Bathinda, November 28
The police and the district administration today thwarted special trainer teachers’ attempt to gherao the residence of the Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka at Maluka village in Rampura Phul.

Heavy police force, led by DSP Gurmit Singh Kingra and station house officers (SHOs) of four police stations, was deployed to bar the special trainers from reaching Maluka's residence.

A group of five members of the Special Trainer Teachers’ Union later met SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar and Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav.

Yadav assured the union members of a meeting with the Chief Minister on December 5. But the union leaders did not agree to it saying that it's the Education Minister and not the Chief Minister, who has key to all the problems of special trainers.

Now, a meeting has been fixed with the Education Minister at Maluka village on November 29.

The office-bearers of the special trainer teachers’ union, including Davinder Singh, Satinder Singh, Jagjit Singh, Gurchain Singh and Satnam Singh, will be meeting the minister. The special trainer teachers said the government had not fulfilled its promises made on November 17, which left them with no option but to intensify their agitation.

The union members said if the meeting with the Education Minister remained inconclusive, the special trainers would gherao the Education Minister wherever he goes.

Prominent among the union members present included Satinder, Uttam Poohli, Jagjit Jaggi, Balwinder Singh, Gurpratap, Soni, Gurcharan and Reena Kiran.

Meanwhile, a special trainer from Gurdaspur, Jasbir Kaur, sat on fast- unto-death today in protest against the state government.

Fact file
A meeting has been fixed with the Education Minister at Maluka village on November 29.
The union members said if the meeting with the Education Minister remained inconclusive, the special trainers would gherao the Education Minister wherever he goes.
A special trainer from Gurdaspur, Jasbir Kaur, sat on fast-unto-death on Wednesday in protest against the state government.

Bathinda, November 28
Jaishree Garg, the 23-year-old BEd student who committed suicide on Tuesday evening at the hostel of the SSD Girls' College, had last talked to her father Anil Garg at 6:11 pm.

The investigating officer in the case, Amrik Singh from Kotwali police station, said the Grag family did not level any allegation and neither held anyone responsible for their daughter's death. "We have initiated the inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPc. If the family raises any allegation, we will add the relevant sections later on," said Amrik.

Meanwhile, Jaishree's body was handed over to her parents.

The president of the SSD Girls' College management, Nand Lal Garg, said Jaishree did not attend her classes on Tuesday. "It seemed that she was disturbed since morning. We got a note from the public relation officer that Jaishree would not be able to attend classes and had sought leave in writing," he said.

Jaishree had had proper lunch. She talked to her father last at 6:11 pm after which she stopped taking calls. At around 7:35 pm, her local guardian Jivan Singla came to the hostel and said Jaishree was not responding to the phone calls.

The hostel warden, canteen manager Darshan Kumar and another college employee Padam first knocked at the door of Jaishree's room and later, forcibly break it open. She was found hanging from the ceiling fan hook.

Jaishree used her dupatta to take the extreme step. She used two chairs to reach the hook, which lay scattered.

The police has sealed her mobile phone that had missed calls from her father Anil Garg's phone number. Jaishree had done her BSc from the Panjab University, Chandigarh, and was enrolled here for the BEd course.

The police found prescription slips of a city-based psychiatrist from her room. "She had last visited the psychiatrist on October 11," the investigating officer said.

Bathinda, November 28
The Bathinda police today held three persons who have been snatching mobile phones, purse, money and other valuables from women in the city.

SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar said two of the three accused arrested had met during their stint in the Bathinda Central Jail where they decided to "work" together.

Teams were formed under the SP (Detective) Amarjit Singh and DSP Ranjit Singh besides SI Rajinder Kumar, in-charge of the Anti Narcotic Cell to nab the miscreants after snatching incidents were reported in the city.

The police arrested Manpreet Singh alias Manna, a resident of Guru Gobind Nagar, and Deepak Kumar alias Deepu, a resident of Vishal Nagar, for snatching mobile phones and threatening their victims. The accused used some of the stolen material for personal use and sold off some of the mobile phones to Gurjit Singh, a resident of Pratap Nagar, who runs a shop under the name of Ganpati Communications behind the PRTC workshop.

SSP Brar said Manpreet Singh had demanded ransom from one Sunil Kumar, a resident of Balla Ram Nagar, on October 1 this year. A case was registered against him at the Thermal police station. He was arrested and sent to jail. He was released on bail a few days ago.

