Ludhiana, October 18
After spending 18 hours away from the tender care of his mother, a six-month-old baby, who was abducted by two motorcycle-borne youths last evening, was reunited with his family by the police here this afternoon.

The boy, Anshu, was playing in his four-year-old sister’s lap outside their house on the Rahon road late last evening when two youths snatched him and fled.

His recovery was as mysterious as his abduction since he was handed over by an unidentified man to a woman named Preeti who lives a few metres away from the boy’s house at Basti Jodhewal, at 11 pm last night.

Shocked, Preeti took care of the child and informed the police in the morning. The police handed over the victim to his parents in the afternoon.

The police is investigating the case. The officiating SHO of the Meharban police station, Surinderjit Singh Cheema, said they had stepped up patrolling in the area last night after the boy was abducted. The abductors were not able to flee and probably found it safer to get rid of the baby.

He said they were also working on a theory that the boy might have been kidnapped for sacrifice or black magic on the occasion of Dashera and migrant labourers were known to perform black magic on such days.

“We have booked unidentified youths for abduction. Since there was no ransom demand and the family did not have enmity with anyone, the police is working on the black magic theory. No other reason is more apparent,” he added.

He said they had questioned Preeti and her husband and their statements matched. She said she was sitting outside her house on a cot when a man came near her and put the baby in her lap before fleeing.

Ludhiana, October 18
An audit and inspection report on the city civil surgeon’s office for fiscal year 2008-09 points at “irregular and unauthorized” expenditure on pay and allowances as well as pending liabilities amounting to Rs 44.33 lakh. The report has been filed by the principal accountant general (audit) Punjab and UT of Chandigarh.

The audit team, headed by assistant audit officer Deepak Kumar Dhingra, made some shocking revelations in the report which include irregular expenditure on salaries and allowances of a doctor, a pharmacist, an auxiliary midwife nurse and a ‘class IV’ employee working at a dispensary in a slum area in the city’s Transport Nagar.

During a check of records the audit team noticed the pay and allowances were disbursed to these employees in absence of any orders. The total expenditure incurred on salaries and allowances of the staff from 2006 to 2009 amounted to Rs 27.92 lakh.

Department officials, when questioned, reportedly stated the matter “would be taken up with the headquarters”.

Another major irregularity was that a medical mobile unit procured for the civil surgeon office diverted to Mansa.

“Two medical officers (one female), a staff nurse, a lab technician and a radiographer appointed in September 2008 remained idle up to March 2009 and Rs 437,609 was paid towards salaries. The purpose of providing healthcare at the doorstep of the poor in far-flung areas was defeated,” the report said. In its reply, the department stated the staff was “incorporated” in Civil Hospital. The team termed the reply “not tenable.”

The report said the civil surgeon’s office was unable to clear its “pending liabilities” amounting to Rs 546,913 lakh. “The nonpayment of bills of various agencies may lead to litigation”, the officials said. Despite repeated attempts, the civil surgeon was not available for comment.

Ludhiana, October 18
As the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has commenced work on an ambitious Rs 4-crore signage project on the main city roads, huge pits dug out at several places on the central verge on the Ferozepur road and other busy roads, are not only causing inconvenience to commuters, but also are a potential threat.

Labourers deployed by the agency entrusted with the execution of the project have dug out pits with a diameter of several feet. The debris is scattered all around. The indicator tape put around the site is of no use when evening falls and there is a chance of road users meeting with an accident.

Traders and residents of localities along the Ferozepur road, where digging has been carried out on at least half a dozen places, say that the executing agency has shown scant regard for the safety of residents by leaving huge pits open for such a long time right in the middle of the national highway.

“The debris, sand and boulders around the dug-out sites pose serious threat rather than serving as a caution sign, more so during night. Several two-wheeler riders and cyclists have hit the heap of sand and sustained injuries,” a shopkeeper stated.

Officials of the engineering wing of GLADA said the agency carrying out the work on the signage project had been told not to carry out digging on more than two-three places at a time. It had been directed to complete the work on dug-out sites, fill them up and then dig more pits. The delay in the filling up was caused due to holidays on account of Dasehra and the agency had been asked to be more careful.

The officials said the project was aimed at putting direction signboards on all major roads regarding landmarks, educational and medical institutions and commercial centres, besides directions to neighbouring towns, state and national highways.

The project envisaged putting up 131 signages of varying dimensions on national and state highways, internal roads, busy intersections and most localities while also covering all eight entry and exit points of the city, they added.

