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Driving under the influence kills
Ludhiana, December 18 The incident took place around 9 pm when Sandeep, along with his son, was returning home after visiting his sister’s house located near Samrala Chowk. The two were riding a moped. According to an eyewitness, as the two reached the Transport Nagar chowk, a speeding truck coming from behind ran over Sandeep and Hari Om. Residents said instead of applying the brakes, the panic-stricken driver accelerated the vehicle and dragged the victim’s bodies to a distance. The commuters intercepted the truck and pelted it with stones. Five commuters sustained minor injuries in the process. Amidst the melee, the driver of truck, identified as Karnail Singh, fled the scene. The injured sustained minor injuries and were not hospitalised. During the investigation, the police found that the driver was under the influence of poppy husk and had apparently lost control of the truck due to this. The police has seized a pack of
poppy husk from the truck. Investigating officer Tersem Singh said the driver had been booked under Section 304- A of the IPC for causing death due to rash and negligent driving. The police was in the process of booking the accused under relevant sections of the NDPS Act for driving under the influence. In the second incident, a speeding Toyota Innova (PB 10 CC 6996) went on a destruction spree, hitting two vehicles near Nanaksar Gurdwara on the Ferozepur Road. The accident left five persons injured. The vehicle, coming from the Jagraon side, hit an auto-rickshaw, broke the median fencing and finally rammed into a Tata Indigo car. The Toyota Innova was driven by Neeraj Vij, an IELTS and personality development trainer. Neeraj was travelling with his wife and mother when the incident took place. Neeraj was reportedly drunk and lost control of the vehicle after hitting the auto-rickshaw. The injured have been identified as Rajni, Vikas, Harinder, Ravdeep and Amit. While Ravdeep and Amit sustained minor injuries, the condition of Rajni, Vikas and Harinder was stated to be serious. The three were taken to the Civil Hospital where they were undergoing treatment. Narrating the incident, Ravdeep Singh of Maharaj Nagar said: “I was returning home in my car when I saw an Innova hit an auto-rickshaw in the other lane. In no time, the vehicle broke through the divider and hit my car. I feel fortunate to be alive. I suffered bruises but did not sustain any major injuries.” A bottle of liquor was found from Neeraj’s car, suggesting that he was consuming liquor while driving. Investigating officer Paramjit Singh of the PAU police station said: “Neeraj not only put the commuters’ lives in danger but also risked the lives of family members travelling with him.” Neeraj has been booked under Sections 279, 427, and 338 of the IPC for reckless driving. “We are waiting for the medical report and if Neeraj is found to have consumed alcohol, he will be booked under relevant sections,” said Paramjit Singh.
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drunk driving
Even the death of five persons in the past 10 days due to the menace has failed to shake the authorities from their slumber. According to traffic expert Kamaljit Soi, the danger of drunk driving assumes serious proportions on weekends when a majority of tipplers indulge in speeding, often resulting in road rage. The residents complain that while the police is busy challaning vehicles, they are least bothered about cracking a whip on drunk driving. “Not a single policeman carries an alcoholmeter to check drunk driving during nights. Instead of unnecessarily challaning vehicles
and harassing commuters, the police should keep tabs on the growing menace caused by tipplers,” said Malkit Singh Malhi, a resident of Haibowal. Records suggest that a majority of victims are either pedestrians or two-wheeler riders, who fall prey to tipplers driving four-wheelers. On December 11, a drunk car driver crushed three migrant labourers to death near Chabewal village on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana Road. The car, after hitting the pedestrians, rammed into a tree. Similarly, Gyaspura resident Sandeep Jindal and his son Hari Om Jindal were crushed to death after a speeding truck ran over them at Transport Nagar chowk last night. During investigations, it was found that the truck driver, Karnail Singh, was under the influence of poppy husk. Also, Neeraj Vij, a city-based IELTS and personally development trainer, injured five persons after he lost control of his vehicle near Nanaksar Gurdwara on the Ferozepur road. Liquor bottles were found in Neeraj’s vehicle last night.
