Ludhiana, January 16
The mobile tower menace has spread its tentacles in the city to such an extent that now people on whose premises such towers are installed have themselves started getting these removed or sealed. Two mobile towers, installed on properties owned by a family, were sealed by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation in different parts of the city today.

The family which owns these properties said after the installation of these mobile towers, they were facing a social stigma. Their neighbours had stopped speaking to them and had stopped inviting them to social functions as they felt that the family had brought "disease" on their doorstep.

While one mobile tower was sealed today today on the rooftop of a factory located on RK Road, the other one was sealed in Shastri Nagar here.

Aseem Kalra, owner of both properties where the mobile towers were sealed, urged residents not to "fall prey" to telecommunication companies who lure people for the installation of mobile towers.

In 2004, Kalra had got a mobile tower installed on the rooftop of his factory on RK Road here. Soon, labour working in the factory started complaining of headache. "Initially we didn't take it seriously, but later when labourers left their jobs, we had to close our factory. It was then that we realised that the problem was big," said Assem Kalra while talking to Ludhiana Tribune.

Kalra did not learn a lesson from it and in April 2007, he got another mobile tower installed on the rooftop of his house in B Block of Shastri Nagar here.

"As both my parents had retired and our factory had closed down, we thought we would get another tower installed for some extra income. The amount was not big as we were getting around Rs 6,000 as rent for each tower. We soon realised our mistake after my father, Surinder Kalra, suffered a heart attack in July 2007. It was then that we decided to get the mobile towers removed because by that time even our neighbours had stopped speaking to us. We were not even invited to social gatherings in the area because the entire area felt that we were playing with their lives, which, I admit, was true," said Aseem Kalra.

Getting a mobile tower removed was not an easy job. "I wrote more than 240 letters to government departments for the removal of these towers. None of these came to my rescue. Finally, when I discussed the matter with an NGO, it raised my issue with the MC and the towers were finally sealed today," said Kalra.

It did not end there as soon after the MC officials left his house, Aseem started getting threatening calls from company officials. "A group of five persons came to our house and pushed my mother aside when she stopped them from going upstairs. And when my mother raised the alarm, they left in a jiffy. I have informed the police and will soon file a written complaint in this regard," he said.

Kalra appealed to all city residents not to allow mobile towers on their premises. "My father is sick and our factory has closed down due to radiations emitted by the mobile towers. When we asked company officials to get the radiation levels checked, instead of getting these checked from a government agency, they themselves checked these, which was a sham. By getting such towers installed on our houses, we only invite diseases," Assem Kalra said.

Ludhiana, January 16
A fountain situated in a park in the middle of the main market in Model Town has been lying non-functional for the past more than seven years. Despite several requests by area shopkeepers, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has failed to get it repaired. The shopkeepers say that the MC should either get the fountain repaired or get it removed.

The shopkeepers say the park where the fountain is situated is in bad shape. The MC has never maintained it and the shopkeepers had tried to maintain it by spending money from their pockets.

Amarjit Singh, president of the Model Town Market Association, said the association had written to the MC Commissioner and the Mayor several times.

“The fountain has been lying non-functional for the past more than seven years. We had tried to make it functional long ago but our effort did not succeed as the fountain requires regular maintenance and we don’t have enough funds for that. We want the fountain to be removed from the spot since there is a threat of diseases like dengue. If the MC agrees, the park should be converted into a parking lot,” said Amarjit Singh.

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria said he had asked the Executive Engineer of the horticulture branch to make sure that the park was maintained properly. “The fountain will be made operational by allocating funds for the purpose. I assure the shopkeepers of the Model Town main market that all their problems will be solved on a priority basis,” said the Mayor.

Ludhiana, January 16
Three students of Guru Gobind Singh School, Thakkarwal village, were injured when their school bus overturned on the Kheri-Jhameri road here this afternoon after the driver lost control over the vehicle. The injured students have been admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where their condition is said to be stable.

The driver of the school bus, Kewal Singh, has been arrested by the Sadar police. There were around 45 students on the bus who were going home after the school got over. Near the Kheri-Jhameri road, the driver lost control over the vehicle and it overturned, injuring three students, Harshpreet Kaur, Amanpreet Singh, both students of Class VIII, and Dharampreet Singh, a student from Class VII.

