Ludhiana, December 1
The “highhandedness” on the part of the ruling party came to the fore once again when during an emergency meeting with mini-bus operators here at the district transport office, department officials again asked them to provide their vehicles for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) rally at Mullanpur, to be held on December 4.

Not caring two hoots about the plight of commuters, the SAD is once again doing every possible effort to show their muscle strength by forcibly asking for buses. Hundreds of commuters will be crippled in the absence of bus service (within 25-km area) due to the “strength show” of the ruling party on December 4 at Mullanpur.

Only yesterday, about 50 mini-buses were “forcibly” taken by the local Akali leaders through the district transport office to take villagers to Chapparchiri, Mohali. And now for December 4, the department again wants mini-buses to be sent to the Mullanpur rally.

“This morning, we were told the DTO wants to meet us. We knew beforehand that they would again ask for our vehicles. Around 10-12 mini-bus operators went to his office and officials said the mini-buses were needed in good numbers for December 4 rally. We told them to pay us the expenses, to which they argued that only diesel could be provided. When we showed reluctance, the official called-up a local Akali leader and briefed about our demand. The Akali leader said to inform us since it was the order of the party’s high command, operators had to adhere to it,” said a mini-bus operator on the condition of anonymity.

The operator also said gunmen of the particular Akali leader were “pressurising” the bus operators to accommodate with them. “They are not asking for the favour but are ordering us,” said the operator.

Despite repeated attempts, the local Akali leader did not respond to the calls made by The Tribune. Though the respective governments claim to “stand” with the masses, such dictatorial attitude shows how genuine were they in their concern, as hundreds of commuters will be left in the lurch without bus service on December 4.

Ludhiana, December 1
Seventeen-year-old Suraj and 15-year-old Rahul died in a road accident near Phullewal village in the wee hours of today when a speeding vehicle hit them from behind. The police was informed about the accident at around 6 am and a case under Section 304, IPC, has been registered against the unknown driver.

Harinder Singh Chameli, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sadar, said Suraj and Rahul were cousins and worked as waiters at weddings held at marriage palaces.

“Both belonged to Darbhanga in Bihar. This morning at around 4 am, they were returning from a resort on the Pakhowal Road when a speeding vehicle hit them from the rear. Both of them died on the spot. “We were informed about the accident by some passersby at around 6 am,” said Chameli.

ASI Rampal Singh said the victims were residents of Kanchan Colony on the Pakhowal Road and their parents were labourers. “As it was dark, the vehicle hit them and fled from the scene. No one saw the accident take place,” he said.

Ludhiana, December 1
Studies of students of government primary schools being run under the zila parishad have been suffering due to a dispute between teachers and the Punjab Government. Since 2009, the students of these schools have been completely cut off from the popular education schemes and policies of the Centre and the state government.

Zila parishad schools have not even been conducting mid-term or annual examinations and are free from any department inspection. Even in-service training is not mandatory for these schools. The government scheme “Padho Punjab” is also not implemented in these schools.

Teachers allege that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had admitted before the 2007 Assembly elections that zila parishads were unable to run the schools because they did not have sufficient funds and infrastructure. He had promised that the government would shift the schools back to the education department. But nothing came of it.

The ETT Teachers Union is, however, opposing the decision. Jagseer Sahota said: “We did not boycott any state-sponsored schemes which leads to the loss of studies. But it is a fact that the zila parishads are not the appropriate bodies to run schools. We feel no hesitation in admitting that studies are suffering, but it is the failure of the government, which wants to run schools on the World Bank grant-in-aid instead of the education budget.

Ludhiana, December 1
If close aides like Sukhpal Singh Bhullar and Vikram Chaudhry are turning foes and vying for the post of state president of the Youth Congress, the condition down the ladder is no different.

To become a part of the “coterie” of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, the youths are leaving no stone unturned to win the elections. Three ugly spats have taken place in the recent past and dharna has become a regular feature of these elections.

