Ludhiana, December 19
For 69 inmates lodged at juvenile home in Shimlapuri, here, who have done heinous crimes, including thefts, robberies, murders, rapes and kidnapping, there is no feeling of regret. Instead, they boast about the crimes they committed at this tender age. The youngest of them are two cousins, about eight years of age, who are in the jail for the second time after committing a theft of Rs 2 lakh at Rajpura. For them, jail is another “home”.

Talking to The Tribune, Sonu, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, said he had stolen Rs 2 lakh in Rajpura along with his maternal aunt and cousin. For the past three months, they are in jail while their aunt is in women jail. While singing a song, he said, “Yes, I had done the crime. My parents are in Madhya Pradesh. I stayed at Rajpura with my aunt and cousin. We needed money so we committed crime. I am comfortable here as we get food and clothes by Samaritans.”

These inmates are so hostile that they broke four television sets of the juvenile home. A social activist, Pappo Abnash Singh, said various NGOs had given them TVs for their entertainment, but they broke all of them.

“They fight with each other and had constituted their own small “gangs” to show muscle-power to others. Their energies need to be channelised in the right direction,” she said.

Those lodged under Section 302 (murder) have no feeling of regret. One of them, about 16 years of age said, “I killed the person as there was some dispute. Any person who behaves with my family in the same manner deserves this treatment. Why should I be regretful? I did this to save the honour of my family,” he said.

BTech first year student Satinder Singh is waiting for his bail. He brutally killed a person at Ropar who used to trouble his family. He said, “If I had not killed him, he would have killed me or my father. He deserved this,” said Satinder.

Son of a builder at Chandigarh, studying in class XII, Mohit is in jail as he had stolen a laptop under the influence of drugs. Coming from affluent family, Mohit said he knew he did everything under the influence of drugs. “But I have left drugs. I miss my family, sisters, who come once a while to meet me,” said Mohit.

Ludhiana, December 19
It's been long since corporal punishment was banned in Indian schools, but in the absence of any law, private tutors continue to brandish the cane with impunity.The scenario is rather grim at various tuition academies and centres across the city where scores of children continue to suffer at the hands of their tutors for what is otherwise innocent behaviour, so very typical of growing-up years.

"Smack on the cheek, blow on the back, cane on knuckles, scale on palm, ear pulls and nudges are the commonest forms of corporal punishment at private tuitions," say children who are "regulars" at such academies.

And the reason for the punishment may vary from not doing homework, coming late to the "class", not grasping easily what is taught in tuition class to talking to friends, hanging out with members of the opposite sex from the "class" before and after the class is over, to scoring low in school tests/exams.

"Our teacher often spanks us for not doing homework. He even hits us with a wooden ruler on various body parts, including arms, legs and hands," says a group of Class VII students, who take tuitions from a private tutor in Sarabha Nagar.

Another duo, which takes mathematics tuitions in Dugri, adds, "We often go home with swollen red welts on our arms and hands. These marks make us feel so ashamed that we are forced to hide them from our parents and friends." The boys are students of Class IX and concede that the "torture" is frequent and is mostly meted out for "asking too many questions".

Unfortunately, many parents are aware of the physical abuse their wards are suffering at tuition centres but are "wary of voicing our concerns lest the tutor asks the child to leave" and look for other options".

Recalling the horror of one such incident, a mother of a Class VIII student, who takes private tuition for all subjects at home, says, "I once came home early from my job and was resting in my room when my son's tutor came home."

"As soon as the child opened his chemistry notebook, the tutor smacked him hard on the cheek for scoring less marks in the unit test. Obviously, he was oblivious of my presence in the house at that time," she disclosed.

The mother said on questioning, the tutor was so offended that he threatened to leave the job of tutoring her child.

"His justification was that he wanted to discipline the child with that act," remarked the horrified mother, adding that on probe, she came to know that the torture was a regular feature. The woman later found another tutor for her son, but is still not sure if her child is safe in the new teacher's hands.

While the parents suffer in their children's misery, educationists attribute a major part of the blame on the parents.