‘Weekend drives soon’
‘The police will soon launch special drives on weekends to check drunk individuals from creating a ruckus on the
road — Sajjan Singh Cheema, Adcp (Traffic) |
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Tragedy revisits family
Ludhiana, December 18 This is not the first time that Indu has encountered tragedy. Her father had died in a road accident last year and her brother was killed in a bomb blast. Indu, while wailing over the death of her husband, said: “I called up Sandeep last night and asked him to come home soon so that the family could have the dinner together. But the destiny had some other plans and the killer truck driver ruined my life forever.” “The driver will go scot free after furnishing a bail bond. What about me? I am ruined for the rest of my life,” lamented Indu. |
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sad rally
Jagraon, December 18 Though the administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth flow of traffic and the traffic was diverted to various alternative routes, it was tough time for thousands of commuters who remained stuck in traffic jams for hours at various points between Ludhiana and Moga. The worst hit were students hailing from areas like Moga, Jagraon, Ferozepur, Talwandi, Faridkot, Mudki, Baghapurana, Muktsar, Kotkapoora, etc. who had to take the National Eligibility Test (NET) organised by the University Grant Commission (UGC) in science stream at various examination centers in different colleges of Chandigarh. They had to face a lot of difficulty reaching their destinations on time. As a majority of private buses were hired by SAD leaders to ferry their supporters to the venue, the students had to rely on buses of Punjab Roadways and PRTC to reach their destinations. As a result, buses ran full on the route. Many students complained of reaching late at the examination centres due to traffic jams at various places. “It was perhaps the worst day of my life. I was supposed to reach Government College of Home Sciences in Chandigarh before 2 pm to appear in the NET examination, but I reached there 20 minutes late. Several other students arrived late at our centre,” said Parminder Kaur, a guest teacher at a Jagraon college. |
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Bus service makes residents smile
Huge rush was witnessed in the 10 low-floor non-AC buses and during the day people even travelled while standing in the bus. Residents said buses were a better option than auto-rickshaws. “It’s safe as well as comfortable to travel in low-floor buses. Moreover, we can protect ourselves from the biting cold, which we cannot do in an auto-rickshaw,” said
Satnam Singh, a resident of Salem Tabri, who boarded a bus from the bus station. “I reached my destination comfortably in Rs 10,” he said with a smile. Auto-rickshaw owners have already started feeling the pinch. “The number of passengers has gone down already and if more such buses are launched in the coming days, we will be out of business soon,” said an auto-rickshaw owner. If one has to travel in an auto-rickshaw, one has to pay a minimum fare of Rs 10. However, for travelling a distance of 5 km in a low-floor bus, passengers have to pay only Rs 5. For instance, those hiring an auto-rickshaw from Bharat Nagar for railway station have to pay Rs 10. However, they can pay just Rs 5 for the same trip in a low-floor bus. Buses are more convenient and provide cheaper travel, said a city resident. MC Commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi said the civic body was looking to generate a revenue of around Rs 3,000 per bus every day. “Revenue generation is not an issue for us because even if we run into losses, we will continue with the service, as its will benefit city residents. When more buses arrive, we will ply them on other routes as well.” In October, the then MC Commissioner, AK Sinha, stated that the trial run of these buses was conducted in August. At that time, the MC had taken two low-floor buses from Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) on rent and plied them on city roads. To assess the financial viability of these buses, the passengers were even charged and the MC was able to generate over Rs 3,000 from one bus alone in one day. Fact File
Ticket rates
Distance Price 0-5 km Rs 5 5-10 km Rs 10 Over 10 km
Rs 15 |
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international migrants day
As per official figures, there are about 5 lakh migrant workers in the city but as per different trade unions’ estimates, their number has already crossed 10 lakh. Of the total migrant population in the city, around 1 per cent have made a life in the city by starting business ventures. And, they are pretty well aware about their rights as well. Another five per cent of the population is into small professions, toiling hard for decades and constructing homes in the city. The remaining population, around 94 per cent, still lives in pitiable conditions. “They are the skilled and unskilled labour, who came to the city for greener pastures. And the cash-rich society provided them with an environment that was even worse than animals living in a shed. In spite of raising concerns over their plight, conditions have not changed a little bit for them. “The labour department here has failed to safeguard the interest of the labour,
These migrants have come from states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Bihar and have proved to be a pillar for the local industry over the years. The industry, be it cycle, knitwear, auto-parts, leather, furnace, forging or hosiery, depends entirely on the labour from other states. SC Ralhan, chairman (northern region), Engineering Export and Promotion Council, says industrialists depend on the migrant labour for growth and production. “Without them, we cannot survive as there is no skilled local labour available here. We have to watch their interests if we have to flourish further,” says Ralhan. Dr Arun Mitra, an ENT specialist, who visits the “vehras” in which these migrants live, says: “It is unfortunate to see their living conditions. On land measuring 150-200 sq yd, 15-20 rooms are constructed and each room is occupied by around 10 migrants. They cook food in the same room, in which their is no ventilation, light or fresh air. This is the reason that each time there is a disease outbreak, it is the migrant population that suffers the most.”
