Return journey attracts passengers
On board Chandigarh-Amritsar Duranto Express, August 24
Just the idea of returning to their homes in Amritsar after completing their day's work, including different appointments, in the state capital caught the fancy of at least 50 passengers travelling by the first Duronto Express on its return journey from Chandigarh today.

Students of SR Government College take part in a function organised by Virsa Vihar to mark Janmashtami in Amritsar on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: Sameer Sehgal

Admn turns a blind eye to plight of Putlighar residents
Amritsar, August 23
Broken walls, stray cattle, Congress grass and missing gate at the main entry points, this is the plight of a park located at Nikka Singh Colony in Putligarh area. The old part of the city is in a state of neglect as the MC authorities have turned a blind eye.

Cattle grazing in the streets of Putlighar area in Amritsar. Tribune Photo: Sameer Sehgal

 

 

Chandigarh, August 24
Technical glitches at Sirhind junction and inauguration function at Amritsar delayed the non-stop Duronto Express train, by half- an- hour during its maiden journey from Amritsar that reached Chandigarh carrying 110 passengers at 10 a.m. here today. The train was scheduled to reach here by 9:30 a.m. and was to start its journey at 5: 25 a.m. but it started 10-15 minutes after the scheduled time from Amritsar due to the inauguration ceremony. Railway authorities said it remained stranded for 15-20 minutes at Sirhind due to technical glitches coupled by rail traffic on the track. Since the power direction is to be changed at Sirhind, it took more than the expected time to do the same. Once it was done, it took some time to clear the track to allow the Duronto Express to resume its journey towards Chandigarh. Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala Division, P.K. Sanghi said the delay was unavoidable as it was the first run of the train. “It is not unexpected for the maiden run of the trains to be delayed by 15 to 30 minutes. Even then it was able to make it in pretty good time. It was not a fiasco. We will ensure that there are no delays in future and passengers are able to enjoy the efficiency of a non-stop train,” he said. Defending the thin occupancy, the DRM said that since it was the very first run of the train, not many passengers could avail of the opportunity to travel by this train.

On board Chandigarh-Amritsar Duranto Express, August 24
Just the idea of returning to their homes in Amritsar after completing their day's work, including different appointments, in the state capital caught the fancy of at least 50 passengers travelling by the first Duronto Express on its return journey from Chandigarh today.

Vishal Thakur and Kulwinder Singh were two among a group of more than a dozen computer engineers who had come to the state capital in connection with interviews for their job.

“The train, scheduled for 7 pm, suited us perfectly because we could return on the same day more comfortably than travelling by a bus,” said Vishal Kumar, a resident of Amritsar.

Darshan Kaur, wife of a retired Army General, said, “I came to meet my grandson, who is staying in a hostel. One could also travel back home in a car, but the comfort provided by a train is matchless. And to cap it all, if it is a non-stop train then the pleasures of a train journey are doubled.”

Jyoti Kanwar, an Amritsar-based cloth dealer, said, “I was sitting with my business partner in Sector 22 when I heard about the Duronto having finally started after months of promises. I asked my driver to drive back to Amritsar alone as I boarded the train. It has been a wonderful experience and I will definitely plan my visits considering the Duronto schedule.”

Harjit Singh, a property dealer, said, “The Duronto was of a great help to a cross section of

professionals. In my own field, while coming from Amritsar the train was convenient because I could meet certain officials and friends without the pressure of driving through the maddening traffic.”

Vishal Mago, a fresh management graduate, had come to the city with his mother for an interview with a placement agency.

The occupancy was only 110 in the morning train, when it arrived in Chandigarh. While the reservation for the return journey of the train was negligible when the counters of the current booking opened at about 3 pm. The counters witnessed a human deluge half an hour before the departure. The train Superintendent confirmed presence of more than 150 passengers when the train started its return journey.

Maj (retd) Darshan Singh said, “I wish they could start the service on the pattern of the Shatabdi between New Delhi and Chandigarh with train service in the morning and evening.”

