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Archaic safety measures followed in banks
Making Golden Temple surroundings pollution free
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2 girls rescued from clutches of woman running flesh trade
North Zone Plastic Surgeons’ conference concludes
Conference on green chemistry held
Rs 100 cr earmarked for town’s development
Retailers plan agitation against govt policies
RRD demands ‘one rank, one pension’
World Heart Day
Harassment for dowry: 4 booked
Speeding truck crushes cop
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Archaic safety measures followed in banks
Amritsar, September 28 This correspondent visited branches of several nationalised and private banks at random and found that CCTV cameras were missing from many of them. In many branches, CCTVs were not operating since they were out of order. A concerned citizen, Surjit Sharma, said it seemed that the authorities were waiting for the crime to occur for waking up to fill the gaps and lapses for beefing up the security of banks. He said mock drills for thwarting any robbery attempt were unheard of while an in-house foolproof mechanism in banks were invariably sought after. He said keeping in view opening of more and more bank branches on the outskirts of the city for expansion, it was pertinent to put in place strict security mechanism to ward off any robbery attempt. Chief Lead District Manager R.S. Chattha said the issue was discussed in the quarterly district-level security committee meeting held under the chairmanship of A.S Chahal, Deputy Commissioner of Police, at Police Line recently. Chattha said the district police had made it mandatory to install CCTV cameras in all branches of the banks and also at ATMs. He added that the banks would follow the instructions regarding data of risk classification of each bank branch in the district, status of
posting of armed guards in all branches and availability of security gadgets. He said their requests for security arrangements at currency chests in the risk prone areas and providing night patrolling at banks and ATMs had been agreed upon. With regard to quality of guards manning banks, he said in banks majority of the guards were absorbed from ex-servicemen, while at ATMs private guards were hired since deploying own staff was economically not viable. |
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Making Golden Temple surroundings pollution free
Amritsar, September 28 The report was sought by a high-level team of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) which had visited the holy shrine in January 2008. The CPCB team has likely to visit in the mid of October again. Earlier, it was to arrive on September 18 but the visit was postponed due to some unavoidable circumstances. “Except the police, all other departments have failed to submit any report though we have pursued the matter with the concerned departments,” said A.K. Kalsi, Senior Engineer, PPCB here. PPCB had conducted a preliminary study to save the Golden Temple from the ill-effects of rising pollution in its vicinity. The board, which has been monitoring environment around the Golden Temple, had found high levels of harmful nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide in the ambient air. The experts had also cautioned that fireworks release these gases which could react with the marble leading to its corrosion and blackening. Miniature paintings and gold plating were also under threat from harmful gases, experts added. The PPCB recommended to the Punjab Government to ban burning of fuel other than LPG to save the Golden Temple. The team members had also suggested using low-intensity crackers and fireworks during Gurpurb or “Bandi Chhor Divas” (Diwali) besides stressing on restricting the vehicular traffic in the 500-metre surroundings of the shrine. Kalsi said the police in its report had given a draft plan for controlling the vehicular traffic while the board was still waiting reports from other departments. “We will pursue these departments to submit their reports so that it could be discussed in the forthcoming meeting and necessary steps could
be taken (to make golden temple area free from pollutants),” he added.
Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu feigned ignorance about the seeking of a report by the CPCB. However, he added the administration had already taken many steps to check the pollution in and around the Harimandir Sahib including ban of use of coal or kerosene oil by goldsmiths, dhabas and hotels. The administration had handed over new LPG connections to goldsmiths for running their workshops in Guru Bazaar area, he added. The data collected by the board had revealed that every goldsmith, dhaba and hotel owner used 15 kg to 25 kg of coal or up to 50 litres of diesel or kerosene a day, depending upon the workload and availability of electricity. |
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Promoting Punjabiat, the rap way
Amritsar, September 28 Satpreet is a student in the Government Dental College, Amritsar, and Harkirat is studying Masters in Computer Applications. Recently, they were centre of attraction during the Sony TV programme “Entertainment Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega”. They enthralled the audience as well as judges --- music director Anu Malik and cricketer-turned-MP Navjot Singh Sidhu with their musical rhymes. Their act enabled them to earn a standing ovation from the audience and judges after clearing the round of “full on” show. Anu Malik lauded their performance and even offered to involve them in his next composition. The idea they conceptualised was different this time. Anchor Mona was projected as a girl, whom they both love, Anu Malik was included in the rap as his arrogant father and Sidhu was predicted as the supporter of the boys. The rap goes like ‘Ek raat mainu aya supna, supne wich mainu mili Mona….Anu ik tenu request, munde apan best dane aaye asi test.. Sidhu we need
your help… saanu khali na.. tu modi….na tu dil saada todi…’ After the rap rhymes, the judges did not break their heart and awarded them with cash award of Rs 11,112. Earlier, Satpreet also performed in “He Khalsa” competition --- Spiritual and General Ability (SAGA), organised by Kesh Sambhal Prachal Sansthan at New Delhi. Their composition which won many accolades was “Punjabian Di Tohr, Sade Warga Na Hor, Meri Gal Te Karo Gour, Sade Dil Ch Hai Sikhi, Talwar Wango Tikhi… Asi Guru De Sipahi, Beda Sada Paar, Sade Khalse Lai, Sadi Jaan Kurbaan…….” He won the competition defeating 12 shortlisted candidates out of total 2,000 participants. “We have adopted Sikhi Saroop to catch the attention of youth towards supporting turban. It is pity that the young generation is ignorant about our rich Sikh traditions and culture. It is our own way of promoting Sikhism.” |
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Historic Gandhi Ground languishes in a ramshackle existence
Amritsar, September 28 Though the ground hosted many international and class one cricket tournaments, its construction is yet to be completed. At several points, steps are missing while the existing ones are in a ramshackle state. The steps meant for spectators’ seating have grass growing underneath them. Thankfully, the playing ground seems to be in a good condition as the pitch is surrounded by lush green grass. However, the spectators’ galleries can be seen littered with refuse, polythene bags and other waste, which apparently belies the claims of the authorities for providing hygienic atmosphere to budding players. At several places, concrete stairs are broken and grass has grown in-between. The commentary box and scoreboard are in a bad shape. Interestingly, the camera stand and spectators’ gallery have no approaches. An insider from the Amritsar Games Association (AGA), which looks after the ground, on the condition of anonymity, said both of them had been lying incomplete for over a decade or more. He said the AGA had to abandon the construction midway when the development funds exhausted. Significantly, many portions around the ground still lie vacant where staircases are yet to be constructed. If completed, it would increase the present capacity of the stadium to 40,000. Meanwhile, the announcement of installation of floodlights to conduct day-night matches on the ground made last year is yet to see light of the day. History
Established in 1932 with a generous donation from Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and the then Punjab Government, the ground is spread on 22 acres. Subsequently, Guru Nanak Stadium, badminton hall, AGA Club, Cosmo Club, Virsa Vihar and others were formed out of it. The cricket stadium now stands on nine acres. The first notable match was played between India XI and MCC in 1933. The Indian cricket team was led by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, while other famous players were Lala Amarnath, Col C.K. Naidu and Surjit Singh Majithia. The cricket ground has hosted several international matches, including those against West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England. The Indian cricket team had played against Sri Lanka in 1983. The North Zone cricket team had played against West Indies in 1984. India versus World XI and India versus New Zealand were played in 1995. OfficialSpeak
AGA honorary secretary Mohit Khanna said five private companies had evinced interest after the tenders for installing floodlights were floated. He said that as soon as funds were released, the incomplete portions of the stadium would be constructed on priority. |
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2 girls rescued from clutches of woman running flesh trade
Amritsar, September 28 According to information, father of a victim girl lodged a complaint with the police that the accused kidnapped the two girls when they were alone in the house. He said he along with his wife had gone to Fateh Singh Colony for some domestic work and had left his daughter and her friend in the house. He said when they returned they found the house locked and later came to know the both had gone with Renu. A case under section 366 A of the IPC has been registered at Civil Line police station in this regard.
