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Re-polling in Ward 3 today
At 70°C, they stay on toes to douse the flames
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Woman ends life; five booked
2 killed in accidents
Intoxicants seized from two stores
Christian morcha demands land for cemetery
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Re-polling in Ward 3 today
Amritsar, June 14 "The polling staff has reached their respective booths while a supervisor will be there to watch the proceedings till the results are declared," said Rajat Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer. Police Commissioner RP Mittal said adequate arrangements have been made and nobody would be allowed to disrupt the poll process. "We are extra cautious on these two wards after the past experience," said Mittal. It is pertinent to mention here that the result of Ward 3 was withheld following reports of booth capturing and hacking of electronic voting machines in booth numbers 9 and 11 during the MC polls on June 10. The district administration has sent a report to the State Election Commission and seeking further directions following complaints from presiding officers of the respective booths. The State Election Commission has ordered re-polling in two booths 9 and 11.
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At 70°C, they stay on toes to douse the flames
Amritsar, June 14 At least 150 firemen, majority of them engaged from neighbouring districts of Jalandhar, Batala, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Kartarpur and Moga, and a team of Army, are on the job round the clock, amidst an inferno-like situation prevailing in the mill’s stockyard. Amidst a soaring temperature recorded between 60-70 degrees Celsius prevailing in the affected area, firefighters have been positioned at five sensitive points to conduct the operation. Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Bhupinder Sandhu said the temperature rose to 200 degrees at some points. “The wind speed too is constantly being gauged. It has been traveling between 6-28 kms per hour. Yet, under all adverse conditions, the firemen have been put on a 12-hour job, scheduled on a rotational basis”, he said. The mill management is providing them packaged meal. “Our job profile demands that we should be prepared to face any kind of tragedy, howsoever major it may be. So, we adapt ourselves accordingly”, said Narinder Pal, sub fire officer, Hoshiarpur. Jaskaran Singh, a fireman from Bhatinda, who has been here with his 10 colleagues since June 12, said without any break, 15 tenders are being used on a rotational basis at five points. Jaspal Singh, sub fire officer from Jalandhar, said the situation is still difficult due to adverse weather conditions. “On Day 1, it was like a fire-funnel like situation. We could not proceed inside the yard as there was a poor visibility due to thick layers of smoke. Now, the situation is under control yet nothing concrete can be described about the situation because there is still tones of highly flammable material lying in the yard and the windy conditions ignite it again,” he said.
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Woman ends life; five booked
Amritsar, June 14 Those booked are her husband Manjit Singh, a resident of Ranjit Vihar, Loharaka road, brother-in-law Paramjit Singh, sisters-in-law Rajbir Kaur and Kulwinder Kaur and a relative Darshan Kaur who organised the marriage. The police has registered a case under Section 306 of the IPC on the complaint of Jasbir Singh, the deceased's maternal uncle. He told the police that his niece Manpreet Kaur was married to Manjit Singh about two years ago. He said at the time of marriage the boy's family refused to take anything in dowry. But after some time, they allegedly started harassing the girl. He alleged that Manpreet ate some poisonous substance and committed suicide. Avtar Singh, investigating officer, said the accused were absconding since the registration of case. He said raids were being conducted to nab them.
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2 killed in accidents
Amritsar, June 14 The deceased, identified as Paramjit Kaur of Waryam Nangal, was coming from Qadian when the accident took place. A case under Sections 304-A and 279 of the IPC has been registered against the unidentified accused who was driving the car. Nirmal Singh, a resident of Waryam Nangal and relative of the deceased, in his statement alleged that he along with Paramjit Kaur and her son was coming after attending a marriage at Qadian. They were on separate motorcycles. He said when they reached near the village bus stand, a speeding car bearing number PB-02-BE-4440 came from the opposite side and hit their motorcycle. He said the car was being driven by an unidentified Sikh youth. He said Paramjit Kaur sustained serious injuries. She was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where she breathed her last. Lakhwinder Singh, investigating officer said they were trying to locate the vehicle and its owner. Meanwhile, in another road mishap, one Kashmir Singh of Gopalpura village was crushed to death by a driver near Gopalpura bus stand. Kashmir Singh, who is a government employee, was returning to his native village from Verka. The truck driver sped away from the spot. The police authorities said a case has been registered in this connection.
