Ludhiana, June 16
The local police claims to have cracked the blind murder case of a man with the arrest of two persons. He was found dead in a vacant plot at Moti Nagar on June 1. The victim was identified as Ram Naresh. The Moti Nagar police today stated that personal enmity was the reason behind his murder.

The police divulged that three persons were involved in the murder. The two accused identified as Mithlesh and Rahul were arrested, their third accomplice identified Dharminder managed to escape.

The police came to know that the trio had attacked Suraj Kumar, Rakhi Ram and Ram Naresh following a heated argument at Jeevan Nagar vegetable market in Moti Nagar.

While injured Suraj and Rakhi managed to reach the hospital, Ram Naresh died on the spot.

The police swooped into action after it found that two injured persons-Suraj and Rakhi Ram-were undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The cops further recorded the statement of the injured, who testified the name of the trio for killing Ram Naresh.

After receiving the complaint, Rahul and Mithlesh were arrested, while Dharminder managed to escape.

During the interrogation, the duo stated that six of them were working in same dyeing unit and often used to fight.

The trio of Mithlesh, Rahul and Dharminder got an opportunity to settle score on the night of June 1, while they were visiting the Jeevan Nagar vegetable market.

They spotted Suraj, Rakhi Ram and Ram Naresh and attacked the trio. While Ram Naresh died on to the spot, Suraj and Rakhi Ram were injured.

Suraj and Rakhi Ram did not report the matter to the police as they were terrified after the incident.

Ludhiana, June 16
The local industry is up in arms against the two compulsory weekly offs imposed on it by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) from June 17 onwards. The generation of power will go down and the industry will not be able to dispatch its orders on time.

Two compulsory weekly day offs have been imposed on the general industry’s consumers being fed from category 2 feeders. Timing of weekly day off for this section will be from 8 am to 8 am. Meanwhile, two weekly day off has been imposed on arc/induction furnaces and rolling mill consumer feeder from category 2 and category 3 feeders.

Commenting on the compulsory weekly offs imposed by PSPCL, Badish Jindal, president, Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association (FOPSIA), said the compulsory offs would sound death knell for the industry. “Our output will decrease by nearly 35 per cent and we will have to pay the labour for the entire month,” he added.

“PSPCL should not impose weekly day offs especially on micro and small industries. The cycle parts industry is already reeling under crisis and two day offs will only deteriorate the position further. If we

run our industry with generators the cost of our products will also increase,” said Gurmeet Singh Kular, president, United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association.

“It seems that the government is in no mood to give relief to the industrialists. The knitwear industry being seasonal has to countenance various problems at different levels. Now this issue will shake the industry as well the common man. There will be less production due to the power cut and this would hike the cost of products. Hosiery industry at present is passing through a difficult phase and this circular will destroy it completely,” added Vinod Thapar, chairman, Knitwear Club.

Ludhiana, June 16
Day after threatening to go on rampage following registration of a fraud case against union president Charan Dass, the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H) Employees’ Union softened its stand and stated that they would not go on strike.

Hardesh Masih, press secretary of the union, while speaking to The Tribune on phone said the union had decided not to go on strike.

“We don’t want innocent patients to suffer due to our dispute with the management. We have genuine demands, but instead of talking to us management is complaining against the president and getting the case registered against him,” said Hardesh Masih.

Masih said the employees equally contributed in making DMC& H among the country’s best medical institution.

He slammed the allegation that one of the leaders of previous employee association was fueling the crises in the premier hospital.

“I will not like to name him, but the leader of previous employees association had dented the reputation of the hospital. We are in no way linked with him. Let me clear this we are not being used as pawn by anyone,” said Masih.

The DMC&H and Hero DMC have remained in new for all wrong reasons in the past a few weeks. The premier heart care institute had recently shown the door to one of its technicians who allegedly cheated the hospital of lakhs of rupees.

Ludhiana, June 16
After the declaration of Class XII results, students are now on a next mission to get admission to the college of their choice. Those opting for humanities and pursuing bachelor of arts have a plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a college or a subject.

The following are a few colleges offering various courses.