Ludhiana, October 18
If the number of cases registered against people on the basis of complaints filed by women at the ‘women’s only’ police station is any indication then it appears they have no grievances against anyone. Since its inception on October 13 not even a single case has been filed at the station so far.

Till date the police station has reportedly received about six complaints of domestic violence, with two of them filed by husbands against their wives. Investigations into these complaints are going on but no FIR has been registered over any of them so far.

Talking to The Tribune, Gurpreet Kaur, SHO of the women’s police station, said four complaints had been filed by women against their husbands and/or in-laws and two were filed by husbands against their wives.

"One reason of getting less number of complaints is that the police station is new and women are not aware about it. Secondly, it will take some time for women to come boldly against atrocities made to them. But we are trying hard to generate awareness among women to feel free to complain against any wrong", said Gurpreet.

It may be mentioned here most of the complaints filed by women in the city relate to matrimonial disputes. Four separate “women’s cells” supervised by the additional deputy police commissioners I, II, III and IV have already been working to get the cases solved. During the past ten months since January 758 cases of marital disputes have come up in the cells of which 110 cases were settled amicably and 79 ended in divorce. However, 565 cases are still pending.

Meanwhile, police commissioner Ishwar Singh said: "With the new ‘women only’ police station in the city, women will feel more comfortable in filing their complaints. With only female staff around they’ll be able to talk freely about problems they are facing. Women can register complaints of ‘eve teasing’, molestation, rape and dowry harassment at this police station. Besides, there is a dedicated 24-hour police helpline (number 1098) for women”.

Ludhiana, October 18
At 8-foot-1, towering above everyone else, it’s not easy to miss Dharmendra Pratap Singh. He loves to call himself a "showman" - after all men, women and children gather to watch him wherever he goes.

Hailing from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pardesh, Dharmendra is in town these days to visit his relatives. "There’s much curiosity associated with my height. People give me curious looks wherever I go," he quips. A postgraduate in Hindi literature he is currently studying for an MEd degree.

A basketball player, Dharmendra is looking to the government to assist him in getting a good job. "The government recognizes extraordinary people only after they gain name and fame abroad. ‘Khali’ (Indian professional wrestler Dalip Rana Singh) is the most recent example. He was given a good job (that of a police officer in the Punjab police) only after he made waves at WWE," he observed.

Dharmendra also goes to various exhibitions and other functions just to show off his height and has been invited by several TV channels. He has also played a bit part of a small budget Japanese movie. “I was treated like a king, they paid for my airfare and my stay in Bombay where the film was shot. Though I had a small part the experience was useful. If a Hindi film comes my way I’ll gladly accept it," he said.

Although Dharmendra has submitted his name for the Limca Book of Records it has not been entered so far. Telling about his dream he said he wants to build an orphanage and old age homes so that those who are in need can take shelter there.

Asked if he faced any particular problems on account of his height, he said he found getting shoes and clothes a big hassle. "I wear only stitched clothes. The Central Footwear Training Institute in Agra makes shoes for me. I sleep on a specially prepared 9-foot long bed. I’m the only one in my family who is so tall”, he added.

Dharmender earnestly wants the government to take steps to promote basketball in the region and said he planned to meet some district administration officials in this regard.

Ludhiana, October 18
The city today played host to a distinguished guest from Pakistan, Rai Aziz Ullah Khan, former member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, whose forefathers had founded Raikot and Jagraon towns in the district, and lived there for more than 300 years.

Khan had a special connection with the Sikh community as his family had ‘ganga sagar’, given by Guru Gobind Singh to his ancestors in 1705 as a parting gift for the hospitality extended by the then Muslim rulers to him.

A large number of political functionaries, mainly from the Congress, were among those who accorded a warm welcome to Khan. He was on a personal visit to Punjab to attend the marriage of his friend’s son in Chandigarh.

Born in Pakistan after his family migrated there in 1947, Khan said he first came to India in 1983 to watch a cricket match between India and Pakistan at Jalandhar. “The authorities were kind enough to give us permission to visit our ancestral places for a a few hours.”

The former MP from Sahiwal district in Pakistan (formerly Montgomery), elected on a Muslim League ticket, had very fond and nostalgic memories of his first visit to Raikot. “As I was walking through the bazar with an acquaintance, who was pointing towards the landmarks, someone stopped me and asked me whether I had come from Pakistan. I was a bit surprised, but answered in the affirmative,” he said.

Narrating the incident, Khan recalled, “I told him that I was Rai Fakirullah’s son and had come to see my ‘haveli’. The persons who had come to me literally jumped at this and said he had told everybody that the man walking on the road was Fakirullah’s son or younger brother. The elderly person was Krishan Kumar Sharma, a classfellow of my father.”

