

Endorsing her talent, Shivani’s coach and general secretary of the Punjab State Shito-Ryu Katate -do Association Sukhdev Singh appealed that the state government or sports department should come forward to help her with some financial aid, keeping in view the number of achievements she had accomplished during various national and international Karate events. 

District Sports Officer Sukhbir Kaur: Policy certainly exists for talented sportspersons of the state, but the problem is that they hesitate to approach us directly, due to the certain pressures generated by associations or federations they are associated with.  For U-14 categories, we are running speed fund academies where the sportspersons are given Rs 3,000 per month apart from Rs 1,500 as medical allowances every month. I will speak to the Director, Sports about her case on priority.  Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu: This is for the sports department to see, they should take care of such shining sportspersons themselves. Since she is a native of our district; I will try to speak on her behalf to the department. Convey her to approach me.