Ludhiana, September 25
The National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) has failed to reinstate the 15 outreach workers who were ousted from their contractual jobs on March 31, thereby defeating the cause of making HIV/AIDS patients a part of the mainstream society.

These outreach workers, who belong to the affected community, were employed under the programme undertaken by NACO to discourage “prejudice” against the HIV+ patients in terms of employment.

The 15 outreach workers were working at the integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTC) of Ludhiana, Samrala, Khanna, Payal and Jagraon against a monthly remuneration of Rs 2,500 and a conveyance allowance of Rs 500.

“More than the salaries, we were happy working for the cause of helping HIV/AIDS patients as it is easier for them to confide in us rather than revealing their problems to any other professional from the health department or social workers,” said Mehar Singh, an outreach worker ousted from the Jagraon-based centre

He further alleged that the government was adopting a “callous attitude” towards the HIV/AIDS patients. “The government has failed to give the benefits to the HIV/AIDS patients despite having received the funds from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the same,” he added.

Jagjit Singh Mann, founder chairman of the Punjab Networking of Positive People’s Society, an NGO working for HIV/AIDS patients, termed the prevailing scenario as “unfortunate” as he referred to the lower morals of the outreach workers ever since they were rendered jobless. “Each worker who was working as a force behind the HIV/AIDS patients in their respective areas are now struggling to feed themselves and their families,” Mann said.

Balvir (name changed) another outreach worker revealed that the number of patients is on the rise but the social stigma refrains the HIV/AIDS patients to come out in open and fight for their rights. “The programs started by the government can be termed as successful only if the HIV/AIDS patients are made an elemental part of it and each ousted workers had set an example by being a source of inspiration for the affected persons,” the outreach worker added.

Ludhiana, September 25
The future of thousands of students hangs in balance as they have taken the examination in the absence of their course books.

Harsh, but true, the students who have recently appeared for classes IX and XI first semester have taken their computer science examination without books.

Despite tall claims by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) of providing course books on time, the students of computer sciences were ignored.

The students of classes IX and XI are now worried about their computer grades. They rued that the grade scored in computer sciences examination would be marked in their detail marksheet from this year.

It may be recalled here that PSEB chairman DS Dhillon mooted the proposal to carry the grades of computer sciences examination in the detail marks card (DMC) of the student of classes IX and XI.

The motive behind carrying the grade in the DMC was to encourage the students to give attention to computer subjects, which was, by far, neglected.

“The department has played a cruel joke with us by not providing us with books on time. You can well imagine the results when the students had appeared for the exam without course books,” said Gurjant Singh, a student of class IX of Government School, Mullapur.

Teachers are equally disappointed. “What is the use of introducing the grade system if the students do not know what question would come in the exam?” said a teacher.

Earlier, information and communication department used to provide books to the students. But from this year the PSEB had to provide the computer books to students.

DEO Bachitar Singh said the department had given prior information to the authorities concerned about the unavailability of computer sciences book.

The students of classes X and XII have also complained that they were issued books in the eleventh hour due to which they could not properly prepare for the exam.

Machhiwara, September 25
Low-hanging live wires claimed the lives of three members of a migrant family when the wire was touched by a child last evening.

According to information, the incident occurred when Chandeshwari Ram, the migrant labourer, left home for work. His wife Amla Devi (44) was going to the fields with her children Gauri (3) and Rishi (3), both twins. Rishi was sitting on her shoulders. When she passed under the live wire, he touched the wire. All three were electrocuted to death.

A farmer in the nearby fields raise the alarm and people gathered, but the victims died on the spot. The bodies were sent to the Civil Hospital for postmortem at Samrala and later handed over to the family.

No case has been registered so far. The SHO of Machhiwara said the police was looking into the matter. Villagers claimed that the wires were hanging very low and they had taken up the matter with power board officials, but nothing had been done in this regard.

Ludhiana, September 25
World Heart Day, celebrated on the last Sunday of September, is not just a medical connotation as the nuance of a healthy heart is inseparable from a happy heart, opines Dr HS Bedi the leading cardiac surgeon of the city.

If the Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, is the much-awaited occasion for the lovers world over, it is the World Heart Day (September 26) which holds an equal importance for the heart specialists so as to save the broken hearts.

“We have to work on broken heart syndrome to enable the lovelorn people to come out of the melancholy and fall in love once again and keep the heart happy for the celebrations of the Valentine’s Day,” remarks Dr Bedi.

