Ludhiana, August 8
The health department is conducting surveys in different localities to keep a check on the outbreak of dengue. A fine of Rs 500 could be charged if dengue larvae are found breeding in any house. The report in this regard will be sent to the district headquarters.

Dr Subhash Batta, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, said, "We have instructed residents to keep their houses as well as the surrounding areas free of stagnant water and garbage. In case we came across dengue larvae in a house or shop of any resident, we may challan under the Municipal Corporation Act. But for this we will take the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, into confidence and challan Rs 500 on the spot."

Last year also the health department and the municipal corporation had challaned some persons on finding larvae of dengue breeding. This year, there are 18 teams of the anti-malaria wing that are conducting the survey and making people aware about dengue. Batta said, "It is high time that the residents participated actively. The hot and humid weather is appropriate for the larvae to breed. If left unchecked the situation will become alarming."

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Sukhdeep Singh from Ferozpur who was admitted to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital has tested positive today. District eEpidemiologist Dr Puneet Juneja said, "No fresh suspected case was reported today."

Ludhiana, August 8
A theft at a shop selling premium watches and sunglasses in the Ghumar Mandi area has sent the city police in a tizzy, as the thieves did not break the locks of the shutter, nor did they uproot the shutter.

Vijay Kumar, owner of Indo Watch Company, said thieves decamped with watches and sunglasses worth Rs 20 to 25 lakh.

The incident came to light around 10am when Arun Kumar, manager, arrived in Ghumar Mandi to open the shop. He said the shutter was pulled upwards, five to six inches, from the middle. Suspecting that something was wrong, Arun Kumar immediately informed Vijay Kumar about the incident.asting no time Vijay Kumar reached the shop. "I was shocked to see the shop ransacked. The thieves laid their hands on expensive watches and sunglasses. They even stole the cash lying in the drawer," said Vijay Kumar.

In the meantime, Gurpreet Kaur Purewal, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP-West), also reached the spot and quizzed the owner, manager and three other employees working at the shop.

Vijay Kumar had opened the shop barely four months ago. He has other shops in the city and used to visit his new outlet once a day. Nearly five cameras were installed inside the shop, but none of them were working.

Vijay Kumar said that due to the fear of fire caused due to shot circuit he had told his employees to switch off the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in the shop.

The expensive watches were kept in the display counter making it easy for the thieves to steal the valuables.

Ludhiana, August 8
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Manmeet Singh Dhillon is in trouble after senior BJP leader and former health minister Satpal Gosain allegedly levelled graft allegation against Dhillon, and Raj Kumar, SHO, Moti Nagar. The BJP leader has demanded immediate action against both the police officers.

Till yesterday, Dhillon who was working as the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP- East), was transferred by Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh following the complaint. On the other hand, Dhillon refused to say anything on the issue. He did not answer the calls.

While playing a taped telephonic conversation during a press conference, Gosain claimed that both the officers had demanded money.

Gosain stated that Amarnath, a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Colony near Sherpur Chowk, brought the matter to his notice. Amarnath claims that his nephews Keval and Sarabjit had usurped his 200-sq yd land located in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Amarnath said that the court had quashed petition for status-quo filed by Keval and Sarabjit. Amarnath said after receiving a rap from the court, his two nephews started giving him life threats.

It was on April 18 that he filed a complaint against his two nephews. Amarnath claimed that Dhillon, who was investigating the case, allegedly demanded Rs 2 lakh for providing possession of the land to him.

Amarnath said the deal was struck at Rs 1 lakh and accordingly he handed over the money to Dhillon. Dhillon had asked him to pay Rs 10,000 to SHO Raj Kumar.But even after giving the money the ACP and the SHO did not help him in getting the land vacated.

Gosain said that he had brought the plight of Amarnath to the notice of Dhillon, but no action was taken. On the other hand, Raj Kumar has rubbished the allegations as baseless and claimed that he was innocent in the case.

He said that he had received a complaint of land dispute between Amarnath and his daughter. He further added that a cross case of assault was also registered against both of parties in this connection.

He claimed that a gazetted officer (GO) was investigating the land dispute case and he had never asked for any bribe.