"Ensuring child's safety is the parents' prerogative. And those who fail to do so, don't have any right to cry," remarked a school teacher.

However, it goes without saying that teachers do feel the pain but are unable to bring about a substantial change.

"The sadistic system of 'disciplining' children might have disappeared from schools but it still goes in our tuition academies which fail to recognise the basic rights of children," said another school teacher.

"Guess, this will continue till parents continue to have more faith in tutors than school teachers," commented a school head, adding that there is an urgent need to amend the law to bring tutors under its purview.

Ludhiana, December 19
At the age of 16, this hockey player hopes to be in the shoes of the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.Rani Rampal, who has the distinction of representing the nation in the Junior World Cup as well as the Senior World Cup. She has also found place for herself in the Asian All Stars Team declared by the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) yesterday.

"I want to become as popular as Sachin Tendulkar and represent the country," said the ecstatic Rani Rampal, daughter of a cart puller.

In her first public appearance in a sports event after her name figured in the list of players of World All Stars Team, Rani was at Jarkhar village near Ludhiana today to attend the 25th Sports Festival organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club where she was felicitated for her stupendous performance in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and Asian Games in China.

The fiery forward Rani started holding the hockey stick at the tender age of eight. Rani soon caught the attention of Dronacharya awardee and former national coach Baldev Singh, who shaped her skills to perfection. According to Baldev, who accompanied Rani during her visit to the Jarkhar stadium said this ‘wonder girl’ has immense talent, and she would play a pivotal role in reviving the lost glory of the game.

Rani Rampal, a student of XIIth standard at the Government Senior Secondary School, Shahbad Markanda in Kurukshetra district in Haryana is the only player from India whose name figures in the list of World All Stars Team, released yesterday by the world governing body of hockey, Federation of International Hockey (FIH).

A much sought after brand ambassador for Haryana, Rani scored highest number of goals in the Olympics qualifying tournament held in Argentina in 2008, emerging as the best scorer of the event.

"I aspire to surpass the world record set by my hockey idol Luciana Aymer from Argentina, who was named the Player of The Year for seven years," said a beaming Rani.

Ludhiana, December 19
She gave up brilliant and secure career prospects when she left her medical degree to study music. But British pop singer Milli Moonstone has no regrets. "I am loving it. Life for me has been extremely wonderful, thanks to music. Had it not been for music, I would not have been so content in life," says the singer, who thinks a career in medicine would have been nice but the one she has chosen is her calling.

Quite evidently, music for Milli is her life, her soul and her passion. A multi-talented personality, Milli is not just a singer. She is also a flutist, a violinist and a whistler. But it is sarangi which is her speciality and uniqueness.

Ask her about her choice of the Indian instrument, which is considered to be very hard to play, Milli says, "The sarangi always gets me surprised gazes from all quarters. And it goes without saying that I love it. It gives expression to so many emotions - it truly stirs the soul. My beloved instrument takes me into an intimate world and is almost like an extension of me."

Milli's love for all things Indian is quite evident. "I am totally in love with Indian music and have even studied Asian music at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies)," says the beautiful musician.

"India is so colourful and mystical. I love everything about it, be it the rich diverse culture, its lovely people or its myriad musical instruments. Indian folk dances are so mesmerising. I can spend my life here," exclaimed Milli.

Having been to India a number of times, the singer is presently on a world tour. "It will help me evolve as a human being, as a musician and give me inner strength," says the singer, who has her own band in England. Milli also sing for an African band.

"My voyage around the world has truly been an awakening experience. The culturally-enlightening trip has inspired a deep-seated interest in musical styles from a plethora of places in me," she says.

On her journey into the magical world of music, Milli - born Emily Edmondstone, says, "My musical life began at the age of 7 when I started studying classical flute, and singing in the Hampshire County Children's Choir. A year later I took up the violin and joined local and county orchestras, and wind and string ensembles."

Milli also has, to her credit, the rare distinction of being part of the first girls' choir to be pioneered in the Winchester Cathedral.

"I have also been writing my own songs on the keyboard since the age of 13," she says.