“Instead of uniting the party, the ongoing spats have resulted in creating a fissure which would lead to groupism and damage the party prospects in the ensuing Assembly elections,” said a senior Congress worker.

The incident of brandishing pistols and swords during a clash at a polling booth in the Atam Nagar Vidhan Sabha constituency and two more places has sent the alarm bells ringing in the police department.

A police official said on the condition of anonymity: “You could easily spot youngsters carrying pistols and rifles during the booth committee election held for each Assembly constituency of the Youth Congress.”

Reacting to it, Dimple Rana, former Youth Congress president, said: “Returning officer Dalip Vajpayee is keeping a close watch on the elections. He will file a detailed report on the recent incidents. All the cases of spat reported in the recent past have been resolved amicably. The high command will look into the brandishing of weapons.”

Expressing unhappiness over the incidents of violence, Ishwarjot Cheema, former spokesperson who worked at various posts of the state Youth Congress, said: “These youths are not understanding the ideology of Rahul Gandhi, who initiated the election process to provide a platform to the dynamic youngsters so that they could consolidate the foundation of democracy in the party. The Congress follows the Gandhian philosophy, but such disgruntled elements are bringing a bad name to the party.” Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ashish Chaudhry said: “It is the internal matter of the party and we cannot comment on the issue. We had received a complaint regarding a spat and we took preventive action by detaining the persons involved in the incident.”

Ludhiana, December 1
A class II student of BCM School, Shastri Nagar, who went “missing” from the school in mysterious circumstances yesterday, has shown the highly inquisitive and gutsy picture of the younger generation. In a similar incident, a 17-year-old boy had gone “missing”, the attempt was made by the boy to extract money from his parents. Besides, about a year ago, two girls from class VI of BCM School had gone to Hardwar to get respite from their “nagging” parents.

The city police, school authorities and medical professionals have held parents responsible to an extent for such behaviour of kids. Besides, the police records show that a majority of the “missing” and “found” children belong to the middle and upper middle class, who could afford to throw tantrums with their parents.

Gurpreet Bhurewal, ACP West, said such incidents showed that the parents had no time to watch the activities of their wards. “There is so much influence of television and movies on the tender minds. Their energies are not being channelised in a positive direction. They want everything in life, if parents say no to them, they adopt alternative paths,” said Bhurewal.

The principal of BCM School, whose three students went missing, said the parents did not spend quality time with kids and too much of strictness on their part was spoiling the life of children. She said instead of being friendly and patient, the parents acted tough with the wards and children felt suffocated in such atmosphere.

“All these students, who went missing, have told due to parental pressures they took such extreme steps. We need to respect the dignity of the child, too. The boy who went missing yesterday is an outstanding child but his brain went in the wrong direction. He complained that his mother scolds him too much. The children must not feel suffocated. The parents need to spend quality time with them, listen to their problems and needs. Rather than showing the tough side, the children can be tackled with love and affection,” said Paramjit Kaur.

Ludhiana, December 1
The Congress has cried foul over the repeated postponement of the tenders for advertisement unipoles in the city while charging the top brass of the Municipal Corporation with trying to help a particular contractor at the cost of other bidders who had offered higher rates.

Alleging that there was total lack of coordination between the advertisement sub-committee and the finance and contracts committee (F&CC) of the civic body, which had led to a select few contractors causing huge loss of revenue, Congress councillor Parminder Mehta has asked Mayor Hakam Singh Giaspura and MC Commissioner AK Sinha to set the House in order.

According to Mehta, the postponement of tenders for 25 unipole advertisement boards twice (on November 14 and 30) on one pretext or the other showed blatant attempts by certain MC functionaries to award the contract to their favourite contractor. He alleged that the advertisement mafia, operating in the MC with the help of certain political leaders and officials, was not only causing immense financial loss to the MC, but also the beneficiary contractors were indulging in a blame game to show the working of the civic body in a poor light.

