Wheat harvesting multiplies troubles for asthma patients 
Amritsar, April 25
With the ongoing harvesting of wheat crop, the travails of asthmatic patients have increased multifold. For, the dispersion of grain dust particles in the air increases significantly during this period.

playing cards and cash recoverd from them in Amritsar. Tribune photographs

Amritsar, April 25
Bhai Gurdas Library of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), known as one of the finest libraries of North India, is now in the news for wrong reasons. A portion of this library, named after noted Sikh scholar Bhai Gurdas, was being misused for gambling during evening hours.

The incident came to light late last night when two university staff members working on daily wages in the library Parminder and Lakwinder along with two others were caught playing cards in the restroom located adjacent to the library, by security staff of the university.

Even as the university authorities have dismissed both employees from service with immediate effect and banned their entry in the university, yet the matter has not been reported to the police as the university authorities think it to be their “internal matter”.

It has been learnt that for the past over one and a half months liquor and smoking were also part of the gambling sessions.

A sum of Rs 6,000 and a bottle of liquor was confiscated from the spot. Security staff of the university also found cigarette butts lying on the floor.

Further inquiries revealed that the two university employees used to provide the place to the gamblers in lieu of hefty price, charged on the per-hour basis.

“The main library will be locked after 9 pm as per routine and the keys will be deposited with the admin block. It was a room adjoining the library which became a gambling place,” university Registrar Dr Inderjit Singh said.

Dr Inderjit Singh said the services of the guilty employees had been terminated and their photos had been pasted at the university gates to prevent them from entering the university.

“These two non-teaching employees were hired on the daily wage basis just four months back and they were caught gambling by our security staff at about 10.30 pm last night. They admitted to providing gamblers place for money for the past one and a half months here. We will make sure that both the guilty persons never get employment again in any of the institute associated with the GNDU,” he said.

When questioned about initiating any police action against the culprits, Dr Inderjit Singh said, “Since it is our internal matter, we have not asked for police intervention. But we may give it a thought later,” he replied.

Amritsar, April 25
The move of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to reject MP Navjot Singh Sidhu's demand for restarting the Amritsar-Toronto via Birmingham flight and linking upcoming India-Australia flight with Amritsar has come as a blow to Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, which is passing through a bad phase and reeling under losses to the tune of crores of rupees.

Sidhu has minced no words in venting his ire against Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh. In a statement released here, Sidhu said, “By refusing to club the holy city, Amritsar, in these important flights circuit, Ajit Singh has, in fact, lowered the prestige of the country, as the city being one of the top tourist destinations can help India build its image internationally. Had Ajit Singh known the ABC of promoting tourism he would have never said no to these flights for Amritsar.”

He said he had written a three-page memo to the minister in July last year, requesting him to restart the Amritsar-Toronto via Birmingham flight and linking upcoming New Delhi-Sydney flight with Amritsar, but he has turned down both his requests. He said if the reasons given by the minister for declining his plea were anything to go by then he seemed to be defending traffic and cargo of the New Delhi airport at the expense of Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, Amritsar, which was gross injustice to not only the people of the holy city, but also the whole of Punjab. He said owing to the UPA minister’s callous decision, the people of Punjab, especially Doaba region, would suffer immensely as they would have to go to Delhi to board flights to the destinations like Toronto, Birmingham and Sydney. Moreover, Sidhu said the trade of Punjab, especially of supplying fresh vegetables to these countries, would suffer hugely. He also challenged Ajit Singh for a media debate as how his action of denying these flights to Amritsar was justified.

Sidhu has also released a copy of the reply that he received from Ajit Singh in this regard. In his reply, the minister said, “Passengers from Amritsar can avail themselves of Air India’s connecting services at its Delhi hub when operations to Australia are introduced.” Regarding lack of international connectivity from the Amritsar airport, Ajit Singh said, “The market size between Amritsar and South East Asian cities like Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur is not large enough to justify commercial viable direct operations on these routes. Air India currently offers same day connecting 
services between Amritsar and Singapore and Bangkok via Delhi.”

