Amritsar, April 5
Even as the pollution level of the district has gone up, the parks and greenbelts, which work as the lungs of any city, have been infested with wild overgrown weeds, concrete waste and deep pits with broken paths.

Instead of people, stray animals can be seen roaming around and even garbage can be seen dumped there.

After taking a round of the main public parks and the smaller ones, which cater to the residents of the vicinity, it was found that the areas which come under the jurisdiction of the Improvement Trust were in most unhygienic and dilapidated condition while the ones handled by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation were found to be in reasonably good conditions.

It is to important to note that besides the four main parks of the city- Company Bagh, Sakatri Bagh, Rani ka Bagh and Gol Bagh, there are about 350 small parks located in different residential and commercial pockets of the holy city.

The AMC has formulated a public participation policy (PPP) wherein a mechanism has been conceptualised to involve the residents of the respective areas to maintain the green belts falling in their vicinity. On the other hand, the Improvement Trust, apparently, has not spared a thought yet, about this grave issue. Ironically, in Ranjit Avenue, the areas (Block A and B) falling under the AMC were found to be maintained whereas those (Block B, C and D) which comes under Improvement trust were crying for discrimination meted out to them.

Now come to New Amritsar, a communication stone installed in one of the community parks in the residential complex here speaks volumes about the couldn’t careless attitude

of the Improvement Trust, which had conceptualised the idea of developing the New Amritsar as a replica of city’s posh area Ranjit Avenue.

The message inscribed on a marble stone say, “340 acre Vikas Scheme de wich parkan di beautification de kamma da udghatan” (the inauguration of beautification of parks under 340-acre development scheme). This is the communication emblazoned on a marble stone installed in one of the community parks of the housing wings located in New Amritsar.

The irony is that since 2006 this stone has been standing amidst wild weeds and thick grass today. Same state of affairs was prevailing in the parks in almost all the wings of housing complexes. With wild Congress grass and wild weeds all around their homes, fear hovers around the minds of the residents about encountering with any ‘undesirable’ creature anytime.

Dejected by the authorities’ indifferent attitude, the residents have initiated to clean up the area falling around their houses.

“We had thought that this place would be better to live with lots of facilities but we have been handed over a bunch of problems. Vacant plots have got such huge bushes and parks are messy with garbage. The park near my house is full of garbage and no one is bothered to get it cleaned,” told the residents.

Amidst deliberation over such a severe issue, there is a park located in the vicinity of Ranjit Avenue itself. Known as ‘Guru Arjun Dev Park’ (in picture), it is the prized possession of residents of B-Block (House Nos 292 to 311).

The curiosity ended when the residents disclosed that their area has been transferred to the AMC. Under the PPP scheme, the AMC has provided them with a gardener, whereas the residents have engaged an additional hand on their own for the keep-up of this park.

This park boasts of variety of fauna. Ram Dev, the gardener told us about different varieties of rose, gainda, sunflower, dalia, gulashrafi, guldaudi and not to forget the beautifully grown palm trees on its periphery offer exquisite ambience. Special gates were installed on the entry points of the park to prevent the stray dogs and animals to enter it.

The residents have even named their association after this park. IS Cheema, secretary of the association told that 10 years back it was a chunk of land with wild overgrown weeds with broken swings. “At one time, people used to afraid of entering into it for fear of encountering with some foreign creature.

It was then that a group of people joined hands and collected funds to transform it into a proper park. We engaged an extra hand besides the regular garderner provided to us by the AMC. We collect Rs 100 from every household of the area and arranged for supporting infrastructure like water pipes, sprinklers and other equipments to prune and grow the seeds of different varieties of plants etc. Now it happens to be the most sought-after place for us to refresh from humdrums of life”, said Cheema. 

An MC building lies locked owing to the strike by the Joint Sangharsh Committee in Amritsar on Tuesday. A Tribune photo

Amritsar, April 5
The dissent by the contractual employees of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (AMC), which got diverted from their usual demands to the police cases registered against them by the office of the Mayor, today gave a major setback to the corporation’s work.

Despite getting an invitation from the AMC Commissioner, the agitating staff chose to observe the closedown strike till the withdrawal of the cases registered against their colleagues on March 28 for creating alleged ruckus in the AMC premises and attempting to hurt Mayor Shwet Malik.