‘Vehras’ in pitiable state
“Vehras” in Sherpur, Gyaspura, Kanganwal, Gobindgarh village, Industrial Area, Hargobindnagar and Moti Nagar, where the migrant population in concentrated, are a shambles. They cook the meals in the same room with over 50 migrants sharing
just two washrooms Fair share in crime
Crime both by and against the migrant population has seen an upswing due to their rising population in the city. “Vehras” are seen unsafe for women and kids, as a majority of crimes take place there. Besides, migrants indulge in petty crimes too Exodus from city
After the Dhandari incident, which took place in the city around two years ago, in which migrants were targeted, a lot of them have returned to their native villages. Also, their state governments have been making lucrative offers to ensure a steady livelihood back home |
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Youth dies of ‘drug overdose’
Ludhiana, December 18 According to hotel staff, Gurbaz had checked in with a friend. Both allegedly consumed drugs and went to sleep after having food. Gurbaz died in sleep. The police has initiated an inquest proceedings under Section 174, IPC.
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tartan track
Ludhiana, December 18 Even, the sports kits, bearing the pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, provided to the athletes did not have shoes. According to the norms, athletes cannot run barefoot on the Tartan track. Running without shoes on this track affects the performance and can also cause injuries. Organisers are aware of the rules and ill-effects of running barefoot, but they seem helpless. District Sports Officer Surjit Singh expresses displeasure at the inability of the sports authorities or organisers to provide adequate gear to the athletes. “It is quite dangerous for athletes to run barefoot on the track. Most rural sportspersons can’t afford spikes. Running without spikes can cause sprain in
“Organisers should provide shoes to all players because running without these can cause serious injuries,” he says. “No one ever asked me to wear the shoes before race. I have taken part in state-level competitions last year too. But this is the first time that I ran on the Tartan track. I am not aware of the ill-effects of running without spike shoes on this track, but I did not perform well on this track,” said an athlete from Mansa. Another athlete from Ferozepur district said: “I don’t have spikes because I cannot afford them. Our teacher told us that the government would provide us with the shoes but we never received any shoes. Now, I am planning to buy my own pair of shoes.” Assistant Education Officer Rupinder Singh Ravi says: “Spikes are expensive so every student cannot afford these. Running barefoot on the track affects the performance. The government should provide spike shoes to those athletes who don’t possess them.” Bare facts As per the norms, athletes cannot run barefoot on the Tartan track. Running without shoes on
this track affects the performance and can also cause injuries
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Crime against women up
As the population of the industrial city is increasing, so are the incidents against women. From January 1, 2011 till date, a total of 289 cases have been registered for crime against women under various sections. Forty-eight cases under Section 376 of the IPC (rape) have been registered at various police stations this year. A police official on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the number of registered cases was too low, as a majority of victims preferred to keep mum due to social stigma attached to the crime. “They feel reluctant to come to the police and answer their queries. In a population of about 16 lakh people, crime against women will be too high in comparison with the reported cases,” said the official. Apart from 48 rape cases, 10 women committed suicide under Section 306 of the IPC (abetment to commit suicide). In-laws, husband and other family members have been booked by the police in these cases. Under Section 354, 24 cases have been registered for outraging modesty of women in the city. Under the obscene act (Section 294 of the IPC) against women, 11 cases have been registered in the last about one year. Despite awareness about social evil dowry, the city police has registered 91 cases under Section 498-A (dowry harassment). While 12 women have lost their lives in dowry deaths. A total of 71 cases have been registered against various persons for kidnapping and abducting women (Sections 363, 366) in the city, while under the Immoral Trafficking Act, 22 cases have been registered so far. An Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) here said crime against women had seen an increase as compared to the last year. “As the population of the city is increasing, crime against women is also increasing. And a majority of the victims are migrants,” said the
ACP.
