Amritsar, November 4
The Sadar police has booked four persons, including the husband of a woman, in a rape case in which the victim alleged that she was kept under illegal detention, hungry and beaten up by them.

She alleged that her husband, Kuldip Singh, a resident of Dargah Wali Gali, Batala road, fraudulently got divorced from her and added that she was kept in dark about his second marriage.

The police has registered a case under Sections 376, 342, 506, 352, 120-B of the IPC in this connection, while no arrest has been made so far. Besides Kuldip Singh, among those booked include Gursharn Kaur, mother-in-law of the victim, Jaspal Singh and Kanwaljit Kaur.

The victim, in her complaint to the police, alleged that she got married to Kuldip Singh in 1997, but they did not have any issue even after some years of marriage. This had become a cause of often quarrel between them. She alleged that the accused used to beat her on the pretext of not having any child. She alleged that he got divorced from her after fraudulently taking her signs of divorce papers and married Kanwaljit Kaur. She said she was kept in illegal detention, hungry and usually beaten up by the accused.

When she refused to leave the house, the accused threw chilies in her eyes and beat her up and told her that he had taken divorce from her and had got a second wife.

"Even after his second marriage, he did not tell about this to her and continued to make physical relations with her," she told the police.

Amritsar, November 4
A prisoner in Central Jail here unsuccessfully tried to hang himself to end his life. Undertrial Balwinder Singh, who was booked under Section 363/476, attempted to hang himself with a hook on the wall on November 2, but was saved by fellow inmate Massu Masih.

Confirming the incident, Deputy Superintendent of the jail Kulwant Singh said Balwinder, who was in his early twenties, was addicted to habitual drugs and seemed to be disturbed as he could not get his dosage in the jail.

Meanwhile, the cantonment police today registered cases under Section 309 of the IPC and 42 of the Prisoner Act against him. The investigating officer Narinder Kumar Gumtala said Balwinder had tried to use his trousers to hang himself. “At present, we have booked him. He would be counselled later. Preliminary investigations revealed that he was a drug addict. We would seek his production warrant before producing him in the court,” he said. 

Amritsar, November 4
The district health department conducted raids at various eateries last night to check cleanliness and hygiene conditions.

Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra said the eateries and food joints had been asked to follow the guidelines issued by the department from time to time for ensuring cleanliness in the eateries.

He said the inspections were conducted by a team of district epidemiologist Dr Charanjit Singh and sanitary inspector Gobind Mehta. Various shops on the Sultanwind road and Lawrence road were checked.

Dr Mitra said workers at a few of the eateries were found not wearing gloves while preparing food items. He said under the notices served to these shops, they had been asked to take corrective measures within a week’s time.

He said that inspections were conducted in the wake of the upcoming festival season during which the sales of sweets increased many fold. He said the department would continue with inspections to check the condition of kitchens of these shops to ensure that the food was prepared in a healthy way. 

Amritsar, November 4
“Let peace and amity prevail between India and Pakistan” was the profound sentiment that filled the hearts of the Pakistani performers and the audience, who had assembled at Spring Dale Senior School on Saturday evening to ensure their contribution towards this noble cause.

The occasion was Saanjh, a cultural festival that has become a symbol for the cause. The annual cultural gala was organised by Punarjyot, Amritsar and Rafi - Peer Theatre Workshop, Lahore.

As usual Saanjh was able to assert its objective of attaining peace by promoting art and culture. The event saw soulful renditions by mesmerising performance of Pakistani Qawals, which virtually moved the audience. One by one singers, including Sai Zahoor, Mehboob Mian Miri Qawal, Faiz Chishti Qawal, Mehboob Farid Qawal, Deepalpuri Qawal, rendered their artistic performance in their own distinctive style, which lent an aura of mysticism to the noble endeavour of uniting the hearts of people on both sides of the border. The renowned artists, known for their Sufi kalam and applying the principles of Sufism to spread the message of peace and brotherhood between the two nations, expressed their excitement and satisfaction that each performance in India gives them.

