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Chhappar Mela
Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 22 The SAD(B) conference will now be held near Jagera bridge on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road and that of the Congress party will be organized on the Ahmedgarh-Raikot road. Senior leaders of almost all parties, including Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, former CM Amarinder Singh and opposition leader in the state assembly Rajinder Kaur Bhathal, are expected to address their respective meetings tomorrow. Meanwhile, followers of ‘Guga Peer’ continued to flock to his shrine. Though the number of devotees was less than expected, people had to wait for their turn to pay obeisance and present offerings at the temple. The police made special arrangements to accommodate the devotees as also to check “eve teasers” near Mari. Groups of ‘Guga Peer’ followers came to the shrine dancing to the beats of drums during the brief intervals when the rain stopped. Some of them were seen beating their bodies with metallic chains. A large number of devotees began converging at the ‘Guga Mari’ in the morning when the rain stopped for a while. All modes of transport including motorcycles and scooters, cars, “tempos” and tractor trolleys were used to reach the venue of the fair. Activists and local leaders of various political parties remained busy in making arrangements for organising their conferences on Thursday. However, some of them attended meetings at the venue today though they had to take the help of singers and ‘dhadis’ for retaining the interest of participants. With none of the conferences drawing crowds, the tents of a few parties, including that of SAD(B), wore a deserted look. While the SAD leaders recounted the achievements of the state government, the Opposition leaders including Congress and Leftists termed the government as a complete failure.
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A fair of unhealthy practices
Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 22 Unhygienic conditions during preparation and presentation of eatables, recirculation of “prasad” and leftovers, sale of tobacco products to children and tattooing with infected and rusted instruments continue unabated at the largest rural fair of the state. Falsifying the tall claims made by the civil administration, the health authorities have been unable to check unhealthy practices at the
mela. Check on preparation and presentation of eatables is conspicuous by its absence. In spite of reports of sale of inferior-quality eatables, the authorities have not bothered to take even a single sample during the first two days of the mega event. Eatables, including sweets and
“patasas”, are being recirculated in a manner that poses grave threat to human lives. Even the “prasad” that has been thrown on the floor after being offered by devotees is salvaged by beggars and later sold to shops, which further resell it after mixing it with fresh
“prasad”. Maintaining that the practice exposes thousands of devotees to infectious diseases caused by microbes present in the soil and transmits pathogens from beggars suffering from chronic disorders, doctors have demanded a curb on the practice. The health authorities have also failed to check self-styled dental surgeons practising their “skills” at the mela site. They do not even wash their hands while extracting teeth of visitors. A number of tattoo artistes tattoo figures on the body of several individuals without sterilising their equipment. They claim they have been organising stalls at the mela for several years and no official has ever objected to their practice. “We do not force any one to get tattooed. We have only limited number of machines with us and do not know that these need to be sterilised every time we use them on somebody,” says Menge Ram, a tattoo artist when asked about chances of spreading diseases like AIDS. |
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LBP not to hold conference
Ludhiana, September 22 This was stated by LBP’s local leader Navdeep Singh Mandi Kalan who said Ramoowalia was campaigning for his friends there and would stay there for another week. The party organises conference at the mela every year. All other parties are preparing for the conferences tomorrow.
