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Manmohan arrives at PAU today
Ludhiana, December 7 PAU residents said tightening of security at the PAU was causing a lot of inconvenience to them. "We are a harried lot. We have literally been confined to our homes. We cannot venture out to buy groceries. While entering the university campus, security guards deployed at the gates ask all sorts of questions and even check our bags. Similar is the situation for students. Many of them have left for their homes due to the PM's visit," said a group of residents. Shops and restaurants located near the PAU have been closed by the security forces. "A security man entered my office this evening and told me to close the establishment. I told him that I had been asked by the police to close the office on Saturday, but he retorted in a rude manner. He told me that he was from the CM's security," said a businessman. The businessmen complained that it was the second time in the past 10 days that they had been asked to close their business establishments. The police siren kept buzzing and police vehicles were seen zooming across the city till late in the night. Swat
team arrives
The Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team of the Punjab police arrived in the city to provide security cover during the PM's visit to the PAU tomorrow. The team is equipped with high-tech gadgets and weaponry. Trained by Israeli trainers, the team is designed to tackle any emergency situation. The SWAT team, readied on the pattern of the US SWAT team, arrived in the afternoon. The team took stock of the situation and returned. "For onlookers, it was like a war operation. While members of the Special Protection Group were taking security positions, the Punjab SWAT team was seen taking rounds in the PAU," said an academic, who is attending the golden jubilee function at the PAU. Later in the day, Punjab DGP SS Saini arrived in the city to take stock of the security preparations. NRIs, foreigners hit
NRIs and foreigners were hit as no policeman was available at the CPRC centre located in the Mini-Secretariat here today. A Canadian national, who has to catch a flight on Sunday morning, was worried as no officer was available to issue him police clearance. Man lands in soup
An employee of the Improvement Trust landed in the soup for distributing letters at the PAU campus this evening. The man, whose identity has been withheld due to security reasons, was taken to a police station for questioning. He was later let off as he was unaware about the PM's visit. He was caught when he was venturing around the venue where the PM is scheduled to arrive tomorrowx
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17 MC vehicles on VIP duty
Of the 17 vehicles deployed on VIP duty, five are Ambassador cars, nine Maruti Gypsies and three water tankers. Even during President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the PAU on November 27, MC vehicles were deployed. An MC official said usually he had an official vehicle at his disposal. “In veiw of the Prime Minister’s visit, our official vehicles were taken away on the morning of December 5. It isn't that our work is getting hampered due to non-availability of vehicles, but if we visit a spot in our official vehicle, people tend to take us seriously,” said the official who did not wish to be named. Interestingly, when MC officials had gone to demolish illegal structures at Sunet village on Wednesday, assistant town planners (ATPs) Surinder Singh Bindra and Rajinder Sharma were seen riding pillion on their subordinates' bikes. A senior MC official said of the total 54 vehicles, 17 were on VIP duty. “We are even paying for the petrol and diesel expenses, besides providing drivers. Even during the Kabaddi World Cup, our vehicles will be used for VIP duty on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner,” said another official deputed in the MC workshop. Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria expressed ignorance about the matter. Of the 17 vehicles deployed on VIP duty, five are Ambassador cars, nine Maruti Gypsies and three water tankers. Even during President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to the PAU on November 27, MC vehicles were deployed.
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Health specialists on guard
Ludhiana, December 7 The Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Subhash Batta, said, "We have arranged two teams of specialists from the Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala, and the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital along with two fully equipped ambulances." One of these ambulances, carrying medical experts, will keep moving with the Prime Minister's crew while the other ambulance will be deployed at the main venue, the Pal Auditorium. To collect samples of eatables being served to VVIPs, food safety officers of six districts — Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Patiala, Ropar, Sangrur and Moga -- have been deployed. The District Health Officer, Ludhiana, Dr Jasbeer Singh, said, "We have constituted six teams of food safety officers for collecting samples of all eatables and drinks that will be served to VVIPs.
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MC clears encroachments from areas near university
Ludhiana, December 7 The drive to clear encroachments started in the morning when tehbazaari officials cleared encroachments from Feroze Gandhi Market. Eight rehris were confiscated from there while service lanes were cleared of encroachments. In the evening, MC officials reached an apni mandi opposite the Lodhi Club in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar and cleared encroachments from there. At least 12 carts and rehris were confiscated from the spot and all those except farmers were asked to shut shop. Naveen Malhotra, superintendent in the tehbazaari wing, said except farmers all others were asked to leave the mandi. “These mandis are only for farmers, who come to the city for selling their produce,” he said. However, after the MC team left, the traders were spotted selling their produce by parking their rehris along the road.
