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Installing ‘bir’ in balcony resumed at Akal Takht
Jathedar for strict laws to check sacrilege |
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Reforms chug along slow lane
Left parties hope for a better show
NRI falls prey to drug menace
Modern judicial complexes to be ready in a year: HC Judge
Board Exams
Machinery worth crores lying defunct in Rajindra Hospital
College teachers to hold protest in Delhi on March 14
High
number of students
15 children hospitalised
HC stay on colony in ‘green zone’
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Installing ‘bir’ in balcony resumed at Akal Takht
Amritsar, March 3 Talking to The Tribune, the Jathedar said, "It is an old tradition which we have revived. Earlier, only Sikh gurus' weapons were showcased at the Takht, but later on, the Panth started the tradition of installing Guru Granth Sahib there". He said initially Guru Granth Sahib used to be installed at the balcony of the Akal Takht in the morning and evening. Even weapons of the gurus used to be exhibited from the balcony to the devotees who sat in front of the Takht. However, later it was permanently installed inside the Takht. "Now, we have resumed the old practice. At the same time, Guru Granth Sahib continues to be installed inside the Takht". He said a shed had been erected and curtains put up in the balcony to give a suitable look to the place. Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said the tradition of installing Guru Granth Sahib in the balcony was there during his stint. But, later they permanently installed the holy scripture inside the Takht as at times sudden rainfall or inclement weather conditions used to create a problem. He said they used to install Guru Granth Sahib at the Takht's balcony at the time of departure of "Palki Sahib" till recital of "Aasa Di Waar" in the morning and at the time of beginning of "Rehraas" up to "samapti" in the evening.
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Jathedar for strict laws to check sacrilege
Amritsar, March 3 He said, "We have been demanding from the state government that strict norms be laid to prevent sacrilege of the holy book, but to no avail". He said the Takht had even asked the SGPC to pursue the matter with the government. Commenting on a recent spat between Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh and Sant Baljit Singh Daduwal, he said it was unfortunate and when approached, the Akal Takht would discuss and resolve the matter. He said both Nandgarh and Daduwal should refrain from airing their views in the public. On the violence at Gurdwara Bala Sahib in Delhi, he said they would act against the guilty if a complaint was received in this regard. He said the March 6 meeting of missionary colleges at Anandpur Sahib had been postponed in view of the Hola Mohalla.
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Nephew stabs ASI to death
Amritsar, March 3 Feeling the guilt, Jeevan, a final year MBBS student of Government Medical College here, apparently tried to end his life by cutting his wrists. He was found by the police from the Civil Lines area. Jeevan has been admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where his condition is stated to be stable. Baldev sustained multiple injuries with his throat slit. There were injuries on his head and stabbing marks on his stomach and other parts of the body. Manjinder Singh, victim's son, said Jeevan was a drug addict and his family based in the US had asked his father to keep an eye on him. The police has found a liquor bottle and two glasses from the spot. As Baldev was strong built, involvement of other persons could not be ruled out, said Police Commissioner RP Mittal. The police has also arrested Jeevan's friend Krishna.
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Reforms chug along slow lane
In the 2009 Railway Budget, there was a proposal to develop the Amritsar railway station as a world-class facility. Three years down the line, nothing of that sort appears to be progressing here. The local railway station is one of the most visited facilities in the state. The holy city also attracts a large number of pilgrims who come here to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
But the passengers from across the globe find facilities either missing or short of the minimum established benchmark. The passengers regularly complain of their trains being stopped at nearby railway stations in wait for a vacant platform here. The Amritsar platform witnesses departure and arrival of 128 trains (64 arrive and as many depart) daily. However, it has only six platforms even as the number of passengers commuting through the station is over 26,000. As it is a border district, majority of the trains either arrive or depart at morning or evening. Since the past several decades, no new platform has been built at the station. Insufficient infrastructure forces the railway authorities to keep the Shatabdi Express and the Swaran Shatabdi Express stationed at platform number one for nearly 11 hours. The passenger woes do not end here. The partially built waiting hall, lack of adequate toilets and the absence of alternate power arrangements belie the tall claims by the authorities concerned of providing quality amenities to the passengers. A waiting hall constructed during the British era was demolished a couple of years back to construct a new one. Even after the passage of two years, the waiting hall is yet to be completed. Of the six platforms, only one has toilets. There are four waiting halls, including two for executive class, one for the second and general class passengers and a separate for women. There are three big water coolers installed on platform number one. Other platforms do not have this facility. The station bears a repulsive look due to the lack of cleanliness and the archaic garbage disposal system. The overflowing sewerage on the tracks is another eyesore. The only TV set at the station was removed before the renovation of the waiting hall had started. It was yet to be re-installed. For the physically challenged passengers and visitors, the station offers wheelchairs. But the facility is of little help as platform numbers two to five do not have ramps. All efforts to get re-constructed a wall near the railway station proved futile as the passage is used as a short cut to evade ticket checking or duty on goods. Maximum visitors, minimum facilities The holy city attracts a large number of visitors, most of them pilgrims who come to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
But the passengers from across the globe find facilities either missing or short of the minimum established benchmark.
