Amritsar, May 2
As the Indian diplomacy and citizenry deal with the news of Sarabjit’s death, which has become the latest bone of contention between India and Pakistan, emotions ran high in the city following the aftermath of the entire episode. As Sarabjit’s hometown Bhikhiwind saw angered reactions and protests condemning his death, the holy city, too, reacted sharply over the alleged "diplomatic failure" and the inhumane treatment meted out to his family. The incident has sparked off questions, a chain of reactions from all sections of society and political system. We share what residents here feel about Sarabjit’s struggle with the system for 23 years and his tragic end.

• I feel Sarabjit’s death is a repercussion of Kasab’s hanging. He spent 23 years in prison and nothing happened before the Indian government hanged Kasab for his role in the Mumbai attacks. Now that he has passed away, I feel the media and diplomatic circles would not let him fade away from public memory. What happened was tragic, but nobody can comment on the rights and wrongs of it since there was no clarity in the matter.— Sehaj Gulati, social activist

• Keeping political and administrative lapses aside, his death has been a blow to the humanity. It’s tragic and shocking that a high-security prison failed to protect a prisoner, who was attacked in a planned manner. Despite his grievous injuries, the Pakistani authorities were inhumane towards him, which eventually led to his death. It could have been avoided if the Pakistani authorities had shown some respect for his life. — Parminderjit, editor, Akhar magazine and writer

• I believe his death was a planned conspiracy, backed by political agenda since elections are scheduled to be held soon in Pakistan. His murder was a reaction to Kasab's hanging and he was made a sacrificial lamb for political gains. His family, too, has suffered a lot through the years and I think their demands are justified. The government should do everything possible to ensure his family’s survival in the future. — Inderjit Singh, Registrar, GNDU

• I would call Sarabjit’s death revenge killing with a political agenda. He was attacked inside a high-security prison, where he spent 23 years, only when elections are nearing in Pakistan. Also, the Indian authorities, too, failed to provide a diplomatic outlet for the injured Sarabjit to ensure his well-being. This is the worst incident of inhumane behaviour from Pakistan since the beheading of our soldiers. —— Yogesh Negi, independent film-maker

Amritsar, May 2
The five satellite hospitals, located around the periphery of the city that opened with the motive to lessen the rush of expectant mothers at government hospitals, are not equipped to conduct caesarean deliveries.

As such, these hospitals are helping in normal deliveries only. As a result, the two big hospitals here, Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, have to deal with most of the rush of such cases.

Both these institutions conduct around 450 and 250 deliveries every month on an average.

Five satellite hospitals, Bhai Dharam Singh Satellite Hospital Ranjit Avenue, Bhai Daya Singh Satellite Hospital Mustfabad, Bhai Mohkam Singh Satellite Hospital Sakatri Bagh, Bhai Himmat Singh Satellite Hospital Kale Ghanupur, Bhai Sahib Singh Satellite Hospital Fatahpur, have considerably failed to lessen the rush at the big hospitals.

The basic purpose of the satellite hospitals - to provide child birth services at a place near an expecting mother’s home - seems defeated when a majority of them make expectant mothers visit the Civil Hospital or the GNDH.

All satellite hospitals, on an average, help in 30 to 55 deliveries. “It would be more convenient for the rural population and even for the city dwellers if they can avail the services at a hospital near their residence,” said Harpartap Singh, a local resident.

The people would be saved the trouble of entering the crowded city during an emergency. During a visit to Bhai Sahib Singh Satellite Hospital, Fatahpur, it was found that very few patients come for the child birth services.

Presently apart from assisting in child births, the satellite hospitals have also been assigned the duty of providing OPD services and DOTS for tuberculosis patients.

Civil Surgeon, Dr Yash Mitra, said the department would look into the necessity of upgrading these hospitals.

Amritsar, May 2
As the roadside eateries continue to sell unhygienic eatables, city residents are at the risk of falling prey to various diseases this summer.

Most of the rehri owners selling such eatables have failed to register with the health department under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Such eateries have mushroomed at every nook and corner of the city. The persons running these do not seem to be serious in serving hygienic food items. Children can be seen washing utensils and serving food at these places.

With city residents, due to their gastronomic habits, preferring to relish food at these eateries, the district administration seems to be turning a blind eye towards the problem.

It is seen that at most of these eateries, roadside municipality water taps, which are often surrounded by garbage and filth, are used to procure water for cooking and washing purposes.

The eatables, too, are not properly covered after cooking. The dust and smoke emitted by vehicles make these roads a bad place for cooking food.

