Ludhiana, October 31
Migrant workers keen on being with their families on Diwali and Chhat puja are leaving the city for their native places as a result of which the industrial production is likely to go down by nearly 25 per cent in the coming days. The Ludhiana railway station is crowded with workers waiting to board trains to UP and Bihar these days.

Workers usually travel to their home states at this time of the year for Diwali. Several workers from Bihar, who were ready to board trains today, said they had planned a month-long holiday.

Yogesh, a migrant from Bihar, said every year he celebrated Diwali and Holi with his family back home. "I plan to come back by the end of next month," he said.

Surinder Kapoor, owner of a small scale unit, said 60 per cent of his workforce was going back home to celebrate Diwali and he had engaged workers on a temporary basis. "Since Diwali is one of the main festivals, I cannot deny them leave. I hope they come back soon. The production process gets affected during the festive season," he said.

Another migrant, Suresh, who works in a local dyeing unit on the Jalandhar bypass, is all set to board a train to his home state Bihar. He is carrying special "gujia" and "besan laddoos" with him from Ludhiana. "My wife is fond of this mithai and every year I carry it with me from the city. I plan to return soon after Chhat puja," said Suresh.

However, there are some workers who have made plans to celebrate Diwali with fun and frolic while being in the industrial city.

Hailing from Mathura, Brijesh, who works in a garment manufacturing unit here, will be unable to celebrate the festival of lights with his family because of unavailability of tickets and shortage of holidays this Diwali.

"Ludhiana is like a second home for me. I will celebrate the festival of lights here the way I do it back home. My co-workers are my extended family and I will celebrate with them, " he said.

Ludhiana, October 31
To curb child labour, the police, along with an officer of the Labour Department, conducted a raid on a wholesale cracker market at Dana Mandi here today.

The police said the raid was conducted on a tip-off that shopkeepers had employed minor children for selling crackers. According to sources, 10 "juveniles" were reportedly "rescued" from Dana Mandi. However, the raid turned out to be a futile exercise as the children rescued from Dana Mandi were found to be over 18 years old.

Confirming this, Balwinder Singh, SHO, Salem Tabri, and labour inspector Baljeet Singh said, "We conducted a raid to see whether child labour was being employed, but none of the children employed by cracker vendors was a minor."

Labour inspector Baljeet Singh said 10 workers, suspected to be minors, were singled out during the raid, but the doctor accompanying the raiding team declared them over 18 years old following a medical test.

The sources said the cracker vandors had received prior information about the raid and all minors employed by them were moved out from the venue before the arrival of the raiding team.

A cracker vendor criticised the police for employing "pressure tactics" before Diwali, alleging that policemen and their relatives wanted to get a rebate while purchasing crackers.

Ludhiana, October 31
The Railway authorities have failed to fulfill their promise to get railway quarters whitewashed before Diwali. Irked from the delay, a delegation of the Northern Railway Men's Union met the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) at Ferozepur Division today. He promised the Railway employees, residing in the Railway colonies that their quarters would be whitewashed before Diwali.

According to the residents of Railway colonies, “Some of the railway quarters have not been whitewashed for the past many years. The condition of walls of these quarters is pathetic. The railway employees have been demanding whitewash for the past several months and they were hopeful that the authorities will do it till Diwali.”

Mohinder, a resident of the Railway colony said, “Now, Diwali is just two days away but whitewash work is yet to be started. Leaders of the NRMU told us that the DRM has promised to get the quarters whitewashed. But nobody came here to do the work.”

Daljit Singh, Divisional Secretary of the Northern Railway Men's Union, “It was the major concern of the railway employees so we have requested the Divisional Railway Manger for the same. He had promised us but nothing has happened so far. We have reminded the authorities several times but they did not fulfill the promise.”

"Yesterday, we met with the DRM in Ferozepur. He has promised again to do the same before Diwali. We also told the officials about other demands. If the authorities did not fulfill our demand, we will go on strike on November 9," said Daljit Singh. 

Ludhiana, October 31
Rising gold prices have pushed an increasing number of city residents to opt for white gold, diamond or platinum jewellery this festive season over the yellow metal. Jewellers have announced many kinds of offers to lure customers ahead of Dhanteras tomorrow.

Gold price are expected to cross the Rs 33,000 on 'Dhanteras', a day considered to be auspicious for buying the precious metal, on account of rising demand amid tight supplies.

Elevated gold prices have led Indian investors to eye diamonds and platinum as a lucrative investment opportunity. Under such circumstances, jewellers have started focusing on the platinum-based diamond jewellery over traditional gold and silver ornaments to tap the changing preferences of domestic consumers.