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powercom recruitment
Ludhiana, December 18 Presiding over a meeting of the body here today, Swarn Singh charged the government with playing into the hands of whimsical managements of two power utility corporations. Seeking immediate intervention of the government for scrapping the arbitrary condition of minimum 60 per cent marks in the qualifying examination for different posts in PSPCL and PSTCL, he said all candidates, eligible for applying to the posts of JEs, SSAs, SDOs and SSOs, be permitted to apply and sit in the qualifying test. He also lambasted the managements of power corporations for pursuing the policies of privatisation and outsourcing various departmental works. “The departmental works are either being awarded to contractors or being outsourced, while vacant posts at different levels are not being filled up.” The INTUC functionary also criticised the managements of power corporations for their failure to give effect to promotions at lower levels such as from LDC to UDC, ALM to lineman, lineman to foreman and JE to AE with the result that these cadres were stagnating for years together without any promotion. Similarly, the promise of regularisation of adhoc employees also remained unfulfilled.
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Road named after Major Kokri
His son Amarjit Singh said the naming of the road after Major Kokri was aimed at motivating the youngsters of Punjab to join the Army. “We are worried about the present state of Punjab. People are selling their lands to go abroad. Well-educated youth are drawn to the corporate culture. Who will carry the legacy left by brave soldiers of the state. We wish to raise awareness among the youth about the brave soldiers who fought for the nation,” he added. Major Kokri was born on July 23, 1915 at Kokri Kalan village in an Army family. After initial education at Khalsa school, he joined the British Army in 1935 as a soldier in Sikh Regiment and served in the North-West Frontier Province. In 1942, he was selected as a commissioned officer and posted with Punjab Regiment. He fought the Japanese army at Kohima-Imphal Axis in 1945. At the time of partition, his unit was moved to Bannu, where he was tasked with evacuation of refugees. After the partition, he was posted back to Sikh Regiment and within days, his company along with the first battalion was air-lifted to Jammu and Kashmir to quell the tribal onslaught. On April 25, 1948 he was awarded with Vir Chakra for leading his company in capturing Tragan, the gateway to Titihwal in J&K, which was occupied by Pakistani troops and tribesmen. He was later Mentioned in Dispatches for a similar act of bravery. He also took part in 1962 and 1965 operations.