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Bed shortage forces hospitals to turn away patients Ludhiana, September 22 Meanwhile, Aakash, a six-year-old boy from Jalandhar who was undergoing treatment for dengue at DMCH, died yesterday evening. He was admitted to the hospital with high fever and low platelet count and was immediately administered platelet transfusion. However, he did not respond to the treatment and was on life support till the end. Over 70 per cent of patients being treated for dengue in the city’s major hospitals are from Jalandhar and adjoining areas, which are reportedly the worst hit this year. Said Sandeep Puri, medical superintendent at DMCH: "We’ve no option but to refuse admission to new patients as there are no vacant beds in the wards. However, we’ll accommodate them whenever any existing patients are discharged”. Similarly, CMCH has stopped admitting new dengue patients as the hospital’s wards are full. CMCH medical superintendent Dr Kanwal Masih said: "We’ve taken in as many patients as we could, but their number is continuously increasing. At present there’s no space to accommodate more patients displaying dengue symptoms or suffering from viral fever. However, we’ll admit them as soon there are any vacancies in the wards after existing patients are discharged”. In a survey conducted in 2009 the WHO had attributed the spread of the disease to the expanding geographic distribution of the four dengue viruses and their mosquito vectors, the most important of which it said was Aedes aegypti. The survey pointed that the increase in the mosquito population in urban areas was bringing more people into contact with this vector, especially in localities that were favourable for mosquito breeding. |
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’84 Riot Victims
Ludhiana, September 22 Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari said as per the state government decision and the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued on July 15, 2010, the process for allotment of houses has been taken in hand. He said the list of those riot-affected persons who had submitted their applications in 2000 to the Chief Administrator/Estate Officer, PUDA, Mohali, was available on the government website (ludhianagov.in) and the same was on display at the office of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) on the Ferozepur road here. The verification of the place of residence of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the list. The authorities have directed those applicants who had changed their place of residence after 2000 to submit details of their current place of residence in writing to the RRA branch in the office of Deputy Commissioner till 5 pm on September 25, 2010. The Deputy Commissioner has made it clear that no application for the change of address from eligible applicants will be accepted after the stipulated date and the administration will dispose of cases on the basis of verification conducted on the address available on the official record. Meanwhile, the Punjab Danga Peerit Welfare Society has said a camp will be organised at Gurdwara Kalgidhar here from September 23 to 26 to assist riot victims in seeking allotment of residential houses and commercial booths. In a statement, Manjit Singh Chawla, chief adviser of the society, has asked those affected families to whom no flat or booth had been allotted till now to bring their red cards, proof of residence and two copies of photographs to the camp and submit their files for allotment of flats/booths. |
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Shooting
Ludhiana, September 22 A case of attempt to murder was registered against Satwinder Singh Jawaddi, former councillor owing allegiance to the Congress, for allegedly launching a murderous assault on his opponent. The ADCP-III, JS Sidhu, said two supporters of Dhaliwal were also injured in the firing yesterday. They were admitted to the CMCH with bullet injuries. Meanwhile, Jawaddi alleged that the police was playing into the hands of the ruling party as he was booked even though he was not present at the spot. He said he was involved with the Chhapar Mela preparations at the time of the incident and alleged that it was Dhaliwal and his supporters who started firing at his brother, nephew and three supporters. He said his brother had a narrow escape. On the other hand, Dhaliwal had claimed that he was not involved in the attack. |
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Rampant cheating, but DEO goes easy on nos.
DEO Speaks The conduct of the examinations this time has been exceptionally smooth. Not many cases of cheating have been
reported. — Bachhitar Singh
Ludhiana, September 22 Though the Ludhiana District Education Officer (DEO) has filed seven cases of mass copying in the district, insiders say the number of cheating and copying cases is much higher. They allege that the number is being intentionally subdued to serve vested interests. “Cheating is going on unabated in many schools in the district, but the authorities do not want to accept it,” a local school head, whose school has been listed among the seven named by the DEO, claimed. He also alleged that some schools were being falsely implicated in cheating cases to “divert” the attention of the authorities from the ones where copying was rampant. Sources in the DEO’s office stated: “The DEO is concealing the numbers because this time, the PSEB has made the DEOs responsible for their respective districts. To save himself from embarrassment, the DEO is not revealing the correct number.” Counter-allegations continue to fly with flying squad members accusing teachers of facilitating cheating in schools even as the latter have been crying hoarse about the former helping the children known to them. “Teachers have been helping students in many schools. In such cases, it gets difficult to collect proof though some teachers have been relieved from duty after complaints against them poured in,” a member of the flying squad alleged. On the other hand, a number of school heads and teachers have levelled similar allegations against the flying squad. “Members of the flying squad have been helping children of their friends and relatives. This is a fact and many school principals will vouch for it,” a school principal said. |
MC tender filing goes online from Oct 15
Ludhiana, September 22 The e-tendering facility will start in the municipal corporation from October 15. Though the system is new both to the officials and contractors, they are being imparted training to make them acquainted with it. PWD and B&R departments are already adopting this technique. Yesterday, a demo class was held both for contractors and employees. Software company officials imparted necessary tips to all present. All registered contractors of the corporation will have to get themselves registered online and in turn will be issued a password. After the tenders are floated, the contractors will quote their rate electronically by using the password provided to them by the corporation. Sources say once a contractor has quoted his rates, he will neither be able to change it nor open the required form again. Only those tenders that fulfil all conditions will be considered valid. MC Commissioner AK Sinha said the system would bring transparency in the system. Tenders amounting more than Rs 10 lakh would be filed online. Contractors would be required get their digital signatures registered and would be charged Rs 4,300 for the same for two years. After two years, they would have to get themselves registered again. Even the tender opening official would be issue a digital signature for Rs 3,600 and would get digital ID card and password for opening tenders.
