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Oh boy! What a mess!
A piece of history makes way for buses
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Congress leader booked for fraud
Man booked for Rs 14-lakh fraud
body cool
Owners of gutted godown booked for attempt to murder
World Reading Day celebrated
Non-teaching staff threaten to intensify protest
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Oh boy! What a mess!
Amritsar, November 25 On the condition of anonymity, a student said, “Not only in the washrooms but in corridors too, naked electricity wires can be seen hanging in abundance. It seems that the authorities concerned are waiting for an accident to occur before getting these mended.” The water from few of the taps in washrooms seemed to flow 24X7 as no efforts have been made to get the leaking taps repaired or changed. In a makeshift arrangement someone had wrapped a plastic wrapper around one of the leaking taps to stop water from getting wasted. “A huge volume of water can be saved if we can check these leakages,” said a student. Such negligence on the part of those concerned reflects badly on the reputation of the entire institution. The students said the recreation room of the hostel is in a very bad shape. With 90 per cent of the window glasses broken, the room serves the purpose of parking motor bikes by students. Further, the table placed in the room for residents to play tennis is being used by a worker to take a nap in the afternoon. Because of the broken windowpanes in the corridors of the hostel, stray dogs manage to enter the hostel areas. “The students have voiced their concerns regarding these shortcomings. But everyone here prefers to mind-his-own business instead of pressing the authorities and inviting their wrath,” another student said. College Principal Dr SS Shergill said, “Last year the medical college had received a grant of Rs 4 lakh from the state government which was used for repair works in hostels." He said another round of repair works will be done soon.
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A piece of history makes way for buses
Amritsar, November 25 Several bus workshops, garages, automobile spare part workshops and a temple are located in the Sarai. A cooperative union has also been functioning here since 1944. Historian Harish Chander Sharma, teacher of History at Guru Nanak Dev University, said the inn was in an extremely bad condition and was a symbol of callous and indifferent approach of the government and the departments concerned. Apart from being of great heritage value, it needed immediate repair to secure its existence. He said the building should be declared a protected monument. Citing the example of England, he said not only government but also private buildings of heritage value could not be repaired or their character changed without the intimation of the department concerned. He said the government and its agencies were indifferent in preserving heritage buildings of the city. Interestingly, not many city residents are aware of the existence of a road in
the Sarai connecting Bhandari Bridge to Truckwali road, along with Gole Bagh. As a result hardly any commuters drive on the road. Besides, the old structure of inn denies existence of the road. Private bus operators and automobile shopkeepers allegedly used their influence to not allow construction of the road in the area as it will offer commuters an alternative route to Gol Bagh, which will threaten their illegal encroachment in the market, residents said. The entire patch of the road is full of potholes, which is another reason that the commuters use it to avoid heavy rush on the road to Bhandari Bridge.
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Congress leader booked for fraud
Amritsar, November 25 The police has registered a case under Section 420 of the IPC against her on the complaint of one Deepika, a resident of Gali Mela Pandha in walled city area here. Deepika in her complaint alleged that Madhu took Rs 40,000 to help her brother in a case under NDPS Act. She said the name of her brother, identified as Vicky, a resident of Katra Dullo, figured in a case with Faizpura police. She said Madhu promised that Vicky’s name from the case would be withdrawn. However, she did not help in the matter. Madhu Khanna refuted the charges of committing any fraud. She alleged it was a political motivated case registered by her rivals in the party. She said Vicky’s was booked for possessing 2 kg charas in June this year. “Deepika approached me to intervene, but I outrightly refused to help her,”
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Man booked for Rs 14-lakh fraud
Amritsar, November 25 The police has registered a case under Section 420 IPC. Jasbir Singh, Sawinder Singh, Mastan Singh and Sukhdev Singh, all residents of Wadala Bhitewad village in the complaint to the police had alleged that Balbir had lured them to help in recruiting their sons and daughters in Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force or in the Punjab police. The accused took Rs 2.5 lakh each from Jasbir, Sawinder and Sukhdev while Mastan Singh gave him Rs 6.5 lakh for the same. Talwinder Singh the investigating officer in the case said he was yet to investigate the case as he had to visit the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, regarding another case. He added that raids were being conducted to nab the culprit who has been absconding since the registration of the case.
