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Finally, city bus service in the black
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JIT to conduct biometric survey of slum residents
Small traders seek VAT refund
Girl raped for a month, two held
BJP Kisan Morcha to oppose seed Bill
CT Half Marathon on March 6
No headway in Nakodar encounter case
Draw for 207 plots held
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Finally, city bus service in the black
Jalandhar, February 10 A major boon for the city bus came with the urban-rural connectivity. The buses plying on the bus stand-Guru Nanak Mission Chowk-HMV College-Maqsudan-Kartarpur route are fetching the maximum revenue. There is a bus on this route after every 10 to 15 minutes with school and college students and staff making the maximum use of it. A lot many institutes, including MGSM Janta College, Kartarpur, Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), DAV College, HMV College, DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology, DAV College of Nursing, DAV Ayurvedic College, Mehr Chand Polytechnic, CJS School and CT Public School fall on this route. Besides, there are two hospitals, including Sacred Heart Hospital, Maqsudan, and Guru Nanak Mission Hospital, which also lie on this route. The other major routes on which the city buses are plying include bus stand to railway station and bus stand to Rama Mandi. The MC Commissioner, Viney Bublani, said a consultancy company, ILFS, was currently preparing a viability report on eight new routes. “Once they file a feasibility report, the matter will be taken up at the higher level for seeking approvals,” he added. The officials are also seeking public view on the matter. Some of the routes suggested by the residents and city councillors include bus stand to Pathankot bypass, bus stand to Lovely Professional University, bus stand to Lambran village and bus stand to Pholariwal village. While initially there were 16 buses, one is no longer in service. “As and when new routes get finalised, more buses could be added to the fleet,” said the Commissioner. The residents have long been insisting that the full-size buses be replaced by new smaller buses as these often tend to cause traffic snarls at turns and intersections. While earlier there have been quite a few protests by the autorickshaw drivers, who had been complaining of loss in their revenue with the launch of city bus, the issue seems to have settled now. “While the travel on city bus takes a bit longer due to frequent halts for picking and dropping the passengers and slow speed vis-a-vis autorickshaws, we still prefer bus service because of safe travel and an option of Rs 5 ticket for shorter trip. The autorickshaw drivers charge Rs 10 for a distance which may be as short as a kilometre or as long as 8 to 10 km,” said Neha, a collegiate. |
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The circus story
Jalandhar, February 10 They are wary and almost paranoid of strangers. As they tell us, profits no more pour in as they used to some years ago and a bout of negative publicity in some papers has made things go from bad to worse. Talking about business, owner of the circus Raju Pehalwan says “It’s grim.” “The returns are usually lesser than the invested amount. On top of it corruption cripples us.” Corruption? “Oh, it eats into our business. We have to pay for land we set up camp on, for every little permit that needs the government’s nod. That way, Punjab is still OK. In UP we get politicians and their kin asking for free tickets everywhere we put up a show. Haryana’s bad too. In Punjab people still want to pay for their tickets. So we like coming here and stay longer. Before Jalandhar, we were at Amritsar,” says Raju. “So many circus companies have already closed down. Gemini, Asian, Gemini, Oriental, Komal circus have all closed down, we are thinking of doing that too (laughs). It’s tough to sustain the circus these days,” says Raju. Though Raju is upbeat about his talented crew, “We feed and arrange for the stay of our crew of 200 people. They live like family and unlike the other circuses, we ensure that they get their salaries on time.” The Tribune chats up with Asiad Circus’ talented crew: Sonu - the Cup Saucer girl
She is 35 and married to the guy who performs the driving-the-bike-across-the-air act. Her act - balancing cups and saucers on her feet and head while sitting on a 6-foot-high one-wheeled bicycle placed on a table. Isn’t it difficult? “Oh no. My mother was into it. We lived in Kolkata. She taught me the act. In the beginning I would fall down and cry. The training part was difficult but now it’s smooth,” she says. Sonu detests the people who look down upon her. “There are people who dislike us because we wear short clothes. They think our world is different and we are not good people. That hurts. I bet they can never do what we do.” So how does she find this life? “I love it. We are like one family. My entire family is in the circus. Mother, brother, sister-in-law, husband. Life’s good.” She is the audacious woman biker of the see-through, circus version of the “maut ka kuan”. The petite Pinky has been practicing since she was a kid. “But I graduated into a professional biker only about 6-7 months ago. It takes years of practice. In the beginning it was scary. The falls were bad enough to dishearten me. But when I finally picked up, it was exhilarating.” So what are the techniques? “You have to tilt your body right. Have to look exactly where the bike heads, a little shift of glance and you’re gone. Clutch and speed estimates also have to be exact,” quips Pinky. She is married to the parking man in the circus. “Our owner fixes all the weddings at the circus. He is very good at that,” she laughs. The little goofballs
