Railway Budget
Information via SMSes welcome, fare hike a no-no 
Amritsar, March 14
Despite a marginal increase in the passenger fares, the general public sees the railway budget as a landmark in improving the services and security for the passengers. Steps such as accepting SMS from passenger’s mobile as a proof of valid reservation, introduction of satellite-based real time train information system to provide information about the trains to passengers through SMS and internet, on board passenger displays are seen as passenger friendly. 

Duronto, Shatabdi rides to cost more
Amritsar, March 14
With the announcement of a hike in railway fares, passengers of the Amritsar-Chandigarh Duronto and Amritsar-Delhi Shatabdi will now have to shell out more to travel in these trains.

Amritsar, March 14
With their MLA Anil Joshi getting a berth in the state Cabinet, the residents of Amritsar North constituency especially from areas as Indira colony and Mustafabad hope that disparities in development would narrow down.

At present, the disparity in the constituency is visible as it has both ultra posh areas like Lawerence Road and Ranjit Avenue and semi-slums as Mustafabad and Indira colony. The residents now expect the work to cover three Ganda Nullahs running through the constituency would be completed soon.

Jagpal Singh, a resident, said, “It is the electorate of these semi-urban colonies who voted Joshi to power for the second term. Now with him becoming a minister we are assured that the ongoing development projects will not face a fund crunch.”

The residents of Avtar Colony and Medical Enclave said the sewerage problem in these areas should be rectified as a priority. “The area is witnessing fast construction of houses. The existing facilities must be upgraded in sync with the population load,” said Sanjiv Mahajan, a shopkeeper.

Gurjit Singh, a three-wheeler owner, said, “The MLA must get the overhead high tension wires removed from the residential areas. Though a maximum number of these are removed but some are still there in few areas.” He said poor people cannot get these wires removed by paying a price to power corporation as is the requirement.

Joshi said his vote share has increased from 46.6 percent to 55.89 percent because he has worked for the development of area. He said after becoming a minister he has a bigger responsibility of the people of the state but he promises not to dishearten the people of his constituency. “Never would they get a chance to complain that I was not accessible to them or that their aspirations were not fulfilled,” said Joshi.

Anil Joshi, son of a school teacher Kishori Lal Joshi, was first elected as MLA in 2007 Assembly elections on BJP ticket. Joshi’s father was a resident of Sanghe village near Tarn Taran. He was assassinated by Khalistani militants in year 1991 for his association with the RSS and for his anti-terrorism stance. Joshi’s family are a known for their business with interests in real estate. Prior to his election as MLA he was District BJP President (Rural).

Amritsar, March 14
Despite a marginal increase in the passenger fares, the general public sees the railway budget as a landmark in improving the services and security for the passengers. Steps such as accepting SMS from passenger’s mobile as a proof of valid reservation, introduction of satellite-based real time train information system to provide information about the trains to passengers through SMS and internet, on board passenger displays are seen as passenger friendly. The residents feel that instead of announcements and promises, the railway must take concrete steps to improve hygiene and cleanliness in trains as well as platforms.

Amritsar, March 14
The liquor mafia continues to take advantage of the half-hearted efforts on part of the Punjab Excise and Taxation department, if the sale of liquor at above the prescribed maximum retail prices in Amritsar is any indication. The liquor prices should have been curtailed during this period as the vendors clear their old stocks at discounted rates in view of expiry of the liquor policy, remain effective only till March 31 every year, but here the price of IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) and beer has, to the contrary, shot up by over three per cent.

Amritsar, March 14
With the sun shining bright , the city is picking up on its chill factor by offering interesting summers drinks. The most tempting option as these are, it is time to forget the calorie count and grab that silky smooth drink.

Keeping up the health option are options of natural fruit and vegetable drinks as against bottled beverages. The traditional drinks have also got interesting flavours with a creamy glass of sweet lassi, generously topped with dry fruits or buttermilk picked up at the best of dhabas in the city. Easily one of the healthiest options in the summer to beat the heat, another cool option is lemonade. By adding slices of cucumber, fresh mint or basil leaves, any drink can be made more interesting in flavour. Drinks with fresh ginger, orange or lemon are good choices as well, as they are rich in Vitamin C and act as antioxidants.