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‘Spa’ces for heavenly
comfort
City spa, wellness centres offer several treatments for winters Neha Saini Tribune News Service
Amritsar, November 25 The expression "shedding your winter coat" is relevant when it comes to skin and body care. To help out, city-based spa and wellness centres offer several treatments specifically targeting the winters. Relaxing winter spa treatments serve to calm and neutralise the stress caused by work and weather that can become hard to manage. A classic therapeutic hot oil massage will do the trick, but for an added treat in the wintertime, try a hot stone massage offered at most spas. “The La stone treatment is similar to a regular therapeutic massage, using large, oval-shaped flat mineral rocks that are heated and placed strategically on your body during the massage. We give combination of wine and green apple spas with it but usually a regular massage is quite beneficial,” says Richa Aggarwal, director of a spa in Ranjit Avenue. Another treat for your mind and body is the Vinio Candle Therapy, using aroma massage candles. The molten residue is used for massaging the body, containing essential and hot oils. “The candles are special and melt at room temperature. Its like a massage by lukewarm oil,” explains Richa. Other popular winter body treatments include mud wraps, hot chocolate spa, herbal oil treatments like lavender, almond oil and cinnamon scrubs. Another well known spa in the city offers beauty and wellness services too has a long list of treatments. “Renewing the top layer of skin and extracting impurities from deep within becomes a necessity in winters. For a truly rejuvenating treatment, try a Dead Sea body wrap that uses seaweed and mud to cleanse the body. For a more indulgent option, try a chocolate body wrap that uses real cocoa to nourish the skin,” says Harpreet Arora, centre head of another spa in the city. Their signature hot oil treatments specifically target dehydration, pigmentation and anti ageing in winters. Not only has these spa brought you compliments on beauty but health too. “Shirodhara and other herbal treatments are helpful in increasing blood circulation, relaxing muscles and neurological problems. They also remove anxiety and stress,” says Harpreet. Richa too agrees, “Any kind of muscle sores or bach problems can be healed through hot stone therapies.
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Traders hope for better days ahead
Amritsar, November 25 Trade opportunities will increase many fold once the ICPs come up. Customs Deputy Commissioner Duggal, who heads Land Customs Station, JCP, said the present infrastructure facilitates import and export of about 150 trucks a day on an average. However, once the ICP is completed it is anticipated to facilitate to and fro movement of about 600 trucks a day. Operationalisation of ICPs
Experiences of day-to-day dealing with import and export of merchandise through the JCP, the city based traders, industrialists and experts give more stress on setting up of the ICPs on both side of the Atari-Wagah JCP than granting of MFN status. A city-based importer of Gypsum from Pakistan, Randeep Singh, said mere grant of the MFN status would not have much impact on the trade from the JCP. He said till the ICPs along with state-of-the-art facilities were not available on both sides of the border, volume of trade could not grow. Current trade
Revenue earning of the Customs from the Attari-Wagah JCP jumped to Rs 30 crore till this September (the second quarter of this financial year) from Rs 9.61 crore in last fiscal (2010-2011). Indian traders exported 11,968 trucks of commodities to Pakistan till September this year while 11,618 trucks had crossed over to Pakistan in 2010-2011. Major commodities being exported are fresh vegetables and soyabean. Meanwhile, Indian traders imported 7,221 trucks of commodities, including 316 trucks from Afghanistan, this fiscal. Besides other materials, Pakistan supplies zypsum rock, clinker (a kind of chemical being used in preparation of cement), dry date and other chemicals. While Afghanistan supplies mainly dry fruits through the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post (JCP). MFN status
Recent statements of the Pakistan Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, that the Commerce Ministry had been directed to work out modalities to grant MFN status to India has made Amritsar traders see better prospects. The city was once a vital import and export hub between India and the central Asian countries. At present, Indian and Pakistani businessmen trade as per a positive list that contains about 1,900 items, released by the Pakistan government. Traders are forbidden to business of any other item. Restrictions
Trade and Industry Association Border Zone’s general secretary Raman Gupta said the trade has been done under a restrictive framework. He said even as many industries of the city manufacture quality products, but these could never gain the opportunity to export their products to Pakistan. Pakistan imports many such articles from far flung countries in the world while they can be easily imported from Amritsar, which is about 40 km away. Once the MFN status is granted by the Pakistan government, the positive list would be scrapped and it would be replaced with a negative list. Barring those items contained in the negative list, traders from here would be allowed to deal in any article. Waiting for boon
Former Chairman, CII Punjab chapter, Gunbir Singh, said Punjab’s industries like pharmaceutical, engineering goods, and agrarian commodities like food grains and perishable items could be exported through Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post
(JCP). Raman Gupta, also owner of an engineer manufacturing unit in Amritsar, said there were about 1.20 lakh registered engineering goods manufacturing units in the state and many of them were in the city. He said the industry here was facing closure due to stagnation. He said these units could easily benefit as the Pakistan imported a large number of engineering goods. He added that the small scale industries (SSI) of the city would benefit immensely from the spurt in trade between India and Pakistan from the JCP. The SSI units have got advanced machinery and wherewithal to manufacture and deliver high-quality products. The SSI units are finding it hard to get new markets and Pakistan will be a big step in this direction. Lahore, being located closer to Amritsar, gives advantage to the holy city as it is the second biggest market in Pakistan after Karachi.