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Fertiliser wagons being used to carry foodgrain
Gurdaspur is a hub for onwards transportation of foodgrain to Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and border areas. The local railway station is no exception and the Food Corporation of India authorities have been pointing out this slip for the past several years but to no avail. As a result, unsuspecting consumers have to munch through food stocks peppered with fertiliser acid. Station superintendent Ramesh Lal says nothing can be done as there was no facility to wash the wagons here. In Gurdaspur, the building housing the 106 years old railway station shows little signs of wear and tear. Built during the British era, the building is safe but the facilities are appalling. Broken benches, lack of sanitation, non-existent seating facilities and no food stalls are just some of the problems. To make the situation worse, there is only a single window to cater to the huge rush of ticket seekers. During rush hours, scores of commuters throng the window. While the lucky ones manage a ticket, others have to return home dejected. The more "enterprising" ones prefer to travel without a ticket. The station caters to 18 trains daily with more than 3,500 passengers using the facilities. The Tibri cantonment is just 8 km from the town and the Armymen make optimum use of the station for moving both men and material to far off places. During the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, the station became the epicentre of activity and played a vital role in helping the Army move its men to the border. There are three railways lines but there is just one passenger platform apart from one goods platform. For the last five decades, commuters have been crying hoarse to get another platform but all their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. A proposal to get one constructed is pending with the Ferozepur Division railways authorities.
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Passengers at receiving end
An average 70,000 passengers boarding trains or disembarking each day and 42 pairs of mail and express trains, 20 pairs of passengers trains and around 50 goods trains passing through Ludhiana. But, the railway station presents a dismal picture of poor upkeep and low sanitation level. While the work of rag picking and washing the tracks has recently been handed over to a private company, the sweeping and mopping of platforms and the maintenance of public conveniences (toilets) remains the duty of the railway staff, which leaves much to be desired. Stinking toilets, leaking taps, overflowing dust bins and unswept platforms greet the visitors and commuters at the railway station. Although the upper class waiting rooms, one exclusively for women, and cloakroom facilities are reasonably good, the waiting hall for those holding second class tickets remains neglected. "Even if the sanitation staff cleans a portion of the waiting area, the dirt and garbage is pushed to another corner or under the seats," complain commuters. Current ticket booking windows and reservation of advance tickets remain the most problematic areas at the railway station, which the officials attribute to high number of passengers and staff shortage.
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Moga residents demand direct train to Delhi
The residents of Moga, a small town located in the heart of the Malwa belt, have long been demanding a direct rail link with the National Capital. But even after 65 years of Independence, the request has not been fulfilled by the Centre.
The town got the status of a municipality in the 1930s and became a district headquarter in the year 1995. During the British period, Moga got connected by rail between Ferozepur and Ludhiana. Since then, there is a single rail track. The train connectivity of the town with other parts of the state and the country is through either Ludhiana or Ferozepur. There is no direct connectivity from Moga to any other city. However, a proposal to convert the existing single rail line between Ludhiana and Ferozepur via Moga into double lines for the convenience of commuters and the industry is pending before the Ministry of Railways for consideration.