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For a bright future
Amritsar, June 14 And it's not just sit-and-learn routine that is being followed but a more interactive and participative movement. Like Punjabi Samvaad, a socio-cultural NGO focused on bridging the gap between the technocratic generation and the old school values. Started by couple Amit and Jyoti Bawa, who are celebrated and national award winning artists as well, the NGO has involved youth into its programme. "Our initial aim was to explore and promote talent from the region, in folk and literary field. But later we realised the need for an education first without being preachy," says Jasmine Bawa, the 21-year-old active member of the organisation. The fact that she is also the daughter of the founder members validates its motto. "A lot of people believe that young generation is insensitive towards social and cultural issues. But our main force and motivation is the youth. Most of our research and executive teams comprise youngsters and in their search for traditions, common people are the best variables." Actively working to revive and educate about the lost traditions and cultural influences of the region, Punjabi Samvaad uses these folk art forms to spread social awareness as well. "Nukkad nataks, folk art and literary history are a means of communication for us. We operate from Punjab Naatshala, which is the epitome of cultural heritage in the city," says Jasmine. Similarly, embedding cultural education into academics is Punarjyot, an NGO started to preserve the diminishing cultural heritage of Punjab. An offshoot of the Springdales Educational Society, Punarjyot over the years has worked to revive particularly the cultural and artistic traditions of Punjab and even expanded its base to bring into its fold various social causes such as the problem of drug addiction which is rampant in the region. It's widely accredited and acknowledged Indo-Pak peace festival Saanjh is one such initiative to merge culture with education. "Connecting with cultural issues is not our only aim, but the larger ones like building a future generation which is well-aware of its past. The involvement of our students in our programmes is not just educational, but also participatory," shares Rajiv Sharma, principal, Springdales High School. Promoting and exposing the youngsters to dying art forms of India, Punarjyot involves students at the grassroots level. "We focus on art forms and traditions that are bearing the brunt of technology and are on the margins of extinction," says Rajiv. Workshops, voluntary programmes and direct interactions with folk artists have become a routine exercise to take the youth back to the roots. Gatka and Rajasthani folk arts forms have become a part of their study. "This generation was born in a technology powered world and traditions have to make a room, gradually. Give them time and exposure and they will soak in their rich past," he adds.
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Intoxicants seized from two stores
Amritsar, June 14 Owners of two medical stores - Harpal Medical Store (Kathunangal) and Gurmit Medical Store (Bhangali Kalan) - failed to produce any records before the raiding party headed by drug inspector Bableen Kaur. The police party was led by Sanjiv Kumar. The raiding teams recovered 2,700 intoxicant tablets, 700 capsules and four different types of expired drugs from Harpal Medical Store. Bableen Kaur said when the team raided the medical store there was no literate person present at the shop. The owner of the shop also failed to show any record to the team. She said similarly the teams recovered 30 different types of medicines worth Rs 55,000 from the Gurmeet Medical Store. Majority of the medicines had got expired, she added. She said the raided party also recovered samples of different medicines. The owner of this shop also could not produce any record pertaining to sale and purchase of the medicines. It is pertinent to mention here that earlier too the health department had raided the Gurmeet Medical Store about a month back. Same irregularities and violations were reported at that time also. The department had also received complaints against Harpal Medical Store. “We are recommending strict action including cancellation of the licence of the medical store owners,” said Bableen. The police in a press statement issued here said that legal action is also being initiated against the accused persons involved in the sale of intoxicant drugs.
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No breakthrough in kidnapping case
Amritsar, June 14 The incident came to light when he failed to return till evening and repeated attempts to locate him could not bear any fruit. Later, the family received a call in which unidentified persons claimed that the boy was with them. The C-division police station has registered a case under Sections 364 and 506 of the IPC in this connection on the statement of Sunil Arora, the boy's father and a resident of Teliyan Wali Gali, inside Gate Hakima. Police authorities said the number from which the unscrupulous elements have called Sunil was procured on the fake identity. The number of is also being used through a stolen mobile phone. "We are looking into the call details made through the cell phone," said Police Commissioner RP Mittal. He said separate teams made to crack the case were working 24X7 to trace the boy. We will leave no stone unturned to nab the culprits, he added. The people residing in the narrow lanes of the walled city inside Gate Hakima where Teliyan Gali Wali is located have been visiting the house to console the family. Preferring not to be named, they said the family had a dispute with the neighouring house over some issue a few days back. The police teams also took the family of neighbouring house, but they were released after interrogations, revealed sources. The Police Commissioner said they had investigated this angle also, but nothing concrete had come out till now.
