Ludhiana, September 15
Weather experts have predicted moderate to heavy rain in the region in the next 24 hours. Though weather is expected to be partially clear on September 17, rain is expected again from September 20 to 25.

Following heavy rain today, the maximum temperature in the city dipped to 27.8 degrees Celsius against the normal 33 degrees.

Giving details about the prevailing weather conditions, Dr KK Gill, agro-meteorologist at Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), said that the rains were definitely not favourable. In the next 24 hours, more rainfall is expected in the region. "These are monsoon showers and we expect the withdrawal of monsoon a little later. Since morning, 30mm of rainfall had been recorded in the city,” said Dr Gill.

The weather expert added that in September 2010, a total of 127mm of rainfall was recorded while till date (September 15), 114mm of rain has been recorded. Dr Gill said earlier trends show that withdrawal of monsoons was almost over by September 15 but this time, the withdrawal part has yet not started. "There is a delay in withdrawal of monsoons in Punjab. Due to this, September has come out to be the most humid month. Today, the Relative Humidity is 98 per cent while normal humidity levels are about 72 per cent,” said Dr Gill. The PAU experts have also warned that the present rains were not good for all the crops.

Ludhiana, September 15
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation seems to be in the grip of rain phobia these days. Various ongoing development projects in the city are hanging fire due to rainfall, which is taking place in city for past few weeks.

MC officiating commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi says that it is due to rain that they are not able to do any work, which is related to construction or re-carpeting of roads, and any other projects.

Today, the MC had planned to re-carpet the Gill Road as well as laying of a new road on Partap Chowk flyover. But both these plans were dashed out after it started raining early today morning.

The MC had set a deadline for starting the Partap Chowk flyover from September 20 and rainfall seem to prove costly for the civic body.

“It has been raining almost daily. It didn’t rain on Tuesday and yesterday, that is why, we were expecting a clear sunny day today. All concerned officials were asked to complete re-carpeting of the Gill road and laying of road on top of Partap Chowk flyover. Unfortunately, it started raining today and that is why, these plans have to be cancelled at the last minute,” said Jaggi.

He claimed that regarding the Partap Chowk flyover, the civic body has completed all the other construction works, on which rain does not have any impact. “If we get a couple of clear days, we can complete the project as well as re-carpeting of Gill road. But we are helpless in front of mother, nature and its fury,” said Malwinder Singh Jaggi.

Earlier, the completion of up ramp and down ramp of Partap Chowk flyover had delayed due to rain and it even missed the deadline of September 3. “Had we stuck to the deadline and constructed the road, it would have worn out soon and people would have complained,” Jaggi had said earlier.

The MC officiating commissioner also claimed that despite such weather, the road on top of public under pass (PUP) would be thrown open for public on October 5.

Ludhiana, September 15
The continuous rain that started this morning may prove harmful to the paddy crop. This is the time when farmers are all gearedup to start harvesting their crop from the first week of October. But rain can prove harmful not only to the paddy but also to other vegetable crops like cauliflower, brinjal, raddish and spinach, say farmers.

Avtar Singh Mehlon, president BKU Ludhiana said there was a heavy rainfall since morning. If the weather remained bright, farmers could easily start harvesting paddy from the end of September. But now, first week of October was the preferred time to start with the harvesting process.

“These rains were harmful for the standing paddy crop. If accompanied with fast winds, the crop will fall flat and there will be huge loss. There were also chances of aphid insect attack. Besides, the grain (rice) will be discoloured and FCI may simply reject the produce. The farmers have crossed their fingers for bright days ahead,” said Avtar.

Ludhiana, September 15
The craze for going abroad is resulting in people making a beeline to institutes coaching for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

The institutes engaged in preparing students are minting big money, as for three-month courses they are charging at least Rs 5,000 from each student.

Many institutes have sprung up in the city during the past couple of years. Hoardings, posters with letters IELTS can be seen across the city.

A parking lot outside an IELTS institute in Sarabha Nagar remains full. "A majority of the people are students going abroad on student visa. A fraction are professionals who wish to get settled and need to qualify the test. Students coming from rural background are in abundance and their numbers have risen over the years," says a teacher at the institute.

But many elderly people, who have to go and settle with the younger generations also learn English from them, reveals Prithpal Singh, from an English teaching institute in Model Town.

