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From the fields: ancient coins spark a controversy
Beyond the hype: District has only one female kabaddi coach
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Only 5 porters for 20,000 Rly passengers
Son appointed legal guardian of mother with disability
Pension, financial aid disbursement affected
Diploma engineers stage dharna
Street plays return after a gap of 12 years
Rising crime incidents in city cause for concern
Founder’s Day celebrations in full swing
Liquor sale: Dairy owners held
BMC sweepers go on strike
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From the fields: ancient coins spark a controversy
(Mehma Sawai) Bathinda, November 3 Talking to TNS at the village, the labourer, Charanjit Singh said that on October 31, he was working in the fields of Teja Singh from the same village. Charanjit Singh and one more labourer were hired to dig a pit meant for installing a gobar gas plant in Teja's fields. "Suddenly, the hoe we were using, struck a metal. As it clinked, we were alarmed and so was the field owner's son standing beside us. We pulled out a small pot containing some old coins. By then, the owner's son brought him to the spot and with their help, we pulled out two more pots, one of which was smaller than the other two," Charanjit said. Charanjit alleged that the pots were carried to the owner Teja's house and opened. Teja allegedly gave 25 coins each to both the labourers telling them to remain quiet over the finding. "Thereafter, we were given booze and by the time I could recover my senses, I realised that the booze ploy was meant to put us in disarray. Teja and his family threatened me with dire consequences if I revealed this to anyone. They tried to snatch back the old coins but I ran away after taking a few," he said. Charanjit showed three of these coins that date back to 1856, 1917 and 1919 and were issued during the reign of Queen Victoria. After Charanjit reported the matter to the Deputy Commissioner, local patwari Shyam Lal was deputed to inquire. Shyam Lal visited Teja's house. "We recovered an old worn out pot, a few 5 paise, 10 paise coins and copper coins (76 in number), broken earthen lamps, two small-sized bangles of some metal, an old hookah, rusted nail, sickle, axe and other paraphernalia," Shyam Lal said. He also claimed to have spoken to around 50 people in the vicinity to ascertain if Teja Singh was telling the truth. "We did not find anything that was worth the interest of the government," he added. However, the land owner Teja Singh vehemently denied having threatened Charanjit in any way. Talking about the coins in Charanjit's custody, Teja Singh said that those coins must be on the top of the pot recovered. "One pot was recovered and it was Charanjit and the other labourer who brought it to us. These coins might be lying on the top of the pot and Charanjit Singh would have taken them," he apprehended.
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Beyond the hype: District has only one female kabaddi coach
Bathinda, November 3 The coach, Kuldeep Kaur is imparting training to around children of a private educational institute, Shivalik Public School, in Lehra Mohabbat. Kuldeep is the only regular coach in the district after a coach retired in Bathinda more than a decade ago. After that, a kabaddi coach on contract basis was appointed. He too resigned to join the National Institute of Sports (NIS) for a course. Though sources said the coach is likely to join again, it seems that it would be a Herculean task to appoint him again in Bathinda due to various technical reasons. The officials of the sports department in Bathinda said that a similar situation prevails in the other districts of Punjab wherein there is hardly a kabaddi coach to impart training to the aspirants. Busy with the preparations of the Kabaddi World Cup, the only coach of the district, Kuldeep Kaur said the children being imparted training under her, had played in many national and state-level events. "I am here for the last three years and every year, we get sports kit for the children. We got 10 kits three years ago. Then, 12 kits were received last and now, we have got 17 sports kits this year," she said. She pointed out that six girl students practising under her had got good placements after playing at the state and district levels. The students under various sports wings residing in the hostels are getting diet money of Rs 120 per day. Those who do not reside in hostels get Rs 60 per day, which includes Rs 30 in the morning and Rs 30 in the evening. Admitting to the problems due to the non-availability of a kabaddi coach, players and sports department officials rued that the Punjab government is portraying kabaddi as a weapon to uplift the morale of the youngsters which could help them in kicking drugs. "But actually, there is a lot to be done and spending money to the tune of crores on the opening and closing ceremonies will not do anything good to the game," said Rupinder, a kabaddi player.
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Bathinda bowled over by Baba
Bathinda, November 3 Starting the morning with the basic asanas, he graduated to 'anulom-vilom' and his signature 'kapal bharti'. During the asanas, he instructed the participants on various breathing techniques and on ways to relax themselves from the stress that builds up daily. Laying emphasis on the need to have healthy people and consequently a healthier nation, Baba Ramdev said that today, if the common man spends Rs 10 on food, he is spending Rs 50 on medicines. "Medicines are the concoction of various medicines. I request the people to consume organic food and promote it, so that we do not end up gulping down medicines more than the food we eat," he said. The Baba also talked about various problems related to modern sedentary lifestyle, which is taxing on the mind. During the camp, people who had got rid of ailments through yoga, spoke about themselves. They claimed that practicing yoga has not only rejuvenated their bodies but also given them a new lease of life. People from all walks of life have converged to be a part of the camp, which is located far from the city. An elderly with multiple physical problems had especially come on a modified scooter to attend the camp. The Baba's literature, CDs, curative medicines and potions were also up for grabs at the camp. The camp would be conducted tomorrow also in the morning. Baba Ramdev will leave for Moga soon after holding the camp.