Nevertheless, the general public had to face inconvenience with the shutting down of the branches of the workshop, the Town Hall, birth and death certification office and 16 zonal offices.

This move resulted in complete closure of refuse disposal.

It has been learnt that the tubewell wing was not disturbed and the MTP office too was unlocked after some hours.

The joint sangharsh committee (JSC), comprising about three AMC workers’ unions, had delivered a clarion call for closure of AMC branches from 5 am till 5 pm, while demanding unconditional withdrawal of the police cases registered against 11 contractual workers under Sections 307, 186, 353, 342 and 149 of the IPC.

Citing these cases as frivolous, the JSC also demanded the release of two AMC workers-Varinder Singh and Mandeep Singh, who were behind bars after the police obtained their 16-day judicial remand.

Jarmanjit Singh Batth, member, JSC, said, “Though we had received the invitation for meeting with the Commissioner, tomorrow, yet we unanimously decided to observe our decision of closure call. Barring a few, all the branches of the AMC did not operate today and we would observe our protest on the same pattern tomorrow too in spite of the fact that our 15-member team would meet the Commissioner tomorrow over the issue”, he said. Meanwhile, the AMC workers demanded that those who have been working on contract basis should be regularized as per the already chalked out resolution. 

Amritsar, April 5
After making a mark in the Punjabi film industry with movies like ‘Mel Karade Rabba’, ‘Tera Mera Ki Rishta’, the duo of director Navaniat Singh and actor Jimmy Shergill is back with their next release, ‘Dharti’, which will hit the theatres this month.

The film boasts of Hindi film actors like veteran Prem Chopra and Rahul Dev, while Surveen Chawla and Japji Khaira are playing female leads. Jimmy and Surveen were in the city on Saturday to promote their film. 

Talking to the mediapersons, Jimmy said it is a big-budget film which connects to the soil of Punjab and its political culture. He opined that the acceptability of Punjabi films is increasing with the passage of time and the promos of “Dharti” on various TV channels are a testimony to the fact. On the presence of Hindi film actors in the movie, he said it was wonderful sharing the silver screen with Chopra who has been doing a Punjabi film after a long hiatus. On his stint in Hindi movies, he said he has been quite choosy in doing the films these days. “It is a deliberate choice to do only two or three Hindi films and one Punjabi film in a year,” he said. His next Hindi release would be “Sahib, Bibi aur Gangster”. For TV actor and model Surveen, this is her first Punjabi film. “After working in the South, it has been a refreshing experience to be a part of a Punjabi film,” she said, adding that she was open to doing more Punjabi movies. She is essaying the role of a modern girl, Baani, in ‘Dharti’.

Amritsar, April 5
Spreading awareness on glaucoma, which is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness in the world, district health authorities observed a fortnight wherein a number of programmes were organised in collaboration with District Blindness Control Society at Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital here.

Shallu, eye specialist at the civil hospital, revealed that glaucoma gradually decreases vision without any significant signs and symptoms till most of the vision is lost before the condition is diagnosed.

“It is estimated that worldwide approximately six million people lost their vision due to glaucoma and it is the foremost cause of irreversible blindness,” she said while adding that a number of programmes were held to create awareness regarding glaucoma, its prevention, screening and management.

Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Arjun Dhawan gave a lecture to ANM and LHV for rural and urban areas of the district regarding screening of glaucoma patients among general population and stressed upon the need for regular eye examinations for early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.

Among others who were present include Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr HS Ghai, Senior Medical Officer, Dr BS Kakkar and Dr Chandermohan.

Amritsar, April 5
The Chheharta police registered a case against Suresh Kumar, resident of Main Bazaar, for misbehaving and obstructing a government official from discharging his duty on March 29.

The case was registered on the complaint of Assistant Environment Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Vijay Kumar.

The complainant said he along with other officials of his department had conducted the raid at the shop of Suresh.

“During the raid it was found that Suresh was violating pollution norms by colouring and dying dupattas which caused pollution in the residential area”, he said.

The complainant said as soon as he forwarded the list of violations to Suresh to have his signature he abused and misbehaved with him. He alleged in the FIR that “Suresh misbehaved with him and ran away from the place after snatching the papers”.

