Jalandhar, April 12
A 25-year-old man, working in a juice shop at Maqsudan, committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan today.

The deceased, Vijay Kumar, did not leave any suicide note. Amit Sharma, brother of the deceased, who, too, works in the same shop, stated to the police that Vijay was under depression as he did not have a child even after two years of his marriage. His family at Rattan Nagar has been in great shock after the incident.

The SHO, Balbir Singh, said inquest proceedings had been initiated under Section 174 of the CrPC.

Jalandhar, April 12
Starting from Monday onwards, the district administration will start three new services at the Suwidha Centre levying no extra facilitation charges on its applicants.

The three services will include those for SC/BC certificate, residence certificate and Shagun scheme.

With the addition of the three services, the total services being offered through the single-window system would increase to 25.

The applicants would now have to just deposit their applications at the front office without undergoing the grind at the multiple channels of the offices in the back, including District Welfare Office, tehsildar's office and other departments. The GA to DC, Dr Sanjeev Sharma, said he would himself ensure on Monday that there were proper arrangements made at the new counters and checklists pasted for the convenience of the applicants.

While the time frame for the issuance of the SC/BC certificate would be 15 days in accordance with the Right to Service Act, the time period for the other two services would also be fixed after a trial run. The GA had recently visited the Suwidha Centre of Nawanshahr to take a cue of the services being provided there for further improvement of single-window system in the city.

Jalandhar, April 12
Tightening its noose around stamp duty evaders, the district administration has started the process of making recoveries under Section 48 of the Indian Stamp Act by way of arrears of land revenue.

The department has issued notices to as many as 50 defaulters for a total recoverable amount of Rs 17,61,78,495. The officials are in the process of culling details of the properties of all those who have submitted undervalued stamp papers for their land registries. The properties all these defaulters would be attached to make recoveries, said ADC Praneet Bhardwaj.

The administration is, however, focusing first on some big fish. Its main concern is about one chunk of prime commercial land measuring 42 kanals and 2 marlas situated on the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway, which was found to be registered as village land.

The land, where Punjab and Iron Steel Company (PISCO) had its factory, now stands in the name of seven owners with land registered as 12 sale deeds. As per the record, Kulwinder Singh has two shares with outstanding amounts of Rs 15,82,035 and Rs 4,56,882. Supreet Kaur, another shareholder, has an amount of Rs 34,49,362 due as stamp duty.

The biggest amount of Rs 3,44,32,038 stands in the name of Lakhanpal Design Pvt Ltd, which has five shares with Rs 27,37,968, Rs 99,28,996, Rs 41,57,552, Rs 42,01,388 and Rs 1,34,06,134 due on its account.

There also are two builders who are falling in the scanner. While Rayat Builders has Rs 43,41,279 as outstanding amount, another Harman Builders has evaded Rs 30,20,614. Poonam Ahuja and Parveen Ahuja have paid Rs 23,10,328 less for each of their share.

Jalandhar, April 12
The District and Sessions Judge, JS Klar, today sentenced a Rama Mandi resident, Brij Mohan, to six years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on him in a case of abetment to suicide of his wife Monika two years back. Her father-in-law Megh Nath, too, has been sentenced to four years of imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1,000.

Monika had reportedly consumed some insecticide on September 3, 2011, and died the next day. While she could not make her oral statement while remaining at Goodwill Hospital, Rama Mandi, for a day, she had made her written submission in front of Judicial Magistrate Pushpinder Singh.

While the case had been registered under Section 302 and 34 of the IPC, the court heard it under Section 306 and 34 of the IPC.

Jalandhar, April 12
Postgraduate students of the Apeejay College of Fine Arts organised an annual exhibition of paintings entitled "Expressions-2013" on the college premises here today.

The exhibition showcased paintings, installations, sculptures, designer furniture and lamps created by college students. Paintings which stood out were "Holi", depicting a joyous crowd and vertically divided in three coloured panels, "The Conversation", a geometrical, semi-abstract representation of conversations between two women, and "The Makers", artisans and sculptors carving a giant statue of a seree Trimurti image out of stone.

Some ingenuity in furniture design was also to be seen in asymmetrical wooden storage shelves, wooden table-cum-bar (with the table base being fitted with grooves to store bottles), unique retro sofa sets and table lamps.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Sunil Jyoti, Mayor, at the college art gallery.