Milli has learnt instruments and vocal styles from all around the world at SOAS, including Bulgarian singing, Chinese diza (flute), Zimbabwean mbira (thumb piano), Congolese guitar, Indonesian gamelan, and Persian kamanche (bowed lute).

Over the years, Milli not has only developed as an artist, but has also inspired many.

She has penned and composed numerous songs and has been responsible for arranging and producing them for her band.

Milli was in the city to inaugurate the franchisee of UK-brand Zaira Diamonds at Ansal Plaza. The singer is an ambassador for the brand.

Ludhiana, December 19
The group led by Dr Kulwant Singh was declared victorious in the district IMA elections held today at IMA house, BRS Nagar.The elected executive comprising seven office-bearers have been elected for the year 2011.

Dr Kulwant Singh became the president of the Ludhiana IMA by defeating his rival Dr Hardeep Singh by 148 votes.

Dr BS Hunjan was elected on the post of the vice-president, as 264 votes were cast in his favour compared to 225 votes for his rival Dr RP Singh.

Similarly, Dr RK Sharma became the second vice-president by defeating Dr SC Garg by 139 votes.

The post of the president-elect went to Dr DPS Arora as his supporters cast 303 votes in his favour, while his rival was able to get 180 votes.

Dr Karambir Goel, with 313 votes, was declared the honorary secretary, while his rival Dr Satish Ohri secured 174 votes.

It was a clear win for the only woman candidate Dr Narjit Kaur, who having defeated her rival Dr Amarjit Singh Sachdeva by a margin of 159 votes was elected for the post of finance secretary.

Dr Ashish Saxena was elected the joint secretary with IMA members casting 296 votes in his favour whereas 181 votes were cast for his rival Dr PS Gulati.

Attempts to cast bogus votes
Anshu Seth
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 19
In the midst of attempts to cast bogus votes, accusations of alteration of the voters’ list and raised adrenaline level of contestants, 495 votes were cast in the district IMA elections at the IMA house in BRS Nagar here today.

The district IMA has 750 members. Doctors registered with the Punjab Medical Council who are the members of district IMA had cast votes in favour of the candidates contesting for the seven posts, including that of the president and general secretary of the executive body.

The election commission headed by Dr Iqbal Ahuja to ensure transparency introduced the secret ballot system wherein one medical and one non-medical regulator was appointed.

Replicating the “seasoned politicians”, a group of doctors were standing at the gates of the IMA house with folded hands to receive their respective supporters. The supporters did not miss a chance to convince the voters

There was a commotion at the election venue as the election commission members cancelled a vote. Dr GS Grewal, one of the observers at the IMA elections said, “Dr RK Gupta who is not a member of the district IMA was trying to vote for Dr R Kumar Kala, but we have cancelled the vote.”

Another voter from Raikot who was trying to cast his vote was not allowed to enter the polling booth, as Dr Iqbal Singh Ahuja, chief election commissioner of the IMA polls, said doctors from Raikot could not vote for IMA-Ludhiana as the city had a separate IMA body.

Also there was a prolonged argument on the list of voters as one of the contestants accused the chief election commissioner of “bias”, adding that he had deleted some names from the list in order to support his preferred candidates. 

Forgotten Ethics

Doctors had stooped to their lowest as far as mudslinging was concerned. Far from ethical behaviour, the doctors indulged in petty politics, brought a bad name to the medical fraternity at large. One of the doctors from a group contesting for the IMA elections circulated a message using “derogatory language” which was unacceptable to most of the members. The message was a direct attack on the personal relationship, character and professional conduct. The message carried the name of doctors following personal remarks. 

Ludhiana, December 19
Hands raised in prayers, chants of “Hare Krishna” on lips and a frenzied spring in the step. With that, a hard-to-miss radiant look on the face which strived hard to match the bare feet. Forty-eight year-old Radhika Sharma truly epitomised the devotional fervour which gripped the city this afternoon as Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra came to town.

