Ludhiana, May 12
On Thursday when all nurses in the city’s hospitals and clinics are celebrating International Nurses Day, interns at the BL Memorial Kapoor Hospital staged a protest by blocking traffic at the old Sabzi Mandi Chowk in the afternoon. They demanded the suspension of a security guard who had allegedly manhandled an intern by catching hold of by her arm during duty hours, and also sought action against the college’s principal for “shielding” the intern.

Talking to The Tribune, the interns stated: "On Saturday night one of the interns came to the hospital for the night shift. On Sunday at 7 am when she went to drink water from a cooler, a security guard, Santosh Kumar, caught hold of her arm. The intern then brought the incident to the notice of the principal of the hospital’s nursing college, Nisha Mahajan. However, instead of taking her seriously Mahajan tried to hush up the matter saying ‘don’t complain against the hospital’s security personnel as you may face problems in getting married."

“The college officials helped Santosh to leave the hospital unhindered and didn’t inform the police. The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Wahegurupal Singh, also ignored the incident. We demand the security guard should apologize to the girl and be suspended immediately along with Mahajan, who tried to shield him”, the interns averred.

Refuting the accusations, Mahajan said: “I didn’t prevent the girl from complaining about the incident. On Monday she told me about it and I along with hostel warden Jasbeer Kaur went to meet our hospital’s legal advisor, BD Arora, and discussed the matter with him. He asked the girl to go ahead and file a complaint with the police after taking her brother into confidence." Meanwhile, Wahegurupal stated: “An FIR regarding the incident has been filed with the police. We have given the address and phone number of this security guard to the cops and didn’t help him to go freely from the hospital premises. Now the law will take its own course as we’ve already suspended the guard in question”.

The interns said they had been facing a lot of problems in meeting their friends and relatives in the hostel. Asked about this Majahan said: “We allow visitors to meet the girls in the hostel after calling up their parents and also keep visitors’ photos in our records." 

Ludhiana, May 12
Over hundred protesting nursing interns of the BL Kapoor Memorial Hospital formed a human chain outside the hospital near the Sabzi Mandi Chowk and blocked traffic for nearly two hours, leaving thousands of commuters stuck in the scorching heat on Thursday afternoon.

The protesters were demanding suspension of a security guard who had allegedly manhandled one of them by catching hold of by her arm during duty hours, and also sought action against the nursing college’s principal for “shielding” the intern.

Ludhiana, May 12
When Financial Commissioner (Development) Navreet Singh Kang took over as the acting Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) on May 3, the employees/ teaching staff heaved a sigh of relief that at least their monthly salaries will not be delayed as the Financial Commissioner (Development) would be aware of the financial position of the farm varsity.

However, more than 12 days have passed, but the PAU employees/teachers are still waiting for their salary cheques.

Sore at the "habitual" delay by the state government, PAU employees said the university authorities must make some internal arrangement to disburse the salary so that employees/teachers were not harassed unnecessarily. In the absence of salary, many teachers/ employees are finding it difficult to pay the monthly fees of their wards.

Jagraon, May 12
Beware of a few smartly dressed unknown women, who stops a car besides you and offer a lift. These women are not philanthropists but members of snatchers’ gang active in the city and its surrounding areas.

A middle-aged woman fell prey to these snatchers on Tuesday. They robbed Gurmail Kaur, a resident of Agwar Dala locality in Jagraon, of a gold chain worth Rs 50,000 near Government Science College on the Raikot road.

According to Gurmail Kaur, a woman offered her lift in a car while she was waiting for a bus at Raikot bus stop in Jagraon. “I was sitting in the bus stop when a young woman arrived there and sat alongside me. She first greeted me and then asked where was I going. When I told her that I was waiting for a Raikot-bound bus for visiting a relative, she told me that she, too, was going towards Raikot,” said Gurmail Kaur.

“She, then, made a call and told me that a few of her relatives are coming to pick her up. As soon as a white car reached, the woman offered me a lift. I simply accepted her offer and sat in the car,” she added.

The offer proved costly for Gurmail Kaur as after driving some distance, the women present in the car robbed her of the gold chain and some cash. They dropped her 2-kilometer away from science college located on the Raikot road.

Gurmail Kaur said there were two more besides the woman who had offered her lift. A turbaned man was driving the car. 

Ludhiana, May 12
Apart from a couple of trade associations, all others organisations staged a protest against the online filing of the information regarding intra-state trade transactions.

Members of all prominent trade associations participated in the protest and raised slogans at Vishkarma Chowk against the government’s “anti-industry” policies.

Terming it as a harsh condition, Badish K Jindal, co-convenor of the All Industries and Trade Forum, said the industry was already passing through a rough phase. “It cannot flourish and grow under the prevailing circumstances as the policies of the government are anti-industry,” he said.

He added that some officials from the department have given verbal assurance but nothing in written has been issued so far. "We will struggle till the notification is not revoked and the department issues it in writing," added Jindal.