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World Blood donation day
Amritsar, June 14 Dr HS Ghai, officiating Civil Surgeon and Deputy Medical Commissioner, said only 10-20 per cent of women donate blood. He exhorted the women community to come forward for this cause. Dr Neeraj Sharma, head of Modern Blood Bank at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, said it would be enough to meet the annual requirement only if 15 per cent of the total population of the country donated blood. She said according to an estimate, about 90 lakh units are required in the country every year, while only 60 to 70 lakh units are collected through various means. Hence, there is a deficit of about 20 lakh units annually, due to which many patients lose their lives. She said in Punjab, the situation is a little better at places where people are more aware than the other parts of the country. About 2.50 lakh units are collected every year in the state against the requirement of just over two lakh units. In Amritsar, the annual requirement of blood is approximately 40,000 to 45,000 units per year. While echoing the same views, she said the number of woman blood donors is much less as the majority of women, who are interested in blood donation, are found to be unfit for donation. Meanwhile, Dr Avinash Sondhi, District Health Officer, speaking on the occasion, claimed that Amritsar lags behind in terms of voluntary blood donation in Punjab. Even its adjoining district Tarn Taran is far ahead of the holy city. He claimed that about 75 per cent of the blood collected during various blood donation camps is donated by volunteers in Tarn Taran while in case of Amritsar district it is just 45 per cent. He was speaking while giving details of the programme being organised by the health department in view of the Blood Donation month being observed by the department from June 14 to July 14. He said every government hospital in the district including sub-divisional hospital and community health centres would organise camps during the month-long programme. "We are targeting to increase the percentage of voluntary blood donation to above 60 per cent," he added.
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Christian morcha demands land for cemetery
Amritsar, June 14 During a meeting at St John’s School, Gumtala, near here, senior vice-chairman of the morcha Subash Masih said despite the high court orders, the corporation could not fulfil their demand. “I urge the newly formed MC House to show solidarity with our cause and urge the authorities to provide us with cemetery land,” he said.
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Looking ahead: Agenda of councillors Ward 11
Ward 20
Ward 29
Ward 24
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Even as the civic amenities in my ward are up to the mark, I know that lot needs to be done to maintain it. Another glaring problem, the residents of my ward face is of stray dogs and snatching incidents. About stray dogs, I am the only councillor who has been raising voice in the House, but due to lack of infrastructure, the MC has failed to check the menace. Still, I will urge the authorities to draft a plan in this regard. I also urge that fund allocation should be done keeping in mind the density of population in the particular ward. I also admit about the deteriorating law and order problem, but it is the issue of the whole city and police is liable to curb it. I am doing and will continue to do my bit to persuade the police for taking strict vigil. The narrow lanes in the main Basant Nagar Bazar cause traffic snarls, my endeavour will be to stop the movement of heavy vehicles on this
route 
My priority will be to segregate the domestic water supply line from the sewerage lines. The situation is dismal in the C-block area of
Maqboolpura. Similarly, the road network in my area cries for an immediate attention, especially on the Dhobi Ghat side. For the sewerage work in the New Golden Avenue area, a sum of Rs 30 lakh has just been finalized. The inauguration of the project was done by MP Navjot Sidhu recently. My endeavour will now be to make it operational as soon as possible. In the Maqboolpura area, the labour class has no primary or secondary health centre and residents had to go to private hospitals for treatment. The only government dispensary here has been lying defunct since 1992. I will try to make it
operational
Even as the civic amenities in my ward are up to the mark, I know that lot needs to be done to maintain it. Another glaring problem, the residents of my ward face is of stray dogs and snatching incidents. About stray dogs, I am the only councillor who has been raising voice in the House, but due to lack of infrastructure, the MC has failed to check the menace. Still, I will urge the authorities to draft a plan in this regard. I also urge that fund allocation should be done keeping in mind the density of population in the particular ward. I also admit about the deteriorating law and order problem, but it is the issue of the whole city and police is liable to curb it. I am doing and will continue to do my bit to persuade the police for taking strict vigil. The narrow lanes in the main Basant Nagar Bazar cause traffic snarls, my endeavour will be to stop the movement of heavy vehicles on this
route
As the saying goes 'Charity begins at home', I am distributing 3,000 saplings planted in pots to residents out of our Shaheed Bhagat Singh Youth Welfare Club. I can promise that I will pump in my personal funds for brining quality life to residents. The basic needs of safe drinking water and electricity supply cannot be streamlined until and unless some concrete plans are made. At least Rs 3 crore is required to fulfil these needs. I have planned to spend Rs 1.5 lakh per month in my ward from my personal account. For electricity, the problem can be solved if generator sets are provided to residents. These would cost about Rs 1.5 crore to cover each locality here. The RO system requires other Rs 80 lakh for 870 houses falling in this ward. I have the capacity to arrange funds through my sources and without asking for a single penny from the already cash-starved
corporation.