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Only 5 porters for 20,000 Rly passengers
Bathinda, November 3 As of now, only five porters are catering to the needs of the 20,000 passengers who travel in altogether 68 trains that touch the Bathinda station that happens to be the Asia's second biggest railway junction. It may be recalled that this important facility got 'derailed' at the station in 2008 when of the 57 porters at the Bathinda station, 54 turned gangmen leaving only three to cater to the needs of the passengers. It is not that the railway never thought of addressing the problem but it has been proving to be inadequate as only two more porters were added till date, taking the number to five. Sources in the railway said that the recruitment exercise for the porters were conducted in two phases in the Ambala division but Bathinda managed to get only two porters. Notably, Bathinda is an island station. In other words, there is no escape from the stairs as the passengers have to use the stairs to reach the platforms. "For senior citizens and women, climbing the stairs while carrying the luggage, could not be a pleasant experience,' said Baljeet Singh, a passenger. When contacted, the Assistant Traffic Manager (ATM), Bathinda, SP Singh Bhatia said that the third phase of recruitment drive to appoint the porters was in the pipeline and it would be initiated at the divisional level soon.
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Son appointed legal guardian of mother with disability
Bathinda, November 3 The son has been appointed the legal guardian for the care and maintenance of his mother as she is reportedly 80 per cent disabled and even can't move out of the bed. However, a certificate in this regard, is yet to be issued by the authorities concerned. The LLC was set up several years ago in the district under the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999. Since then, it is the first case in the district that has reportedly come to the committee for appointing a legal guardian. Talking to TNS here today, District Social Security Officer (DSSO) Rajwinder Singh Gill said the woman, Sheela Devi, 70, a local resident, has five sons and a daughter. He further said that with the consent of the four brothers and a sister, Roshan, the woman's elder son, had been appointed her legal guardian, who would be responsible for her care and maintenance. Gill further said that Sheela's husband, a driver with the railways, had died several years ago. After his death, Sheela had been receiving family pension. But now, due to her multiple disabilities, she could not withdraw the family pension amount from the bank. Thus, she had been facing problems in getting the pension. But after the appointment of Roshan as her legal guardian, now he would be able to operate her bank account, besides arranging for her proper care and treatment, he added. However, Roshan will submit quarterly return of the accounts, regarding withdrawal of money from the bank and expenditure incurred on the care and treatment of his mother, to the DSSO office. The DSSO said though this was the first case of its kind in Bathinda district, but 15 such cases had been reported from Faridkot district so far. However, no other district had appointed a legal guardian in the state.
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Pension, financial aid disbursement affected
Bathinda, November 3 There are 70,000 rural beneficiaries of the old-age pension and other financial assistance schemes, who have been awaiting the benefits for the last four months. For the months of July and August, the government released the funds for the old-age pension and other financial assistance schemes in October, however, the funds for the months of September and October for disbursing the old-age pension and financial assistance among the beneficiaries are yet to be released by the government. However, the office of the DSSO transferred the funds for the month of July to the bank accounts of the Panchayats in the second week of October and for the month of August in the third week of October so that the beneficiaries could get their pension and financial assistance before the festival of lights. However, it could not be possible due to the pen-down strike by the Panchayat secretaries. It may be mentioned here that there are over 95,000 beneficiaries of the old-age pension and financial assistance scheme for widows, dependent children and disabled persons in the district. However, the pension and financial assistance of the urban beneficiaries has already been deposited in their bank accounts by the office of the DSSO. Thus, they have received their old-age pension and financial assistance for the months of July and August. Due to the non-disbursal of the old-age pension and financial assistance among the beneficiaries, they have reportedly been taking rounds of the houses of village heads (Sarpanch) in their villages to get the pensions but to no avail. The pension amounts can be withdrawn from the banks by the Sarpanch and the Panchayat Secretary jointly but it is not possible until the Panchayat secretaries end their pen-down strike. |
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Diploma engineers stage dharna
Bathinda, November 3 Due to their pen-down strike for the 13th consecutive day today, the on-going development works remained paralysed in various parts of the district. On the occasion, the Council leaders also appealed to the government to accept the already accepted demands of the junior engineers. However, as the Council has decided to stage dharna in front of different offices on different days, the diploma engineers would protest in front of the circle office of the Punjab State Tubewell Corporation (PSTC) here on Friday. Those who were present or addressed the dharna included Rajinder Kumar Bawa, Inder Singh Chhabra, Mandip Singh Chehal, Surjit Singh Rajput and Ram Krishan Sharma. |
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Street plays return after a gap of 12 years
Bathinda, November 3 A part of the on-going drama fest, which is being held in the memory of prolific Punjabi dramatist Bhai Gursharan Singh, the street plays are being presented in the public places Bathinda and in different nearby villages. The inaugural street play Seonk presented today struck right chord with the Bathinda residents. A presentation of the Natyam Manch, the play drew applause from the on-lookers in the district courts and left many thinking about the future of country’s youth. Written by Bhai Gursharan Singh, the play indicates towards the problem of unemployment. It traced the journey of an unemployed youth, who sought every possible way to get a decent living but ended up in despair. The half-an-hour play aptly presented the plight of a common man, who goes through to find a job. It showed that for a common man, the so-called magic wand of bribe, recommendation (Sifarish) and political approaches too do not work. Earlier, in the day, the play was presented before the students of the Baba Farid Group of Institutes at village Deon where the students responded with claps. On Friday, two plays, Seonk by Natyam Manch and Jangi Ram Di Haveli by Drama Art Group Pattran would be stage. The play Seonk would be presented at 9 am at the Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School Mall Road, at 10:30 am at the ITI College and at 11:30 am at the Giani Zail Singh Engineering College. Besides, the play Jangi Ram Di Haveli would be presented at the Guru Ram Das School in Lehra Mohabbat, at 10:30 am at the Government Rajindra College and later at village Ghudda. Daily members of the Natyam Manch and a guest team would present the shows till November 8.
