Bathinda, September 28
The city soaked in patriotic fervour as it remembered Shaheed Bhagat Singh on his 103rd birth anniversary today. To mark the day, a number of schools, colleges, social clubs and organisations held events, including rallies, blood donation camps, plays, discussions, competitions etc.

Youngsters, apparently inspired by the Bhagat Singh’s posters, wore matching attire and paid obeisance to their hero by showering flowers on his statute installed at the Arya Samaj Chowk here. Patriotic songs were played through loudspeakers in several parts of the city during the day.

Activists of the Aasra Welfare Society and the State Bank of India held a blood donation camp and organised various cultural events at the Kikkar Bazaar. Regional manager of the SBI Dr Hameer Singh lighted the inaugural lamp. Chief manager of the bank’s Kikkar Bazaar branch Jaskaran Singh was the guest of honour on the occasion. Among the donors were Ramesh Mehta, president of the NGO, and Dharam Pal Raja, who donated for the 58th and 52nd time, respectively.

To pay respect to the staunch, secular and eminent thinker, staff of the Public Library arranged a brief programme. Stalls were arranged where the martyr’s posters and books associated with his life were sold.

Activists of the Tarksheel Society held a function at the Teachers’ Home where a choreography based on Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s life was enacted. A number of speakers at the function urged the gathering to make efforts to end evils that the society is plagued by, shun false beliefs and adopt the ideology of the martyr.

Students of the Baba Farid College of Education, Deon, celebrated the day taking a pledge that they would stay away from drugs. They also pledged their eyes and body for donation after death. Besides, they took an oath to save the environment and say no to dowry and female foeticide. Various contests, including speech, song and poem recitation, essay writing and painting, were held on the occasion.

Kaljharani (Bathinda), September 28
The recently-opened regional research and training centre of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in this village, located on the Bathinda-Badal road, signals a boon for the region.

Besides opening various self-employment avenues for the youth like dairy farming, fish farming, production of vermicompost (bio-fertiliser) etc, the centre is working for the protection and promotion of a regional breed of cow, Sahiwal. It is one of the best breeds in India and Pakistan.

The GADVASU has now opened a veterinary polytechnic college here, which offers a diploma course. Though the college is presently running from a make-shift structure, a huge building is under construction, which would have three lecture halls, three laboratories and a library besides state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Speaking to TNS, principal of the regional centre Dr Yashwant Singh said the centre was a dream project of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal¸ who wanted people of this region to get out of the traditional circle of agriculture and join related trades to earn handsome income and improve their standard of living.

The principal said the veterinary college was one of the major requirements of the region as the farmers here were considered to be backward as far as knowledge about the care of cattle was concerned. Resultantly, they used to get less milk and face more trouble.

Showing cattle ponds, authorities of the regional centre informed that they were working on two breeds of cows and oxen — Sahiwal and crossbred. About the Sahiwal, the veterinary doctors said it originated in the dry Punjab region along the Indo-Pak border.

"It can tolerate more heat than other breeds and is noted for its high resistance to parasites, both internal and external. For qualities like heat tolerance and good milk production, they are exported to other countries also," the doctors informed.

However, the doctors said that with the introduction of high-milching cow, the crossbred, farmers were neglecting Sahiwal, which was not a good sign for the region. "To keep the farmers motivated towards the protection and promotion of this breed, the centre spreads information to farmers at training camps. Gradually, our efforts have started showing positive results," they claimed.

Further, observing the two major problems here, salinity and waterlogging, which turned thousands of acres in this region infertile, the GADVASU authorities have been working on the development of pisciculture to convert zero earning land into aqua farms.

Meanwhile, the centre also runs a vermicompost demonstration plant here. The centre also has a bio-gas plant but for want of approval, it is lying non-functional.

"To make the centre bring prosperity in the region was a challenge that we undertook. Though a number of problems are coming our way, we are putting in our best and hope to overcome them," said the principal.

Faridkot, September 28
Separate flats are being constructed on the premises of the upcoming model jail here where prisoners would be allowed to enjoy the privilege of living for a couple of days with their visiting relatives.

The sprawling jail, the biggest in Punjab, with modern facilities is coming up on 72 acres of land where many green patches have been earmarked for a soothing effect.

It would have capacity to lodge 2,072 persons, 824 convicts and 1,248 undertrials.

The Rs.112-crore jail would be provided with the latest video-conferencing facility.

Minister for Jails Hira Singh Gabria said it was the first jail of its kind that was being built with modern facilities for the prisoners as well as the staff. Another such jail was being built at Kapurthala.

As many as 48 flats are being built for the family members of prisoners where they would be allowed to come and stay for eight to 10 days.

The jail complex with 13 barracks has a plinth area of 70,000 sq. metres and would have separate barracks for female prisoners.

A unique aspect of the architecture was that each block has double story barracks and also a 50-bed hospital on the jail premises. A gurdwara and a temple have also been built.