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Needed: A pied piper to trap rats
With over 100 railway stations in the state and over 2 lakh passengers using them daily, their upkeep and hygiene has virtually posed a stiff challenge for the Ambala Railway Division officials. As the tracks are regularly used to ferry foodgrain from this part of the country, the rat population has been posing a serious threat to the safe passage of trains and, therefore, commuters. Additional Railway Divisional Manager (Ambala) Pramod Kumar said the new tenders floated in the current financial year have a special mention of the rat trouble and private agencies would be hired for the upkeep at railway stations to fight the menace. "The problem is not so alarming at the moment. But, we have included it in the annual upkeep tenders," Kumar said.
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Hiring rickshaw to reach cloakroom
Touted as Asia’s second biggest junction, the station has nothing much to offer to the passengers. There are only five porters to cater to over 20,000 passengers who commute through the station daily. In their absence, the passengers have to hire a rickshaw to reach the cloakroom that is located 200 metres from the platform. There is no direct approach to the platforms as it is an inland station and the passengers, especially the elderly and physically challenged, have to trudge stairs and use the foot-over-bridge to board trains. “Covering half a kilometre on foot to reach the platform when luggage is on your back cannot be a pleasant experience for anybody,” says Railway Passengers’ Welfare Association general secretary Hanuman Dass Goel. The association has been demanding the construction of a ramp or an escalator at the station. The station is not connected with several important cities of Punjab even as Bathinda has one of the biggest Army cantonments and several important projects, including a refinery. Superfast trains of the nature of Satabadi Express still elude the station. The provision of a 24-hour ticket counter, too, is missing here. However, the station has several facilities that are missing in other places in Punjab. In 2010, the hi-tech route-relay-interlocking system was commissioned here to eliminate the chances of human error while running trains. It has facilities like round-the-clock waiting room, AC and non-AC retiring rooms and a VIP room.
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Trains without toilets causing inconvenience to commuters
The short-distance diesel multiple unit and electrical multiple unit trains have been running without toilets, a factor that has been causing inconvenience to the hundreds of local commuters. They expect Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi would fulfill their long-pending demand of making the provision of toilets in these DMU and EMU trains.
Mohan Sharma of Thapran Mohalla locality who travels in DMU every now and then says: "Apart from making the provision of toilets in these trains, more such trains, especially from Jalandhar to Nakodar and Hoshiarpur, should be started." Besides, the passengers boarding long distance and short distance trains at the local railway station want the starting of a few new long and short distance trains. They also want a stoppage for the Amritsar-Chandigarh Duronto at Jalandhar and extension of some more trains to new stations for the benefit of the residents.
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Left parties hope for a better show
Chandigarh, March 3 The problem of the Left is that the student community, which used to be its backbone, is not showing any inclination to join its ranks. Besides, it is also not finding favours among the working class. By forming the Sanjha Morcha in alliance with the PPP led by Manpreet Singh Badal, the Left parties this time got an opportunity to reach out to the younger generation that is influenced by the PPP leader. As part of the Sanjha Morcha, the CPI contested from 14 and the CPM from nine assembly constituencies. "For us, it was a good experience to contest the elections in alliance with the PPP," said Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal, secretary of the state unit of the CPI. "We would like to continue to be part of the alliance to fight against the main parties which are responsible for ruining the state," he said, adding that the CPI would do well at the Mansa, Bathinda (Rural), Nihalsinghwala, Nabha, Bhadson, Amritsar (West) and Amritsar (East) constituencies. CPM leader Raghunath Singh said, "I cannot predict that how many seats the Left parties will win, but I am certain that our performance in this election will be better than the previous election". The alliance of the Left parties with the PPP was a loss for the Congress. In the absence of candidates of the Left parties in the election fray, their supporters usually used to vote for the Congress. However, this time, they voted for the PPP. Meanwhile, leaders of the Left parties, the PPP and the SAD (Longowal) will meet at the residence of former Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala tomorrow to devise their future political strategy.
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NRI falls prey to drug menace
He arrived in India 18 months ago and started scouting for land to set up an orphanage near his village Kala Sangiah in Kapurthala district. This venture was the brainchild of his wife. Esme used to work as a manager in a hotel in Lodi, a town in California, while Mandeep worked as a JCB operator in the same city. They got married in 2007 and decided to do something for society. Esme, a member California-based Calvary Bible Church, discussed the proposal with other members. The church assured her of $10,000 financial aid while Esme's friends too agreed to contribute for the cause. The couple's dream got wings when Mandeep arrived at his village in 2010. However, his next door neighbour one day made him inhale some heroin and unmindful of the consequences, Mandeep continued with the dreadful habit. Sensing that all was not well with her husband, Esme flew to India about three months ago. She was stunned to see the plight of Mandeep. Esme managed to get him admitted to the local de-addiction centre where project director Romesh Mahajan says Mandeep is on his way to recovery. "Once Mandeep gets normal, we will continue to work on our project of opening a home for orphans," said Esme, who never lost her calm despite adversity being her only ally.