The Centre's response has come as a jolt to the Amritsar airport as it has witnessed withdrawal of various flights to key destinations in the past. The British Midland International (BMI) had pulled out its Amritsar-Almaty-London flight in October last year. Prior to it, the Air India had suspended its Amritsar-Toronto flight due to the strike of pilots, which is yet to be resumed. Earlier too, a number of major airlines started their operations from Amritsar only to withdraw their flights after certain period of time. Singapore Airlines had launched thrice a week Amritsar-Singapore flight on October 1, 2004. The service ran well for around five years before being discontinued in early 2009. Later, Jet Airways launched its Amritsar-London flight only to discontinue it after some time for the same reasons. However, what surprised one and all was the Air India’s move to discontinue its Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight, which was termed by many as the most successful flight in the annals of the national carrier’s history. The flight, which used to witness over 90 per cent occupancy, was withdrawn on October 31, 2010. Besides, suffering on count of passenger traffic, the airport is also incurring losses as its perishable cargo facility is lying virtually unused due to lack of international flights. All this has increased the airport's annual losses to Rs 55 crore, despite having an impressive infrastructure.

Amritsar, April 25
An extortion drama landed a woman Congress leader and her husband in jail.

Shaveta Bhardwaj, who was the district organiser of the women wing of the Congress, has also lost her position in the party.

Both have been sent to a 14-day judicial custody for further interrogation in the matter.

Shaveta Bhardwaj had enacted a drama of being threatened by unknown persons, who demanded Rs 10 lakh as extortion money, else her two children would be eliminated. The actual fact was that she had hatched the conspiracy only to get money from her father by misusing two SIM cards, some days ago, revealed the investigation made by the Chheharta police.

The SHO, Chheharta, Sushil Kumar, said both were produced in the local court today and sent to judicial custody. “We had procured the SMS details of the number, which was used by the alleged accused for sending SMSes and she was caught when the IMEI number of both the numbers were found to be same. During our investigation, she admitted to having hatch a conspiracy just to get money from her father, who recently had struck a property deal,” he said.

Amritsar, April 25
A police party was attacked by a group of persons when it was taking an accused to court for hearing yesterday.

Even as the police could manage to arrest three attackers, the others fled from the scene. The uniform of a head constable was torn in the melee.

According to information, the Chheharta police team, led by ASI Sulakhan Singh, was about to take Davinderdeep Singh in the court for the hearing of a case pertaining to Excise Act and NDPS Act when the group of miscreants intercepted them.

Sulakhan Singh said as they were about to leave the Chheharta police station gate, a group of miscreants gathered at the police station gate and obstructed us from taking Davinderdeep Singh to
the court.

The arrested assailants were identified as Jugal Kishore, Gurvinder Singh and Roshan Lal, whereas Sunny along with 15 to 20 other assailants managed to flee.

"They obstructed our way and threatening us with dire consequences. When we objected to their foul language, it led to a clash. They resorted to manhandling us. The uniform of head constable Kulwant Singh (No 34) was also torn during the clash, but we did not let them dominate us," Sulakhan Singh said.

The traffic on the busy stretch was also disrupted by the miscreants during the clash. They were booked for impeding government servants in performing duty and attacking policemen.

A case under Sections 353, 186, 506, 383 and 160 of the IPC and Section 29 of the NDPS Act was registered against them at the Chheharta police station.

Amritsar, April 25
After his fantastic run on screen with impressive performances in "Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster Returns" and "Special 26", actor Jimmy Shergill is ready to return in his suave Punjabi avatar for his upcoming film "Rangeelay". The actor, who gave Punjabi cinema its superstar, is ready with his next Punjabi film to be released on May 16.

Jimmy and actress Neha Dhupia, who will be making her debut in the Punjabi cinema with the film, were in the city to promote their film along with director Navniat Singh.

The trio addressed the media at Country Inn and shared their anticipation about the film prior to its release. "I would start by saying that this would be the most entertaining film of the year," said Jimmy, who will be seen in a Punjabi film after two years. And going by his past box office record, one could believe him as he has been one of the most bankable stars of the Punjabi film industry.

"The idea was to make a film which will give the audience a different kind of feel good entertainment. Rangeelay will make you laugh starting from the first scene onwards and in between there is a beautiful love story woven with all the entertainment," said Jimmy.

Rangeelay also stars Binnu Dhillon and BN Sharma. Of course, the icing on the cake, he shared was Neha Dhupia, who was quite excited to bring out the Punjaban in her on screen. "Well, I am a Punjabi, so it wasn't hard to get into the character. Initially, though, I was very nervous and cautious about my foray into the Punjabi film industry, but when I heard the script, all my doubts were cleared and I agreed to do the film, happily. Rangeelay is really interesting film," Neha Dhupia said.