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Addl quota fails to enthuse millers
Surveillance of mandis The Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, Rahul Tewari, has directed the SDMs and heads of procurement agencies to complete arrangements for the smooth procurement of paddy from October 1. He said 99 purchase centres had been set up in the district and told all agencies to depute the required staff at all mandis of the district at the earliest. The SDMs have also been asked to visit the mandis in their area and depute gazetted officers for daily surveillance.
Ludhiana, September 22 Sixteen out of 309 rice millers of the district have failed to achieve even 50 per cent of the milling target against the government’s demand for 100 per cent milling. The government had offered 25 per cent additional milling quota to the millers who achieved 100 per cent target till March 31 followed by 20 per cent for achieving the target by April 30. Only eight millers from the district have achieved the target. TS Sandhu, a member of the rice millers’ association from the district, stated that the millers were not happy with the policies of the government. He referred to the “injustice” meted out to the millers in the milling of the PAU 201 paddy
variety. “The issue needs to be taken up seriously by the government with the Centre,” he said. The district food and civil supplies controller (west), Rakesh Bhaskar, said the target for paddy procurement this year was 16.83 metric tonnes compared to 17.28 metric tonnes procured in 2009.
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Foetus in Jail Toilet
Ludhiana, September 22 Addressing mediapersons here, NGO chairman Satnam Singh Dhaliwal and president Ritu Pandit deplored the attitude of top officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police, for their refusal to intervene and order a probe to expose the guilty. Similarly, the health authorities had also washed their hands off the issue on the plea that an inquiry by DIG (jails) was already on. They served an ultimatum to the authorities and the state government to order a high-level probe against officials of the women’s jail and doctors of the Civil Hospital within a week, failing which they would hold protests at the police headquarters and the district administrative complex. Highlighting utter lack of medical facilities in jails, the NGO functionaries alleged that a majority of sick undertrials and prisoners lost their lives there. Moreover, the failure of the government to provide the services of a gynaecologist in the women’s jail was tantamount to violation of human rights of inmates. They pointed an accusing finger at the doctors at the Civil Hospital, who failed to diagnose the condition of Balwinder Kaur and provide timely medical assistance to her.
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Congress flays FIR against Jawaddi
Ludhiana, September 22 Senior Congress leaders, including former minister Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA Jassi Khangura, former Ludhiana District Congress Committee president KK Bawa and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee delegate Bhupinder Sidhu, condemned the attack on the relatives and associates of Satwinder Jawaddi, a former Congress councillor. Pointing out that the local police was biased, they regretted that instead of taking action against the culprits, the police had registered a counter-FIR against Jawaddi, who was at Chhapar village inspecting mela preparations along with other party colleagues at the time of the incident. Party leaders visited the injured at the DMC Hospital today. They said the act of political vendetta was condemnable and was part of Akali conspiracy to use illegal means to intimidate their opponents. They added that the Congress would ensure that the assailants were brought to the book and committed their support for Jawaddi. They maintained that it was typical of the Akalis to intimidate their political opponents by resorting to violence and that too under the patronage of the government. Warning the Akalis against dangerous consequences of such actions, the Congress leaders said the days of the Akali government were numbered. Expressing solidarity with the victims, Khangura hoped that the culprits would be brought to the book soon. Otherwise, the Congress would have no option but to launch a protest. Those who visited the hospital included block samiti member Sukhi Dhillon, Harjinder Dhindsa, Karnail Singh Gill, Balwant Dhanoa and Gurpreet
Khangura.
