Bathinda, February 26
The Education Department has undertaken a gargantuan task of conducting studies in the state to see the effects of policies introduced a couple of years ago.

To start with, four major studies are being conducted in the state for which expert teams from the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has been roped in. These teams will be taking various samples for their studies, which will be completed by the end of 2013.

The Director General of School Education (DGSE), Kahan Singh Pannu, said for the past many years, emphasis was being laid on making students of primary classes mug up counting tables, the effect of which is yet to be assessed.

"We are following the policy of learning through the mistakes. These studies will identify our grey zones and help us make improvements in academia, syllabus, teaching methodology," said Pannu while talking to TNS.

He added that the outcome of these studies would usher in reforms, especially in the primary education. Already, the government is running a project in primary schools, Pravesh, to improve the ability of slow learners and identify the bottlenecks in learning.

A study will be conducted to ascertain the reasons behind the low level of learning in the subjects of math and Punjabi and would suggest measures for improvement.

The PAU teams will also conduct a study related to reasons for poor listening, speaking, reading and writing skills so as to improve the learning process in children.

In upper primary classes and primary classes, the impact of tables in enhancing the learning in mathematics will be studied.

"We want to see if learning tables really help in mathematics or it is just a perception," said the DGSE Pannu.

The fourth study aims at analysing the impact of computer-aided learning (CAL) in facilitating the process of teaching and learning. This comes in the wake of impetus being laid on introducing computer education in government school, as is being done in private schools.

All the district education officers in the state have been directed to depute Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) district coordinators on the task. The coordinators have been directed to assist PAU team members in conducting the study in their respective districts.

Bathinda, February 26
The Rail Budget has drawn a mixed response from the people of Bathinda who have hailed the introduction of new trains, but demanded synchronisation in the timings of Delhi-bound trains.

Jasvir Singh from Rampura Phul said trains benefiting the passengers from Bathinda will be a daily intercity express from Ferozepur to Delhi, a Bathinda-Dhuri passenger daily, and a weekly Bathinda-Jammu Tawi.

The Bathinda - Delhi intercity has been extended up to Fazilka via Muktsar and Kotkapura.

The Sriganganagar - Haridwar Express has been extended up to Rishikesh.

Fulfilling the long-pending demand of a direct rail link between Bathinda and Ludhiana, the budget promises a train that will go via Barnala, Rampura and Dhuri. Similarly, the Bathinda - Jammu Tawi will run on the route of Bathinda to Jammu Tawi via Dhuri, Patiala, Rajpura and Ludhiana.

A Ferozepur to Delhi Intercity Express via Bathinda has been announced, which people said should have been routed via Rampura, Dhuri, Barnala, Sangrur and Jakhal.

Gurvir Singh from Model Town Phase I here said the issue of a long gap between the arrival and departure of trains to Delhi remains unaddressed. "Most of the new trains are expected to hit the tracks in July. We hope that the timings of new trains fill the long intervals between Delhi-bound trains," he said.

Bathinda, February 26
The rape of a girl from Gobindpura village by her stepfather has highlighted the problem of incest in society, which the city psychiatrists say is more prevalent in rural areas.

Marred by bitter childhood memories of sexual abuse, the victims are ending up at the clinics of psychiatrists, seeking treatment and solace.

Local psychiatrists say they were receiving a number of cases of incest victims who do not want to marry or are not able to continue with their marriage due to some trauma suffered in their childhood.

"I often get cases of young girls who refuse to marry out of fear of cheating their future husband as they had been abused in their childhood. When married against odd ends, such victims find it very difficult to adjust with their partners and at times, end up seeking divorce," said a psychiatrist, Dr Vandana Singla.

She added most of such victims suffer from depression and come to her seeking treatment for the same. "Such patients are known to behave aggressively or react in a strange way when the issue of marriage is taken up with them. In the cases of girls, parents often misunderstand their denial to get married as girls desire to marry their lover or boyfriend. There have been cases wherein there is no lover or boyfriend, but the girl refuses to marry due to her bitter experiences," she said.

Over the years, Dr Vandana Singla has observed that the victims have got alcoholic fathers who have either been perpetrators or have been too weak to resist the crime against their children.

A psychiatrist, Nidhi Gupta, said she got patients whom their stepfathers had exploited sexually and were now finding it difficult to adjust in their married lives. "A girl, whom her stepfather had sexually exploited, could not stay with her husband and ultimately the couple had to split. Though it is very difficult to overcome this trauma, but one has to come out of it to survive," she said.

Doctors added that in most of the childhood sexual abuse cases, the perpetrators are family members closely related to the victims.