The allegations of irregularities in the award of advertisement contract levelled by the Congress councillor gain credence in the wake of a voice of dissent raised by Senior Deputy Mayor Parveen Bansal, who had alleged that the Mayor wanted to award the contract to a particular contractor who was close to him.

The existing contract for unipole advertisement boards on the Mall Road from Fountain Chowk to Bharat Nagar Chowk and further till Dholewal Chowk, awarded in October 2006, had expired on September 30 this year. Fresh tenders invited for the same for November 14 were postponed to November 30, and again to December 14. It has been learnt that the tenders to be opened yesterday, were postponed at the last minute due to higher bids offered by another contractor, and the MC higher-ups wanted to provide another opportunity to the existing contractor to revise his offer.

Ludhiana, December 1
There's a perceptible dip in temperature in the city. The weather in the city has become colder with the drop in the temperature.

"Since yesterday, it seems that the winters have finally set in. The mornings are cold and so are the nights. Even during the day, the sun shines lackadaisically," said Neelam Sharma, a homemaker.

"There’s a nip in the air. You can feel the chill. We are taking special care so that our school-going children don't fall sick," added Shruti Singh, a young professional.

Many of the city schools have already switched over to the winter timings.

The sale of woollens in the city markets is registering an upswing, according to the observers. "Last month, we hardly had any buyers for the woollens. But now people are on a buying spree. That's encouraging for us. Mild winters don't augur any good for our business," said a shop owner from Chaura Bazaar.

Meanwhile, it was a slightly misty and cloudy day today. The sun played hide-and-seek for the major part of the day. The sun could only be seen in the afternoon. According to the PAU meteorological department, the maximum temperature of the day was 22.5 degree Celsius and the minimum was 12 degree Celsius. The length of the day was 10 hours 18 minutes. Interestingly, despite the common perception that the winters this time seemed to be more severe, the weather data records at PAU show that there is no change in the weather pattern at this time of the year as compared to the last year.

Ludhiana, December 1
The Punjab Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sat Pal Gosain, today stressed on the need for better public awareness on HIV/AIDS to create an AIDS-free society and root out the disease.

Presiding over a state-level function organised to mark World AIDS Day here today, he termed the HIV/AIDS infection as a huge threat to the human race which should be tackled at various levels. The government had made provisions to provide free treatment to AIDS victims at six government hospitals in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala and Pathankot. The testing and diagnostics facilities are also available in all government hospitals and medical colleges across the state.

Saying that drug addiction (injectable drug use) was one of the major risk factors for HIV/AIDS, the minister administered a pledge to those present at the function to effectively work for weaning the youth away from drugs, and also mobilise people against other social evils like dowry, foeticide and adulteration.

The Director Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, Dr JP Singh, said prevention was the only tool available at present to fight against AIDS and there was dire need to educate people about risk factors and preventive measures against the condition.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr Subhash Batta, sought the cooperation of social, religious and educational institutions, besides NGOs, to rid the society of the menace of drugs.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 1
To aware residents about causes and consequences of dreaded HIV virus, students of various schools of the local town and surrounding localities, led by office-bearers of Kalyaan Helpline, an NGO, and Ahmedgarh Medical Association organised an awareness rally here today.

The rally, organised as a part of the crusade against the menace, was supervised by Dr SR Shahi, director of the organisation.

Students prepared charts highlighting various aspects of adult education and raised slogans against the deadly disease.

Addressing the participants on the conclusion of the rally, speakers urged residents to associate themselves with the crusade against social evils and diseases like AIDS.

Instead of considering the issue a taboo, the parents should impart basic knowledge to their children and encourage them to learn more from their teachers.

“Studies have proved that ignorance about the subject had resulted in proliferation of the evil. Had we taken preventive measures, the situation could have saved from being explosive,” said Shahi and Dr RP Singal.