— TNS |
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North Zone Plastic Surgeons’ conference concludes
Amritsar, September 28 Dr Ravi Mahajan, President of the North Zone Association of Plastic Surgeons, pointed out that the role of plastic surgeons was much bigger in nowadays and it is not limited only to cosmetic surgeries for beautification purposes. “A plastic surgeon has a bigger role in trauma cases, accidents, reconstructing and fixing the body organs chopped during fatal mishaps, burn injuries and also in Cancer cases where a body suffering with cancer has to be cut out to save the precious life of a patient,” said Dr Mahajan. At present there are just two training centres in Punjab - Christian Medical College and Dayanand Medical College, both in Ludhiana and one at PGI Chandigarh while in total the number is pegged at five in north
zone of the country that include Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh
and Rajasthan. The state government should start M.Ch courses in plastic surgery in its government medical institution so that the dearth of plastic surgeons could be met, said Dr Mahajan. It is pertinent to mention here that at present there are approximately 1,500 plastic surgeons in the country. Meanwhile, a number of famous plastic surgeons participating in the annual conference shared their experience with other counterparts with the help of video conferencing. During the programme, Dr Adit Agarwal from Medicity, Gurgaon, Dr Ramesh Sharma from PGI, Chandigarh, and Dr Ebrahim Thomas, Director CMC, Ludhiana answered the queries of their colleagues on various aspects of plastic surgery. Dr Punit Pasreecha informed about treatment of deformed and chopped nose. Dr Shiv Chauhan and Dr Adit Agarwal detailed about role of cosmetic surgery in removing the skin stains and beautifying the face with plastic surgery. Dr Lalit Makhija told about the treating the burn injuries with latest techniques while Dr Yograj Handu informed about the restructuring and treating the deformity of face. |
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Pure Water
In Durgiana Temple
Amritsar, September 28 Committee president Satpal Mahajan said the plant would cost about Rs 1.3 crore and would start operating by the year end. Committee spokesperson Harish Taneja said in all six pumps, including two stand-by, were put up. He said the plant, with purifying capacity of six lakh litre per hour, would offer hygienic water to the devotees utilising water of the pool for various purposes. He said it would take nearly eight days for the plant to purify the pool. He said quotations from across the country were invited. Five companies based at Chennai, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Delhi and Chandigarh were shortlisted and out of them Chandigarh firm was given the task. The water treatment plant can consume 75 kw power and would run for 12 hours at a stretch. Ramesh Sharma, financial secretary of the DMC, has been made the project in charge. The temple, built in 1925, resembles the Golden Temple in architecture. It rises from the midst of a tank and has canopies and the central dome in the style of a Gurdwara. Its foundation stone was laid by one of the greatest reformers and political leaders of resurgent India, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. Taneja talking about ongoing gold-plating work said third outer wall of “Garbha Graha” was being covered. He informed that 10 kg of gold has already been used and would require three kgs more to finish. Earlier, 50 kg gold was used for gold plating of the two outer walls. After its finish, only rear wall would be left to be gol plated. About 12 accomplished artisans are working regularly to carve out images of Hindu deities on gold foils. The technique being followed is affixing brass plate on copper sheet and upon it at least 12 gold foils were pasted with the help of
liquid mercury. He said al these works were funded by the DMC with generous donation from devotees. Gold plating was
formally launched on June 6, 2006, coinciding with the foundation day of
the temple. |
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Conference on green chemistry held
Amritsar, September 28 The Dean, College Development Council, Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr M.S. Hundal, Principal, DAV College, Dr K.N. Kaul, and the Head of Chemistry Department, Dr Sanjay Sharma, inaugurated the conference. In his keynote address, Professor and Head of Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Dr A.K. Chakraborti presented views on “Sustainable development in chemistry: An academic perspective.” Professor and Head of Chemistry Department, Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai, Dr Nand Kishore presented his views on “Role of chemistry and chemists: Chemical and biochemical process.” The conference was held in collaboration with Punjab National Bank in the presence of DGM