Similarly, Deepak Kumar and his accomplices had demanded ransom from one Tarun Kumar Jain, a resident of Street No. 3 of Nai Basti. A case was registered against him on October 26 at the Kotwali police station. He was sent to jail along with his accomplices and was released recently.

During investigation, both the accused accepted that they had met in the Central Jail, Bathinda, and decided to "work" together after getting released on bail.

The police has recovered a black Splendor motorcycle and a red Access scooty as well as 10 mobile phones from their possession.

The police is also verifying whether the vehicles recovered belonged to the accused or have been stolen.

Brar said the arrests would minimise the snatching incidents in the city. Further investigations in the case were on.

Bathinda, November 28
It is a project which has been inaugurated twice in the past 14 years but failed to start.

With a target of shifting over 200 scattered dairy farms in the city to a specific area, the Improvement Trust mooted a proposal to develop a Dairy Nagar in 1998. Under a notification in October 1998, the land for the scheme was acquired on the Bathinda-Goniana road. The next five years saw no progress on the project. However, in April 2003, the then Punjab local bodies minister Jagjit Singh laid the foundation stone of the Dairy Nagar.

But for the next five years, the project was again put on the back-burner until the then Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal laid its foundation stone in February 2008. At present, the project stands where it was four years ago.

Now with a steep rise in the market price of the land (32.5 acres) meant for the Dairy Nagar, there is almost a negligible chance that the project will see light of the day. The Improvement Trust, Bathinda, also contemplates to develop a residential colony on the 32.5 acres to earn more bucks.

After the inauguration of the project by the Deputy CM in September 2008, the Municipal Corporation, Bathinda (MCB), conducted a survey about the number of dairies in the town and the Improvement Trust demarcated 206 plots for dairy farming on 32.5 acres.

But the dairy owners showed no interest in purchasing these plots for the reason of high reserve price of Rs 6,048 per square yard. Two years ago, the reserve price was revised downwards to Rs 3,700 per square yard. But still only 71 applicants showed interest. So the allotment was adjourned and in April 2012, a three-member committee was constituted to decide about the fate of the Dairy Nagar.

In their report, the committee members recommended to develop 32.5 acres as a residential colony. "Developing the Dairy Nagar on this land will cause many problems to the residents of an adjoining residential colony, Adarsh Nagar. So the Dairy Nagar should be situated outside the Ring Road of the town," the committee members had observed.

But these recommendations are also licking the dust as the Improvement Trust was dissolved days before the committee submitted its report. "We are hopeful of a decision in the coming days," said HS Chahal, executive officer, Improvement Trust, Bathinda. If the Dairy Nagar was developed adjacent to a residential colony, it would create many problems for the residents, he added.

However, the 71 dairy owners/applicants for plots in the Dairy Nagar who had deposited 10 per cent money in advance along with their applications in April 2011 are awaiting the plots or refund of the money deposited.

"The Improvement Trust has not informed us about any plan to change the Dairy Nagar to a residential colony," said Bobby Walia, the president of the Bathinda Dairy Owners' Association.

Bathinda, November 28
Children enjoyed the ride in a hot-air balloon at the ongoing adventure sports carnival in Lake No. 3 of the GNDTP today. The hot-air balloon flew 250 feet above the ground level.

Children also participated in zorbing games and aqua ball boats and boating. Youth enjoyed parasailing and banana boat besides having a ride in the hot-air balloon.

The managing director of the Bathinda Lake View Park, Pawan Garg, said the Alfa Adventure, a Pune-base company, was organising this carnival. Tom Joseph, the director of the Alfa Adventure, and his partner Philip have retired from the Air Force. Ansari Zoya has been roped in to guide female adventure enthusiasts.

A team of 25 persons of the Alfa Adventure are in the city to hold the carnival.

Joseph said safety of the people was of prime importance. The carnival will continue till December 9.

Bathinda, November 28
The body of a missing youth was found in the cremation ground of Kothe Guru village today.

Rana Singh (18), who worked as a labourer, had been missing from his house in the village since November 15. His parents had been trying to locate him.

Today in the morning, one of the villagers spotted some dogs eating flesh in the cremation ground. He raised an alarm and called up volunteers of an NGO, Sahara Welfare Society, Bathinda.