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Illegal cigarette trade harming Punjab
Ludhiana, December 18 Sources in the cigarette trade assert that the harsh taxation on cigarettes in India is one of the major reasons for the huge and growing market for illegal cigarettes. Despite accounting for a meager 15 per cent share of total tobacco consumption, the cigarettes generate over 75 per cent of the tax revenue from tobacco. Although, the category of illicit cigarettes also includes smuggled international brands, it consists principally of duty-evaded cigarettes manufactured domestically by small, unscrupulous units. These units don’t pay the high excise and VAT levied on cigarettes, and conduct flourishing clandestine business. In Punjab, the VAT on cigarettes is currently 22 per cent, but there is an added local tax in certain cities like Jalandhar and Ferozepur. It takes the tax up to 25 per cent, which is higher than the highest slab of 22 per cent. It was introduced across the states in 2007. The sources further stated that the manufacture of illegal cigarettes gained tremendous momentum after the Union Budgets of 2008-09 and 2010-11, when Central excise duty rates were increased by an unprecedented 42 per cent. “The legitimate cigarette manufacturers were forced to vacate the hitherto affordable price points of Rs 1 and Rs 1.50 per stick, and the vacuum was rapidly filled by illegal regular size filter cigarettes that began to be sold to consumers at Re 1 per stick (or Rs 10/- per packet of 10 cigarettes). The loss of revenue to the Punjab government because of the illegal cigarettes trade is staggering. But the cost to the health of smokers of illegal cigarettes is incalculable. Illegal cigarettes pose high health hazards to smokers because of the inferior manufacturing processes used, the low quality of tobacco and high levels of nicotine. Apprehending their concern over rapid growth of the trade in illegal cigarettes in Punjab, the cigarette trade circles maintained that the prevailing trends had clearly shown that the discriminatory tax policy against cigarettes had not led to any decrease in overall tobacco consumption, and neither had it resulted in higher collection of taxes. On the contrary, it had simply catalyzed the growth of the illegal cigarettes trade, and forced the people to switch to cheaper illegal cigarettes, which were far more harmful than legally manufactured cigarettes. Sources in the cigarette trade assert that harsh taxation on cigarettes in India is one of the major reasons for the huge and growing market for illegal cigarettes. Despite accounting for a meager 15 per cent share of total tobacco consumption, the cigarettes generate over 75 per cent of the tax revenue from tobacco. Although, the category of illicit cigarettes also includes smuggled international brands, it consists principally of duty-evaded cigarettes manufactured domestically by small, unscrupulous units.
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Reporters’ Diary
Political equations are fast changing, friends have turned into foes and vice-versa, “jugadbandi” is being resorted to in order to approach senior party leaders and some of the more enthusiastic contenders have even gone to the extent of putting up posters in some of the assembly segments declaring themselves as candidate of one or the other party. In the melee, the real issues, problems of masses and mess that the mega city is in, seems to have completely forgotten. Bureaucrats on toes!
During VVIPs visit to the city, political leaders, officials from several departments and bureaucrats are on their toes. As Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal visited the city yesterday, the “bureaucrat paraphernalia” was on their toes for his reception at PAU grounds. One of the top officials said, “I feel we will not be free till late night due to Badal’s visit. Being Saturday, I had promised my family to take them out to dinner, but I don’t think that I will be able to fulfill my promise. It has been happening for the past several days and they all are simply disappointed. It is not just me, who’s on the VVIP duty, but all officials feel the same.”
To save themselves from corporal punishment, children have also evolved their own ways. In one of the city schools, a teacher started beating children of her class for not doing homework. To save themselves from the punishment, two kids asked for the permission for bringing their books from the other class and left the class. By the time they reached back, the period got over and they heaved a sigh of relief as the teacher changed with the change of period.
Chance to exercise
During a weekday traffic lights went out due to a power cut and a pot-bellied traffic police cop scurried to the middle of the square. Like a typical traffic cop, he kept on waving his hand continually rather than making full movements a traffic warden is supposed to. One of the tourists on the road asked why do these traffic cops here keep on waving hands continually. “These cops hardly do any exercise, so they make the most of it whenever they get a chance,” a resident laughed.
Feedback from sportsmen!
Recently Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal pasted their photographs on sports kits. Sportsmen were unhappy with this move of the ruling party who are facing problems due to poor sports infrastructure. When a reporter asked a sportsman, he chuckled, “I think the CM should put his photograph on footballs they give to sportspersons and they can easily get the feedback from
them.” Contributed by Kuldip Bhatia, Shivani Bhakoo, Anupam Bhagria,
Gurvinder Singh, Charanjit Singh Teja
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‘Art not confined to colour, canvass’
Ludhiana, December 18 The art to Harminder Singh Boparai is not confined to colour or canvass. “Art is in no way dependent on expenses,” he says as he can create a piece of art from sand, metal scrap, stone, fibre glass, wood and even a m-seal. He participated in a group art exhibition organised in the city today. Hailing from Ghudani Kala village, he has created more than 150 sculptures. His ingenious art has won him appreciation award from the Punjab Lalit Kala Academy. Art to him is for his satisfaction and not to earn livelihood. The art, he has created is not for sale, as he wants to keep the unique pieces of art with him. He wants to carve out a name through his sculpture. His calling for the immediate future is giving form and voice to metal scrap. Other artists from the city who participated in the exhibition were Amita Gupta and Sandeep Sharma. Amita paintings depict relationships and how a woman responds to relationships. Sandeep Sharma is a poet and his photographs inspired from nature explore deeper meanings of life from nature.
