Bathinda, May 29
Preparing a blueprint for development of the city, the City Development Plan (CDP) will focus on the Vision 2035. After the municipal corporations of Amritsar and Ludhiana, the Municipal Corporation of Bathinda (MCB) will become the third local body to have its own CDP plan.

“The basic aim is to prepare a roadmap in sync with the existing guidelines of the Centre and state government which will be adhered to for development works in the years to come,” said Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta.

The MCB has invited tenders for preparing the CDP and a pre-bid conference has been scheduled for May 31. Interested parties can clarify doubts, if any at the conference.

The CDP will provide a comprehensive medium-term strategy (the vision 2035) as well as a City Investment Plan, based on which the MCB will be able to access funds under different schemes and from all sources. It is aimed at revitalising local economic development by attracting funding from the private sector.

The CDP will also be linked into the overall spatial planning and policy framework of the Master Plan and the annual municipal budgeting.

Not only the MCB as a body, but even the councillors, staff, policymakers and citizens would be considered as stake holders in spatial, social and economic development of the city.

The consultant, who win the tender, will carry out a multi-stage exercise to formulate the CDP in close collaboration with the MC Bathinda.

Once selected, the consultant will hold meetings with the councillors, MC staff and others. It will obtain base maps, and available secondary data on demographics of the city, master plan, reports prepared under past and current urban development programmes, annual budget reports of the civic body, other reports giving status of service delivery, and other relevant documents on heritage listing, data on slums and urban poor, government policy documents, etc.

It will also identify economic opportunities and blocks in tapping these and will prepare city-level base maps using Auto-CAD or GIS technology.

The City Development Plan The CDP will provide a comprehensive medium-term strategy (the vision 2035) as well as a City Investment Plan (CIP), based on which the MCB will be able to access funds under different schemes and from all sources. It is aimed at revitalising local economic development by attracting funding from the private sector. The CDP will also be linked into the overall spatial planning and policy framework of the Master Plan and the annual municipal budgeting.

Bathinda, May 29
The use of loudspeakers and orchestra has been banned from 10 pm to 6 am keeping in view the pollution caused by them.

The use has been regulated under the Pollution (regulation and control) Rules, 2000. Under this, loudspeakers, bands, DJs and orchestras at religious places, parties etc. cannot be used without permission. ADC Rajiv Prashar has also passed instructions to keep the premises of Mini Secretariat clean and not to spit or use tobacco or its products at the public place.

In another order, a ban has been imposed on digging temporary wells in the district. No such well can be dug out without seeking permission from executive engineer, Public Health Circle, Bathinda, or executive engineer Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB). All orders will be applicable from May 27 to July 26.

BANNED Loudspeakers, bands, DJs and orchestras at religious places, parties etc. cannot be used without permission. A ban has been imposed on digging temporary wells in the district. No such well can be dug without seeking permission from executive engineer, public health circle, Bathinda, or executive engineer PWSSB.

Bathinda, May 29
A nineteen-year-old youth of Bathinda, Nirvair Singh Rai, has brought laurels for the city by winning a photography reality show, Mission Covershot, on National Geographic Channel. At 19, he was youngest of the eight participants on the show.

As part of the prize, one of the images clicked by Nirvair will now be displayed on the cover of the NationaGeographic Traveller India magazine and those clicked by the runners-up will be carried inside.

Indian filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor and Ami Vitale, an American photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, were the judges on the show.

The show covered the journey of eight amateur photographers who fought it out to get the best shot in Sri Lanka. The tasks given to the contestants during the show aimed at testing their photography skills in every genre, be it sports photography or wildlife and street photography. Contests, including story telling and setting up a scene, were also a part of the show. For the finale, the top three contestants were given the task of preparing a photo essay.

In the finale, Nirvair had to compete against Vinay Panjwani of Ahmedabad and Mandappa KC of Bangalore. While Nirvair’s genre was photo journalism, Mandappa’s genre was wildlife photography and Vinay’s genre was documentary.

Although the channel had not publicised the show much, Nirvair responded to a mail sent out by the channel. He thought it would be a good opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka, where the show was to be shot over 25 days. “I didn't even know that it was for a reality show. I got a call and the channel asked me to shoot and send them my interview and I was selected.”

Nirvair developed a flair for photography while he accompanied his father during his photo walks. Later, he got in touch with veteran photographers Ganesh Shankar and Nilanjan Das who groomed him. He also got a chance to intern with the award-winning Indian photojournalist, Pablo Bartholomew.

