Ludhiana, July 9
The burgeoning cost of land in the past few years and the big gains in the real estate sector as compared with the manufacturing sector has lured several small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to test the real estate business. There are hundreds of workers in the industrial clusters of the city who are facing lay-offs as small and medium entrepreneurs are finding their businesses unviable and are now looking to the real estate sector for a more lucrative venture.

Gagan Manocha, an exporter of sporting goods, has shifted to the real estate business as he found that running a manufacturing unit was now full of hassles. "Running a unit is not a single man's job and I was not in a position to appoint staff for several work heads. We have to deal with several government departments like excise and taxation, pollution control board, labour department, power department and municipal corporations among others. Being a small entrepreneur, I could not hire managers to delegate responsibility," he said. After switching to the realty sector, he has managed to make some quick bucks in a short period.

Another small-scale hosiery manufacturer, Gurbax Singh, said: "The ever-increasing cost of inputs and wage rates have squeezed the margins, but we were unable to pass the rising cost to the buyers. Not only this, cheap substitutes from China are eating away are share. The demand for land is inelastic and even by finalising a single deal, I manage to earn lakhs of rupees. I am happy after switching over to the property business," he said.

It is a sad tale for workers like Bhag Singh who used to work in a unit manufacturing nut-bolts, but is now running from pillar to post to look for a new job. "After working for nearly 10 years, I lost my job owing to the scaling down of manufacturing activity in this cluster due to the dissipating demand. My employer has switched to the property business and he said he did not require the workforce to carry out this new venture," he said.

According to information available with the industries departments, Punjab has nearly 1,50,000 SMEs. Most of these clusters had carved a niche for themselves in the international market.

Ludhiana, July 9
The industry in the city is already passing through a rough phase due to labour shortage and the grim power situation is adding to the problems of the industry.

"In addition to the scheduled power cuts we are also facing the unscheduled power cuts. How can the industry progress when two compulsory weekly offs are imposed on them. The government needs to get serious about the power problem being faced by the state," said Badish Jindal, president, Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association.

Further he said most of the substations in the city are overloaded and the department seems to have learnt no lesson from the past when technical snag at the Ferozepur and Lalton sub-station had braught life in the city to a standstill," he added.

Another small-scale industrialist, Jeevan Puri, adding further said big units could afford to run their work on generators but it was practically impossible for small industrialists like us. "I cannot afford to carry on my work on generators. Production has gone down and I am unable to meet the deadlines and thus facing losses," added he.

Telling his tale of woes Vinay Kansal, a small time exporter, said the production in his unit had gone down by nearly 25 per cent due to grim power situation in the city. "Apart from the scheduled power cuts we also have to go through the unscheduled power cuts. When will the government rise from its slumber and take necessary steps to improve the power situation. Pending projects need to be finished at the earliest," he added. The overloaded substations in Ludhiana is listed in the official website of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.

Ludhiana, July 9
A newborn girl, who was left to die on the bank of the Sirhind Branch Canal near Sudhar, was rescued by some children of the village here today.

The baby, who is said to be about a day-old, was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Raikot from where she was taken to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital in emergency 108 ambulance. Doctors at the hospital said her condition was stable.

The children of the village, who were playing near the canal, heard the baby crying profusely this afternoon. They immediately informed the village elders about the baby. The police was called and the 108 helpline was intimated about the abandoned baby.

The children told the police that they did not see anyone leaving the baby on the bank of the canal.

The police has recorded their statement and started investigation.

The investigating officer said they were gathering details about baby girls born in nursing homes and hospitals located in Sudhar and nearby areas.

Ludhiana, July 9
A debt-ridden grocer committed suicide by hanging himself from a fan at his house in Dugri here today. The victim, identified as 45-year-old Ravinder Kumar, left a suicide note holding an oil trader responsible for his death. The police has booked the accused, Harbans Lal, for abetment to suicide.

The incident came to light here this morning when Chinda, a resident of Jagdish Nagar, visited the victim's house and saw his body hanging. He raised the alarm and family members of the deceased called the police.

A relative of the deceased said he was under debt. Nearly a year ago, he sold his house at Jagdish Nagar in Dugri to Harbans Lal for Rs 22 lakh and purchased a smaller house in the Dugri area. Harbans Lal gave him the token money and started delaying the payment of the rest of the amount.

