Bathinda, September 14
Female alcoholics and intravenous (IV) drug users are turning up for treatment at the government hospital here seeking counselling as well as de-addiction.

The patients having addiction to injectable drugs and alcohol are reportedly in the age group of 30 to 40 years. The younger generation is seeking treatment for smoking and abusing medicines as drugs.

A psychiatrist at the Civil Hospital, Dr Nidhi Gupta, said she had been getting female patients in the age group of 30 to 40 years, who were using injectable drugs and now want to leave it.

"Most of the women IV drug users belong to landlord families and hail from villages. They have had history of using injectable drugs such as painkillers. Having taken a painkiller shot once, they get used to it and start taking it repeatedly becoming an addict," she said.

Dr Gupta added that quacks in villages had a major role to play in the making of an addict as the very first injection of painkiller was given by quacks, who later advise women to take a shot every time they feel pain. "We are treating women who take more than six such injections in a day. Most of the women are accompanied by their husbands or other family members," she added.

Besides this, a handful of women alcoholics are also reporting at hospitals seeking treatment to their habit. Most of the women patients have had alcoholic husbands or fathers and easy availability of alcohol makes them vulnerable.

The addiction is a kind of "trend" in the young generation. A female student of Class IX of a renowned school in the city has been hooked to smoking for the past one year. The child was motivated to try a puff when she saw her father smoking. Now, while her father has quit smoking, the girl needs treatment to kick the butt.

A psychiatrist at Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR), Dr PD Bansal, said women hailing from rural areas complain of addiction to poppy husk. "Their family members give them drugs slyly in order to keep them quiet. The women, however, realise that they were addicted when they frequently experience upset stomach and a lazy schedule," Dr Bansal said.

"Though women constitute a very small portion of drug addicts, the number is significant as it is the women who have to save its family members from picking up the wrong path," he added.

Bathinda, September 14
The teams of Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) today collected Rs 2.75 lakh at the camps held for regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the city. Thirty-eight applicants-- holders of plots and houses in these colonies-- had applied today.

So far, the six teams holding camps in the city have collected Rs 42 lakhs and have received 216 applications. Of these 216 applicants, only one is a coloniser while the rest are all individuals.

Camps are being held at Lal Singh Basti street number 24, Malout Road near Ambuja Cement factory, Adarsh Nagar street number 7, Multania main road, Paras Ram Nagar near water works and street number 13-9 of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Prajapat Dharamshala.

Bathinda, September 14
The doctors working at the Women and Children Hospital, Bathinda, the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Goniana and the referral unit in Bathinda Central Jail have found places among top 10 performers in the state.

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Punjab, has started a healthy competition compiling names of top 10 performing doctors of the state considering their performances in out patient department (OPD), deliveries and major surgeries.

The first list released by the NRHM pertained to the fortnight August 1 to 15 and the second list was based on data from August 16 to 31.

Doctors from Bathinda health facilities figure in both the lists. Paediatrician Dr Satish Jindal has secured the first place in the second list with an OPD listing of a whopping 1,571. Dr Jindal was placed fifth in the first list with 1,102 as OPD listing.

Similarly, Dr Rajinder Bhushan from the CHC, Goniana, ranks seventh in the state in the second list with 1,124 OPD followed by Dr Gurjit Singh from the referral unit of the Central Jail, who has to his credit an OPD of 1,028. In the first list, Dr Bhushan was ranked third with an OPD of 1,194 while Dr Gurjit Singh was placed seventh with an OPD of 1,074.

The gynaecologists at the Women and Children Hospital, Bathinda, and the CHC, Goniana, have occupied three places in the list for the second fortnight.

Gynaecologist Dr Alka Garg has performed the highest number of deliveries (117) in the state. Dr Preet Maninder of the same hospital is placed fourth with 80 deliveries and Dr Rabina Maheshwari from Goniana, who performed 59 deliveries, is ranked 10th.