“Performing in India is always special. The love and respect that we get from people here is unmatched and the two countries are joined together by a cultural thread that can weave a possible future of peaceful coexistence. We always pray that despite the political and geographical markings, the cultural warmth between the people of the two countries remain unchanged," shared Mehbood Main Miri, an artiste from across the border.

The Pakistani artistes share a celebrity status in the country and seemed pleased with the fact that the status was maintained on both sides. “I believe that music, art and cultural activities hold utmost importance in bridging the gap between the two nations. Look at the extent of Indian artistes who enjoy an iconic status in Pakistan and vice versa. Borders don’t apply in our world, we are like two brothers with a common ground called music,” said the singer. But then rules of the land are still a hurdle. “Both governments should try to promote such a cultural exchange by relaxing some rules and regulations for artistes,” he added.

Dr Kirat Sandhu Cheema, director, Punarjyot, also shared the stage with the artistes, urging the audience to keep the spirit of Saanjh alive. “My parents ignited this candle to teach people to live and let others live. It is not only my pleasure and prerogative to keep this flame aloft and ignited but also that of my entire team, who have always put in their best efforts to make Saanjh a success and all peace lovers associated with this initiative in a myriad other ways, besides their presence,” she added.

Usman Peerjada, convener of the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Lahore, got nostalgic about the association of late Dr Shivinder Singh Sandhu and Ms Manveen Sandhu in their initiation of maintaining peace. He asserted that festivals like Saanjh are the important not because they celebrate the culture of the two countries but also because they are a binding force that keeps the hearts of the people glued to each other. “Our culture reduces the differance between two countries and thanks to more such initiatives, the cause of promoting peace will always keep moving,” he said.

Amritsar, November 4
It is a good season for the sale of four-wheelers if the rush at the Amritsar Auto Expo at Celebration Mall is anything to go by. Over 20 models of leading automobile companies are on display in the event. Mercedes, Honda, Skoda, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Toyota, Renault, Chevrolet, Honda, etc are displaying their latest models of four-wheelers and two-wheelers.

The exhibition has given an opportunity to the residents of Amritsar, especially "who like to burn rubber", in this festive season to witness, experience and feel the luxury of four-wheelers of leading automobile brands in the industry under one roof. One can choose to book and drive their dream car home. The crowd response says it all.

Festive season spells profits for any consumer of luxury product in the market and cars are no exception. With all major brands ending October on a high with booming sales, the expo was a successful attempt in wooing the consumer. "Festival period has changed the entire market mood from gloom to boom. With interest rates softening and some aggressive pricing on new products, customers, who have been holding back their purchase decisions, may get back into the market and revive demand," shared analyst Vishnu Mathur.

Though the rising fuel prices have been a damper, the festive mood seems to have a positive effect on the consumers. "For us, the challenge is to convert customer interest into sales," said Rakesh, a representative from Toyota Motors. As Amritsar is a potential market for luxury and utility car segments, limited editions and special models are a big draw. Toyota's Fortuner Sportivo, a limited edition for this Divali, made the city car lovers talking and the others have followed with special schemes and offers on Dhanteras and Divali.

"Usually, Divali is a time when people indulge in big purchases and one gets best deals. Buying a car is special occasion and so most families reserve it for Divali," shared Jagdeep Kanth, one of the onlookers at the expo.

It is a happy outing for most brands as the sales have been on the rise. Hyundai Motors' sales in the festive season are up by 21 per cent, while Renault sales by 14 per cent. The two-wheeler category, too, saw an increase of up to 30 per cent in sales during the festive season. Mahindra's Rexton to Ford's Ecosport, utility vehicles are driving the auto industry this festive season. Thirty new launches from various car makers will be spanning across various segments from small to luxury cars. The launch lineup is pretty impressive for the season with new Maruti 800, Mahindra Mini Xylo, Volkswagen UP, Chevrolet Sail and many more hatchbacks, sedans and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) marking their entry into the market.

Amritsar, November 4
The district Health Department has asked dry fruit sellers, grocery merchants and spices and masala grinders to obtain licences or get registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

In a meeting with the dry fruits merchants association, karyana association and grinders association, Civil Surgeon Dr Yash Mitra asked them to get the workers at their establishments medically examined for fitness.