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They have garbage, sewage for company
Doraha, September 22 They have brought the issue of sewage and foul smell to the notice of the municipal authorities several times, but their voice remains unheard. Several acres allotted for setting up the institute has been transformed into a dumping ground. In the wake of the weather, the outbreak of an epidemic is possible. “The indifference of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the municipal council will cost us dear. This spot is a serious health hazard, exposing us to
a number of diseases,” rue residents. “It seems that the council has not been able to find better space for the disposal of garbage and sewage. Due to this, the land for establishing the institute has been made a dumping ground,” they add. Assurances of the director of the institute about putting strict restrictions on the disposal of garbage and waste seems to have borne no fruit as the practice continues without any check. The council authorities have been giving assurances to residents, but no remedy seems to be in sight, complain residents. According to a social worker, “The area is now unfit for living. Sewage flows on the road, making passage impossible.” Residents have demanded a water treatment plant, which is the only solution to their problem, in
their opinion.
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SPEAKING OUT The collapse of the false ceiling and an under-construction foot overbridge outside Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue of the Commonwealth Games, has left organisers red-faced. To add to their embarrassment, the Commonwealth Games Federation has echoed the concerns of foreign delegations, calling the Games Village filthy and uninhabitable. Tribune staffer Charu Chhibber talks to a cross-section of society on the issue, that has the nation’s reputation at stake. — Jassi Khangura, Congress MLA from Kila Raipur — Ramandeep Singh, Hockey Olympian — Ranjodh Singh, Punjab Lalit Kala Academi president — Ravinder Vatsyayan, Ayurveda expert
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Auto makers’ meeting on Oct 4
Ludhiana, September 22 Surinder Singh Ryait, president, and Jagtar Singh Bhambra, general secretary of the federation, said the slow pace of industrial development, factors hindering the progress of industries and difficulties faced at local and state levels would be discussed at length. Industrialists from all over Punjab would suggest ways and means to tide over the problems. General secretary Bhambra said officials from the Income Tax and Excise and Taxation Department had been invited for an interaction and they would throw light on recent schemes launched by the Punjab government for the benefit of trade and industry. The government has taken steps to ensure the smooth functioning of industries by providing single-point clearance to entrepreneurs. Federation’s patron Charan Singh Kohli and chairman Subash Bajaj added that the department of industries and commerce, Government of Punjab, had passed the Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act, 2005, with a view to speeding up the implementation of industrial projects and smooth functioning of the existing industries in the state. With the implementation of the Act, the state’s industry would benefit, as the Act would pave way for the development of trade and industry, they added.
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From PAU
Ludhiana, September 22 Interacting with Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang, the team said they held the university in high esteem due to the pivotal role it played in making the country self-sufficient on food front and addressing the other agrarian issues. Dr Kang said in the globalised world, one country could learn from the experiences of another and that collaboration proved useful in making progress in the desired direction. After visiting the directorate of seeds and department of seed science and technology, Patriat said his group was impressed with the activities and programmes of the university. The group also visited the fields of a progressive grower, Baldev Singh Brar, at Singhawala, near Moga, and interacted with him about the cropping pattern prevalent in Punjab.
Students excel
Pooja Manchanda and Hemal Bhasin, MSc students of PAU’s school of agricultural biotechnology (SAB), have cleared the UGC test in life sciences category conducted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in June, 2010. SAB director Dr SS Gosal said over two lakh students had appeared in the test. Pooja cleared CSIR-UGC NET-JRF that provides her eligibility for lecturership, while Hemal cleared CSIR-UGC NET making her eligible for admission to PhD programme with fellowship under the CSIR scheme.
Brigadier’s visit
“Punjab Agricultural University campus is a clean and green paradise for city dwellers. It serves as lungs for Ludhiana,” said Brig RK Gupta from Dholewal Regiment during an interaction with Vice-Chancellor Dr Manjit Singh Kang today. Dr Kang apprised him about the activities undertaken in the university. The campus was an attraction for city residents and a large number of morning and evening walkers visited the campus daily. Brigadier Gupta visited the university along with his wife and was shown around various landmarks like herbal garden, department of plant breeding and genetics, school of agricultural biotechnology and museum of social history of Punjab on the campus. He said with the help of PAU scientists, Dholewal Regiment was keen on developing a herbal garden and general landscape.