Kanta Sharma, a homemaker, said that at least the administration can force them to cover the eatables. “If not we, somebody is eating these items sprayed with dust thrown up by the vehicles. We are not asking the administration to ask them to shut down their means of livelihood, but at least health of the residents should be considered,” she said.

Residents said rehri owners, too, must care about serving hygienic food. “The health department should look into the hygiene levels of these eateries to prevent the likely outbreak of communicable diseases,” said another resident Kanika Malhotra.

District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Kahlon said they would initiate a campaign to educate the rehri owners. Some eateries are even registered with the department under the FSSA, he said, adding that strict action would be initiated against those who were not registered with us.

Amritsar, May 2
Even as the Heritage Walk and Panj Sarovar Walk have bagged several awards at the national level in the recent past, they are grappling with teething problems like unsanitary conditions, loose hanging wires and tampering with heritage structures.

Heritage walk was recently declared joint winner for the national tourism award 2011-12 by the Tourism Ministry.

Unveiled to showcase the old world charm of the holy city to the tourists coming here from across the country and around the world, the heritage walk showcases 14 key religious, historic, architectural and traditional cuisine spots in the walled city to the tourists. It was launched by the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board on September 27, 2011.

The Panj Sarovar walk (five holy ponds) takes tourists to Santokhsar, Bibeksar, Ramsar, Kaulsar and most sacred Amrit Sarovar, in the Golden Temple complex. It was started on December 14, 2011.

Tourists in both walks invariably find piles of garbage dotting the route, people urinating in the open, hanging wastes like polythene bags containing refuse, shreds of clothes over various loose dangling cables offering nasty look to the tourists. A number of loose hanging wires eclipse the façade of beautiful buildings remain the same.

Many heritage value buildings are being given contemporary look. This move is risking the very existence of the walk. Lacunae in the shape of deplorable roads, missing footpaths, widespread encroachments, unorganised traffic, loose and unorganised dangling cables of power supply, telecom and private satellite channels, poor garbage collection, unhygienic environment and lack of cleanliness upset and give wrong message to the tourists.

For instance, the heritage value of the two-and-a-half century old Udasi cult Chitta Akhara, near Harmandar Sahib, was seriously undermined as a wall of Nanakshahi bricks was replaced with a new one.

A ward of the TB Hospital in dilapidated condition. Photos: Sameer Sehgal

Sorry state of affairs

• Garbage is piled up outside the wall of the Civil Hospital, Amritsar besides stray dogs roaming around the TB Sanatorium
• Making things worse, biomedical waste is burnt at the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital and the Employees State Insurance Hospital
• Stink emanating from the nullah adjoining the ESI Hospital has become a huge source of inconvenience to visitors

Amritsar, May 2
The Cantonment police today arrested a person who allegedly tried to pass on drugs to his son lodged in the Amritsar Central jail here.

The accused has been identified as Davinder Singh who was nabbed by the jail staff when he came to see his undertrial son Inderjit Singh.

On the complaint submitted by Superintendent of Amritsar Central Jail, the Cantonment police has registered case under Section 21/61/85 of the NDPS Act, 420 of the IPC, 42 of the Prisoner Act 1894 against the accused.

ASI Varinder Singh of Gumtala police post said an FIR was filed against Inderjit Singh at the Tarn Taran police station. "The preliminary investigations revealed that Davinder Singh, a resident of Bhati village in Kapurthala district had come to see his son Inderjit but during routine checking, it was found that he possessed 400 tablets of intoxicants. He apparently, tried to sneak in drugs in the jail. The matter is under investigation."

Amritsar, May 2
The Gate Hakima police recovered the body of an unidentified person yesterday afternoon near Bhaktanwala grain market here.

The police team was led by Station House Officer (SHO) Kuldeep Singh, head constables Manjit Singh and Pawan Kumar.

Station House Officer (SHO) Singh said the age of the deceased was around 30-35 years and he had a strong built with a 5’-4” height.

“We could not get any identification card except a tattoo “MOTTO” engraved on his left arm and chest,’ he said.

“The body has been kept in the mortuary of the hospital. Search is on to trace his identification,” the SHO said.

Amritsar, May 2
Sarhad-E-Punjab Sports Club today felicitated 200 brilliant girl students from various schools.

The girl students were from Cambridge International School, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Mall road, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Chheharta, DAV Public School, Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, GT Road, Manav Public School, BBK DAV College, Holy Heart Presidency School, Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Nawa Kot and others.

Gurinder Singh Mattu of Sarhad-E-Punjab Sports Club said the move was aimed at creating awareness against female foeticide in the society in general and Punjab in particular.