The three students received fractures and head injuries and were taken to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable. 

Jagraon, January 16
The mystery shrouding the high-profile murder of Akali leader and former president of the Jagraon Truck Union Darshan Singh Sawadi continues even though a month and a half has passed since the murder took place. The local police has failed to crack the mystery surrounding the murder and the investigation has made little progress so far.

Darshan Singh was shot dead on December 3 morning last year on the outskirts of his native village Sawadi near Jagraon. Darshan Singh was allegedly shot dead by some unidentified persons while he was out for a morning walk. The police had found the body of the victim in a closed brick factory situated outside Sawadi village.

In the absence of any substantive evidence with the police, the whole investigation into the murder case now depends upon the forensic report of the bullet removed by doctors from the forehead of the deceased during the postmortem examination. The police had sent the bullet for forensic examination to a forensic laboratory in Mohali. The investigating team is waiting for the laboratory report. Police officials say the forensic report of the bullet was vital in cracking the murder mystery.

The licensed revolver of the victim has been missing since the incident, which has made the investigation more complex. The recovery of this revolver may help solve the case, but the police has failed to recover the revolver.

The police had booked three persons, Gurpreet Singh, alias Choji, his uncle Jatinder Singh Chaddha and Gursewak Singh, alias Rimpy, on a charge of killing Darshan Singh on the basis of a statement given by the victim's son, Jagdeep Singh. The police has failed to arrest any of the accused.

The accused used to run a finance company in Jagraon. They were also partners of the victim in a business of liquor vends. Their ties turned sour following a dispute over money some time ago. The victim had got a a police case registered against Gurpreet Singh, alias Choji, and Jatinder Singh Chaddha for not returning his money a couple of days before his murder.

The investigating officer, SHO Rachpal Singh, said the police was working on different theories. "We have got some leads during the course of investigation, but it would be premature to jump to a conclusion at this stage. We are waiting for the forensic examination report of the bullet, which caused the Darshan Singh's death. The report is likely to disclose many crucial facts, which are not clear yet," said the SHO.

Ludhiana, January 16
The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is all set to give a corporate makeover to its offices. The civic body will be hiring MBA graduates for planning, coordination and management of MC working. Initially, four such graduates will be hired on a contract of one year.

This proposal was approved in the last meeting of the Finance and Contract Committee held on November 1 last year. The MC had received around 400 applications in this regard, of which 80 candidates were shortlisted.

The proposal was mooted when the MC realised that they did not have 'in-house' management professionals for the running, construction and follow-up of the ongoing as well as functional projects.

The minimum qualification fixed for the hiring of these management professionals was an MBA degree and minimum work experience of four years. If selected, the MC will be paying a monthly salary of Rs 35,000 to these professionals, who would be initially hired on a contract of one year.

While speaking to The Tribune, MC Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Verma said when these management professionals join their duties, the working of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation would get better. "Today, I interviewed around 18 candidates and the remaining will be interviewed tomorrow," the MC Commissioner said.

Ludhiana, January 16
Many non-governmental organisations serve the needy and sick. But here are two NGOs, which have been serving opium addicts at the Lord Mahavira Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. They serve these addicts hot milk and rusks in the morning.

Dr SS Dhir, Medical Officer, Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre, Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, said: "We have more than 300 addicts registered here. About 20% of these addicts are street youngsters. About a month ago, the representatives of two NGOs, the Baanke Bihari Sewa Society and the Neelkantth Sewa Society, approached us sought permission from us to serve the addicts milk and rusks. Since then they have been serving milk to these addicts in the morning."

Each addict is served a hot glass of milk and four rusks. Sushil Kumar, a member of the Neelkantth Sewa Society, said: "The milk and rusks are provided to us by the Baanke Bihari Sewa Society and we have volunteered our services to serve the addicts. We provide them hot milk and rusks in quantities easily digestible to them. This way about 10 litres of milk is served to 65 addicts at 11 am daily."

The Neelkanth Sewa Society also serves tea and snacks to patients at the Civil Hospital on every Tuesday and Saturday.