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GLADA auctions 11 plots for
Rs 6.13 crore
Ludhiana, December 7 On offer were 15 freehold residential plots -- a plot of 300 sq yards, four plots each of 150 and 100 sq yards and six plots of 125 sq yards -- all of them with a reserve price of Rs 35,222 per sq yard. Of these, three plots measuring 125 sq yards and another measuring 100 sq yards remained unsold due to lack of interest for these particular plots among the bidders. The highest successful bid for a plot of 150 sq yards was Rs 43,050 per sq yard whereas the lowest successful bid was Rs 36,600 per sq yard. The total sale proceeds of the plots was almost 10 per cent higher than the reserve price. The bidders for the plots were required to deposit an eligibility fee of Rs 50,000 for each site and the successful bidders were to pay 10 per cent of the total cost of the plot at the fall of the hammer. Another 15 per cent towards the sale price of the plot is payable within 30 days of the auction while the balance payment could either be made in lumpsum within 60 days of the issue of the allotment letter or in six equated half-yearly instalments with 12 per cent interest, GLADA officials said.
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India has largest young population
Ludhiana, December 7 "India has the largest young population in the world and its median age is about 24 compared 38 for Europe, 30 for China and 40 for Japan. To achieve targeted growth, India has to create skilled manpower of 500 million (50 crores) by 2020. Therefore, India needs to increase the skilled workforce from the current 5 per cent to about 50 per cent. This centre is an initiative to set up a platform for India's youth to work towards the betterment of society with their talent," said Upkar Singh. Avtar Singh, general secretary, CICU said India is one of the progressive economies in the world but the country still has many challenges and one of which is the huge gap in proper skill development and vocational training to match up to the increasing pace of globalization and technological changes taking place in the world. Countries with higher and better levels of skills adjust more effectively to the challenges and opportunities of globalization. As India moves progressively towards becoming a knowledge centre, it becomes increasingly important that the focus on advancement of skills should be relevant to the emerging economic development.
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ASHA workers demand better wages
Anupam Bhagria Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, December 7 ASHA workers demanded that they should be given better wages for this work. They also warned of boycotting the campaign launched by the state government. Two days ago, Director Health Services, Punjab, had instructed all the district health departments to make an appeal to the ASHA workers to conduct the survey. The director, however, said that the workers should not be forced to conduct the survey, as the government wanted a quality survey. Assistant Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, Dr Kaushal Saini said, "Following the instructions of the Director Health Services, we made an appeal to the ASHA workers to help us in conducting this survey. As far as their demand of incentives is concerned, we will forward their memorandum to the higher authorities." He further said that in case the ASHA workers refused to carry out the cancer awareness survey, the department would deploy ANMs. Meanwhile, on the sixth day of the cancer survey, volunteers deployed by the district health department covered 61,601 houses and 3,18,650 people. Of these 634 people are suspected of suffering from cancer.
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CM’s promise of providing employment on compassionate grounds remains on paper
Ludhiana, December 7 Parvati’s husband Santosh Kumar was shot dead by dreaded terrorist Balbir Singh Bhootna at the railway station on August 25, 2009. In another incident, Ajay Kumar, a private helper of ASI Gurdial Singh, had sustained bullet injuries while overpowering snatchers at Vishal Nagar on May 18, 2011. After both the incidents, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had assured jobs to Parvati and Ajay, but both of them are still shuttling from one office to another in the hope of getting a job. Ajay Kumar (36), who earned accolades for his exemplary display of bravery, as he tried to nab armed snatchers along with ASI Gurdial Singh, says that besides the CM, other senior police officials visiting the hospital had also assured him of a job in the police department. However, soon Ajay's courageous act was forgotten. Ajay says that he is being made to run from pillar to post for a job in the Punjab Home Guard. Parvati, wife of tea vendor Santosh Kumar, has a similar story to tell. The state government had recently rejected Parvati's plea for a government job on the grounds that the incident was not an act of terrorism. The rejection of job by the government had come as a bolt to Parvati, as CM Parkash Singh Badal had hailed Santosh's heroism. "I have three children to take care of and have exhausted all the money that was given during the time of Santosh's death. I do not know what to do and where to go, as the government has not kept its promise," said Parvati.
