Bathinda, February 4
Principals of all the government schools have been directed to return the fees, funds and fine received from the girl students for the academic year 2011-12.

In telephonic orders given to the school principals, the cluster in-charges have directed that the girl students should be refunded all kind of charges received from them.

Orders cover the students of classes IX to XII studying in government schools in the state.

“We have been given a week's time to calculate the amount to be refunded to the students. It is a tedious job as even a fine as less as Rs 2 would be accounted for,” one of the government teachers said.

The orders come at the time when most of the teachers have got free from election duty and were now planning revision of syllabus for the students who would be taking annual exams in mid-February or early March.

"The orders are the outcome of the government's idea of providing free education to all the girl students. Education till class VIII is already free. Reimbursing expenses such as amalgamated fees and fines incurred during this academic session would mean ensuring free education for all the girl students studying in government schools," pointed out the officials in the office of the District Education Officer (DEO).

Sources said these were old orders, which were not implemented.

In the month of July, the Director General of School Education (DGSE), Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA), had directed that all girl students be reimbursed their dues.

“However, some of the school principals did not do it and hence, had to be informed through telephonic calls today. The fees, sports fees, PTA funds and amalgamated fees paid by the girl students in the academic year of 2011-12 should be returned. This does not include the examination fees paid to the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB),” said the officials in DEO office.

Bathinda, February 4
The office of Civil Surgeon here has, during the last seven months, disbursed free travel coupons worth Rs 72,000 to the cancer patients in the district. The coupons are meant to pay for their visit to the hospital in the state or the state capital for the purpose of treatment.

Since June 21, 2011, many declared cancer patients from this district have been availing of the free bus travel facility by using coupons provided by the state government to them through the office of the Bathinda Civil Surgeon for visiting the hospitals from where they are getting treatment in various parts of the state besides the PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Using the bus travel coupon, the cancer patient avails of free traveling facility in the buses of Punjab Roadways and the PRTC. The name of the patient, his identity card number, places of departure and destination, and the date of travelling are mentioned on the coupons.

It may be mentioned that in April last year, the office of the Bathinda Civil Surgeon had received bus travel coupons (worth lakhs of rupees) in the denominations of Re 1, Rs 5 and Rs 10, for issuing the same to the cancer patients as and when they demand for it. The facility was made available to the cancer patients by the government for the first time in the state.

Sources said about 140 persons (cancer patients/attendants) had got the benefit of the facility in this district so far by procuring free bus travel coupons from the Civil Surgeon's office here for visiting the hospitals or cancer institutes from where they were getting treatment. During the past more than seven months, the office has issued free bus travel coupons worth Rs 72,000 (approximately).

Free travel coupons were issued to the patients for visiting hospitals at Chandigarh, Mohali, Faridkot and Ludhiana.

The cancer patients from various villages and town in the district, including Bathinda, Bangi Nihal Singh Wala, Virk Kalan, Kotra Korrian Wala, Mehraj, Pucca Kalan, Kothe Sukha Nand, Shekhpura, Shergarh, Ballianwali, Behman Diwana, Maluka, Jhanduke, Puhla, Kotha Guru, Balluana, Gobindpura, Jeond, Kotfatta, Maisarkhana, Chak Fateh Singh Wala, Chathewala, Goniana and Rampura, have availed of the facility.

It is recalled that the Bathinda-belt of the Malwa region has adversely been affected by the cancer disease. Due to this, thousands of persons in this belt, including Bathinda and Mansa districts, have been suffering from this deadly disease and are undergoing treatment. 

Bathinda, February 4
The first week-end of this spring began on a bad note for the revelry seekers in Bathinda as overcast conditions put a dampener today.

Residents of Bathinda and its adjoining areas once again got up to a cloudy beginning with light rains also reported in sporadic places in the region.

Though a north-bound mercury gave a sense of respite from cold conditions, the truant sun and cold waves kept the residents indoors almost throughout the day.

The night temperature increased due to the prevailing overcast conditions as the city recorded 8.6 degree Celsius at 7.30 in the morning, though about 3 degree Celsius lower than yesterday, as per the agri-met department of the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), regional station, Bathinda.

The day’s maximum temperature recorded at 2.30 pm was 19.6 degree Celsius, almost similar to that recorded at the corresponding time on Friday.