Jagraon, December 1
The Jagraon Citizens’ Welfare Council in association with Mother Teresa Institute of Medical Technology organised a function at Government Senior Secondary School here today to mark the World AIDS Day.

SDM Jagraon, Isha Kalia, was the chief guest on the occasion. A paper-reading competition on the topics AIDS and drugs was also organised to create awareness among young generation against drug addiction and AIDS.

More than 20 students of different schools of the area participated in the paper-reading competition.

Jasmit Kaur of Sanmati Vimal Jain Senior Secondary School, Jagraon, bagged the first position in the contest, which was followed by Silki Sharma of Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School and Rupinder Singh of Government Senior Secondary School for Boys bagging second and third positions, respectively.

Isha distributed the prizes among winners. She said the static of AIDS patients in Punjab showed that disease had been spreading at an alarming speed in the state. Appreciating the participating students, she further said there was no treatment to this fatal disease and only awareness was the key to stop spreading this disease further.

Dr Avtar Singh, coordinator AIDS, informed that 28,521 cases of AIDS have been registered in Punjab so far. He also urged that the students should be made aware of this disease at the school level.

A seminar was also organised. Rakesh Gupta, school principal, Dr Kishan Singh from Civil Hospital, Jagraon, and block education officer Gurdev Singh shared their views with the students and expressed concerns over the increasing cases of AIDS in India. Speakers stated that the main causes responsible for AIDS were unsafe sex and drug addiction. All speakers advocated for making the students aware of this disease at the school level. Dr Ashok Sharma, chairman of Citizens’ Welfare Council, presented a memento to the chief guest and thanked the chief guest as well as other dignitaries.

Jagraon, December 1
Already under fire from various quarters of the society for a large number of irregularities in various development works carried out in the town during the recent past, Jagraon Municipal Council president Baldev Krishan Dhir drew yet another controversy after floating tenders for carrying out development works in those wards of the town where actually no need was felt for carrying the development works.

In fact, the new tenders have been floated after the state government released funds to the tune of around Rs 3 crore for the Jagraon Municipal Council to carry out further development works in the city.

The local Municipal Council has floated tenders for carrying out 96 development works in different wards of the town. Out of these 96 development works, 85 development works are meant for fixing inter-locking tiles at various streets of different wards.

But the irony is that the majority of these streets, where inter-locking tiles are meant to be laid down, are in a good condition and do not need any kind of recarpeting while there are many other roads like Raikot Road, College Road, Link Road, Malak Road etc, which have been in a bad condition since long time and require immediate repair.

Apart from these roads, there are many other residential areas, including Gandhi Mohalla, Geeta Colony, Ajit Nagar and some other localities in the old city area where the condition of streets are pathetic and there is no arrangement for sewerage drainage due to which residents of these areas are forced to live under bad conditions.

Though the residents of these areas where the development works have not been carried out since long time are demanding from the MC to fix inter-locking tiles and lay down sewerage pipes but the MC has floated no tender for carrying out these works. The residents of these neglected areas have accused the MC president of biasing with these localities.

“On one side the MC is carrying out development works in those areas where there is no need of these works but on the other hand not even a single penny has been spared for improving the condition of those areas, which had been laying neglected since a long time”, said Ramandeep Kainth, a resident of Ajit Nagar.

“The MC has been digging in cemented streets, which are in good condition and fixing inter-locking tiles there but it is not paying any attention towards other localities, which have been in bad condition and the residents are facing tough time,” said Pawan Bansal, an entrepreneur at Link Road

In the past too, the MC president had to face the ire of the people of the localities, which were neglected. According to the residents of these localities, the MC had dug out newly laid cemented streets for laying inter-locking tiles in the different areas but the streets, which really need recarpeting were ignored. The people as well as councilors of the areas, which are being neglected by the MC have been accusing the MC president of discriminating with some particular areas.

The residents of those areas where no development work has been carried out have urged the MC to lay down inter-locking tiles in their areas too.