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From Colleges
The Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) Student’s Chapter of Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GNIMT) organised a fresher’s party, “Aaghaaz - The Beginning” on its campus for students of BBA and BCA.
The event was inaugurated by institute director Dr HS Singha. Governing body joint secretary GS Sarna was the chief guest. The students exhibited their talent in songs, group dance, bhangra, gidha and skit, etc. The newcomers were introduced through catwalk and boys’ modelling on the ramp. Nitika Verma and Mandeep Singh were declared Ms and Mr Fresher, respectively. Taranjeet Kaur among girls and David Ahuja among boys were declared first runners-up, while Naneet Kaur and Gurmeet Singh were declared second runners-up. Imania and Rajan Sharma were declared Ms and Mr Well Dressed, respectively. The students of BBA and BCA later delivered the vote of thanks. Assistant Professor Sandeep Kaur and Dr Harmeet Kaur coordinated the event. Meena Girotra and Kawaljit Kaur were the judges for the event. Sarna later congratulated the students for putting up the show.
Festival
Koshish, intra-institutional, cultural-cum-literary festival of PCTE, started on the PCTE Group of Institutes Campus II on Wednesday. Sister Chantal, principal, Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, was the chief guest and inaugurated the festival by lightening the ceremonial lamp. In the festival, 51 classes from different streams of the institute are participating in 25 literary and cultural events. All classes have been divided into junior and senior wing and will vie for overall trophies in their respective wings. On the first day, events like business plan, case presentation, software development and quiz were organised. Dr KNS Kang, director-general, PCTE Group of Institutes, said the events helped students in applying the theory they studied in their classrooms in practical environment. They helped develop the business acumen of students to compete with the best in the market. He wished good luck to all students participating in the festival.
Talent hunt
A talent hunt was organised at GMT College of Education under the chairmanship of principal Dr HS Sidhu. Events were organised to bring out the hidden talent of students. At least 80 students took part in activities like elocution, debate, poem recitation, creative writing, story writing, cross-stitch, landscape, poster making, rangoli, collage, cartooning, knitting, crochet work, etc.
Poster making
The NCC unit of Guru Nanak Girls’ College, Model Town, organised a poster-making competition on “Save energy” in association with 3 Punjab Girls Battalion, Ludhiana, recently. Principal Dr Charanjit Mahal stressed the need for spreading awareness about limited non-renewable fuels. She advised the cadets to use energy (electricity) judiciously and conserve it by changing life style. She discussed various methods to conserve electricity and motivated cadets to use non-conventional energy sources like solar energy, wind energy and biomass energy. Posters on energy conservation were prepared by the cadets.
Seminar
The department of English, Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, will organise a UGC-sponsored national-level seminar on “Rediscovering Humanities in Literature and Classroom Teaching” on Thursday. Eminent scholars and academicians will address delegates from various colleges and universities from across the country. Prof Shelley Walia and Prof Rana Nayar from Panjab University, Chandigarh, will be the inaugural and keynote speakers, respectively. Dr Rajesh Kumar Sharma from Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Swaraj Raj and Dr Sangeeta Handa from Mohindra College, Patiala, Dr Paramjit Ramana from Regional Centre, Bathinda, and Dr Roshan Lal Sharma from Government College, Solan, will be among the speakers. Discussions will be held on reviving humanities in literature and classroom teaching, effects of globalisation on literature and culture. The speakers will suggest ways and means to rediscover and reinvent humanities through teaching of literature and course designing.
— TNS
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From Schools
It was a unique party for grandparents, as tiny tots of the kindergarten section of BCM Arya Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, celebrated Grandparents’ Day on Wednesday.
Grandparents accompanied kids to the school. Headmistress PK Oberoi anchored the show and
school principal Paramjit Kaur was the chief guest.
The guests were taken for a plantation drive in Funpark and had a glimpse of the kindergarten block, computer labs and libraries. A patriotic song by nursery students was greeted by applause. They also presented a medley of English songs. The principal underlined the role of grandparents in the emotional development of children. She stressed on a healthy bond between grandparents and grandchildren. She also gave important tips on good health and reading books. Grandparents later took the stage and brought alive the programme with songs, dances, shairi, jokes, anecdotes. Poetry
recitation
Cherry Lane Play School organised a poetry recitation competition in the school on Wednesday. Children recited rhymes with props and themes. Agampreet of pre-nursery came dressed as Cherry Lane School and recited the school song with vigour. Kids dressed up as rain and thunder mesmerised the audience.