This is more common in women as is evident from the cases wherein there are massive changes in the ECG following some disagreements between the couples, “but red wine and dark chocolates are what I recommend to people in stress as they are healthy food for a happy heart,” said Dr Bedi.

Dr GS Wander, the chief cardiologist at Hero DMC Heart Institute, referred to the cases of young boys and girls who report with heart disorders, which can be termed as an indirect outcome of the “broken heart”.

“In order to get rid of the stress and solitary conditions, the young boys and girls take to excessive consumption of alcohol and chain smoking, which has dire consequences in the normal functioning of the heart and results in blockades,” revealed Dr Wander.

The blocked arteries cause heart attacks, as has been proved by the experts world over, but broken heart syndrome is caused by a surge in adrenaline and other hormones. When patients experience an adrenaline rush in the aftermath of a stressful situation, the heart muscle may be overwhelmed and become temporarily weakened. There have been instances wherein happily married couples have also suffered from the shock caused by the death of a spouse. A doctor cited an example and said, “Married happily for 20 years, a woman of 40 was unable to bear the news of her husband’s death in an accident and collapsed outside the hospital ICU.” In more than 90 per cent of the cases of broken heart patients, the recovery is complete within two months and there are remote chances of recurrence, reveals a young cardiologist as he narrates the age-old saying, “Time does heal a broken heart”. 

Ludhiana, September 25
Family members of Vishav Jyoti (25), an assistant in overseas branch of the State Bank of India, were inconsolable when she died in an accident on September 18.Though the news of their daughter’s death had jolted the entire family barely three weeks ahead of the scheduled marriage of their only son, they did not forget to fulfill her pledge to donate her eyes. Had Jyoti completed formalities for donating her body for some medical institute, the family could have shown the same courage.

But regrettably enough, families of the recipients, who reached the operating theater immediately after receiving information about availability of corneas, have shown their inability to attend the bhog ceremony of the donor to be held at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran at Haibowal tomorrow. On receiving the intimation, Dr Ramesh Kumar of the Punarjot Eye Bank, Punjab, got the corneas removed from Jyoti’s eyes. Later, these were transplanted into two corneal blind persons.

The recipients of the corneal transplant Karam Singh (20), a carpenter of Kaler village in Taran Taran district, and Ajay (14) of a village in Ayodhya district in Uttar Pradesh though paid gratitude to the donor, none, including their parents showed inclination to attend the bhog of the deceased. They said they might be visiting Jyoti’s parents during their possible visit to the city next week.

“As my husband has gone abroad, it is not possible for me or other members of family to attend the bhog,” argued Aranjit Kaur, mother of Karam Singh, who had rushed to Ludhiana after coming to know about death of the donor.

The second recipient and his father Radhe Shyam were in the city till yesterday. Though they knew that the bhog ceremony of the donor would take place on Sunday they showed little interest in attending the same and left for the Ambala Cantonment where their family was living presently.

Showing ignorance about details of the families of the recipients, Dr Ramesh claimed that a few representatives of the eye bank would go to show gratitude and pay tributes to the donor on her bhog ceremony. 

Ludhiana, September 25
Jail authorities in association with the Knitwear Club is all set to organise a programme to train prisoners as linking operators to help mitigate the labour pangs of the knitwear industry.

In the first phase, 30 jail inmates would be trained as the operators to set up a job work centre on the jail premises.

Jail Superintendent SP Khanna said with winter season round the corner the linking operations done from the jail would provide extra support to the industry.

As per project a revenue model will be generated by using half of the income from this job work for training centre and half of it will be deposited in the prisoner’s account.

The superintendent said the authorities would be setting up training centre in the jail so that the inmates could be trained to help the knitwear industry.

“It will open job avenues for the inmates after they complete their prison term,” said Khanna.

Khanna was instrumental in launching of this project during his tenure as its superintendent of the Borstal jail.

Industries in Punjab, which is dependent on migrant labour, has suffered the most due to the decline in the flow of labour. This, in turn, can be attributed to the number of infrastructure projects running concurrently across the country. The Ludhiana knitted apparel cluster, which gives employment both directly and indirectly to four lakh people, is facing shortage of at least 1 lakh skilled, semi skilled and unskilled workers. 