For the residents, besides clouds and the virtual absence of the sun, the cold waves that has apparently renewed its presence in the region in the last few days, are also proving to be one of the culprits in this spring.

As per the weather room, the wind that blew at the speed of 2.5 km per hour in the region on Saturday could be easily termed as cold.

Further, light rains were also reported at isolated places in the region, said weather men, adding that though not enough to be recorded.

The today’s weather conditions may have sprung surprises to the residents, the weather’s mood is on the expected line as per the weathermen as they had predicted on Friday that city may have to wait for the full bloom spring at least for the next 48 hours because clouds and light rains were likely during the period.

Not only for the city residents, the prevailing weather conditions are proving unfavourable for wheat farmers also. “The conditions were not favourable for the wheat,” confirmed Director of the PAU regional station, Bathinda, Dr VP Mittal, while talking to the Bathinda Tribune this evening.

Dr Mittal said that overcast conditions were hampering the process of photosynthesis that is essential for the wheat crop to grow.

He further said that the comparative increase in night temperature and dip in day temperature being experienced in the region nowadays was also not favourable for the wheat crop to bloom.

Bathinda, February
A resident of Sanjay Nagar was killed after being hit by a speeding train. The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old Deepak Kumar.

A resident of street number 2 in Sanjay Nagar, Deepak was trying to cross the Bathinda-Dhuri railway line when he came in contact with the train and received serious injuries.

A passerby noticed an injured Deepak and informed a local NGO(non-governmental organisation), the Sahara Jan Sewa. The injured youth was taken to a nearby hospital by volunteers of the NGO.

The volunteers said that Deepak was hit by the Bathinda-Haridwar Express. He received serious head injuries and was declared dead.

The volunteers said the last rites of the deceased would be performed by them. They said that the accident victim had only one brother who is too poor to perform the ritual.

The Government Railway Police officials have been informed about the accident and a case in this connection was being registered.

Bathinda, February 4
23,000 candidates were screened during the army recruitment drive, organised by the Army Recruiting Office, Ferozepur at the cantonment area on Bathinda-Barnala road.

The drive was launched on February 2 and would continue till February 7. Candidates from Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur and Fazilka are participating in the recruitment drive.

Out of the 23,000 candidates who appeared for the screening, 1,500 to 1,800 candidates will be inducted in the army after the physical, written, and the medical examinations of the participants.

Candidates with high qualifications from far off places have undergone the recruitment drive to serve the nation and get a permanent job in the Indian Army.

Colonel Sanjeev Sirohi, director (states) on behalf of brigadier Vinod Raizada, deputy director general, recruiting (Punjab and J&K) said the successful candidates are undergoing medical examination.

After the medical examination the candidates would further undergo written examination and will finally undergo a training before being inducted into the army.

He said the screening process consists of verification of documents, putting the candidates through physical tests which include 1.6 kilometre run, pull ups, balance beam and crossing a 9 feet ditch. The candidates who clear these tests are further put through physical measurements for height, weight and chest. Those who managed to clear the physical examination then under medical examination by a team of doctors. The medically-fit candidates will appear for Common Entrance Examination (CEE). The CEE will be held at the camping ground site at Bathinda Military Station on February 26.

Colonel Arindam Mazumdar, supervising the recruitment procedure said that the successful candidates will be inducted into various arms and services of the army.

The efforts will go a long way in meeting the aspirations of youth of the area who wish to join the army and serve the nation, he said.

He said the overall physical standards of youth from Punjab, especially from the urban areas has fallen down. He however pointed out that the response of the local youth has been very encouraging.

He said the recruitment rally is being organised by the headquarters Recruiting Zone, Jalandhar.

Headquarter 81 sub-area provided the ground, liaison manpower, transport, accommodation, security, preparation of the ground with civil authorities.

The army authorities have appreciated the district administration for providing arrangements for water, shelter and sanitation.

Brigadier Vinod Raizada said he expressed satisfaction and deep gratitude towards brigadier AK Sanyal, commander of 81 sub-area and Bathinda deputy commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav for their help in conducting the recruitment drive.

Bathinda, February 4
Considering the gradual rise in the cases of cancer in the region, the city-based Max Super Speciality Hospital announced the launch of the Cancer Awareness Month, starting on the World Cancer Day.

