Bathinda, September 28
The Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) and the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) have stated that they were not responsible for the accidents and loss of property that took place in the Lal Singh Basti area of the city due to the incomplete sewer work.

The MCB and the PWSSB made this submission in a reply filed before the court of the additional civil judge, senior division, Jasvir Kaur, in the Lal Singh Basti sewer case today. It is pertinent to mention here that the residents of Lal Singh Basti and nearby areas had filed a petition on August 17 against the MCB, PWSSB and others alleging that work on laying sewer in the area had been delayed and was causing great public inconvenience.

In their reply, the MCB and the state of Punjab stated that the plaintiffs are professional advocates and want to put pressure on the Corporation and the government through this suit filed. The Corporation claimed that it was discharging its lawful duty diligently and cannot be held responsible for any laxity.

In a reply filed before the court, both the parties accepted that the laying of sewer in areas like Janta Nagar, Gurukul Road, Arjun Nagar, Paras Ram Nagar, Gopal Nagar, Pratap Nagar, Multania road, Lal Singh Nagar, Sanguana, Naruana road and Amarpura Basti started without setting up a disposal first.

However, washing its hands off the responsibility for laying the sewer project, the MCB stated that the PWSSB was its executing agency. As per the detailed project report (DPR) for the Rs 40 cr sewer project, the disposal was to be laid in the Sanjay Nagar pond area. But it was cancelled because of some technical problems. Now, the land at Canal Colony has been zeroed in on for constructing a disposal.

Holding the residents responsible for the mayhem created in the absence of the disposal, the MCB said people have illegally connected their sewers with that of the main dysfunctional sewer, which led to the chaos near the Lal Singh Basti area.

The MCB also said that the people residing in Police Colony themselves joined their sewerage connection with the newly laid sewer line, which has no connection with any disposal.

While the MCB reply stated that the project was conceived in 2011, the superintending engineer, PWSSB, stated in his reply that the project was submitted on June 16, 2003 and was approved on August 28, 2004. The PWSSB is working on the project since then. It stated that after the disposal site has been transferred to the Canal Colony, no new design has been made.

On September 2 this year, the design was sent for approval and the nod for it is being awaited. After the PWSSB is handed over the site, it would start working on the project. Till the time the disposal is not constructed, residents of the area are being provided alternative relief measures. The case will come up for hearing on October 11. 

Bathinda, September 28
Heart ailments are striking at an early age in the land known to guzzle dairy products and alcohol with equal zest. People as young as 28 years of age have suffered cardiac arrest and undergone surgery for heart diseases.

Men are at higher risk of suffering from cardiac arrest than women of the same age-group. "This is because until menopause sets in, most women do not suffer from any heart problem," said cardiologist Dr Gursewak Singh Gill.

Dr RK Jindal added that in the pre-menopausal phase, ovarian hormones are known to have some protective mechanism against the occurrence of blockages in the heart, thereby protecting the young women from heart ailments.

However, in men, unhealthy habits like smoking, consuming liquor, junk food, obesity and eating non-vegetarian food without any exercise makes men more prone to heart ailments. "We have operated even youngsters who were 28 years old. One of the young patients was brought to our hospital in near dead condition. He underwent angioplasty and is doing fine now with a diet plan and exercises," added cardiologist Dr RK Jindal.

He added that the increased level of stress and tension along with today's sedentary lifestyle has also added to the woes of the patients. Lack of adequate employment opportunities is also one of the reasons behind the tense younger generation undergoing heart surgeries.

General physician Dr Vitul Kumar Gupta said the prevalence of heart disease in Punjab is 9 to 10 per cent in the urban areas and 3 to 4 per cent in the rural areas, while the national figure stands at 6.5 per cent to 13.2 per cent in the urban areas and 1.6 per cent to 7.4 per cent in the rural areas. "Though we do not exceed the national limits, this is not a figure to be proud of. While we have chains of junk food eateries, we have limited campaigns to make people aware of the harmful effects of such processed foods," he said. 

When I suffered cardiac arrest, I realized tensions were weighing down upon me. Post-operation, I have become more active and alert about my diet and exercises. I would request youngsters to stay away from junk food, excessive alcohol and have a positive attitude towards life. Also, everyone must undergo annual medical check-ups, so that a problem, if any, is detected at the earliest.

