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Seven cases of dengue confirmed at civil hospital
12-year-old washed away in Beas
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Petrol filling station looted
at gunpoint
Crackers worth lakhs confiscated, godown owner arrested
It’s legal now
Nothing festive about it
City markets come alive with rush of Dhanteras shoppers
23 government schools into environment conservation
Encroachments reduce Ladowali road into narrow lane
Kumar Rakesh’s play staged
ITI librarians seek salaries at par with polytechnic staff
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Seven cases of dengue confirmed at civil hospital
Jalandhar, October 24 While as many as 100 people have tested positive (in October) for the initial IGGIM anti-bodies test conducted at the civil hospital so far (according to pathologist Dr Dawinder Singh) only seven have been confirmed dengue cases. As many as 41 people (officially) with low platelet counts are still admitted to the civil hospital and out of those in a serious condition, seven more await tests. Civil Surgeon Dr HK Singla said, “Of the seven confirmed dengue patients, three are from the Jalandhar district (Jalandhar, Nakodar and Mehatpur), three are from Kapurthala and one of the patients was later referred to a hospital in Ludhiana.” But what is most worrisome now is that the treatment of dengue patients is being affected due to the strike by lab technicians. Seven patients are in queue to undergo confirmatory (IG Macelisa) tests , but the lab technician union’s 24-hour strike has caused an unwanted delay. Not only that, the strike will also affect tests for new suspected dengue patients being admitted to the hospital. Speaking on the issue, SMO Dr GS Pawar, said, “The lab technicians’ strike is indeed going to delay the tests by a couple of days. Without lab technicians we cannot proceed with the line of treatment. It is bothersome, but we will have to wait.” Talking about the state of things, Medical Superintendent (MS) Avtar Chand said, “Seeing the number of patients, we have arranged for eight more nets for dengue patients. Though a lot many people have been coming in for the past few days, we expect that the numbers will go down after Diwali.” Grave issuen
Seven more patients are in queue for confirmatory tests. But the 24-hour lab technicians’ strike is a roadblock in their treatment n
IG Macelisa tests can’t be conducted until lab technicians return to work n
100 patients have tested positive (in October) for the initial IGGIM anti-bodies test conducted at the civil hospital n
41 patients (officially declared) with low platelet counts continue to be admitted to the civil hospital Official Speak The lab technicians’ strike is indeed going to delay the tests by a couple of days. Without lab technicians we cannot proceed with the line of treatment. It is bothersome, but we will have to
wait.
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12-year-old washed away in Beas
Jalandhar October 24 A pall of gloom descended on the boy’s family at Babu Labh Singh Nagar. Informed sources said the child, identified as Amarinder Singh, along with his younger brother Arshdeep (7) and his father Jaydeep, who runs a chemist shop, went to buy crackers along with their children on Sunday evening. Reportedly, they also took some religious offerings to immerse in the Beas. Children had been forcing their father to first buy crackers but in midway they changed their plan and firstly went to the Beas to immerse the religious items. While Jaydeep was immersing religious stuff in the river, children were playing alongside the embankment of the river. Unfortunately, both the boys fell down in the river. After hearing the cries of the children, Jaydeep jumped in the river and managed to save his younger son by pulling him from his hair. But Amrinder got swept away in the flowing water. The authorities called professional divers to trace the body of the boy but in vain. Beas police officials said the divers could not trace the boy till this evening. Family members also rushed to the spot immediately after the incident.