While speaking to The Tribune, Ishwar Singh said soon after receiving the complaint he had transferred Manmeet Singh Dhillon. Newly appointed DCP GS Toor had been given the charge of probing the matter, he said.

Gosain said if timely action was not was taken then he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

A police officer said Gosain's allegation was a farce and Dhillon was being made a scapegoat.It could be a tactic to pressurise the police department. Since the veteran BJP leader had lost the Assembly elections he could be facing difficulty in getting his work done from the police official, said the officer.

Ludhiana, August 8
One of the thief, who struck at ABC Montessori Kindergarten located at BRS Nagar, was caught on a close circuit television (CCTV) camera installed on the school premises here today.he kindergarten authorities said the thieves fled with an air conditioner (AC), DVD and LCD installed in the classroom. The authorities said that before the thief could disconnect the CCTV installed in the classroom, his image was caught on camera.

Manjinder Singh, SHO, Sarabha Nagar, said they had got the footage of the camera and the investigation was on to nab the accused soon.

Ludhiana, August 8
High price of feed is making it difficult for poultry farmers to continue with the trade. The rate of the feed ingredients has increased manifold and the cost of production of one egg has led to an increase in the egg prices.

"Soybean has been exported to the USA in huge quantity this year as the crop was damaged there. Due to decrease in the value of rupee against dollar, the exporters thought it was wise to export soybean from India. Since soybean has been exported in large quantity, people in India are forced to pay high price for the produce," said Jatinder Singh, who owns a poultry farm in Mohi village.

Further he said soyabean that was available at Rs 18 per kg couple of months ago had shot up to Rs 42 per kg at present. Today, the production cost of one egg is around Rs 3.30 while an egg in the wholesale market is being sold for Rs 3, rued Jatinder, who is also a member of the Punjab Poultry Farmers Association. "It has become impossible to carry on with the trade since the prices of feed is skyrocketing and we are not able to make profit by selling eggs. We are waiting for the arrival of winters so that the sale of eggs gains momentum. On the one side entry tax is levied on feed while on the other further the prices of feed ingredients are going through the rough,' added another farmer.

Ludhiana, August 8
The police has claimed to have gathered clues to crack the murder of 21-year-old KFC employee Maninder Kaur, whose body was found in a vacant plot at Besant Avenue here last night.

During the post-mortem examination it was found out that Maninder was shot in the head by a .12 bore rifle.

The police also maintained that the victim was killed some where else and later her body was dumped in the vacant plot. The police conducted a probe and questioned the victim's colleagues working at a KFC outlet in West End Mall.

Sources said that the police was suspecting the involvement of a man and a woman behind the killing.

During the investigation, it has come to light that Maninder, a resident of Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, was transferred to a KFC outlet in Amritsar and was scheduled to join on August 10.The police today visited the house where she was putting up as a paying guest (PG). During the probe it was found that Maninder was earlier sharing his room with another woman.

Sources said that Maninder's roommate and the latter's boyfriend were chronic drug addicts. However, the woman had recently moved to another PG accommodation. The sources said that Maninder used to keep a weapon belonging to her roommate's boyfriend for personal security.

The police suspect that the duo might have killed Maninder for money. Her gold chain and gold ring is also missing. The sources said that the police scanned the call record of the victim and arrived to the conclusion.

"Only one thing I can tell you at this point of time that we are very close to cracking the case," said SHO Sadar harinder Singh Chamali.

Maninder took leave from work in the morning stating that an urgent work had cropped up at home and in the evening her body was found from a vacant plot.

During the investigation it came to light that Maninder took leave after she received a phone call.

Police suspects that something might have gone wrong on the way as she did not reach her PG accommodation.

Ludhiana, August 8
The suspect identified as Sanjiv Kumar, a resident of Salem Tabri, was nabbed at a naka on the Jalandhar bypass while he was driving a Honda City (PB-10-BC-8681).

The police said the suspect could not produce the documents of the vehicle, which raised suspicion. During the checking of records, the police found that the car was stolen from the city sometime ago. On questioning the accused, he told the police about location of two motorcycles which he had stolen.