"There seems to be an increasing interest among the domestic consumers for buying platinum and diamond jewellery. Frequent price fluctuations in gold and silver prices seem to have drawn attention of jewellery buyers towards platinum and diamond-based jewellery," added another jeweller Mala Dhanda, owner of a jewellery shop at College Road.

In the domestic market, gold is being sold at a high premium due to supply crunch caused by government measures to restrict the import of precious metal in an effort to cut current account deficit. People have started avoiding gold and in turn jewellers have announced offers to lure customers.

"Impact of high gold premiums will be there on prices on Dhanteras because supplies have dried up in the absence of imports in the past three months," added Jain.

While buying utensils on Dhanteras have always been popular crockery shops have displayed huge varieties of steel and copper utensils outside their shops which people will be buying as it is considered auspicious. "With gold becoming out of reach, people are increasingly buying utensils to mark the occasion of Dhanteras,” said owner of a crockery shop at Ghumar Mandi.

Ludhiana, October 31
Today's rain brought chill in the weather. The agro-meteorology department at Punjab Agricultural University recorded a 12 mm rainfall in one and a half hours. The rain has led to a major fall in the maximum temperature, which was 26.6 degrees Celsius, 4 degrees less than the normal temperature. The minimum temperature of the day was recorded at 16.5 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees more than the normal temperature.

The experts at the department have predicted that rain was unlikely during the next few days but the temperatures would remain the same. "The next sunny days would bring the temperature to the normal level and it is expected to be less cold in the coming weeks," said the experts.

Dr Kulwinder Kaur Gill, agro-meteorologist at the PAU, said: "The morning showers occurred due to the western disturbances".

She added the showers were harmful for both the cotton and paddy crops, which were being harvested.

Ludhiana, October 31
A sculpture of a baby girl in a palm of hand depicted the need for protecting girls and prevention of female foeticide. Prepared by an amateur artist, Ramakant, the sculpture was presented recently to Bathinda MP and founder of Nanhi Chhan, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who was here to attend a function regarding spreading awareness against female foeticide organised at Shree Geeta Mandir.

This was not the only sculpture he has prepared, but Rama Pandit who is popularly called Ramakant here has to his credit many idols and artifacts.

Ramakant said, “I keep thinking of new ideas and share it with the temple management committee members.” Pardeep Dhall, from the management committee said that Ramakant makes beautiful idols and artifacts for the temple.

Ludhiana, October 31
Diwali celebrations are incomplete without a beautiful rangoli. We start cleaning houses these days before the festival so that the house look perfect and the rangoli proves an icing on the cake on the Diwali night.

While traditional rangolis were made up of rice powder, people have started using variety of colours. Now, eco-friendly colours are also available in the market while some people also make use of the flowers like marigold, chrysanthemums, jasmine, etc to outline the design.

"Diwali celebrations are incomplete without rangoli. It is a best way to greet guests on this day. Like every year, I will be making rangoli. I have also started planning in advance. I will be making use of the flowers and will be making organic colours a home," said Shalini, a graduation student.

Meanwhile, those, who are not confident of making a perfect rangoli, can grab a stencil for it. All you have to do is fill in the colours in the stencil and your beautiful rangoli is ready for the guests coming to greet you. There are different sizes and shapes of stencils in the market. Ranging between Rs 50 to 100, these have come to the rescue of those who are not very good at art.

Ludhiana, October 31
The Excise and Taxation Department has extended the last date for e-filing of VAT returns for the second quarter from Oct 30 to Nov 5.

"There was a huge online rush of assesses to file the VAT returns for the second quarter. Keeping the rush and the ongoing festive season in view, the last date for filing online returns for the second quarter has been extended till November 5," said a senior official of the department.

Jatinder Khurana, a taxation lawyer, said: “Now, traders can file their returns peacefully after Diwali.”

Ludhiana, October 31
The District Congress Committee observed the martyrdom day of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as National Integration Day. Paying tributes to the slain leader, Pawan Diwan and Malkiat Singh Dakha, presidents of the urban and rural units of the party, said she would always stand in the history as a great visionary and a far-sighted and determined leader.

The speakers placed on record the contribution of Indira Gandhi in economic reforms, Green and White revolutions, and especially her role during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. Volunteers of the Congress Sewa Dal, led by their district president Nirmal Kaira, also held a prayer meeting to pay tributes to the former Prime Minister.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Oct 31
With intent to sensitise students about prevention and cure of vector-borne diseases, the State Education Department has launched a special programme on prevention and cure of such problems.

