Ludhiana September 26
Despite tall claims by the government regarding strengthening infrastructure in government offices, a number of buildings of government offices and institutions run by the state government have been declared unsafe by the Public Works Department (B&R). The offices continue to be run from these unsafe buildings.

These unsafe buildings pose a threat to the lives of hundreds of government employees and students of government schools and colleges. All buildings of the Civil Surgeon's office have been declared unsafe, but official work continues to be run from these.

Two months ago, a huge portion of the record room building had collapsed due to rain. The boundary wall had also collapsed last year. However, a laboratory is being run under the building whose verandah had collapsed two months ago.

Jagjit Singh, Senior Medical Lab Technician, who works in an unsafe building, said, "We know the office building is unsafe, but what can we do. The condition becomes worse during the rainy season. What can employees do? We have to obey the decisions of the government."

Meanwhile, about 50 employees of the Education Department are working in an unsafe building housing the block primary education office in the old city area.

The building is of the British era and was being used to run a school before the 80s. The school was shifted due to the poor condition of the building. The Education Department carried out some repairs in it and is running the block primary education office from it.

The state of buildings housing educational institutes run by the government is bad. A portion of the building of the Industrial Training Institute, Civil Lines, is unsafe. Despite this, classes are being conducted here.

According to the institute authorities, they cannot make any structural changes in the building as a case regarding it is pending in court.

Two laboratories and a classroom of the science block at Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Government School have been declared unsafe by the PWD, but students use these daily.

According to the Principal of the school, she had written to the department several times, but is yet to get any response.

Ludhiana, September 26
Important official record of the Civil Surgeon's office has been still lying buried under the debris of a building which collapsed two months ago. A number of almirahs containing official record were buried under the debris when the roof over a verandah in the Civil Surgeon's office collapsed due to rain on July 23.

The Health Department has shown little concern for this official record. When the building had collapsed, officials of the department had said the record in the almirahs was important.

An employee said on condition of anonymity, "These almirahs contains the record of every section. We had kept birth and death registration documents, important service-related documents of employees and record of diseases and samples in these almirahs, which are now under the debris."

Some of the employees of the Health Department are worried as the record in the almirahs was important for them.

Kanwaljeet Singh, Superintendent, Civil Surgeon's office, said, "The record is not important; all almirahs which were buried under the debris were lying there for over 25 years. Most of the record in these was more than two decades old."

Officialspeak
The record is not important; all almirahs which were buried under the debris were lying there for over 25 years. Most of the record in these was more than two decades old.

— Kanwaljeet Singh, Superintendent, Civil Surgeon's office

Ludhiana, September 26
A large number of case files for getting a new VAT registration number are lying pending with the Excise and Taxation Department for the past few months.

Traders are facing difficulty as they cannot carry on with their trade without the VAT number. Sanjeev Garg, a trader, said he had applied for the VAT number in December 2011. However, he was yet to get the number.

"I have visited the department many times in this connection, but to no avail. My file is complete in all respects. Despite this, there is a delay. I fail to understand the working of the department," Garg said.

Meanwhile, members of the Taxation Young Lawyers Association had also met District Excise and Taxation Commissioner (DETC) Kanwalpreet Brar in this regard and apprised her of the problem being faced by traders.

"We are facing a problem in getting the new registration number. We even met the DETC, who assured us that the process would be speeded up. The department is adopting a casual approach on the issue due to which traders are incurring losses," said Jatinder Khurana, president of the Taxation Young Lawyers Association.

Gulkirat Singh, a trader, said, "Since I deal in inter-state trade, I cannot transport goods without the VAT number. It has been a month since I applied for the VAT registration number, but I am yet to get it. The department is working at a snail's pace, while my work is getting affected without the new VAT number."

Ludhiana, September 26
Daljit Singh Bittu, who is currently in police custody for his alleged involvement in threatening a witness in the Shinghar bomb blast case, is a "master storyteller".

According to the police, taking advantage of his oratory skills, Bittu was misleading the youth by narrating stories of alleged torture of members of the community during the dark days of militancy.

He organised the bhog ceremony of a former terrorist and used the occasion to influence the youth, said police officials.