A Sea of humanity during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ludhiana on Sunday; (and right) long queues of vehicles at Bhai Bala Chowk during the rath yatra. Tribune photos: Himanshu Mahajan and Inderjeet Verma

Fighting hard to tear apart the sea of humanity amid the beats of gongs and cymbals, thousands of Lord Jagannath’s devotees had a single aim -- to catch a glimpse of their Lord who adorned the huge, colourfully decorated, chariot flanked by His siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

The chariot, drawn by devotees, made its way onto the city streets this afternoon in an elaborate ritual procession around the city. Crowds surged as the chariot proceeded from the Durga Mata Mandir situated on the Jagraon bridge following a “maha aarti” towards the city.

All religious boundaries were erased as Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians gathered to catch a glimpse of the Lord and seek His blessings. Devotees longed to pull the chariot and waited patiently for their turn.

Dressed in traditional attires, Lord Jagannath’s lovers were seen dancing on the roads, singing in praise of the Lord. Hundreds of foreign devotees, who had especially flown down from China, the USA, the UK and Japan, to be a part of the yatra, mingled with the locals with ease and shared their love for the Lord with each other.

Traditionally attired in dhoti, kurta and saris, these devotees walked the city streets bare feet with the chariot, distributing free literature on Lord Krishna to passers-by, drowned in the name of the Lord. Every inch of space along the chariot was occupied. Every road was packed with devotees.

Showing exemplary religious zeal and enthusiasm, the followers of Lord Krishna, from all walks of life, swept the city streets and showered flowers on the roads, on which the yatra was to tread. Massive rangolis were prepared on the yatra’s route by the devotees who were busy in preparations since early hours today.

The yatra passed through various parts of the city, including Fountain Chowk, Bharat Nagar Chowk, Ghumar Mandi and Aarti Chowk. On way, priests from Haridwar paid obeisance to the Lord by lighting 108 holy lamps. The procession halted at as many as 108 spots to make offerings of “56 bhog” to the Lord, which was also relished by the devotees along with myriad refreshments of fruits, sweets and mouth-watering delicacies.

The devout gathering surely had its fill of tryst with Lord by the time the yatra culminated at Shri Navdurga Mata Mandir at Sarabha Nagar late in the evening.

Meanwhile, the administration and the police had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra. Preparations for the procession had started days in advance and the city was decorated like a bride to herald the yatra.

Making of the chariot

The chariot carrying the idols of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath is the main attraction during the Jagannath Rath Yatra every year. The rath is constructed with iron and wood of specified trees like phassi and dhausa and the tradition is being followed for centuries. This year, the rath was covered with a bright canopy made of stripes of red, yellow and green colour.

Lord Jagannath is identified with Krishna who is also known as Pitambara, the one attired in golden yellow robes and hence there are the distinguishing yellow stripes on the canopy of the chariot.

Though during the previous years, all three idols used to be taken out in three different chariots, but keeping in view the traffic situation, the ritual has been changed and now these idols are taken around the city in a single chariot.

The idols are taken from the Jagannath temple on the Brindaban road. The chariot is 40-feet high and decked with flowers - rajnigandha, chameli and gainda - especially brought in from Kolkata.

Like every year, this year too, the devotees were seen decorating the chariot since early in the morning. Every year, the chariot is prepared in Kurukshetra. “Devotees of the ISKON temple at Kurukshetra prepare the chariot two months in advance,” informed an organiser of the event. 

Ludhiana, December 19
Irked over dispensation of gross injustice by the management and indifference of the state government towards their pending demands, workers of the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) have threatened to intensify their agitation.

While addressing a protest rally at general bus stand here today, members of the Contract PRTC Workers Union (Azad) said the agitating workers had already held protest demonstrations and burnt effigies of the management at Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Budhlada and Ludhiana against persistence exploitation of workers.

State president of the body Jasmer Singh and general secretary Rupinder Singh alleged that even after working for 16 hours a day, contract workers did not get salary on time. Not only this, regularisation of these workers was being put off on one pretext or the other, deductions worth crores were being slapped on the employees under the garb of low booking, diesel, accidents which had made it difficult for them to make both ends meet.