Dr Dhir said: "We are thankful to these NGOs for providing a healthy diet to the addicts who daily come to us for counselling. I wish these addicts might also lead a healthy life. Many of the addicts are street youngsters. They have either left their homes or have been shunt out by their families.

Ludhiana, January 16
State Information Commissioner BC Thakur has directed the Public Information Officer in Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Senior Environmental Engineer’s office here to appear before the commission on January 23 with the relevant records to justify the reasons for not providing the requisite information to an applicant.

The directions have been issued to the officer following an application filed by Ramandeep Singh Ahluwalia, a resident of Kartar Nagar, Amloh Road, Khanna, dated August 30, 2012. Ahluwalia had sought information about manufacturing units/industries with respect to pollution emissions, etc.

The application was forwarded to the PPCB Executive Engineer’s office on September 4. The Senior Environmental Engineer forwarded it to the Regional Office II of the Environmental Engineer, who, on October 17, informed the applicant that the information was available on their website www.ppcb.gov.in.

The State Information Commission found that the response of the Public Information Officer, Senior Environmental Engineer, PPCB Regional Office II, was "not satisfactory". The official website is full of information while the requirement of the applicant (complainant) was limited to only four points. As such, the Public Information Officer has been directed to appear personally before the commission with all the relevant records to justify the reasons for not providing the requisite information to the complainant.

Ludhiana, January 16
The present generation, which has started going against the biological clock by sleeping late at night and getting up too late, has become a victim of psychological, physical and heart problems. Experts say once you disturb the biological clock, it disrupts your healthy life.

It has become a trend nowadays. People usually sleep at midnight and wake up between 8 am and 9 am, i.e. almost three hours after the dawn. Such people fall an easy prey to many problems.

Dr Bishav Mohan, Cardiology Professor at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said: "If we disturb the biological clock, it automatically affects our health and one becomes a victim of psychological, physical and heart problems. Each individual has two types of sleep, i.e. rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS). In the first circle one gets REMS in which one does not get a sound sleep. It is followed by four five circles of NREMS in which one gets a sound sleep. When we sleep late, we pass through REMS but circles of NREMs decrease, which means getting less sound sleep. Second, when we get up late, we face endocrinological problems, i.e. the pattern of hormones also changes. The hormones, which are secreted by the body early in the morning, do not function properly and one feels tired throughout the day. All this leads to diabetes, psychological, physical and heart problems."

Talking about the winters, the cardiologist said: "Longer days (summer days) are tolerable while shorter days are not tolerated easily by the body"

Suggesting yoga at early hours, Dr DS Sandhu, president of the Bharatiya Yog Sansthan, Ludhiana (South), said: "Yoga exercises done in the early hours keep you fit for the whole day and shun many diseases. It also makes a person disciplined. We hold yoga classes at 50 places in the city. Anyone interested can join us." 

Ludhiana, January 16
Jewellers of the city fear that finance ministry's consideration to raise import duty on gold by two percentage points to six per cent might lead to import of gold through illegal channels.

Finance ministry is considering the hike as the surge in demand for the yellow metal threatens to further widen India's current account deficit (CAD).

"Raising the import duty is not a solution. But it will only lead to rise in price. Gold is embedded in our culture. People will not shy away from buying gold, whatever, may be the price. Raising import duty will prove burden on the consumers," said Anand Sikri, president of Ludhiana Jewellers Association.

Adding further, he said, "Hike in import duty will lead to smuggling of gold. To escape the duty, gold will be brought into the country through illegal channels," he said.

Experts say gold has given attractive returns to buyers in recent years and, as long as the trajectory continues, a small duty rise might not deter people from importing gold.

Another jeweller, Ram Parkash, from Ghumar Mandi said gold is already going out of the hands of people. "How high the prices of gold may be, it will not deter people from buying gold. Hike in duty will only result in smuggling and thus creating a huge loss to the exchequer," he said.

Earlier, this month, Finance Minister, P Chidambaram, had said the government might consider steps to make import of gold more expensive to discourage people from buying the unproductive commodity.

Ludhiana, January 16
Illegal shops, located opposite to Sarabha Nagar main market, are dealing “sale” of clothes and other goods from their premises for the past several weeks and the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation officials seem to have closed their eyes. These shops are ‘illegal’ in the sense that they are located in a residential area, as some person has converted a portion of his house into these shops.