Though the victim took possession of the house, he had taken money from the market on high interest. He repeatedly requested Harbans Lal to pay the amount, but he kept delaying it. The victim was living alone in the house. His wife and two children were living in a newly purchased house in Dugri.

Khanna, July 9
A group of social activists from the town, led by PD Bansal, met the SDM Khanna, PS Sodhi, and the Halka Incharge of Akali Dal, Ranjit Singh Talwandi, to discuss the pitiable condition of the 10-kilometer stretch of Khanna-Khamano road from Khanna up to village Barwali. This is the shortest route linking the town to both National Highway No 1 and National Highway No 95.

Big potholes have developed on this stretch in absence of any repair. Several commuters of peripheral areas travel daily on this road, but its condition has forced them to adopt alternative longer routes. Many students commuting to their schools and colleges have a harrowing time when their vehicles get punctured due to the bad condition of the road.

Khanna has biggest grain market in Asia, and farmers from neighbouring areas regularly bring their produce here to sell it. They have to face great difficulty to reach Khanna via this road.

The width of this stretch is also very less which poses danger to passing trollies and trucks. Although the second stretch, i.e. from Barwali to Khamano, was widened in the past, this stretch remains neglected.

Jagroop Singh Barwali, a social activist of the area, had demanded that this road be repaired and widened at the earliest. Although, some heaps of concrete have been kept at certain places on the road, the repair work has not yet started.

Ranjit Singh Talwandi when contacted said he had directed concerned officials to look into this matter immediately.

SDM Sodhi said that he had taken up the matter with the officials of Public Works Department.

“The repair work will start shortly for the welfare of the people of the area,”€� he said.

Samrala, July 9
On the call given by Bar Association Samrala, Samrala Bachao Action Committee today marched into the main bazaar to demand transfer of both the SDM and the Tehsildar because of their alleged poor work. Led by the general secretary of Punjab Congress Legal Cell, and PPP leader Amarjeet Singh Balion, the protesters alleged that Punjab government was dilly-dallying the genuine demand of advocates and people of the area to transfer these officials.

The protesters warned that if the government failed to transfer these officials by July 16, they will observe a bandh in Samrala with the help of shopkeepers and residents. Several organisations including Bar Association Samrala, Technical Service Union, Lok Chetna Manch Samrala, BKU, CPI and Bhrashtachar Virodhi Front took part in the protest march.

When contacted, the SDM said he had no idea what the problem was. Tehsildar too said he was unaware of the reason behind the demand of the protestors.

Ludhiana, July 9
To discuss problems related to mixed land use area, a meeting of heads from various departments and industry representatives was held at District Industries Centre here today.

Officials from Municipal Corporation, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, Punjab Pollution Control Board, District Town Planner and General-Manager of District Industries Centre attended the meeting.

All these departments lack proper co-ordination due to which industries coming under mixed land use area are having a tough time.

Industry representatives raised the issue of pending cases with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.

"While PSPCL claimed that no cases related to mixed land use areas prior to April 2012 were pending with the department, we made them aware that nearly 400-500 such cases were still pending," said Badish Jindal, president of Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association, who was also present at the meeting.

Ludhiana, July 9
Twelve-year-old Ekta Kapoor has her eyes set on the upcoming movie “Yaaran Naal Baharaan-II”. Ekta has a pivotal role in the movie as she helps the lead pair fall in love.

This Class VIII student of RS Model School has already performed in a few telefilms and songs. She is delighted about the new movie.

Ekta’s younger sister Ritika, who is studying in Class VII in the same school, has also acted in movies, including “Qissa” and “Desi Munde”.

The sisters want to nurture their talent and become actors when they grow up.

"As sisters, we want to be like Karisma and Kareena Kapoor when we grow up," says Ekta. Both of them have shared screen space in the movies “Joker” and “Hero Hitler in Love”.

Although, earlier they were camera shy, now they feel at ease while acting, they say. The sisters have been home-trained by their father Yashpal Kapoor.

Managing studies along with acting is not difficult, says Ritika, as they only do movies occasionally. Acting has increased their popularity in school and neighbourhood, and children have become friendlier, she smiles. 