Mukesh and Chandan are the circus clowns. Mukesh has been there for the last 35 years and Chandan’s been a recent addition. So how’s life been at the circus? “Good,” says Chandan. “Have you seen Mera Naam Joker? That’s our life. We laugh on stage and cry inside,” says Mukesh. Seems like Mukesh wants to say more but he casts wary, oblique glances at the owner’s man standing nearby and keeps mum. “We fall and people laugh. No one ever asks if we felt hurt. We are dwarfs. This is our ultimate destination. There are no other jobs for us you know,” says Mukesh. The Kenyan acrobats
The foreign guests are the relatively new attractions at the circus. But seems like they are not totally happy with the treatment they get. The Kenyan crew consisting of members Lazarus, Kitsao, Rebson and group leader Sami, (all from Mombasa) say they found about the circus through an agent on the internet. “I have been coming here earlier too. We are acrobats. We perform on a pole, pass through fire rings and hoops. We had a one year contract with the circus guys through the agent. I have worked with other circuses too but these guys mete out a shabby treatment. We were given insufficient, dirty quilts even during the peak winters,” says Sami Rebson says, “As per the agreement they were supposed to pay our medical bills but they don’t do that. Sami had a waist injury but they did not pay his medical bills.” “I had to pay the bills with my own money,” says Sami. Sami has also performed at circuses in Poland, Spain, France and Jaman. “We love India and have been treated well by the previous circuses. Back in Kenya, there are many people into this job. It’s difficult to find a job there. So we have to go to the circus where there’s a job.” |
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JIT to conduct biometric survey of slum residents
Jalandhar, February 10
Since the slum area is also to be covered in the scheme, the residents have to be later accommodated in new single-room units, which will be constructed in a separate more compact area.
Being conducted for the first time in the city, the survey will include getting thumb impressions and family photos of the slum occupants, who would later draw the benefit of getting a new pucca house. “The use of the biometric system will help us avoid any confusion or check any wrong claimants at the later stage,” said Chairman of the trust Baljit Singh Neelamahal. There is a possibility that the residents of other clusters, including New Gandhi Nagar and Santoshi Nagar, also falling in the plan, may also get adjusted in a similar way. The JIT also plans not to touch some 14 A-class houses falling in the
plan. The SE of the JIT, Mukul Soni, said notices had been sent to nearly 450 property owners, 60 per cent of whom have already given their consent for land acquisition. “Negotiations are on with the rest of the occupants, while we are also now proceeding towards the award stage,” he added. One of the best proposals of the scheme is to connect the 120-feet road from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Enclave to Domoria Bridge. The passage will be of much use to the residents of Chogitti, Ladhewali, Lamma Pind Chowk, Pathankot bypass and other adjoining areas, who would be able to cross over to the other side of the city in a much shorter period of time. Another good proposal is that all encroachments on the other side of the railway station would be removed to facilitate double-side entry, which again would benefit the residents on that side of the old city. |
Their embroidery work speaks for them