While a good number of works were conventional landscape paintings, others which adapted to more contemporary contexts or styles stood out from the crowd of cliched art for their maturity.

Dr Sucharita, principal of the college, praised the efforts of students and said these upcoming artists contributed substantially towards aesthetically enriching the world.

This exhibition will remain open to the public till April 19.

Some of the artists whose works can be seen are Sunil Kumar, Ramneet, Jasleen and Amandeep Kaur. About 25 postgraduate students contributed to the exhibition. The Mayor applauded the efforts of the students. Teacher Jeevan, who was instrumental in putting up the exhibition, was congratulated.

Jalandhar, April 12
Baisakhi was celebrated across schools and colleges in the city where children dressed in yellow clothes were told about the importance of the festival and the traditional value attached to it.

While some kept it a low-key affair with information about the festival being doled out in the morning assembly, others held carnivals and festivals to mark the occasion.

Hans Raj Mahila S Maha Vidyalaya

Fashion designing and home science departments of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya organised an exhibition on Baisakhi celebrations.

In the exhibition, students displayed kurtis and suits prepared by them. Students of home science prepared some food items. Principal Dr Rekha Kalia Bhardwaj inaugurated the exhibition-cum-sale and appreciated the students.

Police DAV Public School

Baisakhi was celebrated at Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar, during the morning assembly. On this occasion, a short cultural show was presented by students of Tejasvi House. Bhangra was also presented that depicted the spirit of Baisakhi.

DIPS, Suranussi

A Baisakhi carnival was organised by the pre-primary wing of the DIPS, Suranussi. Students came dressed in yellow colour and Bhangra dress. Special dance items were performed by students. Hand printing activity was also performed by students with yellow colour on the chart. Students shared special tiffins of yellow coloured eatables like laddoo, banana, chila and mangoes with their friends. Teachers told the students about the importance of the festival and about yellow coloured things like the sun, sunflower, mangoes and bananas. Teachers showed scare crows, wheat stalks, pakhis and chajj to them. Yellow-coloured balloons were also tied on the buses. Later, all students danced on various songs. Principal Bela Kapoor gave best wishes on the eve of Baisakhi.

Apeejay School, Rama Mandi

Baisakhi was celebrated with full fun and fervour at Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar, under the stewardship of Principal Madhu Sharma. The whole school was elated and overjoyed to celebrate the festival in the new session. In the morning assembly, students sung shabad-kirtan. Principal Madhu Sharma gave best wishes to students on Baisakhi.

DIPS Dhilwan

Baisakhi celebrations marked the beginning of a colorful year. DIPS, Dhilwan, organised a special assembly to celebrate Baisakhi. The motive to celebrate the festival was to make students aware about the importance of the festival. Wonderful dance performances were presented by students. Beautiful poems and speeches were also recited. Principal, Romila Sharma gave best wishes to students on the occasion.

Apeejay School, Model Town

Baisakhi was celebrated at Apeejay school, primary section, Model Town. The harvest festival was celebrated to mark the beginning of the harvest season. A special assembly was organised by the Nilgiri House. Students delivered speeches on the importance of the Baisakhi, birth of Khalsa and contribution of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar in the framing of the Indian Constitution. Tiny tots also presented a depiction on Baisakhi. The function ended with an energetic bhangra performance. A colouring competition was also organised for Classes I and V. Headmistress Namrata Sharma addressed students and told them about the importance of Baisakhi.

Manav Sehyog School

Keeping alive the true spirit of celebrating each and every festival, a special assembly was organised at Manav Sehyog School. Students depicted the rich cultural heritage of Punjab in the form of Punjabi folk dance, folk song and one act play. Teachers and students of pre-primary wing turned up in a beautiful attire. Principal Rajni Sharma blessed students and appreciated their performance and guided them to work hard to attain their goals.

Jalandhar, April 12
The district health authorities will observe an immunisation week from April 24 to 30 to cover the children who have not been administered vaccines for various diseases.

A review would also be conducted to find out the actual causes of infant deaths at the pattern of maternal deaths in the district.

These were decided at a meeting of senior medical officers, chaired by Civil Surgeon Dr RL Bassan here today.

Dr Bassan asked the medical officers to maintain the ACRs and the attendance registers of the staff properly and a plan was also mooted to depute a nodal officer to take the responsibility of the staff.