She brings in the required glamour to the film with her role as a lively, boisterous, Punjabi kudi called Simi. "As an actor it's easy to give life to a character, what's harder is to put an end to it. Simi, my character in Rangeeley still stays with me. We shot in Chandigarh and Ambala for the film and I felt too attached once it got over," said the 32-year-old actor.

Jimmy, too, is all praises for her. "We have worked in Delhi Heights together and since then been good friends. I always try to convince established Punjabi Bollywood stars to do their bit for the Punjabi cinema and it feels great to know that Neha will become a part of the Punjabi entertainment industry. Her performance in Rangeelay will definitely raise the bar for the actresses in Punjabi films," Jimmy said.

Neha said she would be open for more good Punjabi films as the industry was growing heaps and bounds.

The trio also interacted with fans on the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) campus. Neha, was quite impressed with the Punjabi hospitality they got from their fans. "Jimmy has a huge fan following among the Punjabi audience here. As for me, I did not do it for the reach, I did it for the experience," Neha said.

And she does have a message for her Punjabi fans, "If you love Jimmy and like me a little bit, go watch the film!"

As for her Bollywood projects, Neha will next begin shooting for a comedy with Viacom, besides Karan Johar's "Unglee".

Amritsar, April 25
With the ongoing harvesting of wheat crop, the travails of asthmatic patients have increased multifold. For, the dispersion of grain dust particles in the air increases significantly during this period.

Doctors have advised people with respiratory problems, especially those suffering from asthma, to take due precautions before going out. The patients have been advised to cover their mouth with a cloth or a mask to ward off the problem.

Chest specialist Dr Naresh Chawla said, “When harvesting is going on, people must not forget to wrap a cloth around their face. The problem is more severe in rural areas where most of the wheat farms are located.”

People living in the residential colonies on the outskirts of the city say dust from the fields is making breathing difficult for them.

Sonia Kaul, a homemaker, said, “The combine harvesters create a lot of dust as a result of which kids and old age people develop skin allergies and respiratory problems.”

Medical experts also warn people against burning wheat stubble which aggravates the problem furthermore. The district administration has already banned stubble burning and declared it as an offence.

“People with breathing problems face more problems if burning of crop residue is not checked. The farmers are advised not to burn the stubble considering the health hazards it would cause for people,” said Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital.

He cautioned that people must wear eyeglasses and clothes around their face to avoid the dust from entering their eyes and lungs.

“The asthmatic patients must consult their doctors if they feel an increased problem,” said Dhillon. 

Amritsar, April 25
The Sanjha Mulajam Manch comprising workers of Mid-Day Meal scheme, ASHA, sanitation, Forest and PWD departments, today staged a protest outside the Zila Parishad office here.

The workers alleged that while they had worked for 324 days in the year and had been compensated for 300 days only. The morcha leader Parkash Singh Thohia said as a result of this they got only Rs 250 as salary for the month of March. He said the ASHA workers had been given a gross remuneration of Rs 1,000 a month. The workers demanded that the state government should also contribute the same amount so that ASHA workers can get more money.

The workers demanded that they should be given a minimum wage of Rs 6,475 per month and the employees who had completed 10 years of service in the Forest Department should be regularised. The workers also demanded that they should be given a uniform allowance twice a year and each of them should be insured for a minimum sum of Rs 2 lakh. 

Navjot Kaur Sidhu

Amritsar, April 25
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu today questioned the integrity of the civic authorities apparently dejected by the shortcomings in the system. The ward-wise cleanliness drive which was scheduled every Thursday under the leadership of Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora a couple of weeks ago, Dr Sidhu advocated on the need for reviewing such moves which backfired instead of addressing the residents' grievances in its letter and spirit.

Number of councillors, from both opposition and Independents, strongly criticised the weekly ward cleanliness drive which was restricted to just a formality and was designed merely to gain media attention.

"This weekly ward cleanliness and display of a band of safai karamcharis taken up by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation is nothing but a fruitless exercise. It needs to be reviewed seriously. Addressing people's demands at the doorsteps is backfiring because it is adding fuel to the fire. The list of problems being faced by the public is increasing by leaps and bounds but solutions are hard to find," she said.

With a view to encouraging people's participation in development works and redressal of the civic problems, the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976 advocates to constitute ward wise committees under the chairmanship of councillors of their respective wards. The other 11 members of the committee will include prominent members belonging to that particular ward.

