Bathinda, July 20
The kin of a woman, who allegedly died after undergoing surgery for removal of stone at a local private hospital, today blocked the traffic near the local stadium seeking legal action against Dr Vikas Chhabra whom they accused of negligence.

Katar Singh, a resident of National Colony, said on July 15, his wife Sarabjit complained of stomach-ache and was taken to the hospital. "The doctor there said my wife was suffering from kidney stones. She was operated for the same," he said.

He claimed that his wife's condition deteriorated and he requested the hospital authorities to discharge the patient so that she could be taken to another hospital. However, the hospital authorities allegedly refused to do so saying that if Sarabjit was to be taken to some local hospital she will not be discharged.

On July 19, she was referred to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana. Doctors at the DMCH told the family that Sarabjit was suffering from an acute infection and that she was anaemic. She was later declared dead.

The deceased's family alleged that due to the doctor's negligence in Bathinda, Sarabjit had contracted infection and she died.

Civil Lines Station House Officer (SHO) Sukhdev Singh too reached the spot and tried to counsel the aggrieved family to lift the blockade. The family, however, refused to relent and said Sarabjit would not be cremated till the doctor was booked for negligence.

Acceding to the demand, the police took an application from the aggrieved family. The SHO said the Bathinda Civil Surgeon was requested to form a board of doctors to ascertain the cause of death.

The panel of doctors conducted the post-mortem examination and the family took the body for cremation. The reports of viscera and other medical reports are awaited. "We will take further action only after getting the reports," SHO Sukhdev Singh said.

Case history Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of National Colony, was admitted to a local private hospital on July 15 after she complained of stomach-ache. She was operated upon for kidney stones. The hospital authorities refused to shift her to another hospital in the city even as her condition deteriorated. On July 19, she was referred to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital at Ludhiana. The doctors told the family that Sarabjit was suffering from an acute infection. She was later declared dead. Her kin allege that due to the Bathinda doctor’s negligence, she contracted infection and died.

Bathinda, July 20
Seeking justice for their young daughter, who was allegedly raped and murdered, a haggard Asha Rani and her husband Virbhan, residents of Kanhaiya Colony here, made several rounds of the Jeet Palace in their attempt to meet the Member of Parliament from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Finally resorting to shouting at the top of her voice, Asha Rani said, “Her body was found in Dabwali in April and all these months the police has been sending us from one police station to another. And now even the MP doesn’t have time for us.”

Complainants throng venue

Many people from all the wards of the city made a beeline to meet the MP during her Sangat Darshan held in the city today. Some complained about sewerage and water problems, others were vocal against the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) over some disputed land while others wanted the MP to release funds for the development of their area.

Although the MP’s programme was scheduled to begin at 11 am, she reached the venue at 2 pm. Once the programme was announced for complainants, the latter had heated arguments with the police personnel after they were told to come ward-wise.

Chaos ruled

Chaos prevailed as the MP suddenly left the venue hall and went and sat inside a small office. As her security personnel dashed out with her, the visitors followed and soon there was a crowd outside the office. The police personnel controlled the situation and asked the councillors to arrange and bring the complainants from their wards according to their turn.

Sonia wanted the MP to help her children get some government job since her husband and she were unable to work after they were badly injured in a road accident. “We can hardly make the ends meet. My husband is bed-ridden as his spinal cord was damaged in the accident. I want the MP to help my children get some job,” she said. Sonia looked hopeless as she stepped out of the office after meeting the MP. “She took my application and heard my entire story. At the end, she just assured me that something will be done,” she said.

Plaint against PUDA

Octogenarian Baldev Singh was at the Sangat Darshan venue to complain against PUDA. “We have been living in Sri Guru Arjan Dev Nagar for decades. The PUDA has laid claim on the land. We spent our life’s savings on building our houses and the PUDA wants us to vacate the land,” he said.

Inaugurations

Earlier, Harsimrat Badal inaugurated a stitching centre for girls under the Nanhi Chann programme at Dhobiana Basti and distributed sewing machines and saplings to 14 girls. She also inaugurated the SSD College of Professional Studies in the SSD Krishna Vatika School on the Bathinda-Goniana road.

Bathinda, July 20
Kheti Virasat Mission, a non-government organization (NGO), will hold a natural farming and environment festival from July 26 to 28 at the community centre in Model Town phase III, here.

Addressing media persons here today, the director, KVM, Umendra Dutt said the festival will be an ecological renaissance covering diverse aspects and topics of ecology, natural farming, sustainable development, environmental toxicity and environmental health along with ecological alternatives and green technologies on its vast canvas.

The programme will include seminars, public dialogues, farmers' training workshops, kitchen gardening workshops for women from the urban and rural areas, cultural programmes, farmers' market and stalls by organic supporters.