Ludhiana, June 16
Even as the district administration has issued orders for the removal of election related or political hoarding from different parts of the city, local politicians have installed these to thank residents for making them victorious in the recently held municipal corporation elections.

Politicians started installing hoardings as soon as the process of the municipal elections began. A few of these hoardings have been illegally installed by politicians on private buildings, electricity poles and other such places, but officials of the municipal corporation and the district administration have failed to get these removed till date.

Residents regretted that earlier politicians were claiming that they would “serve” them if given a chance and now the winners have installed these hoardings for “thanking” them for their support.

To ensure these hoardings are not removed by the municipal officials, photographs of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Youth Akali Dal president Bikram Singh Majithia, PWD minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, besides other senior leaders have been projected on the hoarding by politicians of various political parties.

Even the hoardings of Congress and BJP leaders have photographs of senior leaders from these parties.

High drama was witnessed at the camp office of Municipal Commissioner Malwinder Singh Jaggi when a group of BJP leaders, led by district president Parveen Bansal and others, entered into a heated argument with Jaggi. The BJP leaders had protested against the removal of hoardings of one of their newly elected councillor.

An official of the municipal corporation said, “Whenever we remove such hoardings, we have to face the heat because the politicians, especially from the ruling party stop us from doing so. They don’t allow us to remove these hoardings and if we remove them somehow, they misbehave with us.”

Naveen Malhotra, superintendent, Tehbazaari Wing of the municipal corporation, said, “The hoardings are removed on regular basis. The politicians replace them with new ones. But if any such hoardings exist in the city, we will get them removed on Monday.” Joint Commissioner Ajay Sood could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Ludhiana/ Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 16
Banks have started receiving overwhelming response to projects being launched under various vehicle loan schemes. Apprehension of hike in prices of diesel cars, hike in petrol prices and reasonable interest rates are cited as major factors behind the tendency.

A majority of beneficiaries and prospective borrowers showed their inclination to purchase a diesel car instead of a petrol one.

Investigations revealed that more people had started approaching commercial banks for availing loans for purchase of diesel cars. Vehicle loan melas received warmer response from almost all sections of the society, be it the trader community or the employees.

APS Bhatia, branch manager of the SBS Road branch of State Bank of India, said at least 75 persons had showed their inclination to avail loan for purchase of a car during the Car Loan Mela organised. Proposals worth Rs 50 lakh were prepared during the one-day event.

Welcoming the trend, Anil Bhardwaj and Ashok Bhalla, zonal managers have advised managers and field officers to clear all applications received by them expeditiously so that the borrowers could buy vehicles before the apprehended hike in prices.

School teachers and employees of public sector undertakings were also among loan seekers. Rajinder Singh, a school lecturer, said he had completed all formalities desired by the branch manager of the local branch of the state Bank of India, in one day as he wanted to purchase a diesel car of his choice before prices increased. "I decided to purchase a diesel car after recent unprecedented hike in petrol prices. I have also requested the bank officials to expedite the process of my application as I don't want to pay extra if prices of diesel cars increase in the near future," said Singh.

Ludhiana, June 16
The Punjab School Education Board has made the announcement for conducting the re-appear and extra subject examination of medical and commerce streams of Class XII in July, 2012. The exam is for those students who got a compartment in the examination that was held in March, 2012.

Secretary of the Punjab School Education Board said the examination fee was Rs 700 and students would have to pay Rs 70 for every practical subject.

Prospectus will cost Rs 100. Students from other states will have to pay Rs 900 as examination fee. Last date for submitting forms is July 2.

The board authorities suggested that the students should keep surfing the PSEB website for further information and queries.

Ludhiana, June 16
"Being a father is a beautiful feeling. It is a perception that motherhood is special, but I would say being a father is just an amazing feeling," says Sarabjeet Singh, father of two-year-old Bikram. Maninder Bir, who looks forward to reaching back home after work for his year-and-a-half old daughter Nanaki says "I don't think life changes much after marriage. It changes after you become a parent," he says. For Bobby Vohra, a businessman, his daughter Ashita was the best thing to have happened to him.