"I must say that despite repeated reminders no safai karamcharis on ward-wise basis were provided here. Though the list of ward committees for my constituency in Amritsar East was provided 10 days back but there has been no further correspondence because of lack of any follow-up action. Similarly, there is a long list of pending works as the MC is not able to provide necessary machinery," she said.

Owing to the shortage of funds and staff, Dr Navjot Kaur also raised a question mark over the commitment of the authorities and leaders.

"No action was ever taken against repeatedly erring officials who lack commitment to perform their duties. Who will explain the reason for not adhering to the most serious traffic problem and life-threatening missing manholes. A simple problem like repair of traffic lights under Taran Wala Pul which can lead to a serious mishap anytime, has not been addressed in spite of repeated reminders for the last 15 days," she said. 

Amritsar, April 25
Punjab Mahila Congress vice-president Nimisha Mehta today said they had approached the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women over the alleged police inaction in the case in which an ASI allegedly tore the clothes of a woman of Bandala village in Amritsar district.

Addressing a press conference here, Mehta said they had urged the said bodies (NHRC and NCW) to order a judicial probe into the entire incident. She said it had been a week since the incident took place but the police had not even registered an FIR into it. She said it was a clear violation of the Supreme Court orders which say that the FIR should be lodged first and then the investigations should be carried out.

She alleged that the police was probing into the case without registering an FIR thus throwing all norms to the wind with an intention “to pressurise the victim”. 

Amritsar, April 25
The Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) authorities have submitted an application in the district court against four office-bearers of the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA) against staging protest within 500 metres of the university premises. The verdict has been reserved for a day.

The Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association president Prof Davinder Singh said application was moved by the university Registrar Dr Inderjit Singh urging the court to direct us to desist protesting on the premises within 500 meters radius of the varsity.

“The Guru Nanak Dev University authorities have pleaded that such protests hamper the 
students’ studies and working of the university besides causing damage 
to the varsity property,” 
he said. The others named in the application included Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association secretary Lakhwinder Singh, joint secretary Nareshpal Saini and executive member Balwinder Singh.

“Our advocate Baljit Singh Saini had argued on our behalf that we are the office-bearers of the teachers association and reserve all rights to raise our voice if our interests are compromised by the university authorities.

“The protests undertaken by the association never caused any damaged to the university property or its peace. After hearing both the sides, the court has reserved its verdict which may be pronounced tomorrow,” Prof Davinder Singh said said. 

Amritsar, April 25
Saskia Rao, a cellist and composer from the Netherlands and now based in New Delhi, regaled the students and staff of Spring Dale Senior School with her rendition of Indian classical tunes on a cello.

The performance was organised by the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Among Youth (SPICMACAY) on the school premises last evening.

She was accompanied by Chitragandha Agle Reshwal on pakhawaj and Durjay Bhaumik on tabla.

Rajiv Kumar Sharma, principal, Spring Dale Senior School, said the soulful performances of the three artists won appreciation from the audience.

“What endeared Rao to most of our students was the fact that she being a foreigner could render Indian classical music so beautifully on a cello,” said Sharma.

Born in Abcoude, the Netherlands, to a family of music lovers as Saskia Rao-de-Haas, Rao studied cello under the Hungarian cellist Tibor de Machula and went on to do a masters in ethnomusicology from the University of Amsterdam and the Conservatory of Rotterdam where she studied under Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Koustav Ray. She came to India in 1994 to study Indian music under Dr Sumati Mutatkar at the Delhi University.

Rao was trained in Indian music by Pandit DK Datar, Pandit Deepak Chowdhary and Pandit Shubhendra Rao. She has performed in several traditional festivals, including the Doverlane Conference in Kolkata, Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan, Jalandhar, Vasanta Habbha, Bangalore, Maihar festival and Haridas Sammelan, Lucknow, besides a number of international-level musical concerts. Rao is scheduled to perform at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow in 2014. 

Amritsar, April 25
A student of Khalsa College for Women (KCW), Khushbir Kaur, has brought laurels to the institution by winning gold medal in the Federation Cup tournament held at Patiala in the walking event. She registered her walk timing at 1 hour and 38 minutes.

With this, she has qualified for the World Athletics Championship to be held in Moscow in August.

She said she would focus on training under her coaches. — TNS