Following the information the police raided the place and recovered the vehicles.

Bittan Kumar, SHO, Salem Tabri, said earlier too, Sanjiv Kumar was nabbed in similar cases.

Bittan said the accused was operating a gang. “He is a big fish. We are hoping that his accomplices too will fall in the police net,”.

The accused was produced before the court and further sent to police custody.

Ludhiana, August 8
People usually go for hot fomentation when a soft tissue is injured. But this is a wrong practise as it neither lessens the pain nor inflammation but lands the patients in a clinic or hospital with more complications.

To make the injured tissue better, one should go for cold fomentation. This was suggested by city based Orthopaedicians.

Dr Shukdev Sharma, orthopedician, said," One should try to heal up the ruptured tissues with ice fomentation. When a person gets injured, the inflammatory cells reaches that place immediately and thus results in swelling. On applying ice the bleeding stops inside, inflammation disappears and the pain also lessens. "

One should remember the word “rice” when a soft tissue is injured. Dr HS Gill senior consultant, orthopedic department, SPS Apollo Hospital, said,"Rice means rest, ice, compression bandage and elevation of the Limb."

Gill further said, "Whenever any player gets injured, he or she is first treated with ice pads. In the first 24 to 48 hours any soft tissue injury should be treated with cold fomentation and hot fomentation should be switched over afterwards if required."

Dr RS Sodhi, head, of orhopedics department and medical superintendent at Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Charitable Hospital said, "We daily come across such patients in our OPD who come with more inflammation as they opt for hot fomentation and also apply topical applicants. With this the inner bleeding continues as blood vessels don't contract.

The topical application also increases heat inside the ruptured tissue and thus one experiences more pain and inflammation. One should always go for cold fomentation."

Ludhiana, August 8
The Punjab Government College Teachers Association (GCTA) held a state wide protest today against the indifferent attitude of the state government towards the release of pay-scale arrears of college and university teachers. A two-hour 'stay-in' strike and dharna was organised in all government colleges of the state. The teachers stayed in colleges to participate in the protest demonstrations after completing their work to ensure there was no loss to the students.

A massive dharna was organised at SCD Government College in which all the teachers of the college, including regular and part time teachers, participated and criticised the attitude of the state government towards the genuine demands of the teachers.

While addressing the large gathering, the general secretary of Punjab GCTA, Prof Jaipal Singh, said that the Ministry of Human Resource Development has categorically stated that first the state government should release the arrears of the teachers and then claim reimbursement from the Union Government through the University Grants Commission.

He said, "It is a sorry state of affairs as far as the Higher Education Department, Punjab government, is concerned. Officials of the ministry have not even initiated the process to release the arrears of the teachers."

The teachers also expressed their resentment over the inordinate delay in creating posts of professors in colleges and demanded that the same be done as soon as possible. Leaders of the Part Time Teachers Association, Prof Harvinder Joshi and Prof Parmjit Singh, also participated in the dharna. They demanded that the services of the part time teachers should be made permanent and the teachers must be given all the benefits from the date of their joining. They also demanded that the part time teachers should be given the status of assistant and associate professors.

Prof Harvinder joshi said that government should honour the decision of its own Cabinet to grant DA on the basic pay given to teachers and regularise their services as per the promises made by the Cabinet of the state. Prof Jaipal Singh also demanded that the guest faculty teachers should be given Rs 10000 per month as minimum emoluments and it should be paid from the government treasury so that the burden on the Parents Teachers Association can be reduced to the benefit of the students.

Ludhiana, August 8
Monsoon arrived in Punjab on July 6 this year, a week after the date of normal onset. The state has received 84.8 mm of rainfall against the normal rainfall of 255.4 mm, with an overall deficiency of 67 per cent for the period from June 1 - August 4. Only six districts, namely Rooopnagar, Patiala, Kapurthala, Jallandhar, Barnala and Bathinda had deficit rainfall (-20 to -60 per cent) while in the remaining districts the rain was scanty (-60 to -90 per cent) for the above-mentioned period.