They said Bittu was planning to fight a legal battle to free militants languishing in jails across the state.

A large sum of money, which Bittu allegedly received from his sympathisers in the USA and Europe, was to be spent on freeing dreaded terrorists, including Balbir Singh Bhootna, who was nabbed from the Ludhiana railway station in 2009.

The police recently conducted a raid on Bittu's house and reportedly seized seven documents, including one containing a list of terrorists. Nirmal Singh, SHO, Division No. 5, confirmed the seizure of documents.

The city police had earlier booked Wadhawa Singh, chief of the Babbar Khalsa International, Ranjit Singh Neeta of the Khalistan Zindabad Force and Jagtar Singh Tara of the Khalistan Tiger Force, along with Daljit Singh Bittu, for allegedly hatching a terror plot.

Sources said Bittu was operating as a conduit for the trio and was planning to revive the terror network.

In one of the documents, Bittu has threatened a Jalandhar resident to backtrack on his statement in the court. The Jalandhar resident is a witness in a terror case. His statement had led to the arrest of a terrorist.

The SHO said Bittu was planning to free his men by turning witnesses hostile.

Ludhiana, September 26
Two IPS officers, ACP (North) Swapan Sharma and ACP (East) Naveen Singla, have been transferred out of the city. Both officers have been deputed in the Chief Minister's security wing.

J Elanchezhian and Nimbale Dhruman have taken over as the ACP (North) and the ACP (South), respectively.

ACP Singla's transfer has come as a surprise for many. Singla has been transferred several times in less than a year.

He had allegedly locked horns with SAD MLA Darshan Singh Shivalik when he was posted as the SHO, Dehlon. He was then transferred as the SHO, Division No. 8. After a few months, he was moved to Amritsar from where he was transferred to Pathankot.

He returned to the city a few months ago and took over as the ACP (Traffic). Soon, he was made the ACP (South).

Singla earned accolades for successfully tacking the growing crime rate in Jodhewal Basti and the surrounding areas. Despite repeated attempts, he was not available for comments.

Swapan Sharma's transfer was on expected lines as he spent nearly two years in the city and worked on various posts.

His drive against encroachments on the roadside by vendors was highly appreciated. The tow-away drive was introduced during his tenure as the ACP (Traffic).

Jagraon, September 26
There is no relief for the residents of Jagraon and the commuters traveling on roads are due to stray animals menace. The presence of a large number of stray animals on different roads including one of the busiest Ludhiana-Moga highway, has been posing serious risk to the lives of the commuters.

As the number of these stray animals has increased manifolds recently and the risk of commuters meeting accidents has also intensified. One can often see a large number of stray animals sitting in the middle of roads or wandering freely on different roads.

Apart from the roads, several stray animals can also be seen in various areas of the town. The presence of a large number of stray animals roaming in various parts of the city has been causing huge trouble for the city residents.

These stray animals not only present a bad look to the onlookers and visitors but also damage the public property. Besides polluting roads and various localities in the city, the stray animals also lead to road accidents.

“Stray animals often keep wandering in different parts of city. One can easily spot them moving or sitting right in the middle of various roads thus making things difficult for the commuters,” says Arun Kumar, a shopkeeper on the Raikot Road, where a large number of stray animals remain present all the time.

Despite the fact that a large number of accidents have taken place and claimed several lives during recent times due to the menace of stray animals, the local administration seems to have learnt no lesson from these accidents and has paid no attention towards this menace so far.

Though there are two large “Gaushalas” located in the city yet these are proving insufficient to handle these animals. The local residents rue that neither the municipal council nor the gaushala representatives seem serious to sort out this problem.

“We have raised this issue with the local municipal council several times but our repeated requests seem to be falling on deaf ears and the administration has failed to find a permanent solution to the menace.

The situation is worst on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur highway and on the Raikot Road where a large number of stray animals are present thus inviting accidents. The situation is no different on other roads like Raikot Road, Old Vegetable market, Tehsil Road, Lajpat Rai Road, College Road etc where flocks of these stray animals always remain a cause of concern for the shopkeepers as well as common residents.