Nidhi Gupta suggested that the mothers should look for early signs of abuse in their children. Submissive mothers, who remain silent to their daughters' abuse, end up damaging the her psyche and will power.

"A child should be taught right and wrong at the early age. Any kind of withdrawal from social environment, unexplained fear from a specific person in the family and unusual injuries or marks on the private parts of the children are some of the obvious signs of sexual abuses to watch out for," she said.

Bathinda, February 26
The chemists in Bathinda district have been prohibited from selling and purchasing habit-forming drugs from March 15 onwards. These drugs are widely used as painkillers and sedatives.

The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the Retail Chemists Association, Bathinda, held at the Teachers' Home here.

The president of the Association, Ashok Balianwali, said habit-forming drugs like dextropropoxephene, codein combinations, pentazocine, buprinorphene, nitrazepam and diphenoxilate would not be sold at medical stores.

"These drugs are enlisted under the Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1945. As per the rules, we have to maintain the record of sale and purchase of each drug enlisted under this Act. Further, there was a lot of pressure from the government. So we decided to do away with these medicines," said Ashok.

He added that these drugs were used as anesthesia in pre-operative and post-operative stages and even during minor surgeries.

Besides, some of these drugs are used for psychotropic purposes.

If any of the members of the organisation was found selling or purchasing these medicines, his membership will be cancelled.

The office-bearers and the executive committee members of the Association also participated in the meeting.

These drugs are often misused by drug-addicts and the chemists are booked and labelled as drug peddlers. With the self-imposed ban, the chemists seek respite from repeated raids by officials of the Drug Control Department, Punjab.

The state government would have to make alternate arrangements so as to make these drugs available to genuine patients.

The doctors may now have direct tie-ups with pharmaceutical companies.

Doctors will send their requisitions on their letter pads, following which medicines would be delivered to them.

Baliawali said the decision has been taken on the directions of the president of the Punjab Chemists' Association, Surjit T Mehta.

Bathinda, February 26
‘Salvadora 2013’, a cultural programme was organised at the Central University of Punjab as part of its 4th Foundation Day function.

Inspector General of Police (IGP, Bathinda range), Nirmal Singh Dhillon, was the chief guest at the event. Before the cultural evening began, the IGP went round the campus of the university.

In his welcome address, the vice-chancellor of the university, Dr Jai Rup Singh, called the university a “mini India” as teachers from as many as 13 states and students from even more states are a part of the university. He added that the IGP is still remembered by the staff of his college in Sangrur as he was popular for his musical and dancing skills.

The cultural evening began with a shabad presentation by the students. This was followed by the staging of the play ‘Mitti Rudan Kare’. The cast of the play got a huge round of applause from the audience. The play focussed on how drug addiction can break a family and lead to disputes.

This was followed by a musical presentation by Gursharan Kaur, a student of the university. ‘Punjabiyan Nu Kaun Ni Janda’, a dance performance was presented by the students. The students also performed a mime act which emphasised on how children are forced to follow rules and not allowed to do what they wish to.

The highlight of the evening was a song presented by the dean, student welfare, Dr AS Kahlon. He sang the song, ‘O Dilbar Jaaniye’, from the classic ‘Haseena Maan Jayegi’. The audience liked the song so much that it gave calls for an encore. The last event of the evening was a skit focussing on how quacks were fooling people.

Dhillon expressed his disbelief that the students of the university, who were pursuing MPhil and PhD were such good actors, singers and dancers.

He joked that he would set up a special investigating team to find out if the performers were students or professionals. Addressing the students, he asked them to set a goal for themselves, continuously work towards achieving it and face opposition boldly.

He added that due to population explosion, achieving the goals was become difficult and hence, the present generation needed to work harder.

In the poetry recitation competition, Simaranjeet Kaur, Azad Ansari and Chitra won the first, second and the third positions, respectively. In the solo song category, the awards went to Nirmaljot and Gursharn Kaur.

Gursharn Kaur, Rimzim, Sheetal Dubey and Amita Bhatti won in the group song competition. While Shiny bagged the first position in the solo dance competition, the second position went to BB Bhuyan.

Sheetal, Richa, Pooja, Shruti and Kirti won in the group dance category while the second place went to Alza, Honeymeet, Rimplemeet, Anju and Jaspreet. Navrattan Kaur, Rajandeep Kaur and Shifali bagged the first, second and third positions in the Indian traditional dress competition.

In the paper reading competition, Abhishek Kumar, Sumeet and Sham Kiran Kaur won the top three positions, respectively. While Kovid Kumar and Dinesh Bassi won in the team debate competition, Simranjeet Kaur and Amandeep Kaur bagged the second position. Kovid Kumar was also adjudged the best debater. 