Recent spurt in cases of dengue has been reported to be a major factor behind the move which involved replacement of prescheduled programmes with those on the issue.

Besides disseminating knowledge through slides and lectures by experts through regular Edusat programmes, heads and teachers of various government-run schools will arrange educative lectures on the issue during morning assembly every day.

Director General School Education (DGSE), Kumar Rahul, has advised the heads and teachers of various government-run and private-aided schools to ensure that students of all the high and senior secondary classes imbibe tips of prevention and cure of the vector-borne diseases including the dengue, through the regular Edusat programmes.

Prescheduled programmes on routine subjects, including history, social sciences and allied topics have been replaced with special programme on prevention and the cure of vector-borne diseases. Earlier, multimedia slides on the subject were shown on Wednesday.

Perusal of communication addressed to all the District Education Officers, headmasters and principals of schools revealed that the higher authorities in the education department had decided to rope in students of all schools for playing their role in prevention and cure of vector-borne diseases including dengue. — OC

Ludhiana, October 31
Theme of ‘exploitation of women and their plight in the male-driven society’ ruled the plays, staged on the fourth and concluding day of the PTU Inter-Zonal Youth Festival, organised at GGNIMT today.

Although the plays touched many other issues and topics, women subjected to exploitation and suppression ruled the plays. Whether it was exploitation of the uneducated woman in 'Ali ki Chitthi', or injustice meted out to girl in 'Kathputli' or deplorable plight of migrant women through 'Jhana De Pani', most of the plays had female characters as the most suppressed and dejected in the male-dominated society. Even the partition episode 'Parinde Ud Jaange' had the woman character, who was at a difficult stage.

Apart from the women exploitation, another play ‘Mukti’ poignantly depicted the condition of the elderly languishing in old-age homes, ousted by the children borne by them.

Apart from the one-act-play, mimicry, Punjabi folk dance (girls), debate, poem recitation, still photography, creative writing and quiz were also organised. Results of the events were declared in the evening.

Story writing: 1. Adesh Institute of Engineering and Technology, Faridkot; 2. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib

Poetry writing: Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib; Institute of Engineering & Technology, Bhaddal.

Essay writing: 1. Shaheed Udham Singh College of Engineering & Technology; 2. Guru Nanak Institute of Management & Technology.

Elocution: 1. Baba Farid College of Engineering & Technology, Bathinda; 2. CT Institute of Engineering Management & Technology, Jalandhar.

Poetry recitation: 1. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib; 2. Rayat and Bahra Institute of Engineering and Biotechnology, Ropar.

Debate: 1. Rayat and Bahra Institute of Engineering & Biotechnology, Ropar; 2. DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology.

Still photography: 1. DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology; 2. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib.

Mimicry: DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar; 2. Institute of Engineering & Technology, Bhaddal.

One-act play: 1. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Fatehgarh Sahib; 2. CT Institute of Engineering Management & Technology, Jalandhar.

Bhangra: 1. CT Institute of Engineering Management & Technology, Jalandhar; 2. Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College and DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology.

Abhishek Sharma of Ryan International School secured the Best Cartoon Award, at a conference on National Cartoon Competition for youth convened by the UNESCO and the CSIR and other National Institutions on Oct 28 on the topic “Climate Change in Himalaya-Current Status and Future Perspective”. 

Ludhiana, October 31
A gang of juvenile thieves, who target people at marriage celebrations, is actove in the city. While the relatives of bride and groom remain busy in the celebrations, the children, aged between 10 and 12 years, mix up in the crowd and steal begs often containing cash and jewellery.

In the latest case, Inderpal Singh of Ahmedgarh Mandi fell victim to the gang. The incident took place on October 23 when he organised the wedding function of his son at a marriage place on Ferozepur Road.

In his complaint to the police, Inderpal Singh has said he handed over the bag containing cash and jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh to his wife Rajinder Kaur. While she was busy in the celebrations, someone stole the bag. Later, members of the family scanned the wedding videos and the recoding of the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the marriage place. They were shocked to find that thieves were none other than a boy and a girl, aged about 12 years, who were playing along with other children at the "pandal".

The Sadar police has registered a case of theft and started investigation.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Oct 31
The police has arrested six miscreants who were preparing to commit a robbery at a deserted place near White House Palace here last night.

The suspects have been identified as Mangat Rai, Hardeep Singh, Baljit Singh, Amanpreet Singh, Lakhan and Surinder Singh. The investigation team seized one car, motorcycle, two air-conditioners, one coloured TV, one inverter, two LPG cylinders and other valuables besides sharp weapons from them.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Amargarh Gurmit Singh said city police SHO Mandhir Singh had got a tip-off that at least six persons, equipped with weapons, were planning to commit a robbery.