Right now, Nirvair is pursuing a degree in photography from Pathshala, The South Asian Media Academy, in Dhaka. He also credits his success to Siddharth Menon, principal of the Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh from where he did his schooling.

Nirvair is the son of Gursharan Mann, an associate professor of the Department of English at Government Rajindra College and Nirlep Singh Rai, deputy general manager at NFL.

Bathinda, May 29
The residents of the areas across the railway line have requested the railway authorities to provide 24x7 ticket vending services at the ticketing window located in the area. They have also demanded that the ticket window may be computerised so that speedy service is rendered to the residents.

In a letter written to the station superintendent, the Bathinda West Welfare Organisation, representing the residents of areas like Parasram Nagar, Partap Nagar, SAS Nagar, Arjun Nagar, Jogi nagar, Tellian Mohalla, Multania Road, Gopal Nagar, Janta Nagar, Sanguana Basti, Lal Singh Basti, Sanjay Nagar and others, pointed out that the ticket window located in the area is closed most of the time. A spokesperson of the organisation, Des Raj Chhatariwala, said, "After much deliberations, we had managed to get a ticket window opened in the area. The window was to remain open from 6 am to 2 pm. For the past few months, the ticket window has remained closed and the railway authorities open it when they like. We are told that the window can't be opened every day since there is a shortage of staff."

He added that when they took up the issue with the station superintendent, they were told to buy tickets from the Partap Nagar ticket window. "The Partap Nagar ticket window is run by a private vendor who charges Re 1 extra on every ticket. We suspect that the west side ticket window is kept close to favour the Partap Nagar ticket counter," he said.

When contacted, station superintendent Pradeep Sharma said, "I had received the letter and forwarded the request to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Ambala. We are yet to get a reply from them."

The commercial movement inspector (CMI), Bathinda, MK Khan, maintained that the reason for the window being kept close was not the shortage of staff. "I will look into the matter. There are a few technical problems due to which the window has not been working smoothly. We are yet to install the UPS system there. The UPS system is important for ticketing. Once the system is in place, the window will be opened regularly."

Bathinda, May 29
Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav today appealed to the freedom fighters and their kin to apply to the district administration for availing various benefits, if they have not done it so far.

In a press statement issued here, he stated that the applications can be submitted till June 20 in room number 233 of the Mini-secretariat. People associated with any movement related to the independence of the country can apply.

The Government of India has given recognition to 39 different movements related to the independence of the country.

These include Gurudwara Reform Movement including Tarn Taran Morcha, Nankana Tragedy, Golden Temple (Movement Chabian Sahib), Guru Ka Bagh Movement, Babbar Akali Morcha, Jaito Morcha, Bhai Pheru Morcha and Golden Temple 1924.

Besides, Jallianwala Bagh, Praja Mandal Lehar, Kirti Kisan Lehar, Navjeevan Sabha, Quit India Movement, INA and IIL, Goa Liberation Movement, Kuka Namdhari Lehar, Suez Canal Army Rebel and others have also been included in the list.

Bathinda, May 29
A two-year-old girl child was found suffering from burns on mouth and thigh under mysterious circumstances in Janta Nagar. The child's mouth was badly burnt, while her thighs too had marks of burn injuries.

The child, Poonam's, father Titu Kumar lives in street number 7, Janta Nagar with his two daughters and wife. A daily labourer, Titu had gone to work when the incident took place.

Today at around 9:30 am, his wife had left their shanty and gone to meet the neighbours leaving behind the two children. Suddenly, the elder daughter went to her mother and said Poonam was lying unconscious and her mouth was burnt.

The parents called up the NGO Sahara Welfare Society. The volunteers of the NGO took the child to the civil hospital. Doctors attending on her in the emergency ward said the child was unable to open her mouth and was being given intravenous fluids. She had swelling on tongue and lips. "The child is facing some problems in breathing too," said the doctors.

Doctors said it seemed that the child had been given something acidic or alkaline in nature. "The rashes and the swelling are a result of a series of chemical reaction. It is quite possible that she has ingested something poisonous. But her respiratory airways are clear as there is no congestion," said the doctors.

The child is stable but not out of danger. She has thin burn marks on thighs also. Doctors said she will be kept under observation for the next 48 hours. "If the burns are deep, plastic surgery will be required," he said.