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Modern judicial complexes to be ready in a year: HC Judge
Khamano (Fatehgarh Sahib), March 3 "Judicial officers should not take their job as a mere employment, but they should work with a mission. Moreover, honesty is not a quality, but a need of a judicial officer, said Justice Ranjit Singh. He termed the judicial complexes as temples of justice. Interestingly, it was for the first time that 14 judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court were present on the occasion. Justice Ranjit Singh said that all the district headquarters and sub-divisions would have modern judicial complexes with all types of facilities within a year. The Punjab government had sanctioned Rs 135 crore for the purpose and Rs 115 crore had been spent.
— OC
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Board Exams
Ludhiana, March 3 Board officials said that they had withdrawn the decision after poor response from the Education Department in paying the expenses of the surveillance equipment. Earlier, private school managements had rejected the proposal of the PSEB by stating that they could not afford expenses of the CCTV cameras. A few days back, the PSEB had decided to install the CCTV cameras on its own in all the examination centers, but teachers and other employees of the education department said that how the board would get the cameras installed when teachers were not receiving their salaries. Opposing the decision, the PSEB employees association said that it was an undue financial burden on the PSEB. PSEB chairman Dalbir Singh Dhillon said, "Now, the board has decided to install cameras only in border areas and sensitive centres from where cases of copying were reported in previous years". "We wrote to the Education Department several times that if they want to curb copying, they have to install CCTV cameras in all schools. If the Education Department had paid half of the expenditure, we were ready with our share", he added. A board official said that every centre required Rs 10,000 to 15,000 to install all equipment to record examinations in cameras. Now videography would also be done at sensitive centres in the state. "Now, the board has decided to install cameras only in border areas and sensitive centres from where cases of copying were reported in previous years".
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Machinery worth crores lying defunct in Rajindra Hospital
Patiala, March 3 Patients from economically weaker sections, therefore, have to either go to the PGI, Chandigarh, or DMC, Ludhiana, for treatment. Talking to The Tribune, one of the doctors said the Ophthalmology Department had merely become a consultation unit as many sophisticated machines worth more than Rs 2 crore were lying non-functional. The reason is not any technical problem but improper upkeep. “Around 30 per cent patients come to get their eyesight checked and spectacle numbers. Cataract patients are being treated but that is done at any other hospital also. What is important is treatment for laser, glaucoma, diabetic patients etc, for which there is no provision,” he added. He further informed that the doctors had given written representations to principal of Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital Dr KD Singh and also met Director of Research and Medical Education in this regard but to no avail. Nearly 20 organisations working for public cause formed a five-member Rajindra Hospital Bachao Action Committee after getting repeated complaints relating to the Ophthalmology Department for ensuring better medical facilities at the Rajindra Hospital. They even met Dr KD Singh a couple of times to discuss various problems, especially the inconvenience caused to patients in the Ophthalmology Department. Principal Dr KD Singh said: “We have already signed annual maintenance contract for these machines and whatever money was required has been given to them. Now, it is for the head of department to see that machines are in working condition. The department has no reservation for restoration of machines and can come to me in case they need more financial assistance”.
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College teachers to hold protest in Delhi on March 14
Patiala, March 3 Prof Jaipal Singh, general secretary of the Government College Teachers' Association (GCTA), said government college teachers from all the states would hold a three-day protest at the Jantar Mantar from March 14 to 16. "Punjab teachers will be going on March 14. We are also demanding removal of anomalies in the PhD and career progression. Despite the fact that we have highlighted these anomalies time and again, the government has not taken any notice in this regard yet," he added. He said that they had also filed a writ petition against the state government in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for discriminating between college teachers and other government employees. "While the state government has distributed its share amongst all government employees, it had ignored the interests of government college teachers, which is unjust. The next hearing in this regard is on April 2," he added.