According to the weather experts in Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), the state received only 9.5 mm of rainfall in June 2012 against the normal rainfall of 36.9 mm, with an overall deficiency of 74 per cent. This was eight lowest rainfall year since 1901. In July, Punjab received 75.7 mm of rainfall against 227.7 mm, with an overall deficiency of 68 per cent.

Deficiency in all districts except Ropar and Barnala was more than 50 per cent.

There were only four years from 1901 to 2012 (1911, 1918 ,1968, and 1987) when there was deficient rainfall in July in Punjab.

The data available with the PAU shows that in the combined rainfall for June and July in Punjab during the last 112 year (1901-2012), there were only three years (1914, 1965 and 1987) when the rainfall deficiency was more than current rainfall deficiency of 68 per cent.

Dr KK Gill, agrometeorologist at the PAU, said that the forecast based upon Multi Model Ensemble Techniques indicates that the probability of receiving below normal rainfall in Punjab in August is 60-65%.

She observed: "Current weather conditions and the interpretation of different weather models and global and regional scale do not indicate any significant rainfall activities in Punjab during next 7-10 days. Only isolated to scattered rainfall with prior distribution is likely during the period. Further transplanting of paddy in the state may not be undertaken in the light of expected deficient and poor monsoon this year. All available resources may be utilised to save the already transplanted paddy crop."

Ludhiana, August 8
The Stroke Unit of Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, has received a Rs 1.18 crore grant from the Department of Biotechnology, India and National Institute of Health, USA, to develop a National Stroke Registry for the two countries.

Dr Jeyaraj Durai Pandian, Professor and Head of Neurology, is the recipient of the grant. Dr Pandian is the principal investigator from India and Dr Aneesh Singhal, Stroke Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (Harvard University), is the principal investigator from USA. Dr Pandian said that the research grant will help India and USA to develop a common stroke database and do cross cultural studies. New information regarding various risk factors for stroke, clinical services and reasons for delay in treatment are some of the important parameters that will be studied in this research. The information on stroke will be collected from 4 other centres in the country besides CMC, Ludhiana. These centres are PGIMER-Chandigarh, AIIMS -New Delhi, NIMS-Hyderabad and SCTIMST-Trivandrum.

Dr Pandian stated that this research proposal was selected out of 72 applications. Dr Yashpal Singh, Professor of Neurology, said that this Indo-USA collaborative registry will collect data for the next two years and many sub-studies will be carried out once the stroke registry is established. Dr Abraham G Thomas, Director, CMC lauded the efforts of the Neurology department in getting the grant.

Ludhiana, August 8
Employees of Hero DMCH Heart Institute were recently felicitated by the Managing Society for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields.

Secretary of DMCH Managing Society Prem Kumar Gupta along with Vice-President Gian Chand Dhawan, chief cardiologist Dr GS Wander, medical superintendent Dr Ashwani Chaudhary and principal Dr Daljit Singh gave away momentos to the selected employees.

In her address, Taniya Thind from the HR department, HDHI, said that recognising and appreciating the employees' performances is very important to keep them motivated. Now-a-days, recognition of work is considered more important to improving employee morale. —TNS

Ludhiana, August 8
Punjab Vidhan Sabha MLAs today saw “The Dirty Picture” of the city as they visited the Transport Nagar area here. A group of MLAs from Vidhan Sabha’s local bodies committee expressed shock at the state of civic affairs in the area. They didn’t even alight from their official vehicles.

The Transport Nagar area of the city has been crying for attention for several years, with almost all MC Commissioners turning a blind eye towards it. They have even failed to find a permanent solution to problems such as waterlogging, sewerage blockage, potholed roads and other issues directly affecting the transporters.

It was in the afternoon when the MLAs, including Prem Mittal, Balwinder Singh Bains and Ranjit Singh Dhillon, reached the area.

“Due to the accumulation of rainwater and mud on roads, the MLAs preferred to stay inside their vehicles. The sewers were blocked. We told the MC officials that we just wanted to show them the area because senior officials hardly came out of their air conditioned offices,” lamented Ludhiana South MLA Balwinder Singh Bains.

A senior MC official said almost all MC officials were pulled up by the committee members for putting up a poor show in the area.