During the awareness month, from February 4 to March 4, the hospital will offer various cancer tests and examinations to the patients in the form of various packages. “These packages, which include various tests for cancer detection and treatment, will be done at discounted rates and will prove to be economical for cancer patients or those who wish to have themselves medically examined to rule out any possibility of having the disease,” said Dr Rajesh Vashisht, senior consultant, radiation oncology, at the hospital.

Talking about the most common types of cancer found in women, he said, “Women are more prone to the cancer of breast, cervix and ovaries. While prostate cancer and the cancer of the head and neck are commonly reported among men, anorectal cancer (or cancer of the anorectum) is also quite common among men,” he added.

The packages being offered by the hospital include the PET scan, ultrasound, mammography and X-ray examination of the patients.

He also pointed out that the most common myth about breast cancer is that only women suffer from it. “It is true that a majority of breast cancer cases are reported among women, but men are also prone to it. If we feel that the malignant cells may have affected a man’s breast, we make the patient undergo mammography.”

On Day 1 of the awareness month, the hospital registered only a handful of patients coming and availing of the packages. “We are hoping that more people will come and make the most of the packages starting Monday,” said Dr Vashisht.

Bathinda, february 4
The volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa said an unidentified dead body was found on the Badal road and the policemen were informed about the incident.

The volunteers said the man could have died of severe cold and might have been lying by the roadside since last night. The area SHO reached the place and shifted the dead body to the local civil hospital.

The police officials said the deceased has been identified as one 60-year-old Baldev Singh. Policemen said as per the relatives of Baldev, he was a drunkard and usually came home late night.

Baldev’s family members also told the vounteers that he might have falled by the roadside in an inebriated state and died of cold.

After the postmortem of the body was done at the civil hospital, the body was handed over to the family members of the deceased.

In another incident, a drunkard collided with a speeding train on the Patiala Railway Crossing. He received serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital by volunteers of the NGO. The injured has been identified as 40-year-old Suraj Pal of Sanguana Basti.

Volunteers of the NGO got him admitted to the emergency ward of the civil hospital where he is being treated. The matter was brought into the notice of the railway authorities.

Two residents of Bathinda, riding a bike, received serious injuries after their bike was hit by a tractor trolley.

The injured have been identified as Gora Singh and Pala Singh. They were admitted at a nearby hospital with the help of the volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa.

In another accident that took place on the flyover on the Bathinda-Dabwali road, a biker was hit by a speeding car. The injured has been identified as Paramjit Singh of Amarpura Basti.

He was admitted at the local civil hospital with the help of some area residents who immediately informed the volunteers of the NGO. A case in this connection has been registered against the unidentified car driver.

Another biker, identified as Avtar Singh, also received injuries after his bike was hit by an unidentified vehicle. The victim was rushed to hospital by volunteers of the NGO.

Bathinda, february 4
Baba Farid College of Management and Technology observed the World Cancer Day on Saturday under the leadership of director principal Dr Manish Bansal.

The initiative was taken to make the students and staff members aware about the causes of cancer and precautions to control the fatal disease. Various causes of cancer such as consumption of tobacco, smoke emissions, intake of impure water, usage of insecticides and pesticides and the exposure to radiations were discussed.

Baba Farid Group of Institutions has dedicated the year 2012 to the concept of ‘Live Green’. The role of pollution caused by the emission of harmful carbon dioxide and other gases was discussed in detail. The students were told how the emissions cause the disease.

The students were also told how they can contribute towards the noble cause of eradicating cancer by careful usage of electronic gadgets in their daily life.

Bathinda, february 4
The Cancer Control Cell, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, issued a public notice today making it mandatory for all hospital authorities, private and public, to report online regarding suspected or diagnosed cases of cancer in the prescribed online proforma. The report is to be sent within the period not exceeding one week from the date of diagnosis or the date on which the suspicion arose.

The notification is similar to the one on epidemic diseases such as dengue.

The benefits expected to accrue from the measure include identification of cancer-prone regions, spotting the disease early, timely treatment and deployment of adequate infrastructure and attribution of reasons by experts for specific types of cancers. Before this, the state did not have figures on the number of patients.

At the national level, 620 districts in the country are expected to get machinery to combat cancer in the next five-year plan. — TNS