Ludhiana, July 9
Compared to last year, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) has received a tremendous response by the students this time.

The university, which had received total 1197 applications for all their courses, had received 1880 applications this time.

GADVASU Registrar Dr PD Juyal gave the credit for the rise in number of applicants to the increasing acceptability of courses and good job opportunities. He said that in dairy technology, the university had received 184 applications last year while this year, the number had gone up to 302. For all the combined courses (BVSc, dairy technology and fisheries) offered by the varsity, the number of applicants had gone up to 71 from 31 last year.

The Registrar said that the veterinarians were getting safe jobs both in India and abroad. "The veterinary officers are always in the forefront. They are widely accepted in government and the private sector, and many of them migrate overseas for better avenues. Recently, our graduates in dairy sciences got absorbed in milk plants in Gujarat and Pune. Besides, Nestle, Moga also offered jobs to our studens, which is an encouraging trend."

Students of fisheries were absorbed by a private company in Hyderabad. "It is not that the students have shown interest only in degree courses. Diploma courses too are gaining popularity. Last year we had received 189 applications in diploma, while this session we have got 350 applications," said Dr Juyal. 

AS College
Ludhiana: Students AS College have excelled in the Panjab University annual examination 2011-12. Gagandeep Kaur stood first in the college by scoring 78.62 per cent while Rupinder Kaur stood second, scoring 73.25 per cent. Jatinder Singh stood third with 71.43 per cent marks.

Doraha, July 9
It was a real Monday morning for students today as a majority of the schools reopened today after a long break.

"Although I knew that my vacations were heading towards an end, now that they have actually ended, I am really sad. I recall the first day when the holidays started. For the past two-three days I don't feel like eating or enjoying with anybody. It was really so relaxed during the holidays. Practically nothing to do and enjoying to the maximum. I used to get up at ten, eat at eleven and after bath again have a nap," rued Shubham of class V.

"We had got a lot of holiday home work this time. As the project work was more, I didn't really enjoy my vacations as I always had the pressure of completing my work in time at the back of my mind," said a worried Anjali from a local government school. "Many schools had already taken the terminals beforehand and the students were quite free to enjoy their vacations to the maximum. But our school thought it better to pressurise the students throughout their vacations and put them to test on the very first day they return. I did not enjoy my vacations at all as every time I tried to become a little bit relaxed, the fear of exams began to hover over my head," said Deepti, a class VI student.

Although children find it difficult to start school after vacations, a majority of the parents feel its for the best.

"Although a break is very essential for a child to rejuvenate, sometimes they become really unruly during the vacations. With practically nothing to do, they can switch on the TV any time they want. My child simply refuses to listen to anything being said while watcing the telvision. He just wants to while away his time," said a mother.

Ludhiana, July 9
Even though the Subdivisional Railway Hospital (SDH) here was upgraded some two year ago,still the Northern Railway authorities have failed to provide comprehensive medical and health facilities to both the serving and retired employees. The hospital has been operating in a make-shift manner and especially the retired employees are the worst sufferers due to absence of medical specialists.

In a communication to the Chief Medical Superintendent, Northern Railway Divisional Hospital, Ferozepur, the Northern Railway Pensioners Welfare Association, has complained that presently there were just two non-specialist doctors who were attending to the out patients and other health-related problems of the employees and pensioners.

The letter, copies of which have also been sent to the Divisional Railway Manager, the Chief Medical Director, Northern Railway, New Delhi, and the Union Railway Minister also says that the specialist doctors posted at the SDH here had either resigned or had been posted elsewhere without providing their replacement here.

Sher Singh, chairman and SM Sharma, president of the association, said the specialists in orthopaedics, surgery and gynaecology do attend to the patients during their once-a-week visit from the divisional hospital at Ferozepur but these doctors were not in a position to provide adequate follow up in cases of surgeries or emergency procedures. They said most of the pensioners had to go to Ferozepur for the purpose.

The pensioners pointed out that in addition to the specialists in other departments there was dire need of a cardiologist at the SDH who could regularly check the pensioners. A majority of them had attained the age of 65 or 70 years, and required constant monitoring for early diagnosis of heart problems.

Dr Chetna Kapoor, medical superintendent of the SDH, said that recently a specialist in medicine (physician) had resigned and some other specialists had been shifted.