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Mayor plans a ‘green’ birthday for CM, to plant 87 saplings
Ludhiana, December 7 CM Parkash Singh Badal is in the city to take part in a function at Punjab Agricultural University, where he will be conferred an honorary doctorate, along with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and three others. Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria has decided to plant 87 tree saplings in different parts of the city. “I will be meeting the Chief Minister today evening and will request him to grace us with his presence during the plantation drive,” said the Mayor. The green cover in Ludhiana has been depleting slowly and over the years. Even the green belts and parks are being neglected. The Mayor said to address this situation, he had decided to celebrate the Chief Minister’s birthday in a new manner. “Instead of just cutting a cake, I have decided to plant 87 tree saplings in different parts of the city. We will start this plantation drive at SCD Government College. Each tree guard will have a small plank mentioning that th tree was planted on the CM’s birthday,” said the Mayor. He also assured that none of the saplings planted during the drive will dry up. Former minister Hira Singh Gabria will celebrate the CM’s birthday at his office in Labour Colony, Gill Road, at 10am.
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Expert shares tips on how to keep livestock healthy in winter
Ludhiana, December 7 The expert said that curtains should be used in the sheds of loose housing system to obstruct the flow of wind for animals. Curtains can be made from tarpaulin, bamboo, dry grass, paddy straw, guinea bags, jute etc. Shady trees around the shed should be trimmed to encourage the infiltration of sunlight in the shed which will not only provide warmth but will also disinfect the animal houses due to action of ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, animals should be permitted under direct sun exposure during daytime in open paddocks. Shed of animals and its floor should not remain wet and cool for longer periods of time. This may expose the animals, especially younger ones, to various ailments like pneumonia, fever, coccidiosis, diarrhoea and even death in severe cases. Suitable bedding to the depth of 4 to 6 inches in large animals and 2 inches for smaller animals should be provided on puccaa (concrete) floor as direct contact of animal with cold floor will leads to more body heat loss through conduction. Paddy straw, dry grass, wheat bhusa, saw dust, rice husk etc. could be used as bedding material. Proper ventilation must be ensured during winters. Shed should be cleaned at least twice in a day for proper disposal of wastes and minimum piling up of ammonia gases. The experts further added that animals should be cleaned regularly with clean cloth or some brush. Hair of animals should not be clipped during winters. Bathing of animals with cold water during winter should be avoided. Animals should be provided with good nutritious and balanced diet during winters. Berseem, most abundantly available green fodder, has high protein percentage and water content, can easily support production level of lactating and growing animals. Besides, de-worming should be repeated 21 days after the initial dose to stop other worm eggs and larvae in their additional stages of development. One should use suitable acaricides in the shed and on animals to control this problem.
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Mathematics fair
Ludhiana: A mathematic sfair was organised by the students of primary wing of Guru Nanak Public School. It was held to celebrate National Year of Mathematics and to dedicate it to the great mathematician, Ramanujan. Students displayed charts, models and exhibits. To promote practical understanding of concepts like weight-capacity, measurements, ascending and descending order complete the patterns, and use of abacus. Contributions made by great mathematicians were highlighted. One minute games based on problem solving ability were organized. Sports day
Sports day was celebrated at Tagore Public School, Aggar Nagar, for its Kindergarten Section. The motto of the day was that participation is more important than winning. The main events were flat race, frog race, relay race, tricycle and spoon race. Declamation contest
Akriti Arora, a Class Xth, student of Ram Lal Bhasin Public School, Phase I, Dugri, Ludhiana, has won the first position in the declamation contest organised by Punjab the State Electricity Board on the Conservation of Energy, held at Tagore International School Sahnewal. In the competition around 15 schools from the city participated. Students selected
Students of Spring Dale Public School have been selected for the National Children Science Congress. Winning position in the junior category at the State-Level Children Science Congress-2012 held at this month, the project from Spring Dale has been selected for the national level. Overall 315 students and 134 teachers, District Science Supervisors (DSS) and six resource persons from various schools of Punjab participated in the competition. Out of 120 project reports presented on the theme "Energy-Explore, Harness and Conserve", our project was selected among the top eight projects for the National Level. Celebrated
Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Nanak Dev was celebrated at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Public School. Kirtan, sakhi, poems and speeches were rendered by students of primary and senior section. Guru Ka Langar was organized at the school. Project on sand dunes
A group project work on sand dunes was undertaken by the students of Bal Bharati Public School. More than 50 students made variety of models depicting sand dunes. They prepared folders on different types of sand dunes focusing on climatic conditions and the similarities and dissimilarities. The music and the attire of the particular countries were displayed along with the dunes. As part of the project children had visited Jaisalmer to get first hand information about the story of the sand dunes. Green grocer day