Meanwhile, Dhir has denied the allegation of adopting a biased approach while carrying out development works. He said the development works were being carried out as per the decisions taken in the MC meetings. However, he promised that the development work of the neglected areas would start soon.

Ludhiana, December 1
“The Better Halves”, an exhibition celebrating womanhood, was inaugurated at a gallery here today. Artist, Kamal Nath, who has put up an exhibition for the first time in Punjab, is a self-taught artist working in mixed media on canvas. Lyrical and romantic, his canvases are radiant and colourful.

“I consider my art the Almighty’s gift to me. I have not received any formal training in art,” said Nath, while interacting with mediapersons.

His style was both realistic and abstract, he added. “My art is an expression of joy, love, enthusiasm, fulfillment and gratefulness in life,” he said. About his use of vibrant colours, he said these colours carried an aura of joy around them.

“A painting should inspire us to be happy. A dull, drab work of art fails to enthuse art lovers.” He said music, nature and life inspired him. One of his much-appreciated paintings is that of a woman with a stringed instrument in her hand.

“My paintings express the emotive side of the people. And in most of my paintings, it’s the facial expression that catches the attention.”

He believes in celebrating all stages of womanhood. Some of his paintings portray not-so-young-women enjoying music. “As an artist, I don’t subscribe to the idea that only young women can be an artist’s subjects. It’s not about age. It’s more about mood and creativity,” he said.

“For an artist, visualisation is the key. First, you get the painting on your mindscape and then it can be worked on to the canvas. It’s simple, yet complex.”

Nath has held solo exhibitions in India and abroad. The exhibition is on till December 4.

Ludhiana, December 1
A three-day chrysanthemum show, dedicated to renowned Punjabi poet Bhai Vir Singh, began today near the flag post of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).

The show has been jointly organised by the department of floriculture and landscaping and estate organisation of PAU. The show will culminate on December 3.

Inaugurating the show, chief guest, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, said the flower cultivation could play a pivotal role in the economy of Punjab through agricultural diversification and income enhancement of the farmers. The floriculture industry is a profitable enterprise.

Guest of honour, Dr Ramesh Kumar, director, directorate of floriculture research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, said under the All-India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP), commercial cultivation of flowers was being given great significance. He highlighted that PAU is the national centre of the directorate of floriculture research for collecting, conservation and generation of technology for flower production of chrysanthemum.

There are 23 centres under the project and PAU is one of the oldest centres. The recommendations of the PAU are always taken into consideration by other centres, he added.

Dr Kushal Singh, head, department of floriculture and landscaping, said the chrysanthemum had a rich diversity and flowers of different sizes ranging from about 1 cm to 15 cm are available. The department has strengthened research in chrysanthemum under AICRP and has released 17 varieties, including seven hybrids of different colours and shapes. Dr Singh informed that about 4,000 chrysanthemum pots, having large number of varieties with different flower shapes and colours, have been displayed. The varieties include yellow delight, garden beauty, winter queen, yellow charm, royal purple, Punjab gold, green emperor, etc. The visitors can interact with experts regarding useful tips for chrysanthemum growing during the show, he added.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 1
Social networking sites are fast emerging as a tool for advertising achievements and yoking in support by the politicians.

The Punjab Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and heads of various political parties are among those whose identities (fake or genuine) hog limelight on the social networking websites, including Facebook.

Sharing of published materials, including news items, press releases, proxy interaction and chatting by local and regional leaders, has emerged as a tool to harness support for their respective parties.

Though some of the politicians have denied creating their identities on any of the networking sites, they, cutting across party lines, have added even their rivals as “friends”.

Investigations revealed that prominent politicians, holding important portfolios in the state and Union government, had joined the list of icons and personalities whose identity are hogging attention of viewers on famous social networking sites. Besides using the site for propagating their ideology through status messages, profiles and wall postings, they usually share relevant links and upload video clips and news items published in local newspapers.