Visibly moved at the affection, love and warmth that he had received during his visits to India, and especially to Raikot, Khan remarked that people on both sides of the border longed to meet each other more frequently and in an unrestricted manner. “Even the governments of the two nations were desirous of better relations, but there were certain powers which were scuttling the peace process each time it began,” he said.

In his parting remarks, Khan said, “Both India and Pakistan share the same language, culture and history. Even the basic problems of the people are the same. While people-to-people relations are improving each day, the governments of the two countries ought to sit together and find ways and means for better relations so that the coming generations could live in peace and friendlier conditions.”

The function to felicitate Khan was organised at the Satluj Club here. Congress MLA from Raikot Harmohinder Singh Pardhan, former minister Malkiat Singh Dakha and former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Surinder Dawar were present.

Mullanput Dakha, October 18
Despite tall claims of providing a hygienic and pathogen-free environment to all by the administration, a large number of residents living in localities situated near drains and ponds are living in the perpetual fear of the outbreak of an epidemic due to environment pollution.

The frequent flowing of dirty water, mixed with sewage and other waste material, has made lives of people miserable. The non-implementation of development projects, allegedly due to political reasons, has aggravated the problem.

Fearing the outbreak of an epidemic, villagers have urged the higher authorities, including the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, to impress upon the civil authorities to solve this problem.

Repeated requests and proposals by successive civic body officials have been futile. Senior officials have visited these localities and have been apprised of the deteriorating situation, but no action has been taken so far.

The situation becomes worse during the rains, when the rising water level not only threatens adjoining houses, but also affects the property of residents.

The entry of water into courtyards of a few houses by the pond also brings pathogens and pests, which are threatening the livestock as well as human beings.

Pandori is among the localities which have not received any grant for development and providing basic amenities to residents, according to its sarpanch Rulda Singh.

Though waste water ponds at Detwal, Issewal, Rurka and Dakha villages have been modernised, residents of a large number of localities are living in unhygienic conditions.

Stagnant water has become a permanent breeding ground for mosquitoes, pests and snakes. The foul smell emanating from the pond has become a nuisance for the people.

Sources in the administration say projects to clean ponds have been started in at least 37 villages under the newly constituted Dakha constituency.

Work has almost been completed in 12 of those villages. Funds worth Rs 2.38 crore have been earmarked for development works in over 20 villages.

Residents of the localities affected have urged the authorities to rationalise the development work and provide them basic amenities, including drinking water and proper disposal of waste water and sewage.

Ludhiana, October 18
Sixty employees of the anti-larvae wing of the department of health and family welfare have not got their salaries for the month of September.

More shockingly, the employees do not have glasses, eye drops, towels and soaps, which are mandatory for the anti-larvae wing.

The authorities have adopted an apathetic attitude, with none of the officials at the district or state level taking the initiative to provide them the necessary safety kits.

The only practical work to have been done in the district towards the prevention of malaria and dengue has been carried out by the anti-larvae wing.

The teams of the anti-larvae wing have been visiting all malaria-prone and dengue-prone areas in the city to spraying pyrethrum and baytex, which are poisonous.

The teams have been instrumental in destroying larvae of mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas, averting the outbreak of malaria and dengue in the district.

“Not only have we been deprived of the necessary material, but are waiting for our salaries for the past 17 days,” rues an employee of the anti-larvae wing.

Amarjit Singh Pandher, convener of the co-ordination committee of paramedical and health employees, Punjab, says, “We have taken up the matter with the authorities at both the district and state levels, but to no avail. The delay in payment of salaries is a recurring problem.”

Ludhiana, October 18
The price of chemicals used in dyeing has risen by almost 8 per cent. Prices of colours used in dyeing polyester thread, too, have gone up, while those of acrylic and cotton also look to go the same way.

Owing to increase in the prices of colours and chemicals, dyeing unit owners are also increasing their processing cost.

After the festival, dyes, chemical materials and human resources would cost higher than before.

“It makes things worse. Dyeing units are already suffering labour pangs and on top of it the rising prices are giving us a tough time,” says Narender Sood, a dyeing unit owner at Bahadur-ke-Road.

The prices of dyes and chemical materials have risen by 8 per cent and labour cost by 10 per cent. The production cost of dyeing companies has also gone up.

“Under such a pressure, a lot of dyeing companies are not even taking orders,” says Subhash Aggarwal, another dyeing unit owner at the Tajpur Road.