Charging the management for pursuing such policies that would push the PRTC towards going out of business, the union functionaries said buses were deliberately plied on loss-making routes under the influence of powerful private transporters lobby, while a big fleet of buses remained immobile in workshops.

The union leaders said they would continue their struggle till the acceptance of all pending demands which included regularisation of adhoc and contract workers, timely payment of salaries, putting an end to all forcible deductions, payment of overtime and other allowances, regular recruitment of drivers on buses engaged under kilometre scheme and granting justice to sacked employees/union activists.

Mullanpur Dakha, December 19
Accusing successive governments of turning a blind eye towards their plight, members of the Ex-servicemen Welfare Society, Ludhiana, have threatened to stage a protest outside the Parliament.

The members said despite several pleas, their long pending demand of “One Rank One Pension” had not been fulfilled so sar.

They said families of ex-servicemen who had retired before 2006 were getting meagre amounts as pension.

Brig PS Toor, Col BS Tatla, Col BS Sandhu, Col JS Sandhu, Squadron Leader Sardool Singh, Major SS Rana, Capt Gurdeep Singh and Subedar Jaspal Singh were present on the occasion. 

Ludhiana, December 19
The onion prices have reached an all time high at Rs 65 per kg. In some localities in interior part of the city, which are close to main vegetable market, onions are being sold for Rs 50-55 per kg, but in posh localities like Sarabha Nagar, Gurdev Nagar and even Ghumar Mandi, the vegetable is being sold at Rs 60-65 pre kg.

Making a dent in the budgets, onion will be sold at even higher prices in coming days till a new crop arrives in markets. Vegetable vendors maintained that they were helpless as prices were being increased from the Delhi market on a daily basis. Gurmeet Singh, one of vegetable retailers at Civil Lines, said he had got onions for Rs 50 per kg from main vegetable market (wholesale) on the Jalandhar-bypass, but in retail market, onions were being sold for Rs 60-65.

Gurmeet Singh said, “Fresh onion crop isnot coming to the market. Due to heavy rains and crop loss, production of onions came down. Stored onions are being sent to Punjab from Nasik and Rajasthan.

The prices will continue to increase for another month or so, till new produce arrives in markets.” He said the prices were being increased between Rs 5 and Rs 10 everyday.

Besides onion, garlic has also shocked homemakers due to its ever-increasing rates. Garlic, which was sold for Rs 20 per kg in December-January last year, is now availablefor Rs 200 per kg inthe market.

Nisha Aggarwal, one of the homemakers said, “Onions and potatoes are the basic veggies, which are required in every household.

“It is better to eat cheese or chicken than buying expensive onions. Where should the common man go?” 

I was given a telephone number of an “old” man, who had promised to provide a good story. Having talked to him, I reached mini secretariat at 12 noon sharp where the gentleman was to submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

After waiting for quite some time (40 minutes to be precise), I gave him a call to know his whereabouts. He asked me to wait for another hour. I preferred to continue with my other assignments and asked the photographer to wait there. He waited for half an hour, but no one came.

Being bored, and also tired, the photographer also left the place. I gave the gentleman a call at 4.40 pm and asked him the reason for not turning up. Unfazed, he said, “Now, I have organised a press conference at Sabzi Mandi at 9 pm which will continue till 1 am.” He claimed that big names in print and electronic media will also be coming. “Be there at 9 or there will be no seats left.”

Ludhiana, December 19
The urban development cell of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee is mobilising its cadres to expose widespread corruption in all government offices, while also taking up the crucial issues of denial of basic amenities and other services by the departments concerned as stipulated under the relevant laws.

Addressing a meeting of office-bearers of the cell at Circuit House, its chairman Ramesh Joshi gave a call to party workers to reach out to people, apprise themselves of the day-to-day problems related to pending works in government offices as well as poor delivery of services so that the party could take these up at an appropriate level.

Coming down heavily on the SAD-BJP government in Punjab for the recent hike in bus fares, he said on the one hand the government was claiming to have collected higher revenue as compared to previous Congress regime, on the other, people were being crushed under financial burden by way of higher and multiple taxes.

