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Policies come and go, stray dog menace lives on
Left alone on duty, constable loses rifle to snatchers
Powercom staff assaulted in Guru Nanak Pura
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 Governor talks peace at convention
Amritsar, February 13 Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil has said the importance of peace conventions has increased manifold in the conflict driven world. Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil being honoured at a function in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal
On a learning mission
No trace of criminals involved in gang war
State lags behind in the field of education, says VC
From schools and colleges
Kho-kho championship gets underway at GNDU
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Policies come and go, stray dog menace lives on
Amritsar, February 13 Stray dogs allegedly mauled 45-year-old Tajinder Singh Bau to death at Abadal village near Majitha when he was returning home on Monday night. The victim failed to resist the attack as he was under the influence of liquor. In an identical incident on February 2012, seven to eight stray dogs not only killed a middle-aged man, but also feasted on his body. The victim, Subeg Singh (45), a resident of Pandori village, too was on his way to his home at night. Failure of authorities
The menace has taken a dangerous shape due to fund crunch, absence of concrete policy matters and coordination between the MC and other departments concerned. The much-talked about Advanced Minimally Invasive Vas Occlusion Technique (MIVOT) programme introduced for the first time here around four years ago was discontinued after it was disapproved by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). Similarly, the ambitious Central government-funded Rs 1.26-crore Animal Birth Control (ABC) project of the (AWBI) of sterilising stray dogs could not be implemented in total. Then the Amritsar Municipal Corporation had devised the programme known as CNVR (catch, neuter, vaccinate and release) project in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department to check the growth of canine population. Under the programme, five clinics were spared exclusively for sterilisation of stray dogs. But the method required competent surgeons and aseptic conditions. This is where the authorities faltered. At present, there is negligible number of doctors (only two) in the whole district to conduct operations. OfficialSpeak
Dr Jagdish Chander Shori, deputy director, Animal Husbandry, said, “At present, the department is not carrying out the sterlisation programme. It required separate funds. It has to be carried out in the form of campaigns adopted in Jaipur and Mumbai. Here, the MC should take a lead to make these campaigns successful. The method requires a 10-day treatment, including three days before surgery and seven days post surgery care of female dogs. It costs around Rs 1,000 per animal.” MC Health Officer Dr Yogesh Arora said, “The MIVOT was a successful technique and we have approached the Animal Welfare Board to allow us to continue it. We are still waiting for their reply. As an immediate measure, we are about to adopt the old technique of sterilization. We will join hands with the SPCA which would help take care of the canines. The funds would be released soon, as the recent MC House has already given its approval for the purpose.” Figures
The MC’s survey carried out in 2008-2009 had put the number of stray dogs in the holy city at 25,000. Now it is believed that this figure has gone up manifold in the past four years. Worst-affected areas
The stray dog menace is severe in the walled city, where streets are narrow. Posh areas such as New Amritsar, Green Avenue, Basant Avenue, Ranjit Avenue and Rani Ka Bagh have not been left untouched by the menace. Due to the problem, residents living in the Kot Khalsa area prefer not to go out of their houses after sunset.
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Left alone on duty, constable loses rifle to snatchers
Amritsar, February 13 Constable Simranjit Singh along with head constable Gurdev Singh and head constable Tarsem were on duty outside the Hall Gate. In his statement to the Kotwali police, Simranjit said two motorcycle-borne youths came to him and asked for the way to the Rani Ka Bagh area. The constable was talking to the youth when his accomplice riding pillion pushed him, snatched his rifle with 10 live cartridges and sped away. When the incident happened, Gurdev Singh had gone to have his dinner while Tarsem Singh had gone to washroom. This was considered a serious lapse as Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil was scheduled to visit Amritsar on February 13 (today). A case under Sections 382 and 34 of the IPC has been registered at Kotwali police station in this regard. Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, SHO, Kotwali police station, said SLR belonged to Gurdev Singh who had handed it over to Simranjit Singh. He said he had recommended action against the two head constables who had left Simranjit Singh alone on duty at the naka outside Hall Gate. “This is a serious lapse. They should not have left a constable on duty alone which gave a chance to culprits to hoodwink him and snatch his weapon,” said the SHO. Meanwhile Police Commissioner Ram Singh said the department has suspended both the policemen with immediate effect. He said efforts are afoot to identify the accused who are absconding. The case
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Powercom staff assaulted in Guru Nanak Pura
Amritsar, February 13 The police has registered a case against unidentified persons on the statement of Assistant Engineer Hitesh Kumar. In his complaint to C-division police station, Hitesh said Powercom employees were repairing the snag in an electricity pole when several residents of the area obstructed them from performing their duties. He alleged that when the Powercom staff asked them to leave them alone, the accused started abusing them. They also allegedly slapped Junior Engineer Hardev Singh. Few of the accused were riding a motorcycle. A case under Sections 353, 186, 332, 148 and 149 of the bIPC has been registered in this connection. Investigations are going on to identify the accused with the help of motorcycle registration number given by the Powercom employees.