Many institutes started as an extension of immigration firms. "We started as an immigration firm. But because of the queries about IELTS institutes, we started with our own coaching centre. So it works both ways for us. Those preparing for the IELTS with us choose us as immigration consultants too. And we provide IELTS coaching to our immigration clients," says a propreiter of another institute in Model Town.

Satbir Singh from Raikot has been in the city for the past five months. "I want to go to Canada. I secured 6 bands, but I need 6.5 to go to the country. So I am now working hard at it," he says. He says many like him have barely cleared English examination in school. So they have to join institutes to learn English. "So whether or not I finally go to Canada, preparing for the test has improved my language to some extent," he says. 

A majority of the people are students going abroad on student visa. A fraction are professionals who wish to get settled and need to qualify the test. Students coming from rural background are in abundance and their numbers have risen over the years. Many elderly people, who have to go and settle with the younger generations, also learn English

Ludhiana, September 15
Paying back for a favour landed an information technology (IT) student in police net, who was caught for peddling 2 kg of opium from Uttar Pradesh.

In police custody, he lamented his decision of repaying the favour of a village resident, who had paid his college fees.

The accused, identified as Arvinder Singh, a resident of the Chabbal area of Tarn Taran district, was caught by a CIA sleuth from railway station platform here yesterday.

Inspector Harbans Singh, in charge of the CIA unit of the GRP, said Arvinder was found roaming on the railway station under suspicious circumstances.

On frisking the bag, the cops found 2 kg of opium. During questioning, Arvinder cracked and told the police that he was pursuing his second semester of BSc (IT) from Punjab InfoTech college, Tarn Taran.

He agreed for the peddling of the contraband after the resident of the village assured Arvinder of paying the latter’s semester fees of Rs 9,700.

Ludhiana, September 15
If the lackadaisical approach of the police led to the escape of the highway robbers, the role of bank authorities was no less callous. A day after robbers fled with Rs 20 lakh by waylaying employees of Garg Acrylic at gunpoint from the Kanganwal road, the city police today recreated the crime scene and visited the bank for gathering clues about the robbers.

The investigating officer was sure that the robbery was well planned and robbers might have been following the victims’ vehicle from the bank itself.

The cops were hoping that the close circuit television (CCTVs) cameras installed in the bank might have got the footage of the suspects, but they were shocked to know that the CCTVs installed in the bank were not functional.

“Our sales have started dropping now. Every time the prices go up, our investment for every tank-load increases, while the margin remains the same. — Harish Garg, manager at a petrol station

It’s getting difficult everyday. Most of my pocket money goes into getting the petrol filled. The only way left is to reduce the use of vehicles now. — Ishant Dhawan, a student

The way prices are rising arbitrarily is ludicrous. Even if prices rise, there has to be a marginal hike, it must be done periodically after a fixed duration. At least, people have some reassurance that for some time the prices are going to be stable and can plan their budgets and expenses accordingly.— Kamalpreet Singh, a student

Survival of the common man is getting extremely difficult because of this senseless increase. — Kamal Sharma, working with a private company

Ludhiana, September 15
Charging the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) with short-changing the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots with respect to allotment of residential flats to them as per a Cabinet decision of 1992, the Ludhiana Sikh Migrants Welfare Board today alleged that even a direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had failed to move the GLADA authorities into action.

Addressing a news conference here after a meeting of the executive committee, chairman of the board Kartar Singh Patna said justice had eluded the riot affected families even after the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued orders to allot residential flats to all eligible riot victims who had submitted applications till the year 2000 with the district authorities. This process ought to have been completed by October 15, 2010.

However, the GLADA authorities had made allotment of MIG and LIG flats to just 611 applicants out of a total of 1,632 valid applications. Here too, 245 applicants, who had opted for MIG flats, were allotted LIG or EWS flats in a highhanded manner, which forced some of them to seek relief once again from the High Court.

Patna said the court again directed the GLADA authorities through its orders on May 13, 2011, to provide residential flats of their choice to the petitioners within a period of four months. However, no further action has been taken by GLADA to carry out these directions. On one side, the GLADA authorities are misleading the High Court and on the other, certain officials are colluding with property dealers and self styled leaders of riot victims in forcibly occupying hundreds of government flats which rightfully belong to the riot affected families.