The event is being held in collaboration with the department of local bodies, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Punjab Technical University (PTU), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, department of agriculture and department of industries and the Bathinda Association of NGOs (BANGO).

Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal will inaugurate the fest on July 26, while the concluding ceremony will be held on July 28.

Training workshops in natural farming will be held for farmers. Pesticide-free kitchen gardening training workshop will be held to train people on growing poison-free vegetables and fruits in the urban areas. A dialogue on issues related to environment, health, water and conservation of natural resources will also be held.

Eminent personalities expected to take part in the fest include Magsaysay Award winner and water conservation activist Rajinder Singh, agriculture and food policy analyst Davindra Sharma, a world record holder farmer from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh (MP) who successfully enhanced carbon content up to 8 per cent in the soil at his farm, Deepak Sachde, sugarcane farmer Suresh Desai, agriculture scientist Dr Om Prakash Rupela, activist on ecological issues Dr Sudhirendra Sharma, Director, Toxic Watch, Gopal Krishan, principal scientist with National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources Dr Davindra Sadana and Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development, T Vijay Kumar.

Lakshman Singh, famous for developing a new design for catching rain water in Rajasthan and reviving grasslands, world record holders in natural farming like Nitish Kumar, who made his mark in potato production, Sumant Kumar in paddy production, Manoj Kumar in horticulture production, Rakesh Kumar in onion production, Anuradha Modi and Lalima Dang, who work for conservation and promotion of Indian cow breeds, global consultant with the WHO Hemant Goswami and national convener, Coalition for GM-Free India, Rajesh Krishnan may also be present.

On July 26, discussions will be held on the conservation of natural resources. A public dialogue will also be held be on the drinking water crisis.

On July 27, discussions will be held on policy shift for ecological agriculture. A seminar will also be held on the role of panchayati raj institutins (PRIs) in the conservation of natural resources and ecological challenges in Punjab. A workshop will be held on municipal waste management and urban environmental issues in Punjab.

On Sunday, discussion will be held on environmental health, ecological crisis and nutrition in Punjab, issues of governance, polity and society. A talk will also be delivered on nutrition, health and indigenous breeds of cow. School students will deliver a presentation on environment.

A public discussion will be held on building safe food and natural farming movement and workshops in natural farming will also be held.

Farmers will share the success stories related to organic farming. A discussion will also be held on appropriate technology with special reference to panchgavya, agnihotra and natural farming.

Bathinda, July 20
Punjabis are among the most prone to knee problems, due to a rich diet and a sedentary lifestyle, said Dr Ranjit Singh. In the city, under collaboration with the Health Street Hospital, Dr Ranjit Singh, well known orthopaedican, said knee problems are not confined to elderly people.

People as young as 35 years old are coming with strained knees that need implants. Common man has the tendency of prolonging knee implant surgery, which is wrong. At the age of 35 years, it is better to go for knee implants than to suffer excruciating pain, he said.

He said the implants have a life of up to 25 years, which means a 35-year-old will have to undergo revision surgery at the age of 60 years. The revision surgeries were started around five years ago and presently only those cases are undergoing revision wherein the surgeon has not succeeded in fitting implants with desired results.

When going for knee implants, a patient must ask his or her doctor about the longevity of implant and its usage in market, he said.

Always opt for the implants that are in use over last 20 years as they have defined results and longevity. Having undergone knee replacement surgery, complete care should be taken to minimize the wear and tear of implant, which may even offer high flexion (higher ability to bend or move knees), the doctor suggested.

Punjabi women are more prone to knee problems than men due to sedentary lifestyle, habit of squatting, wrong eating habits and calcium deficiency.

Bathinda, July 20
The Max Super Speciality Hospital will be holding a cancer detection and prevention camp on June 22 and 23. In a press statement issued here, a spokesperson for the hospital stated that the camp will be held from 9:30 am to 4 pm.

During the two-day camp, people can avail of free consultation from specialists and also undergo various cancer screening tests like PSA, CEA, papsmear, mammography, sonography, chest x-ray, ultrasound of the abdomen, stool, urine and spit-out examination.

A team of experts from Max Hospital comprising surgical oncologist Dr VP Kalra, radiation oncologists Dr Rajesh Vashistha and Dr Manjinder Singh Sidhu will counsel people and educate them about the significance of detecting cancer early.

Dr Aniruddha Suranglikar, General Manager, Operations, Max Hospital, said, "Punjab, the country's food bowl, is in a turmoil. Data has shown that on an average, 18 people die of cancer each day. It is critical to address the cancer burden on the Malwa region. In the last one year, we received 380 cases of different forms of cancers which could have been prevented from spreading if diagnosed earlier."

According to recent government study, 23,874 cancer patients and 33,318 cancer-related deaths have been reported in Punjab in the last five years. 

Bathinda, July 20
The Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on Easy Day, an outlet of Bharti Retail Limited, for overcharging Rs 20 from a customer. The outlet, located in Romana Complex on 100-feet road, was accused of pursujng unfair trade practices.