Joshi said the Punjab government, especially Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal was on a foundation stone-laying spree for development works, saying there was no resource crunch. However, when it came to paying arrears of pay revision to government employees, the government took an altogether different stance.

“Even for highest rate of petrol in Punjab as compared to other states in India, the state government was responsible since the tax component (VAT) alone on petrol in the state was over 30 per cent,” he alleged.

The PPCC functionary also took the state government to task for misdirection of central government grants under various centrally-funded welfare schemes and failure to provide adequate power supply to people despite adequate rainfall.

Ludhiana, December 19
In order to check defacement caused by religious hoardings across the city, the municipal corporation authorities are now mulling the idea of allotting specific sites outside religious places.

The finance and contracts committee (F&CC) of the civic body had a few months ago approved the putting up of religious hoardings in the city after charing a fee.

As a result, a large number of illegal hoardings cropped up in the city, making it difficult for the civic body to monitor these.

The corporation had also given a one week’s limit for any hoarding to stay. However, owing to political interference, most religious hoardings continued to stay way over the stipulated period.

These illegal hoardings have not only been an eyesore but also become a traffic hazard.

The MC authorities are now mulling to allow the setting up of religious hoardings at specific sites, mainly outside religious places in the city.

The authorities are of the firm opinion that the basic aim of these hoardings is to inform people about any religious event and placing these outside a religious place would serve the purpose.

The authorities believe that by doing so, defacement in the city could also be checked.

Sources said the advertisement branch of the civic body was working on the plan and it might be implemented in the next few days.

Additional Commissioner Kanwalpreet Kaur Brar, who is the in-charge of the advertisement branch, confirmed that the matter was under their consideration and a final decision regarding it was likely to come within few days.

She asserted that they were identifying the sites for the purpose and once it was done, a decision regarding the policy would be made.

Mandi Ahmedgarh,December 19
Social networking is fast emerging as a tool for yoking in support by the politicians. The President and the Prime Minister of India and heads of almost all political parties are among those whose identities (fake or genuine) hog attention on social networking websites, including Facebook.

Though it seems almost impractical for icons and politicians to be online for longer periods, even proxy interaction and chatting helps these leaders mobilise extra support in their favour.

Interestingly some of the politicians have denied creating their identities on any of the social websites.

Cutting across party lines some politicians have added even their rivals as “friends”. Investigations by The Tribune revealed that prominent politicians, holding important portfolios in the state and the Union government, had joined the list of icons and personalities whose identity are hogging attention of viewers on famous social networking websites.

Perusal of these identities revealed that complete resume of the leaders had been added in the profile and his or her achievements had been highlighted with the support of visuals, including pictures and clippings.

Sources revealed that some politicians had hired professionals to make their identities more impressive. In certain case the website was exploited for accomplishing blame game too. Published statements of these leaders also appear in lists of their activities.

Among politicians apparently having their identity on Facebook, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was found to have 1,39,366 fans while AICC chairperson Sonia Gandhi was liked by 26,963 members.

At least three IDs were observed highlighting profile of Sonia Gandhi. While profile of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is portrayed in the name of the SAD, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife Harsimrat Badal have their individual identities.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has 2,226 fans on this website. Jassie Khangura, who seems to have friends from overseas countries, besides local friends, is also friends with Harsimrat Badal.

Activists of youth wings of their respective parties, social activists and journalists are among friends added on the IDs of politicians. Some of the fans figured on identities of more than one leader.

The bazaar, situated in the heart of the city, suffers due to the apathetic attitude of the MC. Like any other inner bazaar, the area faces a huge problem of traffic due to the heavy load of vehicles and the lack of parking space. Though the MC had conducted an anti-encroachment drive in the area a few months ago with a big bang, things were the same again.

The road here has never been repaired due to which potholes make commuting miserable.

Shopkeepers rue that though they have been asking the district police and MC authorities to manage the traffic in a proper manner, no one has ever bothered to pay attention towards it. In the same manner, the poor condition of power wires and loose connections of high-tension wires are a matter of concern. Shopkeepers, however, say that they are now used to it, as nobody bothers to replace the wires despite making a large number of complaints. Even the multi-storeyed buildings in the narrow lanes of bazaars that have been erected by shopkeepers show how violations of building bylaws have taken place in this narrow bazaar. The MC authorities have turned a blind eye towards this due to which a big mishap could take place anytime.