When contacted, MC president, Baldev Krishan Dhir, said the MC is doing its best to sort out this problem. He claimed that the situation has improved a lot as compared to recent years. “Besides we are in talks with Gaushala representatives to make arrangements for the stray animals,” he said.

Jagdish Ohri, general secretary of Shri Krishan Gaushala, said the major reason behind the increase number of the stray animals is the 'Pashu Mandi' (Animal fair), which is organised every month at Jagraon and many people who come to take part in this animal fair leave behind a large number of animals which become useless for them.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, September 26
Taking cognizance of reports of youths exploiting Chhapar Mela for settling scores with their rivals during past years, the administration has taken stern preventive measures to maintain law and order during the mega event commencing on Friday.

Besides promulgating Section 144 of the CrPC at Guga Mari, the venue of the largest rural fair of the North India, the administration has banned carrying of arms and sharp edged weapons at localities and villages situated in vicinity of the fair.

Chhapar, Latala, Dhulkot, Jand, Jurahan, Maherna Kalan and Barundi are among list of habitation where carrying of arms and sharp edged weapons has been prohibited by Dr Neeru Katyal additional Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, through promulgation of section 144 of the CrPC today.

Vendors have also been prohibited to stock and sell knives, axes, swords and those agricultural implements, which can be used as weapon.

Maintaining that the decision had been taken by keeping in view the reports of misuse of some agricultural implements and their parts as tools of offence, Dr Katyal said the ban will remain in force till October 2, after which vendors will not be allowed to continue their stalls.

She said rank and file in the law enforcing agency have been advised to implement the orders in letter and spirit and violators would booked according to the law.

Investigations revealed that anti-social elements had been threatening peace and tranquility by carrying arms and sharp edged weapons overtly or by hiding in their vehicles during mela Chhapar during past years.

Though the sale of sharp edged weapons was never allowed during the fair yet some vendors used to sell these item under disguise of agricultural implements including sickles, knives and axes.

The tendency besides resulting in extempore fights among visitors used to give chance to youths to settle scores with their rivals.

There were instances wherein the assaulters escaped unidentified and some lives were also lost over a decade ago.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Sept 26
With Chhapar Mela only a day away, preparations, which have been under way for over a weeks are on the climax.

While organisers including government officials, vendors and office-bearers of various political parties are busy giving final touch to arrangements to be made at their end, the elderly people with intent to avoid heavy rush during the mela, have started coming here to pay their obeisance at the shrine.

Investigations revealed that members of the civic body of Chhapar village, office-bearers of committees of various "patti" (beats) and preachers at Guga Mari have remained on toes during past days making.

Leaders of major political parties including the SAD, Congress and the Leftists, who were earlier busy in mobilising support for the conferences scheduled to take place on Sunday were seen earmarking spaces for installing pandals for their respective events today.

In an effort to fetch maximum income for them, the contractors tried to bargain with prospective lessees of piece of land for installing their vends.

Workers of organisers of fun rides, mini circuses and "well of death" were seen setting up their fixtures.

Over a dozen shops of parsad and traditional sweetmeat "khajla" seemed to have started business ahead of the schedule.

Preachers, who are shareholders in income of the shrine, have also prepared schedule of their duties.

While elderly members of the clan will manage the temple during days, youngsters will perform duty at night.

Mela Chhapar, a village fair that originated as a small gathering of locals for worshipping snakes embodiment of the “Guga” over 180 years ago has emerged as a mega festival in the past three decades.

Ludhiana, September 26
An open session was held during the 6th All-India BSNLEU conference in which Tapan Sen, MP (Rajya Sabha), general secretary general, CITU was the chief guest. He stated that all the unions of the working class are fighting together for the last two years against the pro-private sector policies of UPA-II Government. He stated that over 90 crore people belong to the middle and poor class. If we fight together, then the government will have to change its policies to save the BSNL and the other PSUs. He condemned the UPA-II government for introducing the FDI in retail, hike in petroleum products and LPG there by burdening the common man.

Many scams in public sector companies show how the people at the helm of affairs are looting the nation along with the corporate sector. He said instead of boosting demand by giving more income to the working class, the government is trying to tackle the crisis by bringing in more foreign capital through Foreign Direct Investments even in such non-essential areas as multi-brand retailing.