Jalandhar, February 10 Meet these differently abled girls from the local Red Cross School for the Deaf, who can neither speak nor hear. At the school they are learning the art of embroidery to make themselves self-sustained. Thanks to the recently started Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Extension Centre at the school, these girls have learnt the embroidery skills free-of-cost. The centre started on November 3 last year. The girls, who have developed a great liking for embroidery, have done beautiful needlework on handkerchiefs, tablecloths, pillow covers and bed-sheets. And within a short period of time these deaf girls, all hostellers aged above 14 years have become deft in embroidery. Talking to The Tribune, school principal Harwinder Kaur said contrary to her fears, the girls picked up embroidery fast. “At present these girls are learning embroidery and further they would be taught cutting and stitching. We provide them clothes, threads and frames for embroidery”, she said, adding that on completion of their one-year diploma they would get certificates from ITI. The principal made a special mention of Professor Lakhbir Singh from NGO Pahal, who played a major role in getting the ITI started at the school. The ITI Extension Centre is part of the Union Government-sponsored Skill Development Programme under the Community Development Centres through Polytechnics. “The local Mehr Chand Polytechnic is the nodal centre for this ITI”, said Lakhbir Singh. The embroidery classes are held everyday. While recently the best embroidery works were put on exhibition at MGN School; on World Red Cross Day and World Disabled Day at Red Cross Bhawan and in their own school too. Even the girls were ecstatic to show their embroidery works. Many showed their beautiful patterns and others were busy making embroidery. One of the deaf students, Manpreet Kaur expressed her joy with a beautiful embroidery work on pillow cover and cheerfully posed for a picture along with her friends. The principal specially mentioned the names of Anjali, Davinder and Manpreet for excelling in this field. “The primary aim behind this motive is to make these girls self-sufficient. And surprisingly the results are speaking volumes about their interest in embroidery,” the principal added. |
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Small traders seek VAT refund
Jalandhar, February 10 The small traders maintained that despite a formal decision by the Cabinet in this regard, no notification had been issued, which in turn was causing loss to them. The traders had been demanding the VAT refund for a long time and looking forward to an immediate action by the state government soon. Talking to mediapersons, president of the Small Traders Board D.P. Chandan said a two-member committee of the state Cabinet ministers, Tikshan Sud and Adesh Pratap Kairon, had submitted a report to the Cabinet about VAT refund in the state. “The issue of VAT refund has already been cleared by the state Cabinet, but in the absence of any notification, the process is yet to start,” he added. Chandan maintained that the board members would meet Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in a fortnight to discuss the matter and issues of concern. He said the board would urge the Deputy CM to take lump sum tax on the annual sale of Rs 25 lakh and above and waive off tax on sale up to Rs 5 lakh, which would bring relief to the small traders. Further talking about the need to reduce the prevalent 33 per cent tax on petrol and diesel in the state, Chandan said it should be brought at par with the neighbouring states. “The neighbouring states are paying 20 per cent tax on petrol and diesel, while we are forced to pay 33 per cent. This is burdening us and burning a hole in our pockets. It should be at par with the neighbouring states,” he urged the state government. Chandan also highlighted the need to implement the dual language system of Punjabi and English for filling tax and other trade-related forms. |
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Girl raped for a month, two held
Phagwara, February 10 Phagwara DSP Sandip Sharma while confirming the arrests of two accused said the girl has alleged that she was called by Balbir Kaur on December 17 last year for carrying out her job of DJ in marriages and other functions. But she was locked in a room and the two accused, Deepa and Rajiv, raped her. She also alleged that she was being raped for more than one and half month. She managed to escape from the room and lodged a complaint before Satnampura police on February 6. DSP Sharma said after medical examination of the girl, the police registered a case and succeeded to nab two accused. They would be produced before the Judicial Magistrate, Phagwara. |
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Young World
Jalandhar, February 10 Ladhar said mentally challenged children are an important part of the society and sincere efforts for their rehabilitation need to be made by people at large. Suvira Aggarwal, Principal, Prayas School, said the branch would do a lot of good for mentally challenged children residing in the far-flung areas. Saroj Ladhar, head, Hospital Welfare Section, was also present. Sports meet
The Computer Science and Engineering Department of the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology (DAVIET) lifted the overall trophy in the 10th annual athletic meet of the institute. While Vivek Tingloo of IT-fourth year and Rahul of mechanical engineering-Ist year were jointly declared the best athlete in the boys’ category. Hasmeet Kaur of electrical engineering was the best athlete among girls. Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Avinash Chander was the chief guest on this occasion while Arjuna awardee Baljeet Singh Saini was the guest of honour. Athletic meet
