Amritsar, May 20
Bodies of a man and a woman were found in a secluded corner of the historic Ram Bagh in the evening today. They allegedly committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance.

The police also recovered celphos tablet container from the spot. No suicide note was recovered.

The deceased man has been identified as Kulwinder Singh of Bal Kalan village near here while the identity of the woman is yet to be ascertained.

The police received information regarding the dead bodies in the evening today after which the Deputy Commissioner of Police Satpal Joshi and ACP Gurnam Singh reached the spot.

The deceased woman seems older than the man who seemed to be aged between 25 and 27 years.

The police said the identity of Kulwinder was ascertained from the call which the deceased had made from their mobile phones before committing suicide. The phones were recovered from the spot. The bodies were recovered from an area where a zoo was present more than a decade ago. The area remained secluded since then.

The investigation officer said the police has informed the relatives of the deceased over his phone. He said further action will be taken after they arrive. The police has taken the bodies in its possession.

Amritsar, May 20
To make its undergraduate students learn the basic Punjabi language, the GND University has decided to replace syllabus of the existing Punjab Heritage and Culture subject with elementary functional Punjabi. The decision will be applicable to the students of all undergraduate courses, irrespective of the stream they opt for, in all of its affiliated colleges in the state from the 2012-2013 academic session.

With this decision, it was viewed that the students with the background of ICSC or CBSE schools and negligible knowledge of Punjabi, were used to study the Punjab History and Culture in English language only, where as the basic purpose of imparting them the knowledge of Punjabi language was defeated.

During the GNDU’s academic council meet held recently, it was decided that the ‘Mudli Punjabi’ (elementary functional Punjabi) be introduced as a mandatory subject while scrapping the old pattern of Punjab History and Culture. Therefore, a 22-member high powered committee, led by Prof Joginder Singh Puar, former V-C of Punjabi University, Patiala, was constituted to examine and review the quantum of Punjabi in the syllabus of new format.

The GND varsity V-C Prof AS Brar said the basic idea is that every graduate from the varsity should have the knowledge of Punjabi language. “The best of Punjabi litterateurs were called to study the new pattern of the syllabus who gave us their opinion about what quantum of Punjabi should be made the part of the syllabus of undergraduate classes. Need-based changes were introduced accordingly,” he said.

“What was the rationale behind Punjabi History and Culture subject, when the students cannot read a signboard in Punjabi? That’s why it was discontinued. Nevertheless, the new amendment will benefit the students as well because knowledge of Punjabi is necessary to apply to any services in the state and in the absence many students were deprived of applying for jobs in Punjab,” he said.

Meanwhile, according to the new pattern in the first semester, the students will be imparted knowledge of Gurmukhi alphabets, the signs, their correct pronunciation and the basic grammar. In the second semester, the students will study the structure of sentences, translation; correct use of words, conversation, précis writing etc. Both the tests will be of 50 marks each.

Amritsar, May 20
The Employees State Insurance (ESI) hospital has made all its records and procedures online to ensure better accountability and services for the public. The hospital has also issued smart cards to the members for the purpose.

The hospital had earlier computerised its out patient departments, including pharmacy. The local ESI branch has over 32,000 beneficiaries and computerisation is expected to reduce the workload on the hospital employees.

The hospital has also imparted computer knowledge to its employees.

The computerisation project will enable the beneficiaries to avail the ESI services anywhere in the country using smart cards. The hospital has provided two cards; one for the member and one for his or her family, in case the members are staying in a different than his or her family.

ESI medical superintendent Dr A Gabba said the hospital has installed 100 computers. He said data about the patients and the treatment given by the doctors will also be made online immediately. He said this data can be used by the doctors in ESI hospitals throughout the country in case a patient is on a tour to any other city and medical services is required.

The card will help the doctors avail patient’s medical history online which is of utmost importance in providing treatment, he said.

Computerisation has ensured that the reference slips required in case a patient is to be referred to some other hospital and leave certificates required if the doctor prescribes complete bed rest to the beneficiary can also be generated online.

Amritsar, May 20
The Civil Lines police has booked an Akali leader Randeep Singh alias Rimple along with Sukha, Lalit and Gopy besides 30 to 35 unidentified persons who had allegedly opened fire at the residence-cum-office of Gagan at Basant Avenue area near Maqbool Road late last evening.

A case under Section 307, 452, 427, 506, 148, 149 IPC and 25/27/54/59 Arms act has been registered in this connection on the basis of the statement of Sandeep Kumar of Fazilka. He now lives at 238, Basant Avenue, Maqbool Road, where the incident occurred.

Sandeep in his statement to the police alleged that the accused who were armed with pistols and swords attacked him and threatened to murder him. He said they saved themselves by locking themselves inside a room. The accused fled while firing in the air.

He said the accused sold liquor at lesser price and they stopped them from doing so. The police authorities said the accused were absconding. He said raids were on to arrest the culprits.

Amritsar, May 20
A black marble foundation stone of a road project was laid a year ago. But nobody knows when the construction work will begin and when the residents of Patti Balol in the historic Sultanwind area, falling in Ward number 30, will get freedom from the bumpy ride.

High-tension wires pass over rooftops posing threat to residents. Photos: vishal kumar

The project is a perfect example of the hollow claims of the ‘so-called development works’ carried out in the area.

There is no proof that this historic village falls in the limits of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation.

Residents say no road has been constructed in this area for the past over a decade and the ruling party leaders remained busy laying foundation stones. Nobody bothered about the problems for decades, they add.