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Petrol filling station looted
at gunpoint
Jalandhar October 24 A security guard of the petrol pump was injured in the incident that occurred at 11.55 pm on Sunday. Five unidentified youths, who were carrying sharp-edged weapons and pistols, came to the pump. They first asked the salesmen to fill the petrol in their car. Later, one of the miscreants took out his pistol and asked the salesman to deliver cash available in the cash box and also threatened him of dire consequences, if he refused to do so. Meanwhile, the security guard, Harchand, when tried to stop the looters was hit by the miscreants with a heavy wooden stick. The police rushed to the spot and recorded the statement of employees. The SHO of Jalandhar Division No 1, Nirmal Singh, said, the police has registered a case under Section 382 of IPC and conducting raids to nab the accused. The employees at the pump were not been able to record the registration number of the Esteem car. The SHO said the police has been investigating the case from different angles. Fact file
n 5 youths on a car come to the filling station posing as customers. n
Demanded handing over of cash after holding station staff at gunpoint. n
Injure the security guard who tried resisting n
Decamp with `17,000 |
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Crackers worth lakhs confiscated, godown owner arrested
Jalandhar, October 24 The raid was conducted under the supervision of Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhargo Camp, Somnath. The SHO said they received the information that huge quantity of crackers has been stored in the area of Kot Sadeek and owner of the godown was violating rules by storing crackers in the residential colony. Acting on the tip off, the police party raided the godown and found large quantity of crackers illegally stored. The moment police reached the spot; they found crackers being loaded into the truck for carrying supply to other retail shops. Cops immediately surrounded the godown and impounded crackers worth lakhs of rupees. The SHO said the owner of the godown, identified as Jai Dev, pleaded that crackers were stored for wholesale purpose and their value could be around one lakh only. But police sources revealed that market value of the crackers would run into lakhs. Jai Dev, a resident of Qazzi Mohalla, was arrested and was booked under Section 188 of the IPC was registered against him. The Deputy Commissioner has issued strict instructions not to store crackers in residential areas. He said, during raid, though owner of the godown had a legal licence to store or sell crackers, the godown was illegally constructed in the residential area.
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It’s legal now
Jalandhar, October 24 While the walk-in of applicants under the scheme was going quite slow, a camp organised yesterday by the office at Grover Colony near Basti Guzan has also got a good response. Nearly 216 residents of Grover Colony, Dilbagh Nagar, Gobind Nagar, New Rasila Nagar and Ekta Vihar from ward number 45 have availed of the scheme. This has helped the office make an income of Rs 2.42 lakh at one go besides getting a regular income of nearly Rs 70,000 a month. The staff from the O&M department filled up the forms, took copies of the required documents including registration proofs and copies of voter cards or power bills. Ashwini Verma, a resident of Dilbagh Nagar Extension, said, “There were as many as 187 residents from our colony alone. I had been going around in the colony for the past three-four days convincing people to avail of the amnesty scheme. Our colony came up in 1990-91. Ever since, the residents had been using illegal connections and not even bothered to pay up monthly charges.” Balwinder Singh, a resident of New Rasila Nagar, said that only a few residents of the area earlier had regular water connections. “The scheme and the camp came as a big respite for all of us. The colony came about 15 years back but ever since even the authorities had not bothered to check the connections”, he commented. |
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Nothing festive about it
Jalandhar, October 24 In some other corner of the country, some kids move on with the burdens of earning their livelihood, unaware that it ought to be their right to dream of a ‘Happy’ Diwali. As the others laugh and splurge dressed in tatters, they worry how they are going to earn their breads for yet another day. What’s funny is their work might seem like a burden to others but they are happy with their lives.