Most of the compartments showed a thin seat occupation, except the two air-conditioned coaches. Train Superintendent Ashwani Suri said there had been poor advance booking. However, certain passengers missed the train when the train started in the morning. Things would improve in the coming few days after the public became more aware.

Amritsar, August 24
In yet another incident, one more person becomes the victim of looters masquerading as auto-rickshaw drivers.

This time the victim was a student of Guru Nanak Dev University who hired the three-wheeler from the ISBT for the university late yesterday evening.

Akash Jaiswal (21), a resident of Dharamshala who is a first-year student of MBA at the university was brutally beaten up by the accused - four in number. They forcibly removed his clothes and left him in a nude state at a secluded place on Loharaka Road.

This is third incident reported in the city wherein an auto-rickshaw driver, along with his three associates, have looted the passengers and left them at a secluded place.

Akash Jaiswal, talking to this correspondent, said that three persons were already sitting in the auto-rickshaw hired by him.

“The accused driver turned the three-wheeler towards Loharaka road side, instead of going to the university road. When I objected to this, they took out sharp-edged weapons and threatened to kill me,” he revealed.

“Reaching at a secluded place on Loharaka road, they snatched my all the belongings, including the bag containing certificates and mark sheets as well as a purse with the ATM card and cash,” said Jaiswal.

“They forcibly removed my clothes and abandoned me near some vacant plots. From there I went a farm-house situated on the road and urged some labourers living there for help”, he added.

“They gave me some clothes to wear and from their mobile I called my father at Dharamshala who further called my friends Nishant Singh and Iqbal Singh and some known persons in the city,” Jaiswal said.

Iqbal Singh said, “After receiving the information, we immediately rushed to the spot as described by uncle. We narrated the whole incident to the Gumtala police chowki. Meanwhile, Akash along with his relatives also reached the police chowki and from there we came to the hospital where he is under treatment.” Akash sustained injuries on his head, arms, legs and at the back.

Earlier, the city police failed to register the case as there was confusion over the jurisdiction of the spot where the incident occurred.

Amritsar, August 24
The liquor vend owners have turned a blind eye to the repeated directions issued by the authorities about installing CCTV (close-circuit television) cameras on their outlets and also on the part of the authorities, these directions remained only on papers and no concrete efforts were ever made to implement them in their true letter and spirit.

These orders, otherwise had been announced to be applicable within 45 days, from October 12, last, could see only their renewal announcements on December 12 and August 23.

“It is just their tactics to pressurise us while their objective is just to mint money. Nothing more?”, was the casual reply when an enquiry was made by this correspondent at one of the liquor shops.

Nevertheless, the owners of the vendors had been directed to install CCTVs with a sufficient number of cameras and recording system to cover upto 50-metre area in front of their establishments. The idea, in general interest, was that it would help in having a close watch on the unscrupulous elements who generally have liquor vends as their favourite destination. Apart from this, it would help monitor anyone consuming liquor or facilitating consumption of liquor in an unauthorised manner.

Even as the contravention of these orders imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973, demand to be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, yet the authorities did not care to take cognizance of the violation of these orders and no case, till date, has been registered against the violators.

The orders further prohibited even those accompanying the baraat (marriage procession) to drink liquor on road.

Amritsar, August 24
Eight students, who had been sitting on a hunger strike outside the DAV College for the last many days here, were arrested by the Kotwali police and a case registered under Sections 107 and 151 of the IPC against them.

They were protesting against the college management for denying readmission to a student, Kanwalpreet Singh who had failed during the last session. He was seeking readmission to BA-I.

Those arrested are Karamveer Pannu, president, Punjab Progressive Students Union, Kanwalpreet Singh, Gaurav Joshi, Sahil Singh Bal, Sandeep Kaushal, Sohail, Hridyapal Singh and Tejinder Singh.

They were arrested at about 8 am by a police party, which was called by the college authorities.