Ludhiana, October 31
Judicial Magistrate Harpreet Kaur Nafra has convicted a man, Gurpreet Singh, alias Golu, of Ward No. 2, Sahnewal, of sodomising a six-year-old boy.

The convict was ordered to undergo a two-and-a-half-year jail term. He was also directed to pay a fine of Rs 5,000. "I am of the considered opinion that offences against children are increasing day by day. An offence of such a serious nature does not warrant a lenient view. So, the convict does not deserve any leniency," observed the court, while declining the plea of leniency filed by the accused. The victim boy had identified the accused in the court.

A case under Section 377 of the IPC was registered against the accused on August 21, 2011, following a complaint filed by the victim's father, Harpreet Singh.

According to the complainant, on August 20, 2011, he saw blood in the stool of his son. He took him to a doctor, who gave him some medicines, but his condition did not improve.

When he asked his son what had happened, he narrated the entire incident. He then took his son to the Civil Hospital, Sahnewal, where he remained hospitalised till August 25, 2011.

Ludhiana, October 31
Finally, the Sports Department has initiated the patch work on the synthetic track in Guru Nanak Stadium. The synthetic track was laid in 2000. The company, which installed the track, had told the sports officials that it had a life of 10 years.

Work on the synthetic track at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana.  Photo: Inderjeet Verma

According to the technical experts, the condition of track is too pathetic to hold sports athletics events at the stadium.

The athletes have demanded that the track should be replaced with a new one. The workers of a Delhi-based contractor started the patch work yesterday.

Sanjeev Sharma, athletic coach of the Sports Department, said: "Technically, the track should be replaced after 10 years. The synthetic track has been damaged due to regular use. We welcome the move of the department to repair it".

Kartar Singh, District Sports Officer, said: "We have informed the higher authorities about the condition of the track. We have also sent a proposal to replace it. To avoid inconvenience to players, we have decided to repair the track".

The government organises a number of non-sports functions, including entertainment shows, during the Kabaddi Cup, state functions on Independence Day and Republic Day and cultural 'akharaas', in the stadium. Event management companies hardly care to avoid damage to the track during such functions.

Ludhiana, October 31
Students of Bharitya Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Udham Singh Nagar branch won five medals in the Punjab State Yoga Championship organised by the Rashtriya Kalyan Yoga Kendra, affiliated to India Yoga Federation, at Munjal Auditorium here yesterday.

In the boy's section, Shubham bagged gold medal in the 15-18 years group while Nitin Sharma won silver medal in the same age category. Sachin secured silver medal in the 8-12 years section and Dhruve finished at the third spot to secure bronze.

In the girls' section, Dimple from the school clinched silver medal in the 15-18 years section. Besides, Vishesh Mohit, Ritik, Sajan, Ritika, Vibha and Sakshi won consolation prizes.

Bandana Sethi, Principal, BVM Udham Singh Nagar, appreciated the students and sports in charge Baljeet Singh Gill on the fine performance.

Ludhiana, October 31
Navdeep Kaur, student of the PAU, and Tanya of DAV Public School today got the better of their opponents to set up the title clash in the junior girls' (u-18) section on the second day of the 24th Prithipal Singh Memorial Ludhiana District Table Tennis Championship under way at the Punjab Agricultural University here.

In the first semifinal, Navdeep came out victorious against Yashmilan Kaur of DAV public School in straight sets 11-8, 12-10 and 11-6 while in the second semifinal, Tanya quelled a strong challenge from Akshita of Kundan Vidya Mandir whom she managed to beat 11-9, 6-11, 13-11 and 11-8.

In the junior boys' section (u-18), Sameer of GMT Public School, besides Navnidh of Green Land School, Sharandeep Singh of DAV Public School, Parvanshdeep Singh of DAV Public School, Shubham of Green Land School, Jashandeep of Sat Paul Mittal School, Saransh of Green Land School and Harnoor Singh of DCM Presidency School won their respective pre-quarterfinals to book berths in the last-eight stage.

Sameer beat Rupesh of Green Land School 3-0; Navnidh outplayed Nitin of Green Land School 3-1; Sharandeep Singh edged past Ayush of Alpine International School 3-2; Parvanshdeep outnumbered Jasjot of Ryan International School 3-1; Shubham blanked Garry Vij of DAV Public School 3-0; Jashandeep pipped Naman of Alpine International School 3-2; Saransh beat Harry Vij of DAV Public School 3-2 and Harnoor Singh routed Jaiditya of Sat Paul Mittal School 3-0.