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After stink, poisonous smoke engulfs city
Passengers wait for hours on platform
Browbeating Juniors |
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It’s defeat of sports, say ex-players
Amritsar, October 29 Former hockey players are peeved at the unsavoury turn of events during a tri-nation hockey tournament in Australia in which players from India and Pakistan traded hockey sticks and fisticuffs against each other on October 28.
Actors Neeru
Bajwa, Sagarika Ghatge and Chirag Paswan in city
MC to demolish gutted building
Woman dies as speeding SUV hits motorcycle
Tipsy cops booked
Only 113 samples collected in 2 months
Laptops stolen
Teachers’ strike hits students
District ball badminton tourney from today
World Stroke Day: Awareness can save precious lives
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After stink, poisonous smoke engulfs city
Amritsar, October 29 Earlier, it was being viewed that the AMC sanitary staff might have set the garbage afire in the bins just to ease their job of lifting it. On this, the AMC officials stated that the garbage in the walled city area was their liability, but the garbage piled up outside its limits was not their responsibility. The garbage burnt was mostly found outside the walled city area, said AMC officials. The task - under the proposed solid waste management plant project - of garbage lifting outside the walled city has been entrusted to a Mumbai-based firm, Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Ltd, and the firm is paid just in commensurate to the quantum of garbage it picks. Moreover, the company targets to lift at least 300 metric tonnes of garbage on regular basis per day from door-to-door collection and there
was no reason for them to destroy their own costly infrastructure, said officials. However, questions are being raised that who sets the garbage afire in bins. In the first phase of the solid waste management plant proposal, the Antony Waste company had provided garbage removal infrastructure worth Rs 10 crore, including about 500 garbage containers having a capacity to hold 4.5 cu.mtr of garbage. It was these containers which were found to be burnt. The Tribune team spotted at least three such bins in various parts of the holy city, including on the Majtha road, near the IDH market and in Nawankot, which were set afire. Similarly, the garbage collected near one such bin on the Queen’s road near Alexandra Senior Secondary School, speaks volumes of how the officials have turned a blind eye to this menace which not only pollutes the environment, but also pose a threat to lakhs of commuters who pass by these garbage containers placed along the roads. The smoke emanating from the burning garbage has posed a health hazard for the residents. Residents have already started complaining of breathing problems. “They not only burn dry waste, but it is a mixture of plastic waste, rotten waste, old clothes and others, which emanates toxic gases,” said a resident. Trash burning in barrels can smoulder and as a result produce greater amounts of harmful chemicals. Trash containing plastics, polystyrene (such as foam cups), and bleached or coloured papers are examples of materials that can produce harmful chemicals when burnt, said experts. Poisonous gases
Experts say that the smoke coming out of a garbage bin contains particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, arsenic, lead and chromium etc.
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Passengers wait for hours on platform
Amritsar, October 29 With no alternative, most of the passengers had to wait on platforms. The number of passengers swelled with the passage of time. Elderly, women and children faced umpteen hardships. Families were seen squatting on the platform in the absence of adequate number of benches. Four arrival trains were delayed. The Katihar express, which was scheduled to arrive at 11.50 am, arrived at 4.25 pm. Similarly, Dadar, schedule arrival at 4.25 pm was expected to arrive at 6.05 pm. Shan-e-Punjab, scheduled arrival at 2.15 pm was expected to reach at 7.30 pm. Against its schedule arrival of 1.25 pm, the Swarn Shatabadi was anticipated to reach at 7.20 pm. Passengers of Shan-e-Punjab were the worst hit as they had to wait for over five hours.
