R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Ludhiana
Painting contest:The Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board organised a painting competition at Sacred Heart Convent, Sarabha Nagar, today. Nearly 450 students took part in the competition.Tanya Chhabra, who stood first, won a free ticket, along with a stay voucher to Malaysia. 

Phagwara
Link road inaugurated: Punjab Technical Education Minister Swarna Ram inaugurated a link road connecting Hadiabad to St Soldier School here today. The minister gave Rs 4 lakh from his discretionary funds for the road. 

Tarn Taran
Lohri of 121 girls celebrated: The Lohri of 121 girls was celebrated at a function organised by the Kalpana Chawla Pragatisheel Society (KCPS) at Government Elementary School, Wanara, 10 km from here, on Saturday. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Punjab Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, was the chief guest.He assured to release a grant of Rs 51,000 to the KCPS for carrying on its social efforts. Parwinder Singh, president of the KCPS, read out the annual report of the society.

CHANDIGARH

Blood donated: At least 310 persons donated blood during the 11th blood donation camp organised by the Chamber of Chandigarh Industries at the community centre in Industrial Area here on Saturday. 

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Chamba
Man dies in road mishap:One person was killed on the spot when his car swerved off the road and fell into a gorge near Saroo on the Chamba-Pathankot National Highway last night, according to a report received here today.The report said the deceased had been identified as Rajeev of Chamba town.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
CM releases telephone directory: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah released the fifth edition of the Current News Service (CNS) Matrix Telephone Directory 2011, here on Saturday. The directory has landline and mobile numbers of ministers, public representatives, bureaucrats, police officers, journalists, writers and other dignitaries, besides leading business establishments of the state.

Samba
100 forts to be renovated: Jora: As many as 100 historical forts located in various parts of the state will be renovated in a phased manner to restore their pristine glory. Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora stated this here on Saturday while taking stock of the renovation and restoration work of the Samba Fort. Jora directed the officers and the executing agencies to take up the restoration and renovation work of the outer portion of the fort only after completing the interior works. He asked the Deputy Commissioner to ensure the early shifting of the school housed on its premises. —

Srinagar
14 injured in road mishaps: Around 14 persons were injured in road accidents across the Kashmir valley on Saturday. A bus on its way to Magam from Beerwah skidded off the road and collided with a tin wall near Arwa Budgam, resulting in injuries to the conductor of the bus. In another incident, a passenger bus on its way to Sopore from Srinagar overturned at Lalad in Sopore, resulting in injuries to 12 persons. Three of the injured were shifted to the SMHS hospital here. However, the other nine injured persons were discharged after treatment. Amina Begum was injured when a Maruti car hit her at Panzigam Bridge in Bandipora. She was admitted to hospital.