Along with flavoured water, juice chillers are also tasty and healthy in the summer time. Popular coffee joints have also become hot spots offering interesting choices in the menu. Popular flavours in fruit drinks are cranberry or orange juice, pineapple, strawberry, peach, grapefruit and more. While most cafés and restaurants serve them with heady mix as exotic mocktails and cocktails, one can easily pick up the syrups from the shelf and prepare it at home as well.

Also fruit smoothies and slush drinks available at café's are also popular choices. Take your pick from mint, green apple, strawberry and pineapple. Lemon berry slush and pineapple orange slush are the latest to be added to the menu. Iced teas in various flavours also come in handy to beat the heat. Interesting flavours like honey, almond, peaches make the drinks more appealing.

Coffee based drinks are also popular, given their taste and benefits. Caffeine too is an antioxidant if taken moderately and when mixed with chocolate and whipped cream they become irresistible. For the more adventurous, a heady mix of interesting cocktails can be a respite.

Indulge in something that is not too sweet, has lots of ice and a refreshing, tangy citrus flavour to it. Remember to have less alcohol than in a winter drink, because it's meant to cool you down, not the opposite. The lighter taste of white spirits as opposed to wood-aged ones, it needs to be refreshing as well as a palliative.

Lots of bubbles make a drink fresh and zesty. We are talking loads of ice, a dash of gin or rum or tonic and a blend of fruit flavours. A combination or rum and lemon are suitable for the warmer temperatures. Just remember to lay in a plenty of ice, chill the ingredients and start mixing, shaking and stirring your way this summer!

Amritsar, March 14
Out of a total of 872 schools in Amritsar only 163 have approached for recognition under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

As per sources, the last date for filing application to the District Education Office (Elementary) lapsed in December last.

All private schools, as per the RTE Act, were given three years to get affiliated under the Act and to make infrastructural and other arrangements accordingly. Private educational institutions were required to reserve 25 per cent of the seats from class one for underprivileged students.

Majority of the private schools are shirking from implementing the Act as it would add financial burden. The schools have to fulfil stringent infrastructural norms, ensure quality environment and education to the students coming from marginal sections, sources said.

District Education Officer (Elementary) Jaspal Singh stated that only 163 schools have filed for recognition under the RTE Act. When asked about the efforts being made to implement the RTE Act in city schools, he said each government school here has been released Rs 700 to install a board announcing norms of the Act in their campuses. He said CBSE and ICSE affiliated schools would also have to follow the Act.

The Act makes it mandatory for every child from the ages of 6 to 14 to receive education by the state. This means that such child does not have to pay a single penny to buy books, uniforms and mid-day meal.

After getting applications for recognition, a team from the district education office visits the schools to inspect it. They look at whether the teacher student ratio of 1:30 is maintained or not and that whether each section has a separate classroom. The schools need to have certain minimum facilities like adequate teachers, playground, a kitchen and other proper infrastructure.

The DEO said the Act would be an attempt toward achieving the concept of ‘neighbourhood schools’. Unaided and private schools shall ensure that children from weaker sections are not segregated from the other children in the classrooms nor shall their classes be held at places and timings different from the classes held for the other children.

n Private schools are shirking from implementing the Act as it will add financial burden on them. The schools have to fulfil stringent infrastructural norms, ensure quality environment and education to the students coming from marginal sections, sources said.

n Out of the 25 per cent reserved seats, 12.5 per cent are to be kept for the economically weaker section. Five per cent for the Scheduled Castes, 5 per cent for Backward Class/Other Backward Class, 1.25 per cent for children of war widows and 1.25 per cent for children of handicapped parents.

Amritsar, March 14
Leftist student associations, who are demanding conversion of martyr Madan Lal Dhingra’s ancestral house into a memorial, have decided to hold a protest outside deputy commissioner’s office on March 16.

In a joint press release issued here today, the organisations, including Punjab Students’ Union, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Janwadi Naujawan Sabha and Sarb Bharat Naujawan Sabha, stated that deputy commissioner Rajat Aggarwal would be given a memorandum.

The association complained that the administration is silent on giving approval for converting the Dhingra’s house into a memorial. Sarb Bharat Naujawan Sabha’s former president Prithipal Singh Marimegha said, “The students would continue to protest till the government is ready to convert the place into a memorial.” 

Amritsar, March 14
A two-day international conference on “Relevance of Social Sciences in Higher Education” started here today by the Department of Social Sciences of BBK DAV College for Women. Dr Sukhdev Singh Sohal, head of School of Social Sciences and Department of History, Guru Nanak Dev University, said market forces and globalisation were posing a threat to the existence of social sciences in the higher education.