During the first fortnight of August, Dr Preet Maninder had performed 61 deliveries and was placed seventh while Dr Rabina Maheshwari from the CHC, Goniana, with 58 deliveries was positioned ninth.

Interestingly, of the 20 top performers in OPD and deliveries in the state, six are from Bathinda district. However, the district has not managed to mark its presence in the category of major surgeries.

Civil surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni said the basic aim of populating the list was to encourage good performers and motivate others to follow them. “The record will also reflect in the annual confidential reports (ACRs) of doctors. Though there is no separate column in the ACR reports, such achievements could be mentioned in particular,” he added.

FAct file The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Punjab, has started a healthy competition compiling names of top 10 performing doctors of the state considering their performances in out patient department (OPD), deliveries and major surgeries. Paediatrician Dr Satish Jindal has secured the first place in the list for the latter fortnight in the month of August with an OPD listing of a whopping 1,571. Gynaecologist Dr Alka Garg has performed the highest number of deliveries (117) in the state.

Bathinda, September 14
With an eye on the Municipal Corporation and Lok Sabha elections, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Partap Singh Bajwa is all set to spend two days in Bathinda city to try and tilt the balance in the favour of his party and mobilise the party workers. He will hold rallies in the city on September 25-26.

This was announced here today by Congress MLA from Sardulgarh, Ajeet Inder Singh Mofar and former Bathinda MLA, Harminder Singh Jassi.

Agreeing that Bathinda is an important region vis-à-vis Lok Sabha elections and that the party was planning meticulously to oust the SAD-BJP from the region, Mofar said, "There is no doubt that Bathinda is an area which can't be sidelined or overlooked. But surprisingly, the Bathinda MP has been doing just that all these years."

"Partap Singh Bajwa will meet the people of Bathinda and show them data that would reveal how the Badal family is cheating Punjab by saying different things. While the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal says the state doesn't have funds, his son and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, says the state's coffers are full. Member of Parliament from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal says the Centre doesn't release funds," he added.

Questioning the Deputy Chief Minister's claims, he asked, "If a financial crunch is not staring Punjab in its face, then why the different welfare schemes are dying a slow death? Why is the state government not releasing Rs 108 crore grant for the payment of old age pension, Rs 21 crore grant for the needy women, Rs 8.9 crore for the dependent female children, Rs 10.8 crore for the handicapped students and several other grants that are yet to be released."

Former Congress legislator of Bathinda, Harminder Singh Jassi pointed out that during the rally, the PPCC chief will hear out the problems of the residents of the area and also make clear the picture, which has been blurred by the present SAD-BJP alliance.

"The rally will not be like the sangat darshan programme of the Bathinda MP Harsimrat Badal where she makes promises and nothing comes out of them. The rally will be an eye-opener for the residents of this area. Government employees, unemployed youth, anyone and everyone are invited to be a part of the rally," the former legislator added.

When asked what he had to say about Modi's selection as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, he said, "I don't have anything to say. The fact that the senior leaders of the party are not happy with the decision says a lot about the party and its functioning."

Also present on the occasion were were Iqbal Singh Dhillon, Tinku Grover, Lala Jit Mal, KK Aggarwal, Harpal Bajwa, Chiranji Lal Garg, Nand Lal Singla, Rupinder Singh Bindra and Ashok Kumar.

Bathinda, September 14
Reacting sharply to the recent hike in the price of petrol, Member of Parliament from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the UPA Government had a "clandestine" understanding with the multinational companies and in order to promote them and without caring for the poor, the price of the fuel was being hiked frequently.

The steep hike in the prices of essential commodities would further burden the common man and would deal another blow to the already crippled economy, she said.

While addressing political gatherings in Bathinda district today, Harsimrat said the UPA Government at the Centre is on its way out and is trying every technique to save itself from the wrath of the people and is introducing various bills in Parliament showing fake concern for the public.