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‘New ideas must to get desired results’
Ludhiana, December 18 Senior director of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India Dr Om S Tyagi stated that the promotion of food processing and agro-based industry in Punjab was beneficial for growers. He said farm universities like PAU, Government Extension Agencies, NABARD, Punjab National Bank and other banks as well as the corporate sector needed to collaborate closely for developing agriculture sector related entrepreneurship in the state. It was observed at the conclave that there was a vast potential for the promotion of food processing industry in the state. Experts laid emphasis on the establishment of cold stores and effective utilisation of post-harvest technologies. “Agriculture, horticulture, and other allied sectors, if developed on scientific line, have vast scope for promoting growth in the state,”
they added.
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Singing contest to break monotony of studies
Ludhiana, December 18 The competition came as a respite for many students who have been feeling tense and admitted that continuous studies and frequent examinations because of the semester system have been taking a toll on their mental health and were burdensome to an extent. “It came as a relief for me. Even though the first semester examinations are over, I am feeling the monotonous mood of the academics,” said Gurpreet, a student. A change in the atmosphere was relaxing, many of the students agreed. “These competitions not only encourage the students to come to fore and exhibit their talent but also serve as a source of entertainment for them,” said Ramnik Sidhu, a school teacher.
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PAU NOTES
Ludhiana: A training camp on "Herbicide Application Techniques in Wheat" was organised by the Directorate of Extension Education of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the farmers at Tibbar village, Gurdaspur. The programme, supported and facilitated by M/s Syngenta India Ltd, involved the participation of about 300 farmers.
Chief guest Dr MS Gill, director of Extension Education, PAU, remarked that the university had well-knit system to acquaint the farmers with the innovative scientific techniques and technologies i.e. through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the Farm Advisory Service Scheme (FASS) and Kisan Melas. He asked the farmers to utilise the expertise of the scientists from time to time and keep themselves updated with the advancements being made in the field of agriculture. Gill exhorted the farmers to opt for value addition activities. He launched a new PAU recommended herbicide for the control of “phalaris minor” with new nozzle. Dr Surjeet Singh, senior extension specialist, PAU, brushed up the knowledge of the farmers on spraying techniques and the use of herbicides. He emphasised the use of flood fan and flood-jet nozzles for herbicide application and impressed upon the farmers to spray wheat crop properly. Singh gave live demonstrations with various types of booms like multi-boom nozzles and laid stress on the use of herbicides in rotation every year.
Awareness camp
The Department of Agricultural Meteorology of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organised a "Climate Change Awareness Camp" for the farmers at Badoshi Kalan village and at Bauranga Zer village in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The camp took place under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) sponsored "National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture - All India Coordinated Research Programme on Agricultural Meteorology (NICRA-AICRPAM)" project.