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Governor talks peace at convention
Amritsar, February 13 In his presidential remarks at World Peace Convention held to commemorate the diamond jubilee of the diocese of Amritsar in Alexandra School here today, Patil said conflicts and wars had been taking place between the countries and different sections of the society to acquire land; to dominate others; to spread certain concepts of religions; to prove that a particular ideology was better and similar issues. The Governor said in order to reduce and minimise possibilities of conflicts, the most important thing was to establish equality. He said if inequality was allowed to continue, the situation can aggravate conflicts and wars. He said peace process must be initiated within one’s own self as without peace in mind of human beings, peace and tranquility cannot be realised in the world. He said this is what was taught and preached by Gautam Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus Christ and Guru Nanak Dev. He shared that if their teachings and philosophies of life were spread and strengthened, the chances of conflict and wars could be reduced. Lauding the role of the dioceses of Amritsar for doing selfless service for 60 years, he said it had made a remarkable thrust in the area of empowering rural and urban communities through education, healthcare, community services and engaging them in fruitful ventures. Among others who spoke on the occasion included Right Reverend Pradeep Kumar Samantaroy, bishop of the diocese of Amritsar, Most Reverend Dr PP Marandih.
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Punjabi language binds them all
GS Paul Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 13 As many as 10 students from different states, who came calling to the holy city, surprised many. One thing which bound them was Punjabi language. Undergoing their second part of their 10-month Punjabi language course, being run by the Union Human Resource Ministry, at Northern Region Language Centre, Patiala, they spoke in one voice when it came to preserve regional languages such as Punjabi. Coming from different fields, these students also did not like the Northern Region Language Centre, Patiala curtailing seats in the Punjabi learning course. The Union Human Resource Ministry has opened language learning centres in various parts of the country to spread regional languages like Punjabi, Kashmiri, Dogri and Urdu. Students said their visit to the city would be helpful to them. “We will get to know about the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. This visit will also help us improve communication skills in Punjabi,” they added. Some of the students are associated with teaching profession while others are from different fields. Ranjit Kumar from Maharashtra said Punjabi language has been restricted just to the gurdwaras in Maharashtra. “There is a dire need to spread the language among the Punjabi community living outside Punjab. After this course, I am keen to teach enthusiasts in my native state besides using my skills to learn Punjabi music,” he said. Mudassar, an agriculturist by profession in Jammu and Kashmir, believes that Punjabi language would help him interact with the Punjabi community thereby boosting his livelihood. “Agriculture is a skill of Punjabis. Being a farmer, I had to interact with Punjabis the most, but I faced problems due to the language barrier,” said Mudassar, who has already done MPhil in English. Anju and Atula, hailing from Himachal Pradesh, are teachers by profession. They are aspirant to boost their teaching prospects by learning the Punjabi language. “The Himachal Pradesh government has identified around 150 schools in different pockets of the state where Punjabi would be taught as a second language. This government’s move will raise demand of teachers of Punjabi language,” they said. Jai Ram Meena, a school principal in Rajasthan, said he decided to learn Punjabi language as he was unable to read the name of a student written in Gurmukhi script. Common goal
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Iranian group casts a spell
Amritsar, February 13 The visiting musical group sang popular folk songs of Iran and enthralled the audience. Earlier, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, president and Dr PS Grover, honorary general secretary of the Indian Academy of Fine Arts welcomed the group. Chinna said Iranian group was known as Zagrus group and it had earned an international fame in the field of music. Meanwhile, Ahmed Khalili, Administrative Officer of Iran Cultural Centre Delhi, attended the function as the guest of honour. Among those present on the occasion included Shiv Dev Singh, vice-president of the academy, AS Chamak, finance secretary, NS Gabarhia, OP Verma, Dr Gopal Kirodiwal, KS Manchanda, Pushpinder Singh Grover, Narinder Singh Sculptor, Sarbjit Singh Chhina and Subhash Kalia.