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Owners of gutted godown booked for attempt to murder
Amritsar, November 25 The police registered the complaint under Sections 307, 336 and 283 of the IPC at Sultanwind Polic station on the statement of Vijay Kumar, who has his house adjoining the godown. His house was partially damaged in the fire incident. Vijay in his complaint said he along with several other inhabitants of the area used to urge him to stop storing plastic waste in the open godown. However, every time they used to threaten us claiming that they had political connections. He said in the fire incident, windows and doors of his house were damaged. His television and refrigerators were also destroyed in the incident. It is pertinent to mention here that about eight fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire. It took five hours for the fire brigade officials to extinguish the intensive flames.
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World Reading Day celebrated
Amritsar, November 25 School director Dr Dharam Veer Singh emphasised on the importance of reading books and newspapers. Slogan of the day ‘One Nation Reading Together’ was beautifully displayed by students with flowers. The students also created decorative bookmarks to create awareness. Students of senior wing, organised an awareness programme on reading books. School supervisor Nischint Kahlon exhorted the students to read books and inculcate the habit of reading. She reiterated the significance of books in today’s era of e-learning and internet saying books are the greatest source of wisdom which not only enlighten us but broaden our vision. Approximately 450 students from Class I to IX participated in the event ‘One Nation Reading Together and sat in the formation of the map of India symbolising and emphasising on the need of unity and togetherness. School principal Sunita Babu said that the programme was an attempt to encourage reading among students. Annual day About 700 students of DPS from Class VI to XII gave 2-hour presentations on Punjab history and its oral and visual traditions during the annual day celebration at the school today. The annual day show was named “Rangla Punjab”.. A short play on singers of Punjab like Gurmeet Bawa, Surinder Kaur, Yamla Jatt was the highlight of the day. Robust Punjabi spirit was brought alive with songs, dance, painting, architecture, sculptor and poetry. Among others famous Punjabi folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, Khalsa College for Women Principal Dr Sukhbir Mahal and famous singer Rai Jujhar, PC Bose, Ravinder Kaur, Jobanjeet Randhawa and Aakash Khandelwal and Ajay Maheshwari were present.
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Non-teaching staff threaten to intensify protest
Amritsar, November 25 Addressing media persons, state president of the union Gurdial Singh said that indifferent attitude of the SAD-BJP combine towards the aided colleges had increased the vacancy of non-teaching posts in these colleges to about 50 per cent. He said it exposed the claims of the coalition government to provide maximum job opportunities during their tenure as bundle of lies.
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Naked electricity wires in washrooms, missing sanitary fittings, broken window panes and a recreation room used for parking motorbikes. 
The historic city lost a piece of its history today. Private bus operators demolished an arch of the pre-partition Sarai Sant Ram near Pink plaza to facilitate a trouble-free entry for their buses.
Several bus workshops, garages, automobile spare part workshops and a temple are located in the
Sarai. A cooperative union has also been functioning here since 1944.