Thus, instead of boosting domestic demand, it is being argued that workers wages should be further moderated to make the Indian economy globally competitive.

Chandeshwar Singh, secretary general NFTE-BSNL said the unity of working class unions is a good sign for coming struggles against the government.

He urged all the unions to take hard decisions to fight against the anti-worker policies of the UPA Government.

Raghunath Singh, general secretary CITU, Punjab, said the Prime Minister is dividing the country on privatisation of each and every service. He also urged to fight against the privatisation of PSU's and other departments.

Khanna, September 26
The second day of the four-day Panjab University Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival, which is in progress at AS College, Khanna, was full of folk items including folk dances, and folk songs. Classical dances, bhangra, group dances, gidha, poem writing, debate, essay writing, short story writing, and poem recitation were performed by the students of different colleges.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ludhiana Range, MF Farooqui was the chief guest in the morning session while SSP, Khanna, Ravcharan Singh Brar, was the chief guest for the evening session. Students of Arya College, Ludhiana, presented a naga folk dance.

Earlier, the students of a college performed a dance related with God Ganesh in which the pray the god in different poses.

Later a malwai gidha was performed by the girls of different colleges Suhela Seth of Aurbindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiaha, stood first, Ayushi Sharma of Arya College, Ludhiana, stood seconds and Arsheen of SCD College, Ludhiana, stood third in classical dance.

In the group dance (general) SCD Government College, Ludhiana, Arya College Ludhiana, and AS College, Khanna stood first, second and third, respectively.

In individual prizes of classical dances Nischaya of Arya College, Ludhiana, Manjot Singh SCD Government College, Ludhiana, and Tamana Batish of AS College, Khanna stood first, second and third, respectively.

In gidha, GNN College, Doraha, AS College, Khanna, and SCD, Government, Ludhiana, stood first, second and third, respectively. In individual prizes Jaspreet Kaur of GNN College, Doraha, stood first, Mehak of Arya College stood second and Ramandeep Kaur of AS College stood third.

In poem writing competition, Tanvir Singh of AS College, Kahnna, stood first, Rajat Mishra of KLSCD, College, Ludhiana, stood second and Shivan Malhotra of Arya College, Ludhiana, stood third.

In essay writing competition, Jaspreet Kaur of GNN Colege, Doraha, stood first, Satbir kaur of Malwa College, Bondli Samrala, stood second and Deepak Gupta of GGN Khalsa College, Ludhiana, stood thir.

In short story-writing competition, Ranbir Kaur of SCD Government College, Ludhiana, stood first, Manju of AS College, Khanna, stood second and Rajwinder Kaur of AS College, Khanna stood third.

Ludhiana, September 26
Five days after the jailbreak incident took place, Jail Superintendent, RK Loomba, has been transferred. Three hardcore criminals had managed to scale the 16 feet wall of Central Jail, Ludhiana, and later were arrested by the police in Dhandari area.

Loomba was under fire for poor security arrangement in jail and rising incidents of drug sneaking inside the jail. Yesterday, a jail warder was suspended for supplying drugs in jail.

Sources added that Loomba escaped with minor punishment, as there were talks of departmental probe against him. Bhupinder Sigh Virk has replaced Loomba as the new jail superintendent.

Ludhiana September 26
One suspected dengue patient died at the DMC hospital today. The deceased, Baljeet Kaur, was from Hoshiarpur. According to district epidemiologist Dr Anil Verma, tests for dengue were conducted on the Baljeet, but the reports are yet to come.

"We cannot confirm that it is a dengue death, the doctor said."

Meanwhile, as many as three new suspected cases of dengue have been reported in the district toady.

According to the health department officials, the suspected dengue patients are Dev Kumar, a resident of Haibowal area, Mohan Singh from Payal, and Ramandeep Singh, a OPD patient.

Dr Anil Verma said, "These three cases are still not confirmed to be of dengue. The final reports of their samples are yet to come."

Four more suspected cases of dengue have been reportedfrom different areas of the state. One case each from Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Fazilka has come to light.