Vinod K Thapar, president of the Knitwear Club, said the new notification would prove death knell for the small traders. "Those who do not have computer and other infrastructure at their place will now be required to purchase the same. The notification will be in practice from June 1 and apart from buying infrastructure they also have to get user name and passwords which in itself is a very cumbersome process," added he.

"Such notifications and raids prove the sick mentality of the department. Eighty-five per cent of the VAT assesses don't have computers and 95 per cent of the assesses don't have full time accountants and 98 per cent don't have internet,” said Narinder Bhamra, convener of the All Industries and Trade Forum. 

Ludhiana, May 12
Even as the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation was reprimanded by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for its failure to enforce rules on maintenance of hygiene in meat and chicken shops in the course of hearing of a contempt petition on May 10, the present situation, at least on the face of it, does not show any visible improvement as far as slaughtering or sale of meat and chicken is concerned.

Expressing his displeasure at the slack enforcement of the existing rules governing slaughter of animals and sale of non-vegetarian items in the city, the High Court not only directed the Principal Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, to take stern action against negligent and conniving officials of the MC, but also asked district health officer Dr Jagpal Singh Passi, who was present in the court, to form a committee of medical officers headed by himself to verify that meat and chicken were being slaughtered and sold in hygienic conditions.

Talking to The Tribune, Dr Passi said the conditions in which meat and chicken were sold in the city were pathetic to say the least. "Under the existing rules governing slaughtering of animals and birds, as also sale of meat and chicken, the MC is the regulatory and enforcement body which manages the slaughterhouse and also grants licences to meat and chicken shops. The role of the health department is limited to random checks and taking samples of non-vegetarian products under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, which we are carrying out.”

On constitution of a committee to verify claims made by MC officials in this respect as directed by the court, Dr Passi said a copy of the court orders was still awaited. "On receipt of the same, we shall take necessary steps as per the directions of the court,” he said.

Municipal officer of health Dr Charanjit Uppal, however, claimed that the field staff of the MC health branch was conducting regular checks of meat and chicken shops. The offenders were being challaned and non-vegetarian food items found unfit for human consumption were destroyed. In April only, the MC issued 109 challans and 658 kilogram of meat/chicken was destroyed,” he said. Maintaining that slaughterhouse with a capacity of 500 sheep/goats was functional in the city, Dr Uppal said the average number of animals slaughtered every day was around 100. The MC has framed more effective bylaws, which were still to be approved by the state government.

"The small number of sheep and goats slaughtered as per the existing MC rules in itself indicates that the mutton sold in the city with a population of 39-lakh plus came from animals slaughtered in violation of rules," asserted a restaurant owner while adding that the unhygienic conditions in which non-vegetarian items were sold in the city had to be seen to be believed.

Another regular buyer of mutton and poultry products alleged that most of the meat shops slaughtered sheep and goats within their premises in unhygienic surroundings. 

Ludhiana, May 12
There is more to it than meets the eye in the last minute cancellation of an interactive meeting and rally of the state leadership of the Congress with workers from four assembly segments in the city, which was scheduled to take place today.

Even though party leaders had cited the nomination of new office-bearers of the state and district units announced on the evening of May 10 as the reason for deferment of the meeting, party sources maintained that it was widespread resentment over the reconstituted state and district bodies among the party ranks, right from the cadres to the contenders for various posts, that had forced the leadership to call off the programme for the time being.

PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh, the sources claimed, was keeping tab on the mood of city-based party leaders and active workers through a few of his supporters. And once he received the feedback that certain sections were almost ready to raise a banner of revolt, he took no time to postpone the interactive session.

Even before the state and district unit of the Congress were reconstituted, at least 12 party councillors, at a meeting convened earlier this week, had vowed to oppose the candidature of a former legislator from a particular constituency. Those present in the meeting went to the extent of fielding a common independent candidate if the party leadership persisted with the candidature of the former MLA from this particular constituency.

Not only those aspiring for different posts in the party, both at the state and the district level, but a majority of party cadres were surprised, if not shocked at certain glaring omissions from the list of office-bearers.

“A few main Congress functionaries have been completely ignored while the leadership had focused only on the balancing act,” said a former president of District Congress Committee (DCC). Without being specific, the former DCC chief observed that the family of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, several former ministers, sitting legislators and others serving the organisation for several decades now, had not been found worthy of any post by the state leadership, which was unfortunate.

Ludhiana, May 12
Ecstasy, a dance studio, is holding a free workshop to create salsa magic in Ludhiana. Giving information regarding the workshop Gautam Sharma said salsa workshop had been especially crafted for those who simply could not commit to the usual four to eight week sessions offered at most studios.