Green grocer day was celebrated by Montessori wing at Ryan International School. A virtual vegetable market was created by keeping as variety of vegetables. The children learned to buy vegetables in exchange of money, which was an initiation at their level towards commercial activity. The students observed the market and gained practical knowledge of the aforesaid concept. — TNS
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Farmers get tips from experts during camp at PAU
Tribune News Service
LUDHIANA, DECEMBER 7 PPS Pangli, president of the club, said that cooperative farming, production and marketing of vegetables and fruits are being promoted by the club. He impressed upon the farmers to bring 25 per cent of their niche areas under maize, groundnut, vegetables and pulses. Welcoming the participants and the resource persons, Dr TS Riar, coordinator of the club, highlighted, "The Panjab Agricultural University has enrolled farmers as "Kisan Doots" in each village of Punjab for timely dissemination of farm technologies." He exhorted the farmers to contribute significantly as Panjab Agricultural University ambassadors. During the camp, the participating farmers said that they would make every effort to promote farm diversification in the state. The kisan club members were educated about the cultivation of seasonal flowers, maintenance of lawns, and value addition to cereals. Apart from this, the experts delved upon prospects for the investors in India and abroad and provided tips for safe drinking water. Workshop on production of low-cost napkins
A two-day training workshop on production of low cost sanitary napkins from cotton knitwear waste has been initiated by Punjab State Council for Science and Technology in collaboration with the Punjab Agricultural University. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhavana Chanana, Associate Professor, Lady Irwin College, New Delhi, who has developed the prototype for production of low cost sanitary napkins with the support of Department of Science and Technology. The technology developed by her has received 'Societal Innovation Award' from National Research Development Corporation, an undertaking of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Dr Jatinder Kaur Arora, Additional Director, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) informed that based on the technology, PSCST in collaboration with Panjab Agricultural University is making first-of-its-kind pilot unit for production of low cost sanitary napkins operational through Global Women Self-Help Group at Village Ayali Khurd, Ludhiana. Dr. Bhavana informed that in total, 8 such units are being set up with in Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Maghalaya. All the units will be marketing the sanitary napkins under common brand name 'Suvidha' which is expected to cost about Rs 2 each with quality parameters comparable to branded counterparts available in Indian market. Dr Neelam Grewal, Dean, College of Home Science, Panjab Agricultural University added that PAU will be providing day-to-day hand-holding and quality assurance support for the sanitary napkins to be produced by Global Women Self-Help Group under this pilot project.
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Women need training to combat eve-teasers,
feel residents
Ludhiana, December 7 Kanwalpreet Brar, deputy excise and taxation commissioner, said these days women need to be strong enough to face any situation. As a rule, every family should teach the female members how to handle such situations, she said. "The incident that happened in Amritsar was very unfortunate and to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future, we need to handle the situation more sensibly," she said. Manmeet Sodhia, director of Ivaana Institute of fashion technology and hotel management, said, "Although women are at par with men, they cannot beat them when it comes to such physical violence. The incident is shocking and surely shows that women are not safe in this society.” Monika Khurana, president of children and women welfare council, said that it was difficult to go out for a walk too. "If a woman raises her voice against such misbehavior, she has to go through various formalities, including visiting a police station and lodging a complaint. Women, therefore, prefer not to speak, but this practice needs to be checked. If the families of those who are themselves in the police force are not safe, then what else can be expected from the system?" said Khurana. Jyotsana Banerjee, a bank employee, said she was shocked to read about the incident that happened in Amritsar. "I am also a working woman and many times come across such situations. Woman today are definitely not safe. They need to know how to handle the situation tactfully and carefully, and should always carry a pepper spray in their handbags for handling an emergency." she said.
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Old industrial units seek exemption
Ludhiana, December 7 These units were constructed according to the old maps and find it difficult to adjust to the new zoning plan. The owners of these units face problem whenever they have to renew any of their licenses or get an NOC from the department of industries. According to the new plan, it is compulsory to keep at least 40 per cent of the space vacant in the unit. Some space should be kept open on the front yard, some on the backyard and there should also be a passage on either side of the unit. Badish Jindal, president of the Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association, said as the government failed to provide new focal points to the industry, the units kept expanding within the space available. Now, the units fail to fulfil the conditions set by the new zoning plan, and face difficulty in getting NOCs, he said. “The new zoning plan should not be imposed on old units as they are built differently,” said Sudesh Kumar, another industrialist.