Jagraon, September 26
Ex-servicemen of the area have welcomed the 'one ran one pension' decision taken by the union government.

While hailing the decision, former Major Dyal Singh stated, "Though the scheme has been approved a bit late by the government, it is good that our demand has been met at last."

Welcoming the decision, another ex-serviceman Colonel Bhag Singh stated that it was a good decision, taken in the right direction. "We had been struggling for a long time to getting this scheme implemented and it is the victory of our long struggle.”

He said that the decision of the government will give a boost to the morale of the army men who sacrifice everything for the sake of his country.

Former army captain Sukhdev Singh thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for approving this demand.

"During the last Parliament elections, the Congress party had promised to implement "one rank, one pension" scheme. Though our demand has been fulfilled quite late, we are satisfied that it has finally been fulfilled," he added.

Ludhiana, September 26
The security of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has been beefed up. In a latest development, young IPS oficers have been included in the Chief Minister's security.

Confirming this, Inspector General (IG) Headquarters Dr SS Chauhan said, "Yes, we have beefed up the CM's security. We have included young IPS officers who will take care of the security of the CM."

Two IPS officers from Ludhiana, Navin Singla, ACP (East) and Swapan Sharma, ACP (North and Traffic), have been deputed with the CM (Security). The transfer orders were issued last evening.

On asking whether it was a "punishment" transfer, Dr Chauhan said, "It is absolutely no punishment. We want to have energetic and young officers in the CM's security cover, so we took them."

In another important development, Deputy Inspector General (Security) to CM has asked the Deputy Commissioners/ Commissioners (Police) and SSPs to make sure that no one approached within 100m radius of the CM and Dy CM's chopper till the rotors were on. In a letter dated September 25, it has been asked by the DIG Security that the necessary guidelines must be passed on to all concerned officials. A senior police official said, "These instructions (regarding the chopper) have been given to make sure that the landing at the helipad was safe and there was no rush of visitors till the rotors were on."

According to highly placed sources, the intelligence department had received some information regarding a security threat to the CM and Deputy CM, following which a few arrests were made in the city.

These measures have been taken by the police/intelligence officials to ensure that there was no security lapse.

Ludhiana, September 26
A 22-year-old man succumbed to injuries after being hit by a speeding car at the Focal Point area here today. However, the family of the victim termed the incident as murder.

The victim has been identified as Honey Sikka and worked as a freelance photojournalist. He was visiting the Focal Point area to cover an assignment.

The incident took place at Rockman Chowk in Focal Point. According to an eyewitness, Honey, who was riding a motorcycle, was hit by a speeding Mahindra Scorpio. As per information, Honey lost control over the vehicle and fell, sustaining serious head injury.

The Scorpio driver managed to escape from the scene. Honey was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Honey was son of Avinash Sikka, who is involved in philanthropic activities. Avinsh suspects that his son was killed and the incident was portrayed as an accident. He has lodged a complaint at the Focal Point police station.

The police has got hold of a CCTV footage of the vehicle that reportedly mowed down Honey. The vehicle was last seen in Sangrur.

Ludhiana, September 26
Application forms for the newly revised Joint Entrance Exam (Main)-2013, which will replace the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), will be available online from November 1. The exam will be conducted by The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and there will be no sale of paper application forms.

More than 15 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the exam next year. The JEE (Main) will determine entry into National Institutes of Technology and centrally-funded engineering colleges.

The CBSE has also organised facilitation centres to help candidates fill up their forms online. The scheduled date for the exam in offline mode is April 7 next year while the dates for the online mode are yet to be announced.

Blind candidates will be allowed the help of writers, and an hour of extra time to write the paper, mentions the document issued by the CBSE.

Details of the syllabus are available on the CBSE website. The top 1.5 lakh candidates who clear the JEE (Main) will be able to sit for the JEE (Advanced), which will be conducted by the IITs.

The new document has also specified that a candidate will be allowed three consecutive attempts for the JEE (Main), and the test will be an objective-type test with negative marking for incorrect answers.