The workshop will begin by breaking down the basic steps and individual turns for both leaders and followers. — TNS

Ludhiana, May 12
The family members of a cancer patient who has been suffering from throat cancer have appealed for finacial help. Karamjeet Kaur said,``My brother-in-law Harjinder Singh, who lives in Sunet village along with my sister Gurdeep Kaur has been suffering from cancer for one and half years. His disease has reached at an advanced stage. Earlier, he was getting treated at Bikaner. But later after not finding much improvement, his treatment began at Chandigarh. "

She further said, "My sister has two children. She has been running from pillar to post to make both ends meet. The weekly expenses of my brother-in-law’s medicine is more than Rs 20, 000, however, there is no other earning hand. We keep helping her in fulfilling her daily needs, but are unable to pay for the expenses of medicine. She appealed to the public in general to come forward and donate generously for her brother-in-laws' treatment. She said that any donor could contact them at 98762 91202.

Ludhiana, May 12
The Inclusive Education Volunteers’ Association staged a protest outside the mini-secretariat here today seeking permanent jobs a remuneration of Rs 10,000 per month.

Rajinder Syal, general secretary of the association, said they work at government primary schools in villages. A cluster is formed comprising different villages and one centre is formed.

“We teach at this centre where disabled students from different schools come to learn basic moral values of life.

“Although the volunteers are performing hard tasks and work from 8 am to 2.30 pm, we get a meagre Rs 2,500 per month,” he said. 

Ludhiana, May 12
Rodrigo Gallardo, agriculture and commercial counsellor of the embassy of Chile in India visited Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today.

He was received by additional director of communication Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman who explained him about the organisational set up and gave an overview of academic, research and technology transfer programmes of the university.

Gallardo said the government of Chile was interested to develop collaborative tie-ups with Indian universities and for this, the PAU had been considered as a potential institute. Chile universities have already entered into collaboration with three Indian institutes, including University of Chennai, Jawahar Lal Nehru University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, said Gallardo. 

Ludhiana, May 12
Dr Ajaypal Singh from the city is the only successful candidate, who secured 160th rank in Civil Services by opting Punjabi literature. Though about 38 more candidates had opted for the subject but none could make it to the list.

A resident of Vishal Nagar, Pakhowal Road, Ajaypal told The Tribune that it was his second attempt. "I am so happy to achieve my target. My parents have always stood by me in all circumstances. My mother has always been a pillar of strength", said Ajaypal.

A student from Arya Model School, Ajaypal also studied at BVM, Udham Singh Nagar for quite sometime. He did his BDS from B. J. S. Dental College here. On asking when he started thinking of trying his luck in the Civil Services examinations, Ajaypal said, "After my graduation ceremony, patients started coming to me for treatment. That time, I realised if pollution-free environment and hygienic conditions were provided to patients at primary levels, many problems could have been taken care of. I realised the importance of administration and the need to bring certain changes in the system. That time, I gave a serious thought on taking the Civil Services examination. And I am happy that I achieved success".

On asking whether he was sure of getting IAS, Ajaypal said if not an IAS, he was sure to get IPS. "It is too early to comment on the cadre I will be given. As far as posting is concerned, I have preferred Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh respectively".

Ajaypal said that coaching was helpful in the Civil Services exams, as it provided guidance still self-study played a vital role in shaping my personality. "I personally feel that originality pays you better than a borrowed viewpoint. One must be original in expression", he said adding that self-study for about 12 hours was a must to achieve success in these exams.

When asked whether such achievements motivated the younger generation, Ajaypal said, "My younger brother is doing MBBS at Patiala. Ever since he heard about my success, he has started preparing himself for the Civil Services exams as well".

Jagraon, May 12
A day long art workshop was held at Government College for Science and Research, Jagraon, today. A large number of paintings of renowned painter Jaskanwal Kaur were exhibited at the workshop.

The issue of environment pollution and need of preserving the environment was well depicted by the artist through her paintings. A large number of college students also participated in the workshop and displayed their work of art focusing on environment.

Addressing students on the occasion, Jaskanwal Kaur insisted upon the need of preserving our environment from pollution on a priority basis. She urged the students to do their bit and also motivate their friends and relatives to grow more and more trees in order to save the environment.

Speaking on the occasion, college director Jaswinder Singh assured that the tree plantation drive launched by the college some time back would continue in the future. He further added that it was the duty of each and every human being to protect the environment.

Prof. Rakesh Raman, Prof. Nidhi Mahajan and Prof. Sumedha Sayal also expressed their views. The winner students were awarded prizes by Jaswinder Singh.

Ludhiana, May 12
A keen tussle is on the cards as hosts Ludhiana take on Ropar in the fourth match of the league phase in the ongoing Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (U-16) for the ML Markan Trophy.

The match will be played at the Punjab Agricultural University campus ground on May 13 and 14. Ludhiana have played three matches against Chandigarh, Bathinda and Mohali and lost all of them on the basis of the first inning lead while Ropar have also met with the same fate in their last three encounters.

As both the sides are yet to taste their maiden victory in the current edition, an absorbing affair is expected during the next two days.