Bathinda, February 26
The power engineers today criticized the delay in the rationalization of work load norms at a meeting of the PSEB Engineers' Association of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP), region and distribution circle, held at the Officers' Club.

The members criticized the delay in the rationalization of work load norms and the span control of engineers of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).

They said delay in the revision of norms is affecting the supervisory control of engineers and the performance of the PSPCL thus affecting consumer services adversely.

The engineers also criticized the large number of disciplinary cases initiated against the engineers on flimsy and trivial issues. "We have repeatedly taken up the issues with the PSPCL management but instead of solving our problems, the management has taken a strange decision to refer the issue to the Punjab government even when the companies are fully competent to take any decision in this regard," said BK Jindal, joint secretary, PSEB Engineers' Association.

The approach of the PSPCL management in executing the 1320 MW Mukerian Thermal Project under the state sector was also criticized.

"The project is critical to maintain a healthy balance between the state and private generation to keep the cost of power low," said KS Mann, a member of the Association.

Mann said the engineers are highly overloaded and the organizational structure needs to be strengthened keeping in view the requirements of the Right to Service Act, Standards of Performance and RTI etc.

Bathinda, February 26
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) opened a legal aid clinic at the Gyan Jyoti College in Sangat today.

District and sessions judge-cum-chairman of the DLSA, Jaspal Singh inaugurated the clinic. A legal literacy club for students was also established in the college.

Addressing a seminar held on the occasion, Jaspal Singh motivated the students to get training as para legal volunteers.

He said that students, especially girls, should be legally literate so that they can stand up for their rights. The DLSA chairman said the legal aid clinic and legal literacy club would be helpful for the villagers around as the volunteers would spread legal awareness among the villagers.

Civil judge (senior division)-cum-secretary, DLSA, Kawaljit Singh said the DLSA was making efforts to educate every section of society so that no one is bereft of legal aid. Under the legal literacy club, students put up an exhibition highlighting the various aspects of legal literacy. The winners of the poster competition, held on the occasion, were also honoured.

Chairman of the Satwinder Singh Bhaika, principal Saroj Rani, advocates, college staff and students were also present on the occasion.

Bathinda, February 26
The first agriculture fair of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, began today. A large number of farmers and vendors from Punjab and the neighbouring states were present. The fair was inaugurated by the chief guest, Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, a retired IAS officer.

The campus was full of various stalls showcasing tractors, combine harvesters, seeds, agricultural tools, insecticides and information about agricultural techniques.

The chief guest, along with the managing director of the university, Sukhraj Singh Sidhu, general secretary of the university Sukhwinder Singh and vice-chancellor SK Ahluwalia visited all the 18 stalls put up at the fair.

The vendors and the owners of the stalls shared the latest information related to agricultural practices with the farmers. A skit was also presented by the students of MCA. Dr DR Godara, Dean, Agriculture, who was the co-ordinator of the programme, said on the second day, Surjeet Singh Rakhra, the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, Punjab, will be the chief guest.

Bathinda, February 26
The FM channel of the All India Radio (AIR) Bathinda (101. MHz) would broadcast a live phone-in programme on ways to perform better in the Board exams on February 27 from 4 pm to 5 pm.

In a press statement issued here, station director Rajeev Arora said the programme aims at benefiting students of classes X to XII.

The programme is being broadcast especially to provide tips to students on ways to cope with exam stress and also to help in organising themselves better so that they can cope with the pressure created by the exams.

A panel of four teachers and a psychologist would be available to give tips to the students. The members of the panel include science teacher Jatinder Sehgal, maths teacher Sanjay Syal, social science teacher Rajinder Kaur, English teacher Paramjit Kaur Kingra and psychologist Dr Mahinder Pal Sharma.

The students can call in at the AIR studio's phone number 0164-2240331 and ask their questions.

Bathinda, February 26
Gurukul International School, Bhairupa, organized its Annual Prize Distribution Function-2013 recently. The function began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest, Tarsem Goyal, Senior Deputy Mayor, Bathinda.

President Municipal Committee, Bhadaur, Jasvir Singh Dhami, general secretary Punjab Youth BJP, Naveen Singla and advocate Ashok Bharti were the guests of honour.

Principal of the school, Dhawan Kumar, welcomed the guests, students and parents. He read out the annual report of the school and announced that the school would now hold taekwando, music and dance classes, a scouts and guides unit and a swimming pool for kids.