Ironically, these shops are located right opposite the Sarabha Nagar main market, which is frequented by a large number of people, including MC officials, and no one seems to be serious enough in taking note of these violations or either the MC officials are not willing to take action against these violators.

Some of the MC’s building branch officials, while requesting anonymity, admit that these violations have been prevailing in this market for several years. But they are not able to take any action against the violators due to alleged political interference.

“These shops were constructed few years ago, but remained locked ever since. But for the past few months, the owner of this house has now opened them and these days, ‘sale’ of a leading clothing and shoe brand is going on there,” said the building branch official.

However, Assistant Town Planner, Surinder Singh Bindra, confirmed that these shops are illegal and are located in a residential area. “The matter came to my notice recently and we would certainly take action against the violator. They cannot do any commercial activity in that particular area because it’s a residential area and not a commercial one. We will seal the shops soon,” claimed Bindra.

Ludhiana, January 16
Gold and silver are not the only precious commodities known to us. While silver has been a favourite after gold, diamond and platinum have now also caught the fancy of individuals.

Even the National Spot Exchange (NSE) had launched E-platinum, an investment product in platinum last year and had received good response from the investors.

"Investors in platinum look for scope of price appreciation beyond gold and platinum is providing better returns than other metals. According to the Bloomberg data over the past year, platinum has given the best returns at 10.5 per cent in dollar terms, while silver returned 3.5 per cent and gold earned 1.5 per cent," said Abhishek Khanna, a broker.

Diamonds are not understood by many and that is why the demand is not much. At the same time, diamonds are expensive and not available for investment. After gold, platinum is emerging as the best bet among precious commodities.

"People are moving away from gold. With gold price skyrocketing, and no certainty in the process, people are moving towards platinum. Diamonds are a costly affair so people are investing in platinum, which in turn is also giving them good results. The only drawback while investing in physical platinum is that one can sale it only to the shopkeeper from where one has bought, said Harish Singla, another jeweller from Civil Lines.

Ludhiana, January 16
Trustees of All-India Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust observed the Black Day here today. They tied black ribbons on their mouths to observe the January16 as the Black Day.

The government had taken out possession of martyr Sukhdev Thapar's ancestral house at Naughara Mohalla in the old city area last year on same day. The house of martyr has been locked from that day. A court case between government and All India Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust has been going on. "We had renovated the house some years back but now all is going into vain as the house has been damaging locked", said Ashok Thapar.

Ludhiana January 16
The students of the Agricultural College of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) blocked the gate no. 2 of university on the third day of their protest against the merger of the batches of BSc (Agriculture, four-year programme) and BSc (Agriculture six-year programme).

The students, led by the activists of the Punjab Agricultural University Student Association (PAUSA), took out a march from Dr Mohinder Singh Randhawa Library to gate no. 2 and staged a dharna for more than half an hour in front of the gate. The students raise slogans against the Vice-Chancellor.

President of PAUSA Parminder Gujar said the PAU authorities had made it an "ego issue". "A single signature for the withdrawal of the Vice-Chancellor's orders can save the students' time. When all the students have been opposing their orders, why the authorities want to force their decision on them?" said Gujar.

Dean, College of Agriculture, PAU, DS Cheema said the merger of the sections had been aimed at having the equal number of students in every section and practical groups. The major objective of the merger of sections was to provide an opportunity to the students to have a better interaction among themselves and with their teachers.

Dr Cheema said during the later four years of the six-year programme, the students of both the streams followed the uniform curriculum till the completion of their degree. Their classes are held together in the same building and their evaluation is done through common examinations.

The students of both the streams stay together in the PAU hostels. Besides, they participate and perform together at different pragorammes, including cultural activities, sports events, and advisory group meetings, which are held irrespective of their stream/class. He said the compulsory three-fold programme (NCC/NSO/NSS) is also common to all the students.

Dr Cheema said, "There is no logic in the indefinite strike of the students. Rather, the decision goes in favour of the student fraternity."

Ludhiana, January 16
Irked government teachers protested against the Punjab Government to depute them for economic survey duty after the school timing.

According to the directions from Director General School Education (DGSE), teachers have to conduct survey after the school timing from January 16 to February 16.