Phillaur, September 25
Former opposition leader in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Satnam Singh Kainth has allegedly described the SAD-BJP government as anti-Dalit government and said that despite tall claims, nothing could be initiated for the welfare of the weaker sections in the state. Talking to newsmen after addressing the morcha activists Kainth who is also the president of Bahujan Samaj Morcha in Phillaur today, alleged that the legislative work was being badly effected as most of the MLAs were wasting their time over posting and transfers of officers of their choice and this type of working had also become a major cause of corruption.

He said that the civil and the police administrations were working under stress due to undue pressure of the MLAs of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab. He further said they were diverting their attention from the core issues of their respective constituencies and their democratic responsibilities.

Kainth urged the SAD-BJP government to issue a “white paper” in details about all funds received from the Union government and spent in the state.

Kainth alleged that huge funds sent by the Union government sent for the welfare of Dalits and poor people were being misused and diverted elsewhere by the Badal government to gain advantage.

He further added that all sections of the society, including small traders, farmers, industrialists, employees, were disappointed with the directionless policies of the state government. He said that Mass Contact Programme of BSM, which started from September 18, would continue till September 30 throughout the state.

Ludhiana, September 25
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males above 50 years in India and the second most common cause of death in men after lung cancer, said Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, professor of urology and head, Transplant Unit of DMC hospital.

He said unfortunately, it does not bother men in early stages when it is curable and becomes symptomatic only in advanced stage. Hence, it is very important to diagnose these cancer prostate patients at early stage by proper screening with blood test and rectal examination. These screenings should be done annually above the age of 50 years and much earlier, if there is family history of cancer prostate, informed Aulakh. The patients presenting with the symptoms should never be ignored and must be further investigated because these symptoms can be there in simple enlargement of prostate and in cancer of prostate.

If suspected, cancer should be confirmed by biopsy of prostate and treated accordingly added Aulakh. All surgeries to be performed on Monday will be telecast live to the participating surgeons and resident doctors of DMCH. There will be interesting interaction between the faculty and delegates

He said the DMC was organising a guest lecture on “Current Scenario of Cancer Prostate in India” will de delivered by renowned urologist Dr Anup P Ramani from Mumbai on September 27 in Dumra Auditorium. He is the former director of laparoscopic surgery, assistant professor and ex-director of fellowship programme, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA. 

Mullanpur, September 25
A police team of Khanna police raided some jewellery shops here to verify whether robbers (who had snatched cash and valuables at gunpoint from a family of Khanna) had disposed off the booty to them.

Accusing the police of acting on the misguided statements of the robbers, jewellers led by Hukam Chand of Kiran Jeweller urged higher authorities to impress upon the investigating teams to verify antecedents of the entrepreneurs before raiding their premises.

Investigation by the Tribune revealed that a police party led by Jagtar Singh had raided some jewellery shops where Rajvir Singh, a suspect, arrested in connection with the day -light robbery at the house of Dalbara Singh of Nand Singh Avenue in Khanna; had confessed to have disposed off the snatched ornaments.

According to information received from the investigating team, Jang Jit Singh, SHO disclosed that Rajvir one of the four robbers had confessed to sell snatched ornaments allegedly at the counters of Kiran Jewellers and New Mani Jewellers some days ago.

Irritated by the police action, owners of the shops approached the office-bearers of their association. Being assured of the cooperation in the investigation, the raiding team returned to Khanna. 

Ludhiana, September 25
With the initiative to guide all traders and manufacturers of the knitwear/textile industry in linkage to the advantages of MSME Development Act-2006, the Knitwear Club with the support of Apex Cluster Development Services will hold a seminar on September 28. SS Bains, Director, Industries and Commerce, Chandigarh, will be the chief guest.

Vinod K Thapar, president, Knitwear Club, and Narinder K Miglani, general secretary, said that under the government notification of the MSME Development Act-2006 there were so many policies in respect of credit to MSME's which had been framed in this Act and despite of having such a powerful Act, the entrepreneurs suffered a lot due to lack of awareness on the related topics. This interaction will be a significant aspect to facilitate the promotion and growth of the industry.

The seminar will be conducted under the guidance of SS Dhillon, director, MSME, and Vishavbandhu, GM, D.I.C. Officials from MSME and D.I.C have been invited for an interaction and they would throw light on the recent beneficial schemes of MSME and with the implementation of the Development Act-2006, the State's hosiery Industry will surely get lucrative acquaintance and pave way for growth.