Importantly, Sultanwind was established about four centuries before the holy city came into existence. In fact, the Golden Temple was constructed on the land of the Sultanwind village, which derived its name from a Muslim saint, Sakhi Sultan.

Today, besides historic Gurdwara Atari Sahib (belonging to sixth Sikh Guru), a major portion of the village, which has witnessed the visits of Guru Arjun Dev and Guru Hargobind, faces the problem of water seepage which causes damage to buildings.

The authorities have taken no pain to get the ponds, which were constructed to drain out the rainwater, cleaned. In absence of proper drainage system, these dirty water bodies become a major reason for water-borne diseases.

The underground water has been polluted which make people dependent on MC water supply. But, ironically, majority of population doesn’t have that facility too.

In absence of any sewage disposal system coupled with absence of safe drinking water, the people easily fall victim to water-borne diseases.

A number of residents regularly complain about stomach infections, informed a local chemist.

In certain areas, the water supply pipes pass through the open drains making it dangerous for residents. About 40 per cent of the people are devoid of safe drinking water. Out of those who get water, many complain of constant leakage from water pipes. “Kutcha roads remain muddy,” they add.

Amritsar, May 20
The unabated burning of crop residue by farmers in villages has increased air pollution to a larger extent as a result of which people, especially aged and children, are having difficulty in breathing.

A thick layer of smoke engulfs quite a large area when the stubble is burnt.

Residents complain that the district administration and police have failed to dissuade farmers from burning wheat straw.

Samriti Kapoor, a homemaker, said, “The air becomes so polluted when the stubble is burnt.” To set an example, she said, the administration should have taken action against people who burn crop residue.

A student, Supreet Kaur said, “My grandfather is asthmatic and he has stopped going for a walk. He complains of difficulty in breathing when he goes out and so he prefers to stay indoors.” She said the condition is more problematic with children as they cannot be forced to stay home all the time.

Meanwhile, residents of many villages said the practice of stubble burning has increased this year as harvesting was mainly carried out with the help of combine harvesters.

Jagat Singh, a farmer, said, “Earlier people used to harvest crop manually and then the grains were extracted with thrashers. This was mainly done as the wheat chaff used as dry fodder was also required.” He said though the trend had been declining for past few years, but this year because of the “risky weather conditions”, most of the farmers hurriedly opted for combine harvesters.

Civil Surgeon Dr Hardeep Singh Ghai said, “The burning of crop residue is not only an environment issue but a health issue.” 

Amritsar, May 20
A scooter-borne youth allegedly snatched the purse belonging to Ranjit Kaur, a resident of Abowal village in Hoshiarpur. The victim along with her family members was on their way back after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple.

“When we reached near Chowk Fuwara, a youth who was driving an Activa make scooter came from behind, snatched my purse and fled the scene,” stated Ranjit Kaur in her statement to police. She had passport of Harnam Singh, his driving license, air tickets of Germany, Rs 7000 in cash, 1000 Euro, two mobiles and a debit card of Deusth bank of German besides other articles.

Harnam was to take his flight to Germany and before his return he along with his family had come to pay obeisance at Golden Temple. Avtar Singh, the investigating officer said a case under Section 382 IPC has also been registered.

Meanwhile, two unidentified youths snatched a purse of Ranjit Kaur, a resident of Akash Avenue who along with his daughter was returning home near Rattan Singh Chowk. The police has registered a case in this regard.

In another incident, the D-division police has booked four unidentified persons who allegedly barged into a house in Katra Safaid area in the walled city and decamped with two gold bangles weighing 24 gram and two mobile phones. Sunita Bhatia, the complainant alleged that the accused entered her house forcibly and fled with the articles. They also thrashed her niece before fleeing on a motorcycle when she tried to raise an alarm, she alleged. 

Amritsar, May 20
3D has made it big in the entertainment industry. With almost all films adopting the technology, the industry is on the boom making it an incredibly attractive career option.

The point came across well at the seminar 'Perspectives' held by Arena Animation Academy in the city that emphasised on the 3D animation industry and its open doors to aspiring animation students.

The seminar also showcased India's first 3D animation film, Delhi Safari, which is directed by Nikhil Advani and has voices from actors like Akshaye Khanna, Govinda, Suniel Shetty and Boman Irani among others.

Attended by over 300 students, the seminar was headed by Rashmi Ahad, who is associated with the leading animation studio, Krayon Pictures, in Pune as the director, human resources. She is presently heading the Krayons' team in marketing and promoting their much awaited 3D stereoscopic animated feature film Delhi Safari.

Speaking about the various exciting career opportunities that animation and VFX offers along with special tips on 2D and 3D, modeling, editing, special effects, etc, she said most people today perceive that animation is mainly used in the entertainment industry, which is simply a myth. "Animation today addresses a much broader spectrum and is being used in engineering, medical, marketing, industrial technology and education."

Arena Animation global head Anuj Kacker too addressed the gathering. "'Perspectives' is a series of seminars organised to create awareness among students of the unlimited career opportunities in the animation industry. Through this we offer a unique opportunity for students to interact and learn from industry experts. I am sure the event would be fruitful for all those aspirants who want to make a mark in this industry."

With technology becoming a high point in every field, the animation industry too is growing every year. Graphic designers, web designers, 2D/3D animators, 2D/3D designers, AV editors, technical trainers, 3D modelers, multimedia programmers, compositors, visualisers, content developers and pre and post production executives in blue chip animation studios are a few career opportunities to explore. "Big entertainment companies are all picking up animation graduates like never before," said Anuj.

Talking about Delhi Safari, Rashmi elaborated on it being India's first venture in 3D animation. "The film is being made in collaboration with Hollywood producers.”