Sarabjit, a businessman, says that priorities changed after he became a father. "Now, I just think of Bikram before me - he comes before I, and I never felt like that earlier," he beams. "I love to spend time with him, and be a great friend and father to him. I want to give him all the love and the right values," he says. Spending time with the little one is the best time for him. "My son loves to see the lighted up markets, so I take him out for a drive every evening. He sleeps late and I just try my best to give him quality time," says Sarabjit. “On holidays, my wife is relaxed and knows I will take care of him and play with him. No matter how tiring, stressful the day has been, a look at him just refreshes me, as he makes life so much more beautiful," he feels. "I want to give him the best childhood and a great life," he says.

To Bobby, his 11-year-old daughter Ashita means the world to him. She is a wonderful daughter. I want to give her all the affection and happiness in the world. I feel, whatever I am doing, I am doing for her," he says. "I just want to give her a childhood that she never regrets she missed on anything," he says.

"I realised that I had so much love and so much commitment in me only after she was born," he says. "She has made me feel complete and is the nucleus of our family. One look at her and I forget everything else," he says. Spending time with her is amazing. "I go out in the evenings with her, go for walks, play badminton etc. I attend cultural programmes so that she learns our culture and values," he says.

Being a father is the best experience in the world, says Maniner. "Seeing her smile just makes my day and so I look forward to return home to see her," he says. "Nanaki is learning to walk, and I make sure I spend the evenings 
with her."

Ludhiana, June 16
Father’s Day seems to be all the more special, looking at the market swamped with Father’s Day gifts this year. Even the advertisements these days seem to have a new-found enthusiasm for the day, as the day is being promoted like never before.

Gifts ranging from greeting cards, mugs, jewellery rings, clothes, accessories like tiepins, wallets, belts, watches and pendulums all are being promoted as the Father’s Day gifts.

Online stores are also sending special deals for the special day. However, wrist watch is the most sought after gift for fathers, which the youngsters are going for, a store owner said.

Some of the stationery shops offering attractive gifts for all fathers. Bakeries of the city also have special Father's Day cakes. “We are offering discounts on gifts Jasdeep Sethi, owner of a gift gallery, said. 

Ludhiana, June 16
Children are "celebrating" their summer break sitting in front of computers and playing their favourite video games. All kinds of motion and virtual games have become the hot favourite of children these days. Living rooms have become the ground zero as sounds of bombs, fighter planes can be heard while children are engrossed in front of the computer or TV using all their skills to negotiate any hurdles coming in their way to knock down the enemy.

Karan, owner of a showroom in Ghumar Mandi, said there was an upswing of 20 per cent in sale of the games during this time of the year.

"I just love playing games. They are just terrific. My favourite game is the car game. And there are a host of other interesting games that have been released this season and I just love them," Ankur, a class VIII student, said.

Games are beneficial for children as it helps them to develop better hand and eye coordination and it also sharpens their reflexes, Ritesh, a resident of Dugri, said. “A small session of games every day is refreshing, and I do allow my children to play games for a limited time,” he further said.

Anmol, a gaming enthusiast, says great graphics in games these days and motion gaming in particular are adding dimension to gaming these days. "Games have killer graphics, the virtual environment seems more interactive and more close to reality, and thus have added element of fun and adventure," he says.

Ludhiana, June 16
Hot mix plant owners will be going on a statewide strike from June 22 onwards against the unavailability of raw material.

Two quarries at Bharatgarh and Pathankot in Punjab are lying closed for the past two months, due to unavailability, stone and crusher stone are being sold at high rates in the market, said Balwinder Singh, president, Punjab Hot Mix Plant Owners Association.

Adding he said since the building material was out of stock, the contractors were unable to carry on the pending work. "The department officials are pestering us to finish the pending work, but we are unable to do so as the construction material is out of stock and have already written to the minister concerned in this regard," he said.

Further Ramneek Sehgal, joint general secretary, said that the bitumen coming from the oil companies should come in a sealed container. "Since it comes in an open container so what we get is not pure. We have already asked the higher authorities to start a lock system for the tankers but nothing has been done in this regard so far. When the officials come to check the quality of the road they blame us for the poor quality, even when we are at no fault," he added.

Ludhiana, June 16
There will be no respite to residents from the scorching heat. Heat wave will continue to sweep the region. Apart from sweltering heat, power cuts have made the lives of resident miserable.