Manpreet Singh Ayali, chairman Zila Parishad Ludhiana; Jassi Khangura MLA Kilaraipur; Jaswinder Singh Sond, Vikas Tondon, Yadwinder Singh Phallewal and Harjinder Singh Kaka figure among those who have been regularly posting important mails on their IDs during past weeks.

Another site in name of Halqa Amargarh Voters, purportedly maintained by chairman of the Gandhi Chowk Welfare Club seems to have attracted friends irrespective of their political allegiance.

Investigations further revealed that complete resume of the leaders had also been added in the profile and his or her achievements had been highlighted with the support of visuals, including pictures and clippings.

Sources revealed that some politicians had hired professionals to make their identities more impressive. In certain case the website was exploited for accomplishing blame game too.

Activists of youth wings of their respective parties, social activists and journalists are among friends added on the IDs of politicians. Some of the fans figured on identities of more than one leader.

Ludhiana, December 1
Puneet Gupta, a local businessman, celebrated his 35th birth anniversary by adopting 13 thalassaemic children and undertook to provide life-long financial assistance for their periodic blood transfusion and follow-up treatment.

The children -- Parabhjot Kaur, Sakshi, Bakul, Gurjot Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Krish, Ishpreet, Ankur, Arshdeep Singh, Aman, Gurpreet Singh, Jaiti and Prince -- are undergoing treatment at the Christian Medical College and Hospital and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

Puneet, managing director of a company, says he got inspiration from his mother Shyama and his wife Charu to do social service. He and his wife also donated blood at a camp organised by an NGO. Over 50 units of blood were collected for thalassaemic children.

Puneet also announced joining the NGO, Salaam Zindagi Foundation, which is working to provide blood transfusion and medicines free of cost to 70 thalassaemic children in the city. “With these 13 more thalassaemic children, the tally of the children under the fold of the NGO goes to 83,” said Manjit Saini, president of the NGO.

“He has given a new lease of life to thalassaemic children and set an example for the others to emulate,” office-bearers of the NGO remarked.

Jagraon, December 1
Bharat Bandh call given by the opposition parties against the Congress-led UPA government’s decision on the issue of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) received a lukewarm response in Jagraon today.

Protesting against allowing 51 per cent FDI into multi-brand retail market, only a handful of traders kept their shops closed in the city but majority of shopkeepers and other business establishments, including Karyana stores, trading firms, departmental stores and other commercial outfits, remained open for whole day.

The bandh call had no major impact in towns like Jagraon, Mullanpur, Raikot and Sidhwan Bet where the markets remained open. Apart from this, branded stores like EasyDay, departmental stores and neighbourhood shops also remained open.

A majority of the shopkeepers in these towns stayed away from the bandh call and opened their shops as usual. Though there was a bit hesitation among the shopkeepers early in the morning and they kept waiting for some time outside their shops to see the response but when some of the shopkeepers opened their shops, others too followed them and the activities remained almost usual throughout the day.

However, some of the traders supporting the bandh call took out a protest rally and burnt an effigy of the Central government to lodge their protest against the entry of multi-national companies into country's retail market.

Ludhiana, December 1
The bandh call against the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) supported by the Central government fizzled out in first hour of the day.

Though some cases regarding the protests by the political parties were reported but overall the situation remained calm. The city’s main shopping destination, Chaura Bazar, was buzzing with activity and the bandh call did not affected normal life.

“We opened the shops late due to the fear of bandh, but soon everything was normal. We called our employees at work. Till afternoon everything became normal, customers visited the shop just like any other day,” said Rishabh Khullar, a businessman.

However, commuters faced a panic moment due to the bandh call as they were seen jostling to catch buses in order to reach the destination. The bandh call turned out to be a boon for the private taxi operators, who overcharged the commuters for ferrying them to the destination.

“I paid Rs 500 to a private taxi operator for taking me to Chandigarh. He not only overcharged but also ferried six persons in a car,” said Sanjiv Kumar.