A number of teacher originations including Master Cadre teachers Union, Democratic Employees front, BEd Teacher Front, Math Teachers Association protested against the decision of government and submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner.

While addressing to the teachers, Jagjeet Singh, president, Master Cadre Union said, "It is the violation of Right to Education Act to depute the teachers on non-educational tasks. Now when the teachers are revising the syllabus in schools, Government deputed them for economic survey which will lead to the loss of study."

Teachers are not satisfied with the condition of government that teachers have to conduct survey after school timings.

"During the winter days, it is hard to conduct survey after school timings which is 3.20 pm. If the government wants to depute teachers, then the authorities have to give relaxations from school time for a few hours to conduct this survey.

Meanwhile, teachers also complained that the authorities put their duties for survey in far areas. They demanded to put their duties on nearest stations so they can conduct the survey easily. They also demanded exemption the duties of women teachers, as they are not feel safe during evenings.

Gurbeer Singh Alamgir from Math teacher Association said, "Government can help unemployed youth by deputing them such tasks. The practise of non education work by teachers should stop."

Ludhiana
Workshop: A one-day talk-cum-workshop was organised by the Department of Psychology of Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town on the topic Psychology An Applied Subject. Dr Dwarka Pershad, Additional Professor of Clinical Psychology (retd) PGIMER, Chandigarh apprised the students about the scope of psychology and its role and functions in our daily routine. The students were also taught to study behavioural patterns and various techniques to deal with anger and stress. An exhibition of models was also organised on this occasion.

Multimedia show

The NSS department in collaboration with the NCC unit, arranged a multi-media show for NSS volunteers and NCC cadets. The show was arranged by programme officers and incharge NCC Dr Parkash Verma, Dr Asha Aneja, Parveen Lata and Bharti Sagar. A motivational documentary film was shown to students. The purpose of this was to motivate students to smartly and enthusiastically participate in all activities of the college, enhance their skills and develop their personality and character. Through this film light was thrown on the benefits and incentives the NCC cadets holding 'B' and 'C' certificates can earn.

Conference

Gulzar Group of Institutes organised a National Conference on "Recent Trends in Nanotechnology and Its Applications (RTNA)-2013". The event will take place on 23rd March 2013 at the college campus. It is a high-tech academic meet where the latest theoretical and technological advances on Nano-science and Nanotechnology would be presented and discussed.

Inter-college competition

Jagraon: The Departments of Commerce, Computer Science and Science of Khalsa College for Women, Sidhwan Khurd, near Jagraon organised an Inter-College competition in debate, power point presentation and poster making in the college campus today. College principal Dr Paramjit Kaur graced the occasion as the chief guest and also judged the participants during various competitions. Burning social issues like women protection, empowerment of women, reservation for women and the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector were taken up for the debate by the Commerce students during the debate contest. — TNS

Seminar

A CME on Thalassemia Awareness and Role of Molecular Genetics sponsored by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, was conducted here on Wednesday at the Christian Medical College & Hospital. The CME was attended by over 250 delegates, which included Gynaecologists and Paeditricians from the Ludhiana city, including CMC Faculty. Civil surgeon Dr Subas Batta, was the chief guest, and Dr K Ghosh, Director, NIIH, Mumbai, was the guest of honour, Dr R Colah, Dy Director, NIIH, Mumbai, professor Vijay Obed, Dy Director, Prof SM Bhatti, principal, prof K Masih, medical superintendent were also present. The programme was on generating awareness on the various aspects of thalassemia, advancements in management and preventive strategies, which included molecular diagnostics and prenatal diagnosis.

Fashion designing

Skill Up-gradation Training Services, a Ludhiana based NGO, had organised two weeks training programme on fashion designing at Khumna village and Dairy Farming at Salana Dara Singh Wala village which concluded here on Wednesday at Khumna village. The training programme was exclusively for the members of matured Self Help Groups and sponsored by National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) under Micro Enterprise Development Program (MEDP). A complete capsule training program on Dairy Farming at Salana Dara Singh Wala was organised for the trainees on all aspects starting from selection of animals, breed, dairy profession as business; cattle shed construction, schedule of vaccination and loan facilities. A field-visit to the farm of progressive farmer for practical exposure was also organised. A similar training programme on fashion designing was held at Khumna village, in which major thrust was given on Hand Embroidery.