— TNS
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Focus on difficulties in knee replacement
Ludhiana, September 22 The meeting was attended by Dr C Ranawat from the USA, Prof I Learmonth from the UK and experts from Australia, Germany, South Africa, Japan, China, Korea and other Asian countries. Dr Gill, in his lecture, deliberated upon the difficulties faced in performing knee replacement surgeries on patients suffering from bone loss. He said unlike in the West, patients in India came at a later stage of arthritis and hence the knee joints had bone defects and knee replacement became difficult in such cases.
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Tousled hair a refreshing trend
Do It Yourself
Ludhiana, September 22 In parties, too, girls prefer the messy bed-head look. “For the past few years, we have been rebonding hair, wearing tight corset tops and squeezing the waist with obi belts, but lately, fashion has been slipping into slouchy carrot pants, oversized tees that fall off shoulders and oversized, masculine clothes,”
Swati, a fashion designer, says. “At a party my friend came with hair tumbled over her shoulders. Her hair was in layers, artistically tousled, as if she had got out of bed. An appealing trend,”
Divya, a regular party-goer, says.
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Don’t ignore vein pain, says doctor
Ludhiana, September 22 He was addressing a press conference here today. He stated that varicose veins could occur in any part of the body, but mostly on thighs and calves, due to strenuous and long hours of continuous standing. “Varicose veins are often painful and itch. Scratching can cause ulcers. Complications are rare, but at the same time, the disease can be debilitating,” he added. The ailment was usually characterised by aching and heavy legs, swelling in ankles, dilated bluish bulge under skin and redness, dryness and itchiness of skin. In some people, skin above ankle might shrink because fat underneath skin became hard. The symptoms also included whitened and irregular scar-like patches, which could appear at
the ankles, and chronic non-healing ulcers. Dr Jindal said the disease marked the indication of a malfunction of the venous system and should be evaluated by a vascular surgery specialist. “If the disease is not properly evaluated and operated upon, chances of recurrence get higher,” he cautioned. Conventional surgery for treatment required hospitalisation, between two and three weeks of recovery time and multiple cuts not appealing in appearance. He said latest laser treatment, an hour-long procedure, had come as a boon for patients. As it caused minimum damage to tissue, it was useful in patients who were on blood thinners, had groin infection, or were obese or old, he explained. The procedure was performed under local anaesthesia and did not involve scars, cuts and stitches, he added. It was less painful, ensured early recovery and did not require repeated medication, he elaborated.
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ENT conference from tomorrow
Ludhiana, September 22 The organising chairman-cum-zonal president-elect of the otolarygologists’ body, Dr Hemant Chopra, has said the conference will cover all major topics of ENT, which will be of benefit to the ENT surgeons participating. The guest faculty will include Dr Jayakumar from Thiruvananthapuram, Dr Ashim Desai from Mumbai and Dr Ashok Gupta from Chandigarh. The organising co-chairman, Dr Munish Munjal, has said live surgical demonstrations, panel discussions and guest lectures will be the highlights of the conference.
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Inmates of old-age home watch movie
Ludhiana, September 22 They appreciated the acting skills of the artistes. People passing the gallery watched them and smiled to see them happy. “Girls are no less than boys today, but inequality still exists. We have advanced only in thought, but are still the same in reality,” said one of the inmates. “Girls are more concerned about their parents and take care of them till their last. The time to treat boys and girls equally has come,” he added.
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NRI couple, 4 women robbed
Phillaur,
September 22
According to sources, NRI couple Balwinder Singh and Surinder Kaur who were going on a motorcycle were stopped by the youths and deprived of gold ornaments weighing 200 gm, two mobile
phones and Rs 3,000.
The armed men again stopped a Maruti car and snatched cash and earrings from the four women occupants of the car. The victims, identified as Sarabjit Kaur, Rani, Satya, and Kartari of Tibbi Mohalla Phagwara, told the police that the youths were on a black colour motorcycle. Phillaur DSP Parampal Singh said an alert had been sounded in the area to arrest the miscreants.