The medical officers were also asked to educate general public, especially the patients, about various schemes launched by the Union and the state governments for the people falling below poverty line (BPL).

Jalandhar, April 12
The Punjab Centre for Migration Studies of Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, organised a seminar on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the establishment of the Ghadar Party.

Learned speakers, leaders of the Indian Workers Association, the Shaheed Udham Singh Welfare Foundation, UK, were present along with Comrade Kulbir Singh Sanghera, son of Gadri Baba Comrade Bhagat Singh Bilga, Principal of the college Dr Gurpinder Singh Samra and Director of the centre Prof Gopal Singh Buttar.

Renowned storywriter and retired professor of Department of Punjabi, Dr Waryam Singh Sandhu and Shri Jatinder Pannu, executive editor of ‘Nawan Zamana’ addressed students and teachers. Dr Sandhu highlighted the contribution of the ‘Ghadar Lehar’ in the struggle for Independence and also discussed the reasons as to why the young generation is intentionally being kept away from its culture. He stressed that it was the duty of welfare organisations to spread the message of secularism propounded by Ghadri Babas.

He also emphasised on the role of Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee, Jalandhar, in spreading this awareness.

Jatinder Pannu shed light on the role of all freedom struggle movements with special focus on the Ghadri Babas.

He appealed to youth to contribute in the development of society by taking guidance from the principles of Ghadri Babas.

Dr Samra welcomed guests and assured students that such seminars would be conducted regularly in the college. Dr Buttar, Prof Jasreen Kaur, Prof Jujhar Singh, Prof Sukhwinder Kaur Rai, Prof Kulwant Singh Sandhu, Prof Ranbir Singh Dhoot and Prof Navdeep Singh were among those others who contributed to make this seminar a success.

Book on Swami Dayanand

Punam Suri, president, DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi, released ‘Shrimad Dayanand Parkash’ a book on the life history of Swami Dayanand, originally written by Swami Satyanand and translated into Gurmukhi script by Jagroop Singh, Principal, Mehr Chand Polytechnic College, Jalandhar.

The book release function took place at Delhi in which Dr SK Sama, vice-president, RS Sharma, general secretary and other office- bearers, members of the Arya Samaj and Principals of DAV Colleges, participated.

The book condemns idol worship and casteism and motivates the common man to adopt a rational thinking. It focuses on universal brotherhood and harmony.

Jagroop Singh has already written four literary books in Punjabi and Hindi Literature - ‘Nikke Nikke Suraj’, ‘Vihi Wala Booha’, ‘Navik ke Teer’ and ‘Mere Hissey ki Dhoop’.

Info centre inaugurated

Sant Baba Bhag Singh Educational Complex (SBBSEC) opened its full-fledged information centre at Kathar on Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road, to provide information to visitors and for admissions. The information centre has the facilities like updated information regarding courses available in the SBBSEC, admissions and other activities going on in the institute and rest rooms and free transport facility to its campus for visitors.

Path Sri Sukhmani Sahib and Gurbani Kirtan were also arranged on the inaugural function. Later, Sant Baba Malkit Singh inaugurated the centre.

Guest lecture

A guest lecture was organised on the topic ‘challenges faced by young entrepreneurs’ at the Apeejay Institute of Management, Jalandhar.

Shirish Mudgal, manager, market development, Business Standard Ltd was the resource person for the lecture. Mudgal explained the importance and benefits of possessing leadership skills for an individual. He also stated that youth today lacks the vigour which was required to be successful in the corporate sector.

Dr Rajesh Bagga, director of the institute, thanked Mudgal and said students had been benefited by the programme.

Kindergarten convocation

A Kindergarten convocation function was held at British Olivia School. Dr Sanjeev Goyal, a leading orthopaedic surgeon, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The function started with the lighting of the lamp and a prayer sung by students of KG classes. The little ones, dressed in their grand graduation attire, received their degrees from the chief guest. A short programme was also put up by the tiny tots, which enthralled the audience. Director, Vijay Maini honoured Dr Goyal with a trophy.

Role play contest

A role play contest was held at the block level on the instructions of the Education Department at Government Senior Secondary School, Mithapur, under the instructions of Principal Kailash.

All cluster school students participated in the contest and displayed their talents. The first position was bagged by Government Senior Secondary School, Mithapur. The second position was bagged by Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Abadpura, and the third by Government High School Jagral.