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Three-day Punjab Police duty meet concludes
Phillaur, December 7 Over 217 police personnel of the six participating police zones of the state, namely Border zone, Jalandhar zone, Patiala zone, Bathinda zone, Combined zone and PAP zone, the Combined zone, which included participants predominantly from the training and intelligence wings of the Punjab police, won the overall trophy for displaying excellence in the fields of computer awareness, police photography, videography and shooting competitions. The Border zone won the first prize in the discipline of scientific aids to investigation, whereas in the domains of anti-sabotage checking and police dogs competitions of Bathinda zone was adjudged the best. PAP zone won the Police bands contest while Jalandhar and Patiala zones despite laudable performances by some of their contestants in individual events could not make it to the overall best in any of the total eight disciplines. The winners of the different events, who were decorated with medals during the concluding ceremony, will represent the Punjab Police in the All India Police Duty Meet to be held in Bhopal in the beginning of the coming year.
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Respite for core area residents
Ludhiana, December 7 A few days back, MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma had said the core area residents will have to pay these charges, unless they were exempted by the House. The core area is a densely populated area, and the TP (town planning) scheme does not apply there. His orders stated that at the time of taking a TS1 certificate, the residents will have to pay development charges and composition charges (see box), clear water supply and sewerage dues and take a no objection certificate from these departments. These charges were mandatory for buildings that were at least five years old and were located in the non-scheme areas. The non-scheme areas are either illegal colonies; or those areas that have not been developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust, Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), or Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA); or are not a part of the town planning scheme; or do not fall on the revenue roads. The BJP as well as Congress councillors had been opposing the MC Commissioner’s orders, and had also raised the matter with the Mayor. While speaking to The Tribune, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria said that he had clearly told the MC Commissioner and the MC staff that the residents of core area should not be charged any development fee or composition fee. “We will also pass this resolution in the next MC General House meeting, but till then, residents will be exempted from paying any such dues,” informed the Mayor.
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Business partners arrested
Jagraon, December 7 In his statement to the police, Sawadi’s son Jagdeep Singh, had alleged that his father was murdered due to a money dispute. Gurpreet Singh alias Choji, and his uncle Jatinder Singh Chaddha, allegedly owed Rs 29 lakh to the deceased, their close friend and business partner. The police has arrested the two and one Gursewak Singh alias Rinpy. Darshan Singh and two of the accused jointly owned liquor vends in the area for the past many years. Their camaraderie was well known to the people of the area. Darshan Singh used to spend most of his time at the office of the finance company owned by Chaddha and his nephew. There were also very warm relationship between the families of the accused and the deceased, till Darshan Singh filed a complaint against Chaddha and his nephew for not returning his money, only a couple of days before the murder on Monday. The police officials are meanwhile waiting for the laboratory report of the bullet removed from the body of the deceased.
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Man ‘rapes’ sister
Mandi Gobindgarh, Dec 7 The victim, a resident of Gandhi Nagar, alleged that her brother, Mandeep Sharma, used to visit her in-laws house and forcibly raped her in the absence of other family members. A case under Sections 376, 506 of the IPC has been registered against the accused. The police is yet to nab the accused.
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Information commission issues warrants against GNDEC Principal
Ludhiana, December 7 MS Saini has been asked to be present before the court of RI Singh, Chief Information Commissioner, during the next date of hearing on January 16. The orders were issued after Saini failed to appear before the State Information Commission. Saini had been asked to appear before the commission after he failed to provide certain documents to a professor, Pardeep Jaiswal, who had sought the documents under the RTI Act. Student alleges corporal punishment
A 15-year-old boy was taken to the civil hospital after being beaten up by a school teacher here today. The boy, identified as Prabhjot Singh, a resident of Kailash Nagar, was rushed to the civil hospital by parents after he complained of corporal punishment. He said he was repeatedly slapped by the teacher. He further claimed that the teacher had hit him with a stick for not doing the homework. 25-year-old commits suicide
A 25-year-old man committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his house in Besant Nagar in Daba area here today. The deceased has been identified as Deepak Kumar. He committed suicide this afternoon. Residents said that Deepak was facing financial crisis and was suffering from depression. His father had died last year, his mother was suffering from paralysis, and his wife deserted him two years ago. Gang busted
The RPF and GRP personnel nabbed five members of the Zehar Khurani gang, who were targeting innocent passengers by offering them food laced with sedatives. They were caught at the railway station this evening following a tip off.
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Ludhiana, December 7
The decision was taken during a meeting of Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria with the MC Commissioner last evening.