She added that such "gimmicks" would not turn into "votes". "By now, people have understood that they are being exploited at the hands of the Congress-led UPA government," she added.

Later, addressing a sangat darshan programme in the district, the Bathinda MP maintained that the financial health of the state government was fine. "People can decide for themselves. Various development works going on at different places and major companies expressing their keen desire to invest in Punjab show that all is well with Punjab's economy," Harsimrat said.

The MP also distributed grants for the execution of development works and sewing machines among girls who have completed courses from centres being run under the Nanhi Chhan project in the district.

Bathinda, September 14
A convention of ASHA Workers and Facilitators Union of Malwa region was held at Teachers' Home today.

ASHA workers and health facilitators from the districts of Ropar, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar and Bathinda participated in the convention.

Various demands of workers were raised at the convention. ASHA workers demanded fixation of minimum pay scale, increase in incentives, allowance for additional work, framing of services rules, free medical services, TA/DA and mobile phone allowance and increase in remuneration for making slides of malaria, among others.

President, ASHA Workers Union, Punjab, Amarjit Kaur said the union had decided to align itself with the Centre of Trade Unions as the latter is the right representative of labour rights.

Bathinda, September 14
The beauty parlour training course, being taught at the State Bank of Patiala's (SBoP) rural self-employment training centre at Red Cross Bhawan, concluded today.

Twenty-seven women underwent the month-long course, which aimed at making women self-sufficient and helping them start their own ventures to supplement the income of their spouses or parents. All the participants in the course were given certificates.

Prominent among those present today included chief manager RK Seth, director DD Sharma, Sanjiv Sharma, MM Behl and Ankit Garg.

Bathinda, September 14
The police clampdown against the drug peddlers following the orders of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has brought the activities of drug peddlers and addicts to a halt in the district, albeit temporarily.

The tough measures adopted by the Bathinda police has netted more than 50 drug peddlers and addicts in the police net in the last few days.

The doctors at the drug de-addiction centres said the addicts in the district informed them that the sudden tightening of noose has left them without any kind of drugs these days. Policemen immediately swoop down on persons carrying drugs.

Even those consuming liquor at public places in Bathinda and its adjoining areas, are facing the heat from the police.

Senior police functionaries revealed that the fresh instructions from Deputy CM to immediately dismiss the cop whose involvement in shielding the drug peddlers comes to light has led to the tightening of the noose around those involved in the trade.

Policemen deployed at different police stations, especially in the rural areas, said they are under pressure from the senior police functionaries to register as many cases as they can against the drug peddlers in the district.

"We do not leave any stone unturned to weed out drug peddlers from the district and have now taken stringent action even against those who were our informers and against whom we used to take a lenient view," said a police official, pleading anonymity.

Police sources said that every day, they have been arresting two to three persons in their respective areas. They added that the maximum number of cases relate to seizure of poppy husk, medicinal drugs and opium.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravcharan Singh Brar said efforts are on to weed out drug addiction from the district with the arrest of drug peddlers and addicts.

Residents of the district only hope that the lull in the activities of drug peddlers proves to be a long lasting one and does not return to its previous level once the toughness of the Deputy Chief Minister’s order wears off.

FAct file The tough measures adopted by the Bathinda police has brought more than 50 drug peddlers and addicts into the police net in the last few days. The doctors at the drug de-addiction centres said the addicts have been left without any drugs these days. Policemen immediately swoop down on persons carrying drugs. Even those consuming liquor at public places in Bathinda and its adjoining areas, are facing the heat from the police. Senior police functionaries revealed that the fresh instructions from Deputy CM to immediately dismiss the cops whose involvement in shielding the drug peddlers comes to light has led to the tightening of the noose around those involved in the trade. Policemen deployed at different police stations, especially in the rural areas, said they are under pressure from the senior police functionaries to register as many cases as they can against the drug peddlers in their areas.