Eight workshop sheds to train the prisoners in various vocations are under construction. A canteen and library have also been built.

The security features include an 85 feet high watchtower in the centre of the jail complex, a dominating structure that is coming up. Besides, 11 watch posts have been built on the compound wall that is a 26 feet high concrete structure. It will have barbed wire fencing on both sides. In between, a 16 feet high rear wall is also being built to prevent escape from the prison.

Faridkot/Moga, September 28
Dismayed over the prolonged monsoon resulting in lashing rains in the recent past, little nervous over uncertain climate changes, the farmers of Faridkot and Moga districts have started harvesting the paddy after a few days of sunshine and started bringing it to the grain market, even as the government is scheduled to start the purchase from Friday onwards.

As per the official figures, 1.40 lakh quintals of paddy has arrived by Tuesday evening in as many as 50 grain markets of the Faridkot district.

The official figures for the Moga district were not immediately known but a senior official of the district administration estimated today’s arrival at more than one lakh quintals.

The government has fixed Rs 1,030 per quintal as the minimum support price for the paddy crop but the private purchasers are offering Rs 50 to Rs 100 more to the farmers bringing good quality of paddy with less humidity content.

Baldev Singh, a farmer of Araianwala village, who brought his produce in the Faridkot grain market revealed that the recent rains had damaged his crop to some extent but good price being offered by the private buyers has given him a sigh of relief to cover up the losses.

However, by and large, the humidity content in paddy is more than the permissible limits at around 18 per cent in both the Faridkot and Moga districts. As per the practice, the farmers kept their produce in bright sunshine spread in the markets to minimise the humidity content.

Jagdev Singh, secretary of the market committee of Faridkot, while claiming that he has made all arrangements for the arrival of paddy said the crop appears to be of good quality.

A visit to some of the grain markets in these two districts revealed that the paddy has suddenly started arriving at a fast pace that may create a problem of space in the coming days.

In the Moga grain market, many encroachments were witnessed by this correspondent, reducing the space for keeping the paddy. One shed has been encroached upon by a local NGO for running an unauthorised cow-shed, in which, hundreds of stray cows have been kept under severe conditions.

An Army unit has encroached upon a prime land for running a canteen besides hundreds of illegal immigrants, who have set up temporary huts in the Asia's biggest grain market.

Abohar, September 28
The district heads of the government agencies have been asked by the Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav to make all arrangements to begin purchase of paddy from October 1. Notably, it was highlighted in these columns that new crop of paddy had not found any buyer at the local grain market so far.

The DC, during an emergency meeting here today, discussed all the modalities with the district managers of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Punsup, Markfed, Punjab Agro and civil supplies department to ensure that paddy purchase would begin on October 1.

Local officials of all the agencies were also present. The Deputy Commissioner asked the SDO of the Powercom to ensure round-the-clock power supply for smooth cleansing of paddy.

The secretary of the local Market Committee was directed to update all the basic amenities for the convenience of farmers. Initially, purchase would be started at Abohar and rural purchase centre at village Malukpura, later Balluana can also be added, if paddy arrival there is found sufficient. The DC warned of stern action, if any official is found apathetic.

He also asked the office-bearers of the Truck Operators Union to ensure quick lifting of paddy after purchase reminding them that they let the state government down last year.

President of the Arhtia Association Pramil Kalani sought to convey that the FCI would not be allowed to indulge in direct purchase of paddy from the farmers.

The DC observed that the Chief Minster was seized of the matter and the decision would have to be respected by all concerned. He hoped that the farmers would cooperate in making purchase smooth by stacking paddy free of moisture and dust.

Abohar, September 28
In a significant move aimed at strengthening communal harmony, senior functionaries of the Muslim community joined an NGO Punjabi Sabhyachar Manch in celebrating the birthday of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh here on Tuesday.

The residents including many eminent citizens garlanded the statue of the great martyr that had recently been renovated by the IFFCO under instructions from its chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar.

One of the oldest memorials of the national hero, the marbled statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh had been installed by the Labour Council and inaugurated by veteran parliamentarian Parkash Veer Shastri some 45 years back in the heart of the town.

Speaking on the occasion, the Imam said birth and death anniversaries of the national heroes, who made sacrifices for the sake of independence, need to be observed jointly by all the communities.

The birth anniversary was also celebrated by the Abohar Polytechnic College, Kenway College of Education, SD Girls Primary School and other educational institutions by organising creative activities to mark the occasion.

Ferozepur: The slogan of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ rented the air as patriotic fervour gripped this ‘city of martyrs’ where people from various hues irrespective of religion, culture and political lineage converged at the National Martyrs memorial at Hussaniwala to pay homage to the gallant son of the soil, Shaheed Bhagat Singh on occasion of his birth anniversary.

Among those who visited the memorial of the hero of the Indian freedom struggle included Sukhpal Singh Nannu, chief parliamentary secretary (Revenue), Davinder Kapoor, president, MC, Kiranjit Singh Sandhu (nephew of Bhagat Singh), ADC Jaskiran Singh, who represented the district administration besides hundreds of youths, school children and people from various walks of life.