Ludhiana, September 26
A blood donation camp was organised by the NSS wing of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) on the occasion of Social Justice Day (September 25) here today. Dr Naved Aslam, senior cardiologist of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, inaugurated the blood donation camp.

During the inaugural function, NSS Programme Coordinator Dr Syed Shabih Hassan welcomed the gathering and encouraged everyone to participate in the camp. Dr Hassan said that the requirement of blood was increasing and there were many cases of patients dying due to shortage of blood.

Dr Naved Aslam also gave information about First Aid on the benefits of blood donation to both the donor and the recipient. Dr RS Aulakh, Professor, School of Public Health, urged graduate students/volunteers to take part in such type of noble activities. A total of 31 units of blood were donated during the camp.

During the afternoon session, the NSS volunteers and students of GADVASU organised an environment awareness campaign on the university campus and conducted a plantation drive. Students and NSS volunteers of three colleges of GADVASU participated in the drive which was held at the PAU Senior Secondary School, PAU Campus. Eighty five students and volunteers took part in the plantation drive.

Khanna, September 26
Khanna police has claimed to have nabbed a person with four stolen cars following a tip off. The recovered cars were with fake registration numbers. The accused has been identified as Sukhdev Singh alias Kaka a resident of Ghudani Khurd near Khanna. Police also claimed to have recovered one 12- bore gun with four live cartridges from his possession.

Stating this in a press conference, DSP(D) Ranbir Singh said that during a naka at Faizgarh village near Khanna, they got a tip off that the accused, who is known to be involved in sale of stolen vehicles with fake number plates, was travelling in a stolen car. The police swung into action and nabbed him. The DSP (D) further said that during the investigation the accused confessed that he, along with one Bittu, a resident of Delhi, have been doing this for quite some time in different parts of Punjab. The DSP said that four cars have been recovered.

The police has registered a case against the alleged accused under Sections 379, 411, 420, 468, 473, 474 of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. The accused was presented in a court at Khanna from where he was sent in police remand for two days. SHO Sadar Waryam Singh and CIA incharge Purshotam Singh were also present.

Ludhiana, September 26
Twelve teams in the boys section while eight from girls section will battle it out in the inaugural edition of the IMG Reliance Schools Basketball League. The tournament will be organised by the Punjab Basketball Association (PBA) under the aegis of the Basketball Federation of India here at Guru Nanak Stadium between September 28 and October 1.

Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, said PBA teams in the girl's category include GGSS School (Mansa), DAV Senior Secondary School (Gurdaspur), Government Senior Secondary School (Kapurthala), Government Girls Senior Secondary School (Amritsar), Khalsa Senior Secondary School (Ludhiana), Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU (Ludhiana), Doraha Public School (Doraha) and Apee Jay Public School, Jalandhar.

Teams in the boys section are Spring Dale Senior Secondary School (Amritsar), Government Multipurpose Senior Secondary School (Patiala), Government Senior Secondary School (Giddarbaha), Sports School (Jalandhar), SD Senior Secondary School (Malout), Nav Bharti Public School (Ludhiana), Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU (Ludhiana), AS Senior Secondary School (Khanna), Doraha Public School (Doraha), Government High School (Gure), Blossoms Convent School (Jagraon) and Nav Bharti Junior School (Ludhiana).

The champions in the boys and girls sections will receive a cash prize of Rs 75,000 each while first runners-up will pocket Rs 40,000 and the second runners up will be richer by Rs 30,000, respectively in both the categories.

The Police Commissioner, Ludhiana, and senior vice-president, PBA, Ishwar Singh will inaugurate the league on September 28 at 4.30 pm while Punjab Minister, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon will be the chief guest on the concluding day.

Ludhiana, September 26
Hosts Alpine International Senior Secondary School along with Green Land Public School, Ludhiana, and DAV Public School, Ludhiana, recorded victories in their respective matches (boys U-14) to advance into the next round on the opening day of the CBSE Cluster XVI Table Tennis Championship being held here today.

Alpine International School pipped Darshan Academy, Ludhiana 3-1 while Green Land School faced a stiff challenge from Bal Bharti Public School of Ludhiana before romping home victors 3-2 and DAV Public School outplayed Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar in a similar fashion 3-2.