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No trace of criminals involved in gang war Amritsar, February 13 On February 11, former policeman-turned-gangster Jagtar Singh and his accomplices allegedly attacked members of another gang led by Kamal. The incident was the fallout of a clash between the two groups in a beer bar on the intervening night of February 10-11. The incident occurred just a few metres away from the cantonment police station. An office of the Punjab Police Intelligence Department was also located near the incident site. Certain accomplices of Kamal had shown a bullet shell to the media claiming that gunshots were fired at during the process. The cantonment police has conducted raids to nab the criminals. Meanwhile, the police has raised doubts on the use of firearms during the gang war. The police officials said they were still verifying whether firearms were used in the incident or not. The cantonment police station has slapped attempt to murder case on both the groups. “Gangsters and their accomplices have claimed that the opposite group fired at them, but the eyewitnesses and residents living near the spot did not hear anything,” said Amrik Singh Pawar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police city-II. — TNS
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State lags behind in the field of education, says VC
Amritsar, February 13 The workshop was organised by the Department of Science and Technology in association with the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST), Chandigarh. Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajaib Singh Brar inaugurated the workshop. Principal Scientific Officers (PSO) Dr KS Bath and Dr Dapinder Bakshi, biotech division and Dr Gurmahinder Singh, PSO Environment and IPR Department from the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology delivered lectures on the occasion. In his inaugural address, the Vice-Chancellor viewed that Punjab was a leading state in education few years ago, but now has been lagging behind. Prof Brar said nature cycle should not be disturbed during new discoveries and research. He said that the clinical waste should be managed properly instead of putting them in sewerage. Principal Scientific Officer (PSO) Dr KS Bath apprised the audience about various schemes and the council at the state level. He outlined the thrust areas pertaining to health sectors (cancer and premature ageing in Malwa belt), gender issues and woman and child welfare programmes. Dr Dapinder Bakshi, Principal Scientific Officer (PSO), biotech division set the mandate of future research under a number of projects such as extramural projects, collaborative projects, demonstration projects and training projects. Dr. Gurmahinder Singh, PSO Environment and IPR Department, drew attention to wetland conservation at three sites in Punjab. He highlighted the problem of invasive species like water hyacinth. He expressed concern over the depleting roadside trees like Kikar in Punjab and advocated need to create tree database in the country like Japan. In the second technical session, Prof Gurcharan Kaur, head, Dept of Biotechnology, GNDU spoke on the advances made by biotechnology in human health care and disease therapy in recent years. She also discussed the anti-cancer and anti-tumour activity of herbal extracts of medicinal plants. She enforced the application of water extracts of Ashwagandha leaves for rejuvenating neurons and its anti-brain cancer activity. "The irregular lifestyles, wrong eating habits and stressed lives are resulting in lifestyle abnormalities like cardio vascular attacks, obesity and hypertension. Understanding our genome and regularising our lifestyle is an answer to all this," she added. This was followed by a group discussion involving all faculty, participants, experts and research scholars. A seminar held
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Holy Heart Presidency School bags 'Shiksha Ratan Award'
The state government gave the 'Shiksha Ratan Award' to Holy Heart Presidency School in the field of education during a function recently held at Chandigarh. School principal Vikram Seth said Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka handed over the award for providing quality education to the students and excelling in imparting education through digital learning system. He said all classes in the school were equipped with educomp smart classes since 2009. This visual aid was installed in the school with a vision to help students learn better, he said. Inter-university cultural programme
Students of BBK DAV College for Women bagged second position in folk orchestra for the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in the inter-university cultural programme, being organised by the Punjab Academy, Delhi, at Mata Sundri BBK DAV College principal Dr Neelam Kamra, appreciating the feat of students, said students from various universities like Punjabi University, Patiala, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Delhi University, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, participated in various items like sami, folk song, folk orchestra and jhummar. She said the college team was given a trophy, individual prize and cheque for Rs 15,000. A folk song was sung by Sumit Dhillon, who stood second and won a trophy and cheque for Rs 1,500. 11 students get jobs
As many as 11 ECE students of Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology (ACET) were placed in Luminous Company through campus placement. ACET managing director Amit Sharma congratulated the students and wished them best of luck for their future endeavours. He appreciated the Training and Placement Department for their exhaustive efforts in supporting and preparing the students for placement. The students went through extensive rounds of the selection process. Annual prize distribution
DAV Senior Secondary School will hold its annual prize distribution function in its campus on February 15. Industry and Technical Education Minister Anil Joshi will be the chief guest and will give away prizes to merit-holder students of the school. JP Shoor, director (Public Schools-I and Aided Schools) under DAV College managing committee, New Delhi, will be the guest of honour. Essay-writing contest
Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary School bagged overall trophy in the inter-school essay writing, painting and slogan-writing competitions organised for the students of Class VIII and IX organised by DAV college of Education Amritsar. In all, 110 students participated in the competition organised to bring awareness and develop creativity. First and second prizes were won by Manmeet kaur and Manmeet in English and Punjabi essay-writing competitions, respectively. Mansi of Class IX won the first prize in slogan-writing, Harleen got third position in poster-making competition. In glass painting all three positions were bagged by Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary School. DAV College of Education principal Vinita Garg gave away prizes to the winners.
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Kho-kho championship gets underway at GNDU
Amritsar, February 13 The championship is being organised by the Association of Indian University, New Delhi, and hosted by the Guru Nanak Dev University. As many as 300 players from 22 teams of the north zone are participating in the championship. AIU observer Dr Anil Kumar Chautrvedi inaugurated the championship. Dr HS Randhawa, deputy director (sports) and head welcomed the chief guest and participating teams. On the first day of the competition, Lucknow University beat Dr BRA University Agra with one point, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, defeated Bundelkhand University, Jharkhand, by eight points. MDU, Rohtak, beat Rohilkhand University, Rohilkhand, by 17 points. Delhi University defeated CSJM Kanpur by 18 points and Kurukshetra University beat HP University, Shimla, with five points. Dr Randhawa said the knock-out matches would be played on February 14 and the league matches would be played on February 15 and 16. He said the All-India Inter-University Kho-Kho (women) championship would also be hosted by the University from February 18 to 22.
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Amritsar, February 13
The fateful incident at Majitha in which a man lost his life has brought back focus on stray dog menace and the authorities’ lack of will to control the problem.