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Browbeating Juniors
Amritsar, October 29 It is learnt that the committee, as a least punishment, has asked the authorities to order the guilty students to vacate their hostel accommodation. On October 17, some first year students of Hostel No. 1 had submitted a written complaint to the Dean, Students Welfare, Dr Mohan Pal Singh Ishar alleging that five students of B.Arch third year and four of second year had misbehaved with them. Though the officials stated that it was a verbal dual between two groups, the issue was grave as senior students had crossed the permissible limits and the guilty students were liable for punishment, observed the committee. Dr Ishar confirmed that the guilty students had been communicated to vacate the hostel premises. He however, clarified that it was not raging. A thorough inquiry was conducted in the case. The inquiry committee had submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor while holding senior students guilty of ill-treating juniors, he added. “Though it was not ragging in its usual sense, senior students had definitely crossed their limits and it was an unpardonable offence. The authorities took the harsh decision just to send a message that no lawlessness will be tolerated in the university,” he said.
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It’s defeat of sports, say ex-players
Amritsar, October 29 Olympian Brig Harcharan Singh (Retd) strongly condemned the incident. He and Samiullah Khan of Pakistan - both regarded as the world’s fastest left wingers during the 1970s - had tried to bring the teams closer at a time when Indo-Pak relations had gone from bad to worse. Neighbouring nations had fought two wars in just six years (1965 and 1971) and the politically charged atmosphere was taking its toll on the players yet it had little impact on their friendship. Harcharan Singh said the brawl defeated the very purpose of sports. He said whatever might be the provocation, it was an unsporting act. Though India and Pakistan had hockey rivalry since decades, but being sportsmen, tempers should not have risen to that extent wherein players from both the teams had to inflict injuries on each other, he remarked. He said: “Supremacy of a particular team can be shown by scoring more number of goals against the incident and I hope in future unsavoury act like this do not happen.” Harcharan was 19 years old when he was selected for the Indian team in 1969. He played in three world cups, two Olympics and two Asian Games. He is remembered as the player who scored the winning goal in India’s 2-1 extra-time win over Malaysia in the 1975 World Cup semifinal at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. India went on to win the tournament by beating Pakistan in the final, their only victory in the World Cup so far. His stint as the chief national trainer of the Indian hockey team in 1999 lasted just for a month as he had to move to Jammu and Kashmir to join duty during the Kargil war. A hockey writer, Prof Paramjit Singh Randhawa, condemned the unpleasant turn of events at the fag end of the match. He wondered that what prompted the players to raise their tempers. He said the bilateral relations between the two neighbours were also cordial at present. He opined that the players of the two countries must turn their energy in positive direction of striving to popularise hockey, which could regain its lost glory. He apprehended that the event would bring defame to the sport. He added that the parents could discourage their wards from joining hockey fearing them to be indiscipline. Olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi, who figured in three World Cups, two Asia Cups, an Asian Games, a Champions Trophy, besides He recalled that Indian and Pakistani players had exchanged blows at the final of Asia Cup at Dhaka in 1985. He was member player of the Indian national team. Players of two nations came to blows between a match which left four players, including three Pakistan players, injured, with less than two minutes remaining for the final time. The unpleasant turn of events forced the organisers to suspend the match for around 30 minutes before declaring it abandoned. The immediate provocation behind the skirmish is yet not clear, Pakistan had fought back from three-nil at half-time to make it to level the score at 3-3 with just about a minute-and-a-half remaining.