The Bhagta police also reached the spot. By that time, the canines had devoured the face and stomach of the body.

The body was taken to the Rampura government hospital for post-mortem. The police has registered a case under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

Bathinda, November 28
At a time when there is a growing momentum towards sealing an ambitious deal to save the environment, soil health and the larger issue of food security in a sustainable manner, hundreds of farmers from different districts of Punjab and other stakeholders in agriculture are also demanding that the benefit of fertilizer subsidy be extended to organic farming.

Agriculture scientists at the 'International Conference on Agricultural Sustainability Food and Livelihood Security' at the Punjab Agricultural University are advocating subsidy to the farmers who are practicing eco-friendly farming.

Every year, the Central Government spends crores on chemical fertilizer subsidies but not even a single penny goes as subsidy, incentive or bonus to the farmers who have shifted to ecologically sustainable natural farming, says OP Rupela, a noted agricultural scientist and a former member of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

While the high subsidy on synthetic fertiliser proved to be counterproductive as it led to an indiscriminate use of chemicals and subsequent soil degradation and yield stagnation, there is no incentive for over 500 farmers in Punjab who are practicing natural agriculture, says Rajbir Singh, in-charge of Bhagat Puran Singh Natural Farming Centre.

Thanks to the increasing awareness about the dangers of high pesticide use in conventional farming, organic farming has become the rage as people have started discovering the virtues of naturally grown food. But there is still no incentive for organic farmers, said Rupela.

"We are happy that organic philosophy has finally caught the fancy of some unlikely players as some of the scientists have strongly suggested eco-friendly farming at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)," said Vinod Jyani, an organic farmer.

"We hope there would be some concrete steps on the part of the government to promote organic farming with subsidy," he said.

"On an average, a farmer using chemical fertilizers is getting over Rs 10,000 per year as subsidy from the Union Government. But farmers who have adopted natural farming are getting no incentive or bonus to save biodiversity," said Harjant Singh, a farmer who also has vast acreage under natural farming.

"The anomaly should be rectified by giving subsidies to organic manure that we farmers use," said Harjant.

"The farmers should be given the freedom to choose the mode of farming. The government should just disperse the subsidy money to the farmers on per acre basis. The subsidy should not be restricted only to chemical farmers," said Amarjit Sharma, an organic farmer.

The soil has been degraded due to years of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and eco-friendly fertilisation is the only way to restore soil health and sustain production. So, subsidy to natural farming will not only save the environment and water but will also motivate many other farmers to go for natural farming, said Gopikrishna, a campaigner for sustainable agriculture, Greenpeace India

Bathinda, November 28
A significant number of Punjabis are falling victim to coronary heart disease (CAD) owing to the increased sedentary lifestyle and less exercise.

Dr Shabir Hussain Shah, consultant, cardiac thoracic vascular surgery at Max Hospital, Bathinda, said cardiovascular diseases will account for one-third of the total deaths by the year 2015 and will replace infectious diseases as the number one killer in the Indian population.

"CAD affects Indians with greater frequency at a younger stage than their counterparts in developed countries. The fact that CVD can affect people across age groups, results in risk beginning right from an early age. With unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and excessive exposure to tobacco-- a common lifestyle habit of the Indians-- it can well be forecast that CAD will be the rising cause of mortality in the years to come," he said.

Citing the example of the severity of the disease, Dr Shabir said he recently performed surgery for a severe case of CAD on a 35-year-old patient, Ram Pratap Sharma. "Despite the maximal medical therapy, he was severely symptomatic of the disease. The patient underwent successful coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Now, he has returned home and is doing well," he said.

Dr Shabir said CABG, a highly complex surgery, was performed for the first time for a young patient at Bathinda.

Elaborating on CABG, he said it is a treatment option when other options fail and there are multiple blockages in the arteries or when critically blocked coronary arteries can lead to risk for a heart attack. CABG is a major surgery and is therefore, associated with some risks. However, the procedure has become common.

In the case of the young patient Ram Partap Sharma, determination and positive attitude made it possible. He said simple lifestyle modifications can help prevent coronary artery disease. Some of these can be heart healthy diet, regular exercise and stress management.