"At the moment, there are two doctors and one trainee doctor as against the sanctioned posts of six doctors, including the specialists at the hospital. Some specialist doctors visit the hospital from Ferozpeur once a week, but we will be able to provide better medical care if the vacant posts are filled up," she added.

Ludhiana, July 9
No fresh case of dengue in the district was reported from any hospital today. One suspected case of dengue came to the hospital today.

Karnail Singh (53), of Deon village was the only suspected case. Under the instructions of Subhash Batta, Civil Surgeon, a team of experts carried out an inspection drive in Deep Colony, Durga Colony Road, Dhandari Khurd, Chana Market, Dharamshala Roal, Aarti Street and Baba Deep Singh Nagar. According to the team, water was found to be stagnant in some areas and sewerage system was blocked. Street vendors on Sau-foota road at Rapoor Kalan were selling sweets riddled with flies.

Dr Anil Verma, District Malaria Officer, appealed to the public that they should consume hygienic and covered food. Clean, boiled water should be taken during the rainy season, he said. Hands should be washed before having meals and the surroundings of the homes should be kept clean, he said.

Ludhiana, July 9
A mango fest “Mango Sutra” is on at a mall on the Ferozpur Road and varieties of mangoes like the dussehries, alphonsos, langdas etc are getting mixed, mashed and churned in expert hands to become the perfect dishes and delicacies for the Ludhianvis here.

The menu has interesting offerings, as the fruit undergoes "pan" treatment with various combinations. Beverages like “aam panna” with lime or paired with papaya in salads are being served to the customers here. Non-vegetarian food is ingeniously flavoured with the sweet and sour mangoes. “Murgh aam tikka”, “makhmali aam ke kabab” and “mango glazed chicken wings” are some of the leading lip-smacking dishes being served on a platter here.

"I have enjoyed eating mangoes, but haven't got my hands on the mango dishes yet, says Charu, a resident. For Sahejpreet, who is a self-professed mango-addict, says that although he is health-conscious, but restraint goes for a toss when it comes to mangoes.

Ludhianvis have a very discerning taste and always enjoy good food says Rakesh Rawat from a restaurant at the mall. 

Jagraon, July 9
Illicit relationships and love affairs have emerged as main factors behind some heinous crimes committed in the area recently. In July, six persons, including three women, in Ludhiana (rural) Police district have lost their lives in separate incidents directly related to fallout of illicit relationships or love affairs.

In the latest incident, a youth of Jodhan village was allegedly done to death by the father of the girl he loved.

The youth identified as Sukhwant Singh had fallen in love with a girl hailing from Dullo village, but as their relationship was not acceptable to family members of the girl, the youth was allegedly killed by girl's father and his four accomplices.

The police has booked a case against the girl's father, Baljinder Singh, and four others, including Kuldeep Singh, Kulveer Singh, Veerpal Singh and Nikka, for killing the youth. All of the accused have been arrested by the police.

Earlier on July 5, a dejected young couple committed suicide near Jagraon after consuming some poisonous substance. The deceased youth identified as Sarabjit Singh of Pherurai village was already married and had a child. He along with Gurdeep Kaur of Jagraon allegedly committed suicide when the family members of his first wife, Surinder Kaur, objected to their marriage.

In the second incident on the same day, a married couple was allegedly murdered by family members of the girl.

The deceased, Jagtar Singh and Kulwant Kaur of Phullewal village near Baghapurana had married against the wishes of their family members about two months ago.

They were allegedly kidnapped from Raikot by Kulwant's father, Gurpal Singh, and his two accomplices on July 1 and later killed. While the dead body of the girl was recovered from a canal near Gholia Khurd, the dead body of Jagtar is yet to be recovered.

Two days after these heart-rending incidents, a widow, Gurcharan Kaur, was allegedly done to death by her paramour at her house in Hujjran village near Sidhwan Bet. Police said the culprit, Mohinder Singh of Gosewal village in Jalandhar, alleged that he killed Gurcharan because she was cheating on him.

Earlier in May, the mystery behind a blind murder of one Amarjit Singh of Gahaur village near Mullanpur Dakha, who was found dead outside Sohian village near Jagraon on the intervening night of May 11 and 12, was solved when the police arrested deceased's wife Sukhdeep Kaur along with two youths Satnam Singh and Karamjit Singh of Mandi Gobindghar.

