Ludhiana, January 5
Even though Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had issued directions that a criminal case be registered against all those installing illegal hoardings in the city, but such hoardings still dot the city at several points. The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (LMC) has not taken any action to remove such hoardings.

Such hoardings are a common sight on almost all prominent roads of the city and most of them carry the photographs of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, and other such senior leaders. That is why, people installing such hoardings often go scot free and even the MC officials seldom take any action against them.

One such illegal hoarding of the NRI Sammelan has been installed alongside the boundary wall of Nehru Rose Garden, opposite Udham Singh Nagar, while several hoardings congratulating senior Akali leaders for their 'elevation' have been put up in the Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar area of the city. Interestingly, the hoardings installed in BRS Nagar have been put up by area councillor Veeran Bedi and her husband Harpreet Singh Bedi.

On August 17 last year, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari had ordered the MC to get an FIR registered against all those installing illegal hoardings in the city. Tewari, Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh and Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma took the decision jointly.

While speaking to The Tribune on August 17, Tewari had said that the Deputy Chief Minister had ordered that all the illegal hoardings should be removed from the city at the earliest. "Residents can install advertisements only on advertising poles of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation. If we find any illegal hoarding installed in any part of the city, we will get an FIR registered against its owner," the DC had told The Tribune.

But when contacted today, the DC said that it was the responsibility of the LMC to get these hoardings removed from the city.

The MC Commissioner said that action would be taken against all those installing illegal hoardings in the city. "The Deputy CM has himself said that even if his photograph is there on any illegal hoarding, the MC should remove it and take action against the violator. We keep on removing all such hoardings and still if any such hoarding is present in any part of the city, we will get them removed," said Verma.

Ludhiana, January 5
The Mayor has alleged that a majority of the workers working in the tehbazaari wing of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation was hand in glove with the encroachers, due to which the anti encroachment drives were not bearing any fruit. He has asked them to fall in line or face action.

"Most of the workers deputed with the tehbazaari wing inform the encroachers about the drive in advance and that is why, anti-encroachment drives do not bear any fruit," said Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, while speaking to The Tribune.

When the Mayor accompanied the tehbazaari wing officials on an anti- encroachment drive today, he was shocked to see that some of the 'rehris' were parked unattended in vacant plots and other such places.

"That is how I came to know that some of our own staff members had informed the encroachers in Ghumar Mandi and Dandi Swami Road about the drive. It is a serious matter and I will take it up with the MC Commissioner. Next time, whenever an anti-encroachment drive is conducted in the city, we will take away the mobile phones of all the tehbazaari staff so that no one is able to leak the information," stated the Mayor.

This morning, the tehbazaari wing conducted an anti-encroachment drive in different parts of the city. The drive started from Aarti Chowk, where several encroachments in front of a famous sweetmeat and 'pakora' shop owner were removed. Later in the day, encroachments were also removed from outside shops in Ghumar Mandi and Dandi Swami Road.

To ensure that the encroachers did not come back on the streets again, another follow up drive was planned in the evening. This time too, the Mayor accompanied the MC officials. "For a long time now, residents have been suggesting that we should conduct follow-up drives too, so that the encroachers don’t get a chance to indulge in such illegal practice," said Mayor Gohalwaria.

Ludhiana, January 5
Six robbers looted a truck carrying 17 quintals of iron/steel, which was parked near the Jalandhar Bypass, this morning.

According to available information, the six robbers took both the driver and his aide as hostage, and tied them to a tree on Hambran Road and fled. The police came to know about the incident when passers-by saw the driver and and his aide tied to a tree. The driver told the police that the truck belonged to Ashok Kumar/Raj Kumar Iron Company of Gobindgarh.

Inspector Dharampal, SHO, Salem Tabri, said that as per the statement of the driver, Raju, at 2:30 am, they reached near the Jalandhar bypass for weighing and they went off to sleep over there. At 3 am, some youths with weapons arrived in another vehicle. They then took the driver and his aide on the Hambram Road in their vehicle and tied them to a tree. They then drove away the truck to some other place.

Ludhiana, January 5
The traffic police will register cases against those encroaching upon roads. As the Municipal Corporation, in association with the Traffic Police and the District Transport Department, cleared Aarti Chowk and Ghumar Mandi of encroachments, the message was clear - encroachments are a traffic hazard and the defaulters will not be spared.

Traffic in charge Jasmine Kaur said, "The message is clear that in future, case will be registered against violators. To bring about improvement in the city, we need to join hands and take action against the defaulters."