Choked lines of sewerage due to the throwing of waste by the shopkeepers and even the lack of de-silting on part of the MC officers also indicates that both of them have hardly bothered to take care of the area. Similarly, the supply of contaminated water in the area also increases the miseries of shopkeepers, who say that they had complained about it a number of times to the authorities but no one is ready to listen to them. Shopkeepers regret that though the MC staff collects a whopping amount of tax from the area, they had never ever seen any official in their area who had visited the area, asking them about their complaints. But then like any other locality of the city, shopkeepers continue to work in adverse conditions, hoping that a silver lining in the black clouds would be visible soon and their sufferings would come to an end.

Ludhiana, December 19
A full-grown rock eagle owl was rescued from a tantrik at Shastri Nagar in Basti Jodhewal Area here today.Acting on a tip-off from CAPE- India volunteer Parma Shukla, Dr Sandeep K Jain, member, Punjab State Board for Wildlife and Chief Coordinator, CAPE-India, informed the wildlife authorities that a person was selling “tabiz” (talisman) with the help of an owl. Police control room was informed about the tantrik.

Dr Sandeep Jain informed," A few days ago, we were given information that a tantrik was duping people by selling talisman at a good price. Today also he sat near Basti Jodhewal, GT Road. He was holding this owl, which is an endangered species. 
During Divali days, these owls are sacrificed to bring prosperity."

Dr Jain further added that feathers, eyes, blood and bones of owl were used by such tantriks in black magic. Joginder Singh, block officer, Ludhiana Zoo, and police personnel took the accused - Bhutto - of Ballabh Garh in Faridabad district to the Basti Jodhewal police station and rescued the owl. Dr Jain said the accused would be produced in court tomorrow for violating the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

During Divali, an owl costs anywhere from Rs 20,000 to a whopping Rs 2 lakh, while witchdoctors earn anything between Rs 50,000 - 2 lakh for performing a kind of necromancy in which dried flesh of owls, claws, beaks, feathers and blood are used.

Ludhiana, December 19
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) today organised a massive protest rally at Chatar Singh Park here.With this, the unions’ five-day protest march across the state against repressive “black laws” formulated by the SAD-BJP government, culminated. State secretary of CITU Raghunath Singh and other trade union leaders lashed out at the government for making attempts to silence the voice of industrial labour, brick kiln workers, government employees and farmers through repressive laws.

“The trade union activists are already facing false and fabricated cases, besides bearing the brunt of the police excesses. Under the new repressive law awaiting nod from the Punjab Governor, the right of peaceful protest will also be denied to workers which is a violation of their constitutional right,” they pointed out.

Speakers at the rally apprehended that the new legislation would come handy to the police and administration to act against those peaceful and democratic bodies, including trade unions, which sought to raise a voice of protest against denial of minimum wages to workers, violation of labour laws, contractual recruitment, scams and scandals in government departments, false and fabricated criminal cases against trade union activists and exploitation of workers by employers.

The CITU functionaries further vowed to continue its struggle against repressive laws, contractual labour, violation of labour laws while demanding enhancement of minimum wages for skilled and unskilled workers, strengthening public distribution system and coverage of all NAREGA workers and farm labour under the “atta-dal scheme”.

Among other speakers at the rally were Dev Raj Verma, Sucha Singh, Randhir Singh, Joginderpal Singh, Mohinder Singh, Jagdish Chand, Amar Nath and Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon.

Ludhiana: Radcliffe School celebrated its annual day and prize distribution function here. Kamla Jain, founder and president of Saraswati Modern School, Ludhiana, was the chief guest. SC Saxena, former principal, KVM, Ludhiana, Dr Vikas Jindal, MDS, Dr Suneet Arora, MD, Ravinder Singh Rave, AEO, were the guests of honour on the occasion.