Hair transplant

The growing instances of baldness both in men and women owing to their genetic and hereditary influences have triggered a need for effective treatments to safeguard the depleting hair and scalp condition. As per statistics, one-fourth of the Punjab population suffers from hair problems on account of genetic influences in the region. Dr Vikramjeet Singh Dhingra, cosmetic surgeon and MD, Bodysculpt, Chandigarh (Punjab), "Excessive hair fall, dryness of the scalp, the sudden thinning of the hair, the receding hairline, the falling-apart hair texture and consequent balding patterns are some of the prevalent concerns among the Punjab population. As a result, people have now started embracing hair transplant procedures to overcome damaged hair condition.” — TNS

Ludhiana, January 16
The city police has registered three cases of abduction during the past 24 hours. Three minor girls have been abducted by three persons from different areas in the city. Kin of the abducted girls have alleged that the girls were abducted by the accused on the pretext of marrying them. The police has registered cases against the three accused under Sections 363, 366-A and 120-B of the IPC.

In the first case registered at the Sarabha Nagar police station, a resident of Sunet village has complained that Salim, a resident of the same village, had abducted his youngest daughter, aged 16. According to the complainant, his daughter used to work as a domestic help at a house in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar. On January 13, she left home for work at around 11 am, but did not return. The family searched for her but could not find her. The father alleged that his daughter was abducted by Salim on the pretext of marrying her.

In another incident, a resident of Kirpal Nagar, Sunder Nagar, has lodged a complaint with the Basti Jodhewal police station that on January 13, his daughter had left home in the evening to get some grocery items, but she did not come back. The family later learnt that Rajesh Kumar, a resident of street number 1, Madhopuri, along with one of his friends, "forcibly" took his daughter "to marry her".

In the third case, the Moti Nagar police station has registered a case against Mumtaj, a resident of street number 27, Jeewan Nagar, on a complaint filed by a minor's brother. According to the complainant, his sister, who was just 14 years of age, was abducted by the accused with a promise to marry her. All accused are at large.

Ludhiana, January 16
Pradeep Sharma (35), a resident of the Hazuri Bagh Colony, committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of a room.

ASI Mahinder Singh of the Ladowal police station said a suicide note was recovered from the spot in which Pradeep Sharma had stated that he was taking the extreme step on his own and no one should be held responsible for his death.

He is survived by two daughters and his wife, who is a schoolteacher. Pradeep Sharma used to work in a factory. In the morning at around 7 am, Pradeep Sharma's wife saw his body hanging from the ceiling of a room on the ground floor and raised the alarm, said the ASI, adding that the financial condition of the family was not good and that could be a reason behind the suicide.

Ludhiana, January 16
After some initial hiccups, Jassar managed to prevail over Maharaja Bathinda with a narrow margin (20-19) in kabaddi (70 kg) to win the title on the penultimate day of the 27th Annual Sports Festival, being organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Club, at Jarkhar village about 20 kms from here on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla today.

In kabaddi (open village), Kalsian defeated Kadiyan 12-7 to enter final where they will lock horns with Lassaran who were declared winners as their opponents from Dodhe failed to turn up during the Jarkhar Sports Festival.

In hockey (senior men), Punjabi University, Patiala, faced a little resistance from Ludhiana XI whom they beat 4-1 while BSF, Jalandhar, defeated Punjab State Power Corporation Limited XI 3-1 during the Jarkhar Sports Festival.

In other matches, Panjab University, Chandigarh, drew with Dala Club of Moga 2-2 and Indo Tibet Border Police XI scrambled past Jarkhar Academy 2-1.

In the junior boys' section (hockey), Kila Raipur XI 'B' beat Haryana XI 2-0; Jarkhar Academy overwhelmed Kila Raipur XI 'A' 7-2 and Kila Raipur XI 'A' thrashed Dholan 9-2.

In hockey, Government College for Women, Ludhiana, beat Kairon Sports Wing 7-4 in the junior girl's section while Shahbad Markanda Academy routed Khalsa College for Women, Ludhiana 13-1 while Khalsa College, Jalandhar, overpowered Government College for Women, Ludhiana 2-1.