Also present at the event were the chairman of the school, Rohit Garg, managing director Anchal Garg, founder of the school, Kuldeep Garg and Rajinder Garg. Principal of the Different Convent School, Beenu Goyal, president of the Kisan Yuva Morcha Sukhdev Singh Sodhi, and others were also present.

Bathinda, February 26
The two-day annual athletic meet began at the Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh (PTUGZS) campus today.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Avneet Kaur Sidhu, a former Olympian, inaugurated the meet. Station Director, All India Radio, Bathinda, Rajiv Kumar Arora, Assistant Commandant Yashpal Singh and Rakesh Gerula from the 7th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bathinda, were the guests of honour.

Amrit Pal Singh Brar was a special invitee at the sports meet.

Director of the PTUGZS Campus Dr Jasbir Singh Hundal welcomed the guest. In her speech, chief guest Avneet Kaur Sidhu emphasized the role of sports in keeping the youth away from drugs. She shared experiences of her career with students.

Station Director, All India Radio, Rajiv Kumar Arora advised the students to take care of their health and to stay away from drugs. He also laid importance on sports and physical activities beside academic performances. He invited the talented students of the campus to FM channel of the AIR for various radio programmes.

Chief coordinator and president, sports, Bhupinder Pal Singh briefed the audience about the achievements of students in sports at the national and state level held during the academic session 2012-13. He further added that students from the campus won a gold medal in lawn tennis (boys) and chess (girls) and silver in lawn tennis (girls) in the PTU inter-college competition.

Bathinda, February 26
The court of additional sessions judge Sukhdev Singh has awarded life imprisonment to three persons for kidnapping and killing an arhtiya. A fine of Rs one lakh each has also been imposed on them.

Balbir Singh and Gurpreet alias Buta of Akalia village and Gurwinder alias Mundri of Banawali have been convicted of kidnapping and killing the commission agent, Sham Lal, of Bhagta Bhaika. The victim owned a cloth shop in Bhagta Bhaika.

According to the details available, Gurwinder and Gurpreet conspired to kidnap the arhtiya and seek a ransom of Rs 40 lakh from his family members.

They called up the arthiya on May 19, 2008, at the residence of one of the accused persons in Akalia village between 6 am and 6.30 am.

They caught hold of him as he entered the house. As planned, they injected him with sedatives.

However, the victim died of overdose. In a bid to dispose of the body, the accused wrapped it in a plastic sheet and threw it in a canal near their village. They tied bricks to the body so that it does not come up.

Later, the accused used the arhtiya's phone to contact his family members, who had been searching for him. They called up his brother and told him that they have kidnapped the arthiya and brought him to Delhi. The next day, a man identified himself as Khan, called up and said the arthiya would be released only if they were paid Rs 40 lakh.

The family members brought the matter to the notice of the police and a case was registered in this regard at the Dyalpura police station.

The next day, the cops recovered the arhtiya's bike from near a bus stop adjoining the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant in Bathinda. The police then obtained the call details made from the arhtiya's cell phone.

In the meantime, the kidnappers asked the family members to hand over the bag containing the ransom money to persons sitting in a Tata Safari parked on the Akalia-Pakharwad chowk. The family members, accompanied by cops in plain clothes, went to the place to hand over the ransom. The police succeeded in nabbing one of them while others managed to flee.

During interrogation of the arrested person, the police come to know about the names of the other accused and nabbed them too.

A case under Sections 302, 364-A, 201 and 344 of the IPC was registered against the accused persons at the Dyalpura police station and were prosecuted in a court at Bathinda.

Bathinda, February 26
Police has arrested two thieves for stealing mobile phones, a DVD player and other electronic equipment worth nearly Rs 40,000. The accused have been identified as Rashpal Singh Jassi and his brother-in-law Money Masih. Police managed to recover all the stolen material except for one DVD player.

Vardhman police post in-charge Harjeet Singh said the accused are drug addicts and had earlier too committed crime.

While Rashpal, a resident of Mehma Bhagwana village, is 24 years old and is a matriculate, his brother-in- law Money Masih of Bir Talab is 21 years old and is a school drop-out.

Harjeet Singh said they both are hooked to various kinds of medicinal drugs. Their accomplice, Vicky, was also involved in stealing mobile phones and is absconding.

They had stolen the electronic material from the shop of Manpreet Singh of Udham Singh Nagar. The complainant's shop is also situated near his residence.

The accused, during his interrogation, said they used the handle of a hand-pump to break open the shop's iron shutter to steal the mobile phones, mobile coupons and other material lying there.

The complainant said seven mobile phones, two home theatre systems, mobile accessories and three DVD players were stolen by the accused.