He informed the representatives of these associations that workers were required to wear caps and gloves while preparing and packing food items. He said strict action would be taken against the traders who failed to obtain licences from the Health Department. He asked the traders to ensure proper cleanliness and hygiene at their places of work.

Amritsar, November 4
The city police has arrested 12 persons in two separate cases of gambling. The police recovered around Rs 40,000 from their possession.

Those arrested have been identified as Surjit Singh, Kuljinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Baljinder Singh, Umesh Kumar, Niraj Kumar, Ram Chand, Binda Parshad, Daanu, Rajnu, Manoj Kumar and Naresh Kumar.

They have been booked under Sections 13, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act.

Amritsar, November 4
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has fined a local gas agency for delaying the delivery of LPG cylinder to a local consumer.

The forum has ordered Didar Gas Agency near Sultanwind Gate to pay Rs 2,000 as compensation for harassment caused to complainant Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Gali Pipal Wali.

The forum has further ordered the agency to pay an additional Rs 1,000 as litigation expenses to the complainant.

In a complaint made to the consumer forum, Bhupinder Singh had stated that he had booked a cylinder on November 5, 2011, on telephone. He had alleged that he made repeated requests on telephone to the agency and by personally visiting the office of the agency for the delivery of the cylinder, but to no avail.

He said he later served a legal notice on the gas agency, after which the supply was made February 5, 2012, (after a delay of 92 days). He alleged that he again made a booking on February 28. As the agency failed to deliver the cylinder even after a time period of 122 days, he filed a complaint with the consumer forum, demanding a regular supply of the LPG and compensation for the harassment caused to him.

In an ex parte decision wherein representatives of the gas agency did not appear, the forum held the gas agency guilty of deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act. The forum has directed the gas agency to ensure regular supply of gas cylinders to the complainant in future, apart from paying the compensation and litigation expenses. 

Amritsar, November 4
SARE Homes and Impact Projects organised "Gharotsav", a home carnival, at Crescent ParC township, GT Road bypass, here today.

The event got an encouraging response for spot bookings and emerged as a wholesome entertainment for the entire family with star performances by Sattinder Satti and Raja Sagoo, lucky draw, magic show, kids' play area, delicious food and lots of fun and frolic.

Addressing the media, Vikram O. Datta, Director, Marketing and Sales, SARE Homes, said Amritsar, the city known for its world famous Golden Temple, was fast emerging as a preferred destination of home buyers.

Commenting on the success of the Gharotsav, Vineet Relia, Chief Operating Officer, SARE Homes, said, "We are committed to providing world-class homes at good value to home buyers with all the amenities of an international lifestyle, namely security, power backup, adequate water supply, clubhouse for the family, education, healthcare and many others. Through the 'Gharotsav' we want to make the home-buying experience to be a memorable one for the entire family," he said.

Ajay Singh Cheema, Director, Impact Projects, said, “Amritsar’s crucial role in trade with neighbouring countries is all set to witness a great phase of growth in the coming years. The home carnival will help in creating awareness among the people about the kind of peaceful and quality living being brought to this market to suit all income levels."

Amritsar, November 4
A run was organised on the concluding day of the "Total Quartz Safety Month" campaign here today. The month-long campaign was held for creating awareness about the hazards of unsafe driving in public. The local traffic and welfare authorities and 500 city residents supported the campaign.

The campaign, which was spread across 21 cities, promoted a change in the mindset of people on following road safety rules. The campaign was able to garner support from the general public and also witnessed participation from 500 local residents. The run started from Khalsa College and culminated at the railway station covering a distance of around 3.5 km. it was flagged off by Amit Kumar of the Indian Idol fame and received extensive support from the government authorities as well as NGOs like Voice of Amritsar and patrons like Surabhi Verma. Prominent schools like DAV Senior Secondary, Police DAV, and Brightway participated.

In the Total Quartz Safety Month campaign various aspects relating to road safety were touched. These included safe driving tips, highlighting the dangers of drunken driving and talking on the phone while driving. The campaign witnessed support from legal experts, doctors, police and victims of accidents from drunken driving from across the country.