The MC officials were asked to make a temporary arrangement by digging a 10 feet deep pit, dump water into it and then by using electronic motors, dump it into the nearby Ganda Nullah. “Post-monsoon the MC has been asked to lay storm sewer in the area,” said MLA Bains.

The committee members were taken aback when they reached Mini Rose Garden in the Kidwai Nagar area. “The area which had fountains, was full of sewage. It looked more like a pond than fountains, which were not even in a working condition,” said a committee member.

The MC officials were asked to dig up another 10 feet pit in the garden, where rainwater from Janakpuri area reaches for disposal.

The Ludhiana municipal corporation officials were again pulled up when the committee members visited the Ganda Nullah covering project near Kidwai Nagar. Some area residents also met the committee members and alleged that poor-quality material was being used.

A committee member alleged that ever since the project started, the Ganda Nullah had got choked twice. “And to solve the problem, the roof had to be broken twice. The construction is going on without cleaning the nullah and I am sure once the project is completed, the problem of choking will continue and the roof will have to be broken at regular intervals. This shows that the MC has not taken technical advice from experts before going ahead with the project,” said a committee member.

The committee members also visited the Lakkar Bridge project.

Ludhiana, August 8
In the absence of a regular motor vehicle inspector (MVI) in Ludhiana, those visiting the District Transport Office continue to remain at the receiving end.

As per rules, whenever a permanent driving licence is made, an applicant has to appear for a driving test before the MVI. But ever since the Vigilance Bureau conducted a raid at the house of Rakesh Kumar Gupta (who was posted as MVI in the city) on July 18, the city has not got a permanent MVI.

Ever since the Vigilance Bureau's raid at Gupta’s house, three different MVIs have been posted in the city, but none of them have stayed here for long.

After a raid at MVI Rakesh Kumar Gupta’s house on July 18, Ropar MVI Malkit Singh Randhawa was given additional charge of Ludhiana. But a few days after his appointment, the additional charge was taken back and Sangrur MVI Edwin Dsouza was given the additional charge of Ludhiana. Yesterday again, Dsouza was sent back to Sangrur and now Jalandhar MVI Sunil Kumar has been given additional charge of Ludhiana MVI.

It is learnt that after the VB raid, no MVI wants to remain posted in Ludhiana and which is why, they go back to their original place of posting. As per information, there are only 12 MVIs posted in all districts of the state and that is why, most of them are having additional charge of different districts.

Even as Sunil Kumar has now been posted in Ludhiana, he is yet to take charge here. To make sure that people don’t suffer, Additional District Transport Officer (ADTO) Prem Singh conducted driving tests yesterday.

While speaking to The Tribune, District Transport Officer (DTO) Manpreet Singh Chhatwal said around 40 youngsters had come to his office today.

“All of them had come to get their permanent driver's licences made because their learner's licences were expiring today. As the MVI is yet to take charge in Ludhiana, I decided to conduct the driving test myself today. I took the decision so that applicants don’t suffer in the absence of an MVI. Hopefully, the Jalandhar MVI will take charge in the city tomorrow,” claimed Chhatwal. Once MVI Sunil Kumar joins, the days on which he will remain on duty, will be decided.

Ludhiana, August 8
The industry is up in arms against the notification for filing online information regarding the intra-state trade and has decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow.

"The Punjab government is forcing the trade and industry to go in for online intra-state transactions, the industry is not crying foul on the issue, but there are some reasons which are responsible for the non-acceptance of the notification," said Badish Jindal, president of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association.

Jindal said, "Since 95 per cent of the e-filing is done by advocates or part-time accountants, giving them password for all transactions will not be safe for the trade and industry as that can be used by anyone else then the owner," he added.

"Around 90 per cent of the traders and manufacturers hire transport vehicles from outside and as they pick the material from so many places, there can be a delay in the dispatch of material as per time specified by the department," added Vinay Kansal, a small manufacturer.

Fears of the trade community regarding online filing

As per e-filing, it is mandatory for dealers to upload vehicle number on the website, but in case of any breakdown or non-settlement of buyer with transporter, it will be illegal to transfer the material to another vehicle.