Karamveer Pannu, while talking to The Tribune alleged that the students were peacefully sitting on a hunger strike when the policemen manhandled them and picked them up and put up in a room at the Kotwali police station.

“We were agitating against the college authorities for its alleged anti-student policies, such as unreasonable fee hike as compared to other colleges under Guru Nanak Dev University. Why Kanwalpreet Singh was not given admission while many other students who had also failed were given admission?” questioned Pannu.

He alleged that the college management and police administration’s action was clear-cut violation of their constitutional right to protest.

“The condition of one of our colleagues has deteriorated and we have now decided not to even drink water in protest,” claimed Pannu.

However, KN Kaul, Principal of the college, termed the charges as baseless and incorrect.

He said Kanwalpreet was refused admission as he used to create disturbances in the college last year and was involved in anti-college activities. That’s why the college management decided not to give him admission this year.

He said Kanwalpreet along with Pannu and other leaders of a political party requested the college authorities for his readmission.

They submitted a memorandum to the district administration, Vice-Chancellor and other authorities concerned in this connection and they were assured of putting forward their request to the discipline committee. However, even before the deadline expired, they launched the agitation and sat on a hunger strike.

“In order to maintain law and order, the district administration was requested to intervene. Using the magisterial powers they asked the agitators to shift their venue 100 m away from the college premises, which they refused to comply,” said Kaul.

Prithvi Raj, SHO, Kotwali police station, said the police booked the students as they were creating unnecessary disturbance in the college.

Amritsar, August 24
Punjab won the eighth National Yoga and Rope Yoga Championship, which concluded at Howrah (West Bengal) on August 21. Tamil Nadu was second, while New Delhi was third in the championship.

Punjab players won six gold, six silver and five bronze medals. The championship included still yoga, artistic yoga, rope yoga, and hoopla.

Vivek of DAV International School stood third in the 12-year age group.

Jahanvi and Sanjana of SL Bhawan School were second in the 8-12 year age group and in 12-15 year age group, respectively. Sakshi of S.L Bhawan School stood third in the 12-15 year age group in yoga. Rahul stood first in artistic yoga and Abhishek second in same event. Manpreet of BBK DAV College stood first in rope yoga.

Amritsar, August 24
Shatabadi Express got delayed by about half an hour today as one of its bogies developed a mechanical snag before its departure to Delhi. GP Singh, a railway official said the affected passengers were compensated either by making travel arrangements for them. — TNS

Amritsar, August 23
Members of the Physically Handicapped Association Punjab (PHAP) here today threatened to start an indefinite fast if their demands were not fulfilled within a month.

Expressing their solidarity with social activist Anna Hazare for rooting out corruption from the country, the association members also sat on a dharna near the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

A delegation of the association, led by its district president Harbhajan Singh Dhaliwal, submitted a 30-point charter of demands to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal through the Deputy Commissioner.

Dhaliwal, while talking to mediapersons, said their main demand included increase in the conveyance allowance of the handicapped government employees from Rs 450 to Rs 1000 in view of the rising inflation. He said the cycle rickshaws or the autorickshaw drivers had also raised the fares by two to three times in view of the rising inflation and the increase in the fuel cost.

The PHAP president demanded that pension being given to the physically challenged persons should be increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 and the condition of 40 per cent disability should be waived so that more and more handicapped persons could benefit from the scheme.

He said the government should reserve 3 per cent quota in the Public Distribution Shops (PDS) so that physically challenged persons could start their own ventures.

He said the government should waive the salary criteria while awarding scholarships to physically challenged students. He said the scholarship should be also be increased to Rs 1,500.

He demanded that the government should allow free travel facility to handicapped persons in government-run buses as was provided by other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Rajasthan.

Amritsar, August 24
Classical dances depicting various scenes from the life of Lord Krishna by students of Saroop Rani Government College under the aegis of Virsa Vihar marked the Janmashtami celebrations here last night.