Bathinda, September 28
The Pragma Hospital will observe the World Heart Day by organising an awareness-cum-treatment camp.

In a press statement issued here today, the consultant cardiologist, Dr Gursewak Singh Gill, said the camp would be held from September 29 to November 15. Patients shall be constantly provided verbal and written information on prevention of cardiac disease and ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep heart diseases at bay.

The patients could undergo complete cardiac check-up wherein they would have cardiologist consultation and relevant investigations (including echocardiography & TMT). Also, the patients requiring coronary angiography would be operated upon at nominal rates.

Bathinda, September 28
Despite the intensified patrolling by the police, there seems to be no let up in snatching incidents in the city which continue to haunt the residents every now and then.

While the police blames the residents for not taking preventive measures and continuing to wear gold chain and ear rings while moving on deserted roads, the people accuse the police of not doing enough to check the menace.

In today's incident, a city girl, Veerpal Kaur, who works as a marketing executive in a company selling household products, was attacked by a turbaned youth on a motorbike.

The youth tried to snatch her gold chain but failed. The girl was walking in a street near the Ganesha Basti at around quarter to eleven in the morning today. The girl resisted the snatching bid and tried to raise an alarm. But since it was a hot day, not many people were out on the streets.

The snatcher failed to take away the gold chain as it was strong and heavy. It broke into pieces and fell as the girl resisted. Instead of fleeing, the snatcher tried to threaten the girl and pushed her aside before fleeing.

Anil Kumar, a resident of Partap Nagar and a close family friend of the girl, said Veerpal brought the matter to his notice over the phone. Anil Kumar then informed the police by dialling 100. "Instead of responding quickly, the police reached after almost half an hour. Not willing to go into the depth of the incident, they simply noted down a few things and left," said Anil Kumar.

The police could have immediately cordoned off the area to locate the culprit. "But the police seems to be offering security cover only to the VVIPs visiting the city almost everyday," said Anil intuitively.

He said despite laying nakas at various roundabouts and making claims of instilling confidence among the city residents, the police had failed.

The snatchers roam freely without the fear of being caught and people like Veerpal Kaur have to stay indoors because of the fear of snatching.

Anil Kumar said Veerpal Kaur had come to Bathinda to eke out a living from nearby Jaitu Mandi. Her confidence has been shattered and now she is frightened to move out alone.

SHO, Civil Lines, Gurdev Bhalla said the matter had come to his notice and he had gone to the spot and enquired into the incident. "The matter was not of chain snatching. It could be eve teasing," he said.

"Still, we are looking into it and the culprit would be traced soon," the SHO added.

Bathinda, September 28
Two deaths in a day and over a dozen deaths reported in the last one and half years due to the stray animals has failed to rouse the authorities from their deep slumber.

Despite the numerous visits to Bathinda by the VVIPs, the city is yet to witness any serious effort to tackle the stray cattle menace.

Bulls fighting each other have become a common sight in almost all the residential areas. People residing on Ajit road near Ghorewala Chowk complained that bulls fight each other by occupying the entire road which spreads panic not only among the pedestrians and two-wheeler riders but also among those travelling in cars.

"The traffic remains blocked till the fight among these animals is over. At times, people travelling at high speed on two-wheelers collide with these animals and get seriously injured," said Tarsem, a resident of Ajit road.

He said many people living in the locality have been injured due to the stray cattle and vehicles too have been damaged. Similar views were expressed by people on the GT Road near the Rose Garden, Paras Ram Nagar, Grain Market, vegetable market, Multania Road and Mansa Road.

Farmers too are upset and have had fights over the issue of driving stray animals into each others' farms.

Cops at the Kotfatta police station registered a case against two residents of Kotshamir village for beating up a farmer whom they suspected of driving animals into his farms.

Farmers said with the paddy harvesting season approaching, they have become more concerned about their crop and do not want stray animals to venture into their fields.

Some farmers have joined hands to transport the stray animals from the agricultural fields to the urban areas.

"Stray animals pose a serious threat to the commuters and morning walkers on city roads. Stray dogs have also created a nuisance," said Dimple, a morning walker.