3. Punjab faces power cuts from two to four days, under such circumstances how is it possible for the dealers to upload details online. The situation in the mixed land areas is even worse and even the UPS of computers fail under such conditions. 

Ludhiana, August 8
Although most of the residents in the city have dogs as pets, but those having cats cannot help loving their feline companion.

The purrs, meows, leaps and agility of these "aunt of the lions" wow them. As the world celebrated world cat day today, cat lovers in the city vouch for the wonders of these animals.

Jaiveer Raikhy, a Class IV student, loves animals, and had been wanting a cat for long. He convinced his grandparents to gift him a Persian cat. And he loves playing with it. It has been three months since he got it, and it has become his favourite pet and has lovingly named it Tom.

"Persian cats in particular look beautiful, have fuller bodies and have beautiful soft hair coat," a resident said.

"The advantage of having a cat as a pet over others is that they do not require as much care as dogs do. And they are very clean animals. They fall sick very less often. As people have lesser time these days, these serve well as pets," said Dr Amandeep Kaur, veterinary officer in the district.

Geetika Raikhy, a resident, said cats did not mess around in mud and kept themselves clean.

"But then on the other hand, these are not as affectionate animals, as dogs are, she says, as they remain heuterish at times and keep to themselves rather than being with you."

The reason for lesser number of people keeping cats is the superstitions people continue to have about these animals. "Traditional, cats are still considered a bad omen. For example, seeing cats in the morning is considered bad, and a cat crossing the way is considered inauspicious for the accomplishment for the task.

These are superstitions, which come in the way of adopting the animals as pets. But those who have kept these cats dismiss any such superstitions as the most false notions as these are wonderful animals. Contrary to these notions.

Dr Kirti Dua, professor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal University, said, "These normally remain clean, require lower diet and lesser space. They don't even require as much training as dogs do," he added.

Doraha, August 8
When Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal visited the town to lay the foundation stone for the four-laning of the stretch between Neelon and Doraha yesterday, residents expected the long-pending demand of setting up a water treatment plant in the town would also be addressed by him.

Many residents also misunderstood the purpose of his visit to be the inauguration of a water treatment plant. The issue, however, did not even find a mention during the visit, which led to resentment among the residents.

"Nobody seems to be bothered about the urgency of setting up a water treatment plant in Doraha. We have been suffering for years due to a lack of drainage facility. The overflowing sewers in most of the parts of the town for past many years have made our lives a hell. The supposed inauguration of a water treatment plant in Doraha had brought some hope to us," said a resident.

A senior citizen said how long could a person be fed on false assurances.

"Till today we had a hope that (Sukhbir Singh) Badal would come one day and lay the foundation stone of the water treatment plant, but now we have realised that it was just an election stunt. It had been done to fool us," he said.

Another resident said pleading the authorities time and again had bore no fruits. "What has the council done in so many years? It has not been able to even finalise the location for the plant to come up. Will the council wait for the entire town to be flooded before it acts?" he said.

Municipal Council President Inderjit Kala said: "The water treatment plant has to be set up but after taking into consideration many other issues linked with it."

The ball was now in the court of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), and it would decide where the plant would be constructed, he said.

Baldev Singh, additional chief administrator of GLADA, said the notification for the water treatment plant had been issued and objections, if any, had been called for.

"The work was till date not properly initiated as there was no government official having the authority of a Collector Land Acquisition. We have written to the government regarding the same," Baldev Singh said.

Amloh, August 8
SAD Councillor Vicky Mittal has taken over the charge as the Municipal Council chief here today. It is for the first time that SAD-BJP has come into power in the town, otherwise headed by Congress candidates till date.

Ludhiana, August 8
Lawyers in the region have strongly condemned firing at a gurdwara in Wisconsin, United States, that led to the demise of seven devotees and injured many others on Sunday.

Showing resentment against the incident, the city lawyers observed a strike. The District Bar association president Jagmohan Singh, secretary GS Sodhi, and vice-president Ashok Sharma strongly condemned the incident.