The board, he maintained, intended to file a contempt petition against GLADA for failure to carry out the directions of the High Court so as to seek justice for the riot victims and take this issue to its logical conclusion. Patna also indicated of taking a legal recourse against refusal of the GLADA and district authorities to make new red cards of eligible riot affected families or issue duplicate red cards for those who had lost their cards.

Ludhiana, September 15
The board of directors of Ludhiana City Bus Service Limited has decided to write a letter to the Union Ministry of Urban Development asking if buses with “master slave” multiplex wiring were to be purchased.

Mohinder Pal Gupta, CEO, Ludhiana City Bus Service Limited, said a meeting in this regard was held on Wednesday and it was decided that the matter should be brought to the notice of Ministry of Urban Development for approval.

The MC officials had conducted the survey of 40 low-floor buses non-AC buses at Tata company’s factory in Lucknow last month. The company is offering “master slave” type of multiplex wiring in their buses, while the one recommended by the Ministry of Urban Development is “master master”.

MC officials had asked the company to address the issue. To which the company had replied that there was hardly any difference between Master Slave and Master Master. But technical experts of the MC had expressed displeasure over the reply and the matter was kept before the board of directors.

The company is to deliver 40 low-floor non-AC buses by September 24 and a contract in this regard was signed in May. The company officials have quoted a price of Rs 48 lakh per bus.

Mohinder Pal Gupta said the letter to the Ministry of Urban Development would be sent tomorrow. “To speed up the process, the letter would be sent by hand so that we can get a reply soon. Now, the ministry would take the final call on the issue,” Gupta added.

Jagraon, September 15
Despite the government issuing instructions to the health department and police officials of all districts to check the menace of quackery, nothing concrete has been done so far.

Most of the people, who fall prey to such quacks are villagers and a majority of them are uneducated.

There are a large number of quacks who are operating makeshift ‘clinics’ in various areas of the town. The hoardings put on by these quacks outside their shops claim to treat almost every disease, including orthopaedic diseases, dentistry, masculinity weakness, skin ailments and many others.

One can easily see these quacks operating from their makeshift clinics in each and every corner of the town and treating patients suffering from different ailments without any fear of action by the officials.

According to health experts, apart from the department’s inaction, reasons behind people preferring these quacks over qualified doctors for treatment is lesser money charged by these quacks. Besides, people prefer to go to quacks for quick relief and avoid any major surgery.

“A large number of people have still an age-old belief that the quacks are better than a qualified doctor. Moreover, these people claim that the treatment received from a quack gives quick relief as compared to doctors, whose treatment is quite complex and the patient need much more time to recover,” said Dr Ajay Bansal, an orthopaedic expert.

Besides, patients with masculinity weakness also prefer to visit these quacks to avoid embarrassment as they hesitate to share their problem with qualified doctors.

Dr Rajinder Sharma, “The propaganda of these quacks is so impressive that innocent customers, especially villagers and uneducated people, are easily hooked towards the quacks. When contacted, Dr Rupinder Kaur Kakkar, SMO, Civil Hospital, Jagraon, said, “We have launched drives to check these quacks. We keep on conducting checks at regular intervals and whenever we get any complaint, action is taken against the quack.”

Ludhiana, September 15
The management of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) today announced the launching of "Operation Walk 2012" for conducting free hip and knee replacements for the poor patients. This follows the success of "Operation Walk 2011" in which 59 free joint replacements were carried out in January this year.

This special charitable activity would be carried out by the faculty of the department of orthopaedics, in association with a team from Operation Walk, Maryland, USA.

DMCH managing society secretary Prem Gupta said the overwhelming success of the activity last year had inspired the institute to continue the programme to provide the poor patients with world class surgery. All patients, operated under “Operation Walk 2011”, had shown remarkable improvement and many of them had now returned to their jobs following successful surgery. "This year we are planning to increase the number of cases to be operated on," he said.

Screening camps to select patients for the event would be held in the DMCH on September 18 and September 25 in the outpatient department of orthopaedics from 10 am to 1 pm. Only those patients with disabling arthritis who are poor and cannot afford surgery, would be considered for free surgery. The hospital will also organise these camps with the help of other charitable organisations in various parts of the state. 