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Actors Neeru
Bajwa, Sagarika Ghatge and Chirag Paswan in city Neha Saini Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 29 Taking blessings at the Golden Temple, the trio came to promote their upcoming flick - Miley Na Miley Hum - which marks Chirag’s debut in Bollywood. And the young actor was everything but a tinselville celebrity, at least in behaviour. “I don’t consider myself one as I am just starting an innings in Bollywood. I hope after my movie is a success, I can be categorised as a star,” Chirag explains humbly. The romantic movie launches Chirag opposite three female leads played by Kangana Ranout, Neeru Bajwa and Sagarika Ghatge. “All three ladies are my seniors in the industry and I have learned a lot from them. We share a good rapport and I pick up the good points of being a Bollywood professional quite easily from them,’ says Chirag.Making a debut in Bollywood is not easy as it is quite an unforgiving place to be. But the young lad has had his share of struggles despite his political lineage. “I had to prepare hard to make an impression. I have not taken any professional training in acting. So I have to put in extra effort with dialogues, body language and dance moves.” His father and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, too, wasn’t surprised to know that his son decided against following in his footsteps. “He always knew my inclination was towards acting. It was not breaking news for him and he is very supportive. He is even more excited than I am and looking forward to see on screen,” says Chirag. While the newcomer is excited and nervous, Neeru Bajwa is just happy that she is finding her space in Bollywood. After Prince and Phoonk 2, this will be her third Bollywood film and owing her successful film career in Punajbi film industry the star hopes this movie will be positively received by her fans. “It’s a all together a different experience working in a Bollywood movie. I can experiment more with my roles and characters and also make my presence felt as a versatile actor,” says the pretty lady. Playing the character of a Punjabi kudi in the movie, her role seems like a cakewalk. “Actually, it wasn’t. I have been playing a lot of Punjabi characters but never the role of bubbly, happy-go-lucky girl who lives life with a casual attitude. My characters in Punjabi movies were always different,” she explains. Well, all we can say is one has wait and watch if these stars will shine in the Bollywood sky or not!
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MC to demolish gutted building
Amritsar, October 29 The two-storied building was damaged in the incident thus making it dangerous for the people having their shops nearby. Confirming the development, Shakti Bhatia, municipal town planner, said the fire brigade department had verbally informed them that the building had become dangerous, as the walls of the shop-cum-godown had been extensively damaged in the fire incident. “We have decided to serve notice to the owner and then demolish the building as a safety measure. However, prior to this, I would ask my staff to see the magnitude of the damage to the buildings in the fire incident and action would be taken accordingly,” said Bhatia. Meanwhile, residents of the nearby shops have also urged the MC authorities to demolish the building. “The front wall of the upper storey of the building has been dislocated and can fall anytime,” said a nearby shopkeeper, Ravinder Kumar Sultanwind. “The smell of explosives and debris with water, which was used to douse the flames, has made life difficult for residents and the shopkeepers. The repeated requests to the Municipal Corporation authorities to lift the debris from inside the shop has fallen on deaf ears,” he added.
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Woman dies as speeding SUV hits motorcycle
Amritsar, October 29 The deceased has been identified as Jyoti, a resident of Kartarpur. Her husband and her four-year-old son were injured in the incident. The incident took place when they were on their way to Kartarpur from Amritsar. A speeding SUV, Ford Endeavor (DL-3C-AN-2728), hit the motorcycle they were riding. The police has arrested Gaurav, a resident of Rajiv Nagar in Delhi, who was driving the vehicle. Major Singh, husband of the deceased in his complaint to the police stated that he along with his wife and son were returning to Kartarpur from Amritsar on a motorcycle. He said a speeding SUV going towards Jalandhar hit his motorcycle near Jandiala. The complainant said his wife was seriously injured in the incident. The accused fled the scene leaving his vehicle at the spot, he alleged.
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Tipsy cops booked
Amritsar, October 29 The police has registered a case under Sections 279, 341, 354, 506 and 160 of the IPC against the duo, identified as head constable Harjinder Singh and head constable Tarlok Singh. In this complaint, Deepak Kumar, a resident of Indira Colony, who is a driver of a BJP councillor, stated that the cops were in an inebriated condition and hit his vehicle when they were on their way to the airport side late last evening. The cops were travelling in a car (PB-58-G-7783). Instead of apologising, the cops created a scene on the road and allegedly threatened the complainant and misbehaved with his wife. Neeraj Kumar, SHO, airport police station, said a case had been registered after medical examination of the accused. Both have been released on bail, he added.
