B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

PU Muktsar centre subjected to official neglect
Muktsar, November 28
At a time when the state government is claiming to set up educational hubs in cities like Ludhiana, Mohali, Amritsar and Bathinda, the Panjab University's Regional Centre (PURC) in Muktsar is languishing for want of attention.

A view of the Panjab University’s Regional Centre building in Muktsar. A Tribune photograph

Gurpurb celebrations
Devotees throng gurdwaras to pay obeisance
Muktsar, November 28
A large number of devotees thronged the historic gurdwaras in town since early this morning to pay obeisance on the occasion of Gurpurab - the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev.

BSF guns down Pak intruder near Zero Line
Abohar, November 28
The jawans of the 192 battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an intrusion bid from the Pakistan side. One of the intruders was gunned down and his accomplice nabbed.

Nosegay girls win CBSE handball championship
Abohar, November 28
Principals and directors of the schools, affiliated to the CBSE, today formed Sahodaya Complex at a meeting held in Sriganganagar. Dr PS Sudan, founder chairman of Nosegay Public School, presided.

Ousted Sodhi greets scribes, acquaintances as PPP man
Muktsar, November 28
Despite being ousted by PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal early this month from the party, Malout-based Arunjot Singh Sodhi still continues to pose as its spokesperson and press-cum-office secretary.

 PU Muktsar centre subjected to official neglect
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 28
At a time when the state government is claiming to set up educational hubs in cities like Ludhiana, Mohali, Amritsar and Bathinda, the Panjab University's Regional Centre (PURC) in Muktsar is languishing for want of attention.

The regional centre, that was once a prestigious educational institute of the Malwa region because it was the lone branch of Panjab University in the area, has a strength of nearly 500 students in different courses including postgraduation in Punjabi, Economics, Political Science, English, MCA, M.Phil and LLB.

Ironically, the centre has been running from an unsafe building, that too belonging to a gurdwara, since its inception in 1998.

A visit to the PURC building revealed that a majority of the classrooms were in a bad shape. After making some changes in the rooms, these had been converted into classrooms.

"We have informed the senior officials but except for assurances about raising a new structure on PURC's own land, nothing has been done till date," the staff regretted.

Claiming that the centre has produced a number of judges, advocates and professors, some of them quite eminent, the teaching staff said, "It hurts when a student arrives here for admission, but seeing the condition of the building, changes his decision at the last moment."

"We will be happy if the government develops Bathinda as an educational hub but at the same time, we urge a decision in our favour so that this centre, which has given hope to many students, can continue to run," the staff said in unison.

PS Dhingra, Director, PURC, Muktsar, said, "I have written to the senior officials a number of times, following which the district administration planned to allot land for the building. But every time, some obstacle comes in the way that sends the proposal off-track."

 Gurpurb celebrations
Devotees throng gurdwaras to pay obeisance
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 28
A large number of devotees thronged the historic gurdwaras in town since early this morning to pay obeisance on the occasion of Gurpurab - the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev.

Devotees were seen making a beeline at gurdwara Darbar Sahib, gurdwara Tutti Gandi Sahib and other gurdwaras in the city.

Community kitchens (langars) were organised at all the gurdwaras.

Later in the evening, a religious programme was organised at Bhai Maha Singh Hall here.

Yesterday, a nagar kirtan was carried out in the city and 'gatka' was also performed.

 BSF guns down Pak intruder near Zero Line
Our Correspondent

Abohar, November 28
The jawans of the 192 battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an intrusion bid from the Pakistan side. One of the intruders was gunned down and his accomplice nabbed.

Senior officials said a patrolling party noticed two persons approaching the Indian side near pillar number 303, close to BoP Chak 5 in Kesarisinghpur segment of Sriganganagar sector, after crossing the Zero Line.

On being signalled to stop, they tried to rush back. The cops opened fire resulting in the death of an intruder while the other took shelter in the wild growth.

Later, search operations led to the arrest of a 70-year-old Pak national while the body of the deceased was shifted to the civil hospital for autopsy. The medical report indicated that he had been hit by five bullets.

The Pakistan Rangers, at a flag meeting of company commandants, refused to accept the body and asserted that the other intruder was also not a Pak national.

The body of the intruder was buried near the international border.

The dead intruder has been identified as Tanny Mohammad and his accomplice as Bashir Mohammad, belonging to village Dawar in Bahawalpur district of Pakistan.

Though nothing incriminating has been found during their search, the authorities plan to hand the surviving intruder to the joint interrogation centre to ascertain the motive behind intrusion in the wee hours.

 Nosegay girls win CBSE handball championship
Our Correspondent

Abohar, November 28
Principals and directors of the schools, affiliated to the CBSE, today formed Sahodaya Complex at a meeting held in Sriganganagar. Dr PS Sudan, founder chairman of Nosegay Public School, presided.

Some common problems faced by the schools like common timing, common strategies and date sheet for the different summative examinations and the adolescent problems of fast food, reckless driving (road rage), wasting time in internet surfing were discussed.

The principals also agreed to have inter-CBSE school competitions on rotational basis.

Meanwhile, the girls from Nosegay Public School have won the coveted national championship of the CBSE handball tournament in the under-19 category held recently at Chennai.

More than 40 CBSE school teams took part in it. The students defeated the girls of Shah Satnam Ji School, Sirsa.

Sakshi Bhamboo was adjudged the best goalkeeper and Shivani Bhakar won the title of the best player of the tournament.

 Ousted Sodhi greets scribes, acquaintances as PPP man
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, November 28
Despite being ousted by PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal early this month from the party, Malout-based Arunjot Singh Sodhi still continues to pose as its spokesperson and press-cum-office secretary.

On the occasion of Gurpurab today, Sodhi sent messages from his cell phone to a number of scribes and his acquaintances, signing off as the spokesperson and press-cum-office secretary of the PPP.

It may be mentioned that Manpreet Singh Badal has already stated that Sodhi was told not to attend the party's office and that he was merely an 'employee' of the PPP. However, Sodhi who claimed to be a founder member of the party is in no mood to leave, even after learning that Manpreet's brother-in-law Jaijeet Singh Johal 'Jojo' has lodged three FIRs against him.

The controversy between the PPP chief and Sodhi started this month when the latter levelled allegations against Manpreet of collecting huge party funds and sought details.

"Our voice was being suppressed for a long time and the party was also witnessing a decline. So, it was necessary for someone to open his mouth against those responsible for bringing a bad name to the party," said Sodhi.

Asked how he claimed to be the spokesperson and press-cum-office secretary of the party, Sodhi replied, "I am a founder member and the party chief alone can't show me the door. My dismissal is unconstitutional as per the party's constitution. Before ousting any member of the party's general council, all its members have to be present and take a decision on the issue by giving their opinion."

Sodhi further said he would raise his voice at the party's general house meeting scheduled to be held in December, claiming that a majority of the members were on his side.

He questioned Manpreet's claim about his being an employee, asking in what form was he getting his salary? He also questioned as to where had the party got the money from to give advertisements worth nearly Rs 2.35 crores in the newspapers.

When contacted, Jagjit Singh 'Honey' Fattanwala, district president and a founder member of the PPP, said, "Even I got an SMS from Arunjot this morning in which he claimed to be the spokesperson and press-cum-office secretary of the party. He has been ousted by the party chief and does not hold any post in the PPP."

Repeated attempts to contact Manpreet Singh Badal proved futile.