LUDHIANA: A UGC-sponsored state-level seminar was organised on “Biofuel: Scope and Future Perspectives in Rural Regions of India” by the science department of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd.

The inaugural address was delivered by AS Ahluwalia, dean, faculty of science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Jagbir Singh. An eminent scholar from Punjabi University, Patiala, was the keynote speaker and the resource persons were Dr Jagdeep Singh, coordinator, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, PK Gupta, NK Khullar, Dr Sanjeev Chauhan and Dr R Soni from the PAU, Ludhiana. The views expressed by scholars flashed a new light on bio fuels.

Ludhiana, September 25
The Life Insurance Corporation of India yesterday introduced its ULIP plan following the launch of its Pension Plus, which was the first unit-linked pension plan under the new regime.

While launching the policy SK Aggarwal, senior-divisional manager of Ludhiana said that it was LIC's 14th plan which was approved. Most of the policyholders have got handsome rewards on their investments through ULIPs besides its credible performance in pension and insurance.

Speaking on the occasion, Aggarwal said the policyholder had the option to choose any of the four funds namely bond fund, secured fund, balanced fund and growth fund. "The option of switching within the funds is available any number of times during the duration of the policy. The first four switches very year is free and a charge of Rs 100 is levied thereafter per switch," he said.

Adding he said at maturity the policyholder would be eligible for fund value under the policy. Incase of death, the nominee will get the higher of the sum assured under the basic plan and the policy holder's fund value.

Ludhiana, September 25
Yesterday’s tragic accident at Doraha, in which a sand-laden truck overturned on a Maruti Alto killing all three occupants of the car on the National Highway-1, could have been averted had Surinder Singh, driver of the car, not have “confused” the truck driver.

The incident has again highlighted how the NH-I has turned into a bloody stretch due to the ongoing widening of the road. Reckless driving has further aggravated the situation.

Eyewitnesses said the speeding car had led to the accident.

They said Surinder tried to overtake the truck from the wrong side, but could not manoeuvre the car. Just when the truck driver gave him way, he tried to overtake from the right, causing confusion. The truck driver lost control and overturned on the car.

Kamaljit Soi, vice-chairman of the Punjab State Road Safety Council, said every time truck drivers were not at fault.

“Overtaking a vehicle can be tricky sometimes and a driver should be conscious while manoeuvring the vehicle. When you decide to overtake, it is worth bearing in mind that this may be the last decision you will ever make. It is essential that you get it right the first time,” he said.

Doraha, September 25
Most of the BSNL consumers are a harried lot these days as they are now thinking in terms of getting their connections snapped off due to alleged moral laxity and the looseness prevailing in the messages that they receive every now and then on their cell phones.

The consumer can receive a message from any such senders as Sakshi, Tania, Pooja, Payal etc who initially confess that they are new to the place and that they have incidentally come across their number and that they want to be friends with the consumer. They will then ask the consumer to send an SMS on a particular number provided by them and talk to them at any point of time may be during day or even at night.

One such message reads as follows-Hi Mera Nam Payal Hai, Mera Koi Dost Nahi Hai, Mai is Shahar Mien Nayeee Hun, Apka Number Mila, Aap Mere Dost Banoge? Din Bhar Chatting Kijiye, Rat Bhar Chatting Kijiye (Hello my name is Payal and I have no friend since I am new to the place. I got your number. Will you become my friend? If so, we can chat at any time of the day or even night). Not only this, she would even say that her other friends have already gone on date with someone or the other and that she was free to be entertained by anyone who liked. Then she mentions her five-digit number alongside, after which the whole story begins -it can be the couple story where a wife would start doubting the integrity of her husband or it could be the story of a lovelorn youth who would ultimately discover himself to have become financially bankrupt by engaging in endless chatting.

Most of the BSNL consumers who have been receiving such messages quite often have serious objections as far as the text of the messages is concerned They rue that in such times when the moral values are already at stake, engaging in such loose talk could lead to serious moral disaster. “If such messages are allowed to be made public to the extent of open circulation, it can have disastrous effect on the social relations and most importantly on the youth of the day which is already being led astray by over information” complain the consumers.

“Such messages are generally seen on the cell phones of the consumers who have applied under student quota meaning there by that it is the students who are being made the targets. Throwing all scruples to winds, they go to any extent to divert you and provide you every access to reach them easily”, said a consumer.