Meanwhile, commuters and shopkeepers felt that a "follow-up" by the authorities was a must to bring about improvement in the city. "Traffic is the main problem in here. Several such drives have been initiated by the authorities concerned, but still the encroachments, drunken-driving, traffic violations go unabated. The authorities must not succumb to political pressure in dealing with the defaulters", said Swaranjit Singh, a senior citizen and a shopkeeper in Ghumar Mandi.

Ludhiana, January 5
The development schemes being run by the Central Government do not have the desired results because of the lackadaisical attitude adopted by the state government.

Local MP and Union Minister of State (Independent charge) Manish Tewari made this admission while talking to The Tribune.

Tewari was in the city to chair a meeting of the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee held at Bachat Bhavan here today.

Tewari said that the Central Government was funding several schemes for the developmental purposes, but “unfortunately” the real “impact” of the schemes could not be seen.

"The Government of India is spending crores of rupees on the betterment of the people in villages. Audits show that funds have been utilised, but we need to see the improved quality of life for which the money has been spent,” said Tewari.

While addressing the representatives from various departments and block development officials (BDOs), Tewari said that the BDOs must adopt a village and make sure that the masses are able to reap the benefits from the large number of Central Government funded schemes, and then "holistically" see how much quality had been improved. "We don’t have to see in terms of spending of government funds; we need to see how much improvement we have brought in villages,” said the MP.

When certain members raised an objection that the BDOs never took them into confidence before executing any scheme, Tewari said that the elected representatives from any political party must be taken into confidence for the real development of villages.

On a question, raised by an NGO, which stated that under the National Rural Health Mission, adolescent girls were not being educated properly by the lady doctors, Tewari asked the health authorities to take the help of private female doctors.

He also showed "displeasure" towards the failure of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in providing a proper reply to the Government of India regarding the grant utilisation. He also asked the higher officials, including Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari and ADC (D) Rishipal Singh to circulate the labour-budget copies to the members for better governance.

Tewari also asked the top officials to provide details about mining problem in the district so that these could be discussed and solved at the earliest. Besides, the representatives from various departments were asked to accomplish their tasks within stipulated time.

Ludhiana, January 4
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation officials are trying hard to bear the cold wave. Apart from using the age-old ways of wearing woolen caps, gloves and mufflers, several MC officials are also seen wearing long overcoats these days.

Besides woolen clothes, the officials say, they have also made some alterations to their eating habits.

“I have made it a point to consume at least two ‘pinnis’ made of real seeds and jaggery, because my grandmother used to tell us that these should be consumed only during winter. Whenever, I come to the office, I bring at least one such ‘pinni’ each for my colleagues,” said one of the MC officials working at the Zone-D office.

Most of the MC offices do not have power sockets in rooms, due to which the officials can not turn on heaters or blowers.

Even the consumption of tea has increased manifolds in offices. “For many years, we didn’t have cold winters. This time, however, the temperature has dipped drastically, and whenever the wind blows, it becomes very difficult for people working in offices. That is why the consumption of tea in our office has increased,” said another MC official working in the Zone-A office.

Ludhiana, January 5
Going out for a morning or evening walk is not always good for health. Elderly and people having heart disease should avoid going out in extreme winters, say doctors.

Dr HS Bedi, head of the cardiovascular surgery department, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, said: “Elderly and heart patients should avoid going out for a walk in the morning and evening as there remains risk of heart attack if they are suffering from high blood pressure or suffering a heart ailment. In extreme temperature, arteries shrink, blood gets thicker and blood pressure increases. The problem gets aggravated if one is already suffering from a heart disease.’’

He said for such patients, afternoon walk always proves useful as sunlight is a good source of vitamin D.

Medical superintendent of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Dr Sandip Puri said: “People who are diabetic, heart patients or those suffering from hypertension should preferable avoid going out in extreme cold. The chances of infection and breathlessness always remain.

Dr Satish Naurhia, a skin specialist, said: “Sebaceous gland and sweat glands work less and thus secrete less in the old age. When patients go out for walk in extreme winters, their skin gets affected.” 

Ludhiana, January 5
The cremation of the US-based NRI woman Balwant Kaur, who was murdered at her house in Bachittar Nagar recently, will be held tomorrow. The family was waiting for the arrival of her daughters from abroad.

A police official said that they were close to cracking the case. Meanwhile, the relatives of the victim are still in a state of shock over the tragic death.

Ludhiana, January 5
To give a competition to its rival China, the local cycle industry is gearing up and is establishing a Bicycle Research and Development Organisation. The motive behind forming this organisation is to change the aesthetic look of bicycles in micro, small and medium enterprises sector.