Ludhiana, September 15
The Punjab Mulazam Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, staged a protest against the Punjab government at the Mini Secretariat here.

The agitating workers said they would go on a hunger strike if their demands were not met.

The employees said the government was not paying heed to their pending demands. They said health workers, teachers and electricity board employees were being “exploited” by the state government.

The employees handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

Mullanpur Dakha, September 15
Accusing higher officials in the Punjab Mandi Board, including its chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, of ignoring their genuine demands, activists of the Galla Mazdoor Union have threatened to intensify their stir in case their demands were not met.

The union members staged a protest dharna at the market committee’s office here yesterday. Tara Chand and Soni, president and vice-president, respectively, led the protestors.

The protestors alleged that the government had been exploiting them by paying a meager amount of Rs 5.33 for handling and processing of one bag of paddy. This included de-loading of the produce from farmer’s trolley, cleaning with electric fan, packing bags and then reloading.

The workers are also held responsible for any shortage due to delay in lifting of purchased produce.

The union demanded Rs 11 per bag as minimum remuneration for their job.

Ludhiana, September 15
She’s the mistress of spices. She finds cooking, baking and kneading flour almost akin to meditation. The very physicality of these culinary skills keeps Rijuta Jain, the proprietress of Rishika's Sweet Temptations, grounded.

"All through my college years, I had known it almost instinctively that if I ever started any business on my own it had to be related to my passion for cooking," she says. Initially, she started making premixes for her parents, children and friends, who relished her delectable repasts. They suggested that she could start a commercial bakery. The suggestion struck the right chord.

She named her venture as 'Rishika's Sweet Temptations'. Rishika is her daughter and the bakery venture was a mother's gift to her daughter.

It was as if Rijuta's long-cherished dream was finding its fulfillment.

The first few months had some bitter-sweet experiences for her. Customers would find it difficult to accept that a woman was 'manning' the counter. They would try to figure out whether she was a saleswoman. Some would try to act fresh and enjoy her discomfiture.

It hurt her, she says. "But soon I learnt that it's difficult for a man to accept that a woman can make it on her own. So, I decided to take it all in my stride," she tells us.

Yet, being a woman has its advantages, she says. "Usually, women go by their instincts and their instincts are invariably sound. This works well for the success of any business."

In her wish-list is a seven-star restaurant for vegetarians. "Much of what I had visualized still remains confined to my mind. It has yet to take shape. But I know hard work never goes waste," she says. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh/ Mullanpur Dakha, September 15
Even as the SGPC elections are nearing, only 50 per cent of the licenced arms have been deposited so far.

Even if the police combs the region for collecting arms, those visiting polling booths on Sunday cannot feel safe as a large number of residents, including supporter of various candidates might be carrying illegal weapons.

Though the police, on instruction of the Gurdwara Commission, had asked residents of the area to deposit their licensed arms within a stipulated period after announcement of the SGPC poll over a month ago, a majority of the holders were yet to ‘oblige’ the authorities.

Sources in the administration revealed that more than 50 per cent of the holders were yet to deposit their arms at their nearest police station.

The Dakha segment, which is known for law abiding residents, if taken as indicator, percentage of deposited arms is much less than 50 per cent. Only 223 out of the total 537 licenced arms have been deposited at the police station so far.

The police could not complete the exercise on time, as a majority of licensed arms were owned by influential persons.

To make things more complicated for the administration, some influential persons had procured arms licences on the basis of fake addresses in other districts. It is difficult for the police to identify such residents due to lack of information.

Records showed that the number of illegal weapons imported from other states, including UP and Bihar, was not negligible. Suspects booked under various Sections of law in the past were found to be having illegal weapons. Two such weapons were recovered from miscreants who were nabbed during recent Kamalpura operation.

Residents urged the authorities to cancel licences of those who had not deposited their arms so far.

Mandi Ahmedgarh,  September 15
Despite efforts being made by a few organisations to check distribution of liquor, drugs and narcotics during the SGPC elections, candidates and supporters are all out to appease voters through the ‘shortest’ route.

What to talk of wooing individual voters, in-charges of election campaign for various offices of candidates are demanding separate and sufficient funds for buying intoxicants and drugs.

There are other campaigners who preferred to demand supply of ‘materials’ at their offices established for the purpose.