Lovely Professional University will hold its third annual athletic meet on February 12 and 13. More than 1,000 students will participate in the events, including races, long jump, high jump, javelin throw, discus throw and shot put. Inter-university position holders Manpreet Singh, Rahul Tyagi and Arshdeep Kaur will hold the torch and take the oath. There will be events like tug-of-war for staff members. There will be a 400-m walk for staff of the age more than 50 years. Placement drive
The Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya organised a campus placement during which 22 students bagged placements with HCL BPO. As many as 150 final year students from various departments participated in the drive. KMV toppers
Priya Sangar, a student of MSc third semester of KMV, has secured a second place in the Guru Nanak Dev University merit list. Alpa and Harinder, both students of MSc Physics first semester, bagged second and sixth position in the varsity, respectively. Spellathon contest
The first series of Super Spellathon was organised at the Mayor World School here yesterday. The contest was meant for students from Class III to V. The quiz included rounds of idioms, books and authors, kangaroo words, spell and tell, pronunciation, vocabulary, lateral thinking and crosswords. Students of the Dickens house stood first, Shakespeare second, Keats house third and Wordsworth house fourth. Visit to Harike
Phagwara: Students of the Science Department of Kamla Nehru College for Women were taken on a tour to the Harike wetland in Tarn Taran district. The students witnessed the rare varieties of migratory birds, which had come from different parts of Europe and north Asia. Highlighting the importance of wetlands, Dr Bina Sood, Head, Science Department, said during autumn, spring and winter, Harike Pattan turns a shelter for hundreds of species of birds migrating to and from central Asia and Siberia. |
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BJP Kisan Morcha to oppose seed Bill
Phagwara, February 10 He said if the Bill got passed in the Rajya Sabha, then the control on seeds of every crop would go into the hands of multinational companies. Sukhminderpal Singh Grewalsaid the amended Bill was presented in the Rajya Sabha recently and added that though the Congress-led UPA government was not in the majority in the Rajya Sabha, but it was trying to get the Bill passed. Grewal said the national unit of the morcha had organised an inter-state debate on the Bill on November 19 at Gurgaon in Haryana in which experts were also invited and the Bill was described as anti-farmers. Grewal threatened to launch a countrywide campaign to awaken the farmers and a large-scale agitation against the anti-farmers Bill. |
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Patwaris stage dharna
Jalandhar, February 10 A representative of the union, Kamal Sharma, stated that their demands included disposing of pending cases of “4-9-14”, making seniority list available, promotion of patwaris on vacant posts of kanugoes and issuance of identity cards to patwaris. |
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CT Half Marathon on March 6
Jalandhar, February 10 As many as 5,000 people from across the district are expected to participate in the half marathon which would be held from CT Group’s Shahpur Campus to Maqsudan Campus, covering a distance of 21 kilometres. The half marathon would include renowned sports personalities, students and the local people. The money raised from the marathon would be given to the local Apahaj Ashram, Pingalwara and Red Cross Society. While participants would get free T-shirts. A meeting in this regard was held at the campus, which was attended, by Olympian, Bahadur Singh Sagoo, Asian and Commonwealth games winner, Manjit Kaur and Mandeep Kaur. Even Fauja Singh, an octogenarian, who happens to be the oldest participant, in the event also attended the meeting. |
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No headway in Nakodar encounter case
Jalandhar, February 10 Though SSP Ashish Chaudhary claimed to have rounded up some suspects in this connection, he refused to comment saying, “it is too early to say something.” The SSP, however, said the police had launched a hunt to nab six to seven accomplices of dreaded criminals Dharminder Singh, alias Bhinda, and Jagrup Singh, alias Ruby, who were shot dead in the encounter. The other members of the gang are still absconding, he added. The gang was involved in contract killing, kidnapping, abduction, murder, land grabbing, dacoity, robbery, snatching and other crimes, the SSP claimed. Sources in the police revealed that the gang was also linked with the dreaded Topi gang. |
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Draw for 207 plots held
Kapurthala, February 10 As many as 1,166 applications were received. A list of applicants, who have got the plots, has been displayed
on the website www.jda.org.in of Jalandhar Development Authority. — TNS
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