Harpal Singh. |
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Rs 100 cr earmarked for town’s development
Tarn Taran, September 28 This was revealed by MLA Harmit Singh Sandhu while talking to newsmen here. Municipal Council president Bhupinder Singh Khera was also present on the occasion. Sandhu said the government had planned to give a modern look to this town
of great historic and religious importance. He said the town would be given sewerage facility, besides widening of two new bridges. The slums of the town would also be given a new shape, added Sandhu. He said tenders worth Rs 45 crore had been floated for installing sewerage, besides widening of roads, said Sandhu. Sandhu presented a cheque for Rs 2 crore, released by the state government, to the Municipal Council for initiating different developmental works in the inner parts of the town. Prabhjit Singh Rataul, senior vice-president, Jaswant Singh Padda, vice-president of the Municipal Council, besides Raja Joshi and Jasbir Singh Mintu, municipal councillors, were also present on the occasion. |
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Retailers plan agitation against govt policies
Amritsar, September 28 He was here to participate in a meeting of the Retail Karyana Merchant Association. Association president Buta Ram pointed out that in order to stem the
problem of adulteration the health authorities should take samples from producers, wholesalers and
distributors instead of retailers. Quoting data, he said the Health Department conducted
maximum raids on retail shops which meant that it was taking samples only for completing formalities rather than taking the necessary steps for ending
the problem. |
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RRD demands ‘one rank, one pension’
Amritsar, September 28 Gurnam Singh Gill, state vice-president of the RRD, expressed concern over continuous government’s apathy. He pointed out that many categories in government machineries were drawing “one rank, one pension” but the ex-servicemen of the defence services were totally ignored. He said the RRD was determined to contest all assembly seats in the forthcoming elections and would form the government in the state. He called upon all ex-servicemen to come on a common platform and join hands to wake up the government from its deep slumber. |
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World Heart Day
Amritsar September 28
Sunita has 50 medals to her credit, including 25 gold and 12 silver. She won many international achievements in 26 countries. Morning walkers and others joined students, teachers and non-teaching staff of DPS in large numbers at the rally that was flagged off from the Golden Temple and aimed at making positive wave for the mega sports event in the country, besides raising awareness about fitness for a healthy heart. Smartly dressed in T-shirts and caps, students carried placards and raised slogans in support of the Games and prayed for the success of Indian players participating in the Games. School Principal Sangeeta Singh said the objective of the rally was to bring people together in support of the Commonwealth Games and to promote the spirit of sports in the youth at school level. The rally passed through Hall Bazaar, Bhandari Bridge, Court Road, Queen’s Road and culminated at Ram Bagh Gardens. The boys and girls, who secured top three positions, were given prizes by Sunita Godara. |
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Harassment for dowry: 4 booked
Tarn Taran, September 28 The accused include husband Kanwarsandeep Singh, father-in-law Naranjan Singh, mother-in-law Rajwinder Kaur and sister-in-law Amandeep Kaur of Sukhdeep. Sukhdeep was married to Kanwarsandeep on November 6, 2009, who, after 20 days of the marriage, went to Australia. In her complaint to the police, she alleged that the accused started harassing her mentally and physically for dowry and even her husband used to harass her on the phone from Australia for dowry. |
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Speeding truck crushes cop
Tarn Taran, September 28 According to information received here, Balwinder was on foot when the truck ran over him. He died on the spot. A post-mortem examination of the body was conducted at the Civil Hospital. |
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