Earlier, RJ Khanderao, regional officer CBSE Panchkula, declared the tournament open. He released pigeons and colorful balloons to mark the opening of the event. Teams from over fifty schools from all over the state are taking part in this tournament.

Rajeshwari Dhir, principal of the host school welcomed the chief guest. She wished the participants good luck and a comfortable stay here.

First day's results: Alpine International Public School, Ludhiana, beat Darshan Academy, Ludhiana 3-1; Bhwan Public School, Amritsar, beat BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigrh road, Ludhiana 3-0; Delhi Public School, Jalandhar bt DAV Public School, Amritsar 3-1; DAV Public School, Ludhiana beat Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Amritsar 3-2; Green Land Convent School, Dugri, Ludhiana beat SRA Public School, Amritsar 3-2; SGH School, Amritsar beat DCM Presidency School, Ludhiana 3-0; Jesus Sacred Heart School, Ludhiana beat MGM Public School, Ludhiana 3-1; ApeeJay Public School, Jalandhar beat Spring Dale Public School, Ludhiana 3-0; Bhawan Public School, Amritsar beat Cambridge International School, Amritsar 3-0; Gobindgarh Public School, Gobindgarh beat CIS School, Jalandhar 3-2; Green Land Public School, Jalandhar bypass, Ludhiana beat Bal Bharti Public School, Ludhiana 3-2; DAV Public School, Amritsar beat Innocent Public School, Jalandhar 3-0 and Police Public School, Ludhiana beat MGN Public School, Jalandhar 3-1.

Ludhiana, September 26
Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar bypass branch, overpowered Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines, 33-28 to bag the title in the Inter-School Zonal Basketball Tournament (boys U-14) organised by the district education department at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University, here today.

Earlier, in the league matches of the Inter-School Zonal Basketball Tournament (boys U-14), Green Land School got the better of Delhi Public School 36-20 and outwitted Government Senior Secondary School, Cemetery road branch, 40-26 to secure a berth in the title clash match.

Meanwhile, Green Land School finished runners up in the boys U-17 as well as u-19 years category in the Inter-School Zonal Basketball Tournament (boys U-14).

On the basis of their performance in this tournament, the following cagers from Green Land School were selected to represent the PAU Zone in the Inter-Zonal Basketball Tournament.

They include Ankush Chopra, Anmolpreet Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Pushant Moudgil and Gursimran (U-14), Baldeep Singh, Akashdeep, Manthan and Minkle (U-17), Kunal Kapoor, Akashdeep, Tapinder Singh and Vipan Rai (u-19).

Rajesh Rudra and Baldeep Pandher, director of chain of Green Land Schools and principal of Jalandhar bypass branch, respectively, congratulated the students on finishing among position holders and appreciated their coach, Ajay Parkash to win the Inter-School Zonal Basketball Tournament (boys U-14) organised by the district education department at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University.

Ludhiana, September 26
Kudnan Vidya Mandir (KVM), Civil Lines, Ludhiana, registered an authentic five-wicket victory over hosts MGM Public School, Dugri, to storm into the final of the 13th All India Bhai Gobind Singh Pasricha Memorial Cricket Tournament (U-19) being played here today.

As man as eight teams from across the country are taking part in this prize money tournament.

MGM School won the toss and opted to bat. In the stipulated 20 overs, they could muster just 98 runs.

The main contribution came through Luv Kumar who hammered 38 with the help of five hits over the ropes and one six. Besides, Gagan and Vikram scored 8 and 7 runs, respectively. But that was not enough for MGM School to post a challenging target.

For KVM, Navendu Sharma was the most successful bowler who scalped three for 12 runs. Namit Malhan, Raghav Sharma and Nikhil Chowdhary chipped in wisth two wickets each.

KVM achieved the target in 16 overs losing five wickets. The main architect of their win was Namit Malhan who remained unbeaten on 43 runs while Naman Jain and Raghav Sharma made 15 and 12 runs, respectively.

For the losing side, Gagan, Ranjot Singh and Akshay Kumar grabbed one wicket each.

In the final, slated for tomorrow, KVM will take on Kiddy Corners XI of Gwalior.