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We ignored warning signs, rue villagers
Guram (Ludhiana), December 20
With a pall of gloom descending on this nondescript village, friends and relatives of Ajit Singh are cursing themselves why they had not taken notice of his repeated threats to commit suicide after hearing about his troubled family life.
Traffic marshals flex muscles, annoy commuters
Ludhiana, December 20
Instead of teaching traffic violators’ benefits of obeying the rules, newly appointed traffic marshals are seen blatantly exhibiting their newfound powers and indulging in heated arguments.
A few commuters have complained that the marshals were quick to take the keys of vehicles. Instead of emphasising the hazards of reckless driving, the marshals entered into arguments, the commuters claimed.
IMA elections
Slanderous SMS leaves docs fuming
Ludhiana, December 20
Even as all professional ethics and decency were thrown to the winds by the warring groups in the elections to the Ludhiana branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) here yesterday, an SMS, purportedly sent by a member of the group led by Dr Kulwant Singh on Sunday morning to the voters, has evoked strong reaction from a section of IMA members, who were also contesting for different posts.
Contracts going to favourite few
Others cry hoarse; PAU denies allegations
Ludhiana, December 20
A few contractors working with Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) have levelled allegations that authorities were giving contracts of major works to some “blue-eyed” contractors, without even floating the tenders in any section of media which was against the Building Contracts Act. In a complaint lodged with the Chief Minister, Vice- Chancellor, members of the board of management, director (Vigilance) and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), one of the contractors has said extensions of works were being given to the “lucky” ones while they were left in the lurch.
Habit-forming drugs worth Rs 8 lakh seized
Ludhiana, December 20
In a major breakthrough, a team of health officials headed by Balram Luthra, drug inspector, seized habit-forming drugs worth Rs 8 lakh from a godown located at Kalia complex in Pindi street. Nearly 4.95 lakh tablets, 57,180 capsules, 1,049 syrups and 9,794 injections were seized from the godown owned by an “unidentified” person.
Health officials show the habit-forming drugs seized from a godown at Pindi street in Ludhiana on Monday.
Photo: Inderjeet Verma
Admn clueless
Mandi
Ahmedgarh, December 20
District administration officials continue to grope in the dark to ascertain the reason that led Ajit Singh of Guram village to take the extreme step. Though the deceased is said to have lodged several complaints with various officials the authorities have failed to zero in on any particular complaint that could have been the trigger that led him to commit suicide. In a late-evening development, a suicide note was, however, found. (see box)
Amenities elude this bus stand
Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 20
Despite State Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal’s promise to provide all facilities and generate revenue through entry fee of buses and rent of shops situated at the local bus stand, the authorities have failed to provide even basic amenities to people.
Exit gate of the bus stand in a dilapidated condition at Ahmedgarh. Photo by the writer
Faulty construction bothers motorists
Gap in corner of bridge a virtual death trap
Ludhiana, December 20
A gap in one corner of a bridge on the Sidhwan canal, which connects Sarabha Nagar with BRS
Nagar, has made the life of commuters a hell. A motorcyclist, recently, had a miraculous escape after he failed to locate the gap due to darkness. Though the man saved himself by jumping from the motorcycle, his bike fell into the canal.
The safety rail is missing along a portion of a bridge on the Sidhwan canal in Ludhiana. Photo: Inderjeet Verma
Spurious cosmetics’ sale causing skin ailments
Ludhiana, December 20
The unrestricted sale of spurious cosmetics has led to a sudden increase in the cases of "contact dermatitis" in women and girls, thereby causing severe damage to skin, lips, eyes, nose, face and the scalp.
Engg industry in dire straits
Ludhiana, December 20
The engineering industry, especially in the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector, is bearing the brunt of persistent and unprecedented hike in steel prices — their basic raw material. The alarm raised by the affected units against arbitrary increase in prices by the cartel of major producers of iron and steel has failed to move the ministry concerned and the union government.
10-yr-old battles cancer, needs help
Ludhiana, December 20
Abhay (10) battling for his life at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, needs to undergo bone marrow transplant at the earliest.
Needy patient seeks help for surgery
Ludhiana, December 20
Kamaljit Singh (38), suffering from duodenal ulceration, is in dire need of surgery. However, the economic background of the family is making it difficult for them to bear the cost of around Rs 50,000 needed for the surgery.
Don’t follow the trend blindly: Fashion designer
Ludhiana, December 20
Fuchsia pink and gold are the colours for the coming wedding season, says fashion designer Amit Kashyap after opening his designer studio at Ghumar Mandi. After getting regular clients from the city at his stores in Noida and Gurgaon, Amit is now ready to serve them in their hometown.
City decks up for Christmas celebrations
Ludhiana, December 20
Santa Claus is almost here! And fun-loving city residents are leaving no stone unturned to welcome him into their homes. Christmas frenzy is in full swing across the city.
Students try Santa masks; and (right) markets wear a festive look kicking off Christmas festivities in Ludhiana. Photos: Inderjeet Verma
Miss World Panjaban
This trio wants to promote Punjabi
 Ludhiana, December 20
Arshdeep Kaur Gosal, Navreet Kaur Sandhu and Harpreet Kaur Johal have much more in common than just their Miss World Panjaban crowns.
(From right to left) Arshdeep Gosal, Navreet Kaur and Harpreet Kaur strike a pose
in Ludhiana on Monday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan
Fair deal, finally, for two local girls
Win scholarship to pursue higher studies
 Ludhiana, December 20
For city girls Kamalvir Kaur and Manpreet Kaur, winning the “Fair and Lovely Scholarship” is a dream come true. The success means much more to them than just proving their mettle and bringing laurels to their home town. It is a beginning of a new life for the nursing students who come from families with humble background.
‘Sensitise students against social evils’
Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 20
Appreciating the role of sophisticated modes of telecommunication and electronic media in dispersal of knowledge among masses, Braj Bhubneshwari, a disciple of Sant Kirpalu Ji Maharaj, urged policy makers in the education department to exploit the innovation for sensitising students against social evils, including voracity, radicalism and drug addiction.
Woollens given to needy students
Amloh, December 20
Punjab Sabhyacharak Club in collaboration with Nehru Yuvak Kender organised the 20th annual sabha charak mela “Mehak-Punjab-Di” here yesterday.
PAU Notes
From Schools
Patwari nabbed for taking bribe
Ludhiana, December 20
The vigilance bureau has nabbed a patwari of Siarr village for accepting graft of Rs 10,000 from a resident of Rosiana village here today.
Hockey Gold Cup from tomorrow
Ludhiana, December 20
Top hockey outfits of the nation will be seen in action during the 8th ediion of the Gold Cup Hockey Tournament to be organised by the Doraha Hawks Club at Mehta Gurukul Academy campus ground, Doraha, around 35 km from here, from December 22 to 26.
 Lawyers
try hand at table tennis
Ludhiana, December 20
The three-day Table Tennis Tournament being organised by the District Bar
Association, Ludhiana, started at the local bar room, District Courts Complex,
here today. Over 30 members of the association are taking part in the
tournament.
Players in action during the three-day Table Tennis Tournament organised by the District Bar Association in Ludhiana on Monday. A Tribune photograph
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