Nannu said one should not forget the contribution of great martyrs like Bhagat Singh as due to their sacrifice, Indians experienced freedom from the British rule.

Kiranjit Singh also exhorted the youths to shun the evils like drugs and follow in the footsteps of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Members of the Bharat Vikas Parishad also organised a function to pay homage to the martyrs. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Welfare Club in collaboration with district NGOs coordination committee organised a blood donation camp at PHC, Talwandi Bhai, to mark the occasion. — OC

Fazilka, September 28
More than 200 pupils and staff members of the Attam Valabh Public School observed martyr Bhagat Singh’s birthday in a novel method today at the local Clock Tower Chowk.

Besides presenting a cultural programme depicting the life-sketch of the great martyr, they also sent a message of preventing environment from pollution and expressed their solidarity with the agitating citizens demanding the district headquarter status for Fazilka.

Principal Sangeeta Tinna and Improvement Trust chairman Mohinder Dhingra eulogised the sacrifices of the great martyr Bhagat Singh.

On the other hand, the heads of villages have also joined the ongoing agitation to get district headquarters status for Fazilka.

Two dozen nambardars of different villages sat on dharna at the Clock Tower chowk. Five members of the Documents Writers Association also sat on dharna along with the nambardars.

Moga, September 28
Seniority list of the JBT cadre teachers of the Moga district has been placed on the official website http://www.deoofficemoga.com of the District Education Office (Elementary), Moga for the perusal of the teachers.

The hard copy of the seniority list and electronic mail has also been sent to all the six Block Primary Education Offices at Moga-I, Moga-II, Dharamkot -I, Dharamkot-II, Nihal Singh Wala and Bagha Purana for circulation in all the schools. Baldev Singh, DEO, Moga district, has directed the teachers that they should go through the list and submit their objections, if any, duly certified through the BPEO concerned latest by September 30 so that the required revision and amendments in the seniority list could be done.

All the promotions in the due course of time would be done in accordance to this seniority list as per the instructions of the department of the elementary education of the state government, he added. — TNS

Sriganganagar, Sept 28
Most of the markets in the towns of this border district wore a deserted look as the shopkeepers too preferred to roll down their shutters to attend the rallies that were addressed by the yoga guru Swami Ramdev.

In village Sanwatsar near Padampur, women outnumbered men at the meeting. There were reports that the Patanjali Yogpeeth founded by the Swami was seriously considering to adopt the village to promote herbal medicine plantation.

The yoga guru during half a dozen meetings held in the twin districts of Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar hoped to get high denomination currency banned in the country during the next few years by spearheading a mass movement since corruption/black money had its roots in such currency, he observed.

He ruled out contesting the next general elections but made it clear that the Bharat Swabhiman Andolan might field honest, vegetarian, teetotaller candidates in selective segments.

Abohar, September 28
Having dropped the proposed shifting of the city-II police station to Loknayak Jai Parkash Narain Park in Nai Abadi following stiff opposition by the residents, the administration now plans to shut down the maiden dispensary in Azeemgarh locality to facilitate opening of the police station.

This has invited strong protest from the people of the locality. They assembled at the dispensary today and staged dharna besides raising slogans condemning the state government for ‘anti-people’ decision.

Local legislator Sunil Jakhar lambasted the ruling saffron party for endorsing the proposal.

He regretted that the Municipal Council had earned about Rs 10 crore by the sale of immovable property but instead of utilising the money on improving amenities, the saffron party had okayed the proposal for handing over possession of the dispensary to the house the second urban police station here. — OC

Fazilka, September 28
A youth was killed in a road accident near village Theh Qalandar on the Ferozepur road today.

As per the details, Sandeep Singh (20), a resident of village Theh Qalandar was returning to his village after performing his duty. As soon as he reached the Ferozepur-Fazilka highway, he was crushed by a speeding truck. He died on the spot. Sadar Police Fazilka have registered a case against truck driver.

Bathinda, September 28
A 43-year-old Army jawan was killed after a bullet, fired by him mistakenly from his service rifle, hit him in the neck at the ammunition depot late on Monday night.

The Cantonment police said Devinder Singh Rajput of unit number 514 DSC, ammunition depot, Bathinda Cantonment, was manning the post number 18 when the accident occurred. He was rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.

Acting upon the statement of his kin, the police initiated the inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC.

After conducting the post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to the deceased’s family.

The jawan belonged to Mahendragarh district in Haryana.

Bathinda, September 28
Staff of the Market Committee, Bathinda, demolished a number of illegally-constructed sheds at the grain market here today.

Giving details, chairman of the Market Committee Gurteg Singh Gikku said a canteen contractor had illegally raised the sheds and allotted them for tea stalls and a dhaba on Monday.

On receiving the information, the Market Committee staff demolished the structures early on Tuesday morning.