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Rising crime incidents in city cause for concern
Bathinda, November 3 In his complaint to the police, Nitin Kumar alleged that on October 29 he was travelling with his brother by car, which was hit by a rashly driven white coloured Bolero Jeep, which hit their car from wrong side on the Malout road. A case in this connection has been registered at the Sadar police station against the unidentified driver of white colour Bolero Jeep (PB-03-W-8581) under Sections 279, 337 and 338 of the IPC. Police officials said efforts are on to identify the culprit. No arrests have been made in this regard so far. Meanwhile, two residents of Lehra Mohabbat village have been booked by the police for beating up a resident of the same village on October 31. The complainant Jaswant Singh alleged that Gurnarpinder Pal and Devinder Singh attacked him and beat him up over a trivial issue. They blocked the tractor of the complainant and inflicted injuries in the morning at around 7 am when he was on way towards his agricultural fields. A case under Sections 324, 341 and 34 of the IPC has been registered in this regard at the Nathana police station. Arrests are yet to be made in this regard. In another incident, a resident of Nathana has been booked by the police for setting his wife ablaze on Wednesday. Veerpal Kaur, wife of Mithu Singh, alleged that her husband put her on fire in an attempt to killing her. She alleged that her husband had illicit relationship with some other woman and she kept nagging her over the issue. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital with burn injuries. A case in this connection has been registered against husband, Mithu Singh under Sections 307 of the IPC. No arrests have been made so far. In yet another case, the Bathinda police have booked five people for firing gun shots allegedly to encroach upon a piece of land. In his complaint to the police, Bhola Singh of Bhairupa Sailbrah road, Patti Jainika alleged that Gurpreet Singh of Burj village and four unidentified people entered his house on the outskirts of the village and fired gun shots. He said the gun shots were fired to encroach upon a piece of agricultural land nearby. The accused also threatened the complainant of dire consequences. A case under Sections 307, 450, 506, 120-B and 34 of the IPC and 25, 54,59 of the Arms Act has been registered against Gurpreet Singh and four unidentified people. No arrests have been made in this regard so far. The Bathinda police have arrested two people with 1.7 kilogram contraband in the form of a powder. Sub Inspector Harnek Singh, who is complainant in the case, said the accused Parveen Kumar and Manoj Kumar were arrested during a naka laid by the police. A case under Sections 21, 25, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused, who has been arrested by the police.
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Founder’s Day celebrations in full swing
Bathinda, November 3 The fusion of bhangra and hip-hop made everyone to dance. Students also highlighted the importance of the need of the conservation of natural resources. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest motivated the students to excel in life. The vote of thanks was extended by principal Neelam Verma. |
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Liquor sale: Dairy owners held
Bathinda, November 3 They also arrested the owners of the dairy, Mintu Bansal and Happy Bansal. Action will be taken against them under the Section-61 of Excise Act, sources said. Excise inspector HK Bansal said the owners of the dairy were into the practice of selling the liquor illegally by hiding the bottles in the drums in which milk is stored. He said the department would inquire the matter to find out the suppliers of the liquor. The department seized 12 bottles of branded liquors and 30 bottles of indigenous liquors. |
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Bathinda, November 3 Chairman Vajinder Nath, vice-chairman Madan Lal Gauhar and secretary Ram Charan Ramu endorsed the strike. —
TNS |
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A labourer from village Mehma Sawai claimed to have unearthed three pots filled with ancient coins, while the owner of the land contested the claim.
The labourer has approached the district administration informing it of the findings.
Bathinda, November 3
Bathinda, November 3
Plays, dances, including folk ones, marked the second day the founder's day celebration of the Silver Oaks School here on Wednesday.
The function began with lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guest, Bathina DC KK
Yadav.