— OC
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Thieves decamp with cash, jewellery from house
Ludhiana, September 22 According to the house’s owner, Baldev Singh, 45, who runs an embroidery unit, his neighbours told him about the incident. He said he and all family members had gone to Mehta village in Amritsar district when the burglars struck. “We had gone to the village to attend a ceremony this morning when our neighbours informed me about the theft. We headed back home only to see the entire house ransacked,” Baldev stated. He said he suspected the theft might have been committed by an “insider”. “The culprits knew about our visit to the village and appear to have committed the theft with ease”, he added. Besides, electronic appliances, the thieves took away with 22 tolas of gold ornaments and about Rs 1.5 lakh in cash. Interestingly, they did not make their way into the house forcibly but instead opened the lock on the front door with a duplicate key after scaling the boundary wall. The police arrived at the scene along with a dog squad and fingerprint experts and began investigations. They are currently questioning area residents about the presence of any suspects in the
locality.
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Youth killed as car hits truck
Khamano, September 22 When it reached Khant village, it rammed into a truck coming from the opposite side. The collision was so fierce that both vehicles overturned and fell into the village pond. Villagers gathered at the site and informed the police. A crane was pressed into service to pull out the vehicles. One of the youths, identified as Sandeep Singh of Palewal village, near Dehlon, died on the spot while Hardeep Singh, a resident of Kalakh Majri village, was seriously injured and was taken to the Civil Hospital at Khamano. The traffic was disrupted for half an hour due to the accident.
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Ayodhya Verdict
Ludhiana, September 22 The DBA held a meeting of its executive today and passed the resolution. Its president, Naval Kishore
Chhibber, said they had resolved to involve the entire legal fraternity in persuading the masses to maintain peace. “Lawyers are requested to prevail upon their clients to create awareness so that anti-social elements do not exploit the situation by provoking religious sentiments after the pronouncement of the verdict. “The law of the land needs to be respected at any cost. If any party is not satisfied with the verdict, it has the right to file an appeal,” the resolution stated. Former chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and
Haryana, BK Goel, former DBA secretaries Rajneesh Gupta, Kamaljit Sharma and Rana Harjasdeep Singh, besides the Young Lawyers Welfare Association president, Sanjeev
Malhotra, have also appealed to the masses to keep peace. Former DBA presidents Parupkar Singh
Ghumman, KR Sikri and Jagmohan Singh Warraich said the administration should make arrangements to stop any untoward situation after the pronouncement of the verdict.
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GCW eves net basketball title
Ludhiana, September 22 In the league championship, GCW beat Government College, Sector 11, 69-19 with Sukhjinder Kaur scoring maximum baskets. In the second league match, they defeated Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana, 54-23. In the last match, the college defeated Guru Gobind College for Women, Chandigarh, 37-12. Indu tops-scored in the match. Five girls — Sukhjinder, Jasbir, Harpreet, Dipali and Indu — have been selected for an inter-varsity tournament to be held at Bhuwneshwar (Orissa).
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It is very unfortunate that preparations for the Commonwealth Games have fallen flat. While it is very easy to sit down and criticise; there is no denying the fact that we have cut a sorry figure. Hopefully, this mistake serves as an eye-opener for the powers-that-be and becomes a learning opportunity for our political leaders, who can use it to improve governance, in sports and in general.
We can only wish that the Commonwealth Games are a success. After all, the country’s image is at stake. The authorities should conduct a proper probe into the fiasco once the Games are over and those responsible for bringing shame should be brought to book. Amid the din over the controversies surrounding the Games, no one is bothered about what players are doing. Players deserve better than this.
The fiasco is very unfortunate. As an Indian, I feel very disgusted. It is a major dent in the image of Sheila Dixit. At this juncture, as a nation, we can only pray that the Games are pulled through somehow. This does not seem to be a case of mismanagement. There is sabotage. The apex court should intervene and set up expert committees to probe mishaps thoroughly.
Apart from mismanagement and corruption, the Games are a symbol of misplaced priorities. With such big money, we could have done wonders. But unfortunately, India is a cricket-obsessed nation. Today, we are facing massive embarrassment. Despite such conditions, our leaders have been claiming that the Games would be pulled off with ease. Such positivity surprises me beyond words.