Noted Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa and acclaimed artiste Phoola Rani were the guest of honour during the dance and music fest.

An alumnus of the college, Kajal Kakkar, enthralled the audience by singing a melodious bhajan, religious song in praise of Krishna. Kajal has participated in various national-level festivals.

Later classical dancers danced on many songs.

Addressing the gathering, Gurmeet Bawa said the students had done a great job by learning an art form which was not much popular among today’s generation.

According to her, the cultural festival was a treat to the eyes.

Amritsar, August 24
After students, it was now the turn of UGC research fellows associated with the GNDU, who have allegedly been refused hostel accommodation by the authorities. Terming it as a 'move under compulsion', the authorities stated that with the increase in the students rush from the current session, the university is facing an acute shortage of students' accommodation on the campus.

Nevertheless, the research fellows, around 12 in number, alleged that despite having a reserved hostel accommodation within the campus, as stipulated by the UGC, the authorities have put up M Tech students in their place while leaving them in lurch for finding accommodation outside the campus.

"We belong to neighbouring cities like Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran and Patti, and it is the norm for universities across the country set by the UGC to provide us with the hostel accommodation. Instead, the authorities here give two hoots to our problems. Now, we have been left with no option but to rent accommodation outside the campus which would make a big hole in our pockets," they said.

At the time of admission, it was clearly mentioned in the prospectus that in-campus accommodation would be provided during the period of their research project period. "The authorities have preferred M Tech students over us just for the reasons that the university do not want to lose the hefty fee, they charge from these students, whereas in our case the university seldom gets any money in lieu of," they alleged.

Denying the same, GNDU registrar Dr Inderjit Singh said, "There is no such UGC norm which establishes anybody's claim for reserved accommodation on the campus. Moreover, our priority is to accommodate new students keeping in view their age. These research fellows, who are on the post graduate level, also get house rent allowance between Rs 2,000 and 2,500. They can very well afford to accommodate themselves outside the campus.

Amritsar, August 23
Broken walls, stray cattle, Congress grass and missing gate at the main entry points, this is the plight of a park located at Nikka Singh Colony in Putligarh area. The old part of the city is in a state of neglect as the MC authorities have turned a blind eye.

Residents, led by area councillor Surinder Chaudhary, had been raising the demand from time to time for maintenance of the park but nothing has been done so far.

They also raised the demand before MP Navjot Singh Sidhu who had visited the site to lay the foundation stone of a tubewell in the park on September 13, 2007. The level of the park is much below the road level and the rain water accumulates here and the area is flooded even after a brief spell of heavy rain. There is heavy growth of Congress grass and the residents don’t allow their children to play in the park fearing skin allergies.

Even though the public health department had put a notice board warning the residents not to venture in or around the overhead water tank located in the park but on the other hand a gardener of the same department is residing there along with his family. He has also kept his cattle under the overhead tank structure.

The residents claimed that their area is being ignored by Municipal Corporation led by BJP Mayor Shwait Malik as the Putligarh area is represented by a Congress councillor.

MC Commissioner Dharampal Gupta said this has been brought to his notice for the first time and he would send a team of officials to inspect the condition of the park. He said immediate steps would be taken for its maintenance so that the people especially children could use the park.

Surinder Chaudhary said the people of the ward have been electing him for the last 20 years keeping in view the developments works being carried by him. He rued that not a single paisa has been awarded for development works in his ward. He rued that the Mayor doesn’t allow him to raise the development issues leave aside allotting funds for re-carpeting of the road and development funds. He claimed that Punjab government had approved Rs 30 lakh for the re-carpeting of a street after he had filed an application under the RTI Act. Sunder Sharma, a resident, claimed that the authorities concerned remove the congress grass whenever a political function is to be organized by the ruling party. He said that rain water remains in the park for days together no effort is being made by the officials concerned to drain out the water. He said the swings in the area, which were installed in the park for the children, have also gone missing in the absence of proper gates.