Denying the allegations regarding use of liquor, drugs and narcotics in their campaign, candidates irrespective of their political allegiance, maintained that they had appealed to their supporters not to indulge in any unethical practice, including wooing voters with money or liquor.

Efforts and appeals by certain organisations, including one led by Supreme Court advocate HS Phoolka, seemed to have had a little effect in this part of Malwa known for high consumption of drugs and narcotics.

Contrary to claims made by the crusader on network of volunteers none was noticed keeping an eye on these activities of candidates and their supporters. Office-bearers and activists of Sikh religious organisations of the region, were not approached by any of the organisations for seeking support in crusade launched against the malpractice.

Jagdev Singh Ghaloti, an office-bearer of the local unit of Sukhmani Sewa Society, said it was difficult to check somebody unless one had some authority from the Gurdwara Commission or Election Commission. “Though we strongly condemn use of liquor and drugs during campaigning, we can do nothing except appealing to supporters and voters to shun the tendency,” said Ghaloti. He added that his organisation had not received any communication on the issue from any of the organisations.

Doraha,September 15
Life is a real struggle for Ramandeep, a BA-I student of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha. Being physically challenged, she is not  able to walk, speak or write properly.

But Raman is in no way less than many of her classmates in understanding the concepts, grasping and putting them in her own words. “Only if fate had been kind enough to give me the ability to speak or write properly, I could have been at the top of the world,” said Raman.

It is this disability that makes her pessimistic at times although she is confident enough of standing on her own feet and carving a niche for her family and herself as any other student of her age.

“She suffered from a physical ailment since she was nine months old and we have been moving from one hospital to another to see her back to normal life. Doctors say that it will take time. There are chances that she may never be completely cured. Apart from her distorted physical movements, she has also been suffering from epilepsy since her childhood. Her lower jawbones have become protruded and she also underwent a dental surgery,” said Raman’s father. She is always with a book in her hand, reading, learning and doing her college work, he added.

Raman studied at GN Model School just like other normal children, but was able to secure much more than her normal counterparts. She scored 64 per cent in class X and 72 per cent in class XII. Then she took admission in BA-I at GNN College in 2010 but was not able to pass. The acuteness of her problem is that Raman cannot engage a writer that the university provides as she cannot speak properly. She cannot write with normal speed, as her hands are not in a normal state. She could not complete her exams on time and she failed in BA I. Still, she did not lose heart and again took admission in the same class. Although her teachers give her regular writing practice and try to solve her problems personally, she wishes to entreat upon the university to give her extra time to finish her exams so that the same problem does not rescur.

“If I get at least half an hour extra, I shall make it,” said enthusiastic Raman. I want to be a teacher. The doctor says if my dental surgery is successful, I would be able to speak clearly. I know God has sent me into this world with a purpose. I am positively hopeful of everything in future.”

Khamano, September 15
Two persons were killed and another one was injured in a road accident on Ludhiana-Chandigarh road near Khant village, last night. According to information a man and his wife were killed while another person was injured when a speeding truck hit them near Khant bus stand.

Sources said the truck was coming from Chandigarh at high speed and its driver lost control. The truck hit a motorcycle and a scooter coming from the opposite side. After which it over turned in a village pond. The motorcyclist identified as Harvinder Singh died on the spot whereas his wife Baby had sustained serious injuries, also died on the way to PGI, Chandigarh. Another person Jagpal Singh, a resident of Manpur village, was injured. 

Ludhiana, September 15
The number of sexual harassment cases during working hours was on the rise and it was a matter of great concern. Need of the hour is that such incidents should be brought to light and guilty must be punished, said SP Bangarh, Sessions Judge, Ludhiana.

He was interacting with paralegal volunteers at a training meeting held here yesterday on the district court complex. He exhorted them to come forward and help victims in getting legal aid for infringement of their rights. If some guilty were punished, it teaches a lesson to others.

Bangarh said the paralegal volunteers could play an important role in society. They should go to villages and educate people about their legal rights.

Bangarh apprised the paralegal volunteers about various legal rights of people and guided them as to how they could help them in getting legal aid. He talked on various Acts and Laws enacted for the people.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Balwinder Kumar Sharma also delivered a lecture on the Domestic Violence Act.