The function started with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the chief guest. The programme started with Shiv Vandana and shabad “Jo mange thakur apne te” to invoke the Almighty’s blessing.

The message of “Save Environment and Grow More Trees” was given through a choreography which was highly appreciated by the audience. A skit “Ramesh goes to market” conveying the message, “help the poor”, was also liked by all.

Little feet dancing on the famous number “All is well” stole the hearts of audience. “Maa tu kitni achi hai”, a dance performance presented by “Buds and Blossoms” made the audience emotional. Giddha was the major attraction of the function.

Iqbal Pahwa, principal of the school, presented the annual report of the school, highlighting the achievements of students in academics and co-curricular activities during the session 2010-2011.

Prizes were given by Kamla Jain, chief guest of the day, and members of the advisory council to meritorious students.

The chief guest congratulated the participants and wished them good luck. She highlighted the importance of co-curricular activities in building all-round personalities of children. She also appreciated the efforts made by the school management.

In the end, Pahwa thanked the chief guest, guests of honour and parents for their valuable presence. She also insisted that parents should discourage the children from eating junk food.

The function concluded with the National Anthem. — TNS

Ludhiana, December 19
Defending champion Gursher Singh secured five points to romp home victor and retained the title in the senior boys’ section of the Ludhiana District Chess Championship-2010 that concluded at Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, here today. In the senior girls’ section, Tapsi Pahwa collected 3.5 points to emerge as champion.

In the senior boys’ category, Anurudh Garg and Raminderbir Singh, also with five points, finished at second and third place, respectively, while in the girls’ section, Priya Bakshi and Amanpreet Kaur accumulated three points each to secure second the third positions, respectively.

Dilbagh Singh in the boys’ u-15 years section and Apoorva Sharma in the girls u-15 years section came out triumphant while Sushant Manuja and Amanpreet Kaur Grewal secured second position in the boys’ and girls’ sections. The third position in the boys’ section was bagged by Karan Singh Rawat while Himandeep Kaur secured third place in the girls’ section.

In the boys’ u-11 section, Anubhav Sharma won top honours, followed by Sarthak Gupta and Rajat Gupta, respectively.

Samridhi Manchanda proved too good for her opponents to win the title in the girls’ u-11 section while Meenakshi finished as runner up and Anukriti Singla secured third place.

Principal of the host school, Navita Puri distributed the prizes. All competitors were given participation certificates.

In the senior boys’ section, nine players, including the first three position holders -- Gursher Singh, Anurudh Garg and Raminderbir Singh, along with Rahul Lamba, Sanjiv Sood, Nagarjun, Jaipreet Singh, Imanjot Singh and Ashutosh, were selected to represent the district in the Punjab State Chess Championship ‘B’ to be held in Amritsar next month.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 19
BSF Eleven men and Shahbad Hockey Centre eves emerged victorious in league hockey during the 25th Rural Sports Festival that concluded at Jarkhar village, near here, today.

Manpreet Ayali, chairman, Zila Parishad, Ludhiana, MLA Bikram Jit Singh Majithia and Darshan Singh Shivalik graced the occasion.

Appreciating the role of organisers in promoting sports in rural areas, speakers, including Majithia, Ayali and Shivalik announced to extend maximum assistance for continuing their pursuit. Shivalik and Majithia announced grants worth Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively.

The organisers felicitated Manjit Kaur, gold medal winner in Commonwealth Games, Rani Ram Pal Kaur, Surinder Singh (Railway) Babu Singh Mann, Gurjatinder Singh Randhawa, chief editor, Punjab Mail, Olympian Gurbaj Singh, Prof Kanwaljit Singh and Jagdev Singh Jassowal.

In hockey, BSF won a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh by defeating EME, Jalandhar, 3-1, while Shahbad Hockey Centre eves beat Kurukshetra Centre 3-2.

In six-a-side U-17 hockey, Jarkhar Hockey Academy and Grewal Sports Academy were declared winners and runners-up, respectively.

In basketball, Ludhiana team defeated Ludhiana Academy in the final match, while Ludhiana eves defeated Patiala 66-35. The volleyball championship was won by SAI, Ludhiana.