As per the complaints it is majority of the BSNL consumers who are receiving such messages. “I have personally talked at the BSNL service centre but they simply reject the point by saying that it has nothing to do with their company”, said a BSNL consumer.

The General Manager, BSNL Exchange, Ludhiana, when contacted said that he was not aware of any such thing and if it was so, the consumers could contact the customer service centre and give their complaints in written. He further said that every effort would be made to investigate the matter and initiate corrective steps. 

Ludhiana, September 25
The Ludhiana Beopar Mandal (LBM) has written to the steel minister against the alleged biased approach of steel companies.

In the letter, LBM president Maninder Pal alleged that company officials were playing hand in glove with big traders and only those policies and guidelines were issued that favoured big customers.

“Small traders are totally neglected by steel companies. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam is always inclined towards relatively big customers. The company is charging Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per metric tonne more from small customers, as compared to others for the same material,” he said.

He added that under the guidelines issued by the ministry of steel, small customers should be given more benefit but companies were working against the guidelines.

Ludhiana, September 25
The Lions Club, Ludhiana district, has launched a mega project of opening up of a blood bank on Humbran Road. It is nearly at a distance of 5 km from D.M.C. and Hospital, Ludhiana.

PR Jairath, zone chairperson after whose father’s memory the Blood Bank has been named, has appreciated this venture. This project is aimed at helping patients in dire need of blood. This blood bank will be the first of its kind in Punjab.

On this occasion various members of the Lions Club, including Anil Sharma, Sanjeev Sood, PR Jairath, Dr Deepak Kaushal, Ashok Singla, RK Mehta and GS Panchhi were also present on the occasion.

Kanwaljit S. Sethi, district governor, stated that the club had been on the forefront for mitigating the suffering of ailing humanity and the needy. 

Khanna, September 25
The police has arrested two persons on charges of murdering two persons and injuring two women on Thursday night.Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, Khanna SSP DP Singh said one of the accused - Gurjit Singh Bittu, a resident of Kalal Majra - was known to Kamlesh Rani and her sister Shalu.

The accused had an information that a sum of Rs 3 lakh was kept at the house of Shalu.

According to Kamlesh Rani, Bittu called her sister Shalu on the phone and demanded money. He also demanded her car, as he had wanted to go out of station.

Feeling threatened, Shalu called Kamlesh and her son over to her house and told her about the matter.

At night, Bittu accompanied by Kuldeep Singh Jashan, a resident of Gujha Peer, near Amritsar, went to her house and attacked them with sharp-edged weapons, resulting in the death of Ravi Kumar and Sonu. Kamlesh and Shalu received multiple injuries in the attack.

According to the SSP, the accused was arrested from the Samrala Road Chowk towards Khamano.

The police also recovered Rs 2.7 lakh and a Maruti car besides the knife used in the murder.

Ludhiana, September 25
Judicial Magistrate Vipindeep Kaur has convicted Rajneesh Kumar of Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar to one year imprisonment in a cheque-bounce case. A fine of Rs 1,000 was also imposed on him.

The court also ordered the accused to pay Rs 4,000 as compensation to the complainant for harassment on account of prolonged litigation.

The orders came on a complaint by Gurcharan Singh, owner of Grewal Motors, Jodhan.

The complainant had stated that he had “advanced” a vehicle to the accused on instalments. Two cheques for Rs 10,000 and Rs 17,000 (dated October 1, 2000) given by the accused were dishonoured by the bank.

Despite sending a legal notice, the accused failed to make the payment. However, the accused stated that he had paid the amount of the cheques through a mediator, but the complainant had presented the cheques with mala fide intentions.

After taking into account the evidence on record, the court found him guilty.

Ludhiana, September 25
Gaurav Sharma of the College of Veterinary Sciences and Avneet Kaur, student of the College of Basic Sciences and Humanities came out triumphant in the PAU men's and women's sections, respectively in the 21st Prithipal Singh Memorial Open Table Tennis Tournament, which began at Punjab Agricultural University campus, here, today.

In the PAU men's section, Gaurav scripted victory over Inderpal Singh of the College of Agriculture in straight sets 11-8, 11-9 and 11-5 to clinch the title.

Similarly, in the PAU women's section, Avneet Kaur got the better of Prapti Arora from the College of Home Sciences who she tamed 11-5, 11-8 and 11-6 to bag the title.