Four technical sessions were held. The first was chaired by Dr MS Gill, Department of Sociology, GNDU. The second was presided by Dr Jagroop Sekhon, Head of Department of Political Sciences, GNDU. Total 14 papers were presented in these two sessions. The third session was chaired by Dr Navdeep Tung and six papers were presented. The fourth session was chaired by Dr Gurnam Singh. 

Amritsar, March 14
Guru Nanak Dev University has invited applications for 10-week coaching classes for UGC-NET to be held on June under the aegis of All India Services Pre-Examination Training Centre.

Dr Jagrup Singh Sekhon, Director of the centre, said the coaching programme would commence from April 2 and would continue till June 8. He further said Rs 3,000 would be charged as fees from the general category students while Rs 1,500 would be charged from SC/ST, OBC and minority communities.

The application form would be available at the centre for Rs 30. The last date for submission of the applications is March 27.

Candidates can also contact the office on phone number 0183-2258802-09, Ext 3174. 

Amritsar, March 14
Seventy artists from across the country participated in a workshop held in the memory of late Sardar Avtar Singh, a national award winning sculptor, here today.

The workshop was organised by KT Kala, an organisation for promotion of art. KT Kala director Brajesh Jolly said the workshop was an attempt to pay tribute to Sardar Avtar Singh who earned fame for the city. He said Avtar Singh’s family members were felicitated on this occasion. Each artist, who participated in the workshop, prepared a creation to pay respect to the late artist.

He said KT Kala was founded by a USA national Ravi Razdan who once lived in the holy city. He said the organisation has two centres, one in Amritsar and another in New York. 

Amritsar, March 14
A couple from Patiala, who had come to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple, fell victim to snatchers on their way to Pingalwara where they were staying. After paying obeisance, residents of Dashmesh Nagar, Patiala, Subaj Singh and his wife Balbir Kaur, were on their way back to Pingalwara branch opposite the ISBT on a rickshaw at the time of the incident.

The unidentified snatchers came from behind and snatched the purse from Balbir Kaur. She resisted the snatchers’ attempt and fell from the rickshaw. The incident occurred near Mahan Singh Gate at about 9.45 pm last evening. The victim sustained bruises on her arms and legs besides internal injuries. The accused fled from the spot. Balbir Kaur said she had Rs 8,000 cash, two gold chains and two pair of earrings besides a mobile phone and keys of her locker and home in the purse. The Kotwali police has registered a case under Section 379 B IPC in this regard.

Tourists are advised not to walk on roads or use rickshaws in late evening, sources said. “We always advise them to put up the hood of the rickshaws up as it helps in stopping such incidents. But, unfortunately, they do not care about the instructions leading to such incidents,” said a police officer. As the walled city area has a very complex structure with a number of roads, lanes and sub-lanes, the accused can dodge the police teams easily, he added. Police Commissioner, RP Mittal, said such incidents are occurring on a regular basis. “We are concerned about such incidents. Earlier too we had set up nakas near Bharawan Da Dhaba and Katra Ahluwalia, which had led to a decrease in such incidents,” he said.

Amritsar, March 14
The Cantonment police today claimed to have busted a gang of robbers with the arrest of four of its members while one of their accomplices escaped from the spot. Those accused include Kuldip Sharma of Mahal Nangal village in Dera Baba Nanak, Sukhwinder Singh of Vikas Nagar, Khandwala, Prince Sharma of Khoti Mohalla and Gurpreet Singh of Milap Avenue, Kale Road Chheharta.

The police also seized sharp-edged weapons, including a sword, ‘kirch’ and a spade etc, from their possession. Dinash Singh, SHO Cantonment police station, said the accused were arrested near the Punjab Institute of Textile Technology on the Chheharta road. A case under Section 399, 402 IPC has been registered in this regard, he said. Further investigations were under progress. The gang was allegedly involved in as many as 20-25 snatching cases in the city.

Amritsar, March 14
Captain Ashish Chobe, a resident of cantonment area, has lodged a complaint with the police that three unknown persons snatched his mobile phone while he was going on foot near Khalsa College.

The police said Chobe was attending a call on his mobile when the three motorcycle-borne youths came from behind and fled after snatching his phone. ASI Kuldip Singh said a case under Section 379-B (punishment for theft) of the IPChas been registered and the search is on to nab the culprits.