Bathinda, September 14
As many as five final year students of B.Tech (ME) from Baba Farid Group of Institutions (BFGI) were chosen to work with Ozone Oversease Limited during a placement drive held at the college. The company offers complete architectural hardware solutions through its products.

Ashish Mehra, production head, Ozone Enterprise Group, along with his team, visited the campus and started the selection procedure with group discussion followed by a round of personal interviews. After the evaluation process, five students were selected for the post of production engineers. The selected students will go for six-month training in the same company after the completion of seventh semester.

Chairman, BFGI, Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, congratulated the students and expressed his gratitude to the company officials. "Students who couldn't make it this time should not be discouraged as several other opportunities will come their way. All they need to do is work hard and concentrate on their studies as well as personality development so that they can grab the opportunities," he said. 

Bathinda, September 14
An inter-college Punjabi University, Patiala zonal level cricket match, was held at the Police Public School grounds here today. The principal of the school, Monica Singh, inaugurated the match between Guru Nanak College, Budhlada and ACPE College, Mastuana Saheb.

In the first match, ACPE won the toss and chose to bowl first. With the efforts of Satnam Singh who scored 38 runs off 30 balls, Guru Nanak College managed to put up a score of 101 runs on the board. ACPE's Paramjit Singh scored 34 runs off 22 balls while Gurjinder Singh scored 28 runs in 29 balls and helped the team win the match by eight wickets in 14.2 overs.

The second match was played between Government Kirti College, Nihal Pattra, and Public College, Samana. Government Kirti College won the toss and bowled first. Public College's Gagan Sood remained the team's top scorer with 23 runs off 22 balls. With only 110 runs on the board, the team was sent back to pavilion in just 17.3 overs.

Kirti College' top order batsmen tottered in front of the bowling attack and returned to the pavillion in 18.2 overs with 82 runs on the board. Public College won the match by 28 runs.

Bathinda, September 14
If you can distinguish your Afghani chicken from Tandoori chicken, there is a high probability that you've been to and eaten at the Kapoor Kebab Corner.

Not a eatery to be missed, less because of its prime location at Gol Diggi market in the city and more because of its name, the Kapoor Kebab Corner has been going strong since 1983 when it was first opened.

"My father, Ram Charan Kapoor, used to run Kapoor Kebab Corner at Bathinda bus stand. I began working with him and learnt the tricks of the trade. He opened this place for me at Gol Diggi and since then, it is the favourite haunt of all lovers of non-vegetarian food," said Sanjay Kapoor, who manages the place. He added that they had to shut down the shop at the bus stand since managing both the shops was proving to be difficult.

Talking about the popularity of the place, he says, "Before we opened the shop, people knew only about mutton and chicken. We introduced the city to chilly chicken, Afghani chicken and several other dishes. Our mutton and chicken seekh kebab are still very popular."

Sanjay Kapoor also attributes the popularity of the place to the use of fresh non-vegetarian ingredients.

"We never prepare dishes in advance that can be reheated and served to the customer. Our novelty is in the fact that we prepare on demand and use fresh ingredients," Sanjay said.

Waking up to the increasing competition posed by swanky restaurants and eating joints opening in the city, Sanjay said he has plans to spread his wings. "My twenty-two year old son, Karan, helps me manage the shop. If he shows greater interest, we may expand," he said.

Bathinda, September 14
Police today arrested four drug peddlers with 27 kg poppy husk under the areas of Sangat, Kotfatta and Nandgarh police stations.

The accused, Mangal Singh of Jangirana village, was found carrying 2 kg poppy husk and 2 litres of intoxicating liquid from near Jangirana village. A case under sections 15, 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against him at the Nandgarh police station.

Atma Singh and Major Singh of Burj Mansa village were arrested with 20 kg poppy husk from near Jassi Baghwali village. The accused were brought to Sangat police station where a case under sections 15, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act was registered against them.