Parents Speak
n Amanat Ali, an auto rickshawpuller, says, “I have already told my children to enjoy Diwali by watching others bursting crackers. I can’t buy crackers and sweets for the family.” n
Romi Kumar, a daily wager says, “I earn just Rs 120 per day and this meagre income is hardly able to feed my family for a day. I have two children. From where I will spare money to spend on Diwali to buy expensive crackers or sweets for my children?” |
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City markets come alive with rush of Dhanteras shoppers
Jalandhar, October 24 Shops wore a festive look with traders decorating their shops with electric lights, artificial flowers and additional counters to cater to the demands of the customers. The freebies introduced by the traders, coupled with special discounts, attracted many residents to the markets in droves. While jewellers had a field day, city residents too ensured that they make the most of the auspicious occasion. From leading jewellery showrooms in the city's Model Town market, shopping malls, to the old Rainik bazaar, Attari bazaar and the famous Bartan Bazaar at Chowk Suda, a swarm of people, especially women splurged on making purchases. A well-known local jewellery shop did brisk business today, as people didn't think twice before doling out huge amounts to buy gold coins at a price of Rs 27,000 per 10 grams. "Despite inflation people from all walks of life are bought gold coins today. Starting from Rs 2,930 to Rs 2, 73, 000, we sold gold coins in every range and the response has been good," said Nishit Jain the owner of the showroom. He said anything bought on the occasion of Dhanteras is considered as a form of worship of Goddess Lakshmi. "Moreover it is that time of the year when exceeding expenses remains the last thing on everybody's mind," he said. Another jewellery brand had introduced a special festival offer of 24 carat gold plated lamp on the purchase of gold ornaments above Rs 10,000. Ajay Sharma, manager of the brand said, “We are witnessing a heavy rush for gold coins and jewellery. From the middle class to the elite, are offer gold coins in the range of 1, 5, 8, 10 and 25 grams." This brand has also introduced Rs 10 lakh gold coins, which was based on orders and a special 25 per cent discount on diamond jewellery worth Rs 2 lakh. Cars sold like hot cakes on the occasion. "It is a matter of faith and belief that people ensured to take away their dream cars on this day. Owing to this reason the sales picked up today," said Nitin Dada, the owner of Dada Motors. “Till late night we expect to sell more than 80 Nissan cars on the occasion of Dhanteras. We have sold 400 Bajaj motorbikes and 23 three-wheelers. This number is very high as compared to a lean day sale of 20 cars in a day," he added. Similarly, Cosmo Hyundai, which deals in Hyundai and Tata cars introduced 100 per cent finance scheme on the purchase of newly-launched Hyundai Eion car. "It is Dhanteras and people have a general inclination towards this day to shop for their favourite things," said Parveen Ahuja the owner of this car showroom. The day also saw a large number of women shop for kitchenware as per the tradition. Anything made of stainless steel was the hot pick among women. The narrow lanes of 'Bhandeya da Bazaar' at Chowk Sudan remained crowded with women from all walks of life till late in the evening. Anita Sharma, a homemaker said, "It is a family tradition to buy at least one steel utensil on Dhanteras for the kitchen. We also bought upholstery on this occasion. Probably this is the only occasion when we can shop to our heart's desire,” she said.
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23 government schools into environment conservation
Jalandhar, September 24 Jalandhar is one of the leading districts in Punjab as far as work in the National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC) is concerned. The district has 250 schools as members of eco-clubs. NEAC was started in 1993, but after the first few years of awareness campaigns, teachers and coordinators decided to move to action-oriented projects. The Punjab State Council for Science and Technology coordinates with the Ministry of Environment and Forests to initiate projects in various schools. In 2004, NEAC had four schools in the district under it, in 2008 the number grew to 16, in 2009 to 21 and in 2010-11 it grew to 23 schools. The teachers and schools associated with the campaign have been facilitating the setting up of medicinal gardens, lotus ponds vermicomposting units in their establishments. While in many of the schools they are established, in some the work is on. Practical implementation of segregating garbage as per its type (six kind of dustbins in which biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage would be dumped) and rainwater harvesting are currently on the agenda. Some schools have also taken up activities like plantation drives and some even encourage aquatic life and bird-breeding. Sanjiwan Singh Dadwal, district co-ordinator, NEAC, says, “The projects get students closer to life and the environment. Creating good manure with earthworms, growing herbs in the school gardens, watching aquatic life thrive in their lotus ponds, these kids would be less likely to hurt or bruise their environment than those not involved in such activities. A lot of credit goes to their dedicated teachers too. Back when we had just taken the first steps into the project, we had got a booklet printed which listed all the ‘environment days’. The NEAC schools are supposed to sensitise their children through seminars, contests and campaigns on all these days. Today too, programmes were held across the city aimed at that.” n Many proposals asking for grants to set up future units have been received this year. While proposals have been received from 40 schools, 15 have already been short-listed. Out of these, as many as 11 would be setting up rainwater harvesting units. n
Currently nine schools have established lotus ponds, three have medicinal gardens and three have vermicomposting units.