Dimple said fearing the stray animals, he has stopped stepping out of the house early or late at night.

It may be mentioned that two lives were lost last night in two separate accidents on the Goniana road and in the Model Town area.

A 59-year-old woman, Santosh Rani, had earlier lost her life in Paras Ram Nagar after she was hit by two raging bulls.

Sources said there are nearly 2,000 stray animals in Bathinda and the officials are yet to make efforts to get rid of the problem.

Mayor Baljeet Singh Birbehman regretted that despite the shifting of stray animals away from the city, farmers from nearby villages choose to abandon their cattle in the city, thus negating the move

"Earlier, we shifted some animals to a religious place near Bhucho Mandi. But we do not have an adequate place to rehabilitate these animals. The government's plan to construct gaushalas in district jails may bring some respite from the problem," said the Mayor.

Bathinda, September 28
Max Hospital will host a two-day annual conference of the North Zone Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI) in Bathinda on September 29 and 30.

Addressing media persons here today, chairman of the organising committee, Dr Rajesh Vashistha said over 170 doctors from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Uttarakhand and the National Capital Region (NCR) would be attending the event.

The AROI is a professional body of specialists who are fighting the battle against cancer with radiation and has more than 1800 members and chapters across India.

The Punjab Medical Council (PMC) has given six hours of accreditation to this continuous medical education (CME) programme.

He said 70 papers would be presented at the conference. This would include 35 papers of the senior faculty members and another 35 by the young post-graduates and graduates.

Dr Vashistha added that the prime aim of the conference was to keep the doctors updated on technological advances and new treatment possibilities by holding annual conference, special teaching courses, workshops and special fellowships.

Experts from the AIIMS, PGI, medical colleges and private hospitals like Max, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Hospital (RGCI), Medanta, Apollo and Fortis, among others, will share their experience and deliberate on their findings at the conference.

Dr Harpreet Singh, co-chairman, organising committee, said the role of conventional techniques and wisdom will also be discussed. New techniques in the radiation oncology armament, allowing opportunity for tumour dose escalation and normal tissue sparing, will also be deliberated at the conference.

Dr Singh claimed the meet will be a milestone in CME.

He said discussions would be held on the conventional methods of treatment vis-à-vis the state-of-the-art machinery used.

There are many new drugs in the market for detection as well as treatment of cancer, which will also be discussed.

Dr Manjinder Sidhu, secretary, organizing committee, informed that the vice-chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) Dr SS Gill will inaugurate the conference at the Queensland Palace on September 29.

Vice-chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda Dr Jai Rup Singh will be the guest of honour.

Bathinda, September 28
The 185th Gunners' Day was celebrated with gaiety at the Bathinda Military Station today.

A special Sainik Sammelan was organised to mark the day. The event was presided over by the Commander, Chetak Corps, Arty Bde.

The commander reminded all the ranks of the glorious history and tradition of the regiment of artillery and exhorted them to continue their efforts towards the pursuit of excellence.

The commander also asked them to resolve to uphold the ethos and the spirit enshrined in the Gunners' motto -Sarvatra-Izzat-O-Iqbal.

Later, the commander interacted with all ranks. 

Bathinda, September 28
The police has arrested two residents of Sangrur after 51.600 kg of poppy husk was recovered from their possession.

The accused have been identified as Amreek Singh and Randhir Singh. The truck in which the accused were carrying the contraband has also been seized.

Bathinda, September 28
The 105th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was celebrated in the city today. Various NGOs, clubs and political parties organised functions in the memory of the martyr.

Members of some organisations held blood donation camps and paid floral tributes at the statue of Bhagat Singh in the city.

At a blood donation camp, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Bathinda MLA Sarup Chand Singla urged the youngsters to come forward to eradicate various social evils.

He asked people to follow the path shown by Bhagat Singh, who sacrificed his life to see his country free of British rule.

He said Bhagat Singh treaded a thorny path at the tender age of 12 and proved instrumental in the freedom struggle of India.

Asian netball champion honoured

The bronze medal winner of the Asian Netball Championship, Perneet Kaur, was honoured and welcomed by city residents today.

Perneet stood third in the championship held at Colombo recently. Her role in the sports event was praised by the local residents who congratulated her and her family members on the feat.