The organisation will help modify the old look of bicycles in small sector. While the big players have already jazzed up the bicycles, small manufacturers are gearing up to come up with bicycles to match the modern needs of customers.

"The aim of forming the organisation is to give a new look to bicycles that are manufactured in medium and small sector. Customers like fancy bicycles, especially children. We want customers to prefer Indian bicycles over Chinese," said Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of the United Cycle and Parts Association.

Fifty members have become members of the association which also includes Hero and Avon. The director of industries will be the chairman of the organisation. A grant of Rs 7.5 crore has already been sanctioned for the project by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

One of the members of the organisation belonging to the MSME sector said: “There are many things that are still to become a part of the cycle industry belonging to small sector. For example, electric paint that the big wigs use is still a dream for small and medium manufacturers like us. I am looking forward as this organisation starts working and small manufacturers will be able to give a new look to the century-old model of bicycle.” 

Ludhiana, January 5
There is a greater incidence of cancer in women than men in the Ludhiana district. The women suffer from breast and uterus cancer. This has been found in the recently conducted survey by the health department during the cancer awareness campaign.

Dr Kaushal Saini, assistant civil surgeon, Ludhiana, said:"We found more women suffering from cancer in the survey. Though men also suffer from breast cancer, cancer of reproductive organs and lung cancer."

Dr Saini said: “As many as 3,169 persons have been found suffering from cancer. While 3,945 died of cancer in past five years, 5,811 have symptoms of cancer in the population of 37,76,824."

The figure seems to be alarming. But Dr Saini said:"It is not alarming as in the population of 38 lakh, only 0.08% have been found suffering from cancer. This is equivalent to the world figures.”

The health department started conducting the survey from December 1, 2012, under which it covered 7,49,355 houses. 

Ludhiana, January 5
"I feel connected with Ludhiana due to Ishmeet Singh,” said Vipul Mehta, winner of TV reality show Indian Idol. Vipul was in the city for the promotion of his debut album "Hello, Namaste, Sat Sri Akal".

"Ishmeet was the best singer from the winners of reality shows. He was my good friend and I have learnt a lot from him. He was a focused singer and he has made Ludhiana and Punjab proud.”

Vipul has sung seven tracks in his debut album of different genres, highlights his versatile and powerful voice.

Showing his love to mother tongue Punjabi, Vipul has sung a Punjabi Song 'Rowan mein' in his album. He sung revamped versions of the classic songs 'Har kisi ko nahin milta' and 'Dil kya kare' as a tribute to legendary singers. Vipul has also sung three original tracks for the album titled 'Tere pyar ton', 'Kya karoon' and 'Rowan mein'.

The tracks "Tere pyar ton' and "Rowan mein" have been produced by acclaimed Pakistani producer Ali Mustafa.

Talking about his album, Vipul said: "I have chosen a different title for the album. I worked hard on all tracks. But "Rowan mein" is a song which is very close to my heart". 

FAKE SOLVENCY CERTIFICATES

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 5
With intent to avoid accidents due to poor visibility in foggy conditions, the circle Ahmedgarh police has constituted special teams to ensure clearance of roads in their respective areas.

This was announced during the inaugural session of the 24th Road Safety Week held at Phallewal village near here on Friday afternoon.

Yadwinder Singh, district general secretary of the SAD, inaugurated the session and Sukhdev Singh Walia, director, Guru Harkrishan Educational Trust, was the chief guest. Tirlochan Singh, traffic in charge presided over the function.

Referring to the outcome of the session, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhdev Singh Virk said beat in charges supervised by SHO, Sadar, Gurpartap Singh and SHO, city, Jasbir Singh had been advised to ensure that any obstructions on roads falling under their respective areas should be removed immediately.

Besides spreading awareness about causes and consequences of road accidents through handbills and pamphlets, the police launched an awareness drive through public announcement systems installed at religious places. 

Ludhiana, January 5
The 27th edition of the sports festival to be organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club at Jarkhar village near here will be held from January 14 to 17.

This information was given by Narinder Pal Singh Sidhu, chairman of the club. Although the competitions will start on January 14, the formal inaugural ceremony is slated for January 15. The opening function will be held under floodlights, said Sidhu.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia released the festival sticker at the games venue, Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium, Jarkhar, yesterday. MLAs Darshan Singh Shivalik and Manpreet Singh Ayali along with Indermohan Singh Kadian, Sarpanch Dupinder Singh, Parminder Singh Brar and president of the club Advocate Harkamal Singh were among other dignitaries present on this occasion.

Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, spokesperson of the club, informed that during this four-day event, popularly known as the Modern Rural Mini Olympics, hockey (boys and girls), kabaddi (academies), kabaddi (one village), kabaddi (girls), handball, volleyball, and basketball (boys and girls) competitions will be conducted.

A total prize money of Rs 12 lakh will be distributed among the position holders, said Jarkhar. "The procession that will carry the games' torch from the Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, to the venue will include players of national and international level, besides popular Punjabi singers," added Jarkhar.

Punjabi singer Harjeet Harman will regale the spectators during the inaugural function, while folk singers Diljeet and Harbhajan Mann will entertain the audience on the concluding day.

The organisers will honour prominent personalities for outstanding contributions to their respective fields — Rajdeep Singh Gill, former DGP, Punjab, and president of Basketball Federation of India; Punjabi folk singer Pammi Bai; editor-in-chief, PTC Channel, Ritesh Likhi; Sardara Singh, former captain of the national hockey team; and Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association.

Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Punjab Minister, will inaugurate the festival and Bikramjit Singh Majithia will be the chief guest on the final day.

Ludhiana, January 5
According to a recent research, blood test can reveal the health of a person’s gums.

Dr Bhanu Partap Singh, a postgraduate student of Himachal Dental College, Sunder Nagar, during his research, found that patients suffering from gums disease had less haemoglobin and red blood corpuscles (RBCs).

He collected data from 60 persons, out of whom 20 were having healthy gums, 20 had moderately healthy gums, while the remaining 20 had gums with severe problem. The reports of their blood tests were also collected.

It was seen that people with healthy gums had good level of haemoglobin, while those with moderately healthy gums had lesser RBCs. The people suffering from severe gums problem, meanwhile, had less haemoglobin, less RBCs and more WBCs.

Dr Singh had conducted the research under the guidance of Dr Vikas Jindal, director and principal of the college. Dr Jindal said that on the basis of the research, it was concluded that people with gums disease had lesser blood count.

Commenting on the research results, Dr Manisha Parbhakar, director-cum-principal, Sarabha Dental College, said: "Unhealthy gums lead to a fall in Hb and RBCs. We have also observed it."

Dr Gina Singh, head of department of periodontology at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, said: "Nutritional deficiency always affects level of haemoglobin and RBCs. People should consume food rich in Vitamin-C to keep their gums healthy. Regular dental check up is also must for all."

Calling gums disease a painless disease, Dr RBS Thind, another city-based dental surgeon, said, "Blood is a very important fluid of our body. People should immediately get bleeding gums treated."

Ludhiana, January 5
The infighting in the Knitwear Club has re-surfaced once again. It seems that sending letters to the media regarding internal problems of the club has become a routine affair with the officials of the club.

The controversy started when Drashan Dawar, president of Knitwear Club, shot letters to mediapersons asking them to publish only those reports that were sent by the president and general secretary of the club.

After the incident, the members of the club tried to solve the issue amicably, but all efforts went in vain. Now Harish Kairpal, treasurer of the club, has shot letters to mediapersons stating that the club was facing problems due to its own president and the general secretary.

"Many bills and salaries are pending and I ask them to solve the problems of the club and if they don't corporate, the club will soon be closed. The president and the general secretary are misusing their powers," added Harish Kirpal.

Meanwhile, Darshan Dawar said the bank account of the club had been frozen due to which they were not able to release the salaries of the employees. “On Monday, I will pay salaries to the employees from my own pocket," he added.

Samrala, January 5
The Samrala police has arrested seven persons and has registered a case of hurting religious sentiments against them. The accused were reportedly distributing books that according to the police were hurting religious sentiments.

A social organisation came to know about it and after reading the books they reported the matter to the police. The police registered a case under sections 295-A and 120-B of the IPC. The accused were later sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

SHO Harjinder Singh Samrala said pamphlets, books and the jeep being used by the accused were seized. — OC

Ludhiana, January 5
As many as 13 students of Guru Gobind Singh Public School will be participating in an international karate event, Indo-Nepal Karate Championship 2012-13, to be held in Nepal from January 8.

The team, comprising mostly of girl students, got selected for this championship on the basis of their performance in state, North India, and national karate championships.

Manjit Kaur, school principal, said students will depart for the venue on January 6 and will return by January 11.

"To counter the crimes against women in our country, the government is focusing on the self-defence education of girls. Our school has become the pioneer in this programme, as we had started this training much earlier. Karate coach Ashok trains all these students on the school premises,” she said.

Students also brought laurels to the school by being selected for the international event of soft tennis. They participated in the National School Soft Tennis Championship held at Devas, Madhya Pradesh.