— TNS
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Sports
Festival
Jarkhar (Ludhiana), December 18 In the girls’ final, Shahbad Markanda Academy survived some anxious moments before overcoming their spirited opponents from Kairon wing whom they overpowered with narrow margin 2-0. Similarly, in the boys’ section, Jarkhar Academy quelled a strong challenge from Sudhar Academy before emerging victorious 6-4. In the senior men’s section, EME, Jalandhar, proved too good for BSF, Jalandhar, and won the verdict easily 4-1. The Ludhiana Basketball Academy and Ludhiana district clinched the titles in the boys and girls’ section, respectively. Ludhiana Basketball Academy players faced a little resistance from Patiala boys, as the former came out triumphant 70-40. Ludhiana district beat Sangrur district to secure the third position. In the girls’ section, Ludhiana district outplayed Sangrur district to bag top honours, while Patiala district beat Khalsa College, Ludhiana, to content with the third spot. Punjab Police, Jalandhar, outnumbered Khalsa College, Amritsar, 19-14 to bag top honours in kabaddi (national style) and in kabaddi (one village), Gujjarwal scripted a hard-fought (14-10) victory against Dhode to lift the winner’s trophy. In handball (boys), Ludhiana district stamped its class over Patiala district (29-16) to win the title, while In volleyball (men’s final), Punjab Police, Jalandhar, toiled hard to beat KU as the match was extended to five sets. The winning side wrapped up first two sets 25-20 and 25-20 to take the lead. However, KU fought back to level the score clinching the third and fourth sets 25-23, 29-27. The fifth and deciding set turned out to be one-side as Punjab Police won it convincingly 25-11, which also fetched them the title. The main attraction was the kabaddi competition and spectators remained stuck to their seats till the final played between SGPC Academy and Tony Alankar Club, Kube, in which the former emerged victorious 40-27. The organisers also felicitated Padmashree awardee, director sports Punjab, Pargat Singh, popular Punjabi singer Manmohan Waris and Punjabi comedian Gurpreet Singh Guggi for their outstanding contribution in the field of sports, art and culture. They were awarded with shawls
and citations. MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik was the chief guest. The four-day sports extravaganza concluded with performance by Manmohan Waris and his troupe. Rally plays spoilsport
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punjab
school games
Ludhiana, December 18 “I am happy with my performance. I practice two to three hours daily. Now I want to clinch a gold medal in the National Games,” he said. “My sports teacher, Ved Parkash, has motivated me a lot. He told me the tactics to be a good performer,” he added further giving credit of his success to his teacher. Talking about his performance, he said, “When I was in class V, I used to watch my seniors performing in high jump. I started playing last year and my family is happy with my achievement,” he said. Charanjit Singh, a coach on duty, said, “I appreciate the performance of Manpreet. I have seen the strength and passion in him to be successful. I hope he will be selected for the National Games.”
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‘Sports performance going down’
Ludhiana, December 18 A number of girls representing the district in Javelin-throw were disqualified. The staff of games seemed disappointed from the performance. A physical trainer instructor said that, "We are observing a great downfall in the performance of the Punjab youth in the games. Earlier, when the department deployed us on games duty, we used to enjoy the competitions. Our youth was passionate about sports but nowadays they are doing just a formality. They are more passionate for mobiles and internet than sports. Now we feel bored while watching competitions." When talked to a coordinator of huddle race, he admitted that the scenario is not as good as earlier. He blamed the semester system implemented by Punjab School Education Board. "It is hard for a school student to devote much time for sports due to the busy schedule of studies. Earlier annual system was good for the players as they had at least three to four months in a year to concentrate on sports. But semester system did not leave enough space for practice," he said. Assistant Education Officer, Rupinder Singh Ravi, said, "I don't agree that performance is going down. The record timing is improving in every sport. Semester system affects to an extent because students can't devote time for the sports".
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Football trials on December 20
Ludhiana, December 18 Players born on or after January 1, 1993, are eligible for the trials. They should bring along their age-proof certificates and report to the football coach, Jaspal Singh, at the venue.
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City girl bags judo title
Ludhiana December 18 “I participated in a national competition for the first time. I am satisfied with the bronze medal. Judo is the best martial art for self-defence, especially for girls. I preferred to play the game due to this,” said Manisha. She is, now, focusing on other national judo competitions so as to win more medals. “I tried hard to win a gold medal in the competition, but lost in the semifinals,” she added. “I used to practice for five hours in the multi-purpose indoor hall of Guru Nanak Dev Stadium. Rakesh Singh used to coach me. I want to participate in an international Judo tournament. It is my dream and I am practising hard to fulfill it,” she added. “I am satisfied with her performance in the national competition. I hope that her dream of competing in an international event will come true one day,” said Ramesh Sharma, her father.
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Ludhiana, December 18
Ludhiana, December 18
Ludhiana, December 18
Ludhiana, December 18
Ludhiana, December 18
Even though the assembly elections in the state are still a couple of months away and the exact dates are yet to be announced, there is a virtual scramble for seeking ticket among all major political parties, be it the ruling combination of the SAD-B and BJP or the Congress. Everyone seems to have thrown his or her hat in.