Acting upon a complaint from councillor of ward 65 Raman Bakshi, the complainant said he raided the premises of Suresh.

Earlier, one Balwinder Singh of Chheharta had registered a case against Suresh for hurting religious sentiments at the same police station.

Amritsar, April 5
Even as the chronic diseases, though preventable, are the major cause of mortality and disability worldwide as well as in India, the majority of resources are being used for fighting communicable and infectious diseases such as AIDS, TB, malaria etc and acute care during epidemics and disasters.

According to WHO study, inadequate efforts are being made by the developing countries in combating NCCDs and there is an urgent need to spread awareness regarding best practices available in preventing, managing and curing these diseases.

This was revealed by Dr Ratna Devi, Chief Executive Officer, Chronic Care Foundation (CCF) who was speaking during the round table sensitising programme on identifying the disease burden, risk factors and prevention of NCDs among the aging Indian population, young adults and women through penal discussion and options.

The programme was organised by Fortis Escorts Hospital in collaboration with CCF and Impact Senior Living Estates here.

Dr Ratna revealed that as per the data available with the foundation about 60 per cent deaths occurred due to chronic diseases all over the world while NCDs were responsible for 53 per cent deaths in India where there are over 60 million coronary heart patients and about 57 million people are suffering from diabetes. Within a span of 14 years the prevenlence of diabetes increased by 72.3 per cent in the country and the number is increasing at very alarming rate, she cautioned.

“According to WHO statistics in India mortality from diabetes and heart disease cost about $ 210 billion annually which is expected to increase to $ 335 billion in next decade,” said Dr Ratna while adding that CCF strives to raise awareness at community level, build capacities of providers and advocates for provision of resources at the national and state level. The discussion is a step towards this mission.

Various experts speaking on the occasion stressed on the need for a multi-sectoral approach in order to fight the increasing number of NCD cases in the country.

Dr H P Singh, medical superintendent, Fortis Hospital speaking on vulnerability of senior citizens pointed out that elderly patients need a broad based, inter-disciplinary approach to managing their health. Their problems are more often multi-dimensional - biological, social, emotional, psychological and financial. If tackled by the medical fraternity alone, it touches only the tip of the iceberg. Geriatric care requires integration of medicine with community management, he added.

He said the main aim of geriatric care is to reduce or postpone the onset of age-related illness so that an elderly person suffers ill health only for a short period before death and is able to lead a healthy life.

Prateem Tamboli, director of the hospital, said the percentage of senior citizens is 8 per cent at present and is expected to go up to 25 per cent by the year 2050.

Amritsar, April 5
Guru Nanak Dev University yesterday organised a number of events like slogan-writing competition, plantation drive, shramdan camp and cleaning drive as a part of the National Environmental Awareness Campaign (NEAC)-2011 here under the aegis of its Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences.

The programme was sponsored by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST), Chandigarh, and was founded by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The chief guest of the function was Prof A.S. Ahluwalia, Dean, Faculty of Sciences, and Chairman, Department of Environmental Science, Punjab University, Chandigarh.

Dr Ahluwalia and Dr Sushma Kaul gave away prizes to the winners. Dr Saroj Arora, Head of the Department, welcomed and introduced the guests to the audience. The programme was coordinated by Dr Adarsh Pal Vig and Dr Jatinder Kaur. Stage was conducted by faculty adviser Dr Satwinderjeet Kaur.

The judgement of the slogan competition was made by Dr Sushma Kaul, Scientist-F and Head, Biodiversity in Applied Botany Division, IIIM, Jammu.

Dr Saroj Arora said in the slogan writing competition Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D scholar, won the first prize, while Harpreet Kaur of M.Sc (Hons School) Botany stood second and third prize went to Sartaj Ahmed Bhat, M.Phil (Environment Sciences) student of the host department.

The plantation drive was launched in the Botanical Garden of the department by planting saplings individually by Prof A.S. Ahluwalia and Dr Sushma Kaul. Prof A.K. Thukral, Prof G.S. Virk, Prof Avinash Nagpal, Prof Renu Bhardwaj, Dr A.S. Soodan, Rajinder Kaur, M.S. Bhatti, Bhupinder Pal Singh, Dr Rajbir Singh, research scholars, students, non-teaching and gardener staff of the department also participated in the plantation programme.