Mohali and Jalandhar lads had it a field day as they won both their matches in handball.

Mohali players recorded victories against Hoshiarpur and Amritsar in an identical fashion (18-15) while Jalandhar scraped past Kapurthala 24-23 and then outnumbered Muktsar 16-10. Faridkot outplayed Jalandhar 24-17 and Amritsar pipped Hoshiarpur 17-12.

In the girl's section (handball), Ropar defeated Tarn Taran 16-9; Ludhiana beat Hoshiarpur 12-8 and Ludhiana outclassed Jalandhar 15-5.

In basketball (boys), Ludhiana district won both encounters. In the first match, city 
cagers beat Patiala 32-26 and in the second one, they outwitted Amritsar 37-33.

Ludhiana Academy scored a well-fought (50-44) victory against Patiala.

In the girl's section, Government College, Ludhiana, beat Sangrur 33-28 and thrashed Kapurthala 65-42 while Jalandhar got the better of Amritsar 55-49.

Ludhiana, January 16
The ceremonial games torch, which was brought to Jarkhar village yesterday with a great pomp and show during the opening function of the 27th Annual Sports Festival being held there, remained off today.

The torch was carried in a procession that started from Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana where a large number of sports enthusiasts were present to be a part of this special moment. The current sports persons, drawn from different disciplines and those of yester years besides sports organisers and promoters were also in attendance there.

On its arrival at the games' venue Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium, international hockey star, Harpal Singh lit the huge burner with it. This flame is supposed to lit during the entire course of games, which culminate on Thursday but the organisers put off the flame today.

"It is impossible to keep it lit all the three days of the festival as the weather conditions are not conducive for the same and the place where the burner is erected, sans an overhead cover," said one member of the organising club on the condition of anonymity.

However, when asked, Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, spokesperson of the club informed that some fault had developed which forced us to put the torch off. The fault will be rectified by tomorrow and the torch will lit again during the closing ceremony, expressed hope Jagroop.

Ludhiana, January 16
Prabhveer Kaur, who won three titles yesterday, was adjudged the best athlete in the annual athletics meet of Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town, which concluded here today.

Yurinder Singh Hayer, SSP, Jalandhar (Rural), gave away prizes to the position holders.

Principal of the college, Dr Charanjit Kaur Mahal, highlighted the achievements by the college students during the currnt academic session at the Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town.

Dr Mahal congratulated them for their outstanding performance at different level competitions. She also appreciated coaches Rakesh Singh, Parveen Thakur and Sonia (judo) and Sanjiv Sharma (athletics).

They students who brought fame to the college include Ramandeep Kaur, Prabhveer Kaur, Rajni, Sandeep Kaur, Rajni Bala, Kulwant Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, Nainy Bala, Ramandeep Kaur, Shivdeep Kaur and Sukhvir Kaur (all athletes), Varsha Rai, Suman, Garima Choudhary, Gagandeep Kaur, Manisha Sharma, Anjali, Smriti and Manpreet Kaur (all judokas), Smily and Ritika (boxing) and Ekta Rani (wrestling) at the Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town.

Gurbir Singh, president of Guru Nanak Education Trust, besides faculty and a large number of students were present at the prize distribution function at the Guru Nanak Girls College, Model Town.

Ludhiana, January 16
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre, Ludhiana, will conduct trials to select the talented players for admission in the session 2013-14 here at Guru Nanak Stadium on January 23 and 24.

SS Pannu, senior athletics coach and incharge of the SAI Training Centre, Ludhiana, trials will be held in athletics and judo disciplines for boys (residential scheme) and in the day boarding scheme for boys as well as girls.

Aspirants in the age group of 12-18 years and first 4 positions holders in National Games or National Championships can take part in these trials. Apart from this, those who obtained first a second position in the All-India School Games Federation Competitions, Inter-State Competitions, Inter-Zonal Competitions are also eligible for these trials.

The first two positions holders in the State Championships and those who secured first three positions in the District Championships, Inter Education Championship can also participate in the trials. The interested boys and girls have been advised to bring their age proof certificates; sports achievements certificates along with three passport size photographs.