Fact file
Cardiovascular diseases will account for one-third of the total deaths by the year 2015 and will replace infectious diseases as the number one killer in the Indian population.
CAD affects Indians with greater frequency at a younger stage than their counterparts in developed countries. The fact that CVD can affect people across age groups, results in risk beginning right from an early age.
Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and excessive exposure to tobacco, can result in CAD becoming the rising cause of mortality in the years to come.
Simple lifestyle modifications like heart healthy diet, regular exercise and stress management can help in preventing the disease.

Bathinda, November 28
The city will be abuzz with activities for school and college students this 
weekend. The state-level science fair and the visit of the Science Express biodiversity special train will coincide.

While the state-level science fair will be held from November 29 to December 3, the train will be in the city from November 29 to December 1.

The train will remain open for the visitors from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Entry to the train is free. Visitors are prohibited from carrying mobile phones, camera, bag, match sticks, cigarettes, beedi, and other tobacco products, liquid or other intoxicating substances.

Under the eco club activities, all government schools have been directed to ensure that the maximum number of students visits the train.

Meanwhile, around 500 students and teachers are expected to participate in the 41st state-level science exhibition being held at Baba Farid Group of Institutions (BFGI) at Deon from November 29 to December 3.

District Science Supervisor (DSS) Jarnail Singh Bhodipura said the winners of all the districts will be participating in the event.

Winners of the state-level competition will be felicitated on December 3 when Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka will distribute the prizes.

Arrangements have been made to make the students of other schools visit the state-level science fair. Baba Farid Group of Institutes (BFGI) will run special buses on December 1 and December 2 for the students of other schools.

These buses will run from the bus stands of Bathinda, Rampura, Bhucho, Goniana, Nathana, Bhagta, Raman Mandi, Talwandi Sabo, Maur Mandi, Jaito, Kotkapura, Faridkot, Muktsar, Gidderbaha, Malout and Mansa.

If any school faces any difficulty in reaching the science fair, the officials of Baba Farid Institute can be contacted at 9501115164, 9501115962 and 9501115800.

The main theme of the exhibition is society and environment. The sub-themes for the secondary and senior secondary sections include natural resources and their conservation, public health and environment, information and education technology, transportation and communication, industry and mathematical modelling.

The competitions will be held at the secondary level (rural), senior secondary level (rural) and elementary level in slogan writing, essay writing and teaching aid for teachers.

District Education Officer (Secondary) Hardeep Singh Taggar, District Science Supervisor Jarnail Singh Bhodipura and the staff of the Baba Farid Institute are making the arrangements.

Different committees have been formed to make the event successful.

A meeting of all the teachers in the committee has been convened at the MHR Senior Secondary School, Nai Basti, on November 29.

Bathinda, November 28
To celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, members of the Senior Citizens Council, Bathinda, and Sangeeta's yoga team, went to the campus of the Mahant Gurbanta Das School for the Deaf and the Dumb, to celebrate Gurupurb.

The principal of the school greeted the visitors. President of the council Prof DS Mastana explained the philosophy if Guru Nanak Dev and the interpreter used the sign language to pass on the message to the students.

A mime and skit was presented which drove home the message that irrespective of one's religion, people in this country were Indians first. A langar of fruits, sweets and patties was served.

District Welfare Officer Sardul Singh was felicitated on the occasion. An exhibition of items prepared by the students of the school for the deaf and the dumb was put on display. Satwant Kaur, Deputy DEO, selected 21 pieces for the awards.

General secretary RD Gupta announced that members of the council will hold an athletic meet of the hearing and speech impaired children in the near future.

Bathinda, November 28
Bathinda police arrested two people, including a juvenile, and recovered a motorcycle from their possession.

The accused has been identified as Sunny alias Billa, a resident of Shiv Mandir Wali Gali, Paras Ram Nagar, and a juvenile from Panditan Wali Gali. Police recovered a Hero Honda motorcycle from their possession. The motorcycle was stolen on November 24. A case of theft has been registered at the Kotwali police station.

SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar said the juvenile has been involved in crimes earlier too. He was arrested by the Canal Colony police on August 19 along with his accomplices and five motorcycles were recovered by the Anti-Narcotic Cell.

Since he was below 18 years of age at that time, he was sent to the juvenile home in Faridkot. He was released on bail a few days ago. Today, he was arrested and handed over to his parents.