During the arguments, the Forum observed overcharging of Rs 25 on another article purchased by another customer. The Forum stated that every customer purchases articles from such stores in good faith and it is not possible to tally each and every article with the bill.

Regarding the claim of the opposite party that they return the excess amount whenever a customer points it out, the Forum stated that had the customers not pointed out the excess Rs 20 charged on Amul Cool Café can and Rs 25 on Pears soap, it would have never been returned by the outlet.

When the opposite party pleaded that such mistakes occur during the sale of items, the Forum stated that the retail outlet is bound to keep its price list updated and the cashier is supposed to check the accuracy of every article sold.

Amandeep Singh (19) of Ajit Road had filed a complaint with the Forum through his counsel Sanjeev Narowal. The complainant said he purchased two Amul Cool can for Rs 40 each and three packets of Crax for Rs 10 each from Easy Day around three months ago.

After purchasing the items, he came to his house and opened the Amul Cool can and saw the MRP (maximum retail price) of Rs 30 is mentioned on it whereas the outlet had charged Rs 40 for each can and had taken Rs 20 extra. The complainant approached the outlet over the excess charging but the employees in the store refused to listen on one pretext or the other.

The opposite party after appearing before the Forum pleaded that the price of Rs 40 for each Amul Cool can has been charged instead of Rs 30, due to a mistake in the computer software.

The outlet also gave reference of a case where a wrong entry was made by the computer software on purchase of Pears soap wherein Rs 25 was overcharged. The amount was returned when the customer pointed it out.

Easy Day admitted that sometimes due to error in the computer software system, the price of a product is charged for another product of the same type and variety.

It also placed on record another bill and invoice dated 25, May 2013 wherein a price of Rs 150 was charged for the sale of Pears soap instead of Rs 125 due to an error in the computer software but it was rectified and the amount returned.

The Forum observed that if the mistake had not been pointed, the outlet would have charged more and not returned the excess amount.

The Forum directed the outlet to pay Rs 3,000 as cost and compensation including Rs 20 charged in excess. Out of the Rs 3,000 compensation, Rs 500 will be paid to the complainant and Rs 2,500 will be deposited in the legal aid fund of the forum.

Bathinda, July 20
Rubaroo — a celebration of the parents day was organised at the RBDAV Senior Secondary School here today. The guests of the day were renowned physician Dr KK Nohria and manager of the HDFC bank, Kamal Bansal.

Principal of the school, Dr Satwant Bhullar welcomed the guests and appreciated the enthusiasm they displayed by for participating in various competitions. She said the function was an endeavour to make the parents showcase their talent. The parents participated in declamation, singing, quiz, recipe and best-dressed competitions.

While Prem Lata won the declamation contest, the first position in singing competition went to Babita. Meenakshi and Rajni Garg won the quiz competition and the recipe competition was won by Neetu Goyal Sunita Soni was adjudged the best-dressed parent. 

Bathinda, July 20
District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) today held a legal literacy camp to create awareness among the villagers about various schemes at Poohla village.

Advocate Shahbharat Sidhu said the camps are being organised to create awareness among the villagers so that they could easily avail various benefits extended under the legal awareness programmes. Besides the Dowry Act, Domestic Violence Act, Senior Citizen Act, Environment Law, people were also informed about cash schemes. — TNS

Bathinda, July 20
The present generation may go slow on the oily and fried food, but those who care about taste and not about waist, swear by Giani Paranthe Wala. Most people, even his neighbours, don't know his real name and refer to him by this sobriquet.

"Everyone in the city knows me as the Giani Paranthe Wala, and no one knows that my real name is Mohan Singh. I'm happy that I'm known for my work," he said.

Giani, who used to work at Ambala Cantonment earlier, came to Bathinda and dealt in fruits for three years. "I realised that business in fruits was seasonal and decided to do something which would be of use to the public every day. And that's how, I started making and selling paranthas," said the octogenarian.

He is accompanied by his son and two helpers. "The weekly menu that I introduced in 1978, when I first started selling paranthas, remains the same. With aloo parantha, we serve maa ki daal on Mondays, kadhi on Tuesdays and Fridays, chhole on Wednesdays and Saturdays and rajma on Thursdays and Sundays."

"So confident was I about my culinary skills that I began selling paranthas at 60 paise despite the fact that paranthas were sold for 50 paise in the market then," he said.

When asked why he had never thought of shifting from the rehri to a shop, he said, "I am popular for the quality I offer to the customers on a rehri. If we shift to a shop, we may not be able to retain the quality since we would have to spend on rent as well."

A resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar on Bibiwala Road, Giani starts work on his rehri at 6 am, cooks daal or sabzi for the day and then opens it for the public at 8.30 am. He calls it a day at 4 pm.