In the cadet girls (u-12) group, Yashi beat Manveen 11-8, 11-4 and 11-9 to set up the title match with Jasveen Kaur who overcame stiff challenge from Vani whom she edged out 11-7, 13-11 and 11-5.

Earlier, Dr pritpal Singh Lubana, director, Students Welfare, PAU, along with hockey Olympian and Deputy Director, Sports, Punjab Agricultural University, Ramandeep Singh inaugurated the three-day tournament in which more than 200 paddlers in different age groups were vying for top honours.

HR Malhotra, chairman, organising committee of this tournament and Jaspreet Kaur, daughter of hockey legendry, Prithipal Singh, were also present at the inaugural ceremony.

Other results:

Sub junior girls (quarter finals): Yashi bt Rayya 11-8, 11-5, 11-7; Kritika bt Tanvi 11-9, 13-11 and 11-8; Kanika bt Jasveen 11-4, 11-8 and 11-3; Gurleen bt Palak 6-11, 11-7, 11-8 and 11-9.

Cadet boys (pre quarter finals): Ayush bt Manik 11-7, 11-2 and 11-8; Parav bt Mohit 11-5, 7-11, 11-9 and 11-8; Prevansh bt Jaskirit 11-4, 11-8 and 11-9; Chintan bt Sagar 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 and 11-6; Mandeep Singh bt Mohit 11-3, 11-6 and 11-9; Naman bt Nilesh 11-9, 11-5 and 11-8; Agamjot Singh bt Angad Sagar 11-4, 11-3 and 11-9; Jasjot Singh bt Harsh 11-4, 11-8 and 11-9.

Sub junior boys (pre quarter finals): Jashandeep Singh bt Navnidh Singh 11-4, 11-9 and 11-8; Chintan bt Karan 11-4, 11-7 and 11-5; Ayush bt Parivansh 12-10, 11-7 and 11-9; Jasjot bt Jatan 11-4, 11-8 and 11-9; Sumeer Sharma bt Sharandeep Singh 11-8, 7-11, 6-11, 11-8 and 11-5; Mandeep Singh bt Agamjot 11-6, 11-5 and 11-8; Vinayak bt Mohit 11-8, 13-11 and 11-5; Harnoor bt Tushar 11-8, 11-7 and 11-4.

Ludhiana, September 25
Nav Bharti Public School, Ludhiana, survived a scare before overpowering the Gymkhana Club, Ludhiana, 39-37 and is all set for a title clash with Police DAV Public School, Amritsar, which scored 59-37 victory against Government Senior Secondary Model School, SAI Centre, Ludhiana in the boy's section of the inaugural edition of the Mahindra NBA Basketball Challenge League being held at Guru Nanak Stadium.

In the first semifinal, Police DAV Public School faced little challenge from their opponents and romped home victorious with ease. Tejinder Singh and Arjunveer netted 15 and 13 points, respectively, to fashion win for Amritsar while Dev Mehra played well for the losers with 15 points.

The second semifinal played between Nav Bharti Public School and Gymkhana Club turned out to be a keenly contested affair in which the former managed to win by a margin of just two points (39-37).

The winners were leading 26-23 at half time. Manipal played the pivot role with 19 points and anchored his team to secure a berth in the final.

In the girl's section, Government Senior Secondary School, Mall Road branch, Amritsar, and DAV Sports Wing, Gurdaspur wrapped up their respective semifinal encounters to enter into the final.

Government Senior Secondary School, Amritsar outnumbered Khalsa Girls Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana, 53-48 after trailing 22-28 at the end of second quarter.

The main architect of Amritsar outfit's win was Mamta, who contributed 30 points, while Sandhya sank in 18 points for the losers.

In the second semifinal, DAV Sports Wing, Gurdaspur, defeated Hindu Putri Pathshala, Kapurthala, 40-21 in which Aruna accounted for 14 points.

In the senior women's section, Government College for Women, Ludhiana, outplayed Amritsar Basketball Club 57-26 while Hindu Kanya College, Kapurthala, pipped Toronto Basketball Academy, Jalandhar, 65-60 to book their places in the final.

Meanwhile, in the senior men's section, Satish Chander Dhawan Government College, Ludhiana, beat Jalandhar Hoopers 78-65 to clash with Amritsar Sports Club in the final which outclassed Gymkhana Club, Ludhiana, 80-68.