Shiromani Akali Dal Youth Legal Wing president Harkamal Singh Meghowal termed the incident as barbaric. He urged the Prime Minister of India to take up the matter seriously with the US government for ensuring strict punishment to the attacker.

Meanwhile, during a meeting of the Bar Association of Jagraon, members of the association alleged it was a racial attack. The Bar members also mourned the demise of the seven devotees and wished for an early recovery of the persons who were injured in the attack. A resolution to appeal the US government to ensure security of the Sikh religious places and safety of the Sikhs and other Indians living in the USA was also passed during the meeting. The association members also decided to send a copy of this resolution to the US President Barack Obama.

The bar members also appealed to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister SM Krishna to take up the matter with the US government to ensure such incidents were not repeated.

Ludhiana, August 8
The craze for body piercing among youngsters continues to gain popularity. Most of the tattoo artists agree that the youngsters who get tattoos done are more likely to go in for body piercing as well.

City-based tattoo artist Pankaj said on an average about four youngsters came to him for body piercing everyday. "Most of them are in their early twenties," said Bobby, another tattoo maker.

Studs and small rings are generally available at most of the tattoo and body-piercing parlours. "Most of the youngsters get these studs and rings on their eye-brows, ears and nose," said Pankaj. Many go in for lip, navel and nose piercing as well, he said.

"Some of them also go in for tongue piercing as well, but it is rare," he said.

Most of the youngsters opt for body piercing for different reasons. Chandan, who works at a mall, has got a stud pierced on his eyebrow, for over a year. He said the reason why he chose to get the body piercing was fashion and trend. "It looks cool. Although it elicits a mixed reaction from people, although some of the youngsters ask me where I got the stud pierced from," he said. Another youngster who has rings on his eyebrows and wears rings clutched on his ear lobes, said, "I am very popular at parties because of my piercing."

Roshan Lal, a city-based psychologist, said youngsters got it done to get recognition. People are falling for these fads all the more.

"Not only youngsters, many grown-ups are following the trend of ear piercing as advised by "tantriks" and astrologers. This is a very unhealthy trend, as many people have started following the advice of astrologers and tantriks for getting piercing of ears done," a resident said.

Ludhiana: Dr Gurdev Singh Khush Foundation for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), awarded scholarships to 11 students of the university. These are Mandeep Singh, Jagjit Singh (BSc Agri - Hons, 6-year programme), Rajwinder Kaur, Sudhir Singla (BSc Agri - Hons, 4-year programme), Jaspreet Kaur, Kanwalpreet Kaur (BSc Biotech - Hons), Sahil Duggal, Sachin RV Singh, Kiranpreet (BTech Agri-Engg) and Shweta Chouhan, Reshma Thapar (BSc-Home Science).

Dr Khush had donated the entire money (Rs 3.5 crore) that he received in international prizes from different organisations to the PAU for the advancement of agricultural sciences. This was stated by the PAU Vice Chancellor, Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon. He said Dr Khush, an alumnus of PAU, has done his alma mater proud through his achievements and humanitarian acts.

According to the secretary of the foundation, Dr Darshan Singh Brar, the body was encouraging students of the constituent colleges of the PAU through the scholarships. He said getting scholarship in the name of Dr Khush was in itself a big achievement as Dr Khush was a world renowned rice breeder, and is considered as one of the architects of the Green Revolution.

Present on the occasion were dean of College of Agriculture Dr DS Cheema; dean College of Basic Sciences and Humanities Dr RS Sidhu; dean College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Dr PPS Lubana; dean College of Home Science Dr Neelam Grewal and additional director of communication Dr Jagtar Singh Dhiman.—TNS

Jagraon, August 8
A woman and her one-and-a-half year old son were kidnapped in broad daylight from the road connecting Roomi and Akhara villages near Jagraon today. The woman's husband, who was accompanying her, was beaten up by the unidentified kidnappers before they took away the woman and the child.

The incident took place when Jaspreet Singh of Chajjawal village, along with his wife Kamaljeet Kaur and their two children, including his five-year-old daughter, was on his way to his in-laws house at Dalla village.