As per the Met department, due to the delay in the arrival of monsoon, same weather conditions would persist for the next few days. A dust storm may hit the city.

Residents of the city have a fewer alternatives to beat the heat in the absence of power. Water parks and swimming pools are full to capacity. Roadside vendors are making the most of the opportunity.

"ACs and inverters are of little help. The city has been reeling under power cuts for the past few days. Power cuts and blistering sun are adding to the woes of residents," said Yuvi, a resident.

"Residents are facing a tough time due to the scorching heat and outages are just worsening the situation. Now, we are eagerly waiting for the monsoon to get relief," Suraj, a resident of the Pakhowal road.

Dr KK Gill, agro meteorologist from the PAU, said, "We have recorded a maximum temperature 43 degrees Celsius today. The weather conditions have been the same for the past two weeks. Pre-monsoon winds from South will bring relief. As compared to the last year, monsoon will be delayed this year. Dust storm may hit the city in coming days. The weather conditions are favourable as due to the fall in air pressure, monsoon may arrive early."

Mandi Ahmedgarh, June 16
A resident of Saharan Majra village was crushed to death when his scooter was hit by a truck at a stone's throw distance from his residence this morning.

The Payal Police has registered an FIR under Sections 304 A, 427 and 279 of the IPC against the driver identified as Harvinder Singh of Ghungrana village.

Manjit Singh (42) was crushed to death when his scooter was hit by a truck owned by an office-bearer of the civic body of 
the village.

Members of the aggrieved family were shocked to learn about his death as the incident took place only minutes after he left the house. Hardly had he covered a distance of a few yards on the village road, the driver of the truck, in an effort to manoeuvre a turn reversed the vehicle and crushed the scooter being driven by Manjit Singh.

When passersby raised the alarm, the driver instead of maintaining cool got panicked and moved the truck further thus crushing the victim whose one leg had been tangled in wheels of the vehicle. The suspect succeeded in fleeing the spot.

Jagraon, June 16
Only a week after two trainees of the Sher-e-Punjab Sports Academy, Chakar, near Jagraon returned after clinching two gold medals at the National-level Sub-Junior Boxing Championship at Kolkata, another two trainees brought laurels for the academy as well as the village when they won one gold and a silver medal at the Seventh North Indian Senior Boxing Championship for Women concluded in Shimla recently.

A large number of players from as many as five states in Northern India, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandighar and Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the event.

Balwant Singh Sandhu, president of Sher-e-Punjab Sports Academy, Chakar, said that two trainees of the academy represented Punjab in the championship and both won medals for the state. He further said, two budding pugilists of the academy, including Amandeep Kaur and Parminder Kaur, won gold and silver medal, respectively, at the North Indian Senior Boxing Championship for Women.

Both pugilists were given a warm welcome by the villagers when they returned after participating in the event today. A function was organised at the academy where both the winners and their parents were felicitated by the village panchayat.

While speaking on the occasion, village sarpanch Dr. Harchand Singh appreciated the efforts of the Shere Punjab Sports Academy. He congratulated the academy organisers for the achievements of its trainees in the past few months and also applauded the efforts of the boxing coach of the academy Harpreet Singh Aulakh.

Sandhu said that the efforts of the academy organisers have begun showing good results. "As we all have seen that the trainees of our academy have given consistently good performances and won a large number of gold and silver medals in the various national level and state-level championships in the past six months, the hard work has paid off," said Sandhu.

Ludhiana, June 16
The Ludhiana District Swimming Association (LDSA) will conduct trials on June 20 at the Municipal Corporation Swimming Pool, near Rakh Bagh to select the junior boys and girls for the upcoming Junior Punjab State Swimming Championship. The trials will begin at at 10 am.

Boys and girls born in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 are eligible to take part in the trials in the Group I while those born in the years 1998 and 1999 can appear in Group II, Apinder Singh Grewal, president of the LDSA, said.

Aspirants are required to bring their date of birth certificates along with them while attending the trials. The selected swimmers will represent Ludhiana district in the Punjab State Swimming Championship for junior boys as well as girls scheduled to be held at Patiala, on June 23 and 24.