“Our company has decided to raise the processing cost. After exhausting the stock of dyes and chemical materials, the prices will once again be raised,” says an operator of a dyeing company at the Tajpur Road.

“The hike is reasonable. If companies, especially smaller ones, take the chance to compete by lowering their prices, it will disturb the market,” he adds.

“The production cost of energy, dyes and the labour has increased but the processing cost still lingers at the old levels. Moreover, we have to take the risk of losing orders. Our rising rates cannot go with the rise of production cost. We are left with no other option but to increase the processing charges. We cannot afford to pay extra money for chemicals and colours from our own pocket,” adds another dyeing unit owner.

Ludhiana, October 18
Delegates of the Offset Printers’ Association, who visited IPEX in Birmingham, United Kingdom, under the international cooperation scheme of the ministry of medium and small scale industries will be getting Rs 7.79 lakh. This grant-in-aid will be distributed among them on the second day of the exhibition-Print Art-being organised in the city.

Parveen Aggarwal, president of the association, said the group’s visit proved to be a landmark for the development of the printing and packaging industry of the region.

“It is a matter of pride for the entire printing and packaging industry of North India that, considering importance of this sector, OPA has taken the initiative to organise the event at Kumra Palace on will be organised on October 23, 24 and 25.

Ludhiana, October 18
A poster-making competition marked Navratra celebrations at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) House here. The IMA also organised a debate on female foeticide and lectures on breast cancer.

Rakesh Rudra, Green Land Senior Secondary Public School director, was the chief guest.

Dr SM Bhatti, principal of the CMCH, was the chairperson. The programme was presided over by Dr Narotam Dewan, district president of the IMA.

Members of the IMA, along with Green Land students, made posters and slogans against female foeticide.

The doctors debated on effective ways to curb this criminal practice. The methods suggested included the registration of all pregnancies.

The doctors also suggested that the sex of all foetuses be determined and women found to be carrying female foetuses be kept under watch.

The government should give at least Rs 25,000 to women delivering a girl, followed by free education for girls at all levels, with the government paying for their fees, books and food, and even stay, they said.

Marriage ceremony at the registration office or in a simple manner at a religious place should be made mandatory and five-year imprisonment should be awarded for spending more than Rs 10,000 on a marriage function, they stated.

Hanish Bajaj, Shruti and Bhanu were adjudged winners in the debate. Harnoor Sibia, Shefali and Prabhjot were awarded in the poster-making competition.

Dr Navdeep Singh spoke on ‘Current management of breast cancer in women’. He said breast cancer was the most common cancer among women in urban India.

Women did not come to doctors at an early stage because of lack of awareness, he said. He said mammography could detect breast cancer at an early stage.

Dr Narotam Dewan spoke on ‘Breast self-examinatiotn for early diagnosis of cancer’. He stated that only 2 of 10 lumps in the breast turned out to be cancerous.

Women should get regular check-ups conducted and should go in for mammography if there was the slightest doubt, he said.

Ludhiana, October 18
When it comes to trends in boots for this autumn and winter, women have many options. This year sees the return of ‘favourite’ styles as well as the arrival of some new ones.

Booties, ankle boots, motorcycle boots and knee-high boots are all hot, and no matter the preference, there is plenty to choose from.

Pointed-toe shoes have definitely been shown the door this year, with more of easy-going combat boot styles ruling the roost.

The ‘hottest’ winter boot trends this season are thigh-high or over-the-knee boots. These are easy to wear and versatile.

Those who are not confident about wearing high heels can pick a flat style, making sure that those fit snugly around the leg.

Experts predict that flat winter boots will also be a hit this autumn and winter. Those pair well with skirts or can be worn when the person has to do a lot of walking.

Motorcycle boots have been a key trend for several seasons. Those look best with skinny jeans or with a skirt and tights.

The evergreen ankle boots can never go out of fashion. Suede peep-toe ankle boots with wedge and almond toe can be paired with dresses and skirts.

Riding or suede slouchy boots are recommended for a casual option as those pair well with leggings and jeans.

Those who like to create their own fashion statement can try fold-down boots. Those who do not want to buy a new pair can try folding the shaft down to make a collar.

Winter boots with faux fur trim are back this season. Casual fashion boots with faux fur accents and dressier styles look good.