According to police, the illicit relationship of Sukhdeep Kaur with both the youths proved to be the main reason behind the murder of Amarjit Singh.

Two days later, Jagtar Singh of Hathur village near Jagraon was also killed allegedly by his own wife with the help of her paramour as he was objecting to her illicit relationship with a youth from the village. The police had arrested deceased's wife Sarabjit Kaur and her paramour Karamjit Singh in this regard two days after the murder.

Commenting on the trend, SSP Jagraon Gurpreet Singh Toor said this was basically a social issue and such kind of things were taking place because our social structure was breaking up.

He said the situation could be brought under control by promoting moral values and strengthening our social set-up which is weakening because of globalisation.

Ludhiana, July 9
The state government is annually generating crores of rupees by organising animal fairs in different districts of Punjab, which are being used to develop animal mandis. Raising concern over the revenue loss during such animal fairs in the recent times, the state government has asked the district development and pachayat officers (DDPO) and block development and panchayat officers to seek help from the district administration and the police department if the "anti- social elements" try to defeat the purpose of organising fairs.

Balwinder Singh, Director, Rural Development and Panchayats and Special Secretary, Punjab Government, in a recent letter written to the authorities has expressed concern and said the contractors had to face tough times at Joga, village in Mansa district when “anti-social elements" lodged baseless allegations and complaints against the contractors. Following this, the contractors were not able to hold the cattle fairs in the state.

Besides, the district development and panchayat officer, Moga, also complained to the government that on June 18 and 19, the contractors were not allowed to hold a cattle fair at Charrikh village. The director said if action was not taken immediately, both the department and government would incur huge losses.

The director has reportedly asked the authorities to provide police assistance to the contractors when such animal mandis are held. A block development officer said, "We have been asked to seek cooperation from the district administration and the police as and when required so that there is no revenue loss to the government.

Ludhiana, July 9
A book of ghazals titled "Pehli Baarish" by Tarsem Noor was released at Punjabi Bhawan on Sunday. The book titled after the first rain of the monsoon, has about 97 ghazals, written over a period of about 10 years, says Noor. It is the first book by the 55-year-old lyricist.

Like the rain is a blessing on a parched land, and comes after much yearning, same way, ghazals too sooths the sad soul of a person, says Noor. And the reason for the release of the book during the start of the monsoon is obviously, the title of the book, which means the first rain, he says.

Nooe has been writing ghazals for the last 30 years, he first used to write for radio, and then for Doordarshan. Earlier, he wrote in Urdu, but later he shifted to Punjabi,because that’s where his roots lay, he says. He has been participating in "kavi darbars". By profession, he is a businessman and writing ghazals is not only his passion, but is also a form of recreation. An admirer of Surjit Patar and Shiv Kumar Batalwi, he is not bound by any particular subject, and the ghazals are mostly based on social concerns, he says.

He said although he has dabbled in other literary genres, including songs, poetry but his passion has been ghazals. Although the popularity of ghazals has gone down these days, yet ghazals require more literary expertise to write.

Ludhiana, July 9
Winners of the Punjab State Bumper Lottery alleged that they had failed to receive the prize money.

They said they had contacted the director of the Punjab State Lotteries a number of times, but to no avail. Pankaj Chaudhary, one of the winners, said, "I feel cheated as I have not received the prize money yet. Although I have contacted the officials concerned a number of times, so far, it has gone in vain," he said.

Another lottery winner, Manmeet Singh, said it had been nine months since he won, but so far, he had not received the prize money. "I think there is no point in wasting money over lotteries if the government does not distribute the money on time," he added.

Sham Sunder Bhanot, stockist, Punjab State Lotteries, "I have received a number of complaints from the people regarding non-payment of the prize money. Even bumper prizes like Lohri, bumper and Baisakhi bumper are pending. The department should distribute the prize money at the earliest so that people’s faith is alive in the department," he said.

Shiv kumar, an official from the Punjab state lotteries, said there might be some individual case where payment is not being made as sometimes people fail to fulfil all the formalities or submit the required documents. "It is not a general case that prize money is not being given," he said.