— TNS
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High number of students
Patiala, March 3 Talking to The Tribune, many teachers said that due to increase in number of students, it gets difficult for them to pay proper attention to each and every student. Moreover, a major part of their time is spent in maintaining record of these students instead of teaching them. One of the teachers said the Right to Education Act would only be successful if the Education Department converts few morning schools into double-shift. "Due to the implementation of the RTE Act in all schools of the district under which the teacher-student ratio should be 1:30 from Class VI to VIII, many schools are facing difficulty due to the high strength of students. As a result, schools have to divide classes into sections, but then infrastructure is the problem. Despite having basic infrastructure in almost all schools, students have to sit in the open due to shortage of rooms in many schools," he added. Another teacher said that even schools were helpless due to limited space and could not construct more rooms. "The department should start double-shift in schools with large number of students in order to provide quality education to students," she added. District Education Officer (Secondary) Parmod Kumar could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, sources said that a proposal to convert Government Senior Secondary School, Tripri, Government Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines and Government High School, Sanouri Gate, into double shift had already been sent to the Education Department for approval.
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15 children hospitalised Patiala, March 3 One of the parents, Sahib, said that they worked at a brick-kiln factory in the village. Their children had gone out to play in the fields and when they came back, they suddenly started vomiting and had loose motions. "Suspecting it to be a case of poison, we called up an ambulance, which immediately rushed them to Civil Hospital, Rajpura. After given basic treatment, they were referred to Rajindra Hospital," said Sajid and Rehman. They said that there were 15 kids, including Touba (8), Saina (10), Asif (12), Rajwan (10), Ahsaan (7), Nala (5), Harjana (6), Eren (6), Shehnaz (6), Beena, (10) Agnaaz (10) and Harjana (10). They said that the kids had consumed some herbs from the field while playing, which might be poisonous. Doctors at the hospital said that the children were out of danger.
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HC stay on colony in ‘green zone’
Chandigarh, March 3 The directions came after a social worker, Navdeep Asija, sought judicial intervention in the matter, stating that the new colony was being developed under eco-sensitive zone of Badha Lake wetland. The petitioner said the decision of developing the colony on the banks of Badha Lake wetland was solely aimed at earning revenue. The decision would destroy hundreds of grownup trees, which provide natural shelter, biodiversity and ecological balance in Fazilka, which is home to national bird peacocks as well, counsel for the petitioner APS Shergil stated.
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Amritsar, March 3
In the 2009 Railway Budget, there was a proposal to develop the Amritsar railway station as a world-class facility. Three years down the line, nothing of that sort appears to be progressing here. The local railway station is one of the most visited facilities in the state. The holy city also attracts a large number of pilgrims who come here to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.
People have high hopes from the judiciary for redressal of their grievances as well as to get justice, which is their fundamental right, so it is the duty of the judicial officers to give proper justice by developing quality delivery system, said Justice Ranjit Singh, chairman, Building Committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, while addressing a gathering.
Divisional Railway Manager Vishwesh Chaubey says Amritsar railway station was in A-1 category and Rs 20 crore would be spent on building facilities, including an escalator, here over the next two years.
The railway lines offer the best example of parallel lines. However, when it comes to the working of the century-old department, nothing seems to be congruous. The Health Department officials believe the Railways are responsible for the spread of deadly diseases in a big way because of the lack of washing facilities.
Even though Ludhiana railway station is one of the highest revenue generators at Rs 120 crore per annum from passenger traffic and freight in the Ferozepur division of the Northern Railway, the amenities and facilities being provided to the commuters and other visitors have nothing much to write home about.
The railway authorities in the state urgently require a pied piper to check the different kind of migrant traffic these days. Rodents have been digging deep to find permanent burrows to dwell along the tracks. The officials have now made special provisions in their tenders to check the growing rodent trouble.
It’s big but non-friendly! This is what the passengers have to say about the local railway station.
Gurdaspur, March 3
Many government schools in the state are facing difficulty in handling the increasing number of students due to implementation of the RTE Act and lack of infrastructure in other schools. Therefore, teachers feel that the Education Department should start double-shift in schools with high number of pupils for the convenience of both teachers and students.