DSP Gurmeet Singh Kingra too reached the hospital to see the child. Meanwhile, SHO, Canal Colony police station, Sanjeev Kumar said on the basis of the girl's father's complaint, the police has registered a case against unknown miscreants for attempt to murder.

Fact file The incident took place in street number 7 of Janta Nagar. The child's mouth was badly burnt, while her thighs too had marks of burn injuries. The child’s father is a daily labourer and had gone to work when the incident took place. Doctors at the Civil Hospital said that the rashes and the swelling were possibly a result of chemical reaction. It is possible that the child had ingested something poisonous.

Bathinda, May 29
A one-day workshop on 'Capacity building programme on life skills, attitude and values, health and well-being' was organised at the RBDAV Senior Secondary School by Meenkshi Gupt and Swati Shamra.

The focus of the workshop was on life skills — the co-scholastic part of the CCE pattern by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The programme focussed on social, emotional and thinking skills of the students.

The principal of the school, Dr Satwant Bhullar said there was a need to sensitise the students socially and emotionally. She also highlighted the importance of such sessions in refreshing the life skills. — TNS

Bathinda, May 29
Students of the Baba Farid Group of Institutions did their college proud by oing well in the MA Education (Part I) examination the results of which were announced recently by the Punjabi University, Patiala.

All the students passed in first division. Manpreet Kaur scored 70 per cent marks and stood first. Veerpal Kaur scored 69.5 per cent marks and Sukhpreet Kaur scored 69 pe cent marks and bagged the second and third positions, respectively. The BFGI authorities have lauded their achievements.

Bathinda, May 29
The admission process for various professional courses at Chandigarh University, Gharuan, kicked off with the launch of Prospectus-2013 at the regional office in Bathinda. Catering to the needs of students and parents of Malwa region comprising Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Jalalabad and Ferozpur districts, the regional office at Bathinda was recently inaugurated by Baljeet Singh Bir Behman, Mayor, Bathinda.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr RS Bawa, Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, said with the Board results out, the CU-Gharuan regional office at 100 Feet Road, near Ghorewala Chowk, is witnessing a huge rush of students to get free academic counseling by the career experts so that they are able to choose the right career path for themselves.

Dr Bawa said the students from the Malwa region should take advantage of various scholarships announced by the university where the meritorious students would be entitled for 100 per cent fee waiver, among other benefits.

The recently launched "Super Achiever Scholarship" programme for diploma students, in association with the Punjab State Board of Technical Education & Industrial Training for JET-2013 toppers, has receiving an overwhelming response from the students, he said.

Under the programme, Chandigarh Polytechnic College would invite online applications from the students who have appeared in JET-2013 for which the registration would be done on the website of Chandigarh Polytechnic College. The top 50 students appearing in the merit list would be entitled for 100 per cent fee waiver, among other benefits, that includes placements in top multinational companies, higher education opportunities at Chandigarh University after completion of the course, free books and college uniform. 

Bathinda, May 29
The Bathinda District Chess Association is organising a two-day Punjab State Chess Championship in the city. The championship will begin on June 1 and will be held at the Teacher's Home. Players born on or after January 1, 1994 are eligible to play in the tournament.

The top four position holders among both girls and boys will represent the Punjab team in the upcoming National Chess Championship for junior boys and girls to be held in Uttar Pradesh from July 9 to July 18 later this year.

According to the rules and regulations set for the tournament, the players have been asked to carry their own chess set and chess clocks.

The notification also stated that a separate tournament between girls and boys will also be held. 

Fact file The championship will be held at Teacher's Home. Players born on or after January 1, 1994 are eligible to play in the tournament. The top four position holders among both girls and boys will represent the Punjab team in the National Junior Chess Championship.

Bathinda, May 29
A BSc student was killed in an accident near village Mandi Kalan near the turn towards Rampura.

On May 28, at around 6 pm, a Swift car, bearing the registration number PB 10 DD 7829, was going from Rampura to Maur carrying students of the Adesh Institute, Bhucho.

Suddenly, an oil tanker hit the car. In the tragic incident, Gurjant Singh from Sangrur, who was sitting in a rear seat, died on the spot.

The other students, Sukhdeep Singh from Ganganagar, Lovepreet Singh from Ludhiana, Navpreet Singh from village Gholian Kalan (Moga) and Sukhwant Singh from Mansa, sustained injuries.

They were going in Lovepreet's car that he himself was driving. Suddenly, an oil tanker hit the car from the rear, killing Gurjant Singh on the spot.