Jaspreet told the police that he had to stop his motorcycle when Kamaljeet started vomiting. He went to bring some water for her from a nearby tubewell. When he returned, a Mahindra Scorpio stopped near them and three men carrying base bat and sticks came out of the car and started beating him. After beating him, the assailants forcibly took away his wife and their son in the car.

According to DSP Jagraon Surinder Kumar, police stations in the area had been alerted and a search operation had been launched. The police has also registered a case against the unidentified persons at Jagraon Sadar police station.

Ludhiana, August 8
The city police today raided a cyber café and caught young boys and girls who were allegedly dating in the cubicles. The police also booked the owner of the café for violating the police commissioner’s order. The raid was conducted at Eye-Net Cyber Café, located at the Toor Complex on Dugri road.

The raid was carried out following complaints by the residents and shopkeepers that boys and girls kept visiting the cyber café and were involved in immoral activities.

SHO Model Town Ashok Kumar said, “The café owner, Harinder Singh, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, was violating the guidelines laid down by the police commissioner. Also, he was not keeping a record of the visiors.”

The parents of the boys and girls were informed and were asked to visit the police station. They were let-off after a warning later.—TNS

Ludhiana, August 8
Sports enthusiasts in the city are a disappointed lot because of the poor performance of the players in the Olympics. To add salt to injury, particularly to Punjab, none of the players from the state have performed well in the games. Punjab, which was once considered the powerhouse in the field of sports, is getting relegated to the bottom. City-based sports enthusiasts and experts cannot help but feel dejected at the poor system for planning.

Experts said, "It is unfair to expect medals at the world's top sports arena when we do not prepare ourselves at the grassroots level."

We need a wake-up call, from our "sports slumber" to do something for the country. Nothing is going to change without proper planning, they say, as until the attitude towards sports changes. Until the focus shifts from just taking up a game to bringing the "Olympics medal", change is not possible.

Experts believe concrete steps need to be taken. Lack of long-term planning and non-availability of proper infrastructure continue to be the major reason behind the dismal performance at international-level competitions.

"A clause of liability has to be brought in as the accountability and a subtle punishment should also be there for not performing up to the mark," said an expert.

Harbans Singh, in charge, Sports Authority of India, Ludhiana centre, said, "Until thorough professional approach towards sports is implemented, there are little chances of improvement."

Talking about Punjab, Harbans Singh said the fallacious stigma that participation in sports was anti-academics was also causing harm to the sports culture. "Most of the youth in the state is focused on going abroad, and this "youth-drain" is also a cause of poor performance of the state in the sports sphere," he added.

Rakesh Singh, SAI judo coach, said, "It is an irony that here, boys and girls take up games at a rather grown-up stage whereas they should have taken an active part in sports at an early age so that they could be prepared as the required "stuff" for games like Asian and Olympics."

Ajay Pal Roomi, former national hockey player, is disappointed as the Indian Hockey team could not even open its account in the ongoing games at London. Hockey lovers are dismayed at the below-average performance by the national hockey players, as they lost all their matches without waging any resistance.

Badminton fraternity, however, feels solaced as ace-shuttler Saina Nehwal managed to finish at the victory podium to bring cheers among the game lovers.

Ludhiana, August 8
More than 150 students took part in the one day Inter-Class Chess Competition held at Bhartiya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Kitchlu Nagar branch, here today.

Boys and girls in the U-11, U-14, U-17 and U-19 categories competed for the top honours.

On the basis of their performance in the meet, position holders have been selected to represent the school in the upcoming chess tournaments.

Baljeet Singh Gill, director, sports, BVM schools, supervised the competition.

Results

Girls (U-11): Vaishali 1, Tanya 2 and Aakriti 3; (U-14): Ruhi 1, Divya 2 and Muskan 3; (U-17): Mehak 1, Navya Jain 2 and Aarushi Bhutani 3; (U-19) Shivani Dawar 1, Malika 2 and Megha 3.

Boys (U-11): Dhruv 1, Manav 2 and Pranav 3; (U-14) Navdeep Saini 1, Kishan 2 and Kartik 3; (U-17) Nishkit 1, Arpit 2 and Konark 3; (U-19) Ankush 1, Sahil Vig 2 and Sanyam 3.