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Only 113 samples collected in 2 months
Amritsar, October 29 In October when the festivities were in the air and the sale of sweets and milk products had increased manifold, the health department only collected 62 samples as against its target of 60 samples for the month. The health teams had collected samples of khoya, powdered milk, sweets, refined oil, ghee and common salt. Even in September, the authorities had collected 51 samples. The health authorities collected only 113 samples in the past two months. Out of the 63 samples collected before October 3, 11 samples failed quality test. The failed samples include five of milk, three of khoya and three of edible oil. The health department teams collected 14 samples of milk, four of khoya, 21 of sweets, three of ghee, two of cheese, one of curd and five of edible oil. Apart from collecting samples, the department had destroyed 250 kilograms of substandard sweets from a shop in Tangra village near here. As the health officials seem concerned with meeting the targets only, the city residents felt that instead of meting targets, it should had conducted intensive sampling ahead of Diwali. Lashman Singh, a resident said: “When the samples are collected, shopkeepers out of threat improve the quality of the products for sale.” He added that as there was only routine sampling and no special drive ahead of festive season, the authorities have failed in checking adulteration and sale of substandard items. Rajinder Singh, a resident of Tilak nagar, said: “The samples are collected every month, but these have not proved a deterrent for shopkeepers. Is it that shopkeepers don’t take their warnings seriously.”
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Laptops stolen
Amritsar, October 29
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Teachers’ strike hits students
Amritsar, October 29 The PCCTU had given a call for a three-day state-wide agitation as the talks between the union and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal failed. Earlier, the PCCTU had called off its rally in Chandigarh following assurances by Badal. Addressing a rally at DAV College, state general secretary of the PCCTU Prof HS Walia said the decision to adopt the agitation course was taken due to the apathy of the government towards their long pending demands. He said about 4,000 teachers working in various colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh were participating in the in the strike. Speaking on the occasion, Walia said the government should implement pension and gratuity schemes passed by the Assembly on March 30, 1999. Their other demands include lifting ban on recruitments, extension of date for refresher courses as per the UGC guidelines, disbursement of arrears due on account of revision of pay scales, enhancement of retirement age to 65 years as per the Union government notification, inclusion of teachers working against un-aided posts in the ambit of the Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Act 1974, regular and timely disbursement of grant under the 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme. Walia said in the next phase, a state-wide rally would be held at Batala, the constituency of Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, on November 8.
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District ball badminton tourney from today
Amritsar, October 29 Khalsa College Governing Council honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina would be the chief guest at the opening day, said the host school principal Nirmal Singh Bhangu, adding that the closing ceremony of the championship would be held on November 1.
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World Stroke Day: Awareness can save precious lives
Amritsar, October 29 “But stroke is a treatable and preventable catastrophe. Surprisingly, a majority of the people, including many health professionals, sometimes are not aware about the symptoms of stroke,” said Dr Ashok Uppal, a neurologist and a stroke expert. The symptoms of paralysis do not start with a pain as compared to heart attack. This is why patients do not reach a hospital in time. A patient should immediately be rushed to a hospital if there is sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg or sudden inability to speak or a loss of vision in one eye. Proper and timely treatment could save the patient,” said Dr Uppal. Stroke accounts for as many as 5.7 million deaths every year worldwide and this is the only the second major cause of death after heart attack. Stroke also causes serious disability. Four out of five strokes occur in low and middle-income countries. The number of people who will die from stroke would increase to 6.7 million each year by 2015 if no efforts were made in this connection. “Many precious lives can be saved over the next decade if we take preventive and rehabilitative measures for stroke,” said Dr Uppal. Dr Aishwarya Mehra, another neurologist, revealed that the common risk factors responsible for stroke were smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease and physical inactivity. If properly taken care of, about 85 per cent of stroke cases can be prevented, he said, adding that incidence of stroke increases with age. “Ironically, the incidence of stroke in India, particularly in young generation, is also increasing due to high blood pressure and diabetes,” said Dr Mehra.
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Thousands of passengers in general and tourists in particular faced inconvenience as four arriving and three departing trains were delayed following the three-hour blockade.
Amritsar, October 29
Amritsar, October 29