Ever-increasing traffic is one of the major issues confronting the city. Residents are forced to make their way through the maddening traffic for reaching their destinations daily. While there seems to be no solution in sight, new vehicles are being purchased everyday.This is worsening the situation further. Religious processions have on numerous occasions forced commuters to wait long hours for the traffic to clear. Patients, too, have often got stuck in traffic jams on numerous occasions. Traffic experts suggest that all processions should be taken out early in the morning when the roads are empty. This will neither hurt the religious sentiments of the organisers nor make the commuters suffer. What else can be done to address this issue? Ludhiana Tribune readers voice their opinions:

Religious processions are a part of our culture. People from all strata of society enjoy these processions. Pushing them into the early hours of the morning would mar the spiritual enjoyment and happiness these give. We can call the meeting of all religious heads and make them aware of the rules: (a) Fixed time and duration of procession preferably between 2 to 5 pm; (b) mandatory to take official permission for taking out the procession and prior information about it to the department concerned; (c) the route to be decided and procession to be taken out only on the two third part of the road; (d) more emphasise on cleanliness with a warning that debris shouldn’t be left behind. People should be told about it well in advance through electronic and print media.

The PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr MS Kang, released the PAU magazine during a function here today. He said the magazine served as a vehicle for students to show creativity.

The Director Students Welfare, Dr PPS Lubana, congratulated the contributors and editors of various sections of the magazine.

The editor-in-chief of the magazine, Dr Jagdish Kaur, briefed the audience about the background of the magazine.

The Indian Society for Technical Section and training and placement cell of GNIMT, Model Town, organised a campus interview for MBA(I) students under the ‘Learn and Earn Scheme’.

The resource person delivered a pre-placement talk, in which she discussed various job opportunities available under the programme. This was followed by a campus interview.

Wing Commander SS Arora (retd), training and placement officer, said, “The company visited the campus to select management project trainees, who would work as part-time employees during their free time. During the training period, they will not only be able to earn, but also get sufficient experience in the field, making them employable before they pass out.”

All MBA students attended the interactive session. Advising the students, Dr (Col) HS Singha, director of the institute, said: “Students must always avail themselves of employment opportunities provided by the institute.” — TNS

Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 18
A gang of at least five miscreants, armed with crude weapons, allegedly tried to kill two sons of the president of the local municipal council after dragging them out of their car at the busy railway road area.

The police has initiated a probe after registering an FIR under Sections 341 and 506 of the IPC against the suspects.

The victims have been identified as Ricky Sood and Sanjay Sood, social activists and sons of Usha Sood, president of the local municipal council.

Gurmit Singh of Nangal near Dehlon, Kiran and Sunny and at least two others were booked for allegedly assaulting the brothers. The victims, along with their families, were returning home after visiting a few of their relatives in Ludhiana.

The suspects had got infuriated when the victims asked them to not to park their car in the middle of the road. When they (victims) tried to manage their way from the other side, the miscreants dragged them out of the car and thrashed them with canes and baseballs. They fled away when passersby came to rescue of the victims.

Profusely bleeding Ricky was shifted to the local civil hospital where doctors were yet to declare him fit for recording statement.

Ludhiana, October 18
Casting aspersions on the character of a woman, close to his friend, cost a 30-year-old man his life, when he along with two of his friends attacked each other with sticks while they were boozing together late last night.

Shiv Parshad, the victim, died in a hospital in the morning while his two friends Gabbar and Raju also sustained injuries. Shiv Parshad, a resident of Dhandari, was working as a security guard. Gabbar and Raju, both migrants, have been arrested by the police.

SHO Focal Point, Sandeep Vadera, said he found that Shiv had used objectionable words against the woman and this had incensed Gabbar and Raju. They started hitting each other with sticks.

Shiv was injured seriously in his head. He was bleeding profusely when he was shifted to the hospital. He succumbed to his injuries in the morning today.

The SHO said the other two arrested after they were given first aid by the doctors. A case of murder has been registered against them.

Samrala October 18
A junior engineer of Powercom, posted at Behlolpur, died and a lineman, who was riding pillion, sustained serious injuries after a private school van collided with their motorcycle on the Behlolpur road.

The junior engineer identified as Surinderpal Singh (50) is a resident of Kakrala village. The injured lineman has been identified as Pal Singh, a resident of Herrian village. The lineman was rushed to the local civil hospital where he is undergoing treatment. The junior engineer was on his way to Behlolpur after completing some work at their office at Ghulal.

In another accident, a man died on the spot when the motorcycle he was riding collided head on with a truck near Balion village. The youth has been identified as Sandeep Singh (21), a resident of Todarpur village. The truck driver tried to escape but was apprehended near Shamashpur village. He was arrested later on. The truck driver has been identified as Mahinderpal Singh, a resident of Bahu Majra village.