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Encroachments reduce Ladowali road into narrow lane
Jalandhar, October 24 Encroachment on the road has led to great inconvenience for the commuters. Shopkeepers have also placed a huge quantity of waste material on the road. On both sides of the road, there are shops of dealers selling vehicle scrap, engaged in denting painting, vehicle service stations etc. In terms of traffic, this is the only road that leads to DC Complex from Shashtri Market and it also connects Municipal Corporation to BSF Chowk. For the past many years, this road has been reduced to a narrow lane thanks to the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities in taking action against these violators. Scrap of old cars and other waste material can be seen lying on both sides of the road here. Due to these encroachments, pedestrian passage has almost vanished from the road. Broken mirrors and other sharp edged iron materials lie on the road, which may even lead to accidents.
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Kumar Rakesh’s play staged
Jalandhar, October 24 His actors, as used as they are to the stage, acted, but sans the conviction that comes with the understanding of the sub text of the play. The play talked of the times when Gautam Buddha returned to his native place to make his family follow the path of renunciation that he had adopted. His wife and son followed suit. History suggests his brother Nand Kumar also became a Bhikshu (Buddhist disciple) but Nand's wife (Sundari) refused to do so. History may project Sundari as someone obsessed with material inclinations, Rakesh's play explores Sundari's rationale, projecting her as a woman whose arguments sometimes overpower those of religious ideologues. The play sticks to history-dramatising and expanding some parts but in the end Nand ventures out in the search of the truth of his own, rejecting the beliefs of both Tathagata (Buddha) and his wife. While the tale was eloquent, the actors were overtly melodramatic. The subtleties were compromised as the characters either screamed or were flat faced. While on the Hindi front, except a few faulty pronunciations here and there, characters delivered smooth performances, their performance lacked moments of poise and grace. Kaushik himself, playing Kumar, was good in some moments but disappointed for most part. Actors Shvetaang, Shamaang and Alka did a fair job as far as their limited stage space demanded.
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ITI librarians seek salaries at par with polytechnic staff
Jalandhar, October 24 There are only six ITI libraries in the state (and as many librarians), who say that the anomaly in their pay is being ignored by the government. Satvinder Kaur, librarian at the ITI in Jalandhar, says, "We were recruited as librarians and forgotten. Even though our qualifications are the same as those of the polytechnic librarians, there is a difference of Rs 10,000 in the salaries of both the categories." "While librarians at polytechnic institutes have been given assistants, helpers, restorers and attendants, we do not have any kind of support staff working for us. The situation at all the ITI libraries across the state is the same," she said. "The library at Jalandhar ITI has 10,000 books, there are 400 students at the institute that the library caters to. One person cannot be expected to handle so much work? Since there are only a total of six ISI librarians in the state, we can't even form a union and the authorities have been taking advantage of the situation," Satwinder said. The other ITIs in the state are at Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Moga and Patiala, Ludhiana. Recruited in the year 2000 by the Services Selection Board, the ITI librarians say while they are still getting pay scales of 10,300 - 34,800 + 3,200 (grade pay); the salaries of the librarians at the polytechnic institutes in the state are Rs 15,600 - 39,100 + 5,400 (grade pay). "Even some instructors are better paid than us. An instructor at the ITI here, with matriculation qualification and one-year diploma is getting a salary of 10,300-34800+3,600 (grade pay) while we are being paid lesser than them with matric, bachelors and masters degrees,” Satinder says. One of the teachers had also forwarded her case - mentioning these demands and anomalies to the Industrial Training Department on August 15 this year, "But I have not received any response so far,” she says.
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Jalandhar, October 24
Jalandhar, October 24
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